Immersive Ink

Vesh and Catweazle are protected by Maloof and Franklin, who are arranged so they can get a shot at the door. Rhod and Grampus get ready to resists a charge. To the north of the door, but far away not to be noticed immediately, are Wiglaff and Wotan. To the south, Aldbane and the three dwarves

There is a pounding on the door, and it starts to tremble under tremendous blows, and then the door is splintered and the white ape is framed in the doorway! Maloof's sling stone splashes off the framing, but Franklin's conks it right in the head. The ape beats its chest, and rushes towards Franklin, but Rhod and Grampus bar the way. The rest of the group scrambles after the ape

Rhod takes a mighty shot, but Grampus is unscathed by the ferocious attacks, and then both Rhod and Grampus slice into the ape, which looks seriously wounded.

Any change in tactics, or just slug it out and hope?

Ivar and Sigurd will use their spears from the second rank if there is space.

Rhod continues fighting.

Aldbane also continues to fight!

Maloof grasps his mace. He won't wade into the melee, he hangs back but will attack if the ape breaks through and gets near himself, Vesh, Catweazle, or Franklin.

Franklin draws his dagger to protect himself, but he does not force his way to the front line. He will take any attacks of opportunity that present themselves, i.e. the ape breaks through the ranks.

The swarming party finally manages to bring the beast crashing down, as Nori lands the decisive blow. Checking your wounded, you see that Rhod could use some healing

DM NOTE: I missed an earlier wound on Rhod, so he is down to 4 hit points out of 11. You have not used the Staff of Healing on him yet today

Let's get Rhod healed with the staff then continue exploring. I suggest east through to the temple, and check the east door in the south wall.

Wiglaff looks down sadly at the fallen beast.

"A pity we couldn't capture this one. The last one fetched a pretty penny."

Franklin scolds, "Sconces, don't eat the ape!" He rewards the dog with a piece of beef jerky from his rations. "East through the temple, and then south, sounds good to me."