Expedition: Neegan - Orb Quest - 19 August 2021

[Dram]

Neegan- Very well. Lets search the rooms we have searched then. Galmit please protect our rear ends please.

[GreyWolfVT]

Galmit nods and follows from the rear apparently.

[Marullus]

The group backtracks from the cistern to the dining hall, Neegan redirecting towards the more richly-appointed hallway of chambers. Galmit takes up the rear, peering into the grand hallway just in time to see a hellish portal close, disappearing behind six mishappen beings.

Galmit shouts a warning as the six creatures rush into the room. Their bloated flesh is pustulent, shifting on their bodies like sacks of yogurt. It is clear their single minded desire is to consume your dead flesh.


Actions!

Date: 26 August 2021, 8:00pm
Light: Lantern (until 10:30pm) Galmit's Torch at the rear (until 9:00pm)
Distance: None
Effects: None
Injuries: Tollander (Minorly Injured)

[Dram]

Neegan-Turns quickly fires his crossbow.

L Crossbow to hit (THAC018)[1d20+3] = 3+3 = 6, todam [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6

[Jernau35]

Tollander whips off a quick shot with his sling.

Sling (THACO: 19) To Hit [1d20] = 17 Damage [1d4] = 2

[GreyWolfVT]

Galmit "What in tha nine hells is that?" the dwarf says as he swings into action.

Pick, Heavy [1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7 to hit, [1d8+1] = 3+1 = 4 damage

[Jernau35]

"They are devils!" cries out Tollander. "From Hell itself! Our weapons can hurt them, but won't kill them!"

"Only the blessings of our gods can destroy them!"

[Marullus]

Malenor and Neegan's arrows fly wide, but the two cleric's stones strike true (-2, -1), both hitting the largest creature who charges at the forefront.

The creatures rush forward at Galmit, the brave dwarf keeping them at bay with his shield as they converge on him. He never lands a blow, so harried is he by the claws of these fiends, but keeps all but one from striking true. One of them rakes Galmit with its sharp claws (-3). Sir Justin draws his sword and positons himself to protect both Agustin and Billy, putting out an arm to keep them behind him and swiping fiercely with his blade to keep them from approaching closer. "Devils?! We must flee! Back to the horses!"

Actions!

Date: 26 August 2021, 8:01pm
Light: Lantern (until 10:30pm) Galmit's Torch at the rear (until 9:00pm)
Distance: None
Effects: None
Injuries: Galmit (moderately injured), Tollander (Minorly Injured)

Erien sling [1d20] = 12[1d4] = 1 Malenor Bow [1d20] = 8[1d8] = 4
[1d20] = 16[1d20] = 13[1d20] = 13[1d20] = 8[1d20] = 3[1d20] = 5
Thaco 18, AC 3s, Needs 15. One hit.
[1d4] = 3 claws to Galmit

[GreyWolfVT]

Galmit wonders how he will be able to retreat being that he is the one in melee. The dwarf swings at the devil again.

Pick, Heavy [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6 to hit, [1d8+1] = 2+1 = 3 damage

[Dram]

Neegan throws his crossbow over his back. Pulls his magic handaxe moves in to help Galmit retreat.

+1 Hand Axetohit(THAC017)[1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12,todam[1d6+4] = 1+4 = 5

[Jernau35]

Before the devils can get too close to him, Tollander remembers that he has some magic that may protect them all. "Stand close to me!" he cries.

Tollander reaches down to his belt and produces a scroll. Unfurling it, he begins to read the spell that he hopes will repel the devils.

Protection From Evil 10'r

[Marullus]

Neegan pulls out his hand axe and rushes forward to Galmit's aid, the two dwarves boldly facing the pack of hellish fiends. Galmit's pick swings wildly, keeping them at bay, while Neegan further wounds the largest foe, (-5) which was already struck by stones last round. Tollander finishes his incantation from the scroll and shimmering wave of light cascades out from him. Tollander moves forward so that his protective circle covers Galmit and Neegan, who simultaniously retreat into it. The fleshy fiends gnash their teeth angrily, just out of reach of their dwarvish prey but unable to advance. Malenor and Erien also cluster around Tollander, not risking more ranged attacks for fear it might dispell the protection. Sir Justin shouts from behind you - he has already retreated to the stair up to the kitchens above. "Come! We can retreat up the stair!" he urges. Agustin loiters, uncertain, halfway between the cluster of the party and Sir Justin on the stair. "Just throw the damn orb into the cistern and lets seal this whole place as a tomb!" spits Agustin.

The fiendish creatures are bottlenecked at the doors to the main hallway currently, unable to fully advance into the dining hall because of Galmit's expeditious holding action. You have the stairs behind you up to the kitchen, as well as the hallways to the noble rooms and the common bedchambers that open on the same wall. To your right is the dark hole of the cistern and whatever lurks below the waters within.

Actions!

Date: 26 August 2021, 8:02pm
Light: Lantern (until 10:30pm) Galmit's Torch at the rear (until 9:00pm)
Distance: None
Effects: Protection from Evil, 10' radius (Until 10:02 pm)
Injuries: Galmit (moderately injured), Tollander (Minorly Injured)

Initiative: Us [1d6] = 6 Them [1d6] = 1

[Dram]

Neegan- We have seen nothing but evil within this place. Are we sure we just wont be feeding hell itself if we throw it in?

[GreyWolfVT]

Galmit wonders the very same as Neegan. "I'd be bettin' we will do just that."

[Jernau35]

"The magic of this lasts for a couple of hours. Why don't we take advantage of that?suggests Tollander. "Go down the hallways to the noble's bedrooms and search for something to help us cross the runes. I can hold the devils here while you search".

"We might have to retreat later, but let's do what we can now".

[Marullus]

...Actions?

[Dram]

Neegan - Sounds good let search the rooms Heads to the first room slowly approaches the door. Then turns to the thief. Please check it for traps.

[Marullus]

Knowing you have less than two hours before the fiends of literal hell break through the wards and consume your flesh, you move quickly at your appointed tasks. Tollander remains at the dining room entrance, holding the Lemures in the hallway by the force of Gwanwen's will. Agustin sets to the task as asked. Sir Justin remains in the stairway upward, urging you to finish and escape while there is still time.

Agustin inspects for traps, carefully opening the double doors and then each of the ornately-carved doors along the way. None are trapped, all seem to have remained closed since the place was abandoned. The hallway has four ornate doors, all on the lefthand side, which appear to be accurately labeled - Post Commander, Bookkeeper, Broker, Engineer. Each room contains a small table with six chairs for private meals with close companions, as well as a desk and chair, and bookshelves containing official records and personal effects. It is refreshing to have some place not splattered with dried gore, nor by giant spider webbing.

Neegan and Galmit, able to read the dwarvish records, perform a thorough check of the Post Commander's records as Agustin goes on further. They learn that communciations were lost with the greater kingdom, caravans failed to come before the winter. Stores were insufficient as winter dragged on and the dwarves hunted and foraged in the plains beyond. There was some conflict with the nomadic humans who hunted the same game. Dire illness and madness eventually overcame some of the huntsmen, then it spread rapidly... madness descended in the dark of night, leaving them to deal with the aftermath with each dawn. They couldn't entomb their dead fast enough. His logs are left unfinished. Despite a thorough search, there is no indication of flaming traps upon the spiral vault, nor how to bypass them.

By the time the doors are inspected and cursory checks completed, you're halfway through your time... three of the chambers remain unsearched. What do you wish to do with the time remaining?

Date: 26 August 2021, 9:02pm
Light: Lantern (until 10:30pm) Galmit's Torch at the rear (until 9:00pm)
Distance: None
Effects: Protection from Evil, 10' radius (Until 10:02 pm)
Injuries: Galmit (moderately injured), Tollander (Minorly Injured)

[Jernau35]

"The Engineer would be most likely the one to deal with traps wouldn't he?" calls Tollander

"Would the Bookkeeper just handle money? Or would he keep records too? And what would a Broker do in a place like this? Do dwarves do these jobs in a different way than humans? Maybe that would give us a clue".

[GreyWolfVT]

Galmit "Bookkeeper might have something useful but tha engineer be the best next to check dun think broker'd have anthin' bout them wards though."