Sell Swords and Spell Slingers. Armour fit for a King

Hi!

A continuation of my campaign using Forbidden Lands (FL) and Sell Swords and Spell Slingers (SS&SS). With a little help from The Game Master's book of Random Encounters (TGMRA).

After the attack, the caravan made all haste and reached their destination half a day earlier than planned. The Gnome, Nimbic Baublemaker, paid each member 70 silver pieces each and a bonus of 5 silver pieces (SP). He hoped they would be available when he next moved on. But that would be some time as he had jewellery to make that would take some weeks.

He bade them well and asked them to check in once in a while if they were able.

The party sought out an inn in which to stay. They found a likely place, The Wide-eyed Willow. As they entered a group of hip youngsters were overheard making fun of their attire. Batilde thumped the handle of her axe on the foot of the nearest as they made their way to a table. The fun making stopped.

Rooms booked and a hearty meal later and the party bed down for the night 

A good sleep, breakfast and the party went their separate ways. Places to go, people to see. 

Batilde went round contractors enquiring of her brother.

Sigilla went who knows where.

Halfdan and Old Tom went around taverns, market places and listened in to private conversations where they could..

All met up each night and discussed the talk overheard.

After a few days they decided that two likely tales had possibilities. 

They chose this one to check out:-

In the age of the Blood Mist there was a Rust Brother who sought an artefact due to an ill advised bet. He travelled to a grave in some plains north east of the town near the chapel of the Bloody Handed God.

It is said he was possessed by a demon and was never heard from again. At that location is a suit of armour fit for a king. There Ratkin infest the area causing sickness and death.

The other tale was a place a long way south east with an indistinct location. They would write it down and follow up on it if they were ever down that way.

The scenario is based on the legends section of FL.

The monster cards used were:-

Ratkin; Skeleton (grave yard), Minor Demon (legend of being possessed), wraith (graves again) Lizardman (body of water close by, and I wanted to use the model!)

It took a few days and on the 10th day of their stay they were ready. Supplies bought, Old Tom a spare bow string, Sigilla a shield. Food and drink cost 5sp each. After their lodgings of 20sp each they had little left. Weapons sharpened. They made their way northeast along a lightly trodden road until they came to a fork in the road. This road looked rarely travelled and led to where the chapel was said to be. As they neared the fork and glimpsed the top of the chapel, they saw a sign by the road. 'Beware of EVERYTHING'!

They moved purposefully along the road. Halfdan took the lead with Old Tom by his side, Sigilla and Batilde following behind. Sigilla felt a change in the mana for magic ebb (-2 to magic).

A horde of Ratkin appear in the distance ahead of them (Halfdan failed an act.). Old Tom takes one down with a long shot. Sigilla stepped on a scorpion killing it, all the while moving forward.

Batilde, who was falling behind, picked up the pace and caught up. 

The horde are coming at speed towards the party and a wraith appeared at the chapel  (Halfdan failed 2 activations), brought, no doubt, by the death and psychic disturbances 

Old Tom kills another Ratkin and 3 more are drawn by the clamour.

Old Tom proves his worth and kills another Ratkin. Their spoils await recovery!

The spoils of war lay unclaimed

A lizardman comes out of the water and Sigilla takes a wound from the unexpected attack. The Wraith moves towards Batilde who engages it and deals damage (1 damage, wraith attack) Halfdan joined the fray to aid Batilde causing one damage and is then ambushed by a Ratkin, Old Tom kills the last of the Ratkin and moves to aid Sigilla, and a minor demon is drawn to the chaos.

Halfdan was thwarted in his attack on the wraith but Batilde finishes it off. Sigilla cuts down the Lizardman, after suffering a further wound (she is down to 1 health). The Demon advances but Batilde moves to intercept, and suffers a wound falling into a hole. 

Halfdan cuts down the Ratkin then makes his way to a likely grave, the most extravagant as it is the most likely place to find a treasure fit for a king, the other being the chapel. But the tale said a grave so it's his best guess.

A skeleton appears at the side of the chapel. 

Old Tom shoots the demon causing one wound with a well placed arrow. Batilde attacks the demon and suffers a second wound (low roll and failed armour save)., 

Halfdan opens the grave and finds..no armour. But he does find a gold crown. Definitely fit for a king!

These two pieces only painted this week. I've had them about 40 years!

Batilde is lain low by the demon but Old Tom finishes it off. Halfdan makes his way to Batilde, it's time to go! Old Tom picks up Sigilla and Halfdan, Batilde. They make their way as fast as they could out of the area, all the while being chased by the Ratkin.

Close up of the chasing rat pack.

This was a bit of a struggle for the party as can be seen with two incapacitated having to be carried off. Luckily the out of action rolls for them came up positive.

The monster activation worked quite well. I wanted the monsters primary start point to be at the table end with the chapel. The exceptions were 'they are behind us' and the lizardman who I wanted to come from the lake. He came if any PC was within 4'' of it and a wandering monster card was drawn.

All the minion activations were Ratkin. I didn't want to call them Skaven, too GW. And some types of creature have kin after their name in FL, Wolfkin being one. The only one I think!

One point I must remember is saving rolls. Sigilla having bought a shield never used it when being attacked or failing in attacking (I forgot) which led to her suffering injury. Or, at least, not having a chance to avoid injury. Whereas with Halfdan and Batilde I know they have these saving rolls.

As can be seen, a lot of 'goods' were left behind due to the need to kill things and move on to the next kill. The 'that might come in useful' items were also left due to the urgency of the situation. Only Old Tom had the inclination to search in dangerous situations. And he did. Very lucky man! Some bodies were searched but not many.

I used the FL GM guide search list for carried precious finds when searching the grave. This gave the best option for finding something valuable, golden armour being one of the listed items.

Now, who do we know who might find a golden crown inset with jewels useful?

That's how the luck of dicing can come into things and enhance the story. 

Thanks for stopping by.