|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 11, 2007 0:24:51 GMT -5
"Alas no. The Tunnel took us in one big circle. Well...a square to be exact. We came across 4 small chambers but the first three were empty so we made good time. They all had ladders leading up to trap doors. No telling where they lead to though. We figured we'd leave them for later. The fourth chamber was a bit bigger. An Ogre and a Troll were digging a tunnel upto the surface. There was a ladder there as well but it had yet to be installed. After defeating the smugglers I estimated that we were pretty close to being underneath the Hiring Hall. Then we marched on and found ourselves in that passage there." Reeks pointed the way they had come. "It continues on toward the castle but we figured we would check this room out first and here you all were."
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 12, 2007 1:26:30 GMT -5
Making a mental note to check out the other passage leading to the cave later it was still agreed that the secret smithy was still priority. "I'm going to astral project into the other room and scout it out. This could take some time. Be patient. I'll be back." Firebug sat cross legged on the earthen floor to begin his trance.
"Astrol what?" Reeks blurted.
"Kursaville explain it to him. Just protect me while I concentrate. I won't be able to defend myself while I'm under."
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Aug 12, 2007 7:44:48 GMT -5
Firebug took a seat so his back was against a wall for support. He closed his eyes, took a few slow deep breathes and then remained motionless.
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 13, 2007 2:45:22 GMT -5
It took about five minutes but Firebug was able to leave his body and found himself looking down at himself. He was attached to his physical form by a hair thin silver cord. FB instinctively knew that if that cord was ever cut he would be hard pressed to ever find his body again. Like a child who has discovered a new toy FB wanted badly to leave this plane of existence all together and enter the Astral Plane for the first time. Refraining, he managed to regain focus with some effort and launched himself down the corridor leading to the smugglers smithy.
The tunnel went on for a good 90 feet before making a right turn. Rounding the corner he could see the fiery glow of the smithy some 60 feet ahead. Confidant that no one could see him he floated forward until he reached the entrance of a room that was about 90 feet square. The center of the room was occupied by a large forge burning hot coals in its heart. The brick domed top funneled up into a chimney. FireBug wondered where the smoke was vented as not to draw attention in the town above. Unable to come up with a good answer he figured he'd leave that mystery to the dwarfs.The sound of smithing hammers was deafening. It was no wonder that no one had heard the skirmish earlier.
The smithy was very active this night. At least a dozen Goblins, six orcs, three Ogres and a Troll manned bellows, anvils, shovels and every tool imaginable to run a smithy. There were also four dwarfs running around supervising the workers. Piles of swords, chainmail, maces, spears and hammers could be seen against every wall.
Glancing around FireBug noticed two other entrances into the large smithy. One was most likely the other passage leading to the large storage room where his companions waited. The second passage lead east to parts unknown.
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Aug 13, 2007 9:50:08 GMT -5
Firebug made a quick mental note then raced back to his body. It seemed to a little harder then he thought to get back into his body but after a second he figured it out. He snapped awake with eyes wide and gasp. Looking around he saw everyone staring.
"We might have a problem. I saw 12 goblins, 6 orcs, 3 orges, and a troll in that room. We need a plan."
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 13, 2007 13:10:59 GMT -5
"Thats a lot of baddies to be sure." Siff said in a sober voice. I'll start praying while you boys play war. The Priestess stepped aside for a moment and began a chant to the Lord of Light for guidance and help.
The Hauptmann scratched his chin under his beard. "Well its been my experience that Goblins are cowards at heart and usually have to be prod ed into fighting. Orcs tend to work best in groups...well of about the size you mentioned. They'll be dangerous till we whittle them down. My men are all trained in fighting Ogres, so I suggest you leave them to us. The Troll could be the biggest problem and there Achilles heel. They are nasty beasts but if your people can take him down then the rest might become demoralized and surrender."
"The dwarfs are mine!" Halfhelm barked with fervor.
"They above all others must stand trial Master Smith. We need them alive. Well at least one of them." Kursaville added as the official law enforcer of the group.
"Did you see Gaul Lad?" Reeks added attempting to keep the concern out of his voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Aug 14, 2007 9:19:05 GMT -5
"No, he's not in there. But there is another passage through that room. That night lead us to the cave or at least Gaul." Firebug climbed slowly to his feet and stretched a little.
"Well Firebug knows fire spells and that should help us with the troll, but 3 ogres will be tough. That one nearly did us in if Firebug hadn't seen him sneaking up on us." said Kursaville.
"Let me add one thing, the walls in there are lined with all manner of weapons so you can bet that they will all be armed." Firebug added.
"Well, you just chocked full of good news today aren't you lad?" blurted Halfhelm who was now pacing in thought.
"Give the lad credit blacksmith, without him we would have walked into a slaughter. We just need a plan. Come on lad, what's your plan?" Reeks was suddenly a one dwarf cheering section.
Firebug ran his fingers through his hair which was now heavy and matted from sweat, "they have greater numbers on their side, so the logical thing would be to split them up, divide and conqure. Let's search these crates, maybe we can find something to help even the odds. Everyone look for rope or netting and gather as much as you can, we have a trap to build."
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Aug 22, 2007 8:58:26 GMT -5
After about 10 minutes only several dozen yards of rope had been found.
"So what's the plan?" Kursaville scratched his head as he looked at Firebug.
"Ok, we need to move some of these crates in front of the left tunnel so all dwarves with crossbows can have a clear view down the tunnel but can shift to cover the doorway of the right tunnel as well. In the left tunnel we will need to move some of the broken crates a little way in and then they will be set on fire to both draw out some of the beasties but limit their movement. In front of the right tunnel I want 2 lengths of rope laid for trip cords. As they use the second tunnel to check out the fire they come out this way and we will use the rope to gain an advantage on them. As the beasties emerge a rope is raised to trip them as they run out. We will also keep some of those spears by the right tunnel to kill what we catch in our trap. Siff we will need to use some of your newly purchased lamp oil to get those crates burning. Well, that's my plan, any questions?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 23, 2007 7:41:39 GMT -5
Everyone agreed to the plan and got to work. It took another five minutes to get everything ready. The fire was set and the group settled in to wait.
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Aug 28, 2007 3:01:33 GMT -5
It wasn't long before two Orcs and a Goblin came running down the barracaded passage to check what was going on. They were met with a hail of bolts. The lead orc took two quarrles to the chest dropping him to the ground. A third bolt went wizzing into the goblins spindley arm tumbling him as well. The second orc took a bolt to its gut but it staggered on howling in a berzerker rage. The dwarves had just enough time to reload and riddle the maddened orc with bolts. This time it slumped not four feet from the baracade and didn't rise. The Goblin crawled back down the tunnel out of harms way.
Wave one was over.
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Aug 28, 2007 11:02:50 GMT -5
Firebug motioned to the dwarves with a thumbs up. Reeks motioned that one slipped back into the tunnel. Firebug turned back to the others around him at the second tunnel, "get ready on the first rope, they now know the first tunnel is trapped so they will come this way next."
The dwarves took this opportunity to quickly reloaded their crossbows and scanned both tunnels now in order to assist the other group.
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Sept 5, 2007 0:50:06 GMT -5
Firebug quickly learned that even the best layed plans don't survive contact with the enemy. It wasn't long before a second wave attacked. However it to came from the partially blocked tunnel. Gutteral screams and war cries could be heard from the tunnel. A dozen goblins, four Orcs and three Ogres came charging down the passage in mass. The dwarves and troll did not follow.
|
|
|
|
Post by sfliegel on Sept 5, 2007 7:38:08 GMT -5
Reeks was the first to call out to the second group, damn his dwarven pride, he wanted to be home drinking his ale tonight, "the second wave!"
Firebug pointed to the three remaining dwarven soldiers, "you three will stay here guarding this passage. Use the ropes to slow anything that shoudl try to pass, then kill. Siff, Halfhelm, Kursaville and myself, will flank the next passage to support the archer if anything should get through. Siff, I need you to take as many spears as you can carry and move back to reinforce the archers. Kursaville, move behind the archer's postion to the left side of the entrance while Halfhelm and I take position on the right. If anything makes it through, aim low. They wil most likely already be injured so taking out their legs should stop them long enough to finish the job."
Siff grabbed the bundle of spears that had been stacked up beside tunnel 2 and carried them like firewood into the archer's position and leaned the pile against the nearest crate. She held one in either hand and waited impatiently for the first of unholy beasts to get close enough for her spear to plung deep into its black heart.
Kursaville hurried around behind the archers and paused to take a peek down the tunnel. He swallowed hard and thought that it was a good thing that they hadn't wandered blindly into that room. He then raced to take up his new position with weapon drawn..
Firebug and Halhelm took up their new position as well, "I wanted us to stay on this side Master Halfhelm in the event any of those beasties changed their mind and came down the oter tunnel, we could be close enough to help the soldiers too," said Firebug.
Now they just waited.
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Sept 14, 2007 3:41:40 GMT -5
Reeks saw the small horde of creatures charging his position. A dozen goblins lead the way, running swiftly armed with various short blades and all wearing freshly oiled, studded leather armor that gleamed in the fire light. Behind them were the four remaining orcs, screaming wildly, all decked out in full suits of dwarven made chain mail. Each was armed with a different yet deadly weapon. Last lumbered the three Ogres. They shouted in their grunting, lip smacking language prodding the smaller humanoids on. Unlike the unprepared monster the group slew less then an hour ago, these brutes were protected from head to toe in metallic-black half suits of plate mail and brandished wickedly over-sized instruments of pain and death.
Reeks was the first to fire with his mighty heavy arbalest. The iron bolt flew true (14 to hit) piercing the lead goblins leather, knocking the spindley armed creature off its feet. (13 hit points/dead). Silvermail was next. The Jaegers carried light designed crossbows so they could be fired quickly and carried with ease. The Hauptmann's bolt ripped into another goblin but failed to penatrate the reinforced leather it wore. (13 to hit 5 sdc).
Elfthrasher fired next but his bolt merely grazed a goblins ear. (16 to hit, 1 damage). The last crossbow bearing Dwarf fired his bolt at yet another charging goblin but again the distance was to great and the bolt failed to get through the dwarven made leather. (7 to hit, 4 sdc). By this time Kursaville and the others had taken up their positions. The bowmen quickly reset their crossbows and fired another volley. Reeks was still turning the cranks on his arbalist when the remaining dwarfs cut lose. Silvermail took a goblin in the eye felling it. (natural 20, 6x2=12 damage/dead). Elfthrashers bolt flew truer as well with the reduced range, hobbling a goblin by striking its thigh. (18 to hit, 5 damage). The last Jaeger fired his bolt at the closest goblin taking it in the gut. (14 to hit, 5 damage). Reeks now lifted his mamoth crossbow and skewered an unlucky goblin (18 to strike, 11 damage). The wounded fellow stopped running to stare down at the bolt inbedded in its body.
Halfhelm realising that the dwarves couldn't get another shot in before the horde was upon them stepped out into the line of fire and took a swing at a goblin running past. His mighty hammer connected with the greenies metal studded chest, stopping all forward momentum and knocking it to the ground. (11 to hit, 8+8=16 sdc)
The first Goblin to attack was none other then the survivor from the first wave. His masters must have honored him by allowing him to lead the charge. Not even seeing Halfhelm the wounded goblin flung himself at the barracaded dwarven archers. They were ready by now however with shields and axes at the ready. Its short sword banged against Silvermails shield harmlessly (8 to hit, 5 sdc). The second goblin was laying dead in the tunnel but goblin #3 charged Elfthrashers position darting up and over the make shift barrier to come at him with a downward thrust. The blade slipped behind the shield but failed to pierce the strong dwarven mail. (8 to hit, 3 sdc). Goblin four charged the dwarfs as well this one fairing no better against the unnamed Jaeger (4 to hit, missed). Goblin five tried his luck against Reeks. Its sword was easily deflected by the mercs hammer. (9 to hit, 14 to parry). Goblin 6 also lay dead with a bolt in its eye.
The first orc to appear seemed to size up Halfhelm and challanged him with a nasty mace. Swinging poorly, Halfhelm deflected it easily. (5 to hit, 15 to parry). An Ogre catching up to the slower and wounded goblins snarled in disgust and brought its mighty, two handed, Bastard sword down upon the goblin staring at its own gut wound caused by Reeks (goblin 10). Too stunned to even realize its danger the doomed goblin took the sword clean on the skull just about cutting the creature in half. (13 to hit, 13 damage/dead). Goblin seven rushed Reeks as well cutting some links from his mail. (9 to hit, 5 sdc).
|
|
|
|
Post by Game Master on Sept 17, 2007 0:31:15 GMT -5
The second Ogre weilded a massive iron ball and chain. Looking around he found Lord Kursaville off to the side and swung the huge ball in an arc of death. Lucky for Kursaville the Ogre seemed to lack the skill needed to accurately swing the chain, pummeling a goblin (12) instead (1 to hit CRITICAL MISS, 14 damage, dead) the poor unsuspecting goblin was shattered like a glass bottle landing in a heap. An Orc (#2) swung at Kursaville as well with a sharp looking battleaxe. The swing was true but parried deftly by Kursavilles sword (10 to hit, 25 to parry). Goblin 8 got lucky and charged Silvermail while his shield was out of position defending against the first goblin. His short sword slipped in cutting Silvermail's scalp open. Blood poored into his left eye partially blinding him. (20 to hit CRITICAL! 4X2=8 Damage, -1 strike, parry, dodge). Firebug realizing that this could turn ugly decided that a good offense would have to be followed by a good defense. Summoning his inner strength he cast the spell of Ithan's armor. A magical energy crackled around him as the invisible mystical armor enveloped his body. Little could harm him now so he began to decide on what to do next. Meanwhile Goblin 9 lay at Halfhelms feet dazed from his hammers blow. Kursaville feeling lucky not to be a smear on the wall reposte against the maddened orc before him he cut low but was blocked just as easily as he had just done. (15 to hit, 20 to parry) The orc smiled. One of the Jaegers Firebug had ordered to watch the other tunnel was sorely tempted to leave his post and jump into the frey but he was a good soldier and remained on guard. The third orc ran out of the tunnel mouth and surveyed the area. brandishing a double headed bipennis axe he charged the beautiful priestess Siff. In the middle of throwing her spear the orc cought her off gaurd. The axe head swung around her tower shield nipping her in the arm and cutting through her soft leathers like butter (13 to hit, 5 to parry, 9 damage). Siff screamed out in pain, flipped the grip on her spear and lunged its barbed head at the orc. Even through the chain mail the head pierced the orcs hide. (15 to hit, 3 to parry, 5 damage). The last goblin turned the corner and rushed Firebug with its sabre.
|
|
