IC XV

[thirdkingdom]

Rounds One and Two

Severi and Rhys leap forward. The passageway is narrow enough so that only one of the orcish behemoths may fit at a time, and the two warriors cut down the smaller of the two ur-orcs with a flash of blades. The larger, a good foot taller than the first, lumbers forward. He parries Rhys' swordstroke with a practiced flip of his wrist but leaves himself open for a thrust from Severi as the monster attempts a riposte against Rhys. Black blood begins to trickle down the ribs of the ur-orc. Both Tev and Thurgan find themselves unable to strike the ur-orc.

Hanging back from the battle, Quint hears a great din arise from behind them, from the far end of the Hall of Statues. Nothing is visible yet.

There's nothing specifically in the rules about attacking with a pole arm from the second row, but I've house ruled that you can use a pole arm, missile weapons or spells if in the second rank behind a dwarf (or halfling). In this case, Severi and Rhys got to the orcs first, before Thurgan.

[Wyzard]

Severi continues attempting to kill the ur-orc in front of him. "Form up a line! Put Thurgan against their charge, so that Quint and I can launch our magics into them!"

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
From his position, Vanco sees little he can do but watch those further forward....

[Alethan]

Rhys likewise continues his attack.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan moves back past the others with his sword and shield readied to fight anything approaching from behind.

[thirdkingdom]

Round Three

The clamor of approaching foes can now be heard distinctly over the din of battle. Rhys thrusts, but his blade is parried by the ur-orc, who, with a finesse that belies its bulk, catches the mystic with a riposte that leaves Rhys briefly stunned. Severi senses an opportunity and drives his blade home, opening a wound from shoulder to belly that sends a wash of blood down the ur-orcs torso. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be a life-threatening blow.

Still no enemy visible from the rear. Ordinarily, I'd roll out another round or two, but Rhys took a hit for 7 hp and I want to give Al a chance to declare a potentially different action.

[Alethan]

Rhys fights on!

He still has more than half!

[Koren n'Rhys]

Quint Kacie
Quint stands alert, mentally reviewing the spells he has left in reserve and considering his options. With two sleep spells left, he should be able to fell at least two of the brutish creatures, but he's unsure if more than that would succumb to the enchantment. He wonders if they might be fooled by some clever use of an auditory illusion as well, but wonders if they are smart enough to bother...

For now, he waits to see how strong a force will be coming out of the darkness.

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

"I trust you're having fun, Rhys, but if you let Thurgan swap in there for you I can stab as well, and ugly here will go down faster."

[Alethan]

Rhys cedes his position to the dwarf and goes to Semele to have his wound tended.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan has already moved away to deal with the threat from behind

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

Cursing at the misunderstanding, Tev drops his halberd, draws his sword, and closes ranks with Severi.

Tywyllwch, +1 sword vs unarmed +6 to hit (1d12+3/1d12+3 damage), Deflect 1, +0 disarm
Tywyllwch, +1 sword vs armed +7 to hit (1d12+3/1d12+3 damage), -2 AC vs 1, Deflect 1, +0 disarm

I reckon he's at AC 0 against the ur-orc: shieldless AC of 2, but he gets -2 AC against an opponent from Skilled sword.

[thirdkingdom]

Round Four

There is a moment of confusion as Rhys withdraws and Tev leaps forward to take his place. The ur-orc take advantage of this and delivers a mighty swipe aimed at Severi, but the elf adroitly avoids the blow. Rhys drops back and Semele pulls out her bandages and begins to see to his wounds. Severi stabs at the ur-orc but his blade is turned aside by the thing's tough hide. Tev comes in from the side, blade flashing. The ur-orc brings his blade up to meet the bounty hunter's, and a clashing flurry of exchanges follows. Finally, however, Tev is able to penetrate the creature's defenses and separates its head from the rest of its body.

Meanwhile, an acrid grey smoke has begun to filter into the room. A half dozen large figures appear at the end of the hall, silhouetted against the dim light. They raise their blades and utter guttural warcrys. The two columns in this room begin to vibrate even faster, and with a sick squelching detach from the ceiling and begin to retract down into the floor. Small rocks cascade down from the roof of the cavern.

[Wyzard]

Look out, guys. It might be a load-bearing boss.

Severi hurls a Sleep spell at the enemy, as soon as he can get a clear shot.

[Koren n'Rhys]

Quint Kacie
At seeing the number of new foes, Quint too decides to try and whittle down their numbers directly and casts his own sleep at the approaching group.

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan readies himself in case any of the figures is able to resist the enchantments and advance to combat.

"Lets get past that orc and out of here now"

[Alethan]

Rhys consumes his potion of healing and prepares to quickly move with the rest of the party.

Will cross that off inventory once it is confirmed that he has time to drink the potion and move with the others.

[phil285]

Vanco Basou, cleric
"Time to leave," he shouts and points in the direction of the southern exit.

[thirdkingdom]

Rhys consumes his potion of healing and prepares to quickly move with the rest of the party.

Will cross that off inventory once it is confirmed that he has time to drink the potion and move with the others.

Would you rather have Semele cast CLW or drink a potion?

[Alethan]

Rhys consumes his potion of healing and prepares to quickly move with the rest of the party.

Will cross that off inventory once it is confirmed that he has time to drink the potion and move with the others.

Would you rather have Semele cast CLW or drink a potion?

Ah, right! Let's go with Semele casting CLW, then!