L1-3A. Scorched Barracks

What this room is/was

These were once sacrificial guardrooms: a Suel failsafe allowed oil to be poured from a hidden gallery beyond the north wall, flooding this room to burn out intruders. Howling Moon now uses it as overflow barracks when a raid-band is home.

• Occupancy (when the dungeon is on alert or during rest cycles): 1–2 shifts (50% chance) that 2d4 orcs are here (sleeping, repairing gear, or dicing). On a 75% chance at night, add 1 bugbear lounging in the dark. If occupied, one orc keeps a lazy ear to the corridor; the rest are at disadvantage to wake the first round.

Orc table talk (use as color):
“Humanz weak; we should be out raiding.” “Krak bows to temple men too much.” “Break their icons, take their iron.”

Features & checks

• Floor outlets (oil ports). A continuous slot of tiny holes runs the north wall at ankle height (1-inch diameter behind a narrow slit):
• Investigation or Religion DC 12 identifies them as Suel immolation ports; Arcana DC 12 notes soot pattern = liquid fire once used.
• Listening at the north wall (Perception DC 12) hears the faint hollow of a space beyond (the north gallery).
• Arrow slits (upper course, north wall): two narrow, high slits allow archers in the gallery to fire into this room (not into the corridor). Creatures in the room have three-quarters cover against those shots by going prone behind the chest or hugging the south wall.
• Slope to doorway. Fluids flow toward the corridor; standing within 5 ft of the door during a pour risks splash (see trap below).
• Chest, hinges removed. Empty, beat to scrap; Investigation DC 10 finds a single Suel electrum coin wedged under the rim (2 gp).

The Suel “Burn Room” mechanic

If someone operates the control in the north gallery (or the PCs improvise oil through the ports):

• Oil pour: Each round for 3 rounds, the room floor gains a spreading, slick film; creatures moving more than half speed must make DC 10 Dex saves or fall prone.
• Ignition: Any open flame ignites the film; creatures in the room make a DC 13 Dex save, taking 2d6 fire (half on save) at ignition and 1d6 fire at the start of their turns while they remain on burning squares. The flames gutter out after 3 rounds unless more oil is poured.
• Doorway splash: Creatures in the doorway when ignition occurs must also save (DC 12 Dex) or take 1d4 fire and have burning droplets (use an action to pat out).

PC edge: If you lure orcs inside and a companion reaches the gallery valves, award advantage on one Intimidation check as the room whooshes to flame.

Tactics & response (if occupied)

• First round: Nearest orc kicks the mats into a heap for half-cover and bellows: “Found you! Time to die!” Another tries to shove a PC back toward the corridor (to expose them to crossfire from Rooms 3B/3C if those activate).
• Gong logic: If they hear the 2A gong or combat in the corridor, one runner peels out toward Room 3 (Ready Room) to pull more bodies.
• If oil ports ignite: Orcs panic the first round (disadvantage on attacks on round two they rush the corridor howling “Bleed! Bleed and die!”

Empty room response: Loud fighting here prompts Room 3 to send 2 orcs in 1 round (d6 → 3–6) and another 1d4 the next round if noise persists.

Treasure

Nothing valued remains; Howling Moon stripped hinges and fittings. The only finds are 1 Suel electrum (2 gp) and a handful of bone dice (2 sp) if the mats are rifled.