The Psionicle, Part V

[Animus Abdicerer]

Fine, Gnomeworks, I'll run up. Would have been wiser to stand back and peg them with my bow... but for now I'll run.

But I will add this: I am manifesting Burst to get myself to the very front line. I will charge when I get into range.

"You guys are crazy!"

Edit: Continue to run, but now in the direction of the tunnel leading up. Will tumble (+12) and try and get around them. If they completely block all paths, I'll try and perform the DC 25 Tumble through thier occupied space.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Map

This is probably getting a little confusing, so I'll try to draw a map.

This is a cross-section, through the tunnel that is leading up.

[color=white]4           
4-----------------/---------  
3         PARTY  /   
3    \-|---------
2 TTT/ |
2------|-
1  P   |
1-------[/color]

1=floor you found the crystal on
2=floor the 'Kreen are on
3=floor you are on
4=surface

T=Thri-Kreen
P=pedestal the Crystal was on
PARTY=an approximation on the group's current position
|=staircase
/=wall seperating small cavern from big cavern with mining operations (on right side of party it indicates tunnel leading up)
\=ledge (blocking Thri-Kreen's view of party)

 

[Zhure]

Osius

... continues toward the rightmost tunnel, the one which seems to curve upwards.

"I think this might be the way out."

Osius tries to keep pace with the group, making sure no one is left behind.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Osius steers the group towards the tunnel that appears to be curving upward. You get to it and start crowding in, but you soon find that it isn't an easy way out.

The tunnel starts off at an easy rise, then the curve sharpens after about five feet, increasing the ascent to an angle of around 50 degrees. While you'll be able to get up, it won't be easy.

OOC:

OOC: Climb checks... Osius - 21 Jansson - 21 Sahgrim - 11 Syld - 6 Nathan - 8 Animus - 20 Desimus - 8

Osius, Jansson, Sahgrim, and Animus manage to make it up the steep climb, and scurry out to get onto the surface.

Syld, Nathan, and Desimus, though, tumble back down to the cavern floor where the tunnel begins. Although they fell, they managed to avoid taking any damage, due to the many outcroppings in the tunnel and the slant of the floor.

---

The sound of Thri-Kreens becomes louder, and they are evidently coming up the cavern you just ran down. The sound pauses for a moment, and it sounds like a few of them fell over. However, the sound picks up momentum again after only a short pause.

---

Osius, Jansson, Sahgrim, Animus - you are once again outside. The hole you have just clambored out of has been used recently, as there are large and very obvious markings on the ground that resemble the tracks of Thri-Kreen.

Your mounts are around 60 feet away from you, southeast from the hole.

---

Syld, Nathan, Desimus - sensing that the 'Kreens are almost on top of your location, you hurry to climb up the tunnel.

OOC:

OOC: Climb checks, once again... Syld - 11 Nathan - 14 Desimus - 14

All three of you manage to get up the tunnel, and are now standing with the others.

-----

You are all now outside, standing above a hole that you just climbed out of. The sky is relatively clear, and from the sun's position it is probably only a few hours after noon. There is nothing in sight save Garanasseur to the south around 200 feet away, and your mounts around 60 feet away from you to the southeast. The sound of Thri-Kreens continues to grow louder.

 

[Dalamar]

"Let's get to our horses! Who will take the mute guy to the same horse?"
Syld will run to his horse, but take his time to mount it so he won't fall.

 

[Jarval]

"I'll take him on mine. It's not like it's carrying much weight with just me."

Manifesting burst Jansson runs over to his horse and scrambles into the sadle, then turn the horse and rides over to Animus, offering him a hand up.

 

[Hand of Vecna]

telepathically to Animus (using Telepath class ability)

C'mon, man, get on the horse!

Nathan tries to mount his horse a swiftly as possible.

 

[Animus Abdicerer]

"Horse? Allright!"

Animus jumps onto the horse. "Lets get out of here!"

 

[Zhure]

Osius

Once the entire group is out of the 'kreen nest, Osius (who is not a steady rider), will volunteer point at his horse, then at the apparently mute Animus, then run for the city gate at best speed.

If necessary, Burst for +10 movement to avoid encountering any Thri-kreen.

 

[GnomeWorks]

Return to Garanasseur

You all manage to get into your saddles without any problems. You begin to ride towards the large gate of Garanasseur.

As you do, the sound of buzzing becomes louder. Turning to discover it's source, you find that the 'Kreen have come out of the hole and are continuing to do so at an immense rate.

At seeing you, they begin to chase after you.

---

The horses dash towards the gates, with the insectoid critters close at their heels.

"Raise the gates!" A familiar voice cries out from the wall surrounding the city. "Then crash them down!"

The gates slowly rise up, hardly enough for you to duck under them on your horses. As soon as the last horse and rider enters, the gate crashes down onto the ground.

The 'Kreen don't seem to be stopped by this, however. The sounds of many critters crawling up the wall filter through the air.

"Oil! Rocks!" The voice calls out again. "Get them off the wall!"

Cauldrons of burning oil are quickly prepared, as several guards on the wall throw rocks and fire crossbows at the Thri-Kreen attempting to invade the city.

After a few intense moments have passed and a few cauldrons of oil are poured, the sounds of scurrying insects begins to fade. The guards on the wall halt their intense vigilance, and things slowly return to normal on the wall above the north gate of Garanasseur.

---

Thomas, the guard whom you met on your first visit into Garanasseur, comes down in a slight hurry.

"That was one hell of a racket!" He says. "Whatever it is you boys did down there, you sure did it right. Never seen the 'Kreen so worked up before. What happened down there?"

He pauses. "The Council, they're expecting you, of course. They knew that you would return, more than likely successful." He looks over the group. "Though... I remember there being a little goblin with you. And him," He points at Animus, "him, I don't remember being here last time."