The Belowdowners welcomed a new companion, the ifrit alchemist Junie, before descending to the unexplored thirteenth floor of the dungeon. Their exploration was cut short when poking a pile of bones animated a horde of eight drow and duergar skeletons. The ensuing battle was a desperate struggle for survival. Junie and Bufo were struck down, and the party was forced into a hasty retreat, dragging their unconscious friends up the stairs to safety. After a tense series of attempts, they managed to stabilize their companions—one revived by a timely potion, the other by Wolf’s uniquely effective, if unpleasant, CPR.
Beaten but not broken, the party returned to town to rest and recover their strength. With renewed resolve, they descended once more to face their skeletal foes. This time, they employed a clever strategy, using a doorway as a chokepoint with Wolf and his shield wall holding the line. The battle was long and grueling, a bitter back-and-forth of blows and spells. Though they fought valiantly and ultimately cleared the room, victory came at a terrible price: Bufo fell in battle, this time for good.
After laying their friend to rest, or rather, packing his body to be cooked later, they met a new ally in town: Mantis, a changeling monk. The newly-formed party ventured back into the dungeon, exploring deeper until they entered a chamber filled with statues. Their caution was warranted, as two gargoyles sprang to life and attacked. The fight was another brutal affair that saw the newcomer Mantis knocked unconscious twice. Through sheer persistence, alchemical slimes, and force of arms, the Belowdowners finally crushed the stone guardians, ending the session victorious but weary from their deadly trials.
OUTLINE:
Descent and Ambush on the 13th Floor
- The party decided to explore the 13th floor of the dungeon.
- Junie, an Ifrit alchemist, joined the group.
- They entered a room filled with skeletons, which animated and attacked after one was poked.
- The party was overwhelmed in the ambush; Junie and Bufo were knocked unconscious.
Hasty Retreat and Recovery
- The party retreated up a nearby staircase, dragging their dying companions.
- After failed attempts, they stabilized Junie with a healing potion.
- Wolf successfully revived the other downed member with CPR.
- The group decided to return to town to rest and recover fully.
Return, Revenge, and a Tragic Loss
- After resting, the party returned to the 13th floor to face the skeletons again.
- Wolf used his shield wall ability to create a choke point in the doorway.
- A long, tactical battle ensued, with the party eventually defeating all eight skeletons.
- During the fight, Bufo was killed, marking the party’s first permanent death.
Loot, a New Ally, and More Exploration
- The party looted valuable dark mithril chainmail and other treasures from the skeletons.
- They returned to town, sold the loot for a large sum of gold, and bought a horse for extra inventory.
- A new character, Mantis the changeling monk, was introduced and joined the party.
- The newly-formed group went back into the dungeon to continue exploring.
The Battle of the Gargoyles
- The party entered a room filled with statues of dwarves and goblin-ish elves.
- Two of the statues animated, revealing themselves to be gargoyles, and attacked.
- Mantis was knocked unconscious twice during the difficult fight.
- The party defeated the gargoyles using teamwork and Junie’s bottled slime.
- Finding nothing else of value, they returned to town to carouse, which involved cooking Bufo’s body.
NPCs:
- Famous Bard Ally: A renowned bard who befriended the party after they led an entire tavern in a wildly insulting song about a disliked noble and shared their… unique frog leg soup.
ITEMS:
- Bottled Slime: An alchemical concoction created by Junie. When thrown, it covers a target in corrosive slime that deals damage over several rounds. It proved highly effective against the stone gargoyles.
- Dark Mithril Chainmail: Valuable, lightweight chainmail worn by the drow skeletons. It has the strange property of dissolving when exposed to sunlight, making it valuable but difficult to transport.
- Horse: A riding horse purchased by the party to increase their carrying capacity for loot and equipment. It has 15 inventory slots and is usually left outside the dungeon during expeditions.
- Phylactery: A platinum amulet containing a yellow, cracked molar. Believed to be the soul-battery of a necromancer, it is currently worn by Wolf, who feels a burning desire to keep it safe on his person.
LOCATIONS:
- Dungeon – 13th Floor: A dusty and dangerous level of the dungeon, featuring rooms with Elvish graffiti, a ruined armory, and a central shaft echoing with the sounds of ‘hooting horrors’ from below. It was the site of the party’s deadly encounters with skeletons and gargoyles.
- The Town: The party’s main hub for rest, recovery, and commerce. They return here to sell loot, buy supplies like potions and horses, and recruit new allies. It’s also where they carouse to celebrate their victories.
FACTIONS:
- Thieves Guild: A local criminal organization in town. The party has managed to avoid being robbed by them thanks to spending a large amount of gold while carousing.
QUESTS:
- Explore the Dungeon: The party’s primary objective is to delve into the depths of the mysterious multi-level dungeon, facing its monstrous inhabitants and uncovering its secrets and treasures.
PLAYER CHARACTERS
- Bufo: A small, frog-like Gripply adventurer. His curiosity led him to poke a pile of bones, triggering a deadly skeleton ambush. Though he was revived from this first encounter, he was not so lucky the second time and was slain permanently in the party’s victorious return. His body was brought back to town and, supposedly per his wishes, cooked into frog leg soup during a rowdy carouse.
- Fen: A unique Tiefling mutant and performer who fights with a spiky, extendable pseudopod that lashes out at enemies from a distance. Their ‘hideous biology’ allows them to contort and squeeze through tight cracks. They have taken on the ‘hole/crack’ exploration mantle from the late Bufo.
- Junie: An Ifrit alchemist who recently joined the Belowdowners. She is a master of concoctions, capable of creating a variety of potent flasks from bottled slime to healing salves, though her success rate can be inconsistent. Her contributions in combat, particularly with damaging flasks, have proven vital to the party’s survival.
- Mantis: A changeling monk and acrobat who joined the party after Bufo’s death. Currently appearing as a black-and-white splotched Tiefling, Mantis is a performer who eagerly jumps into battle to punch things. His career with the Belowdowners started rough, as he was knocked unconscious twice in his very first fight against a pair of gargoyles.
- Wolf: An Orc warrior who serves as the party’s main tank. He wields a longsword and is known for his signature ‘shield wall’ tactic. As a former ship captain, he has some unexpected skills like CPR, though his foul breath makes the experience unpleasant for the recipient. He currently carries the phylactery and is strangely protective of it.
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