Dorn's Deep

The quaggoths are determined to fight to the death, and every rake of claws is accompanied by enraged snarls (Al takes 17 slashing damage, Vince takes 32, after resistance Reo takes 27, and after resistance Ug takes 6).

Alalla's flaming sword cuts wide swathes through white fur, the fiery light illuminating Ug's bestial form as the goliath brings his own weapon home with devastating swings. Just behind the barbarian, Ras carefully extends a healing hand.

Then one of the slavers reveals itself more bluntly as an arcane lightning bolt bursts through the cloud of darkness and crackles down the corridor, careening wildly as it strikes walls, floor, and ceiling, a maelstrom of energy. It slams through both heroes and monsters, a merciless display of power.

In an incredible display of agility, Vincent flings himself down and almost seems to phase through the floor as the destructive magic passes over him (due to Evasion, Vince takes no damage). Ras shrinks aside just as a shocking tendril strikes him, and he manages to avoid some of its wrath (Ras takes 14 lightning damage).

Reòthadh takes the brunt of the blast as the spell slams into his chest (Reo takes 28 lightning damage). Still, the dwarf's impressive fortitude and iced armor keep him upright and stable. One of the quaggoths, in a last murderous attempt, rips a claw over the old dwarf's face. The claw, hand, arm, and shoulder of the creature flash-freeze, then crack and fall to the floor. The quaggoth soon follows.

Through the melee Vincent picks a target of his own. The warlock takes aim with his conjured bow, and fires. Two arrows flash down the corridor and pierce the bubble of darkness at the far end, resulting in a cry of pain - and Vincent feels the person's soul depart its body as it dies.

With the quaggoths and spellcasters defeated, the area is suddenly silent but for the gasps and groans of the heroes (hint that Erevain is bleeding out and has failed 1 death save) - until they notice that the darkness spell at the far end of the corridor has not dissipated.

The click of crossbows sound and tiny bolts fly out of the darkness. Two of them clatter against the ground near Ras, and two of them fly toward Vincent - who sidesteps the first and snatches the second from the air just an inch away from his eye. A flick of his wrist sends it back the same direction it came, and the warlock is rewarded by a grunt from the darkness (Vince deals 9 damage to whoever tried to shoot him).

Silence falls yet again, and the darkness remains.

Round 8 Player Phase

The specter of the dead quaggoth disappears into the darkness. A few moments later it returns. It does not appear to have found anyone within the darkness.

It seems that whatever foes conjured the darkness have retreated further into the ruins of the dwarven citadel.

hp: 142/152