Out the Door, Uh Oh
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
OOC: I didn't see where anyone took the rope out of the tunnel WAAAY back after we faced the swamp dragon, so that should afford us a way out.
IC:
It is difficult watching another man carry Promise. Mission keeps pace with Rennick, fretting at the way that Promise bounced and jiggled in the halfling's sling. But he keeps his silence.
Except to nod in support of Rennick's suggestion. "Let's hurry," he says.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
"We will see what is best" Farron says in reply to Renniks comment about a "creature of the wind". Once outside, he casts Haste on the party.
(OOC - Farron can cast haste on 5 people and it lasts 5 rounds. He will cast it on the 5 slowest party members (not counting the child.) I'm assuming that Mission is the fastest of us so he will have to do without, though he probably won't mind that at all. Sorry this is so short. I'm swamped at work today and have a ton of things I need to do for my move on the 21st. /OOC)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
OOC: So we're going for the tunnel, then? Sounds good to me (and Garyth), I just wanted to check.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Ummmmm...
If you didn't (and I sort of assumed you had), then you had no rope to go up the shaft with. So, we are playing like you did.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
OK... Well, if the rope we used to get up the shaft was the same as the rope we used to get down into the tunnel, we are kind of stuck with having to go through the jungle, as we kind of just torched both Mission's and Garyth's rope.
I guess that settles that.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
I think Rennik was considering using the ladder in the guardhouse to get into the tunnel.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Yeah, sort of skipped that part. We'd grab the ladder from the guard house, carry it with us to the other end of the tunnel, then climb back up.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Can I get a quick synopsis of the exact plan of action once that door opens?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
As soon as the door opens, Farron will be casting haste on all party members except Mission.
We go to the guard house, kick whatever asses need kicking there,
Scurry down into the tunnel,
Kick any zombie asses that might still be there (if they attack)
Take the ladder
travel back along the tunnel to the cave in
Use the ladder to climb up
(Hope there are no swamp dragons)
travel through the jungle towards home.
Did I forget something?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Yes, the Rennik dropping Promise and having his neck snapped by Mission. Otherwise, I think you've got it wrapped up.
On the way out, though, Rennik will lag behind a bit with Mission, doing his best to cover their tracks with the remains of the cloak he cut for the sling. (Survival check)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Sa'id and Garyth exit first.
Then Mission, then Rennick.
Then Cadfael and Farron.
I think.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; More running away
Turn forthcoming.
From: Ty
Subject: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
The plan is set, and Garyth and Sa'id place themselves next to the exit, ready to run when the door swings open. A glance back at Mission, who nods once, and Garyth puts his shoulder into the door, swinging it wide. He bolts out, with the wizard just behind, and then skids to a stop, Sa'id slamming into his back with an audible *oof*.
Garyth doesn't even turn around. He is looking at the entrance of the temple with something between panic and resignation in his eyes.
Chaos boils around the temple steps. Hundreds of the servants of Kor Garesh congregate there in an angry and random mob. Several captains appear to be trying to establish some sort of order, and break the army up into groups, but many of the halflings just run off in small knots, ignoring their orders. The undead mostly stand motionless, appearing to be waiting for something. Clearly visible in the crowd are some of the more distinctive members of the Garesh's congregation. The half elven hunter is there, collecting a small group of halflings around him. The witch is gesturing emphatically to a group of men. The half orc is missing, and it makes you wonder if he is with the group chasing you down the hallway from behind. Elise is notably absent at this point.
With that huge group assembling for the hunt, it would be impossible to get anywhere near the guardhouse. Fortunately, none of them are spreading out to search the outside of the mountain yet. As this appears to be a fairly monumental oversight, it is probably also one that they will correct in the very near future.
Rennik knows there are only two ways to go from here. If you run east, you can parallel the path of the tunnel you took to get here, but will be in the jungle for a long time. If you run south, you are in the jungle half as long, but lengthen the overall journey by a day or more. The hunting parties will certainly be concentrating on the eastern path.
[I delayed Farron's spell for a second, to allow everyone to respond to this, and a decision about where to go to be made.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
OOC: Well, that certainly sucks. Raja, do you have that invisibility spell today?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
"If we must take to the jungle, I vote South," Farron says, remembering the swamp dragon with a shudder. Still he knows they'll fair better against a swamp dragon than against the hoard assembled in their path.
(OOC - "What exactly are your plans when you get to the tunnel?" Ty, you slay me.)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
"We go south. There is no reason to follow the tunnel path away from the mountain, as we only used it to find the temple entrance - no path is needed to flee the mountain. Any way we run, there will be pursuit, but there is less jungle between the mountain and the forest to the south. The less time we spend in the jungle, the better our chances."
He mentally calculates for a moment before adding:
"The journey will be longer by roughly a day, but the bulk of it will be in the forest and away from the swamp dragons and most of the H'ruggda. It will also be harder to track us in the forest, with fewer broken branches and leaves, and harder ground to hide footprints."
Rennik will point the general direction for Garyth and Sa'id to move, implying that they should remain point men, then motions Cadfael and Farron to follow.
"I will stay at the rear for the first leg of the journey to cover our tracks away from the secret door. Hopefully that will buy us some time."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
Anyone want to add further discussion? If not, I will just write up the next turn. Check in if you want me to hold off.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
"Let's get moving before they see us," Mission says.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
Farron still hasting at this point?
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
OOC: So, am I the only one that wants to know about the Circle of Invisibility spell?
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
Rennik wouldn't mention anything about it, since he wouldn't think to use magic at any point, really. His attention to Farron is that he's a caller of animals, not a spellweaver... he differentiates those two in his head.
But, that said, I don't know if Sa'id memorized anything that wasn't of use in the big fight for today. I think he was filling his slots with fireballs and whatnot.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
"Shall I still cast haste?" Farron asks the group.
(If the reply is yes, go ahead. I'm away from the computer after this until monday.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
I have Circle of Invisibility memorized. Not to mention Magic Circle against Evil.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
I meant Invisibility Sphere. Same difference. :P
It only lasts one minute/level though, IIRC... but it would be enough to get us away and into the jungle or maybe even the tunnel.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The Chase; Run for the tunnel- oh crap
Well, Rennik won't object to either spell, though he won't bring them up, either.