CR Donjon & Cie (en VO) [MAJ 07/12]

[Sammael99]

L'un des joueurs a composé le lendemain de la partie la Balade de Reginald le Melodieux. 

The Ballad of Sir Reginald the Melodious

King’s courts and taverns across the land 
Knew well the skill of Reginald’s hand, 
For his skill with flute and harpsichords 
Had warmed the hearth of many lords.

The strident song of nightingale, The clarion of trumpets call,
The murmur of sweet rainfall,
Sir Reg’s range eclipsed them all.

With doughty heart and sword aheft, 
They ventured within the rocky cleft.
Sir Reg and friends both stout and true, 
The sacred text they did pursue.

The inky dark of shadowed hall,
The gloomy gloam that did befall,
The icy stretch of cold stone wall,
The band most brave endured them all.

Twixt pentagles hewn upon the floor, 
Foul beasts in brass upon the door, 
Sir Reginald tried to defend,
‘Gainst Demon’s Fury till bitter end.

Acid spat, furious fireballs rolled
No manly force could in faith withhold. 
Fear failed the fallen, their fingers numbed, 
One by one, frail flesh succumbed.

What of his friends, both stout and true? 
The twisted foe, the demon slew. Leaving Brave Sir Reg alone at last,
To flee into the dungeon vast.

Raging fire and flame Reg struggled through, 
O’er deepest pits he jumped anew,
Till in the depths said famous tome,
Was plucked from fingers of shambling bone.

With precious load Reg sought the light,
Foul Trolls he smote with furious might,
The fearless bard’s sword swung hard and fast, 
A shining arc ‘gainst foe dark and vast.

At last, ahead, fair portal beckoning,
His dead brothers below, their final reckoning,
Sir Reginald stepped once more into clear blue light,
‘Pon his fair face a smile of delight.

What of this book, I hear you say? Did its return serve to save the Day?

 The curse upon the tome came true!
Upon poor Reg’s soul did the hex embue,
The evil gaze of the summoned Demon Lord’s glower 
His host of fiends the poor bard’s body to devour.

[nergaal]

excellent

[Sammael99]

Wééé ! Quelqu'un me lit !

Merci @nergaal !

[Herlkin]

...assez différent de la partie qu'il me semble avoir joué ; comme quoi le choix des personnages/joueurs détermine véritablement l'ambiance (en plus des réglages/ajouts du DM).

[Sammael99]

...assez différent de la partie qu'il me semble avoir joué ; comme quoi le choix des personnages/joueurs détermine véritablement l'ambiance (en plus des réglages/ajouts du DM).

Pour être franc, le scénario était un peu différent aussi. Tu as joué disons la v.0a.

C'était la deuxième fois que je le faisais jouer, et la première fois ils ont eu l'idée de génie de débiter les corps des aventuriers morts dans le petit pentagramme pour les offrir aux Trolls. Du coup, pas de combat contre les trolls.

Ici l'idée de génie c'était la casserolle de bave acide. J'ai sorti ça en impro pure, mais le joueur qui avait lu la carte a réagi au quart de tour!

[Sammael99]

Playing with Fire

(Feat. Toad, Zolark, Gnorman and William)

Toad, Zolark and Gnorman are introduced to a new receiver recruit, William. William is a ghoul, and Zyylla seems to like him a lot for his keen urge to massacre customers.

Zyylla later informs the four receivers that they are to meet in the "Demogorgon" Gathering Room at a specified time. She looks concerned and stressed out.

In the Gathering Room are an array of bigwigs. Gnorman already knows Marzkle, the head of Living Resources (a Mind Flayer), but they are introduced also to Llorna (a fashion conscious medusa who does meetings blindfolded), who heads a design working group within marketing, Henzroch (a burly orc) chief of Inner Relations and Seamain, a very muscular and scarred human woman who heads reception.

Marzkle explains that their mission today is out of the ordinary. A resident dragon has rebelled, setting ablaze several levels of the Dungeon above it's lair. They have already sent two teams of more experienced receivers to talk with the Dragon and figure out what's wrong, but neither has come back.

Because they have proven to be resourceful despite their relative lack of experience, Marzkle has decided to send them. Llorna is here to explain the concept of the levels built around the Dragon and Henzroch to discuss the Dragon's personality.

The Dragon, being a resident, cannot be fully integrated into a level design, so the levels were build around it for a coherent narrative that could be sold to customers. Above the Dragon's lair is a level where Milk Kobbolds raise hairy cattle for the Dragon to eat. Above them is a level where a princess is imprisoned (by the Dragon, or at least that's the story) into a magical stasis. The princess is guarded by Lava Golems molded in the shape of dragon-men.

Henzroch stresses that the Dragon must be treated with the utmost respect, and particularly that his name must always be said in full and perfectly. The name is Leodranikadagolaritic.

Unfortunately for the receivers, the only entrance from the central column is on the top level. They are handed a map and sent over to Supply for equipment.



Toad is nominated mission chief. He uses his close relationship with Quinlan to beg for fire retardant capes. Against all odds, the werewolf is utterly convincing and Quinlan gives them four on the sly against a promise of returning them intact.

They make their way to the second level above the Dragon's lair. It's partially ablaze already, but the lava golems seem not to care (even though some seem to be melting already). They manage to enter and head for the stairway without alerting the golems. They head down for the second level.

The circular stairwell is partially collapsed but they manage to make their way down even if they have to jump the last part. There they see what used to be a large grazing area for hairy cows but is now a burnt platform full of fuming carcasses. There is a whole on the platform, probably used to lower the meat to the Dragon, but the receivers have no rope in their packs.

They search the rest of the level and find the tribe of Milk Kobbolds hiding from the encroaching flames. These Kobbolds are milk white but otherwise identical to their brethren. Because of their small size and the presence of elderly and children, they cannot jump the burnt gap to the stairwell. Toad negociates with Zarkick, the Milk Kobbold chief to get them to the central column in exchange for rope made of hairy cow hair. William and Toad escort the Kobbolds back to the top level. As William brings the last of the Kobbold babies to the secret passage to the secret column, one of the babies mewls and the lava golems are alerted.

Toad, who is at the top of the stairwell makes a sound, and all the golems bar one turn back to investigate. He then darts back downstairs.

William manages to close the secret door behind the Kobbolds, but faces the last golem alone. He tries to hit it, but gets slammed to within an inch of his unlife instead. He tries to play dead, but the floor is so hot due to the blaze that his skin blisters and he twitches in pain. The golem slams him again, and he dies for good.

Downstairs, Zolark and Gnorman found and secured the rope. Zolark also had the idea of cutting up chunks of cow meat to appease the Dragon and fill in the sacks he got in his pack with them. They secure the rope, throw it down and cautiously make their way down into the Dragon's Lair.

The Dragon is massive but seems to be asleed. Toad is tempted to check out the treasury to maybe pilfer a few choice items after confirmation from Zolark that it would not be against company policy (the Dragon's treasure is not part of a set-up level and therefore not Company property).

However, he notices a glint in the dragon's eyelids and suspects the Dragon to be secretly awake. He loudly states they should not touch the Dragon's treasure, it would not be respectful to the magnificent beast.

The Dragon opens its eyes. Toad makes an obsequious speech, making sure to mention its name perfectly on multiple occasions. This mollifies the Dragon enough to accept a discussion.

The receivers ask Leodranikadagolaritic why it seems to be unhappy with Dungeon, Inc. and Mr. Noir. The Dragon replies that such discussions should not happen on an empty stomach, and that it would rather fancy a bit of raw halfling as a snack.

Toad (thinking that they may lure their halfling contact Hamlin down here) says that they will bring halfling meat back to Leodranikadagolaritic as soon as possible to resume the conversation.

The way back to the elevating platform is very easy as the fire seems to have entirely gone out (although many places are charred and steaming still). Gnorman manages to convince Toad that throwing Hamlin to the Dragon would not earn them a great reputation with their colleagues, and they're better off trying to see if there's a halfling customer currently on the premises.