Rahaal nods. "I don't have any experience with the drow but I wonder if they're allied in some way with Ymrial?
'I guess whether they are or not, the best we can do is to continue deeper, keep our eyes and ears open...and pray we find the citizens of Fairhaven alive."
After they kill the drow, Esaul worries about how did she manage to get in that spot. "There must be another passage behind us. She must have come from somewhere there. Shouldn't we try to find it?"
"At this point, I'm for whatever gets us out of here the fastest. No offense, Thondie, but I'm not cut out for being underground," Devan whinges. "She might have been so well hidden that we walked right past her. Or not. We can go back and search if everyone wants to."
"Let me check if these halls have seen movement recently." He will try to verify which one of the two tracks has been used more often.
"Drow can do magic too, can't they? Maybe she was, I dunno, invisible or somethin'," Tris says with a shrug. "I'm with Devan though. Forward-- unless Esaul can find some sign of their passage."
Tris gets out a day's worth of dried meat and berries from her pack and leaves it in an obvious place in the tunnel, a few feet from the dead drow. A gift to their mysterious yipping 'friend', hopefully.
Esaul determines the left tunnel has seen more activity; however, the hard surface prevents any identification of tracks.
After your drow party, you get back in formation and follow Esaul's advice leading left. Within 40 feet, the tunnel opens into a large room with two worked stone columns in the middle. Off to your left in the room is a large orc that guards a thick wooden door wearing a breastplate and readying a greatsword.
Surprise Round
Off to your right are three goblin archers that unload on Thondrir when he arrives at the entrance.
For those with darkvision can see and those with ears can hear, a drow casting a spell on Thondrir. A glowing black shortsword appears above the dwarf and uselessly stabs his armor.
The drow spell-caster fills the room with shouting in a desperate, hateful language and then the room becomes eerily, ear-popping quiet.
Rahaal opens her mouth to inspire the Samaritans with words of courage and duty, and realizes she's been undone. Instead she gets as far from the bulk of the Samaritans as she's able and opens herself to Abadar's righteous rebuke of the unjust. The energy pours out from her in every direction, causing the weak willed to quiver and reflect on the unjust acts they've committed.
Arend runs into the room at the sound of combat. Seeing the orc standing nearby, he tries to bite it. He briefly grabs ahold of the orc, and takes a meaty chunk out of its shoulder with his needle-like teeth. "Mmm...tastes like chicken," he taunts.
Finally! A fight against the sort of foes you can easily stab! Tris grins as she races forward, sidling past Thondrir and up into the ranks of the goblin archers. Her rapier drops into her hand as she goes.
Devan moves into the spot Tris vacated and says to Throndrir. "Stay in sight of me old friend, I'm going to make you big." He then begins waving his hands about and chanting a spell. Haha! Some of the dragon's army I assume...
Esaul moves inside the mess, sending an arrow at the Orc after getting into position, and impressively enough he hits!
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Light also moves like the light, passing through the hunter's square to be able to hit the orc, but he misses anyway.
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Thondrir takes a short step forward and noiselessly bangs his weapon against his shield. He trundles past Arend and into the orc, slashing out wildly with his waraxe.
Round 1 Summary
Rahaal opens her mouth to inspire the Samaritans with words of courage and duty, and realizes she's been undone. Instead she gets as far from the bulk of the Samaritans as she's able and opens herself to Abadar's righteous rebuke of the unjust. The energy pours out from her in every direction, causing the weak willed to quiver and reflect on the unjust acts they've committed.
Arend runs into the room at the sound of combat. Seeing the orc standing nearby, he tries to bite it. He briefly grabs ahold of the orc, and takes a meaty chunk out of its shoulder with his needle-like teeth. "Mmm...tastes like chicken," he taunts.
Esaul moves inside the mess, sending an arrow at the Orc after getting into position, and impressively enough he hits!
Light also moves like the light, passing through the hunter's square to be able to hit the orc, but he misses anyway.
Devan just moves up and stand there mutely.
Thondrir takes a short step forward and noiselessly bangs his weapon against his shield. He trundles past Arend and into the orc, slashing out wildly with his waraxe.
The only non-dazed goblin fires his bow at Rahaal missing wide.
The silence doesn't bother Tris in particular. Still grinning, she feints low with her blade, then turns it into a high stab instead at the goblin.
Having his line of sight to the Orc compromised, Esaul seeks an easier target to hit, and finds a dazed goblin to hit with two precise arrows, although they hit it in non-critical spots.
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!
!
Light tries again to bite the half orc, and with such mess he leaves a nasty gash on its tight, also tripping the poor enemy savagely, what hopefully will prevent it from using its ferocity.
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Rahaal weaves past the one undazed archer, back behind the drow, and continues to call down Abadar's righteous rebuke. May those who oppose justice and order tremble and quake!
She tries to exclude all of her allies from Abadar's rebuke but isn't able to quite manage it, and as a result Esaul find himself joining the drow and two of the goblins in dazed contemplation, while their heads all throb with distress.
She mouths an apology to the hunter as he stands, slack-jawed.
____________
sermonic performance 6/11 rounds left
channel 1/7 rounds left
Spells spent today burst of brilliance
Light drops the orc and starts to have lunch. As Arend remarked, he tastes like chicken.
Esaul drops goblin 2 with the first hit.
Goblins are numbered 1-3 top to bottom.
Finished with his orc-burger, Arend goes for some goblin nuggets and bloodsauce. He hops past Esaul and approaches one of the dazed goblins, biting it.
Devan steps forward a bit and watches the carnage unfold with pride. No need for me to waste any resources here I guess, he thinks. Good job, Samaritans.
Thondrir skirts around Arend and the pillar to provide a flank for Tris, though he is unable to bring his weapon to bear just yet. He doesn't bother with any encouragements or intimidations, as a pall of silence continues to linger over the tunnel.
Round 2 Summary
The silence doesn't bother Tris in particular. Still grinning, she feints low with her blade, then turns it into a high stab instead at the goblin.
Having his line of sight to the Orc compromised, Esaul seeks an easier target to hit, and finds a dazed goblin to hit with two precise arrows, although they hit it in non-critical spots.
Light tries again to bite the half orc, and with such mess he leaves a nasty gash on its tight, also tripping the poor enemy savagely, what hopefully will prevent it from using its ferocity.
Rahaal weaves past the one undazed archer, back behind the drow, and continues to call down Abadar's righteous rebuke. May those who oppose justice and order tremble and quake! She tries to exclude all of her allies from Abadar's rebuke but isn't able to quite manage it, and as a result Esaul find himself joining the drow and two of the goblins in dazed contemplation, while their heads all throb with distress. She mouths an apology to the hunter as he stands, slack-jawed.
Finished with his orc-burger, Arend goes for some goblin nuggets and bloodsauce. He hops past Esaul and approaches one of the dazed goblins, but misses tearing meat.
Devan steps forward a bit and watches the carnage unfold with pride. No need for me to waste any resources here I guess, he thinks. Good job, Samaritans.
Thondrir skirts around Arend and the pillar to provide a flank for Tris, though he is unable to bring his weapon to bear just yet. He doesn't bother with any encouragements or intimidations, as a pall of silence continues to linger over the tunnel.
Thondrir grins, as surely as Angradd was. Goblins were a hated enemy of dwarfkind, and here they had a trio to put down hard--and an orc to boot! He seizes the opportunity to put his axe to work before the swinging is done, bringing the weapon down hard on the goblin's left shoulder.
Tris steps over a downed goblin, past a dazed one, and winds up facing the drow cleric with Rahaal on the other side of her.
"--oh, I can hear again. Obligatory would-you-like-to-surrender, then?" she says to the drow, drawing back her rapier to stab.
Arend tries to bite the goblin again. He somehow misses it a second time, despite its being dazed and flanked.
Devan steps up and pokes Esaul lightly on the shoulder, mouthing "Are you okay?"
Seeing that the drow's forces are in shambles -- and knowing she's almost depleted her ability to channel Abadar's rebuke for the day -- Rahaal decides to follow Tris's lead. She holds her dagger steady, ready to stab if the drow attempts to cast a spell, attack, or flee.
...There's a reason she rarely fights hand-to-hand though, and her swing is slow and easily telegraphed -- something even a gelatinous cube could dodge.
Round 3 Summary
Thondrir grins, as surely as Angradd was. Goblins were a hated enemy of dwarfkind, and here they had a trio to put down hard--and an orc to boot! He seizes the opportunity to put his axe to work before the swinging is done, bringing the weapon down hard on the goblin's left shoulder.
Tris steps over a downed goblin, past a dazed one, and winds up facing the drow cleric with Rahaal on the other side of her. "--oh, I can hear again. Obligatory would-you-like-to-surrender, then?" she says to the drow, drawing back her rapier to stab.
Arend tries to bite the goblin again. He somehow misses it a second time, despite its being dazed and flanked.
Devan steps up and pokes Esaul lightly on the shoulder, mouthing "Are you okay?"
Esaul stares back at Devan with his pupils fully dilated.
Seeing that the drow's forces are in shambles -- and knowing she's almost depleted her ability to channel Abadar's rebuke for the day -- Rahaal decides to follow Tris's lead. She holds her dagger steady, ready to stab if the drow attempts to cast a spell, attack, or flee. ...There's a reason she rarely fights hand-to-hand though, and her swing is slow and easily telegraphed -- something even a gelatinous cube could dodge.
Sound rushes into the area with another ear pop as the magical silence collapses. Finally, the drow can act without being dazed. She sneers at all of you and draws her shortsword in an act of defiance. She presents the unholy symbol on her shield and extends a wave of negative energy over everyone.
takes 3 damage
takes 7 damage
takes 7 damage
takes 3 damage
takes 7 damage
takes 3 damage
takes 7 damage
Arend retreats, having no room to get at the cleric.
Devan also retreats, wincing in pain as the negative energy washes over him.
As the negative energy damages the hunter, he recover his senses and gets back into action, taking a step to the side and aiming two arrows at the drow cleric, hitting only once. "Light, Attack!"
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Receiving his orders, the small wolf seeks the only space he could, to help the pack, and helps destroying another enemy of the samaritans, removing another piece of the poor cleric and bringing it down!
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!
"Ye damned tunnel-elf! Ye be as ugly as ye be stupid!" Thondrir grunts as the negative pulse dissipates around him. He hefts his axe and chops into the drow's midsection, hoping to slip between the ribs and into the innards behind.
Seeing as none of her allies seem to want her position, Rahaal swings tentatively with her dagger...but can't seem to hit the drow even while she's lying prone on the ground.
Tris snarls curses from her river-rat past as the negative energy washes through her, making her feel weak and woozy. Still, not too weak or woozy to attack the prone drow. Too stupid-- or fanatical-- to surrender...
Round 4 Summary
Arend retreats, having no room to get at the cleric.
Devan also retreats, wincing in pain as the negative energy washes over him.
As the negative energy damages the hunter, he recover his senses and gets back into action, taking a step to the side and aiming two arrows at the drow cleric, hitting only twice. "Light, Attack!"
Receiving his orders, the small wolf seeks the only space he could, to help the pack, and helps destroying another enemy of the Samaritans, removing another piece of the poor cleric and bringing it down!
"Ye damned tunnel-elf! Ye be as ugly as ye be stupid!" Thondrir grunts as the negative pulse dissipates around him. He hefts his axe and chops into the drow's midsection, hoping to slip between the ribs and into the innards behind.
Seeing as none of her allies seem to want her position, Rahaal swings tentatively with her dagger...but can't seem to hit the drow even while she's lying prone on the ground.
Tris snarls curses from her river-rat past as the negative energy washes through her, making her feel weak and woozy. Still, not too weak or woozy to attack the prone drow. Too stupid-- or fanatical-- to surrender...
Looting the drow leader recovers masterwork chainmail, a heavy steel shield, masterwork shortsword, wand of cure moderate wounds (13 charges), and rope of climbing. The orc had breastplate and a greatsword.
Behind the door are six miners, humans and dwarves, who have been captured by the drow slavers. Among them is Ergan Thunderstone, a master wizard, who can cast Teleport on a good day. He is also the only inhabitant of Fairhaven to know the exact whereabouts of Goramial’s lair. He’s gone days without sleep, as his captors are careful to keep him from getting enough rest to memorize spells, despite not having access to his spellbook. All of the prisoners have been stripped of their belongings and manacled to the furniture in the room, which served as a rest point for miners who would spend days without returning to the surface.
After Tris unlocks the manacles and the prisoners rehydrate, you can easily access the upper mines where there are survivors who will be eager to follow you to safety. Among them is Urick Frostwarden, the leader of the Stoneshaper’s Guild and Captain of the Fairhaven Militia. He’s ecstatic to see you, or anyone that isn’t a goblin, kobold, or drow. Many of the miners are weak, injured or worse. Urick is determined to get them all to safety, and so a few will need to be carried out. Urick is eager to hear news of the surface and fears they may have to retreat back into the mines to avoid the dragon’s wrath.
Rahaal's jaw relaxes as she sees the miners alive, and she realizes she's been walking around with a clenched jaw for longer than she can remember.
"Citizens of Fairhaven. Praise be to Abadar, and all the gods of Justice, that you are alive and we have made it here to rescue you.
"Some of you I recognize. For the rest of you, I am Rahaal bat Sawai, cleric of the Master of the First Vault, and these brave warriors are Steed's Samaritans. Together we managed to find our way here.
"Let us pass around our rations, such as they are, so that all of you can eat at least a little. I can create as much water as you might need, so please drink up! Does anyone need healing before being able to go on? If not then let's start to make our way back up to the surface, to your homes and families."
She passes around all of her food and encourages the Samaritans to do the same. As she creates water for people she offers them kind words.
Tris is startled but relieved when the next door reveals... the miners! She feels a reluctant grin tugging over her face at how relieved the townspeople are. Okay.... sometimes this 'doing good' thing has its rewards.
She gets to exercise her lockpicking skills, anyway.
Tris gives Rahaal a clap on the shoulder for her inspiring little pep talk. "That's right, get 'em healed up and in a state to travel. Me, I'm gonna poke around and see what I can see.
[b]"Master Thunderstone, I'm guessing your spellbook's back in town, eh? Well, we'll get you back to it, but... not wishing you any harm in the world, but, you know, being the only chap to know a secret like this one... if anything horrible happens on the way back up... maybe you ought to tell us the location now, if you catch my drift?" Tris says, with an apologetic smile for the slightly awkward request she's making.
Either way, the river rat looks around the chambers, idly seeing what the drow and their footsoldiers have left in whatever area they used as a sleeping chamber.
Tris fails to find her own nose.