Marduke attacks Gidims #13 & #17 in a Storm of Steel, hoping to open a gap in the enemy for Tiberio to get through. He tells the women , hoping they understand his intent.

23:00, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8,11 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 5,1,2,4,6,1.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. Both CSLs active.

23:01, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,1,6.  Pick tricks 12- for Storm of Steel. Activates!

23:02, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 16,9 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 6,4,6,5,2,2.  Pick attacks OCV 7.
Attack vs #13 hits DCV 2, Attack vs #17 hits DCV 9.

vs #13
23:03, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10,5 using 2d6+1,2d6-1 with rolls of 4,5,3,3.  Hit Location, HKA damage.
If hit, #13 takes 5 BODY 15 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING to the Chest

vs #17
23:03, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 6,9 using 2d6+1,2d6-1 with rolls of 4,1,4,6.  Hit Location, HKA damage.
If hit, #17 takes 9 BODY, 9 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING to the hand.

This message was last edited by the player at 06:22, Fri 08 May 2020.

Seeing an opening created by Niamh and Marduke, Tiberio uses his shield to shove his way through his opponents and move to a more advantageous position, securing the line.

Then he turns and cuts with the scimitar to hew down the enemy, allowing his closest allies, opportunity.

T 2 Seg 8

Hph: Telport to U15, 4m Half move
HPh: Fast Strike  1/2 Ph, +2 OCV, +0 DCV, +2 DC, Attack 17

09:14, Today: Tiberio rolled 11,12,5 using 2d6,3d6,19-3d6 with rolls of 5,6,3,5,4,2,6,6.  Seg 8,Fas Strk v 17, Scimitar 2d6, OCV 19.
Hit DCV 5, Stomach, 11 BODY 44 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 16:18, Fri 08 May 2020.

Segment 6
Chang Jun - The Stygian princess' cries echo back from the darkness, receding, as Chang snatches up the torch and jogs back to his companions

Segment 8
Syssiah - The Zamoran seems to dance as her supple body approaches the ghoulish fiend; her weight upon the balls of her feet.  With a sweeps of her brand she smashes the torch against the shoulder of the horror.  There is a splash of sparks accompanied by a resounding CRACK!  The princess holds the broken section of her makeshift torch in her hand while the burning end bounces to the floor of the tunnel.  It is still alight, briefly, but it's flame dies.  The darkness engulfs Tiberio and the horrors surrounding him; only Chang's torch shines out as a beacon of hope in the distance.
Syssiah's torch is broken.  Your light diminishes.   The previous cracking sound was a warning...

Niamh - The Pict is a blur, become the nightmare to the nightmares of this wretched hive.  The beastly creature which grasped for Syssiah is skewered where it stands; its shriveled heart split in twain by Niamh's spear.   The body adds to those littering the ghastly tunnel.

Marduke - The red haired barbarian brandishes his mining implement with a savage gusto; one swing narrowly missing the abomination to his left but the second takes the hand from the horror before him, reaching for his throat.
Miss and a hit on Gidim 17, hand is gone

Tiberio - As the gloom engulfs him, the Aquilonian turns and spies Niamh wrenching her spear from another fiendish creature.  As the corpse lands upon the bone covered floor of the tunnel, Tiberio lowers his shoulder to his shield and charges.  His momentum carries him to the Vanir's side once more before he spins and disembowels one of the demons.
Gidim 17 dead

Gidim - If the demons are emboldened by the collapse of the lights as one torch is extinguished they give no sign; their nightmarish clicking continues unabated.  The lone monster manages a gash upon Niamh's thigh with it's ancient blade.  Two pursue the Aquilonian but neither comes close, while Marduke feels the icy scrape of a point across his breast from a thid.
Niamh takes 1 BODY 2 STUN after defenses to her thigh; Marduke is hit in the chest but takes no damage

Upon your lone island of light you struggle against the demons of darkness, they press at Tiberio and Marduke, barely visible at the edge of the firelight.  Neferet's cries have grown distant but are still audible; better not to imagine what horrible fate awaits the princess in the black den of demons.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 13:25, Wed 13 May 2020.

Marduke roars out  as he slashes heavily with his work pick, determined to hold the horde back. Only with fire, and lots of it, would they keep the hordes at bay.

19:47, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 14,13 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 6,6,2,4,4,5.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. 1 CSL, goes to OCV.

19:48, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,6.  Pick tricks 12- for Storm of Steel. Autofire active

19:48, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 10,10 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 4,2,4,5,2,3.  Storm of Steel attack, OCV 6 DCV 6.

Both attacks hit DCV 7
Marduke hits both gidim #14 and gidim #15

vs #14
19:49, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8,10 using 2d6+1,2d6-1 with rolls of 6,1,5,6.  Hit Location, HKA damage.

vs #15
19:49, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 7,3 using 2d6+1,2d6-1 with rolls of 4,2,1,3.  Hit Location, HKA damage.

Gidim #14 takes 10 BODY 20 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING to the arm.
Gidim #15 takes 3 BODY 6 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING to the arm.

With Tiberio and Marduke covering one side, Niamh whirls back to take on the remaining creature that kept Chang Jun separated from them. Driven by a perfect storm of fear and anger, she tore through it with abandon.

"Get another torch," she hissed at the loss of light.



21:07, Today: Niamh rolled 7,13,11 using d3+d6,3d6,17-3d6 with rolls of 3,4;4,3,6,3,1,2.  Damage, Location, DCV hit.
Hits DCV 11 (Critical)
Vitals (x4 Stun , x2 Body)

I forget, did we all create torches, but were only using a couple at a time?

It seems now one lone light keep all the numbers of demons barely visible.

[Language unknown:
"At thwi'ieos sanovesta. Ectundugh ncriad. Dinstaant are oer."]
Those last words were meant for Marduke, the meaning clear, if not the words, they move together.

T 2 Seg 12

HPh: Fast Strike  1/2 Ph, +2 OCV, +0 DCV, +2 DC, Attack 12, -4 OCV Darkness

21:44, Today: Tiberio rolled 3,8,4 using 2d6,3d6,16-3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1,4,3,5,5,2.  Seg 12,Fast Strk v 12, Scimitar 2d6, OCV 16.
Hit DCV 4, Arm, 3 BODY 6 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Mon 11 May 2020.

T2 S9

Holding his torch high Chang Jun moved forward, he stabs at the enemy between himself and the others with his spear.

OOC:
Move to Z14
09:35, Today: Chang Jun rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,5,2.  Attack w/spear (11+5 =16 OCV). Hit DCV 4
09:36, Today: Chang Jun rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,6,1.  Location. Chest
09:39, Today: Chang Jun rolled 7 using d6+d3 with rolls of 4,3.
09:40, Today: Chang Jun rolled 1 using 1d3 with rolls of 1.  Stun Multiple.
  7 Body 7 Stun

T2 S12

With the lack of light hindering the group Chang Jun attempts to set fire to the old garments the creatures wear. Holding the torch close to the nearest dead body and silently praying to all the gods.

Segment 9
Chang Jun - The Khiati takes the demon threatening Niamh in the side with the point of his spear; it passes cleanly through, leaving only a crumpled heap as he yanks it free.  For the moment the threat comes from only one side.  As the torch moves closer the creatures threatening Tiberio and Marduke become clearer in the gloom.
Impairing Wound, dead, use Stun Multiplier for the hit location, Chest is x3

Segment 12
Chang Jun - Chang waifs the torch over the vile corpse; managing to light the small remaining scraps of ancient cotton which still survive.  But there are few to be found upon this specimen and the licking flames quickly consume what remains
Scraps will only burn until Turn 3 Phase 2

Syssiah - Hold for Chang's Phase 12 action then: The Zamoran offers to take the torch from Chang.  Assuming he agrees she now holds the sole source of balm against the dark.
Action really only takes a Half Phase; you can do something else if you like, will assume torch is passed but Chang you may retain if you'd prefer, just let me know

Niamh - Finding the abomination to her rear already dispatched by Chang Jun, the Pict spies an opening between Tiberio and Marduke.  One savage thrust of her spear is all that is required to skewer one of the monsters threatening the Vanir; it's innards a ruin it can only crumple into death.
Impairing Wound, #15 is dead

Marduke - As one demon falls the Vanir unleashes his wrath upon the last before him; hammering at the monstrosity with repeated blows from his work pick.  His first rips the arm from the ancient being while the second bats aside the remaining, clawed hand reaching impotently for him.  Its centuries of evil life end in the manner it deserves.
Impairing wound, arm severed, dead

Tiberio - The horsemaster serves his opponent a similar song of death. As the light moves forward and the ghastly shape resolves itself, Tiberio's blade severs the arm holding the ancient blade.  The demon appears visibly stunned but otherwise unphased by loss of its shrivled appendage.
Impairing Wound, arm gone, creature dying but not dead yet, light moved forward so -4 OCV Darkness was negated before Tiberio attacked

Gidim - As the foul denizens of the cursed ruins are cut down, more shamble forward from the dark to take their place.  The Aquilonian holds off a pair with little effort while a third surprised Marduke with its swiftness but only manages to scratch the Vanir's armor with its wicked claws.
Gidim miss or fail to do damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:21, Wed 13 May 2020.

Your breath comes ragged; you can feel the wear of combat taking its toll on your strength.  There are calls to move but the chaos of battle make coordination difficult.  How many of these vile beings are there behind these?  Is it possible more may come from the opposite direction if you remain here too long?

Post-12 recovery, Syssiah has a half-phase available if she chooses to use
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:05, Sun 17 May 2020.

Marduke switches tactics, looking quickly in the light for someplace to cause a cave-in.

15:33, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 16 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,5,6.  Perception 13-.

Not seeing anything, he calls out


He takes a less savage chop at a gidim, using his skill to placr the perfect strike.

07:27, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 9,10 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 6,1,2,4,2,4.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. Both CSLs to damage.

15:35, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 3 using 16-3d6 with rolls of 6,3,4.  Attack roll OCV 5, DCV 6.

15:34, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 3,7 using 2d6+1,1d6+1 with rolls of 1,1,6.  Hit Location, HKA damage.

Marduke hits a 3 DCV, doing 7 BODY, 35 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING to the head.
2 END used
6 DCV
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Sat 16 May 2020.

Niamh does her best to fill the gap with the length of her spear as Tiberio and Marduke hold the line. She barely acknowledges the wound on her leg with the nearness of death still barking and chittering.

Alas, a solid strike was difficult, but at least she found flesh...


09:15, Today: Niamh rolled 2,13,6 using d3+d6,3d6,17-3d6 with rolls of 1,1;4,5,4,3,3,5.  Damage, Location, DCV hit.
Hits DCV 6
Vitals (x4 Stun, x2 Body)
Damage 2...(can't get lucky every time, I suppose)

It was the border of madness, light from flickering torch, the eyes of the demons movin forward to fill where others of their cursed existence fell. The chitters and remorseless drive to kill were as constant as his companions swings and spear thrusts.. only.. one side was mortal and mortals can become exhausted.

Tiberio now switched to a defensive stance, knowing that one against the wall had only one arm, it would block advance as his shield might, the center must be distracted from Marduke, short quick arcs were made with the scimitar to damage as little as possible, while occupying and fixating attention of the middle on himself.


T 3 Seg 4

HPh: Defensive Strike, +1 OCV, +3 DCV, v Gidim 18
hPh: Look at ceiling, determine any weakness

10:40, Today: Tiberio rolled 2,7,7 using d6+1,3d6,17-3d6 with rolls of 1,2,1,4,2,5,3.  Seg 4, Def Strk v 18, Scimitar d6+1, OCV 17
Hit DCV  7, Arm 2 BODY 4 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Wed 13 May 2020.

There is not much Syssiah can do for now. So she'll hold the torch high, and get ready to help anyone that would be threaten, her dagger in other hand. So holding actiions, to Move, attack, whatever.

Chang Jun gratefully relinquishes the torch to Syssiah as he moves to back up the others. Attempting to spear one of the creatures past Tiberio.

OOC:
Move to V14
11:45, Today: Chang Jun rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,1.  Attack w/ Spear (11+5=16 OCV). Hit a 10-
11:46, Today: Chang Jun rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,6,1.  Location. Arm
11:47, Today: Chang Jun rolled 6 using d6+d3 with rolls of 4,2.  Damage. 3 Body 6 Stun
This message was last edited by the player at 15:49, Thu 14 May 2020.

Segment 3
Chang Jun - The Khitai strides forward and jabs at the first demon he sees between Tiberio and Marduke.  The weapon cuts into the desiccated forearm but appaers to slow the creature little.
Gidim 19 takes BODY, if you prefer a different target then please declare it

Segment 3
Syssiah - The Zamoran princess remains where she stands, holding aloft the only light that remains so that her companions can better see their aggressors.
full phase delay

Niamh - Again and again the Pict strikes at her endless foes, once more pulling back a spear-point covered in the blood of her enemies.  This time her target remains upright but likely not for long
Gidim  18 takes BODY, if you prefer a different target then please declare it

Marduke - The Vanir calls out for aid, though only the savage Pict understands his words.  Recognizing the toll his unchecked rage takes on his own body in addition to his foes Marduke holds, waits, and his patience is well rewarded as the nightmare before him overreaches; its face becomes ruin as Marduke's pick passes completely through it.  The headless body staggers for a moment before dropping to the bone covered floor.
Gidim 20 is very dead

Tiberio - As Niamh's spearpoint strikes the Gidim to Tiberio's right the horsemaster's swing catches the creature's other limb.  The black blood oozes from the gash but the demon appears not to notice.
Gidim 18 takes BODY

Gidim - Neferet cries are faint now, echoing from the dark which swallowed her.  Syssiah glances back at the Khorajan princess' call reaches her...just in time to recognize and avoid the gnarled claws reaching for her; another of the demons come from the opposite direction from the main hoard.  Tiberio easily avoids the strike of the bronze dagger but Marduke only just interposes his shield to stop the claws and weapon of the demons.
all demons miss
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:07, Sun 17 May 2020.

On and on it goes.  Swing, block, swing, dodge.

In the Red Pit there was a goal to reach; to stay in one spot was death.  Here...is there a goal?  Is there anything other than the endless clicking and deathly grins with their macabre stares from the gloom?  How long since you last saw the light of the sun?  Even in the Pit you could see the sky...

The weight of this ghastly tunnel and its demons seem almost suffocating.

Syssiah has a full phase delay from Segment 4, she may use it on Segment 5-7.  Additionally she make take her standard action on Segment 8.

Doom seems to creep upon you.  Is it the ghastly tunnel?  Is it simply your mind struggling against things which should not, by all known laws of sanity, exist?

I'll answer this question here for those who have asked already so that all are aware: there is no location currently visible that appears promising to collapse the tunnel.

Again: there is no location currently visible

Collapsing the tunnel is not the only option; just one that a few folks have asked about.

This message was last edited by the GM at 12:52, Tue 19 May 2020.

Marduke calls back  The savage northman appears as if even his monumental endurance has a limit.

0-phase monologue.

The Aquilonian turns and looks then moves, past Niamh, behind Marduke.

Moving to support Syssiah, the horse master trusts that Chang will move back and support Marduke.

T 3 Seg 8

zPh: Speak
hPh: Move, 6m Half Move > Z 14
hPh: Defensive Strike, +1 OCV, +3 DCV, v Gidim 27

20:44, Today: Tiberio rolled 2,3,10 using d6+1,3d6,18-3d6 with rolls of 1,1,1,1,5,1,2.  Seg 8, Def Strk v 27, Scimitar d6+1, OCV 18
Hit DCV 10, Crit DCV 2, Head, 2 BODY 10 STUN
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Sun 17 May 2020.

T 3 seg 8
Marduke waits for the group to back up some. They had to find a place within the torch's light to collapse the tunnel. Once space has been cleared he moves back with the group and strikes the nearest gidim.

1/2 phase: move as much as is permitted, staying as bulwark between group and monsters.
1/2 phase: Attack w/17 Str for 1d6+1 A-P HKA.

01:13, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8,16 using 3d6,3d6 with rolls of 1,2,5,4,6,6.  Pick tricks 13- for CSL, Pick tricks 13- for CSL. 1 CSL available for OCV.
OCV 6 DCV 6.

01:15, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8,2,6 using 2d6+1,1d6+1,17-3d6 with rolls of 2,5,1,1,4,6.  Hit Location, HKA damage, Attack at OCV 6 DCV 6.

Attack hits a DCV of 6.
Hit Location 8 (arm)
Attack does 2 BODY 4 STUN ARMOR-PIERCING.
4 END used. (3 END attack, 1 END movement)

Niamh grunts an acknowledgement to their intent. "Pulling back...," she says between the whirl and thrust of her spear. She spins and drives forward to take on the new creature at their back, it being foolish enough to come between them and their ultimate goal of retreat and eventual rescue of both Amunet and Neferet.

Moves to Y15 striking at 27...
19:48, Today: Niamh rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,5,4.  Fighting Tricks.
19:48, Today: Niamh rolled 17 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,6.  Fighting Tricks.
19:49, Today: Niamh rolled 6,15,6 using d3+d6,3d6,17-3d6 with rolls of 1,5;6,3,6,4,5,2.  Damage, Location, DCV hit.
Hits DCV 6
Legs (Stun x2, Body x1/2)
6 Damage
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Mon 18 May 2020.

T3 S6

Having spent time in the past training with other soldiers Chang Jun had no problem with the plan. He quickly moved to support the Marduke as the the group fell back, thrusting the spear at any creature that got to close.

08:57, Today: Chang Jun rolled 6,5,8 using 3d6,d6+d3,16-3d6 with rolls of 1,4,1,2,3;5,2,1.  Hit Location, Dam, Attack.

Attack: Hit 8 or less
Location: Hand
Damage: 5 Body 3 stun