Backtracking

Returning to the Great Hall

The DM: Earlier, I posted an image of the whole dungeon that might have given the impression that “F” ended in a dead end. That is not the case. The tunnel was not explored past the broken furniture; you don’t know what lies around the corner.

Pandred: It's been on my mind. I'd like to make sure we throw open every door of the main hall first. At this point, I'm willing to do so simultaneously. This portion of the dungeon appears to belong to the dead and carrion-feeders.

The DM: I look forward to reproducing the effect from Cabin in the Woods.

Vafrandir: There is an underlying theme here, at least!

The dungeon so far

Vafrandir: I am down with that, Pandred. I'll take position on Door (i), remaining are (k), (l), (m)

The DM: Fun

Pandred: One, I love that film. Two, you can't scare me! I will not be intimidated!

Pandred: Gimme l. Helga took a big hit earlier, so she can wait nearby.

Lexent: I move to 2128. "Do we really think opening everything at once is wise?"

Pandred: "If there was a danger, it would have gotten us in the barracks from behind. Should only be animals."

The DM: Okay ...

Ready?

Pandred: 1, 2, 3, "Hroagh!"

Lexent: Marit in 2127.

Vafrandir: Bjarni is behind me.

Vafrandir: I throw open (i)

Pandred: Opening (l)!

The DM: since I can see only “i”, “k” and “l” opened, I’ll stick with those; the map can wait, since we’re almost done for the day.

“i” is a wet storeroom, with barrels of rancid ale, accounting for the smell. An investigation, however, will show that there are two kegs in the room, one with four gallons of lamp oil (usable) and one with 1½ gallons of vinegar (also usable).

“k” is a toilet. It appears to be full of straw and other compost, so that it can be used regularly. It smells vaguely of vinegar.

“l” (el) is a natural chimney that plunges into the darkness. It has a similar smell to the hole where the rothe are cast down, and there are iron rungs that can be climbed down into it.

no monsters.

The DM: Does anyone hate me yet?

Vafrandir: Not yet but give it time.

Vafrandir: I'll move to (m) and open that as well, Bjarni following.

The DM: you move to touch the handle and your arm loses all of its strength, so that you find yourself compelled to let go.

Pandred: Nice, magical lock. Do Illusionists even get Knock?

The DM: They don't.

Pandred: Ok guys. F or D? Do we think the gobs were sealing themselves into F, or sealing something from elsewhere out of F?

The DM: {OOC} Okay, we’re good. Going forward, I want to warn you that next week should be normal, but the week after is the time of my procedure. The prep is onerous, particularly that last day, and I want to feel warm and fuzzy before going in, so I’m going to go ahead and take that week off. The recovery time is apparently quite short, so I should be back the following Monday. So, the next three days, then the week off, then we begin again as normal.

Pandred (OOC) Sounds like a plan.

The DM: {OOC} Uh, sorry, the following Tuesday. Out.

Vafrandir: Very good. I move for (f). See you all next week! Out.

"F" Hall

Local dungeon with updates

The DM: In. Just to warn you, this is going to be a slow and distracted day.

Lexent: In. Before moving to those 'd' or 'f', if it's alright, let me try a couple of things with door 'm'. I try to open door 'm'. Are the results the same?

The DM: Can't do it. The door is resisting you; even as you try to put your hand on the door, you find you really don't want to.

Lexent: I try to take a lit torch and place it at the base of the door to catch it on fire.

Marcule: does the door feel magical?

Vafrandir: In.

The DM: Can't "feel" magic.

The DM: Lexent, you get the torch lit and you’re standing in front of the door ... but somehow, you can’t seem to move the torch where you want it. You’re just ... stuck.

Lexent: "Well, so much for that. I suggest we work on getting this furniture up to the surface. That chair on top looks nice, we might want to keep it, but I suspect most of this can be used for burning those bodies." (gesturing to the collection in 'f')

Vafrandir: Yes. Let's get to work clearing the blockage. We can stack stuff in the dungeon room to keep it out of the way.

The DM: So, you start?

Lexent: Yes, we start.

Vafrandir: Aye, we start. Sorry, should have made that clear.

First Ghoul

What the hell is that?

You’re in the process of unloading the room, with furniture scattered around, when something unpleasant appears in 2725.

Vafrandir: How aggressive does it appear?

The DM: oh, pretty aggressive. Roll a d6.

Vafrandir: 1

The DM: I won’t rule that as surprise, since I don’t believe you’d be blissfully unaware and not looking for something, even if it was a large spider or a rat nestled among the pile. But ... I will count that as loss of initiative; the ghoul will move into 2526 and “engage” you in melee, without having enough move to swing an arm at you, yet.

Lexent: Does that make it the party's turn?

The DM: Yes, Lexent.

Lexent: I attempt to turn any visible ghouls To Turn: 14

Vafrandir: Have I enough room to swing?

The DM: Have you been moving furniture with your sword in your hand, Vafrandir? Sorry, Lexent, not sufficient.

Vafrandir: No, I'll need to draw.

The DM: Just want to point out that comes first. Larger things take longer to draw, so what weapon do you grab from yourself?

Vafrandir: Club will take a shorter time to draw and time is of the essence. I'll draw that.

The DM: You have room to swing.

Vafrandir: To hit: 6.

The DM: That misses. Do you two want to wait for more participants, or shall we move to the second round?

Lexent: Up to you Vafrandir, I'm okay with either.

Vafrandir: We may as well have another round at least.

Ghoul Round 2

The DM: The ghoul attacks three times, with both claws and head, which stretches out grotesquely from its body and snaps at Vafrandir’s head. The head misses with a 3, the left claw with a 4 and the right claw misses with a 12.

Another ghoul appears in 2725.

Player Round 2

The DM: take your turns. I’ll be about 45 minutes (I’ve got to eat and make two phone calls).

Lexent: I attempt to turn the ghouls, starting with the one engaging Vafrandir To Turn: 15. I then make space, backing to 2126

Vafrandir: If that doesn't turn, I'll attack again. 17 raw: 18 to hit; 5 raw, 6 to hit.

Lexent: If I understand correctly, my turning occurs last in the round anyway.

Pandred: Day got away from me. In.

Pandred: I'll advance to Lex's old position in 2227 if possible.

Marcule: im at the ready but i don't want to throw anything in this tight space

The DM: Lexent’s attempt to turn fails. Pandred enters 2227. Vafrandir successfully hits and stuns the ghoul. Marcule’s line of sight from 2127 is marred by the door.

Vafrandir, do you want to try to hold this corridor or back out with what AP you have left. Stunning the ghoul means you’re not engaged in melee and can stride out.