The company arrived at the keep after a days travel with the hermit in tow.

Ward takes the hermit to the inner gatehouse, as Aralyin, Still and Garret head to the inn to arrange accommodation and clean up. 

Ward arrives at the inner gatehouse and delivers the hermit to the sergeant.  "We found this fellow in the woods to the north where he attempted to ambush us."  The Sergeant takes hold of the hermit. "We have been aware of this thief for some time, but no one has been able to lay their hands on him.  Good job capturing him.  We will take him into custody, we will require you and your companions to testify against him in a trial at a later date."

The company retires to the in for the night after ordering an additional 10 days worth of supplies.  Still sells his puma pelt for 5 gold. 

In the morning the company departs... Five days after searching the party comes to entrance A.

Kobold * 8
Encounter Level: 1/6
HP: 2
Initiative: +1
AC: 15
Weapons: Half-spear -1
Damage: Half-spear 1d6-2

Vs

Ward
Garret
Still
Aralyin
(see characters sidebar for their stats)

The Kobolds are hiding in the trees, ready to jump down and attack the party.  They watch cautiously as the party approaches. 

Spotting distance is jungle/dense forest 60 ft, Base spot 20 + 5 (stillness) = 25.  None of the party spots the Kobolds, the party is surprised by the Kobolds when they walk under the trees.

That was a quick combat to start the caves.  Garret heals Still back to full strength. 

 XP Awards

Kobolds were CR 1/6 * 8,  which results in 300 XP, so 75 XP each.  Run of the mill encounter, but a sleep and healing spell were both used.    32sp were found on the bodies of the Kobolds.

With the upcoming release of the 4th edition the 'its not D&D' meme seems to have reached a crescendo once again. The 'its not D&D' meme was around during the release of the 3rd edition, but was not terribly strong and there has always been the view among some, that the 1st Edition of Dungeons & Dragons is the one true edition.

Recently, prompted by the 'its not D&D meme' I have been thinking about the question 'What is D&D to me'. I came up with the following list.

1. The settings, Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Eberron, Dragonlance and other non TSR/WOC settings.
2. The Modules - See Dungeonland and The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror.
3. Fantasy Monsters & the Undead.
4. Magic, Divine & Arcane.
5. Pantheon of Gods.
6. Races and Classes.
7. The battle of Good Vs Evil (Alignment).
8. Hero's are different from the common man.
9. XP / Levels.
10. Hit Points and Armour Class.
11. The use of dice to determine the game outcome.

One of the big changes with the 4th Edition, are the changes to Hit Points.  Hit Points have gone from being largely random and diced based to purely based on class, affected only slightly by constitution.  Healing surges have also been added to the game to give characters more staying power during combat.  It will be interesting to see how much actual impact that these changes have on combat, as the results from various play tests are mixed.

From my own personal point of view, after getting over the initial you can't change Hit Points and Hit Dice thoughts, I think these changes are a good thing.  There will be no more nursing a magic user with 1 Hit Point through the first level or two or three, which can only improve game play.  The main down side that I see is the reduced emphasis that there will be on Constitution as a stat.  I now invoke Särkijärvi’s Law to protect myself from any 'but healing surges are not realistic comments'. 

The thing that I find to be most odd is the change in movement scale, instead of movement in feet we are now moving in squares.  Fortunately my ability to multiply by 5 has not yet deteriorated with old age.  I understand that WOC seems to be focusing on DDI and Miniatures with this release, but it is an odd change none the less. 

At this stage all of the mechanics changes that I have seen, none of them have made me think that the 4th Edition will be anything more than an evolution and in general in keeping with the Dungeons and Dragons vibe.

What I am wondering is, what are the changes that really get your goat? What changes are you happy to live with?  I know I am not the only one asking these questions, as the exact same question has been asked at critical hits.

To commemorate the recent introduction of the Game Mastering Blog Gnome Stew, I thought I would run a Gnome Vs Monstrous Centipede combat. 

I have no idea why Gnome Stew has been named as such, although a few reasons come to mind;

• Gnomes are the least played character race in D&D.
  
• It also appears that the World of Warcraft crowd seem to make Gnome Stew a regular part of their diet.

After reading the first posts of the Gnome Stew Blog however, it appears that the 10 or so bloggers are the Gnomes and they are brewing up a stew! 

I have chosen to battle a Gnome against an innocuous enemy such as a Monstrous Centipede so that the Gnome is in with chance.  Both are rated at 1/2 CR, so like previous combat sessions, the battle is not going to last long.   It is interesting to note that the colossal Monstrous Centipede is an impressive 32 HD and has a CR of 8.  So our diminutive gnome could be doing the world a favour, by taking down this medium centipede before it hits it's prime.

Gnome
Challenge Rating: 1/2
HP: 5
Initiative: +0
AC: 15
Move: 20ft
Weapon: Short Sword +2
Weapon: Light Crossbow +2
Damage: 1d6-1 / 1d8

Monstrous Centipede - Medium
Challenge Rating: 1/2
HP: 4
Initiative: +2
AC: 14
Move: 40ft
Weapons: Bite +2 
Damage: Bite 1d6 -1
Special Attacks: Poison

This meeting engagement occurs in the low brush that surrounds the mountains near the Gnomes home.  Our friendly Gnome is returning home, heavily laden, after a day foraging for raw materials for some experiments that he is undertaking.  

Initiative
Gnome  :6 + 0 = 7
Centipede :2 + 2 = 4

The gnome, only a little worse for wear, is quite impressed with his valuable find. He ties a rope around the centipede's head and body, collects his mushroom and travels on his way.

I just had an odd thought. I think the next character I play might be a gnome... a gnome monk. In the mode of Yoda.

Usually I find that Google Adsense ads are quite well targeted, and on occasion I have even been known to click on ones that interest me!  I was browsing the forums at EN World and came across this Google Adsense ad. 

I am not sure that the Uniting Church of God, Australia would be expecting to find many converts among the EN World crew :).

Previous Episode: B2 The Keep 

For all encounters within the Keep On The Borderlands, I will use the conversion located @ EN World.  Keep On The Borderlands Conversion

Mad Hermit Basic Stats
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Class: Rogue 3
HP: 15
Initiative: +7
AC:16
Attack: +6 (1d4+2/19-20 +1 Dagger)

Puma (p. 198 MM)

HP: 19
Initiative: Always wins
Attack: Bite +6 / Claw +1
Damage: 1d6+3 / 1d3+1

Vs

Ward
Garret
Still
Aralyin
(see characters sidebar for their stats)

This encounter could actually lead to an early demise of the party. It is a EL4 encounter for a green first level party. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.

The Mad Hermit is supposed to lull the party into a false sense of security and then make a surprise attack with a back stab. Given that the Hermit is Mad, I will assign a 50% chance to this ploy being successful, 50 + and he wins surprise. A roll of 43, so no surprise.

The party encounters a wild looking man in the wods to the north of the keep.  Still is wary of the man despite his friendly nature.  The party sits down at his campfire and discuss the recent goings on in the area.  The man goes to draw water from a nearby stream, while the party rests. 

After the hermit has been absent for a while, Still hears a sound behind him, and turns to see their erstwhile host creeping up on Ward, with dagger drawn.  Still shouts a warning and draws his blade.

Initiative
Puma (first)
Still (12)
Mad Hermit (11)
Aralyin (9)
Ward (8)
Garret (2)

Once again without the healing ministrations of Garret and the spells of Aralyin, it is likely that the company would not have survived the encounter.  

Still gives the Puma the final killing blow and methodically begins to skin the animal to recover the pelt, which is in good condition.  Garret and Ward strip the hermit of his effects and truss him up.  After some discussion, much to Stills disgust, it is decided that they should return to the Keep for the night and turn the Hermit over to the Guard, to be handled by the law.

There is some discussion about what to do with the Hermits gear, a pragmatic agreement is reached that they will split it between them.  They recover;

• +1 Dagger - Still
• +1 Ring of Protection - Ward

XP Awards

Hermit was CR 3 and the lion was CR 2 which comes to a total of 1500 xp.  Which results in ~375 XP Each.  Not a bad haul, but it was quite a risky encounter.  The Mad Hermit succumbing to the sleep spell was the key to surviving the encounter.  Otherwise it could have been TPK. 

I have finally gotten around to pre-ordering the 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons rule books from Amazon.  When you pre-order, you get the 5% pre-order discount that they give, which is a good deal. I also order Keep on the Shadowfell as I am a big fan of Bruce Cordell.

Ordering from Amazon means there will be up to a month delay in receiving the rule set, but as I live in Australia, it is just the price you pay.  Normally I would support one of our great local games shops, such as Mind Games, but for an order of this magnitude, the mark up that they will put on the hard cover books is too much to bear.

The main culprit in this equation is the AUD/USD exchange rate, which for the first time in about twenty years has almost reached parity.

It is likely that each of the core rule books will cost between 65-80 AUD.  So even with international shipping, it is hard to beat the price from Amazon.

I pre-ordered the following, which when you factor in AUD/USD exchange rate of ~92 cents is a clear win to Amazon.

Note: A fellow Aussie has pointed out that you can get the books at a reasonable price from at least one games shop.   My local games shop does not appear to be the best price in town.   So given the revised prices, I may actually consider cancelling  my order from Amazon and support a local distributor.

Previous Episode: B2 Forest Ambush 

Approaching The Keep

You have travelled tor many days, leaving the Realm and entering into the wilder area of the Borderlands. Farms and towns have become less frequent and travellers few. The road has climbed higher as you enter the forested and mountainous country.

You now move up a narrow, rocky track. A sheer wall of natural stone is on your left, the path falling away to a steep cliff on the right. There is a small widening ahead, where the main gate to the KEEP is. The blue-clad men-at-arms who guard the entrance shout at you to give your names and state your business. All along the wall you see curious faces peering down at you - eager to welcome new champions of Law, but ready with crossbow and pole arm to give another sort of welcome to enemies.

© TSR Hobbies inc. 1981

Tatular and the other caravan members and guards are known to men-at-arms at the keep.  Tatular tells the Sergeant of the Guard the good work that the group did on the journey to the keep.

Ward says "My name is Ward Dark I have travelled far after hearing of the trouble that is reported to be brewing in the caves and hope to lend a hand."  Garret steps forward  "My name is Garret, cleric of Moradin.  I have also come to aid the keep in these troubled times".  Still says "I am a tracker from the east and I hope to meet companions who I can find fame and fortune with in these lands".  Aralyin stands up and turns to look out over the cliff.  "I have come from my homeland to find out more about the wild nature of this land and delve into it's secrets."

The Sergeant looks the group slowly up and down.  "We welcome any brave souls to the keep who will aid us in these trying times.  The Captain will return from patrol in two days time, he will be able to brief you on the trouble that were are having.  In the mean time you are free to stay in the keep."

The Keep

Rumours - the classic rumour table... roll once for each party member and see what they see... 

1. (11) Beware of treachery from within the party.

2. (10) “Bree-yark” is goblin-language for “we surrender”!

3. (20) There is more than one tribe of orcs within the caves.

4. (15) The bugbears in the caves are afraid of dwarves!

After spending a couple of nights at the Keep, Aralyin, Still, Garret and Ward decide that they should form an Adventuring company as they have a set of complimentary skills.  The party begins to stock up at the Keep Trader to prepare to set out, as they have heard that the captain of the guard has returned from patrol and will see them first thing tomorrow morning.

The following morning is fine and there is not a cloud in the sky. 

As they walk to the Inner Gatehouse they see an imposing man in plate mail.  This can only be the captain of the guard.  Busbyr the Guard Captain meets them at the gate.  "You must be the four, who have made the long trek to aid the keep."  Ward shakes Busby's hand "You are correct.  We have formed an adventuring company and were hoping to have your leave to seek the evil that has awoken in the surrounding lands." 

Busbyr motions for the adventurers to enter the  Inner Gatehouse.  "I must warn you, it is growing more and more dangerous as time passes.  On my last patrol, we lost a man to a band of Orcs while defending a farm. But if you are brave and able, I will tell you what I know and give you a charter to bear arms"

Busbyr walks into the main hall of the Inner Gatehouse where his men are just beginning to sit down to breakfast.   "Join us and I and my men will tell you what we know."

Busbyr and his men tell the adventurers that the trouble started about 2 months ago when patrols started encountering bands of goblins and hobgoblins on their patrols.  The goblins have been progressively travelling further afield and at times making the road to the north impassable.

After talking to the men the party decide to set out before lunch.

Obviously it will be difficult to role play the finding of the Caves of Chaos. So I will make it random.
- 20% Chance per day that they find the Caves of Chaos
- 4% Chance per day that they encounter the Mad Hermit
- 4% Chance per day that they encounter the Raiders Camp
- 4% Chance per day that they encounter the Spiders Lair
- 4% Chance per day that they encounter the Mound Of The Lizard Men
- 64% Chance per day that they encounter nothing

On Days where there is no encounter I will roll for random encounters.

Day 1 49 -  No Encounter
Day 2 58 -  No Encounter
Day 3 21 -  The Mad Hermit

On day 3 the company encounters the Mad Hermit and his 'pet', which will occur in a future post.

Ioun Stones are one of my favourite magic items. They can be used by any character class and can provide a variety of enhancements to the character.  Found in a set, they are an extremely powerful magic item. 

Along with the rules, Ioun Stones, have evolved through the dungeons and dragons rules editions.  Their number of types has expanded and they have been made more powerful.  In the 3rd Edition DMG the key restriction of only allowing Ioun Stone stat bonuses to stack to a maximum of 18 has been removed.  The stat bonus has also been increased to +2.  As a result of this increase in power I imagine that the scarcity of the stones would increase in most campaigns.

Previously Ioun Stones were a fun almost 'throw away' that were good for low level characters, now, for the right Ioun Stone matched to the right character is a powerful magic item in its own right. 

It is worthwhile noting that relative value of an item like a +2 Periapt of Wisdom is valued at 4000gp as opposed to an incandescent blue Ioun Stone which is valued is 8000gp.  So the Ioun Stone is not the best bang for you gold piece in terms of enhancement bonus.  The Ioun Stone however does not take up an equipment slot in the same way the the Periapt of Wisdom would.

*After absorbing 10-40 spell levels the stone burns out and turns to dull gray, forever useless.
 **After absorbing 20-80 spell levels the stone burns out and turns dull gray, forever useless.
 ***Adds 10 points to psionic strength total, 50 maximum points.

+After absorbing 20 spell levels, the stone burns out and turns to dull gray, forever useless.
++After absorbing 50 spell levels, the stone burns out and turns dull gray, forever useless.

I attempted to to find out the origins of Ioun Stones, but failed my knowledge roll.  For what it's worth there is a short Ioun Stones wikipedia article that sheds some light on the matter

The Ioun Stone image is by David Martin © Wizards Of The Coast.

I have been living under the proverbial RPG rock.   Admittedly I have mostly been playing 1E & 2E D&D so that should be no surprise.  After looking for a copy of a few first edition D&D items on eBay, I came across RPG Now. 

The back catalogue of TSR stuff is fantastic. I picked up the following;

Products
1 x The Keep on the Borderlands = $4.95
1 x T1 - The Village of Hommlet = $4.95
1 x 1st Edition AD&D Player's Handbook = $5.95
1 x 1st Edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide = $5.95

Although I could find stuff cheaper on eBay (probably not with postage costs to Australia though), it is nice to have the convenience of a PDF. 

I will probably still buy new stuff (read the 4th edition) in hard copy, but the older stuff will be through RPG Now.

Tatular was right to be worried about the rumours he had heard of dangers on the road to The Keep on the Borderlands.

Guards 3 * F1, 1 * F2

Human Fighters (1)
HP: 10,5,4,6
Initiative: +1
AC: 16
Weapon: Long sword +1, +2
Damage: 1d8
Weapon: Light Crossbow +1,+2
Damage: 1d8

Still - Rogue 1
Aralyin - Wizard 1
Garret - Cleric 1
Ward - Fighter 1

4 Characters and 4 NPC's Total Levels 9

Vs

Random Encounter - Difficulty: Easy (03%)
8 * 1/4 Cr

8 * Goblins (4 with light crossbows)

Goblin
Encounter Level: 1/4
HP: 4
Initiative: +1
AC: 15
Weapon: Morningstar +1
Damage: 1d8-1
Weapon: Light Crossbow +1 (19-20*2)
Damage: 1d8

The Goblin band has been lying in wait for a caravan for two days.  Tatular's caravan is just the target they have been waiting for.  Lightly armoured, they hope to make a hit and run ambush.

However they are not expecting the PC's to take part in the battle, so they may get more than they bargained.

Garret the healing machine in training closes out the encounter by healing the hurt and unconscious guards and PC's.

Tatular the merchant is impressed with the performance and promises to up everyone's bonus payment. He is also thankful that his two guests Still and Aralyin were able to pitch in.

The caravan rests for the night with a defensive watch set and the heads out for the keep at first light.

XP Awards

Obviously some interpolation will have to be done here as the table on page 166 of the 3rd Edition DMG does not go quite so low.

Ok, so 8 Goblins was a CR 2 encounter, which is 600 XP. Divided by 8 PC's and NPC's = 75xp. Not a fantastic haul, but none of the PC's were seriously injured. Given the way that some of the rolls went they got off quite lightly.

Still and Garret were both able to pick up a Light Crossbow and 30 quarrels for their trouble. Each of the pc's picked up 5gp.

Was the goblins strategy to naive? Should they have hung back and gone a few rounds at range.  To my mind the goblins tactics were reasonably direct, without much in the way of finesse.  Without a leader to coordinate them, it is hard to see them doing much better. 

Dice Rolls using Method IV from 2nd Edition: 17,13,9,14,8,9,6,9,14,9,11,12

A good spread of medium to high rolls.  Candidate rolls are 17,14,14,13,12,11

HP rolled on a d8 5, with a DM's option (see house rules)

Garret is a pretty standard cleric, no one knows much about him.  As long as he heals, no one really cares!   Garret is the cleric of the party who will run through The Keep On The Borderlands.

Character Name: Garret - The Pure
Race: Dwarf
Gender: Male
Class and Level: Cleric 1
Hit Points: 8
Alignment: Lawful Good
Deity: Moradin, God Of Dwarves
Height: 150 cm
Weight: 75 kg

Stats

Base Attack

Saving Throws

Feats

Skills (2 + 3) * 4 1st, 2 Subsequent

Swim 1
Jump 1
Climb 1
Concentration 2
Heal 2
Knowledge (Religon) 1
Spell Craft 1

Stuff