Before us double doors blocked our passage and the other door was on the balcony. Our fearless leader suggested that he could use his chariot to elevate us to the balcony. After some discussion on how best to use him as a counter weight, theory being that if he rose up the chariot did also it was considered to be impractical. So it was the double doors.
Palos and I checked the door for traps and locks finding no traps but a lock that prevented the door from opening to the less skilled I deftly disabled the lock and opened the doors with little difficulty.
As we carefully walked down the corridor it branched off to the left parallel to a door and continued on to a T-junction but before we could continue the door swung open. Through this door came two chatting goblins, discussing of all thing one of their birthdays. Spoiling for a fight Palos lunged forward lashing out with his long sword at the goblin on his left cutting into its hide. Not to be outdone Torin spat his fire at the pair only burning one. Annoyed that the others were taking OUR kill we surged forward and while I spat poison at the pair Phobos cut deep into the one on the right giving the wall a new undercoat of red. Guy cast divine glow scorching the one facing me and giving us strength to fight. The birthday goblin fled into the adjacent corridor where we heard surprise from within. The one on me, now frothing at the mouth, struck at me with a strong blow. Such was his rage he ignored his wounds even when Phobos cut him for his troubles. I heard a crack as Berrien’s arrow shattered on the wall and the dwarf charged forward. As he passed the frothing goblin it hit him with its weapon, the dwarf pressed his assault striking brashly and wounding it deeply.
Palos used his evasive strike to gain flank then murdered the air however Torin blew out its spine with a well placed magic missile. We blended in with the shadow and stood parallel to the dwarf hoping to catch any who entered the corridor in a trap. Guy readied himself for action and Berrien covered our rear. The dwarf barreled into the room and I heard the familiar crunch as his blow struck home.
Palos entered the room and slashed his quarry Torin maneuvered to the entrance and sent a thunder wave into it. We rushed into the room sighting a Bugbear and two goblins , Birthday boy and another (the rest were at our rear thus Berrien ploy ), leaped an upturned table and Phobos and I nearly eviscerated the Bugbear. Hoping to take it down I foolishly didn’t use my repost maneuver. Guy sent a blast of holy energy that scorched its fur. Now the Bugbear wanted payback and struck me with a mighty blow Zihir must have had my back as the one behind me missed by a fraction. The dwarf finished the Bugbear and covered my withdraw (I may not like him but he kills just fine)
Palos twin blades carved his opponent into two goblins about half size and moved back. Torin dismounted his chariot and retreated up the corridor where I last saw Berrien. Feigning weakness (Phobos quoted a classic play) I moved behind the dwarf to lure the goblin to me (and to heal). Guy cast sacred flame upon the goblin near us giving me some relief. It attempted to run only to be stopped by a well placed blow from the dwarf, in retaliation the goblin lashed out but hit nothing but air (poor air it aint your day). I saw two goblins charge up the corridor to Torin and Berrien avoiding Palos blows I heard a scream as Berrien’s swords connected who called for us to come. I quipped “coming mother”. The dwarf vented his anger on the goblin causing grievous wounds
Palos twin blades struck a bleeding goblin. I leaped over the table with Phobos at my side as I reached the entrance Phobos flew out killing one of the two goblins here allowing Palos and myself to switch places like in an old story involving a tea party and a loony in a hat)and setting up flank with Berrien I could hear Guy engaging the goblin in the room The goblin between me and Berrien cut me but I ignored the blow Berrien slipped on some blood and left himself open as I heard the death rattle of the goblin in the room the one I was fighting was cut down by Palos’ blades.
After a short rest we entered the bathroom and at one end there was a statue of a half serpent and a half woman, I understood the use of the bathroom (room where the bath is) but I still am wondering if there is such a thing as a toilet. I have heard of a mythical device but never seen one or met anyone who has used one. Perhaps it is just one of those things that are written of in fantasy to create the illusion of mystery and wonder. Creeping silently (sneak sneak sneak CLANK CLUNK) we exited to the left to a T-junction and took the right passage to a single door where inside we heard noises. I checked the door for traps and locks. Upon finding none I burst through, greeting me were two humans and three hobgoblins.
Phobos leaped into the room striking one of the humans. I followed suit and attacked the same one then spat at both humans with my poison. Berrien’s arrows pierced the flesh of one of the hobgoblins who readied as if awaiting some sort of order. The human nearest me struck me with his mace bringing stars to my eyes the other attacked Berrien but he deflected the blow. The hobgoblins reacted at this point. One, despite a shot from Berrien, striking me with a painful blow and the other striking Berrien. As if from nowhere two bolts struck Palos. Torin got no love from his breath or spell as he tried to clear the bottle neck we were in. The dwarf tried to clear a path as well but his blow was deflected. Guys spell only grazed the hobgoblin on me and Palos lashed out at the same one swinging twice yet only hitting once. Phobos fearing for my life slashed my assailant but did nothing to slow it down. Taking a great risk Berrien (bless him) took a shot at a hobgoblin but missed fortunately so did the monster on him.
I felt the humans dagger pierce my thigh and my vision turned red with rage his friend attacked Berrien finding his mark. The hobgoblin struck me but received a cut to the face in return as another struck a mighty blow on the dwarf and again the shadowy bolts appeared in Palos armor. Torin tried to cast a spell and was hit by a hobgoblin ruining his shot. Guy cast his healing I was too mad to see on whom but I did enjoy it when the dwarf smashed a hobgoblin.
Palos long swords flashed and while the hobgoblin blocked one was struck by the other Phobos brought me to my senses and gave me a healing potion as I used my inner healing to well heal. Berrien’s luck was on a break and he missed. The humans attacked Berrien and the dwarf but both failed to hit, the hobgoblin however was better and struck a powerful blow. Again the stealthy shooter struck poor Palos who looked near death. Guy’s righteous brand failed to brand anything but it enabled the dwarf to (while screaming obscenities ) wound the hobgoblin deeply.
Palos teleported to where he thought the snipers were and finding them twin struck one. Slithering up Phobos and I neatly killed one of the hobgoblins. Berrien drew his sword and struck one of the humans who had him in a flanking maneuver with a hobgoblin. This proved to be fruitless because Berrien dodged both attacks the hobgoblin facing the dwarf struck a powerful blow only to find that its enchantment halved its effect. Both of the snipers drew blades and missed Palos while Torin’s magic missile killed a human on Berrien. Guy told the dwarf to go for the human. He complied, brashly striking him ending his life. Guy struck the last hobgoblin and I saw an opening.
Palos still engaged with the snipers struck both of them (sharing the swords between them) Phobos and I stalked the last hobgoblin creeping up on his exposed flank and in a series of brutally vicious strikes dissassembled him spreading his intestines over the floor save for the piece dangling from Phobos’ blade. Berrien took aim with his bow and slew one of the snipers but Torin missed the other sniper. The dwarf tried to bury the remaining one under the barrels but he rudely rebuked him however Guys lance of light burned it.
Palos shifted and waited for my signal. I, using the dwarf as a stepping stone, leaped onto the barrels and gave Phobos a brain chaser to go with her hobgoblin tripe.
