Run Date: December 13th, 2022
PCs
Xena: Lv1 Barbarian
Renaran: Lv1 Magic User
Peril: Lv1 Bard
Heel Turn
Before the session started proper, the players updated each other on their various characters and positions; as well as informed the player that missed last session what they did. As of now, there are three groups starting to form: The Graveyard Group, The Sanctum crew, and today's Brigands. I look forward to seeing how these elements evolve.
We opened the session proper with Peril gathering the other members of the group and a few henchmen together for an attack on a smuggler's den. She found out about it while recovering from her injuries after chatting up a guy who stumbled into the church with a stab wound. Since she was the one who found the information, and since the traitor was itching for revenge, I had Peril's player design the dungeon map.
With the session goal in mind and a plan to raid a den, the PCs headed out of Riversmeet long the road to Sheawood then traveled east toward the hills. Their navigation was on point today, and they discovered a branch leading off the river and into a hill. They arrived just in time to see the edge of a boat slipping underneath a camouflaged tunnel entrance, and began formulating a plan of attack.
Renaran is my youngest player (12), and often comes up with wild plans. His problem is in executing those plans to any degree. Being a Magic User, Renaran was in tune with elements beyond the material. One of his chosen powers was to implant a telepathic connection between himself and another. It was with this power in mind that the group navigated to the hilltop and tied a rope around the Magic User, letting him down into the water to try and spot a target through the camouflage.
It took a little bit of adjusting, but he managed to spot an old, white-haired sailor unloading a new haul. With the connection placed (and a DDM avoided), Renaran began to transfer emotions of unease and dread. The goal was to sow the seeds of unrest and lower the overall morale of the brigands before mounting an actual assault. Renaran's deception worked on the old sailor, and he began to talk about how he had a bad feeling about everything, especially after the traitor's escape. The first steps were underway.
Unfortunately for the party, the continued adjustments of a man on a rope caught the attention of a passing patrol. While Renaran was managing his spell, a pair of brigands stepped out behind the group with crossbows drawn. The party (a group of 5-6 with henches), weighed attacking this lone pair. The brigands demanded surrender, but it was clear they were more confused and cautious than anything else. With that, the party acquiesced, dropping their weapons (and Renaran). As the party stepped into line, the rest of the brigand patrol revealed themselves; a group 12 strong. They were then lead into the den.
Meanwhile, Renaran splashed into the icy waters and swam to shore. He evaded a pair of scouts that were searching for him and then tried to formulate his next step. Renaran certainly didn't want to abandon his party, but every plan he threw out was a storm he never executed on. Eventually, he decided to just walk in.
Back in the cave, the party had been bound and disarmed. The guards on duty were keeping an eye on them while word got to the Captain, and Xena started to cause a commotion. As it was, she was not a fan of being tied up, noting how unnecessary it was and that she was here to join the crew. This caught the attention of one of the guards and the two started arguing. Having had enough of her whining, he then marched over, grabbed her, and hauled back to punch her. Too bad for him that Xena had secretly wriggled out of her bindings, and she broke his nose with a headbutt. The other guards readied up, but Xena just continued to say she wanted to join and that was just self defense. Surprisingly, the guards rolled with it and laughed their asses off about the other guy getting what he deserved. It was at this time the Captain walked in.
All-in-all, the Captain was fairly casual with the PCs. He asked them how they discovered the den, and Peril weaved a story about how they found a map on a bounty board in Riversmeet. The Captain had a guard retrieve the map and she pointed out the pinhole where it had been hung (reminder that she made a physical map). With that information, the Captain told one of the others to gather a group and find the traitor that lived. He then asked about the PCs' claim to join their den. I am at a loss as to when Renaran came in, but they did manage to convince the Captain to give them a chance.
In the center of the den is a large cavern that acts as the primary hub for short term storage. In the center of it is a fighting pit with spiked posts lining the inside edges. The party were thrown into this pit with spears while the smugglers gathered around. A box, carried like a palanquin, was brought into the arena. As it was laid down, the players heard a loud thunk and slam as whatever was inside tried to escape. Two long pole were used to lift the locking bolts and the "door" slammed into the dust. At this point, an infused sheep stepped out.
Infusion is the shorthand I use to note a creature mutated by the ambient magics of the world, Changeling being reserved more for humanoids. This sheep was twice the size of a normal one with a yellowish coat and blueish skin. At the tip of its tail was a large, glass-like ball. As it stepped forward, initiative was rolled. Reminder that in LFG (Deluxe) a Great Success is necessary to go before a boss. Steve (the creator) would also be proud of me for remembering the off turn attacks I so often forget.
A couple characters managed to win out on initative and were the first to attempt attacks. Unfortunately, they didn't quite hit their mark. Worse, the creature started flailing at them with its mace-like tail. One of the henches dropped instantly, and the others tried to surrounded and pin the creature down. It was after the first set of hits they realized a secondary problem: when they struck the creature, they were blasted with a spark of electricity. As the party was gearing up for a second round, Peril suggested everyone pull pack and throw the spears instead. Renaran, as he goes, side-stepped the strategy and cast Insidious Slumber. Next part about LFG bosses, they might (in this case did) get a save vs effects such as Sleep. With an average roll, and a down henchmen, Renaran managed to draw just enough energy to knock the sheep out... and the entire party.
Everyone woke up a few hours later on thin leathers placed on the cave floor. They were in a barracks-styled room now, and as they woke a few of the off-duty brigands laughed and congratulated them on their "victory." They were informed that they'd be placed on patrol duty with a 2:1 line-up until they could be trusted, and that the Captain looked forward to putting Renaran's particular power into use. Unfortunately, their one henchmen did not survive his encounter with the Meat Bleeter.
After a night of rest, the party gathered with their patrol and headed out into the hills. The day was chilly, but the weather was fair. In the afternoon, as the group was returning to the den, they stumbled across a squad of strange soldiers adorned in black. The brigands had the advantage coming from a hilltop and let fly a small volley. Renaran unleashed a Thunderous Invocation and obliterated half of the squad, then the melee crew charged in. The battle resolved quickly, with the party coming out unscathed. For Renaran, time slowed a bit.
You see, Renaran had finally managed to hit that Dark and Dangerous Magic table, and in addition to his Invocation, he cast Beseech Ancient Ones. A thunderous call demands a thunderous response, and it felt as if the very earth itself had answered. After reading the Beseech spell, Renaran dove into his questions. That information is his own, and to his credit he took full advantage. However, he fell to madness (3 of them).
As the party is wrapping up their battle, Renaran flies into a howling frenzy and launches himself at one of the fallen. He manages to tear out the dead man's throat before being tackled to the ground and bound by his party. Peril flies into damage control with lots of, "He's never done this before" while the brigands cautiously gather the spoils. Renaran's frenzy eventually passes and he explains to the group what happened.
Suffice it to say, the report upon return did not leave the Captain in good spirits. He had Renaran muzzled and tossed into an animal cage while Peril promised that she'd help Renaran overcome his issues. Word spread through the ranks, as well, and a divide is starting to build on whether the Magic User is worth the risk.
The following day, Renaran was left in his cage while the rest of the party worked their patrol. This day was nicer than the one previous, and around lunchtime they stumbled upon a hidden cave with "beefsteak" mushrooms. Peril has decided their official name is MooShroom. The patrol noted the location and gathered up as much as they could. The rest of the day was uneventful; and the MooShrooms helped rebuild some of the morale and ease tensions regarding Renaran's bloodlust. It as here the session ended.
Rewards
6 XP
a split of gp I don't recall
Downtime
Xena and Peril will be working patrols while trying to manage Renaran's situation.
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