"As would I Desidera, as would I. I don't mind being underground, but I cannot fathom how the dwarven people spend so long a time beneath the earth."
"We have a job to do though, and the sooner it is done, the sooner we can be free of this place. I wish that we could return it to the dwarves to whom it rightfully belongs, but that will be a task for another day, and perhaps another group such as ourselves."
Desidera, I could certainly use a bit of that healing touch of yours at this time.
As Desidera looks over the Gnomes wounds he tries to smile and bring some cheer to her to ease her concerns hopefully for a time.
"Shall we make our way to that fortress now that the way is clear, or try to continue on, and hope that the goblins will leave us alone for a time.
Mox is out there indoctinating his 4 goblins; who cant run away because their hopping on bleeding feet; looks like there well on their way to becoming Broken Toe Clan hehe.
Mox finally gets them to sit down and he badly binds there feet after prinkling some kind of powder on them.
Mox and is four wounded goblin are at the base of the Fortress; this great hall before the fortress is dimly lit; so you can make out the far side and see that the hall your in continues on that side; the great hall itself is 5 time the size of the one you have been traveling and bisects the area;
your dwarf chimes in that typically; this great hall goes from outside to this fortress; all part of the secondary defense; primary being outside and keeping stuff out; this secondary defense is the great hall where they can keep an invading army bottled up and is also where great pagentry events occur and where dwarven armies ready to mount and outside excursion. Generally; the Fortress guards the way down. So he gestures left; there is probably a large frieght elevator nearby; and either inside or around the Fortress; a few ways to the upper and lower levels. There are of course other ways; but they would be in areas known by the various guilds.
"Well Master Dwarf, if you can lead us in the direction you think this elevator may be in, we'll certainly keep an eye open and help search for it."
Gm posting for the AWOL Dwarf.
"well, I dont rightly know, but I figure its a good idea ta stop that gong and there is probably a main stair in that fortress as well as a few smaller ones and unless dey built up these Ballistas right on the spot; probably a frieght elevator somewhat close, but I aint been here before; but it seems right. An; given dat goblins ait to smart; if we are in there and there looking out here; you gets me drift? I figure the local sub boss in that there fortress and thezes is probably afraid of them bozzes so wont be goin in ta bother them; besides; I would like ta smite em.
I am a bit injured ifn our fair healer can do somethin about it"
"Well sounds as if the fortress is our best bet for findin' a way down to the lower levels. And if there still be goblins in there, we'll just have to clean out the place. Let's go everyone."
Gloisil then turns and heads towards the base of the stair that goes up the side of the fortress. Once at the bottom of the stair, he will start climbing, looking for an entrance to the inside of the fortress.
Just a reminder from Obi Wan Kenobi; "the'll be back, and in greater numbers."
"Our wise dwarf Koridur, is right as well. We need to find that gong and whomever is ringing it, and convince them to stop."
it is from within the fortress; your excellent estimation; from behind the wall on the second level up.
At Gloisels word; Kurg and the Dwarf begin to move quickly to the fortress ramp.
Mox gleefully states.
"i gots me a trixie ide ide... thinkin, yeas go in da fortress, me and me boys will hold da ramp; make it looks all gobbies and send any commers a nutter way. hehehehe good trixie yes?"
he looks for approval from the party; mostly looking at Gloisel who is about his size.
"Mox, that is a great idea. We'll go in and take care of the gong and then look for a way down to the lower levels. Once we find the way down, we'll come get you."
Hey everyone; due to the birth of my new baby; am giving out cigars to all; bit pink stogies with a magic rune J on them. These will burn for 5 rounds; each round will restore 8 lost hit points and remove one disease or poison, can be used in combat as a fee action; but can be stuck from your mouth as a disarm; in combat you can also blow the smoke in the eyes of your enemies to give them a -1 to all their actions. Activation word; "Hail Jolene" hehe.
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up the the ramp to the citadel; hmm both the game are running are at a climatic up the ramp; how odd is that
so up the ramp; on the first levelyou are greated by 4 goblin guards; they look like they just woke up; have their gear and are looking around like the gong is a mystery to them. You see 3 crews laxily trying to ready some ballistas. The 4 goblins charge. Roll initiative; you can also counter charge if you wish; higher init gets the bonus.
gobbies; 6+2 so init of 8.
this level is like a long rectangle bisected by the ramp with still goes up to the next level; the ramp was once on fire here from pouring oil; but it long burn up; only the black remains. There are two working ballista, well goblin repaired anyway, on the right and one on the left; both the left and the right areas have one single hallways leading deeper into the citadel; the ramp continues to levels 2 ,3 and 4; which all look down on this level as well as the area below.
Gloisil on spotting the goblins, checks to make sure that his crossbow is ready and loaded. He then prepares to fire at the first goblin that he can aim at.
"Here we go again, at least it's a smaller group."
Orc gets a 16
Dwarf gets a 12
Gloisil 16
Gyldyr 22 but holding action...
other inits?
Desidera, did you mention this thought out loud? perhaps someone has an insight into goblins which are not really a problem where you come from.
Elsdyn, being somewhat unobtrusive as he quitely offers prayers of thanks to the Lady, springs in to action at the sight of the goblins
thanks; Joline is doing well now.
Is that everyone; I thought there were more...
Gyldyrs action up first.....
Orc gets a 16
Dwarf gets a 12
Gloisil 16
Gyldyr 22
Elsdyne 3 but holding action...other inits?
the Black Ork charges a goblin and hits him, blood spurts; the goblin goes down
the combined attacks of gyldyr and gloisels xbow bolt take down another guard
the goblins wince at the sudden light.....
They swing, swing, swing at the black ork; but with the sudden light in their eyes; they hit once leaving a shallow cut on the orc, the dwarf charges into action and swings....hits, wounds, another goblin goes down...the two remaining goblin guards are starting to look very nervous
Elsdyn, your up; then new round with Gyldyr on top.
Elsdyn positions himself best to protect those less armored (using a 5' move as necssary) and strikes at the nearest goblin. If there is no goblin in range he will charge as wel
Gloisil will reload his crossbow and fire at one of the remaining goblins.
Elsdyne kills a goblin guard; the last one next to him turns to flee into the fortress; Elsdyne and dwarf may make attacks of oppurtunity.
Fron the side; you can see one crew trying to turn a ballista and a few other goblins in crews waking up and looking around; but not yet aware of whats going on. The two other crws have not turned theres yet; but you can see them peering over the edge lookig...; these are all on the same level as you.
new round after attacks of oppurtinity; Gloisel you can keep your shot if you want but if they kill this guy with thier AoO then you will have no immediant target
for next round; I would like to know; will you go further up the stairs; or into level one or onto the ramparts of lavel one.
"Pointing at the balista being aimed at them, and the other groups of goblins looking their way, Gloisil says, [b]"I think it may be best for us to head inside the fortress from this level!"
If you choose t go in the first level of the fortresss; i need to know if you choose right or left.
Am waiting for Pc's; are you going right or left into the first level or are you going up? Going either right or left you will encounter the siege crews, going up; who knows....
Am waiting for Pc's; are you going right or left into the first level or are you going up? Going either right or left you will encounter the siege crews, going up; who knows....
*Holds up coin*
"We's c'n all-a-ways, y'know, flip fer it?" Sunset suggests with a mischievous grin.
Gyldyr, you and the dwarf would agree that the internal structure is sysmetrical; either way you go would be to a guard room then a central common area used for eating and meetings; from there various branches to barracks, armories and the like which support the fortress; any leaders would be in the upper levels; any path down either behind of under the fortress. So; as for left or right; only difference is the random amount of enemies you face; now; it occurs to you if your fast; you could be sneaky; start one way, make a lot of noise and kill some foes drawing more there; then run back and go the other way; might leave you less enemies to face if it works, but with the gnome and the dwarf here who hate gobs racially; maybe you guys just want to kill em all.
"Well I say that we head right, but that's just my preference, doesn't mean I'm right or that it's the best route."
"If anyone has a better idea, then let's hear it and be movin' on before all those goblins follow us in."
Gloisil not wanting to delay too long finally heads off to the right once Gyldyr said that they may as well go in that direction.
He keeps his eyes and ears open.
you might not want to let that light go yet; going left or right; right in this case takes you into the siege crews as the passageway into this level is between them.
one crew fires; the crews charge forward.....
Fireing.....hit on the dwarf {randomized among you] 21 pts damage, as he is sceward; rolls; his sturdy nature avoids the bullrush effect of the large ballista and avoids getting stuck to the wall.
new initiative.
*Eeeps!* At the large pieces of mahogany going flying about, kneels and takes aim with her x-bow,
"OKeys! Givin' fire support!" She calls, reloading and getting ready to shoot next round.
Gloisil also aims his crossbow at one of the goblins charging towards them.
Hopefully the shot is well enough aimed to take out the goblin Gloisil aimed at.
Elsdyn moves to cover Desidera and the dwarf, attacking any goblins who come within reach.
You run over but even without the a critical look; you see it is pointless; the ballista bolt is still in him and he is gushing blood; cure light wont cure this much more serious wound and you have to take out the ballista bold beforehe can be healed and it is about 6ft long and about as thick as your wrist.
Gloisil and Sunset each kill a goblin with well placed shots; Elsdyne and the Black Ork each kill a goblin; and with (presumably) Gyldyr making mystical motions with his hands; it is to much for the goblin morale; they break and the three remaining goblins try to flee over the wall...
Elydyne; you may take a attack of oppurtunity; and Gyldyr; whatever action your taking.
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ok; to fill in the pc we lost; have been recruiting to fill their spots; might have two joining us soon.
With a pained cry, Desidera rushes over to the dwarf, already preparing one of the carefully saved healing spells, though she knew that one alone could not undo the damage done. Hopefully, just hopefully, this would be enough to get him up and on his feet..
And hopefully, Apollo willing, they would make it through this.
He voice was somewhat panicked, as she had never heard of anyone surviving a hit from a ballista, but he was a dwarf. Dwarves were tougher on the whole.. Had to be.. They lived underground. "Koridur,ohKoridurtellmethatyoucanhearme,tellmethatyouarestillbreathingc'mo nyoucan'tfallhere,notinastrongholdofyourpeople,tellmeyouhearme,saysomething !
Sending a bolt after the fleeing foe, Sunset continues to kneel and reload, still looking for targets to take down.
As he's reloading his crossbow, Gloisil says, "Let 'em go, and lets be moving on. The sooner we can find a way to the lower levels the better. I hope." The last part said at a much lower volume as if speaking to himself.
Gloisil then continues on in the direction that they were heading in before running into the goblins.
Elsdyn does not swing at the fleeing goblins, striking a helpless being in the back even an evil foe would not bring honor to the Lady. Instead he wipes his sword off and sheaths it then turns to Desidera and the dwarf.
"Milady, be there any aid I can give thee? Though not blessed with thine skill or divine gifts I have some knowledge of battlefield dressing."