Mystery of Saromen Fro

Top of Round 1 (TR1)
Syrena

The arrow sails out past the fire. Igolio flinches to the side at the last minute, avoiding being killed, but the arrow grazes his side as it speeds into the darkness beyond.

Hit

Syrena sees the nearby route to the stair at the southwest corner. The route is unobstructed and the quickest route to the rampart walkway. She starts making her way there.

Gundus sees an oil-fueled lantern on a hanger, mounted on a support column that he is passing by. The fire of the lamp is already lit and burning brightly.

The full lantern hits the ground hard, breaking the oil reservoir. Flame spews out like a bloom and coats the ground, scorching some of the rats at the back edge of the swarm.

Miss

Along with the bonfire and the many other torches, the new blaze adds to the wild dance of light and shadow - the chaos that is Saromen Fro.

Damanandros will try and keep pace with Xenophon, to stay within 15 feet or so behind him. He has the sleep spell on the ready, holding it for a worthy target. Otherwise, he just tries to avoid direct confrontation.

Xenophon makes it to the threshold of the gate, with Baudecca just a step behind.

The high temperature of the place is palpable, like walking through a thick wall of heat.

Initially Xenophon's vision to his left and outward is obstructed by the now wide open large north gate door. He does see Syrena moving away to the right, towards the southwest corner of the compound.

Straight ahead, Xenophon sees Gennadius being attacked by a dog-sized rat! And Gundus, ahead and left, may be fighting the same - his back is turned, the door partially obstructs the line of sight, and the full scene is not yet clear at this step.

Beyond Gennadius ahead is a large bonfire that is basking the entire area is bright firelight.

Required Action, PC Party: Take Action(s) for Round 2!

Note: Damanandros is still off screen approaching the gate. He can use all Movement available in Round 2 to make it to the gate threshold. He can take Action at that point, with assumption that he quickly assesses the scene as best as he can in the split seconds of barely coming around the edge of the inward opened gate door, but the Action will occur at the end of Round 2 (after all PCs and bad guy actions).

Note: PCs close to Rat Swarm can anticipate imminent impact. Players interested can read Swarm, Rat in rules resource to get preview. Defensive measures detailed there are available, but would call for forgoing other potential Actions such as Attack. Just mentioning to consider for options during Round 2, as PCs can see the moment developing.

Armor Classes:
Igolio: +1
Giant Rats: +2
Rat Swarm: 0*
Galopan: +5

TR2

Syrena sends the arrow. Seeing the shot, Igolio lowers his profile and sets his bulky swords forward, hoping to interfere. The arrow clangs against the blades but cuts through at high speed, slicing a gash in the Krysean's left hand and forearm.

Hit

Syrena continues in motion, makes it to the southwest ladder, and climbs up to the palisade rampart balcony.

Damanandros slows once he begins to get close to the gates. Looking for a place to observe from cover he heads to the north corner of the gate to peek around.

Seeing the battle already uncerway, Xenophon shores up the middle of his allies' line and gets to work. He spear turns red after a quick thrust at the nearest giant rat.

TR2

Xenophon steps through the crowd and kills the giant rat attacking Gundus at the head of the swarm.

Movement
Hit

As he sets his shield forward, Xenophon sees the droves of rats run underneath his feet and begin to jump at him. There are so many.

And the slender swordsman Igolio marches forward with murder in his glowing red eyes.

------------------------------------

Damanandros moves to the edge of the gate, keeping cover for a brief moment at the north threshold that is the hinge point of the north gate door that is opened inward.

Movement

The young mage has forgotten the pain in his legs, the heightened senses of battle are upon him. Ahead he sees his friends forming a defensive stand against an encroaching horde of rats!

A bonfire blazes beyond - ahead in the center of the compound. The heat here at the doorway is oppressive, far beyond the natural heat of the fire.

Damanandros can see the telltale signs of magical energy whisping through the air like ethereal smoke.

Required Action, Gennadius, Gundus: Take Action(s) for Round 2!

Note: PCs close to Rat Swarm can anticipate imminent impact. Players interested can read Swarm, Rat in rules resource to get preview. Defensive measures detailed there are available, but would call for forgoing other potential Actions such as Attack. Just mentioning to consider for options during Round 2, as PCs can see the moment developing.

Armor Classes:
Igolio: +1
Giant Rats: +2
Rat Swarm: 0*
Galopan: +5