Turren keeps his place in the march as they proceed.

Caith keeps a hand to the left wall from the moment she passes beyond the doorway, and lets her eyes adjust to the gloomier light of the passageways, watching where she puts her feet, and listening for the sound of descending wings over the rush of feet.

The sight of Alphail in front of her keeps her own feet moving forward, as Caith reluctantly admits to herself that this is the truth of what he told her before the wedding, that clan and country come before one couple's wishes.

He is enough though, enough for me, and that is more worth fighting for... she thinks to herself, and keeps moving, counting intersections and turns as she goes, a trail of greasy deer fat streaks and handprints on the wall behind her.

In reply to Aphail MacRoach (msg # 2):

"You heard it too then. Not sure where its from, but something is ahead of us or we're being followed. Something tells me that we are expected."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:29, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Osric moves ahead cautiously, eyes scanning for danger his highly tuned Combat Instincts primed for assault.  He grips Ghost Eye tightly and prays silently to the old gods to bring some fair toe to toe battle rather than this skulking and creeping in the dark.

OOC Osric and I suspect Aphail and others can track. Is there any sign of recent passage through the maze?

Usopi, from his position behind Gat and ahead of Aphail, ensured that his shield hand was always the one less restricted by the confines of the maze. If any threat came from above or from the walls around them his shield would be ready to provide cover, not only for his own body but to those of the companions nearest him. If an attack came from the front or the rear he would have more time to figure out how to react or to prepare a strike.

"Have we any choice but to advance? We might leave the leftmost path at the next opportunity, but we would also be leaving our interpretation of the ghost's warning. We might retreat, but as you say it may be behind us, and if not we would simply be back where we began." Usopi asked, eyes narrowing as he tried to look past Osric's broad form to the path ahead of them.

Doron sheaths his sword and draws his dagger instead as he follows the party into the claustrophobic passageway.



He nods at Aphail and Deise's words, and after a brief moment of thought, whispers in a low voice. "Our party is too large. Strings out too far in this dark godforsaken maze. We should move together in 3 groups of 4 each. Each group to possess lanterns or torches to be lit if needed."

The prince turns to the Usopi, then looks down at his faithful hound Gat. "My good man. Any way we can have him venture ahead as a scout, while we follow behind?" He turns back to Aphail. "And mayhap you good sir can move ahead and look for tracks? See which way we should go?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

In reply to Prince Doron (msg # 6):

Deise raises a surprised eye as the Prince speaks with a calm and sensible authority that seems at odds with the rakish tales all have heard. Surprised that the Chief has been silent and wondering if there is some power play here between the rightful heir and the ambitious clan chief.

“Aye your highness. Right ye are. What you have asked of Aphail up front, I’ll happily do on the rear. I’m sure he don’t need the likes ‘O me to tell ye this feels like like a snare. With us all lined up ready to be plucked from front, top and behind. Perhaps if I can offer counsel, that when we split we remain with sight of the lamplight glare?”

Leaf makes her way into position in the middle group, using the light from her CANDLE to see in front of her.

'As long as by "scouting ahead" one means two paces ahead, and as long as our three groups remain at arm's reach of each, it all seems reasonable,' Sir Turren muses quietly to the gloom.

Being central he trains his Javelin up so that anything descending upon the middle unit will be spitted for Leaf and Giles to roast at their leisure.

'I suggest we keep keep mobile, Your Highness,' the knight mentions to Prince Doron. 'If anyone gets attacked we might consider fighting on the move where possible. Take it or leave it.'

An unwelcome memory flashes back to Turren. He inwardly banishes the red-hot screams and raining oil, returning to this quieter, colder hell.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Confused by her own cause of concern coming home to roost at high speed, Caith swiftly looks upwards, but sees no attack from above incoming, and turns to look back at Alphail in inquiry, following his gaze.



Caith nods glumly in agreement with Deise, as his reasoning is difficult to argue with and reluctantly mutters the conclusion of "...Or both." in reply.

Alphail nods in agreement with Deise and Caith's answers, then looks to Colm for a moment as if to ask a question when Doron speaks.



The hunter quietly says "Aye." to this plan, and if startled by the young prince's air of command, shows no sign of it.



"Aye." Alphail replies, glad the knight has considered that difficulty as well, and moves up front quietly after offering "The one who gave us the clue may not know anything after his death of this place..."

He shrugs and finishes his remark "...So it's worth looking for newer signs of intruders than him."



Alphail nods and moves closer to the front to look for tracks.



The hunter looks somewhat dubious about this precise order lasting ten seconds in a battle...



...Let alone in a running battle, but remains silent and offers no argument against the Knight's plan.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Caith listens, gathers her unlit lantern and hangs it from her staff.
She whispers to Alphail "Does 'Now' count as 'When needed' or nay?"

"Maybe. Better light it and lend me it, while I take a look about, Aye?" Alphail answers in a reassuring whisper, hiding his worry at the indecision in her tone.

Doron watches in quiet appreciation as the party considers and then accepts the plan, with several individuals stepping up with various suggestions to improve on it and bring it further. The prince is quickly reminded of how this group of brave men and women gathered and was formed, not at anyone's command or any compulsion, but willingly, risking life and limb for a cause they each believed in, in his or her own manner. He thought to himself: Perhaps...if Brigantia be willing, we would all survive this hellish place and finally get to enjoy the rightful fruits of our sacrifice together. Perhaps...



Doron nods at Deise. "Our rear will be well-watched with you there Deise." He turns to look towards the front and rear of the party. "And yes, individuals of each group should keep within the group's own lamplight. If anything were to happen, each group should try to keep within sight of the other 2 groups."


The prince nods in agreement and appreciation. "We are indeed well-served with you at the head of our column Aphail."


Doron nods in agreement with the knight. "Right. Let's keep moving everyone."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:40, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Colm glowered under hooded eyes as the Prince stepped up, he still did not trust that the Prince was not some stooge of Kilndeds and that this entire disaster still lay at the feet of that old spider....but he could not fault Doron for finding himself out her in the vast...

He looked to his cousin and Leofwyn wondering if they, or his old friend Brannon, or even the strange southerner Giles could feel the darkness of this place eating into their bones like he could...it was taking all his concentration not to let the flames of his Goddess loose and burn this entire place to the ground....
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

At the front of the group Gat suddenly stiffened and belled even as Aphail saw a slight ripple in the shadows at the upcoming junction.

To the rear Deises eyes scanned behind the group and as he heard Gats alert he also noted a slight discrepency in the way the shadows lay behind them...damn, they were good.



OOC:

Ok, we be in combat.  Only Gat, Aphail and Deise have seen anything but everyone knows there is something about 30m away from Aphail/Deise.

Enemy Initiative is 16. If your reflexes are higher than that feel free to post an action.

Well, at least both groups screwing up their stealth rolls meant you guys didn't get a Shock Attack on you.

07:47, Today: GM rolled 10 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.
07:47, Today: GM rolled 15 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.
07:47, Today: GM rolled 11 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.
07:47, Today: GM rolled 15 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.
07:47, Today: GM rolled 10 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.
07:47, Today: GM rolled 2 using 2d10.  STEALTH 24 - PER 13/12.

In reply to Colm Cernach (msg # 15):

"Well chief, your Prince has found his balls at last. Better late than never, eh Chief.
We'd best hang back and let other two groups move on. Somethin's here. I just feel it. 'Tis close in the dark, maybe just behind us. I'll be the eyes in the back 'ye're head, right. If I say "NOW", close ye're eyes then when you here the bang, attack with all ye got.."

Uthen turned and, nocking an arrow snapped a shot over Colms left shoulder...

The shaft thudded into one of the advancing figures, but there was no cry of pain.

OOC:

15:50, Today: GM, on behalf of Sir Uthen of Sadley, rolled 6 using 1d6.  ABR.

15:49, Today: GM, on behalf of Sir Uthen of Sadley, rolled 11 using 1d20.  ATT 18 - MOD 6.

Alphail looks twice at the darkness, whispers "Trouble!" to Usopi, then swiftly drops lower to the ground to place the lantern close to the left wall. The arrow that comes to his now free hand is one of his own crafting, and it takes but a moment to light it from the lantern, and string it to fire.

The shaft flew true striking one of the hidden figures and setting its clothing afire for a moment or so...it did not cry out but the flickering flames illuminated three forms.

OOC: Alphail is aiming low with a fire arrow. Why? Kneecap height if it hits, lighting up the attackers for a little while if not.




Lsr Fire Arrows -4ATT, -2ABR, +d4

18:16, Today: GM, on behalf of Aphail MacRoach, rolled 3 using 1d6-2.  ABR.

18:16, Today: GM, on behalf of Aphail MacRoach, rolled 5 using 1d20.  ATT 13 - MOD 6.

18:17, Today: GM, on behalf of Aphail MacRoach, rolled 4 using 1d4.  Fire Damage. -8 hp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:19, Mon 21 Sept 2020.