Shaking his head in frustration, "Blast it all! This place is nothin' but a maze! I haven't got time for no blasted mazes! No which way in the blasted Nine Hells do we go?! Bah!"
If the teleport alcoves are empty at the moment, Tomaru will suggest to Thordak that we see what's in the room at the end of the hall we're in.
There is nothing in the alcoves that you can see or hear (or detect, Praxim). The meeting hall is just that, a meeting hall. The tables are covered in what looks like notes about a wargame or exercise of some sort.
"Looks like we'll have to use the teleporters to find our quarry." Cue Scooby Doo chase montage.
”Before we start trying rings, we should have a system to mark the ones we’ve gone through.”
"A simple scratch on the surrounding stone should do. We can number them."
We'll call the one we came in 1 (assumed north) and go clockwise.
How about we send the summonses into each of the blue circles? They are to take two rounds to look around unless they are attacked, in which case they are to immediately return by way of the red circle. They are then to report what they saw and encountered.
If they don't come back, then we know they've encountered something. This way we scout all possibilities at the same time and Tomaru doesn't get hurt doing it. Perfect.
Praxim agrees to that plan.
You have to be clear with these guys.
The two massive celestial warriors clash their spears against their shields in acknowledgement of their orders. They approach the blue circles on either side of the room , and with a nod to each other, step in.
In an instant, they are gone. There is silence in the room save the whirrs and clicks of the arbiters, and Thordak's impatient shuffling and muttering.
They were ordered to return in two rounds unless they were attacked.
Seconds tic by....
6...
12......
18.........
We sent an archon to teleport 2 and 3 and neither has returned in the allotted time?
Let's send the arbiters next. We seem to be fighting a two front war. Order the arbiters to assist the archons and make sure they clear the blue circle so more reinforcements can come through.
Thordak crosses his arms and taps his foot rapidly. Waiting... waiting... waiting... waiting... the dwarf looks at his wrist for some reason. He ponders why he would do such a thing before simply shrugging, figuring this dungeon is driving him bats. He then pulls out an hourglass - wait... where the heck did that come from? - and watches the sand pour from the top to the bottom.
Still tapping his foot, "Is this gonna take all day?! Time's a wastin' ya know. See?" he points to the hourglass. "Ya know, like the sand in this hourglass, this is the longest day of me life."
Praxim heads to 2 and shouts, ”Lym, Rexil, and 2 arbiters come with me. Thordak, Tomaru and the rest help the other archon in 3. We should never have done both at once.”
"And we should not separate now. I'll go to 3 with an Archon. That way, if there is something else going on, I can still get the three of us out without the teleport circle and rejoin the group. Meanwhile the rest of you can take on and take out whatever is at circle 2."
Two armoured giants, sheathed in golden-hued metal from head to toe. Each has one arm that ends in a spear-like blade, the other in a massive tower shield. Stern eyes regard the mortals who have dared draw these Shield Archons from their home and duties.
Three spheres of bronze and copper, each set with a single eye. Metallic wings flap to carry the Arbiter Inevitables aloft. Each carries a knife in one of its clawed hands.
OK.
Tomaru and an arbiter to 3
The rest to 4
OK.
Tomaru and an arbiter to 3
The rest to 4
Praxim drags Thordak towards number 2, and waits for Lym and an arbiter to be ready to step into the circle together.
Behind them stands a woman wreathed in flame. As Tomaru arrives, she casts a spell.
Tomaru follows the plan and tries to teleport himself and the summonses back to the main room. If I can't get to both of them, he'll take whomever he can reach, even if only himself, and get out.
”Archon. Go through the other circle. Tomaru will meet you for healing.”
Praxim chooses the most wounded enemy and fires a single arrow.
Thordak glares at the wand wielding warriors and heads toward them all.
Lym flicks one finger, and a wall of bubbling, seething acid shoots up between the archon and its tormentors!
Lym flicks one finger, and a wall of bubbling, seething acid shoots up between the archon and its tormentors!
Lym chants a new spell -- one with absurd effects! All around the archon, gravity reverses itself, and enemies and ally alike start 'falling' towards the ceiling!
Except, as the archon can fly, it can easily extract itself from this predicament!
Tomaru took an arbiter with him. Was he not able to take him back?
In either case, Tomaru will go to the circle to try to rejoin the group.
Lym calls the shield archon to protect her and starts chanting!
"Time for you lot ta die!" he yells, his fury returning as he attacks the pathetic so-called 'warriors'.
The wrathspawn struggle to their feet on the ceiling, screaming in rage and frustration.
The shield archon moves to protect Lym.
The remaining four warriors step back and cast Magic Missile at the raging dwarf!
Rexil shrugs off most of the blast, then charges mage chick. He gets right next to her so even if she 5-foot steps, she’s still within reach.
Tomaru uses a Scroll of Wall of Stone to block the area then runs 50' toward the next teleport circle.
or
Tomaru double moves 100' toward the next teleport circle.
"Run, Rexil, there's more coming!" If you make Tomaru have to fight, he will never forgive you.
As the dwarf gets utterly lit up by a multitude of magical darts, it just makes him madder as he works on beheading the rest of them.