Expedition - Foxy\Bounty Hunting - 20 May 2021

[Stirling]

Foxy O'Hare

Two archers and two spearmen, plus the leader with his shortsword and round shield

I just picked up what he left unless they took it also. Yes Foxy has two oil in the satchel, Idriss put all three on the mantel shelf but used only one on the bunk. I have deleted from inventory all items dropped, stuff in saddlebags in Bluebelle is listed separately.

Foxy will listen at the door to the demon mask room.

"Let's share a few rations in case we both need to lay distracting trails for creatures." She will say a silent prayer of thanksgiving to Eruanna and follow Idriss.

[Marullus]

I stand corrected! You're right - he died and so that makes four shortswords and a round shield. His shortsword is of human make and less damaged, if Idriss wishes to take it instead of the ones discarded in the chest. Foxy takes the shield.

Foxy listens at the second door from the hallways end. She hears a faint trickling of liquid through the door, but no other sound.

[Spearmint]

Idriss

Idriss will peek through the door to the rat room. It has been several hours since Wilbur got hunted here and if the goblins came this way, Idriss hopes the rats have scattered. If all is silent Idriss will proceed to the door before the landing, keeping to the wall away from the other door to the demon mask room so as not to give sound or smell to sniffers lurking beyond that portal.

[Marullus]

Idriss peaks through the doorway and finds the room quiet. The rats seem to have scattered and his torchlight illuminates no other foul threats. The door to his right leading to the mask room remains closed. Wilbur's body and the two slain rats remain on the floor, broken and forgotten by all but the maggots. He leads the way through the room and out the door to the left, getting to the bottom of the stairs. Everything remains quiet as the pair sneak that way, the stairs now gaping above them.

Date: 22 May 2021, 2:15 pm
Light: Torch (until 3:00)
Injuries: Foxy (severely injured)

[Spearmint]

Idriss Silentsteps

"There were four other goblins who made of with a swag bag, archers and spearmen. Their Captain died and they fled. I would guess they have a lair of rooms across the corridor." He listens for sounds of goblin chattering or arguing, lights down the corridor, if safe he crosses the landing and will go to check out the timber and wood blocked barricade on the stairs that he pushed through. Carefully, he doesn't want to cause a collapse on top of them.

There were four zombie goblins when we were attacked I think. One got split asunder, any sign the other three are shuffling about near to the stairs?

[Marullus]

There were four zombie goblins when we were attacked I think. One got split asunder, any sign the other three are shuffling about near to the stairs?

You do not see or hear any movement at the top of the stairs from here.

[Stirling]

Foxy O'Hare

"We can only go one at a time up the ropes and wriggle through the vent. Best we stay together."

Foxy will edge her way through the timber blockage and crouch at the staircase top and look into the gloom of the cavern. Maybe we could use those cudgels of yours Idriss. Soaking them in oil like you would when you juggle with flaming juggling pins and toss them across the caves. It will reveal us but also show what lies in the darkness, even for just a few moments. It might mean we can get to the other side of the rat trap pit.

[Spearmint]

Idriss

The performer nods in agreement to Foxy and laces his cudgels with oil. Once lit he will toss them to the areas marked hovels, cooking fires, the carcass area and finally one along the wall near to the scythes.

He waits to see any reaction to the firebrands being thrown, any goblinoid or zombies shuffling about or rats being exposed.

[Marullus]

The pair sneak to the top of the stairs with their torch, light the cudgels, then toss then in each direction. The light of the oil on the cudgels flairs, showing the room briefly before it goes out. You see the remains of cook fires, large iron cauldrons dumped and lying on their sides. You see the empty hallway marked "Scythes" with nothing remarkable. You see the tunnel you entered through. Then you hear the shuffling of the zombies, now coming down the hallway towards you.

Date: 22 May 2021, 2:30 pm
Light: Torch (until 3:00)
Injuries: Foxy (severely injured)

[Stirling]

Foxy O'Hare

"Let us keep them at range. Use the stairs to confine them. If we clear them out quickly we might have a chance."

Foxy draws one of her throwing daggers from her bandolier and aims it at the leading zombie.

Thrown dagger attack [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14 damage [1d4] = 4

How many do we see shuffling?

[Spearmint]

Idriss

Points a sharp nailed finger instead of a sword blade at the next zombie, hitting it with his Magic Missile spell.

Magic missile damage [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4

"Let's back track to the stairs barricade, we can get the rest as they shuffle forward and anything coming up behind us can burn if we need to light up the timbers."

[Marullus]

Foxy and Idriss crouch at the top of the stairs with their torch, waiting for the zombies to eventually shuffle into the torchlight - about 30' away. Idriss's magical bolt sizzles through the air with dramatic popping noises and impacts one while Foxy throws her dagger at another. Both zombies tip over, collapsing into rotting heaps. The last two step over them and continue forward, gnashing their teeth hungrily at the warm flesh so close now before them.

Foxy and Idriss do a strategic retreat down the stairs ahead of the pair, using some of the collapsed timbers for cover (-2 AC) as the pair of zombies reach the top step.

(You can use ranged or melee. They will reach melee this round as well.)

Date: 22 May 2021, 2:35 pm
Light: Idriss' Torch (until 3:00)
Injuries: Foxy (severely injured)

[Stirling]

Foxy O'Hare

Foxy melee: Scimitar:[1d20] = 15damage:[1d8] = 1

Foxy still weak from her exertions slashes dramatically at the lead zombie.

[Spearmint]

Idriss Hackn'Slasher

Not wanting to retreat and seeing the zombies in no mood to parley, Idriss grips the blade and attacks the second zombie, "For Wilbur!" he cries.

Short sword melee [1d20] = 20 damage [1d6] = 3

[Marullus]

The party waits behind the timbers, swords out, for the zombies to close enough to hit them. The decaying creatures come careening down the stairs, two abreast and one-each for the heroes. Idriss yells a battle cry for Wilbur and cleaves the goblin zombie right square in the head, rotted black brain-good splattering where the sword hacks it open like a gourd. The zombie crashes to the ground in front of him.

Foxy hits the zombie with an upward slash, much less power behind it than expected in her weakened state, just a moment before the rotund goblin bears down on her. Its mouth wide and hissing horridly, the zombie overbears her, latching its teeth on her soft neck and chewing, tearing messily. She screams a moment at the pain before blacking out once more. (Crit, -6hp)

Date: 22 May 2021, 2:37 pm
Light: Idriss' Torch (until 3:00)
Injuries: Foxy (dying)

Zombie attack [1d20] = 20 [1d6] = 3

[Stirling]

oh f@%k not again

[Spearmint]

Idriss Foxkeeper

"Don't worry I'll save you!"

Thinking he ought to run and let the zombie feast he troubles himself thinking how all the little children of Gaul will hail him if he leaves their new 'Flaming heroine' behind to rot.

Short sword melee [1d20] = 13 damage [1d6] = 4

"Flaming heck, not again." Idriss says if he can vanquish the zombie and turn to bandage Foxy.

[Marullus]

Idriss hacks at the creature as it tries to eat more of Foxy's flesh. The wounds he has opened in its fetid flesh haven't slowed it. It tears another bloody mouthful free and swallows it.

Zombie damage [1d6] = 1

[Spearmint]

Idriss Backstabber

Idriss wonders how tough this little brute his, already stabbed twice and just treating him with contempt while he feats on juicy Foxy 'hamhocks'.

Short sword melee [1d20] = 18 damage [1d6] = 4

Idriss hacks away, running the beast through and then sees to Foxys' wounds.

[Marullus]

Idriss tries to dislodge the gruesome little horror from Foxy's flesh with unopposed blows from his shortsword - the creature is indeed showing incredible mettle. Finally, he lands a solid blow to the back of the neck which seems to be just enough to finally dispel its animating essence. The creature collapses and Idriss shoves it to the side. He gets to Foxy just in time - her breathing shallow and her flesh pale from the blood loss as he stabilizes her once more.

Crouching in the narrow stair with the remains of your torchlight, Foxy once again visiting death's door, you wait and listen to confirm there is only silence and the dripping of water around you. You once again face unenviable circumstance.

Date: 22 May 2021, 2:45 pm
Light: Idriss' Torch (until 3:00)
Injuries: Foxy (mortally wounded)

Any less than 4hp on your roll and he'd have gone another round, forcing Foxy to roll Save vs Death. Good work!