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So GOG released the Gold Box series of games today, which includes the Pool of Radiance, Curse of the Azure Bonds, and Secret of the Silver Blades games, which started it all. There's several others in the game collection itself, and three other collections with other D&D-themed games. Go check it out on GOG if you are interested/have a chance.
I'd like to do an AAR on Pool of Radiance here in the forum. Is there any interest in reading such a thing?
I have plenty of other things to do, but this won't take up a lot of my time since I'm very familiar with the game - I spent hours upon hours plunking away at it on my grandfather's Apple IIc back around 1989/1990 or so. Those that don't want to buy the game but still want to get a bit of a vicarious experience as I go through it, by all means read on.
To make it more interesting, I'd like to include forum members in the party. If anyone's interested in lending their names, I will name the character after your screen name here. I'm going to take up one of the slots (duh), so that leaves room for five party members. I'll control the characters and tell the story in the AAR, but if I get a lively response/crew on board here I might open it up to suggestions as to what 'missions' to complete next, if there's multiple choices to be made.
I'm somewhat open to what race/class you might want, but in general, this is how I used to do it, if I remember right:
1 - Human Fighter (probably me)
2 - Dwarf Fighter
3 - Human Cleric
4 - Elf Fighter/Mage
5 - Human Thief
6 - Human Mage
I like human-centric parties in this game system because Humans have unlimited levels. I think POR caps characters overall at a certain point, but I'm thinking long-term, going into the next games (Curse of the Azure Bonds and Secret of the Silver Blades). Like I said, though, if you want to lend your forum name to one of these adventurers and want to provide your input as to what race/class you suggest, let me know.
For my own recommendation, I move that Gus be the Dwarf Fighter. Or, Dwarf, period. Or Halfling. :D
FAQ QUESTION: Will I 'cheat' and make everyone's stats 18? Probably. I'm not sure though, and am open to suggestions. I remember clearly how I'd amp up every character to 18 in everything (18/00 in Strength where allowed, too), and I STILL had a challenge in the game. Lower stats are asking for trouble as the game is challenging enough at several points throughout (I remember tons of very hard battles). If nobody cares, I'll probably do it. These are larger than life heroes, after all. If anyone makes a compelling argument to not do so, then I won't. Simple.
Let me know.
Hard at work at home today eh? ;)
I'd like the Human Thief.
I'd say don't use amped up stats but that's just me.
My avatar name was my Hunman Paladin character back in POR, Sir Slash. I'd be honored for you to use it though it fits more a fighter character. But either way, I'm in In-Laws on free food.
Human mage. A human mage named bbmike! ::)
Quote from: Barthheart on August 20, 2015, 11:33:41 AM
Hard at work at home today eh? ;)
Believe it or not, yes. It's all I can do to not try to at least fire this thing up and mess around with character generation!
That's three so far...and I'm going to go out on a limb and use Gus as a Dwarf. One more slot if anyone wants their avatar name on it!
Cleric has my name written all over it. Human is ok but everything is better withe Dwarves!
Pfft! That's way too many humans! Coward!
bbmike casts a "you must go now" spell on Bison! >:D
Your cantrip failed pathetic mage!
OK, good. I actually had one other slot open, so I randomly decided to make mirth our resident elf mage/fighter. I accidentally put him in a dress when creating the characters. Oh well. >:D
Anyway, here's a bit of an intro and a background.
I played the hell out of this game on my grandfather's Apple IIc back in 1989 or so. At that time, I got a job at North Star Mall at a little store called Babbage's. They've long since rolled into EB, which long since rolled into GameStop, unfortunately. Babbage's was a great place to work; too bad I was a dumb kid.
In any case, I had no computer of my own (not for a few more years anyway), and with my mighty employee discount, I purchased Pool of Radiance pretty much the first time I laid eyes on it. I believe it was 49.99 or 59.99, something crazy like that, but once you got a box like that home, opening it up to smell the fresh disks and paper in there...and there were a LOT of both. The good old days of swapping disks out (including a save disk, which you needed without hard drives at the time) are something I don't miss terribly much. Going from Phlan to the Phlan ruins early in the game, I think required a disk switch-out.
I remember mapping the hell out of everything on graph paper. At the time I was in my second attempt at college, so I'd get to class early (parking was a BITCH in the area) with several hours to kill. Often I'd study (no I wouldn't), or I'd sit there and figure out what I was going to do once I got home from class and went over to the grandparents' house. I made maps, hand-drawn and otherwise. Holy hell I wasted a lot of time as a young man. Yeah, I probably should have tried to get laid more. It is what it is.
So when I saw tgb post the link to GOG's sale on the gold box D&D games, my jaw did drop open. I was giddy (I may have mentioned this). And I really hoped this game would stand the test of time and be as immersive as I remember it being.
Would the damn thing even load, though? Fortunately Bison reported no problems. My rig is going on eight years now, but surely it could handle a bit of software from 1986. We will see...
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So far, so good...
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OMG YES
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Wow...okay, well, the game comes with several PDF pages of scans of the original code wheel that came with the game, so I used that to get past the security question. Man did THAT ever bring back memories...though I would have preferred an actual wheel...oh well.
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At this point, I was left with a little bit of gun-shyness. You see, a few times over the years I'd download a copy of Pool of Radiance and try to run it. It would work flawlessly. To this point, anyway. I could create characters but the game would not save, and I wasn't nearly savvy enough to figure out how to jury-rig it to work right. The game always wanted me to "insert a disk," which wasn't happening. No more 5.25" disks on these computers - mine is old, but not that old.
Well, this time, it was all good, thankfully! Everything seemed to work fine as I went in to create characters...
So my first one (me) was going to be the first-line fighter of the group. I always liked playing tanks/warrior types, so this seemed fitting.
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Hmmm...a good roll-up, but the 80s dance video look has got to go!
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This guy looks more 80s male perm than the 80s does. Nope...
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No, too Gus...
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No, too easy...
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Good enough.
So, let's meet the rest of the party...
GUSINATOR, Dwarf Fighter
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"Hello Ladies!"
KYZBP, Human Cleric
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"Golly! It sure is neato-keen to be adventuring with you guys! Which end do I hit the monsters with, again?"
MIRTH, Elf Fighter/Mage
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"Hello, creatures of indeterminate gender! Swoon as I bust out my Flashdance moves..."
BARTHHEART, Human Thief
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"If'n thievery doesn't work, there's always the candy chariot to lure the kids into!"
And last but not least, BBMIKE, Human Mage
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"It amuses me to be here. Can't you tell from my expression?"
So it was with great glee (not the TV show, but honest excitement and talent) that we arrived at the docks of Phlan. We'd heard terrible things coming out of ships that barely made it past Sokal Keep, which stood mute guard at the head of the bay which Phlan was located in. They had troubles everywhere, even in the old parts of the city, and were woefully short on adventurers. We pooled what money we had to get into Phlan, and when we docked, we were greeted by KYZBP's twin, apparently.
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The tour was rather boring. He didn't point out any of the inns that Phlan was peppered with, but that's okay. A little wandering around and we could easily find what we were looking for. First, we stopped by the Council Clerk's office, which is apparently responsible for handing out bounties and missions (the tour guy did manage to point this out).
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She was kind of bitchy, but I think that's because MIRTH kept putting the moves on her, and GUSINATOR kept playing with his chest hair. Being that his head barely tops her desk, it was fairly a mystery to tell why he was gyrating so.
Next, we hit some markets, spending our rapidly-dwindling supply of Platinum on much-needed adventuring equipment. Apparently, we entered Phlan with the clothes on our back and a total of 100 Platinum Pieces. In the D&D universe, this amounts to 500 gold, something of a small fortune. Apparently it's the going rate for first-level adventurers in this world, so be that as it may, we suffered and made do.
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After loading up on the basics, we hit a local inn and rested, memorizing magic spells, a very important thing to do in this game.
We quickly saved the game in preparation for hitting the Phlan Slums, the next step in our grandiose adventure.
My god, I look like a gay Ken-GI Joe doll. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Quote from: bbmike on August 20, 2015, 06:20:28 PM
My god, I look like a gay Ken-GI Joe doll. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
;D
There aren't too many portrait choices in this first game...
Entry #2
Phlan Slums
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It's a fixer-upper, at least!
The City Council wants these slums 'cleared,' which in game terms means beating a set number of random encounters and/or defeating all 'permanent' encounters. In this game, there's a difference; the random encounters are exactly that, while the permanent ones are hard-coded to the locations in these slums.
I know what's in store. My characters do not, however.
We wander the filth-encrusted halls of these slums for a while, wandering to the north and picking our way between broken stone walls and through collapsed wooden holes in walls. The entire place makes Times Square of the 1980s look like a clean room at IBM. Often, the muck pulls at our boots in a near-winning attempt to pry them from our bodies.
Surprisingly, nobody complained. Except GUSINATOR, whom complained about a lack of lady parts.
After wandering around the north a bit, we find a door that is surprisingly intact, and even more surprisingly, locked. I give it an armored shoulder and, hooray for super-strength, it shatters into a thousand splinters (well, maybe a couple of hundred, but that'll make a good starting point for our eventual bard song).
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A bunch of ugly, pig-faced creatures are arguing over a piece of paper. If it has more than one letter on it, it's highly doubtful that any of them will figure it out.
Right then, GUSINATOR belches. Loudly. The pig-faced Orcs turn around, notice us, and pull out their weapons. I shrug. It's not like we're here to avoid killing things. That's what dungeon crawls are all about!
The Orcs are accompanied by Goblins, which are somehow uglier and shorter than even GUSINATOR. With glee, we charge into the fray.
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I wish I could report it was an epic battle. With MIRTH and BBMIKE each casting a Sleep spell, pretty much all of our assailants collapse in a dream-like coma. It's fairly easy, even for us first-level noobs, to put them out of our misery quickly.
We kind of look at each other rather guiltily. Wordlessly, we decide that the creatures we faced in this one-sided affair will be reported as four times stronger, and with helpless children being held hostage.
The treasure, as it is, is pretty much a bunch of arms and armor. I gather up a lot of them, though I don't think we'll get much for it in town. The Long Bow and Arrows go right to Barthheart, though.
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It's not exactly the riches we were hoping for, but neither did we expect anything less than a long road ahead of us.
We found the least dirty spot on the floor, made camp, re-memorized spells, and prepared to move on.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 20, 2015, 06:14:31 PM
OK, good. I actually had one other slot open, so I randomly decided to make mirth our resident elf mage/fighter. I accidentally put him in a dress when creating the characters. Oh well. >:D
I was going to ask for the elf, but I thought the slots were all full. I know it's too late to change my name, but I was going to go for Mirtholas.
And of course I'm in a dress, I'm an elf.
Quote from: bbmike on August 20, 2015, 06:20:28 PM
My god, I look like a gay Ken-GI Joe doll. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
At least you don't
sound like one...minus the G.I. Joe part.
Shame on Barth for killing a, "Helpless" Goblin. On the other hand, I do like his all black outfit. Kind of Johnny Cash meets Ragnor Lothbrook. And credit to BC for having an elf in the party. If they die, you can't bring them back to life. At least that's the way it was Curse of the Azure Bonds.
Quote from: Sir Slash on August 20, 2015, 10:13:27 PM
Shame on Barth for killing a, "Helpless" Goblin. On the other hand, I do like his all black outfit. Kind of Johnny Cash meets Ragnor Lothbrook. And credit to BC for having an elf in the party. If they die, you can't bring them back to life. At least that's the way it was Curse of the Azure Bonds.
I do not remember that little tidbit of information about elves dying and not being resurrected. I don't remember but do you lose a point of CON with each resurrection?
I save often, so permanent death shouldn't be an issue. However, Bison *is* waiting in the wings, so...
Yeah baby! A long sword and a long bow! Now that's light gear to be carrying around while doing sneaky theifly stuff.
:knuppel2:
And the black getup is my ninja pantsuit!
I am about to read the hell out of this thread. O0 :smitten:
I can't remember from POR but in COTAB, when my elf was killed, I could not resurrect him. The other characters I could. I played Curse first then POR later. I do remember the first Fireball spell I ever threw--- that's right up there with the first handful of Boobie I ever got(OK maybe the second). But it was the Stinking Cloud spell that saved my butt more often than anything. Erratic but will work on anything even damn scary dragons.
My brother and I played through most of the Gold Box series together (including the Krynn trilogy and the two Buck Rogers games though I think he skipped out on the last one -- we tried playing Silver but there was a fatal bug about 1/3 to 1/2 which prevented us from continuing so we finally gave it up :( ), using our experience from Tunnels of Doom (which the GB series was essentially upgrading the engine on except no procedural level generation), and we preferred lightning to fireballs since we could throw those with more precision and make them ricochet for multiple damage if we gauged it right.
That's it. I usually hit my own guys with the Lightning spell as often as the enemy.
Entry #3
Phlan SlumsAfter resting a few hours and getting spells back in the brains of our magic-throwers, we did our best to pick the vermin from our armor and belongings before heading west, and then south.
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Coming into a rather large room, we spotted a party of Kobolds across the way. We apparently surprised them, so I chose to advance the party. We kept advancing until we were looking down on their little dog heads...but apparently, we still had surprise on them, because they just kind of looked at us blankly. We'd heard of Kobolds before...but seeing them in person is quite another thing. Dogs wearing armor and wielding small-ish weapons sort of looks like it should be an oil painting in a great room somewhere, not something in real life.
They just kept staring at us, but the moment one of them started sniffing MIRTH's butt, that's when the battle began.
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Two SLEEP spells and they were all zonked out. Once again, we heroically dispatched their helpless souls into the next realm. A few of them yipped in MIDI-induced pain. The two that were not in either SLEEP spell's effect zone quickly surrendered, getting up on their hind legs and begging. We stripped them of their armor and weapons and booted them, telling them to never come back.
Again, I made camp, and again, the spellcasters memorized spells. And again, we headed deeper into the slums...
...and again, we ran into more Kobolds.
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We made quick work of them, too. This adventuring thing, it's really not that hard. We're all beginning to wonder what kind of soft dullards live in Phlan that can't deal with this problem. All it takes is a few harsh words and minor-level spells, and all of these so-called "monsters" fall like wheat before a scythe.
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BARTHHEART got himself knocked out in one fight, though...a Kobold got lucky and took him down. One hit, man, and he was out like a torch. When KYZBP cast a Cure Light Wounds on him, BARTHHEART embarassingly dusted himself off, gave us a Francis "touch any of my stuff and I'll kill you" look, and glumly gathered up his things. We still laughed at him, because that's the kind of crew we are.
Wandering to the south, we found a large open space with a squat building on the south wall. Finding a door in the east side of it, we were once again perplexed to find it in rather good repair, and locked to boot. Well, we can't have that! Once again I bashed that sucker into oblivion, and we all spilled into...well, it was a clean, well-appointed abode, apparently.
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This old guy was kind of all, "WTF, guys?" But he didn't attack us. Now, had that been me sitting there, writing notes on paper, probably about how much I love wargames or something, and six dudes (one dude looks like a lady, though) crash into MY home, I'd be all, "Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt!" on their asses.
I decided to be nice. After all, any old dude that can live in the middle of a slum like this (granted, one with yippy dogs and Orcs that apparently need a gym of some sort, but a slum nevertheless) can probably take care of himself. We're not quite too big for our britches, at least not yet.
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A 'special' potion, eh? ^-^
Whether it's for some kind of super-power or medieval shaft enlargement, I don't care. The key words in his speech were "I pay well." Yeah, we'll see about that, old dude. Speaking on behalf of the party, I accept his terms.
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Ohlo. Okay, Ohlo, I'll say your name (Ohlo) to everyone I see, now. GUSINATOR will ask me where the Kobolds be at, and I'll be all, "Oh...lo."
GET IT?
Okay, okay.
In any case, we trudge back through the shattered door. I cast an apologetic look, but the guy is already mumbling to himself, something about "Everhard's Everlasting Tentacle" or something. I'm the last one out. I turn to say farewell, but the door is already back in place as if it hasn't been touched.
Yeah, I'm glad we didn't fight this guy.
I won't be able to add to this again until tomorrow night. Too much going on today and tonight.
Who is it in our group with the green hair that stands in the back and sings into a microphone while the battle rages?
Quote from: bbmike on August 21, 2015, 12:26:17 PM
Who is it in our group with the green hair that stands in the back and sings into a microphone while the battle rages?
That's mirth. As soon as I can get back to this I'm going to change his avatar.
Entry #4
Phlan Slums
After the crazy old man, we went in the exact opposite direction of where he told us to go. Personally, any story I'd heard growing up of wizard's quests meant dragons or hydras or other giant creatures that could bite a 10th-level warrior's head clean off with barely any effort. I'm good with waiting a while.
We went north again, back to the area we were in, and did some 'sploring in the northwest side of the Slums. Here, things were just as seedy, though the buildings had more of a lived-in appearance. What the hell they were exactly 'lived in' by, that remained to be seen.
After clearing out one room of some Kobold inhabitants, we went through the whole camp thing again to get more spells, and we stepped back out into the putrid open air of the Slums.
To, of course, be greeted by more denizens.
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They were angry about something. I mean, they're goblins, so what's NOT to be angry about if you're one of them? You're weak, pathetic, and pretty much the Phantom Menace of the monster world.
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They looked at us expectantly. As the ugliest one (probably their leader) opened his gaping, rotten-toothed mouth to say something, I brought my sword down on his head. That pretty much started the next tussle.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F065_1.jpg&hash=3aa787fd015cbe95d1c540bc50a43eed2fdcc7b1)
This one was another shoe-in and we racked up more of a body count, too (damn, I knew I probably should have kept stats on that...silly 1980s games didn't do that quite yet). Two Sleep spells put them all down, and it was a simple matter to remove their zit-filled heads from their open sore-encrusted bodies. Monsters are gross.
So we immediately encamped, revved up to memorize spells again, and rest...and of course the Slums were having none of that!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F067_1.jpg&hash=68e2993ae98586af8d299751c898a17aea511331)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) Oi! You over there!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Eh?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) Tell your Dwarf friend there to cover up!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus.jpg&hash=5fa625761f9f05a01ff5cbdfa7757a3bd0a90762) Ex-queez me?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) You 'eard me, mate! 'Ats too much hair to be sportin' about, ere! We got standards in deez slums!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus.jpg&hash=5fa625761f9f05a01ff5cbdfa7757a3bd0a90762) You just WISH you could rock a fun-sized body like this, dog-breath!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) ...'ere, now, ain't no need for insults, mate...just 'cuz we kin lick ourselves there...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Do you mind? My mages here were trying to memorize spells, when you rudely interrupted!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) Wait, all we woz...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike.jpg&hash=3e636c6b744bb90d76f6020ccc85a4765b112139) My good sirs, do you realize how long it takes to imprint the finely-tailored mage spells within my tome, upon my massive brain? One foul-up and it's that many less of your brethren we can send on to their final reward!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) ...wot?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth.jpg&hash=944a7a1b5df1f0c9f619e80c82e82feb9b87f3e7) Ferget 'im, he wuz in community theater...hey, brother, step a bit closer and give us your liver, then...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold.jpg&hash=3fcd407463ed3e532b76a31e9f6150627d7c3bcb) ...yer all bloody nuts, you are. Tell you wot...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F070.jpg&hash=e98c90be0668d61b8ad7c277dc0b1ea22d9b216a)
Meh, I let them go, because we're out of Sleep spells.
So we encamp again, and get all our spells lined up, and...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F067_1.jpg&hash=68e2993ae98586af8d299751c898a17aea511331)
Dammit.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F066.jpg&hash=71f586efda8451f02d6694e4eef9b39f42730689)
Well, instead of parlaying, this time I'm just going to kick their asses. And we do manage to do that. KYZBP gets a bit dinged up, but that's okay because he doesn't get skewered by a dog sword (who could live something like THAT down, huh?), we slaughter all the All Dogs Go To Heaven rejects, and once again, make camp.
And get our spells lined up, and get everything just so, and...
...get interrupted again.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F067_1.jpg&hash=68e2993ae98586af8d299751c898a17aea511331)
And again, we beat them to a pulp. GUSINATOR gets hit though and he's down in hit points like KYZBP.
This time, I move everyone back into the building we were in before, make camp there, and rest, and fortunately THIS time we're not interrupted by a pack of pups.
We move out again, moving a bit west, then turning north to find a door.
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Like other doors, this one is locked too. Like other doors, I smash it, because anything locked usually means treasure!
The area is small, and looks like it holds a storeroom to the east. To the west, we spy another door, but as GUSINATOR leans against a wall to spread some more dwarven oil on his chest, he goes right through the wall with an "Ulp!" and falls, his feet sticking out of what looks to be an illusionary wall.
Inside, we find arrows and a short bow. I think the bow is magic...why would it be here, otherwise? This encounter gets us a LOT of experience, more than doubling what we had already to this point, so after checking out this last door I've resolved to head back to Phlan to see what we can sell, identify, and whom can level up.
But first, the door.
Oh yeah...before I forget, I changed MIRTH's avatar to look less...uh...dress-wearing.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F071.jpg&hash=ec39ba683eacd2b76946f22a5cfd82c61406625e)
The fabulous 'hand flair' move stays, though.
So anyway, back to the door...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F074_1.jpg&hash=d90dd94fbbf660504caad8e4364eaa25353fb741)
Great, Hobgoblins. They're basically a more pissy version of Goblins, but stronger.
But that doesn't stop them from falling asleep and getting their butts handed to them.
Literally. BARTHHEART had to be forcibly stopped from removing their butts and placing them in each Hobgoblin's hands. I guess as a warning sign or something to the other monsters around here. I reminded him we were here to clear the Slums, and such a thing would be pointless because nobody would see it. The dude might be psycho, but he's decent enough with a blade.
We cleared out the meager sum of gold the Hobgoblins had on hand, and returned back to Phlan. We'd had a decent outing so far, killing just about everything facing us (except for that one talky-talky incident, but that won't go into the Official History of Team GrogHeads when our memoirs are written.)
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Despite all of our best efforts to date, the gate guards STILL give us the stink-eye when we go through. Some just don't appreciate us as much as they should.
After stumbling around a darkened Phlan for a while, we finally came across the Training Hall to the north. Walking in, we moved through an interior set of doors to find a big, metal-infused Crossfit class going on.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F077.jpg&hash=88f5f5323d3d607650f939e20ad79319372b2b4b)
My twin (God bless the early days of computer gaming with their few portraits to choose from) wants to know if we want to spar. I told him no, and he stepped aside to go beat on a student (one that's probably paying him good money to do so). Along the north wall were a bunch of doors, each labeled as training for different classes.
The first one I went into was apparently for thieves, because the guy in there asked for 1,000 gold to train. Nevermind that it really WAS to train thieves. If all of the rooms are like this - Warrior, Mage, and Cleric alike - I'm wondering if this means we all get to multi-class as rogues by paying off this highway robbery.
As it is, each of us has maybe 200, 250 gold total, so we'll have to make camp somewhere and try to figure out what magic items we've gotten. I'll have to guess well, because if I remember right, it costs 100 frikkin' gold to ID a piece of equipment. We might be doing a lot of saving and reloading.
"With One Cruel Blow" should be the title for this thread.
(Preparing for Gusinator joke in 3... 2... )
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 22, 2015, 02:37:05 PM
Entry #4
Oh yeah...before I forget, I changed MIRTH's avatar to look less...uh...dress-wearing.
But he's still singing into that mic... :P
Quote from: bbmike on August 22, 2015, 07:32:46 PMBut he's still singing into that mic... :P
Which begs the question - if it turns out that it's not a microphone he's holding, is he still 'singing'?
Which begs the question -- if it turn out that's not a mic, how exactly did he get it?
It's probably better not to ask such questions. :buck2:
I thought it was a Kobold tail. But I have no idea why he would be singing into it. Unless.... you're just into that kind of thing.
I've been singing Tom Jones classics at our foes.
The kobolds really hate it.
It happens every day.
Entry #5
Phlan, Phlan Slums
After glumly exiting the Thieves Training/Democrat Party office, I could've slapped myself with my own shield. Looking through our accumulated wealth, I found several gems and jewelry bits. I knew there was a jeweler's somewhere around here, tucked back behind a normal shop, but I couldn't recall where it was, exactly. So we trudged off, finally locating it (and thanking the stars we didn't wander into a tavern where an inevitable all-out brawl (aka 'Monday') would kick off.
We sold all of the jewels, and headed back to the Training Hall. My twin once again demanded that we spar; I told him to go sit on a mace.
Inside the Fighter's Training office, we pooled our funds together and bought training for me (BC), but for some reason it wouldn't let me train anyone else. This is because I realized I pooled most of our funds with me (the frontline fighter) and I didn't share it all back again. So, I was sitting on almost 1,500 platinum, which is about 7,500 gold, and more than enough to up-level all of us.
Oopsie!
I went ahead and hired a fighter from the sparring room - he only requested 1 share from treasure, whereas the uppity mages and other magic-users wanted upwards of 4 shares each. I already have two mages, one of which believes himself to be a fabulous singer. If roller skates were a thing, this guy would totally be the male version of Dazzler.
After leveling me up, we headed back out. I'll fix the leveling oopsie later. :-[
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F003_2.jpg&hash=9e77e6ac1e5d9a2db3d3362a26ee0a9dfbb8b8c9)
We carved our way through a few more parties of Kobolds - I almost didn't bother with them, but went for it as we have to clear a certain number of random encounters as part of the requirement to clear the Slums. I think if we leave that the random events reset themselves, though I'm not certain. I hope not, that would be a pain.
After a few victories, we headed westwards. And found a gypsy sitting in a dumpy shop.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F009_2.jpg&hash=f624e0ac33c03ceba58735b79d78488a57cd8e1e)
Since attacking a "ragged old woman" would result in rather un-heroic slaughter and/or her transformation into Tiamat or Baba Yaga or something equally deadly to 1st-level characters (such as a sniffle), I chose to pay her the few coppers she asked for.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F010_2.jpg&hash=3d8b6d656ad939c165bfb95d0520ebc400730848)
"Strange transformation," sort of like when I do my announcer's voice for the GrogCast. She probably sounds much more interesting, though.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F011_1.jpg&hash=b79e68a7026bdd8c922f3687a2a91a321272ad3f)
Well, alrighty then! Blood, violence and more in our future. Seems that's all we HAVE seen to this point. Her Captain Obvious powers are extraordinary.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) I sense...I sense that...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) ...yes? What?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) ...you stand...at the forefront...of major battles, yes...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Uh...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) And you...you are a dealer in...in...components...specifically, herbs...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike.jpg&hash=3e636c6b744bb90d76f6020ccc85a4765b112139) Oh, come on...those herbs, they became legal there just the next week!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Herbs? HERBS?!? ♫ Reeeeeuuuunited and it feeeeeeels soo gooooo-ooo-oooood...♫
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) And YOU...are a bard...wait, no, a lounge act...wait, no...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) ♫ Biiiitch I am FAAAA-bu-louuuuus...♫
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) Singing like that in these slums can be bad for your...elf.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Okay, thanks...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gypsy.jpg&hash=efd075ca3702c8b98dd00131e0b3152ede8fa62e) GET IT? BAD FOR YOUR..."ELF!" Health? Huh? HUHH??
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth.jpg&hash=944a7a1b5df1f0c9f619e80c82e82feb9b87f3e7) Okay, mate, gimme four seconds t' remove that pun organ, real surgical-like...
We didn't remove her pun organ. Or much of anything else. She just has a look about her, like she'd drive a wagon through your tavern great room, or something...
In any case, we headed west, then found a twisting passageway going north. We followed it, but found a party of Orcs waiting for us in ambush.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F014.jpg&hash=b890ce4bf769b214c13eff8d854054ae1e7e62a9)
We fought them off, but they took KYZBP out of the fight (we bandaged him quickly, fortunately). What sucks about losing your Cleric in a battle is...there's no healing afterwards.
Still, we defeated the Orcs (there were a lot of them, too), and immediately encamped to rest up. Fortunately we were not bothered, though we had to camp for 24 freakin' hours to get KYZBP up to 1 lousy HP so he could memorize more Cure Light Wounds and patch up everyone else, too.
The passageway ended in a door, which was locked, which wasn't locked for long after we put our shoulders to it.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F016_1.jpg&hash=0a40a83c566547d5e884426ba3f4e9a5109dd307)
Uh...Candygram for Mr. Mongo...?
The local FFA must have been having a hog auction, because look at them things all lined up nice and purty-like in the chute!
It only took a few Sleep spells to deal with the majority of them, though I sort of wasted one Sleep spell because of range. Range for spells is not unlimited in POR, unfortunately.
They almost took me down (with my huge 14 HPs) and nearly took down BARTHHEART too, but a few well-timed Cure Light Wounds managed to keep us both in the fight. By the time we got halfway up the chute, the Orcs started surrendering. Soon, the fight was over, but I was afraid something bigger was up further on.
They gave us a beating though, with three of our number wounded. Our rest and memorizations were not interrupted.
Another door beckoned...we could hear mumbling voices behind it. We strained our ears to hear, but could not make out the words. So we did the neighborly thing and curb-stomped the door into oblivion, finding a rather strong meeting of monsters.
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Two Gnolls, one Ogre, and one Hobgoblin Leader were here. I was fearful they'd give us a hard time, but they didn't. The Hobgoblin Leader was back in the corner unable to go anywhere, and we made short work of the Gnolls. The Ogre took a couple, three hits to go down, but down he went.
We encamped once again, prepping to go back to Phlan to sell our "found" items and get the others up a level.
------------------------
Seems that HyperSnap 7 decided to stop letting the 'game capture' key work - it's worked for years for me, and now it doesn't seem to want to, so I've had to ALT-ENTER the screen to windowed mode to take screens. I didn't get one of the monster leader battle, which wasn't all that impressive, but it might have been cool to see the Gnolls, which are giant-class creatures, though rather weak in HPs. Sorry that you couldn't see it, regardless.
Man I need to attack that gypsie! If she turned into a dragon, that would be freaking awesome and totally worth the party wipe to see.
As I recall, one of the games had a Silver Dragon become one of your party. I can't remember which one, maybe one of the Krynn games. But she sure could kick ass. You're off to a hell-of-a-lot better start than I ever did BC. Even without Mirth's +1 Mace of Tom Jones. Or should it be a, "Staff" in Mr. Jones' case? ^-^
I need to post my team. I'm rocking a bunch of magical broadswords and stuffs. Everyone is up to lvl 2 nearing 3 except the 1/2 elf fighter/cleric/magic user who should be level 2/2/2 by the end of the game. I am going to bypass the trolls until I at least clear out the well.
I'm going to be much more Churchillian in my approach and clear out the Slums before moving elsewhere. Next will probably be Sokal Keep.
Sir Slash, I am indeed off to a good start, though that's because I played this a lot (admittedly 20+ years ago, but still, a lot) so I recall in general how the game flows. Bison is ahead of the curve when it comes to where I am in the game right now and it seems he's remembering a lot more of the details of the game than I ever did.
Silver Dragon NPC party character? Almost surely Krynn, since high-level dragonmorphing was a main part of the books.
"Ragged Old Woman"? Huh. More like, Grandma, What Massive Hotness You Have (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GrandmaWhatMassiveHotnessYouHave). {checking} Or maybe not, as she would actually have to look old somehow for that to count. She looks as old as Agent Carter (in WW2 I mean, not modern day.)
IIRC, attacking the old Gypsy woman just pisses off the locals, making random encounters a lot harder. I never attacked her so I don't know what that battle would have looked like.
Maybe later I'll try an evil-aligned party and try to narrate how they weave themselves into this kind of story, pulling douche moves like attacking old crones and stealing candy from babies.
:2funny:
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(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Fcarlton.gif&hash=0647dedfe9cd409b21405a1b4ed117b38b861461)
:2funny:
Quote from: bbmike on August 25, 2015, 05:45:03 AM
:2funny:
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(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Fcarlton.gif&hash=0647dedfe9cd409b21405a1b4ed117b38b861461)
Pure Awesome.
The dancing gif distracted me from seeing Carlton (or whoever that is) composited into the party behind Mirth singing at the kobolds.
Which is even better.
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 25, 2015, 11:12:12 AM
The dancing gif distracted me from seeing Carlton (or whoever that is)
David Alan Grier. He's done goofy stuff like that for years.
One of my favorites of his is "Don 'No Soul' Simmons":
This stuff was from a movie called
Amazon Women on the Moon, a sketch comedy film much like
Kentucky Fried Movie.
I thought it was Carlton too.
It's Carlton. :)
I'll have another update Friday evening. Too much going on at work and home these last few days.
I think I'll probably get more detailed in future posts (after the Slums are finally done, that is), but that's only if you guys are okay with that. I've been thinking I've been a little light on the narrative thus far, but I didn't think everyone wants to hear about every encounter, unless significant and/or entertaining.
By 'more detailed,' I mean more maps, more back-and-forth among the characters, that kind of thing. We'll see how it goes. If you hate it, don't hesitate to say so.
The occasional funny back and forth is funny. Good narrative balance of styles already.
Still, won't complain about moar Groghead Radiant Experiences! O0 (If it feels fun and comfortable for you, go for it. We're living vicariously. O:-) )
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 27, 2015, 06:43:11 AM
(If it feels fun and comfortable for you, go for it. We're living vicariously. O:-) )
And don't limit this advice to video gaming.
Entry #6
Phlan Slums; A Return to Phlan (again)
We returned to Phlan, still getting evil stares from the guards; but I could hardly blame them. We were just another group of wannabes seeking our fortunes. We hadn't proved ourselves yet. And no doubt GUSINATOR was striking a rather handsome figure to some of those lonely, lonely guards.
Besides, it was the middle of the night, no doubt making the guards more randy.
We wandered by the City Hall, and that's when I realized I hadn't taken note of the Proclimations posted thereon:
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Proclamation LXIV: Be it known that the council is interested in acquiring information as to the disposition of various formerly-living entities rumored to be harassing honest citizens in the vicinity of Valhigen Graveyard. A reward is offered to any person who shall travel to said graveyard and return with an eye-witness account.
Yyyyyyeah, we're just going to pass that one by for now. Any statement with the words "graveyard" in it is too deep for us to get our hands dirty on.
Proclamation LXXVIII: Be it known that the council is offering a reward to any person or persons who can provide information as to the disposition of several council agents who have been sent to investigate the unseemly happenings in the vicinity of Valhigen Graveyard.
Aaaaand that's another swing and a miss. So this Valhigen Graveyard seems to be quite the hot spot, so much so that "council agents" probably went and got themselves all Terminus'd by some not-living characters. I think we'll avoid this one too.
Proclamation CIX: Be it known that the council is offering an inducement to any individual who shall serve in the rescue force for the mercenary band of 'Taimalg-the-Invincible' which has disappeared inside of Valhigen Graveyard.
They're not doing themselves any favors by lining these suckers up like this. It's basically a whole row of 'nope,' 'nope,' and 'f&cking nooope.'
Proclamation LIX: Be it known that the council is interested in reclaiming the remaining blocks of the city of New Phlan. To reclaim said blocks they must be first cleared of monsters, vermin, and other uncivilized inhabitants. To this end the council is offering a reward to any person or group who is responsible for clearing any block of the old city.
Well, yeah, that's what we've BEEN working on, sheesh.
The Phlan Slums have been proving to be both a boon and a stumbling block. We'd heard rumors of some very nasty creatures in the southwest part of the Slums. Mostly giants, though some claim trolls; another said a dragon. The rumors spinning around Phlan threaten to catch it in their pull and set the town to spin right out of the ground and over the horizon. Still, we've avoided that area like the plague, finding no more random encounters.
Clearing vermin is what we do, though it's slow going.
We've managed to level up a few of the party as we go along. I'm now Level 3, as is GUSINATOR. KYZBP is a 3rd-level Cleric. BBMIKE is a 2nd-level Mage, almost 3rd-level (which I think brings the juicy, juicy Fireball spell). BARTHHEART is a 3rd-level Thief. MIRTH is the only disappointing one of the bunch. He's somewhat stuck in 1st-level for both his Fighter and Mage specialties, as experience earned is halved between the two as if two warring egos were fighting for dominance over the same body.
He's close, but not close enough, and slaughtering Kobolds is like slaughtering Jawas - if Stormtroopers can hit it, you know they're jack poop. We're pretty much the Stormtroopers of the adventuring world. If we can clear that final encounter, maybe we'll be able to push a little further and start kicking some butt.
Finally, after a few pushes into the unclaimed zones (even going so far as to go into the adjacent Kuto's Well in search of some valuable experience - nothing really happened of note and I didn't push the exploration), we got our levels as far as we could, and I finally bought missile weapons for every party member.
One thing you'll never be sure of is exactly how your party will deploy; it really depends on the direction you're facing when you trigger the encounter, and the structure of the surrounding terrain. Even if you keep someone in the fourth slot of your party, that doesn't mean they won't be on the front line, as poor KYZBP has found time and again.
Suitably armed, we moved into the Slums once again, camping out just outside of the area we knew the ferocious beasts to be. And we saved the game, too - we're not totally stupid.
We advance into the area, and are greeted by two huge Ogres and four Trolls.
Great.
They're all playing hacky-sack with a 100-pound bag of grain. Their attention diverted, I give the signals to the party to prepare to engage...and with that, the bag they were playing with hit the ground with a satisfying crash, spilling a smoky haze and impossible thousands of bits everywhere. That's when they noticed us.
"OH NO," said an Ogre. "WE DROP. WHAT WE THROW NOW?"
The others had noticed us...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Troll.jpg&hash=d427b67f49ed925575ecc8e15ea52054680d26e8) I know...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth.jpg&hash=944a7a1b5df1f0c9f619e80c82e82feb9b87f3e7) You know what I dunno, mate? I dunno what color yer lungs are...c'mere a minute, eh?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Troll.jpg&hash=d427b67f49ed925575ecc8e15ea52054680d26e8) No, YOU come here little man. We throw in game.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) You look like the Tony Romo of the Troll world. Seeing that broken bag on the ground just proves it.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Goddammit, Mirth.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Oh, sorry! AHEM...♪ ♫ You're the BESST...AAAH-ROOWW-OOUNNND...♪♪ NUHH-ONE'S EVAR GONNA BRINNNG YA DOWNNN...♫ ♪
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) NOOO SHUT UP SHUT UP TROLLS LOOVE JOE ESPOSITO YOU IDIOT
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Troll.jpg&hash=d427b67f49ed925575ecc8e15ea52054680d26e8) YOU NO RUIN JOE ESPOSITO! PIANO IN DARK IS UNDERRATED SONG! HUMAN LIKE YOU RUIN HIS MOOSIC CAREER!
Aaaaand it was on. At least MIRTH didn't sing Lady, Lady, Lady.
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This is NOT an easy fight. But, it can be made easier by four simple strategies. The first is to have the hero with the highest AC at the front. There's only one Troll in the front line; the others are left to play grab-greenass in the backfield (sort of like the backfield of the Texans, AMIRITE?).
The second is to ignore the Ogres. What I do is cast Sleep on them - there's a small chance Sleep might work, and by doing so we actually put one of the bastards to sleep.
Thirdly, and this is very important, we managed to uncover a Fireball scroll in the muck of the Slums. I can't recall where, exactly. What matters is that BBMIKE has it in his hands and he uses it here, frying one Troll (whom was already wounded), and halving the HP of two others.
Our hired Warrior rushed through an opening and slaughtered the helpless Ogre. His timing could have been better as there were still two Trolls that were up - hurt, but up.
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This brings me to the fourth strategy - ranged weapons. You'll learn that lesson the hard way, trust me. Our ranged fire was rather effective and we managed to cut the other two Trolls down quickly, fortunately. The Ogre didn't last long, either.
I was stunned (STUNNED, I tell you) that none of the Trolls stood back up. I had my characters occupy the space(s) they dropped in, but I lost track as the battle ran down. This is another reason why missile weapons are important in this little fracas, so that you can still hit the enemy without having to be in melee range. Believe me, this battle is frustrating enough without finding yourself on the winning edge, only to have a fully-healed greenie stand up behind you.
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We actually won! I couldn't believe it.*
*Note: this took about ten tries. The Trolls were lighting fast and would often hit three, four, or even five times in a row, as if to say, "Oh, one hit isn't enough to bring down your frontline fighter? Here's another! That wasn't enough? Here's a third! Tell you what, let's just keep doing this until he dies, eh?"
Returning to Phlan, I ID'd the remaining equipment (some of us managed to get good weapons with +1 bonuses). From that final 'boss' battle, we got a +1 Composite Longbow, which went right to MIRTH (with his six HP and verrrry sloooow leveling, his ass wasn't going to be in the front line of tough fights). A set of Banded Mail +1 was there too, which I donned, giving me an awesome AC.
I will update you guys as to the status of the characters next time. For now, we returned to Phlan, rested, ID'd equipment that needed it (the best way to tell is, when selling to a shop, if they offer you a small fortune for an innocuous item - like 1,750 gold pieces for a broad sword - that should set off alarm bells that it's a magic weapon). Next time, we'll see about leveling up (hopefully MIRTH), and I will update you all as to what level everyone is, and what equipment they're carrying.
Next, we'll be headed to Sokal Keep.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 28, 2015, 06:17:58 PM
We've managed to level up a few of the party as we go along. I'm now Level 3, as is GUSINATOR. KYZBP is a 3rd-level Cleric. BBMIKE is a 2nd-level Mage, almost 3rd-level (which I think brings the juicy, juicy Fireball spell). BARTHHEART is a 3rd-level Thief. MIRTH is the only disappointing one of the bunch. He's somewhat stuck in 1st-level for both his Fighter and Mage specialties, as experience earned is halved between the two as if two warring egos were fighting for dominance over the same body.
bbmike would also be at 3rd level but the Tom Jones tunes are clearly distracting him from studying his mage-onmics. :))
Yes, 3rd level brings (exactly one slot for a) juicy, juicy Fireball spell. And opens up (as an alternative, exactly one slot for a) Lightning Bolt for a more focused attack of the same strength but with different resistances and weaknesses of course.
Decisions, decisions.
But clearly the right decision was more AAR. O0 :smitten:
Entry #7
Current State of the Party
BANZAI-CAT
Human
Level 3 Fighter
XP: 6,373 (need 8,001 for 4th Level)
Current Equipment: Banded Mail +2, Shield, Broad Sword +1 (also, Long Bow and 20 Arrows)
GUSINATOR
Dwarf
Level 3 Fighter
XP: 5,929 (need 8,001 for 4th Level)
Current Equipment: Chain Mail +1, Shield, Battle Axe (also a Long Bow, a Short Bow, and 38 Arrows)
KYZBP
Human
Level 3 Cleric
XP: 4,504 (need 6,001 for 4th Level)
Current Equipment: Ring Mail, Shield, Flail +1 (also, Wooden Holy Symbol of Tyr, and three Clerical Scrolls with two Cure Light Wounds, one Animate Dead, one Silence 15' Radius, and one Detect Magic).
Spells: Cure Light Wounds x 4, Hold Person x3
MIRTH
Elf
Level 2 Fighter/Level 2 Magic-User
XP: 2,798 (need 4,001 for 3rd Level Fighter and 5,001 for 3rd Level Magic-User)
Current Equipment: Scale Mail, Shield, Long Sword, Composite Long Bow +1, 32 Arrows
Spells: Sleep x2
BARTHHEART
Human
Level 4 Thief
XP: 5,847 (need 10,001 for 5th Level)
Current Equipment: Leather Armor +1, Long Sword, Sling, 180 Arrows (he's the Arrow Mule, apparently)
BBMIKE
Human
Level 3 Magic-User
XP: 6,373 (need 10,001 for 3rd Level)
Current Equipment: Bracers AC 6, Dagger, 58 Darts
Spells: Sleep x2, Stinking Cloud x1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see, we're pretty heavy on the Humans, and light on the wimminz (though MIRTH'S character is giving that impression a run for its money).
In the previous game, we let the Warrior go. I considered keeping him around for Sokal Keep, and I might have to do that if we get our butts kicked and need more firepower.
My mages are heavy on the Sleep spells and Hold Person spells - this is for a good reason, because Sokal Keep is going to hold a bitch of a fight for us. We'll need every one of them.
Having leveled up MIRTH twice (once for each of his classes), and BARTHHEART and BBMIKE each once, that side of things is done (and the list above reflects the status as of this writing). Only thing is, BBMIKE can't get the Fireball spell yet. I had forgotten that 3rd level Magic-User spells require 4th character level...I think. In any case, when I leveled up BBMIKE, he could only choose one 2nd-level spell, so I grabbed Stinking Cloud.
Next, we headed for the Inn to rest and memorize the new spells for our two Magic-Users. Rested, full up on equipment and spells, we headed to the docks to board a ferry to Thorn Island, where Sokal Keep waited...
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Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 29, 2015, 10:41:33 AMI had forgotten that 3rd level Magic-User spells require 4th character level...I think.
AD&D 2.0 -- a bitter tease of a mistress. :tickedoff:
It is my legitimate hope that you can keep this up for the whole quadrology. :smitten:
(Though it's about time you got another banzai cat for the avatar.)
Entry #8
A Journey to Thorn Island; Sokal Keep
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The Harbor Master ended his statement with a wry grin and a snicker. Under his breath, I could hear him say something like "more children off to their dooms." That didn't bode too well.
Striding to the end of the pier, we found that, surprisingly, the trip to the island was free.
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I'd seen some slasher movies start with this, but as this was a sausage-fest of epic proportions, I wasn't worried about watching my corn hole.
Unceremoniously dumped on Thorn Island, we were left to our own devices. Thorn Island wasn't much to write home about; it was very small, craggy, and absolutely commanded the approaches to Phlan. Clearing out the Keep would be a huge boon for the struggling city, opening up trade routes from throughout the Moonsea. Not only would it mean growth and a large flow of coin and equipment, it would mean a large flow of coin into our pockets for freeing them from the shackles of this stone fortress.
The boatman hadn't just quietly dropped us off, though. He told us tales of how the Keep was haunted by the spirits of the damned, the defenders of the Keep, whom made their last stand during the fall of Phlan.
I wanted to learn more about the history of this area, but there wasn't time. The Keep is not far from Phlan.
We contemplated the gates that stood before us, and passed easily into the inner courtyard. The gates themselves, once formidable and strong, were worm-eaten and rotted.
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The courtyard itself was rather empty.
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Still, we took a look around. We split up, poking around in the forlorn, lonely grasses, seeing if anything had been stashed away by previous parties.
A shriek from KYZBP from the northwest corner of the courtyard sent all of us scrambling over.
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I told him it was already dead. Our cleric was clutching his Holy Symbol tightly. His face was still twisted in a mask of naivety and friendliness, but his words that spilled forth indicated a hatred for the undead. This particular pile of bones was going nowhere, though; the hapless Elf that used to form a living being around it was long gone.
Stopping MIRTH from breaking into "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal, we decided to search the bones and rotting bag slumped against it.
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We were able to translate these words into:
LUX
SHESTNI
SAMOSUD
Having no idea what these meant exactly, we did recognize them as possible passwords or answers. We'd have to be careful with which answers we chose.
The doors to the inner courtyard lay before us...just as formidable as those on the outside, perhaps a bit stouter, but unsecured and unable to resist our need to enter.
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Entry #9
Sokal Keep Explorations; Undead a-Plenty
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The interior was rather vast and would take a bit of time to map out. From first glance, it looked to be U-shaped, with us entering the inner courtyard at the center of the bottom of the U. For no particular reason, we headed to the west line, on guard, trying to get a feel for our surroundings. The footsteps we heard earlier were reasons to give a tremendous amount of pause.
Then, we stumbled across something, finding we were indeed not alone here.
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These abominations had to be dealt with. No parlay would take place, not while we were still breathing.
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We faced about half a dozen zombies and an equal number of skeletons. KYZBP had initiative over everyone, so he raised his hands on high, calling the power of his deity to Turn these abominations away. It worked...maybe too well.
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As the undead were turned one after another, they began to flee to the north. As they turned their bony backs to us, we took full advantage to give them parting blows.
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...or not.
A few were not turned, and stood their ground; MIRTH and GUSINATOR took care of them, though these undead fiends landed several of their own strikes, wounding both of them.
The effect of Turning undead within a confined space was suddenly not lost on me. Several of them ran off into a corner. This being an interior courtyard with no open doors, there was nowhere for them to run, so we were forced to chase after them and strike them down.
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Soon, all of the undead in this patrol were down, but we had several wounds to show for it. KYZBP's Cure Light Wounds repertoire was soon exhausted, and many of us were still bleeding. We chose to risk encamping to get some more healing done, but unfortunately the undead were having none of that.
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This time, we stood our ground, fighting the undead without Turning them. We didn't take as many wounds, strangely, though BARTHHEART was down to 5 hit points.
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We decided to look around, perhaps to find a safe place to rest, and were ambushed again. This time, MIRTH and BARTHHEART fell to the creatures, and KYZBP still had no healing spells so we're either going to have to stay and bear it, or retreat back to Phlan.
(In these games, leaving an area will probably repopulate these undead patrols. I really don't want to leave, but I decide to do so anyway.)
We head back to the main gate; those two fallen comrades were bandaged so they didn't die from their wounds, but they won't earn experience laying on their backsides. We have little choice but to leave...for now.
And as we try to leave, we're jumped by yet another patrol of undead.
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Now we're in for a bit of trouble with two of our number down...
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 29, 2015, 10:46:40 AM
It is my legitimate hope that you can keep this up for the whole quadrology. :smitten:
Thanks, JP! I fully intend to go through all the games of the series. Though, I might change some of the characters along the way, say, using the same name but changing to a different character class/type. I know the later games had more offerings than just the 'basic four' of this particular game.
If you think my ability to turn the Undead is good, you should see my ability to turn women.
Entry #10
Sokal Keep (yes, still...)
This last ambush came just mere steps from the gates to the outer courtyard. With two members of the party down and injuries to several of the others, we'd be in for a struggle just to get off the island.
That's when it hit me...the three words on the dead Elf, out there in the outer courtyard. I chose to Parlay with this ambush group. I then chose the word in the middle of the three - "SHESTNI."
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That's a relief. I guessed right.
So with that knowledge, I encamped, had KYZBP memorize his Cure Light Wounds, and we managed to get through the rest without interruption. I rinsed and repeated, with a few intrusions by Undead patrols, but every time they did, I could just say the password again if I wanted to avoid a fight.
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So we did NOT have to return to Phlan, thankfully, and now with the party back to full strength, it was time to crack the nut of Sokal Keep. Which means, no more messing around with the peripherals. I was going to move us to the center Keep itself.
We now knew the extent of the inner courtyard. My guess was that the two doors at the far north, one on either side, were the entryway to the central Keep and perhaps whatever mystery was behind this evil.
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We head up to the door. I save the game, because that's not a bad thing to do every once in a while, especially when storming the central keep of haunted locales. Just sayin'.
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Across from us, a small army bursts in through the other door (and how such a large force got on the island without us hearing them, seeing them, or - ugh - smelling them, that's beyond me. Since 'Ranger' hasn't been invented yet, there's no such thing as tracking, at least not in-game. Not yet anyway; one can hope.
Anyway, this is a BIG fight. There's a lot of these bastards lining up to hit us.
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The enemy is roughly split into even numbers of Orcs and Hobgoblins. Not a bad fight with a smaller group, but their numbers here can wear you out quickly. The Orc Leaders, of which there are four, each have Longbows, so they'll sit back and pick at us.
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Normally I'd back us up and form a defensive line in the doorway, but initiative being the fickle bitch that it is, the Orcs are all over us pretty quickly. The line holds at first, but there's a lot of them, so I can't go wading in and get surrounded.
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Copious Sleep spells work wonders here, but you need to wait for them to gather up into a nice block of nine enemies to make it the best application of the spell. A Stinking Cloud in the lower right corner holds that flank - the monsters are afraid to advance into it.
Those damn Orc Leaders are hitting more than they're missing. MIRTH gets hit, as does KYZBP, so the latter casts a couple of Cure Light Wounds to keep them both in the fight.
My last Sleep spell goes onto those jerk Orc Leaders. I manage to catch three of the four in a grouping, so they go to dreamland. That reduces the missile attacks significantly, and now we can concentrate on clearing out what's in front of us. Another Sleep spell put a block of nine out of the battle, and a Hold Person spell by KYZBP puts a few more out of commission, so now everyone is having fun with a little hack-n-slash action!
They're dropping like flies now, but I've only killed perhaps half of their numbers; there's still plenty of them left, and I'm out of spells to take them down. That's when it happens...
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They start surrendering en masse. Angrily, we charge forward, slaughtering those that don't surrender in time (too bad, so sad, for your poor Initiative rolls - ha!). Within a few rounds, all of the monsters are defeated.
That was certainly anticlimactic. Then again I knew what was coming, having played this a few times before. :)
Hmm...what's this?
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A ratty piece of parchament with large writing on one side.
"Our spies in the city inform us that a party of invaders will travel to Sokal Keep to free it. To combat these invaders, assemble a force of no less than three squads. Travel by boat from the small docks at the west of town to Thorn Island. Move undetected to Sokal Keep. Find the adventurers in or around Sokal Keep. Kill them before they can return to the city council with information about the true situation at the keep.. Return with the invader's heads as proof of the completion of your mission. Upon completion you will be rewarded with food, treasure, and many slaves.
Signed,
The Boss
"Invaders?" I thought we were more like "freedom fighters." I guess it's all about your point of view.
Too bad 'The Boss' didn't anticipate the cowardly nature of Orcs and Hobgoblins. I think he underestimated us. And anyone named something like 'The Boss' probably won't make that mistake again. Lovely. We're in for an interesting time, I think.
We turn to enter the chapel, which forms the central part of the Keep.
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Hoo-boy...something scared the Orcs to death, here. Maybe someone showed them a bathtub?
We advanced towards the altar. Something there needed to be seen, obviously. As we crept between the pews, we held our weapons ready, waiting for another ambush - undead or otherwise.
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Uh-oh.
'Parlay' seems to be a sensible choice, here.
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Uh...I guess "Candygram for Mr. Mongo" probably won't work too well. I'm pretty sure the one word we've been using might not work - after all, why would there be three of them? So I try my luck by saying "LUX." After all, I *did* save the game after the big battle, so if I screw up...
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Oh thank Tyr, you're not going to turn into a demonic horror and suck our soul forces out.
Well...let's try the truth. After all, we *are* heroes, technically.
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Tyranthraxus, eh? Sounds like someone has a rap name they made up for themselves...maybe some kind of size thing they're trying to make up for? Hmm...
He talks some more, of Phlan's past and their presence, and then says suddenly that their work is done. He tells us about something that can help us in our battles in the Keep's armory. He then fades away, and we get the feeling that the undead are now un-around.
We do some more exploring, sticking to the north part of the Keep. Eventually we find a illusory wall, and behind it is a rack of weapons and armor. A suit of Chain Mail and a few other things greets us, and we of course loot it with great abandon.
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Some more exploring reveals a blacksmith's shop, and in the muck we find a Hammer that seems to radiate a bit of magical power. Some poisonous frogs take umbrage to our presence, but we make them croak pretty easily.
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Afterwards, there isn't anything much else interesting around the Keep, so we head back to the docks. The boat that dropped us off is miraculously waiting there for us, strangely enough. The captain of the boat grinned widely, already seeming to sense that the trade lanes will once again be open and Phlan will be able to become a center of commerce again.
Then again, 'The Boss' might have something to say about that...
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 29, 2015, 10:41:33 AM
KYZBP
Human
Level 3 Cleric
XP: 4,504 (need 6,001 for 4th Level)
Current Equipment: Ring Mail, Shield, Flail +1 (also, Wooden Holy Symbol of Tyr, and three Clerical Scrolls with two Cure Light Wounds, one Animate Dead, one Silence 15' Radius, and one Detect Magic).
Spells: Cure Light Wounds x 4, Hold Person x3
You forgot his "Wand of NCAA Tournament Winning"
Quote from: bayonetbrant on August 29, 2015, 03:35:46 PM
You forgot his "Wand of NCAA Tournament Winning"
I don't deal with high fantasy! :)
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 29, 2015, 03:37:48 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on August 29, 2015, 03:35:46 PM
You forgot his "Wand of NCAA Tournament Winning"
I don't deal with high fantasy! :)
Sadly, that's not fantasy. He's won something like 5 of the last 8 or so.
Yeah, I know. Seems like he has a +2 Computer or something.
Out of curiosity (because I've forgotten almost all the plot, though I recognized Tyranthraxus when I saw the name), have y'all gone to deal with the Phlan cemetery yet?
Quote from: JasonPratt on August 29, 2015, 04:27:46 PM
Out of curiosity (because I've forgotten almost all the plot, though I recognized Tyranthraxus when I saw the name), have y'all gone to deal with the Phlan cemetery yet?
No. That's much further into the game, and something I truly don't mind putting off. It's one of the hardest missions in the game, and I hate undead since some drain levels when they hit.
My character is such a wuss. I actually played an elf fighter-magic user in one of my first RPGs 30 years ago. I stayed away from multi-classes after that.
By the end of this game, and during Azure Bonds, he'll be an unspeakable badass.
By somewhere early-to-mid Silver, he'll hit the level caps and be an anchor. ;) Unless they've upgraded to some of the later rules by then. But I'm guessing B_C will, ahem, remake you as something without level caps before Silver if that's going to be a problem.
The level caps now are around 6th, which is max, I think, for Pool of Radiance. That's no way to go through life.
Quote from: mirth on August 29, 2015, 05:48:40 PM
My character is such a wuss. I actually played an elf fighter-magic user in one of my first RPGs 30 years ago. I stayed away from multi-classes after that.
Come on! Without "It's Not Unusual" we would all be dead by now! :P
Bad news on Fireball and Lightning Bolt. Third Level spells aren't gained until you become 5th Level.
The "Boss"? I don't remember Bruce Springsteen being in this game. But there's a lot I don't remember from the 90's. If you go up against him with the Staff of Tom Jones, you better hope you were "Born To Run". :2funny: Anyway, great AAR. I'd forgotten playing this game half the time with a couple of party members knocked-out, a couple of more low on HP's, no spells left and trying to find a safe place to rest. Kind of, "Running On Empty". Reminds me of my "Glory Days" when it was a great time to be "Born In The USA" and live in "My Home Town". I won't do "Tunnel Of Love" because I never liked that one. Old Tyranthaxus is going to have his claws full with the Heroes of Grog on his trail. 8)
Quote from: bayonetbrant on August 29, 2015, 03:35:46 PM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 29, 2015, 10:41:33 AM
KYZBP
Human
Level 3 Cleric
XP: 4,504 (need 6,001 for 4th Level)
Current Equipment: Ring Mail, Shield, Flail +1 (also, Wooden Holy Symbol of Tyr, and three Clerical Scrolls with two Cure Light Wounds, one Animate Dead, one Silence 15' Radius, and one Detect Magic).
Spells: Cure Light Wounds x 4, Hold Person x3
You forgot his "Wand of NCAA Tournament Winning"
;D
I think that wand needs to be recharged. I'm in the market for a Wand of Fantasy Football Awesomeness though.
Quote from: MetalDog on August 29, 2015, 10:37:18 PM
Bad news on Fireball and Lightning Bolt. Third Level spells aren't gained until you become 5th Level.
Curse you again, AD&D 2.0!! {shaking fist}
Man, this game makes you save the world with spit and bailing wire.
Entry #11
Moving to Bigger Things...?
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We returned to Phlan and made a beeline for the City Hall, to receive our reward.
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Not too bad, but one would think for removing the lynchpin in the dyke that's held Phlan hostage for a long time now, we might get more than 1,250 gold. That's barely enough to level one character up, I think. I bet the jewelry is worth top coin, but that's not my priority at the moment.
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"Is this gonna be another stand-up fight, sir, or another bug hunt?"
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"It's a bug hunt."
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Sounds to us like the bugs have eaten the "faithful servant" by now. Either that, or they found the treasure and though it was most triumphant and headed for the hills, never to be heard from again.
Regardless, it seems that this particular mission could yield some significant rewards, or possibly be a total waste of time, since a noble/councilman is involved. As a Chaotic Good individual, I generally don't trust those of highborn status.
On the way out, we stopped by the Council Clerk again. She offered us a few missions, including:
- A reward for books, tomes, maps, which provide useful information about Phlan before the fall. The reward is tied to the value of the information.
- A weapon of great power is to be auctioned to our enemies. This auction is to be held in Podol Plaza. Find out what the weapon is, and return.
- The Bishop of Tyr (one Bishop Braccio) summons us to Tyr's Temple.
- Searching for the Councilman's little treasure, in addition to the above.
We wandered over to the Temple of Tyr to see what was up over there. After a few false starts, with priests asking us if we needed healing, us replying "no," and them telling us to please leave, we found a door tucked away in the middle of the rather imposing Temple itself. Walking in, we were greeted quickly.
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Ookay...hello, Priest...
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HOLY CRAP IT'S MIRTH (if MIRTH were a priest...shudder)
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Whoa, whoa, whoa...slow down, hombre. I tell him 'NO' for now and we walk outside, where I encamp and save the game. I'm not big on temple runs, especially if it has anything to do with demons or devils or Real Housewives or anything truly evil like that.
So, I'll leave this one up to you guys that are reading: where should the party go to next?
A. Clear Kuto's Well (which is immediately to the west of the Slums...err...ex-Slums now, I suppose. There's no mission per se to clear it but there would be a reward for doing so. It's not tied to the main storyline but it would mean clearing one more area and doing so OCD style.
B. Skip past Kuto's Well and go to Podol Plaza, immediately to it's west, and try to find information on that weapon that Phlan's enemies apparently want.
C. Tell the Bishop that we'll go ahead and babysit his prize cleric in a quest to reclaim a desecrated Temple of Tyr.
D. Search out maps, tomes, books, etc. - while *I* know exactly what this is, my characters do not, so I need to play dumb (lol, like that's hard) and try to complete that mission.
Let me know what you want to see next, and we'll head off after it. I'll give you guys a day or two to discuss, and if nobody does, I'll just choose a direction to go in.
I sez we go with the cleric, stuff him in a closet ( with Mirth) and make off with the treasure. (C)
I want that weapon in the plaza but going with the cleric is probably the safe bet because he'll accompany you I'm thinking thus getting another party member. And a cleric to boot. Maybe you can get him on board and grab the plaza-weapon while he helps-out. A Two-Fer. O0
Is there any other reason to clear the next area of slums, outside the reward and satisfying unnatural urges? Does it help out later in the game? If not, go find out the weapon the baddies want or search for knowledge. It's great to be heroic and save the damsel/vanquish the evil one/save the day, but, it helps if you're sufficiently powered. And that means grinding.
Only a party wanting to deprive themselves of sweet, sweet loot would bypass the well.
I also think you'll need the XP.
Quote from: Barthheart on August 31, 2015, 09:00:51 PM
I sez we go with the cleric, stuff him in a closet ( with Mirth) and make off with the treasure. (C)
I see no flaw in this plan. :)
Looks like the majority want to go after the weapon but only after taking on the Cleric, and making a 'slight detour' while he's on board. I was thinking the same thing, though I was going to go after Kuto's Well. The Podol Plaza mission is pretty straightforward IIRC, so we'll go ahead and do that. I'll get it moving by tonight. Thanks for the input.
Late to the vote, but I would have said go for the Well. Not sure if I'd bring Dirty the Priest along, simply because he might soak up some of the XP. (I forget how the experience divides out in this game.) You have a hard enough time leveling up in this game, it's important to grind while the grinding is good.
If the Well turns out to be too problematic, you can always go back and try to bring Dirty along to grind with you. {ba-dump-tish} However, taking him into the party may lock you immediately into his quest, too.
Quote from: KyzBP on September 01, 2015, 04:03:44 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on August 31, 2015, 09:00:51 PM
I sez we go with the cleric, stuff him in a closet ( with Mirth) and make off with the treasure. (C)
I see no flaw in this plan. :)
Thanks guys :P
Not me Mirth. Anybody that can go from 1 to -1 that quick is the guy I want in my party. But why does the Bishop look like Pop-Eye the Sailor Man?
Entry #12
Kobolds and More Kobolds...
Thanks to reader input, we are going to head off to Podol Plaza. But not before we pick up Dirka-Dirken, or whatever his name is.
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Oh, okay. Dirten. Joe Dirten. I'll just call him Joe.
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Hmm...he's rather average. And why is a Cleric having a Mage's body? Weird.
Also, too lame to be a decent character. He's also 67 damn years old...what the hell? WHY are you going on adventures? Are there no other Clerics in the Temple of Tyr to take this on? Are they all too busy eying the elementary school across the street? No wonder he's an NPC. Likely the other Tyr priests wanted him to go off and die, giving him a mediocre mission like this but wrapping him with six studly characters that can break a Lizardman's back by just looking at them cross-eyed (hey, it could happen! The studly part, that is...).
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His spells are decent at least. 'Find Traps' is kind of useless in this game, but whatever. I won't disparage him this list and possibly hurt his little feelings. He might start posing and slapping his forearms and saying, "Does that spell look queer? Does that one? Huh?"
We head back out to find out what's being sold in Podol Plaza. Joe doesn't argue. He's just an NPC. If he wants to ever be remembered for anything, he needs to zip it up and cast Cure Light Wounds when we demand it. That's his lot in life.
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WHY are these doors in the Slums ALWAYS friggin' locked? Who's going back through and replacing the doors after I bash them? I mean, come on.
We enter Kuto's Well, since it is just west of the Slums and between there and Podol Plaza. And of course we're just about immediately jumped by dog-dudes again.
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An epic battle this was not. Even BBMIKE just kind of yawned and turned his back to the slaughter-fray.
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And as soon as THAT bit of butchery was over, more doggies came up out of the well to meet their maker(s). Who are we to deny them this pleasure?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F162.jpg&hash=8994658742791aa1612240d47d9b82d34d5afa7c)
That wasn't even worthy of a screenshot. The Kobolds all went down like...well, dogs.
Okay, that kinda pissed me off. We trudged over towards the Well.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F163.jpg&hash=d125d7bd44a5f2105d78c5d53874d9c7a7e36cb3)
We're going to have to climb down there and remove this menace, even though it wasn't in the game plan. I can't have someone thinking they can take us down with Kobolds! I mean, what will they say back at the Fighter Club? Until next entry...
The trolls are the bane of my existence right now. I had them down to 2 trolls with around 10 hp each. Killed 1 and the other down to 3 hp, yay me! Then a troll stands up where the other died. Then all freaking hell broke lose. My party was wiped by a series of 3 and 4 hits and the other trolls standing back up. Damn you trolls!
Damn BC. Joe Dirten looks just like you. Does he know your mother? ::)
Quote from: Bison on September 01, 2015, 09:34:04 PM
The trolls are the bane of my existence right now. I had them down to 2 trolls with around 10 hp each. Killed 1 and the other down to 3 hp, yay me! Then a troll stands up where the other died. Then all freaking hell broke lose. My party was wiped by a series of 3 and 4 hits and the other trolls standing back up. Damn you trolls!
Use that Fireball scroll - it helps tremendously.
If you need just a bit of XP to level up, go west to Kuto's Well and find some random encounters to deal with. There's Lizardmen there, and they're worth more XP than the Kobolds (not much more, but definitely more).
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Fbsm.jpg&hash=688d6d126c78b45e71e5c75bd28d3f5c37fd6ba1)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics%2Fcarlton.gif&hash=0647dedfe9cd409b21405a1b4ed117b38b861461)
:2funny: I wondered where Mirth was supposed to be in that screenshot. Fixed by BBMike now!
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on September 02, 2015, 05:21:18 AM
Quote from: Bison on September 01, 2015, 09:34:04 PM
The trolls are the bane of my existence right now. I had them down to 2 trolls with around 10 hp each. Killed 1 and the other down to 3 hp, yay me! Then a troll stands up where the other died. Then all freaking hell broke lose. My party was wiped by a series of 3 and 4 hits and the other trolls standing back up. Damn you trolls!
Use that Fireball scroll - it helps tremendously.
If you need just a bit of XP to level up, go west to Kuto's Well and find some random encounters to deal with. There's Lizardmen there, and they're worth more XP than the Kobolds (not much more, but definitely more).
Hmmm....I'll need to look to see if I got the fireball scroll. I don't remember getting one.
Anything Fire or Acid related works on Trolls if I remember correctly.
Learned something interesting today. First I won the troll battle yay me! Then I screwed up and left without claiming my treasure boo! However the items were a scroll a ring and something else don't remember. Second time I win the battle yay me! Loot? Club and 2 magic user scrolls. I had no idea that treasure was randomized like this in the game, which is why I don't have a fireball scroll. I have a magic missile scroll.
The game can do random treasures, or set treasures, or a mixture of both. You probably got FRUA when you bought the Gold Box package, right? It's an instructive look at the engine, if you've got the time someday to poke through it.
That was a big draw for my brother and me, when we were playing through the series, and when we had been playing the Tunnels of Doom game for the TI-994a, which the Gold Box series is more-or-less remaking in proper AD&D2.0 details (but without the Diabloesque randomized 99 level dungeon.)
That treasure was indeed randomized. I didn't get a club after that battle...can't remember offhand (it's upthread but I'm lazy), but I think a Composite Long Bow +1 was one of three magic items I received. A suit of armor was another I think.
If you scored magical platemail, I'm so jealous!
Quote from: Bison on September 03, 2015, 12:32:50 PM
If you scored magical platemail, I'm so jealous!
Nah. It was either Chain Mail +1 or Leather +1 - can't remember which.
Entry #13
Into the Well of Not Souls
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F164.jpg&hash=c737d9bac321fa6f1d9cb3d2373770074104c67b)
Do I want to climb down into a well? No. In reality, there is no treasure in the drain pipe.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnMMLk0B.png&hash=1c486bd6c1c1d31cb837f0873243f69cd431931b)
But since this is D&D, of COURSE there's treasure down there. And things to murderize!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F166.jpg&hash=c58ebbb8678c2830aa6c6a29f7f49417c9b73377)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Uh...hey guys, this is like, total deja-vu!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) I think we're all almost afraid to ask, MIRTH.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike.jpg&hash=3e636c6b744bb90d76f6020ccc85a4765b112139) It smells like Orc feet down here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) I'm NOT going to ask how you know that's a thing, BBMIKE.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Whoa...for a second there I was, like, totally thinking we like passed into my home...like totally because of a Dimension Door or something, ya know?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Huh? Wait, this...reminds you of home?!?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Umm...well, yeah...except, y'know...I had a totally bitchin' set of irons on that wall, and like this awesome trapeze leather thingee hanging over there...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus.jpg&hash=5fa625761f9f05a01ff5cbdfa7757a3bd0a90762) Aye, laddie, so we're'n yer sex dungeon then?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) It...kinda looks like my insides down here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) ...
After silently avoiding a continuation of that particular conversation, we suddenly had our hosts appear. Fortunately they had nothing to do with MIRTH's insides, though no doubt they wanted to make all of ours see the dank air of this cave.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F167.jpg&hash=2cf6af777f38b1d3592078beb1bbb274ac0f5060)
And then, they disappeared.
After some words of wisdom from BARTHHEART ("Oi, mate, this heres'a thievin' den, best look out fer traps, like a MIRTH Butt Plug +2 or somethin'...") I put the party into Search mode and started moving to our west. I wanted to be sure we detected any traps OR secret doors that might be nea...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F168.jpg&hash=75c184652a42777d2ea96a46e46c540e60427012)
Well, isn't THAT fortuitous.
Seems to me that whatever slime-ball that's running this little guild of sneaky bastards might be hiding behind a secret door. And here we find it within a mere few steps of the entry to this dungeon. I think we just saved ourselves hours of exposition and pincushioning.
Just to be safe, I save the game here.
Aaaand we enter, totally uninvited...because D&D, you know.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F170.jpg&hash=c6b681e36d38796f334d180f396515b415d69101)
Holy CRAP.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F170a.jpg&hash=ee8bcd14cbcde1ca1eefb480bffadf0e04ac1e1d)
Dude, lay off the peyote!
Of course, we told him where he could stick his terms (something that no doubt MIRTH was very, very proud of), and a battle began!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F171.jpg&hash=618304187e55de18b91ff970be0349361a4bb81d)
Norris the Grey is apparently a Hobgoblin, and a damn near difficult one to hit, too. I had myself (BANZAI-CAT) and GUSINATOR trade blows with him; KYZBP the Cleric was stuck on the front line too, and he tried to pick away at Norris's hide, with little success. Meanwhile, MIRTH and BBMIKE cast Sleep spells with royal abandon, putting his Lizardmen and Kobold henchmen to sleep (and a swift weapon strike ensured that remained permanent).
The Lizardmen are not as easily put to sleep as Orcs, Goblins, or Kobolds, but occasionally one will get lucky. Besides, it's not like these guys are tough fighters or something.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F172.jpg&hash=9c1395f1566a1866ec6cfc006e911399a5696da0)
BARTHHEART snuck around the back door
(https://ernstchan.com/b/src/1402060605447.gif)
Okay, okay...he 'outflanked' the enemy, getting behind
(https://ernstchan.com/b/src/1402060605447.gif)
Oh Jesus Chri...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp.jpg&hash=2f7e6fb98d0599233e294ee95def3d064a96ad78) Gee whilikers, that sure sounds like that might be blasphemy a'comin'...
OKAY OKAY already...
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It didn't take long to bring these guys down. Norris got in some good hits, but once we started connecting he didn't last long.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F173.jpg&hash=b6e963006a4255228dfbd33b232f05ded2ffcb71)
Journal Entry 50, you say?
An official-looking notice.
'Assemble a group of at least 30 of your followers. Meet up with a hobgoblin assault force at the small docks to the west of town. ou and your group will be under the command of the hobgoblin leader. Follow his orders. Upon completion of the mission you will be rewarded with food, treasure, and many slaves.'
Signed,
The Boss.
THIS guy again? No, not Springsteen. Some amateur-hour villain thinking he can run us into the ground...well I have news for you, buddy, that little failed assault force was a few Entries ago...
Scribbled on the back of these orders is Norris the Gray's unsent reply to The Boss:
'I will never follow the orders of a hobgoblin. I don't go on missions until I know exactly what we're supposed to do. And I don't go on missions for an unknown amount of food, treasure, and slaves. I do go on missions where I am in command; where I know exactly what the target is; and where I know exactly how much I'll get paid. Don't send me another order unless you can meet my terms.'
Signed,
Norris the Gray
Such proper punctuation usage for such a low-class thief! :smitten:
Well, I guess he told him. Or...he didn't, because he's dead and I'm holding his letter right now. >:D
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F176.jpg&hash=0e69f6ba15064a2c1b84b43ddb95baee6eec2cdd)
As this is officially classified now as a 'bandit hideout' and not 'recreation of MIRTH's lower intestine,' no doubt there is a stash hidden around here somewhere.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F177.jpg&hash=d89a89df6b12a86b57b8cc17c1b9566854aa8174)
Gee, kids, what's the answer to that? Plunder a bad guy's treasure hoard? Perhaps save it for orphans and refug...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F178.jpg&hash=1af643db91bb4f308421142303469f2e51b7b4bc)
Hahahahahaha, no, mine.
After gathering up this mini-convention of rich stuff, I think we'll go ahead and move forward with the Podol Plaza mission since we're right here next door anyway. I just hope we don't jingle too much.
QuoteI just hope we don't jingle too much.
And my character immediately breaks into a round of "Jingle Balls" (https://youtu.be/X18uQZXAyIk)
Entry #14
So Much for That, Now for The Other
Our wanderings through the sewers of the well (why can't thieves' guilds ever be holed up in nice places?) now leaves us adjacent to Podol Plaza, and yet another mission given to us by the City Council. Namely, there's a weapon of much power being auctioned off to the scum and villainy that seems to hang out around there. This time, they want information, and not a body count.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F180.jpg&hash=d15e39a8af8b86fa9b74047c7238c777fe3e0351)
So, we have to sneak in and try to get as much info as we can, then skedaddle, and report back. Upon returning, if we're lucky here in Podol Plaza, we'll get rewards for two missions at once.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F181.jpg&hash=734150ef79cd5d6ad6d729938bf8592a1764c852)
Hordes of monsters doesn't exactly scream "throw caution to the wind" as an effective strategy to deal with them. And I don't trust our sneaking ability as we're loaded down with coin and characters that have two left feet. So, disguising ourselves is the way to go...I hope.
We wander around the outskirts of the mob, trying to be careful and not noticed, until we are directly north of the auction area. We take a breath and take our first step towards it, when a wild Orc appears!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F182.jpg&hash=29ef047f70985ffe156c9f4366f5b10eb4c625b7)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) We're...uhh...well we're here to see the weapon, of course!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Orc.jpg&hash=a6bf7cec455e4bb088935c1550e62476e2988f6a) You no look like the others around here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus.jpg&hash=5fa625761f9f05a01ff5cbdfa7757a3bd0a90762) Not everyone is blessed with hairy, son.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Orc.jpg&hash=a6bf7cec455e4bb088935c1550e62476e2988f6a) Hmm...you look like monster. The others look too pretty to be evil.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth.jpg&hash=19be58919486e263db3e595333160a8f55399cbf) Aww, that's so nice of you to say, because you know, there's no way I could fit in with you creatures anyway...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Orc.jpg&hash=a6bf7cec455e4bb088935c1550e62476e2988f6a) What you mean, "YOU creatures?"
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC.jpg&hash=fcb21a4975d8b90459672eb4641217346a7b863d) Just leave us alone, okay? We're here to spend money and get a weapon of unimaginable power!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Orc.jpg&hash=a6bf7cec455e4bb088935c1550e62476e2988f6a) GREEN LIVES MATTER!
So much for cover.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F183.jpg&hash=69d6020919679ec9a9c4b6f6e0a8525948393c5b)
A few Sleep spells and prodigious use of arms puts down most of our opponents.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F184.jpg&hash=a79f9b33e91e7d1cd6e00cc042017d2bb8235a18)
Meanwhile, Joe Dirten makes himself absolutely useless by casting stupid spells on himself (and only himself).
Surprisingly, this little fracas didn't bring the entire Plaza down around our ears. Apparently brawls are not out of the ordinary. I guess we get a few weird looks but most of those around us don't want to challenge a group of six 'creatures' that just took down three times their number.
We step closer to the auction block, and...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F187.jpg&hash=984db8c80399557ac6ef9ce9d8597e0e5f5add81)
So, we might get a look at this Boss character? Interesting. We approach closer, to the fringes of the crowd, just as an auctioneer steps up and raises his voice to be heard over the crowd.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F188.jpg&hash=8e109b88b542f59425a00aba360b75663c4dddb2)
We can barely hear him, so we edge closer into the crowd. I don't want to get too close, because we might draw attention, blow our cover, and not learn anything about this weapon.
As we edge closer, the monsters get thicker (and smellier), and we get some looks from some of them, pissy at our shouldering them aside.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F189.jpg&hash=90a0adc770dea1cddc93c083907fc076e6a7fd49)
That's good to know, at least for me. Good enough. I don't want to get any closer.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F190.jpg&hash=259c7e31b157c96cd86424dbae9287de837d38ba)
A man in plain clothes, next to an Ogre. Bodyguard, no doubt.
Nobody else in the crowd is apparently rich enough to top a 5,000-gold bid, so they remain quiet. The auctioneer, perhaps sensing trouble, ends the auction quickly with the standard 'going, going, gone' spiel.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F193.jpg&hash=a523a9bf6011816bc44cab7e7febb40ac264025a)
How easily an Ogre can "disappear into the crowd" is a matter of perception I guess, which speaks to how many giant-sized creatures must be about.
We make our way out of the dispersing throng, keeping our heads down as we head east towards the exit to Kuto's Well and our path to Phlan beyond.
We apparently keep our heads down really well, because we bump into a party of Hobgoblins.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F194.jpg&hash=6e538ab8d3b4cd78e62902ae33f64c1dcf6bc5c3)
Uh-oh...
Asian-Themed Hobgoblins are the worst! Both as opponents and as racial stereotypes. Hit them with your magical +1 Bag of Rice and Chop-Sticks.
Quote from: Sir Slash on September 06, 2015, 02:17:56 PM
Asian-Themed Hobgoblins are the worst! pretty awesome!Both as opponents and as racial stereotypes. Hit them with your magical +1 Bag of Rice and Chop-Sticks.
Ftfy
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on September 06, 2015, 01:19:17 PM(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Orc.jpg&hash=a6bf7cec455e4bb088935c1550e62476e2988f6a) GREEN LIVES MATTER!
:2funny: :2funny: >:D
Meanwhile, waiting for comments on the auctioneer.
Who by the way I notice from the screenshots must have been moving his mouth for speaking those lines! Huh; didn't recall that effect being in the game.
Entry #15
Back to Phlan. Now What?
So we were being threatened by Hobgoblins. Unafraid of what they're trying to bring, I chose Parlay and Haughty.
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So much for that! Cowards.
We didn't have any issues with getting out of Podol Plaza, but Lizardmen patrols still reigned throughout Kuto's Well. We ran into several, but it was easy enough to put them down and make some boots out of their hides.
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We make it back to Phlan without trouble, and stop by City Hall to get our rewards.
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Neither of the Proclamations are a big deal - one is for the books and tomes the Council is whining for, and the other is about some super-secret big mission the Council wants done. Yeah, yeah, we'll get to it eventually guys.
We go inside to the clerk.
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That reward amounts to 200 Platinum and 250 Gold. Woo, we're rich.
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And for that, we get another 200 Platinum and 250 Gold.
So for that not-really-all-that hard work, we're given the equivalent of 2,500 Gold. Not bad I guess. Enough to level up a couple of characters and then some.
Before we can even finish counting, though:
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Oh goddammit. Undead.
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Sorry, you know, we're just not...wait, did you say "enchanted weapon?"
Unfortunately I have to accept before I can see what it is they're offering; that's not very good business sense on their part, especially if they want me to go off and clear a graveyard, which means there's going to be a very high-level undead thing that wants to eat our insides.
Since I can't make progress unless I agree to their terms of robbery, I go ahead, and this is what they give us:
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The two-handed sword is okay...+1 is kind of lame, but +3 versus undead is pretty nice. Grumble grumble fine we'll take them.
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Thieves, eh? Well, at least THESE thieves have the bloody sense to be in a mansion, unlike the sewer-dwellers we dealt with at Kuto's Well.
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That's kinda vague. Where are they? I assume in the hinterlands bordering Phlan. Now that the Keep is cleared, we can travel east or west and do some 'splorin there.
Meanwhile, I train MIRTH up to 3rd Level Fighter and BARTHHEART up to 5th Level Thief.
So this leaves us with a LOT of options. I once again ask you, the reader, which direction you think this adventure should go.
(1) Go look south of Kuto's Well and see what's there.
(2) Go look south of Podol Plaza, in the Cadorna Textile House, to see what's there and get that Councilman's family treasure to him.
(3) Go to the Temple of Bane with Joe Dirten. Bonus: we'll be rid of another useless NPC that doesn't do much except cast spells on himself and stay well out of combat.
(4) Go find the Kovel Mansion and beat the tar out of some thieves.
(5) Go to the Graveyard. I am not leaning in that direction, not until we're much higher level. I do NOT like high-level undead bastards, and I am willing to bet that's home to many.
(6) Go off to the wilderness to the east, in search of the nomads the Clerk mentioned, or whatever else may be out there.
(7) Go off to the wilderness to the west, in search of the nomads the Clerk mentioned, or whatever else may be out there.
Atsa lotta choices. Let me know where you'd like to see it go. I know what I'm leaning towards, but I want to see what you want first.
Honestly, I'm amazed I've made it to 3rd level in either class.
The Temple of Bane sounds like it will have enemy spellcasters. You really sure you want Hold Persons and Cause Wounds etc. on your party yet? On the other hand, it would get rid of the useless XP soaker.
I'm inclined to try draining the remaining older quests for XP, though I forget which those would be (if any). As older quests they should be proportionately easier to do, except of course for the obvious Undead Plot.
Temple Bane. I'm not sure I want to "beat the tar outta" some of my kin..... just sayin... :P
I remember the graveyard and the Nomads as being Bitch #1 and Bitch #2 in this game so I would do the Cleric Thing and be rid of him. Unless he would help with the Un-dead. Turn-Undead will save your ass a lot. Or just go clear the Tavern of dangerous ale and wenches.
But, but, Clerical Spells. We so need these. Think of the possibilities; Enhanced Typing, Summon Coffee, or even a Hold My Calls spell could certainly come in handy. ^-^
I'll vote for Thief Clearing although the Graveyard would make me feel more useful.
Quote from: KyzBP on September 07, 2015, 04:07:55 AM
...
I'll vote for Thief Clearing although the Graveyard would make me feel more useful.
Hey Clerk.... Cleric, go get some coffe for us while the big boys talk. Clear out thieves indeed. :knuppel2:
Quote from: Barthheart on September 07, 2015, 05:38:53 AM
Quote from: KyzBP on September 07, 2015, 04:07:55 AM
...
I'll vote for Thief Clearing although the Graveyard would make me feel more useful.
Hey Clerk.... Cleric, go get some coffe for us while the big boys talk. Clear out thieves indeed. :knuppel2:
>:( If we cleared the Undead I could just summon coffee...grumble, grumble... :tickedoff:
I say clear the thieves then the Temple to get rid of Dirten. Then see what the day brings.
I'll get back to this in the next day or so. Sorry for the hiatus, but work has had me all over the place these last couple of weeks.
Entry #16:
To Kovel Mansion.
It's been a bit of time, so I can only assume that my party has gone to blow off some steam. We all more or less went off to take a bit of time to deal with personal things, except for MIRTH, whom we can only report was last seen headed towards the cattle yards/bordello district, murmuring something about "sheathin' my +5 Vorpal Rod of Penetration."
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As we gather back, I know some of you gave feedback into where you'd like to go, but I want to hold off on the Temple for a bit. For now, we're headed to Kovel Mansion, to try to root out the thieves' den there.
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We board a boat. MIRTH even brought a nautical themed pashmina afghan.
The trip there is uneventful.
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Kovel Mansion is essentially a large square-ish structure stuck in the northern uncivilized portion of the city. The main thieves' guild of Phlan has taken over the ancient mansion of the Kovel family. The thieves act as spies and information brokers for many forces in the city. Our mission is to find all of the thieves and clear them from the place.
The main entry is on the north side...and it happens to be the only point of entry that we can find. We venture in.
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The interior is a maze of corridors and rooms. It is also a deathtrap, as there are more tortuous devices here than could be found in the entire vendor area of StarMirth Con '15. Moving in 'search' mode is a necessity to avoid the plethora of traps (and perhaps pinatas, though none have been found yet). Not that it does us much good, as we get bitten in the ass more times than I can count. We also get tased, slashed, poked, and branded in the ass as well on more than one occasion.
And then there's this.
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Jeff Foxworthy here apparently was a member of the Phlan Thieves' Guild before hitting it big as a redneck comedy guy. He likes to jump out of the shadows and attack us randomly, on several occasions. Me being me, I let the poor bastard go, because it's very obvious he's no good at his job. Probably did it on a dare.
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This mansion sucks. The decor is quite pedestrian (reeking of 'medieval dung heap') and I see no furniture anywhere. Nor do we see any thieves, for that matter, except for the mustachioed thieving failure from earlier. We're more or less wandering around aimlessly at this point.
Then, we are ambushed by TWO thieves instead of one. But they're just as bad as their predecessor and try to flee.
We immediately give chase!
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We turn to our left to head through the east door, after that scalawag. We'll give him such a pinch when we find him!
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Finally, we corner this little bastard, but he begs for his life. The prospect of avoiding the random attacks and S&M inanimate object sex assaults is somewhat of a pull...
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F*cker. >:(
Jeff Foxworthy attacks us again, shortly after this. It was his mistake to do this after the one a-hole tricked us, so lucky him, we Ginsu him into oblivion.
Our wanderings must have finally attracted the attention of the thieves, because when we enter another large room, it looks like they accumulated half of their Guild to fight us.
Actually, this is more like their Chippendale Review subchapter, I think. All of them are shirtless and wearing leather pants. Not to mention sporting microphones like MIRTH.
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This male review/karaoke night might be fabulous around here on Tuesday nights, but not tonight. We're about to create some openings in the Thieves' Guild membership rolls.
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There's a whole bunch of 1st Level Exotic Male Dancers, and two 6th Level Magic Mikes. A few Sleep spells helped to calm them down and stop them from gyrating their junk in our faces.
These guys fall like bad stripper movies before a reviewer's scathing review scythes.
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225 experience is kind of lame.
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And this place creeps me out. They dropped a bunch of "long swords" and one set of "leather armor." I don't touch any of it, because there's no telling what kind of STD +3 we might get out of that. Some diseases can't be spelled out of existence, son.
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A few more explorations and a few more Jeff Foxworthy clones later, and we find some clues.
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Okay, so some vague map of some unseen castle thus far that looks like it could be an actual castle or perhaps the bowels of some hapless intruder. I don't know.
We continue on, exploring Kovel Mansion...
Yeaaahhh Team! O0
I'll take that leather armor ;)
Bahhh!!! :2funny: I laughed all the way through that one. I'm sure glad I can't carry a "Long Sword".
Entry 17:
Still in Kovel Mansion.
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Moving in 'Search' mode means we'll reveal hidden things like secret doors, stashes, or perhaps traps. It seems that we're finding traps about 40% of the time, with the other 60% resulting in slicey things trying to get us to involuntarily donate blood. Our rooting around finally reveals some notes lying on the floor. Seems kind of odd to be leaving notes just lying around, but who am I to question this?
Our 'Journal Entry 38' now reads as follows:
Several pieces of paper with highly organized writing.
Fact: Werner von Urslingen is a retired mercenary captain turned business man.
Strong Rumor: mostly interested in the military aspects of the reconquest of Phlan.
Rumor: fought in a mercenary unit hired by The Boss early in his career.
Rumor: hates Zhentarin because he fought in a unit against them several times.
Rumor: has strong contacts with other mercenaries and some ruffians in town; none of our informants confirm such contact.
Vague Rumor: Von Urslingen's unit was wiped out by enemy magic users; he was the only survivor; he retired and now secretly hates magic users.
Sounds vaguely like we have another bad guy protagonist to worry about in the near future.
And, our 'Journal Entry 51' now reads thusly:
Several pieces of paper with highly organized writing.
Fact: Bishop Braccio is the highest ranking religious leader in Phlan. Runs small temple in civilized section of the city.
Vague Rumor: Braccio is actually a front-man for a powerful high priest who never leaves the small temple.
Strong Rumor: Braccio is under fire to "do something" about the undead problem. So long as the undead were causing the monsters more trouble than the settlers, he had other, more pressing, problems.
Rumor: Braccio is opposed to the temple tendency to sell clerical "miracles;" but he understands that the temple needs funds. Braccio would rather perform such "miracles" in exchange for good works done in the name of the church, not just for money or items of power.
Interesting, though nothing really affecting our party or our quests. We move on.
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Okay, I've had enough of this guy and his "you might be a redneck" jokes and failed ambushing. You see, I let him go several times, but the last couple of times he's jumped out he managed to hit us a few times...twice now, in fact. I'm done with him. We attack.
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MIRTH drops the hammer and down he goes.
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Hay guise, we're that much closer to that Fireball spell! ::)
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These traps are highly annoying...they don't do a lot of damage but sometimes they take a good chunk out (upwards of 6 points of damage). Fortunately none seemed to be poisoned, so that's at least a thing.
But, these little 'tinks' against us are starting to pile up. I figure there's another large group and/or a Guild Master to kill in order to clear this block for good, and all the wandering around is starting to pile the hurt on.
Also, it's made even worse because I can't NOT touch, open, or investigate stuff.
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...well, duh, of COURSE we examined it. And of COURSE it was trapped, as is every other lovin' thing in this place.
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Owwie! :o More tinkin'.
But the rewards are rather worth it.
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Mostly its gems and jewelry, with some gold and silver mixed in on occasion. I'd rather have the precious stones because coins in THIS game are blasted heavy.
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More traps. GUSINATOR gets the brunt of this one. Must have been a Bouncing Betty net trap of some sort, because I can't imagine any net falling from the ceiling and hitting His Shortness first!
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Yay, more fun things to open and hurt us!
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Called it.
Okay, by this point our HPs are down significantly (our frikkin' cleric is especially down), so I decide to head back to Phlan. As I said, we cannot rest in Kovel Mansion at all...we get ambushed immediately. I've already burned through all of our Cure Light Wound spells and for whatever final confrontation we have, I'd prefer us to all be rested and fully healed.
So we bravely ran away!
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We head back, go right to an Inn, and heal up. Cure Light Wound spells and lots of damage means it takes about five rounds of resting and casting before we're all back up to full health.
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We head immediately back to Kovel Mansion and begin our wanderings again. We find another trapped loot pile hidden in the corner of one room.
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I imagine some of these are magic items, but won't know until we get back to town.
One really easy way of telling if an item is magical is to try to sell it. If the shopkeep offers you 250 gold for a dagger, you know it's got some magical properties, because those things go for 1 gold normally.
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Great, it's Heckle and Jeckle again!
We give chase...again. Guess what's going to happen when we catch one of these bastards? Heh-heh...
When we get to the point where they pair off, though, I take the southerly route this time.
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Why...attack, of course!
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And once again, more male strippers flood into the room and "It's Raining Men" starts pounding our senses as each of these thieves belts out the tune through their microphones-o-death.
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At first, I choose not to cast spells, because we handled them so well before. And in the first two rounds, all six of my characters score exactly ONE hit. Total. One hit. My veritable front-line fighters MISS these little leather pant-wearing tools, while they're dealing out some damage themselves. MIRTH, for one, is starting to feel the blows (snicker) as they all seem to want to gang up (guffaw) on him.
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More of our failed attacks and them landing more blows makes me finally break out the Bill Cosby (aka Sleep) spells, knocking them out and letting us do what we will to them.
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Finally, we start clearing them out.
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And then the sneaky little gits start breaking and running. Of course, when you're surrounded by enemies and you turn to run in this game, it gives you free shots at their backs. Even our Cleric gets in a good hit.
Soon, only one is left, cowering in a corner, shakily trying to redo the chorus to his song. BARTHHEART runs up to him, deftly avoids his 'Guarding' attack, and dispatches him.
And...that's it. No revelation, no change, no announcement, nothing. So we don't have a clue if we've managed to clear the place out yet. My thought is this was just another large group of idiots and more are to come.
Without more of a choice, we continue wandering around, and enter a room where a group of young strippers are beating up an old man. Very, very not cool, so we attack.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F289.jpg&hash=448682efcb5b48d02145ff2568e9c25095db7f20)
One thing you won't find in my tactics book is "attack fully armored and armed enemies when bare-chested and wearing leather chaps." Maybe that's in Gus' repertoire, though. A few spells and they go down quickly.
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So...guess they beat him up because he'd had enough of this 'The Boss' character? Or because he was old? He'd just randomly shove papers into someone's hands? I guess he doesn't care because he's dying.
Plot line, move forward!
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Journal Entry 48 reads thusly:
Several pieces of paper with highly organized writing.
Strong Rumor: The Boss is a dragon or is a human that can take the form of a dragon.
Vague Rumor: The Boss is a metallic dragon. Not considered likely as metallic dragons are "good."
Fact: The Boss holds audiences in Valjevo Castle. Castle is guarded by groups of big stupid monsters, with occasional smart human leaders.
Rumor: The Boss doesn't spend full time at Valjevo Castle.
Fact: maze inside castle wall; passwords are needed to get past castle gates.
Rumor: The Boss has been sending out messengers to the tribes of monsters in the area to recruit new units.
Vague Rumor: The Boss is recruiting new units in preparation for an assault to retake the civilized sections of Phlan.
Oh, great. A dragon leading an army of 'big stupid monsters,' to retake Phlan.
What did we get ourselves into?
A little more searching, cabinet-opening, and trap-eating later, and I decide to test a theory. We've wandered around for a while now, possibly days in Search mode (because each move eats 10 minutes of time, where normal moves only take 1 minute of time), and found nothing. No leaders, no Guild Master, no nothing.
I encamp, and decide to try to rest and see what happens.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F299.jpg&hash=9ca60bf7bc95d01d4d09a4261c89e84ba6ca84bc)
Absolutely nothing happens, that's what.
So we must have inadvertently cleared the area, because not only can we rest and heal uninterrupted, we're not getting any more rando attacks from redneck comedy gurus. Nor anything else for that matter.
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So we head back to the boat and Phlan, and visit the city clerk, whom confirms we indeed cleared the Mansion and are rewarded for our efforts.
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It's not a lot of rich stuff, but we accumulated a lot of precious stones in the Mansion, so that's okay...this is just icing on the cake, really.
We move over to the Training Hall, and KYZBP is leveled up to 5th level Cleric, while MIRTH gets to become a 3rd level Magic-User. The others don't have enough experience to advance, yet.
More coming soon, as soon as I figure out where we'll be headed next. I'm leaning towards the library.
Damn lady. Don't get excited or anything. Just sit there with your eyes half closed.
I saw what you did with your plethora of pinatas!
(Not a euphamism.)
(I hope.)
Apparently the thieves never thought to steal any shirts. :2funny:
If the Boss really is a dragon (I can't recall), and he dresses like his thief flunkies, he'll be a Draco In Leather Pants.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DracoInLeatherPants
Entry 18-A:
Half-Life Books
After getting the boys back in town and upping some levels in good ol' Phlan, I decided to head over to Mendor's Library. I know there's a really nasty creature in there, from previous experience, and he's a b*tch of a bad guy to bring down...at least, for lower-level parties. I remember going round and round with that jackass back in my Apple IIc days. More in a bit on that.
To get to Mendor's Library, one has to trudge their party from Phlan and go west through the Slums to Kuto's Well, and south to the Library itself.
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STILL with the stinkeye, guys? Really?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F310.jpg&hash=757dc7e02aa772559dd700442bc06a927b7bee11)
And STILL with the locked doors in the Slums? ::)
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Oh, come on. STILL with the Kobold "ambushes?" This one happened in Kuto's Well. Apparently I never really properly cleared it. If I remember right, you have to defeat a certain number of random encounters (I think it's 10) without leaving the area to 'clear' it.
Well...maybe I'll do that later. It's sort of like stomping on a bucket full of roaches while wearing Fallout power armor, but whatever. These guys are ASKING for it.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) Pardon us, dear intruders...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus_1.jpg&hash=a3aefc394249676ada41777b0f949c340806ca4f) Awww, what is it NOW?!?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) ...we are from the Society Of Mentally Exhausted Animals Seeking Salvation Honorably Over Low Evilness Strategy.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) Uhh...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) Yeah, the Big Guys like their acronyms.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) What? WHAT?!? We're quite busy, you know. We have loads of hero stuff to do. We don't have time for you.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) We know, we know...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) I mean, you're what, worth 0.0000025 XP each?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) (sigh) So is our lot in life, guv'nah...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp_1.jpg&hash=44aa9d03484ae8cee9a957c823b6a0dd906a0ec3) Golly! This would be quite the mess to clean up afterwards! There's, like, fifty of them!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus_1.jpg&hash=a3aefc394249676ada41777b0f949c340806ca4f) Hardly even worth the effort, ain't they?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) Wewll, a liver's a liver.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) Please kill us with great haste, sirs!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) No. Now go away.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) Oh, PLEASEEEEEEE...!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) They did say 'please,' mate.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_1.jpg&hash=485bc2bccbfb4f1446ed27803cad9b6d1726c454) But...but...aren't we of Good alignment? Wouldn't the wholesale slaughter of weak and defenseless creatures indicate a slide to the depths of...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) Wha's yer point, pooftah?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) Alright, alright...FINE. But we're just going to stand here and hold our weapons up. You'll have to throw yourselves on them.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kobold_1.jpg&hash=b902e8cf6e0694859caacd91d97fba3c0de166fa) Yaaayy! Sweet release!
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So this pack of idiocy charges us. Guess what the results are?
Yeah...pretty much that.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F312.jpg&hash=8a745f34e6da35085296857559d455ab6441bea8)
After killing these suicidal lemmings near Kuto's Well in the middle of...uh...Kuto's Well, we head south towards the Library.
But a quiet traipse through the blood-soaked ruins of our enemies just wasn't meant to be.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-Lizardmen.jpg&hash=0858e760ead21e944774827a2847835653b0916a) Exccuuussth usssth, gooodth thirrrrrsth...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) By the GODS...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-Lizardmen.jpg&hash=0858e760ead21e944774827a2847835653b0916a) We reprethent the Barely Over Old Thor Lizards In Constant Keeping Every Raptor Savior. Have youth accthepthted Rapthor Jethus asth your perthonal Lorthth and Thavior-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) DIE
Some Gnolls and Lizardmen deigned to attack us. US.
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We sent them to their "Rapthor Jethus," whomever thath...uh...that is.
It didn't take long. Whereas the Gnolls gave us a hard time when we were clearing the last of the Slums, here, they fall like chaff before our weapons. I think we might have broken a sweat, though. We'll have to consult the armorer next time we're in Phlan. Can't have unsightly underarm wet spots.
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We finally arrive outside of Mendor's Library. A solid wall greets us.
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We trudge around its entire length...and find an entrance on the far south side.
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No encounters are had. At least, not yet.
We proceeded inside...
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So, the resident nerds haven't been here in years, apparently. I can only assume these rotted works are fanfics involving Neo-Otyugh tentacle rape porn or possible Percy Jackson sequels. We honestly don't know which would be worse.
And then there's this guy, whom we found cowering in a corner.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F320.jpg&hash=9b9ce62085611719dcbd0b15e76ba8562be5c7fc)
Feeling charitable (i.e., of "Good" alignment), we didn't kill him despite his overt mouth attacks.
We just kind of let him do his own thing. Somehow, the six of us (seven I guess, if you HAVE to include Dirten the Self-Casting) looming over him doesn't give us a great sense of threat.
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Just as well. Scamper away, little buttercup. Leave the men (and MIRTH) to the real mission at hand!
Yaaaahhhh. For the Good Guys. "Evil round every corner. Careful not to step in any".
Entry 18-B:
Turn The Page
Leaving ol' Cock-A-Doodle-Dizzy behind, we head deeper into the Library.
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Some might call this junk, but me, I call it treasure...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F323.jpg&hash=1f11eefa166eab55b83072d6a617bbb8f24b5428)
Well! Digging through trash for hours on end in a large room, and you find...a book!
I mean, what are the odds? IN A LIBRARY?!?
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Wow...huh. Well, okay; 685 XP each isn't too bad a deal for one lousy book. I guess this is kind of like going to Half-Price Books and rooting around for hours finding the same old crap before suddenly stumbling upon a hidden gem.
And, oh yeah. There's the noisy, bratty kids running around that don't get disciplined by their stupid parents, too.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F325.jpg&hash=07932e2b17230d5cf3d0a4077d714364e5f1c58f)
In other words, Kobolds.
And apparently giving us the universal D&D signal for "please kill us, we're easy XP!"
THAT didn't take long.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F326.jpg&hash=1d0183ca963f69b0faf294b56aefaf8a2911159c)
Must not be a ruse. They're actually begging for mercy.
This ought to be rich. We let them speak their piece.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F327.jpg&hash=2aa863669ddd932f0b5d2210d89d160a7e09522a)
Hmmm...spare their lives, learn everything about the area, which might be all little furry Kobold lies wrapped in half-truths and baked over an open flame burned from the bones of stupid 1st-level adventurers...well, at least we're not 1st level anymore!
Why not? "You may...live."
(We push the boundaries of Good, admittedly...)
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OH BOY! STORY TIME!
A crude map scratched onto an old piece of parchment.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fpoolofradiance%2Fimages%2F8%2F86%2FJE10_Map.png&hash=52a17e814aa61bc687dfd0d2c3f7c24a8fed7cba)
"Bad Things," eh? Considering it was a frigging KOBOLD that told us about this, it could just be a low-slung coffee table that would give us an owie if we bumped into it, but would deliver them into negative hit points.
Still, a deal is a deal, so we let them go traipse off to get killed by some 0th-level farmers. Such is their lot in life, as they said.
Finally, we find an honest-to-goodness room that makes this place worthy of the name "Library."
(The fact that "Mendor's" comes first doesn't stop us from looking to pilfer a few things.)
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Oh, lovely. Treatises that go into great detail as to why dragons fall in love or Orcs shit in the woods. I can't imagine a more exciting section of the Library to start with.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F331.jpg&hash=e4ced5811d063cd0b8e5ad23a6b8b53fda8de86f)
You can say THAT again, bruddah!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F333.jpg&hash=d710b2f9211bcbf01551df19421afaa3f0323089)
A tightly bound scroll, seemingly immune to the ravages of time.
"Fountains and pools hold great power that can only be reached by performing proper ceremonies. Most sure of these is immersion, for in this way the bather surrenders himself to the spirit of the water. That spirit, or some portion of it, enters into the bather, whereby he gains great powers. Woe to the weak willed whose spirits are sure to be consumed by spirits that put even the strong at great risk. Yurax holds that the Falls of Ixce are greatest of all these. Morden writes that the Pool of Radiance is greater still."
Later in the book.
"Places of magical power are not necessarily tied to one physical location. Power often moves from plane to plane along the path of least resistance. The termination of the path determines the place's location on this plane. Volatile upheavals between the planes may lead to a change in the path of least resistance. This can change where the path terminates on this plane, thus moving the place of power.
"Some who wield strong supernatural forces can bend the path like an engineer damming a river. When the path is bent, it can terminate in a new location, moving the place of power on this plane. If the supernatural force that bent the path is removed, the path will snap back to its original form and the place of power will return to its original location. Such disruption can have violent and unpredictable results.
"Thus, inter-planar upheavals and directed supernatural forces may hold the answer to the seemingly ever-changing location of places of power, such as the Pool of Radiance."
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) ZZZZZZZZZZ
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) Oi'm jus' lookin' fer the section on Anatomy 'ere, mate...
Moving on...we find the next section, History.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_1.jpg&hash=774ced57e01e94a9a64e9087b66a678e24d5a212) Awww...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F334.jpg&hash=42246243381d1f995ac700fe91886824d848b7a5)
Well, history at least holds SOME interest. Hopefully we'll find something useful in here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F335.jpg&hash=772f959194c71cb6c4f7b868c5751ee64c3280b5)
Okay...or, maybe not!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F336.jpg&hash=fb7d2ead0ff76274acec3cbf400ac96295e0da66)
Royals in the North? HMMMM.
A rugged popular account of the northern lands.
"Ten days ride north of the Varm is a barren and dead country called the Leewai, land-in-pain or land-of-caused-pain. Further to the south this place is known as the Tortured Land. It is said to be an evil place, shunned by the Riders. They speak little of this land. But, yearly, during Ches, they make a trip into its heart. There they go to praise the spirit of a glowing spring. This they have done for ages and so shall they do for years to come."
HMMM. HMMMM.
Okay, whatevs.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F337.jpg&hash=c45e4233eee579be0196ed033ae3fdf74069a4a9)
Yay! Rhetoric!
FINALLY!
Whatever 'Rhetoric' is...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F338.jpg&hash=c7d249a0046fd3c59431f7602e132f1b28ab416d)
Ah, well, it has eight legs, a horn, an armored carapace, so it makes total sense it would be in a Library and not being used as a counter to M-1 tanks out in the bloody desert somewhere.
It's a basilisk. Yeah, those turn things into stone.
But it wasn't much of a fight. I recalled some ancient...errm...memories at finding mirrors VERY useful, so we broke them out for this fight. The Basilisk didn't stand much of a chance without its fearsome stony gaze.
Boy, if the secret of this got out, maybe they could put it into a little blue pill? No, that's madness.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F340.jpg&hash=080efc1e8db652eeaf0ed1ac0c55030395c5d0cc)
Not a bad little haul for murdering the foul beast.
Moving on again...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F341.jpg&hash=27cd6408ce06cbc4b930ff2dbf39428f56c3e5f6)
Oh, JOY!
I was JUST asking myself, "Gee, B_C, what could possibly be more boring than a section on Philosophy?" Well, the gods have answered and provided us with this little bounty.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F342.jpg&hash=18b633b8920f0704f375e73fca2d4cc1433f008a)
Well...DUH. I could'a told you THAT.
However, here's a special tidbit for those readers still bothering to read my diatribe: we've actually been collecting books this whole time. Yeah, I know, it's not much of a spoiler, but I didn't bother to take screen captur...errr...I mean, 'magical imagery' of our progress. I've already added more images than I can count in these last two posts and didn't think adding more showing each and every find as being very interesting.
No worries, because pudu's 'bout to get real.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F343.jpg&hash=0a89f017355985c2662d116ef888aa3d62204a59)
Except it doesn't get real, here.
But in the next room it does...I think.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce)
Oh yeah, it does.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F344.jpg&hash=be0723625255b18d1e5f7a27fc05780f0c4cc872)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F31.media.tumblr.com%2F05e9d28a573c0edef1d0a1ae131e19fa%2Ftumblr_msuuayGFhM1r00zsho1_r2_500.gif&hash=bb840518d8c40a17b23cab8c061a20f6c5032768)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F345.jpg&hash=dfd75e904fe08541f20c4c5413594df23ed78259)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) TH-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab) Wights would find your library a tad breezy this time of year. In that respect, wights are a bit like you and me.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) Wait, what? Who are you? Where did you come from?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) THIE-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)No, I frankly doubt there are any wights in your Library.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp_2.jpg&hash=e5b8c110918dd43146deba8f5f3585ed36367f95) Whillakers, mister! I think that ghostie thing right over there would disagree!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_1.jpg&hash=cf4e0f440bbbfdcf76eedfb8ba5f926250f8010f) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) THIEV-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fghostbusters%2Fimages%2F9%2F90%2FStantz_01.jpg&hash=e99e2d45f1ced1ae67c3d1eaa1478fcb311a75b3)Typically, this is what we refer to as a focused, non-terminal, repeating phantasm, or a Class Five full roaming vapor.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) Excus...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fghostbusters%2Fimages%2F9%2F90%2FStantz_01.jpg&hash=e99e2d45f1ced1ae67c3d1eaa1478fcb311a75b3)Real nasty one, too!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)I tell you what's nasty...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) Pleas...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)I stepped in Kobold in the last room...actually, he's probably still at the bottom of my shoe. You really can't tell what it is anymore.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) Really, you kn...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)That's a nice proton pack you got there, bub. What is it, an '83?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette2.wikia.nocookie.net%2Fghostbusters%2Fimages%2F9%2F90%2FStantz_01.jpg&hash=e99e2d45f1ced1ae67c3d1eaa1478fcb311a75b3)Yep! I get to carry around a bunch of untested, extremely dangerous hardware that if not handled correctly could blow me somewhere into New Jersey.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)I collect beer bottles myself, I gotta '82 Miller bottle with a misprint on the label; the other 'busters might wanna come take a gander.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) I mean, if it's NOT too much troub-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)Would anyone object if I tore this floor out?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) I WOULD!!!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tZWyEbdkZ9Y%2FUfx2VWbyFcI%2FAAAAAAAAYfw%2FDy1ptRKTbz8%2Fs1600%2Farachnophobia-1990-john-goodman-exterminator%2Bcopy.jpg&hash=bd70d347e38f6086e460811169748da4453708ab)False alarm then. Lead on.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike_1.jpg&hash=d2b4af71d20da96b1a70370d7e037cb544ea7e7e)May I just interject that this is the first time I've been in a forum post in a long whi-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-344.jpg&hash=c0969f20e86ba929c0a0b009e404b0bc7b5395ce) ARRRG TOURISTS DIE
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F345.jpg&hash=dfd75e904fe08541f20c4c5413594df23ed78259)
So...yeah, sorry about that. It went on a little longer than I thought it would have any business going.
(I do this stuff by the seat of my pants, obviously.)
The Wight is a major pain in the buttocks. If he hits, he can drain experience levels. EXACTLY what an aspiring party like ours needs, right? I mean, a few well-placed blows, and on our journey back, we MIGHT actually take an HP or (shudder) TWO HP worth of damage from a Kobold!
Fortunately, this Wight is alone, and with the combined power of Captain Planet and Friends (you get to guess which of our faaabulous number is he), the Wight gets blurred into non-existence.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F346.jpg&hash=6834d6004bbf01bd955b472925a7dd425f11d83c)
And here, I was relatively worked up, because I remember what a pain this guy was to fight back when I first played this game. Then again, I tried to take him on with 2nd/3rd-level characters, which meant low THAC0 scores and therefore lots of swings and misses.
After the Wight's final reward, the Library is cleared. We'll head back to Phlan now to plan our next move(s).
Sweet. I thought you'd abandoned this particular AAR project.
Quote from: Bison on February 15, 2016, 10:50:01 PM
Sweet. I thought you'd abandoned this particular AAR project.
Yeah, I never intended to abandon this one. I'd really like to get through all the games, not just this one.
Glad to see you gave that Bastard what he deserved. Sum-Bitch took a level or two off me back in the day. And these were 1980's levels-- worth twice what levels are going for today. O0
Entry 19:
Where To?
Let's recap the party, because honestly, it's been months since I've looked at them and I forget their levels, exactly:
BANZAI_CAT (Chaotic Good Level 4 Human Fighter) - Broad Sword +1, Banded Mail +2
GUSINATOR (Chaotic Good Level 4 Dwarf Fighter) - Hammer +1, Chain Mail +1
KYZBP (Neutral Good Level 5 Human Cleric) - Mace +2, Chain Mail +1
MIRTH (Chaotic Good Elf - Level 3 Fighter/Level 3 Magic-User) - Scimitar +1, Chain Mail +1
BARTHHEART (Neutral Good Level 5 Human Thief) - Long Sword, Leather Armor +4
BBMIKE (Chaotic Good Level 4 Human Magic-User) - Dagger +1, Bracers AC 6
We wake up in the Inn With No Name And No Furnishings to begin our quest. I decide we need to go check in with the commissions clerk to double check the missions we have to choose from.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F163_1.jpg&hash=120156e554e8afe194095a9e1062869c7d3ef375)
A request to stop some nebulous group of squatters from joining with 'The Boss.'
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F164_1.jpg&hash=abd3ea8f6430739102acd9c1dafeea0cbd6b331a)
How this is even a mission...I don't get it. They may as well give us a mission to go down to the local pet store and squash puppies. It might have some loot, though. Kobolds be hoarders.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F165.jpg&hash=57fcf4a3864812d63ebd8d6ebd758bff313b348a)
Oh yeah! I remember this one. This might have some challenge to it, so we'll head up the river to find out what's going on.
I'll spare you a bit of detail here. First, I couldn't remember how to get into the Wilderness from the north side of the bay (hint: it's "Leave"), but once I finally figured it out, we ran into Merchants (whom chatted amiably with us before moving on - why they call themselves "Merchants" and have nothing to sell is somewhat of a mystery).
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F172_2.jpg&hash=dc652d6746d16742d196dd4f11ae6feffa9edae3)
And them, with their jangling carts and bards and such somehow "SURPRISED" us, an elite super-team of D&Dness. ::)
Still, we had a pleasant conversation before they went off on their way. The merchants didn't share anything useful with us (and failed to live up to their name since there was no option to engage in trade with them).
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F173_1.jpg&hash=0c1c4d5c1b082cd7f9f2a7c7b2a50410493d9a42)
One step later, though (quite literally, one step) we ran into Stirges, which are basically blood-sucking birds. Looks like our travel upstream is going to be a slog.
They're not hard to beat, but I think they can attach and cause extra damage if they succeed in a hit. I don't know, but it doesn't take them long to surround some of us.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F176_1.jpg&hash=cef18636b542ce1604f793698ebbc976a45c11a6)
But.
This is where it all turns out to be some kind of weird dream. You see, apparently when taking screenshots, it might mess up DOSBOX if it's processing something. And it did precisely that, here. My main view froze, and somehow left a 'frozen' image over half of my screen display. The game still worked and the commands still functioned, but without being able to actually SEE anything, I had to reload the game from Phlan and start the trek again.
Sigh.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F177_1.jpg&hash=75f9bc063710e535e17e0cbd3e1c49afa7b3d43d)
Fortunately this time, we managed to find our way up the river without an encounter. The disgusting, gray tidal flats surrounding the once mighty river smell a little like rotting Ogre feet (or just feet in general, actually), and the river itself is impassable - at least, it is for now.
Not to mention the mysterious pyramid at the headwaters of this river system looking kinda suspicious.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F178_1.jpg&hash=3404377bece417dcdfaf4ad2cd01da9f6cb96bf5)
Probably a mad mage or lich or something. Usually, those knuckleheads build some grandiose structure that you can see from miles away, almost as if they're inviting trouble. Once again, we prove that Phlan is full of a bunch of cowering heroes too scared to face their own shadows, let alone squat, dark pyramids bleeding liquid death into the ecosystem, hinting of a vast power lying deep beneath its stones, pulsing with evil and pain.
But hey, there's treasure in there probably. Like they told you when you're a kid...there's treasure in the sewer pipe. Or possibly murderous clowns.
Regardless, when we get to the lake, we find a rowboat conveniently placed on our side of the shore, allowing us access to this lovely monument of mayhem.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F179.jpg&hash=d2961ecd3f85628103bed57afa82edfb58981340)
We find a hidden door in the side of the pyramid:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.fjcdn.com%2Fpictures%2FSeems%2Blegit%2Bhey%2Bguys%2Bnot%2Bsure%2Bif%2Bthis%2Bhas%2Bbeen_a84e94_4623113.jpg&hash=7aff79b27927c74969e1facf6cb81499ae92ca20)
Seems legit.
Well, of COURSE we enter. The game isn't really fun if you ignore everything around you.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F180_1.jpg&hash=614eae3d902ce428e2058850b0f95f5af30dc08f)
The entrance hallway stretches out into the distance. The pyramid is rather large, and complex, and it's very easy to get lost within. Back in the day, I would have been using my graph paper to meticulously map out each and every corridor and make copious notes, but in this day and age,
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fe.lvme.me%2Fjaa7pj5.jpg&hash=8a3f3a17921a67a135c2a574123978b4088b3ab1)
...so we just go head-first to see exactly how lost (or lucky) we can get.
The hallway we're in actually stretches from north to south through the pyramid. The only features off of the hallway are some small alcoves to the right (west) as we head south down this hallway.
We decide to go into the first archway, within which is a small 10'x10' room, and it happens to be a teleporter. We end up somewhere else.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F190_1.jpg&hash=a4e5257ba96b367d0c5036ccaaa94d7336f0e244)
Following the hallway, it turns sharply to the right, and a short distance down we find a secret door just off the hallway.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F183_1.jpg&hash=789c04eaa1dc572a593f58baa7cc21e0a1e6be33)
I save the game before moving the party inside.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F184_1.jpg&hash=df44fc668869fd8c9f4811151f3a3de60a5f207b)
Huh. Maybe Starfury was able to finally build his secret sex dungeon?
Guess it's not so secret anymore.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F185_1.jpg&hash=87d3aea2e16f579a57461a02df2077554bd08d43)
Suuuuuuuuuure.
"Alchemical nature." ^-^
We go back out into the hallway (a Search of every square in this lubricating pain paradise reveals little other than toys that stretch things that have no business being stretched) and continue on our way.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F187_1.jpg&hash=d4a386fc24a044fd5ef66c8405c697c9a75b97ad)
Okay...?
Well, what we got here is another teleporter, and we get an option to throw a stone into it. So we do precisely that. Because why wouldn't we?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F188_1.jpg&hash=c355c8e531767f34f9e0db70b37a5ce50b1f4306)
FLASH! AAAA-AAAAAAAAH!
Ahem.
We go ahead and step through it now.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F189_1.jpg&hash=60aae7287a2e1f8dba2785302515709368dcb4a0)
We're transported to another level of this wickedly dense wizard's pyramid. I say it's a wizard's pyramid because...well, would a FIGHTER do something like this? Crazy mazes with teleporters and stones to throw through them like some kind of key or stick shift?
Only those with insane levels of Intelligence and a healthy amount of paranoia do this kind of nonsense.
This is kind of an endless slog. We're going to spare you with the details of moving, dead ends, backtracking, and otherwise exploring.
We find nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Which means this is not only a wizard, it's probably a weak wizard, one with delusions of grandeur.
Think about it. A lich-level mage, or a super-level mage, would have TONS of traps, deadly monsters, and incomprehensibly devious things waiting for intruders along a defined pathway designed specifically to squeeze every last HP and shred of sanity out of any characters invading the place after hearing about it in the Generic TavernTM and the DM rolling a 56 on the Rumors TableTM.
A weak wizard that thinks very highly of themselves probably thinks they're quite clever and able to handle anything that comes at them.
I guess we'll see.
Finally, after lots of teleportation chicanery, we stumble into what appears to be the top level of the structure, because we're faced with a door that demands a password.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F197_1.jpg&hash=a25dde998c00547d11c6fbe806a2b4235757b887)
I had to bust out the old code wheel to find this answer out. I could find the answer online, I'm sure, but it's not nearly as fun doing a Google search as it is manipulating this wheel of secrets!
When we find the answer, I type in NOKNOK.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F200.jpg&hash=446c489ca74c92c1272dc9e6186ad515f48b7346)
WAIT! ...yes? NO. I mean...I don't know! Okay? Sure...?
That must have been right, because the door just sits there, not exploding or turning into a Black Dragon.
We step through the room into a large open space, but it's packed from floor to ceiling with a lot of strangeness.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F201_1.jpg&hash=b61f60d729b55cc201835c685078a449aff379f2)
Ewww. Maybe this is the sewer line for all the disgusting creatures that DON'T live in this pyramid of fuzzy-wuzzies.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F202.jpg&hash=c721ffa8f30b5063a682a3cb0fafe703052442b2)
Hmmm...
Lots of complicated machinery.
Lots of FRAGILE-looking complicated machinery.
I think a plan is beginning to form.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F205_1.jpg&hash=82976c2a0b7a9e10fb6ddf38c7a283fcced04e46)
What other answer is there in D&D, other than "beat it to within an inch of its life?"
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F204.jpg&hash=802b5b526327053e495386bf822039e5fbcdae72)
Welp...a few good whacks should be all that is needed. We'd better hustle out of here before the place 'splodes...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F206_1.jpg&hash=8a0044b301e9cdb518b1521fa5b9c097a465f0bc)
BOOM
Problem solved. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emotiyou.com%2Fgalerie%2Fpersonnages%2Ftrollface%2F201206081649CXT.gif&hash=21fa45271fadfb6617f54657e0566fb305049cb7)
Exploring the remaining area, there's a teleporter behind a twisty hallway (again, why, with the twisty hallways?!?) and a couple of large rooms. We head to the southernmost room first.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F208_1.jpg&hash=103f42d02ec36d05204207a8656410209d5a5b01)
We advance on them. If regular, full-strength Lizardmen armed to the teeth don't present a challenge to our party, these slaves sure won't.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F212.jpg&hash=8efc1e4fab878ec2015c2a0c5760e0f2f4b21942)
The "GOOD" alignment radar is pinging double time, here.
We choose PARLAY and NICE.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F213.jpg&hash=be1798e95d33d5c89ed0dedc4b6659ef10fa4bbb)
Being good guys, we free the poor saps. They then relate to us a bunch of information.
Told in halting speech.
"Thank you for freeing us. Yarash has been experimenting on our people, changing them in horrible ways. Every night we carry off another lizard man with his chest burst open or his head mangled. Yarash say he make us like Sa-Hag-An. He always say that he make us stronger, better hunters. But all he make us is dead.
"We were not allowed to speak when Yarash was around. These marks were passed down to us and remind us of home. They represent the friend word used between lizard men of different tribes. If you meet lizard men on the outside, this word may help you."
So we get a 'Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free' card of sorts when encountering Lizardmen in the future. Since they're just a step above Kobolds on the Rich XP Kill Scale, and we're Good guys, this is good for them, because our party won't have to commit genocide upon an entire species that doesn't exist except in electrons on computer chips.
But I digress. The final room probably has this Yarash character in it.
We save the game and then enter the final room. Sure enough. Captain Asshat and his mutant friends are in here, hard at work.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F215.jpg&hash=8efd19a221ecd461226ed518fd4d92c99b8b5de1)
So, we brace ourselves for battle!
We ready our weapons, prepare spells, and get into our combat stances, hard-learned over the last many weeks of campaigning and butchering monsters.
And...and...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F216.jpg&hash=e734865de15d9a56f1b1a9d4c34956cf4b2a660c)
Uhh...I thought he told his minions to subdue us...hmm.
Advance, I guess...?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) SUBDUE THEM.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_2.jpg&hash=a5e1dbb27f220244018ece0d335c2fff072f1326) Uhhh...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) ...WHAT?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) We HAVE to talk about your sense of fashion.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WAY I LOOK?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) You got a definite Marlon Brando vibe going there, mate.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike_2.jpg&hash=292bed2cb15b2e814ea4b6ba8b9c49e56d2adb2b) More Brando in 'Island of Doctor Moreau' than anything else.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/78/f5/4b/78f54be7292528a95598cb2f09ae4ac8.jpg) (kkkkuuuuuuusssss) Regret is useless in life. It's in the past. All we have is now.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) WHO ARE YOU? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/78/f5/4b/78f54be7292528a95598cb2f09ae4ac8.jpg) (kkkkuuuuuuusssss) I just followed these boys in here. Doing a little redecorating. I'm moving in soon.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) WHA- NO NO, YOU'RE NOT
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/78/f5/4b/78f54be7292528a95598cb2f09ae4ac8.jpg) (kkkkuuuuuuusssss) It's not personal. It's business.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_2.jpg&hash=a5e1dbb27f220244018ece0d335c2fff072f1326) Yeah, more 'personal' than business for us.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FX-Yarash.jpg&hash=464e427baf1d6ae69607c462396aa265513a6b83) KILL THEM MY SUPER MUTANT NINJA LIZARDMEN
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/78/f5/4b/78f54be7292528a95598cb2f09ae4ac8.jpg) (kkkkuuuuuuusssss) Hey, you wanna hear my philosophy of life? Do it to him before he does it to you.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) Excellent advoice, guv'nah. 'Ere, let's see th' color o' yer insides, then...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F218.jpg&hash=b6e46d68fa43f6444ccb2a219fb77de2cea42a89)
Since we wisely chose to 'Advance,' Yarash and his super-lizards are right next to us. Especially Yarash. Wizards don't generally do well in melee combat. Had we started combat when they were at a distance, Yarash would no doubt have a chance to get off several spells.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F219.jpg&hash=2e471097b60906aa4055f6f1bb3dd6cd06fbbf3f)
Wow, 27 hitpoints for Yarash? He must be, like, 25th level or something. ;D
There's not a lot of enemies, here. With Yarash within easy reach, I don't expect a difficult fight.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F220.jpg&hash=a69c664217e3b0f035409960928fda38271b193d)
The "Mutant Liz-Man"s don't have a lot of HP, but their AC is fairly high. Still, not too difficult.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F222.jpg&hash=7d9336b2325f753b3ba67ebe0e13f7598dea73b3)
It doesn't take long for Yarash to go down. BBMIKE immediately hit him with a Magic Missile spell, rendering him useless for casting himself this first Round. Meanwhile, shirtless GUSINATOR manages to separate him from his life with a good, solid hit.
The LIZ-MEN are a bit tougher than expected. BANZAI-CAT can't hit the broad side of a barn. I think he missed every single swing.
The LIZ-MEN hit MIRTH, though. A lot. MIRTH collapsed in a useless but tastefully decorative heap.
A Sleep spell from BBMIKE fails, but a couple of Stinking Clouds puts three of the LIZ-MEN out of action. This leaves two LIZ-MEN, whom we manage to put down pretty fast. KYZBP lands several good hits, as does BARTHHEART.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F224.jpg&hash=6fcdffc57626c161a607caa8795a4a16abfc8b0c)
Soon, nobody is left standing. Except the five of us. Because, you know...MIRTH.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F225.jpg&hash=08c62b7c2eb370d78f157d9192e32f9a44ad1c55)
The battle was worth a hefty amount of XP.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F226.jpg&hash=581475846f4816433679d790b2787a23cb64eb30)
A little on the miserly side when it comes to coin, though...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F227.jpg&hash=c9ae9921b8e81464b3dcf2e5e5955181f409043e)
...but Yarash himself has some goodies on his body. All of it goes to BBMIKE. I might transfer some over to MIRTH once he wakes up, though we'll have to go back to town to do some identifyin' to see what we have.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F231.jpg&hash=87ac2b3793b1919ec89acfdf55674d505966a7b0)
Exiting the pyramid, it doesn't take long for the land to become green.
That's good, because it'll serve as certifiable proof to the town clerk of our good deed.
We head home. We'll take stock of our inventory in the next entry.
Posted all that from something I already had written out late one night and forgot about. :buck2:
In any case, here's some more. Thanks to all for reading and commenting. O0
Entry 20:
Back to Phlan. Movin' On Up.
After defeating Marlon the Mage, we head back to Phlan, eager for our next task. We need to collect our reward from the City, then go see what magic items we may have, rest, fully heal, and memorize spells.
Then, I think we'll be headed for that Kobold camp. I'm in the mood to execute a few hundred sweep attacks against 1-HD monsters.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F232.jpg&hash=6b0ebca1550b56de07781ace91120d5103f7419a)
The clerk still looks like she wants to fall asleep. She is obviously not impressed with our awesomeness. Pfft, typical bureaucrat.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F233.jpg&hash=fd63ab215ee70bc682bf3ef5bcf377af602e879d)
Well, I guess I can overlook this trespass for once...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F234.jpg&hash=7451f67a955dba94745f57086608447a6df8d37c)
Another 250 pp (1,250 in gp equivalent) and 15 pieces of jewelry. I wish there was a Bank of Phlan, sort of what one of the other series in this D&D universe did. Wish I could recall the name of it offhand. Not sure if it was the Krynn games or Gateway, or later games in this series. Anyway, on with the show.
This was a nice little haul, but 1,250 gold is barely enough to pay for one character to level up. Although, it's not like we're going to be poor anytime soon, because we have more gaudy jewelry than a low-budget rapper.
And now that the rewardin' is out of the way, time for the beggin' for help.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F235_1.jpg&hash=d2c4069f7db2185969af21cabae8d364aac7ad6c)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F236.jpg&hash=7f6f0c606a888b8163c8d814d2167c9b75209bb4)
AGAIN with the hippie commune. Leave them be, let them smoke their plant fibers and beat on their owlbear-skin drums. Next!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F238_1.jpg&hash=705a05a00eca6b6978db1b104d33f07d7de3d1e8)
Seeing how we're good buddies with the Lizardmen now, this might be a no-brainer of a next mission.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F237.jpg&hash=b58fc4cb111e3b3dfd5bb0f9cd0174e3d4c0ccd5)
Well now! (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sherv.net%2Fcm%2Femo%2Fsimpsons%2Fmr-burns-evil-laugh-smiley-emoticon.gif&hash=743388dedb3bd27cf26dcb4d5a0523dcca0176b0)
And that's that.
Now, we have a few errands to run.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F247_1.jpg&hash=1328615fabb426ca3c3148e10d2b71c246f6a08b)
Yeah. 8)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F248.jpg&hash=5c94a5aa0b93eb8a2d9d88fe916d36e9003681c8)
Even GUSINATOR gets in on the action.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F249.jpg&hash=5cfccd78a9365476932488c647b10cfb0621093e)
Fabulous!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F242_2.jpg&hash=07ec64d504006307148f4a6a765f256997f20362)
Oh My...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F250_1.jpg&hash=9df1a270c7064b1ee177a7e293aa5d3621cdebf5)
Our resident Thief even rises in the ranks.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F245_1.jpg&hash=12435782167ec9bd6863f52087203b238ed77886)
And BBMIKE goes up to 5th level.
You know what THAT means?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F246.jpg&hash=8853bf072780f60e5445cae47530378f3030c9d4)
Heh-heh.
Fireball.
Yeah.
I think we will head off to the Kobolds to stop them from teaming up with The Boss. Stay tuned.
A Fireball spell landing in the middle of a pack of Kobolds is one of life's most beautiful moments. :smitten:
Great to see this is back! The conversations are priceless. :2funny:
Update: I went after the Kobolds all right, but the ruddy bastards were reinforced with some VERY heavy-hitters. Not to mention, a multi-stage battle. I got my ass kicked. Badly.
Actually, my FIRST time through, we beat the first wave, and in the middle of handling the second wave, the game decided to crash. So I had to go reload and restart again. Fortunately, I saved just before the big battle. My second try at this, though, was no better than my first. In my third try, I managed to defeat the damned second wave, when a THIRD wave came, with MORE heavy-hitters, and they cut my party down because we were all in the single-digit hit point range.
Trolls cheat too, by the way.
In any case, it's painfully obvious this party is totally not prepared for the Kobold Caves, so I'm changing our plan to go after the Nomad Camp instead. I'll update when I can.
Thanks for reading!
I remember the Nomads as being a Mother too. Do you still have Dirten with you or did he take off after the Library?
Quote from: Sir Slash on February 16, 2016, 11:26:47 PM
Do you still have Dirten with you or did he take off after the Library?
He's still around. Dirten is...well, he kind of reminds me of being a 15-year-old and hanging out with your friends, but one of your buddies is forced to bring his 7-year-old annoying brother along. He's landed a few decent blows here and there, but not against anything more impressive than Kobolds. He's not much of a fighter and likes to cast spells on himself. He can stand right next to one of our party members whom is in dire need of healing and completely ignore him. (I know the AI is somewhat limited, but still, it's both angering and amusing at the same time to behold.) I've had to redo his memorized spells so he stops wasting them...all his 2nd-level spells are now Hold Person, which he uses with great aplomb. Sure, he uses them on Kobolds, but at least he's doing something constructive. (By this point, B_C, GUS, and MIRTH can all Sweep against Kobolds, doing up to four attacks if there's four monsters adjacent.) Also of minor import, he's one of the few NPCs that does not demand a cut of the loot whenever we find treasure. I could go pick up an NPC hireling from the Training Hall in Phlan, but they tend to not be very helpful. The only time I ever remember doing that was back when I was first playing and hiring one to help with that final battle in the Slums.
The main reason I have him on board, though, is because I have his five 1st-level spells set to Cure Light Wounds. It's always useful to have an extra Band-Aid box hanging around.
The bottom line is, if he falls in battle, I'm not going to waste a round bandaging him.
QuoteI remember the Nomads as being a Mother too.
Yeah, there's a multi-stage battle in that one, too, but it's not nearly as challenging as the Kobold Caves.
The Kobold Caves have a literal horde of Kobolds. Not a big deal in and of themselves, but we're talking about 50 or so of them, plus Kobold Leaders, whom stand in the back and hurl arrows. The latter sucks because they love to target BBMIKE. They hit maybe two out of five shots. Which I don't get...they're 1-HD monsters, right? Hitting an AC -2? Okay...
Anyway, the REAL b*tch is in the first wave, there's four Trolls. I can usually handle everyone in that first wave, but you gotta be careful with the Trolls, in that once they fall, you have to remember where that is and stand a character in one of their two spaces so they don't get up again. They also hit HARD. In that first go-through of mine, I had two Trolls left standing. One had 9 HP left. KYZBP hit him for 8 HP (of course; goodness forbid he drop him), leaving the Troll with 1 HP. And next, of course, that damned Troll hit my namesake not once, not twice, but three bloody times, dropping him from 40 or so HP to about 10. Not good when your tanks get whittled down like that.
The second wave is made up of even more Kobolds (it seems, anyway), plus Warthogs. Or War Hogs. Or something. I don't know. But these guys are even more annoying than Trolls. If you drop one, they just stand right back up with a little message telling you they "stand up and grin." So, sometimes, you have to drop them one, two, three times before the damned things stay down. Beating the second wave isn't too hard, but it will take its toll on the party's HPs.
The final wave sports more Kobolds, more frikkin' Trolls, and Envoys. The Envoys are fighter/magic-users, because they like to stand back and throw a Magic Missile before running into the fray. The one time I made it to the third wave, these bastards dropped three of us with Magic Missiles (we were THAT low on HPs). We had no chance.
I'll be back, though, probably just before the final battle. Or maybe just after. We WILL destroy them.
There's a couple of frustrating things about PoR that drive me crazy sometimes. One is the "only hit for just enough damage to drop the monster to 1 or 2 HP so it can strike one more time for massive damage" rule. Well, okay...it's probably NOT a rule, but it suuuure feels like it sometimes. Case in point, the Troll from that first wave.
The other not-really-a-rule-but-it-sure-feels-like-it is "spend four hours memorizing a Cure Light Wounds, but only heal 1 HP when cast." I know, I know - CLW was a range of, I think, 1-6 HP or 1-8. But the odds of consistently hitting 1 HP when cast is a PITA. Especially when your Cleric has an 18 Wisdom.
It's especially frustrating when you're camping in a dungeon or in the wilderness and bracing for an ambush while trying to memorize spells so you can heal a few guys up. The game does that a lot to me, too, which has gotten me to the point where I won't rest anywhere that's not safe unless I have no choice. Too many times playing PoR on the Apple IIc did I try to memorize a bunch of spells, with an eight-hour rest, only to have the rest interrupted with 30 minutes to go.
I'm just venting. Despite the frustrations, the game is amazing, especially considering what a small footprint it has (at least, small compared to today's computers).
I'll report on the Nomad Camp endeavor in the next couple of days.
Sorry for the long post of ranting.
Huh. I just went through the posts and realized we haven't been to the Graveyard yet. Sigh. I really don't like undead in this game, but I dislike not clearing out everything before the endgame starts, so we'll have to get to that at some point soon.
My character's kinda a badass now. Reminds me of a character I ran years ago that was an elven fighter/magic-user. Think I made it to 8th level with that dude. He kicked ass. Getting him there was a chore though.
Why not level up more with the Lizardmen, before trying the Nomad camp or the :2funny: >:D Kobold Camp again?
Your friendship pass with the Lizzies should be handy somewhere there.
Entry 21-A:
Do These Coins Make Me Look Fat?
After leveling up, I decided to go check out the stores and get some equipment identified.
One big problem I noticed in my last battle was, my guys were moving at a snail's pace. That's because the horked-up rules governing encumberance as a measure of coinage was being pushed to the limit.
I checked, and found that we had nearly 9,000 Platinum coins. Not to mention a whole crap-ton of other coins, too. We had a movement rate of 3. So dungeonin' has been good to us, but we need to do something about that.
Beforehand, we go and ID some equipment.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F254.jpg&hash=4da39990f06466e897f3098d86a9b8fa6ae02cb0)
BARTHHEART, being the resident sneak, gets a sweet Cloak of Displacement. There were a few other items as well though I didn't take screenshots of them all. Regardless, it's good to spend some money on something. I sell off some extraneous equipment as well, for two reasons. One, to get rid of it - items carry with them a coinage weight as well. While that does add to the coin pile, the second reason is, doing transactions at a store will 'condense' your coinage into higher denominations. So, if you get thousands of Copper pieces, and visit a shop and just buy one simple thing (or sell something), the game will automatically cash it out to Platinum, Gold, and so forth until you have the same value of coins, but higher denominations, therefore fewer of them. (As long as you POOL your cash first, though.)
Sort of like having one hundred $1 bills for the strip club but knowing that making it rain on a bunch of toothless truck stop strippers is not good for your kids' college education fund, so you exchange it for a $100 bill. Well...okay, maybe it's not like that at all. But you get the picture.
Behind one of the shops is a jewelry shop. While you can Appraise gems and jewelry at any store, the jewelry shop sells fine gems and other goodies to help 'rich adventurers carry their wealth in a convenient way.' Or words to that effect.
If you walk into a shop down one particular street, and see a door immediately opposite you, you'll know that's the jewelry shop. Thing is, you can't interact with them in there if you interact with the first shop. In the first store, just tell them 'no' when they ask if they can show you something.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F252_1.jpg&hash=b30d103a0cc84efbc87d51463f6f977631980efe)
He'll go away, and then you're free to advance into the next store. I guess technically they're two stores, but they count as one, so if you actually interact with the shopkeeper in one, it cancels out the other one. At least, until you leave and revisit. Kind of a pain, but not too difficult to figure out.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F387.jpg&hash=74390bd6673f8764e1f68501cb664800901b8d3b)
Saying 'yes' brings up a VERY diverse list of purchasable items.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F388.jpg&hash=7d04e95c2b0546e04c8af608876a99bfae93b2de)
While the game (somewhere) says that this is a way for rich adventurers to easily carry around wealth, it's actually kind of a rip-off. Anything you buy off of this list instantly is worth half what you pay for it. So, if you buy that 50,000 GP Gold Necklace, if you want to sell it later, it's only worth 25,000 GP.
Yeah...ha..."only." 25,000 GP in this game is an OUTRAGEOUS sum, let alone 25,000. Really, you only have the shops in Phlan to interact with, and there are NO magic shops, so there's no expensive magic weapons for sale anywhere in the game (that I recall, anyway). Since leveling up a character costs 1,000 GP, and I think characters are capped at 6th level in this game, that's 30,000 GP worth of training to advance everyone to 6th level...if they're single-class characters, of course. Multi-class characters will cost more, since you have to pay that 1K for each separate class level advance, but you get the idea.
Now, you can always just DROP your money, if you want. Coins count against your weight, and as there are no banks or hoards to create, you're stuck with the excess cash. Unless you drop it. Or level up a LOT. Or buy expensive jewelry.
Yeah...so I bought the "Fine Opal Pennant" for 28,500 GP. Which means if I sell it I'll get 14,250 GP back. Oh well. Considering my purchasing options are limited and MIRTH has no tavern whores to cavort with, I'd rather have something to show for it than just drop it somewhere (which means it goes right to oblivion as the game isn't nearly sophisticated enough to remember where you drop anything).
This purchase instantly eases our collective coin burden and jumps us all back up to maximum movement rates, thank goodness.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F258_1.jpg&hash=8c00533602279ca5d60f45dc4c40d9aa4071266f)
Oh yeah. I had forgotten about the scrolls. I'm able to scribe a few, including the ones you see here (which are going into BBMIKE's repertoire).
I already wrote at length about the disaster that is the Kobold Caves. I'm going to need significantly stronger characters and a lot of healing potions before I take that on. And I don't even think the ruddy things are sold anywhere, to be quite honest.
For now, we'll head over to the Nomad Camp, which is north of the Wizard's Belching Butt-Plug.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F329_1.jpg&hash=a8a4d38b2ca2f0bc6b190f1afb6edc8abe858c4c)
At least this time, we travel up a nice green valley instead of a funky strip of land.
I want to know where those horses came from, though...hmm.
It doesn't take long to gain sight of the Nomad Camp. We don't run into any encounters; the monsters must not like fresh, healthy landscapes. More likely, we were just lucky.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F330_1.jpg&hash=f894b4be89ad5e43e3c65baea9fb5d36f9c68bb7)
"Will I Enter It" is #2 on the list of least likely things to be said by most of the forum-dwellers around here.
Of course we do. That's what adventurers do - stick their noses in where they don't belong.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F332_1.jpg&hash=7a6d577867b9f3824ac0ebb5c523b9738bc2d1f0)
That's an AWESOME 'stache and goatee combo there, sir. You've started the hipster movement before it was anywhere near being mainstream.
This must be the boss. I assume levels of filth are considered ranks around here.
Yep, this is looking more and more like a hippie commune camp.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F331_1.jpg&hash=df81d74c34d3c9b8f944b15a0b4c1159576e1027)
Curious little buggers, eh?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F333_1.jpg&hash=9207251124f85853e56e36350ccfd70cd95f0bc5)
Uhh...sure...?
I mean, why NOT welcome every party of seasoned, heavily-armed adventurers that you don't know at all into your village and have a great feast in their honor?
The thought of poisoned food and a local greeting somewhere in line with the Red Wedding comes to mind, but the game probably doesn't have nearly enough RAM requirement to be that devious.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F334_1.jpg&hash=83b5300ce503b9efc65614de3dd39e5ff4a6689e)
We're automatically led off to the center of their small village, which is a great place to be for an ambush. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthespeakeasy.net%2FSmileys%2Fdefault%2Ffoilhat.gif&hash=2a730c2c917f5c0350ec0d5d6ed16f99e5642e36)
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Okay, well, maybe this isn't as bad as I thought it would be. As long as we keep our demands for "golden crowns" and rants about dragon's blood in our veins to a minimum, we should be fine.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F336_1.jpg&hash=2c6015a8fbccb7756e38f37b8ddda38260866b61)
So, great merrymaking is had by all. No hint of alcohol dropped either, though one has to wonder if there wasn't a cantrip or two hidden under MIRTH's or BBMIKE's sleeves to turn water into wine.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F337_1.jpg&hash=620cc554f0a5eebdd3b4981766ecd3b737c648f2)
Aaaaaaaaaand here comes the catch!
Journal Entry 55
Delivered as you sit around the campfire.
"You must beware the many dangers in this region. Several days' walk to the west there is the pyramid of evil. It has long been avoided by all sensible men. To the southeast is a lair of many ferocious hobgoblins. The areas to the southwest are inhabited by evil men - buccaneers, marauders, and soldiers of an evil empire far to the west. And all good folks avoid the swamps to the east. Nothing but danger grows in the swamps.
Sounds like he's priming the pump before laying something big on us.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F338_1.jpg&hash=41a9a6e7831565f4573f661c767594fd514eeb0e)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_2.jpg&hash=a5e1dbb27f220244018ece0d335c2fff072f1326) Oh boy, here it comes...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F339_1.jpg&hash=cfd1914164ed1213b1f619161471d8821c4c4c21)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_2.jpg&hash=a5e1dbb27f220244018ece0d335c2fff072f1326) KOBOLDS?!? Is that it? HAHAHAHA. You make it sound as if this is the greatest danger of them all! What, did you run out of dog treats or squeak toys to take care of these horrible, terrible creatures? HAHAHAHAHA
(Admittedly, this isn't exactly Good-alignment roleplaying...)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F340_1.jpg&hash=9519659821d985f82f6540b5c1194a505b686eb6)
In other words, "Don't answer now, go ahead and go back to your hut and rest the night. Meanwhile, I shall send some EGA babes in nomad bikinis to help you make up your minds."
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) And I, for one, would be perfectly okay with this.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F341_1.jpg&hash=01f1a9cdddf69f63a5f03a28369a01a0d0dfd0f3)
Hmm. Seems rather empty. Berift of both bosum babes and beds of any kind.
Ah well. When in Rome...or more accurately, in hippie-land...
There's enough time to rest for about six or so hours before he comes unceremoniously back into the hut, making demands.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F342_1.jpg&hash=337ac362018013ace8031f813146540a9c087c23)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_2.jpg&hash=a5e1dbb27f220244018ece0d335c2fff072f1326) AH! GODS. Can't a man wake up and have breakfast and nuzzle a lass's bosum or something first before we go RIGHT to business?!?
Well...the path to greatness is via XP. And XP is only had when the blood of your enemy's fresh corpses decorates the landscape. These weapons and spells weren't built to make the world a better place...so yeah, I guess we'll help these poor sods.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F343_1.jpg&hash=262b71c5711e39f4dc94656d9be2242d7dead141)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages-cdn.moviepilot.com%2Fimage%2Fupload%2Fc_fill%2Ch_816%2Cw_816%2Ft_mp_quality%2Fhan3_edited-star-wars-episode-7-han-chewie-s-excellent-adventure-solo-back-in-stormtrooper-armor-png-157928.jpg&hash=28922524bd85fa92272552339ebf706d469b828d) "Richly rewarded," eh? I dunno...I can imagine quite a bit.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F344_1.jpg&hash=ac967e3d600cbdab342ba75372af06e34dc4bd0a)
There's plenty of time to rest, actually. Since everyone already has spells memorized and we didn't have any encounters on the way up here, we're already at full strength. So time is passed resting in 6-hour chunks. It takes about 18 hours of in-game time to pass, so we probably do things like sharpen our weapons and watch MIRTH try to teach nomads how to karaoke and I guess sew sequins into their flowing robes or something.
Before long, though...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F345_1.jpg&hash=97d3e33688af169d758d53e9b892458dfea13859)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F346_1.jpg&hash=a91ae548ee611fa4ab946099b4442a21e3ed4dbc)
That "lone sentry" must have been a cook or weed grower or something. How anything can be cut down by mere KOBOLDS is beyond me!
Next...to battle!
Ah, my intrepid band of karoaking nomads! I shall lead them in lyrical battle!
Entry 21-B:
Kobold Apocalypse
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Gee, Grandpa, tell me a story again about what you did during the Moonsea Troubles!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Eh? What? Who are you? Why do you look like me and talk like you're eight years old?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Because you have dementia, Grandpa. I'm your grandson!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Oh yeah, that's right. Too many maces to the head, y'know.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Oh! I know! Tell me all about that time you and the Legion of Grogs helped those nomads fight off the horde of Kobolds!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Kobolds? Eh? You wanna hear 'bout them weak-ass monsters? Why? You some kinda pansy, boy?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Silly grandpa! Dementia is funny! (tee-hee)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Welp, fine, if'n it'll get ya t' shut yer trap n' let Grandpa have his 'potion' in peace...now, lessee...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F347.jpg&hash=a3d4cebfbc883936a604455cc6a01240ffd41fa9)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) There we was, all lined up as neat as you please, in the front line. That was 'cuz the nomads was jus' a buncha useless hippies armed with flutes an' bongos and wacky weed.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) What's 'wacky weed,' Grandpa?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Ask yer mom about it someday. Tyr knows she grew enough of the stuff t' supply half the Moonsea.
Now shuddup and listen...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F348.jpg&hash=7f8fd7be9c5f4931b7e0d1761d85694402b1e3dc)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Them thrice-damned dogmen was comin' at us, straight up th' middle. Hunnerts of 'em. 'N we, we was only, like six real warriors an' the rest of them tree-huggers.
Well..maybe five real warriors. But thas' a story fer another time...
Anyways, we's seen them comin', so we was ready. We was gonna wait n' use th' buildin's t' anchor our flanks and stuff, but at th' lass secon', I jist charged the bastards.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F350.jpg&hash=e1bdff2c563df25b67bccdfa56e4ed7b2cfced68)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Yessir, them Kobolds started t' howl and whine like th' danged dirty dogs they was at my approach.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F351.jpg&hash=af6b08da4f75b2d84615957023253711fbae1c2e)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Wow! What'd you do then, Grandpa?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) 'What'd I do?' You touched in the head, boy? What d'you think I did, eh? I slaughtered all them bastards! Started swingin' m'broad sword this way and that way...or wait, was it a Guisarme-Voulge? Y'know, I cain't rightly recall. There was this city guard back in Greyhawk, now he had a hell of a Guisarme-Voulge on him. All the ladies said so. Prolly why he broke up half the marriages in-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Grandpa!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Eh?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) The BATTLE...?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Oh, yeah...wellssir, I cut 'em all down. Made a buncha doggy parts, yessir I did!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F352_1.jpg&hash=9e84134730f4af64c95e7e4161aca10695373cf2)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) What about the others?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Eh? What others?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) You know, silly Grandpa! The LEGION!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Ohh-oh yeah. Yeah I guess they were around there, somewhere.
Now, I jus' took care o' them little doggies, n' I guess the resta the boys came up n' helped me a little. Jus' when we was thinkin' the dogs were done, someone let more o' them out, and along came another damned wave!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F354.jpg&hash=6994cd3c1ec34e6b1fee3598e95b483d9c12b886)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Well, we all done charged in agin, lookin' fer a tussle. More o' them hippie boys had our back, I guess. They was flingin' arrows left n' right, hittin' more dirt then they was bodies o' Kobolds, but they made a hit erry now n' agin.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F355.jpg&hash=68927956f5d0d0894372e9e5a437794841e6ce8a)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Now, guess what I done did, boy!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) (Gasp!) You CHARGED 'em?!?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F356.jpg&hash=ae06f05ff627d9f1bc31b6e3b1bbec6d513a1440)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Y'bet yer Beanie +1 I did, boy!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F357.jpg&hash=9cb6e827d0a4864143c7c334a360e9019b841364)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Ah yeah, I 'member our furry lil' midget man chargin' like a banshee, carvin' them Kobolds up like roast dinners. It was a sight to see, I tell you whut.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Wowwww!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Din't take long fer them mutts t' be put down, neither. We-all had such a pile o' dog parts, there was these restaurant folks owned by these Chin-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Grandpa! Mom says you shouldn't say mean things like that!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) What? It's a fictional world, boy! How kin ya get all offended n' stuff over a buncha danged jokes? Yew ain't even real no-how anyway. We mighta taken a Troll-sized hammer to the keister erry once 'n a whall, but I 'member all this stuff that didn't happen like it was yesterditty...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Uh...okay...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Anyway, after we-all beat down that thar second wave, danged if a third one wasn't a-comin' on!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F359.jpg&hash=5a838ff0f7f5814899233316a7e45df20a2d58f9)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F360.jpg&hash=1187e52742f7279e58a12fe5a624ac31f167655b)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Man, I tell you, it looked like the whole dang Kobold nation was a-comin' down on our heads! We was just gettin' done wipin' Kobold blood off'n our weapons when their leader, Arman, or Fabio, or Richard, or somethin' like that, came up t' us and said...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F361.jpg&hash=81ba89d9b3d82d22799b2a7f0588e3744f04f321)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC-KID.jpg&hash=ccab29ec76206312894c14c114c69967cc932502) Hot damn, Grandpa! You charged them, didn't you?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC%2520GP.jpg&hash=053382ae8cb0dea0b43c9f1e46781f6a106c9559) Damn right, boy!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F362.jpg&hash=5c2076c009caf912fac11d03ba2efdaf5c3e2215)
Genius. ;D
Damn that Gusinator is tough. And short.
I read all 10 pages today. A classic.
Recently though it has been:
Cry Havoc and Release the Pathetic Pups of Evil!!!!!!
Entry 22-C:
Criminal Butchery, then
Criminal Brawling
(which kinda sorta turned into Criminal Butchery itself)
(Thank you for putting up with that interlude. I hadn't planned on reporting it in that style until I was struck with inspiration at the very last moment.)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F363.jpg&hash=1037ac2ff16c38a2074bebe9eb2ae1044905954e)
For this last battle among the Nomads, a very large wave of Kobolds is approaching. However, we have one thing going for us:
...they're Kobolds.
Their lives are about to be worth less than a truckload of dead rats in a tampon factory.
Along with us, this time the nomads reveal some relatively 'real' warriors in the form of several 4th-level fighters. If we were able to defeat two hordes of just Kobolds with barely any help, these guys are going to help us clean up but good.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F364.jpg&hash=c1be8dceda47d6bda76b5ba648f2ef878da09d5d)
So instead of standing around and waiting for them to come to us, I did just what ol' Grandpa Banzai-Cat said in the last installment: charge 'em!
Thing is, NPCs are right bastards. They'll charge into any fray, even if hopelessly outnumbered. Had this been fifteen Black Dragons, I guarantee they'd all charge them pell-mell with little regard for tactics other than "charge straight ahead and see what happens." Very Soviet of them.
Anyway, it's an easy fight. As you saw above, GUSINATOR had a good hit. We were able to close the distance in a couple of rounds, with our final movement spent in that second round to get adjacent to the buggers, so we had to take what hits we could.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F365.jpg&hash=16fc979120cbd2f2eef0efee7761895a8afa4d06)
As you can see here, a 4th-level fighter NPC could probably take on this whole horde by themselves.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F366.jpg&hash=3487cc638d0c2afb8686d1ddfdaffd438806f477)
Hassad (that's his name, Grandpa) is the nomad leader, and he's even more of a badass than his 4th-level fighters.
Between the fighters, MIRTH, GUSINATOR, and BANZAI-CAT doing sweeps and cutting Kobolds down like ripe wheat before a scythe, it didn't take very long before these morale-challenged mutts started doing what they do best!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F367.jpg&hash=1e35659289535a98df0eff1cdd29baf24f1dd439)
The fight wasn't all that rewarding XP-wise; we each receive 489 XP.
As for monetary rewards, we looted 3,000 GP and 848 CP, a rather tidy sum. I can't imagine what this much loot was doing on Kobolds, but whatever. Maybe their Sarah McLachlan residual checks came in before the battle.
However, for helping the nomads out in that last battle, we received a LOT more reward across the board:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F370.jpg&hash=e814077ded1915f509ab99fc6e842c979e415729)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F371.jpg&hash=13e21d44750a7761e07a369a4aada713ec2a2035)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F372.jpg&hash=051e868928440cffff0ec778fc31a67460c002a2)
Not a bad haul.
In exchange, we had taken a few lumps, but nothing serious.
DIRTEN, our resident every-cleric-for-himself self-caster, was down to 3 HP.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/74/25/57/742557a72056b326b669f5bbb6fe7e61.jpg)
We headed back to Phlan to plan our next move, but I decided to make a detour before healing in an Inn.
We headed over into a tavern and started asking around for rumors. I wanted more leads just in case there were some other places we could visit out there in the wild. I also seem to remember there was one particular mission that wouldn't be unlocked unless it was revealed through a tavern tale.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F373.jpg&hash=b094236abf8c3e7950780ab5e9db4586b5fd707a)
Unfortunately, most of these so-called "tales" proved to sound pretty much just like this. Here's a sampling:
To the west lives a tribe of insect-men who worship normal men and give valuable gifts to all who visit them.
A vast fortress of Kobolds dominates the western tip of the great swamp. These normally weak creatures grow to great size and have extraordinary powers here.
To the east of Phlan lies a gleaming castle of gold that shifts its location from time to time.
Great treasures are to be found on the banks of the Barren River as one ventures northward.
Wells throughout the city often provide access to hidden dens and underground passages.
...
So basically, a bunch of bull-(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Femojipedia-us.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcache%2Fde%2Fca%2Fdecadd7edb6b1014ca0cb7a1afcb8ea3.png&hash=202eca589aadb02b5cf975b65d2ca1aa79513635).
This line of questioning, however, led me to another heretofore forgotten aspect of this game: "wearing out one's welcome."
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) Oi! You! Fancy-pants!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) Eh? Wot?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) Nooooo-wwww, not yew! YEW!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) Pardonnez-moi, monsieur. Je ne l'ai pas fait expres!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) Yer a fancy-talkin' boy too, huh? Hey fellas! We got ourselves bleedin' royalty over 'ere, we do!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) Oh s'il te plait!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) ...you know, yer not helpin' yer case any, sonny...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) Silly pirates! Such good-natured joshing!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) Mate, they ain't joshin', they's lookin' fer a fight...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) Oh of COURSE they're not looking for a fight! We're all here to have a good time, not hurt each other's feelings!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) ...err, well, now that yer friend here mentions it...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) Hmmm...Hey, Pirate Guy. Tell the fab one here (whisper whisper whisper whisper)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) ...wot?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) TRUST me, mucker. (turns around, takes out dagger, starts sharpening it)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC1.jpg&hash=970bb3d150b8df801dc21ef4b6750ebec25a4484) Now why in the bloody blue blazes of the fifteen hells would I wanna say, "Xanadu is the most overrated movie of all time?"
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) GASP...YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_2.jpg&hash=9b88b51ab349019f5fe372315bcf3f5e7f443f43) Heh-heh-heh...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) WELL...well...uh...WELL YOUR BREATH WOULD PUT AN OTYUGH OFF IT'S BREAKFAST!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC2.jpg&hash=f3270fdafed3156716adf1b02e8b381b416a3855) VAS IST LOS?!?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC3-BARKEEP.jpg&hash=acc54ff9550277e60c5025b31be3a811df829bb9) Now, now, George, we don' want no troubles...joo wreck-a da bar a-last time, I jus' pays it off!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC2.jpg&hash=f3270fdafed3156716adf1b02e8b381b416a3855) MY HONOR HAS BEEN OFFENDED!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_2.jpg&hash=64876ce2bbea78db7ba610b27a86d35fc258009a) So are our noses, sweetie...can you talk without opening your mouth?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC4.jpg&hash=4e4a9e8043f5f06c069731b9cd9ad2dcab3f852a) Yeah, whew...I'm not even IN this game, but I can smell you from clear over here!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC2.jpg&hash=f3270fdafed3156716adf1b02e8b381b416a3855) RRAAAAARRRRRR
Well...who REALLY knows how these things start, huh? O:-)
The longer story shorter, a WILD BIG HONKIN' BAR BRAWL APPEARS!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F378.jpg&hash=f12a82e5b0328a48398410c7f7449177b911dc60)
I really don't like bar brawls...they're a pain in the Otyugh.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ-NPC2.jpg&hash=f3270fdafed3156716adf1b02e8b381b416a3855) HEY
Oh...sorry! :-[
They're a pain in the butt.
The main reason is, as you can see, we're sandwiched in between two sides. It takes a few confusing rounds to get oriented, so that I can see that the NPCs behind our party (above them in the screenshots) are on our side, while the rest of the bar is packed with wild murderers spoiling for an ass-beating.
There's a LOT of them, too, so it takes a while. I'm of a mind to just close, but like a dummy, I didn't save recently...so I'll just have to see this one through I guess.
We manage to get through the fight and corner the remaining rabble-rousers, putting them to the sword. Which seems kind of non-Good. One would think those that run would surrender quickly but okay. Also, it's just a BRAWL, for goodness sake. Sure, blood's gonna get spilled, maybe a toof or two knocked out...but skewering each other on polearms and swords isn't exactly an expected outcome.
But hey, who am I to judge? XP!
Once the bar clears, it doesn't take long for the author-ih-tahhs to arrive to bust heads.
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Nope!
Don't need to be confronting the City Watch. The city is our bread and butter right now. I'm pretty sure if we fought them we MIGHT win, but I don't want to take that chance. Nor take the chance at flipping some hostile switch deep in all 256K of this game's memory, either.
(First though...note DIRTEN is at zero HP. Heh-heh-heh. Unfortunately, I went ahead and spent a round with one of the characters, bandaging him so he wouldn't die. Sigh. It wouldn't have been a Good thing to do, especially considering some of us weren't even getting our hands dirty, like BBMIKE. I just kind of moved him over to the side out of range and didn't bother with any spells in the Kobold battle. >:D)
So, we choose RUN.
We manage to get away safely. Funny story: we're right outside the tavern. How we managed to get away so quickly...and to just get away one space over...huh.
Guess I shouldn't ask too many questions, huh?
I immediately encamp and SAVE the darn game. Whew.
I saw your Buck Rogers there!
(Not a euphamism.)
Also, checking to see if delirium boy is named Leeroy... hmm....
This AAR reminds me of something that I loved and still love about Pool of Radiance. The rumors and whatnot that you picked up that had you read clips from that journal. Some of this game took place in your mind through the BS rumors and descriptions. As game design advanced, that "reading stuff" went away - especially stuff that was more BS than actually helpful in power-gaming to a win.
The older Elder Scrolls games still had that (Morrowind being the best example), but even they lost it more and more over time.
Pool of Radiance had bar rumors that were just nuts. But others that contained elements of what was going on in the world. It helped build a lot of atmosphere for the game that you don't see as much in more modern games that have a lot more eye candy.
...I take it you didn't actually read most of those books in Skryim, then. :buck2:
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 19, 2016, 07:02:35 PM
...I take it you didn't actually read most of those books in Skryim, then. :buck2:
I read the shorter ones. Bethesda goes way too much on "epic writing" and way too little on "weird rumors and stories." I'm not interested in a historical thesis on Tamerial - but bat-shit crazy bar rumors or snippets of gossip are awesome! When they have bits and pieces of what is actually going on in the story line - even better.
Once I discovered (in Skyrim) that opening the book immediately conveys the reward (skill boost, quest, whatever), I'd take it if I had room in inventory for it, to sell it later, or put it on a bookshelf in my house. In the later game, though, I don't even bother...just crack it open, receive reward, and drop it. But actually reading it? Ain't nobody got time for that.
Me too. PoE Also has lots of books to read. I feel a little guilty not reading them after somebody obviously went to a lot of trouble to write them. And some of the stories are pretty good. I'd forgotten about the Bar Brawl in PoR and that brought back some fun memories.
Quote from: airboy on February 19, 2016, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: JasonPratt on February 19, 2016, 07:02:35 PM
...I take it you didn't actually read most of those books in Skryim, then. :buck2:
I read the shorter ones. Bethesda goes way too much on "epic writing" and way too little on "weird rumors and stories." I'm not interested in a historical thesis on Tamerial - but bat-shit crazy bar rumors or snippets of gossip are awesome! When they have bits and pieces of what is actually going on in the story line - even better.
Speaking as someone who read most if not all of the vanilla Skyrim books (although I would only save them to read when I had time later), I can vouch that most of them are the equivalent of crazy bar rumors and snippets of gossip. ;)
The scope of that gossip and crazy rumors is much wider, of course, than what's going on in one particular town and its nearby countryside recently; and I definitely appreciated
that kind of... coziness?... from PoR, and missed it as the series naturally expanded to its own larger scopes. O:-) The Skyrim color texts naturally don't (usually) feature that kind of coziness (for want of a better word), although even then there are notes and things lying around that have trivial and semi-trivial local importance. And books will give bits and pieces that turn out to be relevantly true for a surprisingly local context
somewhere else once discovering that area. But still, the effect isn't the same, I know.
Entry 23-a:
The Not-So-Grateful Dead.
After narrowly dodging a full-on brawl and heavily-armed City Watch looking to end the revelry, and knowing our characters are still too weak to take on the Kobold Camp...
(...that just kills me to admit...%&%#**@# Trolls...)
...I decided to move the party after the graveyard in the north of the city.
But first, we had a few administrative things to do.
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Our adventures in slaughtering low-level Kobolds has netted us a grateful City, apparently. That's one less group that can join the Boss now.
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Not too bad, considering we didn't get much XP for our butchery.
The Clerk told us of a new mission:
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I believe I've pieced together that this heir is either in the Cadorna Textile House, the only area of Uncivilized Phlan that I've yet to visit, or in the Buccaneer Base, to the west of Phlan.
I'm thinking he's not in the Cadorna Textile House, because we already have a mission to find some uppity noble's lost make-up/treasure box that's somewhere in that block. Apparently, he sent a hero in to go after it, and hasn't heard back from the guy in a while. Go figure. But, this is a mission for another time. I'm focused on the Graveyard.
We encamp in town, heal up, and memorize spells. I also equip that Two-Handed Sword +1/+3 Vs. Undead in BANZAI-CAT's hands, as it will be a needed advantage.
Here's a little background:
The Valhingen Graveyard is a cauldron overflowing with undead. Ever since the Boss' forces stopped patrolling the graveyard after the Flight of the Wyrms, undead in increasing numbers have been seen in and around the graveyard. They have even crossed the river into the city. The Boss will not send his evil clerics into the graveyard; he is fearful that they will take control of the undead and turn them against him. He has also found his normal troops unsuccessful in stemming the undead tide. So for now, he ignores the problem.
The city council has taken a greater and greater interest in the graveyard as they began to retake the city. When the undead only bothered the monsters it wasn't a problem, but now zombies and wights travel near the reclaimed areas of the city. Previous parties sent into the graveyard have not come back. The city council has hired the party to deal with the problem. Hold off on entering the graveyard until the city council has given the party a two-handed sword +1/+3 vs. undead and several scrolls with restoration spells.
The graveyard is teeming with skeletons, zombies, wights, and even worse undead. There's obviously something that is central to their existence, perhaps a lich, or evil wizard (duh), or some other unknown force. Whatever it is, we assume that dealing with it (i.e. 'chopping it into tiny bits') will cause the threat to vanish and turn the Graveyard back into what it does best...being a place to bury bodies and for amateur ghost hunters to ooh and ahh over floating orbs they capture on film that are probably just light reflections in the lens.
Be that as it may, we take the boat over to the north side of the bay.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F391.jpg&hash=a3742925fdec0ddab5fc37bad8fdb4301f65d9a2)
We head in.
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Sigh. We're stuck in an 80s zombie movie...
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...okay, we're in an 80s MTV video.
Whatever happens, we'll be ready for it.
Which means, immediately saving the dang game.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F394.jpg&hash=b5bf04f1b28390a0a5f2d2e588f68a863a0492bb)
Dibs on the Ghost Tour rights after it's cleared.
Entry 23-b:
Death Becomes Them.
Saving the game here is highly important, since these undead a-holes can drain levels. I do have a plethora of Restore scrolls, courtesy of the Phlan City Council On Keeping The Dead Dead, but I usually completely forget about these.
Before we move on, first things first.
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That two-handed sword will come in handy here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F396.jpg&hash=4c2d97792bb194ce247893a557c0138bb29f0b36)
The atmosphere here is oppressive, choking; we can all feel the watchful eyes of spirits on us, causing hairs to raise up on the backs of our necks (and the hairs on GUS's chest to equally get aroused).
Each step here is a chore. Maps of the Graveyard - rough though they may be - reveal a twisting, winding trail to follow, passing through a narrow path between cracked and aged tombstones and massive burial chambers with dark, gaping maws for entrances. Even the inanimate objects look alive, frightening, and more than willing to end our lives and count us among the local undead population.
It doesn't take long before the locals find us.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F397.jpg&hash=e1c1c5b2d86eefd5562a8adbd18725233d8262db)
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A horde of skeletons, sounding like so many windcharms as the howling breezes blow through their empty chests and skulls, descends upon us.
Skeletons really are not much of a threat, in and of themselves. They're very vulnerable to blunt weapons and to magic weapons attuned to the undead, but other 'regular' magic edged weapons and normal weapons don't do much to them.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F399.jpg&hash=8eaf6b03349447b4905654f0dd65d043b7021108)
Plus, in great numbers, they have an annoying habit of hitting and doing damage.
We do, however, have two Clerics in our midst, and TURNING them will even the odds greatly.
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KYZBP grabs his holy symbol (no, the OTHER holy symbol), concentrates furiously, and chants the words needed to bring his deity's holy light to the area!
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Many of the skeletons are indeed turned, but the result is that many of them are trapped and cannot flee.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F404.jpg&hash=13287f145e0e60116079ec241fdb0ccfb67b24a7)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F405.jpg&hash=dd97796d079adfd176fc0647167b67c5b1b0491b)
Sadly, if a TURNED creature cannot flee, and is right next to a character...it gets to attack.
Meanwhile, that two-handed sword that has a sharp-on for the undead does a good job of clearing some of the Skeletons out.
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Meanwhile, BBMIKE bravely brings up the rear.
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His spells won't have much of an effect on the Skeletons. Well...the Fireball spell might, but that's like using a flamethrower to destroy an ant hill. It might be fun to do a little BBQ, but it uses up the valuable Fireball spell.
Skeletons in the graveyard serve to slow parties down. They will ambush the party constantly in the early part of the Graveyard, seeking to reduce hit points and spells. No one can rest safely in the Graveyard, at least to my knowledge. We could leave to rest up and memorize spells, but returning means having to start at square one and move through the gauntlet of Skeletons again. Plus, the undead get significantly harder the further into the Graveyard you go. So, no spells for BBMIKE, at least not now.
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The Skeletons to the back of the horde, though, do manage to flee, and some get away. I'm fine with that. If the Skeletons were unable to flee because of a wall, though, we'd have to approach them, and since monsters go into Guarded mode if they cannot get away, they'll get a free swing at anyone moving adjacent to them.
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Inevitably, the Skeleton horde is chopped into bony bits, and we slowly but surely move forward against the onslaught.
Guess what? DIRTEN gets in on the act, too!
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Uhh...dude, Hold Person doesn't work against undead.
So glad you're here, NPC!
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A few more swings and the Skeletons are eventually reduced to nothing. We've managed to win this first encounter, but they did get a few good hits in, and there's a long way to go before we can clear this Graveyard.
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Also, Skeleton XP is worth basically squat.
After casting a few Healing spells to bring a banged-up GUSINATOR's HP to a better neighborhood, and saving the game, we take literally one step into the next square, and get this result.
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They're green, so they're probably Zombies.
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Yep. Zombies. Essentially the same as Skeletons, Zombies are damage-soakers and spell-wasters, looking to slow us down and drain us of resources. They're worth slightly more XP though.
They have the same wearing numbers, too.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F424.jpg&hash=df0868218267871bba18c051e6db3f1ea15db168)
They're also just as susceptible to Turning, and more susceptible to edged weapons than Skeletons, so they're easier to dispatch.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F429.jpg&hash=bdf1d8544f7f0fcadc4f4b3ea00bf0a06896dfa6)
By the way, I like how the game describes undead as 'dying.' ;D
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F435.jpg&hash=d70cffa031eb89a9a7ae5a08e80723f43fecbc1a)
Did I say they were worth more XP? Well...yeah, they are. Technically, I guess.
After destroying that Zombie horde, we continue down the waving, cracked path through the Graveyard. Having entered and turned south, going through the first Skeleton ambush, we hit the southern end by some tombs, which is where that Zombie horde got us. The path continues north and turns sharply east, among other tombs and crumbling structures.
That's where the biggest, most horrid pain in the butt part of the game happens.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F436.jpg&hash=dba2a0f3bce7e0fec3af0f8ff739fa0be8a6e841)
These guys are royal bastards.
"KYZBP grabs his holy symbol (no, the OTHER holy symbol), concentrates furiously, and chants the words needed to bring his deity's holy light to the area!"
It's easy to confuse the 2 given their similar shape and size.
One hand or two?
DIRTEN is the most useless party companion ever.
Does the rest of the group at least taunt him?
You gotta admire those zombies. They're not much in a fight but they sure are color-coordinated well.
Entry 23-c:
A Fate Worse than a Thousand Deaths.
Now it's time for your favorite "reality" show where the only thing 'Real' is the plastic bits holding up their saggy skin and droopy old woman bewbs, or the collagen injections in their lips making them look like wrinkly Muppets from Hell...it's...
The Real Housezombies of Phlan County
And nooowwww, for the Biggest Douchebag Announcer on BravoTV or anywhere else...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=04002066cd4cf860e74c5ab097aac619c08308c9) We can attest to this.
...it's that Forgettable Leering Guy!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) (breathes heavily)
Someone hit him...
WHACK
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Hello, it's me, The Douchebag Announcer. You're probably wonder who I really am. Who could I be? Could I be the innocent looking KYZBP? Would you trust a girl who looked like Prince Valiant in a plum sweater?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp_4.jpg&hash=bc0e7548a79c70ef9f15efafaa6297dbbdc3e299) Jeepers, mister!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Maybe I'm MIRTH, a "man" who was once arrested for corrupting the morals of a hooker.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Hey, he SAID he was a woman...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Then there's B_C, with an I.Q. of a handball and the personality of a parking meter: violated!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) I can neither confirm nor deny this. (*ding*)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Could I be the rogue BARTHHEART, a man who keeps cheese in his underwear to attract mice?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_3.jpg&hash=a910c0f4586e577aceb254a9d1a43c4d7e6a2f16) Cor blimey, mate...wewll...it gets awful lonely, y'know? Oi, don' judge now...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Let's not forget BBMIKE, mage by day and mage by night. Ah, BBMIKE; he eats 12 prunes a day and nothing happens.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike_3.jpg&hash=8ab82262cb3e4da3b6f2eb9d439aacfc013b00f6) ...well, I wouldn't say NOTHING happens...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) And then there's GUSINATOR, a man who sleeps with his nuts in between horse head bookends.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Gus_3.jpg&hash=90003a8470b57220ded5570ef86124ce31ec31e3) They're already the size o' bloody cannonballs, laddie...the horse head bookends keep me level!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) But we're here to talk to the REAL stars of the show, the REAL HOUSEZOMBIES!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Eww-Mah-Gerd, I thought yew'd NEVER get to us...(tries to flip hair, hair comes out in clumps with rotting skin attached)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) So you guys REALLY hate this party of adventurers, eh?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Yas! They, like, totally, like, came up the street and were all, like, "OMG, give us your loot," and we were all like, "OMG, no wayyyyyy..."
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F437.jpg&hash=4aa5d0d3dfe4ef28c820cc11cd97c61adba60cac)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Yaaaa, one of them, like, toootally flipped out when Lexi was all like, 'bring it on,' and Sharpay was all, "Gurrr-OWL."
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F442.jpg&hash=77224302eb526cc75580a976b16af96a3a742536)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) But they totally couldn't hit the broad side of like, a...a...umm...like, where the stinky farm animals live...?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Yaa, and then Brook'Lynn came running out of the Chanel store still like totally half in her dress. Ahahahaha!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) So, Brylee...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Nooo, I'm Joplyn! OMG.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Sorry, all you Housezombies look alike...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) OMG, Yankee, he did not totally just say that.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) He totally did, Joplyn! But, like, anyway, some of the other girls got in on the action...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F444.jpg&hash=5b2b5e96e6c15848a8b5919fd59d0fad0730d6b9)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp_4.jpg&hash=bc0e7548a79c70ef9f15efafaa6297dbbdc3e299) Gosh-darnit all to fizzle-fazzle!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) And they got a few good licks in too, didn't they?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F443.jpg&hash=a4f86b16580602f4f880efb0bb2e62006d1025cb)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) Well, that blonde one could totally get HIS licks in anytime he wants (giggle)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Zombie.jpg&hash=dc7376268abf4a940f3fe0d00bdf1cee24b0c33d) OMG, Harvest! You're such a rotten slut! (tee-hee)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) So, for the adventurers...is it true it took you MORE than 30 tries to get past these Housezombies?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Umm...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_3.jpg&hash=a910c0f4586e577aceb254a9d1a43c4d7e6a2f16) Well, they WERE a bunch'a bloody undead, innit?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) Yeah, well...our guide rage quit at LEAST 30 times because the damnable Wights kept getting hits in and draining levels.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) And we DID finally, eventually, get rid of them all. No thanks to DIRTEN.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) At one point we dumped DIRTEN, but that actually made things worse, so we tried again with him and FINALLY beat those annoying bastards.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F472.jpg&hash=77a42eeeeb2060ee48682ecd83be093ae89d7132)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Major%2520Douchebag.jpg&hash=140cc8bc10cb4c050aa2ba46949695cb0ded3ebb) Well it looks like you got kinda screwed on the XP after having to futz with that one encounter so many times...maybe we'll find out more next time on the REAL HOUSEZOMBIES OF PHLAN COUNTRY! Or maybe not, because this bit probably just wore out its rather long welcome.
^hahaha! Awesome!
Congrats on the win against these very tough enemies. How well I remember getting my living ass handed to me by these un-dead without any asses. O0
Entry 23-d:
Graveyards Suck.
I really wasn't kidding in that last post. I actually stopped counting after 30 tries at defeating the Wights et al at that bend. I did drop DIRTEN at one point but strangely, things actually got much, much worse. So I went back to the save point and didn't drop DIRTEN and maybe three tries later, we finally beat their butts. I remembered the underlying feeling of why the Graveyards were something I really didn't want to go through, but the lure of XP and treasure was too much to pass up. Our average level right now is 5th, so imagine trying this as 2nd or 3rd-level characters!
After the damnable Wights were defeated, we turned towards the huge black marble crypt the undead had fought so hard to keep us out of. The doorway was straight out of a Vlad the Impaler nightmare, but you know D&D...treasure!
Inside it wasn't very impressive; piles of broken marble and underlying brick and trash strewn throughout the large, single-room interior...with a coffin, of all things, right in the center.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F473.jpg&hash=a0a73c0e43eff7db08c8a8d1e9633e15b60d3688)
So it looks like some ghost hunters used the coffin as their trash can. Either that, or the dust could mean the remains of something far more frightening, especially with the broken holy stuff strewn about inside. Though...why would the holy symbols be broken? If they were effective at doing their job(s), wouldn't they be whole?
Then, of course, there's the scroll itself.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F474.jpg&hash=561d402061188767126fb83600fda0584e1219ac)
Of course we read it. There is no such thing as a right to privacy in the D&D world.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F475.jpg&hash=13a64e759a4cdfca90aa4d25532ef5855db5a46e)
Journal Entry 43
A loosely wrapped scroll.
'Aramalg-the-Good, paladin and brother of Taimalg-the-Invincible, and Sarasim of Teshwave, the high priestess of Sune, attacked the denizens of the Valhingen Graveyard with a holy vengeance. They cam in search of Taimalg and his mercenary band, who assaulted the graveyard and did not return.
'Sarasim used her holy power to dissipate and turn the undead that confronted them. Aramalg wielded his vorpal sword and slew the few that fought her power.
'Together, Aramalg and Sarasim penetrated the graveyard to an evil marble crypt.
Uh-oh. That sounds familiar.
'They found and splintered an empty coffin, blessing the remains and sprinkling it with holy water. Then they confronted the owner of the coffin, a creature of great evil and the leader of the undead in Valhingen, an ancient vampire. The three began a furious melee.
'The vampire was swayed by Aramalg and Sarasim's power, but would not be turned. The vampire shouted, "I have defeated Taimalg and his warriors, I will defeat the brother of Taimalg as well!"
'The vampire summoned an army of rats and tried to charm Sarasim to his side, but to no avail. Sarasim resisted his charm and Aramalg charged through the massed vermin. The vampire fell before the mighty blows of Aramalg's holy sword and Sarasim's enchanted mace.
'Defeated, the ancient vampire dissolved into gas and fled to his coffin. Finding the coffin destroyed he returned to solid form and screamed. Seizing the moment Aramalg grabbed the vampire and held him with all his strength. Sarasim ran up and drove an oaken stake through the vampire's heart.
'Aramalg and Sarasim performed the proper rituals to banish the vampire forever. Then, wounded, Aramalg and Sarasim left Valhingen Graveyard. It was beyond their power to completely cleanse the evil place, but they had extracted proper vengeance for the death of Tiamalg and his troops.'
Okay, so the black marble crypt has to be this one, and this trashed coffin has to be the 'ancient vampire's,' so...what in the lower planes is holding the undead rooted to this graveyard? Usually it is a single creature of great power (D&D cliche alert!), but if these two destroyed the vampire, then surely its hold on the undead would have evaporated?
Surely then, something even worse must be in charge. Or something of equal worse-ness. We could only guess, though we felt we were close to the end of this unholy place.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F476.jpg&hash=f2d779a9ab738cdb74dd2da7f039e7df31615624)
Well...it doesn't look like we can really do anything with this coffin that wasn't already done, other than turn it into toothpicks or perhaps little souvenirs to sell to the shops of Phlan. (Note to selves: we should start an adventuring LLC when we wrap up this mess. Yes, yes, I know it's technically been done before, and by people far, far more famous, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't invest in our future.)
Sure, why not? Let's...uh...do something to the coffin. ^-^
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F477.jpg&hash=277127af6e852922d7e59d01c828b715e666eb9d)
Examine it, I guess...?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F478.jpg&hash=e84ec859b75019da513c7c23134c9dfcb6d0986f)
Well alrighty then. Thanks, D&D, for getting my hopes up and making me think there's treasure in there. Fargin' bastiges!
I try again, and this time we go ahead and choose to Sanctify it, even though it's already been Sanctified. I think. If the game is giving me this option, this means there's probably something out there using it.
Also, since the Journal Entry stated that the adventurers had 'splintered' the coffin...and here, we have an intact coffin...hmm. Sounds like another Creature Of The NightTM has taken up residence, here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F479.jpg&hash=61030dc0f2cee5ce241622de9ffe2c627ceca8c4)
So that's done, then. We continue.
We are now in the northeast part of the graveyard, where the roundabout path leads. We found several other, smaller crypts strewn along our path to this point, but we'd ignored them as they were probably strongholds of some very nasty, level-draining undead.
This time, though, we couldn't resist to examine one of the crypts.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F480.jpg&hash=3ae3fe0da42dc4a5e7bfa9fd651a5ebcccec1c2e)
Normal doors = normal treasure.
Huge doors = more treasure.
Metal doors = METAL TREASURE! \m/
Except it's just a crypt, and there's ghostly ghost type things taking umbrage to our unannounced entry.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F481.jpg&hash=f5ed9720b990429c15d3ed3edf4eb86d11185ec6)
Turns out it's a couple of Spectres.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F482.jpg&hash=778eb2b488dc2be7c2213f6a8468287e893e6785)
Our hatred of the movie by the same name is channeled through our array of magical weaponry, going off on their undead behinds.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F484.jpg&hash=7fd53ec0b10a8156a9c36708e8b3bee31e5963e9)
Two "SPECTRES" are worth 580 XP. Not great, not bad.
We exit the crypt. There are a few other structures here in this part of the graveyard, and we figure the thing we're looking for is here, somewhere. So we pick another building and head inside.
A short hallway ends in a set of stairs, which we climb to find another short hallway that has a dead end.
'Dead' end. Get it? Because there's totally something dead talking to us there.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F486.jpg&hash=ae3c3809951af4005b12e9029cb5aea502ee94b0)
Treasure?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F488.jpg&hash=3febfa801f7af19dc769b077f66ab7e2b6262f9d)
TREASURE!
The scrolls have Restoration spells on them. I'll have to get the equipment identified in town, but the Plate Mail is surely magical (as is the rest of it). B-C puts on the Plate Mail, of course. :)
After this building, we found another one with a lone Spectre and a lot of coin treasure...a nice find. I'd show you a screenshot but Photobucket is once again being a PITA and making me do chicanery at this point to get my screenshots uploaded.
Don't worry though, we're near the end of this. The next post will wrap things up. I hope.
Another exciting adventure of "Poking around the dead is not a good idea in D&D!"
Entry 23-e:
"e" as in "ending, finally"
Cleaning Up The Town.Down to one final building - this one of course in the far northeast of our northeastern area - we approach the building with the solitary, unassuming door.
No doubt a perfect place for the Head Dead to hide out.
Opening the door, we're greeted with a blank wall. Being a master of cartography (or, in other words, graph paper), it's easy to tell there's a hidden space, so we press against the walls until one gives way to a dank passageway...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F496.jpg&hash=58d0473a70918ff4f3f555b8e06fc2464c2c9d52)
Not the most ostentatious of surroundings...it speaks more to a Buffalo Bob type than a Head Dead type. But be that as it may, we head down the wooden steps into the darkness.
And, sure enough...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F497.jpg&hash=efdca984b735c70a1e830cb3dca6a6774f2d29fc)
He's nothing like the storybook vampires, thank goodness. No preamble, no sparkling, no long-winded poetic speech, just straight to the combat.
Well, straight to the combat with him and his hell-beast doggies.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F498.jpg&hash=628cf657966a74d3b1f188639ca882b41b5c9617)
The funny thing...the REALLY funny thing...is that this guy is a pushover. After ALL the grief the rest of this damned graveyard gave me, this vampire went down pretty easily.
And so did his little dogs, too.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F499.jpg&hash=41d26fbf12a1ccbbf332c0d9a7da62f2e289293e)
No sooner than his hell-dogs shuffling off this mortal coil does Mr. Vlad turn into a giant fart and float away on the breeze. Or whatever counts as a breeze down in a pit.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F501.jpg&hash=fad140541117919a5d00256b98b042551a0be97c)
Of course, there's really only one option he has...and that is to float his gassy ass back to the crypt where the coffin was located.
So, we high-tail it back there, arriving just in time.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F502.jpg&hash=c4088707e6ff3001fa376cc6496d590bf2f584dd)
Yeah, we kind of figured that part out.
He wasn't happy with us having recently decorated his coffin in shades of Vatican Violet, and he started another battle with us.
And he went down just as quickly and easily.
I do recall from previous play-throughs that there's a message displayed saying something about how the air itself seems to lighten and relief floods through the graveyard upon the vampire's passing. However, nothing like this happens in my game. The place remains dark and foreboding.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F504.jpg&hash=fce9de46bacb6a759e389b6c24e1a046e8a376de)
As a test I go through some of the crypts, but find absolutely nothing. I have the party traipse through the gravestones shouting all kinds of insults in various languages, and nothing. The place is still creepy as hell, but instead of being D&D creepy, it's more middle-school-urban-legend-rumor creepy now.
But we do get credit for clearing the graveyard, as events in Phlan will prove. I will show what happens in the next post, but for now, consider the graveyard to be cleared.
Yaaahhh. Now we can start selling real estate here for some real treasure. "BC Estates". :coolsmiley:
One thing about living in Phlan I never could stomach: all the damn vampires.
Quote from: mirth on March 28, 2016, 09:28:29 AM
One thing about living in Phlan I never could stomach: all the damn vampires.
O0 +1
At least the Vampire was not 500 years old, ruggedly handsome, and trying to date obnoxious teenage females.
Twilight - the real horror story.
Quote from: airboy on March 28, 2016, 12:39:46 PM
At least the Vampire was not 500 years old, ruggedly handsome, and trying to date obnoxious teenage females.
Twilight - the real horror story.
No, he was 50 years old, ruggedly handsome, and trying to... date, for want of a better word, obnoxious teenage males.
(...um, we're talking about
Lost Boys and not the game, right?)
Entry 24:
Interluuuuuuuuude
After returning from the riot of insanity that was Valig Valin VanHalen the Graveyard, we hesitantly step into Phlan's City Hall, second-guessing ourselves and wondering if we'd actually cleared the place out.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F505.jpg&hash=e7c1526d5fadfc0b99ff46dae391a79ffbaa0725)
Oh yeah, Proclamation CXXIX...well, that's a little weird, because it has to do with the poisoning of the river, which we've long since dealt with. I think the Phlan City Council needs to hire non-union labor to put their posters up, because these guys be slackin'.
Anyway, we stride into the City Clerk's chambers like we own the place.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F506.jpg&hash=fcfef28c7c3682078d2ef4486bd600c89d48f7a6)
Turns out our/my fears were totally unfounded, it seems. We did clear the place up.
And no, I'm not going to go back to see for sure. Fook that place.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F507.jpg&hash=ea4d77b84216ff89d6f258104abe998081b5924e)
Wow...that almost makes it worth it.
But she offers us no treasure in the deal. Just as we're beginning to go all 'WTF...'
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F508.jpg&hash=d8a87ee5253ad0591efaba283585ceb3a983c061)
Well, that's more like it, then!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F509.jpg&hash=b532b764844f20d49f9fc87c00a5f24ccd540036)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fimages.hitfix.com%2Fassets%2F2059%2Fkeanu2.gif&hash=5ede8b0edfc1ec6e30aff8c8bd4ca260dbed6c3d)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F510.jpg&hash=cffe0e2ca1c429f5bc5dc881fb8caaeb91a8d818)
(https://weeklydevotion.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/ccf3tao.gif)
At this point, I'm pretty certain we could all move the hell away from this Gods-forsaken place and buy most of Greyhawk, populate it with gold highways and taverns with serving wenches and huge...tracts of land...
...but no, that's the Dark Side calling to us, and as Good characters (well, mostly Good anyway), we have to finish what we started. It's a nice thought, but doesn't make much for an entertaining AAR unfortunately. Or moderately entertaining.
Now, it's time to go level up, because we just got a slew of XP and have more than enough gold to pay for it all, ten times over. :)
First up, we have BBMIKE.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F511.jpg&hash=ffc2495ac8e8d490230844d402b0caf2699f1367)
Boom.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F512.jpg&hash=ca9c25c3533ff536013891bddfbfcf1e2ca65a5a)
Nope, not feeling any of those...moving down the list...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F513.jpg&hash=10b55527ee1f401af7f9f06c2a0e938ad5509de5)
YES.
LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT!
And the rest of the Gang Of Idiots:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F514.jpg&hash=5c86122c0ebad7edc610ab4ec104a32384361d63)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F517.jpg&hash=8b88a249b6416105bc2d0f82d6ff3038b113db6e)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F516.jpg&hash=6505635660634a56e04186ac68e4224262b42d39)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F518.jpg&hash=4961f477ddaa8776e28da02163b4e1c350d99799)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F515.jpg&hash=884f158c0567f33075a8b0c2a80682d717b31a45)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.a10talk.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F06%2Fimages.jpeg&hash=85612fcd2bcad84dd45985d35c9a4fd3a73c0d4f)
Entry 25-a:
Buttoning Up The Next Spoolish Mission.
We're running out of things to do, but there's still several choices. I decide to keep it in the Slums and go after the Cadorna Textile House next.
We were tasked by Junior Councilman Cadorna, the last heir to the original Cadorna family fortune (and gee, who DOESN'T know about that), to go and fetch something.
He had sent an adventurer (yes, singular) to the ruined remains of his family's holdings, but the guy hasn't returned. (Go figure.) He wants us to go in there and find both the hired adventurer (or his remains) as well as the Cadorna family treasure. He offers to pay us generously for the return of both.
Money really isn't a huge desire at this point, but hey, cash is cash. Plus good deed for rescuing/scooping up the innards of the deceased single adventurer he sent in there in the first place.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F519.jpg&hash=4edeb92e306a7be862f1f7346fc768cf267a9e7f)
The thing is, there's really not much here to be worried about. It's a standard block with standard monsters that, at this point, pose very little challenge for us.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F520.jpg&hash=0e0f145a0e9361e8aceaa130debda7e351088dba)
As these hobgoblins are about to find out, starting a fight with us at a distance isn't necessarily a better choice than starting one up close and personal. Just for funzies, I create a line between the walls, and these distant Hobbos charge us.
The results are pretty much what I expected. As soon as they get within reach of any of our characters, they're turned into Swedish meatballs.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F524.jpg&hash=2811cd3ac10f83d06e37c4397fe27ca8607075f4)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F523.jpg&hash=c2809c77e25179ff005c295a56061e7ae900658f)
MIRTH and his faaaaabulous +1 Scimitar even get in on the act, as you can see above.
I won't even bother showing you screenshots of the so-called "treasure." A few hundred pieces of copper and a few dozen silver...it's hardly worth the encumbrance to pick it up! Funny how things look different from this end of the level spectrum as opposed to starting out at 1st level and picking up every sword to sell for a pittance back at the shops of Phlan.
Cadorna Textile House is a maze of buildings and alleyways, not making much sense in structure; we wander around and pick up some random encounters that are hardly worth the effort, eventually making our way to the southernmost building. In our wanderings, we get a lot of screaming, charging Hobgoblins. Each time, I just line our guys up and put them in 'Guarding' status, so when the Hobgoblin wave hits us, it pretty much fizzles before it does anything of value.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F539.jpg&hash=26116b394a1555c2d7d6ad7e1efd3fca2c79b634)
We enter from the far east side and make our way deeper into the structure, eventually finding what looks like a kitchen.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F528.jpg&hash=45aedba59717dcdb1895ca39788c6092e32d1767)
A closer inspection reveals some rather ghastly items intended for the local denizen's menu:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F529.jpg&hash=15c40cf9cd48f20310c1a67e26ed5593f7b9628d)
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/6b/c9/63/6bc963fd5294ed065cfd5ac1c5805364.jpg)
Moving into a hallway off of the kitchen...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F530.jpg&hash=d52a1c2aae2ee4a1024b3d9c3945356dbc7ae361)
Dark objects = VALUABLE TREASURE, right?
Not in this case.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F531.jpg&hash=d3a310a60a4c364f408d0eabfb6bd3663d4d925e)
Wow. That's just nasty. Crushing a monster's skull and using his bloody head like a marker to write his name on the wall. I guess whomever SKULLCRUSHER is, he at least spelled everything right.
This could be our missing adventurer. Maybe. I mean, even an adolescent can crush a Hobgoblin skull, so that's hardly impressive. Still, it's a clue.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F532.jpg&hash=fb29213f9bf0121fdf6fc5875c1ae364cb8b10b7)
Okay, really?
Searching it reveals nothing, of course. Leaving us an option to destroy it is somewhat baffling, because...why would you want to destroy something as random and minor as that? As opposed to leaving it? And possibly allowing Tiamat or something major to drop a turd bomb on the Textile House and leave a smoking crater a mile wide?
This is how paranoid D&D minds think, you know.
Eventually we head to the other side of the square, exiting the southern building, to explore the structures on the western side. We haven't cleared the entirety of the southern building yet.
Stepping into one on the west side, we find a sh*thole hostile hostel.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F557.jpg&hash=9f7851ece5b61d44ad8e0eb740785843dcc640aa)
And guess what?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F558.jpg&hash=0fab3367ab318d6f8875351f781481098c51dba4)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.kym-cdn.com%2Fentries%2Ficons%2Foriginal%2F000%2F007%2F666%2F_57c8a1a431a592af806925e57258202f.png&hash=2361120c614b0602d2a9702dafcf74b93ea9754b)
Advance!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F559.jpg&hash=33f2e30596ac236d9f140bc124c2e45634d4103f)
Parlay! (snicker)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F560.jpg&hash=445246072345c44c16e23f185b0c939d08551ddb)
Gee whiz. We tried to spare their lives. Maybe not too hard, but we tried!
Since this is a barracks, there's a LOT of the boogers here.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F561.jpg&hash=71ec952d862f59a24c9a547e91f99627213da1a5)
That pretty much just means more target practice for us.
It doesn't take long to clear them out.
Exploring the rest of the building, we find a door off of the barracks that leads into another, even larger room.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F563.jpg&hash=b17211a10802f913e36e583cfe93c80f2eb74ef1)
'Disquiet' is pretty much what I feel when I have to go into my son's room for any reason, let alone adventurers in a pig-pen of a building overrun by Hobgoblins.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F564.jpg&hash=06250ccdf3f270be8f75d77e9709c4f19f51a944)
Why, don't YOU have a purty mouth, boy! Err...girl?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) I AM THE MIGHTY GRISHNAK! HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT! FEEL MY...MY...
UH...
MIRTH?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) ...Hmm? Who? Wait, ME?!?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) UH, HELLO? GRISHNAK?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) GRISHNAK. YOU KNOW. VELVET SPIKE CLUB.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) ...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) RADIGAST CITY. YOU KNOW. YOU COME TO CLUB. YOU BUY GRISHNAK DRINK. YOU ALREADY IN THE CUP.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Oh, wait...uh...maybe?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) REALLY?!? YOU TELL GRISHNAK SHE...SHE HAVE PRETTsniff...PRETTIEST GREEN EYES...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Oh...green...sure...?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) YES. YOU TELL GRISHNAK PRETTY GREEN EYES THAT MAKE ALL LANDS LOOK LIKE GRAY-HAWK. YOU USE PLAY ON WORDS.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Barth_3.jpg&hash=a910c0f4586e577aceb254a9d1a43c4d7e6a2f16) A pun, eh? No doubt that's you, mate.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Please. MIRTH has left his mark up and down the Nyr Dyv.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) GRRRRRRR
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike_3.jpg&hash=8ab82262cb3e4da3b6f2eb9d439aacfc013b00f6) 'Scuse me, barkeep...five orders of popcorn, if you please...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) YOU SAY YOU COME BACK.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Well, you see...uh...babe...?...Uh...I kinda got busy with this here adventurin' gig, you know how it is...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) YOU TELL GRISHNAK YOU MARRY HER!!!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Whoa, whoa, whooooaaa, darlin'...you know, I, uh...that can't be me, 'cause MIRTH gotta be free...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) Free. FREE?!?!?!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Kyzbp_4.jpg&hash=bc0e7548a79c70ef9f15efafaa6297dbbdc3e299) Golly, Mister MIRTH! I'd be GLAD to perform the ceremo-
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Not NOW, goody two-shoes...!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) YOU SHOW GRISHNAK NIGHT OF PASSION AND LOVE UNLIKE NO FOUL BEAST EVER GIVE GRISHNAK BEFORE!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) (snicker)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) YOU MAKE GRISHNAK'S LADY PARTS QUIVER LIKE GELATINOUS CUBES
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) Well...y'know, that does sound like me, but...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch2.jpg&hash=710b4babb343caaadb6903cfc6f3d22499a67761) DADDY?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) OMG WTH
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) HERE IS RESULT OF BOUNTIFUL LOVE UNION TRYST THAT BROKE ALL RACE BARRIERS
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BBmike_3.jpg&hash=8ab82262cb3e4da3b6f2eb9d439aacfc013b00f6) 'Scuse me, barkeep...better make that another five rounds of popcorn, we might be here a while...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) WHOA now honey...hey, hey now, we can talk, in private, right?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520Hobbo%2520Biyotch.jpg&hash=05969375e786f415f06f1321320e8f19db5daa2f) NOOO YOU HAVE CHANCE BUT YOU RUIN BEST THING IN YOUR LIFE MIRTH NOW FACE BATTLE WITH BROKEN HEARTED GRISHNAK!!! RARRRRRG
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520BC_3.jpg&hash=a675116c42458fe63af66ae521db660935217524) (draws sword) Is this going to be a habit throughout our adventures, MIRTH?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2FZ%2520-%2520mirth_3.jpg&hash=ff337ca883aa717be116255d798b4b97ede5f5f9) (shrug)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F565.jpg&hash=4270ed39f97d5c1d270fe84aa35d2c2008bb298d)
GRISHNAK is kind of an uber-powered Hobbo, so she's pretty much going to get the bulk of attention. She's a Cleric, I believe, and the last thing we need is her casting Hold Person spells and actually possibly causing a casualty or two among the party!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F570.jpg&hash=af571e3c7f632816297c8fdef7e017781d7dc8ca)
Since Hobgoblins suck at combat, though, I'm not worried about any of the rest of them.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F568.jpg&hash=9ebc65506e0d08c765dcbbdb8a1bc751f48d1429)
One solid hit...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F569.jpg&hash=44a7eabbfd1cee45a24ede7044c837beb4b86528)
...and then another, with GUSINATOR landing both blows to bring her down.
The rest of them fall pretty quickly after that.
The reward for clearing these monsters out (and removing one more skeleton from MIRTH's closet, to boot) is pretty decent.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F571_1.jpg&hash=89595936ab606d52f7bfe813e2c34fb9ecba025c)
I'll continue our adventures in the Cadorna Textile House later.
Just as an aside note, I really don't plan any of these silly asides; they just occur to me as I start to write these up, and it's all by the seat of my pants as I create it. I imagine it would possibly be funnier if I actually planned the jokes out, but I'm happy enough with being able to post regularly to this and to provide a modicum of entertainment to y'all as it is, so...if you're not complaining, I'm going to keep it up.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on March 28, 2016, 07:34:17 PM
Just as an aside note, I really don't plan any of these silly asides; they just occur to me as I start to write these up, and it's all by the seat of my pants as I create it. I imagine it would possibly be funnier if I actually planned the jokes out, but I'm happy enough with being able to post regularly to this and to provide a modicum of entertainment to y'all as it is, so...if you're not complaining, I'm going to keep it up.
That's the best I've read yet! Even better for being off the cuff O0
Grishnak? Never heard of her/it.
Apparently she's heard of you though. Wonder how?
They don't call me Dragons layer for nuthin.
In this week's episode of "Cheaters" our secret camera follows Mirth around the ruins near Phlan.
In an unheard development in the history of the reality TV show "Cheaters," the secret camera followed around someone who ACTUALLY CHEATED!!!
Mirth = Busted.
Will his half-orc "friend" be the next to find out?
Or will it be the kobold "neighbor?"
Or will it be the Goblin "I don't know her" (no hobbing around with Mirth this time)?
Tune in next week for anther exciting episode!
You left out the Hobbit.
That's no hobbit, Sir. That's my sister! >:(
Entry 25-b:
Cadorna Capers Continued.After dealing with yet another of MIRTH's ex-girlfriends of another species, we head a little deeper into the maze of doorways that made up the barracks and evil shrine.
The place is a decorator's wet dream; I imagine there will be quite a few excited individuals floating over to Phlan once these troubles are over, because this place is screaming for some coordination.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F573.jpg&hash=d9c2316928408f01f824c62f4a6bb70797621659)
I wonder exactly what these bold messages are saying. I wouldn't doubt it if they were references to MIRTH's love life.
A door or two down, though, and the decor goes from 'artsy hippy college graffiti' to 'GG Allin' pretty damned fast.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F572.jpg&hash=bf52adef4da2f883c6931f343232e10ba3cc7e6d)
Could have been GRIMSHACK or whatever the hell her name was sacrificing a baby sloth or something, or maybe a monster operating room, or even the remnants of a Cannibal Corpse concert.
Whatever the reason, we press on, because we just can't get enough offal in our lives right now.
One door we come across is locked. We all know what we door with locked doors, don't we? We bash them, of course.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F575.jpg&hash=7d53d5a68458f156247d7a21a0f2e1e0062c2825)
Jeff Foxworthenegger here is apparently the artistic SKULLCRUSHER.
Journal Entry 47:
A small, wrinkled parchment with roughly-scratched notes.
Hobgoblins transferred out of Valjevo Castle. Now replaced by giants and trolls. Sounds very tough.
Stojanow Gate guarded by bugbears and ettins. Heard ettins didn't like light. Must be charmed or controlled. Sounds tough.
Some smugglers sneak supplies through Stojanow Gate to The Boss. Must check it out.
Overheard hobgoblins say a dragon scared them into leaving a nice lair in the mountains out east. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of creeps.Welp. Besides having an uncanny resemblance to a particular thief that's terrible at his job (from the neck up anyway) and an uncanny resemblance to GUSINATOR from the neck down to the waist (we won't speculate on the rest of either of their anatomy(s)), if he's the author of this note, he hates Hobgoblins.
The reference to the Kobold Lair in the eastern mountains is pretty obvious too. We might head out there soon; we'll take stock after we're done here in the Textile House.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F576.jpg&hash=49e06fff5d6a1ee22789adda24f54ce77a7d5f2d)
Anyone that is in chains in a Hobgoblin lair is probably an ally, so we'll free him.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F577.jpg&hash=8d266c4c8e70f36d96cb02861bb4e2bb339e0deb)
Yeah. Well, if you thought about it, MIRTH already did too, as he breaks out in song.
Note: there's almost as much male chest in that music video as has been in the last two updates, so if you've met your limit, you may skip the video.
While we could probably easily break the chains, we have a Brass Key that we found among GRIMHELLA's possessions, and it seems to fit the lock perfectly.
Though, this guy reminds me of MONGO, and why he wouldn't just break his own damn chains is a mystery.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F578.jpg&hash=2750e247277d3c24e48ebafe7c3b5b75a344f48d)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F579.jpg&hash=5285718cb8048d442638d25eafd470715f4e203b)
Well...attacking doesn't really seem like a smart option - I mean if you want to do that, shouldn't you just do it with him chained up?
In any case, we choose to Parlay, and be nice in the process. The guy probably has an 18/00 Strength.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F580.jpg&hash=22da3524c0242e68060e377a54f693bc75552625)
Yeah, I just bet you are! ^-^
He asks if he can join us when he finds out we're here to clear the block and find the Cadorna family treasure. We could certainly use some anti-suck NPC to balance out DIRTEN's uselessness, so we readily agree.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F581.jpg&hash=91d32bb74bdc20579751432185103011e7b99068)
Already he's letting us know about the secret doors around here...awesome.
He has no equipment, so we hand over a few odds and ends, then take a look at his character sheet.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F583.jpg&hash=6e8fc6d7ca33bfb7823e5bca9d0d3842fc8b863a)
Not too bad for a Chaotic Neutral Fighter.
We only have a few remaining places to look, and SKULLCRUSHER is aching to smash something, so there will be a grand battle coming up here soon.
Dokken's hair is a beautiful as Mirth's!
No wonder Mirth gets all of the love.
Hope you had a spare shirt to give him.
Entry 25-c:
Cadorna, Cadone-a.
With SKULLCRUSHER's bare chest clashing with GUSINATOR's, our Rambo Effect* will mitigate most damage heading our way in the near future.
*The Rambo Effect was a special power you could have in the old RPG, Tales from the Floating Vagabond. This power meant the character can't be hit by ranged weapons fired from Close range. Any farther than that is fair game, though. The minor effect is that enemies will choose this character over his allies 80% of the time.
Heading away from GRISLYSNACK's little unholy enclave, we approach the middle cluster of southern buildings, which is apparently some kind of monster outhouse.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F584.jpg&hash=85aa3d8cc3a2d3838150f2cac7019b29bede85e4)
We are appalled.
APPALLED.
Especially when we move through another door and find a Hobgoblin nursery.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F585.jpg&hash=1c7f99e0def9f0f9f4a622477d11463a58974487)
I guess they move pretty quickly, because the game doesn't give me the option to slaughter them Old Testament style.
What?
Well...okay, I guess you're right. Best to let them grow up to give future 1st-level characters beaucoup experience points. You're absolutely right, how selfish of me.
Next, we enter something that closely resembles a museum dedicated to Clinton ethics.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F586.jpg&hash=26607b26b00f2c4e6eaf0b05b61674d7cf79ef0d)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F587.jpg&hash=415da24cd43942919c0a87bbd97f1a7b7c88b698)
I guess SKULLCRUSHER is showing off his bathroom graffiti skills? Ugh.
We keep looking around, but other than signs of showing crackhouse levels of monster occupation, we don't find anything.
Then, passing a wall, SKULLCRUSHER finally speaks up.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F588.jpg&hash=3fd7fec3b93bd824619db2042cbd95f188c851c4)
We ready our weapons, prepare spells, and pinch off our noses in preparation for whatever this toilet is going to have in store for us...
The secret door opens easily, but surprise? Not so much.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F591.jpg&hash=a6f572fec8b6eed1a82d1c45b70bb505fb8c287c)
Oh, great. Sure, let's stand here and just watch him stand up and give his megalomaniacal speech before we mix it up.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F592.jpg&hash=7525ce2f4241ca6c91e6f762e69881b95cc88b81)
What happens next?
a) A BATTLE BEGINS
b) A BATTLE BEGINS
c) A BATTLE BEGINS
d) A BATTLE BEGINS
Yes...you're absolutely correct.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F593.jpg&hash=fcbb8b24b4a2cc62d431a77086ceb2041ab4569e)
The battlefield is basically like a Tetris block that has three squares in a row and a square on top of the middle block. We've entered the room through the top/middle block and the monsters are stretched out across the bottom three.
The OGRE is a big boy, but he's pretty weak compared to the party.
Still, there's quite a few Hobbos in this room, and charging forward would open us up to getting swarmed...not a good thing. Instead, I'm going to hang back, set the frontline guys to Guarding, and have BBMIKE protected behind the line, ready to throw...which spell?
Heh-heh. One moment before we get to that.
With us not moving, the Bawbgoblins (dunno why I just thought of that...no offense to good ol' Bawb, but it sounds funny in my head) charge us, and the result is pretty much what you'd expect.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F594.jpg&hash=90dde926aa673281646217da2aeac7af8c1e6f4f)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F596.jpg&hash=c84b059aa5cfb31edbfc46a445efd49ffc02063f)
The little bastards get in a few whacks of their own, though. Like I said, these are pretty weak monsters, but there's a lot of them, and if you get surrounded they have an annoying habit of cutting your guys down since they can attack from all around your characters.
So, back to the spell thing.
BBMIKE is held back so that he can cast...which spell?
a) Fireball
b) FireBALL
c) FIREball
d) FIREBALL
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1175.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fr624%2FMichaelE6%2F597.jpg&hash=61a19ddc811d5cbc034ccefc4d23374d1e0adfbc)
Ehhhhhhxcellent. :)
TARGET ACQUIRED:
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Fireball can affect a very large area. Note that in this screenshot, that the only safe squares are the four corners (if I remember right). This means pretty much every monster on this screen is going to get singed.
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The OGRE leader takes a mere 11 HP of damage, which sucks, but that's more than 50% of his starting HP, so it's not too bad.
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The OGRE must have made some kind of save roll, because the 22 HP that some of these poor bastards take is enough to vaporize them.
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Boy, THIS place got cleared out faster than a fart in church. >:D
SKULLCRUSHER wastes no time in the smoking, Hob-BQ room and charges the OGRE. You can't see it in this image, but he does manage to get a piece of the OGRE, reducing the huge monster to a handful of HP.
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Taking our cue (though we would have even if he hadn't), we charge the remaining Hobgoblins now that we've slaughtered more than half of them courtesy of BBMIKE.
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And thanks to that FIREBALL spell and SKULLCRUSHER's damage, B-C manages to bring down the OGRE with only one blow.
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KYZBP even gets into the melee.
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SKULLCRUSHER of course does not give up, either.
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Meanwhile, BBMIKE merely stands in the back, inhaling the grandioseness of his FIREBALL spell.
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Whoa, look out. Epic levels coming up! One million more encounters like that and we might actually make 20th level...
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And the coinage sucks, too, though the gold is definitely being picked up. The copper isn't even worth the effort of collecting it at this point.
Though, the second half of our mission becomes available shortly after we turn our noses up to the copper pieces.
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If we break the seal to see the shinies inside, Cadorna will get majorly pissed off. He's kind of a jerk anyway. It's my understanding, however, that there's a way to create a forgery, but it's too much of a pain to follow through with it by taking it to a Thieves' Guild and allowing them a share. I don't know what the treasure is, exactly, but I do remember seeing what it contained, and remember being underwhelmed. Besides, if I want to be a proper role-player, Good-aligned characters really wouldn't be plotting a way to rip off someone they swore to assist, so whatever.
Cadorna is apparently on the lookout for us once we return to Phlan, because the City Watch accosts us upon our arrival.
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Well...okay then. You're welcome, a**hole.
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What? Nooo! Dammit. I was hoping he'd stick around, though I don't remember there ever being an option to allow him to do so. He'd be a much better NPC than Joe DIRTEN.
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Proclimation CCI
Be it known that the council is interested in clearing obstacles to establishing a trade route to the east. Said obstacles currently include an infestation of lizard men in the swamps to the east. A reward is offered to any who can locate the source of the infestation and remove the lizard men as an obstacle to trade. A commission may be obtained from the council clerk.
So, the Lizard Men outpost/keep/hovels/whatever is the second major locale to the east of Phlan, other than the Kobold Caves.
I gotta wonder what our reward is for bringing back Cadorna's precious family treasure.
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I half expect a goon squad to come through the door to kill all of us.
Actually, I expect this to happen every time. I'm beginning to dislike Phlan quite a bit.
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Meh. Not great, not bad. Over 1,000 XP would have been most acceptable.
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Again, not great, not bad. Better to get rewards in Gems and Jewelry now rather than actual coinage, since Encumbrance rules are such a pain in this game and there's no Bank of Phlan in which to deposit our earnings.
Now, I think we're going to head back to the Kobold Caves, though I'd honestly like BBMIKE to have two Fireballs instead of one to deal with that massive three-wave attack in there...we shall see.
Just a note, I won't be updating this thread for a week or so, depending on how the week progresses.
A few weeks ago I played through a lot of this game and took a massive amount of screenshots, which is how I was able to update this AAR so often this past week. Now, I need to play through it again, accumulate more screenshots, and then get back to postin'. :)
Thanks for reading! Hope you're all enjoying it as much as I am. I'm looking forward to the endgame and moving on to the next chapter of this series.
Enjoying it immensely! Will wait patiently for more installments. O0
Cadorna = Cheap Ass. I've got some of their Home Furnishings Line. They make great firewood.
Quote from: JasonPratt on March 31, 2016, 11:00:28 AM
Enjoying it immensely! Will wait patiently for more installments. O0
Here .....HERE !!! and so say all of us !! Couldn't agree more , I've been reading this for a while now , and it's becoming something I look forward to reading on a weekend , thanks for the entertaining read B_C I've lost count of the amount of ,lol , moments this AAR has given me O0. Very cool 8)
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on March 31, 2016, 09:22:34 AM
Just a note, I won't be updating this thread for a week or so, depending on how the week progresses.
A few weeks ago I played through a lot of this game and took a massive amount of screenshots, which is how I was able to update this AAR so often this past week. Now, I need to play through it again, accumulate more screenshots, and then get back to postin'. :)
Thanks for reading! Hope you're all enjoying it as much as I am. I'm looking forward to the endgame and moving on to the next chapter of this series.
Once again - thanks. Very fun read.
Hey BC. I remember when playing the Gold Box series it was essential to have a "Mirror" in your party's equipment to defend against certain monster's gazes that could turn a character to stone. But was that in this game or did that come later, like Curse of the Azure Bonds or one of the others?
Quote from: Sir Slash on April 05, 2016, 09:04:06 AM
Hey BC. I remember when playing the Gold Box series it was essential to have a "Mirror" in your party's equipment to defend against certain monster's gazes that could turn a character to stone. But was that in this game or did that come later, like Curse of the Azure Bonds or one of the others?
I think that's Zhentil Keep in COTAB.
Apropos of nothing, I bought the gold box Krynn series from GOG today, though it'll be a while before I can actually get to it. Since this one was received so positively I might do another AAR with separate forum members (some of you in this thread were accidentally overlooked, and yes I still feel bad about that). It will very likely not be until I get this POR game completed and get more progress in my Fleet Commander Nimitz AAR as well.
Probably so.
For a man that was chained to a cell wall for goodness knows how long ......skullcrushers hair managed to still look remarkably groomed !! ;D
Been following this thread for all 14 pages, and I LOVE IT!! Didn't want to chime in until then, as I wasn't current, but this stuff is freaking brilliant. The Grishnak scene was beautiful, just beautiful...
Now that the Dokken theme has been introduced to this thread, I've got to say that it would have been appropriate to have Mirth belt out the following video to his Hobgoblady Love:
I'm thinking Gusinator and Skullcrusher should have a "Chest-Off" contest next in downtown Phlan to raise money for all the Kobold orphans they've created.
Thanks for the positive feedback, folks...much appreciated.
Short update: I did once again try the Kobold Caves. The gorram little bastiges beat me twice, but they cheated the second time. Had BBMIKE cast a Stinking Cloud off to the side with the first wave to possibly take down a Troll; we got lucky a few rounds later and the Troll "choked and gagged from nausea," basically immobilizing him and making him helpless. He went down fast. Once the damnable Kobolds started surrendering en masse, I put BBMIKE into the Stinking Cloud, because someone needs to stand on a square the Troll occupied, otherwise the f*cker might stand right back up.
It's a calculated risk; BBMIKE might "choke and gag" (lol) himself, but with the Kobolds surrendering, I saw no problem; he'd at least be on a square. Well, it was a moot point - he merely coughed, which I think reduces THAC0 or to-hit or whatever first edition calls it. It's not supposed to check every round, but apparently it decided to do that. The next round we felled the last Troll and the damn game made BBMIKE choke and gag.
I didn't think it would be that big a deal because we were going to start the next wave/battle and figured he'd un-choke and un-gag. Unfortunately that was not the case. The damn game started the second wave/battle with BBMIKE immobilized, and of course one of those Kobold Leaders immediately targeted him with a bow, putting him down. No way I was going to survive without his Fireballs (lol x 2), so I rage quit for the second time.
Can't recall what the first rage quit was for.
Anyway, looks like I'll be going back to an earlier save and trying our luck against the Lizardmen. At this rate I think the end boss could do himself a favor and enscone himself in the Kobold Caves. The place is worse than Fort Knox.
God, I hate Kobolds. And the Kobold Caves. They're worse than Detroit.
Yeah. I remember Trolls being dreadful in this game.
Burning them doesn't put them out forever in this game (much to my dismay, I recall), but you almost have to kill them using hit point damage and then camp a fighter on top of them. My own recollection is that a well-placed Sleep spell puts all the Kobolds in the front rows to sleep so I can then concentrate front-row attacks on the Trolls, then move forward and stand on top of them while I begin to waylay the other Kobolds.
I also haven't seen you using Silence 15' spells for your cleric. When I was fighting large groups of magic-users (more common in the 2nd game in the series), that MU-suppression spell was worth its weight in gold. I also remember, in the 2nd game, having both my Magic User and my Fighter/Magic User with 17 or 18 DEX to ensure somebody could get off a Fireball to suppress the spell-casters in the 1st round.
The 2nd game was much harder than the first, though. Brutally hard, really!
I've not messed with Silence yet because there really aren't any mage-heavy encounters in POR (unless I've just totally missed something, which is possible).
The Kobold Caves battle just plain sucks. The three waves are:
- Wave 1: Four trolls (one on right flank and three on left), about 60 Kobolds, and about 15 Kobold Leaders. The Kobold Leaders use bows and while they miss 75% of the time, the other 25% is highly annoying, especially when they roll double damage (they did that a couple of times in this last, second attempt of mine, further infuriating me - lol). The Trolls aren't too difficult to deal with here. The Kobolds are not a threat at all, but with that many of them, they're bound to make a hit or two. My fighters can Sweep on them and kill multiples, but it can be highly frustrating to have a guy miss several times (GUS did that once, missed three of four Kobolds in a Sweep attack...ugh).
- Wave 1-a: Between the first and second wave, the Kobold King orders ballistas (!) to fire. As if three waves aren't enough of a challenge, this serves to reduce HP even further because they ALWAYS hit and ALWAYS seem to do 10-15 points of damage to each of my characters.
Wave 2: About 80 Kobolds and eight hogs (warhogs, warthogs, whatever the hell they are). The Warthogs are much, much worse than Trolls, because these bastards can stand right back up multiple times, right after they're felled! If it weren't for the Hogs, it would be a simple matter to wipe out the Kobolds. But noooooOOOooo.
Wave 3: If I remember right, this is yet more Kobolds and more Trolls.
With only two Fireballs to BBMIKE's name, it's difficult to choose where to use them. I was going to use one on the second wave, but as I said, the game made BBMIKE suffer the effects of the Stinking Cloud after he'd already made his saving throw (I still don't get it, but live and learn and reload I suppose), and dropped him like a useless NPC in the next wave.
What's more annoying about these waves is that it takes a long time for the computer to run the enemy. Not because of processing power, but because there's SO damn many of them. It gets frustrating.
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: moves
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold: moves
Kobold: moves, misses PC
Kobold: moves, misses PC
Kobold: moves, hits PC for 4 HP
Kobold: can't move, guarding
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, misses
Kobold Leader: bow attack, hits for 6 HP, then again for 4 HP
Troll: misses
Kobold: moves
Kobold: moves
Troll: hits for 6 HP
***Yay, it's KYZBP's turn...I have him attack a Troll...*TINK*...swing and a miss
(Repeat 30 more monsters moving before next PC gets to go)
(Watch as DIRTEN just moves back and forth and does nothing)
(Prays that Kobold Leaders shoot arrows at DIRTEN; occasionally prayers are answered)
That's the Kobold Caves final battle in a nutshell.
That is annoying. I vaguely remember always going for two mages (maybe the 2nd one was usually a Fighter/MU/Thief) just to get the crowd control and trap/chest unlocking. I only made him a Fighter so he could use a bow and wear nice armor.
But I do remember those battles were very unpleasant.
Trolls are an awesomely devious nightmare in old school D&D. If iirc, there are some walls you can use to your advantage by blocking LOS and funneling the monsters into a more manageable front.
I remember trolls and the frequent "Misses" by your characters as equally rage-inducing. Sometimes you just had to have the rolls go your way to win--- when all nine planets aligned perfectly.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on April 08, 2016, 06:46:59 AM
***Yay, it's KYZBP's turn...I have him attack a Troll...*TINK*...swing and a miss
Maybe KYZBP was a little unmotivated and miffed because you were dissing his hometown.
"
They're worse than Detroit."
Clerics have feelings too. :'(
It would be hard to concentrate on accuracy with Gusinator and Skullcrusher's protruding chest nipples staring at you.
"There's nothing like a good movie! -- or even a bad one for that matter." For example: Doctor Detroit. :buck2:
Quote from: mirth on April 07, 2016, 08:40:13 PM
I love Detroit.
Quote from: KyzBP on April 08, 2016, 01:57:48 PM
Maybe KYZBP was a little unmotivated and miffed because you were dissing his hometown.
"They're worse than Detroit."
Clerics have feelings too. :'(
Okay, okay, sheesh, I should have elucidated my thoughts a bit more on that joke.
A) I loved Doctor Detroit. Then again I tend to be a fan of 80s and 90s stinker films. (See: Last Action Hero)
B) I was actually referencing
Kentucky Fried Movie's mini-movie,
A Fistful of Yen, and this classic scene:
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on April 08, 2016, 04:11:20 PM
Quote from: KyzBP on April 08, 2016, 01:57:48 PM
Maybe KYZBP was a little unmotivated and miffed because you were dissing his hometown.
"They're worse than Detroit."
Clerics have feelings too. :'(
Okay, okay, sheesh, I should have elucidated my thoughts a bit more on that joke.
A) I loved Doctor Detroit. Then again I tend to be a fan of 80s and 90s stinker films. (See: Last Action Hero)
B) I was actually referencing Kentucky Fried Movie's mini-movie, A Fistful of Yen, and this classic scene:
Hahaha! I've never seen that. You win this round Banzai.
If you've not seen Kentucky Fried Movie, it's a delightfully absurd collection of skit comedies by the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams, back in 1977, before any of them had made a name for themselves.
If you don't like silly comedy like
Airplane!,
Top Secret, or
The Naked Gun (series or movies), you won't like KFM. :)
The whole movie is full of win, but the 'Fistful of Yen' makes me laugh uncontrollably every time I see it (and is especially hilarious if you've seen Enter The Dragon).
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on April 08, 2016, 04:19:53 PM
If you've not seen Kentucky Fried Movie, it's a delightfully absurd collection of skit comedies by the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams, back in 1977, before any of them had made a name for themselves.
If you don't like silly comedy like Airplane!, Top Secret, or The Naked Gun (series or movies), you won't like KFM. :)
The whole movie is full of win, but the 'Fistful of Yen' makes me laugh uncontrollably every time I see it (and is especially hilarious if you've seen Enter The Dragon).
All favorites of mine. I'll be checking this out this weekend. O0
Good deal. Let us know what you think.
And here's a minor suggestion: have some popcorn ready before you start the movie. Just...trust me. Have popcorn handy before you start it up. :)
Oh, and a minor mention: there IS nudity and bad language in the movie, so it's definitely NSFW.
KFM and Amazon Women on the Moon were always favorites growing up! Good call, B_C!!
Surely you can't be serious!
Update - I took time to break this out this past weekend and it didn't take long to clean out the remaining, final missions. I've taken a ton of screenshots, so hopefully I'll have a chance this week to knock out a post or two detailing the further adventures of Mirth and his backup singers.
I look forward to getting all the gory details on the glorious defeat of Bruce Springsteenthraxus.