[Continued] - Quirin/Dwarves II - 5 April, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

Runner means forward folks to recover the body?

[sulldawga]

Bertram and Galen will be in the first rank. They will hold torches and not drop them. Bertram will also carry as much rope as we have.

Quirin and Buryl will be in the second rank. They have bows at the ready and will engage any enemy if it looks like manageable numbers.

Krysta and Abi will be in the third rank. They will carry the torches and drop them every 50 feet.

When we reach Crivit's body, Bertram will tie one end of the rope around Crivit. Then Bertram, Galen, Buryl, and Quirin will grab one limb each (two on the arms, two on the legs) and will pick up the body and we'll retreat in reverse order (i.e. Krysta and Abi are now in the first rank, heading for the exits.) We'll have Bertram and Galen on the legs so they can continue to hold the torch in their off-hand. Quirin and Buryl will have the heavier end and will need to dedicate both hands.

As we leave, Krysta and Abi will retrieve as many torches as they can carry.

If we run into light resistance (call it three or fewer shades) we'll stand and fight. If four or more, we run. I strongly recommend Crivit's body be dropped.

Once Bertram drops Crivit's body, he'll hold onto the other end of the rope as he runs away. He'll drop the rope once it's fully laid out. That way, we don't have to go all the way back in to get Crivit's body the next time. We just have to make it to the rope and then pull Crivit the rest of the way out.

Questions? Suggestions?

[Spartakos]

Sounds workable. Can Krysta attempt to turn undead from the back rank, should we encounter shades?

If a fight starts, I'm dropping my torch. Maybe Abi could have a lantern, which could be used to light torches (dropped) along the way.

[KingOfCowards]

I think that's too many people, too close together. I don't know how many of us it will take to move Crivit, but bringing everybody in at once is asking for someone to get caught. I am not expecting these guys to let us sneak in and out. I would have Bertram be the first rank, dropping torches. No offense to Galen, but he looks to be the weakest runner we have left. Each 50 feet he will stop and listen,
If at any time we hear footsteps, he runs.
If he sees Crivit and detects any movement from his dead corpse, he runs
If the other party members see Bertram running, they fire missile weapons and then run.
If by chance, he makes it all the way to Crivit unmolested, he will attach a rope around his body and then we can figure out how to get the heavy priest out of there.

Bertram would also going be careful around every corner, in case these things figured out some tactics and want to surprise us. Speaking of which, if and when we get back in there, I would like to check for a trail of blood. I figure mauling Crivit must have got these guys pretty messy, they might leave a good trail to let us know where they went.

[Keehnelf]

As long as Krysta can see them, and they can see her, she can attempt to turn them. That might mean folks in front kneeling or the like, if she's in the third rank.

[sulldawga]

I'm fine with Bertram's idea, since it involves Quirin staying closer to daylight.

[Spartakos]

How far in is Crivits body, DM?

[Keehnelf]

So is it like this?

^^^
Bertram

Buryl

Galen / Quirin

Krysta / Abi

[Keehnelf]

Best guess is probably 350-400 feet from the entrance.

[Spartakos]

Maybe instead:

Bertram

Galen & Krysta

Quirin & Buryl with bows

Abi

If trouble hits, clerics kneel and turn undead, archers behind shoot.
Or reverse those ranks.

[KingOfCowards]

Maybe instead:

Bertram

Galen & Krysta

Quirin & Buryl with bows

Abi

If trouble hits, clerics kneel and turn undead, archers behind shoot.
Or reverse those ranks.

I am good with this.

[GTan_Baq]

Maybe instead:

Bertram

Galen & Krysta

Quirin & Buryl with bows

Abi

If trouble hits, clerics kneel and turn undead, archers behind shoot.
Or reverse those ranks.

sounds good to me

[sulldawga]

Maybe instead:

Bertram

Galen & Krysta

Quirin & Buryl with bows

Abi

If trouble hits, clerics kneel and turn undead, archers behind shoot.
Or reverse those ranks.

Let's do it.

[OGRE MAGE]

Good luck to us all!

I hope his boots and that gem are still in tact.

[Keehnelf]

April 13, 1 VC - 11:10am

The group gets organized and begins its new foray into the tomb, this time to bring a body out rather than to deposit one in the dark depths. The group drops a torch every fifty feet or so, and Bertram stops each time and listens intently into the distance in the hope and fear of hearing the sounds of running feet before they are too close.

The group has just broken out into the great hall where the fire was set, and the fourth torch set, when another crashing sound echoes through the hall. The best guess with the group's collective wisdom (and in the absence of a dwarf with knowledge of such things) is that the sound is coming from directly ahead, where the group is traveling in order to recover Crivit's corpse.

[KingOfCowards]

Bertram startles when he hears the crash. He is about to turn and run, instead looks back to his friends with a finger to his lips for them to keep quiet, and then he waits and listens. He holds another torch ready and it looks like he is about to throw it into the room.

I am hoping to either find out if something is there, or if at least we could illuminate the room to see better. BTW Did we notice any bloody footprints come back this way?

[sulldawga]

Quirin will whisper, Keep moving! This whole place may be coming down and we don't want to be here when it happens!

[Keehnelf]

Ah yes, I knew I was forgetting something in that description. At the entrance there wasn't much of anything, but as the group progressed they found more and more blood, until it appears that in addition to footprints there are just large drips and smears of it on the floor and even a few swatches of it on the walls.

There is the faint sound of movement, but nothing distinct enough to be footsteps approaching.

[hedgeknight]

Retro > Krysta has a healing spell she can cast prior to going back in.

With her holy symbol ready and mace in hand, Krysta tries not to conjure demons from the shadows of the hold.
Seeing the blood she just shakes her head. "Pelor preserve us," she whispers waiting for Bertram to move further forward.

[Keehnelf]

Bertram's torch illuminates the room about twenty feet out, casting light on the near side of the char pile that covers the middle of the room. The passage leading out the far side is about fifty feet distant from him as he stands in the doorway. At least two additional passages lead out of this chamber that he can recall.