Expedition Planning Discussions

[Rusty Tincanne]

Good points. I was (probably naively) thinking we'd only run into infernal critters. I suppose that has already been proven wrong though, with giant rats, zombies and lizards.

The question is, if we opened it up, how many other PCs would want to come along? Anyone? The plan would be to hack and slash our way through mundane creatures, or, when faced with infernal, to use the Templars to limit how many opponents face the adventurers.

[Zhym]

Also, this is self-serving in that my PC is the one offering the service, but I do think it would be useful to get a look at what's down there ahead of time. What do you think about paying to use the crystal ball? Hopefully we could map areas we haven't seen yet and maybe see what's going on in the room with the bloody mandala.

OTOH, if it's all dark, even a crystal ball might not show anything.

[GreyWolfVT]

Good points. I was (probably naively) thinking we'd only run into infernal critters. I suppose that has already been proven wrong though, with giant rats, zombies and lizards.

The question is, if we opened it up, how many other PCs would want to come along? Anyone? The plan would be to hack and slash our way through mundane creatures, or, when faced with infernal, to use the Templars to limit how many opponents face the adventurers.

I'd be willing to bring one of my 2 characters on this. The other I'd like to go with Dram on his "quest".

[Zhym]

I was going to say we needed more high-level clerics to try to turn the sniffers, but it takes an 8th-level cleric to have any chance of turning the infernal. So...no. Although I'd argue that sniffers (which are basically like lemures or manes in AD&D) should be easier to turn than "real" devils and demons. But that's a different discussion.

So what we really need is firepower, probably healing, and enough holy water and magic weapons to stop the sniffers from regenerating when they're down.

[Rusty Tincanne]

So what do we need more? To scry (300gp) into a dark dungeon, or more holy water? My vote goes to the holy water.

Able wants to try dispelling magic in the bloody mandala room. Probably not the best use of the spell on our way in, though.

Also, I was remembering why I wanted to go in with Templars. Able would have wanted to show the town that the Erruanites are helpful. So it was a pride thing. It will make a good confession later on.

If Able is running interference again, another character can use his magical, silvered warhammer.

[Jernau35]

My cleric of Gwanwen is ready to go. If anybody has an expedition they think he be a good fit for, I'm all ears.

[GreyWolfVT]

My cleric of Gwanwen is ready to go. If anybody has an expedition they think he be a good fit for, I'm all ears.

Pretty much that is the same for my 2 characters granted both in different regions but are ready to go.

[Marullus]

My current thought was to just go in with our warding and walk right to the source and cast Dispel Magic.

So what we really need is firepower, probably healing, and enough holy water and magic weapons to stop the sniffers from regenerating when they're down.

I suggest that you pick one approach and stick with it; you're waffling between two very different methods. Either could be effective but you have to commit and prepare for one of them. That's supposing (either way) that your goal is to close the hell gate. You only have more shot with the incense. Lighting it last time but not following it in resulted in them following you OUT.

Pretty much that is the same for me 2 characters granted both in different regions but are ready to go.

My cleric of Gwanwen is ready to go. If anybody has an expedition they think he be a good fit for, I'm all ears.

Just to be clear, I've been lenient on letting some of the new players make their second characters... our expeditions are lasting super-long and most players have multiple PCs, so I'm letting them jump on the opportunities now. Please incorporate them.

Looking for PC's to go Head to the Spiral vault with the Orb. See Neegan at the tavern.

Neegan-Dwarf/myself
Smoglea- Halfling/ GreyWolf
Erien-/Human /Cleric of Baudh


Need one one high level thief or dwarf
Couple more fighter types
A M.U. or Elf would be useful also.

How stands this expedition?

It is unlikely you'll succeed in one trip. You couldn't consider the first tell a scouting mission to find the vault, then return after leveling up. Bremen might allow you to store the Orb at the White Tower while you're out and about. I'll need to think on it though. He would be trustworthy enough, but he isn't there. Only his minions...

Again, focus on what your objective is. The expedition Neegan is proposing is to break IN and LEAVE treasure. That's uniquely different from the normal "kill 'em all and loot the place" approach of the normal "need to finish this dungeon" adventure.

If Bianca's group votes to come back to town, Winnie would be excited to join Finger's group, especially if they are heading to a wizard's tower.

I'm going to go move Bianca's group to town now.

[Marullus]

Updated list of PCs currently IN TOWN and available for expedition planning.
(It is possible that Earc's crew will be back by 19 August, but they need more OOC time to resolve the expedition they're in.)

• Ablesforth -- Male Human -- Rusty Tincanne -- 19 August 2021
• Bandobras 'Bandy' Sandybanks -- Male Halfling -- Alethan -- 19 August 2021
• Bianca -- Female Elf -- Bluehorse -- 19 August 2021
• Clay Weatherwax -- Male Badger -- Rusty Tincanne -- 19 August 2021
• Clint Brockhammer -- Male Human -- Zhym -- 19 August 2021
• Erien Laganthe -- Male Human -- Thebadgamer98 -- 19 August 2021
• Fingers McGraw -- Male Human -- Zhym -- 19 August 2021
• Galmit Treasurebrewer -- Male Dwarf -- GreyWolfVT -- 19 August 2021
• Grizzly Woman -- Female Human -- Starbeard -- 19 August 2021
• Gundri Gundrudson -- Male Dwarf -- Enoch -- 19 August 2021
• Brother Hengist -- Male Human -- DaveTheLost -- 19 August 2021
• Malenor Windancer -- Male Elf -- Modric -- 19 August 2021
• Markd -- Male Human -- Onlyme -- 19 August 2021
• Neegan Battleborn -- Male Dwarf -- Dram -- 19 August 2021
• Pendleton Kettlebottom -- Male Human -- Zhym -- 19 August 2021
• Smoglea -- Male Halfling -- GreyWolfVT -- 19 August 2021
• Tollander Kane -- Male Human -- Jernau35 -- 19 August 2021
• Winnie Piper -- Female Human -- Rusty Tincanne-- 19 August 2021
• Willow Fairweather -- Female Human -- Alethan -- 19 August 2021

[GreyWolfVT]

Smoglea is missing from that list Marullus

[Marullus]

Fixed.

[Zhym]

For my characters' parts:

Fingers is heading up an expedition to places learned of in his last expedition.
Pendleton is probably going with Ableforth to the Demon Hole, but we need to figure out a strategy.
Clint's previous group seems to be breaking up, so he's a free agent at the moment.

[GreyWolfVT]

Thanks Marullus. For now I think I'll just keep the 2 characters if the need comes up later on for more I'll do what is needed of me.

[Jernau35]

I've been looking at the map and it looks like nothing south of Frogmorton Ford has been explored. Anybody interested in an expedition out in that direction?

[Zhym]

Marullus—if you don't mind, I think Rusty and I should take the strategy discussion for the return to the Demon Hole to the new expedition thread whenever you have time to make it.

[onlyme]

I've been looking at the map and it looks like nothing south of Frogmorton Ford has been explored. Anybody interested in an expedition out in that direction?

If we are going to the tower mentioned in the crypt adventure (Finger's) then it would be almost due south of the ford to the mountains. Markd wants to go there and hopefully buy/claim that tower if appropriate. Not because of the magic nature of it, but because of where it sits.

We are also waiting on some results of reading the treasure maps which most likely will show areas in that southern direction.

So, yes, most likely that is probably where the next Fingers/Markd/Bandy, Heingst, etc group is headed.

[GreyWolfVT]

I've been looking at the map and it looks like nothing south of Frogmorton Ford has been explored. Anybody interested in an expedition out in that direction?

Sure which ever character of mine doesn't go with Neegan is happy to go with and explore the south.

[Zhym]

Is this everyone who wants to go treasure-hunting with Fingers?

• Fingers
• Bandy
• Markd
• Hengist
• Winnie
• Sprinkles (Fingers's Dog) (NPC)
• Mrs. Dash (Winnie's Dog) (NPC) (added in edit)
• Mitch the pony (NPC)
• Buttercup the mule (NPC)
• Elmer (Fingers's Mule) (NPC)

I assume we need to recruit Franken (the Man-at-Arms) and Allmond again? Does that require a charisma roll? And can anyone in the group make that roll (i.e., not Fingers or Markd)?

Note for anyone else wanting to join: magic weapons (or some way of damaging creatures harmed only by magic weapons) are probably mandatory.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Ablesforth the Wayfarer, Cleric of Eruanna.
Heading to the Demon Hole ASAP
The plan: So far he is accompanied by three Templars and Pendleton, all of whom have Protection from Evil. Our strategy depends if other PCs want to come. If there are enough, we go in hacking and slashing. If not, we'll avoid as much trouble as we can.


Winnie Piper, Witch/MU of the Twilight Eyes coven, devotee of Beith
Hoping to join Fingers, et al, not for the location, but for the magic to be discovered. She needs to sing badly in the tavern first. Then hash out what will be expected of her with Fingers. She expects him to cave when she's nice to his dog.

@Zhym: She has a dog, too. Mrs. Dash.


Clay "the Badger" Weatherwax, Druid of Beith
Hoping to organize an expedition due North in search of a tomb with magic items. Likely to pass by the green dragon and a ruined city. Definitely going through morlock and then orc territory.
So far he has a dog, an owl and a farmgirl-turned-ranger, all of whom are NPCs. I'd love actual PCs to join him though.


Lord Commander Breman, Lord Commander of the White Tower and Knights of Baudhil
Currently on an expedition to kill an ancient red dragon and unavailable.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Zhym: Winnie has a dog too. Winnie has no magical weapons, but if she's in melee, we're screwed anyhow. She has a magic missile and web. She could transcribe Shatter, if you think it would help against gargoyles. Or I can look at what else is on offer from pierpont, etc. Maybe Pendleton and Winnie could swap a spell? I'll send a PM about it.