AP: Dungeon World

I've determined that I ramble about gaming to my poor group too much for my own good so I should have a bush behind which to squat and push my thoughts out. This blog is that bush. This post is the first push. If that metaphor doesn't suit you, we are going to have an awkward ride.

I'll start by recapping the first session of Dungeon World that I GMed for my group. It's a bit hazy as it was almost 3 weeks ago. I have a recap that I brain dumped from session 2 so I'll post that later, when I've had time to comb it for... spellwrongings.

OK, so we settled in, Jon ordered pizza, we cracked a few beers, and Cody was wicked late. We did character creation at the "table" (our group doesn't really have a table) as per *World game tradition. We wound up with...

Clovis The Undefeated, the Halfling Barbarian, with his axe and wolf-pelt hood, hailing from the frozen north.

Ajax, the Halfling Druid, cousin or littermate or some shit to Clovis, who has the horns of a ram, one broken.

Humble Jack, the Human Thief Independent Enterpriser, whose clothes are made mostly of rags, but trim and fit and suited well, almost as if on purpose or as a fashion statement.

Celion, the Elven Ranger, with her trusty Emory, her trusted cougar, at her side.

Bengi, the Elven Bard, A bit overweight, especially for an Elf, sporting a stylish cap of animal hides and feathers, who recites invigorating poetry after a blast from his stolen Horn.

Our heroes begin at the southernmost entrance to some sprawling swamplands. They'd been sent there to consult with the priest of the Frogmen, who is known to have an incredible talent for healing. The Lord of a nearby town has a son who is very sick.

Before them is a decently sized pond, maybe about 100 yards from shore to shore. On the far side they can see some rugged huts, those of the frog people. There are gnarled trees about and a crumbling castle or fort in the distance. To their right, a great cliff face known as The Whelp's Wall.

Clovis has no time to waste and decides the quickest way to the frogmen is to swim. He dives in the water, and Celion and her Cougar are not far behind. Ajax takes on his walrus form and splashes in after them. Bengi, not wanting to get too dirty, hops on Ajax' back. Ride the Walrus, Bengi! Humble Jack spotted a rickety old rowboat and took to that.

Clovis and Celion took the lead. Halfway across the pond, a swarm of eels started snapping and writhing in the murky water before them. Clovis powered through and swam like hell for the far shore, the eels twisted and a dark oil leaked out from them, which promptly set the water on fire in patches. Celion and Emory darted through the water, avoiding the eels and the flames. The rest of the group pussed out and headed back. Also I think maybe the old boat started taking on water or something.

Clovis and Celion were greeted by a gibbering bunch of Frogmen who threatened them at spear-point and demanded that the cougar be caged. Emory convinced them this was a bad suggestion by growling, baring her teeth, and being generally terrifying. The frogmen were cowardly and agreed to take them to the frog priest.

Meanwhile, Ajax took to his moose form to traverse the swampy marshes bordering the pond to the east. Bengi, having no shame whatsoever, hopped on the moose's back without a second though, much to Ajax' chagrin. Humble Jack was much more hesitant, but ultimately was less interested in wading through the muck. Halfway around, they were set upon by a group of screaming ekek, half man, half bird, all ugly, zero brains.

Uhhh... the battle went on for kind of a while but i forget the highlights to be honest. Jack did some cool backflips and climbed a tree. Clovis and Celion heard the cries and saw the ekek swooping from the sky and led the frogmen over to join the battle. The frogmen stood in the water and cheered as the ekek were murdered one at a time. Ajax was smashing shit up with his antlers. Bengi did a lot of dropping things in the mud and floundering about.

After this, The party followed the frogmen into the water to seek out the frog priest, with the exception of Bengi and Humble Jack. The two scoundrels began sloshing about in the shallows looking for frog eggs. They had a con running back in town, having convinced some rich shmuck the eggs are a potent aphrodisiac.

Ajax, Clovis, Celion, and Emory swam down after the frogmen, Ajax in walrus form and Clovis almost drowning in the process. They were led to a cave complex, entering via an opening underneath a large boulder. The caves were lit by strange glowing stones, and there were bountiful mushrooms and mosses growing on the cavern floors. The main cave opened out into 4 different tunnels, and the frogmen hopped about in a slightly confused manner. They picked a tunnel, and as the crew walked down, they realized the tunnel was strangely clean and devoid of growth.

Clovis looked up and realized that one of the frogmen was suspended in midair, almost as if it had been jumping and got stuck. It started to dissolve, first its clothes, then its skin. I forget exactly how this went down, but Celion took a massive scalding from the acidic juices of a gelatinous cube. The rest of them had to run and save themselves, but Celion ultimately was able to pull herself free.

They swam back for the surface without incident. The last remaining frogman with them waved them off and headed home. They met up with Benji and Humble Jack. Those who weren't fairly injured were at least filthy and tired, so they set to make camp. Jack found a good spot against a wall to the east of the froggy village. The wall cut through the swamplands north to south and  went a short distance into the pond before crumbling well into nothing. They camped against the eastern face of the wall, keeping it between them and the frogmen.

Will our heroes find the froggy priest? Will they get the help they need? Will the Lord's son make it through all this? Is there any smelly animal Bengi won't ride without hesitation? These... ARE QUESTIONS!