This is the second part of an actual play run by me over Discord. Be sure to read Part 1 first!
Todd - "I'll take you on that offer. Just be careful" Mikkel murmurs as he grips one of his wounds.
Shawn - Va'lar nods a bit before starting to strip off his armor, the cloth stained in a mix of his and the worms blood, tossing it towards Mikkel before starting to throw the chainmail on himself "Sorry 'bout the dogs."
Todd - "Yeah...its a thing..." he replies
DM - As you don your new armors and look around, you don't spot any one who matches the description of Dagrock. The path you came from is in the south east, a new path is open to the north west, and a door to the north east, behind which a squeaking sound can still be heard.
Todd - Mikkel retrieves his dagger and points at the north eastern door. "Not a fan of rats...but it may be a better option"
Shawn - After donning the armor he tosses the second set into his bag, feeling the heavy weight of it he looks towards the door, giving a small nod "Yeah I agree... Are you going to use this sword?" He asks as he picks up the sword they found next to one of the bodies, before rifling through all the deads pockets
DM - Searching the bodies you find 46 coins in their pockets, a handful at a time.
Todd - "Yeah, I'll take a sword for the road." Mikkel says as he begins to don his secondhand gambeson armor.
Shawn - Pocketing the coins Va'lar went over to the Eastern door, waiting for Mikkel before putting an ear up to it, trying to see what he could hear
DM - Pressing your ear to the door you hear squeaking, similar to the voices of the hair creatures you met earlier but different and familiar in a way.
Shawn - Turning to Mikkel "I think it's more of those things from earlier, the hairy things... Want to try and talk to them again? "
Todd - "Perhaps I'll have a chat and you will cover me with ranged support?" Mikkel replies showing his dagger and sling in hand.
Shawn - Va'lar nods and takes the sling and the pouch of stones "Keep the dagger, I have my ax if they get too close, and if we have to we can turn back and try to jam this door shut "
Todd - "Sure thing Va'lar" Mikkel says before going through the door.
DM - You open the door and enter the room. You enter from the middle of the western wall into a 30' by 30' room. In the north east corner four giant worms are feasting on a pile of black fur animals. In the south west corner a man leans with his back in the corner, holding a dagger in his hand with a backpack worn on his front. The worms haven't noticed you yet.
Todd - Mikkel slowly creeps to the leaning man in a crouched stance, hugging the walls and his eyes locked onto the worms.
Shawn - Va'lar would stay in to doorway, putting a shot into the sling, getting ready for the worse
DM - Va'lar loads the sling, holding it in one hand and his torch in the other. Mikkel slinks in, staying quiet and staying in the shadows. He reaches the man, quickly realizing once he is closer that he is pale and lifeless like the others in the room before. The backpack has a six inch hole through it, the dagger he grips looks to be well made. The torch light begins to flicker.
Shawn - Hooking the sling to his belt Va'lar would try his best to get a torch out of his bag silently, going to light the new one off the old before it goes out
Todd - Our thief silently as he can will look the man over for any unusual markings or the telltale one earred sign of the objective.
DM - Va'lar is able to retrieve and light the torch, sling dangling from his side for the moment. Mikkel moves the man's head and finds his left ear missing, a nasty scar in it's place. This is Dagrock. As you handle him his bag tilts forward, revealing a blood stained shirt. Some of the coins fall from it and ring on the ground, the four worms stir. A large bat clumsily flies from the pile and in the direction of Va'lar.
Shawn - Va'lar would attempt to duck down, lifting the torch just above him in hopes of silently deteering the bat
DM - Va'lar gets out of the way as the bat flies overhead, bumping into the doorway as it does, and you notice its legs don't have fur growing on them yet.
Todd - Mikkel will slowly remove Dagrock's backpack onto the ground and give it a quick look.
DM - Sliding the backpack causes more coins to fall from the six inch hole in it, spilling onto the ground again. The bag seems to be filled with coins, other than what's falling out of them. The worms quickly move, leaving the pile of bats and slither in your direction.
Todd - With angry vein popping Mikkel dashes his way out of the room shouting "Shut it! Shut it! Shut it! I got a plan!"
Shawn - Does just that, shutting the door and slamming one of the swords into it the door to jam it shut
DM - In a rush Mikkel breaks quickly and quietly for the door as the worms make for the body. He safely reaches the door without being noticed. Va'lar slams it behind him, sticking the sword blade into the door trying to jam it shut.
Todd - "Too close" exclaims Mikkel. He pauses for some heavy breaths, then walks over to Buddha and picks him up tenderly. "Urgh... grab Odin, fresher...bait might...might work better"
Shawn - "I don't think they were chasing you, they seemed to be heading to that body...Bait for what?" Va'lar asks as he goes to help, picking up the dog and dragging it to the door
Todd - "Bait for those cursed worms. They'll take my dogs and maybe we can both get Dagrock back over here"
Shawn - Not knowing that it was Dagrock he quickly perked up "That's him! Shit, if we can get him out we can be out of here in no time" Va'lar drops the dog near the door, waiting for Mikkel's lead
Todd - "Open the door and peer around the corner, stay hidden maybe put your torch a little further away from us. I'll...offer Buddha over in the opposite side of the room and if the worms run over to him that's when we break for Dagrock and carry him out. Odin will be on standby if they're not satisfied with Buddha or finish too quick."
Shawn - Va'lar gives a quick nod, settig the torch down on the ground and getting ready
Todd - Mikkel paces nervously in place.
Shawn - Va'lar pulls the sword out with a quick tug before slowly opening the door, keeping the sword at the ready incase there's a worm on the other side
DM - Pulling the door open you find that the worms are back in the north east corner, eating at the bats once more. In the dimmed light you can spot the man sized shape where Dagrock should be.
Shawn - In a whisper, Lets just get the body, they're distracted still. I don't think they have the best hearing"
Todd - "Okay then" replies Mikkel as he slowly lays down Buddah away from the worm's room but also not in the way our two heroes in case of another run.
Shawn - Goes in with Mikkel behind him, grabbing the arms and mouthing to Mikkel "get the legs"
Todd - He nods in response to the command.
Shawn - Once Mikkel has the legs Va'lar will lead the way out of the room
DM - Reaching the body you're able to get a grip on him, picking him up his dagger slips from his grasp. The worms begin moving directly to the sound of the dagger on the stone cave floor.
Shawn - Va'lar picks up his speed, shuffling as fast as he could backwards "Stay quite, and hurry up" He his voice low but urgent
Todd - Our thief follows the command biting his lip and mentally praying the worms aren't interested.
DM - The worms follow the sound of shuffling feet, moving in your direction. They are nearly on you as you reach the doorway.
Shawn - Tries to get passed the door bfore the worms reach them "Kick it shut, hurry"
Todd - Mikkel kicks the door shut if he can.
DM - Trying to handle the body and kick the door shut, a worm blocks the door from closing. You're on the other side, in the room with all the bodies and close to the body of Buddha and Odin.
Shawn - Va'lar drops the body on the ground "Try and keep them out, I'll get the dog" he says as he grabs Odin, holding the dog in front of the worm, trying to get it to latch on and pull back into the room
Todd - Mikkel drops his end of the body then draws his looted sword. "I'll try" he barks.
DM - The body of Dagrock lands with a thud, Only one worm made it in the doorway but Mikkel can see in the dim light of the torch the rest are following.
Todd - Mikkel swings his blade at the worm approaching us.
DM - Mikkel swings low with the sword, slicing the worm a third of the way down it's body. It lies flayed open, motionless.
Shawn - Va'lar kicks the lifeless body back , clearing the gap as he drops the dog on the ground, reaching to help shut the door
Todd - Mikkel moves to Dagrock and drags him away from the incoming worms, his watchful eye and sword aimed at the enemies.
DM - Va'lar moves forward, kicking the worm into the room and dropping the dog inside while Mikkel falls back to swap places with him, grabbing the body of Dagrock and pulling him from the doorway. Va'lar is able to grab the door and shut it as the worms swarm the dog and bite at it.
Shawn - Takes the extra sword and jams it into the door "Are we...did we... I think, I think we're good... I think those things go by hearing, don't think the can see that well"
Todd - "Heh...yeah. Let's get out of here." Mikkel replies.
DM - You begin backtracking, carrying the body and chainmail slows you two down immensely.
Shawn - Va'lar still walking backwards will lead them down to the south, staying against the eastern wall, keeping his eyes on the ceiling just incase as they make their way to the southern door
Todd - Mikkel keeps his eyes and ears open for danger while lugging the body around.
Shawn - Heads down the hallway, back towards the first room
DM - You make it nearly to the bend in the hallway, and Mikkel spots them first, 20 feet away in the torch light. Standing about 4' tall, human like bodies other than the head, neck, and legs of a dog. Each of the two holds a sword in their hand, and is wearing thick sleeveless jackets that brush the floor, too big for their bodies.
Todd - "Uh. Hail brothers. Doing good this evening?" says Mikkel in an innocent tone.
Shawn - Caught off guard by Mikkels sudden speaking he looks over his shoulder to see just what was happening "Be careful through there, there's a bunch of those worms, we managed to get rid of some but there may be more"
DM - The pair let out a low snarl before one speaks up "Taking meat! Taking meat!" the two raise their swords in front of them and stand shoulder to shoulder in the hallway, blocking your path.
Shawn - "wait wait, this meat is our friend, if you let us leave with him, we will bring you back more meat, bigger meat"
DM - "Bigger meat? Meat friend?" The other creature says. They look at you in silence for a moment. "Take meat friend, more meat in smelly room." one says as he sniffs furiously at the room you've come from, reminding you of the dogs you brought with you.
Shawn - Va'lar nods quickly "Yes bigger meat, next moon we will be back in the cave behind you, with big meat for you." He says before starting to slowly make his way past them "We also left fresh meat in the uh, smelly room? You can have it all"
Todd - Mikkel slowly nods with a forced smile on his face.
DM - The two dog men happily let you pass at the thought of fresh meat, their long tongues unroll and the look as if they smile at the thought, as much as a dogs face can smile. "Come back next moon, big meat, we wait for you!"
Shawn - Va'lar nods and picks up his pace "Hurry, the may not like seeing Odin and the gang cause...well you know" he whispers just as they get out of ear shot
Todd - "Damn right, let's go!"
DM - You two quickly continue down the hall, turning the corner and reaching the cavern you entered. You're relieved to see the rope still hanging down. The moon light has made it's way down the cavern wall, nearly reaching the runes in the middle of the room, letting you know it's almost midnight.
Shawn - "C'mon, lets see if we can tie him to the rope" He says as he pulls out the extra rope he has, along with the chainmail they found "Help me put this on him, we can attach the rope to it and be easier to pull him up" He says before starting to put the armor on with Mikkels help
DM - You walk to the middle of the room and put the body down. Va'lar takes out the rope and chainmail from his pack while the torch in Mikkels hand starts to flicker.
Shawn - Va'lar pulls a torch out his bag as well, handing it to Mikkel
Todd - "Got a light bub?"
Shawn - Once the armor is on Va'lar would use his extra rope to loop through the chainmail, running it from the neck hole to the waistline, then up through each arm, keeping it in a sturdy cross shape as he ran it through again and again, leaving a few feet on each end to tie to the other rope "That should about do it, what do you think?
Todd - "Fine by me. Let's get us all out of here"
Shawn - Va'lar would start his climb up, reaching the top in just a minute or two
DM - As Va'lar secures the rope to the chainmail and Mikkel is lighting the new torch, the moon light passes onto the runes on the ground. As it does a pale green light illuminates the runes, matching their pattern. Mikkel notices it before the lit runes are under him, as does Va'lar.
Shawn - "Uuuuuuhhhh Mikkel? I think we should get out of here" he says as he starts to climb up the rope, not waiting to see what was about the happen
Todd - "Gogogogogogogogo" Mikkel repeats as his muscles strain to get to the surface as soon as possible.
DM - Va'lar starts climbing the rope a head of Mikkel, making good progress up the first 20' of rope. The moonlight slowly pours over the ground below, the runes nearly reaching Dagrock.
Va'lar continues to lead, keeping a strong grip despite being slowed down by the chainmail. Mikkel keeps pace with him and peers down, seeing the runes slowly glow under Dagrock.
Va'lar crests the hole, making his way out of it first. The climb seems easier for this last stretch, likely the anticipation of climbing out of there. Mikkel follows close behind, scrambling out of the hole.
The two stand near the edge, you can spot a faint lamp light from the wagon not too far off, Anrock is still waiting for your return.
Shawn - "Quick pull him up" He yells out as he grabs the rope, tugging hand over hand on it
Todd - Mikkel begins to pull up on the rope with great haste.
DM - As you pull you both immediately realize something isn't right, it's as if you're pulling up nothing.
Shawn - Being nearest to the hole Va'lar looks down into it
DM - Leaning over the hole your head feels light. Not dizzy, but as if it weighs less. Looking into it you see the moon light illuminating nearly all the runes and Dagrock's corpse is flying at you, Fast.
Shawn - "Fuck fuck fuck Hold onto the rope tight he's flying up!" He yells out to Mikkel behind him, as he keeps on pulling, trying to direct the body closer to them
Todd - "Uh.... okay!" Mikkel replies, this wasn't the oddest thing that happened today.
DM - You hear foot steps as Anrock comes running once you yell, in a moment the body flies out of the hole as fast as a horse at full gallop and the rope sags for just a moment before snapping taught with a sound like a whip. The rope burns Va'lars hands as it reaches it's full speed and he instinctively lets go. Mikkel is able to hold on as dagrock reaches his full peak and snaps to a stop. The tree behind you groans as it tries to bear the force, just before it snaps and starts to be dragged over the hole, sliding about 15' away.
Todd - "Anrock, get over here!" Mikkel pulls on the rope with determination in his eye.
Shawn - "Anrock, grab the rope hurry!" He yells out before reaching out and grabbing ahold of the rope once more and starting to pull again, as quick as he could
DM - As Mikkel and Va'lar tug at the rope, they find that the tree snapping really slowed down Dagrocks speed. Anrock tries to pull the rope, but watching the way his brothers arms and legs loosely float in the magic is disheartening and his strength fails him.
Shawn - "Anrock, he is passed out! If you want to have your brother fucking pull!" Va'lar yells at the stunned brother, hoping to encourage him to keep pulling
DM - Mikkel and Va'lar keep tugging, the tree quickly came to a stop once the rope had some slack in it. The body of Dagrock slowly makes it way down as the two fight the magic current. Anrock now see's his brother in the moonlight, only 20' away, pale and lifeless. He drops to his knees and weeps.
A few more minutes pass and Dagrock is close enough to grab. Pulling him out of the magic ray Anrock quickly moves to his brothers side and cries into his chest.
Shawn - Va'lar sighs out as he reaches over and softly pats Anrock on the back "I'm sorry for your lostAnrock..." He says softly, rubbing his shoulder as he waits for him to calm down a little "We can't stay here long though, it may not be safe"
Todd - "I agree. We can have a proper burial now and drink over it. Let's go buddy" Mikkel chimes in with some comforting pats.
DM - "You're right" Anrock says as he motions for help picking his brother up. "Lets get back to the public house, I have a bunk room for us. You can fill me in on what you found down there, and what his last moments were like." Tears fill his eyes as you load Dagrock on the wagon and ride back to town.
And so, after dealing with magical runes, dog men, hair creatures, and nearly being the next meal for stoneworms, the party escapes having found the man they were looking for. Total treasure recovered: Two sets of Chainmail (Worth 168 coins each), Two Swords (36 coins each), and 46 loose coins. 454 coins total, awarding each character 227 xp. A solid step on the way to the 800 needed for level 3.
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