PBEM - Episode 188, Orcs and Fire

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT

(I/C)

“I don’t like it,” Lannis said. “Let’s go to the storeroom and see how much beer Kovid could drink instead.”

Brendon shook his head, frowning. “Instead of getting drunk and letting them setup more shit for us to deal with, let’s move forward.”

“Wow, maybe I was just joking?” Lannis suggested.

The Scout continued, hand raised to forestall any further comments, “If Wyn will accompany me, I think we could move down the hall in the dark. We both have extensive training and we could use the embers as cover.”

“You can’t see in the dark, Genius,” the Mage said sarcastically.

“It’ll be perfect. Visual and defense will be impaired on both sides,” Brendon counted up on his fingers with each point. “Sauce for the goose. Odds would be even.”

“I don’t agree.”

He continued, “If we stay low, sweep our feet as we walk and approach slowly, we could light a torch in-front of them an momentary blind them.” He shrugged, “Maybe a wet towel over us will help to cloak the heat from our heads.”

Wyn raised a hand stopping Lannis from interjecting. “Mostly sounds bien, mon ami. No wet towels. Just stay low en we cen keep our bodies at de same heat as de embers. We sneak ahead and low to the ground, moving our feet with very low steps to avoid stepping on bear traps we don't know bout or trippin any wires. No sweepin' feet, though... dat is not sneakin'.”

Abraxas was looking troubled, “No me gusta este, amigos. This no es ...como dices... sitting right...? This does not sit right with me.”

Lannis sighed, "Doesn't sit well with me either big guy; unfortunately this is the only way to the other side. Unless you want to go through the portcullis. Which is also a bad idea"

The elf held his hand up, pointing ahead. “It’ll be ok. Well be safe and slow. When we to get to de doors, we listen and peer around de corners.”

“If things go wrong enough that you guys need help,” Lyra said, “I’ll come in to cast hold person. Hopefully they go right though.” She lowered her voice and turned aside, but Abraxas was able to hear her mutter, “For once today.”

“Si, Senorita. Something seems not right.” He tapped her on the shoulder and pointed further down the hall near the dead hobgoblin. “I will be there, just in case. I do not trust Orko. Stay behind me and let me know what Senor Wynches has to say.”

“Will do,” she answered, gripping her club tight.

“Brendon,” Wyn was summarizing, “If we get to door and see no orcs, den we light a torch off embers and quickly hurl it down the rest of the hallway to check out if dere be any orcs en traps down de hall. Den de rest ov de party meets us where we be. If we see more den two orcs, I sleep dem. Else, you try yer torch trick. I swap to bow en shoot dem.”

“Aye,” the scout agreed, ““When we get to the corner and it looks clear we should have some sort of signal for the others to move up. Not too close to give us away but close enough that they’re not too far from us.”

Kovid held his thumb up. “I’ll watch for it.” He paused. “Be careful.”

“Merci.” With his shield out and an unlit torch in his other hand, Wyn nodded to the Scout and the two of them began walking down the steps, crouching low and taking exaggerated steps to keep their balance, avoid getting upright, and prevent falling. With no light they were relying mostly on Wyn’s infravision and the faintish glow coming off the slowly cooling embers.

One step at a time they made their way down the stairs getting just past the half way point (>Look +2 thief, Red 10) when Wyn’s feet settled on the step and there was the audible sound of crushed glass grinding the soles of his boot. (>Surprise Check, Red/Black 5). Freezing instantly the two of them strained to hear (>Hear Noise +15 bonus, Red 89..>Hear Noise +2 bonus Orange 19) anything but in that instant Wyn saw the end of the hall where the stairs were a sudden heat bloom and then a loud TWANG!

He crouched lower and hunkered behind the shield (>+3 to hit, Red/Black 14) but the orcish shaft found a weak spot in the wood and punched through enough (1d6 Damage, Red/Black 3) to stab him in the left forearm. He kept his cool enough to glance past the shield to see the orc shaped heat bloom that rose at the far steps turn and disappear swiftly followed by some deep piggish sounding laughter.

Entire situation from stepping on the glass covered step? Barely 5 seconds.

Time now is Day 5, 2:12 PM

(OOC)

Orc in waiting, failed surprise, but still scored a hit. Turned and ran down the steps about 30, 35’ away. Laughter sound is just one. What do you want to do?