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Author Topic: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign  (Read 4752 times)

Bucket

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IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« on: August 23, 2020, 07:05:21 AM »
Onwards to Dammerhall!

Two hundred years ago, the greatest dwarven city in the world detonated without warning. For three days, eye-witnesses watched in horror as Dammerhall burned with black flame. All six of the great bridges that connected the mountain stronghold to the outside collapsed. The great gates were shut. No one escaped. Not a single survivor emerged from the doomed city. Ever since that fateful day, the dwarves have tried to retake Dammerhall time and time again with no success. Most expeditions failed to find entry. A few perhaps managed and have never been seen again. The fate of Dammerhall remains a mystery.

What is no mystery is that for the last two hundred years, dwarven fortune has been in steep decline. With their capital destroyed the dwarven city-states fell to squabbling over who was the true heir of the high king. A dozen lesser dwarven kings declared their right to rule. The dwarven nation was split. So fractured, they became easy prey for enemies. Half of the surviving city-states would be destroyed within a century of the fall. Some were overrun by orcs. One was destroyed by a dragon. And most disgracefully, a few were destroyed by other dwarves in brutal civil war.

The surviving city-states turned in desperation to the kingdoms of men. These lesser dwarven rulers signed treaties of mutual defense and, in all but name, were annexed by the human realms. The kings of men were glad to have them. Dwarven craftsmanship, battle prowess and tenacity were legendary. Over the last century the human kingdoms have overrun the dwarves, not through might of arms, but through numbers. These days, men and dwarves live alongside one another. The dwarven city-states are all but gone. The dwarven tongue is rarely spoken. Dwarves are often regarded as another kind of man. There may come a time in the very near future, where dwarves simply cease to exist as a separate people and are completely integrated into human society. Perhaps this is for the best. Perhaps dwarven glory is a thing best relegated to the past. Perhaps the future of the dwarven people is alongside the tribes of men.

There are a tiny handful of dwarves who cry nay! They see this integration as yet another defeat. There must be a new dwarven high king! But how can there be? The secret of forging true mithral has been forgotten. The regalia of the high king is lost. Dammerhall is destroyed.  There is only one answer.

Dammerhall must be reclaimed!

Another dwarven expedition has formed. They are not trying to enter the city from above. Instead, they have heard rumors of a seventh way into the city – a secret way. Dammerhall did not just trade with the surface. It also traded with the realms below. Find the dark road into Dammerhall and the dwarves may yet reclaim what has been lost. They may yet find a worthy high king who can reunite the scattered dwarven people and build a new kingdom.The old Dammerhall is lost. Upon this quest, the fate of all dwarves turns.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2020, 10:28:00 PM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2020, 07:18:17 AM »
« Last Edit: September 08, 2020, 04:07:40 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2020, 07:34:44 AM »
Lady Dalla Talirth dwarf, ranger and recently of Hammerhold glanced at her companion Lord Ningri Canthog, dwarf, artificer and founder of the expedition to find Dammerhall.  He was once again engaged in studying the map to the entrance of the rumored tunnel that led into the Underdark while the rest of the expedition, consisting of the four Bandiron Brothers, Jek, Bek, Dec and Sek, young untested warriors, and their loyal retainers, eighteen or so dwarves sworn to follow the party to Dammerhall or death!  

Lady Dalla watched on in some exasperation as the artificer looked at the map in some confusion.

"I'm sure that the entrance is around here someplace..." muttered Lord Ningri, mostly to himself.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2020, 06:16:05 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2020, 06:36:53 AM »
Puffing out her cheeks Lady Dalla gently nudged the distracted artificer and pointed out the not very well hidden cave entrance in the folds of a nearby forest covered hill.

"Look there you faffing idjit!  There's ye faffing entrance ya faffing blinkered ninny!" she grumbled at Lord Ningri in her thick Hammerhold accent.

Startled at this intrusion into his thoughts Lord Ningri cleared his throat and took stock of the situation.

"Ahem.  Well...yes I believe you may be right there Lady Dalla.  Ummmm.  Yes.  Let's head there and forge our first steps towards Dammerhall!" replied the now enthusiastic artificer.

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2020, 06:58:08 AM »


A. Dwarven Entrance

Entering the cavern, the roof covered by multitudes of bats, the dwarvish expedition is buoyed by their first steps into the Underdark.  The cavern floor slopes gently down into darkness. 

None of them have any knowledge of what lies ahead of them and so they venture forth ready to brave the depths search of Dammerhall!
« Last Edit: September 08, 2020, 04:11:27 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2020, 08:14:06 AM »
1st Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 1 (Lord Ningris Expedition)


Food: 20 Days for each dwarf
Water: 2 water flasks per dwarf (2 days water per dwarf)

Moving as quickly as their stumpy legs could carry them the dwarven expedition made good time through the wide dark tunnel they had found. Lady Dalla led the way, her keen perception (14), guiding them around obstacles and keeping track of any threats.

In the third part of their traveling day Lady Dalla sees up ahead an inscribed shale slab and an old stone portal. Nearby is the fresh corpse of a ogre upon which a Carrion Crawler is currently feasting.

The Bandiron Brothers gird themselves for battle, their greataxes at the ready.  Lady Dalla is cautious about attacking the Crawler knowing that it is a significant challenge for their party, while Lord Ningri studies the creature intently from a safe distance.  

"We should leave yon beasty to its supper and carry on towards faffing Dammerhall," says Lady Dalla , her heavy crossbow and gaze fixed on the feasting creature. (Persuasion 21)

"Yes I think thats probably for the best. Better to save our strength for the challenges in Dammerhall.  Don't want to get anyone too injured here," replied Lord Ningri as he continued to study the beast. (Persuasion 18)
 
Encounter
1 Carrion Crawler*(Monster Manual p.37)

At*an inscribed shale slab and an old stone portal. nearby is the fresh corpse of a ogre
They*are looking for a mate
In a fight*they run away as fast as they can if things go badly
Difficulty...*450 Deadly
« Last Edit: August 29, 2020, 08:17:46 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2020, 06:49:27 AM »
1st Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 1 (Lord Ningris Expedition)
Combat 1st round


[ATTACH=CONFIG]4799[/ATTACH]

The expedition moves slowly past the Carrion Crawler until about half have passed the feasting creature, Lord Ningri though sneezes at the wrong time and the creature scuttles across to attack him.

With its tentacles flailing wildly the Carrion Crawler strikes at the sneezing artificer (hit roll 14) slamming its tentacles into his well armored form, unable to find purchase on his bare skin.  Then it bites at him (hit roll 18) sinking its teeth into dwarven flesh (dam roll 8) ripping a bloody chunk free.

Disengaging with the creature, Lord Ningri stepped quickly to put some distance between himself and the attacking beast.  Holding his hand to his wound he called out to the rest of the expedition.

"A little help here please!"

With a roar of fury the nearest Bandiron Brother charged to the rear of the creature, holding his attack until his brothers had gotten into position.

Taking careful aim Lady Dalla shot at the enraged beast (to hit roll 16) striking it but only inflicting a minor wound (dam roll 3).

Calling out oaths to the gods the rest of the Bandiron Brothers surrounded the lone creature slamming their great axes down on it in a collaborative attack (to hit rolls 3, 11, 15, 18, 1, 19, 12, 17 +5 to each) there great blades down serious damage to the beast (dam roll 34 total)
« Last Edit: August 31, 2020, 02:36:13 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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IC 5E Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2020, 02:35:53 AM »
1st Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 1 (Lord Ningris Expedition)
Combat 2nd round


[[ATTACH=CONFIG]4801[/ATTACH]

Badly wounded the Carrion Crawler (51/37 HP) lashes out at its tormentors with its tentacles (hit roll 15) which the heavily armored dwarven brothers shrug off.  Then it bites at the nearest dwarf (to hit roll 23) tearing a chunk off one of the cursing dwarves (dam roll 6) .

Lord Ningri takes his tools in hand and whips up a healing salve which he smears on his wounds healing some of his wounds (cast Cure Wounds for 5hp healing). He moves further away giving him more room from the wounded creature.

The first Bandiron Brother, enraged  by his wound brings his greataxe down on the Carrion Crawler (to hit 9, 16) sinking it deep into the beast (dam roll 12) before calling on his reserves to launch another attack, this time completely missing (action surge to hit roll 7, 12).

Reloading swiftly Lady Dalla fires at the beast (to hit roll 17) her bolt finishing off the tentacled monstrosity (dam roll 6)

Combat Ends. Party gains 450XP

« Last Edit: September 03, 2020, 05:21:58 AM by Bucket »

Bucket

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2020, 08:25:06 AM »
1st Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 1 (Lord Ningris Expedition)


Food: 20 Days for each dwarf (6 adventurers 18 retainers)
Water: 2 water flasks per dwarf (2 days water per dwarf)

After a short rest to regain their strength the party continues traveling down the rough tunnel, eventually coming to a halt for the 'night' although in the almost pitch black of the unlit tunnels its difficult for those not attuned to the underdark to sense when the sun has set in the world above.  With their retainers dealing with setting up camp the nobles discuss amongst themselves the plan of action for the future.


"Our goal must be finding the path to Dammerhall as swiftly as we can!" growls one of the Bandiron Brothers.

Nodding her head Lady Dalla responds "Aye! For too faffing long has Dammerhall been out of Dwarven hands! Let's find the faffing route and take back our faffing city!"

Accepting a tankard of ale from one of the retainers Lord Ningri mulled his reply.

"Umm yes I believe that we should umm find Dammerhall as swiftly as possible but we must consider all aspects of this journey.  Ummm Dammerhall will be lost to us umm if we don't have enough resources to take it when we arrive there.  We know we need a way to circumvent the black fire that currently grips it.  We also don't know what obstacles we shall need to overcome to get there in the first place!" states Lord Ningri as he meets the eyes of the other dwarves.

"Ummm all of us have sworn to reclaim Dammerhall or die trying but none of us have sworn to rush foolishly into danger, like some kind of human!" The other dwarves grumble at this comparison but acknowledge the truth of his words.

"Ummm it is my plan to gain what resources and allies that we can as we venture further into the depths.  I want an army with us when we arrive at Dammerhalls gates and I shall do all in my power to make that happen!"

And with that the dwarves turn their discussion to other things as the camp slowly settles down for the night.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2020, 08:48:27 AM by Bucket »

JeStor

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2020, 09:25:00 AM »
Yorrick had been following the group at a distance, they'd been moving pretty well and he wanted to remain unseen so he was going slower than he would of liked too.  He was also at another disadvantage in that he'd not been asked to come along, he reasoning was if they'd gotten far enough away they wouldn't or couldn't really force him to head back.
He could hear them talking (caught maybe every third word), but they were way beyond his darkvision - and he hoped as long as he was fairly quiet he'd be beyond their ability to detect him, at least for the moment. Having trailed behind their encounters so far, he was aware it was dangerous so he leaned up against a tunnel wall and lay his greataxe across his lap and tried to catch a brief nap.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2020, 09:29:50 AM by JeStor »

Bucket

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2020, 06:47:05 AM »
2nd Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 2 (Lord Ningris Expedition)


Food: 19 Days for each dwarf (6 adventurers 18 retainers)
Water: 2 water flasks per dwarf (2 days water per dwarf)


Yorrick is awoken by the sound and smell of the caravan ahead of him preparing to set off.  The odor of warmed porridge and ale had shaken him from his dreams, and he can hear the soft murmur of the carvan readying itself for travel.


With good natured grumbling and a decent meal inside of them the expedition travels on.  The going is tough, sloping downwards the tunnel is rough hewn and difficult terrain which slows them down but with typical dwarven fortitude they forge on.

As the expedition travels further along the tunnel they pass by an old insect covered mineshaft, where the water that drips down the walls has formed several pools.  Motionless above these pools lie two predators unseen (stealth rolls 14,15) by the dwarves quietly filling their waterskins below...




Encounter Rolls for the day 19, 1, 2, 6,

2 Piercers At an insect-covered mine shaft surrounded by shallow water. there is writing here in Giant
They are looking for more of their kind
In a fight they run away as fast as they can if things go badly
Difficulty... 300.0 Hard

« Last Edit: September 07, 2020, 07:08:22 AM by Bucket »

JeStor

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2020, 10:00:40 AM »



With a rumble in his stomach Yorrick has a couple of bites of jerky and a pull on his waterskin, he waits for the others to start moving and then he follows along. When they stop to fill their waterskins, he listens noting the location so he can do the same when he passes the spot.  He's not a fan of insects at the best of times, so he's a bit on edge - but he attempts to tamp down that worry and concentrates on staying far enough in back to avoid detection.




(His passive perception wouldn't pick those two, plus I rolled and it was even lower, so he is unaware)

Bucket

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2020, 04:41:19 AM »
2nd Granite 200AD (After Dammerhall)
Travel Day 2 (Lord Ningris Expedition)

Food: 19 Days for each dwarf (6 adventurers 18 retainers)
Water: 2 water flasks per dwarf (2 days water per dwarf)


With a woosh of displaced air the first Piercer drops into the pool of water next to where Lady Dalla was filling her water bottle, completely missing the startled ranger (to hit roll 1 crit fail).  The second Piercer doesn't miss but slams into the body of an unaware retainer (to hit roll 20 nat 20) piercing entirely through the poor dead dwarfs body (dam roll 17). 


The sudden death of their traveling companion shocks the entire expedition.  Within seconds though they are attacking the slowly moving Piercers in a fury.


Initiative rolls please!


JeStor

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Re: IC Pathfinder Throne of Night Campaign
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2020, 04:32:11 PM »
Yorrick has taken a knee and is listening carefully to the others fill up, when he hears the splash of something large. He isn't sure what is happening, only that it isn't expected. He stands gripping his axe wondering if he should charge in?






(Init. roll is a  9 - so he ain't going first that's for sure)