Hot Springs Island-Session 3: Kangaroo Court + Chaotic Cave Fight

This Session's Cast

For this session, we had two players, Nic & Jarron. Since we normally have 3-4 players. I let each player play two PCs similar to how PCs can play groups of hirelings in OSE games.

Roc

(AC 14 | HP 7)

Martak Lightfoot

(Playtesting Kelsey Donnies Ranger class)(AC 10 | HP 9)

Heiter

(AC 11 | HP 11)

Esien

(AC12 | 14 HP)

A Downtime Recap

A key element of games employing 1:1 time is downtime activities. Unfortunately, this has been something I've neglected to let the PCs explore so far. So this week we explored Shadow Dark's Downtime rules for the first time. Shadow Dark has two modes of Downtime. Carousing and Learning.

Carousing

"Carousing is a way for you to convert the coin you've earned into XP and other benefits. You'll likely come out of a carousing event with a new NPC contact, whether friend or foe. You might even acquire a new magic item if you're bold and lucky enough..."

Learning

(DC 18)

Roc currently has a 5 in Wisdom, which he tried to increase through two weeks of philosophical debates with the Pirates, Marines, and Mercenaries living aboard the beached carcass of the Siren's Folly. Unfortunately he failed each week's check, meaning the next time he attempts this task it will be a DC 12 Wisdom Check.

Esien currently has a 12 in Dexterity, which he tried to increase through two weeks of climbing atop the beached ship's rigging & scaffolding. Unfortunately, he failed each week's check, meaning the next time he attempts this task it will be a DC 12 Dexterity Check.

Heiter spent 30 gp Carousing, resulting in him surviving a blindfolded knife-throwing demonstration. He then spent a week trying to learn Elvish from the Alphabet found in the Field Guide to Hot Springs Island. Unfortunately, he failed, meaning the next time he attempts this task it will be a DC 15 Intelligence Check.

The Session Report

Muddy Boars

The party started off the session with the goal of reaching HS-25, where they believed their marid ally, Meltalia might be based.

During their journey to HS-25, the PCs encountered two events. In the first, they stumbled upon an Ooze Imp cooking a piglet over a campfire. The angered parents of the piglet then emerged from the jungle and attacked the Ooze Imp. A quick combat encounter then occurred where thre PCs nearly died as they kept wiffing their rolls. Eventually the PCs defeated the boars & turned to the Ooze imp expecting a grateful gesture of some sort.

Unfortunately, the dice didn’t have this in mind as the reaction role came up as hostile. I interpreted this as the Ooze Imp flinging mud at the PCs in a tantrum, furious that it hadn't delivered the final blow. Thinking on his feet Heiter pretended to be hit by the mudball, wich caused the Imp to fall over into a fit of laugher. Seeing this Martak Lightfoot ran over to Heiter and began covering Heiter in mud to make it look more convincing. While the Ooze Imp didn;t buy this, he did find it hilarious and instantly forgave the PCs.

The PCs then took a brief respite to receive healing from Martak Lightfoot, during which Roc decided to consume some raw boar meat, unwittingly contracting a parasite in the process. After some time the PCs resumed their journey & encountered a Tabari engaged in battle with a Water Elemental on the beach. Still tending to some of their wounds from the previous fight, the PCs choose to avoid encounter and press on with their journey. Midway through the day's journey, Heiter successfully cast Shield of Faith upon himself to shield against overly aggressive mosquitoes. I thought this was a clever narrative use of the spell, so I awarded Jaron a Luck Token for his ingenuity.

Eventually the PCs encountered "A 30’ tall dripping tree stands atop a pile of boulders 20’ in diameter that offer a clear view of the sea. The tree’s roots twist around the stones and are covered with ferns and tickleweed. A rusted horseshoe, pointed upward to catch the luck, is nailed halfway up the trunk."

Discovering The Adder's Hidden Cache

Eventually the PCs encountered a 30’ tall dripping tree standing atop a pile of boulders 20’ in diameter that offer a clear view of the sea. Investigating the structure the PC’s noticed that the tree’s roots twisted around the stones & were covered with ferns & tickleweed. They also noticed two rusted horseshoes, nailed halfway up the trunk & pointed upward to catch the luck.

Intrigued, Roc chopped at the trees roots. Narrowly aboding being hit in the head, by the carnivorous plant’s sticky coconuts. In the process he uncovered a small man-dug cave. Which the PC’s crawled into single file. Eventually after ten or so minutes of crawling (for the human sized characters) the PC’s came across a 20’ x 20’ stone room. Where they found 35 gold pieces scattered across the ground, a blank book clutched by a chained-up skeleton, and a nest constructed by Giant Rats from bolts of Reywish fabric. A magical material which shift to various shades of blue based on the wearer's movements & emotions.

A fight commenced as the rats targeted the PCs wielding torches, nearly killing them in the process. At this point the PC’s decided to bunker down in this hidden enclave & rest for the night. Come morning, they resumed their journey towards HS-25.

Discovering The Falls

By noon on their second day of the journey, the PCs stumbled upon the split rock, an old abandoned pirate hideout. Concerned about the obvious booby traps blocking the way to this local, the PCs decided against investigating, choosing to focus on finding their ally Meltalia. They spotted a large waterfall, which they figured must be her base. As they knew she had asn affinity for water.

While walking along the beach towards the falls, Esien took a peep below the waters, nearly being eaten by a Bunyip (an AD&D monster I added since the sea didnt have any encounter tables). Eventually the PCs made there way to the base of the water fall where they spotted Gigantic crystals growing out from the walls of the waterfall & descending into the waves below.

Finding the Crystal Sea Cave

Esien once again plunged beneath the waves, bringing Heiter along despite the latter's inability to breathe underwater. Together, they discovered an underwater cave barricaded by bubble columns serving as a door. Here he found a Water Imp who was delighted to hear he was a friend of Meltalia’s. However, the Imp insisted on testing their intentions as per its orders, by asking the following questions:

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is your favorite color? Esien easily answered the questions. Unfortunately, his companion Heiter had begun to drown. Thinking on his feet, he told the Imp his friend cant speak underwater, and told him he could question his friend beyond the bubble doors. Buying this, the Imp let the two PCs inside and proceeded to ask the same questions.

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is your favorite color?

Prowelers Attack

Camped up on the beach Martak Lightfoot & Roc inadvertently found themselves amidst a territorial fight between two Coppermane Prowlers. Both prowlers reacted aggressively to the PCs', pelting them with bolts of lightning.

Martak Lightfoot dropped to 0 HP. 'Caught between a Roc & a hard place', Roc grabbed Martak's body & dove beneath the waves, swimming towards the incredibly obvious bubble column doors. At first the Water Imps refused to let Martak Lightfoot & Roc into their sactuary. But they eventually relented after come convincing on the part of Esien & Heiter

A Song & Chains

Upon regaining consciousness, the Water Imps proceed to aggressively interrogate Martak Lightfoot

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is your favorite color?

What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

What do you know of your people’s crimes against Elemental kind?

How old are you?

From where is your origin?

What did you say your favorite color was? Eventually, it was revealed that the Elves had committed horrible atrocities in the distant past. atrocities the immortal Elementals weren't ready to forgive or forget. The Water Imps decided to take Martak Lightfoot prisoner, placing manacles made of ice upon his wrists. They PC's were then escorted to a flooded cave which acted as anamphitheater. here they found 4 nereids engaged in band pratice. Meltalia, Solaria, Daphne, & Teelo.

Since the Nereid leaders where already engaged with band paratice, the PC's got a bit of exposition in the form of the following song (which you can listen to here):

(Verse 1)

(Verse 2)

(Chorus)

(Verse 3)

(Verse 4)

(Chorus)

(Verse 5)

(Verse 6)

(Chorus)

(Outro)

Courts In Session

Eventually, the Nereid leaders came to a stopping point. At which point they noticed Roc,Heiter, Esien, & Martak Lightfoot. While Meltalia was excited to once again see Esien, she was both confused & enraged to see him accompanied by a group of unknowns & an Elf.

Almost immediately the Nereids flew into a violent rage, preparing to end Martak Lightfoot. Luckily, Esien stepped in demanding a fair trial. What ensued can best be described as a Kangaroo court where the judges intended to hold Martak Lightfoot accountable for all the crimes of his ‘supposed ancestors’.

While Esien Embodied his best Pheonix Wright impression, & shouted Objection after Objection. Before ultimately calling for a trial by combat.

Figuring that the Elf would ultimately die, the Nereids removed his chains & took his Sword, replacing it with a magical Sword made of Ice. One enchated to melt if Martak Lightfoot every tried to harm them, or an ally. They then charged the PCs with freeing the Crystal Sea Cave from the menace of Crystalback Wydarr.

Aquring Allies

Given a task, & an opportunity to gain their friend's freedom, the PCs traveled about the cave in search of allies. While Heiter & Esien gathered a small army of water elementals to flood the cave with water. Martak Lightfoot sought out the help of some Earth Imps he spotted in the cave. While all of this went down Roc engaged in a Haka contest with a Kiru Ranger (an enlightened yet tribal lizardman).

Leauge Of Legends Style Chaotic Cave Combat

Having gathered their allies, the PC's stepped forth into the section of the Crystal Sea Cave, which had been over run. They found a very dry and hot cave filled with gigantic crystals & numerous tunnels.

Immediately the party began prepping for a massive battle. Using the Earth Imps they moved some of the Gigantic Crystals to create blockades, that would slow down the Wydarrs, should they flood out of the holes, as they closed them off. Unable to enter the cave due to the dryness. The Water Imps were ordered to create a barrier that would contain the Waydarrs to this section of the cave.

After all these preparations had been made the PCs ordered the Earth Imps to close holes, 1 by 1. After closing the first hole, waves of angry Crystal Back Wydarrs began pouring forth from the remaining holes. Forcing the PCs into battle.

What ensued was 9 rounds of combat where the PCs and their allies faced 12 crystal back Wydarr (AC 18, so they kept missing). Halfway through the fight after the PC’s had closed off a couple of holes. Some Water Elementals from an adjoining cave joined the fray, turning the tide of battle in the PC’s favor. Ensuring they’re eventual victory.

The Wrap Up

Impressed with they're skill & resourcefulness, Meltalia, granted the PC's the now liberated section of the cave as a base of operations. The PC's decided to spend the next week of downtime building up this part of the cave to be more confortable to them. They built a ladder enternce Some bunk beds, a storage chamber, a kitchen, and a black smithy (with the help of the Earth Imps). Thankful for all the help Esien had given her. Meltalia granted him a wish. Freeing him & his friends from the brands of enslavement which bound him to the Martel Company.

With that our session was concluded.

1:1 Time Talk

I’m really enjoying the implementation of 1:1 time. The BROs were certainly on to something here. That said we had a bit of an issue with the implementation of 1:1 time this session. Halfway through the Chaotic Cave Combat. The game store where we play closed. Not wanting to end the session and kill the PCs because they failed to end the game before the end of the session. We all drove to Jaron’s house where we spent an additional half hour finishing up the game.

Obviously, this can’t be something we feasibly rely on. While it's partly my fault for not watching the clock closely enough, there's gotta be a way in which climatic battles like this can be permitted in such a short session. If you all have any advice on what I could have done better, please let me know.

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Ramblings Of A Mad Mage