Previous: Assault
Session 22a: Defeat
The group closed and barred the door behind them, hoping that Flynn was laying low. They rushed up the stairs to the top of the tower and they looked out over the courtyard. Since it was still late night, even the people with exceptional darkvision couldn’t see too far into the darkness, and Flynn was nowhere within their limited vision.
The group decided to use all of their available healing magic to prepare for another onslaught against the defending humanoids. Figuring that the best way to attack would be from the walls, the group made their way along the top of the wall towards the keep’s gatehouse. They could hear sounds of the orcs organizing for battle, but it was obvious that they were still in chaos.
A group of three orcs charged the group, with Flurg intercepting the charge. The walkway on the wall was too thin for anyone to fight side by side, so Flurg had to fight the lead orc solo. Corwynne flew over the side and cast flaming sphere, resting the flaming ball on the orc in the rear. The orc unsuccessfully tried to dodge the magical ball of flame, the result of which was a stench of burnt-hair. Unfortunately the light from the flaming sphere allowed a couple of orc archers to send a couple of volleys over toward the group. Raymond cast hold person on the orc in the middle and the orc stopped completely, finding himself completely unable to move. Corwynne cast sleep on the two orc archers, and they fell to the ground, asleep. Flurg and the lead orc traded blows for what seemed like an eternity before Flurg succumbed to a large number of minor wounds, falling to the ground unconscious. Ollorin stepped forward to take Flurg’s place against the lead orc. When the flaming sphere winked out of existence, the burnt orc was still standing, just barely. Corwynne flew within range and loosed a color spray to subdue the rear orc, catching the second orc within the spell as well. The rear orc shrugged the color spray off and fled. Ollorin killed the lead orc and chased the fleeing orc. The abused orc almost got to the stairs leading into the gatehouse when Ollorin caught him in the back of the head with a flying kick. The orc tumbled down the stairs into the darkness below.
Raymond and Corwynne cast the remainder of their cure spells to whip Flurg back into fighting shape. The group had some minor injuries, but they were confident that they could handle whatever was at the bottom of the stairs.
Figuring to trap the orc defenders, Ollorin jumped down off the wall to the open door facing into the courtyard. He slowed his fall and landed softly just outside the door. Corwynne flew down to support Ollorin with her spells.
The rest of the group rushed down the stairs to attack the group of orcs on the ground floor of the gatehouse.
Unfortunately, the defenders were prepared and more dangerous than the group could have known. A very well equipped troll, obviously the leader of the group, stood in the center of the room wearing a large, leather bracer. Perched upon the bracer was an enormous hawk. Surrounding the troll was four orcs and three small, scaly, chicken-like creatures. The troll seemed in complete control of the situation. The group timed it so when Flurg, Skooby Two, and Raymond burst into the room, Ollorin would attack and Corwynne would begin her assault.
When Flurg burst into the room he had worked himself into a frenzied rage. He, Ollorin, and Raymond quickly maneuvered themselves into a strong attack position. Skooby attacked and Flurg dropped two of the orcs before the defenders could defend themselves. One of the orcs landed a grievous blow on Skooby and he turned and fled up the stairs.
Corwynne sent a scorching ray into the room, catching the troll directly in the chest. The troll cringed then let the hawk loose to attack the faerie wizard.
The troll commanded the chicken creatures to attack, and then waded into battle himself.
The battle turned just that quickly. Although Raymond and Ollorin were battling the two remaining orcs to a stalemate, they had no answer for the chicken creatures.
The chicken creatures attacked in a frenzy, biting Ollorin and Raymond with their sharp beaks. If the companions realized what they were facing they may have fled immediately, but they couldn’t have known that they fought the dreaded cockatrice. Although physically weak, the cockatrice can petrify with a small scratch.
The troll stepped up to Flurg, clawing him with each hand, grabbing, and ripping at the barbarian’s flesh. He fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The troll turned to attack Raymond and Ollorin, but just as he reached the melee, both the dwarf and cleric succumbed to the petrifying attacks of the cockatrice.
Outside the gatehouse, Corwynne and the dire hawk were locked in a life or death struggle. The hawk would use its superior speed and strength to attack, while Corwynne would gain separation and cast spells at the dangerous animal. After Corwynne cast three of her most powerful spells on the hawk, it fell to the earth, dead.
Nearly dead herself, Corwynne flew back toward the gatehouse to aid her friends with the rest of the battle, but with a short glance into the carnage, she realized that her friends were defeated.
Deciding to recuperate and attempt a rescue later, assuming that any of her friends still lived, Corwynne flew to the mine and the sanctuary beyond the mirror-gate.
In the darkness of the cave, Corwynne cried herself to sleep, feeling very alone.