aside: There is just something vile about me being the one who cares the most if the PCs are fully upgraded on equipment and their XP totals, so I am offering 25 xp for your character, from theirs, if you upgrade their equipment (buy them good stuff with their gold) and list their XP totals correctly from last adventure.
This reward is still active for the following autopilot characters:
Calling All Adventurers! Party is temporarily full
Adventurers of Lvl 1-3: You are free to use any from any existing Glantri/Whitebox/Black Peaks campaign. Please provide a character sheet/writeup on either of the redbox wikis so I can see what you have. I am willing to consider bumping inactive PCs who 'rest' at the inn, for active ones, and the inactive ones can fill in losses.
The first person to declare: We are there, places the present party in front of the lair of location of the map (no overland travel problems getting there).
BUT: This map is not to scale. So there may be problems traveling from one location to another on this map.
http://redboxplay.wikidot.com/how-we-roll
Rules
- I will be using the Judges Guild Universal format rules for Criticals and Fumbles as well. See them here
- 0 HP = dead. (Hey, you want loot/reward, you pay the price!)
- Doors are a 'heavy' and 'sticky' issue in my game, it's hard keeping them open if you're an adventurer, so be ready for my calls on this.
- Keep track of your own XP. If I do it for you, I'm being uncharacteristically generous!
- I will be openly tracking sanity loss in this module, with your wisdom being the eroded stat. Town rest regenerates it.
- equipment list
B/X Moldvay rules for the most part (though I may check my 0e rules, too), except:
- 100 XP/HD
- Fighters will get the special ability to attack 2X/round, their second attack occurs at the very, very end of the round.
- Clerics & Magic Users are now +1 first level spell ** no duplicate spells
- D6 hit die for thieves OR…. **Thieves can now auto-find either a trap or secret door if it's there, but they must declare which of the two auto-pilot options they would like 'on' (traps or secret doors).
- Roll up characters on http://invisiblecastle.com/ 3d6, in order, swap as per Moldvay. Or use existing ones. Max starting HPs. Buy your gear. Leave some instructions for auto-pilot considerations, so you can fight/run/whatever when you're not online. Also list some priorities: if you'll do something only as a second or third volunteer, that's fine! Put the characters in another thread or the wiki. Maybe keep all the characters in the same thread?
- The total number of beings going on this adventure cannot exceed 6-8—we can start with less, if you want. Show interest by making a character, outfitting him and giving some general directions. I'll post the first adventure prompt when I see 6-8 total adventuring beings involved or someone declares they're ready.
- You may try to hire 0 level retainers if you like or there's a shortage of interest, but their treasure share is nested in the 'boss' who hires them, and they only follow orders from that boss. They automatically eat a half share of earned XP as well. Their loyalty and morale will be determined by me. There need be no initial outlay to hire a mercenary! (But there might be!)
- I'll update this whenever, so who knows.
- Ask questions here: in or out of character.
The Adventure Begins…
The party is full. Scichael, Tintavel, Subex, Zusa, Bat, Hal & Gargle head to the nearest town, with their new map. It turns out there is one town slightly closer than Goodenplenty, the village of Helix. Recuperating at a local inn, Gargle inquires about supplementary information on his map. Newly found drinking buddies, enjoying the free libations, point the wizard to the Magnificent Marky, a man who knows more about the town than most.
Marky should be totally grey, but his beard is soaked and caked in whatever he's been eating and drinking these last few months. He looks at your map, and considers it thoughtfully. Then he asks to see it up close. When you offer it, he shoves the entire thing into his mouth, swallows it, and laughs uncontrollably from a mouth with 3 teeth, tops. He regards you carefully.
"I did ye a favor!" The tavern fires seem to dim on cue. He spits on the floor.
He produces a piece of paper and extends it to Gargle.
"That's all ye be needin'."
He goes on. This village is apparently very, very old, and these crypts are ripe for the takin'. He recommends you get some supplies, though, at least:
- a shovel
- a sledgehammer
"Here's where I'd go if I were you. The Barrowmounds" (points vaguely everywhere and even off the page) "Ye be doin' a lot of diggin' in this here adventurin' outfit, aye? And take no stragglers! Have 'em all pull their weight, or ye may find yerself dead if yer not done by sundown. That's all I be sayin." Then he starts rambling to his flagon and singing it a song.
Gargle's attempts to find a hireling are met with some sighs, but one earnest, balding man, named Patsy, volunteers to be a torchbearer. Assuming he's hired, he asks where are all the shovels, picks and sledges he should be carrying are.
Old Details
He examines the shield for clues to its magical properties, etc. but this is an academic interest only
The shield's stone is nothing terrestrial, but is very chip-resistant. In fact, Gargle dulls a dagger trying to test it.
There is a store in town, and they seem interested in buying all sorts of gear for terrible prices (25%-50% value)