Session 14 Part 1: Berserker Beatdown

 

Brogallo and Kleptikos decide that the usurpers (and the Old Brightwood treasury funds they stole) are too good of a target to ignore. Brogallo recruits two more mercenary companies with officers, successfully hiring 27 crossbowmen and 24 light infantry per DMG pg 30. He pays to kit them out, but of course, doesn't trust them to keep quiet if they successfully defeat the usurpers. Working with Kleptikos, he discretely purchases enough poison from underworld contacts in Old Brightwood, Tallow Watch and Valthrun (type A and type C, per DMG pg 20) to kill them all after the treasure is recovered. Let's not forget that both of the Bros are Neutral Evil, not to mention bloodthirsty bastards, so this is absolutely in character! If the existing mercs have a problem with this, well, they can be dealt with as needed...

I randomly roll for direction and distance and find that the usurpers have fled northeast and are 8 hexes distant, putting them in Hex 311.289. I roll up an NPC Party for the usurpers per DMG Appendix A pg 175 and decide that they'll have a group of berserkers as fanatic followers, mainly because I'm tired of bandits and want something a little different. I roll up a group of 52 berserkers with leaders per MM. In terms of loot, I decide the treasury will be Treasure Type H (again per the MM), and the berserkers will have additional loot per their MM entry.

Brogallo leads his warband out of Old Brightwood (starting hex 302.295) and begins searching. I'm using a d6 to determine random direction on the hex map and checking for random monsters as the Bros enter the hex. I hit paydirt immendiately as hex 303.294 comes up with...a white dragon! Of course, this must be Zenabarithon and his hungry mate looking for snacks!!

I check for surprise and the Bros win 4-1 which gives them 2 segments of surprise attacks. Zenabarithon was caught lacking by his opp!! Encounter distance is 12", so I decide the boys catch the dragons in mid-flight. The bros open fire with all available missile weapons and roll insanely well, scoring 29hp on Zenabarithon. ROF of composite longbows is pretty devastating in surprise attacks!

Round1: Bros win initiative 4 to 1

The mercs are affected by the dragons' fear aura and all flee in terror. One of the captains and two of the sergeants come from sterner stock, make their saves and stand fast. Missile fire from Brogallo, No Tiki, and Voon deal 14hp total, killing Zenabarithon!

Manderbro casts Melf Minute Meteors for 6hp against the female dragon. Manderbro casts Fireball for 30hp and the dragon makes her save, taking 15hp

Zenabarithon mate rolls 21% for breath weapon, so goes for a claw/claw/bite attack on Man-lee, hitting for 4hp

Round 2: Bros win initiative 6-2

Missile fire from Brogallo, No Tiki, and Voon deal 21hp total, killing Zenabarithon's mate. Vengeance is a dish best served cold (HA! see what I did there?)

The Bros spend 16 turns rounding up the terrified mercs (see Dragon entry in MM for fear aura effects) and fortunately don't encounter any more trouble while doing so. They continue searching for the usurpers and have the following encounters while doing so:

Hex 304.294: The home of Yuancheng Al-Khatib (Lawful Good)

Reaction (20% reaction roll + Kleptikos 30% = 50% Neutral): The old hermit tells PCs he saw the usurpers fleeing northeast towards the villages. Being a good and kindly soul, he takes Brogallo aside as he turns his mount to continue his journey and says "Be careful if you go to the village of Eastsea. They are a queer and secretive people that have an unsavory demeanor about them. I don't know what they're hiding, but I think it is a deeply ingrained evil".

Hex 307.293: The Hamlet of Eastsea (Chaotic Evil)

Reaction (84% reaction roll + Kleptikos 30% = 114% Enthusiastic Friendly): Brogallo and Kleptikos immediately notice the odd appearance of the village and its inhabitants. There is an abundance of serpent imagery decorating the interiors and exteriors of their homes and there is an unmistakable marine odor of rotting fish, though the village is nowhere near the sea. The villagers themselves seem to have an oily sheen to their skin and speak with an excessive sibilance. Their jewelry repeats the serpentine motif seen on the buildings, though they oddly try to hide the items if they notice anyone staring at them too intently. Mysteriously, they are perhaps too enthusiastic in their welcome of the Bros as they tell Brogallo that they saw the usurpers heading north towards Cornhenge. They say there are about 60 savage looking troops led by a group of a dozen adventurer types. Brogallo and Kleptikos, hackles raised at the eerie villagers' behavior, thank them and quickly depart before the situation can spiral into chaos.

Hex 307.292: The Hamlet of Kendra (Lawful Good)

Reaction (95% reaction roll + Kleptikos 30% = 125% Enthusiastic Friendly): The villagers have received word from their friends and relatives in the village of Brofield (hex 302.291) about Brogallos victory over Zenabarithon and great the Bros as heroes. They tell Brogallo that two of the villagers followed the group and saw them make camp in the ruins in the mountains near the town or Welland. They think the group is looking to loot the town.

Hex 307.291: The Hamlet of Cornhenge (Lawful Neutral)

Reaction (46% reaction roll + Kleptikos 30% = 76% Friendly): The local chieftain tells them the usurpers were seen heading northeast and they should check at Kendra. The Bros spend the night to recharge.

Hex 311.289: The Ancient Graveyard

The boys make contact with the usurpers who have set up camp in the fields surrounding the ruins of an ancient temple and graveyard complex.

Neither side is surprised (5-5) and encounter distance is 14". We proceed to combat using our mass combat rules.

Round 1: Bros win initiative 6-1

Crossbowmen hit berserker unit 1 for 8 kills

Lancers 1st Company hit berserker unit 2 for 4 kills

Lancers 2nd Company hit berserker unit 2 for 11 kills; berserker unit 2 wiped out

Brogallo hits berserker unit 3 for 9 kills

No Tiki hits berserker unit 3 for 8 kills; berserker unit 3 wiped out

Voon de Goon hits berserker unit 1 for 11 kills

Kleptikos hits berserker unit 1 for 1 kill

Ah-Soh misses L10 berserker leader

Man-Lee hits L10/L7/L6 berserker leaders for 6hp

Manderbro casts Sleep against L1 berserker elites, taking out the unit

Berserker leaders all hit Ah-Soh, killing him

Remaining Berserker troops fail morale check with 38% and flee the battle

Round 2: Bros win initiative 6-5

Crossbowmen hit Usurper leaders, killing Kybold and hitting Mara for 8hp

Lancers 1st Company get 8 hits on Mara for 31hp

Lancers 2nd Company get 11 hits on Faris for 44hp

Brogallo hits Faris for 10hp, killing him

No Tiki hits Jue Basha for 5hp, killing him

Voon de Goon hits L10 berserker leader

Man-Lee hits Ienepa with Melf's Acid Arrow for total of 10hp

Manderbro hits Ienepa with Burning Hands for 6hp

Berserker leaders hit Kleptikos for 3hp

Dejing hits Brogallo for 4hp

Round 3: Bros win initiative 5-3

Brogallo kills Ienepa

No Tiki kills Olag

Voon de Goon hits L10 berserker leader for 14hp

Man-Lee hits Mara with Burning Hands for 7hp

Manderbro hits Ienepa with his staff, killing her

Dejing hits Brogallo for 7hp

Berserker leaders hit Kleptikos for 7hp

Round 4: Usurpers win initiative 3-2

Remaining berserkers fail morale and flee

Remaining usurpers fail morale and surrender:

• Dejing pan Ark - Human Female Lvl10 Thief (True Neutral)
• Yelu Falone - Human Female Lvl3 Cleric (Neutral Evil) 
• Culrink - Surface Gnome Female Lvl3/3 Illusionist/Thief (Chaotic Evil) 

A lot of action this session with more to come. Stay tuned for part 2...

Session 12: Redneck's Raiders Ride to Hell

 

Redneck and his new allies ride forth to search for Zenabarithon's lair to exact vengeance for the destruction of the Lake People. They begin their quest at the Druid's cabin in hex 306.299 and I decide to randomly determine which direction they search, ignoring anything that forces a backtrack since Redneck is, you know, a ranger. I'll check for random encounters as they enter each hex so let's see what happens.

The very first roll sends them into hex 307.298 which results in an encounter with...120 brigands on the move and at a distance of 17". This will not go well.

I distribute arms and armor per MM with the following results:

Unit 1: 48 are equipped with Leather armor and shield, sword (40% of force)

Unit 2: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, light crossbow (10% of force)

Unit 3: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, glaive (10% of force)

Unit 4: 12 are equipped with Leather armor, short bow (10% of force)

Unit 5: 12 are equipped with Light horse, leather armor and shield, spear (10% of force)

Unit 6: 12 are equipped with Light horse, Leather armor, light crossbow (10% of force)

Unit 7: 12 are equipped with Medium horse, chainmail and shield, sword (10% of force)

Things are looking very grim for the Bros...

Surprise comes up with a 5 for both sides, so nobody gets the drop. Bandits win round 1 initiative by a decisive 6 to 1 and after a brutal exchange of missile fire, Bear Amblecrown lies dead, Alethras and Redneck are heavily wounded and Palk Mei is near death. All potential life saving spells are disrupted by the brigand attacks and Redneck kills 5 brigands, to little avail. We proceed to round 2.

Round 2 initiative is tied 3 to 3 so all attacks are resolved simultaneously (for all the good it does). Redneck, Palk Mei and Alethras attempt to make a fighting withdrawal, but the opposing brigands overwhelm them. They join Bear Amblecrown in the Realms of Bone as sun sets on this group of the Bros and Zenabarithon's atrocities continue unabated. We have our first TPK!!!

Thus ends the Saga of the Mighty Redneck, a hero who futilely fought Chaos and met an ignominious end in the Cold Wastes, his anonymous death a testament to Man's insignificance in the Black Seas of Infinity as the gods laugh.

Session 8 Downtime: Redneck's Mighty Riders

Redneck's Mighty Riders (Mighty Redneck)

Still reeling from the betrayal of the others, Redneck decides to seek the counsel of his trainer, Brog Bersk (L11 CG ranger) whom I randomly decide lives in the mountains (hex 301.302) south of the Shrine of Lethria. He safely arrives (all encounter checks came up blank) at the mountain stronghold of Brog and informs him of the developments. Brog urges caution when dealing with the Chaos beast and marvels that such a small group of unprepared adventurers survived the appetite of Zenabarithon and his mate. He reluctantly suggests that Redneck consult with the Porius Sepret, Druid of the Order of the Starless Wastes since he may have more information and lives close to the lakes that were targeted by the dragons. Brog gives Redneck directions to find Druid Porius in wooded hills (hex 306.298) east of Trith Keep, should he desire to consult the Druid.

In the interest of speed, Redneck decides to stay on the main roads before cutting east to the Starless Wastes Grove. Moving under cover of darkness, Redneck quietly makes his way through the outskirts of the villages near Trith Keep before melting into the woods. Fortunately, all encounter checks come up blank so Redneck takes some time to catch some rabbits for dinner and counts his blessings as he makes camp for the night.

Having started a small fire and put the rabbits on the spit to roast, Redneck spreads his bedroll before returning to cooking and is surprised to see a visitor sitting by the fire staring at the succulent meat on the spit.

His newfound, and somewhat expected, guest is a tall man with gaunt features, naked save for a loincloth with a staff across his knees. His long hair is matted and smeared with white woad that covers his body from crown to sole.

I check reaction and get Uncertain/positive (59% followed by a 13%) so I decide the situation unfolds as follows:

"You'll be joining me for dinner then, Dryw Porius?", Redneck asks his hoary dinner guest.

"Hmph. At least Brog taught ye proper manners, boy. The auguries were clear that we were to expect a visitor and it's always a pleasant surprise when I don't have to kill him outright. How's yer master? It's been an age since he paid me a visit."

"He's well, Dryw, though burdened by responsibilities. The Jotunn have overstepped their bounds again", Redneck tells him as he sits down crosslegged and turns the spits.

"Pfft! A nuisance, at best! Tell him I would see him when he can spare the time. Why did he send you?" Porius says as he pokes the largest rabbit with a bony finger, testing its readiness.

"I battled the wyrm Zenabarithon, Dryw, and fear I may have doomed the lake villages by my failure to slay the abomination", Redneck says, hanging his head in shame and failing to meet the gaze of the druid.

"Hmmm so that was you, eh? The villages are no more. The wyrms destroyed them and ate the hapless peasants. They'll be sated for a quite some time after their feast so we won't hear from them for months, at least. What happened? I'm surprised ye didn't end up in their gullets"

"I was betrayed, Dryw!" Redneck shouts. He shakes with rage as he says "We were attacked by the beasts in a vicious ambush! Our so-called warrior Brogallo fled in fear with his mercenary band and that scum Kleptikos! Fitzy was killed and I was near death from the icy breath of the wyrms when the wizard Blastikus and his treacherous Chaos priest Sully used a potion to mesmerize the beasts! Those black-hearted bastards convinced them we were their allies! They commanded them to attack the villages instead of finishing us." 

Redneck, falls silent, overwhelmed by the grief at the obliteration of the innocents. He sits mute, the only sounds being the crackle of the fire and the sizzle of the cooking rabbits. Porius contemplates the fire, occasionally turning the spits. After a time, he breaks the silence.

"There was nothing ye could do, boy", he says quietly. "The abominations were hungry and took ye unawares. These beasts are an affront, though, and must be dealt with before they spawn and we have a true catastrophe on our hands. Yer wyrd is unclear, but it's clear ye are not fated to die...yet."

Porius pokes the fire with a stick, and pauses, as if he's unsure about what he should say next. After a few moments, he nods once, having come to a conclusion and continues.

"As ye should know, The Order maintains the balance of our world against the abominations and Outer Dark. We use all tools to do, whether they be good or evil or slaves to the Higher Powers. Often, and always when least expected, those tools fails us and we must regroup with our brethren and true allies. Brog has taught ye this, hasn't he?", he asks sharply.

"Aye, Dryw. He has told me the truth of the world and our place in preserving it against the Enemies."

"Hmm. At least Brog righteously keeps the old ways. Well, ye just suffered the first betrayal of what will likely be many. Learn from it! Yer Brotherhood and The Order have been staunch allies for centuries and are the only ones that can be trusted! Outsiders are tools to be used for specific purposes and then discarded lest they fail ye...and they will!"

Porius takes the larger rabbit of the fire and puts it aside to cool, eyeing it hungrily. He turns to Redneck and says "Don't let the other coney cook too long! They turn rubbery if ye let it roast! Pull it off and have yer dinner. We'll get some sleep and visit my place in the morning. The auguries told me what was to be and I called fer some friends to help you track down the beasts and make them pay for their crimes. Those villagers were decent sorts and under my protection. They didn't deserve to be wyrm food. We will avenge them."

"And the betrayers, Dryw?"

"Forget them for now, boy. Their time will come. Plan their deaths and pursue them with cold determination. The wyrms are a greater threat and must be dealt with first. Then, and only then, should ye slay the filthy Chaos priest and the blackhearts. They caused the deaths of innocent and must pay the price for the scales to balance."

Redneck's Riders Appear

In the morning, Redneck and Porius break camp and travel to the Druid's cabin in hex 306.299. Porius introduces Redneck to his new allies (I rolled a d6 for number of allies, d4+4 for level so that they would roughly be around Redneck's level and rolled on the Character Subtable DMG pg 175 for the following results):

Alethras - N L6 druid

Bear Amblecrown - NE L6 fighter

Palk Mei - NG L8 magic-user

After a quick war council, the group agrees to travel to the lakes to see if they discover survivors or clues as to the dragons whereabouts.

Redneck rides for vengeance!

Session 8: The Sundering of the Bros

 

The Bros are all trained up and newly buffed up with additional bro-cenary troops under Brogallo's command. A roll on the rumor table comes up with a 7, so the Bros are heading back to the Ruined Monastery to see what compelled the Oni to invade the territory and devastate Gunnolfsfell. They decide to forgo the road and cut through hex 301.300 (containing the Shrine of Lethria) to reach hex 302.301 (containing the Ruined Monastery). Random encounters both come up positive, which means we'll be rolling on the temperate wilderness tables on DMG pg 184 to see what they discover. Note even though the Cold Wastes are a northern tundra environment, I'm using the real world calendar as the campaign calendar. Since it's July and a balmy 92 degrees Farenheit here in Boston, MA it seems kinda silly to roll on the subarctic table.

Hex 301.300 is mountainous and comes up with an 11 which means Dragon and a potential world of excrement falling down on the Bros. A further roll on the Dragon Table (pg 185) gives us two 7HD (35hp, 35hp) adult average size White Dragons (per rolls on AD&D MM pg 29 and 34). They're not in their lair (31% and need a 20%), so I say they're a mated pair of dragons hunting for some food. They can speak (18%) but aren't spell casters (71%).

Hex 302.301 is forested hills and comes up with an Ogre. Given previous events, I'm ruling this is the Oni Chief and his remaining clan members who have been lurking in the area, nursing their wounds, and waiting for the chance to enact their revenge. I decide they've been quietly stocking the party invisibly waiting for their chance to kill the human weaklings and retrieve their treasure maps.

We'll resolve the dragon encounter first to see if The Bros survive to face the Oni and the Ruined Monastery.

Neither party is surprised (Party 6, Dragons 5) and the party loses initiative (4 to 3). A reaction check comes back at 53% (Neutral - uninterested - uncertain). I decide the Dragons are going to attack since I've already established they're hungry and looking for a snack. Encounter distance is 11" - well within combat range.

Round 1 actions:

Blastikus: Use Potion of Evil Dragon Control (seriously how awesome are random rolls?? It's not like I planned this encounter!)

Brogallo: Attempts to rally bro-cenaries and flee, seeing nothing but death if he remains 

Brother Fitzy: Casts Resist Cold

Brother Sully: Casts Resist Cold 

Kleptikos: Turns and runs, not willing to become a dragon snack

Mighty Redneck: Attacks with long sword

Round 1 (Party 3; Dragon 4):

The terrifying beasts of Chaos Manifest are imbued with an alien aura of utter wrongness, anathema to the natural order of the world and apex predators unchallenged by the mortal beings of this realm. The bro-cenaries fail their saving throws (with pathetic roll of 2) and are rooted to the spot in abject fear at the dread majesty of the ancient enemy. The Bros are all 6th level so are sturdy enough to shake off the effects of the dragons' horrific nature.

Dragon 1: Breathes on the party (80% roll per AD&D MM pg 30) for 35hp of damage

Blastikus: Makes save vs BW and takes 18hp leaving him at a frosty 1hp

Brogallo: Fails save and goes to 6hp

Brother Fitzy: Fails save and goes to 2hp

Brother Sully: Fails save and goes to 5hp

Kleptikos: Makes save vs BW and takes 18hp leaving him at 12hp

Mighty Redneck: Fails save and goes to 5hp

Dragon 2: Attacks Brother Fitzy and hits with 2 claws for 6hp, killing him...decisively!

Blastikus: Drinks the Potion of Evil Dragon Control; Dragon 1 fails the save but Dragon 2 makes it (with a natural 20 no less)

Brogallo: Reaction roll of 74% with a successful followup rallies the troops and they all flee

Brother Fitzy: DEAD

Brother Sully: Loses spell

Kleptikos: FLED 

Mighty Redneck: Misses

Round 2 actions:

Blastikus: Tells Dragon 1 to convince Dragon 2 that the party is their friend and they should stop trying to eat The Bros (let's see what reaction rolls determine...)

Brother Sully: Casts Cure Light Wounds on himself

Mighty Redneck: Attacks Dragon 2 with long sword since he doesn't know what Blastikus had planned

Dragon 1: Attacks Brother Sully

Dragon 2: Attacks Redneck

Round 2 (Party 5; Dragon 4):

Blastikus: Gets an adjusted reaction roll of 75% with a successful follow up so Dragon 1 reacts positively and convinces his mate to stop attacking

Brother Sully: CLW heals him for 4hp

Mighty Redneck: Misses

Dragon 1: Stops attack due to Potion of Dragon Control

Dragon 2: Stops attack due to mate's influence

Noting the disappearance of Brogallo and Kleptikos for future retaliation, Blastikus attempts to get some information from the dragons before sending them on their way.

"O great ones, we are overwhelmed by your mercy! What great beings of power you are!"

Never one to shy away from recognition of his obvious draconic superiority, the male says "Zenabarithon is pleased by your fear and recognition of the proper order of the Cosmos, fleshling. My mate and I are hungry, though, and you do look rather delicious..."

"We are unfit for the refined palate of Your Greatnesses. Surely, a multitude of plump villagers in the lakeside villages to the southeast would do more to satisfy your ravenous hungers?"

Horrified, Redneck shouts "You miserable bastard! How dare you..."

Brother Sully rapidly smacks Redneck across his mouth "Be silent, you oaf! Our fate hangs by a thread!"

The party is brought to their knees by the thunderous laughter of both dragons.

"Let us leave these primates to their own devices, my queen. These fools will do our work for us - ha! They are but a morsel best left to rot. Let us indulge ourselves in some waterside dining", Zenabarithon says as they both take to the air.

"I like you, fleshling. Make sure the Oni in the woods don't make you their meal, instead. They've been following you for miles and are waiting in Kenarath's Monastery, you know", Zenabarithon tells the survivors as he wheels away into the sky with his mate.

"Hmmm", Blastikus thinks to himself, "I didn't know that was the monastery's name. I'll have to look into that later...and into Zenabarithon as well."

Turning to address his companions, Blastikus is surprised to see that only Brother Sully remains. "What happened to the oaf?"

Brother Sully stares at Blastikus with jaded eyes before saying, "You must be joking or insane - what do you think happened? You sacrificed hundreds of peasants to save our hides. His sanctimonious personality can't abide that! We're lucky he's too battered to slit our throats here and now. He's going to be a problem later."

"For me or you?", Blastikus says in a low voice.

"Both. I'm going to have troubles of my own for daring to raise my hand against the literal manifestation of Chaos Made Flesh without worrying about your homicidal urges. Why don't you stow the murderous attitude for now, eh? We've done well together and I don't see the need to  disrupt a profitable venture with petty betrayals", Sully says while subtly changing his stance in anticipation of violence.

Blastikus sighs wearily before responding, "Agreed. I think Valthrun might be an unwise destination given our current...complications. Let's round up the horses, bury your brother and leave for Old Brightwood - it's quieted down by now. He'll expect us to go to Fort Rackham since you've got friends there and might poke around Tallow Watch while he's there. We need time to regroup and find some reasonable traveling companions. I'll send word to my idiot servants in Eilifsdalsa to let them know."

"Might as well. Pity about Fitzy, though. He wasn't a bad sort - I was starting to grow fond of him."