TWO HUNDRED SIXTY THREE
(I/C)
Kovid looked over the elf with some concern, “Wyn, you ok elf-friend? Whatdya say we stop and fill our water skins at the aquifer, if they haven’t sabotaged it yet, then off to the Butcher’s? We really need to find another oil source too.”
Abraxas nodded vigorously, "Aqua-fryer is close to us ahora. Let us go there y "fill hair up"..."fill hear up"... fill... let’s get some aqua."
"Blood must get to your brain faster with less distance to cover, because that was actually a good idea,” Lannis folded his arms across his chest belligerently. “I notice you call Swamp Thing friend but not me, why is that?"
“Because you’re an asshole?” Brendon mused.
“Because you’re rude?” Lyra offered.
“Perhaps you pick on his maps quite a bit?” Wyn suggested between breaths.
“You’re my friend too, Big Brain.” Kovid stared back at the Wizard. “Is there anyone else in this party that has a brain as big as yours? No. That’s you, all you.”
“Well…alright then. Luckily I’m both magnanimous and gracious to lesser personages; in stature, skill, and intelligence.”
“Lucky us,” Kovid grumbled helping Wyn back to his feet and getting a thumbs up from the elf.
“Wyn, you need a heal or want to chance it?” Lyra asked. “I have another.”
"Priestesse... ,” Wyn finished up with a coughing wheeze, “I would greatly appreciate de heal. I taut an errant spear could take me out at dis point I tink... any help Aine could give Wyn would be glorious. But de effects o de Sulfur have faded and I’ll be ok for now.” (Wyn – you only have 2 points of damage)
Fingering a fresh arrow, Brendon joked, “Of all the people to get sick from the sulfur I would have guessed it would be the sissy boy that is fearful his nipples are in danger all the time.” Seeing Lannis give him a rude gesture, Brendon smiled at him and said, “And a double Friendship Finger back at you to, Mamma’s Little Boy.”
Wyn chuckled along with most of the party and the turned to address the dwarf next. "Dwarfriend, tank you for your courteous words. I tink we need ta get water now or tomorrow mornin'... hm... since we be on dis side of de castle and we mayhaps not be tomorrow mornin, it makes sense to fill up de skins now. Den ova to de Butchas ol' poundin, er um, stompin ground, I tink."
As the group began to move out, heading south towards the aquifer, Lyra voiced her concerns. “I don’t know about the Butcher’s. Did that place have a secondary exit? I don’t want to be trapped somewhere that’s a dead end at the moment - especially while they’re looking for us.”
“Only way to know is to go and look,” the Scout suggested, turning the party to the west and taking them down the long stairs on the way to furthest fresh water reaches of the Castle. “If I remember the conversation the orcs were talking about earlier they thought our noise could have been a Hobgoblin or goblin patrol, they said it was too but one third of a glass. Could they be using an hour glass to tell time? If we could figure out their patrol times it could serve us well.”
“Sounds good,” Kovid agreed, lantern held up as the group descended the long stairs. After that, there was a length of corridor and then another small stair and a crude cavern. The ceiling was a good 15 feet tall and domed in the center. The major attraction was the large deep natural aquifer of fresh water that the party seemed relieved to finally arrive at and see. “My skin is half empty and then some.”
“Ever’one take a good long drink now an den fill your skin. Dunno when we get a chance to come back ‘ere and get some more so it better to take now and fill up.”
(Hear Noise, Red 93)
The party filled the skins, drinking deep when they could, Abraxas taking position back at the base of the stairs to keep a weather ear and eye out for the possibility of Hoots coming this way. It was thankfully quiet here, only the sound of the party’s voices and the clank of their gear echoing back from the dark chamber (Lyra Half Wis check >White 13 – no).
(Surprise check -2 penalty, Red/Black 2 – failed).
(1d6 Target: 2 – Lyra) And then without warning a blade pierced Lyra’s back (=+3 to hit, +4 invisible, White 10) stabbing expertly between her shoulder blades and dropping the Cleric to the ground with a gasping scream (1d6+1 Damage, White 4: 5 x 2 = 10 DAMAGE!) as a six and a half foot tall Chainmail wearing Hobgoblin armed with a short sword appeared with a smiling grin.
(1d6 Target: 6 – Kovid) And the situation repeated itself again and another 18 inch blade slammed into the dwarf’s flank near his kidneys (>+3 to hit, +4 invisible, Green 13), making Kovid stagger and try to draw breath at the same time (1d6+1 Damage, Red/Black 5: 6x2 = 12 DAMAGE!) and another Hobgoblin sparkled into appearance, naked sword soaked halfway up with the dwarf’s blood.
(1d6 Target: 5 – Brendon) From just near the north end of the aquifer, a sparkle of light appeared from nowhere and streaked out to slam into the Scout’s head (=Save vs spells, Red 12 (ring of protection helped), but he managed to turn his face at the last moment and the light spell blossomed just past him and not in his eyes. The robed and cowled figure with the salamander snout snarled out, “Blessed Corfard Damn it, Just missed.”
(1d6 Target: 1 – Lannis) “Told you they’d most likely come here for water, Brothers,” a voice said from nowhere followed by a spell that blew from that space and slammed into the Magic User with a crackling dark energy (<Save vs spells, Pink 6 – Failed). And suddenly Lannis was filled with an all encompassing need to RUN (Fear, want to run away as fast and as far as you can for the next 20 rounds). “Let’s neutralize these vermin and bring them in chains to Blessed Corfard.” And a second cowled and armored salamander Adept appeared.
“I agree, Brothers,” a third voice announced. “And let’s make sure their spells and efforts are silenced.” And then a third spell crackled out and shattered over the party as a third and final salamander adept appeared. It smiled a mouthful of teeth at the group as the spell finished up and the entire area around the party was plunged into unnatural and eerie all encompassing silence.
(Initiative: Party Steel 2 vs Enemy Red/Black 6)
(BX Baby, Hobgoblin on Dwarf - <Str -2 Teal 7, yes! <Str -2 Green 2, yes!) The two hobgoblins took advantage of the party’s momentary surprise to brace their feet and body slam the dwarf as hard as they could (>+3 to hit, +2 BX Baby success, Black 15) off the stone path around the deep pool and pitched him a good 5 feet out into the water! And clad in platemail, packs full, and sporting almost 120 lbs of gear – the dwarf quickly slipped under the water’s surface with a flailing of his arms.
Meanwhile the three adepts all targeted Brendon and swung their slings over their heads in strange silent unison. The weighted stones impacted the Scout (<+1 to hit, Steel 13 (Ring of Protection comes through again)… >+1 to hit, Steel 17…>+1 to hit, Yellow 20 – Critical max damage), making his twist and gyrate as he was buffeted by the soaring stones (1d3 Damage: Yellow 5, Take 3 Damage!...AND Critical hit – Automatic max – take ANOTHER 3 Damage!)
As for Kovid (Str check minus 1 per 100 coin weight…-11, >Yellow 9 – failed), he quickly found himself dropping under the cold cold water to the base of the aquifer about 10’ down, wavering light from above the only sign for where to go (1 + Con adj = 4 rounds or dead).
Time now is Day 7, 3:40 PM
(OOC)
Kovid, you can drop all your shit and swim for the surface if you wish (will take a round). Or you can try to swim again with what you have (also at -11). Or you can try to make it to the wall and CLIMB out if you want. Lannis, you are going to run away in terror – and Abraxas, you are the closest to stop that if you want, weapon, trip and step on him, or pitch him into the water, or whatever you all want.
Also it’s silent – so no spells or tactics relying on each other. Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment