DCC Session Recap: 11/22/2024 Gongaii

Summary

Deep in the countryside near Stone Tooth mountain, reports of missing farmers and their families drew the attention of a brave party of adventurers. Local farmers spoke of orc raids and people being forcibly taken away, with tracks leading westward. The party’s investigation led them to rumors of a dragon’s lair with a hidden entrance near a lake, connected to a warlock named Ferazin.

After hours of searching the lakeside, the group discovered a mysterious hole with slick sides. When Meaht ventured to investigate, they encountered four undead orcs, leading to a fierce battle where the wizard’s flame aura spell caused unexpected damage. During this intense combat, Brendon fell but was fortunately restored by a cleric’s healing magic. Once the zombie-like orcs were defeated, the party ventured deeper into a dark cave passage that descended into the mountainside, where they detected a sulfurous smell and the sound of running water.

As they pressed forward, the adventurers found themselves in a vast cave system containing the dragon’s lair. They discovered an impressive treasure hoard situated on an island in an underground lake, and their hobbit companion daringly managed to retrieve a mythril greataxe, a shield bearing a griffin emblem, and a satchel containing 500 coins. Their theft did not go unnoticed, however, and Greeshak the Black Scaled, the dragon, attacked with devastating green acidic flame, claiming the lives of two party members. Four survivors managed to escape with their plundered treasures, fleeing from the dragon’s pursuing form with its menacing glowing red eyes.

In the aftermath of their harrowing adventure, the surviving party members took time to identify and sell their magical findings. The dwarven shield and great axe, crafted by the legendary smith Durgeddin, proved particularly valuable. The group divided their total spoils of 525 gold pieces and gems, then decided to try their luck at carousing. Unfortunately, their attempt to gain extra experience points through their revels resulted in the loss of most of their newly acquired wealth due to poor rolls.

Scenes

Investigation of Missing Farmers

• Farmers report 7-8 families missing in last two weeks
• Farms found pillaged with tracks leading west to Stone Tooth
• Learn about Ferazin, an ex-adventurer who disappeared in dragon’s lair

Discovery of Dragon’s Lair Entrance

• Party searches Eastern Lake shore for hidden entrance
• Failed prayer to nature goddess for guidance
• Eventually find mysterious hole with slick sides
• Meaht investigates hole with rat sack
• Encounter four undead orcs
• Dave Joker casts flame aura spell, accidentally damaging allies
• Multiple characters engage in melee with zombie-like orcs
• Brendon gets bitten and knocked down by zombies
• Paul the ceric heals Brendon with lay on hands
• Brendon dramatically rises and throws a zombie into a wizard’s fire aura
• The party defeats all the zombies

Exploration of Dragon’s Cave

• Party enters Underground Cave Passage, 7-foot wide circular cave
• They discover the passage is slippery with some kind of residue
• They travel several hundred feet into the cave
• They detect a sulfurous smell and warmth
• They hear water sounds and see glinting ahead in the lantern light
• They mark the entrance with chalk and dead rats
• Find underground stream and lake
• Find island with treasure pile 50 feet away
• Spot piles of gold, silver, gems, mythril greataxe, and shield
• Meaht the hobbit swims across to retrieve treasure

Dragon Encounter and Escape

• Large creature splashes into water
• Dragon attacks with green acidic flame
• Dave Joker the wizard and Brendon the warrior are killed
• Four survivors escape with some treasure
• Dragon pursues with glowing red eyes

Treasure Assessment and Distribution

• Party identifies items through a sage for 20 gold total (10 gold per item)
• Shield identified as a +1 shield made by Durgeddin
• Great axe identified as a +2 mythril weapon by Durgeddin
• Shield worth 500 gold
• Sage offers 1000 gold for the great axe
• Party divides 525 gold total (450 gold pieces, 50 silver, sapphire worth 50 gold, garnet worth 25 gold)
• Each party member receives 88 gold
• Each party member gains 6 XP
• Party engages in carousing mechanics to gain extra XP
• Group spends increasing amounts of gold on dice rolls
• Final roll results in failure, leaving them with 1 XP gain and lost gold
• Each member spends about 43 gold on carousing

NPCs

Ferazin

Ex-adventurer who disappeared in dragon’s lair months ago, now apparently working with the dragon as a warlock

Undead Orcs

Rotting orc warriors encountered at the cave entrance and throughout the area, moving slowly with axes. These zombie-like creatures are capable of biting and potentially infecting victims. Several were encountered and defeated in combat.

Greeshak the Black Scaled

Female dragon living in the cave system, known for killing adventurers who try to steal her treasure. Attacks with green acidic flame and has glowing red eyes.

Durgeddin

Legendary dwarven smith from centuries ago, known for his exceptional craftsmanship. His smithy was located under the mountain/Stone Tooth but has been lost for centuries. His items are highly valued and renowned among warriors.

Locations

Stone Tooth

Tall steep hill with bare rock knob at top, thin spire of smoke visible, has narrow winding road up mountainside

Eastern Lake

Reservoir-like body of water on eastern side of Stone Tooth, contains hidden entrance to dragon’s lair

Underground Cave Passage

A 7-foot wide circular passage descending into a mountainside, covered in slimy residue and emanating sulfurous smells. The passage extends hundreds of feet with a slight downward slope.

Dragon’s Cave

Hidden cave system with slimy floors, containing underground stream and lake with treasure island. Cave shows signs of regular dragon passage with worn grooves in the rock.

Spells

Flame Aura

Magic shield spell that creates a 5-foot radius of red flames around caster, dealing 3 points of damage to nearby allies and setting surrounding foliage on fire

Lay on Hands

Healing ability used by a cleric to restore hit points to injured party members, with potential complications when healing those of different alignments

Mending

Spell used to repair and clean a sword, with an additional magical effect allowing the caster to use ESP alone for casting

Items

Mythril Great Axe +2

A powerful two-handed weapon crafted by Durgeddin. Made of mythril with potential additional abilities. Worth 1000 gold pieces.

Griffin Shield +1

Pristine shield featuring a rampant red griffin on a yellow sun background, appears newly forged despite age. crafted by Durgeddin, smith of Stone Tooth. Bears his maker’s mark and worth 500 gold pieces.