Trollopulous Adjusted Session 123 (Machodor #74): Cockatrice Capers

            

The Ring of Kings

Introduction

Time once again to visit the forest of Taurhieval for a bit of cockatrice hunting, and more.

Timekeeping

This session began on July 17th, 2025, with the player characters adventuring until July 21st. Downtime for these characters begins the 22nd.

Player Characters Present

Sever the Wrathful (Level 9 Pegasus Corps Ranger of Machodor, wielder of Were'shbane and wearer of the Girdle of Cloud Giant Strength, rider of Mustang) 

with henchmen Rabbit (F4/MU3/T4) and Poindexter (M5) and Thomas (C6)

Sheamus (Level 8 Irish Fighter from Brovenloft, rider of the Rocket Cycle and wielder of the Drewblade) 

with henchman McScales (Lizardman F5)

Fluid the Druid (Level 7 Druid, wearer of the Ring of Kings)

Gorfag (Level 3 Half-orc fighter, formerly known as Fagor)

Downtime

Anri killed in downtime at the Ice Castle. At first the Master of Winter was blamed, but then the Ithaqua scarab was found where her heart should have been, and no further investigation was made. Gurt returned her body to Minas Mandalf and, since she could not be raised without a heart, buried her there.

Having previously secured cockatrice feathers and troll blood and having provided this--along with copious funds--to a sage in Minas Mandalf, Sheamus has received the promised Potions of Cockatrice Controls from said sage and is ready for the next stage; impregnation of some chickens. There was just one more suggestion from Eldric the Sage, a Druid known as Fluid--reputed to live north east of the Ruins of Trollopulous--might be interested in some work (having a lot of children--and wives--to support) as he could use the macho's a success would bring.

I adjudicated Sheamus's trip on the Rocket Cycle from Minas Mandalf, to the jungles NE of Trollopulous to pick up Fluid, and then on to the Ice Castle, and we got on with the session proper.

Session Report

Things got off to a slow start with a thunderstorm raging throughout most of the day. Choosing not to travel under those conditions, the party set out on the following day. Sheamus loaded some hens into the the Rocket Cycle's storage section, they should be pretty safe in their as long as the hatch wasn't sealed.

They reached the edges of Tuarhievel at lunch time, and finished the day about six miles into the light outer parts of the forest. They made camp, probably not that far from where they were attacked by Trolls last time around; but this time it was a wholly different kind of threat that came upon Sheamus as he stood watch before dawn.

A 20' tall walking tree, with massive outstretched arms and an evil look on its "face" pushed its way through the trees towards him. The fighter quickly alerted the rest of the camp and soon they were all puzzled whether this creature was a danger or not. I played the part of an Ent and gradually began speaking slower, and slower, until I was really messing with them. Finally, it demanded tribute, and some small amount of stuff was offered by Shaemus. Fluid, feeling that Treants were his territory, and wanting to show his worth to the party, came forth to negotiate; but the next thing he knew the "Treant" had disappeared, and so had his Ring! What he did see for a moment was a small, human like creature running away south in a comically exaggerated fashion. Then it became Invisible.

The chase was on. Now, it is obviously a tricky proposition to follow in this situation; but there is nothing that says Leprechauns pass without trace or anything like that, so I ruled that it was possible to track it, and Sever began looking. Fluid wasn't waiting for him though, he changed shape into a hound of some kind and set off alone in pursuit. Sadly, the woodland sprite was faster, and it was going to get away; but then Sheamus fired up the rocket cycle and blasted off after it as well.

Sever and his henchmen took to the air on their winged steeds (still fairly easily done in this lighter area of forest) and then Sheamus found that the very trees had warped in his path, to form a veritable wall of wood; he blasted it with the Rocket Cycle's guns and kept going. Would all this attract attention?

"too be shurre its a nice lookin' ring."

Yes, yes it would, a roll on the encounter chart brought up some elves to see what was going on. Not just any old elves, but the same group of Grugach they met in session last time they were in Taurhievel. Zyrrith Wildthorn  and his band were apparently the border patrol for this forest. The meeting had been relatively cordial at the time. This time Fluid, who had not been at the previous meeting and did not know this elf at all, was in no mood to stop and chat, but the elves, mounted on stags, were sitting on the trail the Leprechaun was leaving as it tried to escape. The human got lippy about not messing with a druid; and that's when the elves opened fire on him.

Zyrrith

Combat #1: Zyrrith's hunting band

Rounds: 2

Result: Negotiated draw

Highlights: A full volley of arrows nearly did for the legacy Trollopulous character right there and then, but he survived and immediately changed shape to a mouse (incidentally healing himself 10% in doing so). A caster on the elf side then caught Sheamus, McScales, and Gorfag on the rocket cycle with a Web spell.

Sever had had enough of watching all this from the sky, he dropped down through the canopy, landed, and engaged the elf leader head on. Thomas cast Prayer and Rabbit let fly with his own arrows. Sever with his bonus attack rolled first, but then so did Zyrrith (meaning he was level 7+ himself). The two clashed and hit points plummeted on both sides, but Zyrrith had a couple of lieutenants who had also closed in; and it was looking bad for Sever. 

That's when Sheamus hit the Rocket Cycle's booster button. Naturally, such a burst from its thrusters caused the surrounding Web to immediately ignite, and also saw the cycle disappear at 48" speed right off into the deeper forest. It was all the Irishman could do to keep from running into a tree and wrecking his beloved mount, McScales and Gorfag wisely chose to simply hang on.

Sever now had a change of heart; since no one on either side had actually been killed yet, maybe it wasn't too late to talk it out? He challenged the elf to parlay instead of wasteful death, and I rolled 98 on the reaction check. 

Seemed good to me.

Somehow the bell was un-rung and the elves began to take amusement in Fluid "the so called" Druid's plight. Of course, Fluid didn't tell him of the immense power of the ring the Leprechaun had stolen, and I'm sure this loss will have no downstream effects in the campaign...

In the end, having provided a little bit of advice on where to find cockatrices, the elves rode off happy that they had had the better of the exchange; incidentally destroying any trace of the Leprechaun's tracks. And that was that, Fluid gave up then right? No, he wasn't done yet. He cast a Call Woodland Beings spell in the hopes of attracting creatures who might know about the Leprechaun, it was certainly worth a try.

DMG p44

This spell is pretty well known for saying words to the effect of "of course your DM will know what creatures are in the area"; but, as I looked at the spell details in the DMG, I realised that I pretty well did know, based on the three categories listed and the forest section they were in. The chase had brought the party into the middle category of Slyvan forest. So, who showed up? Sadly not sprites or the like that Fluid wished for; but three centaurs. They were friendly, but in the end were about as helpful as the elves.

Fluid and the rest of the party were prepared now to count the ring as lost, and to get on with their actual goal. They started off to head into the deeper forest, and were just on the border of the thickest interior at twilight. This time, a search for a good campsite found a habitation. It was a hut made from wood, gathered rather then felled, and when they knocked on the door a man popped his head out of a second story shutter/window an greeted them cautiously but warmly. It seemed that him and his wife grew mushrooms and lived a quiet life in this peaceful forest.

They seem harmless enough...

Happy at the prospect of a roof over their heads (all except for Fluid, who maintained that he would sleep outside [probably to get unsupervised access to the mushrooms]), the players negotiated room and board for the night. Rabbit went out and hunted up some, erm, rabbits, and a wonderful meal was made and the old couple were amazed to hear tales from the lands of Machodor (the bumpkins had never even heard of Macho Mandalf!)

When they were ready to call it a night, the old couple went up a rickety looking corner staircase into the loft above--where they usually slept--and the party doffed their armour and began the first watch (naturally they were not so trusting as to not have a watch).

Surprise!

Combat #3: 2 Annis & 4 Cockatrice

Rounds: 4

Result: Costly Party Victory

Highlights: Gorfag was unfortunate enough to be on watch when the nefarious plan got underway. A Sleep spell put him out of action and then hatches hidden in the walls opened; to admit trained Cockatrice! Fortunately, Fury was on the job and his keen senses allowed him to notice and alert Sever. He in turn alerted the rest of the party, and then it was kill or be stoned.

Sever leapt up in his pajamas and grabbed Were'shbane and shouted orders to his henchmen. Gorfag was attacked and turned to stone. Fluid heard the commotion from outside and tried to get in to help, but the door wouldn't budge! Sheamus woke up and was immediately in two minds; should he attack or should he use his Potion of Cockatrice Control? He chose the latter and ordered McScales to be on the alert. The potion worked on a cockatrice, another was killed, and then a monstrous figure appeared at the top of the stair; 8' tall, blue skinned, with glossy black hair teeth and sharp nails.

Sever went after the monster, turn undead from Thomas proved ineffective, Sheamus had control of two cockatrice and the other was killed before after it had turned Rabbit to stone. Poindexter applied Magic Missiles liberally. Fluid used Warp Wood to tried and force the door, did you know there's a rule for that? 

His spell worked and he threw open the door to see another Annis dropping from a hatch in the ceiling right into the party! With no armour, Sever was absolutely brutalised by the one on the stairs and caught in a bear hug; but he had managed to hit it first, and with some Magic Missiles at just the right time the creature went down before it could finish off the Ranger.

Having two Cockatrice under his control gave Sheamus a feel for his future Chicken rider forces, he turned the creatures on their master; but was unable to get many hits in, and when he did the monster made its save vs petrification.

Fluid cast Summon Insects, this was good enough to kill Elric, it should work on the Annis, he hoped.

Next round Sever threw himself at the remaining monster and hit it hard, but the Annis returned the favour with interest, scoring just enough damage to kill ranger. The combination of remaining henchman and Fluid with his spell brought the monster down soon after.

With Sever's wrath stilled, what should have been an amusing round of "let's impregnate chickens with cockatrice" had a more bizarrely sombre aspect to it; but, as Sheamus pointed out, it had to be done or Sever's sacrifice would be in vain.

After success in this endeavour Sheamus set the cockatrice loose, and the party returned the way they had come without encountering any opposition; all the way to Minas Mandalf. Another step along the road to Chicken Jockeys was complete. 

Session Statistics: 

Wilderness travel:  90 miles
Downtime begins on: 22/July
Combats: 2
Rooms mapped: 1
Combat rounds: 6
Losses: Sever the Wrathful killed, Rabbit and Gorfag petrified

Treasure & Items

3000cp

3000ep

6000gp

4 Jewelry 11,000 gp

11 Cockatrice Eggs 2,200gp (from Sarumin on the way to MM)

Ring of Spell Storing 22500 gp

Boots of Striding and Springing 2500 xp

Potion of Super-Heroism 450 xp

Monsters

2 Annis 3300xp

2 Cockatrice 830xp

5450 XP &  GP 20,715 Assignment

Sever^ (E)  4,360 xp & 3,452 gp 

and Poindexter (E) 2,770 xp & 1,726 gp

and Rabbit^ 2,180 xp & 1,726 gp

and Thomas (E)  2,770 xp & 1,726 gp

Sheamus (E) 5,540 xp & 3,452 gp 

and McScales (E) 2,770 xp & 1,726 gp

Fluid (E) 5,540 xp & 3,452 gp 

Gorfag^ (E) 4,360  xp & 3,452 gp

^ no combat xp but xp for loot

after selling the ring of spell storing.

Sever (E)  3,333 xp & 3,750 gp 

and Poindexter (E) 1,667 xp & 1,875 gp

and Rabbit (E) 1,667 xp & 1,875 gp

and Thomas (E) 1,667 xp & 1,875 gp

Sheamus (E)  3,333 xp & 3,750 gp 

and McScales (E) 1,667 xp & 1,875 gp

Fluid (E) 3,333 xp & 3,750 gp 

Gorfag (E)  3,333 xp & 3,750 gp 

Graveyard

Sever the Wrathful (Ranger level 9), Killed by two pains in the Annis in session #122. RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Anri (Henchman Magic-User level 4), found dead with a ghastly chest wound in the Ice Castle, with her heart missing she was unable to be revived, in downtime after session #122 

Symeon (Henchman Cleric level 2), Only strong enough to wear studded leather, he was torn to shreds by Troglodytes in session #121

Paul (Henchman Paladin level 3) Effected by the Imprisonment spell touch attack from a Styx Devil in session #117. Might not be dead, but is definitely at least six feet under for all intents and purposes.

Gurt the Green (Paladin level 6) killed by a poison needle trap in session #114 RAISED FROM THE DEAD (with a roll of 94!)

Solaire the Fallen (Henchman Fighter (paladin) level 3) killed by Stone Giants acting as catapults in session #114

Paul (Henchman Paladin level 1), reduced to 0 hit points by white dragon breath when climbing down a rope ladder in session #108. Killed not by the fall; but by the sudden stop at the bottom. RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Ignatius the Smiter (Cleric level 1), horrifically mutilated and killed by double hit from a Shoggoth in session #106

Domby (Henchman with Dex 5), double surprised and turned into a pin cushion in session #87

Luke (Half elf Fighter/Cleric level 1), tragically killed by a normal hydra while trying to cauterise one of its neck stumps in session  #86

Gurt the Green (Paladin level 3),  killed by a hydra bite in session  #86 RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Pleasance (Footman level 0), killed by a phase spider bite in session #81

Siegward (Henchman Fighter level 1), killed by a phase spider bite in session #81

Tawadros (Henchman Fighter level 4),  killed by a phase spider bite in session #81 RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Patria (Footman level 0), killed by a two headed snake bite in session #81

Deltacron (Dwarf Fighter/Thief level 1/1), threw his last flask of oil at, and was level drained to death by, a Vampire in session #76

Petrov the Prestidigitator (Magic-user level 1), wrong place, wrong time; killed by Sever the Ranger in session #72 RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Petrov the Prestidigitator (Magic-user level 1), killed again by the toxic gas of an Achaierai in session #72

Red (Paladin Level 1), always popular with the ladies, he was eaten up by a female Roc in the Pizza Slice of Doom during session #67

Jacques Ocular (Magic User level 1), a fat green worm burrowed into his head and turned him into a Son Of Kyuss in Brovenloft in Session #43

Pino (Dwarf Footman level 0), Killed by a Frost Giant axe in the head in session #39

Paro (Dwarf Fighter/Thief level 2/2)  Killed by Winter Wolves and frozen in session #39

Zabib (1/2 Elf Fighter/Magic User level 1/1), Killed by Frost Giant rocks in downtime prior to session #39