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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 1756781" data-attributes="member: 16069">The Wednesday Knights.SESSION XLII.Woodensday 12th Apron 2000Characters presentBob Male Human Ranger 3 Priest of Kord 1 (Emma)Endrin Male Human Bard 4 Sorcerer 2 (Wayne)Liandri Male Elf Rogue 4 Wizard 2 (Kev.M.)Mallaria Female Half-Elf Barbarian 2 Fighter 1 (Tomo)Sayon Female Elf Rogue 2 Fighter 1 (Erin)Inherit the EEEEEAAAARRRRGGTTHHH.Beyond the door darkness and the stink of decay, the previously pristine stone of the vault has been corrupted. The floor an inch of rot and filth, the air fetid and foul, water drips from the ceiling, down the walls.Endrin is pushed aside- Sayon and Liandri noiselessly scout ahead.The dynamic duo discover a number of passages, a set of slimy stairs heading half-a-dozen feet down into a darkened room. One passageway is bisected by an extremely crude channel- as if the earth had been split in two by some titanic force. Another passage is completely blocked by fallen masonry, and yet another…AaaaaHHH Ah Ah AHHHRRHas a pit half way down, Sayon pulls up short.“Nearly.”The Thieves head back to get the gang- if there’s a pit then there’s bound to be something interesting on the other side.Minutes later Liandri has climbed across and with Mallaria’s help stretched a rope across the void- soon the Knights are on the far side of the pit. Except for Mallaria of course who chooses this moment to go for a wander.Beyond is only a junk room, Endrin finds some bits and pieces- nothing of real value- disappointed the Knights head back and call for Mallaria, who hasn’t wandered far.They repeat the trick to ferry themselves back over the pit, but alas, all does not go to plan.The burly Ranger Bob gets in difficulties and before any of the others can act falls into the pit of inky blackness.AAARRRGGHHTHUDBob, in the bottom of the pit, looks around and tries to stand, to orientate himself, but all around is inky blackness.“ERR… Hello, up there. HELLO. It’s me. BOB.”And on the surface, sotto voce,“Who else could it be- you idiot.”“Climb out, Bob, come on.”“I can’t… I can’t see you.”“I can’t see you… you ok?”“Yes… dark though. All round, nothing- it’s spookyOW.”“BOB, BOB- YOU ALRIGHT BOB?”“I jusd bumpd ind da dwall.”“Oh, ok, we’re throwing down a torch… here goes.”FWOOSH“CAN YOU SEE IT BOB.”“NO.”“NO. What d’you mean no… hang on I can’t see it either- strange.”AAAAARRGGHH AAARRRRHH AAARRRRGGGHH“BOB. BOB. WHAT’S GOING ON- ANOTHER WALL?”AAAARRRGGHH AAARRGGHH AARGG ARGH ARGH“BOB!”“I’M ON FIRE.”“YOU CAN’T BE, I CAN’T SEE YOU.”AAAARRGGGHH ARRGGGHH ARRRGGHH I AM I AM.This exchange continues for a while until Endrin figures it out- the pit is ten feet deep but subject to a permanent darkness spell. Eventually Liandri climbs down with a rope and after a brief game of dodgems connects with a now singed Bob.It takes just over thirty minutes to complete the task.The others make small talk and play Top Trumps, which, as it turns out, is not a card game.Soon after the Knights are on their way again, this time down the bisected passage, Liandri leads the way.The passage is crude but the Knights struggle through, it curves, as though constructed, but crudely done.Liandri silently emerges into a much, much larger natural cavern- he signals for the Knights to wait and creeps in, following the wall of the chamber.The cavern is massive, seventy or so feet, a fast flowing stream bisects the chamber, five feet down from the cavern floor.On the far side are lights, a brazier, in the shadows figures creep, half-a-dozen, tall, thick built, one larger than all the others- and furred, like a bear walking upright.Meanwhile Sayon follows the opposite wall- she confirms Liandri’s report when the two Thieves arrive back to confer with the other Knights.Endrin has a plan, the Knights huddle to whisper and plot, except for… well, who else…“EVEN’IN STAN’ARD.”Mallaria, as if out for a Sunday stroll, strides the cavern, towards the figures now in silhouette, staring at this strange new phenomena. “Ok, not the even’in standard then.”Mallaria tries again.“BUY THE WATCHTOWER.”The Knights shake their heads and ready missiles, Liandri rushes in and around the wall to the river, and there he begins his climb to the other side- still hidden in the shadows.Three large figures head into the cavern to meet the magazine seller/Barbarian.“HOBGOBLINS.”Mallaria calls, which is provocation enough, the Half Elf leaps the river and cuts down the centre figure, charging on towards the others by the brazier, all this before the other two can react.THUNKTHUNKTHUNKBob, Sayon and Endrin provide covering fire, the two Hobgoblins slump to the ground.Mallaria wades into now readied crew- four more Hobgoblins, one wearing a bearskin rug, a fifth sprints away screaming for back-up.Liandri keeping pace with Mallaria, still in the shadows, releases Eric- the shocking lizard and then heads off after the fleeing guard.The other Knights rush forward to join the fray.The fight erupts lit by a clean blue arc of lightning as Eric does his work.Liandri scampers down the darkened passage towards the light, following after the screaming Hobgoblin, into some sort of ready room.Eight more of the huge Hobgoblin warriors, some already armed and armoured, lurch towards the Elf.“FECK.”Liandri improvises-“SNOOOOZO.”The Sleep spell hits and a solitary Hobgoblin slumps back onto his pallet and begins to snore loudly.The others, all eight of them, look on, then chuckle and begin swinging.And in a flash Liandri is gone- back the way he came.Back to the Knights who are stood around watching Sayon as she rifles the dead-“Don’t turn away, not one of you, don’t let her out of your sight- not even for a second.”“I wouldn’t steal anything Endrin.”Sayon attempts an angelic look- actually she’s very good, behind her back a Hobgoblin’s life savings miraculously make the short journey to one of Sayon’s secret pockets.     “I’m an Elf Endrin, we’re the good guys.”She grins.“Oh yeah, like Liandri, and Mallaria- the Elves, the good guys.”It’s at this point that Liandri’s screams alert the Knights.The Knights look up to see Liandri and in hot pursuit a large number of Hobgoblins.The Knights take aim.While two more Hobgoblins lose their savings to Sayon.The Hobgoblins arrive.And break against the immovable object that is Mallaria.And a wall of arrows.Four are killed in the opening exchange.Beyond Mallaria can see an irresistible force- there must be nearer thirty of the Hobgoblins screaming down the passageway towards her.They’re led by a female Hobgoblin of enormous proportions, who seems to be already to foaming at the mouth- raging.Ah well here we go again.Mallaria and the Hobgoblin chieftain imperceptibly nod to each other- to the death the signal, Mallaria enters rage.The other Knights back off ready for the charge.The two titans clash.Mallaria’s huge sword flashes up and forward, with what in different circumstances could pass for élan, slicing through the Chieftains throat.Killing her instantly.Just a second, this is a DM interlude- they’ve done it again, my big bad guy(ess) is natural “20”’ed in the first round- 48 Hit Points of Barbarian with massive strength and a sword to match, gone, just like that… Right that’s it- somebody’s going to pay.Meanwhile back to the action…The scene explodes in flame- Hobgoblins go all elemental, plane of fire stylee, as Endrin’s Pyrotechnics spell erupts from the brazier.Arrows rain down bringing instant death.The Hobgoblins, not to put too finer point on it, fill their pants.They flee.Except for four hardy souls.Two of whom drip foam, shudder and jibber- quite obviously enraged- more Barbarians.DM- now for some payback.The other two Hobgoblins realise their mistake just too late.“I fink we shudda run.”“Y…”They are quickly slain.One of the raging Hobgoblins spreads his arms wide and roars in anger- flinging away his two handed sword in the process.He looks, momentarily, at a loss- then an arrow sprouts from his chest, nonplussed doesn’t cover it.He recovers and slashes wildly, seriously wounding Bob.The other rager carves a niche in Sayon, the thief scampers away as Mallaria steps in.“’ello.”Her sword comes down crunching through bone- killing the creature instantly.Mallaria yanks her sword free one-handed, clasps her other hand into place and like a professional Goblin-Tosser (one of the highest accolades in Dwarven Society is to be called a Great Goblin Tosser, incidentally, the same holds true in Goblin society) describes a perfect arc.“B’bye.”Mallaria gives the other rager a chuck on the shoulder.The creature gulps and blinks as his torso slides away from his legs- cleanly cut in two.Mallaria stares hard at the carcass, Sayon whispers kind words, and her Rage subsides.Silence for a second.“Come on- let’s finish them off.”Endrin trots after the Hobgoblins, the others swiftly follow- a bloodlust in all their eyes.Except for Liandri, who suddenly stops…“I forgot…”But the others are gone.“Too steal all the money.”Liandri heads back, stopping off in the ready room on the way to slice a smile into the still sleeping Hobgoblins face. He then sets to rifling the dead, quite a haul.Back with the Knights- all is calm, well, relatively calm- screaming Hobgoblins are fleeing into a cramped passage to the Underdark. The Knights are slicing into them, gouts of blood and hacked off limbs fly left and right.Endrin’s singing a nice tune though- see calm.The other Knights don’t look in the least bit ruffled either.It’s soon over.In all this confusion…A little later the Knights, gore caked, make it back to Liandri- who shows them his meagre find-“Two Copper pieces and a button. Bloody cheapskates. Here you might as well keep it.”He remembers and suddenly stops grinning.“Can I have a word Liandri.”“Certainly Endrin, and may I say how lovely your looking, the red goes with your…”“Here.”Endrin wanders off with Liandri to begin negotiations regarding how much of the stolen gold Liandri will give over to the party funds.The others settle in to await the result.Before the Spanish Inquisition can take their comfy chairs however a strange rattling sound is heard- it’s coming from back within the cavern.They head off to investigate leaving Endrin and Liandri already deadlocked.“50/50.”“1/99.”This side of the fast flowing stream is another crudely carved passageway. The noise is coming from there.Mallaria, Sayon and Bob try to see through the shadows.“What’s that?”Crashing through the end of the passage- smashing stone from the cavern sides comes a monster.Standing nine or so feet tall and covered in slate coloured chitinous plate, with insect eyes, huge fanged jaws and massive clawed hands that, even now, slice through the stone. The Undrathar.The creature bellows then charges forward.Sayon runs away.Others are not so decisive.Bob is slashed horrendously and slapped aside.Mallaria cuts madly but misses.Bob scrambles to his feet- ready to meet the foe, and is caught in the creatures gaze.Bob slows to a halt and…Stands there.Then waves.Then does a little dance.Mallaria is… is… no, there’s not a word for it.She’s rooted to the spot.The Undrathar brings down one mighty fist and smashes Bob to the floor- unmoving.Mallaria is ripped apart almost, she flops to the floor.Liandri and Endrin round the corner into the chamber and spot the cowering Sayon.“What’s up?”Sayon motions over her shoulder- the Undrathar is no more than ten feet behind her, on either side of the creature a fallen Knight.Liandri reaches into his pocket.“Sorry.”Kisses Eric the lizard.FZZZ OWThen flings the lizard at the huge creature.FFFFFFFFFFFFZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZTTTEric seems to be more than a little perturbed.The creature staggers back.“Beat that.”Endrin launches a brace of Magic Missiles- the pair thud home ripping through the creatures hard plate covered exoskeleton.“Best I can do old chap.”The two share a smile.“CHARRRRRRGE.”Endrin rushes in and slices a chunk out of the creature, now on the back foot.Liandri meanwhile is making with the Mage Armour spell.Endrin’s a little concerned, he however takes another chunk out of the beast, then avoids the creature’s attack.THUNKAn arrow hits the Undrathar in the side of its head, piercing its skull.The creature falls against the cavern wall, but quickly recovers.Liandri dives in and pours a Healing Potion down Mallaria’s throat, next up Bob.Endrin fights on, alone, he’s struck once but not badly- blind luck over skill- he fights back, determined.Another of Sayon’s arrows strikes home.Liandri launches his sneak attack and cuts deep, and is swatted aside like an insect- the Elf dodges back trying to avoid another blow but stumbles.The Undrathar hits again and this time it’s Liandri that embraces the cavern floor.Leaving only Endrin, and a terrified Sayon.Endrin stabs home again.The creature is on its last legs.Endrin hits again, while another of Sayon’s arrows pierces the creatures shell.The creature roars in defiance and lashes out at Endrin, one final crushing blow, but too late.Endrin ducks inside the creature’s reach and stabs upwards, just as quick he ducks out from beneath the creature as it collapses.The silence engulfs Endrin as he slumps to his knees, his Longsword gone, embedded in the creatures gut.Liandri is brought round, only slightly the worse for wear- compared to the others. Mallaria and Bob are alive but will need a lot of time to heal.Soon after the Knights stumble off, in silence.Nervously they scan every dark corner, they couldn’t take another encounter now.They make it past the gem door and into the safe haven of the vault.The huge stone door slams shut behind them.The Wednesday Knights stagger out bleary eyed into the light.Aniel scoops up Endrin as he collapses- the guardsmen do likewise with the other Knights except for Sayon who stands there looking forlorn, tears in her eyes- and pockets full of gold.And so endeth Turn 42.Next session… Oh Mummy.</blockquote>

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