Blackthorn's Dungeon

[drathe]

ok......why did this move from our quest we made to daleks???im no mod but i think that this is off topic idk im just used to other forums like my forum in my signature,im ust kinda used to freeforums like this one http://www.minebuilder.freeforums.org

The tangents some topics switch to are often part of the fun. But not to worry. Another dungeon report will surely put the thread back on track.

[Fonzie Son of Blackthorn]

Is this topic a sticky? Because it seems to be staying on the top.

Late edit: Grammar!!

[Blackthorn]

Tired of waiting for his fellow adventures, Sonic The Barbarian decided to take off to the great white north for some adventure of his own (The Frozen Horror Quest 1). Taking along a crossbow-wielding mercenary at Mentor's insistence, he entered though the iron door and headed bravely into the frozen labyrinth, his objective simply to find his way out...and maybe get some loot along the way . Sonic and the crossbowman (sounds like a band) were quite successful at first, though the Barbarian took quite a beating from a few skeleton pairs that popped up unexpectedly (this quest has wandering monster traps).



The real surprise came when Sonic encountered another crossbowman, this one in the employ of Chaos. Unfortunately, upon entering the room the Barbarian slipped on the icy floor and the two opposing crossbowmen were left to take aim at one another (I used the red mercenary for the good guy, gray for evil).



By the time he regained his footing, Sonic's companion had been defeated (prompting my son to ask "why are these guys weaker than the Wizard?). Luckily, the evil crossbowman surrendered upon Sonic's first attack, giving up his weapon in exchange for his life.

The remainder of the adventure proved to be quite taxing for the warrior. His new ranged weapon allowed him to defeat the powerful Polar Warbear, but one of the sneaky Ice Gremlins made off with his trusty broadsword. In the end, Sonic made it to the wooden exit door, but if not for a healing potion, some lucky dice rolls and the rule-defying presence of the mercenary, things would have certainly turned out more grim. Hopefully, he will appreciate the presence of his trusted companions during the next adventure.

[jimmeuh]

Again great quest!

Nice to see your son so motivated!

Bring it on!

[Sjeng]

nice read always good to see pictures! keep em coming!

[Blackthorn]

This was the first time we used the Barbarian Quest Pack, and having new miniatures, cards and tiles was really fun after owning only the game system for many years. My son laid out all of the sixteen monster cards and referred to them frequently. I bent the rules a bit and let him hire mercenaries as I knew the quest would be difficult for a single hero without a lot of extra weapons and armor (he only has a shield). I even stuck a mercenary in halfway through the game when things were looking grim. It saved his skin, but cost him all of his gold. Good thing they never encountered the Yeti!

Having a mercenary tag along for the solo quest was somewhat of a mixed bag. Of course he was helpful in combat situations, but using him to open doors did not turn out well as mercenaries take their turn after the hero, so the monsters would always get to attack before the Barbarian did. Their inability to search was also problematic, and in retrospect it might have been better to take along another hero.

My son actually asked if he could have Sir Ragnar accompany his Barbarian instead of the mercenary, so maybe he'd enjoy using the recently rescued knight as a modified hero if we play the other two "solo" quests.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Thanks for the welcomes!

I didn't have e-mail notifications on, sorry for the delay in replying. Having a great time with the game, and playing with our kids just adds to the fun!

[Blackthorn]

Tonight the heroes, now dubbed "The Fellowship of the Pointy Stick", reunited and entered the Lair of the Orc Warlord to destroy Ulag who was responsible for Sir Ragnar's imprisonment.

It seemed ages before they got past the first room. Apparently several goblins were having breakfast around a rather large table that took up half the room. Throw in a wandering orc and a fimir blocking the exit, and things got a bit crowded.

Astrid the Elf (my daughter) was cautious at first, but later chose to venture into the hallway and open the next door. Simon the Dwarf (JT's son) joked that the small room probably contained another table and therefore would not have room for any monsters . Unfortunately for Astrid, the door led to what became known as the "Orc Closet":



The heroes managed to fight their way through the dungeon successfully, although Simon needed two healing potions and a Water of Healing spell due to some fierce combat and unlucky dice rolls. Sonic the Barbarian (my son) finallly chose to stay with the group, and their tactical planning led to some unique configurations, including a "conga line" in Ulag's chamber:



Eventually, Ulag and his allies were defeated, and in no small part to more careful spell casting and surprisingly successful use of the dagger (the so-called "pointy stick") from Tim the Enchanter (JT) .

BUT...just when it seemed the quest was over, the impetuous Sonic decided to open the door in Ulag's chamber, despite his companions objections ("It might be another evil table" said Simon). Spotting the chest in the corner of the small room, Sonic rushed in without heeding his friends warnings to search for traps first. Alas, just before he reached the chest, the floor beneath him crumbled and the wounded barbarian perished needlessly, a victim of his own recklessness.

Tim the Enchanter had joked throughout the quest about "searching for wandering monsters", and in the final room, with the Barbarian gone and the chest unopened, Tim decided to conduct a search.

Guess what he found?

Tim and Simon managed to defeat the orc, thanks in no part to Astrid who was already halfway towards the spiral staircase by this time ("You guys got this" she said reassuringly). With the reward from Prince Magnus split three ways, Tim the Enchanter could finally purchase the staff he had his eye on, along with an extra dagger for ranged attacks. Simon considered buying a broadsword, but decided to continue saving towards a crossbow (he did get a Fender Squier Stratocaster from my daughter though).

The Fellowship of the Pointy Stick shall reunite again, this time with a new (and hopefully more cautious) Barbarian among their ranks...and perhaps a fifth hero!

[jimmeuh]

Great storytelling Blackthorn!
Looking forward to the next quest of your party!

[Blackthorn]

When something bad happens, we tend to label it a "learning experience". This could be said for the Fellowship of the Pointy Stick (this time consisting of my son, JT and his two kids) as they fumbled their way through Quest 4: Prince Magnus' Gold.

The treasure cards had been particularly cruel this time (I think JT has to stop saying "I search for wandering monsters") and apparently the heroes were so anxious to find the gold that they forgot to sreach for traps. Elfita the Elf (JT's daughter, name courtesy of her little brother) decided to search the small room at the end of the hall, fell into a trap, climbed out, searched for treasure and found a Fimir . Simon the Dwarf went to assist her, was unsuccessful in jumping over the pit, got clobbered by the Fimir, and fell into the pit again on his way back. Meanwhile, the Barbarian (my son) was busy in another hallway setting off all of the traps and getting beaten up by his own wandering Fimir, inexplicably postponing his exit from a pit and sacrificing one attack die and one defend die as a result.

By the time the party reached the center room, the Barbarian was not among them, the Wizard Tim the Enchanter had the highest body points, and all of the healing spells had been used up. Tim, always prudent in his use of spells, used his Sleep spell on the Orc guarding the inner chamber.



Alas, somehow the heroes managed to roll ones and twos on their movement dice and the Orc was soon wide awake to greet them, refreshed from his little nap.
When the center room was revealed and the occupants surveyed, the fellowship knew they would probably be even fewer in number when...and if... they left with the gold.



Sure enough, Tim the Enchanter's trusty Genie spell was put to good use, successfully dispatching Gulthor the Chaos Warrior , but when the battle was finished, Tim, the brave and noble Wizard, was the only living thing in the entire dungeon, aside from a tailless rat on the cupboard.

Still, it was not a total loss. Prince Magnus' gold was indeed recovered and Simon's gold will be used to purchase a fine crossbow for his successor. We can also reflect on a few lighthearted moments during the quest:

(Upon seeing the torture rack) "My, what a curious bed."

"Don't worry about the Fimir. One eye...no depth perception"

"Who designed this place?"

"I'm down to zero body points."
"Do you have any spells left?"
"Just 'Pass through Rock'."
"I'm afraid you'll be using that to pass through the ceiling on your way to heaven"

As for Zargon, he went bowling and never broke 100.