D66 Afterlife Experiences

Well, it happened. One too many blows from the foe, that unseen spear trap, a venomous bite. Your PC is is no more, has ceased to be, is expired and gone to meet his maker, etc.

So what did your PC experience while they waited for their companions to drag their stiffening body back to town and pool enough coin to have them raised?  

Sir Olaf and the Underworld, by Kay Nielsen

D66 Things Your PC Experienced While They Were Dead

D66  Shit, I'm Dead!
11     Tasted ambrosia. All food now tastes like ash.
12     Bickering angels.
13     All of their dead pets.
14     Disappointed ancestors.
15     Screaming. So much screaming.
16     The music of the spheres.
21     One moment of perfect beauty.
22     Naught but the Void.
23     Reboot of the simulation.
24     Looking up at six people around a table.
25     Dude pushing a big rock.
26     Ghosts bumming for change at the Styx.
31     Fiery horses chasing ghostly steers.
32     Dueling harps.
33     Viking party!
34     Line of souls waiting on the rebirth application process.
35     Haunting lessons.
36     Dead rockers jamming.
41     Endless gray plains.
42     Infinite roulette wheels constantly spinning.
43     Three chicks with a spinning wheel, tape measure, and scissors.
44     Anubis weighing hearts.
45     Dead-rights picketers and pamphleteers.
46     Various death gods playing lots for souls.
51     Massive tree boughs holding up the heavens.
52     How did those Mormon missionaries get in here?
53     At least there are no lawyers...
54     Great birds carrying souls toward the dawn.
55     Only 71 virgins.
56     A great serpent constricting the world.
61     Forgotten gods panhandling for worshipers.
62     Cerberus and the Black Dog playing tug-of-war with souls.
63     Poppies everywhere.
64     Great infinite cliffs into the clouds, speck of souls seen climbing.
65     Chaotic funhouse. Clowns everywhere.
66     Eternal bouncers and a red velvet rope.

Download These Afterlives

Playthings of Eternity, by Cardwell Higgins

Campaign Journal: Out And About in Chirath

The dust settled from the arena match, and the party gathered:

• Jax - barbarian
• Frederick - thief
• Slick - thief
• Orzu- gnome
• Fulvus - halfling

Akreos the arena-master gave Jax her cut of the gate takings, and a couple of healing potions, besides. Fulvus showed up, asking if he'd missed anything (He and hench Wene were off getting her outfitted with some plate armor).

Well, since the part had already made a subtle entry into town (hydra kill plus arena victory), the only best option was to now hire a bard...

After some asking about, the party found themselves at the "Hunting Sage," an expansive inn in the mercantile end of the city. Wiping their feet before entering, Orzu asked the proprietor if there might be a bard who may sing the praises of Jax. The owner, a retired dwarven campaigner named Ziri, looked at Jax (who currently consists primarily of scar tissue), and pointed out a well-appointed entertainer from among the possible candidates. 

Orzu introduced himself and Jax to Witha, a distinguished-looking balladeer. She looked them over and asked how she may be of help. Orzu explained that they needed someone to sing the tales of Jax. Jax, of course, is a modest soul, but did add, that Witha could "toot her horn on my behalf." Witha had heard of the hydra hunt (fresh hydra steaks being on the menu in several establishments today), and was happy to meet one of its hunters. Orzu also described the arena match. Witha said she could work with that, and made some notes.

source

Some time later, she announced a new work, set to a traditional ballad, and sung a very acceptable paean to the heroic Jax, who had slain the nuisance hydra, and defeated the twisted beings of the arena, almost single-handedly (some embellishments and exaggeration required). Oh, with a little help from her companions (stinkeye from Slick). 

Campaign Journal: Wherein Jax Almost Dies, AGAIN

Who woke up at the Crossed Arms Inn by the southern gate of Chirath?

• Frederick - thief
• Slick - more thief
• Orzu - gnome
• Jax - barbarian

Breakfast was had, compliments of Raggi the dwarf proprietor. The acquisitional specialists of the party asked after the location of the Hidden Hand, a tavern recommended by Mellia Saber, the "messenger" employed by Victor Matui and Firmin Dyel. Raggi pointed them to the opposite end of town. Just look for the place behind the fishmonger's. You can's miss it.

The party made their way north through the city via its main thoroughfare. They passed mercantile, craftsfolk, other inns and taverns. Wild-eyed street preachers spewed fire and brimstone sermons. Some attracted crowds, some were ignored. Caravaneers passed, either preparing for winter camp, or for a final haul for the season.

Our heroes doglegged through the temple district to one of the commercial docks. Frederick asked the harbormaster about potential passage to the Smoking Isles and the stronghold of the Sea Dwarves. He was rebuffed, as the dwarves had recently taken a grain ship. But you might want to ask at the north docks. Maybe one of the packets there would be foolhardy enough to take you.

Continuing to the northern extent of the city, the party found the dock. Fishermen unloaded their catches, and coastal traders took cargo. The party spotted, or smelled, "Eddy's Fresh Fish." The proprietor and his crew were cutting up a rather large, and unidentifiable fish and discussing on whether to put it in the "Miscellaneous" or "Exotic" crate. 

via Dyson

Circling through the adjoining alleyway, the gang found the Hidden Hand, a somewhat ramshackle tavern. A couple of inebriated sailors stumbled out, and Slick relieved them of their coin purses. 

"Brother Odom's Crypt" - An Encounter Area From Our Campaign

Last session, our band of miscreants came upon a tomb inhabited by an undead knight of an old order. They have encountered such undead warriors before, so delved in to see if they could recruit said knight to their cause. The knight, although handicapped, was willing to join. However, the party found that his soldiers had been corrupted by other organisms, and a fight was had. 

So sharing a slightly revised version of the quick encounter area that I sketched up for the party. 

As clearly shown...

The original map was drawn by prolific creator u/Raznag. I have a handful of his pieces, and this is the first one that got scribbled on. So we have a small, linear crypt with a mushroom-filled cavern. Perfect for a resting crusader and his corrupted colleagues.

Original map here

I made a quick "finished" dungeon from the session map. Elements of the scenario (deity, relic, and faction) are obviously from our campaign, but could be adjusted for your play. The "fungal wraiths" are co-opted from my "Banshee's Tower" adventure, which two of the players have helped to clear. Enjoy.

Welcome to Brother Odom's Crypt

Campaign Journal: The Road to Chirath

The curtain rises on our heroes:

• Fulvus: halfling
• Slick: Thief
• Jax: Barbarian
• Orzu: Gnome (returning after a hiatus)

After the return to Neuforde, the party refitted and hired up a few new horse-guards and drovers. And, of course, they asked Hugo what he might have in stock. The gnome alchemist has a couple of his special healing potions available, as well as an "explosive paste" that Slick took interest in. Hugo also gave the party a crock of "caustic sludge" (alchemical waste) that they may find uses for.

Some catch-up of events and discussion, as Orzu's player has been on walkabout for a couple of months. The decision was made to head to the city of Chirath, regional capital for the Hougon Duchy, since a number of potential resources were rumored in the city and surrounds.

Bright and early the next morning, the party rolled out. A long day of travel, and no untoward events, brought the party to the gates of the town of Laford, located at a 'Y' in the trade road. The guards were roused and reluctantly opened the town gates. They grumpily pointed the party toward the town's inn ("The Half-Full Cup") and went back to their guard-house. 

The halfling proprietor took a look at the party and their retainers, did some quick mental calculations, and said, "Wait a moment." Some commotion and noise was heard from upstairs, and he returned. "A room has just opened up..." The local beer-seller was happy to talk shop with Fulvus, and essentially shared the family recipe. Everyone had lodging and a good stew to close the night. Slick stole a hat (pointy, indigo).

The next morning, the party was greeted with pastries from a local shop and sent on their way with well wishes. Some time after noon, the party crossed a river ford. Buzzards were spotted in the sky. Slick dismounted, went invisible, and scouted ahead.

Always a good sign