#Captain Bracegirdle

[spockvarietyhour]

[aye-aye-captain]

watching a youtube apology video like...

[amalthea9]

My 2022 Halloween piece, some of the Hornblower crew carving pumpkins!🎃🎃🎃

(Or in Horatio's case, not carving 🤣)

I imagined Styles being really good at pumpkin carving since his hobby is whittling. So he's carving the Indy, while Oldroyd holds the pumpkin in place!🥰

Poor Matthews is doing the gutting part, hate that part myself actually.😖

I included Mr. Bracegirdle because I recently watched The Dutchess and The Devil again and I forgot how much I love him.

He also just needs more love honestly.👏🏼

And I can see Pellew doing this.🤣

A very happy Hallow's Eve and Samhain to you all!!🎃🦇🕸💜🎃🦇🕸💜

@ailendolin @aragarna @ariel-seagull-wings @silverfoxstole @twice-told-tales @angelixgutz @captain-dad @gone-grl-gone

[fyeahmeninroyalnavy]

I’m closing out my day with another absolutely incredible fanfiction recommendation by Sarah B. This story truly resonates with our times. And I’m sending this to two friends in particular whom I believe will draw comfort from it. I hope many of you will.

https://www.hhfic.com/star.html

@amalthea9 , @professorlehnsherr-almashy

[di-daydreamer]

I have not watched Hornblower in ages, but I'm now struck with the need to write some thirsty Pellew/Bracegirdle with Pellew pining after doing horny things with his first lieutenant.

[clove-pinks]

Gotta say that in general, after three years of intense Captain Marryat focus, pretty much everything nautical hits different, from the Beach Boys song "Sloop John B" to the dimly remembered (by me) Horatio Hornblower TV series.

Yes I am 100% watching my Hornblower DVDs through a Frederick Marryat lens—the man wrote like five midshipman-focused novels, drawing from his lived experiences—and I am delighted to see familiar references and scenarios. There are blorbos from my books everywhere I look! (Is Bracegirdle named after Barnaby Bracegirdle from Jacob Faithful?? It seems pretty obvious to me that Forester read Marryat... although maybe in bowdlerized form as a children's author).

I love the Pellew character so much. My impression of the real Pellew is mostly shaped by his nepotism, pulling strings to get his awful sons promoted, so overall not a very positive impression; but TV show guy is perfect Captain Dad.

[mirkwoodest]

The ONLY names of peoples and persons that you are allowed to translate, according to Tolkien.

I think it's really odd that he didn't want the hobbits' first names to be translated semantically since that seems to go against what he said in the introduction, that "the translator should read Appendix F in Volume III of The Lord of the Rings and follow the theory there set out," which explains that Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam are all translations of Westron and that "the names in English form should therefore be translated into the other language according to their meaning." ad of s Because doesn't that imply that the first names, which are Westron SHOULD be translated? Tolkien? Professor? Bro? What about your carefully devised scheme of nomenclature, my guy? Anyway, here's the Tolkien-approved list:

Appledore

Baggins

Bag End

Banks

Barrow-wights

Big Folk

Big People

Black Captain

Black One

Black Riders

Bolger

Budgeford

Bounders

Bracegirdle

Brandybuck

Buckland

Brockhouse

Butterbur

Captains of the West

Chief, The

Chubb.

Corsairs

Cotton

Cotman

Dark Lord

Dark Power

Dead, The

Easterlings

Elder Kindred

Elder Race

Elder People

Elf-friend.

Elven-smiths

Enemy, The

Evenstar

Fairbairns

Fair Folk

Fallohide

Fang

Fatty Lumpkin

Fell Riders

Fellowship of the Ring

Ferny

Fern and Ferny

Firefoot

Fladrif

Flourdumpling

Free Folk

Free Lords of the Free

Free Peoples

Gamgee

Gamling

Goatleaf

Goldberry

Great Enemy

Grey Company

Grey Host.

Grey Pilgrim

Grip

Grubb.

Halfling

Harfoots (plural)

Harry

Hayward.

Healer, The Healers

Heathertoes

Holman

Hornblower

Leaflock

Finglas

Fladrif

Marigold

Mugwort

Necromancer

Neekerbreekers

Noake(s), Noke(s)

Oldbuck

Oliphaunt

Orc

Pickthorn

Pimple.

Proudfoot

Puddifoot

Quickbeam

Ring-wraiths

Rumble

Sackville-Baggins

Scatha.

Shadowfax

Shelob

Skinbark

Smallburrow

Stoors

Swertings

Thistlewool

Bullroarer

Treebeard

Twofoot

Underhill

Wandlimb

Whitfoot

Wingfoot

Wormtongue

Woses

[captain-dad]

CHARACTER ASK MEME for Captain Edward Pellew (Hornblower) asked by my lovely @extenebrisadastra​​ ♥♥♥

Favourite thing about them: He´s the ultimate dad, he´s georgeous and generous. Basically I love everything!

Least favourite thing about them: probably that he´s not real???

Three things I have in common with them: protective Dad (for my friends) - love for poetry and the sea - we both judge ppl by their actions, not what they say about them

Three things I don’t have in common with them: I´m not an Andmiral - I´m not a good looking dad - no slave to duty

Favourite line: As idle as a painted ship uppon a painted ocean♥

brOTP: Pellew and Bracegirdle

OTP:  Me x Pellew (sorry)

nOPT: Pellew x Buckly (who wants Buckly ??)

Random headcanon: Pellew is a secret chef. In his free time he likes to cook special meals and invites his friends over for dinner once a month. Nothing brings him more joy than putting all his love into it - for that´s the only way he can show affection for his loved ones not breaking the articles of war.

Unpopular opinion: Pellew x Hornblower is sweet AF. I know you guys like to see them as father x son duo... but not in my mind. I doubt he invites him to his cabin for whist only... *smugface*

Song I associate with them: Glen Miller - Moonlight serenade♥  ( pov: dancing with him in the captains cabin on a rainy night)

Favourite picture of them:

[pansytheleia]

I talked about how i don't really like most les mis fanon but hornblower head canons? Feed me spoonfulls???? Like??? Pure good? -Archie being the youngest son possibly in nobility -Archie being scottish???? Yes please! -Edrington's first name being Alexander ♡♡♡ -Crafty Edrington -Captain Pellmew @di-daydreamer -Pellew and Bracegirdle being the most dad(tm) -Bush having loads of sisters is just v good -H'ratie ""cheating"" at card games -Actor Archie Just to name a few (I have not read the books so I accept everything as hc)

[verecunda]

captain dad pellew?

(Again, sorry for the delay on this one!)

general opinion: fall in a hole and die | don’t like them | eh | they’re fine I guess | like them! | love them | actual love of my lifeHe is the Actual Best.

hotness level: get away from me | meh | neutral | theoretically hot but not my type | pretty hot | gorgeous! | 10/10 would bangI can understand the appeal, but nah, not for me. There’s a part of my brain where Robert Lindsay will just forever be the dad from My Family. :P

hogwarts house: gryffindor | slytherin | ravenclaw | hufflepuffDaring, nerve, and chivalry... and a complete fucking lack of subtlety about anything? Yeah, Ned’s a textbook Gryffindor!

best quality: For me, it’s the sheer, full-blooded zeal he brings to everything, whether that’s commanding a ship of war, bringing the snark, or being Captain Dad. He’s the very stuff of a fighting-captain.

worst quality: The bloody nepotism. “This is not idle favouritism.” Yes it bloody well is, Ned, you’re fooling nobody.

ship them with: Pellew/Kitty is my crack-ship (if you’ve seen the old BBC Much Ado About Nothing you’ll understand!)

brotp them with: Well, his relationship with Hornblower is more of a paternal-ship, so I’ll say Mr Bracegirdle. They seem to get on pretty well together, and they’re clearly a good working unit (always important between a captain and his first lieutenant). I like that they same to share the same sense of humour, too (ie. taking the piss out of Hornblower).

needs to stay away from: That Spanish officer from the start of The Examination for Lieutenant, before he throws the poor guy over the side!

misc. thoughts: Trying to think of something I’ve not really said before... hmm. I guess... I don’t really get this idea I’ve seen here and there about the fandom, that Pellew just callously let Archie give himself up so he could get Hornblower off the hook and preserve the status quo. I always saw it more that Pellew instantly recognised the enormity of the sacrifice Archie was prepared to make - not just his life (he was already dying, after all), but his reputation - and was determined it shouldn’t be in vain. At the end, when Hornblower says that Archie went to his grave without even his good name, Pellew tells him pretty emphatically, “But you and I will not forget it.” There’s nothing callous or dismissive about him in that scene.

[danddorks]

Chelastian Campaign #5.b - Battle at Karloff’s

As the party rests, Tohmoh’s unseen servant reports that Sheriff Chaney is gathering a small army to rise up against the party under the charges of plotting to murder, assaulting an official, and treason. The party discovers an empty mine tunnel and plan on going up there, dealing with Chaney later.

Our returning PC’s are:

Sir John “Ducky” Mallard, level 3 Human Paladin who has sworn the Oath of the Ancients. Son of Duke Mallard, Ducky was sent to the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a silencing tactic.

Tohmoh the Damarrion, level 3 Human Warlock with Cthulu as a patron. Joined the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a way to gain power while helping others.

Marrow, level 3 dhampir Bard, as played by @the-pantsing-panda

Rohss, level 3 Half-Elf Ranger, guardian of the forest.

Aiyiri, level 3 Khajit Fighter with a two-weapon fighting style, former assassin.

Captain Voess, level 2 Half-Orc Barbarian, and pirate. Also member of the Diamond Hills mercenary guild.

Rorimac “Rori” Bracegirdle, level 2 Halfling rogue, and a member of the Dauntless of Silverstring City

Our Companions, who don’t feature in this game, are:

Fred, a devotee to the Mallard family who admires Ducky and most polishes armor

George, a more grumbly fellow who washes boots and sharpens swords, and has a fine word to say about being essentially a manservan

We are introduced to the PC for a player who also may not make it every game:

Ulfric Stormcloak, level 1 Dwarven fighter, smithy of Sapphire Lake Town.

Marrow and Rori appear from tunnel. Rori screams at Tohmoh, declaring him to be a cannibal warlock. The party out of character debates whether a human eating a halfling would be considered cannibalism, considering their different races. It was decided that if two creatures share skintypes and intelligence levels, it’s considered cannibalism. Therefore, a dragon can eat a salamander and it isn’t cannibalism, but a human cannot eat a halfling, dwarf, or elf without it technically counting as cannibalism.

Tohmoh then clears his name once Rori reveals his captor’s name had been Johmbo. Tohmoh isn’t surprised. His “grandpa” went crazy a long time ago, and the family had disowned him. Tohmoh was the only one to follow in Johmbo’s footsteps and unwittingly dedicated his life to the same god. As he begins to realize that his devotion might drive him just as mad as his grandfather, Tohmoh also decides to start being more selfless and make his legacy better.

We also, as a note, discover that Voess loves cats. In fact, as he realizes that Aiyiri is part feline, he slowly gets closer to her, wanting to “pet the kitty kitty.”

Voess: Voess love kitty kitty.

Rori lets the party know that Karloff has a place he calls home, and it’s located somewhere above them. He then begins leading the party to it.

- MEANWHILE -

Ulfric Stormborn, of the Sapphire Lake Town, has been exploring the mines. Although familiar with the local lore, he has always felt like the mines couldn’t be barren, and has spent a few days searching for any gems.

He stumbles into a large room that is encircled by the lake. On both sides of the cavern are waterfalls, which pour sixty feet down into a pool. The pool then continues on through the mountain. Although Ulfric is aware that he’s too far up for the lake to be pouring downwards, he doesn’t thinking too hard on the fact. There is a safety fence built out of rope and iron bars.

The room has a small alter in the corner, barrels of rotten fruit and vegetables, two large bookshelves with a collection of encyclopedia's and historical records from 100 years ago, and a large firepit in the center. Ulfric hears someone approaching and ducks behind the barrels, rolling an 18 to Stealth.

None of the party sees Ulfric as they enter. Ducky and Tohmoh go for the books, seemingly unimpressed by their perfect condition and collectors value. Voess goes for the fountain because it sparkles and books bore him. Marrow opens a few barrels to confirm that the food is rotten, which Aiyiri could smell before the lids came off and which overwhelmed her senses after.

Aiyiri stumbles to the side of the “room” and peers over the rope. She notices a small, pink lizard skittering around, slowly climbing up. As she warns the others, a purple lizard jumps up over the rope barrier, giggling.

The creature is described as a lizard that would stand 5 foot tall on it’s hind legs, with a distinctly dragon appearance if a dragon was drawn by someone who loved flowers. It’s wings more resembled a butterfly’s than a dragon’s, and it’s scales sparkled, like glitter.

It’s a faerie dragon, not that the party succeeds any of their Nature checks.

The party is hesitant to attack the creatures, aware of Karloff’s Charm and mind-control trickery. They decide to try and tame it. Ducky succeeds, offering the dragons food from his bag (the player was actually completely unaware of the Faerie Dragon, so this was delightful).

Another dragon appears, also purple in color, but more glittery, appearing pink in certain lights. Tohmoh tries to offer it food, but Ulfric ruins the moment by attacking, surprising everyone by his sudden appearance. Aiyiri tries to eat the dragon, and then argues with it about taking her food. It winds up casting a spell and making her give it the food it knows she’s hiding.

Marrow is hit by it’s purple, glittery gas and almost runs over the edge. Rori dives to hide in the firepit.

The battle ends as Tohmoh and Ducky calm the dragons down. One dragon offers safe passage, and the other promises answers. Before the party can claim their reward, Karloff appears. He stomps, and stamps, and, like a child throwing a tantrum, screams about them ruining his plans.

He Charms Voess, then tries to stand back and let the Half Orc do his damage. Ducky sees Voess entering a rage, and challenges him to a duel in order to protect the others.

Aiyiri doesn’t listen -- she strikes at Voess, missing her first attack and landing her second. Voess ignores Aiyiri and charges at Ducky. Ducky hits him hard, but he hits Ducky harder.

Ulfric and Tohmoh go after Karloff, both recognizing that he’s the real source of trouble and not Voess. Ulfric lands a powerful attack, and Tohmoh misses with an Eldritch blast.

Karloff attacks them with lightning, then starts running for the door. Marrow and Ulfric take opportunity attacks, weakening Karloff severely. Marrow then tries a spell, and fails.

Ducky and Voess swing at each other again, with Aiyiri deciding to take a step back. 

Aiyiri: “I don’t care. This isn’t my fight.”

Ducky will remember that...

Anyway, Ducky hurts Voess again, but Voess rolls critical. He digs his axes into Ducky’s chest, cutting straight through his breastplate, and leaving Ducky struggling for life.

Tohmoh sees this and comes to his friend’s rescue. He jumps in and casts Dissonant Whispers, sending such pain into Voess that he flees. Ulfric then, not emotionally attached enough to be distracted by Voess, lands the killing blow against Karloff.

Karloff, dying: “I... failed?”

Rori appears with a potion of Cure Wounds to help Ducky, who also lays hands on himself (must be nice, being a paladin). With everything calming down, the party turn to the biggest surprise -- Ulfric. The Dwarf explains what he was doing up there, posing the question, at the same time: “Who owns the mine? They tell me you can’t. I want to.”

As he’s explaining, he spots some ruby and digs it out. He tucks it away into his pack, and the player, in the face of potential fortune, forgets that Ulfric intended to use it to prove the mines weren’t barren. Marrow collects the encyclopedias, because he understands the value of knowledge.

He still doesn’t read them, though...

The Dragons answer some questions. They reveal that Karloff was a doppelganger who had come into town shortly after the real Karloff. He had taken on Karloff’s identity and learned how to cast magic by reading Karloff’s journals. The real Karloff had met his fate at the hands of the basilisk, and was one of many statues residing in the bowels of the mine.

They also reveal that Rohss made it home safe, and the mountains are home to a tunnel into the Underworld that the Mages had been digging for reasons unknown to the dragons.

One of the dragons, named Cupcake, falls to Ducky’s natural 20 Animal Handling roll and joins them as a companion.

The party, with Voess helping Ducky, head back down. Ulfric uses the fact that Sheriff Chaney lost a bet during a card game to him in order to talk Chaney and his mob down from attacking the PC’s. There is also a debate triggered about whether or not Karloff really “owned” his cave, and if he did, does Ulfric now own it by law of battle. 

Him and Chaney IC argue about it, while everyone else OOC argues about it. I’ve never seen property law become such a touchy subject in a D&D game before...

Oh, the party also explain to the mob that Karloff is dead, which helps to calm it down. They view Chaney as overreacting a bit, and disperse. 

Chaney allows them to stay at the inn. After Chaney explains that Victor the innkeeper had been beheaded “for justice”, Ulfric decides he now owns the Seahorse. Chaney tells him he only needs to find the deed, as Victor had no next of kin, and Chaney doesn’t really care what happens to it.

Nobody seems disturbed by Chaney’s obvious lack of compassion, nor his overuse of the law in order to kill. One player has to leave to pick someone up from work, so the PC’s make their way to the inn, where they fall into a troubled sleep.

-End-

[aye-aye-captain]

I feel like this gif has to be some kind of reaction meme

[amalthea9]

Wanted to share a cute idea I had for the Hornblower guys.⚓

AU imagine : The group is a band.

⛵⚓The Indefatigables ⚓⛵

Horatio - lead guitar🎸/lead singer🎤

Archie - 2nd guitar🎸/lead singer🎤

Bush - bass🎸/second singer🎤

Matthews - keyboard🎹/banjo🪕/flute/back up vocals🎤

Styles 🥁- drums/second bass🎸 /backup vocals🎤

Pellew - band manager📱guest saxophone player🎷

Bracegirdle - supplies the basement to practice in 😁

They specialize in Beatles, Monkees, and other 60s/70s covers. But write and performs some of their own!

And their in uniforms just to add to the fun 🤭

I especially love imagining them performing.

Horatio and Archie all smiles as they sing into the same mic.💜

Styles with the biggest smile as he jams out and does epic drum solos.😎

Bush with a slight smirk as he plays and winks at the screaming girls.😏

How cute would Matthews look strumming a banjo! SUPER cute that's what!🥰

Pellew on sax is just the best.🤩

Anyways, dumb I know but fun to imagine and gives me smiles to imagine the scenes.

@fyeahmeninroyalnavy @ariel-seagull-wings @aragarna @captain-dad @lieutenant-cinnamon-roll @lieutenant-hel-odinsdottir

[nellygwyn]

Even if thou crawled on your knees, I would not forgive such a snivelling scurvy of a man!

Anne Bracegirdle (pictured, top) was one of the most celebrated actresses of the late 17th century and early 18th century. She had been on the stage ever since she was a young girl, often playing child parts alongside some of the most famous names of 17th century theatre. She came into her own when she was around 18, particularly noted for her role as Sermernia in Aphra Behn’s The Widow Ranter (a breeches role which was, quite unsurprisingly, popular with the gentlemen) and eventually her role in Shakespearean plays (such as when she played Anne Neville in Richard III and Desdemona in Othello). She was an audience favourite for her versatility and stage presence. A young Colley Cibber (later a famous actor-manager and Poet Laureate) said that his one dream in life was to play alongside Anne as her lover. He also tells us: She had no greater Claim to Beauty than what the most desirable Brunette might pretend to. But her Youth and lively Aspect threw out such a Glow of Health and Chearfulness, that on the Stage few Spectators that were not past it could behold her without Desire. It was even a Fashion among the Gay and Young to have a Taste or Tendre for Mrs. Bracegirdle… In all the chief Parts she acted, the Desirable was so predominant, that no Judge could be cold enough to consider from what other particular Excellence she became delightful!

However, such “tendres” that Anne offered to the gentlemen were to lead to tragic consequences. Two of her most ardent admirers, one Captain Richard Hill, aged 20, and the slinky and dangerous Lord Charles Mohun (pictured, bottom right), a noted rake and duellist already at the tender age of 16, were determined to have her. Hill in particular had been persistent in his pursuit of Anne but she always, always refused, often telling him that she wished to be known for her talent and not for who she was sleeping with. Hill seemed unable to distinguish between fiction and reality as he managed to convince himself that his rival to Anne’s affections was her frequent co-star, 27 year old William Mountfort. Mountfort was popular too and was particularly noted for his roles as fine and honourable gentlemen (he actually popularised the saying “Be still, my beating heart!”). He often played Anne’s lover but he himself was happily married to another actress, Susanna Verbruggen. Mountfort had been nothing but kind and courteous to Hill and Mohun, more so than any of the actors in the United Company and was probably nothing more than Anne’s colleague and friend, and yet, Hill concocted a plan to steal Anne from him. One wintery evening in December, 1692, he and Mohun hired a coach and a gang of thugs and set out to kidnap Anne who was also travelling in a coach with several of her friends, including Mountfort, and her mother.

The thugs waylaid her but it did not go as planned. The screaming and frenzy meant that Anne and her mother managed to escape (according to Mohun’s testimony, at this point, he was still in the hired coach). Hill and Mohun followed Anne and her mother to their home and Hill inquired, politely, if Anne would come down to see him so that he could apologise for his behaviour. She did so and listened to his lies: he stated that he had simply wanted to take her away for a few weeks so that she would be convinced he was worth marrying and that he was sorry for behaving in such a barbarous manner. Anne was not convinced and told him “Even if thou crawled on your knees, I would not forgive such a snivelling scurvy of a man!” and locked both Hill and Mohun out of her house. Hill was furious and instantly blamed Mountfort for ruining the plan. Hill was apparently waving his sword around erratically at this point having lost the scabbard in the skimirsh at Anne’s carriage and the pair, already drunk, decided to drink heavily for the next hour or two. Unfortunately, at around the time Mohun and Hill were leaving the tavern, Mountfort came, with the most tragic coincidence, walking down the street. According to Mohun’s testimony, he held back because he had not known of the seriousness of Hill’s vows to kill Mountfort but several witnesses stated that Mohun held Mountfort down whilst Hill stabbed him to death. Mohun was arrested almost immediately but Hill managed to escape to France.

Mohun’s trial was sensational and the press couldn’t get enough of the whole scandal. It was said that the cracked bell of St. Clement’s Church actually incurred such damage when it was rung at Mountfort’s funeral. Mohun pleaded all innocence, testifying that he had not been aware of Hill’s plans completely and had spent most of the night merely observing his friend’s violence, and was eventually acquitted by his peers in the House of Lords, 69 votes to 14. Both Hill (who was eventually pardoned after his good service in the army) and Mohun went onto commit more violent offenses. In Hill’s case, he eventually died young in a tavern brawl. As for Mohun, his story is a lot more gruesome. After a legal dispute against his great enemy, the Duke of Hamilton, in 1712, Mohun challenged the Duke to a duel in Hyde Park. Hamilton murdered Mohun and Hamilton was then instantly slain by Mohun’s second. The duel (which, at this point in history, would’ve been fought with swords) was so gruesome that it prompted a change in the legislation over the nature of duelling in England and swords were replaced with pistols, which were more accurate and less bloody.

Anne Bracegirdle lived to be about 85 years old and was so respected on her death for all the talent that she had brought to English theatre and to the often maligned profession of actresses that she was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey.

[danddorks]

Chelastian Campaign #8 - Teeth Monsters

Our Party’s journey thus far…

Defeat the Haunted House

Defeat Karloff (the vampire?)

Find out the reason why the Mage’s are based in Sapphire Lake Town

Found out what “Change” they’re trying to make

Our returning PC’s are…

Sir John “Ducky” Mallard, level 5 Human Paladin who has sworn the Oath of the Ancients. Son of Duke Mallard, Ducky was sent to the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a silencing tactic.

Tohmoh the Damarrion, level 5 Human Warlock with Cthulu as a patron. Joined the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a way to gain power while helping others.

Marrow Hearth, level 4 dhampir Bard, as played by @the-pantsing-panda

Aiyiri, level 4 Khajit Fighter with a two-weapon fighting style, and former assassin

Our returning Companions are:

Fred Perrin, a devotee to the Mallard family who admires Ducky and mostly polishes armor

George Navarro, a more grumbly fellow who washes boots and sharpens swords, and has a fine word to say about being essentially a manservant

Cupcake the Faerie Dragon, of ancient age and genetic manipulation. Formerly a pet of ‘Karloff’.

PC’s not playing this game:

Rorimac “Rori” Bracegirdle, level 3 Halfling rogue, and a member of the Dauntless of Silverstring City // Left behind to watch the town

Captain Voess, level 3 Half-Orc Barbarian, and pirate. Also member of the Diamond Hills mercenary guild. // Player unavailable, character faded into the background

Ulfric Stormcloak, level 3 Dwarven fighter, owner of the Skipping Seahorse Inn. //  Player unavailable, character faded into the background

The chanting grows louder and louder, filling the characters with dread and unease. They hear only one word in the entire chant that makes sense, the word “Johmbo”. The chanting ends suddenly.

The party waits around for a second. When nothing happens, they investigate to see if anything changed. It’s at this point that they notice the room has five visible, basic iron doors with hook handles. Ducky is drawn to a door directly south. It is the right side of three doors on that wall, with two bookshelves in between. Although he senses evil from the door on the left, his compulsion leads him to investigating the door on the right instead. He can feel a pulsing, and refuses to open it.

Marrow is drawn to the door on the eastern side, which has two doors. He is drawn to the one on the right as well. He opens the door for a quick peek, and sees that it leads to a hallway that cuts South after about five feet. He turns to ask everyone what they should when he sees that Aiyiri, who had been drawn to the door in the middle on the South wall, has actually gone through her door.

The smell of burnt fabric affects her and Ducky, but no one else. Marrow runs after her, cursing under his breath.

Ducky sees them leave and sighs. Tohmoh yells after them that they should wait, so Ducky goes to him. 

Tohmoh: I feel compelled to stay, which is why I’m not sure if we should... but I want to find out why.

He and Ducky investigate and he realizes that the room is one giant, watered down, Soul Binding trap. Tohmoh misreads the purpose of the trap and makes the criticism that it seemed like “sloppy work.” 

Their attention is drawn when they hear a high-pitched scream from the room where Aiyiri and Marrow disappeared.

-- MEANWHILE --

Aiyiri is drawn into the hallway. As she turns a curve, she sees a large room with old furniture haphazardly stacked and placed. There are strategically placed torches to mess with her darkvision, making it hard for her eyes to quickly adjust to the different lights. 

Marrow comes in just behind her. He grabs one of the torches off the wall and sees three plush dolls sitting in the corner, smiling with what appears to be human teeth. He screams and throws the torch at them, activating them and making them scatter.

The Pink plush jumps on his back and stabs him with a knife. Marrow begins to freak out. He pries the doll from his back and stabs it with it’s own knife. He then drops it as it silently screams. 

The Orange plush bursts from the shadows. Marrow raises his leg to stomp him, and it stabs the bottom of his foot. 

The Blue plush tries to leap off a nearby couch and stab Aiyiri, but it catches itself on the couch and falls.

Aiyiri swipes at Blue and misses, so she begins backing up. Marrow meets her halfway, making sure their backs are squarely together. He then reaches over and grabs Aiyiri, lifts her over his shoulder, and makes a run for it. He runs back down the hallway, then sets Aiyiri down as he rests. She runs the rest of the way, asking for help.

Ducky remembers when she didn’t lift a finger to help him against Voess, and decides that she and Marrow look strong enough to handle the problem themselves. She asks Tohmoh, and he decides he needs more information.

As they’re arguing, the Orange plush appears and stabs Marrow in the back. He screams, runs through the door, and slams it shut. He puts his weight against it. As he’s trying to hold it shut, the plushies try to open it, demonstrating amazing strength for cotton and felt. 

Tohmoh tells Marrow to move then sets a bonfire at the foot of the door. Pink leaps over the fire, but is promptly cut in two by Ducky. Illuminated by the bonfire, orange cast mending and recovers full health. He grins at Tohmoh, who watches, curiously. Blue also mends.

Ducky uses a charge on the magic missile ring he pulled from the sorcerer apprentice, but Marrow bumps into him, releasing the spell. Aiyiri stays at the ready, waiting for the dolls to jump the fire again. Tohmoh starts shooting fire bolts at the dolls, decimating the orange one. 

Blue runs back into the room and sounds a gong. Marrow casts unseen servant in the room and it reports that an army of dolls are coming. Marrow panics and drops the bookshelf in front of the doorway, forgetting which way the door opens. It lights on fire, and what few books were on it are not salvageable. Tohmoh reaches over his bonfire to close the door. He accidentally lights himself on fire, making the bonfire disappear.

Ducky decides to shatter the bookshelf and have Tohmoh light the shards on fire. Marrow opens the door and runs to the side. Ducky shatters the bookshelf. Tohmoh misses... the dolls charge. 

Aiyiri slices and dices one of them, Marrow shreds them by casting Cloud of Daggers, and Tohmoh starts setting fires left and right. After defeating all the creatures, they examine the body parts left over. Marrow realizes that the creatures have real baby teeth, and real eyes. This creeps the party out.

They travel through the room, ignoring a side room with a boiling Gelatinous cube in it, and towards a small hallway. Ducky notices a trap but is unable to back up, so he tries to clear it. A duct opens and smacks him in the head. A doll slides out from the duct and bites Aiyiri, infecting her with Hideous Laughter. Tohmoh lights it on fire.

The hallway leads to a sewing room that’s the only normal room in the entire dungeon. The party decides they need a long rest to recover.

- END -

[danddorks]

Chelastian Campaign #5.a - Rohass & Marrow duel

Our game is split into two narratives at the beginning. As the main party comprised of Ducky, Tohmoh, Aiyiri, and Captain Voess take a rest, Marrow and Rohss are pulled through time and space and appear 15 minutes East, and an hour an a half forwards in time.

Our returning PC’s are…

Sir John “Ducky” Mallard, level 3 Human Paladin who has sworn the Oath of the Ancients. Son of Duke Mallard, Ducky was sent to the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a silencing tactic.

Tohmoh the Damarrion, level 3 Human Warlock with Cthulu as a patron. Joined the Diamond Hills mercenary guild as a way to gain power while helping others.

Marrow, level 3 dhampir Bard, as played by @the-pantsing-panda

Rohss, level 3 Half-Elf Ranger, guardian of the forest.

Aiyiri, level 3 Khajit Fighter with a two-weapon fighting style, former assassin.

Captain Voess, level 2 Half-Orc Barbarian, and pirate. Also member of the Diamond Hills mercenary guild.

Our Companions, who don’t feature in this game, are:

Fred, a devotee to the Mallard family who admires Ducky and most polishes armor

George, a more grumbly fellow who washes boots and sharpens swords, and has a fine word to say about being essentially a manservan

We also are introduced to the DM’s (my) PC since we are utilizing Plot Points, and the DM may need a character later on:

Rorimac “Rori” Bracegirdle, level 2 Halfling rogue, and a member of the Dauntless of Silverstring City

Marrow and Rohss are both caught in the same Time Circle. They can feel the planes shift beneath them, which feels, to them, like they’re suddenly upside down. The travel takes no time at all. Marrow and Rohss find themselves materializing in a large, dank dining room. The walls and floors are crudely cut stone, with bronze oil-lit lanterns providing the only lighting. In the center is a large oak dining table that seats 12. Just behind it is a twelve foot pile of bones, with steal frame cages.

Sitting at the head of the table is a pop-eyed gnome with a ragged beard, wearing a noble coat. There is another figure standing mysteriously in the corner, wearing the robes of a Warlock of Cthulu -- his face is covered by shadows. And finally, a tall gray creature (a doppelganger) stands holding a knife over the table, where the Mayor, as they can finally see, is tied down.

The doppelganger stabs the mayor and guts him. It’s face splits in two and it laughs, telling the mayor he still has “one use left.”

The hooded figure notices Marrow and Rohss appearing and makes a gesture. The gnome giggles and tells ‘Karloff’ to finish them.

"We have other things to do now.”

The gnome and hooded figure vanish into the shadows; the doppelganger changes into the dark haired Karloff. He shadowwalks to behind Rohss and whispers the Charm spell into his ear, seeming to try and seduce him at the same time. Karloff, of course, tells Rohss that Marrow is the vampire that’s been eating the forest animals -- a fact Marrow can’t deny. Charmed!Rohss attacks Marrow, and because undead are his favored enemy, does some massive damage.

Rohss’ player then decides to attack Karloff, which the DM allows. Karloff rolls into the time circle and reactivates it, sending himself back in time, where he disguises himself as a flumph and flies to meet the party.

Rohss nearly kills Marrow, but steadies himself. He takes a cloak from Marrow’s inventory and dips it in Marrow’s blood to take back as a trophy to prove to his father that the forest is again safe. He then disappears, leaving the game, for now.

Marrow is about to pass out when he hears a small voice. He notices one of the cages contains a halfling with red curly hair and freckles. The halfling introduces himself as Rorimac Bracegirdle of the northern Bracegirdle’s, not the Western ones.

Rorimac: “I am a Dauntless. Of Silverstring city, to be precise. We solve the small problems of small folk, such as myself.”

He explains that the Dauntless received news that a gnome’s son had come into town to become famous by destroying the Haunted House and had disappeared. There were seven Dauntless seven days ago, but, as it turns out, they were the perfect size for dinner.

The Dauntless had learned the Mines were the “Real Problem” and had been exploring when they were capture. Rori had made some markings so they could find their way back. He offers to help Marrow out if Marrow sets him free. The dying dhampir takes his offer, and a little bit of his blood.

Putting Rori in his backpack, the halfling leads Marrow back to the main group.