20000701 FourthOption

<H1> The Fourth Option </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Kill'Dar </TD>
 <TD> 9th/3rd Elf Wizard/Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Rick DiRicco </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 12th Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kieran </TD>
 <TD> 7th/4th Half-Elf Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 6th/5th Half-Elf Fighter/Rogue </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 6th/5rd Human Fighter/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Travian </TD>
 <TD> 8th Human Paladin </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Fingle </TD>
 <TD> 3rd/7th Gnome Cleric/Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Richard Jacobsen </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<P>
The group gets back to the gatehouse. The Aquitanian troops appear
to have made a push towards the keep to make our retreats easier.
</P>
<P>
The group gets back safely and finds Hagal directing the city
troops. He appears to have taken off some of his armor--presumably
he is no longer needed in the direct fighting. He has a rough map
of the city with troops, fires, etc. labeled. From Colin's
opinion, it looks like they have approximately 30% of the city.
</P>
<P>
It appears as though the Black Lions are currently acting in
support of the main troops in taking the city. 
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> We were more successful than their usual forays.
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Very impressive.
<P>
<B>Colin:</B> They also had a demon bound into the wall
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Had a demon?
</P>
<P>
<B>Colin:</B> We killed it
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Very impressive.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> How goes things here?
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> I wish we had more information about the layout of
 the city.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The group describes the rest of the forces they managed to kill.
</P>
<P>
Fingle remembers that Grummsh priests relearn their spells at the
darkest hour. He expects that at 10 PM, it appears as though
they will relearn their spells.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> 
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Well, I'm pleased to see that none of you are dead.
 However, it doesn't look like you could sustain
 that sort of impact again.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Given eight hours, we might have some small amount
 of healing available.
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Do you think you'll be ready for an assault?
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> No, but we should be able to handle anything this
 evening.
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> Well, I don't know your capabilities. We are
 effectively without spell power at this point. The
	 only spells we have left are those left by poor
	 preparation or circumstance. I ordered the
	 spellcasters to begin resting. We should have spell
	 power ready by an hour after midnight.
</P>
<P>
	 We have sustained heavy casualties. I have forty
	 dead men and another 130 who are incapable of
	 fighting tonight. If you include the people who
	 wouldn't last long in a fight, we are at about half
	 power.
</P>
	
<P>
	 Most of their heavy combat units have been broken
	 up. We know they have some special forces and may
	 have to deal with them.
</P>
<P>
<B>Kill'Dar:</B> What is the rough proportion of casualties?
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> We have been averaging 4 to 1. That situation will
 change drastically at night. Even if they have 500
	 orogs that they can organize as a battle force, that
	 could be trouble.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> How long should we give them to vacate? How about
 an hour?
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> If you give them more than an hour, then they will
 likely just wait for nightfall, since it will be to
	 their advantage.
</P>
<P>
<B>Message gist:</B> We have killed your troops. If you take your
 all troops occupying Og Kund and quit the city
	 within the hour, we promise safe passage out
	 of the area.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Donner, Colin, and Fingle fly on the carpet to the city. Colin fires
the message on an arrow into the courtyard.
</P>
<P>
In the infirmary, Grackle gets a message that there is a acquaintance
waiting. He is being held waiting by some of the Black Lions. The
messenger mentions the name Korla, but Grackle does not immediately
recognize it.
</P>
<P>
They make their way to another building. He appears to be elven and
bored. He is dressed in light leather jerkin and pants and carrying
a light sword and crossbow. Kill'Dar does a Know Alignment and Detect
Magic. He appears to be Neutral and the hilt of his sword appears to
be magic.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Korla:</B> We have friends in common. (Uses Guild signs to indicate that he is of the enforcer branch of the local city).
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I see.
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> I am here to suggest that the direct approach that
 you have been using isn't the best choice.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I'm willing to listen, because the direct approach
 sucks. We've been grinding them up the hard way,
	 so any alternatives you suggest
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> The keep is like any house. There is the front door
 and there are "other" ways.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I suspected as much given my exploration of the
 castle.
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> 
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> What would you consider "payment" for this
 information?
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> I'd like to see as little of my home town destroyed
 as possible. Also, small fish eat better when there
	 are sharks ahead of them.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The group goes back to Hagal.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Korla:</B> I know of a tunnel that goes under the keep.
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Do the orcs know about it?
</P>
<P>
<B>Korla:</B> To the best of my knowledge, no.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> That's my favorite kind of entrance.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The group heads back to the HQ. There, they discuss whether or not
to trust Korla. Eventually, they take Korla to discuss the plan
with Hagal.
</P>
<P>
The passage ends in a storeroom which can hold around 20 people.
Halls outside the room are patrolled by Hell Hounds.
</P>
<P>
The tunnel plan discussion continues. Eventually, the group decides
that the plan is to go into the tunnel and attempt to dirupt the
priests. However,
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> Killing is what I'm for.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> I don't think we'll be stealthy for a couple of
 reasons. Our stealthiest people aren't in any shape
	 to fight. And second, Hell Hounds.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> If we all got to 30, would we do it?
</P>
<P>
<B>Party:</B> (Fair amount of agreement)
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> We have another option. 
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> How powerful is it?
</P>
<P>
<B>Hagal:</B> My understanding is that it's useful for wounds of
 the most minor sort, but it's reusable.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Give me that.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The party proceeds to pass the runestone around and heal themselves.
</P>
<P>
At about a quarter to five, a messenger arrives with a sealed
message.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Messenger:</B> This was delivered to us under a flag of truce.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
The message says:</B> We had not expected such reasonable behavior
from the Prince of Aquitaine. We will however, require two hours
to prepare.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Travian:</B> This is higher than I've been all day. (After being healed 7 more points by Kieran)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Hagal sends word that any volunteers are supposed to meet the party
in the vicinity. The colonel commanding that area is supposed to
sieze the blocks in question.
</P>
<P>
The group decides to work there. Once they get there, they see
fifteen Black Lions waiting. There also appear to be five Aquitanian
Heavy Infantry who appear to be volunteers for the mission in the
tunnels.
</P>
<P>
Once the group arrives, it's apparent why the tunnel has been unknown
for so long. The group passes through several doors, rooms, and
hallways. Eventually, behind a stack of barrels and tapestries, the
secret door is there.
</P>
<P>
Background on Berrick:</B> He appears to be something of a zealot
concerning the Aqutainian kingdom. He also appears to be bucking for
a position in the Black Talons.
</P>
<P>
The tunnel appears to be very narrow. This tunnel is extremely
small. There are several areas which are minimally supported, and
other areas that look like they should be supported. Only Fingle
appears to find the tunnel a relatively comfortable travel route.
Eventually, the tunnel hits a damp zone. Approximately 60-80 feet
beyond the damp zone is the secret door leading to the underground
storeroom.
</P>
 XXXX TODO:
 Waiting in room
	Charge into hallway
	Crowded hallway
	Colin kills four with one blow
	Colin is knocked unconscious
<P>
Kieran applies the Keoghtom's Ointment on Colin, bringing him
conscious (13 pts). Colin gestures at the orc bodies on the floor
and says to the standing orcs "who's next?".
</P>
<P>
Travian gets pushed back 13 feet.
</P>
<P>
Donner, Kill'Dar, Travian and Colin go down the stairs. There, they
find a hallway which leads to a room with a pentagram drawn in the
floor (apparently in blood). The room appears to be an audience
room. As they look around, they hear the door in the audience room
close and bar, and more commotion from the double door behind them.
</P>
<P>
Donner bars the double doors behind them.
</P>
<P>
The rest of the soldiers begin looting the bodies, while Kieran
begins moving boxes in the entrance room.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Fulchar:</B> Hey I know him. He's pretty strong.
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Maybe we can run away.
</P>
<P>
<B>Fulchar:</B> Well, he's pretty fast too.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
</P>
<P>
Base Experience: 
</P>