The Gaming Den

The hounds leap forward, snarling and snorting flame to attack your prey. You stand back to survey the fight, smiling grimly.

(The hounds have a couple of previously-unmentioned combat factors. First, they have a combat penalty when fighting the Priest. Second, each round of combat they have a 1/3 chance to breathe fire, which has a 1/2 chance of causing a wound roll to the quarry. Why they didn't just combine the two rolls into a 1/6 chance is beyond me.)

(You also have the option to call off the hounds, which I will do if they reach Whimpering. You're in good shape and the quarry is hurting, no need to unduly risk losing your demon-gifts here. Also, if the quarry flees, you may need their help later.)

HOUNDS OF HELL
Savage (+2 strike, +1 damage)
Vicious (+1 strike)
Wounded (-1 damage)
Whimpering (-1 strike, -2 damage)
Dead

Round 1: Thief 6+2, Hounds 2+2; Damage 3 (1 HL, no poison). Hounds are Vicious. No firebreath.
Round 2: Thief 5+2, Hounds 10+1; Damage 1 (1 HL). Thief is Crippled. No firebreath.
Round 3: Thief 7+2, Hounds 8+1; Damage 5 (1 HL, no poison). Hounds are Wounded. Firebreath, misses.
Round 4: Thief 7+2, Hounds 5; Damage 4 (1 HL, no poison). Hounds are Whimpering. No firebreath.
(Combat ends!)

The hounds sprint back towards you, tails between their legs. Now you prepare to kill your prey, and take his head.

You circle each other warily. For each combat round you must choose one of eight combat options (listed below), the results of which will modify the next strike roll on top of any other modifiers you both may have. The Quarry will be making a choice from the same moves. There is a table at the back of the book in the main thread explaining the combat choices.

• Charge forward and execute an overhead cut?
• Make a cautious jab?
• Sidestep to the left and slash to the right?
• Sidestep to the right and slash to the left?
• Slash to the left?
• Slash to the right?
• Parry and riposte?
• Flee?

You pause, waiting for an opening in your opponent's defense and make a tentative lunge.

(Your opponent has charged!)

You find yourself caught on the hop, off-balance. The quarry adds three to her strike roll.

Round 1: Quarry 6+2+3, Archveult 8+2; Damage roll 2 (no poison, no armor save: 1 HL) The Archveult is Bruised.

You circle each other warily. For each combat round you must choose one of eight combat options (listed below), the results of which will modify the next strike roll on top of any other modifiers you both may have. The Quarry will be making a choice from the same moves. There is a table at the back of the book in the main thread explaining the combat choices.

• Charge forward and execute an overhead cut?
• Make a cautious jab?
• Sidestep to the left and slash to the right?
• Sidestep to the right and slash to the left?
• Slash to the left?
• Slash to the right?
• Parry and riposte?
• Flee?

You rush forward, delivering a great overhead blow at the quarry, screaming as you do so.

(The quarry has charged and chopped.)

You meet with a resounding clash.

Round 2: Quarry 7+2, Archveult 6+2; Damage Roll 6 (no poison, armor saves!: 1 HL). The Archveult is Injured.

You circle each other warily. For each combat round you must choose one of eight combat options (listed below), the results of which will modify the next strike roll on top of any other modifiers you both may have. The Archveult will be making a choice from the same moves. There is a table at the back of the book in the main thread explaining the combat choices.

• Charge forward and execute an overhead cut?
• Make a cautious jab?
• Sidestep to the left and slash to the right?
• Sidestep to the right and slash to the left?
• Slash to the left?
• Slash to the right?
• Parry and riposte?
• Flee?

You rush forward, delivering a great overhead blow at the quarry, screaming as you do so.

(The quarry has fled.)

You chase after the quarry, and chop down at their exposed and undefended back. Add 4 to your strike roll and 1 to your damage roll. Also, your opponent must turn to face you for another combat round. They have not escaped.

Round 3: Quarry 4+2, Archveult 9+2+4; Damage Roll 9 (3 HLs). The Quarry is Dead, dead, dead.