Anthony winces and prepares to cast Magic Missile. This is going to go badly, he fears....

In reply to Seline (msg # 166):

Hugh forces the semblance of a smirk at Seline's comment but this is no laughing matter to the monk. He is convinced the things in the sack are dangerous and simply handing them over to the bespectacled orc is not an option in his book. Any information they can willingly glean from the orcs might be useful. Dead orcs tell no tales, or something like that.

"Ah, yes. What am I thinking?" He turns to his companions and winks, "I suppose we should give them their just due..."

OOC: As soon as the mages cast their spells, Hugh is rushing in to attack the bespectacled orc with a flying kick to the face.

Elwood arches an eyebrow while watching Seline purr at Hugh.  He looks back again to the orcs and zombies in the room.  The odds are over 3 to 1 against them.  He smiles; more glory for Flyspamon.  Elwood casts Bless on the party.

[OOC:  I'll use 2 luck points to my initiative roll if we don't have surprise.  The goal is to get off the spell before he gets hit by any attackers]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:19, Mon 12 Dec 2016.

Thinking their current predicament rather dicey as he eyes the mass of Orcs out numbering his party, Cole shakes his head while quickly tying up his sack so none of those creatures could escape during the mayhem that was certainly about to ensue.

OOC: His plan will be to attack the bespectacled orc with Vera as well after the magic casters have gone, thinking perhaps if their leader is down the orcs will become more agreeable.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:54, Mon 12 Dec 2016.

The Seline and Hugh show seems to baffle the orcs.  The one in the glasses stares and then says to one of the other orcs, "[Language unknown: Ri tra Ere hosi chdi onted.  Thund aveticnce ic yinortoun ss stivenati.]"  The other orc runs out of the chamber.

And that's when Elwood starts casting bless.

The orcs' eyes widen and they begin shouting and drawing weapons.

It's time for initiative.  Let me know what you're doing (and confirm if you are immediately taking the contingent actions some of you have mentioned -- such as kicking "Zeke" in the face).  The PCs that have announced contingent attacks upon the casting of mage spells will automatically win initiative if they stick with their previously-stated intended actions, but won't get surprise since the orcs were already suspicious.

With a grin and a chuckle Seline pulls herself off of Hugh and stepping out of his way she releases Color spray aiming at the orc with the glasses.

OOC If possible I would like to add a Hero Point to casting color spray

Dreya, still behind Elwood, whispers frantically "He just told those orcs to go get Zeke! This isn't Zeke in this chamber with us!"

If she has enough room to fire arrows, Dreya pulls out her bow.

Anthony gulps and raises his hand. He utters a word of power and a bolt appears out of nowhere and slams into the nearest orc.

Cast Magic Missile at closest orc. Move back behind the others :-)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:07, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

Elwood continues to cast Bless.  If that spell has been cast, he'll hold his holy symbol aloft, chant to his deity, and attempt to turn the undead zombies.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Tue 13 Dec 2016.

How would you like to use the hero point (you only have one)?  If you mean luck point, doing so would add +1 to the roll for each luck point spent to determine the number of creatures affected.

Cole will continue he previous course of action and attack the bespectacled orc whom he thought was Zeke.

In reply to Castle Keeper (msg # 176):

For the spell can I add three luck points to the die roll, instead of the hero point?

In reply to Seline (msg # 178):

Using a hero points guarantees success at anything the PC can theoretically accomplish.  Luck points add +1 to rolls.  I'm not sure how a hero point would apply to casting the spell since your PC can just cast the spell as a class ability.  Spending hero points would add +1 per point to the roll for the number of hit dice of creatures affected.

In reply to Castle Keeper (msg # 179):

Let's stick with the Luck points then if I'm able to add 3 points to the roll for creatures affected.

Hugh rushes the bespectacled orc immediately after the spellcasters have launched their attacks. The monk attempts to knock those glasses right off his face...with a swift kick to the jaw!

Round 1:

All hell breaks loose.  The orcs charge the party.  2 of them focus on Elwood, 3 on Cole, and 3 on Hugh.  Specs hangs back barking orders.  The zombies drop their loads and shuffle towards the party, but won't arrive until next round.

Orcs 1 and 2 slash at Elwood.  The poor cleric doesn't stand a chance as he is focusing on the zombies and takes 7 points of damage.  Cole fares better against Orcs 3, 4, and 5.  He only suffers 1 point of damage from a slight cut from Orc #4.

Seline raises her hand and a rainbow of light flashes from some small colored objects in her hand.  The light sprays forth in a cone hitting the orcs that attacked Hugh (6, 7, and 8) and Specs.  All 4 orcs drop to the floor unconscious.  Anthony summons raw arcane power to his command and flings a glowing arrow at Orc #3 for 3 points of damage.  Hugh flies at Spec's helpless form.  His aim is off a little since he expected Specs to be standing tall.  His foot strikes a glancing blow for 2 points of damage.

Cole is blocked from reaching Specs by the three orcs attacking him.  He slashes at Orc #3 for 8 damage, cleaving the poor humanoid's head and sending it to the floor to bleed out.

Elwood's attempt to turn the zombies is in vain.  The zombies appear unimpressed by the bleeding cleric's threats and continue their march toward their victims, er... the party.

Dreya pulls her bow and will be able to fire from behind Elwood next round.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
16:10, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Elwood, rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Turn zombies.
16:07, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 8 using 1d8+2.  Damage to Orc 3.
16:07, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Attack Orc 3.
16:03, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Hugh, rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  Damage to Specs.
15:59, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Anthony, rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile damage on Orc 3.
15:58, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Seline, rolled 7 using 1d4+4.  Number of HD affected by color spray.
15:54, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orcs 6, 7, and 8, rolled 8,8,9 using d20+1,d20+1,d20+1.  Attack Hugh.
15:52, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 4, rolled 1 using 1d6.  Damage to Cole.
15:52, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Ocs 3, 4, and 5, rolled 13,20,8 using d20+1,d20+1,d20+1.  Attack Cole.
15:51, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 2, rolled 3 using 1d6.  Damage to Elwood.
15:51, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 2, rolled 18 using 1d20+1.  Slash at Elwood.
15:50, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 1, rolled 4 using 1d6.  Damage to Elwood.
15:49, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 1, rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Attack Elwood.
15:40, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Monsters, rolled 5 using 1d6.  Initiative.
15:40, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Party, rolled 2 using 1d6.  Initiative.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 14:01, Fri 16 Dec 2016.

Hugh ignores the mass of swarming orcs around him and focuses his efforts on quickly taking out the bespectacled and dazed orc. The monk weaves through the chaos and throws a hard punch.

Dreya leans out from around Elwood and shoots at an orc.

Elwood curses himself for not anticipating that the orcs would charge so fast.  Though hurt, he pushes back the pain and swings his mace at the nearest orc.

Rage fueling, Cole bites back a growl as he heaves Vera another mighty strike. If his aim is true, and it usually is, Vera will be slicing into another patch of dirty orc hyde with uninhibited fury.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Sun 18 Dec 2016.

Anthony pulls out a dart and throws it at one of the remaining orcs and then backs away, trying to stay away from the foes...

Seline draws her rapier and heads to the orcs that were affected by color spray with the intent killing them before they rise

In reply to Seline (msg # 188):

Right now, Seline is somewhat protected by meat shields in the form of Cole Hiller and Elwood.  If she steps around them to go after the unconscious orcs, she will be exposed to the approaching zombie horde.  Is that still what you want to do?

In reply to Castle Keeper (msg # 189):

Knowing that she is behind fights she would cast Dragon Armor on the nearest melee fighter

Hugh intends to deliver a hellacious punch to the unconscious face of Specs, but for some reason merely slaps him hard for 2 points of damage.  Meanwhile, Dreya ducks down and fires her bow between Elwood's legs at Orc #1.  The arrow grazes Elwood's thigh harmlessly, but the deflection sends the arrow wildly off its mark and it clatters against the wall.  Elwood's surprise at almost being skewered by Dreya's arrow throws him off and his mace blows swooshes past Orc #1.

Cole slashes at Orc #4.  His blade rips open a gash across the orc's torso and the poor creature falls to the ground to die.  The fall seems to take an eternity as Orc #4's miserable life flashes before its eyes.  He remembers being pulled from the claws of his ravenous mother as she ate the other hatchlings from his clutch.  Fast forward to the first day of orcergarten when the other younglings mocked him for being smaller than them.  It wasn't his fault his lactose intolerance made it hard for him to keep down the gruel served by Cookie, the camp's "chef".  Then there was the night of his coming of age when he was beaten by the adult orcs just because.  It should have been a proud moment, but he dragged himself behind a tree to cry in secret.  His first attempt at wooing an orc maiden ended in similar tears after she bit off two of his toes.  He practiced with short sword and spear until his fingers bled, but never made it past the orc reserves.  He was lucky to get a position with the Master's dungeon.  His father said he would never amount to anything, but Orc #4 knew his chance would come and he would make a name for himself.  Then the strangers with the bags arrived.  He knew he was supposed to have kept his short sword sharpened, but how was he supposed to find the time when he had to lug heavy sacks and crates around all day?  Still, even a dull sword can bring glory if you swing it hard enough, so his fear-filled heart also had some hope as he charged the intruders.  He'd show his dad and all the orcs who picked on him!  A quick poke to the ranger's throat would finally earn him the recognition and status that is the birthright of every orc warrior.  It all crashes to the inevitable end that somehow still manages to surprise Orc #4.  And now darkness...

Anthony flings a dart at Orc #5.  It sinks deeply into the orc's eye for 3 points of damage.  Orc #5 snarls in pain and rage as he plucks the dart out.  Ichor spews from the socket.

Seline wiggles his fingers and chants until Cole's armor miraculously transforms to weightless plate mail.

Orc #5 screams with frustration as his attacks against Cole are futile.  Orcs 1 and 2 fare no better as they slash ineffectively at Elwood.  The other orcs remain stunned on the floor as their eyes dance with a flashing kaleidoscope of colors.

Things take a turn for the worse as the zombies arrive and reach for our heroes.  Zombies 1, 2, and 3 converge on Hugh as the monk slaps at Specs.  They grope, claw, and shove Hugh for 7 points of damage.

Zombie #4 lurches at Elwood, but the cleric is able to hold it off with his shield.  Terror overcomes his shock at nearly being shot by the druid and he defends himself with aplomb.

The last 2 zombies shuffle to Cole Hiller and grab for his arms.  Zombie 6 manages to get a grip on one arm and bites it ferociously for 6 points of damage.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
11:28, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Zombie 6, rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage to Cole Hiller.
11:27, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Zombies 5 and 6, rolled 13,19 using d20+2,d20+2.  Attack Cole Hiller.
11:25, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Zombie 4, rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Slam Elwood.
11:24, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Zombies 1 and 2, rolled 7 using 2d8.  Damage to Hugh.
11:23, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Zombies 1, 2, and 3, rolled 19,18,9 using d20+2,d20+2,d20+2.  Attack Hugh.
11:20, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orc 5, rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Slash Cole Hiller.
11:20, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Orcs 1 and 2, rolled 7,12 using d20+1,d20+1.  Attack Elwood.
11:16, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Anthony, rolled 3 using 1d3.  Damage to Orc 5.
11:15, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Anthony, rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Throw dart at Orc 5.
11:05, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 5 using 1d8+2.  Damage to Orc 4.
11:04, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Cole Hiller, rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Hack at Orc 4.
11:02, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Elwood, rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Bop Orc 1.
11:00, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Dreya, rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Hit Elwood?
11:00, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Dreya, rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Shoot Orc 1.
10:58, Today: Castle Keeper, on behalf of Hugh, rolled 2 using 1d6+1.  Damage to Specs.
10:57, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Monsters, rolled 2 using 1d6.  Initiative.
10:56, Today: Castle Keeper, for the NPC Party, rolled 3 using 1d6.  Initiative.

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