The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 35:
We put the Forum of Set behind us, leaving with a platoon of goblins headed to the Fungal Forest to look for some treasure they’re in search of.
Along the way we chart a new path to familiar territory, but find room after room of blatant puzzle devices. We mark them on our map for future investigation.
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 34:
We spent some time in the Hall of Set, hoping to buy the freedom of a priestess of Mitra sold into slavery.
We probably could’ve been more subtle with our inquiries, but it became pretty clear that they have big (sacrificial) plans for her, that she wouldn’t be available at a price we can afford, and that breaking her out of jail would be incredibly difficult and alienate the entire Setite faction.
So we chickened out. 🐔
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 33:
We had an amicable exchange of information with the beastman in their home territory, trading info and maps. With much trepidation we met Mother, the alluring but intimidating matriarch of the beastmen. (My party members forbade me from calling her “Mommy.”)
After spending the night in their barracks, the beastmen escorted us to the realm of the creepy Setites, where we hope to buy the freedom of an enslaved priestess.
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 32:
After a brief stop at the Troll Hall arena, we convinced some beastmen into escorting us back to their home territory (we only vaguely knew the direction).
We brought a big supply of their favorite mushrooms, hoping to trade them for a kidnapped priestess of Mitra, but appears she’s already been sold as a slave to Set-worshippers.
After introducing ourselves to the beastman matriarch, we plan to head to the Setite camp.
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 31:
More exploration of the Troll Halls! We mingled with both the working class trolls and some outside emissary types, learning more about the troll leadership and their goals.
We harvested some Cloudcap Mushrooms as a gift to the beastmen and set out in search of a missing deacon of Mitra.
So far we’re trying to befriend all the various Arden Vul factions, but eventually we’ll have to pick sides.
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 30:
Another talky session. We continued our (peaceful) exploration of the Troll Halls, talking to various inhabitants trying to suss out the different local factions and find a way to involve ourselves and gain some influence. Got some leads, but need to poke around more.
We also visited the Troll Market, which seems like a massive upgrade over the goblin equivalent.
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 29:
After getting a bit of intel from exiled troll Gog, we set off for the Troll Halls, taking their scary, rickety elevator deeper into the dungeon. We got some info from the gatekeeper and some tavern barflies, and are considering our options. Our goal is to restore Gog’s standing and smooth relations with the goblins.
We keep talking to dungeon dwellers instead of killing them and taking their stuff! We’re playing D&D wrong!
The Halls of Arden Vul (OSRIC) Session 28:
We recovered the bodies of two dead party members and bought another teleport back to town from mage Kerbal Khan. We left the henchman to recuperate, but once our half-orc fighter was up it was back into the dungeon.
Trolls had bullied and extorted our goblin kingdom allies in our absence. We knew of a friendly half-troll, so we went to speak with him to get some inside info before our “diplomatic mission” to see the trolls.
These days, I’d probably say #SwordsAndWizardry or #OldSchoolEssentials just for ease of use and adaptability, although I have a fondness for the #RulesCyclopedia too.
For more complexity, I’d say #OSRIC—I’m eagerly awaiting the new version being printed by Mythmere Games (and in landscape form too!)
But it has to have some weirdness to it, as you say!
Robin Marx
Bodo Heye
Brian Lavelle