Adventure Site Contest - Lair of the Grim Gasher Orcs

Orcin' Around

This low level B/X (or Rules Compendium for the thinking man) entry by Daniel Herz of Stromberg Press. This time we are treated to a good old fashioned Orc Lair!

First off, any orc lair is primarily judged on how cool the Orc tribe's name is, and how "orcy" they are described as. In both these respects, this is a 10/10. The Grim Gasher orcs is an extremely evocative name and sets the tone immediately. Second point is also a home run. The brief history given tells how the orcs:

• Are living in an old dwarven outpost

• Tried to negotiate a ransom once, but were too blood thirsty and incompetent to finalize the deal

• Are known to take slaves and live food.
  This is in addition to the "Orc Habits and Tactics" section which spell out that:

• The orcs sleep during the day

• Spend most of their active ours reveling (easily surpised), unless preparing a raid

• "Negotiate" by intimidation, and only briefly before starting melee charges

• Are easily tricked

• Double their guards after noticing intruders or when preparing a raid
  The kicker? All of this in a single column of text. Quite well done.

Now for the adventure itself. It's good, really good. This location is sold as a dwarven vault infested with orcs and it shows. Highly fortified, single difficult to breach entrance. In general, I think "good vanilla." Is the appropriate term for this one. Sadly, I really don't have too much else to say on this one. It's a good concept, well executed. There are alot of little flourishes, such as orcs in a kitchen who are armed only with knives and mallets and such; and have the wherewithal to actually run for reinforcements if attacked. I like that health is pre-rolled in most places, that brings a lot of tedium down for a DM. It also carries the proud tradition of "rooms full of normal weapons" which I always like to see.

All in all, this is a pass from me, and I wish I had more to say. Treasure is right where it's supposed to be at 6,650, with most being in the chieftain's room. This really feels like a more refined version of the orc caves from B2 if anything, which is high praise in my book.