Sorin waits for the others before attempting the swim.
The wind tunnel is a couple of feet off the ground in the wall, and about two and a half feet in diameter. The air from the pool cavern in being continually sucked through it at a great rate, and you see that it continues, relatively straight, for some way into the rock before bending out of sight. The rock at and around the entrance to the hole is black, and looks to be slightly sticky, or greasy.
"Kraz thinks it's probably not a good idea to mess with that Nilelane. Let's have back to those others areas and have a peak."
"Agreed. We are being paid to map out the area. I would rather not dip too far into the unknown before we have searched everything on this side of the cave. Maybe even go back for a rest before carrying on..what do you think of that?"
"Hmmmm, I think I'm with you on this one Jack."
Sorin readies herself to dive in the pool, but the conversation turns to heading back to the Twisted Tower, or at least previously unexplored areas. She turns back to the party and rejoins them as they make their way back to the crevice they entered through.
As Nilelane makes to send a dancing ball of light up through the crevice, her darkvision allows her to see a large shaggy figure start entering the narrow passage from the other end. It seems to see the light up ahead, however, as it hurriedly disappears out of view, back around the corner from where it came.
”Orcish scout perhaps?” Sorin moves to find out what the creature was and where it has gotten off to.
"Well we might as well get up there and find it.."
Kraz follows behind the more heavily armored Beerg..
Beerg spotting the the creature and seeing Kraz ready his weapon steps forward to where it was spotted. Lets keep our wits about us here team.
Covered by Nilelane's illusory cloud, the party advances through the tunnel . As the party is about halfway down the tunnel, Beerg leading the way, the head and shoulders of a black-skinned, white-haired elf slowly pokes around the south corner of the exit, small crossbow raised. His eyes squint in confusion, then he lets fly with the hand-held crossbow down the narrow crevice.
You all see the crossbow pointing down the tunnel at you, and attempt to make yourselves as small as possible by ducking. The bolt flies overhead, clattering into the rock wall of the tunnel. The drow frowns and retreats back around the corner.
You all hear the sound of a crossbow being loaded, and the rustle of cloth.
"Get on up there Beerg, we've been made!"
Kraz moves up after Beerg. If he can reach anything this round he will attack.
Beerg and Kraz rush to the end of the tunnel, hidden by Nilelane's illusion...
..to find multiple enemies on either side of the tunnel entrance. To the north, two shaggy orc-things holding greatswords hug the near wall, with a full-blooded orc with a greataxe behind them. To the south there are two more orc hybrids, and between them stands a drow warrior, his crossbow loaded once more.
Kraz moves up to face the ones on the right, providing an outlet for the others..
He rages and attacks the first white orc thingy..
"Kraz doesn't like your kind!! RAWR!!"
Kraz charges out to the right, roaring, and fells the first orc thing with one heroic blow, his greatsword slicing most of the way through its torso. Blood sprays over Kraz and Beerg, and the thing falls, dead before it hits the ground.
To the south, the drow wheels to the west and fires his crossbow at Beerg.
The bolt skitters off Beerg's armour, and falls to the ground harmlessly.
The furry orcs roar at seeing one of their number cut down, and regardless of Nilelane's convincing charade, charge into the fray, and the illusory smoke! Their eyes widen as they realise it's an illusion, but they don't seem to think to communicate that to their allies.
Kraz meets his charging orc thing with a roar in response, and though its blade slams into his side, it doesn't penetrate the armour properly. Still, while a lesser man would have crumpled under the blow, Kraz seems not to notice
Beerg manages to parry and deflect multiple blows of two of the creatures, though he is pressed sorely.
Sorin moves up next to Beerg. Smacking one of the orcs in front of him. followed by a swift kick that goes wide of its mark.
for
Concious of his place in blocking the opening Beerg sidesteps to the square under Kraz to create room for others to move freely into battle.
As he steps he yells at the furry orcs in orcish
dodging the flurry of blade in the haze of the illusion as he steps he sees Sorin step in landing blows on the orc he had just stood in front of. Beerg retaliates with the Greatsword he had picked up earlier into the orc Sorin had just thrown blows at.
Kraz roars at the hit and attempts to return the favor.
Take that!!
Sorin and Beerg manoeuvre skilfully, and combine their attacks to smash down one of the shaggy orcs.
The full-blooded orc runs forward, seeing his comrade battling into the cloud. He slashes with his greataxe in towards Kraz.
Kraz easily avoids the swing, but the orc's eyes widen as he recognises the illusion for what it is.
Jack takes aim past Sorin at the drow elf standing away from the general melee.
Attack:
Damage:
Attack (Adv.):
Damage:
sneak:
Jack steps up behind Sorin and fires his crossbow over her shoulder at the drow down the tunnel, and the bolt flies past the shaggy orc to strike the dark elf in the upper leg. He snarls soundlessly in pain and surprise, obviously frustrated by being unable to see his attacker. Kraz slashes wildly with his greatsword, biting through the shaggy orc's armour, and it yelps in pain and anger.
The drow fires into the cloud, aiming at the last place he saw Beerg... which is where Sorin now stands.
Sorin easily evades the bolt, and it clatters against the tunnel wall behind her.
Nilelane's ray lances across the dark tunnels, and strikes the drow in the head. The dark elf rears up in pain, then falls to the ground, unconscious.
The wounded, shaggy orc swings in fury at Kraz.
This time the creature's weapon does bite into Kraz's flesh, and he feels the rush of poison enter his blood as his vision begins to waver somewhat.
Having seen his ally felled by a might blow from Beerg, the other shaggy orc attacks the half-orc paladin, a bloodthirsty roar coming from its throat.
Beerg once more manages to fend off its attacks, although his armour saves him from damage, one of the strikes sneaking past his blade.
Sorin strikes out with her staff and elbow but neither are accurate enough to connect.
Hearing Kraz's cry of pain from the battle right behind he Yells "Sorin... Jack, continue with this one and I'll help Kraz!"
Beerg turns in a flurry as he feels a great sword across his back.
He Swings his blade in a round house style at the orc now directly in front of him
Stop you fools, your leader is down! This does not have to end here!
While Sorin engages the furry orc, Beerg turns and smashes into the orc fighting Kraz, scoring a solid blow to its side. The orc roars and feints at Kraz, then attempts to return the favour to Beerg.
Again Beerg's armour saves him from any real damage, the large axe glancing off his arm.
Jack quickly reloads and fires at the beast attacking Sorin.
Attack:
Damage:
Sneak:
Jack waits for an opportunity to fire at the creature Sorin is fighting, and picks his moment well. A crossbow bolt seems to suddenly sprout from the furry thing's chest.
As the beast looks down at the bolt, its screams in rage, and attacks Sorin madly, from the looks of it trying to knock her down and get to Jack!