AD&D Greyhawk Adventures: The Temple of Elemental Evil
Game Master Anselth

Whispered words travel farther than a murmur, so Sir Galavaine retreats a little and gathers the group for a quiet discussion.

"My thoughts t'would be that the gnolls fight chamber may make a fine site for an ambush. Perchance us taking the hidden door here helps to lessen the danger a little. However do we wish for those shadowy pairs to check both directions or just forge ahead to the east? Pettry, Sir Andre and I can remain a bulwark at this junction. Perhaps a shouted word for if you are trouble and another for if you are not. Last time we were not sure how things fared for Sallandrya with those gnolls."

He pats the back of the hobbit next to him and smiles with confidence. Not a hair out of place.

Scouting ahead has worked for the group so we may want to keep that tactic.

'Seems sound reasoning Sir Galavaine,' Sallandrya gestures to the halfling gentleman adventurer and bane to meat pies, 'shall we Podo?'

"But of course".

Podo begins to lead the way...quietly but eagerly.

In Elven

'Our Hunt continues.'

Sallandrya's movement is purposeful and silent.

Before they can even split up, Podo stops short, grabbing Sallandrya's arm, and pointing down the hall to the left. Listening intently, the two elves and Gnobby hear the distinct sound of muttering, though the voices are too low to be heard. Tarmin and Gnobby look at eachother and nod, remembering that they had seen something down this hall in their previous exploration. Up ahead, Sallandrya notes a moving shadow in the room where the group fought the gnolls. She thinks it may be a humanoid, though it's impossible to tell if it is, or just a play of the light from here.

Stepping back up the steps, Sir Galavaine gathers them in again this time more serious.

"So that is probably the ambush. We have two choices as I see it. We avoid it or we spring it. I have spells ready and My Brave Lord can help us. My vote is that we come up with a cunning attack plan and turn the tables on them. Otherwise we may face them coming up behind us later. Gnobby any tricks you can suggest? Anyone else? This may not be an easy decision."

Sallandrya nods her head at the Cleric's words.

'We can set up a trap of our own, set up at a choke point where we can use the splitting corridors to our advantage, draw them to us, with a scout or illusion,' the Ranger Priest looks on at Gnobby and continues, 'Once enough of them come through we strike swiftly with bow, blade and spell from both sides.'

Basically I am suggesting one of the scouts or Gnobby's images draw the group to us, we set up a a corridor where there are two directions and strike them from both sides, hopefully confusing them and giving us at least a full round as an advantage. Gnobby's new Wand will be very useful here I think.

Did Pettry memorize Sleep today?

Also, everyone who was hurt previously should be healed by 1 hp for a nights rest I believe.

Alternatively, if this plan would raise an alarm, we could just try to surprise the group where they have set up, use Sleep and Color Spray to bring as many of them down and subdue the rest before they can raise an alarm.

Sir Galavaine would have used his cure spells yesterday too. So that is some spare for anyone that needs one.

1d8 ⇒ 6 Galavaine on himself yesterday
1d8 ⇒ 4
1d8 ⇒ 4
1d8 ⇒ 3
1d8 ⇒ 3

With only one spell, I think it can wait.

Gnobby whispers: "Why don't we advance and fight them. Podo and I will support from the flank."

Gnobby pulls his hood up and melts into the shadows and creeps forward.

move quiet: 1d100 ⇒ 62

He is not exactly quiet.

As Gnobby starts down the corridor, he notices that the noise in the chamber ceases, and he hears someone or something moving down the hall toward the group.

Sallandrya draws her bow and waits for a target covering her friend's movement.

Podo attempts to stealthily move down the passage opposite Gnobby.

1d100 ⇒ 75 Move Silently (55%)

Sling ready in hand.

Sir Galavaine waits at the back.

"Draw them back here if you can then."

Hearing Podo coming up, Gnobby pull up against the wall and blends in with his surroundings. He whispers to Podo: "Stop!"

Andre nods in agreement with Sir Galavaine. "We will be the breaker their waves crash upon." He readies his blade and shield, peering into the darkness.

Podo presses himself against the wall as the two humans ready their shields. Gnobby's eyes track up as a large, hairy form comes into view just before it rounds the corner. Carrying a battleaxe, this creature is bigger than the gnolls, though not as big as the Ogre. It is moving more quietly than Gnobby thinks possible, given its great size. The creature reaches the corner and glances right, it's eyes widening as it spots the group. It opens its mouth and shouts something, raising its battlexe to charge Galavaine and Andre, apparently unaware of the two smallfolk at its feet.

The creature was expecting something, so it is not surprised, however, due to their concealment, Podo and Gnobby get to act first, then the creature. It is a large creature, for damage considerations. New map is up.

Sounds like a Bugbear.

Arrows fly past the heads of the dashing Rogues. Sallandrya will also take a step bad to allow the humanoid to advance and her allies to pull back.

First 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 2 = 13

Dmg 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

Second 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23

Dmg 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

Gnobby leaps on it with 2 blades.

dagger: 1d20 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 3 = 152d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

lsword: 1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 - 1 = 212d12 ⇒ (8, 7) = 15

Shortsword Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Backstab

Shortsword Damage 2d8 ⇒ (7, 8) = 15

Podo slips silently from the shadows, drawing his short sword, and plunging it towards the big, hairy, smelly walking rug.

Tarmin releases two arrows into the beast, the missiles flying through the air above Gnobby's head.

Attack 1. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Attack 2 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Damage 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Tarmin if this is a humanoid, you should do extra damage for being a Ranger.

:)

Before the elves have a chance to loose their arrows, Gnobby and Podo bring the creature low in a flurry of steel. However, the creature's shout seems to have raised the attention of companions, and footsteps can be heard rushing towards them from the corridor.

Gnobby takes a few quick steps towards the enemies and quickly stops completely still, blending into the shadows.

He lets the new arrivals meet his well prepared friends with his two blades at their backs and his wand at hand if he needs it.

Thanks Sally:)

Tarmin whispers "Well done!" to her two small companions, then waits for the arrival of the other denizens of this nest of evil.

Sir Galavaine roars out loud to cover any noises from the little folk, "by the Lord of Courage I stand ready foul vermin!"

He casts protection from evil on Andre.

Do we re roll our last attacks?

Sallandrya will back up to allow the evil doers to advance and hopefully let the Rogues get a chance to get behind the enemy, while check the party's rear to make sure they themselves are not being surrounded.

Andre clangs his sword against his shield, adding to Galavaine's shouts. "Your day of judgment has arrived, scions of Evil! Approach and be redeemed by the blade!"

In today's episode of Sallandrya and the Preachers of Doom ...