Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

The Age of Magic is ended, Bhall, the Goddess of Fire, has succumbed to the whispers of Agares and fallen into Hell. Her worshipers and creations driven mad, and fire, which has been a powerful ally to man, has turned against him. Each good god was charged with the opposition of an evil god. Bhall was responsible for balancing Mulcarn, the God of Winter. Finding himself unopposed Mulcarn has broken The Compact and moved into Creation.

Creation was on the verge of another open war between the gods, that which they had outlawed with The Compact. To keep that from happening a deal was struck and the gods agreed that one god would enter Creation to challenge Mulcarn. That was Sucellus, the God of Nature. The two gods battled across the face of Creation, entire civilizations still recovering from the Burning Skies that marked the fall of Bhall were destroyed by their power. In the end Sucellus was killed and Mulcarn remained.

The Eternal Winter has begun...
Run by the Arch-Mage Vardaen
User avatar
Grimbold
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10309
Location: Austria
Title: Professor
User Class: Scholar

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Grimbold » Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:01 pm

"Thank Kilmorph for our strength and our rescue. Blessed be the Crafter - we are all but hammers and anvils - mere letters in the telling of the Great Story. Let us run like the wind, brothers, or rather, like rolling stones, an avalanche to crush all that opposes it." Torias is happy. His fighting prowess has been tested for the first time in decades, and he has proved his worth. He follows his brethren down towards the valley.

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:07 pm

The Templar nods, pushes his helm back on his head nice and tight. "Let's get you two out of here. Come on follow me." The Templar then tundles off down the left fork as ordered. The three race down the slope for about a hundred yards before seeing more enemies.

The Run opens up a bit and it actually curves to the left as it starts a suddenly steep decent. The Templar comes to a skidding halt as marching up the pass is a line of Orcs. Each of the orcs march in an organized line (at least for Orcs). They wear heavy suits of banded mail or chain shirts, and each one carries a dented or marked up heavy shield. Longspears stand upright as they move orderly up the pass. There must be atleast a score of ranks of them making this group numbering near the 80 to 100 mark. Its a full Ember Clan Drak'nar, a heavy fighting unit some what equal to a dwarven company. Any amount of orcs in this number will have a few shaman plus a warboss with them.

Your companion's jaw drops, "By the Forge, this was the wrong fork to take! Turn around! Turn around run!" From behind the marching ranks of diciplined orcs three black orbs of arcane energy arc up above the heads of the soliders. Those arcane orbs slam one after the other in the Templar who staggers back up the pass from the blasts of magical power. "RUN! RUN!" He stumbles, planting a hand on the dirt of the ground to keep himself from falling over completely.

The orcish Dark'nar march slow and steady even after seeing you, pushing forward like a jaugernaut up the pass!
Templar: 0/17 HPs, Staggered.

You picked the wrong pass!!! Right before the combat started this post was made, you must have not noticed :)
"The first fork!" shouts the second bodyguard behind you, he manages to keep up even in his heavy armor, a true dwarf. He's pointing up a head, and is right there is a fork in the path, one goes right and upwards, the other left and downwards. As you hurry forward suddenly a dwarf scout appears from the rocks, he makes no sounds only motions franticly for you to go to the right, and up the trail. The twang of a crossbow is heard, and the scout suddenly spins around clutching his throat, he drops to the ground dead or likely will be soon enough. His blood trickles out of his wound rolling down the left trail.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

User avatar
Eanwulf
Level 18 Elite
Level 18 Elite
Posts: 7226
Location: FL
Title: The Grey
User Class: Berserker

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:33 pm

I knew something just didn't seem right. But sadly wanted to go with logic. :oops:
[Dwarven]
"SHIT!" exclaims Torrak as he gasps aloud at the sight of the orcish horde approaching. He then promptly adds, turning around and running back up the path and towards the other fork, "RUN BROTHER...RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN...THE OTHER WAY....THE...OTHER...WAY...!!!"
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!

User avatar
Grimbold
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10309
Location: Austria
Title: Professor
User Class: Scholar

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Grimbold » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:52 pm

Torias stops and pounds his head with his fist. First mistake could be the last, he thinks. He stops and turns around and runs as fast as he can. I should pay more attention to detail, he thinks, that is what I was taught to do all my life and already I have failed. Kilmorph forgive me...

He smiles grimly, a kind of apology to the others as he starts running.

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:31 pm

Torrak and Torias turn and race back up the trail, the pair move so quickly they have nearly gon out of sight of the Templar before they realize the other dwarf is moving much slower. Turning around a moment the twins witness the Templar stop. He glances over his shoulder at the Ember Clan marching up the pass, then glances up at two you. He mouths the words silently, 'Run'. Then he draws his hammer, and slings his shield. He turns on the horde of Orcs. "<Dwarven> For The Barring Mor!" He then charges head long down the slope, hammer held high, right into the mass of enemies. His shape is swallowed up by the horde hid final moments buy the twins a few moments to run, and run you do.


The pair races up the path, the sight of the Templar's last moments fresh in your mind you reach the fork and turn to take the other one that go upwards. The sound of the Orcs behind you continues to echo up the trail. The pair races up the trail for a few hundred feet before it crersts and then dives downwards. Down down down you run, the danger of the Ember Orcs ever behind you. What seems like hours, but is only minutes the pair of bald headed dwarves arrives at the second of two forks in the road.

The high canyon walls here are hand carved, the work of dwarven tools on them is evident to even a casual observer. Carved into the wall ahead are two large arches covered in designs to the Maker Kilmorph. These arches, and the carvings and statues that flank them are defaced by years of war with the Orcish clans, and by centuries of weather and neglect.

"Which way?" asks Torias when out of the darkness of the left arch steps another Scout. He motions you forward and calls you to a stop, handing you a waterskin to quenche your thirst. "You made it, I tought you might never arrive. The Platium Platoon is already ahead, the side tunnels are held, for now, but they won't remain blockaded for long. We must go now. Come." The slender dwarven scout, dressed in studded leathers, and wielding a light crossbow in one hand, and wearing a short broad bladed sword on his hip plunges into the darkness of the left arch. Above the carving of a looming gargolye watches your movements into the last stage of the Rockmaw Run.
The Rockmaw Run is said to take its last stage through ancient and unused tunnels for the most part. From what you learned before leaving the main tunnel should go downwards at a steep angle, have various places where stairs plunge down as well. Side tunnels, long since unused and abanadoned snake about the mountain infested with Orcs and goblins making it easy to get out flanked or surrounded if the Orc come out of them. The Platium Platoon is holding the tunnel open for you, blocking these side passages, apparently, allowing you a straight run down through the tunnels.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

User avatar
Grimbold
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10309
Location: Austria
Title: Professor
User Class: Scholar

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Grimbold » Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:49 pm

Torias takes a large gulp of water and politely thanks the scout. "Blessed be Kilmorph, he is testing us very severely today. But we shall prevail. Come on, brother" he smiles and jokes, as he runs to follow the scout "can't you keep up with me?"

User avatar
Eanwulf
Level 18 Elite
Level 18 Elite
Posts: 7226
Location: FL
Title: The Grey
User Class: Berserker

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:45 am

Torrak doesn't share his brother's cheery outlook. Instead, the dwarf's face is stony and hard. Why must so many die for a single cause the warrior thinks to himself as he swallows a much-needed mouthful of water. Nevertheless, the stoic hero promptly returns the waterskin to its rightful owner and is about to speak when his brother jibes playfully at him. "One moment brother," he replies, his attentions turning towards the dwarven scout. He then continues, "Best you and your men make for proper shelter, friend. We have a full Drak'nar on our tails and I don't think that they'll give up that easily. Kilmorph himself can not thank you enough for the services rendered by you and your brave clansmen. I only hope that we succeed in our mission. May the Crafter bless you and keep you my friend!"

Having said his peace, Torrak promptly begins dashing off down the tunnel, turning his head back towards his brother, exclaiming. "Now brother, we'll see who can't keep up with whom!" "You already sound mighty winded," he then adds, his face slowly resuming a more comfortable demeanor, "And besides, all that time reading books has seemed to have made you fat and clumsy...Catch me if you can brother!"

Though most assuredly facing certain death around every bend, and secretly mourning the loss of those brave souls who have already died and shall continue dying this day; each in the pursuit of nothing more than a hope and a prayer, Torrak Runefist somehow manages to maintain a cheerful spirit as he continues to race down the darkened halls of Rockmaw Ridge...
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:47 am

The scout nearly goes pale at the news, "We'll withdraw once we know you are safely away. Maker's blessing on you both." The scout offers some quick advice, "Stay to the left side of the tunnel, its not as cracked and broken. Good luck kinsmen." He then moves the other direction to scout the Dark'nar for himself.

Torrak and Torias race down the tunnel Its a long dark passage that is a steep grade. Before you reach the first set of stairs you pass several side passages, out of the dark the echo of battle rings out as dwarf fights orc for the security of your passing. A steep stair is found and soon you are down the steps taking them two at a time. At first Torias is leading, but soon the armored cleric's training catches up with him and Torrak passes his brother and leads the way the rest of the trip.

Minutes turn to hours, and the sound of fighting is occational heard echoing up the tunnel from various small side passages or from the rear. Soon enough you have reached the bottom, and the downward slope levels out to a flat smooth surface. You race forward and daylight appears before you as a soft glow filters in through the broken gates ahead.

The morning has dawned while you were traveling underground, and the sun is bright as it fills the tunnel's mouth. Then a single lone dark shape steps into the tunnel's opening from the outside blotting out the sun behind it. Its form highlighted by the yellow light.

*ROAR*

The beast tilts its head back finishing its roar. A heavy morning star bangs against its shield as it bolcks the exit. Its defeat will secure your escape from Rockmaw Run. Already charging Torrak and Torias...
Round 1 Initiative: Torrak 17.5, Torias 14.2, Bugbear 3.1

Note: It is NOT considered Flat Footed.
Also: Its been hours since your first fight, your Pro Evil is long gone.


Also, you guys are the only ones getting 2 combats in the prelude! Wooo lucky you.
Image

You can't move on the pillar (square) spaces along the side of the map, your goal is north (top)

Image
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

User avatar
Eanwulf
Level 18 Elite
Level 18 Elite
Posts: 7226
Location: FL
Title: The Grey
User Class: Berserker

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Eanwulf » Tue Jan 19, 2010 3:25 am

Torrak's legs and feet throb with pain from all the running through the night. Likewise, the monk's ribs and lungs burn achingly with an imaginary fire that seems hotter than any forge ever encountered. Simply put, the dwarf is nearly exhausted! Upon seeing the foul beast emerge from the tunnel however, the dwarf's eyes narrow angrily and all of the pain seems to magically fade away.

"NO MORE," Torrak cries as he begins to charge hurriedly towards the creature, "NO MORE SHALL DIE TODAY!" With this, the warrior-monk proceeds to rush towards the mysterious creature in an attempt to end its life. Surprisingly enough, once the dwarf reaches his target, he then slides upon the rocky earth and plows right into the creature's feet!
Charge Attack, 8 squares due N. In lieu of my melee attack, make it a Trip attempt, should wind up being d20 + 5 vs its CMD.
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!

User avatar
Vardaen
Admin
Admin
Posts: 66394
Location: Miskatonic University
Title: Great Old One
User Class: Unshackled AI

Re: Prelude - Rockmaw Run: Heart and Hammer

Post by Vardaen » Tue Jan 19, 2010 6:54 pm

Round 1 Initiative: Torrak 17.5, Torias 14.2, Bugbear 3.1
Torrak is tired, rightly so, but the sight of one last foe pushes him to shrug off that fatigue and charge head long into battle. The dwarven monk races down the tunnel closing the distance between him and the bugbear in seconds. At the last moment he drops into a slide and slips right under the clumbisly swung morningstart of the large goblinoid. With pebbles spraying around him Torrak's feet connect with the ankles of the bugbear and the large foe topples forward as his legs are kicked out from under him. Nearly crashing ontop of Torrak the bugbear howls, "Arrrgh! I kill you for dat!"
Well, so our first Trip attempt in PF for me. Reading Charge it says the +2 bonus is for a Bull Rush, but never mentions anything else. Then reading the CMB it says "Add any bonuses you currently have on attack rolls due to spells, feats, and other effects. These bonuses must be applicable to the weapon or attack used to perform the maneuver. " So I don't see why it wouldn't apply espcially with the way your RPed it. This also would mean you get the +1 vs goblinoids as well. So you get +3 normally, +2 charge, +1 vs Goblins = +6. THen again it gets an AoO too since you don't have Imp Trip.

Torrak: Charge, Trip Attack [AoO: 'œ1' (Fumble Chance: 24) Miss]: 18 vs 16 Success. Tripped!


Bang, the bugbear slams his shield on the stone floor, but Torias is already moving...
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

Locked