Session 9: Basement Delights
This session was played on 1/12/22.
Players
- Hans Shortseneggar – Fighter 1
- Bluebow – Ranger 1
- Mozeus – Cleric 1
- Kallistus Gredz – Cleric 1
- Dwarf Bodyguard
Recap
After a few weeks of downtime over the holidays, the party reconvened at Stu’s house. The session began with Hans and Bluebow quarantined inside while Hans trained Stu in wrestling and Bluebow practiced archery on paintings throughout the residence. Due to a recent murder in the house, the Church decided to bless the home, bringing in Mozeus, Gredz, and their dwarf bodyguard.
Session Report
As the clerics approached the house, Gredz noticed strange noises coming from within—a male voice and a high-pitched grunting voice with intermittent sounds of struggle. Gredz immediately feared the worst. When the party knocked on the door, Bluebow answered, questioning their authority. Mozeus presented his official Church sanction while Gredz admitted he had misplaced his, but Bluebow, after some hesitation, allowed them to enter.
Inside, the group observed the disheveled state of the residence. Bluebow explained that they had quarantined themselves for two weeks, surviving on rat stew to avoid interference from troublemaking kids. Gredz questioned the noises, referencing moaning and furniture smashing, suspecting evil (read gay) activity in the basement. Initially, the dwarf bodyguard blocked any descent into the basement, citing protocol, but Gredz insisted, and Bluebow led the clerics downstairs.
Upon descent, Hans and Gredz recognized one another, allowing tensions to dissipate. Gredz began a ritual to bless the house while Hans oversaw Stu opening a hidden passage behind a painting. The clerics, intrigued by potential evil within, entered the tunnels, following Hans and the dwarf bodyguard.
The tunnels were thick with the stench of decay and death. They reached a twelve-foot drop and carefully descended using a rope. They immediately noticed the dead mongrels had been divided: one pile partially consumed, the other untouched. Continuing deeper, they came across a partially man-made room with stone walls, wooden railways, and stairs descending further into darkness. Lacking a thief to disarm traps, they carefully proceeded, but a triggered trap caused part of the stairs to collapse. Luckily, no fatalities occurred, though the party sustained minor injuries.
At the bottom, the party was met with a grisly scene: twisted corpses of mongrels, hobgoblins, and humans (likely Baby Faces gang members). They approached a door cautiously but decided to breach it, prompting eight hobgoblins to charge from a side room. Hans immediately engaged, drawing their attention while the rest of the party stayed near the staircase for cover. He absorbed multiple hits, demonstrating formidable combat prowess, while the clerics prepared spells and ranged attacks.
The fight escalated with tactical positioning, careful use of cover, and coordinated attacks. Hans pinned multiple hobgoblins, preventing them from flanking the clerics. Bluebow provided cover fire, and Mozeus and Gredz utilized defensive magic to protect themselves and Hans. After an intense battle, the party successfully defeated the hobgoblins but sustained enough injuries to make further exploration unwise. They retreated back to Stu’s basement, taking time to eat stew, patch wounds, and plan for future descent.
Throughout the session, the party demonstrated coordination, clever problem-solving, and resilience in the face of environmental hazards, traps, and combat. The exploration also revealed that the tunnels are likely extensive, with a combination of natural cave systems and man-made modifications, suggesting either a prior occupation or long-term strategic use.
Aftermath
- The blessing was completed without interruption.
- The secret tunnel system behind the painting was discovered and partially explored.
- Party engaged with trap-ridden tunnels, survived structural collapse.
- Hobgoblin ambush resulted in injuries, forcing a tactical retreat.
- Party now positioned to plan a deeper descent into the underground network.
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