OOC: Is this corridor as cold as the downstairs room is?

"Glad I could help."  A rare attempt at humour.  Tesseryn shrugs again at Haltashar "We may as well look around while we're here."  He joins Wrukaog in the passage then opens the first door on the left, using the extra strength Brindle gave him to kick it down if necessary.

"Yes, perhaps we should go that way, or search the temple I found- it has an enchanted serpent statue. We have not yet found Mitra's girdle, or Vastavaar." Aurion waits at the pit top, trying to remember where they'd been an what clues they were overlooking. He removes his boots and sits at the edge of the pool paddling his feet.

While he's sitting there inspiration strikes. He takes out Mitra's amulet, focusses his mind on Mitra's belt and whispers into the amulet in his cupped hands. "Today is the Feast Day of the Serpent. Stamp your feet, bang a gong, beat a drum, shout in the halls! Raise a din in honour of Mighty Set!".


09:24, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 21 using 1d20+8.  concentration.
09:23, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 23 using 1d20+13.  spell craft.
09:23, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  knowledge arcana
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Sat 12 Sept 2020.

With only one minotaur in sight it is an easy choice for Wrukaog to make. With another roar he charges down the corridor, swinging his greataxe in a short arc from right to left to cut down the fleeing minotaur.
Wrukaog_ rolled 34 using 1d20+14.  To hit minotaur (rage, power attack, charge!).
Wrukaog_ rolled 19 using 1d20+14.  Confirm critical?
Wrukaog_ rolled 115 using 9d6+84.  Crit damage on minotaur (enlarged, raging, power attack).

Once he has warmed up enough to risk the cold again Brindle will scurry back downstairs to see what all the noise is about. Wand in hand and dancing lights illuminating the scene for him.

As Wrukaog pursues the Minotaur, pleased that it's not so cold beyond the confines of the room and moreso that he has something else to hit with his axe, Tesseryn turns his attention to the nearest door.

Not willing to be outdone by the big Orc in the door-bashing stakes, the ex-Paladin refuses to accept the recalcitrant portal's initial refusal to budge to dissuade him, giving the door a damn good kicking until it falls broken from its hinges.  As Brindle arrives on the scene, bringing his lights with him and with Haltashaar joining him, if with considerably less enthusiasm, Tesseryn is delighted to note the eight glowing red pinpoints of eyes turning towards you from amidst four vaguely but disturbingly humanoid-shaped patches of darkness floating before you.

Up above, Aurion tempts the water creature with his tasty toes, trying to entice Leisha and the three the ex-prisoners who remain above to join him in a search of the latest uncovered temple to Set, while whispering foul oaths into the holy Mitraic artifacts in his possession, with seemingly no ill-effects.

Meantime, the Minotaur gives up on his flight and turns to face Wrukaog, the last mistake he'll ever make.  The big Orc's blow is possibly amongst the mightiest ever struck and it is some time before the creature's head comes to rest, giving Wrukaog plenty of opportunity to appreciate his surroundings.

The room in which the big Orc finds himself is about forty feet square, with walls and floors spattered with extremely fresh blood.  There is a door in the south wall, a staircase rising to the east and a table against the north wall upon which are various treasures, the subject of some discussion between the three hulking trolls and a berobed young man with reptilian skin and a marked similarity to the Mayor of the village above.

All four are blood-spattered, and rather cross-looking, not seeming at all pleased to see Wrukaog.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn reaches reflexively for the silver holy symbol, then remembers it is hidden in his pack so as not to alarm Ishpemo, and besides he no longer has any authority with which to use it.  Next he reaches reflexively to close the door, only to find it in pieces on the floor.  A moment of regret for rash choices before a greater sense of excitement.  This is happening, all out of control and entirely his own fault, but so what?  "I'll hold them.  Help Wrukaog."  he advises Brindle and Vastavaar over his shoulder.

He holds his position in the doorway, brandishing his sword and grinning fiercely.  "Darkness, meet Ferrous."

Wrukaog roars in defiance in the face of the guests at the party he just gate-crashed, takes one step forward and swings his greataxe at the closest one, which just happens to be the berobed young man with reptilian skin.

OOC: 5-foot step northwest to close with the robed guy.
Wrukaog_ rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  To hit robed guy (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 38 using 3d6+28.  Damage on robed guy(enlarged, raging, power attack).

Brindle hurries 20ft down the corridor after Wrukaog, but that barely takes him past Tesseryn.

He stops, sighs and says, "Too far. My legs are too short. It will be over before I get there."

Instead he points his wand at one of the wraiths beyond Tesseryn's doorway and shoots a string of 4 orange-glowing magic missiles at that wraith.

OOC: Brindle rolled 15 using 4d4+4.  Magic missile damage on wraith.

Listening intently, Aurion is disappointed to hear no hint of reaction to his whispered message, but he does hear the commotion downstairs. "Come on, let's see if we can't all get ourselves killed down there."

He casts Web at the bottom of the pit making a 20' thick cushion of webs at the bottom, then jumps in feet first coming to rest comfortably embedded halfway down through the webs. "Quickly now if you want to follow me." his muffled voice drifts up from below.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:38, Sun 27 Sept 2020.

Much excitement ensues ...

Up above, the ex-prisoners watch with reluctance and alarm as Aurion creates a web cushion and throws himself into the pit, but a swift if unintelligible tongue-lashing from Vashalla (assumedly denigrating the others' religious devotion, parentage and manhood in no particular order) sees the other two quickly join the elf, followed by the priestess herself and Leisha, relieved of the burden of watching over those left behind, there now being none remaining. 

The landing is as comfortable as Aurion had hoped.  Sticky, but comfortable.

Down below, Wrukaog pauses not at all, and before either scale-skinned man or the three trolls can ask each other 'is he with you' the former joins the minotaur in pieces, cold stone dead on the cold stone floor.  That certainly decides the trolls who lumber forward, their thin frames showing surprising strength as they wade through the aforementioned bits and pieces and slash at Wrukaog with their claws, though it is clear the ferocity of the now very big orc's attack has made them a touch cautious, and only one manages to rake Wrukaog's hide. 

Having poked the hornets' nest and found living death in there, Tesseryn remains steadfast.  Valiantly ordering his companions away, the ex-Paladin brandishes his holy blade which flickers with a golden light, either unaware of or uncaring that its master has Fallen (or at least tripped).  The wraiths don't quite stare at each other in puzzlement as did the nearby trolls, but there is a noticeable pause before the four drift silently and ominously forward, and Tesseryn has reason to be glad that the door is but narrow, allowing only one of them at a time the opportunity to drain his life and still his heart.  In no particular order.

The foremost wraith reaches forth a spectral hand, only to snatch it back with an all but palpable hiss, as Brindle, having weighed his options and choosing to remain (as Haltashaar was also forced to, once he ran out of light to see by), looses a well-targetted volley of magical missiles at it, only to be torn apart by Tesseryn's blade as it lunges forward again.

But the second takes its place with dreadful alacrity, and it is only Tesseryn's cautious approach (and perhaps the divine power of the ring of Mitra) which saves him as its insubstantial fingers barely miss him.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Brindle quickly unleashes another quartet of orange-glowing magic missiles from his wand at the next wraith facing Tesseryn then glances around to see what other disasters might be unfolding nearby.

He immediately realises Haltashaar's predicament and quickly fetches a sunrod out of his handy haversack and tosses it to him.

OOC: Brindle rolled 16 using 4d4+4.  Magic missile damage on wraith.

Wrukaog turns his fury to the troll closest to the door and slams his greataxe into the troll's chest with all his might.

"Stupid carkin' trolls!" he snarls. "Scaly man dead! Me boss now! Trolls bow down to new boss! Bow down or carkin' die!"

As he is issuing those demands he backs out through the doorway but halts when he is just far enough outside so only one troll at a time can get at him through the doorway.

Wrukaog_ rolled 27 using 1d20+12.  To hit troll (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 37 using 3d6+28.  Damage on troll (enlarged, raging, power attack).

Tesseryn stands his ground in the doorway.  "Good shooting Brindle, thanks.  Now please, help Wrukaog."  He swings his greatsword twice, careful measured strokes, as much deflecting the wraiths' touch as striking at them.

08:12, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 50 using 8d6+24.  Dmg 2nd attack. ...Oops! no crit for undead, read as 25 dmg
08:08, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 22 using 4d6+12.  Dmg first attack.
08:07, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Confirm crit.
08:04, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Full Attack 2nd attack on wraith.
08:03, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Full Attack 1st attack on wraith.

OOC: Brindle, Tesseryn cast Daylight on a flask that you used as a plumb-bob. Is that still around?  Bright light for 60'r duration 1h.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:10, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

A soft, sticky landing, and with all the rescued prisoners finally off the ledge, is all that was hoped for. Now, how to soften the landing? Aurion ponders how to dissolve the webs slowly before speaking a word to dismiss the webs. "Brace yourselves for a short fall."

08:44, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 19 using 1d20+15.  spellcraft - dissolve webs slowly for soft landing.
08:52, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 16 using 1d20.  jump down from webs.

"Avoid that north wall, it has a teleportation charm on it. Quickly now, downstairs to help our allies. It gets warmer once you pass the cold room." he lies, having no idea at all what lies beyond the cold room, only that the battle lies that way. He chivvies the others along to get them and himself downstairs as soon as possible. "Don't worry about any bruises, the cold will do them good."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

The second volley of mystic orbs of energy that Brindle launches proves no less effective than the first, and it likewise takes Tesseryn but one mighty blow to send the second wraith back into the darkness from whence it came.  The ex-Paladin gets but a moment to draw breath, however, before the undead flow towards him once more, its insubstantial claws raking Tesseryn's chest, unhindered by his armour, barely scratching the flesh, but sending a chill into his heart. 

With the Halfling's sunrod in his hand, Haltashaar hurries to help Wrukaog, but upon arriving on the scene is forced to quickly backpeddle as the big Orc, having carved open the chest of one of the trolls, makes a fighting retreat into the doorway.

The injured troll looks down at his wounds in some confusion, while the other two consider Wrukaog's words for just long enough for him to make his move before one of the creatures lumbers forwards to give answer, the other two pressing on his warty heels.  Sharp claws propelled by powerful muscles rake the big Orc's shoulder. 

Up above, Aurion dispels his web cushion with due warning, but Moram, undoubtedly considering nothing the Sorcerer says worth listening to lands badly, much to the Elf's amusement. Guided by the light of the glowing flask at the bottom of the pit, everyone hurries down the stairs, Cogwitz at the fore, and those ex-prisoners who had been paying attention find the room below as cold as expected.

Another Minotaur lumbers around the corner and comes to a halt, snorting and kicking one if its hooves on the stone flags as he stares at each Halfling in turn, as if choosing between them ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

That is just the sort of response guaranteed to make Wrukaog even angrier than he already was. He is now frothing at the mouth in inarticulate rage as he swings his greataxe at the leading troll.
Wrukaog_ rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  To hit troll (rage, power attack, etc).
Wrukaog_ rolled 33 using 3d6+28.  Damage on troll (enlarged, raging, power attack).

Brindle glances around and notes the arrival of the minotaur as well as Cogwitz, Aurion and brightly lit friends.

"Hi Cogwitz, come in and join the fun!" he suggests enthusiastically. "We've got a minotaur there, Tesseryn is playing tag with  some wraiths over here and it sounds like Wrukaog is having a pissing contest with some trolls down the corridor there. I don't like wraiths very much. I might go and see how Wrukaog's getting on."

Just as a parting gesture he points his wand at the wraith that hit Tesseryn and spraeks the command word to send a quartet of orange-glowing magic missiles into the undead menace. Then he turns and saunters 20ft down the corridor, taking his dancing lights with him to light the way.

OOC: Brindle rolled 16 using 4d4+4.  Magic missile damage on wraith.

Tesseryn ignores the chill touch of the wraith and counters with two measured strokes of his sword, still seeking to deflect the next attack.  "Good shooting again Brindle.  We've made a fine team, now defend yourself."  He stays in the doorway, keeping the wraiths at bay and bracing himself to defend against a minotaur as well.

19:14, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 23 using 4d6+12.  second dmg on wraith.
19:13, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 22 using 4d6+12.  first dmg on wraith.
19:12, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  full attack second attack on wraith.
19:12, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 20 using 1d20+11.  full attack first attack on wraith.
19:10, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 25 using 1d20+9.  fort save wraith touch.

Stifling a chuckle at Moram's landing, Aurion grabs the glowing flask on his way downstairs at the rear of the group. He steps over to the door to see if Brindle was having a joke with Cogwitz. Apparently not! "There is a minotaur out there! Quickly now, fighters to the fore. Don't let it trample our delightful halflings, they're far too useful. And its warmer out there." Which he feels to be true this time.

He casts Grease on the minotaur's axe.

"At least you saved one for me, cousin!" the halfling replies to the rapidly departing Brindle, beaming as he draws his blades and advances on the Minotaur.

"Couldn't you find me a bigger beast?!"

"See if Wrukaog has any to spare!!"

Heedless of his injuries, Wrukaog thumps the Troll with his Greataxe. Hard.  Yet though the creature's rubbery hide is torn by the weapon's sharp edge, it does not back off - indeed it throws itself into the fray as if it has no fear of death, carving the Orc's flesh with tooth and claw !

In the corridor behind him, Haltashaar holds his blade ready, but can do no more than wince in sympathy as the two giants clash.  [Language unknown: "Conbuthatome n ive tinila iouovekor ne rom les traave'stawittic !"] he calls out, looking back down the corridor.

With the arrival of the rest of you, Brindle elects to go help Wrukaog, providing a breathlessly quick summary of the situation for Cogwitz, blasting the next Wraith in line with his wand and then hurrying off to the West.

As the mystic orbs tear at the undead's incorporeal form, Tesseryn, having shrugged off the effects of the creature's touch, adds to its woes with a well-place blow of his sword ... leaving just the one to worry about.  As if having no regard to the fate of its fellows, this last dutifully floats forwards in the face of the ex-Paladin's blade. Those long fingers once more reach out ... and Tesseryn barely avoids them.

While perhaps none but Cogwitz are keen to chance their blades against a Minotaur, the ex-Prisoners are most certainly happy to leave behind the chill chamber.  Valshalla immediately takes to her heels, easily outpacing Brindle to reach Haltashaar's side.

With Aurion providing light ... and no small measure of comic relief as a well chosen spell causes the Minotaur to drop his axe, Cogwitz, Virdonitii and Moram attack the now unarmed beast, with fist and blades, easily slaying the creature between them, before he could demonstrate that those fearsome horns are not just for show.

Perhaps your luck is improving ?

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Tesseryn is relieved to see the rest of the party arrive, Brindle safe, the minotaur down and bright daylight flooding the corridor.  Our luck is indeed improving.  He throws his might against the remaining wraith, no longer seeking to fend off its touch but to finish it quickly.  "Die quickly and let us open your treasure boxes!" he taunts, hoping to interest Aurion and Leisha in searching for the Belt. 

12:39, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 32 using 4d6+20.  2nd dmg.
12:38, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 28 using 4d6+20.  1st dmg.
12:37, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  2nd attack on wraith, power attack.
12:36, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 20 using 1d20+11.  1st attack on wraith, power attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:25, Wed 21 Oct 2020.

"Ooo, treasure boxes! They're all yours Leisha, just share nicely." Aurion grins at her in the dazzling light of the glowing flask. "Do you need this to see by?" He offers the flask to Leisha before hurrying off along the passage to catch up with Wrukaog and Brindle, taking it with him if she does not take it. (intending to make a double move 60')

"Excellent work!" he congratulates the minotaur slayers. "I hope that's warmed you up a bit."

"Have you finished it yet?" he asks Tesseryn as he passes. If not he will pause just past the doorway and fire Magic Missile at the wraith.

"Just following the trail of destruction that leads to Wrukaog." he comments to Brindle. "Whatever did you give him? Just growth, or something else as well?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Sun 18 Oct 2020.

Brindle grinned at Aurion's question as he strolled another 20 feet down the corridor towards Wrukaog's latest battleground.

"Just enlarge person. The rest is pure Wrukaog!" he replied.

Then he pointed his wand again and spoke the command word to send another quartet of orange-glowing magic missiles to kneecap the troll fighting Wrukaog.

OOC: Brindle rolled 10 using 4d4+4.  Magic missile damage on troll.