The Eisenmond Blade S03 – Zweihander
Advancing to level 2 of the challenge, in The Eisenmond Blade from TSR’s Dragon Quest, going from Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game 1st Edition will be Zweihander.
After my really bad first impressions with Zweihander in the past (and some considerations about the controversial presence of it’s author) I decided to give it another shot. This time I have rolled stats for the four hero party, and used the Roll20 Character Sheet for Zweihander to do some of the heavy lifting, hoping that the experience will not be as dreadful as the first time.
I won’t be warping the adventure at all, rather I’ll be using it as is.
The Party
- Jordi, a Dwarf Slayer
- Mellory, a Human Trapper
- Soko, a Halfling Burglar
- Bianka, an Elf Diabolist
The Adventure
For the last week, Torlynn has been shaken by earthquakes. The evil beneath the mountain is stirring and you have been unable to find any trace of the missing Eisenkern. Just as you are on the verge of giving up, a messenger arrives and asks you to meet with the Burgomaster at once. You travel quickly to his home and he greets you with a smile and warm handshakes all around.
Gustovan says “Good news, my friends! I have received word of the Eisenkern. It seems that the goblins sold it to a travelling group of orcs. The orcs were headed down into the valley, but they never completed their journey. Not far from their home, they were attacked and the Eisenkern was stolen.
My scouts have given me the location of the thief’s hideout. It is an old, ruined castle about two days ride from here. You must go there at once and recover the Eisenkern. If you fail, all of Torlynn may soon be destroyed!”After a rough trip, you have reached the ruined castle. It is nestled in a thick wood and difficult to get to. Whatever happened to destroy this keep must have been horrible. Most of it has fallen into towering piles of rock.
Dragon Quest text
After a short search you found a break in one of the still-standing areas and entered.
You have stepped into what was once a kitchen. The broken remains of a large fireplace stand along the far wall. The floor is littered with dust and pieces of broken rock. A cracked doorway leads deeper into the ruin. It seems to be the only exit from this area.
Note: again I have to warn the reader that there are huge mechanics text blocks. Zweihander combat is very crunchy, so I'm giving the reader an opportunity to read this as an example, or just skip it and jump to the narrative sections.
A. Dining Room
This area was once a beautiful dining room. Now the formerly grand decor has fallen into ruin. Bits of broken furniture are scattered about the floor and rotting old paintings hang crooked on the stone walls.
Dragon Quest text
The air in here is thick and musty. Flies buzz about and little beetles scurry out from under your feet. In the center of the room is a pile of three bodies-perhaps the last group of adventurers to explore this place! They appear to have been stripped of all their weapons and valuables, tossed in a heap, and forgotten.
Supposedly the group must disturb the zombies in some manner. I can think only of one thing that make sense that could cause the party to disturb the zombies. Perhaps the burglar notices the Dragon Fang blade in the belt of a corpse and attempts to grab it.
Soko: Awareness: 37/53: Success. Soko notices the dagger and attempts to grab it.
I rule that the characters are surprised, except for Mellory who has Danger Sense talent.
| Name | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Jordi | 12 |
| Mellory | 17 |
| Soko | 20 |
| Bianka | 16 |
| Zombies | 7 |
Round 1
Mellory attacks Zombie 3 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 33/46: Critical Success: Damage: 11: Moderately Wounded. Chaos Die: 1: No Injury.
Zombie 1 attacks Soko with Tooth and Nail: 58/55: Failure.
Zombie 2 attacks Bianka with Tooth and Nail: 34/55: Success: Damage: 12: Bianka is Moderately Wounded: Chaos Die: 2: No Injury.
Zombie 3 attacks Mellory with Tooth and Nail: 90/55: Failure
Round 2
Soko attacks Zombie 1 with his Stiletto: 63/47: Failure.
Mellory attacks Zombie 3 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 26/46: Success: Damage: 21: Zombie is Slain!
Bianka casts Magick Missile at Zombie 2: 38/52: Success: Damage: 9: Zombie is Lightly Wounded.
Jordi attacks Zombie 2 with his two battle-axes: 38/63: Success: Damage: 13: Zombie is Seriously Wounded. Chaos Die: 5,4: No Injury.
Zombie 1 attacks Soko with Tooth and Nail: 22/55: Critical Success: Damage: 14: Zombie is Seriously Wounded: Chaos Die: 4,5: No Injury.
Zombie 2 attacks Biank with Tooth and Nail: 29/55: Success: Parry: 26/47: Success: Attack Parried.
Round 3
Soko attacks Zombie 1 with his Stiletto: 66/47: Critical Failure: Peril: 13: Soko is Imperiled, Ignore 1 Skill Rank.
Mellory attacks Zombie 2 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 58/46: Failure.
Bianka casts Magick Missile at Zombie 2: 73/52: Failure.
Jordi attacks Zombie 2 with his two battle-axes: 69/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 17/63: Success: Damage: 12: Zombie is Slain.
Zombie 1 attacks Soko with Tooth and Nail: 41/55: Success: Parry: 79/47: Failure: Damage: 9: Slain! Fate Point spent: Soko is unconscious instead.
Round 4
Mellory attacks Zombie 1 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 86/46: Failure.
Bianka casts Magick Missile at Zombie 1: 55/52: Critical Failure. The Magick Missile strikes Bianka instead: Damage: 9: Grievously Wounded: Chaos Dice: 1,2,3: No Injury.
Jordi attacks Zombie 1 with his two battle-axes: 44/63: Critical Success: Damage: 10: Zombie is Lightly Wounded.
Zombie 1 attacks Bianca with Tooth and Nail: 94/55: Failure.
Round 5
Mellory attacks Zombie 1 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 77/46: Critical Failure: Peril: 17: Mellory is Imperiled, Ignore 1 Skill Rank.
Bianka casts Magick Missile at Zombie 1: 11/52: Critical Success: Damage: 9: Zombie is Moderately Wounded: Chaos Die: 6: Moderate Injury: 32: Dislocated Shoulder.
Jordi attacks Zombie 1 with his two battle-axes: 68/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 53/63: Success: Damage: 11: Zombie is Grievously Wounded.
Zombie 1 attacks Bianca with Tooth and Nail: 22/55: Critical Success: Damage: 6: Slain! Fate Point spent: Bianca is unconscious instead.
Round 6
Mellory attacks Zombie 1 with his Woodsman’s Axe: 82/46: Failure.
Jordi attacks Zombie 1 with his two battle-axes: 80/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 07/63: Success: Damage: 9: Zombie is Slain!
In the heart of the ruined castle, the party stumbles upon a gruesome sight – a heap of forgotten adventurers’ remains, their once-bold spirits now silenced. The air, thick with decay, hangs heavily as Mellory, with an uncanny premonition, spots a glimmering Dragon Fang blade at a corpse’s side.
ChatGPT Narrative
Soko’s nimble fingers reach for the coveted weapon, disturbing the slumbering dead. The chamber comes alive with the groans of reanimated corpses. Chaos ensues as the party, caught off guard, faces tooth-and-nail assaults.
Mellory, guided by his Woodsman’s Axe, cleaves through the first zombie, a testament to his skill. Meanwhile, Soko, despite his awareness, falls victim to a deadly strike, imperiled and unconscious.
Bianka, in her arcane fervor, mistakenly directs a Magick Missile toward herself, grievously wounding her. Jordi, wielding two battle-axes, becomes the bulwark against the undead onslaught.
As the battle unfolds, each swing of the axe, each thrust of the stiletto, is a dance of survival. Zombie after zombie falls to the party’s resilience, yet peril shadows them. The clash is a symphony of desperation and determination.
In a cruel twist, the once-grand dining hall becomes an arena of life and death. Zombie after zombie falls, but not without cost. Bianka succumbs to the relentless assault, unconscious amidst the chaos.
The party, battered and bruised, stands victorious. The room, now silent save for the echoes of battle, bears witness to their struggle. Yet, as they catch their breath, the awareness lingers – deeper horrors await in the bowels of the ruined castle.
B. Wide Hallway
This is a short, wide hallway. This area seems to have been saved from the violence that destroyed the rest of the castle. The dusty old tapestries that hang on the walls are the only sign that time has passed since the castle was left behind.
Dragon Quest text
In the corner there is a crystal ball. I decide that noone will look into it.
Amidst this tranquil respite, a crystal ball catches the party’s attention, nestled unassumingly in a corner. Its ethereal glow dances within the confines of the glass, a potential harbinger of secrets. However, a collective decision echoes through the party – a tacit agreement to avert their gaze, leaving the mysteries within the sphere undisturbed. The hallway remains undisturbed, and the crystal ball holds its enigmatic silence, a testament to the party’s caution in the face of the unknown.
ChatGPT Narrative
The dungeon splits here in two directions. There is nothing to guide the party right or left, so I'll randomly decide where they will go.
They will head East, to Room C.
Yay! at last I wanted to try the other way of the dungeon.
C. Slide Trap
This is a plain and narrow hallway. The floor has been polished smooth and so have the walls. They seem almost like mirrors.
Dragon Quest text
This entire room is a big trap. As soon as one of the heroes reaches the middle of the hallway, it tilts and becomes a dangerous slide. Any heroes in the hallway when this happens are dumped out in room D just inside the door.
D. The Spider Pit
The slide dumps you into a roughly dug chamber beneath the castle. The floor is knee deep in some bitter, evil-smelling black slime. The air smells like rotten eggs.
Dragon Quest text
In the center of the room, a large black spider rises up from the sludge. It’s eyes gleam and sparkle like jewels and its jaws drip with poison that hisses when it hits the black liquid below. A more horrible monster than this would be hard to imagine!
| Name | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Jordi | 16 |
| Mellory | 14 |
| Giant Spider | 16 |
Round 1
Jordi attacks the Giant Spider with his two battle-axes: 54/63: Success: Damage: 9: Spider is Lightly Wounded.
Giant Spider attacks Jordi with Mandibles: 51/65: Success: Jordi: Parry: 86: Failure: Damage: 13: Jordi is Moderately Wounded.
Mellory attacks the Giant Spider with his woodsman’s axe: 03/46: Success: Damage: 8: Spider is Moderately Wounded.
Round 2
Jordi attacks the Giant Spider with his two battle-axes: 83/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 57/63: Success: Damage: 9: Spider is Seriously Wounded.
Giant Spider attacks Jordi with Mandibles: 29/65: Success: Jordi: Parry: 58/63: Success: Attack is parried.
Mellory attacks the Giant Spider with his woodsman’s axe: 96/46: Failure.
Round 3
Jordi attacks the Giant Spider with his two battle-axes: 43/63: Success: Damage: 7. Spider is Grievously Wounded.
Giant Spider attacks Jordi with Wall Crawler Spinneret: 35/65: Success: Jordi: Dodge: 04/49: Success: Attack is dodged.
Mellory attacks the Giant Spider with his woodsman’s axe: 27/46: Success: Damage: 7. Spider is Slain.
The heroes find a suit of elven chain mail, and a dwarven helmet.
In the dimly lit Spider Pit, Jordi, Mellory, and the monstrous arachnid engage in a deadly dance. Jordi, wielding his twin battle-axes with finesse, lands blows upon the Giant Spider. The creature retaliates, its mandibles clashing against Jordi’s defenses, leaving him moderately wounded.
ChatGPT Narrative
Mellory, undeterred, swings his woodsman’s axe, contributing to the spider’s growing injuries. The battle intensifies as Jordi’s axes cut through the air once more, inflicting serious wounds upon the arachnid. In a venomous rebuttal, the Giant Spider attempts to ensnare Jordi with its Wall Crawler Spinneret, but the dwarf deftly dodges the perilous attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Mellory brings his axe down, delivering the fatal blow that silences the monstrous foe. As the spider collapses, defeated, the heroes discover a trove within the pit – a suit of elven chain mail and a sturdy dwarven helmet, silent witnesses to the battles that unfolded in the castle’s forgotten depths.
E. Gate House
In the days before the castle fell into ruin, this was the main entrance, called the gate house. A twisted iron gate blocks the exit. It would be impossible to clear out the dirt blocking this doorway without a great deal of effort and time.
Dragon Quest text
Now this room is used by the monster that lives here, to keep it’s pet wolves! Two of the largest meanest wolves you have ever seen snarl and growl at you. Bones that are obviously the remains of the wolves’s past meals are scattered all over the floor.
As they charge toward you, you can’t help but wonder if you will be their next dinner.
These beasts are actually dire wolves.
| Name | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Jordi | 12 |
| Mellory | 8 |
| Dire Wolves | 22 |
Round 1
Dire Wolf 1 attacks Jordi with Rending Bite: 33/65: Critical Success: Damage: 8: Jordi is Seriously Wounded: Chaos Dice: 4,3,6: Serious Injury: 7: Fortune’s Mercy: Ignore Injury
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 92/65: Failure.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 1 with his two battle-axes: 54/63: Success: 10: Dire Wolf 1 is Lightly Wounded.
Mellory attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his woodsman’s axe: 74/46: Failure.
Round 2
Dire Wolf 1 attacks Jordi with Rending Bite: 12/65: Success: Parry: 50/63: Success: Attack is Parried.
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 77/65: Failure.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 1 with his two battle-axes: 56/63: Success: Damage: 10: Dire Wolf 1 is Moderately Wounded.
Mellory attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his woodsman’s axe: 77/46: Failure.
Round 3
Dire Wolf 1 attacks Jordi with Rending Bite: 67/65: Failure.
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 53/65: Success: Parry: 15/46: Attack is Parried.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 1 with his two battle-axes: 90/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 02/63: Success: Damage: 12: Dire Wolf 1 is Grievously Wounded.
Mellory attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his woodsman’s axe: 80/46: Failure.
Round 4
Dire Wolf 1 attacks Jordi with Rending Bite: 70/65: Failure.
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 29/65: Success: Parry: 45/46: Attack is Parried.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 1 with his two battle-axes: 60/63: Success: Damage: 15: Dire Wolf 1 is Slain.
Mellory attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his woodsman’s axe: 76/46: Failure.
Round 5
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 86/65: Failure.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his two battle-axes: 91/63: Failure, attack with 2nd battle axe: 02/63: Success: Damage: 11: Dire Wolf 2 is Moderately Wounded.
Mellory attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his woodsman’s axe: 19/46: Success: Damage 11: Dire Wolf 2 is Grievously Wounded.
Round 6
Dire Wolf 2 attacks Mellory with Rending Bite: 37/65: Success: Parry: 36/46: Attack is parried.
Jordi attacks Dire Wolf 2 with his two battle-axes: 19/63: Success: Damage: 9: Dire Wolf 2 is Slain.
The dire wolves, fearsome and hungry, lunge at the party. Jordi faces the brunt of their assault, narrowly avoiding a critical injury, thanks to a twist of fate. Meanwhile, Mellory attempts to fend off the ferocious beasts, yet the woodsman’s axe finds no mark.
ChatGPT Narrative
In a dance of fangs and steel, Jordi and Mellory retaliate. Axes clash with wolfish bites, creating a chaotic symphony in the confined space. Jordi, though wounded, displays resilience, landing blows that leave the first dire wolf grievously wounded.
As the battle rages on, the dire wolves persist in their assault, but the heroes, undeterred, strike back with tenacity. Jordi’s axes cleave through the air, bringing down the first dire wolf. Mellory, though facing the relentless assault, finds an opening and grievously wounds the second dire wolf.
In a final coordinated effort, Jordi and Mellory combine their strength to dispatch the remaining dire wolf. The Gate House, once a domain of menacing beasts, falls into an eerie silence.
F. Overgrown Hallway
This is a long stretch of stone hallway that has many cracks in the walls and along the floors. Over the years, various grasses, weeds, and wildflowers have grown to cover the area. Splits in the ceiling allow bright streams of sunlight to shine in, brightly lighting the area. A crude path has been chopped through the middle of the vines, but the entire place reminds you of a green spider web.
Dragon Quest text
As the heroes start down this hall, a smilodon jumps down through the cracks in the ceiling. With a roar, it springs at the heroes and attacks them.
Since this is an ambush, I’ll roll Stealth for the Smilodon and make it opposed versus Perception for Jordi. Mellory has Danger Sense so he’s not surprised.
The Smilodon jumps at the rear, behind Mellory.
Smilodon: Stealth: 26/55: Success.
Jordi: Awareness: 77: Critical Failure
Jordi is surprised…
| Name | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Jordi | 8 |
| Mellory | 10 |
| Smilodon | 9 |
Round 1
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 62/60: Failure
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 33/46: Critical Success: Damage: 9: Smilodon is Lightly Wounded.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 2
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 59/60: Success: Mellory Parry: 37/50: Success: Attack is Parried.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 35/46: Success: Damage: 8: Smilodon is Moderately Wounded.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 3
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 97/60: Failure.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 5/46: Success: Damage: 7: Smilodon is Seriously Wounded.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 4
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 56/60: Success: Mellory Parry: 26/46: Success: Attack is Parried.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 61/46: Failure.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 5
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 83/60: Failure.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 66/46: Failure.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 6
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 87/60: Failure.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 43/46: Success: Damage: 7: Smilodon is Grievously Wounded.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 7
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 30/60: Success: Mellory Parry: 59/46: Failure: Damage: 10: Mellory is Moderately Wounded: Chaos Dice: 1,3: No Injury.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 79/46: Failure.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 8
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 36/60: Success: Mellory Parry: 32/46: Success: Attack is Parried.
Mellory attacks Smilodon with woodsman’s axe: 82/46: Failure.
Jordi can’t reach the Smilodon.
Round 9
Smilodon attacks Mellory with Terrible Bite: 33/60: Critical Success: Damage: 34: Mellory is Slain! Fate Point Spent: Mellory is unconscious.
Jordi moves and attacks Smilodon with his two battle-axes: 53/63: Success: Damage: 11: Smilodon is Slain.
A Smilodon, stealthily concealed, pounces from the shadows. Jordi, caught off guard by the cunning predator, fails to perceive the imminent threat. Mellory, with his Danger Sense, senses danger but can’t evade the Smilodon’s surprise attack.
ChatGPT Narrative
Mellory valiantly swings his woodsman’s axe, inflicting wounds upon the feline assailant. Yet, the Smilodon retaliates, its terrible bite narrowly parried by Mellory’s skill.
As the battle unfolds, Mellory and the Smilodon exchange blows. Despite Mellory’s courageous efforts, the Smilodon proves a formidable foe, its claws and teeth tearing through the air. Mellory, grievously wounded, faces the ultimate price.
In a last desperate act, Jordi, freed from the constraints of surprise, charges forward. His battle-axes swing with lethal precision, bringing down the Smilodon. Yet, the victory is bittersweet as Mellory lies unconscious, a casualty of the Overgrown Hallway’s hidden perils. The echoes of the struggle linger in the quiet hall, a testament to the dangers that lie beneath the castle’s forgotten façade.
G. Prisoner in Chains
The small room is being used as a prison cell. A badly beaten orc has been chained to the wall here. When you enter, he looks up at you and looks relieved. His evil face twists into what might be called a smile and he speaks in a hoarse, croaking voice.
Dragon Quest text
“Please, free me! I beg you. The monster plans to kill me! I was carrying the magic stone when I was attacked. Please, free me and I will join you in defeating the horrible beast!”
Jordi is a dwarf who doesn’t like the Orcs, and also a slayer, so I would find it really difficult to allow the Orc to join him. I will ask the Oracle, with an unlikely probability to this.
Q: Do the heroes set the Orc free to join them?
A: (1,4): 1: No, but he’ll set him free.
Jordi, with his inherent disdain for orcs, contemplates the decision. In an unexpected turn, he decides not to allow the orc to join their party. However, recognizing a sliver of mercy, Jordi releases the beaten orc from his chains, allowing him a chance at escape. The orc, though not welcomed into the group, scampers away, grateful for the fleeting freedom afforded by the reluctant kindness of the heroes.
ChatGPT Narrative
H. Bones
The first thing that you notice about this room is that its floor is covered with bones. They are piled at least a foot deep at every point in this room. There is no smell of rotting, as all the flesh seems to have been stripped from them long ago.
Dragon Quest text
As soon as Jordi enters the room, three skeletons will spring to life from the bones and attack them.
In an instant, as the party ventured further into the chamber, the bones stirred with a sinister animation. Three skeletal figures, once dormant, now sprang to life, driven by an unholy force. With bony fingers and hollow eye sockets, they lurched forward to confront the intruders, ready to engage in a macabre dance of combat against the living.
| Name | Initiative |
|---|---|
| Jordi | 12 |
| Skeletons | 6 |
Round 1
Jordi moves and attacks Skeleton 1 with his two battle-axes: 95/63: Failure, attack with 2nd Battle-axe: 35/63: Success: Skeleton Parry: 99/65: Critical Failure: Damage: 15: Skeleton 1 is Moderately Wounded.
Skeleton 1 attacks Jordi with sword: 80/55: Failure
Skeleton 2 attacks Jordi with axe: 68/55: Failure
Skeleton 3 attacks Jordi with spear: 34/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 41/63: Success: Attack is Parried.
Round 2
Jordi moves and attacks Skeleton 1 with his two battle-axes: 13/63: Success: Skeleton Parry: 20/65: Attack is Parried.
Skeleton 1 attacks Jordi with sword: 3/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 44/63: Success: Attack is Parried.
Skeleton 2 attacks Jordi with axe: 90/55: Failure
Skeleton 3 attacks Jordi with spear: 8/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 89/63: Failure: Damage: 9: Grievously Wounded: Chaos Dice: 5, 2, 6: 52: Mutilated Hand. Jordi can only use his left hand now, thankfully he’s ambidextrous.
Round 3
Jordi moves and attacks Skeleton 1 with his battle-axe: 35/63: Success: Skeleton Parry: 87/65: Failure: Damage: 15: Skeleton 1 is Grievously Wounded.
Skeleton 1 attacks Jordi with sword: 25/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 90/63: Failure: Damage: 5: No damage.
Skeleton 2 attacks Jordi with axe: 62/55: Failure
Skeleton 3 attacks Jordi with spear: 5/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 27/63: Success: Attack is parried.
Round 4
Jordi moves and attacks Skeleton 1 with his battle-axe: 49/63: Success: Skeleton Parry: 65/65: Success: Attack is Parried.
Skeleton 1 attacks Jordi with sword: 36/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 13/63: Success: Attack is Parried.
Skeleton 2 attacks Jordi with axe: 45/55: Success: Jordi Parry: 22/63: Success: Attack is Parried.
Skeleton 3 attacks Jordi with spear: 17/55: Success: Jordi has no further Action Points: Damage: 6: Jordi is Slain.
TPK
In a room strewn with bones, the heroes faced a grim challenge. As Jordi stepped forward, the skeletal remains stirred with an unnatural energy. Three skeletons emerged from the macabre heap, weapons raised, and an unholy dance of combat commenced.
ChatGPT Narrative
Jordi, with his battle-axes in hand, clashed with the skeletal foes. In a flurry of strikes and parries, the battle unfolded. Despite Jordi’s prowess, the skeletons proved relentless. In a cruel twist of fate, Jordi’s right hand suffered a grievous injury, rendering it mutilated. Undeterred, he pressed on, ambidextrously wielding his remaining battle-axe.
As the combat escalated, the skeletons targeted Jordi with precision. Despite his valiant efforts, the relentless assault proved too much. Overwhelmed by the skeletal adversaries, Jordi succumbed to their relentless strikes, and the room, once echoing with the clatter of bone, fell silent. The heroes, defeated in this grim chamber, now rested alongside the bones that adorned the floor, victims of an undead ambush.
The System
This Zweihander run was admittedly better than my first one. However I did find that it was lacking as a ruleset in several things. First of all, combat was plain and bland. The chance for a graphic injury is quite low, and dealing damage is a grind. There is no death spiral, wound thresholds are too many (5 levels), and weapons do not provide any substantial difference. Holding a Dirk is not much different than holding a Mortuary Sword, since the core damage is based on your Bonus (CB/AB/BB) and not on the weapon. Yes, the chance for Injuries (these are similar to critical effects) is affected, but this is a really low chance altogether. Scoring a critical hit doesn’t play a big role, rather than that the attack cannot be parried. Overall the combat was lacking.
The rulebook is huge (670 something pages) but the layout is chaotic, as you need to go back and forth in 4-5 different spots just for combat. I’m certain I made a few mistakes here and there, but from a point onwards I just was so confused, that I didn’t care.
I do like the character generation system, and there are a lot of information and rules for roleplaying outside of combat, but within this premise I didn’t get a chance to try them out. Overall the ruleset is soloable, but there’s quite a lot of ‘rulings over rules’, which is quite odd for a 670 page document, and which actually makes it harder for a solo player who needs to decide by themselves.
What about the Dungeon Crawl?
Again, in spite of the TPK, Zweihander allows for some decent dungeon crawling. Although I handwaived them out, resting, darkness, fear, are all mechanics that would make dungeon crawling an interesting experience. My party wasn’t ready for such a dungeon, and perhaps had they not faced off the giant spider, they’d fare better against the skeletons. Also the lack of a death spiral, means that you have a chance to recuperate, gather your strength and press on when rested.
Summary
I’ll be honest, there were points in this session, during the combat where I was bored, and wanted to get over with it. Some of it was due to my prejudice from my previous actual play in Zweihander, and some of it due to the absolutely stunning Harnmaster and Mythras sessions that preceded it. Combat was not much more interesting than Sword of Cepheus or the Dark Eye, however it was a lot more complex to run than both. I doubt I’ll be revisiting this soon, except perhaps as reading material.
Todd are discussing. 
Solo, Pen, Paper and Dice 
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