Frostgrave Campaign 2017 Game 8: Who Closed the Door?

This past Saturday our gaming group got together to continue our 2017 Frostgrave campaign based on the "Thaw of the Lich Lord" supplement book.  This month's game was the Lair of the Ghoul King scenario.  We had several cancellations due to real life and only had five of our nine players available.  So we modified the scenario to add an additional throne.  We placed the treasures and trap doors and then diced off for set-up locations.

You can find my fellow Sigilist's report here: The Lair of the Ghoul King & Queen for additional information about the game set-up plus another perspective of what happened.


The Ghoul King

Basil's warband

Missy's warband

Quail's warband

 "Mawahaha!!!! Puny human, you are now my servant.  You will serve me for a thousand years" and with that, Bemis suddenly awoke from a deep sleep. "Just a dream" he said to himself but still he wondered if it was a portent of the future.  The night before heading into an unexplored section of Felstad was not the time to have weird thoughts.  Well, dawn was not far away, maybe a spot of tea would help.  Soon the rest of the group would be awake.

Under Nigel's supervision, the lads prepared their kit to enter the frozen city.  Bemis and Agarn busied themselves in the lab.  Bemis successfully prepared a Scroll of Reveal Secret and Agarn a Scroll of Dispel.  After brewing up some tea, they both turned their attention to brewing potions.  After several failed attempts that produced some nasty smelling liquid, Bemis decided they'd had enough (Both failed their Brew Potion spells).  Bemis managed to summon his beaver Familiar named Leavittoo.  Agarn was not successful calling his Familiar.  Bemis then turned his attention to the staff they had discovered on their last trip.  After careful examination, Bemis determined it would enhance the casting of the spell Circle of Protection (forgot to roll for the staff at the end of the last game).

Bemis then took a few moments to read the spell Reveal Secret from the newly written scroll.  After several moments of intense concentration, Bemis said "Their's a sigilist spell book buried under some large rocks somewhere in the underground chamber of an old monastery."

Which preparations complete, Bemis and his band of adventurers headed out into the chill of the morning air.  As the warband approached the ruined monastery, Bemis noted Quail's warband heading in the same direction.  "Pick up the pace, we must beat Quail to the entrance" Bemis ordered as they quickly moved forward to secure their entry point (Bemis had the fourth pick of starting locations ahead of Quail who got the leftover spot).  As they descended underground, Bemis thought it odd that the entrance way was not filled with at least some debris.  "Were they not the first ones to enter?" pondered Bemis.  And when they reached the bottom and the door easily swung open Nigel (Captain) said "I've got a bad feeling about this, look sharp lads."  And with that the warband cautiously went inside.

The starting locations

As soon as the last of the warband entered, the door slammed shut behind them, and then disappeared. "ITS A TRAP" cried Agarn.  "Mr. Agarn, sir, be quiet now will you; there's a good apprentice. You'll upset the lads." Nigel replied, putting a hand on Agarn's shoulder to calm him down.

Bemis and the lads

Bemis decides to make things a bit harder for his rivals and casts Draining Word - Telekinesis.  Even though visibility was already pretty bad (Line of sight restricted to 12 inches), Agarn cast Fog to protect the left front of the warband.  The rest of the warband spreadout a little to search for treasure - and a way out.  As usual, Shadow (Warhound) goes running off (Probably looking for some Scooby treats). Bemis directs Hatch (Thief) to search through some fallen rocks for the ancient tome revealed to him earlier while casting Reveal Secret.

Agarn casts Fog

Hatch finds the Reveal Secret treasure

Suddenly two trapdoors in the floor burst open as a ghoul emerged from each one.  "Oh, this will be fun" thought Vale (Treasure Hunter) as his Axe (Sword) of Undead Slaying started to glow.  Agarn found himself facing a ghoul without any backup.  Luckily he remembered his many hours of training with Nigel and easily took out his opponent.  He then moved over and stood on top of the trap door hoping that would prevent additional ghouls from appearing.

Agarn is attacked by a ghoul

Agarn defeats a ghoul

Nigel and 9Toe (Treasure Hunter) move to engage the other ghoul just as it knocks Piko to the ground.  Nigel easily slays the ghoul.  9Toe moves around a stone wall to look for treasure.

Diesel Vin (Treasure Hunter) moved up quickly and stuck his head out a doorway to look around.  His eyes were drawn to fancy throne.  ZAP!!! An Elemental Bolt cast by Basil's apprentice struck him squarely in the head dropping him to the dusty floor (That'll leave a scar!).

Niko (Thief) and Kleppo (Thief) both manage to find some treasure and quickly place the items in their backpacks.  Searching through the rock, Hatch discovers a leather parcel and places it in his pack as well - just in time to be assaulted by a pair of large rats.  He barely manages to fight both of them off by wildly swinging his dagger. 

Agarn, feeling a bit exposed, decides to cast another wall of Fog to cover him position.  He was getting a bit worried as he had heard Shadow barking off in the distance, followed by a sharp "yelp".  Unbeknownst to Agarn, Shadow had been cruelly cut down by Quail's crosbowman (Nicknamed Puppy Slayer).

As Agarn was nervous looking around, he noticed a strange eye materialize on a wall to his front (Grue's apprentice had cast Wizard Eye for some nefarious purpose).  "That can't be good" he thought as the eye seemed to stare at him.  He quickly attempted to cast Dispel but his tongue tripped over the words causing the spell to sputter.  He pulled out a Dispel scroll, easily read the words, and eye vanished.

Popping through a hidden door, four death cultists appeared behind Bemis and his warband (an unfortunate random monster roll by one of my opponents).  Thinking qickly, Bemis picked up a small rock from the floor and incanted the words for the Grenade spell.  Being successful, he then flung it towards the cultists.  The grenade landed in their midst, showering them with rock splinters causing some damage but not enough to slow them down.  Hatch easily defeated the two rats and quickly hopped over the wall to hide from the cultists.

Death cultists crash the party

Another ghoul came through a doorway and charged towards Nigel.  Nigel easily bested him and quickly cut him down.  He then turned around to face the cultists charging toward him.  9Toe picks up a small chest and turns to move back towards Nigel.

Bemis manages to fling another Grenade at the group of cultists as they charge forward but sadly it does little damage.  Nigel engages in a whirling duel with one of the cultists.  Vale easily drops one cultist with a single swing of axe.  Even old man Bemis manages to strike down a cultist much to the bewonderment of his warband members.

Fighting the cultists

Bemis fails an attempt to cast a Grenade at the remaining two cultists as the rock crumbles in his fist.  The bewonderment turns to total disbelief as Bemis is then charged by the two remaining
cultists and somehow manages to kill them both.

Meanwhile, ghouls continue to appear.  Vale and his Axe of Undead Slaying found themselves very busy.  He engaged several ghouls, some singlehandedly, and some in partnership with Nigel.  The end result was three more dead ghouls.

A door in the far wall slowly creaked open.  Expecting the worst, Agarn moved over to stand beside Kleppo who was hiding behind a wall.  Just as he got there, Kleppo pushed him to the ground yelling "Incoming."  Up on top of the wall, an Explosive Cocktail exploded.  It must have just been a large firecracker because neither of them sustained any damage, except a slight ringing in the ears. 

A big bang....

Kleppo cautiously peered around the corner.  He saw Quail's young apprentice off in the distance, kneeling on the floor sobbing. "Eh, nothing to cry about lassie, you missed.  It happens" he thought as he turned and helped Agarn stand up.  "That wasn't very nice, girls are mean.  Look, there's a hole in my hat" Agarn exclaimed as he picked up his purple pointy hat.  "Aye, lad, sometimes they can be but wait 'til you get older" said Kleppo.  Kleppo was about to say more but two ghouls suddenly dropped from the ceiling beside him (My fellow players are so kind, I must remember to repay them).  "Run lad" he yelled to Agarn.  Agarn stopped to throw a grenade.  As he rushed to get the spell cast, he misspoke the words and the spell failed to materialize.  He quickly ran out as directed.  Holding a small treasure chest in one hand, Kleppo managed to fight off both ghouls.  Beating them back, he too turned and quickly ran out of the area to join the others.

Kleppo fights off two ghouls

Vale moves to search the dead Ghoul Queen's throne

While this was happening, Vale moved up and glanced through an archway.  He could see a large throne, plus the crumpled body of Diesel laying on the floor.  He appeared to be breathing.  Vale called to Bemis who also moved up a bit.  Vale pointed at the throne, "I'll like to go check it out."  Bemis nodded and cast a wall of Fog to cover his movement.  Once he got to the throne, Vale searched around quickly.  He saw the smoldering body of the Ghoul Queen laying on the throne as well as a series of levers.  He decided to pull one.  As he did so, he a loud "Woohoo" from the other room (A door had opened near the warband).  Bemis said to Vale, "Good job, a door has opened.  Lets go...and grab Diesel."  As Bemis turned, he found himself staring into the dead eyes of a ghoul (Courtesy of one of my fellow players).  He quickly fought him off and moved towards the exit.


Bemis fights a ghoul

Bemis and Vale, carrying Diesel, headed back towards the rest of the group.  9Toe poured some water on Piko's face.  he sits up and grabs his head, still a bit groggy.  "Time enough to rest when we get out, let's move it lad" says 9Toe as he pulls Piko to his feet.  About that time, Agarn and Kleppo joined the group, "Oh look, another open door."

Everyone quickly leaves the underground chamber, glad that they survived.  All except Shadow, who Agarn said wouldn't be making it out.  It was a travesty to leave his body there, no telling what foul experiments the undead creatures might perform on his corpse.

Post game photo-op

Bemis was extremely happy with the four treasures his warband recovered, each yielding a grimoire:  Furious Quill (the one previously revealed to Bemis), Wall, Raise Zombie, and Leap.  He increased his knowledge and understanding by scanning through them and some other interesting material in his library (Successfully cast Absorb Knowledge).  Selling the duplicate grimoire (Wall) for 250 gold added to the 280 gold from the four treasures was a nice haul (after subtracting 63 gold for Nigel's pay).

Diesel and Piko should make a full recovery in a few days, Shadow would have to be replaced, maybe by a dog that doesn't go running off all alone.

Epilogue
Another great and challenging scenario completed.  It could only have been better if our missing players had been able to make it.  The limited line of sight, the randomly appearing ghouls from the trap doors, and the player placed ghouls made things interesting.  Bemis made out well gathering four treasures and gaining four levels in experience.  Nigel gained 50 points of Captain's experience as well, he should gain another level after the next outing.

Already looking forward to the next scenario.....Agarn will be seeking an opportunity to even things up with the petulant Bailey for the damage done to his purple pointy hat.  And Grue will be bringing bagels for breakfast.

Thanks for reading.

Frostgrave Campaign Game 7 - A Long Reach

Many Saturdays ago we got together for the 7th game of our 2017 Frostgrave Campaign - The House of Longreach from the Thaw of the Lich Lord supplement.  We ended up with eight players.  So as usual, we modified the scenario to accommodate a larger number of players by multiplying all the scenario requirements times 4; so there were 4 vaults and 24 portals. Also, 8 Frost Wraiths (2 in each vault),  4 Zombie Trolls, and 16 Death Cultists. It would prove to be a most challenging and enjoyable game.

With Master Splinter to my left, Tim the Enchanter to my front, and to my right was Saffron the Summoner (Who claims his name is Challara but who will always be called Saffron).

You can find my fellow Sigilist Wizard Quail's report here: The District of Longreach


"Master Bemis, Master Bemis" cried Agarn as he ran into the reading room disturbing Bemis as he was studying a map of Felstad.  "There was an old man in the tavern raving about the Lich Lord and some valuable treasure.. There are magic portals and chests of gems and gold."  "Is that so Agarn, what have I told you about hanging around taverns?" said Bemis.

Just then, Nigel (Captain) entered, "Mr. Bemis, sorry to interrupt, but the young lad is correct.  There are rumors about....and several other wizards are making preparations to search for some place called Longreach.  Should I prepare our boys for a trip?"

Bemis pondered for a moment, "Yes Nigel, please make preparations.  If others are going, then we will also.  Send Niko and Piko (Thieves) out to gather some more information about these rumors.  Come Agarn, we have preparations of our own to perform."

Back in their laboratory, Bemis successfully cast Reveal Secret and received insight of the location of a grimoire hidden inside some old ale barrels near the Longreach district.  He and Agarn attempted to create some scrolls successfully managed to correctly pen the magic words for Reveal Secret and Draining Word (Always good to have an extra Scroll of Reveal Secret in the vault).  Then they both failed to summon a Familiar.  Agarn was able to Brew Potion - Teleport (Gave it to 9Toe, Hatch receives one from the vault)  Bemis takes an Elixir of Chameleon and Agarn takes a Potion of Invisibility from the vault.

Preparations complete, the warband heads out into the frozen city.  Following the information Niko and Piko had gathered.

The treasure rooms waiting to be looted

Shortly after moving into position, Bemis spied a small chest resting on a ledge a short distance away.  He easily cast Telekinesis to move it closer to his warband. Niko and Hatch (Thief) both moved towards treasure items laying in the snow. 

Bemis and the Lads

Having deteced numerous other warbands moving around in the ruins, Agarn cast Drain word - Elemental Bolt the hard way - pushed for 8 points (silly apprentice).  Piko, Diesel Vin (Treasure Hunter), and 9Toe (Treasure Hunter) move forward.

A wild boar charges around a wall heading towards Bemis.  Nigel intercepts the boar and after a short fight there will be ham for dinner.

Bemis is charged by a wild boar

Nigel earning his pay

Meanwhile, Bemis decides to cast Drain Word - Bone Dart, chuckling to himself as he successfully does so.  Denying others the chance to easily cast their spells is amusing.

Agarn sees a treasure lying near Grue and Saffron's warbands and decides to Telekinesis it just for fun.  He is scolded by Bemis, "Stop showing off Agarn and focus on our mission."

Niko, Piko, and Hatch all managed to grab a treasure item.  Vale (Treasure Hunter)goes through a magic door and is teleported to a treasure room.  Shadow (Warhound), running around wild as usual, passes through a magic door and gets burned (takes 2 points of damage).

Seeing so many hostile warbands around, Bemis decides to drink a Potion of Chameleon to prevent any long distance shots or spells being aimed his way.  Kleppo picks up a treasure and turns to leave.

A storm begins as Saffron casts Call Storm (someone else likes to mess with the other players ability to shoot).  Agarn attempts to cast Fog to provide some cover.  He fails to properly perform the incantation and takes two points of damage.  Nigel decides to enter a magic portal and ends up in a treasure room.  9Toe attempts to do the same but finds himself transported across the table to top of a ruined bridge - Saffron's demon loving henchmen are nearby.  Diesel also goes through a door and ends up in the same treasure room as Vale.

Vale and Diesel enter a treasure room

Vale and Diesel are attacked by frost wraiths

It was a short fight.....time to loot the treasure

Vale and Diesel each slay a Frost Wraith in the treasure room and move to claim the two chests they were guarding.  Meanwhile, Shadow runs through another portal and gets burned again.

Kleppo and Niko heading out with some treasure.

Bemis successfully casts Fog and moves toward a portal.  He has to experience it for himself.
The storm intensifies as Saffron casts Call Storm again.

Agarn, down to 1 point of health, wisely decides not to cast anymore spells.  He drinks a Potion of Invisibility to protect himself.  Hatch, with a treasure in his backpack, is being hard pressed by Tim the Enchanter and members of his warband.  He waves "Goodbye" as he drinks a Teleport Potion to get himself to safety.

9Toe on the bridge

9Toe, up on the bridge, can detect a hint of gold in a strange and tall ruined tower (Its a dwarf thing).  He decides to chug his Teleport Potion - Poof!, he is standing on a small ledge starring down at a pot of gold.  His nose is always right when it comes to gold.

Bemis moves through a portal and ends up near a tall tower - surrounded by hostiles.  He casts Fog to cover himself as he ponders what to do next.

Bemis uses Fog to hide his position

As he glances around to make sure no one else is nearby, 9Toe is suddenly blinded by a bright flash of light.  He looked  to see where it came from only to discover his eyesight was extremely blurred.  This can't be good, so he drew his axe.

Quail's apprentice Bailey readies herself to attack 9Toe

Meanwhile, Piko is running to the rendezvous spot when he gets a blank look on his face and stops cold (Master Splinter's apprentice cast Mind Control with a casting number of 14).  He then unknowingly attacked Hatch.  After the attack, which did no damage, he shrugged off the mind control, apologized, and continued towards the rendezvous.

In one of the treasure rooms, Vale is startled as three more people enter the treasure room - its Missy, the cursed Necromancer, Tim the Enchanter, and one of Tim's archers.  Vale and the archer both move to engage Missy while Tim (The greedy enchanter) moves over and grabs a treasure chest.

Action in one of the treasure rooms

Bemis goes through another portal and finds himself just a few yards from the last portal.  He again casts Fog to provide some cover.  This is getting him nowhere, just one more try.

Over in the treasure room, Vale manages to best Missy, causing 13 hit points of damage.  Then things really go from bad to worst - four cultists enter the room and start attacking everyone they can reach.  A mad free for all ensures.  Diesel and Missy both take out one.  Vale receives a minor wound. Tim the Enchanter falls to a cultist, the treasure chest dropping to the floor.  The presence of the death cultists ensured no one would be able to retrieve any of the treasures in this room before time expired and all were teleported out (when the game ends).

Bemis goes through the portal one more time - and finds himself back near his library.  He sighs and heads inside to wait for the rest of the party to get back.

9Toe feels a strange breeze and realizes that he is no longer alone in the tower.  He drops down, feels around,  and grabs the pot of gold.  He hears a squeal and someone jumps down beside him  "Lassy, you'd best go back.  I might be blind but I am more than a match for you."  Quail's apprentice, not to be taunted away, launches a fierce series of attacks.  9Toe, even in his blind state, manages to out fight her twice.  The third time, his eyesight comes back, and he manages to catch her upside the head with the flat side of his axe.  She is out cold.  "Sorry lassy, you'll be safe up here until you wake up," and with that 9Toe pats her on the head and climbs down with the treasure.  He then heads off to link up with the rest of the warband.

9Toe taking down Bailey

While waiting for the rest of his warband to return, Bemis entertained himself by reading through some of the old documents in his library.  While he didn't find any new scrolls or spells, he did find enlightenment (Successfully cast Absorb Knowledge).

 When the warband returned, Bemis was overjoyed that no one had been lost this trip, although Agarn tried hard.  Plus  they returned carrying five treasures - and with tales of the two treasures that they couldn't get out of the hidden treasure room in time.

 The five treasures included a Staff of Casting, Ring of Slow Fall, three grimoires (Fleet Feet, Bone Dart, and Awareness), and 280 gold coins.  Nigel's pay for the day would take 33 of the gold coins.  Total experienced gained was 410 (250 for treasures, 10 for killing a cultist, 70 for spells cast, 30 for entering different portals, and 50 for successfully casting Absorb Knowledge).  All in all, a good days bit of adventuring in the frozen ruins.  Bemis hopes this lucky streak will continue.

 The  House of Long Reach scenario is definitely challenging, especially with the randomness of the portals and the fight in the treasure room with the wraiths, followed by the death cultists. And once the four cultist's enter a treasure room, it gets extremely difficult to get a treasure out.  Throw in a couple opposing warband members - or wizards - and the fun really begins. No one in our game managed to get a treasure out of the hidden treasure rooms, although Tim the Enchanter came close.

Looking forward to another challenging scenario as we will next attempt the Lair of the Ghoul King.  Bemis will be rubbing his lucky snow rabbit foot.....