Kenan silently raises his bow and lets an arrow fly towards the creatures bulbous head.
Jeryn moves into the gatehouse.
Fenra follows the scouts at a slight distance knowing that she cannot move as quietly as they.
A moment earlier, Kenan disappeared across the courtyard and into the stables. Following the monk, Draeven makes his crossing. The walls of this wooden stable are gray with age and sag ominously, yet the building seems relatively sound. An old forge sits to the south, while five empty horse stalls stand to the north. Glancing over his broad shoulders the half-orc sees a spider the size of a large man, clinging to the castle walls above the second iron gate waiting to pounce.
Turning his head back, Draeven realizes Kenan is not alone. A purplish humanoid with eight eyes gleams out of the darkness. The mandibles upon its spidery head drip a yellow syrup atop. Its six foot frame is supported by two legs and has two arms, but its arms and legs end in menacing claws. As Draeven enters, he sees the creature has already launched itself at Kenan who seems to have managed to impale it with one of his arrows. The monk deftly slips out of the odd creature's reach which in turn emits a series of rapid clicks.
Meanwhile, Rennyn's descent down the ladder could have gone better. In his descent, he forgets about the third rung down causing the ladder to groan bitterly. Making his way to the door, the elf notices movement from within the stables - Kenan and another creature have begun a familiar dance.
Behind Draeven, the spider scrambles down the wall. Taking aim, its abdomen twitches sending a mass of silky webbing toward the hulking butcher of Corbies. Missing, the webs splash the hard packed earth in front of the stable doors.
Outside the castle walls, Jeryn finally enters the gatehouse followed closely by Shalelu. Her bow at the ready she spies the arachnid through the arrow slits and takes up a position.
The creature inside the stables is an Ettercap. Known to be relatively solitary creatures, they have skill in training spiders and with traps.
Draeven snaps off an arrow at the weird spider-humanoid...
...putting it through one of its' many eyes.
Rennyn moves from the bottom of the ladder to the recently opened door and steps out to survey the courtyard, sword in hand.
Draeven spins and watches the spider on the wall for a moment before loosing an arrow at it...
...putting it into one of its' eyes as well.
Fenra climbs the ladder to make her way into the courtyard, the sounds of arrows thunking into flesh make her smile.
Kenan steps back from the beast and quickly looses another 2 arrows at it. One buries itself half way down the shaft in it's chest.
Amidst the sound of arrow's flying are the rasps of pain. If it were possible, the black orbs used by this strange creature as eyes would show terror at the sight of Draeven's artillery. Combined with Kenan's equally deadly rapid fire, the half spider, half man calculates its odds of survival and retreats into the back of the stables kicking up dust and scrambling along the walls leaving thick trails of green and purple fluids as it goes.
Outside, the man sized spider squirms in the dirt, its forward appendages failing against the arrow protruding deeply into its eye.
Inside, Fenra climbs the second ladder to the upper levels only to learn the hatch at the top has been secured from the topside by some sort of a thin bolt or latch .
Flatbelly HP: 1/49 (48 points damage)
Spider HP: 7/19 (12 points damage)
Seeing the spider descend the gatehouse, Rennyn slides along the wall, keeping his back to it, and slashes at the eight-legged beast...
...removing its' head entirely. The spider's remains tumble over, its' legs flailing in the air for a few moments, before slumping to the ground, still.
Rennyn's cut is swift and deadly. As the spider's fluids spill over the packed earth, Rennyn (and yes Draeven too) notices he has an audience. Three twisted and deformed humanoids, lumber out on to the edge of the courtyard, their tiny eyes and jagged mouths showing both drool and interest. Sticking to the interior walls of the main building, the creatures peer around each other nervously trying hard to make sense of what's going on - but it doesn't seem to be Rennyn they are nervous about.
Flatbelly HP: 1/49 (48 points damage)
Spying the new arrivals...
...Draeven remarks dryly, We have more company. Ogrekins. At this rate we soon will have the entirety of this "abandoned" castle here in the courtyard to fight.
He steps away from Kenan and focuses on the trio before sending an arrow at one of them as a greeting ...
...hitting it right in its' gaping, mouth breathing, yap. The arrow explodes out of the back of its' head, spraying brain matter and blood all over the other two.
Draeven smiles as the body pitches forward, its head a pulpy ruin.
Kenan merely grunts at Draeven's comments, clearly uninspired to believe things will be so easy. Stepping behind Draeven where he can attack the beasts downfield while watching for the bloated spider face. He lets two arrows fly in rapid succession across the courtyard. The first one slams through the twisted face pinning the pitiful creature against the wall while the second slams into it's chest before it has a chance to scream.
Any thoughts on my idea for an in game feat - Carry Through Shot? So far I see, it is taking excessive damage from one creature and rolling for a chance to pass this extra damage to an opponent in an adjacent square behind it. There are no to hit modifiers and the amount of damage passed on is rolled based on how much is in excess. For the ogrekin scenario, 32 points were applied leaving a possible 7 to carry on to another target. Should the subsequent att roll hit the next target, a possible 1d7 points of damage is applied to the next target. We can work on this if it sounds too insane but this is how I'm playing it up to now.
It is turning out to be a busy morning for the two archers. As their eighth victim falls with barely a scratch to the monk's dignity, it is hard to tell how the rest of the group feels to being left as bystanders. At least Rennyn managed to bloody is sword. As for the remaining Ogrekin, seeing one of his brother's head explode in front of him and his other brother unceremoniously pinned to the stone wall (an impressive feat he'd never imagined possible) the remaining ogrekin's brain has little to process for options. Screaming a sort of drowning moan it slogs off at its version of double time, arms flailing for balance. It soon disappears into the cloister and out of sight but the ogrekin's moaning scream can still be hard along with the word, Muthildah! Elsewhere in the courtyard, the familiar sound of bird caws echo and a heavy rumble of wood scraping on stone begins.
Meanwhile, inside the gatehouse Shalelu calls for Ameiko to try her key in the main gates. The click and creak of the second set of gates opening soon reaches the group's ears. Then Shalelu's voice can be heard, Come on Jeryn! followed shortly by Ameiko's, What's that climbing the walls? On no! Is that what I think it is?! From Rennyn's position, should the paladin direct his attention to the north, he would see a large wooden, ancient-looking catapult framed by the wall's battlements is in the early stages of being turned to face the gatehouse by three more Corbies.
Glancing over his shoulder back into the stable, Kenan notices the spider like humanoid has managed to disappear from his sight probably having moved sometime during the monk's rain of arrows.
1 round of 3 completed.
Flatbelly HP: 1/49 (48 points damage) - MA to courtyard wall (hidden)
Jeryn congratulates the others on their expert archery as he moves toward Ameiko to join the others. Eager to be of some assistance, he rushes over to the ladder near Fenra and prepares to descend.
Fenra calls out, Which way should we head?
Seeing the last Ogrekin retreat, and the corbies upon the battlement preparing the catapult, Rennyn weighs his options. In response to Fenra's question he replies, We should be too close for that to be able to target us, but perhaps caution is warranted.
Draeven, Kenan! Get up top and deal with the Corbies! Fenra with them! Ameiko, Shalelu, Jeryn with me!
Rennyn then makes for the cloister at a run, sword in hand.
Draeven nods to Rennyn before asking of Kenan, What of the spider-faced man? Can you handle him? Then meet us up on the walkway above?
He then turns and makes for the nearest tower door...
With Rennyn's words Ameiko, Shalelu and Jeryn sprint into action falling in behind the paladin with weapons at the ready. Inside the building the ogrekin's moaning words are countered with a female's high pitched words. Despite the language barrier, it is not hard to discern from her tone that these are complaints and accusations of incompetence.
Around the corner, Draeven puts his shoulder into the door of one of the watch towers. The door was a bit stronger than he'd thought and he needed every bit of strength he put into it, but the door gave.
Through the door, Draeven ascends the ladder inside finding the wooden hatch at the top closed and latched shut.
2 round of 3 completed. *evil laugh*
Flatbelly HP: 1/49 (48 points damage) - MA to courtyard wall (hidden)
Kenan moves through the stables looking for spider face attacking him if he spots him.
While the group moves into position, the bird men continue with their preparations. Cawing almost frantically, the Corbies push and heave the machine toward the guard tower Draeven has broken into.
Rounding the corner into the cloister, Rennyn and the others see this smaller courtyard contains what may have once been a fine garden, but neglect has seen the death of the flowers that once grew here. Several broken benches complete the sense of loss. An area in the middle of the old cloister has been cleared of debris, and is marred by numerous bloodstains.
Remembering to side step the noose trap, you slowly work your way into the stables. Dwarven eyes scan the first of the stables for signs of the spiderlike man, but there is no sign of it here other than a trail of blood (if you could call the purple goo trickling out of its wounds that) leading up the side of the next stable door then across the floor and up the wall further in
With Rennyn's command to go after the catapult corbies Fenra opts to take the most direct route.
Fenra steps forward and mentally urges the nearest corby to attack its allies.
Seeing an opportunity Fenra draws on her powers and makes for the far side of the stables. She can sense the Corbies near by, just on the top of the wall; three of them. With the dark intent of filling their minds with a violent idea, the oracle's voice carries like a whisper over the air assaulting the Corbies senses. Their wills are strong though, bent on positioning the wooden contraption their collective will, no need, to fire this thing is overpowering her suggestions for an alternative form of violence.
Pressing on, you notice more tell tale signs of webbing, this time right in front of you and again further into the stables. The spiderheaded freak has set a couple more traps for intruders and now wishes to lure someone in . By following part of the creature's blood trail, it doesn't take you long to determine spiderhead is no longer in the stables. At the end of the stables, the outline of a back door shines illuminated in the morning sun. (Updated map from your persceptive.)
Rennyn continues in the direction he saw the ogrekin flee...
Draeven climbs the ladder and pushes up on the barred hatch with his shoulder ...
...popping it open with ease.
The stench of death fills the courtyard and spilled blood seeps into the ground. Inside the stables, slumped up against a corner of the last stall lays the spiderheaded freak. The last breath of air escaping from it's arrow riddled lungs catches the monk's keen eye and is confirmation of the inevitable.
Outside, the crack of snapping wood and steal signal Draeven's remodeling of the guard tower as Rennyn and his team push forward into the cloister. Rounding the corner an open door at the north west corner of this end of the courtyard comes into view.
Flatbelly bled out
2 round of 3 completed.
Jeryn stands at the ready, awaiting Rennyn's direction. He quickly thinks of the spells he has memorized for the day (flare, force bolt, mage armor, magic missile, summon monster, aggressive thundercloud) and tries to think of how best to proceed.
Rennyn moves towards the open door, sword in hand...
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Kenan bursts out of the stables rushing towards the tower. As he sprints towards the wall and then begins to scurry up the wall finding numerous small cracks and footholds allowing him to rapidly ascend.
Through the open door Rennyn and Jeryn take in the interior of this large hall. Supported by four stone pillars the roof of this dimly light room is 10 feet high. What appears to have once been wooden cages lie in shambles throughout the room. A heap of rags and furs in the middle seems to be some sort of makeshift bed, while a large heap of partially eaten birds, squirrels, and wild turnips mounded nearby reeks with the stink of compost. The deformed figure of the pursued ogrekin stands ten feet away from the door, his mouth drools as he points a thick finger in the paladin's direction, Sseee! His voice is as dull witted as before.
To the other side of one of the pillars is another ogrekin. Dressed only in the barest sense, the lanky female has little modesty. Her bare legs bend in three joints like a dog’s and her large milky eyes gleam at the sight of Rennyn, Ohh! Her voice swoons then blinking her eyes at the paladin she reveals a smile of sharp teeth used to gnawing on bones. An elf! Oh Kroz, you darling! Get him for me!
At her command, Kroz reaches over to the pillar behind him and retrieves a spear. The shaft looks worn from regular use and its triangular head has seen better days but the point is still sharp enough to pierce skin. Kroz shows hatred in his eyes, or at least that's what he tries to show. The fountain of urine streaming down his leg speaks to the contrary and perhaps shows a glimmer of wisdom - Kroz has seen Rennyn's blade in action and would prefer not to challenge its owner. Spear in hand, the ogrekin's hands shake as he blankly stares death in the eyes.
3 round of 3 completed - Corbies have loaded the catapult :)
Fenra moves back and lines herself up with one of the arrow slits hoping to catch a glimpse of feathers.