Verzeg gives an ear-splitting shout and then attacks one of the rubble runners that isn't between him and the 'kin, trying to knock one down before wheeling around and chasing the others onto the weapons of his litter mates and friends . . .

Verzeg Black Beetle rolled 9 using 1d100.  Hatchet attack 66% + 20% = 86%. Special Success
Verzeg Black Beetle rolled 18 using 1d20.  Hit Location.
Are we using 'slashes' or 'knockback'?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Wed 10 July 2019.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 20):

Slashes

Verzeg Black Beetle rolled 3 using 1d4.  Hatchet Damage.
Verzeg Black Beetle rolled 8 using 2d6+4.  Hatchet Damage.
Total Damage: 11 HP to Location 18

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 22):

The rubble runner already dripping blood from the wound in its chest makes to run from the yelling trollkin but its left leg is sliced off neatly and it slumps to the ground, dead. The other rubble runners take flight and the waiting trollkin launch a volley at them. The stones ping off the walls and narrowly miss Verzeg. None strike a rubble runner.

The trollkin drop their slings and pull out maces ready to meet the rubble runners. As soon as they become aware they turn aaian and flee towards Verzeg.

With a feral grin Verzeg slashes at another one as he crouches in the dark tunnel. However, his back-swing hits the tunnel side and he misses completely.

Verzeg Black Beetle rolled 97 using 1d100.  Hatchet attack 66%. Fail

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 24):

The rubble runners dash around Verzeg and run off into the gloom as his littermates run up towards him.

Grumbling, Verzeg looks back down the tunnel. He opens his visor and licks the hatchet's blade.

"This is going to take all night! Oh well, here we go again. At least we can chase the nasty little buggers away."

He heads off down the tunnel with his group in tow, sneaking up on the runners again.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 26):

Verzeg follows the rubble runners, who keep about 20m between themselves and their pursuers. After a short while a crossroads is reached but the beasts go straight across it.

"We're going to get lost in here." Muses Verzeg. "I wonder what these tunnels were dug for? The Ancient Mothers must have sent the kin down here to make these, or maybe forced the Dwarfs to make them."*

"What spells do you have?" He asks the others. "I want you all to get a spell that hurts other things ready if you have one. Actually, tell me what spells you know if you know any at all."

(*Verzeg thinks the world was created by Mistress Race trolls)

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 28):

There is much shaking of heads at the question, "Uz not letting us have spells" Hurzeg says but Madzeg pipes up "I know the disrupt, my mother taught it to me to hunt with."

Verzeg squats in his heavy armour. He thinks on the problem of keeping his friends safe yet useful in combat.

"Okay, Madzeg I want you to have your club and shield out but to only cast the disrupt spell. The rest of you should have your slings out. If a runner gets by me Madzeg will stop it with his shield until he and I can kill it. The rest of you will sling at any runners when I give the word. Does that sound like a good idea?"

With all the dispositions worked out, Verzeg continues across the crossroads with his kin following close behind.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 31):

The rubble runners up ahead keep moving forward away from the trollkin. As you pass the crossroads the tunnel behind suddenly seems to fill with rubble runners maybe as many as 50 are now behind you. The path ahead seems to be the easiest way forward without being eaten by the mob.

"Runrunrunrun!" Squeals Verzeg, dragging the king in front of him and running as fast as his unfortunately short and bowed legs can run.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 33):

The trollkin run. The tunnel stays mainly straight with a few twists and turns before a sharp left takes you into a large chamber. The rubble runners ahead and behind keep the same pace so you stay surrounded but they do not attack.

In the middle of the chamber is an extremely strange sight. 5 very large rubble runners sit in a circle facing outwards. Their tails, though, all seem knotted or melded together.

A voice seems to echo round the chamber but you are aware it is purely in your head.

"Greeetings darkmen! Weeee have beeen waiting for you. Come and stand before us."

Verzeg creeps forwards, keenly aware that these creatures probably bear him ill-will after him hunting members of their tribe in the tunnels. Anyway he considers, everything hates enlo.

He's not a brave creature and this terrifies him. The slave mindset takes over and he lowers his weapons.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 35):

The rubble runner king contemplates Verzeg and the other trollkin in silence. The swarm of rubble runners surrounding them quietly melt into the shadows and disappear.

"If you would live we have a task for you. Would you live?"

Verzeg, like his cowering kin huddled behind him, knows only to well of The Black Eater. The Masters and Mistresses don't, they delude themselves with their afterlife, but the Kin know. The Kin know because they are outside the myth and can look in at the lie. Anything is better than death.

"Yes?"

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 37):

"Good, good. Theee humans have beeen killing our clan and driving us out of our tunnels. Weee want you to kill their leeeader, then the others will fleee."

You have become aware that you are now alone in the chamber with the creature(s).

Verzeg frowns inside of his helmet. It sounds like they're referring to Danzar, and Verzeg likes Danzar.

"We can do that, but he is very powerful and might kill us all."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 39):

Madzeg, standing just behind Verzeg, mutters in darktongue. "We should kill it. It is from Krjalk."

The creature snaps back "What does it say?" Its eyes take on a reddish hint.

Startled, Verzeg lies instinctively. "He's just agreeing with you. We never trusted that one above anyway."

Verzeg looks for an exit not packed with rubble runners and tries to buy a bit of time and also changes the subject.

"Oh mighty ones, are we to be rewarded if we slay those above?"

He looks enigmatically at the composite monster. Obviously it can't be that powerful or it would have killed Danzar itself, but still if it can summon the rubble runner horde the kin would never leave this chamber alive. Perhaps it's incapable of moving? No, it would simply starve, unless it is fed by its minions.

Verzeg looks to see how stable this particular chamber is.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 41):

The chamber is very large, about 10m x 20m. The ceiling is held up by 4 columns. 3 columns look sturdy enough but the fourth is in very poor condition , it looks ready to collapse. The ceiling above it shows some very large and deep cracks.

"Revered beings . . . " says Verzeg in a humble voice, " . . . we are not like you but are not of a one mind. Please wait just a moment while I persuade my fellows."

If they seem to acquiesce he turns to his kin for a quick briefing.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 43):

"Do not take too long, our tribe are hungry."