Ghere spellcast, no quick cantrip this, but sonorous rolling Words of power. A veritable swarm of flailing black tentacles burst from him as he paced into the room, one of them even smashing at Rurik, who was not where he had expected him to be. Four of the Kobolds went down with tentacles latched onto them, sucking the life from them with horrible slurping noises as Ghere hastily warned Rurik away. "Break left! Now now now!"

Suddenly, the odds were even.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Mon 19 Oct 2015.

B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
K = shaded figure (AC13 HP15)
k = starving kobold (AC12 HP5)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Librand dashes around the house, looking for an opportune spot to practice his deadly skills.

Brak's attack brains yet another kobold. The druid obviously enjoying this kind of work.

Rurik flings a screaming kobold over the table, then moves to the side to give Ghere space for the deadly magic the warlock weaves.

There's the overpowering stench of the grave, and dull thuds as lifeless corpses of the kobolds fall to the ground. The warlock looks smug as the deadly tendrils of dark magic he summoned dissipate lazily.

The three remaining kobolds glare at the invaders. Their indecision lasts for but a moment, murderous rage overtaking the little lizards. They charge, one even vaulting over the table, another one attacking while standing amidst the earthenware on the table. They hack at Brak with their dull, rusty blades. Two of them connect, graying the druid's arm and leg, drawing blood. Then again, those are just minor nuisances for a warrior of his caliber. (4 damage to Brak)

The cloaked figure turns. It's a female half-orc, powerfully built yet with a motherly figure, clad in furs and skins. A large amulet hangs by a silver chain from her neck - a black, polished stone with an orcish rune inscribed deep in its surface. It glows with an unholy light as she moves closer. Her skin seems too black for an orc. There is a soft smile on her misshapen face, as she puts her hands together, thumbs touching, and incants words of Draconic. Flames spring forth from her hands, leaping towards Rurik and Brak! (Brak and Rurik need to Dex save vs. 10; 14 damage on a fail, 7 damage on a success)

Hammer and anvil, 'tis an Orcish shaman! Rurik thought to himself as the creature over by the fireplace turned towards the adventurers. He suspected that the foul creature would cast a spell at his companions and him, and tried to ready hiimself as best he could to avoid the Orc's magicks.

His anticipation was rewarded as he was able to duck under the worst of the flames that spewed from the Orc's hands, even though he could still feel a considerable bit of heat through his chain-mail.

"Bitch!" he snarled at the Orc as he swung his warhammer at her. He initially thought that his hammer-stroke had struck true but the Orc's armor seemingly absorbed the hit, with no hurt being dealt to their foe.

"Bollocks!" Rurik muttered under his breath.

OOC:

Save: 19:11, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20. Dex Save v. Burning Hands Damage. Success.

Action: 19:16, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6. Melee Attack v. Orc. Miss.

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 11/13
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

The melee was too close for another great spell, so Ghere simply raised his hand and blasted the kobold on Brak's shieldless right.

Brak fights through the attacks from the kobolds howling,"What? is that all you've got you mealy-mouthed foul-smelling idgits!"

When the matronly half-orc unleashes her evil spell the druid calls upon the powers of Marthammor Duin, the Watchful Eye to protect him from the flames. He emerges badly burned but still standing.

He draws his club back and swings at the sorceress dealing a solid blow and returning a bit of her flame back to her.

Despite all his instincts screeching for him to withdraw he stands his ground.

OOC:
Brak rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  DEX save vs DC 10. 14 fire Damage.

Reaction: Cast Absorb Elements reducing damage to 7.

Action: Attack 1/2 Orc.

Brak rolled 2 using 1d6.  extra fire damage from adsorb elements.
Brak rolled 9 using 1d8+4.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
Brak rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club @ 1/2 orc


AC: 14
HP: 5
Spell Slots: 1 - 1st level

This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Thu 22 Oct 2015.

 The sudden flare of firelight from within the room hurried Librand all the more. The little halfling grabbed hold of the window frame and hoisted himself up into a crouch. Sure enough, magic had expedited the battle in their favor, though the older looking dwarf had seen the brunt of whatever fire was being cast about.

 All their attention being on the blackened orc, Librand sighted his arrow on her and loosed...only to miss by inches in the midst of their fray.


OOC:
 AC 15, HP 14/9+5
Move: I9 - I10 (10ft for rough terrain)
Action: Attack- Shortbow (12) MISS

B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
K = shaded figure (AC13 HP15)
k = starving kobold (AC12 HP5)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Rurik ducks underneath the worst of the firespray the sorceress conjured; the resulting change in position made his warhammer swing wide.

Ghere removed another kobold with almost contemptuous, surgical precision.

A swirl of magic erupts from Brak, pushing the flames of the spell aside, then feeding on them. His magic-infused club explodes with fire as he retaliates, sending the half-orc sorceress stumbling back and howling in pain. The shillelagh had produced a satisfying crunch as it impacted the half-orc's flank, probably breaking a bone or three. (11 damage to h-orc)

Librand crouches in the window, shortbow making a barely audible twang, launching an arrow accross the room. The arrow makes a neat hole through the half-orc's clothes.

The two remaining kobolds shriek and stab at Brak, but their blades find but empty air.

The sorceress (AC 13 HP4/15), her face contorted with pain, falls to one knee. She clutches the talisman hanging on her neck; the despair on her face is washed away in that instant, replaced by anger. "Luthic will still have her fill!" she screams, bringing her hands forward again to blast her assailants with the last of her magic. Fire shoots forth from her hands, again, frying the still quite raw dwarves. (Rurik and Brak - Dex save vs. 10; fail gets you 13 fire damage, success a mere 6)

Rurik had no idea who Luthic was, but of more immediate concern was the motion that the Half-Orc was making with her hands -- 'twas the same as what had sent the scorching magicks flaming out from her finger-tips only a short while before.

His suspicion was correct, and Rurik tried to time his movements so as to side-step the flaming magicks. His efforts were only partially successful, and he felt the heat of the magicks through his armor on the portion of the left side of his body that wasn't protected by his shield. Better that than to have caught it full in the face, he thought to himself.

No sooner had he side-stepped some of the Half-Orc's magicks than Rurik was  back on the attack, and he caught the mage full in the chest with a heavy-handed swing of his war hammer. It was satisfying to see her collapse and die, for she had proved to be the most dangerous foe that he and his companions were facing in this battle.

Rurik took a deep breath and tried to steel his resolve to finish the fight.

OOC:

Save: 10:42, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 11 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 9. Dex Save v. Burning Hands (DC 10). Success!
Note: Rurik will take 6 points of damage from the Half-Orc's Burning Hands magicks, dropping him from 11 to 5 Hit Points prior to his taking his Second Wind bonus action (below).

Action: 10:44, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17. Melee Attack v. Half-Orc (AC 13). Hit!

10:45, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 12 using 1d8+6 with rolls of 6. Warhammer Damage (+2 to Damage due to the Duelist Fighting Style).

10:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 7 using 1d10 with rolls of 7. Hit Location (Bludgeoning). Torso.

Bonus Action: 10:51, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 2 using 1d10+1 with rolls of 1. Second Wind.
Note: This will raise Rurik's Hit Points from 5 to 7.

Move: Rurik will ready himself to move out of the way of Ghere's magicks, if Ghere calls out for him to do so.

Rurik's Stats: AC: 18, HP: 7/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Mon 26 Oct 2015.

Brak, braces for a second blast of flames from the half-orc and is better prepared for her onslaught. He once again attunes himself to the natural element, shapes and absorbs a portion of it.

His plan to clobber the sorceress is thwarted when Rurik slays her. He vents his frustrated rage on the kobold directly in front of him. His club a flame, slams into the creature reducing it to a singed, crumpled lump upon the floor.


OOC

Brak rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  save vs. Burning Hands

Reaction: Cast Absorb Elements, takes 3 fire damage.

Action: Brak rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  melee attack shillelagh enhanced club @ kobold located h16.
Brak rolled 6 using 1d8+4.  damage shillelagh blunt magical.
Brak rolled 3 using 1d6.  extra damage from absorbed fire.

for a total of 9 damage.

AC: 14
HP: 2/11
Spell Slots: 0 - 1st level

Ghere aimed carefully, Rurik's watchfulness making him determined not to repeat his earlier mistake, removing the remaining kobold's arm and the kobold from the fight.

Relaxing from his ready stance, he tut-tutted at the two dwarves. "Damn, that bitch toasted you two good! Brak, can you heal up or shall I dig out the burn salve?
Librand, um, thanks for the assist. Will you keep an eye out for response please while we heal up?"

Brak furiously pats his beard making sure any fire has been fully extinguished. He lets go with a... "Raawr! That was fun!"

"Where'd the halfling go? Thought I saw an arrow fly by earlier. I've no way to heal myself or others 'til I get a chance to put me head down. Maybe this thing here has something useful or valuable."

"Behind that window, shooting into their flanks. I guess he is the sneaky type. Tomorrow then maybe." Ghere dug out his burn salve and bandages, doing what he could for the two dwarves.

Brak, have 3 hp, Rurik 5.

 "Aye, sure...call if you need me." Librand replied to Ghere with a somewhat dejected tone. The skirmish done and over with and he only managed a single shot. And missed! Kicking his legs out from the window sill, he dropped back outside the building and began circling its perimeter. Tymora clearly did not favor his deciding to be in this husk of a city.

 Librand's silvery gaze surveyed his surroundings, but just as he barely made the effort to remain quiet, his thoughts of being back in the woods distracted him from his purpose.

OOC:
AC 15, HP 14/9+5

Action: Stealth (9), Perception (7)
Librand will continue circling the building in a counter-clockwise direction until he spots something or gets called back.

"Thank you," Rurik said as he accepted the healing salve and bandages from Ghere, favoring the Human with a small bow. "Ah, much better!" he muttered after he had applied the salve to the areas where the Half-Orc's magicks had burned him.

"And whatever it is that you do to bolster our fortitude before we go into battle is also much appreciated," Rurik remarked to Ghere. "But for your efforts, Brak and myself might have fallen victim to that Orc's foul magicks."

"You know," the Dwarven warrior continued, cocking his head to one side as he thought, "for a Human, you really are doing quite well, Ghere. I'd say that if you keep up the good work, why, in seventy-five or a hundred years or so, you may well be eligible to be named a Dwarf-Friend."

If Ghere thought that Rurik might be joking, a glance at the Dwarf's absolutely serious expression made that seem unlikely. After a moment, Rurik nodded his head and added, "'Tis a wondrous-fine honor for a Human, as I'm sure you realize."

After Ghere had replied, Rurik put his hand on Brak's shoulder and nodded towards the dead Dwarf who was hanging upside down from a meat-hook along one of the interior walls of the room. "We need to get our Stone-Brother down from there, and see to it that he is given the proper death rituals. Mayhaps he was carrying some identification, and we can get word of his death to his family and clan."

Grinning now, Rurik replied to Brak's victory-yell. "Aye, 'twas a worthy battle. Everyone fought bravely and well . . . and one needs only glance around at the many corpses hanging from the walls to know that this Half-Orc and her minions richly deserved the fate that we meted out to them today."

Rurik took a deep breath, then his expression turned serious again as he added, "I'm going to see to getting our Stone-Brother's body down from the wall. We'll also need to scour the room for the spoils of battle before we leave, of course."

Seeing the Halfling scout passing by one of the open windows, Rurik moved over and called out to him, "And thank you for serving as our eyes out there, Librand. 'Tis a critical job, for 'twould not do for us to be surprised in here if the Kobolds or their allies decide to bring up reinforcements."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Tue 27 Oct 2015.

Ghere grinned. "I am unlikely to live that long, but thanks."

With his team seen to, he moved along the bodies on the wall, checking methodically on off the chance that any of them were still alive.
"You know" he said conversationally. "There are more than a score of bodies here, all fresh. there is no way that those few kobolds took all of them. Many of them look like fighters too. Put their gear together, it makes a huge pile. There is more that we have not seen yet."

Rurik shrugged at Ghere's protestation that he would most likely not live long enough to be named a Dwarf-Friend, as if to say "Don't blame me if you Humans are so short-lived".

When Ghere mentioned the number of bodies hanging from hooks along the walls and observed that there was more going on than what they had seen thus far, Rurik nodded his agreement. "Aye, ye make a good point. Did you hear what the Half-Orc yelled out after Brak had driven her to her knees? She called out that Luthic would still have her fill. After we return to the barracks, we should ask Boros if that name means anything to him."

"Aye, Ghere. Well done. We'll take this sorceresses medallion along with her head. Perhaps there are other bookish-types to tell us what is what," also helping pull the victims down before turning his attention back to their fallen enemies.

Similar to his behaviour in during the aftermath of the first battle, he takes an unusual amount of time examining the dead kobolds and half-orc. He uses a piece of cutlery from the table to hold back the tongue peering down the throat, brushes hair away to get a close look at the ears. He holds his hand or a finger up to compare and note sizes. Mumbling to himself as he "works."

His treatment of the dwarven corpse is different, reverent, but still his examination is unusually detailed. He exposes covered skin looking for clan tattoos or brands. He notes any distinguishing scars.

When he is satisfied with his search of the bodies, he turns his attention to their possessions. This is a much more haphazard affair. Tossing items of interest into a sack, "If any of this stuff is useful or the kind of thing that should be returned to families, we can sort that out back at the barracks, yeah?"





AC: 14
HP: 5/11
Spell Slots: 0 - 1st level

"Do you seriously thing Boros sent us out after less than a dozen kobolds? This is the kitchen. Somewhere nearby is the barracks, and the storehouse, and the meeting hall, for the hundreds of kobolds that it would take to kill this many people so fast. Our day is just beginning."

Treasure and oddities:

1. a jet (semiprecious stone) talisman inscribed with the orcish symbol for "home". It glows softly with some sort of magic.
   
2. each kobold had the usual weapons - a worthless dagger, and a sling with several stones.
   
3. in a leather pouch on the halforc's corpse, there are three large platinum coins, obviously ancient and quite valuable. Two gemstones are in the same pouch, an agate and a hematite (each worth 10 gp to the right buyer)
   
4. the clothes and equipment of the victims are piled up in one corner of the house. Most of it is just refuse, but there is a thin lacquered case, containing a magical scroll. The rolled paper practically thrums with restrained magic. (Wizard spell 3rd level)
   
5. a thorough search reveals a total of 45 copper coins more on the kobolds
   
6. the fireplace holds a large cauldron in good repair, and the nice-smelling broth within. Well, it's nice if you ignore the severed hands and feet floating up to its surface from time to time...
   
7. in case anyone wondered, the sorceress was pregnant.

The team is having a merry time searching the house. Might there be something they have forgotten? Librand paces around on the perimeter, distracted by his own thoughts.

The female sorceress is unlikely to have wandered into these slums alone... Come to think of it, orcish females are never out and about on their own, and this half-orc certainly seemed like part of an orc clan.

Just as these thoughts come together, you hear a shout from the outside.

Daddy is home.



B=Brak R=Rurik L=Librand G=Ghere
shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
D = Daddy. A big, ugly orc with numerous scars and a huge axe. AC13 HP15
* = fireplace & kettle
T = table (difficult terrain)
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain, cost 2 squares of movement)

Librand can place himself wherever on the map he wants.
The rest of the party can pick any spot inside the house.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:10, Tue 27 Oct 2015.

Brak moves around the table and positions himself by the northern door g11 or h11. He takes a look at the handle and hinges making sure which way it opens so he doesn't get bonked.


ready action close and attack, triggered by Daddy entering the building

Rurik silently motioned towards the direction of the shout with his chin, and it seemed clear that Ghere and Brak had heard it also. Rurik wasn't quite sure where Librand was, but he felt certain that if the threesome inside the house had heard the  shout, then the Halfling scout who was outside on guard duty certainly would have, too.

The Dwarven warrior nodded to Brak as his Stone-Brother took up a position by the northerly door, then picked up the javelin that he had thrown in through the window during the earlier fight. Rurik wasn't sure how this would play out, and he wanted to be able to attack from range if need be -- but hopefully whoever was approaching would blunder in through one of the doors and could be surprised.

Since Brak had the northerly door covered, Rurik chose a position by the southerly door -- which was also near one of the open windows, which gave him the option of moving in front of the window and tossing his javelin at whoever -- whatever -- was approaching.

But for the time being, Rurik flattened himself against the wall, taking care to be out of the line of sight of anyone peering in the window . . .

OOC: Rurik will position himself at G-16, and will wait to see what the approaching Half-Orc does before deciding on his action and move.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Ghere moved to cover behind the table, ready for either door...

I14. Ready action-Fwakoom! AC 14 Hp 36

 When the orc's pressence was made known, Librand had been poking around in the rubble of near-by ruined buildings, loosely remembering a reward being offered for old books. He silently kicked himself for getting distracted and readied his bow, scooting along the wall to remain out of sight but still see the source of the shouting. He hoped the others had heard the loud orc, for he had little chance of warning them now.

 Throwing caution to the wind, he pivoted around the corner with arrow nocked and drawn. "Surprise!" he laughed, letting the arrow fly and catch the beasty deep in his left leg before sprinting away, and hopefully buying his comrades a moment more to prepare.

OCC:
ACTION: Sneak Attack! (24) Damage (9)
MOVE: E-22 to I-22
AC 15, HP 14/9+5

So much for ambushing the new arrival. Rising from his crouch, Ghere moved toward the north door to support Librand.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 28 Oct 2015.

Can't fault the lad for being aggressive,  Rurik thought to himself as he heard Librand laughingly call out "Surprise!" from somewhere outside the house, and he felt certain that the Halfling scout had attacked their newly-arrived foe from ambush. And he had no way of knowing about the plans that the three of us here inside the house had come up with. Good thing I have my javelin readied.

The Dwarven warrior moved over and climbed up into the nearby window, took aim, then threw his javelin at the approaching creature -- which he now saw to be a hulking Half-Orc -- and was pleased to see the monster collapse when the javelin struck him high up on the left thigh.

"'Twas another Half-Orc," he called out to Brak and Ghere, whom he knew did not have the benefit of his line of sight. "Librand and I got him, but there could be more foes out here."

OOC:

Move: G-16 (starting square) -->G-17 (5') -->F-17 (Climbing up into window: 10' or 15'?). Total movement: 15' or 20'.

Action: 18:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 17 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 11. Javelin Attack v. Half-Orc (AC 13). (Str.-based Attack.) Hit!

18:47, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4. Damage.

18:49, Today: Rurik Ironhand rolled 3 using 1d10. Damage Location (Piercing). Left leg.

Incidental Communication: Speak to Brak and Ghere.

Notes: Rurik's Stats: AC: 18; HP: 12/13.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:25, Wed 28 Oct 2015.