The black orc states:
I think stumpy said da gut way down was protected by diz fort; so through it we may finds it
Sunset stops, looks at the large fellow and opens her mouth to say something.
Then she glances around at the rest of the group for a moment, before nodding and moving over to begin heading of in the direction indicated.
not that I know of; I am waiting for someone to say something like: we go that way; choices are door on this level; go to the other side and fight those gobs and enter that door; or go up the stairs.
there are of course other options; but those are most likely.
*Nods*
So; which way will the party be going please; and how fast; sneaking; boldly going; or in a rush to catch some unwary or some such?
I am not the kind of gm that tried to dictate peoples action; but rather give you a set of options and have you choose then present the fallout from such choices in a rather Zork-like approach. What I expect is that the players fit their skills to the choices and as more information is collected change their plans accordinly. Extra or bonus exps given to characters who do this well within thier character theme.
The party has the basic choices as follows and I will give you a general outline of things I think you might consider.
1) go forward up the stairs bypassing all other levels; if you go quick enough you will probably make it to the top before anyone notices you or at least if they follow; at the top you will have the combat advantage of fighting from higher ground; the top is the most defensible so a probable place for the goblin leaders of this section.
2) go to the left and fight the goblin artillerists in the left section; they are not good fighters and would be a decent exp boost and have the advantage of not leaving anyone behind you, this might also confuse any pursuit as those who might track you would have to split into four groups to try to find you, or possibly more.
3) go up to the second level either right or left and melee the forces there; again; more combat exps but also might weaken the party before the fight with the bosses; but then, do you want these forces pursing you or behind you? You may also find some treasure the more bad guys you encounter in their living areas.
4) you could also leave the fortress and find another way down; but that appears to be very dangerous at the moment as hundreds of goblin forces are leaving to go outside.
Is this helpful? the party needs to decide how they approach these situations; it doesnt look like the party is that stealthy ;but you could try it; the party would probably do pretty well with brashness as goblins are generally cowards and use their strengths of ambushes and numbers. With good intimidation rolls; I will give the goblins a minues or two to their actions.
one thing; our knight from Camelot is having some issues; so I will be conversing with him and posting for his character as his posting will be sporatic at best.
"comrades, let us accend the stairs; thus engaging from strength the vile foe and make them rue the death of our valiant dwarf, I will lead, Goodman Ork; would you accend next to me; then others as may follow with one good of fighting to gaurd our rear; thus we can obtain the path further into this Hold. Who says this yea?"
the Black Ork grunts
kill wicked goblins, good plan, dont care where, what you say Biscuit; you smarts
Sunset again opens and closes her mouth a few times at the Orc's appellation to her. She then moves over and rest her forehead on Desidera's shoulder, mumbling quiet words into the fabric.
Then, after a few more deep breaths as Sunset seems to gather her composure and such, she bounces back up, grins at her friend before turning and skipping over to Kurg and giving the fellow an enthusiastic hug. She steps back and looks up at him brightly,
"Youself an' Elsdyn will be okeys leadin' th' charge? I know every one else of us'll be followin' closer on yer heals fer th' helpin' of ye when ye gets in't th' fight." She re-assures the big Orc, before skipping over and giving Elsdyn Fedwick a brief hug as well. Stepping away she pats her self and her gear down, checking everything is in place.
"Right then, lets be off an' makin' some Destiny!"
Gloisil listens as the Knight speaks his thoughts of what the party sould do next. When he is done speaking Gloisil says, "That sounds like as good a plan as any, lead on and we will follow."
Gloisil takes a position behind the knight and ork and follows them up the stairs.
The knight leads; Kurg carries the dwarven corpse; and they move up the stairs seemingly heading toward the top; their heavy armor slowing their advance a bit, but their stamina does not falter.
at the top of the stair is two elite looking goblin guards; intiative please. They have the advantage of higher ground; but the party is obscured due to the dark flowing around the Black Orc so the guards didnt see the party until they arrived, but heard them enough to be curious enough to get ready to do do some guarding.
the gaurds are Norkers; cousins to goblins; their rock hard skin and gleaming claws bely thier tougher nature.
these guys have a natural armor class of 20; plus dex gives them each a 23; the dull look in their eyes shows their not to bright but the gleam and lear of their smiles shows they are all kinds of maleficant.
Elsdyne gets and init of 11,
Kurg gets a 13
ok; the guards have a 5
Kurg and Elsdyne attack side by side;
Els
As combat commences Sunset begins humming a jaunty tune,
Even as she herself steps off to one side, the better to get a clearer shot at the enemy.
Kurg; gets and 18 and his sword leaves a trail of sparks on the norker but not much else
Elsdyne; in a well placed attack slices a norker well
ok; the guards have a 5
Kurg and Elsdyne attack side by side;
Els 1d20+7
the norker screams in pain, clearly not used to being hurt; he looks very wobbly now.
The norkers attack back, multiattack claw,claw, bite
Kurgs
Elsdyne's
pc's are up
Sunset continues to buoy up her companions spirits as they take on the weird, hunched nobbly Goblins.
Gloisil seeing the toughness of these creatures, decides to cast a force spell to see what that will do.
I need to know the recipients of these magic missles; same one; different one; Elsdynes or Kurgs Norker?
they are equal distance at the top of the stairs side by side.
Kurg and Elsdyne attack
Kurg gets a 19; still doing no damage.
Elsdyne damage
one norker falls; the other who is uninjured other than Gyldyrd MM
attacks kurg:
confirm
x2=
16 to kurg; who grunts in pain and falls
Exclaims Sunset, even as she resets her x-bow and moves forwards to aid the big lug.
I dont understand this number for a cure light wounds for 3.5; please explain.
Exclaims Sunset, even as she resets her x-bow and moves forwards to aid the big lug.
Gloisil seeing Kurg go down under the Norker's attack casts another spell, targeting the Norker that brought wounded Kurg.
ok; top of the round; one norker left.
Gloisil blasts him and the norker grunts in pain.
Elsdyne takes a swipe at the norker; doing 7 damage finishes him off.
-------
Party is at the top of the stairs before a locked, heavy bound door.
Kurg's body heaves as the healing magic from Sunset poors into him...he is breathing, but not yet conscious.
Gloisil tries to open the door, but tug or twist the handle as much as he can, it is hopeless as the door is clearly locked.
"Does anyone have the ability to open this door, it's times like these that I wish we hadn't lost Bob early in the the assault on this evil infested place."
Sunset frowns and fidgets, even as she continues to kneel at the top of the stairs,
"I dun't rightly know about things like that. Though, truth told, they's naffy skills t'have..." She admits. She grins and winks.
"Give it a knock? An' see if'n any one does come answer th' door!" (^_^) She suggests.
"Well Sunset, looks as if we've no choice."
Gloisil steps back up to the door and bangs on it with his fist.