DF Khoramandu Sea - Facing the Lich-Marquessa

    We just ended the second session of the multi-session boss fight that is the battle with the Lich-Marquessa. To summarise: Two weeks ago (25 Feb 2021) we ended the session on a cliffhanger, having descended the catacombs to the lair of the Lich, where the whole chamber was filled with disorienting Mystic Mist. The following Thursday we skipped a session, as a couple players couldn't make it, and this is a critical fight. Last week (4 March 2021) was the start of the actual fight, but the lich herself was not seen directly. Only the effects of her spells were encountered, as she attacked from deep in the mist while her swamp ghoul and undead minions swarmed the party from three sides. By the end of the session the tally was 8-0 to the PCs, with 5 zombies, 2 swamp ghouls, and 1 skeleton defeated, and no party members down.

    Tonight the PC minion-grinder got closer to full speed. The total is now 22-0, with 8 zombies, 4 swamp ghouls, 9 skeletons, and a toxifier demon defeated, and no party members down (yet). However, NPC cleric Brother Warian is at negative HP despite drinking a healing potion, so he could collapse at any moment. The lich-marquessa herself has emerged, having cleared a corridor through the Mist to bait the party into breaking ranks. It has partially worked, with Hemmu and Sir Yvor now surrounded, Warian badly wounded, and Adam and Jenkins both under direct attack.

    I think this is probably about the halfway point of the battle. 3-4 sessions might seem an age for a single (albeit massive) boss fight to players of some RPGs. Sure, GURPS fights can be detailed (lots of dice rolls, players needing to make tactical choices in both attack and defence, etc) and that detail might at times feel like a slog, on the other hand the players are making meaningful choices, and the enemies are more than just bags of HP. I feel that all-in-all it's a net gain...

Latest Session Date:    Thursday 11 March 2021

Party roster:

Miao Miao, cat-folk swashbuckler, 486 points (PC)

- Jenkins, human servant, 243 points (NPC Ally)

- Brother Warian, human monk (initiate), 241 points (NPC Ally)

Sir Yvor Gryffyn, human knight, 403 points (PC)
Davin Emberwood, human wizard (wizard-thief), 428 points (PC)

Hemmu Gahrol, half-orc knight, 334 points (PC)

Adam Aesalor, half-orc wizard, 300 points (PC)
Anubesia of Ultioch, human holy warrior, 250 points (PC)

Below are some screenshots from different stages of the encounter:

End of session 88. The party is at the bottom of the spiral stairs. The lich's minions obscured by the fog...

End of session 89. Swamp ghouls, skeletons, and zombies (oh my!)

End of session 90. The lich-marquessa has revealed herself, the left flank is crumbling, and the front line is surrounded...

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    I still have a summary from Bert and Anubesia's player of the previous session which I need to post. I will put that up shortly.