10 January 2020

Marching to Battle

Hearing Gurnik's message, Stool's Irregulars go directly to the Diggermattock hall. Upon arrival, they see a third desk has been pushed to the center. Chipgrin, Senni, and Dorbo are all standing around a map of ther area occupied by the Pudding King listening to Kazook.

Kazook explains that he can provide water-skin-like flasks of an oil which can be used to protect blades from the corrosion caused by many oozes, jellies, puddings, and the like. He will return to his shop and make as much as he can.

Senni asks for an update from the Irregulars. Exhausted from the sleepless journey back, Autun reports that Entemoch's Boon is restored, the basilisk which had occupied the area have been dispatched, and the Stoneheart Enclave are on their way to the Boon to summon more earth elementals. This news seems to alter the planning and the three leaders quickly agree that they should wait to march out for the enclave to return, and Senni adds, for the Irregulars to get some sleep.

Hesitantly, the leaders broach the subject of the Irregulars' involvement. They've devised a plan, and central to it is Stool's Irregulars taking great risk. The irregulars want to know the plan, and perhaps modify it, but make it clear that of course they will fight with the people of Blingdenstone against the fiendish incursion, they've already been expecting it.

Their plan is to have the main fighting force, including the hastily trained militia, engage the oozes on the southern end of the tunnels, while a strike team consisting of the Irregulars and a platoon of forty highly trained troops -- the best that Chipgrin and Dorbo can assemble -- go in via a northern entrance. The main force at the south will draw the bulk of the oozes out by attacking, retreating, and re-engaging in stages while the northern strike team's mission is to find and destroy the Pudding King.

Autun looks to his sword and asks Dawnbringer about oozes and the Pudding King. After a moment he reassures her that the goal is to take on fiends.

Caius goes to Kazook to see if he can obtain some extra spell gems. Kazook is not a warrior, he's a merchant, yet he will be with the main fighting force tomorrow. Caius claps him on the back and inspires confidence. For that moment at least Kazook is hopeful. Caius returns with six spell gems, three fairly small gems and three somewhat larger ones, as well as six flasks of corrosion resistance, three of which he sets aside for Kais, and one of which he sets aside for Ezri.

Ezri and Autun find that smithy is crowded, everyone working to pound out as many rough swords and shields as they can, and Thrain Thirgoim is barking instructions non-stop. Autun shouts over the din asking for permission to use the crushing mill and grinders. Thrain points to the mechanisms and warns them not to hurt themselves. Ezri and Autun put out the word that they need to trade as much gold for diamonds as they can, and they collect up quite a collection from the merchants and populace. Ezri at the press with Autun adding muscle, they proceed to grind the diamonds to dust. Using the wheel, they grind a large amount of silver coins to dust as well. Ezri and Autun find Gurnik and give her the diamond dust and level 5 spell gem.

Kais visits Gurnik's temple. There he sees people meditating, shuffling around in a slow circle, and all the while a drum beats slowly. He finds a seat and meditates. While meditating he experiences a vision of his home and the people he once knew, he can still hear the drums but they seem faster. An insight is born within him and when he opens his eyes it seems the drums were slow all along, yet he still retains a special memory of the dream-like experience.

Caius and Bree take the spell gems to their room and get to work. Caius imbues a gem with Healing word which he gives to Bree. Bree enchants two gems with Faerie fire which he gives to Caius and three gems with Fireball to hand off to Autun, Kais, and Ezri. Then Bree gets to work on brewing Alchemists' Fire, and makes a batch big enough for ten vials -- enough for each Irregular to have two. Meanwhile, Ezri and Autun return to the inn so that Autun can use some of the silver dust to prepare some holy water for Bree. Eventually, each collapse into a much needed sleep.

But there's just enough rest, when they wake to horns calling. Tappy provides a quick breakfast and sits down with the Irregulars to quickly wolf-down some food for himself as well. Various people not fit enough for combat have arrived at the inn, with the plan to shelter there with Shuushar, Rumpadump, and the children until the combatants return. As the Irregulars leave the Inn, they see a number of earth elementals moving past, each with a Stone Enclave member riding on the shoulder.

Gurnik arrives and gives Kais the Greater restoration gem. She begins to ask about settling the balance of the exchange, but Autun waves away the question stating that it can be sorted out after this is over. Gurnik informs them that Jimjar is with the main force, as is Jadger, the Burrow Warden, and his ghosts.

Irregulars hustle to the gate and find Rocky and forty veteran troops assembled and waiting. Theria is the commander of the gnomish were-rat soldiers. She explains that her squad operates using guerrilla tactics splitting into independent sections or fire-teams as needed. Dicks is the Blingdenstone svirfneblin commander. He explains that his squad fights in disciplined formation typically as a single unified force.

The soldiers have orders to shield the Irregulars so that Irregulars will not be slowed down in their pursuit of the Pudding King. Between the two squads, there is some disagreement as to which entrance to start with. Dick's troops favor the north most entrance, Theria's favor the entrance just south as they are a bit familiar with what lies beyond. Cauis steps in with a commanding voice and gives a rousing speech. His words lift the moral of the whole platoon, and bolster the fortitude of the five Irregulars and Rocky. Caius, assuming the role of the platoon's commanding lieutenant, decides the team shall take the furthest north tunnel to reduce the amount of backtracking in the sweep searching for the Pudding King. They leave the gates and head towards the north tunnel.

One the way, enchanted with some help tongues and comprehend languages, Bree and Rocky work out a quick set of hand-signals comprising a half-dozen useful signs, including "danger", "no-danger", "retreat", and "pudding king".

As the the strike force arrives at the north-most entrance, sounds have already begun of battle in the distance. They get to work to clear the rocks.

Rocky slips down into the earth and vanishes, returning moments later and signs "no danger", then aids in the clearing of the rock. Twenty minutes later, the efficient bucket-brigade clears the enough rock for Autun -- the largest of the group except Rocky -- to pass through, and the rest follow. On the other side the walls are slimy.

They travel in nearly one hundred feet when about forty black puddings appear. A ten-person section of Theria's troops break off and begin to route the oozes creating spinning wheels of flame with torches on ropes. The rest of the troop continues to advance.

Further in, nearly two dozen gray oozes advance on the platoon. Dick's squad corrals the oozes in a shallow alcove, allowing the remaining force to press on.

Rocky, Caius, Bree, and Autun are front-most, Ezri and Kais behind them, and the remaining soldiers catching up. As they enter a chamber opening, two large black puddings are ahead of the now smaller crew. These puddings go straight for Caius, striking out at him with great slimy pseudopods. The acid of the puddings dissolves his armor and badly burns his flesh. Moments later, two ochre jellies drip down from the ceiling behind Ezri and Kais. Bree slashes at one of the black puddings and it splits into two as her dagger corrodes. Rocky pounds on the puddings, Bree casts shadow blade, and Autun strikes with Dawnbringer while [Syrine]] flys around calling and flapping which distracts the puddings, but the black puddings continue to lash out at Caius. So severe are the acid attacks that Caius falls to the ground, unconscious.

As the jellies close the distance to them, Kais, in true elven style, looses arrows which strike the jellies while and uses his mage hand to prepare his rapier for with Kazook's protective oil in preparation for the melee. Just then, another ochre jelly shows up to join the other two. Ezri's flame blade stikes true as Kais pierces with his sword.

Caius returns to consciousness hearing his own voice commanding him to rise, as Bree unleashed the healing word from the spell gem which contained it. Rocky, Autun, and Bree manage to destroy one of the black puddings. The remaining soldiers take on the ochre jellies as well, and manage to route two of them away.

Ezri and Kais finish the remaining ochre jelly and the Irregulars focus their fury on the remaining black puddings. Rocky smashes one like a pancake, Autun crisps one with Dawnbringer's radiance and Kais finishes it off with a perfectly placed arrow.

The dampness becomes quieter, yet the sounds of battle can be heard in the distance.

They press on.

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Prior: 27 December 2019, All: Play_Sessions, Next: 17 January 2020

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Lost & Gained

Gained

• 5 flasks of corrosion resistance oil
• 3 spell storing gems level 3, loan from Kazook Pickshine, (fireball x 3)
• 3 spell storing gems level 1, loan from Kazook Pickshine, (fairie fire x 2) (empty x 1)
• Greater restoration in the level 5 spell storing gem
• 450 sp worth of silver dust
• 2 flasks of holy water

Lost

• 1100 gp for diamond dust
• 500 sp for silver dust

Inventory

Inventory

The inventory of Stool's Irregulars. This inventory includes the gained and lost items listed above.

Cash & Valuables	Worth
Platinum pieces	54 pp
Gold pieces	4188 gp
Silver pieces	5604 sp
Copper pieces	4047 cp
Various gems	60 gp
Pouch of varied surface coins	indeterminate ( found with the Obelisk)
6 x 100gp gems	600gp
4 x 150gp rubies	600gp found on starved drow
2 x 100gp gorgets	200gp found on starved drow
4 x 75gp rings	300gp found on carved drow
pearl encrusted suede cloak	250gp found on carved drow

Consumables	Number	Gained	Carrier
Potion of Greater Healing	6	reward from Basidia	distributed jointly
Potion of Healing	2	(various)	distributed jointly
Anti-toxin	2	hook horror den	Ciaus, Kais
Pygmywort	18	found in Gracklestugh, Bree's room, a pit	distributed jointly
Bigwig	8	mushroom pit in Whorlstone tunnels	distributed jointly
Alchemist's Fire	2	made by Bree with recipe	Bree
Acid	4	made by Bree with recipe	Bree
Drow poison	10	dead drow	Kais, bag
Keoghtom's Ointment	5	found in Nerrick's chest	bag
Scroll of protection from Fiends	1	gift from head of the Circle of Hunters	bag
Potion of fire breath	1	?	Bree
Wind bag	2 charges	gift from a badger	shuushar
Oil of sharpness	1 / 5	found in the temple	kais
+1/+1 arrows	16	boneyard	Kais (13) Autun (3)
Philter of love	1	found with Dawnbringer	bag
Potion of force resistance	1	found in Rockblight	bag
Holy Water	2	Autun's Ceremony	Bree
Oil of corrosion resistance	5	given	2 Caius, 2 Kais, 1 Ezri

Magic Items	Gained	Carrier
Bag of Holding	from a trapped drow	Autun (mostly)
+2 Dawnbringer	sarcophagus	Autun
+1 shield	From the gullet of a Shambling Mound	Caius
A Rope of climbing	gift from a darkling	Kais?
Quiver of Ehlonna	found in a hook horror den	Kais
Instrument of Illusions		Caius
Boots of Elvenkind	gifted by Errde Blackskull	Kais
Rod of the Pact Keeper	found in the corpse of the reanimated Buppido	Bree
Goggles of Night (2)	gift from the Bregan D'aerthe and Badger tunnels	Caius & Autun
Stone Speaker Crystal	a gift from Hgraam	Bree? Jimjar?
Folding Boat	gifted by Errde Blackskull on behalf of the Deep King	Shuushar?
Preacher's Pendant of Sending	found on the corpse of drow priestess	Autun
Necklace of force (6 beads)	found in badger tunnels evocation?	bag
Necklace of fireballs (6 beads)	found with Dawnbringer	bag
storing gem level 5 (Greater restoration)	payment from Kazook Pickshine	Bree
3 storing gems level 3 (fireball x 3)	loan from Kazook Pickshine	Autun, Kais, Ezri
3 storing gems level 1 (Faerie fire x 2)	loan from Kazook Pickshine	Bree, Caius, Cais
Stone of Good Luck	given	Ezri

Spell components of particular note	Spell	Number	Carrier
Diamond 300 gp	(Revivify)	2	bag
Incense & Charcoal 10 gp	Find Familiar	2	Kais
Incense 15 gp		1	bag
silver dust	Ceremony	450 sp	bag

Story items	Gained	Carrier
Book of dwarven history	found amongst Kobold skeletons	Caius
Book of dwarven recipes	found amongst Kobold skeletons	Ezri
Silvered sickle	From the gullet of a Shambling Mound	Ezri
A book on Drow heresies	found on the corpse of drow priestess	Autun
Thieves' lantern	found in a strange cottage	Kais
A notebook with a record of objects	Obelisk	bag
Portrait of Ilvara	found on the corpse of the reanimated Buppido	bag
House of Mizzrym signet ring (3 gp)		bag
Insignia of House Mizzrym (6)	Collected from various dead Drow	bag
Pouches of surface potpourri (12)		bag
Feather of unknown bird	found with the Obelisk	bag
Recipe for Alchemist's fire	Lorthio's Lab	bag
Recipe for Acid	Lorthio's Lab	bag
Book of Nerrick	from Nerrick's chest	Bree
crappy poetry about gemstones	10 May 2019	bag
gnoll? necklace with 3 headed flail (Yeenoghu??)	Ilvara's bedroom	bag
a lockable chest (60x30x30)		bag
bone flute	found in boneyard	Caius
bone hourglass (worth 2gp)	found in boneyard	Autun
small wood scroll case	gift from head of the Circle of Hunters	bag
small wood box	Ilvara's bedroom	bag
Component pouches (2)		distributed jointly
4 yellow gems from a crazed, bezerk earth elementals	Rockblight, Steadfast Stone	bag
Head of Medusa	11 October 2019	pickled, in the bag
Crystal, mostly transparent	recovered from stone gnome in crystal garden	Kais
Bree's basilisk egg	found a basilisk in Entemoch's Boon	Bree / Shuusar

Mundane communal supplies (in bag or distributed)	Number
Arrows	many (~200)
Bolts	many (~90)
Rations	many (~150)
bottles of surface wine	3
Torches	?
Kindling	5 fires
Firewood	6 fires
Salt	15 fish worth
Fire lichen	6 meals' worth
Fishing tackle	4
Hemp Rope	2 x 50 ft
Silk Rope	2 x 50 ft ( escape, Gracklestugh market)
Grappling hook	2

Autun's Inventory	Number	Gained
Healer's kit	1	origin
necklace with unicorn head	1	origin
pouch with herbs (garlic, thyme, basil, ginger, mandrake root, belladonna, wolvesbane, yew leaves, cinnamon bark, firelichen)		origin
bag of pitons	2	origin, Velkynvelve
clothes travel, high hard boots, belt, belt pouches	1	origin, Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone
broach of giant origin	1	origin
purple velvet cloak	1	Cottage
leather backpack, bedroll	1	origin
splintmail and jerkin with unicorn head	1	origin
tarps 10'x10' for simple tent	2	origin
10' pole	1	origin
torches	10	origin
water/wineskins	2	origin
tinderbox, flint, steel, carving knife, whetstone		origin
messkit, dented pot	1	origin
sticks of incense	5	origin
bag of caltrops	1	?
longbow	2	origin, ?
greataxe	2	(extra from from ettin)
handaxe	1	origin
extra bowstring		?
arrows	33	?
hand mirror	1	purchased in Blingdenstone

Bree's Inventory	Number	Gained
Bree's Book of Shadows		found hidden amongst Kobold skeletons
hand mirror	1	purchased in Blingdenstone
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone
hobit-kini	1	Blingdenstone

Caius's Inventory	Number	Gained
Belt from surface leather		Bought from Ylsa in Gracklstugh
hand mirror	1	purchased in Blingdenstone
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone

Ezri's Inventory	Number	Gained
Necklace with silvered spider fangs	1	taken from dead Ilvara's drow "pirates"
Drow spiderwebby headdress (10 gp)	1	Ilvara's bedroom
silver handmirror	1	Ilvara's bedroom
Perfumes, ~2gp each	6	Obelisk
drow underwear	1	Ilvara's bedroom
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
nice dress	1	Blingdenstone
Studded leather armor	1	Blingdenstone

Jimjar's Inventory	Number	Gained
short sword	1	his own gear, reclaimed in Velkynvelve
short bow	1	his own gear, reclaimed in Velkynvelve
Bone dice, seemingly very fair	2?	dead drow
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone

Kais's Inventory (excluding items in general inventory list)	Number	Gained
Belt from surface leather	1	Bought from Ylsa in Gracklstugh
bag of pitons	1	??
studded leather armor	1	Velkynvelve
short swords	2	Velkynvelve
daggers	3	Velkynvelve
hand crossbow	1	Velkynvelve
bag of caltrops	1	Velkynvelve
longbow	1
rapier	1	starting inventory
thieves' tools	1	starting inventory
burglar's pack	1	starting inventory
very old "fox and foxgloves" scabbard	1	starting inventory
Hairpins	4	Picked from Derendil's teeth
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone

Rumpadump's Inventory	Number	Gained
Leather armor	1	Made by Ezri from Bree's old armor
dress beret	1	Blingdenstone

Shuushar's Inventory	Number	Gained
travel clothes	1	Blingdenstone
dress clothes	1	Blingdenstone

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Prior: 27 December 2019, All: Play_Sessions, Next: 17 January 2020