Act 1, Scene 1: "Through the Undergrowth" (Main Game Thread)

[Jenara]

Katten nods in greeting, regarding the elven woman for a moment before moving ahead, her bow drawn (her last bow string) she speaks softly. "I go right with Dran, shoot them and make them head to me, you attack from left, someone help cover me." she speaks before making the universal symbol for hush by placing her fingers over her lips preparing to shoot of anything gets too close.

Moving silently and preparing to shoot anything that moves to the right passage expecting one of the warriors to follow her.

[Nocturno]

Looking like most are ready Nocturno will start to walk down the passage going north planning to cover Katten. Not worrying about noise since it is unlikely he will have the element of surprise.

[OoC: The Parry that adds to AC can be used while moving? Or is it the one that you make an attack to parry? Which ever works while moving he will forgo his attack if any in an opening round while walking North.]

[Chris1234]

If there's something promising to grab quickly from the shaman, Linar will do so and then (or otherwise) reequip his bow and scuttle noiselessly after Katten, favouring the LH wall.

[ausie]

Van will continue to stabilize Garroth. The elf has no healing prof- just trying to keep the minotuar from bleeding out. Applying pressure and all.

(Nesser gave you some Manna water - it has healing properties - you can pour it directly on the wound or drink it.)

[Sol Mazer]

OOC: Shoot- missed that.

Van will administer the mana water to Garroth. Hoping it is enough to get him up and moving.

"C'mon friend.... Garroth, you hear me?"

[Stik]

"Would Kak be the worg or the goblin? Never mind. A name is not important." Boyd shakes out his hair and rolls his head, stretching his neck. "Best you give us some room when we go in. It is a bit dark in here for Salem, and his eyesight is not the best. Might could get slashed by mistake if you get too close."

[Chris1234]

If Linar hears this then he'll offer, "Boyd, if you can't control your pet then maybe you should take it outside before something happens to it."

Otherwise he continues after Katten. If anything appears to threaten Ketten, worg or otherwise, it gets two arrows.

[TristenC]

[The parry that blocks a specific attack allows movement, the AC boost one doesn’t.]


Katten passes a skin of mana water to Vanidur, leaving only one more in reserve. Van carefully pours the liquid along the minotaur’s wounds. His breathing slowly steadies, and his eyes flutter open. An intense heaviness dwells in Garroth’s body, making his breathing and movements seem labored. Sound comes first, and slowly his mind gathers the information… by degrees his eyes open to spot a young elf leaning over him with a concerned expression… Van… his memory slowly reminds him. [garroth is at 1 hp, see notes below about recovering from Death’s Door]

Linar cuts the shaman’s purse strings and tucks it away before readying his bow. The second he steps off from the body, small cracks split the withering black skin and an ominous red flame begins to peek from within. The bone-armor blackens with the sooty smoke and the corpse crumbles to ash, leaving only the makeshift armor and raven-feathered deer-skull head-dress behind… The raiment glows with a crimson light for a moment before the luminescence fades. What under the Silver Heavens was that about?! Hamart asks, staring at the remains. Arac shakes his head in dismay.

Katten moves forward down right passage with her bow drawn, Dran close to her side. Nocturno moves along with her, preparing to block any attackers. The Drow follows up behind Katten, bow at the ready. With the easternmost passage crowded, the armed prisoners take the Western side, leaving room for Boyd and Salem to ride in with them.

The musky smell of animal and old straw fill the lightless corridors, Be wary if you can’t see, the half-elf Sargent warns those near her. Coming to the end of the hall, Nocturno, Katten and Linar see the den area. A low growl comes from the right and they have just enough time to spot the crouching Worg and chieftan as he hurls a hand axe their way!


[Actions and Initiative vs Zag’Rek and Kak! R1]
====
Nobody is surprised. Since this is a new melee, roll a new initiative die. Zag’Rek and Kak were waiting, just as the party was prepared, so we’ll let the die gods determine initiative!

Death’s Door:
A creature healed at death’s door is restored to 1 hp.
“Further cures do the character no good until he has had at least one day of rest. Until such time the character is weak and feeble, unable to fight and barely able to move. He must stop and rest often, can’t cast spells (the shock of near death has wiped them from his mind), and is generally confused and feverish. He is able to move and can hold somewhat disjointed conversations, but that’s it.”

[Jenara]

Katten loosens her bow twice as she catches sight of the Goblin and the Warg, fighting her natural hatred of the Goblin she loosens her arrows at the Warg, barely causing any damage.

Init: [1d10] = 4
First Arrow: Long Bow (Thaco 18) [1d20] = 3 dmg [1d6] = 1 Miss
Second Arrow: Long Bow (Thaco 18) [1d20] = 18 dmg [1d6] = 2

[Chris1234]

Linar follows Katten's lead and tries to shoot the Worg.

======
Init: [1d10] = 5
THAC0 19, to hit/dam x2 [1d20] = 13, [1d8] = 4, [1d20] = 4, [1d8] = 2

[Sol Mazer]

Van says to Garroth, "Hey, glad you're still among our number. It was a close thing, but you have come through. Here.. use my staff."

Van will help as he can to bring the minotaur to his feet. "Your heroism made a huge diffrence to the outcome. Bravo, friend!"

[Nocturno]

Initiative: [1d10] = 4
Nocturno holds off to the side so he can intercept anyone who will close in on the archers.
Longsword(18): [1d20] = 2 [1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7

[ausie]

Garroth listens to his Mother's voice... it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard, and it was a mixture of sorrow and wonder that he was hearing it again.. She finished he song and cupped Garroth's large head in her hands, the same head that amidst caused her own death as she birthed him....

"My child, your time is not yet. Be well and don't be afraid to call on and use the strength of others. You are mighty alone but not used to working with others. Be patient, and trust the ally at your shoulder, for a greater strength comes in cohesion. I love you now as always my little Gazza." She plants a kiss on his cheek and fades from view..


.... another vision come to the fore, a small untidy camp in the foothills... A dozen large miniataurs are hunkered around a medium blaze... and he hears screaming. Not far from the fire in the darkness, two minotaurs return to camp, their breath hot and foggy in the cold night air.. One of them points to the youngest Minotaur there, a large but gangly youth and says.. "Garroth, your turn... This is your first elf woman, make sure you make her scream loud."

The young Minotaur shakes his head... a head that bears a stark resemblance to Garroth's own... (My father?)

The first speaks again... "Do her boy, or we'll tie you to that stump and do you!"

With resignation, the young Minotaur gets to his feet and walks off into the darkness where two elf women are tied face down over sawn off tree trunks.

One is close to death, rent and bleeding from horrific injuries.. He looks disgusted and turns back to the camp, but the Large one is watching him..

He can't bring himself to hurt the injured elf woman any more, he doesn't want to subject her to more pain... The other has held up remarkably well, however and regretfully he does what he is told and takes her as gently as he can... weeping as he does so..

She does not scream...

"Please scream." he whispers, "or they will make me hurt you..."

She turns back to look at him... then Screams as if she is being hurt greatly..

Garroth finishes with her, and the large Minotaur turns away, giving Garroth an opportunity to loosen her bonds...

"Thank you...What is your name.." She asks in a whisper..

"Garroth Kazzak" he replies, and then returns to camp. He was the last of that current round and the elf women are forgotten for a time...

When they are next wanted, an hour later, one is missing...and the other is dead.

Garroth is beaten badly, blamed for her escape and the other's death and is forced to flee for his life from the band... Heading higher into the
Mountains..

The next morning, an Elven war party raids the camp and kills all 13 minotaurs present....

The surviving elf woman surveys the dead and confirms that was all of them...

The vision fades and he hears a male Elven voice..


Garroth opens his eyes, and pain assaults him... "Vanidur?"

Garroth weeps... "Never... thought.. I'd be ... happy to.... hear your voice... "

He accepts Van's hand and staff and crass to his feet.. Studying the carnage around him, he is silent... and nods... "Thank you. ". Leaning on the staff heavily, he shuffles along behind... wincing with every step, but to proud to outwardly show his pain...

He puts a hand on Van's shoulder and uses his friend to help him keep up... "Van.... I don't feel so good.."

[Sol Mazer]

After a laugh at the first comment from the minotaur, the elf will do his best to help shoulder his friend along.

"No doubt; you are in a world of hurt... I'm thinking a vacation for you! Come along, you're doing much better than the enemies we encountered."

Van will help guide as he can. "Where would you like to go? Back to the surface or follow along to the others? Surface has fresh air and cleanliness this place doesn't.. that is for sure!"

[Rivi]

elden will stand up and try to help the minitor as well "yes quite a feat seeing you take them on"