Murder by Stoning (Session 249)

SESSION 249: Rock & Rolla 

Looking for a floating rock. Finding stone cold trouble.

 

Day 177 Continued (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): With the Isle of the Subhuman well behind Ding-We has a change of mind, “Captain do ye think you could find that floating rock again?”. “Aye we probably could but time is becoming the essence we yarg three days out presently”. The wizard, using Carla’s nap time as cover, had Alamend turn the ship away from Lone Palm Atoll and back to the open waters where the floating rock was last seen.

 

Day 178 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): Off course, rats! During midday a trio of hungry seahawks harangued Bunny and Saffron up in the crows nest. Steve eventually, and grudgingly, gave up some prime crab meat to satisfy the bothersome birds. The rest of the day was uneventful.

Day 179 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): With a fresh breeze in the sails they returned to the general vicinity of the last sighting of the rock. Not much later a giant with blueish skin and a garish mop of golden hair arose from the waves swinging a mighty trident. He was not all that friendly nor all that coherent, “Whatever you are doing stop it and stay away from whatever it is or face my anger!”. After his grumpy decree he thrust his trident a couple of times for good measure and then receded once more below the waves and disappeared. “Total case of mistaken ship. Stay on target Captain”, was Ding-We’s decree.

Day 180 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): The search was aided by a strong breeze. The Captain felt they were closing the gap.

Day 181 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): Rock sign! How? Who knows. It’s a lost place in the bowls of a magical world. The gap was closed to less than a half-day.

Day 182 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): Caught up with it. Rock ahead. They made their way around and found a spot to moor and enter the rock. The entry was odd. 

Thousands of skeletons of different races (mostly lizardman) scramble forever towards a rune-carved portcullis archway that borders a tall entry that punches its way through the rock. The skeletons form a ramp on either side to the top of the arch, as if something moved them to the sides to clear access. The runes flare angrily and sporadically, different colors of yellows and dark oranges dancing off the stone (Malrex). They found this odd so Ding-We called forth an arcane eye to get a look beyond the 10’ portcullis. When the magic eye arrived at the gate the runes glowed a bright yellow and the eye went ‘pop’. “Total bullshit.”, came from the wizard. The group walked up the ramp being cautious not to disturb the skeletons. Once Steve and Rhags came within 10’ of the portcullis the runes flared red and a gong was heard from somewhere within the rock. The portcullis slowly opened revealing a 20’ wide passageway that extended 30’ before opening into a large dimly lit chamber. 

The interior is a massive arena with several portcullises embedded in the walls and a wide stone platform with two pillars in the middle. A chained fire giant skeleton lies against the east wall. Several stone statues of different races are scattered about and a pile of broken statues rests on a ledge. A stone giant stood next to the rubble pile on the ledge, “You’ll never obtain it!! Leave or die!”. He then threw a stone lizardman head crashing into the ground before the frontline. The hobos were not convinced. Sneering the giant pulled a lever, causing one of the portcullis to slowly open, with only growling and hissing coming from within. Inside was a big ass basilisk that once it came into sight many the hobo could be heard – CRAP! 

The terrible lizard stormed into combat while its giant handler laughed and threw chunks of stone. It did not take long for someone to get petrified. See ya later Rhagnar. He was the only victim before the mob swarmed towards the now enraged stone giant atop the ledge. Steve and Charles took a beating while Bimbles proved that clerics can’t climb. With the final opponent pushing up daisies, all eyes turned to the treasure pile just behind the giant’s corpse. 

There was an alcove that opened to the sea. 

The treasure was now as it always is the only thing in our hobos eyes. 

 

ROLECALL 

Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 336823 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III

            Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm

Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C9) 299345 xp +5% <300001> CRT 1d12/III

            +2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)

Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 312298 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V

            Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)

Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 233287 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)

            Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)

            Missing thirteen teeth  

Raul the Voyager (MD9) 254664 xp +10% <360000> CRT 1d12/III

            Fezzi-Gig (Neut: XXXX) Sword

Serious wound: permanent loss of CHA -4, 

Removed one of his own nostrils.

Boris the Dwarven Lord (D9) 356589 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d20/IV

Serious wound: permanent loss of CHA -3, carved up face

            Wound: Bad leg (-5’ MV)

            Multiple Injuries: lost 25 teeth (7 remaining), drools a lot CHA -1

            Serious Injury: Brain Drain -2 INT

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)                         

Ding-We the Peg-Legged Wizard (W10) 501546 xp +10% <620001> CRT 1d10/I

            Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)

Bunny the Thief! (T9) 280330 xp <280001> +10% CRT 1d20/II

            Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand

Ramrod the Cloned Magsman (T8) 157770 xp +5% <160001> CRT 1d20/II

             Serious wound: Bad Back (-1 stone CC)

            Scars: Neurological damage to hip, noticeable limp (-5’ mve)

            Missing eight teeth talks with a lisp

 

            The Henchmen

Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 188188 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III

            Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen

            Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts

Sloth the Bopper (L7) 173249 xp +10% <178800> CRT 1d20/IV or 1d6/G (vs. s, m)

            Missing ten teeth

Nara the Nearly Naked Purple Swami Girl (PS7) 109599 xp +5% <125000> CRT 1d16/II

Wraith Drained: -1 CON

Biff Bartley the Half-Orc Blackguard (HO7) 101166 <120000> +5% CRT 1d12/II

Sasha Plasha the Warden (R8) 119078 xp +10% <200000> CRT 1d10/III

‘BOB’ the Deadly Shade (N7) 64817 <90000> +5% CRT 1d16/II

Felix Ignatius Hemlock the once skeletal Sleuth (I7) 47017 <80001> +5% CRT 1d16/II

Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 72353 <100001> CRT 1d10/III

Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 76484 <64000> +10% CRT 1d16/IV

            Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON) 

            Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)

Gurn Hammerhand the Dwarven Swashbuckler (D4) 23766 <36000> +5% CRT 1d12/III

Wendul the Magician (W6) 45514 <80000> 5% CRT 1d8/I

Dolec Da the Hero (F5) 5530421 xp +10% <64000> CRT 1d20/IV

            Missing five teeth

Camillus the Myrmidon (F7)  83695 <120001> +5% CRT 1d20/IV

Willy the Reformed Burglar (T6)  23902<40000>10% CRT 1d14/II

            Agolloch the Eye of Purity (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Chung-Li the Myrmidon Warlock (E6) 103411 xp <120000> +10% CRT 1d8/II

Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F5) 25020 <32000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV

Ike the Duck (DF6) – AVATAR form.

Brett & Jermaine Kobold Cooks & Eavesdroppers Extraordinaire

Lester the Warder of Oceana (P5)  

 

RESERVES

BoB is the lone lawn ornament for the Basilisk Knights.

Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.  

            Elapsed: 36 days (from A-Team calendar)

Elapsed Campaign Time

618 (630) days at beginning of session (also applies to recuperation) 

Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Fifty when we ask the questions:

What is going on here?

Who gets, let alone keeps a basilisk on a floating rock?

Who thinks that platform goes somewhere?

Tale of the Tape

Rhags is a rock

Exploration Below the Blighted Sub-Hex

Location hex: 12.20

 

KILLS

Stone Giant 

Greater Basilisk 

LOOT

8432 sp

5750 gp

Bejeweled Shield 1500 gp

Golden tiara with rubies and pearls 400 gp

Bejeweled drinking horn 300 gp

Potion of growth

Ring of Water Walking

Javelin +2

Scroll Protection from Lycanthropes

We Will Eat You (Session 248)

SESSION 248: Cannibal Holocaust

Loot, Run, Murder and avoid being eaten..

 

Day 174 Continued(12.20/0605 Volcano): Into the roc nest and turn it upside down for the filthy filthy lucre. It was there. Along with three very large eggs that Carla was very interested in, much to Steve’s culinary dismay. Ding-We came up with a methodology to maintain the viability of the content of the three eggs. Afterwards they back tracked to the initial chamber of the savages where they looted the priestess before giving her the boot into the volcano. Athak happily accepted the sacrifice. They made their way back down to the forest and were able to make it back to the ship without incident. Even though they were beaten and well tired it was agreed that some distance from this island would be advantageous. The winds were good and they covered a lot of water in the four hours before settling down for a rest cycle.

 

Day 175 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): With an uneventful night general business started early this day. The Captain pulled put out the maps and charted the least likely path, avoiding possible entanglements, to the Lone Palm Atoll in search of the second skull gem. But first, they would find a local island to repair the ship. Alamend pointed out a chain of small islands that suggested shallow waters that could facilitate a controlled beaching of their vessel. The course was agreed upon and the sailed on. 

Everything was pretty cool until an island sized chain laden rock crossed their path. “You have got to be shitting me.. yarg”, was all the Captain could offer before regaining his composure. “You all better get eyes on this. There be a humongous floating piece of pumice with broken thick chains/links the size of a house, on six sides of the ‘island’ attempting to cross in from of us”. Bunny and Saff turned their heads the other way “Nope. Nope. Nope. Way too weird in the already weird world”, chittered the two before going back to whatever recreational activities they conducted in the crow's nest. 

Ding-We was intrigued. 

Carla was not and threatened to stir up Bimbles if the wizard had any funny ideas about doing things. 

They sailed on. For now...

 

 Day 176 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): Today they came to the small forested island within a shallow water isle chain. The Captain had an idea to partially beach the ship by bringing it as near shore as possible during high tide by way of channel (manually dug, of course). The channel along with some bracing would prevent the vessel from capsizing when the tide went out and would allow further repairs to be conducted. It worked and repairs were commenced midday. 

Ding-We became bored sitting around the ship and not helping out. Let’s explore! The wizard put together a small team (Saff, Bunny, Mason, Rhags) and they went into the jungle. Not as hot, sticky and choked with vegetation as the Cauldron was but still warm and thick. The scenery did a good job of hiding a horde of cannibal sub-humans looking for lunch. 

The misshapen deviants rushed the group bringing Mason and Rhags to the ground while sticking Bunny, Saff and Ding-We with obsidian tipped spears, the hygienics of such might be a conversation for another day. The cannibals gained a very quick advantage and it looked like time in the dinner pot was near certain for our explorers. Ding-We was once again disrupted during incantation and then taken to the ground. However, Saff was able to get a cloud of fairy dust into the air sending just enough of the mutated freaks into a magical slumber to enable a counterstrike. Mason got to his feet and begin smashing deformed skulls with his mace. Bunny, much to her dissatisfaction, was forced into melee. She was however doing a decent job of it. Rhags was still pinned and being gleefully poked by the savages. Saff was able to get above her assailants and produce another round of torpor inducing dust. This turned things around. Mason had no issue with executing the sleeping cannibals, “Irredeemable”. “Them or the wizard?”, was Bunny’s query that earned a chuckle from the bloodied Dwarf. It was agreed that where there is a cannibal raiding party there may be more not far away. They quickly made their way back to the ship.

The rest of the day was largely uneventful beyond repairs and the sighting of a rather large sea snake (natural) coming up for air near the ship when the tide returned. Ding-We used this time to hatch a new plan.

 

Day 177 (12.20/0605 Underground Sea): The first half of the day was consumed by final repairs on the ship. They could only get so much done between not really being dry docked and the limited actual shipwright skills. This was when Ding-We hatched his most recent plan, “Let us explore the island again but with MOAR hobos!”. And so they disembarked and started marching down the beach. About 30 minutes later they came upon a host of dugout outrigger- canoes pulled up to the edge of the jungle. Just beyond there was a well-trodden path and the slight smell of smoke was noticed. Bunny and Saff got invisible before leading the slink into the jungle. A few hundred feet in was a sizeable clearing that housed a large palisade that contained the cannibal multitude. The path lead to the front gate that had a platform from which guards mostly watched the jungle (also on the other corners of the wall) but somewhat luckily they were partially distracted by some who-ha going down within. Probably something to do with the drums that could be heard. 

So they came up with a sneaky plan to infiltrate the cannibal camp it worked and they found themselves creeping towards a stockade with more distracted guards. They wacked these guys and dragged the bodies from sight and opened up the stockade. Inside was a gross of lizard-men and a dead merman with more than a few bites missing. “Hez deadz befores wez bitesss”. Carla translated and then Bimbles responded, “Fish outta water don’t last long. You greenies want out?”. “Yezzzz. We helps. Killz gross men”. “Ok. You help. We free you. Now listen up here is the plan” “Dealz”. The plan was simple just like our hobos. The village consisted of two rows of large tent like structures with a large communal area and what was likely the chief’s pagoda in between. The communal area was full of nasty sub-humans ramping up a big celebration. They believe lizard-man tastes just like humans so party on. Bimbles lead the greenies around the side while the rest of the gang went full frontal. Fireballs! Die despicable man-eating-sub-humans! The village hub was consumed in a conflagration. That stopped the party. Warriors burst out of the tents. Then the javelins began to rain down. Maybe this was not a great plan. What to do? More Fireballs! More burning sub-humans but the smell of cooking flesh seemed to send the locals into a frenzy. More javelins. We had the guns but they had the numbers but also marginal eyesight that just wasn’t drawing enough hobo blood. Bimbles and the lizards began closing in from behind as the hobo tanks waded in leaving a swath of dead around them. The cannibals were getting obliterated. Might as well have been jumping right on Steve’s sword. 

The battle ended while the village burned. The lizard-men grabbed some under cooked cannibal corpses, “Forz the trip home”. They gave our gang their thanks and offered one of their woman-folk to Bimbles. She had a nice rack, underneath the scales, but she really had the face of a crocodile. He for once graciously refused and simply asked to part in friendship. They agreed and dragged away their travel rations. 

Most of the village was wrecked and most of the population consumed by flame so the hope of pay was low. They decided to go rooting through the remnants of the chief cannibalistic sub-human’s pavilion. Not much survived beyond the thick posts of the cannibal bed. 

“Rats Peg-Leg wrecked it all, how am I to feed my seventy illegitimate children now?!”, was Rhags disgruntled outburst. 

Perhaps, after some nudging.. they decided to dig under the remains of the bed. A foot below the surface was a simpletons chest from wood work class. Inside were a bunch of gems and gold items– paydirt! A few high-fives and then they went to search some of the non-incinerated corpses on their way out. The boss’s body was found still clutching his very nice orichalcum spear and wearing two interesting items. The first was a rather ornate necklace and a red-plumed golden crown, it should not have survived the inferno. Ding-We was intrigued by the later and yoinked it while Steve stowed away the rest.

Marching victoriously back to the ship after the cannibal holocaust Bunny caught ear of something coming out of the jungle towards them. They readied for pre-emptive murder. It was not required. A battered and mostly dead man fell before their feet. He locked his gaze with Carla, “saved…” and then passed out. The clerics checked him out and provided spiritual healing. 

When he came round a story was told. 

 

“I am Lester the Warder (Paladin) of the goddess Oceana*. My retinue and I were spreading the good word of the bounty of the sea. We stopped to resupply on an island. Not this one but another, perhaps in the region. I cannot say. We went ashore and were ambushed. Vile sub-human cannibals twisted by their black practices and worship of demonic forces. They paralyzed most of my retinue with their darts and then overran the rest of us. We were beaten and bound. Then placed into canoes and for sometime they paddled. I was in and out of consciousness so I do not know duration or direction. We were brought to their camp and placed in the stockade. One by one and day by day my friends and allies were removed and then consumed by the bastards. Until we were two. Myself and Jorval my half-elven navigator. We were left alone for three days it appeared that the twisted clan had gone on another raid. We knew that the next time the stockade opened we had to act. The following evening we heard a commotion. The raiding party returned and they were successful. We steeled ourselves and flanked the gate. It opened and beyond was a host of lizard-men with the hands bound to poles. They intuitively began to fight as they knew that the stockade was the last stop before the pot. We used this chance and rushed out creating even more chaos that provoked the lizard-men to resist with more ferocity. The gate was open and we ran towards the jungle. Jorval was just one step behind me as I entered the bush. I looked back just as the foliage swallowed me. A spear protruded from poor Jorval’s throat. He was one step away. At least he wouldn’t suffer the horrors of being butchered alive. I ran. It was all I could do and all I have done for days trying to elude recapture. I now offer you, all of you, my services in the name of Oceana for a term not less than one year”. 

 

Lester took a knee, “My lords and ladies, I am at your service”. Carla and Ding-We shared a knowing glance, hoping this paladin plays out better than the last one. “Welcome aboard fish-sticks!”, exclaimed Steve as he proffered his hand “We are getting out of here and we need you on your feet. There could be more of those mutants creeping around”. Lester thought Steve was wise, we know he is not but whatevs. They returned to the ship and were greeted by the rising tide. The Captain felt that they were close enough to begin getting the ship out of its' parking spot. Through the combination of pulling with the folding ship (rowers) and Bimbles putting the jug on full blast to create some push they were quickly free once more. 

 

“You know.. its not every day you see a floating rock with massive chains affixed to it. Maybe we should not have let it pass us by. Captain turn this boat around we have a rock to find!”, Ding-We earned a mixed response from this and that was good enough for him.

 

 

*Oceana, Goddess of the Tides, Currents and the Bounty of the Sea: Most island and coastal dwellers openly worship Oceana. She is the benign and abundant nature of the seas and traders and fisherman often call upon her for favorable conditions and abundant catches. She is the wife of Ushoon and it is believed it’s their conflicts that cause the storms and their loving nature that brings in the food-rich tides (Zotani Sea: Malrex, Jonbar, Grutzi) . 

 

 

ROLECALL 

Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 313941 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III

            Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm

Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C9) 276643 xp +5% <300001> CRT 1d12/III

            +2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)

Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 289416 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V

            Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)

Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 210405 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)

            Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)

            Missing thirteen teeth                    

Ding-We the Peg-Legged Sorcerer (W9) 463664 xp +10% <470001> CRT 1d10/I

            Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)

Bunny the Thief! (T9) 257448 xp <280001> +10% CRT 1d20/II

            Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand

 

            The Henchmen

Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 176755 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III

            Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen

            Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts

Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 60920 <100001> CRT 1d10/III

Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 59051 <64000> +10% CRT 1d16/IV

            Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON) 

            Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)

Dolec Da the Hero (F5) 43871 xp +10% <64000> CRT 1d20/IV

            Missing five teeth

Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F5) 25020 <32000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV

Lester the Warder of Oceana (P5)  

 

RESERVES

BoB is the lone lawn ornament for the Basilisk Knights.

Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.  

            Elapsed: 33 days (from A-Team calendar)

Elapsed Campaign Time

615 (630) days at beginning of session (also applies to recuperation) 

Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Forty-Nine when we ask the questions:

When did rocks start to float?

How could a rock float?

What glorious loot did we leave behind?

Will this paladin survive his year of service?

With the ship mostly patched up how hard will it be to find a floating rock?

Tale of the Tape

Welcome aboard Lester the Warder of Oceana hope you survive the experience.

Exploration Below the Blighted Sub-Hex

Location hex: 12.20

 

KILLS

Sub-Human Cannibals (153) 

LOOT

Necklace of Adaption

Ornate electrum lined mirror 265 gp

Ruby amulet 1300 gp

Gold Serpentine Arm Band 900 gp

11066 gp

30 pp

345 sp

Gold Arm Band 100 gp

Gold Head Band 400 gp

Gold with Pearls bracelet 300 gp

Brass Knuckles 15 gp

Orichalcum Spear +3

Red Plumed Crown of Alignment Change - Ding-We figured this out all on his own.

Gold necklace w/ Hematite 1700 gp

 Gold Goblets (3) 700 gp each

Gold decanter 800 gp

Gold Bowl 500 gp

Bloodstones (7) 50 gp each

Amethysts (5) 100 gp each

Amber (6) 100 gp each

Topaz (3) 500 gp each

Sapphire 1000 gp       Gem total = 3950 gp

Let's Play Inside a Volcano, What Could Go Wrong? (Session 247)

SESSION 247: Collecting and Ejecting 

Treasure is sought and acquired. Afterwards a hasty exit as the next destination calls.

 

Day 174 Continued(12.20/0605 Volcano): The base of the great volcano locally known as Athak stood before our loot hunters. Looming over the rest of the island. A plume of ashen smoke and steam rises from its high top and blends with the mists of the cauldron. Wafts of sulfur irritate the senses once within close proximity of the angry mountain. Occasionally the shadowy form of a gigantic flying creature can be seen circling the plume. The trees of the jungle only grow about half way up the mountain before becoming skeletal trees or low- growing brush (all italics: Bertani, J.). 

Bunny noticed a torturous trail snaking its way up the volcano. Not much better than a goat trail they began to cautiously march single file. After a long series of precarious switch backs and nearly two miles of climbing, the trail lead to the mouth of a cave well above the tree line. “Aye, this be the place”, Alamend thrusted one finger at the map and another at the cave. The path climbed onto a rough oval opening in the side of the volcano. Bunny took a quaff of invisibility potion and slunk in. 

 

Once inside, the cave opened into nearly a 30’ sphere. Another passage exits the north wall and descends into darkness. The smell of brimstone was almost overpowering as hot air arose from the tunnel. The floor, smooth the walls and ceiling a rough and glassy porous surface. There were savages inside and they were up to something beyond clear sight deeper within. What Bunny did not notice were the cleverly hidden guards near the entrance. They had likely seen our gang coming and were ambush ready. As Bunny passed by the guards slunk out like ships in the night. 

Ambushed by savages! 

The guards attempted push hobos from the landing unsuccessfully but they did sound the alarm – squawking in their odd language. Inside Bunny could now see that there were a bunch of guards observing some sort of ceremony being conducted on a platform just beyond this chamber. The platform and ceremony was obscured by the heat and gases resulting from actually being within the conduit not far enough above the magma chamber for Bunny’s comfort. Seashell spears and obsidian spiked javelins, even with the help of a kooky she-shaman were really no match for a well-oiled murder machine even when suffering from the oppressive heat. Saff successfully charmed the queen bee after she had been bound. Bimbles stepped up to interrogate her and didn’t get much of value beyond mumbo jumbo about the power of Athak the god of all fire and deep rumblings. They left her and proceeded down the stairwell. It spiraled down into foul aired darkness. The stairwell descended into an oddly shaped natural chamber. The air, nearly unbreathable due to heat and sulfurous fumes parching throats. The chamber opens to the inside of the volcano, about 5’ above a steaming and bubbling mass of magma, mud and ash. An array of treasure lay in intricate patterns upon the floor of the chamber, the closest to the magma making a melted golden shore. 

“YAZZ”, came from many dried throats. 

They began assessing the loot pile. Coin and items of interest. “That’s why we do this gang. We is richer!”, triumphed Ding-We. “YAZZ!” came once more fom the dried throats. Before they could revel in the riches they were shocked, and once more ambushed, by a group of red semi-humanoid reptilian creatures attacking from the lava. 

It seems that these things took our loot pile to be their treasure and they foolishly took it seriously. Six of them ended up arising from the magma. They might as well have still been in the stuff they radiated so much heat. This fight, and the next but more on it later, really made up for the islanders being gumbys. Fiery lumps were given but once the hobos started knocking down the salamanders the battle started picking up momentum for the gang. Treasure was collected, wounds were attended to and the landing was investigated. There was a path cut into the side of the pipe of varying width (3’ to 10’). It looked like it lead to the crater. Carla pointed out that this most likely led to the large avian things seen earlier in the day. The gang were feeling chuffed and made their way up. 

Crown of Athaka: The upward, spiraling path ended at a rubble strewn landing at the top of the volcano. Jagged rock formations form a crown along the rim of the crater. A great nest of logs, boulders, vines, and debris has been chaotically fashioned and fills the north section of the landing. Hiding at the lower edge the mob sent Bunny to investigate the nest. Another shot of invisible juice and she made her way. 

Climbing up the nest and peering in revealed three really big eggs and the sparkle of treasures strewn and buried about the bowl. She returned and reported. Steve and Carla were excited about the eggs for subtly different reasons – omelettes and servants. With the larger troupe approaching the nest from somewhere far above eagle-like eyes spied our intruders. They were about to feel the pain of death-from-above by the pair of rocs. As alluded to earlier, this was a challenge. Spells failed and the mega-birds were all about the death from above. Steve ended up in the clutches of one and in a trajectory of the lava if he didn’t have a potion of flying in hand. There were other details of course but we can distil it down..

Blood and feathers.

Feathers and blood.

They had the crap beaten out of them but the final masters of the volcano were defeated.

 

Give your heads a shake, bandage the wounds and get down to the soldiers pay.

 

 

ROLECALL 

Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 313941 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III

            Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm

Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C9) 276643 xp +5% <300001> CRT 1d12/III

            +2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)

Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 289416 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V

            Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)

Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 210405 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)

            Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)

            Missing thirteen teeth                     

Ding-We the Peg-Legged Sorcerer (W9) 463664 xp +10% <470001> CRT 1d10/I

            Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)

Bunny the Thief! (T9) 257448 xp <280001> +10% CRT 1d20/II

            Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand

 

            The Henchmen

Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 176755 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III

            Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen

            Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts

Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 60920 <100001> CRT 1d10/III

Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 59051 <64000> +10% CRT 1d16/IV

            Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON) 

            Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)

Dolec Da the Hero (F5) 43871 xp +10% <64000> CRT 1d20/IV

            Missing five teeth

Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F5) 25020 <32000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV

RESERVES

BoB is the lone lawn ornament for the Basilisk Knights.

Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.  

            Elapsed: 33 days (from A-Team calendar)

Elapsed Campaign Time

615 (630) days at beginning of session (also applies to recuperation) 

Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Forty-Seven when we ask the questions:

What glorious goodies will we find in the nest?

Will we explore more of the island?

Where did the savages comes from?

Tale of the Tape

Exploration Below the Blighted Sub-Hex

Location hex: 12.20

 

KILLS

Athaki Savages (16) + Zagi the shaman queen 

Fire Salamanders (6) 

Rocs huge (2) 

LOOT

9380 gp

Gems (11):500,100,100,10,50,500,100,10,10,50,10 = 1440 gp

Potion of Monkey control

Helm of read languages and magic

Gauntlets of ogre power

Silver Scroll Tube: Scroll of Protection from Lycanthropes

Into the Cauldron (Session 246)

SESSION 246: The Cauldron 

Sail to a jungle covered island in search of treasure. 

 

Day 173 Continued (12.20/0605): What a mess. Gore everywhere. Bimbles pulled out his jug and began to wash down the deck before things started to stink and attract even more, and larger, sharks than were already circling. 

An hour or so later the team were healed, cleaned and rested up from the Sahuagin attack. Alamend ordered the sail unfurled once more and unlashed the wheel. 

They sailed on. 

Another hour passed and a red glow could be seen in the distance. “That be our destination. The Cauldron dead ahead!”, barked out the Captain. The leadership team reviewed the map with the Captain and decided to circumnavigate the island prior to making any decisions. 

They went around the east side of the isle. A couple of miles along they spotted a galleon dashed upon the rocks. This was intriguing. They brought the ship as close as possible and then dropped anchor. Carla, Steve and Dolec hoped into the folding boat and rowed to the wreck. No sign of life but sign of battle. Blood and feathers. The feathers were large and there was some deliberation regarding origin until Carla decided to give one a whiff – “Harpies. You can never forget that stink”. Exploring deeper the vessel was mostly flooded and absent of life. 

Back on the SS Sea Serpent it was decided that they would rest before proceeding further around the Cauldron. A few hours later the ship attracted the attention of a pod of dolphins. Bimbles charmed a bunch of them and then used further magics to communicate with the animals. 

They said that something massive and serpent like controlled the inner lagoon and the pod did not swim those waters. Bimbles then convinced them to keep watch as the gang decided to rest prior to their next move.

Day 174 (12.20/0605): With the rest cycle complete they discharged the dolphins and continued to sail around the backside of the island. The treasure map stipulated that the riches were tied to the largest of the islands volcanos, located centrally in the North. Black volcanic cliffs varying from 10 to 50’ in height ringed the island and were topped with dense jungle. They continued around the northside of the island the topography unchanging. As they began turning south it was decided that any spot would be a similar experience. Anchor was dropped and the mob got into the folding boat and cautiously rowed towards the steep and rocky edge. Bunny sent up the rope of climbing and the three stooges (her words not mine) made their way up and into the jungle. Steve and Dolec flanked Rhagnar. They pushed their way in as best they could, the jungle was.. well it was jungle. 

Thick, hot and sticky and definitely not a cinnamon bun. They returned to the cliff edge and waved up the rest of the mooks. Clouds of insects used this time to really give the tanks a welcome – stinging, biting and other such general irritation. “Great place. Great idea…”, grumbled Rhags. They began the slow trek towards the volcano. Bunny suggested it better to try to follow the game trails than forging their own, both will take time but one may attract less attention. 

They attracted unwanted attention. 

It was going to happen either way. 

Ten giant crabs hungry for breakfast exploded from the underbrush catching the troop flat-footed. Bimbles made some gripe about Sasha not letting forest ambushes to occur. “Go spin on a star ya derp”, was Bunny’s retort. The cleric then received a karmic pinch from a crab. Steve was keen and directed the team not to mess up the pinchers, “They is da best eatin! Go for the head!”. The fight did not last that long and did not result in much injury. 

They packed away the crab claws for dinner and pressed on deeper into the unknown jungle.

 

Doggo sez, "This way to death ya dummies".

ROLECALL 

Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 313941 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III

            Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm

Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C9) 276643 xp +5% <300001> CRT 1d12/III

            +2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)

Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 289416 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V

            Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)

Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 210405 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)

            Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)

            Missing thirteen teeth                    

Ding-We the Peg-Legged Sorcerer (W9) 463664 xp +10% <470001> CRT 1d10/I

            Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)

Bunny the Thief! (T9) 257448 xp <280001> +10% CRT 1d20/II

            Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand

 

            The Henchmen

Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 176755 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III

            Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen

            Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts

Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 60920 <100001> CRT 1d10/III

Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 59051 <64000> +10% CRT 1d16/IV

            Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON) 

            Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)

Dolec Da the Hero (F5) 43871 xp +10% <64000> CRT 1d20/IV

            Missing five teeth

Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F5) 25020 <32000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV

 

RESERVES

BoB is the lone lawn ornament for the Basilisk Knights.

Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.  

            Elapsed: 33 days (from A-Team calendar)

Elapsed Campaign Time

615 (630) days at beginning of session (also applies to recuperation) 

Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Forty-Seven when we ask the questions:

What is the thing in the lagoon that the dolphins shun?

Why are jungles so gross?

How long until folks in heavy armor start to feel the heat?

What is the treasure and why does it appear to be inside a volcano?

Tale of the Tape

Exploration Below the Blighted Sub-Hex

Location hex: 12.20

 

KILLS

Giant crabs (10) 

LOOT

Nope.

Murder on the Under Sea (Session 245)

SESSION 245: Sailing the Sunless Sea 

No longer retreating the hobos sail across the inky abyss.

 

Day 170 Continued(12.20/0605): Favourable winds. The day started off nice enough. The droogs were rowing, the Captain was navigating, Bunny and Saff were hanging out in the crow’s nest doing nothing as they were virtually running blind, Rhags and Steve were fishing for dinner and Ding-We was slacking err.. plotting. Bunny got lucky when she saw a serpentine form breaching the waters along the port side. She was able to give just enough warning as an 80’ serpent coiled around the SS I.S.O.D.E.T.B.S.B (ya. Read your recaps MOFOs). The serpent wrapped itself around the vessel and began to constrict. First it creaked, then it groaned and the wood began to snap and buckle as we began to bring on water. The Captain called out “Aye she’s gonna bring us down! Sink it before it sinks us!”. His outburst earned him a vicious bite from the creature as it tightened it coils. This would not be and was not a pretty operation. Smash the crap outta the beast before it sunk us. Smash they did until the creature unravelled and sunk back into the sea. The ship was in rough shape as Steve jumped upon the summoned giant seahorse and then followed the serpent to the sea floor hoping to harvest a king’s ransom from its belly. After chasing it for 300 or so feet and then gutting the thing he was not rewarded with anything except fish heads.. Being not that smart and wanting a trophy he dawdled a bit longer to harvest a pair of the serpent’s fangs.  He jumped on his mount and made haste for the surface before the spoils of his inner toiling attracted predators.  

Topside, repairs would take the better portion of the remaining day and be to the detriment of the cabin. The ship was a little rough when they found it, the serpent had noticeably degraded its condition beyond what in water salvage repairs could remedy. In lieu they renamed their somewhat leaky ship ‘The Serpent’.

Fortune smiled when another encounter occurred but it was benevolent. A curious pod of whale sharks between dives for the abundant plankton in these deeps.

 

Day 171 (12.20/0605): Favourable winds. A pleasant and uneventful day of sailing.

 

Day 172 (12.20/0605): Favourable winds. Bunny is roused in the dead of night by the sound of scraping or scratching along the underside of the vessel. It was termites, damn termites. Saff was able to put a couple into magical slumber but the other three were able to grab a meal and disappear into the deeps. No injuries but the ship once more began to leak here and there.

 

Day 173 (12.20/0605): Strong tail winds. After losing a half day worth of travel, today the winds through this bizarre underground world had some gusto. The Captain was optimistic that they would reach their destination by day’s end even with the current condition of the ship. They would not but it was not the Captain’s fault. A Sahuagin war party had been following the ship from below the surface. Beyond the reach of probing eye or shining light. They attacked silent as death. Amassing underneath along the prow and then climbing up. Driven by wild hatred and the uncontrollable urge to kill they made it topside without notice. The surprise attack was brutal. A shower of spears rained down on the unsuspecting hobos. “Sea Devils! We are under attack to your feet land lubbers!”, screamed Alamend just before a spear slammed into his shoulder. 

As the gang scrambled to get to their feet and grab weapon and shield the Sahuagin drew their tridents and flooded the deck. The hobos were flat-footed and now being overrun. There were three groups of ten warriors each with independent command teams that displayed a comfort with overwhelming ship bound terrestrials. Each hobo faced a trio of warriors as the leaders scanned the deck for opportunities. After the combination of the first volley and the follow up skewering by triple trident action Charles, Bibles and Mason were openly bleeding from multiple injuries. This was not the time to be pretty the hobos needed to act decisively. Steve started chopping through opponents as Saffron blasted off magics and the casters on deck had some success as well and then the Sahuagin leaders waded into battle. The hobos were all now bloodied and a few within sniffing distance of mortality. The battle was now in the hands of the gods, just waiting to tip hard in either direction. The hobos pushed hard for divine reckoning. Their perseverance was deemed worthy and the tide of battle changed in the nick of time. Charles swayed on his feet attempting to hold his insides in place as Bimbles fought from one knee and the Captain defended himself while one of his arms was affixed to the cabin with a spear. The final three devils leapt from the ship returning to the inky depths the fight was over. The deck was slick with the mixed blood of combatants. Aid was rushed to the most grievously injured to prevent the likes of Charles from bleeding out. 

“Let’s get to work lads we earned our pay. Now it’s time to collect”, barked out Rhagnar as Steve and Dolec joined him to loot the corpses and toss the bodies overboard to the growing number of sharks circling the ship. It seems these raiders up to now had a successful career, many of them adorned in high quality jewelry and a copious amount of coin. The Captain then ordered the sail to be furled, “Hands on the halyard and douse that sail. Drift underway”. He then lashed the wheel and slumped to the ground exhausted and well-bloodied. 

The Cauldron and its mysteries would wait another day. 

 

 

ROLECALL 

Carla the Green High Priestess of TMB (C10) 313941 xp +10% <400001> CRT 1d12/III

            Scars: permanent loss left index finger and scarring on arm

Bimbles the High Priest of GSS (C9) 276643 xp +5% <300001> CRT 1d12/III

            +2 save to poison and internal body things; Double eat (gotta feed my baybay)

Hobo Steve the Lord (F9) 289416 xp +5% <360,001> CRT 1d24/V

            Brain Damaged: reduced mental capacity (tough night on the town)

Rahgnar the Dwarven Superhero (D8) 210405 xp <280001> CRT 1d20/IV

            Serious wound: permanent loss of an eye (-1 to missile fire)

            Critical Wound: disembowelled less able to process poison (-1 penalty)

            Missing thirteen teeth                      

Ding-We the Peg-Legged Sorcerer (W9) 463664 xp +10% <470001> CRT 1d10/I

            Critical Wound: Left leg obliterated, runs at ½ rate (peg required)

Bunny the Thief! (T9) 257448 xp <280001> +10% CRT 1d20/II

            Light wound: permanent loss of pinky finger, off hand

 

            The Henchmen

Saffron the Mad Fairy Queen of Ribbits (FY7) 176755 xp <200001> CRT 1d10/III

            Moderate wound: Scar on abdomen

            Lasting injury: -1 STR, mashed guts

Mason the Lama of Yrrrg. (C7) 60920 <100001> CRT 1d10/III

Charles in Charge the Myrmidon (F6) 59051 <64000> +10% CRT 1d16/IV

            Franz the Grave Return (Lawful; XXXX) Sword

Critical Wound: Punctured lung (-2 CON) 

            Mostly DEAD. (-1 CON)

Dolec Da the Hero (F5) 43871 xp +10% <64000> CRT 1d20/IV

            Missing five teeth

Captain Alamend Strender the Swashbuckler (F5) 25020 <32000> +5% CRT 1d16/IV

RESERVES

BoB is the lone lawn ornament for the Basilisk Knights.

Chung Li needs 12 weeks (74 days) and a stack of coin to rewrite his lost spell book.  

            Elapsed: 33 days (from A-Team calendar)

Elapsed Campaign Time

612 (630) days at beginning of session (also applies to recuperation) 

Join us for session Two-Hundred-and-Forty-Six when we ask the questions:

Was that war-party ranging and raging or are we about a Sea Devil nest?

What mysteries await at the Cauldron?

The sea has not been kind, did we offend something?

Do we have a solution or measure for remedying damage to the ship?

Tale of the Tape

Exploration Below the Blighted Sub-Hex

Location hex: 12.20

 

KILLS

Greater Sea Serpent 

Sea Termites (5) escaped, mostly, with full bellies 

Sahuagin war party 

LOOT

9000 gp

Jewelry (15) : 15,200 gp total