IC VI

[thirdkingdom]

Round Five

Innana taunts the gnoll and, while her words seem to have little effect, the sword she swings does, as it neatly severs the gnoll's laughing head from its shoulders. The lady warrior avoids the spasming reaction from the dying gnolls as it thrusts forward with the blade of the halberd. The second gnoll swipes at Thordin, an attack that misses but also keeps the dwarf at bay and prevents him from mounting an effective counterattack. Now greatly outnumbered, the surviving gnoll is bracketed by Marodin and Tratiln. The two strike near simultaneously, killing the gnoll in an instant.

Bregalad rushes through the gate to see his friend menaced by the towering gnoll. He quickly utters the words to a spell and at his command a glowing arrow appears at his side, darting forward to strike his enemy in the thigh. The magical bolt seems to have but little effect as the creature advances upon Lanny and strikes the elf solidly in the ribs. This latest blow is too much for the battered elf's body, and Lanny collapses to the ground as the gnoll lets out a ululating howl of triumph. However, it provides the distraction that Semele and Drudsa need as they drag Rhys out of harm's way, Semele doing what she can to save the poor mystic's life. She is successful in stabilizing him, and Drudsa begins the process of applying compresses and salves to the injured area.

Okay, Rhys is stabilized by Semele's actions and needs not fear death, for the moment at least. Over the course of the next few minutes Drudsa will use his First Aid to restore 3 hp. I am going to assume, for the sake of getting this over, that the rest will move into the courtyard to aid Lanny. frobozz, the shaman scored a critical hit and Lanny takes 8 damage from the bone club. Your character sheet indicates that Lanny is currently at 5 hp; the blow reduces him to 0. You guys have been extremely lucky in avoiding death, however, and Lanny is only unconscious. I will assume that Drudsa and Semele come to his aid as well.

Round Six

Surveying the downed gnolls outside of the walls the adventurers hear a triumphal, inhuman cry echo from inside and rush to their companion's aid. The shaman's victory song is cut short as Bregalad rushes forward and impales the gnoll with his spear! The gnoll is more powerful then he looks, however, and turning delivers a stunning blow to the side of Breglad's head! Seeing the gnoll has turned his attention upon Bregalad, Semele comes to Lanny's side and begins to drag him out of the harm's way.

Bregalad suffers 8 hp damage.

Round Seven

The adventurers arrive at Bregalad's side in time to steady the injured elf. With nary a word, Thordin thrusts forward his enchanted blade and pierces the gnoll through the heart. The beast looks at the wound in chest, then down at the dwarf, then back down at the wound before collapsing in a lifeless heap. Though Semele is able to prevent Lanny from dying the damage is too severe for her to aid him any further.

Semele fails her First Aid check to regain lost hp.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

TK, I did not realize you would be rolling out 3 rounds at once. Lanny certainly would have invoked the "Shields Shall Be Splintered" rule in Round 5 and sacrificed his shield in order to repel that critical hit (that was the primary reason why he had shifted from longbow to sword/shield in the first place). However, I do understand the desire to wrap up this battle, and as long as Lanny and Rhys are both still alive, I am ok with the results.

But, uh, yeah, I was kind of wondering when the reinforcements were going to show up. Lanny has been shouting his head off for help for the last three rounds!

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the elf

TK, I did not realize you would be rolling out 3 rounds at once. Lanny certainly would have invoked the "Shields Shall Be Splintered" rule in Round 5 and sacrificed his shield in order to repel that critical hit (that was the primary reason why he had shifted from longbow to sword/shield in the first place). However, I do understand the desire to wrap up this battle, and as long as Lanny and Rhys are both still alive, I am ok with the results.

But, uh, yeah, I was kind of wondering when the reinforcements were going to show up. Lanny has been shouting his head off for help for the last three rounds!

I confess that I did have a desire to get this over with sooner rather than later -- I do try and interrupt combat for new intentions after any serious injury/near death experience as a general rule. If you would prefer, I would be happy to retcon it to use the Shields Shall be Splintered rule (and for Bregalad, too, if desired, although at some point I'm simply going to decide his poor shield can't be fixed anymore).

[Bouv]

Tratiln, arriving at the scene just as the killing blow is delivered, will stow his equipment and assist in administing first aid and getting his companions back at their feet as quickly as possible. "Those monsters were tougher than they looked. I'm beginning to wonder if that first group wasn't as random as we thought. And this group seemed to be preparing for something, to have such larger, more powerful members among them. Wonder if there is something truly amiss with these ruins."

Tratiln, after everyone is back up, will help Drusda search for anything of value on the bodies.

[thirdkingdom]

The search reveals little of value. Each gnoll has a pouch containing a small number of ancient copper coins, worth almost nothing to adventurers now used to gold and platinum and sparkling gems. The gnoll that had caused so much injury -- a cleric of some sort, it appears -- has in his pouch seven pieces of amber, each wrapped with occult knots; at the center of each is a fossilized insect of unknown provenance. It is estimated each piece of amber to be worth about 100 gold coins

The shaman wears a medallion about his neck that, upon a closer inspection, appears almost identical to the six-finger, oddly jointed symbol found earlier worn by one of Elwyn's emissaries. The gnoll's weapon, a carved human femur decorated with what look to be several elven scalps, lies beside him, and fills Drudsa with a sense of dread he cannot identify.

The unusual humanoid still immobilized by Drudsa's spell turns out to be a hobgoblin; a rarely seen species dimly related to goblins who live brutal, martial lives and as such are far more disciplined and fearsome than their smaller cousins. It carries a pouch containing 86 gold coins, 2 opals estimated at 1000 gold each and a key. The hobgoblin holds a battleaxe in its stiff fingers, and across its back is slung a shield embossed with a golden wyvern. Something about the design suggests dwarven make.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

I confess that I did have a desire to get this over with sooner rather than later -- I do try and interrupt combat for new intentions after any serious injury/near death experience as a general rule. If you would prefer, I would be happy to retcon it to use the Shields Shall be Splintered rule (and for Bregalad, too, if desired, although at some point I'm simply going to decide his poor shield can't be fixed anymore).

TK, I think that as long as Rhys and Lanny both survived the battle and are now stabilized, I am ok without retconning the last three rounds (who knows, the retconned situation could turn out even worse!). However, if either or both are still unconscious, it would be best if a PC takes immediate action to bring them back to consciousness, in case there are more gnolls (or other creatures) inside the castle that heard all the uproar. Most likely we are going to need to retreat back to Threshold, so as long as everyone can get back on their feet, we should be ok.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys opens his eyes to find Drudsa applying a compress to his head.

"Oi..." he begins,"that didn't go at all as planned."

He looks about after slowly propping himself up on an elbow and notes the looting of the shaman's body. "Careful with that pendant of his... It looked like he was using it to cast some sort of burning spell. That, or it is just a... a priestly symbol or some such thing."

How many healing potions were we able to purchase before leaving? I know we took some hits, but maybe heading back to town so quickly isn't the best course of action. Might be a good idea to do a little healing and then see what else there is to see here. Leaving now, with maybe a few gnolls left inside, could give them plenty of time to get a lot of reinforcements and prepare for our return between now and the time we get back from healing... After drinking a healing potion, Rhys would still volunteer to get turned invisible and scout ahead inside the building for a bit. Oh, that reminds me... There should be another body inside the courtyard, shouldn't there?

[thirdkingdom]

In the center of the courtyard lies the body of Saul, thief and scout non pareil. His body is pierce with a dozen cuts, and he has his short sword in one hand, the magical dagger Hedfan in the other.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

TK, is Lanny still unconscious? I was not sure if Semele's stabilizing of Lanny helped him regain consciousness or not. I believe Lanny is still at 0 hp.

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the elf

TK, is Lanny still unconscious? I was not sure if Semele's stabilizing of Lanny helped him regain consciousness or not. I believe Lanny is still at 0 hp.

This is correct. Lanny is still unconscious.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter

Innana watches the gnoll choke blood half way through his laugh. The gnolls eyes rolled up and his head fell backwards before his body would follow. Soon after the other gnoll was dead, and the last three of the group headed for the inner courtyard of the ruins. Innana rushes over to Lanny who is unconscious on the ground. "Quick, who has the healing potions?" Lanny is in need of one. She kneels next to Lanny and scoops his head onto her lap, and checks his breathing.

...

Innana can't go to the inner courtyard where they find Saul's body. She drops her head, and pretends to be focusing on Lanny's breathing as her eyes well up with tears. Her body becomes heavy and she lets her heart mourn the loss of Saul.

[sulldawga]

Marodin will move to the unconscious Lanny and cast his final Cure Light Wounds spell of the day.

[thirdkingdom]

Marodin will move to the unconscious Lanny and cast his final Cure Light Wounds spell of the day.

The healing magics restore Lanny to consciousness and bring back some of the color to his cheeks.

CLW on Lanny: (1d6+1=3)

[Finglas]

In the center of the courtyard lies the body of Saul, thief and scout non pareil. His body is pierce with a dozen cuts, and he has his short sword in one hand, the magical dagger Hedfan in the other.

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad rushes to Saul's side. Seeing the scout's body, bloodied and broken, the elf laments his passing. "He is gone....."

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny sits up slowly, blinking his eyes a few times. He looks over at Marodin, Semele, and Innana around him, slowly nodding his head in thanks for the healing aid they rendered to him. He looks carefully around the courtyard, until his eyes settle upon the fallen figure of Saul. The ranger slowly rises to his feet and walks over to the body.

"I am to blame for this... It was I who suggested he scout forward while invisible... My intention was that he would just observe from a distance and return and report, but I should have known that he would try to do more than his abilities would safely allow, to go above and beyond for the benefit of the group... Such was his level of courage and bravery... Farewell, Saul the Intrepid..."

Lanny takes a moment to close his eyes and remember the good times he shared with Saul in their short time together. His eyes are misty and reddened as he walks away. Instinctively, he brings his mind back to the present, and to the potential danger that the party still faces.

"I did not see any other gnolls when I entered the courtyard, but if there were any others who fled inside, it is quite possible that the whole castle now knows of our presence..."

Lanny walks a little closer to the main entrance to the castle proper, carefully studying the ground for recent tracks leading back into the castle. He invites the other trackers to assist him.

"We will have to decide what to do now. By all rights, we should return with Saul's body to Threshold, so that he may be given a proper burial. Yet, the castle looms before us as a dangerous hive, which if left unattended, may grow in power during our absence. My mind is clouded right now, my friends, and I appeal to your best judgment at this time..."

Tracking: WIS+1=16

[Bouv]

Tratiln walks over to Saul's body and lets out a deep breath. He'll lean down on one knee and just put a hand on his companion's lifeless shoulder. "Saul, there were so many times when we thought you were in over your head and out you would come running with something chasing you. Why couldn't you have been running again this time? I hope that wherever you believe for an afterlife, there are plenty of woman for you to ply your wits on."

If they are open, Tratiln will also make sure that Saul's eyes are close

Tratiln will look up at the sky in deep thought for a moment. "Truly, I feel we all knew the risks inherit with out lifestyle but I fear we sometimes get too complicant in your dealings. I feel we should gather up Saul's belongs and bring him and them back to Threshold for a proper burial. It is only right."

It is quite evident that Tratlin is shaken up by these turn of events.

[sulldawga]

Marodin will walk over to Saul's body, kneel down, and speak some quiet words for only he and Saul to hear. The cleric stands up and says, "Godspeed, good friend. The Immortals are welcoming you to their kingdom of light as we speak, no doubt."

He looks at Semele. "Please wrap Saul's body in his cloak once everyone has had a chance to say their goodbyes."

Looking back at the others, he says, "Does someone have some rope I can borrow? I need to secure the prisoner."

While waiting for someone to give him some rope, Marodin will make sure that all the sleeping and held gnolls are dead. Only the hobgoblin should be left alive.

"Let's talk to the prisoner before we make any decisions about staying or going."

[Innana]

Innana the fighter

Innana takes a deep breath to compose herself, but does not want to see Saul dead and injured. His clothes and cape are bloodied. "Innana takes some ribbons from her hair and slips them into Sauls hands, then she takes off her blue cape, and lays it next to Saul. She watches Traitiln close Saul's eyes, "goodbye my friend."

Innana helps Semele wrap Saul in her blue cape. Innana lifts Saul's bag, and a parchment falls out with Saul's handwriting. She unrolls the scroll, and looks up at the group, "He left a will?" She hands the will to Bregalad.

Innana contemplates the situation with her hands on her hips. "I think I will put in my vote to take Saul back for a proper burial. It will give us time to plan things out,, and pick up our silver weapons.Innana pauses, Plus, I could use a drink, Innana looks at Saul's wrapped body, "or two"
Innana helps put together a stretcher to carry Saul's body.

[Finglas]

.....Looking back at the others, he says, "Does someone have some rope I can borrow? I need to secure the prisoner."

While waiting for someone to give him some rope, Marodin will make sure that all the sleeping and held gnolls are dead. Only the hobgoblin should be left alive.

"Let's talk to the prisoner before we make any decisions about staying or going."

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad hands his rope to Marodin, and then heads back to retrieve his horse and Saul's.

Stroking the horse's mane, the elf tells him the sad news, "I am sorry, Castanha -- Saul will not be coming back. Your rider's spirit has left his body. Please come with me, so that you may carry him one last time."

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf bows his head somberly, praying softly to his dwarven deities for a quick ascension of Saul's spirit. Then he smiles, thinking of Saul bantering back and forth with all the dwarves that have come before.