Chapter 27: Mark of the Beast

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome struggles to keep his voice at a whisper. He's furious and ready to explode. NO! There are no side passages! The only way is through, and we have no choice but to take it. The question is how to gain the advantage on these- these- monsters.
He scrabbles for his waterskin and takes a long drink.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser suggests, "maybe we just burn them all to death. Might be a mercy if they wake up and realize what they've done..."

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo scratches his long beard and whispers.

“I believe our task lies beyond that dark door in there. And that is where we will find the girl. Though, I don’t see an easy way to get to it without adding to their horrible little slaughterhouse.”

“Perhaps we can hide behind some of the crates and barrels in the last room, then cause some kind of commotion out here in this chamber. If a few of them come out to investigate, we can try to separate them from the others and interrogate them for more information?”

“Or, we just push through the room towards the door now and see how they react with all their knives and meat cleavers. Though I fear this idea ends in mass bloodshed unless we can break the evil that holds their minds somehow?”

[wolfpack]

was there any airflow in the cave? perhaps we can smoke them out

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome's almost-physical need to slaughter these cannibals is writ large on his face. He licks a finger to test for any sort of breeze.
Yes, we draw them out into the outer room and catch them in a crossfire. How many bows and slings do we have?

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur says, I can create an auditory illusion, that may draw them out of the room. But I cannot take part in any direct action. I have neither sling nor arrow, and would make myself visible with any attack. But others may take aim at any who would emerge.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

I have neither ranged weapon, nor the knowledge to use one with any skill. I can summon forth a spiritual hammer, powered by the Grace of Tritherion, that can allow me to strike from a distance, though not as far as one could attack with a bow.

[wolfpack]

I have my bow and some silver arrows

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo sneaks back into the storage area to make sure there is ample room for everyone to hide before retrieving an empty crate or cask that he can ignite.

Moving back to the others, he makes his proposal.

“Very well, master Urdur. Then you should position yourself in an area that allows you to see into their room. We need to judge their reactions and watch if any of them go through that door in there.”

“I will set this on fire in the center of the northern cavern while the rest of you hide among the crates. With the aid of the audible illusion, a few of them should be drawn out to investigate. If enough of them rush out, maybe we can push into the room and beyond that door while they are confused, avoiding an attack altogether. If not, at least we will have two smaller groups to deal with.”

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome says nothing, but nods enthusiastically. He trembles slightly, like a hunting dog holding point on a bird

[ravenn4544]

Mouser finds some cover and readies sling.

[Inferno]

The Wolfpack's Lair, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-three. Night. Wednesday, December 14th, 576 CY
Freezing cold, clear







The savory aroma of roasting meat sickens the heroes to their stomachs.

After whispered plans for an ambush are laid, Long Bo edges into the store room and retrieves an empty wooden barrel.

Engrossed with preparing their delicious feast, the merry cooks are none the wiser.



Actions?! (and positions, please)


Map:

One square = 10 feet.

Map Detail:







PC Status:

Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 36/36
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 3/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self.

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

The cleric will creep west of the barrels (g4) and attempt to hide.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome moves to a concealed position behind the boulders (B5). He says a brief but heartfelt prayer, then takes another drink.

[wolfpack]

Brevos sneaks in and hides ready to spring a trap

rangers surprise 3 in 6

[ravenn4544]

Mouser recalls that his boots allow him to move virtually silently. He whispers, "If I was invisible, I could be a knife in the darkness when needed in there..."

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo lights the refuse on fire, leaving it on the rocks in the larger chamber where it can be seen by the cannibal villagers once they enter this area. (C6)

Noticing that Jerome must not have understood the plan, he motions for the man to follow him into the next room, where he eventually hides behind some of the barrels. (I5)

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome looks slightly embarrassed, and moves to the (G4) as quietly as possible- when he can.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur invisibly lights the fire in other room or helps Bo do it?. Then he joins the others, ready to cast a spell if necessary.

Sorry, I think this was the plan. My intention is to have Urdur follow the plan that was discussed in the OOC thread.

[Inferno]

The Wolfpack's Lair, The Dark Mountains, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-three. Night. Wednesday, December 14th, 576 CY
Freezing cold, clear







The heroes hide in the storeroom near the ghastly kitchen of unspeakable horrors.

Invisible, Urdur sets the barrel alight and quickly joins his companions as the cask's empty interior suddenly combusts in flame!



Whatever it once held must have been flammable.

Roiling black smoke is pulled into the kitchen, raising a hue and a cry! In alarm, gruesome, blood-spattered butchers and cooks rush through the storeroom toward the cavern, holding knives and cleavers! The women and children remain behind.

Between the smoke and the spectacle of the burning barrel, the men don't detect the ambush lying in wait for them!


Actions?!


Map Detail:

One square = 10 feet.





PC Status:

Brevos, Half-Elf Ranger 4: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 36/36
Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 25/25, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 5/5 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 9", AC: 3(1), HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 1/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 9", AC: 2(1), HP: 38/38, Spells: 3/6 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, 2/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 11/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 1/2 2nd lvl

PC Magic:

Invisibility (Urdur): Target: self.

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)