Norion steps through the magically-created portal and through his keen dwarven senses, coupled with the faint illumination provided by the violet moss beholds a majestic undercity rising from the cavern's bottom.

An underground river flows through the bottom of a wide ravine, at the far end of which are a series of platformed dwellings carved from the very stone itself.

A narrow trail leads along one side of the ravine, seemingly meeting up with a stone bridge ahead.

There are no signs of activity within the cavern and no light emanates from any of the structures ahead. With so many dwellings, one would expect there to be at least some signs of life, but alas, none. At least not that one can see from the present vantage point, which is at least a quarter mile distant to the aforementioned underground city.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Sat 15 Feb 2014.

"I wonder if that is where the lizard folk lived..." Ben speculated.

Rath watches his own step more closely than he examines the dead city in the dark ahead. "That, or evil dwarves," Rath mutters.

"Is there any other kind," Ben offers in way of a poor joke, but then he quickly makes a retraction... "Except for Norion of course! Oh, and his family, tribe, people, whatever... sorry, sorry..."

Inas gazed into the gloom, trying to acclimatise his eyes to the darkness. He scanned around, trying to spy movement. As the others discussed possible inhabitants he joined in. "I doubt the lizardfolk live down here. They need sunlight and warmth to survive; I see precious little of either down here. We should be careful, I doubt our presence will be welcomed here."

"They seemed pretty happy living the tunnels of that Ziggawhoozits. Plus down here they would have water, that's pretty important for living too..."

"Two ways to find out I guess," Eagle muses. "Either we go and ask the lizard men, or we go down and explore. I favour the first option, but since we're here, I suspect others will think otherwise. . .

"So the question is, how do we scout it? I am happy to take the form of a bat again and flutter down to explore, or follow others."

"I can use my magic to cloak us in invisibility; either Eagle alone or all of us though I remind you we'd have to stick close to each other in the latter case." Saliq explained.

Norion stares out in the twilight of underground, "By tha' gods, a whole city, tis beautiful is it naught?" His voice is soft and in awe of the sight.


"Yes, could be dark dwarves, an' they'd 'ave no need ta light their city, nor likely would demons, which given tha' name ov the stone above seems a possibility, but ah dinna ever here of demons building cities but they could have captured one, anyways, don't imagine that the darkness in the city doesn't mean it isn't fully occupied.  What if we sent an invisible bat doon there to look around and then come back and we can decide if this is worth a closer look, or whether we are best to back up, seal that hole, and keep this place our secret till we are better equipped ta' handle it. Dunna get me wrong, ah have a strong desire to go and see it close up, but also one ta live awhile longer...."

"An invisible bat would cause more concern then a regular, no? If someone hears it and can't see, that would cause concern, but I think a regular bat wouldn't be much of a surprise."

Rath gives a tired smirk and a nod of approval. Ben makes a good point.

Saliq sighed and looked deflated but nodded nonetheless.

In reply to Saliq Musfara (msg # 12):

"Interesting, ah never thought much about magic but the more you learn ,
First bats are silent when they fly, have t a be they see with their ears, squeaks
And hear the echoes, can't have their wings deafening themselves, dwarves
Know that, but does yer invisible blind all kinds ov light, even us who can
See Ina dark, and thems who can see heat, that's the question"

"Bats hear the sound the send out reflected back Norion, if they were silent, they would be essentially blind."

Rath shakes his head, confounded. "Wait. You see heat?" He scratches himself on the neck and glances to Saliq. "Does your spell help with that?"

Eagle looks confused by the conversation. 'Surely if you're not using vision to see something, then it doesn't matter either way if I'm invisible, as you're using a different sense in the first place? So regardless of whether the magic works against that other sense, there'd be no suspicion either way?. . .' He trails off.

'Enough of this,' he says more firmly. 'I will take my chances as I find them. Even if something sees me, it still has to catch me. . .' With that he stands still, concentrates for a moment, and then his body starts to transform into a small black bat. If Saliq makes a move to cast his spell he will wait for it, but if not he will flutter off.


OOC: Eagle will cautiously approach the city, trying to stay close to the side of the cavern, but checking the walls as he goes attempting not to fly past any open caves into the side of the cavern.

Eagle flutters off into the gloom, staying close to the cavern's walls, and begins his reconnaissance of the strange underground city.

The city seems completely lifeless and abandoned, for there is no activity anywhere to be seen. Gliding in for a closer look, Eagle finally sees evidence that something lived here at one time. Decaying bodies!

More specifically, the mostly rotted-away corpses of what appears to be dwarves are found lying on catwalks or atop bridges spanning between city platforms. Something happened here, though it is not immediately clear what calamity befell these humanoids.

Eagle cautiously flutters in closer, seeing if he can 'see' any windows or whatever using his bat senses.

Inas stood in silence, waiting for batman to return. He stared deep into the gloom, allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Eagle detects several windows scattered about the underground city, some open, others not. Save for the fact this city is located deep underground, it is in all other respects, very much a normal city complete with windows, doors and other effects.

The underground fortress is divided into four distinct structures, two of which lie closest to the heroes' awaiting Eagle's return, near the stone double-door. The other two lie further behind the two lead structures, one of which is high up off the cavern floor, with seemingly no access to reach those lofty heights. Of course, this is no concern for Eagle, while in bat form.

The bottom three structures rise off the cavern floor some 30 feet and are connected by sturdy stone bridges. The fourth structure sits atop a platform at least 100 feet higher than the cavern floor.

Rather than being similar to a city, this underground dwelling is more akin to an underground fortress. Each ward contains but a single door granting access within, with very few, if any, windows at ground level and few windows even higher. Whomever once dwell in this cheerless place apparently took no pleasure in the outlying scenery.

The doors to the bottom three wards are cast wide open, within each is a grand hall littered with dwarven bodies here or there. Various hallways and corridors lead off of each of these halls, though without a thorough investigation, what lies beyond will remain a mystery.

The west wing contains the most bodies and there is a powerful stench of acid within that hall. Nothing stirs as Eagle approaches each open threshold.

The ward located near the cavern's ceiling contains no doors or windows: it is merely a stone fortress perched high above the others, with seemingly no way to breach its walls.

OOC: I posted a general map showing the general lay of the cavern. Hopefully the above information provided enough for you to work off of. Take a look at the picture I posted in the opening thread as well, that should give you a good idea of what the place looks like. Kind of a complicated place to describe without being too wordy.

Eagle takes it all in, particularly the stench of acid, before flying back to the party, where he transforms back into his usual self and reports on what he has found.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Thu 20 Feb 2014.

In reply to Eagle (msg # 22): "Did you peek over the top of the high one? I'm guessing that's where the best treasure is..." The little thief's eye gitter with greed at the thought...

There was a glitter in Saliq's eye too.  "An entire city... think of it my friends if we could secure this place we would have a great stronghold of our own to store our treasures and people with our followers."

Rath glances at Bruno and Monvo, imagining them peopling the city. It is not a satisfying thought. He looks up at the dark ceiling. "Never to see the sun, Wizard?" He shrugs. "But at least we'd never be rained on."

Norion listens with gathering worry, "Dwarves, by the gods, ah hope not, but either way, if they are Duergar, they too thought this a safe fortress....ah must know..." he takes a deep breathe, and begins his way down the trails to the city.

With a shrug Ben follows, hoping to hear the Eagles answer to his question as they head down to the City of Death! He also begins to hum dramatic sounding scary music...

The party makes its way along the well-worn stone path leading to the underground fortress ahead. A carpet of giant toadstools rise up to the group's left, proof that life of some sort may flourish in this desolate realm.

The group walks along for about 100 yards when someone, perhaps Ben or Inas, notices a squat humanoid creature kneeling between the shadows of two large mushrooms about 50 feet off of the trail.

The humanoid's back is turned to the heroes, but it appears as though the humanoid is armed with a crossbow and has the weapon drawn and raised toward the some point in the darkness above.

The humanoid gives no indication it is aware of the heroes' presence. Rather, it stands quite still, seemingly fixated on whatever target might be lurking somewhere above.

In reply to DM Storm (msg # 28):

OOC: Did Eagle peek over the top of the top fortress? I would have assumed he would have in my general 'flutter around and investigate without risk' instruction, and the description of the insides you gave was generic to all four quarters, but now Ben asks the question it occurs that maybe I didn't!

Eagle stops as they see the humanoid, and hangs back, unsure how to best approach this threat.

Norion will continue moving forward once the others reaction gives him sight of the figure.  He'll look around at other similar hiding spots to see if there are other crossbowman, if not, he'll move up the path until he's about 25 feet away and then stop and in a hushed dwarven tongue say, "What are ya' hunting today?"

Ben drops into a low crouch and begins to sneak towards the figure, hoping to catch him unaware.

This is of course ruined by the brash straight forward Norion. C'est la vie!

Hopefully Ben is hidden in the shadows at this time...

The kneeling humanoid does not respond in any visible fashion to Norion's query. The being remains standing there, crossbow raised heavenward, very still.

Rath frowns and eyes his surroundings suspiciously. He mutters to Saliq, "Petrified, you think?"

Monvo interjects, "Doesn't look like that fellow there has moved a stitch to my eyes. So, I'd say you're probably on to something," he whispers in an almost snide tone. Was there any other tone with Monvo?

Norion shrugs and figuring what he already figured, the thing is dead, like the rest, walks forward and first inspects the figure close up, eyeing the angle of his aim,, then sniffing, is it long dead, finally, a step back, using his great axe to hook a shoulder and drag it to the ground.

Meanwhile, Ben creeps to within 10 feet of the kneeling humanoid and finally gets a better view. Definitely a dwarf, though beardless, bald, but still ugly. So there was that.

And oh yeah, seemingly completely made of stone. Interesting place for a statue. And the pose!

Stone, Norion will look it over carefully, was it carved, any chistle marks, signs of aging, was this a real dwarf, or druegar, can he tell, he'll inspect the angle of his weapon, anything interesting he was aiming at...

Norion walks past Ben, who had been hiding behind a large toadstool mushroom, and approaches the stony humanoid and immediately recognizes it for what it is: a gray dwarf...duergar!

The despicable clan of lost dwarves who long ago turned their backs on the All-Father and came willingly to the altar of the Dark Gods of Deceit.

The statue is quite lifelike and of exceptional craftsmanship...except it probably wasn't crafted by any artisan, if Rath's hunch proved correct. But, what manner of creature could turn a dwarf to stone?!

Norion inspects the angle and sees nothing but the vastness of the cavern ceiling above the toadstool canopy.

The dwarf then hacks off the duergar's arm with his axe. The arm crashes to the ground with a thud. Solid stone.

Norion stares at the shattered arm on the ground, spits on it,

"Something has done the world a great service 'ere, these arr Duergar, as ah expected, whatever has destroyed this city, let us search it out and give it thanks..."

Inas looked at the stone duergar, then scanned around. "Give it thanks?" he muttered, "I think not. Evil though your lost brethren may be, they are still living creatures. Flesh and bone, and made by the Gods. If this one has indeed been turned to stone then I fear powerful magicks are at work. I have heard tales of wicked creatures, beautiful temptresses that lure you in with song and soft words, then when your guard is down they weave their spells and leave you as a statue forever. Naught but a trinket to adorn their palaces. We should be careful."

"I don't understand." Saliq injerected.  "The other bodies Eagle saw were not of stone... why this one alone?"

The illusionist glanced in the direction of the city proper.  "If we are to discover what took place we'll have to examine another body... maybe several."

Much of the conversation is over Ben's head, but he does get the idea that the others think this stone guy was once alive.

Shrug...

Given that though, Ben goes over to the statue looking of any sign of a pouch or purse, then attempts to shatter it using a rock on the back of his dagger like a chisel, to see if the guys coins are still inside.

Norion looks at Inas, clearly not in an agreeable mood, "If being made by the Gods is yer only concern, then evil does not exist, wotever monster did this, ah'll thank it, an' if its evil too, then ah'll kill, but first, ah'll thank it....only polite"

Ben moves alongside Norion and also hacks at the stone dwarf, breaking off another piece of the ill-fated humanoid. The thief's hopes of dislodging any treasure from the effort are sadly misplaced, for all that the action brings forth is crumbled mortar and stone.

No treasure will be gained from this unfortunate, unless there might be value in the stone itself?

Mortar? That seemed odd... would a being turned into stone contain such ingredients.

"Look at this, Norion," Ben said, hoping the dwarf would be able to make some judgement based on the odd crumbly insides.

Norion looks at the mortar and stone crumbles, shrugs, he's beyound his depth figuring our magic, or monsters magic like abilities, he will continue on down the path towards the city, keeping a close eye for anything abnormal with the stone path.

With a shrug Ben follows, though he is of the opinion that the figure was not the result of magic, or, oddly enough, of sculpting, as that is usually done from a single stone. Some sort of casting perhaps? He hoped it wouldn't matter...

The party continues along the trail toward the city ahead and soon encounters another stone dwarf, this one running away, but looking back at the city. A few yards further up the trail, three more dwarf-sized humanoids lie on the ground.

All three have been dead for a while, judging by their advanced decaying state. Save for their clothing, none appear to be outfitted with any armor or weapons. When the heroes approach closer, they detect the faint smell of vinegar mixed with a hint of death.

Ben topples the running stone dwarf as he passes if he can, then examines the contents again.

Further on Ben wrinkles his nose at the smell of vinegar. True, he enjoyed some foul odors, but this was not one of them!

The broken statue's contents look similar to the last one. Save for the "realness" of the statue, there is nothing unusual to be seen here. The stone looks exactly as one might suspect.

OOC: Apologize if my previous description of the broken statue caused anyone to read too much into its appearance. It looks like stone. Pure and simple.

Fingers twitching at the sight of bodies to search, the memory of the maggots digging thru the skin of Inas keeps Ben in his place.

Norion will approach the decaying corpses.  Yep, adventuring was everything it promised to be, although deciding if rotting Duergar were worse or better than the innards of a roper monster, now that would be discussion over ales if they ever saw the inside of a tavern again.

He will check out there positions, are the face down, he will look closely to see if he can see any broken bones, gashes, anything to indicate a method of their demise.  And look around them, for any signs of tracks, or the source of the vinegar smell.

"Ya' said as a bat, ya' thought you smelled acid, was it similar to this?  We are getting some serious clues here, anyone with any ideas. Given that the two stone Duergar were staring, one out inta the cavern and the other over its shoulder, I'm guessing wotever did this, you 'ave to look at it to be stoned, an' it can fly, just guessing.  These others, any guesses ta' wot we are dealing with. "

Rath shrugs unhappily. He finds it difficult to scan the upper reaches of the cavern for dangers while simultaneously averting his eyes. "Out of my depth here. I got no guesses worth saying."

Eagle nods at Alo's unhappiness. 'I guess it smelt similar Norion, not sure I can tell one acid from another really. Whatever thing - or things - that did this, they wiped out a whole city, so not sure entirely what we're going to do if we find them.' It's clear Eagle would far prefer to return to the surface and seal the door as best as they can manage with a rock-fall.

Saliq cleared his throat and glanced at the others: "Right... if we are investigating I believe we should do so under an invisibility spell; lets face facts.  Whatever has happened to the Duergar is not something we should tangle with without an advantage of our own."

Eagle nods at Saliq's suggestion; he is clearly scared.

"Maybe now's a good time for Ben's Mama to make dinner for that guy back in Stormhaven. That sage, the one who helped so much with the demon lore?"

The duergar bodies are in an advanced decaying state, but even so, it is obvious that some of their flesh damage occurred prior to death, for large sections of their charcoal-hued skin is completely burned away. The duergar are outfitted simply: breeches and tunics, and none have any weapons on their person, or nearby for that matter. None seem to have anything of value.

Rath scans the cavern's upper reaches for any signs of foes. The ceiling is increasingly shadowy further up the cavern, with innumerable recesses, ledges and places where a foe might hide should they be so inclined. For the moment, Rath detects no enemies lurking nearby.

The adventurers are presently about 100 feet away from the underground city's western ward, accessible via a stone path which climbs up a boulder strewn field before depositing one at the footstep of a large portcullis granting access to the keep's interior.

Though it is obscured in shadows, Norion can discern that the portcullis is partially ajar, the lower half being completely open should one wish to investigate.

"Saliq, can you make others invisible,   I fear if we discover that wot did this,
We will be in trouble.  I'd naught risk all our lives.  If you can make me invisible
Ah'll investigate further and you all hold the door open,  I can cover mah scent
I'll just have to move slower to try  an be quiet.  There are several horrors ov the
Deep that could do this,  we aren't ready at fight either ov them"

Inas remained quiet. He was not at home in such a dark, sunless world, and it was making him uncomfortable. However, he didn't want to voice his fears to his companions.

As they moved he made mental notes of the path back to the door that lead to the surface world, just in case they needed to beat a hasty retreat.

'Invisibility seems like a great idea to me,' says Eagle. He looks at the dwarf for a moment, and then continues. 'I don't like the idea of Norion scouting alone, but with his vision perhaps it would be helpful - either that or we all go as one, I don't like the idea of being split up too much in this darkness'.

Inas threw up a question that had been forming in his mind. "If we are all invisible how will we be able to stick together without chattering like fishwives? I presume we won't be able to see each other."

"Actually if we are all under the same spell we will be visible to each other." Saliq explained, expression mildly annoyed that they thought he had such little control over his magic.

"The only problem is that the spell will only cover a ten foot radius... we might be too big a party."

"I have no great desire ta go alone, but sense is sense.  I can see in the dark, if I gore myself up a bit like these dead Duergar, much as it disgusts me, ah can probably just drop into a pile ov em if something comes snooping around, hopefully ah'll be looked over fer dead, with my beard mostly burned off by those hellhounds, ah look the part, ah'll also likely 'ave a chance of understanding the mechanisms of thot city, those despised Duergar arr skilled in stonework nearly as much as true dwarves.  I have some hope that what did this was driven off or destroyed eventually, those dark dwarves we found above in the Demonstone made it out alive only to fall to the lionspikes, that they made it out makes me think some of them survived this war"

Eagle nods as Norion speaks. What he said made sense, but it still didn't make him feel any easier. Turning to his companions he looks for some other views. 'Well, should we let Norion go alone, or accompany him? I don't like either option but will go with what everyone thinks.'

"Norion makes some excellent points but in good concsience I can't let him go and face unknown dangers alone." Saliq said.  The illusionist smiled ruefully. "Frankly I think coming down here was a bad idea to begin with but now we are here we should go in strength.  I'll use my magic to make the whole party invisible - or try to at least."

"Sounds like a plan," Ben said. "Let's do it..." he was clearly eager to explore the city-like-thingy-there...

Rath remains close to Saliq. He won't let Norion go on alone, and, although he's not altogether hopeful, he is ready to face the darkness, in this place where Pelor's light does not shine.

Satisfied that the group was close enough Saliq muttered strange and disquieting words and gestured at the group.  The air around them seemed to shimmer for a moment but otherwise things remained the same.

"Trust me we are invisible." Saliq told the others.  "But not soundproof, so try and keep as quiet as possible. Making an attack should end the spell, but til then it will last as long as I wish.  Keep close now."

---

OOC: Saliq casts Invisibility, 10' radius (centered on himself.)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Fri 28 Feb 2014.

Silent is something Ben does well, so he creeps off into the city to see what he can find...

Ben leads the group toward the dark fortress ahead. To an outside observer, this procession might make a curious sight, a floating torch casting a flickering beacon of light over the darkened underdark cavern. Of course, each party member can currently see one another, so long as they remain within reasonable distance of one another, but should one edge too far afield, they immediately lose sight of their companions.

Even to untrained ears, one can tell that the party is not exactly moving silently, for several members accidentally dislodge stones which rolls down the sloping cavern wall to the right of the trail, eventually coming to rest either on the banks below, some even plopping into the narrow underground stream which cuts through the cavern.

The party eventually climbs a mesa leading up to the west quarter, which consists of five stone towers rising out of a large central keep. The group finds several more slain dwarves, the sickly stench of vinegar lingering near each body, cast here or there on the steps leading to the iron portcullis offering access into the fortification. Additionally, the group encounters another stone dwarf, this one caught mid-stride while running down the steps, away from the keep ahead.

Then someone hears what sounds like beating wings echoing somewhere in the darkness of the cavern...

"What was that?!" Monvo says, a disembodied voice, for he had fallen to the party's rear, outside of Saliq's range.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 17:25, Sat 01 Mar 2014.

Norion looks up at the sound of wings, damn this place was creepy and inticing at the same time.  He will looks closely again at the dead, both stone and vinegar'ed.  Check their body positions, the one running from the keep, was it looking back as the others, where was its gaze, was it armed or armored, how about the others.  How far from the first keep are we?

The party is currently just beginning their ascent up the carved stone stairs winding up the side of the West Quarter's foundation, about 20 feet from the landing and courtyard which grants access to the West Keep. The decaying bodies are cast about in haphazard fashion and there is no rhyme or reason to their placement. Those souls perished fleeing from something, that's for certain. The stoned dwarf is caught mid-stride, running down the stairs, away from the keep above, its eyes cast over its shoulder, a look of terror permanently transfixed on the foul Duergar's face.

A few of the Duergar are armored, mostly chain or banded mail and helm, while others are wearing nothing but the clothes on their back. There are a few weapons cast about as well, while a select few were slain with their weapon still in hand, chief among them, the stoned dwarf, its hook-bill hammer hoisted permanently to the being's left shoulder.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 02:19, Mon 03 Mar 2014.

Rath adjusts his grip on his trident and stays close to Saliq. He can't stop himself from peering into the inky darkness, but he tries to keep his nerves from rattling by focusing on what he can see (which is not much) and hear and smell. His every footstep sounds like thunder, and he wonders if the others always breathe so loudly.

Saliq silently cursed Monvo for a fool; there was little they could do with him now other than to hope he did not draw attention to himself.  "Keep quiet and still Monvo." He hissed back as loudly as he dared - which was not loud.

He looked ahead to the dim shape of Norion, hoping the Dwarf knew where to go.

Norion grimaces, damn the insatiable curiosity of his dwarvish innards.  He knows they should go running from this place, but what did this, and why, and how, and what was in that first keep.  He will continue forward, scanning the ground and air for clues.
Why were their no dead enemies, surely this many gray dwarves would have cut down a few of those that did this, they were vile to be sure, but tough as well, he must know but he says a silent prayer that it won't be last thing he knows.

He whispers, "So far, all the duergar turned to stone have been looking back, or up, I'm guessing their enemy had wings, whatever we come across, don't stare at it directly, ah've heard of creatures in the deep that can kill with their eyes, but none of them 'ave wings, so I'm still naught sure what could do this...."

Eagle nods wordlessly, running through the options they have if a big leathery winged petrifying demon descends on them in the dark.

Unfortunately the list he comes up with isn't long.

OOC: I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. . .

Inas did his best to keep stride and walk quietly, but it was difficult with the group bunched together in such a small group. He kept his bow in hand but left the string relaxed for now, holding an arrow in his other hand.

The party continues up the stone staircase, ever vigilant for any signs of whatever creature(s) might be responsible for the sound of beating wings. The group reaches the top of the stairs, some 40 feet distant from a wide portcullis gate which grants access to a large keep on the edge of the Western Quarter. Stone towers rise up at regular intervals beyond the gatehouse, the underground citadel now appears much larger than it had from a distance.

A few Duergar bodies litter the courtyard which stretches before the party, some even caught beneath the portcullis, which contrary to initial impressions, only has about a six inch gap open at its bottom.

The sound of beating wings echoes closer now, somewhere beyond the dark towers looming above, and then a guttural clicking noise followed by a deep cavernous rattle. Something is nearby, either outside the illumination afforded by Ben's torch, or perhaps obscured by the throng of stone towers which rise from the citadel.

OOC: Will update the map in a bit.

'So, do you think we should extinguish the torch?' Eagle whispers nervously, as his mind races through all the very small creatures he might transform into shortly.

'So, do you think we should extinguish the torch?' Eagle whispers nervously, as his mind races through all the very small creatures he might transform into shortly.

Norion will keep the party moving, the gates didn't save the Druegar, but if he can open and shut them, it might buy them time to assess in case those flapping wings are attached to some horror of the deep, which is likely.  He keeps hoping it is something good, it could just be one nasty evil thing killing other nasty evil things, but who knows, maybe thing hated Druegar for the right reasons.  Ah, a dwarf can dream.

"No!" Rath hisses.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Wed 05 Mar 2014.

The heavy, iron portcullis has slammed down atop a cluster of three Duergar and there are no obvious exterior mechanisms for lifting the gate. It is quite likely such a mechanism exists somewhere within the citadel, however that does little good on this side of the gate.

Of course, one could attempt to lift the gates or perhaps bend the bards wide enough to allow passage, with a feat of strength...

Lying down, Ben attempts to work his way under the bottom of the portcullis.

Query, does this area have a top on it too, or just the one up high?

Ben shimmies under the narrow gap between the bottom of the portcullis and the flagstone floor: the Duergar were not so lucky, for they are permanently caught beneath the gate.

Beyond the portcullis, a short corridor with either side featuring an exquisitely carved stone wall depicting industrious dwarves going about an impressive mining operation that spans all facets of the trade: digging, hauling, smelting, and crafting, to name but a few of the scenes depicted along either side of the corridor.

An open doorway is located up ahead, to the left, while just beyond is a wide chamber supported by a series of carved plinths which stretch away out of sight.

Meanwhile, on the exterior side of the portcullis, the rest of the group hears what sounds like metal scraping across stone, somewhere in the darkness above, followed by a the same beating sound. Then a rhythmic growl, which is answered by another growl which echoes through the chamber .

OOC: The corridor is about 20 feet long, while the room beyond that is easily wider than that, though Ben cannot see much from where he is at now. I would like to get actions from the rest of the group before allowing Ben to explore much further at this point.

Eagle mutters very quickly and quietly the words of his Druidic cant, and channels Melora's grace towards the floor beneath the gate - he sweeps his arm, and shapes a human sized dent in the floor beneath the portcullis to allow the rest of the party to wriggle under the portcullis much easier.

OOC: casting stone shape on the floor.

Norion draws his axe and is about to use it as a lever to attempt to move the gate up when the stone is reformed.  Again he concentrates on the sounds from above, and grimaces.  Each sound a clue.  First the boogey man roper, and now another possible horror from his childhood myths come to life, he shivers.

"Quick, let's get inside and get this gate shut tight, ah cannot be sure but thar were stories of basalisk's, lizards that could turn a man ta stone with a look 'aving bred with black dragon's, which spew forth a vile acid, and can fly, and have steellike scales, tha' sounds this thing makes is reminding me ov those tales..." and with that he squiggles under the gate

Rath grits his teeth against the bile of fear rising in his gut. Brandishing his trident, he summons enough bravado to avoid panic, and he waves the others forward under the portcullis, guarding the rear. "Go! Go! Go" he hisses, probably unnecessarily. Once everyone is through, Rath dives for the opening with much urgency.

"Don't go far Ben - remember the spell!" Saliq hissed before wriggling under the portcullis.

Bruno and Monvo also slip under the portcullis, taking their appointed positions in the group marching order. Both men notice the exquisite stone mural on either side of the corridor, but in truth, their minds are preoccupied by whatever creature might be lurking in the cavern the group has just fled.

Once on the other side, Norion takes in the stone carving's detail with markedly more interest: here was evidence of a team of expert masons, albeit dark dwarves, but skilled nonetheless.

The work is among some of the best the dwarf has seen. The level of craftsmanship that went into this depiction of the workings of a mine is exemplary. Unfortunately, Norion does not discern any deeper meaning or import to the carving. It is simply a nice piece of masonry adorning the citadel's front entrance, at least to Norion's eyes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:02, Thu 06 Mar 2014.

Last of all except for Rath, Inas slipped through the channel that Eagle had created with his spell. As he did do he looked around, wary of the winged creature that was lurking nearby. At present he had no idea what it might be, but his mind was beginning to play tricks on him with images of foul demons and hideous monstrosities.

He covered Rath as the warrior brought up the rear, offering him a hand to help him back to his feet.

Now they were all safely through he looked around the citadel. Nothing about it made him feel comfortable. "Gods, what is this accursed place?" he muttered quietly. He showed little interest in the carvings. Such things held no fascination for him. He was more interested in checking the ground to see if he could identify which path would be the best one to take.

Rath accepts Eoinsson's hand and gets to his feet, not bothering to dust himself off.

Norion stares in disbelief for a moment at the carvings, he never thought the dark dwarves would have skills to match those of their lighter cousins, it was impressive but what a shame such skills wasted on those born to blackness of the heart.  Not wasting further thought, he will begin to search for the chamber that surely in nearby and controls the gates.

Norion pushes further into the arched corridor, paying little attention to the carved walls on either side. His focus seemed to be on either the open doorway up ahead, to the left, or the open chamber supported by massive plinths, straight ahead. Presumably, the rest of the party follows the dwarf, in his search for whatever mechanism controls the portcullis Eagle circumvented through use of his druidic magic.

Coming first to the open doorway along the left side of the tunnel, the party finds a small square-shaped room given over to heavy chains attached to a series of pulleys and cogs: the gatehouse!

Beyond a large iron cog, a stone spiral staircase ascends away, outside of view.

While Norion, and perhaps others are peering into the gatehouse, Inas and Saliq briefly hear what sounds like shuffling feet in the large plint-supported chamber ahead.

OOC: Roll Initiative!

Stage 1: Ben, Rath, NPCs
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:50, Tue 11 Mar 2014.

15:03, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6. initiative.

OOC: 22:06, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 3 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 1. Initiative.

OOC: I rolled a two.

OOC - 00:43, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 7 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 5. Initiative. On his toes tonight!!!

Inas crept forward slowly, straining his ears and eyes for signs of activity. Suddenly he heard a sound. He couldn't be certain, but it sounded like feet shuffling across the ground. He couldn't be certain how many, but someone, or something, was in the chamber ahead.

He waved at his companions to get their attention, trying to maintain his silence. As they responded he gestured towards the chamber to indicate that there was a possible threat there, and it was coming their way. He nocked the arrow in his bow and drew back the string, ready to fire.

22:20, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4. Initiative.

While the party is looking inside of the adjoining gatehouse, Inas and Saliq hear what sounds like shuffling feet coming from the distant chamber, to the north.

The party has not yet explored this northern chamber, though even from the vantage of the entrance tunnel they can see a series of massive plinths running the length of the room and a heavy stone door set in the wall opposite of the tunnel.

Presumably, Inas quickly alerts his companions to this new development, though Saliq is a bit slower to respond.

OOC: Map updated. All PCs are gathered either inside, or just outside the gatehouse room. The scale of the adventure map is one square = 10 feet.

Stage 1 may post actions.


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, STR (7)
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   STR (4)
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   STR (8)
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2


Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: STAGE 1 IS UP!

"Quickly, into the gate house, I will peek ahead and let you know what I see..."

Rath is just outside the gatehouse, making motions with his head to urge the others to enter, but he stands his ground to guard their movements and to back up Ben should something bad happen before everyone gets hidden.

Per Ben's instruction, Bruno files silently into the gatehouse while drawing his dwarven-forged short sword.

Monvo is right on the mute's heels, though he offers brief response of, "Good on you," which trails into a snicker, before producing a javelin, just in case.

Ian's nodded and filed quietly into the gatehouse, still with an arrow nocked ready to fly. He was curious about what was approaching; dark dwarves, or something different...

OOC - I assume my STR has recovered after resting?

Norion is already in the gatehouse, looking over the controls for the gates, trying to see if they make sense to him.

A trio of squat, loping humanoids that vaguely resemble a mockery of a dwarf appear in the chamber ahead, 20 feet or so from Ben, whom is currently invisible.

The pallid skinned humanoids cling behind the safety of the large stone plinths, though each reaches its inky black hands out into the space ahead of them while hissing menacingly at some presence they can sense, but not see.

The haunted dwarven mockeries are truly horrifying in appearance, piercing blue eyes gleaming from behind a mat of wild unkempt hair, hungry for that which it cannot presently see.

OOC: The creatures are about 20 feet distant from Ben and skulking around the plinths located in the chamber ahead.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourers, 3
AC: 5


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2


Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: STAGE 3 IS UP!

To any that can see Ben's face, he blanches white with fear... these things might not be able to see him, but they clearly knew that they were there. Any they looked frighteningly hungry!

Eagle slips into the gate room as well, trying to keep close to Inas and stay invisible.

Saliq moved forward quietly, unaware of the horror further in the room.  His concentration was on keeping his spell up and trying to keep everyone within his bubble.

The trio of grotesque humanoids continue to skulk from behind the relative cover of a stone splint, their inky black hands clawing in the adventurers' general direction. Meanwhile, Invisible Ben and his floating torch remain in the adjoining corridor, some 20 feet distant from the creatures, while the rest of the party has filed into the gatehouse.

OOC: The creatures are about 20 feet distant from Ben and skulking around the plinths located in the chamber ahead.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourers, 3
AC: 5


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2


Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: STAGE 1 IS UP!

Inas held his fire, unsure if these creatures would actually attack or would pass them by. Every sinew in his body wanted to let the arrow fly at these abominations, but he didn't want to waste Saliq's valuable magic. He backed into the gatehouse, jeering his bow aimed at the enemy.

Bruno and Monvo stick to the rear of the group, near two large lengths of chain connected to a central cog, their weapons draw at the ready, unsure as to what might come next.

Ben places his torch on the ground and moves to the far side of the corridor from the party. If the nasties come for him, hopefully the party will attack them from the rear, if the creatures sense the mass of humanity in the gate house, he might get a chance to attack them from the rear. Either way sounded good right now...

Rath bristles, trying to breathe silently, biting back curses, loathing the undead. They scare the pants off him. He prepares his trident, not moving, and not daring to make the first attack -- yet. He waits, to see if Ben's lure brings the creatures close.

OOC: Rath attacks only if the creatures are clearly aware of where he is (which is just outside the gatehouse door) or if they lunge for Ben.

Norion, fascinated with the dwarvish construct, suddenly notices the quiet and the cold tension rising in the room.  Pulling his new axe, he quietly turns and moves towards the entrance to the gatehouse to investigate what is causing his friends stress.

ooc: the HP's for Norion are off a little, I don't they've been updated for him levelling up.

The three haunted Duergar lope down the tunnel towards Ben, their thin jet-stained arms dragging at the ground as they close the distance to the thief. The creatures are sniffing loudly as they approach, turning their heads from side to head, their tongues wagging about wildly.

One of them comes to within striking distance of Rath, who is lying in wait just a few feet distant, before the undead humanoid cranes its neck toward the fighter, snarls and proceeds to lash out toward Rath!

Rath, sensing that an attack is imminent, jabs his Devilsbane trident at the Duergar Haunt, and strikes the pallid, deathly creature straight through its midsection. The creature howls in anguish and lashes out at the fighter in response. Rath brushes the creature's arm aside with the trident, easily avoiding the attack.

The other two undead claw in the general vicinity of Ben, but neither come anywhere close to striking the thief.

OOC: Rath hit for 5 points of damage and is currently visible.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourers, 3
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 22/22, 0/17, 13/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Ivisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: Eagle, Saliq ARE UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:22, Wed 19 Mar 2014.

Eagle involuntary steps back in panic, unsure whether his non-magical blade will work against these undead foes, or whether any of his natural magic is useful in such a dark foreboding place. He glances at Saliq, making sure he is still within the range of the spell, and readies his spear in his hand, in case the Duergar enter the gatehouse.

Saliq nervously licked his lips and stepped forward slightly.  With a gesture at the roof over the heads of the undead dark dwarves he began speaking strange and shadowy words, words of power and mystery.

There was the groan of ancient stone being rent asunder and abruptly a growing crack became visible in the gloom. Through that crack came brilliant beams of sunlight directly in front of the undead. Not enough to make much of anything visible, but enough to shine in the dark.

It was no more real sunlight that the crack in the ceilling was real... but would the undead realise that?

---

OOC: Saliq casts Improved Phantasmal Force

Rath dares not hesitate. If he doesn't strike, he'll run, and he knows it. It's a struggle not to throw a glance over his shoulder to see why the hell the others aren't jumping into the fray. Must be part of the plan. Wait, is there a plan?
But he doesn't allow the distraction.

When the sunlight begins to glow above him, Rath snarls victoriously. "Light of Pelor," he mutters. "Burn out their eyes!"

He drives Devilsbane into the creature before him.



Burning an action point to score a hit.

Hit AC4 for 5 damage.

16:13, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3. action point - apply to the to hit roll.  16:11, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 9,8 using 1d20+1,d6+3 with rolls of 8,5. attack and damage vs haunted whatsis.

Illusory rays of piercing sunlight flood the area around the undead dwarves, who in turn throw their dark arms skyward in an attempt to shield their eyes from the onslaught of light. The creatures hiss bitterly while shrinking away from the confrontation, back down the hall toward whence they came.

But not before Rath scores another telling blow with his enchanted trident, this time piercing his foe through the left shoulder. The undead dwarf's blue orbs flash wide and the haunted foe bares its dark teeth at the warrior while recoiling backward.

OOC: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs are UP!

The creatures were backing up! Was it really cracks in the ceiling? For once Ben doubted what he saw, and decided that Saliq had once again found a way to use his illusions to their advantage.

Question was, how long would it last, and how potent was the power of the illusion...

Glancing upwards, Ben decides to try and climb the wall behind him; perhaps his perspective would be improved from that angle.


OOC 22:32, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 74 using 1d100 with rolls of 74. climb walls 92%. [Private to GM: Ben will be using his eyes both downward to see if there are more threats as well as upward, just in case...]

Inas pulled his bowstring taut, taking aim at the nearest uninjured creature. As he slipped his fingers from the string he watched as the shaft flew through the air, and instantly had another arrow nocked. He adjusted slightly and fired again.

The first arrow clipped the creature across the shoulder without penetrating. He clearly overcompensated his second, for it merely winged the creature on the other arm without inflicting too much damage.

He knew that he was no longer covered by Saliq's magic, so instinctively whipped his bow over his shoulder, replacing it with the shield he had strapped on his back. Once the shield was in place he pulled Claíomh na Fírinne from it's scabbard and prepared to charge forward.

07:17, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1. Damage.
07:17, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Bow attack v Undead duergar, target 11.
07:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2. Damage.
07:15, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14. Bow attack v Undead duergar, target 11.

Both of Inas' arrows pass harmlessly through the undead Duergar, as though the creature were little more than a whirl of dark vapor. Indeed, the haunted figure pays no notice to either attack.

Having moved to the edge of the gatehouse to see what was going on, Norion sees the undead doing battle with his friends.  As they begin to look up and react to the sunlight, Norion moves quickly up to nearest one, shield in one hand, his new hand axe in the other and attacks.

13:00, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 8 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 6. damage.
13:00, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 20 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 19. attack.
These attack and damage rolls do not include any bonuses for the enchanted axe as we don't know what its properties are yet.

Argent, the magic true-silver hand axe, easily slashes into the dwarven undead creature engaged with Rath. Unlike Inas arrows, the creature definitely takes notice of the attack and it promptly issues forth a ear-piercing shriek in response ass it shudders away from Norion. But that lasts only a brief moment, for the creature stumbles, falls to the ground and expires shortly thereafter.

OOC: One enemy down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:24, Wed 19 Mar 2014.

Ben lets out a silent whisper of a cheer at the dwarf's prowess...

The two henchmen, Bruno and Monvo, Monvo especially, are exceedingly hesitant to give up their newly gained invisibility just yet. Both remain poised with their weapons at the ready, should any of the undead dwarves advance toward them.

One of the enemies breaks off from melee and flees down the corridor, disappearing behind a stone plinth, and then out of sight altogether.

The other, appears to momentarily have the same intent, yet something draws it back. The creature snaps its head back, its icy blue orbs gazing through Rath, before it turns and charges the warrior. The undead dwarf shrieks while attempting to rake its dark claws across Rath's face. Rath raises his trident in time, rebuffing the monster's attack.

OOC: One Haunted Duergar has fled. The other is engaged in melee with Rath, just outside the gatehouse.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourers, 2
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 22/22, 0/17, 13/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Ivisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 2
Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: Eagle, Saliq ARE UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:17, Thu 20 Mar 2014.

Saliq murmmured strange half words, his concentration still fully on his illusion.

The cracks in the ceiling seemed to widen, more shafts of sunlight streaming through, coming dangerously close to the undead dwarf.

Realising there is little he can do without an enchanted weapon, and with no obvious spells to help in this alien environment, Eagle stays by Saliq's side, remaining invisible.

One monster has fled. Rath and Norion remain engaged with the other, in the tunnel, while the rest of the party keeps to the safety of the interior gatehouse.

Ben has now scaled one of the chains leading to a pulley system above: the controlling mechanism for the exterior portcullis. Above and to the left the pulley, Ben notices a trapdoor set into the ceiling.


OOC: One Haunted Duergar has fled. The other is engaged in melee with Rath, just outside the gatehouse.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourers, 2
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 22/22, 0/17, 13/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Ivisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   19/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   19/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 2
Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath
Stage 2: Enemies (4)
Stage 3: Eagle, Saliq

OOC: Ben, Inas, Norion, NPCs, Rath ARE UP!

Heartened by the growing light, knowing in his heart it is false light but taking what he can get, Rath faces the ravening beast and keeps it from ripping his face off. He steps left, steps right, and makes a defensive jab with his fork. He can barely tell if it catches in its clothes or in what passes for its flesh.





Hits AC0 for 4 damage.

05:37, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 16,4 using d20+1,d6+3 with rolls of 15,1. attack undead, damage.

Inas surged forward, taking his place next to Rath. He stabbed forward at the strange creature, catching a solid blow against it's torso. He then followed up with a we one blow, slashing hard across the creatures arm.

17:07, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 7 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 2. Damage.
17:06, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19. Attack v duergar, target 11.

22:14, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 10 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 5. Damage.
22:14, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15. Attack 2.

Edit - sorry, forgot I got a 2nd attack!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Thu 20 Mar 2014.

Norion attacks twice, landing one solid blow.

Ooc:  can't copy in dice roller from my phone

Ben holds his position for now, no sense asking for trouble without the chance of backup...

The combined successful attacks of Rath and Inas badly wound the haunted Duergar, which in turn provides Norion a severely weakened foe, which the dwarf easily dispatches with a sharp slash of his silvered hand axe.

The Duergar collapses onto the stone floor, its cold blue eyes fading to a dull gray, permanently transfixed on a point unknown.

OOC: Two enemies have now been slain. The third fled around the corner and is now out of sight.

Bruno and Monvo, still cloaked under Saliq's invisibility sphere take not appreciable action. The dwarf, ranger and fighter seemed to have everything under control, so why mess with a good thing?

OOC: We are now outside of combat and everyone may freely post.

Lowering himself to the floor, Ben quietly informs the others of the trapdoor he found in the ceiling about the gate opening mechanism.

With his sword ready, Inas cautiously advanced towards the corner. When he got there he peeked around to see if the remaining creature had indeed fled, or was preparing to attack again. If the coast was now clear he would attempt to retrieve his spent arrows.

If the creature is anywhere near the gatehouse, it is remaining well hidden, for Inas can see no sign of it anywhere within the wide hall at the end of the entrance tunnel.

The hall is about 50 feet wide and 20 feet deep, supported by eight heavy stone plinths, evenly spaced and running the length of the hall. The plinths themselves are at least 4 feet wide and resemble the handle of a blacksmith's hammer set into the ground, rising up to meet the ceiling, the head abutting the vaulted ceiling above. The ceiling rises to about 15 feet above the hall's floor.

A stone door, presently closed, is directly across the corridor leading into the wide hall. There are also stone doors set into the hall's southwest and southeast corners. The southeast door is slightly ajar, while the door at the hall's southwest end is completely thrown open.

Where did the Duergar go?

Inas checked on his spent arrows then returned to the others. It felt strange when he returned as he could only see Norion and Rath, the others still being under the magic spell to conceal their presence. Quietly he spoke, "No sign of the other one, I think it has fled. We must remain vigilant."

He turned to where he thought Monvo and Bruno were standing, though in truth he could have been talking to the wall. "It seems that these creatures cannot be harmed by steel alone, no matter how well forged. We found a blade earlier that seemed to have some enchantment laid upon it. I suggest one of you borrow it for now and wield it well. It might just save your life."

GM - I fired two arrows, did I retrieve either?

Happy for either Bruno or Monvo to borrow the magic broadsword for the time being. Seems silly to have it and not use it.

Edit - both arrows broken.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:20, Fri 21 Mar 2014.

The illusionary sunbeams faded away as battle ceased.

From somewhere nearby the disembodied voice of Saliq announced itself to the trio who had emerged from his spell: "The Jambiya Moonblade may also be of use, and better in the hands of one who needs it."

The illusionist drew the enchanted dagger and offered it hilt first to Ben.

In reply to Saliq Musfara (msg # 142):

Eagle takes a moment to control his breathing and feels an involuntary shudder. The place makes him nervous and he wonders again what they are doing here. 'Should we try the trapdoor before more of these phantoms appear' he asks nervously.

Looking down at the dagger with a little bit of awe, Ben takes it into both his hands, and thanks the magus. "Thank you," he says.

Turning to the Eagle he nods his agreement. "It seems worth looking into at the very least."

Barring any contradiction or discussion, Ben will return to the top of the pulley system, and if it would help, ties a rope to the top to aid the others in following, and a shorter rope around his waist, just in case. He will then search the door for traps, and/or a lock.

OOC -19:03, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 15 using 1d100 with rolls of 15. pick locks - 60%.
19:03, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 75 using 1d100 with rolls of 75. Remove traps -  45%.
19:03, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 8 using 1d100 with rolls of 8. check for traps - 45%.
19:03, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 53 using 1d100 with rolls of 53. climb.

Damn, climb and find okay, remove trap, failure. Unlock ok if needed  though...

Rath is twitchy after the fight, flinching and turning each time one of his invisible allies makes a comment. "Fair warning," he says. "Any of you try to get funny, tapping me on the shoulder or pinching my butt, you're likely gonna get a fork in your gut, and I'd feel bad about that."

He makes some exploratory pokes with his trident at the dead creatures, pushing aside their tattered rags looking for obvious treasure. Then he turns his attention to the trap door. He leaves Ben to do the work, but he can't seem to keep his eyes off the area he thinks Ben is working in.

Damn distracting, this invisibility thing.

Stepping softly, Inas returned to the chamber with the columns in to keep watch. Cautiously he searched the room, his eyes regularly flicking back to the door. Once he was satisfied that there was nothing else of interest he maintained a vigil at the door, listening carefully for movement outside.

I assume that the door is closed.

Ben climbs up the pulley chains and checks the trapdoor. It was locked, that is until Ben cleverly picked the simple mechanism with a long wire from his theieves' toolkit. The lock elicits a satisfying click, indicating the task has been accomplished. Ben then checks for traps, and finds none.

Presumably, Ben pushes the trapdoor open a bit, and peeks through a narrow crack to get a better view of what might lie on the other side: a small, narrow cramped room with wooden barrels lined up against one wall. The barrels are irregularly sized: approximately 3 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference. Seven of these barrels are lined up against the wall, while a third is lying sideways on the ground.

Meanwhile, back in the room with all the plinths, Inas keeps watch. Nothing stirs and all is quiet.
.
Rath pokes at the slain undead Duergar with his trident, searching for any valuables. On of the creatures is wearing a leather belt that has an interesting silver buckle. The buckle is fashioned in the likeness of a clenched fist. Save for the one leather belt and buckle, the wights are wearing nothing but tattered dark rags.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Sat 22 Mar 2014.

Rath points out the buckle to Norion, figuring the fist might be some Evil Dwarf icon that Norion is familiar with.

Seeing no immediate danger, Ben opens the trap door, and gives the room a complete one over, after which he will head back down and let the others know what he found.

Ben briefly examines the hidden room on the other side of the trapdoor.

The narrow chamber is about 10 feet long, 5 feet wide and smells heavily of tallow. There is an open low doorway in the center of the chamber, between two barrels. This doorway leads to a very small landing at the top of a spiral stone stairs leading down, out of sight.

A pool of a dried, dark and sticky substance surrounds the upturned barrel, apparently having leaked out through a large fissure in its side.

Ben takes a sniff of the sticky substance before heading back down...

The substance smells liked dried oil. Ben then rejoins the group, who is waiting in the gatehouse below.

"Hey guys, there's a room up there, with barrels of oil, I think, but they are leaky, so no fire if we go that way! I suspect they were for fending off attacks.
"Anyway, there's another door up there, and it leads to a spiral staircase down.
"What do you think, give it a try now or later?"

Norion will take a closer look at the buckle, does it have any dwarvish significance that he can remember?

"If the door was locked, and the barrels not set to fire, it could mean a part of this fortress that wasn't breached by its enemies, it may be safer there and lead to a less spoiled area, and yes Ben, maybe an area that wasn't pillaged"

The clenched fist is a symbol associated with a lesser dwarven deity named Gordred, God of Toil and Suffering. There are few who would call Gordred their patron deity, save for those involved in the slave trade, and those whom they enslave.

With some distaste, Rath tugs loose the leather belt from the ugly corpse and tucks it away into his pack. He peers up at the trap door, wondering how hard it will be to climb up there. Ben makes it look easy -- or, at least, Rath is confident Ben would make it look easy, if he were visible.

Eagle nods as Norion speaks, and then realises his companions can't see him. 'I would rather not pursue that undead fiend right now. Could we climb the pulley's ourselves Ben, I have some rope if it helps.' Eagle pauses for a moment. 'By the way, I also have a bullseye lantern somewhere in one of these bags. Perhaps it would be a better light source than an open flame.'

Unless someone voices a good reason not to, Eagle will light his lantern.

The light from Eagle's lantern fills the gatehouse. Rath examines the linked chains trying to determine how difficult it might be to climb them to reach the trapdoor in the ceiling. It is probably not an easy task, but certainly attainable for someone who possess some degree of upper body strength.

The trapdoor is located in a very inconvenient location in the ceiling, with no easy access points from the gatehouse. It's almost as though its purpose was not for one to climb into the room above, rather, maybe it was used to hoist items up?

Whatever the case, Ben was able to make the climb, and others would likely be able to repeat the feat, should they attempt it.

"I'll go last." Rath takes a vigilant stance with his trident. "Course, you'll have to tell me when you're all up."

Ben does lower a rope, which might be easier for the others to climb, and offers to help pull them up one at a time, assuming the lightest one comes up first.

"I will guard against one of those creatures returning, and then come up just before you, Rath."

Inas as a solidly built man and carried much in the way of arms and armour. It would be best is others were already up top to help support his weight as he climbed.

"Everyone who is still invisible stick close to me." Saliq tells the others as he begins the climb.

---

OOC: 11:17, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 20 using 1d20 with rolls of 20. Strength Check.

Before setting off on the climb Eagle will tie himself to Ben's dangling rope, before trying to climb up the chain and rope combined.

OOC 17:22, Today: Eagle rolled 4 using 1d20 with rolls of 4. strength check. - Eagle has a strength of 8, and I'm not sure what I'm aiming at - rolling lower than the attribute isn't it?

Making sure his gear is tightly tied and tucked away, Norion scampers up the chain.

14:47, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5. climbing check STR.

Norion and Eagle have no difficulty climbing the chain and pulling themselves through the trapdoor. Saliq, however, struggles with the task, loses his grip and falls!

The illusionist hits the ground hard and twists his ankle in the process. Not a terrible spill, but jarring nonetheless.

OOC: Saliq fell and took 2 points of damage.

Bruno manages to scale the chain with little difficulty, however Monvo makes it just a few feet from the trapdoor, reaches for the trapdoor, loses his grip on the chain and also plummets back down to the ground.

"Blast it to hell!" he cries out a moment or two after hitting the ground.

OOC: Monvo took 2 points of damage from the fall.

"The Eagle has the right idea, tie a rope around Saliq's waist, and keep it taut, that way if he slips he won't fall. The do the same for Captain Monvo and the others. I'm going to peek down this stairwell."

He glances at the Eagle himself. "Careful with that lantern, I don't want you guys to end up as crispy critters, if you catch my drift," he says, with a nod towards the barrels.

With that he takes one more look around the room then heads towards the stairs to do a little scouting.

Torch in hand, Ben creeps down the stairwell. Ben notices discarded boot lying on one of the stone steps. The boot is polished red leather and scuffed up, but otherwise seems serviceable. Too bad a match is not readily apparent.

Looking further down, Ben spies a small landing and a partially opened door directly ahead. Additionally, another staircase leads off of the landing, away to the right, deeper below the citadel.

Save for the flickering light provided from Ben's torch and the steadier glow of Eagle's lantern, no other illumination is seen, either emanating from beyond the partially opened door, or from the stairwell leading further downward.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:11, Wed 26 Mar 2014.

Wincing and rubbing his ankle Saliq reached.  Copying Eagle he tied it around his mid-section and made the ascent again.

---

OOC: 11:18, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15. Strength Check.

Putting the torch down on the stair, Ben picks up the boot and examines it. He also carefully puts his hand inside of it to see if it is still warm from the previous wearers body heat. Assuming he or she had any...

Rath flinches each time someone falls. Once everyone is up, he makes the climb out of sheer determination not to let anyone see him fall.


OOC: rolled 7 vs. 16 STR.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Wed 26 Mar 2014.

Eagle winces as Saliq tumbles, but can't help but smile wryly to himself as Monvo takes a fall, figuring it's the first time he has put himself in harm's way since he started 'working' for the party.

As Ben warns him about the hooded lantern he nods, and then looks quizzically at the thief's burning torch, wondering exactly which is more threatening to their immediate well being.

As Saliq attempts his second climb, Eagle braces the rope and nods to Bruno to do the same, in case Saliq loses his grip again.

While the others are climbing and Ben exploring, Norion will take a closer look at the small room and barrels.

Before Rath ascended, Inas took his turn.che secured the rope around his waist, secured his weapons and scrambled up the heavy looking chain as best he could.

Once up top he drew his sword again and stood guard as the others readied themselves.

16:23, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15. Climb chain with rope tied around waist STR16.

Saliq loses his grip once more, but this time manages to catch himself before plummeting down to the ground. Seeing his continued struggles, Eagle instructs Bruno to assist with hauling the illusionist up and the mute warrior complies. In short order, the duo have Saliq up topside.

Seeing this, Monvo calls up, "Hey! How about me too?!" He then grabs hold of the chain, makes a show of climbing up a few links, and then sneers, "A little help please..."

Meanwhile, Norion examines the barrels and determines them to be filled with pitch: a common enough component one might expect to find in a dwarven citadel. Norion then notices what appears to be an iron lever located just above, and flush with a flagstone set-off which runs along the room's south wall, about three feet above the room's floor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Thu 27 Mar 2014.

The red leather boot is dwarf-sized and does not carry any residual body heat from its former owner.

While examining the boot, Ben notices the hell contains what looks like a secret compartment, inside of which are five platinum pieces! Spending money for a rainy day, perhaps. Wait, does it rain down here?

Rath leaves the investigation to the others and keeps watch for danger.




OOC:Does the boot turn invisible when Ben picks it up?

Once Saliq is up safely Eagle turns to see what Ben and Norion have found in their investigations. He is interested in the flag stone by the lever - does this look like it might be a hinged trap door controlled by the lever?

Saliq was deeply thankful he was still invisible. At least not everyone had seen his second stumble.

"Ah for your luck Ben." Saliq said ruefully, witnessing Ben's discovery of his loot.

Can Norion determine what the lever does without actually tripping it.  His instincts tell him it should open a door or slots to the hallway below so that burning pitch could be poured down on an invaders head if they breached the gates, but that's just a guess.

Norion studies the lever and surrounding wall and floor a bit closer an reaffirms his hunch: the lever controls a section of floor which slides sideways to allow a defender to dump pitch through a concealed murder hole located above the entrance portcullis.

All party members have now climbed the chain up to the hidden room with the barrels of pitch above the gatehouse.

Nobody has activated the lever, but Norion is reasonable certain it controls a murder-hole about the portcullis.

There is a stairwell leading down to a door and to the right of that door is another stairwell leading even further down.

Except for the chain leading back down to the gatehouse, there are no other obvious exits or entrances.

Ben tosses the red boot to Norion. P found a few coin in the heel, hold onto this, we might find it's mate and they are pretty fashionable!" he chuckles.

With that he creepy quietly down the stairs to the door keeping a careful eye out for traps, then listens carefully at the door.

OOC


19:49, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 6 using 1d100 with rolls of 6. hear noise. Target 25%! Success.

Not sure what else I should roll...

Rath closes up the trap door and secures it, if he can. Normally, he'd take a position right behind Ben as the scout moves forward or right near Saliq to guard the wizard, but as they are both invisible to him, he waits for some signal to move down the stairs.

Ben listens at the door at the bottom of the steps and does not hear any activity on the other side, though through the crack--the door is slightly ajar--he does notice the door connects with a room full of many stone plinths. Could this be the same room the group saw at the end of the corridor leading to the gatehouse?

It sure looks familiar.

Now, the stairs to his right...the stairs descend sharply, about 15 feet, ending at another landing which has more stairs which continue downward, out of sight, to the left. Somewhere down there, Ben hears a rhythmic slurping noise. Moreover, the thief smells something that calls to memory the slaughterhouses in Stormhaven City.

Ack!

Closing the door all the way, Ben creeps gently back up the stairs and shares his discovery.

"I think that door just goes out to where we were before, but I could be wrong," he says. "The stairs down, however, lead to the smell of death and an ominous slurping sound.

"I suggest we all go down to the landing, then I will scout even further down..."

Rath gives a sneer of distaste. Slurping? He moves down to the landing, as Ben suggests, trying to keep eyes in all directions at once.

Norion moves one of the casts of pitch over near to the drop zone, makes sure the top is loosened so it will be easy to open, light, and pour it, then moves down the steps.  Nods at Ben,  holding his magic axe....

And winks....

Rath files down the stairs and reaches the landing, only to be immediately seized upon by one of the gangrenous Haunted Duergar, whom had been lying in wait just around the corner!

The soul-devourer snarls while lurching toward the human fighter...

OOC: It's Back! Please roll Initiative. Anyone rolling a 5 or higher may post immediately.

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourer
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 22/22, 0/17, 0/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 0
Stage 1: Ben, Norion
Stage 2: Enemy (5)
Stage 3: Bruno, Eagle, Monvo, Rath

OOC:
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Tue 01 Apr 2014.

Staggering backwards as the creature rushes past him, Ben considers attacking the thing from behind, but chooses not to, due to the mundane nature of his blade... instead he glances down the stairs from which it sprang, looking to see if it has any allies.

OOC 01:50, Tue 01 Apr 2014: Ben Scristos rolled 8 using 1d6+2 ((6)).
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Tue 01 Apr 2014.

Ben sees a long corridor at the bottom of the steps, with narrow doors set on either side, but no apparent enemies.

Though exploring the corridor is tempting, Ben opts to wait for the others. Besides, he had complete faith in Rath's ability to finish the beastie off quickly...

Rath emits a stifled Gah! of alarm. Despite readiness for just this sort of thing, the sudden and horrific appearance of the undead dwarf unnerves him and he nearly jumps out of his boots.



04:52, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2. initiative.

Norion moves quickly down and swings with his hand axe, but it isn't his best work having had to spend much of his thought on the stairs, to keep from tripping over the other people on his way to the fight.

10:43, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 6 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 5. attack.
10:42, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6. Init

Inas stepped softly along. He had been wondering where that horrible creature had fled to, and now he knew. Anticipating the ambush he quickly surged forward and slashed hard with his sword, holding it one handed to keep his shield up. His blow connected with the undead monster. Immediately he attacked again, this time slashing hard across it's torso. Again he landed a solid blow, cutting deep into the body area.

07:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 8 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 3. Damage.
07:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 19 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 16. Attack 2 v duergar target 11.
07:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 9 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 4. Damage.
07:15, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12. Attack v duergar target 11.
07:14, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5. Init.

Total 17hp damage

Rath, Norion and Inas battle the undead Duergar in the narrow stairwell, leaving little room for any other members of the party to effectively contribute to the melee engagement. Norion is unable to land a telling blow, however Inas is quite effective and delivers two attacks which push the monster further down the stairs.

The Soul-Devourer stumbles backward on the stairs, comes to all fours, its black gangly limbs arching up like a cat, before it scrambles forward in an attempt to grab hold of Rath. Rath parries the attack away, but the monster does not seem deterred in the least. Rather, it howls wildly, the creature's shrill voice echoing off the dungeon's stone walls...

OOC:

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourer
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 5/22, 0/17, 0/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 1
Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion
Stage 2: Enemy (5)
Stage 3: Bruno, Eagle, Monvo, Rath, Saliq

OOC: Bruno, Eagle, Monvo, Rath, Saliq are up!

Lacking any effective way to contribute to the engagement, both Bruno and Monvo continue to take advantage of their invisibility and watch from the sidelines.

Having loaned his magic weapon away and reluctant to squander his magic when there might be greater threats ahead Saliq too had little choice but stay on the sidelines.

The echoing howl unnerves Rath to the marrow. He batters away the thing's flithy, reaching claws with the shaft of his trident, and he keeps his feet under him on the stairway, but he simply can't keep the tines between himself and the Duergar, and he can't land a telling blow.


Miss.
05:59, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 6 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 5. attack with trident.

In reply to Aldo Rathmus (msg # 199):

Eagle twiddles his invisible thumbs while the battle rages

The trio of visible warriors are busy warding off the Soul-Devourer's attacks, while the rest of the party remains several feet back, cloaked in invisibility.

All the while, someone hears muffled screams coming from somewhere down the long corridor at the bottom of the stairwell.

OOC:

Haunted Duergar Soul-Devourer
AC: 5
[Private to GM: HP: 5/22, 0/17, 0/13]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/26   1   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   46/54   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   6   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 2
Stage 1: Ben, Inas, Norion
Stage 2: Enemy (5)
Stage 3: Bruno, Eagle, Monvo, Rath, Saliq

OOC: Ben, Inas, Norion are UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:01, Thu 03 Apr 2014.

Well screw this, Ben thought, pulling the magical dagger.

Leaping at the creatures exposed back, Ben hopes to cut this battle short... and almost kills himself in the process, becoming visible just in time to embarrass himself in front of the others.


(21:29, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1. Target 14 for AC5. )

As Ben blinked into view he nearly out Inas off his swing. However, the tall Ranger stabbed forward with his sword, connecting with the midriff of the Soul-Devourer and poking a hole in it's raggedy frame. He pushed forward, doing his best to keep the creature away from the vulnerable magicians behind him, or at least where he thought they were.

09:41, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 7 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 2. Damage.
09:40, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 12 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 9. Attack v duergar target 11.

Inas plunges his sword through the Soul-Devourer and sends the creature tumbling down the steps. The undead monster topples head over heels and lands in a disfigured heap at the bottom of the stairs, and stirs no more.

The fog of battle begins to lift and the group now hears what sounds like stone striking stone, somewhere beyond vision, down below, in the corridor leading away from the stairs.

Breathing heavily, Inas nodded towards Ben who was now visible. He gestured ahead towards the noises below, enquiring if Ben would like to go and investigate.

Meanwhile he prodded the bundle of range to make sure it was dead, and quickly looked for anything of interest.

Sheathing the apparently cursed dagger, Ben steps carefully around the thing and sneaks down the hallway...

The desiccated gray-skinned, undead Duergar possesses a tangible, physical form for only a few moments following the battle and then rapidly wastes away to little more than sooty ash bundled underneath tattered robes. There is nothing of value to be retrieved from the monster.

After Inas has prodded the creature, Ben slips down to the bottom if the stairs.

A long, straight corridor of roughly hewn stone stretches away from the stairs. A line of equally spaced doors is located on either side of the roughly eight foot wide corridor, three on either side, until the corridor opens to a larger chamber ahead, which disappears beyond the right side of the hall. Ben spots an additional three doors in the chamber ahead, two on the left wall and one straight ahead, directly in front of the corridor.

The room ahead looks like there has been recent structural damage, judging by the huge pile of broken masonry and splintered timber that litters the floor.

The stone-on-stone sound is coming from somewhere in the room ahead, though Ben cannot place precisely where.

Rath composes himself and whispers thanks to Norion and Inas, then he peers down after Ben, hoping the scout wont be in undue danger down there alone.

Ben creeps up the pile of fallen masonry and splintered timber, using it for cover while he attempts to ascertain what is on the other side.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:43, Fri 04 Apr 2014.

Inas moved carefully forward, trying to keep Ben in sight but not wanting to interfere with the young rogue's activities. He moved slowly but kept his sword ready, just in case.

Ben walks down the long corridor and approaches the debris-strewn room, the source of which becomes immediately obvious once the thief gets to within a few paces of the end of the corridor: the ceiling appears to have collapsed along one side of the room.

The left side of the room is still intact; however the right is given over to a sloping pile of debris that meets what looks like might be the citadel's exterior. Ben has difficulty seeing very much though because the sole light source, Eagle's bullseye lantern is only illuminates a narrow, 10 foot wide swath.

As the bullseye lantern sweeps over the debris pile, Ben spots what looks like a dwarven body lying near the room's corner, partially obscured by a large cross-beam which has fallen and lies among the rubble. The glint of metal is quite evident as the light plays across the deceased Duergar's suit of chain.

Now at the end of the corridor, Ben is able to hear where the stone tapping sound, now occurring far less often, is originating from: a door near the room's far left side, opposite the corridor.

In reply to DM Storm (msg # 211):

Eagle follows the scout at a safe distance, and is happy to use his lantern as a search light while Ben investigates.

With a wave, Ben gestures for the others to come ahead, but he retains his sheltered position, watching for any sign of movement, his gaze moving from the open ceiling down to the floor with the dead dwarf, then over to the door and back again.

He kept in mind the six doors behind them, and the two more on the side of the room ahead, but the one from which the knock knock knocking emanates holds his attention.

"We better investigate that sound." Saliq told Ben softly. "I'm still invisible, I'll go with you."

Norion moves foward to investigate the collapse.  Looking at it carefully to see what likely caused this cave in.  Surely it was a seige weapon of some sort, or massive magical attack, the Dark Dwarves clearly had retained the skills with stonework of their cousins so this cave in wouldnt have been a fault in the building.

As Ben moved forward to investigate the sound, Inas kept an eye on the other doorways in axe anything decided to make a grand entrance.

Norion examines the debris pile trying to discern what might have caused such destruction. The dwarf scans the area a few moments and then notices a massive rock shard perched on the ledge above, protruding slightly over the edge of where the ceiling used to be. It appears a bit of the cavern's ceiling dislodged and crashed down into the citadel, causing the cave-in.

Right around the time Norion discovers the cause, Ben and Saliq see a flicker of movement out of the periphery of their vision, from above. Looking up, both see four silent eight-legged, shadowy predators quickly descending from towering spires surrounding the collapsed ceiling: giant spiders the size of draft horses!

All but Ben and Saliq are completely unaware of the danger surreptitiously descending from above...

OOC: Everyone may roll initiative, however this is a surprise round, and only Ben and Saliq will get an action. Ben and Saliq may post immediately if they beat a roll of 4. Everyone else: just roll.

Giant Spiders, 4 (Size: L)
AC: 4
[Private to GM:HP: 16,22,17,23
]

PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   24/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   50/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


SURPRISE ROUND
Stage 1: Rath
Stage 2: Spiders (4)
Stage 3: Ben, Bruno, Inas, Monvo, Norion, Saliq


This message was last edited by the GM at 20:54, Sun 06 Apr 2014.

10:16, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3. INIT .

02:24, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 3 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 1. Initiative.

Sigh.

Rath is alert but oblivious.

08:07, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5. initiative.

In his usual speedy manner, Norion is far too concerned with the architecture of the place to notice the spiders.


12:03, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3. init.

Unarmed, Saliq cut do little directly other than call out: "Above us! Spiders!"

---

OOC: 20:31, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 5 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 3. Initiative.

One very large, nay, giant, spider scurries effortlessly down the wall bound for Ben. The thief sees a flash of chomping mandibles coated in a venomous film growing larger by the moment, and is unable to react before the spider is on top of him!

The spider flicks one of its large front legs at Ben and grasps him with its terminating claw, drawing the thief in toward its fangs. The spider manages to bite Ben before he has a chance to get out of the way an injects the poor guy with a dose of its poisonous venom.

It all happens so fast, but the situation is looking grimmer by the moment, for three more spiders are alerted to the activity below and are now making their way to the scene...

OOC: Ben takes 3 points of damage and must make a Save vs Poison. On spider is now in the room, while the other three are about 10-20 feet above and en route!

Eagle still has an initiative roll. If he rolls 4 or better, he can post during Round 1 with Rath and Saliq; otherwise he goes after the spiders.

Giant Spiders, 4 (Size: L)
AC: 4
[Private to GM:HP: 5/16 (B),20/22 (on fire),17,23
]

PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   21/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   50/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 1
Stage 1: Eagle, Rath, Saliq
Stage 2: Spiders (4)
Stage 3: Ben, Bruno, Inas, Monvo, Norion

OOC: Eagle, Rath, Saliq are UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:46, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

15:22, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 17 using 1d20 with rolls of 17. Save vs. poison (target 12).

Thankfully, for Ben, it was a small dose of poison, and it did not enter the thief's bloodstream!

Rath strides forward with a confident grimace and casually plunges Devilsbane deeply into the giant spider's abdomen.  Then he looks up. "Pelor's dung," he mutters, taking a deep breath and bracing himself.


Hits for 11 damage.
16:16, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 11 using 3d4+2 with rolls of 3,4,2. damage .  16:15, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 19 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 18. attack giant spider.

Rath slashes the spider with great force, resulting in a stream of pale blue blood that issues violently from the wound. Still, the blow does not fell the giant arachnid.

21:03, Today: DM Storm, on behalf of Eagle, rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:06, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

Saliq started muttering arcane words and waving a hand in front of him, an action of course visible only to those still under the cloak of his spell. With a flare of light the silken thread of the nearest spider suddenly sparked and caught fire! The flames danced along the thread directly towards the arachnid itself!

---

OOC: Saliq casts Spectral Force

Saliq's illusory flames momentarily deters one of the spiders crawling down the wall. The spider is not using a web for movement, rather, it is scaling the wall itself, but the appearance of flames definitely gets its attention. The spider alters its course of path and skitters to a different part of the wall to avoid contact with the fire.

At the same time, Eagle lobs a ball of fire at another spider and hits it! Eagle then causes the flames to quickly spread to encompass all three of the spiders descending toward Ben and Norion. The roll of flames fills the open ceiling, causing the three spiders to flee into the darkness, seeking shelter from the raging fire.

The spider hovering over Ben, atop the debris pile, is outside the swath of fire however, and it seems completely undeterred by the plight of its web-mates.  It lunges at Ben again. The thief is bit again!

OOC: Ben takes 5 points of damage and must make a Save vs Poison. One spider is now in the room, the other three have fled, for now. ;)

Giant Spiders, 4 (Size: L)
AC: 4
[Private to GM:HP: 0/16 (B),20/22 (on fire),17,23
]

PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   16/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   50/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    6/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


ROUND 1
Stage 1: Eagle, Rath, Saliq
Stage 2: Spiders (4)
Stage 3: Ben, Bruno, Inas, Monvo, Norion

OOC: Ben, Bruno, Inas, Monvo, Norion are UP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:59, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

Upon first seeing that the latest enemies weren't undead, Norion quickly reverts back to his standard weapon of choice.  The warrior dwarf is slow to respond but when he finally moves in to attack, he makes the most of it, swinging his great axe with precision.


10:36, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 15 using 2d8+2 with rolls of 6,7. damage.
10:35, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 15 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 14. attack.

"Ben! Get back!"

Inas surged forward to place himself between Ben and the spider that was attacking him. He blocked off the rogue with his shield, using it to protect the stricken man as much as himself. He slashed hard with his sword, biting deep into the creatures body. He then followed with a wild lunge but missed his time.

16:37, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6. Attack2, spider near Ben target 12.
16:37, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 10 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 5. Damage.
16:36, Today: Inas Eoinsson rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13. Attack1, spider near Ben target 12.

OOC -  16:48, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. Save vs. poison (target 12). Success!

"Bastich!" Ben calls out as the beastie bites into his flesh. Although escape would be the wiser path, anger provokes the thief's blade to leap into his foolish hand. The awkwardness of his attack proves (once again) why Ben is not in the business of battle...

OOC - 16:51, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8. attack spider with long sword. screwdilidoodly

Together, Norion and Inas make quick work of the giant spider, sending a spray of light blue blood flying as their weapons slice through the monster.

Billowing flame fills the open ceiling and serves as an effective deterent to the other three giant spiders. For the moment, there are no foes immediately visible.

"Take that!"

Rath shakes the ichor from his trident and, standing amidst the rubble, peers up through the flames warily, keeping his weapon ready. "Thought you were dead, Ben. Thought I was dead, too. I remember Monvo got spider-bit once. Face swelled up like a muskmellon. And that was a tiny one. No bigger than my hand, anyway."

Ben drops his sword and collapses onto his arse. Poking at his clothing, he checks to see if he is bleeding anywhere.

"Now would be a good time for any of you magic types to heal me a bit, if ya please. Ouch!"

Inas stepped forward to the hole. He wasn't sure which flames were real and which were illusory so kept clear of both. He did his best to peer through the hole to see if the spiders were waiting to pounce or had fled. He kept his sword and shield ready, just in case.

Rath stands guard over Ben, leaving enough room for an invisible healer to work his magic.

Saliq cancelled his illusionary flames and moved over to Eagle. "Clever thinking my friend - perhaps we should coordinate our efforts more in the future?"

In reply to Saliq Musfara (msg # 240):

Eagle smiles. 'Perhaps we should, though my powers are perhaps more instinctive than your studies. Each time I use them though I become more confident.' Focusing back on the situation in hand, Eagle uses his lantern as a spotlight in the general direction of where the spiders fled, wondering what has happened to them.

The illusory flames extinguish at Saliq's will, revealing the open hole in the ceiling leading to the exterior of the underground city and its rising towers on all sides. No giant spiders are immediately visible, though it is quite likely they scaled the towers looming over the south or east wall.

From a high point in the debris field, perhaps where Ben climbed to when he first was attacked by the spiders, it appears the collapsed ceiling opens to an interior courtyard within the city. Somewhere out there, perhaps atop the city itself, the spiders are likely lying in wait.

Norion, keeping his axe ready, moves forward.

"Let's see wot was making that noise.  All these doors so close together, look like barracks possibly, or cells".

Again, the sound of tapping: stone on stone, echoes through the dilapidated chamber. The sound is coming from the stone door located at the room's north end. Perhaps listening more closely one might hear what sounds like a muffled voice. No words can be made out, but it clearly sounds like someone, perhaps something, is on the other side of the stone door.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:46, Sat 19 Apr 2014.

Norion will approach the northern most door, and study it and the wall around it for anything unusual.  If he finds nothing, he'll lean in closer to listen at the door.

Rath maintains a vigilant stance to protect Ben and the spell casters.

The wooden door is of sturdy construction, most definitely dwarven, and it outfitted with a simple lock. Norion notices the right half of the threshold appears to be sagging lower than the left, undoubtedly a result of the collapsed ceiling above. Listening at the door, Dirn hears a muffled voice, though its words are unintelligible.

In reply to DM Storm (msg # 247):

'Should we open it?' Eagle asks, unsure as to what might belong to the voice.

Eagle is welcome to open door all he wants, as long as he doesn't expect a half-dead Ben to be there to check for traps and such.

Seeing that Ben is injured, and that the door though made tightly as a dwaven door should be has sagged under the weight of the failing walls, takes the tip of his axe and puts it into the opening caused by the door failure, and bracing against it, pops it open.

Let's see whats inside.

Norion works at the door and eventually forces it open. The stench of death assails the senses as the door swings open. Inside, an obsidian-walled prison cell with iron shackles and manacles hanging from a low, cracked ceiling awaits. An emaciated, gray-skinned dwarf wearing nothing but a loincloth huddles in a far corner. The dwarf, whom Norion recognizes as a Duergar, shields its eyes from Eagle's lamp as the door opens and bares is teeth in anguish.

The creature moans something unintelligible at Norion, its speech difficult to discern on account of its lack of a tongue.

Maggots squirm around a dwarf-sized corpse in a corner of the cell near the door, though curiously, the corpse is missing its left leg.

The sight shocks the little scout, who gasps is disgust at the sight.

"Ack, he was easting that dead guy..."

Nervously he glances up over his shoulder to see if he needs to dodge any more spiders.

Rath braces himself against the smell. When Ben glances up, Rath flinches and peers up, too, expecting ... death from above ... !

Norion shakes his head in frustration, he was so hoping to get an enemy of the Duegar in their prison, not one of them.  He seems less bothered by the smell and foulness, dwarven constitutions and all that.  When he speaks, his voice is hard as iron and in dwarvish. He waits for a response before going on with each question.

"Do you understand me, dark dwarf?  Just nod yes and no, I see you have no speaking voice left.  Can you read and write the dwarven language?  Do you know what happened here, why all the Duegar are dead?  Answer me true and I may share real food, clean water with you, and if you prove useful enough, I may consider setting you free..."

The Duergar moans something incoherent, but then nods his head vigorously in the affirmative.

Norion looks back to the others and speaks in common,

"Does someone have something to write on and with, expendable, I dunna expect to get it back, but it might help us figure out what happened here."  Assuming someone is willing to give this to him, "This might take a few minutes, these doors are cells as I expected given the layout, probably empty now or the prisoners dead, might be worth a look, Ben should check them though, one is likely to be a fake door, trapped to kill intruders looking for allies, like us".

Assuming again a quill and parchment is given.  He'll switch back to dwarvish, "Any foul play from you, and I leave you here, cooperate and you'll be freed." Carefully giving the writing tools to the Duergar, "So, what happened here, this once was a thriving city, now, its a tomb, its undead wander the dark halls."

ooc: not wanting to put everyone at a stop while Norion tries to question this poor soul, I'm going to toss in more questions, assuming he is cooperative. And is able to write out answers.

"What is your name?  Why did your own people imprison you here?  What is the name of this city?"

If he answers all of these, Norion will offer him a cup of clean water, and some real rations before he asks anything else.

The gaunt Duergar prisoner nods at Norion's instructions uses a piece of chalk to scrawl his answers on the wall.

"My name is Balak. I am a herald in King Golgovhzor's court. I was imprisoned for speaking during the Inquisition of Thrinzul the Zekkul, accused of consorting with Drow. If undead roam these halls, King Golgovhzor is either dead or fled and Thrinzul has prevailed and now rules over Citadel Farrimdeep."

Balak the Duergar stops writing and casts a glance at Norion's waterskin.

Norion shares his water with Balak, asking,

"Many of your kind we have found either turned to stone, or destroyed by acid, many looking up into the dark sky of these caverns, something that flies, do you know of an enemy in these caverns that could do such damages, does it have a name."

Balak nods once and writes, "Zvellax. Dragon"

Inas kept guard as Norion interrogated the prisoner. His initial revulsion soon turned to pity for the poor creature. Whatever his crimes, nobody deserved to have his tongue taken and left to rot in a tiny cell.

Norion lowers his eyes for a moment, "Ah was afraid of that."  He will give over some more food and water to Balak.

What is holding other than the door, is he manacled at the feet, hands, both, are there locks?

He then turns and translates all the conversation to the others.

Rath kept guard as Norion interrogated the prisoner. His initial revulsion soon turned to a hard disregard for the creature. Rath took no joy in his suffering, but he probably deserved it. And if he did not deserve it ...  Well, few in this world got what they deserved, good or bad.

Looking back to Balak, Norion continues, his eyes distant.

"ah must say, it is a shame Duergar turned to the dark ways, ah never would 'ave said so, but seeing Farrimdeep, you 'ave the skill ov building of the dwarves, tis' lovely, naught Rockhome mind you, there is no force could bring it ta ruin, none,  but this is impressive, and even beautiful in some ways.  Ah'm sorry we were naught allies.  What color is this dragon you speak of?  What will you do if ah set you free, so far, ah believe yer answers, dunna lie ta me now.  I ask this honest ta' you, do you want real freedom, or release from this world, if you want real freedom, you must offer something that mah friends here will find worthy ov yer release, ah think we are soon to head back to the surface, think it over".

Norion, pours out a cup of ale, and slides it over.

Balak greedily drinks the proffered ale and then uses the chalk to respond to Norion's query.

"Umber."

The Duergar prisoner turns the chalk around in his hand a few times, seemingly contemplating his next response:

"I will find what is left of my kin."

Balak is shackled around one ankle, though the chain has long been snapped. It seems the only thing keeping him held inside was the locked door.

Wights. Spiders. Drow. Umber Dragons. Rath begins to worry.

"What kind of color is 'umber'?"

Balak the Duergar shakes his head in disgust at Ben's question. The surface dwelling human wasn't really to be blamed. What could his race possibly know about the myriad colors of the earth. His kind had only recently crawled out of caves and their craft was still at the level of a stone-child.

"Brown" he writes in straight, dwarven lines.

"Brown? That's a new one on me... I think I like umber better, sounds  mysterious!"

In reply to Ben Scristos (msg # 268):

Eagle watches the interrogation with pity in his eyes. The discussion of a dragon in the dark made him shudder. For now though he kept his own counsel while Notion continued his questions.

Norion looks back, "Ah believe Balak has told the truth, much as ah hate it, ah'm inclined ta set him free, ah know he'd naught do the same in our position, but that's kinda the point.  Furthermore, ah think we should leave this place.  I would love to explore it more, but ah think ah'm risking all yer lives fer mah own sake. Wot say ye? And Ben, Umber is the color ov the world, like dirt, or rock, it can vary a bit.  If it corners us, lower yer eyes, be humble before it, ah'll do what I can."

Rath shrugs. The evil tongue-less cannibal dwarf won't survive long on its own.

Saliq had been looking thoughtful for some moments. "Could this dragon perhaps be a crossbreed of some sort? If men and elves can produce offspring, why not two drakes of different kind?"  The illusionist looked both fascinated and worried by the idea. "Of course if it is a crossbreed who can tell its capabilities?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Sun 27 Apr 2014.

"My money's on acid breath and petrifying gaze," Rath mutters.

Inas mused on this new information. "Dragons are not to be trifled with, no matter what their colour. If this is indeed such a beast then I would rather avoid it if we can."

The party hears what sounds like an avalanche, perhaps some even manage to turn their heads in time to see a stone spider descend from somewhere above, hit the ground, and shatter into thousands of pieces.

When the dust settles, the group hears a mighty screeching roar from somewhere up above, through the gaping hole in the ceiling.

Rath stares at the shattered spider, then he glances at Inas with a nod. "I'm convinced."

"Think we could trick the dragon into the oil trap at the front gate?"

In reply to Ben Scristos (msg # 277):

Eagle rubs his chin and thinks on Ben's suggestion. 'I can't quite see we'd trick it, but perhaps with Saliq's illusions we could do something. But once it flies into the citadel, what do we do then - drop the oil on it and ignite it? I don't fancy our odds, but then I don't fancy our odds of getting back to the surface much either, and perhaps fighting the dragon inside is actually advantageous?'

Turning back to Balak,

"You are free to go, Ah would naught feel right about leaving you without a chance, take mah waterskin, an these rations, and this handaxe.  Is there a way to the surface other than up the long path leading down here from the North"

Balak cautiously takes the proffered items. Here were sworn enemies, yet some kindness had been shown. It took the Duergar aback. Who knows what dark intent lurk in the Duergar's heart, but for now, he would count the blessing of the Gray Protector, and  whom had clearly intervened on his behalf.

He shakes his head no and then quickly stabs out another missive on the wall:

"Other ways. Through Drow lands, and worse. Follow the river."

Assuming there is no further questioning, Balak will take the axe, waterskin, and rations, which he wraps in a torn piece of his tunic, and departs, leaving by way of the stairs back out of the dungeon cells.

Once Balak is gone, "He says to follow the river, it makes sense it would eventually lead outside but ah dunna trust all his words.  I say we use all our skills and try to get back up that path.  That stone spider tells us the dragon is very close, let's move before he tracks us down"

Rath watches for more spiders, while a growing heavy knot of dread settles in his belly. He shrugs and manages to fake a confident smirk. "Death every which way, and it hardly matters what path we pick. It'll take luck and guts to get through. Ben might be on to something. What'll it take to make that work?"

In reply to Eagle (msg # 278):

Inas thought long and hard about their next move. Finally he spoke. "I don't relish taking on a dragon, but if we must fight it then we should fight it on our terms. A battle in the open is folly, it will simply fly around and pick us off one by one. If we can lure it inside the building then at least we can stop it flying and hinder it's movement, which should also allow our warriors to get in close with axe and sword."

He looked around at his companions to gauge their thoughts. "Luring it in will be the tricky bit. We need one important thing... bait."

"I believe that will be were I and my illusions come in." Saliq said, smiling faintly. "What to lure a dragon though? A battalion of dark dwarf warriors come to regain their home? A herd of cattle somehow lost down here? A lady dragon in mating season?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:27, Tue 29 Apr 2014.

Inas nodded at Saliq, believing that the conjuror's magics could well be of use. "Food is a good idea. If you create a perceived threat it might attack with it's breath and realise that it has been tricked. We need to get it to follow. How about a horse, stag or suchlike, something nimble. Cattle are too slow and stupid."

Eagle thinks for a moment. 'The problem with a horse is that once we attack the dragon it will lose focus on a potential meal. Why don't we use the illusion not just as bait, but also as a battle tactic? If Saliq could make avatars of some of us, perhaps we could use that to our advantage in a battle - tempting the dragon to pounce on the wrong attackers. . . We could also use the oil as Ben says, and I could ignite it from a distance, though I'm afraid I have few other spells that would help.'

In reply to Eagle (msg # 286):

"Sounds worth a try. I could shoot a flaming arrow if needed. I can dip some arrows in pitch or oil and simply light them with a torch. Shouldn't be too difficult."

OOC - famous last words... :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Tue 29 Apr 2014.

As the party discusses the plan, Eagle mutters to himself, 'this is madness, but we must be healthy at least to make it work.' He then starts to channel the spirt of Melora, and first touches Bruno, and cures some of his maladies. Unfortunately, the mute hireling still looks sickly, and Eagle repeats the treatment. Turning to Ben he calls on Melora's grace again, and this time his deity's full power flows through the earth.

Turning to Inas he stops for a moment. 'I was hoping to offer you succour, but perhaps you are strong enough already? I would prefer to keep some of my strength in reserve for now.'

OOC: The bottom rolls were first on Bruno, decided to give him another boost on the initial 3 hit points recovered! Ben get's the full 8.
15:19, Today: Eagle rolled 8 using 1d8 with rolls of 8. cure light wounds.
15:19, Today: Eagle rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3. cure light wounds.
15:19, Today: Eagle rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3. cure light wounds.

In reply to Eagle (msg # 288):

Inas thanked Eagle for his offer but waved him away. "My wounds are slight and others are in more need than I. We may need your skills once more after facing the winged beast above. I have never fought with a dragon... maybe today that will change."

As they finalised their preparations he muttered a quiet prayer to Melora, asking for strength and guidance in the battle to come, and making a promise to make a contribution to the shrine should he survive the day.

Saliq gathers the party and starts chanting and gesturing, magically cloaking them in invisibility. As he finishes the spell he tells the others: "We are now concealed by sorcery, let us find this dragon to parley with."

---

OOC: Saliq casts Invisibility, 10 foot radius.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:46, Sun 04 May 2014.

Rath sticks near Saliq, on guard. The plan will go to hell fast if the wizard gets killed by a spider. Course, it's probably going to hell anyway ... .

In reply to Aldo Rathmus (msg # 291):

Eagle nods to his now invisible companions, forgetting they won't see his gesture. 'Before we parley shouldn't we set up the trap? Norion I'm happy for you to direct proceedings, but we should put some oil on the floor in readiness at least shouldn't we - our parley may end more abruptly than we might like. . .'

Rath agrees.

(really only meant that he'd be guarding Saliq while the trap was being set up by the others. Let him know if you need his help.)

Norion directs the laying of the trap, while others assume their respective places in the plan.

For his part, Bruno rolls over a barrel and begins dumping it into the murder-holes, where it in turns flows through the ceiling and onto the floor below. Even Monvo assists in the process, though he is less enthusiastic about the task. After a short while, the corridor beneath the portcullis is covered in the dark, flammable substance.

The portcullis is currently closed, with only a six inch gap near the bottom open. The party bypassed it through Eagle's magic on the way in, and it has not yet been opened to possibly allow the dragon to enter the trap. Of course, the location of the mechanism to open the portcullis is well-known, but the gate has thus far not been lifted.

During the party's preparation, none have heard any sign of the dragon lurking anywhere nearby, though in truth, it could be hiding anywhere among either the citadel's tall spires or even in the grand cavern itself.

The trap has now been laid: now it is just a matter of opening the gate to allow something to wander in to get trapped...if that is indeed still the plan.

Avoiding the pitch, Norion walks over to the portcullis, keeping his eyes mostly to the ground and walls.  Leaning the haft of his large axe on the ground, he leans on the blade and shifts downward, creating a gash on the back of his left arm.  Fresh blood should distract the great wyrm a bit.  Smearing a bit on wall near the gate, he heads to the gatehouse, stopping a few feet past the black pitch to rub his blood all over the wall there, hopefully it will stop there to sniff a bit giving time to drop the gate and set the blaze.  There is both fear and a wild look of excitement in Norions eyes.  He takes a moment to wrap up the wound on his arm, and then enters the gatehouse, and begins to lift the gate.

As the others begin to set the trap, Inas took a handful (4) of his normal arrows and dipped them in the pitch, smearing the point in the viscous dark liquid. Keeping these in one hand he held his bow in the other. Once ready he bean to scan the skies, watching out for flying beasts.

Saliq mentally practices the movements of the illusion he will cast (himself blindfolded) calculating the movements the body would have to make to appear convincing. Their lives could depend on it.

"Hey Saliq, how powerful are your illusions? The dragon might be worried about putting it's head int he portcullis, what if I created a ruckus off towards the way we got in here. Could you make the whole place shift, so when the dragon has his head in place, he thinks he is still safe???"

Norion works the gatehouse mechanism which controls the portcullis, causing the heavy iron barrier to slowly rise from its stuck position. The sound of metal grating on metal echoes throughout the cavern. In a few moments, the cacophonous chorus ends and the gate is laid open for any to enter, unhindered.

The party waits a few moments to see what sort of reaction this might elicit, and they soon get their answer. The familiar sound of flapping wings is heard, followed by a loud thud, thud, thud, crunch, crunch, thoom. Those in the chamber above the portcullis can see nothing outside the citadel, for none, save for Norion possess infravision, but they can hear a rhythmic breathing that sounds something like a muted slow drum roll, somewhere out in the darkness of the cavern surrounding the citadel.

The rhythmic breathing grows closer, perhaps Norion, with his infravision, and peering down the tunnel, might catch glimpse of a large, sinuous shape slinking toward the portcullis: a six-legged serpentine creature with a coat of quills which run from its multi-horned head all the way down its spine, eventually terminating in a set of folded, bat-like wings. The creature's violet eyes occasionally flash in the darkness, perhaps the only visible cue those without infravision might see, as the dragon approaches closer.

The beast  draws to within 10 feet of the portcullis and appears to be sniffing, it the sounds it makes are any indication...
This message was last updated by the GM at 19:34, Sun 11 May 2014.

Saliq mummurs mystically and slowly an illusionary image of himself forms, exact in every detail save for the blindfold the illusion wore (and the fact that he was visible of course.) As soon as the dragon was in place he would send him out, asking for parley.

---

OOC: Saliq casts Improved Phantasmal Force

The six-legged umber-colored dragon sniffs the air and then exhales a deep breath, a process which produces a metallic rumbling sound. The beast cranes its head around, glances into the tunnel which leads into the citadel and slowly approaches.

The beast reaches a point just ahead of where the pitch has been poured, it lowers its neck and draws in another breath. Exhale. Rumble.

The dragon seems very reluctant to enter through the portcullis. The beast is now within 5 feet of the portcullis.

Saliq moisted his suddenly dry lips and tried to overcome the sudden rush of fear that shot through him. Regaining his nerve he sent his blindfolded doppleganger out into the area just beneath the portcullis. He had the blindfolded illusion face the general direction of the dragon, though not face exactly head on (he was meant to to blindfolded after all.

"Oh mighty one I beg a parley and a chance to speak with you!"  the illusion 'spoke', his lips moving in time with Saliq's own as he talked from a dozen feet away.

The dragon regards the illusory diplomat for a brief moment, cocking its head this way and that, before striking with a ferocity, rapidity, and violence that surely would cause at least one party member's heart to skip a beat.

In a moment, the dragon's massive jaws sink into the illusion, causing it to dissipate into a million motes of shimmering light.

The dragon bellows its metallic roar, its eyes flashing in the darkness.

With a sudden burst of speed gained from its six legs, it enters the tunnel beneath the portcullis, its monstrous snout taking in the scent of the nearby prey...

OOC: Roll for Initiative!

Six-legged Horned Umber Dragon
Large Beast (20 ft long)
AC: 3
HP: ? [Private to GM: 38/38]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   24/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8   Invisible
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Norion   3   50/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    9/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


Stage 1:
Stage 2: Dragon (7)
Stage 3: Ben, Eagle, Inas, Norion, Rath

OOC: Roll for Initiative. Anyone rolling a 7 or higher may post immediately
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:02, Mon 19 May 2014.

The dragon's roar casuses Ben's heart to skip a beat, but the sight of the dragon leaping into the trap gives him a sense of satisfaction!

Now to slam that trap shut!

01:27, Sun 18 May 2014: Ben Scristos rolled 4 using 1d6+2 ((2)).

Norion sets himself ready to not only allow the gate to come down, but to add his own weight to line to speed it along, the sounds of the dragon send a chill down his spine, he'd feel better with weapons in hand, little good they would likely do him.


19:08, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5. init.

Rath, near Saliq and brandishing his trident, stifles panic, reminding himself he's invisible, which does not mean he feels safe. He wonders if the dragon can hear his heartbeat and smell his sweat, and that only makes his heart beat more quickly and his sweat run more freely.


Initiative = 3.

Upstairs, Inas kept hidden with bow and arrow in hand. He prepared to light the pitch once given the signal.

Didn't bother rolling for INIT.

The dragon scrambles into the tunnel and heads directly for the gatehouse, eager to follow the scent trail left behind by Norion and whomever occupies that post with the dwarf warrior. The 20-foot long dragon occupies the majority of the tunnel and quickly covers the distance to the gatehouse door. The beast exhales a caustic fume, a smell akin to the thick noxious gas that hangs over Stormhaven's tanneries before poking its head into the gatehouse.

And there is that familiar dwarf smell! Tasty!

The dragon slowly takes in the scent, curious as to what might be the source of the delicious armoma...

OOC:
Anyone attempting to avoid the dragon's gaze suffers a -4 to all attacks.

Anyone in the tunnel beneath the murder-holes will take d6 fire damage per round.

Six-legged Horned Umber Dragon
Large Beast (20 ft long)
AC: 3
HP: -2 of ? [Private to GM: 36/38]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   24/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Eagle    6   30/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   50/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     3   48/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible

NPCs
Bruno    5    9/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   17/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


Stage 1: Dragon (7)
Stage 2: Ben, Eagle, Inas, Norion, Rath, Saliq, NPCs

OOC: PCs are up!
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:34, Sat 24 May 2014.

Inas did his best to keep still and not alert the dragon to his presence. He kept his eys on the portcullis, waiting for it to drop so he could help tip the pitch then light it. He glanced over at the flaming torch resting in it's sconce, mentally going through his routine so that he could act quickly and decisively.

OOC - not sure who else is upstairs. If I am on my own I will tip the barrels as soon as the portcullis falls, then shoot my flame tipped arrow(s) into it. If plenty of others are with me I will let them top the pitch so I can shoot straight away.

In reply to Inas Eoinsson (msg # 309):

Eagle was planning to be invisible behind the dragon as he passes, and ignite the pitch we've already spread on the floor with a produce flame spell, if Inas just wants to pour oil? That said, is the dragon now under the portcullis or not? I'm confused by the description? (did he pass straight through?)

As soon as possible, Ben triggers the release on the portcullis, hoping to catch the dragon below...

Norion will work with Ben to make the gate come down hard.  If the dragon is big enough, at the very least there is a chance they will pin its tail to the floor.

Saliq prepared to cast his illusion, waiting for the moment the portcullis came down.

Despite the fact a ferocious dragon is less than 10 feet distant, Norion and Ben quickly, and invisibly, work the chains in unison in an effort to trap the dragon between the portcullis, directly underneath the murder-holes.

The dragon responds by skirting forward, effectively evading the well-planned trap. The beasts tail slips through just as the portcullis clangs solidly to the ground. For ill or worse, the dragon is now detained within the citadel.

The only problem?

It is within 10 feet of the group huddled invisibly in the corner of the gatehouse. On the plus side, it is also standing atop a considerable amount of highly flammable pitch...

Which brings up Eagle and Inas, who are waiting above, looking through the murder-holes for the right opportunity to drop torches onto the floor below. And they do!

Bright flames rapidly spread across the floor, directly underneath the monstrous dragon!

OOC: Anyone in the gatehouse must roll a d10 to avoid the creature's gaze. I am assuming everyone is actively avoiding the possibility, but there is always a chance...

:)
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:34, Fri 23 May 2014.

Bruno and Monvo remain huddled into the far corner, purposefully shielding their eyes, though truth be told, it is hard to avoid looking when a big, scary dragon is so close.

Fortunately, both men sneak a peak without catching the dragon's wandering eye.

In reply to DM Storm (msg # 315):

Eagle posts his spear through the murder hole, and it clatters harmlessly to the ground, and is presumably engulfed by the fire.

As the portcullis clanged to the ground, Inas quickly lit his pitch-coated arrow and fired it at the ground below. As the flaming shaft struck the sticky floor it erupted in a ball of flame.

He then grabbed at his quiver, eager to begin firing at the beast.

I assume we are not yet in combat rounds.

Rath keeps his trident ready -- a bit unsteady -- waiting for what exactly he does not know. This plan did not go down as he envisioned. Perhaps the dragon will get very distracted and he'll have a chance to poke it in the hindquarters .....

5 to avoid gaze. Holding action.

Try as he might, Saliq could not keep from trying to catch a quick glimpse of the horrific dragon-beast. Six legs, leathery wings, vicious teeth and those eyes, oh those gleaming green cat-like eyes.

The EYES!

Saliq feels muscle and tendon hardening, his throat constricting, the world cast over in a gauzy haze.

The last thing the noble spell-weaver from the Shifting Sands sees are the eyes, and then, he sees no more.

The illusionist's body becomes cast in stone, perhaps much to the horror of the companions who witness this transformation.

Petrified. Invisibly so, but petrified nonetheless.

OOC: Saliq is still invisible and so are those party members who remain within 10 feet of him.

11:45, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 7 using 1d10 with rolls of 7.

The six-legged dragon roars in defiance of its predicament: seemingly trapped inside the citadel with flames rising up from the ground.  The great beast does what only seems natural, it races deeper into the tunnel and enters the large room where the stone plinths are located. Once inside the room, and outside the reach of the roiling fire in the tunnel it bends its serpentine body between the plinths looking for something to take out its aggression on.

It finds nothing and lets out a roar in frustration.

OOC: Dragon took 1 point of fire damage as it ran through the flames.

Anyone attempting to avoid the dragon's gaze suffers a -4 to all attacks.

Anyone in the tunnel beneath the murder-holes will take d6 fire damage per round.

Six-legged Horned Umber Dragon
Large Beast (20 ft long)
AC: 3
HP: -12 of ? [Private to GM: 26/38]


PC       AC    HP    AP  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10   Notes
Ben      7   24/29   2   19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9   Init +2, Invisible
Eagle    6   21/30   4   18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8
Inas     3   43/52   1   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6
Norion   3   48/58   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Rath     3   46/48   2   16 15 14 13 12 11 10  9  8  7  6   Invisible
Saliq    7   17/19   3   20 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11   Init +2, Invisible, Petrified

NPCs
Bruno    5    7/16   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible
Monvo    5   15/19   0   20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10   (R) Hum Ftr2, Invisible


Round 2
Stage 1: Dragon (7)
Stage 2: Ben, Eagle, Inas, Norion, Rath, Saliq, NPCs

OOC: PCs are up!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Thu 05 June 2014.

Unaware of the fate of his companions downstairs, Inas glanced over at Eagle. "I have no shot at the beast. Do you have magic that can make those pillars collapse? If so we may be able to trap or slay it."

Rath breaks from his own paralysis. He barely dares to glance at Saliq, as if the petrification is contagious. He grunts a barely audible stream of blasphemies, cursing the Goddess of Fortune -- he knows She won't mind -- and his own hubris, thinking to take on a dragon without casualties.

"Open the gate. Open the gate. Saliq is stone. Open the thrice-damed gate!" Rath hisses. "Monvo! Bruno! You're with me." Rath frantically examines the wizard-statue, figuring the best way to move it. Him. Whatever. He begins to shift Saliq slightly, to determine it's weight, with the idea of lowering it -- him, damn it -- to horizontal, with the henchmen's help, to drag or carry out of here.

Rath attempts to shift Saliq's petrified form and discovers it is quite heavy: close to 500 pounds, at least!

Rath is a strong man, but not that strong. Hauling Saliq out of the Duergar Citadel, through the Darkness Below, and back up the shaft leading to the manticore's lair is going to be quite the Herculean effort before all is said and done.

Bruno and Monvo assist with the task of lowering Saliq to the ground. After a great deal of effort and grunting, the illusionist is laying on the floor, stony. Lifeless.

OOC: Saliq now weight 480 pounds. So much for that beach body!

In reply to Inas Eoinsson (msg # 322):

Eagle glances at In as for a moment, and then nods. Before he can speak he hears Rath's panicked stream of obscenities and realises things are going very bad very quickly. With a gulp he beckons downwards to Inas. "My magic may help, but I doubt it. Help Rath get Saliq out, I will head down the stairs and try to distract the beast." With that he heads down the stairs, very quietly towards the room with the pillars.

OOC: Right, so this is an even more ridiculous plan than the one just gone. But what I've got in mind is to creep down the stairs, at the bottom cast summon insects, hoping to get a swarm of insects to attack the dragon (purely as a distraction really) and if that works (ie the dragon is occupied by the bugs) Eagle will then cast stone shape, and basically try to chop one (or two?) of the pillars nearest the door in half (taking care to do it in a shape that will collapse the pillar inwards while Eagle stands on the other side) in order to collapse the pillar/ceiling on the dragon's head. If at any point it looks like it's going south Eagle will transform into a very small fly/bat and try to get the hell out of dodge.

Norion has been waiting by the mechanism that opens and closes the gate.  He has his huge axe out leaning on the wall and he's been cleaning it while waits, dwarves and their habits.  On hearing Rath, he opens the gate, only about three or four feet hight and then will jam the mechanism so it won't move up or down.

"This is it, once through the fire stay low, the gate is only open enough for us to crawl under, I'll go last, if that Wyrm comes after us, ah'll slow it doon a bit....go, go...go"

Monvo does not disguise his relief at the dwarf's words. The young man barely glances at Norion as he slips through the gate. "Pass the wizard to me!" He hisses back to Rath and Bruno.

Truthfully he would as soon abandon the stone illusionist, but his well honed survival instinct tells him the others are not going to take kindly to that suggestion.

Norion, Rath, Monvo and Bruno grab hold of Saliq's petrified form and on the count of three, lift his weighty frame off the ground. The four then muscle their way out the gatehouse door, through the roaring flames, toward the partially opened portcullis just ahead.

The fire stings at flesh as the quartet make their way. Apparently, invisibility means nothing where fire is involved. Thankfully, it is only a short distance to the gate and they all manage to negotiate their way under the iron portcullis, and safely get Saliq on their other side.

OOC: Bruno, Monvo, Norion, and Rath take 2 points of fire damage as they exit the citadel.

Meanwhile...

Eagle creeps down the stairs toward the doorway leading into the southwest corner of the vaulted chamber where the dracolisk fled to escape the flames.

The druid slowly pushes the door open, briefly spies the dracolisk and proceeds to summon a swarm of angry insects to do his bidding.

A few moments later, scores of beetles boil out of every available fissure in the room. The teeming mass of legs and mandibles coalesces into a moving carpet of inky black as it converges on the dracolisk.

The dracolisk growls in response to the intrusion and begins to thrash about in the confined room, in an effort to rid itself of the biting beetles.

OOC: The insect swarm inflicts 2 points of damage on the dracolisk and will be around for 7 rounds. The dracolisk will be occupied with the swarm during that time. Eagle needs to roll a d10 for every round he is within the room with the dracolisk, including this first round.

Eagle please roll that d10. A roll of 1 indicates you have caught the dracolisk's gaze and are in danger of being petrified. Assuming you do not roll a 1, you may begin casting your stone shape next.

Before Inas can argue with Eagle the Druid had snuck off down the stairs, leaving the ranger on his own in the upper chamber. He opened the trapdoor and looked down, seeing an empty chamber. He called down, "hello, are you still there?"

He had no idea that most of the group had already headed to the gate, although he suddenly heard the rasping of metal as the gate slowly rose upwards. It seemed that his comrades were already making their escape so he quickly clambered down the chain into the gatehouse.

In reply to Inas Eoinsson (msg # 330):

Wasting no time while the dragon is occupied, Eagle nips forward to the first column, mouthing the words of stone shape as he goes. As Melora's spirit fills him again, he grasps the column and working the stone on the opposite side of the column into a v shaped wedge, as he works the v inwards and expands it, he hopes to feel some sign of the column starting to collapse, hopefully with the ceiling too - at which point he will spring backwards, transform into a very blind bat bat and fly for the door.

OOC: 22:32, Today: Eagle rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4. gaze avoidance

Eagle reshapes the column, which causes a deep fissure to form in the ceiling above and a few pieces of stone to fall, but given the fact the ceiling is supported by eight stone columns, the other seven columns take up the rest of the slack and prevent the ceiling from collapsing.

It might take more than a single casting of that particular spell...

It is risky, but maybe worth the risk if the dracolisk is slain in the process?

Softly cursing to himself as the ceiling stays intact, Eagle takes a deep breath, and bobs across to the central column by the entrance to the room from the gatehouse. Casting another version of stone shape he will again break that column, and if time allows while the spell is cast he will attempt to move across to the column next to that as well, and break that before diving for the passageway back to the gatehouse.

OOC: 13:42, Today: Eagle rolled 6 using 1d10 with rolls of 6.

So, this is my last Stone Shape spell I can cast today (unless you let me use the 4th level slot I have open!), but I'm wondering, as the columns are so close together whether I can break the two central columns with one casting? In any case, Eagle will be fleeing this round as there's nothing else to achieve in the room except a roulette game with the dragon's gaze.

While the dracolisk is busy thrashing about the chamber, tenacious beetles hot on its six leathery heels, Eagle magically shapes the stone columns to further destabilize the ceiling above. A deep fissure spreads across the ceiling like a slow-motion lightning bolt, and bits of plaster and masonry begin raining down into the room.

In a moment, large potions of the ceiling fall to the ground, as Eagle attempts to race out of the room before getting crushed.

The dracolisk manages to dart out of the way right as a large slab comes dropping toward its back. While the beast gets mostly out of the way, the slab crashes down onto its tail. The dracolisk roars in a mixture of agony and rage. It is pissed now!

OOC: Crappy damage roll on the falling ceiling blocks! The dragon only took 4 points of damage (made it save to get out of the way). Eagle needs to make a save vs Breath Weapon as well (Failed Save = 7 points of damage, Save = No damage).

As Eagle dart's for the door, a large block of masonry smacks him on the shoulder, slowing him down for a moment, and smarting with pain. Although he doesn't look back, Eagle understands from the dragon's roar that his plan was not entirely successful, and he runs for the portcullis in fear, hoping between it and the beetles it will delay the dragon enough to make a get away.

Once under the gate, Norion says, "Start back up the way we came, as long as you carry Saliq, his magic will keep you unseen, ah'll send the others your way as they escape".

Standing just beyond the gate, Norion takes out his large waraxe and again polishes any smoke that the fire may have tarnished it.  He will then hold it in front of himself, blade sideways to reflect the image of the fire back onto itself.

Anyone coming through the flames, Norion will update them that the others are headed up the path and invisible.

If the dragon comes through, he will avert his eyes but try to use the shield to reflect its image back onto itself.

Ben, Bruno, Norion, Monvo, Inas, Rath and Salig have exited the Duergar citadel and are now huddled behind a grouping of stalagmites about 30 feet distant from the portcullis entrance. From this vantage point, they can see flames within the entrance tunnel and hear the terrible sound of the dracolisk thrashing about within the citadel.

After collapsing a portions of the ceiling on both himself and the dragon, Eagle has fled back up the staircase leading to the storage room above the gatehouse.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:22, Thu 05 June 2014.

Rath does stay near the petrified illusionist, trying to remain calm. "Don't look," he warns, but he is barely able to keep himself from eying the flames through the open doorway, waiting for something to emerge. He switches from trident to javelin. If he attacks the dragon, he'll do it from a distance.

As the only member of the group visible to himself, Inas tried his best to avoid bumping into those still hidden by Saliq's spell. He held his bow ready in hand, glancing back towards the gate to see when Eagle would reappear. "Come on man, get a move on," he muttered to himself.

As the seconds ticked by he contemplated going back in to find the Druid, but held his position for now.

After what might seem an eternity, Eagle eventually emerges from the fiery tunnel, batting off flames from his now-smoking cloak. All party members have escapes the Duergar citadel, leaving behind one very angry dracolisk, whom were it not presently occupied trying to rid itself of a beetle swarm, would likely be looking to exact revenge!

OOC: Eagle takes 2 hp fire damage as he runs through the tunnel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:43, Thu 05 June 2014.

Eagle emerges battered and singed into the dark of the cavern, his shoulder still smarting from the falling ceiling. Peering into the darkness he wonders what has become of his companions. 'Is anybody out there,' he calls softly into the dark.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Thu 05 June 2014.

"Can we douse the beast with more oil?"

The flames within the entrance tunnel die down a few minutes after the party exits the Duergar citadel. Watching from behind a cluster of stalagmites, the group hears the dracolisk growling from time to time, followed by agitated roars, but sees no sign of the beast, at least initially.

The portcullis is only partially open, perhaps not enough for the monsters to squeeze underneath, but there is no way of really telling what its capabilities might be. The dracolisk might very well be capable of battering the iron portcullis outright. There is only on way to be certain, and that's to be around when the creature tries to escape.

Better hope it doesn't lock eyes on any of the party members. Saliq already learned that lesson, even though he was invisible at the time.