Escape the Dark Castle
Wherever you go, there you are...
You wake up once again in your cell.
You have no idea how long you’ve been here, but it feels like forever. And who knows, maybe at this point it is.
You don’t even know how or why you’re in this terrible place.
Maybe this is hell. It certainly feels that way.
You have brief visions that you’ve died. Sometimes very horribly, but yet here you are breathing. The air you’re breathing isn’t great filled with the scent of who knows what, but you’re still breathing.
You glance and find that you’re not alone. Three others are here in the cell with. They’re all a motley bunch looking as dirty and ill kept as you probably look right now. Somehow some of them seem familiar but then you can’t remember much anymore everything is always a blur now.
"Hey, don't I know you?"
In any case, after a brief moment of talking, someone notices that the cell door is slightly ajar. Your captors forgot to shut it properly.
Wasting no time, the four of you leave the cell…
Yep, off to a great start already.
Having gotten yourself lost deeper inside the bowels of the Dark Castle, you now have one extra encounter added to your escape.
All is not lost however since you also found a storeroom. Your group grabs as much as you can as you hear the distant sounds of presumably guards shouting.
You’ve found:
2 Elixirs of Insight: Discard before combat to change any chapter die to show the trait of your choice
1 Liquid Luck: Discard to re-roll your character die and apply that result
1 Cunning Concoction: Discard to apply a single cunning at any time
1 Effervescent Evasion: Discard whenever you would lose HP to lose none instead
The Healing Verses: Whenever you roll a double you may restore 1 HP to any character
The Replication Stones: Whenever you roll a single it counts as two singles of that trait.
1 Partially Rotten Apple: Discard to gain 1 HP
In addition to this loot, your incarceration in this place has resulted in some interesting character trait that may come in useful ONCE per game:
Abbot - Stubborn: You can ignore the effects of something happening to “YOU” when leading the group or the effects of a combat special. (This doesn’t apply to the end boss)
Butcher - Desperate: You may change the result of a die roll to the result of your choice.
Fletcher - Cowardly: You may draw an item card and flee from a combat encounter. (Doesn’t apply to the end boss)
Shepherd - Defiant: During combat you can change any number of chapter dice to the results of your choice
Divide up the loot as you all see fit and pick the person to lead the group for the next encounter.
Yeah I can use the ability when it seems like it would be the most effective again unless you say otherwise.
Yeah it was for an encounter so you just wasted it. Lol.
How many items can we individually have in our possession? In order of personal priority, depending on how many she can take, Fletcher takes the Healing Verses, Replication Stones and Effervescent Evasion.
Fletcher, named "Fletcher," rolls her eyes at Ellen.
2.
I mentioned that in the rules thread.
Anyway, you got the other two since Shepherd already took the Healing Verses (After she also drank the cunning potion)
Sorry about that. I'll pay more attention from here on out.
I'll take whatever's leflt all the floor and kiester it in front of the others, jailhouse style. A man's gotta do what it takes to survive on the inside. Then I'll go first because I am the only true alpha here.
Guess that leaves me to pick up an insight and liquid luck. And I am deeply disappointed that we haven't found any ale or wine. However, unlike my companion I choose to not chug a potion without reading the instructions.
I agree that Malk takes point.
Burning Man
Having witnessed the Butcher’s power move of shoving items up his anal cavity when he still had clothing with pockets, the rest of the group decided that he might be the best one to lead the way.
The group ended up fumbling through darkness until the Butcher saw a fire ahead. Likes moths to the literal flame, they moved towards it.
“This really hurt a lot and now I have to start all over again!” - Burningman’s spirit
As a group you can decide to try to take the sack nearby that hasn’t been completely consumed by flames.
If so then nominate a person to try to grab it. They’ll need to pass a WISDOM check to succeed.
Of course you all could just ignore it and move on to the next encounter.
I'll grab the bag.
Liquid Beats Fire
The Abbot decided to risk the flames in the hopes of gaining the contents within. He tried once, but the flames were far too hot at this point and he nearly burned himself.
Thinking quickly, the Abbot took his liquid luck potion and doused the flames on the sack, and managed to get the contents.
You've found:
Rengorn's Rune: Whenever you roll a double, you may change it to a single of any kind, (The double does not apply obviously)
Warped Cudgel: Once handed weapon. Once per round when you roll a MIGHT, you may roll again and choose which of the two results to apply.
Currently Abbot and Shepherd have an open inventory slot. Unless you're going to do some rearranging with folks.
Distribute items as you wish and choose who to take lead.
I'll pick up the cudgel, and leave the rune for shepherd. I nominate Malk to continue the lead.
Seconded. The "alpha" should lead.
O Captain! My Captain!
Leaving the burning corpse behind, the group way their way into less lit areas lest it attract attention to them.
A logical idea, but given that this place was crawling with horrors, it was only a matter of time before something found them. It just happened a lot sooner than later.
"Ah four of you! I might actually have to break a sweat!"
The captain wasn't just a skilled warrior, he was also heavily armored. The group fought fairly well considering the lack of weapons, but they suffered several wounds in the process.
Every time they seemed to get the captain on the backstep he somehow managed to turn the tide back in his favor. It was only thanks to the Abbot getting in a strategic strike and stubbornly hitting the downed captain repeatedly with his cudgel until he was sure that his helmet was dented into his actual skull and brains were leaking out the side.
Abbot lost 4 HP
Abbot lost Elixir of Insight
Abbot lost Stubborn Trait
Fletcher lost 4 HP
Shepherd lost 4 HP
After recovering a bit from the fight, they found one item in the captain's possession.
Crumbling Spell Book: Two handed. Whenever you would roll your character die, you can try to cast a spell instead. Pick the spell and roll
Obliterate - Can be cast during combat and choose a target (Still leaves you open to attack regardless of the outcome)
Revive - Can be cast during combat and choose a target (Does not leave you open to an attack)
Manipulate - Can be cast to resolve a non-combat challenge. (If the spell fails, you also suffer any negative consequences of the challenge)
Decide who gets the book and whatever else before picking who leads the way to the next encounter.
I discard Effervescent Evasion to regain the HP I would have lost in that fight. I would also like to take the Revive if no one else objects.
Alright.
The Revive spell is part of the Spell Book. All those spells are, I just listed them and their effects.
You'd have to give someone your stones to get the spell book.
Gotcha. Thoughts, team?
Can I use my Rotten Apple on whoever is missing health? If Butcher yanks the apple out of his ass and hands it to the person with the lowest health, and stows the stones in his prison wallet.
Yeah.
Mizal and DB have the same amount of health, so it depends on whichever one of those is going to have the courage to eat it I suppose.
I'll offer it to Miz first.
"Go on, mate. 'Ave a nibble."
Nah, Im good. Let the fletcher eat it.
Fletcher looks on in amusement and horror.
Also, does anyone want the stones, or would they prefer the spell book?
Malk said he was taking the Stones, and since Mizal didn't want the apple, that means DB eats it for 1 HP.
You get to keep the Spellbook
Guessing you lot want Malk to continue to lead?
EDIT: Well nevermind all that, DB doesn't want it either.
Well continue to sort it out I guess.
Watching Ellen choke down the apple, Butcher leads the party forward.
As nasty as this prison has been. I am not touching and especially eating anything that has been in the Butcher's "prison wallet". There is no telling what all has been up in there since we've been in here.
A Moment of Peace
Having rested a bit from their encounter with the captain, the group moved on with the Butcher leading the way as usual.
The man made passages started to become rougher looking in this area and resemble more of a natural cave appearance. Maybe they were very deep under the castle now? Either way, they only hoped this was still leading further towards an exit rather than another dead end.
A giant evil stone face with an altar inside the mouth. Sure let's go in!
While it was probably expected to have a bloody heart or bowl of blood on the dish, the only offering here a simple piece of food.
1 Stale Loaf of Bread: Discard to gain 1 HP
Decide who's getting it (And probably eating it immediately) and choose who leads the way.
While the other members of my group look at each other trying to decide. I snatch the loaf of bread and eat it immediately - not really worrying about any potential side effects. After I gulp it down, I look to the Butcher to see which way he will lead.
Glub Glub Glub
The Butcher continued to lead the way as was the norm at this point. Wasn't long before the group noticed that the passage way they were walking along was wet.
And then soon they were walking through a thin layer of water until...
Deep breaths people.
It had been a long time since any other branch had been seen so going forward was the only thing for it, they were going to have to do some underwater swimming. (There was no choice)
The Butcher took a swig of his insight potion to prepare himself completely for this underwater adventure. He made to the dry side without problems.
The Abbot despite his size also didn't have too many issues other than getting his robe caught as one point and suffering a wound against a jagged rock.
The Fletcher and Shepherd had the hardest time and nearly drowned in the process, but managed to barely make it.
Butcher lost Potion of Insight
Abbot lost 1 HP
Fletcher lost 3 HP
Shepherd lost 3 HP
Pick who is leading (Butcher I'm guessing) and move on to the next encounter.
"So there I was, balls deep in a Chinaman, with the Turk getting ready to go balls deep in me. Luckily, I remembered what they taught me back in the circus, so I --" Butcher's story gets cut off by his effortless five star freedive. When he surfaces on the other side, important details seem to have been lost. "Anyway, that's how I saved Duke Obama," he concludes, leading the way as usual.
This Water Smells Funny
While the group might have been out of the submerged part of the area, they still had water to wade through. It didn't help that the water seemed to be getting darker and it wasn't long before the smell became unmistakable.
This had to be where the castle's sewage was going.
Most of the group was trying hard not to vomit every other minute of wading through the foul muck. Well other than the Butcher who just mentioned something about how this reminded him of when he destroyed a nobleman's bathroom after being invited to a big feast for the peasants. The young noble never did learn who did it, but the act had thoroughly ruined his idealistic views of the common folk.
The Butcher was about to regale his group with another story when yet again something interrupted.
IT'S SHITZILLA!
Even the Butcher was taken by surprise by this brown beast that managed to get a good swipe at him before the group prepared for battle.
Butcher lost 1 HP
It's going to be a fight, though you got the option of taking him head on or trying to fight more defensively.
You can state what your preference of attack is as a group and still hang back to rest if that's what you mean.
Butcher is going to attack Shitzilla with his fists.
Ima join the butcher with the cudgel.
Despite the Fletcher's usual cowardly nature, she will attempt to cast Obliterate at the reptile using the spell book.
A World of SHIT
Butcher and Abbot rushed at the creature while the Fletcher attempted to cast a spell. They did a bit of damage though the Abbot was slashed across the face during his efforts.
The Fletcher unfortunately found that it wasn't as easy as just saying a bunch of weird words and making a hand gesture to cast a spell. All he succeeded in doing was creating a small explosion in his hand. While he was clutching his hand in pain, the shit lizard took the opportunity to get a free hit on him.
Seeing as magic wasn't helping here, the Fletcher assisted the Butcher and Abbot in their attack, however once again he took the worst of retailation. Feeling like he was at death's door, he stepped back to try to recover from his wounds.
Meanwhile the Shepherd who had been resting this entire time, stepped in and defiantly refused to have anyone die in this sewer, she and the other two finally downed the beast.
Shepherd Lost Defiant trait
Abbot lost 3 HP
Fletcher lost 6 HP
And after all that of being covered in sweat, blood and shit, the only thing of note that was nearby in the brown sluge was a rusty flail if anyone wants to take it.
Make your choice and pick who leads (Though I can guess who most likely)
Butcher takes the flail and executes a series of sick Kung Fu moves with them, then he takes the lead. "That reminded me of when I fought Pisszilla..."
Deeper SHIT
As soon as the Butcher grabbed the shitty flail a burning cold sensation went up his arm. It was a painful feeling not unlike that time he caught a case from the girl with two butts back in the circus.
The Butcher dropped the flail which got lost in the sludge and echoing voice could be heard in his head.
“Free! Free from that retched prison of filth! Who are you? It doesn’t matter, I don’t care. But you’re getting me out of here! Get going you degenerate!”
The Butcher head was now in constant pain from the restless spirit that has invaded it. It continued to pour negative energy and a general feeling of misery. (You’d be grumpy too if you’d spent eons in shit) For now he could deal with it, but who knows for the long run.
The Butcher now has a CURSE!
Restless Spirit: You cannot rest in combat. It cannot be removed.
That was my own flavor text really. What would have happened in a real game is someone would have picked from the item deck and just got a cursed card.
Here I actually gave an opportunity to NOT pick up the flail and just move on.
Am I at 5 or 6 hp right now?
5 HP
Well shit. I'll lead the way again.
Lead on, i need a nap
More Fun Than A Barrel of...you know the rest
Hampered with this spirit constantly whispering negativity in his head, the Butcher took the lead but he wasn't happy about it.
After a bit more walking the group seemed to be in some sort of dumping spot. Mostly barrels. The Butcher actually hoped maybe there was some alcohol in these barrels to try to drown out this spirit. Maybe more like a long drink.
But as it turned out he wouldn't need to go to one of the barrels, one of them came directly to him.
"LOOK OUT YOU FUCKING DUMB ASS!"
Butcher lost 2 HP
"Warned you." sniffed the spirit.
After helping the Butcher to his feet, the group noticed some items still in the now broken barrel.
Liquid Luck: Discard to reroll your character die and apply only that result
Distilled Wisdom: Discard to apply a single wisdom at any time
Divide how you wish and pick who to lead for the next encounter.
Example: You might have an encounter that requires a might and you roll a double wisdom.
You could turn that double wisdom into the single might that you needed.
Abbot looks at the contents of the barrel and considers. I already have this cudgel, but what I really need is some health and to rest. The Fletcher is already at carrying capacity with his spell book. The butcher has been taking point and perhaps might need some luck now that he is possessed by an evil spirit. Having him go off the rails would not be so good for our group. And the shepherd really keeps eyeballing that wisdom potion.
"Go ahead and grab that potion," he says to the shepherd. "I'm in pretty bad shape and the group will need someone with some brains if I don't make it far. I'll carry that rune even though I don't know what good it'll do us. Let's let the butcher have the luck, I'm sure he could use it about now, we all could."
Butcher stands and cracks his neck. "Blimey, reminds me of when I had to fight that gorilla to rescue Princess Peach."
He takes the Liquid Luck and leads the team forward.
"What on earth is a gorilla?" Fletcher asks himself, having his life contained to a small village with no books.
Darkest Doctor
Despite catching the brunt of the injuries lately, and a spirit whispering poison in his ear constantly, the Butcher insisted on leading. Wasn't easy though.
"You ain't the brightest, but you're clearly the strongest. Why are you still travelling with this pathetic lot? You'd do better on your own obviously. They're just using you to soak up most of the damage y'know. As soon as you're too weak from your wounds, they're going to stab you in the back, take your shit and throw you down the nearest hole. And that will be the story of YOU."
The Butcher angrily told the entity to shut the fuck up just as another being of sort appeared though this one was entirely corporeal in nature.
"Pardon? What seems to be your boggle today? It's okay, trust me I'm a doctor!"
The plague doctor normally cures random folks of the plague that is a major issue in this place and seems surprised that none of you seem to have it. However, the doctor is still willing to part with some items which may be of use as long as you trade one of your own.
It's a one for two deal though the doctor won't tell you what the items are.
Of course you could also try to negotiate with the doctor to convince her to just give you something for nothing because its the right thing to do.
The other option of course is to just keep it moving and press on past the doctor entirely.
Make your choice.
Abbot considers the doctors terms, and hopes there is something to help him heal up. "I'll trade these runes for what you've got," he offers.
Are we as players empowered to try to kill the Plague Doctor for what she's got?
Im not fighting her.
Sorry, just an intrusive thought. Ignore me.
I mean you're free to try to kill her by yourself if you want.
I'm more surprised that it's you of all people out of everyone playing that wants to go the murder hobo route. Hell, not even Corgi or Ben have done that (Yet).
"Hello love, I picked up an evil flail and now I got a strange burning. Like what I got from the two-assed woman, but meaner. You got any injections or tinctures I can take? I have a... preferred method of delivery," Butcher says. He offers her the lucky stones (from his ass) as a trade.
"Hold on now, I don't have that much. I just need one item from one of you and I'll give you two and you can divide as you wish. Also I can't cure curses, I'm a doctor, not an exorcist."
Decide if you're giving the doctor the Rune, the Stones or the Potion
I agree, hand her the rune
Give her the Rune, and I have first dibs on whatever healing item she produces.
We might have to discuss that. I'm almost dead
Fair Trade
The Abbot gave the rune to the doctor who handed out a potion and apple in return before leaving.
Effervescent Evasion: Whenever you would lose HP, discard to lose none.
Partially Rotten Apple: Discard to restore 1 HP.
Divide (or use) your new items and pick who is leading next.
Since I'm pretty low on HP, I'd like to take the potion, If nobody strongly objects.
Malk doesn't have any more room up his ass.
In fact nobody has any extra room for the rotten apple so it's a case of someone either eating it now (Most likely) or rearranging inventory and leaving something behind (Extremely unlikely)
He can take the potion and I'll eat the apple.
Going Down
The group continued on with the Butcher leading again despite the Fletcher briefly mentioning how they could easily just smash the plague doctor's head in together and take back what they just traded.
When he realized his comment wasn't received well, he quickly responded that it was "just a joke."
Eventually the group faced yet another potential challenge common to this place.
Watch your step...
While going down didn't seem like it would lead to an exit any quicker, they had already come this far and they certainly weren't going to back through the sewers and submerged rooms again.
The group proceeded very carefully down the crumbling stairs in an effort to not fall down them. Most of the group succeeded in this endeavor, but once again the Butcher perhaps distracted by the spirit constantly bothering him was unsuccessful in his attempts.
One of the steps gave way to the Butcher's foot and he fell to the next piece of crumbling stone under him. He probably would have continued falling had he not desperately managed to grab onto a more solid piece and lifted himself up. From that point, the Butcher managed to continue a safer decent to the bottom.
Butcher lost the Desperate trait
Pick who leads next
"Butcher has had a rough go these past couple rooms. If you don't mind, I'll take a turn at the front and spare him a little. Perhaps he can make peace with the voices in his head, like I did with the voices in mine."
Abbot steps forward ready to lead the group.
"Of course it does, I'm not actively trying to die, even if it is the most likely outcome. However, the Butcher is the strongest of us and he almost fell to God knows where. Realistically, I am probably more expendable than him at the moment. And while we argued about it for a while, my voices convinced me that I should try this now."
"We appreciate your courage, Abbot," said the cowardly Fletcher.
Bloodhorn 4: Blind Beast Blues
The Abbot took the lead though this didn't exactly give the Butcher any rest considering he still had a spirit nagging at him, but it at least changed things up a bit.
It wasn't long before the group encountered another horror in this place, though something seemed to be a little different about this one since it didn't attack immediately.
Little known fact that the late great Minotaur BLOODHORN once sired a blind calf which he disowned years before his death. It can only be wondered what he might have thought to have seen it not only survive to adulthood, but apparently thrived.
The initial attempt was to sneak past the large creature which despite being blind looked extremely tough. This might have worked, if it weren't for the Butcher getting a particularly annoying comment by the spirit at that moment causing an outburst which then predictably caused a loud roar followed by an attack.
The group quickly tried to dispatch the beast, but it wasn't going to be that easy. The blind beast struck with frightening accuracy now that it had their scent. The damage it caused, made the Fletcher bow out of the fight completely, he thought about even running, but he was so beaten that all he could do is rest.
The Abbot downed his effervescent evasion potion and the Shepherd did likewise with her distilled wisdom to give her an edge on anticipating the creature's next move.
It was a hard battle, but the three active group members managed to put an end to another one of Bloodhorn's spawn.
Abbot lost Effervescent Evasion
Fletcher lost 1 HP
Shepherd lost Distilled Wisdom
Shepherd lost 1 HP
After the battle, the group noticed the bones of presumably less fortunate prisoner that had encountered the beast in its stomping grounds. Also found was the remnants of an old spear.
Splintered Spear: Two handed weapon. During combat whenever you hit, you also block.
Arrange your inventory how you see fit and pick who to lead next.
Butcher, smiling the smile of head trauma, takes the spear and nudges Abbott forward with it.
I think I'm only carrying one thing? If not I'll drop the stones.
You're carrying two things, the stones and liquid luck, but you'd be dropping both since the spear is two handed and is taking up two spaces.
The Abbot and Shepherd both have an inventory slot open if you're giving anything to anyone.
That's fine, I'll give one to each of them then.
Abbot picks up the liquid luck and glares at the Butcher, "No need to poke me with that thing, I've no problem continuing to lead."
Seemingly to himself he says, "No we can not shove that thing up where he keeps all his... yes, I know he looks like he would be tasty if cooked properly... stop it.. we've got to get along for now... I know.. so which direction should we go?... oh, oh yes... I do agree".
Abbot laughs and then leads the way.
Death Guard
After some equipment rearranging, the Abbot lead the way again towards a very faint light in the distance.
Wasn't long before the passage that they were traveling through had a noticeable foul stench. Granted this wasn't an unusual thing in this place given they walked through a literal sewer, but still one never gets quite used to the different types of foul stenches in this place.
Particularly when the said stench is attached to something moving and dangerous.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't some of the prisoners that escaped recently. Well I got something that's a lot harder to escape from than a prison cell. Grab 'em!"
These two guards are obviously infected with the PLAGUE. Fortunately their condition makes it so they can't move very fast, so you can choose to run.
Of course you can always fight them as normal.
Despite the fact that it's a spear, Butcher is going to make the decision to bash the first guard over the skull with it.
Abbot giggles, "yes, yes, yes... these need judgement... i know... I'm not planning on cooking them.... ok... we shall help then." Readying his cudgel for a fight, he positions himself slightly behind the butcher to stay out of the way of the flail.
Abbot looks at Ellen, "Yes, running or resting would be smarter, but the only way we stand a chance is doing things together, hopefully luck is on our side."
To himself he says, "Oh... yes... stop it now I need to focus... Brilliant!".
Looking at the Fletcher Abbot says, "I see you hiding there. Make yourself useful and cast one of those spells or I will hold you in front of me like a shield. One way or the other, you get to participate."
Chuckling the Abbot continues to nobody in particular, "yes... I know hes a little scrawny... no, if we cook him properly Im sure he wont be too tough... heh, well hes got a chance now."
Well did he say what spell he was using? In the case of combat he can either cast revive or obliterate.
Plagued
Seeing the Butcher and Abbot rush into battle with the diseased guards, the first thing the Shepherd did was step back and try to rest. She also hoped they'd take care of the guards since she wasn't eager to catch anything.
The Fletcher once again turned to his spell book believing that he understood it a little better than the last time he used it. He said the word with conviction attempting to destroy the guards before they could even do any damage.
Unfortunately he hadn't quite enunciated every word perfectly. Magic is a precise thing after all. The book exploded in his hands causing him to fall on the floor screaming with his bloody stumps. Seizing the advantage, one of the plague guards put the Fletcher out of his misery by stabbing him in the throat with a spear. His screams became gurgles and then nothing.
Meanwhile the Abbot and Butcher were having a bit of trouble of their own since while the guards were slower due to their diseased status, they also shrugged off anything that would have caused a normal human pain. The Butcher and Abbot both suffered injuries before the Shepherd had to step back in to assist.
After a bit more struggle the remainder of the group managed to bring down the guards, though it wasn't without a high cost.
Abbot lost Liquid Luck
Abbot has caught the PLAGUE! (Current level 2)
Butcher lost 4 HP
Butcher has caught the PLAGUE! (Current level 2)
Shepherd lost 2 HP
Shepherd has caught the PLAGUE! (Current level 1)
The Fletcher
Stabbed in the throat by plague guards
Survival Time: 10 Encounters
The group has also found a potion of Liquid Luck. Give it to whoever (Fortunately you all have the plague so there's no further risk of infection from it) and pick someone to lead the way.
Butcher spits out the last of his teeth and wobbles unsteadily. He tries to tell a tall tale, but it comes out as: "Mrhrhrrnr....."
He leads the way into the next room. Also his dick falls off. Maybe it's just a chunk of rotted flesh, who knows. Probably not though.
Y'know you guys could have asked for a status check at anytime.
You currently have 6 HP though.
Butcher has 3 HP
Abbot has 1 HP
I mean in a perfect world yeah you could just sit back and heal the entire time. The problem is Butcher and Abbot were getting their asses kicked and without Fletcher to help it was just 2 dice being thrown and it wasn't really taking down the guards quick enough for them not to soak up any more damage before you'd be healed completely up and facing the guard all by yourself which would have certainly resulted in your death.
Each combat encounter has a number of pre-determined "chapter dice" in addition to an extra number of chapter dice rolled depending on the number of players. In this case 4.
So in this case, the plague guards had one wisdom symbol showing and the remaining chapter dice were to be rolled. (So there were 5 dice in total for this challenge)
All characters have 1 die specific to them. For example, the Malk is more likely to roll Might while the DB and you are more likely to roll wisdom (And Milton was more likely to roll cunning)
What you're trying to do is match the chapter dice to get rid of all the symbols. So the more dice being rolled the better. If someone's resting, well that's taking away more chances of defeating the enemy. Every round you don't clear all the enemy dice, they automatically hit everyone who hasn't blocked or wasn't resting (And you're only healing 1 HP per rest round)
Now what makes this even more difficult, is this game I'm using the new Death Dice instead of the regular chapter dice which makes clearing them a lot harder. Especially since there's 4. The regular chapter dice only have a single symbol on them. The Death Dice either have shields which require a double or two singles with the same symbol to clear them OR they have "split doubles" which means they have two different symbols on them and you need both to clear them (And this typically means you need at least two characters unless you got a character that has their own chance at rolling that exact split double)
Oooh, pick me! Pick me!
Me too! Me too! ^_^
Hey guys, I'm sorry for my recent online absence. I definitely would have used the obliterate spell, and possibly have burned myself and died anyway (lol). Life has been difficult on the other end for me recently, but that's no excuse for forgetting to participate. My bad. Still, thank you End for organizing this. It was neat to try this out with you all.
So at this point are we all dead or mostly dead?
There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive. With all dead, well, with all dead there's usually only one thing you can do.
Mostly dead, except for Milton, he's all the way dead.
Anyway, I'm guessing you're taking the Liquid Luck since you're the only one who can carry it and nobody else said anything.
Looks like Mizal's leading.
Yes, I will take the luck, and follow Mizal. She is the smart one, and ive been mostly dead all day.
Not Quite Human Centipede
The Shepherd lead the way as the group began to feel the effects of the plague. It was minor for now, but they really had to get out of here. If only they could bump into that doctor again.
The next area the group went through might have been gorier than what was left of the Fletcher. All sorts of bloody body parts were laying about. A lot of them looked like they were of animals, some human and others completely unknown.
The Butcher thought this might be a slaughter room at first since it certainly looked similar to places he'd worked at (Minus the human parts) However, it was soon apparent from the sudden movement in the body part pile that this might have been worse than a simple slaughter room.
"KILL MEEEEEEEE!"
The Shepherd didn't need to be asked twice and instantly hit the creature which didn't even flinch from its new wound.
The rest of the group followed the Shepherd's lead in trying to kill this hideous abomination. While the creature seemed to desire death, perhaps some sort of automatic instinct survival kicked in whatever brain it had and weakly struck back at the Shepherd.
Though that was the only resistance it put up as it was brutally put out of its misery. The Butcher started hacking it apart thinking that it might regenerate (Never know with things like these after all)
Having dealt with the creature a quick look at the room and there were symbols drawn on the floor along with bloody surgical instruments and a table with some notes written out. The main thing that stood out though was a fairly sinister looking cup on that same table.
Ritual Chalice: Discard to perform the BLOOD RITUAL
Any number of players may choose to lose any amount of HP (Cutting themselves and draining their BLOOD into the cup obviously) and then the amount of HP lost is gained by the person who drinks the BLOOD.
Decide on what you're going to do and pick who leads next.
Abbot grabs the cup greedily,"OOoohh... this looks tasty... Yes, yes, yes...". He greedily gulps the mixture down and moans in ecstacy.
Looking at Ellen, "Thanks. Ive been fading and I appreciate your sacrifice to help me out a bit. I think I can make it now for a little while longer. I can follow whoever wants to lead now."
Abbots eyes lose focus, "Weeee... yes, that was nice... shhhhhhhh, I don't want them to know you guys are still here... no, I dont think that.... why yes...just be quiet... stop... please.... ok, we can do that later"
"MMmrm.... mramrrmrm...., mrmrmra... ho ho ho," Butcher says. He's doing the finger-in-the-hole gesture with a meaningful expression on his face at the other two.
He leads the way into the next room.
"No, no, no crazy Butcher. Nothing like that. Being locked up here We have missed eating tasty flesh. Sure, We had some insects, and once we caught a rat in my cell, but no tasty flesh. Well, at least since that first cellmate they gave us. He was rather nourishing. But nothing since then."
Slumming
The Butcher went back to leading the way with his annoying passenger still nagging him the entire time.
"You're a fucking idiot, you realize you could have just easily killed the other two, drained their blood in that cup and healed yourself? Instead you're dragging your dickless ass around like a dead man. Shit, if I didn't need you to get out of this place, I'd tell you to just end it all. Great, here's another asshole up ahead. This one looks like a buggerer of boys."
"Ugh, here, you can have something worth more than all your lives put together, just stay away from me. You lot look like you're rotting. You certainly smell like you are."
The nobleman will give you a single item and be on his way, unless you're intending on attacking him for more items.
Butcher gives the man a congenial thumbs up and an exaggerated shushing gesture.
"R'ward!" he sputters.
Abbot ignores the man and giggles and spins around like a helicopter even though he has no idea what one is. "Weeeeeeeeeeee... fun fun fun... yes.. fun and done..."
One Man's Trash...
The noble tosses an ornate looking rock at your feet and leaves. At first you think you've been mislead and pick it up in order throw it at the back of his head, but then you suddenly sense there is powerful magic within this rock.
The Living Stone: Upon death, discard the stone and roll the die to see how much HP is restored. (Note: Entirely possible for it not to work at all)
Going to have to drop something in order to carry it though. Arrange your inventory how you wish and pick who leads next.
"Mrmrmrm.... mrmrmrmrmr.... rah!" says the Butcher. You understand this to mean "I'll lead the way -- forward, my stalwart companions!"
The Peasants are Revolting
The Butcher lead the group gaining more insults along the way.
"Oh wonderful, you're leading the way again to get killed quicker. How the hell did you even survive this long by being this shit all stupid? That's why you're mumbling with three teeth left and no dick. Oh look there's a massive amount of assholes up ahead this time. Sure, let's just walk right up to them! I'm sure they won't mean us any harm at all! Fucking dumb meatsack."
"See!? They all got it! And they probably got it by fucking bats! Kill the bat fuckers!"
Under other circumstances, this would have been an excellent time to question these peasants exactly how to get out of this place since they had to have come in from somewhere. Unfortunately they weren't in the mood to talk.
Besides being incredibly outnumbered, the worse thing was the group was separated from one another and had to face multiple opponents alone.
The Shepherd and Abbot took some lumps but prevailed, the Butcher even with curses and plagues afflicting him, he easily took down the remainder of the mob with no issues.
The only item of note that was found among the bodies was a crude net. Fortunately they didn't get to use it.
Frayed Net: Two handed. Discard to prevent an enemy from attacking one round
Useful, but it would require discarding other equipment in place of it.
Do as you wish and pick who leads next turn.
Before leading the way, the Butcher finds the healthiest looking of the dead villagers and confiscates his dick and teeth. A good alchemist can graft those babies on later. You can guess where he's storing the body parts in the meantime.
Abbot looks around the room. "Oh, tasty treats... we will save this for later we will." He picks up part what appears to be a portion of someones leg with the foot still attached and finds some way to hide it in his robes.
"Ok, better now. We need to find a way out of here, and some health. I will still follow the butcher."
Blood and Sand
The Butcher continued to lead group, the spirit was buzzing in his head as always, but at this point he was in so much physical pain that the voice was more or less drowned out by it.
The group continued down a corridor and a mild breeze could be felt. They started to wonder if they were getting near an exit, that lynch mob had to come from the outside after all. The group tried to quicken their pace as fast as their bloody broken bodies would allow them.
Eventually they reached the end of it, but it didn't open up to any sort of freedom that they expected. Quite the opposite in fact.
"AND FOR OUR MAIN EVENT, THE CHAMPION OF THE ARENA THYSA KIMBO WILL GO AGAINST THE BUTCHER, THE SHEEP SHAVER AND GOD'S LITTLE SOUL SAVER! LET'S GET IT ON!"
The arena was seemingly empty, but the sound of a crowd could suddenly be heard to the point that it was almost deafening. Faint outlines of a ghostly audience could then be seen as they phased in and out.
However, that didn't matter so much as the very real opponent that stood before them. The group tried attack, but were stopped by an unknown force. This lead to the champion pointing to the Butcher with her sword. It wasn't until the Butcher stepped forward by himself that they realized that this was meant to be a one on one combat only.
As fearsome as the arena champion was, the Butcher managed to counter her initial attack with ease and even avoid being hit himself. He'd drawn first blood and the ghostly crowd went wild, though the champion wasn't amused and continued her attack.
Okay as was mentioned, the group cannot attack as...well a group this combat. You can continue to let the Butcher fight or someone else can step in. Or someone can step in when he's down so many HP, or until he's dead. Up to you.
Make your decision and the combat will continue.
Abbot mumbles to himself, "I dont care if you are hungry, that one looks difficult... No... Because I dont want to... Yes... I agree... Ok, I will talk to her."
Abbot looks at Ellen, "Since the Butcher has already started in, I say we let him go first. He's got the best weapon, and even though he is missing some parts, seems a little better off health wise than either of us. Perhaps we should just rest and wait to see how this turns out."
Oh yeah, forgot to mention nobody can rest unfortunately. You just sort of stand around. It's what the encounter card says but for GAY Roleplay purposes we'll just say the supernatural forces are holding you in place or something. (Unless you decide to fight of course)
Butcher might as well keep attacking, he has the most strength dice and blocks a hit every round.
Flawless Victory
The Butcher stayed in the fight. Every moment for him right now was pain and rather than feeling more despair, all he was really getting was angrier and he was going to unleash all of that on this opponent in front of him right now.
The gladiatrix swiped at him several times, but every blow was blocked by his spear. He might not have had a dick anymore but he still knew how to handle his weapon. Especially against a woman.
The ghostly audience got increasingly more excited when he countered every move she made and landed a hit every time. A howl of the damned reached its climax when the Butcher finally got her on ground, sword and shield already knocked from her grasp. He raised his spear and plunged it straight through her mouth and out the back of her head.
Then there was absolute silence. The mysterious force that had been holding the group in one place was gone, along with the ghostly crowd.
All that was felt was that cold breeze again followed by the materializing of a single spirit before them.
"Hey that was an excellent match and I've seen them all! Mind if I follow you around for awhile? I might even help when I can!"
"What the fuck, no. There's no more room and I'm comfortable! I don't wanna share any space with this fangirling bitch!"
Despite the Restless Spirit's protests, there is of course more than enough room especially given that they're all ghosts anyway.
The First Prisoner has joined your group
The First Prisoner can assist up to five times. This means either leading, picking up an item, or assisting in combat (Each combat roll is an assist) After which she will disappear.
Pick who is going to lead for the next encounter.
Abbot, in an effort to please the new additon to the group, volunteers to take the lead. "Butcher must be tired. We will go first... Yes... I really want to... I don't care... just be quiet... Yes, we will go first."
Hey an Empty Room!
The Abbot this time insisted on leading the way. The group followed with their ghostly companions along for the trip.
This brought up some introspective thoughts in the Shepherd's part of wondering if she was even alive or if she was a spirit of some sort. Maybe she had indeed been dead and brought back to life for some reason, but it couldn't have been out of kindness given the torture she was going through.
Of course everything ultimately lead back to believing that this had to be some sort of Hell, though she couldn't imagine what she'd done to deserve any of this.
And yet despite all the horror, it did seem like they were making progress of some sort. Maybe escape WAS possible.
After all they just stumbled upon a rare find in this place, a slight respite in the form of an empty guard room.
Yeah, that window you see, it way too narrow for any of you fit through.
In any case, one of you has time to grab some of that broth before the guards return if you want.
And as always pick who's leading next.
"Twap," Butcher says. He moves on, leading the way.
Mmmm, it's PLAGUED with Deliciousness!
Before the group left, the Shepherd decided to grab a ladle full of that broth that smelled so good and took big gulp of it.
And then promptly vomited up black bile all over the place.
In between tears in her eyes and more throwing up, she saw that the broth had bits of green in it that were most certainly not vegetables. She then remembered the guards they ran into before having the plague, and could only guess that they weren't the only ones with it. (Indeed this might have even been their room)
Shepherd's current PLAGUE level: 4
Feeling woozy, the Shepherd had to rely on the Abbot to help her along the way to whatever mess they were going to get into next.
You had 1 plague and I rolled the plague die. You got a 3.
This actually was another case of me giving the option of avoiding getting the plague at all since the card simply states "Draw one item card" which in this case was a plague card which resulted in automatically rolling the plague die for whoever picked up the card.
I just incorporated it into the flavor text mentioning the broth.
Oh when the plague reaches a certain level you start losing HP.
You're currently 1 plague point away from losing 1 HP from the plague. As it goes up, you lose more at different levels.
Double, Double Toil and Trouble
The Butcher once again lead the way. The group had seen the outside of this dark castle from guardroom. Escape was surely near, they just needed to hang on a little longer.
Even the normally pessimistic restless spirit didn't have as much venom anymore.
"Hm, well I guess you haven't been as incompetent as you initially seemed. Then again you couldn't be I suppose."
As the group proceeded down this corridor, there was a very oppressive aura about it, even moreso than what was usually felt in the castle.
The First Prisoner told the group to be cautious as she felt a very evil prescence approaching...
"Oh goody! I was wondering what to use for tonight's broth!"
It was fight no doubt with these hags. The group, along with the First Prisoner's spirit, engaged them going back on forth with the wounds, however the group's healing verses were coming in very handy in preventing (or healing up) any damage.
However, the three hags weren't without healing of their own for when the group thought they'd eliminated them, all three rose from the dead forcing the group to fight them all over again.
Happily the second time the hags were defeated there was no third.
First Prisoner's Spirit used 3 combat actions
The only thing on the hags was a rolled up parchment that one of them dropped. Someone can take it if they want.
And pick who is leading next.
Butcher looks meaningfully at the others, then down at the parchment. He shakes his head, and leads the way.
"No, no, no. We did not like them... they wanted to taste us." Abbot chooses to follow the butcher, not trusting the parchment and leaving it where it lay.
I was wondering when someone would pick up on that.
One Last Thing
Seeing the weird green mold on the parchment, the group wisely decided not to risk further infection and followed the Butcher.
The passage the group traveled down didn't seem any different than any of the others, but the Spirit of the First Prisoner suddenly spoke.
"I vaguely remember this area of the castle. This is leading to an auxiliary treasure room or one of the smaller ones in any case. Still enough riches lie within to fund armies and more. However, I know escape is more important to you, so I also know that this one contains a secret exit out of this horrible place. I won't be able to follow as I am tethered here forever, but I can show you...that is assuming you survive whatever is guarding the treasure room. I can't be sure of what that might be seeing as this place changes all the time. The only thing I can tell you is to prepare yourself as it probably won't be easy."
The group soon reached a huge door.
This is it.
Surprisingly the door opened, it's almost as if someone was expecting them.
"Ah, the escapees. THE MASTER said you might be heading in this direction. What? You thought your progress hasn't been watched the entire time? THE MASTER enjoys a bit entertainment to break up the monotony and your actions whatever they may be won't disturb anything going on here. It is good that you've survived however, since I've been looking for that Living Stone relic some boy buggering noble pilfered while visiting and it would have been much harder to track down in this place if you had been eaten by a giant tit demon or fallen down a pit of poisonous demon tits or whatever else this place has in it. In his dying breath as I finished flaying his body, he mentioned giving it to some dirty prisoners. That was fortunate for him since I couldn't resurrect him with it and flay him all over again. I'm afraid though YOU won't have that luxury!"
The Keeper of the Hoard doesn't look especially tough considering all the other dangers you've faced, however he's armed with several useful magic items giving him a severe edge in combat.
Still, while he was going on his classic villain monologue, you were able to see similar useful items in the room that could be quickly grabbed if needed. However, this room is also full of booby traps.
Anytime during the fight, you can try to grab something from the hoard. This will allow you to pick up an item card AND avoid being attacked, though you'll lose 1 HP from a trap if you do this.
(Mentioning this in advance in case any of you want to do this at anytime during combat, I'll continue with the combat after confirmation.)
Butcher has no time for words -- this is team Primus, not that beta squad Secundus, or that group therapy session Tertius. He will jab this bitch in the face with a spear.
Abbot decides that even though he doesn't have a super awesome weapon like the butcher, he will go in hard with his cudgel.
Do I still have that liquid luck? And if so would it help any during combat?
Yeah you still got it, it'll probably be used at some point in this fight.
You've got 2 HP
DB has 2 HP
Malk has 4 HP
Alright, I'll have all of you just mob the guy then (Along with spirt helping while she can)
End Game
The group charged at the Keeper hoping to catch him off guard while he was still busy making threats and taunts. The three of them even managed to hit him with their combined effort, however the Keeper held up one of the rings on his finger which eminated a gout of flame. Somehow it completely missed the Butcher, but it caught the Abbot and the Shepherd completely.
Screaming in pain, the Abbot attempted to douse the flames with his liquid, but it was no use. The Shepherd meanwhile desperately attempted to roll on the floor, but again the flames were just too much. Even the First Prisoner's self sacrifice (Which increased everyone's HP by 1) didn't work as she made a mornful howl before disappearing.
The burning bodies of the Abbot and Shepherd filled the air with a distinct smell as the Keeper now focused on his only other opponent. Using another ring on his finger, he increased his speed to a point where he was almost just a blur to the Butcher.
The Butcher attempted several times to stab the Keeper, but he was just too quick. The Butcher felt the Keeper's blade go into his side causing a grievous wound and dropping him to the ground. The Keeper attempted to finish off the Butcher right then and there, but suddenly he had a body jump on his back while punching at his head. It was the Shepherd. She had been healed by the Living Stone though just barely.
After twisting and moving about the room, the Keeper finally got the Shepherd off his back by activating another magic ring on his finger which created a personal barrier around him knocking her off. He then quickly turned around and chopped her head off with his sword. There would be no resurrection this time.
With only the Butcher left (again) the Keeper walked over to him to finally end this. A weak attempt to stab at the Keeper was attempted, but the Keeper merely dodged the spear and even knocked it out of the Butcher's shaky grasp. The Keeper brought his blade down and in a desperate attempt to stop it, the Butcher "caught" the blade with both hands from his prone position.
He wouldn't let go. The edges were digging into his flesh, the pain was great, but that didn't matter. The Keeper attempted to pull away, but he couldn't. The Butcher was running on the last momentum of whatever life force he had left and he would NOT let go, yelling something unintelligible the entire time.
It was one last act of defiance to be sure. One that the Keeper would at least probably remember as an anectdote to tell whoever it was he interacted with in his spare time.
Activating yet another magical ring on his free hand, the Keeper punched the Butcher in the face with it, turning the Butcher's whole body into ice before shattering into several pieces.
"Feh, I knew you wouldn't make it." the Restless Spirit snarked as it also disappeared back into the Dark Castle.
The Abbot
Immolated in combat with the Keeper of the Hoard
Survival Time: 17 Encounters
The Shepherd
Immolated and then beheaded in combat with the Keeper of the Hoard
The Butcher
Frozen and shattered in combat with the Keeper of the Hoard
Team Primus' attempts to ESCAPE THE DARK CASTLE have ended here.
You guys REALLY had some of the worst dice rolls for this encounter. I seriously expected either Malk or Mizal to at least get out as a sole survivor.
