Chapter One - Into the Shadows

[Radrabbit]

You all hear several for thumps and the sound of breaking wood.
The smoke at the base of the stairs seems to be thinning out

[Rex]

Sade

"It looks like 3of4 has succeeded, maybe just a few more minutes."

[Radrabbit]

3of4

The job done and hearing the steps he will run back to the entrance where his friends are located, he will draw his sword and put up his shield protectively as he backs back up the stairs giving them warning.

"Report: The dragon door is destroyed and the gases are slowed so that it should be safe soon. There is a blue glow beyond. Urgent: Footsteps coming from the door to the south. Suggest everyone make ready for battle."

[Rex]

Sade

"Everyone get ready." Sade readies her staff.

[Radrabbit]

As 3of4 backs up the stairs towards the rest of the party, you hear very quiet footsteps down in the room below.
Suddenly there is a mechanical click and an object flies up through the remains of the smoke, hits 3of4 in the shoulder and bounces off his armor plates.

[Bluehorse]

3of4

Once more, if he could smile, he would. He remained still as only a machine could and stared just over his shield from below a strong forged brow. Conjecture: They will likely expend their projectiles first, and then either move in for a direct attack or fall back for support. We have an optimal position, at a bottleneck with high ground. Recommendation: hold the position, using our own projectiles if optimal; otherwise conserve ammunition.

[jemmus]

Lothien readies his small-ish wooden shield and takes a position 15 feet from the entrance to the stairwell. He is flanking the entrance, from the southwest. If anything exits the stairwell, he will be behind it, to its left.

[Rex]

Sade

"Agreed 3of4, an excellent plan. I have no missile weapon and will hold close enough to engage and help hold them back."

[Bluehorse]

Sade

"Agreed 3of4, an excellent plan. I have no missile weapon and will hold close enough to engage and help hold them back."

3of4

Without moving still. Recommendation: Take the crossbow and bolts from my pack A light Crossbow and case of 20 bolts are strapped to either side of his backpack.

[jemmus]

To DM radrabbit: How wide is the stairwell? 5 ft? 10 ft?

[Radrabbit]

To DM radrabbit: How wide is the stairwell? 5 ft? 10 ft?

(It's fairly narrow, 5-ish feet. One person could block it if they tried.)

[jemmus]

"If we surround the entrance and let them come out one at at time, it will be many of us against one of them each time. Not fair fighting, but they're wicked and they don't deserve better."

[Bluehorse]

3of4

Still not moving his eyes from where the projectile came from. Fair fight. I keep hearing this term. It is a paradox to me.

[Marullus]

Awwrak stands further up the stair, peering down with his eagle-like eyes. He expects invisiblity and other tretchery to reoccur.

Ready Action: Sacred Flame. At the first indication of something's location (like an incoming attack).
Radiant Damage [1d8] = 6

[Paladin]

Rodrigo grins wickedly, taking a position near the top of the stairs where he can just see beyond 3of4 and take a glimpse at what might be approaching. He recalls the words to a particular spell, holding them ready in his mind to speak once their foe is made known.

He will also send a bit of bardic inspiration (you get a d6 inspiration die usable for 10 minutes on an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw) to 3of4, singing a ribald song about a heroic lover and a shy princess whose resolve crumbles before his amorous advances. "Surely that will grease your joints and get you ready to fight or fu--umm...let's leave it at fighting, huh?" he says with a chuckle.

[Bluehorse]

3of4

Rumbles in place but there is indeed an internal ratcheting sound and winding up much like you all heard in the Inn earlier.

[Radrabbit]

You wait for several tense minutes.
Every so often you can barely hear soft footsteps down the stairs in the first room.
There is no more smoke coming up the stairs and it could be possible that the smoke may have cleared.

[jemmus]

Lothien
They're not coming out. Should we go in?

[Rex]

Sade

"Looks like we may have to. Anyone have any ideas?"

[Marullus]

"Be wary of invisibility. And webs." offers Awwrak. "The longer we dally, the better their defensive ambush will be, now that we announced ourselves."