Blood Sword Campaign 1: The Battlepits of Kraarth

[thealmightymudworm]

Nov 18, 2015 13:29:55 GMT kieran said:

Guess it's up to Ed as he has the talisman.

Indeed.

*Looks hopefully at trickster*

[a moderator]

Use the talisman.

(Apologies for the delay - computer's been a bit temperamental.)

[champskees]

131

You brandish the talisman. The baleful lava light causes it to sparkle like the heart of a flame. The Skiapyrs stop, wavering like guttering candles. 'The talisman,' says one, its voice a soft susurration of air. 'We await your wishes.'

'Slay the brigands who pursue us,' you command. Instantly the Skiapyrs turn upon the Adventurers you fought a few moments ago. As they do, their fiery faces change from expressions of serene obedience to masks of hate. 'Slay the interlopers!' they shriek, reaching out with white hot claws. In moments, only charred bones and the stench of roasted flash remain to show that the Adventurers ever existed.

No, not only that. A second glance tells you that the Adventurers dropped something - something that gleams like burnished gold in the light of the clustering Skiapyrs. When you go to investigate you find a gilded bridle, which you may take if you wish. The Skiapyrs watch wistfully as you depart.

Turn to 223.

223

You reach an incline leading off from the rim of the crater. It descends gently at first, then becomes a roughly hewn rock stairway. Ahead you can see a desolate plain of mounds and standing stones - and beyond that, a swart atoll that reaches nearly to the roof of the cavern. At the very top of the atoll, bathed in a stark grey-white light, the Emblem of Victory stands proudly. You have almost reached your goal!

Your high spirits are dashed when, a moment later, you reach the end of the rock stairway. You had not seen it at first through the vapour filling the cavern floor, but there is a huge chasm stretching right across from one distant wall to another. You must cross this gulf to reach the atoll where the Emblem awaits you - but there is no bridge in sight this time.

Turn to 482. 

482

All along the gaping chasm you can see the huge winged Dirges sweeping to and fro on the air currents. One drifts close, but unlike the ones you encountered earlier it seems disinclined to attack. Also, it has an almost human face - again, quite unlike the other Dirges. Espying you, it claws the air and drops lower, calling out in a hollow croaking voice: 'Ho, this chasm is an impasse if one lacks wings, is it not?'

If there is a Sage in your party, turn to 393. If there is no Sage present, you can reply either: 'Take back your taunts and be off, you whey-faced loon!' (turn to 22), or 'Perhaps you can help?' (turn to 79).

393

(SAGE) Yes, only the Sage should be reading this. Not you.

SPOILER: Click to show

[This is not a normal Dirge, but an occult hybrid. Probably it was once a human who transgressed in some way against the magi of Krarth, and as punishment was translated into this monstrous form. From what you have heard, so dire a fate would be meted out only to the most treacherous of Krarthian wrongdoers. Krarthian justice is far from just, but at least most criminals are given the mercy of a quick death.]

You call the Dirge-Man over.

Turn to 79.

79

The Dirge-Man settles on the steps above you, flexing his enormous leathery wings as if glad of the rest. You notice that he does not have the spiked talons of a normal Dirge-Man, but human hands. 'I could fly you across,' he declares in his cracked voice. 'But a question has arisen. Essentially, what's in it for me?'

If you wish to use a gilded bridle, turn to 301. If you wish to use some chimera spittle, turn to 321. If an Enchanter is willing to Enthral him, turn to 11. If you cannot do any of these, turn to 22.

Hmm decision decisions. What will it be?

[kieran]

I think we should use the bridle (who's carrying that by the way? I have a free slot so don't mind doing so)

[thealmightymudworm]

My sage's lore informs me that this creature, probably once human, has been mangled into this grotesque form as a punishment for some horrendous form of treachery. We can't trust him as far as we can dribble, but he is the one with the wings.

I'm up for trying the bridle (and yes you carry it if you don't mind).

[a moderator]

Let's hope the bridle enhances his reliability.

[champskees]

301

You produce the bridle. By luck, a geyser shoots up a glorious flare of molten rock nearby, and the gold chasing of the bridle scintillates magnificently. The Dirge Man gasps in admiration. 'An extraordinary treasure!' he croaks, his avaricious nature swamping all reason. 'Give it to me and I shall convey you across the chasm at once.'

'By all means,' you reply, tossing it over his neck and securing the buckles. Swinging on to his back, you pull tightly on the reins. The Dirge Man gives a muffled cry, but soon stops resisting as the studs inside the bridle cut into his leathery skin. Reluctantly he stretches his great wings and clambers up into the steamy air with you clinging to his back.

The crossing is bumpy. You are continually buffeted by roaring gusts of wind from the volcanic vents far below. The Dirge Man makes one half hearted attempt to throw you, then whimpers as you pull harshly on the bridle. At last he swoops down to land on the far side. You leave him tethered by the reins to a boulder, ignoring his bleats of protest.

Turn to 359.

359

You trudge across the mist-shrouded plain. Small creatures scuttle away as you approach, but you cannot make out their exact shape under the blanket of ground fog. Passing one of the stone monoliths, you make a quick detour to investigate it. The ancient sigils that cover its cracked surface seem alive with mystical power, but it is power that is closed to you. Even the modern magi cannot read these immemorial runes, carved two centuries ago by the True Magi, who were slain in the eruption that destroyed the unholy city of Spyte.

'What do they say, I wonder?' A voice behind you makes you start. You turn to see the black-armoured Warlock who champions Magus Uru. He makes no aggressive move but bows, saying, 'Icon, sometimes called the Ungodly, at your service. I have seen what is ahead, and I believe that if we unite together we stand a chance of reaching the Emblem of Victory. Separately we shall surely fail. I suggest an alliance, which is permitted by the rules of the contest, as you know. We shall have to share the prize, but even a shared prize is more than enough to make us rich ...'

If you agree to join forces with Icon, turn to 17. If you reject his offer of an alliance, turn to 341.

[kieran]

Don't trust him as far as I could throw him but an alliance for now is probably a good idea. I say we join forces.

[a moderator]

I trust him a lot less than you do. No alliance.

And Enchanter, if you don't yet have a new spell in mind, I advise you to choose something pretty devastating right now.

[kieran]

Well I had nighthowl to mind but I shall dismiss that in favour of ghastly touch.

[thealmightymudworm]

I reckon that even temporarily trusting someone named 'I con' is not worth the risk. Also Earth is the only world with nice atheists. I vote refuse.

(If he has seen what's up ahead, I wonder why he hasn't gone for it? Maybe a moral test is involved? Or just one that's easier with cannon fodder?)

[champskees]

341

His face contorts in rage. 'So be it, then!' he snarls. 'Your stubborn stupidity will cost you dearly...' He speaks a word of power, surrounding his body with crackling energy, then races forwards to attack.



Icon the Warlock
Fighting Prowess: 8
Psychic Ability: 8
Awareness: 7
Damage per blow: 2 Dice+2
Armour Rating: 2
Endurance: 28
Note: Icon is immune to the Servile Enthralment spell.

He has cloaked himself in a spell of Retributive Fire. Anyone who strikes him in close combat - with a sword, for example, but not with an arrow - is burned by this, losing one Endurance point regardless of armour.

If you win, turn to 377.

Well, this will be a very tough encounter. Trickster is at 1, Enchanter at 2, Sage at 3. If you die, I might let you play this combat again with a different strategy. Remember you do have some items that may help *cough* healing scroll *cough* and also the Trickster has that extra attack he can use.

[kieran]

I'll move to the square above him and cast Ghastly Touch.
Rolled 12, didn't work.

[a moderator]

Is it possible to Defend and use my extra attack as an attack? If so, that's what I'll do, rolling 6 (a hit) for 4 (2 damage).

If that's not an option, just defend, and hope for the Enchanter to do something lethal soon, because it'd only take two lucky hits from Icon to kill me.

[thealmightymudworm]

OK, so close combat seems like a bad idea.

I'd like to try using arrows rather than simply defending. Is this possible from this position (am I under attack)?
Can I take a step back (down) and fire an arrow in one move? (unless falling back results in a free hit?)
Or failing that fire an arrow from the square I'm on now?
If archery is simply impossible I will defend with my quarterstaff.

Sorry for being dense about the rules.

In case loosing an arrow is possible, I'll roll...

SPOILER: Click to show

*Rolls 3* - success
*Rolls 6* for damage

[champskees]

My thoughts on the rules:

If the Warlock attacks the Sage, you're defending. Otherwise you will be free to move away and let rip with arrows, as you are not being attacked.

The Trickster can defend, then at the end of the round, strike.

The Warlock of the Battlepits of Kraarth

The Trickster takes a defensive stance against the Warlock.

The Warlock sneers as he swings straight at the Trickster, rolling a 7(5,1,1!) and 7, inflicting 7 damage.

The Sage backs off and looses an arrow, piercing the Warlock's armour for 4 Damage.

The Enchanter then moves in to close with the Warlock, but isn't able to get his spell off in time.

The Trickster makes one quick strike, hitting the Warlock for 2 Damage, but taking 1 Damage himself due to Retributive Fire.

End of Round

Icon Endurance 22

Trickster Endurance 5

[kieran]

Question about the healing scrolls for future reference - Does using one count as a combat action? For instance, could Ed heal and defend in the same round?

Anyway, I'll try again with Ghastly Touch
Rolled a 5 - it worked!

If he resists - 2 dice damage: 9 damage
If he fails to resist - 7 dice damage: 28 damage

[thealmightymudworm]

Well cast, enchanter!

I'll try another arrow, although here's hoping I'm aiming at a corpse (or a bonfire).

*Rolls 5* - success
*Rolls 3* for damage.

[a moderator]

Defend and hope Icon doesn't get lucky again. Oh, and while it wouldn't have made any difference last round, don't forget that he has to add 1 to his attack roll because of my general sneakiness.

If I die, my ghost is going to insult the Enchanter for not collecting any of those 'go back to the start of the combat and try again' scrolls.

[champskees]

The Warlock of the Battlepits of Kraarth

The Trickster again takes a defensive stance against the Warlock.

I should have done this with the Barbarian encounter too...because Icon is adjacent to two characters, I have been rolling dice to determine who he attacks. Keep this in mind for future.

The Warlock attacks the Enchanter with a horizontal slash, rolling a 8 and 6, inflicting 6 damage.

The Sage looses another arrow, barely scratching the Warlock for 1 Damage.

At the same time, the Enchanter successfully casts Ghastly Touch. The sounds of pain and anguish emanate from Icon as the Enchanter's hand touches the Warlock's chest. Icon rolls a 5, his own psychic talent shielding him from the brunt of the attack. The Warlock takes 9 Damage from the initial effects of the spell, but the Enchanter also takes 1 Damage from his hand being scalded by Icon's Retributive Fire. 


End of Round
Icon Endurance 12
Enchanter Endurance 4
Trickster Endurance 5

*Well the healing scroll states that it can be used at any time, so I guess it counts as a free action on top of your normal action.

[kieran]

In that case I'll use a healing scroll on myself before Icon has his go. Then for my turn I'll call Swordthrust to mind.

[thealmightymudworm]

My second to last arrow...

*Rolls 6* - hit!
*Rolls 5* for damage

[a moderator]

Nov 24, 2015 6:40:34 GMT champskees said:

*Well the healing scroll states that it can be used at any time, so I guess it counts as a free action on top of your normal action.

In that case I'll attack and then use my Healing Scroll.

11. Bother.

[champskees]

The Warlock of the Battlepits of Kraarth

Both the Trickster and Enchanter heal themselves with their Healing Scrolls, the ancient papyrus glowing a bright green before disappearing, along with their wounds.

The Trickster opens the round with a straight thrust towards Icon, who dodges with minimal effort. Icon laughs in a mocking tone, and mutters something about thieves sticking with knives.

The Warlock attacks the Enchanter again, leaping in the air to deliver a deadly cut to the head. He rolls a 9, narrowly missing the Enchanter's balding scalp.

Now that he has the Warlock in his sights, the Sage exhales slowly as he lets go of the bowstring. His aim is true, striking the armoured warlock for 3 Damage.

The Enchanter calls Swordthrust to mind. But will it be enough to deliver a fatal blow?

End of Round
Icon Endurance 9

[kieran]

Balding? I simply have a high hairline I'll have you know!

I'll try casting Swordthrust and hope my luck holds.
7 - damn.

[a moderator]

Knives, eh? He's attacking the Enchanter, not me, so I think that means I can throw the Dagger of Vislet at him if I so wish.

8. If I was allowed to use the Dagger, I missed. If I'm considered to be engaged in combat, and thus have to use the sword, that's a hit.

[thealmightymudworm]

Last arrow...

*Rolls 9* - damn!

[champskees]

The Warlock of the Battlepits of Kraarth

The Trickster has let the warlock get the better of him and pulls out the Dagger of Vislet, making a quick throw. Icon notices the projectile at the last minute, and drops to one knee to avoid it.

But the warlock knows who the real threat is, turning back to the Enchanter. He swings for 10, missing the Enchanter again. 'How can the old mage be so nimble?' he mutters under his breath. 

The Sage kisses the tip of the arrow, and takes one final shot at Icon. The arrow misses the warlock and almost hits the Enchanter! No more arrows for you!

Finally, the Enchanter creates a series of strange gestures with his hands. What he was trying to accomplish is anyone's guess.

End of Round
Icon Endurance 9

[kieran]

Ok, let's Swordthrust again.

2 - success!
Roll 9 for damage - 10 damage! So long Icon (providing he doesn't kill me first I guess)

[a moderator]

Attack.
(6) - a hit, for (1) no damage to Icon, but I get burned.