Play Report Mar 7, 2026 - Boasting with the Boys #4
Introduction
Catching up on BwtB play reports as Iβm coming off a brief vacation! Iβm working on a few side projects at the moment, specifically a megadungeon with the working title Mount Gargantua. Iβm also laying some groundwork for an OD&D framework to run it, which I may share a few snippets on ye old blogge.
Two character deaths in one session! Wolves is wolfing, it seems. My players were excellent sports about it, and I feel I did a good job telegraphing how insanely dangerous the juggernaut was. The player behind Chreter Pistian had offhandedly noted on his character sheet βhas a small bladder and is annoying about itβ so sent him off in blaze of glory (and piss).
Iβm enjoying the bite-sized sessions. We typically run two hours or so, give or take 20 minutes of shooting the shit and catching up. It helps focus on whatβs most interesting and pressing in the game world, and I also think itβs a major factor in the almost complete lack of analysis paralysis weβve had to date. Since time is in short supply, I think it helps the players commit to their plans and just send it!
Other factors contributing to the snappiness of this table is boasting itself, as it scaffolds how players conduct themselves and interact with the game world; and the general temperament of the players.
Report
In attendance:
- Marcus Musen
- Chreter Pistian
- Hjlodr
While the rest of the Boys planned the search for the lost druid Maebh, Hjlodr, Chreter Pistian, and Marcus Musen booked passage back to Ruislip to seek the treasure depicted in the ogreβs map. Having consulted with a pompous cartographer in Culemwardern, they guessed that it led to a ruin in the middle of the isleβan old city known to locals as Lost Donenashoe.
As Donenashoe was said to be protected by a lumbering behemoth, Hjlodr boasted that he would claim one of its eyes.
The trio opted to sail up river and make camp by its banks before proceeding into the city. The trip was uneventful, and the only other living souls the group saw were a troop of lean-looking bandits. The groups acknowledged one another, but went peacefully on their separate ways.
With the keelboat run aground in the riverβs headwaters, the three Boys made camp along with three more of their fellow ex-thralls. Scouting ahead revealed a panorama of Donenashoe in the evening light, as well as the mighty juggernaut circling the city. Its rumbling footfalls could be heard throughout the city and surrounding woods.
The Boys spent much of the morning combing the ruins for the location in the treasure map, pausing to loot some of the fine relics that sat in the ruined houses of the city. Before long, they came to the crossroads on the map and set to digging.
After a few hours of churning the hard dirt of the ruined street, Hjlodrβs shovel struck pay dirt! Before they could fully excavate it, the sound of chattering and glee echoed throughout the neighborhood and set the Boys heading for cover.
A dozen childlike but wizened figures sauntered into the crossroads, and were enraptured by the treasure. The Boys opted to let these strange little creatures dig and fight over the treasure before launching a surprise attack and massacring them!
Riches lay within the unearthed box, as well as a pink pearl globe, claimed by Chreter Pistian; a bottle of some transparent liquid, claimed by Hjlodr; and a black ring marked with an X, claimed by Marcus Musen.
Now came the matter of the boasts. In addition to Hjlodrβs boast, Chreter Pistian vowed to scale the mighty ruin-walker and spank it like a horse!
The band traveled across the city to set up an ambush, giving a wide berth to a forest of statues that seemed to grow thicker toward the cityβs central temple plaza. Musen and the marines took up positions on high buildings just outside of the juggernautβs path, while Hjlodr and Chreter Pistian prepared to shoot and jump, respectively.
When the juggernaut stomped into view, all hell broke loose. Chreter Pistian missed his jump, narrowly surviving a plummet to the streets. He scarcely had time to gather his broken teeth from the stones before scrambling to a new position. Hjlodrβs arrows failed to find their mark, and the juggernaut crashed into the building where the viking stood! Hjlodr was crushed to death by the falling masonry and heavy footfalls of the ruin-walker!
Chreter Pistian, ever a man of strong heart (if a weak bladder) bravely jumped from the roof of another building, but failed! The last thing he saw was the berserking behemothβs slab-like foot coming down upon his head.
Eager to avoid the fate of his fellows, Marcus Musen led the marinesβ retreat back to camp.
Two of the survivors of the Donenashoe expedition laid claim to the dead menβs treasureβthe irrepressibly positive Dog Dogginson of Cnivia; and Mrs. Cranberry, an Orleanais spinster with great strength and a disdain for children.
The Boys mourned their fallen comrades but extolled their deeds, for only the most courageous would attempt such a feat! Now the band returned to the pressing quest given to them by the Druids of Ruislipβ¦