In the OSR Discord, there’s an annual “Secret Santicorn,” where you pop an idea on a list and get assigned one, too.
I decided to take part (submitting “d50 unexpected things to find in corpses’ pockets”) and was assigned Grapefruit#1935’s awesome prompt: d12 undead dwarves haunting or otherwise occupying their fallen citadel.
Enjoy!
1. Gorbadoc, architect. Wears spectacles too small for his face. The party finds him examining the stonework by sticking his ghostly hand through it and rummaging around, trying to “feel the structure.”
2. Horbek & Norbek, tropey twin guards. A little slow on the uptake but still finish each others’ sentences (sometimes correctly) and are a marvel of coordination in a fight, each wielding one half of a great axe that can be locked together to create the usual thing.
3. Gwannyl, goat keeper. Long hair & braids with gnawed & frayed ends. The party finds her brushing and shushing and feeding invisible beasts. She’s very proud of her goats—most sure-footed in the world, these are—and flies into a pitchforked rage if her animals are in any way slighted (including the appallingly rude suggestion that they no longer exist).
4. Karmund, captain of the guard. Built af and knows it. Aggressively and ruthlessly interrogates the party and their purpose. Is completely incorporeal - can neither affect nor be affected by the party, even when if communication breaks down and he attacks.
5. Bylnar, cook. Rotund but surprisingly nimble. Chases the party out of the kitchen, throwing knives and pans. No handouts for you!
6. Bronwyn, advisor. Completely stone deaf and gets a wheezy chuckle out of saying so, “because dwarfs and stone! Get it?! Heh!!” Far more dangerous and cunning than she appears, however.
7. Rundelle, noble. The party finds her weeping, holding a gold wedding ring in one hand. The cutoff end of a braid is on the floor nearby. She has a dagger and is willing to defend herself and her honor.
8. Ragnam’s body. Staggers around, feeling blindly. If it bumps into something organic, it will draw a sword and slash wildly.
9. Ragnam’s head, can’t remember why he’s here. Have you seen my body? Quite grateful to be put back together, but doesn’t want to be touched, thanks.
10. Thordrak, noble. The party finds him weakly staggering through a hall, dragging a ghostly axe behind him and leaning on the wall for support. The armor on his chest has been crushed by a blunt blow, as has his spirit.
11. Mag, curious child. Already has a tiny beard. Follows the party and asks loud questions, destroying any hope of stealth, but doesn’t seem to hear any of the answers. If threatened in any way, it sprints through the nearest wall, wailing, and the party is at a high likelihood of having an unpleasant encounter with a wandering monster that’s irrationally protective of the ghostly child.
12. Brammond, blacksmith. Venting the centuries-old rage of his former life by smashing his real anvil with a real hammer. The dwarf simply wants the party to get out and leave him alone. One of his ringed mustache braids has been cut short. The hammer has blood dried on it.
Now get out there and tell a story!
Peace,
Maximilian