How long has it been? Ten days? Two weeks? It's been hard to tell when confined to the tiny 8'x8' cell for so long with "meals", such as they are, only coming at irregular intervals. Originally there were five prisoners jammed into the tiny space, but the other four were taken away within a few days, never to be seen again. Five(?) days ago two badly beaten human merchants were tossed in to keep you company, and just yesterday another man who claims he was a mercenary just passing the area joined you. You're not so sure of his story though as the guards (an ogre and a bugbear) have used his name, "Rolf", on several occasions as if they knew him.

On the odd occasions when the door has been opened and food or new prisoners thrown in, you've seen part of the layout of the guard room. An oversized table and two matching chairs stand in the northeast, along the diagonal wall. A cask and several leather jacks are on the table, amongst small hunks of cheese and dried meat; some food scraps have fallen to the floor. Nearby is a barrel and a huge pot. Brackets and torches line the walls, but only 3 contain torches, none lit. Two bronze-bound oaken doors, one of them yours, each with a heavy bar, padlock, and small barred port, mark the cells, but you suspect there's at least one more cell out of your line of vision based on voices and moans you've heard. (see game map)

You and the other three men don't know much of the layout beyond the guard room - all were brought in either blindfolded or unconscious, stripped of everything beyond the few rags you still wear.

Time drags slowly along in the tiny space. And then there's the sound of a door opening which usually telegraphs the arrival of the slop the gaolers call food, or a new prisoner.

"Watch this one," a human voice you haven't heard before drifts in from the guard room.
"He's some sort of noble, or something. He's important no matter what."
Feet walk away and a door closes.

"Armour off. This time it's the ogre talking.
"Put there." A rattle of metal, probably chain mail, then a thud as it's dropped to the floor.
Keys rattle and are slotted into the keyhole of your door, the port is flung open.
"Ever'one ta tha back."
Without arms or armour it would be suicide to disobey. Satisfied his command has been followed, the ogre opens the door and his bugbear assistant thrust the newcomer inside. The door is almost slammed on his heels...

Before you stands a handsome man with golden hair, clad only in his underclothes. Even so he bears himself with dignity as he waits for his eyes to adjust to the gloom.

Amathaon had been there for a while. Seems they didn't like thieves. Looking at the newcomer, he said, "Look boys we have a new friend. My name is Amathaon Chalkbreaker and you are?"

"I am Thromel, a hostage of sorts, held to ensure the good behaviour of those I was with."
"I presume you are, like myself, all "guests" of the fire temple?"
With a small grimace of distaste at the state of the accommodations, he seated himself amongst you.

"Yeah, that bloody Alremm's got us locked up 'ere. Probably gonna throw us in one of 'is fire pits as a sacrifice or sumthing."

Amathaon nodded and replied, "So Thromel, you say that you were with others. What are these others doing, while you're a guest? I do hate to be nosy, but we get so little news here. You understand." He chuckled at the guest part. Amathaon said, "Well, I don't know if we're guests like you are. As for myself, it seems they don't care for a humble thief."

"Errands for Alremm I believe. Convince a troll chief to join the fire temple, and pressure one of the other temples to make alliance also."
"We don't really know much of current affairs here either as I've apparently been in a magical sleep for years, and they were teleported in from somewhere. Not even the dwarven cleric they've got with them knew how deep we are."

Amathaon perked up when he heard about the dwarven cleric. He said, "Dwarven cleric you say. What's his name? Do you know whereabouts he's from?"

"Arek I believe, but I don't know where he's from. Somewhere to the south I think."
"He's a priest of the dwarven war god, and quiet old. Very wise though."

Hours passed as you got to know each other. Some tried to sleep, others chatted, but all were uncomfortable crammed as you were in the small cell.
Some time later a rattle of keys and squeal of unoiled hinges indicated one of the other cell doors was opened.
"No, NOOOOO! I don't want to DIE!" a woman's voice screamed in terror as they seemed to be dragged from their cell.

Amathaon looked sad. He said, "Well another guest leaves us. I'd look out to see who it is, but I'm rather too short, to look out the window. What shall we do Thrommel? Wait for your friends?"

"Unless the fire temple and it's agents goes back on their word not to hurt either them or myself by action or inaction, I'm afraid I'm honour bound to remain here."

Amathaon thought, wonderful an honor bound paladin. As soon as the guards get far enough away, he would check out the door. Amathaon wanted to test its strength and perhaps how thick it was.

From his days in the cell, Amathaon already knew the door was solid enough to hold an ogre - brute force was not the answer.
Trickery of some sort however....
He also knew that at least one or the other of the two guards (ogre and bugbear) was always in the next room, although not always awake and alert.

Amathaon said, "Thromel, we need to get out of here before they sacrifice us or something. How about you rush the guard the next time he opens the door?"

"I cannot break my oath," he said simply, unconvinced.
"But rest assured that should they violate the bargain, I will not hesitate."

Amathaon uttered a few choice dwarven curse words under his breath, along the lines of stupid paladin. Amathaon reached through the food hatch and will attempt to pick the lock. He had no idea where Thrommel's friends were or if they'd be coming to rescue him anytime soon. So, he determined to give picking the lock his best shot.

Picking his time, and getting a bit of help to lift him high enough, Amathaon poked his arm between the bars in the small observation port and fumbled around for the lock.
Something thumped heavily against the door, thrown from somewhere just out of view.
[Language unknown: "Ontr reear o hoenc!"]

"Don't think they liked that," Rolf commented helpfully.
"Anyone understand what they said?"

Amathaon took his hand back. He replied, "He said for me to get my hand out of that. Obviously, they are watching the door closely. Put me down for now. Looks like we'll have to come up with another plan, since his highness would rather sit on his duff and wait for his friends than help us escape."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Fri 09 May 2014.

"As I said, I cannot do anything unless they break their word first. Once that occurs however...."
From his tone it seemed as if the prince had little doubt it was only a matter of time before somebody out there did something really stupid.

Only minutes later and the procedure which resulted in Thrommel's arrival is repeated, but this time the newcomer is tossed in semi-conscious.

Rolf caught the man and lowered him to the floor.
"Not a mark on him. Some sort of sleeping poison I'd say, seems to be wearing off now though."

Luthien wakes up...he hadn't even completed training yet, really, and here he was in some sort of prison. No place for a 16 year old, really.

"...How'd I get here? I had a bit of a nightmare last night, but...I'm Luthien. Who are all of you?"

He can tell the prince is a Paladin, being in training to become exactly one of those himself. But he hasn't made it yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Mon 12 May 2014.

Amathaon looked at the lad and said, "I am Amathaon Chalkbreaker. I'd say you ran afoul of someone and they had you dumped here. What's the last thing you remember lad, were you in a tavern or something?"

Luthien nodded.

"A tavern in Nulb, yes. I...do not have the slightest idea why I am here or why they would want me."

Something in the back of his mind suggested 'sacrifice to the dark gods', but...he could be wrong.

Amathaon nodded and replied, "That is odd lad. They probably slipped you something in your ale or food."

Lutbien nodded. "Sounds about right. But again, why me? I'm merely a horseman. I'm not anybody of any great importance."

"Why were yer in Nulb in the first place? Maybe that has somethin' to do with it?"

Luthien, conscious of duty, "I was supposed to deliver a message to Rufus in Hommlet. I didn't think it was that important."

Amathaon replied, "What was the message you were supposed to deliver? Maybe it was important to more than just Rufus."

Luthien shook his head.

"I have no idea. Sealed envelope, I wasn't supposed to open it. You know how it is for messages."

Amathaon nodded and sat down. He said, "Lad, did you notice anything about the area outside this cell? Like how many guards, what sort of weapons they have?" He wanted to get a clearer picture of what was immediately outside the cell. Not that it mattered, without the princes help, there wasn't a lot they could do.

Luthien again wasn't much help.

"Afraid not. I was still to groggy from the poison to see much."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:00, Wed 14 May 2014.

"I think I can help you a little without breaking my oath."
Pushing aside some of the filthy straw, the prince began to draw on the floor. Ten minutes or so later and he had...


"We are here where the (red) X is."
"The fire temple controls the area to our south, and there's stairs down to a lower level near us. I don't know where there are any passable stairs up."
"The fire temples strength is nearly destroyed as far as I can tell, only two of their priests and a pair of bugbears remain from what I saw, the bulk of their forces in the form of a pair of werewolves, a few humans, some ogres and more bugbears already slain by the group I was rescued by."
"From what I overheard while being brought here, the two gaolers aren't actually affiliated with any of the temples, but act to hold prisoners for all of them."

Luthien thought about that.

"What was your oath, exactly?"

He's too new to know any of this stuff. Still, looking at the map did cause some ideas to pop to mind. All he had to do was get hold of a weapon. Preferably a longsword.

Amathaon looked at the map and said, "Any idea where that stair case going downstairs leads? I mean what's on the lower level? If we get out of here, I hope I can find my falchion or some good weapons."

Luthien thinks. "I'd settle for the quickest way out. Though getting our equipment back WOULD be ideal."

More activity is heard in the guardroom, and once more the order to move away from the door is given as yet another prisoner is tossed, blindfolded and bound into the 8'x8 space.
It's starting to get very cosy in there now. Good thing this prisoner is a halfling.

"Hello," Prince Thrommel greeted the latest arrival as the door slammed shut behind him.
"Welcome to our "home" for the moment. This is Amathaon, Rolf, Luthien, and the merchants, Bill and Bob. I am Prince Avras Thrommel, Grand Marshall of Furyondy, Provost of Veluna, Knight of the Hart, and Paladin Lord of Trithereon."
"And you are?"

For a moment, Luthien considered pushing on the door. Even for one so young, he was strong. But...even if he forced the door open, he'd be unarmed facing armed guards. There was no wisdom in that.

"...Welcome to prison. I'm recently arrived too. Your highness, you've yet to explain exactly what oath you swore. We'll have to know what you can and can't do before we attempt to leave."

Amathaon stepped back and looked at the new prisoner. He said, "Haldan, is that you?" He went to remove the new prisoners blindfold.

"HEY!" Rolf yelled through the small observation port.
"DON'T YOU HAVE OTHER CELLS!?"

"I am here by choice you could say. The group I was with recently entered into a difficult battle with the fire temple, led by Alrrem. Things did not go well for us, despite many of the enemy falling before us. One of our number, a ranger by the name of Ronalt was felled by their priests magic and taken prisoner. Alrrem signalled he wished to parlay - several spells of silence were upon the field of battle at that time - indicating that if we continued to struggle, Ronalt would be slain on the spot."

"His offer was that in exchange for "persuading" Romag and the earth temple to ally with them, and "convincing" Belsornig, the priest of the water temple to step aside, they would help us to leave this underground maze safely."

"In order to free Ronalt from their grasp I was to take his place as hostage, ensuring the good behaviour of all of them. I gave my word that if Alrrem and his followers kept up their end of the bargain, I would not resist. So far I have seen no indication of betrayal, and so I must stay here and wait."

"I chose to swap places with Ronalt because if trouble does occur, I am best able to survive it."
This message was last updated by the player at 07:54, Sat 17 May 2014.

Luthien shook his head.

"Calm down. If they're unwise enough to put this many prisoners in one cell, we'd be more unwise still to not take advantage of it. The prince made a map for us."

He thought they should move to get out of here, and soon!

Turning back to the prince.

"You might not be allowed to leave, your highness...but how much can you do to help us escape? Do you need to stay within this cell, or just within this temple? Because you could escort us outside if it's the latter."

He would never think of asking him to break his oaths, considering he wished to take such oaths himself someday, but he did want to know the limits of what he considered 'acceptable helping the rest of us get out of here.'

"Well, maybe not. If you promised not to resist, that means you can't fight the guards if they come, doesn't it? Hmmm. What if we do the fighting? Are you allowed to heal us as best as you are able?"

Pausing, "Because I bet if Rolf and I put our backs into it, we'll prove sturdier then the door's lock."

The small form squirms and struggles, then freezes at the dwarf's question. The blindfold comes off, and the small, dirty halfling's eyes light on Amathaon, then quickly scan the cell's other occupants.

He spits a little blood, then says, “Yeah, it's me. Can y'untie me?”

Amathaon nodded and went to untie his halfling friend. He said, "Good to see you old friend. Wish it was under better circumstances. Thought for sure that you'd get away."

Hap rubs his arms ruefully, trying to return circulation. "Well, we all have to sleep sometime." With a hard look in his eye, he adds, "Their mistake was in letting me wake again."

He looks up at the others with some caution. "Call me Hap." Looking back to his friend, he asks Amathaon in a voice that is quiet, but easy enough for the others to hear, "Are we gonna have problems with this lot?"

Amathaon replied, "Naw, just with the prince over there. One of those honor bound paladins don't ya know. Any idea who those strangers were that nabbed us?"

Hap takes another look at the “prince,” then focuses his attention back on his dwarven friend. “They seemed to be taking orders from a priest of some kind, I think,” he says after some consideration. “Don't see why they'd come looking specifically for us, if they just wanted sacrifices. I mean, I don't think I've done anything to offend any temples.” He looks up at Amathaon from under his brows. “You?”

Amathaon replied, "I don't know either. Our guards are an ogre and a bugbear, that much is certain. Though why they'd be after us specifically is anybodys guess. Under a priest you say?" Looking at the prince he said, "Hey your majesty. Didn't you say something about a fire priest or some such at a fire temple?"

Hap automatically corrects his friend. "'Majesty' is a king. 'Highness' is a prince. 'Royal Highness' if he's a crown prince." Then the halfling grins. "Wotcha, Prince."

Amathaon shrugged his shoulders and said, "Majesty ,Highness whatever I don't much care."

Luthien pointed out, "Escape first, quibble later. Cell's a little too small for all of us, if you noticed."

Amathaon nodded and said, "That's true. Anyone with an idea on how we can escape?"

"I'll assume you've thoroughly inspected the interior of the cell," says Haldan. "Anything big enough for me to try squeezing through? Any other points of egress besides the front door?"

Haldan, stretching his legs, walks about inspecting the interior, including the floor and ceiling. He spends a good deal of time on the door itself, looking for any signs of weakness.

Shrugging, he concludes, "I suggest we jump the guards next time they open the door. Amathaon and I from either side of the door. The rest of you force your ways out. You with me?"

Luthien says, "That's one ides. Another idea is what I've already proposed...that we who are strong simply break the door down. If the door's broken, after all, even if we fail to escape, they'd have to move us."

"I think we'd need some type of pry-bar to attempt that, but by all means, if you'd like. I'd lend a shoulder. Then, if they open it to interrupt us, Amathaon and I jump 'em from behind anyway, just as I said." He crosses his arms, looking confident.

"Let's bust outta this joint."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Mon 19 May 2014.

(OOC:Alright, GM, how many of us can throw our shoulders at the door at once? I'd hope at LEAST me and Rolf, plus whoever else can fit.)

Amathaon nodded and replied, "Aye I'm with ya Hap. I'm getting tired of the cuisine around here anyway. Can't wait to jump on one of those bastards and give them what for."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Mon 19 May 2014.

In reply to Luthien (msg # 60):

OOC: Two, but not that it's likely to do you much good while it's still locked - the cell is built to hold the occasional ogre or troll....
If it were unlocked and weight thrown against it, a big heavy door like that could just do a little damage to the guards nose should they so happen to be standing behind it at the time. ;)

Luthien, after s little experimentation, discovers the door can actually withstand the combined strength of himself and Rolf.

"Looks like we've gotta wait for the guard."

At least they got some practice ramming the door. He'll ram the part closest to the hinge, and let Rolf take the part furthest from the hinge. The rest of the team can burst out of the gap created.

(OOC:Bring on the guard then! Preferably one inept guard.)

Hap looks up at the height of the ceiling. He's thinking about climbing the wall up above the door, so he can drop down on whoever comes in to investigate. Then, a quick lockpick jabbed into an eye or ear ought to even things up! Or, his belt as a garrote!

OOC; Is there room up there for a 2'10" hobbit? One of the big boys can boost me, and be ready to catch me if I fall.

In reply to Haldan Tanner (msg # 64):

Why yes, yes there is. Not sure if a halfling belt will go around an ogres throat though. :/

"Right," says the halfling, "Somebody give me their belt. Somebody bigger'n me."

Then he gestures to the space above the door. "You tall folk boost me up there, above the door. Luthien, you and Rolf bang on the door like yer tryin' to bust it down, talk loud about the hinges bein' just about t'give. When the guards pop over to quiet us down, try one of two things. If y'can slam the door into them as they unlock it, great! If not, then draw the first one in a bit. Maybe taunt him. Enough for me to drop on his head, and Amathaon to attack him from behind. Then ever'body rush the door. We're halfway to bein' in charge, if we're not trapped in here."

"Fer tactics, I say we overbear the bigguns. It's gonna take maybe four of ya to do it. Then ya disarm 'em and put paid to anyone stands in our way."

He looks over his fellow prisoners. "Anybody got anythin' to add?"

Amathaon gave a grin. He always did like Hap's plans, they usually worked out.

Luthien considered that, and...

"Perhaps it is more prudent to wait till they come to check on us on their own. It would be beyond foolish of them to open this door for any other reason then feeding. Presumably they must at least keep his Highness alive. A little patience makes the enemy less suspicious, and easier to surprise."

"I can't live up above the door, you know. If we wait 'til they're coming in for their own reasons, they'll be slow and cautious-like, in their routine, and less likely to make mistakes. But if we give 'em cause to panic and rush in, then I can drop on one from above while Amathaon attacks him from behind - and believe me, he's good at that."

The halfling shrugs. "But you've been doing fine so far all on your own, 'til I got here. No need to listen to me. Just keep on doing what you've been doing. I'm sure it'll all work out for ya someday."

Luthien shrugged.

"I've been here less then 20 or 30 minutes myself, so I don't know yet what works and what does not. Your highness, what would you suggest?"

If all else fails, ask the prince, who is in authority here.

The prince was about to speak when movement was heard in the guardroom on the other side of the cell door. Based on previous instances, the door could be expected to be opened in about a minute...

Luthien changed his mind.

"Never mind. Take positions, including you, Haldan. We'll surprise them."

He goes by the inside of the door, has Rolf take the outside, where he'll be closest to the action when the door opens. Luthien is humble enough to realize that, as a relatively newbie to the world of battle and even life in general, he should not necessarily be in front...yet.

Hap eagerly proceeds with his part of the plan!

"I want that dwarf and the knight!" a human voice demanded in the guard room.
"If they won't keep their bargain, then Imix gets a sacrifice!"

Amathaon got into position as well. He wouldn't let whoever was on the others side of the door sacrifice him, or anyone else for that matter. Amathaon really wished he had his sword.

Luthien tensed his muscles. As soon as some idiot or other actually came over here to get his sacrifices, somebody was going to PAY...

For he'd not allow anyone to sacrifice his highness, who represented personally what he planned to be someday. Nor would he let anything happen to the dwarf either.

"Come and get it..."

They'd learn their folly for keeping all their prisoners in one place.

The prince shouldered his way to the forefront, held his right hand out and said quietly "Fragarach!"
An eye blink later and he was armed with a broadsword and taking up a fighting stance.

Luthien blinked.

"Your Highness, you gotta teach me how to do that someday."

Oh well, he'd have to make do without for now.

Amathaon was surprised at seeing the sword. He thought, fool paladin, he should have used that sword sooner.

A rattling of keys and the door swung open to reveal the guard room. An outsided table and two matching chairs stand in the northeast, along the diagonal wall. A cask and several leather jacks are on the table, amongst small hunks of cheese and dried meat; some food scraps have fallen to the floor. Nearby is a barrel and a huge pot. Brackets and torches line the walls, but only 3 contain torches. A great pile of hides and skins is in the southeast corner — a bed of sorts.

The ogre, who is unarmoured but bearing a large club, holds the door. Behind is the bugbear (chain shirt, footmans flail & short sword "dagger" on his belt). To the right is a young looking human in chain mail, shield and armed with a hammer, and another bugbear carrying a spear and morning star, and wearing a short cape of crimson cloth.

Roll 1D10 for initiative (see house rules thread) and state your intended actions for the round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:53, Fri 23 May 2014.

Rolled an unmodified 3 for my initiative.

As stated, Hap will drop down on the guard's head and shoulders. If lacking an appropriate belt, he will hold onto the thing's head/neck/shoulders while attempting to 'put an eye out' with an expendable lockpick!

Should that seem impossible (ogre wearing steampunk goggles, for instance), he'll try and bite off an ear!

By the way: Sheesh! That's a lot of armed opposition out there! I had hoped we'd only have two guards to deal with...

09:28, Today: Luthien rolled 10 using 1d10. Init.

Luthien will grab the ogre's leg and attempt to trip him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:17, Fri 23 May 2014.

21:22, Fri 23 May 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 5 using 1d10 ((5)). initiative roll.

 Amathaon will attack from behind, whoever Hap drops on, I assume the first bugbear.

"Oh look! They want to resist!" the presumed cleric taunted before launching into a spell.

Rolf was ready, prepared to back up wherever needed and bring an enemy to the ground.

The prince moves first, stepping up between the ogre and spear wielding bugbear to the right. Instead of attacking however he takes a defensive posture with his weapon and waits for the opponents to make a move.
Rolf is hot on the princes heels, squeezes around the corner and dives at the bugbear. Tackling them square on, Rolf drives the air out of their lungs and brings them crashing to the ground.

OOC: I'm going to hold the action here for a moment (very early in the round) to allow you the chance to alter your actions in response to the prince and Rolf. Dropping on the enemy from above, or an attack to their rear isn't much of an option any more. Also, if Luthien proceeds with his assault on the ogre, even if he succeeds he's like to get swatted by the bugbear behind.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Tue 27 May 2014.

(OOC:In that case, can I tackle the cleric instead, seeing as the prince and Rolf have that bugbear well in hand?)

Luthien switches targets to the cleric, and pounces on him in a vicious grapple! The cleric is the one enemy here he may now for a fact is weaker then himself, physically at least.

OOC: Could be problematic given the 7 foot tall bugbear and Rolf rolling about on the floor between the cleric and you.
Note I've tried to keep the images in the combat map roughly to scale at least in regards to how much space each participant takes up.

(OOC: Shouldn't take that long to go around him (and if I do go around, I go around south of him and hit the cleric from the south). I never said I was charging. And I have a super slow init anyway, so his initial spell will probably go off before I can tackle him anyway. Also, I'm unarmored and strong, and I've got good dex to boot. Can't I just jump over the guys rassling on the ground?)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:21, Sat 24 May 2014.

If there's no one to drop on, then try and snatch a weapon from monster Luthien wrestles with. Unless he can snatch a lit torch or lamp. Need a weapon!

In reply to Luthien (msg # 89):

You have actually looked at the map right and seen an ogre to the north, and wall on the other side?
As I said, it's very close to scale - each square represents one (1) foot.

(OOC:You have advised against tackling the ogre, you've advised against going after the cleric. All that's left is hold action and do nothing. So be it then.)

Sorry, it's not all that clear actually, and I posted from my phone in any case.

The opposition are all too big for 2'10" Hap to wrestle, and you said that no one was there to drop on. I have no weapon. My only chance to get something to fight with, that I see, are the torches (good weapon) or take something off a wrestling foe. Upon re-reading on my laptop, I see that now only Rolf is wresting, and if he could get to that target, then so should I be able to. So, I'll try and pluck something from his opponent.

Failing all that, pick up a rock or bone or crust of bread from the floor and whip it at the cleric, anything to disrupt his spell.

Anything is possible, just bear in mind the likely consequences of the actions and how it could effect life expectancy of the character. I'd rather not have anyone actually die just yet. ;)
If somebody was to back up Luthien's attempt to tackle the ogre (for example) he'd have a chance to live through the next thirty seconds. Left by himself to hold the ogre (somehow) without anyone running interference with the other bugbear would leave him badly exposed and almost certainly end with him as a casualty.

If Luthien decides to go for someone, Haldan can try the old "I'll get behind him on the ground, you knock him backwards so he trips on me" Cunning Plan.

But I don't know what Luthien wants to do. Hap will snarl the suggestion up at him, and if he wants to go for it, he can pick the target.

Amathaon will assist Luthien by going low, perhaps with help from Hap. Would that work?

(OOC:The problem, Mr. Halfling, is that Luthien has a whopping 6 HPs. Do you know how much damage ogres and bugbears do? Bugbear does 2d4. Ogre does 1d10, 2d6, or 2d6+2 depending on if it's normal, leader, or chieftan. Most of you guys, with 13,000 xp, are level 4 or 5. I'm level 0. So...the reality of the situation is, you guys should be trying to protect me instead of risking me. The only reason Luthien even considers attacking all is that Cavaliers/Paladins are suicidally brave like that.

Never, ever forget my HP is essentially that of a level 1 wizard right now.

If most of you are good aligned, you should actually be thinking 'keep that idiot kid out of harm's way' rather then 'how can he help us win this battle?' He is obviously WAY too green, not even out of training yet, to be fighting at your side as a competent companion at this time.)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Sun 25 May 2014.

The "priest" commences casting, a thin piece of metal in his hand.

With style and panache, Haldan drops down, rolls, and reaches for the downed bugbears weapons, tossing back towards the door the 8 foot long spear and morning star. Both weapons were a little large for the diminutive halfling, but at least he could supply others while simultaneously disarming the downed opponent.

Snatching up the morning star, Amathaon swung wildly with the unfamiliar weapon, narrowly missing the somewhat startled ogre. The ogre in turn swipes back at the dwarf, missing by a mile.

The "priest" completes his spell and tosses the pin at the Prince, then curses as it bounces off without apparent effect.

Luthien, seeing the spear at his feet, snatches it up and thrusts past Amathaon at the ogre. He's somewhat less than successful however with his attack, the spear thrust going wide.

The bugbear Rolf tackled struggles to catch their breath and break free of the mercenary's hold, but somehow Rolf held on and kept the larger opponent on the ground!

The second bugbear squeezed past the ogre and assaulted the prince with his flail. The prince caught the flail with his sword, but the flexible weapon still swung around and hit the prince heavily. An instant later and the prince skewered his attacker on his blade, inflicting a grevious but not fatal injury.

New round. New initiative rolls and state your intended actions.
I took a few liberties but hopefully nothing too dissimilar to what you might have chosen as the situation evolved.

Rolled an unmodified "1" for initiative.

Haldan, hoping his efforts have proved worthwhile, looks for his next opportunity. If the new-fallen bugbear has a weapon the little hobbit can use (not the morningstar!) he'll take it. If the only other weapon is a lit torch, he'll fetch that. If nothing else, he needs something to throw at the priest when he gets into casting his next spell: a chair, a mug, a rock, if nothing else something he's still got on his person!

23:42, Tue 27 May 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 4 using 1d10 ((4)).
3:27, Wed 28 May 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 20 using 1d20+3 ((17)). attack roll.


 Amathaon will take the morning star and will attempt to hit the ogre.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:28, Wed 28 May 2014.

22:41, Today: Luthien rolled 5 using 1d10. Init!

Part of him was bothered by using such a low class weapon as a spear. Still, if the Prince took him to task, well, he was still in training, and not officially Knighted yet. He couldn't technically break vows he had yet to officially take. Still, he wanted to live by the spirit of the rules as much as possible, and if a better weapon dropped, he'd take it instead.

In the meantime, he attempts to help the wrestling bugbear to a new hole in its back, as it wrestles around on the ground. He still wanted to stab that cleric, but he'd need to get closer, and throwing the spear seemed unwise.

Haldan, having kept his head down and looked around, decides to try and snatch the short sword off the bugbear fighting the prince. He moves carefully, looking for his opportunity, hoping for a clear shot from behind the thing.

While maneuvering, he remains cognizant of his surroundings with an eye towards potential foes and useful appurtenances.

Haldan moves swiftly and with great skill, surreptitiously slipping the short sword "dagger" from the belt of the bugbear attacking the prince. Finding himself beyond the front line however probably wasn't part of his master plan...

The priest yelled forcefully at the prince "FLEE!"
He was left red faced and fuming as yet another spell failed to effect the intended target.

The ogre takes a swipe at Amathaon with his club, bent on turning the dwarf into a red stain on the stone floor. Amathaon however is a slippery target, tumbling between the ogres legs and swinging the unfamiliar morning star awkwardly into the back of their knee - it wasn't pretty, but it was an injury.

Luthien switched targets from the huge ogre to the bugbear struggling with Rolf - a much more difficult task indeed, at least if he was to take care not to hit Rolf in the process! Perhaps it was this care which resulted in the spear point missing.

The princes bugbear opponent struck out again, seemingly having missed the disappearance of their "dagger" into Haldans hands. Again the prince was on the defensive, but again the flail wrapped around the sword and hit the prince heavily with a sickening thud.

The prince however took the hit in his stride, immediately and unerringly retaliating with a blow that almost felled the bugbear.


New round. Rolf is still wrestling one bugbear (fire temple) and keeping them out of the fight. The ogre has taken a small wound, and the other bugbear (guard) is very badly injured. Of the PCs, only Thrommel has taken any hits, but he's still got plenty of fight left in him.

10:01, Today: Luthien rolled 1 using 1d10. Init.

This low class, peasant weapon was not serving Luthien well. Or perhaps his inexperience was not serving him well. Either way, he had a clear shot at the ogre now, and took it, since there was now nobody in the way. Perhaps he'd even drop it outright.

Haldan is quite pleased with his acquisition. Trying to stay out of harm's reach for a moment, he contemplates whether he has a potential backstab available to him.

Failing that, he considers attacking the young cleric in melee...

18:12, Fri 30 May 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 7 using 1d10 ((7)). initiative

  Amathaon wished he was more familiar with te morning star. He will swing at the ogres knee once more. He was determined to bring the big thing, down to his size.

8:14, Fri 30 May 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 7 using 1d20 ((7)). attack roll.

The priest begins casting, calling upon the power of Imix. Then the ogre swings at the prince, ignoring the annoying dwarven bug nipping at his heels. Amathaon's actions however seem to have had an effect as the huge club misses.

Once again ignoring Haldan, the badly wounded bugbear lashes out at the prince once more, encouraged by his previous two successful hits. Once again he hits and inflicts injury on the prince.

Almost simultaneously Luthien thrusts at the ogre skewering his target with the unfamiliar weapon.

The priest completes his spell and reaches for Haldan. The nimble halfling avoids his touch however and retaliates with the short sword. Unfortunately his efforts to avoid being touched put off his aim...

Amathaon then swings again (and misses) with the morning star at the rear of the ogre.

Finally the prince strikes, once, twice. First the ogre is struck, then the wounded bugbear. Both go down heavily and cease moving.

New round (and initiative). Ogre and Bugbear are toast, Rolf is still successfully wrestling the other bugbear. The priest is the only opponent still on their feet, and they're starting to look rather concerned as of the last few moments of that round (he's also probably regretting closing the door at his back earlier).
Note that Haldan, Rolf and the surviving bugbear are in the way of anyone else easily reaching the cleric.

"2 down, 2 to go. Don't let that cleric escape, Haldan, he'll see his end this day!"

For his part, he used the fact this peasant weapon had reach...and the fact halflings were so small, to run behind the Halfling and try to stab the cleric over his head! Friendly fire was easy to avoid when one's ally was so short, and one's opponent was...not so short.




12:36, Today: Luthien rolled 9 using 1d10. Init.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sat 31 May 2014.

Showing his teeth in a nasty grin, Haldan growled at the cleric, "You could always surrender! We could lock you in a cell for your friends to find. Or you could just die!"

He jabs a bit with the short sword, and with a maniacal gleam in his eye, adds, "Go ahead -- you choose. Or I'll choose for you!"

OOC: Rolled a 9 for Initiative. Stay in melee.

I rolled a 5 for initiative.

Realizing he was getting no where with the morning star, Amathaon laid it aside. He thought he might take it with him, if they ever got out of here. He stepped over the dead ogre and bugbears legs to get to Rolf. He decided to help hold the thing down by grabbing its legs.

The priest, seeing the tables turned in an instant, held up his shield, stepped back to the door and flung it open. "Get in here!" he cried urgently.

The prince leapt over Rolf and the bugbear, chasing after the priest.

Amathaon tossed aside the morning star and dived onto the struggling bugbear to assist Rolf.

Haldan wasted time calling for the priests surrender (slow initiative) before chasing after the withdrawing man, short sword leading. His attack struck home, but only inflicted a minimal wound.

Luthien stepped around Rolf and Amathaon and over the other bugbear, following on behind Haldan. Reaching over the top of the diminutive halfling, he thrust with the spear. His attack was good, but not good enough, the spear point sliding off their shield with no effect.

Through the door came a badly wounded man in plate mail and shield, a hammer at his belt, and a equally injured bugbear, this one unarmed. The man ignores his weapon and attacks the prince with his fist, inflicting a minor injury, while the bugbear strikes at Haldan his his clawed hands, but misses.

The prince slashes at the priest and inflicts a nasty wound, then, almost as an afterthought, cuts down the heavily armoured man.

New round, new initiative.

Don't forget that there are modifiers to the initiative roll such as weapon speed factor, or spell casting time. Also movement adds to final initiative - every 1/10th of a characters "Move" adds one to the final initiative score (eg Amathaon has a Move of 6" or 60 feet per round. For each 6 feet of movement, he adds 1 to his initiative roll, plus weapon speed factor, plus any other modifiers that may be applicable).

Haldan, pleased that he nicked the cleric, is not about to quit now! He keeps the young human engaged in melee, and works to take the man's life! Should the man turn and run, the halfling is poised to take full advantage with a stab from behind!

Init roll = 4, +3 SF short sword. Total 7.

11:14, Today: Luthien rolled 4 using 1d10. Init.

Undaunted, Luthien kept stabbing. There were only so many times a shield could be used at once, especially since he was on the cleric's weaponhand side.

With that thought in mind, he continued stabbing the cleric with that spear. What else was he to do? The only way he'd get better is if he could trade this silly peasant weapon for a proper longsword.

"If only I had a sword. Well, have at you!"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:10, Mon 02 June 2014.

9:15, Sun 01 June 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 6 using 1d10 ((6)). initiative

  Amathaon looked around for anything to finish the bugbear off with. He said, "Come on Rolf, there has to be a way to finish this fellow off. We have to help our friends."

The priest begins casting once more after plucking a small silver mirror from the back of their shield.

Haldan, eager to spoil the spell acts too quickly, his attack missing badly.

Amathaon looks for a weapon (without success) all the while trying to help keep the much larger and stronger bugbear down.

The priests spell is complete a moment before Luthien jabs with his spear at the newly arrived bugbear (misses).

Rolf and Amathaon's opponent gives up it's wrestling match and instead viciously racks Rolf with his claws and tears a great chunk of his shoulder away with his teeth. Rolf, understandably, lets out a terrible scream of pain, immediately releases his hold, and tries to free himself from the claws before any more of his flesh is devoured.

The standing bugbear swipes at Haldan again, this time hitting, and hitting hard, knocking the small halfling from his feet with a sickening crunch.

The prince finally attacks, hitting the priest with a nasty blow.

New round. Rolf is no longer holding the bugbear (only Amathaon who's sure to be tossed aside shortly), Haldan is off his feet and in pain, and Luthien seems to have lost all interest in the priest (who's not looking too healthy right now).
Haven't updated the map as everyone's still rough where they were last time.

Haldan clenches his jaw at the pain, favoring his side slightly as he tries to sidle about and thus reposition himself. 'No sense in letting that bugbear have an easy sweep,' he thinks. His goal is to continue attacking the cleric, avoid the bugbear's attacks, and not expose his back to the bugbear somewhere behind him.

Init: rolled 3, plus 3 for short sword

11:24, Today: Luthien rolled 1 using 1d10. Init.

Luthien for some reason didn't consider the cleric too terribly important anymore. Besides, his highness looked like he'd kill him soon anyway. So he used the spear's reach to attack the bugbear. Perhaps he could perforate it properly for once. This foolish peasant weapon was serving him VERY poorly. If only he had a longsword...

0:12, Thu 05 June 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 10 using 1d10 ((10)).

  Without Rolf's help, Amathaon realized holding the bugbear was pointless. He let the bugbear go and will attempt to pick up the morning star. He wasn't any good with it, but it was better than nothing.

Feeling every bit of his injury, Haldan was quickly back in the fight, thrusting the short sword at the priest. The pain was too much, as was the awkward position he started in, and the attack missed.

Perhaps distracted by Rolf, Amathaon and the downed bugbears struggle, Luthien stabbed at his chosen opponent and also missed badly.

With desperation in their eyes the priest began casting another spell completing it 14 soon after. A bright light appears inches behind the princes head bathing the room with it's brightness.

Amathaon attempted to untangle himself from the bugbear, but they seemed to have other plans. Claws ripped at the unarmoured dwarf inflicting a nasty wound but unable to prevent Amathaon putting a few feet of distance between them.

Luthiens opponent pushes forward silently, intent it seems on crushing the life out of Haldan. Fortunately Haldan is able to avoid another devastating blow.

The prince swings, once at the priest, once at the now free (but still prone) bugbear. He hits both, almost sending the priest to the ground and inflicting a grievous wound on the bugbear.

New round. Rolf, Amathaon and the bugbear are all still prone.

08:28, Today: Luthien rolled 5 using 1d10. Init.

Luthien figures he'll do the most good if he can actually hit something...

So he stabs down at the bugbear who's lying down. Maybe something lying on the ground will be easier for him to stab at and actually hit...worth a try.

"Accursed peasant weapon..."

Haldan's eyes grow wider, sweat making his face shine, as he tries to ignore the pain whilst in combat. Slightly unnerved by the bugbear's persistence in pursuing him, the smallest, unarmored lightweight in the room, he decides to give the beast second thoughts! With a flurry of slashes, the desperate halfling tries ending the thing's life while retreating a bit from melee with the cleric.

Initiative: rolled 9, +3 short sword SF

18:43, Sat 07 June 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 8 using 1d10 ((8)).


  Amathaon winced from the claws. He got up and reached for the club. Amathaon thought he'd do more damage with such a simple weapon, until he could get his sword back. Then, he took a whack at the downed bugbear.


18:46, Sat 07 June 2014: Amathaon Chalkbreaker rolled 6 using 1d20+3 ((3)). attack roll.

The priest, looking very much the worse for wear, backs away from Haldan and Luthien.
"I surrender!" he cried, holding up his shield before him to ward of any further attacks.

Still on the ground, the bugbear scrambles after Amathaon and swipes at the dwarf with his claws, scoring a painful wound across his legs.

Luthien stabs down at the prone bugbear but misses as he stumbles over Haldan who is simultaneously stabbing the short sword deep into the slow moving bugbear attacking him. The bugbear seems to not even notice the blade sticking from it's gut, not even making a noise in recognition of the wound.

Moments later Amathaon desperately swings the ogres club at the prone bugbear. Instead of hitting flesh however, the weapon smashes into the stone floor, almost jarring free from the dwarfs grasp.

The Prince stabs at the prone bugbear, ending their life before they can do any more harm, then turns his attention back to the priest.

"Throw down your arms and I will accept your surrender," he ordered the priest, moving closer with his sword at the ready.

Haldan cautiously remains on guard, positioning himself between the prince, and the newcomers at the door. Trusting the prince to handle the surrendered cleric, the halfling addresses the group at the door.


"Just a routine prisoner escape. We don't have a problem, do we?"