A Gathering Storm

Once you've knocked them down, Ansel can take time to use his holy fire, or you can use torches, to burn them. They don't regenerate from that damage. Meanwhile the others can keep them wounded. In such a manner, you defeat them, their smoking dead bodies laying around the ground near the entrance to the burrow.

Combat is over.

"That was touch and go for a while. Who would have thought a bunch of bats could be so resilient? It was beginning to look hopeless but Ansel, you came through for us!


Orla pats him on the back and sheaths her sword. Reaching for her rabbit's foot she gives it a squeeze in thanks for the good luck it must surely have given the group.

How is everyone doing?

Kvarek shakes off the corruption these foul bats coated him with.

"I am in one piece, or at least, I appear to be. This bodes well, as new compatriots, thrice we have been tested and thrice we have bested. It is a hopeful thing in this dark forest."

"Yes, yes, sleep here."

You sweep out the dead creatures and then gather inside. The hollow is big enough for all of you to lay your bags down, and you light a fire near the entrance, in an old firepit, lined with rocks.

The nice passes, despite a wearying strain in the air for anyone awake, as if the woods are watching you, and slowly getting closer. Still, when you all awake, you've each gotten some rest.

Modek leads you on into the woods and it is near the end of the day, perhaps an hour before sunset, when you depart the main animal trail and find an old stone ruin. A small entryway leads down into a hidden gloom.

Modek points. "There. Lordling went down there." The goblin shivers, afraid to go down again.

"Dat an elf ruin?" Lothar asks, considering the goblin's mention about the earlier warning.

Ansel makes a snorting noise as he looks around at the members of the group. "I guess it's time to do what we came here for. Search for Wagner. What did Lady Revora say? Arms of darkness and hate?" A grim smile covers Ansel's face as he nods to each of the group. Pulls out his Warhammer in preparation to enter.

Lothar is less amused, "Mayhaps." He lets out a sigh, "Ambrians, do be havin' a way of words. Mayhaps, they did be meanin' those bloody bat thinhs, mayhaps not. Tis Dovakar; dey do be sayin' death stalks the shadows..." the barbarian decides to lighten the mood with a joke, "dough, I do think they may be scared of wee deer in da bush, sometimes." Nevertheless, Lothar steadies his breathing and checks his bow for the third time.

"Yes, Kvarek I do believe we have the makings of a good team and no one can deny that we have been tested."

Not thrilled at laying her head down among dead creatures, the hollow eventually becomes habitable and the fire is appreciated. Oria lays out her sleeping roll and finds that she is exhausted to the bone and instantly falls asleep. Fully refreshed the next day she is ready to meet whatever the day has for them and it looks like this ruin might be hiding the lordling. Unsheathing her jeweled sword she prepares for the worst.

"We've done well so far and kept our heads. No reason our success won't continue. Shall we?" Oria enters the ruin wondering what awaits but fully prepared to meet it.

"Yes, best to be at it. " Kvarek readies his sword and shield and prepares to enter the ruin.

As you move closer, several of you spot movement in the tries. A warning cry goes up, and the suddenly you're in the middle of a fight.

Elves rise from the trees around you, more of them than you it seems, though not many more. Several have bows, and several more have long spears and are rushing to attack, protecting the archers.

Two archers and two spearmen on either side of the clearing. It will take the spearmen at least two rounds to get to you, while the archers will begin firing, their first arrows warning shots to try and drive you away. You are all up. (Modek squeaks and hides in the trees.)

Initiative (based on Descending Quick then Vigilant)
13 Elves
13 Kvarek
11 Bartalom
10 Orla
7 Ansel
5 Lothar

Kvarek raises his shield and draws his sword. He moves directly towards the archers on the left, assuming that he will encounter the spearman on the way.

As an arrow flies past Lothar's head, he swears, but undaunted, he draws an arrow to return fire at the archers. 'Hopefully, Kvarek and Oria could hold off the spearmen.' Loose. He lets an shaft fly for the rightmost archer, feeling for the elf's movement through the brush.

Lothar's arrow doesn't pierce their armor.

The rest of you are up.

Ansel pulls out his Warhammer and it sets ablaze. Pointing at the nearest spearman he shouts "We will slay you if we have to. We are only here to find someone taken from near here. Leave us be and you may yet live."

Recap: Lothar acted first, pinged an arrow off someone. The elves positioned themselves, with the archers firing warning shots and the spearmen advancing. The spearmen are now one movement away, so Kvarek can reach one. Ansel is directing fire on one of the spearmen, so 1d4 bonuses to damage on that one.

Bartalom, Orla, and Kvarek are up.

Kvarek engages with the first spearelf.

Kvarek's brutal and shocking attack cleaves in the elf's chest with a powerful blow. He falls to the ground in an unmoving hump.