7. Return to the Halls

Heroes vs. Halflings - Round 1
Let’s do this!

Round 1, Segment 3

Thrud charges into combat!

Please roll Thrud’s to-hit and damage. He gets +2 to-hit from charging. Also, please roll a d4 to see who he hits. 1 = Roskelly, 2-4 = halfling fighter (only 3 of the halfling fighters will be within 10’ of Thrud).

Jacky shoots!

He’s already rolled, so let’s see who he hits by rolling a d7. 1 = Thrud, 2 = Roskelly, 3-7 = halfling fighter.

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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 …

Jacky's arrow soars.

Heroes vs. Halflings - Round 1 (continued)
To keep things moving, I’m going to say that Thrud "Closes" rather than "Charges" into combat. In this way, I don’t need a roll from him right now.

Round 1, Segment 3

Jacky’s arrow whizzes past Roskelly and hits the left shoulder of the fighter behind him. The halfling lets out a yelp of pain, but it doesn’t bring him down.

Round 1, Segment 4

Grim charges into combat as fast as his little legs will carry him. Unfortunately, the swing with his warhammer is wide of the mark. Thrud and Zach close into combat more cautiously.

Somewhat surprised by the open aggression, Roskelly yells "Fall back!". He and his troops retreat, attempting to parry any incoming blows, whilst heading towards the passage with the portcullised gate from which they arrived.



Grim, Thrud and Zach, you have the option of following up on the retreating halflings to stay in melee with them. Do you wish to do so?

Ella - do you wish to continue with your Sleep spell?

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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 …

Ella could only focus her mind on the universe-bending power of the runes she was invoking.

I am so sick and tired of these little runts skimming off our hard-earned bounty, bought with blood, sweat, and years! Zach thinks as he watches the plump little bastards backpedal on their stumpy legs. He grits his teeth, grips his shield, and follows them towards the gate. He won’t be foolish enough to be cut off from his fellows, but he is itching to ensure they will stop being a problem. Permanently.

Heroes vs. Halflings - Round 1 (continued)
Round 1, Segment 4

Zach follows up on the retreating halflings, continuing to press the attack (Grim, Thrud - let me know if you wish to do likewise). As Zach approaches the side passage, two further details become apparent:

1. The portcullis, although down, has been fitted with a halfling-sized iron gate in its centre. This gate is currently closed.

2. On the far side of the gate are two further halfling guards.

Round 1, Segment 5

Ella completes her arcane manipulations and the Sleep spell is cast. Please roll 4d4 to see how many halflings it affects. The two additional gate guards are potential targets.

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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 …

Grim waddles after the halflings in dwarf-minded pursuit!

Correct. The only portcullis you can see is the one depicted. And to clarify, the two guards are on the far side of it.

With a sense of otherworldly elation the syllables of her spell leave her body as a mist of dust carried on the small elf’s breath, and float in pursuit of the halflings.

Thrudmarr pursues after the retreating halflings right alongside Zach, his heavy footfalls echoing in the chamber.

"Give back Thrud hat!"

Heroes vs. Halflings - Round 1 (continued)
Round 1, Segment 5

Ella completes her spell, and all the halflings bar Roskelly instantly collapse in a deep slumber, their weapons clattering to the floor as they do so. Only their commander is left standing.

Round 1, Segment 10

Jacky - Do you wish to take your second shot? Given that most of the halflings are now prone, you will have an equal chance of hitting Roskelly, Grim, Thrud and Zach.

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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 …

On seeing the collapse of the majority of their foes, Jacky holds his fire. He cups a hand around his mouth and calls out to Roskelly. "Hey there, captain! Are you going to stick around to bargain for your men, or run like a beaten bully?"

Ella shivered softly as the last of the eldritch energy left her body. She felt thirsty and mentally exhausted, but was still in a risky position. She grabbed her bow more tightly, drew an arrow, and began to bend her weapon with practiced ease.

Correct. For the next 5 rounds/minutes.

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In light of Jacky’s question to Roskelly, let’s slip out of combat rounds for the time being.

First, let me make a morale check for Roskelly ...

OK, the outcome of the morale check is that Roskelly will attempt to turn and flee. This implies that he’s not going to negotiate with Jacky; his sole intention is to get away. How will you respond to this? If you wish to try to stop him, we’ll move back into combat rounds. If you'll let him get away, knowing that he’s going to be no further trouble to you for the time being, we’ll continue with the narrative.

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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 …

Ella bent her bow and took aim at the fleeing form of the halfling leader.