(012) Beneath the Gatehouse

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Once inside, Ulric lights his lantern to provide illumination for the rear guard. He listens intently at the sound of laughter from ahead.

"We are certainly not alone. My magic may be of limited use is such cramped quarters."

OOC: Ulric would have memorized the Anthracite Sufferance in the last rest period.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Michele follows closely behind/beside Padrig, steeling himself for whatever lies ahead.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Ulric, and those nearby, pauses to illuminate his lantern and soon has it shedding a steady yellow glow.

Meanwhile, at the head of the column, Caine and Padrig steal ahead as silently as they might. The passage proceeds some 20 feet farther before opening into a cramped ante which is the intersection of three passage ways and from which two adjacent stone stairs depart. On the left a flight ascends, while on the the right, another descends into a deeper dark.

(1d6=5) For them.
(1d6=1) For you.

Both our stealthy heroes a taken by surprise when, as they creep up to the intersection, a 6 foot tall shag-pile covered humanoid form shuffles into the ante from the passage way to their right. The bulky... thing... seems to be sniffing the air as if drawn on by its glistening snout, but as soon as it catches sight (or a whiff) of the interlopers, it snorts out a guttural growl and bounds, ape-like, at poor Caine (1d20=13) and rends him across his raised arms and face with a heavy hand and then pummels him into the tunnel wall most brutally -- causing the ancient stone walls crack at the impact and delivering a fearsome (2dd=3,6) 6 hit-points of damage. Caine is rendered senseless and tumbles to the ground!

The surprise round is over.

Caine has 0 of 6 hit points (slain at -1).

Gentlemen, what are your intentions for next round?

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Michele shoots!

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verhaden wrote:
Mads the Fair

Mads will fire an arrow over Thorgrim and Michele if he can. "Drag Caine back and get him some help--we'll hold the line!"

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf is too far back to fire an arrow, or attack with sword and shield, so for now he will wait for an opportunity to present itself.

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
Dieter will draw his sword and try to make his way forward (if possible).

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric grumbles as their numbers are once again made ineffective in the close confines of a crumbling ruin. From the far rear of the line he can do little but hold his lantern high to provide light for the others.

"Pull the wounded back and we will aid them," he calls ahead.

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Valandil wrote:

Dieter will draw his sword and try to make his way forward (if possible).

Andaros will follow and fight the beast alongside Dieter, if possible.

OCC: We should try to take the battle outside the tunnel, somehow.

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
Flewellen grabs Cain and drags her back to Ulric. "See what you can do with her," he says