Mulligan finds the it hard to drive the spike, she realizes that having help with shield users on this job from taller folk with greater strength would help a lot. Just put the spike into the hole is not enough. Though maybe she could use a spike and some wood to wedge it blocked.
Seeing that Mulligan is having problems, Thoroncir sheathes his sword and goes in to help her.
Could Mulligan use the spike as a chisel and collapse the bolt hole?
"Perhaps instead of spending time making this room safe, we should move to an area where we are less vulnerable," mentions Ithilneth.
Ceol heads into the room. Unless his help is needed to seal holes, he'll keep a lookout for threats.
"That's a good idea, Ithilneth", says Rorimac, "Let's try that door shall we, while avoiding the pit trap in front of it. I hope it opens the other way."
As he heads in, he calls out, "Mulligan, quit playing with the spikes and check that door for traps."
Mulligan grumbles defensively."It was a good idea. Anyone bigger than me want to take over. We need some wood to brace the spikes out, but it will work."
Not really my field, Mulligan. I view wood more as a precision instrument to be delivered by the yard length and finger's width to where it will do the most good (or ill, according to which end of it you are standing). :) Ceol, you are taller and stronger than the perian - could you lend a hand momentarily? I will keep alert for any new hostilities.
"Of course, Gil-Gandel." Ceol sheathes his swords, and, taking the spikes from Mulligan, begins to attempt to wedge the holes shut.
Ceol, Thoroncir and the Dwarves use their greater strength and height to drive the spikes into the bottom edge of the bolt holes to block them. Working opposite each other they make short work of the 8 holes and give Mulligan a chance to study the pit trap. It would have to be stood on to open and use the door. Mulligan determines it is a remote control and there is little she can do to deactivate or bypass the trap.
Drinoleth says choose a wall or floor for me to make weak with a stone shape and I will begin.
Please see Ground floor. Pit is in red, the doors are the black bars in the gray walls. The small black dots show the 8 bolt slots being blocked. In the niddle of each floor is the spiral stairway going up. The grilled floor over the front door is shown on the 1st floor. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ndeadTower.jpg
Thoroncir, remembering what he saw of Sala's map of the tower's interior, suggests that Drinoleth cast Stone Shape on the juncture of the upper wall and ceiling to the back of the room in which we now stand. That way, we might be able to break through to either the next room on this level, or to the floor above, whichever would be most advantageous.
"According to Sala's drawing, that puts us in another room with more bolt holes.", Rorimac disagrees, "I would prefer going through the wall to the left. Mulligan do you think you can trigger that Pit trap to prevent any enemies coming through that door? Let's turn their trap to our advantage."
"I agree with Rorimac. Based on the map, I think the wall to the left of us is the best wall to remove. It opens into a wider room, thus giving us more space to move, and also won't put us into a crossfire of bolt holes.
Ceol draws his swords once more. "I am ready to go, in whichever direction we feel is best for us."
"Perhaps I misread Sala's map," Thoroncir says. "Casting Stone Shape where I suggested would, I thought, put us closer to the circular staircase in the middle of the tower, and thus give us better access to the rest of this structure. But I will leave the decision to Drinoleth's best judgment. For that matter, we might consider using a Flight spell to convey several warriors to the roof, which is probably less well-defended and closer to the abode of the master of this place, and fighting our way down from there."
Sala says, "The notes on my map indicate the room between us and the stairs does indeed have more bolt holes and probably has the control for the pit. The probably won't be expecting us to break through the wall to left as Rorimac and Bitur suggested. I think it makes sense. I'm sorry I have no details on the upper floors or lower levels. Of course what little I do have may no longer be accurate."
Mulligan thinks the pit trap could be forced open and then jammed open. She'll need a little help and need to try a few things. She quickly gets it open and spikes it open where it drops down by the far wall. The Pit is sprung. It drops down only 8' and has some rusty spikes and a few pathetic looking animated corpses in it. By this time Gilraen has collected herself and raises her bauble and commands the dead to depart for the Halls of Mandos.
Drinoleth casts his Stone Shape on the wall requested. He carefully removes a small amount of stone to create a doorway 6 feet high and 3' wide. The stone gives way to his magic. He is careful to not go all the way through but only mostly through. This is for his own protection from the dead. The Dwarves will need to complete the job.
Meanwhile our best archers should be prepared to fire at any new creatures showing themselves through the ceiling grate.
With the Dwarves and two strong men prying open the new stone door, who will lead the way into the room?
Mulligan is quite happy to see that the Pit Trap has been opened and fixed. Hopefully any undead coming through will just fall straight into it. She also thanks Gilraen for releasing those undead in the pit.
Rorimac stands forward. "I'll lead into the room or at least block up the hole while the rest of it is opened. It's not like I don't have the right swords for the job."
Ithilneth will apply her watchful senses with a ready bow to the ceiling grate. Once the way is cleared into the next room and all others have moved into it, she will withdraw to there as well.
Ceol helps to pry open the newly-created doorway, when everyone is ready.
Deor will edge in the door, slowly and carefully, trying to make sure he doesn't get shot.
I think most people are ready. Shall we?
As Ceol and Redward help Bitur and Gwaelur with the wall, Rorimac and Thoroncir are ready to go in with Theogrim and Sala set to follow. By this point the wall breakers will follow next and then Mulligan, Gilraen, Deor and Drinoleth with Prestolwen, Ithilneth & Gil-Gandel the last in.
The wall goes down. Rorimac and Thoroncir step into a roughly 16’x20’ room with 4 very corporal dread figures. Two are armed with loaded crossbows and two with wicked looking scimitars. The undead blades gleam strongly in their presence. Rorimac dodges to the left and strikes at the one scimitar equipped monster. Thoroncir puts Cirist through the other scimitar user and hopes his shield will stop the bolts. Note the 16’ x 20’ room has a door in the north wall to the east side.
As this happens, the Elves sight two problems at once, 4 figures armed with crossbows move up above to shoot through the grate at those near the created doorway. At the same time a spectral figure is coming straight through the north wall to the west side and thus near where the party is formed up.
Arrows fly from the bows of the Elves. Gil-Gandel gives orders to concentrate on 1 at a time. In all 8 arrows fly before the crossbows can fire and 7 arrows strike home dropping 2 of the foes.
Gilraen faces off against the spectral figure and prepares to turn or destroy it.
What does everyone else do?
Rorimac looks to flank the one scimitar holder in front of him and engage the crossbow wielders to stop them firing and to make room for those behind him.
Seeing that everyone else is engaged, Mulligan moves in front of Gilraen with both daggers drawn to prevent the creature from getting to her. Then she moves to intercept, hoping to delay it.
The Sea-knight will strike fast, hard blows with his enchanted longsword, trying to slay the dread scimitar-armed creature in front of him as quickly as he can. He will then, if possible, come to the aid of the fair Gilraen. He would do anything to keep her from harm.
Since he's all but useless against spectres, and since Gilraen seems to have enough of the party protecting who should be able to distract the specter temporarily, Bitur will charge at the nearest crossbow armed-foe.
Intent on saving his spells for the day (and unsure that he could hit any of these... things... without also hitting his companions) Deor will flatten himself against the wall and do his best not to participate.
See if Gilraen succeeds in disposing of the spectre, and if so, carry on winning the archery duel. But if it's too tough for Gilraen then it may need an extra dose of fiery death, so if it's still there after she's had her go then I'll fire up the swords and have at it.
Ceol will advance on the scimitar-wielders, attacking with his swords.
Ithilneth will continue to loose arrows at the opposing bowmen, or will enter melee if that is no longer possible.
Gilraen sings in Quenya and her Bauble lights to the name of Elbereth. The Spectral figure hesitates and then at a sharp strong note from Gilraen it flees back the way it came. Mulligan finds her knees will move again, she was nearly frozen in place by the approaching figure. Gilraen says softly, “Tis not dead and won’t flee far or long, that foe we must fight again, I hope the Rod of Kanotir will aid me.” Her voice though not her words actually work to sooth Mulligan. She continues, “Few would ever believe the bravery of the little folk, though knowing Merry and Pippin I know bravery is a strong trait in your family.”
Two bolts shoot down and one strike true in Prestolwen. She takes 5 points and cries out, “sangwan!” she drops her bow and pulls back fumbling in her large pouch and pulls out a small potion bottle and drinks deeply. Those that know any Elvish language recognize the word for poison. Gil-Gandel and Ithilneth send 4 more arrows flying and another crossbower goes down. Redward has put two arrows in this one. It leaves but one injured one shooting down from above and it steps away and out of sight.
Two bolts are stopped by Thoroncir’s armor and he strikes again terminating his foe. Rorimac successfully flanks the scimitar wielder who cannot move as swiftly and closes in fast on the crossbow users. He stabs one with his Dúnedain Sword.
Bitur comes through fast and strikes with Axe and Shield at the one trying to get Rorimac. Bones crunch and dead flesh is torn. It is staggered.
Ceol advances on the scimitar-wielder, and hits with both swords ending this foe and his Silver Long Sword as his Holy Symbol seems to unknit the undead flesh as he drives it home.
Sala is swiftly over to the crossbowers and strikes with his Rapier and Spike many times. The creature is puncture and torn repeatedly but still somehow standing. That is until Theogrim strikes down with his two handed sword and severs its leg. It stops moving shortly.
Deor is pleased to be out of the way. He has judged rightly that the party can handle the current foes.
Drinoleth races over to Prestolwen to offer aid and remove the bolt.
Gwaelur is last in and reaches the other crossbower to work with Rorimac.
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Gwaelur strikes with Axe and Shield and the crossbow is knocked from its arms. Rorimac’s two blades finish the job and the last dread figure is dropped.
Drinoleth is cleaning and bandaging Prestolwen’s wound.
Good work, once again. Stay on guard while the wounded are attended to, especially Prestolwen.
Ceol joins Drinoleth at Prestolwen's side, looking to see if there is anything he can do to assist.
Deor will peek around the corner just as soon as all the yelling stops. You know, when it's safe.
"Thank you Gilraen, I was beginning to wonder what fool of a Took I was to think I could take on something like that. I do not look forward to its return. Until then, we still have things to do." Mulligan shivers and whispers to herself. "I hope I don't freeze next time. I don't want it to be the last."
Having dispatched the crossbow wielder, Rorimac heads quickly to the door at the far end with swords drawn to check for more incoming enemies and to see if the door is trapped.
Thoroncir is exhilarated by the battle and eager to move on, as soon as Prestolwen's wounds have been attended to. We ought not to give our foes time to regroup and prepare further defenses or traps.
Gwaelur grips his Dwarven Axe tightly and prepares to hew the legs off any foe close enough.
Prestolwen's injury is minor with the poison relieved. She eats 3 proffered Goodberries and was patched up. Ceol and Drindoleth help her into the room as the party prepares to go through the door. The Hobbits and Bitur determine the door is generally safe and not locked.
All of the party has cleared the front hall with the Elves being the last two out.
Thoroncir pulls the door open and Bitur with his tough armor goes through fairly fast with Gwaelur and Thoroncir following. They see two more dread figures armed with crossbows ready to shoot through the wall into the room the party would have been expected to move into. The 3 cross the room swiftly but bolts fly at the 3. One bounces off Bitur's tough Dwarven plate armor another is stopped by Gwaelur's War Shield. Thoroncir pierces the left one through and strikes again but it moves out of the way and blocks with its crossbow. Bitur's Axe and Shield strike the right one and it staggers but then Gwaelur's Great Axe cleaves it as his War Shield knocks Thoroncir's opponent back and his second axe stroke dispatches it. A swift and painless battle.
This room has two doors, both closed with bars on this side and both doors are free of traps.
Let's push on- unless anyone has a good reason not to, let's try the door on the right first.
That is the door to the stairs.
Sala says, "I like this idea. We should head up while they are hopefully a little off balanced."
"I agree, Sala. We have to assume all occupants of the tower know we're coming, and have started to prepare for us, but perhaps, with speed, we can reduce some of that advantage."
"By all means, let us push on," Thoroncir says. "Hopefully with dispatch but not rashness, of course."
How long to nightfall?
"I'm fine with us heading up as well, though, I recommend we put some strong fighters to protect our flank in case some more ambitious enemies decide to follow behind."
"Someone bar that door over there to stop anything getting through. If I can lock the doors from the stairs side before heading up, I will do so. It might give us a little more time." says Mulligan.
"If you're doing that Mulligan, I'll lead up the stairs" says Rorimac, "We can swap over for the next floor, but first lets clear the stairwell out"
DATE: April 4, 64 and time is about 10:20am now. Sunset is around 6:22 PM
Gwaelur volunteers to find objects to bar the door and begins searching the chamber
Good to know we have plenty of time yet today to clear this tower, if we can. Thoroncir will stand guard as Gwaelur looks around; he is eager to move on.
Gwaelur bars the door with the iron bar near the door and Sala adds a few spikes to make it tougher. The hall surrounding the stairway up has 3 doors besides the door to the stairs. All doors are closed except the one to the stairs. The hall appears empty when Mulligan peaks through. Mulligan and Gil-Gandel secure the doors. The one to the front is easy as it is ready to be barred. Bitur handles that with Sala’s help adding spikes. Mulligan determines the door to the east opens in and she proceeds to putting wedges in to hold it. Gil-Gandel finds the same for the north door. Gilraen has her bauble lit. Several swords are glowing. Any other light?
Following Bitur suggestion, Gwaelur and Rorimac take rear as Bitur and Thoroncir take front. The full order:
Bitur Thoroncir
Mulligan Gilraen Rorimac
Ceol Ithilneth
Deor Drinoleth
Redward Sala
Gil-Gandel Prestolwen
Gwaelur Theogrim
The 3 smallest and slenderest makes a formidable second rank.
The door to the stairs is not locked and slightly ajar. No traps are found. The stairs circle up and down from the landing. They only climb around 8 feet up to the next landing. The door to the lesser hall is closed. Mulligan finds it is locked and then barred but not trapped.
Does the party keep going up or try to force the door?
(One confusion could be caused by the drawing. The 1st floor, not the ground floor is actually the one with the high ceilings. The ground floor was nearly 8’ ceilings, the 1st floor is nearly 14’ and the upper stories are around 7’)
"Well, we know there are some more creatures on this level, but the chances of us getting in until they let us are small unless we break down the door. Besides there may well be other ways down than these stairs between the two floors. Let's take the next floor out and see what attention we attract."
"AFter that, we make our own hole to this floor from above."
Thoroncir is a little leery of leaving unexamined rooms to our rear, but agrees to the Hobbit's proposal. Onward and upward!
"While I do not like leaving a threat behind us...and I am fairly certain that there is some sort of threat behind this barred door...I am also certain that the greater threat lies at the top of this tower. Let us proceed, with caution, of course."
Let's push on. Nothing to be gained by waiting.