Bone March

Game Master farewell2kings

Thaddeus misses. The ogre's size penalty is already adjusted in his AC and you are firing into melee since the ogre attacked Belric last round but missed.

Belric's mighty chop slashes the ogre's ribs open, spraying blood and crunching bone with a satisfying sound.

The ogre whirls his huge club around in a roundhouse blow and crushes Belric!! 14 points of damage... I'm sure he's down, hopefully not at negative CON score

Agathon plunges his sword into the ogre, the tip emerging behind his spine! At the same time, Jacques rings the ogre's bell with a roundhouse kick to the solar plexus.

The ogre drops to his knees, vomits out a huge flood of greenish mucous tinged blood...and falls over dead.

The sound of fleeing kobolds echoes down the downward sloping tunnel. NO other targets in sight, but you hear the sound of movement from the chute that is above the coal pile.

250xp each

Thaddeus runs to Belric, saying to Agathon and Jacques, "I've got a healing potion left!"

If either of you two got the healing skill at 3rd level, this would be a very good time to try it...feel free to interject.

He will then prop Belric up against the wall and examine his wound. Thaddeus pulls out a finger-sized chunk of wood and pours water from his canteen over the wound site to clear it of coal dust. Heal attempt on Belric. (1d20+1=21) Beginner's luck?

He will then dig out the healing potion and administer it. Healing potion for Belric. (1d8=5) Don't know what caster level the potion was at though.

I don't know exactly how healing works in your world - I don't know if Belric is concious or not, or if you have to stabilize someone before you can give them a potion. The last game I played in was run by an EMT, and a major NPC was actually inadvertently drowned when the party cleric gave him a healing potion while unconcious. Feel free to change my action to whatever fits with how healing works in your world, but Thaddeus does have a cure light potion available to be given at the appropriate time.

“Belric!” Agathon drops to a knee next to the Dwarf. Looking up at Thaddeus, he will say, "Thanks to the Light of Pelor that you have that magic, my friend!”

When Thaddeus moves to administer it, Agathon will look into Thaddeus’ eyes, “Do what you can for him. I will give you room… Mine is the task to cause injury, not to mend it, I'm afraid.”

He will get up and move near the chute to attempt to determine what might be happening there and to be ready in case he must defend the group while Thaddeus works on Belric.

A Listen Check: (1d20=4)

Although he can definitely hear noise of some sort in the chute (as did everyone), he can’t quite make it out. Thus, he will stand within striking distance of the chute’s opening and face in the general direction of the downward sloping passage. While here, he will Ready and Action. This action will be that he will hit anyone coming into our room by way of the chute.

"Jacques, what do you make of these sounds, my friend?" He indicates the chute above...

Agathon Makes 3rd Level!
A Roll for 3rd Level Hit Points: (1d10+3=9) He now has a total of 29 Hit Points (although with his 3 points of damage from earlier, he is currently at 26).
Agathon adds 1 rank (2 skill points) to his Move Silently skill and 1 rank (1 skill point ) to his Jump skill
[ooc]Agathon adds the feat Cleave to his list.
He is now +8 to hit with Ole Blue.

Seeing Thaddeous's face near his, Belric mumbles" Ye not be trying to get too friendly are ye lad?". From his seated position he intones another prayer to Moradin while 1d8+2=3 [ooc]
Ach Moradin, must not be pleased with me performance Belric thinks to himself as very little healing is pumped into him.

"Soooo, what next lads?" Belric asks, while regaining his feet, that tree surely hurt like hell [ooc] italics will be thoughts for Belric as well "I'm still not feeling all that well, if ye don't mind, I'll use up some minor healing"

If the party agrees he will throw three cure minors and get up to 8 hp.

Wouldn't you know it, the one who gets hurt is the healer. Typical. Jaques shakes his head. Since Thaddeus and Belric seem to have Belric back on his feet, Jaques will join Agathon at the chute, and have a listen.1d20=16 Without any modifiers, since I don't know what will be affecting my "chute listening" roll If he can ascertain the meaning of what he hears, he conveys it to the others. We brought down that Ogre very quickly. Perhaps we are more competent than I realized. These are truly talented individuals.

Goblinoid voices from the chute shout frantic alarms and retreat away from the chute area.

Coal is no longer being dropped into the pile below the chute.

Down the downsloping cavern, a horribly off-tune bugle sounds loudly, its shrieks reverberating off the cave walls.

Thaddeus will listen to Agathon's idea about setting fire to the coal pile below the chute to prevent anyone from dropping through it. Pity it's too small for us - that would be rude surprise for them! But it does look like kobolds or even goblins could drop through it. Can't have that...and smoke and flue gases might rise, thus going up the chute and choking those above...maybe.

Engineering roll in the sorting room. (1d20+5=7)

"I'm not sure that's a good idea. I think the chute is too low; the smoke and fumes would collect in here and possibly run downhill, causing us to suffocate even as we go into battle. It's already pretty bad in here." Note: I *want* to light the fire, but I'm playing Thaddeus' blown roll as talking himself out of it with incorrect conclusions.

Thaddeus will then reload his crossbow and dash off in the direction of S-4. "Make haste! We may yet catch them off balance and unready!"

Jaques stares at the chute a moment. I really think that chute could be a problem, and it should work just like a chimney, if we light that coal pile under it. The more chaos we can make, the better. Even if we choke a bit, we need every advantage Belric, you know mines better than any of us, if you think the smoke will go mainly up, shove something flaming into that pile of coal at the bottom of the chute! Jaques then runs to keep pace with Thaddeus to protect one of his flanks.

Dang humans see a dwarf and think we all mine fer a livin!" "Lad ye got a lot ta learn about the true folk" Belric replies as he casts another cureminor wound on himself, moving to R07.

"Hmmmm. Well, Thaddeus would know about the smoke... I sure hope that they don't drop in behind us."

Agathon will draw Ole Blue again and run to keep pace with Thaddeus ending his movement in front of Thaddeus (forming the 'front line')if that is possible.

Not wanting to choke on smoke, Agathon will say to Thaddeus, "Thank you. It was my thinking that the smoke would go up the chute... I might have aided our enemy greatly by choking us all! It is our joy that your wit is as well aimed as your crossbow!"

With a short chuckle he will kid Thaddeus,"I noticed though that you missed yonder Ogre... What's the matter, was the target too big and slow for your sharp aim?..."

Need pursuit/march protocol beyond the sorting room, please. The cavern appears to curl downwards and you hear no creatures. I assume Jacques will scout ahead, etc, but I don't want to presume and Jacques will need to make a spot/listen/move silently/hide roll if he does that, not necessarily in that order.

Thaddeus chuckles wryly. "You'll notice that I also hit the ogre once. No matter, yours was the killing blow."

He will stop and dig some string and four flasks out of his pouches. "I need just a moment to prepare a surprise for our enemies.", and deftly ties a flask of oil to a vial of alchemists' fire, then repeats the process with another pair. "I can use magic to fling these farther and more accurately than my own poor muscle and bone.", he says by way of explanation.

Thaddeus waves the others ahead. "Make haste. I believe the time for subtlety and stealth is passed."

"Yes lads we must be moving ahead!" Belric declares, as he casts his last Cure minor wound prayer as Thaddeuos prepares his flask bomb. "Agathon let us lead tha way into the gobbers, yer Blue, and me Cap can make a story that bards will sing for many a year. We add the eagle eye of Thaddeous and the powerful blows of Jaques and those tales will last fer decades! IN MORADIN'S NAME AND BLESSINGS ATTACK!

DAMN! I BE HURTING LIKE A FIRST DAY 'PRENTICE

Belric will move into the decending tunnel with Agathon at his side til we meet the enemy

Agathon will smile as he anxiously pauses just a moment as Thaddeus begins to explain his intent with the Alchemist fire; but, he then turns into step with Belric as the stout-hearted dwarf clasps a beefy hand on his arm and bids him to join him in leading the group down the hall.

To Belric, "Indeed, brother! Together, we will treat our foes to the Power of Moradin and the Strength of the Light! I wonder which will tally the greater score this day?"

His smile gone now, Agathon will turn his attention to the road ahead. Shaking his head to forcefully clear his mind, he suddenly feels coiled and ready to strike as a snake cornered...

Agathon will fall into step with Belric and will set a pace that will keep us moving rapidly without Agathon leaving Belric behind (we go at Belric's max move rate).

Jaques will position himself depending on corridor width. He will hang back, sling in hand to provide either melee protection should something break through and endanger the wizard (Thaddeus), or join Thaddeus's missile fire from the rear ranks so long as the shield wall holds. If the corridor widens to the point that Agathon and Belric need another on the front line to prevent flanking, Jaques will move up to cover the gap.

The party rushes up, down a twisting but wide mine shaft, kicking up coal dust and stifling coughs.

See new map

You encounter eight hobgoblins rushing down the hallway towards you. Only two are fully armored. Two are putting on their armor and three are carrying their armor and weapons in a frantic rush.

The last hobgoblin behind the line is a shaman of some sort. He wears robes marked with symbols to

DC10 Knowledge Religion check

and also carries a staff.

Initiative!!! Action declarations.

You guys start within 3 squares of S3

The bad guys are in a rough line back starting at M9

Thaddeus remembers the symbol from a book in Cephali's library! DC10 knowledge/religion check (1d20+4=19)

"A shaman of Maglubiyet!", he hisses to the others, pondering for a moment what to do. Initiative vs the hobgoblins. (1d20+7=12)

Thaddeus settles on a course of action, thinking this might be a good time to try something unusual. He will cast summon monster I as a 4th level caster, summoning up a celestial badger: DC10 spellcraft check. (1d20+10=12)

The celestial badger will be as close to the shaman as I can put it - behind him if possible.

"Agathon, we need to keep our flanks guarded, Gads! a foul false priest of da gobber god" knowledge religion 1d20+5=23 "Me tongue shant be fouled uttering its evil name"

initiative check 1d20+2=11

"We have ta hack our way ta false one! First let us slay da hobgobbers in armor" Belric will keep pace with Agathon move to meet the first Hobgoblins making the stand in the area of R06 to prevent anyone getting past to Thaddeous.

If hobgoblin get with in attacking range and if the magic oil still active the Belric swings 1d20+5=21, 1d10+4=9 if the oil ran out then -1 on the attack and damage

Agathon rolls initiative:
An Initiative Roll: (1d20+7=16)

Starting within 3 squares of Square S-3, Agathon will move forward to around Square Q-5 to hold the hallway with Belric.

Being mindful of Belric’s position, Agathon will move no farther than his companion can follow so that they may present the enemy with a united front. Stepping left, Agathon will say to Belric, “I have the left…”

If a Hobgoblin moves to within range for a hit (either because their initiative is greater and they run into my reach, or if they come up after my move action), then Agathon will swing at him:
A Hit with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=18, 2d6+6=16)
If this hit kills the target, here is a Cleave attack:
A Cleave Attack: (1d20+8=15, 2d6+6=14)

Jaques knows how to deal with spell casters. sling shot 1d20+5=20 damage 1d4+1=2 heh, that ought to mess up his concentration

The shaman spots Thaddeus as what he is...with a trained evil eye....he gets his spell off first...Thaddeus is frozen in place, unable to do anything except draw air into his lungs. Paralyzed....held!!!!

Jacques bullet smacks the shaman slightly, nicks his forearm. Too late, though.

The hobgoblins advance, engaging Belric and Agathon. Agathon takes a scimitar cut for 4 points of damage. Both attacks on Belric miss.

Four hobgoblins form a line behind the skirmishers and pull out longbows, nocking arrows and very apparently taking a readied action to fire.

Agathon takes the first hobgoblin (no armor) and almost cuts him in half. As the screaming corpse drops to the ground, Agathon delivers another killing blow...the followup hobgoblin is skewered upon old Blue as well. Two down!!

Belric' axe bites deep into the last hobgoblin facing him and Agathon, wounding him badly, but not dropping him.

Final positions this round:

Jacques R-5
Thaddeus (held) Q5
Belric P6
Agathon Q6

Unarmored hobgoblin badly wounded O6

four hobgoblins in a line M8 to P8

Shaman L13

Instinctive panic and frustration of his plans being thwarted plunges Thaddeus' mind into the darker depths of his Suel ancestry for an instant.

You worm ridden piece of pig dung! I will obliterate your tribe! I will eviscerate your mate and hang her with her own entrails before your eyes! I will throw your offspring into a bonfire! I will flay you and boil you in salt water!

Thaddeus regains control and fashions the rage into a mental hammer with which to break the foul enchantment: 1st attempt to break hold person. (1d20+3=23)

My understanding is that this was a full round action. If not, I'll take a crossbow shot at the enemy cleric.

In Goblin Eh speaker of falsehoods, come meet da true faith in me Axe! Belric shouts, as he steps forward five feet swinging at the nearest enemy if magic oil expired then 1d20+5 to hit 1d10+3 damage (1d20+6=23, 1d10+4=6)

Agathon will step forward and engage the next line of Hobgoblins (taking a 5 foot step from Square Q-6 to Square P-7 hitting the Hobgoblin in Square P-8).

A Hit with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=21, 2d6+6=14)

In case this hit kills one of the archers, here is a Cleave attack:

A Cleave Attack with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=12, 2d6+6=12)

Not taking the time to allow himself the elation of victory over his two fallen foes (and possible kills this round) and wincing back the pain from his injuries, Agathon will grit his teeth and move into his next target…

Damnit, that should have worked. Let's hope this is more authoritative! Jaques again attempts to give the shaman the "hard bean".
1d20+5=15

1d4+1=3 for damage. Jaques will drop his sling and attack any humanoid who attempt to move into a square adjacent, with an opportunity attack. He will continue to hold in a position to guard Thaddeus, but will evade arrows to the best of his ability

The shaman steps up to L9 and casts a spell--Agathon is enveloped in horrible flames (Thaddeus' spellcraft roll identifies it as a scorching ray) and Agathon takes 11 points of damage from the fire!

Jacques sling bullet goes astray.

The unarmored hobgoblin next to Belric (the badly wounded one) retreats to O9, yelling "I'm all f**ked up" in goblin).

The line of four archer hobgoblins fire arrows. One hits Belric for 4 points of damage and one hits Agathon for 3 points of damage. They then drop their bows and pull out falchions.

Smelling like feet wrapped in leathery burnt bacon, Agathon takes a 5 step to P-7. Old Blue cuts through the hobgoblin in front of him like he's made of blood jello and his cleave attack successfully drops another one next to that one. He was unarmored!

Thaddeus mental powers break through the hold person and he'll be up next round.

Belric takes a 5 foot step up to O-7 and smacks the hobgoblin in N8, a fully armored one, with his axe, wounding him.

Only four hobgoblins left! A badly wounded one in O9, a wounded one in N-8, a unhurt but unarmored one in M8 and the shaman in L9.

Thaddeus will cast magic missile, targeting the wounded hobgoblins.

On the less wounded one fighting Belric: Torpedo 1 (1d4+1=4)

At the more wounded one standing around screaming: Torpedo 2 (1d4+1=3)

If I'm right, Belric should now have a clear shot at the shaman..

Taking a five foot step to N06, Belric clutches his holy symbol, "By Moradin's will let this wound be healed", 1d8+2=8 His body shivers visibly by the healing powers of his Diety. Gripping his waraxe tighter he focuses on who will be his next target.

that was close, almost needed da others to revive me again, this is getting old

That shaman must go! By the founder, Bloos Wang, he's going down now!" Jaques takes the movements necessary to go after the shaman. rolled a 3, I'm not even going to bother rolling the damage. This however puts Jaques up in the shaman's face. I may not have sacked the quarterback, but I'm doing a decent impression of a "gaurd"

Crying out in pain, (Agathon has never been on fire before!) somehow Agathon wrests control of his mind which is screaming to flee in the face of this terrible magic, Agathon forces his fear to become anger.

As he steps forward to smite the foe in front of him, he is shocked at the intense growl of malice that escapes his lips.

Agathon takes a 5 foot step from Square P-7 to Square O-8 and will hit the injured Hobgoblin in Square O-9:
A Hit with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=16, 2d6+6=16)

If this attack kills this injured (and yelling) Hobgoblin, then here is a Cleave attack against the Hobgoblin in Square N-8:
A Cleave Attack with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=22, 2d6+6=9)

Now soaked in the flying blood of his enemies, Agathon’s eyes come up to those of the cleric that burned him. Even if the Hobgoblins are completely unable to fathom human expression, the blood lust in Agathon’s eyes as he bores holes into those of the cleric facing them must be a totally clear statement… “I’m going to kill you next…”

The shaman casts "command" at Thaddeus, but Thaddeus is able to shake off the mental effect, which would have caused him to flee for one round had it worked.

Jacques sprints through the hobgoblins left to get to the shaman. He triggers three attacks of opportunity from falchion wielding hobgoblins. Two miss, but one hits for 9 points of damage using the massive two handed scimitar. Jacques is now in the shaman's face, however, in square M9

Hobgoblin in N8 attacks Belric, but misses.

Badly wounded hobgoblin takes 5' step to N9 and attacks Jacques, missing again. Hobgoblin in M8 attacks and misses as well. Lucky friggin' bastard monk!!!

Agathon, burnt and furious, steps up and butchers the two hobgoblins in squares N9 and N8....wow!

Thaddeus' magic missiles both slam into the hobgoblin in square M8, the only one left. They wound him, but he's still up.

Belric heals himself.

Correction: Magic missiles strike the shaman, not the hobgoblin warrior.

Staggering, and a tiny bit off balance after cutting the two wounded Hobgoblins literally in two, Agathon steps forward toward the Shaman and strikes the Hobgoblin in front of Belric with hardly a glance.

He takes a 5 foot step from Square O-8 to Square N-9 and strikes the Hobgoblin in Square M-8 (the last guy in front of Belric):
A Hit with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=21, 2d6+6=12)

There is no one in range for a Cleave attack should this hit kill him.

As he locks eyes with the evil cleric, he is conscious of the Hobgoblin blood mixed with his own dripping down his face and soaking into the leather beneath his chain armor. Agathon stares at his foe and begins to smile…

Since Agathon is purposefully being dramatic, please feel free to deduct a -2 or whatever from his hit on the last soldier Hobgoblin as Agathon literally stuck at him as he is walking by on his way to the cleric… In game mechanics, he took a 5 foot step; but, in the flow of the event, he is stalking forward toward the cleric… Like in the movies when the hero is walking and a bad guy leaps into view from the side and our hero smashes them in the face without even looking…

Thinking that this might be intimidating, I rolled an Intimidate roll for Agathon (just to see if the cleric might surrender or wet his pants or something…). Obviously, even though Agathon feels very intimidating, the Hobgoblin cleric is not very impressed:
An Intimidate Roll: (1d20+1=4)

Let’s just not tell Agathon that…

Feeling his Diety's power, Belric closes or if there are any hobgoblins between them the nearest hobgoblin with the evil Shaman, slashing into him 1d20+5=6, 1d10+4=11 only to part the air.

If the shaman runs on his initiative (like I expect him to), Thaddeus will give chase. I think with a full 60' move I can at least get to M-15, more if I run (x3 movement). I want to follow him closely, but not do anything stupid like follow him into an ambush.

If the shaman stands his ground, Thaddeus will put two more magic missiles into him: Magic missiles at the shaman. (1d4+1=5, 1d4+1=2)

Agathon would be a lot more intimidating if he wasn't skipping!

Die bastard, die bastard, die bastard Jaques attempts to make the Shamans face go suddenly concave. Flurry of blows becomes just "flurry", as Jaques attempts to give the Shaman a nasty chill by briskly fanning the air around him. Already used my stunning fist for the day I think. Note to group, italics when Jaques is thinking, bold is when Jaques is speaking. If by some miracle the 15 hits, I'll let the DM roll the damage
1d20=11 1d20=15 Grrrrr

The shaman takes a 5' step back from Jacques to K-10 and tosses a thunderstone at Thaddeus. The stone sails past and misses him, but explodes 10' behind him. Thaddeus blows his fortitude save and is deafened for 1 hour (20% chance of miscast spells, -4 initiative, can't hear!) The others are unaffected.

Jacques steps up to L-10, both of his open hand (foot?) attacks missing.

Desperate, the wounded hobgoblin tries to attack Agathon by stepping up, but missing badly.

The last non-shaman hobgoblin standing's entrails join the others on the floor of the cave as "Old Blue" carves him up like ham. Too bad Agathon's swagger is spoiled by nearly falling on his ass.

More magic missiles hit the shaman. He's wounded, but still up.

Belric moves his full 20' to K-9 and attacks the shaman, missing.

Flinching at the blasting sound from the Thunderstone going off behind him somewhere, Agathon will step up, finally, to the Shaman and swing Ole Blue...

Agathon moves 10 feet from Square N-9 to Square L-9 (the diagonal square next to the Shaman) and hits:
A Hit with the Great Sword: (1d20+8=21, 2d6+6=13)

If this blow kills the Hobgoblin, Agathon will bend over with his hands on his knees and breathe through the pain.

A successful Heal Check will reveal his current hit points:

After just a moment of this, providing we are no longer “tactical”, He will ask Belric, “Is there power and magic left to heal wounds, my friend?”

If the Shaman is not killed this round, then Agathon will just be prepared to hit him again next round…

Damnit! Die, Die, Die Jaques continues to try to kill the Shaman with a flury of nothing.1d20=15 1d20=14 unless the multiple attacker bonus makes one of these connect. His -1 and +1 make these unmodified rolls, without listing any situational bonuses.

If the shaman withdraws on his initiative, Thaddeus will chase him. I believe my run rate is 120' since I'm unarmored and have a base move of 30'. If I have the opportunity to tackle him or otherwise slow him down I'll do so.

If the shaman stands his ground, Thaddeus will run to M-15 - both to be in position to stop him if he runs away next round, and to see what's around the corner. This is well within the 120' run rate so it shouldn't be a problem.

Stepping into J10, Belric now flanking the Shaman, "By the power or Moradin! swings 1d20+7=14, 1d10+4=11

By Moradin's blessed testicals, Agathon not be looking too well! I'll need to heal him as soon as dis basturd be slain

if the Shaman is dropped, Belric will not waste time on a heal check, he will cast his last 1st lvl prayer

"Through the heat of Moradin's forge, let ye pain be lessened!" Belric places his calloused hand on Agathon's arm 1d8+2=8 as a slight glow eminates from his holy symbol, some of Agathon's charred skin flakes off revealing fresh pink skin. "Sorry lad,"Belric tells Agathon, that be all of what I had left in me".

The shaman attacks Jacques with his staff, a fine and elegant weapon probably not of goblin origin. He connects for a stinging 6 points of damage.

Jacques' counterattack misses.

Thaddeus jogs around to see what's beyond the corner. He sees two doors on the east side of the cavern wall, with a tunnel continuing beyond. No enemies in sight.

Belric and Agathon move to J-9 (can't go to J-10, the shaman is still there) and L-9 respectively.

With the multiple attacker bonuses now at +6, both of them hit, and the shaman goes, chopped up good.

Search of the bodies, when done

825 xp each

By the gods, my ears hurt! At least it'll be gone in an hour or so. I'm glad now that Cephali subjected us to one of those so we'd know what to expect.

Thaddeus turns back in time to see the shaman collapse in a bloody flurry of steel. After a final quick look down the tunnel, he will return to help strip the corpses of anything of immediate value or use. Thaddeus will also describe to the others what he saw down the tunnel, as well as telling them of his temporary deafness.

He will attempt to aid Belric in his healing efforts, but his inability to hear instructions renders him unhelpful: Aid Belric in healing: (1d20+1=5)

When Jacques flips him the shaman's quarterstaff, Thaddeus catches it deftly, admiring the fine wood. The runes catch his eye and he will spend a moment in an effort to puzzle out their meaning: Decipher script. (1d20+5=13)

Thaddeus will then follow the others to the closest door. Since he can't hear, he will stay out in the tunnel watching the second door and down the tunnel, crossbow at the ready. He'll look back at the others every few seconds to see how they're doing in the room.

After halving the Cleric and receiving Belric's curing magic, Agathon will straighten up and begin the process of looking for valuables while keeping a weather eye on the hallway in frequent glances.

He will say (over his shoulder) to Thaddeus, "Thaddeus, will you keep an eye out while we go through this?"

Instead of responding in his usual quick manner, Thaddeus begins to tell them about yonder hallway… He does so in a slightly louder than normal voice with an unusual tone. Only then does Agathon make the connection… Thunderstone…behind me…right where Thaddeus was standing… Agathon will hold up a finger to his lips in the Universal sign to be quieter… "You are yelling, my friend..." He will then indicate for him to continue at a lower voice level…

As Jacques tosses the quarterstaff to Thaddeus, and Belric begins to strip the armor from the Hobgoblin cleric, Agathon will go through the things on the other bodies.

The moment that Belric is finished getting into the new armor, Agathon will say to the group, “Hiding the bodies and their gear will take too long. We must make what haste we may in furthering our exploration… Can you all go on?”

When he gets the words and nods that indicate they are ready to go; Agathon will go to the fore and lead the way to the nearest of the doors.

Once there, he will pause and listen (holding up a hand telling the others to be silent):
A Listen Check: (1d20=9)

Hearing nothing, he will whisper to the group with confidence, “There is nothing there…” He will then open the door…

Jaques, sitting on the floor with his head in his hands, gratefully accepts the potion bottle with the large red cross emblazened on its side. He pulls out the stopper and glups it down.1d8+3=5 Tastes a little watered down he croaks out.

"Ach what a fine suit of armor wasted on the likes of dis foul Hobgobber!" Belric grumbles in disgusted pleasure. "If ye lads don't mind I will be taking dis ta wear while be bantering about." Belric looks at the others with a hopeful gleam in his eye. See them all ascent to his proposal he starts to remove it from the dead shaman Ach, da stink of da creature, almost make it so dat I cannot be wearing it

"Jacques lad, will ye 'elp me out of me armor?" Belric asks as he drops his shield and pack to the ground. With some delicate care, moving slowly bluff roll to hide his pain was a 3 "Erg!" Belric groans as he takes off the Cuirass, "Ach, I be having a bit o' da gas!" Belric hastilly says.

as he starts putting on the bloodied new amor he once again bluffs to hide his emotions, I rolled a 17 on IC, see my email for explaination. Hiding his grimace in his fiery whiskers, Belric wipes of some of the shamans goo.

Once girded again for battle, Belric notices that Thaddeous is still moving his jaw in an effort to clear his ears, and gruffly addresses him " Thaddeous lad, stop gaping like a landed fish, it be right unseemly for a wizard to do so!"

He moves over to Agathon, listens at the door 1d20+4=9 "Aye lad, ye be right, dere be nothing ta hear!"

He stands ready to attack anything coming through the door when it is opened.

The Decipher Script only reveals that it's elvish runes on the staff.

Opening the first door reveals a 30'x30' room, stoneworked, not a natural cavern. Inside are eight sleeping pallets, kept fairly neat. Small chests are at the foot of each pallet. There is a large table with 10 crude chairs, a wine barrel and some archery practice dummies.

No enemies seen.

On one of his quick looks, Thaddeus sees that there are no threats in the room. He will catch Jacques' attention and make the signs for 'search' and 'quick'.

Probably unnecessary but I feel like I should be doing something.

Thaddeus will then resume his overwatch of the remaining door and the tunnel, crossbow at the ready.

Belric stands at the ready for any enemy to show themselves. Listening for any sounds of approaching foes 1d20+4=22

Seeing that Belric and Thaddeus have chosen to watch the hall (and other door), Agathon will assist Jacques in searching the foot locker-like chests and will flip the pallets to see if anything is hidden beneath...

To enhance his chances of finding something, here is a Search Skill Check:
A Search Check: (1d20+1=8)

As evidenced by his poor Search Check, Agathon is doing a rush job so that we might move on with best speed. If Jacques gives him any instructions, for example, "No no, Agathon, look there more carefully..." or such, he will listen and follow Jacques directions carefully.

Once the search is complete, Agathon will quickly move to the fore once again and will listen at the next door:
A Listen Check: (1d20=14)

If he hears something, he will give the hand signals indicating that enemies are behind the door and prepare for battle… At which point, he will open the door with ole Blue at the ready….

If he does not hear anything (either because his roll is too low or there is nothing there…), he will turn to the party, whisper with confidence, “There is nothing here either…”, and open the door with ole Blue at the ready…