Chronicles of Arcania: B/X Homebrew game.

Game Master Peet

Moves up and swings at the creature with the king's sword.

THACO: 14 - 1d20 ⇒ 14 - (11) = 3
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Moves up and swings at the creature with the king's sword.

[dice=THACO]14-1d20
[dice=Damage]1d10+3

Fistep advances and the blade hums in his hand as he swings. With a single stroke cuts the sprite in half. It vanishes in a little cloud of smoke.

Combat over.

4:10 PM, Day 8

With the defeat of the fire sprites, the group has a look within the sarcophagus.

The withered corpse of a lady wearing plain white robes and a rope belt and sandals lies within. Her dress is quite simple but one one hand she wears a electrum ring with a small topaz in it. Zynazyr identifies the ring as a magical ring of sparks.

Beneath the head of the corpse Brathas detects a hidden compartment. Opening it you find a small vial made of red glass, a larger clay flask, and a scroll. Wallia determines the scroll is clerical in nature but has not yet deciphered it. The red glass flask is stoppered with wax but no one finds anything unusual about it. The clay flask is stoppered with a cork and contains ordinary (but good quality) lamp oil.

So what now?
* Give the casters another 10 minutes to examine the stuff you found?
* Head to the fire beetle nest?
* Go down a level (via the stairs)?
* Go down a level (via the trap door)?
* Return to camp for the evening?
* Something else?

"I'm willing to rest here for a few minutes while Zynazyr, Ana, and Wallia look at those items some more.
After that, maybe go get some beetle steaks?"

Wallia says, "I agree"

Ferrous looks at his axe with disgust and leans against a nearby wall. Agreed lets get some food. I'm trying to think of a good way to pull a few of the beetles out at a time. Do we have a handy corpse nearby? Where's a goblin when you need one?

"Beetles, again." Ana tries to sound enthused, but it comes out as being annoyed.

There is the corpse of the body in the sarcophagus.

The only real living enemies you have defeated today were the Zargonites. That was in the morning, and their bodies are one level up.

4:20 PM, Day 8

6d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 3, 2, 5) = 18

Ana is able to determine that both the glass vial and the clay flask of oil are magical. The glass vial is a Fire Sprite Flask. She is not sure what the enchantment is on the flask.

So what now?
* Head to the fire beetle nest?
* Go down a level (via the stairs)?
* Go down a level (via the trap door)?
* Return to camp for the evening?
* Something else?

"I guess that we're going to get more *ugh* fire beetle steaks?" Ana asks morosely.

Contrary to many elves' beliefs a Dwarf can't eat stone. So yes we go get more fire beetle steaks. Ferrous says sharply in response to Ana's complaining.

I hear goblins can though... and eyes Ferrous You sure you aren't a goblin?! he says with a grin.

Brathas has been quiet for a bit, trying to think of how to resolve this.
"I don't imagine dried or cooked food holds as much promise as fresh meat for the beetles. But I guess we could use dead Zargonite. It's pretty grim, but any other meat we'd want to eat ourselves."
He doesn't sound enthused at the idea.

Moving back up to the third tier to find some bodies then?

Zynazyr has also been contemplating their options as they walked towards the nest. "We need something to draw them out. I don't want to go crawling around in their tunnel," he adds to the conversation.

yes, up a tier.

yeah

Up it is.

A little bit under the weather. I'll post something tonight.

Walia shrugs and says, "Tomorrow we will be feasting on gnoll. I heard gnoll meat tastes good with apricots."

4:30 PM, Day 8

1d6 ⇒ 4

The group marches back up the stairs to the third tier and returns to the site of the battle against the Zargonites.

A few rats scatter as you approach. There is little left of the bodies. Clearly scavengers have made off with most of what was here. A few small scraps of bone and organs remain.

There might be enough here to make "bait" but there's nothing especially large.

So what now?
* Collect the "scraps"?
* Head to the fire beetle nest?
* Go down a level (via the stairs)?
* Go down a level (via the trap door)?
* Return to camp for the evening?
* Something else?

Wallia says, "Should we grab what we can and see if it works?"

Grim work here. I suggest we grab something that we can attach a rope to and leave for the beetles as soon as possible. Ferrous says pinching his nose.

"Yes, grim. I wish we didn't have to do this. Maybe we can find a bone with some meat on it - even the smell of flesh clinging to the bone might be enough to lure the beetles out."

Not interested in collecting the scraps himself, Zynazyr holds the light for the others to do the grim work.

Ana winces visibly at the suggestion that she might have to assist in picking through the remains. "Bad enough we have to resort to eating bugs, now we're picking through dead bodies. Not the life I imagined leading when I set out to be an adventurer."

Wallia says, "Yes, my daughter, the gods work in mysterious ways. And the fate sometimes have their own agenda. Alas."

4:40 PM, Day 8

The group gathers up what they can of the remains, and then returns to the area where the tunnels tot he fire beetle nest are.

So what now? What is Ferrous' cunning plan?

BTW guys we will use the FIRE BEETLE NEST MAP from before sine it is already made.

Wallia says, "I think we should set the majority of it about 10 feet outside the tunnel and then build a small trail starting at the front of the tunnel. We position ourselves in a way that we allow the majority of the beetles to start eating the bones before we strike."

So here's my plan. I go in there with our little piece of bait tied to a rope. The rest of you wait outside here (point B) with the other end of the rope. I then hurry back to the branch off and signal you to start pulling the bait out. We see how many beetles we draw out and kill.

Wallia says, "Sounds good to me."

"Sounds good."
I have heard that more than one caravan lost and stranded in the desert has been reduced to actually eating each other. Is that where ghouls come from? Or vampires, maybe? Though using a Zargonite armbone as beetle-bait is grim, it isn't quite that bad.

Zynazyr listens to the dwarf's plan carefully and considers the possible outcomes. "So where will you be again? What's to say they don't decide that you look more appetizing than the bait and gang up on you? I think we are better off here in the corner where we can see both tunnels. It would allow Ana and me to cast sleep spells on a larger group if needed or for us to concentrate our attacks if only a few come out. Brathas, if you would allow me to stand in the corner since I have the least protection I would be out of the beetles reach."

Well, at least we haven't turned to cannibalism... yet. I don't know that I could bring myself to go that route. Eating another sentient being?

Plan is to toss the bait and then run to the branch off before you start pulling back on the rope. I should be fine if a beetle tries to follow me the cramped tunnel should mean its a one on one fight and if a dwarf can't take a beetle in that match up he don't deserve to live.

Well, at least we haven't turned to cannibalism... yet. I don't know that I could bring myself to go that route. Eating another sentient being?

Just ask Wallia:

Walia shrugs and says, "Tomorrow we will be feasting on gnoll. I heard gnoll meat tastes good with apricots."

Plan is to toss the bait and then run to the branch off before you start pulling back on the rope. I should be fine if a beetle tries to follow me the cramped tunnel should mean its a one on one fight and if a dwarf can't take a beetle in that match up he don't deserve to live.

Ferrous: Two things and we can move ahead.

1. Since you will be crawling on your hands and knees, "run" is an overstatement. You are pretty sure that the beetles can move a lot faster than you while in the tunnels. FYI if you remove your armor you will have more mobility (though they probably still will be able to outrun you).

2. You know that weapons that you have to swing or chop with will be pretty ineffective in the tunnel and only weapons that you can stab with will be effective. Also your normal shield is too big and will be more of a hindrance than a help (though a buckler shield will work fine).

So: What gear will you use when you enter the tunnels?

Eating gnoll is not cannibalism. Oh well...

Well if I remember correctly it was pretty cramped in there. I don't my shield and axe will be of any use. Does anyone have a buckler or sword I could borrow? I have my dagger but a sword would be better.

"Here, Ferrous, take this short sword. It is a stabbing weapon, and it is magical. I will get out my handaxe.
I don't have a buckler, though I believe Wallia does."

Thanks Brathas you are a true friend and I will let you use my handaxe so we can just trade weapons and you don't need to dig through your pack. Unfortnately we haven't stumbled across any magical axes so this is just a mundane blade. It has cut down a high number of foes though so it should do you well. Wallia can I trade you this shield for your buckler?

Wallia says, "Sure,enjoy it." as he gives him his buckler.

Now armed with Brathas's short sword and Wallia's buckler Ferrous scrunches to crawl through the tunnel. He ties the mangled Zagonite arm to an end of his rope and offers the other end to Fistep. Pull when you hear me yell. Ferrous thinks for a second counts on his hand then looks at Fistep. Maybe tie this end of the rope to another rope to give more room. Not sure if I'll need it but don't want to find out to late. After saying that Ferrous begins to inch his way towards the beetles.

Walia starts to the rope as Ferrous requests.

Ferrous enters the narrow tunnel.

Because of the various modifications and the tight confines, Ferrous' AC is currently 3. Crawling he can only move 5' per round. Since he and Wallia have traded shields, Wallia's AC is now -1.

2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 91d12 ⇒ 11

Ferrous almost reaches the beetle den when he encounters a beetle in the narrow passage coming towards him. This beetle seems larger than most beetles he has seen. When the beetle senses him, it rushes forward with a chirp!

Initiative Ferrous: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8
Initiative Beetle: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 6) = 9
Beetle: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (7) = 11

The beetle moves forward and attacks! But Ferrous is able to fend the creature off with Wallia's shield!

Ferrous: Since you are alone in the tunnel there will be a lot of back and forth, so once you decide on a strategy you can make attack rolls for several rounds. The beetles will likely give chase if you fall back, and the chirping sound this one is making will likely summon others.

Note: If you plan on falling back once each round (which is what I am assuming since you want to draw them into combat with the others), you will be able to retreat 5 feet, or 15 feet if you do not attack. You know the beetles can move faster than that. If you fall back while still engaged to a beetle this will give you a +2 penalty to AC from the next attack of the beetle that you were engaged with, but this doesn't apply if you kill the beetle in front of you.

FYI attacking with the short sword you will have a THAC0 of 16 and the sword will do 1d6+2 damage due to your strength.

Round 1
Beetle
Ferrous

BEETLE MAP UPDATED

Draws his sword and shield and moves slightly to the south so that Ferrous has room to emerge, and both he and Anna can attack. Wallia I suggest you move back so Ferrous can stand up and attack too

Wallia says, "Maybe one or two of us should go to the other entrance in the case they come out the other side instead."

Ok got the mechanics of this figured out. They are attacking me a bit early than I thought I still have the piece of Zargonite on a rope though.
Oiii you're a big fella. Ferrous mutters ducking behind his borrowed shield as the large beetles jaws snap shut on the other side.
The dwarf stabs forward with Brathas's short sword hoping to convince the beetle to back away.
ShortSword: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (6) = 10
His blade failing to connect Ferrous drops the Zargonite arm and moves back 5' slowly but even so he feels himself opening up for attacks from the beetle.

Ok got the mechanics of this figured out. They are attacking me a bit early than I thought I still have the piece of Zargonite on a rope though.

There is a random chance that you will encounter a beetle within the tunnels (Brathas would have had a better chance of going undetected if he used stealth). The first time around you got lucky and didn't find any patrolling bugs.

18 - 1d20 - 2 ⇒ 18 - (7) - 2 = 9

Ferrous stabs at the beetle inefectually and backs away. The beetle lurches forward to snap at Ferrous but Ferrous is able to keep the creature at bay with the point of his sword.

F: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
B: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

Round 2

The beetle bites at Ferrous, which Ferrous deflects, but the attack is a feint, and the beetle lunges with lighting speed, biting Ferrous' arm!

18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (20) = -2
18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (9) = 9
2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

Ferrous: 5 damage.

Ferrous: you are up again. If you are retreating 5 feet per round, please make multiple rolls for several rounds to speed this up. 6 rounds will get you out of the tunnels completely. It would take you 2 rounds if you just move and don't attack.

Ferrous cries out when he gets bit by the beetle. Hungry bugger too huh. The dwarfs swings out with his sword as he slowly retreats down the path.
Swing1: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (11) = 5
Swing2: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (12) = 4
Swing3: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (14) = 2
Will back up 3 times for 5' each and then depending on your rolls and mine Ferrous may run from the beetle. Unsure how many if any of those hit but feel like the third one should as least. For sake of back and forth below are three damage rolls. If ever not engaged with a beetle Ferrous will move 15' back. Also below are 2 more initiative rolls since you covered round 1. HP adjusted.
Round1Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Round2Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Round3Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Round2Init: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7
Round3Init: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5) = 10

Round 2:

Ferrous' blade glances off the shell of the beetle and he falls back.

Round 3:

2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7
Bite: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (12) = 6

Ferrous crawls backwards before the beetle manages to snap at him.

Ferrous falls back before being engaged, so no AC penalty this round. He readies an action to strike.

The beetle closes in and its mandibles scrape on Ferrous' shield. But the point of Ferrous' blade cuts deep into the insect's thorax! The creature squeals, and Ferrous thinks he can hear other insects coming down the passage.

Round 4:

2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
Bite: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (11) = 7
1d11 ⇒ 10
1d10 ⇒ 7
1d9 ⇒ 7

Once again Ferrous falls back, preparing to stab the beetle as it comes into reach.

It approaches warily and Ferrous stabs again, and the point goes in the beetle's eye! The beetle slumps to the floor, lifeless. But another beetle squeezes past the first, trying to snap at Ferrous! The point of Ferrous' blade keeps it at bay.

Ferrous: You think that the beetle has sounded the alarm and hive is up in arms now. The beetle in front of you right now is squeezing past the dead beetle and you have a +2 to hit it while it is in this spot (and it has a -2 to hit you).

Ferrous: Whatever you want to do, please post multiple attacks, like you did last time.