Dwarf OSE+ Dark Citadel Session #18 (7 FEB 2024)

     Had to start with an update on the session numbers for the Dwarf OSE game that I am running. Must have gotten confused about the number of sessions. Quick fix, should have done it sooner if it caused any confusion for anyone who reads this stuff. (shrug) Prolly should finish the morning coffee before starting on these recaps.

    Oh, our start was slightly delayed this session with job and school obligations so we took care of some unassigned treasure. I asked some minor book keeping questions concerning resident locations and you would have thought it was an FBI interrogation. I get that players assume the DM is "up to something" when they ask for particulars on location of loot and sleeping but its also BASIC BOOKKEEPING for a DM ! Ugh, aggravating but expected. After this was taken care of we shifted to how many boats would be taken and how many hirelings and retainers would be joining this particular foray. There is some follow up for hiring additional hirelings but the dice are not in their favor and no one answers the call.

    Having a full compliment they head down river and eventually come across the sounds of mining picks echoing from a side cavern across the waters of the Dark River. Pulling their boat closer and attempting to disembark they come under arrow fire from an arrow slit set above the river t his injures Retainers and kills an oarsman, return fire is ineffectual. Cresting a small ledge; roughly two foot high on the eight foot inlet of sandy beach, Geoff, Redrum, Naman and Gremmin spy upon a large group of orcs. These forces number roughly 20+ from a quick cursory glance. These creatures are tossing their picks down and drawing an assortment of Short Bow & Battle Axe to deal with these Dwarf invaders ! Towering above these orcs is a larger Ogre wielding a Large Stone Spear which is more than likely taken from one of the large Swarf Statues that have been seen among the ruins of the Dark Citadel. There is various shouting between the Company of Expendable Strangers and the flee to their boat and attempt to flee down river. A volley of arrows from the arrow slit and orcs rushing up to the stalactites, boulders and stalagmites above the small ledge fells the oarsman with the pole and Ryxxor grabs it up and assumes his role while Gremmin grabs an aor. They paddle away to safety and out of sight of the orcs to shouts of Orcish victory ringing behind them.

    Not far at all from this sandy landing controlled by orcs they find a carved landing with dwarf statues facing the river, a large rusty iron door  set amongst more arrow slits where they put ashore to notice another pair of arrow slits on the far cavern face across the river. Light shines from behind and shadowy shapes cross back and forth beyond. They begin putting ashore and Gremmin spies through an arrow-slit upon some large armadillo like creatures with tentacle like feelers that stretch out to where he is observing them. They move to the iron door and as they do come under arrow fire again with the sound of chanting behind it. Fordrael is the target of a Charm Person spell and fails, so he pauses as the group rushes through the iron door as Geoff pulls it open. I allow Redrum to force a Loyalty check as he commands him to follow which he does. 

    Slamming the door behind them they find themselves in a large chamber with 5 exits and lots of old short dwarf sized bunks. The South East corner being covered in webs from which a rather large; nay GIANT, spider emerges hungrily. after a flurry of missile weapons Redrum steps forward and with the skull tipped obsidian mace he crushes its head readily. Searching through the webs the discover an small iron chest and kicking over an orc skull discover a large peridot and potion vial. This is a moderate score after opening the chest to reveal it is full of copper coins. They opt to head south after searching the chamber.

    Beyond the South West door they find an old guard room with Dwarf skeletons and broken weapons. Inspecting the discarded bolts they find 3 in good condition amongst others that fall to dust. They keep them and search the room for more items and find nothing. They continue East.

    They come upon 6 1/2 foot and 7 foot tall rabbit men with rocs and goblin heads adoring their belts. As one heads south to another door they enter and begin to a dialogue. A favorable reaction roll (11) so they engage in negotiations for fighting the orc and learn of elf outpost to the north area of this section and an access to the surface. Other information garnered was that the Rust Monsters were picked up and carried into that room and the door forced shut and they hope they starve and that downstream was the outposts and realms of the DeathFist Orcs. The Bunny-Men of the Dark Citadel insist on getting aid from the Dwarfs to kill the elves whom they despise and then kill the orcs, the Company of Expandable Strangers insist on killing the orcs and leaving the Elves alone. Dorrgon is discovered to be their leader a rather large Bunny-Man and wields a two-handed sword of which he says "Hates the Elves too" These negotiations eventually come to a stand still and they depart north from whence they came. The lagomorphs are seeming counting how many Dwarf there are versus how many they are upon their hands as they leave.

    Travelling north they check to see if they are followed or observed by the Lagomorphs to the south. They are not and after going through a short corridor they come upon a Elfin Fighter in Chain with Long Bow guarding their direction of approach while a campfire burns in a nearby room. After engaging in some dialogue the guard tells them to leave but they further entreat them for dialogue and when the Elfin Leader Talina Glynra arrives they explain their reason for being in his long forgotten Dwarf Ruin and a reaction is rolled (12) and they are praised for being a credit to their race and it is good to see "Dwarf reclaim theirs after centuries of losing everything". Some take this as condescending; which it is, and bristle at the language but then join the Elf troupe for Elfin Spiced Bread and Elfin Wine. Talina explains they are exploring these old ruins in search of the Spear of One-Eye which was in possession of Ogrul the Slayer the Orcish Warlord who sacked the Dark Citadel then disappeared into its subterranean environs where they engaged in an orgy of destruction and death to every Dwarf they could find. Negotiations are begun on how they will help each other and many plans were rejected and others rephrased repeatedly. The final solution being they would split all treasure equally, the Great Sword wielded by Dorrgon would be remanded to the the Elves as would the Spear of One-Eye is discovered. This spear is referred to as an artifact by the elf leader as well.

    This was a good spot to end and we had gone over a few minutes past 11 so it was time to call it a night anyway. Allies made and plans laid to assault their common enemies amongst complaints over the numbers of they were facing based upon their individual levels. Decisions and poor luck as well a poor dice rolls have landed them in this predicament so I ignore the complaints. Being a DM is ungrateful work Y'all lol