They Met at a Tavern 24: When the DM Mentions Something in Passing, Part II...

Better get this written down before I forget details of the chaos...

The Miscreants:

• Wayne: Pharan, human Sea Wolf
• Chris: Roult, human Basilisk Warrior
• Dan: Kiara, elf Ras Godai
• Seana: Zanegar, 1/2 orc Sea Wolf
• Callista: Erol, elf Priest
• Mike: Merrick, human Bard
• Mark (first timer): Irir, elf Thief

First of all, bumped a couple of the Repeat Offenders to 3rd level, since they keep showing up.

The returning crew from last week was heading back to Bettiholm, when they chanced upon a couple of adventurers (Merrick and Irir). The pair looked shady, so were welcomed to join the crew. The group then caught up with a small caravan carrying a mixed selection of supplied and curiosities for delivery to town. Some haggling went on, but the party was unsuccessful. 

The caravan parked outside of town at the caravanserai, and the party headed in to catch up with gem dealer Delmar. Perhaps to find a more reputable broker, since they suspected that Kashmi Rasam had double-crossed his buyer, and they didn't care to be associated with that. In the meantime, they had to dodge "Chicken Day" where the mayor was handing out food donations to the downtrodden of the city. Of which there were plenty. It's a good thing that the caravan included chickens among its cargos.

Somewhere in this, the DM produced a rough map of town and pointed out some features that the party had visited, as well as other landmarks:

Cat not included 

The Sealed Tower (upper RH corner) drew them like moths to flame... Well, it was sealed by multiple methods after Bad Things Happened, of course. Perhaps it's associated with the city's curse and loss of significance. What would have instigated it (question to players) - diabolic dealings and summoning. Always a classic. 

The party ventured to meet the mayor (Fabio Hegewald) as he was washing his hands after a day of handing out foodstuffs and (eeww!) touching the citizens. The mayor and advisor indicated that the sealing occurred after a priest of Terragnis had violated his vows and called up demons in a gamble for power. Can we get into the tower? No, its been sealed, although there might be alternate paths. Have other adventurers explored it? Yes, and they never returned (dramatic music). 

Well, ok - let's get some rest, resupply, and look at things in the morning (i.e. no carousing). Of course, they were met at their inn by representatives of House Zulad, the Dissatisfied Customer from the prior relic sale. Of course, they wouldn't have known of the double-cross, but their reputation was now suspect. And yes, we caught Rasam on his way out of town with a number of items, including the inner workings of the Orb. Of course, it wouldn't do to just kill him, as he has knowledge and talent (big reveal)...

RPG Blog Carnival: Small Souls in a Big World! - 3DIE6 RPG

 

Happy Spring. And this month's RPG Blog Carnival transitions from the Very Big, to the Very Small, thanks to Errant Thinking.

Back in '21 or so, I pledged to a little game produced by Deeply Dapper Games as part of that year's Zinequest: 3DIE6.

And playing as a tiny ant-thing is about as small as you'll get in an RPG. Because, as far as I know, no one has developed "Tardigrade, the RPG" yet.

First of all, the game, as you might have intuited, is a d6 system. In 3DIE6 (and its sister games), the three d6's are either combined into a 3d6 additive roll (skill tests) or as three individual dice with individual values (combat) - these being "attack," "defense," and "effect."

But first, the setting. 3DIE6 takes place within "The Shimmer," a subterranean labyrinth of fungus-illuminated tunnels and warrens. Your PC is one of the Roan, an insect that may be a bit human, or alien. We're not sure... 

It's a dangerous and deadly land for a tiny arthropod such as yourself. So much so, that it's good to bring along a friend. Or two. Not as companions, but in your own head. Because each Roan is actually three personalities, selected from the six base archetypes of the game: Brutal, Clever, Nimble, Precise, Resilient, and Vicious. The archetypes are designed not to be across the board equivalent to our familiar basic PC classes, but to overlap or be more setting-specific in our ant-world. And as archetypes, each has its strengths and limitations. 

an example character

So what's up with the three-in-one character? Each Roan is inhabited by three selected archetypes, and may switch in three situations: after a rest (referred to as cocooning), the primary or active personality is killed, or under duress during an encounter (although with penalties for the latter two cases). The idea was born from the system/game originally being designed as a solo system, so an individual player could have access to a "party" of different skills. Regardless, it's also useful for one-on-one play, or a limited party of just a couple of players. Think of it as resource management including the three PCs in your body...

The setting, The Shimmer, has a number of post-apocalyptic undertones. The Queen is fading in virility and power, which allows the Roan to break from their natural hive-mind and explore, seeking resources and propping up their decaying City and Queen. Or striking out on their own.

As a subterranean world, there are plenty of foes: rogue Roan, fungal beings, giant boring worms, spider things, and probably real ants. Combat with the d6 system is fast and fatal.

The zine includes setting background, character creation, the d6 mechanics, a handful of statted foes, and a brief "Tunnel Master" section with some game advice and lightweight random tables for plot, tunnel generating, and loot.

In addition to the 46 page zine version, a 135-page expanded core rulebook is also available. A Second Edition is pending on Kickstarter.

They Met at a Tavern 23: Breaking out the Temple of Dynss, once again.

Who graced the table at the brewery?

• Wayne: Pharan, human Sea Wolf
• Chris: Galen, human Priest
• Dan: Kiara, elf Ras Godai
• Seana: Zanegar, 1/2 orc Sea Wolf
• Roger: Drom, dwarf Desert Rider
• Wilson: Gim, dwarf Fighter

Full house. Let's do it. 

The party departed from Zelkor's Ferry to the nearest city of note. What's the town? Let's ask the players for help. 

We have a medium-sized city that is well-established, but fallen on hard times, and a shadow of its former glory. It is run by a council of merchants, with a figurehead of a mayor. The city looks backwards, and makes a good trade in relics. That said, one of its notable landmarks is the old trading hall, once an impressive edifice, but now threadbare. The city is called Bettiholme. 

The party disembarked from their packet-ship, and paid a treasure toll to the harbormaster. Gim, an itinerant dwarf, was met. Fending off a band of enterprising urchins, they reached the shop of Delmar Hevrolug, brother to Kalgor Hevrolug of Zelkor's ferry. After some bitching about the state of his business, Delmar agreed to find a buyer for the party's magic orb. 

The party was directed to the shop of Kashmi Rasam, an artificer and dealer in artifacts. They managed to avoid serious mishaps and petty crime as they were slowed by a small street carnival, with snake charmers, jugglers, and acrobats. As city guards rushed in to apprehend pickpocket jugglers, spilling snake handler baskets, the party made a quick departure...

Rasam was quite enthralled by the find of the orb, pressing the party for information. The orb was demonstrated, although Kashmi warned that it may only have a limited number of uses left. Best not to show it off. He agreed to act as broker and find a buyer.

But first, we carouse. The party was recommended a modest dwarf-operated inn in the neighborhood. None of that weak halfling beer there. Only one PC woke up in the gutter. 

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.

source

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."

source

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.

source

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.

source

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

"All in the Family" or, The Family that Prays Together, Stays Together...

... or something like that.

Here we have a family interred within their family tomb, which is also a shrine to their god, as well as a gateway for an avatar of that god to treat with them, other faithful followers, as well as those who may seek conversion and the gifts that act bears...

It took me a while to come up with what "lived" in the pool, until the phrase 'flayed god' came to me. Leaning heavily on the imagery of Xipe Totec, I went with it.

The OG Flayed God

Anyway, I'm not sure how this one turned out. It was an interesting presentation and content challenge. The adventure-bits themselves are basically one page, with lore, monster and spell descriptions, and other material taking up four pages... The spell Fear doesn't show up in B/X-OSE, with its first appearance in AD&D as a mage/illusionist spell. Likewise, Shadowdark has neither Fear or Remove/Cause Fear in its original edition. So those spells are included, and modified to fit the systems. I got lazy and didn't convert the family members and avatar to SD, but I think they are straightforward enough to run on the fly. Also, this can be approached as a delve, or potentially access to a resource, depending on how it plays out. 

Anyway, you can check in on the Viermetz family and their fleshless proselytizing here. 

Going to step into the Crumbling Keep of Khashmur with some other yahoos on Monday evening. Watch our hapless adventures here.

They Met at a Tavern 21: When the DM Mentions Something in Passing...

What did I get myself into tonight, and with whom?

• Seana: Zanegar, 1/2 orc Sea Wolf
• Roger: Brom, dwarf Desert Rider
• Chris: Roult, human Basilisk Warrior
• Callista: Erol, elf Priest
• Daniel: Hawk, human Ranger
• Rick: Bjorr, 1/2 orc Paladin 

Note: Callista is Chris' granddaughter, who had never rolled dice before this session. This will become important later.

Well, the party docked at Zelkor's Ferry, arriving due to some unfortunate events in the last town across the water.

This, coincidentally (or not) was where a prior party arrived a couple of sessions ago... Note: None of the players (except the Shorter Half) were involved in that session, so it's untrodden territory.

ANYWAY, the DM (who had a trio of available scenarios lined up) mentioned that the party meets some other patched-up adventurers going the other way with a couple of chests of loot. They mention that they got it off some pirates, but you don't need to worry about them. Just the undead dragon.

So much for delving some pre-selected tomb or abandoned mine...

The paladin beelined to the inn to purchase a cask of ale to fortify himself for the adventure. It was determined to be evening anyhow, so everyone eventually followed. They got a bit of background from the militia sergeant and a rough map the adventurers had left. The desert rider asked the priest if undead dragons could still speak and throw spells (WIS roll, dirty 20) - we decided that Erol did well in her Undead Studies classes and suspected that, depending on the cause of undeath, that the dragon was unlikely to still speak. 

Things in the inn took a turn when the local blacksmith showed up to play (poorly) her bagpipes. As well as a certain coolness that came over the crowd when another local appeared, Hebetha Solace. Erol's neck hairs stood up a bit as the woman approached the table. I understand you are seeking looking to hunt down the undead dragon. I have associates who are in need of the head. I'll pay you good coin if you are able to retrieve it.  

More coin? We're in.

Oh, and she dropped off a pair of Hugo's Healing Potions (tm) as a down payment. 

In the morning, the band set off in a somewhat patched-up small sailing boat, captained by the sea wolf, with assistance by the ranger (sailor background). The desert rider hung over the rail, and tried to keep land in sight. 

A shark followed the ship, possibly lured by the desert rider's "chumming."

They Met at a Tavern 20: Ignoring the NFC Championship Game

Besides running Shadowdark, I'll get further onto BXBlackrazor's pariah list by ducking out of various Seahawks viewing opportunities to run another one-shot. 

Because The Ridgecrest doesn't sport a TV. 

Anyway. Off we go:

• Chris: Thorn, Dwarf Wizard
• Seana: Katwaen, Dwarf Sea Wolf
• Michael: Rango, Dwarf Knight of St. Ydris
• Patrick: Nix, Kobold Thief
• Daniel: Maven, Elf Witch

Three dwarves, two miscellaneous others. Dwarf-themed misadventure, it is.

I've always wanted to see how Dwarves With Worms runs at the table. PCs bumped to 3rd level, plus some random magical items, just in case.

Rango's "cousin" Ugraen had headed out with some followers to reconsecrate or expand some old temple. Trouble is, he'd gotten excommunicated from the local temple for some questionable practices and beliefs. Anyway, better go check up on him.

The party found the complex, showing signs of recent excavation and expansion. Upon entering, the dwarves were disappointed to see shoddy excavation and stonework. I mean, humans could do this...

Listening at a door, they heard nothing. Deciding to explore in the opposite direction, they spiked the door and headed deeper into the complex.  

Well, that noise called up something:

arrrrr.....

A trio of vacant-eyed dwarves accosted them. The party sussed that they weren't quite undead, as something seemed to writhe under their flesh. 

Many poor rolls occurred. Finally, the wizard was able to web them up for easy disposal. Upon slaying them, large worms burst from their bodies, and swarmed the party, intent upon infecting them. Much worm stomping and stabbing, and possibly one Knight of St. Ydris screaming like a little girl. The wizard quaffed their sole potion of healing. 

Fortunately, around the corner, the explorers found a stash of ale, which went a long way to cure shaken nerves.

Onward!

Bollixing Up the "Shrine of the Mother" by Tim Shorts

So Tim posted up this excellent little scenario on his Patreon. It includes a small hexcrawl, a novice deathcult, and halflings. Always good. I ganked the map of the "Shrine of Dedragoria" for a quick bar writeup:

work in progress

The map is a good space, essentially a five-room dungeon. A place to hide the McGuffin, a side passage, something causing some structural damage. I can work with this.

Stuck with the shrine idea, because it fits. And shrines need a relic. Preferably hidden away. So our heroes get assigned a simple snatch-and-grab by my campaign's favorite thieves' guild boss, Solange. Nothing to it.

Without further ado: The Shrine of Dhena

(Note: I realized that Tim used a map from a previously-posted set of small adventure/encounter area maps. Which are also part of my languishing Project Transcribe(tm). Curses.) 

Added for no reason whatsoever.

Foxtail Grotto, revised

After last week's shenanigans, I gave Foxtail Grotto a revision to (hopefully) improve usability and play. I revised descriptions to clarify placement of encounters, and added a small introduction on playing out the discovery of the pirate cove. Monster stats have been updated and consolidated at the end of the scenario, more consistent with my current format. I also bumped the format to two column, which I've been using and seems to read better. 

New and Improved!

And apropos of nothing, found this while image searching:

source

Finally, some validation! I always knew that princess was up to something sketchy.... We knew all along the dragon was unfairly incriminated!

They Met at a Tavern 19: Visiting Foxtail Grotto

Set up at the brewery on Sunday night, and found a full table. Excellent. I had a few choices in my folder, but with a table of meat, er, PCs, it was time to take on Foxtail Grotto. 

The cast: 

• Freya, Seawolf
• Durl Snuggs, Priest
• (forgot name), Bard
• Eswald, Seer
• Rand, Fighter
• Gilden, Wizard
• Holbarn, Fighter

We started at a small coastal settlement that had been plagued by pirates. The garrison's sergeant didn't have the resources or talent to root them out. But look! A seawolf and a handful of "talent." The party was equipped with a small sailing ship and basic supplies, given a map, and enough rumors to point them in the right direction. A day or so of sailing along the coast and poking around in coves, and they were rewarded with signs of activity, such as harvesting of timber for ship repairs.

Carefully navigating shoals, and they found the pirates' ship, the Meteor (mis-heard as 'meatier'). But it was in sad shape, holed on a rock. The party carefully navigated toward the ship to investigate, and got themselves hung up on the doomed ship's rigging. While clearing the snarl, one of the gaff hooks was snapped off, and a rotting, undead shark made its appearance.

duh-DUHN...duh-DUHN

It got turned away, and in spite of the hazard, three of the PCs hopped over to investigate the damaged ship. It was found to have been stripped of loot, and they were able to return to their ship without incident.

D66 Winter Carousing Happenings, Part II

As a follow-up to my last D66 Winter Carousings list, I recognized that Solstice/Generic Midwinter Holiday/New Years is a field ripe for harvest (bad analogy) and ginned up a second D66 list, complete with more frigid happenings, mishaps, and boons.

Hey, watch where you're driving!

So put on some thick socks, warm that mulled wine, and beware snowdrifts speaking Finnish:

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