Our latest Fantasy Grounds game day took us into the perilous depths of an ancient, six-sided tower in an adventure we'll call “Tower of the Mad Mage“. Our diverse party, including a level two fairy sorcerer with a spy background, a half-elf monk in his third age, and a wizard who started his studies late in life and harbors some insecurity, found themselves presented with an unexpected opportunity for wealth.
Our adventure began not in the tower itself, but in a local inn. A wounded goblin suddenly stumbled into our midst, pleading for help and promising riches beyond our wildest dreams. This goblin, named Squelch, claimed to be the last survivor of his tribe after a disastrous attempt to plunder a dragon's hoard within an abandoned tower in the nearby woods. Intrigued by the promise of “a big pile of dragon gold,” we agreed to aid Squelch and ventured towards the ominous structure.
The journey to the tower was not without its own perils. We were ambushed by a pack of dire wolves, but our combined might and perhaps a bit of luck saw us through the encounter. After this initial test, Squelch led us to a shadowy glade where the ancient tower loomed, marked by burn scars and the remnants of a goblin funeral pyre.
Upon reaching the tower's entrance, a large, broken door hinted at the chaos within. We could hear the sounds of at least two goblins inside. True to his word (or perhaps out of desperation), Squelch confirmed the presence of his kin and what sounded like a dice game within. Diplomacy, attempted by one of our party members who stepped inside with dice in hand, quickly devolved into combat. We found ourselves facing two goblins engaged in a game of chance. These goblins, however, proved to be more hostile than Squelch. A swift and decisive battle ensued, resulting in the goblins' demise and the recovery of a small amount of coin and some honest (albeit goblin-owned) dice.
The noise of our scuffle attracted the attention of something else behind a closed door to the north. We could hear the frantic barking of three dogs. After some debate and cautious preparations, we attempted to open the door, but it was locked. Our rogue-like member successfully picked the lock, and we were met with three ferocious mastiffs. Another intense combat broke out, with one of the mastiffs managing to take down Squelch before being dispatched.
Exploring further into the ground floor of the tower, we discovered a room filled with rubble and broken beds. There was nothing of significant value, but two doors offered further passage. Listening at these doors revealed nothing from one, but animal noises from behind the other.
Choosing the quieter path, we opened the door to the east and found ourselves in a long corridor with doors leading east and west. Squelch informed us that this floor contained a bedroom with a dead body and another room with “sitting things,” as well as a “pretty gleaming silver gl…” before being interrupted by a horrifying discovery. The seemingly ordinary door at the end of the hallway revealed itself to be a large, magically petrified ooze! Upon touching the handle, the petrification was undone, and we were forced into another initiative-based encounter against the surprisingly quick and corrosive creature. The ooze proved dangerous, even beginning to dissolve one of our weapons.
Pressing onward and skipping a floor containing animated kitchenware and a cockatrice (thankfully avoided!), we ascended to the next level, which Squelch believed to be where the remainder of his tribe resided. Indeed, a multitude of goblin voices could be heard behind a closed door.
Our attempt to breach this door led to a chaotic confrontation with a large group of goblins, including one significantly larger specimen and a winged goblin riding a giant bat! The battle was fierce, with goblins swarming and the winged creature proving a formidable airborne foe. Despite the odds, our party fought bravely, utilizing spells, melee attacks, and even some strategically placed caltrops to gain the upper hand.
Finally, after a grueling series of encounters, we reached the top of the tower. Instead of a mere pile of gold, we found a young blue dragon, Talantha, guarding a substantial hoard! A tense exchange ensued, with the dragon demanding we leave. However, the glint of treasure proved too tempting. Another intense battle erupted, with the dragon's breath weapon posing a significant threat. Our fairy sorcerer, despite being diminutive in size, unleashed powerful magic, and our monk and wizard also contributed to the fray. A particularly tenacious bear, summoned by one of our spellcasters, proved to be an invaluable ally, soaking up damage and dealing significant blows.
After a hard-fought and exhilarating battle that pushed our abilities to their limits, we managed to defeat the dragon. With Talantha slain, we had successfully cleared the tower of its dangerous inhabitants and, presumably, secured the dragon's hoard, fulfilling the initial promise made by the desperate goblin, Squelch. The “Tower of the Mad Mage” proved to be a thrilling and challenging adventure filled with unexpected encounters and a rewarding (if hard-earned) victory.