This is part of my on-going diary series for my Doom of Barrowmaze campaign run using Old-School Essentials.
Session 10 - Mud, Blood and Wine
This week the party consisted of...
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Barry, Barbarian 4. Duvari polymath and would-be warlord. Expedition leader. Played by Zi. |
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Kazrik, Dwarf 2. Dwarven shipwright of Clan Boatstone. Played by Ryan. |
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Narion, Elf 1. An unusual elven smith and tinkerer. Played by Andrew. |
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Psteve, Cleric 2. Enigmatic prophet haunted by eldritch whispers. Played by Andy. |
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Thaddeus, Paladin 4. Eccentric holy warrior in search of wisdom. Played by Todd. |
Through Muddy Halls
The party found themselves ambushed by a pair of massive toads. After defeating the first toad, the other retreated. Originally intending to depart the flooded chamber, a dispute arose when Thaddeus taunted Barry, goading the barbarian to charge back into the chamber in pursuit of the toad.
Swiftly dispatching the second toad, the party then noticed a muddy shelf on the northern side of the chamber. To the amusement of the group, Thaddeus, in an unconventional move, used his shield to dig through the mud. Laughter turned to astonishment when a part of the wall crumbled, revealing a secret room with three treasure chests. Although they managed to open all three, the party chose to leave most of the contents behind for future collection.
Crocs, Snakes and Trogs
Continuing their exploration, the party encountered several other chambers filled with mud or water. Their journey led them to a large room with chest-deep water where a trio of crocodiles launched an ambush.
During the intense combat, Kazrik faced near-fatal injuries from two vicious crocodile bites but made the critical decision to sacrifice his +2 shield to preserve his life. The party managed to dispatch the crocodiles without further losses.
Their continued exploration, spanning an hour and involving a hasty retreat from a massive snake, brought them to a room occupied by two troglodyte sentries. Before the party could eliminate them, the guards fled, prompting the party to pursue them.
Entering a large chamber, the party confronted six troglodytes, sparking a desperate combat. Both Barry and Thaddeus sustained multiple minor injuries. Psteve had to utilize both healing scrolls to prevent Barry from succumbing to the onslaught of four troglodytes.
After dispatching two of the reptiloids, the remaining four retreated into the lower dungeon regions. Cautious of venturing deeper without knowing the threats on the 1st level, the group chose not to pursue.
Drunken Respite
Retracing their steps through previously explored areas, they utilized a commandeered rowboat to cross the lake, eventually discovering a storeroom filled with spirits. Deeming it the safest place to rest, Barry barred the door and the group was more than happy to drink the cult's wine. Before settling down for a rest, they emptied the glass bottles and filled them with high-proof dwarven liquor from a cask, creating 11 Molotov cocktails (using the rules for burning oil flasks).
Renewed Exploration
Following an uninterrupted rest, the group pressed on through the passages, stumbling upon the kitchen and sleeping chambers of the lair's charmed guards. Inadvertently awakening the first room's occupants, the group was compelled to engage in combat, resulting in the demise of the previously sleeping guards.
Proceeding to another room housing sleeping guards, they acquired their spears. In a final occupied room, housing female cultists, the group defused the intrusion by handing over 10 confiscated spears, leaving the confused thralls puzzled but seemingly placated.
Facing a narrow escape from a trapped side passage, the group completed their exploration, arriving back at the entry chamber at the base of the stairs. To their surprise, they encountered the same guards as the previous day. Pretending ignorance, they requested to meet their supervisor, which the guard obliged. Led through the halls, they found themselves in the private chamber of a cultist captain and his two lieutenants.
Attempting to once again pass themselves off as cult members, their ruse was quickly detected by the captain. Aware of all cult members charmed by his master, he saw through their deception.
The scene ends with our heroes standing poised to face off against three formidable members of this sinister cult.
Final Thoughts
The party has now spent as much time on this side adventure as they have in the Barrowmaze. We better get back to it soon, or I'll have to change the name of the campaign diaries!
My favorite moment of the night was undoubtedly when Thaddeus, despite mockery from the party, dug into a mud pile. To everyone's surprise, the mud revealed a secret treasure chamber, proving them all wrong.
The party was unexpectedly thorough in their exploration of the dungeon. They have developed a healthy respect for the dangers of the dungeon, not wanting to possibly have things sneak up from behind them, leaving them trapped.
In hindsight, I should have provided a ticking clock to incentivize more aggressive exploration. Thankfully, they managed nearly the entire first floor in a single session. The rules questions are gone and it's now just a matter of choices and outcomes.
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