Immersive Ink

sulldawga wrote:
Dorgan watches intently to see what sort of effect the holy water has on the horde.

If it appears to work, and there aren't any foes that could quickly reach the top of the stairs, he'll pull a vial of his own water from his bandoleer and throw it after Highbough's.

waysoftheearth wrote:
Wibert; The Second Vault

As mage-fire bursts forth and a horrible slaughter of stinking corpses that walk commences, Wibert searches about for an escape route. There are five visible entries into this place ( see the map http://odd74.proboards.com/index.cgi?ac ... e=13#90403here ).

However, none look any more defensible than the others; at a glance. The passages are all approximately 6ft wide. Two can come abreast at a squeeze, but only one could swing a sword in that space. There is no higher ground in sight, unless Wibert counts the strange stone edifice upon the dais in this vault.

waysoftheearth wrote:
The First Vault
(Josiane, Dorgan, Highbough, Gustave, Guntram)

tonneau wrote:Gustave absorbs the array of pyrotechnics, grunts and cries of battle, just as the wave of nauseous stench assails his fine nostrils.

(The pyrotechnics and combat are not visible to Gustave, but the awful stench is revealed to him in spades.)

The pair of fighting Men reach Highbough, Josiane and Dorgan, who are more or less blocking the way forward into the first Vault.

Highbough rifles about in Josiane's pack (which is still upon her back) as the warrior maiden continues to chant her blessed soliloquy (concentration check against Josiane's wisdom; 1d6=1).

"Ah, this must be it!" declares Highbough producing a white, ceramic flask from the pack upon Josiane's back. But alas! The rooting about interrupts her concentration and the spell is broken! The befoulled monsters on the stair below jerk and shake a moment, as excommunicated limbs are hastily brought back into service.

Highbough lobs the flask down the stair at them as they surge forward once more (1d20=8) but his aim is hurried, and the flask smashes upon the wall just above them, and only one of the creatures is caught in the splash (1d6=2) and its withered flesh sears and smokes at contact with the Holy stuff.

They are 20ft away and will reach you next round unless you retreat.
Dorgan and his shield are firmly in their path.

What now?

doctorx wrote:
"The Saint's curse!" snarls Josiane as she feels the blessing ebb; "Dorgan! Pull back!"

She darts a look behind. Have Guntrum and Gustave joined us yet?

If they have, she falls back behind them, presents the symbol once more and attempts to resurrect the Soliloquy.

If not, she takes her place at the top of the stair beside Dorgan, draws her sword and sets about smiting the Undead back to Hell...

sulldawga wrote:
Dorgan sees the limited success of the holy water but decides the horde is too close to risk putting his weapon away. His grip tightens on his axe.

"Start singing again, Miss," he says grimly to Josiane. "I'll keep them off you a little longer."

He will hack away at whichever creature comes closest.

doctorx wrote:

sulldawga wrote:Dorgan sees the limited success of the holy water but decides the horde is too close to risk putting his weapon away. His grip tightens on his axe.

"Start singing again, Miss," he says grimly to Josiane. "I'll keep them off you a little longer."

He will hack away at whichever creature comes closest.

"The Saint keep you, dear friend," whispers Josiane.

She draws back. "Your spear, Highbough! Help him!" she urges the Elf, then she falls back and attempts to resurrect her chant.

mushgnome wrote:
"Pardon my groping hands, m'lady," Highbough apologizes to Josiane.

He will support Dorgan from the 2nd rank, with his spear set vs. the post-human tide.

doctorx wrote:
Josiane will take a moment to locate her oil and set it to one side in plain sight (praying fervently to her White Lady that no-one kicks it into the pit) before attempting to restart the Soliloquy.

tonneau wrote:
"Oh lovely, just lovely" says Gustave with curled lip as he spies the writhing mass of well-past-dead corpses ambling eagerly up the stairs, some missing bits, other still smoking with the stain of holy water.

He sighs and looks apologetically at his still gleaming new armour then, pushing past Josiane and Highbough , takes a position next to Dorgan as space permits.

Squinting against the hideous stench he presents shield and sword to defend the position. "Yahh...much worse than eggs", he observes.

He flexes his sword arm in anticipation, "Lop of a limb you say eh?".

rleduc wrote:
Guntrum moves as far forward as he can without pushing anyone over or jostling Josiane. He wishes to get to a point where he can relieve the front rank as necessary, but turn and aid the rear if it comes to that.

If I'm right, that might put him in the second rank next to Highbough, possibly behind Gustave. Or however he can best manage that goal.