[Into Bleak Tower – Traps and Fights]
[This session took place June 19, 2004. We were playing Champions 5th Edition with the Second Edition Fantasy Hero supplement.]
Player Characters
Tim, a Wizard - male human from the Free City of Freegate, graduate of Outlands University
Dangar Stonekleaver – male dwarf from the Northern Dwarven Kingdom
Mord Worldfist – male dwarf bodyguard [and handler] for Dangar
Wendell Dorshield III – male gnome, Captain and Architect of the Yardbird
Malwyn – male High elf fighter and military expert
Darkfox – female human thief from Freegate, secret ID of socialite Karlyn Gryphshaw
NPCs
Rebecca – female gnome, part of the Gnome security detail for Wendell
Herschal “the Hunter” – also known as “Bearkiller”, male gnome, part of the Gnome security detail for Wendell
Yacov – male gnome, part of the Gnome security detail for Wendell
Session Begins
April 12, 20 IC
In the morning the Outlanders crossed from Waterfall Island to the western edge of the Mosel River and bid their farewells to Janko and his crew. The Outlanders then climbed the cliff face below Bleak Tower. The outer defensive walls of the Tower had clearly been breached many times in the past and were little more than elaborate piles of rubble now. Behind the outer wall was a 20-foot deep courtyard that ringed the Tower proper.
The Outlanders started exploring the courtyard, looking for entrances into the Tower. The first thing they discovered was a 20-foot wide concealed pit when Dangar nearly fell into it. Dangar had just scrambled away from the edge when gouts of flame erupted from the pit.
Somewhat more cautiously, the Outlanders continued their search. They made a complete circuit around the Tower, finding one entrance, one breached spot on the tower wall, and twenty expertly constructed pit traps. The pit traps were recently maintained and not ancient traps, indicating the possibility of inhabitants in the apparently abandoned structure.
After discussing their options, the Outlanders chose to enter the Tower through the original gate entrance. They discovered that while the entrance area appeared to be partially collapsed, it was a front and just inside that front it was clear of debris and rubble. The cleared area also provided a clean line of fire for the archers behind a barricade at the far end of the hallway, who chose this moment to open fire.
The ensuing fight was surprising and educational for both sides. The Outlanders were surprised to discover that the Tower was being defended by four foot tall ratlings with hand-crank repeating crossbows. The ratlings were surprised to learn that their barricade would not withstand direct assault by two dwarves [Dangar and Mord], one of whom appeared to be immune to crossbow fire [Dangar, due to heavy armor and lucky rolls].
After a short period of intense fighting, it became apparent that the ratlings were losing and they retreated behind a massive door that they bolted shut. While Dangar, Mord, and Darkfox checked a side passage (determining it dead-ended in rubble), the Gnomes and Tim investigated the bodies and gear of the slain ratlings. It was high quality of an unknown style.
At the end of this pause, one of the Gnomes (Hershel) suddenly fell unconscious. A quick check discovered a small dart in the back of his neck. The Outlanders searched for where the dart came from. Then Horace went down. Tim searched the area for magic and found three scrying points. He disrupted them with his own magics, but then fell unconscious, a dart in his neck. The Gnomes and Darkfox started clearing the corridor, carrying the unconscious to a small bunker Wendell created with the Rod of Excellent Engineering. It was at this point that they noticed Horace had disappeared.
After frantic seconds searching the walls, Mord discovered a well concealed door and smashed through it. Behind it were more ratlings, one an obvious spellcaster. Malwyn quickly and acrobatically moved past the ratlings (thinking to flank them) while Dangar and Mord attacked from the front. Mord was rendered unconscious by a lucky blow as Dangar methodically took down the ratling warriors.
Seeing which way the fight was going, the ratling shaman ordered his warriors to retreat and pulled a dead fish from one of his spell pouches. With a disappointed sigh he invoked unknown powers and caused thousands of three-day old haddock to rain from the ceiling onto Dangar. When it was done, Dangar, Mord, and the shaman were completely buried under the noisome and slippery mess, completely unable to move and retching from the intense smell.
Meanwhile, Malwyn found himself alone in a room with several ratling warriors. After a few seconds of quick combat, the surviving ratlings routed and fled through a door opposite the passage Malwyn entered from. Malwyn, now isolated from the rest of the Outlanders by the passageway full of dead fish (and starting to feel the effect of the stench), pondered his next move…
Session Ends.
NPCs Met
Horace (the Mad) – A fur trapper and mountain man operating in the Southern Reaches, Horace is leading the Outlanders through the mountains. Once they get past the ratlings that is.
Janko – River raft captain based in Phaisbourg, he followed the river back to Phaisbourg with the agreement to meet the Outlanders back on Waterfall Island at the Autumn Equinox.
Happening Off-Stage
[The ratlings are facing their worst fears – humans with extensive combat skills who know of the their existence. Realizing that they cannot stop the invaders permanently, they will attempt to negotiate. The rally point at the top of the stairs is being prepared to slow the invaders long enough to talk. Several Monks will chant the Immobility spell in overlapping areas to halt the invaders' advance. The north and west wall will be lined with crossbowmen backed by spearmen, all wearing mirror image rings. The soldiers will have their weapons ready but not pointing at the stair entrance. They will all have saved actions. The Clan Negotiator will be present, sitting in a chair.
In the meantime, the rest of the ratlings in the tower are either packing for a possible evacuation through the underground tunnels or preparing to defend the Tower. The ratlings will provide a stout defense, but are aware that defending to the death of every ratling is pointless. If the defenders are completely unable to stop the advance of the Outlanders, they will retreat to the forest and prepare guerrilla-style counterattacks.
In Freegate:
An emissary from the Kingdom of Silverloc arrived for a formal visit to Freegate. The purpose of his visit is to negotiate for the delivery of some belf'rads from the NDK. When they learn of the newly available Fortuna-class merchant airships, they will also investigate the possibility of purchasing one or more of them.]
DM Discussion
[A lot of combat makes for a short write up as little in-game time passed. The fish spell is Hewlett’s Horrible Haddock and is always a spell of last resort due to the stench. I can post the spell write-up if anyone is interested.]
Cultists, Cultists, Cultists
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Next Session: Session 4 [not edited yet]
