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One of the things I've learned from my Old School Essentials game...
You don't need to create incredibly detailed environments with bizarre creatures nobody has seen before to have a brilliant dungeon delve.
You just need tension, which comes from procedures & cues.
You don't need to create incredibly detailed environments with bizarre creatures nobody has seen before to have a brilliant dungeon delve.
You just need tension, which comes from procedures & cues.
This crew had been working on Site A for 4 weeks now. The first trips were disastrous, yielding no treasure and ending in 3 PC deaths. Kobolds are sneaky little shots, after all. Once they knew the environment more, they came up with better plans, and the deaths decreased.
The payouts increased. Last night, a group of level1s, 2s, and 3s dealt a deathblow to the kobold clan. There were 36 Kobolds to start with. They killed 14 kobolds, 4 bodyguards, one kobold chieftain, and two hobgoblins last night, cutting them down to their very last.
It was harrowing at the end. The group of seven had been using hit and run tactics, entry denial, and bottlenecks to force the kobolds into compromising positions.
When only 9 kobolds remained, the kobolds knew they wouldn't survive to rebuild what they had lost. Not out here.
When only 9 kobolds remained, the kobolds knew they wouldn't survive to rebuild what they had lost. Not out here.
The Chieftain issued a challenge, consistently insulting the group in his language. The dwarf, Ulunt, agreed to the terms, then the standoff began.
It was to be a one-on-one duel. Ulunt won initiative, declared "Kobolds have no honor," and lunged at the boarded window.
It was to be a one-on-one duel. Ulunt won initiative, declared "Kobolds have no honor," and lunged at the boarded window.
His plan was to expose them to sunlight, which would have worked brilliantly, if his axe cooperated.
Odrick, the Cleric, cast Light upon the eyes of the Chieftain; the Chieftain was blinded.
Some well-thrown lit flasks of oil by Dexter and Hadrian burned away four kobolds.
Odrick, the Cleric, cast Light upon the eyes of the Chieftain; the Chieftain was blinded.
Some well-thrown lit flasks of oil by Dexter and Hadrian burned away four kobolds.
Some serious blows were dealt to the Chieftain while he was blinded, but he cast darkness upon his eyes to relieve the blindness.
Two kobolds charged Ulunt, one dealing a vicious stab with a dagger. Dexter charged with his sword and cut one of them down; the other soon followed.
Two kobolds charged Ulunt, one dealing a vicious stab with a dagger. Dexter charged with his sword and cut one of them down; the other soon followed.
Odrick charged with his mace, but the blow was deflected by the Chieftain. Both the Chieftain and his bodyguard struck Odrick, who was on the verge of death at this point. Jolken adeptly severed the second bodyguard's head from his shoulders with his sword.
Briggs, with the Battleaxe he found in the Serpent King's Rest, carved the Chieftain in twain. The last bodyguard was finished by the combined stabbings of Hadrian and Jolken to its abdomen.
Last night was special. It was grueling at first, with many Skirmishes.
Last night was special. It was grueling at first, with many Skirmishes.
They had trudged through this dark, unfamiliar level and went at least two hours with nothing to show for it... Then they hit a major reward. Then their Thief died of poisonous gas. Then they had this incredibly harrowing, but badass fight while outnumbered and exhausted.
Big risk, big reward. They cleared the first two floors; next week they get to collect the spoils without being constantly harassed by kobolds.
They would've done it last night, but I ran out of time.
They would've done it last night, but I ran out of time.
