The balls of mystical force launched by Ayas slam unerringly into the Drow priestesses, though one fizzles upon impact.  If naught else, the Elf garners their attention, though none of the three are afforded the chance to let their gaze linger.

Hamin grimly swings his polearm, carving up the one that struggles to rise from the slippery stones beneath her feet, and ending those efforts as her blood is spilled.

Even so, Alasha'an advances a few paces to bring her dark blade to bear against the nearest priestess, cutting her badly, enough to make the woman's return riposte a clumsy affair, easily avoided.

Brugar and Yetta still must deal with the dog-like creatures ... the Dwarf hurries forward to confront the last of them, rewarded with the crunch of bone as his rusty axe batters the creature, while Yetta hits her stride, stunning the creature with a powerful blow before finishing it off with a lethal thrust.

The wounded Howler launches itself at Brugar, its powerful jaws snapping on the Dwarf's forearm, teeth tearing at his flesh, though he swiftly manages to pull his arm free and avoid its thrashing quills. 

Two of the three maimed Drow that are free of the area of writhing tentacles head towards Hamin, the first to reach the one-eyed warrior striking at him with his fist, the only weapon he has, landing a solid punch, though in his enthusiasm he blocks the path of his fellow.   The third of the three closes on Alasha'an where he takes up a flanking position, waiting for an opening to strike.

Those Drow caught by the tentacles continue to struggle, unable to tear themselves free, their cries of pain evident as they are struck and squeezed.  The remaining Drow lying prone before Hamin's likewise tries to regain his feet, but fails miserably,

The last of the priestesses, however, pauses only a moment to take stock of the situation before turning and running towards the black well.  Once at the edge, she shouts out, arms raised ...

... a mass of seething gray rot and corruption, roughly humanoid in shape surges forth from the well.  It looms overhead, giving off a reek of decay ...

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Hamin groans, "Bugger …", not so much at the drow attacking him, but that one of the priestesses managed to summon the thing above them.  Thankfully, his necklace probably negates the worst of the stink from the corrupted blob raising above them, but for now the drow are the immediate threat.  Grimly, Hamin continues his attacks on the drow, starting with the one closest to him, and stepping forwards to attack the second standing drow, should the first one fall.


08:52, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 25 using 1d20+15.  attack P1. – 25
08:55, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 13 using 2d4+7.  p1 dam. – 13

08:53, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 21 using 1d20+15.  attack o1. – 21
08:55, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 9 using 1d6+7.  O1 dam. – 9

08:53, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  attack P2. – 22
08:55, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 2d4+5.  p2 dam. – 12

08:53, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  attack o2. – 28
08:56, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 7 using 1d6+5.  O2 dam. – 7

Brugar's anger flares as the howler bites him and he bellows back at it as rage engulfs his mind. He hacks at the howler repeatedly with his battleaxe until it is dead, then slashes the fallen howler on his right to make sure it is really dead too.

Then he starts advancing toward the drow priestess beside the black well with murder in his eyes.

OOC: 5-foot step toward drow priestess.

Brugar Armbuster rolled 42,24,28,18 using d20+23,d2+23,d20+18,d20+13.  Attack howler with blunt battleaxe, speed, rage.
Brugar Armbuster rolled 18,13,17,13 using d8+11,d8+11,d8+11,d8+11.  Damage with blunt battleaxe, raging.

Though the maimed Drow might have succeeded in striking Hamin, his punch brings him too close.  Even as the one-eyed warrior rocks back, he brings up his polearm in a vicious arc, slicing open the Drow's flesh as it drives him back, then follows up with another two swings that send his lifeless corpse to the ground. 

With that foe downed, Hamin steps forward, feet straddling the body as he swings his polearm once more, almost mechanically, ignoring the horror floating over the well behind him as his blades pierce the second Drow's body.  The badly wounded Drow lashes out with his fists, but Hamin easily dodges. 

On the other side of the well, Brugar is engulfed with battlerage, raising a scream that threatens to match that of the dog-like creatures he battles.  With powerful blows he downs the last of them, and turns again to the creature he previously felled, pounding on its dead flesh in his fury. 

As the Dwarf turns angrily towards the nearest priestess, Yetta reacts to the foe's attempt to surround Alasha'an, launching herself towards the maimed Drow at the Elf's back, the blade in her hand flickering as it bites into his flesh, wounding him, and easily avoiding the roundhouse punch he sends her way. 

The Drow priestess fares far worse, as Alasha'an strikes with almost casual ease, her dark blade moving with deceptive slowness, but deadly accuracy, once, twice and claiming another life.

Three of the maimed Drow trapped in the mass of rubbery tentacles manage to drag themselves clear, leaving but one of their number still caught, while the Drow nearest Hamin finally manages to find his feet and step clear of the slickened flags.

As Brugar advances, the eyes of the Drow priestess narrow as she in turn calls down a column of divine fire upon the Dwarf's head ... but miraculously it fades, even as it strikes him, absorbed into the shield on his arm, the glass shards embedded upon it, causing them to glow softly. 

To the north of the chamber, Ayas hurriedly launches a volley of magical missiles at the roiling mass above the well.  The globes of energy strike unerringly ... seemingly causing the horror to fold in upon itself, though any hope that it could be so easily defeated proves false as it suddenly materialises before the Elf, lashing out with an all too solid fist that slams into him sending his broken body crashing into the marble wall to fall lifeless to the cold stone, broken tiles and rusted weapons crashing around him.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Military training lasts a lifetime, and Hamin drops into the focus and techniques that he learned years ago, when we was just a young recruit ....  He, concentrates on the Drow in front of him, and seems oblivious to what is going on around him.  He starts by striking at the Drow who punched him, and continues striking at that fellow, until he falls -  then steps on to the next one.

---

08:17, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 34 using 1d20+16.  AOO on punching drow. – 34
08:17, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 15 using 2d4+9.  aoo damage. – 15

08:19, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 27 using 1d20+15.  offhand 1. – 27
08:21, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 1d6+7. pO1 dam. – 12

08:2108:19, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 19 using 1d20+10.  Offhand 2. – 19,
oday: Hamin Carmine rolled 10 using 1d6+5.  O2 dam. – 10

08:19, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 26 using 1d20+10.  primary 2. – 26
08:20, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 10 using 2d4+5.  p2 dam. – 10

08:18, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 20 using 1d20+15.  attack P1. – 20
08:20, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 13 using 2d4+7.  p1 dam. – 13

Brugar doesn't even break stride as his shield swallows the flames called down upon him by the drow priestess. In fact, he hardly seems to notice it at all. His sole focus is the drow priestess herself. He bellows his hatred again as his battleaxe repeatedly slashes at her.

OOC: 5-foot step to close with the drow priestess, then full attack. If she collapses, he will grab her and yank her body away from the pit. She isn't getting away that easily.
Brugar Armbuster rolled 26,35,36,16 using d20+23,d20+23,d20+18,d20+13.  Attack drow with blunt battleaxe, speed, rage.
Brugar Armbuster rolled 12,12,17,17 using d8+11,d8+11,d8+11,d8+11.  Damage with blunt battleaxe, raging.

With a flurry of vicious swings and jabs, Hamin fells the first of the maimed Drow and badly injures the second, then easily dodges a couple of punches thrown his way as two more join the fray.

Overcome with the red mists of battle, Brugar's approach lacks finesse, but more than makes up for that with sheer ferocity, bludgeoning the remaining priestess again and again with his axe, then as she falls, pulling her away from the well.

Yetta tries to emulate her father and the Dwarf, but her foe is more canny and while she manages to strike him twice, both telling blows, he remains on his feet. Though her efforts at least keep him off balance so that she can avoid his return punch, even as another of the maimed males draws close.

Seeing Ayas fall, Alasha'an steps away, leaving the Drow to Yetta, her eyes upon the roiling mass.  Even as it rushes towards her, she gestures, and a thin band of shadow tightens around the creatures, constricting it momentarily before dissipating, stopping it in its tracks for now. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Hamin isn't really aware of what is happening around him, and concentrates on those enemies in front of him.  Therefore he starts the process again, first attacking the Drow that he damaged previously, then switching to the next one in range. Should the others fall, Hamin will move up to attack the third drow, if he is able to.

However, what ever happens,  he will step into space that allows the third drow to take a swing at him.

---

07:56, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 17 using 1d20+16.  AOO on drow I hit before. – 17  Whoops
07:57, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 30 using 1d20+15.  attack P1. – 30
07:58, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 10 using 2d4+7.  p1 dam. – 10
07:57, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 31 using 1d20+15.  attack o1. – 31
07:59, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 11 using 1d6+7.  O1 dam. – 11
07:57, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 11 using 1d20+10.  Offhand 2. – 11
07:59, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 8 using 1d6+5.  O2 dam. – 8
07:57, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  primary 2. – 16
07:58, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 2d4+6.  p2 dam. – 12 NOTE:  Should be 11 Dam.  Modifier should be +5

Brugar spins around wildly, looking for the next foe. As soon as he sees the huge monster behind him he grins like a madman and starts stalking back towards it with battleaxe and shield ready for the fight. As soon as he gets close enough he shouts and swings his battleaxe at the monster.

OOC:
Brugar Armbuster rolled 39 using 1d20+23.  Attack with blunt battleaxe, rage.
Brugar Armbuster rolled 13 using 1d8+11.  Damage with blunt battleaxe, raging.

Hamin shows no anger as he methodically cuts down the maimed Drow that assail him, his blows not fancy but workmanlike, guided by skills acquired over many, many battles, his movements economical but no less deadly as his blades find the mark time and time again.  Two more of the foe fall, though the last is not dissuaded, his sun-scarred visage showing no more emotion than does the one-eyed warrior as he attacks with but a bare fist, the only weapon he has, though his weakness betrays him and his punch is feeble and far from the mark.

On the far side of the well, Brugar turns to see the darkly roiling mass of corruption and races towards it shouting with a manic joy, Alasha'an cursing with equal vehemence as she quickly follows after the Dwarf ...

With a second foe circling around to flank her, Yetta is hard pressed to do other than devote her attention to her own defence ... but like her father her approach is to avoid the threat by ending it.  Her blade flashes twice and the badly wounded Drow succumbs to death, falling to the ground, even as she swiftly turns, unable to avoid the punch from the other, but at least able to see it coming and thus take the brunt of it on her shoulder.   In the morass of writhing tentacles behind her, the last of the Drow trapped therein finally ceases his struggles, crushed to death.

As Brugar and Alasha'an approach the constantly shifting mass, it forms into a vaguely humanoid shape.  Drawing closer, the pair are assailed by the stench of rot and a cold that chills their very souls, and bombarded by blow after blow from giant fists that prove only too solid, landing two solid blows upon the Dwarf and one upon the Elf whose more cautious approach allows her to duck the first swing, though not the second, though the pair manage to strike something solid within the horror's roiling form. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:10, Wed 10 Jan.

Hamin can hear the fight behind him, and knows that something is happening, but there is still a foe in front of him.  So he attacks until his final Drow is dead, before turning and making his way to help Brugar and Alasha'an.


13:42, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 26 using 1d20+16.  AOO on punching drow. – 26
13:44, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 2d4+9.  aoo damage. – 12

If that is enough damage, Hamin will run in to the fight, looking for a flanking position.  Otherwise ...

13:45, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 27 using 1d20+15.  attack P1. – 27
13:47, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 14 using 2d4+7.  p1 dam. – 14
13:45, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 33 using 1d20+15.  offhand 1. – 33
13:46, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 21 using 1d20+15.  offhand 1  Crit. – 21
13:48, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 11 using 1d6+7.  O1 dam. – 11
13:48, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 1d6+7.  O1 dam  crit? – 12

If that is enough damage, Hamin will just move towards the fight.

If it ain't enough -  He will stay and hit again  (Please feel free to roll for me)

The dwarf is so consumed by his rage that he barely even registers how much those blows hurt him. He bellows in fury and repeatedly hacks at the shape-shifting creature in front of him, edging around a little to the left as he instinctively searches for the best angle to attack this thing.

OOC: 5-foot step to the left
Brugar Armbuster rolled 36,23 using d20+17,d20+17.  Two Fortitude saves DC20 (including Con bonus from greater rage). – 36,23
Brugar Armbuster rolled 36,31,29,23 using d20+23,d20+23,d20+18,d20+13.  Attack with blunt battleaxe, rage, speed. – 36,31,29,23
Brugar Armbuster rolled 15,12,12,14 using d8+11,d8+11,d8+11,d8+11.  Damage with blunt battleaxe, raging. – 15,12,12,14

Long experience on the battlefield allows Hamin to block out all other distractions as he concentrates on the immediate threat.  Swinging his double bladed weapon, the one-eyed warrior slashes methodically at the remaining Drow before him, dropping him to the ground with three well placed blows, then quickly surveying his immediate vicinity to confirm that there are none remaining to threaten him before turning about to survey how his other companions are faring. 

Yetta attempts to emulate her father, but the maimed Drow before her proves better at dodging than the other ... though at the last she brings him down with a final, deadly thrust, panting as she steps back from the corpse, raising her blade to Hamin as she too turns around.

While Alasha'an skillfully feints and probes at the darkly viscous form floating before herself and Brugar, the Dwarf is utterly consumed by his rage and simply hacks and hacks away.  The Elf's first blow misses by a whisker, and her second only just pierces the creature's defences, while Brugar makes every blow count, if at the cost of focusing all of the attention of the horror upon himself, suffering two vicious blows in reply, though pain of his wounds cannot get past the rage that drives him.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

Hamin checks quickly on his daughter, holding his own weapon up in response to her salute.  A smile almost cracks his face, but there is that thing that Brugar and Alasha'an are fighting ...   Putting his head down, Hamin charges across the room to close the distance.

OOC:  Not sure about distance on the map.  If I don't get there -  so be it.  Charge and attack is first priority.  Second priority is to get somewhere that gives flanking - preferably for both, if not Alasaha'an.  Or at least, into a position close to flanking that I can improve later, with a 5' step.

08:38, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 21 using 1d20+18.  Charge attack. – 21   LoL
08:38, Today: Hamin Carmine rolled 12 using 2d4+9.  damage. – 12

Brugar continues to hack at the shape-shifting monster in front of him, his rage making him almost oblivious of the serious wounds he has already sustained. But this time he repeats a simple instruction to himself with every blow.

"Hit! Harder! Hit! Harder! Hit! Harder! Hit! Harder!"

OOC: Power attack.
Brugar Armbuster rolled 27,26,22,18 using d20+18,d20+18,d20+13,d20+8.  Attack with blunt battleaxe, rage, speed, pwr atk-5. – 27,26,22,18
Brugar Armbuster rolled 17,20,22,24 using d8+16,d8+16,d8+16,d8+16.  Damage with blunt battleaxe, rage, speed, pwr atk5. – 17,20,22,24
This message was last edited by the player at 11:37, Sun 14 Jan.

As Hamin and Yetta race towards the fight with the constantly shifting mass, Alasha'an takes a step to her right, emulating Brugar's earlier effort as she begins to work her way around the creature and perhaps shift it's attention her way.  Her free hand brushes the ugly amulet at her neck as she drives her dark blade deeply into the viscous substance that passes for its flesh.

Though he remains unmoved by the horror itself, Brugar's anger only increases as it obstinately fails to succumb to the wounds he has inflicted, leading the Dwarf to launch himself into the battle with even more abandon than before, a litany on his tongue as he strikes blow after blow on the creature, his blunt axe exacting a heavy toll.

Hamin's approach is met with a heavy blow as the creature's shifting flesh once more proves only too solid ... but the one-eyed warrior does not falter as his momentum drives him on and though badly off balance still manages to thrust the point of his polearm into the withdrawing limb.  .  :>]

Coming from the opposite direction, Yetta's run is more measured, yet it avails her little as she too becomes the target of the creature's giant fist which slams into her, the daughter proving far less lucky (or perhaps just less unyielding) than her father as her wildly swinging blade fails to connect.

Beset on all sides, the roiling mass of corruption and rot seems to linger on the point of violence before vanishing ...

... only to reappear above the well, hovering there for scant seconds before plunging into its dark depths. 

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"That was ..." Hamin says, panting slightly from the run across the room.


OOC: Off later today.  I should be able to get a post or two in.

With the foes all vanished or vanquished there is nothing left to feed Brugar's rage and he calms down relatively quickly. He methodically checks the various cuts and bruises he has received and flexes his arms, legs, neck and back to make sure nothing is broken. He is clearly seriously wounded but it looks like he will survive after all.

"That thing gave as good as it got. Tough bugger. Ah 'ope we don't meet it again. Let's check the bodies. See if there's aught we can use," he suggests.

He glances across at Ayas's corpse but doesn't head that way himself. Instead he heads for the drow priestess that he killed and starts searching the body.

Yetta favours her father with a small smile, nodding her agreement with his unspoken words.. though that smile slips as she turns her head towards Ayas at Brugar's suggestion.

"Maybe there's a chance," she mutters, lacking any real hope of that as she sets off towards the elf, wincing as she forces herself into a run.

The flailing tentacles vanish as the magic that sustains them finally fades, leaving the dark marble floor littered with the corpses of the Drow ... and one of your own.

As Hamin recovers his breath, Brugar heads back to the edge of the well and the corpse of the priestess he slew, while Yetta hurries to the northern end of the huge chamber where Ayas lies.  Kneeling by his side, it takes her but a moment to determine that he is now beyond life.   

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...

"We should remove their heads," Yetta suggests grimly, her face a mask, as she kneels at Ayas's side.  "Don't want to risk any of them rising again."

Brugar's search of the body of the priestess finds she is armoured in platemail of exceptional quality and the morningstar at her hip is of similar workmanship.  She also has a bone scroll tube and a highly polished wooden wand. He opens the scrollcase to see what is inside, probably hoping more for a map that he is able to understand rather than spell scrolls that are useless to him. He will show whatever he finds to the others, along with the wand and morningstar in case anyone has a use for any of them.

After that he will strip off the priestess's armour. Assuming no one else wants it he will stow it in his bag of holding in the hope of one day being able to sell it.

Then of course, there are more bodies to search.

Hamin leaves the searching and beeeheading to the others.  "What ever it was, it got me somehow.  I don't feel quite right ...

"Me too," Yetta looks back to her father sympathetically. "Hard to say what it is, just feels wrong."

"No hope for either of them then," Alasha'an suggests to Brugar with a twinkle in her eye. "Better cut their heads off to be on the safe side.."