Session 74 - Telenovellas and Horrible Terrors

This session marks a sad occasion - Mariana is flying back to Portugal, maybe forever. Stay in touch! You and Joe Joe shall be missed!

Next session is the last session of the year since I'll be in Iceland (two-for-one-pizzas-harr-harr) and then embroiled in Christmas stuff as we approach the end of the year. I am going to assume that 5th January will be our next session for now, if anything changes I'll let you know.
We'll also be back in the Mad Hatter next year (yay!) so less mucking about in noisy pubs.

We (or rather, Charles) are organising something laser quest-related for this Monday, so contact somebody via these emails or Facebook if you're interested!

Over and out.

Session 74 - Telenovellas and Horrible Terrors

Campaign Date:
Sunday, 27 November, 1549
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Zodiac: Scorpio

Enemies Defeated:
- A shapeshifting monster, sliced to pieces by Stabbington (250 exp)

- Joe Joe's parent's murderer, life ruined (100 exp)
Total: 350 exp

Treasure and Equipment:- Assorted arms and armour of an ancient design in fine condition, less effective than modern arms and armour but potentially valuable to history buffs (400 exp)

- A diary detailing the sordid details of the life a small-town Halfling.
Total: 400 exp

Exploration:
- Travelled 150 miles or so (500 exp)
- 7 dungeon rooms explored (140 exp)

- First party member to enter the hidden Halfling village of Gullypuddle (100 exp)
Total: 740 exp

Events:
- Flew brass bell to Fate via giant eagle, most healed up while Stabbington and Mana went to see Slim Jimmy (50 exp)

- Slim Jimmy agreed to fence bell for cut of profits, bell shifted under cover of night. Profits used mostly to pay off Stabbington's significant debt. Remainder split. (50 exp)

- Manager of Stabbington's company gives him a map to a Dwarven dungeon of ominous import. (50 exp)

- Joe Joe drops some boulders carved with threatening messages in front of Slim Jimmy's house then flies the team to Gifflewim's shop, only to find it already ransacked. Townsfolk say he suddenly up and left town a few days ago without even saying goodbye. (50 exp)

- The party fly on eagleback to the dungeon entrance, then Joe Joe flies off to her home town. The session splits. (50 exp)
Inside the Dungeon:

- The main group enter to discover strange swirling purple smoke around their ankles and ornately carved halls. (50 exp)

- A room containing well preserved old robes, sandals, arms and armour is entered through a door containing a Hammer-and-Compasses symbol. (50 exp)

- In a large hall are many preserved bodies. Some armed humans, most unarmed Dwarfs. On the walls are murals of Dwarvish history. A few bodies are dragged outside for whatever reason. (50 exp)

- At the end of the hall, an empty altar that once contained several items, a big boulder, a Dwarfish inscription over the back wall saying "We Walk in the Right". (50 exp)

- Walking to the right, the party reach a library containing many stone Dwarfish tomes. Jane Doe has a cheeky read and finds out a bunch of stuff. (50 exp)

- Entering another room, the walls are layered rune-carved shells, looking through the runes cut into the shell allows you to see deeper layers. In a pool of water, gems! (50 exp)

- Testing of the gems reveals they are more glittering holes in the fabric of space-time than actual jewels. Jumurak's pickaxe crawls with white light. (50 exp)

- In the next room, battle ensues when a strange colour-shifting monster is poked. It reforms and changes round to round. (50 exp)
- In the fighting, Mana's weapons and armour break so she bogs off to the next room to check down a hole, seeing a pile of something sparking below. Dropping stuff has no effect. (50 exp)

- The shapeshifter is finally defeated after Jumurak passes out punching it and Stabbington lays in with a 5-hit combo, it bursts in a cloud of multicoloured gas. The party decides to cut their losses and leave. (50 exp)
In the Halfling village:

- Joe Joe lands impressively in the centre of the village and is greeted by the celebrating village inhabitants. (50 exp)

- She goes to see her relatives, the Grumbleberries, and is immersed once more in the tangled gossip-filled web of a Halfling village inter-familial politics. Her return has dredged up rumours that the Hogfoots were behind her parent's murder. (50 exp)

- Excusing herself from the conversation, Joe Joe necks a Shrinking potion and goes to investigate the Hogfoots. She learns that her father was originally a Hogfoot before marrying into the Grumbleberries, and clings onto the back of a chair to hear her father's sister's whispered discussion with her husband. (50 exp)

- Suspicious, Joe Joe finds their bedroom and goes through their stuff. She finds a locket with her father's face in it and a diary which contains more info, including that her father and his sister had been close as children. (50 exp)
- Despite the enmity between the Hogfoots and the Grumbleberries, Joe Joe's father and mother got married. This cut him off from the Hogfoots, and his sister, forever. In an attempt to get him back the sister bribed a human man to kill Joe Joe's mother. The price - mind-controlling the woman the man loved into being his loving wife. Unfortunately something went horribly wrong during the hit and he killed them both, fleeing into the night and leaving only the bracelet that Joe Joe now wears. (50 exp)

- With this inflammatory text in tow, Joe Joe concocts a plan to tell the whole town without being found guilty of the heinous crime of diary-theft. At her Welcome Home Feast she leaves the diary somewhere that an elder of the Longshank family, neutral in the Grumbleberry-Proudfoot feud, can find it by "accident". (50 exp)

- He reads it (acceptable by diary-windfall laws) and discovers the truth. In front of the whole town he shames Joe Joe's aunt and she is condemned. The punishment - partial lobotomy followed by mind-slavery until death. Joe Joe shows pity and decides she should instead have a choice between being disembowelled by the giant eagle or being exiled from the village. The condemned quickly agrees to exile. (50 exp)

- Joe Joe's aunt tells her where the killer still lives in a human town and they fly there. While Joe Joe confronts him, her aunt removes the mindcontrol on the killer's wife. Joe Joe leaves as the killer's life begins to fall apart. (50 exp)

- Now tired of small town politics, Joe Joe flies off on her eagle to greater adventures. (50 exp)

Total: 1150 exp

Misc:
- Brutal Kill bonus (50 exp)

- Diplomacy bonus (50 exp)
- Dramatic Battle bonus (50 exp)
- Kill It With Fire bonus (50 exp)
- Soap Opera bonus (50 exp)

- Split the Party bonus (50 exp)

- Overkilled the tranforming monster (100 exp)
- Near Death Experience bonus (Jumurak - 100 exp)

- Party Treasurer Bonus (Jane Doe - 100 exp)
Total: 400 exp + bonuses

Active Businesses:
- Peggy Pigrider - Pie Mama's. Safe. Value: 1213sp
- John Doe the Unlucky - Anvil, Mining and Craft Company. Risky. Value: 1579sp
- Lulu Spiderbite - Clunge Honey. Safe. Value: 1357sp
- Joe Joe - Josephine's Petting Zoo. Risky. Value: 1455sp
- Stabbington Shanks - Tomb Busters. Risky. Value: 618sp (+3% value)

Rumours:
- The Fated King's withdrawn our armies from Caledonia. I fear the north is lost.

- The girl at Lamister's Roost says she knows the people who knocked over the Bloodworth Estate. Forced her to cut the keys at gunpoint they did.

- It's madness in the mountains now, Dwimmermount is spewing dark forces and strange smoky creatures stalk the passes.

- If you tattoo the Dead Sign of Duvan'Ku upon your chest you can gain entry to the city of Necromancers.

- The dark tunnels below the city contain more than vagrants and rats, the Resurrection Engine they use to raise the dead is down there too!

- Atrox Morbus might be scary and expensive, but the leech there is an expert on every disease and malady the world has ever seen!

Death Toll and Injuries:
- None!

[[]]

Exp Totals:
Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 43219 (Level up at 64000)
Charles / Zea, Level 6 Cleric: 33930 (Level up at 56000)
Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 28949 (Level up at 32000)
Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 14649 (Level up at 17600)
Sarah / Mana, Level 4 Specialist (Thief): 10690 (Level up at 12000)
Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 3 Muscle Wizard: 8195 (Level up at 9000)

Thanks-for-running-overflow:
David / Theras, Level 5 Specialist (Assassin): 13422 (Level up at 24000)

Absent or Retired:

Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 25506 (Level up at 32000)

Dana / Bingo Augustus, Level 5 Muscle Wizard: 19863 (Level up at 36000)

James / Quarion, Level 3 Elf (Gremling): 7947 (Level up at 12000)

Gary / Skirr Abderian, Level 1 Specialist (Thief): 416 (Level up at 1500)

Mariana / Aurora, Level 3 Cleric: 4018 (Level up at 7000)

Wai / Mogwi Stitch-Up, Level 2 Specialist: 2715 (Level up at 3000)

Sam / Lucados Orbrus, Level 2 Fighter: 3000 (Level up at 4000)

Clay / Carthas, Level 1 Fighter: 371 (Level up at 2000)

John / West, Level 1 Cleric: 521 (Level up at 1750)

Hayley / Bob, Level 2 Dwarf: 2999 (Level up at 4400)

Niall / Roht, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 722 (Level up at 2250)

??? / Unnamed Cleric of the Garden God, Level 1 Cleric: 0 (Level up at 1750)

Florent / Sir Arthur, Level 1 Fighter: 186 (Level up at 2000)

Jamie / Alden, Level 1 Magic-User: 186 (Level up at 2250)

Ben / Thant, Level 1 Cleric: 186 (Level up at 1750)

Mike / Arran Folynn, Level 1 Specialist (Rogue): 186 (Level up at 1500)

Alex / Arhnin, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1518 (Level up at 3000)

Daniel / Davrak, Level 1 Magic User: 976 (Level up at 2250)

Nuno / Temperion, Level 1 Magic User: 742 (Level up at 2250)

Leo / Leo, Level 4 Cleric: 11102 (Level up at 14000)

Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 5 Dwarf: 19420 (Level up at 35200)

-- Mr Pig, Level 1 Porcine.

Aron / Alphonse the Gentleman Barbarian, Level 1 Barbarian: 1184 (Level up at 2000)

Nimrod / U, Level 2 Specialist (Monk): 2250 (Level up at 3000)

Renzo / (Renzo's next character), Level 2 ???: 3462 (Level up at ???)

Clay / Svalborg, Level 2 Goblin: 2204 (Level up at 4000)

-- Tzani Spillios, Level 0 Scholar

Thomas / Tobias, Level 2 Cleric: 2204 (Level up at 3500)

Josh / Larry, Level 1 Elf (Galumfy Dotard): 383 (Level up at 3000)

Will / Calen, Level 1 Halfling: 1582 (Level up at 2000)

Davide / Golden Junk, Level 1 Elf (Misergeist): 1971 (Level up at 3000)

Pedro / Dexter, Level 1 Necromancer: 1460 (Level up at 2250)

Mark / Marley, Level 2 Specialist: 2850 (Level up at 3000)

Rita / Arwen, Level 1 Elf (Sloomit Waghorn): 643 (Level up at 3000)

Sophia / Ceres, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1487 (Level up at 3000)

Alex / Tick, Level 1 Goblin: 731 (Level up at 2000)

Oliver / Pip, Level 1 Halfling: 731 (Level up at 2000)

Ej / Matilda, Level 2 Specialist: 1839 (Level up at 3000)

Sev / Brad the Stabbinator, Level 1 Fighter: 1871 (Level up at 2000)

Harry / Reg, Level 1 Dwarf: 150 (Level up at 2200)

Mike / Lootle Halfstack, Level 1 Specialist: 715 (Level up at 1500)

Aaron / Maura, Level 1 Halfling: 1637 (Level up at 2000)

Matt / Sheik, Level 1 Barbarian: 767 (Level up at 2000)

Shaun / Nagash, Level 1 Necromancer: 817 (Level up at 2250)

rhhjdghjdshgjbleeeh / Elric, Level 1 Cleric: 817 (Level up at 1750)

Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 12881 (Level up at 18000)

Pawel / Devein, Level 1 Dwarf: 1160 (Level up at 2200)

Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1530 (Level up at 2250)

Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)

Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 850 (Level up at 3000)

John / Level 1 Magic-User: 1500 (Level up at 2000)

Chris / Crocell, Level 4 Halfling: 12318 (Level up at 16000)

-- Belial, Level 1 Fighter: 1047 (Level up at 2000)

Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 9129 (Level up at 18000)

Renzo / Gastani, Level 2 Barbarian: 3000 (Level up at 4000)

Chris2 / Gadling, Level 3 Specialist (Assassin): 4738 (Level up at 6000)

Joanna / Artemis, Level 2 Specialist (Healer): 2250 (Level up at 3000)

George / Magnus, Level 1 Cleric: 1342 (Level up at 1750)

Lisa / Bella, Level 1 Magic User: 1951 (Level up at 2250)

Jacob / Wizard Khalifa, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 430 (Level up at 2250)

Marius' Totally-Not-Necromancer, Level 3 Necromancer: 5111 (Level up at 9000)

Nadav / Frog, Level 1 Fighter: 732 (Level up at 2000)

Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)

Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)

Kate / Khaleesi, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 37 (Level up at 2250)

Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)

--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human

Session 73 - Flyyy like an Eagle

Man, I've been trying to get this session recap out for days but kept getting forestalled by the sheer amount of booze I have been consuming.
ANYWAY

Looks like the Crosse Keys is going to be the new haunt for a while. We'll start by looking there, then rotate around bars until we can find a spot.
Our previous route was to go Crosse Keys -> Counting House -> this rad vampire bar whose name I forget. Usually the vampire bar has seats and also dungeon ambience, but the beers are pricey.

By the time you read this message it will probably be Tuesday already.

Session 73 - Flyyy like an Eagle.
Campaign Date:
Sunday, 22 November, 1549
Moon Phase: First Quarter
Zodiac: Libra

Enemies Defeated:
- A big albino psycho-molerat (75 exp)

- 2 grape-fleshed rat-snouted guards (50 exp)

- A loathsome frog demon (75 exp)
Total: 200 exp

Treasure and Equipment:
- A strange violet horn, absorbed into Zea

- A copper sword (500 exp)

- An enormous brass bell inscribed with horrible sigils and runes (10000 exp)
Total: 10500 exp

Exploration:
- Flew 42 miles (140 exp)

- First party to enter the Infinite Belltower (400 exp)
- 5 dungeon rooms explored (100 exp)
- 1 random encountered (20 exp)
Total: 660 exp

Events:
- Due to Joe Joe's impending flight to her home county, that great big eagle from ages ago flies down to be mind-controlled and nearly interrupts a shopping trip. (50 xp)

- Breaking off plans to go back up the doom mountain, the team decide to Falcor their way somewhere they've never been before. (50 exp)

- After flying a fair distance to the Isles, the group spy an enormous skyscraping belltower above an empty city, landing on the top. (50 exp)

- The belltower is entered from the top and inspected, runes and sigils are discovered on the enormous brass bell but are unidentifiable. Four holes lead down into the tower itself. (50 exp)

- Descended down a hole into a giant-sized room covered in chalky stone and exhortations to the Gods. Carved in some advertising and messages. (50 exp)

- Explored through giant-sized archways until entered a room with a large and aggressive albino mole rat creature (50 exp)

- It attacks and is killed, despite inflicting some sort of mental madness with each bite. Jumurak comes over all kleptomaniacal while Mana's frothing blood-rage is cured through Zea's godly powers as she forcibly violates the mole corpse's anus. (50 exp)

- Exploring further, a room containing a glowing purple horn from an unknown beast is found on a pedestal. Zea picks it up and it drains into his hands.. then causes large spiralling horns to grow from his forehead. (50 exp)
- Zea and Stabbington find themselves walking into a ridiculous water wheel treadmill device and manage to get out through liberal application of rocks, despite electrocution via copper sword. (50 exp)

- Some grape-fleshed rat-shaped guards juicily turn up in the next hallway, while they initially seem friendly they attack when the party's back is turned. Worse, metal seems to do them no real harm. (50 exp)

- In an attempt to salvage the situation, Jumurak punch-casts Summon and pulls a frog demon from the depths of the chaos dimension. It's angry and hates him and the party flee its amphibian wrath in terror. (50 exp)

- After a dramatic chase scene it catches up with Stabbington and he stabs it and it dies. 9 HP is not a lot. (50 exp)

- The party leaves on eagleback, nicking the giant brass bell that was intended to be a real good treasure after dungeoneering the whole way up the tower. Unintended consequence, ho! (50 exp)

Total: 700 exp

Misc:
- Anal Violation bonus (50 exp)

- Brutal kill bonus (50 exp)
- Diplomacy bonus (50 exp)

- Leave a Man Behind bonus (50 exp)

- Mind Control to Major Tom bonus (50 exp)

- PETA bonus (50 exp)

- Mutatis Mutandis bonus (Zea - 100 exp)

- Shopping Spree bonus (Whole party - 100 exp ea.)

- Pundemonium bonus (Zea - 100 exp)

- Failed Saving Throw bonus (Jumurak, Mana - 100 exp ea.)

Total: 300 exp + bonuses

Active Businesses:
- Peggy Pigrider - Pie Mama's. Safe. Value: 1213sp
- John Doe the Unlucky - Anvil, Mining and Craft Company. Risky. Value: 1579sp
- Lulu Spiderbite - Clunge Honey. Safe. Value: 1357sp
- Joe Joe - Josephine's Petting Zoo. Risky. Value: 1455sp
- Stabbington Shanks - Tomb Busters. Risky. Value: 618sp (+3% value)

Rumours:
-

Death Toll and Injuries:
- None!

[[]]

Exp Totals:
Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 42712 (Level up at 64000)
Charles / Zea, Level 6 Cleric: 33423 (Level up at 56000)
Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 28442 (Level up at 32000)
Sarah / Mana, Level 4 Specialist (Thief): 10183 (Level up at 12000)
Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 3 Muscle Wizard: 7588 (Level up at 9000)

Thanks-for-running-overflow:
David / Theras, Level 5 Specialist (Assassin): 13422 (Level up at 24000)

+1d6 HP! +2 to skills! +2 to saves!

Absent or Retired:

Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 25506 (Level up at 32000)

Dana / Bingo Augustus, Level 5 Muscle Wizard: 19863 (Level up at 36000)

Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 14042 (Level up at 17600)

James / Quarion, Level 3 Elf (Gremling): 7947 (Level up at 12000)

Gary / Skirr Abderian, Level 1 Specialist (Thief): 416 (Level up at 1500)

Mariana / Aurora, Level 3 Cleric: 4018 (Level up at 7000)

Wai / Mogwi Stitch-Up, Level 2 Specialist: 2715 (Level up at 3000)

Sam / Lucados Orbrus, Level 2 Fighter: 3000 (Level up at 4000)

Clay / Carthas, Level 1 Fighter: 371 (Level up at 2000)

John / West, Level 1 Cleric: 521 (Level up at 1750)

Hayley / Bob, Level 2 Dwarf: 2999 (Level up at 4400)

Niall / Roht, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 722 (Level up at 2250)

??? / Unnamed Cleric of the Garden God, Level 1 Cleric: 0 (Level up at 1750)

Florent / Sir Arthur, Level 1 Fighter: 186 (Level up at 2000)

Jamie / Alden, Level 1 Magic-User: 186 (Level up at 2250)

Ben / Thant, Level 1 Cleric: 186 (Level up at 1750)

Mike / Arran Folynn, Level 1 Specialist (Rogue): 186 (Level up at 1500)

Alex / Arhnin, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1518 (Level up at 3000)

Daniel / Davrak, Level 1 Magic User: 976 (Level up at 2250)

Nuno / Temperion, Level 1 Magic User: 742 (Level up at 2250)

Leo / Leo, Level 4 Cleric: 11102 (Level up at 14000)

Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 5 Dwarf: 19420 (Level up at 35200)

-- Mr Pig, Level 1 Porcine.

Aron / Alphonse the Gentleman Barbarian, Level 1 Barbarian: 1184 (Level up at 2000)

Nimrod / U, Level 2 Specialist (Monk): 2250 (Level up at 3000)

Renzo / (Renzo's next character), Level 2 ???: 3462 (Level up at ???)

Clay / Svalborg, Level 2 Goblin: 2204 (Level up at 4000)

-- Tzani Spillios, Level 0 Scholar

Thomas / Tobias, Level 2 Cleric: 2204 (Level up at 3500)

Josh / Larry, Level 1 Elf (Galumfy Dotard): 383 (Level up at 3000)

Will / Calen, Level 1 Halfling: 1582 (Level up at 2000)

Davide / Golden Junk, Level 1 Elf (Misergeist): 1971 (Level up at 3000)

Pedro / Dexter, Level 1 Necromancer: 1460 (Level up at 2250)

Mark / Marley, Level 2 Specialist: 2850 (Level up at 3000)

Rita / Arwen, Level 1 Elf (Sloomit Waghorn): 643 (Level up at 3000)

Sophia / Ceres, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1487 (Level up at 3000)

Alex / Tick, Level 1 Goblin: 731 (Level up at 2000)

Oliver / Pip, Level 1 Halfling: 731 (Level up at 2000)

Ej / Matilda, Level 2 Specialist: 1839 (Level up at 3000)

Sev / Brad the Stabbinator, Level 1 Fighter: 1871 (Level up at 2000)

Harry / Reg, Level 1 Dwarf: 150 (Level up at 2200)

Mike / Lootle Halfstack, Level 1 Specialist: 715 (Level up at 1500)

Aaron / Maura, Level 1 Halfling: 1637 (Level up at 2000)

Matt / Sheik, Level 1 Barbarian: 767 (Level up at 2000)

Shaun / Nagash, Level 1 Necromancer: 817 (Level up at 2250)

rhhjdghjdshgjbleeeh / Elric, Level 1 Cleric: 817 (Level up at 1750)

Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 12881 (Level up at 18000)

Pawel / Devein, Level 1 Dwarf: 1160 (Level up at 2200)

Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1530 (Level up at 2250)

Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)

Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 850 (Level up at 3000)

John / Level 1 Magic-User: 1500 (Level up at 2000)

Chris / Crocell, Level 4 Halfling: 12318 (Level up at 16000)

-- Belial, Level 1 Fighter: 1047 (Level up at 2000)

Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 9129 (Level up at 18000)

Renzo / Gastani, Level 2 Barbarian: 3000 (Level up at 4000)

Chris2 / Gadling, Level 3 Specialist (Assassin): 4738 (Level up at 6000)

Joanna / Artemis, Level 2 Specialist (Healer): 2250 (Level up at 3000)

George / Magnus, Level 1 Cleric: 1342 (Level up at 1750)

Lisa / Bella, Level 1 Magic User: 1951 (Level up at 2250)

Jacob / Wizard Khalifa, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 430 (Level up at 2250)

Marius' Totally-Not-Necromancer, Level 3 Necromancer: 5111 (Level up at 9000)

Nadav / Frog, Level 1 Fighter: 732 (Level up at 2000)

Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)

Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)

Kate / Khaleesi, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 37 (Level up at 2250)

Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)

--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human

Session 72 - Deja Two

Good work guys! A fairly bloodless little delve in the end, notwithstanding the death of the last henchman from last time.

I quite like this book-that-lets-you-play-through-the-dungeon-in-the-past gimmick, I might use it again some time!

Session 72 - Deja Two

Campaign Date:
Thursday, 19 November, 1549
Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
Zodiac: Libra

Enemies Defeated:

- An 'armless skeleton (0 exp)

- 1 Lunatic Eye (50 exp)

- 2 Blind Eyes (100 exp)

- Gifflewim the Shopkeeper, forced to surrender post-mindcontrol (1500 exp)

Total: 1650 exp

Treasure and Equipment:

- Potion #161

- Potion #118

- Potion #236

- Parachute Cloak

- Skeleton torso backpack

- Grim mask allows wearer to see dead as they did in life

- 2 meat hook daggers.

- 1000 sp in various denominations (1000 exp)

- Book on Military Strategy

- Book on Flowers

- Book on Herbs

- A suit of golden armour (8000 exp)

- 2 golden goblets (900 exp)

- An old, detailed painting of hundreds of skeletons before an altar (2000 exp)

Total: 11900 exp

Exploration:
- Travelled 12 miles (40 exp)

- 4 dungeon rooms explored (80 exp)

- One random encountered (20 exp)

Total: 140 exp

Events:

- Zea, Stabbington and Jumurak make their way to a small village away from the doom fortress to heal up, meanwhile Lulu (with Zea's Blessing) decides to climb the sheer mountain face to bypass the fortress and go directly to the cabin. (50 exp)

- The main gang decide to check out the Curiosity Shop in the village and meet Gifflewim, the shopkeeper. A cheeky mind-control later and he tells everyone all about how he's an Elf, will totally trade knickknacks for other knickknacks (50 exp)

- Party travels (with Gifflewim) to Lulu's position, discover she got climbing ropes about halfway up before having to come back down to the ground. Zea casts Remove Curse on Lulu, counteracting the effects of the Red Rapier

- Using crampons and the ropes Lulu put up, Stabbington makes it to the top. (50 exp)

- Up above the group digs into the unmarked grave specified in the book and find great treasures, but decide to come and grab them later after invading the dungeon under the cabin. (50 exp)

- A skeleton with no arms and a scroll in its ribcage tries to jog past from the cabin to the castle, is stopped and de-legged and carried around like C-3P0 in Cloud City, and the mysterious message is read out. (50 exp)

- A hidden grate specified in the book is filled with a goopy substance. An explosive potion (courtesy of Gifflewim) is dropped in and the ooze recedes. (50 exp)

- Lulu and the rest of the party descend via rope into the room with the pit, find the ooze monster singing to itself in the doorway and leading down the hole. It is ignored. (50 exp)

- Reading that the other door only opens when a sacrifice is made, they trick Token the archer into reading a passage from the book. He does so, and Lulu is possessed into kicking him down the hole, as intended. The door opens. (50 exp)

- Exploring past the door, the group check out the room where the knife-wielding murderer guy once was. Inside, a sarcophagus with a human skeleton in it wearing a grimacing mask. Lulu puts on the mask and discovers it allows her to see the undead as who they were in life. (50 exp)

- She also checks the overhang where the masked murderer once dropped down and discovers two meat hook knives. (50 exp)

- Mollified by the lack of murderer, the group checks out the room where the fat ghouls once resided. Other than some empty sarcophagi and some graspers attached to chain on the ceiling, the room is empty. (50 exp)

- A further room, not specified in the book, is explored and three large canopic jars found. One, once inspected, contains a bunch of old coins... then a strange hand-headed snake drops on Stabbington's shoulders and sends him mad. (50 exp)

- Stabbington carves his dog into bits, those who want to help him are also affected by the palm-eye of the snake and several also go insane. Jumurak begins rolling around in the shards of the canopic jar while Joe Joe starts shooting and Gifflewim begins casting a spell (50 exp)

- Two more hand-eye-snakes drop from the ceiling mid-fight, turning Stabbington blind as the madness wears off. One of the others is sliced to absolute shit by Lulu ("Hands off my friends"), and Gifflewim takes his opportunity to leg it when the mindcontrol is released. Joe Joe tries to shoot him but Gifflewim's spell gave him immunity to normal weapons. (50 exp)

- Lulu pursues... slowly. She gets to the grate to the surface in time to see GIfflewim near the top of the rope. Luckily a mad soothsayer once prophesied to Lulu that a rope would snap as music plays, and that prophesy came true amid the singing of the slime. Gifflewim falls, I pout. (50 exp)

- Gifflewim begs for his life, says he's got no hard feelings, gives party a bunch of cool stuff and the key to his shop in exchange for his freedom. (50 exp)

- The party descend back down the mountain, grabbing the buried treasure as they do so. (50 exp)
Total: 900 exp

Misc:

- Antagonist Emancipator bonus (50 exp)

- Brutal Kill bonus (50 exp)

- Deja Vu bonus (50 exp)

- Dramatic Battle bonus (50 exp)

- Enmity Inciter bonus (50 exp)

- Hard Bargain bonus (50 exp)

- Internecine Strife bonus (50 exp)

- Mind Control to Major Tom bonus (50 exp)

- Mountaineer bonus (50 exp)

- Overkill bonus (50 exp)

- PETA bonus (50 exp)

- This! Is! Sparta! bonus (50 exp)

- Tomb Raider bonus (50 exp)

- What the Fuck Guys bonus (50 exp)

- Failed Saving Throw bonus (Stabbington, Jumurak, Joe Joe - 100 exp ea.)

- Pundemonium bonus (Lulu - 100 exp)

Total: 700 exp + bonuses

Active Businesses:- Peggy Pigrider - Pie Mama's. Safe. Value: 1213sp
- John Doe the Unlucky - Anvil, Mining and Craft Company. Risky. Value: 1579sp
- Lulu Spiderbite - Clunge Honey. Safe. Value: 1357sp (+19% value, -accountant's fee)
- Joe Joe - Josephine's Petting Zoo. Risky. Value: 1455sp (-3% value)
- Stabbington Shanks - Tomb Busters. Risky. Value: 600sp

Rumours:

- Forgot to let you roll like yea.

Death Toll and Injuries:
- Stabbington's much-loved dog, Buster, and Stabbington's henchman whose death he was far more ambivalent to.

[[]]

Exp Totals:

Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 40140 (Level up at 64000)

Charles / Zea, Level 6 Cleric: 30651 (Level up at 56000)

Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 25870 (Level up at 32000)

Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 25506 (Level up at 32000)

Sarah / Mana, Level 4 Specialist (Thief): 7511 (Level up at 12000)

+1d6 HP! +2 skill points! 

Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 3 Muscle Wizard: 4916 (Level up at 9000)
+1d4 HP! +1 level 2 spell/day! +free level 2 spell!

Thanks-for-running-overflow:

David / Theras, Level 4 Specialist (Assassin): 8950 (Level up at 12000)

Absent or Retired:

Dana / Bingo Augustus, Level 5 Muscle Wizard: 19863 (Level up at 36000)

Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 14042 (Level up at 17600)

James / Quarion, Level 3 Elf (Gremling): 7947 (Level up at 12000)

Gary / Skirr Abderian, Level 1 Specialist (Thief): 416 (Level up at 1500)

Mariana / Aurora, Level 3 Cleric: 4018 (Level up at 7000)

Wai / Mogwi Stitch-Up, Level 2 Specialist: 2715 (Level up at 3000)
Sam / Lucados Orbrus, Level 2 Fighter: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Clay / Carthas, Level 1 Fighter: 371 (Level up at 2000)
John / West, Level 1 Cleric: 521 (Level up at 1750)
Hayley / Bob, Level 2 Dwarf: 2999 (Level up at 4400)
Niall / Roht, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 722 (Level up at 2250)
??? / Unnamed Cleric of the Garden God, Level 1 Cleric: 0 (Level up at 1750)
Florent / Sir Arthur, Level 1 Fighter: 186 (Level up at 2000)
Jamie / Alden, Level 1 Magic-User: 186 (Level up at 2250)
Ben / Thant, Level 1 Cleric: 186 (Level up at 1750)
Mike / Arran Folynn, Level 1 Specialist (Rogue): 186 (Level up at 1500)
Alex / Arhnin, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1518 (Level up at 3000)
Daniel / Davrak, Level 1 Magic User: 976 (Level up at 2250)
Nuno / Temperion, Level 1 Magic User: 742 (Level up at 2250)
Leo / Leo, Level 4 Cleric: 11102 (Level up at 14000)
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 5 Dwarf: 19420 (Level up at 35200)
-- Mr Pig, Level 1 Porcine.
Aron / Alphonse the Gentleman Barbarian, Level 1 Barbarian: 1184 (Level up at 2000)
Nimrod / U, Level 2 Specialist (Monk): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
Renzo / (Renzo's next character), Level 2 ???: 3462 (Level up at ???)
Clay / Svalborg, Level 2 Goblin: 2204 (Level up at 4000)
-- Tzani Spillios, Level 0 Scholar
Thomas / Tobias, Level 2 Cleric: 2204 (Level up at 3500)
Josh / Larry, Level 1 Elf (Galumfy Dotard): 383 (Level up at 3000)
Will / Calen, Level 1 Halfling: 1582 (Level up at 2000)
Davide / Golden Junk, Level 1 Elf (Misergeist): 1971 (Level up at 3000)
Pedro / Dexter, Level 1 Necromancer: 1460 (Level up at 2250)
Mark / Marley, Level 2 Specialist: 2850 (Level up at 3000)
Rita / Arwen, Level 1 Elf (Sloomit Waghorn): 643 (Level up at 3000)
Sophia / Ceres, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1487 (Level up at 3000)
Alex / Tick, Level 1 Goblin: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Oliver / Pip, Level 1 Halfling: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Ej / Matilda, Level 2 Specialist: 1839 (Level up at 3000)
Sev / Brad the Stabbinator, Level 1 Fighter: 1871 (Level up at 2000)
Harry / Reg, Level 1 Dwarf: 150 (Level up at 2200)
Mike / Lootle Halfstack, Level 1 Specialist: 715 (Level up at 1500)
Aaron / Maura, Level 1 Halfling: 1637 (Level up at 2000)
Matt / Sheik, Level 1 Barbarian: 767 (Level up at 2000)
Shaun / Nagash, Level 1 Necromancer: 817 (Level up at 2250)
rhhjdghjdshgjbleeeh / Elric, Level 1 Cleric: 817 (Level up at 1750)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 12881 (Level up at 18000)
Pawel / Devein, Level 1 Dwarf: 1160 (Level up at 2200)
Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1530 (Level up at 2250)
Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)
Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 850 (Level up at 3000)
John / Level 1 Magic-User: 1500 (Level up at 2000)
Chris / Crocell, Level 4 Halfling: 12318 (Level up at 16000)
-- Belial, Level 1 Fighter: 1047 (Level up at 2000)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 9129 (Level up at 18000)
Renzo / Gastani, Level 2 Barbarian: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Chris2 / Gadling, Level 3 Specialist (Assassin): 4738 (Level up at 6000)
Joanna / Artemis, Level 2 Specialist (Healer): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
George / Magnus, Level 1 Cleric: 1342 (Level up at 1750)
Lisa / Bella, Level 1 Magic User: 1951 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Wizard Khalifa, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 430 (Level up at 2250)
Marius' Totally-Not-Necromancer, Level 3 Necromancer: 5111 (Level up at 9000)
Nadav / Frog, Level 1 Fighter: 732 (Level up at 2000)
Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)
Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)
Kate / Khaleesi, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 37 (Level up at 2250)
Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)
--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human

Session 71 - Deja Vu

After last session I am going to reinstate my Be Out of the Dungeon By the End of the Session policy. Mostly because it makes the "hey where did these guys go/come from" issue easier to explain, so keep that in mind!

I've got some terrible tables of doom and terror ready for next time you're not all out to relative safety by session's end oooOOooOoo.

I should also reiterate that I'm never going to balance stuff to party number and level, picking a danger level you're comfortable with is up to you guys!

Also I restock the more lived-in dungeons between visits, with changes based on what you've done before, so keep that in mind...

Session 71 - Deja Vu

Campaign Date:
Market Day, 15 November, 1549
Moon Phase: New
Zodiac: Libra

Enemies Defeated:

- 3 zombies, 3 skeletons, 7 crawling claws, in glorious open combat (150 exp)

- 10 zombies, 6 skeletons, 1 Necromancer, in dingy dungeon combat (385 exp)

Total: 535 exp

Treasure and Equipment:

- A couple of stretched out faces previously nailed to doors.

Total: 0 exp

Exploration:
- Travelled 6 miles or so (20 exp)

Total: 20 exp

Events:

- Due to the mysterious non-appearance of many of last week's players, Stabbington and Zea escape the doom fortress through the same intradimensional vortex used by the rest. I decide to review my "stopping for the night in the middle of a dungeon is A-OK" policy.
- Deciding to head back to Fate for some city filler adventures while they wait for Jumurak to show up, the pair sight a skirmish between a Necromancer warband and a human army patrol from Fate. (50 exp)

- They get in there and cause a ruckus despite skeletal hands crawling from the muck, leading to the Necromancer breaking ranks and fleeing. Jumurak shows up on a horse mid-battle. (50 exp)

- The leader of the army patrol, Alphaeus, thanks the now-trio for their help and tells them he's in their debt, Blesses them, allows several of his surviving troops to join the group. (50 exp)
- Minions and dogs in tow, the group return to the doom fortress. The skull mouth yawns wide once more and the door within remains broken. They enter to a hail of ineffectual crossbow fire and the skull slams shut, but once again fails to crush anyone. (50 exp)

- Running quickly, the group enter the chapel and once more are yelled at by a familiar stretched-skin face. They cut it down and roll it up like a towel. (50 exp)

- Zea wants another door face for god knows what reason and goes back to the fortress tower. While slicing the face down, zombies drop onto him from above. (50 exp)

- Stabbington kills a zombie and the party's minions take position inside the room as zombies continue to fall from above. (50 exp)

- Stabbington takes the dogs and sprints up the tower to destroy wherever these zombies are coming from, below crossbow-wielding skeletons and a couple more zombies arrive. Zea tries to cast Dispel Magic but has his spell disrupted by an attacking zombie. (50 exp)

- Jumurak's minions fall to skeletons while Jumurak and Zea get injured and retreat further down the corridor. Zea heals and Heroism's himself. Upstairs, Stabbington sees zombies and a Necromancer but his backpack splits open and a whole lot of flasks of oil shatter all over the stairs. (50 exp)

- The duo at the bottom chuck a torch on the oil drippings that have fallen on some of the skeletons from above, burning them. Jumurak's Magic Missile Punch smashes a skeleton but makes him pass out from overexertion. Above, Stabbington smashes a skeleton clean through the wall, creating a skeleton-shaped way out (50 exp)

- The Necromancer up top drops down to escape, fleeing before anyone can catch him, while the other skeletons below are mopped up (50 exp)

- The survivors escape via new hole in defences above, having ended the session in the exact same place that they started but substantially worse-off. (50 exp)
Total: 600 exp

Misc:

- Deja vu bonus (50 exp)

- Dramatic Battle bonus (50 exp)

- Fame Increase Bonus (50 exp)

- Head(face)taker bonus (50 exp)

- I Immediately Regret This Decision bonus (50 exp)

- Kill It With Fire bonus (50 exp)

- Long Deliberation bonus (50 exp)

- Noblebright bonus (50 exp)

- Ridiculous Rolling bonus (50 exp)

- Team Rocket's Blasting Off Again! bonus (50 exp)

- What Could possibly Go Wrong bonus (50 exp)

- Near Death Experience bonus (Zea, Jumurak - 100 exp ea.)

Total: 550 exp + bonuses

Active Businesses:- Peggy Pigrider - Pie Mama's. Safe. Value: 1213sp
- John Doe the Unlucky - Anvil, Mining and Craft Company. Risky. Value: 1579sp
- Lulu Spiderbite - Clunge Honey. Safe. Value: 1190sp
- Joe Joe - Josephine's Petting Zoo. Risky. Value: 1500sp
- Stabbington Shanks - Tomb Busters. Risky. Value: 600sp

Rumours:

- "Did you hear about the Raise gems they're bringing in from Moondin? They're as good as the real thing, and they're running out!"
- "I'm getting a hat made by John Milliner, he's the best in the city. I'm still hopeful that he and Christina will get together some day."

Death Toll and Injuries:
- 3 henchmen and a dog, mild injuries briefly sustained by Jumurak and Zea

[[]]

Exp Totals:

Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 37491 (Level up at 64000)

Charles / Zea, Level 6 Cleric: 28102 (Level up at 56000)

+1d6 HP! +1 level 2 spell/day! +1 level 3 spell/day!

Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 2 Muscle Wizard: 2267 (Level up at 4500)
+1d4 HP! +1 level 1 spell/day! +1 random level 1 spell!

Thanks-for-running-overflow:

David / Theras, Level 4 Specialist (Assassin): 8950 (Level up at 12000)

Absent or Retired:

Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 22857 (Level up at 32000)

Dana / Bingo Augustus, Level 5 Muscle Wizard: 19863 (Level up at 36000)

Sarah / Mana, Level 3 Specialist (Thief): 4962 (Level up at 6000)

Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 23221 (Level up at 32000)
-- Bat-Thing, Level 1 Frankenbat

Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 14042 (Level up at 17600)

James / Quarion, Level 3 Elf (Gremling): 7947 (Level up at 12000)

Gary / Skirr Abderian, Level 1 Specialist (Thief): 416 (Level up at 1500)

Mariana / Aurora, Level 3 Cleric: 4018 (Level up at 7000)

Wai / Mogwi Stitch-Up, Level 2 Specialist: 2715 (Level up at 3000)
Sam / Lucados Orbrus, Level 2 Fighter: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Clay / Carthas, Level 1 Fighter: 371 (Level up at 2000)
John / West, Level 1 Cleric: 521 (Level up at 1750)
Hayley / Bob, Level 2 Dwarf: 2999 (Level up at 4400)
Niall / Roht, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 722 (Level up at 2250)
??? / Unnamed Cleric of the Garden God, Level 1 Cleric: 0 (Level up at 1750)
Florent / Sir Arthur, Level 1 Fighter: 186 (Level up at 2000)
Jamie / Alden, Level 1 Magic-User: 186 (Level up at 2250)
Ben / Thant, Level 1 Cleric: 186 (Level up at 1750)
Mike / Arran Folynn, Level 1 Specialist (Rogue): 186 (Level up at 1500)
Alex / Arhnin, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1518 (Level up at 3000)
Daniel / Davrak, Level 1 Magic User: 976 (Level up at 2250)
Nuno / Temperion, Level 1 Magic User: 742 (Level up at 2250)
Leo / Leo, Level 4 Cleric: 11102 (Level up at 14000)
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 5 Dwarf: 19420 (Level up at 35200)
-- Mr Pig, Level 1 Porcine.
Aron / Alphonse the Gentleman Barbarian, Level 1 Barbarian: 1184 (Level up at 2000)
Nimrod / U, Level 2 Specialist (Monk): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
Renzo / (Renzo's next character), Level 2 ???: 3462 (Level up at ???)
Clay / Svalborg, Level 2 Goblin: 2204 (Level up at 4000)
-- Tzani Spillios, Level 0 Scholar
Thomas / Tobias, Level 2 Cleric: 2204 (Level up at 3500)
Josh / Larry, Level 1 Elf (Galumfy Dotard): 383 (Level up at 3000)
Will / Calen, Level 1 Halfling: 1582 (Level up at 2000)
Davide / Golden Junk, Level 1 Elf (Misergeist): 1971 (Level up at 3000)
Pedro / Dexter, Level 1 Necromancer: 1460 (Level up at 2250)
Mark / Marley, Level 2 Specialist: 2850 (Level up at 3000)
Rita / Arwen, Level 1 Elf (Sloomit Waghorn): 643 (Level up at 3000)
Sophia / Ceres, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1487 (Level up at 3000)
Alex / Tick, Level 1 Goblin: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Oliver / Pip, Level 1 Halfling: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Ej / Matilda, Level 2 Specialist: 1839 (Level up at 3000)
Sev / Brad the Stabbinator, Level 1 Fighter: 1871 (Level up at 2000)
Harry / Reg, Level 1 Dwarf: 150 (Level up at 2200)
Mike / Lootle Halfstack, Level 1 Specialist: 715 (Level up at 1500)
Aaron / Maura, Level 1 Halfling: 1637 (Level up at 2000)
Matt / Sheik, Level 1 Barbarian: 767 (Level up at 2000)
Shaun / Nagash, Level 1 Necromancer: 817 (Level up at 2250)
rhhjdghjdshgjbleeeh / Elric, Level 1 Cleric: 817 (Level up at 1750)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 12881 (Level up at 18000)
Pawel / Devein, Level 1 Dwarf: 1160 (Level up at 2200)
Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1530 (Level up at 2250)
Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)
Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 850 (Level up at 3000)
John / Level 1 Magic-User: 1500 (Level up at 2000)
Chris / Crocell, Level 4 Halfling: 12318 (Level up at 16000)
-- Belial, Level 1 Fighter: 1047 (Level up at 2000)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 9129 (Level up at 18000)
Renzo / Gastani, Level 2 Barbarian: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Chris2 / Gadling, Level 3 Specialist (Assassin): 4738 (Level up at 6000)
Joanna / Artemis, Level 2 Specialist (Healer): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
George / Magnus, Level 1 Cleric: 1342 (Level up at 1750)
Lisa / Bella, Level 1 Magic User: 1951 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Wizard Khalifa, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 430 (Level up at 2250)
Marius' Totally-Not-Necromancer, Level 3 Necromancer: 5111 (Level up at 9000)
Nadav / Frog, Level 1 Fighter: 732 (Level up at 2000)
Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)
Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)
Kate / Khaleesi, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 37 (Level up at 2250)
Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)
--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human

Retrospective 7 - The Party Turn Evil For a While

Ah yes, the famed Evil Era.
Mysteriously this all began after Charles entered the game... I wonder if these facts are related.

Charles is the guy who turned the group from "a bunch of people who meet up to play games" into "a bunch of mates" so I owe him a lot!
Mostly by the simple expedient of adding us all into a facebook group chat. Great value.

The other Big News was that the group had become far, far too big.
David began running an overflow game, thankfully. I remember there being some quiet jostling for who would get to stay. Somehow Charles survived despite being the newest, thank goodness for that!
I kept giving David bonus thanks-for-running-overflow exp for a while, under the assumption that he'd be able to come back when the numbers died back down.
But it's London D&D, the numbers never die down.

We had a real struggle with venues around this time. The Meetup's regular pub venue got cancelled because they wanted to use the rooms for Christmas, fair enough I guess but they were real dicks about it.
Handily players in the group (chiefly Ollie and Charles) were good enough to book venues and tables for us! That's when I knew we'd made it.

The Evil Era began when the party decided to rinse the Bloodworth Estate of Death Love Doom fame.

This was actually the second time I've run it.
They made the fateful decision to sleep overnight in the coachhouse, then loot everything else in the mansion in the morning. Unfortunately this gave the cops time to show up, and a Guy Ritchie-esque comedy of errors led to sundry murder of guards and fleeing the city by rickety coach.

The next few weeks would involve lots of fleeing from society and chaos being sown, culminating in a ridiculous scheme to clear the party's name by pretending to kill Priscilla Theratrix the surprisingly friendly evil Vivimancer and blaming their behaviour on demonic possession.
It worked, too.

Mini Reviews:

Death Love Doom - Review from the first time I ran it here.
Some people are apparently too weak to run this body horror bad boy. Don't listen to them. Listen to this review from drivethru:
I could never run this in my circle of players, and I would never want to subject them to this tripe. The malicious artifact central to the adventure is just cheesy and designed to be a huge extended middle finger to the adventuring party. The fights with Grandma, Dad, Mom & Baby, and the Nanny are TPKs/permanent disfigurement and damage waiting to happen, and only designed to screw with the heads of players and butcher their characters. Players may think they can rescue the family and resolve the situation. I hate to break it to you...you are virtually unable to do anything, besides rob these poor accursed people and flee, and let Scotland Yard investigate and burn down the house to save England from the curse...for the time being. Play fifth edition. Save your patience.

He gives it one star when that review clearly denotes a five star module!
Anyway, read this first before running negadungeons, but I do honestly really rate DLD.

Flesh for the Witch Queen
Spooky one page dungeon by Jason Sholtis, mildly switched up. Nice vivimancery thing. I had the Witch Queen herself with like a pale featureless egg with several thick hair-tendril things to see with. She gave them that head to prove her death, and when they came back she had a whole cat for a head instead.

Anyway, yea it's a good'un.

Death Frost Doom
Enough of this has been said, but the Zak-and-Jez revamp elevates an already-classic to even greater heights.
I ran it as a Halloween special, a Thulian Echoes-esque flashback to the Australian group's original doomed expedition. Same characters as back then but obviously the UK players, and using the updated edition.

Doing it as a flashback prequel was a lot of fun, since they got to find out exactly why all these undead were pouring out across the land.

Fortress Deathfrost
My attempt to put Mt Death Frost on a war footing. Big ol' castle apparently grown from vegetation somehow transmuted into black stone. Faces stretched onto doors scream at Lawful characters. Infinite undead to drown players under waves of deadly and joyless combat if someone sounds the alarm.
A real shit place to invade.
It's interesting running a dungeon that's actively in military use, because my player's usual dungeon exploration routine tends to make a lot of noise. They've tried reindeer-powered air strikes, unstealthy infiltrations, and direct assaults with equal failure.
I don't really know why they keep coming back, but they know that the vampire leader of the Undead must be up here somewhere.
Also I add more defences to the fortress every game month that passes. Ha ha ha.

Session 70 - The Dark Fortress

So it turns out that Sleep doesn't effect anybody with 5 or more hit dice, which means Lulu should have actually been immune to Sleep and murdered everyone. You lucked out!

Session 70 - The Dark Fortress

Past Campaign Date:
Saturday, 13 November, 1549
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent
Zodiac: Libra

Enemies Defeated:

- Several swarms of scrabbling skeletal hands (100 exp)

- 16 skeletons, dispelled (160 exp)

- 2 Necromancers, drained of blood (175 exp)

Total: 435 exp

Treasure and Equipment:

- No such luck

Total: 0 exp

Exploration:
- Travelled 30 miles or so (100 exp)

- First party (in some time) to ascend Mt Death Frost (100 exp)

- First party to enter the Doomed Fortress (100 exp)

- Explored three dungeon areas (60 exp)

Total: 360 exp

Events:

- Stabbington and Mana, rejoining the group in the city, immediately set about partying and giving charitably respectively. Mana's donations to animal welfare earn her adulation, a statue in her honour, and an advertising deal with the city's most famous male brothel - Pertbottom's. (50 exp)

- Post-bender, Bingo is approached by Slim Jimmy who says he's bought up his debt to the mob. Such a bro! A mere 10% per month interest is all he charges because he knows you're good for it, with a no-kneecapping guarantee. (50 exp)

- The group decides to go grab a cache of treasure they read about in a spooky book, so travel towards Mt Death Frost. (50 exp)

- A fortress has been built atop the mountain in the time since the events in the book, and the trail up is wider and less concealing. Adopting shrubs as crude camouflage, the party ascends the mountain. (50 exp)

- Bingo and Zea are seen and fired on by crossbows in the open area between the treeline and the fortress, but the party manages to run to the shelter of the skull-faced main gate without taking casualties. (50 exp)

- After making a right racket bashing the hinges off the outward-opening front gate, the group enter the gatehouse. Large holes on the ceiling are viewed with trepidation, but Zea casts Heroism on Lulu who just sprints straight through and shoulderbarges the inner gate open. (50 exp)

- The party follow fairly fast, except for Mana who stops to light a torch and is nearly munched by the entrance as the skull crunches shut. Unnatural darkness descends and she flees towards the others, surrounded by the sound of clattering bones. (50 exp)

- She bursts out of the darkness to find the rest of the group in a huge dark chapel, inspecting a door with a face stretched on it that's yelling at them. Lulu barges it down as hundreds of crawling skeletal hands swarm from the gatehouse. (50 exp)

- Mana, true to form, can't outrun that swarms of hands and is dragged to the ground. The others are faster, but double back to help. Lulu jumps and shuts the door and the party finish off the remaining claws with aplomb, including a particularly savage punch from Bingo. (50 exp)

- There is a break for puns. (50 exp)

- The walls here are carved like a tangled woodland frozen in black stone. Down one side of a fork is another skin-faced door which yells loudly, but agrees to open in exchange for a kiss from Mana. (50 exp)

- Inside, it's one of the fortress' towers. The party ascends the stairs and is assailed from above by crossbow bolts, finding a horde of skeletons led by a couple of dark-robed Necromancers. Lulu trips up the stairs and Zea wipes out all the skeletons in the room through judicious use of Dispel Magic. (50 exp)

- Fearing for the lives, one of the necromancer's surrenders while the other jumps down the stairs where he's caught by Lulu. They are questioned at swordpoint and Lulu insists everyone else wait down the stairs for a bit while she murders some hostages. (50 exp)

- Lulu stabs the first one, goes into a bloodrage and murders them both, then comes for the rest of the party. Bingo saves the day by punching Sleep into her face. She falls unconscious, and wakes with her sword sated. Below, a weird murmuring can be heard. (50 exp)
Total: 700 exp

Misc:

- Balls to the Wall bonus (50 exp)

- Breach and Clear bonus (50 exp)

- Brutal Kill bonus (50 exp)

- Dramatic Battle bonus (50 exp)

- Mountaineer bonus (50 exp)

- Tactical Fighting bonus (50 exp)

- Pundemonium bonus (Bingo, Zea, Lulu, Mana - 100 exp ea.)

- Failed Saving Throw bonus (Lulu - 100 exp)

- Stabbington caroused! (10560 exp)
- Mana gave generously! (640 exp)

- Bonus +10% exp for carousing on a weekend I forgot to give last time (varies)

Total: 300 exp + bonuses

Death Toll and Injuries:
- None today!

[[]]

Exp Totals:

Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 36923 (Level up at 64000)

+1d8 HP! +1 to hit! +1 to crit/fumble table results!

Charles / Zea, Level 5 Cleric: 27444 (Level up at 28000)

Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 22857 (Level up at 32000)

Dana / Bingo Augustus, Level 5 Muscle Wizard: 19863 (Level up at 36000)

Sarah / Mana, Level 3 Specialist (Thief): 4962 (Level up at 6000)

Thanks-for-running-overflow and also getting me surprise beer:

David / Theras, Level 4 Specialist (Assassin): 8415 (Level up at 12000)

Absent or Retired:

 Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 23221 (Level up at 32000)
-- Bat-Thing, Level 1 Frankenbat

Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 14042 (Level up at 17600)

James / Quarion, Level 3 Elf (Gremling): 7947 (Level up at 12000)

Gary / Skirr Abderian, Level 1 Specialist (Thief): 416 (Level up at 1500)

Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1489 (Level up at 2250)
Mariana / Aurora, Level 3 Cleric: 4018 (Level up at 7000)

Wai / Mogwi Stitch-Up, Level 2 Specialist: 2715 (Level up at 3000)
Sam / Lucados Orbrus, Level 2 Fighter: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Clay / Carthas, Level 1 Fighter: 371 (Level up at 2000)
John / West, Level 1 Cleric: 521 (Level up at 1750)
Hayley / Bob, Level 2 Dwarf: 2999 (Level up at 4400)
Niall / Roht, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 722 (Level up at 2250)
??? / Unnamed Cleric of the Garden God, Level 1 Cleric: 0 (Level up at 1750)
Florent / Sir Arthur, Level 1 Fighter: 186 (Level up at 2000)
Jamie / Alden, Level 1 Magic-User: 186 (Level up at 2250)
Ben / Thant, Level 1 Cleric: 186 (Level up at 1750)
Mike / Arran Folynn, Level 1 Specialist (Rogue): 186 (Level up at 1500)
Alex / Arhnin, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1518 (Level up at 3000)
Daniel / Davrak, Level 1 Magic User: 976 (Level up at 2250)
Nuno / Temperion, Level 1 Magic User: 742 (Level up at 2250)
Leo / Leo, Level 4 Cleric: 11102 (Level up at 14000)
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 5 Dwarf: 19420 (Level up at 35200)
-- Mr Pig, Level 1 Porcine.
Aron / Alphonse the Gentleman Barbarian, Level 1 Barbarian: 1184 (Level up at 2000)
Nimrod / U, Level 2 Specialist (Monk): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
Renzo / (Renzo's next character), Level 2 ???: 3462 (Level up at ???)
Clay / Svalborg, Level 2 Goblin: 2204 (Level up at 4000)
-- Tzani Spillios, Level 0 Scholar
Thomas / Tobias, Level 2 Cleric: 2204 (Level up at 3500)
Josh / Larry, Level 1 Elf (Galumfy Dotard): 383 (Level up at 3000)
Will / Calen, Level 1 Halfling: 1582 (Level up at 2000)
Davide / Golden Junk, Level 1 Elf (Misergeist): 1971 (Level up at 3000)
Pedro / Dexter, Level 1 Necromancer: 1460 (Level up at 2250)
Mark / Marley, Level 2 Specialist: 2850 (Level up at 3000)
Rita / Arwen, Level 1 Elf (Sloomit Waghorn): 643 (Level up at 3000)
Sophia / Ceres, Level 1 Elf (Hollowback Ylfen): 1487 (Level up at 3000)
Alex / Tick, Level 1 Goblin: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Oliver / Pip, Level 1 Halfling: 731 (Level up at 2000)
Ej / Matilda, Level 2 Specialist: 1839 (Level up at 3000)
Sev / Brad the Stabbinator, Level 1 Fighter: 1871 (Level up at 2000)
Harry / Reg, Level 1 Dwarf: 150 (Level up at 2200)
Mike / Lootle Halfstack, Level 1 Specialist: 715 (Level up at 1500)
Aaron / Maura, Level 1 Halfling: 1637 (Level up at 2000)
Matt / Sheik, Level 1 Barbarian: 767 (Level up at 2000)
Shaun / Nagash, Level 1 Necromancer: 817 (Level up at 2250)
rhhjdghjdshgjbleeeh / Elric, Level 1 Cleric: 817 (Level up at 1750)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 12881 (Level up at 18000)
Pawel / Devein, Level 1 Dwarf: 1160 (Level up at 2200)
Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1530 (Level up at 2250)
Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)
Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 850 (Level up at 3000)
John / Level 1 Magic-User: 1500 (Level up at 2000)
Chris / Crocell, Level 4 Halfling: 12318 (Level up at 16000)
-- Belial, Level 1 Fighter: 1047 (Level up at 2000)
Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 9129 (Level up at 18000)
Renzo / Gastani, Level 2 Barbarian: 3000 (Level up at 4000)
Chris2 / Gadling, Level 3 Specialist (Assassin): 4738 (Level up at 6000)
Joanna / Artemis, Level 2 Specialist (Healer): 2250 (Level up at 3000)
George / Magnus, Level 1 Cleric: 1342 (Level up at 1750)
Lisa / Bella, Level 1 Magic User: 1951 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Wizard Khalifa, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 430 (Level up at 2250)
Marius' Totally-Not-Necromancer, Level 3 Necromancer: 5111 (Level up at 9000)
Nadav / Frog, Level 1 Fighter: 732 (Level up at 2000)
Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)
Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)
Kate / Khaleesi, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 37 (Level up at 2250)
Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)
--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human