Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

Fair minded Elf I do not disagree that what you say is fair but it is also unnecessary. The magi have their own source of water.

"I think the Magi knew all along we had taken their supplies, and chose to reward us for our only slightly tardy honesty. But in any event we'll get to the fountain they mentioned tomorrow."

Shrugs, If the magi could not have figured out what we did, then perhaps they are not so smart and not really wizards?

Walia says, "At this point, if they know, they are happy enough to pretend mostly I assume because they see us as catalysts for change within this place or they don't. Giving them back the water may be a mistake because if they didn't know or just suspected they may become angry with us and attack."

When the party gets back to camp, Brathas will be talking just loudly enough to be overheard by Smelldox, saying "Well, the good news is that the Priests will soon be taking care of our goblin problem". He'll offer Smelldox the most burned rat to eat, and deny having said anything of the sort.

"What? Priests are paying ransom for me?" says Smelldox, puzzled. "About time! Goblin King Hargpthuu must be very mad that I have been gone so long and demand my return! Told you it is good to let me live! Much rewards for you!"

When Brathas denies having said anything, Smelldox is even more confused. "What? But you said... what kind of game you playing? Oh, rat. Good, yes. Gimme lots of rat! Why you cut the heads off? That is best part!"

Woot! Over 2000 posts in this thread!

I think we are about ready to move on. I still need confirmation from Wallia and Zynazyr about what spells they are taking, but leveling up seems to be done by most people.

Back in your corner Goblin. You'll eat what we give ya. Ferrous kicks the goblin as it complained about the food. He then goes and reluctantly trims his beard back to only an two inches longer than when he started this venture.
surely that is not assuming too much. I did learn a few important lessons already which should be reflected by my beard. the dwarf thought to himself as he frowned.

Pats Ferrous on the back, I know you don't be liking these goblins, but for now treat it decently... the creature is our prisoner and shouldn't be abused

"Poor creatures. I feel sorry for them now that...You know... Well, let's get going."

Picks up his pack, straps on his sword belt and gathers his shield. Yes, lets be about this thing... where too now?

8:00 AM, Day 5

The party gets up and prepares to face a new day.

So what is the plan?

* Head for the 4th tier via the stairs?
* Head to the 4th tier via the pit trap?
* Check out the Gormish area on Tier 3 that you have not explored?
* Check out the Mold Room?
* Return to the Magi to give them water?
* Something else?

"I would suggest heading to the 4th level by the stairs."

Fine by me.

Seems as fine an idea as any other. Ferrous grumbled.

Walia says. "I agree as well."

Zynazyr gathers his things, still a bit tired from his long night of studying. He feels confident that he finally has memorized the binding spell he has been working on and looks forward to testing it our in the dungeon.

8:20 AM, Day 5

1d6 ⇒ 6

The party follows the route down to the stairs to the 4th tier.

Like the other tiers above, the walls of the corridor on the 4th tier are covered with plaster, with a decorative trip at the top of the wall. The plaster is cracked and old. The ceiling is vaulted in a round barrel vault.

After reaching the bottom of the stairs, the passage runs eastwards for 30', then turns southwards. After running 20' the southward passage narrows into a smaller 5' wide passage.

Along the south/west wall the party passes two large holes in the wall close to the floor. The holes are ragged and about 2' wide. They look to have been made by some burrowing animal.

A human being could crawl through these narrow holes but would have limited movement. A dwarf or halfling would do better but would still find things cramped.

TIER 4 MAP UPDATED.

So would you like to:

* Continue Southwards?
* Investigate the holes?
* Turn back?
* Something else?

Well this is the way forward per what the magi said. Perhaps one or two can check out the narrow hallway while the rest of stand guard so we don't get all trapped in a narrow hallway by some beasts?

"Zynazyr, can you use a cantrip to send a small light into the tunnel so I can take a look from out here? I'm hesitant to crawl inside until we have a better idea of the layout."

Ana arches an eyebrow. "Giant rodents, perhaps?"

Bah Fine. I be your terrier ye tall folk. Ferrous grumbles as he gets set to go through the narrow tunnel. He waits a few seconds for any objections.

Brathas steps back. After all, Ferrous fits in the tunnel more easily, and can see in the dark, and is much tougher.

Ferrous slings his axe over his back and draws out a dagger doubtful that he would be able to put the axe to much use in the cramp space.

Ferrous slings his axe over his back and draws out a dagger doubtful that he would be able to put the axe to much use in the cramp space.

This is essentially correct. There isn't much room to swing a weapon though thrusting weapons will work fine. Likewise a normal shield is too big to get any benefit out of (though you could use one to block the passage), but a buckler shield would work OK. You will be limited in your ability to move but if you remove your armor this limitation will be less.

TACTICAL MAP updated.

I've set up a map. Note that the light will not penetrate into the small tunnels unless it is held directly at the end of the tunnel. But your infravision will work in the dark.

Ferrous: Which entrance do you want to use: A or B?

Everyone else: Go ahead and move your icon if you want to stand somewhere else, or let me know what square you want to be in.

"Zynazyr, can you use a cantrip to send a small light into the tunnel so I can take a look from out here? I'm hesitant to crawl inside until we have a better idea of the layout."

"I'm afraid all I can do is create a light about as bright as a candle. It might help somewhat but will be of limited use. Ferrous, I could send in the light first if you wish or from the other entrance," he says, waiting for a reply.

If asked to, he will cast the light cantrip on a copper piece and then cause it to float down the tunnel.

Steps up towards the tunnel Ferrous is starting to climb into...Someone should watch the other tunnel exit he says as he pulls out his sword and readies his shield.

Walia says, "I can" as he whips out his mace.

He then says, "I am extremely excited, the gods have spoken to me last night and they have granted me new powers, I am now able to make light appear."

Since we haven't heard from Ferrous I am assigning him to entrance 'A.'

8:30 AM, Day 5

1d6 ⇒ 6

Ferrous crawls into the narrow tunnel. Once past the initial wall, the sides and ceiling of the burrow are packed with dirt and sand, and the occasional chunk of pumice.

The tunnel goes south for about 15 feet where it breaks off into two passages, one going east and one west. The eastbound passage seems to be the other entrance (entrance 'B') so you turn west.

From there the passage runs about 30' west in a not-quite-straight line. After that there is a sharp, almost vertical incline that goes up almost 10 feet. Climbing up and peering over the edge you see a small chamber lit by a multitude of small red lights.

Fire Beetles! This seems to be some sort of nest. There are at least ten of them, crawling on the floor and on the walls.

You duck back down. They haven't seen you yet.

If you emerge into the chamber you will be able to stand and will not have any penalties, but of course you will be surrounded. Fighting in the tunnels themselves will give you penalties and gives the beetles an advantage, but they will only be able to get at you one at a time.

Ferrous: what do you do? You are not in combat yet.

Would Ferrous know about any fire resistance the fire beetles might have?

Ana bites her lip slightly as she waits anxiously, axe at the ready.

Would Ferrous know about any fire resistance the fire beetles might have?

Fire beetles have the name because of the glowing spots on their bodies, which look like small fires. They have no particular fire resistance or abilities.

They were in fact the first monsters you faced in the dungeon.

Is lighting Ferrous on fire going to be a standard tactic from now on?

Makes him hit better. Mechanically could Ferrous retreat backwards a little and make an attack at the same time or is there no mechanism for this in this system? No 5' step. Also Ferrous wants to light a flask of oil with his tinderbox and then throw the lit oil flask into the room full of fire beetles. What actions/rolls would this entail? I think previously you mentioned to Ana that it was 3 parts draw the flask, light it and throw it. In my case it would be draw the flask and tinderbox, light it and then throw it. I am thinking this would be my Dex mod THAC0 but what is the AC of a square of ground? How long does the flask burn? Also I am assuming that once my flask is lit the fire beetles might take notice of me. So it would then be combat and initiative rolls. On my turn of combat I could then throw the flask of oil and then pick up my weapon again as a move action. If my assumptions above are correct then accept the below. Ferrous would be doing this about 10' from the opening of the tunnel.

Ferrous carefully and quietly places his axe on the ground leaning against the pumice of the right side wall of the tunnel. He cautiously pulls out his tinderbox and flask of oil from his backpack. He strikes the tinderbox and lights the flask of oil.
Initiative: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

1. There would be no roll necessary to get the flask ready and light it if you were doing it out of sight of the beetles. The only question would be: do the beetles notice you before you throw the flask? Lighting the flask and throwing it could be a part of the same surprise round (which is the same length as a normal round in this version). Remember that the tunnel goes from horizontal to nearly vertical in the last bit so it won't be too hard to light the flask in a spot that does not have line-of-sight.

2. You CAN throw the flask and then move. But crawling along the tunnels is pretty slow (1/4 move speed). So if you plan to throw the flask and run for it they will surely catch you if they want to.

3. Damage from a flask of oil making a direct hit is typically 1d8 (barring resistance to fire, for example) and it will do damage for two rounds before the oil drips off the body of the target. The oil will continue burning on the ground for a turn or so, but will be easy to avoid at that point, and moving through the oil burning on the ground only does 1d3 damage. Flasks of oil will not do damage to multiple creatures unless more than one of them is in the same 5' square. They will, however, make creatures unwilling to move through the oil.

4. The chance to hit is based on DEX just as with a thrown object. Striking a beetle with a direct hit needs to hit the beetle's AC. Hitting a bare patch of ground would be AC9. The oil will scatter on a miss (probably landing in an adjacent square though there is still a chance of it landing in the target square).

Ok. Thanks for some clarifications. New plan then disregard previous post. I thought oil would cover more space. So hold onto oil plan for later.
Ferrous thought about unleashing a torrent of burning oil on the fire beetles but the vast numbers made him reconsider his approach. He quickly backed out of the tunnel to return to the party and relay his findings. For kicks he comes out the other opening in the tunnel emerging by Wallia.
Fire beetles nest. There be about a dozen of the buggies. Very tasty meat but very crunchy on the outside. We should be able to use the tunnels to only face one or two at a time though. I think we could easily collapse one path into this room and then there would only be one exit for the beetles we could also possible coat the tunnel floor with oil and light it once we get the beetles in the tunnel. What do you think?

"Can we ignore them and move on? If it's just the meat that's of interest, we can get them on our way back after exploring more of this level."

Walia smiles and says, "The gods seemed to have smiled upon us today. We should probably come back later to get some of these vittles."

Ferrous manages to return to the party without attracting attention to himself. He is a bit dirty but otherwise unharmed.

Ferrous: you know it would be easy to collapse a segment of tunnel, but if the beetles dug the tunnel to begin with then they could just reopen it, given time.

So what is the plan?

I say we move on...

Okay, moving on...

8:40 AM, Day 5

Leaving the fire beetles and the small tunnels behind, the party continues south down the main corridor.

The narrow arch runs for 10' and the passage widens again. It proceeds 30' south and then zig-zags to the southwest. Before the Zig-zag there is a door on the west wall, and then past the zig-zag there is another door on the south wall.

Pulling up to the first door, the party examines the door. The door is a standard wooden door with a latch. It looks like the doorway was once sealed with pitch around the door frame but the seal has been broken some time ago. No-one can hear any noise from behind the door.

Zynazyr thinks that in the door frame near the floor there is some kind of catch that will pop out when the door is opened.

TIER 4 MAP UPDATED.

So what now?

* Try to disarm the trap on the door?
* Skip it and move to the next door?
* Go back? (if so, where?)
* Something else?

Brathas, my son, would you be interested in using your gods given talent to open this door?" says Walia still enamored with his message this evening.

"Hard work, priest. Study and practice."
Brathas examines the door frame. He gets out his tools and sets to work trying to jam whatever mechanism would activate.
Tinker: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Does he have an idea as to whether or not he succeeded?

Ana stands by, holding her axe close.

Looks like Brathas lack of faith in the Gods (diceroller) might bit him in the rear.

Perhaps. He needs to learn more about Usamigaras. Sounds like his kind of god. Maybe the Magi have a pamphlet.

"Unfortunately, Brathas, I noticed it but can't tell you what it does. Maybe it has something to do with the pitch around the door," Zynazyr ponders out loud as he steps back from the door to give the thief room to work.

Looks like Brathas lack of faith in the Gods (diceroller) might bit him in the rear.

What does that say about the dwarven combat gods? :P

"Hard work, priest. Study and practice."

Brathas examines the door frame. He gets out his tools and sets to work trying to jam whatever mechanism would activate.
Tinker: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Does he have an idea as to whether or not he succeeded?

After a few minutes, Brathas manages to slip a thin piece of metal between the door and the jamb, which should hold the catch in place when the door opens.

I am assuming you open the door now that the trap is disabled, so moving on...

8:50 AM, Day 5

Opening the door reveals a short passage leading to a 20' by 30' room.

The walls of this chamber are decorated with scenes of processions and receptions involving a king, queen, and a great many retainers and subjects. Standing opposite the door at the foot of a white sarcophagus is a bronze statue of a fine-looking man blowing a silver trumpet. The sarcophagus itself is made of some sort of pale lacquered wood, and is ornately carved with runes and scrollwork. Leaning against the wall beside the sarcophagus is a banner on a pole. The banner is blue with three eight-pointed stars arranged in an upward-pointing triangle. A silver stylized raccoon mask lies on the floor amidst the fragments of what was once a human skull scattered about the floor.

5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2, 5, 4) = 15

Ana detects a magical aura coming from the banner and the sarcophagus.

1d20 ⇒ 14
7d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 1, 2, 1, 6, 3) = 21

The party enters the room and begins examining things.

At first glance, Ana and Zynazyr are unable to identify the magic on the banner.

Fistep seems to be motionless beside the sarcophagus. The rest of the group realizes that he has been somehow mesmerized by it.

TIER 4 MAP UPDATED.

So what now? I assume the party wants to help Fistep somehow.

Walia will walk over to Fistep and use turn undead thinking to exorcise the demon on him as he says, "Fistep, come back to the light my son, the gods smile upon thee."

Turning undead does not seem to have any effect.

But hey, it is free.