Hard Times With Strange Destinies

[crub90706]

So far I have attemped this solo twice. Following are the results using 7.5 edition rules.

Grog Do'Gragg, Ogre, Warrior LVL 2
STR 24, CON 20, DEX 9, SPD 14, INT 11, WIZ 8, LK 11, CHR 20
Combat Adds +16 Talents: Endurance (CON+3), CLIMBING (STR+1)
Equipment:
2H Great Club 9 Dice, Wolf Hide Armor 2 Hits
3 Days Rations, 40' rope, Flint & Steel (all as/rules)

Grog began his rite of passage wandering in the tunnels for a day consuming one meal before reaching the Fungus Forest. Grog spotted 3 paths leading right, left and up the middle. He decided to go to the right. After a bit more wandering he felt as if he was being watched (L4SR vs. LK, failed roll). Suddenly Grog was attacked by 4 giant cockroaches (MR 44 each). Grog chose to fight one while dodging the others (L3SR vs. SPD, roll failed). First attempt to dodge failed. Grog was overwhelmed by the giant cockroaches and died. Maybe he should have taken the left turn?

Attempt 2

Thragrah, Minotaur Warrior LVL 3
STR 30, CON 25, DEX 8, SPD 8, INT 7, WIZ 7, LK 9, CHR 16
Combat Adds +21 Talents: Unarmed Combat (STR+2), Athletics (STR+1), Endurance (CON+3)
Begins with no equipment or weapons as per rules.

Thragrah had no idea how long he had been lost but it didn't matter, he felt at home underground. After awhile he stumbles into the legendary Fungus Forest. Thragrah shrugs and enters deeper into the forest. He soon finds 3 paths leading to the right, left and up the middle. He decides to trudge forward. After a short time he begins to feel as if he is being watched (L5SR vs. LK, fails roll). Thragrah is suddenly attacked by a Blood Worm (MR 120!!?). Unarmed, the battle is over quickly, as Thragrah is devoured by the Bloodworm.

This solo (included with the 7.5 box set) is listed as being for big warriors up to level 3 and with no more then a x3 multiplier to STR. As can be seen, both of the characters were fairly tuff within the level range, yet both died in the very first encounter. Not only did they die, but they didn't even have a chance, even with the ogre's 9 dice club. (He recieved 90 hits + 5 spite vs. the cockroaches). And according to the rules Troll and Minatour characters don't even begin with equipment.

I havn't got far enough to determine if this is a good solo or not, but I would suggest for those who wish to run it to use monstrous characters between 3-6 levels, and to equip the characters with weapons and armor as they wish (within basic rules). If you do decide to run a troll or minatour without equipment, I would suggest useing their attacks as found in the Monstrous Codex & Monster and Magic books.

I plan on running this adventure again with an actual party of three 1 & 2 level warriors (Dwarf, Human & Urookin). I'll let you know what happens.

[cartomancer]

I've said it before and, i'll say it again... I LOVE reading solo play-reports.

*exalt*

EDIT: Ooh! and in true tinterwebs tradition. FIRST! ;D

[crub90706]

Thanks Cartomancer, though I'm unfamilier with "tinterwebs".
Anyways I bring to you my third attempt in Strange Destinies...

This time I'm useing a team of delvers.

1) Grub Vin'Brak Urookin warrior 2nd level
STR 20, CON 12, DEX 8, SPD 5, INT 10, WIZ 7, LK 14, CHR 16
Combat adds +5, Talents; Intimidation, Thievery
Equipment; Maul 6+1, Cuirboille 14 hits

2) Dirk The Jerk, Human warrior 1st level
STR 17, CON 15, DEX 18, SPD 11, INT 9, WIZ 4, LK 13, CHR 11
Combat Adds +13, Talents; Athletics
Equipment; War hammer 5+1, Buckler, Steel Cap, Leather suit Total 18 hits

3) Brogin Bluebeard Dwarf warrior 2nd level
STR 26, CON 30, DEX 11, SPD 11, INT 14, WIZ 16, LK 9, CHR 6
Combat Adds +16, Talents; Endurance & Mineing
Equipment; Thrusting axe 4+1, Leather suit, dwarven mask total 12 hits.

They also had one torch and 50' of light, thin rope (as per rules)

The rest of the team add been slain by ogres and trolls and only the three now remained. As they "bravely" fled the carnage, our three "heroes" became hopelessly lost within the tunnels. Luckily they were able to hang ont to their weapons, a torch and 50' of rope, but unfortunatly had lost all of their food.

After wandering about for a while, with only the single torch lighting their way, they soon came upon a vast Fungus Forest and decided to venture onward. As they moved deeper into the forest they soon came upon 3 paths; left, right and up the middle. After a brief argument they decided (rolled a d6) on the right hand path.

They wander along a little further and begin to feel as if they are being watched. (L4SR vs. LK) Brogin succeeds with an incredble 3 DARO's in a row for a total of 37. The team of intrepid delvers continue forward.

The fungi along their path grows stranger with each step deeper into the forest. Giant insects the size of one's fist gnaw upon the strange fungi. Soon their gnawing noise becomes to much to bare. The group begins to question their decision (L2SR vs. INT, all failed). The team is suddenly filled by a nameless dread.

The bugs begin to crawl all over them. In their panic, the delver's swat noisily at the insects. splatting them against their armor. Their heedless panic soon alerts what lives within the forest, and it charges! To paniced, the delvers fail to notice.

Suddenly a giant warrior ant (MR100). The giant ant proves a capable opponent for the team and the battle lasted a number of rounds, but spite damage finally wore the ant down and lost. Dirk, Brogin and Grub all took their licks of spite damage but won out in the end.

Heading off in another direction they found a tunnel and entered and soon came upon a nexus of many tunnels. The walked in a random direction and soon saw daylight. Going towards it they came out onto a ledge along the barren mountainside. Suddenly a large, scarred ogre (MR 200) holding a giant club (20d6 + 100), challenges them. The delvers decided to bravely run away (L1SR vs. the better of DEX or LK). In their flight Grub nearly trips and falls off a cliff, but retains his balance. They three of them make their escape to freedom.

Afterwards...
The warriors with a combined combat dice of 15+37 got through the adventure without too much trouble. It was may be a bit too easy this time. Sure they could have fought the ogre, but were clearly given the option to run. There was another option to earlier to search for the ant hive, but I didn't take it not realizing that the adventure would end this abruptly. Also useing the 3 warriors, the plot of the adventure seemed pointless (same with the minatour) other then finding a way out. It would seem to me that this adventure was written actually with the ogre going on a rite of passage as the main plot. I would suggest that anyone wishing to play this solo do so with an ogre, but would also suggest that you make him (or her) level 3 or even 4 or 5, and you would still have a great challange. I'm sure I'll do just that in the future, but for now that's it for Strange Destinies.

As for the adventure, I enjoied it, but it is tough. Especially if you run into wandering monsters. I give it a 3 out 5.

[Werrrdna]

Great report. Many times have I tried Strange Destinies and each time have I been decimated. One method i've begun to use is something suggested by someone possibly here on this board. Basically having more of a free reign on what your character does. An example I used was luring a creature into the den of another creature and on a LK save they would tear each other apart. I would randomly decide the winner, or whichever was logical and remove a fair chunk of CON from the creature. Then I could go ahead and take it on myself.

I'm wondering whether it was the best decision to include Strange Destinies in the 7.5 boxed set. It doesn't seem like the best way to introduce someone to the game and would probably just infuriate them. Buffalo Castle would have probably been a better decision.