4. The First Expedition

Sensing imminent violence, Jacky will feign death and drop unmoving to the ground - especially since he's so close to perishing in reality!

Grim steps up and swings his hammer at the opposing cleric!

Ella is perplexed by her companion's actions, and wonders if she should also add some arcane confusion in to the mix.

Thrudmarr looks on perplexed as Dalton lays down on the floor, only for Jacky to fall over as well. His confusion only lasts a second as he sees Grim wading forward, hammer swinging. He looks back down at Dalton, and shrugging his shoulders lines his axe up with the man's neck and swings with all his might.

"THRUD CHOP!"

Effectively, yes. However, you will probably need to win initiative (or get very lucky) to pull this off.

I'm just waiting for Zach to confirm his intentions, then we'll roll for initiative and resolve.

Grim or Thrud - one of you please roll for initiative ...

Darlings Deathmatch - Round 1
The Darlings win initiative and act in segment 1.

As Jackie, Ella and Zach have yielded for now, and Dalton is "asleep", this is currently a melee between Zach, Thrud and the 5 remaining Darlings: Jason (short, bearded, Archontean fighter), Helga (tall, blond, Wiskin thief), Heliagabulus (thin, greasy, Archontean magic-user), Isidor (portly, smelly, halfling thief) and Yvette (hunched, grey-haired, Archontean cleric).

Jason and Helga attack Grim, Jason with his battle axe and Helga with her broad sword.

Isidor and Yvette engage Thrud, Isidor with his short sword and Yvette with her flail.

Heliagabulus skulks (he didn’t declare any spell casting prior to rolling initiative and is reluctant to engage in anything as base as hand-to-hand combat).

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2:30 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 6/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 1/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim swings his trusty hammer at…Jason. A man with a name that menacing really does deserve to be hit!

Darlings Deathmatch - Round 1 (continued)
The Darlings, bullies that they are, are clearly not used to people standing up to them. None of their attacks find their mark. Jason’s, Helga’s and Yvette’s swings are all wild; they don’t even come close to connecting. Isidor’s short sword lands but doesn’t breach Thrud’s chain mail.

Over to Thrud and Grim. Thrud - you are free to enact your decapitation of the "sleeping" Dalton if that is what you still wish to do. Grim - you may choose your target. The Darling’s armour classes are as follows:

Jason: AC 2
Helga: AC 6
Heliagabulus: AC 7
Isidor: AC 5
Yvette: AC 5

Please make your to-hit rolls, adding in any bonuses, and let me know if you hit and what the total damage is.

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2:30 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 6/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 1/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim's hammer slams into the menacing Jason's midriff. The stocky fighter winces at the blow, but shakes it off. He's still standing and doesn't seem overly concerned by the injury.

With a roar that echoes through the columned hall, Thrudmarr brings the axe down in a devastating arc aimed at Dalton's exposed neck! The polished blade catches the lantern light as it descends with merciless force.

"THIS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HURT THRUD'S FRIENDS!!!"The razor-sharp edge cleaves through Dalton's neck in one clean stroke, severing his head from his body with a sickening crunch. Blood pools around the headless corpse as Thrudmarr stands menacingly over his fallen foe, axe dripping. His fierce gaze sweeps across the remaining Darlings, challenging any who would continue to face him.

Right, let’s make that morale check for the remaining Darlings …

In OSRIC, base morale is 50%. Taking into account the Darling’s hit dice brings it up to 60%.

However, the roll is subject to a modifier of +5% for one Darling killed and +25% for their leader being killed. I’ll also apply a further +10% for the sheer cold-blooded brutality of Dalton’s death.

So, overall, they need to roll under 60% on 1d100+40%.

Keep your fingers crossed …

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2:30 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 6/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 1/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Darling’s Deathmatch - Round 2
A morale failure by 15% means they will attempt a Fighting Retreat in the upcoming round 2.

Please declare your Spells and General Actions for the second round (if you plan to press the attack; alternatively, you could just let them go, in which case the combat is ended).