We return to the cleric campaign! Previously the PCs had negotiated some blue mushrooms for the return of an obedientary's soul.
THE CALL OF THE WILD
The map outlines their travel in the very nice Beyond the Borderlands 'zine. It took them two game days to go from the Sea Witch's shell (hex 3,5) to a hex with blue mushrooms (hex 3,1) and back again.
DM Note: This session was interesting for me because there was not really anything that stood out in terms of big moments, but more small little bits each hex. I do think I need to work on refining the procedures that I want for these hexes. The nice thing is that Beyond the Borderlands provides aspects from weather to hunting. But still I need better refine how I present choices to the players.
PCs set off under sunny skies to pick some wild blue mushrooms.
* 3,5: Back through the raided merchant's caravan where they had a prior run-in with a slaad
* 2,3: The PCs meet Herbert the watcher from Stronglaw Keep who they met previously. They got some information about the noble hunting camp. And further strengthened their relationship and support if they go to Stronglaw Keep.
* 2,2: The PCs encounter fields and fields of berry bushes and strange holes. Wary, they decide to move quickly through and consume rations later.
* 3,2: The PCs make it to the hunting grounds of the nobility. No encounters here save for the baying of hounds and the blowing of horns. Again, they decide to keep moving
* 3,1: The clerics find a cave open where they can see the blue mushrooms in the fading light of the afternoon sun.
THE CAVE OF THE BLUE MUSHROOM
The clerics can detect a nauseatingly sweet odor coming from the cave and while they can see them, they will have to at least walk 40-50ft into the interior of the cave.
DM NOTE: So I wasn't just going to let them saunter in, grab the 'shrooms, and leave. So I set the mushrooms back in the cave and made sure they needed to make CON checks to maintain consciousness in the cave. Also rolled for encounters.
The cleric's first plan was to send in their two followers, Dorn or Varoris, to collect the mushrooms. But the followers weren't convinced it was their place to complete this task [DM NOTE: Both failed their morale check; both clerics also have a -1 on that due to CHA scores].
The cleric's second plan is to get Dorn (sailor background) to tie a rope around Brother Cadfael and send him into the cave to fetch mushrooms. The first attempt is somewhat successful, 3/4 of the mushrooms recovered. So, once more into the breach.
In the second attempt, Brother Cadfael is surprised by a giant wolf-bat who flattens him to the ground and lays on a vicious bite (dmg 6). Screaming out, Brother Phellius and Dorn pull him out of the cave entrance [DM Note: PC HD roll vs. Giant Wolf Bat HD roll].
The giant wolf bat keeps to the cave, afraid of the light. This gives Brother Phellius an idea to light a torch and grab a bottle of lamp oil. A strong initiative roll later, Phellius has driven back the wolf-bat and not completely ruined all the remaining mushrooms.
BACK TO WHERE THEY STARTED
The return trip to the Sea Witch is less eventful owning to good encounter rolls. The hand over the basket and the witch hands them one infernal iron coin with which 1/6th the man's soul is encased.
"Wait, why do we only have 1/6th his soul instead of the full third?" asked Brother Cadfael
"Oh, well I used it to make a compass that would point to the owner's true desire, and its powered by a bit of soul to give it reach into the ethereal and astral. A noble from the hunting camp wanted it." Answered the Sea Witch
"And is that noble a narcissist so it only points to himself?" grumped Cadfael.
"Ha! That would be good dear, but poor business." chuckled the Sea Witch
The night closed with Brother Cadfael *promising* to speak well of the Witch and that elicited a "deal" from her lips. She let them once again sleep in her domain.
DM Note: This was a good move by the player because that is what the witch wants, but it will draw mild rebuke from their god.
And that is where I ended the session.
I’m following this story with interest! I like the world, story and mechanical insights you give!
ReplyDeleteOh good! Thank you for reading and glad the extra bit of "DM insight" is interesting. I don't think I have the most clever of opinions on D&D, but I figure everyone is helped when we just talk about D&D we actually played vs. D&D we think we should play!
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