Ever hopeful, Ryan continues to hack away at the creature before him.
"શું ...જેજે, રાહ જુઓ! તમે નુકસાન કરી રહ્યાં છો!" Marigold calls fruitlessly as JJ turns and bolts through the northern doors.
She thinks to chase after him, but the sudden pain in her side as the odd lumpy creature flails its claws wildly is something that can't be ignored. Hurriedly, she puts away the healing wand and draws her morningstar once again.
"What...JJ, WAIT! You're hurt!"
JJ calls back.
"હું કે ગુલામ લેનાર બંધ કરી શકો છો"
Maxim again shifts away from the fleshy creature and its flailing attacks;
He begins to rummage into his magical bag retrieving a flask of acid and a flask of alchemical fire
"Time to cremate this damned half-breed!"
Ruben strides forward beside Ryan and hacks away at the creature before them
"Time to cremate this damned half-breed!"
Kikinnin considers the nature of the monster that managed to destroy so much of Malachite. Something of the animal in the back of his mind wants him... it... to suffer much longer than it has. As he thinks longer, he dismisses his hatred, now that it's served its purpose. Now, Kazmojen becomes the beginning of the Cleansing.
The black-beard nods in encouragement as his brother dwarf readies to join him in burning out the rot.
Kikinnin retrieves a torch and starts to set it on fire.
JJ jumps out of the dais running for the levers on the corridor. He barely reaches them without time enough to pull the first one yet.
Ryan strikes the creature with his heavy mace damaging it, but he feels the damage was much less than expected for that hit.
Marigold changes her wand for the morningstar, determined to defend herself.
Maxim retrieves some alchemicals hoping to stop the regeneration by that way.
Ruben stabs his longsword on the mass of flesh, cutting through but dealing much less damage than he expected by the hit.
The lemure keeps attacking randomly at one and another around him.
The claws just fail to harm through the men's armor.
"He has escaped. We have to finish this quickly and pursuit them before they can do any craziness to the other prisoners" says Fario, then moves his sword sacrificing the sleeping hobgoblin at his feet.
The hobgoblin dies automatically.
Fellian hustles after JJ "Where is him?"
JJ and Fellian can overhear the clumsy steps of Pyllrak heading north of the alleyway.
Kazmojen's wounds keep healing, his head and body making a piece back together.
Mapple exclaims satisfied when the shackles holding Anfa finally concede! The halfling helps remove the shackles to the girl.
AC = 22, PfE, 26 v Giant
HP = 25/25
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE, Wax+2
Kikinnin brings his lit torch down on the body of Kazmojen, and continues to hold it there until the body seems well and truly unable to heal itself back to life.
He looks up occasionally to watch what the others are doing, but keeps his focus on Maxim and his work over the half-troll body.
Round 10:
Maxim shifts away from the summoned mass of flesh , then moves to where the mangled corpse of the half-troll lies, attempting to slowly re-knit broken bone and sundered sinew.
The gun-mage bids those near the fallen Kazmojen to move away and stands off, readying a throw of the alchemical fire he holds;
"Move ya damned eijits! Am bringing the fire down on this basterd!"
:
:
The fire of Kikinnin's torch seems to act astonishingly well on the half-dwarf wounds. The heat stops the regeneration completely. At the same time the fallen creature ceases breathing.
JJ pulls a lever, and points to the other lever for the half elf to pull.
"They open trap doors..."
Whether we got here in time....
He listens carefully for the sound of a falling body.
Surprised by the actual contact made on his previous hit Ryan whiffs on his follow up.
next round should it be needed
His next swing while an improvement, it didn't look like he was going to drop the mace, still fails to do anything.
Marigold steps around the bloated creature and attempts to help Ryan and Ruben put an end to it.
Needing no further encouragement, Ruben hacks at the lemure once more having turned aside it's clumsy slash.
Fellian nods to JJ and moves to the other lever pulling it at the same time that the young man.
Two pits open into the corridor, but nothing is heard.
Ryan and Marigold keep fighting the flesh mass creature. The halfling succeeds to strike at it, but the attack does not seem to damage the creature.
Ruben's attack is more powerful and some damage is dealt.
The creature fights back at them without success.
After the attack, the strange devil disappears in a cloud of thick flesh.
North at the alley, the door to the fortress entrance opens.
+1 breastplate
mwk urgrosh
4 throwing axes
cloak of resistance +1
potion of fire resistance
180 gp pouch
3 keys
studded leather armor
light steel shield
longsword
longbow with 20 arrows
potion of cure light wounds
oil of magic weapon
As the sounds of battle cease Marigold hesitates for a moment before dashing over to the now-free Anafa and hugging her (and Maple) tightly. "I-I'm s-so glad...s-s-so g-glad," she stammers through near-tears, almost too overcome to speak. "T-thank you f-f-for g-getting her f-f-free," she says to Maple as she releases her. "Anafa, are y-y-you okay? Th-they didn't h-hurt you d-did they?"
Kikinnin drops the torch onto Kaz's dead form, letting the fire run its course. He claps Maxim on the shoulder, then walks over to the Urgosh of Malachite, and waits for the slick to slip away. When it does, he picks it up, reverentially.
"We need to secure the Fortress." He doesn't wait long, but eventually bridles himself enough to enlist the others to move towards his family's quarters, and the other families' quarters, across the bridge. He can't possibly move quietly, but it doesn't bother him. He watches for ranged attacks from loitering hobs, but trusts to his armor to deflect the majority of attacks, now that it's overcome the half-troll.
When he's across the bridge, he opens the door, and looks forward. He doesn't stray far from his allies, though.
"Kikinnin, could Spike be enlisted to remove all hobgoblins and such from the fortress, sweeping the vermin from your ancestral home?"
Picking up the Potion of CLW he heads over to JJ "You look like you could use this. And perhaps that breastplate over there." the last said as he fingers a gash several inches long in the side of JJ's armor. "You were lucky this time, you'll survive to fight another day."
Maxim nods with a hard smile;
"Aye brodir. Finally the Urgosh is in the right hands..."
He begins to check through the treasure, weary after the long fight;
"Huh. Most of this will have to wait for proper checking... Don't have the magicks required... Spent - like we all are..."
At Ryan's question on Spike's loyalty;
"Savvy idea Taskerhill. He'll serve Kikinnin now as he holds the Urgosh. Reckon we should support Spike tho... don't want to lose such a useful watchdog..."
Anafa hugs back Marigold strongly, her eyes crying but with a wide smile at the face "Oh Mari! I knew you would come save us! I have past so much fear..."
Maple nods "I will help the others now" and moves towards Deakon the small dwarf.
Terrem raises his voice "What about me? When are you gonna break these shackles?" he says raising his shackles up.
Fario and Fellian points towards the west as Kikinnin leaves to the dwarven quarters "Help him secure the place before they can prepare, we will take charge here"
As Kikinnin moves past the bridge, he overhears goblinoid speech at the southern door before he can reach the one to the west.
An arched stone bridge connects to a ten-foot-wide causeway that spans one wall of a great cavern. Fused with the rough-hewn cavern walls are smooth walls of dull black stone, some with doors and windows set into them. Two nine-foot-tall statues carved from white marble stand in alcoves on each side of a rein forced wooden door set deep into the west wall. The statues depict a male and female dwarf clad in armor, each of which brandishes an urgrosh. The cavern plunges thirty feet below the level of the causeway, ending in a pool of still, black water.
Ruben sheathes his sword and returns to the shackled boy.
This time, he carefully works at the lock with his picks until he hears it click.
Don't think I didn't consider leaving you here, you brat. he says, only half joking
JJ returns looking a bit disappointed.
"That slaver got away."
JJ pockets the potion and then looks at the armor.
"Uncle Alex always said a solid breastplate was a worthwhile investment." He tries it on... "Although I don't think I'll be doing much running wearing this."
As the children call to be released, JJ approaches them, reminding them of who he is.
"It's me JJ. I'm wearing a Magical Disguise!!!!"
He takes out the tools and starts to work on their manacles.
"This might take a bit of getting used to..."
Ryan moves across the bridge to join Kikinnin, "Too many ancient foes have been here, you should not walk alone here yet. That day is coming though."
JJ downs the potion
Marigold hugs Anafa again and then quickly moves to check the other children as well as their shackles are broken. "N-no, we're not leaving anyone b-behind," she says with surprising firmness. "B-but there are s-still b-bad men running around. We n-need you all to s-stay here with these nice p-people that h-helped us okay? J-just until we m-make sure that it's s-safe to leave, I p-promise."
Noting that JJ still looks rather battered despite the healing potion, she quickly moves over and taps him with the wand as he works to get the breastplate on.
After saying his piece, Ryan remains a respectful distance behind Kikinnin as he explores.
JJ looks much better.
"You're much better than a potion Marigold!"
After donning the armor, he heads over the bridge to follow Kikinin. While on the bridge he can't help but look down into the chasm.
"What is down there?"
And why build here, around it?
Kikinnin picks up on the gob talk, so changes direction, heading south instead of west. When the others have moved up to join him, only then does he open the southern door. He holds onto the Urgrosh in his offhand, for demonstration purposes only. He fully intends to continue swinging his current greataxe.
With a light tap of his mace and shield Ryan indicates he's ready to continue.
Terrem smiles satisfied as the shackles are removed from his limbs dedicating a face to Ruben.
Marigold further cures JJ as the young man rejoin with the other children "JJ!? You also came help us!" the children seem not yet convinced by JJ's appearance but they seem happy to hear about him.
While JJ starts changing his armor, Kikinnin and Ryan lead the group to the southern area where the goblinoid discussion is heard.
Moss pallets coyer five malachite slabs that protrude from the walls of this rank chamber. A somewhat mistreated wooden table and four chairs stand in the middle of the room. A rack ofjavelins occupies the northeast corner.
The weapon rack in the northeast corner holds one masterwork javelin among the other normal ones.
At the other side of the room stands open one door with a hobgoblin at each side listening to some discussion at the other room.
As you approach they turn towards you and you get a better insight of the next room.
Ghastly furnishings decorate this hellishly lit chamber. Glowing-hot coals fill the black belly of a six-foot-diameter iron oven that dominates the room. Three branding irons lie half-immersed in the coals. Two iron cages hang from the ceiling on either side of the oven: one holds an enormous beetle with red-glowing glands, and the other holds a pile of bones and skulls. The latter cage hangs by a narrow window that looks out into a dark cavern.
Against the south wall, a haggard, but still attractive woman, sits in a tall, iron-wrought chair, metal clamps around her wrists, ankles, and neck.
The chief jailer with whom another hobgoblin is discussing, is an ebon-skinned hobgoblin with only one arm.
When the single armed hobgoblin sees Kikinnin he points towards him, looks at the Urgrosh, then back at the dwarf and shouts "You!" and at the other hobgoblins "Lakill!!!!"
"Take the one on the right and I'll take the one of the left together we'll block the door" Ryan calls out to Kikinnin as he moves forward.
Still struggling with his buckles, JJ hurries forward, but the weight of the armour stops him closing the gap to the combat.. .just yet.
Ryan's attack connects solidly. The hobgoblin shrieking in pain.
Meanwhile, JJ struggles to set the new armor at place while he moves forward to join the team.
Unable to completely close the distance to the hobgoblin herself Marigold moves forward a few paces and lays her hand on Kikinnin's arm, offering him guidance in battle.
AC = 20, PfE, Charging
HP = 25/25
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE, Guidance
"We're walking the Nightshield halls. We backtrack, and we'll clear out the Fulgrentforge, Garthun, and Rouradont halls as well. They might be crowding into Zenith's quarters too." He sighs, realizing they still have several branches to uncover.
Kikinnin glares at the gobs, not surprised that they still infest his home. "They need to learn fear, right quick." He nods in agreement with Ryan. He looks down, distracted by Marigold's touch. He nods to the halfling woman in thanks. He then charges his gob.
"Not one of you is going to live here. I'll show you dwarven mercy, for invading your enemy's home. You drop your weapons, and I'll pop your heads off clean and painless, like a dandelion. I can offer you that, at least."
:
Maxim casts an eye over the room and its contents, but notices nothing of value or interest.
The gun-mage flashes a grim smile at Kikinnin's hard words.
"Take the deal jeblin scum... Tis' a good deal..."
The dwarf moves forward to support Ryan, drawing his warhammer as he goes.
"Time to get my hands dirty Taskerhill! Have at 'em!"
Maxim swings at the hobgoblin fighting Ryan:
:
:
You better surrender 'less you want to lose that other arm, sunshine! Ruben growls from the doorway.
Marigold comes closer to the battle touching Kikinnin whom finds his ideas clearer.
The dwarf jumps over his hobgoblin slashing fiercely with his axe and cutting deep on the creature's right arm.
Maxim balances his pick as he closes next to Ryan. The dwarf delivers a powerful blow on the hobgoblins right leg that starts bleeding.
Ruben growls at the leader of the group. It seems to retreat a bit intimidated but knowing he is being observed he points to the group and orders to kill.
The hobgoblins at the back draw and throw javelins at Kikinnin and Ryan.
The leader makes the same pointing at Kikinnin "You cut my arm. I cut you two!"
The javelins bounce against the ironclad dwarf while the last hobgoblin in the room draws his longsword and moves to attack the dwarf.
The other two hobgoblins draw their longswords and attack Ryan and Kikinnin.
One of the swords bites at the cleric's skin, opening a wide gash as the hobgoblins push their fight.
Maxim grits his teeth, shifts sideways and swings with venom at the green garbed hobgoblin ;
"Now we have this hoc-jeb Taskerhill!"
:
:
JJ hurries forward, but the weight of the armor takes its toll and he can't quite manage to land a blow.
AC = 22, PfE
HP = 25/25
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE
Kikinnin frowns at the unfamiliar hob howling about a missing arm, but prefers to concentrate on his current opponent, saving that one for the next surge.
Maxim helps Ryan while JJ closes to the fray and Kikinnin finishes the hobgoblin in brown clothing with a clean strike.
Ryan nods his thanks as Maxim moves into place.
Something stirs in the back of the black-beard's mind. For all the conflict, the delving and the blasphemy of seeing Malachite in shambles, it hasn't occurred to him. Until now.
Kikinnin points at the one-armed hob, gesturing wildly at his companions.
Marigold steps up next to one of the remaining hobgoblins and waves her weapon in an attempt to distract the creature from Ryan.
"You know that one from somewhere Kikinnin?" asks JJ, glad to be in the fight once again. At last.
Marigold successfully distracts one of the hobgoblins helping to protect Ryan.
The hobgoblin attacks Ryan, then steps to the side letting others enter the room.
Another one enters the fray attacking with his longsword at the dwarf.
The remaining hobgoblin throws another javelin at Kikinnin.
And the remaining hobgoblin leader menaces back at the dwarf "Come here and show me your arms! Zarkad will teach you manners dwarf!"
JJ steps forward over the fallen goblin and between Maxium and his foes.
Then his swords lash out at the blue shirted greenblood.
"Suurrrabbbbaaarr" echoes through the halls.
But the attacks are rushed and easily avoided.
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"You know that one from somewhere Kikinnin?"
Kikinnin nods, keeping his eyes planted squarely on the hob calling itself Zarkad. "I got his one arm on the streets of Cauldron." He raises his voice at Zarkad. He lowers his voice to speak to JJ. "I hadn't made any connection between my sister showing up in Cauldron, and the mess these rats made down here in my absence. He got away before I could plant my axe at his second shoulder." He raises his voice at Zarkad again.
Kikinnin has all the attributes of a metal kettle on a stove, reaching its full boiling point.
AC = 22, PfE
HP = 25/25
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = PfE
Kikinnin tries to hew the forest in front of him, so he can hack the one-branch hob waiting for him on the other side. His agitation is apparent, as he fails to connect on Blue.