With Lampert only a few paces behind them, his lantern swinging wildly, casting odd shadows on the catacomb walls, Barnabus and Dax race through adjoining rooms and corridors, the initial jolt of fear that seized them lessening its grasp as they once again reach the large room that was once lined with tall earthenware vessels.

As the three enter the chamber, they see that they are not alone. A group of four goblins, clad in crude leather armor, each armed with a short spear, are huddled in the center of the room, furiously discussing something in their hissing native tongue. One of their number holds a grimy piece of parchment, which all are examining. Only becoming aware of the adventurers a few moment after they enter, the creatures look up to regard the explorers with wide eyed, dumbfounded shock.

10:09, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 1 using 1d6.  Surprise.

10:10, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 5 using 1d6.  Surprise - Party.

The goblins are surprised. The adventurers are not.

Barnabus, Dax, and Lampert may all act.

The goblins each have an armor class of 6.

Something about the symmetry of the painted knight things with the skulls on top and then the appearance of this undead knight with its skull on top had panicked Barnabus beyond measure. Now confronted with the regular annoyance of goblins, his head clears, his heart settles, freeing him to concentrate on keeping them in their place.

14:44, Today: Barnabus rolled 3 using 1d4.  Hold Person.
Cast Hold Person. 3 goblins are affected and each may make a save vs. spells.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Fri 17 Mar 2023.

The fear that overcame Dax when he saw the crypt knight dissipated and his pace slowed from run to jog to walk. But before he can catch his breath, he sees the goblins.

Realising his sword was still in his hand, he stepped forward without hesitation, "Vermin!" he shouted as his sword swung at the nearest goblin, but his lack of focus saw his swing go wild.

---

Dax Moonblade rolled 5for Two-Hander Attack.

The goblin that Dax attacks manages to sidestep the heavy blow with a frightened yelp.

Lampert, still somewhat held in the throes of panic, roars an uncharacteristically barbaric cry and swings his lantern at the same goblin’s head, hitting it with the sound of crumpling metal and breaking glass.

12:39, Today: Lampert rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Attack.

12:41, Today: Lampert rolled 5 using 1d4+2.  Damage.

12:44, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 4 using 1d20.  Save vs Spells.

12:44, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 7 using 1d20.  Save vs Spells.

12:44, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 17 using 1d20.  Save vs Spells.

None of the goblins who fall prey to Barnabus’ spell are able to resist the divine energy. All three remain rooted to the spot where they stand.

On impact, the lantern’s light is immediately extinguished. However, the chamber remains illuminated as the the goblin struck by it bursts into flames, burning oil covering its head and shoulders. The small creature howls in agony as he stumbles backward into one of his companions, the fire instantly taking hold of the paralyzed goblin’s leather tunic.

The goblin who Lampert stuck crumples into a heap, flames rising from its corpse like a small campfire. The two unharmed goblins can only watch in wide eyed horror as their nearby frozen compatriot begins to burn.

12:41, Today: Lampert rolled 2 using 1d4.  Fire Damage.

OOC: Any further attacks on the surviving goblins will not require “to hit” rolls. They can be slain with a simple declaration of intent.

Dax steps forward and executes the three paralysed goblins and tries to roll the burning paralysed goblin, with his foot, to extinguish the flames.

"A mighty strike, Lampert! Light a torch if you please. Wandering about in the dark is not a good idea."

Dax will try to rescue the parchment that the vermin were trying to decipher.

Bewildered at the scene unfolding before him, Barnabus can't help but wonder if it were the destiny of goblins to die in one conflagration or another.

Assuming he has complete control of his own volition again, he'll run back to the others after he or Dax rescues the parchment.

I take we're in 5. We'll return to 16.

The parchment is undamaged. Retrieving it, Dax can see that it is a crude map that charts a single path through the catacombs, which leads to a long hall in the southwestern area of the tombs.

OOC: Referring to the map additions provided by the late Gamdar, the map leads south from room 13, then west at the first junction that is reached, leading into the adjoining large room.

A rough drawing below the map shows a hand pressing down on what appears to be the drawing of a rose, as if pushing a button.

Lampert smiles at Dax’s praise, sheepishly collecting the pieces of the broken lantern. Taking a torch from his pack, he lights it with flint and steel, following Barnabus and Dax as they set out to rejoin their companions.