Dynamite and the Dragon
My guys were playing the 3e adventure module "Gargoland's Gauntlet" and could not figure out how to defeat the coin dragon in the final room. They attacked twice and were repulsed twice. So eventually they (with a lot of help from me) made a plan: Sarkovos the half-elf wizard used his Robe of Useful Items to produce a donkey that they lovingly named Dynamite. Then the Drow ranger, Farquad lit a torch and tied it onto the donkey upside down so that it was almost touching the floor. Next the half-orc fighter, Shroomnos, threw a tanglefoot bag and four pouches of highly explosive powder through the portal into the treasure room. They then dumped oil into the room. They then shoved Dynamite through the portal, waited an hour, and went through. Most of the treasure was a solid mass plastered on the far wall, with Dynamite and the "dragon" obliterated.
Dynamite had entered the room, gotten spooked by the coin dragon, and stayed at the entrance. The torch lit the oil, which lit the tanglefoot goo, which lit the powder, which exploded, melting the treasure and throwing it against the wall, and vaporizing Dynamite.
This has led to one of my group's favorite expressions: "I killed a dragon with my ass".
Hi guys, this forum is for you to tell tales of your adventures or those where you DM'd.
I'm going to tell you the tale of two characters, Logan and Nodulus, played by my best friend Neil back in the 80s. We used to play D&D until late every night after work and often all night. The thing about good D&D and good DM’ing is setting the mood; we’d usually play in candlelight, stoned and with some bloody good music in the background, nothing too intrusive but something to suit the mood.
Logan started out as male human chaotic neutral fighter and Nodulus was a male human chaotic neutral cleric of Uller. If my mind serves me correctly they were around 7th level when they started the adventure.
They uncovered a document that gave details of an ancient temple dedicated to the Egyptian deity Set. The document described the temple as having a treasure hoard that was legendary at the time but the temple had since been lost in the passage of time.
The pair consulted various sages, priests, etc and discovered that the temple could be summoned to appear if they performed an ancient ritual in the Desert of the Lost City. The ritual involved obtaining a sacrificial dagger, chalice and the sacrifice of a virgin of royal blood. Whilst searching for these items Logan met a beautiful woman and after a night of wild sex she revealed herself as Glasya, the daughter of Asmodeus. She said that she would aid the pair in their quest as long as they retrieved someting for her from the treasure chamber. They agreed (Nodulus somewhat reluctantly) and she revealed the whereabouts of the dagger and chalice. We played this around 25 -30 years ago so I can’t remember all the details but I have a feeling that they were being held in a secure location in some lawful good temple which Glasya could not enter.
During the adventure Glasya visited Logan many times at night, making wild love to him. I think it was at this stage his alignment began to sway away from CN.
I also remember that they had quite an epic encounter with an efreeti. They battled this efreeti many times, he’d enlarge himself and fight with giant strength and when he was close to death he’d turn invisible and assume gaseous form and escape them. They eventually managed to rid themselves of him but it was hard work.
They found out that the local Sultan’s daughter was travelling in a small caravan to a famous oasis whose waters were famed for providing great beauty to those who drink from it. They joined the caravan as mercenaries offering to help guard the princess but late one night whilst deep in the desert they killed her guards and retainers and fled the scene with the hapless maiden.
They travelled the desert to the location indicated from their earlier investigations and, after being joined by Glasya, they waited for the full moon to rise. I can remember this session really well as it was late evening and the only light we were using was candlelight which was flickering away.
The whole thing happened in a large bowl shaped depression in the desert. In the centre of the depression was an ancient altar, stained with blood from countless victims. Fires were lit around the altar and Logan and Nodulus began to chant whilst Glasya performed the ritual. The princess was stripped and tied to the altar, and Glasya cut her slowly across the belly drawing blood which dripped into the chalice. A flash occurred and around the altar there appeared an assortment of infernal creatures, devils from the depths of hell. They began to dance rhythmically whilst the chanting grew louder. Another cut across the princess’s breast and more blood dripped into the chalice. Flash, bang and the sky erupted with thunder and lightning. Bolts came crashing to ground outside of the depression, causing Nodulus and Logan to be deafened. Still they carried on chanting but now their voices were lost in a sea of voices being issued from the devilish horde about them. Another cut and now the creatures were moving faster and chanting louder than ever, all became madness as the satanic symphony reached a crescendo. Then a scream of agony split the air as Glasya plunged the blade into the princess’s chest and a bolt of lightning struck the ground by the altar opening a gaping chasm from which fire belched forth. The princess’s back arched as Glasya ripped out her still beating heart and held it high before plunging it into the chalice whilst chanting an infernal plea (in an terrible inhuman voice), beseeching the god Set to reveal the lost temple. The princess slumped back on the altar; her eyes wide open as her soul plunged into a gaping chasm, horror and madness gripping her as she understood the terrible fate that was to become her. Glasya and the devilish horde followed into the chasm which snapped shut loudly and abruptly all fell quiet.
At this stage I looked at Neil and he looked as though he was in shock from the events that had just happened. Just the effect I had hoped for! His characters looked about them as the darkness lifted and they began to feel the ground shaking beneath their feet. They quickly scrambled out of the depression and ran to safety. As they took stock of what was happening the ground, in the not too far distance, began to heave and a massive eruption of sand billowed out as the Temple of Set rose from the desert.
The temple itself was a huge structure, made of sandstone and with steps leading up to a large terrace which had many ornately carved columns on either side. The entrance to the building was through a pair of huge ebony doors, which opened surprisingly easily.
Unfortunately I have lost the floor plan for the Temple of Set but I still have the original room descriptions and wandering monster tables. The dungeon descended 3 levels below the main temple.
I will reveal more of their adventure when I get some time.