D&D Session 48: (9/7/22) Campaign Crossroads: Bryn Shander

Text by Paul O'Connor, Dungeon Master 

There is much work to be done in the city! Fires to knock down. Rubble to clear. Dead to bury and walls to repair. Winter is coming (literally). They can use your magic, and Harshnag’s muscles, and Arthur’s nimble little body to work his way into buried basements.

The city fathers of Bryn Shander express their appreciation by offering you noble title and a vacant palace inside the city to take as your own. The delegation is led by the Sheriff and his assistant (Augrek Brighthelm and Markham Southwell), as well as the retired hero Sir Baric Nylef. Also part of the embassy is Cummings, your old pal from the Ten Trail Road; on behalf of the grateful merchants of Bryn Shander he offers to furnish your new apartments at a favorable discount. Nothing is too good for the Barons of Bryn Shander!

One potential problem with taking over that palace — it is presently home to Duvessa Shane, the elected Speaker of Bryn Shander. But surely something can be worked out there. The Blue Mountain Brothers would make a fine palace guard.

Another possible problem — that barbarian army camped outside the gates. They seem to think they deserve tribute. There have been clashes with the city watch. If you accept that noble title it comes with the understanding something will be done about the barbarians.

Beldora would like an audience — she’s an agent of the Harpers, and can cast some light on that whole Artus-Cimber-And-The-Ring-Of-Winters business. She’ll probably want to send you on a quest. Harshnag has some ideas, too — something about an Oracle.

There are some strange, silent fellows in black leather armor with dragon masks that would also like a word.

Arthur sees the signs — the literal signs — on alley walls and shadowy doors: Bryn Shander has a Thieves’ Guild. Might be better to find them before they find you. Thieves Guilds usually demand a portion of any treasure housed within city walls.

Jenny would like to visit Sommpher’s Grave, and lay some flowers.

And that damn white dragon is still spotted high in the clouds above, just often enough to make everyone nervous.

(Thus ends the Guild of the Guide Killers D&D session for the forseeable future.  Moment of silence.)

D&D Session 47 (8/31/22): The Siege of Bryn Shander (Part 2)

Text by Paul O'Connor, Dungeon Master 

There was a bit of strategizing, but ultimately the plan turned out to be Just Go For It. The impetuous barbarians urging Blah to action might have had some influence. There was also concern that Kostov's magic fog would lift for some reason.

So Go For It, they did, beneath the walls of Bryn Shander, with the melee unfolding across multiple vectors.

Arthur opened the battle courtesy of a fastball special from Blah, landing astride a giant's back and cleaving with a will. But his most memorable match was with a particularly savage winter wolf, who froze the half-man with his magical breath, then took Arthur on a bucking bronco ride while the halfling hung on the animal's back for dear life (while stabbing, always stabbing). It cost him a potion but Arthur finished the fight in triumph.

Khostov hovered about in his fogbank, lofting fireballs at the giants, and if one bled over and set several barbarians aflame, then c'est la guerre. Friendly fire, indeed! Not so friendly was a giant's return fire, a rock hurled by mighty muscles and damn near pulping the wizard where he hovered. But healing potions are a cure for any impetuosity.

Blah defeated a pair of giants in single combat, his vorpal blade proving irresistible, and even cleaving the head from a giant that had gone down on one knee. He was aided by fireballs from Khostov, to be sure ... and Dee Dah struck at the moment of decision. Old Blah was on his last breaths before the final giant fell -- his was a glorious day of battle. Blah tried a couple times to intimidate giants by tossing their severed heads around, which made for good press but didn't much impress his foes.

Those impetuous barbarians got what they wanted, getting smashed by giants and savaged by wolves. They were ready to quit the field at one point before rallying to Blah's command (and maybe tossing those giant heads around had some effect, after all). In the end they got as good as they got, driving away the bulk of the wolves; of the fifty spears that went in to battle, about thirty escaped death or significant injury. It was a good day to die, and a better day not to.

And as the last giant hit the dirt, the defenders of Bryn Shander sallied out to attack, just as Jarund Elkhardt led the bulk of the Reghed Barbarians into battle. Harshnag appeared, bleeding from a score of cuts suffered in his duel with Jari Stovald -- the last Harshnag saw of the evil frost giant, he and his army were being harried by Elkhardt's riders across the windy wastes of Icewind Dale.

The city is saved and the heroes are feted as liberators! Many happy reunions with Jenny and the Blue Mountain Brothers ... Victory! Victory! Victory!