Another Patrol in Traitor's Toll

The Guards of the City Watch were patrolling om market day in the City of Traitor’s Toll. Guards of Traitor’s Toll is a skirmish adventure game set in a fantasy city and produced by Grey For Now Games. 

 

Brynhildr Square was bustling with merchants, customers and performers as well as some more shady characters.

 

The Brynhildr Square was so named because in it's centre was the famous mounted statue of Brynhildr, a female warrior who led the town militia to victory many eons ago.  

 

Apart from the stall keepers and merchants, the area around the statue was frequented by entertainers and performers. 

On this day there were two puppeteers, a female dwarven bard with her lute and an orientally dressed snake charmer. In addition, the Town-Crier had strategically placed himself on a crate in front of the statue and was shouting out the latest news from the town's rulers to the townsfolk in the square.

 

Master Temetum Corkwood could be found in front of his stall expounding the virtues of his wines. Little did he know that the friendly youth who was listening to him, would soon try to lift the purse of one of his customers.  

 

Prince Escalus is in Traitor's Toll with a retinue of prominent refugees from the Escalid court, forced to flee after the terrible coup last year. Escalus' uncle, the bloodthirsty Duke Bruno, had seized power and was sending assassins to Traitor's Toll to kill the Prince. 

When Second Constable Amethyst Wilberson was on patrol in the square, she noticed a suspicious looking woman whose appearance reminded her of the assassin from a week before. The fan she was holding rang warning bells for Amethyst. As she started to near the woman, a knife appeared from behind the fan and was thrust at her, a dangerous killer. 

Amethyst decided that it would be best to arrest the woman so that she could later be interrogated to she what she knew about the evil Duke Bruno. So she knocked the knife aside, seized the assassin and subdued her, using the rope that always hangs at her side to secure her. Back at the guardhouse, they found the assassin's purse full of Escalid ducats.

More assassination attempts are expected on members of the Escalid court in exile, but hopefully the interrogation will produce clues to forestall them.

 

Cries of anger and dismay could be heard from the crowd. A gang of pickpockets was working in Brynhildr Square, and people started to discover their purses were missing when they wanted to pay the merchants.

Coming from a Poor Family himself, Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel knew immediately what was afoot and easily spotted one of the gang passing in front of him. The cutpurse didn't want to argue with Enhalv and his trusty halberd, so the arrest went off without a hitch. 

 

Pussy Stephens the famous - or should it be infamous - dwarven bard had placed herself behind the statue. Accompanied by her lute, her charismatic Mezzo-Soprano voice acquainted listeners to the corruption, oppression and injustice in the city. Her lyrics about "Missy Mahina" seems to suggest that she new much about the antics of one of the rulers' daughters. 

A crowd had gathered and were getting all riled up, and Pussy had just started a new song about "The Brave Duke Bruno" when Constable Überhardt Hornisse chanced upon the scene. He accused Pussy of creating alarm and distress as well as being a public nuisance. When this didn't stop the bard, he falsely accused her of singing out-of-tune!

Pussy was arrested and Constable Hornisse threatened her with the scold's bridle if she dared to open her mouth and sing when incarcerated in the guardhouse.

 

Charles Cuterie, the butcher, was at his market stall showing off his poultry. In the pen behind his stall he kept his live geese. However, unbeknownst to Charles, three of the geese had escaped and were running loose in the market. 

 

Lasse Lykta spotted one of the errant geese and wanted to impale the goose on his faithful halberd and take it to the guardhouse mess. His clever plan was foiled by the dexterous goose and the arrival of Captain Casimir Calabrone who grabbed the goose by its neck and returned it to Charles, its rightful owner.

 

While roaming on patrol, First Constable Arthur Fielding caught sight of a female pickpocket attempting to lift the purse from a passing man. She was arrested without much of a struggle.

 

One of the market stalls belongs to the wizard Balthazar Mistmantle selling books and scrolls; some of which he claims have strange and wonderful properties, perhaps even magical. He was standing in front of his stall, as he does on every market day, when he was approached by Sigrid Runeweaver, a female dwarven novice wizard. She had a purse full of Escalid ducats, so Balthazar - against his better judgement - sold her an ancient magical tome.

Sigrid Runeweaver was so curious about the contents of the book, that she opened it as soon as she had left Balthazar's stall and was still in the middle of the marketplace. Unfortunately the magic within the tome was beyond the capabilities of a wizard who was barely a journeyman. As soon as she started browsing, pyrotechnics jumped from the pages and almost blinding her. She was heard to shout "Help, I can't control it!" as an Ice Storm streaked out from the book and right through the marketgoers.

Constable Wurtz Balester was on patrol with "Bella" his trusty crossbow nestled in his arms. Luckily for Runeweaver he recognised that it was pure incompetence rather than malice. So Balester made the decision not to shoot the wizard, but instead to arrest her. He closed from behind and grabbed her causing her to drop the tome, which fell closed to the floor

Balester arrested Runeweaver for causing an affray and unauthorized use of magic on the public highway. He also returned the tome to the safekeeping of Balthazar Mistmantle who rewarded Balester with a gold coin. 

 

Captain Wilberforth Bassington Bassington was quick of the mark. He grabbed one of the escaped geese by its beak and tucked it safely under his arm.

 

Captain Casimir Calabrone and Mister Bee chased after one of the gang of pickpockets. With the aid of a peasant on his way to market, the pickpocket was apprehended and arrested.

On searching the pickpocket, Captain Casimir Calabrone discovered a lucky dragon's fang hanging on a leather cord round the perps neck. This he appropriated "for the greater good".

 

The last of the escaped gaggle of geese was spotted by Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel. He lassoed the black goose and led it back to its pen.

 

There was no more "excitement" that day, and Brynhildr Square returned to the hustle and bustle of commerce. But still the Guards patrolled to be seen and to keep the peace.

Back at his squad's guardhouse, Gregory Greystone practiced even harder with his crossbow. He shot target practice over and over, and - inspired by the events of the day - even targeted a skein of geese flying past.

Long hours of drilling in the guardhouse courtyard to build up strength. helped Überhardt Hornisse to improve his drill with the great sword.

Patrol Duty in the City of Traitor’s Toll

The Guards of the City Watch were patrolling om market day in the City of Traitor’s Toll. Guards of Traitor’s Toll is a skirmish adventure game set in a fantasy city and produced by Grey For Now Games. 

 

The central marketplace was bustling with merchants, customers and performers as well as some more shady characters.

 

 

 

The Town-Crier was shouting out the latest news from the town's rulers to the market-going townsfolk.
 

Wasted Willy, the town drunk was abusing the merchants in a loud and slurred voice, telling obscene and usually false tales about their wares. When told to calm down, and go away to sleep it off, he shouted “What’re youse lookin at? I’ll – hic – takes youse all on!”. 

Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel intervened and with the help of a passing civilian and arrested Willy for drunk and disorderly conduct.

The Town-Crier ended his monologue by shouting out the new raised tolls for market stallholders. 

The fishmonger, Vito "the Codfather" Corleone, became incensed and infuriated! “The toll is how much? That’s outrageous! You can’t expect me to pay that amount. I demand an audience with the Baron!”. 

Captain Wilberforth Bassington-Bassington mollified the annoyed merchant.

A well-dressed lady was walking through the marker, her face hidden behind a fan held in her left hand. She noticed Prince Escalus and casually strolled towards him. A blade flashed out, appearing in her free right hand, and the Prince's blood was spilled. 

Constable Wurtz Balester was on patrol with "Bella" his trusty crossbow nestled in his arms. He spotted the knife thrust and shot off a bolt that cut down the perpetrator of the stabbing before she could leave the scene. 

There is a little know fact about the stabbing of Prince Escalus, which has been kept secret from the townsfolk . It wasn't "just" a spurned mistress (as people generally believe). Prince Escalus is in Traitor's Toll with a retinue of prominent refugees from the Escalid court. They were forced to flee after the terrible coup last year, when Escalus' uncle, the bloodthirsty Duke Bruno, seized power. When the guards took the woman's body to the morgue, they found her purse full of Escalid ducats - she was an assassin sent by Duke Bruno! More assassination attempts are expected on members of the Escalid court in exile.

One of the market stalls belongs to the wizard Balthazar Mistmantle selling books and scrolls. He was standing in front of his stall, as he does on every market day, when a challenge for a duel was shouted from across the marketplace. The challenge came from Sigrid Runeweaver, a female dwarven wizard who claimed to have been sold a faulty scroll.

Sigrid loosed off the first shot, a Fireball screeched across the marketplace. Balthazar replied with an Ice Storm which hit Sigrid. The duel continued, as marketgoers dived for cover; when a magical battle breaks out, it's best not to interfere! 

Balthazar was arrested by Lieutenant Bertrand Sommerseth, but not before he had seriously wounded Sigrid who in turn was arrested by Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel.

A mugger wandering through the outskirts of the market, when he noticed a peasant farmer with a surprisingly heavy leather purse on his waist belt. The mugger gave the peasant a heavy blow to the head knocking his victim senseless to the ground. The mugger then quickly divested him of his coin.

The observant Constable Wurtz Balester saw the ruckus and once again fired off a bolt from "Bella" his trusty crossbow. This time his target was too quick for him, and dodged the bolt.

However this gave another Constable, Mr Bee, the chance to rush in and, with the aid of a passing young sorceress, arrest the mugger before he had the chance to recover. 

Two puppeteers were performing for the enjoyment and entertainment of the marketgoers. One puppet accused another puppet of doing something that no puppet should ever do! Crossed words led to flying fists and the puppeteers were at each other hammer and tongs!

Five Guards of the City Watch surrounded the brawling puppeteers as their fisticuffs was totally disrupting the business of the market. The Captains of two different guard squads made the arrests. Captain Casimir Calabrone arrested the lady puppeteer and Captain Wilberforth Bassington-Bassington made his second contribution of the day by arresting the male puppeteer.

There was no more "excitement" that day, and the market returned to the hustle and bustle of commerce. But still the Guards patrolled to be seen and to keep the peace.

When talking to the marketgoers, Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel was congratulated on his part in stopping the magic duel. He sensed that coming from a poor background, helped him communicate with the lower classes of the city.

Even Constable Gregory Greystone, who had assisted in breaking up the brawling puppeteers was remarked upon as being a silver-tongued smooth-talking devil who could charm the legs off a giant spider.

Back at his squad's guardhouse, Constable Wurtz Balester practiced even harder with his crossbow "Bella", shooting target practice over and over. He got so good that he claimed he could hit a hobbit pickpocket's big toe at twenty paces, something only a real weapon expert can do!   

Four Against Darkness #3

This is the third episode in the story of a party of adventures who took up the fight against darkness in search of fame and fortune within the deep and evil dungeons. 

It was played using the Four Against Darkness, (4AD), a solitaire dungeon-delving game written by Andrea Sfiligoi from Ganesha Games. 

SPOILER ALERT: This adventure was based on the Caves of the Kobold Slave-Masters. Read no further if you are planning on playing that book!

The party consisted of Sir Dancealot the warrior, Father Braun the cleric, Little Tam the rogue and Salubran the wizard. 

The party were resting, recuperating and restocking with supplies in the town of Trumpton when, while drinking in the Gnoll’s Head tavern, they started hearing rumours of the kobold slave-masters. 

The kobold slave-masters are a plague upon the lands, capturing goblins and other creatures. Recently, they have even captured Elvyn, an old, much-loved adventurer who started to police their area, wanting to put wrongs to right. However, in a new development, an escaped goblin has revealed the location where the kobolds keep Elvyn. 

The Trumpton town council has hired the party to rescue Elvyn, offering a reward of 100 gold coins for the safe return of Elvyn before nightfall. It would be a bonus if it could be discovered why the kobolds are acting so aggressively of late. 

The party journeyed to the revealed location, entered the cave, where they found a flight of stone stairs descending into the darkness of the kobolds’ lair. It was worrying that an unnatural sense of dread permeated the air.  

The party descended with Little Tam and Sir Dancealot in the lead followed by Father Braun and Salubran. 

The party turned left and went into the first chamber. There they found a goblin chained to a wall. After a quick conversation, with Rikka the goblin, the party decided to free him. The chains were weak and rusted, so this was easily achieved. Rikka was in a sorry state because of the evil kobolds, so the party bandaged Rikka's wounds. He offered to join and help the party if he was rewarded with 20 gold coins per adventure, a deal which the party accepted. Salubran lent Rikka a dagger with which to defend himself.

The party then went to the chamber opposite. The chamber contained a pool of water. Rikka who was extremely thirsty after being chained up decided to take a drink, the other party abstained. Luckily for Rikka, the pool contained nothing other than pure fresh water.

The party continued into the dungeon still with Little Tam and Sir Dancealot in the lead, now with Rikka in the centre where he should be safe, and bringing up the rear were Father Braun and Salubran. 

They came to a pair of doors, one on the right wall of the passage and one on the left. The party chose the left door and entered. When the opened the door, they saw that the room contained a chest, presumably full of the kobold's treasure. 

As they entered the room, Little Tam was attacked by a magically-animated noose. It descended from the ceiling and tightened around her neck. But Little Tam is a rogue, and a devil with a knife; she whipped out her knife and cut the rope before it could strangle her.

The chest was found to contain 50 gold coins which the party appropriated..

The party then explored the room opposite which was a library, although rather worrying as the party didn't believe that kobolds could actually read, There were two tables filled with dusty old books, tomes and scrolls.

The party decided to search and told Rikka to do so. However Goblins don't really understand such things and Rikka didn't find anything of interest except a small scorpion which he crushed without problem with the pommel of his dagger.

Father Braun pushed Rikka to one side and performed a proper search, he uncovered a Scroll of Lightning Bolt and a document containing a clue. 

The party proceeded down a corridor and into a chamber where they came face to face with a ferocious Ogre. Before the Ogre could react, Sir Dancealot attacked explosively with his two-handed sword severely wounding the Ogre. Father Braun swung with his mace but missed completely. Little Tam sneaked round the side of the Ogre and struck the Ogre in its back with her short sword and killed the Ogre.

Around the Ogre's neck hung a gold pendant. Little Tam cut it loose with her knife and examined it carefully as only a rogue can, deciding it was nothing special but melted down would be worth 80 gold coins.

The party continued on through a short narrow corridor. The corridor was filled with spider webs. Fearing venomous arachnids, it was unanimously decided to leave well alone and not to start searching.

In the next room, the party was confronted by a pulsating sphere of glowing red energy. The party looked reluctantly on, as Salubran the wizard, pushing his comrades aside, moved forward to inspect it.

The wizard touched the sphere with the index fingers of both his hands and two clues were revealed to him.

The next room was an armoury guarded by 6 kobold minions. The party set about the kobolds with Sir Dancelot, Father Braun and Rikka all killing kobolds. By the time Little Tam got into the fight, there were hardly any kobold left, so she managed to sneak behind and attacked withd eadly effect finishing off the final opponent.

The room was full of weapons. Many of these were of a small size which fitted Rikka perfectly. So Rikka was equipped with a hand-axe, leather armour, a shield and a short bow.

The party continued in what had now become their standard marching-order with Little Tam and Sir Dancealot in the lead, Rikka in the centre where he should be safe, and bringing up the rear were Father Braun and Salubran. 

In the next room, the party encountered a Troll. He was a greedy weapon collector, and was caught unawares while he is polishing a sword.

Knowing that Trolls regenerate, and that the best way to stop that was fire, Salubran the wizard started the combat by launching a fireball at the troll. Every member of the party attacked, Little Tam missed with her attack, but the remaining party members - even Rikka - wounded the Troll and he died.

Except for Rikka who had just equipped himself, each party member picked a very good quality weapon from the troll's collection. Unfortunately none were magic.

The party decided that Salubran needed more protection than Rikka, as Rikka now had armour and a shield; so Salubran and Rikka swapped places in the marching order.

The party continued to advance through the dungeon, but found their way blocked by a fast-flowing subterranean river. The river was crossed by a rickety run-down wooden bridge covered in mysterious runic writings. On the other side of the river the party could see two imposing portals.

Salubran the wizard tried to decipher the mysterious runic writings, He was pretty sure that the strange shapes on the bridge were some sort of defensive runes. They could have been a trap or an alarm, and he knew no way to disenchant them, so he declared that it was probably better not to walk on the bridge.

Using Little Tam's rope, the party roped themselves together and decided to wade across the fast-flowing river. The current was extremely strong and both Little Tam and Salubran lost their footing and were bashed against the stone side wounding them both. 

Once across, the party took out two sets of bandages and bound both Little Tam and Salubran's wounds.

The party decided to see what awaited behind the right-hand portal.

Sir Dancealot kicked open the portal and the party rushed in.

Elvyn, the old adventurer, was in this room chained to the far wall. Eight kobold slave-masters were tormenting him with their whips.

When the party entered, the kobolds turned to them and demand a ransom of 200 gold coins in order to free Elvyn. 

To pay the ransom, the party handed over the Fool's Gold that they had found in the Chaos Lord's treasure horde in a previous dungeon. Fool's Gold is magical (but fake) gold pieces; no matter what sum the seller asks, the gold will always appear enough to satisfy their greed.

Having rescued Elvyn, the old adventurer, the party left the dungeon without trying the one remaining door. The retraced their step back to the cave entrance and thence to the town of Trumpton.

Back in Trumpton the party received their promised reward of 100 gold coins. They immediately sold the Ogre's pendant for another 80 gold, and together with the 50 gold they found in the chest gave them 230 gold of which they gave Rikka 20 gold coins as a reward for joining the party.

The party also used 20 gold coin to replace the bandages used during the adventure. 

Elvyn was aware that although he was free, the kobold slave masters were not yet defeated. Unlike Rikka, the old adventurer Elvyn was too weak to embark on another adventure, but offers to lend his magic sword Ailisia to Sir Dancealot for the next adventure.

Rangers of Shadow Deep - Tor Varden, The Lower Level

The fourth scenario from Rangers of Shadow Deep Standard Edition. Played with Martin's hand-drawn 20mm figures and pop-up terrain. 

The Scenario

After the encounter at the bridge, you and your companions were able to slip past a couple of other gnoll patrols and reach Tor Varden. There were no guards posted outside, and very little indication of anyone inside. Then a muffled scream came from somewhere in the tower. It was a sign both good and ill. There is at least one man alive in Tor Varden, but you might already be too late to save him. You will need to move fast.

Our band of heroes consisted of two Rangers and their Companions: 

Ranger Alan De Paladin with his companions Bill Bagskott the Archer and McGregor the Dwarf.

Ranger Rogon Gosh Shadowstalker with his companions Geoffrey the Archer and Bill & Bull the Warhounds. 

The party had found keys at the Gnoll camp guarding the river crossing, they had recognised them as the keys to Tor Varden, so they knew that entrance to the tower should be easy.

In the room behind the first door, the Gnolls had constructed a torture room. Two badly beaten prisoners were shackled to the wall opposite the doorway. In the centre of the room was another prisoner and a Gnoll Sergeant. Two other Gnoll Fighters are in the room.

Alan De Paladin, Bill Bagskott and McGregor rushed into the room, attacking and killing the nearest gnoll fighter.

The Gnoll Sergeant and the remaining Gnoll Fighter charged at the heroes. Alan De Paladin was badly wounded.

Ranger Shadowstalker now rushed in with his companions Geoffrey the Archer and Bill & Bull the Warhounds to support the of Alan De Paladin. Both the Gnoll Sergeant  and the Gnoll Fighter were killed.

The party discovered the watchtower’s dog, licking its wounds in a corner. This encouraged Bill & Bull and increased their determination, courage, and ability to resist magic spells.

Shadowstalker, with Bill & Bull at his heels, rushed over to the centre prisoner and untied him. He joined the heroes as a man-at-arms. The two prisoners chained to the wall are too badly wounded to help the party, who planned to come back and help them later.

Geoffrey the Archer examined the far door, while Shadowstalker cast a healing spell on the badly wounded Alan De Paladin.

Behind the next door was a Storage Room. This room was filled with boxes, crates, bags, and barrels. 

The heroes prepared to enter.

With Shadowstalker and Bill & Bull in the lead, they charged the nearest Gnoll Fighter.

As the fight continues, the Gnolls in the room closed in on the heroes.

From behind cover, Geoffrey the Archer took a pot shot at a Gnoll Fighter but without killing him.

The first Gnoll Fighter died as the fight continued.

Bill Bagskott and McGregor killed the Gnoll fighter nearest the door, while at the same time the other heroes finished of the rest of the Gnolls.

When the fight was over, the party searched for clues and treasure; they found a Philtre of Fairy Dust containing one dose and bottle of the kingdom’s famous Golden Beer renowned for its healing properties. 

The heroes then readied themselves in front of the third door.

Behind that door was the Shaman’s Workshop. Whatever this room once was, it has been completely transformed into a horrific workshop. The room contained some scattered furniture, all of it covered in animal parts. In the centre of the room stood a table with an inanimate flesh golem lying on top of it. Next to the golem stood a Gnoll Shaman. Two Gnoll Fighters were between the table and the entrance door. 

Shadowstalker and Bill & Bull attacked and killed the nearest Gnoll.

The rest of the party moved up to help, and the Gnoll Shaman attacked.

The heroes quickly killed the last opposition so that the Shaman had no chance to animate the flesh golem.

The party rest to recover their health before deciding to continue up the tower.