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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 3986559" data-attributes="member: 16069">Turn 7.8: Hambush“No listen… Listen, its simple really Bernard drinks the Potion of Spider Climbing, I cast Magic Weapon on his arm, the one that’s there, and then we lock him in the chamber to destroy the Shadow- what could be simpler?” Saradomin offers.ThunkThunkThunkThe sound of Jerky butting his head against the wall in the corridor.Aleso screws his face up, trying to imagine the aforementioned scenario, “I’m not so sure…”“What’s the problem- it’s foolproof.”“Like your last plan then.” Grand Alf crosses his arms and harrumphs.“I expected him to have doubts”, Saradomin points at Aleso, “but not you Grand Alf- Bernard can be very resourceful, and sure it’ll be a titanic battle, but think of it- a Spider Climbing Magic Zombie Bugbear, tell me that’s not something you want to be involved in?”Grand Alf’s little eyes light up, he begins to nod, “I’m in.”ThunkThunkThunk“Can someone shut the door, that sound’s putting me off?” Saradomin asks.Grand Alf goes to obey but is halted en route by Dartamor, he fixes the group with an easy smile, his eyes wink and sparkle in the half-light.“No, it’s too easy, and too little. Our path goes on, our destiny is that way.” Dartamor points out of the chamber, towards Jerky, who arrests his head-butting to see where the Rogue’s speech is going.“We have bigger fish to fry, greater battles lie ahead, we will mark our density ahead… er, down there.” Dartamor points past Jerky, then continues, “Grand Alf take these scrolls I found on the shelves to augment your already fantastic power, read them, learn them- for we will have need of your magic in the confrontation that lies ahead. Aleso pick up your mighty sword, ready your arm, clad in steel you will be the shining beacon that leads the way.”Grand Alf giggles as he examines the scrolls, Aleso strike a glorious pose, fluffs what’s left of his feeble moustache.“And Saradomin, I sense your heart is in the right place and yet you need direction- do not waste your time here with feeble shadow-creatures, the Goblin Chief lies ahead, and his vile Priestess, and beyond them the children we swore to rescue and their evil captor, the foul Outcast- test your mettle, your divinity, there.”Saradomin opens and closes his mouth a while, tries to think of some fine repost, eventually just shrugs, and with a wistful backwards look, strides off into the foul corridor.“Come Bernard.”“Yeth Marthter.”The Zombie Bugbear plods after him.The Lost Boys press on, cautiously down a flight of stairs into a partially flooded corridor, on still and up a second flight of stairs, out of the water, then sharp right into a long dark corridor.There are two doors on the left-hand wall towards the end of the passage.“Hold.” Dartamor puts his hand up, the others settle in formation.“What is it?” Aleso whispers.“The furthest door, it just closed- they know we’re coming- quickly.”Dartamor heads off at a canter; the others follow on as best they can.The Rogue pulls up at the first door, signals for Aleso, the Paladin arrives swiftly.“Secure the far door.” Dartamor whispers, the Paladin presses on, stands ready by the farthest portal, nods to Dartamor- ready for action.“Bernard- protect him.” Saradomin whispers.“Yeth Marthter.” Bugbear lumbers over to stand by the Paladin.Dartamor presses himself against the first door, not a sound from within, the lock is easy, there are no traps to be found, two minutes later he leads the remainder of the adventurers in- leaving Aleso with Bernard for company.“I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced, I’m Aleso, Paladin of Pelor…” Aleso holds out his hand.The Zombie Bugbear looks down at his hand then looks up and eyes the Paladin, grins at him.Aleso looks confused and a little worried; a feeling of déjà vu disturbs his thoughts.A layer of soil covers the floor. Rough wooden shelves, filled with a scattering of tomes and scrolls, line the north and east walls; a rough-hewn desk stands in the centre of the chamber. Fungus on the ceiling provides light, apparently in sufficient quantity to nourish several small bushes and pale saplings that grow in the soil.“Careful, and quietly- search the place, watch out for the plants.” Dartamor whispers.The chamber reveals its secrets very quickly, and without mishap, a pair of scrolls which are passed via a disappointed Grand Alf to Saradomin.Dartamor has meanwhile been at work on the only other door exiting the chamber, thirty seconds ago it was locked- no longer, he nods once and then bursts into the room beyond.Which is…Which is…Full of Goblins.“Attack.” Durnn screams.Dartamor is standing in an empty, forlorn looking, sagging chamber, there’s a door to his immediate right. The collapsed southern wall, ahead, opens into a vast cavern. Pustules of luminescent fungus on the rough walls and high roof loom over the Twilight Grove beyond.Around the collapsed wall are over a dozen Goblins, including Durnn, the Chieftain, and his Priestess.Arrows, crossbows, slings and stones come whizzing towards the Rogue, who does his best to avoid the blows but he’s stuck for cover.A stone strikes him on the temple, draws a line of blood, an arrow pierces his side, Dartamor stumbles backwards, already on his last legs- a dagger goes spinning out from his hand- smashes into a Goblin’s face, the creature sinks to its knees and then falls face first into the dirt. One down.“HAMBUSH.”Dartamor screams.DMs Interlude, to conclude, the highest initiative in this fracas for the bad guys was 4, that was Chief Durnn. Did I make my point? One whole session and not once, excluding the odd surprise attack, did I get the drop on The Lost Boys- a bad dice day at the office.“CHARGE.” Durnn screams.The Goblins leap into action, as Grand Alf strides into the chamber- “Snooooozo.”The first three Goblins tumble and crunch to the chamber floor- snore loudly.Their compatriots come to a sudden halt, a quarter of their number, almost, put out of action with a gesture.Which proves to be their undoing.Saradomin steps into the chamber scroll in hand, he reads and points- “Twister.”The effect is instantaneous, roots and branches erupt from the ground, clutching and grasping for Goblin limbs, almost all of the creatures are caught in the spells effect, including Durnn, the Chief, who however is far from done with the Lost Boys.“Destroy 'em, destroy 'em orl. T' Ahtcast demands it. Ah deman' it.”In translation-“Destroy them, destroy them all. The Outcast demands it. I demand it.”Alan Goblin is caught in the plant growth, held fast, Saradomin spots him.“Oh that’s right, not so flirty now are you mister, YOU HURT MY FEELINGS.” The later part of the speech is at volume 11.CRASHThe unopened door suddenly flies into the chamber; Aleso stands in the wreckage, Bernard behind him.“Have we started yet?” He enquires.Dartamor looks up from his wounds- nods at the Paladin.“FOR PELOR, come Bernard.” The Paladin screams and cuts down the first two Goblins he sees. The others charge in, even Jerky, who darts out of the previous chamber waving his light mace.Dartamor slices another of the little fiends down, while Saradomin brains Durnn as the Chief finally extracts himself from the plants grip, alas the Goblin Priestess is on hand, she steps in and touches her Lord, his wounds instantly close.“Stan' fast Goblins, destroy these feeble topsiders.” Durnn shouts, but around him his Goblin troops are struggling badly.In translation-“Stand fast Goblins, destroy these feeble topsiders.” Aleso is caught on the shoulder by a Goblin’s blade, the Paladin battles on, smashes another of the creatures down. Saradomin likewise breaks the skull of the Goblin facing him; Durnn sees it all and retreats. The Goblin Priestess steps in front of her Chieftain, waves her arms about and mutters strange sounding words, a sudden flash of darkness, no more than an eye-blink and it’s gone.The result of which is that Grand Alf feels less than happy, frustrated, piqued, definitely out of sorts.“Right that’s it- BIFFBANGPOW.”Two Magic Missiles jet from his scroll and thump into Durnn’s chest, sending the Goblin Chieftain sprawling.“Ow.” At the same instant a Goblin hammer connects, with considerable force, with Grand Alf’s right knee-cap, the Sorcerer hops off clutching the offending spot.The Goblin attacker giggles, and is then cast in shadow, it looks up, and up, into the eys of Bernard the Zombie Bugbear.CRUNCHThe Goblin’s concertinaed body topples over.Aleso continues to take blows, he’s cut again, this time on his left hand side, a deep wound from a Goblin short sword, his own attacks are proving to be less effective. All of the remaining Goblins have fought and wriggled their way out from the entangling plants now, the odds are evening up.THUNKSaradomin’s heavy mace opens up the side of Grenl, the Goblin Priestesses head; she staggers back, spinning- dizzy.“HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHT?” Aleso picks up the pace, decapitates one of the little creatures, strides into the thick of the fracas, and slices a huge chunk out of Durnn, the Chieftain; all the Goblin can do is scramble backwards, away from the Paladin.On the outskirts of the fight Dartamor is trading blows with a lone Goblin, it’s Alan, at last he gets the better of the turncoat, feints left and dodges right, stabs the creature clean through its gut, Alan clutches at the blade, drags himself forward, motions to Dartamor who bends to him, whispers in the Rogue’s ear.“Deaf Sent Gutt Butt.”Nods stoically then tries to salute but it’s too late, he expires. Jerky thumps into Grand Alf’s side, holding the hoping Sorcerer up, the Gnome pumps his healing energies into him and Grand Alf’s wounds are instantly mended.“Ta- BIFFBANGPOW.”Another scroll and another two magic Missiles, this time they slam into Grenl, the Goblin Priestess, whose head jerks back, she slumps to the floor- dead.Which just leaves the Chief- Durnn.The fight stops to take a breath.“Surrender?” Aleso states pointing his blade at the creature.“Pah!” Durnn spits on the floor.He’s about to go on with his prepared speech, when…“FORKING!”Grand Alf whizzes past the Paladin, and the DMs place on the page.THUNKAnd stabs his fork into the Goblin Chieftain’s belly, a slick of blood suddenly appears from Durnn’s mouth, he collapses, slowly, in stages.THIKKGrand Alf withdraws his fork and waves it high in the air above his head, Goblin blood drips down, slathering his face and clothes.“AAAAARRRGGGGHHHH.”The Sorcerer growls, very feral.“What was that?” Dartamor asks.“What?” Aleso enquires.“I thought that bush moved.” The Rogue states.Beyond the southern wall is a vast cavern, illuminated by the glowing fungi, thick with sickly briars, in the midst of which the Lost Boys can see ruined walls and hollow towers which protrude from the briars like islands in the sea.The three sleeping Goblins snooze on.Next Turn: Bush Whackers.</blockquote>

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