They Met at a Tavern 22: Breaking and Entering the Crypt of King Solimas (plus mini-review)

 

• Seana: Tarl, human Fighter
• Chris: Roult, human Basilisk Warrior
• Callista: Erol, elf Priest
• Dan: Budris, human Bard
• Wayne: Pharan, human Sea Wolf
• Roger: Drom, dwarf Desert Rider

So the band decided which way to go - west into the hinerlands, or east across the water to hock the magic orb. Barrows are always a fun attraction. And our high-rolling priest is back. Necromancer Solace knew of a clump of them about a day away, and provided a map. Budris sought out some lore, finding that some barrows were known to contain "interesting" fungus.

Drom got his camel out of the stable, and led the rest of the boot leather band westward. Eward, mute stablehand, was excited to have been able to care for, and pet, a camel. 

Humping across the grasslands, a herd of loose horses were spotted. Some scouting, and it was found that they were domestic, likely escaped. Some herding and horse-handling attempts later, and everyone had a ride, although Budris and Roult needed quite a bit of help, as their horsemanship was pitiful. 

Onward, and camping. The party awoke to find themselves among several burrows (not barrows, nor burros). Chris (as player) recalled another unfortunate camping experience... Several giant soldier ants emerged, but chose to simply block the burrow entrances as the party immediately decamped. 

Good morning!

Ok. Barrows.

I have a handful of barrow maps, with associated random tables. But I also had "The Crypt of King Solimas" burning a hole in my adventures folder. So be it.

The party found a barrow with a bronze-coated slab, rather than the boring old stone. Must be important... 

RPG Blog Carnival: "Dragons, Gods and other Powerful Beings" - Angels and Demons

 

Damn, been a bit since the Carnival caught my eye/awareness. This month, hosted by Sea of Stars. OK. Let's play. 

Thesis statement: Demons are Tools. Angels are Weapons...

A note: I'll be leaning hard on other researchers and presenters for this one, as I'm not a smart man. As anyone who's read my blog can attest. 

To start at the end: A bit of a review from my recently-completed OSE campaign. As in many campaigns, the acts and deeds of the PCs affect the world. And draw the attention of powerful entities, whether a mortal faction, or the immortals who watch the world. And certainly, the PCs got the attention of Khador, a goddess of law, as they strove against the minions of her Chaos-borne sibling. But Khador was only glimpsed in visions, perhaps as a dream channeled through a relic sword, or after the final battle, as she shed her raiment and strode towards the dawn, a rejuvenated goddess of Spring... 

But who really shook the PCs? This thing.

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Yeah, it's an avatar for the Lawful side of things.

The demon bound by the Sea Dwarves? Not so much. Mostly just pay for the work to get done to spec and on time. As long as you can handle it throwing shade. "WHAT DO YOU WANT!?!? I WAS NAPPING!" "Don't you people write anything down?"

This guy

They Met at a Tavern 21: The Bloodsoaked Gem Caverns That Weren't (plus mini-review)

Who's hanging at Bristleback's Inn?

• Seana: Zanegar, 1/2 orc Sea Wolf
• Chris: Roult, human Basilisk Warrior
• Rick: Bjorn, 1/2 orc Paladin
• Tony: Holmarn, human Fighter
• Wayne: Pharan, human Sea Wolf

Note: Wayne is better known as Fulvus, halfling terror, from my OSE campaign. Tony asked to watch, as he needed to be somewhere, then said, "give me a character."

The ferry/packet arrived. Certain hooded individuals met with Hebetha Solace, carrying off a certain package. A couple of new adventurers stepped off the boat. Holmarn, newly arrived in town, was on the hunt for portable wealth, preferably gems. He checked in with Kalgor the gemcutter in his shop for possible leads. Kalgor greeted him and, after conferring with "Olaf," an apparently invisible friend. After some back and forth, Kalgor sketched out a map to an abandoned mine that was worth a look.

They stopped at the trading post for supplies. Rasmus, in addition to normal tack, had also recently traded for a prism and some vials of acid. The party bought a vial. 

Off they went. 

While trekking to the "X" on the map, the party encountered a like-numbered group of beastmen. Bjorn, as is his way, greeted them with his cask of ale (I really need to enforce slots better. Is it one or two? Anyway...). The leader hesitated, but a drinking horn was produced. Some language difficulties overcome, the party asked about the local terrain and what the beastmen were up to. "Well, we hunt, maybe we take things from settlers." "Do you attack caravans?" "No - Too many spears. Like you guys. Too many spears. Oh, here's a silk robe and slippers we "found" in exchange for the ale."

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The two groups parted ways, and the party found their way to the mine, Some poking around, and they found a winch/elevator to get them into the works. The rope held, and into the caverns they went. 

D66 MORE Side-Effects of Reincarnation

Nope, couldn't let a dead dog lie...

Came up with more ideas at supper, and one list became two. This one has fewer positive side effects, more on the negative or 'color' side of the tally. Because there are prices to be paid for coming back from the Other Side. It shouldn't be a blessing.

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So have D66 More Side-Effects of Reincarnation. Beware of lightning.

D66 Side Effects of Reincarnation...

So, your colleague got themselves dead. Not a problem, you've got the coin to donate for a resurrection. Problem is, there's no local temple with a priest powerful enough to raise the dead.

But what about that necromancer? You know, the odd lady with the unsettling stare and jars of preserved body parts? I'm sure she can do the job.

Oh, certainly! She says, eyes scanning your deceased comrade. Just like those god-fearing clerics do it, just without the pesky religious bits. She accepts the payment. Oh, yes, just like the clerics! She shoos you off and retreats with your friend's body into a chamber filled with stinking reagents, clinking glassware, and half-formed summoning circles.

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Well, a week later, ol' Jimbo is back on his feet. Over a drink he recounts, with shaking hands, what he saw in the afterlife... 

***

Hey Sven, you notice anything different about Jimbo? 

Well, he's completely bald now. 

No, I meant the circling buzzards.

OH...

***

I originally started with the idea of a revenant-type reincarnated PC, with a touch of undeath about them. Then, of course it expanded into a D66 table for side effects of necromancy.

But nah. Anyone who's been pulled back across the veil is going to be Changed By The Experience...

D66 Side Effects of Reincarnation