After the party spent almost two months to have everyone healed up and Causticas complete his exhausting training both as a Fighter and as a Magic-user, they started their preparations to continue their journeys. They wanted to go back to Hommlet and start looking for more informations about the Temple of Elemental Evil. A discussion with Canon Hazen revealed that it is close to Nulb, a small village infested with pirates and thugs. Among them however, there were loyal men to Veluna like a smith named Otis. To assist them, he wrote a letter that they could show to Otis so that he will be sure to recognise them as allies and gave them 3 of his sentries to help them in the coming journey. During their stay in Veluna, the party recruited a cleric of Rao named Peter who was willing to help them in their expedition. So, Causticas, Korin, Peter and the 3 sentries began their long journey towards Nulb.
The party now was stronger than ever. Korin has reclaimed his lost level, Causticas managed to gain a level both as a fighter and as a magic user, they found a cleric willing to assist them, they were accompanied by experienced sentries, they have defeated two different cults, had a good collection of magical items and could consider themselves allies of the ruler of Veluna! Their future looks brighter than ever!
Unfortunately, it's in these times that destiny decided to give them the hardest blow yet! When the journey began they met a group of pilgrims full of Rao faithfull. However, in the second night, while most of the party was sleeping they were attacked by a demonic creature. His speed could only be matched by his strength and unfortunately Peter was slain with a single blow. The rest of the party used their horses to retreat and leave as fast as possible. The next night, the unfortunate encounters continued as a group of giant flies stormed their rations trying to eat them maybe. The sentries however managed to scare them away and forced them to retreat.
The worst were yet to come! Two days later and with the party reaching close to the Dapple Wood, heard a strong wing clapping. In terror they realised that they were pursued by 4 red dragons!!! They galloped as fast as they possibly could and entered the forest. One of these terrible creatures however used their breath killing everyone besides Korin instantly and putting the forest on flames. Korin, with whatever strength had left and his horse dead, grabbed only his axe and ran for his life. He hid under a tree, hoping that the flying beasts won't find them. While 3 of the red dragons were feasting on the party, another one was circling around searching for Korin. Fortunately for him, eventually it returned to the rest of the dragons and flew away.
Barely alive and terrorised, Korin was walking in the forest until he was lucky enough to be found by a Verbobonc patrol a few hours later. Some druids were helping the Verbobonc men cut some woods to restrain the fire. Three days later they all returned to Verbobonc.
In there, Korin trying to be put back together, spent a month drinking his nightmares away and trying to put himself back together and find some companions to continue the expedition together.
LOOT AND KILLS:
Loot:
-
Kills:
-
DECEASED PLAYER CHARACTERS:
Urikas the elf, F1/MU1, Readying 25, 576 CY, eaten by ghouls
Zyla the elf, C1, Readying 25, 576 CY, eaten by ghouls
Jack, F1, Readying 28, 576 CY, slain by the evil cleric named Lareth
Causticas the elf, F3/MU3, Goodmonth 14, 576 CY, burned alive by a red dragon
THOUGHTS AFTER THE SESSION:
What the hell??? I thought that the stirges were a bad random encounter but this session, it was made to destroy the party completely! Just when they managed to get many magic items, a letter of recommendation from Canon Hazen and they had gained enough level to enter the Temple... BOOM!
The first encounter was alright, just a group of pilgrims. The second one was one more that I saw for the first time, a demonette. He has the same movement speed as a pony, 5HD+1d6 and strength bonuses to his attack! Poor old Peter was gone, just like that!
The flies were ok, a few arrows managed to scare them away. But when I rolled the dragons I couldn't believe it. I remember rolling a d4 to determine how many and I rolled a 4. Then, I thought they might not be interested in mere humanoids and rolled their reaction hoping to get something big. It was less than 10 in a d100...
So, mainly for sport the dragons hunted them down and annihilated everyone besides Korin. He succeeded in his saving throw and I rolled some dice to see if he is spotted and if the dragon loses interest. I think we spent 3 rounds doing that. He was lucky (in all of the parties general missfortune), however we rolled for the letter of recommendation since they didn't say who had it and it ended up on Causticas (and I guess in the belly of the dragons after that).
So, Korin is on Verbobonc with no money, no weapons besides his axe and no allies. However this adventure will make him famous, with people paying to hear his stories. I liked that idea, it's a good reward for someone to survive such a unique attack!
Let's see how the party will manage to bounce back after such a major setback!!!
FOUR Red Dragons at level 4?
ReplyDeleteAm I missing something? Why would you have dragons anywhere near the party at that low level?
That was a random encounter. I use the Greyhawk and OSRIC random encounter tables and bear in mind that I don't balance it out, I just go with whatever the dice brings. This time they were unlucky and as you will find out, it was not the last time... :P
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