[IC] 5e Dungeon Crawl [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

Cyclops

2019-02-22, 07:46 PM

There is nothing special about the Village of Wetsepoog.

It’s the month Hammer (1st month), day 15. This is the middle of the winter and it appears most of the villagers are still recuperating from hangovers acquired in the new year festivities.

The citizens of Wetsepoog worship one of the old gods that they refer to as the Gentle Maiden. Her symbol is a white rose and the prayers directed to her always sound like lamentations about dying painfully in an easily avoidable accident.

Wetseppogians are honest and hard workers, but gloomy and slow witted. It seems as if a great tragedy befell this settlement ages ago and people never got over it. There is a general sense that life is terribly miserable and there’s nothing one can do about it.

The village’s most notorious attractions include:

The ruffled feathers tavern
Wellsock brothers general store, arms and leathers
The stinkfish pond

***

As the snowflakes slowly fall outside, this unusual band of strangers gather around a large wooden table near the roaring fire of the Ruffled Feathers tavern. Between the tankards of ale and plates of turkey drumsticks, a poorly drawn map of this region lies on the table. The map was bought from a farmer in the village for a couple of copper coins.

As outlanders, you consider this map ridiculous. It’s totally out of scale and the routes are scrambled in an incomprehensible way. A group following this map would either get lost and frozen in the snowy grasslands or walk straight into the ghost forest, a wild territory full of deadly threats.

There are old ruins to the northwest of this village. The intel gathered by the heroes is unclear regarding the true nature of the original construction. The only thing you know for sure is: there are monsters and treasure in there.

While the heroes look over their maps and notes, a party of three hooded figures sits on a smaller table on the other corner of the tavern. Although they try to keep a low profile, a few things stand out even to the most clueless of observers:
– They are of very short stature, surely small humanoids;
– Their little hands reaching out for mugs or cutlery reveal dark green skin and yellowish claw-like nails.

The tavern keeper drops a fresh batch of breadrolls on the heroes table and issues a warning:
“Make no mistake, lads, we surely don’t appreciate their kind around here. But they are paying customers, same as you. And they are not causing any trouble, so I ask of you, leave ‘em be.”

Do you wear your army insignia in any visible part of your clothes?

GM_3826

2019-02-22, 08:28 PM

Upon arriving at town, Alberich changed out of his armor and set down his equipment. When he entered the tavern, he was wearing his civilian clothes-a loose, white shirt, tan breeches, and simple brown shoes. Tacked onto his shirt was his soldier's insignia-a bear with it's claws outstretched, the symbol of the Balderk clan. He had short, burgundy red hair, a long, red beard, dark brown eyes, and a crooked nose. His skin was pale, and he was tall for a dwarf, and quite broad as well.

Strangely, Alberich did not order any sort of drink. Rather, he ordered water. When asked, he simply stated that he wasn't in the mood to drink. He glared at the green humanoids, but seemed averse to looking anyone in the eyes-including his sworn companions.

"Pass the bread rolls." He said nonchalantly.

K.Scrimshaw

2019-02-23, 04:50 AM

Shaku slides the bread rolls across the table, and takes a closer look at this map, trying to figure out how long it would take to trek to the ruins from the Ruffled Feathers.

Monsters and treasure they say? It couldn't be anything too fearsome this close to a town as sleepy as this one. I'm curious though... it seems strange that no one knows who built those ruins and what they were for. It doesn't seem like the people feel very threatend by whatever is there. If only this town had a rumor miller, we could ask them.

Does Wetsepoog seem to be primarily human?

Bladehunter217

2019-02-23, 09:16 AM

Cade never takes a second glance towards the goblins, if they do start something they are painfully outnumbered and not even a goblin scout is dumb enough to alert themselves that easily. His focus is solely on the map. "This is going to send us utterly the wrong direction of we even think of using it as a map." He rolls it up and shoves it in his pack before grabbing some bread. Brushing some dirt of his 'robes', really just a human sized tunic with a belt around it, and shoves the bowl of bread at Alverich, whispering coarsely. "Eat your bleeding rolls and stop staring at the buggers. Kill on your time, not dinnertime." He drinks his ale and slouches back, eyes half closed.

GM_3826

2019-02-23, 10:25 AM

Alberich stares at Cade briefly... Before looking away. He wasn't staring at the goblins anymore, at the very least.

Drakeburn

2019-02-23, 12:01 PM

For a while Tharivol stayed silent, taking occasional sips from his mug of ale. It was something he hasn't had for a long time. But despite what the halfing at the table said, Tharivol keeps an eye on the three hooded figures. He has no reason to believe that they're here at the Ruffled Feathers without ill intentions.

Insight check on the three goblins to find out what their true intentions are at the tavern.

[roll0]

Cyclops

2019-02-23, 12:39 PM

They are wearing travel clothes and even though you cannot see it, it’s likely that they all have concealed weapons. There is no apparent reason for them being here, but your best guess is that they are bounty hunters en route to the town of Pricket, south of here, either to collect from the local marshal or to hunt someone down.

***

About the journey: It is impossible to determine the exact distance from the village to the ruins you hope to explore, but between Cade, the Halfling, and the elf Tharivol, both well accustomed to the hardships of the wilderness, you can estimate it’s a two-day journey.

The party is well rested and fed. You could leave now, but the afternoon will soon give way to the evening. Perhaps a morning start would be more prudent, unless you are eager to reach your destination.

With the same thought in mind, the tavern keeper approaches the table once again:

“Are you renting beds? Two silver pieces per night, you pay upfront.”

What do you do?

GM_3826

2019-02-23, 02:12 PM

"...If we go out at night, we'll exhaust ourselves. No one wants to die alone in the wilderness." Alberich looked directly at the others. He wasn't staring like how he was before. "What do you have to say about that?"

Bladehunter217

2019-02-23, 02:18 PM

"We aren't alone and just don't die." Cade chuckles at his attempt at a joke before continuing. "It'sabout two days travel before we get another chance at a bed. I wouldn't mind a nice long drink and a proper drink before we leave." He finishes his drink and passed the keep coin for a bed and another round.

K.Scrimshaw

2019-02-23, 03:59 PM

I agree. I don't mind a bivouac in midwinter, its good for the spirit, but we should soak up this comfort while we can. Are we well enough outfitted? maybe we should buy a pack mule to carry what we find back here, and extra provisions.

Shaku pays the innkeeper for the night.

Drakeburn

2019-02-23, 05:34 PM

"It would be wise to wait until tomorrow when we have more daylight for our journey." Tharivol replied to the dwarf with a nod before he gets up and pays the innkeeper for a bed for the night and another round.

Cyclops

2019-02-23, 06:35 PM

Having decided to spend the night in Wetsepoog, the band of heroes head for their rooms.

Alberich, the dwarf fighter, Cade the Halfling with magic powers and the forests expert Tharivol are all placed in the same room, with a fireplace and beds that are far too wide for Cade, a bit too narrow for Alberitch’s taste, but just the perfect size for the elf.

Shaku, the cleric, is placed in a separate room with no fireplace so it doesn’t get too warm for his taste.

The night transpires uneventful and the morning greets the group with yet another snowy day. There are no more signs of the three small hooded individuals from the night before. If asked, the tavern keeps shrugs and says “They paid and left at the crack of dawn.”

As the heroes take onto the roads, what precautions or preparations will the party take?
At what pace does the group want to travel?
Are you eager to reach the destination before the blizzards come? (fast pace)
Will you travel slowly and be cautious of road bandits? (slow pace, stealth checks allowed)
Are you travelling for leisure instead of business and will stop to admire the winter flowers, gaze at the majestic evergreens, fish patiently for the most delicious bass? (very slow pace, no apparent benefit)

GM_3826

2019-02-23, 08:41 PM

"I say we take the fast road." Alberich nodded. "These boots of mine weren't made for sneaking around. If one of us trips over a branch, we could get killed. And we don't have the proper gear to deal with the blizzards. Before we go, though, I agree with the dragon man. Let's equip ourselves properly before we go... that is, if there are any shops for adventurers in this cozy little village." He scoffed.

Drakeburn

2019-02-23, 11:14 PM

"I agree with the dwarf. It'll take longer to reach the ruins if we get caught in a blizzard, so we should try to get there as quickly as we can. Or at least be prepared for if we do get caught in a blizzard." Tharivol said before he went to see if any of the stores the village have a blanket and bedroll that he can purchase. He wanted to move quickly not just because of the blizzards, but also because of the goblins he suspected were bounty hunters. Were they there for him? Could the kingdom he once served put out a bounty on him for deserting his post?

No. Tharivol thought to himself.
They wouldn't search this far from the kingdom for a deserter.
But Tharivol isn't sure that is entirely true.

K.Scrimshaw

2019-02-25, 03:28 AM

I support moving quickly as well, The days are so short, we should be on the road as soon as it is light enough to travel.

Bladehunter217

2019-02-26, 07:16 AM

Cade grabs a quick breakfast of biscuits from the innkeeper, rolls his eyes at the group and walks out of the tavern and onto the road. "No reason to dawdle, talking about hitting the road wont keep any snowstorms away." He doesn't worry about them keeping up with their extra long legs and simply forges on ahead, only taking a few moments to get an extra blanket and pot to strap onto the side of his pack. Once the others join, he'll end up close behind Alberich, dwarves make the best walkways in snow.

[roll0]

Cyclops

2019-02-26, 12:23 PM

The party of novice heroes takes on the harrowing winter roads, slowly making their way towards the ancient forgotten ruins. The landscape consists of plains and grasslands, covered in a thick layer of snow making it often difficult to stick to the road. Cold winter winds blow unforgivingly, but the blankets acquired in the village help the group move on unencumbered by the low temperatures. The dragonborn cleric, Shaku, actually looks quite happy and comfortable with the weather.

At late morning, the winds settle down to a soft breeze and the wilderness becomes less unwelcoming. And by noon, the group arrives at the tree line of a weird forest of contorted trees and cackling crows, but fortunately the road leads away from the woods.
The Halfling Cade manages to uproot a bunch of wild beets and the elf Tharivol hunts a morsel. Not a king’s feast, but enough to make an enjoyable meal for everyone.

Tharivol knows that this old road circles around the ghost forest. A long time ago, a distant cousin of yours told of her journey through the dreadful ghost forest and it is indeed a dangerous place. But if the party takes this shortcut, you’ll arrive at the ruins before the sun is down, otherwise the journey will take another day.

What do you do?

Drakeburn

2019-02-27, 01:55 AM

Tharivol knew that the party was getting close to a ghost forest that a distant cousin of his mentioned about, at a time before his whole life changed. Going through it would be a quicker way to the ruins, but Tharivol didn't want to risk an encounter with whatever lurks in that forest.

"We need to stay on the road." Tharivol told the others.
"There is a forest ahead of us that is haunted by ghosts. It would be wise to go around the forest so that we do not waste strength and energy fighting whatever lurks in that forest."

Cyclops

2019-02-27, 07:27 AM

Following the road, the rest of the journey goes uneventful. The party needs to stop and camp for the night, but nothing disturbs the group’s slumber. Out in the distance you think you hear strange noises. It could be something in the distant forest or maybe just the howling winds of the winter night, but overall it’s a quiet night.

***

In the morning, the group once again takes the road and by noon the ancient ruins stand before the brave heroes!

Looking at it from the outside, it barely looks like a building. The stone structure has been withered by time with plants and vines covering most of the outer walls. The vines look dry or dead (it’s winter time afterall) so they form a pattern of dark brown lines covering the stone surface.

It is not a tall structure, meaning it is either the single ground floor or it descends into lower levels beneath the earth. The roots and vines covering the outside area are not common to this grasslands region.

The entrance is a large threshold without doors or any kind of barrier with a few stone steps leading into an atrium. From the outside, you can see a little into the first area as it seems that daylight shines in through cracks in the stone walls and roof.

What do you do?

Finding the ruins gives each hero 50xp

GM_3826

2019-02-27, 07:46 AM

"...Hmm." Walking up to the stone ruins, Alberich begins to analyze them, checking to see if he recognized them and could recall their origins.
Trying to make use of Stonecunning. Rolling before the DM calls for a check so we don't waste time.

[roll0]

Bladehunter217

2019-02-27, 07:49 AM

"Alright, creepy ruins ahead, which one of you is going to walk in the front?" Cade scratches under his chin and takes a few steps towards the entrance, tilting his head to try to get a better view inside.

Cyclops

2019-02-27, 08:08 AM

Alberich, the dwarf fighter, examines the stone walls. It’s been a while since you’ve seen this kind of igneous rock, it’s a rare type known as “sporeling basalt”. It is known to be the favorite type of stone for druids building temples, as it is very favorable to the growth of moss and vines.

GM_3826

2019-02-27, 08:29 AM

"...The rock seems to be a kind favored by druids. Good for growing moss. Seems like this was a treehugger's temple. Maybe the treehugger should get in the front. Tharivol?" Alberich turned to the ranger. "You're the sneakiest, so it's probably best that you stay in front and scout ahead anyway. I'll be right behind you, in case you're nervous." He smirked.

Drakeburn

2019-02-27, 03:49 PM

Tharivol rolls his eyes when the dwarf Alberich refers to him as a treehugger. But despite what the dwarf said, Tharivol simply nodded, drew his bow and arrow, and went inside the temple.

Stealth: [roll0]

Perception: [roll1]

K.Scrimshaw

2019-02-27, 04:01 PM

I will protect our rear to ensure we are not ambushed from behind once we begin exploration. Shall we set up a base camp in the open air at the entrance of the ruins, or begin exploration imediately and find somewhere suitable inside?

Cyclops

2019-02-28, 07:05 AM

As the elf enters the ancient temple, he finds himself in an abandoned atrium. Rubble of old columns are scattered across the stone floor and a portion of the roof has fallen, causing a strong stream of light to seep through. The floor is covered in vines and thick vegetation roots grow here and there.

Across the room, there is another doorway, leading into the next area. But the door is blocked by a majestic tree that broke the stone floor and grew right inside the temple.

The tree appears to have a humanoid face carved into it. A big lumpy nose, a frowny mouth and sleepy shut eyes.

This is the Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LUfIGN6HgN5nhcbFjn_wxofkpWvG1ve5V0TIoGpMQvk/edit#gid=0)

(ooc: Map: the areas marked with "/ / /" are covered in rubble. The areas marked with "* * *" have plants and rough vegetation. Both are difficult terrain to move across.)

Drakeburn

2019-02-28, 12:57 PM

"There's nothing here but a tree with a face." Tharivol said out loud to the rest of the party who were outside.
"I think it is safe to come inside."

GM_3826

2019-02-28, 01:07 PM

"I'll follow you." Alberich said. Before he entered, he drew one of the handaxes he kept in a sheath on his leg. "Sounds like we might need to cut the tree down. Fortunately, I came prepared."

Cyclops

2019-02-28, 01:15 PM

With the sound of the ranger’s words echoing in the dusty old chamber, followed by the fighter Alberich replying, the once inanimate tree opens its eyes and mouth, speaking in a thunderous voice that makes the entire room shake:

“Ouuuhh… AAAahh!! Who dares awake me?! Come forth and state your business lest I struck you down with my powerful branches! OOOoooHHH!!!! Better yet, forget your business and just step forward so I can smack you down at once!!”

Bladehunter217

2019-03-01, 02:11 PM

"Talking tree? That's what we get to deal with? A talking tree?" Cade frowns and walks a little closer, staying a good 20 feet away from the thing. His eyes go cold as he watches the tree "You kill us if we get close doesn't sound particularly appealing to me honestly. We're here to go inside the ruins behind you, we have no interest in whatever you are tree. He spread his arms wide and shrugged before putting a hand on his hip.

Cyclops

2019-03-01, 08:24 PM

The tree wiggles angrily and shouts:

“Trespassers! The mighty Yordoluk will crush you!!”

The talking tree contorts itself and violently strikes the nearest wall with one of its thickest branches causing a tremor in the entire room, while crumbling rocks from the ceiling rain down on the heroes!

DC:10
Tharivol , damage: [roll1] bludgeoning.
Alberich [roll]120, damage: [roll2] bludgeoning.
Cade [roll3], damage: [roll4] bludgeoning.

The heroes manage to dodge the falling rocks and are safe! For now...

What do you do?

K.Scrimshaw

2019-03-05, 12:32 AM

Shaku gestures with her right hand, holding it aloft she grasps her middle finger and thumb together and extends the others into dragon horns. Her voice rumbles as she prays
"Hail Bahamut! Your scales spark against the earth as you shift in your slumber. Ignite my foes with your Sacred Flame." Golden flames flare up out of nowhere and lick the trunk of the flailing tree.

[roll0]

Cyclops

2019-03-05, 08:47 AM

Burned by the flame of Bahamut, the talking tree squirms in anger and shouts profanities in a long forgotten language. It seems ready to launch an attack, but not before the remaining heroes can take action!

Cade, Alberich and Tharivol can take combat actions in any order.

Bladehunter217

2019-03-05, 10:14 AM

Cade sighs and takes a twig from his beltpouch. "Not fire but I doubt a tree is fond of electricity." He makes a few hand gestures and points the twig at the tree. ""Witchbolt." Sparks fly and a small bolt of electricity connects to the tree, searing a small amount of bark.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Cyclops

2019-03-05, 12:12 PM

The enemy is hurt by the bolt, but only so slightly: “Huaark, huaark, huaark!” (this appears to be laughter, but sounds hideous) “Pathetic!” Yordoluk mocks and grows in conficende bulging its roots in anticipation for another attack.

Alberich and Tharivol can take combat actions in any order.

Drakeburn

2019-03-05, 12:13 PM

With his bow already drawn, Tharivol shoots an arrow at the talking tree.

Attack: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

Edit: Woot! Natural twenty!!!

Cyclops

2019-03-05, 12:34 PM

Tharivol’s arrow flies true across the room hitting its mark right on the face! But, despite the precision of the shot, the damage caused falls short of the expected. It appears Yordoluk, the tree, is naturally resistant to piercing damage.

Of course, if Tharivol keeps shooting arrows, *eventually* the tree will die, but in the meantime, who knows what the blabbering tree will awaken inside the dungeon with its thunderous voice? the Elven Ranger knows that if he wants to expedite this combat, he needs to employ a different strategy.

“You dare hurt me with the sharpened body of my fallen brothers and sisters, elf? I shall strangle you with my roots!”

It’s your turn!

GM_3826

2019-03-05, 01:44 PM

"...What an irritating tree. The last time I heard someone boast that much, they ended up tripping over a rock, falling down on their ass, and cutting their head off. This should end soon."

Alberich hops onto the rubble in front of him and throws his axe straight at the tree.

Is it OK if next turn I take the "climb onto a bigger creature" action, from the DMG, page 271?

Obviously my action is to move ahead 5 feet, but I'm not donning my shield as Alberich is definitely pissed off enough to just throw his axe this turn. Next turn he's either going to don his shield and get into melee range or hop on it and start whacking on it. It depends on whether or not you'll let me uses the rules there.

Cyclops

2019-03-05, 04:50 PM

The dwarf Alberich skillfully throws an axe, chopping off an entire branch of Yordoluk! The tree creature looks furious and once again shakes its entire body flailing its stronger branches against the stone walls! The tremor causes rocks to fall from the ceiling as the heroes try to dodge:

Tharivol: [roll0], damage: [roll1] bludgeoning.
Alberich: [roll2], damage: [roll3] bludgeoning.
Cade: [roll4], damage: [roll5] bludgeoning.
Shaku: [roll6], damage: [roll7] bludgeoning.

Most of the party escape the rain of stones, except for Shaku who is caught off guard. She suffers 2 points of bludgeoning damage.

Combat round 2: Any of the heroes can post their actions in any order.

This is the Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LUfIGN6HgN5nhcbFjn_wxofkpWvG1ve5V0TIoGpMQvk/edit#gid=0)

K.Scrimshaw

2019-03-05, 06:49 PM

Flare up Sacred Flame, reduce it to embers

[roll0]

GM_3826

2019-03-05, 07:04 PM

Alberich laughs. "Oh, you want some more? I'll give you some more!" He charged ahead, jumping up and grabbing onto another one of it's branches. Then he climbs on!

I'm moving ten feet forward and climbing onto the tree! The rules say that I need to make any ability checks necessary in order to get into position and onto the larger creature. I'm going to say that that's an Strength (Athletics) check in order to jump up and grab onto it's branches. Then I'd be making an opposed Strength (Athletics) vs. Dexterity (Acrobatics) check in order to climb onto the tree itself. The first one presumably uses the rules for jumping, so you only have to take into account the second check if the branch is 9 feet up or less. After all, I'm moving 10 feet forward prior to jumping on, so I make a full distance high jump. If I make a full distance high jump, I can clear a distance equal to 3+my Strength modifier, and my Strength modifier is +3, so that's 6 feet. After that, I'm reaching out and grabbing onto the branch, so since I can reach 1 1/2 times my jumping height up, I have a reach of at least 9 feet. If it's 10 feet up or more, then the first check matters, as I would be making a Strength (Athletics) check to jump higher up than usual. Besides that, the second check is an opposed check vs. the tree's Dexterity (Acrobatics), so the tree's modifier to that check matters. I don't think it's very high, since it's a tree.

[roll0]

[roll1]

Cyclops, if you have anything to say, like "that's too complicated!", say it now or forever hold your peace.

Drakeburn

2019-03-05, 07:05 PM

Tharivol knew that his tactic wasn't going to work. If he was going to be able to hurt the talking tree, he was going to need something else. So he ran out of the room, put his bow away, and pulls out his torches and his tinderbox.

So I'm going to move 15 ft to go outside, put away my bow, and pulls out a torch and tinderbox.

Cyclops

2019-03-05, 07:24 PM

The cleric Shaku draws power from her faith in Bahamut and burns the enemy with sacred flames! It hurts Yordoluk, but the flame is not too strong this time.

“Ouch” complains the talking tree, less than impressed. But then it notices something. “Hey, what are you doing dwarf?? How dare you climb me! Let go!!” Yordoluk contorts and shakes ineffectively as Alberich swiftly climbs atop of it. The dwarf is now nested in the crown of the tree, well positioned, with steady footing. Enough so to carry on whatever plan he has in mind!

Meanwhile, the forests specialist Tharivol produces a lit torch.

“Hold on!” says the tree, desperately still trying to shake off the dwarf. “There’s enough sunlight coming through the roof, you maniac! Don’t you see in the dark anyways?? Don’t waste your torches now! You’ll need those later!”

It pleads while droplets of sap start to form on its forehead.

Your turn is up!