4. Footway Robbery - Waelass

[Interovegas]

[Zwiche (Run): 8,6,6,5,4 Result: Swoosh]
[Judy (Fascinate): 2,1+MD:2 Result: Money makes the world go round]
[Zwiche takes 2d area damage: 5,4 Result: 1 Killing Damage to Right Arm and Left Arm and is prone]

Finch cautiously follows behind Zwiche. The giant leaves one of his weapons on the ground below and clambers half way up the twenty foot ladder. Judy tries to persuade Nassur and his band to rejoin them. Nassur gives a respectful nod to Judy.

Nassur-[Imperial]: "You speak honor and value. We help, if you lead not pitiful ob-lob."

The menial nearest the ladder sees the fiercesome giant ascending to wreak pain upon them and scrambles to smash the ladder away from the scaffold. The ladder creaks and goes tumbling down backwards with Zwiche.

[Dekaru]

As the ladder crashes down onto the ground knocking Zwiche down with it Finch moves over to help pick them both up.

[Imperial]-"You're plenty strong to hold the ladder in place against them. Hold it and I will climb up to stop them."

(Once the ladder is in place Finch will climb up and try to avoid any shovel swings that come at his head)

[Zwiche]

Zwiche will follow the Captain's advice.

[Interovegas]

Finch stands by the ladder and watches while Zwiche stands up from underneath it.

Judy tends to the flame on her torch. In another moment it will be ready for use.

The menials continue whislting.

[Dekaru]

Finch continues aiding in positioning the ladder, helps Zwiche get up, and starts climbing the ladder

(same goals of actions)

[Zwiche]

Zwiche will continue to follow the Captain’s advice.

[Interovegas]

Zwiche props up the ladder and Finch climbs 7.5 feet up the ladder.

The menial looks down and sees Finch's ascent supported by that behemoth of an intruder. They forego any hope of knocking the ladder down. The position of the ladder and the unwieldliness of a shovel as a weapon deny the desperate soul any chance of shattering the rungs Finch has yet to climb.

Menial-1-[Imperial]: "Movit movit keep 'im at opposite da coals. They'll come they'll come they heard our prayer."

The menials stop their whistling for the time being and scramble around the coal basket. They turn to face Finch as he slowly ascends.

[Xenoe]

Judy hears the menials, and quickly forms a smoke arrow to take them down.

[Dekaru]

Finch continues his climb up.

[Interovegas]

[Judy (Arrooooww): 10,10,9,7,6,6,1,1,1+MD:10 Result: Splattening]

Finch clambers up another seven and some feet. Meanwhile Judy's torch burns brightly and fumes. She inhales the smoke and completes the arcane gestures to eject a piercing arrow that instantly pops one of the menial's heads. The other one shrieks in terror and begins bashing on the burning hot furnace wall.

Remaining Menial-[Imperial]: "Save me lord! Mercy upon my soul! Please ... please!"

[Xenoe]

Judy kills the remaining one too, before climbing up the ladder to the furnace.

[Dekaru]

Finch sees the one menial die and shouts back as he's climbing

[Imperial]-"They might know where Andrea was taken!"

(work those biceps and legs! Climb baby climb!)

[Corenat Rovarnus]

"Judy, please don't kill them!" Vala pleads, to no avail. "We need to question them!"

[Interovegas]

[Judy (Arrow of Destiny): 9,8,8,8,8,3,3,3,2+MD:8 Result: Super Splattening]

Judy repeats her attack with greater prescision and arcane ferocity. The shot shatters the menial's spine and bursts out their chest. The smoke chips a block of stone around the coal intake before difusing. Judy notes her torch quickly filling the room with choking fumes.

Finch climbs up to the top of the platform and finds both dead.

[Dekaru]

[Ob-Lob]-"Fookin' abyss"

Finch goes over to the first one that was killed and checks for a pulse. When there is none he wipes sewer grime from his forehead and with a sigh says

[Imperial]-"You got em"

Finch goes to check the furnace.

[Interovegas]

*CRUNCH*

A bloodcurdling scream deafens the party as it echoes through their ears. Nassur yells out in Ruhini and turns to face back towards the entrance tunnel.

The coal the menials were depositing was being thrown down an angled chute that descends to the bottom of the room.

[Xenoe]

Judy checks if there's any smoke in the chute, and if so, uses her magic to shove the smoke into the tunnel and form a wall blocking off the tunnel from the room. (Shovel the clouds + minor smoke structure)

Judy - [Imperial]: "Quick, everyone into the open! Form a circle around the tunnel entrance!"

[Dekaru]

Finch isn't about to jump down so he shrugs and moves over to the ladder to slide back down.

(climb check to slide down safely I guess?)

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala gets a sick feeling in her gut, as if some otherworldly being watching from far away is laughing at some unseen irony.
[Imperial] "Wait! Nassur, what's out there? We can protect you!"

[Zwiche]

Zwiche moves to join the line, grabbing his weapons and holding them fast.

[Interovegas]

[Finch (Climb): 10,9,9,8,5+ED:10 Result: Swoosh]
[Judy (Shovel): Instant Success]

*CRUNCH*

Another pained scream comes from the entrance tunnel. Some of the group can narrowly spot the Ruhini mercenaries rushing out the hall. Nassur looks at the others.

Nassur-[Imperial]: "RUN"

Finch slides down the ladder, Zwiche kicks up his second weapon and moves towards the danger. Judy shovels a great mass of choking fumes towards the entrance and in doing so blinds everyone.

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]:

"I'm making a temporary palisade! Whatever's coming we'll be safe if we can only wall it off..."

Judy continues weaving the smoke mass into a hard to dislodge solid that can block the entrance.

[Dekaru]

Finch maneuvers through the onrushing people to take a defensive position besides Zwiche.

(dodge tank gooooo!)

[Zwiche]

Zwiche takes one step down 5 feet, to block the entrance to the South. He raises his voice to call above the clamor.

[Dindavaran] - "Come, and face your death! Zwiche, Half-Born, awaits thee!"

He settles into a defensive stance, his muscles ready to pull him from danger.

[Dodge]

[Interovegas]

*CRUNCH*

Nassur's comrades choke on thick fumes and fumble away from whatever threat has set upon their rear. Finch and Zwiche move up to the edge of the smoke and prepare for anything that might strike out. The precious seconds pass and no blade, claw or gnashing jaw bursts out from the veil. Judy continues her chanting and melding of smoke.

[Dekaru]

Finch glances over at Zwiche as he and Finch prepare to hold the line to the best of their abilities

[Imperial]-"Dying in a sewer is not how I expected to go out. Let us say we do everything we can to make sure neither of us die here in this rancid place?"

(Doooooodge)

[Zwiche]

Zwiche shoots a smile down at the little man next to him. Even though they've only been traveling together for a few days, it feels like months.

[Imperial] - "This is not our end, Finchroscuma. The prophecies do not have me die in this fetid tomb. We shall struggle valiantly and force our way to victory."

[Interovegas]

*CRUNCH*

Nassur and the point guard woman from before rush out of the smoke and narrowly avoid crashing into Finch. Nassur looks at Judy and looks back to the smoke.

Nassur-[Imperial]: "What you do, do now!"

Judy stays focused on her weaving her sorcery. Just a few moments remain until the spell is done.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

As Nassur and the woman make it through into the safety of the nascent smoke barrier, Vala draws her shabby longsword and joins the line facing the tunnel. She tries to steel her heart with a warrior's determination, to face what may be their last stand, but finds only fear and uncertainty. Judy's sorcery is powerful, but will it be a match for whatever foe savaged the other mercenaries beyond? It could be a veritable horde of night creatures for all they know. If they broke through, who would they face? The towering, titanic Zwiche, as tall and wide as two men. Daring Captain Finch, whose attitude could curdle the freshest milk. And... Vala. What qualities did she have? A month ago she would have said her acerbic wit and sensible jokes, but words are quite failing her now.

Nevertheless, if she is ever to make a name for herself, there's no better time to start. Vala does not shy away from the front, for her bravest moments are surely yet to come.

[Dekaru]

Finch continues line holding against his formidable foe the air. He thanks the abyss that nothing more dangerous than that dastardly enemy has come

(*chant* dodge dodge dodge)

[Zwiche]

Zwiche begins chanting the battle-song of the Truil. He shifts his weight from foot to foot, moving in time with his rumbling voice, ready to spin out of danger as soon as his foes make their way into the room.

[Dodge Dodge Dodge (but actually just one dodge action)]

[Interovegas]

[Judy - Casting: 10,10,9,8,6,6,5,3,2+MD:10 Result: Solidify!]
[???: ???]

Judy finishes her spell in the very nick of time. A large mass rushing through the smoke obstructs the bulk of her magical efforts but she manages to conjure a wall of smokematter supported by long running struts across the floor and cieling. As the barrier is completed and takes on a translucent quality the only the nearby Vala can see the looming threat properly for the first time: An onrushing hulking humanoid silhouette wearing plate armor pitted with dozens of small holes. From each of these openings silver green tendrils about six to eight inches in length extended outwards and wriggled about grotesquely. In one "hand" the entity wielded a gore soaked mace and in the other strange sword with deep running grooves along its body.

The creature came running full speed at the barrier but does not breakthrough. However, everyone sees the barrier budge several inches from the impact. Although the shape of the barrier prevents it from being lifted or knocked over there is nothing fixing it to the ground properly.

[Imperial Comprehension: 10,9,8,3 Result: Nah]

Nassur-[Imperial]: "FUCK, what horror is that! What fate this cowardly Ob-Lob damn us to?!"

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - “HOLD THE WALL!” Zwiche lunges forward, slamming into the smoke wall, hoping to keep the demon from pushing through. “Kill it however you can. I will hold it back and keep it behind this barrier.”

[Dekaru]

Finch unable to understand the large man fearing for his life behind him throws himself against the barricade to try and aid Zwiche in holding it. He is much weaker than the man but every little bit helps

[Xenoe]

Judy - [Imperial]: "Calm down, there are many unexplainable horrors in this world, but panicking will get us nowhere. This was probably far out of anybody's expectations, but I think the foremost objective would be to survive."

Judy observes the monstrous armor keenly, attempting to discern its origins.

"There might be more of them, and we probably stand no chance against these monstrosities in open combat, but the furnace behind us, according to my observations, links to the outside, so allow me to block conventional entrances and we can attempt our escape there."

She uses create minor smoke structure to form a giant skeletal superstructure rested against the larger interior of the room, with solid masses blocking all entrances, creating a temporary barricade supported with the structural integrity of the interior walls.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala lets out a yelp and flinches back in shock at the impact and the bewildering sight of the creature, with more moving parts than her eyes can keep track of. "It's...!" Well, everyone should know what it is by now.

But the smoke barrier seems to hold up to its force. Vala looks around for a crate or some heavy weight to help anchor the barrier. "Isn't the furnace still active Miss Judy? We may reach the outside but burnt to a crisp!"

[Dekaru]

Finch continues to try and hold the smoke wall against the creature. He presses his back against the wall so he can turn around and look at everyone. He strains with what strength he can muster and speaks towards Judy, Vala, and Agrinna.

[Imperial]-"We came here to rescue Andrea and by the abyss we ought check if she is down below. Perhaps some more of those robed individuals who summoned this fiend are down below?"

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "Miss Judy, can you change the shape of this wall? Could we direct it into the furnace, and there let it burn?"

[Xenoe]

Judy shakes her head.

Judy - [Imperial]: "Ah, you've gotten my name wrong again my good sir. It's Justice, not Judy. The shape of the smoke is not malleable after it's formed, I can only release it, but its obvious what terrible fate will befall us if I do that now."

Towards Vala she says:

"We can either smolder the flames and wait for the thing to cool, or I can try creating the staircase on the outside of the structure and we can attempt breaking through the ceiling."

[Interovegas]

The creature ceases its idle glaring and slams its mace against the wall leaving a small dent and rattling the duo bracing the barrier. The creature follows up with a forceful tackle.

[Armored Demon - Athletics: 10,8,7,6,4,4,2,1,1 Result: Shove]
[Zwiche & Finch - Athletics: 10,10,9,8,6,5]

The wall grinds against the ancient stone floor and a small gap opens up along the sides. Nassur desperately joins in with Zwiche and Finch to stymie any further advances by the creature on the other side.

[Dekaru]

Finch grunts as the creature pushes against the artificial wall. He strains and stammers out a response as Judy casually discusses the nuances of smoke sculpting.

[Imperial]-“Whatever the fuck you’re going to do hurry it the fuck up.”

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "Reinforce this wall! The beast is pushing through while we debate, and we won't be able to have the luxury of choice should it break in."

[Xenoe]

Judy continues her mojo, this time in concentrated silence.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Seeing three men struggle against the creature Vala doubts adding her own brawn will improve the situation, so she'll try to use her brains.
[Imperial] "Hark! Ah, Kina, was it?" she addresses the woman who came with Nassur. "That pot of coal up on the catwalk might be heavy enough to anchor the wall. I'm going to bring the basket lift up, can you get up there and push the pot on?"

Vala heads over to the basket lift and hoists it up to the catwalk level.

[Interovegas]

[Imperial Comprehension: 10,5,4,2 Result: Big brain too big for words]

Kina shrugs at Vala.

[Corenat Rovarnus]

Vala scrambles up the ladder, puts the clay pot on the basket, then lowers it back down. She brings the pot over to the wall to anchor it.

[Dekaru]

(Hold the line!)

[Zwiche]

[Hold the Door!]

[Interovegas]

The party applies themselves against the monster while Judy weaves up supplmental reinforcement. Vala moves towards the ladder and begins to climb upwards.

[Armored Demon - Athletics: 9,7,5,4,3,3,2,1,1 Result: Shove nothing]
[Zwiche & Finch & Nassur - Athletics: 9,9,9,8,4,4,3,2 Result: Holding the line!]

The wall does not budge. A glimmer of hope remains yet.

[Zwiche]

[Imperial] - "We're going to make it!" grunts Zwiche. "just a few more seconds while Judy finishes her spell."