Wine Cellars of Duke Marqest: A B/X Labyrinth Lord Dungeon

The following is a play session from my Basic/Expert - Labyrinth Lord Dungeon of my own devising. It has lived for some time in a nebulous form and grows slightly now and again as I come back and revisit it with small forays by various groups of adventurers.

On April 16th 2011, four players entered the fabled cellars of the long dead Duke...

I used Blackrazor's "100 Reasons the Characters are Together" and "B/X Headgear" charts. Abilities were 3d6 in order with max HP for first Level. I also allowed each player to choose either a Henchman or Hirelings. If Henchman was chosen you roll up a 2nd PC that must be the same class as your PC. This character is theirs to control and is loyal to the first PC. If Hirelings are chosen you must spend 10gp to recruit applicants and the "Meatshields" generator to get a list of candidates to be interviewed for the job.

The party was comprised of:
Wife: Dechlin the Elf and Henchwoman Valiah the Elf
Daughter: Ellene the elf, chose Hirelings but wanted none to start.
Mike C.: Vexus Lustmort M-U and Henchman M-U apprentice
Mike J.: Silas Pratt the Fighter with a 3 Chr, he chose Hirelings because of the challenge it presented.

Our B/X Headgear was:
Dechlin - Black Hood, Valiah - Conical Princess hat
Ellene - jeweled tiara
Vexus - Demon faced Helm, Henchman - Hood w/long heavy scarf
Silas Pratt - Leather hat

Vexus Lustmort

The Reasons the Party were together:
Vexus burned down Silas Pratt's home and told him to seek his fortune in the Wine Cellars.
Silas knew Dechlin from the Tavern where they play darts.
Dechlin knew Ellene from a prior failed adventure.
Ellene had heard of Vexus the pyromaniac.

Silas ended up hiring a Dwarf man-at-arms because of his hatred for goblins and infravision.

The party forced their way into the eastern tower of the gatehouse where they uncovered a staircase to the storerooms below the tower. A horde of giant rats were encountered and Vexus made use of his "Fireballs" (hurled flasks of oil with burning rags) to start a conflagration that quickly got out of hand! The party retreated back above ground and waited for the flames to die out before returning. In the charred remains they discovered a cracked potion bottle and dwarf short sword bearing the inscription "Gifar Grimas" on the blade. The burnt belt and scabbard were left behind. They then descended the iron rungs down the bottomless shaft. They got off at the first landing and discovered an iron door that had been left open. Following a short hall, they came into a foyer area with a large wood paneled wall with a stout oak door and used a crowbar to pry it open. Beyond was a wine cellar with rows of bottle racks. The party stayed within 30ft or so of the doorway and found seven bottles they felt were worth taking. They also came across a fully armored warrior that seemed to be made of glass. Suddenly a spectral figure emerged from a rack taking the party by surprise, it seemed angry and attacked Dechlin causing him to age 100 years!!! They were able to beat a hasty retreat back to town.

They were last seen Carousing at the Dog & Bone Tavern in Marqest Village.

Silas Pratt