(036) The Remains of the Day

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough calculates his distance from the door, the interval it will take to slide shut, the speed of the retreating party members, and the speed of the pursuers.

The optimal solution is:

1. He blinks through the door just in time so the entire party is on one side and the fiends are on the other side.

If that's not possible then:

2. Split the fiends' party so that we only have to face 1 or 2 of them on the other side.

If the situation becomes extremely confused/desperate and some of the PC's can't make it through the door in time, then (gulp):

3. Let 2 fiends pass through the door and trap the 3rd inside with Highbough and the stragglers; blink-backstab Fiend 3 and hope for a lucky roll!

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
Gustave bolts for the door (as much as one can when dragging an incapacitated armoured man), Dorgan at his side, and posse of hideous pale horrors at his heels.

Seeing Josiane hold aloft a watery grenade (which seemed to have visible effect on the foe before) he dips his head as he charges for the portal.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
All this passes through Highbough's mind in a flash, and but a moment later Guntrum, and then Josiane scurry through the portal, spoiling any possibility of either Ulric or Dieter holding the door.

Highbough delays to the very last -- he has to if Gustave, Dorgan and Olaf are to escape...

The terrible fiend pursuing Guntrum bursts through the door ahead of the struggling trio, to fall upon those in the chamber beyond in a ferocious rage. Dieter attempts to barge it fiend aside with his bulk and strength as Josiane tries to dash her flask of Holy water upon it. Initiative is rolled (1d6; party=5, foe=5) and the attacks fall simultaneously! (1d20; Dieter=10, Josiane=19, Foe=5) Dieter's barge is deflected almost harmlessly off the ghastly fiend, but spoils the deadly blow it had aimed for his heart, and leaves it directly exposed to Josiane's missile... which explodes in its face (2dd=6,2) and in a sudden frenzy of sizzling steam and horrific squealing the foe is vanquished!


Simultaneously Gustave and Dorgan come stumbling after with Olaf and tow and another terrible monster harrying them at every pace (1d20=13) and its last blow clangs fiercely off Gustave's breast plate even as he passes under the door arch, and the chief enemy come rushing down upon them!

They have scarcely passed under the door when Highbough wills himself gone and Lo! He vanishes from the rapidly darkening vault. The heavy door clatters down with a resounding thump just as Olaf's boots are dragged under, and the remaining two enemy are sealed in the vault!

At the same moment Highbough appears out of nowhere in the middle of the second vault.

And there is a sudden cold and heavy still... the only sound being the still hissing steam and the pant of heavy breathing.


What now?

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
"Out!" Dieter commands. "Out of this foul place! Quickly!"

He starts pushing people toward the exit. He'll bring up the rear, in case any more of them come up from behind.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Marvelous shot my dear" says Gustave to Josiane, breathing hard and watching the vaporous remnants of the foe disperse.

He drops Olaf on the floor somewhat more abruptly than required, before doing the same with himself, and examining with some displeasure the dark scratch wrought by the fell blade upon his breastplate.

"Alas", he croons to the tormented steel, apparently oblivious to Dieters keen and justified desire to depart, "yet your sacrifice is not I think in vain."

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Josiane closes her eyes in a silent but heartfelt prayer of thanks for a second. When she opens them, gazes upon the smoking remnants of the enemy and speaks her voice is cold.

"For Wibert and Sir Pelenwin," she says quietly.

But then she is all action once more.

"Lord Gustave, this is not the time!" she hisses, seeking to drag the swordsman to his feet even as he tries to sit down; "We leave. Now."

If Gustave still proves unresponsive she will move to help Dorgan carry the wounded Olaf; "Light to the fore quickly! Keep a sharp watch. Remember, there was a foe behind as well. The gate may be held against us."

She assists Dieter in trying to get the company moving.

[waysoftheearth]

rleduc wrote:
Guntrum checks Olaf to see if he is stable. If so, he'll carry the fallen man in a fireman's carry, sheathing weapon and stowing shield. He'll carry Olaf's wand if he can, or find another to do so if he can't. He'll preferably take position in the rear ranks somewhere.

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Desmond rushes over to Highbough to make sure he is OK after his somewhat odd method of travel into the room...

If nobody else offers, Desmond will gladly try to carry the lighted scepter for Guntrum. He will try to hold it as high as he can with his tiny arms.

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:
"Aye, Gustave. We're not safe yet. Let's keep movin'."

Dorgan will check Olaf to see what his current condition is. If it looks like he's on the edge of death, Dorgan will try to pour a nip from his hip flask down the fighter's throat. If he seems stable, the dwarf will continue to carry him upward and outward.

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
"Move quickly but carefully. Let's not stumble upon anymore foes. Give me room to remove them from our path."

Ulric says not a word more but turns and prepares to depart. He allows a warrior to take the lead but stays in a close second or third just in case the path needs to be cleansed by fire.