Yoshi's Adventure Diary

Final Clearance: All Kobolds Must Go

2009-09-13T11:28:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we headed into the Mines to clear the remnants of the second level. The party was small this time, consisting of myself (fighter), Rhogar (paladin), Taliesen (wizard), and Pyrite (cleric). No thief, but Pyrite brought his hammer, so we managed.

Last time down we had defeated a young black dragon, this time we hoped to find its horde. On reaching the second level we ran into a large group of kobolds (sigh), but this time they had mixed things up a bit with a spell caster. Nonetheless we crushed them without much effort. The worst thing was that the kobolds kept using their alchemical sling ammo -- that was our spoils they were expending!

We returned to the late dragon's den and proceeded through the far door, only to run into several kobolds that remained to guard their late master's escape route. They weren't much of a match. They also guarded the dragon's treasure chest, which was well worth the effort, holding a large pile coins and several magic items.

A water filled tunnel connected this room with the dragon den, probably a quick escape route for the dragon. I took off my armor with some trepidation to swim through this tunnel and see where it led. Luckily no water trolls were lurking, but did find two healing potions in the tunnel.

We proceeded onwards, and in the next room found a large party of goblins, with a goblin hexer spell caster. This fight was somewhat tricky thanks to the hexer, and the goblins' maneuverability, but we won in the end. The next door led to stairs down to the third level.

Afterward someone noticed that we had only found nine rooms on level two, whereas we had been led to believe there should be at least ten per level. Rats! We missed a secret door somewhere. Oh well.

With only four party members the experience and treasure was quite lucrative. We did keep a nice set of magical leather armor that we had found, for the bard or barbarian the next time we adventure with them.

Next time, on to level three!

Descending

2009-08-30T23:30:00.003-04:00

The company is getting into the swing of things. The last few descents into the mines we have been refining our tactics. We've cleared the first level now. If I never see another kobold again it will be too soon, but they seem to have infiltrated the entire mines so far. We did run into (and dispatch) some goblins on the first level, so that was a plus.

We have some new company members: Drakkolord, who is a dragonborn warlord, and Pyrite, a dwarven cleric. We also spent one trip into the mines in the company of a dragonborn paladin named Northlac, but he seems to have decided to move on.

With each new company member I gain a new appreciation for diversity. Having a warlord who can direct things is a boon. And I'll be eternally grateful for our cleric's healing, which has already saved my hide.

A couple of descents back, on the first trip to the second level, we ran into something other than kobolds: zombies, our first undead. I mention this because I managed to knock one apart with a particularly lucky hit. There is nothing more satisfying than splattering zombies.

A few weeks ago I had to return to my village to take care of some family business, and so I missed one descent. I gather there were more kobolds (ack), but also some skeletons, which would have been interesting. Next time. On my way back I did find time to purchase a magic weapon with my meager savings, a Luckblade. I haven't had a chance to try out the luck yet, but as they say: "happiness is a warm sword (cut cut, slash slash)".

So anyway, yesterday we descended into the second level of the mines again, with me (human fighter), Rhogar (dragonborn paladin), Teliesson (eladrin wizard), Veed (halfling rogue), Tybalt (goliath barbarian), and Pyrite (dwarven cleric). That's a pretty optimal team. Our first encounter was with some bizarre hopping frog people in a room full of water. It was all a bit crazy, but polishing off the frog men wasn't much of a problem. At least they had gold at the bottom of their pool.

We then moved on and (drum roll) found a young black dragon! And its kobold (ack) henchmen. This time around we were much better mentally prepared for fighting a dragon (i.e. we didn't run away like little children like we did the first time). I have to admit that the gods were with my sword last night, and it seemed that no enemy could stand before me, as I plowed through kobolds like a ship stemming the swell. I am proud to say that I confronted the dragon and did not give ground, and dealt the beast many grievous wounds as I prevented it from fleeing. But in the end the gods did me favor of reminding me to always be humble, as it was the smallest member of our party, Veed, who finally slew the dragon. This dragon had not a single copper piece to its name, as far as we could tell. Incredible.

Next trip we search for the dragon's horde.

Dragon!

2009-06-21T17:38:00.002-04:00

Last night two new members joined the party, to make six of us. Tux is a Tiefling Bard, and Tybalt is a Goliath Barbarian.

After our new members paid the entry fee we descended into the Mines for the second time. We debated which of the hallways to follow, and in the end decided to continue along the hall we had gone along earlier. Given that our previous trip had ended up with us fighting drakes (which are often used as guards) I had a sneaking suspicion that next on the path was a dragon. The party seemed keen to continue along that path, so on we went. We quickly came across a group of kobolds (minions and a leader) and dire rats. Veed had been scouting ahead, so we had surprise, and took advantage of it by getting in some early attacks. I made the dubious decision to charge in and attack, and was rewarded by several javelins to the chest. Right, don't charge ahead of the party, gotta remember that. Luckily our new Bard helped me out with some healing -- I really like having a Leader in the party. Anyway, we dealt with the kobolds in short order, cornering the remainder in the drake room before dispatching them.

The next question was, should we continue on into the next room, through the suspiciously cold door? I was sure that there would be a white dragon on the other side. The party decided to go forward. We opened the door and... a young white dragon and its kobold servants! I knew it!

Some skirmishing with the kobolds and then we were were hit by the dragon's cone of cold and its terrifying presence which froze most of our party. Not good. We closed the door on the first chance and debated running for it, but decided that all that would mean would be getting hunted down by an angry dragon, so we opened the doors again and charged in. It turned out to not be as difficult as we feared. We picked off the remaining kobolds fairly easily, and once the dragon we surrounded it it went down without loss to our party. Who'd have thought?

The dragon's treasure was underwhelming. The ancient tales of dragons had led me to believe that fabulous wealth would be ours. Not so much. We picked up 70 gp, a potion of healing, and a suit of magical scale armor. I am currently wearing the new magical armor, so I passed the vicious longsword that we found on our last trip into the Mines to Rhogar the Paladin.

We were exhausted after that dragon, so we headed up to the town, paid the tax to the guards, and retired to the inn.

I'm still amazed that we killed a dragon.

Ability adjustments

2009-06-11T11:08:00.004-04:00

I woke up this morning feeling different. After our first trip down the mines I had been thinking that I would like to be constitutionally tougher, even at the expense of other abilities. Melora seems to have answered my prayers. I feel tougher but less dextrous. I also feel more perceptive, but less intimidating. The ways of the gods are mysterious.

First trip into the mines

2009-06-10T21:34:00.006-04:00

Well, that didn't go too badly.

After paying the mine entrance fee to the guards we descended into the mines proper. We were almost immediately attacked by brigands. This being our first fight together we are still working on teamwork. Rhogar the Paladin moved ahead and was immediately surrounded. In the end we triumphed, but we all learned some lessons in tactical coordination. I sustained a hit on the head, but not too bad. I can tell that Rhogar and I will make a good team as the Defenders of the company. Taliellen the Wizard had some teething problems with his magic missiles. The star of this fight was Veed, who it turns out is quite the acrobat. He proved himself to be an effective sneak attacker after vaulting over the Rhogar's shoulders behind the enemy.

After collecting the equipment from the brigands we continued down the hall. In a mysterious rain washed room (in a mine?), with symbols carved in the floor, and a secret door in the far wall, we found a magic sword (+1 vicious) hidden in a compartment in the floor. This was after much searching and mental anguish. The absence of monsters and traps can be almost as terrifying as the presence of monsters and traps.

Next up was a room full of vicious little green lizards -- drakes as it turned out. I got pretty beaten up here. It was a near thing, but laying of hands from the Paladin pulled me through. The other hero of this fight was our Wizard, whose flaming sphere must have done half the damage our company dealt out. After the fight was over we were faced with another door. They say that drakes are often used as guards -- what were they guarding that's behind that door? One of those dragons we heard about? I don't like the feel of it, and we're not ready to take on even a young dragon yet, so I think we should explore some of the other corridors first.

In any case we were battered and it was time to head back to town for a rest, so we paid the town their cut of our booty and headed back to the inn. The haul was about 64 gp each, plus that magic sword, which for now I'm using.

All in all a pretty good start.

A fighter out of necessity

2009-06-10T20:49:00.003-04:00

My name is Yoshi. In days past I was a fisherman in my small village by the sea -- small enough that you won't have heard of it. But now I am a professional adventurer, a Fighter. You see, I lost my boat in a storm. My crew and I survived, but I was left with nothing. Examining my options I decided that the adventuring life was my best option to make enough money to buy a new boat. As a sailor in a dangerous world I have had experience fighting, so picking up a sword was not unfamiliar to me. The scale armor and shield on the other hand were, but I got used to it.

I was making my way down the coast to the capital city when news reached me in the taverns that the town of Dragon Mines had reopened its eponymous mines to exploration by companies adventurers. This was just the sort of opportunity I was looking for! They said that the mines are bursting with treasure, and guarded by fell creatures. And I'm guessing dragons. The chance of treasure was all I needed to hear! I headed straight to the town, took a room at the cheapest inn I could find, and asked around among the flotsam and jetsam of the adventuring for likely partners for a new adventuring company. After a few days of interviewing I think I have found my new partners.

First is Rhogar, a dragonborn Paladin. I have never worked with a dragonborn before. He seems solid and dependable.

Next is Taliellen, an eladrin Wizard. He was raised by humans, and is less distant than others of his kind that I have met.

Finally there is Veed, a halfling "professional treasure hunter". This fellow is good natured and quick on his feet, but he really is quite small. I'll be interested to see how he holds up in battle.

Our company is called The Gold Bugs -- not the best name, but we needed to come up with something quickly. We hope to find more members for our company (and a better name) in the near future, but for our first trip into the mines we four are it.