21. Revisiting the Troglodyte Lair

[dmw71]

Moving Grimnail and Gwillt here: 22. Troglodyte Lair - Side (Grim and Gwillt only), but anyone is still free to join the pair already through the hole if that's the course of action they want their character to take. Those moving to the main lair entrance will continue to use this thread.

Please, only read the threads that are appropriate for your characters!

Let's get moving.

[Stonjuz]

"I hope to see you again, friend, but no sense sending BOTH us sneaks into the same hole. Ill go help them with the other main entrance."

[onlyme]

Ewell asks Darrin to light a lamp and follow, and he heads toward the main entrance, sword ready.

[dmw71]

The rest of the group watches as Gwillt and Grimnail disappear into the side tunnel. They see a light flicker on from within as the human ranger ignites a torch. Without much pause, the light begins to disappear further into the depths of the lair.

"To the main entrance." says Ewell. "Hopefully we'll find our missing cleric along the way." he adds as he and the rest of the group take the necessary precautions to combat the stench of the troglodytes on the way.

Coming from a different direction, and without Gwillt leading the way, the party manages to locate the original entry point, but not without a fair share of struggles.

There, waiting at the entrance, is Epsilon.

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         |   |
         |   |
          \   \
           |   |           
          ........
            Lair
          Entrance
                   Epsilon

----


I will need actions and an updated marching order.

[Rukellian]

Are we splitting up into two groups of 5 for the main entrance descent? If so, my character will be a torch holder again for the group that does not have darrin. Fimmion would probably stick to the rear again, maybe the middle if the situation demands it. Considering his lack of armor restriction in movement, he can easily slip to the front lines to cast a quick spell, if everyone is cooperative.

[ravenn4544]

ooc: i don't like the idea of splitting up. I am probably best in the 2nd rank or so to help with anyone leading the charge.

[Zhym]

What do we think about Shannigans trying to sneak in unseen to scout before we head in?

Thoughts on marching order:

It seems to me that in these narrow tunnels, any fighters who aren't the first two or last two are spectators. Two groups could help control passages that could be used to get around one group. Here's a possible split order (numbers are HP):

Strom 32
Aric 18 (w/ Spear)
Shannigans 8
Fimmion 7
Kaltar 24

Ewell 36
Kendrick 12 (w/ Strom’s spear?)
Darrin
O’Rek 17
Epsilon 22

That puts a paladin in each group, a spear-wielder in the second rank (although Kendrick would be at a -2 penalty because he's not proficient), and a cleric with decent HP guarding the rear (though if we meet up with G&G, they'd be better).

If we think we'll be getting it from both ends, there's this:

Strom 32
Aric 18 (w/ Spear)
Kaltar 24
O’Rek 17
Shannigans 8
Fimmion 7
Darrin
Epsilon 22
Kendrick 12 (w/ Strom’s spear?)
Ewell 36

[onlyme]

From a gameplay perspective, we have to split up. It just isnt fun or fair to have 10 people in a single file line with nothing to do except 2-3 at either end.

Also, Ewell is a cav, and he will not be the last one in. He will lead whatever group, even if he has to create his own one man wolfpack...

[Grognardsw]

"Strange custom it is, stuffing the nose before battle," comments Aric the barbarian. "Is there reason? If so do any have extra nostril armor?"

Aric Swiftword grunts assent to the two group marching order, though he'd prefer to use his great blade instead of spear if space permits.

[Zhym]

Yeah, I figured that putting the cavalier in the back would be a problem. So here's an alternate single-file single group that lets Ewell go first and keeps a paladin at each end:

Ewell 36
Kendrick 12 (w/ Strom’s spear?)
Kaltar 24
O’Rek 17
Shannigans 8
Fimmion 7
Darrin
Epsilon 22
Aric 18 (w/ Spear)
Strom 32

Although there's something to be said for letting Ewell charge in alone. He'd be happy, and when the trogs fall on him from either side, the rest of us could come in and flank them for a change.

Spell users aren't totally useless in the middle; they can still cast spells. But I agree that two groups is probably better.

[Rukellian]

Walking single file is almost unavoidable considering our last encounter in the lair. What we can do though is limit how many people are going into certain pathways. I'd rather have smaller, easier to manage group go in one direction while a similar one goes in another, instead of having a huge group go down one pathway all at once.... single file; it would cause too much of a build up if things get hectic and we have to fall back or switch positions with one another. Weapon room is also be taking into consideration here with the group line ups suggested by Zhym (his first suggestion). I'm all for how he has things planned.

[wolfpack]

Ah I was wondering if you were all coming!

I have scouted ahead to the point we had our battle past the first tunnel fork. I saw no signs of movement and the dead trog bodies are still in place so my guess is the scouting party has not returned.

Now allow my to call upon my god for his blessing.

epsilon will cast his bless spell on the group

[dmw71]

Epsilon casts 'Bless' spell on the group.

"Upon uttering the bless spell, the caster raises the morale of friendly creatures and any saving throw rolls they make against fear effects by +1. Furthermore, it raises their attack dice rolls by +1."

[onlyme]

Ah I was wondering if you were all coming!

I have scouted ahead to the point we had our battle past the first tunnel fork. I saw no signs of movement and the dead trog bodies are still in place so my guess is the scouting party has not returned.

Now allow my to call upon my god for his blessing.

epsilon will cast his bless spell on the group

Ewell pipes up...
Great to hear. This allows those afraid to avoid the spiders to the right fork, and allows all to go toward the left tunnel. Then, we can split at the tunnel intersection of the great battle. I shall lead a party straight ahead, while others can go to the right. Just be wary of some spilt oil in that cross tunnel.

With that (and assuming Darrin is right behind him with a light) Ewell will enter the lair.

[Grognardsw]

Aric suspiciously eyes the unknown priest start mumbling what is no doubt a prayer - perhaps even a magic one at that - and he moves to the back of the group out of earshot. He tries hard to be civilized and not get angry, for after all he'll be swinging swords with these adventurers soon enough.

[Zhym]

With his permission, Kendrick borrows Strom's spear and follows Ewell into the tunnels. "I'm not highly trained in the use of this weapon," he says, "but I think I have the general idea. The pointy end goes into your enemies, right?"

[wolfpack]

Epsilon is quick to slide into the middle of the group.

[dmw71]

As the group locates its bearings and moves to the main lair entrance, they all begin to take the necessary precautions to combat the affects of the known potent stench. "Strange custom it is, stuffing the nose before battle," comments Aric the barbarian. "Is there reason? If so do any have extra nostril armor?". The troglodyte special attack is explained and his request is granted as Shannigans taps the towering human on the knee and holds a pair of the wax noseplugs up to the barbarian. "You'll want to wear this, too." the hobbit says, producing a torn rag and dousing it with the wine before demonstrating the application on himself.

"Ah, I was wondering if you were all coming! exclaims Epsilon as he spies the rest the group approaching. "I have scouted ahead to the point we had our battle past the first tunnel fork. I saw no signs of movement and the dead trog bodies are still in place so my guess is the scouting party has not returned." he continues.

('Blessing')

Aric eyes the unknown priest suspiciously as Epsilon start mumbling what is no doubt a prayer - perhaps even a magic one. He moves to the back of the group out of earshot.

---

Ewell, eager to get moving, indicates that the party should split, with half taking the left fork and the other half the right, where the spiders were located. "I shall lead a party straight ahead, while others can go to the right. Darrin, be a good lad and spark a torch. You stay behind me." The young knight begins to make his way into the lair. Darrin fumbles to produce and light a source.

Kendrick borrows Strom's spear (We can retroactively fix this if Strom doesn't want to part with it) and follows Ewell into the tunnels, instructing Darring to step in line behind him. "I'm not highly trained in the use of this weapon," he says, "but I think I have the general idea. The pointy end goes into your enemies, right?"

(Following Zhym's first proposal)

Epsilon and O'rek file in behind Darrin and proceed to follow the lead of Ewell.


---

Strom hands his spear to the fellow paladin. "The rest of you, follow me." he orders. With Epsilon having gone with the first group, Aric steps forward to follow Strom's lead.

"I want to have room to swing blade." the new barbarian states. "But will use this -" he brings his spear to hand, "- until able to switch."
Shannigans, Fimmion and Kaltar complete this second group, with Fimmion volunteering to hold a torch if provided one, which Kaltar does.

---

The groups assembled, they enter the lair and approach the 'Y' intersection; they find the corpses of dead troglodytes lining the floor throughout. Ewell leads his group to the left and Strom to the right.

Strom's group is moving here: 23. Right Branch

Ewell's group is moving here: 24. Left Branch

[dmw71]

Temporarily locking this thread down. Please post in the appropriate side-thread for your character.

[dmw71]

Shannigans peers down the southwest passage and says, loud enough for both parties to hear, "I was right, it's the cavalry. I mean the cavalier. Yes, yes, yes, this way fellas. We gotta man down. The clerics tending to him just now." Ewell first hears the words, then spies the hobbit's face peering around the corner and leads his group to join the others.

The two groups have been reunited.

Inside the cavern, Kaltar kneels by Strom in prayer. He intones the words, whilst grasping his holy symbol, to the more powerful healing spell. Any reservations about summoning the greater power are quickly overcome and, by the end of his task, is speaking more definitively (Strom: +7hp). The knight is quickly revitalized and, while regaining consciousness, is still extremely weak.

---

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                                           _________
                                          /       
               _____                     /         
               __   \           ________/    
                 \   \         /       Ka* St Fi    
                  \   \       /   _____        
                   |   \_____/   /     \      __    
                   | Ew Sh Ar*  /       \____/  \___
                   | Ke _______/                    
                   /Da /
                  /Ep / 
                 /Or /
                                  

---

Happy Thanksgiving (for my friends in the United States).

The two groups have been reunited. How are you going to proceed?