Dwarf OSE+ Dark Citadel Session #10 (20 SEP 2023)

 

  Well, I have had a busy week leading up to this week's session and so was very tired. I think however it went fairly well though. We did not specify how much time passed and my on line presence on Discord was intermittent so we went over the in-between-stuff and then got to business. 

   A quick discussion was had about hiring additional forces so I made a general roll and the general populace was indifferent [6]. As well as rolling the ton of dice for the Goblin Slave force gathered up by Gad after he hired on the Slavemaster/Supervisor and his two underlings to watch and monitor them as well. I need to roll for the NPC group of Dwarf Miners formerly under the employ of Ergol whom now are prospecting in one of the three active mines in the Conquered region of the Dark Citadel ruins. Gad's Goblins discovered several gems in their endeavors as well but complain of being tormented by an unseen force in their current "Slave Pens". The Party investigates and discovers they are tormented by a Dwarf Poltergeist from when the Dark Citadel fell, it is turned by Zebullon allowing some respite for the the goblins but then the Party has a disagreement and separate leaving Gad to his own issues when it comes to Gad's Goblins. The Party decides to make a raid upon the Bloody Skull Orcs whose drums have been heard above ground near the Dark Citadel Ruins.

   A Dwarf Fisherman who said he would bring in the Giant Pike has disappeared. This is treated with apathy by the general group. They load up and head south down the Dark River.

   Multiple plans are made but as they near the first checkpoint they once again are in luck due to their use of the Black Light Oil and dispatch with missile weapons during Ambush; firing from out of sight range, & Surprise, after Ambush Surprise is rolled with the PC gaining Surprise. They put their boat ashore and search the three bodies for coin and treasure while looting their weapons, noting their Arrow ammunition is above average. There is a quick debate about heading towards the rear entrance to the Bloody Skull Lair past the Giant Crayfish but decide to head down river by boat.

   Turning the corner not far from the Goblin Landing they discover there are two docks with Orc Guards near Large Gongs, a total of nine Dwarf Large River-Boats are seen. The Docks are lit by torchlight and a flurry of Arrows & Bolts from the Party does not prevent the Orcs from sounding the Gong. As the Boat drifts there is a volley exchange of arrows and bolts, it appears all Orcs are now armed with Battle-Axe & Short Bow with a few guards who wield Halberds but predominantly the Orcs are all missile armed as well. A series of maneuvers with the Boat and positioning leads to the PCs firing a boat with Alchemist's Fire at the Docks and seizing one of the finer River-Boats whose Prows are decorated with the images of Dwarf Deities. This makes it uncomfortable for further burning but it remains an option to whither down the Bloody Skull Orcs. The door to the Closest building to the North Dock opens revealing a Purple Mohawked Orc in Robes, he draws the fire of all the PCs. He dies in a single round as the PCs win Initiative. Orcs with Halberd add to the defense of the Northern Dock but are shot down with one fleeing after the PCs move to seize one of the Superior River-Boats. Morale Checks by the Bloody Skull Orcs are successful and they stand the ground firing bows.

   "The Brotherhood of Expendable Strangers" hear movement after these several rounds of combat as more Orc adding to the ranks on the southernmost Dock. A Barracks is obviously identified as being near the Dock, A Large Ogre is seen leaving a building towards the Eastern Edge of village whom wields a large Marble Spear taken from a statue somewhere in the ruins. As these add to the Northern Dock area there is the obscene sighting of the Head of Axios hanging from the Belt of the Ogre. The Ogre executes tactical acuity and holds back the Orcs from advancing to far into the docks and instructs them to fire arrows as he steps back behind the safety of a building. It appears the Ogre is more intelligent than the average bloody Skull Orc. As the PCs flee up river with the captured boat in tow there are several River-Boats filled with Orc following them upstream firing arrows. This lasts for several more rounds with 60% of the Party Rowing the River-Boat leaving only 2 of the Group able to fire arrows and bolts at the pursuing Orcs, this trails off and they manage to return to Ergol's Landing.

    After cleaning armor and weapons they retire to Skald! & attempt to recruit Axios' former Retainers and this drags on for some bit of time until Gor "Scar-Face" Bronzebolt speaks to the general character of the "Brotherhood of Expendable Strangers". after many indifferent rolls the NPC rolls an 11. The agreed pay and a split of treasure from the Orc Settlement and spoils. Gad departs for Dragon Spire Hold to acquire more  Alchemist's Fire while the rest of the party mules over other options.

   There were not many required rulings this session so not much of those to note. A pacing issue for the evening and your standard talk over and minor technical issues expected with voice chats. Overall though an enjoyable evening and the Bloody Skull Orcs are diminished in number and strength. Is there a Parlay with Orcs in the Future ? Do the Bloody Skull Orcs have allies they can call upon ? Are there shenanigans in the shadows no one knows about ? yeah, Maybe and sure .... 

#OSR #DarkCitadel #VintageGaming