Session 34 - Nothing but parasiiiiites

So we had a surprise player turn up last night! Welcome to Pawel who's playing a Dwarf with biceps the size of your thigh.

They managed to find the underground river entrance to Moldus Vane's bunker-dungeon by the end of the session, but not before Kronk fell prey to the horrid six-limbed leech creatures hanging out nearby.

To his credit, Kronk did manage to rip one of them in half before he bled out. Mist Urmun got covered in the gore downstream due to rune shenanigans.
Speaking of, Mist himself is slowly becoming a magic tattoo-covered rune mage... but with Kronk dead who's going to do his tats?

Mushroom Lover is barred from Woodsley nowadays after vomiting webs over everyone in the pub, so that's awkward.

I've been fiddling with rules oh no
I tried this out when I ran a game in Australia and it worked pretty well - your character gets a couple of skill points at first level based on their prior career.

This will be retroactive, naturally. So next time you're here you'll have two skill points to add to your character so long as you can justify your character using them in his old job. So if you used to be an Apothecary it'll likely be First Aid and if you were a Scholar it's probably Languages.

Another thing in a similar vein, I'm ditching Architecture (it never gets used) and replacing it with a limited Arcane skill that helps identify potions and lets non-wizards use scrolls. Thieves being able to use scrolls is a pretty standard thing in trad D&D, donchaknow.

Failure would mean misidentifying the item (cackle cackle) or the casting going Horribly Wrong.

Session 34 - Nothing but parasiiiiites

Campaign date:
Saturday, July 17th 1549
Moon phase: Waxing Crescent
Zodiac: Gemini

New characters:

- Devein the Dwarf, incredibly strong, apothecary training, appeared from nowhere!

- As-yet-unnamed Cleric, a mushroom farmer who found God during a bad trip.

Enemies defeated:

- Two pickpockets, webbed along with everyone in the tavern by Mushroom Lover (10 exp)

- Two horrible creatures with lamprey mouths and wriggly, grapply bodies. (500 exp)

- One grey ooze, destroyed in fiery holocaust of webs and oil (50 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Six pieces of carefully placed jewelled items (2000 exp)

Exploration:

- Travelled 12 miles (20 exp)

- Explored 4 dungeon rooms (80 exp)

- 1 Wandering Monster rolled (20 exp)

- Found the entrance to Moldus Vane's hideaway (200 exp)

Misc:

- Resisted pickpocketing attempt (50 exp)

- Inventive use of runes (tattoos, water repellant) (Mist Urmun - 50 exp)

- Brought food to the ascetic monks (50 exp)

- Crushed the creatures' eggs and all the baby leech things within (50 exp)

- ML named his returning hammer "Did You Hear It Coming". (Mushroom Lover - 50 exp)

- Noblebright bonus (50 exp)

- Dramatic battle bonus (50 exp)

- Ludicrous gore bonus (50 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Mist Urmun - 100 exp)

- Death's Witness bonus (Witnesses - 100 exp ea.)

- Famous Last Words bonus: "I'm sorry Izma... I didn't pull the lever" (Kronk - 200 exp to next character)

- Noble Sacrifice bonus (Kronk - 1000 exp to next character)

Quests and Rumours:

- None heard

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Kronk, pulled underwater by horrible leech-mouthed creature and torn to shreds.

Exp Totals:

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 4 Elf (Alpdrucke): 16749 (Level up at 24000)

Dominic / Level 1 Cleric: 1213 (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)

[[]]

Absent or Retired:
(Mushroom Lover's Retainer)
-- Carl Sberg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 4 Dwarf: 13395 (Level up at 17600)
-- Mr Burg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)
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)

Dana / Bingo, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1461(Level up at 2250)
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 33 - Lichen Up

In an attempt to get to the bottom of the mold, the group attempted to get to the bottom of the dungeon beneath the cathedral.
They didn't find Moldus Vane down there yet but at least they found another way in so it's easier next time!

They even found the treasure I kind of put in there as a throwaway because I didn't think anyone would find it. Good work guys! Kronk's levelled up as a result, so enjoy your extra HP and smashing ability.

The consequences of your carousing will be felt next time, perhaps.

Session 33 - Lichen Up

Campaign date:
Saturday, July 16th 1549
Moon phase: Waxing Crescent
Zodiac: Gemini

Enemies defeated:

- Three mold priests (75 exp)

- Two mold men (20 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- A large emerald claimed from a tree's roots (4000 exp)

- Scimitar glows gold, ever more strongly as it kills

- High quality super shiny glaive

- Some orange monk robes so you can dress up as mold priests.

Exploration:

- First party to enter Moondin Minster (100 exp)

- First party to enter level 2 of Moondin Minster (200 exp)

- Alternate dungeon entry found (100 exp)

- 12 dungeon rooms explored (120 exp)

Misc:

- Entered Moondin, discovered that Moldus Vane, the town's leader, is fearful of assassination and lives underground. (50 exp)

- Discussed the state of things with the surprisingly cordial mold men in the cathedral. (50 exp)

- Witnessed the mold people's orgasmic pleasure at converting the uninitiated (50 exp)

- Met a bunch of ascetic monks meditating in their own little cells, none of them particularly helpful or even aware of the the local mold issues. (50 exp)

- Witnessed a priest picking mold-scabs off a Filled Man and putting them on a paten. (50 exp)

- Party fame increased! (50 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Mist Urmun - 100 exp)

- Near Death Experience bonus (Mist Urmun - 100 exp)

- Kronk caroused! (400 exp)

- Mushroom Lover caroused! (450 exp)

- Mist Urmun caroused! (600 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- "Fortress City Fate is built over a deep and mysterious machine with roots going down into the bedrock."
- "Something's chewing up the Wall from both ends, when it reaches the Gate it will destroy it and kill us all!"
- "Moldus Vane rules Moondin from beneath, or so they say."

Death Toll and Injuries:

- None!

Exp Totals:

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 4 Elf (Alpdrucke): 15539 (Level up at 24000)

Dominic / Kronk, Level 2 Barbarian: 2534 (Level up at 4000)

*DING!* +1d8 HP! +1 round of rage! +2 rolls on level up table!

Michael / Mist Urmun, Level 4 Magic User: 11571 (Level up at 18000)

[[]]

Absent or Retired:
(Mushroom Lover's Retainer)
-- Carl Sberg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 4 Dwarf: 13395 (Level up at 17600)
-- Mr Burg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)
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)

Dana / Bingo, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1461(Level up at 2250)
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 78 - Death Frost Descent

One minor bit of news - the game on Tuesday 16th is cancelled because I'm in Las Vegas. Such a difficult life!

Other than that, see you next week!

Session 78 - Death Frost Descent
Campaign Date:

Saturday, 28 November, 1549
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Zodiac: Scorpio

Enemies Defeated:
- 7 skeletons, bashed to bits (175 exp)

- 10 zombies, burned and stabbed (250 exp)

- 8 skin bags, wrapped round sticks and chopped a bunch (80 exp)

- 30 additional assorted undead, caught by an avalanche (750 exp)

- 6 more skin bags, popped and iced (60 exp)

- A skeleton who was upside down in a tree, sliced by a snowball (25 exp)
Total: 1340 exp

Treasure and Equipment:
- Brass skeleton head brooch (10 exp)

- Two black cloaks with the Necromancer's sigil on them

- A vial containing the last breath of a necromancer

- A talking skeletal head

Total: 10 exp

Exploration:
- Surprisingly little.

Total: 0 exp

Events:
- Meanwhile back at the black fortress... our intrepid party have spent the previous session off-screen escaping the fortress. As they pass the skinned corpses of some reindeer and reach the treeline they join up with a few others. (50 exp)

- Battered and bleeding, the decision is made to try and climb up the side of the mountain to the spooky cabin to try and get some sleep. (50 exp)

- Armed with crampons and Jane Doe's tentacle rope, Stabbington scales the mountain. He is loud and obvious and attracts the attention of a zombie at the top who's just sort of chilling. (50 exp)
- The zombie yells and Stabbington yells back before charging in and killing it. Meanwhile the rest of the party climb up behind. (50 exp)

- The black gates creak open and armies of the damned begin to pour out, supplemented by skin bags floating out of holes above. (50 exp)
- Despite fighting bravely, Zan using a tree limb to wrap skin bags like a horrible candy floss, and and the combat-testing of Jane Doe's new oil blasting flame sword contraption, there are too many of them and they keep coming. (50 exp)

- Jumurak eats a crit and has his clothes and armour torn off by a skin kite. Sparky trick-shots a snowball at the mountain's peak and starts an avalanche, it's time to go! (50 exp)

- Descent from the cliff is achieved via many means, including the normal climb-down-the-rope option but also by using grabbed skin kites as parachutes. Above, the avalanche crushes any undead outside the main doors. (50 exp)

- At ground level the party jog off the path to eat something and recuperate in the woods, hopefully out of sight. (50 exp)

- Grunting is heard from the road, a big bull of a man in necromancer robes is dragging himself up towards the black fortress. Sparky investigates and sees a strange crossbow bolt lodged in his spine, then gets stage fright and gets others to talk to him. (50 exp)

- The man gives some information about how the people guarding the mountain are being picked off, then breathes his last breath into a glass vial and stoppers it. This is immediately nicked. (50 exp)

- Continuing down the mountain path, the party comes across crude wooden cages which have been knocked over. The skin bags that were trapped within attack but are dispatched fairly easily. (50 exp)

- A weird crossbow bolt affixed with a message saying "Good luck, Sir Three-Eyes and friends" lands in the midst of the group. This is immediately nicked. (50 exp)

- Further down the path, the party is fired upon by a skeleton hanging in a tree. Sparky slices its legs off with a snowball trick shot and it is looted, including its brass-nostrilled head. (50 exp)

- Continuing on and hoping for a rest stop, another Necromancer is found leaning against a wooden cage. He gives some info about the people who killed him and points out his campsite, but laments his lack of glass vial to catch his last breath. (50 exp)
- Zan whips out the recently stolen skull and lets him breath his last breath into it, creating a talking skull with the guy's soul in it. He's very grateful and I enjoy this gimmick immensely. (50 exp)

- The necromancer campsite is reached and the party finally get a chance to rest. For now. (50 exp)

Total: 850 exp

Misc:
- Antagonist Appeaser bonus (50 exp)

- Balls to the Wall bonus (50 exp)
- Brutal Kill bonus (50 exp)
- Dramatic Battle bonus (50 exp)
- Headtaker bonus (50 exp)
- Kill It With Fire bonus (50 exp)

- Mad Inventor bonus (50 exp)
- Mountaineer bonus (50 exp)
- What Could Possibly Go Wrong bonus (50 exp)
- Near Death Experience bonus (Jumurak - 100 exp)

Total: 450 exp + bonus

Rumours:
- None up here

Death Toll and Injuries:
- None today, though Jumurak came close.

[[]]

Exp Totals:
Dominic / Sir Stabbington Shanks, Level 6 Fighter: 48097 (Level up at 64000)

Kyle / Jane Doe, Level 4 Dwarf: 16795 (Level up at 17600)
Sarah / Mana, Level 4 Specialist (Thief): 13206 (Level up at 24000)
Fraser / Jumarak2, Level 4 Muscle Wizard: 12561 (Level up at 18000)
Charles / Zan, Spermling of Zea, Level 3 Cleric: 3728 (Level up at 7000)
*DING!* +1d6 HP! +1 Level 2 spell/day!
Tom / Sparky, Level 1 Magic User: 1149 (Level up at 2250)
Oliver R / Wolfegang Brown, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 379 (Level up at 2250)

Absent or Retired:

Louis / Louis' Next Character, Level 1 ???: 2062 (Level up at ???)
Oliver R / Osar, Level 2 Specialist (Dabbler): 2732 (Level up at 3000)Oli / Lulu Spiderbite, Daughter of Lord Gorga, Level 5 Barbarian: 26983
Charlie / Le Chaz III, Level 1 Cleric: 670 (Level up at 1750)
David / Theras, Level 5 Specialist (Assassin): 13422 (Level up at 24000)
Mariana / Joe Joe, Level 5 Halfling: 28949 (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 32 - Mold Growth Forest

So an unanticipated side effect of the bonus exp for amusing and/or noble deaths is that John's new character actually has more exp than his previous character.

I hereby declare this to be a feature, not a bug.

Welcome to Dominic who's playing a Barbarian named Kronk, and welcome back Tom after your infinite hiatus! The group's getting big again which is super great.

The mold plague has spread during the party's absence and taken over several villages, but luckily the surviving population is reasonably well informed about the threats they face.
The destruction of the giant amphibian in the lake means that Pillartown's defences are much more likely to hold. Hooray! There's always going to be a threat so long as the mold still exists, but thanks to your actions (and Arnold's sacrifice) they are much safer.

I'm pretty sure someone named your party at some point but I can't remember it (something about being dead men walking? There was definitely a "sponsored by Pie Mama's!" at the end), so if you guys want to call yourselves anything you should feel free to think up a good name!

Session 32 - Mold Growth Forest

Campaign date:
Saturday, July 15th 1549
Moon phase: New Moon
Zodiac: Gemini

New characters:

- Kronk the Barbarian, speaks in the third person and finds it difficult to resist levers.

- NWA Chuck Langley, Cleric of some sort of vague nutrient based religion. Not technically new but certainly new to everyone in the group nowadays!

- A child soothsayer, as yet unnamed since he is a replacement character for John.

Enemies defeated:

- The creature in the lake (500 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Strange jewelled comb with widely spaced tines and a picture of the Medusa's head (a gorgoneion) etched into the base. (680 exp)

- 41sp (41 exp)

- Bagful of monster teeth

- A three-dimensional sculpture-key given to you by the Wizard of Grafton

Exploration:

- Approx. 120 miles of travel over several days (200 exp)

- 3 randoms encountered (30 exp)
- First party to go near Lonville Marsh (100 exp)

- First party to visit Woodsley (200 exp)

Misc:

- Discovered the current moldy state of Moondin (50 exp)

- Gained entry to the fortified village of Sayzel's Meadow (50 exp)

- Learnt how to tell if somebody is a mold man via cutting them or forcing them to eat something (50 exp)

- Beheld a twisted thicket in the midst of a dead grove to which the blobs travel (100 exp)
- Why Did You Touch That bonus (NWA Chuck Langley - 50 exp)

- Gained entry to Pillartown, learnt of the ongoing threats to its existence. (50 exp)

- Beheld the deep, dark oxbow lake in which a great tortoise is rumoured to live (50 exp)

- "I am a big scary monster, run away!" (50 exp)

- Amusing Death bonus (500 exp to John's next character)

- Noble Sacrifice bonus (1000 exp to John's next character)

- Death's Witness bonus (all survivors - 100 exp ea.)

- Noblebright bonus (50 exp)

- Party fame increased! (50 exp)

- Learnt of Woodsley's elf problem (50 exp)
- On the night of the New Moon followed the pull of Mushroom Lover's elvish heart and found the wooden-masked elves of the deep woods. (50 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- Breaking the law in Dwarrow means you must face justice in the gladiator arena.
- The Mad Alchemist of Gwinear will pay good money for cysts from a Feathered Swine. He is currently hiring people to go collect them.
- The Dwarfs are retreating back into their mountain halls, hoping to wait out the demon armies that raze the surface world.
- Devils are among us, seeding strife in the vanguard of the demon armies.
- There is a mold cult centred in Moondin and they keep trying to infest other towns.

- Shut down the anti-magic field of the Wall and the Wizard of Grafton will be able to wipe out all the mold creatures forever! He swears! He has given you a key which will allow you to enter whatever the wall has as a control room.

- Children wander into the woods in Woodsley. Their parents fear for their very souls for elves are suspected.

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Arnold the Goblin, chomped into chunks by some sort of great and horrible amphibian that parroted the screams of the dying, but not before he could teach it to tell people "I'm a big scary monster, run away!"

Exp Totals:
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 4 Dwarf: 13395 (Level up at 17600)

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 4 Elf (Alpdrucke): 13447 (Level up at 24000)

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

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

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

Dominic / Kronk, Level 1 Barbarian: 492 (Level up at 2000)
Tom / NWA Chuck Langley, Level 1 Cleric: 951 (Level up at 1750)

[[]]

Absent or Retired:
(Mushroom Lover's Retainer)
-- Carl Sberg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

(Peggy's Retainer)
-- Mr Burg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

Dana / Bingo, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1461(Level up at 2250)
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 31 - Going deeper underground

Welcome back!

We had a couple of new people today being John and Ros who are playing an Elf and a Goblin. Sorry if it was slow to start, it's been a while. I hope you enjoyed it!

For Ros - your elf species' florid description is as follows:
Capripeds: Unctuous epicurean blackguards who traffick with strange forces. In the high hills the Capripeds dance in the new moon's dark with godless things from elder aeons, for the shades can touch them not and the awfish nymphs of the unbegotten prime harm them not for they wrap themselves in webs of glamer. 

Because elves have a phases of the moon thing going, you get more powerful towards the new moon and less powerful around the full moon. Luckily next in-game week the moon is waning, so you'll be more powerful!

You guys went back to your delving today into the slightly-more-deadly-than-level-1 second level of Dwimmermount. I will warn you that Pillartown is unlikely to survive until the end of the month, your soldiers bought them a week but unfortunately your average army is no good at fighting something that doesn't have supply lines to cut or fortifications to besiege.

I'm fiddling with the rules for weapons since everyone has been picking up swords rather than the right-tool-for-the-right-job thing I was going for. Axes and flails are better, swords slightly easier to adjudicate. I'll put the lot here for future reference:

Swords: If you win initiative, roll damage twice and take the best.

Axes: Against leather armour or less, does double damage on evens.

Hammers: +1 against chain or better, notches plate armour on evens.

Flails: +2 against chain or better, ignores shields, notches plate armour on max damage. Optionally - do no damage but disarm with a strength check. On a miss roll under your AC or hit yourself.

Daggers: On hit you can grab hold and shank the shit out of people - auto-crit on every round you win a wrestling roll.

Oh and I forgot, but according to last week's notes you put out advertising for a guy with lockpicking, so you'll be able to hire the guy next session if you like!
Other than that, thanks again for coming, and see you next week!

Session 31 - Going deeper underground

Campaign date:
Saturday, July 9th 1549
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous
Zodiac: Gemini

New characters:

- Rhea, a capriped (being a Summon-type Elf) and woodcutter who saw things unknowable in darkest forests one terrible night.

- Arnold the Goblin, looking for capital for his pig farm startup. Has a piglet called Tenderloin.

Enemies defeated:

- 1 poor, innocent, crudely made dwarf, shot in the back (5 exp)

- 1 Gelatinous Cube, poisoned and stabbed (100 exp)

- 8 Robo-skeletons mostly wiped out when one of them exploded (80 exp)

- 1 Gargoyle, a real dick who got "you shall not pass!"ed into his side of the room then stabbed from a distance when he wouldn't see reason (75 exp)

- 6 Neandergoblins, put to sleep then throats slit. Leader charmed and captured (?). Had treasure but we had to leave before I could tell you that! (60 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- A spellbook

- A brass machine, taken from within the ribcage of one of the skeletons (50 exp)

- A scroll of Magic Missile

- 300sp in old Roman coin (300 exp)

- Golden idol of a leering monkey worth 400sp (400 exp)

- Battered silver goblet worth 40sp (40 exp)

- Deck of tarot cards (10 exp)

Exploration:

- 5 dungeon rooms explored (50 exp)

- First party to enter the second level of Dwimmermount (200 exp)

- 1 wandering monster encounter rolled (10 exp)

- Secret door (well, drawer) found (10 exp)

Misc:

- Assisted the Inclusions with their gelatinous problem (50 exp)

- Non-violently avoided a bunch of mutants (50 exp)

- Beheld the great abstract sculpture (50 exp)
- Stylish Kill bonus (Rhea - 50 exp)

- Why Did You Touch That bonus (Sauron - 50 exp)

- Near Death Experience bonus (Sauron - 100 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Mushroom Lover - 100 exp)

Quests and Rumours:
- Every ten years, the people of Pembrooktonshire hold a grand festival and many great games. The festival is coming up soon!
- There has been a rash of impossible burglaries in Edge. Children are suspected due to the unprofessional way they steal the shiniest objects regardless of value.
- Both Edge and Dwarrow lay claim to the riches of Dwimmermount. Tension is mounting, for some say that the Red Doors are open once more.
- Strange lights have been seen on the peak of Dwimmermount. Some say the Dark Dwarves have found a way to return.
- Pillartown is under attack, it's unlikely they'll survive beyond the end of the month.
- All who pay the baroque and convoluted taxes of Fate are entitled to resurrection in the event of unnatural death.

Death Toll and Injuries:

- None! Although Sauron came close.

Exp Totals:
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 4 Dwarf: 12903 (Level up at 17,600)

-- Mr Burg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 4 Elf (Alpdrucke): 12955 (Level up at 24000)

-- Carl Sberg, Level 1 Fighter: 655 (Level up at 2000)

Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 1038 (Level up at 2250)

Ros / Rhea, Level 1 Elf (Capriped): 358 (Level up at 3000)

John / Arnold, Level 1 Goblin: 358 (Level up at 2000)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 18 weeks

Absent or Retired:
Dana / Bingo, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1461(Level up at 2250)
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)
Tom / Eli, Level 1 Cleric: 409 (Level up at 1750)
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 3 - The First Christmas

Continuing the theme of running things I'd really been wanting to run for a while, the next few months contained Hammers of the God, my pet Rune Dungeon, and Dwimmermount.

I'd placed the map to Hammers of the God in a previous dungeon, I think in The God That Crawls, and that's something I really should do more of.
These days I tend to seed maps through people's businesses which works quite well.

This was also the first time they'd left my Gate area map since arriving there, so I suddenly had to work out what scale I wanted to have the Mountains area at! I'm pretty sure it was pretty loosey goosey there for a while, especially since I hadn't made a Mountains encounter table yet.


Things were pretty healthy group-wise at first, but a four week holiday ruined some of the momentum that had built up and sent me into a bit of an OH NO WHAT IF IT FALLS APART spiral.
Two players in a session means that it's quite intimate and tense and they get quite a lot done, but I can't trust that I'll be able to even run a session that evening.
Renzo, thankfully, could be relied on to come every week. He saved the game.

At Session 30 I left for a trip to Australia, honestly apprehensive about whether I'd be able to scrape the group back together afterwards. Such a cliffhanger.

I eventually got round to making a map on a much larger scale

Mini Reviews:

Hammers of the God

The dungeon itself is a bit shit in comparison to the rest of the LotFP oeuvre, honestly. Two linear dungeons spliced together for the reasons noted in the Author's Notes.

But the history, ah! Such history! The books alone! One of the players sequestered herself in the stone library and spent the rest of the session devouring the tomes. She had the index, so kept asking for different things. A great way to dispense lore.
Hammers of the God forms the basis of my world's alt-history, and coupled with Dwimmermount (which the party entered some weeks later) it created quite the interesting backstory.
I attached the Rune Dungeon (see below) to a caved-in dead-end down the bottom, which made the place feel truly immense.

The Rune Dungeon

A rejigged and remastered version of a dungeon I'd made back in 4th edition.
Luckily a couple of players really got into the runes, so the whole thing was this big juicy journey of discovery for them.
I have quietly retconned the dragons blasting out of the crystal at the end, nobody's still around from back then so that's ok right?
Like much of the campaign world around this time, it was very fuzzy around the edges. I "know" a lot more about the world now.
This was actually the third time I'd run the same dungeon - once in 4th when it was linear as fuck, once in Labyrinth Lord during the Australian portion of the campaign, and now this time.
A year or so later another party would come back here, and integrating all those changes was a lot of fun for me. The final boss was a Goblin character who got so mutated that her player left her down there, which the latest (and now current) party were amazed by.

Dwimmermount

Ah! Dwimmermount! Dungeon of Gods!
They never mapped beyond the first level, but they changed the balance of power a lot.

I love Dwimmermount's strange backstory. As mentioned before, it's another major building block in the alt-history of my world.
Giant spiders were enough to make them bug out (harr) because Renzo got Save-or-Die'd by a spider that one time.

Dwimmermount's great, I hope my current players go back.

Session 30 - Gorrin's Day

Session 30 - an auspicious number for the start of the Christmas break!

You got lots done! Befriended some locals and killed the mad boss of the Inclusions on level 1, finished mapping the whole south-west quadrant of the first floor, and sent someone to check on your mercenaries and the state of play down near the Gate.

You also met some of the local people and put some advertising out for a guy with Lockpicking experience and a guy with First Aid experience. You will be able to hire them next session.

But dark things are brewing down in the South near Pie Mama's, and there is definitely something spooky going on with the spiders on level 1 of Dwimmermount.

ooOOooOoOooOooooo

See you guys next year, and Merry Christmas!

Session 30 - Gorrin's Day

Campaign date:
Saturday, July 4th 1549
Moon phase: Waning Gibbous
Zodiac: Gemini

New characters:

- Mushroom Lover recruited a Fighter retainer, Carl Sberg.

- Peggy recruited a Fighter retainer, Mr Burg

Enemies defeated:

- Guren, level 1 Dwarf, spider-worshipper and father of many (25 exp)

- 1 crab spider, stabbed to death after it jumped on Peggy (50 exp)

- 8 Inclusions, put to the sword or surrendered (40 exp)

- 4 mutants, put to sleep then throats slit (40 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- 500sp, 2000cp (700 exp)

- Guren's hammer, can be called to wielder's hand. Bind it to yourself by intoning the command word, "Gorrin".

- An old mahogany throne (100 exp)

- Several old tapestries showing Roman conquests and the liberation of the people of Britain from the Halflings. (1000 exp)

- 7 Inclusions who are now your friends. They are young and silly but love you and will assist in carrying stuff from the mountain.

- 5 vials of acidic Azoth, gifted by Crazy.

Exploration:

- 10 dungeon rooms explored (100 exp)

- Secret entrance to dungeon found (100 exp)

- 2 secret doors found (20 exp)

- 2 wandering monster encounters (20 exp)

Misc:

- Met Pieru Danthan, Corporal of the Muntburg Watch,who is very impressed by your continued survival and how you heroically saved those Dwarfs. Will be grateful for any information that can protect his town, and has allowed you to stay in a bunkhouse for free as long as you are in the area. (50 exp)

- Met Crazy, a Dwarf who is experimenting with the black acidic Azoth he has found in Dwimmermount. (50 exp)

- Prevented spider reinforcements from assisting Guren. (50 exp)

- Learnt of the spider god (with eight lovely legs) who gave Guren his statue-animating power (50 exp)

- Boss defeated! (100 exp)

- Bound Heinz, the Inclusion who surrendered, to not betray you via a "magic spell". (50 exp)

- Statue-corpse of Gorrin placed outside Dwarf back-entrance. July 4th is henceforth known as "Gorrin's Day". (50 exp)

- Decapitated stone head of Guren given to Garin the flame trap guy for use as a hat and badge of office. Told Garin he is the boss now and to treat his subjects better than Guren did. (50 exp)

- Went to the Dwarf bar in Muntberg - the Ale and Barrel. Dwarfs only, but the people there are quite friendly otherwise. (50 exp)

- Oiled the jaws of the brazen head,allowing it to speak (50 exp)

- Chatted to some friendly mutants, learnt of Varazes their creator, that there are two second levels, and more besides. (50 exp)

- Rescued the last Dwarf from Surly's scouting group where he was being tortured for information by a gang of mutants. (100 exp)

- Hired someone to travel south and bring back information on the state of play at the Wall (50 exp)

- Fame bonus (50 exp)

- Good memory bonus (Peggy - 50 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Mushroom Lover - 100 exp)

- Party treasurer bonus (Peggy - 100 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- "In Gush their city's champion has been slain and his ancient sword stolen by monsters from the mountains."
- "A mysterious group on a secret mission require volunteers for exciting, dangerous work. Strenous entry requirements. Only people of the highest quality accepted. Meet at Pie Mama's in Pillartown."

- Competing religious groups in Dwarrow will pay well for evidence that proves or disproves the godhood of Terms Termax.

- Crazy the Dwarf would be very grateful for information on what can be done with the black Azoth that flows within Dwimmermount.

- Pieru Danthan, Corporal of the Watch, would appreciate any knowledge about the creatures within Dwimmermount which could assist him in defending the town.

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Gorrin, slain as he tried to liberate his people from their insane master.

Exp Totals:
Liisa / Peggy Pigrider, Level 4 Dwarf: 12595 (Level up at 17,600)

-- Mr Burg, Level 1 Fighter: 501 (Level up at 2000)

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 4 Elf (Alpdrucke): 12547 (Level up at 24000)

*DING!* +1d6 HP! +2 to saves! +1 level 2 spell/day! +creepy looks and powers!

-- Carl Sberg, Level 1 Fighter: 501 (Level up at 2000)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 18 weeks

Absent or Retired:
Marco / Sauron, Level 1 Necromancer: 580 (Level up at 2250)
Dana / Bingo, Level 1 Muscle Wizard: 1461(Level up at 2250)
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)
Tom / Eli, Level 1 Cleric: 409 (Level up at 1750)
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