Session 11 Report Hole in the Oak
Previous session report can be found here. First session report can be found here.
Unfortunately, I lost my post for session 10 in a server sync problem. I foolishly set up an rsync that automatically deleted the files I’d stored in the wrong place, and before I knew it the entire post was gone!
Overall
On Friday, June 5th, I ran the eleventh session of my Hole in the Oak game for OSE via FoundryVTT. In this post I’ll recap what happened, and note down my lessons learned.
It’s been about three months since we got to play. Since February, I’d been sick, had an intense time at work, was travelling, and taking care of my spouse at times. This session involved us getting back into the swing of things. First, though, to quickly recap what I remembered of the deleted session 10 recap post.
Session 10 recap
After speaking with the heretic gnomes, the players made their way back and around through the guano caves. They’d spent some time exploring the large rock formations, and found a secret entrance to a room containing a black skeleton holding a silver sword. After first carefully and then rudely poking the skeleton to check if it wouldn’t react, they up and stole the wonderful 750gp sword from it. They then proceeded further east, coming at three doors with strange insignia in them. The rest of the session was spent listening at each, hearing strange bull noises, laughing noises, and lion roars from the respective doors. Hesitation, discussion, and concerns ensued.
Session 11 recap
The PCs spent more time double-checking the topmost door with a bull carved in relief on it.
Listening to it, they heard the snorting of a large bull beyond the door, which they worried might be a minotaur waiting to ambush them.
Most of the party, including retainers and hirelings, were put to hide behind a large rock formation.
The party’s assassin was sent out to open the door, with the bard off to the side to provide support where needed.
After opening the door, and tapping the ground with a 10ft pole, the PCs were satisfied that no horror was to befall them.
Opening the middle door, after more careful checks, had them find a small circle of stone benches, which filled them with more suspicion. Being confident that the doors held no real risk, they went an opened the bottom door. Seeing 7 enormous beetles scurrying over the body of a giant lizard, eating it like scarabs from The Mummy (1999), had them quickly close the door and reconsider. Instead, they went back to the middle room, and took the time to search it, finding a small, neat bowler hat.
They ended by preparing to enter the topmost door, but deciding to take a rest first.
What Went Well
Using FoundryVTT Module Global Progress Clocks
I’d installed Global Progress Clocks to help keep track of basic events and timers. This was my first use of the module, and I had it track how much oil the lantern had, how long the torch would burn, and how long it’s been since the last rest. The module itself is intended for Blades in the Dark style clocks, but I actually found it quite useful to track more immediate resources, and displaying this to the players.
Lessons Learned
This session was short but sweet. We mostly just got back into the swing of things, and half of the session was taken up by us as friends catching up together.