We started our new LCoB campaign last Thursday. We were a player down, but plus one, as the guy we'd had problems with came back, sorted out one or two points, so we relented.
Player roster (from memory):
Moonblade (Half-Elf druid 1) with Dave the Wolf (animal companion);
Hexwind (Human Hexblade 1);
Lindee (Human Marshal 1 - from Miniatures Handbook, or avalable to d/l from WotC site);
Grvahl (Elf Rogue 1);
Tsejumen (Human Archer-Ranger, from an ENWorld pdf- modelled on Mongolian tribemen/ archers) with Pony.
The first session included character generation and a brief bit od scene setting. The campaign starts in the depths of winter, with the PC's travelling with a caravan to Womtham. Two days from their destnation, the caravan is attacked and the PC's fight off four of the bandits (a combat between 5 players and 4 bad guys which occupied over 4 combat rounds, and with the resolution in doubt due to a well-laced Sleep spell from one bandit and a good bit of sniping from the enemy rogue).
The next day, Grvahl investigates the corpse of an odd monster (Ogrillon) partly buried under some rocks. He finds a dagger with a pearl inlay handle (and a silver blade, something which hasn't been picked up on yet!).
Once they hit town, they find themselves looking for lodging and investigating the market. Whilst Moonblade barters for fish-heads for the Wolf, there is a cry of pain: a trader has been stabbed. A figure is spotted dropping into a sewer. The party head after it in pursuit...
Which was where we left it.
Here's the Player's Guide to Womtham I have written for them, so that they know about their base.
The City of Womtham is located close to the source of the Duntide River, close to the Flinty Hills. The city has a population of over 24,000, although this has risen as a result of the Wars a few years earlier. There is a shanty town outside the Main Gates which houses 5,000 people in poor and inadequate accommodation. The majority of the inhabitants are Human, although there are a significant number of Dwarves and Gnomes who are in the backbone of the Metalworkers Guild. Raw materials from mines in the hills are refined and manufactured here, with the Nyrondese Royal Mint taking the majority of the metals.
The Citys Ruler is Duke Boomgren. He comes from one of the five ruling Houses of Womtham (who maintain properties in the Nobles District), the others being: House Vladaam; House Pulanti; House Gaspar; and House Quinchino. House Pulanti and House Vladaam have not directly ruled for many years, but exercise influence from the sidelines.
The militia is under the control of the Dwarven fighter Bragger Bondholme. They are responsible for both city defence and law enforcement. They operate with caution in the shanty town, aware that they could easily be overwhelmed by sheer numbers of assailants coming from the ramshackle housing.
The majority of the buildings inside the (fortified) city walls are made of wood, with peaked, thatched roofs and shuttered windows. In the Nobles Districts, the houses are sturdier and made of stone.
A Wizards Acadamy was founded here many years ago, and has many rare and esoteric texts. Although the Library is smaller than that in Greyhawk, it has some unique tomes. The Acadamy is situated in a four-sided pyramid close to the Cathedral of Boccob and is run by Stylus Kant, a powerful and talented wizard who is trying to research new spells and techniques. It is said that they are also trying to get unto The Spire, although this is denied as a rumour.
Boccob is the most worshipped deity in Womtham, although there are shrines to Wee Jas, Heironeious, Celestian, Kord and Olidammara in the city. With Nyrond fighting against Iuz to the North, followers of this deity are hated and feared: anyone suspected of following Iuz is shunned and likely to be executed. Rumours of other evil cults (Nerull, Hextor or Erythnul) lead to people tracking the group down and dealing with them.
Surprisingly, there is not a major shrine to St Cuthbert of the Cudgel operating in Womtham. A church to St Cuthbert stands on the banks of the river, its belfry rising over the bluffs. It has been deserted for many years, the graveyard shunned at night for fear of undead. St Cuthbert, it seems, is not well loved in Womtham.
The docks are on the river side of the town. Behind the wharfs and jetties lie a rabbits warren of warehouses, patrolled by a veteran militia at regular intervals. Although many gangs and roughs operate in this area, it is relatively safe. Near the docks are the best low price inns and taverns in the City.
Womtham is home to many guilds: ratcatchers, fishermans, crafters, bakers, sewermans you name it, it probably has a guild. They are proud of their trades and hold a parade at each Festival. There is generally one Guild not represented: the Worshipful Federation of Vagabonds. This organisation exists on the fringes of the Law, skirting around the Militia and living off the people. The Worshipful Federation is not averse to convincing people to think their way with the help of hired muscle.
About a mile outside the walls of the city is The Spire: a jutting tower of rock a mile high, with sheer, unclimbeable sides pushing straight up into the sky. Many rumours surround The Spire: some say it is a Wizards Tower; some, a dragons haunt; others the site of a battle between Gods. Whatever, it has never been penetrated (to public knowledge), and stands tall and proud above the city. The Spire lies on lands claimed as part of House Vladaam, though in recent years, House Pulanti have claimed some of these lands and included The Spire in with their petitions. To date, they have failed.
To the north of the city, following the river to its source, lies a small wooded area, the Penprie Forest, and beyond that is the Flinty Hills. These are the source of the metal for the mint and the craftsmen. They are also the source of the military activity in the area, as the hills are a breeding ground for orcs, goblins and bugbears (and worse!). Forts are maintained in the hills, and regular patrols ensure that the mines are well protected. Others wandering the Flinty Hills do so at their own discretion.
Womtham is a prosperous town. Its markets bustle, its shopkeepers and craftsmen grow fat and the militia patrol the alleys. All is well, within its city walls
Player roster (from memory):
Moonblade (Half-Elf druid 1) with Dave the Wolf (animal companion);
Hexwind (Human Hexblade 1);
Lindee (Human Marshal 1 - from Miniatures Handbook, or avalable to d/l from WotC site);
Grvahl (Elf Rogue 1);
Tsejumen (Human Archer-Ranger, from an ENWorld pdf- modelled on Mongolian tribemen/ archers) with Pony.
The first session included character generation and a brief bit od scene setting. The campaign starts in the depths of winter, with the PC's travelling with a caravan to Womtham. Two days from their destnation, the caravan is attacked and the PC's fight off four of the bandits (a combat between 5 players and 4 bad guys which occupied over 4 combat rounds, and with the resolution in doubt due to a well-laced Sleep spell from one bandit and a good bit of sniping from the enemy rogue).
The next day, Grvahl investigates the corpse of an odd monster (Ogrillon) partly buried under some rocks. He finds a dagger with a pearl inlay handle (and a silver blade, something which hasn't been picked up on yet!).
Once they hit town, they find themselves looking for lodging and investigating the market. Whilst Moonblade barters for fish-heads for the Wolf, there is a cry of pain: a trader has been stabbed. A figure is spotted dropping into a sewer. The party head after it in pursuit...
Which was where we left it.
Here's the Player's Guide to Womtham I have written for them, so that they know about their base.
The City of Womtham is located close to the source of the Duntide River, close to the Flinty Hills. The city has a population of over 24,000, although this has risen as a result of the Wars a few years earlier. There is a shanty town outside the Main Gates which houses 5,000 people in poor and inadequate accommodation. The majority of the inhabitants are Human, although there are a significant number of Dwarves and Gnomes who are in the backbone of the Metalworkers Guild. Raw materials from mines in the hills are refined and manufactured here, with the Nyrondese Royal Mint taking the majority of the metals.
The Citys Ruler is Duke Boomgren. He comes from one of the five ruling Houses of Womtham (who maintain properties in the Nobles District), the others being: House Vladaam; House Pulanti; House Gaspar; and House Quinchino. House Pulanti and House Vladaam have not directly ruled for many years, but exercise influence from the sidelines.
The militia is under the control of the Dwarven fighter Bragger Bondholme. They are responsible for both city defence and law enforcement. They operate with caution in the shanty town, aware that they could easily be overwhelmed by sheer numbers of assailants coming from the ramshackle housing.
The majority of the buildings inside the (fortified) city walls are made of wood, with peaked, thatched roofs and shuttered windows. In the Nobles Districts, the houses are sturdier and made of stone.
A Wizards Acadamy was founded here many years ago, and has many rare and esoteric texts. Although the Library is smaller than that in Greyhawk, it has some unique tomes. The Acadamy is situated in a four-sided pyramid close to the Cathedral of Boccob and is run by Stylus Kant, a powerful and talented wizard who is trying to research new spells and techniques. It is said that they are also trying to get unto The Spire, although this is denied as a rumour.
Boccob is the most worshipped deity in Womtham, although there are shrines to Wee Jas, Heironeious, Celestian, Kord and Olidammara in the city. With Nyrond fighting against Iuz to the North, followers of this deity are hated and feared: anyone suspected of following Iuz is shunned and likely to be executed. Rumours of other evil cults (Nerull, Hextor or Erythnul) lead to people tracking the group down and dealing with them.
Surprisingly, there is not a major shrine to St Cuthbert of the Cudgel operating in Womtham. A church to St Cuthbert stands on the banks of the river, its belfry rising over the bluffs. It has been deserted for many years, the graveyard shunned at night for fear of undead. St Cuthbert, it seems, is not well loved in Womtham.
The docks are on the river side of the town. Behind the wharfs and jetties lie a rabbits warren of warehouses, patrolled by a veteran militia at regular intervals. Although many gangs and roughs operate in this area, it is relatively safe. Near the docks are the best low price inns and taverns in the City.
Womtham is home to many guilds: ratcatchers, fishermans, crafters, bakers, sewermans you name it, it probably has a guild. They are proud of their trades and hold a parade at each Festival. There is generally one Guild not represented: the Worshipful Federation of Vagabonds. This organisation exists on the fringes of the Law, skirting around the Militia and living off the people. The Worshipful Federation is not averse to convincing people to think their way with the help of hired muscle.
About a mile outside the walls of the city is The Spire: a jutting tower of rock a mile high, with sheer, unclimbeable sides pushing straight up into the sky. Many rumours surround The Spire: some say it is a Wizards Tower; some, a dragons haunt; others the site of a battle between Gods. Whatever, it has never been penetrated (to public knowledge), and stands tall and proud above the city. The Spire lies on lands claimed as part of House Vladaam, though in recent years, House Pulanti have claimed some of these lands and included The Spire in with their petitions. To date, they have failed.
To the north of the city, following the river to its source, lies a small wooded area, the Penprie Forest, and beyond that is the Flinty Hills. These are the source of the metal for the mint and the craftsmen. They are also the source of the military activity in the area, as the hills are a breeding ground for orcs, goblins and bugbears (and worse!). Forts are maintained in the hills, and regular patrols ensure that the mines are well protected. Others wandering the Flinty Hills do so at their own discretion.
Womtham is a prosperous town. Its markets bustle, its shopkeepers and craftsmen grow fat and the militia patrol the alleys. All is well, within its city walls
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Accuracy is our watchwurd.
Accuracy is our watchwurd.
