Spodilicious
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  • Rage Virus
    • Part 1 - A police story
    • Part 2 - Attrition
    • Part 3 - Going nowhere
    • Part 4 - Special Weapons and Tactics
    • Part 5 - Tactical retrograde
    • Part 6 - Mission accomplished
    • Part 7 - It's pretty much all downhill from here
    • Part 8 - Hollerton Field
    • Part 9 - Out of the frying-pan
    • Part 10 - How few remain
  • Five Men in Ukraine
    • Five Men in Ukraine: 30 October 1943
    • Five Men in Ukraine: 05 November 1943
    • Five Men in Ukraine: 14 November 1943
    • Five Men in Ukraine: 29 November 1943
    • Five Men in Ukraine: 13 December 1943
  • First Bishops' War
  • DBA
    • Mongols v Georgians
    • Timurids v Georgians
    • Mongols v Il-khanids
    • Mongols v Il-khanids II
    • Pre-feudal Scots v Anglo-Danish
    • Caledonians v Scots-Irish
    • Vikings v Saxons
    • Mongol campaign
    • Ming v Mongols campaign
    • Picts v Strathclyde Britons
    • Mongols v Russians
    • Russians v Swedes
    • Danes v Prussians
    • Kaykhusraw & the Mongols
    • Köse Dağ
    • Mongols in Korea
    • Mongols in Korea II
    • Yuan v Koreans
    • The Danes in Estonia
    • Danes v Estonians
    • Norwegians v Scots 1263
  • SF
    • Sladden >
      • Sladden - chapter 0
      • Sladden - chapter 1
      • Sladden - chapter 2
      • Sladden - interlude I
      • Sladden - chapter 3
      • Sladden - chapter 4
      • Sladden - chapter 5
      • Sladden - interlude II
      • Sladden - chapter 6
    • Dunhold >
      • Dunhold I - the raid
      • Dunhold II - the Guffinsson device
      • Dunhold III - a walk in the country
      • Dunhold IV - assassin's greed
      • Dunhold V - assault on precinct XIII
      • Dunhold VI - hostage & rescue
      • Dunhold VII - the gun
      • Dunhold VIII - tank shock
      • Dunhold IX - raid on Beteneb
      • Dunhold X - firebase Ragnhild
      • Dunhold XI - hit and run
      • Dunhold XII - just-in-time logistics
      • Dunhold XIII - infiltration
      • Dunhold XIV - Applewhite & Nettles
      • Dunhold XV - 'They've got a cave troll!'
      • Dunhold XVI - The bridges at Itrook
    • Dalek Invasion >
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 1
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 2
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 3
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 4
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 5: Bob's story
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 6: Bob's story (2)
      • Dalek invasion - chapter 7: Dalek hunters
      • Dalek invasion - cast
    • Voyage of the USS Minotaur
    • Mutants & Death Ray Guns >
      • From Dust: Introduction >
        • From Dust: Prologue
        • From Dust: Chapter 1 - the Trademaster
        • From Dust: Chapter 2 - the Wretched
        • From Dust: Chapter 3 - the Device
        • From Dust: Chapter 4 - Tucamari
      • Big Dode in the wastelands >
        • 1 - The ordeal
        • 2 - The rats
        • 3 - An ally
        • 4 - Scorpion!
        • 5 - Water! Water!
        • 6 - Cornered rats
        • 7 - The river
        • 8 - R-10-T
        • 9 - The pilgrims
        • 10 Hostile contacts
        • Appendix 1 - Bestiary
      • Don Chimpanzino
      • Therianthropes are go!
      • Against the Wretched >
        • Against the Wretched - 1
        • Against the Wretched - 2
        • Against the Wretched - 3
      • Rangers of the wasteland >
        • RotW scene I
        • RotW scene II
    • Five Parsecs from Home: The Independent Scout part 1
    • Five Parsecs from Home: The Independent Scout part 2
    • Five Parsecs from Home: Squall's Legacy
    • Five Parsecs from Home: Jot the Jawa
    • Five Parsecs from Home - Arcadian Phoenix
    • Schar's World
    • Battle for the Planet of the Apes, Goats, Rats and Pigs >
      • Chapter 1
    • Marines v Aliens
    • Fallout >
      • Fallout - part 1
      • Fallout - part 2
      • Fallout - Resistance part 1
      • Fallout - Resistance part 2
    • England Invaded! >
      • Ottoman airship raiders
      • A sharp action at Fawkham
      • On the road to Canterbury
    • Gangs of New Neasden >
      • Gangs of New Neasden part 2
    • Post-Brexit Gangs of Middlesborough
    • Operation Last Train
    • Silver Thorn
    • Goblin Civil War
  • Dark Ages skirmish
    • Dark Ages skirmish: Chapter 1
    • Dark Ages skirmish: Chapter 2
    • Dark Ages skirmish: Chapter 3
  • Douglas of the 92nd.
    • Douglas of the 92nd. - the supply column
    • Douglas of the 92nd. - the heliograph station
  • The First World War
    • Mesopotamia
    • Trench raiding
    • Panzer Angst September 15th 1916
    • Freikorps
    • Biplane Barmy
    • 1914
    • 1914 - Opening Moves
    • Night falls over Jutland
    • 1919
    • Zeppelin L33 over England
    • Journey's End
  • Horse & Musket
    • Meyvaci Ali and the British invasion
    • Meyvaci Ali and the troublesome dervish
    • Meyvaci Ali and the Albanian raiders
    • Meyvaci Ali and the caravan
    • Meyvaci Ali and the tax collector
    • Meyvaci Ali and the customs-house
    • Meyvaci Ali and the revolting Martolos
    • Meyvaci Ali and the Albanian menace
    • Napoleonic Ottomans
    • Late 17th century >
      • Kirk o Shotts
      • Covenanters at Pitlochry
      • Auchtermuchty
    • Jacobites
    • O Brien's Farm
    • Turks v Russians
    • Turks v Russians 2
    • The Peninsula
    • Altdorf April 23rd 1813
    • Alcuesta
    • The Old West
  • Samurai
    • Lord Sugiyama and the ten ronin
    • Neshikocho 1618
    • Ikko-ikki
  • Arty farty
    • Aberlemno
    • Acharn
    • Aikey Brae
    • Balgorkar (Castle Fraser)
    • Barra Hill
    • Brandsbutt stone
    • Broomend of Crichie
    • Clune
    • Croft Moraig
    • Cullerlie
    • Cuween Hill
    • Dunnideer
    • Clach an Tiompain / Eagle Stone
    • Cnoc Freiceadain
    • Eassie
    • Easter Aquhorthies
    • Glassel
    • Inveravon
    • Kilmartin Glen
    • Kintore stone
    • Kirkton of Bourtie
    • Lenabo
    • Leuchar Moss
    • Loanhead of Daviot
    • Loch Kinord
    • Machrie Moor
    • Maiden Stone
    • Meigle
    • Midmar Kirk
    • Migvie
    • Mulloch
    • Sunhoney
    • Tollohill
    • Tomnaverie
    • Auchindoun
    • Fedderate castle
    • Fowlsheugh
    • Slains castle
    • Bullers o Buchan
    • Camster
    • Coire Fraoichidh / Corrichie
    • Cruden Bay
    • Gourdon
    • Kinclaven
    • Loch Eich
    • Nairn beach
    • Newburgh
    • Perwinnes Moss (Scotstown Moor)
    • St. Fillans
    • Cairn o Mounth
    • Animals
    • Interesting rocks
    • And quiet flows the Dee
    • Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry
    • Strange skies
    • Covid-19 lockdown
    • One tree, one year
    • The trees
  • Fantasy
    • Song of Blades & Heroes >
      • A cautionary tale
      • Song of Arthur & Merlin
      • Succession
      • The short-lived adventures of Yark the kobold
      • Gondor v Orcs
      • Cormyr - introduction >
        • Cormyr - the watchtower
        • Cormyr - the ambush
        • Cormyr - the outpost
      • The adventures of Zou Kov >
        • The palace of Covidius I
        • The palace of Covidius II
        • The palace of Covidius III
        • The palace of Covidius IV
        • The howling
        • The beacon
        • The castle
        • Assassination
        • Run out of town
        • A new start
        • Kobold caves
      • The Dark Company
      • Theophylact the Tendentious
      • Alquin of Barrowdale
      • The Young Kingdoms
      • Zothique
      • Hyperborea
      • Vadagh
    • Lord of the Rings >
      • Mahud & Haradrim v Gondor
      • Hobbits v goblins
      • Rohan v Dunlendings
      • Gondor v Haradrim & Mahud
      • Gondor v Dunlendings
      • Faramir at Osgiliath
    • Five Leagues from the Borderlands
  • Second World War
    • Atlantic Convoy SC41
    • Burma 1943
    • Martelange
    • Dzyatlava
    • Monopoly Blitz
    • Ten minutes on a Burmese afternoon
    • Neil Thomas
    • Manchuria
    • D-Day
    • Bolt Action >
      • Encounter at Villages Pas Vrai
      • Manhunt
      • The secret agent
      • Envelopment
  • Irish independence
  • Who thought this was a good idea?
  • Modern
    • Afghanistan 2009
    • AK47 Republic
  • Terrain
    • Terrain showcase
  • Back catalogue
    • Aberdeen Beyond 2000
    • MDRG four-way scrap
    • Published articles
  • Le salon des spods
    • Semi-random scenario generation
  • Extended universe
    • Spodlight
    • Spodcast
    • There Will Be Spods
    • Spodify
  • All Under One Banner
    • All Under One Banner 03 June 2017
    • All Under One Banner 05 May 2018
    • All Under One Banner 04 May 2019
    • All Under One Banner 17 August 2019
    • All Under One Banner 07 October 2019
    • All Under One Banner 11 January 2020
    • All Under One Banner 02 April 2022
  • China 1937
  • Scrapbook
  • Fear & Faith

On a plateau formed from an east-driving spur of the Eiglophian mountains lie the ruins of an ancient palace complex.  It glowers down over the remains - hollows between grassy hummocks vaguely delineating where the streets once ran - of the town of Cunarion.  The palace is reputed to have been built by the necromancer Covidius, who reigned over the town and its out-dwellers centuries ago.   Walled with black stone and appearing from the outside to be built to no rational pattern, the acropolis looms over the plain and is avoided by all.  It has a fearful reputation and it is said that Covidius himself and his undead servants guard the treasure that lies inside. 

Unhindered by any such superstition a band of barbarians, hearing of the treasure and discounting the rest as mere gossip, sets out to loot the palace.



Picture

The barbarians dare to enter the ruined palace -  
http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-i.html
The search for more money - http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-ii.html
The barbarians return to the palace and receive an unwelcome surprise - http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-iii.html
​Resistance appears to be solidifying and the pickings are slim. www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-iv.html


DUNGEON GENERATION

The first tile is a 3 x 2 corridor with a door at the end. Roll for the door on the Doors Table.


On opening a door roll for what is beyond on 1D20 on the Rooms Table.


A corridor always has a door at the far end.  If a corridor is indicated it 1-4 continues on straight 5-6 runs transversely (a T junction).
​

A room has 1D6-3 doors leading out, with a minimum of one (where you came in).


Then roll for what is in the room on the Contents Table. Roll 1D20, minus 2 if it is a corridor.


Before assessing the value of a treasure chest it must be opened. A roll of 1 means there is a trap.


Once opened roll again: 5,6 for a major treasure, or 6 for a minor, gives a magic item. Otherwise roll 1D6 for value, subtracting 1 if minor. It takes one figure to carry a point of treasure with a one step movement reduction. (Example - a four point treasure takes 4 figures in contact to carry it.)


If a room or corridor is re-entered after having been cleared roll 1D20. On a 1 some mummies (1-3) have wandered in; on a 2-3 a band of ghouls (1D4) have stalked the adventurers to there; on a 4 a giant scorpion is on the hunt.
​
Picture
Picture
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Skeleton swordsman
Quality 4+ Combat 2 Undead 20 points


Skeleton standard-bearer
Quality 4+ Combat 2 Standard Bearer, Undead 20 points

Skeleton archer
Quality 4+ Combat 2
Shooter: Medium, Undead 26 points

Ghoul
Quality 3+ Combat 2
Undead, Poison 32 points

Mummy
Quality 5+ Combat 3
Undead, Tough, Slow 28 points

Covidius
Quality 3+ Combat 3 Hero, Magic-User, Undead 96 points

​Giant scorpion
Quality 3+ Combat 3
Animal, Heavy Armor, Poison 36 points

Patrol = 5 x swordsmen (100 points)
Squad = 1 x standard-bearer, 1 x archer, 7 x swordsmen (186 points)
Guard = Covidius, 1 x standard-bearer, 1 x archer, 7 x swordsmen (282 points)




The barbarian interlopers consisted of:
Zou Kov      Q3+ C3 Leader @ 60
Aushog       Q3+ C3 @ 30
J'Neb           Q3+ C3 @ 30
Saylok        Q3+ C3 Shooter Medium, Stealth @ 44
Nurmi         Q3+ C4 @40
Nevik          Q3+ C3 Berserk @38
Wetham    Q3+ C3 Berserk @38

​
Picture
The berserkers psych themselves up while J'neb looks on sceptically.

Following a scouting expedition to the foot of the plateau, during which they discovered a ramp zig-zagging its way up from ground level to a plaza the top, the barbarians prepared for an exploration of the palace. The following day they made their way up and crossing the plaza, which was dotted with dry bushes and fallen masonry, found an open doorway leading onto a vestibule.  Cautiously entering they found a short passageway with a door at the end. The walls and floors were of finely-built stone, and there were empty cressets every few paces.  This inner door was unlocked, and Saylok cautiously pushed it open. It revealed another, inner, vestibule, and a further door. Despite the absence of daylight the area was not dark; on the ceiling grew a sort of moss which gave off an eerie greenish light.  This third door was locked and after a discussion J'Neb, battering with his axe, and Aushog, ramming with his shoulder, forced it and it flew open.  The barbarians stood a moment, transfixed; waiting for them in a large room were a group of skeletons.  They bore swords and shields of an antique pattern, and behind them stood one holding aloft a standard.  Nurmi was first into the room and engaged in a melee with two skeletal swordsmen; Zou Kov fenced with a third, and then with a roar Nevik the berserker hurled himself at the enemy.  One skeleton fended him off with a large shield and while Nevik was single-mindedly hammering the shield with sword in one one hand and axe in the other another drove a sword into his side.  Nevik slumped to the ground.  

Aushog dashed at the skeleton who had killed Nevik, and Saylok lopped its head off while it was defending itself against Aushog's attacks.  Gradually the barbarians wore down the skeletons, Nurmi in particular cutting a swathe through them, sending limbs and heads flying with strokes of his huge axe.  Eventually the last one fell and Zou Kov was able to check Nevik; he was dead.

Two further doors led from the room and Nurmi smashed down the one on the right, revealing a room.  Amidst collapsed furniture and rotted drapery lay a very large chest.  Another blow from Nurmi shattered the lock and Saylok threw back the lid to reveal a fortune in coins of all sorts, odd small pieces of jewellery, and a couple of goblets studded with jewels.  It took five of them to lift the chest, and they struggled back into the room where Nevik lay.



The barbarians prepare to burst in.
The guards stand by.
Nevik the berserker rushes in, howling . . .
. . . and is cut down by a skeleton. Ignominious.
The barbarians gradually gain the upper hand.
At the far door Wetham the berserker engages one skeleton. Nurmi prepares to cut down the standard-bearer; J'neb waits for an opportunity and Zu-Kov offers advice from a distance.
Picture
Using his stealth Saylok goes ahead but as the doors are locked must wait for Nurmi to smash it down with his axe.

 Zou Kov despatched Saylok to check the other door from this room and when it turned out to be locked Nurmi hacked it to pieces with his axe.  Another corridor was revealed, and again when it was locked Nurmi destroyed it. Leaving the chest with Nevik's body the barbarians proceeded in this way for some time, noisily smashing down doors and moving through empty rooms until no unopened door remained. They then returned to where the chest was, and with all the speed they could manage they struggled back through the palace, pausing at doorways to hack at the jambs and manoeuvre the chest through.  After a hurried discussion Nurmi had taken the corpse on his back and left the chest to the others, and in this undignified manner returned to the entrance.  Dragging the chest across the plaza and down the ramp was exhausting, and once at the foot of the ramp Zou Kov sent a man to bring back pack animals and sacks from the nearby town of Cambaris.


Picture

The barbarians dare to enter the ruined palace -  http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-i.html

The search for more money - http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-ii.html

The barbarians return to the palace and receive an unwelcome surprise - http://www.spodilicious.com/the-palace-of-covidius-iii.html



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