While the party was resting and training, they were also blabbing. They met a fellow at the inn who was a man-at-arms looking for work. He said he would work for a couple of gold coins a day, but he needed equipment. They liked the rate, so they agreed. They explained what they had been up to, including the battle with Lareth. The man-at-arms was actually a chaotic evil spy who worked for the traders in Hommlet, and he promptly passed on what he had discovered. The traders then sent word to their superiors, and a high level assassin would soon arrive. Later, the party went to the traders post with their new man-at-arms to equip him. While they were there, the traders talked the party into buying several war dogs that he assured them would be of great service. I made a secret roll to see if Dunston, a ranger, might recognize the poor quality of the dogs. The roll came up, ‘bad result’. The party bought three. At the inn, they also met an elf. A fighter/magic-user who was also interested in finding out what the Temple might be up to. He decided to join up with the party for a while. While the party had been resting, the gnome they had rescued from the moathouse approached the party and offered to pay them to escort him back to his home several days to the west, in the Kron Hills. Burne had also suggested the party go back to the moathouse dungeons to finish mapping it, and make sure all the danger had been removed. The party decided to finish off the moathouse first, and told the gnome they would escort him in a day or so. Finally, they headed back to the dungeon. The party now: Dunston, a 2nd level human ranger Thurgen, a 2nd level human cleric. Thaerin, a 2/2 gray elf fighter/magic-user A human man-at-arms Three war dogs About halfway there, their new dogs got tired and laid down. They tried to get the dogs to move, and Dunston got bit once in the process, but they would budge. Eventually, they continued to the dungeon, dragging one dog in tow. They entered through the hidden entrance that was discovered by the master’s quarters, and headed for a portion of the dungeons that they hadn’t explored yet. They ended up in a semi-natural chamber with a pool. There was little room between the edge of the pool and the walls. Some coins and a sword scattered around the ledge, and some bones could be seen in the shallow shelf that surrounded the deeper portion of the pool. They started collecting the coins. The pool’s surface started rippling, and a monstrous giant crayfish lurched from the water and attacked the man-at-arms. Dunston was close enough to help. The crayfish hit the man-at-arms with both claws, killing him. It tried dragging the body to the bottom of the pool, but Dunston killed it before it could escape. The finished collecting the coins. The sword didn’t appear to be magical, but they kept it just in case. Mixed in with the bones, Dunston discovered a jeweled platinum pin, and a water-tight scroll case holding a scroll that nobody could read at the moment. They moved on to explore more of the dungeon. And found themselves in a large area with many crypts. The dog started barking as four ghouls approached. They unleashed the dog and shouted, ‘attack’. The dog promptly turned around and ran away. They still managed to dispatch the ghouls with little trouble. After the fight they searched the area. The back wall of one of the crypts was broken open, and a narrow, natural passage led to the ghouls lair. Mixed in with the bones and filth was the ghouls treasure, hundreds of silver coins, several vials of holy water, and a scroll of protection from undead. A trail of gold coins led into another narrow passage. The party followed, scooping the coins as they went. The passage was low and narrow, and mapping was not possible, but the party proceeded. After 30’ or so the gold coin trail stopped. Several passages branched off from the one they had been following, each as narrow, or more so, then the first. Dunston wanted to turn back. He thought it was a trap, but Thurgen disagreed. He was sure there was a monster’s lair to be found, and some treasure to go with it. He also said he would be able to remember how to get back. So they continued onwards, turning this way and that, getting more confused by the minute. Dunton called his god to save him, but to no avail. Eventually they reached the point where they were considered “hopelessly lost”, and eventually killed by sinkhole, tunnel collapse, etc.
Wow. They fell for the follow the trail of gold pieces trick. You'd think they would have thought to use chalk to mark their way or a ball of string or some such to avoid getting lost. Maybe next time. I really have enjoyed reading these stories Scotty. Thanks for sharing them.
I don't know what to say, except I think they might have been stoned. Glad you're enjoying the exploits.
My own TOEE game is probably at an end as of last night. We couldn't see through the entire battle, but when we left off, 3 of 9 were dead, with a fourth at 0 hp and unconscious, and the rest all having less than 10 hp each... We are sandwiched between whom I believe to be the Fire Temple Chief Priest, several bugbears, and some soon to be reinforcements, and a troll that prodded a hydra into battle behind us... I guess it will be my turn to DM soon...
