Cadfael Decides For Us
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
"I would rather that we passed them by, if possible," Mission says. His skin is beginning to itch at the touch of Sa'id's spell-- and his feet long to move away from the mage, break the hold of the spell. But he remains still. As still as Stone. "They may lead us to right where we need to go-- and following them, we can make sure to avoid any traps, or other nonsense."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
"Right now we don't know for certain who those... men were. If they are enemies, then Rennik is right, and things will be worse for us if they join a larger group," says Garyth.
"Still, things being as they are," he continues, glancing sidelong at Cadfael, "more wounds will make us all the weaker when we get there. And we don't know for sure that they are on Elise's side. We need more information."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
Let me know when you reach consensus, so I can write the next turn.
Thanks.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
Farron has nothing to add to the discussion. He will do as the others decide.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
The sound clanking metal in the darkness moving slowly and awkwardly away from the party makes clear Cadfael's opinion.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
Rennik considers Garyth's words and sees the wisdom in them.
"It would be good to follow them. They seem to know the way, and they may show us a path we would not have seen otherwise."
Then, hearing the clanking of Cadfael's armor walking away, he curses and hurries ahead, whispering to Mission, "Remind me to kill him when this is over - unless you've done it already..."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
The priest would be the death of them all. Sa'id curses silently to himself before moving to follow Rennik and Cadfael. He is thankful to still be invisible.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
Mission nods absently at Rennick. "Of course."
Cadfael had hidden with them under Sa'id's magery. He still cared for his life, then. And yet, this foolishness of barreling ahead. . . Mission could make no sense of it.
What if he was wrong about the priest? What if his promises about being able to evade Kor Goresh's minions were all lies? He drew them on into danger, with no thought, no consultation. Sand take him, Mission COULDN'T trust him.
Who was to say Cadfael knew any more of Promise than Mission?
No one, except the priest. And what good was the priest, then? His healing hands that had killed, his madness, his flippancy. . . He'd abandoned Garyth to the swamp dragon, had not even offered to heal anyone. Mission wasn't at all sure that anyone would accept help from him or his god, but that was beside the point.
Perhaps. Perhaps that WAS the point.
He'd betray them all. Promise, his companions, everyone.
Emotions warred in Mission's heart-- finally, he slipped up beside Cadfael. "A little more slowly, priest. Your armor makes such sweet music, the swamp dragons above us will sing along. If you'll stop a moment, SHH! You can hear them."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
Mission will try to get Cadfael to slow down, and wait for the rest of the party again.
In case that wasn't clear. . .
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; hiding
I thought it was pretty clear that I was fumbling pretty slowly through the dark. Don't think I'm getting anywhere fast.
Cadfael Presses On, A Light Ahead
Subject: just so i know
Are you waiting for me to write a turn now? Everyone is following Cadfael down the tunnel?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: just so i know
Mission is waiting for Cadfael to acknowledge his comments. If the priest has nothing to say, and keeps on walking (slow as may be), Mission shakes his head.
"Do you intend to walk right through the half-orc and his friends, priest?"
From: Mike
Subject: Re: just so i know
Yes. Cautiously.
From: Dan
Subject: Cadfael to Mission
OOC: This comes in response to Scott's first post, sorry I didn't get it out sooner. Let's all pretend his second comment never happened.
IC:
Cadfael stops his clumsy progress when Mission draws beside him and hearing the Monk's words he sighs and rests against the wall.
"I --" he begins tentatively, but does not continue with that thought. He starts again, "Have no fear of those horrors, they are not players for this mission; they have no hold. The Gods will make sacrifices to pave the way to their promise; those without faith will not return."
Cadfael reaches out to clutch at Mission's arm and catches hold of his sleeve. Through the darkness Mission could not tell that Cadfael's hand was trembling but the hand that now holds his sleeve quivers with fear.
"There is no time! The darkness presses in all around, it is so thick you can taste it. There are moments when the blackness is so overpowering I wonder if I shall never see the light again, but always when I open my eyes the light returns so I may find myself again. But now? Just now I was plunged into the darkness and held my breath waiting for the light to come back to me. And the light came, like a red sun it drove back the darkness with a song that called to me. Gladly I let it surround me but when I looked at my hands I --" he swallows hard, "I could no more see them than were I in the dead of night."
"I do not know if the light is forsaking me or if I am forsaking the light. But if this mission is to succeed we must go NOW, else Pelor's Promise will be broken."
Cadfael releases Mission's sleave and continues to fumble down the tunnel.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Cadfael to Mission
Ok. I will just wait for Mission to check in to respond and then I will write the next turn.
PS Cadfael is even starting to freak me out.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Cadfael to Mission
"And go we shall, but _quietly_!" Mission whispers to Cadfael.
And then he will move off to scout ahead as stealthily as possible.
From: Ty
Subject: The underground trail; following and arriving
The party continues up the tunnel, driven by Cadfael's need to reach the temple. Rennik and Mission exchange glances, and mission walks beside the priest, slowing him down a bit while Rennik moves to the front of the group. The light of the other party's torch is not visible, and Rennik makes sure to keep the pace slow enough that the group doesn't catch up to them. Mission still has Cadfael's glowing glove, and the priest makes no move to take it back, so he keeps it tucked in his pants with only part of one finger showing. This provides a very dim illumination to travel by.
Lunch finishes off most of the party's food supplies, so much of it having been lost to the crocodile. Rennik comforts everyone by promising that if they make it out of the tunnels, he will be able to forage and hunt for food. At one point, Tichenor shows up with a blood rodent of some kind in his jaws, then gulps it down. If worse comes to worse, rat stew might be on the menu.
A few hours later, Farron starts to act nervous, and keeps looking at Rennik's back like he wants to go up and talk to him. Sa'id asks what is bothering him, and Farron says, "I feel like we should be there." Even as the last word is spoken, Rennik holds up one hand, motioning the party to stop, then drops down to one knee. The group quickly does the same, no one even noticing that such actions have almost become reflex.
Rennik moves back to the group and says in barely a whisper, "Light up ahead, not moving." Even as he says it, Mission tucks the small bit of glowing glove down into his trousers and the tunnel is plunged into darkness. Once everyone's eyes adjust, it is easy to see a distant spark of light that dances and twinkles like a star. It must be a fire or torch.
[Please check in. If Rennik or Mission wish to scout ahead, the tunnel is quite dark and hiding should be possible clear up to the edge of the fire's circle of light.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
"This is a familiar bit," Mission whispers to Rennick. "Strange group in the darkness, unaware of our presence; death and life in the balance. What are the odds that this bunch will be as easily defeated?"
Not a very good wager, if Mission was a betting man.
"I want to try to get closer, and see what we can discover. We have some of the mage fire with us," the monk's tone is suddenly harsh, "if this bunch is allied with Elise and Anileth. Strike first, and take prisoners if we can.
"If we can't. . . the Stone falls heavily, but Blood will stand."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
[OOC: Scott, you must have found your creativity again from wherever you said it had gotten to, because your last few messages have been awesome.]
Sa'id nods to himself in the dark, and moves to the side of the tunnel, focusing on the flickering light in the distance.
He will wait for Rennik and/or Mission to scout ahead.
Mission and Rennik Will Scout Ahead
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
It is a familiar bit, and Garyth has no desire to repeat the fiasco at the tower. There is already enough blood on his hands. He looks Mission straight in the eye and says in a low whisper, "We'll strike if we must, but we will find out first."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
"That's why I'll be sneaking off into the dark, Garyth," Mission says, a little tersely. "To find out."
He pauses a moment, considering something. But he says nothing. If no one else has anything to comment on, Mission will wrap his black cloth around his head, and stealthily make his way toward the distant light. He will be searching the ground as well for signs of a trap, or anything unusual.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
Farron will wait patiently, but will stay alert. He reaches into pockets in his robes and gently strokes Jack, making sure he's still there, and then checks other pockets for the spell components he's readied for the day, mentally checking off each one and weighing how it might be useful if Mission is discovered.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; following and arriving
"We will scout ahead, but you all must be on alert. We overextended against the halflings days ago and were lucky they were so weak. If there is a problem, Mission, we must run from it, back to the others." He then looks toward the others. "Be prepared to waylay our pursuers if we come charging back."
(OOC: Sorry I've been out of it, been out of town for a few days.)
An Entrance
Subject: The underground trail; sneaking and peeking
OODM: I have been doing lots of hidden rolls lately (like rennik's spot roll to see the distant light in last turn), but I think I am going to expose the sneak and spot rolls coming up.
IDM:
Mission 7, Rennik 8
The party remains low and silent while Rennik and Mission sneak away. Cadfael rocks gently back and forth on his heels, and appears to be muttering silently to himself. Sa'id moves over to place one hand on his shoulder. It is less about comforting the priest, and more about making sure he doesn't decide to suddenly get up and walk away, but it seems to help Cadfael anyway. He keeps rocking, but his muttering stops.
Garyth sits silently with his blade in his hand, ready to leap to the group's defense should Rennik and Mission come running back. He curses that he has no skill with moving silently, and can't go scouting with them.
Farron catches himself holding his breath as two of his companions sneak away. His mental image of the map is telling him that they are right under the temple now. Who knows what lies just above their heads? He is almost scared to look up, for fear of seeing blood red light spilling through the cracks. This thought makes him shudder.
Mission moves low to the ground, his bare feet making not even a whisper as he walks (Move silent check 20). By his side, the halfling moves nearly as quietly (move silent check 18), but his armor and equipment keep him from being the ghost the monk is. The fire Rennik spotted is quite distant from the party, and he and Mission move for several minutes before it begins to take on any sort of distinct shape. As they move closer, they realize that it is actually two fires, coming from a pair of torches hung on opposite sides of the tunnel. They also notice a number of people moving around near the torches, so they slow down and move up as far as the darkness will let them. To their advantage, those near the torches will have their night vision ruined.
Once they have moved up as far as good sense lets them (hide checks 21, 15 vs spot check ?; move silent checks 19, 26 vs listen check ?), they stops and watch the group near the torches.
[emails going out to scott and matt]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and peeking
Holeeee Craaaap.
It ain't a campfire-- it's an entrance.
:-0 :scared:
:)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and peeking
How appropriate that the FotR soundtrack just started playing "The Prophecy" as I read these two emails.
What Mission and Rennik See
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Mission makes his way back to the others in the darkness. He knows he's getting close when he hears Cadfael's breathing. Man doesn't know how to breath with his mouth shut.
He hisses low-- in case Garyth is on watch, he doesn't want to get arrowed. "It's me, Mission. I'm back."
Quickly and quietly, Mission explains the layout of the tunnel ahead, and the conversation that they witnessed between the half-orc and Master Plate-mail. "The half-orc that passed us was in some type of argument with another soldier in plate-mail when we got close enough to see them. We coudln't hear anything they said, and the half-orc took three of his soldiers up a ladder. This is the way things stand now: three soldiers, possibly armed with crossbows, have planted themselves behind a barricade. Behind the barricade, there is a table, where sits Master Plate-mail, and one of the Half-orc's crew. They all just seemed rather bored-- like they're waiting for something.
"Us, maybe." Mission shrugs. "Maybe the half-orc. There is another tunnel 200 feet or so from where Rennick and I were spying. I'd like to test that, maybe see if there's an alternate way around the barricade."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Here's a rough map of what Mission and Rennick see:
[Fwd:]
The tunnel continues on past the torches, but it is difficult to see what might be beyond them. In the torchlight it is possible to see that there is a wooden ladder going up to the ceiling of the tunnel, and out through a hole there. Near the bottom of the ladder is a makeshift guard station. There is a table with several chairs set to one side, a weapons rack, and large boxes and barrels set on both sides of the tunnel, probably to provide cover for the guards to use in the event of an attack.
Near the ladder, and engaged in some sort of heated discussion, are nine men. Five of them are the group that passed you in the tunnel, and the large half orc seems to be doing most of the talking. He is talking to a human in plate mail, backed up by three men of his own. It is not possible to hear what they are discussing, but the half orc is acting in an aggressive manner, and the man in plate mail is not backing down. After some time, they seem to reach an accord, and the half orc, along with three of his four men go up the ladder. The fourth man sits down in one of the chairs and appears to be waiting. The man in plate mail sits across the table from him, and engages him in a quiet conversation. His other three men move over to the barrel and box barricade, and stare down the tunnel with bored expressions on their faces.
One of them picks up and tests the tension on a light crossbow, then puts it back down out of sight. It is probable that the other two men at the barricade are thus armed. The man in plate mail does not have a weapon on him, but his weapon could be one of the many hanging on the weapons rack nearby.
[bottom line is, five men by the ladder. One in plate, three with crossbows, and the fifth is a member of the half orc group and appears to be waiting for something. The tunnel is partially barricaded to provide cover for the crossbowmen. Map attached. Three green X's are the crossbow guys, the blue X is the platemail guy, the red X is the waiting guy. The black line is the weapons rack.]
From: Raja
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
"Yes, checking the other tunnel is wise," Sa'id whispers. "Do you want us to wait here?"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
Mission nods-- "I'll tell Rennick what my intentions are, then come back and report to everyone."
He'll set off then, quietly as possible. Again, he's searching for traps and other deviousness while walking down the other tunnel. He'll only 1200 feet or so down the tunnel, unless he sees something interesting.
A Rock and a Hard Place
Subject: Re: what mission and rennik see
OOC: Since Mission has already gone again this is a bit moot, but Garyth would have agreed that checking the other tunnel is a good idea.
From: Ty
Subject: pause
Still working out some stuff with just scott and matt. New turn coming.
From: Ty
Subject: hey everybody!
Get a user ID on sakeriver and add your character to Mike's cool new character sheets. I will do some updating to get them to match mine, and then we can use them from now on. That way no more confusion over what stuff you have!
I was going to add them, but decided it was too much.
From: Matt
Subject: The end of the tunnel
Emerging with Mission from the darkness as the monk unveils a tiny corner of the glowing gauntlet, Rennik details a disheartening scene.
"The tunnel ends at a guarded dead end with a ladder back toward the surface, likely into the temple itself."
"The Brute's men climbed the ladder and disappeared, save one who stayed behind waiting impatiently. There were three crossbowmen in leathers, one warrior in platemail, and the Brute's man, and their position was very defensible."
He paused.
"There are only four now. The warrior in platemail had an argument with the Brute's man and slowly bludgeoned him to death with a heavy flail. The crossbowmen said nothing. One of the Brute's men came down to investigate, and shrugged off the death as meaningless. The man's body still lies beneath the table, while the crossbowmen play cards. These are not men, but soulless monsters."
Turning to glance at Mission, he continues.
"Our companion's scouting has uncovered an even more serious threat, I'm afraid. There are twenty zombies waiting, stock still and unmoving, in the side tunnel to the south. He even went so far as to touch one before he realized they were there, but they did not attack. They seem content to wait for something."
"I think it is us."
He takes a breath and scratches at his hairline before continuing.
"It would have been a perfect ambush. We devise some clever plan to attack the makeshift fortifications at the end of the tunnel, and the zombies attack from behind. While we are distracted, the Brute's men descend the rope ladder and catch us in the middle. We would not stand a chance."
"Yet, our options are limited. We could try to eliminate the zombies first, but twenty are many to attack without drawing more attention. We could try to seal the zombies in their tunnel, which again might draw attention... or..."
"We could attempt to slip by the zombies, hoping they are triggered only by an assault on the tunnel's end. They did not attack Mission when they could have easily overpowered him... perhaps if we slid by one by one, they would pay us as little mind."
Furrowing his brow, he adds, "Of course, it would mean certain death for any in that tunnel should the zombies decide to break their trance."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
"Twenty? Closely packed together in the side tunnel?" Sa'id smirks to himself in the dark. "If we choose to reveal ourselves with a frontal assault, I could incinerate the lot of them." He continues, careful to keep his voice as quiet as possible. "I wish, though, that I had another use of my invisibility spell. The zombies are likely to trigger on one of two things -- either an attack on the barricade, as you say, or on Cadfael's presence. I suspect it is the former. Your plan, while I freely admit it makes me nervous, is sound."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Mission turns to Sa'id. "Who said anything about Cadfael?" He keeps his voice soft. "Not I. Nor Rennick, that I remember.
"What is it about Cadfael, do you think, that would trigger the zombies, Sa'id?"
Character Sheet Tool Chat, To Sneak Or Not To Sneak
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Farron shudders at the thought of squeezing through a crowd of zombies, but waits, hoping someone else will voice his desire not to wade among the undead. Not that he wouldn't do it if necessary.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Went to sakeriver but can't find what you are talking about.
Karl
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
OK, I found the link, but I don't see any tools. I *am* registered. In the chat, though, he mentions a "wrapper" that allows only DMs to edit or add character sheets. I'm assuming that is why I don't see any tools to add one.
Karl
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Garyth's skin crawls as he remembers the cold, clammy feeling of dead fingers clutching and pulling at him. Since leaving Overlook he has seen things he never thought he'd see. He certainly never expected to face a horde of undead monsters when he began his training with the Blood Falcons. But that training was nonetheless why he was here, and Garyth recognizes the situation for the tactical nightmare that it is.
Keeping his voice low, he says, "We don't know that the side tunnel goes anywhere, but we have little choice. Once we are past the zombies, if we need to come back this way then at least all of our enemies will be in front of us."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
The tools, such as they are, are located at http://www.sakeriver.com/gametools. In order to do anything other than just view the existing sheets, you need to be registered and logged in. As of yesterday afternoon you should be automatically logged in when you register, but if you registered before I put that change in then you needed to log in separately. Once you do that you should see the option to add a new sheet on the index page; you don't need any admin or DM privileges for that.
Karl, Raja, Ty, and Dan are all in the system right now, so I can't think of any reason any of you shouldn't be able to add new sheets or edit sheets that you own. If you are logged in, the index page will display your username and permissions. If you log in and don't see that or the option to add a new sheet, let me know and I'll try to fix it.
Thanks.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The end of the tunnel
Ty, does Farron remember anything from the map that would give him any indication where that tunnel might lead.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
My problem was that I registered a long time ago and logged into the main website. When I went to the tools it said I was no longer logged in, so I tried logging in and it said my login was invalid. I didn't know you had to register separately for the game tools. Once I registered there, I was able to log in and see the tools. I haven't added my page yet, but will eventually.
Karl
From: Scott
Subject: Tactics
Mission shakes his head at Garyth. "If we attack the zombies, the men at the barricade will certainly hear us."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
I updated your sheet, Mike. You had your to hit bonuses too low, and a couple other things.
That is really handy! I encourage everyone else to put their guy in. Dan, you called your campaign overlook/lovecraft, and for some reason I think this is blocking me from editing Cadfael.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Am I just an idiot for not being able to find this or is there no way to change the campaign once its been added? Nor, it seems can I delete this character sheet if I have to add another one.
That'll learn me to try and be funny. Mike, any suggestions? Can you use your admin powers to make things right?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
I think I am just waiting for a "We do this" at this point.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Tactics
I'm satisfied with the "sneak past the zombies" plan, much as I'd love to unleash some hot fury. ;-)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
"You miss my point," whispers Garyth. "If we get around the zombies and it turns out that the tunnel leads nowhere, I see no choice but to come back and try the ladder. We have no hope of surviving a pincer attack from both the guards and the zombies, but coming back this way we have the advantage that all of them are in front of us. Since we would have to fight all of them anyway, we would be best served by taking out the zombies quickly before the guards could join them." He stops with a tired sigh and glances up the tunnel. "But even if we could take out all of the zombies at once, it would be a hard fight, so stealth remains our best hope. I just hope the tunnel takes us where we need to go."
OOC: Garyth will go with the sneaking past the zombies plan.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Dan, I altered your sheet so that it just says "Overlook" now, so Ty should be able to edit it now. But this actually raised a couple of good points, so I think I will change it so that you can change the campaign on your own sheets and also to recognize multiple campaigns.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: hey everybody!
Thanks mike.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
Okay, I'm confused-- does sneaking past really mean sneaking through?
Are we taking the northern tunnel? Or the eastern, to fight Mr. Steel-pants?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
(OOC: Yes, the rather insane plan that Rennik, our resident balls-to-the-wall nutjob, has envisioned is to actually walk willy nilly through the tunnel filled with 20 zombies in the hopes that the zombies will react the same way to the party as they did to Mission, allowing them to pass right on by. He thinks this because of his dim view that zombies, having no brains, must be commanded to do something or magically triggered to. If we don't trip their trigger, they shouldn't attack.
Unless of course Cadfael is their trigger, in which case I suggest we either send him through first, to trip them and let us fight from the hallway, or last, so he can be killed in a press of zombified flesh. Of course, Cadfael can likely light up his shield like the noonday sun and make the zombies go pop-pop-pop (as Christ Tucker would say in Fifth Element), but a) this would be pretty obvious light-wise in the tunnel, and b) it would be a bitch to get him to do it.
Then again, if he were beset by zombies, he might do it out of a sense of self-preservation.
So, there we go. Let's hope Rennik's assumption about zombies doesn't make an ass out of him and mption.)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
It is clear that Mission is uneasy about this plan. "Twenty zombies, at least, against the six of us? With another four trained warriors as their reinforcements?"
He turns to Rennick. "We don't know what's beyond the zombies. Let me scout that out first, before we ALL go traipsing in among them. I know they won't react to me, at least.
"I don't want to get knee deep in fighting undead, only to find out that they are protecting a wall."
Mission will turn away, if there are no objections, and make his way back to the hall of zombies. His goal is to get beyond them, and see if the tunnel leads up into the temple.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Tactics
OOC:
I would just like to commend Scott for his subtle Doom reference.
Knee-deep in the dead, indeed.
IC:
Sa'id is fine with this plan.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
Rennik is fine with the plan, too, and plans to be near to the end of the tunnel with the shortened halberd in case things go awry, as well.
Slow Day
Subject: Re: Tactics
Farron is fine with this plan, though he begins to look behind the group nervously. He feels they've been stationary too long and is worried another group of unsavory characters might come up on their tail.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
Garyth has no objections.
A Little OOC Clarification
Subject: Re: Tactics
So Mission is going back to the zombie tunnel.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
Please give me a few details.
Is mission going through first? As a scout? Are the rest of the party members going through one at a time? In what order?
Also, the intersection is about 300 feet from the ladder guards. While Rennik and mission will have no problem being quiet enough at that distance, Cadfael may make enough clanking noises to draw attention. The move silent DC at that distance is probably only 10 or less, but with his penalties, Cadfael can easily score that low.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
Mission is going in first, alone.
My understanding was that Rennick was going to follow, but not into the tunnel. He was going to wait at the entrance.
I also thought that no one else would be following. .
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Tactics
Any objections to this?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Tactics
Nope.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Tactics
Sorry I've been such an E-mail wanker this week, I've been pretty embroiled with this whole rent fiasco.
Heeeeeeeeeell yes, Cadfael has a problem with this plan. I think. Just let me clarify one thing. The current plan has us walking AWAY from the entrance to the temple, yes?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
The group isn't moving anywhere. The idea is for mission, who the zombies ignored before, to scout out the northern tunnel to see if there is an alternate entrance to the temple.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Tactics
Again, the plan as I see it:
The party remains where it has been.
Mission goes back where he had been, in the zombie tunnel.
Rennik again goes back where he had been, down the tunnel, this time stopping at the edge of the tunnel. I'd also want Tichenor with me, there.
Mission tries to go down the tunnel to see what's on the other side, hopefully finding a way up into the temple.
Rennik and Tichenor cover his retreat/escape in case of attack by zombies.
Ideally, Mission gets through, finds another entrance, reports back, and we try that route.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Tactics
If he can, Mission would also like to take the remaining vials of alchemist's fire with him-- just in case.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Tactics
OOC: Sorry, I misunderstood. If that's the case Cadfael will remain in his stupor and I'll continue this craptastic month.
Mission Gets Through the Zombies
Subject: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission moves back up the tunnel to the intersection, with Rennik and Tichenor right behind. Using the distant spark of the guard's torches, and his hand on the wall, Mission finds his way back. He touches Rennik on one shoulder, and the halfling stops. By his side, Tichenor turns to face the northern tunnel and begins growling. Rennik puts one hand on him, and the wolf grows silent, but Rennik can feel a rumble continue in the animal's chest. Clearly, he does not like the undead.
Mission moves a few feet into the tunnel, and then risks exposing a tiny portion of the glowing glove. In its dim light, he can see the mass of zombies still congregated several yards away. Their milky, and in some cases oozing, eyes swivel to follow him as he moves past them. They are packed into the tunnel so tightly that he can't get by without brushing up against several, and he suppresses a shudder each time. But other than their following gazes, they make no move against him.
Once on the other side, he is able to walk away unobstructed. Less than a hundred yards down the tunnel, he comes to another cave in. This one looks natural, and at the top of the pile of rocks and dirt he can see a bit of sky.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Farron stands still in the dark, one hand in a pocket in his robes, quietly stroking his ferret.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Dammit. Sakeriver needs an out of context thread?
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; sneaking and scouting
Mission will climb the dirt and stuff to see what he can see out of the hole.