Fjörgyn's Second Adventure

 
On March 28th, John ran another session of D&D b/x for me via chat. This was only my second time playing. I wasn't sure how it would all translate only using chat, but he made it super easy and fun.

                   My view 

 Fjörgyn's goal is to make it to Gorgoroth and adventure in the dungeon beneath Trelleborg. How could I not be excited to adventure in a place with such an awesome name?

******

I spent the evening celebrating with the villagers at the tavern, who had given me the nick-name of "Ghoul-slayer". I feel quite proud to accept my new title. Little did I know, this title could possibly come back to haunt me in later adventures (stay tuned). As I enjoyed breakfast at the Queen's Cauldron, an errand boy interrupted my meal with a request from Sister Rebecca to visit with her at the shrine of the Forgetful Bear to discuss a matter of some importance. 

I accepted the offer.


Sister Rebecca revealed her suspicions about a plot involving cultists spotted by Old Man Alfarinson, the released ghoul I had slain, and a girl who went missing just yesterday. I decided to look into it, saying "Of course I will. Robed men chanting around a fire will always intrigue me!" I'm not sure if I want to join them or fight them.

Before continuing further, I re-hired Zelligant, who required armor and a weapon before agreeing, but that was with the additional stipulation that he would join in combat. I was happy to make this deal with him. So far, he has been a reliable comrade. He also suggested his cousin Thora, the one eyed jester, (a handsome woman according to John) as a suitable hire, allegedly handy with a weapon.

We made our way to the dilapidated, incense smoke filled shack of the odd-ball Old Man Alfarinson (something of a witch doctor mountain man hermit type) to get directions to the abandoned shrine where he had seen the cultists. 

Photos snagged from John's blog

We got the directions we came for, and forgoing further questioning, perhaps due to the incense haze, we got straight to it. 

Located among ancient burial mounds, the shrine was largely overgrown, although the vines did not cover the floor and, in fact, bore evidence of having been cut back. The secret door down was thus easily found, and after some discussion over who would go in first, Fjörgyn led the way down into the darkness. I'm actually surprised that I decided to lead the way. How naive!

The steps led down into a room, populated by one ugly mother of a beast - a beaked bat face furry ant-like thorax, human fore-limbs and giant bat-wings. Thora, who had moved up to fight alongside me was rewarded for her efforts by having a major artery severed by the crushing beak of the night beast. Poor, poor handsome Thora. [She had all of 2 HP. A sneeze would have killed her.]

Zelligant seemed to grow a pair and joined the fray, but I managed to kill the foul beast before he had to demonstrate any possible ineptness despite taking damage for nearly half my hit points,

We ended the session there, as I had to work in the morning. Stupid real life.

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!

Down the rabbit hole...

The maillady brought me something wonderful this week. 

Trollszine Issue #2 Dark Rising Solo RPG

This is a summary of my first solo RPG. 


 I recently began playing old school Dungeons and Dragons with the boyfriend. I developed an RPG itch soon after. He plays solo games, and sent me his copy of Tunnels and Trolls. Now, when I'm in the mood to play, I won't have to rely on our schedules syncing up to play together. 



 I downloaded TrollsZine 2 and embarked on the Dark Rising solo adventure. This was recommended for at least a level 2 character. I predicted that it would be a short one with my Level 1 warrior. 

It went something like this...

 The villagers of Saxon are concerned by strange lights, seen hovering in the night sky, above the ruins of the old Saxon manor. Alfrún has been called upon to investigate. The search will only be successful after dark. A farm hand escorts me to where the ruined building lies. Eager to get out of there, the farm hand offers his lantern and enough food to last one day. A steep, heavily wooded climb awaits. I begin to hack a path through the undergrowth and start climbing.

 I noticed a small clearing in the wooded area to my right after a short walk up the steep incline. I chose to ignore it and carry on along the path.



 Further along, I see an overgrown trail to my right that appears to lead directly up the spine of the hill. I try my luck pulling back undergrowth and reeds while making my way along the path. It's not long before I realize why this is the path less taken. I find myself wading through bog-land at a snails pace. After many minutes of struggle, I reach a small patch of solid earth.

 Make L2SR on LK - FAIL



 Several leeches have latched onto me and are greedily gorging on my flesh. Already worn from trudging through the bog, I cannot lose blood to these parasites. Ripping them off, I take 1D6 spite damage for the pain and blood loss.
 

 Shaking off the bog muck, I take stock of my new surroundings. Water cascades down the face of a rock to the north, and into a good sized pond. The water shimmers with gold as the last bit of daylight spangles its surface. The grass is a vibrant green. I suspect that this place is not visited often. Though I would love to rest here a bit and enjoy the scenery, I must move on.



 Just north of the clearing I notice another trail winding up and around the hill. This appears to offer a gentle and easy climb.

 
 I make my way along the path as it becomes much rockier. I notice that these are worn cobblestones that have been smoothed and polished to a fine finish. Within minutes I can see the ruins at the summit of the hill along the horizon. I pick up the pace.

 
 Ten minutes later I find myself at the remains of a great stone bridge that traverses a fast flowing stream. Heavy rubble from the bridge has settled on the bed of the stream, forming makeshift stepping-stones. Water crashes against the stones before lapping over the edge of a steep stone cliff in the hillside. So much for that gentle, easy climb! 

 
 I will have to hop across the stones to reach the other side and the summit.

 
 Make a L2SR on DEX - FAIL  (becoming very nervous now)

 
 Mustering all of my agility, I nimbly leap to the first stone with no difficulty, but as I lurch for the second, I misjudge the distance and land badly. I fight to keep my balance, but plunge into the icy water and I get carried down-stream and over the cliff edge at great speed.

 
 As I slam against the stony rock-face, I gash a deep cut into the flesh of my arm, taking 3 points of damage. Luckily however, my fall is broken by the plunge-pool at the base of the rock face and, bleeding profusely, I begin my rough swim to the shore.


 Just feet from the bank I feel a tug at my leg, as something wraps around my limb. This is soon followed by some sort of cord, snaking around my other leg. Trying to pull myself free, I turn to find that I am caught in the tentacles of a small but menacing looking squid that is slowly pulling me toward its beak-like maw.
 
 Drawing my gladius sword, I prepare to fight for my life.



 Squid: MR 30

(I began this battle a couple of times before figuring out how to properly utilize spite damage and special rules. I've been using the original Tunnels and Trolls rule book. Spite Damage was introduced in 5.5. With a lot of help from John, I finally got the rules down and gave it another go.) 

 Any damage that Alfrún inflicts is cut in half due to resistance of the water. This is where I really wish I had that level 2+ character! 

Round 1:

The squid is able to wrap another tentacle around me. I struggle to break free and strike with my sword. The squid made an awful shrieking sound and it's grip only got tighter. My armor protected me from any damage this time and the squid's MR scoffed at the 5 points of damage that I inflicted. 

All in all, no damage. 

Round 2:

This didn't go well at all even if I did roll 1 point of spite damage. The squid retaliated with the same. Pulling me toward his beak, he takes a giant chomp out of my left shoulder. I can barely lift my arm to swing at the wretched thing. The squid gets 4 points, plus 1 point of spite damage on me. Leaving me with 1 measly point to lose. 

Round 3:

Both a bit stunned and fumbling. We aren't able to inflict any significant damage on one another. Alfrún lives to see another fight! Barely. 



Round 4: 

Taking my sword in the non-dominant hand, barely holding onto my shield, I try to hack off the tentacle that is causing my leg to lose feeling. Inflicting 2 points of spite damage on the squid with 7 points added on, I thought maybe this wasn't going SO badly. Just then, I hear an awful snap followed by the worst pain I have known. The squid has snapped my leg in half. I fall into the water. The last thing I recall is a cloud of ink expanding around me. I am unable to catch my breath. Alfrún is left to rest with the fishies. 

...........

I am hoping to play another solo this evening!