Session 14 - I don't think that's a centipede

Session 14 - I don't think that's a centipede

New Characters:

- Ameight, the Moneylending Man of Mystery (Marius)

- Crocell, the Orphan Halfling (Chris)

- Mushroom Lover, the Shadow Elf (Renzo)

Enemies defeated:

- A heavily hurt spider, killed too late. (75 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Various assets looted from Argan's corpse.

- An inkpot full of spider venom.

- 1300sp in coins and assorted loot, albeit 900 of it is all over the bottom of the ravine (1300 exp)

Exploration:

- Explored 2 heretofore unknown dungeon areas. (20 exp)

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

- First party to enter the third level of the dungeon. (300 exp)

- 1 Wandering monster rolled. (10 exp)

Misc:

- Met the Goblins in the Delve (50 exp)

- Net trap (it was a nice idea) (50 exp)

- Beheld the horrible creature in the ravine. (50 exp)

- Near Death Experience bonus (Ameight - 100 exp)

- Death's Witness bonus (Ameight, Crocell - 100 exp ea.)

Quests and Rumours:

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

- St. Caspian took several mercenaries into the Delve to put a stop to the return of magic. He never came back.

- "They've seen demons skulking around up in Grafton! The Wall can no longer keep them away!"
- "If you want some cheap gear the people in Croughtown are selling everything. All this shit that's been happening has meant no more trade which means no more money which means nobody wants to live in that shithole any more."
- "The markets they hold every Saintsday at Rotram's Farm are great and way safe. Twice a month they hold a giant two-day market which is always a lot of fun!" (Two day market begins game-tomorrow).

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Bigsy the crossbowman, death by spider pounce.

- Argan, death by spider venom.

- Ameight, dropped down cliff to escape giant cave monster; unconscious, at bottom of ravine, broken leg. Cannot regain HP until leg healed (if he can get out of the ravine at all). Base healing time: 12 weeks.

Exp Totals:

Renzo / Mushroom Lover, Level 1 Elf (Alpdrucke): 686 (Level up at 3000)

Chris / Crocell, Level 1 Halfling: 786 (Level up at 2000)

Marius / Ameight, Level 1 Specialist (Spy): 886 (Level up at 1500)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 34 weeks

Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 1223 (Level up at 1500) ETA: 20 weeks

Absent or Retired:
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)

Michael / Mist Urman, Level 2 Magic User: 3205 (Level up at 6750)

--- Stan, Level 0 Mercenary. (takes 1/5 of a share)

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
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)

Session 13 - The birds! The birds!

Session 13 - The birds! The birds!

Enemies defeated:

- A shitload of blood red birds, killed with fire. (150 exp)

- A giant spider, forced to flee (75 exp)

- 11 civilians, death by dungeon (0 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- A giant crystal, split with civilians. (2500 exp)

- 6sp, 4cp claimed from crossbowman (7 exp)

- 3 mercenary crossbowmen hired for 30sp/week

- Various in-town purchases incl. fungible gem-based assets.

Exploration:

- Travelled 6 miles (10 exp)

- Discovered Caspian's Delve and its dungeon namesake (100 exp)

- Entered the Delve (100 exp)

- 4 areas explored (40 exp)

Misc:

- Set fire to the birds (50 exp)

- Met the shadowy elf things (50 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Argan - 100 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

- "You know the bandits who've raided the Wall villages for years now? Last week they destroyed Bannershaw. It makes me truly sorrowful that my son will never see that beautiful place."
- "They say after the Wall fell an army of goblins and other horrid creatures moved into Caspian's Delve and all the rock turned to diamonds!"
- "Pillartown is being attacked by ugly creatures from the woods! They get stronger and more horrible every night!"
- "Now that the Wall's gone down the forest is awakening. All the old tales are true again!"

Death Toll and Injuries:

- 9 civilians who foolishly believed in your speech, feasted upon by birds.

- 2 civilians, killed and drained by a spider(s?).

- 1 crossbowman, feasted upon by birds

Exp Totals:

Renzo / Argan, Level 2 Fighter: 4202 (Level up at 6000)

--- Stan, Level 0 Mercenary (takes 1/5 of a share)

Michael / Mist Urman, Level 2 Magic User: 3205 (Level up at 6750)

*DING* +1d4 HP! +1 level 1 spell per day! Free level 1 spell!

--- Bigsy, Level 0 Mercenary. (takes 1/5 of a share)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 34 weeks

Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 1223 (Level up at 1500) ETA: 20 weeks

Absent or Retired:
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
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)

Session 12 - At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

Session 12 - At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

Enemies defeated:

- Clement the Strangler, Level 4 Specialist (100 exp)

- A crossbowman, beheaded (25 exp)

- 3 other crossbowmen, fled (75 exp)

- The Creature known to some as The Corrector of Sins (1000 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- None retrieved

Exploration and Misc:

- Floated 18 miles (30 exp)

- Random encounters rolled (30 exp)

- Discovered East Ardley (100 exp)

- Near death experience bonus (Argan - 100 exp)

- With Death as my Witness bonus x2 (Argan - 200 exp)

- Sole Survivor bonus (Argan - 500 exp)

- Noble sacrifice bonus (Keith, Kacey - 1000 exp kicker each to next characters)

Quests and Rumours:

- Kevan wants you to help transport a shipment of wine out of the country.

--- Complete! 300 exp, come back when he's sold it on for monetary reward.

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Keith: Absolutely mashed to pieces by a thousand toothsome tentacles in an effort to save Kacey.

- Kacey: Could not take life without Keith, sacrificed self and killed creature in a literal blaze of glory.

Exp Totals:

Renzo / Argan, Level 2 Fighter: 2869 (Level up at 6000)

*DING!* +1d8 HP, +1 to hit, +1 to crit/fumble table

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 34 weeks

Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 1223 (Level up at 1500) ETA: 20 weeks

Absent or Retired:
 --- The Joy, Level 1 Magic User: 284 (Level up at 2250)
Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)
Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)
Michael / Mist Urman, Level 1 Magic User: 1972 (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
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)

Session 11 - Journey to the Journey to the Past

Session 11 - Journey to the Journey to the Past

New characters:

- Losh, the Gardening Elf (Charlie)

- Uldric, the Magic Beggar (Jack)

- APX Viceris/Eli/Chuck Langley(?), the Beggar-Saint (Tom)

- Argan, the Mercenary Adventurer (Renzo)

Enemies defeated:

- 4 giant horseflies (200 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Aquamarine (10 exp)

- Aquamarine, broken (5 exp)

- Caterpillar, jade (500 exp)

- Scarab amulet, gold (500 exp)

Exploration and Misc:

- Travelled 12 miles (20 exp)

- Wandering monster rolled (20 exp)

- Discovered the Insect Shrine (100 exp)

- Entered the Insect Shrine (100 exp)

- Explored 8 dungeon rooms (80 exp)

- Cartographer bonus (Argan - 100 exp)

- Near death experience bonus (Eli, Uldric - 100 exp ea.)

- I know this place bonus (Mist - 100 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Eli: Leg nearly drained of all fluid by horsefly, somehow still alive. Good thing he has crutches. No debilitating injuries.
- Uldric: Fed on by giant horseflies yet survived, scar on left shoulder. No debilitating injuries.

Exp Totals:

Charlie / Losh, Level 1 Elf (Habberjock): 309 (Level up at 3000)
Jack / Uldric, Level 1 Magic User: 409 (Level up at 2250)
Michael / Mist Urman, Level 1 Magic User: 1972 (Level up at 2250)

Renzo / Argan, Level 1 Fighter: 409 (Level up at 2000)
Tom / Eli, Level 1 Cleric: 409 (Level up at 1750)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 (Level up at 4400) ETA: 34 weeks

Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 1223 (Level up at 1500) ETA: 20 weeks

Absent or Retired:
George / Keith, Level 3 Specialist: 3030 (Level up at 9000)
 --- The Joy, Level 1 Magic User: 284 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Kacey Demure, Level 2 Specialist: 2166 (Level up at 3000)

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
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)

Retrospective 1 - Desperately Yanking the Starter Cord

These first few sessions were Important.

I remember being really worried about whether it would collapse at any moment.

My overriding motive was to be totally, insanely, completely reliable.
Every week, at the same time, D&D.
Even if I could only get two people in a session, I'd hold on tight. I constantly felt like I was at the edge of the precipice.
I knew that even a single flake-out early on would lead to the whole thing plowing into the ground before it had properly taken off.

The first session they woke up in a dungeon, naturally.
Goblin Hill from Better Than Any Man. Captured by cannibals, they stole some robes and escaped by luckily managing to head in the exact direction of the exit.
The next session Tom, as Olaf Tenderloin the Dwarf, had his kidney spiked out by a giant rhinoceros beetle. I think I was using an unrefined version of the Death and Dismemberment system, and it worked great!

It was Emmi's first time playing and she was actually really good, as totally new players often are.
I honestly believe that people have to be de-programmed from video game/late edition rulesiness in order to really "get" old school D&D, and she was a blank slate.

The third session saw the arrival of George and Jacob, two people who'd become the backbone of the game for a while. They were inventive and silly and really got into the whole "you can try anything" aspect of playing pretend with dice.

Better Than Any Man is a fucking great opening module by the way. I hope the thing I'm writing is anywhere near as good.

Session 9, pictured above, was played in a candlelit actual-dungeon under a bar called Garlic and Shots.
It was pretty legit.

Also evident in these recaps - an early Quest mechanic that I gave up on soon after. It was unnecessary, and too video gamey.

I also ran a really good couplet of sessions around a "vampire" murder mystery, whose actual culprit was a Devil of Wrath.

It was just one of those situations where everything lined up absolutely perfectly, lucking into a beginning, middle and end. Great fun.

Michael turned up in session 6 from somewhere or other. He was around for a long time, and actually never lost a character. He became the crazy Rune Wizard of legend mentioned at the end of this post about party upgrades.

Session 10 saw him being given a time travel scroll and a mission to go back in time to prevent an insect god arising.
He never really got the chance, he missed a session and by the time he came back everyone had moved on. I believe his character's still carrying it around to this day, albeit he himself eventually dropped out due to workload.

Finally, you can see that I originally just wrote down the main things that happened. You'll notice the recaps getting bigger and bigger over the next couple of years. Inflation, man.

Session 10 - More plot twists than a Mexican soap opera

Session 10 - More plot twists than a Mexican soap opera

Enemies defeated:

- +/- 10 townsfolk (50 exp)

- A demon (50 exp)

- The same demon (50 exp)

Challenges overcome:

- "Solved" vampire mystery (1000 exp) 

- Ensured the townsfolk would no longer bother Willibald Schwartz (500 exp, a unique spell)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Nothing this time

Exploration and Misc:

- Giant ant taxidermy (50 exp)

- Temporarily talked down Gerald Finch (50 exp)

- Did nice things for Bill Higgins (50 exp)

- Potential demon possession?! (50 exp) 

- Failed Saving Throw Bonus (Keith, Mist Urman, Baron Noel Pompadour - 100 exp ea.)

- Near Death Experience (Baron Noel Pompadour - 100 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Baron Noel Pompadour - Friendly flail: Broken arm, pretty fucked up. At 0HP until arm is healed, arm itself useless. Recovery time: 1d6+2 months.

Exp Totals:
George / Keith, Level 3 Specialist: 3030 (Level up at 6000)
*DING* | +1d6 HP! | +2 skill points!

 --- The Joy, Level 1 Magic User: 284 (Level up at 2250)

Michael / Mist Urman, Level 1 Magic User: 1563 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Kacey Demure, Level 2 Specialist: 2166 (Level up at 3000)
Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 1223 (Level up at 1500)

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 exp (Level up at 4400) ETA: 34 weeks

Absent or Retired:
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
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)

Session 9 - Vampire Weekday

Session 9 - Vampire Weekday

New characters:

- Khaleesi - Lightning-fisted muscle wizard and Kacey's old mate from the knackery (Kate)

Enemies defeated:

- Would you believe, none?

Challenges overcome:

- Uncovered numerous clues (50 exp)

Treasure and Equipment:

- Various things purchased in Werneck

Exploration and Misc:

- Entered the Mound (100 exp)

- Met Willibald Schwartz, "eccentric" wizard (50 exp)

Quests and Rumours:

- A vampire is on the loose in Werneck! Nobody knows who it is! An angry mob is turfing out all the old and lonely people and killing them just in case!

--- Reward: 1000 exp, gratitude

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to go back in time and destroy a ruby statue of an ant, says you can keep it as long as you break it.

--- Reward: 1000 exp, treasures of the past including ant statue carved from pure ruby, a unique spell

- Willibald Schwartz wants you to stop the townsfolk from bothering him in his house.

--- Reward: 500 exp, a unique spell.

Death Toll and Injuries:

- Nobody stabbed anyone!

Exp Totals:
George / Keith, Level 2 Specialist: 2514 (Level up at 3000)

 --- The Joy, Level 1 Magic User: 78 (Level up at 2250)

Michael / Mist Urman, Level 1 Magic User: 1051 (Level up at 2250)
Jacob / Kacey Demure, Level 2 Specialist: 1753 (Level up at 3000)
Tom / Baron Noel Pompadour, Level 1 Specialist: 611 (Level up at 1500)

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

[[]]

Recovering:
Tom / Olaf Tenderloin, Level 2 Dwarf: 2737 exp (Level up at 4400) ETA: 35 weeks

Absent or Retired:
Emmi / Lyrel, Level 2 Necromancer: 2891 (Level up at 4500)
--- Schmidt, Level 0 Human
That one guy / Nadriel, Level 1 Barbarian: 293 (Level up at 2000)
That other guy / ???, Level 1 Fighter: 293 (Level up at 2000)