17 May 2024

Session 7: The Purging of Gunnolfsfell - Part 2

 

The Bros are in relatively good strength, but they've lost half of the pikemen. The battlefield loot has helped soothe the troops' nerves and a successful morale check means the remaining 20 pikemen are willing to stick around...provided there's a bonus. Brogallo agrees to double wages and more battlefield loot, securing their temporary loyalty.

Mighty Redneck attempts to track any movement away from the camp and easily does so (7 Oni, 3 ogresses, 7 bugbears armed with morningstars, 13 orcs armed with battle axes, 60 slaves and 5 carts are pretty easy to follow).

The party lines up as the previous order of battle (party in the vanguard,10 crossbow cavalry and 20 pikemen in the rear). Redneck and Kleptikos will scout ahead and report back before any action occurs.


Key to the Upper Level:

The 7 bugbears (11hp, 17hp, 9hp, 19hp, 5hp, 8hp, 13hp) are sloppily guarding the camp while shooting dice and squabbling. They have a total of 99cp between them. 

There are 5 orc slave carts are in a crudely constructed pen next to the ruins of the monastery. The orcs have 60 slave bearers (all 0-level humans), all badly beaten and tied to the carts. These wretches include the 7 survivors of Gunnolfsfell as well as other unfortunates the orcs have captured along the way. 

The slave carts and bearers have loot worth the following:
Monetary Contents:      
Slave Carts:                4,000gp
Slave Bearers:            1,080gp
Total Hoard Value:      5,080gp

The slave pens are guarded by 5 bored orcs (5,8,6,7,8)

Area 1: The Ogress Pavilion

The Ogre Females from the Serpent Shrine (14hp, 13hp, 13hp) are here, relaxing and scheming about seducing the Oni to get leverage on them. They will fight the PCs to death to avenge their young. 

There are sacks in the corner containing the treasure from the Serpent Shrine: 
            2,150ep and an Ebony Fly Figurine of Wondrous Power

Area 2: The Ogre Magi Pavilion

The Oni have a group of 5 prisoners (a brigand, a L1 Half-Orc fighter, a L3 Half-Orc, a peasant from the far Northern plains, and a sailor that they picked up in a distant slave market) chained to stakes outside their tent. The Oni have been brutally interrogating these poor bastards thinking that they must know something about the ruins in the map (Surprise! They know nothing). 

Within the tent, the Oni Chief (22hp) is reviewing the treasure map with advisers (31hp, 24hp). There is a chest here with the group's treasure:
Monetary Contents:      6,020gp; 32,111pp
Jewelry (qty 10):
Idol, Ivory or wrought silver jewelry (164gp)
Buckle, Ivory or wrought silver jewelry (782gp)
Necklace, Ivory or wrought silver jewelry (746gp)
Earring, Platinum jewelry with gems (1802gp)
Buckle, Wrought silver and gold jewelry (856gp)
Box (small), Wrought silver and gold jewelry (1022gp)
Medal, Gold jewelry with gems (719gp)
Decanter, Platinum jewelry with gems (1135gp)
Idol, Ivory or wrought silver jewelry (830gp)
Idol, Wrought gold jewelry (586gp)
Magic Items (qty 6):
Potion of Clairvoyance (300xp, 500gp)
Potion of Dragon Control (Evil dragons [Black, blue, green, red, white]) (500xp, 5,000gp)
Potion of ESP (500xp, 850gp)
Potion of Flying (500xp, 750gp)
Potion of Growth (250xp, 300gp)
Potion of Levitation (250xp, 400gp)

Dagger +2, +3 vs. creatures larger than man-sized (250xp, 2,000gp)
Ring of Warmth (1,000xp, 5,000gp)
Scroll of Protection from Petrification (2,000 x.p.)

Total Hoard Value:                190,217gp
Total Monetary Value:     166,575gp
Total Jewelry Value:            8,642gp
Total Magic Item Value:     15,000gp

There are also 2 treasure maps on a table that the Oni are studying. The Oni mistakenly believe that one of the maps points to the monastery they're excavating (it really points to the ruined city in hex 311.304), while the other map points to a hoard 100 miles distant (in hex 301.499).

Treasure Map 1:
Map to a combined hoard. The destination is somewhere in the ruins, 10 miles distant towards the southeast (Ruined City in hex 311.304)
Treasure Map Contents:
Monetary Contents:      1,336pp
Gems (qty 91): Details omitted for conciseness but value is 86,180gp
Magic Items (qty 15):
Potion of Extra Healing (400xp, 800gp)
Potion of Plant Control (250xp, 300gp)
Potion of Treasure Finding (600xp, 2,000gp)
Potion of Dragon Control (Copper dragons) (500xp, 5,000gp)
Potion of Human Control (Humans) (500xp, 900gp)
Potion of Longevity (500xp, 1,000gp)
Potion of Super-Heroism (F) (450xp, 750gp)
Spell scroll (3 Magic User spells) (1,200xp, 3,600gp)
    L4: Fear, Monster Summoning II, Rary’s Mnemonic Enhancer
Spell scroll (3 Magic User spells) (600xp, 1,800gp)
    L2: Mirror Image, Polymorph Other
    L4: Fire Charm 
Scroll of Protection from Lycanthropes (Wererats) (1,000xp, 5,000gp)
Scroll of Protection from Lycanthropes (Werewolves) (1,000xp, 5,000gp)
Scroll of Protection from Undead (1,500xp, 7,500gp)
Scroll of Protection from Weapons, Non-magic edged (UA) (1,000xp, 5,000gp)
Wand of Fear (C,M) [98 charges] (3,000xp, 15,000gp)
Wings of Flying (750xp, 7,500gp)
Total Hoard Value:                154,010gp
Total Monetary Value:         6,680gp
Total Gem Value:              86,180gp
Total Magic Item Value:    53,650gp

Treasure Map 2:
Map to magic treasure hoard. The destination is guarded in a lair, 200 miles distant towards the south (hex 301.499)
Treasure Map Contents:
Magic Items (qty 3):
Ring Mail +1 (400xp, 2,500gp)
Sword +1 Short sword [Non-intelligent] (400xp, 2,000gp)
Crossbow of Speed (1,500xp, 7,500gp)
Rod of Cancellation (any) (10,000xp, 15,000gp)
Tome of Leadership and Influence (7,500xp, 40,000gp)

Total Hoard Value:                   67,000gp
Total Magic Item Value:     67,000gp

The upper level of the monastery is in ruins and the Oni are using the orcs to excavate and clear the ruins as much as possible. They've finally reached the stairs leading down to the catacombs and are making the final push to the underground vault when the party appears.

There is little of interest in the upper ruins, but the remaining Oni are nonetheless spread out and investigating the ruins in the hopes of finding more loot.

The Monastery Ruins

Room 3: Reception area
Room 4: Altar to the Gods of Law
Room 5: Scriptorium
Ogre Mage 20hp
Room 6: Library
Ogre Mage 25hp
Room 7: Monks Cells
Room 8: Monks Cells
Room 9: Abbot's Quarters
Room 10: Stairs to the Vaults
Ogre Mage (23hp, 19hp) are supervising 8 orcs (6,5,1,7,7,2,7,2) who are excavating the stairs down to the catacombs. They've torn down the walls surrounding the stairs and are dumping the rubble into the adjoining monk cells (room 8). The orcs and Oni are spread out throughout areas 10 and 4, so they'll be able to move freely in combat. The Oni aren't stupid...

The Battle for the Monastery Begins

Kleptikos and Redneck approach the ruins through the forest surrounding the area. Once again, Redneck hangs back to provide covering fire if needed while Kleptikos scouts ahead. He succeeds on both Move Silently (16% and needed under 26%) and Hide in Shadows (18% and needed 20%). He can see the two large pavilions with the bugbear guards as well as the slavepens guarded by 5 orcs. He fails the Hear Noise check and can't make out any sounds within the pavilions or the monastery ruins.

He decides this is enough info to form a battle plan, rejoins Redneck and they both return to the party to share their findings. They reason the pavilions probably contain some of the ogres (due to the obvious bugbear guards) with the remaining group possibly exploring the monastery. The party will creep up on the camp and surprise attack, trying to take out as many enemies as possible. 

Order of Battle:
Blastikus will blast tent 2 (randomly determined via dice roll) with Ice Storm from the Wand of Frost.

Kleptikos will move to tent 1 and hide by the entrance, attempting to backstab anything that comes out of the pavilion.

Brogallo, Bro-jira, and Mighty Redneck will engage the bugbears.

Brother Fitzy, Brother O'malley, Brother Sully will engage the orcs.

The pikemen will split into two units of 10 and finish any straggler orc/bugbears.

The Brocenaries will split their forces and attack any creatures that exit either of the tents.

Round 1:
Surprise: Party is not surprised since they're springing an ambush. Bugbears are not surprised (3) but the orcs are surprised (1) for 1 segment. Encounter distance is 13". Party is not yet in melee range.
Initiative: Party wins 6 to 4

Blastikus hits tent 2 with the wand for 25hp damage. The Oni chief and one of his assistants go down and the remaining assistant is at 6hp. The two maps and the chest all make their saving throws vs magical frost, so they aren't destroyed by the Ice Storm.

Remaining party members and monsters spend their turn moving into melee range with their opponents.

Round 2:
Initiative: Party wins 6 to 1
Blastikus use Wand of Frost to create a Wall of Ice to block the entrance to the ruins

Kleptikos backstab Ogress 1 and misses with a 14. This is not good.

Brogallo attacks bugbear 1 and hits for 10+3hp, killing it
Bro-jira misses bugbear 2
Mighty Redneck hits bugbear 3 for 5+1+5hp, killing it

Brother Fitzy misses orc 1
Brother O'malley misses orc 2
Brother Sully hits orc 3 for 5hp, killing it

Bro-cenary unit 1 miss invisible Oni
Bro-cenary unit 2 hits Ogress 1 with 3 bolts for 4hp

Pikemen unit 1 hits bugbear 5 for 9hp killing it
Pikemen unit 2 hits bugbear 6 for 11hp killing it

Oni assistant 1 (6hp) will turn invisible, exit the tent and attack Bro-jira. He hits for 3hp
Oni chief will take 3 rounds to regenerate and regain consciousness
Oni assistant 2 regenerates to 0hp

Ogress 1 (14hp) hits Kleptikos for 5
Ogress 2 (13hp) moves to support bugbears and attacks Redneck from rear and misses
Ogress 3 (13hp) moves to support bugbears and attacks Redneck from rear and misses

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 (17hp) misses Bro-jira
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 (19hp) hits Brogallo for 5hp
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 (13hp) hits Mighty Redneck for 6hp

Orc 1 (6hp) misses Brother Fitzy
Orc 2 (8hp) misses Brother O'malley
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 (7hp) misses Brother Fitzy
Orc 5 (8hp) misses Brother O'malley

Round 3:
Initiative: Monsters win 4 to 1
Oni assistant 1 (6hp) hits Bro-jira for 9hp, killing him
Oni chief will take 2 rounds to regenerate and regain consciousness
Oni assistant 2 regains consciousness with 1 hp

Ogress 1 (10hp) misses Kleptikos
Ogress 2 (13hp) misses Redneck from rear
Ogress 3 (13hp) misses Redneck from rear

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 (17hp) misses Brogallo 
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 (19hp) misses Brogallo
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 (13hp) misses Mighty Redneck

Orc 1 (6hp) misses Brother Fitzy
Orc 2 (8hp) hits Brother O'malley for 8hp
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 (7hp) hits Brother Fitzy for 4hp
Orc 5 (8hp) misses Brother Sully


Blastikus misses Ogress 1 with thrown dagger
Kleptikos misses Ogress 1

Brogallo attacks bugbear 2 and hits for 4+3hp
Bro-jira DEAD
Mighty Redneck hits bugbear 7 for 4+1+5hp

Brother Fitzy hits orc 1 for 6hp, killing it
Brother O'malley misses orc 2
Brother Sully hits orc 4 for 5hp

Bro-cenary unit 1 miss invisible Oni
Bro-cenary unit 2 hits Ogress 1 with 1 bolts for 3hp

Pikemen unit 1 misses
Pikemen unit 2 hits bugbear 4 for 9hp


Round 4:
Initiative: Party wins 6 to 1
Blastikus misses Ogress 1 with thrown dagger
Kleptikos misses Ogress 1

Brogallo misses bugbear 2
Bro-jira DEAD
Mighty Redneck hits bugbear 4 for 6+1+5hp, killing it

Brother Fitzy misses orc 1
Brother O'malley misses orc 2
Brother Sully misses orc 3

Bro-cenary unit 1 hits Ogress 2 with 2 bolts for 4hp
Bro-cenary unit 2 hits Ogress 1 with 2 bolts for 7hp, killing her

Pikemen unit 1 hits bugbear 2 for 24hp killing it
Pikemen unit 2 hits bugbear 7 for 19hp killing it

Oni assistant 1 (6hp) casts Cone of Cold on pikemen (both units) for 38hp; both units fail save; I use 5.5hp avg for man-at-arms meaning 9 pikemen are now corpsicles; they pass their morale check
Oni chief will take 1 round to regenerate and regain consciousness
Oni assistant 2 regenerates, taking him to 2hp; he fails morale check, assumes Gaseous Form and flees the battle

Ogress 1 DEAD
Ogress 2 (9hp) hits Redneck from rear for 4hp
Ogress 3 (13hp) misses Redneck from rear

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 DEAD 
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 DEAD
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 DEAD

Orc 1 DEAD
Orc 2 (8hp) hits Brother O'malley for 8hp, killing him
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 (2hp) hits Brother Fitzy for 5hp
Orc 5 (8hp) misses Brother Sully

Round 5:
Initiative: Monsters wins 5 to 2
Oni assistant 1 (6hp) casts Sleep on pikemen (both units) taking out 4 pikemen; 5 pikemen left; they pass their morale check again - dudes are tough
Oni chief regains consciousness with 1 hp
Oni assistant 2 FLED

Ogress 1 DEAD
Ogress 2 (9hp) misses Redneck
Ogress 3 (13hp) misses Redneck

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 DEAD 
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 DEAD
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 DEAD

Orc 1 DEAD
Orc 2 (8hp) misses Brother Sully 
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 (2hp) misses Brother Fitzy 
Orc 5 (8hp) hits Brother Fitzy for 6hp

Blastikus misses Ogress 2 with thrown dagger
Kleptikos hits Ogress 3 with backstab for 5x2hp

Brogallo misses Oni assistant 1
Bro-jira DEAD
Mighty Redneck hits Oni assistant 1 with 7+1+5hp, killing it

Brother Fitzy misses orc 2
Brother O'malley DEAD
Brother Sully misses orc 4

Bro-cenary unit 1 misses Ogress 2
Bro-cenary unit 2 hits Ogress 1 with 2 bolts for 8hp, killing her

Pikemen unit 1 DEAD
Pikemen unit 2 hits Ogress 3 for 10hp killing her

Round 6:
Initiative: Monsters wins 6 to 4
Oni assistant 1 DEAD
Oni chief regenerates to 2hp; assumes Gaseous Form and flees to monastery to get reinforcements
Oni assistant 2 FLED

Ogress 1 DEAD
Ogress 2 (9hp) hits Redneck for 4hp
Ogress 3 DEAD

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 DEAD 
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 DEAD
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 DEAD

Orc 1 DEAD
Orc 2 (8hp) hits Brother Sully for 5hp
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 (2hp) misses Brother Fitzy 
Orc 5 (8hp) misses Brother Fitzy


Blastikus misses Ogress 2 with thrown dagger
Kleptikos misses Ogress 2 

Brogallo hits Ogress 2 for 5+3hp, killing her
Bro-jira DEAD
Mighty Redneck misses Ogress 2

Brother Fitzy misses orc 2
Brother O'malley DEAD
Brother Sully misses orc 4

Bro-cenary unit 1 hits Orc 2 with 3 bolts for 9hp killing it
Bro-cenary unit 2 hits Orc 4 with 1 bolts for 3hp, killing it

Pikemen unit 1 DEAD
Pikemen unit 2 moves to slave pen to free prisoners


Round 7:
Initiative: Party wins 5 to 3
Blastikus moves to tent 1 to search for loot
Kleptikos moves to tent 2 to search for loot

Brogallo moves to tent 1 to search for loot
Bro-jira DEAD
Mighty Redneck retrieves Bro-Jira's body

Brother Fitzy hits orc 5 for 3+1hp
Brother O'malley DEAD
Brother Sully hits orc 5 for 3+1hp, killing it

Bro-cenary unit 1 moves to help free the prisoners
Bro-cenary unit 2 moves to help free the prisoners

Pikemen unit 1 DEAD
Pikemen unit 2 moves to slave pen to free prisoners

Oni assistant 1 DEAD
Oni chief regenerates to 3hp; in monastery getting reinforcements
Oni assistant 2 FLED

Ogress 1 DEAD
Ogress 2 DEAD
Ogress 3 DEAD

Bugbear 1 DEAD 
Bugbear 2 DEAD 
Bugbear 3 DEAD 
Bugbear 4 DEAD
Bugbear 5 DEAD
Bugbear 6 DEAD
Bugbear 7 DEAD

Orc 1 DEAD
Orc 2 DEAD
Orc 3 DEAD
Orc 4 DEAD
Orc 5 DEAD

Aftermath:

The Wall of Ice has 5 turns left. The Oni Chief, still in Gaseous Form, lingers around the entrance and sees what the party has done. He is seething with rage over his assistant's betrayal and the party's theft of his treasure. The Oni Chief tries to rally his troops to go after the party, but I decide that the heavy casualties are going to impact his standing with the underlings. A reaction roll will be necessary at a -20% penalty and the chief rolls a 21 which gets modded down to 1% (i.e. Violently Hostile.).The Oni and orcs viciously deride the Chief's ridiculous quest for the nonexistent treasure as they unceremoniously turn their backs on him and abandon his fool's quest. The Chief's honor is in tatters. He swears vengeance and bides his time until he can enact his revenge.

Brother Sully and Brother Fitzy retrieve the remains of Brother O'malley and add him to the Dead Cart with Bro-jira. They then heal up the remaining party members in anticipation of more trouble from the Oni.

Brother Fitzy CLW on Kleptikos for 4hp
Brother Fitzy CLW on Mighty Redneck for 3hp
Brother Fitzy CLW on Mighty Redneck for 6hp
Brother Sully CLW on Brother Fitzy for 7hp
Brother Sully CLW on Brother Fitzy for 3hp
Brother Sully CLW on Mighty Redneck for 8hp

The party and mercs retreat to Gunnolfsfell with the newly freed slaves and all goods. The peasants toss the dead orcs onto hastily erected pyres and bury the dead mercs and Bros.

That's it for this session - it was definitely packed with a lot of developments. Let's see what happens in downtime.

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