"We should regroup. As Skurn has said we do not know other forces are ahead and rushing in without a plan or half weaken will get more killed or all of us if we are unlucky. As much as I would like to push forward. Does anyone else have a plan or another option? Just because these are the only options I see does not mean someone else might see another." Evrail says as he looks about the group that is around him.
Sunny will work out who needs magic upon their wounds and who can get by with just being 'patched up'...
"All who bear wounds from the battle, approach me. Allow the grace of the Light of the Sword to heal your wounds."
Once the injured have arranged themselves around him, Ǽmon lifts his sword up in the air, and channels the healing energy of his patron.
Once this is done, Ǽmon takes the chance, now that there is a pause in the fighting and a chance to do so, and dons his full armour, strapping it tightly into place.
Sunny bandages a couple more, and they hobble with help to surround Aemon.
They quietly give thanks with gestures, and long bows of their heads.
The half-orc leader-apparent looks over the scene of battle.
"Impressive... we were desperately out-armed.. yet you have saved all of our lives. After we rest for a while, we will be ready to help however you see fit."
The half-orc leader then instructs his kin to arm themselves with the fallen duergar, but yield claim to whatever the true heroes of this fight desire for themselves.
With folks back up and such, Sunny skips over and takes her new friend by the hand and leads them over to join the group.
(^_^)
"Well, we were imprisoned deeper in this complex." He approached the wall map and scanned it carefully.
"Here, I think." He stabbed a finger towards a point on the wall plaque.
"We saw no one else imprisoned in the area we were in."
Evrail nods to Anumil after he speaks remembering what they had seen while they were locked away. He rubs the back of his head due to the headache he awoke with before turning to the others about to see what they make of Anumil's information.
Seeing poor Evrail absently rubbing their head Sunny wanders closer.
"Does some one need some more soothin'..?" She asks with a smile.
Finishing with his armour, Ǽmon readies himself to move forward.
"Are we prepared to move?"
Anumil nods.
"Ready!" He said with a grin.
Evrail shakes his head at Sunny. At that he turns to Ǽmon "I am ready as well."
Ǽmon points out the way ahead with his sword, as though ordering a company of cavalry to advance, and then leads the way up the spirally ramp, his sword and shield held at the ready.
Anumil follows, watching for threats.
A couple recruits help with the doors of the gatehouse you had just cleared.
"We will let you lead... There is another gate we must pass before we reach the exit."
As Aemon leads the way around the bend, you see the gatehouse in front of you. It appears identical. There is a duergar crossbowman on each tower, and on the northernmost tower you see a taller robed figure. A flame hovers above the robed figure's head... about the the size and illumination of a lantern on full wick. He points toward you and yells.
"There are but a ragged handful remaining! Finish them, and we move on to Migthwet's chamber! Open the gate! Let them face my champion! Grakshar! Kill!"
You hear the heavy screech of metal on metal as the doors of the gatehouse in front of you are unbarred.
Ready a shot at an enemy coming through the gate.
for a possible peircing damage.
You hear a voice beside you harshly whispering "Grakshar?... his pet!? Grakshar is the jailer! Has he turned against us as well?!"
As he speaks you recognize it as the derro grafter who is apparently still with you.. and still invisible.
The doors of the gatehouse open, and a ogre-like burly beast comes through. It carries a barbed flail in one hand, and wears a huge shield on the other. The face of the shield is covered with some jagged iron maw contraption - like a bear trap. A chain hangs from the back of it, and you then see a short twisted arm sprouting from just below his floating rib. This disproportionately small arm reaches for the chain, and pulls. The iron maw on the face of his shield opens, and clanks into armed position.
Anumil's bolt flies, and thunks into the greyish thick flesh covering Grakshar's right pectoral... and hangs - looking like a splinter against his huge frame.
Ǽmon yells to get the poor beast's attention, and moves himself up into a prominent position in his line of sight. Holding his shield tight, he stands at the limit of the thing's reach, and stands ready to deflect its inevitable attack.
Evrail seeing the large creatures heads forward to stand next to Ǽmon to fight the beast should it move closer. He readies his blades in front of him as he does so.
Sunny moves forward with her friends, holding her companion's hand, looking around at this strange place she finds herself in.
"Y'know... I rilly dun't remember goin' ta' sleep any wheres aroun' here..." She mutters to herself...
Init: 9
Double Move to (C,7), shift to Defensive stance (AC24 now).
The large three-armed creature steps up - free of the gate, and swings it's massive trap-covered shield just wide of Aemon. It then brings its barbed flail down... smashing into the stone floor beside Evrail.
Two of the crossbowmen take shots from their protected positions. Both miss their targets.
Ǽmon stares the beast down, looking into his soul, to measure whether he is as truly evil as his skin would have you guess, or if he is perhaps just driven to these acts by others.
Stepping in to be be able to reach the beast with his steel, Ǽmon strikes hard and fast.
Round 1_____
Anumil steps forward to flank attack the monster.
for a possible points slashing damage.
Sunny pushes her friend back around the corner,
"You stay here an' stay safe, okeys?" She tells him, then gives a 'look
to those gathered around before scampering out to help her other friends....some how...
Evrail turns to the side to make sure that no rubble will hit him from the massive flail hitting the floor. At that he turns up to look at the large creature, "Well lets us start our dance." Evrail says before changing his stance, and slashing both of his daggers downward in a single slash.
Aemon's weapon hits with an explosion of force. Before it can fully recover, Evrail and Anumil each slash into the beastly deformed ogre's unprotected thighs.
Recruit Weilour takes a shot from a safe distance, and scores a grazing wound.
A look of concentration comes to Sunny's countenance, she takes a step forwards, then quickly another. Racing forwards she spreads her wings and launches herself into the air.
Seeing that his attacks worked, Evrail moves to do the same again hoping to injure the large beast more before it could harm anyone else.
Ǽmon raises his silver blade again and strikes swiftly.
Aemon's blade slams into the massive three-armed ogrekin again with divine force. It attempts to bash him with its shield, but does not realize the severity of his wounds. The shield scrapes against the stone floor, and the bear-trap on it's face slams shut - nowhere near his intended target.
Evrail scores a quick, but deep wound with one of his blades before the ogrekin warrior can fully recover.
The two crossbowmen duck down to reload, the third has a hard time getting a clean shot. He sees Sunny begin her advance, and fires.
As Sunny soars up to the parapet, she realizes her trajectory is off too late. She lands awkwardly and precariously on the parapet itself.
Round 2_____
Anumil steps flank attacks the monster.
for a possible points slashing damage.
Sunny ignores the breeze of the x-bow bolt as it barely misses her while she does her best to retain her balance. Not that she's afraid to fall, just that she doesn't want to waste all the hard work getting to where she is.
Settling her wings she looks at the person before her, "Flee, or feel the wrath of the divine." She commands
Ǽmon strikes again with his sword, hoping to finish off the vile three armed creature.
With a slash from Anumil, the creature's leg buckles. Aemon is able hack into it undeflected, and it falls - eyes rolling back. It takes one last sputtering breath as the duergar and flame-capped caster flee from their posts.
Once the large jailer breathes his last, Ǽmon steps forward, over the body, and through the open gate to take stock of what might lie on the other side.
Evrail looks about before turning to nod to the others for managing to finally kill the large beast. He turns to the others to see what they wish to do.
Anumil quickly looks around for more enemies, sees them on the wall, then jump climbs up to them.
...unless there is a convenient stairway, then he will use that instead.
Sunny hops down onto the parapet and begins to stalk after the fleeing figure, whip curling and twisting as it trails fro her hand...
As the creature falls, the duergar scramble to shut the gate...
Skurn yells out to the orcs and his troops among the cheers of the fallen beefy obstacle.
"Advance! Take the gate!"
As Aemon steps through, and Anumil climbs the stair toward them, they flounder for a moment. Once they see Sunny descending from above, and Evrail joining in from below, they throw up their hands in surrender.
The fleeing robed figure continues without looking back.. currently about thirty feet west of the gate. The flame above his head trails like a tiny comet as he runs through the otherwise dark hall.
Sunny stalks forwards, wings flaring wide, whip twisting and curling a slight smile upon her features.