2. The First Delve

Luther nods at Fenwick's point.Sounds kinda like a poor mans arena. We should leave it alone. We have other business.

Gabbro returns with the others to hear from Ricard what he's found. When Ricard reports, Gabbro is surprised. "Do you think the kobolds in there are enemies of the ones being eaten by the shrew? Or are they all gladiators, and the ones down there" he points south, "are just the ones waiting for their turn in the arena? It seems weird that they'd be sitting around while other kobolds are being killed, otherwise."

Maybe they were losing money on bets.

"It's some sort of guard post," Ricard informs the others as they return from the western passage,

"A bunch of kobolds, only they're pretty distracted. Not doing so much guarding. What did you guys find?"

"A bunch of kobolds getting eaten by a giant shrew, while some orcs watch and laugh?" Fenwick says. "So, whatever these guys are guarding against it apparently isn't that. "

She motions towards the door. "Should we just ask them what they're up to? Most of the kobolds have been, well not necessarily friendly, but not openly hostile?"

Pickles pauses watching the Kobolds struggling against the Shrew, before skipping off after his companions. "Whatever was going on there, one could not say they were taming the shrew." The Halfling pauses in thought before continuing, "Shall we head in and say hi to this lot?" He points towards the door.

"They might want to know that their buddies are being eaten, might gain us some favor or at least clear out the room so we can pick through it..."

Ricard tries to open the door and should he succeed he shouts to the guards that there are kobolds being attacked down the hall.

That’s a good question. No. The kobolds observed by Ricard are clearly guards. They are armoured and have a rack of javelins to hand. In contrast, the kobolds currently being bettered by the shrew are unarmoured and attempting to fend it off with a variety of makeshift weapons - pick axes, shovels, buckets, etc. They are most likely a work crew the shrew has ambushed.

One of the kobolds falls to the ground, blood gushing from a nasty-looking wound to the head. This draws a mixture of groans, laughter and jeers from the onlooking orcs.

---

Ricard is able to open the guardroom door without too much trouble and explains the situation. Without any particular hurry, the guards rouse themselves and saunter over to the weapons rack to collect a javelin.

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Day 3, 8:40 am
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/3
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

(Kobold morale check failed).

Panicking at the death of one of their comrades, the remaining five kobolds turn tail and flee in your direction. The giant shrew follows in pursuit, snapping viciously with its sharp teeth.

"Damn, looks like it's our fight now..."

Ricard sets his spear against the shrew's charge in preparation for the oncoming fight...

Jessia readies her war hammer.

Fenwick makes sure she isn't the closest target and casts magic missile at the on-rushing shrew.

Pickles slides back a pace or two behind Ricard and draws both Bow and arrow, while calming his breath and waiting for the Shrew to come into range . . .

Luther always has mace in hand when not in the Korners.

I’m going to be strict here and say that, as I visualise the situation, at the point at which the giant shrew starts to run towards you, Ricard is still at the room with the kobold guards, 50’ away. Therefore, even if he starts moving towards the melee now, which is taking place at the entrance to the large chamber, he won’t arrive until round 2.

This implies that the "front line", based on the Marching Order thread, will be Gabbro and Fenwick.

Also, because the giant shrew moves so quickly, it automatically wins initiative in the first round of combat (and gets a +1 to initiative in the second round).

So, based on this clarification, let’s start the combat proper.

First of all, will anyone be casting any spells in round 1? This only applies to Fenwick and Gabbro, and you should factor in that …

- it can be your only action in the round, i.e. no movement;
- if the giant shrew hits you, the casting will be disrupted and the spell lost;
- the giant shrew gets two bite attacks per round;
- each shrew attack will have a randomly chosen target … 1 = Gabbro, 2 = Fenwick, 3-7 = a fleeing kobold; and
- because the shrew is so ferocious, a target of any of its attacks must make a saving throw vs. death or flee in fear (regardless of whether the shrew inflicts any damage).

Once I’m clear on the spell situation, I will roll for the giant shrew’s attacks for Round 1. And then it will be your turn.

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Day 3, 8:40 am
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/3
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Ah, OK, my misunderstanding. So, let's say you are in the room to the east of the chamber with the shrew and it and the kobolds are approaching. And the front line consists of Gabbro and Ricard.

In other respects, my previous post stands. Any spells?

Ah, OK, my misunderstanding. So, let's say you are in the room to the east of the chamber with the shrew, and it and the fleeing kobold work crew are fast approaching. And the front line consists of Gabbro and Ricard.

In other respects, my previous post stands. Any spells?