[Now to return to Hommlet, and the adventures of Griffolk Ethyn the Dragon-Shaman, Sparkledingle the Gnome Wizard, Fangorino the Barbarian and their new holy friend - Alleyoop.]
The brave companions were still delving into the dungeons below the Moathouse. Having just chased off a band of ghouls they followed a corridor east, then at a T-junction took the southern fork down to where there was a small chamber with a big pool or well in it.
As they entered, a giant crayfish sprang out at them, but it was quickly defeated. Sparkledingle was sure that their would be good eating to be had on the creature, but in the end no one had the inclination to attempt to butcher it.
So, back at the T-Junction they took the north fork and eventually ended up at a door. Opening it they found another short corridor and yet another door, but this one was locked.
When it was knocked on, their was sounds of movement, then a rough voice snarled,
'Get lost!'
Fangorino tried to talk to the person on the other side of the door and Sparkledingle tried some smooth words, but they are all met with insults.
Griffolk, tired of the impasse, got a bottle of lamp oil out of his bag and poured it on the door, doing his best to make sure some of it would go under it. Sparkledingle helped with Prestidigitation.
They burned it a bit, but it didn't have much affect on the ancient portal as the wood was as solid as iron and it was bound with metal fittings.
Fangorino motioned them all back and started hacking away at it with his falchion. Once there was a hole in the door the size of a plate, a volley of crossbow bolts was fired at them.
All but Sparkledingle, who was at a lower level than the hole in the door, were hit as the missiles flew. Next the brave gnome got Fangorino to hold him up so he could cast Pyrotechnics onto the guards behind the door. Some of them were blinded by the magic, but others shot back and Sparkledingle was badly cut across the cheek.
Fangorino battered down the door, and the real battle began. There was easily a dozen armed men in the wide corridor beyond the door, and those that did not attack with melee weapons fired crossbows at any targets they could see.
Fangorino and Griffolk bravely held the line, and the mighty swings of the barbarian's falchion cut through them like sheafs of wheat. But he was hit again and again by crossbow bolts and three times he fell, only to be dragged back to be healed by Alleyoop or a potion.
When Sparkledingle went down and had to be dragged away from the fighting, they all knew it was time to retreat. They had slain many of the guards, but more kept appearing, heavily armed, fanatical men, yelling war cries and taunts.
They fled through the broken door, then onto the next one and jammed it shut behind them as they went. They then made their way quickly out of the dungeon, then the Moathouse and finally back to Hommlet to heal their many wounds.
