Into the Hool

[Rex]

Fahima

Whispering, "What is the plan? If we are going in we could grab a floating log and make for the temple but we would be vulnerable to attack until we get there."

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

Build a raft. We need to waterproof some equipment and books. Then we can punt across or swim pulling our gear.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan suggests "How bout we scout around a bit ta see if there ain't some other way in without gettin wet eh?"

[gurusql]

Zan

"I like the idea for looking for another way in."

[Rex]

Fahima

"If we are going to scout around we should get to it."

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

"A raft may be the only way, Gordansk. I agree. But on the chance we get lucky, let's scout around. We can collect materials for the raft as we go."

Cassius nods to the left and starts moving that way.

[Rex]

Fahima

Fahima will follow Cassius.

[Spearmint]

sure let's check around.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan also follows Cass.

[hedgeknight]

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 20
Southern Hool Swamp, Late Afternoon, Cool and Foggy
Scouting Around

Although there is some disagreement, the companions begin moving to their left, hoping to find another entrance to the lair of Sakatha instead of taking the direct (and wet) approach up the stairs. Cassius leads the way and the others follow, with Vilana and Sai bringing up the rear. Cautiously and as quietly as possible, the companions attempt to circle around the great muddy bank while staying dry at the same time. Alas, this is impossible because the ground is spongy at best; before long the companions are soaked to the knee with stank swamp water.

Side view.jpg (759.64 KiB) Viewed 599 times

They continue to make their way east, slipping and sliding through the swamp, wet, cold, and somewhat miserable. The great mud bank rises before them as they get closer. The remnants of stone pillars can be seen to the side where once a great courtyard stood open to the sky. From their viewpoint, many of the pillars appear broken and shattered.
The muddy embankment continues to rise, towering over them as they draw closer...and then Cassius calls an abrupt halt, straining his sight and hearing into the foggy environs.
"What do you hear?" Vilana asks...and then she hears it too, as do any others with sharp hearing. Gordansk's crow takes flight and quickly disappears out of sight in the fog...but it doesn't take too long before the priest of doom gets a mental message from his feathered companion.
"Battle...near mud hole. Big creatures...kill each other."

And as if on cue, the wind shifts, and the fog parts allowing the companions to get a fairly clear view of the battle going on about 30 yards ahead of them. Four large hairy creatures are fighting two large greenish monsters with black eyes and long talons.
"Bugbears and trolls!" Vilana hisses. "What the hell have we walked into?"

Actions?
Your position is the blue X. So far, the combatants haven't noticed you.

[Rex]

Fahima

Whispering, "We are going to need fire, quickly."

She looks around, "Anyone want to lend me a torch."

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan will begin to look for a place to set down this box.

[Darklin2]

Sai

Shhhhhh. Let them fight. Less danger to us if they weed each other out. Hold your positions.

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

Would slink back into the mud, letting the combatants distract themselves. Disturbing that two further humanoid groups are here when we principally expect lizardmen.

"We should keep moving, away from them."

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan nodding "Aye, let 'em fight it out. Best get movin away fore they see us." watching the battle as they talk quietly his eyebrow over his left eye raises "Strange thin's be afoot, but I dun wanna get dragged inta em."

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

His arm and bow instinctively go up but he holds his fire. "Right. Let them fight, though we might do everyone some good if we ensure those trolls don't survive the fight."

"Good news, though, that pillar area looks promising. We should head there."

Cassius wants to stay within hearing range of the fight but continues towards the pillars and courtyard.

If the fight is in the courtyard, he will wait and ensure nothing else is moving around in the fog.

[Rex]

Fahima

Fahima continues to follow Cassius. Staff sling at the ready.

[hedgeknight]

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 20
Southern Hool Swamp, Later Afternoon, Cool and Foggy
Trolls, Bugbears and Dragons, Oh My!

Upon seeing the bugbears and trolls tearing into one another, the companions come up with several different options.
Fahima > "We are going to need fire, quickly...Anyone want to lend me a torch."
Vilana > "I have a few in my pack; grab one." She kneels down in the wet environs to allow Fahima to reach her pack.
Zan looks around for a secure place to put the box. He sees a relatively solid piece of ground near a bent cypress tree.
Sai > Shhhhhh. Let them fight. Less danger to us if they weed each other out. Hold your positions.
Gordansk > "We should keep moving, away from them."
Roan agrees > "Aye, let 'em fight it out. Best get movin away fore they see us...Strange thin's be afoot, but I dun wanna get dragged inta em."
Cassius > "Right. Let them fight, though we might do everyone some good if we ensure those trolls don't survive the fight...Good news, though, that pillar area looks promising. We should head there."
The archer begins to move and Fahima follows, staff-sling at the ready.
Vilana gets up and looks at the others. "Is this the plan? I thought we were holding our position."

With no response, she follows Fahima and Cassius, slowly picking their way along toward the courtyard. They don't go far when they see a very narrow trail in the side of the muddy embankment; it leads up to the courtyard. However, scaling it may leave them open to detection by the combatants.
Speaking of, one of the trolls (T2) rips an arm off of one of the bugbears (B4) and the creature screams and falls...and so does another (B3) because T2 leaps on it and bites most of its face off!
Nearby, the other two bugbears manage to drop the other troll (T1)...but they know it won't stay down for long. That is when one of the bugbears (B1) raises a horn to its lips and blows a long single note. And then they are fighting for their lives against T2.

But once again, there is a low roar that shakes the muddy mound...something below ground...the dragon?...is pissed off!

Actions?

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan is prepared to wait out the combat with the bugbears and trolls not wanting to get between such large foes. He will stay by the Cypress tree so that he has a secure place to set down the box when it is time for him to get into the combat.

[Spearmint]

But once again, there is a low roar that shakes the muddy mound...something below ground...the dragon?...is pissed off!

Gordansk

I think the general consensus is not to encounter the trolls and bugbears but to sneak by and gain entrance into the building.

So with a roar and further ground shaking, I think we take cover and let them fight it out. Where can we go. Up the embankment and risk being seen or hope they stay distracted?

Rather be under cover than in the open. So Gordansk runs for the found trail up the embankment.