Take Two...

[Magnus]

Switching is possible. Olaf needs to withdraw before attacking, then Ethan can "spring" over his head. Olaf is also open to attack if he loses initiative.

Messenger is man-sized for damage purposes.

[saalaria]

Sounds like Ethan is the best to go with for now - pile on the attacks I say

[Zhym]

Another question for the group: Arqos, now at level 12 for the time being, has a small (10%) chance of being able to turn "fiends" (demons, devils, etc.). If Arqos can't get to the front of the battle, do we want him to try turning the Messenger, or are we happier having the Messenger right here (if retreating) and fighting?

Magnus: Could Ethan jump over the Messenger to get behind him? If so, could Arqos swap places with Olaf, or is there not enough room?

Oh, and does "Only one more fighter will be able to engage the Messenger in melee" mean that a total of two fighters can attack the Messenger from the front? Or is it one fighter total? I just realized that my "who should attack?" question assumes that only one can do so.

[Magnus]

There is physically space for Ethan to jump over the Messenger, but he would be jumping into darkness. Risky, but cutting off a strategic retreat certainly presents an interesting possibility.

One fighter per flank can attack the Messenger ... "more" was an error due to multi-tasking.

Arqos can swap with Olaf, subject to earlier comments.

[Zhym]

If swapping puts Olaf at risk, I'd suggest Ethan jumping behind the Messenger (even though the dark is full of terrors), Arqos laying hands on Olaf to heal 24 HP, and one of the clerics trying to counteract the darkness with some sort of light spell. Or maybe we're better off counteracting the light spell before Ethan jumps into who knows what?

[Magnus]

Hint, hint...the darkness is not NECESSARILY supernatural. I mean, you are down in a freaking dungeon.

[Zhym]

Ohhhhhh. I misread your post. I thought "beginning to dim" meant that the lights were growing dim, but you meant that the Messenger is at the edge of our illumination range?

[Magnus]

Yes, Zhym, he is at the edge of the illumination. Arqos's sword would illuminate well into the hallway were the paladin in it.

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin could cast continual light on a rock and lob it down the hallway. Any takers?

[Zhym]

Arqos steps into the hall, illuminating it with his sword. He comes up behind Olaf. If Olaf chooses to remain in combat, Arqos lays hands on the northerner (+24 HP). If Olaf opts to withdraw from combat and Ethan doesn't replace him, the Fiery Hand takes his place on the front line against the Messenger and attacks.

[Zhym]

Gaerys thanks Flambeau for relieving his more severe wounds. The ranger steps back and keeps watch on the rear in case anything is so bold as to charge through the wall of fire or can find a way around it.

[drpete]

Ethan, back in the fight, will leap the Messenger in an attempt to get behind him!

Stumble Roll (must get higher than 16): [1d100] = 98

Then he will lay into the messenger with Frostfell.

To Hit with Frostfell (s/m) (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 5+6 = 11 damage [1d8+6] = 6+6 = 12

To Hit with Frostfell (s/m) (ThAC0 11) [1d20+6] = 5+6 = 11 damage [1d8+6] = 6+6 = 12

Ok, that looks funny, but it's two different rolls!

[OGRE MAGE]

Flambeau can see that the fighting is too clustered for him to attempt an attack. He will also guard the rear with his new comrade Gaerys.
While they wait to see the effectiveness of the melee attacks, he will bind the wounds and cast a CLW on Lorath in an attempt to get him conscious again. if there is time to do so

[Computer +1]

Vorsyin moves to retrieve the Wand of Lightning from where Lorath dropped it.
His attention moves between the Messenger fight, the Wall of Fire and the way they came.

[chap126]

Olaf, Fighter

Olaf is intent on embedding his axe in the messenger.

[saalaria]

Hollis also tends to Lorath.

Casting CLW:

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 2

[Magnus]

Date: Autumn, 432 ca., Campaign Day 10
Time: 12:40.9
Weather: 53 degrees
Location: Steading Dungeon - Rockpile/SE Hallway

************************
Magic in Effect: Lorath - Levitate
Prayer - cast round 5 (60' radius'+1/-1 to rolls)
PfE 10' from Arqos
Wall of Fire - Cast Round 7
Arqos - potion of super heroism
**********************************

The party presses the initiative in this round, and focuses on bringing the fight to the deadly Messenger.

Olaf begins the assault by again raising Skullsplitter high, and bringing it down heavily upon the armored, shadowy figure. The great axe crashes down heavily upon the Messenger drawing a high-pitched shriek! [Hits on a 14, inflicts 10 damage!]

Ethan joins the fray by sprinting forward into the narrow hallway and springing over the Messenger. Ethan's feet shift slightly under him. The knight realizes that he's landed on top of some loose gravel. He manages to keep his balance, but his attacks are thrown off by the unexpected loose footing. Ser Blacktyde quickly realizes that it's going to take his best to land any blows on this fearsome foe. His two strikes are swatted away with surprising strength and skill.

NB: Ethan is out of range of the PfE and Prayer

Arqos moves forward and illuminates the full length of the narrow hallway. All the details are difficult to discern in battle, but the beginnings of a natural cave become visible at the end of the hallway. More interestingly, the loose gravel in which Ethan landed seems to be coming from the excavation of an ornate brass door directly in front of Ethan. The designs are both horrific and weird, even at a first glance. The press of battle prevents further study for the moment, however.

The paladin lays hands upon the back of Olaf. The warrior regains significant strength, but what the paladin giveth, the Messenger taketh away with another blow from his heavy flail -- cracking ribs that were just healed from the paladin's warm touch.

Olaf : +24 HP, -14 damage

The remainder of the party proceeds to pick up the pieces. Flambeau scampers to the rockpile's summit, and quickly lays a minor healing spell upon Lorath. Hollis follows suit. Lorath remains unconscious, but the worst of his bleeding has stopped. Vorsyin also climbs the rock pile, but for a more selfish motive. Here he regains his wand of lightning but also contributes to the greater good by watching in all directions for signs of further foes. Gaerys adds to the watch by holding his position.

No additional threats are visible from any direction.

The Messenger is trapped and taking damage, key party members are healed...no other foes are visible, and two likely points of attack are blocked by a wall of fire.

It can't be this easy, right?

DECLARE ACTIONS!

*************************
HP:
Vorsyin: 18/49 [-1 level...let's sort out the XP afterwards]
Gaerys: 33/69 (!)
Hollis: 24/52
Lorath: -1/40 (down/stable!)
Ethan: 71/71
Olaf: 22/75 (!)
Arqos: 112/114
Flambeau: 41/75

[Zhym]

Does anyone have a spear? We had a nice magic one, but I can't remember if the henchman or NPC who had it took it or left it here. Just wondering if we had anything that could attack from the second rank.

[OGRE MAGE]

Is the Messenger a lot taller than the rest of us? I'd like to throw my hammer but not if it's gonna cause damage to one of us.

[Magnus]

Messenger is about 7 feet tall. Definitely a risk of hitting one of the two characters in front of you if you engage with missile weapons.

Spear went with Marcus, IIRC.