After Garryn completes his search of the small storeroom's contents, the party elects to follow the faint, guttural mutterings that seem to echo up the stone stairway to the north.  With Caylin's lantern in hand to provide illumination, the companions descend the steps.

At the base of the stairs, the faint hint of air movement--though still dank and fetid--provides a subtle indicator that some link to the outer world might exist in this subterranean complex.  More immediate concerns, however, occupy the party's minds.

A T-shaped passage branches at the base of the stone stair, and what appears to be a cavern lies to the east.  The lurid glow of charcoal braziers and two smokey torches throw a dim, reddish light over the scene, and it quickly becomes apparent where the muttering originates...and a few other facts emerge, in addition.

Two large ogres crouch behind natural stone columns, but their awkwardness and size render them laughably easy to see.  The glow of the braziers illuminates an orc, dressed in tattered robes, applying a charcoal stick to another of the automata that the party had encountered on the upper level.  The orc appears to be drawing runes or symbols to the thing's metal carapace.  Another such automaton stands at the ready nearby.

OOC:  Please roll initiatives, and see the new map on the website under 'Obelisk interior'--or check the link HERE.  I'll post a more spatially explicit map (w/appropriate coordinate points) when I get everyone's initiatives.

The monk surveys the scene with the methodic caution valued by his order.

OOC: 16:24, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Initiative.
Apparently the die roller doesn't like to see Asher do anything too rash; cursed thing.

Gilrak, fumbling with his gear seems momentarily distracted...

________________________________

17:00, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

OOC:  nice...

The stench of Ogres awakens Totmacher from his "slumber"...Great Axe readied.

22:45, Today: Totmacher of the Wilds rolled 11 using 1d20+3. Initiative.

Garryn quietly readies his bow.

Garryn the Grey rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Initiative.

Aidrin gags and covers his mouth with a corner of his robe.

10:04, Today: Aidrin ap Gynwir rolled 10 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

(25)
The halfling, noting the ogres attempting to hide and the orc muttering and doing something inexplicable with a piece of charred soot, darts around Gilrak.  Caylin snatches one of the golden pendants suspended from the necklace he wears and hurls it into the cavern.  With a low-pitched *fwooom*, the little golden missile morphs into a fireball that blossoms in the cavern's air.  The flames engulf the orc, the two constructs, and one of the ogres.  The magical fiers burn the orc, ogre, and one of the constructs badly, and the other construct is reduced to a smoldering ruin.

OOC:  15:52, Today: DM rolled 15 using 1d20-4. Construct 2 save vs. fireball.
15:52, Today: DM rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Construct 1 save vs. fireball.
15:52, Today: DM rolled 10 using 1d20+2. Orc shaman save vs. fireball.
15:51, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 1 using 1d20. Ogre reflex save vs. fireball.
15:32, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 23 using 6d6. Fireball damage.

Perrato is up on 19 (I'll give Tom a day to post, then I'll NPC).  New Combat Map up on the website, also linked HERE

Perrato, observing the conflagration of Caylin's fiery missile, elects to slip past Asher and deploy his crossbow against the wounded ogre.  The Palonish priest's crossbow bolt, loosed from his weapon, thuds home, toppling the big ogre.

OOC:  10:50, Today: DM, on behalf of Perrato Viatomagne rolled 7 using 1d8. Crossbow damage.
10:50, Today: DM, on behalf of Perrato Viatomagne rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Crossbow attack.
Garryn is up on 14, followed by Totmacher on 11.  Updated map is up on the website.

(14)
Realizing that he has his foes flat-footed, Garryn attempts to make a well-placed arrow shot to the remaining ogre--moving to an open position in order to do so.  Unfortunately, the combined toughness of the ogre's thick skin and its hide armor handily deflect the rogue's arrow.

OOC:  12:22, Today: DM, on behalf of Garryn the Grey rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Bow attack on ogre.
Totmacher is up on 11, followed by Aidrin on 10 and Asher on 9.  Updated combat map is on the website.

Totmacher will move through G-7 then in a straight line to K-7.

Aidrin moves past Gilrak to F4 and loads his crossbow.

PM

PM

Asher moves into the cavern and loads his crossbow.

OOC: Asher ends his move in H-9.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Thu 13 Apr 2006.

(11)
Totmacher elects to move to engage the remaining ogre, but is careful to keep out of the reach of the monster.

(10)
Aidrin steps to Gilrak's side, carefully readying and loading his crossbow as he does so.

(9)
Asher moves into the cavern, likewise loading his crossbow.  Taking a cue from the hulking half-orc barbarian, the monk also stays well outside the reach of the ogre.

(6)
The orc, the remaining automaton, and the ogre act virtually simultaneously.  With a final flourish and a drawn out, muttering moan, the orc puts the last of the charcoal runes on the automaton, which immediately shudders to life.  With an orcish cry of "Destroy the humans!" the orc exhorts the construct to action.  With remarkable speed, the automaton clatters over to one of the rock piles, turns its forward aperture towards Garryn and Asher, and lets forth a piercing shriek.  Meanwhile, the orc fishes something from the patched leather satchel at his side.

The still-living ogre growls out an incoherent bit of horrible Paldorian, in which the terms "kill", "smash", and "puny" are  the only recognizeable bits.  With a half-step, the ogre rears back its great club with both hands, bringing the weapon around in a whistling arc that smashes into Totmacher, staggering the half-orc with its brutal, bone-crushing impact.

OOC:  Both the orc and ogre go on 6.  Activating the construct is a standard action for the orc, retrieving *whatever* is a move-equivalent one.  The automaton has a full action this round, as does the ogre.  Garryn and Asher must make a DC 13 Fortitude save to avoid being stunned next round.
12:01, Today: DM rolled 6 using 1d8. Damage to Garryn and Asher (sonic).
11:39, Today: DM rolled 22 using 2d8+7. Damage to Tot.
11:38, Today: DM rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Ogre attack vs. Tot.
Revised map is up on the website, and Gilrak is next on 4.

OOC: 14:06, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Fort Save.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Thu 13 Apr 2006.

Urgrosh in hand, Gilrak makes for the remaining Ogre..

__________________________

OOC:  Gil runs - path of travel:  G4 - G7, G7 - I7
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Fri 14 Apr 2006.

Garryn, though nearly unconscience, retains his wits for the moment.

Garryn the Grey rolled 23 using 1d20+3. DC 13 Fort Save

(4)
Urgrosh in hand, Gilrak makes for the remaining Ogre.

New round...
(25)
Caylin nocks another arrow, intending to send the missile into the chest of the orcish shaman.  The halfling mistimes his movements, however, and fumbles his arrow and bow both--essentially incapacitating him for the time being.

(19)
Perrato, noting the halfling's difficulties, elects to reload and fire his crossbow at the oricsh shaman.  The Palonish priest's aim and subsequent shot are both accurate, and the crossbow bolt tears a long, shallow slash across the orc's arm as it speeds by.

(14)
Garryn is up, followed by Totmacher on 11.

OOC:  10:31, Today: DM, on behalf of Perrato Viatomagne rolled 2 using 1d8. Crossbow damage.
10:31, Today: DM, on behalf of Perrato Viatomagne rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Crossbow shot.
10:23, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 9 using 1d20+5. Critical miss check.
10:22, Today: Caylin Direbrook rolled 11 using 1d20+10. Arrow shot 1.
Updated map on the website.

As the wave of shock retreats from Garryns body and he shakes of its stunning effects he realizes that it has also weakened him to the point that he cannot continue to fight without healing. Foolishly, Garryn had given the remainder of his healing salve to Gilrak and now found himself with no option but to retreat so a safer location. With no alternative, Garryn begins to withdraw.

The numbing blow from the Ogre makes it difficult for Totmacher to shake off his desire for blood frenzy.

Sensing the Dwarf's approach, Totmacher is able to refrain from instinct.

Totmacher chooses to fight defensively and takes a five foot step into K8 and attacks the Ogre with his Great Axe

21:34, Today: Totmacher of the Wilds rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Attack w/ Great Axe.

This message was deleted by the player at 08:53, Tue 25 Apr 2006.

(14)
Garryn begins a cautious disengagement from the nearby automaton, moving to put some distance between himself and the thing's sonic attack range.

(11)
Totmacher employs a similarly cautious approach to his melee with the ogre, opting to use a series of feints and defensive moves.  Unfortunately, however, the barbarian is unable to obtain a clear shot at his ogrish foe.

(10)
Aidrin is up, followed by Asher on 9.

(10)
Aidrin quickly reloads his crossbow, then levels the weapon and fires at the orcish shaman.  The human wizard is rewarded with the sight of the bolt shearing through the shaman's leather armor...drawing blood and a shriek of pain from the creature.

OOC:  23:36, Today: DM, on behalf of Aidrin ap Gynwir rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Critical hit check for crossbow.
23:34, Today: DM, on behalf of Aidrin ap Gynwir rolled 2 using 1d8. Damage to shaman.
23:34, Today: DM, on behalf of Aidrin ap Gynwir rolled 23 using 1d20+4. Crossbow attack vs. orc
Asher is up on segment 9.

Seeing the shaman reaching for something, Asher hops across the pit and attempts to stun him with an unarmed strike. Then he turns a wary eye on the automaton.

OOC: 22:00, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 25 using 1d20+7. stunning fist vs shaman.
22:10, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 4 using 1d8+2. unarmed damage.
Path of travel H-9 to H-14 to G-15. Asher chooses to use his "dodge" feat against the automaton, should it attack.