LP: Preview of Co8 5.6 + LP Co8 5.8

[VentilatorOfDoom]

Because, if they don't give XP I'm not interested.

 

[Sitra Achara]

They do give XP, I think 90 or 180 XP each (divided by party size of course).

-----------------------------------------------------------

cont'd

While the rest of the party soil their underwear, Ariel boldly confronts the spirit.

Die!

No.

Die!!

No.

Die!!!

No.

*Poof*




And the spirit was no more.

We celebrate by snuffing a few more ripple dummies.

And finally, we arrive at Mathel's inner sanctum.

To arms!

Another devastating blow to Koboldkind.

As is often the case here in the Codex, 'tis a trap!

Before tackling Mathel, I tried cleaning up the alternate route and got TPKed by Goblins.

Reload.


Let's try Mathel himself.

Nope, didn't work either.

Both Mathel, who wields a reach weapon, and the Kobold Sergeant have high ACs - they're very hard to hit at this level.



So I reload, rest up in Hommlet, and scribe a few scrolls.

Hey, where'd he go?

 

[Sitra Achara]

Oh, there he is. That's where he hangs around during daytime.

Probably got upset that I stole his l00t earlier.

At the end of a brutal fight, I beat him, though with 2 casualties. The bastard likes to hit 'em while they're down.

The survivors level up.

Fortunately, I have this to sell, so I can resurrect my fallen comrades.

It's quite a bit more than you'd make by running Hommlet errands, but then again the risk is much higher as well.

ToEE's lovely particle effects at work.



Let's break the news to the Captain.

I have done it! I have killed Mathel! The village is safe!

Oh, thank the gods, my boy, thank the gods! The village of Hommlet is indebted to you. We can pay you only 100 gold, but you'll have our eternal gratitude as well.

Cheap bastard awards us with 100 gold. Pfft.

I return for some clean up.

Meet Kwerd, a Goblin with principles - chief among them is that discretion is the better part of valor.

Stop! Do not kill me!

Who are you?

I am Kwerd, humble servant to Lord Mathel.

Kwerd? Why didn't you attack me?

The others say that I am a coward. But I know things and I can help you if you let me live. Do we have a deal?

It is agreed.

What would you like to know?

[This is the part where you get some answers about Welkwood and Mathel. I'll leave it for the players to find out.]

Mathel is dead. You should run along now.

Having fulfilled his duty as a plot device, he slinks back into the shadows.

And thus ends Co8's Welkwood Bog.

Next up: Ripple Dummies rise from the ashes and found a state.

 

[VentilatorOfDoom]

ToEE graffix are awesome.

 

[pipka]

Too bad the guy who tried to recreate the engine lost interest and disappeared.

 

[GarfunkeL]

Ah, seems to me that another round with ToEE is in order.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Question:

How close to vanilla would you like the non-new content version to be?

Currently it's the same as NC, except for the "I'm looking for something different" hooks (and Ronald the recruitable Cleric)

(See http://www.co8.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8113)

The people who are fine with Co8 NC needn't answer this, it's for the 20% of people who downloaded the so-called standard version of 5.8.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Chapter II: The Moathouse

Having finished Welkwood Bog and almost none of the Hommlet quests, our party is level 2 (1755 XP, except the two that died) and has about 2800 GP to its name.

We visit the grumpy herdsman in the north of Hommlet. He sends us over to the Moathouse to investigate Tillahi's disappearance.

I love how they flail their arms while grappled.

Treasure chest lock DCs have been raised considerably from vanilla. Still, a good rogue should do the trick, with a little Guidance...

For the guy who asked how much vanilla loot has been altered, the +1 Shield and the chest here are new. The Silver bolts will come in handy later on...

Raul the Grim, the never-miss, ever-critting brigand leader. In his death, he gave us Level 3.

May he rest in peace.

One of the Zombies from earlier was carrying a miniature chest that summons this Bag of Holding replacement. Very handy for carrying all the guards' junk.

Also, level 4.

Lareth the Beautiful.

Courtesy of Co8, he does some modest pre-buffing. Though now that I look at his scripting he was meant to also cast Magic Circle Against [alignment] when the party enters his room. Could use some tweaking.

One of the cheap tricks players employ (myself included) is to bust his guards, rest up in Hommlet, then return for Lareth at full health. That's why the spiders were added. (they appear if you refuse his surrender after you severely injure him)

Lareth's demise.

Ambush!

Obscuring Mist is a godsend in this encounter.

You snooze, you lose!

Another falls before me.

Cleave paying dividends.

Also, note the archers readying vs. spell.

... and trying to interrupt my spellcasting.

Luckily I'm protected by the fog.

The low-level fireball at work.

Zert has an epiphany.

Ariel and John go super-saiyan too.





And so, the Moathouse was cleared. Oh, except for Lubash, I forgot him.

 

[Black]

Funny, I haven't encountered the assassin.

 

[Sitra Achara]

He is triggered by selling one of Lareth's unique items to the Traders. (people usually sell off his cheap boots, because the Traders always offer half price)

Also, it's not a new Co8 thing - it's there in vanilla (and the PnP module). He did get beefed up relative to vanilla, though.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Back in Hommlet...

Baby needs a new pair of shoes.

Also, note the crappy HP rolls.

Just remembered Jinnerth's quest also ends a little differently in Co8, so...

A Masterwork Repeating Crossbow. Unfortunately, it requires an exotic weapon feat to use without the -4 penalty...

Taking the chocolate route again...

I'm looking for something different.

What might that be?

That tip on Welkwood Bog worked out well for me. Got any other leads like that?

As a matter of fact I do. The village elder was just ranting at the last town council meeting about a band or orcs holed up in some area quite a ways north of here. I'd go pay him a visit and see what he has to say about it.

Thank you.



Oh, but before we go that route, one little debt...

There. Now, where were we?

Small band of Orcs, you say?

 

[Sitra Achara]

Chapter III: Loose Ends


Before we head for Hickory, some pressing issues in Hommlet require our attention.

E.g. getting the uber elven chain.

Skeletons are but a minor hassle at this point.

Still, they can wear you down. (see Tulip's HP)

Obtaining a new toy for my rogue, the fungus figurine.

Desecrate being put to good use.

Luckily for me, I still managed to turn the skeletons. Could've been quite a bit tougher otherwise.
The skeleton priest also has a tendency of Death Knelling your felled party members - that really hurts.

In hindsight, I could have probably snagged the armor right from under his nose.

Clash of the titans.

Caution! Greasy floor.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Look what I found in his pocket.

Tada!

You really have a giant's head?

Yes. [Show the head to Brother Smyth.]

To be honest, I didn't think you would be foolhardy enough to hunt a giant, and I certainly did not expect you to kill one!

Well I did. So you can show me these masterwork items of yours now.

Well I don't have it all here on display, as you can see. [He gestures around at his normal gear.] And I can't leave the smithy right now. Come back tomorrow and see me and I will try to have it all out for you.

Very well. I'll check back later.


A day later, I return for the goodies.

Finally some decent gear.

Speaking of gear, the traders have some worthwhile new items, e.g. the Scholar's Kit, Lockslip Grease, etc.

Oh, looks like I forgot to sell this off earlier. Might as well.



Ok, I'm done with Hommlet. Let's head for Hickory Branch.

 

[pipka]

+1 post for the next page

 

[Elwro]

MOAR!

 

[GarfunkeL]

I don't want to spoil myself

 

[pipka]

Bump again.

 

[Sitra Achara]

En route to HB, we encounter something...

To set the mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drVLDnyYJ7c

[an ominous-looking figure dressed all in black appears suddenly before you, seemingly out of nowhere] Prepare to meet your doom, fool!

What? Who are you? You owe me an explanation, at least, before killing me!

[he pauses] Very well. You'll be able to explain your death to your worthless god as you grovel in the after life. I have been dispatched to kill the slayer of Lareth.

And how, may I ask, do you know that I killed Lareth?

You sold some of Lareth's personal items in Hommlet. From that simple act, you were trivial for me to trace.

And I suppose you work for the temple?

Enough talk! Your end is at hand! [he attacks]


And battle ensues.

Luckily, I get good initiative rolls.

The ninja cries out desperately!

Tolub, you're next.

He usually guts your wizard with this.

I'll have to have a word with those two. Let's head back to Hommlet.

While we were away, Smith got a strange shipment. He strikes up a conversation with his favourite client, Tulip.

Me?

Well, a certain friend of mine has contracted me to open this chest. He lost the key, and he needs a particular item from within. I've tried everything to break into the chest, but the metal was infused with some magical properties, making it near indestructible.

Huh?

I am confident that you might know someone that can do the job. Be a good fellow and arrange it for me and I promise to make it worth your while.

Me do.

Excellent. Let me know when the job is done. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?

Ugh.


Let's have Ariel give it a shot.

A tough nut!

Giving it all I got. Success!

The Smith takes his items, and leaves us a few coins and one magical item.

Now Ariel can cast Obscuring Mist too.






Thrilled with the new toy, I forget about the Traders and head off to Hickory Branch to test it on the orcs.





-------------------------------------


Next up: Orc Bonanza.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Chapter IV: Hickory Branch

Welcome to Hickory Branch.

Meet Noblig.

[A goblin addresses you from a distance in its gutteral tongue.] You there! Halt! Flee at once! Begone! What are you doing here?!

Who are you?

I ask the questions! I am Noblig, supreme commander of the watch! I say, what are you doing here?!

Well Noblig, I suggest you run and advise your supreme commander that this place is about to be overrun. Is your commander just another goblin like you?

Kallop, the great gnoll leader? Yes, of course! Kallop will tear out your insides and feast! You'll see!

And who is his commander?

Boonthag, the great bugbear mistress? Boonthag will crush you between her formidable haunches! You'll see!

Yes, yes, Boonthag. And her commander is...?

[The goblin considers.] There is yet Lord Ruff, the great orc lieutenant! And then there awaits Lord Krunch, the great orc captain! They will destroy you!

So they are the bosses then?

No, fool! Today you shall die! They will all summon his Wonderfulness Lord Hungous, the High Commander himself! Do you see?

But wait. I thought you said you were the commander?

[The goblin looks confused.] You! Stop talking! I take you prisoner now! Come with me!

I'll do no such thing. Run off, little goblin, if you value your wrteched life.

[The goblin hesitates.] Er...for this you shall pay! Wait here! I shall summon my officer. He is but a short distance this, um, [he looks off into the bushes] this way. Fool!

[The goblin runs off, but not before producing a small device into which he blows to create a surprisingly loud and resounding tone. This is obviously an alarm.]


That dinky little shit. He ran away.

Moving on...

The welcoming committee. A few archers, goblins and orc footmen.

Never gets old.

John catches up, Ariel is still in the dust because I forgot about multiclassing penalties.

Also, Ariel takes up the shortbow, since I'm running low on sling bullets and the shops sell them 10 at a time.

To the south, my second engagement.

Wasn't too hard.

But from what the Goblin said, there are supposed to be tougher Lieutenants hanging around.

So let's scout out the place with Ariel.

 

[Sitra Achara]

To the north, a Kobold sergeant and a small force.

Further north, a Gnoll and Bugbear commanders. Probably Kallop and Boonthag.

NE of there, another small force, mainly archers.

Continuing, we find an Orc Trainer and a bunch of wolves and dire wolves.

To the West, a couple of brown bears roaming. Too bad I don't have a Druid.

South of the bears, two dire lizards.

What could those ripples in the water be? A hidden beast perhaps?

Oh my.

A medium force of Orcs, including a shaman and assassin, and Lord Ruff.

At the western end of the map, we find lord Krunch. Named after the author of Hickory Branch v1.0.

Behind him is another small force and a cave entrance.

Another wild beast.

A huge bear, in the pit below. Better not step on any twigs now.

South of Lord Ruff and to the West of the Kobolds, several Orc archers overlook the area, protected by a natural barrier from those coming from the east.

South of those, a descent to an ominous looking pit, guarded by a couple of giant snakes.

That's about it.






Let's review.

Hmmm. What to attack first?

 

[Elwro]

All this looks fantastic!

 

[Sitra Achara]

Thanks



Let's try asking the locals.

Lord Ruff is courteous but unhelpful.

So is the Kobold Seargeant, Dokolb.

Snobs.

Ok, here's the plan. Kill the commanders ASAP, because if you don't, they vanish and join their supreme commander at the cave - Lord Hungous.



First of the commanders to be taken down is Dokolb. Not that he'd make much of a difference later on - he's just there, standing in my way.

Dokolb is swiftly eliminated with a surprise attack.

The Kobolds behind him are alerted of course, but they are easily dispatched.

I rest to replenish my strength. Ariel levels up from one of the encounters.

He's more talkative when you aren't sneaking around it seems.

[A grizzled gnoll snarls at you as you approach.] Trespasser! You dare to venture so far into Hickory Branch?! Yeenoghu will surely drain on you from above for your offenses!

I'm not interested in what you imagine your dog-god will or won't do. Who are you?

[The gnoll appears to defer to a very large female bugbear at his side.] I am Kallop, captain of the gnolls at Hickory Branch. But this...this is Boonthag the Terrible.

Boonthag. Yes, I've already heard of Boonthag and her haunches.

[The bugbear addresses you directly, ignoring the gnoll and seeming agitated to the point of rage.] Yes, of course you've heard. I am Boonthag, and I crush. That is what I do. Did you know that I once crushed the skull of a giant between these massive thighs? Your head will go there next.

Aren't you going to give me a chance to surrender?

No. I don't take prisoners. I crush. But I may take your broken skull as a charm.

I'm not impressed.

[The bugbear laughs.] As if I care. Go on your way and do as you like. Kallop and I will not stop you ourselves, for we will see you later...if you have the strength to act quickly.

What's that supposed to mean?

Our orders are to fall back and collect any stragglers we find along the way. We'll then join Lord Hungous in his quarters, where, if you arrive in time, we shall meet again. And then my haunches will do as they like. Come, Kallop! [The pair turn and dash off.]


Like I said, if you let them live, they'll be waiting for you later on.


Oh, and just to see what Dokolb has to say, I reload a save:

I am Dokolb, sergeant of the kobolds. I repeat, leave here now and do not return.

Yes yes, I already got that lecture from your little friend Noblig.

Noblig is a fool and would do well to keep his mouth shut, but he is right if he told you that you will die here. This place is not for you. Flee at once.

I'll take my chances, thanks.

You may not like your chances so well when you see what lies beyond. Did Noblig tell you of that which is not named, that which dwells below? Even if you kill all that dwell above, it will destroy you below.

That sounds interesting. I'll be sure to search around then.

Suit yourself, but rest assured, you will die. I will either see you dead myself in another place, or I will see you when you join me in the afterlife. [With this, the kobold turns and vanishes.]

 

[Sitra Achara]

So, where was I?

Surprise!

Can't sneak my whole party past those without triggering a fight.

Well, actually, maybe I can, sneaking seems fairly potent in ToEE. But I engage them anyway.

It's annoying when that Shaman heals his fallen brothers, but something tells me he'd be much tougher if he'd simply used that club of his.

One step closer to levelup.

Lord Ruff delivers his speech.

The sanctum of Lord Hungous and his spiritual and mystical advisors. They await you there, and the rest of us will await you there soon as well. Even if you reach us, you will not have the strength to defeat us.

I'll be the judge of that.

You vainly overestimate yourself. But come if you must. We will meet again in a short while, I think. I still say you should leave and consider yourself lucky at that. [The orc disappears out of sight to the southwest.]

Of course, he can forget about getting away. I attack.

Hope you guys got good reflex saves.

Orc assassin makes a bee line for Samantha.

Another victory.

Modest loot in the chest behind the archers.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Proceeding, we encounter the last of the commanders, Lord Krunch.

No you will not! You will lay down your arms and await the supreme commander!

And if I don't?

As if I'll let you.

The alpha strike.

Obscuring Mist prevents those pesky archers from interfering.

Krunch hits the ground.

Thankfully, these Orcs have shit Will saves.

Krunch and his fellows breathe no more.

Also, level 6!


But before we dare enter the cave, I want to level up the others too.

 

[Sitra Achara]

Let's start with that ripple in the water near the dire lizards - must be some huge lurking beast.

*snicker*

The Owlbear gets it.

Use your worthless bows all you like.

John goes to a higher level.

As they say in Arabic, every dog - its day will come.

Ariel makes the grade.

The remaining wild beasts are likewise butchered:

 

[Sitra Achara]

To further bolster my ranks, I head back to Hommlet to recruit Burne for some extra firepower.

Oh yeah, the Traders. Forgot about them.

I also purchase a few scrolls from him.

Craft myself some better weapons.

Trick PERSUADE Burne to join my cause.

This is when we storm the shop and butcher the traders.

Let's hand out some justice!

Gremag is down, though he managed to take a chunk out of Ariel with a crippling strike.

Rannos Davl is worried.

The fat bastard drinks a potion of invisibility and gets away.





Well, so much for that. Let's get back to Hickory.

Continuing with the preparations, I scribe a whole bunch of scrolls.

Are you ready, boys?



-------------------------

Next up: You're the boss.