Chapter 3: Return to Stormshelm

[Vladim]

Thorkell stopped by the southern stairs and fell silent, listening. He understood the need for caution, and yet the long wait was difficult for him, slowly grating on his nerves. Why, there were foes beyond, and he could hear them as well as anyone. Why not attack now, when they had the element of surprise?

Still, he squeezed his sword-hilt and made ready, but moved no further. Perhaps it would indeed prove prudent to secure the entire floor before venturing down below.

 

OOC

Actions: try to make out the noises from down below.

[Niven81]

     Aurora

Aurora grips her shortsword tightly and moves consciously towards the fireplace. She can't be sure if this is a stupid move or not but she'd rather some friendly ribbing at the tavern than a spear through her ribs.

 

ActionsAurora takes up a guarding position in front of the fireplace, standing just far enough back to not allow the feature to obstruct her sword swing if needed.

[Chimi]

Yorp the Kobold

The kobold seems a little more at ease in this room. "Should not be danger. Boss use this room for secret talks." Yorp heads for the pantry. It looks empty from here, but he always suspected their leader kept a hidden cache of treasure, and maybe hid it here, down low where long-legs wouldn't see... "But maybe danger...that doesn't mind the smell of kobolds?" he observes, offhand, as he opens the pantry doors and begins to riffle and pat.

 

[crowe9107]

     Rylan

Rylan feels tense, the slight noises pointing to something more...dangerous. Still, he swallows hard and tries to keep his wits about him. Gripping his bow tightly, he turns his interest to the kobold's activities, curious if the creature is looking for loot or engaging in treachery.

 

 

[Eric]

Stoyan satisfies himself that the construction of the stonework is satisfactory, then grimly waves the others to move in and take stock.

Ohthere goes furthest, inspecting the fireplace while Aurora provides backup. The fireplace looks to have been used in the last week or two, judging by the ashes. There is a cast iron cookpot inside, mostly scraped clean; otherwise, there's nothing of value or danger.

Yorp gets close to the ground and starts examining the pantry closely. Tapping with his clawed fingers, he finds a shelf that seems hollow and loose; moving it aside, he spies a tiny chest underneath!

The rear guards hear and see nothing of danger. However, Vanya and Thorkell are well-positioned to see four bony figures emerge from the shadows at the edge of the torch's reach. Pin-pricks of red light glow in their otherwise dark and soulless eye sockets. The first two look upward--and one takes an awkward, shambling first step onto the lowest stair.

⚠️ ENCOUNTER!

⏲️ TURN 5

🔦 Torches 6/10 remaining

Action Summary

• Astrid: guard rear
• Ohthere: inspect fireplace
• Golan: guard rear
• Stoyan: guard center
• Vanya: guard stairs
• Thorkell: guard stairs
• Aurora: cover Ohthere
• Yorp: inspect pantry
• Rylan: cover Yorp

 

[Chimi]

Yorp the Crossbold

Hearing (from no one in particular) a yelp of surprise and danger, Yorp leaves the disheveled shelf and found little casket where he found them. Instead of stealthily pocketing the treasure, or alerting his allies/captors, he scrambles up the cabinet, perching on the little area of counter space on the pantry. Turning, he readies his crossbow, waiting for whatever danger is downstairs to peek their head...or whatever top-most part of their body...above the stairwell.

[Vladim]

Thorkell saw the skeletons as clearly as Vanya. Finally. A test to prove his mettle. He raised his sword, but he did not charge, knowing that breaking ranks could prove disastrous. Instead, without turning his head back, he spoke, alerting the others.

"The dead are coming. There are four. It should prove no challenge."

Taking a small sideways step closer to Vanya, he turned to smile at her eagerly. Now he wished that those behind him had brought spears, to fall into a phalanx: in these cramped rooms, the rest of their warriors would be useless otherwise. Still, no matter. This should not take them too long...

 

OOC

Thorkell is eager for a fight but he is adopting a more defensive position, seeking to let the skeletons come to him rather than the other way around.

Note that he has a torch, but no shield: he gave it up, so he may prove vulnerable to arrows.

[cailano]

Vanya stands beside Thorkell and sets her shield to meet the skeletons.

"That's right! No muscle on them at all."

Vanya is wide-eyed at the sight of the walking dead, but she stands her ground. As soon as a skeleton steps within a few feet, she steps forward and tries to cave its skull in.

 

[cheezal]

Ok Initiative rolls are to be rolled, On first roll off we had a draw,so we went to a second roll off where the party went first..

So party declare intentions and actions if you will please.

Edited October 30, 2023 by cheezal (see edit history)

[Black Wyvern]

Ohthere grabs the cook pot and checks it for weight. He curses himself, probably not for the last time, for not buying any oil flasks before heading out. Shrugging he hefts the pot and makes his way to the opening above the stairway, near to where it is highest. He lifts the cook pot and tries to aim it as best as he can before dropping it on the head of one of the creatures below.       Not really sure how big this pot is but I assume it is heavy and iron so maybe. Don't really have any throwing weapon besides the axe and am loath to throw it.

[cheezal]

Golan hearing Yorp's Yelp and Thorkell's comment regarding the dead are coming,followed by a commotion begin up front,Golan draws his sword and readies himself for any combat from the front or rear of the group.

 

[hoverfrog]

Stoyan Barakovsen

"Let me in," Stoyan pushes forward, looking for a space to attack, "Don't hog all the glory for yourselves."

Show Stats

STRENGTH 14 +1 to hit and damage

INTELLIGENCE 9

WISDOM 11

DEXTERITY 7 -1 AC, and range attacks

CONSTITUTION 13 +1 hit point

CHARISMA 12

 

Hit Points: 7/7

Armour Class: 3 (Plate Mail (3), Shield (Bonus of 1), DEX (Penalty of 1))

THAC0: 1d20+1 Battle Axe11; 5 1d8+1, 1d20-1 Crossbow16; 6 1d6

Actions

If there is room then move in and attack overwise hold an attack until an enemy draws near or someone moves back.

 

[Niven81]

     Aurora

Aurora watches as the others rush toward the stairs, her eyes going wide at the ingenuity of Ohthere's use of a common cooking pot as a weapon. However, she also realizes that anyone else in that small space would just add to the confusion and potentially end with her companions being as much of a danger as the Skeletons. Instead, the young fighter does her best to guard the rear keeping an eye on the doorway around her (29 and 23 respectively) while bringing her sword up in a defensive stance.

[Powderhorn]

Astrid trusts Aurora to defend her from any potentially flanking enemies, and spins up her sling and looses a mighty bullet!

[crowe9107]

     Rylan

Rylan spends a second pondering what to do with the windfall the kobold has uncovered, he briefly glances at Golan before all hells break loose and the kobold is scrabbling up the cupboard. At first, he thinks the little coward is making a run for it, and is eager to see what the kobold's escape route is. Then, he sees the little monster whirl around and train its crossbow on the stairway...not the worst plan. He whirls around himself and seeing the broad backs of the warriors in front of him, readies a shot against any of the undead horrors that break the line.