Eldan stumbles to AG66.
Fortitude Save = 14 + 1 = 15
Eldan's stomach must be stronger than Zigil's, as he avoids getting nauseous from the rats' whirling motions.
The swarm surges forward and surrounds Grodar.
Zigil channels energy in an attempt to weaken the shadowy rats.
Once again, they resist the power of Iomedae.
Garm whines and backs away towards the entrance.
Grodar is weakened by the rats' attack, but keeps his breakfast down.
Grodar five-foot steps to -AL-68. "I don't think this torch is hurting them! We might be able to get to one of the cave openings, unless someone else has a better plan."
Giles readies an action to shoot pellets if they become corporeal.
"Come on you filthy beasts..."
Slei will cheer on her spell-casting teammates.
As Eldan racks his brain for a way to affect them, the rats swarm over Giles.
"Suppose it's one way to contribute"
"Stay back Garm. I'll keep them busy."
Zigil will move if necessary to get the rats in range.
"This could take a while. ..."
Garm flees the cavern.
The rats seem unfazed by Zigil's attempts.
Garm can be heard barking outside the cavern.
Giles will move outside to have a look.
With no way to hurt the rats, Grodar follows Giles to see if there's trouble outside the cave.
Outside the cave, Garm is barking at a young woman in armour and a white surcoat emblazoned with the golden sword of Iomedae. She shows signs of fatigue and bruising from the battle against the orcs as she approaches.
"I'm sorry boy, who's in the well?"
She looks up and sees the party, and quickly strides in holding her holy symbol aloft. Channeling the power of The Inheritor, she dispels enough of the rats that the swarm dissipates.
Tyari Varvatos, high priestess of Sanctuary, then slumps as she turns to the party.
"I've done what I can to help you. The rest is up to you, though I do have one scroll that may help one of you regain some strength."
Zigil bows his head in gratitude. "Thank you, High Priestess. They were unusually resistant to my channeling... I can provide you with some healing if you wish."
"Grodar or Giles, one of you should receive this spell. I still have a bull's strength spell that I can give the other."
"What brings you to us, High Priestess. Does Iomedae need us elsewhere?"
"Yes, thank you High Priestess, your intervention was well timed. Unless there is something more pressing we do need to finish exploring this tunnel to ensure there aren't more surprises waiting for Trunau."
Tyari says, "Save any healing for your exploration, and use any that remains on the townsfolk. I had a strong feeling that somebody needed my help here."
"Grodar or Giles?"
"Feel free to help Grodar. I'll heal up soon enough with a good nights sleep."
Tyari reads from her scroll, and Grodar feels all of his strength return and the day's fatigue drop away.
"Best of luck on your investigation. I should return to Sanctuary, where I'm needed."
"Thanks. Now, let's head back in there."
"Our thanks, Tyari."
Following the passage to the south, the adventurers come to a ledge overlooking a large cave. The ledge descends in a ramp to the west, leading down to the cave floor.
Through the gloom, the party can see the walls are lined with large humanoid skeletons, each standing about 10 feet tall.
Garm thumps his tail against the ground, looking at Giles expectantly, lets out a small yip. then cocks his head to the side.
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Giles breaks off a bone and gives it to Garm.
"Here you go you daft dog."
Let's continue down the ramp. "Be alert everyone."
Zigil looks and listens for dangers
The party descends to the cavern, where Giles can reward Garm for his timely assistance.
All told, there are six of the skeletons standing in niches, wearing armour and holding weapons. Giles is able to identify them as hill giant skeletons. The giant Giles has removed a rib from is holding two battleaxes and wearing a chain shirt, though all show some rust. There is also a rotting sack at its feet.
An opening to another cavern can be faintly seen to the northeast, past the skeletons.
Giles gives a careful search of the cavern including that rotted sack.
Giles finds a collection of giant-sized gear in the bag, and steps forward to begin checking out what the others have.
One of the skeletons lurches away from the wall, and moves in to attack!
The skeleton quickly moves to the center of the cavern and jabs at Giles with a broken spear it holds in its bony claws.
Giles is badly wounded before the party can even react!
Eldan points at the skeletal giant and a red ray streaks from his finger.
Scorching Ray = 12 + 4 = 16 ranged touch, 5 + 5 + 4 + 6 = 20 dmg
The skeleton is badly burned, but stays on its feet.
Slei will load and fire a sling bullet at the skeleton.
Slei's slingstone hits the giant, but the chainmail it is wearing prevents any serious damage.
"Ugh. I hate damned giants, and so does Garm."
Giles drops his blunderbuss, giving it its 14th dent. He draws his Bastard Sword and steps in 5' diagonally and swings.
"I've a weapon here just for you!"
(Attack includes favoured enemy)
Garm snarls and leaps next to Giles. Despite his walnut sized brain, his closest route is behind Giles and should give cover from the attack of opportunity (I believe).
Giles' sword skitters off the thick bones of the skeleton, but Garm grabs an ankle and crunching can be heard as the hound gnaws on it.
"Channeling energy didn't work very well before. Let's try good old hacking and slashing."
Zigil is able to chip away at the skeleton, but unfortunately she seems to be using the wrong style of weapon to maximize her damage.
Grodar moves to a spot where he can flank with Giles or Ziggy. If that would mean provoking an AoO, he instead moves to the nearest spot where he can attack. Then, he attempts to kneecap the skeleton.
As Zigil closes with the skeleton, it lashes out with its broken spear, and the priest is barely able to swing.
After Grodar moves in, the skeleton tracks his movement and jabs at him twice.
It's too slow to catch him with the first attack, but the second wounds him deeply.
Grodar is able to add to the damage the skeleton's legs have taken.
Eldan casts Force Missile = 2 + 1 = 3
"Suppose I'll just have to hit him harder."
"Bring that next channel our way, Zig."
Garm lunges and snarls
Slei fires again.
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With a mighty "Hoooo-PAK!", Slei's slingstaff hurls a stone at the skeleton.
Giles and Garm are less successful.