Rusty nods with grim approval at the execution.
Quillan shrugs and merely turns his back as the execution is carried out.
"Gather what we need. Lets get out of here."
Lead by Harold Gritbeard, you swiftly rejoin Abelard. The short journey is rendered menacing by the nearing sound of howlers from the tunnels behind you, and the sound reaches as far as the Furnace Room.
Abelard greets you, but looks in concern at the passage.
"The ritual takes ten minutes to complete - and it does not sound to me as though the Forsaken will allow us so long. You must hold off the derro, if you can."
He looks anxiously around. "Harold, my friend, if you can, will you help with any preparations our comrades may need to make? I must meditate."
Harold nods. "Of course, Fire Shepherd. Anything I can do, I will."
Initiative
The companions swiftly turn the remnants of the wrecked shrine into an effective blockade. As you work, you hear the howls getting closer, but can take comfort (and satisfaction) in knowing that you have severely hampered reinforcements arriving.
Quillan helps with the barricade as best he can and then gives his axe a quick sharpening if there's time.
"Backs against the wall, eh boys? Let 'em come."
Preparations complete, Abelard smiles serenely and commences the ritual, to all intents and purposes oblivious to the world around him. It is clear that his entire focus is on the completion of the rite and that he will be both unable and unwilling to defend himself.
From the northern corridor come the unmistakable sounds of derro approaching, their howls interspersed with the familiar noise of bombards being pumped.
All too soon, they appear, sending blasts of fluid towards the comrades. Both Dorvin and Amenephus suffer the immediate impact and Dorvin's eyes glaze as he turns stiffly towards him companions, battleaxe raised.
Isari charges quickly into the fray, and the ground is soon covered in a thin layer of sleet.
Isari's attack obliterates the nearest bombardier in a heartbeat and slick ice coats the nearby ground.
Through the eastern door come more derro screams and reavers burst in, mad eyes searching for Abelard. Unable to see him, they go to work clearing a path for themselves, venting their unreasoning fury on Amenephus.
Rusty moves protectively behind Abelard as the derro race towards the Fire Shepherd.
Quillan steps forward and attempts to dispatch R1 with his executioner's axe.
Nayce doesn't even need to think. With a single smooth gesture, he fires a crossbow bolt into the bombardier's throat and the creature falls.
With equal ease, Quillan eliminates a reaver and moves to block the path of the screaming derro.
His eyes glazed, Dorvin turns and charges Amenephus.
Dorvin
"Sorry, laddie!!!"
Acid eats into Amenephus, adding insult to injury as Dorvin swipes recklessly at his comrade. Breathing deeply, the eladrin takes a long breath to restore himself.
Bombardiers continue to pour through the door, sending blasts of foul liquid among the companions.
Only Rusty and Abelard suffer, but nothing interrupts the serenity of the Fire Shepherd.
Dorvin shakes aside the impairing effects of the vile glop and looks for fresh worlds to conquer.
Wild derro screams echo down the passageway as Isari systematically strikes down the aberrations.
Isari slashes at the nearest derro before stepping over to the last of the marksmen.
As another bombardier falls to Isari, the reavers raise their crossbows and attempt to add to the carnage. Bolts fly towards the swordmage, and three find their mark.
Rusty turns and smites at the Fire Shepherd.
Rusty
Nayce weaves a dark curse around R5.
Nayce wipes out a reaver with a casual gesture and moves purposefully towards another of the small menaces.