frp

This was a Good Party adventure run some time in 1983. It consisted of a series of unrelated wilderness encounters as the party crossed the pass over the Border Mountains from the elven city of Larinday to the Sea of Sand.

The numbers in the text below represent the day number of the crossing (which the party did on foot).

I have a vague recollection of this being a boring session – and a reread of the encounters makes it clear why. There is no rhyme or reason to any of them, and most offer nothing entertaining to the players (or the DM). I will have to assume it was ignorance or politeness that allowed my players to put up with it.

1) At the end of the day, 6 SU-MONSTERS (AC 6, MV 9“, HD 5+5, #AT 5, D (d4)x4, 2d4, hp 36, 31, 4×25) will approach the party curiously. At the first rude or violent action, all 6 will attack. They have no treasure.

2) Just after lunch, 7 TROLLS (AC 4, MV 12”, HD 6+6, #AT 3, D d4+4/ d4+4/2d6, hp 38, 37, 35, 34, 31, 30, 28) will wander by and attack. They have no treasure. See addendum.

3) Uneventful day - Reaches edge of forest.

4) First day in mountains. Just after midnight, 12 WOLVES (…) will approach and encircle the campsite. Their howling will be heard several minutes prior to approach. They will not attack unless attacked and will leave after about one hour. If fed some meat, they will leave. No treasure.

5)-7) Continuing in the mountains. Uneventful.

8) In the late afternoon, 5 PERYTONS (…) will be seen atop an 85 foot cliff. They will immediately dive to attack. In their lair is a recently killed human male wearing leather armor, wearing a +1 Ring of Protection, has a Shield, and 2 fire opals (1000 gp ea.).

9) Late in the evening as the party is breaking up to sleep, 4 HIPPOGRIFFS (…) will fly past. They will not attack unless attacked and have no treasure.

10) As the party wakes and prepares to set off, 3 ETTINS (…) will spot them and begin approaching for combat. If tracked back to their lair (a cave nearby), a 190g p wrought platinum necklace and 300 gp will be found.

11)-15) Uneventful except for completing the dungeon on day 12. See: Updated "Cave of the Giants"

16) In the Valley of the Gnomes – Only encounter is with 15 GNOMES early on. They will greet the party peacefully.

17)-25) Uneventful. Mountains getting higher. September arrives.

26) Early in the morning, a GIANT EAGLE (no combat expected) will fly by and stop to talk. He will generally be curious about the party and ask them whether they have anything to do with the “ugly guys that flew by earlier.” This refers to the 1/2orc and his gargoyle friends that travelled by here to get to the Tomb (see day 72). The eagle knows only that they were “ugly humanoids with wings.”

27)-29) Uneventful. Scrying on day 28.¹⁾

30) As evening approaches, a WEREBEAR (no combat expected) will wander by to see what's going on. He will be generally rude until the party responds nicely. If attacked, he will fight back, but will not initiate any combat. He knows nothing important and will leave as soon as possible.

31) Late in the morning, 12 OGRES (…) will see the party and decide to have some fun and throw rocks and/or fight them. The leader carries a potion of Healing (but doesn't know it) and they have 500 gp total.

32)-36) Uneventful.

37) Near the end of the day (Just after dark), the party will see a “torchlight” or “camp fire” off in the distance. Careful observation will determine it to be moving (just as if it were a torch). If the party follows, they will be “led” to thge edge of a 30' cliff where the torch will seem to go out. The point where the light went out is an overhang and is very unstable. Any person approaching will trigger a fall of 30'. If a second person is close behind, he/she must save vs. dexterity or also fall. This torchlight is in actuality a WILL-O-WISP (…) which blanked out just before going off the cliff. As soon as one person falls, it will attack. Nearby is a small cave with another WILL-O-WISP (…) as well as 12 recently dead animals and a dead Half-Elf with 200pp and a magical mace. The mace is +1+2 normally and +2 vs. any form of undead. Also, it functions as a minor mace of disruption (effects undead as if it were a 4th level cleric). Only a good character can wield it properly.

38) Near mid-day, a GIANT GOAT (…) will be seen. It will not attack and most likely will flee from any threat.

39) Fairly late in the evening, 6 WORGS (…) will be encountered. They will begin by howling which has a 50% chance to panic any horses, then they will attack from all sides.

40)-51) Uneventful. Reaches half-way point.

52) Mid-afternoon: 4 STONE GIANTS (…) will wander by on a hunting expedition. They will be spotted at 18“ distance and will take great sport in throwing rocks at the party. Besides their clubs, they carry 1000 sp and various boring giant-like items.

53)-54) Uneventful. October arrives.

55) Around noon, 3 suspicious WERETIGERS (…) will be encountered. They will not, however, attack (Nor will they talk).

56)-67) Uneventful.

68) Soon after noon, 3 PEGASI (…) will fly past. They will not attack and will generally take no notice of the party.

69)-71) he party will find a well-worn trail, that appears unused, heading in their direction. It leads all the way into the desert and goes directly where the party wishes to go.

72) In a narrow pass between two steep ridges is a 2000 year old (at least) shrine to pay homage to the dead. It is, in actuality, a tomb and has a fair amount of undead. See the detail: Congal's Tomb

73)-77) Uneventful. 73=17 December²⁾

78) Late evening (just around nightfall), a single HIERACOSPHINX (…) will attack the party.

79)-80) Uneventful.

81) Just before noon, the party will pass within 6” of a small cave opening. At this point they will be attacked by 7 GOBLIN GUARDS with slings and stones. No goblins will emerge from their cave into the sunlight and all have 50% cover thus giving them an armor class of 2. This is actually a complete GOBLIN lair with 190 males, 114 females, 190 young, 20 warrior types (hp 7, HD 1), and the chief (hp 8, HD 1+1). See map for day 81. See addendum.

… More coming soon …