Rift City Campaign - 51-53 Return to Salamander Cave
Background
A nostalgic dungeon delving game using the Moldvay Basic D&D rules
which we have
now been playing for over four years! It is an open table format game
with who ever turns up heading into the dungeon. The game is
currently socially distanced being playing using Discord.
After an elaborate funeral for Berg our three adventurers (Halvor, Kate and Gibbet) went looking for some new recruits. They found a pair of newly arrived Llanowar Elves - Winkle and Fron. Fully armed with plate mail, sword and fireball spells; what more would you want from a Sorcerer?
Gibbet, having now seen the cloak of invisibility could be used all the time happily traded his displacement cloak with Halvor. This suited the Templar as he now had a ring and did not need two items with the same power. Kate and Halvor lend spare magical weapons to the Elves ready for whatever we may face today.
Reaching the caves we cautiously proceeded east into a large chamber. Checking each of the doors in turn was slow going, especially as they all seemed to go into empty side chambers. Eventually we found a passageway that led to a derelict throne room with a dozen barrow-wights guarding two chests of gold. Between Halvor's prayers and a fireball these animated monstrosities did not last long.
The next chamber contained large toads that were also quickly roasted. Our artillery support was proving their worth.
Having walked in a circle back to the large chamber Halvor asked for help in clearing out the southern chamber of the Wraiths that had slain Berg. Fron said she would only help if she got to keep the magical sword; since Halvor had three others he happily agreed. Winkle cast haste and the whole party rushed into the chamber. Halvor's prayer slew half the spirits and the others evaporated in another fireball! This room was littered with even more coins. It seems ethereal creatures cannot put loot into chests. A successful days adventure with each of us getting almost 1500 crowns.
Returning to town we found the local witch had opened a potion shop (finally somewhere to spend our loot). Halvor spend all the coins he had gained on potions of protection, called Invulnerability in this edition, and fire resistance.
Chapter 52 Nov 2021 - Flammable dogs?
With only three of us walking down the path to the caves Kate took the lead with an invisible Halvor and Inarra behind her. This time we decided to head further south past the area the evil Dwarves had been camping.
Opening the first door we saw a bunch of chicken-snakes. Not wanting to face the Cockatrice in combat Inarra blasted the room with a fireball and then the horde of snakes charged in and bit them. At the end of the battle a couple of snakes had not been petrified; the rest were all statues.
Bashing down the next door a herd of Phase Tigers were guarding chests full of gold. These also died to our blades and venomous bites of the snakes. We continued east having to bash down a couple of iron doors (making a lot of noise). All we found were more empty rooms but we did draw the attention of the guards. These guard turned out to be a pack of seven hell hounds!
Inarra webbed the hounds into the corridor and Halvor summoned another dozen snakes. The snakes attacked as the hounds burnt their way out of the entangling strands. Halvor and Kate joined in the battle and managed to slaughter the guardian beasts. Each of them had a jewel studded collar while a few of them had a stomach full of coins (what had these things been eating).
With most of our magic used up we started our return journey tracing back our steps. We managed to reach the first chamber before finding another wandering monster - this time more phase tigers! Between snakes, blades and a few magic missiles we cleared the room and accumulated more treasure from their guts.
Chapter 53 Dec 2021 - Hell is other people
Gibbet and Fron returned making a party of five for the final adventure of the year. Checking to see if anything had moved into the caverns we found another pack of Hellhounds!
Inarra quickly cast web and as they burnt their way out we shot arrows at them. A second web kept the restrained and the last two tried to flee. The lack of thumbs resulted in them only managing to get as far the rosted remains of the Cockatrice before a closed door stopped them. The last two quickly fell to Kate and Halvor's blades.
Noticing a sarcophagus in the corner we pushed the lid open and found a secret passageway leading south. The passage way had main images of carved demons that Halvor destroyed even though Gibbet wanted to find a way to cut them out of the walls and take them back to sell.
The corridor continued eventually leading us to a room with a score of rodents of unusual size, who were quickly toasted with a casual fireball. In the corner of the room was a small chest of silver coins. A paltry amount given the previous hordes we had found. The only other thing of worth was a tapestry; which was now too charred to be of value.
As we went to continue south another party of adventures approached. With three of us being invisible the nine humans could only see a Hobbit and Elf. Kate tried to be persuasive but their aggressive demeanor made it clear they were planning to rob the pair. Inarra initiated combat with the usual stealth fireball leaving only two plate armoured warriors still standing. A few magical missiles and sword blows made short work of the outnumbered opposition.
We were able to retrace our steps without encountering any wandering monsters and return to the city. There we divided up the spoils. A ring for Fron; medallion of ESP for Inarra and potions for the other three (which we paid to get identified).
Game notes
Having a magic shop, even if it is only potions, gives us a way to spend our cash. Gisuintha the Alchemist is also able to identify potions meaning we no longer end up with a stack of loot thrown to one side and ignored.
Image Credits
Deviant art from rob-cavanna.
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