(036) The Remains of the Day

[waysoftheearth]

rleduc wrote:
Guntrum runs to Josephine's side, figuring that her chant is the best hope of the party. If a fiend approaches her, he will seek to use his size, his running momentum and his shield to bulldoze it; if possible seeking to push it back over a tomb or otherwise cause it to stumble. Otherwise, he forms up on her, ready to strike any that approach her with his sword (which is all that he has).

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
From where he is, Olaf would step forward to Desmond's side...with Gustave on the other...and engage the Fiend if it attacks. Olaf will hold the scepter high with his off hand and using his sword slash and stab with the other.

"Try to hold a line here, so the others can fall back toward the door." Olaf shouts, "And someone get that door open!"

OOC: As I see it, the door we want is on the far left. The openings at the top and bottom are stairs leading down...and we don't want to go down. Guntrum, Josie and Dorgan need to move back toward us, so we can make a fighting withdrawal toward the door. Dieter might have to "jump for it!"

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:

Olaf shouts, "And someone get that door open!"

"We don't know what's behind the door!" shouts Highbough, who is in a bad position to be flanked if there are, say, 30 zombies waiting on the other side.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
"Then we'll have to fight these fiends to the death right here!" Olaf shouts back as he tries to form a line next to Desmond.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:

"Then we'll have to fight these fiends to the death right here!" Olaf shouts back .

"I am afraid, that someone may have beat us to it" quips Gustave despite himself.

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:
Presumably Dorgan will have dropped his exhausted torch previous to now. He will draw his letter-opener from his belt and use it defensively.

He maintains his axe in a ready state and will chop at the first fiend who approaches within melee distance.

The dwarf will remain by Josiane's side, retreating as slowly or quickly as her actions allow.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
A quick status check before I proceed:

I don't see it stated that Desmond/Mondes wanted to rest up, but seeing as there was a good long period available to do so (while Josiane attended the others), I will assume that he did so and recovered (1d6=3) 3 hit points for his refreshments.

The current hit points of those who have sustained injury are therefore:

Dieter 7 of 14,
Olaf 8 of 11,
Gustave 9 of 11,
Desmond/Mondes 7 of 12.

Dorgan, Dieter and Olaf have all lost their shields.

Now, to continue...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Everything happens all in a rush.

Olaf and Gustave step up to defend Desmond/Mondes exactly as the halfling scrambles away, leaving the Men (with Highbough in support) to face the grim fiends that issue forth, both of them squinting horribly at the glare from Olaf's scepter.

At the other end of the hall Guntrum and Dorgan both close ranks about Josiane as behind them, the tallest and most menacing of the enemy looms toward them! The young templar searches her mind once more for the Holy mantra that might defend them in their dire plight... but alas! A wave of cold terror chokes her throat tight and the sacred verse is lost to her!

"Whoooo daarrrreeees ennnntttterrrrrr heeeeerrrrrreeeeeee?" it hisses, and the inexperienced trio cower back as the foul aberration comes on, scorching the frigid air by its presence...

Across the chamber Ulric simultaneously attempts to incant once more the serpentine syllables of the Anthracite Sufferance (1d6=2!) but his tired tongue cannot recall that verse, and nothing more than a pitiful hiss escapes his lips.

Not a moment thereafter the deadly contest is joined. The pair of fiends seem utterly focused on Olaf, shielding their fell eyes from the glare of his scepter as they launch themselves at him with a terrifying squeal. But though Gustave does hesitate and Desmond/Mondes flees out of reach wide-eyed, Olaf is not alone. Highbough thrusts the Ire Spear at them even as they come (1d20=11) but the black robed terror scarcely takes heed, so focused is it upon Olaf.

Initiative is rolled (Olaf=4, Foe=3) and despite the knot of fear in his gut Olaf strikes first (1d20=17) and true! But woe, even his best aimed blow leaves nothing more than a bruise upon the foul white flesh. And then they are upon him with deadly blades slashing and stabbing (2d20=19,1) the first he defends valiantly, but is left vulnerable to the second which pierces his belly like an icicle (2dd=2,2) chilling 4 hit points, the merest touch of it withering his strength and will like some torrid plague! Olaf wails as he lurches back and the blade comes free...!

Just as Dieter falls upon the foe from behind, his (1d20=12) determined sword blow hacking into the fiend's back forcibly from behind, but once more the frail flesh is unharmed!

(Olaf is reduced to a 2nd level fighter and has but 4 hit points left in him)

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Therein lies the problem gentlemen. What now?

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Falling back as swiftly as she may, her shield raised, Josiane puts her hand on her phial of holy water and holds it ready to throw, but she does not unleash the missile just yet.

"Guntrum, Dorgan, get to the door," she whispers; "I don't care how, but open it!"

And drawing herself up, sending a fervent prayer to her White Lady for support and trying to sound commanding, she plays her last card.

"I seek an audience with the Sons of Arnhold Gottfried! I seek Bastian, Franz and Gothliff! If you be sworn to them, tell them Josiane the Guided would speak on a matter of mutual importance! The affair is pressing. Make haste and convey my words!"

If that gives our playmate pause, great. If not, she'll throw her phial of holy water right in its bony face.