409 - JUL 4
After resting the party and their herd of animals moved out at 0800 on July 2nd. They travelled through scrubby terrain devoid of notable inhabitants until 1000 on July 4 when, while moving through a bleak plain, Hester sensed some sort of tremor, though very faint. The party moved cautiously expecting trouble. Aileil also detected a tremor and Wotan's hackles were raised.
To no-one's surprise, suddenly six Ankhegs burst forth out of the ground. Aileil quickly established that the vicious beasts were mainly interested in the party's pack animals as a snack.
A furious melee ensued. One Ankheg was felled by a Sleep Spell from Vincenzo. Four others fell in combat. The last remaining Ankheg beat a hasty retreat, plunging back into the tunnel it had emerged from.
Aileil slew the sleeping Ankheg and successfully removed its acid gland retreiving two pints of acid (good for delivering 4d4 acid damage).
The party continued onwards.
At around 1100 on 5 July they spotted the Antonine Wall. Small forts (each two storey with rooms of 40' by 40') were visible every 2-3 miles along the wall. The party noticed a fort with a banner flying depicting a rampant boar on a deep blue background. Above the boar the letters "SPQR" were clearly visible.
Venturing closer, the party saw Picts wearing Roman Auxiliary style armour on top of the fort. They were joined by a small statured man in robes who introduced himself as Baldock. He explained that he was the commander of a small garrison of auxiliaries that were garrisoning the fort and keeping order until the Romans decided to return. Recognising the party as loyal servants of the Empire, he invited them in for lunch.
Entering the fort the party met eight of the Pictish auxiliaries, a large German barbarian called Otto, and a large and rather ugly man who was stirring an enormous pot in which a stew was cooking.
Baldock, oozing bonhomie, had some wine bought up in amphorae and poured everyone a generous measure in pewter goblets, having a stiff drink first himself as he toasted the brave adventurers. It was noticed that the genial host touched an amulet at his neck every time he had a drink.
The party quickly became aware that something was wrong with the wine. Aradec and Vincenzo became unconscious while everyone else felt woozy. Baldock produced a wand and let fly with Magic Missiles. Otto, brandishing a rod discharged a glob of viscous fluid at Aleil, clearly designed to immobilize him. The crafty Druid partly dodged the sticky missile but was slowed by it.
The "cook" joined the fight and transformed into a large ugly Troll (is there any other kind?) obviously having been magically disguised.
A wild melee followed. Otto inflicted a vicious wound on Aileil using his greatsword, but was grieviously wounded in turn by Mindthrusts from Alaricus.
Alaricus also delivered an effective Mindthrust against Baldock, who attempted and failed to deliver a counterattacking spell.
In what was possibly the party's most impressive dispaly of coordinated violence, both Otto and Baldock were slain. The Troll fought gamely but was outnumbered. It too fell and Aileil summoned a Fire Elemental to ensure the giant did not regenerate. Aradec woke up in time to deliver a nasty sneak attack on the Troll. Vincenzo woke up in time to miss all the excitement.
As the Troll went under, four of the Pict auxilaries, who had been passively watching the melee, fled from the tower.
Baldock upon death transformed into what appeared to be a Wererat. Aileil skinned him.
The party looted the bodies. Aradec and Donuk both noticed a loose stone in the wall protected by a stone trap that would have dropped roofing stones on anyone carelessly removing the loose stone.
Aided by Donuk, Aradec bypassed the trap and successfully opened a chest without triggering a poison needle trap in the lock.
The party's loot amounted to:
- A circlet found on the Troll's head (luckily noticed before the Troll was incinerated) that enables the wearer to cast Disguise Self three times a day.
- A Sleep Bracelet with 10 charges (each charge can absorb a Sleep Spell cast at the wearer).
- An amulet of Mage Armour with 6 charges.
- A Ring of Protection +2.
- Wand of Magic Missile (CL1) - 18 charges.
- Wand of Mage Armour - 11 charges.
- Crystal of Illumination (least).
- Scroll of Darkvision.
- Lenses of Bright Vision.
- Scroll of Mass Invisibility.
- Gauntlets of Giantfelling.
- +1 Greatsword.
- Rod of Viscid Globs.
- Amulet of Natural Armour +1.
- Sandals of Sprinting.
- 1300gp.
- Jasper Gem worth 50gp.
- Onyx Bear Statue worth 250gp.
- Gold Torc worth 500gp.
The party looked for the Pictish auxiliaries and found tracks heading north.
Searching the tower the party found three unopened amphorae of wine plus a stone jar containing a mysterious grey powder.
Somewhat fatigued by their exertions and needing time to identify their ill-gotten gains, the party rested at the fort until 0800 on July 7.
To no-one's surprise, suddenly six Ankhegs burst forth out of the ground. Aileil quickly established that the vicious beasts were mainly interested in the party's pack animals as a snack.
A furious melee ensued. One Ankheg was felled by a Sleep Spell from Vincenzo. Four others fell in combat. The last remaining Ankheg beat a hasty retreat, plunging back into the tunnel it had emerged from.
Aileil slew the sleeping Ankheg and successfully removed its acid gland retreiving two pints of acid (good for delivering 4d4 acid damage).
The party continued onwards.
At around 1100 on 5 July they spotted the Antonine Wall. Small forts (each two storey with rooms of 40' by 40') were visible every 2-3 miles along the wall. The party noticed a fort with a banner flying depicting a rampant boar on a deep blue background. Above the boar the letters "SPQR" were clearly visible.
Venturing closer, the party saw Picts wearing Roman Auxiliary style armour on top of the fort. They were joined by a small statured man in robes who introduced himself as Baldock. He explained that he was the commander of a small garrison of auxiliaries that were garrisoning the fort and keeping order until the Romans decided to return. Recognising the party as loyal servants of the Empire, he invited them in for lunch.
Entering the fort the party met eight of the Pictish auxiliaries, a large German barbarian called Otto, and a large and rather ugly man who was stirring an enormous pot in which a stew was cooking.
Baldock, oozing bonhomie, had some wine bought up in amphorae and poured everyone a generous measure in pewter goblets, having a stiff drink first himself as he toasted the brave adventurers. It was noticed that the genial host touched an amulet at his neck every time he had a drink.
The party quickly became aware that something was wrong with the wine. Aradec and Vincenzo became unconscious while everyone else felt woozy. Baldock produced a wand and let fly with Magic Missiles. Otto, brandishing a rod discharged a glob of viscous fluid at Aleil, clearly designed to immobilize him. The crafty Druid partly dodged the sticky missile but was slowed by it.
The "cook" joined the fight and transformed into a large ugly Troll (is there any other kind?) obviously having been magically disguised.
A wild melee followed. Otto inflicted a vicious wound on Aileil using his greatsword, but was grieviously wounded in turn by Mindthrusts from Alaricus.
Alaricus also delivered an effective Mindthrust against Baldock, who attempted and failed to deliver a counterattacking spell.
In what was possibly the party's most impressive dispaly of coordinated violence, both Otto and Baldock were slain. The Troll fought gamely but was outnumbered. It too fell and Aileil summoned a Fire Elemental to ensure the giant did not regenerate. Aradec woke up in time to deliver a nasty sneak attack on the Troll. Vincenzo woke up in time to miss all the excitement.
As the Troll went under, four of the Pict auxilaries, who had been passively watching the melee, fled from the tower.
Baldock upon death transformed into what appeared to be a Wererat. Aileil skinned him.
The party looted the bodies. Aradec and Donuk both noticed a loose stone in the wall protected by a stone trap that would have dropped roofing stones on anyone carelessly removing the loose stone.
Aided by Donuk, Aradec bypassed the trap and successfully opened a chest without triggering a poison needle trap in the lock.
The party's loot amounted to:
- A circlet found on the Troll's head (luckily noticed before the Troll was incinerated) that enables the wearer to cast Disguise Self three times a day.
- A Sleep Bracelet with 10 charges (each charge can absorb a Sleep Spell cast at the wearer).
- An amulet of Mage Armour with 6 charges.
- A Ring of Protection +2.
- Wand of Magic Missile (CL1) - 18 charges.
- Wand of Mage Armour - 11 charges.
- Crystal of Illumination (least).
- Scroll of Darkvision.
- Lenses of Bright Vision.
- Scroll of Mass Invisibility.
- Gauntlets of Giantfelling.
- +1 Greatsword.
- Rod of Viscid Globs.
- Amulet of Natural Armour +1.
- Sandals of Sprinting.
- 1300gp.
- Jasper Gem worth 50gp.
- Onyx Bear Statue worth 250gp.
- Gold Torc worth 500gp.
The party looked for the Pictish auxiliaries and found tracks heading north.
Searching the tower the party found three unopened amphorae of wine plus a stone jar containing a mysterious grey powder.
Somewhat fatigued by their exertions and needing time to identify their ill-gotten gains, the party rested at the fort until 0800 on July 7.