XII. Flooded Quarry

[Alethan]

"I suppose we could try and draw all of the ones in one cave out, see if that works. Maybe force them out with a vial of flaming oil tossed into their sleeping area? I'd be willing to run in and toss one. There was a lot of mouldy straw there, though. We might well not be able to go back in for some time. Of the two caves, the north one had more room for everyone to maneuver, although you taller types might suffer a bit from the reduced height."

Ciar frowns, unsure what the right solution is.

"We should do something soon, first.

[onlyme]

Fulp nods,
I think smoking them out makes the most sense. We just need to be ready for a major battle. I left most of my stuff in town but have one pint of lamp oil left. It should burn nicely on that straw.

[Storm11]

"If we smoke them out I could maybe create some reinforcements and if there aren't as many as we think it might just be enough to make them surrender without much bloodshed!" suggests the gnome

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow looks shocked that a gnome would even suggest allowing a kobold to surrender.

Smoking them out sounds like our best option then. I don't like the idea of being stuck in the tunnels and unable to move or fight. That gives them a huge advantage.

I have a strong fishing net that I can throw over a bunch of them in a pinch. I also have another trick up my sleeve too if they should come rushing out in massive numbers. As Syl stated, he can use his magic to ensnare a bunch too. Kas has his spells to cast at them as well.

I don't think we can rely on them to surrender and I'm certain we will get no valid information from one of the nasty little buggers either. As I said, their strength is in their massive numbers. We will need to show them that we can completely wipe them out before we can hope for any cooperation or any type of surrender.

He looks to the brave and perhaps somewhat insane halfling with an expression that says....You sure you want to do this?

[Alethan]

"Yeah, no worries," Ciar replies. "Anyone opposed to the plan? Better speak up with something better..."

[dmw71]

As the group moves closer to the entrances, it becomes readily apparent that they are unlit and sized for kobolds, with ceilings averaging 5-feet high, and would definitely present difficulties for those on the taller side.

Give me something solid to work with here: Which tunnel will be entered? Who will enter? If everyone, in what order?

[Alethan]

Ciar offers to take a prepared flask of burning oil, enter the north tunnel by himself, throw it into the sleeping area, and then run back out. The others might wait on either side of the entrance, ready to attack whatever comes out (AFTER the halfling exits the tunnel, of course).

[dmw71]

Ciar returns into the northern tunnel, alone, armed with the means to ignite a fire in the room with the straw floor.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan stands about five feet from the entrance, off to the side. He will wait for the brave halfling to pass as he exits the cave then plant the butt of his spear in the ground, preparing to impale any kobold rushing from the entrance.

Spear attack [1d20] = 1, damage [1d6] = 2Oh hell!

[dmw71]

Ciar is seen running out of the cave, and once he clears the entrance, he goes past the large boulder before turning around. "They're coming," he says, reading the group for a conflict. From within the dark northern passage, a rapidly approaching collection of beady eyes, set very low to the ground, are seen.

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Actions?

[Storm11]

Kassal will cast Phantasmal force, of 10 armed troops in mail armour holding halberds, and 10 others with leather armour on and bows trained upon the entrance, all with helms on so only their eyes can be seen, lined in two formations

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow climbs up onto the rocks at the caves entrance 143 if possible, otherwise 158 and draws his bow.

He waits to shoot until he can gauge the creatures reaction to the illusions, but fires at the first sign of them attacking instead of surrendering.

[onlyme]

R00.png

Actions?

Fulp backs up best he can to be out of the missile fire.
not sure if he can go between 70 and 54, or if the rocks are too close.

[Alethan]

Ciar moves to 114, sword and dagger at the ready.

[AleBelly]

Sylvan pulls a leaf of mistletoe from his pouch and circles it in a wide arc around his head, intoning words of magic.

Dayn fior ar n-aidhm i gcoinne na fir madra

He then picks up his spear and if he has time sets it against a kobold charge.

[dmw71]

Round 1
Erupting from the tunnel, much to the surprise of the group, are five giant, hungry rats! They scurry quickly, engaging with the awaiting party before they have an opportunity to react. One (r1) goes after Sylvan, two (r2,r3) after Grim, and the last two (r4,r5) after Fulp. The druid escapes harm, but both Grim and Fulp get bitten, with the dwarf getting bitten severely enough to cause him to drop.

Kassal quickly casts a spell, creating the illusion of four bowmen wearing leather armor and helms, with their bows trained upon the tunnel entrance. "Dayn fior ar n-aidhm i gcoinne na fir madra," Sylvan begins chanting as he pulls a leaf of mistletoe from his pouch and begins preparing to cast a blessing upon the group.

Sparrow, not engaged in melee, is able to climb up onto the rocks at the caves entrance and draws his bow. Seeing the rats in a feeding furry, he lets loose a pair of arrows in the direction of the pair of rats facing their now fallen dwarven companion, but the extra care causes his aim to be less than true.

Fulp, under attack, takes a few steps backwards and swats at the rat nearest the elevated wall. A solid crackling sound is heard as the blow is true, and deadly. Ciar, spying an opportunity, advances into the fray with his sword and dagger, swinging wildly with both.

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Actions?

Sylvan begins casting a spell, which will complete in the 8th segment of next round.

Bless (Conjuration/Summoning)
Duration: 6 rds.
Casting Time: 1 rd.

Upon uttering the bless spell, the caster raises the morale of friendly creatures and any saving throw rolls they make against fear effects by +1. Furthermore, it raises their attack dice rolls by +1. A blessing, however, affects only those not already engaged in melee combat. The caster determines at what range (up to 60 yards) he will cast the spell. At the instant the spell is completed, it affects all creatures in a 50-foot cube centered on the point selected by the caster (thus, affected creatures leaving the area are still subject to the spell's effect; those entering the area after the casting is completed are not).

Rolls
Initiative: Monsters [1d10] = 4, PCs [1d10] = 8

[AleBelly]

I really should check 2e spells. Sorry gents.

Sylvan continues to cast.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sparrow leaps from the rocks and moves next to the druid, 145 dropping his bow and drawing his club/dagger combination along the way.

He swings away wildly at the rat in front of Sylvan. r1

[Alethan]

Ciar attacks r2 with sword and notched dagger.

[Storm11]

Kassal maintains his illusion, having each bowman fire an arrow at any rat not engaged in close combat. If they are all in close combat he will concentrate on them still training their arrows on the entrance.