Dec 8, 2025 3:50 pm
"Just conk him on the head, would you please, Zach?" Jacky asks. "He sure is making a lot of noise!"
7. Return to the Halls
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Dec 9, 2025 1:52 pm
Burbage says:
Grim - Roskelly is now out-of-melee with you. You cannot charge again, so if you want to continue the fight, you will have to "Close" (which means you can’t attack this round). Is that what you would like to do?
Dec 9, 2025 3:11 pm
That concludes Round 2. Zach (and Thrud) can’t "Close" in Round 2, because they’ve already taken their action for the round with their first attack.
Rolling initiative for Round 3 …
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Rolling initiative for Round 3 …
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9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Rolls
Party initiative roll - Round 3 - (1d6)
(3) = 3
Halfling initiative roll - Round 3 - (1d6)
(4) = 4
Dec 9, 2025 3:24 pm
Heroes vs. Halflings - Round 3
The round sequence will be as follows:
- Segment 3 - Halflings
- Segment 4 - Party
Only Grim is currently in melee with Roskelly.
Thrud and Zach don't get an extra attack this round, so they will take their action in the same segment as the other party members.
Realising that his escape route is blocked, Roskelly turns away from the gate to face you, drops his short sword and raises his hands in the air in surrender. "You do realise you’re making a big mistake here," he says. "At least two dozen of Plumthorn's gang are currently heading this way. If I were you, I would make yourselves scarce. That’s the smart move."
Beyond the gate, a corridor continues east for 30’ before arriving at a crossroads. 30’ beyond the crossroads, the corridor opens into a chamber. You can now see movement within that chamber. You can also hear footsteps to the north of the crossroads.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
The round sequence will be as follows:
- Segment 3 - Halflings
- Segment 4 - Party
Only Grim is currently in melee with Roskelly.
Thrud and Zach don't get an extra attack this round, so they will take their action in the same segment as the other party members.
Realising that his escape route is blocked, Roskelly turns away from the gate to face you, drops his short sword and raises his hands in the air in surrender. "You do realise you’re making a big mistake here," he says. "At least two dozen of Plumthorn's gang are currently heading this way. If I were you, I would make yourselves scarce. That’s the smart move."
Beyond the gate, a corridor continues east for 30’ before arriving at a crossroads. 30’ beyond the crossroads, the corridor opens into a chamber. You can now see movement within that chamber. You can also hear footsteps to the north of the crossroads.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Dec 9, 2025 3:31 pm
OOC:
@Burbage Should the party not act on segment 3 instead?OOC:
Let's grab some hostages and retreat down past the secret door before reinforcements arrive. To have numbers on our side, maybe 2 of the unconscious halflings and Roskelly.@Avraham Do you want to knock him out?
Dec 9, 2025 4:12 pm
As soon as Ella is satisfied that she has tied at least one of the sleeping halflings, she lets the work to others and positions herself next to the portcullis, bow in hand, arrow nocked.
OOC:
So Roskelly is in a kill box with Grim, while Zach and Thrud closing in? Myrtha Ella positions herself to the right of the portcullis, standing in the entrance hall: she’s afraid of being caught. If she sees people coming from the far-side of the second portculllis she will shoot if such a "readied action" can be taken… Last edited December 10, 2025 6:08 am
Dec 9, 2025 7:06 pm
testlum says:
OOC:
@Burbage Should the party not act on segment 3 instead?Dec 9, 2025 7:14 pm
matmaisan says:
As soon as Ella is satisfied that she has tied at least one of the sleeping halflings, she lets the work to others and positions herself next to the portcullis, bow in hand, arrow nocked.OOC:
So Roskelly is in a kill box with Grim, while Zach and Thrud closing in? Myrtha positions herself to the right of the portcullis, standing in the entrance hall: she’s afraid of being caught. If she sees people coming from the far-side of the second portculllis she will shoot if such a "readied action" can be taken… Yes, only Grim is in melee, and therefore only Grim can attack this round. He would be striking an opponent who has surrendered though and should consider whether that is in keeping with his alignment.
Zach and Thrud can choose to close, but they won't be able to attack this round.
Ella (Mytha?) can't both tie a sleeping halfling AND ready her bow at the portcullis. She has to choose one.
There's no second portcullis. Do you mean "crossroads"?
Dec 9, 2025 7:37 pm
Grim stays his trusty hammer.
So ya surrender, then? Drop yer weapon, yer comin’ WID us!
So ya surrender, then? Drop yer weapon, yer comin’ WID us!
Dec 9, 2025 11:26 pm
Thrud moves forward quickly, slinging his shield across his back to free up a hand. He moves forward, preparing to either grab up a bound halfling or bind one up himself if none are already bound. His eyes dart nervously toward the corridor beyond the gate, towards the sound of the approaching reinforcements.
"Time go friends! Grab loud one and run!"
"Time go friends! Grab loud one and run!"
Dec 10, 2025 4:37 am
OOC:
DM, the following represents Zach's intentions for the next round. He wants to close on and tie up Roskelly—at least his hands behind his back—as he talks. Please fit into the initiative order as appropriate, and if something else happens that makes the following no longer possible, I'll improvise then. Also, I am running the risk of talking more intelligently than perhaps an 8/7 INT/WIS character should. Happy to dumb it down if you desire, oh mighty DM!Wise of you to surrender, Zach says. I do not enjoy killing other sentient creatures. I only do so when it is a last resort. However, we cannot continue being bled like stuck pigs by people who set up a protection racket and skim the hard-earned bounty of those who took the risks. So for now, young man, you are coming with us. Hopefully, between the eloquent Lady Elmendorf, the witty Jericho, and your own enlightened self-interest, we can reach an accommodation where we risk-takers do not lose such a huge portion of the booty earned through blood and sweat, while you are able to continue your existence both in peace and in one piece. For example, perhaps we can be inducted as auxiliary members of your delightful cabal, with a tax rate of 1%–2%, instead of the ruinous levy you insisted on previously.
Dec 10, 2025 6:26 am
OOC:
I understood Ella cast her spell in round 1, assisted in tying up a halfling in round 2, and then moved to a shooting position in round 3. If the constraining of the halfling takes more time, she’ll still be busy at that during round 3, no problems.Myrtha is a character from another game, my apologies. I often post in all games during a short period of time and sometimes get characters confused.
As to my understanding of the disposition of the neighboring halls, I guess I’m confused with the isometric representation and a previous explanation. Here I had gotten the impression that there was a raised portcullis at the archway with a couple of halflings behind it (on top of the group that followed Roskelly). So, in my mind the space beyond the archway, being potentially closed between two portcullis, was a "kill box". Anyhow, I think I grasp the design of the space now.
Last edited December 10, 2025 6:28 am
Dec 10, 2025 3:36 pm
I think I’ve got an idea of the party's general intentions. To keep things simple, and as there’s no fighting taking place currently, let’s move back out of combat rounds and into the general narrative …
Hurriedly, Zach secures Roskelly’s hands behind his back, whilst the others bind the five sleeping halflings on this side of the portcullis.
Roskelly is uninterested in bartering with Zach. "If you want to strike a deal, you’ll need to speak to Plumthorn directly. I’ll tell you now, though, you’re wasting your time. Escape while you can. Me and my slumbering colleagues will only slow you down."
On the other side of the portcullis, you see a posse of halflings hurrying down the corridor towards you. There are ten of them, all armed and armoured.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Hurriedly, Zach secures Roskelly’s hands behind his back, whilst the others bind the five sleeping halflings on this side of the portcullis.
Roskelly is uninterested in bartering with Zach. "If you want to strike a deal, you’ll need to speak to Plumthorn directly. I’ll tell you now, though, you’re wasting your time. Escape while you can. Me and my slumbering colleagues will only slow you down."
On the other side of the portcullis, you see a posse of halflings hurrying down the corridor towards you. There are ten of them, all armed and armoured.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Dec 10, 2025 4:00 pm
OOC:
If my character was a NE rogue, I'd keep Roskelly as a hostage and see just how much his continued existence was worth to Plumthorn or Roskelly himself. Alas, Zacharias is a noble LG Fighter, and even threatening to murder a (currently) defenseless sentient is an anathema. However, we may want to gag Roskelly.Are we—and by we, I mean Jacky—going through the pockets of the sleeping, bound halflings and looking loose change?
Dec 10, 2025 9:58 pm
OOC:
No time for that right now, lol. Let's just grab the captives and go.Does anyone have more lantern oil? I want to set a blaze in front of the portcullis to buy us time to retreat.
Last edited December 10, 2025 10:01 pm
Dec 10, 2025 11:56 pm
Taking the last flask of oil on his person, Jacky waits for those in front to get clear of the portcullis before smashing it on the floor there. He sets it alight with a flaming arrow.
@Burbage The lantern oil item is still listed on Jacky's sheet, just with a quantity of 0 so I don't need to retype it when I get a refill.
OOC:
Well, if no one does, I expect we still have some torches.@Burbage The lantern oil item is still listed on Jacky's sheet, just with a quantity of 0 so I don't need to retype it when I get a refill.
Last edited December 10, 2025 11:57 pm
Dec 11, 2025 12:02 am
testlum says:
OOC:
Well, if no one does, I expect we still have some torches.OOC:
I still have four torches in the backpack from whence you took the silk rope gracing the arms and legs of the sleeping halflings and Roskelly's arms. I figure it's no longer 50' but multiple sections. If we survive and get back to the surface, I'll work it out with @Burbage. Last edited December 11, 2025 12:24 am
Dec 11, 2025 4:28 pm
I’d like you to clarify what you are doing with the halflings.
Roskelly is no problem. Whilst generally uncooperative, he is awake and mobile and can be cajoled into escaping with you.
The five sleeping haflings are another matter. Whilst they are asleep, they are dead weight. Assume each weighs 60 lbs (DMG, page 102).
So who, specifically, is grabbing a sleeping halfling? And then please factor that burden into your encumbrance and movement.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Roskelly is no problem. Whilst generally uncooperative, he is awake and mobile and can be cajoled into escaping with you.
The five sleeping haflings are another matter. Whilst they are asleep, they are dead weight. Assume each weighs 60 lbs (DMG, page 102).
So who, specifically, is grabbing a sleeping halfling? And then please factor that burden into your encumbrance and movement.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Dec 11, 2025 5:01 pm
OOC:
Between Zach's backpack, armor, shield, and having to keep an eye (and sword) on Roskelly, Zach cannot carry any halflings. We do have porters with poles, though. They can probably take one each, no?load next