22. Troglodyte Lair - Side (Grim and Gwillt only)

[Alethan]

Gwillt gives the ring a quick examination in the light of his new torch before slipping it onto a finger. Then he grabs 30 pieces of gold and stows them into the bottom of his pack.

He checks on Grim to make sure he is stabilized. If he is, but it doesn't look like he will be waking up on his own any time soon, then Gwillt sets Grim's weapons In his hands and stands.

Looking at the cons and the barbarian one last time, Gwillt turns and hurries out of the snake lair, shield slung on his back and scimitar and torch in hand, continuing with the plan of sticking to the left-hand side of the tunnel.

Silently, he prays to whatever gods might be listening that he can catch up with the others in short order and bring one of the healers to Grim's aid.

[dmw71]

Gwillt slips the discovered ring onto a finger and collects and stows 30 pieces of gold into the bottom of his pack. With the barbarian's health out of his control, the ranger sets out to quickly employ the "stick to the left" routine in hopes of locating the rest of the party and one of the healers.

Gwillt sticks to his plan and hurries down the southernmost passageway he and Grim had explored. Approximately 50 feet past the 'Y' intersection where the conflict with the snake took place, the route begins to bend northwest. The bend is quick and after 15 feet a slightly wider branch turns northeast and another normal sized branch turns west and this western passage appears as if it will open up just beyond the limit of the torchlight.

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           \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
              ___ G \                    /    \             /xxx               \
             /   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
                  \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
                   \________________________________________                    |
                                                            \               cc B/
                                                             \             cccc/             
                                                              \_____________cc/              

[Alethan]

Even though it is tempting to turn north, sticking to his plan, Gwillt continues to follow the left-hand wall (and marks his path with chalk). In case it needs to be mentioned, he is expecting this to possibly connect near where they found the spiders, so he holds the torch up high and checks high on the ceiling periodically as he advances.

[dmw71]

Gwillt continues to follow the left-hand wall, marking his path with chalk as he progresses. A glance down the northern passage reveals nothing in your limited vision. Aware of the fact that at least some spiders have found their way into the lair, the ranger holds his torch above his head and occasionally checks the ceiling for potential overhead threats.

That's when it hits him.

The familiar, overwhelming stench from a pair of panicked troglodytes quickly fills the air from this western passage.

---

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      /      \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |         G___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      | t5      /   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |  t6    /     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
                                                               \               cc B/
                                                                \             cccc/             
                                                                 \_____________cc/ 

---

I'll need a poison saving throw with a +5 bonus. Their special defenses will be my "zero" round, so I'll also need an initiative roll and actions.

[Alethan]

Trog Stench Saving Throw [1d20+5] = 4+5 = 9

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuudge.

Trog Stench Affects (STR loss) [1d6] = 3

R1: Initiative [1d10] = 8

(Oh, bloody hell... Dice are not my friends this round!)

Not wanting to be flanked by the trogs, Gwillt doesn't move from the opening into the room. If they advance, he'll swing at them. If they throw javelins, but don't advance, then he'll back out of the room and around the corner before making a hasty retreat back to the snake's lair.

(Rolling attack in case they get within melee range)

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 12+4 = 16 Hits AC2
Damage, Scimitar (weakened state) [1d8+1] = 2+1 = 3

[dmw71]

The pair of smelly beasts act first and angrily rush towards Gwillt with javelin's. The first (t5) narrowly misses but the second misses badly.

Gwillt takes a step back away from the chamber and into the more narrow opening but otherwise stands his ground. He slashes at the closest troglodyte (t6) with his scimitar, scratching it.

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      /      \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |      t5  G__   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |      *t6/   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |        /     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
                                                                \             cccc/             
                                                                 \_____________cc/ 

---

Moving to round two. Initiative and actions.

[Alethan]

R2: Initiative [1d10] = 6

Comfortable in his position, Gwillt stands his ground and begins working on reducing their numbers...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 2+4 = 6

Oooof... or not.

[dmw71]

Gwillt quickly slashes at the already wounded swamp beast but is unable to connect. The same troglodyte forces its way in front of the other trog and, in a fit of rage, wildly thrusts its javelin at Gwillt but catches it against the side wall, nearly damaging it. The trog forced aside rushes off and disappears to the north.

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      /      \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |      *t6 G__   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |         /   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |        /     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
                                                                \             cccc/             
                                                                 \_____________cc/ 

---

Actions and initiative for round three.

[Alethan]

R3: Initiative [1d10] = 7

Gwillt notes the leaving of the second trog with interest, knowing they've already shown the intelligence to flank in the past. So, during his attack, he attempts to slip INTO the room, moving towards the south...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 1+4 = 5

(Oh, for Pete's sake...)

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7

(Egads, that was close! But at least he didn't fumble it. And I got another bad roll out of the way, so maybe the next one will be better?)

[dmw71]

Gwillt's opponent acts quickly, fueled by the need for retribution, but continues to come up empty. Gwillt spies an opportunity after his troglodyte opponent misses and sneaks into the chamber. The effort requires too much concentration and timing and prevents the ranger from landing a successful attack of his own.

Code: Select all

      /      \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |      *t6 ___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |       G /   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |        /     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
                                                                \             cccc/
                                                                 \_____________cc/

Actions and initiative for round four.

[Alethan]

(Please, oh please, oh please, oh please give me some better rolls, Mr. Unseen Servant Dice Roller!)

R4: Initiative [1d10] = 3

Gwillt sees an opening in the trogs defenses and...

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12

(*sigh* That hits... AC 6. Just barely missed, I think...)

... can't get a maneuver off fast enough to take advantage of the opportunity.

"You dance well, for a trog," he taunts as he looks for another opening.

[dmw71]

The beast is able to sneak an attack in quickly and is able to draw blood (-4).

Gwillt looks to return the favor after seeing an opening in the trogs' defenses, but is unable to get a maneuver off fast enough to take advantage of the opportunity. "You dance well, for a trog," he taunts as he looks for another opening.

---

He quickly realizes the time for playful taunts are over when he notices additional troglodyte reinforcements entering the limits of his illumination from both the north and the south.

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      /t1 t5 \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |      *t6 ___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |       G /   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |   t4   /     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \t3 ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
                                                                \             cccc/
                                                                 \_____________cc/

---

Actions and initiative for round five.

[Alethan]

"Ah, bugger..." he thinks to himself as he feints an attack, then tries to return to his position at the entrance to the room.

OOC: willing to give up an attack this round for a chance to shift back to his previous position.

If not...

Initiative [1d10] = 8

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 7+4 = 11

(What have I done to deserve these rolls???)

[dmw71]

"Ah, bugger..." Gwillt thinks to himself as he prepares for the mass of angry troglodytes about to swarm him. While he would have loved to escape back out into the passageway, the swamp creatures are too fast and quickly move to surround the ranger. Fighting now for survival, the Gwillt is miraculously able to avoid all. four. attacks., including the near one indefensible one to his rear. His efforts primarily focused on defense, he is unable to land a successful strike of his own.

Gwillt happens to notice that two miniaturized versions of the foul creatures appear -- one on each side -- but they appear to only be curious observers.

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      / h1   \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |    t5 *t6___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |     t3 G/   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |   t1 t4/     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
       h7                                                       \             cccc/
                                                                 \_____________cc/

---

Moving to round six. Actions and initiative.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d10] = 2

OOC: Yes!

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 3+4 = 7

OOC: *sigh* This is getting silly... and a bit aggravating, TBHWY.

Gwillt struggles to even make an attempt at an attack, he is too busy fending off the smelly she-devils. "By the gods there are a lot of you," he bellows in rage... and a little bit of fear.

[dmw71]

Gwillt struggles to even make an attempt at an attack, he is too busy fending off the smelly she-devils. "By the gods there are a lot of you," he bellows in rage... and a little bit of fear. At the same time, the parade of troglodyte javelins spear at him in succession. The first, apparent retaliation for the wound Gwillt previous inflicted, sticks the ranger solidly (-7). The second, taking advantage of the opportunity created by the first successful attack, also manages to scratch the ranger (-2). Gwillt uses his shield to deflect the third piercing attempt against them... but then gets stuck in the back, badly (-8).

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      / h1   \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |    t5 *t6___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |     t3 G/   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |   t1 t4/     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
       h7                                                       \             cccc/
                                                                 \_____________cc/

---

Ouch.

Moving to round seven. Actions and initiative.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d10] = 3
To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12

[dmw71]

Gwillt, having sustained heavy wounds moments earlier, manages to act first but his scimitar blade is knocked harmlessly to the side. Then the onslaught continues. Gwillt puts up a struggle, knocking aside the first attack with his shield. His shield also keeps at bay the second attacker, and the third. Unfortunately, the ranger doesn't have a shield to protect against the rear attack and feels another pinch as a javelin tip rips into his side (-4).

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      / h1   \    /     /                                        ________________
      \       \__/     /                     /  \               /x               \
      |    t5 *t6___   \                    /    \             /xxx               \
      |     t3 G/   \   \                  /  /\  \           /xxxx                |
      |   t1 t4/     \   \________________/  /__\  \_________/ xxx                 |
       \   ___/       \________________________________________                    |
       |  /                                                    \               cc B/
       h7                                                       \             cccc/
                                                                 \_____________cc/

---

Moving to round eight. Actions and initiative.

[Alethan]

Initiative [1d10] = 1

To Hit, Scimitar [1d20+4] = 19+4 = 23
Damage, Scimitar (weakened state) [1d8+1] = 2+1 = 3

Dang it... probably not even going to take one of them down with me. :-\ If that DOES, by any stroke of luck, take the trog down, Gwillt immediately slips into that position in the doorway.

[dmw71]

In a last ditch effort, Gwillt lashes out and cuts the troglodyte standing between him and the exit... but it's not enough. He again, manages to successfully block all frontal and side attacks, but a javelin to the back (-4) steals the last ounce of life the poor ranger had remaining. At least he can be thankful to be unconscious and won't have any knowledge or recollection of the plans the troglodytes have in store for him.

---

At least he lasted longer than Grim.