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Other Games, Development, & Campaigns => Design, Development, and Gameplay => Topic started by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 30, 2011, 01:01:38 AM

Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 30, 2011, 01:01:38 AM
(http://slnc.me/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/dnd_logo.jpg)

Hello. This is a thread chronicling the events of a new D&D 3.5 campaign just recently begun three weeks ago. I've been playing or DMing roleplaying games since 1982, though most of my gaming experience is with various iterations of Dungeons & Dragons. I have once again taken on the role of "Dungeon Master", and will use this campaign journal as a record of campaign events and treasure inventory.  So now let us enter the Labyrinth....

The Colorful Cast of Characters

* Horatio Tortolla (imurrx): Horatio is a 12th-level Human Artificer. He appears as an nondescript type, hiding a vast arsenal of magical and technological artillery. He retains his reasoned, scientific mind, and takes the cautious approach towards situations. He is the party's magical engineer and primary source of non-magical artillery. He also remains the primary source of magical identification.

* Kratos (imurrx): Kratos is a Warforged, which is an artificial golem-like being transported from the Eberron campaign setting. He's classed as a 7th-level Fighter/5nd-level Warforged Juggernaut, and could be classified as a walking, talking tank. His personality is rather gruff, though he can be reasoned with, and he is infinitely curious about other mechanized beings resembling himself.

* Dante (imurrx): Dante is a Human 7th-level Psychic Warrior. He is Lucy's twin brother, and is almost rabidly protective of her. Dante is a skilled unarmed combatant, with a wide array martial art skills at his disposal. More impressive about him, however, are his psionic powers, which enable him to read objects and see auras. He can even alter his physical form to some degree, though he only does so as a last resort...

* Lucy (MeatLips): Lucy is a 6th-level female Human Swordmaster. She is Dante's twin sister, and the first thing you'll notice is her almost unearthly beauty. The second thing you'll notice is that she's dumb as a fucking brick. Despite this, she has a kind nature, and is friendly and approachable. After all this, nobody meeting her would realize that she's an absolute hellcat with a sword, as many monsters and bloodthirsty thugs have learned, much to their sorrow....

* Rufus (MeatLips): Rufus is a 7th-level Human Monk. He is a gifted combatant, skilled in many forms of martial arts. However, the most startling thing about Rufus is the fact that he is the recipient of a most unusual curse, causing him to be transformed into a female whenever splashed by cold water! This bizarre effect can only be countered by warm or hot water. Needless to say, this makes his/her life extremely complicated... :o

* Meatlips (Me): Meatlips is a 6th-level Ikonian Watchdog Fighter. He is an unusual bulldog, being the recipient of a mutation granting him human intelligence and the ability to speak. Despite this mutation, he usually pretends to be an ordinary dog. At one point, he was a former wizard's familiar, and another time acted as a guard dog at Ashlahn Castle. Meatlips is a loyal friend to the PCs, and always looking for a tasty treat. :)

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc258/Sac_Lamb/warforged3-b.jpg?t=1254652923)

To be continued...

Ikonian Watchdog: (http://lambshack.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=threeplus&action=display&thread=24)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 30, 2011, 01:16:56 AM
More detail will be written tomorrow, but here's a pic of the dungeon that was partially explored. You gotta love Dwarvenforge... :)

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg804/scaled.php?server=804&filename=dsc01158k.jpg&res=medium)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 31, 2011, 12:00:27 PM
Continued from before...

The PCs were hanging out at their "Man Cave", when they suddenly heard a faint "knock-knocking" emanating from the other room. They quickly went over to investigate...

It should be noted that Horatio devised a set of "magical doorknobs" that attach themselves to a blank wall when placed against it, creating a magical door. The door creates a gateway, allowing the user to travel to various locales on the same plane of existence.

(http://www.wtv-zone.com/chatterbee/images/hal/door.gif)

The PCs heard knocking at this door.

Needless to say, they were very alarmed....especially when someone or something seemed to be attempting to force its way through the portal. But who or what could be doing this?

The pounding and scratching sounds at the door became more frenzied. Again...another cause of concern.

I believe the PCs knocked on the door at one point, and were rewarded with a similar knocking sound in return. They even peered through the keyhole, seeing a stone wall on the other side, and then suddenly a huge head was blocking their view, with a huge eye glaring back at them! :eek:

As an experiment, Horatio removed the magical doorknobs and placed them on different sections of the room. He noted that he saw the stone wall through the keyhole when he placed it against the same wall as before, regardless of which magical doorknob he used. Creating a magical door anywhere else in the room was different. They would peer through the keyhole, and only see a gray mist. As a result of all this, they finally decided to open one of the magical doors, and stride though....

....and found themselves here.

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg208/scaled.php?server=208&filename=dsc01155l.jpg&res=medium)

They were inside of a very large chamber with an arched doorway inexplicably standing in the center of the room.

Here's another view of it...

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg225/scaled.php?server=225&filename=dsc01154vs.jpg&res=medium)

At this point, the PC's began to examine the door, and explore the rest of the room. This went on for a while, until they heard a scrambling sound from the other room, and a dull "thud". One of the closed doors began to open of their own volition....
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: ggroy on October 31, 2011, 12:15:35 PM
Cool dungeons.
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Benoist on October 31, 2011, 02:19:21 PM
Cool DF setups. :)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on October 31, 2011, 02:25:10 PM
Wow. That looks incredible. How much did that set cost you?
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 31, 2011, 02:27:19 PM
Quote from: ggroy;487242Cool dungeons.

Quote from: BenoistCool DF setups.

Thank you, kind sirs. :) I'm trying to decide what Dwarvenforge set to purchase next. There's also a possibility that I'll pick up some Dungeonstone miniature dungeons, which remains a much cheaper alternative. I haven't quite made up my mind yet.... :hmm:

Dwarvenforge is super-awesome, but it's prohibitively expensive. Therefore, I'm thinking of printing up and designing my own 1-inch-grid two-dimensional maps, and supplementing that with miniature props....like mini chairs, chests, tables, fireplaces, etc. That would make things easier for me, because I could conveniently transport it. For now though, we're enjoying this dungeon crawl in the game room/dining room. :)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 31, 2011, 02:37:26 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;487264Wow. That looks incredible. How much did that set cost you?

It is incredible. ;) And very, very expensive. I paid hundreds of dollars for what you see in these pictures. I have not purchased any Dwarvenforge Mastermaze for several years, but I plan on purchasing another set today.

Here's the Dwarvenforge website, and you'll see these sets there, many of which are unfortunately sold out... :(

http://www.dwarvenforge.com/

There are five different sets combined on my table right now, plus many different accessaries...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on October 31, 2011, 03:12:03 PM
Quote from: Sacrificial Lamb;487270It is incredible. ;) And very, very expensive. I paid hundreds of dollars for what you see in these pictures. I have not purchased any Dwarvenforge Mastermaze for several years, but I plan on purchasing another set today.

Here's the Dwarvenforge website, and you'll see these sets there, many of which are unfortunately sold out... :(

http://www.dwarvenforge.com/

There are five different sets combined on my table right now, plus many different accessaries...

I take it this is something you build over time rather than purchase all at once. I've  never seen a completed set like this. Very nice. At some point I need to invest in these.
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on October 31, 2011, 03:27:08 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;487282I take it this is something you build over time rather than purchase all at once. I've  never seen a completed set like this. Very nice. At some point I need to invest in these.

I built it up over time. And it is an investment. A person could easily sell some of the sets that are out of stock for considerably more than their original price.

Just beware. There's a reason they call Dwarvenforge..."the Addiction". You can never buy just one.... ;)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 01, 2011, 11:47:10 PM
I purchased another Dwarvenforge set today. Just couldn't resist. :) Well, let's continue with the campaign journal...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 02, 2011, 01:43:52 AM
...continued from before.

The door opens, and on the other side peers a towering humanoid with the head of a hyena!

(http://www.plasticrypt.com/bestiary/images/6/66/Gnoll_med.jpg)

Protectively standing just behind it is an even larger creature. It's a hulking, white-furred ape...with four enormous arms. It scowls at the PC's...

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSs2bX13hVc/SpC3W6Xau7I/AAAAAAAABTs/fCL-rOIQRa8/s320/whiteape.jpg)

The hyena-headed creature seems alarmed and ill-tempered at the presence of the party...

Hyena-Headed Creature:
"Who are you?! What are you doing here?"
Horatio: "What?! What is this place? Did you bring us here?"

A boar (or warthog) then limps over next to the creature, making some snuffling sounds..

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/art/dict/thumb/warthog.gif)

Horatio, Lucy, and the rest of the group proceed to parley with the creature.

Since I'm kinda tired, I'll finish this up tomorrow, so.....to be continued. ;)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 02, 2011, 02:01:33 PM
....continued from before, yet again.

The PC's parley with the creature. They discover that the hyena-headed humanoid is named Fnord....who then tells them that the four-armed gorilla creature is named Fang, and the boar/warthog is called Limper.

Further discussion continues about the nature of this place, though Lucy and Rufus initially have to prevent Meatlips from charging headlong into the other room, right at that warthog. Fnord tells them this place is known as "the Labrynth". It's a series of elaborate dungeons constructed within the Ethereal Plane, presumably by the Norse god, Loki, and some other obscure god named Nore.

Fnord tells the PC's that he and his companions were brought here against their will.

While all this is going on...the party's canine companion, Meatlips nudges open another door, forcing his way in. Rufus runs after him, in an attempt to stop him.

Rufus: "Meaty! What are you doing? Stop it."
Meatlips: (plaintive whine)"But I smell treats!"

They enter this chamber...

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg838/scaled.php?server=838&filename=dsc01151j.jpg&res=medium)

Meatlips is frantically sniffing all the room, exploring everything...with Rufus desperately trying to stop him. They make their way to the table, where Meaty is about to leap up onto the table in order to scope everything out. Rufus is finally able to persuade and physically drag the dejected mutt away from the table, who reluctantly complies. It is then, when they walk back to the door, that Meatlips steps onto that circular pattern on the floor....over in the middle of the room. The circle fills with flames.....

Meatlips yelps in pain, leaping back.....and a fiery being emerges from the circle....

(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc258/Sac_Lamb/fire_elemental-2-1.jpg?t=1320256765)

To be continued...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Narf the Mouse on November 02, 2011, 07:24:38 PM
...And promptly wants to borrow a cup of water? :)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Benoist on November 02, 2011, 08:13:48 PM
I got 18 Dwarven Forge sets in all. I would like to get more at some point. This is an addictive passtime. And yes, this is a collection you build over a long period of time. You don't rush and spend thousands of dollars in two weeks on those things. It's done bit by bit, over years and years like you build an RPG collection.
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 02, 2011, 11:25:40 PM
Quote from: Benoist;487820I got 18 Dwarven Forge sets in all. I would like to get more at some point. This is an addictive passtime. And yes, this is a collection you build over a long period of time. You don't rush and spend thousands of dollars in two weeks on those things. It's done bit by bit, over years and years like you build an RPG collection.

Eighteen?! Holy cow. You win, man. :o
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: imurrx on November 03, 2011, 10:40:31 PM
You should have called the thread "Enter the Lambrinth"

Those sets you have are just crazy. I still think we should use the magnetic tiles system. Cheaper and easier to set up. I will post a thread about it if we plunge into building it.
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: imurrx on November 06, 2011, 02:09:26 AM
We need to redo Dante's death.

We forgot about Sentinel, Dante's sword

http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=17872

Looks like may have not ran away after all.
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 07, 2011, 04:08:59 PM
Quote from: imurrx;488337We need to redo Dante's death.

We forgot about Sentinel, Dante's sword

http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=17872

Looks like may have not ran away after all.

I did indeed forget about that, and that detail might change everything. You should have remembered that though, because it's your character. I'll update this journal, and then we'll figure something out...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 07, 2011, 05:00:11 PM
Shit. I wrote a long post, and my computer ate it. Back to the drawing board.. :(
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 07, 2011, 05:13:33 PM
....continued from before. Again. :rant:

The PC's leap back in surprise at the arrival of this fiery creature. It seems to be a Fire Elemental, and it appears to be...hostile. Horatio tries reasoning with it in Elven...

Horatio: "Stop! We come in peace." :cool:
Fire Elemental: "Dieeee, Elf Kin!!" :rant:

It's in no mood to play nice. The Fire Elemental rushes across the room, and viciously attacks Horatio. Rufus and Meatlips leap aside, to avoid getting french-fried.

While the creature attacks Horatio, he is finding it incredibly difficult to focus on using his abilities when the Fire Elemental is right in his face, so he comes up with a plan, and retreats to the relative safety of the pool of water on the other side of the room. He leaps over here:

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg809/scaled.php?server=809&filename=dsc01157n.jpg&res=medium)

The creature stops in its tracks, seemingly not to keen on attacking Horatio when he is immersed in the waters of the pool. The other PC's enter the room, and the Fire Elemental then switches targets, turning its attentions to Rufus and Meatlips.

To be continued...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 07, 2011, 05:31:04 PM
The creature frantically attacks the PCs, so Horatio casts the infusion, Censure Elementals, and the elemental recoils in pain. The other characters flee towards the pool of water, while Horatio makes a successful Intimidate skill check on it..

Horatio: "Cease your attack...now!"
Fire Elemental: (cowering) "Enough! You are killing me! End the spell, and I will trouble you no more.."

The creature is crudely speaking in the Common tongue now, and they parley with it. They eventually order it to leave, and it does so by entering the circle, and vanishing in a swirling whirlwind of fire...

The Warforged, Kratos, notices that Fnord and his sidekicks have left, exiting via another doorway, while the other characters examine the room, and find some loot.

INVENTORY

ITEM..............................................................................................................................VALUE

* Magic Mushrooms [as potion of cure light wounds] (10).........................................50 gp each
* Jars of Blue Paste [as potion of bull's strength] (6).........................................300 gp each
* Divination Deck (divination spell, 3/day).......................................................30,000 gp

End of session. :)
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 07, 2011, 06:35:31 PM
Next session begins...

The characters decide to go off, and locate Fnord and his comrades. They enter the other room where Fnord went, and see this:

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg6/scaled.php?server=6&filename=dsc01159ps.jpg&res=medium)

The characters hear chanting, possibly by Fnord, on the other side of that portcullis.

Fang suddenly appears.

He glares at them from the other side of the portcullis. The PCs try to talk to him, with Lucy trying to gently placate the beast, but instead he grabs the bars of the portcullis, and stares down at them. Meatlips looks up at the great white ape, and lets loose a low growl in his throat, and then Kratos steps forward, coldly staring into the Fang's eyes. The two try to stare each other down....

The PCs then hear Fnord's voice...

Fnord: "Fang! Get over here!"

Fang steps away from the portcullis, and his sinuous bulk disappears when he moves around the corner.

To be continued...
Title: Enter The Labyrinth...
Post by: Sacrificial Lamb on November 10, 2011, 01:24:10 PM
...continued.

Dante decides to investigate the activities on the other side of the portcullis, and assumes ectoplasmic form. He squeezes through the bars, and sees....

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg507/scaled.php?server=507&filename=dsc01168g.jpg&res=medium)

......Fnord, Fang, and Limper hunched over by the altar in this chamber.

To be continued tonight....