CH. 05 - Choices

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna follows along with the rest of the group, quietly right now until Theron comes back with news on what he has found, if he has found anything at all.

[Nuke]

Ryan falls into order. Lightly speaking to Ladonna, "I still think this level is a waste of time, and I know it is a waste of resources."

[Daos]

Sickening squeaking and skittering noises can be heard from the darkness just as Theron turns the corner. As he does so, he accidentally kicks an old mining pick, long rusted.  It skips a step ahead, making a loud noise.  After a moment, a swarm of small red eyes peer up at him, squirming around and in front of each other; then the end of the corridor comes into view, about a spearthrow ahead. A confused pile of wood shavings, hair, bones, and decaying vegetable matter is covered with a writhing mass of black rats of all sizes. Most retreat from the sight of the gnome, either scurrying deeper into the folds of the disgusting warren or into small holes delved into the walls. A dozen, however, don’t flee—they are the largest rats he's ever seen, easily two feet from nose to tail—they begin hungrily advancing towards him.



==================

Theron attempts to move stealthily [MS 45%] (1d100):  95, fail.
Giant Rats' Initiative (1d10+3):  9+3 = 12
w4_RMmY81d10

(OOC:  I'm assuming he will not take the time to carefully search for traps now.)


1d10

[notARobot]

Jan 17, 2018 11:27:16 GMT -8 Daos said:

(OOC:  I'm assuming he will not take the time to carefully search for traps now.)

(OOC:  Haha, yes, that is a reasonable assumption.)

Theron turns and runs back the way he came.  "Rats!" he wheezes as he returns to the group, slightly out of breath.  "A dead end...with way, way too many rats.  I think...some of them might have followed me.  We should split...unless we've got a way to block them from coming down this corridor?"

[EDIT:  It looks like we're all rolling initiative, so here goes:] CFtk3SvH1d101d10

[Ezeze]

"We'll avoid the fight if we can, to conserve our strength. Back away" Katya says - but that doesn't stop her from drawing her shield and moving to place herself between Theron and any oncoming rats, just in case.



(ooc: Do you want us moving in initiative order? Just in case; XVpH4cl11-10)1-10

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna backs away with Katya as her hand tightens around her staff.

kBAsF0LO1d10 1d10

[Jherek Everfull]

Jherek muffles a cough and readies his axes for another mixup. He moves forward with Kat, placing himself between the others and harm.

1jJ01ZMO1d10
1d10

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian nocks her bow and moves to the back.

OOC: iECudAwA1d101d10

[Nuke]

Ryan backs away muttering "Damn it"

Initiative:pq_rsQKO1d10
1d10

[Daos]

The first thing the party hears are Theron's shouts of warning echoing down the corridor, followed by a cacophony of squeaks.  Katya moves forward where Ingot is, to bottle-neck the oncoming vermin.  Ryan, Ladonna, and Lillian all move back, while Jherek moves forward.

When Theron arrives, Katya and Ingot step aside to let him through.  The rats, at least a dozen of them and each one 2 feet long, are right on his tail.  The two warriors close ranks to prevent the rats from getting past them, using their shields and bodies to form a wall.

The rats crash against them and start attacking at once, but only four of them can do so at a time.  The rest are forced to crowd together in the back.  One of the rats manages to get past Katya's defenses and takes a bite out of her ankle.

=============

Initiative
Ladonna (1d10):  6
Ryan (1d10):  5
Theron (1d10):  9
Katya (1d10):  1
Jherek (1d10):  9
Lillian (1d10):  8
Ingot (1d10+7):  1+7 = 8
_bxASQa41d10
Finbul (1d10):  6
1d10
Garnet (1d10):  8
1d10
Giant Rats (1d10+3):  9+3 = 12

Round 1!

Katya moves 20 feet eastward.
Ryan moves 20 feet westward.
Ladonna moves 20 feet westward.
Finbul does nothing.
Ingot goes into full defense.  His AC improves by 2.
Garnet does nothing.
Lillian moves 10 feet westward.
Theron moves 35 feet southwest and 10 feet westward.
Jherek moves 15 feet eastward.
Giant Rats moves 60 feet southwest.
Giant Rat 01 bites at Ingot who is in full defense (-2 hit) and holding a shield (-1 hit) [TH 17] (1d20-3):  18-3 = 15, miss.
1d20
Giant Rat 02 bites at Ingot who is in full defense (-2 hit) and holding a shield (-1 hit) [TH 17] (1d20-3): 11-3 = 8, miss.
1d20
Giant Rat 03 bites at Katya who is holding a shield (-1 hit) [TH 15] (1d20-1):  16-1 = 15, hit for (1d3):  3 damage.  Katya becomes seriously wounded.
1d201d3
Giant Rat 04 bites at Katya who is holding a shield (-1 hit) [TH 15] (1d20-1): 12-1 = 11, miss.
1d20



(OOC:  Please look at the map to make sure you understand where everyone is standing before choosing your next action.  Actions for Round 2?)
1d10·1d10·1d10·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20·1d20

[Ezeze]

Katya grits her teeth against the pain in her ankle. Even hurt she has a better chance of holding against these rodents than her friends behind her did. She stands her ground and takes a swing at the one who bit her. The rats' small size allows her to take a second swing, at the one next to it, on the return.

"Keep the light up, acolyte! We'd get swarmed in the dark."


Rat #3
Attack ExkxRct61d20 (THACO 19, +1 masterwork sword)
Damage 1d8 (+2 strength, +1 masterwork sword)

Rat #4
Attack 1d20 (THACO 19, +1 masterwork sword)
Damage 1d8 (+2 strength, +1 masterwork sword)1d20·1d8·1d20·1d8

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna does nothing while the fighters take on the rats.

[Nuke]

Ryan holds up the light and provides light to fight by.

[notARobot]

Theron nimbly squirms past his comrades, moving all the way to the back of the group behind Ladonna and Ryan.  He then digs through one of his pouches and withdraws a small lump of wax.  Clutching the wax in one hand, while making the subtle gestures necessary to unlock the arcane energies with the other, he recites the incantation for the Audible Glamour spell.

(OOC:  Theron will create the auditory illusion of Jherek bawgrusting, centered just behind the 'wall' that Katya and Ingot are providing.  Let's go full-volume (i.e., equivalent to four men shouting), and from the rats' point of view the sound will seem to be rapidly approaching them.

Also, whatever kind of saving throw the rats wind up getting to disbelieve the illusion, don't forget that Theron's specialization in Illusion magic confers a -1 to them )

[Jherek Everfull]

Jherek stands firm behind Katya, ready to step into the gap should she or Ingot be wounded to grievously. He also lobs an axe over the two warriors shoulders. 

Attack
16R4GhJF1d20

Damage
1d6+4
1d20·1d6