Finn Razzel is an eternal optimist.  Storm clouds rarely darken his mood and today is one such case.  While he has had his doubts about the validity of the victim of their assault, and some of their tactics, Finn has never let their dire situation get to him.  With a horde of unknown size bent on reducing them to ash Razzel stands strong, his back straight and the playful grin on his face untarnished.

”Go for the legs my friends...”, he eggs them on as he takes up his bow.


OOC:
I didn't specify boss but my plan of setting tricks to slow them down at the stairs and hiding behind the tables involves me shooting arrows.  Can I retcon to say I had it out and laying nearby so that when I jump over the table I can just grab it?  If not I will spend however many rounds to Ready the bow as is necessary.  In any event after I get the bow set, draw an arrow and Aim.

When Gustav sees the Skeleton, he sets the spear aside and grabs one of the shields and draws his sword. It's going to be harder to move around, but anything in reach of his sword is capable of being dismembered.

It's going to be easier to butcher them than stab them it looks he thinks
This message was last edited by the player at 18:34, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

And so our heroes commence their second battle at the top of the tower, the carcasses of their previous foes lain carefully as a bulwark against the next onslaught.  Magnus and Giles, the only two on the far side of the table, rush their foes, mace and sword drawn and shields held high in defense as they charge the edge of their defenses, swinging at the abomination that seeks to clamor across.

Perhaps Magnus was prepared for the inevitable, but as Giles reaches the barricade he shouts "There are lots more coming!  Get ready!".

Magnus connects with the thing at the left elbow, a blow that hits with such force that it disconnects the joint entirely, sending the thing's forearm and hand flying across the room to the left, though the undead barely seems to notice.  Giles too, manages to scrape his sword across bone, though there is little more to show than a heavy scratch.

And all the while their foes clamor on, the single armed aberration swinging his legs over the barricade and alighting on the other side, his sword ready as he faces down Magnus, and two others place their frail bone hands on the golems, readying themselves to swing across...

OOC:  Please post 3 rounds of action.

Rondald has a medium shield in his left hand with an empty (crippled) right hand.  Finn has a ready bow in his left hand, with an arrow knocked and pulled back with no aim on any target just yet.  You can aim at any of three of the skeletons, though only the middle one mitigates the danger of hitting Magnus or Giles.  Gustav has his saber ready in his right hand with nothing in his left.  Judoc has a fireball ready in his right hand and seems to be aiming it at one of the skeletons.  Note that everyone but Magnus and Giles are behind the overturned table, leaving most of their body covered.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:31, Thu 20 Sept 2018.

In reply to Raddek (msg # 343):

Rondald equips the new shield as he moves around to support those at the front line.

[OOC: I would rather say his oven buckler, since it is not sturdy enough to withstand repeatedly being beaten against the oncoming horde. It may take longer to put on, but it would be necessary. Can we say he did pick up and start to ready one of the other shields, as posted last post? I am also aware that he does not have skill in a regular shield, he defaults to it at 11 since he has 13 in buckler.]

The big black eyes of the Minotaur flicked from one bleached skull to the next as they advanced. He counted inwardly, his apprehension growing as the cacaphony of bone, mouldering cloth and steel rattled up from below.

"Eight!" He bellowed  "At least eight!" then snapped the arm of the first attacker over the barricade like a dry twig.

The position was likely not tenable, and the beast man seemed to recognize this as he always kept some weight on his back foot, as if at any moment he might retreat to the next barrier when the first was overwhelmed.

But for the moment he stood, and lashed out with measured, powerful swings of the flanged mace. This time he aimed for ribs and collarbones, attempting to smash the things wholesale and scatter them upon the wall stacked with those that had already fallen.

Light the oils, perhaps they will burn

A friend of Finn's is famous for saying 'Plans never work' and what he means by that is regardless how much research is done or well thought out the plan, life usually does not cooperate to expectations and more often than not the plan must be improvised or abandoned all together.  Finn has had many arguments over this topic with his friend late into the night and usually over a few pints.  But as time goes on Razzel admits more and more that his attitude is changing.  He is seeing the wisdom in his friend, at least on this topic.  As Finn spies the first wave of enemies crest the top of the stairwell and sees that they are indeed the undead, and he and his companions are outnumbered the young mercenary realizes that the plan needs to adapted.

Finn growls under his breath, not an angry thing but born out of irritation.  He is a spy, a thief and a dabbler in magical cantrips.  He is not a soldier, not in the true sense.  But with Rondald and Gustav badly hurt and Terri and Odelia so far away he knows that he cannot sit idly by and let the big beast and his leader take the brunt of the shock troops alone.  It is now though that a voice calls to the dark recesses of his mind.  What about the blackbird?, it says faster than a man  can think.  It isn't spoken words that are heard but an idea that suddenly materializes in his head.  One war at a time, he thinks in response.


OOC:
IF I can fire into the skeleton crowd without danger of hitting Magnus or Giles, then do so.  No aim, no called shot.  If I cannot fire without the chance of hitting them then drop the arrow and move forward.  In either case keep the bow in my left hand.  (I'm talking about a reasonable chance.  If the chance is 2% then I will take that chance to fire).

Next I will vault the table and move forward to see what aid I can offer.  My overall goal is to take up the attention of the skeletons so that Magnus and Giles don't have 2-4 foes each.  However, if the skeletons are effectively bottlenecked at the top of the stairs and only 2 can attack at a time then render whatever support I can.  If I can attack without risking injury to my companions, do so.  If not, just hang back and wait to see what aid I can offer.

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:13, Fri 21 Sept 2018.

It is odd to say the least.  For Finn and the others have seen Judoc's fireballs on several occasions now, hurled through the air as perfect, lime-sized bits of inferno until they collide with some beast or object, upon which they explode into a puff of sizzling energy...  Though as Judoc hurls his newest ball of flame, it does not make anywhere near its usual progress.  Instead it explodes midair, some several feet short of where four skeletal beings are now clawing their way across the barricade, causing no harm to either enemy or friend...

Twang!  There is little time to think of the matter however, and Finn releases his arrow, perhaps compensating far too much to avoid hitting his friends as the arrow lofts well over his foes as well, shattering into pieces against the wall of the stairwell behind.  Thinking nothing of the miss, Finn places his non-bow hand on the edge of the table as he vaults his legs over, landing on the far side and continuing towards the fray.

On the front, Magnus continues his onslaught, swinging his mace in a deadly side blow that catches his foe just on the edge of his shoulder, chipping the cuff before it slams into his ribs and shatters bone, moving his whole form sideways as the thing crashes to the ground.  Bones scatter, chipped and frail like chalk, no longer held together with devious magic.

Giles too swipes his sword at one now one leg over the barricade, the slash of steel ringing across the room as the thing stumbles to the ground awkwardly.  Giles follows with an incautious overhand slam, his sword crackling through the thing's face and jaw as teeth scatter across the room and the skeleton falls limp back to the floor.

And still the things come!  Three more take the place of the two that were lost, though the one on the left stumbles at the top of the stair, hanging on to the top of the barricade with one bony hand as the sword hilt dips down below their view.  The other though push forward, scaling the small barrier and pushing it forward, sending one of the golems legs sliding off to the floor which hangs for a moment before the whole lifeless body topples backwards into the room.  One skeleton finally makes purchase with solid standing, waving his sword wildly in a slash that cuts the links of Magnus's leggings even as he stumbles backwards, drawing a touch of blood, though the blow barely makes the minotaur flinch.  Magnus responds with his own swing of his mace, but the undead bobs its body backwards, just evading the blow that would surely have snuffed out its feeble mockery of life.

Rondald too makes his way forward, ensuring his shield is safely fixed before he works his way around the gap between the two tables to join the fray...

OOC:  Please post 3 rounds of action.

First off, I missed Finn's movement in the map, he is actually 2 hexes northeast of his marker having vaulted the table after shooting his arrow.  Rondald, I edited my last post, and you can assume you've had a medium shield fixed on your left arm at the start of the fight.  You can use your default skill as specified, or your dodge normally.

Two of the skeletons are dead (redead?) though there are several more that continue to take their place.  There is only one at this time that is entirely in the room, the other two on the right are partially over the wall and it seems there are more that are lining up behind them.

Rondald moves to stop the skeletons from being able to flank them. Positioning himself in the largest gap between the living corpses and any path of escape from the stairs, his whole aim is to keep them bottled up, perhaps inflicting some damage as he does so, but really trying to just contain them. He curses his useless right arm as he does so, wishing he could use it more effectively...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:47, Sat 22 Sept 2018.

There had been a quiver of nervousness in Magnus's leg even before the ragged edge of the rusty blade found his flesh, and the tugged on it in a way that while not mortal, still obviously hurt.

He gave way, he had to as the tide of bone came over the wall. Two steps back, then another forward with his hoof crackling a fallen rib beneath it and sending others skittering away in his wake. He raised up his mace, waited a half moment as he saw the enemy comit, then helped the weighed end fall with a grunt.

His looted shield ever held out, hedid his best not to think about the sheer numbers of their enemy, and to focus only upon the one in front of him.

"There's more of them!" he warned, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep the stress from his voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Watching his friends bob and weave away from the rotting horde that overwhelms the steps Finn is not shocked.  Frightened yes, but not shocked.  We all use the tools available to us; a general commands his troops, a blacksmith wields his hammer and a necromancer mows down the living with his unliving.  Though, Razzel had rather hoped it would be the villagers who arrived to defend the tower.  The undead don't feel pain or fear which makes them a more formidable opponent.  They will not flee or surrender when morale runs low.  Still, they are just dry bones lacking a heart, a passion and wit.  They cannot think for themselves and react to their surroundings.  Finn struggles to solve the conundrum of how to use this to his advantage.


OOC:
That's funny boss.  I just heard that quote somewhere.

Move towards the stairs.  Fast Draw quality knife.  My goal is to render support to Magnus and Giles without getting in their way.  I want to draw the attention of skeletons to keep extras off my companions, but don't get in the way of retreating defenses.  If I can attack without getting in Magnus's and Giles's way then do so.  Normal attacks.  Defense is below.

Gustav watches Judoc's fireball flicker out... obviously magic resistant.  I wish I had had some of that. He thinks for a moment and looks around to see if there are any torches or open flames, then looks to things that might burn... nothing sticks out. The Alchemy cabinet is open, but he doesn't know a thing about Alchemy. Pity there is no wine, he pauses, wine isn't what I needs right now, he redirects his attention looking for something that might be useful that he could get to.

Finn and Rondald rush forward to try and fill in the gaps of the defense, Finn slashing out with his knife to try and catch one of the abominations unawares, but even with a solid cut, Finn finds that his knife makes little effect on the solid bone arm of the skeleton.

Judoc also makes his way to the fray, casting another small ball of flame before he darts off to the left around a column, attempting to keep Giles from being overrun.

Magnus presses forward the attack swinging his mace in devastating strokes, though his first swing is deflected to the side by the skeleton's sword.  The thin steel of the weapon bends dangerously in the act, though by some small miracle id does not break.  The abomination slashes back towards Magnus, who dodges back nimbly from the blow.  Rather than pressing forward to follow Magnus, the thing turns on the spot to face Rondald instead!

Giles slashes out at the nearest thing still attempting to cross over the barricade, his sword cutting straight through the bone of its wrist, separating its whole hand as the sword it was carrying clatters down to the stone floor.  Even still, the thing is not so much as stunned but keeps pressing forward, gripping out with its left hand, its bone and sinew jaw hanging slackly as it stares out with sunken holes for eyes...

Blows ring out across the room, Magnus shatters one of the skeleton's collarbones and finishes it off with a resounding blow, shattering its whole left shoulder and severing off the arm as the thing drops to the floor, unmoving - but the evil foes make their progress too, one slashing out at Ronald in a blow he is not expecting, cutting the links of his chain shirt to the underclothes though mercifully the blow does not cut to his skin.  But moreover, their numbers and positioning advance rapidly...  Where before just one or two hand managed to their feet in the room at a time, there are now four, and two more climbing over the barricade wall...  Finn steps back with haste to avoid being flanked.

Gustav, panicked and aggravated at his compromising position, searches about desperately for anything that might help the situation.  He looks first towards the Alchemy cabinets, though everything is far too far away to get a real estimate of what might be of use.  Gritting his teeth, he searches the nearer vicinity when his eyes alight on Rondald's crossbow, discarded but cocked and loaded, just within his reach...

OOC:  A lot of maintaining on that round.  Magnus got in a couple of hits and took down the nearest skeleton in the room.  Giles also got in a good hit on the closest one to him, taking off its hand (and likely would have killed the thing entirely if he hadn't scored a hit on the hand).  Though he hasn't had much more luck with it since.  There are now 4 skeletons over the barrier and another two part of the way through crossing.  Let's do 2 rounds of combat this time.

When Finn was grasping at straws trying in vain to come up with a valid plan to deal with a mob of angry death warlock fanatics several ideas crossed his mind in odd flashes of bizarre images.  One such idea was based on something he'd heard about from the far west, more specifically the region of New Jerusalem.  Clever engineers would set up a pair of ballistas about one hundred feet apart and each had one end of a spiked chain attached to the bolts head.  When fired in tandem at assaulting invaders the chain would mow them down in vast numbers.  Its an inspired idea but of course the most problematic nuance is firing the giant crossbows at the same time.  Now in the heat of battle Finn longs for some kind of mass combat lethal trick.

Then as Razzel looks across the room he takes great relief watching Magnus and Giles cutting deeply into the chilling skeleton horde.  Slashing out with his knife Finn does what he can.


OOC:
Continue previously stated plan.

The Minotaur found himself taking full advantage of his humble mace, the flanges on all sides allowing him to swing whenever the chance presented itself, without having to worry about the orientation of a blade.

It's easy for most people to imagine swinging something like a hammer into the bleached bones of a long dead cow or deer, and the sounds of the rattle and crack as they flew this way and that. The major difference of course was that these bones meant to murder them, and we're driven to that purpose by some unfathomable power.

More ossified remnants joined those already scattered about, and his nostrils flared with the exertion. He was so weary, so spent, and yet what choice did he have but to give everything he had?

As the defenders were pressed back Magnus began to see the "bulge" shift towards Giles, and rather that risk them breaking through on that side the beast man went back on the offensive.

Shield held midline he bent his knees slightly, put his shoulder against his shield and then all at once came forward back into the fray with renewed force, his mace rising and falling amid the din and clatter of the struggle.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Gustav drags Rondald's Cross bow over to him, a quick check says there is little opportunity to use it right now, but it might be useful suddenly, he makes sure he has his sword, spear and the cross bow handy and watches for an opportunity  to use one of them.

In reply to Gustav Du Meseries (msg # 356):

Rondald continues to defend as before, not giving ground but forcing the advancing whorde to expose their flanks. He dodges, blocking what he cannot dodge.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:56, Fri 28 Sept 2018.

There are few people outside the northern climes who have ever seen a true berzerker in action but Magnus knows, from experience, that there are those men and monsters who can attack and attack without thought of defense or damage, their injuries ignored, their only thoughts ones of violence.  Perhaps an outside observer would think, if he saw Magnus just now, that the minotaur was a berzerker as well, for though he raises his shield with his attack, he throws his mace with a savageness unequaled by those in the south, smashing through the chest cavity of one of the skeletons, which drops to the ground, its sword clattering to the ground beside it though it seems to keep some sort of shape as it struggles to get back to its feet.

It takes little more than a moment for the minotaur to focus on its next target, another one of the skeletal creatures, this one just over the wall before the mace is cast in its next direction.  Again, the brutal weapon strikes home, this time severing off the corner of a hip bone and sending the foe spiraling off to the side as it falls back against the barrier.

The others too, continue the onslaught, and Giles specifically seems to have the bit between his teeth as he lashes out viciously with his sword, all thoughts of defense forsaken.  Once, twice, he slices neatly against the bone of his foe, thought the cuts seem not to be deep nor bothersome, and though his foe is one-handed, the thing manages to grapple onto a ripple in his armor, keeping the soldier close in combat.

Finn too, finds himself squared against one of the skeletal enemies, his knife flying in and out as he tries more than anything to keep it occupied so that Magnus can work his magic.  The knife slashes this way and that, scoring hits here and there, though nothing much of actual damage is done, until Finn strikes, overzealous as his knife cuts square against the bone and he leans too far forward to prepare himself for defense.  And the sword comes, like it or not, slashing wildly forward, Finn stumbling desperately backward but not enough, and his leathers are cut slightly across the torso, bringing forth small rivulets of blood through the neatly cut gap in his armor.

But if Finn has any doubts over his defense they last but a moment, for even as he stumbles backwards, he sees the looming form of Magnus charging forward, his mace raised high as he smashes it down into the skeletal form, crushing left shoulder, rib cage, and indeed most of the entire left side of the undead monster down to the hip.  Somehow, impossibly, the thing seems to stay together, the dull lights in its eyes watchful as Magnus dodges backwards, his shield raised against the newest oncoming foe.

Judoc too, seems to want to make his worth known as he hurls his fireball forward at the skeleton battling Giles, though the small, lime sized thing hits and simply smolders on the shoulder cuff, seeming to cause the thing no pain what so ever.

Gustav catches his breath as two forms form from over the wall, one of a youthful strong-man carrying a spear in two hands as he approaches the barricade, the other an elder man at least a step and a half behind.  Both seem to be eyeing the battle with lust and ready to make themselves a part of the action.

OOC:  Lets do another 3 rounds of combat.

Battle Map posted below.  Magnus was a champ on the last round, scoring hits on each of his attacks.  Giles scored a hit or two as well, but didn't manage near the same amount of damage.  Here's the scoop on each of the skeletons.   1:  Stunned, laying, no weapon in hand.  2:  Standing, just over the barrier.  3:  Kneeling, sword in hand.  4:  Laying, sword in hand.  5:  Single hand, no weapon, grappling Giles.  6:  Just over wall, no action taken yet.

Right now Rondald is still defending for everyone around, taking all out defenses for everyone withing range.  Finn you are at -3 stun penalty for attacks on the next round, though you may defend at no penalty.  Judoc, you have launched your last 1 point fireball at 5, though it didn't seem to do much if any damage.

Gustav has a ready crossbow, with no aim bonus.  Note that if you want to shoot against either of the people behind the barrier, they are both at a penalty for having partial coverage in addition to range penalties.  I suggest you aim first.


This message was last edited by the GM at 15:07, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Although Magnus had been born and raised in Megalos, his hearth language had been the Northern tongue, and many of the earliest stories told to him had come from that region as his parents were recent immigrants to the southern climes.

One theme that ran strong in these stories, regardless if told by Orcs, Men or his own people, was that of the Berserk.

In the Sagas of the north men the Berserk is not merely a state of mind, it was a type of person, sometimes born of witchcraft, sometimes passed down in the blood. A Berserk had great strength, and oftentimes iron or steel could not bite them, and they did not know pain or fear in that moment. But in those stories they were not often given praise or honor, and often killed men in unfair duels in order to acquire land, gold and women. It was not normally a thing to be aspired to, for such "shape strength" came with a fell reputation.

Who would give their daughter to such a man? Who would want to be his neighbor or trade with him? Who would trust him in the shield wall? And given all that, who would trust a beast given to such fits?

Amid the melee in that tower Magnus felt that visceral pull now, what he had always feared and suspected lingered in his blood, and it frightened him. The feel and sound of bone being crushed, the way his heart hammered fast, hard and free in his chest and the way his muscles strained well past what he had believed his own limits to endure. For just a moment he felt the hackles on his "shoulder hump" rise, and his teeth chattered and the edges of his vision seemed grow more red and to close in upon him. It was not something he had felt before, and like a person struggling to stay awake the more he fought the sensation the more his conscious mind seemed to slip away.

But he resisted, for the moment, the urge surging and receding like a tide...but one that threatened to return all the stronger if he was not wary.

He tried to call out encouragement to his friends as he saw the first living enemies approach the barrier, but it came out unbidden as a guttural bark over the din. He swung hard for the skeleton that knelt before him on his right, then came around in a "figure eight" and used the momentum to strike back handed at the one on his left, teeth barred and spittle dripping from his open lips and bubbling about his broad nose.

Sometimes bedtime stories told of heroes traveling to far off lands and after some struggle they earned fame, respect, riches and naturally the love of their women.  But some stories told of horror.  Dragons, sea monsters, soul sucking demons or the dead rising from their graves to seek vengeance against those who wronged them in life – or in rare stories, commanded by the most evil who have some strange and unnatural allegiance with the undead.  It is these latter stories that Razzel, while realizing in this world he lives in could be true, usually took as symbolism and metaphor.  They were tales crafted by lazy parents to keep their children in line.  Better listen to your maw and paw, do your chores, not talk back and don't betray your kin...or an army of the rotting dead will climb up from six feet under and come get you in your sleep.  Now, not only could Finn say he was witness to the validity of such a tall tale but he was doing so at a relatively young age.  How many more fantastic adventures would he have before he retires in his fourteen room mansion with his secret magical laboratory underneath the grounds?

Now Finn can see people ascending the stairs.  The living, and he is not surprised in the least.  Its precisely what he would do.  Any general worth his salt would send in the inexperienced, undisciplined foot soldiers first to soften up the enemy and then the second wave was meant to crush them.  But just what is this second wave?  Villagers?  Apprentices of the necromancer armed with cantrips or worse?  He wish he knew.  What bothered Finn most was not the cut on his belly or the exhausted state of his beleaguered companions, it was the lack of information.

Years ago Finn was recruited for a simple protection job.  A merchant, we'll call Sembi, wished to sell some illegally obtained jewelry to another merchant who had the connections to distribute.  When Sembi arrived to inspect his impromptu bodyguards one of them complained that another brought no weapons.  He urged Sembi to fire this weaponless man calling him useless, and suggested that he and Finn split the pot two ways instead of three.  The unarmed man called this guards bluff and proceeded to knock him senseless using his hands and feet.  Needless to say the unarmed man and Finn went along and later split the payday two ways.  When the job was nearly over Finn asked him why he didn't bring a weapon on a protection assignment.  The man told Finn that the other merchant had a boss and this boss wouldn't like his sergeant moonlighting, so it was in the merchants best interest to make the deal without any trouble.  The unarmed man said when you bring a loaded crossbow and a two handed bastard sword it makes people itchy for a fight.  The bodyguard told Finn to always do your homework and its a lesson he's never forgot.


OOC:
Continue to attempt to get somethings attention and pull them away from Magnus and Giles.

Gustav saw the two human head appear and bodies come in to sight as they closed in. The bigger man with the spear would be a problem, but the older man behind him awakened a serious concern, whether he was a mage or an experienced teacher mattered not, he could be the real problem not easily solved with swords and muscle.
Gustav carefully braced himself on the table and aimed the crossbow, waiting for a clear shot. Hopefully God would see fit to guide his bolt against these evil men who perverted the dead. He tried to limit is breathing and held his breath whenever a potential shot appeared, but he was picky and waited for the shot, aiming at his vitals, he finally saw a clear shot, held his breath, aimed and fired.

 It felt like minutes, but had actually only been a couple of seconds in the flurry of the fight.  He promptly looked for another quarrel. If there isn’t one in reach, he’ll get out his throwing daggers.

In reply to Gustav Du Meseries (msg # 361):


Rondald was focused on the deadly dance. There was no time to think: instinct took over. This is a dance well practices, combining dodging blows and blocking them. Sure, the shield was not so familiar, but the attacks were. He ducked and weaved, blocking some blows and dodging others, but careful not to give ground to allow more abominations up.

Slam!

Magnus's mace tears through the kneeling skeleton, sending fragments of bone scattering off the floor like so many dice in a game of chance, clattering against the steel of the departed golems, shards even clinking up against Rondald's own armor...

Magnus fights like a demon possessed, his mace swinging with the force of a siege engine, smashing up against the shoulder of his next foe, which stumbles forward, his sword slashing towards Finn, though luckily the blade is spoiled enough that it barely scratches the leather of his armor as he dance backwards from the blow.  The skeleton however fares much worse, stumbling down to the ground, prone, its sword clattering outward from its grasp.  It takes barely another moment before Magnus's tool comes down again right on the thing's spinal column, smashing pieces in all directions as the whole rib cage collapses under the weight of the blow.

Finn too ducks away from his enemy, cutting in with his knife when he has a shot available, though his small knife seems to do little damage to the stiff bone of his attackers.  As his closest foe makes his way to his feet, Finn finds himself retreating backwards, the sword blows coming ever closer...

Giles roars with effort, his sword crashing across the one-armed fiend that has him by the chain links even in their tight confines, severing the thing in half just above the hip bone!  The bones clatter to the floor, no longer enchanted and now littering the stones with so many others in the confines of the small room.  But his effort is not without its negatives.  The second skeleton just over the wall swings its sword from an unexpected angle, cutting deeply into the skin at Giles's side and sending him reeling backwards...

On and on the fray continues, Rondald slapping away blows with his shield from the last of the skeletons over the wall, hoping to keep the thing occupied for long enough that the others can come to his rescue.

"[Language unknown: Ver and!]"  The elder man behind the wall screams, his eyes bulging with rage for those that have a moment to look.  The younger man vaults the waist high barrier, using a single hand to steady himself before regripping his spear with both hands, his eyes set upon Magnus, the massive ripples of his chest and arms coiled for a strike...

All this, Gustav has looked upon, the crossbow pressed against his face as he aims against the elder of the men, patient for an opening between Rondald and Magnus and when the latter swings his mace to the left, the opportunity presents itself.  Gustav fires the bolt clean with a Twang!, the crossbow jumping powerfully against his shoulder as the bolt flies true, straight towards the elder man's vitals... but at the last minute, the path veers juking off to the left and shattering against the side wall of the stairs.

"You all die now!"  The elder man shouts again, though this time in Anglish, his hands twitching rapidly in movement as he hunches down in place, most of his body protected by the high wall of golems.

OOC:  Nice three rounds.  Two more skelies down with minimal impacts on the crew.  1 is previously injured, but still attacking.  2 is dead, sorry I missed this when I made the map.  4 is uninjured and 6 is uninjured.  The younger man is massive.  Likely heavier and bulkier than either Rondald or Magnus.  Though he doesn't really have any armor to speak of and is equipped with simple clothing.  The older man is staying behind the golem wall for the moment.  Gustav, really nice shot on the crossbow, sorry it didn't end up killing the guy.  You haven't started looking around for another bolt yet, so if you want to continue that line of action, go ahead an post it again.  Judoc has another grapefruit sized fireball in his hands, making some sort of aim towards the center of the room.

Everyone except for Gustav and Judoc, roll vs. HT-4 (fit adds +2, very fit adds +4) or lose 1 FP from the exertion of the battle.  Lets do another 3 rounds.


This message was last edited by the GM at 06:31, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Magnus was not so far gone as to ignore the threat that the imposing young spearman represented. Through the haze of adrenaline, exhaustion and sensory overload he still recognized that a single thrust of that weapon, with a broad back behind it, could be his end.

He seemed to remember somebody he had known saying something about Spears at one time, that they had probably killed more people than all the other weapons in the world combined, and Magnus figured that was probably true.

He knew that he was probably going to get stuck coming in, there was no way around it, but it had to be done...his only chance, or so he believed, would be to get in close and overwhelm the enemy before he could bring his superior reach to bear.

With a last steadying breath, he closed the gap with his shield high and swung for the foremost arm outstretched on the haft of the spear.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:13, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Time was of the essence, He pulled a dagger and at the first opportunity threw it at this new large spearman, aiming for his vitals ...
he quickly decided that this wasn't likely to be of much use and looked for a cross bow bolt.