The Harrowdeep Exploration

The group finished another mission last session. This time, it was spread over two sessions due part to the need for a shorter session the first time and the need for a rather large shopping trip. However, while I was tired of it all by the end, I think it was reasonably well paced and got the players thinking. It also offered some good opportunities for intra-party dialogue and a small measure of character development.


The group arrived to discover a reasonably large encampment at the edge of the forest, with numerous scouting parties being sent out to try to establish a reliable path 50 miles in to the forest. Using the convenient plot device of a magic map, the groups were being equipped with devices that function like a magic bread crumb trail. With some creative thinking on the group’s behalf, they devised a way to ensure they would not get lost within the forest or face difficulties on the way out.

During the exploration itself, there were four distinct challenges, either environmental or faunal that barred their way. The first was a river. Now, you would think that a river is not that hard to cross. Well, the main problem seemed to be that people didn’t want to get wet. A reasonable concern, given that the river was deep enough that they would need to swim, the group does not have any good swimmers, and they were carrying rather a lot of equipment following their shopping trip. After extensive discussions, it was decided to fell a tree and use that as a bridge.

The second challenge was something of a two-for-one deal. I like using fight scenes and I like using the environment in interesting ways. Thus, the second obstacle they needed to overcome was a cliff. However, at the top of the cliff (and unbeknown to the players or PCs), there was a territorial burrowing creature (an Ankheg for those who have read the Monster Manual). Thus, one character used magic to fly up there, with the plan on carrying another up who would secure a rope and make things easier for the others. This went somewhat as planned, with the rope being tied, thrown over the edge to the others below, and then the creature attacked. With their backs to the precipice, those at the top fought for their lives and those at the bottom scrambled up to join their companions. This was a tough fight, though not as bad as it could have been, since the creature was stuck in place due to the first spell of the combat. If this had not been successful, the group would have been in serious trouble. In the end, they one with most of their spells depleted and several characters suffering heavy injuries.

That night, the group settled in for a long wait due to predicted heavy rain. Before they had the displeasure of dealing with the rain, they were attacked by classic giant spiders. Interrupting them in the middle of the night after they had already had a major battle that day, the group was far from being at full strength. However, although two characters were poisoned, the group won without any major difficulties. This was due largely to them being able to bring all their strength to bear on the opposition.

With that fight out of the way, they had some minor difficulties staying healthy due to the wind, rain and cold. But with their warm weather gear, they were mostly about to settle down and wait out the heavy rain. After that, they had difficult, though uneventful travel through the forest, until they reached an area where the underbrush and trees were so thick, movement was virtually impossible. After lengthy discussions, the group improvised by moving up the trees until there was sufficient space to travel and slowly moving along branches and undergrowth. The travel was slow, tedious and painful, with the group needing to balance carefully throughout the day. However, despite being experiencing some mild snow on the final part of the journey, they arrived at their destination intact. A thoroughly unsuitable place for a base camp, but they had completed their contract. Having learnt how to deal with the terrain, their return back to camp was uneventful.