Third Trip's The Charm

[Darithe]

Magdalclose.jpg (40.92 KiB) Viewed 493 times

Magdal

Magdal, unable to hear over the din and keeping a watchful eye on their rear stays at the ready for now, clearly not knowing all that has transpired.

[gurusql]

Renna

"Hit and fall back"

Renna will back-up the hill hoping to out pace the zombies before she is over run.

[Karaunios]

Ithrandir

I guess the gnolls are making good sport of the skeletons and zombies right now. I don't see the point of going right now to that spot. We won't be able to get to the first row.

What's in the other direction? " He points to the unexplored part of the corridor. He poses these questions to the girl too.

[GreyWolfVT]

Pimlan follows the back and forth conversation "Hm I suppose Bugs is right we probably should deal with the enemies that wish to do harm before delving into a trapped room for rewards." the halfling doesn't bother chiming in about the conversation involving what the meaning of dibs is.

[OGRE MAGE]

One Short Of A Baker's Dozen
Up And Down Inaction
Early Afternoon, Warm Clear

Outside

As the battle turns, Meinhardt steps back from the ledge to conjure a mass of energy to serve his minor needs. Unable to resist, Stobart approaches the red robed male priest who has called him forth with his magical powers. He climbs the ridge as Stobart meets him face to face, just as the power of his command fades. Instead of simply clobbering the wandering priest where he stands, the comley man makes an attempt at diplomacy instead. "Who are you people and why are you breaking into our cave complex?"

Once he is completely surrounded by the oncoming Zombies, Loyn decides NOW is the time to run away. He plows into the bunch, getting attacked as he flees, despite the slow movement of these monsters, and is hit twice as he pulls away from the pack. 7 dam Renna sees this retreat and calls for one herself, just before she too is enveloped by their numbers. She makes it to the ledge wall, but would need to climb, as it cannot be navigated in reverse. They both find themselves near the entrance where the others went inside the cave mouth (J), spotting a pair of the Gnolls they came here with standing guard just inside the cave entrance.

Gyb understands that running away is always a viable option, so he takes off along the ridge as well, stopping above the area where he sees Renna and Loyn at the cave mouth below him. Crobeus is not quite as understanding, swinging his sword again as the Zombies fall in around him. He is unable to reduce their numbers either, but fortunately they have a difficult time punching through his heavy banded armor, causing him only one minor wound as they surround him next. 3 dam

CoC layout.jpg (141.49 KiB) Viewed 400 times

Inside

With seemingly very little interest in the battle happening a short distance down the hallway, most of the group stand around chatting, trying to hear and be heard over the growing noise of the nearby combat. During this lengthy conversation, Bugs is about as helpful as usual, causing the others even more confusion while they try to figure out for themselves what is actually happening. Anyone looking into the room where they entered the chimney hole finds what appears to be a dark and unwelcoming library of sorts. Several bookshelves line the walls of this room, and a massive table with a single candle burning atop it takes up the central portion. A huge black covered tome lays open upon the table with an ink pot and quill next to it. As Pimlan dusts off all the soot again, a pale skinned young girl dressed all in black introduces herself to the new members of the invasion party. "I'm called Arpad, and I am being held here against my will. Have the rest of you all come inside to get transformed into zombies like these two little guys?" As more and more folks crowd into the narrow hallway, she becomes quite confused with all the questions addressed towards here at the same time. "As I already told Bugs here, the end of this hallway leads to my captors bedroom, and it is trapped."

Arpad.png (233.02 KiB) Viewed 400 times

Keya and Magdal, still out in the main hallway, remain where they are, watching the fight in front of them with great interest. As bones fly and Gnolls fall, the idea to let them take the lead seems to be a good one, since they apparently have no problem rushing into the battle in their current states. They watch as a clearly disturbed Tammuz rushes up behind the group to back up his kin, ready for action, and tired of listening to people chat back in the last hallway.

Everyone in the cave suddenly hears something very strange coming from the area of the fighting.

Silence.

The crescendo of battle suddenly stops completely, though you do still hear the creaking of bones and the growling form the Gnolls in the rear ranks.

Magdal and Keya ONLY!!!

When Tammuz joins the others, you all watch as the front couple rows of Gnolls stop fighting and drop to the floor.

Actions?

caves_of_chaos_large - Copy (10) - Copy.jpg (45.76 KiB) Viewed 400 times

Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 5/5 MM, US:70
Crobeus (P1) AC:3 3/10
Stobart (C2) AC:5 17/20 CLW/CLW
Gyb the Meager (M2) AC:9 8/11

Bugs Donato G (T3) AC:3 24/24
Pimlan (F1/T1) H-L AC:6 6/9

Renna (MU1/C1) Elf AC:4 5/9 CLW
Loyn Shortbeard D (F2) AC:5 5/23

Keya Redd H-E (C1/R1) AC:5 10/12 Torch
Magdal (R1) AC:7 11/16
Ithrandir (F1/MU1) AC:5 7/7 Torch
Daliedhur (F1/MU1) AC:3 9/9 (Cinder AC:6 4/4)
Tammuz
7 Gnoll Fighters

[shaidar]

Stobart

Still gripping his staff tightly in front of himself Stobart answers the red-robed priest.

"You have friends of ours inside, assuming you've not already killed them."

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


Meinhardt returns to the ledge and mentally commands his unseen servant to "Bring me the red robed priest's staff," before casting Sleep, targeting an area in front of Stobart so that only the death priest is possibly affected.

[Hotgoblin]

Loyn-Dwarf fighter

Loyn, spits then wipes blood and snot off his face. “This is not turning out well and I’m pretty banged up already. Maybe we can get some information from those gnolls at the cave entrance. Although, I can’t understand them, sounds like a lot of growling to me, but maybe you can find out what the hell’s going on? He looks around making sure they’re not getting overrun by undead.

[gurusql]

Renna

Renna will climb (if possible) otherwise find another option to fall back from the zombies.

[Monsieur Rose]

Bugs

Bugs relaxes as the fighting din quiets. "Ah. Finally. That's better." He winks at Arpad and chuckles. "Just like I said."

"Ok, then. Let's go watch the fight." Bugs slithers back towards the fight, careful not to blindly burst into a melee.

[Edeldhur]

Daliedhur

The Elf feels as if something is 'off' with the whole situation, including the girl. But he does not have time to waste right now - "You should stay here for now" - he suggests to her - "We will come retrieve you if we are successful. If not, you can claim you never saw us" - he adds, doubling back toward the gnolls.

[Karaunios]

Ithrandir also goes to the area where the gnolls are fighting the skeletons, still sword in hand.

[Jernau35]

Gyb

Gyb remains where he is for the moment, keeping plenty of distance between himself and the zombies. He takes a quick look over to see if there are any skeletons approaching.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bugs

Bugs relaxes as the fighting din quiets. "Ah. Finally. That's better." He winks at Arpad and chuckles. "Just like I said."

"Ok, then. Let's go watch the fight." Bugs slithers back towards the fight, careful not to blindly burst into a melee.

Pimlan "Watch uh shouldn't we go help?"

[Darithe]

Magdalclose.jpg (40.92 KiB) Viewed 280 times

Magdal

"What is going on?," Magdal says to Keya. Wondering if she can hear her own voice.

[Scott308]

Crobeus - Human Paladin

Back to the wall, the paladin has little choice but to continue fighting for his life.

Long Sword Attack (20): [1d20]=14; Damage sm/med: [1d8+1]=1+1=2; Damage large: [1d12+1]=7+1=8

[ateno]

"What is going on?," Magdal says to Keya.

"I'm not sure, I think we are in over our head here, we stay and fight what beats the gnolls, or we run and the gnolls at the entrance kill us. We can't get much closer without being struck by drugged gnolls, but I am guessing a spell just went off that affected the front line of the gnolls. I need my bow.

Keya looks for a torch sconce on the wall.

Keya Redd

[OGRE MAGE]

One Short Of A Baker's Dozen
Up And Down Inaction
Early Afternoon, Warm Clear

Outside

Watching as the distant Zombies continue to attack the lone Paladin, Loyn suggests Renna should ask the Gnolls by the entrance what is going on inside. Without any kind reply whatsoever to the Dwarf, Renna ignores him completely and instead starts to climb the cliff ledge up to where Gyb is looking down at them. The wandering Monk looks out over the ravine to find the skeletons below still making their approach towards them, but at their current pace, it will be several minutes yet before they get close enough to worry about.

Stobart stands up tall in the face of the handsome priest in his pressed red robes, listening to the lopsided battle behind him. The man nods in understanding at the Cleric's response, as if he is satisfied with his answer. "Understood. So, you were with the group who attacked us here yesterday? In your opinion then, should people who invade the homes and livelihoods of someone else simply be set free without consequence? Do you even know how many of our team members you senselessly killed in that invasion? And for what?"

Meinhardt stays up top where there are currently no enemies to avoid, sending his unseen helper down towards Stobart and the red priest. He casts a spell of slumber upon the distant priest, and you can almost feel his eyes widen when the spell has no effect on the man whatsoever.

CoC layout.jpg (141.66 KiB) Viewed 224 times

Inside

After a little more chatting in the hallway. Bugs suggests they go watch the Gnolls fight, getting a strange look from Pimlan, the only one who doesn't agree to go along. Arpad looks back at Daliedhur before rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "You do realize who you are going up against, right? These higher caves are where the.....ummmm......I think you people call them the Big Bad Evil Guys? Ya, this is where they live, and don't take this as me being unappreciative, but going by your plans so far, none of you seem up to such a task."

Clearly able to hear each other, Magdal and Keya try to figure out what happened to the front ranks of Gnolls, and why they suddenly fell to the ground. Keya suggests magic was used, but neither of them venture any closer to supply aid or even to get a better view. The Elf sticks his torch in a crack in the rough stone wall before pulling out his bow, at least.

When the trio down the hall arrives on the scene to help, they see several Gnolls already piling up on the floor where a handful of skeletons are applying pressure to any others who get too close with swords and spears. A few of the gnolls seem to be trying to awaken some of those who fell, while others fight the front ranks of skeletons. Then, from somewhere around the next corner where you can't see yet, a strange murmuring and chanting in a male voice can be heard.

A very angry Tammuz looks like he is about to turn and make a fighting retreat right through the group. He screams down the hallway at everyone apparently just standing there. "Are you going to do ANYTHING to help?"


Actions?

caves_of_chaos_large - Copy (10) - Copy.jpg (45.63 KiB) Viewed 224 times

Meinhardt (MU1) AC:10 5/5 Sleep, MM, US:69
Crobeus (P1) AC:3 -3/10 Unconscious
Stobart (C2) AC:5 17/20 CLW/CLW
Gyb the Meager (M2) AC:9 8/11

Bugs Donato G (T3) AC:3 24/24
Pimlan (F1/T1) H-L AC:6 6/9

Renna (MU1/C1) Elf AC:4 5/9 CLW
Loyn Shortbeard D (F2) AC:5 5/23

Keya Redd H-E (C1/R1) AC:5 10/12 Torch
Magdal (R1) AC:7 11/16
Ithrandir (F1/MU1) AC:5 7/7 Torch
Daliedhur (F1/MU1) AC:3 9/9 (Cinder AC:6 4/4)
Tammuz
6 Gnoll Fighters

[Quonundrum]

Meinhardt


Meinhardt's eyes widen to roughly the size of banquet platters when he realizes what they are up against.

Quickly running out of options, he mentally recalls his unseen servant, throws another flask of oil into the mass of zombies, and retreats back again from the ledge 10'.

[shaidar]

Stobart

Stobart stands up tall in the face of the handsome priest in his pressed red robes, listening to the lopsided battle behind him. The man nods in understanding at the Cleric's response, as if he is satisfied with his answer. "Understood. So, you were with the group who attacked us here yesterday? In your opinion then, should people who invade the homes and livelihoods of someone else simply be set free without consequence? Do you even know how many of our team members you senselessly killed in that invasion? And for what?"

"Your group, the priests with your undead, the smugglers and the bandits are a threat to the locals here and any travellers passing by."