Four Against Darkness 03 - Second Adventure

I asked YS whether he wants to use the four existing heroes for the next adventure or to create new ones. To my surprise, he chose the latter - eager to discover the four remaining character classes. I think I was able to explain the rage attack, the luck point, and the adventures alright - but only introduced the dwarf—treasure thing as a flavour rather than a rule. I am not sure we missed much on that, but we did miss a few times about the fact that wandering monsters do not yield treasures.

We did use the Twisted Minions add-on for every other minion encounter, which added some varieties as well as a bit of challenge. But even then, our 1st level characters still did not face much trouble. Maybe we need the Fiendish Foes add-on sooner rather than later.

Just as Steve, Clare, Thebe, and Marcus returned to the town after defeating the medusa, four other heroes set off for their own adventure.

Barb the barbarian and Heave the dwarf both wield two-handed axe, ready to cut down any monsters they encounter; Eli the elf carried a bow and a sword; and Harry the halfling with a full backpack - sling, light hammer, and lots of snacks.

They were not the most experienced of adventurers, but they were well prepared. They pooled their money together and bought bandages for everyone, as well as a shield for Harry and some rope for Eli. Last but not least, they bought a lantern to light the way. They also decided that Eli should prepare a blessing spell in case they encounter a medusa.

At the entrance of the dungeon, they saw two doorways - one on the left and one on the right, both pointed to the north. They decided to go to the left, with Harry in the front, holding the lantern, and the Barb staying by him. At the back were Eli with her bow ready to fire, and Heave with his heavy armour protecting himself.

The very first room they entered, they encountered two trolls. Unbeknownst to the heroes, these trolls were part of a big clan (twisted minions 69), and more of them were waiting for the heroes further inside the dungeon. The trolls managed to hit Barb, but the rest of the heroes quickly disposed of them. The heroes were surprised to find a Ring of Teleportation in the room, and promptly gave that to Harry - who was quite agile but physically the weakest among them.

In the next room were two hobgoblins, who did not give the heroes much trouble at all. The heroes killed them without breaking a sweat and found a Wand of Sleep - which would be very useful in the hands of Eli.

Next, they passed through a twisted pathway, which did not seem to be occupied by any vermin or minions. Eventually, they reached a room with six fungi folks. The fungi folks tried to poison the heroes, but the heroes all dodged out of the way. After they killed four of the fungi folks and two of them fled, the heroes found a magic scroll with weird writings on it. They did not know what magic the scroll contains, but decided to carry it in case they face an emergency.

They met another pair of hobgoblin in the next room, which dropped a bracelet. The corridor out of the room contained six vampire frogs, as well as a gem. Both of these came in handy as they met a wandering alchemist in the next room. The heroes already had four bandages with them, but were still worried about the fact that none of them was a cleric. They did not have much cash, but really wanted to purchase some healing potions from the alchemist. Feeling generous, the alchemist accepted the bracelet in exchange for two potions of healing.

Going back to the other door out of the hobgoblin room, they discovered a cursed altar. It cursed Barb and reduced his defensive ability. Luckily, Eli has a blessing spell and was able to dispel the curse quickly. However, it also meant that they did not have any blessing spells left if anyone is turned into stone by a medusa.

Further inside the dungeon, they encountered two armouries, seven confused skeletons (twisted minions 72), as well as being ambushed by eleven skeletal rats. The latter managed to injured Harry three times. Seeing that Harry was really close to dying, they rested a bit and applied some bandages to him.

While backtracking, they were ambushed by four vampire frogs and three zombies - both dispatched easily. However, in the next room, a rounded room at the far side of the dungeon, was a chimera. Both Barb, Eli and Heave managed to strike at the chimera, but they could not stop it from breathing fire onto the four of them. Eli and Heave were injured by the fire, but Harry managed to hide behind his shield and Barb managed to dodge away.

As soon as the chimera stopped breathing fire, Barb jumped forward and swung his two-handed axe at the chimera. With a powerful blow, he chopped its head off. In the room, the heroes found a magic scroll of lightning bolt. Eli also gained a level (level 2), meaning that the shots from her bow would be even more powerful than before.

Going back to the previous room, they were ambushed by seven goblins! One of the goblins had a venomous attack (twisted minion 04), but the heroes were too nimble for them and five of them were quickly killed, with the remaining two ran away. The next room contained a treasure… but it was only worth one gold piece.

The heroes were then surprised by a catoblepas - which unleashed a gaze attack on them. Barb, Eli and Harry were all injured by the attack, but then Eli stabled herself, drew her bow, and fire a shot at the catoblepas. Miraculously, the shot struck the catobelpas in its eyes, and killed it outright.

They reached another dead-end soon afterwards, and got rid of some goblin swarmlings they found there. However, when they went back to the twisted passage, they found a giant spider wait for them. The giant spider was not very touch, but it managed to bite both Heave and Eli. Heave was poisoned by the bite, but Eli resisted it before they worked together to bring down the spider. In its remains, the heroes found another healing potion. Harry also managed to increase his level (level 2) as a result (thus giving him an extra luck point and a much needed life point).

The heroes wandered through the dungeon search for treasures and monsters, but they did not have much luck finding either. They met vampire bats, goblins, giant centipedes, and vampire frogs — all did not injured the heroes one bit, but also not leaving much treasures. However, the heroes did meet another group of trolls — this time four in a group. They also did not provide much challenge to the heroes, but did at least yield another wand of sleep.

Having explored all of the dungeon, the heroes arrived back at the entrance, where they chose the door on the left. On the right was the only remaining unexplored corner of the dungeon.

They stepped through the door on the right, holding their breathe. And there, they found an ogre, one that was even larger than average. The heroes never faced an ogre before, and both Eli and Harry were a bit weakened (with 2 lift points each).

Eli and Harry both shot their ranged weapon, while Barb and Heave swung their two-handed axes. The ogre, hurting, aimed its attack at Harry - knowing that one solid blow would knock Harry out. However, Harry, being an halfling, was extra elusive against ogres. While the ogre was trying to hit him, the other three heroes continued their attack and finally took it down.

In its lair, the heroes found 3 gems. They were not the most valuable of treasures, but was not bad for a first adventure. Barb was also able to increase his level (level 2) as a result of defeating the ogre. Together, the four heroes returned to town to celebrate.