Droguk steps up to one of the doors and opens it. Within a stairway can be seen that doubles back on itself and ends in a landing with a solid looking door on it. Judging by the direction and height you would guess that the door is one of those you saw on the walls of the courtyard.
Entering the alcove also reveals another door on the Western wall.
Stepping back out, "This door, I believe, leads back outside. Let us try this one." He then opens the southern door.
A small privy with water running through an open latrine is all that greets you when you open the door.
Shutting the door again, "I hate this place." He then turns to the westernmost doors. "We will go through those doors." Droguk moves up to them both - that ominous feeling that it's a trap still lingering - and looks back at the others. "Be ready." He looks to the water again and the statues before turning back to the door. Examining it, he wonders if the door itself is trapped.
Disgusted by the excessive array of portals Droguk makes his way past the pool to try one of the doors on the other side of the room. As he nears the waters he catches sight of a stirring withing the pool. Without further warning a shape takes form from the liquid, rising up to attack.
Despite the creatures sudden appearance Droguks vigilant observation of the pool allows him to act first.
Droguk brings his axe around and swings it at the water creature.
The axe cuts through the creature cleanly, a spray of water following it's path. Even as it cuts through the water reforms behind it. The creature does seem diminished however and lets out a gurgling moan.
In response it strike out with one of its arm like appendages.
It's attack catches the barbarian with devastating force in the side of his rib cage. The crack of bone can be hear in it's wake.
Enraged at the beating he's just taken, Droguk becomes wild-eyed and swings with an even greater fury.
The red rage that clouds Droguks vision drives away any sense of pain. When the axe comes back around it again slices through the watery creatures form. In it's passing it leave the strange beings form quivering and unstable but still standing.
Cyrus skirts around the edge of the pool of water before stepping into it directly behind what he assumes to be the water elemental, providing distraction enough to make both his and Droguk's jobs hopefully a bit easier.
Cyrus' strike shatters the elemental and sends water flying about and raining down.
Nadya, bow in hand, asks "What was that thing?"
The battered Droguk looks around for more enemies before finally calming. As he struggles a moment or two to catch his breath, "A creature of water. That is what I saw. That is why the water seemed to be 'separate' of itself," he responds, mostly explaining it all to himself more than anyone else. He then takes out a vial, pulls out the stopper and drinks the contents within.
Looking to Cyrus, "Nice strike, Landwarden." He nods.
Kobad does what every good spell caster does when faced with big scary bad guys, looks for a place to hide.
with his current wounds, He seeks to conserve his energy for the witch that they will undoubtedly face sooner rather than later.
The fight was over before Natasza realised there was something to fight.
"You okay? Any more?" she simply asks.
As the party collects their breath after the water creature falls the door across the way opens wide. A guard with a crossbow is revealed and sends a bolt at Droguk.
The Kellids battle rage makes him reckless and he doesn't even attempt to step aside as the bolt strikes his shoulder.
Keeping the fire in his blood in check if only for a moment Droguk retrieves and drinks a vial of healing.
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Kobad takes cover from the archers.
"Fireborn, why are you hiding? Do your thing!" Natasza yells even as she loads a pebble and whistles. Tough responds instantly and goes for the soft underbelly of the crossbowman.
The pebble whistles as it cuts through the air and impacts the crossbowman with a solid "thwack".
Cyrus moves around the edge of the fountain, skirting its edge until he can confront the soldier who just popped open the door, stabbing with his falchion as soon as he clears the door's edge.
Stepping up Cyrus moves into the doorway and strikes at the guard who opened the door. His blade catches the man before he can put up more than a token defense and leaves him barely standing.
"More guards in here!" the ranger calls to his companions, eager to get out of the way of the door and allow them entry into the room to deal with the villains beyond.
Nadya shifts a bit and looses an arrow in an attempt to strike the crossbowman.
Her concern for Cyrus and the narrow doorway ruin the shot however.
Cyrus calls out a warning just as the door to the South opens and more soldiers come pouring out.
The first opens the door and steps to the side preping a crossbow. Meanwhile two soldiers charge past him at the sorcerer in the alcove. One is equiped much as the others while the second, a woman, carries a spiked shield and carries herself with an air of competence and authority.
Their combined assaults severely injure Kobad, sending him to the ground. "Surround these rebels and cut them down!" the woman calls out.
Meanwhile at the northern door the guard with the crossbow drops the weapon and attacks Cyrus with his blade.
The blow comes close but the Ranger manages to dodge at the last second.
Taking advantage of the distraction his companion stumbles back a step and opens a nearby trunk.
"Kobad!" Nadya calls out when she sees him fall before these new foes blades. Changing targets she fires at the woman who seems to be in charge.
Unfortunately the shot flies high.
Droguk moves over to where Kobad lies, seeing the culprits who dropped him and attacks with the intent to destroy them all or die trying.
The powerful blow rocks the woman back on her heels but she remains standing...if barely.
Snarling at Droguk she glancing across the fountain room and calls out "Get out here you louts!"
Even as Natasza moves up to Droguk and the body of Kobad, her hands start freezing and her eyes go white.
"Get down Droguk!!!" she screams as she releases a cone of pure freezing cold, and her enemies are pelted by innumerous amounts of icycles and snowballs.
Tough steps in and attacks the guards without fear, his tusks moving through their armor like it was hot butter.
The ice and hard packed snow pummel and slice the three guards. When the wintery blast ends all three lay on the ground coated in slush.
Who is up?
When Natasza's eyes turn her normal shade of grey, the three guards are face down in the snow.
"There are more coming, scarred one. Be ready.
We also need to help the Warden of the Land."
down to -2 HP
Cyrus will take a shot at the guard in front of of him, not yet knowing how the rest of his companions are faring. Still, leaving this one not dealt with would be the height of foolishness. Not to mention Tough needs his piece of the action. Cyrus will take a swing at the guard, then back away and move quickly as he can to the aid of the others.
Cyrus aims a cut that passes the mans guard and sends him tot he ground. Concerned for his companions he backs out of the room, leaving the last guard to Tough who advances on the man and gores him horribly. The guard collapses on the chest he had opened.
From the Northern door and alcove more men come spilling out. You notice that unlike those from the other room these men are unarmored and move with a level of weariness. Their swords and crossbows seem sharp enough however. One moves to threaten Nadya while two others loose bolts at Cyrus and Natasza.
The firsts bolt flies true while the second glances off one of the pillars long before it threatens Cyrus.
As the rage within carries on, Droguk's eyes go wide at the threatening of Nadya. "NO!" With a roar he moves to defend her, raising his axe up high and bringing it down with all the force he can muster upon the newest enemy.
Like an avatar of destruction the rage fueled barbarian hacks the guard down in a spray of blood.
Now free of the sword wielding guard, Nadya nocks and looses an arrow at the next closest guard.
He manages to side step the arrow at the last second however.
♫ I've been bleedin on the floor ♫
♪♫ all my combat days ♫
♪ I've been bleedin' on the floor ♪
♫ Just to pass the time away ♪
"Tough, get them. They are coming from behind you!" Natasza shouts, as she tries to hit one of them on the head with one of her pebbles.
The pebble strikes the man on the side of his head, while Tough tries to repeat the skewer action he did with the last guard.
"Watch out!" he screams at the lumbering barbarian, as she steps behind him.
Cyrus, initially moving toward Nadya to help clear the threat from her, gives a joyous bark of laughter as Droguk goes to her rescue, shouting a thank you to him as turns his attention to the two guards threatening Tough, maneuvering around the fountain to confront the nearer of the two foes.
Again Nataszas aim is true this time sending a stone into one of the guards ribs. Distracted he doesn't see Tough moving to attack from the Southern room. The mammoths tusk catches him in the thigh and leaves a deep gouge.
Looking about you once again in a near panic you find that all your men now lay in crumpled heaps. Ogres surround you closing in slowly, as if through molasses, but with a horrible inevitability. As they reach striking distance their faces transform into that of Commander Argbadh Abdul and their weapons change to wicked looking whips.
"How could you fail half blood? You let them all perish!" the host of identical Commanders condemn you in a single echoing voice. In the background the pleading of your dead soldiers still continues. You feel the weight of failure and defeat crushing you as the circle of Commanders reach back, unfurling whips to strike.
Just then you feel a spark alight within the darkness consuming you. It's warmth and light begins to grow rapidly, filing you and breaking whatever malaise had previously held you motionless. The fire fills you, burning away the darkness and flowing outward. You scream your defiance as the inferno leaps from your outstretched hands and burns down the Argbadh faced ogres. They howl and writhe in the flames, flesh melting away to be followed by bone turning to dust. Finally the fire subsides leaving you exhausted but with a sense of triumph. Within you the fire continues to burn, contained...sated...but ever present.
Looking up you are shocked to find one Argbadh ogre remains unharmed before you. He stands laughing lightly, applauding you mockingly with his hands. His features once again shift, short black horns grow from his forehead, his nails lengthen into black claws, his skin darkens to a deep fiery red and his eyes turn to pools of flame. He also grows in height...or perhaps you shrink...until he towers over you. With a sudden stomach lurching realization you recognize the form of an Efreeti before you.
"Enjoy your gift slave. I will return for it soon enough." you hear him say before the ground disappears beneath your feet and you fall into darkness.
Not to be outdone Cyrus moves forward and finishes the injured man.
To the north the guard with the crossbow reloads and fires at the raging barbarian.
The bolt flies wide however.
His companion steps forward and attacks.
But he to is unable to find his way past Droguks defenses.
Meanwhile the remaining guard near Cyrus steps to the side and attacks.
Finding success where his companions did not he leaves a cut of his own on the ranger.
Nadya steps back and fires another arrow, this one aimed at the crossbowman at the back.
Her poor luck continues however when he ducks under the shot.
OK?!? is that a dream? should I still make stabilization rolls? am I conscious?
just curious now.