We crept back into the mushroom-filled cavern. The rocky ceiling was hidden from view behind the spacious mushroom caps blanketing outward like a weird fungus canopy. Like last time, none of the dwarves were around. The stacked crates and long row of ballistae remained unguarded. Counting ourselves lucky, we moved near an exposed magma vent being mindful to not set our clothes or skin ablaze from the oppressive heat gushing out. I was counting on the fissure to hide the body heat of the party.
Motioning for the rest of the party to hold back for a moment, I moved to a pair of crates and looted more of the heavy bolts with a light touch to each. Each quarrel vanished as if it had never existed, instantly appearing in the dimensional folds of my bag of holding. I had already looted a number of the weapons when I had scouted earlier, my body heat hidden away from the dwarves as an initial plan cemented in my mind. Before bringing the plan to fruition, I wanted to grab a few extras in case we needed them down the road.
“These bastards are planning on using explosives on the innocent people of Mammoth. So, we’re going to fight fire with fire,” I said back when I laid out my ambitious plan to Stella and Tallos. We had a plan for the first set of bolts I had looted. Interestingly enough, I discovered it was incredibly easy to disassemble a particular section of bolts right inside my inventory screen. With a few mental clicks, the explosive packs were separated from thirty heavy bolts. The System identified the cylindrical pods as an ‘unknown explosive compound’ and provided little else.
At first, I had planned to utilize my undead minion as some sort of kamikaze slash suicide bomber. Had the dwarf not been as skilled as he was with a blade, I probably would have gone through with it. As it were, I didn’t want to waste him on such a straightforward ploy, not unless there was no other choice. I refreshed my undeath spell upon the skilled warrior, so we had another twelve-plus minutes before his body fell into death once more.
Returning to the magma craig where Tallos, Ripley, and Lowki waited, it was easy to see how uncomfortable everyone, but Ripley was. “Everyone okay?” I asked, receiving jaded shrugs and difficult stares in reply.
The air was acrid and smelled of rotten eggs. The foul scent was likely from the hydrogen sulfide gushing from the nearby vent. It was so overpowering, that the trace of mushroom spore in the air was entirely eclipsed from our senses.
“Tallos, do see the crossbow off to the side, there?” I asked my elven friend. “That’s where I want you to be. I’ll lure in the dwarves, then you’ll fire as soon as they're grouped up enough. Remember, don’t aim at them. Instead, aim for the base of one of the nearby ballistae. As soon as you fire, drop straight to the floor since you’ll be in the most perilous position when your bolt detonates.”
“Got it,” Tallos replied confidently. It was clear he was eager to leave the overbearing temperature pouring out in waves. “As soon as I fire, I drop.”
“Everyone else will remain here and take cover behind that outcropping,” I pointed to a rocky outcropping that would protect us like a shield. I silently hoped it would be able to withstand what was soon to come. “I’ll grab the attention of as many dwarves as possible, then I’ll haul ass back here.”
After the ensuing explosion, our job is to rush forward and finish off any dwarves that survived the blast,” Stella added with a hint of excitement in her tone. Seeing determination set in the eyes of her friends, she smiled. “Let’s roll.”
Tallos moved quickly and silently away from the party, commandeering an enemy ballista, finding it already locked and loaded. Earlier, I had taken a precious minute of my invisibility to arm the device. For our plan to succeed here, we would need the destructive capability afforded by such a powerful tool.
As Tallos sighted the siege engine, I removed a pair of dusty wine bottles from my inventory, placing both on the floor in front of me. Once the property of Adom the Savage, the System description helpfully informed me they had the necessary proof to be turned into dangerous Molotov cocktails.
“Remember to drop to the deck when you hear the explosion,” I said to Ripley and Lowki, though they didn’t need the reminder as they were already wedged close to the rocky protrusion. Stella would remain with me, holding herself firm on my left shoulder as I created my diversion.
Seeing Tallos give me a thumbs up, I moved away, coming within throwing range of the middle ballistae. Having removed the corks, both bottles were now topped with cloth wicks. Eyeing both, I cast a severely limited version of my flamethrower spell under my breath. A tiny gout of flame sprung out, setting soaked cloth on fire. Picking up each flaming cocktail, I threw one, then the other, with all of my strength.
The wicks billowed as the bottles soared through the air, crashing heavily into a pair of ballistae. Glass shattered into a thousand pieces. As if a hell storm had been summoned, a conflagration of flames roared to life, erupting over a wide area with a loud whoosh! I held my breath, praying nothing would detonate.
Dwarven shouts rang out in surprise at the sudden appearance of the blazing inferno. Pounding boots heralded two groups of dwarves as they rounded a mushroom stalk, coming to the rescue of their precious weapons of mass destruction. Six were the engineers I marked earlier, responsible for the construction of the giant crossbows. None carried weaponry of any kind upon their wide tool belts hanging across their ample waists.
Four more dwarves, the explosive experts, were quick on their heels. The two armored guards joined soon after but were in no rush to douse the flames. Their cavalier attitude spoke volumes as they had no intention of aiding their brethren. By this point, the raging inferno spread to two additional ballistae, the mushroom construction burning as easily as dry tinder.
With the two groups as close together as they were going to be, Tallos pulled the trigger. Quicker than an eye could follow, an explosive-tip quarrel sliced through the air. The lack of fletching took a toll on the bolt's flight path, hitting the ground a foot in front of the targeted ballistae. It didn’t matter, it was still close enough. An earsplitting BOOM reverberated, and large chunks of shattered stone and shrapnel blasted out as a massive fireball exploded in the dwarves’ midst.
After tossing the Molotov cocktails, I rushed back to Lowki and Ripley, diving behind the outcropping of stone beside them. I cradled my head as I waited for what was next to come. There was going to be more than the lone detonation after all. Immediately after pulling the trigger, Tallos dove to the hard floor and pressed his body tight against a towering mushroom stalk using it as cover. A good thing he did too. Huge chunks tore apart everything in their path, shrapnel passing cleanly through the stalk just above his head.
The first group of dwarves was not so lucky. The six engineers, working furiously to save their precious weapons of war, were shredded like tissue paper. They never knew what killed them.
Before any survivors could react, another detonation split the air. Loud and impossibly sharp, one of the torched crossbows exploded outwards releasing a massive amount of energy that caused stone flacks to fall to the ground. Then, as if a controlled demolition had been triggered, a line of siege weapons detonated, one after another. The entire cavern trembled with each discharge, threatening to collapse this section of the cavern.
The consecutive explosions obliterated everything in the vicinity. Splitters, stone projectiles, and anything not bolted down were blasted in a wide arc causing more than one giant mushroom to topple over. Gratefully, none of the towering fungi landed on any of our party members, though one did block Tallos from being able to immediately join the next phase of our assault.
Pebbles rained for long seconds after the final detonation reverberated. Peeking over our cover, the entire row of ballistae had been absolutely annihilated, save for the single crossbow Tallos had fired. Though, it looked heavily damaged and would probably break apart if used again.
Known only to my group, when I had scouted the stronghold by myself, I had surreptitiously placed over thirty of the explosive pods under each of the sturdy arbalests. As I had hoped, with the initial detonation a chain reaction was triggered ripping the long row ballistae into splinters.
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As stone chips continued to fall from above, we bound out from cover. As if a line of claymores had exploded outwards from the base of the cavern, splintered fragments of hardened mushroom, bits of unidentifiable steel, flesh, and chunks of stone lay strewn everywhere. Ripley, Lowki, my minion, and I charged the fallen dwarves. The ones still alive, at least.
Of the initial group of dwarves rocked by Tallos’ shot, nothing identifiable remained. They had been wholly disintegrated. The four demolition experts writhed in pain on the ground a dozen feet away. They had been thrown backward. None went unscathed from the calamity. Each was missing one, or more, limbs. The wounds were so great, I doubted they had long for life as blood gushed from ragged rents in their flesh.
Notifications blinked in my vision, but I quickly dismissed them as we had more pressing matters. We needed to clear the area before reinforcements arrived. Not having the time to scout the only other tunnel leading in here, meant any number of dwarves could be fast approaching our position. The rapid explosions would be hard to miss as the thundering cracks echoed far and wide. If the cavalry did arrive, I intended to be well hidden before they arrived.
The two armored dwarves fared better than their friends, their impressive silvern breastplates ensuring no mortal wounds touched their armor flesh. Issuing quick commands, my undead minion and Ripley rushed to finish the two foes. The blasts had stunned them, and they were completely disorientated. They fell without lifting a weapon in defense.
Lowki and I moved close to the suffering dwarves who wailed in agony, their bodies twisting as they futilely attempted to staunch the blood gushing from grotesque injuries. Terrified dwarven eyes stretched up to us, fraught with confusion and pleading for mercy. Shame and remorse threatened to still my hand, but only for a moment. In the time it took me to remember these dwarves would have caused this very level of anguish on innocent people, my mercy gave way to hard reality. Without compassion, I ended their suffering. That was the only kindness they would receive from me that day.
Finishing the grisly task, we knew only another four dwarves remained. Having already scouted where the forges were positioned, I swiftly split the party in half. Lowki and I sprinted off in one direction with Tallos, Ripley, and my minion heading another. While I knew precisely where each forge was, Tallos’ group should be able to manage without me. The blazing beacons were hard to miss.
Knowing any pretense of stealth was obliterated with the explosions and ensuing skirmishes, Lowki and I sprinted around a mushroom the width of a small shed. We spotted the large brick blacksmith’s forge with a brightly burning hearth. Under the fluted chimney, a stack of coal and heated coke showered everything around in a scarlet glow. Connected at the side, a deflated bellows sat still as if waiting for someone to stoke life back into the slowing fading flames. A silver anvil was nearby with several half-formed ballista broadheads. One arrowhead was lying on the side of the anvil, the heat of the metal slowly ebbing into the cold stone.
Cowering behind the ten-foot-tall chimney was a stout dwarf wearing a thick smock that covered his entire torso. He was covered in black soot from head to toe, his beard stained black with only tiny streaks of its natural auburn color peeking through. Carrying a large blacksmith hammer in one hand, he had biceps that would put most bodybuilders to shame. While his eyes were at first timid, they quickly morphed into anger as an elf and panther approached his livelihood.
Thinking the dwarf was alone, I was momentarily startled when a second blacksmith came charging around the other side of the forge with a silver hammer and a long pair of tongs held threateningly over his head. The bellow from his comrade, the first smith didn’t hesitate any longer and launched himself forward at us. Sliding to a stop, I quickly chanted the words to a powerful spell. My hands twisted in the air in an intricate pattern as I pulled deep from my core. Miniature arcs of lightning danced between my fingers. The blacksmiths were undeterred, rushing toward me with furious bellows of outrage.
Neither blacksmith could have cared less about my spell casting. So intent were they to crush the puny elf before them, nothing else mattered.
With a thrust of my hands, a thick shaft of twisting lightning blasted into the closest smithy’s chest and, an instant later, another bolt of electricity arced unerringly into his now-blinded colleague. The discharge of light was so brilliant, I was thankful to have closed my eyes at the last moment. Knowing the spell may not halt the first dwarf’s murderous charge, I sidestepped several paces away. The blacksmith crashed his makeshift weapons through the space where I had just vacated. Finding nothing but air, his sight stolen from my attack, he lost his balance and crashed heavily to the floor.
Recalling Frostrend into my hand, I twisted back around and slammed the axe down onto the smith’s neck before he could regain his feet. Severing his spinal column, the dwarf fell limp to the floor. Turning back around, I had enough time to see an enormous displacer beast landed atop the remaining dwarf. The electricity discharged into his body had caused all of his muscles to lock and spasm, allowing Lowki to easily bear him to the ground. The cat’s massive maw clamped around the dwarf’s neck even as his twin barbed tentacles slammed home, one against the side of his head, the other into a shoulder.
Not willing to allow his foe a chance to counterattack, Lowki furiously raked his four back legs digging deep furrows into the dwarf’s unprotected body. The great cat’s combined assaults overwhelmed the smith, and his life was dispatched in a matter of seconds.
Not bothering to check either body for loot, Lowki and I hurried away. In short order, we regrouped with Tallos and our other companions near the unexplored tunnel. Everyone realized we had little time to spare with the threat of an unknown number of reinforcements that could soon be arriving.
Tallos was entirely unharmed, having fought with his bow against their two blacksmith targets. Ripley looked to have sustained a heavy blow against her side. Several cracked and splintered ribs could be seen though she gave no indication she it bothered her in the slightest. My undead minion returned to my side and waited patiently for further commands. Knowing we had precious little time, I recast my shield buff and cast a regen on Ripley to top off her health.
While the fight against the dwarves within this mushroom-laden cavern had ended, we all knew we were far from finished. With every ballista now destroyed, we could have been content to leave everything else behind. Yet, I suggested we wait to see if anything came to investigate. There were still dozens of crates with explosive bolts to consider as well. I hadn’t had the time to loot them all and I was worried what would happen if the dwarves recovered them.
Setting off only thirty of the charges alone had threatened to collapse whole sections of heavy stone over our heads. So, I couldn’t imagine the potential devastation if several hundred of the packs exploded all at once. We contemplated detonating them as we had with the heavy crossbows, but destroying the concentrated cache of explosives all at once could cave in everything for miles. The risk was too great.
Our tentative plan was to see if we could handle whatever dwarven contingent arrived to investigate. If they were too much to handle, we would retreat to the transport node and warn the city. The plan had substantial risk as the dwarfs could harass us every step of the way. It was not a pleasant thought. Otherwise, if we could handle whoever showed up, then the plan was for me to loot every remaining charge. We would then regroup and determine our next best course of action.
Seeing nothing approach for a pair of minutes, I ordered my minion and Ripley to swiftly haul over large timbers of burning mushroom stalks and spread them around our position. Perhaps the heat from the fire could hide us from the dwarves’ vision as we crouched behind our cover. While they worked, Lowki and I dragged over the two bodies of the blacksmiths we killed, laying them in between our concealed position and the darkened tunnel. They would act as bait. Tallos had an arrow ready to go, his thin fingers lightly brushing against his bowstring. After completing their work, Ripley and my minion returned to their hideaways. Ripley was to the far left, leaning against a toppled mushroom, with my minion crouched low across the way.
Being invisible to Infravision, both would barrel into the enemy’s flanks and wreck devastation like vengeful ghosts. They would be the steel teeth for our bear trap. Once sprung, Tallos and I would pepper our foes with arrows and blistering spells. Stella and I thought it was a good plan. Our biggest concern was just how many dwarven reinforcements would arrive.
A thought occurred to me as I considered our hiding spot beside my elven friend. "Hey Tallos," I said, eyeing a shorter mushroom behind our position. "Do you think you can scale that thing?"
Tallos immediately caught on with what I was thinking. "Hell yeah, I can," he responded with some gusto. In quick fashion, the slender elf scaled the side of the mushroom and flipped himself over on top of the wide cap. Before laying on his stomach, still wary of his body heat given him away, he gave me a thumbs up.
"Nice idea," Stella whispered. "He'll be protected from harm up there."
"Yup, no sense having him down here with us." I was about to order Ripley to retrieve the sole remaining ballista, perhaps to consider firing an explosive bolt down the tunnel when our hostile friends arrived, when the sound of armored footfalls echoed out from the dark tunnel before us. We had no more time to prepare.
Whoever was approaching sounded as if they were at a dead sprint. It was impossible to tell how many were present as their armored boots sounded like twin jackhammers. It was obvious this was no small force. Shouted commands reverberated as the group approached.
A daunting contingent of fully armored dwarves came running out of the dark tunnel. Silver armor, glinting axes, broad shields, and spiked maces showed this was no simple conglomerate of fighters. They slowed to a walk as they breached the inner cavern, their eyes flicking around as they tried to make sense of the devastation. A shout from the front commanded everyone’s attention as the dead blacksmiths were spotted lying amongst burning mushroom logs.
I counted approximately ten soldiers as the dwarves hurried to their fallen comrades. Our ruse had worked. Our body heat had been masked by the burning mushroom stalks. The dwarves didn’t know were surrounded. I could only hope the element of surprise would tip the scales in our favor.