2015-06-01
As they ascend the stairs they find themselves in a larger chamber, walls in the holes allow sunlight to stream in allowing a dim light to permeate.
There is very little floor but there is a spiral staircase leading up maybe a couple of levels worth.
As they ascend, they pass a few of the holes in the side of the tower and note that the rain outside has cleared though it remains overcast. The tower grows slimmer as the party proceed, and when Obankot looks outside hoping to catch sight of Mammut or Bhetsy he does not catch sight of either of them. Nor does he spot any Gnolls.
The Nest
As they approach the top of the staircase, the ceiling has more stonework but also holes that have been covered over with relatively fresh planks and boards. As they ascend the stairs they find themselves in a Gnoll den, faced by a guard who has fallen asleep.
Obankot looses a stream of arrows which all fail to hit, so Ulfgar steps up and slams his warhammer into the guard's head causing it to explode. Tyrus lays silver pieces down for the dead guard as a door up the corridor opens and an inquisitive Gnoll peers out, greeted by a crossbow bolt from Korfal the Hobgoblin which silences the dog-man immediately.
As they proceed into the newly opened door Tyrus, Ulfgar and Brannock see a stairway that appears to be naturally lit, whereas only Obankot and Ulfgar note the gnoll that appears from behind the far corner and quickly disappears again. The others hear the distressed sounds that follow though and Tyrus asks what is going on as Obankot stalks down the hallway.
Meanwhile a Gnoll opens the door opposite the one the rest came in via and heads straight for the stairs leading upwards, apparently not inclined to enter combat with Brannock. As the party closes ranks around the stairs, Brannock approaches and pins the spear with his shield, smashing the haft with his axe and jarring it out of the hands of the unfortunate Gnoll. He calls "Try to take this one alive," to his companions.
Tyrus attempts to comply but is feeling the power of Nephe and caves in the chest cavity instead. The remaining Gnoll drops its spear and stands stalling. Tyrus calls for the Gnoll to stand down as Brannock approaches and picks up the spear it dropped.
Brannock explains that he hopes to find out what the Gnolls are doing here, and try to find out more about the tower. Unfortunately no-one can communicate effectively with the Gnoll. They manacle the Gnoll and chain it to a solid pillar, then Brannock leads the party towards the stairs.
As they crest the stairs they immediately see a pile of bones and viscera, which leads them to believe Wyverns are likely imminent. Tyrus casts Blessing of Fervor and the whole group head forwards, finding Gnolls standing behind a crumbling section of the floor.
Tyrus summons Duke Stickington, sending one of the Gnolls dropping to the ground. Ulfgar casts Burning Hands and fries most of the rest, leaving one for Obankot to drop with arrows and another which Brannock bull-rushes back towards the stairs. Fresh barks are heard from upstairs as the cracked flooring he ran across collapses.
Captain Cutter and the Gauntlet of Dwarf Tossing
Tyrus rushes to the top of the stairs and finds a bunch of tough looking Gnolls, including a terribly scarred falchion-wielding individual standing at an altar, who is also wearing an unusual-looking gauntlet.
ALL THE GNOLLS GETS FUCKED HARD except for the Captain Cutter.
Captain Cutter glares at Brannock as he his gauntlet glows blue (as does Brannock) and Brannock is suddenly flung towards Tyrus, crashing into him. He stands and snarls in Gnoll, then says "The treasure of the dragons belongs to me!" in common.
A purple flare comes from the gauntlet Captain Cutter is wearing and suddenly he is teleported next to Tyrus.
The rooftop beneath Ulfgar cracks open but the plummetting dwarf manages to catch himself at the last moment and hauls himself back up again. Tyrus fails to hit with his Morningstar but Duke Stickington continues to make himself useful. As Brannock closes and slams his axe into the heavily-scarred opponent he unleashes the power of the Instrument of Agony spell Tyrus placed on his axe, nauseating the dogman who lurches down the stairs towards Obankot only to be cut down by a flurry of Magic Missiles from Ulfgar.
Two things happen at exactly the same time.
