As Markus continues to attack, the bugbears execute a withdrawl manoeuvre that leaving facing five of the creatures. Markus's blows count this time as he splits open the head of the right most bugbear. Ronalt charges to help, his blow going wide. The arrows from Drake, hindered by the melee both bounce off the back wall.

The remaining bugbears attack two missing Markus but one connecting with the ranger inflicting an blow to his shield arm, unfortuately without shield. Meanwhile the cleric chants off another spell as he finsihes, the area behind the fighters is thown into darkness.  Even the fire fails to penetrate the magic

View just before darkness descends.....



[Private to Drake; Felicia Florette: This is the last thing you see before the darkness spell takes effect.  You are both of course in the zone of silence as well.  PMs only please.]
[Private to Markus Sielaff; Ronalt de Gault: Behind you the view is lost in darkness.  The last known locations of Drake and Felicia are in the map. Right most bugbear dead. You can aee and talk to each other, PMs only but include each other in the PM.]

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: damage 5 hps]

PM[Private to GM:  Drake tosses his bow over to the wall and steps forward towards the melee, to where he remembers his companions fighting.  Rather than reaching for his sword, he reaches for his memory.  Glad that his firespell requires no material components, he jogs forward, hoping to clear the darkness and silence area before being clobbered in melee.  They'll get pounded into sausage unless Fellie and I get in there!

ooc: once out of the silence/darkness zone, Drake will step up between the two fighters and cast burning hands at the bugbears, getting close enough to his friends that they won't be hit by the spurt of flames when it fans out - that's the plan, anyway...

;O

]

PM
[Private to GM:
Ronalt hews into the bugbears, hoping in vain his companions will follow through soon.
OCC: Longsword 2nd attack hit Ronalt hit AC 1, Damage 9
19:39, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 9 using 1d20+1. R2: Longsword Attack 1. MISS
19:39, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 17 using 1d20+1. R2: Longsword Attack 2 .HIT
19:39, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 9 using 1d10+7. R2: Longsword damage 2 .]

PM
[Private to Ronalt de Gault:

Markus puts the cleric out of his mind for now - there is nothing to be done about him until the vile bugbears are first eliminated.  Remaining shoulder-to-shoulder with Ronalt, the big warrior bellows a hymn to Kord and continues his assault on the creatures left flank.

Initiative : 12
Attack     : Hits AC 16]

PM[Private to GM: Unable to see her enemies, Felicia knew they could not see her either.  She knew there was a table to her left, and the wall was someplace ahead of her to her right.  Keeping her shield before her and gently swinging her mace to avoid hitting the wall with her face she crept in the direction of the attackers knowing it would only be a few steps until she was free of the enchantments]

Markus continues his attack but blood on the ground makes his footing slip and his blow go wide. Ronalt his skills impeded by the lantern he caries in his left hand still makes a telling blow on the bugbear hit before by an arrow from Drake. It snarls in pain but continues the fight.

The four bugbears respond, their blows inefectual either missing of being stopped by armour.

Drake suddenly appears from the darkness and pauses his hands empty he is no contition to melee. Almost symultaneously the cleric looses an arrow which skewers the new arrival, just missing vital organs.

The bugbears reorganise making room for the big one in the front line. Markus and Ronalt again face five or the fearsome, though seemingly ineffective, warrior monsters.

Despite the noise of battle the three warriors are a bit surprised to hear a tapping noise from behind.

OOC: remembered you would not be able to see without the lantern so I was kind to you. Of course if I'd remembered last round....

Bow and arrow wielded by a cleric? whats going on here..... thought I'd get that in before you :P you'll have to find out IC...



[Private to Felicia Florette: Felicia gropes her way about in the darkness the mace silently bangs off the table then taps along the wall. She reaches the corner, still silent and in darness she starts to enter the room. Suddenly she can here the sound of battle, very close, though all is still dark. Markus, Ronalt and Drake can be heard, though they are the usual sounds of melee, oaths and grunts, oh my...

OOC: I posted everything else in public knowing you won't take advantage of it ;), but pm your reply.

Also I stopped you here so you can let me know your next action on exiting the darkness. Of course you can stay there and cast any spell that does not need complicated somantic gestures or require you to see the effect.]

[Private to Drake: OOC: dmg: 6, distance was too far for you to cast your spell this round you can change your action for the next one if you wish.]

[Private to Drake; Markus Sielaff; Ronalt de Gault: I know I posted publicly but can you pm your actions between the three of you so we can keep Felicia in the dark for a while longer.]

PM[Private to GM; Markus Sielaff; Ronalt de Gault:

Drake staggers as the arrow scrapes painfully along his ribcage.  Screwing up his courage, he quickly eyes the melee, estimating the angles.  Pulling out a flask of oil, he pops the top and hurls it at the archer, intending to follow up with a fire spell to ignite it.  With any luck, it would coat the leader's bowstring and ruin it!

to hit: 20:13, Today: Drake rolled 16 using 1d20. to hit, thrown missile. ]

2000th post!

<PM>
[Private to Markus Sielaff; Ronalt de Gault; Drake:

With the ring closing about them, Markus uses his shield to cover his left flank and focuses his attention on the bugbear trying to move around his right flank.  His deep baritone voice echoes throughout the chamber over the din of the melee, singing praises to Kord!

Attack : #1 Hits AC -2 or better (Natural 20 if that counts for anything)
       : #2 Hits AC 9 or better
Damage : #1 - 6 HP
         #2 - 11 HP]

PM
[Private to DM; Drake; Markus Sielaff: Ronalt follows his eariler attack with a viscious blow starting at the shoulder and heading for the opposite hip.
OCC: Hit AC -2 Damage 13
OCC: Ronalt left the lantern in the other part of the room after he caught fire. He has just his longsword out.

22:21, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 20 using 1d20+1. R3: Longsword Attack.
22:22, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 13 using 1d10+7. R3: Longsword damage.]

The attacks continue to pay off. Markus again downs the bugbear infront of him its scream of pain as it dies suggesting it might have been female. Ronalt's attacks finally drop the one he has concentrated on. Drake throws a flask of oil which hits the priest and shatters spraying him with its contents.

The bugbears fair poorly again with only one hitting the attackers, unfortunately it is the big one hwo smashes his morning star into Markus's side, just evading his shield.

The preist shakes the oil from his face and concentrates on his next shot.  The arrow flys through the group and catches Ronalt on his shoulder again causing considerable damage. He shouts something in a fell language that neither Ronalt or Markus understand.

Behind the group, Felicia emerges from the darkness.  Quickly assessing the situation she call upon the power of St Cuthbert and heals the damage to Drake.

OOC: ok, your all back together, no need to pm anymore, unless you do something sneaky of course.



[Private to Ronalt de Gault: 7 hp damage, I think that puts you down to 13?]
[Private to Drake: Back up to full Hps!!!][Private to Markus Sielaff: dmg: 6 I think that puts you down to 17?]
[Private to Drake; Felicia Florette: The priest speaks orcish and says: "Everyone you kill will bring a reward to you. Those who will fail to do so will be whipped bloody.]

Drake charges through the melee at the oil-soaked archer, squeaking between his companions and their opponents.  Holding up his hands, thumbs hooked together and fingers spread in a fan before him, he shouts, "Caenflaegre!", sending a fan of flame at the archer!

ooc:  move to within spell range and fire off 'burning hands,' attempting to burn the archer and the oil.  After that, he'll draw his sword.

Ronalt grimaces as the arrow scores a nasty furrow on his arm and shoulder. Stepping to his left so to get closer to the wall and use the bugbear as a shield from further arrows he starts a new attack sequence on the bugbear.

OCC: Attack 1: 14 hit AC 4 damage 12
OCC: Attack 2: 15 hit AC 3 damage 8

12:58, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 14 using 1d20+1. R4: Longsword Attack 1.
12:59, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 15 using 1d20+1. R4: Longsword Attack 2.
12:59, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 12 using 1d10+7. R4: Longsword damage 1.
13:00, Today: Ronalt de Gault rolled 8 using 1d10+7. R4: Longsword damage 2.
[Private to DM: OCC: 31-6 fire damage - 5 bugbear attack -7 arrow= 13
OCC: Is Ronalt affected by the bless spell eariler? I haven't added the +1 bonus in so far.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Wed 18 Apr 2007.

Markus grimaces in pain and shifts his shield slightly to cover the wounded area.  Momentarily distracted, he puts less than his full effort into striking at the big bugbear and the blade is deflected by its thick hide.


Attack : Hits AC 16 or better (I'm thinking that misses)

Emerging from the darkness to the light of flames, Felicia sees the warriors engaged in a melee with their foes.  Not able to draw closer, instead she focuses on their leader.  Dropping her shield she raises her hand to point at the cleric and spits out the spidery words of magic.  Two darts of light speed towards him, striking without fail.

OOC:  Magic Missle
14:24, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 3 using 1d4+1. magic missle 2.
14:24, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 4 using 1d4+1. magic missle 1.

Ronalt attacks the remaining bugbear infront of him.  His blade seemingly weightless as he wields it with deadly effect. The bugbear crumpling under his attack the way seems open to the priest, who has begun chanting another spell. Even as Ronalt starts forward he seems to pause...then continues to pause, seemingly rooted to the spot.

The bugear on Markus's right swings his morning star barely missing the fighter, quickly followed by the bugebar leader who hits the warrior a glancing blow. Marcus in turn misses the huge monster, his swing connecting only with air.

Casting caution to the wind, Drake leaps through the gap created by Ronalt.  The large bugbear swings at him as he goes past but again misses badly. Nearing the priest, with an arcane expression his hands explode in a fan of flame that envelops the priest and ingites the oil he'd previously been dowsed in.

Almost symultaneously Felicia completes her spell and two sparkling arrows fly from her hands and hit the priest.  It is questionable if he even noticed this last assult as he tries to deal with the flames enveolping his body.

OOC: moved onto individual init for this round and fortunately Ronalt rolled well... Unlike his saving throw :( and also unlike the bugbears attacks :)



[Private to Ronalt de Gault: under effect of hold person spell]
[Private to Markus Sielaff: 3 hps damage]

"Well done, Drake!" Markus shouts over the din of battle upon seeing the enemy spell-caster go up in flames.  With the glee of a child, despite his wounds, Markus turns his attention toward the smaller bugbear to his right with a backhand slash and a thrust to the midsection.

Attack : #1 Hits AC 0 or Better
       : #2 Hits nada (natural 1)
Damage : #1 - 10 HP
       : #2 - nada

Ronalt screams silently in frustration as his sword arm and body is held in the moment. ~Not now.~

Once his spell is completed, Drake draws his sword and launches a more conventional attacks on the elf, but is unable to connect.

ooc: to hit roll = 8

Felicia continues her mystical assault on the dark elf.  Raising her voice to her god, the priestess called forth a glowing blue hammer, directing it towards the enemy.

OOC Not sure if it hits or not.

22:28, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 2 using 1d6. damage.
22:28, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 15 using 1d20. to hit with spiritual hammer Lareth.

With victory in the air, poor Ronalt looks on incapable of any movement, events unfold around him. The priest continues to burn as the remained of the oil is consumed.  Despite the pain, he begins another incantation. For a few moments it seems like he will succeed before with a scream of rage, followed by an oath in a language none understand his spell fails.

Drake trieds to take advantage of the situation but the heat drives him off. Markus kills the last normal bugbear, but looses his balance as the leader attacks again. It's aim is poor raising chunks from the floor.

Felicia completes another spell and a glowing hammer appears in the air next to the evil priest.  It's attack, though close, just misses the cleric. The flames on the evil priest now begin to die down.

Even as Ronalt waits their fate, a new twist it seems is upon them as a doglike humanoid appears out the darkness next to Felicia.



[Private to Felicia Florette: you think the language the priest used is some for of corrupted elven]
[Private to Markus Sielaff: you miss an attack next round due to being off-balance.]

Seeing a new enemy in their midst, Felicia holds her mace up to fend off an attack while pointing the glowing blue hammer in the direction of the new enemy.  It flies from the elf to the new threat however she watches with some vexation as it misses with the gnoll ducking to one side.

Markus swings his shield around to place it between himself and the large bugbear as he struggles to regain his footing.  A mild curse can be heard uttered as the new threat materializes from the darkness and the realization that Ronalt is out of the fight settles in.

Ronalt groans inwardly as he fails to mentally control his body. The fact the priest is open to attack and the bugbear leader are all that remain give him a little hope. He just wishes he was able to lend his sword arm to the battle.
His only reprieve is no one has taken advantage of his current state.

Drake, oblivious to anything but his enemy in front of him, shouts, "Smells like burning chickens in here!"  His sword flickers twice toward his opponent's head and neck before attempting to bury his longblade in the evil one's belly.



21:59, Today: Drake rolled 7 using 1d8. dmg, if hits.
21:59, Today: Drake rolled 11 using 1d20. to hit.

Ronalt, with the gnoll right behind him feels particularly vulnerable.  Even more so as Lareth shouts out in common "Finally! Trixibell, attack the one with the light!".

Markus off balance, registers this new threat but has to contend with warding off another attack from the bugbear. His shield deflecting a well placed blow. Drake's attack on the priest is ineffectual and undisturbed by the magic hammer, he casts another spell.  This time a blue glow surround him and some of the fire and missle damage magically heals itself.

The magic hammer flies across the room but misses the gnoll which surprises everyone by muttering "Ahem...err na' 'ere, moost gaw ba...." and disappears back into the blackness and silence.

OOC: man, these bugbears are pathetic....

Aleena feels some relief at the disapearence of the threat, but fears for the others beyond the darkness.  Knowing she could not fight two battles at once and the paralyzed warrior before her could not be abandoned to the black hearted elf, she launched the hammer back at the elf and witnessed it strike her foe squarely in the chest.

OOC:  Damage total of 8 :D
21:55, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 4 using 1d6. damage, double due to natural 20.
21:54, Today: Felicia Florette rolled 20 using 1d20. attack with spiritual hammer.

With his feet planted firmly once more on the stone floor, Markus turns his attention to the large bugbear looming above him.  Shouldering his way in between the bugbear and Ronalt, the big warrior works his large sword with suprising ease, seeking an opening in the monsters defenses!


Attack : #1 Hits AC 16 or better
       : #2 Hits AC 2 or better
Damage : #1 - 0
       : #2 - 10 HP
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Wed 09 May 2007.

Drake, gritting his teeth as the man seems to dodge any attack he makes, decides to throw away finesse as hit first attack is beaten away.  With a shout, he drives the point of his sword directly at the man's chest!

ooc:
11:10, Today: Drake rolled 6 using 1d8+1. damage, nat'l 20.
11:10, Today: Drake rolled 20 using 1d20. to hit atk #2.
11:10, Today: Drake rolled 4 using 1d20. to hit.

total damage: 12

The party press the attack with vigour. Felicia's hammer hit the priest almost symultaneously as Drake's second attack.  A snarl of rage escapes Lareth's mouth as he shouts "Protect me you useless bastard!" Presumably at the bugbear, who has it's own problems as Markus inflicts damage on it, it's feeble return emphasising the degree it is outclassed.

The priest now acts, charging past Drake and between Markus and the inert Ronalt. Both they and Felicia miss him as he lunges past and disappears into the darkness.  The bugbear seeing this swears and drops his morning start saying, "Don' 'it me! Ah' gie oop."

OOC: given all the modifiers on his morale check I think he was only a few % off commiting suicide....

Ronalt mentally swears as Lareth passes by him, unable to do nothing to stop the enemy escaping.

With no more threats in the room, Aleena retrieves her shield and plunges back into the darkness, abandoning her mystical hammer to pursue the elven fiend.  Moving with her mace and shield before her, the young woman moved forward, seeking the outline of the cleric with her elven sight.

Drake, praying that the others in the party not in the room still live, shouts, "Come back here, you coward!" and sprints after the fleeing man.  Joining Felicia in her chase, before hitting the darkness area, he shouts, "Turn right!  I'll run straigh on through!"

With Felicia and Drake in pursuit, Markus can only shrug with a lopsided grin toward the paralyzed Ronalt - "I guess I volunteered to babysit this one," he says, gesturing his sword toward the surrendered bugbear.

Shoving his bloodied sword back into its scabbard (making a mental note to properly clean it later), he motions to the creature, twirling his index finger in the air.  "Turn around, kneel with face to wall, hands behind head."  He mimes each move to the best of his ability, hoping the creature understands at least some of the Common tongue.

If Ronalt could groan in frustration he would.
OCC: ? 3 round done? 4 rounds+1/level. I could be here a while.

The bugbear does as requested, his understanding of the common tongue clear as he growls "Bast'rd lef me 'ere ta save hisel'. Ef ya lemme gaw whin ya git oot, Ah'll 'elp yas."

OOC: Ronalt has a few rounds to go as do the silence and darkness

Markus needs several moments to decipher the bugbear's manner of speaking before he can respond.  "I'll consider your offer.  But for now, please remain where you are."

Picking up the creature's morning star, Markus approaches Ronalt and pokes him a bit with the haft.  "Are you OK?  I've heard of such magic before - the spell should wear off soon."

The big warrior stands guard near Ronalt, waiting for the spell to wear off and minding that the bugbear remains where it is for now.

The bugbear does as ordered adding, "Ye've soom hard fightin' ta gaw en ets naw guid ta me ef ya loose. Larry, il see ta tha'. Ef ye gimme ma wepin back Ah'll do righ' by ye."

~dammit stop poking me Markus.~ Ronalt strains to move and break the elf's enchantment upon his limbs.

"I have no reason to doubt you yet, my friend," Markus replies to the bugbear.  "I have to discuss it with my companions first.  We have to remain here until the spell wears off my friend here."

"Do you have a name?"

"Me name's Gerald tha' dwarf slayer, Ah 'ate them little boogers." said Gerald.

"Well met, Gerald.  You can stand and turn around if you wish.  I am Markus and my paralyzed friend here is Ronalt."  Although his words are friendly in tone, Markus maintains a vigilant watch of the bugbear, still not fulling trusting him to keep his word.

"We travel with a dwarf - Arek by name.  I would have your word that you will not attack him, at least for the duration of out arrangement."

The bugbear scowls even more than usual, then nods its head. "Joost tha' one en joost fur naw." he growls.

"Well enough, then.  Once the spell wears off, we can join the others.  By the way, who was that spellcasting fellow?"  Markus shifts uneasily from foot-to-foot, impatient for the spell to wear off so they could rejoin the battle.

OOC:  Apologies - I thought I posted this about 4 days ago! :-p

"Tha' was Massa Larry! Tha hied bummer!" said Gerald looking surprised that Markus did not know.

Very shortly after, Vestan strolls into the room and looks around. "'Ee ae prisoner? Hmmm... Skin tha' walks! Ah like it!" he says, his eye shining.  Looking at Ronalt he continues "Wha' up wi tha' tree hugger?"

Markus nods toward the bugbear - "Meet Gerald - he promised to guide us through the rest of this complex.  Ronalt was ensared by the priest's magic - and I sit and wait for it to expire.  How fares the battle?"

Vestan says, "We got some dogfaces and I tried ta kill yon preacher but changed me mind and thought I'd check up on you. Where's gramps and the others?". Walking over to Ronalt he waves his hand in front of the rangers face, saying "Niver was much of talker was he. Except 'Vestan don't do this and Vestan don't do that'." The last in a fair approximation fo the rangers accent. "Say does he know whats happening?"

"Aye, he does," Markus replies with a crooked grin.  "You'd better play nice with'im because he ain't gonna be happy when that spell wears off!"

"And we have seen anything of Arek since the battle began.  Ronalt, Drake, Felcia and I engaged a group of bugbears and that priest.  The priest fled and most of the bugbears, save Gerald, were slain."

Ronalt is knee deep in dead bugbears(2)

"Hmmm... pity." says Vestan without elaborating.

The group are surprised when they start to hear the sound of battle somwhere beyond the darkness.

Started by the sounds of battle, Markus turns a wistful gaze to the darkness.  He takes several steps in the that direction, his large hand gripping the pommel of his blade.  The battle obviously raged on, but he was also certain Ronalt would not appreciate being left at the mercy of the rather odd halfling and a captive bugbear.

Forcing calm upon himself, Markus waits, looking impatiently at Ronalt, as if the ranger had some choice about when the spell would expire.

Vestan starts to search the bodies and comes across some strange flasks containing a black liquid. The bugbear identifies them as 'Alcholic's fire'.

As he ponders trying one out, there is a scream of pain from a male voice that is cut short.

The darkness lifts shorty after, and they can see into the main room, currently empty of life.

"Ronalt - hurry it up!  We're missing all the fun!"  Markus is clearly growing impatient with the waiting but still restrains himself from rushing out to join the battle.

Ronalt would scream and say go but the spell silenced him and prevented his further movement.
Struggling to move his limbs, brought just more sweat upon his brow, nothing more.

The noise of battle begins again, the yells of war can only from an ogre, somewhere closer to the exit. Vestan starts to move towards it leaving Markus, the bugbear and Ronalt behind.

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: As the action finishes Ronalt begins to feel life return to his limbs. The ache from the forced immobility and he has to stretch and massage them back to life.

OOC: read end of this round you are back to normal]

In his statue like stance, there is finally movement, a flicker, then a scream, "Arrrggghhh."
"I am going to fillet that cleric."
Banging his arms with his leather gauntlets to bring back circulation he glances around.
"Where is the cleric and why isn't the bugbear dead?"
With scream further away, "Sounds like an ogre. Lets see huh."
Ronalt steps cautiously over the dead bugbears and turns to where the sound came from.

"Aye - let's do it then," Markus replies with a grin, glad to finally be able to join the battle once more.  "I have your word then Gerald?" the big warrior says to the bugbear.

Assuming that Gerald responds in the affirmative, Markus tosses him the morning star and draws his own sword.

"He's pledged to help us," the big warrior adds by way of explanation to Ronalt.  "And it sounds like we need all the help we can get!"

Right on Ronalt's heels (and with one eye on Gerald), Markus heads toward the on-going battle.

OOC: proceed to the 'out of darkness' thread....