Rotvalan Reveries Ep2: GM Made an Error in Your Favor: Collect 200gp

 Run Date: April 28, 2024

PCs
Antony: Lv1 Mage
Gwendolyn: Lv1 Fighter
Helena: Lv1 Bladedancer

Hench
None

GM Made In Error In Your Favor: Collect 200GP

There wasn’t much to resolve prior to the session. One player was out due to work, but replaced by a new one we picked up. After answering a few setting questions, the group gathered up their mercs and headed out of town with explicit instructions to avoid Porco Rosso.

The march to the Golden Sun took a bit longer this week because I remembered that forests slow expedition speed by 1/3. I also didn’t read up on weather rules to account for the recent rains (Sorry Alex!). Despite the delays, the group’s only encounter was a hamlet of pilgrims in charge of keeping an eye on the plains north of Coxhaven.

Upon arriving at the crater the following morning, the party set their ranks and went straight in. I skipped most of the narrative details in favor of speed, though I think more would have been useful to get our new guy up to speed. Since we had a lot of rain recently, the half-flooded rooms’ water levels went up by several inches. The group noted the area of the pressure plate for the portcullis trap for Helena’s benefit, then waded through shin-high water to the heavy stone door they stopped at last session.

After musical crowbar went a couple of rounds (took them about 3 Turns), they finally managed to force it open. What greeted them were four small, owl-like humanoids. Antony stepped in to take command. His MO last session was to intimidate anything and everything he could using his Manes like gangsters. This continued with these Owlbolds, which appeared to be the correct choice because they immediately fell in line like good servants. GM Note: Antony had an extra language slot and he chose to use it for Slave Avarian to communicate. This turned out to be a valuable choice.

After a short stint of questions, the party took their new servants and explored their nest; and discovered another 14 of the creatures had reformed their sleeping quarters. They then headed west into an adjacent chamber that appeared to be a war room. The southern wall had collapse and pushed the table top askew. There was a bit of discussion here as to whether they wanted to try and move the lid, but it passed as the group decided to use their last Turn before resting to lift the bar to the northern door and peek into the adjacent chamber.

Beyond the door was a large vaulted room akin to a cathedral, but clear of all furniture and settings. Instead, circular glass windows reflected golden light throughout the room and appeared to form balconies with spiral staircases. At the center was a dais of light leading to a sun altar. After their rest, the party continued down the westward hall; not before Helena jokingly stepped on the stairs of light and found them to be solid. It was a small revelation, but the party was not about to go messing with unknown sun gods.

To the west, down a long hall lined with Avarian statues, the party found a chamber with a skylight; below it was a well with crystal clear water. They more or less ignored it and turned south to continue down the hall where they found an exit leading to an outdoor section. From their position, they could see the remnants of grand columns and raised garden beds. Helena noted that anything there was probably moldering and not worth looking into.

The party followed the hall to its eventual end, only passing another archway leading outside and presumably connected to the garden. At the end of this hall was another domed room, the center of which had a carving of the sun. Above the carving was a hole in the ceiling; the spiral spire itself. At the back of the room was a control panel of sorts. GM Note: I literally could not come up with any other description for this panel. I should probably read more.

The party ascended the platform with the control panel and discovered five circular slots, each bearing a different symbol. These symbols matched the regalia on the shields of the General illusions from the first chamber, and the party considered what the purpose could be. After a few minutes, they decided to search the room for any secret rooms. Antony then had a facepalm moment when he realized he still had Owlbold servitors that he could just ask. Sure enough, the party had passed the General’s secret bedchambers while moving down the hall!

After another mandatory breather, the group followed their servants back through the hall. Before they found the hidden door, however, a group of brigands turned the corner. The party was split between negotiation and assault. Helena acted as liaison while the brigand captain (Mo) stepped forward. The conversation started with vague threats and “encouragement,” but through a bit of bribery (hiring offer and bonus) and some extra time, the group managed to sway the brigands their way. Antony was furious as to the deal, however, as the captain demanded half the party’s cut for his people on top of the payment (similar to merc spoils, but at the dungeon level). He set up his Manes as personal body guards and began plotting how to renege on this deal.

With the tense moment abated, the secret bedchamber was opened and the now much larger group discovered a pair of hobgoblins chopping up a canopy bed in search of hidden treasure. The hobs promptly attempted to flee, and would have made it if Gwen’s morningstar wasn’t thirsty for monster blood. With the bodies tossed aside, Helena and Captain Mo found what the Hobs were hunting for; a small sack with some coin, a trinket, and a diamond.

The bedchamber’s southwestern wall had collapsed in the impact, and Helena and Mo discovered the path the Hobs used to get through. While the party and brigands hung out in the bedchamber, the two would follow the path and see if there were more enemies outside. As luck would have it, there was. A warband had set up a temporary camp and were roasting giant ferrets to sate themselves. Both Helena and the Captain ducked backed into the path and returned to the party. It was nearing time for another rest; which the party used to plot an ambush.

Helena and Mo ducked behind some rubble while the bowmen hid in the hallway. The signal they decided on was throwing a rock. It took about half an hour for the warband to finish their snacks and come to find the scouts. They marched down the narrow path (described with high rubble on each side) and walked right into the ambush. The stone flew and distracted the warriors enough to allow the party to begin their assault. The hob ranged line and boss managed to steel themselves in time.

Over the course of the battle, the ranged lines peppered each other through cover. The brigands were fairly terrible shots save one, who managed to pick off and wound the enemy bowmen. Helena, Mo, Gwen, and a swordsman held the front line and forced the hob warriors into a tough bottleneck. Antony and his Manes hung back in case they needed to fill holes in the melee line. Gwen tore through warrior after warrior alongside Mo. Helena eventually fell back to the party’s bow line and began administering first aid to the fallen. She got clipped by an arrow soon after and dove for cover behind what was left of the canopy bed. Mo and a swordsman nearly fell, but managed to retreat to safety while a manes and another swordsman filled their place. Gwen continued her massacre. Overall, the battle was a tunnel fight.

A few rounds in, Antony decided to call upon his pact and summon a Cacodemon spawn. The one he chose was arachnoid in form and could fly; moreover, it could paralyze with its bite. A void portal opened atop the rubble and a single command was issued: “Kill their leader!” The demon dove into the leader and enemy ranged line, stopping the volleys and terrifying the Hobs. Morale immediately began to falter, and the gang leaders soon followed. The warband leader and a few of his archers managed to retreat, but the remaining Hobs were stuck between a battle-bloodied Gwen and a horrific demon. Gwen made easy work of the leftovers.

At this point we handled Mortal Wounds; most of the Brigands had suffered heavy wounds or died. Antony took this as an opportunity to renegotiate the deal with Mo who was in no position to argue. The party then stepped down the path to check the enemy camp. GM Note: Treasure types are for Lairs. I guess I had forgotten this due to the intense battle so this warband had just finished a lucrative raid; which explains their celebration. Thanks Abduction!

The party discovered a pile of sacks filled to the brim with coins. Mixed in was a few vials and a bundle of fancy arrows, as well as some trinkets. Most of it was in copper coinage (Heroic Treasure Tables) and the party began to weigh how they’d get it home. It was during this conversation that two things happened: Antony decided it wouldn’t be worth sharing the loot with their new partners, and the group remembered they had 16 subservient Owlbolds they could boss around. With this, they decided to hunker down in the nest room and assassinate the Brigands while they were sleeping. Antony was happy to discover this only reinforced his role as leader of the Owls.

With their large entourage in tow, the party began their march back to Coxhaven. There was a lot of concern regarding the Big Bad Wolf from last session, or worse creature, popping out of the woods; but nothing came. As the session wound down, we managed the treasure and handled some planning for next session.

Rewards (Totals)

1690 XP
1425 GP
Arrow +1 (12)
Arcane Spell Scroll (Illumination)
Potion of Invuln vs Evil
Potion of Supreme Valiance
Unidentified Motor Oil

Afterword

Treasure was rolled in-session and took about 15 minutes or so. It may not be efficient, but I think the players’ reactions to my own reactions to the rolls (I have them do it) builds a lot of excitement, especially when I say; “So there is a pile of sacks here. Judging by the sound and weight, you’d guess there’s about 32 thousand in coinage.” I believe the entire group hit Lv2 from this haul so I look forward to where things go from here. Unfortunately, I’m also a bit behind. This was basically an introductory hook to break the ice for the new start so I need to throw out more rumours and hooks for “the real game.”

In other news, it does seem like posting rolls and information in Discord builds passive excitement for those that don’t show up. One player is trying to work out her work schedule so she can play more, and big hauls and magic items build a lot of hype. Maybe there is something to be said for FOMO lighting a fire under certain asses. We’ll see.

Until next time, take care.