| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Amalina, Winter, and Findegil defend the balcony, steel and razor sharp teeth hewing through the heads and arms of the orcs which climb to their doom.
At the eastern stair, the Red Rider hacks at the pressing orcs, weapons flailing in both hands, cutting to ribbons the guards which attempt to bust through the barricade.
Not to be outdone, Thorgrim cleaves to and fro, Nostiscide caving in chests, severing limbs, and exploding heads.
Cereidh, from her position in the middle of the room, is able to aim Bregghar to either side, it's arrows piercing the armor of the orcs as the horde fights upward.
Indeed, the slaughter is more gruesome than any of you has ever experienced. The single-minded ferocity with which the orcs crash against your weapons is terrifying, as if the alternative to dying upon your blades is unimaginably more painful. Nevertheless, your enemy quickly develops a system, whereby the orcs in the stairwells clear the dead as quickly as you can kill them, sending them back down to the cavern floor to allow the next guard to take a hack or two at the barricade before feeling the inevitable blow from your force of arms. Similarly, at the balcony, the accumulated dead become a growing platform upon which the next waves of orcs have a shorter climb.
Even as you are soaked in the vile black blood of these massacred orcs, more and more come. At last, the enemy breaches the barricades and climbs atop the balcony, and the party of heroes is pushed into a circle...
The prisoners of the Hill of Sorcery watch with increasing hope as the cascade of broken orc bodies tumbles backward into the cavern. By the time the number reaches 10, there are murmurings between the Haycombe men. When the death toll reaches 15, there are audible shouts and calls to fight, and when the 18th orc has its head sheered from its body, the slaves of the Necromancer tear themselves from their shackles using the very rough-hewn weapons they themselves had forged for their captors, and the crush is on.
The Master screams at his guards to come back to the cavern and kill every last living soul, but his words are lost in the chaos of the mob.
Around you, many of the orcs waver with shock when they see the slaves turn against them. Exhibiting the discipline which was instilled in them by their Dark Creator, most of the remaining guards fall back into the cavern to begin the slaughter of the innocents.
Twelve remain to deal with all of you.
Suddenly, all of you see a light like the red dawn behind the mountains. The light is not in the dream - it is your lucid eyes which are beginning to pierce the veil. You see Irime, bent over one knee in the freshly fallen snow, a weak hand held aloft as she fights with the last of her strength.
The Master stands over her, but instead of the malevolent sneer of the undead Alderman from this dream, the spirit's face is twisted in confusion, anguish, and desperation.
You hear the faintest whisper - Irime's voice. "Hold on! He cannot stand against the sunrise. Almost..."
The vision fades, and the orcs are upon you!
Amalina, Cereidh, and Thorgrim, remember you have advantages to use from your individual adventures. You may want to save them for what comes next, or use them now, but these advantages only exist inside the Dream world:
Thorgrim, through your experience in battle beside Blacksilver, you have gained the ability to enter a Rage as a bonus action. You gain +2 damage on all attacks made during your Rage, and you have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage for 1 minute. You must complete a short rest to use the Rage ability again.
Cereidh, you have learned the spell Daylight, with an added bonus of applying a Stunned status on evil and undead opponents. It can be used once and then requires a Short Rest to recharge.
Amalina, you have learned the spell Cure Wounds, at the equivalent of a 2nd level spell slot (2d8 HP recovered), but you must use the collected earth from the sack when casting the spell. You have only enough of the earth to cast it 5 times.
Amalina
Cereidh
Éothain
Findegil
Thorgrim
Orc 1
Orc 2
Orc 3
Orc 4
Orc 5
Orc 6
Orc 7
Orc 8
Orc 9
Orc 10
Orc 11
Orc 12
Amalina
Findegil
Orc 9
Orc 3
Orc 6
Éothain
Thorgrim
Orc 12
Orc 7
Orc 4
Orc 8
Orc 10
Orc 5
Orc 11
Cereidh
Orc 1
Orc 2
Findegil calls out as he strikes a hasty blow against the nearest encroaching orc, his armour and shield splattered with the vile ichors of the slain.
"The foe comes, and the foe falls! We hold! WE HOLD!"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With a grim smile Amalina watches as orc after orc falls to arrow, tooth, and blade. Whatever creature was manipulating this dream world now knows she and her companions would not be defeated easily.
But there are simply too many of the foul creatures. She steps back and calls Winter to her side as several orcs finally reach and make it over the edge of the balcony. Shifting to her axe for the inevitable bloody fight to the end she takes a deep calming breath. Just as she readied herself for the final assault, the slaves finally take courage and join the fight and then she hers Irime's voice and see's the true sky and coming sunset. The flicker of reality gives her hope and a quick reminder that what they are living isn't completely based in reality. Armed with that knowledge and the comfort of her companions at her side, she strikes out as the first orc charges their defensive circle.
Éothain roars in response to the glimpse of Imire. "Folc, we stand here! The Rohirrim stands here!"
Folc leans in trying to spear the orc in from of the Red Rider, while the Rider of East Emnet slashes with his longsword and handaxe cleaving orc-flesh twice.
Cereidh does not move from the center of the circle until she is made to, shooting from between her companions. As the orcs encroach upon them all, and Bregghar lets loose an arrow, and her hand lifts from the string, she casts up a mote of light from her hand, like a pinhole through burlap. From it spills the bright light of day, strong and clear into this miserable cave.
She hopes that it will hearten the slaves who fight as fiercely as the rest of them do.
Amalina strikes out as the first orc charges their defensive circle.
Orc 9 takes 12+9 damage! ( )
Findegil calls out as he strikes a hasty blow against the nearest encroaching orc, his armour and shield splattered with the vile ichors of the slain. Attack misses.
Orc 9 swipes back at Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 3 swings at (), Thorgrim, (), and its scimitar cuts into his flesh.
Thorgrim takes 4 (+4 from previous combat) damage!
Orc 6 attacks (), Amalina, () - miss!
Éothain roars in response to the glimpse of Imire. "Folc, we stand here! The Rohirrim stands here!"
Orc () takes 18 damage!
Orc 12 attacks (), Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks (), Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 attacks (), Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 8 attacks (), Winter, ()
Winter takes 4 damage!
Orc 10 attacks (), Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 11 attacks Éothain, () - miss!
Cereidh does not move from the center of the circle until she is made to, shooting from between her companions.
Orc () takes 11 damage!
Then, calling on the power imbued by the circlet, Cereidh speaks the powerful evocation, and a great luminescence floods the room!
Stunned
> A stunned creature is incapacitated (see the condition), can’t move, and can speak only falteringly.
> The creature automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
> Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
Orc 1 ( ) is Stunned, and collapses unconscious! (crit fail)
Orc 2 ( ) is Stunned, and collapses unconscious! (crit fail, wow.)
Orc 9 has taken 21 damage.
Orc 3 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 6 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 8 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 has taken 18 damage.
Orc 1 has taken 0 damage and is Unconscious.
Orc 2 has taken 0 damage and is Unconscious.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 0 damage.
Éothain has taken 0 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 8 damage. (Total)
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 4 damage.
All of the Orcs are Disadvantaged to attack while the Daylight spell is in effect. (Sunlight sensitivity)
Cereidh wears a wolflike grin as she fires at Orc 3. "One of you - feel free to step on the necks of those orcs felled by seeing some small good thing of daylight!"
Findegil focuses his aim on bringing down the orc before him, heartened by the light!
Taking heart in Cereidh's shining reminder of the sun, Amalina strikes at the nearest orc while Winter continues to grab at hamstrings and other soft fleshy tissue.
Éothain celebrates, "Light destroys the Shadow!"
Folc leans in trying to spear the orc in from of the Red Rider, while the Rider of East Emnet slashes with his longsword and handaxe cleaving orc-flesh.
Taking heart in Cereidh's shining reminder of the sun, Amalina strikes at the nearest orc while Winter continues to grab at hamstrings and other soft fleshy tissue.
Orc 9 takes 21+10 damage and dies!
Orc 6 takes 8 damage! ( )
Findegil focuses his aim on bringing down the orc before him, heartened by the light!
Orc 3 takes 9 damage!
Orc 3 ( ) resists the Stun and attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 6 ( ) is Stunned!
Folc leans in trying to spear the orc in from of the Red Rider, while the Rider of East Emnet slashes with his longsword and handaxe cleaving orc-flesh
Orc 11 takes 18+12 damage and dies!
Orc 12 ( ) resists the Stun and attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 ( ) resists the Stun attacks Findegil, ()
Findegil takes 4 damage!
Orc 4 ( ) is Stunned!
Orc 8 ( ) is Stunned!
Orc 10 ( ) resists the Stun attacks Thorgrim, ()
Thorgrim takes 8+4 damage!
Cereidh wears a wolflike grin as she fires again.
Orc 3 takes 9+8 damage!
Orc 1 ( ) is Unconscious.
Orc 2 ( ) wakes up.
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 has taken 17 damage.
Orc 6 has taken 8 damage and is Stunned.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage and is Stunned.
Orc 8 has taken 0 damage and is Stunned.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 has taken 0 damage and is Unconscious.
Orc 2 has taken 0 damage.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 0 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 12 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 4 damage.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Éothain celebrates, "Five!" while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe cleaving orc-flesh.
Findegil nearly goes for the orc that cut him, but sees that it is yet uninjured, whereas his current target is gravely wounded.
Findegil trusts in his skill and his arms, and presses his attack.
Cereidh next fires at Orc 6.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Jostled in the confining space of the close combat, Amalina is unable to get a good hit on the stunned orc in front of her. Meanwhile Winter slips through to sink his teeth into the throat of the fallen, unconscious orc to try and quickly eliminate the threat.
Jostled in the confining space of the close combat, Amalina is unable to get a good hit on the stunned orc in front of her. Meanwhile Winter slips through to sink his teeth into the throat of the fallen, unconscious orc to try and quickly eliminate the threat.
Orc 1 takes 10 damage! ( ) The orc wakes up.
Findegil trusts in his skill and his arms, and presses his attack. - miss!
Orc 3 attacks Thorgrim, ()
Thorgrim takes 12+4 damage!
Orc 6 ( ) resists the Stun and attacks Winter, () - miss!
Éothain celebrates, "Five!" while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe cleaving orc-flesh.
Orc 3 takes 17+21 damage and dies!
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 ( ) resists the Stun and attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 8 ( ) is Stunned!
Orc 10 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Cereidh wears a wolflike grin as she fires again. - miss!
Orc 1 attacks Winter, ()
Winter takes 4 damage!
Orc 2 attacks () Éothain, () - miss!
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 is dead.
Orc 6 has taken 8 damage.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 8 has taken 0 damage and is Stunned.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 has taken 10 damage.
Orc 2 has taken 0 damage.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 0 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 16 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 8 damage.
Cereidh fires upon Orc 8.
Findegil sees Amalina's faithful companion in danger, and strikes at that foe!
Amalina slides over closer to Winter and strikes out at the Orc harassing the hound, while Winter twists around to try a sink his teeth into the creatures lower leg.
Éothain celebrates again, "Six!" while he slashes air with his longsword and handaxe.
Amalina slides over closer to Winter and strikes out at the Orc harassing the hound, while Winter twists around to try a sink his teeth into the creatures lower leg.
Orc 1 takes 10+10 damage! ( )
Findegil sees Amalina's faithful companion in danger, and strikes at that foe! - miss!
Orc 6 attacks Winter, () - miss!
Éothain celebrates again, "Six!" while he slashes air with his longsword and handaxe. - misses. :(
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 8 ( ) is Stunned!
Orc 10 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Cereidh fires again.
Orc 8 takes 8 damage and wakes up.
Orc 1 attacks Winter, () - miss!
Orc 2 attacks () Éothain, () - miss!
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 is dead.
Orc 6 has taken 8 damage.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 8 has taken 8 damage.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 has taken 20 damage.
Orc 2 has taken 0 damage.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 0 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 16 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 8 damage.
Findegil keeps his sword arm busy even as his shield arm is ready.
As Findegal's blade pierces the gut of the Orc in front of Amalina she flips her axe around and swings at the beast harassing Winter.
Éothain growls and slashes with his longsword and handaxe.
As Findegal's blade pierces the gut of the Orc in front of Amalina she flips her axe around and swings at the beast harassing Winter.
Orc 6 takes 8+8 damage!
Findegil keeps his sword arm busy even as his shield arm is ready.
Orc 1 takes 10+9 damage!
Orc 6 attacks Winter, ()
Winter takes 8+4 damage!
Éothain growls and slashes with his longsword and handaxe.
Orc 6 takes 16+19 damage and dies!
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 8 ( ) resists the Stun and attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 10 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 1, nearly dead, swings desperately at Winter, ()
Winter takes 12+4 damage!
Orc 2 attacks Éothain, () - miss!
While Thorgrim seems paralyzed, perhaps drifting still in the vision of Irime, half in the living world and half in the dream, The party has managed to turn the table on the attacking orcs. The monsters' allergy to bright light has them flailing wildly at you, rarely landing a hit.
The citizens of Haycombe, on the other hand, are fairing poorly. While they have managed to take out several of their orc guards, the price has been high, and dozens of prisoners lay dead. Nevertheless, they fight on, knowing that servitude to the Necromancer is a fate worse than dying while trying to save one's family.
Indeed, even as their numbers dwindle, the guards are fewer by the moment, and it seems as though the tide of this battle may be turning to the side of light. Now is the time to strike quickly the killing blows against these orcs and then slay The Master!
As the fight drags on, you hear one of the orcs scream and twist, and the end of a blade pierce through its gut from the back.
Orc 1 takes 29+1 and dies!
As the orc falls, you see Hobwise, his face gaunt but gritted with a strange determined madness. He has obviously been tortured, dried blood mats his filthy locks and his face is almost recognizable, as if horrors unumaginable have been heaped on his diminutive frame. But there isa spark, too, and anger which drives him to take vengeance on his captors. He has no quips for you, only rage at the orcs, and he flies at the next with terrifying ferocity.
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 is dead.
Orc 6 is dead.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 8 has taken 8 damage.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 is dead.
Orc 2 has taken 0 damage.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 16 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 16 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
Éothain celebrates again, "Seven!" while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
Findegil is surprised to see Hobwise - and disturbed to see the hobbit's appearance. But that pales compared to being glad to see a trusty ally!
"Avenge every sin of the evildoers! SLAY THEM ALL!", yells Findegil, driven to wreak bloody vengeance upon the orcs - and the treacherous wretch who leads them!
Seeing Winter fall, but Hobwise's surprise arrival, Amalina's mind churns as she tries to decide whether to heal Winter and maybe the wounded looking hobbit or whether to keep fighting. Finally she figures they would be stronger with more bodies in the fight, so she steps over to Winter's body and using a bit of the soil on the hound, saying the incantation shared by her ancestors to heal wounds and reinvigorate the big animal.
Cereidh fires again upon Orc 8.
Hobwise continues to team with Éothain, using the orc's size and poor eyesight against it, advancing into the belly of the orc to attack where the monster cannot counter without stepping back.
Amalina steps over to Winter's body and using a bit of the soil on the hound, saying the incantation shared by her ancestors to heal wounds and reinvigorate the big animal.
"Avenge every sin of the evildoers! SLAY THEM ALL!", yells Findegil, driven to wreak bloody vengeance upon the orcs - and the treacherous wretch who leads them! - miss!
Éothain celebrates again, "Seven!" while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
Orc 2 takes 18 damage!
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, ()
Thorgrim takes 16+4 damage!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 8 attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 10 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Cereidh fires again upon Orc 8. - miss!
Orc 2 attacks Éothain, () - miss!
Hobwise continues to team with Éothain.
Orc 2 takes 18+15 damage and dies!
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 is dead.
Orc 6 is dead.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 8 has taken 8 damage.
Orc 10 has taken 11 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 is dead.
Orc 2 is dead.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 0 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 20 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 2 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
From his guard station halfway up the Center Tree, The Master surmises that the Battle of Dol Guldur is going poorly. He knows too well what his master will do when word of this failure seeps upward into the Dark Sanctuary. The Necromancer's retribution will be swift, and the usurpers will fall, but the Alderman of Haycombe will not share in that victory. No, he must put down this insurection and prove his ruthlessness.
He dispatches his personal guards down into the fray, to the massive double-doors at the north end of the cavern...
Findegil shouts out:
"Come, wretch! Come to your doom!"
As he shouts, Findegil keeps slashing!
With Winter back on his feet he quickly bites at the nearest orc while Amalina swings at the creature trying to take advantage of her brief distraction. But she slips on the blood-slick floor and her swing misses.
Possible AoO comes from Hobwise' Small Folk attribute, which forces the enemy to step away and creates an AoO. Only counts for melee. The Daylight spell only gives the Orcs disadvantage because of their sensitivity to light.
"Hobwise!" Éothain shouts while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
This time Hobwise swivels behind the orc engaged with Amalina and Winter, slashing at the back of its legs!
With Winter back on his feet he quickly bites at the nearest orc while Amalina swings at the creature trying to take advantage of her brief distraction. - miss!
Findegil shouts out: "Come, wretch! Come to your doom!" As he shouts, Findegil keeps slashing!
Orc 10 takes 11+11 damage!
"Hobwise!" Éothain shouts while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
Orc 4 takes 14 damage!
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 4 attacks Amalina, () - miss!
Orc 10 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 5 attacks Éothain, ()
Éothain takes 2 damage!
Cereidh fires again upon Orc 8. - miss!
This time Hobwise swivels behind the orc engaged with Amalina and Winter, slashing at the back of its legs!
Orc 8 takes 8+15 damage!
The monster attempts to escape the proximity of his halfling assailant, and takes a thoughtless step away from Amalina, who strikes it with her axe!
Orc 8 takes 23+11 damage and dies!
Orc 9 is dead.
Orc 3 is dead.
Orc 6 is dead.
Orc 12 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 7 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 4 has taken 14 damage.
Orc 8 is dead.
Orc 10 has taken 22 damage.
Orc 5 has taken 0 damage.
Orc 11 is dead.
Orc 1 is dead.
Orc 2 is dead.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 20 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 2 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The scattering of screams and shouts from the cavern floor suddenly crescendos, almost enough to break your concentration in this fight. Whatever has just happened has shaken the fragile hearts of the prisoners. The fear is palpable, like a cold hand of death on your shoulder.
"Oh?" Cereidh shouts, suddenly fey. "Perhaps we will soon be facing a different kind of opponent!"
She fires upon Orc 12.
Amalina lashes out with her axe once again while Winter skirts around and tears at the enemies legs.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Rohan! Rohan!" Éothain roars in reply to the crescendo while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
The haunted Hobbit sommersaults behind the orc engaged with Findegil.
Amalina lashes out with her axe once again while Winter skirts around and tears at the enemies legs.
Orc 4 takes 20 damage and dies!
"Rohan! Rohan!" Éothain roars in reply to the crescendo while he slashes with his longsword and handaxe catching an orc with his sword.
Orc 10 takes 22+11 damage and dies!
Orc 12 attacks Thorgrim, () - miss!
Orc 7 attacks Findegil, () - miss!
Orc 5 attacks Éothain, () - miss!
"Oh?" Cereidh shouts, suddenly fey. "Perhaps we will soon be facing a different kind of opponent!"
Orc 12 takes 5 damage!
The haunted Hobbit sommersaults behind the orc engaged with Findegil.
Orc 7 takes 13 damage!
The orc stumbles away, only to feel the steel and bite from Amalina's axe and Winter's teeth!
Orc 7 takes 13+20 damage and dies!
The party quickly pounces on the two remaining orcs, killing them in a viscious explosion of blood and sinew.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim has taken 20 damage.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 2 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.