by Rolando

Damn but I was scared…afterwards.

We had just gone on a monster bounty trip to make a little money because we were beginning to spend a lot of money on fancy rooms and such. Normally, I’m a peaceable sort but, to be honest, we really needed the money. So after a quick breakfast at the Three Leaves Inn of biscuits and bit of cheese, we set out.

Outside the gates, we choose to follow the river upstream since heading downstream would involve crossing the river and, to be honest, I had the feeling that could lead to a bit of trouble. Especially with this Liam character that has joined us. I realize he is mates with Kailan but still he does some crazy things sometimes.

We had barely left the keep when we rounded the bend and came upon a squad of six kobolds. Why they were there so close to the keep, I have no idea. You would think that the keep would send out regular patrols but, no matter, there they were.

Liam and Rue started shooting them with arrows, Doaks promptly disappeared, Nyneva started arguing with her Halfling torch-bearer but suddenly promoting him to spear-bearer and Kailan moved to defend his horse. Me? Well, I panicked and promptly ran.

Unfortunately, I ran at the kobolds. I no sooner got there than two of them attacked me. The first missed me clean but the other put a nice slice down my left arm. That’s when the world turned red and it gets a little fuzzy.

The next thing I remember is Cordelia (my left axe) cleaving thru a kobold’s collarbone while the spike on the back of Regan (my right axe) pierced its skull. I turn about and there is only one kobold left on its feet facing Nyneva, Kailan and Rue. However, another Rue is standing to my left with a wolfish grin on his face. At that point I realize that the first Rue is an illusion created by Doaks. Before I can get to the last kobold, the fake Rue hit him with his sword and the kobold falls. Nyneva skewers him with her spear.

I realize that my hip is burning and look down. It appears an arrow has glanced off my hip and left a furrow. Since the kobolds didn’t have bows I look back and I see Liam with an apologetic look on his face. I start to get angry again but I see that two of the kobolds are not dead but passed out. I spin the sisters in my hands and plant their spikes in the chests of the kobolds. I feel better after that.

Looking back, I forgot everything I had learned about fighting and just lost my temper. Hopefully, I can keep my head next time. I feel lucky to have survived my first real combat.

Date:

23 January 2010 / 06 Haar’Kiev, 174

Characters (Players) in attendance:

Æruestan “Rue” Beleg (Sam) – Sylvan Elf Fighter / 1
Dumbarton Oaks (Chris) – Pixie-Fairy Magic-User / 1
Kailan Morgause (Victoria) – Half-Elf “Art connoisseur” / 1
Liam Fishfinge-r (Adam) – Gnome Thief / 1
Nyneva Parsay (Francine) – Half-Elf Cleric of Benyar / 1
Rolando (Paul) – Human Fighter / 1

Voted Most Valuable Player:

Dumbarton Oaks

GM notes:

Not bad for a rusty first adventure. The characters made it to Frandor’s Keep, got some rooms, registered their party, and killed their first Kobold patrol.

There were some rules errors. Combat was frankly a shambles, for which I apologize. We’ll get it better next time.

Also, I should have been giving players temporal honor adjustments as we went, which I totally neglected to do.

For the record, here’s the calculated temporal honor and experience points earned by each character this session:

Dumbarton Oaks – 4 – 731
Kailan – 0 – 621
Liam – 0 – 173
Nyneva – 4 – 139
Rolando – 9 – 601
Rue – 9 – 431

Players have now been given log-in information (check your e-mail). Those who post summaries of the adventure will receive an EP bonus. Extra points for in-character posting.

When you post, be sure to choose the category “Adventure Reports”.

Also, please be sure to put your character’s name at the top, so we know who’s writing!

thom