#BattleBraunstein Pt.2: Bro's N the Hood
[Can't believe I didn't think of this title
until I was watching WhoIsDunderMoose?]
until I was watching WhoIsDunderMoose?]
This is the second part of my #BattleBraunstein session report.
The first part was more from behind the screen, this shall be the actual events at the table.
The first part was more from behind the screen, this shall be the actual events at the table.
[Sneaking by on a technicality]
So here we go:
[May the 2nd] - the Discord server is opened, and 1:1 time pacing begins.
The IRS {Intercity Ratting Society}: 3 wererats whose warren ran through the Dock Ward. They began play with; 3 pieces of jewellery {a 9k (platinum w/gems), 8k (gold with gems) and 6k (silver with gems)}, a Wand of Metal and Mineral Detection (any), 2x Rings of Contrariness (Invisibility and Shocking grasp), a Potion of Polymorph Self, and a Philtre of Love.
The IRS {Intercity Ratting Society}: 3 wererats whose warren ran through the Dock Ward. They began play with; 3 pieces of jewellery {a 9k (platinum w/gems), 8k (gold with gems) and 6k (silver with gems)}, a Wand of Metal and Mineral Detection (any), 2x Rings of Contrariness (Invisibility and Shocking grasp), a Potion of Polymorph Self, and a Philtre of Love.
The Chapman Clan: 4 werewolves hunting out of the Trades Ward. They began play with: Potions of Flying, Healing, Levitation, ESP, Water Breathing, and Oil of Etherealness and 6 Undetermined Scrolls.
The Claws of Waghoba: rakshasas lurking in the Southern Ward. They began play with: 550gp, Turquoise (10gp), Jasper (250gp), Alexandrite (500gp), Coral (500gp), Peridot (500gp), Tourmaline (100gp), Star Ruby (1000gp), a Potion of ESP, a Scroll of Confusion, Bracers of Defence, a Necklace of Adaptation, and a +1 Chain Mail.
They are also our first spell casting faction:
R1 - [C]: Command, [MU]: Shield, Shocking Grasp, Charm Person, Mirror Image, Shatter, Web, Detect Invisibility.
R2 - [C]: Cause Fear, [MU]: Charm Person, Magic Missile, Spider Climb, Invisibility, Stinking Cloud, Levitate.
R3 - [C]: Cure Light Wounds, [MU]: Message, Read Magic, Unseen Servant, Mending, Sleep, Forget, Strength.
**********
The IRS set out to canvas for some additional muscle (specifically Light Foot and a suitable Serjeant), unfortunately one of the 3 failed their check to be in human form during the day. Thankfully, the city has a few specific watering holes for Mercenaries.
This meant they only needed to check for wandering encounters: None.
They found a single Hobilar (a favourable Reaction and was hired) and a Captain (who was 8th level, so well out of the IRS's price range and so was politely declined).
The 3rd wererat went to scout one of their locations: The Blushing Nymph. A simple spying mission as 1st level Spy.
This meant they only needed to check for wandering encounters: None.
They found a single Hobilar (a favourable Reaction and was hired) and a Captain (who was 8th level, so well out of the IRS's price range and so was politely declined).
The 3rd wererat went to scout one of their locations: The Blushing Nymph. A simple spying mission as 1st level Spy.
A day later there were drunken rumours spreading in the Patron Chat of giant rats of increasing proportion. {Failure - "Any further spying attempts will be 90% likely to result in failure, discovery, and imprisonment"}
Later two wererats were sent out again to continue looking for hired hands. However that one wererat just couldn't catch a break, and again failed to retain his human form. So was sent out under the cover of darkness.
They found and hired 3 Heavy Footmen.
The remaining two were sent out at night to scout out (as above) both the Blushing Nymph and Balthorr's Rare & Wondrous Treasures.
They found and hired 3 Heavy Footmen.
The remaining two were sent out at night to scout out (as above) both the Blushing Nymph and Balthorr's Rare & Wondrous Treasures.
Again nothing of note was gained from the Nymph, but this time "Further attempts okay".
The poor rattling however was "caught with possible proof of spying" and unfortunately, never returned to the warren: [2 on a d6: DEAD].
The poor rattling however was "caught with possible proof of spying" and unfortunately, never returned to the warren: [2 on a d6: DEAD].
New Day, New Plan.
The wererats now sought to hire a regular of the Nymph to do some discrete inquiry on their behalf (I would be rolling for these chances of Spying). In human form they headed into the Nymph and rolled on the encounter table to see who was in the dive bar at this hour of the day.
A human Thief.
When we fleshed out the Thief encounter from the Urban tables, we discovered that this thief was in fact a Master Thief (level 10) and was accompanied by 2 other apprentice thieves.
The Blushing Nymph is a front for a local thieves guild.
Thankfully the Reaction allowed them to withdraw without incident.
While thinking of how to deal with this information, for the next few days they picked up several Light Foot, Short Bow Archers and declined some Heavy Horse.
A human Thief.
When we fleshed out the Thief encounter from the Urban tables, we discovered that this thief was in fact a Master Thief (level 10) and was accompanied by 2 other apprentice thieves.
The Blushing Nymph is a front for a local thieves guild.
Thankfully the Reaction allowed them to withdraw without incident.
While thinking of how to deal with this information, for the next few days they picked up several Light Foot, Short Bow Archers and declined some Heavy Horse.
(Unfortunately they were unable to join us for the main event.
Guess we'll never know why the IRS is amassing a small army)
Guess we'll never know why the IRS is amassing a small army)
**********
All 4 of the Chapmans headed down to the Blushing Nymph to negotiate a hostile takeover. Maybe the Chapmans will go into the rat-catching business.
Unfortunately, the owners of the Nymph didn't take to kindly to this, and immediately called the City Watch. Instead of proving their Top Dog status, the Chapmans tucked tail.
Thankfully, the keen reflexes of the Bounty Bros were able to elude the City's flatfeet by busting out a side door and disappearing down the labyrinth of alleyways.
Unfortunately, the owners of the Nymph didn't take to kindly to this, and immediately called the City Watch. Instead of proving their Top Dog status, the Chapmans tucked tail.
Thankfully, the keen reflexes of the Bounty Bros were able to elude the City's flatfeet by busting out a side door and disappearing down the labyrinth of alleyways.
**********
One of the Rakshasas headed out to Aurora's Realms Shop on Waterdeep way (didn't realise till later there are like 5 of these across the city). It turned out it was under the control of several beggars, who did not take to kindly to the way the Rakshasa brushed them off.
7 more beggars bubbled out of the sidewalk, demanding alms by rattling dented tin cups and cracked wooden bowls.
Even a rain of silver didn't placate their greed.
The Rakshasa attempted to put some distance between them (so as to gas them with Stinking Cloud) but was surprised by how close they were. They whipped out switchblades and attempted to cut a bitch!
7 more beggars bubbled out of the sidewalk, demanding alms by rattling dented tin cups and cracked wooden bowls.
Even a rain of silver didn't placate their greed.
The Rakshasa attempted to put some distance between them (so as to gas them with Stinking Cloud) but was surprised by how close they were. They whipped out switchblades and attempted to cut a bitch!
[Bloody Rakshasas with their AC and magic immunities]
One of these Beggars however happens to be a thief, of 9th level.
And in fleshing it out he ended up with a Magic Long Sword +2, 3x Arrows +3, a Potion of Growth, and Plate Mail +3.
And in fleshing it out he ended up with a Magic Long Sword +2, 3x Arrows +3, a Potion of Growth, and Plate Mail +3.
{or a cursed longsword of Berserking, and a cursed suit of Plate Mail -4: which he was currently trapped in (probably wrong) - this is why you don't hide yourself in armour standing in shady alcoves)
So at least if he could strike the Rakshasa, there was the potential to deal at least some damage.
As this strange knight lumbered towards the scuffle.
Uncaring, he cleaved through several beggars, as the Rakshasa became invisible and dipped. Surprisingly, the City Watch were not alerted. Eventually the remaining Beggars fled, and the strange knights blood began to cool.
As this strange knight lumbered towards the scuffle.
Uncaring, he cleaved through several beggars, as the Rakshasa became invisible and dipped. Surprisingly, the City Watch were not alerted. Eventually the remaining Beggars fled, and the strange knights blood began to cool.
**********
Which brings us to the main event.
June 1st: [City-wide]
This came to a head in what is being dubbed "the Trolltide Slaughter" where the Xanathar Guild launched a merciless assault, an act of terror against the city at large. This was the final straw for the Open Lord, and the City Watch began to crack down; hard. They have cleared out the influence of both factions from the Castle Ward.
But nature abhors a vacuum. Several enterprising minor factions and lesser gangs are now aiming to lay claim to the vacant territory."
June 2nd (Day): Aurora's Realm Catalogue Counter
[Friendly, immediate action]
And they were more then happy to agree, coming under the Claws protection.
They were gifted a small tiger figurine carved from jasper.
June 2nd (Day): The Curious Past
Neta (R1) moved to The Curious Past.
Taking 3 turns, triggering an encounter roll at the end of the 3rd turn:
Taking 3 turns, triggering an encounter roll at the end of the 3rd turn:
[6x Mercenaries, led by 2x 1st level Fighters]
These Light Footmen were unemployed.
Neta offered to hire them, paying double the monthly rate in silver up front (40sp to the 6 light foot, 40ep for the 2 1st level fighters (Serjeants) for a total of 240sp & 80ep).
But they were firmly uninterested.
But they were firmly uninterested.
Proceeding to the location, Neta found it was a front for a thieves guild (11th level Master Thief, 2 apprentices).
They were generally favourable to the 'woman'.
Neta suggested that the master thief's guild work with the Claws of Waghoba; scratch each other's backs. And attempted to use her natural ESP to gain an edge in the negotiations.
Finding the Guildmaster's mind was troubled by something.
Finding the Guildmaster's mind was troubled by something.
Her follow-up offer was warmly received, and the Guildmaster told her that another thieves guild operating out of the Blushing Nymph had been giving his information network some trouble.
Neta promised to have the Claws disrupt their operations, leaving the old man with plausible deniability.
She secured the services of 12 (4d6) spies.
Which were immediately put to work.
June 2nd (Night): The Blushing Nymph
The Chapmans had a different plan.
Spread rumours to the City Watch that the Blushing Nymph is a front for slave trade.
The Basement is full of women and children!
The Basement is full of women and children!
Daehdog will head up the info-war with his cha bonus to reaction rolls. Hopefully it convinces the Watch.
[A charm offensive was about to begin]
The Chapmans strategy was quickly unravelled after a particularly poor Reaction roll saw them arrested for slander. The [Code Legal] is very strict about what happens to those who attempt to blackmail the citizenry.
Additionally, 1 of the Claws new spy's witnessed the whole thing as they undertook their 1st mission.
June 3rd (Night): The Thayan Embassy
3 of the Claws newest assets began their simple mission of surveillance.
3 of the Claws newest assets began their simple mission of surveillance.
June 4th (Night): The Thayan Embassy
Protestors are gathering to burn effigies of red wizards and perform a symbolic freeing of former slaves: Trust Me Bro Edition.
Hoping to rile them up and thin the numbers in the embassy.
The dicebot decided to continue to abuse the poor Chapmans:
[Hostile, Immediate action]
The Embassy was staffed this evening by a single Warlock (MU 8) and his Fighter henchman (only noticed now they should have been a little beefier - classic hindsight), who thanks to the Random NPC Generator had a sprig of Wolveshand on hand.
And the Chapmans were currently in Human form.
Thankfully, they gained Surprise, and spent the time shifting into combat mode.
[For the purposes of this event I had decided that the original Werebeasts had been that way for at least 6 years. "After 6 years of experience, lycanthropes will be able to control their change at will"]
I still can't see how long this transformation process takes, so they spent their 3 full segments of Surprise undergoing the change (Polymorph Self takes 3 segments).
They lost initiative and the Red Warlock was able to get off a devastating ICE STORM.
Immediately dropping a Chapman, and reducing their own fighter to 10hp. Worse still the fighter lost a flask of ale, as it exploded from the cold.
The most obvious one being; I went in half-cocked.
I was using this event as the impetus to dig further into AD&D 1e, but I overlooked that proper BookControl requires you to RTFM. I wont say I was under prepared for this evening, but had the focus of the session not been so tight/narrow.
I would have struggled.
Thankfully, I could hand off nearly 90% of this evenings running to the players themselves. Which allowed me to assume a fully Referee position. Most of my time was then spent looking things up, clarifying things, and checking in on them from time to time.
Admittedly, probably not best practice.
The fighter had enough wherewithal to strike out at the nearest Chapman dealing 2 damage.
Before the Wolf Bro's retaliate and reduce the fighter to 1HP.
The Chapmans held the initiative and sought to end this poor mooks life, but fate had other plans. And that hapless man-at-arms bought the Red Warlock enough time to unleash a punishing LIGHTNING BOLT (36 damage).
Only one Chapman survives.
And finally, after all that sound and fury, the City's law enforcement take notice of the disturbance going on at the embassy.
The Patron accidentally rolled City Guard instead, but either way it wasn't looking good. And as 10 soldiers and two lieutenants, all under the direction of a 3rd level Magic-user began advancing on the scene.
The last remaining Chapman (still in wolf form), looked around at the charred bodies of his brothers. At the Thayan Warlock and his heroic sidekick. At the militia forming a cordon.
And he promptly failed a Morale check: 141 total on the dice.
Old Greg Chapman surrendered.
- Assaulting an Official (Red Warlock - Thayan diplomat): Flogging, Imprisonment up to a 10 day, and a fine of up to 500gp
- Assaulting a Citizen (Fighter Hench - Embassy staff): Flogging, Imprisonment up to a 10 day, and a fine of up to 1000gp.
(Though his ultimate fate will be left in the hands of the Force Grey Patron)
June 4th (Night): The Thayan Embassy
3 of the Claws newest assets continues their surveillance, undetected.
3 of the Claws newest assets continues their surveillance, undetected.
June 4th (Night): The Blushing Nymph
1 of the Claws newest assets continues their surveillance, undetected.
**********
And with that we drew the evening to a close.
A little over 2 odd hours of gaming, for something I felt might go 3 or 4. I know I don't have the stamina to run the marathon sessions like we've recently seen (here).
And like Jeffro said, sometimes you have to know when to call it.
Now I could have asked our Winner to continue on, and finish out the week, but where would the fun of that be. He gets to bask in the afterglow of a few days of blood and violence that cemented his place in the City.
Congratulations Weather_Report.
Now I could have asked our Winner to continue on, and finish out the week, but where would the fun of that be. He gets to bask in the afterglow of a few days of blood and violence that cemented his place in the City.
Congratulations Weather_Report.
[#JusticeForOldGreg]
**********
So a little immediate reflection, though I'm sure more will become apparent as the high wears off:
The most obvious one being; I went in half-cocked.
I was using this event as the impetus to dig further into AD&D 1e, but I overlooked that proper BookControl requires you to RTFM. I wont say I was under prepared for this evening, but had the focus of the session not been so tight/narrow.
I would have struggled.
Thankfully, I could hand off nearly 90% of this evenings running to the players themselves. Which allowed me to assume a fully Referee position. Most of my time was then spent looking things up, clarifying things, and checking in on them from time to time.
Admittedly, probably not best practice.
[A little joke from the start of the session, and I think its quite apt]
On the Player side of things, I definitely think I should have tightened up the procedure for how orders were to be submitted.
As you can see the Rakshasas divided and conquered, meaning they spent more time on a single day. While the werewolves went gun-ho, pushing the calendar forward from the word go.
As you can see the Rakshasas divided and conquered, meaning they spent more time on a single day. While the werewolves went gun-ho, pushing the calendar forward from the word go.
To some rules questions:
- I certainly think I may have been unfair in the information gleaned from ESP. I was scanning the MU spell description, and the DMG to see if Gary had any further clarifications, but couldn't see anything. So acted on that, only after did I find the Psionics version of the spell. Which offers the Player more information.
- Precautions against Spying is a simple little 4 step guide to counter surveillance, but I found myself locked up in trying to decide how a given 'faction' would react.
I dithered between giving the Thieves' Guild at the Blushing Nymph [Minimal] or [Moderate] given their occupation and the fact they've may have stepped up security after the strange occurrences. And whether the diplomatic consul would have [Moderate] or [Strong] precautions.
This certainly seems to be something you ask the Patron for.
Further reading required.
- I certainly think I may have been unfair in the information gleaned from ESP. I was scanning the MU spell description, and the DMG to see if Gary had any further clarifications, but couldn't see anything. So acted on that, only after did I find the Psionics version of the spell. Which offers the Player more information.
- Precautions against Spying is a simple little 4 step guide to counter surveillance, but I found myself locked up in trying to decide how a given 'faction' would react.
I dithered between giving the Thieves' Guild at the Blushing Nymph [Minimal] or [Moderate] given their occupation and the fact they've may have stepped up security after the strange occurrences. And whether the diplomatic consul would have [Moderate] or [Strong] precautions.
This certainly seems to be something you ask the Patron for.
Further reading required.
**********
[High Praise in the Aftermath]
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