Part 7: Return to the Moathouse Dungeon

Nov 9, 2021 9:05 pm
Official XP and Time Tracker

https://i.imgur.com/btovxCY.png

The party heads out to the stables to retrieve their horses, and discover that the large man named Kobort already has a fine looking warhorse of his own. Strapped to the beast are a lance, a flail, and a rather worn-looking battleaxe, nicked with use.
The party also realizes that the thief named Norris, only having joined the party a brief moment, has gone missing as well as Angel. Neither Turuko nor Kobort seem to be aware of this or care at all, and not interested in waiting for the man you all barely knew to turn up, you get your mounts saddled and loaded up with tack and harness, saddlebags filled with all the party’s worldly possessions and treasures, and set out for another excursion of the Moathouse Ruins.
The silent Trading Post Man-at-Arms has been left to watch over his employers’ store this trip and the group’s two new faces, Turuko and an almost equally silent fighter named Kobort, have agreed to aid the party for a 7% share of any profits returned with each. It’s about an hour after noon. Despite the autumn season and a light drizzle falling, leftover from yesterday’s rain, the day has been unnaturally warm, creeping into the low 80s.
Villagers watch as you head out on the road east of town, as do laborers working on the new castle, though not with as much curiosity or interest as on the last two explorations. It seems that some of the locals are getting used to the party’s passing back and forth.

Maloria and Bors ride up from. Behind them Turuko sits astride his borrowed horse next to Gilly, and Eltrezar and Kobort take up the rear. "A fine day it is to start our first day on the job, is it not, Kobort," Turuko asks his companion.
"Mmm…" the big man grunts noncommittally.
"Yes, and you thought you would regret rescuing me from those gnolls I imagine. Thought I was lying when I said I would find us easy riches just waiting to be plundered, and yet here we are my friend. About to earn ourselves some of the easiest coin we could hope for, we are, and certainly more than we’ve had opportunity to take advantage of quite a while for us both, I would imagine. The wealth we seek will present themselves in their own time, however, and we must merely keep our eyes open to the moment and seize them when they do, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Mmm…"
"’Mmm’ indeed friend, ‘Mmm’ indeed... Tell me," he says to those sitting nearest him. "Why is it you choose to keep your wealth in your saddlebags? Are you not worried that some rapscallions may come and plunder your steeds and the wealth they bear while you’re busy slaying ogres, and burning slimes? I should think that of the tales you’ve told us during our impromptu interview, bandits should be a concern. They’ve been there already, yet you remain confident that your profits are safe unattended. Why is that?"

As Turuko chatters on you realize you’re approaching the rock outcropping that inexplicably turned the air around it an icy cold yesterday. As you approach, you await the same phenomenon to begin, yet the air remains warm, even a bit damp and muggy underneath the heavy armor of those wearing it.
Nov 9, 2021 11:58 pm
"Honestly," Mal replies with a sigh,

"I don't think many of us have thought that hard about it. As for myself, I am not permitted to retain wealth and the coin I have is purely for payment to the church in one form or another."

Mal tilts her head to the side as she adds,

"And ale. I do love ale."
Nov 10, 2021 4:05 am
"Wrapped scallions plundering? You mean the long green and white vegetables? I don't think they'll be doing much stealing, wrapped or otherwise," Bors says as he looks at Turuko like he's a few silvers short of a gold coin. "I also don't remember rescuing any prophets, either. We keep all rescued people well protected. Never unattended. Are any of you prophets?"
Last edited November 10, 2021 4:05 am
Nov 10, 2021 5:18 am
"Not yet," says Mal as she pats her hammer,

"But then prophets of Cuthbert tend to do less talking and more hammering."

KCC

Nov 10, 2021 1:17 pm
"Oh, this was right where we got the shivers last time. I bet there’s something in that cave, but we didn’t have time to check…"

Gilly keeps her eyes on the outcrop of trees as she passes by.

"As for the treasure, well… our biggest problem so far has been the dead fellas downstairs and the great big animals. Neither have much need for gold."
Nov 10, 2021 3:39 pm
The wizard trots behind the group, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. It is only when they approach the outcropping that he becomes more alert and attentive. Hrmph! "Perhaps we should take a look around, now that the danger has passed," he incorrectly posits (having no actual knowledge if the danger is gone). "If treasure is what we seek, then let us search the places where it may be hoarded. I shall go with you, little Gilly, if you wish." A hidden side-eye towards the new hirelings implies that Eltrezar is tired of their chattering.
Nov 10, 2021 10:54 pm
Mal seems unsure as to the wisdom in chasing down strange things in caves, but readies herself to lead the way into the shiversome cave nonetheless.

KCC

Nov 10, 2021 11:34 pm
"Well, I suppose we could take a look. But let me go up there first. Fancy cloak and all that…"
OOC:
Mechanically, Gilly solo is okay. But if the wizard wants to join, she won’t argue!
Nov 11, 2021 12:44 am
"If we're looking for a place where treasure might be hoarded, we could always start with the wizard's beard. Probably discover crumbs of days long past at the very least." Once talk turns of exploring the cave, Bors shakes his head. "We have yet to finish exploring the last place. To start another would be foolish. It could be the entrance to a cave system larger than a castle. We can always come back later."
Nov 11, 2021 12:49 am
Harumph! "It is here, and so are we. Whatever was residing within that caused the unusual coldness seems to be departed. If it leads to a larger system, then we can indubitably explore it at a later time, but it seems to be the intelligent choice to at least take a look now." Eltrezar snaps back at Bors, likely irritated by the comment about his beard. He runs his fingers through the beard, combing it, and releasing precious few crumbs.
Nov 11, 2021 12:56 am
Bors rubs his chin as he ponders this for a few seconds, before eventually shrugging. "I'm not sure what indubitably means, but if the old bookworm thinks it's the smart choice then I will have to agree. But let the small one scout first."
Nov 11, 2021 3:52 am
"Agreed" says Mal as she reigns back her horse.

The cleric keeps a safe distance, but not so far that she can't charge in if needed.

KCC

Nov 11, 2021 1:17 pm
"Alright then… Here I go…" the Halfling says, heading to the brush. She tucks her bushy red locks inside the hood as she goes, and then she disappears into the foliage!
Nov 11, 2021 10:16 pm
OOC:
Okay, good. I was gonna post last night thinking I might have to prod some decision, but I'm glad I held off and let it play out organically.

So I have Gilly headed into the rock outcropping alone, with the others waiting in case needed. If that's not the case, let me know. Otherwise, give me a chance to post tonight.

I normally send this as a private note, but Inthink we're gonna go ahead and leave it public, with the understanding that the other PCs might not know what the players do from reading.

I'm leaning further and further away from private notes because it excludes the other players and doesn't really promote others' involvement. It sort of pushes players away, I've found and it gets to be that I have to work to pull them back into the game.

I think I can just make it available for all to see as an audience without worrying about metagaming.
Nov 11, 2021 10:23 pm
Eltrezar follows Gilly from a safe distance, allowing her to do the exploring while he follows through to any area she clears. Unlike the Dwarf, he is not afraid of a stand of trees and some rocks.
OOC:
Hrmph! "Metagame? A wizard never metagames."
Nov 12, 2021 5:48 pm
https://i.imgur.com/oTxzhjA.png
Gilly drops off her mount and immediately disappears into the tallgrass that approaches the large black outcropping that tears forth from the earth from below, moving carefully and quietly to the base where the bush obscures the entrance to the cave mouth she had discovered last time. She braces herself for the intense wave of icy cold that chilled her soul when she crept this way the day before but it remains a balmy, wet day, probably somewhere around eighty degrees.
At the foot of the basalt spur she steels herself and prepares for what unknown creature had left her feeling so uneasy yesterday then climbs up the short distance to the mouth of the cave. Peering in she immediately notices a temperature change, and though not nearly as cold as yesterday's approach gradually became, the inside wall of the cave are still covered in a fine layer of frost where the sun is unable to reach directly.

https://i.imgur.com/NMnECbU.png
In the dim light Gilly can see that after a small drop of about five feet, the cave is less of a tunnel than it is a single large-ish room extending somewhere beyond the fifty feet of sunlight shining inside. About thirty-five feet in, on the floor Gilly can make out the crumpled form of a small humanoid creature lying completely still.

Rolls

Gilly Hiding roll (90%) - (1d100)

KCC

Nov 13, 2021 11:18 am
Gilly freezes for a moment in indecision. She was afraid, that was true. But curious also. She stepped forward, and then back. Again and again. She debated upon whether to beckon for the wizard and have him bring the others in. Or should she get a fuller picture to bring back to them?

She decides to check on the body before heading back to report.

She pulls the cloak tight around her, and heads into the dark to identify the body laying there.
OOC:
Gulp…
Nov 13, 2021 11:33 pm
Having only the light pouring in through the cave's mouth to guide herself by, Gilly approaches the body on the floor of the cave room. A few things quickly become evident. The first is that the body lying on the ground is a pixie. In fact, even in the dim light, Gilly recognises it as one of the six pixies that she and her companions fought with only two days ago. Having killed two in battle, the other four had fled and Gilly and her companions opted to give no chase. It seems they had fled to this cave at some point.

The second item of note is the means of which the small creature has perished, for there appears to be no sign that it was killed by conventional weapons. Instead, the creature lays ice cold, a layer of frost layering the corpse's skin, which if Gilly can recall correctly, used to be a shade of light green when she last encountered it in battle. Now the skin is a unsettling shade of paleness, almost white altogether. Its face is twisted in a ugly mask of terror as if the last thing this small creature saw truly frightened her to death, and the skin is stretched tight against it's facial bones, as if the very essence of her life, and maybe too her soul even, has been extracted from it.

The final detail worth noting is that deeper into the cave Gilly can just make out in the slumped over forms of two more bodies. Similar in size to the one laying before her, she can only assume that they too are the corpses of more pixies, making three dead in all in this cave, and though it's too dark to tell from here, the halfling has a suspicion the cause of death for these two would be just as clear (or maybe unclear) as the first were they to be dragged into better light. Two of the six pixies were killed in the short skirmish two days ago. Here too lay another three. Gilly can't help but note that one of the pixies from her last encounter with them is still missing.

There appears to be nothing else of note, though the back of this cave is yet shrouded in darkness the sun's light can't breach.

KCC

Nov 14, 2021 12:06 am
Gilly feels a mix of guilt, sadness and relief. Her own actions, though more likely Bor’s actions, had caused the retreat of the pixies to this point. The look of terror, well… It let the imagination run wild.

And yet, relief. It could have been her, had she been a little braver yesterday. Perhaps at this very moment, Mal and the others would have stumbled in her and discovered her body.

She turns back to the sunlight, and heads up the steps to the mouth of the cave. She peers into the brush for the wizard’s cloak and beckons him and the rest up.
OOC:
Torches might reveal some treasure!
Nov 14, 2021 6:30 pm
"I do believe your little halfling companion bids you closer," says Turuko to Maloria and Bors. "If you would care to attend to her and make sure that she's safe, perhaps Kobort and I can watch the horses and make sure they don't wander off?"
Nov 14, 2021 9:43 pm
Mal nods to Turuko and walks her horse closer to the mouth of the cave. She closes half the distance to the entrance and then stops again, watching for Gilly to give her another sign.

KCC

Nov 15, 2021 12:11 am
OOC:
HA! Watch the horses with all the money?
Nov 15, 2021 12:40 am
Eltrezar's ears perk as the new, untested hireling offers to watch the horses and the money. He sits tight as Mal and Bors wander towards the Halfling, standing fast instead of joining his companions. Something about the way they had worded their offer worried the wizard... As Mal passes by him, he whispers in a loud-ish voice, "Do not fret, I shall keep an eye on the horses... and the new ones."
OOC:
Out and about right now. I'll update the post later. Eltrezar will wait with the horses and the new hirelings, given Mal heading in with Gilly.
Last edited November 15, 2021 4:05 am
Nov 15, 2021 12:50 am
Deciding it's always best to move in pairs, Bors goes with Mal to see what the halfling discovered.
Nov 15, 2021 12:51 am
KCC says:
OOC:
HA! Watch the horses with all the money?
OOC:
oh man I didn't even think of that! Pretty much tipped their hand right there huh?

KCC

Nov 15, 2021 10:58 am
OOC:
Hey guys, what would you do if a couple of bandits stole all your money, theoretically?

*5 minutes later*

You guys can head off into the cave, we’ll keep an eye on the cash!
Nov 15, 2021 5:33 pm
Turuko and Kobort watch as Bors and Maloria head to the cave entrance to aid Gilly. When they realize that Eltrezar has opted to remain with the horses, and more specifically, the saddlebags laden with the party's small wealth a slight grin turns up the corner of Turuko's mouth and Kobort's back stiffens noticeably.

"A careful man," he says. "No matter, I was merely offering to be of use, assuming your companion might need the aid of those she's traveled with up to this point. I can't be surprised that my friend Kobort here and myself have yet to earn your full trust, new as we are, and such little is known of us or where we come from. I do believe that in time you'll come to the opinion yourself that so long as we can fight, your possessions will be treated with the care we would treat our own with.
"But since we may be setting here a while, we may as well use this opportunity to learn more of each other. Establish some trust, if you will... So tell me wizard, where to you hail from? Some grand university of magic located deep within a high mountain range somewhere? Surely Hommlet isn't your home, originally, for Kobort and I have met no other wizards you could have studied under in the short time we've been in the village looking for work..."


Meanwhile, Bors and Mal arrive at the cave mouth and peer inside. The lacking infravision fighter's view of the interior is as limited as Gilly's and he can only see a small distance inside. Not so for Maloria. With her own ability to see in the darkness, she sees that the cave is more of a single room running about sixty or seventy feet back. Gilly sits with the body of the dead pixie, and both Bors and Mal recognise it as one that they fought two days earlier. Further back into the room, almost out of range of the sun's light, two more pixies lay dead. Aside from that, the cave looks empty, though Bors notices that there's some bones and the scat of what might be a bear or a mountain lion and the ground, both of which indicate that some sort of creature has used this cave as a den at some time, but none of the scat or bones look recent.

Bors also notices a significant number of shod footprints stamped into the dirt and dust on the cave's floor. And though the exact numbers are too difficult for the fighter to discern exactly, due to the abundance of prints stepping over one another, he estimates that maybe as many as half a dozen men, or at least humanoids that wear boots, have passed through this cave as recently as the last day or two, judging by the fact that the footprints have not been covered in turn by any dirt, leaves, or other debris that tends to find its way inside over time.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Maloria Wisdom roll - (1d20)

Bors Wisdom roll - (1d20)

Gilly Wisdom roll - (1d20)

Nov 15, 2021 8:03 pm
"Gilly!" Mal whispers into he cave,

"Cave's empty! Grab those little bodies and let's shove off. We can bury them in the forest."
Nov 15, 2021 9:40 pm
The wizened wizard shows no sign of remorse at implying distrust through his actions. Money is money, and the newcomers recognized that they had yet to earn his trust. Hrmph! "You are the first in a long time to ask of my origins. I must apologize, as I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself fully. My name is Eltrezar the Medium, known amongst the elves as Tarathiel, the dwarves have called me Dalomdûmir, and the Barbarians of the North have titled me Hrattothvok. You are correct in surmising that I am not from Hommlet, nor from any city nearby. While I have long forgotten my homestead, I began training with the Conclave Arcanum of Dyvers in the arcane arts at a young age. It is only within the past decade or two that I have been exploring on my own, seeking my own fortune and fame. And from where do the two of you hail?" With each name and title, Eltrezar's chest puffs out a little further, clearly proud of his history and life. Upon asking the two hirelings about their own pasts, he peers down his nose at the two and tugs at his beard quizzically.
Nov 15, 2021 11:01 pm
"Ah the free city of Dyvers, you say," Turuko replies. "I've never been, but I hear that it is wonderful. Perhaps Kobort and myself will earn enough coin in your employ that I may visit after and see it for myself.
"As for me, I come originally from the Baklinish Basin to the northwest of here. The nation of Ket, to be exact. I spent some years studying diplomacy at a monastery in the region before setting out, like yourself, alone, and in search of fortune and fame. Eventually my travels led me southeast, to the city of Verbobonc, where I spent a short while using my expertise with numbers to find work maintaining the financial books for a few small businesses, while looking for more lucrative work, and having found nothing steady to support myself long-term, I thought I would take my chances further south, where as I mentioned before, I was ambushed by a pack of gnolls and Kobort here rescued me.
"Kobort too is from Verbobonc, originally, are you not."
He looks at the burly man.

Kobort seems to chew on this question as if it requires great thought before replying, "Mmm... Yes, Verbobonc. All my life."

"As Kobort has so elegantly confirmed, he has lived his entire life in Verbobonc, though naturally I had never crossed paths with him until the gnoll encounter. Verbobonc is a city greater in size than I have ever seen before or since. Did you know there ar nearly two-hundred thousand people that live there? I believe you were last working as a bodyguard, were you not Kobort?"

Again the man seems to consider the question for an inordinately long period before replying, "Hmm-mmm... City guard."

"City guard?! I thought you said body guard."

"No."

"Huh... Well as you can see, I was a bit out of sorts when Kobort rescued me, and the specific details of his career path were of less import than the prospect of being impaled on a gnoll's spear and then cooked and eaten.
"So here we are. A bookkeeper, and a former city guardsman, and a wizened old wizard who doesn't trust us with his horse."
He gives Eltrezar a grin.
Nov 15, 2021 11:32 pm
Seeing that the cave is empty, Mal turns her horse and heads back to Eltrezar.

"Nothing in that cave but some dead pixies. Whoever was in there, we missed them. Hope that doesn't mean we'll run into them later..."

Mal knocks on her shield three times.

KCC

Nov 15, 2021 11:44 pm
"Oh, yes… okay!" Gilly shouts back, a bit puzzled. How best to do this? Grab them up by the neck like chickens? Or carry them out like a father carrying a child to their cot?

She thinks for a few seconds and then scoops her hands underneath the pixie, and bundles it against her chest. She goes for the two other bodies, and similarly scoops them up, trying not to rattle them around like logs in her arms. It’s only a small amount of dignity, if even that.

She crawls back out into the sunlight and makes her way back through the brush to the horses. She stands with the pixies in her arms, waiting to hear what should be done with them, and where, and when!
Nov 15, 2021 11:52 pm
Mal sees Gilly bring forth the pixies and realizes how rude her request was.

"My apologies Gilly, I should have helped."

Mal hops down from her horse and takes two of the tiny bodies from Gilly which she drapes across her horse. With some effort, the dwarf climbs back up into the saddle and further secures the tiny bodies so they would not be jostled off on the ride.

"No more time to waste then, off we go!"
Nov 15, 2021 11:56 pm
OOC:
Are we going to the ruins? Or to find a burial place?
Nov 15, 2021 11:57 pm
"Ah yes, Verbobonc. I recall a time some years ago I spent a week there amongst the many taverns, earning several names I cannot repeat in polite comp... Ah! The small ones return. It would seem by the bodies and lack of glittering gold that this small excusion was in vain. Let us continue on, then."
Nov 16, 2021 12:44 am
"Others have been in the cave. Recent boot marks, maybe half a dozen or more. They might still be nearby. Let's get this over with and get to shelter soon." Bors thinks he'll spend more time burying bodies than doing heroic deeds and it makes him a little sad.
Nov 16, 2021 5:51 am
OOC:
we can bury them in the trees outside the moathouse
Nov 16, 2021 6:02 am
dominion451 says:
OOC:
we can bury toss them in the trees moat outside the moathouse

KCC

Nov 16, 2021 8:33 am
"Reckon we could probably manage a half dozen, if it came to it. Thats six, right? Yeah, six sounds easy enough."

Gilly fastens the pixie corpse to Timber’s saddle and climbs on.

"We can find a spot nearer, cant we?"
Nov 16, 2021 5:12 pm
"If you see a spot you like just say the word and we'll bury them there. Shouldn't take more than a half hour considering their size."
Nov 16, 2021 7:13 pm
The group presses forward with the bodies of the slain pixies tied to their mounts until Gilly finds a spot that is to her liking. It's a small clearing next to the river that runs alongside the trail heading north to the ruins. Without a proper shovel the digging is slowed, but the pixies are only a foot to a foot-and-a-half tall, and besides the shallow grave, the river provides enough stones to build a small burial cairn.

It's a little after 2pm as you're finishing up, and you begin striding your mounts when Gilly and Eltrezar look up and spot another familiar sight. Sitting on the nearby tree branch, overlooking the makeshift funeral, is the remaining pixie the party encountered. As the halfling and wizard spot it, it suddenly disappears and the group is left staring at a odd shimmering that indicates an invisible pixie's presence. A moment later you all hear the vibrating of wings rush away.

Eltrezar, recognizing the shimmer in the air for what it is now, begins noticing the odd spots of wavering of shimmer in other locations. Some on other boughs of the tree. A few seem to be staying motionless in the grass nearby, and with a buzz, one or two seem to dart over and land on the cairn itself. Then with a storm of commotion the sound of two dozen or more pairs of dragonfly wings erupts around the party, circling the horses like a wall and setting them at unease.
As you fight to keep the horses steady within the invisible eye of this cyclone of wings fluttering suddenly around you, the pixies take off again racing into the distance until Eltrezar sees no more of the shimmering spots, and the day is calm once again save for the light drizzle.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Nov 16, 2021 8:11 pm
"Well that was fairly nerve wracking."

Mal strokes her steed's neck to steady his nerves and then reigns him back to the road.

"Hopefully we have earned a little credit with the fae folk."
Nov 17, 2021 12:38 am
Bors looks at Mal. "Huh. You know, I never thought about fairy banking before. I hope their credit isn't like leaves or berries or something." Bors shrugs. "Well, let's press on. I want to finish exploring this place so we can put all this behind us. So many bad memories already. And bad smells."
Nov 17, 2021 12:50 am
Hrmph! "It can be dangerous having the kindness of the faeriefolk. One can never expect what may come. In the meantime, I agree with our warrior here. Let us continue on while we still have the energy."
Nov 18, 2021 3:16 am
The rest of the ride to the moathouse is uneventful and you arrive at front of the ruins at around 2:40pm.

https://i.imgur.com/D4hyYa6.png

KCC

Nov 18, 2021 1:03 pm
"I suppose that was some sort of blessing, was it, Mal? You’d know that sort of thing. They might come help us in our time of need. Like were we to run into another ogre!"

Gilly grabs Timber’s reigns.

"Still… reckon I’ll bring Timber a little further inside this time. Just in case it weren’t a blessing!"
Nov 18, 2021 2:41 pm
"Tis a fine idea Gilly, beyond the fairies there could well be whoever last occupied that cave out and about. A little extra caution would serve us well."

Gilly and Mal lead the rest of the group into the moathouse itself where they secure their horses thoroughly.
Nov 18, 2021 3:12 pm
Eltrezar allows his Dwarf and Halfling subordinates secure the horses, a task best reserved for those of their stature. He grumbles a bit and stretches, as riding is quite difficult in his advanced age. A long yawn, a wide-armed stretch in which his sternum crackles, and a quick beard check. The wizard is ready.

Ahem! "Now, where were we? I recall the two doors we could not open with the skills of our oh so reliable friends, those shifty ones. And there was that hidden passage leading even lower." He tugs at his beard in thought, curling his mustaches only for them to fall back down limp.
Nov 18, 2021 10:38 pm
OOC:
One moment please... We're gonna have to retcon Eltrezar's action.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

KCC

Nov 19, 2021 2:27 am
OOC:
DEEEEEEAAAATH!
Nov 19, 2021 4:13 am
As the party dismounts they begin heading across the rotting drawbridge one at a time. When the moathouse was taken many years past before it fell to ruins, part of the drawbridge was battered through, and men crossed on planks to gain access to the inner gates. The chains of the drawbridge were broken, and it fell; it has remained thus since. It has always been strong enough to bear a man's weight, but the only time mounts were seen to cross over was the first time the party came and sacked the group of bandits occupying the ruins, and only Gilly and Maloria were present.

Perhaps Gilly Puddlefoot, newcomer to the party that she was, was distraught by the death of Sister Alice at the time, and perhaps Maloria Stoneforge was distracted as well at the relief at having been rescued from the fate of becoming the Giant Snake's next meal, and neither remembered or paid mind to the bridge's rotten planks groaning and bending under the weight of the heavy horses. But as the party crosses over today, memories are brought back.

Gilly and her pony cross first, and the drawbridge over the moat creaks. Maloria moves forward next and the bridge sags under the weight of her steed. As she approaches the center there's a sudden crack and the planking stretching over the rotten bridge finally gives way. Mal and her horse tumble to the moat below, and despite the brackish murk of the water below giving the illusion of depths unseen, the moat is only a foot or so deep in some spots, including that directly below.

Mal crashes into the water with a splash, sinking a bit into mud but managing to keep her head above water, grateful that she hit a shallow spot. The cleric's heavy plate armor would have surely dragged her down to a horrifying death had it been as deep as it would have been when the moathouse was in use.

Unfortunately, the shallow waters below are not for lucky for Mal's horse. As Mal lands with a grunt, there's a huge splash of water beside her throwing mud and brown sludge in her face, and she hears a horrifying scream from her mount. As she wipes the sand from her eyes she looks to the horse, beside her, which is thrashing and bucking and trying to right itself, eyes bugging out in panic and agony. It's instantly obvious the animal has broken it's front leg. It continues to cry out and whinny in pain, even as it regains it's feet, now favoring her badly broken leg by holding it off the murky silt underneath it's hooves.

From the south side of the moat, Eltrezar and Bors and their two new companions look down at Mal and her injured mount below, then over at Gilly and her pony on the other side of the moat, separated by a ten foot chasm.

A look of surprise crosses Turuko's face and he suddenly looks over at Kobort.
Nov 19, 2021 4:21 am
Eltrezar looks to the two hirelings. Ahem! "Don't just stand there, get her out of there!" He dismounts and moves to tie his horse to, well, anything around; his eyes, however, keep darting back to the drawbridge, inspecting what remains.
OOC:
Is the entire bridge destroyed, or a section of it?
Nov 19, 2021 5:23 am
"Gods!"

Mal stands up and checks herself for injury. She casts a mournful look at her steed and then calls up to the others.

"I'm fine, but I think we're going to have to put my horse down. Mind throwing me a rope?"
Nov 19, 2021 12:50 pm
"They don't build them like they used to. Or at least that's what my pa says. Don't worry Mal, I'll get you out of there." Bors will borrow rope from whoever has some and fasten it to a more stable part of the bridge and toss the other end down to Mal.
Nov 19, 2021 10:19 pm
OOC:
First-things-first, that drawbridge "trap" has been a looong time coming!
https://i.imgur.com/kFJQBoN.png
I think you guys first encountered that one back in December of last year, and the only time it really was relevant was after you killed the bandits and took their horses back over it when you left with Alice's and Coulson's bodies and none of the animals triggered the percentile rolls and collapsed it then, remarkably enough.
I figured you'd probably set it off next time you came to the ruins, but you basically have always kept your horses hitched outside the ruins each time you returned, and a regular PC walking across the bridge doesn't trigger it, so I pretty much gave up on it ever happening. In fact, I almost forgot about it when you said you'd better bring the horses inside this time because whatever killed the pixies might be nearby.
So I opted to take it as close to how the group decided to move across based on the time each player posted:
@KCC posted first, saying she was bringing her pony inside.
@dominion451 posted just after that saying Mal and Gilly were walking the horses inside the ruins.
@cowleyc posted right after that to say Eltrezar was taking his horse inside.
So I rolled in that order: Gilly first with a 20% chance of a pony triggering it. Then Mal with a 50% chance. Then Eltrezar would have been next with a 50%.
That's why we had to retcon @cowleyc's post about Eltrezar crossing.
https://i.imgur.com/fBZf5FF.png
cowleyc says:
OOC:
Is the entire bridge destroyed, or a section of it?
OOC:
Well the bridge is about 7-8' wide, I would say. As probably Maloria was walking side-by-side with her horse when the horse fell through, I would say that probably the right half of the bridge as you're facing the ruins collapsed, and the left half is still intact, but Eltrezar would probably be able to deduce that while the other half is possibly strong enough for a man to cross, trying to take another horse over that thin and compromised left half would be pretty chancey indeed. Not to mention Gilly's pony already made it safely across when there was a whole bridge to support it's smaller weight, and now only has half a bridge to support it on the way back across again...
Turuko and Kobort glance at one another for a brief moment, then Turuko nods and hops off his horse. "You heard the old man, Kobort. Let's see how we may be of service.
"Does anyone have a rope in your packs? We could help the dwarf up with a rope. Tie it to this felled tree here,"
he indicated the fallen tree the group usually uses to tie their mounts while the party explores the ruins. Then we can have her tie it around her waist and just pull her up!"

dominion451 says:
"I'm fine, but I think we're going to have to put my horse down. Mind throwing me a rope?"
OOC:
I can't recall where we posted it. Maybe in the OOC thread, but I thought Maloria received either Coulsen's warhorse after it died or Alice's. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, or at least remind me where Mal got her horse (I'm really gonna have to sit down one of these days and get your horse inventory sorted out... It's horses all the way down!).
In any case, it should be noted that the when the moathouse was built, they kept it filled via the same tributary of the Velverdyva River that runs through Hommlet proper, which then passes southward and makes up the river tributary that the parallels with the trail leading here. If Maloria wanted to keep the horse alive, she can opt to have the horse try and follow the moat to the draining tributary a ways and eventually you would find a nice sloping bank to climb out of. It would be an ordeal, and slow going no doubt, but if the cleric's at all emotionally attached to the horse she rides, it's possible. Likely, the druid of the grove would be an option for magical healing, as I can't imagine the man would let an animal like that suffer.
nezzeraj says:
Bors will borrow rope from whoever has some and fasten it to a more stable part of the bridge and toss the other end down to Mal.
OOC:
Probably the bridge would be pretty sketchy at this point, but the fallen tree the group uses to hitch their mounts outside would probably be sufficient. I guess the first question is, does anyone have any rope? That counts as part of the 80-coin Miscellaneous gear for purposes of tracking your encumbrances, so I don't keep detailed record of the individual items in your gear on my spreadsheet.
Nov 19, 2021 11:33 pm
OOC:
Mal has rope on her sheet, and a grappling hook! I suppose I should try to keep the horse alive, but messing around with that is pretty much the last thing I want to do right now, plus the whole group would have to come along incase of attack :/

KCC

Nov 20, 2021 1:16 am
OOC:
Perhaps we could petition the pixies for some healing magic? :o
Nov 20, 2021 5:10 am
OOC:
Not adverse for either option. Both sound plausible and interesting to explore. I feel like leaving a broken legged horse to sit and wait for you to explore a dungeon seems ethically questionable, but that's just me, so I'm excited to see how you address this situation.
Nov 20, 2021 6:20 am
OOC:
That's pretty brilliant Gilly, but how to contact them...

KCC

Nov 20, 2021 11:17 am
OOC:
Perhaps just return to near the grave (it’s right there, right?) and call out to them? No other option really in terms of contacting them! Just hope they doubled back when it seemed like we went on our way! Failing that we only have two options: Gank the horse.

Bors’ sword gains another name!

Or to back.
Nov 20, 2021 7:24 pm
OOC:
I like all these ideas, to be honest.

Let's take a vote:
1. Go look for Pixies, hope to find them, and ask for help.
2. Rebrand Bor's sword "horse-ganker"
3. Take a busted horse back to Hommlet and get it healed.
Nov 20, 2021 8:35 pm
OOC:
Let's try the pixies first, seems the shortest distance to a no-kill solution plus pixie hijinks are often interesting.
Nov 21, 2021 5:29 am
OOC:
I'm all for fey shenanigans.
Nov 21, 2021 8:58 pm
Mal opens her gear and grabs her rope and grappling hook and tosses it up. Turuko and Kobort aid in securing the rope to a suitable anchor point and with a bit of effort due to the heavy plate armor she wears and the remarkable strength of Kobort, she's slowly pulled to the top of the moat's walls on the south side of the chasm.
Gilly now stands alone with her pony Timber on the north side, and the party find themselves in yet another conundrum. The injured horse remains at the bottom of the moat, ten feet below. Getting it back to the burial cairn could be a slow, arduous process and subject her horse to painful suffering.
Meanwhile, Gilly considers her own animal. In theory, she should be able to cross the remnants of the drawbridge alone with little effort or risk, her small size putting barely any strain on the rotting planks. But crossing over with Timber could be disastrous. The wood strained and groaned when even the pony's light weight was distributed over the entire bridge, but with maybe half that or less now intact, crossing over to join the other's could put Timber at risk of a painful fall as well.

https://i.imgur.com/RhApizU.png

KCC

Nov 21, 2021 11:37 pm
OOC:
If I remember right, there were wooden tables all over the ground floor of the keep!
"I’m going to leave Timber here!" Gilly calls across the moat!

"Bors and the others will have to shift some tables in here to make a bridge for Timber later!" she calls less loudly, as she begins to cross the broken bridge, having tied Timber up inside!

"Now…" she announces as she arrives to the rest.

"… where are them pixies then?" she gets straight to business and wanders over to where they buried the bodies and witnessed the display.

"Hello! Hello!" she calls out, looking every direction.

"Little ones! Come out, please! We need to talk!"
Nov 22, 2021 1:06 am
'Fool of a Halfling!' crosses Eltrezar's mind as he hurries after Gilly. Trying to invoke the Fey was a dangerous task, and she would need one of his superior intellect to keep her out of trouble. After the Halfling calls out, the wizard thinks back on whatever lessons he had received on the fair-folk, before joining in. Hrmph! "Little Folk, we have come for repayment for our offering of respect and burial. Show yourselves, for we have a favor that we are owed."
Nov 22, 2021 1:39 am
OOC:
I'm going to redact (strikethrough) these last two posts for the time being, at least until we get this sorted out.

If you look back, the burial cairn was about 30 minutes back, on horseback. You will have to make the trip on foot to return to the funeral mound, unless you decide to let Mal and Gilly ride astride someone else's horses.
Nov 23, 2021 6:51 pm
Looking down at the horse and then back the way you came, you realise that it will take probably a half hour to return to the Cairn assuming Gilly and Mal ride double with Eltrezar and Bors, and then down at the horse, debating if the animal is worth the effort after all.
OOC:
As general consensus is now starting to sway towards killing the animal, I'll let anyone that wishes to attack it do so once as a Surprise Round. Obviously, to attack it using a melee weapon is going to require climbing down into the moat to hit it because it's a ten foot drop from the moat's edge to the mud below. Otherwise, go ahead and make a ranged attack to shoot it from the top of the moat.
Eltrezar should definitely throw all of his daggers down at it and then use his Magic Missile spell to finish it off...
Nov 23, 2021 6:57 pm
Eltrezar looks at the horse, winces, and looks away. Hrmph! "There is no helping the beast, not given the circumstances. It would be best to put it out of its misery. At the very least, we will eat well tonight. No sense in wasting food." Even with his callous words, the wizard hardly gives off the impression that he means everything.
Nov 24, 2021 3:59 am
Being raised on a farm, Bors knows horses don't survive broken legs very often. And not at the bottom of a moat, far from help. Seeing no one else make a move, he knows it falls on him to end the poor beast's misery. He uses the rope to climb down to the bottom and make a quick clean kill of it.

Rolls

Sword attack - (1d20+2)

(10) + 2 = 12

Damage - (1d8+2)

(8) + 2 = 10

Nov 24, 2021 4:30 am
Mal watches the slaughter, ill at ease. She makes the symbol of her faith and offers a brief prayer for the horse before climbing back down into the moat to retrieve her saddlebags.
Nov 24, 2021 5:27 am
Ahem! "Now then, let us get back to business. We have wasted enough time already." The wizard avoids looking down at the gruesome scene. "And perhaps collect some meat to eat later, should it not go bad by then."
Nov 24, 2021 5:35 am
"It's true, Hopalong would not have wanted to go to waste."

Mal hefts the saddle bags over here shoulder and, with assistance, climbs out of the most.

KCC

Nov 24, 2021 12:26 pm
Gilly winces as the beast lets out a pained noise as the blade strikes. She hopes Timber cant properly hear the distress inside the hold.

"Right. We’ll definitely need some tables for my Timber. I don’t like the idea of that happening to him!"
Nov 25, 2021 12:22 am
Butchering the Hop-along takes some time, but after ten minutes or so your party has enough raw horse meat to feed the party dinner later this evening. The others will be able to cross the remainder of the drawbridge on foot without any problems, but moving any mounts, including Gilly's pony will be an issue.
OOC:
I assume the party is going to tie their horses up in the usual spot for now?

Also, what is Mal doing with the saddlebags? That's over 100 coins of weight that will be added to her encumbrance if she's carrying it around, and she's already at 830 due to carrying the three hand axes she bought for the doors downstairs.
Nov 25, 2021 4:35 am
Mal hands out the axes she brought, one to Bors and one each to Turuko and Kobort.

"For the doors below" she says glumly.

"Not off to a great start. I'll be right back."

Mal slowly crosses the remaining bit of bridge and carries her saddlebags into the castle and down the hall into the room where she was once kept prisoner. She hides the bags under some of the rubble in the room then rejoins the others.
Nov 25, 2021 5:56 am
Bors looks down at the axe in his hand. "I guess my foot isn't always the best tool for opening doors." He secures the axe behind his pack. I hope we can clear the place this time. It's starting to feel like a second home already and I don't like that, he thinks.
Nov 25, 2021 7:08 am
It's about three in the afternoon now as Mal heads outside and retrieves her saddlebags from the butchered animal. As she returns to the moathouse and makes her way up the stairs towards the room where the Giant Snake was slain she can't help but notice Turuko eyeing the bags. When she returns empty handed the man raises an eyebrow and looks to each of the others. "If we're ready, by all means lead the way!"

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

KCC

Nov 25, 2021 1:23 pm
"Back down to the troll room then, is it? See what’s on the other side?" Gilly asks, heading that direction and drawing her bow to be ready!
Nov 25, 2021 5:39 pm
Mal nods at Gilly in agreement of her plan and leads the way down the stair well into the darkness below...

"Torches for those with bad eyes."
Last edited November 25, 2021 5:39 pm
Nov 25, 2021 10:12 pm
"Perhaps, I could be of some assistance as your torchbearer," Turuko says. "You, Lady Maloria, might be able to see alright, but the rest of us cannot, and I think it might better for us all if your fighter can use both shield and sword, your wizard able to cast his powerful magicks unimpeded, and our halfling friend here has both hands free to use the only bow we seem to have brought with us?
"I myself came armed only with quarterstaff and dagger. Hardly weapons I would deem up to the task of battle, should we encounter another Ogre... But if I may be useful in keeping the darkness at bay for you... Well."


He shrugs and puts his hand out, as if the matter is settled, expecting someone to hand over a torch for him to carry.
Nov 25, 2021 10:43 pm
Mal points at the axe she handed the man just moments ago,

"Usually Eltrezar is our torch bearer, and you have more than stick and knife, swing that fine axe at anything which threatens us below."
Nov 26, 2021 3:57 am
Bors snorts at Turuko's comment about "powerful magicks." "I've had sneezes that are more powerful," Bors mutters more to himself than anyone else. "He has dome more damage throwing his daggers than his spells if I remember correctly."

KCC

Nov 26, 2021 12:25 pm
"I’ve never met anyone that could throw a knife so well! And I’m from the Puddlefoots, adventurers for hire. My dad could throw a knife, but nothing like our friend here!"

Gilly winks conspiratorially at Bors.
Nov 26, 2021 4:29 pm
"Really?" says Turuko, his interest in the Magic-User suddenly piqued. "A wizard who throws daggers better than he casts spells, you say? I must see this impressive talent for myself then, for you must be quite good at it, eh Eltrezar?"

He puts his hands up in mock surrender and looks back at Maloria. "Very well, our wizard friend shall be our torchbearer and knife fighter. I shall remain at your services as you see fit, my lady."

"Come Kobort," he says, turning to his companion. "Let us be ready to slay any and all who challenge us with our mighty hand-axes! He reaches over and grabs Kobort's axe from his large, meaty hand, then draws a dagger from his belt. "Take care, mind you, not to put yourself between our wizard friend and any foes we happen upon, however... The man's daggers are even more dangerous than his magics!"

He begins tossing the two axes and the lighter dagger in a flourishing display of juggling, giving Eltrezar a wink.

"Well?" he says. "This basement isn't going to get any brighter when the sun sets up here. Let's have someone hand the wizard a light and see what there is to see, yes?" He hands the axe back to Kobort and waits.
OOC:
I was gonna say "Who's got an lantern or a torch to give to Eltrezar", but it appears that Maloria, the one PC that can actually see in the dark, is the only character with any torches in your inventory, lol. So I'm going to assume that Mal gives one of her three torches?

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Nov 26, 2021 6:28 pm
A scowl that could chill bones covers the face of the wizened wizard, though his beard hides much of it. He gives several Harumph's as he retrieves his lantern, tops off the oil, and has someone light it. He knows Bors is all bluster, but that the hirelings were now taking his lead and taunting the wizard? Unacceptable.

Hrmph! "Let us head down, now, before Bors gives his sword too many new names in our moment of respite."
Nov 26, 2021 8:37 pm
OOC:
Oh! I didn't see that Eltrezar had a lantern. Alright then... Lantern it is.
The party makes their way through the ground level of the moathouse ruins, passing through the main public room, and up the littered steps, the party notices some of the corpses of the brigands you fought remain laying about the stone floor where they fell and were looted for valuables. Now four days dead, they're beginning to bloat with gasses as gastric bacteria begin decomposing the bodies from the inside out. Swollen hands and faces strain at the collars of their clothing and their boots are beginning to slide off their ballooning feet inside. You begin to notice the smells of necrotic decay when the wind shifts and a light breeze blows through the ruins. "Your work, I presume?" he asks. "Tell me, how many of these men did you slay, in total?"

Passing the corpses, the party turns north to the storage room, stepping over the stacked piles of Giant Rat corpses. You stand at the head of the staircase, looking down into the darkness below a moment, and then the group descends. Mal and Bors take the lead, followed by Turuko and Kobort next, and Gilly and Eltrezar take up the rear.
You descend and look around. Everything seems to be about the same as when you left yesterday. There's a zombie laying dead at the base of the stairs and some sort of ichar that was where one of the green slimes was slain. To the group's left the two doors that the party's thieves failed to open, remain as yet locked, and though it's difficult to determine for sure, it looks almost as if the broken furnishings and other debris has been restacked to conceal them, though only halfheartedly.

https://i.imgur.com/WOkRtYh.png
OOC:
For the purposes of clarification when I post battlemap images, I've altered Maloria's Infravision in roll20 to appear as a red coloration. If the room is illuminated regularly, it's assumed that the lantern light is there, and everyone can see accordingly. Any area illuminated in red tint indicated that only Mal can see that area of the dungeon.

Rolls

Wandering Monster roll Moathouse Ruins

Secret Roll

Nov 27, 2021 3:26 am
Eltrezar eyes the unopened doors suspiciously. Hrmph! "I do not recall trying to hide them again... it would seem someone has been through here. Let us open the doors finally, and perhaps set up a trap later. Who knows what lurks down here, but I suspect whatever this Flaming Eye business is. Kobort, Turuko, see about the doors. Mal and Bors, try to move some bodies out of here. The moat will be an inviting place. I suspect it will take some time to cut through these doors, sturdy as they are. Gilly and I shall oversee the processes."
Nov 27, 2021 3:38 am
Mal had never noticed before just how much death was stacking up around their expedition. The fresh reminder was a slap in the face for her in more ways than one.

"Master Eltrezar, surely I agree with removing the bodies, but for Boris and I to leave the rest of you while you batter a door is to invite ambush. We know there are more here, just not where or how many. I vote we stick together, at least until we look around eh?"

KCC

Nov 27, 2021 12:47 pm
Something about the hired help had been niggling at Gilly on their journey, but now she had decided that she didn’t like them all that much. Yes, she played games with the wizard. But they had fought together, though only for a few days. Nevertheless, their enemies were plentiful, and varied. She felt that they had each earned the others gently ribbing.

But untested newcomers, well… Gilly kept quiet and kept an eye on them as they moved about the room.
Nov 27, 2021 5:52 pm
Eltrezar nods at the Dwarf, agreeing with her statement. With long arms, he gestures for the two hirelings to begin hacking away.
Nov 27, 2021 6:01 pm
Nodding to the wizard, Turuko and Kobort move to the nearest and northernmost of the two locked doors. While the great brute Kobort begins noisily dragging junk away from the door to give the two of them space to swing their axes, Turuko examines the door a moment trying the door handle. "It's locked," he says with a grin and he looks back at the others. "I fear this is going to get might noisy. Hope it's worth the trouble..."

He nods at Kobort, and the big man draws the axe back and slams it into the door. A large gash tears out of the wood, but it only reveals that the door is indeed heavy, and the "BANG!" that resonates through the dungeon at the sound assures everyone that Turuko is correct about at least one thing: this is going to be noisy...

https://i.imgur.com/Z9oepRa.png
OOC:
The doors are pretty heavy. They don't require a To-Hit roll to attack, of course, but they do have Hit Points and I think by judging between what kind of damage an axe does on average and how solidle Koborts landed the first strike, you'd probably be able to estimate that it might take as much as a full minute or two of attacking these doors, undoubtedly announcing to anyone in the dungeon of your presence.

If you want to keep smashing we can speed this along and I'll just make Turuko's and Kobort's Damage rolls and tell you how many rounds of hitting it takes to break through, and we can have Bors start on the other door, and Turuko or Kobort can jump in when they finish their door?

Rolls

Kobort Damage roll - (1d6+3)

(5) + 3 = 8

Nov 27, 2021 10:26 pm
"At least my foot was quieter," Bors grumbles. He takes his axe to the other door and starts swinging.
OOC:
Instead of rolling maybe take the average die roll and add strength, and divide that number from door hp?
Nov 27, 2021 10:39 pm
OOC:
just roll the random encounter roll and fast forward to the door opening. Easy.
Nov 27, 2021 10:56 pm
nezzeraj says:
OOC:
Instead of rolling maybe take the average die roll and add strength, and divide that number from door hp?
OOC:
I considered this, which is where I got my estimate of about how long it will take, but who knows. Maybe I roll high and you aren't making racket nearly as long.
dominion451 says:
OOC:
just roll the random encounter roll and fast forward to the door opening. Easy.
OOC:
I was thinking 1 encounter roll for every minute you're smashing the doors, rounded up to the nearest full minute. Every die roll will be six seconds of chopping. Turuko/Kobort will go to work on the northernmost door; Bors on the southernmost one. Kobort will come help Bors after his own is finished... Okay, here we go.

Okay, so I messed this up sort of... The 1d6+3 is Kobort's rolls, the 1d6+1 is Turuko's rolls, and the 1d8+2 is a mistake because I was factoring in Bors's longsword Damage, not his handaxe. Tet me reroll those last 3 damage rolls for bors... "19" total...

After 3 rounds the northernmost door was destroyed enough that the party can enter the room and Kobort turns and helps Bors...

Rolls

Turuko Damage roll; Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+1)

1d6+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

1d6+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

Bors Damage roll - (1d8+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Turuko Damage roll; Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+1, 1d8+2)

1d6+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

1d8+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Turuko Damage roll; Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+1, 1d8+2)

1d6+3 : (6) + 3 = 9

1d6+1 : (6) + 1 = 7

1d8+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Bors Damage rolls (3 rounds) - (1d6+2, 1d6+2, 1d6+2)

1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

1d6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+2)

1d6+3 : (4) + 3 = 7

1d6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+2)

1d6+3 : (1) + 3 = 4

1d6+2 : (6) + 2 = 8

Kobort Damage roll; Bors Damage roll - (1d6+3, 1d6+2)

1d6+3 : (2) + 3 = 5

1d6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Nov 27, 2021 11:17 pm
It takes only fifteen or twenty seconds for Turuko and Kobort to make short work on their door, in large part due to Kobort's intense strikes. The man would make a fearful opponent in battle, judging by his strength when intent on doing damage. Bors tries to hack away at his own and does well enough, and after the two newcomers break away enough wood to feel confident they can enter at will, Kobort turns and pulls Turujko out of the way and again helps Bors for a few seconds longer.
So intent on breaching as quickly as possible to reduce the duration of the racket they're making they strike fast and hard, and within about half a minute both doors have been reduced to enough scrap wood the party can easily reach inside and open either of the doors using the inside handles.

Listening for any sign of impending attack, everyone is as quiet as they can be, ears tuned to any anomalies in noise. Those who we're involved in chopping down the doors are trying to control their heavy breathing. The dungeon sounds silent. Perhaps nothing is coming after all. Or perhaps something in the darkness is preparing a silent ambush. Either way, one thing is certain: Any hopes of surprising anything in the depths of this dungeon are now surely gone. If there's anything down here creeping in the darkness among the adventurers, it's surely heard the commotion now.

Rolls

Random Encounter roll - (1d6)

Nov 28, 2021 2:39 am
"Well, ambush is pointless now. I'll go first. Be ready." Bors stows his axe and readies his sword and shield. He gives a curt nod to signal he's ready and cautiously makes his way into the room.

KCC

Nov 28, 2021 3:34 am
"Stay close, Eltrezar! He’ll need the light." Gilly decides to put away her bow away for now! She draws her blade and wraps her cloak around her. Halflings can’t be seen at the best of times, but she took the extra precaution anyway.

She follows through into the room, making sure that she is the last to enter. She’d like two of her own group between the newcomers and a quick getaway, but could never say the words!
Nov 28, 2021 6:52 am
Mal likewise turns to face away from the party and readies her weapon.

"Remember, if they come en masse we fight them at a choke point, so everyone retreat to the stairwell. That way we keep the high ground."
Nov 28, 2021 4:43 pm
The group prepares themselves for trouble Bors enters through the open door, Eltrezar in his heels with the lantern. It's a small room, about twenty feet squared, but it quickly becomes evident why this door was so well maintained.
Inside the room you find trio of racks, side-by-side, with ten slots cut into the elongated wooden feet of each rack, a well-maintained round-shield in each slot. A dozen wooden armors stands line another wall, each holding up a set of well-oiled leather armor. Interspersed around this room are several barrels. Most of the latter contain salted meat, but two at the rear of the room are 5-gallon kegs of an average brandy... Average, but would certainly still fetch a nice sum.

"Okay...," says Turuko. "Now we're talking. This shows some promise."

https://i.imgur.com/LylAElH.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Nov 28, 2021 5:00 pm
Eltrezar's eyes lay claim to the brandy. Hrmph! "Well worth whatever evils we awoke. Perhaps we shall be able to stay a while longer than I had anticipated..." He takes a quick inventory of the room, but directs the new pair to begin working on the next door.
Nov 28, 2021 6:34 pm
Turuko and Kobort move to the room to the north and open the broken door, then walk inside. Eltrezar follows with the lantern. This room is much the same as the one previous: a larder twenty feet by twenty feet in size.
https://i.imgur.com/bH7ifGU.png

Unlike the other one though, which contained some useful items for protecting a small force of men, this room contains enough artifacts to arm them. A pair of upright racks that look like wooden crates with a number of holes drilled into the top in a five by five pattern sit on the floor, and from each hole protrudes a spear. In a third box like this you count ten glaives and six guisarmes standing upright. Three battle axes lean business end down against one wall. Another crate holds what is probably close to a couple of hundred crossbow bolts and yet another holds enough arrows to fill maybe half a dozen quivers.
All of these items are in good shape, and between the weapons, the armor, the shields, and the casks of brandy, you could easily make some decent money, even at the lousy rates the owners of the Trading Post in Hommlet are likely to pay out. Getting this equipment back to the village is another matter, however, for surely the shields alone would be too heavy for even most of the remaining horses to haul back.
There are more containers of provisions laying about, but one final crate might hold something of even more interest than the potential coin the party could earn selling this cache back in the village. At the very back corner of the room sits a crate. Lifting the lid, Turuko reaches inside and pulls out a black cape. Judging from the size of the pile inside, there must be easily more than fifty. Maybe sixty or more!
Eltrezar sees the man's eyes wander curiously over it before he turns it around to better face the light. As he does so, Eltrezar's lantern spills onto the a distinct image of a yellow eye of fire sewed on the center of the garment.
https://i.imgur.com/Yu9TH53.png
Nov 28, 2021 7:22 pm
Eltrezar holds up one of the cloaks with his free hand, examining the symbol. To any others that followed him in the room, he holds it out with an outstretched arm, and speaks with a loud whisper. "The Flaming Eye! And there are countless capes just like it. We have undoubtedly stumbled upon a nefarious cult!"

Hrmph! "We should carry a few, perhaps they will come in handy. We may need them as a disguise."
Nov 28, 2021 7:38 pm
"That's a great idea Eltrezar, perhaps we should all wear them now. I'm sure it would give us an advantage down here."

Mal takes one of the capes and tries it on.
Nov 28, 2021 7:45 pm
Maloria dons a cape. For a moment perhaps she hoped some magical effect might reveal itself to her, but noting of the sort happens. These are very likely something akin to a uniform, possibly to allow soldiers to recognise one another on a battlefield. But perhaps if that is indeed the case, it would be reasonable to assume that the soldiers wearing them don't know one another well enough by sight that they could identify one another without them.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Nov 29, 2021 12:26 am
Bors checks the shields for their quality. If they appear better than his, he will switch it out. "Let's refill our food and drink while we are here. Just don't change water for booze." Bors restocks his bag with a week's worth of salted meat.

KCC

Nov 29, 2021 12:07 pm
Gilly helps herself to some of the salted meat, as they make their way around the rooms. She stocks up everything possible while the others mull over the cloaks. She wondered about the practicalities of wearing two cloaks. She liked her own, new though it was.

Finally she supposed that each cloak produced the benefit of not being noticed, though perhaps under very different circumstances. Opposite ones, arguably.

"Have they any small ones?" she asks, peeking through the legs of the others.
Nov 29, 2021 4:19 pm
Mal smiles at the idea of making a miniature cloak for Gilly,

"Better I think that you stay invisible Gilly. The cloak may help us should we run into anymore ogres, but your cloak is good against all things."
Nov 29, 2021 8:33 pm
nezzeraj says:
Bors restocks his bag with a week's worth of salted meat.
OOC:
Very good. Go ahead and add 7 day's rations to your inventory, then. Anyone else wants to do likewise feel free. Since this falls under "Miscellaneous Items & Provisions" it's covered by the 80-coin rule, therefore I'll not be tracking it for you or making any adjustments to your Encumbrances on my end.

In addition, anyone taking a cloak feel free, but please let me know your PC is grabbing one and add it to your inventory as well.
Turuko takes a cloak and tosses it to Kobort, then grabs one for himself and puts it on. "I must say, I'm not entirely sure if these will be of aid to us or not. But not wearing one certainly declares us as outsiders I should think, so I'll say that it can't hurt, eh?"
Nov 29, 2021 8:46 pm
Mal joins Bors in looting the pantry for food and booze. She chuckles at Turuko's comment,

"We recently killed an ogre who looked to see if we had eye symbols on us before he attacked. Lord knows we could have commanded him to do anything if he had thought we were his masters."
Nov 29, 2021 9:06 pm
"Oh, Indeed?" asks Turuko. "No doubt such an ally would have been of great use, though I dare say, you likely would have been torn to pieces by it before you ever got these doors chopped down, I should think. Let us hope its presence here was thought to be enough of a security measure for this dungeon, and that that is why we haven't met any other signs of trouble.
Nov 29, 2021 9:15 pm
"Torn to pieces? Who do you think won that battle friend? I dare say I'd not be tellin' ya the story were it any but us!"

Mal winks an taps her shield with her hammer for emphasis.
Nov 30, 2021 12:54 am
Oncw Bors has restocked he makes his way to the other room with the cloaks. "Well I don't own a cloak, and now I do. Seems like a win to me," he says as he drapes one over his shoulders. "How do I look? It feels nice at least. Maybe keep the rain off more."
Nov 30, 2021 1:18 am
Eltrezar restocks his own pack with the salted meats, his face showing a particular distaste for anything with seasonings. Hrmph! "Perhaps, Bors, you should put more stock into this dungeon than in how you look in a piece of cloth." A slight hint of mirth escapes with his grumpy words.

Putting on a cape of his own, Eltrezar looks between his companions. Ahem! "It would seem that unless we missed another hidden door, it is downwards we must go. We should be prepared, as even this walled structure hid many dangers."
Nov 30, 2021 2:45 am
"Prepared indeed. They'll have heard the axes, I'm sure there'll be a welcoming party."

Mal walks to the pillar with the secret door and checks it to see if she can tell of any comings or goings...

Rolls

Dwarven stonework knowledge (1-2) - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Nov 30, 2021 6:55 am
Mal examines the door. Her dwarven eye makes out the outline of the door's seems well enough, and understands the craftsmanship that went into concealing it, but there's no indication as to the frequency with which it's used. What does occur to her is that this pillar is narrow, as is the ladder concealed within. Descending it will be a one at a time person endeavor.
https://i.imgur.com/H7pjdDD.png

KCC

Nov 30, 2021 12:20 pm
"With them cloaks, we can walk down like we own the place, can’t we?" Gilly quizzes, eye-cloaklessly.
Nov 30, 2021 3:48 pm
"I certainly hope so Gilly."

Once everyone is ready, Mal climbs down the ladder...
Nov 30, 2021 3:50 pm
Hrmph! "We have no idea what is down there, little one. This seems like a logical lower level for a place such as this, and this door was secreted away. It is possible the other inhabitants of this moathouse have no idea this door exists. Turuko, take one of the Dwarf's torches and head down. Let us know what it is you see down there. No sense in lining up until we have a better understanding of the situation."

The wizard, who had been looking around, turns to find the Dwarf already climbing down the ladder. Subverted once again.
Last edited November 30, 2021 3:51 pm
Nov 30, 2021 7:15 pm
Mal moves to the opening and looks down. With her Infravision she can see clearly a narrow ladder descends about thirty feet to a stone floor below. The angle from where she stands makes it difficult to tell for sure, but it appears that at the bottom of the circular shaft a tunnel or a corridor opens and heads south.
The dwarf stows her weapon to free her hands and grabs the top rungs, places her feet on the rungs below, and begins her descent.

Turuko, seeing Mal already descending looks to Eltrezar. "Too late for that torch, I'm afraid. Hand me your lantern and I'll go next, if you like."
OOC:
Is everyone going down, or are some staying up top for now? Those descending the ladder in single file, go ahead and give me a marching order and feel free to throw Turuko and Kobort in wherever you see fit.

Rolls

Secret Roll

KCC

Nov 30, 2021 11:31 pm
OOC:
Gilly goes last. She’s wary of the hired help climbing up and making off with the gold. They could have a predetermined meeting point or anything set up!

*paranoia intensifies*
Nov 30, 2021 11:35 pm
Ahem! "Turuko, you should go next. Then myself. Kobort, Bors, then Gilly. Well, get a move on, we haven't got all day!"
Dec 1, 2021 12:51 am
"For once I agree with the wizard. Just don't step on your beard on the way down," Bors grins good-naturedly.
Dec 3, 2021 6:29 am
The party enters the hollowed out pillar and descends one at a time in the order Eltrezar declared. As the party descends Maloria notices a lack of dust on the rungs, a possible sign that this ladder has seen some use recently. Others notice in the light of Eltrezar's lantern that there appears to be a fair amount of dried blood on many of the rungs.
Mal reaches the bottom and looks around, the others waiting for her to tell of the coast in clear. Looking southward, she peers down a long, narrow corridor. Only five-foot wide, at the end of its fifty-foot length, it appears to end at a T-section, diverting east and west.

https://i.imgur.com/yktZBpy.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

KCC

Dec 3, 2021 12:37 pm
"What’s thi…" slips out, before Gilly quickly quietens herself again. Dangerous territory now, down here.
Dec 3, 2021 3:51 pm
Eltrezar ignores the blood. In the dark, in the deep, it could very well just be rust. And if not, it was at least dried. This place clearly had a sordid history. Hrmph! "Dwarf, you have been down here the longest, and you seem quite adept at wise decisions. In which direction do you feel we should travel?"
Dec 3, 2021 5:14 pm
Mal whispers back to Eltrezar,

"Let's make it to the intersection first and see what we see."

Once everyone is down, Mal leads the way down the hall, inspecting for traps in the stone work as she goes...

Rolls

Traps 1-2 - (1d6, 1d6, 1d6, 1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Dec 3, 2021 6:17 pm
Maloria waits for the others to descend the ladder, moving forward through the tight corridor little by little as each member of the group steps down on solid stone again. As she moves forward she inspects the floor, looking for any anomalies that could indicate danger or any signs of traps: irregularities in the stone work, hair triggers, pressure plates. The floor and walls seem safe as she progresses closer and closer to the "T" at the end. When she finally reaches the end of the hallway she looks up from the ground, not yet aware she's made a grave mistake.
For only a split second she sees what lies beyond the hallway: A room, the hallway opening into it from its northeast corner. The walls, lined at regular intervals with small five-foot by five-foot alcoves. A splintered coffin resting open in one, floor littered with a number of piles of bone. Directly to her left, one of these alcoves adjacent to her, a quick glance at the darkened shape of a man standing inside it. Something's off. To her right, about thirty feet away, another alcove and another figure within. Something's wrong, her mind shouts...
The figures! They're not visible in her Infravision, but the the same color as the chiseled stone behind them!
https://i.imgur.com/0vLyyOy.png

Before Maloria can take this information, process it, and make an appropriate response they're on her! The one to her right attack first as the one to her left rushes forward, along with two more spilling from other alcoves!
OOC:
Surprise Round begins in favor of 4 Ghouls! Turn order is as follows:
1. Ghoul #1, Ghoul #3 (3)
2. Ghoul #2 (2)
3. Ghoul #4 (1)

Make note that the Attacks from "Ghoul #3" are actually from "Ghoul #4" directly to Mal's left; #3 cannot get at Maloria at the moment because this corner is a tight 5'x5' squeeze.
The undead attackers rush Mal before anyone can react! Two of them get to her and begin clawing and biting simultaneously, and bony fingers and yellow incisors gnash and scratch at the cleric's armor. Despite being caught off guard and assaulted from both sides, Maloria manages to defend most of the attacks against her, weathering the onslaught and fortunate that only two can get to her in these tight quarters, but one bite from the ghoul to her right gets past her defenses and shee feel its teeth sink into her weapon arm as an icy freezing feeling of numbness starts crawling up her limb.
OOC:
Maloria loses 2 Hit Points, and more importantly, at the beginning of her next turn I'm going to need her to make a Save vs Paralysis before she can take any Action. Her Save vs Paralysis as a Dwarf is "10", I believe.

Rolls

Surprise Check (1-2) - (1d6)

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (8) = 8

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (7) = 7

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (19) = 19

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (5) = 5

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (6) = 6

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (16) = 16

1d3 : (3) = 3

Dec 3, 2021 7:14 pm
OOC:
Round 1 Begins! Turn order is as follows:

--> 1. Gilly, Maloria , Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
3. Eltrezar (4)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Turuko, Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)

https://i.imgur.com/ClqWO5U.png

It should be noted that Maloria's surrounded on both sides by Ghoul #1 and Ghoul #4. The other two Ghouls can't get at her yet because of the narrowness of the corridor. Likewise, the PC's will have difficulty getting past Maloria at this time to attack the ghouls, judging by how everyone is positioned on the battlemap.

That means nobody can see the Ghouls yeat, due to the hallways narrowness, and likely just see some arms and a quick head bob in and back out from each side of the cleric.

I do allow PCs and NPCs to pass through an ally's space unimpeded, but they cannot finish their move on an occupied space, so if one wishes to use some of their Movement this turn to move forward, Attack, and use the rest to Move back to an open square again, and they have enough Movement to do that (remember to check your Movement Rate on the Encumbrance Tracking spreadsheet first), that's fine.

Ranged attacks are possible in this hallway, though there is likely to be some cover penalties of anywhere between -1 to -4 depending on where your are in the lineup and how many companions you must shoot past (Maloria's shorter than her enemy, so let's say, -1 if for every ally you're shooting past but it maxes out at -4 for those in the very back... For now).

In any case, for this encounter, it will be important to pay attention to your Movement Rate (remember you can move 1/3 your Movement Rate per Turn during an encounter) and your PCs' surroundings, because this is a narrow hallway fight at the moment and positioning could make or break the party during this battle.

Don't forget that Maloria must make a Save vs Paralysis Saving Throw first or she goes down...

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(5) - 1 = 4

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Dec 3, 2021 11:19 pm
Mal winces at the pain of the bite and immediately feels the poison of the creature coursing through her body...

She shakes off the cold that spreads through her veins and calls on her holy patron to rebuff the walking corpses that press her.

"Vile abominations be gone from my sight! Saint Cuthbert, holy host of righteous vengeance commands it!"
OOC:
turn successful against 1HD creatures, only one point away from 2HD... D'oh!
Last edited December 3, 2021 11:24 pm

Rolls

Paralysis save - (1d20)

(11) = 11

Turn check, turn HD - (2d6, 2d6)

2d6 : (62) = 8

2d6 : (34) = 7

KCC

Dec 4, 2021 3:54 am
OOC:
That doesn’t free up space for someone to move up yet, right?
Dec 4, 2021 5:44 pm
Maloria resists the paralysing effects of the ghoul's attack, but the feeling of sensation returning to her arm distracts her from fully channeling her St. Cuthbert's strength. The four ghouls hiss a whispered cry of hate and flinch a moment, but do not turn from St. Cuthbert's fury.
KCC says:
OOC:
That doesn’t free up space for someone to move up yet, right?
OOC:
Unfortunately, it does not. In fact, from Gilly's and Bors's perspective, they ghouls are still pretty difficult to even see. I would say Gilly can sort of see the ghoulds hands and mouths flailing at Maloria. So she could try and shoot at it from where she is if her bow is equipped, but it would be a really, tough shot... a "-4" to her To-Hit roll for sure.
https://i.imgur.com/fc61Fac.png

Meanwhile, Round 1 continues! Turn order is as follows:

--> 1. Gilly, Maloria, Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
3. Eltrezar (4)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Turuko, Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)
Dec 5, 2021 8:13 am
OOC:
This leaves us in an awkward spot since the two next in initiative are in the back lol. Can I use my turn to kind of push everyone into the room? Haha. Otherwise I will delay and go after the other PCs but before the ghouls.

KCC

Dec 5, 2021 11:46 am
OOC:
It’s also an awkward spot; in that it has us run through another bottleneck fight! :/
Gilly can see almost nothing. She doubts she can even see that. Still, she can hear some sound of battle up ahead. Perhaps foolishly, she gathers up her bow and shoots a shot over the heads of all her companions.

No pained sound is returned as the arrow disappears into the dark, and so Gilly shuffles awkwardly, hoping that no one noticed her foolish endeavor.
Last edited December 5, 2021 11:48 am

Rolls

Shot +3 -4 - (1d20-1)

(4) - 1 = 3

Dec 5, 2021 7:47 pm
nezzeraj says:
OOC:
This leaves us in an awkward spot since the two next in initiative are in the back lol. Can I use my turn to kind of push everyone into the room? Haha. Otherwise I will delay and go after the other PCs but before the ghouls.
OOC:
Alright, I'll say that Bors hold his turn and will be going after Eltrezar.
Gilly's arrow misses and clatters against the wall in front of Mal.

Heavily laden in plate armor, Kobort is unable to press forward, attack, and return to his spot in the narrow corridor, and can only stand in the hall waiting some break in the lineup to occur. For now, like the fighter behind him, he must wait for some space to open up.
OOC:
Kobort will hold his turn until the end of the Round.

Round 1 continues! Turn order is as follows:

1. Gilly, Maloria, Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
--> 3. Eltrezar (4)
3½. Bors (7)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Turuko, Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)
5½. Kobort (5)
Dec 5, 2021 10:56 pm
"Everyone back up ten feet! I'm stuck in a kill box here!"
OOC:
new point of order for dungeons... let's always bring polearms going forward so people can attack from the second rank ;)
Last edited December 6, 2021 1:08 am
Dec 5, 2021 11:43 pm
OOC:
Oh! Kobort had a lance with him, but he left it back with his War Horse. Woulda probably come in handy...
Dec 6, 2021 12:24 am
Eltrezar, not confident in a trick shot such as this, still takes his dagger and flings it past his allies in an attempt to strike a foe. After this, he turns halfway, and barks at those behind him to move back.
OOC:
I guess he'll aim at the one on the left. I'm pretty sure he has a -3, from his Dex penalty and two allies in the way.

Rolls

Attack - (1d20-3)

(4) - 3 = 1

Damage - (1d4)

(2) = 2

Dec 6, 2021 12:35 am
OOC:
@cowleyc: If Eltrezar wants, he can pass through allies' spaces to move up to 40' back up the corridor. It's up to you.
Dec 6, 2021 12:37 am
OOC:
Would that be in addition to his wildly failed dagger throw? If so, then Eltrezar is all for it.
Last edited December 6, 2021 12:37 am
Dec 6, 2021 12:55 am
cowleyc says:
OOC:
Would that be in addition to his wildly failed dagger throw? If so, then Eltrezar is all for it.
OOC:
Yup, for sure. You're not engaged in melee, so that's not even a Fighting or Full Retreat. That would just be you making an Attack Action followed by a Move Action if you like.
Dec 6, 2021 1:27 am
After seeing the dagger fail to strike any target aside from a stone wall, the wizard begins to move towards the back, hoping to open a space for others to move and potentially fight. As he passes his companions in the tight hallway, those he squeezes past can hear quiet "Harumph"s, "Pardon", and even an excuse about the narrow hallway and the difficulty of throwing in such an area.
Last edited December 6, 2021 3:47 am
Dec 6, 2021 1:32 am
OOC:
Okay, I'll move your PC and update the map, assuming you're doing a full-40' Move Action. I too am out and about right now, but I'll get it sorted when I get home, hopefully.
Dec 6, 2021 5:43 pm
Eltrezar throws a dagger at the commotion of flailing arms, hoping to maybe hit something somewhere at the edges of the corridor's intersection, but the blade clatters against one of the hallways the side walls before hitting the facing stone of the "T" and falling uselessly to the ground. The wizard then retreats to the ladder 20' back behind Gilly, to allow for some room for his companions to move a bit more freely.
https://i.imgur.com/CnUhRVB.png
OOC:
Round 1 continues! Bors, having decided to hold his turn until after the rest of his companions (excluding hirelings) acted, is up next. Due to his Encumbrance limiting his movement to 20'/Turn, the Fighter would not be able to move forward to attack (Mal is occupying that space still. If he wants he can move 10' forward and occupy the space that Eltrezar just vacated, or he can retreat to the north and open up a few more holes in the lineup, but that's about it I think. In any case Bors is up.

1. Gilly, Maloria, Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
3. Eltrezar (4)
--> 3½. Bors (7)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Turuko, Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)
5½. Kobort (5)
Dec 7, 2021 12:17 am
Seeing the wizard vacate his space, Bors moves up to take the space.
Dec 7, 2021 5:29 pm
Bors moves ten feet closer, positioning himself right behind Turuko.

The ghoul to behind the one directly to Mal's right steps around its companion and slashes out at Maloria who now finds herself taking on three of the undead creatures. Mal gets her shield up against it, and between that and her armor, she deflects each attack easily.

https://i.imgur.com/u54HMdz.png

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (4) = 4

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (14) = 14

1d3 : (3) = 3

Dec 7, 2021 5:54 pm
OOC:


Oh, jeez... I didn't realize a quarterstaff (staff) has the Slow property... wtf?!? I guess Turuko will go last this turn.

For this turn both Ghoul #1 and Ghoul #4 have access to Turuko now, so they will make a Target Selection roll, though since Turuko is in the hallway, the ghouls have to reach around the corner to get at him and thus Maloria is the easier to reach and the more logical prey. Still, there's a chance one or both of the ghouls might go for the unarmored target: 1-4 Maloria, 5-6 Turuko...
The ghoul directly to Maloria's right leans in for easier prey, having scraped it's tattered fingertips against the Maloria's armor enough to learn its prey wont be easy. Reaching around the corner it lunges for the party's new hireling. At first it grasps at thin air, but before Turuko can duck back it grabs hols of the man's wrist and squeezes. There's a crunch and Turuko groans in pain, and is suddenly pulled forward and bitten as well.

The ghoul furthest from the action lumbers five feet forward.

The one directly to Mal's left attacks Maloria again. It slashes out at her and she deflects a flurry of scratching but it pushes forward and gets it's teeth in the cleric's right arm again.

https://i.imgur.com/dKaOEsW.png

[ooc]Good grief; I'm going to need another Save vs Paralyse from Mal at the beginning of her turn again.
1. Gilly, Maloria, Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
3. Eltrezar (4)
3½. Bors (7)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)
--> 6. Turuko (2-Slow)
5½. Kobort (5)

Rolls

Ghoul #1 Target Selection roll - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (2) = 2

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (16) = 16

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Target Selection roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (14) = 14

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (14) = 14

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (20) = 20

1d3 : (2) = 2

Dec 7, 2021 6:16 pm
OOC:
Turuko must make a Save vs Paralysis at the beginning of his Turn...

I'm also going to retcon Eltrezar's movement and say that he only retreated 20' to stand directly behind Gilly. Otherwise he leaves his companions in the dark, which I don't imagine the wizard would intentionally do. That way the non-Infravision characters like Bors and Gilly can still see what they need to fight, but Eltrezar still gets out of the way. If @cowleyc doesn't agree with this, and does in fact want to be all the way beck to the ladder, please correct me.
Turuko struggles a moment to get his quarterstaff up to lash out at his attacker, but before he can will the strength in his arms to raise his weapon his legs buckle and he collapses to the stone floor paralyzed by the ghoul's icy touch and bite.

[ooc]Round 1 concludes with Kobort, who also held his turn...
1. Gilly, Maloria, Bors (7)
2. Kobort (5)
3. Eltrezar (4)
3½. Bors (7)
4. Ghoul #3 (3)
5. Ghoul #1, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #4 (2)
6. Turuko (2-Slow)
--> 5½. Kobort (5)

Rolls

Turuko Save vs Paralysis - (1d20)

(2) = 2

Dec 7, 2021 6:32 pm
Kobort rushes in to stand over the fallen body Turuko and lashes out with his long sword at the one that paralysed his companion. His blade misses entirely.
https://i.imgur.com/T02zjOU.png

Rolls

Kobort Attack roll, Damage roll - (1d20+3, 1d8+3)

1d20+3 : (7) + 3 = 10

1d8+3 : (5) + 3 = 8

Dec 7, 2021 6:40 pm
OOC:
Round 1 concludes. An ugly round to be sure as all ghouls remain standing, Malora badly wounded (3 HP remaining) and on the verge of being paralysed a second time, and Turuko wounded and paralysed himself, the party has yet to find their stride this Encounter.

Round 2 begins! Turn order is as follows:
-->1. Bors (7)
2. Maloria, Ghoul #1 (5)
3. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul #2 (4)
4. Ghoul #3, Ghoul #4 (3)
5. Kobort (2)
???. Turuko (6 - Paralysed)
https://i.imgur.com/T02zjOU.png
OOC:
Some things to consider:
1. Maloria needs to make another Save vs Paralysis before she can Move or Attack on her turn.
2. If she passes her save, she cannot make a Attack then Move maneuver as Eltrezar did because she's currently engaged in melee and that's a Fighting Retreat and due to her Encumbrance, she can only move 10' on a Fighting Retreat, and Bors is currently occupying the space 10' back. So unless Bors clears out on his turn first, Maloria can only make a Full Retreat on her turn (no other actions and -2 AC this Round), or hold her ground and only Attack this Turn.

Bors is up first. Decisions, decisions...

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(5) - 1 = 4

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Ghoul #1 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Dec 7, 2021 6:43 pm
Keeping some distance from the ghouls attempting to tear apart his comrades, but also trying to keep them in the light, Eltrezar bears some witness to the assault on Mal and Turuko. From his position, hardly able to see the ghouls beyond the corner but the faint glimpses of arms and maw, he begins casting his spell, knowing that he has one shot at this.
OOC:
Magic Missile doesn't require aiming, just sight. It looks like Eltrezar would be able to just barely see the ghouls, but their assault would bring them further into the light. If this is not the case, he is fine just being a torchbearer.
Last edited December 7, 2021 6:44 pm
Dec 7, 2021 7:33 pm
OOC:
Yes, I think that anyone can see the ghouls' hands clawing at Mal, if nothing else, and would be covered under the requirements of Magic Missile. I'll make note that you're casting it.
Dec 8, 2021 12:18 am
OOC:
Bye Mal :*(
Last edited December 8, 2021 12:18 am

Rolls

Paralysis save 10 - (1d20)

(2) = 2

Dec 8, 2021 12:35 am
"Everyone back! Turuko, grab Mal and drag her back with you!" Bors backs up the tunnel.
Dec 8, 2021 1:10 am
OOC:
Oh my gosh! There's a limit to how long the paralysis lasts, which I brain-farted! Turuko and Mal could very well be back in this fight before it's over!

@Nezerraj: First of all, Turuko is paralyzed and can't move his own finger, let alone someone else. Kobort moved forward to grab Turuko and carry him away (presumably). That's gonna leave Mal on the ground alone.
Secondly, if you can give me an estimate as to how far Bors moves back, I'd appreciate it. In the meantime, I'll move him behind Eltrezar unless you correct me, in which we can retcon it.
When I get home I'll post an updated map, but I'm going to be at my daughter's wrestle-offs for the men's varsity spot tonight for a bit.
Maloria feels the icy chill run back up her arm. This time it's too much, and she's unable to fight it back. Her legs give out, and she hits the stone floor with a loud clatter, hammer and shield falling from her hands, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling listening to Bors giving commands to a fallen Turuko next to her.

The ghoul to Maloria's right steps over her prone form to attack Kobort...
OOC:
I'll move and post for Ghoul #1 after the wrestle-offs this evening.

Rolls

Turuko Paralysis duration roll

Maloria Paralysis duration roll

Dec 9, 2021 5:59 am
OOC:
Due to Bors current Movement Rate of 20'/Turn, he can only retreat 10'. Gilly and Eltrezar occupy any space beyond that.
https://i.imgur.com/CY7hvQl.png

With Maloria going down, Ghoul#1 moves forward occupying the fallen cleric's space before attacking Kobort, now clearly within view of those in the hallway. Kobort gives a grunt of pain as claws and teeth find their prey tearing into the unprotected parts of the man's defenses.
[ooc]Ignore the +3 on the attack rolls.

Round 2 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Bors (7)
2. Maloria, Ghoul #1 (5)
-->3. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul #2 (4)
4. Ghoul #3, Ghoul #4 (3)
5. Kobort (2)
???. Turuko (6 - Paralysed)
https://i.imgur.com/ponpMlL.png

Rolls

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (2) = 2

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20+3, 1d3)

1d20+3 : (16) + 3 = 19

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20+3, 1d3)

1d20+3 : (19) + 3 = 22

1d3 : (1) = 1

Dec 9, 2021 6:30 am
Through the fray it is difficult to see what is happening, who is fighting, and who is falling. Eltrezar sees several claws lash out at Kobort, right around the time he finishes his very impressive incantation. He points a finger towards the ghoul that had struck his hireling, and a nearly imperceptible bolt flies out and strikes the creature in the arm. Waves of the impact ripple across the undead monstrosity. Though the creature is around the corner and therefore it is nearly impossible to see how powerful the magical blow had been, a smug smile grows beneath his white, crumb-free beard.

Rolls

Magic Missile - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Dec 9, 2021 6:09 pm
His missile rockets down the corridor, racing over Gilly's head and past those of Bors and Kuruko to strikes the ghoul. The undead abomination give a grunt of "Uggghhhnnn!..." The monster staggers before regaining its balance, clearly hurt but not out.

Another of the ghouls reaches around the corner and tries to tear away at Kobort as well, and the fighter grunts as more teeth bury themselves into his arms.
OOC:
Round 2 begins! Turn order is as follows:
1. Bors (7)
2. Turuko - P2 (6)
3. Maloria - P1, Ghoul #1 (5)
--> 4. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul #2 (4)
5. Ghoul #3, Ghoul #4 (3)
6. (vs P) Kobort (2)

Rolls

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (7) = 7

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (7) = 7

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (18) = 18

1d3 : (1) = 1

KCC

Dec 9, 2021 10:37 pm
Gilly rushes forward with her short sword. She has to at least make an attempt to pull Mal from the wreckage ahead of her.
OOC:
Gilly will either

A) move forward and try to drag Mal through her companions. That looks tricky.

B) move forward and slice at the Ghoul before retreating back to an available space!

DM-dependent!
Dec 9, 2021 11:23 pm
OOC:
Hmm... I would say at the moment option B is more feasible choice due to a couple of circumstances:

Kobort is blocking the area right now, presumably doing likewise already for Turuko (assuming he even passes his save vs Paralysis on his turn) as Gilly wants to do for Mal. So she'd essentially have to squeeze past Kobort and Turuko in the narrow corridor. Then she'd have to grab hold of a dwarf wearing heavy plate who's currently being straddled by a ghoul, and then try and drag her back past Kobort and Turuko again. I think that would be pretty difficult to do, especially in one six second Turn.
IF Kobort and Turuko weren't in the way I think an argument could be made that Gilly could take a Move Action, and then use her other Action to make a penalized Strength Ability Check to left the larger dwarf in heavy plate armor, and then on her next turn she could start dragging her back slowly (Encumbrance rules would have to be taken into consideration), assuming the ghouls don't get a piece of her in the time between the two rounds. But I think with Kobort in full plate holding back a number of ghouls while half-heartedly trying to drag Turuko back as well, all in a narrow 5' hallway, would just be too big of a cluster-fart.

I do allow PCs to drop weapons on the ground and draw weapons as a Free Action, but stowing weapons in their appropriate scabbards/sheaths/etc. or looking for and picking up dropped weapons is a regular Action.
So if Gilly wants to drop her bow on the ground (Free Action), draw her sword (Free Action), and then Move 20' forward, Attack, and use the rest of her move to make a 10' Fighting Retreat, she would essentially dash past Kobort, slash the ghoul he's fighting with her sword, and then back up to the space directly in front of Bors.
https://i.imgur.com/LUCTG7s.png

I would also say it's worth noting that Gilly saw Maloria fall as a result of the Paralysis these things do, and also would have seen that once Mal fell, the ghoul seemed to ignore her and went directly after Kobort, who was next in line. As did another from around the corner. They seem to have little interest in dealing with already fallen/paralyzed victims, at least for the time being, being more drawn to attack those that are an immediate threat to them.
Or that's what it seems might be the case, granted you've only had a couple of rounds to get a read on them...

KCC

Dec 9, 2021 11:29 pm
OOC:
Gilly drops her bow and does exactly that!

Rolls

Attack - (1d20+1)

(19) + 1 = 20

Damage - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Dec 10, 2021 3:29 am
Gilly drops her bow and pulls her sword, dashing forward and under Kobort's hulking form, and slashing upwards into the throat as it bites down on the big man's forearm. It's body collapses to the stone floor, and a second later the decapitated head's teeth unclench from the fighter's arm and falls to the floor next to it.
https://i.imgur.com/GKKF1Pe.png
Dec 10, 2021 6:57 am
As soon as the ghoul Gilly dispatches of collapses and she ducks back out of the way, another ghoul fills its place. Kobort finds himself being attacked by two more at once and pushes back, resisting the onslaught but taking another deep scratch for his efforts.
OOC:
Round 2 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Bors (7)
2. Turuko - P2 (6)
3. Maloria - P1, Ghoul #1 (5)
4. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul #2 (4)
5. Ghoul #3, Ghoul #4 (3)
--> 6. (vs P) Kobort (2)

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (13) = 13

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (20) = 20

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (1) = 1

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (5) = 5

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (8) = 8

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (8) = 8

1d3 : (1) = 1

Dec 10, 2021 7:02 am
Kobort having taken a number of claws and bites, draws back to swing his sword, and immediately falls to the floor, his heavy plate armor landing with a smack on top of Turuko's proe body.

Gilly looks on to see a number of ghouls staring through clouded eyes at her small figure in their Infravision as they get ready to fight and claw each other, desperate to be the first to shove through this narrow corridor after the halfling now standing at the front of the lineup.
OOC:
Round 2 ends with Maloria and Kobort falling victim to the ghouls' paralyzing attacks, but one of the four falling to a combination of Eltrezar's Magic Missile Strive and Gilly's blade! Three ghouls remain now pressed in a narrow corridor.

Round 3 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko - P3 (7)
2. Kobort - P1, Ghoul #2 (6)
--> 3. Gilly, Eltrezar, Maloria - P2, (5)
4. Bors, Ghoul #4 (2)
5. Ghoul #3 (1)
https://i.imgur.com/9rWPrdd.png

Rolls

Kobort Save vs Paralysis - (1d20)

(6) = 6

Kobort Paralysis duration roll

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #1 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (17) = 17

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (15) = 15

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (4) = 4

1d3 : (2) = 2

Gilly Paralysis duration roll

KCC

Dec 10, 2021 9:06 am
OOC:
Trying to parse the dice. Is Gilly good to act?
Dec 10, 2021 5:00 pm
Eltrezar, aware that he can do nothing in this situation, considers his options. He holds his lantern high, and then inspiration strikes. Ahem! "Did Mal not carry vials of blessed water with her?! Did she give any to either of you?!"

Suddenly, one of the creatures comes for Gilly, possibly the only true friend he has down here. The wizard takes another dagger, one step forward, and flings it as accurately as he can. Even with the ghoul nearing, it is still a difficult target with Gilly and Bors before him.
OOC:
I'm assuming one of the ghouls is actually in front of Gilly now. If not, the roll would have another -1, not that it would matter...
Last edited December 10, 2021 5:04 pm

Rolls

Attack - (1d20-3)

(13) - 3 = 10

Damage - (1d4)

(1) = 1

Dec 10, 2021 6:58 pm
OOC:
I accidentally hit "edit" on @KCC's last post, instead of "Quote". Hopefully I fixed it back, but if not, sorry.
KCC says:
OOC:
Trying to parse the dice. Is Gilly good to act?
OOC:
Yep. Make sure to pass a Save vs Paralysis first. You need to roll a "10" or better on a d20 or you join your other fallen companions for a duration determined by the dice.
cowleyc says:
I'm assuming one of the ghouls is actually in front of Gilly now. If not, the roll would have another -1, not that it would matter...
OOC:
Yeah sorry, I forgot to update the battlemap. Yes, there's one directly in front of Gilly.
https://i.imgur.com/iM21MC6.png

Eltrezar throws his dagger at the ghoul that just took a slashing at his halfling friend. The dagger comes closer to the wizard's target this time, but is still off the mark a bit.
OOC:
Round 3 begins! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko - P3 (7)
2. Kobort - P1, Ghoul #2 (6)
--> 3. Gilly, Eltrezar, Maloria - P2, (5)
4. Bors, Ghoul #4 (2)
5. Ghoul #3 (1)

KCC

Dec 10, 2021 10:31 pm
OOC:
Paralysis!
OOC:
Welp!
Last edited December 10, 2021 10:32 pm

Rolls

1d20

(8) = 8

Dec 10, 2021 11:24 pm
Gilly feels the icy chill-turned-numbness course through her body and her legs give out at Bors's feet.
OOC:
Round 3 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko - P3 (7)
2. Kobort - P1, Ghoul #2 (6)
3. Gilly - P1, Eltrezar, Maloria - P2, (5)
--> 4. Bors, Ghoul #4 (2)
5. Ghoul #3 (1)

Bors's and Ghoul #4's Actions technically happen at the exact same time this Round, but I'm going to let @nezzaraj decide if they want to take their Turn before or after the ghoul.
https://i.imgur.com/9rWPrdd.png

Rolls

Gilly Paralysis duration roll

Dec 11, 2021 12:07 am
Seeing Gilly fall, Bors uses the brief window of opportunity to lunge straight at the ghoul with a piercing strike.
OOC:
@#!%
Last edited December 11, 2021 12:08 am

Rolls

Attack - (1d20+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Damage - (1d8+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

KCC

Dec 11, 2021 12:19 am
OOC:
Dont worry, gang! We are just keeping all the good rolls safe and sound until we really need them:

Character generation for our next game.
Dec 11, 2021 12:58 am
OOC:
Good grief, you guys...

From what I see on this side of the DM's screen, based on what I know about the monsters, the PCs and Hirelings, and what the module dictates regarding how to run this encounter, I would say you're still in this, but it's gonna be close. You definitely need the dice to start getting their act together, though. If Bors can't hold these monsters at bay, you're gonna be in trouble.

When I get home tonight I'll try and slam out at least one more post covering the monsters' Turns and start a new Round, but I'm pretty lousy about ever actually getting that done when I get home in the evenings. But we'll see.
Dec 11, 2021 7:06 pm
OOC:
Unlike some undead creatures, Ghouls are pretty dumb, and I don't think they would be sentient enough to think to Move into Melee, Attack, and then make a Fighting Retreat back to an open square again, like I allow smarter tokens to do. They would most likely just try and press forward and attack whenever possible, and since they can't end their turn on an ally's space that basically means they can only come at you one at a time in this narrow hallway. So...

In perhaps the only stroke of good fortune to come the party's way this combat, Ghoul #4 rushes into the hallway and finds his way to Bors impeded by the ghoul in front of him, and Ghoul #3 is unable to advance any further down the corridor.
OOC:
Round 3 ends and the party continues to suffer bad die rolls all around and another two cases of Paralysis to Gilly and the hireling Kobort. No ghouls took any damage.

Round 4 begins! Turn order is as follows:
-->1. Bors (7)
2. Turuko - P3, Kobort - P1 (6)
3. Gilly - 1P, Maloria - 2P, Ghoul #4 (5)
4. Eltrezar (2)
5. Ghoul #2, Ghoul #3
https://i.imgur.com/OkaGHnh.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(3) - 1 = 2

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Secret Roll

KCC

Dec 11, 2021 11:50 pm
OOC:
How much damage did Gilly take on the paralyze bite?

Might they attack us on the ground?

Not that I want to die or anything. I just don’t know how instinctual they are!
Dec 12, 2021 12:00 am
Bors feels hope whither up and die inside him. He was trapped in a narrow corridor with a line of ghouls in front of him. His only hope was that the wizard's magic finally proved useful and Bors would try to buy him enough time to use it. He thrusts at the first ghoul in front of him.

Rolls

Sword thrust - (1d20+2)

(14) + 2 = 16

Damage - (1d8+2)

(7) + 2 = 9

Dec 12, 2021 12:15 am
OOC:
Oh wow, that was a HUGE round for Bors...
Bors drives his sword's blade forward stabbing into the biggest and strongest-looking of the four ghouls's abdomen, the blade driving forward and piercing out the other side. The monster staggers and gives a groan of pain that's more that of a supernatural hiss of anguish that actual vocalization. It remains standing, but is clearly hurt badly.

The ghoul directly behind Bors's target claws at its companion and tries desperately to get at the fighter but the badly wounded ghoul surrenders no ground to it.
OOC:
Round 4 continues with Eltrezar up next!
1. Bors (7)
2. Turuko - P4, Kobort - P2 (6)
3. Gilly - P2, Maloria - P3, Ghoul #4 (5)
--> 4. Eltrezar (2)
5. Ghoul #2, Ghoul #3
Dec 12, 2021 1:02 am
Though Bors cannot see it from his position and preoccupation, Eltrezar looks over his shoulder at the ladder up and hesitates for a moment. But the moment passes. The spellcaster steps forward to just right behind the warrior, flinging yet another dagger towards the ghoul just beyond his reach. Hrmph! "The time to retreat is nigh. Too many of ours have fallen, and too few of them," he whispers loudly, seemingly concerned that the Ghouls may understand what he is saying.

Rolls

Attack - (1d20-1)

(9) - 1 = 8

Damage - (1d4)

(3) = 3

Dec 12, 2021 6:58 am
Eltrezar throws yet another dagger down the hallway which clatters to the ground without the intended effect.

The badly injured ghoul standing in front of Bors tries to reciprocate the favor, fingers raking and jaws gnashing, but the fighter staves off the attack easily.

Behind it, at the back of the row, another struggles to get past its two companions but gets nowhere.
OOC:
Round 4 concludes with Bors landing a heavy blow on one of the ghouls and defending himself against its retaliation.

Rolls

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (5) = 5

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (1) = 1

Dec 12, 2021 7:17 am
OOC:
Round 5 begins. Turn order is as follows:
1. Gilly - 3P (8)
--> 2. Bors (5)
3. Eltrezar, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Maloria - 3P, Turuko - 4P, Kobort - 2P(3)
5. Ghoul #4

Eltrezar, by the way, is ten feet away from the one in front of Bors, so he should have a +1 for being close range with his daggers. That would offset his -1 for Dexterity.
https://i.imgur.com/19gwFoP.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(5) - 1 = 4

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Dec 12, 2021 8:25 am
Seeing the ghoul near re-death, he swings vertically in an attempt to bifurcate it...not that Bors knows that word.

Rolls

Sword attack - (1d20+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

KCC

Dec 12, 2021 9:25 am
OOC:
Pillow fight!
Dec 12, 2021 4:25 pm
Bors tries to bring his sword down on the ghoul but swings wildly and misses by a long shot.
OOC:
Round 5 continues with Eltrezar and two of the ghouls acting at once.
1. Gilly - 3P (8)
2. Bors (5)
--> 3. Eltrezar, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Maloria - 3P, Turuko - 4P, Kobort - 2P(3)
5. Ghoul #4
Dec 12, 2021 4:26 pm
The wounded ghoul directly in front of Bors takes the opportunity to attack again before Bors can reset his stance... It presses hard against the fighter and lashes out for the fighter's eyes with its filthy, rough-nailed fingers, and off-balance already from his last dismal swing, the ghouls nearly succeeds to take an eyeball with each hand. But Bors digs in his heels and pushes back hard, and with the aid of his masterfully crafted shield, the ghoul is shoved back again before it can get close enough to deliver a bite. Only the well-trained use of this finely made shield can be credited with saving the fighter this round.

From directly behind attacking ghoul, another thrashes and scrambles desperate to get to the front and fight.
OOC:
Round 5 continues and Eltrezar is up
1. Gilly - 3P (8)
2. Bors (5)
--> 3. Eltrezar, Ghoul #2, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Maloria - 3P, Turuko - 4P, Kobort - 2P(3)
5. Ghoul #4

Rolls

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (14) = 14

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (15) = 15

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (3) = 3

1d3 : (3) = 3

Dec 12, 2021 4:31 pm
Another dagger flies past Bots, and the wizard hisses out another warning formed from urgency.

Rolls

Attack - (1d20-1)

(4) - 1 = 3

Damage - (1d4)

(1) = 1

Dec 12, 2021 4:41 pm
OOC:
Oh no! Eltrezar! That's four daggers thrown now, I believe. Does he just have one left? For some reason I have on the spreadsheet that he was only carrying 4 when he came down to the dungeon, but I don't think that's correct. I thought he had at least 5 daggers.
Eltrezar throws his dagger (perhaps the last or at least one of the last at the ghoul driven back by Bors and it ricochets of a wall, giving off a lovely little spark before it clatters to the floor somewhere in the darkness amid the scrambling legs and fallen bodies.
OOC:
Round 5 concludes with little progress on the part of either side.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Dec 12, 2021 4:48 pm
OOC:
He started with one dagger, bought a few from the blacksmith (I'll look that up), and had the swagger-dagger with the gems.
OOC:
Goodness, we were both wrong! He has a total of seven daggers. One from initial character creation, five from the Blacksmith, and one dapper stabber.

The Blacksmith post and clarification is on the last page of Welcome to Hommlet
Last edited December 12, 2021 4:52 pm
Dec 12, 2021 4:54 pm
cowleyc says:
OOC:
He started with one dagger, bought a few from the blacksmith (I'll look that up), and had the swagger-dagger with the gems.
OOC:
Yeah, I thought you had a fancy jewelled dagger. And then I thought you bought like five regular daggers from the blacksmith. I'll double check that... Yes you bought 5 daggers. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't lose or sell any off that I missed. So you should have one regular dagger, and one "swagger dagger", lol...
OOC:
Oh jeez! Seven! Alright, I'll adjust your spreadsheet and you got plenty of daggers left...
Dec 12, 2021 5:00 pm
OOC:
Round 6 begins! Turn order is as follows:
1. Gilly - 4P (8)
2. Turuko, Kobort (7)
3. Ghoul #4 (5)
4. Ghoul #2 (3)
5. Eltrezar, Maloria - 4P, Bors, Ghoul #3
https://i.imgur.com/19gwFoP.png

As Gilly lay on the floor paralyzed she for nearly the last 30 seconds, she began to panic. Unable to move her limbs she can only listen to the sounds of her companions fighting, possibly dying around her, her eyes unable to stray from an unfocused gaze at a section of stone wall near the floor. Worst of all, her breathing had stopped. She could feel mind start to get fuzzy, that unfocused gaze tunneling at darkness and dancing stars crept on from her peripheral vision, her fingertips and lips and other nerve-wrought areas of her skin beginning to tingle as the amount of oxygen began to diminish to dangerous levels. If only she could take a breath.
But tingling? Why could she feel tingling? She should feel anything...
Suddenly she takes a deep gasp of air and her legs and arms give a spasm of life. The ghoul's horrible touch is subsiding finally. It takes a moment for the Halfling to gather her senses.

Near her, somewhere buried under a pile of bodies and thrashing limbs, the man named Turuko gives a groan and begins digging himself out from under his companion Kobort, crawling on all fours to get somewhere he isn't being kicked and stepped on.
OOC:
Gilly may act on her next Turn.

Also, this is going to be a bit of a problem, because there's no Rules as Written to deal with it, so we gotta shove some homebrew sewage into our campaign, as distasteful as it sounds to ALL of us. Basically, I've always ruled that if a PC or NPC/Monster falls in battle, that square is considered unoccupied. The problem is that this whole encounter is being fought in a narrow hallway and there's a bunch of fallen, paralysed bodies, which are then stepped on, passed through, and stopped overtop of in the middle of all this fighting, who then become not paralyzed bodies at some point that suddenly find themselves on an occupied space through no fault of their own. Sometimes those spaces may be occupied by allies, and sometimes by enemies, but either way, you can't stand in an occupied space, only pass through, and only then if it's an ally's space. So I'm going to have to make a ruling on this, and I'm going to say this:

If a "Paralyzed" condition wears off while a PC or NPC is on an occupied space, said PC or NPC must immediately Move to an unoccupied space somewhere on the battlemap at the beginning of their Turn, and before they can take any other Action. If they cannot reach an unoccupied space on their Turn based on their Encounter Movement Rate (1/3 Full Movement Rate), they must use the "Movement in Combat: Without Another Action" rules and Move up to their Full Movement Rate to find a unoccupied square.
A PC or NPC may pass through a square occupied by an enemy token if necessary.


So basically, you can't just stand up and attack an enemy on your square, hoping to kill it and take over the square without having to move. You can't attack an enemy adjacent to your square to try killing them so you can move to their spot. You have to immediately use a Move Action to move to a different unoccupied space right away. If you have any Move left, you can use it if you like. Or you can turn around and use an Action to try and hit an enemy AFTER you find an unoccupied place to stand... Whatever you like. But you must Move somewhere unoccupied first. It's just basically the Rules as Written on "Movement in Combat: With Another Action", but your Move must go first. If that means that you gave to give up your Action that Turn to make a Full Move Rate to find somewhere unoccupied, then that's what you have to do. That said, if there's any problems with that, or suggestions, or questions, let me know... But for now that's how we'll do it. Should also clear up some confusion as to why Turuko is doing what he does this Turn:
Turuko, groggy and off balance crawls on all fours southward, the ghouls so desperate to get to Bors they fail to even notice one of their intended prey is squirming around again. The man finally crawls out from amidst the tangle of legs, stands up, and turns around.
His quarterstaff left behind, somewhere, he draws a dagger and with lightning quick speed, betraying his groggy muscles, takes two quick stabs at the ghoul at the fringe of the battle. At least one of them strikes home and the ghoul barks a groan of pain and anger at the sudden backstabbing attack. Turuko then makes a Fighting Retreat and backs up somewhere into the darkness at the very edge of the lantern light.
OOC:
Round 6 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Gilly - 4P (8)
2. Turuko, Kobort (7)
--> 3. Ghoul #4 (5)
4. Ghoul #2 (3)
5. Eltrezar, Maloria, Bors, Ghoul #3
https://i.imgur.com/hZnsHVh.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(3) - 1 = 2

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Turuko Attack roll, Damage roll - (1d20+1, 1d4+1)

1d20+1 : (16) + 1 = 17

1d4+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

Turuko Attack roll, Damage roll - (1d20+1, 1d4+1)

1d20+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

1d4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

Dec 12, 2021 8:59 pm
OOC:
is it just Gilly and Turuko that can act? Mal doesn't show paralysis on your initiative counter but you didn't mention her... Just checking
Dec 12, 2021 9:06 pm
dominion451 says:
OOC:
is it just Gilly and Turuko that can act? Mal doesn't show paralysis on your initiative counter but you didn't mention her... Just checking
OOC:
Whoopsie... I fixed that above. This Round only Turuko has broken free of the Paralysis enough to act. Next round Gilly will be free to act or her Turn. Mal is still currently Paralysed.
Noticing, or rather sensing a sudden flurry of activity far behind it, or perhaps because it did realize suddenly that one of its prey has scrambled off, Ghoul #4 turns around and gives chase to Turuko and attacks...
Eltrezar and Bors see a flurry of claw attacks tear into Turuko again and gives yet another grunt of pain as the monster's paralyzing touch hits him.

The large one standing in front of Bors attacks again...
And once again Bors manages to get his +12 shield up just in time to stave off one of the ghoul's claw attacks.
OOC:
Round 6 will conclude with Eltrezar and Bors acting along with ghoul #3.
1. Gilly - 4P (8)
2. Turuko, Kobort - 4P (7)
3. Ghoul #4 (5)
4. Ghoul #2 (3)
-->5. Eltrezar, Maloria - 4P, Bors, Ghoul #3
https://i.imgur.com/Lu5dmeT.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (10) = 10

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (1) = 1

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (5) = 5

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (15) = 15

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (8) = 8

1d3 : (1) = 1

Dec 12, 2021 9:21 pm
Seeing access to easier prey than trying to fight past its larger counterpart to get to Bors, Ghoul #3 moves south and gives chase to Turuko as well, launching an attack as soon as its within reach. Turuko gives one last gasp before going collapsing to the stone floor once again.

Sharing much of the same thoughts and fears as Gilly did, death almost certain as she lay unable to help her companions for a full half-a-minute, Maloria suddenly gives a gasp as her diaphragm expands and draws in foul-smelling air. The first breath is so welcome she hardly notices the stench of rot in the stagnant room.
OOC:
Maloria is no longer paralysed and may act on her Turn beginning in Round 7, but first Eltrezar and Bors will cap off Round 6.
1. Gilly - 4P (8)
2. Turuko, Kobort - 4P (7)
3. Ghoul #4 (5)
4. Ghoul #2 (3)
-->5. Eltrezar, Maloria, Bors, Ghoul #3

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (8) = 8

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (16) = 16

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (10) = 10

1d3 : (2) = 2

Dec 12, 2021 9:44 pm
It takes a moment for Eltrezar to find another dagger amongst his many robe layers and folds. Hrmph! 'If I survive this, I may need to commission a belt for all of these,' he thinks as he draws yet another, flinging it past his warrior companion.

"Gods damn it, Bors, now is no time to be a hero!" he barks out, more fear in his voice than anger.

Rolls

Attack - (1d20-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Damage - (1d4)

(4) = 4

KCC

Dec 12, 2021 10:59 pm
OOC:
We are behind enemy lines, possibly in a paralyze death spiral. Two options as I see it:

We chance our arm and try to get some hits in on these ghouls, though they’ve been rolling okay and us pretty bad. We all stay together and maybe win!

Or our surviving members leave us as we rise up and get chased into the darkness one by one and eaten! :D
Last edited December 12, 2021 11:01 pm
Dec 13, 2021 12:32 am
OOC:
When Mal wakes up she's gonna b-line for the ladder...
Dec 13, 2021 1:53 am
Things are looking bad. And not just normal bad, but bad bad. He sees several of his companions who had collapsed begin moving again. If they stood any chance at all of surviving, Bors would have to keep on the defense to give them that chance. He attempts to finish off the ghoul between him and Kobort to give them some room to move about.

Rolls

sword attack - (1d20+2)

(12) + 2 = 14

Sword damage - (1d8+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Dec 13, 2021 7:06 pm
Bors slashes the undead ghoul and it's belly splits open. Even if it manages to make a meal of someone in the party now, they'd like fall right out of it bite by bite. It wheels around a moment, standing but on it's very last legs.
OOC:
Round 6 concludes with another strike on a ghoul, rendering it nearly out of the fight. Turuko managed to regain his mobility for a moment, and get a stab in on one of the ghouls before getting double teamed by two of them. Lacking any armor whatsoever, things did not go well.
Dec 13, 2021 7:08 pm
OOC:
Round 7 begins! Turn order is as follows:
--> 1. Turuko (Save vs P), Kobort - 4P (7)
2. Gilly - 4P (6)
3. Maloria - 4P, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Ghoul #4 (3)
5. Bors, Ghoul #2 (2)
6. Eltrezar (1)
https://i.imgur.com/Lu5dmeT.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(2) - 1 = 1

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Turuko Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Ghoul #2 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Dec 13, 2021 7:17 pm
Those that can see Turuko in the room to the south, watch as he again collapses to the stone floor and remains prone.

At the end of the hallway, Kobort suddenly gasps a breath of air and his legs spasm.
OOC:
Round 7 begins! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko, Kobort - 5P (7)
--> 2. Gilly (6)
--> 3. Maloria, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Ghoul #4 (3)
5. Bors, Ghoul #2 (2)
6. Eltrezar (1)
https://i.imgur.com/H2X0CHO.png

Gilly is up next. She is currently occupying the same space as Bors, so she will have to make a Move first before she can take any other Action this Turn. She can pass though spaces occupied by allies and enemies this Turn if necessary to get to an unoccupied square.

After Gilly Maloria and Ghoul #3 will go at the same time. Maloria is currently not on an occupied square so she can do whatever she likes, but she cannot pass through a square occupied by an enemy.

Rolls

Turuko Save vs Paralysis - (1d20)

Secret Roll

KCC

Dec 13, 2021 11:44 pm
OOC:
Gilly will simply move as far as she can towards the stairs. It doesn’t benefit the combat, but it might allow Mal a space to occupy when she goes.

All in all, we lost the two shady hires (maybe), but the group is still good… for now!
OOC:
I note that it would have been cool to regain control of my body and stab up into the ghouls!
Last edited December 13, 2021 11:45 pm
Dec 14, 2021 12:15 am
KCC says:
OOC:
Gilly will simply move as far as she can towards the stairs. It doesn’t benefit the combat, but it might allow Mal a space to occupy when she goes.

All in all, we lost the two shady hires (maybe), but the group is still good… for now!
OOC:
I note that it would have been cool to regain control of my body and stab up into the ghouls!
OOC:
Gilly can technically Move all the way to the ladder as a regular Move Action because it's only 35' away and she's got 40' Encounter Movement Rate. Technically she could still turn around and...

Well, actually, she left the bow that Angel gifted her on the ground somewhere behind her in the middle of all the fighting. Scratch that. She can't turn around and shoot at the one fighting Bors.
Badly injured and desperate to get out of the chaos of heavy boots kicking and stomping all about her, Gilly gets to her feet and rushes back up the hallway, stopping at the ladder, realizing only afterwards she's left the bow her old companion gifted her behind, and she is now armed only with a sword.
https://i.imgur.com/AeaGvMv.png
OOC:
Maloria and Ghoul #3 are up next. As much as she may want to make a dash for the ladder as well, Ghoul #2 (the one fighting Bors) is blocking her way. While Mal and Ghoul #3 technically act at the same time, I tend to let PCs go first, usually. So I will let Mal go first, unless she wants Ghoul #3 to go first. It's up to @dominion451.
Dec 14, 2021 1:26 am
Mal rises to her feet on shakey legs and grips her symbol of Cuthbert desperately. She holds out a hand and again tries to repel the horrors of the crypt.

"Lord give me the might to smite these abominations!"

Rolls

Turn check, turn HD - (2d6, 2d6)

2d6 : (61) = 7

2d6 : (34) = 7

Dec 14, 2021 5:20 pm
As before, the undead monsters hesitate for just the briefest of moments, before the effect wears off and they continue with their relentless assault.

One of the ghouls that just dragged the hireling Turuko to the floor stands up and lunges after Maloria, his attention now drawn to the cleric.
While her concentration may have waned a bit as she tried to draw upon the strength of her deity to turn these ghouls, she manages to at least keep focus to defend the ghoul's attacks.
OOC:
Round 7 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko, Kobort - 5P (7)
2. Gilly (6)
3. Maloria, Ghoul #3 (4)
--> 4. Ghoul #4 (3)
5. Bors, Ghoul #2 (2)
6. Eltrezar (1)
https://i.imgur.com/EtqKDkr.png

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (7) = 7

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (6) = 6

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (11) = 11

1d3 : (2) = 2

Dec 14, 2021 5:25 pm
The other ghoul that helped take Turuko down now joins its ally, the two almost seeming to work as a team this fight, and tries to bring Maloria down as well. The cleric manages to get her defences turned around to deflect this second assault, and staves of it's clutching fingers, but his hands grasp the collar of the cleric's armor and bite down hard, teeth sinking into jugular.
OOC:
I have Maloria at 0 Hit Points. I need her to make a Save vs Paralysis next round, and a Save vs Death next round...

https://i.imgur.com/eRSmKBy.png
Round 7 continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Turuko, Kobort - 5P (7)
2. Gilly (6)
3. Maloria, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Ghoul #4 (3)
--> 5. Bors, Ghoul #2 (2)
6. Eltrezar (1)

Rolls

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (13) = 13

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (12) = 12

1d3 : (2) = 2

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (18) = 18

1d3 : (3) = 3

Dec 14, 2021 6:58 pm
Save me!

Rolls

Paralysis save 10 - (1d20)

(6) = 6

Death save 8 - (1d20)

(19) = 19

Dec 14, 2021 7:16 pm
OOC:
Okay. So the Paralysis is gonna be a fail. But the Death one you crushed. That was the big one. So next Round Mal will be Paralyzed and Unconscious, but not dead so far.
The ghoul fighting Bors continues his attack on the warrior...
And this time Bors is overwhelmingly ineffective at using his armor and shield to his advantage. The ghoul rips into the fighter's exposed face with his fingers pulls his head forward, delivers a excruciating bite to the top of Bors's head.
OOC:
Bors takes a lot of damage this round and has 2 Hit Points remaining. However, he technically takes his Turn at the same time as Ghoul #2 does, so he may Move and take Actions normally this Turn. But before his turn next Round he'll have to make a Save vs Paralysis.


After Bors goes, Eltrezar can wrap up Round 7.
1. Turuko, Kobort - 5P (7)
2. Gilly (6)
3. Maloria, Ghoul #3 (4)
4. Ghoul #4 (3)
--> 5. Bors, Ghoul #2 (2)
6. Eltrezar (1)

Rolls

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (17) = 17

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (19) = 19

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #2 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (18) = 18

1d3 : (1) = 1

Dec 15, 2021 12:24 am
Through the excruciating pain, Bors uses the closeness of the ghoul to his advantage. He puts the ghoul up against the wall and uses both hands on his sword to push the blade through it's neck.

Rolls

Neck chopping - (1d20+2)

(20) + 2 = 22

Sword damage - (1d8+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

KCC

Dec 15, 2021 1:04 am
OOC:
Things are heating up! Nice rolls!
Dec 15, 2021 3:19 am
Through the flickering light of the lantern, Eltrezar watches the ghoul finally go down. Beyond it, the corpses of his friend and hirelings. Even Bors was nearly felled, his life force barely holding together with the amount of blood he had lost. Two more ghouls waited around the corner, biting and clawing at anything that moved.

This time, no knife comes. Only the words, "I'm... so sorry." And the light of the lantern begins to fade.

The wizard flees to the ladder and the Halfling, taking the lantern with him and leaving the warrior cloaked in darkness. As he approaches, Gilly might be able to see the tears running down his face. He hisses at her, "We must flee, now! Hurry, up up up!"
OOC:
Eltrezar will move to the ladder, and begin to climb up if possible. He is making no attacks this turn.
Last edited December 15, 2021 3:23 am
Dec 15, 2021 5:45 am
OOC:
Hoo, boy! Alright, Round 7 ends. Maloria has fallen and lays unconscious on the floor. Bors has been badly injured and must make a Save vs Paralysis at the beginning of his turn. Gilly stands at the base of the ladder. Eltrezar has taken the lantern and only source of illumination and began ascending the ladder, and is now about 10' off the ground, abandoning those that have fallen.

Round 8 begins. Turn order is as follows:
-->1. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul#4 (4)
2. Maloria - 1P, (vs P) Kobort (3)
4. Bors (2)
5. Ghoul #3
https://i.imgur.com/9YtPw60.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(2) + 2 = 4

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(5) - 1 = 4

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Maloria Paralysis duration roll

KCC

Dec 15, 2021 8:54 am
"LEAVE THE LANTERN, YOU GURRIER!" Gilly shouts at the fleeing wizard. She could barely see, but she could hear. And by now she was almost entirely invisible in the tunnel. The cloak, and her halfling ways pressed her against the wall of the tunnel.

She looked up as the wizard withdrew and cursed him, sword in her hand. She can hear them down the hallway, and so she steels herself, trusting in her jerkin and that magnificent cloak. She charges into the dark, sword poised to meet flesh!
OOC:
Curse all gods of men and dice!
Last edited December 15, 2021 8:55 am

Rolls

1d20+1, 1d6+1

1d20+1 : (8) + 1 = 9

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

Dec 15, 2021 2:27 pm
Eltrezar looks down to pass down the lantern, but Gilly was already gone. To give her the light now would be a fool's errand, heading back into the fray. Instead, he continues his way up the ladder.
Dec 15, 2021 3:57 pm
OOC:
Quick question for @cowleyc:
Eltrezar ascends the ladder and stands at the top next to the hollow pillar in the Torture Chamber.
He has about 20' of Move left this turn. Is he using it to make his way back to the staircase?
Dec 15, 2021 4:12 pm
OOC:
Eltrezar will wait at the top of the ladder for just a minute or two.
Dec 15, 2021 6:58 pm
OOC:
Cloak of Invisibility... I didn't consider this new element added to the story. Okay, here's the things then for Gilly:

First, I don't see any reason that, based on the description of the Elven Cloak, coupled with the description of Ghouls in the Monsters book, that Gilly can't hide from ghouls. It does say that all Monsters have 60' of Infravision, but nothing in the description of the cloak says that it doesn't work on infravision. So the cloak has a 5-in-6 for working against ghouls down here in the dark.

Second, a "blind" character cannot attack. So I'm going to disregard Gily's Attack roll altogether.

So this for now is essentially a Hafling wandering blindly through a dungeon, hopefully unseen by the ghouls. She cannot attack, but she can feel around blindly it the dark, and with luck remain undetected to the ghouls.
She would obviously be able to feel her way down the hallway from her on out, but the room beyond is unknown to her aside from the fact that Maloria is somewhere fallen in there.

An invisible Halfling wandering around in pitch dark and only the ability to turn invisible to help her. Somebody should write that book...
Gilly dashes down into the pitch blackness of the corridor, unwilling to give up on her companions yet, though whether that's wise or not only time will tell. As she wraps her cloak about her and barks an order for Eltrezar to return with the light behind her, she realizes that she's fighting completely blind. Ahead of her she hears something groaning and a shambling movement and she advances poised to strike when she stumbles into what smells like Bors. He's hurt and on the verge of paralytic collapse.
https://i.imgur.com/Orx3fi2.png

Behind her, Eltrezar hears the halfling curse him and demand he return with the light. He looks down to give it to her only to find that she's gone again. The little fool has dashed recklessly back into the fray within the inky black corridor below. Seeing the senselessness of remaining below with his companions, the wizard climbs up the ladder and stands at the top, watching the small area of space the lantern just barely illuminates thirty feet below.

From the south end of the hallway, Bors and Gilly hear the groan of one of the ghouls. Unable to see anything, they can only listen as it comes shambling up the passageway after them, bare feet slapping against stone. Suddenly, it slams against Bors with all of its weight. Unable to see the ghoul it can only feel the pain as the creatures claws and teeth rend his flesh.
OOC:
I have Bors at 0 Hit Points. I need a Save vs Paralysis at the beginning of his next Turn, as well as a Save vs Death.

Round 8 Continues! Turn order is as follows:
1. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul#4 (4)
-->2. Maloria - 2P, Kobort (3)
4. Bors (2)
5. Ghoul #3

Rolls

Gilly Invisible Cloak roll - (1d6)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (19) = 19

1d3 : (1) = 1

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (10) = 10

1d3 : (3) = 3

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

1d20 : (16) = 16

1d3 : (3) = 3

Dec 15, 2021 7:28 pm
From the down the hole, Eltrezar suddenly hears the rarely-spoken voice of Kobort bellow out from the darkness in absolute panic and rage... "WIZARD!!! BRING BACK THE LIGHT OR PRAY I DIE YOU COWARD!!! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND HAVE YOUR CRAVEN HEAD!!! I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN, WIZARRRD!!! The sound carries through the entire tunnel and echoes off the walls of the Torture Chamber behind Eltrezar.
To those still conscious, Kobort's voice moves uncertainly deeper down the passageway and into the room where Turuko was pulled down.
OOC:
Bors is up. I need a Save vs Paralysis, and a Save vs Death.
1. Gilly, Eltrezar, Ghoul#4 (4)
2. Maloria - 2P, Kobort (3)
--> 4. Bors (2)
5. Ghoul #3
Dec 16, 2021 12:33 am
Sudden pain from the darkness overwhelms Bors senses and he collapses.
OOC:
Rolling high is good, right? Lol
Last edited December 16, 2021 12:34 am

Rolls

Save vs Paralysis - (1d20)

(20) = 20

Save vs Death - (1d20)

(17) = 17

Dec 16, 2021 6:43 am
Bors falls to the floor unconscious.

Now crouched alone in the corridor, Gilly listens to her surroundings. In the room to the south she hears Kobort wandering around blindly, feet scraping on the floor, his breath becoming panicked. A moment later she hears the bare feet of a ghoul rush him.

She hears the fighter grunt and a struggle ensues. "Oh... no you don't..." he grunts...
OOC:
Round 8, concludes!

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Dec 16, 2021 6:52 am
OOC:
Round 9 begins!
Eltrezar stands in the Torture Chamber above, looking at the light shining down through the hollowed pillar. Maloria lay on the floor unconscious and paralyzed. Gilly crouches blindly on the ground next to Bors prone form, and the hireling Kobort struggles with a ghoul in the blackness.

Turn order is as follows:
--> 1. Eltrezar (5)
2. Bors (4)
3. Gilly, Maloria (3)
4. Kobort, Ghoul #3 (2)
5. Ghoul #4 (1)
https://i.imgur.com/Orx3fi2.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(2) + 1 = 3

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Dec 16, 2021 2:06 pm
It has become quite quiet down the passage. Eltrezar fears for the worst. But if anyone can succeed, it is Gilly. The craven and ashamed wizard continues to wait.
Dec 17, 2021 2:49 am
Bors continues to lay unconscious, oblivious to the fighting and struggling going on in the corridor.
OOC:
Turn order is as follows:
1. Eltrezar (5)
2. Bors (4)
-->3. Gilly, Maloria (3)
4. Kobort, Ghoul #3 (2)
5. Ghoul #4 (1)

Maloria is unconscious. Gilly's up. I would make a ruling here that if Gilly is progressing forward in the darkness, she can only move half her Encounter Movement Rate (so 20' per Turn). That's basically her carefully feeling along walls, taking cautious steps not to step on or trip over anything, etc.)

Rolls

Gilly Elven Cloak roll - (1d6)

KCC

Dec 17, 2021 1:17 pm
Gilly stumbles forward in the dark, bumping into and then stepping around Bors in the dark. She bumbles forward with her hands outstretched, trying to grab the distinctive form of the dwarf woman on the ground.
Dec 17, 2021 7:42 pm
OOC:
Okay, so what happens these next few rounds, and the exact sequence that they happen, are probably the difference between all of the the party surviving this, some of the party surviving this, or a TPK for probably all but Eltrezar. Gilly's actions are especially critical right now.

I'm not trying to railroad anyone or roleplay your characters, but I also want to make sure you have all the information available to make informed decisions and choices, and I understand that maybe the big picture isn't clear. So let me just take a second to give out a few more details that Gilly would probably know, that maybe I haven't made completely clear to the players, and I'll just go ahead and let you peek a bit behind the DM screen a minute, because I think that it's reasonable that Gilly would be aware of some stuff despite being blind right now that may be lost in the PbP format:
https://i.imgur.com/cqOZijJ.pngg

•Gilly would know that Bors has gone down directly in front of her, and I think she would be able to assume reasonably that the ghoul that felled him is adjacent to Bors on the other side of him, thus being about 10' away.

•Gilly also heard a ghoul run after Kobort and attack the hireling a few seconds ago, the sounds of which did not originate from directly behind Bors.

•I think Gilly could deduce that if she crept forward in the dark, right now, she would bump into the ghoul that dropped Bors after 10' of Movement, which I think would most definitely give her away (and you can't pass through a square occupied by an enemy). I mean, assuming she is in fact invisible to the ghouls right now, she basically looks like the rest of the ghoul's surroundings (probably a wall, or a piece of rubble or stone), but if a rock suddenly bumps into your shins, you would look down, and even a stupid ghoul would think, "Hey, rocks don't move by themselves..."

•So I think Gilly would be able to assess that right now moving forward is going to cause her to run directly into the ghoul, and that would be really bad. She would be better off holding her Turn until she hears the ghoul clear out.

•I also think that Gilly would know that these ghouls seem to have a method to their madness. Every time a ghoul has felled a member of the party (and Gilly's seen quite a bit of it this encounter, including to herself) the ghouls immediately move on to targets that are still standing and fighting. It's easy to deduce that these ghouls will eventually start eating the party, but they don't start eating until any and all threats are eliminated.
Probably they'll eat anything with meat on it, but the fact that they prefer to paralyze their prey is likely in part to be able to eat without concern of being attacked while feasting, and probably because they prefer living, warm meat, over dead meat (they'll eat anything, but if it still bleeds, what a extra special dish, y'know?).

•Seeing that at this moment the only other party member still alive and fighting is Kobort (again, assuming the ghoul doesn't see Gilly), through meta-knowledge the players can see that Ghoul #4 goes next, and the "Bors-Buster" will likely clear out and go after Kobort, leaving the hall open for Gilly to creep through without obstruction.

So, if Gilly wants to hold her turn and see if the ghoul will chase off after Kobort, then go last, that's an option. Then again, maybe the DM rolled a "1" on that cloak roll this turn, and the ghoul knows exactly where Gilly's at and will attack her next.

But at least now you have a better picture of what you're working with. Or at least a picture Gilly would be able to piece together in her head in the darkness.

So, with that picture painted for you, is Gilly still taking this Turn to creep forward? Does she want to do something else? Does she want to see what Ghoul #4 does first?

Again, I'm not trying to talk anyone out of anything, or into anything. Just making sure if things start sucking even harder nobody comes at the DM saying I didn't give them enough information to make a informed decision...
Dec 21, 2021 5:37 am
Gilly waits a moment, fearing that moving forward so near the ghoul that took Bors out would be too dangerous to attempt at the moment. She hears Kobort continue to struggle to protect himself in the inky darkness or the room to the south. Attracted to the noise and the promise of a meal, and oblivious of the halfling crouched before it, the one in front of Gilly moves away and attacks the hireling as well.
Kobort gives a grint of pain and mutters a curse under his breath, but believing Eltrezar to be gone for good he no lomger curses after the wizard.

Gilly realizes that the way is now clear and she begins cautiously creeping forward, feeling Bors's prone form on the stone floor, she moves past him and continues on. After 20' she feels the body of Mal lying on the ground and reaches for her backpack.
OOC:
I would say that digging through Maloria's bag will take an Action this Turn. Next Round Gilly has access to any inventory the dwarf carries.

@dominion451: Assuming that Gilly is either looking for a torch or potion, is it safe to also assume Maloria keeps both those items in her backpack, or does she keep them somewhere else?

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Dec 21, 2021 2:20 pm
OOC:
I think she only has the backpack to look through
Dec 21, 2021 10:13 pm
dominion451 says:
OOC:
I think she only has the backpack to look through
OOC:
I assumed as much as well. So let's figure that's what @KCC has planned and I'll move to the next Round of Initiative unless I'm corrected.

Round 10 begins! Turn order is as follows:
--> 1. Kobort (7)
2. Gilly, Bors, Ghoul #4 (6)
3. Maloria (5)
4. Eltrezar (2)
5. Ghoul #3 (1)
From the south Gilly finally hears much of the struggle cease and Kobort gives a groan and there's a crash of what can only be his armor as he hits the ground. The room is now silent save for some gasping and wheezing from the two remaining ghouls.

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(3) - 1 = 2

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(1) = 1

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(6) = 6

Kobort Save vs Paralysis - (1d20)

Dec 21, 2021 10:32 pm
OOC:
The round now continues with Gilly, Bors, and Ghoul #3.
Round 10 begins! Turn order is as follows:
1. Kobort (7)
--> 2. Gilly, Bors, Ghoul #4 (6)
3. Maloria (5)
4. Eltrezar (2)
5. Ghoul #3 (1)
Bors is unconscious, and assuming Gilly used her Action in Round 9 to quietly ransack Maloria's backpack, she now has access to anything she might find of use, but presumably the two items she finds most interesting is a number of torches, a tinderbox to light them with, and a 4 small vials. Of the four vials, three are shaped the same. One is different. Knowing that her companion had a number of Holy Waters with her, the uniquely different one must surely be a Potion of Cure Light Wounds. But there's only one, which creates another problem.
The Potion can heal a person who suffers injuries, or it can cure paralysis from a ghoul's touch, but it can't do both.

If the halfling gives her friend the potion now, her friend will likely still be unconscious with no way of reviving her. If she waits until the cleric gives a gasp of breath she'll be certain that the paralysing touch has run its course, and can then heal her companion. She can then be certain that the dwarf can at least see in the dark if nothing else, but for likely a half a minute or more she must wait while the ghouls attack and consume her hirelings. Assuming she remains still and hasn't been noticed yet, her cloak will protect her.

For a moment another tempting thought crosses her mind. If she lights a torch, she'll finally be relieved of this oppressive darkness, but surely she'll draw the attention of the ghouls, giving herself away, but perhaps she can at least defend herself finally if they attack. A difficult decision must be made... Much can be gained by waiting until she can help her friend, but the wait may be unbearable and dangerous. On the other hand, the darkness and the horrific sounds she must listen to in the dark may be worse than lighting a torch and seeing what must be dealt with.

From the south she hears the noises or ripping and chewing...

Rolls

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Secret Roll

KCC

Dec 21, 2021 11:48 pm
OOC:
Do both Bors and Mal need the potion to get up fully? Assuming I wait for them both to not be paralyzed!
Dec 21, 2021 11:50 pm
OOC:
Both Mal and Bors are unconscious, so they each need a dose.

KCC

Dec 22, 2021 12:05 am
OOC:
And Eltrezar has the most of the potions?
Dec 22, 2021 12:09 am
OOC:
Eltrezar only has potions of Detect Danger. They'll just tell you if something is totes sketch, as the young halflings say.
Dec 22, 2021 12:35 am
KCC says:
OOC:
Do both Bors and Mal need the potion to get up fully? Assuming I wait for them both to not be paralyzed!
OOC:
Yes they will... dun-dun-dunnnnn....

Eltrezar has I think five detect potions on his person, so those will be handy if you need to asses whether this situation is getting dicey, but good luck getting the wizard to bring you one.

KCC

Dec 23, 2021 12:54 pm
OOC:
I’m not quite sure I see how we all get out of this quite as well as our DM can.

Option A) I heal Mal with the potion, she can see in the dark. We carry Bors out and back to town for healing? Is that it?

Option B) I heal Bors, we can’t see in the dark but we gather Mal up and head back to town for Druidic healing.

Mal can’t heal yet, right?
Supposing… hoping that she must at least wait a few seconds, and given the grisly sounds coming from down the hall, she grabs up the healing potion and listens at Mal’s mouth for a breath. Then she scurries back through the darkness to listen and see if Bors draws any air either.
Dec 24, 2021 1:25 am
OOC:
Okay, hang on a moment I'm going to have make some dice rolls for a while...
Dec 26, 2021 7:04 pm
Gilly grabs the potion and sits still, waiting patiently until she hears the faintest breath of life returning to the dwarf’s lungs, a sign that the paralysis has worn off.

From the ladderwell above Eltrezar stands waiting, listening into the darkness below. The wizard has been standing at the top of the secret door for about twenty seconds now up to this point. Nothing breaches the tiny circle of light illuminating the floor below and he begins considering how long he’s willing to remain there with the light as the muffled sounds of coming from it’s depths sound less now like a fight is happening, and more like the ghouls are finally eating.

In the darkness south of Gilly hears more tearing and scraping of teeth and claws on armor.

Rolls

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Dec 26, 2021 7:14 pm
OOC:
As I continue to make some rolls here, this is mostly just some stuff happening on the back end until Maloria's paralysis wears off. It should be noted that any time gilly moves, or takes any Actions of import, I roll 1d6 for her cloak at the beginning of her next turn and she ia spotted on a "1", but if she's been "Invisible" and she remains completely motionless on her turn, I don't roll for her. She just remains "Invisible" until she starts moving around again. So in theory, unless she does something of notice, she can feel pretty confident she won't draw the ghouls' attention while she waits.
Gilly sits in the darkness listening to the sounds of the ghouls. As she suddenly hears a final gasp in the black room, her homes are lifted for a moment, believing that Mal is ready, but the noise comes from further south and she realizes it's not her friend returning, but her last hireling giving a final exhale of breath as his life leaves him. For what seems like long minutes, but is in reality only a couple dozen seconds, she listens to the wet noises of skin tearing, lips smacking, teeth chewing, and occasional groans of what can be maybe to only form of pleasure a ghouls can ever know again. Twenty seconds have passed in fact when Gilly suddenly hears not a gasp, but only the faintest of breaths coming from Maloria.
OOC:
Enough time has transpired that we are now on Round 15! For this Round only Gilly, and Eltrezar really have a role. I think the wizard has been standing at the top of the ladder for around a minute total now, and I believe @cowleyc said Eltrezar will wait a minute or two, so for the time being, we'll wait and assume the wizard is still there unless @cowleyc says otherwise.
The ghouls are now both feasting in the dark on Kobort's body, believing they are alone with their meals, and Gilly can act. Bear in mind this is technically Round 15 still, and certain actions can (and will likely) trigger other events and attention of the other ghouls in the next round...

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(4) + 2 = 6

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Bors Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(1) + 1 = 2

Kobort Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #3 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #1 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #2 (Claw); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Ghoul #4 Attack roll #3 (Bite); Damage roll - (1d20, 1d3)

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

KCC

Dec 27, 2021 12:31 pm
OOC:
Haha, seeing as how the DM didn’t have me go and listen to Bors breathing, I’m guessing that saving Mal first is the only way to save Mal and Bors.
Gilly administers the healing potion to the dwarf cleric as soon as she hears her awaken back to life. As soon as the liquid leaves the bottle, Gilly clasps a hand over the clerics mouth, gets close to the dwarf’s ear and whispers:

"They’re busy. Let’s grab Bors and carry him above. Quiet as you can."
Dec 27, 2021 3:27 pm
Eltrezar continues to wait, but his impatience and sense of self-preservation continue to tell him to run.
OOC:
Round one of three remaining.
Dec 27, 2021 5:39 pm
As consciousness floods back into Mal's mind her eyes snap open to find Gilly kneeling over her. She nods silently and taps Gilly's hand twice to indicate she has heard her. Without rising, Mal turns her head and scans for the fallen fighter Bors...
Dec 27, 2021 9:11 pm
KCC says:
OOC:
Haha, seeing as how the DM didn’t have me go and listen to Bors breathing, I’m guessing that saving Mal first is the only way to save Mal and Bors.
OOC:
A fair assessment, for sure, though I just thought Gilly said she was passing over Bors to go directly to Maloria, who would have anything of value.

A clever choice to have Gilly cover Mal's mouth; I was gonna roll a Wisdom check for the Ghouls to see if they noticed Mal when she woke up, but I'll wave that and we'll say that the ghouls are so distracted by their meal they don't notice for at least one round that Mal is awake again.

Here we go; let's see how much that potion helped... (Oh, that was a pretty decent potion!)
Maloria opens her eyes to find a hand covering her mouth. Her initial reaction is to struggle away, but she suddenly makes out the halfling Gilly kneeling over her, her eyes not connecting with the dwarf's in the darkness but her intent to remind her to be silent is understood. Indicating that she understands, she looks to the north where Bors's form lay prone. A quick glance to the southwest shows their hireling Turuko dead on the floor. Next to the man, the other hireling is even more dead, having already become the surviving ghouls' first meal. The cleric watches as one reaches under the fighter's armor, pulling out a handful of intestines, bringing them up to its mouth. The other ghoul is chewing directly on the dead man's face; eyes, nose, and ears missing already.

The halfling that has revived Mal with the party's sole Potion of Cure Light Wounds appears to be wearing her small Elven Cloak and should likely be able to move about unnoticed. Not so easy for Maloria, but with luck, perhaps the ghouls will be so engrossed with their meal they may not notice the Cleric if she tries to creep away. Dragging Bors away may be a different story, and likely will draw noise. Getting him *up* the ladder even more difficult, especially as laden down with heavy armor as he is.

The cleric also sees the only source of illumination as being that which is hovering over by the ladder, and Gilly is blind without a torch or lantern to work with. Mal can perhaps loan a torch to Gilly, but the sudden light in the corridor would surely draw the attention of the ghouls again, though at least then the young halfling could see well enough to defend herself and Maloria if push comes to shove. Decisions, decisions...
https://i.imgur.com/rcDicO2.png

Rolls

Potion of Cure Light Wounds - (1d6+1)

(5) + 1 = 6

Dec 27, 2021 9:31 pm
OOC:
Round 16 begins! Only Gilly and Maloria will need to roll for this Round. Eltrezar is waiting up top for one of three more Rounds.
Turn order is as follows:
-->1. Gilly (8)
2. Maloria (4)
https://i.imgur.com/rcDicO2.png

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

KCC

Dec 27, 2021 10:58 pm
OOC:
Attack and hope we can overwhelm them? One of us would have to spend a turn lighting a torch. And we’d need to position ourselves on either side of them so we don’t get bottlenecked again. Easy enough to do with my cloak.

Or Mal steps back and we attack them 2 to 1 to our benefit? In that L shape.

Or drag Bors and get him up the stairs. I do wonder if our hireling friends have a potion on them…
Dec 28, 2021 4:51 pm
OOC:
Those are all certainly different options... ;)
Dec 28, 2021 6:14 pm
OOC:
First off, fighting them in the open is right out. If ANYTHING I'd say we flee for the ladder and lure them towards it so we can throw holy water and debris down at them from a safe vantage.

DM: how high up does the ladder ascend?
Last edited December 28, 2021 6:15 pm

KCC

Dec 29, 2021 12:48 am
OOC:
Could we cover a retreat by smashing holy water on the ground here and then drag Bors up?
Dec 29, 2021 5:55 pm
OOC:
seems like a good idea cinematically but probably won't fly with RAW

KCC

Dec 29, 2021 10:59 pm
Gilly slinks back towards Bors, leaving Mal to follow behind. She loops her arms under the human fighter, preparing to hoist him up and drag him to the ladder!

There was no nice way to do this, so she just got to work!
OOC:
Let the dice fall where they may! Our last ditch effort.
Dec 30, 2021 3:48 am
dominion451 says:
OOC:
First off, fighting them in the open is right out. If ANYTHING I'd say we flee for the ladder and lure them towards it so we can throw holy water and debris down at them from a safe vantage.

DM: how high up does the ladder ascend?
OOC:
The ladder ascends 30' up. Just enough for the wizard's lantern to reach the floor.

Let me check on holy water. Not likely, but not impossible...
Dec 31, 2021 3:12 am
OOC:
Holy water must be thrown, R.A.W, but geez, I didn't realize how much of a punch it packs!

https://i.imgur.com/lM7ihfX.png
https://i.imgur.com/ZcK1V1S.png

Gilly's +3 Ranged Attack modifier, coupled with any range increments, could certainly make her pretty dangerous with those vials.
Jan 2, 2022 5:56 pm
As quietly as she can, Mal rises from where she lay and creeps towards Gilly, taking the coil of rope from it's lashing on the side of her pack as she moves. The dwarf listens carefully for sounds that might indicate pursuit from the ghouls...
Jan 4, 2022 6:57 am
OOC:
Ok. So I misunderstood. So Gilly is gonna drag Bors to the ladder and Mal is wrapping a rope around him to help lift him?

And the 3 holy water vials are still in Mal's backpack?

KCC

Jan 4, 2022 1:41 pm
OOC:
Seems like! Gilly is strong enough in her own right! She might be able to handle it!
Jan 4, 2022 10:21 pm
OOC:
yes, I figured if we tie a rope around his chest under his arms we could drag him to the ladder and then climb up, leaving his body below to be hoisted up, in case the ghouls are hot on our trail.
Last edited January 4, 2022 10:22 pm
Jan 5, 2022 5:25 am
OOC:
Oh the ghouls are definitely gonna be hot on your trail... But if you're good with this this is how we do it, for better or for worse...

Fair warning though...

KCC

Jan 5, 2022 12:02 pm
OOC:
Lets be about it then!
Jan 7, 2022 8:07 pm
Gilly moves up the hallway and grabs hold of Bors by the collars of the fighter's chainmail and begins to drag his prone body. The sword the fighter brag's about so frequently falls from his grasp, as does the +1 shield, and his armor and backpack serve as extra weight the halfling has to drag along, but she manages to haul him about 10' up the hallway and somehow the ghouls take no notice, as immersed as they are with gratifying their hunger on Kobort's carcass.
OOC:
'll make a ruling that Mal can scoop up the fighter's sword and shield if @dominion451 wishes, though it adds 160 to Mal's Encumbrance, reducing her movement from 20'/Turn to 10'/Turn. Likewise, I'd argue that looking down she also sees Gilly's dropped bow. If she wants to pick that up as well, it doesn't bump her into a new Encumbrance "tier", so her speed will still be 10'/Turn. Let me know if she will do this or if she's leaving the gear on the ground.

Gilly's Movement Rate is 10'/Turn, due to dragging Bors in his armor and other gear. After dragging Bors a bit down the hall, she's 20' away from the ladder.

The ghouls didn't notice your movement this round as they're focused on eating right now. Starting next round though, I make perceptions checks for them to possibly notice you're up and moving again.
https://i.imgur.com/LXEgO4R.png

Rolls

Gilly Strength roll - (1d20-4)

Jan 8, 2022 1:28 am
OOC:
no Mal will leave the weapons and armor on the ground

KCC

Jan 8, 2022 6:02 am
OOC:
heeeeeeeeaaave…
Jan 8, 2022 6:25 pm
dominion451 says:
OOC:
no Mal will leave the weapons and armor on the ground
OOC:
Alright, fair enough... Gilly's Movement Rate is 30' (10' per Turn during encounters). Maloria's is 60' (30' per Turn during encounters).

Round 17 begins! Turn order is as follows...
-->1. Gilly, Maloria (7)
2. Ghoul #3
3. Ghoul #4

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(5) + 2 = 7

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Jan 8, 2022 10:02 pm
Mal shoulders her coil of rope and grabs on to one of Bors' arms and drags him towards the ladder. Time permitting, she wraps the rope around the man's torso just under his arms and double knots it.

KCC

Jan 9, 2022 10:59 am
OOC:
If Mal takes Bors with her greater movement, then Gilly can tie the rope on her turn. Save us messing around!
Jan 13, 2022 6:04 pm
Gilly hands the fallen warrior off to Maloria who drags the fighter another ten feet towards the ladder, while the halfling ties the rope around the man. Keeping one ear on the end of the corridor while they work, they still hear the gnashing and ripping of meat, indicating that the ghouls are still too captivated by their meal to notice that the rest of they prey has skittered off.
OOC:
Round 16 ends with Maloria and Gilly only ten feet from the ladder.
https://i.imgur.com/hYxSxWQ.png

Rolls

Ghouls' Wisdom Check

Jan 13, 2022 6:18 pm
OOC:
Round 17 begins! This is that last round that Eltrezar is willing to wait at the top of the ladder, I believe @cowleyc stated. Turn order is follows:
-->1. Eltrezar, Maloria, Ghoul #4 (5)
2. Ghoul#3 (4)
3. Gilly (3)
https://i.imgur.com/hYxSxWQ.png

From down the hall Gilly and Maloria suddenly hear the sounds of ripping cease, and one of the ghouls gives a grunt, sounding almost like a question... "Uhhgh?"

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(1) + 2 = 3

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(6) - 1 = 5

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(5) = 5

Ghouls' Wisdom Check

Jan 13, 2022 6:36 pm
Eltrezar sighs. He adjusts himself to depart, stretching legs and rubbing his knees.
Jan 13, 2022 7:28 pm
With the rope secured around Bors, Mal says,

"Close enough, let's get up the ladder and we can pull him the rest of the way!"

She looks to Gilly for acknowledgment before heading up the ladder with the rope firmly gripped.
Jan 14, 2022 3:50 am
OOC:
Oh, Interesting! I see what you're up to now, I think. That was not what I thought you had in mind...

KCC

Jan 14, 2022 1:00 pm
Gilly follows along up the ladder, hoping that they have enough time to pull Bors up before the Ghouls get too many of their claws into him.
Jan 15, 2022 6:05 am
Maloria continues to drag Bor's fallen form across the hall, finally reaching the ladder. Looking above she sees the light of a lantern shining. The wizard remains at attendance above...

For Eltrezar's part, he gets ready to leave, only to see far below the face of Maloria looking up from the darkened depths, the fallen form of Bor's in her arms.

Gilly makes a rush for the ladder as well, and reaches the ladder in three seconds. From behind her she suddenly hears the sounds of snarling and bare feet slapping on the stone floor, and as she grabs the first rungs she looks back to see both ghouls charging up the corridor after herself, Maloria, and Bors. She begins her assent, rising another fifteen feet, ascending halfway up the vertical passageway.
OOC:
Round 17 ends!
Jan 15, 2022 6:07 am
OOC:
Round 18 begins! Turn order is as follows:
--> 1. Gilly, Maloria (5)
2. Eltrezar, Ghoul#3 (3)
3. Ghoul #4 (2)

Gilly is currently halfway up the ladder and likely safe from the ghouls below. It stands to reason that if the starving ghous could climb, they would have looked for food above at some point. She currently is carrying the end of the rope, I believe. She could in theory make it to the top of the ladder, and use her Action to make a Strength check to haul Bors up. I would say pulling the heavy load up hand-over-hand will be pretty tough, and there will be a penalty of +2 to her roll, and a failure means he's too heavy to pull up this turn (1d20+2 and roll 14 or under).

Maloria is at the ladder's base. Assuming Gilly succeeds in pulling Bor's up some, she could ascend her standard Movement Rate of 20' up on her own. Assuming Gilly fails her Strength check, Mal could possibly try to manually heave Bors onto her shoulder and begin slowly climbing. This will be a bit tougher to do, because she's carrying his large form upward, while trying to keep him balanced on her shoulder, while trying to use both hands to grab the rungs, so this roll will be at a penalty of +4 to her Strength roll (1d20+4 and roll 14 or under).

A success from either PC will be sufficient to get Bors about 10' off the floor, and out of reach of the ghouls below. A failure, will result on Bors being left behind and the primary target of the ghouls' feeding frenzy, resulting in his death.

If this sounds fair, please begin. If not, please make your case before we proceed...

Rolls

Gilly Initiative roll - (1d6+2)

(3) + 2 = 5

Eltrezar Initiative roll - (1d6-1)

(4) - 1 = 3

Maloria Initiative roll - (1d6+1)

(4) + 1 = 5

Ghoul #3 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ghoul #4 Initiative roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

KCC

Jan 15, 2022 11:04 am
OOC:
Let the dice fall where they may!
Gilly climbs further upwards until she reaches the light. She shoots the wizard a poisonous look, before turning back to the hole and digging deep as she hoists the fighter up as fast as she can!
Last edited January 15, 2022 11:06 am

Rolls

1d20+2

(1) + 2 = 3

Jan 15, 2022 11:41 pm
OOC:
Wow critical ability check!
Seeing Gilly begin to effortlessly haul Bors up the wall Mal hurriedly makes her ascent as well...
Jan 16, 2022 10:30 pm
OOC:
Crap. Looks like Eltrezar's got some 'splaining to do...
Last edited January 16, 2022 11:17 pm
Jan 17, 2022 1:03 am
As soon as Gilly flies through the door at the top of the ladder and begins hauling up the body of Bors, Eltrezar takes another look down the dark passage. He prepares to shut the door the moment Maloria passes through. "Hurry!" he tells the Dwarf in a loud whisper.
OOC:
Edited to reflect that Bors isn't up yet, just being lifted.
Last edited January 18, 2022 1:17 am
Jan 17, 2022 5:27 pm
"Keep that door open until we get Bors up!" Mal shouts up to Eltrezar.
Jan 18, 2022 3:02 am
OOC:
Holy! Jeez, Gilly! So my plan was that a success on either roll would get Bors 10' off the ground... high enough to be out of reach of the ghouls, and then I'd maybe have you make some Strength rolls to successfully continue hauling him up, but I always reward a critical success on an ability check (a roll of "1") well above normal outcomes. I'm going to say no further rolls are necessary; Gilly has things well under control.
Gilly begins tugging the rope hand-over-hand. The elation of escaping those dark and terrible depths, and the desperation to help her fallen companion results in a surge of adrenaline as she begins hoisting up the large man and his heavy gear.

As Mal begins climbing the ladder she hears the ghouls rush to the base of the ladder, and looking down she sees the two creatures reaching futilely for her boots, too stupid to just grab the rungs and climb after her. Looking back up, she expects to see Bors dangling just above her, but for as fast as she can climb, the body of the unconscious fighter keeps pace above her head. Clearly Eltrezar has taken up the rope with the tiny halfling and together they are pulling Bors up ahead of her. Yet as she rises to the top she sees only Gilly handling the rope, a surge of superhuman strength bringing her friend to the safety of the questionably-safe torture chamber. Eltrezar slams the secret door in the pilar as the dwarf rises out of it, the raspy complaints of rage from the ghouls suddenly going silent, and all three remaining companions stand looking at one another in the light of Eltrezar's lantern, a poisonous look in Gilly's gaze directed at the wizard.

https://i.imgur.com/iITXgtj.png
Jan 18, 2022 3:17 am
Hrmph! "We can talk about this later. For now, we need the bandit's corpses. And we need that Holy Water, Mal. We provide the ghouls a snack, and drop the potions from above. One body should do." While Eltrezar tries ordering his companions into action, it is clear he is struggling to look them in the eyes. But he stands up straight and urges them on.

KCC

Jan 18, 2022 12:27 pm
Gilly rolls the barely alive man to the side and immediately wheels on the wizard. She draws her shortsword, jabbing it menacingly. She wipes the sweat from her brow as she advances!

"One body? Maybe we should make it yours, knife thrower!" she spits at him!
Jan 18, 2022 2:31 pm
Clumsily (likely due to genuine fear), Eltrezar retrieves his bejeweled dagger and holds it in front of himself defensively. Not that it would do him any good. A range of emotions cross his face before he settles on frustration. Ahem! "And just what was I supposed to do down there? Be eaten as well? I told Bors here several times that we needed to flee and fight another day. I am depleted of my magical energies, and this is my last dagger. Should I have..." His voice begins to raise before he suddenly cuts himself off, clearly holding back bitter words.
Jan 19, 2022 1:16 am
"My thoughts exactly wizard."

Mal quickly rushed back to the trap door and opens it once more,

"They can't climb,"

The dwarf unshoulders her pack and fishes out the holy water,

"Gilly I believe you are the best aim of the group, would you do the honors?"

Mal hands over the holy water and watches from the edge of the portal.

KCC

Jan 19, 2022 12:21 pm
Gilly takes the things, without breaking eye contact with the old wizard.

"I’ve seen you throw. I’d take those chances!" she says, as she marches back towards the hole, sword still in hand, ready to drop a bottle of water down the trap door.

"You’d better take a look at him. See what we can do for him." Who is she speaking to? Who knows. But she motions to Bors with her sword.
Jan 19, 2022 2:23 pm
Eltrezar follows, knife in one hand and lantern in the other. He holds the lantern over the ladderway, well over Gilly's head.
Jan 19, 2022 4:38 pm
Eltrezar holds the lantern over the hole and the three companions watch as Gilly drops a vial of holy water down the chute. For one and a half seconds the bottle descends the tunnel shaft towards the ragged hands grasping for the adventurers. Suddenly, the more voracious of the two pathetic creatures stretches a hand above and the vial breaks upon it, splashing holy water and sharp pieces of glass. it's clear and divine contents raining into the eyes and face of the monster.

The ghoul gives a grunt of shock as it's back and legs begin spasming, almost as if struck with a jolt of lightning. It staggers face first into the stone wall and the powerfully violent muscle jerks begin to pick up in tempo until the fiend is laying on the stone floor, jaws locked in a silent scream until those above hear it dislocate from the skull and see it skewer crookedly to the side. The muscle contractions intensify fuether until the ghoul is like a stone statue and ten seconds later the corpse gives one final jerk and lays still.
The other ghoul seems to not notice or care, though it seems that some of the undead creature's muscles twitch slightly where splash hit it. Though it could easily return down the tunnel and resume it's feast without having to share any of it, so long as it sees the wizard's light, and senses the presence of life above it continues to stand at the base of the ladder, snarling at the party in frustration

Rolls

Secret Roll

Holy Water Damage roll - (1d8)

(6) = 6

Jan 19, 2022 5:59 pm
"Brilliant Gilly! One more like that and we'll have cleared them!"

Seeing that the halfling has the situation handled, Mal turns to the comatose form of Bors and tries to do what little she can to revive the man.
Jan 19, 2022 6:30 pm
OOC:
Natural healing is 1d3 Hit Points per full day of rest.
Looking over the fighter, Mal realizes that the man is badly beaten and completely unconscious. Without the aid of a potion, a spell, or a divine blessing, the party can only wait and let nature takes its course. Giving further assessment to the entire party's condition, the cleric considers that being without their fighter for at least an entire cycle of the sun somewhere up above this dark place is only the start of their despairs:
The halfling is badly hurt, certainly in worse condition than she's let on as of yet, and Maloria herself is wounded. Both of their new hirelings are dead, something that's sure to be noticed should they survive long enough to return to the village of hommlet with two unridden horses.
Adding even more insult to injury, is the evidence that they've risen from the depths below far less encumbered than they plunged: The wizard stands with only a single jewelled dagger in his possession and no magics to weild. The halfling has lost the bow given to her by Angel below, and fights only with a single short sword in hand. Bors's superiorly crafted shield has been left behind, as has his even more priceless and beloved sword, only a single hand axe hangs from the fighter's belt, should he recover consciousness and attempt to fight whatever other horrors wait to destroy and consume them.
Most concerning of all to the cleric is the fact that the party's cohesion seems in danger of crumbling apart like poisonous roots through dry clods of soil, the most pervasive fracture residing between Gilly and the wizard at the moment.
Jan 19, 2022 11:32 pm
Though things seemed bleak, the night was always darkest before the dawn.

Mal musters up the stubbornness that dwarves are so famous for and returns to the trapdoor where Gilly was about to throw another vial of holy water. The good news was that the dead couldn't climb. Between Mal's sling and Gilly's bow the party had a strong chance of dispatching the ghouls and retrieving their belongings as well as the bodies of their dead retainers.

"Good shot Gilly, toss another vial at that last one and we can pick it off with arrows if it still stands. I'll not leave without our dead. We can barricade ourselves in a room upstairs for a couple days until Bors can ride, things will be alright."
Jan 20, 2022 2:40 am
OOC:
Mal's sling is definitely an option should the holy water not take it out. Gilly's bow was abandoned in the corridor below though. Weapons, as far as I can tell right now, are as follows:
Gilly: Short Sword
Eltrezar: Jewelled Dagger
Maloria: Warhammer, Sling
Bors: Hand Axe
Jan 20, 2022 10:56 pm
Eltrezar holds his light steady, trying to keep the ghoul in the edges of the lantern's glow. With Mal calling out that the party should bombard the creature should it survive, he slowly puts his beautiful dagger back in his belt, behind Gilly's back.

KCC

Jan 20, 2022 11:49 pm
Oblivious to the wizard and his actions, Gilly gets ready to toss another vial of water. If successful, she will scurry down the hole to pick up their things.

She lights and tosses and torch down before she does so, so she can more freely see anything below.
OOC:
Gilly will even check the dead bodies of their two hired helpers. Anything personal that could be used to identify them, or even something someone might care about. If free to do so, she’ll carry their bodies to the opening to be hoisted up!
Jan 21, 2022 1:45 am
Gilly drops a second vial of holy water down the hole. Much like before, the ghoul reaches greedily for the incoming vial, having no idea that it may be anything beyond a morsel to bite on... And bite on it it does as the bottle plummets and crashes into the creatures mouth, breaking teeth, and splashing it's contents into the monster's face.
Like it's companion, it begins a series of violent jerks and twitches, collapsing to the floor with no control of it's motor skills. After a dozen seconds or so the creature lays still.

The party waits a moment to confirm that there will be no surprises. The corpses lay still, these dark depths their final resting place, and none others arrive to fill the void. Eventually Gilly lights a torch and descends the ladder.
She makes her way alone down the corridor collecting the artifacts left behind. First her bow. Then Bors's sword and shield. At the end of the corridor she collects Eltrezar's five daggers.

As she collects the weapons and makes her way to the fallen hireling she makes a quick search of the ghouls' bodies, but as each of them are naked, nearly so, or adorned in tattered rags, little time needs be spent, and they turn up carrying nothing of value whatsoever.

She moves on to the corpses of the hirelings. Turuko's body lies on the floor, dead, nearest the corridor. A quick inspection finds that the smaller man carries very little besides a quarterstaff and two daggers. A search of his roves finds 6 gold, 3 silver, and 20 copper pieces. Moving on, Gilly finds Kobort laying face up. His face has been chewed off, eyes missing to Kobort, pieces of pearly bone standing in bass relief to blood and facial muscles. He wears chainmail and carries a shield, dagger, and longsword. An inspection of his pockets finds another 6 gold, 2 silver, and 20 copper.
OOC:
I assume Gilly is taking the coins. Let me know if she's taking any of the weapons or armor.
Ten minutes passes as Gilly recovers her companions weapons and searches the bodies. Looking around the room the ghouls occupied she sees she's standing in the dungeons Burial Crypts. The builders of this dungeon likely planned for a long tenancy (though their expectations were not met), as most of the niches are empty. However a few contain splintered coffins, wrappings, and gnawed and split bones.
https://i.imgur.com/xAchLZ4.png

Rolls

Holy Water Damage roll - (1d8)

(8) = 8

Jan 21, 2022 9:08 pm
As Gilly had scurried down the ladder before Mal could react, the dwarf hurriedly follows down the ladder and aids with the search and recovery.
Jan 21, 2022 11:57 pm
Eltrezar, a little shocked at everything, stays with Bors with the lantern providing comfort.
Jan 22, 2022 9:31 pm
As Eltrezar sits above with Bors, Maloria descends and see much of what Gilly has already discovered. This room was to be the burial crypts, though many niches in the wall sit empty. Chewed bones litter the floor as well as other debris. Turuko and Kobort the newest to join the dead down here. Gilly and Mal take time to observe their surroundings.
In addition to the wing running north and south, another wing runs to the east. As Gilly explores this wing she sees more empty niches lining the walls. An open doorway in the southeast corner of the room leads to a hallway running about 10' south and then turns east somewhere.

http://i.imgur.com/XT9AGeb.gif

At the end of the north south wing the back of a crypt is broken out, leading to an earth tunnel. The air emanating from this opening is foul and damp and only about 5' high. A tunnel leads back beyond. Columns of natural stone stand about 40' down the tunnel, blocking the dwarf's view of what lay beyond with her limited Infravision.
http://i.imgur.com/u7k6IGg.gif

At this point around fifty minutes has elapsed since the party first re-entered the moathouse ruins. In that time they've discovered two room stocked with well maintained weapons and armor, a burial crypt below the secret pillar door, fought and killed four ghouls, and lost their two hirelings in the process. The party is a bit fatigued, and knows they need to rest for ten minutes or exhaustion will surely begin creeping in before they know it. Even a ten minute rest to drink some water, take in their situation, and work out the knots in your muscles should suffice.

KCC

Jan 23, 2022 2:39 am
Gilly finds her way back to the dwarf cleric.

"Let’s go back up. This is work for another day. Or not at all, actually…"

She wonders if she’s had her fill of the ruins and the procession of death it’s inflicted on the party. She speaks low, in this dark place. She doesn’t want the wizard above to hear:

"I don’t trust him. Not anymore." she’s quiet another moment. "Not in a suspicious way… Just when things get hard. And they always do…"

She whispers quietly, to herself perhaps:

"Cant trust him…
Jan 23, 2022 6:04 am
Mal listens to Gilly with a sad expression on her face. She had sense some discord between the two but had been unconscious when whatever happened had happened.

"You are brave Gilly, maybe the bravest person I have ever met, and a fierce friend. Everyone deals with fear in their own way and Eltrezar is an old man. I understand your concern but he has followed us into a terrifying place and I think we should give him a chance to overcome."

Mal begins heading back to the ladder with Gilly and stops by the bodies of Kobort and Turuko.

"We must burn their bodies or we will likely see them again."
Jan 23, 2022 6:34 pm
OOC:
I would guess that burning them on the spot would likely require an accelerant. An oil flask to get the fire started, or something. Or do you think that setting fire to their clothes would be sufficient?
Jan 23, 2022 10:44 pm
OOC:
No you'd need more than clothes to cremate a body, I was thinking we'd have to drag them above and build a pyre... or maybe we could just cut off their heads?
Jan 23, 2022 10:57 pm
OOC:
Alright then, I think both of those options sound good. Cutting off their heads would likely be faster, easier, and involve less encumbrance burden or Strength Ability Checks obviously, and you could probably do that real quick with Gilly's short sword before taking a ten minute rest, assuming you're taking the ten minute rest.

KCC

Jan 24, 2022 1:54 pm
OOC:
Gilly will offer the knife to the knowing cleric and then prepare to head back up once the job is done. Time for a proper rest up top!
Jan 24, 2022 5:46 pm
Mal takes the blade from Gilly and solemnly waves her to go ahead. The halfling had been through enough as of late and Mal would spare her the memory of this grim task. Once the deed is done, Map drags the two headless corpses off into one of the open alcoves and says the words of last rites according to her church. She wraps the heads in her travel cloak and heads back up the ladder.
Jan 24, 2022 8:04 pm
Gilly returns to the Torture Chamber where Eltrezar waits with the fallen fighter. A few moments later Maloria comes up the ladder as well, her traveling cloak bulging with the distinct shape of what looks like two large melons wrapped within. The group sits and catches their breath, the room awkwardly silent and unbelievably strained as the halfling and the wizard sit, one glaring at one another while one tends to avoid eye contact all together. Only the sputtering of Gilly's torch makes any noise.

For nearly five minutes the tension in the room seems so thick and palpable one could bite it with their teeth and chew on it. Just as it seems an outburst is inevitable though the conscious three suddenly hear a slamming of a door somewhere to the north. Muffled voices become louder as another opens and closes, somewhere in the dungeon from where the party's already been. A third door opens and the voices are now clear as day, emanating from somewhere to the northwest, near the stairwell leading to the upstairs pantry... near where the slime molds were fought... near the two chopped open doors of the rooms containing the well-maintained weapons and armor.

While walls and corners and the darkness beyond block the group's view of anything, no barriers stand between the source of the noise the the party's ears, and the sounds are clear as day if only bouncing off the stonework enough to reverberate a slight echo around the dungeon. A number of creatures are speaking, their tone conversational at first, though even at a conversational level they sound harsh and more like barks than of any civilized tongue. A moment later though, as the noises seem to approach the two rooms used as an armory, the speaking stops abruptly. Only a few seconds later there's excitement; a cacophony of yelps, growls, and howling. The language is unclear, and yet more resemblant of barking than even before, clearly the speakers are excited, alarmed, perhaps enraged, though the exact nature of the thoughts each of the creatures are trying to convey, seemingly all at once, is impossible to discern amidst the cacophony of voices and the alienness of their native tongue!

https://i.imgur.com/1ZepfkM.png
OOC:
Only about 5 minutes of your 10-minute rest has elapsed, so far. I assume all the group's weapons and gear that Gilly collected was returned to their rightful owners?

Rolls

Random Encounter roll - (1d6)

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Jan 24, 2022 9:48 pm
Eltrezar attempts to hush the party with his hands as the noises continue and begin to excite. He points to the door leading to the Ogre's chamber, and begins to help drag Bors in that direction (feebly).
Jan 25, 2022 3:20 am
OOC:
yes weapons returned, does it seem like we could actually reach the ogres chamber quickly and quietly? Like within one round?
Jan 25, 2022 5:08 am
OOC:
Wasn't the Ogre's chamber through the Sex Dunge...
er, Torture Chamber?
Jan 25, 2022 6:07 am
OOC:
Well this is the layout of the map, as far as you’ve discovered so far to give you an idea of what’s going on. It’s about 60’ or so to the first door. I would say that if you can make it to the first door to the north without alerting anyone to yourselves (probably a perception check in my end), you’re free to do so, and you can make it as part of the regular 10-minute turn (I’ll count it as still part of your rest turn even).
But… if you get caught, and the creatures making the noise are in fact hostile, you’ll likely trigger an encounter. Than means you forfeit your rest turn, and you’ll suffer the standard -1 penalty to To-Hit and Damage rolls during the encounter.
https://i.imgur.com/qjRNsBk.png
Jan 25, 2022 1:31 pm
OOC:
seems risky but not impossible, we could just hide behind some of the crates in here...
Jan 25, 2022 5:25 pm
OOC:
This isn't the first time the residents have seen proof of us. We usually just leave before they arrive. We could hide in a zombie cell instead.
Jan 25, 2022 6:30 pm
OOC:
down through the trap door you mean?
Jan 25, 2022 6:40 pm
OOC:
I believe that by "zombie cell", @cowleyc means the cells lining the wall of the room directly to the west of the torture chamber. You'll recall that only two days ago (in game) these cells were filled with a dozen zombies, which you dispatched of with the aid of Angel and Norris Dewitt, before moving onto discovering and defeating Lubash the Ogre
Jan 25, 2022 10:39 pm
OOC:
but that's where the noise is coming from, no?
Jan 25, 2022 10:59 pm
OOC:
The trap door is probably bad idea, but we could climb back down and just hang out. We'd have to lower Bors, which would be timely and likely noisy.

I think the noise was closer to the staircase and the armament rooms, whereas we could probably slink in the shadows over to the cells.
Jan 25, 2022 11:06 pm
OOC:
sure I'm game for that bottom most cell
Jan 26, 2022 3:41 am
Before getting too far, Eltrezar shows a flash of insight on his face. Hrmph! "The cells where the zombies awaited us. Let us move with silence. I will extinguish my lamp if you can guide us, Maloria."
Last edited January 26, 2022 3:42 am
Jan 26, 2022 5:06 am
Mal looks to Gilly quickly and nods as she lifts Bors by the shoulders...

KCC

Jan 26, 2022 1:15 pm
Gilly nods, wordless.

This surely means death if we get caught…
OOC:
I’m a little worried that we have excluded our fighter for quite some time.
Jan 28, 2022 6:52 pm
Quote:
I’m a little worried that we have excluded our fighter for quite some time.
OOC:
I'm more worried that we've excluded the fighter's player for quite some time.
Eltrezar snuffs his lantern, as the the halfling her torch and in the darkness, Gilly and Maloria grab hold of the fighter and make their way to the southernmost cell. It's a clumsy process with only Mal able to make out the walls and cell doors in the pitch blackness, Gilly trying to gage where she's at by how Bors in being led, and Eltrezar with a hand on the fighter for guidance.

There's a moment when Maloria backs into the room, and everything seems as if the group will pass safely, but as Maloria looks over her shoulder entering the cell, there's a jarring of Bors's body. Someone has tripped over a fallen zombie lying near the cell and bumped the cell's door. There's the sound of rusty hinges which squeak loudly. From the northwest, the barking stops abruptly. For a moment all is quiet, then one of the creatures barks what seems to be a command or orders and Maloria, Gilly, and Eltrezar hear footsteps approaching in the heavy blackness.

https://i.imgur.com/DqeHUUx.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Jan 28, 2022 10:36 pm
OOC:
We have the capes! Fake it till we make it!
Jan 28, 2022 10:36 pm
Mal takes one of her sling stones and quickly throws it back towards where the group just came from...
Jan 28, 2022 11:19 pm
Eltrezar, cursing himself in his head, waits with bated breath.

KCC

Jan 28, 2022 11:45 pm
Gilly drops the fighter the short distance to the ground, and draws her sword.

"Lantern!" she whispers, agitated.

If they were going to go, better to go down swinging in the light…
Jan 29, 2022 12:29 am
Ahem! "We are not spotted yet," Eltrezar whispers back to Gilly as he kneels to the ground. He takes the lantern and holds his cloak over himself. The elderly wizard prepares to light it, but looks up at Mal for reassurance.
Jan 29, 2022 5:46 pm
OOC:
Oh, wow, hang on!!! @cowleyc is correct! I forgot because it was way back on November 28th irl, that you guys found the cloaks about a half-hour ago!!! Looking at the log, it looks like Bors, Eltrezar and Maloria all took capes with the burning-eye logo from the armory and put them on; Gilly was too small and it was decided maybe her Elven one was more useful anyway! The ghouls wouldn't have given a damn about the cloaks whatsoever, but this is about to get interesting...
Is Maloria giving the go-ahead to light the lantern? What about Gilly's torch?
Jan 29, 2022 8:21 pm
Mal holds up her hand to wait on the light and holds her breath...
OOC:
what was the name of the armory shop guy that the non-speaking man at arms worked for? The one we figured out was spying for the cult?
Jan 29, 2022 8:44 pm
dominion451 says:
OOC:
what was the name of the armory shop guy that the non-speaking man at arms worked for? The one we figured out was spying for the cult?
OOC:
There's two of them that own the Trading Post. Ranos Davl is slow, fat, clumsy, and placid.
https://i.imgur.com/ZJ7ZQKx.png
OOC:
His business partner is Gremag a tall and thin man, with sharp features and protruding eyes. Gremag tends to dither and fuss at customers, and at Rannos as well.
https://i.imgur.com/J5EucjR.png
Jan 30, 2022 6:16 pm
OOC:
Am I understanding that you're all holding tight to see what comes the party's way?
Jan 30, 2022 6:22 pm
OOC:
Yuppers. I think Mal has a plan for if we're caught. But Eltrezar is hoping we can just skip past them up the stairs.
Jan 30, 2022 7:32 pm
OOC:
well don't forget Mal threw a stone back towards the area we just came from in hopes they would think something ran OUT of the cell towards the back rooms... Doubling down on my desperate plans

KCC

Jan 31, 2022 1:12 am
OOC:
Gilly has her cloak about her, and her sword concealed beneath its cloth.
OOC:
Perhaps I ought to sneak out and lead them away? Or make a racket somewhere else? Do I do worry for the horses above…
Last edited January 31, 2022 1:13 am
Jan 31, 2022 4:24 am
OOC:
That's a big risk for Gilly...

If they find us I'm gonna say Gremag sent us to check on things but some group of adventurers ambushed us and ran toward the crypt...
Last edited January 31, 2022 4:26 am
Jan 31, 2022 8:49 pm
Maloria leans out of the cell and throws a stone into the darkness to the north before ducking back in the cell, hoping that it will mislead whomever is barking in the darkness. Though she sees nothing as the stone sails and clatters against the stone wall somewhere beyond the range of her vision, it immediately is met with more excited yapping from the unknown creatures.
https://i.imgur.com/LWkVmhU.png

Unfortunately, her desperate hopes are dashed as it seems the creatures saw the stone sail through the air, and far from leading them away from the party's spot, it seems to have advertised where the stone came from. Footsteps suddenly rush for the area outside the cells where they abruptly, almost cautiously, stop. The party hears more barking from one of the creatures. Their language surely not human, nor any of the other demi-human races you may have ever met. As the one, who seems to be giving orders finishes, you hear the most northernmost cell open with a loud squeak. It seems they're inspecting each cell, individually, as a troop of city guardsmen would walk down a row of outhouses one-by-one in search of a cutpurse.
OOC:
If Gilly wants to don her Elven Cloak and leave the room she would surely be within sight of whatever creatures are investigating, though whether they would actually spot her is another question, and unlikely as there's only a 1-in-6 chance of being spotted.

If anyone else would like to do something, go ahead and speak up. Otherwise we'll just move the creatures down the length of the room until they eventually arrive at the southernmost cell and whatever happens happens...

Rolls

Secret Roll

Jan 31, 2022 9:10 pm
Mal pops her head out of the cell and looks at the interlopers with relief. She strides out with her hands up in exasperation and shouts angrily,

"Bloody hell it's about time you got here! It's those same damn townies from last time! They killed our muscle and took off for the crypts!"
Jan 31, 2022 9:22 pm
Eltrezar, hearing Mal speak up, works out at least part of her ruse. He doesn't know that she plans on dropping names, so he does so first. As he re-lights the lantern, he speaks loudly. Hrmph! "Lareth will be quite upset that we failed to stop them. You would be doing us the greatest of favors by putting a stop to those pests! But not if you let them get away!"
Feb 1, 2022 6:05 pm
OOC:
Hold please...

Rolls

Secret Roll

Monster Reaction roll - (2d6)

Feb 1, 2022 6:19 pm
OOC:
Terrible roll! C'mon Cuthbert, give us a break here!
Feb 1, 2022 6:26 pm
OOC:
Whoopsie! You can't look at the DM's Monster Reaction rolls... I'll just be obscuring that...

I'm also going to make the assumption that Eltrezar did light the lantern again then, and isn't speaking into the blackness somewhere in front of him... Correct me if he is in fact still in the dark and I'll just go ahead and have him facing a wall or something when he talks.
Mal and Eltrezar steps forward out of the cell and the wizard's lantern falls on three gnolls at the north end of the room crowding around the second cell door as if about to open it for inspection. The dwarf sees two more gnolls behind them with her darkvision, partially obscurred by a pillar.
https://i.imgur.com/LdxDD2N.png

The gnolls immediately stiffen up, hackles bunched up on their necks, and begin snarling and barking aggressively at the dwarf and her companion, spittle flying from their bared teeth. Three of the gnolls are brandishing battle axes, identical to the ones discovered in the room with the cache of well-maintained weaponry. The other two are carrying bows, also likely pilfered from the makeshift armory, now pointed directly at Mal and Eltrezar. They start barking instructions is what is likely gnoll-tongue, though none of it makes sense to the party.

"Bloody hell it's about time you got here! Maloria says. "It's those same damn townies from last time! They killed our muscle and took off for the crypts!"

Beside her the wizard adds, "Hrmph! Lareth will be quite upset that we failed to stop them. You would be doing us the greatest of favors by putting a stop to those pests! But not if you let them get away!"

The pack of gnolls continues to bark, and one steps forward agressively when Eltrezar and Mal see his eyes fall on the capes they wear... ones they too are wearing. The one that stepped forward, a brindle-colored creature with an orange patch of fur that covers it's muzzle like a birthmark then crosses his hands across his face in the shape of an "X".
https://i.imgur.com/6WP1nVV.jpg
Feb 1, 2022 6:37 pm
Mal shows no fear towards the gnolls and waves her hand dismissively.

"I assume you understand me, yes? Those interlopers are killing the ghouls below right now! Hurry your ass up and go stop them!"
Feb 1, 2022 6:48 pm
Eltrezar shoots a glare to the Dwarf and nudges her with his bony elbow. The wizard, crossing his toes for luck in the way of his homeland, sets down the lantern and makes the same gesture across his own face, crossing hands. He does so impatiently, however, hoping to command the same respect that his tutors had. Hrmph! "Yes, yes, hurry on now. They'll get away while you test us!" But it occurs to him that they have not spoken in the common tongue, nor have they seemed to acknowledge what he and the Dwarf had said.

His mind thinks back to the Ogre that had so easily fallen to "those pesky townsfolk", one that they would have had to somehow communicate, and he attempts a different approach. He clears his throat and tries out a few rough sounds, almost guttural and harsh; his voice deepens an octave, likely a habit formed when learning the language. In the Ogrish language 'Ogrish? Ogryn? Bah, no matter', he attempts talking to the Gnolls. "Ark fru hal makkal?" It is quite clear, even to those untrained, that he is not recently practiced in this tongue.
cowleyc sent a note to funfungiguy
OOC:
Eltrezar did, in fact, light the lantern.
OOC:
Think they speak Draconic?
Feb 1, 2022 6:52 pm
As Mal waves off the gnoll's gesture, the gnoll speaking lowers his arms and turns to his companions. Watching carefully, Eltrezar and the dwarf can't help but notice the conspiratorial looks they give one another as the the gnoll in front tightens his grip on the haft of his battle axe, the two of you hear the sound of bowstrings tightening. The one in front then turns back to Maloria and is about to take a step forward when the wizard suddenly sets down his lantern and raises his arms in the same gesture of arms crossed over the face. The gnolls visibly relax again.

"Ark fru hal makkal?"

The gnolls suddenly look even more surprised. "Chok baghdo Ogru baco...", literally "You tongue Ogre mouth". It's not a question but more of a statement, and a not entirely pleasant one to visualize. It's also not especially an accurate statement, as the the wizard gets the gist that the gnoll probably was trying to say, "You speak Ogrish", but maybe the gnoll was being literal as well. Maybe the gnoll is pretty clever and it was a double entendre... Who can know when it comes to gnolls and their deep disdain for humans...
OOC:
From here on out lets just type out the translated conversation because I personally don't speak Ogrish/Ogryn and I'd just be making up words and looking pretty silly.
Also, we don't have to put them behind secret notes. I find that in Play-by-Post, passing a lot of secret notes sometimes starts alienating other players, and then they start losing interest, and I'm already getting concerned with how long @nezzeraj has been sitting out of the game with Bors being unconscious.
Let's just say that while the other players can read the conversation, their characters don't understand the language, and if the players get caught metagaming I'll punish you by having the government come audit all your treasure and loot and it will take days and days of taxes roleplaying...
"You will tell the mountain-carver if she wag stupid dog-walker tongue at me again I cut it out and eat it with her eyes looking. We now use Ogre mouth..."

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Feb 1, 2022 7:55 pm
To those who know him better, Eltrezar shows signs of relief; his shoulders relax some, his back slouches, and his nostrils un-flare. He turns to Maloria. Ahem "They would rather you not speak here, lest you lose a tongue. And for all that Boccob has deemed holy, follow my lead."

He looks back at the lead Gnoll and begins translating what they had said before. Hrmph! "The mountain-carver is small and feisty, but what she said in my tongue is true. We were surprised by those town-walkers that have been in here, and they defeated us. They ran to the..." - Eltrezar struggles to find the word for 'crypts', instead opting to point at the secret passage - "...the dead place. We must get the fallen man to the surface. Lareth will be very angry with us. You are much better at catching them, and Lareth will be very pleased. But you must hurry!"
Feb 1, 2022 9:36 pm
The gnolls standing behind the one speaking mutter small yaps of dissent in their own language while the speaker's eyes widen, rage simmering in them. His reply is furious as he barks, "What is this?!? First with new bugbears telling us what we do and where we go. Now Lareth has new dog-walker saying at us too?!?"
The gnoll spits a blood-marbled gob of phlegm on the ground. "No! The dog-walker not telling us what we do. The dog-walker will hold my axe with his face if say one more time! And bugbears not telling us what we do also! So what if Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker angry with new dog-walker or no? What this is?
"All the suns and moons we are raiding town-walkers to south and east and am bringing them back to feed to Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker's stupid ogre! While six of us now become dead for it! But Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker pay us little moneys and say to new bugbears they can say for us what to do! And be giving more moneys to bugbears! Now stupid ogre pet is dead. And Lareth say to us now we walk around ugly dungpile in darkness all days, looking for ogre pet killers? And even get less moneys?!?
"Hmm... maybe other town-walkers come in and kill smelly ogre. Maybe they open armory to steal pieces to take to town so bugbears and gnolls and other dog-walkers of Lareth no have them for fighting with. Maybe they fight new dog-walker and mountain-carver until feeble old man falls on his knees and then maybe town-walkers go down hole and are fighting dead ones even now? As old man saying?"


The gnoll looks over the sorcerer a moment and Eltrezar sees the gnoll's eyes fix on the jewelled dagger at his waist. Then the gnoll slowly walks to Eltrezar, getting uncomfortably close to the wizard's face as hot breath makes the man want to choke. He's an imposing gnoll, standing nearly seven-and-a-half feet in height, as he looks down at the wizard slanting his eyes menacingly. "But maybe town-walkers in dead hole not beat feeble old man to the knees. Maybe town-walkers kill old man and his stupid mountain-carver with her waggy tongue, and they throws them down dead hole too. And Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker can send the stupid bugbears down dead hole for to get them since they be getting so many more moneys than gnolls getting..." The other gnolls begin to cackle sensing their leader has a plan up its sleeve.

"You have knife with money-rocks... Maybe you give us knife with-money rocks since Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker no give us many moneys, and then we go away from this dungpile for all the rest of the days. Then new dog-walker can go get town-walkers in dead hole by selves, or go say to Lareth the Ugly Dog-Walker to get bugbears to get them while Lareth give you no moneys and maybe cut your skins off for letting town-walkers see new pet of Lareth is only one weak old man and stupid mountain-carver.
"Or you don't give us money-rock knife maybe and we kill you and drop you in dead hole and say town-walkers did it because new dog-walker and mountain-carver was weak and stupid and smell like ogre dung, and we keep money-rock knife first and then we say to Lareth we not have it."

Rolls

Eltrezar Charisma roll - (1d20)

Feb 1, 2022 11:23 pm
Upon hearing the request (or, more technically, the threat), Eltrezar puffs out his chest, raises a finger, and opens his mouth ready to protest (Mal had by now seen this a dozen times), but he resigns himself to accepting this fate. The wizard draws the dagger from his belt, and thrusts it towards the Gnoll (blade sideways); he doesn't take his eyes off the creature. Hrmph! "Go, then. Lareth pays us no many moneys, and we want to go away. Too much dangers, not many moneys. Lareth who looks ugly like mountain-carver can find new dog-walkers." He spits on the ground, attempting to match the energy of the Gnoll. He does not succeed, and catches his beard instead.
OOC:
This is perhaps the cruelest thing you've done this game!
Feb 1, 2022 11:28 pm
OOC:
Wow way to take one for the team!

KCC

Feb 2, 2022 3:46 am
OOC:
Apologies. Lunar New Year!
Gilly hunches down, pulling the cloak over her completely, with barely enough space to watch proceedings from where she is hiding in the corner.

She doesn’t move a muscle while deliberations are taking place. She dares not even move her head enough to watch over Bors. She sits, ready and waiting to strike, or to leave; whichever comes first.

She stares daggers at the wizard as he carries out the negotiations. She watches him unhook his blade and pass it across. She holds her breath. Hate mixed with hope as she watches her companions try to get the four of them out of this corner. If they failed, well, she’d surprise a Gnoll or two with her blade before the end came.
Feb 3, 2022 1:48 am
The gnoll in front of Eltrezar takes the dagger from the wizard's hand and turns to his companions. A sentence or is two barked in gnoll-tongue, met with incredibly hyena-like cackling, and Elretzar can't help but assume that another, final joke has been made at his or the rest of the party's expense.
Then looking down on the old man, the gnoll suddenly brings the bejewelled weapon to the wizard's neck. For a brief moment Eltrezar fears the gnoll is going to double-cross the party, slit the man's throat, and kill them all, even after the wizard has paid his bribe. Then he feels the scraping of the dagger against his beard, and for another, possibly more terrifying moment, he thinks the gnoll is going to shave his face. But as the gnoll brings the dagger away Eltrezar sees that the gnoll has merely scraped his own spittle from the beard.
As the gnoll wipes the spit onto the wizard's cloak and tucks the dagger into his belt he speaks again in Ogre... "You see Rattlethorn today or next day. Say at her she will be finding Mudclaw and rest of us at Three Trees."
With that, he nods and makes his way out of the area of the cells, presumably to take the staircase up and out of the dungeon. The party is left standing within the small circle of Eltrezar's lantern light.
Feb 3, 2022 2:06 am
Slowly, Mal let's out the breath that she had been holding for who knows how long. She spends a moment breathing slowly to quiet the adrenaline and then turns back to her companions.

"We are out matched here. Let's give them a headstart before we head up and then get Bors back to town."

She looks at the others to gauge their positions, to take the measure of what they all had left in the tank.
Feb 3, 2022 5:42 am
Eltrezar nods at Mal, agreeing with her statement to wait. As soon as they're out of sight, he turns to the Dwarf and to where he assumes Gilly is hiding. Hrmph! "That was quite productive, actually. They confirmed that Lareth is running the show down here. I cannot recall if I had informed you all that the Druid of the Grove had told me. Lareth the Beautiful, as I assume he named himself, was a small time bandit who raided some hills with his Gnoll pack. But it would seem he has found this keep and has been growing his gang. He has not only other men following him, but some Bugbears. At least we should not have to worry about the Gnolls anymore, they alluded to the fact that the rest had been killed already."

He ponders for a moment or two before clearing his throat. Ahem! "We should return to town with expediency, as I do not know how long our warrior friend will hold on. But in the coming days, I would have us find this place called Three Trees- perhaps the Druid knows of it- and retrieve the dagger... and put an end to these foul creatures."

KCC

Feb 3, 2022 10:49 am
Gilly whistles low as the Gnolls head above ground.

"Will… will the Druid be able to do anything for Bors here?"

Gilly has mixed feelings on the wizard. He just saved them, perhaps… and get so immediately worried about his dagger.
Feb 3, 2022 2:29 pm
Hrmph! "I do believe the Druid will be able to help, and without the taxes and tithes the Church requires. He takes only donations, but has proven helpful beyond measure."
Last edited February 3, 2022 2:29 pm
Feb 4, 2022 1:43 am
OOC:
Will the party be slowly making the most direct route to the surface and out the moathouse drawbridge?
Feb 4, 2022 1:45 am
OOC:
I think so, yes. We may have to strap Bors to a horse, but I think we're all ready to deuce!
Feb 4, 2022 3:48 am
OOC:
definitely direct, Mal will stop to pick up the saddle bags full of gold that she hid.

KCC

Feb 4, 2022 1:57 pm
OOC:
Back to town to reassess and revive!
Feb 4, 2022 5:21 pm
The party heads north to the main room at the bottom of the staircase where brown, sticky-looking stains cover the floor where the two slime molds were slain two days earlier, Bors's unconscious form getting heavier and more cumbersome by the minute to the exhausted adventurers.
The gnolls are nowhere to be seen, luckily, but as you pass the broken doors of the two rooms serving as the armory for the denizens of these dungeon depths, Eltrezar looks over and notices one of the sets of well-maintained leather armor is laying on the floor and the foot of the rack it once hung from. A longer glance of maybe a second or two reveals that, in fact, five of the other racks are now empty as well, though their leather armors are gone altogether. None of the other items, weapons, shields, bows and crossbows seem to be out of place on cursory glance... Ill-fitting as they may be to each of the monsters, considering their seven-plus feet in height, it would seem the gnolls stole some loot for themselves on their way out.

https://i.imgur.com/YSQOsij.png

Rolls

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Secret Roll

Feb 4, 2022 5:40 pm
"Gods help us if they've killed our horses" mutters Mal as she strains to carry the fallen fighter up the stairs.

Once up top, the dwarf scans the area to make sure the coast is clear and then cautiously goes to retrieve the saddlebags of gold she hid from the now deceased hirelings previously.
Feb 4, 2022 6:00 pm
Eltrezar follows, noting the lack of armor and weapons. Hrmph! "If we encounter these creatures again, I suspect they will be better armed. They looted half the armory! But that also means that whoever else we face down here will be less heavily armed... I hope."
Feb 5, 2022 7:21 pm
The party passes the armory and the gear within and heads upstairs. It's late afternoon, and the light shining through the damaged sections of the ruins' roof make the need for torch or lantern unnecessary, so as Gilly and Eltrezar extinguish their lights and Gilly reunites with her pony Timber, Mal collects her saddlebags, still hidden within the rubble of the room containing the giant snake.

Worrying about the safety of their mounts, the party drags Bors through the ruins' old gates and stops at the collapsed drawbridge. Half the drawbridge remains intact. However, the other half sits at the bottom of the muddy moat along with the carcass of Mal's horse, already starting to collect fat bluebottle flies.
Luckily, it appears that the gnolls have left the other animals alone, more interested in leaving with their their new loot and putting as much space as possible between the ruins and themselves, but weary and exhausted as the party is, yet another problem interferes with their desire to get back to the village safely: how to cross the broken drawbridge.
On foot the party should be fine and there was no indication that it would collapse under their weight. Timber proves a different issue though. Having entered the ruins first, Timber crossed the bridge safely enough earlier that day. Only after Maloria attempted to cross after did the rotted planks give way, sending the cleric and her mount to the mud below, breaking the horses leg and forcing Bors to end its misery. With only half the planks left, crossing may be dangerous indeed for the stocky pony...
Feb 5, 2022 11:21 pm
"Well here's another fine obstacle for us to ponder," Mal mumbles exhaustedly.

"We could look through the rubble in the castle for planks long enough to spread the load..."
Feb 6, 2022 12:20 am
OOC:
I could be wrong, but I do believe that was the idea want back when earlier today.

I also was very tempted to have the gnolls kill a randomly selected mount and hack off a few cuts of meat for their journey, but again, as an act of mercy on my behalf, I decided the gnolls want to get some mileage between here and where they want to be.
Feb 6, 2022 2:28 am
OOC:
[in the voice of Ramses from 300] "I am a generous god."

KCC

Feb 6, 2022 3:27 am
OOC:
I believe there are pews and a long feasting table in the fort right? If I recall the map correctly. I think the plan was the use those to build a makeshift bridge for a one way journey!
Feb 6, 2022 4:49 pm
Mal heads back into the various ruined rooms of the Keep's first floor and drags out whatever long tables and pews she can find.
Feb 7, 2022 3:06 am
Eltrezar, having no physical strength to speak of, opts instead to check on the horses and prepare them for riding, including those that the hirelings had brought. He crosses the remaining bridge with confidence (read: arrogance), and helps direct the dwarf when she comes out with the support wood.
Feb 7, 2022 8:32 pm
KCC says:
OOC:
I believe there are pews and a long feasting table in the fort right? If I recall the map correctly. I think the plan was the use those to build a makeshift bridge for a one way journey!
OOC:
Not seeing pews around the place, but there's definitely some long feasting tables laying about that would be long enough to do the job.
http://i.imgur.com/b5QCnIn.gif

Mal sets herself to the task of retrieving a long dining table laying on the floor of what was once the ruins' Great Hall. The legs have long ago broken off, but the table itself is intact, thick, and sturdy. Whether it might support an entire horse is questionable, though it should bear Timber's weight just fine, so Maloria grabs hold of it and drags it over to the broken drawbridge where her and Gilly set it to span the length of the moat below and cross over with Bors between them.
https://i.imgur.com/JajYygz.png

Eltrezar waits with the surviving horses, including both the one Turuko borrowed from the group, as well as the large warhorse belonging to Kobort. Kobort's horse still bears the lance, mace, and battle axe the fighter left behind when he entered the ruins with the party.
Feb 7, 2022 8:37 pm
Eltrezar sees the two women return with Bors across the table, and recognizes that the pony still waits on the other side. Hrmph! "Perhaps you should walk before it, Gilly, instead of atop it this time. And then let us be off. The warhorse can carry the weight of Bors without any difficulty. Time may yet be on our side today."
OOC:
Assuming the others are ready, Eltrezar is raring to return to town.

KCC

Feb 8, 2022 12:50 pm
Gilly takes the advice without acknowledging the wizard. She just wants to get back to town!
OOC:
Yep!
Feb 8, 2022 6:49 pm
The group climbs atop their mounts and sets off south for the hour long ride home. The going is quiet. The the rock outcropping on the right that previously emanated an eerie chill seems like just a harmless pile of rocks now, and none step forward to challenge the beaten and bloodied party.

The group eventually turns west and treks the final 2 miles into the village of Hommlet, where all is as it should seem on first impression. Villagers and laborers alike observe the fallen fighter draped over the back of Kobort's warhorse, Gilly and Maloria both covered in blood (but whose exactly?), Gilly with a grim expression and Eltrezar keeping a neutral gaze in from of him. The riderless horse that carried Turuko to his final resting place seems to stick out like an ugly thumb trotting quietly behind the rest of the mounts, and the group can't help hearing whispers as they pass, perhaps some real, perhaps some merely imagined under the gaze of onlookers.

The group comes to a halt in front of the Welcome Wench. It's about 5pm, shops and businesses are wrapping up their affairs for the day and getting ready to close down for the evening, many locals are starting to swing into the tavern for a few drinks after work, while others are getting ready to start dinner in many households... Will each member part ways for the evening to handle personal affairs and consider the events of the day alone? Or will they remain together for the evening and discuss matters as a group? That remains to be seen in Part 8...

Rolls

Wandering Monster roll - (1d6)

Feb 8, 2022 7:05 pm
OOC:
This space will be reserved for one final post tallying and distributing any XP the party has earned. Until Part 8 is unlocked please see the OOC thread for discussion.

EDIT 2/19/2022:
Okay, here's what I have for XP for the party this last delve...

First we'll start with Enemies Killed/Defeated XP. This will be divided equally between the survivors of this excursion, that being Gilly, Eltrezar, Maloria, and Bors:
1) Riding Horse - 35XP
4) Ghouls - 334XP
5) Gnolls - 240XP
Total: 609XP
Total Each: 152.25XP

Additional XP:
Gilly: Facing the darkness unarmed to rescue Maloria and Bors - +25% = 38.06XP
Eltrezar: Making tough roleplaying choices and negotiating the gnoll encounter by surrendering the "Swagger Dagger" - +25% = 38.06XP

Now the loot the party returned with this trip, which consists only of what was picked off the bodies of your two dead companions. Normally I would hesitate to even award this, however due to circumstances dictated by the module, I am going to consider Turuko and Kobort's posessions as "Enemy Loot". This is limited to the few coins plucked off their person, Kobort's lance, mace, and battle axe. Of the most value is Kobort's war horse who is equipped with a saddle, two saddlebags, and leather barding.
Total: 468.5XP
Total Each: 117.12

After making necessary adjustments for bonuses and Prime Requisites I have each PC at the following:
Gilly earns 353.54XP, for a Total of 1525.81 / 2000.
Eltrezar earns 338.17XP, for a total of 1460.47 / 2500.
Maloria earns 269.27XP, for a total of 1312.41 / 1500.
Bors earns 282.83XP, for a total of 785.71 / 2000.

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