Written by: Saracor
Here’s a summary of the Arden Vul campaign so far based on the detailed session notes, including how the party (the “Bone Crushers”) is progressing
Campaign Summary:
The adventuring party, known as the Bone Crushers, began their exploration of the ruined megadungeon Arden Vul from the safety of Gosterwick and the Inn of the Broken Head. Their journey started with cautious exploration of the surface ruins and quickly escalated into multiple deep delves into the dungeon’s perilous lower levels, encountering deadly creatures, strange factions, ancient artifacts, and rival adventuring groups. They’ve navigated:
- The Great Stair, ancient laboratories, tombs, ritual chambers, and fungal forests.
- Beastmen territory, where they formed a temporary alliance.
- The halfling gang (led by Plebotomas), initially avoiding them, later aiding in their downfall alongside Dalton’s Darlings, a rival adventuring company.
- Religious zones tied to the cults of Thoth and Set, deciphering murals, puzzles, and magical statues.
The party’s reputation is growing, especially after surviving run-ins with centipedes, animated statues, skeleton baboons, and navigating tense faction politics. They’ve acquired multiple keys, magical items, potions, treasure, and even temporary safe zones.
Party Status & Progress:
Leveling & Experience
- Multiple characters are now level 3–4, showing significant advancement since the start.
- Party members include Clerics, Fighters, Thieves, Scholars (Magic-Users), and a Druid.
- Several characters have died (e.g., Hektor) or been incapacitated, but the group has maintained continuity.
Key Characters in Play:
- Meric (Thief 4) – skilled and persistent, often scouting and looting.
- Agoston (Scholar 4) – primary spellcaster, strategic with ESP and Sleep.
- Alexos (Cleric 4) – providing divine power and leadership.
- Grim (Dwarf 3), Belaros (Fighter 3) – frontline muscle.
- Support from torchbearers and rescued NPCs like Klisco and Count Sceleros (beastman).
Achievements:
- Defeated a powerful skeleton group, recovered lost artifacts.
- Uncovered multiple secret areas and magical mechanisms.
- Helped topple the halfling gang’s control, indirectly facilitating a power shift underground.
- Allied with beastmen while maintaining independence from factions like Dalton’s Darlings.
- Solved multiple ancient mysteries involving statues of Thoth, illusion walls, glyphs, and rotating chambers.
- Unlocked new dungeon levels and access points, including dangerous zones like the Pyramid Room and the Fungal Forest.
Loot & Treasure Highlights:
- Platinum coins, gems, scrolls (arcane & divine), magical items (e.g., night wind spear, Baculus rod), ancient holy symbols, and rare mushrooms.
- Found training and identification services in Gosterwick for advancement and potion research.
Challenges Ahead:
- Tensions between factions (Beastmen, Cultists of Set, remnants of the Halflings).
- Dangerous areas hinted at—troll lifts, teleportation glyphs, and statues connected to Thoth.
- A growing need to manage treasure, logistics, and diplomacy as deeper dungeon levels are explored.
- Continued pressure from rivals like Dalton’s Darlings and unknown threats like Crispin the green dragon.
The Bone Crushers are clearly becoming a powerful and experienced group with a solid reputation and a growing list of victories. They’re navigating the political, mystical, and violent complexities of Arden Vul with increasing confidence.