Evrail growls as his strike misses the dwarf in front of him as he loosen his grip slightly, letting out a slash at the dwarf once again.
Sunny continues to watch the Orcs approach seeming calm and unworried.
The duergar monk decides to work his way to the glaive-wielder. He jabs one end of his staff at Evrail to put him on the defensive, then double-hops forward. Using his momentum, he swings the staff down in an angle across Aemon's shoulder.. the staff cracks across his armor ineffectively.
Aemon drops his glaive, and counterattacks with his longsword; slashing into the grey dwarf as he draws it. The squat foe drops his staff and falls, just as nearly a dozen half-orcs in rags and random pieces of gear approach.
One of the lead calls out "They have weapons!", and starts to move forward aggressively... but a larger and more grizzled half-orc grasps his shoulder, and points to the wolf and then to Evrail. "No. I know this one. He is wolfspeaker elf from... Black Arrow, yes? If escaping.. this way... it leads not far from Fort Birch... we go now. Athach jailer not far behind." As the grizzled orc starts to indicate the direction you were intending to go anyway, he leans looking past you to see the lantern slowly lower to the ground.
Suny smiles calmly and steps casually towards the Orcs.
"Outside?" She says some what dreamily.
Ǽmon quickly kneels next to the fallen duerger and checks him for items that might be of use in their escape. Ǽmon was no thief, but taking from a slaver or illegal jailer in order to help the innocent escape the clutches of some approaching evil hardly qualified at theft in his eyes.
Anumil immediately assumes a guard position when the orcs come on stage.
When they speak, he flicks the blood from his blade and slowly sheathes it again.
"Evrail? Do you know these... gentlemen?"
He kicks his crossbow into his hands again and looks around, wary of ambush.
Evrail turns to the half-orcs. "Yes I do, man never thought I would be so happy to see half-orcs. You guys be doing alright?
One of the half-orcs snorts at Anumil's reply to Evrail. The grizzled half-orc warns him with a look, then speaks "Mmm. Yes. Black Arrow of Fort Birch has kept the peace between we of Gra'Kar'Sanos and the unruly rabble of Gra'Graul. But the orcs of Gra'Graul now have allies with foul magics and undead at their command. They have kept us here for their rituals and tortures... We take this chance now to escape, but tomorrow.. we come back for vengeance." The half-orcs around him.. though anxious, appear unwilling to interrupt him with suggestions of making haste.
"That we did, so you got out as well, good on you. Though I do agree best to get out now, regroup and hit this place hard." He turns to the rest of the group, as he starts to move forward.
Anumil relaxes a little, but not all the way. They are orcs after all.
"Excellent. It is time and past time we took our leave of this place." He said.
Anumil follows along behind Evrail. He looks around as he moves, wary of ambush.
At the Half-Orc's comment about 'vengeance' Sunny straightens a little and looksat him.
"Revenge? Is this why you seek me out? You look for guidance, or do perhaps seek blessings?"
Then, just as suddenly that she appears lucid, Sunny smiles brightly and giggles before again tottering towards freedom.
(^_^)
As you turn to go, you see the lantern is on the ground... you have not heard from the invisible derro since the half-orcs arrived. When you reach the intersecting tunnel, you see it is a dead end to the south, and the goes for what could be miles to the north. Every 60 or so feet, there is an iron brazier hanging by chains from the 40 foot high ceiling.
The stone of the hallway crumbles quickly to nothing leading into this larger northbound tunnel. The ground is hard packed earth, and much of the walls are lined with sharp-edged protrusions of jagged shale - like axe blades. The width varies from 20-30 some feet as far as you can see. Sounds of the invasion, and riot echo through this large hall, but you do not immediately see anyone ahead.
The half-orc leader looks at Sunny curiously for a moment, then gestures north and to either side of the tunnel as he speaks. "This is way we were taken. I remember many smaller tunnels crossing. We could be ambushed any moment."
Anumil glanced curiously at the lantern, but passed it by. No doubt the little fellow could take care of himself if he didn't ask for help.
"Well then, let us give them no time to set up. Let's go!"
Sunny begins to skip down the tunnel, only staggering and wavering a few times.
*Giggle* "I be feelin' better." (^_^)
Ǽmon stays within a pace of the nude woman, ready to catch her again, should she fall. He resecures his shield upon his arm, and keeps his blade ready.
As you move along this much larger tunnel, you start to see the crossing tunnels the half-orc leader spoke of. In between two of the hanging iron braziers - at least 120-150 feet ahead, you see a stone bridge spanning over where you are heading.
On the left side of the tunnel you see stairs going up to the same level as this bridge. On the right side, there appears to be another set of identical stairs for those coming from the other direction.
On both sides at bridge level - 12 feet above the floor upon which you are walking, there are mezzanines. Every thirty feet or so is an archway of an intersecting tunnel.
The yelling gets louder, and the shrieks more shrill. You see glimpses of figures running along these walkways above you... many of them seem to be in flames.
A few of the half-orcs keep up on either side of you, but most of are following behind the better armed group of non-orcs.
Suny wanders along, slowly beginning to appear to actually notice her surroundings.
"Here.....that dun't look right...." She murmurs, lifting an arm to point a finger at the figures and the flames.
As you move forward, there is a tremor. The hanging iron braziers swing slightly. A widening crack begins to shoot up the stone wall on the right. Then the ceiling above - where you had just passed, starts to crumble. Large boulders fall, and clang against the brazier above and behind you. The partial cave-in comes down on, and smashes a third of the half-orcs trailing behind you.
Several skeletons start emerging from the partially wrecked wall beside the collapse. A flame erupts around their heads, and spreads down their arms as they work their way down the rubble toward the remaining half-orcs behind you.
One of the fleeing prisoners on the right mezzanine runs for, and throws a large lever on the wall near the bridge. All of the portcullises slam shut on the archways of the tunnels on the right. The same prisoner then starts to run across the bridge, but the burning skeleton behind him looks likely to catch him.
Mostly fiery undead, but a couple prisoners on fire or smoldering
Sunny turns at the tunnel's collapse. She makes no sound as some of her erst-while rescuers disappear forever. She simple extends her arm which is wrapped in the coils of her whip as her golden wings slowly spread.
And glowing, radiant armor coalesces over her tanned form and golden pinions. Even as the whip curls upon the ground.
Anumil glances back, then forward appraising the situation.
"I'll take high then." He comments, then takes a shot at [H,8].
for a possible piercing.
Anumil's bolt cracks into the pursuing burning dead. Chips of flaming bone fly off. The skeleton recovers, and continues to give chase across the stone bridge.
Two of the burning dead converge on the orc on the bridge. They claw at him from either side, as the flames spread down their arms. You see the other burning dead chasing others around the mezzanine. Those emerging from the broken wall, engage the group of orcs accompanying you.
Sunny lashes out with her whip,
Round 1______________________
Anumil double moves to [K,1], drawing his duelling sword on the way. He casts Light on the tip of his blade with a word.
Ǽmon draws forth his silver morning star while moving to intercept one of the burning skeletons.
Evrail looks about before turning to Aemon and Sunny "I will leave Feredir here to help you to, I am going to go help the orcs up top there." He turns to Feredir telling him to guard the others before heading up one of the set of stairs, as he moves he pulls out his other weapon.
Aemon's blow knocks the flaming skeleton off balance. Sunny's whip lashes out between Aemon, and the injured half-orc. It cracks into the center of the skeletons chest. The flames die as the bones tumble across the rubble.
As Anumil makes his way along the mezzanine, he sees a charred half-orc corpse in prisoner rags. Several sheathed swords are lying around the body.
Further ahead is a lever identical to the one one the other side of the stone bridge.
"Bah! Revenge is wasted on the mindless..." Sunny hisses, her voice sounding some how deeper as it carries through the dark cavern's air.
x
x
x
x
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The Half-orc prisoners near you charge in to surround the two remaining burning dead. The half-orc just injured steps aside so his ally behind can barrel into the nearest skeleton.
The prisoner surrounded on the bridge delivers a couple good strikes against one of the skeletons, but his own injuries look severe.
The skeletons tear into the half-orc prisoners. Two of the half-orcs near you start to .
The half-orc who had just charged, howls as the flames spread across him... he staggers from wounds likely fatal. His ally next to him is able to smother his own flames quickly, but is not faring well with his injuries just incurred.
The surrounded half-orc falls from the bridge in flames.
There are no tell-tale signs of an alignment with any of the gods commonly associated with the dead. You notice from the "sameness" of their appearance, and movements... they are not "naturally occurring" undead. These were crafted.
Ǽmon step forward to defend the more seriously injured hal-orc on his right. Raising his mace high, he brings it smashing down on the nearest skeleton.
The flaming skeleton bursts under the force of Aemon's swing.
Splinters of smoldering bone are sent flying, and singe like spits of hot cooking oil.
Sunny moves forward/closer to the Orcs, preparing to cast 'Cure Liht Wounds' and such spells to aid them.
Round 2_________________
Too late to help the orc on the bridge, Anumil charges to [D,1], there he attacks the skeleton there to help the injured orc.
for a possible slashing damage.
Evrail keeps rushing up the stairs to the fight.
Sunny steps towards one of the nearest Orcs and casts 'Cure Light Wounds' upon them. To help sooth some of their ills.
As Anumil passes the second open doorway, he catches sight of something which distracts him during his charge. As Evrail comes up the stairs, he hears - from the same doorway "Evrail?! Its me! Weilour!"
A human in a light steel helm similar to Evrail's calls out. He speaks over his shoulder. "That makes eleven of us, sir... and he looks to be uninjured." He himself has his arm in a makeshift sling.
"The others are up ahead... trying to at least push past the first gate."
He reaches down and picks up one of the sheathed sword at the feet of a half-orc corpse, and readies himself for the nearest skeleton.
About 200 feet further ahead you see the gate. Arching over the ten-foot high iron gate, is another stone bridge... but this bridge contains a hall within, and is topped with a parapet. It is also the end of the mezzanine. Anumil can see the iron door at the end of the walkway upon which he advances.
Past the now open ten-foot iron gate, the tunnel turns to the left.
All around this gate, you see armored duergar fighting half-orcs and men in militia gear like Evrail.
The uninjured half-orc in combat with the last burning dead, swings and misses twice in an angry combination of punches.
Sunny's divine energy mends most of the wounds of the gravely injured young half-orc. He watches his skin heal in awe.
The man calling out to you is Recruit Weilour. A barkeep from Magnimar who joined the Black Arrows as kind of "mid-life crisis".
The flaming dead continue to tear into the unarmored half-orcs.
Another dies from burning wounds just as Sunny healed the young half-orc next to him. The skelton in front of Anumil finishes off the prisoner he had been clawing, and then turns to face Anumil.
The man who had just hailed Evrail dispatches one of the two skeletons coming for him from across the bridge.
The elder half-orc yells out "Stay alive!... let the ones with weapons fight!"
Ǽmon takes a quick step over the fallen form of the half orc who fell beside him, and raising his mace high, brings it down with shattering force, aimed at the last skeleton in the southern skirmish.
The last of the burning dead bursts as the one smashed my Aemon's weapon had seconds ago.
The earth and rock further down the southern end of the tunnel begin to completely cave in. South of the stairs, the tunnel does not look as well supported.
Recruit Weilour yells out - between deflections of the skeleton's attacks, "We have nine men, and a few half-orcs trying to seize that gate to hold them off while we regroup and deal with the wounded!"
Sunny turns, staggers a little, before skipping off and seeking out any other wounded people's to help. (^_^)
The orc leader thanks Sunny and Aemon, and turns to an ally hiding a nasty scorched wound. "J'garnuk, let her heal you... We must stay strong and live long enough to repay."
Sunny quickly turns, her wings spreading, as she extends a hand to offer a soothing touch to the wounded.
Round 3______________________
Startled by the appearance of what look like allies, Anumil concentrates on the burning skeleton. Getting his footwork together in a formal dueling stance, using Combat Expertise to shift a point of attack to AC, he lunges forward to the attack, his Light enchanted blade tracing a fan of light through the air...
for a possible slashing damage.
AC now 21.
With fallen half orcs all around him, and not knowing how many are only unconscious, and how many are beyond saving, Ǽmon pulls out his holy symbol, a silver rendition of the longsword of Iomadae, from around his neck and hold it forth, channeling healing energy into all those around him.
After doing so, he helps to their feet anyone revived by the healing light.