[So I decided, after finding my old boxed copy of MMVI, to run a solo Paladin game with a few rules to make it interesting.
No Bows.
One save per dungeon/area.
No deaths.
So it begins...]After arriving in New Sorpigal, I raced to the tavern to put my feet up. Dirk the innkeep; a cheery character, always with a smile, handed me an ale as I scrubbed the road dirt off my old boots. A few sips down the mug and I notice a fellow by the fire, wearing one of those cloaks like those from that new temple that seem to be amassing followers. He's the guy.
I show him the Letter, pulling it out slightly from my pack. At the sight of the Seal on it he pays be rather handsomely for the gesture and hurries me off. A suspicious fellow to say the least. He mentions his need of a small favor however before I leave. Something about a candelabra in an abandoned temple to the NW. I nod and take my leave, not wanting to be seen with him for much longer.
A gypsy-girl introduces herself as Maria. She tells me about brigands on the roads after the collapse of the Ironfist Rule and mentions a tavern by the name of the Howling Moon. She talks very highly of it, and its proprietor, a Mr Caniss.
I ask her about the temple abandoned to the NW. Something about the Temple of Baa recently moving out of it and rumors of a curse.
A curse! This I cannot abide. I bid her farewell, the temple on my mind.
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I travel into town to explore. After spending that cur's 'gift' of gold on some equipment from the local armories I talk with the locals themselves. I signed up to a few of the guilds, training in the Self Guide to enhance my magical prowess and learning all I can of New Sorpigal.
Mages to the south believe they have found them Fountain of Youth and are harassing travelers and pilgrims alike. Goblins parade the road and the dock with a main camp to the NE. A missing child in the old temple and a spider queen that infests it! To top it all off, the clerk at the Town hall informs me that the old watchtower, Goblinwatch, has been overrun and its defense system, a series of doors to the lower dungeons, has been locked. They are offering a reward for the combination to the lock. I accept, of course.
After dealing with the mages and goblins around the town I set on Goblinwatch. After clearing the outer defenses I set up camp just outside the front gate, preparing for the assault on the keep proper.
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It takes a week or so but the keep is thoroughly cleansed. It was indeed overrun by goblin hordes, rats and bloodsuckers. Rampant with disease, I had to make frequent trips to the temple for aid. The healers now be by name at this point.
The clerk, Janice, rewards me well for my efforts. She is however, all business and proceeds to tell me of a temple on the outskirts of Ironfist Castle and a Gong that needs rescued. I assure her that I am on the case but first, I turn my sights on a much more imminent matter. I march now for the Abandoned Temple to cleanse it of its foul curse.
