[3.5E] Heretic's Bane Icewind Dale

[thorgrim29]

OOC: Chain weilder right? Pretty much. After the combat I'll lend you Thordrek's axe, he's using the Patriarchate's one right now. (+1 dwarven waraxe)

[mshady]

OOC: I would assume everyone has a 1d4 plain dagger or equivalent as a backup weapon/dining utensil. Also able to punch and grapple. Far from useless, but not quite as useful as he would be in open ground.

[mshady]

The small beholder bobs tears off another piece of flesh from the dark figure on the ground and rises slightly into the air once again and glances around the area. Its central eye looks down the tunnel in the party’s direction as Sable slinks along the wall. While she can see it, illuminated by the fire, it either cannot see her or its vision in the darkness was just not good enough to.

Exposed in the long, narrow tunnel, perhaps the only thing preventing the beholder from seeing her is the darkness itself and its own distractions. Hiding from a creature with two eyes would be hard enough right now, never mind a creature with seven eyes, one of which was the size of her head. Nonetheless, the creature does not react so far. It dips down again for another piece of meat.

Raltise finishes casting his spells just as Sable turns away from the group. He sends Lythe off to try and tunnel through the stone and she quickly disappears. Raltise follows behind Sable. Although he is no rogue, he is not exactly noisy either and most certainly quick. Besides, he neither needed or wanted to get close although others getting in the way of his shot would be a problem…

Arman Madero follows suit and moves up, hoping to get a clear shot with either his spells or his deadly bow. Able to see little more than Raltise’s back at this point, he doesn’t have much chance of either at the moment. Neither does Bundok, who falls into line after jacking the magazine of bolts into his new crossbow. While the loading mechanism was tricky and he had little time to practice with it, the crossbow was well designed and very simplified compared to others of its type he had seen. One surprising feature about the party’s new crossbows is a mounting bracket for a telescopic sight that he had seen carried by others. Not that they had been issued telescopic sights or they would be more than a hindrance in this current task.

Carmard and Kelith also move forward as well, although not before Carmard orders the other two Hammerstrikers already in the rear to stay with the Minotaurs. Things were just too crowded. Arum moves up as well, spurring his badger onward and keeping a tight rein on it. He reckoned if someone screamed when the badger bit them, they would be out of luck. He falls in behind Arman and Thordek falls in behind him.

Johanssen, Hjalmar and Buna push their way forward as well. They are not quite stacked up, but soon will be.

With the exception of Sable, who is hiding, the rest of the party stands poised to enter the tunnel although to do so would risk exposure in that tunnel to the beholder and potentially alerting it to your presence, depending on how good its eyes and ears really are.

Back to the rear, the two remaining Hammerstrikers wait and watch alertly. The minotaur’s behind them begin their game of dice poker, played with unusually large dice used for such unusually large players. The two dwarves look between each other and hope the minotaurs are not heard….


Turns are being resolved by initiative at the moment and we are assuming combat movement for right now. Thus, I moved you as far as I could in 6 seconds.

Initiative

Sable: 22
Raltise: 22
Arman: 19
Bundok: 18
Carmard: 12
Kelith: 11
Arum: 11
Thordek: 10
Hjalmar: 10
Johanssen: 8
Buna: 8
Magnum: 6
Lythe: 5
Duervar: 4

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3236/underdarkt2od0.th.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt2od0.jpg)

[Melody]

Seeing the party following despite her request for them to count before doing anything Sable groans inwardly. She turns and heads back to the group.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman soon realized that using his rapier in the tunnels wouldn't work like he thought. There were times he was crawling. And using a longer blade in such an area, was nearly impossible. So as soon as he was able, he placed it back in its scabbard and instead withdrew a dagger that he could use a little more easily.

Sable soon came back and reported her findings and Arman thought about the situation. A campfire with roasting meat and a corpse. A Beholder.

Mike, could you let me know what Arman knows about them if he knows anything. Given his background, I would think he would, but please let me know :)


They were soon moving again, creeping foreward as silently as they could. Arman couldn't see much ahead of him, and he was wondering why people seemed to be slowing down again...

[Melody]

Sable draws just close enough to whisper very quietly to Raltise. "If you're all heading up the tunnel right behind me, let me back with the minotaurs. I'm not charging up after the beast in this tight tunnel, it's idiotic. If you'll let me get all the way up to the last opening before it's campfire I can attack as it passes and give us a somewhat more open area to fight in. I figure it will stop at that point and then the group can close the gaps around it.

Sable's normaly cheerful face turns into an ugly scowl. "If you step foot into the hallway before I'm in place they'll all be right behind you. They aren't quiet and we'll be single file with something that uses gaze attacks. And I'm not gonna be the first idiot in line to catch it in the face with people trying to shoot crossbows through my back."

Sable scowls past Raltise at the shuffling line of fighters trying to cram in close. "Which is it? Are you gonna wait? Or am I heading to the back?"

[bchilders]

Magnum

Magnum snickers quietlt to himself and says, "Now thats my kind of woman"

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith will back up away from the party to allow the others to speak then come back up to the rear of the group when they are done.

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-2

[Diarmuid]

Bundok

The dwarven ranger ignores the ranting, beardless woman and continues to pick his way through the tunnel to get into a position much like she was describing for herself.



Still trying to move towards O14, loaded crossbow to hand.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[mshady]

OOC: Due to the narrow size of this passage (not even 5 ft wide mostly), unless the line ahead is moving, it will be very difficult to move. If you have to shove someone aside to get by, movement is reduced to 10 and it is impossible to hide. Move silent will have significant negative modifier as metal bangs on metal as you pass by.

Daggers still suffer the -2 to hit if you lack tunnel fighting.

Spells or other magic effects require line of sight to the target. Due to the constricted nature here, you are not able to see over the person in front of you to shoot. Ditto with crossbows unless the person in front of you crouches.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

{{Don't forget because of my silence spell i have on me all people within 20ft of me don't make any noise.}}

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise watches Sable for a moment, and then suddenly stands up straight, arms wide and brushing up against the walls, blocking the tunnel as well as he can. "You heard the woman. Stay right there." He turns around to glower. "Any questions?"

He also speaks telepathically to Lythe! Lythe, keep moving, but don't come out of the wall until I tell you to.

[OOC: Bastard Silence spell. :P Just read his lips if you can't hear him. Seriously, how do you expect us to talk to one another if we can't be heard? Ugh.]

[Melody]

Sable watches Raltise carefuly as his lips form the words and she nods as he moves to block the path. She turns and slips back through the shadows, making her way up the tunnel to a point where she can ambush the creature as it passes.


M:6 if I can make it that far without being seen Mike, with Raltise holding the line make my rolls and if I get there we start combat rounds from that point so the group doesn't have to wait on me so long. If I screw it up, the thing having 7 eyes and all, we'll go from when I'm spotted. My goal then will be to sprint to the nearest open area @N14 or @N8 if I'm close enough. I'll trade everything for movement at that point to get there and meet the beholder to give the goup a little room to move around in.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Raltise watches Sable for a moment, and then suddenly stands up straight, arms wide and brushing up against the walls, blocking the tunnel as well as he can. "You heard the woman. Stay right there." He turns around to glower. "Any questions?"

He also speaks telepathically to Lythe! Lythe, keep moving, but don't come out of the wall until I tell you to.

[OOC: Bastard Silence spell. :P Just read his lips if you can't hear him. Seriously, how do you expect us to talk to one another if we can't be heard? Ugh.]

{{Well my previous post was me moving away from the group so you could speak :smallwink:. But yea, it's there so we don't alert anyone else around when run up there and start hacking on it.}}

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar turns to Magnum and grins wickedly. "Funny... I would have figured you as a Troll kind of person... my mistake."
(OOC: Not loudly, just enough for him to hear Duervar)

He then shurgs his shoulders. "If we all try and get at it at once, we'll be such easy targests it won't even need all those eyes to aim. I'll stay back here, and watch the minotaurs. If they get too loud, I'll make sure they don't ever moo again."

He clasps his weapon tightly for emphasis, grinning wildly.

[mshady]

The party stays put, more or less, after Sable halted the group. Duervar falls back and Bundok moves up to a supporting position but goes no further as Raltise encourages him to halt. The quiet dwarven ranger has his new repeating crossbow loaded and drawn, ready for use should he decide to move forward. Squeezing past the rest of the part quietly was a challenge, and moving past Arum’s temperamental badger, but he none the less managed it quietly and without banging any metal against metal.

(Bundok moves to M24)

Sable herself continues her advance, walking sideways with her back against the wall in the gloom. She watches the light of the fire as the Beholder continues to enjoy its meal, bobbing up and down as it takes another bit of meat. She can actually make out its eyes on little tentacle stalks looking about alertly. Sable continues her silent approach as she nears the alcove. Her body is tense and coiled, ready for the ambush. The first of the two alcoves beckons to her. She finally reaches the alcove in the black gloom and slides into its safety. Stretching her leg around the corner and pulling herself in, Sable can’t see exactly where she is placing her foot.

As she shifts her weight and pulls herself around the corner, her foot slides off the rough surface and her ankle rolls at a painful angle. She grasps for the wall to steady herself as she slides out of sight in the tunnel. While she stops herself from tumbling, her scabbard bangs against the stone with a hard twack and her bracer scraps along the wall.

The noise is an unmistakable sign of activity in the tunnel and as Sable’s shadow disappears from the tunnel, Raltise hears the noise and the alert beholder shoots into the air again. Spitting out a piece of meat, its eye stalks move and it spins right and left looking for whatever made the noise and the direction it came from as the noise echoes. Judging that the noise came from down the tunnel and unable to see anything, the creature moves off its kill and glides down the tunnel, eyes searching for its prey.

The beholderkin moves to N7 rapidly, eyes darting as it charges down the tunnel. It actually seems to growl a warning, probably in hopes its sudden move and growl would scare off another predator. Sable is out of sight as she stands in the alcove (O15) but the beholder is now alert and aware someone or something is nearby.

Sable rolled a critical failure on a move silent check during her last move

[Yuki Akuma]

Peering around the slight wall, Raltise's eyes widen for an instant as he hears the sound of the beholder reacting. He can't see far enough to see it, but he can obviously tell it's closing in; he wastes no time in clambering around the wall and charging off in its direction in an effort to save the woman!

[OOC: How far can I move in a double move? I have a speed of 55 right now, but I'm not sure if there are any speed penalties in effect. I want to move as close to the beholderkin as possible to serve as a distraction.]

[mshady]

Map for Turn 6

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7079/underdarkt6ey0.th.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt6ey0.jpg)

[Melody]

Sable shifts in the alcove to a place closer to the beholder (O13). Her hand tightens on her rapier and she steels herself for when the beholder will come into view. Not where she wanted be, but as her father always said, "If wishes were cakes they'd bake themselfs." She grins in anticipation of a fight, her father's stupidity forgotten as quickly as she'd thought of him.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith will delay his turn till after everyone else acts letting the others go ahead to cast spells if they wish outside his AOE. After they all get there chance he will take his whole turn (if he has to) to encompass the area of conflict with his silence spell to keep the battle from making any noise if possible.

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-2

[bchilders]

Magnum

Upon seeing one of his party member race off towards the beholder, Magnum moves forward and begins channeling divine energy. "Father of Battle lend me your blade to cut our enemies down where they stand...er float"

Moving to where I can see the beholder and casting Spiritual weapon.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[Diarmuid]

Bundok
Hit Points: 66/66
Armor Class: 23, Touch: 13, Flat: 20

Groaning just audibly at the sounds from Sable, the dwarf shakes his head and thinks to himself,

"Bah, if ye want summin dun right...send a dwarf..."

[roll0]

Looking over his shoulder at those behind him, he offers an apathetic shrug and says,

"Might wanna let one o' them clerics up 'ere...I'm about ta need one methinks."

With a low chuckle, he steps around the corner and begins approaching the wary beast, trying to stay behind outcroppings and avoid air currents that would give him away.



Move ahead a 40' (or as much as I can).

[roll1] (-5 for moving full speed applied, other situational modifiers not taken into account)
[roll2] (-5 for moving full speed applied, other situational modifiers not taken into account)

[dcjr]

Hjalmar grunts as he hears movement coming down the hall. Murming to himself he clasps a holy symbol and murmers a prayerOi Silver beard, protect me from de evil eye so et I might smite et's vision wit de flash o pure silverThe prayer finished Hjalmar readies his repeating crossbow for a shot down the hall aiming for the eye of the beholder. The silver tipped arrows shadowed in the dark

[ArmanMadero]

The line was stopped and Arman asked the person ahead of him, which turned out to be Kelith, why they were stopped. He soon learned that Sable was telling them to stay back so that she could create her ambush. Arman remembered something briefly of her asking them that before, and wondered why they all started to follow her.

Without any answers coming to mind, he leaned his weight on one foot and waited until the line started moving again. It was a few moments before anything happened, and by that, it wasn't good. A shap noise was heard in the tunnel ahead, but Arman couldn't see anything. He wondered what the noise was ahead of them all when he felt open air in front of him. The line was moving again. Keeping to the side of the tunnel, but not walking sidways.

He could hear low rumbling soungs in the tunnel ahea, and he hadn't realized that the Beholder was that close. Had it been that close? Or was it coming closer?

Arman was betting the latter. Looking ahead with his night vision, he could only see vague shapes in the shadows ahead of the people ahead of him. Shadows upon Shadows. Not the best conditions for a fight. He moved as silent as he could, creeping towards the Beholder. Hopefully they got to it before its eyes came into play.

[mshady]

The now alerted beholderkin has come rushing forward, roaring in its shrill, curdling yet none the less odd voice. Its eye stalks dart around, looking for whatever made the noise. Stopping and hovering in the first open area, the creature almost seems almost surprised not to find anyone. It’s surprise is only momentary as the party surges forward. The beholderkin watches, surprised but in a different way.

Bundok moves forward, crossbow in hand and looking for the beholderkin after that ranting human woman who told everyone to wait for her ended up alerting the beholder. As moves forward, he can now see the beholderkin. It is a bit smaller than he expected, but otherwise looked like everything he would expect one to look like. His heavy Forgemark crossbow in hand, with its unusual bolt magazine and other engineering he barely understood, Bundok has never even shot the crossbow before. The coming moments would be its first test for him...

Sable recovers from her misstep, a very rare misstep indeed and glides along the wall to a new position on the edge of the alcove. Ducking her head out for just a moment in the darkness to judge the distance, it is just within range for her to run at the floating aberration and try her rapier out on it. Poised and ready for the hopefully quick fight to come, she prepares to make her move…

… just as Raltise makes his own move forward. Moving at an impossibly fast speed, he seems to glide across the rock floor, his feet seemingly touching the ground only to push him forward. He nearly bowls over Bundok as the dwarf flattens himself against the wall and slides right past Sable’s position. He stops almost right in front of the waiting beholderkin. He is able to see the creature in all its horrifying aspect. How such monstrosities could exist would be a terrifying recognition for most. Any fear or revulsion he might be experiencing is quickly repressed by his trained mind.

The rest of the party moves up as best they can, winding their way around the corner. Magnum, understanding the situation from afar, wants to but cannot cast his spiritual hammer spell as he still cannot see the beholderkin, or even the section of the tunnel the beholderkin was supposed to be in. Frustrated, the priest presses on.

The beholderkin itself is surprised by all of this sudden movement and even more so by the sudden appearance of Raltise and his closeness. Unsure of what to make of his surprising speed, the beholderkin thinks for a moment, deciding how to react. With Raltise so close, it decides to open its main eye…

The air around the beholderkin’s primary eyeball is distorted, glittering for a moment as the magic of its fearsome eye washes over Raltise. He feels momentarily paralyzed, but the feeling passes over him. The dangerous eye stalks snap in his direction as well and they twinkle for a moment as their own magic is brought to bear on Raltise.

A ray of fire comes streaking from one eye towards Raltise. With the speed of his arrival, Raltise is unable to dodge the first ray of fire. It catches Raltise on the chest and the ray tracks up to just below his neck as the magical fire burns him horribly. A second eye stalk saps his strength for a moment, but somehow he manages to shrug off that attack as well. It’s damage done, the beholderkin falls backwards 20 feet.

Raltise suffers 19 hps of damage from the beholderkin's spell.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/4135/underdarkt7vu7.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt7vu7.jpg)

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise
HP: 38/57
AC: 23
Speed: 55ft. (45ft. without focus)

Raltise lets out a sudden cry of pain, bending over forwards as his body is assaulted by magical fire. A moment later, he gives a scream of rage, thrusting his hand out towards the floating eye. His eyes turn black for an instant as all his stored energy is channeled into an arrow of silver energy, which streaks towards the aberration.

He then promptly steps to the side, to get out of the beholder's line of sight. He crosses his arms over his chest, closing his eyes in concentration...

Expending psionic focus to use Psionic Shot. Also, I charged my Psychic Strike earlier.
Attack! [roll0]
Damage! [roll1]
Psionic Shot! [roll2]
Psychic Strike! [roll3]
Five foot step to M9!
Regaining Psionic Focus by way of Psionic Meditation Feat (DC 20)! [roll4]

[Edit: Woah, the roller likes me today.]

[Diarmuid]

Bundok
Hit Points: 66/66
Armor Class: 23, Touch: 13, Flat: 20
Initiative: 23

Squinting against the bright flames that erupted in the tunnel ahead of him, Bundok looses a bolt towards the source of those flames, and then ducks into the first side passage.



[roll0]
[roll1]

If Crit:
[roll2]
[roll3]



He yells around the bend,

"Raltise, ya lummux, get yer arse back with the other ranged attackers. Let sumb'dy wid a big stick ta poke that thing wid get closer dangit!"

[Melody]

Sable darts out of hiding and moves quickly down the tunnel. She moves up behind Raltise appearing almost about to run into him. At the last second her body seems to twist itself to fit between him and the wall, her pony tail barely brushing his crossed arms as she twists past. Rapier still in her hands she moves towards the beholder. Twenty feet, fifteen feet, within ten feet of the beholder Sable leaps. Her body angling downward she curls herself into a ball, in an attempt to roll beneath the monstrosity now floating above her and come to her feet behind it.

[thorgrim29]

With most of his allies out of the way, Thordrek prepares to take action, he moves up, pusing a bit as he gets in front of Kelith, his serious, feral look more then enough explanation of his intent. He takes a look at the distance, and decides what to do.

Oi, ugly!

He shouts, to get the beholderkin's attention. The next words that leave his mouth are a curious mix of archaic dwarven and Netherese, as his left hand traces simple symbols in the air. A small ray of electricity springs from his hand and strikes the monster, the afterimage making it almost seem like there is now a link between the two of them.
casting seeking ray:
Ranged touch attack [roll0]
Damage[roll1]

[mshady]

Raising his crossbow and looking down the sights of the weapon, Bundok takes a moment to correct for wind, distance and elevation as a reflexive mental action before realizing he is in the Underdark. It certainly makes the shot easier.

It also may have saved Raltise a nasty wound or death.

Bundok holds his breath a moment and squeezes the lightened trigger of the Forgemark crossbow. With a harsh clack, the crossbow bolt flies out of the crossbow as the force of the release is used to load the next bolt. A long string is wrapped around the bolt and connected to the crossbow’s magazine. Bundok is surprised momentarily by this as he can see the effect as the string spin stabilizes the bolt, no doubt improving accuracy. Even more unusual is that spinning bolt seems alight. Like striking a match, the firing of the bolt lights a small groove of alchemical fire on the bolt, making it easier to track the shot. His hand tears away the annoying yarn from the magazine.

Which is all rather fortunate for Raltise, as Bundok’s shot goes flying just over his shoulder now and for Bundok’s next shot. He feels the wind from the bolts passage by his ear, as well as hearing whistling, sizzling projectile. It sounds a lot like a rather large, angry fly passing him by.

Indeed, this is an angry bolt and it strikes true against the beholderkin. The bolt strikes it between its central eye and mouth. The bolt’s momentum does something far worse than punch through bone. Instead, it rides along it and lodges deep in the beholderkin’s flesh in what might eventually be a mortal wound. The creature howls and bops uncontrollably, spraying blood, teeth and bone fragments from its mouth.

For a second, Bundok thinks he killed the creature as it nearly rolls over in midair and drops from the wound but it rights itself like some sort of insidious gyro of evil. Those terrible eyes look in his direction as the beholderkin knows exactly where that shot came from.

In that moment, Bundok knows he just made a new friend…

Bundok scores a critical hit on the beholder and does 16 pts of damage

As Bundok’s fiery bolt goes zipping by the alcove that Sable is taking cover in, she hustles down the tunnel as fast as she safely can on the uneven surface. Her incredible dexterity allows her to compensate any slips or trips as she as much careens as runs down the tunnel, rapier in hand. She brushes past Raltise, bumping his terrible new burn as she goes by him and springs at the beholderkin. The cunning creature watches the willowy human come charging right at it and hungry for some measure of pain for the wound just inflicted on it when Sable vaults towards it and she tries to somersault underneath it.

It doesn’t quite work however, as she somersaults onto a hard edge of stone and she slides on the stone, slick with blood, into the side of the tunnel painfully.

Her momentum does carry her under and behind the beholderkin regardless, as she rolls painfully underneath and behind it. The aberration snaps at her with its bloody teeth, but she rolls out of the way and it bites nothing but air…

Sable fails a tumble check. DC 25 for tumbling past an opponent. DC raised by 5 due to the cavern floor. She suffers an Attack of Oppurtunity that misses...

As Sable rolls behind the beholderkin… Raltise grits his teeth and takes his vengeance. The…. astonishing degree of pain he is from his fiery wound must have somehow focused his mind for a moment. Gesturing towards the beholderkin an explosion of psychic energy is focused by his soul and shoots from his hand in a furious lance of red energy.

It strikes the beholderkin hard. Very hard. The lance plows through the beholder’s body and out the other side in a spray of bloody and tough hide against the tunnel wall. Unfortunately, the shot misses any of its eyes, but the shot is hard enough to spin the creature around in the air as it paints the sides of the tunnel with its lifeblood. Some of the hot blood falls on to Sable.

It’s really not a pretty sight.

Hardly survivable with any luck given time, but the angry creature stabilizes itself and rages. Rages at the pain. Rages at its assailants. Rages at whatever else came across its mind distract it from its pain. Raltise steps forward and readies for his next terrible shot, in pain but quite willing to go blow for blow with the creature.

Raltise does 23 pts of damage to the beholderkin. Fair trade.

Opening its central eye, a pulse of scintillating orange light floods the tunnel as the creature bellows in pain. The natural magic energy surges through both Sable and Raltise’s body, almost seeming to stop their hearts for a moment and blacking out their vision involuntarily as it tries to stun them? Or perhaps it is some kind of death magic?

Sable barely shrugs off the effects, whatever it was. Raltise is not so lucky. His body goes limp and he drops to the ground in a heap. With two of its eyes, it levels one at Sable who is practically next to the wounded beast. The other eyes seem to debate what to do and one aims at Raltise. The energy washes through the two of them.

Sable’s world goes black, falling into a deep slumber on ground. Her face and nose banging painfully into the rock is the last thing she feels before the darkness as she slips into unconsciousness. Raltise is far less fortunate. While his mind is barely functioning from the beholderkin’s first attack and already painfully wounded, the next blow is all the worst. His body is paralyzed; tense and frozen into the painful, contorted heap he is already in on the ground.

Both Sable and Raltise are under unknown spell effects, rendering her unconscious and his body frozen in place.

Its closest enemies immobilized but knowing there are more, the beholderkin flies backwards into the alcove behind it and it disappears out of sight, streaming blood from its wound. In its hurry, it bowls over the flaming spit as well as an iron kettle with a clatter.

The fire extinguished, the tunnel goes black once again.

Whatever anyone else was planning in terms of shots or magic are frustrated as the creature falls back into the inky blackness. Thordek’s spell becomes a curse, as his proximity to Kelith silence any magic he was attempting or words he wanted to say.

To the rear, Duervar joins Nalrak and Grathalmor as the minotaurs continue their game of dice poker. So far, the minotaur’s leader seems to be winning. He turns to Duervar and flashes his blunted teeth and his red eyes twinkle with amusement.

“Sounds like stampede going well for dwarves?”

He laughs, his laugh booming yet a bit odd.

"All we bloody need" Grathalmor says, annoyed. "A bull who thinks 'imself a jester! Got anymore, Kerik?" the Forgemark soldier says, snorting and then spitting on the ground. Kerik laughs again and ignores his watcher.

“Gore, I meet yer gold money and raise one trophy” he says. Unlatching a crudely preserved head of a bugbear with an astonished look frozen on its face, he sets it on the table. Gore looks at the others and declines.

Behind the column, Buna and Carmard look at each other.

"Any idea what they're doing up there?" Buna says to Carmard. He looks back at Buna, his face dour.

He shrugs and shakes his head, sighing.

"Why are we in the rear again?" Carmard says quietly.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/3495/underdarkt8ny1.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt8ny1.jpg)

[mshady]

OOC Stuff:

I am going to be away for the weekend. I will be leaving tomorrow night for a fishing trip and return on Sunday. I'll be resolving the next turn at that time.
I hope everyone is enjoying this combat scenario.

I know its difficult for everyone to participate, but it would be dishonest to avoid such encounters in the difficult terrain of the Underdark or avoid the consequences of the terrain.

Going forward, I will be awarding XP for each significant RP post (defined at DM discretion - one liners don't count, unless they're really funny). Anything that develops your character ingame will as well. When we are in a more free form area, I will happily DM each of you individually if there are things you want to do in town, etc.

This will be recorded silently for the time being.

To advance in levels, a certain percenatage of the level must be composed of RP XP and the rest from overcoming challenges (not neccesarily combat). Combat is a big part, but this isn't Highlander where characters gain power purely by killing others. If you get all of your combat XP for a level, I'll start adding it to your next level's combat XP.

Additionally, I would like to pick up the pace to 3 posts per week as well if that is okay with everyone.

House Rule on Critical Hits: A critical hit will damage armor in ways subject to DM discretion. (ie a small crit will have less effect than a large hit).

They will also result in 1 or more points of bleeding, stopped by a fort save or healing.

Criticals are really rare and they hurt. I try to treat combat as 'realistically' as I can in a Fantasy format. It's bloody and its terrifying. Damage may be more than HPs and simply healing those HPs will not necessarily avoid negative effects.

Mainly RP effects, but you could earn a limp or lose a limb or eye too if you take a massive critical hit. Much of that can be treated, but it would require recovery or specialized/more powerful magic.

Thoughts on these rules? They are actually suggested ones. If anyone is really against them or has better/different suggestions, I'm open to it. Lets move that discussion to our little used OOC thread though.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60703&page=2&highlight=Heretic%27s+Bane

Also, Chiefwaha had to drop due to work commitments. He was a great player and hopefully he will be back at some point again. If anyone would like to run a second PC and can post regularly, they are welcome to take over the PC.

King Tius will be taking over Nalrak, one of the Hammerstrikers and a cleric of Dumathion the Barakbar group would know.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grins at the minotaur. "I imagine they're crawlin' over each other like rats in a barrel, unused to fighting underground as they are. I should probably borrow an axe or something to help them, but they seem pretty fine so far. Anyway, you mind if I join your game? I don't have any trophies on me, as the damn things smell and most o' what I kill is just too damn ugly for me to be carrying its head with me. My gold's good though."

[King Tius]

Nalrak, cleric of Dumathoin, pulls his magma hammer off his back and hefts it restlessly. Glancing down the corridor towards the other party, he silently fights the internal pull to go see what's up. Within the confines of his own skull he argues with himself. "Stay here, you dolt. Your duty is to guard the sorcerer and by your mother's stones that's what you'll do." "But this is such dull work! I could be of use up there." Silently the cleric continues thinking to himself, his face wrinkled in a scowl. Nalrak's armor is kept sparkling and well oiled as befitting a Forgemark. His beard is capped and banded with gold and he keeps himself very clean for a dwarven soldier. His shield bears the symbol of the Hammerstrikers and about his neck hangs a large pendant depicting the symbol of Dumathoin. After waiting long enough and watching the dice game, he turns to Carmard and says "Sir, permission to advance and see how the forward group is faring?"

OOC: howdy folks. I'll try and stay out of everyone's way till I get used to this new party/role. Is this dialog color already taken?

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith will cancel his silence spell and move forward pulling out his wand and holding it in his hands. As he moves past Sable to Raltise he leans down to pick him up; before he does, he touches him once with the wand before placing it back on his waist.

He then takes him and lays him (if he is still frozen) by Sable and will check both their conditions. {{First i'm casting Lesser Vigor (+11 hp) then rolling a heal check to see what is afflicting Sable and Raltise and what should be done to reverse the effects (hopefully it's as simple as smelling salts for Sable and a little time for Raltise:smallsmile: ). [roll0] and [roll1]}}

Spells Cast
0-1
2-2

{{My actions stay the same}}

[mshady]

OOC Note: A significant correction on Sable's movement due to DM error. I misintepretted the rules on tumble. Under the circumstances/modifiers, that was an extremely difficult maneuver she almost pulled off. A failure on that particular check just means you do not avoid an attack of oppurtunity.

The post for last turn has been corrected, so please modify your IC reactions as well.

[bchilders]

Magnum

As soon as he can Magnum pushes forward, frustrated at hearing the sounds of battle and not being a part of it.

Double move as far as he can

[Melody]

Sable lies sprawled in the corridor beside Raltise in pool of slowly congealing blood. Her clothes and face are spattered with it. Her wounds appear severe until it's realized none of the blood is her own. A darkening area on one cheek and a scrape on her nose are her only obvious problems. Well, that and the fact she is unconscious.

ooc: Mike, should we be worried about any of my gear? I figure the distance isn't that far for anything in her pack to be hurt by her weight even if she fell right on it, thank Tymora, and you know why that's good. Mostly just concerned about the goggles, were they up on her head? Or on her face when she landed face down? And if so, is the frame strong enough to keep the lenses from getting damaged? This is probably just gonna get me in trouble, but I can't help thinking about it.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman could barely see the raging battle in front of im, but he was able to hear quite a bit.

The Beholder was pissed. Apparently the quarell from Bundok's crossbow hit it someplace sensitive. Arman was hoping for an eye.

From the resulting glows and screams, either an eye was hit, and the thing was enraged, or no eye was hit and the thing was enraged.

Sable jumped past Raltise and for a moment looked like she was going to hit the creature, but the cavern floor seemed to come up sooner to her than she thought due to the poor light and all Arman heard was her grunt of pain as she landed. Then another glow and both Raltise and Sable screamed.

Arman tried to get closer to try and use one of his spells, but as he neared, all he saw was the Beholder retreating fast over the fire, causing it to go out and darken the room, and Sable and Raltise on the ground. Neither was moving.

Where was the Beholder? Kelith was already kneeling near the two still forms of Sable and Raltise, but as dark as it was, Arman wasn't sure where everyone was. "Kelith? Do you know where the Beholder went? Do you need help?"

[thorgrim29]

Moradin's beard.... what happened to them? They're not....?
Thordrek had jogged to where his new companions lay sprawling, and was evidently concerned.

[dcjr]

Hjalmar rushes forward at full speed to grab is fallen companions.

Silverbeard I call on yer Divine Favor to protect me

He shouts as he barrels down the hall crossbow slung over his back shield wielded and Holy hammer brandished. When he gets gets there he shouts loudly.
AC 27
Divine Favor
Cover me wat best way ye can

Reaching the downed members he grabs them by thier collars slinging his weapon and shield and proceeds to drag them back to safety as fast as he can manage.
AC 22

[Katasi]

Arum says a mental prayer of thanks to his gnomish ancestors as he urges his chaotic mount along among the others. Four glowing balls of light spring forth beside him and then shoot out to the edge of his line of sight.

He countinues to urges his badger forward as he draws his crossbow and proceeds to load it, in case any danger comes along.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok

The dwarf smiled as he felt the mechanisms within the crossbow sliding another bolt into place. He thought to himself,

"Eh, one less thing ta worry aboot in this danm cave."

Peeking around the corner, he looked for the floating eyeball.

[roll0]

Seeing others coming up to drag the fallen back, he once again tried to draw the ire of the beast and came roaring around his corner and charged up the cave, ready to fire his crossbow at the first floaty eyeball looking thing he saw.



Moving up the corridor full move. If nothing within sight, double move, if something in sight, fire at it.

[roll1]
[roll2]

If attack is a crit, confirm and extra dmg below

[roll3]
[roll4]

[mshady]

With Sable and Raltise knocked out of the fight, at best, the party surged forward and moves towards their aid.

Bundok, unable to actually do anything for Raltise, charges past him with his lethal crossbow in hand. The beholderkin he and Raltise just shot may be badly wounded, judging by the blood trail, but it was badly wounded and likely pretty angry about the matter. Stepping into the area just before the small chamber where Sable lies, he can see that the fire was indeed a cook fire and a spit of meat lay roasting. Sable lies between the bodies of two orcs. Both show signs of being fed upon and they were a fresh kill.

The thing that he immediately notices about the orcs is that they are wearing identical looking chainmail with similar shields and axes. The uniform equipment can only mean one thing – they’re part of a larger group and one that may be nearby. They would certainly be a less frustrating opponent. Bundok stops and looks around, his keen eyes searching for the beholderkin. He sees nothing.

As Raltise is the closer of the two downed companions, the party moves towards his aid. Kelith has enough time to do a healing check on him, but there is little he can tell from his examination. He is stiff and unable to move or be moved, at least not gently. Lythe burst through the stone and moves to Raltise’s side as well, panicky, if not terrified at what she sees. Her psionic connection to Raltise seems dead. Most of the rest of the party gathers around the area; it is one of the few open areas in the tunnel with enough space to accommodate several of them.

Arum and Hjalmar press forward. While Hjalmar is much further back, he is moving at a dead run towards the falling Sable. Arum, on his faster moving badger, paces and outruns him just a bit. Mounted atop the clattering, snarling beast, Arum casts a spell that lights up the cavern ahead as the rest of the company makes a hole the two as they pass. Arum’s badger hops over the fallen Raltise, startling Lythe as Hjalmar comes thundering and bellowing behind them.

To the left, the terrible light pulses and the percussive sound of magic is unleashed once again. It washes over Hjalmar without effect, but stuns both Arum and his mount, who both drop to the ground. The beholderkin’s eyes flash once again at Arum, and the stunned gnome’s eyes roll up into his head and his consciousness fades.

A black ray streaks towards Hjalmar and envelopes him for a moment. As the black light fades, Hjalmar looks about with panic in his remaining eye and topples to the ground as his knees buckles. He lays on the ground, looking up and barely able to breathe under the weight of his armor and do little but flail helplessly on the ground. Whatever the beholderkin had just done to him, it had sapped his strength bad and he felt an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion.

With his remaining strength, Hjalmar points towards the left feebly at the floating aberration near him. Bleeding from its wounds, it still looks very much alive. It’s broken mouth almost seems to smile at Hjalmar as the beast’s predatory mind calculated what to do next. It floats behind a stalactite, using it for cover.

Towards the rear, Buna and Carmard move up. Now they hustle, sensing something is going terribly wrong in these nightmare tunnels. As he passes out of earshot, Carmard hears Nalrak’s request to come forward and join the fray.

“Aye lad, it’s all going to hell and hell just ain’t the same without ye!”

Buna looks at the normally dour Carmard, a bit surprised.

“Yer a chipper one suddenly. Too long with Glorian and only blood lust makes ye happy, eh?”

“Nay. It means he’ll be in front of me.”

Back with the minotaurs, Kerik hands Duervar five finely carved dice.

“Put down five gold money. Roll five dice. We put down five and roll five dice. Everyone place bet or quit, roll again. Highest win. Sort of. I tell you if win.” Kerik smiles. “Now roll”

Turn resolved on Friday and then back to a regular posting schedule.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9172/underdarkt10oz3.th.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=underdarkt10oz3.jpg)

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

{{And my heal check on sable??

Does it look like the effects of a spell, maybe a curse or something on them? Am I just completely clueless from my years of training as to what could cause this or how to heal it?}}

[mshady]

{{And my heal check on sable??

Does it look like the effects of a spell, maybe a curse or something on them? Am I just completely clueless from my years of training as to what could cause this or how to heal it?}}

OOC - With only 2 rounds, you never had a chance to make it to Sable. Now a few more people need heal checks.

In terms of Raltise's affliction, he appears alive but paralyzed. It's clearly a magical effect and you have no mundane way of countering it besides waiting. Quite awhile, actually.

[King Tius]

OOC: Can it be assumed that Nalrak would have taken off with the other two? It'll save me a movement round and let me get fightin' sooner.

[mshady]

OOC: Assume so, yes.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Done checking out Raltise (and don't forget that 11hp he'll be getting, although he gets it 1hp/round since it's a lesser vigor wand) Kelith will now move towards Sable {edit} and try to reach out and grab her leg (or arm, or whatever is closest) and drag her backwards about 10-15ft; keeping as out of sight of the beholder as he can. {/edit}. Then he checks her condition, inattentive to the rest of the group foolishly moving forward as individuals instead of as a group.

He'll look back at Arman as he asks if anything is needed, "Arman if you would take Raltise to the back with the minotaurs there is nothing I can do at this point but have him wait out his condition. Thanks."

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-2

{{I was thinking since I already rolled it we can just use my previous roll for sable, it was a 21}}

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grins as he puts down 5 gold pieces.

"Seems fair to me... but if ye cheat me ye overgrown cow, I swear I'll milk you fer yer blood... and it won't end well for ye!"

He picks up the dice and begins to shake them in his battle-worn hands.

"If I was a Gods-fearin' man, I'd call on lady luck. Since that's not the case... I'll just roll the damn things and hope fer the best"

5d6

ok? What am I doin' wrong with the dice roller?

[bchilders]

Magnum

Seeing his companions fall down in front of him, Magnum rushes to there aid. As he nears there bodies he sees a large floating creature to his left and almost as if by instinct he lifts his hand and commands, "May the Ax Father's light sear your flesh" A blinding ray of light scorches towards the beholder.

Move to L13 and cast...

Searing Light:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]

[Paper_Bard]

I'll try my roll right here.

[roll0]

[King Tius]

Nalrak runs a few more steps till he can see what is going on and hastily casts his Summon Monster III spell, bringing the creature to life as far down the hall towards the beholderkin as he can. If he has time, he will cast his domain spell, stone shape and attempt to mold the stone around the beholderkin to trap/pin it in the alcove.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman raised an eyebrow for a moment at being told to bring back the human from the front lines... er spot... but soon acquiesced and grabbing Raltise under his arms, started hauling him back to where the minotaurs waited. About five others had rushed ahead of him to fight the beholder and since there was no manuvering room, he would be able to wait a moment. Raltise on the other hand, might not be able to.

Pull check for me would you M... since I once again lost the command for the roll and really should write it down.Can someone tell me? :)

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Arman raised an eyebrow for a moment at being told to bring back the human from the front lines... er spot... but soon acquiesced and grabbing Raltise under his arms, started hauling him back to where the minotaurs waited. About five others had rushed ahead of him to fight the beholder and since there was no manuvering room, he would be able to wait a moment. Raltise on the other hand, might not be able to.

Pull check for me would you M... since I once again lost the command for the roll and really should write it down.Can someone tell me? :)
{{[ roll ]xdy+z [ /roll ] w/o the spaces and put in some numbers for x, y, and z.

edit: Oh, and I've started on the webpage so I need everyone to PM me a link to a picture of their character as well as a description of what they look like; plus anything else you would like to have up on the website. Once I can find a way to host it i'll give you guys the link to check it out and offer suggestions.}}

[mshady]

Things are not going well.
Raltise, Sable and Arum and unconscious and Hjalmar’s strength has been severally sapped, putting him on his back like some kind of great armored tortoise. The beholderkin waits under cover, ready to finish off its victims or deal with whomever blunders into the alcove next. Left to its own devices, it would likely kill the three quickly, putting any rescue on a deadline. With its central eye open, the chamber is flooded with the faint, pulsing orange light of its stunning magic

Instead of charging in, Bundok holds his position with his crossbow readied to shoot at anything that sticks its head around the corner. His finger rests gently on the trigger as he holds the mechanical crossbow at chest level. Anything this close would neither require or precise shot or allow him to the time to aim. The beholderkin waits around the corner, just out of sight while his comrades lay helpless or nearly so just feel in front of him.
Having used his wand on Kelith, he directs the only mage in the immediate area into take Raltise to the rear where the Minotaurs, Duervar, the Stoneburner and a pretty good game of dice poker is shaping up. His words are short as he stands and rushes down the tunnel, hell bent on pulling someone out of the charnel house that is developing in front of them.

Jostling Bundok as he passes, Kelith enters the room and lunges for whatever one of Sable’s appendages he can grab. The beholderkin, readied against any attackers, turns its gaze on Kelith and targets one of its eye balls on him. The magical energy surges through Kelith and he wobbles for a moment, disoriented and his heart seems to skip a beat. Kossuth must favor the cleric, as the magic has little appreciable effect on him beyond that. Shaking his head momentarily to clear his mind, he grabs Sable by the foot and drags her roughly across the tunnel floor until she is behind Bundok.
While she is dragged to safety by Kelith, her sword falls from her limp hands in the process. The naked blade lays about where Sable originally fell. The act of dragging her so roughly and so swiftly was probably enough to jostle her awake, but if that was not, cracking her head on the stone as she is dragged certainly was. Sable’s eyes flash open and she finds herself look up at the tunnel’s ceiling and Kelith’s face as he glances at her. Both her ankle and the back of her head throb. She is both groggy and a bit nauseous from the effects of the magic.

Magnum rushes by Bundok, Kelith and Arum, almost bowling them over as he strides bravely into the tunnel. As he rounds the corner, he calls out a prayer to the Father of Battle and unleashes a golden ray of divine energy at the beholderkin. The ray lances towards the creature, but he misses the creature by a wide margin. Instead, the ray colorfully drills a pin hole in the stone stalactite. The creature almost seems surprising the dwarf missed it and some of its eyes examine the hole momentarily before they all focus on him. The beholder’s own ray does not miss.

Magnum finds himself severally weakened as his strength is sapped from his body as quickly as water poured from a cup. Nonetheless, the suddenly crushing weight of all his equipment is not enough to topple him over or even really slow him. A dwarf’s square frame is ideal for bearing heavy loads and he steadies himself and remains defiant. Once again, the beholder is surprised as Magnum stays standing.
Magnum suffers a -6 strength and -6 dexterity penalty and feels absolutely exhausted from the beholder’s ray. With his current strength, he is at a heavy load and just a few pounds below exceeding that and ending up like Magnum.

While Arman begins to drag Raltise to the rear, Lythe grasps for his hand as he is pulled away and makes a odd but clearly desperate keening sound of despair. At first she tugs back on his arm to keep him with her but realizes there is nothing she can do for him. She can, however, do something to what did this to her Raltise.

Lythe rises and looks down the tunnel, lowers her head and bolts down the tunnel with astonishing speed as she slides the top of the tunnel in a fashion just like Raltise had just moved in. She roars in her small but fierce voice and it echoes through the tunnel. She bumps Kelith and leaps past Sable, then goes sideways as she slides past Bundok and into the deadly alcove, bring her face to face with the beholderkin.

Earth elementals, using small sonic bursts to burrow through stone, are also capable of a limited number of powerful, concentrated bursts of such power. Squaring her shoulders, she points her stubby hand at the elemental and lets out an ear splitting scream that sounds like metal tearing. The burst of concentrated sound strikes the beholderkin square in its central eye, bursting it in a spray of fluid and then blood and ichor. The beholderkin is driven backwards down the tunnel several feet, tumbling in the air and bouncing hard off a cavern wall. The limp corpses rolls forward from the momentum, almost to where it was and lays there limply.

The eye stalks twitch, its lungs wheeze and its body convulses as the aberration quickly expires from its wounds in an expanding pool of its own fluids, its body torn and shredded by the wounds.

Lythe stands and looks at the dead creature and back at her own hand, a bit surprised at the results of her attack. Tentatively, she walks up towards the aberration and makes sure it is dead. She kicks it hard, but the only result is a wet smack. Satisfied it is dead, she rushes back towards Raltise’s side.
“Raltise! Raltise! Please come back!” she says over and over again as Arman drags Raltise to the rear.

Lythe scores a critical hit on her ray attack, doing 21 pts of damage.
Arum is now awakened by the noise of Lythe’s attack and the general commotion, particularly his panicked badger. It looks around, eyes blazing and it is all Arum can do to restrain it from lashing out at the stricken Hjalmar.
Carmard and Buna finally join the central group and Carmard has a withering, bewildered look for the rest.
“Damn it. Ye folks are lucky nobody is dead” he grumbles. “When ye attack, attack like an avalanche on yer enemies not one pebble at a time” Carmard takes a deep breath and shakes his head. “Someone tell me how everyone is, eh? And why the hell is yer only mage dragging back a body? Where the hell is Duervar?”

“Now, now brother. They probably had a perfectly good plan that just went awry. It happens” Buna smiles at him. Carmard says nothing, looking dour and stroking his short beard.

Back in the rear, Duervar continues with his dice poker game. For his first hand, he rolled a 1, 5,5, 3 and 3. Kerik looks over at him and frowns.

“Ye have two pair. I have 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. Others have rubbish and bow out. I roll a 5, I win all. 5 of kind. You roll a 5 or a 3, you get full house. I double, put down 10 more gold money. You bet now or you short on height AND balls.” Kerik bares his teeth and grins as much as a minotaur can possibly grin. It’s quite an unnatural sight. The other three minotaurs laugh and looks at Duervar.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar stands up from the table, a wild grin on his face. He snaps his neck side to side, causing his neck to cramp, then strokes his beard.

Taking the dice in his hand, he shakes them, getting a feel for them with one hand whilst he lays down ten gold pieces.

I just got one thing to say...buddy."

He raises his fist to the side of his head, and lets the dice drop. "Got milk?"

[roll0] (Sorry about last time, didn't know each roll was important)

I used rollv, and its still not showing individul rolls. Could you roll for me?

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Seeing that Sable is now awake he will check her condition for any ill side effects. Finding none other than a bruised head and ankle he will pull out his wand once more. As he waits for the magic to take effect, he'll quickly bandage her ankle to help it heal. "Sorry about that, figured you'd trade a fight with the stone floor for one with the eye while unconscious; let me fix you up real quick then i'll be on my way to check on the others."

As he moves to check on the other party members up ahead of the tunnel he'll pick up her sword and toss it lightly back to her. "Here's your sword, hopefully next time we'll be able to back you up properly and it'll get some good use."

Spells Cast
0-1
2nd-2

{{If possible could I get a list of everyone's hp damages? I know Raltise got hit for some damage, but not sure if anyone else was injured; and sorry I can't heal attribute damage, hopefully someone else can

Oh, and like I mentioned earlier, I need a picture and a text description of your character PMed to me for the website. The temporay IP for the website is: 192.168.0.195}}

[mshady]

OOC: Tharar/Kelith is working on a webpage for Heretic's Bane. It will be a link hub for everyone's character sheets as well as a place for other players to see pictures of your PC.

I'll also put up alot of background information there as well as regional maps.

Also... if everyone can designate MShady as an editor on your myth-weaver accounts, that would be good. If you're not on myth weaver, any objection on moving over to it?

[Melody]

Sable winces and rubs the lump forming on the back of her noggin. "Sorry to put you to the trouble. When that fellow ran past me I," Sable trails off and takes her rapier from Kelith's hands. She shakes her head and cleans the weapon on her pants leg. "Figured the damnable thing would just keep backing down the tunnel where we couldn't get to it if I didn't get behind it. Guess I'd have been better to let it float off a bit." She sheathes the rapier and starts to chuckle, then winces when it hurts her head. "How is he?" She looks over at Raltise with a worried frown.

She continues to watch Raltise as she peels the slippers off her feet. She pulls on supple boots over the bandage, lacing them tightly to give her support. "Damned things." Sable scowls at the slippers as she puts them away in her pack. "Figured I'd have them on in case I had to go up a wall down here with it being so tight and all. Worst thing is they try to hold onto rocks when they're rolling, almost broke my ankle." She sighs then smiles wryly at Kelith, "Well, learned is learned. If you aren't climbing don't wear the things right?"

[King Tius]

Nalrak sighs, lowering his Magma Hammer. "Didn't even get a chance to get a swing in. Ah well." He walks down the corridor and calls out to the assembled crew. "Who be needing the soothing light?" Whoever asks shall receive healing. He does his best to sacrifice his lower level spells first.

[bchilders]

Magnum

Down on himself, not only for missing with his attack but also the realization that he didn't prepare any spells to help restore this drained strength he is now feeling. He will move around to his companions making sure none of them need any healing.

OOC: I'll try to get the picture and description to you today or tomorrow. I have a drawn picture that I could upload or would you rather a graphic illustration?

[thorgrim29]

Well..... we got lucky, individual fighting prowness was enough to win, but it wont always be. The way I see it, we need to split into 2 or even 3 fighting units. Each unit has a leader, who runs thing in combat. That way, when we have to fight in a tunnel, we can send one team and have the other as rearguard and backup, to replace wounded or fallen. Each unit should have at least two frontliners, a scout if possible, a ranged specialist and a healer. That way, we can learn to work together as a team as we go, and if we need to split up it wont be chaotic as that pathetic excuse for organised tunnel fighting was. Any thoughts?

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

"Sounds like a fine idea. Since i'm still uninjured I'll take lead group as the healer.

{{I'm gonna need everyone to send me their character sheet links as well if you would.}}

[ArmanMadero]

Arman dragged Raltise back as fast as he could to the rear of the group, and kept feeling something tug upon Raltise as he kept dragging. Looking up to see what he kept snagging on, he soon realized that it was the elemental that hung around Raltise.

"Don't fear little one. Your friend yet lives. We shall get him awake soon. I wish Tolrin were here to look at him, but I will find someone just as qualified."

Lythe let go of Raltise's hand and went towards the area where the beholder was. "Be careful Lythe!" Hoping that the elemental understood, Arman kept dragging Raltise back to where he could be attended to.

Noises ahead of them in the tunnel suddnly grew louder as the beholder let out a roar of pain that softened and finally stopped. Laying Raltise down, Arman rested his hands on his knees and took a few deep breathes for a moment.

Suddenly two dwarves, that were recognized as Buna and Carmard, were standing near him and looking at Raltise, Carmard grumbling to no one in particular except those who were around.

“Damn it. Ye folks are lucky nobody is dead” he grumbles. “When ye attack, attack like an avalanche on yer enemies not one pebble at a time”

Carmard took a deep breath and shakes his head. “Someone tell me how everyone is, eh? And why the hell is yer only mage dragging back a body? Where the hell is Duervar?”

Arman let a smile slip through and nodded to Carmard. "As to how everyone fares, I know only that Raltise here, seems to be paralyzed and unconcious. Sable is still ahead and she is also unconcious, though not paralyzed. I wasn't sble to see much else but it seems that our other mage, Arum, was struck also by the Beholder and I believe is down." Arman took another breath. "I am dragging our poor Raltise back here, because before I could ready a spell and get into the fight, a few others beat me to it. Kelith took charge of those who were down and out for the count, and seeing me, asked me to bring Raltise here. Duervar... I'm not exactly sure where he was, but I think he went to the end of the line to let everyone else have a chance at the Beholder."

Arman finally regained his breath and stood up, looking once again to the head of the group, trying to see if anything else had occured since the last few noises. But of course, he could see nothing and so started to look Raltise over. "Carmard, do you know anything about how Raltise is paralyzed? Or how long it will last? How about you, Buna. I have a wand of healing, but I fear that more will be needed to get Raltise back upon his feet."

[mshady]

Carmard listens to what Arman has to say and says nothing. The dwarf stands and looks forward, letting his eyes take in the scene and ignoring what anyone else has to say as he thinks. He has a very detached, dispassionate look on his face as he calculates. His total lack of expression
is a bit spooky.

Finally, Carmard nods his head slightly in Arman's direction and speaks.

"Thank ye, Elf. No casaulties and the beholder's down. Good. Not a big one or we'd have fatalities" Carmard grimaces slightly.

"Orders! Make camp here, 2 hours. Eat, rest and pull yer heads outta yer arses. Three sites. Where the minotaurs are, this central alcove and where that fire was. I want two teams formed. Figure it out. Third squad be the minotaurs with the Stoneburner. I want each of the two groups to have a mage and cleric each. Thank ye Thordek for bringing order to chaos. Ye lead a squad. Bundok lead the first squad. Tell that human lass if she ain't gonna trip again, I want her on a long point."

Carmard finishes and looks down at the paralyzed Raltise without expression. His eyes look over the fallen human and he gestures to Buna.

"Look at him" he says, and walks forward stiffly to where the fire was.

Buna frowns slightly.

"Don't mind him, Arman. He's got alot on his mind. He's been through alot before too as well as a helluva fight in the last week. Now... lets see how yer psion is doing..."
Buna leans and looks at the stiff man and actually yawns in the process. She appears a bit sheepish for a moment and returns to her examination. Finally, she removes her gauntlet and smacks Raltise across the face.

"Hmm" she says. She carefully watches on how long the redness takes to fade and appears to be counting. Standing up, she looks at Raltise and than back to Arman.

"Give'em a few minutes 'nd he'll be fine. And do apologize to'em for any bruise; leaves a mark when ye do that. Wanted 'o make sure it wasn't death magic. Looks like ye ran into a gauth. A lesser Beholder. Watch fer chutes or spider holes in the ceiling... they like to ambush..."

Buna says and smiles. She turns and follows Carmard to the front abruptly without a further word.

Towards the rear, Duervar pushes in his 10 coins and Kerik matches it. They both roll, with Duervar getting a 4 and Kerik rolling a 2, meaning Duervar wins handidly. Kerik growls and pushes the coin across the trunk, his nostrils flare.

"Milk? Dwarf, try that and your head on my belt. Steak jokes next? We make jokes about milking dwarves? Tempus weeps that we share such company as yours... " he says. His red eyes narrow as he looks across and down at Duervar.

"Roll again, rude dwarf... I want my gold money back." Kerik says, now much more serious. The other minotaurs look at Duervar as the group rolls..."

OOC: Roll a d6 5 times and post the results, as opposed to 5d6

[thorgrim29]

Yes sir, Thank you sir.... I'll take Sable, Amur, Magnum and Raltise, and Duergan if the other squad doesn't need him. And I saw some of us have weapons very much unsuited to fight underground... I can lend ye my axe for the mission, just be carefull with it, forged and enchanted it myself back in Barakbar.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grins. "Quit talking about steak, you're making me hungry..."

He rolls the dice once more, hoping his luck holds out.

[Yuki Akuma]

Finally, Raltise begins to come around. His eyes flutter open, slowly... to be faced with darkness. He gropes around himself, quickly finding his darkvision helmet, and pulling it on. Standing up, he puts one hand to his head - even if it is currently encased in metal - and gives a soft groan.

And then, of course, he hears the sound of dice.

Following the sound, walking slowly but deliberately, his glowing eyes begin to slowly change colour, from a light blue to a much darker colour.

He stalks up behind Duervar. "Duervar. If you would be so kind as to tell me... during that battle..." He suddenly makes a grab for the dwarf's neck, in attempt to use his not-unconsiderable strength to slams the dwarf against the nearest wall. His eyes are now glowing black - how that's even possible is a mystery - little streaks of black spreading over what's visible of his face, like cracks in his skin. "What in the name of Deep Duerra were you DOING?!"

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grunts in surprise as he's slammed into a wall and his hand goes to his pick, when he realizes he left it beside the table.

"What the..."

He notices its raltise, hears what he says, and grins sheepily. "If I'm not mistakin', I was playin' dice... till ye rudely interrupted. And don't ye be sayin' that bitch's name around me or I'll gut you like a salted pig!"

[ArmanMadero]

Buna looked at Raltise and smacked him in the head once, trying to wak him up Arman supposed. Arman wondered how much worse it would have been if it hadn't been a lesser Beholder.

Buna soon told him that he would awaken soon, and to keep him as comfortable as could be on a rocky floor in a dark cavern until he woke. She soon walked away while everyone else decided upon where they would be within the groups they were forming.

Thordek soon chose who would be with him in the first group. Arum was going with them it seemed so he would be the second group with Bundok.

Hearing a groaning noise, Arman looked down and saw that Raltise was wakening, and struggling to stand after he got his helmet back on to see.

"Careful Raltise. You took quite a nasty zap from that beholder. We have two hours to rest. And I think that you should take full advantage of that."

Raltise however, had different plans and stalked away from Arman, his mouth set in a firm line, and Arman was sure, grinding his teeth in frustration. Suddenly he heard Raltise yelling at Duervar and Arman looked. He had Duervar by the neck against the wall and Duervar was screaming back at him. Not knowing what to do really, Arman decided to let them to work out their partnership and noticed Lythe returning.

He smile and kneeled to the rocky floor, smiling at the small rock like creature. "Raltise is awake, little one. And seems cranky at Duervar. Maybe you can help out there?"

Lythe ran off and Arman got back to his feet to join Bundok and the others. He sat down against a smoother part of the wall and informed Bundok to let him know when they were moving out by shaking him. Arman figured noises should be kept to a minimum since they seemed to echo loudly in the tunnels. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply for a few moments before going into his elven reverie, seeking out what ever it is that elves seek within their dreams.

[Yuki Akuma]

"Do you know why you're down here with us, son-of-a-Duerger?" Duervar had called him a son-of-an-Illithid when they first met, so it was only fair. "You're not here because we like you. You're a hired blade." Raltise glowers at the dwarf. "Start acting like one!" Raltise drops the dwarf then, stepping back. "If your pick won't work in these tunnels, use your axe."

He then turns away, looking for Lythe.

[Diarmuid]

Bunkdok

Bundok strangely found himself missing the chaotic, frozen battlefied with its ogres, frost giants, and ice demons. Beholders were not something he really enjoyed thinking about, and the cramped confines of these tunnels had him fighting differently than he was used to.

As Carmand barked his orders, the unkempt dwarf poked through the remains of the orcs, trying to glean any additional information that might be there.

[roll0]

Grabbing the axes the dead orcs wouldn’t need anymore (along with anything else of note) he moved back towards the main group and tossed them in a heap in the middle of the tunnel.

"Anyone 'oo dodn’t 'ave sumthin they kin swing in 'ere grab one o' those. And anyone 'oo's got a crossbow, git up near the front wid me. We'll keep an eye on things up there so's we don’t git surprised. Raltise, those strange arrows ye be shooting'll be just fine too. Git yer arse up near that beholder's camp, an' ye kin send yer pet rock ta go take a look up ahead. Them orcs's wearing matching clothes an that means they either got summody smart dressin em…or we got one o' them smart orcs leadin em. Either way…I wanna know if'n they're close."

With that, Bundok moves up to a position just this side of the beholder's fire. He's hoping anyone coming from the other direction will have trouble adjusting to the light of the fire and he'll see them before they seem him.

Hide Check - 17 (roll in OOC thread. didnt want to clutter up with another post)

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith will ignore the fighting of Raltise and Duervar seeing that it doesn't turn violent, while taking his 2 hours of rest to refocus. He'll join the second group while waiting for those in the first to move out.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar breaks into laughter.

He grabs Raltise by the shoulder, spinning him around to face him, his pick now in his left hand. "I was hired to protect the interests of the fine Patriarchy. I don't give a damn about yer sorry ass. 'Sides, the tunnels were clogged too bad with so many of us anyway, I would have just got in the way. If that little blighter gave ye so much trouble, then yer as good as dead in the battle to come."

He steps forward, pushing his face as close as he can to Raltise's. And listen here you whoreson. If you EVER touch me again, I'll take yer hand and make yer little rock bitch eat it in front of yer blasted screwed up eyes. Ye understand me?

[Yuki Akuma]

Speaking of Raltise's eyes, they've now returned to their default, neutral blue. He brings his arm up, slowly, on the inside of Duerver's hand. He then bats it away, turning around and walking off. "Save your breath. You don't scare me." His voice is emotionless now; he's over his anger. He turns to the minotaurs, and gives them a nod. "I apologise for interrupting. You know how near-death can be. Please, continue." And then he really goes off to look for Lythe this time.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar scowls... crossing his arms across his burly chest. Then he smiles.

We're not through psion... not even close.

He takes one of the offered axe, testing its balance with a few quick motions.

[thorgrim29]

Here, take mine, just be sure to return it, would'nt do to be weaponless after the mission. And please, can you keep your temper down? Believe me I understand and share your frustrations with this cursed thing we're about to do, we all do. It's just that we're not even close and we're already fighting for our lives, we have enough to worry about as it is. Besides, if Carmard decides to place you under my orders, I will not tolerate infighting and threats.

He seems to be genuinely sorry to have to resort to weilding his newfound autority so soon, but infighting is intolerable. The axe itself is forged with precise care, it is clear that even witout the magic it would be a weapon to treasure, the kind of peice nondwarves pay fortunes for. One side bears the symbol of Dumatoin, the Keeper of Secrets under the mountain, the other is etched with the symbol seen of Thordrek's sheild.
(+1 dwarven waraxe)

Not waiting for an answer, the Mirabaran dwarf catches up to Raltise.

Oi, Raltise! Wait up. Listen lad, I understand yer frustrations, but ye cant just go jumping at a brother-in-arm's throat like that! We all signed up to protect the Patriarchate, and now we're gonna destroy a soul and burn ancient dwarven ruins to the ground, something that goes against my every instincts as an historian. Everyone's edgy, understandably so, but you need to focus on the mission, should'nt be too hard for a Psion eh? By the way, when you were out, Carmard placed me in command of a group, and I requested you in it, because you seem like a good lad and you and your little stony friend impressed me back there. If you are under my orders, I wont like it, but I will enforce dicipline.

[mshady]

The minotaurs laugh their rumbling laugh and Kerik slaps his knee as they watch the altercation between Raltise and Duervar. They sit cross legged around one of the most terrifying and unstable magically weapons in the realms with a felt dice mat across it watching with complete amusement.

"Hah! Human rock petter strong picking up fat dwarf but not so smart. Duervar be Tolrin's pet though, but blue haired bitch mage have more manhood than both. Only sack he has be the one with gold money. First mercenary rule: no piss off paymaster. Never make enemy unless you kill them too. Now set down little fat beard, Kerik want money back."

The minotaur smiles, revealing his gold and white teeth once once.

"He come play dice with us because you all dumb and charge beholder. Carmard have map, we just go around. Learn lesson now? Now you all be smart. Use scout with nice arse. Not hard to follow, aye? I fight 100 years and see something new. Famous dwarven eye tyrant charge? Good fun!" Kerik says, throughly amused. "What next? Charge wall?"

Like a sarcastic chorus, they chuckle again with their leader.

When Thordek arrives and tries to present Duervar with an axe, the nearly silent Grathalmor the Forgemark Legionnaire who has observed the whole scene wordlessly raises an eyebrow.

"Levtokuld Thordek? Duervar has an axe. On his hip, see? Not that he noticed either..." Grathalmor says. He flashes a scowl at Duervar and the game and returns to watching the area behind them.

Towards the front, Carmard approaches Bundok. His magnificent warhammer is in his hand and his traditional urghosh is strapped to his back.

"Yer Bundok, aye? You have a squad now. You're one of Tolrin's and not Forgemark, aye?" Carmard looks at him with dead, dispassionate black eyes that search out an answer by just looking at Bundok.

"I hope today's lesson in fighting smart was heeded, yes? We tried your people's way, now mine. I'm not Tolrin. I'm Arcanii. The difference is the same. I'm in charge. I like kin who don't need orders though. So don't need them. My job is the Stoneburner and getting it there. Lets keep this simple.

A second test. Think on those orcs. The dead and their kin. They likely are Aurilites and guarded the most direct approach from Hundlestone. Do we kill them and risk the alert but gain more preparation with the duergar for the assault or take a long detour through unknown terrain and maybe miss our rendevouz and but avoid detection? Discuss. Find me before we leave."

Finished with what he says, Carmard simply turns and walks away.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok

Bundok stands erect as he's admonished by Carmand. He takes the criticism like he has all his life, like a well greased pan cooking eggs. Tolrin didn’t like his methods either, but he got results so Bundok was kept around.

"Bah, that last bit aint no test. We're in tunnels, there are orcs about. We kill em, that's what dwarves do."

His inflection speaks volumes to his opinion of those who are with them in the caves. As he moves back up the tunnel to his position, he notes no one else is making any moves to join him. Shrugging, he removes the magazine from his crossbow and fills it again to maxiumum capacity.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar's eyes blink, a stupid look on his face. He looks down at his hip and breaks into a great laugh. Har har har! So I do, so I do! Such a puny thing it tis, I clear gone forgot about it!"

He hefts his pick. "Hopefully the next fight ye all won't charge into cramp quarters like total idiots eh? Maybe I can actually use this baby?"

[Melody]

Sable walks back as the minotaur begins speaking. She listens quietly as Duervar finshes talking; her expressive face completely without emotion of any kind and her eyes behind the goggles flat. She studies him for some time without speaking before turning towards Camard.

"On one hand," she holds one hand out palm up, "We have unknown terrain. That means wildlife like that beholder and goodness knows what else. With tunnels that may not even be going the way we want to." She drops the hand and holds out the other palm up. "On the other hand we have sentries and patrols. The more noise we make the more we have to fight and the harder it's gonna be to get this set up and defended for as long as we need."

"Now usually, I know where I'm going. I don't remember anyone mentioning going around as an option back when I told you all what was ahead. Since nobody is sharing that information, I'm in the dark here." Sable smiles with a wry twist to her mouth as she says the last, acknowledging the literal and figurative meaning of her statement. She slips the goggles she's wearing off and cleans them with a cloth from her pack. "Since you have the map and know where we're going you'll have to make that choice unless you start giving me more information." Sable puts the goggles back on and shifts slightly, folding her arms across her chest waiting for a response.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Rousing himself from his rest Kelith will throw in his two cents, "Well if I remember correctly we are on a deadline, I could care less which way we go so long as we accomplish two things: 1) We get this stoneburner set up and rigged on time and 2) The rest of you don't get yourself more harmed than I can heal. Frankly i'd rather deal with a horde of orcs over fighting another eye, so if we are certain the direct path is full of just orcs I say take the main path."

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar nods in agreement with Kellith. The flame worshiper has a point. We'd be better off fighting a slew of inept orcs than risking ourselves against such an odd foe as an eye tyrant, even a baby one."

[mshady]

Carmard seems a bit surprised that the human woman is actually addressing him. He listens politely to what she has to say, his face unmoving as any statue to what she says.

When she is done speaking, the dwarf simply looks at her calmly for a very long moment.

"Buelyir chose you well" he declares, before going silent once more. "If you were a dwarf, you'd do well with us. As you are not, paying well will have to suffice. Pity."

Carmard stands silently again, considering his next response before speaking in his slow, unerringly flat, unaccented common.

"We often hire Sammikon scouts. By nature most are not trustworthy or at least reliable. Your reliability now is of no concern. Betray us on this task, we all hunt you" he stops and looks up at Sable.

"That is no threat. I simply understand you know this fact. By observation I can tell ye accept this and are not hiding. Ye went first to fight the beholderkin and held up the rest to do so. Clearly mercenary but professional. Calm. I like calm. A risk taker. Calculated. Bold not reckless"

Once again, the dwarf thinks silently to himself, choosing his words.

"Betrayal is suicidal but those are merely the expected terms for what you are paid. You overheard the talk at the fire but still revealed yourself. You hid well; I'm surprised I seen you. As you abide by these general terms, I mark you as honorable."

Carmard reaches into his satchel and removes a long scroll tube. He uncaps the end of the finely etched tube and removes a yellowed map. Unfurling the map, the image upon it swirls gently before orienting itself. A new map appears on the watery surface that shows the tunnels and pathes for several miles. Several hundred feet back, a passage parallels the tunnel the party is in.

"The elemental could have knocked a hole in the tunnel wall for us and avoided the beholderkin. We needed a first blooding together for me to see how all would fare. One not too serious. Supposedly" A note of disdain can be heard in his voice.

"Most seem very brave but no clear leaders. Too used to Tolrin doing that, I think. The elemental made his group ideal for this. Now, you are not in the dark.

The most direct path hooks to the left and goes three miles, roughly. I expect the camp to be around this pool. Two approaches. Through the front or through a side path and a flooded tunnel. This may be unknown to them. If some or all take that path, the exit must be blocked as well. Anyone missed alerts the Dragon Hall. We have 18 hours to get to the ruins. The direct path is 12 hours. If the position is too strong, back tracking will delay us greatly."

Carmard looks at her impassively.

"Share your thoughts now that you are in the light. Assault or detour?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise stops in his tracks, regarding Thordek mildly. He then shrugs his shoulders. "Sorry. I suppose I just expect too much from others with less... impotent minds?" He pauses for a while. "Actually putting thoughts like that into words makes me sound incredibly bigoted, doesn't it? That isn't what I meant..." Yes, he is aware that Duergar are naturally psionic creatures.

He rubs the back of his neck, then heads up to the front to make sure nothing comes to surprise the others while they're talking and/or arguing. Lythe, could you come here? Two pairs of eyes are better than one.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar turns to Raltise, realzing to whom he is referring. "Remember psion, I am only half duergar. I do not share my pa's psychics. You should also know that jus' cuz ya can't shoot energy from yer noggin' don't mean yer stupid. If we're getting into the debate on intellect, yer little flashy show nearly got yerself killed. Ye might wanna think a bit more 'afore rushing into things."

He strokes his chin, scowling once more at his lack of beard. "I say the fewer battles we have to fight, the better. Not being cowardly, just smart. Those oversized cows aren't going to help us and that thing they're carrying is delicate."

[bchilders]

Magnum

Magnum heads over towards the beholders site to make sure no one approaches the rest of the group. Oblivious to the arguments going on he tests out the weakened strength in his arms to see how impaired he will be in the coming fight.

[mshady]

Magnum drags himself to the front and finds it exhausting to move. He can barely hold his head up. Swinging his axe, even slowly, makes his arm feel numb. He doubts he could hit harder than a goblin at this point. He notices that Hjalmar, similarily effected, is sound asleep in the corner where he was dragged and has an overwhelming urge to do the same.

Hopefully, this actually wears off....

Edit: For grammar. Apparently written while drunk...

[ArmanMadero]

Arman kept his reverie up until someone shook his shoulder a bit. It was time to move. Getting together with his group, which he thought was Bundok's, he situated himself in a position where he wouldn't be in the front lines, but close enough to use his Art if he needed to.

Thats gonna be it for now. I will be able to place a larger, possibly funner post n sunday. I will be gone for the weekend M if you would care to NPC for me... speaking of drinking... going racing up north... BIR is open for those who dare to race me!! (Because I race the most awsome Toyota Corolla that goes 17.7 sec for the quarter drag! WHOO!!!) Back sunday night. have a good weekend all.

[mshady]

Lythe appears out of the gloom from where she was hiding as she watched the altercation between Raltise and Duervar. She waits until he passes her, refusing to go any closer to the Stoneburner. Even proximity to the terrifying device makes the elemental nervous.

The mental thread between her and Raltise becomes bright and unstable whenever she approaches at. Raltise has to mentally maintain the link between the two. It’s a minimal effort, but holding on to that very important string instead of it being there is a very… odd, unsettling experience. To him, it almost feels like it is being disrupted or pushed aside. It is annoying and odd to Raltise but far more to Lythe…
Lythe to Raltise:

“Get away from it” she tells him emphatically. It’s almost a plea. “I cannot feel your thoughts near it”

Lythe joins Raltise, following just behind him as the two walk to the front to acts as look outs.

Lythe to Raltise:

I thought I lost you! Your mind was… blackness? I panicked. Wanted to hurt it for hurting you! I did good! Killed it dead, dead, dead. Still no one like me. Only you like me Raltise…

The two make it to the front and take up a position, watching one of the tunnels. Lythe hops over the bodies of one orc and the next and back again. She enjoys the hoping for a few moments and walks over to the dead beholderkin. The small elemental just squats there, looking at the dead thing.

Lythe to Raltise:

“Raltise? What happens to me if you ever go away? Become like little eye tyrant?” Lythe says to him telepathically. She seems introspective. Sad. “A lot will die doing this.”

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise follows along slightly behind Lythe, letting her lead the way for once. He looks down at her... and actually speaks to her, not bothering to use the mental link to communicate. He's making a show of actually speaking to her, attempting to cement the fact that she's not his servant in the minds of the others. ""I'm sorry. I know you're scared of it. I'll try to keep away from it from now on..."

The psionicist leans against the wall of the tunnel, watching Lythe for a moment. He then gives a grin. "Once all of this is over, we really need to work on your Common. Your grammar is awful. Maybe you should just use Terran..." Teasing her to lighten to mood, perhaps? He doesn't answer her question about what would happen if he were to snuff it, although she can feel a general sense of uncertainty from him. "...Lythe... you're adorable sometimes, you know that? Even if you do seem to enjoy killing things a little too much..."

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Responding to Carmard, "Like I said before, i'll take the path w/o any of those eyes. If there be no path then I say we make one; the last choice being to fight one.

Other than that, you can bring on the orcs."

[thorgrim29]

Well, if Duervar does'nt need it.... I'll take it back.

He comes near Carmard.

Carmard sir? If you approve my choice for my group, I'd like to use what time we have left to talk to them, find out what everyone can do, and work out strategies with them and Bundok, I'd like Sable, Amur, Magnum and Raltise, along with Duervar if Bundok does'nt need him.

[mshady]

Carmard nods.

"Talk to them. Take the fire priest instead of Magnum and Arman instead of Arum. My orders. If we are to take these orcs, we need to flank them. Stop any runners. To do that, it'll mean a swim." Carmard says.

He looks directly into Thordek's eyes with his cold, distant stare and returns to studying the odd map in his hand the Hammerstrikers had recovered earlier.

[thorgrim29]

A swim..... yes sir. You heard him, Kelith, Arman, Sable, Raltise and Duervar, come with me, we need to talk.

(assuming they all come)

Hello, I am aware that most of you know eachother, but for my sake and Sable's, I want you to tell me a bit about youselves, what you can do, what you cant do, what you're unwilling to do, hell, roughly who you are. Then we can work out a strategy so we keep losses to a minimum, if possible to zero on this mission. I'll start.

I'm Tordrek Torrun, from Mirabar, where I was a clerk, a guard and bored out of my mind. I'm whats known as a forgemark Levtokuld, an ancient order ressurected by the patriarchate. We are pretty similar to the elven duskblades. That means I'm a close combat specialist who allies cold steel and mostly offensive magic to destroy my foes. I'm probably not as
versatile a mage as Arman of as skillful a fighter as Duervar, but I manage. I also know a few ranged spells. Oh, and when I'm not training, I'm an historian, specialising in Delzoun and Netherese ruins and artifacts. It's actually history that brought me to the Patriarchate, I learned my other trade after.
As your leader, I see myself as a means to relay Carmards orders, and take on the spot decisions. I have no leadership experience, and I frankly would hate to have to use my autority, but I will if you force me to.

All of them have seen more impressive speaches, delivered by more experiences and charismatic leaders, but he seems genuinely honest and eager to make this work.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith
Kelith will step forward as Tordrek gets done.

"My name is Kelith Firestorm, a devout follower of the god of purifying flame, Kossuth. My life is one of dedication to Kossuth, and my mission here is not only to stop the greed of the powerful in this town, but help the unable to free themselves from their constant fear. I focus my spells on healing and defense for myself and others. I prefer to greet my enemies with my chain, and I like to stay near the group in case there is healing to be needed."

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar scowls (big surprise) and takes a step forward, brandishing his pick.

"The name is Duervar. I haven't used me family name in years, so don't ye be askin'. I'm the bastard son of a dwarven slave and a duergar slavemaster, in case you were wondering about the eyes and skin.
I'm a warrior, plain and simple. What ye might not know, is that I've trained a bit in a unique dwarven fighting style. I don't have a name for it yet, but suffice it say that if I can get mah feet planted right, I can chip into solid adamantium... and that's no joke".

He grips the pick tighter, his lips forming a cruel smile. "Also, let's get one thing straight. I'm not a 'team player'. I don't give a damn about your sorry asses, alright? I'm here to make sure this mission succeeds, and that's only cuz I owe Tolrin fer more than I'll ever be able to repay. Got that? I'm no hero, I'm just here to kill things."

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar scowls (big surprise) and takes a step forward, brandishing his pick.

"The name is Duervar. I haven't used me family name in years, so don't ye be askin'. I'm the bastard son of a dwarven slave and a duergar slavemaster, in case you were wondering about the eyes and skin.
I'm a warrior, plain and simple. What ye might not know, is that I've trained a bit in a unique dwarven fighting style. I don't have a name for it yet, but suffice it say that if I can get mah feet planted right, I can chip into solid adamantium... and that's no joke".

He grips the pick tighter, his lips forming a cruel smile. "Also, let's get one thing straight. I'm not a 'team player'. I don't give a damn about your sorry asses, alright? I'm here to make sure this mission succeeds, and that's only cuz I owe Tolrin fer more than I'll ever be able to repay. Got that? I'm no hero, I'm just here to kill things."

[bchilders]

Magnum

Magnum succumbs to the urge to rest a little thinking back to his fathers famous words, "There not much a good nap can't cure". Admittedly his father was quite the lazy man, but his advice seemed solid at the point.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman was going with Bundok when he was called by Tordrek. Apparently, he was going with them now. Nodding to Bundok, then realizing he probably couldn't see it, he wished them well and headed off with Tordrek.

Along with Kelith, Sable, Raltise and Duervar, Arman listened to Tordrek telling them all about himself. Then he asked them to do the same in return.

Arman listened to Duervar and Kelith say their stories. A frown crossed his features for a moment and then a lopsided grin. The short version.

"My name is Arman Madero. I am a Moon Elf, if you haven't guessed upon my features. I hail from Silverymoon. My mother taught me to fight. My father taught me a few things that I needed to know, and my uncle taught me Mystra's Art. I have seen over a century of life and done many things during that time. Traveling with caravans I have found to like the best. As to what I am doing here. Shortly after the rumors of Mithril hall once again being found, caravans started wanting more protection. I was hired for that. I have some considerable skill in the Art. I cannot do necromancy or other spells that I deem to go against my beliefs. I am fairly easy to get along with, as elves go..." Arman stopped at this point, thinking if he could add more. Shrugging his shoulders, he decided that anything else they wanted to know, they could ask.

[mshady]

Buna listens as Thordek gathers his group and frowns at Duervar's introduction.

"Ye know Duervar... I could say alot to what ye just said. Suffice 't to say, I 'hink Tolrin would be... embarrassed to 'ave talk like that and his name used in the same breath.

Ye may not give a damn 'bout our sorry arses, but remember that someone gave a damn about yers. And kept giv'n a damn about it. Ye repay yer debts like that? Ye 'ave any idea how much that dwarf has helped ye? You wouldn't dare say that in front of Tolrin.

Ye may be here 'cause you feel ya owe HIM one, but he sent ye because he trusts ye. Trusts ye to work with us. So ye owe him that too. Since ye need a reason." she says.

Buna glares at him fiercely. The normally nice sounding female dwarf has a sharp, disgusted tone.

"Thordek, 'nything you'd like to add?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise walks towards the small grouping, listening idly to the introductions. "My name is Raltise Siprite. I'm a psionicist... my particular talent involves focusing murderous intent into material weapons. Like so." There's a faint humming crackle, as his Mind Blade manifests on his right hand. "I'm also an archer. I've been described as 'closer to an elf than a human' in that regard... although the ones describing me were dwarves, so take that as you will." He gives the dwarves in the group a friendly grin.

He pauses for a while. "And I may as well take this opportunity to say this. This," he says, as he puts his hand on the top of his elemental companion's head, "is Lythe. She is not my pet. She is not some sort of slave. She is my friend, and I would appreciate it if everyone would treat her as a companion rather than my rock dog."

[thorgrim29]

Actually Buna, I would.... I dont know Tolrin very well, but it seems to me he's the kind of leader who wont consider a mission a success if the number of casualties is not kept to a minimum. Think about that when you have the possibility of saving one of us Duervar. Other then that I dont realy care what your motivations are, I just asked because I know some people find certain tasks distasteful.

After Raltise spoke.

Well then, welcome to the team Lythe, can you talk or communicate in any way?

[Melody]

Sable listens as everyone relates their history and her eyebrows seem to lift a little higher each time. By the time Raltise makes the blade appear in his hand her eyebrows are nearly lost in her hairline. Her eyes move from Raltise to Lythe to Duervar and back before she shakes her head slightly obviously settling herself.

"Well, being that you're so up front it might be worth my own life to let you know a little more about me." Sable looks down at her hands for a moment, studing them for a moment before continuing to speak. "I'm not a woodlands scout or anything like that. I can, I've done it since I needed to find work, but I am or was anyway more of an assasin." She keeps her eyes on her hands as if she's worried about what the expressions around her will look like. "I was good at my job, would have stuck with it, but I guess my leader figured I was too good or something." She lifts one shoulder in a minimalist shrug letting it fall as she continues. "Anyways, I found out he set me up so I left. Needed to find something else to do and scouting is pretty close to the same work."

Now she looks up at the rest of the party finally meeting their eyes with her own. Her face takes on a stubborn expression. "You might not love what I did, but a contract is a contract and I'll do my best by you all to get the job done. The reason I'm telling you all this so you'd understand what I can and can't do. My vote is to make the frontal assault." Sable looks thoughtful for a moment then smiles wryly as if what she thought of amused her. "Come to think of it Buelyir probably knew all that and didn't include it in his mesage. Probably gave me that other job just to see how I'd work out helping you all with this. Seems like something he'd do, and I'm exactly what you need if we're gonna take the shorter route in."

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar turns to Buna, a wild look in his eyes. They flash one, as if signaling his anger.

He moves up to her, putting his face directly in front of hers. "Tolrin is a Jagger... first and foremost. All you have to do is look at Gloria to see how they work. He may be trying to act all nice, but he's fighting against his nature. The patriarche is a tyrany... a group of law-abiding hard heads who see it as their God-given right to tell other dwarves what to do. How to live, what to say, what God to pray to. I am not Tolrin's friend. I am just as much a slave to him as my mother was to my father. Jus' cuz you can't see the chains... don't mean they're not there. So don't act like you understand Tolrin... cuz you don't. If push comes to shove, who's needs do you think are more important to him? The patriarche, or ours? He's also a slave, a slave to rote and tradtion. I have been working for the exact kind of organization that I hate... that I loathe. You want to know why I'm so angry and bitter? That's why! I serve the very forces of law and justice that created me!"

He snarls at her, almost bestial. "Feel free to fool yourself into thinking whatever you want. The only thing that's keeping me here is that I owe Tolrin... that's all. I don't care about you... or Glorian, or your precious patriarche! I'm my own man and I'll be damned if anyone else decides to tell me otherwise! Once this mission's over... I'm gone. You got a problem with that?"

[Melody]

Sable seems relieved by Duergar's outburst. She smiles faintly and rubs the back of her neck with her hand. "Something to be said about not being the oddest of a bunch. I doubt I'll be working with you all past this either unless there's something else they figure I can do for you all. As far as not looking out for you, it would have been easier to stay under cover and shoot at that beholder. But each of you is important to getting this done, so I'll be doing my best to keep all of us in one piece."

[thorgrim29]

So.... we have an assasin, an elven mage, the bitter son of a slave, a psion and his rocky friend, and a fire worshipper, led by a scholar turned warrior..... Hows that for a first?

He lets out a short, self-mocking snort.

Well then, what shall we do.... First of all, I dont care about why you are here, once again I only asked because I dont want to give someone an order he or she cant follow. To be frank, I dont like this organisation very much either, but I'm pledged to it for now, if we get out of these tunnels alive, I may very well quit, untill then, we have work to do.

He takes a deep breath and frowns as he considers strategy. Taking out a dagger, he etches his plan on a smoother wall surface.

Lets say the other groups dont exist for a second ok? Only us 6, er... 7 are involved. I say Sable and Lythe take point, a hundred feet or so ahead of us. Duervar and I are next, after us, Arman and Kelith, to provide support and healing. Raltise, you take rear guard, you look like a mobile enough fellow to reach the front lines if there's trouble. As for distace, I'd say from 5 to ten feet between each pair, close enough to support, far enough that we wont get cought in a spell easily. So, what do you think?

[Melody]

"Sounds fine with me. If lady Lythe can speak to me that would be perfect. If not, perhaps Raltise might be closer to translate if needed?"

[mshady]

Listening to Duervar's rant, Buna shakes her head. She appears incensed by her comments.

"Yer right, Duervar. I don't see any chains. How many years have ye served with Tolrin Jilker? Do ye honestly 'hink anyone would've stopped ye if you walked away? No! Only Forgemark, Arcanii and Levtokuld and such are under oath term. Ye hate us, but who took ye in? Who ELSE would've taken ye, a half duergar, in? Ye wear yer own shackles" Buna's tone is acid.

"Yet ye were saved. Given a home. Given a living. Given, given, given. Where ye think ye'd be without us? Dead 'n the Underdark? Some heartless mercenary? Drunk in a gutter?

The Patriarchate takes in all, almost regardless of sin or birth. Or faith, surprisingly. That's why Tolrin was mad! Clanless or cast outs or city kin seeking a better life who forgot our ways. We give'em training and a good life, we teach'em a trade and give'em shelter. We take in the children o'dwarves from all over the realms from small clans or independents who want their little kin to have a trade, educated or serve amonst the faithful, Forgemark or Arcanii. I 'as in a Waterdhavian prison fer kill'n a man 'fore a Redeemer set me free 'nd gave me everything I have. I owe'em. Most o'us owe'em. Where 're my chains? WHERE ARE MY CHAINS? There be none!" Buna snorts is disgust. An indignant, disdainful look is on her face.

"We're here, today, 'o ensure those chil'ren make it Sunderhelme. To teach'em. The Forgemark itself? We've gone out and protected several small dwarven holds. Zhentarim? Shadovar? The Cult o'the Dragon? We've fought'em. Those minotaurs? We showed'em mercy and hired them on.

The Patriarch doesn't want to.. to tell people what to think like that. He 'ants to unite the dwarves again. So we stand together 'nd not alone like the olde days. O'Delzoun or 'ven Shanatar. Ye may hate Glorian, but how many lives o'kin do ye think she's saved, eh? Or..." Buna fumes at Duervar. She seems almost hurt, though.

Carmard places a hand on her shoulder and says nothing, but she relaxes and withdraws. She seems to be so angry, she's shaking.

"Duervar, consider yerself free o'any obligation ye think ye have. When we return 'o the surface, ye can go. Tolrin and Glorian placed me in command 'ere, so I speak fer them. Consider yerself freed o'yer bond" Carmard says quietly.

"Until than, be a dwarf. Follow orders so ye nay get others killed. I advise ye to think before ye speak 'r not speak 't all and do yer job."

[ArmanMadero]

Arman nods at where his position is within the line. Far enough back to be protected, close enough to get where he would need to be to cast. "When do we head out?"

[mshady]

"Yes, elf. Time to head out" Carmard says, his voice flat and calm despite the sudden chaos.

"And Duervar? Glorian may be part of the Patriarchate. But she's not a Jilker. Tolrin is. That makes him Glorian's superior. Only the faithful are Thanes" he says, carefully and levelly.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar's eyes dull, the life leaving them. He takes a step back from Buna, his hands shaking at his side. A confused look comes over his face, followed by shame. "I....I...." He stutters, unsure of what to say.

He drops his head... his eyes downcast. "I... don't know what came over me... I'm sorry." He turns to Buna, the hurt look on her face making him feel as though he'd beens stabbed by a thousand daggers. "I... I've been an ungrateful bastard... I know that. It's just, things have changed so quickly, I don't know what to bveleive anymore. Gloria really shook me up, that's all."

He stands resolute. "I made Tolrin a promise, and I intend to keep it. I will protect you all with my life, if need be. Perhaps Moradin will have pity on my soul and spare me from the wall, eh?"

He moves off to a corner, obviously confused and ashamed.

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise pauses for a few seconds. "Lythe taking point? Uh. She's... she's not exactly the stealthiest walking rock I've ever met..." He rubs the back of his head. "And sure, she can talk. She just prefers to be quiet and only talk to me, most of the time. She's kinda shy, to be honest..."

[thorgrim29]

Well.... she's small, she's a rock, we're underground and from what I've seen she can walk through walls.... If you or her think it's a bad idea, you know best I guess....

As a tought strikes him, he gathers Raltise, Arman and Kelith.

Do any of you have a spell or a power that could be used to communicate with Sable while she scouts?

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise rubs the back of her head. "She can burrow, sure... and I suppose she'd be able to hide well down here..." As he's pulled away, he nods slowly. "Well, if you're going to be sending Lythe, she and I have a constant telepathic link up to a range of about a mile..."

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Paying intent attention to the fight between Duerger and the others Kelith waits to step in in case of a fight, not wanting any fighting in this already bad situation. He sighs with relief when Duerger backs down and calm is restored.

At Tordrek's asking he gathers and listens as he asks his question."Sadly, no, I have no such spells to communicate with others," he states with a shake of his head.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman nods a little. "I do have a spell that would work for what you would like, but I do not have it memorized." Arman noticed Tordrek's face starting into a scowl of frustration and he holds up his hand, bidding him to give him a moment more.

"If you can give me about 15 minutes, I will be able to memorize the spell and you will have a use of it. If we do not have the time right now, I will memorize it when we stop for a rest. The spell itself is simple, and as long as nothing extreme comes between me and Sable and she doesn't go to far, I shoud be able to converse with her back and forth. The spell itself will work about an hour."

M - Droping Dancing Lights and memorizing Message should Tordrek be able to give me the 15 minutes.

[King Tius]

OOG: Nalrak isn't in the marching order (unless I'm retarded)...Sorry I've been out of contact, I'll try and keep up.

Nalrak keeps near Carmand and does his job to keep him alive.
"Sorry, but I've no spell like that. If you need this stone worked or your little rock friend stands to lose a few pounds, that I can help you with."

[thorgrim29]

Well, I dont know when carmard wants to go on, so I'd say that, for now, we'll use the link between Raltise and Lythe, that means a bit of a change in the marching order. Duervar, you wont mind the rear guard I'm sure, I want Raltise near me if he's our link with the scouts. It would'nt be possible to arrange it between me and sable right? Not that I dont trust you, but if I'm calling the shots I would like first hand information if possible, well then, we'll try it that way, if it does'nt work we'll change things, but for now it should do.

With that settles, the mirrabarren dwarf goes to report to his superior.

Well sir, we've got a marching order figured, a few of the most appearent attitude problems are, I beleive, if not solved at least diminished, and my group is ready to go. In fact, I would like to request permission to act as an advanced party, maybe a few hundred meters from the main group. That way, I could see if anything is wrong with my unit's marching order, be more able to protect the scouts, and we should be able to hold off most threats untill reinforcements arrive.

[mshady]

Carmard listens to Thordek and does not react to what he says for several long moments. Finally, he nods.

"Lead the advanced party. Keep yer scout far in advance of ye" Carmard says flatly. He continues in his slow, detached voice.

"Do as ye see fit with Duervar, if needed. Nalrak and Grathalmor will hold the center. Buna is with you. You are in charge, but she is Arcanii. When we approach the orc encampment, halt and await me. Leave when ye are prepared."

Carmard finishes his orders and walks over towards Bundok.

"Is yer squad ready?"

[Katasi]

Arum sighs, bored with everything going on. He decides to have a little fun. He says another silent prayer to his gnomish ancestors, and from where Duerver stands comes the sound of someone passing gas after to many bowls of chilli. He giggles softly to himself.

[using prestidigitation as a spell-like ability]

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar stands resolute, staring at the cave wall as if he could destroy it with just his will alone. He fails to notice the gnome's fun.

What the hell am I doing? Bitchin' and wailin' like some young, wet behind the ears child! Yer own problems are yer own... don't pile them on everyone else. Where's the silent warrior, the strong fighter, the slayer of orcs and whatnot? Get a grip dammnit!

He moves closer to the rock and puts his hands against it. He runs his fingers over the bumps and ridges. You are a dwarf... you keep your feelings to yourself. Leave the sentimental and angst to the elves! You will fight. You will kill. You will win.

He turns around, a slight smile appearing on his rough features. "My apologies to you, Miss Buna. I'm sorry you had to see me whining like an elf." he turns to Arman. "No offense... well... maybe a little."

Duervar cracks his fingers together, then grabs his pick. "If you need a true warrior... I'm ready and willing. Position me as you will... and I'll follow orders to the best of my ability..."

[Paper_Bard]

OOC: Sorry, meant Arman, not Arum... really guys... your names sound so alike!

[thorgrim29]

I'm happy to hear that Duervar... Lets go. Sable, Lythe, you go first, "tell" Raltise we can go on when you cant hear us anymore, but dont go too far, sometimes in these tunnels sounds carry for ridiculous distances, and I dont want you two completely alone. Tell us as soon as you see anything that even looks like it might be important, and if you stumble on an orc patrol, avoid conflict and detection if at all possible, but detection most of all. Other than that, act as you see fit. Even if there is no trouble, report every two minutes or so. If you see the orc camp, try to learn enough to draw a rough map of it, then come back. Godspeed.

The rest of you, follow the plan, Raltise, Arcani Buna and me first, 10 feet after us Arman, Kelith, Nalrak and Grathalmor, and Duervar 10 feet behind. A rear ambush is unlikely, but I prefer you to be there to protect the rear if anything shows up..... dont worry, you'll see plenty of action very soon.

As he speaks, it is clear he is both exited, and terrified by his new role. as the different subgroups assemble, he reports to Carmard.

We are ready to go, how far behind will you follow us?


OOC: Obviously, I know roughly who Buna is, and I imagine she's here to act as a counciller/political officer of sorts, but who are the other two?

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar nods. He falls into the rear as he grips his warpick tightly. He avoids eye contact with Buna.

[mshady]

OOC: Nalrak is a cleric of Gorm and a bodyguard for Carmand. It is part of their order's holy duty to spend at least some time protecting an important individual in a clan. It is a common arrangement for Arcanii to be accompanied by a priest of Gorm. That Buna is NOT accompanied by one is unusual.

Grathalmor is a veteran of the Forgemark and also a bodyguard. Thordek would have worked with Nalrak and Grathalmor as part of the Hammerstrikers and the last task they were on where you fought the duergar.

[Melody]

Sable bends down beside Lythe and whispers to her using a cupped hand to funnel the sound and dampen it. She stands and stretches and then heads off down the tunnel, flashing a smile behind her before she disapears into the darkness ahead.


Whispered to Lythe: "Time to go m'lady."

[mshady]

To take a step back...

Listenin to Duervar's explanation after her cutting reproach of Duervar, she shakes her head.

"No Duervar, I'll nay accept yer apology. Ye have to live with what ye say to folks and about folks. Don't say 'hings ye have to apologize for and I hope ye remember what ye said next time ye feel like that."

She has stern, reproachful look on her face, but the expressive woman does not appear angry.

Carmard watches the whole interplay, his face completely expressionless. He simply nods to Buna, acknowledging the issue is settled and moves to the task at hand.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith will fall into line with the rest of the group, awaiting orders from the front.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar nods, still refusing to look at her. "Aye... a man is responsible for his actions... I deserve that. But seriously... now that this bull**** is over with, let's get going eh?"

[Melody]

As Sable draws close to a guestimated 100 feet she walks another fifteen or so more to make certain before kneeling down and waiting for Lythe to come close. She again cups her hand to muffle the whisper.


"Time for the rest to start following us m'lady. Pass word to that fellow of yours."

[mshady]

Lythe bobs her head and smiles, in her own way. She concentrates for a moment and lets Raltise know that her and Sable are far enough forward now.

During the walk, Lythe's chain shirt swished and clattered and her natural movements were not exactly silent. Small but very dense, she thumps along as quietly as she can.

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise stretches his arms above his head, joints popping slightly. "Okay, Lythe says they're far enough away, now."

[ArmanMadero]

Arman smiled a little at Duervar and his "insult" "Not to worry Duervar, I have thick headed moments like any good dwarf."

With that he gathered his pack together and prepared to leave. "Unfortunatly Tordrek, the spell would be between me and the one who is on the receiving end. To be able to have you in the conversation, I would have to stand beside you during it."

Soon they were walking down the tunnel and getting closer to their destination.

[mshady]

The party departs the site of their first skirmish, victorious but humbled and perhaps more fractured than united. The dark gloom of the Underdark and utter silence might be comforting to the dwarves of the group, but perhaps unsettling to the rest. The passages get narrow at times and the path meanders, forks off and rejoins.
Carmard has to stop the group twice to take a new route and at one point, Lythe carves a tunnel for the group between one section of tunnel and another to help make up the lost time. Carmard’s map is unerring, but it is a flat map and the tunnels go up and down and cross over. Many of the tunnels seem precisely carved and even, or were at one point.
Buna explains this during one stop, these tunnels were likely carved out by Beholders and they often prey on dwarven holds in the Underdark to use them as their hives. It is an age old racial conflict between the two and that the Patriarchate has noted several such sites, should the opportunity present itself. She has a gleam in her eye as she says it. Going on, she explains how the Patriarchate teaches veneration of one’s ancestors and how both honor and dishonor are passed from one generation to the next. Dwarves don’t just hold a grudge, they archive them. In fact, most of the surviving Shanatarian history held in the great libraries of IItkazar and by the Jilkers consists of archives of such grudges.
As the party finally approaches the area of the orc camp, Carmard stops the group by a fork in the tunnel. One section leads down and another relatively straight. While the party halts, he orders Sable forward and Lythe down the side tunnel.

Lythe is happy for some new found respect, at least. She trots off the side tunnel, this time by herself. Carmard instructs her to check an area of the side tunnel that is filled with water. He says if the Thordek’s team can get through there, it will allow them to flank the enemy and prevent anyone from escaping and warning the Aurilites.

Sable advances forward by herself, carefully picking her way through the tunnel to scout the area out for the main attack….

[King Tius]

Nalrak nods in consent of the battle plan. "A second wave it is." He looks over at Grathalmor and smiles "finally gettin' my hands dirty!"

[thorgrim29]

When Lythe goes to investigate, Thordrek has a word with her.

Be carefull Lythe, the underdark is a dangerous place, and water is a prime resource, their is no saying what monster might lair in that tunnel.

OOC: I'm off camping for the weekend, so I'll be back sunday night. If you need to, NPC my character, in combat he'll stick with Buna, and assign Raltise to bodyguard Arman and use his ranged skills.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

{{Still waiting on news from the scouts =)}}

[mshady]

11 1/2 hours until the rendezvous...

Lythe returns to the group, dripping water and apparently happy for it. Rather than address the group directly, she turns to Raltise.


The tunnel's all watery, but even the dwarves can wade through most of it. Just before orc cavern, have to dive down and then come otherside into pool. No one there in back. Hundred orcs or so around a shaman with big ice blocks. All in a frenzy worshipping ice. Very loud, very many of them. What now Raltise? We go get'em? I wanna kill orcs. Stomp, stomp them hehe!

[Melody]

Sable arrives some time after Lythe returns. It seems like you've only known the scout for a short time but her dead-pan dicing face can't mean good news.

She looks around at the group then crouches down sketching onto the cavern floor with her dagger. "A little less than half a mark back down the tunnel (approximately 20 minutes) there were four guards. Cainmail, axes, and shields. Past them there's a shaman, saw a banner for," she pauses and instead writes Gruumsh in the dirt, "don't need to say his name." She looks up briefly from her sketching to explain. "Always heard they can hear it when you say their name, and two more banners I don't know." She bends down and sketches them in the dirt. "One's a broken bone the other is blue with a snowflake on a grey diamond."

She looks down at her sketching as she speaks, "That shaman is up to something. They're all praying and chanting over three cubes of clear ice. There's something in each of them, they look humanoid but different sizes. When I was there they had just lit fires around those ice blocks. Looks like they're about to melt the cubes and get whatever is in there out. Around the shaman is about a hundred orcs, and four really burly looking bastards up on the platform with him. They all have their attention on those ice blocks, but I don't think we can wait long. No telling what the hell they're brewing. Probably better to interrupt them before they thaw their supprises. Might already have them hatched, it's a good ways from there to here."

She looks up from her drawing of the layout of the orcs and banners in the dirt up at Thordrek and Carmard. "Orders sir?"

[mshady]

Carmard nods slowly at the news. Kerik Many Skulls is standing close to Carmard, hunched over in the tunnel but listening.

"Alot of orcs. Many heads for taking. Gore and I join ye, other two stay at mouth with blue haired bitch's trunk. Be good fun for us all"

Carmard turns and looks up at Kerik and nods. Kerik smiles at the acknowledgement.

Turning to the symbols that Sable drew in the dust and moisture, he looks at them for a long moment.

"Sable. Good work on that. The snow flake on the banner be the Cold one, so they're allies. The other means at least some are part o'the Cult o'the Son o'the Orc God. The Bone Breaker. The big ones by the shaman... what'd they look like? That could be trouble..." his voice trails off. That news seems to worry him more than the numbers.

"Rest o'ye... get ready fer the assault" Carmard says. His eyes narrow and his voice seems a bit quieter.

Buna frowns at the news and looks to Carmard.

"This isn't going to be easy, is it? We're outnumbered 10 to 1." Buna says quietly. Carmard looks across the tunnel to her and nods.

"We're dwarves, Buna. It's what we do" Carmard says. His eyes then turn to Bundok.

"Raltise. What does Lythe say? Can we get through the water tunnel?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise looks down at Lythe, and sighs a bit. "She says it's mostly filled with water, but that 'even dwarves' can wade through most of it. I'd assume gnomes, too. There's a bit where you have to dive under the water, but it's not much, and there are no guards stationed back there."

He bops Lythe on the head. "You have a voice, Lythe. Start using it."

[mshady]

Lythe seems to almost shrug and smile when Raltise bops her on the head.

"Tunnel is... full of water. Not too deep. Goes a short bit and then quick dive. Or sink. Other side is pool. Crawl up like ten? fifteen foots of rock and you there. Look like watering hole. Edge of river in there towards back too. Orcs all in frenzy. Banging, shouting, very loud!" Lythe smiles after she speaks.

I can speak. Only want you to hear. They don't like me much...

Carmard nods and seems a bit more serious. Unlike the others, there is no sense of tension or excitement or... anything out of him.

"Then lets begin. Thordek, take the tunnel and hold the exit. Bundok, start the assault. Area spells on the orcs while they're in the crowd. Thin'em out then we cut'em down. Take this sending stone, Thordek. When yer in position, use it and we'll begin." He tosses the stone in Thordek's direction and he catches it deftly.

Buna and Thordek nod and their group starts moving down the side passage...

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grins wickedly as he sharpens his warpick. "A hunn'erd orcs you say? Not very fair odds is it? Maybe I'll fight left-handed...."

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

"So, we get to keep the guests from leaving the party? While I'm much more the "meet and greet" type, I suppose I can play doorstop," Kelith says with a grin. "More seriously though," he turns towards Lythe, "How wide is it back there at the exit? Are we going to have to walk in to the "worship room" to use our regular weapons, or is there no room?"

[mshady]

"Big exit in the back. No one near it. Crazy orcs are waaay on other side of chamber" Lythe says. Outloud, which is unusual.

See? I can speak.

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise puts one hand to his head, and tries his best not to laugh. He fails, unfortunately. "Lythe..." He sighs a bit, then adopts his serious face. "So we have the element of surprise. Okay. What's the plan?"

[mshady]

Carmard nods in response to Raltise's question.

"Thordek's group flanks. Bundok's group assaults. Grathalmor, Nalrak and I will be where's needed. The minotaurs will go with 'he assault. Ye don't need to block the exit. Just make sure 'othing gets out it. Now Thordek? Go"

Thordek nods and gestures towards his group.

"C'mon. We 'ave to hustle" he says and heads down the side passage, presumably followed by his group.

[Katasi]

Arum nods. "I'll go in and blast 'em with every spell I have, then I'll charge in on Bar and do as much damage as possible. Scree can keep an eye out from they air to see that no orcs escape, if there is room for her to fly." He says, before looking at lythe. 'is there room for a bird to fly above the battle?" He asks.

[thorgrim29]

(I'm back, camping was great)

As he leads his group through the tunnels, Thordrek plans the oncomming fight. He finally reaches a conclusion.

Alright, our role is to flank and to prevent any escape... We'll separate a bit.

-Raltise, Lythe and Arman, you guard the exit and support at range, help wherever you think you are needed, but keep your position, if needs be we'll fall back towards you.

-Sable, you're alone. Your priority is the shamans, try to silence as many of them as you can, especially the head honcho.

-Duervar and Kelith next, you stick in the fray, remember, chaos is our friend here, against those numbers, we need to confuse and incapacitate them or we'll be swarmed. But dont get carried away, the main force will eventually drive them back, that's where we'll be the most usefull.

-I'll stay with Buna, open up with a couple of ranged spells and then charge.

Everyone who has healing potions, keep a few and hand the rest to Raltise.
Everyone, stay with your partner, support him or her, and if you are badly hit fall back towards Raltise. Try to not get killed, and I'll trust you judgement for the rest.
Any questions, suggestions?


At the last part, he is looking mainly at Buna.

And does anyone have a bag of holding or something? I hate fighting in wet armor and it does'nt exactly float or help climbing.

[Melody]

Sable shrugs in response to Carmard's question. "Big ones. If it helps they had no shirts on and they were wearing spiked gauntlets."

[bchilders]

Magnum

After waking form his nap Magnum feels back in tip top shape and heads off with the rest of his companions.

Upon hearing of the orc encampment Magnum can barely contain his excitement about getting to see more action. If nothing else following Tolrin has always provided something to swing an axe at.

Magnum chuckles at Duervar's assesment of the odds and replies, "I'd fight lefty too, but after that run in with the floating eye I'm rearin' to put my axe through someones skull. Who's all in the assault group, cuz before we go in there I want to make sure Clangeddins blessing has been shared all around."

I have one bull's strength and one enlarge person I can put on someone for six minutes right before we dash in. I just don't know who all is in the assault group.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman nodded and got himself ready to assault the group of Orcs.

"Lythe, do you think that I will be able to use my bow in the room that you saw, or is the space limited in that area? Also when we come out of the water, are the orcs right there? Or will we have a chance to group up and prepare?"

Arman looked to Carmard. "I have a bag of holding for my gear if you would like to place your armor in it, but I am not sure how much time we will have for you to get back in it after we come from the water."

[thorgrim29]

I understand that, but many of us are in heavy armor, and I,m pretty sure Carmard would prefer a few minutes of delay to having some of his soldiers drown, besides, armor is noisy in tunnels such as these.

[mshady]

Carmard looks down the tunnel in the direction of the enemy camp. He frowns slightly, impatient about halting for a question.

"Levtokuld Turron, as soon as ye clamor outta the water, how much time ye think yer going to have before ye get noticed? Time 'nough to rearmor yerselves? Yer group 'as the lightest armor fer a reason.

Let Buelyir's mercenary, the human lass, dive through first with a rope. I'd 'ssume she knows 'ow to make somethin' to help float 'er way up. The next dive in 'nd pull yerselves up with the rope. Ye sink like a stone 'nd pull yerselves up. If not, ye drown." Carmard shrugs. He doesn't look happy about that, but sees no way around it.

"Buna 'as a bag o'holding. So's someone else. 'hey have enough air to keep ye going fer a few minutes. Whomever's in armor too heavy... 'ut'em in the bag and have someone 'lse haul'em. When 'hey're outta the water, they dump ye outta the bag. Ye 'ill all get through quicker and some o'ye will come out dry. Between yer group and Bundok's, the exit's covered 'nd the rest o'ye pincer them. Hammer and Anvil. Now ye ready?" Carmard says, his frown conveying mild impatience - the first real emotion any of you have seen out of him. Lately, at least.

"I do, Carmard. Are ye insane?" Buna asks, her eyes wide at the orders.

"No, I'm improvising. It is the only means to the end. They're an excellent way of moving prisoners, I've found. Air enough for a few minutes." Carmard is absolutely serious when he says this.

"Damn, lad. Alright..." Buna looks very skeptical, but shrugs. "Well... it'll work. So long 's as the bag don't flood too...."

"Yes. Tie the knot tight. Now, move. Before they melt that ice." Carmard says, pointing towards the side tunnel.

"Ye heard'em lads, lasses and elemental lass. Move yer arses!" Buna's doubts disappear in a blink of an eye as she snaps out the order.

The groups are as follows:

Bundok's group -

Bundok
Magnum
Hjalmar
Johanness
Arum
Kerik Many Skulls
Gore

Thordek's group

Thordek
Sable
Arman
Kelith
Raltise
Lythe
Duervar
Buna

Carmard's Command Group

Carmard
Nalrak
Grathalmor

Reminder: Set up a myth-weaver.com account and delegate MShady (me) as an editor.

When combat starts, we need to keep up the posting rate so it does not drag.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith

Kelith falls into line with his group and makes his way towards the river, ready to cross it. "I have a bag of holding if anyone feels the need to take a ride in it.." If there are any takers he'll put them in, cross and then pull them back out.

I plan on casting Animalistic Power, Divine Favor(Casted Last), Ring of Blades, and Shield of Faith before we enter the room. With those spells cast....

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

[Paper_Bard]

OOC: You forgot Duervar I think. I'll put him up on myth weavers after school today.

[loopy]

Johannes

"I must admit, I'm not accustomed to being around this many people." Johannes mumbles. "Either its the solitude of the road or the near silence of the Temple Libraries."

He lapses back into silence, possibly hoping that someone in the party might take pity on him and offer friendship.

[thorgrim29]

I.... did'nt think about that sir, sorry. I'll take my chances with the bag of holding, always wanted to do that.... When we get there, I,ve got two wands I can use on you people, one will make roughly as big as an ogre, the other makes you tougher, stronger and faster, just ask me before we go in if you want.


(enlarge person and animalistic power. Appointed Mshady as editor, swapped the stats around a bit)

[Melody]

Sable moves quickly down the tunnel up to the edge of the water and reaches into her pack pulling out a waterproof cloak. With a sigh she cuts it up into one smaller rectangle and some strips leaving a large piece intact. The first rectangle she wraps around her head, tucking her hair into and tying down tightly like some oddly shaped cap with her goggles over that to help hold it. Next she begins divesting herself of all her gear except for her undergarments and her knife which she tucks in it's scabbard up against her hip. She reaches into her pack and pulls out a scroll and a feather, setting them aside. Everything else gets tossed into her pack which is buckled down and then wrapped in the remains of the waterproof cloak which is lashed around the bundle with more strips and tied tightly. She accepts a rope and ties it around her waist.

"Hopefully this will work the way I want it to, but if I pull hard on the rope three times haul me back fast."

She wades out into the water carrying pack, scroll, and feather until she gets to the dropoff point. Then she incants the spell on the scroll as the feather and scroll fall away to a powdery ash. Taking three or four deep breaths before a deeper final fifth she dives into the deeper water, pack held out in front of her, the rope trailing behind.

Using scroll of Fly. Gear is 5 pounds, manuverability is good. Duration of the spell is 10 minutes per level. Movement is 90 feet (however being under water would slow that), but I'm moving pretty slowly as not to bash my brains out on a rock or move the water a whole lot. Figure normal swimming speed with the pack to cushion bumping into any rocks. The spell should give me the buoyancy needed to get up the incline even with gear.

[ArmanMadero]

Arman took his bag from his pack and opened it, allowing those who wanted to, to get into the bag. He would never have thought of putting a whole being into the bag, but the reasoning was sound he supposed. The air would last long enough, and if they controlled their breathing, it should last longer.

Then a thought occured.

"Carmard... how are we getting the Soulburner across?"

[thorgrim29]

The soulburner does'nt go across... only the few of us do, a couple of minautors guard it, and the rest of the group attacks from the front

[mshady]

Sable disappears into the ink black water with barely a ripple. Once underwater, she can see absolutely nothing. All she can do is feel around, but thankfully the underwater section of the tunnel is relatively straight. It is also steep and it slopes down to almost 20 feet in depth over several dozen yards. Her ears ring from the pressure a bit and almost complete sensory depravation beyond the numbing chill of the water. The rope plays out behind her and her lungs start to hurt and she is quickly approaching the point where she won't have enough air to turn back.

The bouyancy of the bags she created, as well as the spell she cast probably save her life. While the underwater tunnel keeps slopping downwards, the bouyancy keeps her bumping against the top of the tunnel at times.

For one sickening moment, her hands touch nothing nor can she feel anything against her back. Weightless in the utter blackness with nothing above or below her, Sable's heart thunders; the exact wrong thing an oxygen deprived woman needs. With fire in her lungs, Sable thinks for a second and feels her movement. She is rising.

Rolling over, she looks upwards she sees the dim flicker of light and the shimmering surface 15 feet above her. Her legs pump and her spell and floatation bag drive her towards the surface where she splashes out of the water noisily and gasps for breath. Blessedly, she still has the rope.

Sable finds herself on the other side now in a pool along the edge of the cavern. Several broken spires of rock are around her, perfect to tie the rope on to. She has little rope left, but she realizes while the distance was short her speed nearly killed her. It also may have ultimately saved her.

Across the cavern, the drums pound and the orcs chant has now become a blood thirsty roar as the ceremony continues. One of the blocks of ice has melted and a naked humanoid figure lays prostrate on altar. It seems to move somewhat. She can barely glimpse it.

This may not have been the best time to visit....


For the remaining party...

You have two bags of holding available. Even if it can take the weight, the bags cannot hold enough air for more then 1 person. The air down here is particularly thin. Stuff a couple people in the bags and get swimming...

[mshady]

Bundok and Carmard move their groups to the staging point, just out of ear shot of the entrance to the cavern and its, albeit distracted, guards. The drumming and blood thirsty chanting vibrate through the tunnel. They can actually feel the sound, the energy of the orc's savage ceremony.

Carmard leans against the wall and waits for the signal. He is looking down the tunnel to where it bends and leads into the cavern. On the precipice of a critical battle against an age old enemy, Carmard just seems... unmoved by it all.

"So... now we wait" he says simply. Reaching into his satchel, he tears off a piece of jerky and chews on it quietly for a moment and washes it down with his canteen. Done with that, he retrieves his helmet and places it on his head.

The helmet includes a bronze face plate carved with a fierce likeness of a lion. In the eye sockets are two glittering green lenses that glow slightly. This is the traditional helm of the Patriarchate's Arcanii and it is both intimidating and a bit unsettling.

Behind him, the minotaurs are assisting each other don the last of their thick plate armor. They are covered in thick plate armor that is covered in spikes and its edges and ridges sharpened to cruel angles. It is painted in the the brown and black of the Patriarchate. Lastly, they don heavy helmets that go over their horns and sharpening them to a wicked point. Atop the helmets of Kerik and Gore sits a 2 foot long metal spike. The minotaurs must crouch or lean forward when they stand to prevent the spike from hitting the roof of the tunnel. The gleaming spike, clearly made from mithril, only makes the two look even more fearsome.

Sitting on his haunches, Kerik lays his axe across his lap.

"When we go, Kerik and Gore lead charge. Hard not to. Stumpies run slow" the minotaur says. The other three laugh at the remark. Carmard responds with a nod to anyone looking in his direction.

"So when we go? We get more gold money for this?" Kerik grumbles out.

Carmard turns his head towards Kerik. He looks at the squatting minotaur with his glittering green eyes and speaks.

"10 gold an orc. 20 for the shaman's guards. 50 for the shaman. Heads for proof" Carmard tells the minotaur, his voice slow and careful.

Kerik snorts.

"That all? I stay and sit on my arse and play dice for that."

"If ye want to go back to playing dice and miss the fight, fine. That's all the gold ye get. Yer lucky I'll pay ye at all considering ye already been paid." Carmard responds. His voice has an edge to it this time and Kerik leans back reflexively.

"Fat miner dwarf take my gold, so I get it back from you. You pay for orc heads? Fine. Shaman's head is mine. Use it as a piss pot on orc god's altar..."

[Katasi]

Arum sighs and waits for the others to be ready to go.

[Paper_Bard]

Duervar grins at the minotaur. "Defacing religious altars? Must have read my mind... haha!"

He looks down at the water glumly. If dwarves were meant to swim we'd have been born with fins... dammnit all."

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise grins a little bit at Duerver. "It's lucky that humans were designed to swim, then." He looks down at the water. "I guess I'll go first, then..." He gets ready to jump into the water.

[mshady]

The one end of Sable's rope is still over here on the side with the rest of the party. When she ties it off and tugs on it, Thordek (who is holding one of the rope presumably) will know she is ready to go...

OOC: A note on the upcoming combat. I will be running things 2 or 3 turns at a time. So make sure to clearly express your intent for the next couple of rounds as well.

If something dramatic happens that would require rethinking of things, then I will of course stop at that point.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok

Bundok merely shrugged at again being singled out to lead one of the groups. No one had listened to him last time, so he wasnt going to waste his breath this time. He didnt like the sounds of this whole shaman and blocks of ice thing and a stupid plan formed in his head. The minotaurs offering to lead the charge made it even more attractive.

Assuming if the cows would have room to fight, he'd have room to swing his staff, he replaced his axe on his belt and slipped his favored weapon from it's loops across his back.

A wicked grin split his features as he spun it through a few spins to refamiliarize himself with its haft. Once pleased he was ready for combat, he removed his new elven cloak and replace it with the one he had taken from one of the goblins. He'd likely need its protections more than the elven cloak's ability to blend into shadows. After settling the cloak around his shoulders, he pulled a small vial from a belt pouch and held it in a clenched fist, preparing to swig it just before the cows began their charge.



Plan is to swig the Potion of Invisibility, and the follow the path of carnage the minotaurs leave and make his way unseen to the shaman, who he then plans to pummel into oblivion.

[Melody]

Sable pulls the knife out of the scabbard tucked into her undergarments and saves herself from having to untie the rope from her waist by cutting it at the knot. She then ties the rope to an up thrust section of rock where it can't slip over when pulled on. Giving the rope a tug she tests it, finally putting feet against the rock and pulling backwards with all her weight. As the knot holds her weight she turns and gives the rope two sharp jerks. Leaving that job as done she turns and cuts the straps holding the ruins of her cloak around her pack with her knife. She pulls out a blanket and starts drying off vigorously.

Then she hurriedly gets dressed and pulls her armor back on, strapping her gear on and making sure a bag of red powder is attached to her belt. Sable takes off her makeshift bathing cap leaving the ruined cloak in a pile off in a corner with her pack. Slippers of spider climbing on her feet, pouch at her waist, rapier at her side she checks all her gear carefully to make certain it won't slide or fall even if she is hanging upside down. Her cloak of elvenkind is strapped to her legs to keep it from hanging down and offer her camouflage with leather straps attached to it for that purpose. Now completely dry, she begins to move up the side of the cavern towards the top of the ceiling, hopefully unnoticed.

Ok.. getting above the shaman if I can so I can sprinkle him with fairy dust... I mean Cayenne pepper. Not sure how much longer the Fly spell will last but it will make climbing that much easier. When the duration ends I'll get the sensation of returning weight, but the slippers should keep me glued to the ceiling before, during, and after that.

[thorgrim29]

(just speeding things up a bit)


Thordrek feels the tugs to the rope, and turns to the others.

She made it.... Raltise, I'll jump into Buna's bag, you carry me, be very carefull with the knot, my life may very well depend on it. Duervar can go with Arman, I want a few moments to asess the situation before everyone is in position.

(proceeding to do that if possible)

[bchilders]

Magnum

"Well boys, I might not be getting paid by the head but I'll be taking down as many as get in my way....sorry if it cost ya money lads," Magnum pats Kerik on the back as he says this last part.

Before the charge Magnum will cast Bull's Strength and Enlarge Person on himself.

Anyone in the assault group want any strength boost on them? Speak now or forever hold your piece...I mean peace

[mshady]

Here is a map of the battlefield.

The red text denotes orcs.
The blue text denotes PCs or NPCs by initials
The minotaurs take up 2 squares due to size.

The red squares with the black polka dots represent torches. Within a 10 ft radius, it is considered lit. Otherwise its only... sorta lit. Shadowy.

The light blue is shallow water. The dark blue is deeper water. The black is the underwater tunnel that Sable and some of you will soon be taking.

The big green blocks? Those are all orcs.

Click the hyperlink. Click the mini map for the full map.

Enjoy.

[img=http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3091/orccave1gs1th2.th.jpg] (http://img215.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave1gs1th2.jpg)

[ArmanMadero]

Arman makes sure that everything on him is secure, and opens his bag of holding to Duervar. "Ready?"

He tied the bag tightly when everything was ready, and soon it was his turn to swim. Getting into the water took more will power than he thought. It was FREEZING! Something he should have expected he supposed considering who they were fighting, but still.. it was a shock. He waited until the last possible moment with his hand upon the rope and when he finally felt it going down, he took in a large breath and quickly pulled himself along.

The pressure upon his lungs was intense, and he started letting small air bubbles from his mouth to help relieve the pressure. Soon enough he felt the rope leading him upwards and he put on an extra burst of speed to help him along. Then he felt his head burst through the final foot of water, and for a moment, he relaxed. Taking in a large breath, he soon got the top of his bag of holding close to the surface and untied it, reaching in a hand to help Duerver out. Treading water close to the side, he helped out Duerver, and made motions to keep him quiet, though with all the Orc's pounding on the drums, it was obvious that they should.

He soon dried off as best as he could and looked around the cavern to get a better idea of what was going on, while keeping to the shadows as best as he could near the walls of the cavern. He kept his eyes in the normal light spectrum, knowing how they looked while he had them in the low light vision. No sense in giving their postion away this soon.

First action:

When the first sounds of battle sounded, Arman quickly reached into a belt pouch. Taking out another scroll that he had, he whispered the words upon it and made the proper hand motion to enact the magic that he was drawing in. "Folaithe ó amharc fiú dul trí rud bogadh." And then, nothing. Arman was gone.

Second Action:

Arman kept towards the wall and watched the fighting going on, and cast another spell that was far enough away from those of his group, and where it would hopefully do some damage. "Liathróid de tine" He chanted and crushed some components in his hands, throwing it outward at the end of his chant, pointing his fingerupon a distant point. Upon leaving his hand, it became visible and upon reaching its target, exploded in a firey ball of flame.

Fireball spell at 15-G as long as no one is near that area withing 25 feet. If this changes, I will be changing where I am throwing it! That should be enough actions for now. I will prepare for more...

[mshady]

Buna hands her bag to Thordek. Now wearing her Arcanii helm, with its lion visage and emerald green eyes, he can't tell if she is smiling or not.

"I'll be fine, but Thordek, will ya hop into me bag and Raltise will take ye over? And if ye see 'nything odd in there... not a word. And nay forget the signal, eh?"

With that, she wades into the water holding the rope and disappears into the blackness. That she is wearing far heavier armor then anyone else who has gone in the water so far seems to concern her not.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith
Buffs:
Attack/Damage: +2 (Divine Favor)
Str/Dex/Con: +2 (Animalistic Power)
AC: +3 (Shield of Faith)
Everyone within 5ft of me take 1d6+6 damage (Ring of Blades) {{Granted to say, when I cast this I stayed atleast 5ft away from everyone and didn't get next to them when I ran in ;)}}

Kelith will see no takers for his bag of holding, thus he puts it back on his back where it belongs. After this he takes the long plunge into the cold water of the tunnel. His mithril armor has no effect on his swimming capabilities and he does about as well as you would expect swimming underwater to the other side.

As he casts his spells to prepare for combat he waits for the signal; when the signal is given he will rush into the room and head towards an area that will put him between the orcs and the back exit. As he moves towards this position he will pull a dagger from his bandoleer and whisper divine words to Kossuth. Throwing it into the air it shatters into 6 splinters which all turn into identical looking daggers. When he reaches his position Kelith will look towards the closest orc, releasing a dagger from it's airborne position to streak towards the orc.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Here's my char sheet: http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=52168
edit: Actually, I forgot to add in my divine favor buff, so actually my attack and damage both need a +2 added to them. Also forgot to mention that my Dagger shot is considered a free action, so I can move, cast the spell and shoot a dagger all in the same round.

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

[thorgrim29]

As he gets out of the bag, Thordrek looks around a bit, waits for the rest to come over, helping them out of the water if needed. Sable was already gone, but the others were still there. he goes to each one, making sure armor is on well, and they are ready, and reminding them in a whisper of their role in the fight. The, he uses the rune (I have no idea what that implies). When he hears the main group attacking, he waits 18 seconds (3 rounds) then orders his troops to charge. While he waits, he casts animalistic power and enlarge person on himself and anyone who wants it from his wands.

Arman, Raltise, Lythe there's your position, the exit with the four guards. Take them out quickly and keep the rest from escaping from there, afterwards, stay there and help from range, if anyone is too wounded they are instructed to come to you, take this

he gives Raltise 12 potions of CLW

May your gods be with you in this battle, give them hell. CHARGE!!!
Actions
First round: Stays with Buna, if she casts, casting kelgore's fire bolt on a random orc, if she runs towards the battle, keeping up with her.

Repeat untill we get to melee, there, attacking the mooks normally, if encounters a bigger orc, arcane channeling shocking grasp for 5d6.

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [roll0]

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [roll1]

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [roll2]

(that should be enough fire bolts....)

Charge attack: to hit: [roll3] damage: [roll4]

Normal attacks:
-attack 1[roll5] damage [roll6]
Attack 2 [roll7] damage [roll8]

-attack 1[roll9] damage [roll10]
Attack 2 [roll11] damage [roll12]

-attack 1[roll13] damage [roll14]
Attack 2 [roll15] damage [roll16]

[thorgrim29]

(The forum roller is screwing with me....)

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [5d6]

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [5d6]

Kelgore's fire bolt: autohit, reflex dc 14 for half damage: [5d6]

(that should be enough fire bolts....)

Charge attack: to hit: [1d20+13] damage: [2d8+5]

Normal attacks:
-attack 1[1d20+11] damage [2d8+5]
Attack 2 [1d20+6] damage [2d8+5]

-attack 1[1d20+11] damage [2d8+5]
Attack 2 [1d20+6] damage [2d8+5]

-attack 1[1d20+11] damage [2d8+5]
Attack 2 [1d20+6] damage [2d8+5]


OOC: dont forget, they are orcs, so +1 to hit for all dwarves)

Edit: Sorry Mike, no idea what I'm doing wrong, do you mind handling my rolls?

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise Siprite
HP: 57
AC: 23
Speed: 40ft.

Raltise gasps for air as he comes up from the water, clambering out and coughing up a bit of water. Seems he's not quite as good a swimmer as he thought. It's all the weight, he's sure. He recovers quickly enough, however, getting to his feet.

He puts his hand on top of Lythe's head, and concentrates; invisible shields of force materialise around the two of them, protecting them from harm. He then breaks into a jog, approaching the orcs to the north.

As he moves forward, at quite a pace - he leaves behind glowing footprints that afde after a few moments in his wake - he launches a silvery arrow of ephemeral force at the closest orc. He launches another as he moves ever closer, much faster than a human really should be able to.

First round: Manifest Force Shield on self and Lythe, and move 40ft. towards Guard 8.

Second round: Move another 40ft. and attack Guard 8 with a Mind Arrow:

Attack! [roll0]
Damage! [roll1]

Third round: Same as the second round.

Attack! [roll2]
Damage! [roll3]

And I will put Raltise up on Myth-Weavers... eventually.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok



Again, plans for the first couple rounds are to drink a Potion of Invisibility and then follow the minotaurs charge in. After than, the plan is to bee-line for the Shaman and beat him about the head and shoulders with my stick until he falls down.

Defense

Armor Class: 23
Touch: 13
Flat: 20
Dodge Bonus: +1 (assigned to whatever big bad guy is trying to kill me)
Racial: +4 vs giants (applies vs Ogres if thats what the big guys are)
If sorely pressed, will use Combat Expertise to boost AC: +2-+4 (depending how sorely he's pressed)


Offense

To Hit
Attack Bonuses w/ Q-Staff:
BAB: +6/+1
Str: +4
Racial vs Orcs: +1
Weapon Focus: +1
MW Quality: +1

Totals: +13/+8, 2 Weap Fighting +11/+6/+11

Damage
MH Damage: 1d6+7 (+4 Str, +2 Weap Spec, +1 Magic)
OH Damage: 1d6+4 (+2 Str, +2 Weap Spec)
Favored Enemy bonus vs Giants: +2 (applicable to ogres if thats what big guys are)

If only taking 1 attack in a round due to movement, normal tactics involve power attacking for 2, which gives +4 bonus dmg due to 2-handed power attacking and an additional +2 dmg due to Armbands of Might.

If fighting something the same size as himself, he will also usually attempt to trip his foe with his first attack (gaining an immediate extra attack due to Improved Trip).


Feel free to make rolls and apply the appropriate mods. Bundok will try to avoid breaking his invis until he gets to the shaman unless absolutely necessary.

Where are the ice blocks on the map, and is there any significance to cell AC/9?

[Katasi]

Arum draws his quickblade before going into the room. As he enters the room after the signal is given he will yell out at the top of his lungs "hey uglies, time to fry!" before he instructs his badger to attack the nearest orcs via his ability to speak with it. When he has done this he says the draconic words to summon a ball of fire he sends shooting before them into the nearest large group of orcs.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]

Reflex save for fireball: 17

He has instructed his badger to attack as soon as it gets near any orcs still alive.

[roll3]
[roll4]

If the badger has orcs around it at the start of the turn:

[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]
[roll8]

If not it will just attack with claws.
If no living orcs are around it will continue to move towards any living orcs.

Meanwhile Arum will chant a few mystic words and summons a Celestial Giant Bombardier Beetle to aid in the combat, sending it towards any other living orcs.

In the next round Arum's badger will continue what it was doing before [possibly enraged now]

[roll9]
[roll10]

If the badger has orcs around it at the start of the turn:

[roll11]
[roll12]
[roll13]
[roll14]

If not it will just attack with claws.
If no living orcs are around it will continue to move towards any living orcs.

Meanwhile Arum will say his magical words again and send another fireball shooting into any orcs grouped close together.

[roll15]

If he sees no close groups of orcs he will seek out the shaman.

[roll16]

If he sees the shaman he will chant the words to another spell and send magical missiles of force at him.

[roll17]
[roll18]
[roll19]

[Melody]

[ooc: Wow, those orcs a super long ways away from where we come out of the underwater tunnel. Have to revise my actions coming out after seeing the map. Ah glorious reality.. you are so different from what is in my mind. Are the squares on the map 5 feet again?]

[Melody]

Round 1: AF12-AL18-AF17-AA12
Round 2: AA12-R3-I3
Round 3: I3-G5-E5-B10 Distance is 45 feet, + readying weapon (This involves dumping the seeds out of a glass vial at her waist into her pack and dipping the vial into the bag of pepper, filling it and recapping it.)

-Holding round four until someone else starts something. As soon as a commotion breaks out she will begin the next action.-

Round 4: Throwing the glass vial at the ceiling above the shaman B16. It should break and drop powder and glass down on those below it. If I'm really lucky they'll look up when the glass falls down since the powder will drift down more slowly. This also leaves Sable still in the shadows and hopefully undetected. Attack roll (1d20+6) That's 10 to hit, minus 4 for the range. Target is the ceiling which is stationary and should be pretty easy to hit since it doesn't get a dex or AC bonus.

The Fly spell will last a minimum of 50 minutes so I'll have the spell throughout the duration of the fight. Also, since she isn't climbing she has all of her gear with her, pack included. Nothing that she has is wet, so she isn't dripping. Torchlight will be between Sable and the guards so it should help her hiding. Also, since the torches are probably set at 5-7 feet up on the walls and Sable is at 20-30 even if she was to go directly over a torch she would still be in shadows.

[bchilders]

Magnum

HP: 67 AC 24 (-1 for size included)

Magnum will follow behind the bulls attacking anything that is within his reach. Whenever he can he will move towards the large mass of orcs causing as much confusion and turmoil as possible. Shouting battle cries and singing loudly.

Sorry I'm a bit rushed but I don't know exactly how the bulls initial run will go. I'll roll a few attacks in case you need them

Attack:[roll0] Damage:[roll1]
Attack:[roll2] Damage:[roll3]
Attack:[roll4] Damage:[roll5]

[Katasi]

[ooc: Wow, those orcs a super long ways away from where we come out of the underwater tunnel. Have to revise my actions coming out after seeing the map. Ah glorious reality.. you are so different from what is in my mind. Are the squares on the map 5 feet again?]

[heh, and look how MANY there are, gulp]

[thorgrim29]

(bah, with the number of fireball-able mages we have, I'm not too concerned by the mooks, its the shamans, the tougher orcs and the slowly stirring humanoid that worry me)

[mshady]

OOC - I would point out those are only the ones that you see from a limited perspective...

A note on line of sight. You're standing on even ground so you can only aim at the front rank. You can explode a fireball OVER a formation with a successful spellcraft check (DC15 or more) but otherwise, you're limited.

So why worry about those orcs? You might chew up the front group, but there is still the back group behind them.

...and if you think I'd throw basic level MM orcs at you... haha.

I don't design encounters with balance in mind. You can either win or run. Its alot more realistic that way....

Mike

[Katasi]

OOC- What fun is it if we run? Let's murder these bloody bastards or die trying!

[Melody]

[ooc: Boss said charge Mike.. he's the guy with the gold. =) Wish us luck!]

[mshady]

The flanking group makes its way through the watery tunnels and clamors out of the water with all the dignity of nearly drowned rats caught in a storm. It a chaotic scene, but its quiet enough and no one is paying attention. When they’re ready, Thordek activate the rune stone that Carmard gave him. Not familiar with how to use it though, he does not actually say anything.
On the other end, Carmard senses the stone has been activated and concentrates, but hears nothing through their brief mental connection. Muttering to himself, Carmard tosses the now dead stone away and slaps Kerik’s armor and points down the tunnel with his urgosh.

“Go!” he rasps.

Kerik turns his big armored head and nods enthusiastically.
Standing and lowering his head, Kerik moves down the tunnel with Gore besides him. Stepping into view of the guards, Kerik raps his axe against tunnel wall. It clangs hard against the stone and sparks in the darkness. One of the orc guards turns and looks wide eyed at the massively armored minotaurs. The others are too enthralled by the religious ceremony.
The orc blinks for a moment, utterly stunned by what he is seeing as the two minotaurs beat their chests and roar. Needing no further encouragement, the orc drops his axe and runs for his life!

The other three turn to see the two minotaurs as well. They have no time to comprehend or react to what they are seeing as Kerik and Gore launch themselves into a charge.

The three remaining orcs reflexively lower their spears, but they do little more than skitter and spark off the minotaur’s thick plate armor. The long head spikes lance through the torsos of two of the orcs. The momentum drives the corpses on to the minotaur’s true horns. Covered in the blood of their first victims, now pinned to the top of their helmets and flailing about, the minotaurs drive past the one remaining guard.

Shocked at the sudden violence and amazed to be alive, the squat looking orc runs for it too…

The drums and chanting stop and all orc eyes turn towards the minotaurs. Kerik stands to his full height and snaps his massive head and throws the dead orc from his bloodied horns. It arcs through the air and lands in a heap on the ground between the minotaurs and the orcs. Gore does similar and the whole mass of orcs seems to take a step back.

“Fear Kerik Many Skulls of Turrock Herd! He take your heads and frak your orc whores on Gruumsh altar! Run while ye can!” the huge minotaur belts out. It’s doubtful all understood what he said, but they all certainly understood a challenge and roar out their own reply.

Kerik and Gore launch into another head long charge as a fireball sizzles through the air just over their heads. It blossoms into the center of the orc formation, ripping the heart out of one square of orcs. It’s caster is Carmard, who was hot on the heels of the minotaurs and now somehow floating 10 feet in the air. They scream and burn, or roll around in flames as the blast consumes several of them. Unlike a normal fireball though, this blue fire continues to blaze. Some of the surviving orcs have become torches, running through the formation their own formation and spreading both panic and lighting two of their cohorts on fire too.

Carmard kills 6 orc outright around the blast area and wounds over a dozen more from the scorching power of his spell.

Kerik and Gore’s charge slams into the remaining orcs and they seem to disappear in the smoke and press of flesh for a moment, only to stand once again with an orc spitted upon their helms. Axes in hand, the minotaurs are ready for the real slaughter now. The two minotaurs are belting out a battle hymn to Tempus as remaining orcs gather their wits. The group wavers, but holds.

“Nalrak, Grathalmor, hold with me. Rest o’ye, at’em now! STAY TOGETHER!!” Carmard bellows out with an unnatural volume from the otherwise quiet dwarf. Something about his helmet? He waves the group forward from his perch in the air as they come surging out of the tunnel.

Right behind him, the party rushes out of the cave and move towards the orcs. Arum, atop his armored badger, strides out. His eyes go wide at the scene, but the prospect of sooo many orcs so tightly packed feels him with dread and opportunity. The pudgy gnome pulls out a ball of bat guano and holds it up in his hand. As he chants the arcane words of power to complete the spell, the ball of dung levitates, ignites and streaks towards the orc horde with a sizzle.

With the familiar dull whump of a fireball, the spell explodes against a wide eyed orc and the fire washes over much of the orc formation to the left of where Kerik charged in. The light is brilliant in the semi-darkness and the group seems to be immolated by the fire. He allows himself to think that this was going to be pretty easy fight afterall, for a moment.

When the fire clears, the orc he struck is wallowing on the ground, mutilated and burned and one next to it flails about. Two others seem wounded. But out over a dozen orcs his fireball struck, the rest seem… unphased?

Out of the rest of the party, it’s leader Bundok seems to have disappeared.
Steam and smoke wash off the orcs and they beat their shields with their battleaxes and roar their defiance at such a spell. He knew he was not as strong a caster as the Arcanii with him, but what the hell just happened?? Glancing back towards Carmard in dismay, even the Arcanii seems surprised by that…

Arum has killed two of the orcs and wounded six others. The rest seem unaffected by the spell…

Nalrak and Grathalmor, standing in front of and underneath Carmard, aim their crossbows at one of the orcs that Arum wounded with the fireball. Grathalmor’s bolt is driven through the orc’s knee cap and hangs out the other side of it. If Nalrak’s bolt did not kill it by putting the heavy crossbow bolt through its eye, the orc never would have walked right again.
The second group watches in dismay. Thordek has held some of them back and they’re poised to attack now…

Up on the altar, the shaman roars and his body guards pull close to him. He seems to be caught by surprise and takes no other actions, for the moment.
Sable has already disappeared. No one in her group knows where she is. After tying off the rope and quickly donning her equipment, she is nowhere in sight. This is exactly what she intends, actually, as she crawls along the ceiling in all its gloomy blackness… After a recent experience with spiders in the Underdark, it was nice to be one instead.

Raltise shares his force screen spell with Raltise and goes running off towards the guards at the opposite side of the cavern at a rapid speed. His first arrow of mental energy spears the center guard (G7) in the shoulder and continues to close the distance. It was a powerful, well placed hit but surprisingly the orc does not drop. Raltise continues to close the distance though and fires a second arrow and lances into the orcs chest, blowing through its tabard and chainmail. The orc drops to its knee and clutches its chest, clearly staged. But still alive. Lythe is right behind him, ready to protect her friend from the coming orcs. Close enough to get a good look at the orcs, they don’t look like any orc he has ever seen before. They are somewhat squatter, almost dwarven, with red beady eyes and scaly skin, more brown then green.

As Raltise seems to be the only one going for the guards, Buna curses. She steps out of the darkness to draw a bead on the distant guards and with an almost casual gesture. The bolts of a magic missile spell go streaking out towards the wounded guard. They snake past Raltise with a sharp, sizzling hiss. One missile catches the mortally wounded orc in the throat. Clutching its throat, it topples over. Finally. The other four missiles from the spell slam into the adjacent orc. It’s wounded clearly as the balls of arcane force hammer it in the groin and chest, leaving it howling in pain. But it’s still standing too. The remaining orcs all charge towards Raltise.

Unable to manifest his sword in time, Raltise tries to slug the orc that Buna wounded as it charges in, but his punch does nothing more than make his knuckles sore. Waving their battle axes and screaming, the orcs swing their axes at Raltise. Lythe tries to protect her friend and lets loose another terrifying ray of sound at the wounded orc. It topples over, its chest crumpled. He easily ducks one attack as one orc tries to lop off his head. In doing so, the other orc swings down at Raltise. The axe slams behind his neck on his shoulder blade, cleaving through the chain there. Blood runs freely from the wound, but his armor saved him from a deeper wound. The sheer strength of the blow is staggering though. It was like being hit by a giant.

Lythe killed one orc with a 12 pt sonic ray attack. Raltise suffered a 7 hp wound from the orc’s battleaxe.

Buna looks over at Thordek and shakes her head in dismay. As the two fireballs from Carmard and Arum streak into the orcs and explode in a flash of light, the entire cavern is bathed in light. Let there is little effect.

“They just… ate those two fireballs? What the frak are they!?”

Thordek goes with the plan, even though Buna seems to have stepped off to assist Raltise. He targets one of the orcs at the edge of Arum’s fireball. Taking a pinch of ash and stone from his belt, he transforms it into a blazing orb of fire and sends it streaking towards the enemy. It catches the orc in the side and the sticky paste blazes on his chain. The orc looks surprised and reflexively brushing off the blazing debris. Clearly wounded, he shouts and points towards Thordek’s direction. While it’s own cohorts seem to ignore him, fixated on the central group, the other block of orcs certainly see the streak of flame and start moving in his direction. The block behind them follows along at the urging of the wildly gesticulating shaman behind them.

They catch another fireball in the face for their efforts, however. Arman, who had seemingly disappeared, shows himself again as he sends a powerful fireball right at the charging orcs. While they can't see him, they can certainly see the origin point of the spell. His fireball wipes out the front rank of orcs and one other and wounds four more in a brilliant flash of light and roiling flame. Several of the orcs that were enveloped by the fireball, nearly a majority actually, seem unaffected by the fiery attack.

Arman’s fireball did 29 pts of damage and killed 6 of the orcs. 3 more were wounded and rest were unaffected by the attack

Initiative will be rolled upon contact.

Map will be posted shortly. X’s on the map denote kills. O’s denote wounded. Shaded areas denote blast radius.

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/1251/orccave25fl2.th.jpg (http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave25fl2.jpg)

[thorgrim29]

(small note, I'm not sure if it was clear, but I'm holding the main group yes, but Arman and Raltise are to go and finish off the orc guards quickly, and obviously Sable is god knows where. My thinking is that with such small numbers, we'll have a better effect if most of the orcs are already engaged or at least looking the other way)

They are Aurilites Buna.... Aurilites in the middle of a religious ceremony. I have a feeling it wont be as easy a fight as we'd imagined.

[mshady]

Post has been editted with corrections...

[bchilders]

I'm sticking with running in and using my enlarged size to attack and engage as many of the mass of orcs as possible. Will keep previous rolls.

[ArmanMadero]

ROUND THREE

Now that Arman got his initial attack in, he looked to where Thordrek wanted him to get to.

There were two minotaurs there already, and Arman had another spell that might help getting rid of the orcs that remained. A simple, but effective one.

He moved a little, walking even as he cast his spell.

Moving to AN-14. Magic Missile at G5 in square AF-03

"Diúracán déanta de draíochta cruth agus buail"

Darts of blue suddenly appeared and went unerringly for the orc near the exit, slamming into it and causing it to become off balance at the force of their strike.

Arman kept moving, looking for another target.

ROUND FOUR

Moving to AK-13. Magic Missile at G6 in square AG-02 as long as its still there. Otherwise.. I will shoot it where ever it is...

"Diúracán déanta de draíochta cruth agus buail"

More blue darts appeared and another Orc goes down.

Thorgrim - waiting on response from PM to shady about items I have before I cast something I don't have. hee hee.

[loopy]

Turn 3

I move closer to the melee, drawing my longsword and trying to get in a flanking position between one of our party members and a enemy.

Turn 4 (Lets burn some Inspiration points, eh?)

Now I'm in a flanking position, I use 1 IP to get a +4 Int bonus on my strike, and use another 2 IP to get +2d6 of sneak attack damage added to the attack.

(total bonus: (9 melee attack bonus + 4 Cunning Insight + 2 flanking = 15))
[roll0]

The roller is stuffing, so I'll do damage in a following post:

[loopy]

Damage:
(total bonus: (1 strength + 1 magic weapon + 4 Cunning Insight + 2d6 sneak attack) = 6

Normal damage:
[roll0]
+ Sneak attack
[roll1]
+ Modifiers
6
= 18 damage

Lets see what Johannes can do :D

((Total IP used: 4. 6/10 IP remaining))

[Melody]

posted by: Melody
Round 1: AF12-AL18-AF17-AA12
Round 2: AA12-R3-I3
Round 3: I3-G5-E5-B10 Distance is 45 feet, + readying weapon (This involves dumping the seeds out of a glass vial at her waist into her pack and dipping the vial into the bag of pepper, filling it and recapping it.)

(not to be a pain in your bottom Mike, movement is from the Fly spell which will last for 50 minutes minimum, distance moved per turn is 90. The movement is listed like that so you can draw straight lines from say AF12 to AL18 then a new straight line from AL18 to AF 17, etc. I shouldn't be near where you have me on the map. My first round starts approximately when the person coming after me comes up dripping. (That would be as long as it would take me to get dried off and going.) Holding round 4 till everything starts like I said. =) I might be able to get that far before everything starts, maybe not.. depends on how long it would take the rest to go through the tunnel and then activate the rune.)

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith
AC: 26 (+4 from buffs, +3 from Armor Rune)
HP: 63/63 (+6 from buff)
[roll0]

{{I'll be keeping what I posted earlier when I go into the room; moving in, casting a spell and firing a dagger. I can fire a dagger a round as a free action for 6 rounds. So while i'm firing daggers i'll be swinging my 10ft reach chain around killing as many Orc as I can.}}

Ring of Blades Damage:
This damage is taken at the start of my turn to everyone beside me.
1st Round- [roll1]
2nd Round- [roll2]

Attacks:
[roll3]
[roll4]

[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

{{edit: Forgot my Dex went up by 2 as well (from Animalistic Power) so my AC goes up by 1 and my init goes up by 1, but that isn't as big a deal =D}}

[thorgrim29]

((Sorry folk, but I'm leaving for the week, I,m renting a room this summer and it'll take a while to get internet installed. I'll try to check in, but I cant guarantee it. So, feel free to NPC Thordrek, he'll try to complete the objectives, using seeking ray and scorching ray at range against tough looking foes, and arcane channeling shocking grasp if it seems necessary. If he encounters a very tough foe (as in boss level), he'll use his trump card, quick cast true strike then two handed power attack for max while arcane channeling shocking grasp). (I figure something like a -2 to hit for the sheild, but it's mithral and the mod is something like +25 anyways). have fun!:smallbiggrin: ))

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise Siprite
HP: 50/57
AC: 23
Speed: 40ft.

Raltise utterly ignores the pain, not seeming to care that he's bleeding now. He simply takes a step back, out of reach of the orcs' axes, and then concentrates for a moment; energy runs down his arm, which he suddenly lets loose as an arrow of psychic energy!

Lythe, focus on my target.

He takes another step back, repeating the process a second time, switching to the other orc if need be. And, once again, he does it, assuming the second orc isn't dead, too!

Round 1: five-foot move, charge Psychic Strike, attack with Mind Arrow.

Attack! [roll0]
Damage! [roll1]
Psychic Strike! [roll2]

Round 2: five-foot move, charge Psychic Strike, attack with Mind Arrow.

Attack! [roll3]
Damage! [roll4]
Psychic Strike! [roll5]

Round 3: five-foot move, charge Psychic Strike, attack with Mind Arrow.

Attack! [roll6]
Damage! [roll7]
Psychic Strike! [roll8]

[King Tius]

Nalrak draws upon his power over the earth and casts Soften Earth and Stone at the feet of as many orcs as he can. He then looks around to his allies and sets about casting healing spells to those in need.

[mshady]

Sorry for the delay everyone. I think you'll see why when I post...

Duervar (Init 21)

Duervar charges forward, pick at the ready as these freakish orcs march towards him. He can see the crazed look in their eyes and it’s like no orc he has ever seen. It’s a bit unsettling, but he bellows his own challenge back at them as the two forces close. In front of the rest of his group, he now has to count on them to back him up. Particularly Buna…

Bundok (Init 21)

Bundok’s view is shimmering and silvery as the invisibility magic that came from that frightfully bitter potion protects him from the orc eyes. As he draws closer, he can see the ice blocks. One is fully melted and gone and the other two nearly so. In each lays what looks like naked humans covered in blue and black runes. The orc shaman bellows at this troops and his body guards surround him. There’s no way to get directly at him without going through his bodyguards.

His bodyguards look huge. Like those half orc, half ogre mixes he had heard about that Battlehammer had fought before they allied themselves with Obould Many-Arrows. The Patriarchate had not done that yet, at least. They were bare chested, but they’re not stupid either as they are quickly throwing on crude breast plates made out of shields. It’s laughably crude but unfortunately effective armor. None have weapons, but they each wear big, blocky gauntlets. The biggest, loudest of these orcs gigantic orcs has thick gauntlets as well but they’re covered in runes.

Arum Faer Wed (Init 19)

Arum rides his overlarge badger forward, and the chaotic scene has the animal very edgy. Despite all its ferocity, this is Baurus’ first test. Lance held high in one hand, it’s an odd feeling for Arum as he has never used one of them either. He does know his magic though, and well. Drawing a circle in the air, his fingers spark as the circle hangs in the air and spins, sparkling there. With a snappish gesture, the circle spins towards the ground and expands for a moment before a blue cloud of mist appears and an overlarge insect stands there. It looks around, getting a sense for things for a moment before spewing out a stream of acid into the orcs, covering the two immediately in front of it. The one on the corner could care less about the acid, unphased by it. The other is caught in the exposed arm and neck and given a sizzling burn. Not exactly a fatal wound though. The two orcs scream in protest…

Arum summons a giant bombardier beetle and it sprays the orcs, doing 5 pts to one orc.

Arman Madero (Init 19)

Arman sees the onrushing orcs and decides it’s best to move out of the way and cover the northern exit. With a quick gesture, he says “"Diúracán déanta de draíochta cruth agus buail" and balls of magical energy alight from his finger tips, streaking towards the guard that Buna had just struck herself. Raked by the driving force of the spells in its gut, several of the orc’s internal organs explode or rupture from the sharp impact. Clutching its belly as blood seeps from the ragged wounds, its axe drops and it falls to the ground. It’s not quite dead yet, but it soon will be.

Sable (Init 18)

High above the battle, Sable clings to the ceiling of the cavern; not for support but to avoid floating away. Satisfied she is steadied, she reaches for a red ceramic bottle from her bag. Breaking off the wax seal over the cork with a flick, more out of habit, she flings the flask at a rocky outcropping over the shaman’s head. The bottle spins and cracks open, but its sound is all but lost to her in the din of battle. Dying orcs scream from their wounds and burns, orders are shouted by both sides and frantic battle cries make for a far more chaotic scene than she’s been in for awhile.

Pieces of the jar fall to the ground by or on the shaman and he looks out, eyes wild. Right behind the bits of clay jar comes a cloud of a painful, moist, pepper compound that clings to his face and eyes. While fire is tolerable to these orcs, the contents of Sable’s flask certainly are not! He bellows as he tries to wipe the clinging dust from his face and eyes, only to make matters worse. Ropes of snot hang from his nose and tears run from his eyes. The four bodyguards look towards him and are unsure of what to do. Even though one stands near a bucket of water, the thought of using it on his leader doesn’t occur to him. The guards just stare at him, unsure of what to do… High above, Sable can only smile…

Thordek (Init 18)

Moving forward, Thordek decides to use what looks like his last opportunity to finish off what he started. Casting another spell, the ball of fiery ash streaks and sizzles towards the orc he hit last time. That he had to do this twice on one orc upset him and it showed. The mass of sticky flame strikes the orc full on in its face. Screaming, the flames burn off the orc’s tough flesh and he goes down writhing in pain. His comrades pay him no mind and step over his thrashing body. One down… Axe in hand, Thordek readies to help out Duervar. An irony he hopes the other dwarf appreciates…

Carmard (Init 14)

Watching the battle unfold with his cold, gray eyes, Carmard thinks for a moment as he wills himself to move towards the platform, thanks to his Fly spell. 15 feet above the ground, Carmard looks between the altar platform just as Sable debilitates the shaman, however briefly… Having more time than he expected before dispatching that group, he sends another fireball hurtling into the center of the second group of orcs before they can break and attack the party.

His spell explodes with all the ferocity of a rift being opened into the Hells itself. It explodes between the two groups of orcs and blossoms into a ball of flame that envelopes both groups. The flames roil and roll back in on themselves and when they disappear, 10 orcs are dead or flailing about on the ground dying. Several others seem wounded, but again a few escape any wounds.

Carmard killed 10 and wounded 7 out of 20 in the blast area.

Satisfied with thinning out the ranks a bit more, he turns his attentions.

“Nalrak! Keep the Turrocks on their feet!” he says, pointing at the minotaurs. “Grathalmor, Magnum, with me to the altars!”

Hjalmar (Init 15 - Delayed)

Waiting until Carmard had attacked, the massively armored paladin rumbles towards the orc formation. With his powerful runic hammer and silvered beard further protecting him, he’d try to hold off the whole second square of orcs that is moving to support the others.

Grim and bloody minded, Hjalmar lumbers towards the orcs as Carmard’s fireball recedes. The power of his blow squashes the orc’s head in and the extra power from the holy rune burns away much of its cranium. The orcs around Hjalmar rain blows down on him, but his thick armor and skillful shield work fend off the frenzied orcs.

So long as he can stay on his feet, he can hold them for awhile it seems…

Kerik Many Skulls (Init 10)

Axe held aloft, the mighty minotaur’s axe whistles through the air and is met by the wet twack of blade into flesh. His rune covered axe cleaves through the neck of the orc and sends his head flying but the wild follow through of the blow sails right over the heads of the rest. Reversing his momentum, he chops downward at the next orc but it blocks the blow with an upraised shield. His axe digs into the metal faced shield and he nearly picks the orc off the ground as he lifts his axe for his next blow before the axe comes free of the shield. The orc looks up a bit stunned by that and falls back a rank.
With one last swing of his axe, Kerik steps over the one orc’s body and roars. The axe cleaves through the chest of the first orc and the momentum carries the swing through the next orc in line, wounding him grievously. The staggered orc looks at its massive chest wound in shock, but it’s still alive. Momentarily.

As the axe things through and past the orc, Kerik lashes out with his spiked elbow and drives it through the orc’s skull. It slides off the spike and drops to the ground like a sack.

“Hah!” Kerik grunts with amusement and looks at the remaining orcs. Bloody axe in hand, he roars and lets his feral instincts begin to take over.

Gore (Init 9)

Sword raised high, Gore swings down in a flashing leftward arc. Faster than Kerik, his sword is a blur as it severs the arm of one orc and through his torso than continues its path, wounding a second orc. His powerful backstroke neatly decapitates the orc. To his side is another orc and he rams his shoulder into it and breaks its jaw with his elbow. Staggered and wounded by the armored spikes, the orc weaves and recovers as it stands alone next to glowering mountain of armor and flashing death.

Nalrak (Init 9)

As the orcs move towards the main group, Nalrak shoulder his maul and gestures towards second group of orcs and calls upon a blessing from Dumathion. It’s an unusual prayer to call for. The area below the front ranks glows and transmutes into from hard stone into malleable clay. Short of a place to carve out clay for bricks and certainly unnerve the orcs, who aren’t sure what is going on, it has no appreciable effect. Or would have, if the cave floor was not already moist and slick from water and blood. Much of the front rank of orcs topple over or are at least slowed by dealing with the slippery surface.

Slowing them down so his Arcanii can deal with them; unorthodox methods for orthodox results. It’s something of a theme for the Patriarchate…

Having delayed the orcs, he moves up to support the two minotaurs who were carving through the formation of these bizarre orcs. His interlocking armor, painted in earth tones with Dumathion’s holy symbol emblazoned on his chest, clatters as he moves towards the fight.

Nalrak turned much of the stone underneath the second formation into clay. With the water film and blood, it is perhaps more slippery than an oil slick and it effectively stops the formation for the time being.

Kelith (Init 9)

Moving up behind and to the side of Kelith, his dagger spell swirls about him. He wills one of the daggers to fly out towards the orcs but the dagger bounces off its helmet and skitters away into the darkness.

Parallel to Duervar now, he says nothing but waits to receive the charge as his chain whistles in a circle over his head.

Grathalmor (Init 10 – Delayed)

Waiting to see what Nalrak would do, the Forgemark Legionnaire moves forward towards the altar. With a click, his crossbow lets a bolt fly. The string spins the bolt and it trails its telltale spark of fire so he can see where it goes. His third bolt clicks into place and he wrenches the crossbow back before he even checks to see if he hit.

He does.

The heavy metal bolt punches through the leg of one of the giant orcish bodyguards through flesh and is only stopped by its femur. Grunting in pain, the orc looks at the back of its leg and tears the bolt out, casting it aside. It turns its attention to the approaching dwarf and away from his debilitated leader. Blood runs freely down its leg.

Grathalmor’s bolt does 8 pts to orc bodyguard O4

Johannes (Init 9)

His gleaming mithril longsword already in hand from before the charge, Johannes moves swiftly towards the battle. With luck, Gore won’t kill the one next to him and he’ll be able to kill one of the orcs himself.

His rational mind is split between supporting the minotaurs, who seem to have the situation in hand, or attacking the shaman and his band.

Shaman’s group (Init 8)

With the shaman temporarily debilitated, there is little the group can do as he tries to regain his faculties after whatever just hit him. He gestures and points at water bucket until the largest of the orcs grab it and hurls the water in his face. Most of the effects of Sable’s concoction of burning pepper are removed, but it still burns, still distracts him. But at least he can see now.

Buna (Init 7)

Looking at the advancing line of orcs, Buna shakes her head. A vicious smile curls on to her lips underneath her helmet. Reaching into her mind, she remembers the draconic words and begins incanting the spell. The power surges and crackles around her hand and fingers as her malevolent mind completes the spell.

With a cry of pain and release, Buna sends a lightning bolt sizzles across the cavern. The lightning bolt spell sizzles dangerously close to Duervar as it passes and spears the first orc in the shoulder and plows through the ranks of orcs. Most are only wounded by the spell, but out of the 3 groups it struck, 4 of the orcs are slain by the spell. Quite gruesomely. The rest sport nasty wounds and electrical burns from the spell and howl in pain from the attack. Two of the orcs struck were little more than jolted, however.

“Berronar’s Rings! What the hell are ye?” Buna rages. Holding her axe in the same hand as her shield, she gestures profanely at the orcs. “That should’ve killed a dozen of’em! Chop the frakkers in the head!”

She seemed like such a nice lass before…

Raltise & Lythe (Init 5)

Taking a step back, Raltise focuses his mind and filters out the pain from his fresh wound and sends a bolt of psychic energy towards the orc in front of him. It’s shield raised, Raltise’s attack wastes itself against the orc’s shield. It has a feral look on its face and takes an almost casual swing with its axe.

“Stupid mage forget weapon? Praka rips yer throat now!”

The last of the orc guards takes a vicious swing at Raltise with its rusty looking axe. It catches Raltise in the arm hard, cutting through his clothing and biting into his arm to leave a scarlet trail. The pain is intense and his arm feels a bit limp from the blow.

Not satisfied by just wounding Raltise, the orc lunges at him and tries to bite him with his tusks! It gets nothing but a mouthful of chain for its efforts, though.

Raltise takes an 8 pt wound, after earthsilk, from the orc’s axe

Lythe does not sit this fight out at all. Moves around Raltise, the elemental attacks the burly orc herself. She can’t do more than bruise the big orc though despite her best efforts as he punches at it.

Raltise! Get back! I’ll kill him!

Magnum (Init 4)

Magnum moves close to the melee to try to get that last orc standing near Gore. Now the same size as the minotaurs, he charges in next to the minotaur. The orc sees him coming, turns and its axe knocks aside Magnum’s shield and chops through his armor. It leaves a rent in his fine armor and a painful wound in his side.

The orc barely has time to realize it’s blow drew blood before Magnum’s axe splits its skull open. Gore turns and roars at Magnum.

“My head, dwarf!”

Magnum kills the orc, but takes an 11 pt (10 – reduced by earthsilk) wound in the process. That orc hit really, really hard…

Western Orc Block 1

With twelve of its members dead and the rest badly wounded, the orc consider breaking and running. But running means more of those terrible spells from the flying stumpy, whereas they might be safer closer to the minotaurs if they could kill the terrifying beasts.

The six remaining orcs, all wounded surge towards the two minotaurs in a frenzy of battle lust. The minotaurs swat two of the rushing orcs down, with Kerik splitting one in half at the torso from the sheer power of his strike.

The remaining ones charge in. Instead of trying to wound the minotaurs, they try to tackle them and knock them down. The two that try for Kerik would have better luck charging a stone wall and one of the other ones trying for Gore has similar luck. The last one though comes at him from the side and knocks the minotaur’s legs out from under him. They both go down in a heap.

Western Orc Block 2

Impeded by Nalrak’s unorthodox spell use, the formation is largely unable to move but two of the orcs who have better footing are able to do so. These orcs too forgo their axes and instead lunge for Hjalmar. Off balanced from his charge and slippery ground beneath him, the hulking paladin misses the two orcs as they come flying at him. He knocks both aside with his shield with a heavy thud, sending them sliding backwards.

Knocking over a dwaven paladin with a big shield is alot easier than it looks.

With a flick of the wrist, Hjalmar shakes some off the blood and gore off his hammer and bangs his shield, ready to continue is assault. No stupid man cow was going to show up a Paladin of the holy Thuulurn monastary.

Eastern Orc Block 1

The mass of orcs comes charging towards Duervar and Kelith, who are ill prepared to receive a charge with their lack of shields. Duervar’s swing at the onrushing orc, despite its ill abandon, is not timed right and the shaft of his pick bangs against the orc.

Kelith, likewise, lets his chain go flying out ahead of him. It catches the already wounded orc in the neck and starts to wrap around its neck before he yanks hard on it. The saw like motion nearly decapitates the orc and it goes down hard as its cohorts trample its body. As the flaming chain snaps off its first victim, Kelith jerks it back and swings it around. While one orc blocks the blow, two other oncoming orcs are battered by the chain and go down.

An orc, taking the place of a fallen comrade, swings hard and wildly at Kelith but the human’s tough chain stops the blow. It’ll likely leave a nasty bruise though…

Another orc's axe bites into Duervar, leaving a painful wound on his arm. The second orc charging at him has similar luck, catching him in the meat between his neck and head. Close call…

Duervar suffers 8 pts of damage from the 1 wounds from the orcs.

Buna watches in horror, knowing what is about to come as the full weight of the largely intact formation is about to grind down on her charges…

Eastern Orc Block 2

Largely unscatched so far, the orcs rush forward to try and flank the attackers as well and cut off their escape route or join their hard pressed allies. Some of the orcs carry short bows or javelins and they shoot or hurl them in Carmard’s direction. One of the arrows catches the Arcanii and it looks like a painful wound in his thigh. The rest of the volley clatters against the stones.

[img=http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/189/orccave3vb5.th.jpg] (http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave3vb5.jpg)

[mshady]

I'll try to post turn 4 tomorrow, but otherwise I am gone until Sunday night with resolution of turn 4 (or 5) on Monday night.

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Just to remind you, I have 10ft reach and combat reflexes. I would think I need a few more swings in on those orcs from the look of their positions on the map.

[mshady]

Good point. Post corrected... :) Three extra AoO. 1 miss, 2 kills and saved Duervar a wound.

[Yuki Akuma]

Raltise Siprite
HP: 42/57
AC: 23
Speed: 40ft./30ft.

Raltise is still ignoring the pain. He glances at Lythe for a moment, then grins. "Whatever you say." He then suddenly ducks to the left, flipping over; he handsprings on one arm - his injured arm, in fact - and then effortlessly somersaults about twenty feet to the south. He leaves glowing foot and handprints on the ground for a moment as he moves...

Once he's stood up straight, however, he glowers at the orc. "Forget to bring a weapon? I am a weapon!" Focusing his rage through his arm, he lets loose a furious bolt of mental energy, his eyes turning black for an instant.

Tumble 20ft. to AG-7. Check: [roll0]

Spend psionic focus to use Psionic Shot feat.

Attack! [roll1] (+1 from Point Blank Shot)
Damage! [roll2] (+1 from Point Blank Shot)
Psionic Shot! [roll3]

[mshady]

Here is a version of the map with all the casaulties removed and the orc ranks redressed. Easier reading :)

Also - Hjalmar is still on his feet. No pun intended, but I forgot he has the Shield Ward feat that allows your shield to count in resisting a grapple.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2561/orccave4startqw3.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave4startqw3.jpg)

[King Tius]

OOG: Sweet, that actually worked!

Nalrak chuckles as he hustles towards the Minotaurs. "Ye be with me always, Dumathoin" he says as he begins to scout the two Minotaurs. He quickly determines which of the two is worse for wear (Heal check, I guess) and sacrifices Summon Monster III or Aid depending on the severity of their wounds.

EDIT: With the minotaurs in good shape Nalrak moves towards Hjalmar instead. He will make another heal check as he approaches. If Hjalmar needs it, he will sacrifice his aid spell to heal him. Otherwise he will simply cast aid on Hjalmar. "I've got yer back, give em hell!"

[GimliFett]

Hjalmar

The paladin grunts and nods curtly in concession to Nalrak's spell. He grins at the orcs. "So. You want rough? Heh." Hjalmar spits at the orc. "Bring it," he says simply before swinging his hammer at them.

Howdy, gang! Meet the new Hjalmar, same as the old Hjalmar! :smallbiggrin:
Anyway, if I'm prone, I'll stand and reset myself. If I can do more, lemme know, please! :smallsmile:
I'll roll on InvisibleCastle real quick! :smallbiggrin:
Attack #1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1611027)
Attack #2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1611033/)
YAY CRIT! With a warhammer! x3 damage!

[Melody]

Sable pulls an arrow from her quiver and sets it to the bow string. How convenient that the Shaman was turned towards Carmard and the Minotaurs. She whispered to herself and sighted along the arrow to the Shaman's right kidney just below the ribs. Coolly Sable measured the distance by the length of his torso, shoulder, and hip. If you hit the kidney it was a fast and painful death. If you missed that the liver is just behind or perhaps in front depending on which way the corpse is laying afterwards. Too far up and you hit a lung, too far down and you perforated some part of the intestines. If you were absolutely terrible it would at least cause the victim some extreme pain whenever he sat down. She smiled. It would be fun any which way it happened.

(ooc: SNEAK ATTACK!)

[thorgrim29]

((OOC: I'm back, obviously. I just wanted to point out that Thordrek is Large right now, and therefore as a 10 feet reach))

[ArmanMadero]

ROUND 4

Never had Arman seen so much fighting! After his magic missile struck the Orc and seemed to cause much damage, he moved closer to where Raltise was.

He had seen what the lightning did to the orcs when casted by Buna. Why weren't the orcs taking more damage. Something was going on.

Not much he really could do about it yet. If anything could be done. He moved infront of another stalagmite coming from the ground and looked to the group of orcs near Duervar. Hopefully he could reduce them a little more. Raltise seemed to look as though he had the Orc he had wounded over there in hand, and he didn't want the orcs to get a chance to regroup.

His invisibility was still active for another 40 seconds he thought. He really wasn't sure about its casting strength. A lot of damage could be done in 40 seconds. He smiled.

"Liathróid de tine." Throwing another crushed ball of guano and sulfer at the group, he aimed for a place in the middle of the orcs, where hopefully it might do some damage and not hurt Kelith and Duervar. The ball grew larger and exploded in a firey WHOOSH

Fireball at AD-15. Left that last orc for you Raltise. My init is higher, but, more pressing will the the groups if they can regroup. I'm steadily making my way to that entrance.

[mshady]

Hey everyone. I will be in Delaware and back on late Sunday to early Monday. I'll be resolving the turn at that time. If you want to do anything different for turn 5 than you are doing for turn 4, more or less, let me know.

Also, with all the spell casters here can you each PM me your prepared spell list at the start of the combat? I forgot to update things after the last rest stops :(

Mike

[bchilders]

Assuming that the minotaurs finish off the orcs in front of us then I will use the wand to cast flamestrike on the group that was immobolized by Nalraks spell, hoping to thin the playing field a little. He will move towards the altar to join the fray after casting.

I still haven't got an answer back about the Wand o' the Heavens so I'm assuming it has 50 charges...let me know if it is any different.

Damage:[roll0]
Reflex DC 17

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith
AC: 26 (+4 from buffs, +3 from Armor Rune)
HP: 63/63 (+6 from buff)

{{Kelith will continue his "throw a dagger, swing a chain" combo.

According to the map, 3 of those orcs within 5 ft of me need to take 11 damage from my ring of blades spell, and I'll use my dagger and chain attack to finish off any of them still left or if they are dead continue to deplete the closest ones.

Attacks:
[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

{{Confirmation roll for dagger crit}}
[roll0]
[roll1]

[mshady]

Turn 4

Duervar (Init 21)

Recoiling from his wound, Duervar snarls at the orc that just cut him with that axe. His war pick alight with the rune from Tolrin, he swings it back behind his head and over his head. Planting his feet, he reverses his grip and moves it his opposite shoulder and swings at the orc from its unshielded side from an unexpected angle.

The sharp point of the heavy pick splits the orc’s chainmail apart and the point lodges in the orc’s side. It howls with pain and its mouth becomes a bloody froth. The frenzied orc only seems further enraged. Yanking his pick from the orc, Duervar swings at it again to finish it off by splitting its head open but his grip slips and the pick is driven into the stone. Cursing as bloody tip of the pick is bent and squashed by the impact, the dwarf is angry at him. No longer a tool for working stone, such impacts can and will dent any weapon as it did his. Fortunately, his pick has two heads though….

Duervar does 14 pts to the orc. His prized flame rune has no effect on the orc beyond cauterizing its wound. Due to rolling a natural 1, Duervar suffers a -1 to hit on his second attack.

Bundok (Init 21)

Sticking to his plan of going straight for the lead shaman, Bundok loops around the altar stage to get around those enormous orcs. He’ll have to delay attacking again, but he should have an easy route straight at the shaman. What those guards did to him after that he didn’t allow him to think about, but hopefully they would be engaged by then. The minotaurs got paid more for the heads of the shaman and the guards, so he knew where they were going next.

Moving swiftly around the altar, he looks at the ice blocks as the last one finishes melting. Even the ice blocks have strange runes etched into them. The one woman on the center altar lays there, but she is clearly waking up now. Nude and covered in painted runes he can’t even fathom a meaning for, he is not sure what to make of her. Friend or foe?

Arum Faer Wed (Init 19)

The chubby gnome curses as Hjalmar gets in the way of his next fireball as he fights the reins on his badger. It wanted to fight, to follow its instinct to kill. Anyone without berries, at least… Without a good angle, he didn’t want to finesse a spell into the exact right spot to catch the orcs and NOT hit the big paladin. Craning his neck around, he can’t make out the distant shaman either so he decides to do something he’s never done before in his life…

Spurring the badger forward, it runs towards the nearest orcs. Just knocked back in their attempt to grapple Hjalmar, they see the charging gnome on the badger a little too late. Barely able to even hold the lance, Arum makes the best of it as it bobs through the air as the badger charges in.

The lance bobs the right way by pure happenstance just before the badger impacts. It is driven into shoulder of the orc and it nearly lifts Arum out of his saddle and comes close to dislocating his shoulder. A string of curses flow from his mouth as the lance breaks and his shoulder burns in pain. It always looked easier when knights did that….

The orc, is wounded but not mortally so. It has the end of the lance in one shoulder and protruding out the other side, much to its horror. It’s pain is short lived as Baurus bites and claws at the orc, dragging it down in bloody shreds.

The orc standing next to the one Baurus and Arum just felled swings its axe at the badger’s neck, but it slides off the barding. Blood on its maw, the badger’s head snaps in the direction of the other orc. It hisses at the orc.

The summoned beetle clicks its mandibles together and follows its summoner. It sprays

Arum, by some miracle, hits that orc with his lance. Very lucky. Baurus finished off the orc. The other orc’s attack of opportunity was aimed at Baurus, not Arum, but he can’t penetrate the badger’s chainmail armor.

Arman Madero (Init 19)

Arman moves north towards Raltise and throws another spell at the formation of orcs.
"Liathróid de tine." With another crushed ball of guano and sulfur in hand, he aimed for a place in the middle of the orcs, where hopefully it might do some damage and not hurt Kelith and Duervar.

It’s one thing to throw a fireball at someone and another to throw it over them and time the explosion correctly. Arman will need to keep practicing that. The pellet of guano strikes an orc in the side of the head and drops towards the ground sizzling. It has enough time to glance at what hit him when it explodes with a loud whoosh. Fire washes over much of the formation in a brilliant flash. Arman watches, playing a little game with himself to see how many orcs wouldn’t be there when the flames clear. To his surprise, quite a few of the orcs have gone down this time thanks to his last fireball…

Arman kills 11 orcs and wounds 2 more

Sable (Init 18)

Sable pulls an arrow from her quiver and sets it to the bow string. How convenient that the Shaman was turned towards Carmard and the Minotaurs. She whispered to herself and sighted along the arrow to the Shaman's right kidney just below the ribs. Coolly Sable measured the distance by the length of his torso, shoulder, and hip. If you hit the kidney it was a fast and painful death. If you missed that the liver is just behind or perhaps in front depending on which way the corpse is laying afterwards. Too far up and you hit a lung, too far down and you perforated some part of the intestines. If you were absolutely terrible it would at least cause the victim some extreme pain whenever he sat down. She smiled. It would be fun any which way it happened.

Sable’s aim was far from terrible this day. Her bow twangs softly and the arrow itself glows ever so slightly as it streaks through the air from high above. It plunges straight into the orcs back, through its cloak and through the chainmail underneath it right into the orc’s abdominal cavity and out the other side. On the way through it punctures the orc’s kidney.

The orc shaman looks down, shocked at the gruesome wound as blood streams out of the wound, soaking his cloak and running down his leg. It takes a moment before he even realizes the pain he is in before he screams in pain at the wound. The sound echoes through the cavern…

Sable performed a sneak attack and got a critical hit as well. The orc shaman is badly wounded and suffering from significant bleeding damage.

Thordek (Init 18)

Wanting to move forward, Thordek wants to charge between Kelith and Duervar until he remembers the whirling knives all around the priest. Whatever the heck that was all about, he did not want to get near it. Instead, he moves to a flanking position around Duervar to finish off the orc his taciturn ally had just wounded.

Enlarged by his spell, Thordek uses his extra reach to avoid a counter attack by the orc. The Levtokuld positions himself and swings his axe at the orc in a downward sweeping motion, but the angle causes it to glance off his chain.

To his left, Thordek can see the rest of the battle and the number of orcs there. Dead orcs lay strewn about the battlefield, but they were running out of magic he suspected and there were a lot of these orcs. And they were tough…

Hjalmar (Init 15)

Having knocked back the two orcs and watching Arum’s surprisingly effective charge, Hjalmar prepared to continue his own assault. Holding his enormous shield just below his eyes, he glares at the orc in front of him with and draws the hammer across the front of the shield and swings outward. The impact blasts the frenzied orc backwards, doubling it over and imploding its chest cavity. Pivoting, Hjalmar swings again. His hammer rises and falls, dropping the hammer on the orc’s head faster than the orc can raise its shield. The deadly hammer splits its skull and the holy energy from the hammer flashes, burning the orc’s skull with its power. Quite thoroughly dead, the orc drops to the ground and flops about for a moment.

Carmard (Init 14)

Floating in the air, Carmard yanks the bloody arrow from his leg and casts it aside. It’s not a deep wound, but it broke his focus for a moment.

His eyes lock on to the shaman as it screams in pain. He couldn’t see Sable or Bundok and that irritated him, but he assumed one of them was responsible. As blood poured from its wound and the orc screamed, he thanked the Moradinsamman it had not been able to get into the fight yet.

Rather than let it get into that fight, Carmard tried to make sure it never would not. Taking a small crystal sphere from his pouch and gum, he begins to cast the spell and crushes the glass in his hand. As the spell is completed, he throws the fragments towards the enemy shaman and they race towards the shaman. The strange magic swirls around the shaman but refuses to take hold as it attempts to form a sphere and imprison the shaman.

It doesn’t work, though. The shaman waves his bloody hand and the sphere shatters and collapses.

“Damn” is all Carmard says as he glides towards the orcs.

He might have to finish this with his urgosh, he thinks, as the orc just shrugs off his most powerful spell.

Kerik Many Skulls (Init 10)

Amused at the orc’s brave charge, Kerik shakes the blood off his axe and pays the other orc’s predicament no heed. He swings his axe in a wide arc at mid height. His wickedly sharp smashes through the shield of one orc and splits his arm than through the orc’s torso. The momentum of the mighty swing keeps going. As the next orc in line tries to duck, it brings its neck right in line with Kerik’s axe. The orc’s pitiful shield is sent flying, followed by the orc’s head.

Recovering his axe, he swings his axe again at the head of the next orc in line. The unerringly accurate blow decapitates the orc as Kerik roars. The head tumbles near the altars as the body crumbles. The final orc looks up as it grapples with Gore as the 8 ft long Greataxe strikes the orc through the face and cleaves on through.

Having killed everything in the immediate area, Kerik looks between the altar and the mass of orcs to the right of him. He debates the merits between taking a few heads that are worth more slaughtering the next formation of orcs and considers what Tempus would do.

“Gore, get up! We go kill fat orcs!” Kerik says. He steps forward and kicks the corpse of one of the dead orcs, sending it flying back several feet.

Grathalmor (Init 10)

Letting go of his crossbow, the harness lets it fall across his chest. He reaches back and withdraws his urgosh instead. Shield and spear axe ready, he advances towards the big orcs. The one he already wounded glares at him and takes Grathalmor retrieving his weapon as a challenge. The huge orc pounds its meaty, gauntleted fists into each other, eager to come to grips with its tormentor.

Gore (Init 9)

As the orc that was trying to pin him has his head nicked off, instead of a struggle on the ground with these freakishly strong orcs, Gore’s biggest challenge now is just getting up. Throwing off the body of the dead orc, the minotaur rolls over and stands. He glares right at the orcs in the altar and roars.

Gore is one very angry minotaur.

Nalrak (Init 9)

The minotaurs, specifically Kerik, have just finished slaughter of the first group of orcs so he decides to go assist the grim Paladin, Hjalmar. The burly dwarf just struck down two of the big orcs like they were a couple of weedy kobolds. As he closes with the dwarf, he calls out another prayer to Dumathion and casts an Aid spell on Hjalmar.

Looking at his handiwork, he is still a bit surprised it worked as some of the orcs slip and slide… They seem to have gotten their footing back though.

Kelith (Init 9)

The spinning daggers around Kelith swirl menacingly still. He mentally picks one blade from its orbit and sending it flying out towards one of the orc. It pierces the center of the nearest orc’s throat and it does down clutching its throat and dying noisily. The horizontal ring of conjured swirling blades also do their own damage, with one of the blades carving a scarlet line across the arm of the nearest surviving orc.

Over his head, Kelith swings his own flaming chain. He lets out the slack on the chain and it comes swinging in fast and hard at the orc. He is not quick enough to stop the chain with his shield and slams him hard in the chest with its flaming spikes being driven deep into his abdomen. Yanking the chain free tears open the orcs wounds even further and blood flows freely. It looks in horror and the sudden wounds and doubles over, clutching its belly on the ground.

Johannes (Init 9)

With those minotaurs killing the last of the orcs in that first group with simply shocking efficiency, Johannes understood why the Patriarchate hired them and took great care with them. Just two of them were devastating and they had several hundred in their service. He had heard, but he had never seen them in action. A Hammerstriker team is supposed to stay away from larger battles; although with his luck that seems to be the kind of assignment that Carmard usually drew.

With his original plan of assisting the minotaurs pointless, unless he wanted to finish off the dying orcs, Johannes moves up to support Grathalmor. Maybe he can help him out? As he moves up he gets a much better look at the orc bodyguards.

Those are damn big orcs…

Shaman’s Group (Init 8)

His world filled with pain and blood quite unexpectedly, the shaman roars as loud as he can simply so he does not scream from the rolling waves of pain. As the blood streams from his wound, the shaman fumbles for a potion. He bites off the glass top, spits it out and swallows the contents of the potion.

And than he was gone…

His bodyguards don’t seem surprised by this, knowing their leader is running for cover. Instead they take the cue and launch their own fierce attacks. They come hurtling off the altar platform towards the nearest combatants.

Two rush in at Grathalmor, who has not had a chance to ready his urgosh against a charge by facing the spear side towards the enemy, and Johannes.

Johannes tries to swing his sword at the onrushing half ogre, but his swing is too late as it slams into him. The half ogre lifts Johannes right off the ground and drives him hard into the floor. Similarly, Grathalmor misses his own attack and driven hard into the ground by the massively muscled monster.

The other two half ogres take a more cautious approach with the two minotaurs. One charges right at Gore and it takes a hard shot from the minotaur’s blade right into its thickly muscled chest. The blade cuts off one of its nipples and under the bicep, drawing a sheet of blood but it does not deter the creature.

It’s huge, gauntleted fist slams into the side of the minotaur’s head with a crack, denting its helmet and staggering the creature. Gore takes an involuntary step back and clears his head as blood runs from under the minotaurs helmet.

Kerik drew the largest of the half ogres with the gauntlets bearing the runes. He is amused that another orc had the bravery to actually charge him after what he had just done to the last few. He swings his axe low and quick and hit axe catches the charging orc right in the gut, crashing through the shield and drawing a great deal of blood. With the blade still lodged in its gut, the half ogre’s momentum continues. Pushing the axe back towards Kerik, the half ogre’s massive fist is cocked and it lands a staggering jab right between Kerik’s eyes.

The magic of the gauntlet flashes and the massive minotaur is laid out on his back from the blow… The hulking ogre stands over him, ready to tear the minotaur limb from limb as blood runs down its belly.

Buna (Init 7)

Moving forward, Buna decides to put her urgosh to use and tries to fell the orc that Duervar wounded and Thordek just tried to kill instead of using magic. She flanks the creature and swings her urgosh. The blow connects, but she only manages a shallow cut on the orc’s arm instead of taking it off at the elbow like she intended. The orc looks at the fresh wound and the growing crowd of dwarves around it with a defiant look…

To Buna’s left, a full group of orcs is moving up on her and she was out of fireballs to deal with them…

Raltise & Lythe (Init 5)

Tumbling backwards, Raltise springs to his feet he yells at the orc.

“"Forget to bring a weapon? I am a weapon!" Raltise yells at the orc before sending another arrow of concentrated psionic energy hurtling towards the orc. It sees the bolt of energy coming and raises his shield once again as the attack splashes harmlessly against the shield.

“Not a good weapon than!” the orc yells back.
That was about the time that Lythe slammed her stony fist into the orc’s groin with all her strength. The orc howls in pain and he swoons from the pain for a moment before his eyes go wild and he swings at Lythe.

The blow slices past the chain and bites into Lythe’s stone body, but between the earthsilk and her own natural toughness it turns what would have been a deep wound into a scratch.

Lythe deals 6 pts to the orc and suffers a 2 pt wound.

Magnum (Init 4)

Taking out his precious wand from his satchel, he gestures towards the second western orc formation. At the very top of the cavern above them, the air swirls and a flaming hole is opened in the air. A column of flame comes roaring out of the hole, scorching the ground and hardening the clay from the heat. Several of the orcs are again unaffected by the spell. Three of them are killed by the flames though and one badly wounded.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Magnum moves towards the altar to join the fray there… Faced with a choice between helping the minotaurs and the two dwarves, he sides with his dwarven friends.

Somehow he figured those two minotaurs would be alright by themselves after the display he just seen…

Western Orc Formation 1

None. They’re all dead.

Western Orc Formation 2

One of the orcs, not interested in getting sprayed down again with acid by Arum’s summoned badger, breaks formation and chops at it with his axe. The axe splits the giant insect down the side and it flops on the ground helplessly for a moment before disappearing in a puff of blue smoke.

Two more break formation and charge right at the fallen Kerik, leaping on the giant minotaur and trying to pin him on the ground.

Four more break formation and run towards the fallen Gore, likely to join the grapple and keep Magnum occupied. Nalrak tries to take a passing swing at them as they are moving by, but his blow misses.

The rest move down to engage Hjalmar and Arum.

Eastern Orc Formation 1

Two of the wounded orcs break off and go running towards Arum and his deadly badger. Some of the other orcs go move to join the fight against Hjalmar. The rest either join the second eastern formation or flank around it to get behind the attackers..

Eastern Orc Formation 2

Frenzied and frothing, they press against each other for a chance to attack the dwarves and their allies…

(http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave5rf8.jpg)

[IMG]http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/169/orccave5rf8.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave5rf8.jpg)

[thorgrim29]

So.... tougher then most are you? That means I show you a secret Levtolkuld technique.
Growled the magically enlarged warrior (in dwarven.... he did'nt actually want the monsters to understand). When the next attack came, the adamantine axehead was shrouded in electricity, a basic spell perhaps, but one that had proved it,s worth.


(Arcane channeling shocking grasp)

to hit:[roll0] (add 3 to the attack roll if the ennemy wears metal armor)

Damage [roll1] + [roll2] +5

[thorgrim29]

(got a nat 19 on the attack roll, meaning a possible critical hit (keen dwarven waraxe))

Confirm critical:

Further damage due to critical:

[roll1]

(wow.... 65 damage, one orc down......)

The next 2 rounds will have normal full attacks, so

round 1:
[roll]1d20+12 2d8+5

1d20+7 2d8+5
round 2:
1d20+12 2d8+5

1d20+7 2d8+5

[ArmanMadero]

Arman could see the damage his fireball had wrought, and was disappointed that he had none left memorized. Still using his invisibility to his advantage, another spell came to mind and he reached for his pouch to his right fast, knowing the correct items to be there. "Mo cruinnigh tú cráigh de ifreann..."

Smoke started swirling next to him and he pointed to the nearby orcs upon its formatioin, still speaking in elvish. "Maraigh!" The Hell Hound he summoned went after the nearby orcs and started to attack.

Moving once again, he made his way to the entrance, passing slightly infront of and to the right of Raltise. He hoped that Raltise's ability would enable to realize that he was only passing him and not a threat. Just in cast, he mumbled quietly as he was passing. "Moving past you, this exit needs to be held against them running away."

Cast Summon Monster III. Summoning hell hound. Moving to AH-04

[bchilders]

Magnum
AC: 25 (-4 for dropping shield but +4 for it being an ogre)

Magnum squares up next to the large orc guard and mutters a prayer for strength, dropping his shield he grips his axe with both hands and sends a crushing blow towards the head of his opponent. As his blade cuts into the orcs body Magnum jeers grinning widely, "No orc will ever match up to a dwarf....no matter what other blood they got."

Using Strength domain power for +6 to Str

Attack:[roll0]

Damage:[roll1]

edit: +8 to damage for the giantbane rune (I rolled it in the OOC thread)

[King Tius]

Missing the orcs as they rush by, Nalrak curses out loud and turns to follow them. "You'll not get away that easy, dogs!" He will strike at the first orc he can get to, bringing his magma hammer into its back.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok
HP: 66/66
AC: 23 (+4 vs Giants)


Bundok had been biding his time. The urge to bash the orcs with his staff had been staggering, but he had been focused on his foe....and now that foe was gone. Looking up at where the arrow had come from, he cursed softly to himself,

"Orc-spitted mother of a durned goblin-witted girl!!"

He tried to make out where the shaman might have gone through all the debris.

[roll0]

If he can spot the shaman's path

Catching a brief glimpse of movement through the falling debris, or perhaps hearing a stone being overturned where no one should have been, the warrior rushed to that spot and swung mightily with his staff.

[roll1] (Power Attacking for 3, target denied Dex as I'm attacking from Invisibility)
[roll2]
[roll3]

Dodge Bonus applied to nearest orc besides the Shaman.


If he cannot determine the path of the Shaman


Having lost sight of his quarry, the ranger looked around for another target and saw one of those strange orcs standing over one of the minotaurs, ready to deliver a killing blow. Churning his stubby legs in that direction, he tries to sweep the legs from beneath the orc and then bring his staff down in a mighty two-handed chop on it's prone form.

[roll4] (target denied Dex as I'm attacking from Invisibility)
[roll5]
[roll6] (Power Attacking for 3, Opponent Prone)
[roll7] (+2 for Giant favored enemy not applied, unsure if Half-Ogre counts)

Dodge bonus assigned to orc with runed guantlet

[thorgrim29]

OOC: Are the half ogre orcs considered large or larger humanoids of the giant subtype? If they are, dwarves and gnomes get a +4 dodge bonus to ac, just checking.

[mshady]

Dwarves and gnomes would get the +4 AC with those big boys...

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

{{Same old, Same old}}
Kelith
AC: 26 (+4 from buffs, +3 from Armor Rune)
HP: 63/63 (+6 from buff)

{{All orcs that are 5ft of me need to take 12 damage, no save. I'll then attack the remaining ones, since i've got 10ft reach it doesn't matter if the whole front row dies, but if there are any alive still next to me i'll try to kill them first.}}

Attacks:
[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

Here's some attack of opportunity rolls for the orcs that move up from the back.

[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

[roll8]
[roll9]
[roll10]

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

[GimliFett]

Hjalmar

With a quick flick of his wrist to remove the gore from his weapon, Hjalmar steps up to his next victims, warhammer leading around his massive shield and grin widening with each blow.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

[Katasi]

Arum laughs slightly wickedly as the orcs fall before him and his mount, his head slightly giddy with adrenaline and fear now that the battle is joined. He gives a low growl and tries hard to concentrate.

[roll0]

If he can get his concentration up he will cant the words to another spell, summoning up [roll1] celestial giant fire beetles to add to his bombardier beetle.

Meanwhile Baurus will continue to give into his nature, attacking anything that gets in his way. He can really get into it now that his prey is close to him.

[making a full attack]

[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[PocketRocket]

Grathalmore

Accepting the challenge of the huge orc in front of him, Grathalmore lets off three attacks with his trusty Urgosh.

Attacking O4

Attack1 (axe):[roll0]
Damage1:[roll1]
Attack2 (spear):[roll2]
Damage2:[roll3]
Attack3 (axe):[roll4]
Damage3:[roll5]

OOC:Forgot to add +2 damage for each hit and +1 to attacks. Sorry.

[mshady]

OOC - Sorry for the delay. Getting the two new folks on board. Post will be up tomorrow. Partially resolved right now...

[Melody]

((ooc: Previous posts removed due to the fact there is no dirt or dust on the ceiling to knock down on the shaman.))

Sable pulls an arrow out of her quiver as she scans the ground for the Shaman. Her eyes track the trail of blood and where it ends and is beginning to pool around his feet. She smiles evily, definately a kidney shot, and aims at center mass. No time for fancy shooting, it was necissary to mark him so that everyone would have something to aim at before he got that bleeding stopped and he got hard to find. The arrow sparkles and glows as she sets it to string and arcs like bolt of blue lightning towards her target.

[Yuki Akuma]

[Oh God I really should have posted sooner.]

Raltise Siprite
HP: 42/57
AC: 23
Speed: 30ft/40ft.

Seeing Lythe attacked by the orc, Raltise's eyes go pitch black; it's obvious he's lost his focus, as he practically screams at the orc. "Leave her alone!" He thrusts his hand forward, producing a crackling arrow of energy veering for the orc!

A few moments later, he tries to get a hold of himself; he closes his eyes for a moment, then opens them again, before sending another arrow - this one not quite as full of hatred as the one before - at the orc.

Round... 5?

Charge Psychic Strike

Attack! [roll0]
Damage! [roll1]
Psychic Strike! [roll2]

Round 6

Regain Psionic Focus: [roll3]

Attack! [roll4]
Damage! [roll5]

[mshady]

Duervar (Init 21)

Angered at failing to kill one damned orc and damaging his weapon in the process, Duervar is ready to finish this one off. Gripping his war pick with white knuckled intensity, he swings his war pick low just over the cavern and chambers his strike behind him.
With all his strength, Duervar swings the war pick forward again like a deadly pendulum and he catches the orc in the groin with the pick, The blow drives the war pick deep into the orc’s abdomen from the long and wrong way while lifting the beast off ground. Yanking it free, the orc tries to stem the bleeding but he is mortally wounded and collapses.

Having slain one orc, he tries to kill the orc that is engaging Buna. With surprising awareness, the orc sees the blow coming and side steps it. Once again, Duervar’s pick clangs against the ground. This time, there is no damage to the weapon though…

Duervar did 14 pts of damage to the orc, finally killing it.

Bundok (Init 21)

As Bundok curses Sable for robbing him of his kill, he realizes how terribly wounded the orc was before it quaffed a potion and disappeared.

It was bleeding, badly and Bundok knew how to follow the blood trail of a wounded animal. He wouldn’t have long before the shaman healed the wound, however and tracking someone moving across a stone surface was nearly impossible.

His eyes traced the rivulets of blood that were flowing from the orc’s wound as it moved towards the entrance of a side tunnel, just off from the altar. Bundok darted towards the tunnel entrance and swung his quarterstaff hard at where he predicted the orc might be…
…and misses.

The wounded orc grunts as the quarterstaff cracks against the stone. The swift movement of the attack causes Bundok’s spell to be broken and his invisibility fades.

Bundok makes a successful track and spot check, but his attack failed due to the inherent miss chance when attacking an invisible target.

Arum Faer Wed (Init 19)

Arum laughs slightly wickedly as the orcs fall before him and his mount, his head slightly giddy with adrenaline and fear now that the battle is joined. He gives a low growl manages to concentrate well enough to cast a summoning spell.

With a poof of magic, three large fire beetles appear behind the nearest orcs. They glow red in the shadowy gloom of the Underdark, making ones normally encountered to be more prized than feared. After they were harvested… These beetles, summoned from the plains of Celestia where they no doubt had less exciting things to do, immediately lunge for the backs of the nearest orcs.

Two of the beetles do little more than thump the orcs and drive them to distraction, but the third beetle lunges for the orc’s side. The blow gets under the chain armor and its pincers are driven into the orc’s innards like two deadly knives. It flails at the beetle to get it off before the orc collapses, lolling on the cavern floor and bleeding out.

Meanwhile Baurus continues to give into his nature, attacking anything that gets in his way. He can really get into it now that his prey is close to him, but the orc’s dodge or block the blows from the vicious badger…

Arman Madero (Init 19)

Arman could see the damage his fireball had wrought, and was disappointed that he had none left memorized. Still using his invisibility to his advantage, another spell came to mind and he reached for his pouch to his right fast, knowing the correct items to be there. "Mo cruinnigh tú cráigh de ifreann..."

Smoke started swirling next to him and he pointed to the nearby orcs upon its formation, still speaking in elvish. "Maraigh!" The Hell Hound he summoned charged after the nearby orc that Lythe is fighting. The orc swings his axe at it and strikes the ferocious canine but fails to cut through its infernal hide. In turn, the hell hound can’t bring the orc down either as it gets a mouthful of chainmail instead.
Moving once again, he made his way to the entrance, passing slightly infront of and to the right of Raltise. He hoped that Raltise's ability would enable to realize that he was only passing him and not a threat. Just in cast, he mumbled quietly as he was passing. "Moving past you, this exit needs to be held against them running away."

Arman’s hell hound is summoned but fails to kill this one orc...

Sable (Init 18)

Unable to spot the orc or follow the blood trail, Sable draws an arrow and tries to make the best of situation. Quite unexpectedly, she hears a sharp crack and Bundok suddenly appears near the tunnel entrance. It doesn’t seem like he hit the orc, so that means it is either on the left or right hand side. Either way, it works for her purposes…

Notching an arrow to her bow, she casts a quick spell and illuminates the arrow before sending it streaking towards the side of the tunnel. She can’t see the orc or even its blood trail, so it really comes down to choose left or right…
She chose poorly. The arrow streaks past Bundok and snaps against the tunnel wall, the arrow tasting no flesh today… The fragments of the arrow do, however, illuminate the tunnel entrance quite well. Including Bundok…

Bundok, however, is no able to see inside the tunnel much farther. It’s a large circular chamber with no exit to it. They seem to living quarters, although warren may be more appropriate. He sees at least one female orc clutching a smaller orc to her bosom glancing out of one of the alcoves before ducking back again…
Sable’s arrow missed the target due a to a roll of 5 on a d100 for the miss chance roll, as she was wholly unable to see the target.

Thordek (Init 18)

Seeing that the orcs are trying to flank the group, Thordek makes absolutely sure he drops at least one of them. Channeling a shocking grasp spell into his axe, the Levtokuld strikes out at the flanking orc. The axe bites deeply, but the power of the spell causes terrible damage to the orc and its chainmail armor only makes matters worse for it. The orc drops in a smoking heap as Thordek yanks its axe clear. Resist that!

The surrounding orcs, looking at what the dwarf just did to the other orc look stunned at the impact…

Thordek does 65 pts of damage to the orc. It goes down. Hard…
Hjalmar (Init 15)

Hammer in hand, Hjalmar swings his hammer hard and catches the nearest orc in the chest. The hammer blasts the orc backwards and it tumbles end over end, its chest crushed in from the blow.

Thanks to Magnum’s spell, as well as Hjalmar’s own hatred and training against orcs, his second blow crushes another orc. Ribs snap like sticks as the orc spins and drops to the ground. With two more orcs dead, the burly dwarf steps forward towards the next rank.

Hjalmar drops not one but two orcs with his fearsome hammer

Carmard (Init 14)

Surveying the battlefield, Carmard looks for where he can insert himself most effectively. His mind sorts through possible attacks he could make and how it would change the flow of the battle. He thrusts out his hand in the direction of one of the big orcs that just took down the minotaur mercenary Gore. A silver globe of energy forms in his hand for a moment and the spell arcs out towards the half-ogre. It looks up just in time as Carmard’s magic grips its slow working mind. Paralyzed, the orc slumps over….

Kerik Many Skulls (Init 10)

The big minotaur tries to break the pins the two orcs had placed him in after the burly half ogre with mauls for fists had knocked him down. He shoves one and then another aside, slamming them with his elbow and pulls himself forward away from them. Rolling over, the huge minotaur brandishes his axe and roars.

Gore (Init 9)

Watching the enormous half-orc ogre go limp from Carmard’s spell and fall to the ground, Gore towards over him and laughs at his good fortune. He steps to the side of his foe and swings his enormous sword down on its neck like a guillotine. The sword bangs into the stone and severs the half ogre’s head. The minotaur snorts and kicks the head away from the body.

“Easy money…” he scoffs, and looks for his next victim.

Nalrak (Init 9)

As the orcs go past Nalrak, he takes a hard swing at the nearest orcs head, calling out to his God as he swings. Instead, the orc hears the warning and merely ducks as the powerful blow goes over its head.

Frustrated at missing once again, he uses the momentum of the strike to carry the maul over his head and bring it down on the orc with a crushing blow. The hammer blow hits it right between the neck and shoulder, causing the rune to flare as well.

While it is a powerful blow that staggers the orc, indeed came close to killing it, it obviously has plenty of fight left in it…

Nalrak strikes the orc with his maul, doing 11 pts of damage to it…

Grathalmor (Init 10)

With his face full of orc, Grathalmor was exactly where he wanted to be in this battle. Realizing the orc is a brawler and his shield would do no good, he casts it aside and grips his urgrosh. Swinging his urgosh, his first strike chops into the orcs leg but the effect is a lot like hitting a tree with an axe; it cuts deeply but hardly topples the orc. Pulling back his bloody axe, he thrusts at it with the spear point of the urgrosh and stabs it in the belly. Still, it won’t go down. A final wild swing, the axe head splits the orc’s ribs. The huge half ogre orc bellows and yanks the blade out of its slide. Blood runs freely from its rounds and it roars in pain and fury at Grathalmor. It’s saliva froths red from its wounds…

Grathalmor does 24 pts of damage to the orc, badly wounding it…
Kelith (Init 9)

As Kelith’s whirling blades continue to spin and slice at all around him, the priest swings his own chain above him looking for whom to strike next. His options are a bit more limited as he expected.

The closest orcs have already been seriously wounded from the blades already, fireballs or both and the gruesome wounds from the whistling circle of death around the priest. Three of them fall, wounded or dying with sliced necks or other appendages. Knife wounds are never pretty…

Simultaneously, Kelith plucks one of the simulacrum daggers from the air and sends it streaking towards another orc. It sticks into the side of another wounded orc and while it nearly kills the orc, it doesn’t quite manage to do so. Kelith’s actual chain strikes another orc in the side with its spiked ball head, reasoning it was better to wound two and let his daggers take the rest.

Kelith’s whirling blades strike down three orcs and the flying dagger severally wounds the orc in AF15. The orc in AF16 is also wounded…

Johannes (Init 9)
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Grathalmor, Johannes faces the furious orc and swallows his terror along with some bile. The good thing about fighting an enormous half ogre crossed with an orc and apparently crossed with something else too. He lunges forward and stabs at the orc’s belly, driving his sleek mithril sword deep into the orc’s belly using the nearly perfect form he more remembered seeing once than knew how to do himself. The orc roars from the pain as its belly is split open and deep red blows flows from the wound. Yanking the sword out and fighting the suction of the wound, he is almost surprised how deeply he struck…

Johannes does 18 pts to the half ogre bodyguard….

Shaman’s group (Init 8)

Badly wounded by Sable’s arrow, the orc shaman moves past Bundok in hopes of getting away from these thrice cursed dwarves who seemed to come from nowhere. Just the thought enraged the orc as he snaps off the arrow head and painfully yanks the arrow from his abdomen. Blood pours from the wound...

Tossing the arrow hard against the wall, it becomes visible and clatters to the ground. Not that anyone can hear it in the din of battle. He casts a powerful healing spell on the wound, stopping the bleeding… The light of the casting can’t be helped…

Buna (Init 7)

“Duervar! Thordek! Ye have to hold’em, we’re being flanked!” Buna yells, her voice amplified by her helmet. With that, the Arcanii rushes towards the advancing line of orcs. Giving herself some room between them and her, she takes advantage of them all being in a neat little line for her.

Taking a small rune from her bandolier, the Arcanii completes the spell and the rune disappears in a swirl of electricity before the bolt goes streaking towards the enemy. She angles it slightly downward so it hopefully won’t go too far, as the reach of the deadly bolt may be too long. The lightning bolt fries the first orc, leaving it a smoking heap of flesh. Two behind it manage to side step it, once taking a glancing but still painful blow from the spell… Two others do not even seem impacted by the spell…

Raltise & Lythe (Init 5)

Enraged at the orc for wounding Lythe, Raltise sends a powerful bolt hurtling towards the orc. Finally, he strikes and wounds the orc as it is distracted by the suddenly appearing hell hound. However, it is Lythe who finally knocks the orc down with another painful punch, striking the orc in the same place that Raltise just struck the orc. The strike is too much and it keels over, wordless besides a gurgle…

Magnum (Init 4)

Squaring up against the massive orc guarding, Magnum casts aside his own shield. Gripping his waraxe in both hands, he chops down hard at the orc’s back. His axe crunches through its ad hoc armor, through its thick back muscles and finally its spine… It screams in pain and goes down, nearly bowling over Grathalmor in the process….

Orc movements will be posted tomorrow, but this is how YOUR rounds went :)

[Katasi]

Arum tries to work up his concentration again as the battle blurs together in his mind. He lets out a wild string of curses in gnomish as he does so.

[roll0]

He chants the words to another spell, sending missiles of force shooting out at the three closest orcs.

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

Meanwhile, with a roar Baurus surges at the orcs, attacking wildly.

[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll=bite damage]1d6+1

[King Tius]

Never liking to leave a task unfinished, Nalrak brings his magma hammer to bear again upon the same orc. If he can manage it, he tries to look around him to make sure none of his companions are in dire need.

[ArmanMadero]

Round 6

Directing the hound to once again find a target towards where Kelith and Duervar are, from his place, he draws in the power from around him and stabs his fingers outward towards another orcish creature near Raltise.

"Diúracán déanta de draíochta cruth agus buail."

The bluish white missiles headed unerringly for the orc, striking it and forcing it back a step.

Magic Missile at G1 orc. Holding position. Feel free to edit this if you need to M. Not sure if those missiles actually kill that orc or not.

[Melody]

((ooc: Mike not to make your life harder, but can you post where the flash of light is from the shaman's spell? I need to figure out what I'm doing next and that's gonna depend on where he got to. I'm assuming Bundock and I will see it since we're both looking for him. Also since the arrow became visible when it left his hand, it will mark his location before he moves. Just the number on the map will be fine. No need to post a whole new one since most of the rest of them stayed put. Also Bundok's location please. Thanks!))

[mshady]

Eastern Orc Group 1

A group of orcs now surround Kerik. While he had thrown off two of the orcs and was now free, there were still a lot of orcs. The ground is littered with corpses and slick with blood. Some of the fallen orcs scream in pain. Others roar and howl in anger.

Like moths to a flame, the orcs throw themselves at Kerik. Seeing their inability to hold him down after knocking him down, they collectively decide to just kill him with their axes. They swarm at Kerik, accepting that they must get past his flashing axe. The minotaur swings hard, wildly even, and strikes one of the orcs down by severing its leg. It drops like a damaged stool. Two of their axes hit the Minotaur though, splitting his armor and cutting into his side and leg. The wounds look significant, but the big Minotaur stands tall, ignoring the painful wounds he is accumulating…

Three more of the orcs charge at Gore. The big Minotaur’s axe catches one of the attacks in the belly and lifts him bodily into the air. It sprawls on the ground, clutching its belly for a moment before going unconscious. The other two race forward and swing their axes hard at Gore. The strikes him very hard, just under his rib cage and the axe splits his armor like it just struck a piece of tin. As the orc yanks the axe from the armor, dark red blood pours from the wound and the minotaur staggers. The blow from the second orc bangs against the thick armor at an odd angle and does nothing.

Half Ogre Body Guards

The largest huge half ogre with the enchanted gauntlets is slobbering and enraged with pain and blood lust, swings its massive fist at Kerik once again. The gauntleted fist slams into him and dents his armor, cracking ribs and the minotaur roars with pain. The second blow is powerful, but the armored cuirass distributes the force of the blow. Kerik rolls with the punches, quite literally. He still seems strong and full of fight, but the amount of punishment he has taken is taking its toll. Significantly…
The last remaining half ogre takes a very hard swing at Grathalmor. The blow connects right with his gut, lifting him into the air. Grathalmor swings his axe to block the next blow, deflecting it. The first blow has bent his armor in and has driven the wind out of chest. He may as well have been hit in the gut with a warhammer…

Grathalmor takes 14 pts of damage (lethal) from the blow

Eastern Orc Group 2

One orc at the end of the group charges towards Nalrak. The dwarven priest sees the orc coming and swings his maul at the orc. The hammer strikes the orc on the side of the chest, crushing its armor, its ribs and damaging its spine. The strange orc’s momentum carries it right into Nalrak and nearly bowls the dwarf over. Finally it lands on the ground, twitching as it expires from its wounds…

Three orcs attack Hjalmar, two of which have to step over the bodies of their dead companions to do so. One of the attacking orcs is struck down as it charges Hjalmar, adding to the pile of dead orcs at his feet. Of the two remaining orcs, the first orc’s axe meets Hjalmar’s enormous shield and bangs off it. The second one gets by the shield and its axe strikes the dwarven paladin’s helmet, cutting through the thick metal, splitting part of his ear and cutting into his thick neck muscles. Ultimately the heavy armor saved the dwarf, but he has a wicked wound from it…

Hjalmar takes a 9 pt wound. The orc rolled a critical but did not confirm the strike.

Two more orcs come at Arum and Baurus, howling for the pudgy gnome’s blood. Powerless to really stop their charge, the gnome ducks out of the way of the first blow somehow. He feels the blunt impact of the side of the axe through his heavy robes. The second axe comes at him hard and fast, slicing through his robes and raking across his small ribs, even cracking some. Waves of pain roll over the gnome… More to lash out at his tormentor, Arum slashes a bloody furrow across the orc’s face but if it noticed the blow, he can’t tell…

Arum takes a 15 pt hit from the second orc. He has 32 of 47 hp left…

Western Orc Block 1

The orcs that were trying to flank the party and were struck by a lightning bolt have a change in priorities. They run headlong at Buna instead. The first orc in the line charges right at Buna, set to tackle the dangerous mage to the ground.

Buna changes her foot stance and turns the edge of her axe away from the onrushing orc. Just as the orc crashes into her, she spins and uses the momentum of the orc striking her spin to hasten her movement. She spins her body around as the orc tries to carry her forward and severs its head neatly at the neck, lopping its head off with her deadly reverse… Her victory is short lived as the next orc in line tries to grapple her to the ground. The two go clattering to the ground and Buna lets her urgrosh go… The two other orcs move to join the pin, intent on battering the deadly Arcanii into submission.

Buna kills one orc but is now grappling with the orc’s three companions…

Apparently not wanting to get any close to Kelith’s deadly whirling blades or test his skill with that chain of his, the orcs hold their charge. Instead, five of them throw their javelins at the priest. Two of the javelins miss Kelith, one outright, the other batted aside by his chain. Two more strike the feral looking priest however; one in the leg and another painfully in the chest, sticking through his chain. Not far enough to kill him, but its painful… Blood runs freely from both wounds, but the stains are hardly noticeable on his red tabard…

Kelith takes 15 pts of damage from the two javelins, bringing him to 45 of 63 HP

With most of his comrades dead, the only orc within arm’s reach of Duervar swings his axe wildly at the unshielded dwarf. The axe bangs into Duervar’s tough breast plate and rebounds off it, leaving a deep dent in the armor. Failing in that, the orc lunges at Duervar with its mouth, trying to bite the infuriating dwarf but it just can’t get a grip…

Thordek finds himself surronded by the orcish tide. Hardly lightfooted, Thordek none the less parries and blocks most of the storm of axes coming at him. He takes one painful wound on the arm that leaves a bloody tear in his lobstered arms. The orc follow up their attacks by biting and clawing him and one of the five manages to bite down hard and shake him painfully, leaving his hand bleeding as well...

Thordek takes 10 pts of damage from the axe wound and bite attack...

The orcs at the exit…

The two orcs from the southern exit, running for their lives finally look back and see how separated they are from the rest of the massacre behind them. They charge at Lythe, axes swinging and both strike the little elemental. One blow can’t get past her tough hide but the second digs deeply. Bits of her stony hide break off her side and she lets out an audible moan from the pain. Her psionic link with Raltise flares a bright orange and the pain of the blow even nauseates him. She counter attack to the orc’s knee causes it to yelp in pain as things are knocked slightly out of place by her blow…

Lythe takes a 6 pt hit from one of the orcs

Sorry for late posting of the orc's half of the round. Please alter your posts accordingly...

I am going to be moving to a less narrative format for the next couple rounds for the sake of brevity and sanity :) More of a summary of the round as opposed to the individual fights so much... We'll see.

The A on the map is the arrow that the orc shaman threw. The blue square is where you seen the light from him casting his healing spell. I think the blood trail is pretty clear :)

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6494/orccave6rx8.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave6rx8.jpg)

[img=http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/6494/orccave6rx8.th.jpg] (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orccave6rx8.jpg)

[Yuki Akuma]

(OOC: Okay, I'm confused now. At the start of the battle, you told us you'd be doing two rounds per post... and yet you've just done one round for the past few posts. So I have no idea what's going on anymore. -_-)

Raltise Siprite
HP: 42/57
AC: 23
Speed: 30ft

Seeing the two orcs attempting to flee, Raltise quickly rummages about in his pack, producing a large, squishy bag of... something or other. Lythe, get back! He hurls it at the two guards, the Tanglefoot Bag splitting open in the air and covering the two orcs in green, sticky ooze, which immediately hardens and roots them to the spot!

Draw, delay until Lythe is clear, then throw, Tanglefoot Bag.

Ranged Touch Attack! [roll0]

[King Tius]

Nalrak struggles to his feet and sees that the Minotaurs are in bad shape. He hauls arse towards them, trying to avoid any foes as he goes. He makes a heal check as he runs and sacrifices Summon Monster III to heal whichever minotaur needs it most. If we're doing two rounds this post, he will sacrifice wind wall to aid the other. "Stand strong, bulls! Dumathion has your back now."

[mshady]

Yuki - At the start of the combat, I was going to try and do 2 rounds at once.

Once it started, that proved overly ambitious as each post is an 8 page word document for me. That takes awhile. So we're down to 1 round at a time and I'm going to explore a faster way to resolve a round and hopefully improve the quality of the writing as well...

[thorgrim29]

((Just one thing Mike, Thordrek is currently large thanks to enlarge person, so the orcs cant actually flank him unless he steps back, wich he wont))

Thordrek turns his head for an instant and sees Buna's predicament. In a split second his decision is made and an order is given.

Right.... Duervar, go help Buna, NOW, then fall back on me, I'll hold them for a few moments.

Hoping the half-Duergar obeys, Thordrek prepares for a few intense moments. His style changes, focusing on defense more then offence as he tries to hold the beasts and survive long enough. Nevertheless, is axe lashes out twice.

Fighting defensively, so AC 23, -4 to hit.

Attack1:
To hit [roll0]
Damage [roll1]
If critical hit:
Confirm: [roll2]
further Damage: [roll3]


Attack1:
To hit [roll4]
Damage [roll5]
If critical hit:
Confirm: [roll6]
further Damage: [roll7]

[PocketRocket]

Grathalmore

After the last blow from the ogre, Grathalmore is less than pleased. He screams with rage and swings wildly with his Urgosh.

Attack1 (axe):[roll0]
Damage1:[roll1]
Attack2 (spear):[roll2]
Damage2:[roll3]
Attack3 (axe):[roll4]
Damage3:[roll5]

[Tharar_Greenleaf]

Kelith
AC: 26 (+4 from buffs, +3 from Armor Rune)
HP: 48/63 (+6 from buff)

Clearing his head from the pain of the javelins, Kelith moves towards the orcs trying to flank him swinging his chain and sending another dagger towards the hesitant orcs.

{{Moving to AJ-15, making a dagger attack then a chain attack}}

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]
{{+3 fire damage, rolled on next page}}

Spells Cast
0-2
1st-2
2nd-3
3rd-1

[Melody]

Sable drops to the ground and stows her bow. Pulling her rapier she moves to where the flash of light from the Shaman's spell was. His feet would leave smears on the rocky floor still, but not for very long. Hopefully she'd be able to keep him out of the fight.

[Diarmuid]

Bundok
HP: 66/66
AC: 21 T: 11, FF: 18


Infuriated at being continually denied his kill, Bundok took up his staff in two hands and charged at the area where the casting and light had come from and leveled another massive blow where he thought his quarry should be.



Power Attacking for 5, +2 from Charge, +1 racial bonus vs Orcs

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[mshady]

Okay everyone - combat resolution tonight!!!

[bchilders]

Magnum

Magnum glances over his shoulder to see how the bull's are fairing before stepping forward to swing at the next half-ogre.

Attack:[roll0]
Damage: (I just remembered that I am enlarged and I'm away from my book to see what a d10 increases to so if you want to roll my damage it is +12)

Giant bane:[roll1]

[mshady]

Partial Resolution....

Orc Shaman (Init 22)

With the bleeding stopped and at least some of its wounds healed, the shaman casts another spell. The harsh sound of the orc language, strained with pain and euphoria, take on an unnatural echo that cuts through the din of the raging battle…

Atop the altar stage, the area fades and takes on a blue glow. With a loud snap, a tear between this plane and another is torn open. A blast of cold air radiates out of the rift and bluish green creature with a wild looking beard that looks like it is made of wire and coated in ice. It looks around for a moment and sees the naked woman covered in those dark blue runes.

The blast of cold air and the throbbing power of magic that briefly radiated from the rift finally stir the woman. She is younger, in her late teens or early 20s with red hair and she is about to die. The runes on her naked form pulse in the presence of whatever the shaman just summoned and her eyes finally snap open to see the creature looking down at her.

And she screams.

Not long though, as the creature ***** his head, smiles and lifts its terrible saw toothed glaive high in the air and drives it through her chest, silencing her.

Yanking it free, it looks around at the raging battle. Its eagerness to join is palatable.


Duervar (Init 21)

Seeing Buna’s predicament and hearing Thordek’s bellowed order, Duervar briefly debates with himself if he actually wants to help or not. After how he berated him, saving her would be about the best way he could think of to put her in her place.

Duervar turns and charges at Buna’a attackers, but doing so gives the nearest orc a chance to take a swipe at him. The orc’s axe bites deep into his hip and thigh, slicing through the thin leather protection but the wound isn’t enough to slow Duervar down any.

He charges fourth, calling out an unintelligible battle cry and he swings his war pick down hard on an orc. The sharp point is driven right through the back of the orc’s knee cap as it flails around on the ground trying to grapple with the Arcanii on the ground. It howls in pain but is still very much alive…

Duervar takes a 13 pt wound, leaving him at 43/64 hp. In turn, he does 15 pts to the orc on the ground…

Bundok (Init 21)

Seeing the spell cast by the shaman, Bundok charges at the source of the light. Quarterstaff held high, he charges in and slams it to the ground where he thought the shaman was.

The shaman was not there anymore. He must have moved after casting.

Bundok curses. Again denied, the dwarf curses. Loudly and creatively, directed both at the shaman and Sable…

Arum Faer Wed (Init 19)

The portly gnome curses at his wounds and this battle. He casts a magic missile spell at the nearest orc but the spell has absolutely no effect on the monster. It knows it has been hit though, and by whom. Baurus’ efforts are similarly useless as he jostles, scrapes and nicks the surrounding orcs, but does little else…

Arman Madero (Init 19)

Standing in place, Arman tries to knock down one of the onrushing orcs with a magic missile spell. If he could at least wound one, Raltise and Lythe might be able to handle these two. If the remaining group broke and ran though, they would all be trampled into the ground.

He casts his spell and the bolts of magical energy work this time. The orc is buffeted by the blows, howling in pain. It clutches its side and looks around wildly, trying to figure out who just smashed him in the back with a bunch of hammer blows.

Damn, that should have killed him… Arman thinks…

Arman does 13 pts to Orc G4

Sable (Init 18)

The human scout, or assassin depending on the circumstance, drops to the ground and slings her bow. Drawing her rapier out next to where she lost the orc shaman, she now finds herself standing next to Bundok. A very irritated Bundok…

Thordek (Init 18)

Enlarged by his own spell, the Levtokuld can strike powerful blows but is easier for the orcs around him to strike. Seeing that he is becoming surrounded, Thordek falls back into a defensive posture.

He makes two, guarded, strikes at the orcs pressing around him. His first blow comes in low and wounds the orc in the leg badly. It drops to one knee for a moment as Thordek’s second blow splits the orc’s helm and cracks its skull. The flanking orc drops to the ground, dead…

Thordek kills one orc, dealing 13 and than 15 pts from two separate blows.

Hjalmar (Init 15)

The grim paladin keeps grinding on. Slowly but surely, he is keeping pace with the two enormous minotaurs. It was a point of pride for him. With a swing of his hammer, Hjalmar crushes the life out of another one of these thrice-cursed orcs, but he was still surrounded by them. He takes a swing at a second orc, but the orc’s shield blocks it…

Hjalmar does 13 pts of damage with his warhammer and slays an already wounded orc.

Carmard (Init 14)

“Nalrak! Take care of Gore and Kerik! Magnum, you too! The shaman’s summoning!” Carmard roars, his rough voice now stressed and imperative.

The Arcanii sees the new arrival and curses, but turns his attention to the minotaurs. Exactly where he didn’t want to be right now. His throwing hammer in hand, he pulls back he reaches back and throws it orc even though it is yet engaged with the beleaguered minotaur.

The terrible hammer strikes the orc in the back of the head and it tumbles to the ground, quite dead….

[King Tius]

uuhhhh, did Nalrak not get to make his move?