On-line session played 1 Feb2022.
This is a report of the second session of a short campaign that I'm GM-ing using Old School Essentials. It’s a very loose adaptation of the module The Black Wyrm of Brandonsford by Chance Dudinack.
My report of the first session is here.
Andreas’ report of this session is here.
Characters and Players
All PCs are Level 1 characters.
Two of our players (representing Waldengeist the Druid and Magical Michael the Illusionist) couldn’t make this session, leaving: -
- Reinaldo, Cleric of Clobrek, God of Critical Failure. (Andreas)
- Easter, Fighter (Jack)
- Reynard, man of mystery (Seph)
- Stanley Blackbook, Magic User of unusual appetites (Simon)
- Elum, the mule
Previously...
The party have heard rumours of a Beast terrorising the neighbourhood around the village of Errinsford, and more importantly, that a reward has been put out for anyone able to neutralise it.
They arrived at Errinsford and found a siege mentality. They were summonsed for an audience with the town reeve. He proved to be a very unpleasant type, but did confirm that there was a reward for killing the Beast. In addition, he offered a smaller reward if the party were able to find the overdue supply waggon and bring it into town (the innkeeper has already offered an off-the-books payment is they would bring his consignment in ‘discretely’).
The party then went to interview Riffin, the only surviving member of a party of hunters who had tracked it to his lair. Riffin was both physically and mentally traumatised by his encounter, but he was able to provide the party with the lair’s location, and a useful description of the Beast and its methods of attack - very powerful claws and a devastating corrosive breath weapon.
And now...
It was decided that learning more about these attacks was key, and that the best way to do so was to talk to the two people who had tended to Riffin’s injuries, and who also had other specialist knowledge – Gwendolyn the Apothecary and Willem the Priest.
Gwendolyn
They had already learned that Gwendolyn was a newcomer to the town, having only arrived six months before on completing her apprenticeship (a few months after the Beast had appeared – entirely the wrong time to set up a business!).
Nevertheless, her shop was a very smart outfit; a bell rang as they entered and she soon came through to see what they wanted. A glass-fronted counter and cabinets contained potions and salves. In pride of place were a few of the familiarly-branded potions brewed by Gwendolyn’s old mistress, Mother Brocklebank of Heybrook (fancy bottles with printed labels and the slogan “Ma Guarantees ‘Em!”). There weren’t many of these (“The supply caravan’s late, you know”), and they were a little too pricey for our party’s pockets. Somewhat cheaper were the potions that Gwendolyn had made herself and “these, which are made by a friend of mine – Vivian – who lives in the forest". This was doubly good news, as finding out more about alleged witch was one of the reasons the party wanted to talk to Gwendolyn.
But first they asked about Riffin’s wounds. Gwendolyn confirmed that he had used some of Vivian’s salves, and that he then went to the priest for a healing ritual.
The party seemed to think that she should know all about the corrosive mist that the Beast could breathe or spray out. She pointed out that she hadn’t seen its effects, but that it sounded very nasty indeed. The best defence, she suggested, was not to get it on one’s skin, and – after some thought – agreed that she should be able to create a thick salve which, if applied as a barrier on the exposed parts of the body, should slow it down.
Easter then cross-examined her about the chemical composition of the corrosive and what counter-measures could be devised. In vain she tried to point out such things were the domain of Alchemists and that she was an Apothecary (“We’re more plant-based, you see – none of those chemicals”). In the end she conceded that she could experiment, trying to replicate the corrosive – though she would have to charge them for their materials she used. Seeing the dismay on the party’s faces (they seem be unused to shopkeepers asking for money), she quickly added that she would charge them at cost and that they needed pay her until they’d received their reward.
There then followed a discussion about the cost of materials. Reinaldo in particular was surprised that a pound of Black Cavern Tomatoes, for which Gwendolyn would pay 1gp, could be transformed into a salve that cost 10gp a pot. What else could go into them, he wondered? (“Six years of study”, Gwendolyn muttered under her breath). He resolved to experiment should they come across any.
The conversation then turned to Vivian, who Gwendolyn readily conceded was much more experienced than she was, and who would probably have some useful advice to impart. Gwendolyn assured the party that she was very welcoming and would be glad to help. As their request, she was happy to write a letter of introduction. As she went into the back room to get pen and paper, Reynald toyed with the idea of pilfering the shelves, but dismissed it as too risky just as Gwendolyn reappeared. She wrote the letter, didn’t complain when Reinaldo took it from the envelope to check that there was no code, and even warned them not to fall for the Nixies’ trick of asking for a toll to enter Vivian’s glade.
Confident in Gwendolyn’s good intentions, the party then moved on to the next person on their list.
Willem, the Town Priest
The Church of the One True God stood in the centre of the town, opposite Bearded Axe and the Rathaus. Adjoining it was a small house and, behind both, lay a graveyard.
When they knocked on the door it was answered after a short delay by Willem himself. He was a short, round man with an impressive waist-length square beard and a large cylindrical hat. The imposing effects of these were lessened by the greasy pony-tail sticking from beneath the hat, and the fact that a napkin was still tucked into the beard – the party had disturbed Willem’s lunch.
However, he dismissed this, being used to visits from parishioners at all hours. He invited the party in. Seeing Reinaldo’s hesitation, he assured him that the further away from the Mother Church they were, the more welcoming priests were of followers – and even Clerics – of other gods. However, when Stanley stepped forward to cross the threshold, Willem’s brow darkened and he politely, but firmly suggested that he wait outside.
The party were invited into Willem’s study and he rang for his housekeeper to bring tea and scones. He was faintly embarrassed to be questioned by Easter about the incident with Stanley, and suggested that if she didn’t know why her colleague wouldn’t be welcome in a church of the One True God, then that was a conversation the two of them should have. Again, he justified himself by pointing out that was giving hospitality to Reinaldo, a cleric of a god known to be Chaotic. He was relieved when the conversation moved from theology to other matters.
Willem confirmed that Riffin was very lucky to have survived. That he had was almost certainly due to the quick application of Vivian’s healing salve. His return to the town must have been extremely difficult, and by the time he got there, it was touch-and-go: despite Gwendolyn and Willem’s best efforts, they couldn’t save his arm. Willem had sought divine assistance and given Riffin what physical healing he could, but sadly the spiritual and mental suffering he was going through was greater, and something Riffin wasn’t ready to address.
Willem outlined the history of the Beast’s attacks – livestock and other animals taken or found mutilated, a few travellers reported missing and three farmers who had disappeared. Sadly, he said, no-one would know the full extent of the deprecations. The first indication was when contact was lost with the six brothers up at the Dwarf Mine in the mountains.
In the last few months, Willem had done much research into the previous appearance of the Beast – in answer to the party’s question, he was certain it was a different creature, but of the same kind (“There’s something supernatural about it, but the original Beast was certainly killed by Sir Errin.”). He was happy to share the fruits of his research: -
The Legend of Sir Erin and the Beast
176 years ago, a Beast terrorised the countryside. Many tried to defeat it, but failed until a pious young adventurer called Erin gathered a company of heroes that ventured out to meet it. These were the warriors Erin, Brandon and Myrddin; the cleric Alfred; and the wizard Wyllt.
Realising that this was more than a mere monster, Erin visited the hermit St Arthur (not, a beautiful Fae princess, whatever the peasants say!). Arthur sought divine direction, and asked that the adventures lay their weapons on his altar and join him in a vigil. This they did, each dedicating the weapon to the destruction of evil: Sir Erin, his sword; Sir Alfred, his mace; Sir Brandon, his bow: Lady Myrddin, her axe; and Sir Wyllt, his staff. Their devotion was rewarded, and each weapon was enhanced with divine favour, allowing them to defeat the beast.
Erin and his surviving companions were richly rewarded, granted land and rewarded. Eventually, they were buried with great honour alongside St Arthur in a shared barrow.
Willem has sent Friar Dirk, his assistant, to the Barrows to retrieve the weapons, but he hasn’t come back yet. Willem wasn’t surprised that Dirk hadn’t yet returned – he was really a city man used to an office job supplying relics to the faithful. He has committed an indiscretion which ended up with his being sent to Errinsford. Willem was happy to describe Dirk in case the party meet him on the road, but obviously thought he’d said too much about his past.
He bid the party farewell and offered to provide anything they needed – healing or holy water. “In return for a donation to Church funds”, he added, much to Reinaldo’s disgust.
Stanley’s Hobby
While all this was going on, Stanley had been left outside. He decided to take a stroll around the churchyard. First, he found the sexton’s tool-shed, which was unlocked. Then, he ambled amongst the graves. Most were burials – a few recent – but set aside near the church wall he found a raised tomb of slab construction. This carried the inscription
Robern Balley
Reeve of this Town
Beloved by All
The tomb showed signs of neglect, with gaps between the slabs.
After his walk, Stanley returned to the church entrance and waited for his friends. He had taken a pick and shovel from the tool-shed (“For when we go to the Barrows”, he explained).
Hiring Problems
It was now past lunchtime and Bently the Innkeeper had sent one of his daughters with a note to say that a group of potential hirelings had gathered at The Bearded Axe. The party decided that they would look at the offerings, but not necessarily hire anybody today – and instead carry out a short reconnaissance of the countryside in search of the missing caravan.
However, it turned out that one of the potential retainers – Gerd - was an ex-caravan guard. They questioned him closely, and – through obscure means – he and Reynard got the measure of each other. They recognised each other as men who would get a job done, whatever the means, and whether or not it was strictly legal.
[Here I made a rookie GM mistake. Given that role-play had gone so well, I should have waived the need for a roll for Reynard to hire Gerd. Instead, I gave the player a bonus, which proved inadequate once he rolled badly.]
Despite this, Gerd didn’t like the sound of the job on offer: he was to be hired for the rest of the day only; if the party found the caravan, he was to get 10gp, otherwise he would get nothing. Gerd (who thought the chances of just going down the road and meeting the caravan low), held out for more long-term employment and a share of all takings and rewards.
Mutters of “Well, I would have accepted it!” made the party forget that they weren’t really intending to hire, and Easters snapped up to likely-looking sorts – Albert and Ephew.
A Stroll in the Country
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The party determined that they had time to head out along the North Road for three hours, and then return before nightfall.
This they proceeded to do without incident, though at the end of the three hours they decided to press on further as far as the Old County Bridge. An examination of the structure and tracks on the road seemed to indicate that a caravan hadn’t crossed it recently.
Later than planned, they turned back towards Errinsford. Instead of taking the road, they decided to go through the fields that lay between it and the forest, so they could get a feel for the latter. As they did, they questioned Albert and Ephew as to what wildlife could be expected – just the normal stuff it appeared, bears, wolves, wyverns and boars. There followed a discussion as to whether unicorns were real or legendary.
As dusk fell, the party heard the flapping of large, leathery wings, and three Giant Vampire Bats emerged from their roosts in the trees. Our heroes hunkered down and, after circling a few times to get their bearings, the bats flew off in search of prey.
It was well past curfew when the party returned, but the guard had been warned to expect them, and there was no problem getting through the barricade.
Nocturnal Pursuits
Easter had built up a rapport with Ephew, and offered to give them training the martial arts, if they stayed in her service – an offer that was eagerly accepted.
While they went off to spar and Reinaldo went to his bed, Stanley approached Reynard and asked if he wanted to ‘do a little job?’
They went out into the now-deserted streets and made their way to the graveyard. They Reynard took up watch while Stanely succeeded in opening the slab-tomb. He found a skeleton dressed in a rich brocade and wearing a large jewelled pendent. He removed the contents of the tomb. The jewellry he gave to Reynard, the bones he kept for himself.
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