No map until later; other responsibilities are eating my free time! Mmmm, time. Slurrrp. Krusk, tack another 4 points onto that healing, making the total 14 points. Now you're down 8. Sorry about that, Jozan! Incidentally, don't forget about the inspire courage from Devis.
Alhandra's voice echoes in the small cavern. From behind the shields, the gravelly voice rises. "A dog? A DOG? Woman, dogs are like humans and elves; fit for nothing but food."
The shield-bearers step smartly to the side, revealing through a thin gap in the shields what at first you think is some sort of large ape. It isn't, though; it's a goblinoid of some sort, huge by comparison to the ones around it. Its hair is bone white, empty staring holes in its face where its eyes once were; in the flickering torchlight, there isn't any scar to show what blinded it. It's hunched, hair dangling across its sightless face and protuding tusks, massive arms dangling to the ground, clasping a double axe in one huge gauntleted fist. It's wearing plate armor, once shiny but now a patchwork of rust and ancient blood stains.
It lifts its face uptowards you, nostrils flaring. "You will make good sacrifices, and the One That Crawls will bring renewed strength to my people in thanks. Now," he suggests, "you will die."
The goblinoid guards keep their place, using their shields to guard their blind chieftan while they raise huge crossbows. The other four rush over to scoop up more weapons themselves, somewhere back there in the darkness. A drum beats a staccato for just a moment, and then quiets.
First, though, the heroes' missile weapons fly. Krusk, Kazak, Ma'Varkith, Alhandra. Only Kazak's, guided by the psionic enhancement, finds its way through the narrow gap between the shields. You hear it hit the chieftan's armor, but it's unclear whether or not the armor is penetrated.
"One at a time," grates the Chieftan's voice. "Kill the loud woman first, the one who insults me." Silently, all four crossbows point towards Alhandra. *TWANG* Without her shield up, two of the crossbow bolts hit her, in belly and knee. You can hear the cracking of bone. If they hadn't been trying to manage the crossbows one-handed, it's possible she would have been impaled by all four bolts.
Meanwhile, the smell of winter and burning bones gets stronger, and Ma'Varkith feels something collide against her mind like a landslide.
Lidda is invisible, of course, floating above the entrance. Everyone else is still in the tunnel; Regdar, for one, is trying to push his way forward.
Alhandra, 12 points damage. Actions, everyone? Did I miss anyone who had declared an action? And Ma', a psionic defense, please?
I'll be back late tonight!
