Fjörgyn's first adventure in Dungeons and Dragons

This is the write up for my first ever Dungeons and Dragons experience using Moldvay Basic. On March 22nd, I played a single character named Fjörgyn. Much of this is copied from the Dungeon Master's notes as he is brilliant when it comes to keeping records.

Fjörgyn (E:1) I ventured out of Hedeby on my way to Gorgoroth and the dungeon beneath Trelleborg. In the town of Skalafell, I caught wind of a story of a mysterious death, the victim found dragged to a set of steps leading down into the earth in a hillside nearby. Thinking there might be some treasure within, I opted to explore. I had no clue what to expect and assumed I would encounter some danger within.

I hired two locals, Grungo, the lovable lumberjack, and Zelligant the dutiful tailor.

Grungo bought the farm about 2/3s of the way down the stairs into the dungeon, when a shrieker started, well, shrieking which drew a giant crab spider to the scene. After failing to sink its mandibles into my plate mail, it turned on my unarmored hirelings and Grungo's leg was severed, cutting an artery. His death was swift. That poor, lovable lumberjack should have stayed in the tavern safe and sound.

The spider died moments later; Fjörgyn had her first kill - an adventurer was born! My adrenaline was flowing... my D&D love affair was blossoming. 

A magic mouth on a statue told me to leave but I paid it no mind and the dark warning etched on the wall behind it was treated as so much spooky bravado.

( Knowing what I know now, I would have explored this further )

Still, as I explored, I carefully spiked doors open to make a fast escape possible.  ( This is one thing I often fail to remember now that I have been diligent about in past adventures ) When I came across a magic pool, I wisely avoided drinking from its tantalizing Caribbean-blue water. ( I wouldn't say so much that I was "wise", the thought just hadn't crossed my mind. That being said, I'd still be too afraid of drinking anything I find near giant crab spiders or strange magic mouths ) Lady Luck was in my favor as I crossed a trapped threshold and neither Zelligant or I triggered the spiked/crushing ceiling trap. Whew!

A rickety bridge across a vast chasm caused some hesitation, but onward I pressed, and found the bridge was, in fact, quite capable of sustaining me and my porter/torch bearer. At the end of the bridge were the ornately carved stone doors of a burial vault.

Heavy though they were, I was able to open them, and we slipped into the chamber of red painted walls. A mural of a bearded man summoning the elements adorned the wall behind a large marble sarcophagus, which was surrounded by glyphs and runes on the floor and covered with painted sigils. 

It seemed the inhabitant of said sarcophagus was in no mood to be disturbed, and while I explored the room, the ghoul set upon me. EEP!

As an elf, the ghoul's paralyais inducing attacks were of no concern for Fjörgyn, but Zelligant pretty much peed his pants and tried to run. Unfortunately for him, the heavy door, which had closed behind them ( forgot that dang spike! ) slowed his egress.

By the time he got the door open, I had slaughtered the ghoul handily, suffering only a minor wound in the process. I severed the head with a mighty stroke of my sword, sending black dust spurting from it, a plume of powdered ancient blood. Beautiful!

The head was stuffed into my pack as proof of my accomplishment and several chests around the room were my reward. What I would do with this head? Who knows?

In one of the chests, I found a still beating human heart. Unsure of its value or meaning, I tossed it into my backpack, along with the head, just in case it had any value. The others contained gems and jewlery - enough to live comfortably for a time, or perhaps, purchase a horse to ride to Gorgoroth.

On our way out of the tomb, we encountered a gnome, one Rupert Winklebottom heading down the steps, but I warned him it was dangerous. He thanked me and out he went and on his way. 

****

the map courtesy of John

I enjoyed this so much and could not wait to slay some more creatures!