The ACS ladies of D&D
Wednesday 26th August 2026
We're at Do or Dice for Episode two of ACS D&D!
Episode one had left the five situated on the outskirts of the mysterious Castle Mistamere, having just defeated a foul carrion crawler.
For this episode they were joined by Enza, who for a time took over the role of Athlema as Rose had to leave in what proved to be a very risky moment!
We're at Do or Dice for Episode two of ACS D&D!
Episode one had left the five situated on the outskirts of the mysterious Castle Mistamere, having just defeated a foul carrion crawler.
For this episode they were joined by Enza, who for a time took over the role of Athlema as Rose had to leave in what proved to be a very risky moment!
Roster of Heroes
Player: Ashu.
Character: Radagast the magic-user. |
Player: Babs.
Character: Rohorim the dwarf. |
Player: Rose/Enza
Character: Athlema the fighter. |
Player: Sarah.
Character: Jack the halfling. |
Player: Stef.
Character: Legolas the elf. |
Episode Two
Castle Mistamere and adventure beckons
It was midmorning, the sun, blazing and ascendant, beat down upon the tattered weather-worn walls which once, long ago had protected the mysterious and now ruined Castle Mistamere. The adventurers found themselves at a set of sturdy iron-shod doors which had inexplicably and violently shut in front of their very eyes.
However, at this time, it was not their chief concern. A more important matter was pressing!
Upon Legolas' return to the surface from the carrion crawler's underground lair, the others had noted the elf's pocket's now seemed unusually filled and how his satchel swayed heavily.
'There was money in those pockets' they surmised - and they were right! For a time the five bickered over the loot Legolas had gathered from the lair.
It was midmorning, the sun, blazing and ascendant, beat down upon the tattered weather-worn walls which once, long ago had protected the mysterious and now ruined Castle Mistamere. The adventurers found themselves at a set of sturdy iron-shod doors which had inexplicably and violently shut in front of their very eyes.
However, at this time, it was not their chief concern. A more important matter was pressing!
Upon Legolas' return to the surface from the carrion crawler's underground lair, the others had noted the elf's pocket's now seemed unusually filled and how his satchel swayed heavily.
'There was money in those pockets' they surmised - and they were right! For a time the five bickered over the loot Legolas had gathered from the lair.
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Athlema meanwhile, had been left behind at the Gold Dragon inn to sleep off the previous night's excesses.
Awakening an hour after the others had departed Threshold, she stormed off after them and following a brisk walk found them arguing still at the edge of Mistamere. After Athlema's arrival, the bickering continued! Eventually though and with no small amount of bitter reluctance, Legolas agreed to part with some coin to the others for the sake of party cohesion. Mollified at receiving some meagre cut of thewhat appeared haul, Athlema and Radagast left the others behind and followed the crumbling wall west. Earlier the five had spied a breach in the perimeter and the pair had decided to investigate it. Throwing caution to the four winds, the pair entered the courtyard - and were immediately ambushed! |
Athlema and Radagast explore.
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Through the breach!
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Ambushed for your troubles.
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Marching into the courtyard, Athlema and Radagast had easily attracted the interest of the unbeknown occupants. There were ten of them; small, humanoid, dog-faced. Kobolds the pair realised, Legolas had encountered skeletal remains of a kobold in the carrion crawler hole.
Half their number were pressed against those doors which had been slammed shut, preventing Jackie, Legolas and Rohorim from entering while the remaining five were facing Athlema and Radagast, bows readied in hand.
Athlema and Radagast could only stand in shock as the kobolds loosed a volley their way! Fortunately it was a fairly ineffective attack. The pair took the opportunity to dive into cover. The other three, having heard the yells and clash of combat came running, quickly arriving at the breach.
The battle was joined!
Sword thrusts and arrows were exchanged as adventure and foe alike closed for melee. A couple of the five took blows from the kobolds who steadfastly refused to flee. Ultimately though, the kobolds could not resist the assault from the five adventurers. Fighting to the last, the kobolds were defeated.
Half their number were pressed against those doors which had been slammed shut, preventing Jackie, Legolas and Rohorim from entering while the remaining five were facing Athlema and Radagast, bows readied in hand.
Athlema and Radagast could only stand in shock as the kobolds loosed a volley their way! Fortunately it was a fairly ineffective attack. The pair took the opportunity to dive into cover. The other three, having heard the yells and clash of combat came running, quickly arriving at the breach.
The battle was joined!
Sword thrusts and arrows were exchanged as adventure and foe alike closed for melee. A couple of the five took blows from the kobolds who steadfastly refused to flee. Ultimately though, the kobolds could not resist the assault from the five adventurers. Fighting to the last, the kobolds were defeated.
Into Castle Mistamere
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Leaning on their weapons and with time to rest, the five took stock of their situation.
To the north, against the looming granite background of a dull mist shrouded mountainside, Castle Mistamere was a dismal sight: Gone were any towers or battlements the inner keep might once have possessed, a ruinous uneven line of worn stone marked what remained of the upper floors of the castle. Evidence of whatever catastrophe the castle had endured - shattered brickwork, cracked masonry, countless other pieces of detritus now littered the courtyard like a blanket of rubble. Only the ground level of the keep still stood relatively intact. Other than the strewn debris, the courtyard seemed empty. With little else to do, the five advanced to the castle doors. Athlema went first. The doors were not locked and swung into a dusty unlit chamber. |
Into adventure!
Athelma saw sunlight blaze inwards, slats of incandescent light glinted off dust motes that lazily swirled upward on the disturbed air. Ahead was a largish stone and brick chamber. Unrecognisable litter from long ago painted an inch deep in grime dotted the exposed flagstone here.
The room was unoccupied and otherwise unremarkable, the only noteworthy exception being three exits, two open gloomy unlit ways to the east and west and the way north barred by a door.
The others joined Athlema and they entered.
The scuff of boots on the floor seemed thunderous in the eerie silence. With three ways to go, the five adventurers pondered their options.
The room was unoccupied and otherwise unremarkable, the only noteworthy exception being three exits, two open gloomy unlit ways to the east and west and the way north barred by a door.
The others joined Athlema and they entered.
The scuff of boots on the floor seemed thunderous in the eerie silence. With three ways to go, the five adventurers pondered their options.
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To the east and west were unlit portals; a pair darkened doorways that receded into impenetrable void beyond the reach of light.
Athelma explored the west exit, it led to a room dimly lit by the light from behind her, there she saw the centre of the room was dominated by decayed remains of some old furniture, on the north wall Athlema also spied a cold rubble-filled fireplace. Meanwhile the dwarf and elf had decided to move the eastern way out. Seeing it open into a room, they paused to observe the others' actions. Radagast and Jackie considered going through the door but ultimately decided against it. After some discussion between the five, they decided to form up and head through the eastern way. |
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NEVER SPLIT THE PARTY!
The five found themselves in a room of similar size to that which Athlema had encountered to the west, there was even a matching fireplace here that was equally cold and rubble-filled, There was also time-worn, rotted old furniture. A quick inspection revealed that collapsed remains of the upper floors had tumbled into the ancient chimney, entirely closing it off.
Another way out could be seen on the opposite, east wall.
Another way out could be seen on the opposite, east wall.
The east way led to another room of similar proportion but lacking the fire place. Here though, it was dominated by a score of old boxes and the like in the centre of the room.
'What might these boxes contain?' wondered the five before prying into them.
It was a decision they would regret!
'What might these boxes contain?' wondered the five before prying into them.
It was a decision they would regret!
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Shortly after they began rummaging through the crates, one seemed to crack open of it's own accord, dust and splinters were sent spinning across the room.
Moaning quietly, a swaying zombie clambered to its feet from among the crushed wood. The five were too shocked to react. This undead monstrosity, perhaps some past resident of Castle Mistamere regarded them coldly for moment with watery, grey, lifeless eyes. "Braaaains?" It uttered softly and lunged, eager to sate its unholy, irresistible appetite for living flesh. For a moment, the five were on the back foot, flustered by the sudden arrival of an unliving foe but then their adventurous instincts came to the fore. Gripping weapons, they steadfastly attacked. Fortunately, their greater numbers stood them well and they dispatched the monster. |
Zombie!
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More zombies!!
It was a brutal encounter, the first rank of zombies were quickly cut down by Athlema and Rohorim who laid about them with hefty blows.
However, it did not all go that way for our heroes and the remaining zombies shuffled into the resulting gap, raining savage blows on them. Athelma took a heavy hit and crumpled to the floor in a motionless heap. Rohorim had to move to contain the break in their line. Fighting continued while blood began to pool about the prone Athlema. The remaining 4 had to act with haste and managed to contain and finally defeat the zombies. Radagast rushed to Athlema and quick hands managed staunch the flow of blood, soon Athelma was unsteadily back on her feet, ready to continue |
Undeterred by their encounter with the undead, the five continued. Disappointingly, nothing of value was was to be found among any of the crates and boxes here.
The only exit was a doorway in the north wall, the five took it and it brought them into a gloomy looking room that immediately turned west into what might have been some sort of storage area. Ahead they could see filthy detritus - a mix of rubble, junk and refuse piled high in some disorganised mess. The five had no idea what might be in this room and before they could examine this strange elongated chamber, four zombies hitherto obscured by the enormous amount of trash lurched from their waiting places and lunged for the five! Unhesitatingly, Athlema and Rohorim formed up into a rough line while the others reached for their bows and slings while the zombies closed; the fight was on! 
Down but not out.
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Athlema and Rohorim were both bloodied from the fighting but despite this, the five were unswayed, choosing to explore further into Castle Mistamere.
End of Episode Two
Final thoughts
The players have entered their first dungeon and it has lead to some confrontations which ended in a precarious situation for Athlema who was only a few rounds away from meeting her maker. If they want to continue without rest, it might well require them to make some tactical considerations since two characters (and front line characters too) so low on hit points.
It's quite interesting to see that the players are starting to get a handle on the system, learning what armour class they can hit in combat without referring to the hit roll chart.
I'm also getting asked questions like 'what hit points do zombies have?' Of course I replied that they'd have to figure that out for themselves - which is all part of the fun.
Onward to episode three!
It's quite interesting to see that the players are starting to get a handle on the system, learning what armour class they can hit in combat without referring to the hit roll chart.
I'm also getting asked questions like 'what hit points do zombies have?' Of course I replied that they'd have to figure that out for themselves - which is all part of the fun.
Onward to episode three!
