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Crawler's Academy for Dungeoneers and Overseers (CYOA/SG)

asxetos

Augur
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
820
Location
Greece
If we could pick up a few spells from daddy elf it would be nice. F (Nevill's)
 
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Messages
784
i think first we should go see pops, but in asking for permission we tell him that Hammerhead has already agreed to accompany us, and it would be really helpful if he could hook us up with some spells that would be useful on our journey. if that goes well then we go talk to Hammerhead and tell him our dad suggested that he should accompany us and has already provided us with good spells, etc.
 

Cheesecake

Savant
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
137
A: Azira 1
B:
C: Grimgravy, 1
D: Clotstein, 1
E: lightbane, 1
Nevill's F: Nevill, hello friend, asxestos, (Azira), 3(4)
a bear named spigot's F: a bear named spigot, (Nevill), 1(2)

F. Ask dad for permission and cash in on your birthday present early (spells!), but also try to talk Hammerhead into it. Having an adult with you won't hurt, and he has the experience from his adventuring days.

The ambient chatter in the tavern quiets as the night grows long, the bawdy bardic songs replaced with simple, soothing melodies. The two orphans, Paul and Ann, have retired to their guest rooms, with much struggle. You ponder on your lonesome, enjoying the sweet song, while Tess plays baseball with Bee as the unfortunate target for her greatclub.

Your birthday is coming soon; that means dad owes you a gift! Perhaps he can give it to you early? No sooner does the thought cross your mind when the tavern's door opens, and a willowy figure stumbles inside, collapsing in a chair. His haggard hair, the color of molten silver, is in the likeness of a bird's nest. His eyes, orbs of gold, are ringed darkly with fatigue. The robes of his office as the Magister's wizard is painfully vacant, filled more with air than body; whatever the Magister is having him do seems to be more important than eating, apparently.

You greet him with a hug and he smiles weakly. As you pull out the spellbook you bought earlier, his smile grows brighter and his hug stronger. "Look at you, child! A spellbook! I remember when I first received mine, when I was but seventy-five. I must allow you a spell or two!" He makes for his room, your mom loudly snoring after her harrowing day at the Fighter's club. "The Academy prefers it that the children learn from certified instructors, but I'm sure they won't mind me teaching you a cantrip or two."

"Actually, dad, about the Academy and the spells. The portal's closed, and we wanna get their in time! If we got your permission, we can get Mr. Blackbrass to go with us."

Persuasion check: 16+1

Your father grimaces at the mention of the closed portal. He sighs. "As long as Mr. Blackbrass is willing to accompany you, I see no reason not to try. I'd escort you myself, if not for my duties to the Magister."

"One more thing, dad. I'm nearly gonna be thirteen soon, and I'll probably be at Crawler's Academy by then, so could I get my present now?"

He looks embarrassed, his pale cheeks flushed. "Forgive me, son, I'd not thought to purchase your present this early, but-"

"You don't need to buy me anything, dad! I just wanna learn spells, before I even start classes!"

Your dad breathes a sigh of relief and laughs. "I'd be delighted to assist in the beginnings of who I'm sure will be an amazing wizard."

----

The two of you sit quietly in the room (or as quietly as possible with your mother's snoring). He teaches you Prestidigitation first, a cantrip that he says is great practice for spellcasters.

He brings out his fine inks. The cloudy fluid within swirl mystically. He allows you to copy three spells from his own spellbook, saying that he hasn't stocked up on enough fine inks for any more than that, unfortunately.

You decide to copy: (Choose 3)

A. Charm Person
B. Color Spray
C. Expeditious Retreat
D. Floating Disk
E. Mage Armor
F. Magic Missile
G. Shield
H. Unseen Servant


"A final present, son," he says as he tidies his desk with prestidigitation. He ransacks his closet and pulls out a gnarled staff. It seems sturdy enough to whack someone with and not break, but you also sense the mark of the arcane on it. "This was my staff, when I was the equivalent of your age. I hope it aids you in all your endeavors, son, from walking, to spellcasting, and to what your mother calls, "whack-a-mole." He also pulls out a crumpled hat from his bag, having lost its pointedness long ago, its color now indiscernible through ages of wear.

"Happy birthday, son," he says, the tiredness in his eyes long gone, his face lit with more energy than his body should have.

You give him a last hug and run to your room, hand-me-down hat haphazardly on your head. You can barely sleep!

---

You've got two days left until the start of the semester, and you don't know how you'll convince Mr. Blackbrass to leave his tavern for a few days to travel all the way to the Academy. You've been helping him clean the tavern ever since you awoke, using your prestidigitation to make wiping tables trivial. But what to say?

How will you get Mr. Blackbrass to come with the four of you?

---

Character Sheet

stillstar_and_the_surrounding_area_by_maninacandyvan-d9ukpv6.png

Unfinished map of Stillstar and its neighbors. Its a day's hike from the city to the Academy.
 
Last edited:

asxetos

Augur
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
820
Location
Greece
best dad ever!
A.Charm Person + F.Magic Missile + H.Unseen Servant

I guess we can try to persuade him normally since he seems to be reminiscent of his adventuring days. Plus the half-truth that dad already knows and approves will help. Maybe keep Charm Person as a worst case scenario if it gets voted?
 

Azira

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
8,519
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Codex 2012
Floating disc is an underrated spell for lazy explorers. Feeling a bit tired? Pop out your disc and put your gear there. Saves you from carrying it. :smug:

Never mind, 1 hour duration? Go suck donkey balls..
 

hello friend

Arcane
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
7,847
Location
I'm on an actual spaceship. No joke.
ACH

As asxetos said, we can mention good old dad knows all about our journey and has given us some spells to prepare us. However, we poor helpless children need the protection of a responsible adult - you wouldn't want dead kids on your conscience would you?

If he's hesitant and intends to stop us, make it clear that we are very, very determined, and will escape if necessary. No need to make it confrontational before it's our only recourse, ofc. Either way appeal to his nostalgia.

So, bottom line: This is happening. It would be a lot safer with adult supervision, and hey - maybe even fun. What's to lose?
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
ACF

Magic missile is pretty powerful here. And I bet we'll be doing a lot of very expeditous retreating.

I'll go with hello friend's take on asxetos' option.
 

lightbane

Arcane
Joined
Dec 27, 2008
Messages
10,156
"A final present, son," he says as he tidies his desk with prestidigitation. He ransacks his closet and pulls out a gnarled staff. It seems sturdy enough to whack someone with and not break, but you also sense the mark of the arcane on it. "This was my staff, when I was the equivalent of your age. I hope it aids you in all your endeavors, son, from walking, to spellcasting, and to what your mother calls, "whack-a-mole." He also pulls out a crumpled hat from his bag, having lost its pointedness long ago, its color now indiscernible through ages of wear.

Awesome dad is awesome. And so is mom. :lol:
Also, just noticed it right now: at some point our character managed to learn the Elven language during the short time he's been in this new world. So much for elven superiority if a human kid can learn their tongue so fast (on the other hand, everyone in DnD is a polyglot at the very least).

For spells, I vote for: CFH
For the plan, I'll go with hello friend's option. And do so while we adopt our best "puppy eyes" look.
 

Cheesecake

Savant
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
137
A: asxestos, Azira, hello friend, Nevill, 4
B: Grimgravy, 1
C: hello friend, Nevill, 2
D:
E: Azira, Grimgravy, 2
F: asxestos, Nevill, 2
G:
H: asxestos, Azira, hello friend, Grimgravy, 4

1d6 roll (1-2 C, 3-4 E, 5-6 F): 5

A. Charm Person + F. Magic Missile + H. Unseen Servant

You swallow nervously, mustering all the courage inside you for this harrowing encounter. The hulking, hairy dwarf hums a bittersweet dwarven tune softly, busy behind his bar. The windows are still shut so early in the morning, and the stale, stuffy air chafes you. Mr. Blackbrass looks up at you, his leathery face wrinkling as he smiles.

"Mornin', lad. I see yer pa has taught ye his fancy magics," he says, gesturing to the tables you cleaned with your prestidigitation. "Breakfast'll be done as soon as yer ma wakes up."

"Um, Mr. Blackbrass? About the four of us kids walking to the Academy-"

"Och, what'd I tell ya, lad? It's dangerous! Just wait 'til yer pa gets the portal back up, then ye and yer friends can get there safely." He scratches his scraggly beard. "Where are those two other rascals anyhow? Sister Starlight had a right hissy fit, is what one o' the workers told me."

"Those two are still asleep, I think." You deliberate, thinking to play on his longing for his adventuring days and the half-truth that your dad's given you permission. "It won't be that dangerous with you around, Mr. Blackbrass! You've gone on a hundred adventures! Don't you ever miss it?"

He sighs. "Of course I do, lad. But I cannot and will not put me love of adventure ahead of the safety of you kids."

"But my dad already gave us permission! I asked him last night, before he taught me these spells."

Persuasion check: 16+1 = 17

He runs his hand through what little hair remains on his head. "Fine. But ye do what I say, when I say, hear me? Do not ever leave my sight, do not ever leave my side, and you get to bed when I tell ye. Deal?"

"Deal!"

----

The six of you travel in formation; Mr. Blackbrass travelling in the lead, Tess and Ann giggling behind him, while you and Paul stay at the back, with Bee harassing the wildlife whenever he passes. Mr. Blackbrass had left your mom in charge of the Anvil. She might be a messy housewife and a reckless fighter, but she is wonderful at bar-keeping, and makes fantastic halfling breakfasts. Your father left shortly before you did, barely rested, and already late for his duties as court wizard.

Preparation was fairly quick as well. The dwarf kept an armory below his bar, stocked to the brim with gear mundane and arcane, shelves lined with potions of all shapes and colors and smells. Trinkets and mementos told tales at but a glance, and the dents in the armor and weapons spoke of vicious battles with orcs, ogres and other nasty things. He gave each of you an adventurer's pack, old and musty, each having seen a lifetime of adventure on the backs of heroes.

Tess had been the first to bolt out the door, Twig in her hands, hooting and howling in the morning air as she descended the hill where the Anvil stood atop. The orphan, Ann, had been next, racing after Tess with a loaf of bread in hand (which you're sure she hadn't paid for). You thought Paul wouldn't have come, if his sister hadn't already gotten halfway down the hill by the time he got ready. Mr. Blackbrass had sent one of his workers to downtown Stillstar, to tell Sister Starlight they would go to the Academy already. She won't be too happy with the pair, you think.

Now the party is moving to Riverheart, a small but prosperous trading town. The road from Stillstar to the little town is invaded by wildlife, trod on only by beggars and foreigners unaware of Stillstar's portal. Birdsong dances in the breeze, and bugs buzz to the beat while they frolic in the air. The morning wind is soothing and cool, the sunlight bobs and weaves through the rustling leaves of the canopy.

The first hour of the hike is uneventful. The two girls giggle and chatter, Blackbrass hums his homesick tune, and you and Paul get to know each other. When he graduates his Dungeoneer course as a paladin, the first thing we wants to do is pledge himself to Ra and help run his orphanage. The four of you kids share jokes and make merry, and you think you even saw Blackbrass smile a bit more than often.

Suddenly, you hear a yipping sound, a distance away. The dwarf smirks to himself and leads the group to its direction. He stops the group near a shady grove, where a cart is overturned in mire. Scurrying over the cart, ransacking its wooden carcass, are small, scaly creatures. They look like overgrown lizards, yipping and yapping and hissing at one another as they wrestle for scraps.

"Kobolds!" you say in an excited whisper.

"Aye, lad," Mr. Blackbrass says. "I count, what, four or five of them? Think you can take them?"

It takes you by surprise. "But you kept going on and on about this being unsafe!"

"Scared, Gandalf?" asks Ann.

"Don't ye fret, lads and lasses. They're only kobolds. You wanted to be adventurers? Here's a head start. Lemme see how you youngsters face this dire threat," he says, chuckling. "I'll be here if anything goes wrong. Unless, of course, ye'd rather not deal with this, Cody. Ye make the decision."

"He's the leader? Why is he the leader? Why can't I be the leader?" asks Tess indignantly.

"Can you count how many kobolds there are?" you ask.

She takes a good twenty seconds before grunting and scratching the area on her head where she'd been hit one too many times. "Okay, but why not Ann?"

Ann shrugs. "Too much responsibility."

"And Paul?"

"I don't even want to be here."

She growls, thrusts her hand into her bag, and gives you a gold piece. You laugh and stick your tongue at her. "Told you I'd be your boss one day! Guess I like to start early."

---

The circular grove is 60 ft. in diameter, naturally walled off with vines, trunks, and undergrowth. A shallow pool of mud, muck, and mire lays at the center, 10 ft. in diameter. A cart, overturned and half-sunken, floats in the middle. Sprawling and crawling over the cart are five kobolds, fighting for scraps. The party stands outside the 'entrance' where the vegetation is lighter, watching and waiting.

----

(No battlegrid yet, sorry. I'll make one as soon as I can. You guys could also just simply walk away from the fight.)

Character Sheet

stillstar_and_the_surrounding_area_by_maninacandyvan-d9ukpv6.png
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
...have no idea how D&D works. That said... can kobolds get drowned in a mire, and can we use Unseen servant to give one of them a helpful push?

How do we have 3 spells prepared with only 2 slots?
 

Cheesecake

Savant
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
137
Unseen Servant can't make attacks. Kobolds can drown though, but while its hard to move through, the mire is pretty shallow.

Spell slots are basically how many spells you can cast until a long rest. The spells you have prepared for the day are the spells you know how to cast. As you increase in level, you can prepare more spells and get more higher level spell slots.

Spell slots have levels. You have two 1st Level spell slots right now. You can cast the spells you have prepared in any combination; you can cast Magic Missile and Unseen Servant, or Magic Missile twice, etc.

Casting a spell takes up a spell slot, but it will stay prepared no matter how many sepll slots you use to cast it.
 

Nevill

Arcane
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
11,211
Shadorwun: Hong Kong
Unseen Servant can't make attacks.
Ah, but does a push qualify as one?

Never mind. What can Bee and the rest of our companions do? The prologue mentioned mind control?

Tentatively I want to Charm and Chaaaarge... :oops:
 

hello friend

Arcane
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
7,847
Location
I'm on an actual spaceship. No joke.
If the kobolds are fighting for scraps, we could always use Unseen Servant to surreptitiously move scraps into one of the kobolds' corner, try to make them fight each other.

Depending on how things develop, we could go in, Charm Person, and offer to mediate.
 

Azira

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
8,519
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Codex 2012
We should definitely set up some sort of chokepoint, use the rogue as bait, have the paladin and the berserker/fighter lie in wait with us a bit further back.

Basic outline:
The rogue lures out the kobolds, and once they get near the chokepoint, the melee fighters lay the smackdown while we fire our magic missiles. With three missiles per casting, we could down them all in two rounds even without help, if we're lucky. The rogue will join the battle the same time we do with flanking attacks.

The trick is herding them in the right direction. Are there any obvious paths in the mire that can be used as chokepoints? With sufficient foliage for the melee fighters to hide?
 

Grimgravy

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Messages
3,469
Codex 2016 - The Age of Grimoire
I like the idea of using Unseen Servant to provoke infighting. Save a slot for missiles.
 

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