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The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

The (Original!) Tomb of Horrors!!!
S1 by the great Gygax 1978. Everything adapted to 2e. This is NOT the Return to ToH written for 2e


Labyrinth of Madness!!! Previously Concluded (by TPK)
S6 by Monte Cook from 1995. Designed for 2e. IMHO this one is the tougher of the two, but not by much.

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The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

In recent years a strange pestilence has fallen over the IronGards, one of the richest clans of Dwarven Royalty in history. The Patriarch, Shordenth of the Shining Hall, has spent no small amount of his vast fortune employing soothsayers, prophets and Clerics of various gods to unearth cure or cause. Expeditions were sent to ascertain the truth of these various leads, but to no avail.. until most recently... With fewer and fewer of his house remaining by the week, Shordenth sent out a call... Those who sought out and destroyed the evil responsible would not only be rewarded handsomely with gold, gems, lands and titles; but be they of Dwarven stock, would also garner a place in the Royal succession itself!

Somewhere under a lost and lonely hill of grim and foreboding aspect lies a labyrinthine crypt. It is filled with terrible traps and not a few stronge and ferocious monsters to slay the unwary. It is filled with rich treasures both precious and magical, but in addition to the aforementioned guardians, there is said to be a demi-lich who still wards his final haunt. (Be warned that tales told have it that this being possesses powers which make him nearly undefeatable!) Accounts relate that it is quite unlikely that any adventurers will ever find the chamber where the demi-lich Acererak lingers, for the passages and rooms of the Tomb are fraught with terrible traps, poison gases, and magical protections. Furthermore, the demi-lich has so well hidden his lair, that even those who avoid the pitfalls will not be likely to locate their true goal. So only large and well-prepared parties of the bravest and strongest should even consider the attempt, and if they do locate the Tomb, they must be prepared to fail...

Those who heeded the call assembled and a grueling , sweltering journey of months led them by barges deep into a seemingly endless swamp; guided by the few survivors to vet the location. The harrowing trip took a hefty toll from the travelers, and many good men and dwarves met their end from the diseases, primitive lizard folk, and strange monsters lurking in the putrid muck. Finally the barges arrived to the small island-like destination amid the dank and treacherous swamp, like the fetid heart of utter darkness...

Before them is a low, flat topped hill, about 200 yards wide and 300 yards long. Only ugly weeds, thorns, and briars grow upon the steep sides and bald top of the 60 high mound. There are massive black rocks upon the top of the hill. The brackish water of the swamp borders the mound on three sides, leaving only the Southern end for the rest of the expedition to make camp some 200 yards away...


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The “Base Camp” will house the pregens and several dwarves and men that make up the expedition that brought the party here. Almost any kind of mundane gear can be had here (so long as it is not too exotic) If the party wants or needs something exotic you can name it before we begin (such as a saddle for a griffon) but once we get underway only basic gear is to be had.

Each of the Pcs is given a small egg-like stone, which will call upon and transport another adventurer to replace them upon their irrecoverable demisse. Typically this would only be if they were unable to be raised or resurrected by normal means, or “if their soul is at peace and unwilling to return” (i.e. The player wants to move on to a different character).

There is currently no visible entrance... Good luck! ^_^
Demiplane of Dread: DM. PCs transporting the Crown... while being hunted by a murderer... Act 3, Scene 1
Genwald: DM. PCs Orc hunting before facing the worg-riders again... Act 2, Scene 2
Puzzle Dungeon: DM. Labyrinth of Madness reboot! Approaching the Labyrinth
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by BishGada »

Galan, riding on a great Griffon, puts his hand to his eyes and say to the group that had gathered around, "Not so lovely sight, is it?" he smiles. "At least we arrived to our destination. Let's rest here, gather our strength and then search for the tomb entrance."

==================================================
(OOC: Griffon saddle would be great although according to the table in the spell description at level 18 it comes with saddle even that in other parts of the spell description they say riding gear for lower level... While traveling Galan will use the Mount spell on regular basis.)
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

[how high abovee the island does he wish to fly, and how close to the burial mound? i.e. directly above at 200 ft elevation? i'm, umm... asking for a 'friend'... :D ]
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by BishGada »

=============================================
(OOC: Galan keeps about 200' distance from the mound and flies to about 60' height)
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by Nocturno »

Vangram lumbers off the barge. Takes in the scene and walks over to the nearest member of the camp that looks like a cook.

"Oy, when is dinner?" He adjusts his shield.
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

Galan observs the mound from above. There is an odd shape and some semblance of organization to the massive black stones. Puzzling over the shape, his agile mind puts the pieces together... The whole mound is roughly shaped like a human skull, though the top of the head is relatively flat side. The monolithic stones atop appear positioned as eye holes, nose hole, and the jagged teeth of a grinning death’s head!

The heavily armored Dwarven Cleric calls out to one of the camp cooks in question about food. The man blinks and looks around at the swampy surroundings.. We have the dried rations, but we'll have to find dry wood for fires first if you want something hot... he shrugs, The trail men are out looking, but who knows how long that will be.

Vagram's companion, the Human Paladin known only as Sorril, shakes his head bemusedly behind the dwarf. The ultimate quest to rid a great evil from the world and you Mondoons think first of your belly as usual. The Paladin chuckles, glancing off into the camp towards Vangram's two brothers; perhaps with similar thoughts.

Faldair, Galan's companion, walks up to join the pair. Squinting up at his ally sailing on Griffon-back, he instead speaks to those beside him. How do you think we should make our approach? he nods to the hill.


===
It is morning ish
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by BishGada »

After checking the mound from high above Galan swoops down to his friends. "Faldair, please introduce our companions." he asks politely and introduce himself, "I'm Galan, explorer of the world and tales tell of it's wonders, seeking to help the good and keep hope and good spirits of my friends." he smiles and shakes his companions hands after the introduction. "Let me share the vintage from the birds view" he looks at the griffin apologetically, "No offense Phoerin, I don't compare you to a bird, its just an expression." he then continues, "So this mound is stages as a huge grinning skull, trying to mock us and plant fear in our hearts, but this is only serves the opposite as we always greet a grin with a hearted grin of our own, don't we?" he smiles. "The most predictable entrance would be the skull mouth, unless we met an evil creature with a bit of imagination for a change." he puts fake expectation to his tone.
"Let's prepare ourselves and until then send scouts ahead to the entrance. I'll go as well and once we are back we can all go straight in."

=======================================================================================
(OOC: Sorril!!! You are here!! We tried in the future to save you from that damn stone and all died :( Good to see you!
Do we know the stats of our companions? At least their proficiencies and nwp? spells capabilities?
)
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

[Each companion's character sheet is in the thread for the player they are attached to. all details are listed. The companions are technically npcs but are long-time followers of the main PC. They will generally oblige requests, and the player can state how the follower will move and behave for most situations that are not super dangerous.

As for Sorril, this is a different paladin Named after him for his great deeds and valor. Time wise we can presume this takes place about a year -before- the events of the Labyrinth]
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by counterkid »

Zafron will step off the barge. "I do agree that he should set up camp first. We can explore the for an entrance later."
Last edited by counterkid on Sun Mar 01, 2020 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

[The camp troupe and other pregens will take care of setting up camp, but if the player characters have any preferences for how it should be done they will follow their direection within reason. This should leave the pcs free to start searching right away]
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by BishGada »

"OK, First, who has some scouting skills? Second, anyone needs preparations in the camp?" Galan sets the party toward entering the tomb.
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by Nocturno »

"Our brother here is probably the best scout you will ever meet!" He points to his Dwarven Mandoon brother.

"I, Vangram Mondoon, will your local representation of the Clangeddin Silverbeard following. Here to cure what ails you. Please feel free to call me Van." He slightly puffs up.

"Zafron the Simple. He will gladly stand in front of any FIREBALL! for you. Ahem." Vangram clears his throat.
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by counterkid »

"Since the expedition will handle the camp, I'm ready to search the area." "I'm looking forward to a nice meal on my return."
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by Nocturno »

Vangram gives Sorril a hearty pat on the back.

"Let us go before my Brother's hunger alerts all the monsters!"
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Re: The Heart of Darkness... [Main Game Thread]

Post by TristenC »

As Zafron, the most heavily armored Mondoon brother, joins them he is flanked by a halfling woman. Tabitha Tutwhistle, but you can call me Tabby." Both she and Sorril chucle at Vangram's jest, quite used to the Mondoon family sense of humor by now. Faldair eyes Galan with feigned desperation. Good gods... there are three of them?!

=====
How would the party like to begin their search?

-camp lies south of the mound.
-The mound is roughly rectangular with a flat top
-The East, West and North sides of the mound border swamp,and are steeply sloped, but not so steep that they cannot be traversed
-massive stones rest atop in the outline of a skull (eyes, mouth, nose)
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