Game summary for December 8, 2011, In Search of Adventure campaign, Keep on the Borderlands adventure; present characters included Nicholae Dragos (cleric priest) and Theobald Goblinbane (dwarf swordmaster).
Once back in the Keep, the party released the halfling retainer Archibald Baker from his contract. They decided to hire on some more experience help from the tavern. Inside, they negotiated with Florencia Sekula, a young and attractive Thyatian woman with skill using the long bow. After haggling over her retainer fees, she agreed to join the team. Next, they spoke with a mountain of a Traladaran, Borislav Petrovic. At 6-foot-4, 273 pounds, and thick accent, Borislav seemed just the type of intimidation and muscle the team needed. Encouraged by his enthusiasm to break goblins and other creatures, they hired him on. Finally, they negotiated terms with Symeon Xenakis, a male Thyatian cleric with military experience. They were particularly intrigued by his spellcasting talent and skill with the mace.
Thus equipped, the new team included Nicholae Dragos (cleric), Theobald Goblinbane (dwarf), Borislav Petrovic (fighter), Elasha (elf), Florencia Sekula (fighter), Ma’Kala (cleric), Symeon Xenakis (cleric), Thyra Delvewalker (dwarf), and Wuldric Mineshield (dwarf). The team set out back toward the Caves of Chaos to explore a mysterious entrance on the third tier.
The team found the entrance surrounded by twisted and blighted trees. The hewn rock walls were of red and black veined stone. From within, they could hear moaning and shrill piping sounds. Cautiously, the dwarves examined the entrance for stonework traps and found nothing. Ma’Kala ignited a torch, and the team began their delve. As they walked along, their footsteps and creaking armor echoed all about. They came to a halt but could still hear echoing footsteps. Moments later, eight cleaver-wielding zombies in red and black uniforms shuffled into the light!
The zombies and the party both reacted at once, with the undead closing in around a tight formation of warriors. Arrows and sling stones sank into putrid flesh while Borislav gleefully diced dead men to pieces. Symeon and Wuldric took an injury or two, but overall the fight was fast and effective. The group searched the bodies, recovering several amulets and then said of few words of prayer over the remains. Confronting a decision to go left or right, they flipped a coin and proceeded to the left. Soon, they came upon a strange intersection of corridors and flipped another coin.
Following this systematic method of exploration, the team found themselves in a side chamber filled with another eight zombies! Again, the team brought the fight to the undead, with Borislav leading the charge. The massive man laid waste to the creatures bolstered by some fine work from Symeon’s mace, Wuldric’s axe, Nicholae’s hammer, and Theobald’s magical spear. Ma’Kala and Florencia kept a steady barrage of ranged attacks while Elasha hurled her spear and darted around the battle attacking with her short sword. Again the party proved victorious.
Now, over a hundred feet into the winding corridors, what will the team discover next?
The above summary is for a game session of Dungeons & Dragons BECMI / RC edition played by the Phoenix Gaming Club.
