"I think I better get back upstairs," Brindle tells Tesseryn, still shivering so hard his teeth are chattering. "So cold ... feel so sluggish ... I'll just be a liability down here."

Brindle heads back to the rope and signals for Wrukaog to haul him back up.

Tesseryn waits in the doorway for the walking creature to return within sight.  He draws his sword, not really expecting it to be anyone nice.  While he waits checks the door's latch and hinges for any sign that the door may swing shut or trap a person on one side or the other.

"We'd better be ready in case Tesseryn releases something best kept locked up." Aurion advises from the relative safety and warmth of the pit top. He starts casting a spell, a rather long one as the mumblings continue for quite some time as he watches the pit below.

Brindle retreats back up the staircase, taking his candle with with him to guide his steps ... and the relative warmth above soon overcomes the effect of the chill of the chamber below. 

Wisely assuming the worst, Aurion begins casting a spell, keeping his gaze on the stairs beneath him in case something nasty crawls out.

---

Tesseryn waits in the darkness, sword at the ready, as he listens to the clatter of footsteps, his grip tightening as they sound as if they're coming closer, though he judges those to the north to be nearest.

Tesseryn jams his dagger under the door to keep it open then issues a challenge "Looking for a fight?"

He backs carefully up the stairs and waits at the top where he will have high ground advantage, tactical if not moral.  "Minotaurs." he calls softly to those above.

"Right here if you please." Aurion points to the ledge next to Wrukaog and conjures something nasty onto it, a large fiendish centipede. He takes the rope from Wrukaog and wraps the end once around the centipede, holding tight as an anchor point. "Anyone else looking for a fight?"

For some reason Brindle finds this situation amusing and he giggles softly to himself.

Hiding behind Tesseryn he pulls out a wand and points it at the ex-paladin then speaks the command word. [Language unknown: Tehis n!]

"If you are going to play with cow-boys you'll need Bull's Strength," he chuckles.

"Yes! About carking time!" Wrukaog exclaims excitedly.

Now that someone else is holding the rope he leaps into action and slides down the rope to join in the fun.

The creature snorts at Tesseryn's challenge but pauses for a moment to bellow out what might be a reply in kind, [Language unknown: "Ortinewer hi wiplbepe !  M e !"]

Which gives you time to seek what advantage circumstances permit.  The ex-Paladin retreats up the stairway where Brindle provides him with a little pick-me-up, while Aurion summons a centipede to hold the line, allowing Wrukaog to climb down the rope to join those in the pit below even as Cogwitz lines up besides his kinsman to form the second line of defence, his blades at the ready in the unlikely event anything can get past the pair in the front.

The appearance of the centipede causes three of the ex-prisoners to shuffle backwards in alarm, though Moram doesn't move aside, likely regarding the insect as neither better nor worse than the rest of you.

The heavy dread of hooves on stone announce the arrival of the Minotaur, a horned beast covered in shaggy fur and with a huge battle axe in its clutches as it charges towards you ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Brindle's eyes widen in alarm, for a moment, then he steels himself and mutters.

"You're just a big bully, but I know a bigger one!"

His hands gesture and he recites the words of an incantation causing Wrukaog to double in size.

If Wrukaog is surprised when he suddenly grows to giant size he doesn't show it. He bellows in rage, frothing at the mouth and swings his greataxe with all of his strength.
Hopefully, Wrukaog's wild swing is aimed in the general direction of the minotaur!

Wrukaog_ rolled 14 using 1d20+12.  To hit minotaur (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 38 using 3d6+28.  Damage on minotaur (enlarged, raging, power attack).

Tesseryn nods his thanks to Brindle for his support, then shuffles over and gawks upward as Wrukaog towers over him.  He steadies himself in the face of Wrukaog's staggering blow, grateful he's on Wrukaog's side, and for the high-ground advantage that may favour such wild fighting style.  If the minotaur is still standing he'll add his own efficient thrust, otherwise wait for the second to arrive.  He muses on whether Diplomacy might have had a less-bloody and more informative result... too late for that now.

09:44, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 20 using 2d6+10.  sword dmg.
09:44, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 24 using 1d20+13.  sword to minotaur.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Sun 16 Aug 2020.

Ready to do his bit, Aurion pops off a couple of quick magic missiles at the first minotaur while Tesseryn is deciding whether or not to hit it. He looks at the the others standing back from the top and gives an 'inclusive' tilt of his head towards the pit. "Wruckaog seems to be enjoying himself. Don't feel left out." He shuffles over to make room at the edge.
10:23, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 10 using 2d4+2.  MMx2 to Minotaur.

"I'm not getting in the way of that!" Cogwitz tells Brindle, leaning back against the wall, very much fearing Wrukaog might not be thinking overmuch of the safety of his companions in his anger.

As the red mist of battle engulfs him, Wrukaog staggers back a step as he finds himself growing bigger, courtesy of Brindle's spell.  His sudden change in size, however, puts the now very big Orc off his stride and his attack while vicious and powerful is definitely on the clumsy side.

But for all that, it is no less effective.  The heavy axe seems barely to graze the Minotaur's throat, but is sufficient to sent it tumbling back down the stairs, leaving a trail of blood.  A clatter of hooves on stone from below suggests that more of the creatures have arrived, that they are prevented from immediately racing up to carry the fight due to the corpse of their kinsman blocking the stairs ...

... and, after sufficient time has elapsed, to make it seem very likely that they choose to wait below, to let you come to them, rather than risk the same fate ! 

Those above on the ledge elect to hold their ground rather than taking up Aurion's kind offer, approaching the monstrous centipede still not looking very inviting to them, and the noises from below making it even less so.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:40, Sun 16 Aug 2020.

Tesseryn clatters downstairs to engage a minotaur in combat from high ground.  Use roll saved from last round (shame to waste it).

"Oh fine! Leave all the reckless bravado and seemingly pointless slaughter to us then." Aurion admonishes his reluctant allies. "But we get to keep any Vastavaars we find." He abandons the spell he was casting, takes the rope from the centipede, passes the end to Leisha, throws himself onto the centipede and rides it down into the pit.

Wrukaog roars inarticulately and immediately pursues Tesseryn downstairs. He might not be able to squeeze past the ex-paladin on the stairs but one good thing about being giant size is that he can reach over the top of him to slash at the minotaurs too.

Wrukaog_ rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  To hit minotaur (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 39 using 3d6+28.  Damage on minotaur (enlarged, raging, power attack).
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Thu 27 Aug 2020.

Brindle moves to the top of the stairs and looks down disconsolately.

"I don't like it down there. It's so cold I feel like I am freezing up. It makes me as slow as a snail!" he mutters.

OOC: If he can see the fight downstairs he will use his wand of magic missiles to add to the carnage. If it is too dark down there he will cast dancing lights to illuminate the fight.

Tesseryn is able to squeeze past the corpse of the Minotaur that lies on the staircase, but Wrukaog is forced to fling it aside (luckily both Halflings have quick reactions and are able to get out of the way), clearing the path both for himself and Aurion who leaves Leisha with the business end of the rope, riding down on his summoned centipede accompanied by Haltashaar who is perhaps stung by the mage's barbs or maybe genuinely seeking to test his mettle against the fearsome beasts you pursue, the ex-prisoner's excitement evident as he clings to the back of the giant insect for dear life.

Brindle remains at the top of the stairs with Cogwitz, casting a spell to provide light in the lower chamber in the form of four mystical floating lanterns.

However those below in the freezingly cold chamber find it not only rather crowed but absolutely devoid of Minotaurs, and the door, when Tesseryn tries it, now appears to be locked.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"They've locked it.  Wrukaog, I'll help you break it down." Tesseryn shuffles aside to let Wrukaog get at the door and helps add his strength to Wrukaog's effort.  He sees Aurion, Brindle and Haltashaar in the room and nods his gratitude for their support.  After a moment's thought he shrugs grimly "I have no idea why we're chasing minotaurs in these freezing passages.  Who knows what we'll find.  Perhaps all of Haffrung Helleye's lair is frozen?   If Vastavaar was brought this way he's not likely to have survived."

07:44, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  strength assist open door.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:56, Fri 04 Sept 2020.

"There is a perfectly good Temple of Set upstairs that we have not yet desecrated, if that's more to your liking." Aurion offers ,chaffing his arms to ward off the chill. "We're not going to last down here for very long, and the minotaurs are cunning enough to know that. Anyone in favour of a change of plan?"

Aurion enjoys his creature  comforts too much to endure this cold. He wheels the centipede around and back up to the top of the pit where he repeats the same offer to those above. "Anyone have any better ideas? You've been here longer than us." He looks pointedly at the rescued prisoners. He dismisses the centipede to improve their mood.

"Outa my carkin' way, short-ass!" Wrukaog roars, barely giving Tesseryn time to leap aside before his adamantine greataxe slams into the door.
Wrukaog_ rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  To hit door (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 42 using 3d6+28.  Damage on door(enlarged, raging, power attack).

"The giants said Haffrung Helleyes' lair is down that northern corridor leading out from the chamber where the giants live, or at least that's where Helleyes's men bring their dinner from. Perhaps it is time to go visit them?" Brindle suggests.

After the sound of Krukaog's axe hitting the door stops echoing around the chamber he adds, "When Wrukaog calms down a bit?"

While Aurion heads back up the stairs to join a discussion with Brindle on alternative paths to mayhem, Tesseryn stands aside to allow Wrukaog a chance at the locked door.  The ex-Paladin is more than ready to assist his brutish companion, though the shivering Haltashaar seems eager to just keep out of the way.

The door is of ancient wood, metal bound and as sturdy a portal as one might ever wish to keep unwelcome guests out.  It doesn't slow the Orc down at all.  His mighty blow cracks the door in half, sending it flying through the air in a shower of splintered wood, to crash into the stone wall opposite.

Wrukaog's momentum carries him through the gap, just in time to see one of the Minotaurs running westwards as fast as his hooves will carry him.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...