Right... Forgot... apologies, sure looked good to someone who rolls lots of high numbers...

"Okay, so, the light situation is better, we should at least be able to see what to stab.

"Still the problem of half a dozen bitin' while you're whackin' one.

"Say, Sven, you said your mom makes all this wine and kvass and stuff -- you got any that didn't quite come out?  Maybe we could put a couple pans of that down there and get the rats drunk enough to sleep?  They ain't gonna sleep out in the open where we can get 'em, but if they run off somewhere, that'd give us a chance to block up their holes while they nurse their hangovers."

"That could work..Ma knows all about poisons,too. When you clear us a perimeter, We can set out something that will put them down, for the big sleep!"

I can dispatch a few with my Javelins ... probably shoot the bigger ones first.

"Not sure that'll make much difference, but ever' big one you take down is one less we got to worry 'bout later.  Gettin' your spears back might be fun, though."

Maybe, but Rats aren't especially courageous

"Depends some on how hungry they are.  I've seen a rat, ordinary bog standard half-pound rat, take food from a full grown guard dog's bowl."

Black feels good to be in the company of people who sling about grand ideas like a bartender slinging cups of mead and ale.  He interjects when there is a free moment.  ”They're hungry.  What about putting a bowl of meat at the top of the stairs.  We open the door just long enough to get the big ones up and out.  Shut the door and kill them before they know what hit him?  Then we could use all the other ideas to deal with the small ones?”

"That could work..It might cause the strongest among them to compete, in getting to the bait first, so you can slay them first. Worth a try, at least!"
Sven said, rubbing his chin, as he thought about Black's idea.

Personally I wish to keep them below, with all the light  we can start killing them there and not get blood all over the bar room. I am ready to quit talking...

"I'll drink to that! I think Sis would too, so I'll make that'n a double!"
Sven pours himself a drink.

"I like the idea of separating them, so we only have to deal with a few at a time.  If I had plate armor boots, I wouldn't mind so much going down there with them, but I don't."

We start from the stairs, where they are not so many ... I'll lead if you wish... you keep them off of my boots.

"Lantern in one hand, knife in the other.  I'll do what I can to keep your feet clear.

"Got one of those brick shards?"

Downing his drink, and taking up his axe, Sven will unbar the door and open it, when they are ready for another sally, below!

In reply to Svendegard Yurick (msg # 176):

As you are ready, Svendegard yanks the door open.

Adolus' lantern shows the steps clear, but some movement below

Let's get those stones down here, I'll lead.  Thorg heads down with his spear point leading again. This time he has his javelins along as well.

In reply to Thorg (msg # 178):

Who has the stones?

Porter holds the brick as the hired fighters assemble once again near the door and wait for it to open. The brick is awkward and he finds he must regrip and regrip it again to keep it from slipping.  He asks the owners if they have some simple tools.


OOC:
I have one of the bricks.  I will ask Svendegard if they have some twine and a hook.  My idea is to bind the brick in string and tie that to a hook which can be hung from a nail or piece of wood in the basement ceiling.  A TL3 version of an overhead light to free up hands when we get a foothold downstairs.  If this isnt workable I will just hold the brick in my left hand.  Sword is ready in my right hand.  I will happily go after Thorg.

Svendegard nods at the request.
"We have such things in the kitchen. Ma hangs meat in there. Sis! Bring us some twine, and a meat hook, please!"

After a minute, Nana comes in wearing an apron with potato peelings stuck to it, and her boots.
"Here. So, what's going on? I could use a break, anyways."

"We are about to descend into the cellar once more, with better light to aid in seeing what we will kill."

You approach the cellar dangling the brick.

Make an IQ roll

"Good luck, down there..."

OOC:
PM for dice roll.


[Private to GM: 13:59, Today: Fisher 'Porter' Black rolled 11 using 3d6.  IQ.
Missed by 2. ]