Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

It sounds like you plan on investigating the ladders leading up to the statues. If so, how do you want to proceed? Obviously the ladders will be single file, so who wants to go up where? FYI Ferrous' greater ability to detect traps only applies to stonework, and the cylinders and ladders are metal.

For the record, the statue depicting Gorm is to the west, Madarua is to the east, and Usamigaras is in the middle.

Wallia says, "I find this idea blasphemous, the only statues of Gods are those that I know to exist and I cannot support infuriating them."

He then kisses his Holy symbol and walks back into the hallway toward the camp where the fake gold was stashed.

Brathas shrugs.

"Or they're statues of great heroes whose spirits will threaten the gnolls. But have it your way. Hey, bring back some of that fake gold, would you? Could be useful for an alternative plan. Throw it out there and get the gnolls fighting among themselves for it."

Brathas will search all the cylinders and ladders for traps. He will spend extra time on the center one, thinking the followers of Usamigaras most likely to use traps.

"Maybe I could be a god of falsehoods?" Ana suggests, getting into the idea.

"I have an idea for a backup plan. If they are not scared and don't run away from the fireworks, then the gods are impressed with their courage and decide to test their strength. We start throwing the fake gold out of the other statues mouths, and say that we wish to see who is mightiest among the gnolls. Try to get them fighting each other for the gold.
But we keep the pyramid door closed so they can't go investigate the god-statues."

Looks a bit stunned at Brathas, This is why I swing the sword, never would have come up with that... that sounds brilliant

What is the distance from the door to the camp? From the statue's dead to the camp?

Zynazyr listens to Brathas' ideas with some skepticism. "I definitely like the part about keeping the pyramid door closed. However, that assumes they won't be able to open it again or that none of them are already in here wandering around. One concern is that they won't be able to hear Ana given the distance and noise that the tribe is making. I also wonder if we would be able to throw the coins far enough to reach them or if they would fall harmlessly into the sand and not even be noticed.

I'm limited in what my spells will be able to help with. The distance may be too great. I could create a puff of smoke from the statue or a faint light. I might be able to send my bolt of lightning at one to get their attention. If we wait until tomorrow, Auriga was going to teach me phantasmal force which may be useful. Another option is I could turn Brathas invisible so he could get closer to either free the slaves or drop off a bag of fake coins. I wouldn't be able to mask his scent or footprints though."

"Phantasmal Force is a spell of illusion, Zynazyr? That could be very useful for this sort of trickery.
We could probably wait a day. I think if we close, spike, and barricade the door we can keep them out."

Listens to the others and looks over at Ferrous... Wouldn't mind slashing some of the gnolls brother, but fifty sounds a bit much... I'm willing to try this plan

To Brathas, Would it help if I step in as Gorum, and Ferrous as Usamigaras? He shrugs, Wasn't Usamigaras about commerce, and whats more shady than a dwarf who trades in fake coins? the last said with a broad grin.

"That could work, Fistep, except only Ana speaks Gnoll. I guess you could shout random things and throw coins, and she could tell the gnolls what you are saying.
Of course they might just flee at the fireworks. Which would be best. But if not, it might be good to 'decide' that one random gnoll is the most worthy and should be the new leader, then throw the gold at him. Even that paste necklace, whoever wears it is the new chieftain. That would make them turning on each other happen naturally rather than us telling them to fight."
Brathas continues pondering.
"If we put this off until tomorrow, we could have Zynazyr's illusion to help sell the deception. What illusion would be best?"

"Oh! And we also have the wand of paralysis. Zynazyr, could that get a lot of them if things go poorly and we need a backup backup plan?"

Brathas will search all the cylinders and ladders for traps. He will spend extra time on the center one, thinking the followers of Usamigaras most likely to use traps.

Brathas does not find any traps in the cylinders going upwards, or on the third cylinder.

Since you weren't here when the adventure started:

When the party first arrived here, they found several traps around here.

* The exterior entrance had a dead hobgoblin lying in the doorway who had been shot in the back with a crossbow bolt. There was a crossbow concealed in the wall (it is still there but no longer concealed) triggered by the door opening. It still has not been reloaded (you took the crossbow bolt).

* The door from the corridor to the main chamber had a catch that would be triggered when opened, which you blocked with a shim of some kind, so it never did trigger. You never allowed it to go off so you don't know what it does.

* There are a number of small holes around the perimeter of the room. They may be connected to the door trap; you are not sure.

* The central cylinder has a catch that would release something from tubes to either side when the door is opened. But the tubes were empty (they may have held javelins of some kind) and there was a long-dry bloodstain on the floor in front of the door.

* The east cylinder had a 10'x10' pit that opened in front of it when the door was opened. The pit is open, and ropes have been wound around the cylinder and lowered into the pit. The ropes weren't put there by you guys.

* Nobody ever bothered with the west cylinder, believing that it was likely also trapped and not needed to gain access to the level below.

"... I think if we close, spike, and barricade the door we can keep them out."

The exterior door is a slab of stone and not very easy to detect from the outside if it is closed. Since it opens outwards, you could spike it closed from the outside, which would be problematic.

Ferrous goes about seeing if the crossbow trap can be rearmed. He also inspects the remaining supply of oil.
How many rounds after spilling would flasks of oil be flammable?
I think we still have a few flasks of normal oil and some of the other type. Also did we get rid of the alchemy book. If not someone might want to read up on some of the items we have found such as an unicorn horn.

Walia will have made a campfire to turn those fake silver coins into silver bullets for his sling to be used against undead creatures.

How many rounds after spilling would flasks of oil be flammable?

I think we still have a few flasks of normal oil and some of the other type. Also did we get rid of the alchemy book. If not someone might want to read up on some of the items we have found such as an unicorn horn.

Flaming Oil in a pool on the ground will burn for 1 turn, but is only really dangerous if you step in it. A flask holds enough oil to make a 3' diameter pool, enough to mostly block a single square. When you strike an enemy with flaming oil it burns them for 2 combat rounds before dripping off them onto the floor.

You promised the Magi the alchemy book, but need not have actually given it to them yet. You gave them the astrology book and I assumed one of the lesser-valued ones.

Smelting the fake silver coins is not a bad idea, but you only just discovered the silver coins were fake so I don't think you would have started doing that yet.

I meant that I would go back to the area and use the chimney fireplace to smelt the silver coins

Brathas would like to pull the exterior door closed as long as that won't get all the gnolls swarming towards it.
"Zynazyr, do you have magic to hold a door shut?"
If Zynazyr can cast Hold Portal or Wizard Lock, that would keep the gnolls out. If Zynazyr can, we'll need to block the hall with debris to slow them down.
For now, Brathas will help Ferrous reset the crossbow trap.

@GM - will my control work to close the door?

@Brathas - I don't have time right now to look through the thread but I thought we had wands of hold portal and knock.

scroll of hold portal, wand of knock (6 charges)

There's also a wand of Wizard Lock with 4 charges, according to the loot spreadsheet. That would keep the gnolls out. Can the caster freely open and close the door that has Wizard Lock, without disrupting the lock, as in B/X? That could make for some effective hit-and-run tactics.

Ferrous has little difficulty re-cocking the crossbow and returning it to its place. However, in order to get at the crossbow, when you originally came in you opened up the wall. So unless you want to spend time putting the stones back in place, it will be fairly obvious that it is there. The Gnolls likely have already noticed it.

Furthermore, you took the bolt out of the dead hobgoblin and gave it to Bruno the Fat. He likely still has it. Presently you have nothing to re-load the crossbow with.

It is possible to close the door from the inside manually. Brathas is able to approach the door quietly and shut it while remaining in the shadows.

The party considers what to do next.

* The door is a little heavy to be moved with a cantrip. It is basically a stone slab.
* Hold portal can keep a door shut but can be overcome by a strong enough creature and it has a limited duration.
* Wizard lock lasts until dispelled, and you do indeed have a wand of it. Since it is a wand I am going to say that casting it from the wand will not allow Zynazyr to open and close it at will, though he can do that if he casts the spell himself. Wizard lock is the reverse of knock and knock is in the wizard tomb's spellbook.

It sounds like using the wand of wizard lock is the strongest option if you wish to block the door. How many are in favor of that?

And if you want to do that, what do you wish to do next? Head to the King's tomb? Climb up the ladders into the statues? Or something else?

How many silver bullets was I able to harvest?

How many silver bullets was I able to harvest?

Haven't got to that yet. That is something that will take a long time and you are still discussing what to do about the gnolls. You also will have to figure out what you will use for tools. Normally such an operation would require crucibles and molds.

I thought I left

Brathas would like to Wizard Lock the door and deal with the gnolls tomorrow. Maybe with Zynazyr having Phantasmal Force to boost the effect of our ploy.
Down to the king's tomb for now.
Well first to retrieve Wallia, then to the tomb.

We seem to be assuming that the Gnolls will stay in this area for the next night. Why wouldn't they simply move on and take their slaves somewhere else?

"They might.
But I think they will be drawn by the prospect of more slaves and treasure in here; they now know from their preliminary explorations that the pyramid is inhabited.
To a degree I agree with Wallia; if we engage them unprepared we will be added to the slave ranks. We get maybe two chances at our god-ploy and I think Zynazyr's illusion spell will make those chances better."

I thought I left

Why wouldn't they simply move on and take their slaves somewhere else?

Waaah! I'm taking my slaves and going home! :-P

Okay, let's move on.

11:40 AM, Day 8

Zynazyr seals the entrance of the Pyramid with the magic wand. He feels certain that it cannot be opened unless another magician casts a knock spell or a much more powerful wizard than he tries to open it.

The party turns and heads for what they think must be the King's tomb, down on the 4th tier.

As the group passes through the turntable on the third tier, Ana and Zynazyr think that they can hear something up ahead. It sounds like people talking in hushed voices. Then another voice shouts some kind of order, and the voices go silent.

Up ahead, where the corridor branches into a T, you can see a faint greenish light and some figures moving around. That is about 70 feet distant from those in front.

What would you like to do?
* Move forward openly and announce yourselves?
* Rush forward and attack?
* Try to sneak closer to observe? (note that they probably have seen the light of your beetle glands coming down the corridor)
* Cover up your beetle-light so that Ana and Ferrous can use their infravision?
* Turn back and avoid them?
* Something else?

I'll put a map together soon.

I thought you originally said the coins were 10% silver, gold or what have you. I guess the question is how much silver needs to be on a bullet to make it effective. So if all I needed was a slight coating of silver then all I need to do is a get a tub and dip a few of my bullets in there to get a coating but if the whole bullet needs to be silver then I need to figure out how to separate the lead from the silver and then some molds.

Cover beetle glands and let and Ana and Ferrous see them

you mean you aren't going to shout out a greeting?

Readies his shield, quietly whispers Might as well announce ourselves... if we can see and hear them, they can probably do the same

Figured it was your turn. Plus they seemed to want to quiet down a little.

Brathas turns to Fistep and whispers, "Want me to hide in case things turn ugly?"

Wallia whispers, "That may be a good idea."

Dammit Fistep, now I want to be the one saying hello... :)

In a whisper.Good idea Brathas.
Ferrous stands at the front of the party peering into the darkness with his infravision.

Brathas looks for a hiding spot. The other group may have seen the bug lights, but maybe didn't see well enough to count the PCs.
Stealth is a secret roll by the GM?

Standing behind Ferrous to allow him to get a better view of the situation and waiting for Brathas to situated, Wallia says, "Salve citizens!"

TACTICAL MAP UPDATED

Covering the light for a moment, Ferrous and Ana can make out at least half a dozen people at the end of the corridor. They look human and are wearing masks. They are also carrying weapons of various kinds.

Really the only way to use stealth here is to fall back out of the radius of your light. I'll make a stealth roll if it comes up that they have a chance to spot you.

After revealing their light again, Brathas slips back into the shadows as the rest of the group presses forwards. The humanoids ahead mill around, though you hear someone say, "Zilinos! Someone's coming!"

Once the group's light reaches the strangers, you can see that they are human and are wearing drab grey and brown tunics and leggings, and are armed with crude weapons that look to be of hobgoblin make, such as axes, morning stars, and swords. They wear masks that are reminiscent of a Cyclops, with a single eye in the forehead. They watch your approach warily. One of them carries a lantern in which glows an eerie green flame.

As you come within 20 feet a man pushes his way past the others to the front from the room to the right. He is armed with a mace. Unlike the others he is armored with studded leather armor and carries a buckler shield. The shield has a design you have seen before:

PICTURE OF DEVICE ON SHIELD

2d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4

He looks you over, clearly unsure what to make of you.

"Who the hell are you? Are you goblins?"

The figure with the red border is the one with the armor and shield.

Wallia says, "The Gods be praised, no, we were lucky enough to not be hatched a goblin or however those infernal creatures are reproduced. We have not seen any goblins today, however we have recently seen a tribe of gnolls. My name is Wallia, friar of Winterbourne Stoke."

"You are human then?" the armored man asks. "If that's the case, how did your skin get like that? Where are your masks? And what the devil are gnolls?"

The man points at you with his mace.

"If you are truly human then you know that humans are forbidden to wear armor, unless they are priests of the holy and mighty Zargon. Take that armor off at once!" he orders.

Wallia says, "I am a friar a junior priest if you will. These are my acolytes. We are from the Zargonese faction from Winterbourne Stoke and we have a message to bring him. We have only recently received word that you institution was still intact. It seems as though your minions are wearing the unclean armaments of hobgoblins and it seems as though you are breaking Zargon's preachings. Tell your men to throw their weapons to the floor or we cut off the arms carrying weapons."

Well now... I didn't expect that one. That is a whopper of a bluff.

Wallia Charisma check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 ...Not even close.

The cleric sputters. "Winterbourne Stoke? There is no such place! Where are your masks? And nobody brings messages to Zargon... the Mighty Zargon does not heed the mewlings of mortals!"

The cleric's demeanor grows cold.

"I have looked upon the face of Zargon, boy... and no-one faithful to him would speak as you do. Is this some feeble trick of the Magi? If you live, you will beg to tell me as I flay the skin from your bones and drive nails into your eyes."

He points again with his mace. "Destroy them!"

The men around the priest roar and raise their weapons, surging forwards to attack.

Round 1 Initiative
Block 1: Brathas
Block 2: Enemy group A
Block 3: Zynazyr, Wallia, Ana
Block 4: Enemy Group B
Block 5: Ferrous, Fistep

Brathas is up! You are way back, out of the light. That doesn't really give you an advantage though beyond the fact that you are pretty sure they won't be able to see you even if you are shooting at them.

Wallia says, "That is why your arms will be cut off. Winterbourne Stoke is a place and you will pay for your insolence! All heathens must die!!!!"

Oh well it was worth a try but the Zargonese are evil, I guess it is best to take care of them now as opposed to later.

Wallia is trying to learn a trick or two from me. Got to admire the effort.
Which side of the corridor is Ana on? I'd like to shoot the leader, so that's either 2 or 3 people in the way.
Brathas sees negotiations break down. He takes a step, draws his bow, and fires an arrow at the leader.
THAC0 15: 15 - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ 15 - (6) + 2 = 11
His arrow goes wide.

Howling with glee, the men in masks surge forwards.

vs. Ferrous: 19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (7) = 12
vs. Fistep: 19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (7) = 12
vs. Fistep: 19 + 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 + 1 - (15) = 5

The two in front smash at Ferrous and Fistep with their morning stars but are easily dodged by the two warriors. The third throws a chunk of rock that clatters off Fistep's shield.

Round 1 Initiative
Block 1: Brathas
Block 2: Enemy group A
Block 3: Zynazyr, Wallia, Ana
Block 4: Enemy Group B
Block 5: Ferrous, Fistep

Ana, Wallia, and Zynazyr are up! Considering the narrowness of the corridor, this might be a good time for Ana to use her halberd from the second rank. This will be done at a -1 cover penalty if she stands behind Fistep, or no penalty if she stands behind Ferrous.

Wallia will step back to allow Ana to get a better attack in on the enemy screaming, "All followers of Zargon will die! Zargon is false! Zargon is no god! Run now you fools or you will meet the Wrath of Wallia!!!!! The Prophet!" foam start to build on his lips as he slings at the yellow one 17 - 1d20 - 1 ⇒ 17 - (3) - 1 = 13 if hits 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Wallia's sling bullet strikes the ceiling and ricochets harmlessly.

Yeah, a natural 3 wasn't going to do it.

Round 1 Initiative
Block 1: Brathas
Block 2: Enemy group A
Block 3: Zynazyr, Ana, Wallia
Block 4: Enemy Group B
Block 5: Ferrous, Fistep

Ana and Zynazyr are up.

Zynazyr considers backing up but realizes the group won't be able to see the furthest enemy. He instead stays where he is and casts sleep.