Post by ihavetilfive on Feb 7, 2010 5:51:54 GMT -6
I've been running a campaign since December, and the dungeon in question is B1, "In Search of the Unknown." I'm using an amalgam of Moldvay Basic, AD&D, some WFRP, and my own homebrewing (including heavy use of a Jenga tower) to find a system that works for us. Deciding to start the party out in a town, I placed Quasqueton a good distance away from the town of Kirby, using the Outdoor Survival map as a guide. This is the first time I'm DMing a regularly running campaign for a group, as I've done a one-shot (more or less) of B1 for a group, and some multiple encounters of it with single players running whole parties. Aside from that, I've just been a player so far...
Let me know what you guys think...
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In the town of Kirby, four adventurers set forth to investigate a mysterious location crudely sketched out upon a stolen map.
The newcomer to Kirby, an elven Knight named Delva Lai, attempted to greet the nobility of the town upon entrance. He soon discovered that Lord Lancaster, whom he wished to have an audience with, was enjoying a hunting holiday tracking the wild stags. He met the washmaid, Bethesda, who spoke with him at great length of Lancaster’s hunting trophies and prowess. Delva Lai managed to parlay this conversation into a meeting with Bethesda later that night. Lady Lancaster discovered Bethesda’s shirking of her washing chores, as the conversation with Delva took well over an hour, and proceeded to castigate Bethesda to the point of her weeping openly. Delva came to the maid’s defense, but was met with a summary dismissal from the Lady as well. After appearing to return to her duties, Bethesda discreetly reappeared from the servants’ door to reconfirm the pair’s planned encounter later that evening.
Ernie the elf, a resident of the town, strolled into the Expensive Doxy that morning and ordered the day’s special, which was the beef casserole. He initially was going to decline, but when he saw the great number of customers clamoring for it and heard of the new hobbit chef preparing the dish, he decided to try it. He was glad he did; it was delicious! Finishing his meal, Ernie decided to relieve a farmer sitting nearby of extra monies; the pick-up resulted in only a handful of coppers, and the elf felt that greener pastures could best be found elsewhere.
Jim the ogre, another newcomer in town, but a sometime-acquaintance of Ernie’s, decided that he needed to find breakfast as well. Seeing Trolius, a goose seller, peddling his wares in the market, Jim advanced to take a meal. Trolius managed to convince Jim to pay the price of 5 silvers for the goose, unsure of whether Jim would’ve simply walked off with the bird if he didn’t. Jim wasted no time in enjoying his meal, as he tore the head off the goose on the spot and devoured his breakfast. Trolius, appalled by the spectacle and fearing it would drive away customers, yelled at Jim enough to persuade him to leave the premises. Leaving a trail of blood, entrails, and feathers, Jim complied.
Farned of the Great Church was looking for some female entertainment this fine morning, and he knew he might find it in the Dark Harbor section of town. He visited a familiar place, the Slovenly Trull. Tusk and Scab, both of at least half-orcish blood, greeted him at the door, as Scardd the bartender tossed him his usual glass of grog. The half-orc dancers were performing, and one of them, a fanged lady named Slosha, approached him. Farned, while initially waiting for the fairer half-elven entertainers to follow the present shift, felt that five of his coppers would be the right price for a room’s full of fun with a goblinoid. A half-hour later, and living through the wild forcings upon of Slosha, Farned emerged, itching, scratching, and feeling quite filthy. He decided to clean himself by taking a dip into the murky waters of Dark Harbor. Farned decided, for good measure, to cast Cure Light Wounds upon himself; his itching ceased considerably immediately after.
Ernie stretched his legs through the marketplace, searching for a more suitable mark, when he noticed a splattering of blood and feathers in front of the goose stall. Trolius told him of some troll or orc who tore apart one of his geese. Certain that Jim was nearby, Ernie decided he would look for his friend, right after he transferred some wealth, that is. Passing the cheese cart and the fisher’s lot, the elf eyed the tents of the merchants of Araby. Spices and incenses were in abundance, and Ernie saw a toothless chap considering a purchase of Blue Sugar. Any confidence man worth his salt knew that Blue Sugar was nothing more than ordinary table sugar colored with a dash of indigo, so Ernie knew he found a grade-A rube here. The coin he lifted was little more than an electrum piece and change, but he also made off with a parchment folded in two. Ernie turned into a corner and examined his take in an alley that few citizens knew of. In the lower right hand corner was a dot named “Kirby,” with an inverted “V” shape next to it. Further left and higher of these markings, but not quite in the center of the vellum, was written “Hills.” In the upper left corner, a large “Q” was written, with a trailed line curving down and back to the right. Ernie was not sure if this denoted a trail or had another purpose, but was quite sure this was some sort of map. He knew that Cornelius the Bard might help him determine more, but would not be able to find him with any degree of certainty until later that night. He decided to follow the trail of goose blood to his ogre companion.
Farned made his way back to his church of Illenvas, where the sound of his squishing feet alerted the rest of the clerics to his activities. “Looks like Farned’s been swimming in Dark Harbor again, guys!” The rest of the Illenvas sect chortled at his latest escapade, as Prefect Sark clasped his hand upon Farned’s shoulder and gave him a package. “Remember, my son, apply this once before bed and once when you awake. It will help with Slosha’s, ahem, ‘gift.’” Farned unwrapped the package to find a pound of finely ground, reddish-brown powder; it was Tarsus root. Farned placed this in his travelling sack when Archie, a frequent congregant, burst into the sanctuary. “My map! My sugar! My map and Blue Sugar are missing! Help!” The gentleman who Ernie exchanged possessions with at the merchant tent was the same as the man now panicking in the Illenvas church. Farned tried to calm him and get some information. “My Blue Sugar! Do you have my Blue Sugar? Did I leave it here? My map! Where’s my map?” Farned was able to determine that the last place Archie remembered having either was at the Arabian merchants’ tents, so they decided to return there to find some answers.
Jim, finished with his goose, decided to walk and lost track of time, wandering into the Dark Harbor neighborhood. He became aware that someone may be following him and decided to find an alley to duck into. The alley was filled with rancid and rotting piles of rubbish and refuse everywhere, including what must have been a rotted wooden garbage receptacle. Ernie had just made it into Dark Harbor when he saw a violet-hued hulking form on the horizon suddenly turn and disappear. Certain that he spotted his friend, Ernie pressed on. Jim, stifling his gag reflex from the odors of the alley, tried to conceal himself as well as possible. Ernie soon turned into the alley and surveyed the scene. A purple foot jutting from the wooden frame betrayed the ogre. “Who’s there?” demanded the ogre. “It’s me, Ernie.” The two friends greeted each other , and the elf informed his friend of the opportunity his find promised. They decided to head to one of the taverns they knew Cornelius would be performing at tonight.
Farned and Archie made their way back to the merchant tent, where Farned attempted to gain information about the whereabouts of the map. Archie purchased a package of Blue Sugar and began consuming it by the fistful. The merchant drove a hard bargain with Farned, who had to surrender his shield, as well as his holy symbol for the description of the thief who had lifted the map from Archie. In addition, Farned had two weeks to pay Farouk 30 gold pieces, or risk his reputation being ruined as a briber and a disgrace to his church. The description of an elf with a freckled nose left the two puzzled, as they didn’t know any which fit the description. Archie, drowning his sorrow in non-stop Blue Sugar ingestion, drew the attention of a passing Delva. Archie, seeing Delva was an elf, immediately accused him of having the map. Farned apologized for the misunderstanding and explained the situation to Delva. The inclusion of the freckled nose led Delva to conclude that this may be Ernie who was the culprit. Delva’s family knew of Ernie by another name, Bril Freckle-nose, and Delva’s subsequent visit to the Elven Embassy in the Noble Quarter confirmed that Ernie was in fact a resident of Kirby. Delva and Farned agreed to continue their search for Ernie together.
Ernie knew that the Haughty Courtesan was one of the stops Cornelius would be making, so they bought a round of drinks. Attractive half-elven serving wenches descended upon Jim, asking him if he’d like to buy a nice bottle of brandy. Jim declared that he not only would buy one, he would buy three! Almost immediately thereafter, a nigh-indescribably beautiful elven woman slinked into the main hall and convinced Jim to purchase a “private encounter.” Jim handed over his full money sack, all 37 gold pieces, and followed Allura into a chamber filled with incense and a large, throne-like chair. Jim was instructed to stay in the chair, as he noticed four massive Norsemen sitting, rather bored, in each corner of the room. A hobbit began playing a lyre, as Allura began an impressive dance involving twirling veils. Two minutes later, the elf strutted out of the room without so much as a backwards glance. Jim, after realizing that the “encounter” was indeed over, dejectedly sulked back over to Ernie’s table.
Delva picks up Bethesda and goes tavern-hopping, in search of Ernie, eventually finding him at the Haughty Courtesan.
Farned loses Archie back at the church, leaving through the bathroom window, and picks up some rotten food in an alley along the way, wrapping it up. He becomes intoxicated at the Typical Streetwalker, where he inadvertently learns that Cornelius the Bard is performing at the Haughty Courtesan. Thrown out of the Streetwalker, Farned decides to visit the Courtesan.
Ernie and Jim are seen by Delva and Bethesda, who join them at their table. Ernie begins to let Delva know that something may be in the works that might be profitable in exploring, and confirms this after Cornelius lets Ernie know that the Unnamed Mountain is most likely the mountain drawn on this map. Ernie agreed that Cornelius is owed a favor for this tip and returns to the table. Farned joins the table and decides to take the Tarsus powder with his food. After nearly vomiting and causing quite the scene, Farned remembers that the powder is a topical application, and excuses himself to the men’s room to apply it, despite the fact that he’s not going to be going to bed any time soon. Farned decides to wipe his hand on Ernie’s shoulder, leaving a reddish smear on his shoulder. Ernie answers this insult by casting a Sleep spell upon Farned, which also knocks out a half-elven serving wench and a nearby merchant drinking wine. After a few tense moments when the Viking guards angrily shout that no magic is allowed in the tavern, the atmosphere gradually resumes its festive tone.
Ernie and Jim decide to leave the Courtesan immediately and begin preparations to leave town that night, within the hour. Delva and Bethesda also leave, with Bethesda excited to partake in an adventure. Delva pays the tavern to leave the still-unconscious Farned in the least expensive room while leaving him a note explaining to him to meet at the city gate. Delva equips Bethesda in leather armor and adventuring gear with the last of his gold, and enjoys an hour with her before joining Ernie and Jim at the city gate.
Farned finally awakens to find himself in a storage closet, where he stumbled out and takes an iron rake with him. He returns to the church, where he unsuccessfully pleads for monetary backing for an expedition to find the location on the map. When he realizes he’s not getting anywhere, he informs Archie that the elves have the map, causing Archie to run full tilt in the direction of the city gate.
Ernie and Jim just leave the city gate when they are met by Delva and Bethesda. As the assembled party is ready to move northwest to through the area of the Unnamed Mountain, a screaming Archie runs up to them and begins asking about the map and Blue Sugar. Farned soon follows, and everyone is at last together. The group decides to traverse the mountain, taking a straight northwesterly path.
After nine or so hours climbing the height of the mountain, the party receives a surprise, as two orcs emerge from the bushes ahead and demand a toll of 50 gold pieces. Ernie replies with an attempted pun, which is met by a near fatal arrow to Ernie’s head, his helmet being the only thing averting catastrophe. An orcish archer appears to the side of each of the first two orcs, and the party is engaged in battle. An unfortunate sling bullet from Farned hit the backside of Delva’s horse, causing it to charge forward blindly, trampling two orcs in the process before fleeing up the trail. Delva and Bethesda were able to land safely from the spooked steed and brought the fight to the orcs. Another six orcs emerged to the rear of the party, and Farned appeared to be dealt a lethal wound, but spun away from the full slash of a scimitar just in time to keep himself from being ripped asunder. A timely sleep spell from Ernie and surprisingly potent swordsmanship from Bethesda helped the party win the melee. Unfortunately, Archie was run through by an orcish sword, and the last remaining orc fled into the scrub. Attempting a last gasp swipe, Jim swung his flail, only to have a chain link snap, sending the spiked iron ball crashing into his purple face, rendering him unconscious. Farned cast his last Cure Light Wounds spell upon the ogre, reviving him. The party managed to find a few shields, some suits of studded leather and ringmail, a number of swords and scimitars, 6 iron rations, a few semi-rotten fruit, and 75 electrum pieces among the fallen orcs. Turning over the body of the largest orc, Ernie saw an entire freshly-slaughtered pig strapped to its back. The party decided this would be a good place to stop for the night.
Let me know what you guys think...
____________________________________
In the town of Kirby, four adventurers set forth to investigate a mysterious location crudely sketched out upon a stolen map.
The newcomer to Kirby, an elven Knight named Delva Lai, attempted to greet the nobility of the town upon entrance. He soon discovered that Lord Lancaster, whom he wished to have an audience with, was enjoying a hunting holiday tracking the wild stags. He met the washmaid, Bethesda, who spoke with him at great length of Lancaster’s hunting trophies and prowess. Delva Lai managed to parlay this conversation into a meeting with Bethesda later that night. Lady Lancaster discovered Bethesda’s shirking of her washing chores, as the conversation with Delva took well over an hour, and proceeded to castigate Bethesda to the point of her weeping openly. Delva came to the maid’s defense, but was met with a summary dismissal from the Lady as well. After appearing to return to her duties, Bethesda discreetly reappeared from the servants’ door to reconfirm the pair’s planned encounter later that evening.
Ernie the elf, a resident of the town, strolled into the Expensive Doxy that morning and ordered the day’s special, which was the beef casserole. He initially was going to decline, but when he saw the great number of customers clamoring for it and heard of the new hobbit chef preparing the dish, he decided to try it. He was glad he did; it was delicious! Finishing his meal, Ernie decided to relieve a farmer sitting nearby of extra monies; the pick-up resulted in only a handful of coppers, and the elf felt that greener pastures could best be found elsewhere.
Jim the ogre, another newcomer in town, but a sometime-acquaintance of Ernie’s, decided that he needed to find breakfast as well. Seeing Trolius, a goose seller, peddling his wares in the market, Jim advanced to take a meal. Trolius managed to convince Jim to pay the price of 5 silvers for the goose, unsure of whether Jim would’ve simply walked off with the bird if he didn’t. Jim wasted no time in enjoying his meal, as he tore the head off the goose on the spot and devoured his breakfast. Trolius, appalled by the spectacle and fearing it would drive away customers, yelled at Jim enough to persuade him to leave the premises. Leaving a trail of blood, entrails, and feathers, Jim complied.
Farned of the Great Church was looking for some female entertainment this fine morning, and he knew he might find it in the Dark Harbor section of town. He visited a familiar place, the Slovenly Trull. Tusk and Scab, both of at least half-orcish blood, greeted him at the door, as Scardd the bartender tossed him his usual glass of grog. The half-orc dancers were performing, and one of them, a fanged lady named Slosha, approached him. Farned, while initially waiting for the fairer half-elven entertainers to follow the present shift, felt that five of his coppers would be the right price for a room’s full of fun with a goblinoid. A half-hour later, and living through the wild forcings upon of Slosha, Farned emerged, itching, scratching, and feeling quite filthy. He decided to clean himself by taking a dip into the murky waters of Dark Harbor. Farned decided, for good measure, to cast Cure Light Wounds upon himself; his itching ceased considerably immediately after.
Ernie stretched his legs through the marketplace, searching for a more suitable mark, when he noticed a splattering of blood and feathers in front of the goose stall. Trolius told him of some troll or orc who tore apart one of his geese. Certain that Jim was nearby, Ernie decided he would look for his friend, right after he transferred some wealth, that is. Passing the cheese cart and the fisher’s lot, the elf eyed the tents of the merchants of Araby. Spices and incenses were in abundance, and Ernie saw a toothless chap considering a purchase of Blue Sugar. Any confidence man worth his salt knew that Blue Sugar was nothing more than ordinary table sugar colored with a dash of indigo, so Ernie knew he found a grade-A rube here. The coin he lifted was little more than an electrum piece and change, but he also made off with a parchment folded in two. Ernie turned into a corner and examined his take in an alley that few citizens knew of. In the lower right hand corner was a dot named “Kirby,” with an inverted “V” shape next to it. Further left and higher of these markings, but not quite in the center of the vellum, was written “Hills.” In the upper left corner, a large “Q” was written, with a trailed line curving down and back to the right. Ernie was not sure if this denoted a trail or had another purpose, but was quite sure this was some sort of map. He knew that Cornelius the Bard might help him determine more, but would not be able to find him with any degree of certainty until later that night. He decided to follow the trail of goose blood to his ogre companion.
Farned made his way back to his church of Illenvas, where the sound of his squishing feet alerted the rest of the clerics to his activities. “Looks like Farned’s been swimming in Dark Harbor again, guys!” The rest of the Illenvas sect chortled at his latest escapade, as Prefect Sark clasped his hand upon Farned’s shoulder and gave him a package. “Remember, my son, apply this once before bed and once when you awake. It will help with Slosha’s, ahem, ‘gift.’” Farned unwrapped the package to find a pound of finely ground, reddish-brown powder; it was Tarsus root. Farned placed this in his travelling sack when Archie, a frequent congregant, burst into the sanctuary. “My map! My sugar! My map and Blue Sugar are missing! Help!” The gentleman who Ernie exchanged possessions with at the merchant tent was the same as the man now panicking in the Illenvas church. Farned tried to calm him and get some information. “My Blue Sugar! Do you have my Blue Sugar? Did I leave it here? My map! Where’s my map?” Farned was able to determine that the last place Archie remembered having either was at the Arabian merchants’ tents, so they decided to return there to find some answers.
Jim, finished with his goose, decided to walk and lost track of time, wandering into the Dark Harbor neighborhood. He became aware that someone may be following him and decided to find an alley to duck into. The alley was filled with rancid and rotting piles of rubbish and refuse everywhere, including what must have been a rotted wooden garbage receptacle. Ernie had just made it into Dark Harbor when he saw a violet-hued hulking form on the horizon suddenly turn and disappear. Certain that he spotted his friend, Ernie pressed on. Jim, stifling his gag reflex from the odors of the alley, tried to conceal himself as well as possible. Ernie soon turned into the alley and surveyed the scene. A purple foot jutting from the wooden frame betrayed the ogre. “Who’s there?” demanded the ogre. “It’s me, Ernie.” The two friends greeted each other , and the elf informed his friend of the opportunity his find promised. They decided to head to one of the taverns they knew Cornelius would be performing at tonight.
Farned and Archie made their way back to the merchant tent, where Farned attempted to gain information about the whereabouts of the map. Archie purchased a package of Blue Sugar and began consuming it by the fistful. The merchant drove a hard bargain with Farned, who had to surrender his shield, as well as his holy symbol for the description of the thief who had lifted the map from Archie. In addition, Farned had two weeks to pay Farouk 30 gold pieces, or risk his reputation being ruined as a briber and a disgrace to his church. The description of an elf with a freckled nose left the two puzzled, as they didn’t know any which fit the description. Archie, drowning his sorrow in non-stop Blue Sugar ingestion, drew the attention of a passing Delva. Archie, seeing Delva was an elf, immediately accused him of having the map. Farned apologized for the misunderstanding and explained the situation to Delva. The inclusion of the freckled nose led Delva to conclude that this may be Ernie who was the culprit. Delva’s family knew of Ernie by another name, Bril Freckle-nose, and Delva’s subsequent visit to the Elven Embassy in the Noble Quarter confirmed that Ernie was in fact a resident of Kirby. Delva and Farned agreed to continue their search for Ernie together.
Ernie knew that the Haughty Courtesan was one of the stops Cornelius would be making, so they bought a round of drinks. Attractive half-elven serving wenches descended upon Jim, asking him if he’d like to buy a nice bottle of brandy. Jim declared that he not only would buy one, he would buy three! Almost immediately thereafter, a nigh-indescribably beautiful elven woman slinked into the main hall and convinced Jim to purchase a “private encounter.” Jim handed over his full money sack, all 37 gold pieces, and followed Allura into a chamber filled with incense and a large, throne-like chair. Jim was instructed to stay in the chair, as he noticed four massive Norsemen sitting, rather bored, in each corner of the room. A hobbit began playing a lyre, as Allura began an impressive dance involving twirling veils. Two minutes later, the elf strutted out of the room without so much as a backwards glance. Jim, after realizing that the “encounter” was indeed over, dejectedly sulked back over to Ernie’s table.
Delva picks up Bethesda and goes tavern-hopping, in search of Ernie, eventually finding him at the Haughty Courtesan.
Farned loses Archie back at the church, leaving through the bathroom window, and picks up some rotten food in an alley along the way, wrapping it up. He becomes intoxicated at the Typical Streetwalker, where he inadvertently learns that Cornelius the Bard is performing at the Haughty Courtesan. Thrown out of the Streetwalker, Farned decides to visit the Courtesan.
Ernie and Jim are seen by Delva and Bethesda, who join them at their table. Ernie begins to let Delva know that something may be in the works that might be profitable in exploring, and confirms this after Cornelius lets Ernie know that the Unnamed Mountain is most likely the mountain drawn on this map. Ernie agreed that Cornelius is owed a favor for this tip and returns to the table. Farned joins the table and decides to take the Tarsus powder with his food. After nearly vomiting and causing quite the scene, Farned remembers that the powder is a topical application, and excuses himself to the men’s room to apply it, despite the fact that he’s not going to be going to bed any time soon. Farned decides to wipe his hand on Ernie’s shoulder, leaving a reddish smear on his shoulder. Ernie answers this insult by casting a Sleep spell upon Farned, which also knocks out a half-elven serving wench and a nearby merchant drinking wine. After a few tense moments when the Viking guards angrily shout that no magic is allowed in the tavern, the atmosphere gradually resumes its festive tone.
Ernie and Jim decide to leave the Courtesan immediately and begin preparations to leave town that night, within the hour. Delva and Bethesda also leave, with Bethesda excited to partake in an adventure. Delva pays the tavern to leave the still-unconscious Farned in the least expensive room while leaving him a note explaining to him to meet at the city gate. Delva equips Bethesda in leather armor and adventuring gear with the last of his gold, and enjoys an hour with her before joining Ernie and Jim at the city gate.
Farned finally awakens to find himself in a storage closet, where he stumbled out and takes an iron rake with him. He returns to the church, where he unsuccessfully pleads for monetary backing for an expedition to find the location on the map. When he realizes he’s not getting anywhere, he informs Archie that the elves have the map, causing Archie to run full tilt in the direction of the city gate.
Ernie and Jim just leave the city gate when they are met by Delva and Bethesda. As the assembled party is ready to move northwest to through the area of the Unnamed Mountain, a screaming Archie runs up to them and begins asking about the map and Blue Sugar. Farned soon follows, and everyone is at last together. The group decides to traverse the mountain, taking a straight northwesterly path.
After nine or so hours climbing the height of the mountain, the party receives a surprise, as two orcs emerge from the bushes ahead and demand a toll of 50 gold pieces. Ernie replies with an attempted pun, which is met by a near fatal arrow to Ernie’s head, his helmet being the only thing averting catastrophe. An orcish archer appears to the side of each of the first two orcs, and the party is engaged in battle. An unfortunate sling bullet from Farned hit the backside of Delva’s horse, causing it to charge forward blindly, trampling two orcs in the process before fleeing up the trail. Delva and Bethesda were able to land safely from the spooked steed and brought the fight to the orcs. Another six orcs emerged to the rear of the party, and Farned appeared to be dealt a lethal wound, but spun away from the full slash of a scimitar just in time to keep himself from being ripped asunder. A timely sleep spell from Ernie and surprisingly potent swordsmanship from Bethesda helped the party win the melee. Unfortunately, Archie was run through by an orcish sword, and the last remaining orc fled into the scrub. Attempting a last gasp swipe, Jim swung his flail, only to have a chain link snap, sending the spiked iron ball crashing into his purple face, rendering him unconscious. Farned cast his last Cure Light Wounds spell upon the ogre, reviving him. The party managed to find a few shields, some suits of studded leather and ringmail, a number of swords and scimitars, 6 iron rations, a few semi-rotten fruit, and 75 electrum pieces among the fallen orcs. Turning over the body of the largest orc, Ernie saw an entire freshly-slaughtered pig strapped to its back. The party decided this would be a good place to stop for the night.
