(036) The Remains of the Day

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Since the entire party has chickened out Highbough wishes to revise his action and join them (if it's not too late). He grabs his lantern on the way out.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Well, Olaf is still...perhaps stupidly...trying to defend as he withdraws. He didn't expect Desmond, Gustave, Dieter and Highbrow to completely cut and run. He is still operating under the assumption that we'll have to fight these horrors here, but he is moving back toward the door hoping the fighters can form a line.

OOC: And it's likely to get him killed, but that's the way it is.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
I also am surprised the party chose to retreat (it's not like the fiends are just going to let us walk out the front door... and think of all the XP and treasure!); Highbough was willing to stand united and go down fighting, but a 5-constitution Elf on a solo suicide mission doesn't do anyone any good. (Sorry, Josianne, if Highbough was Lawful and/or you were an Elf, he might try to save you. [img]images/smiley/sad.png[/img])

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
OOC: Honestly, I think we're probably going to have to fight it out. But my thought was that it might be better to not be so spread out across the whole room.

For example, it'll be hard for certain people to cast AOE spells (like the big flaming one...) when friendly PCs are in the vicinity/behind the primary target.

But we have a limited number of magical weapons, so... even hurting these creatures isn't going to be possible for some/most of us. Don't know if Desmond's axe will do anything - cold iron "traditionally" being used against daemons, not undead. Guess we'll find out soon enough!

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:

Since the entire party has chickened out Highbough wishes to revise his action and join them (if it's not too late). He grabs his lantern on the way out.

There's a difference between brave and stupid. Dorgan is not stupid.

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:

Well, Olaf is still...perhaps stupidly...trying to defend as he withdraws.

I wouldn't call that stupid. It's going to take at least one round to get the door open and then it's not like we're all going to be able to exit at the same time.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
O.O.C: I agree our only chance is going to be to run for it, but I also agree a sudden panicked rout isn't going to improve any of our chances. [img]images/smiley/sad.png[/img]

So my thinking would be for people to form a battle line as Olaf's trying to do, those with shields and/or levels to burn protecting those without, who concentrate on getting the door up.

And, if I read this right and The Ire Spear allows Highbough to Blink, perhaps he could stand on the pressure plate while the rest of us scarper, then Blink himself out of the chamber? (That's only minorly suicidal... [img]images/smiley/wink.png[/img])

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:

O.O.C: I agree our only chance is going to be to run for it, but I also agree a sudden panicked rout isn't going to improve any of our chances. [img]images/smiley/sad.png[/img]

So my thinking would be for people to form a battle line as Olaf's trying to do, those with shields and/or levels to burn protecting those without, who concentrate on getting the door up.

And, if I read this right and The Ire Spear allows Highbough to Blink, perhaps he could stand on the pressure plate while the rest of us scarper, then Blink himself out of the chamber? (That's only minorly suicidal... [img]images/smiley/wink.png[/img])

If there is an organized battle line forming to cover the retreat, Highbough will be part of it.

He's never invoked the Ire Spear before, but the impression ways gave me is that it allows him to flank/backstab an opponent in the blink of an eye. I do not think the spear encourages its wielder to blink away from a fight. [img]images/smiley/wink.png[/img]

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
If there's a line of battle forming to cover the retreat, Dieter will of course be a part of it.

Once the door is open.

Until that happens, he'll be up there with his crowbar and his 17 strength...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Josiane seems inwardly focused a moment as Dorgan and Guntrum sprint away and the diabolical menace looms toward her; she is about to call out when Gustave roars from the other end of the vault "Josiane! Dieter! Get back here - we are leaving!". She pauses half a moment before she turns and flees like a rabbit... the terror lunges at the last moment after her, but its reach is not quite enough.

The remainder of the company fall back like autumn leaves, and there is suddenly a general rush toward the exit; Dieter leaves the fiends he cannot harm and rushes toward the portal, right behind Highbough and Desmond, sheathing his sword mid stride and freeing his crowbar from his pack.

Only Gustave and Olaf make a fighting retreat, notionally distracting the two fiends that seem intent upon slaying Olaf as the others scarper for the closed portal and the pressure plate.

"Thhhhaaa liiigghtt, khhilllll ttthaaa liiigghtt!" the undead screech and they slash and flail toward Olaf, shielding their pitiless eyes from the glare of the scepter where possible...

Initiative is rolled (1d6; Gustave=5, Olaf=6, Enemy=2) The fighting men somehow gain the initiative, perhaps because the undead dare not look directly at the scepter, and may therefore both apply their defensive fighting adjustment to the incoming attacks.

The dead lunge spitefully at Olaf none the less (Gustave is ignored). Their fell blades cometh as if by night (2d20=20! 6) and regardless of the fencing prowess of the Men, one of the dread foe penetrates their defenses and pieces poor Olaf again! The young fighter (2dd=1,4) swoons into a faint and knows no more.

(Olaf drops sword and scepter and collapse to the ground. He is reduced to a 1st level fighter, and has exactly 0 hit points.)

Meanwhile, Ulric is first back to the pressure plate, and hastily shoves the spilled coin box back onto it, and adds his own sack to the load, but alas, the door is not lifted! Too many of the coins have been scattered about!

Highbough, Desmond/Mondes and Dieter are just about to reach Ulric at the pressure plate.

Guntrum and Dorgan, closely followed by Josiane, and the chief enemy, are just about to reach Gustave and poor Olaf.

What now?