First Expedition

[caveman]

Here is Huddlstones crude attempt at a map. Numbered in order of visitation.

[caveman]

Huddlestone Tevez Aguero and Silva follow the others into this third room. Silva is straining his huntsman's instincts to see any traps or monsters before they see him. Tevez clutches his awl and stays close to the shoeless halfling. Aguero feels about on the floor with his crutch.

[Raven Crowking]

The map is relatively accurate, with the door outside the eastern archway directly to the north. I.e., it would open into a room or corridor parallel to the one you labelled as "2".

Toothy Herman's stone clatters into the room, the noise of its echoes seemingly swallowed up by the darkness. There is no sign of either creature or trap, so Huddlestone and his friends deem it safe to enter the room.

Nothing jumps out at them.

Yet.

[jferngler]

Maurice, emboldened now beyond all reason, walks to the southwestern door and yanks it open.

[Raven Crowking]

Maurice sees a low, dank area that follows the wall of the chamber he is in, to the left. It is wider where the corner cuts into the current room, with a door on the south wall opposite where he stands. The area to the left is dark and cobwebby, but seems otherwise to be empty.

[jferngler]

Maurice waves his torch about in the dark, slick room and makes his way to the unopened door before him.

"Empty rooms and bones, and more empty rooms," Maurice's voice floats back to the other, more cautious members of the party, who spend time examining the third room more closely.

[Raven Crowking]

Maurice makes his way to the door without any boggies jumping out at him.

Those searching the room behind him find nothing of interest.

[jferngler]

Maurice opens the door. Girt and Giant have made their way to the southwestern door.

[Raven Crowking]

Maurice's great courage is sure to find some form of reward, sooner or later!

Opening the door, he sees a vaulted corridor of heavy stone blocks, damp from seeping water, that goes 10 feet to the south before turning to the right.

[jferngler]

Maurice waves his torch back and forth, then returns the way he came. He pats Giant on the head as he passes.

"A lot of nothing that way, boy," he says. He opens the other door in the room. Toothy Herman is within ten feet of this door, with Avery close by.

[Raven Crowking]

The other door is actually in a hallway going east; approaching the door, Maurice can see more corridor leading 30 feet beyond, with another door to the north in the last 10 foot section. Does Maurice still open the door?

[jferngler]

Maurice opens the door.

Not sure what to expect anymore, the others have followed him out into the east-bearing hallway. More excited now than scared, Avery opens the north door at the end of the hallway. Since Maurice has the torch, Avery is on the very fringe of light as the hinges creak. (Right?)

[caveman]

Somewhat discombobulated, Huddlestone the Halfling makes a "4" mark on that southwestern door as he surreptitiously closes it. "Save this for later." Then he and the Cobbler, Beggar and Huntsman gather into this new corridor. "The tension is so thick I could cut it with this sword," says Hud.

[ragboy]

Meirion and his crew move in behind the rest.

OOC: Sorry -- distracted and trying to catch up.

[Raven Crowking]

Maurice opens the near door, while Avery opens the far door. From his position, Avery can make out another door to the south, and can tell that the corridor continues (although he cannot tell for how long).

Maurice opens the nearer door, and five dog-sized rats pour out, clearly not surprised and ready for action. Maurice may roll 1d20+Luck to see if he is surprised, and if he rolls higher than 15, he may also roll initiative before the hungry rats rip him to shreds.

Avery opens the farther door, revealing what appears to be an empty room, some 30 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

[jferngler]

(The die roll resulted in a total of 11, but Maurice will burn 4 points of Luck to make sure he at least gets a chance to act before being destroyed. His Luck is now at 11, and his roll is a 15. His initiative roll is a natural 20+1, for 21 initiative. What he's going to do with just a sling in close quarters is anyone's guess.)

[Raven Crowking]

Well, he gets to act before the rats, so "anybody's guess" is your guess. I guess. What does Maurice do?

[caveman]

Well Hud and the boys got a 13 Init...

When they get a chance they will unload on the rats, shooting at ones not in melee.
Hud with sword roll12 (2pts?)
Tevez with Awl roll 16 (1pt?)
Aguero with Sling roll 5
Silva with bow roll 8

[jferngler]

Clearly overmatched by the huge rats, but thinking quickly, Maurice attempts to force the rats away from the door he's just opened with his flaming torch. If he can get into the room, Maurice will shut the door behind him and leave those in the hallway to fend for themselves. If it's not possible to clear a path, he will strike the biggest rat with his torch, hoping against hope that it is set alight. (d20 roll = 16 if forced to fight. (1d4+1 damage= 4 on a hit.))

[jferngler]

(Also, if the rats enter the hallway with Maurice, and he is not surprised, shouldn't he get a free attack on every rat that enters the hallway? Ostensibly they have to move past him or bunch up in the doorway. To wit: Once a character is engaged in melee, he cannot back away without opening himself up to attack. If a character or monster withdraws from an active melee – whether to retreat, move to a new position, or attempt some action – his opponents immediately receive a single free attack. -DCC RPG page 95 "Withdrawl".)