Shae lets out a cheerful laugh. "They are pretty disgusting aren't they? Sadly, I am almost certain we will run into more, but now you have others watching your back. Just don't stab ours." She smiles while speaking, but the last bit was still pretty clear. I don't want to have to hurt someone, but my friends come first, random prisoners come second.
"I'd be going against anything I'd ever sworn to or worked for if I did," Balenar responds seriously, meeting your eyes so you understand. "Beyond which, you've rescued me from my captors - I would've rotted away if you hadn't looked into the room after dispatching of the lizardfolk."
Chombo smiles and says "Alright, this is great. You have some nice equipment, Balenar. Let us continue are search on the next level up the stairs."
"Let's get going. I think we've disposed of most of the troglodytes, but there might still be some skulking about."
"Onward fellows."
Urhan looks down and sees Scarlett down by his feet. He kneels down and gives the wolf an affectionate scratch under its chin.
"Is everyone feeling better? I have few bits of candy to wash that taste out of your mouth."
Chombo sits on the floor and starts sharpening his sword. Then goes through a series of exercises to sharpen his skills.
After a brief respite, you conclude that there's only one floor of this place left and it's better to get to it than sit around on the fourth floor forever. Balenar warns you all that, given what little he's heard from you thus far, you haven't yet encountered the troglodyte that's been bossing all of the others around.
It's with this knowledge in mind that you finally work your way up to the top level of the tower.
The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where the spiral staircase you've emerged from sits. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.
When you look around, you see a single troglodyte and a stunted, strangely colored crocodile. Neither of them appear to have noticed you. Rather, the troglodyte stands at the opening to the east, looking out.
Chombo draws his blade, quietly and prepares to charge after the ranged folks go.
Chombo decides to wait and see if the creatures advance closer.
They aren't currently looking at you. c:
Urhan keeps his voice as low as possible, "I'm not usually one for such strong morals but I hate just unloading on him when his back is turned. Let me try something first..."
Urhan creeps forward and...
...raises his hand and speaks a few words, intently staring at the back of the troglodyte the entire time. He then says, "Ho there friend. What do you see out there?"
...raises his hands and says "Ho there friend. What do you see out there?"
The troglodyte shakes his head, as though shrugging off an idea or some other thought. He turns to face Urhan Quinn and bares his teeth and hisses in a foreign language.
"That's not very polite," Balenar says, frowning. He steps up besides Urhan Quinn. "And I didn't much appreciate your hospitality either."
To the others, he expresses, "He's calling us slaves and telling us we'll know our place once he's conquered all the cities again."
The troglodyte gestures towards you and hisses out a single word.
At that, Balenar draws his scimitar. "He's going to attack," he warns the others.
Combat Round 1
Effects
Terrain
Those bolded below may act.
Dakka Nobu
Troglodyte & Friend
Aicard
Chombo
Shae Sasogne
Urhan Quinn
Balenar Forsend
Dakka Nobu blesses the party now that it's distinctly apparent that diplomacy isn't really an option here. The troglodyte barks out a strange word to his companion and the two engage you in combat, the troglodyte uttering a series of sounds that result in a swarm of spiders appearing before Balenar, causing something of a less than manly squeak.
"Sp-spiders!"
It's such an out of place cry that you nearly miss the troglodyte's companion moving forward - almost. Those teeth are hard to miss.
Combat Round 1
Effects
Terrain
Those bolded below may act.
Dakka Nobu
Troglodyte & Friend
Aicard
Chombo
Shae Sasogne
Urhan Quinn
Balenar Forsend
"Have faith Balenar, I will omit your shreaks from my songs of our deeds."
As he says this, Urhan reaches in one of his pouches and takes out something small and yellow, throwing it at the Troglodyte. He immediately follows this up by yelling out a series of words that sound vaguely like orcish obscenities. A thin film immediately coats everything around the smelly humanoid.
Chombo moves around the spiders and attacks the reptile. "Everyone is afraid. It is how you handle your fear that matters."
The troglodyte keeps his footing - somehow. The grease, though, shines slickly as the sun reflects off of it.
Combat Round 1
Effects
Terrain
Those bolded below may act.
Dakka Nobu
Troglodyte & Friend
Aicard
Chombo
Shae Sasogne
Urhan Quinn
Balenar Forsend
Aicard hustles forward towards the albino reptile and raises his warhammer with the intention of bringing an end to its existence.
Shae shouts "Scarlett attack!" right before she slashing at the spiders with her scimitar. She hates those buggers and tries to aim with precision. She looks towards the alligat- wait a second. That isn't an alligator. That's a cave crocodile! "He can do a death roll!" She quickly shouts. She should have attacked him first...
Seeing Shae attack the spiders first, Scarlett attempts to bite them!
Also, I hope you recover well! Thanks for letting me know! ^o^
Also, spider swarms are made up of diminutive creatures and are susceptible to high winds and can be blown away.
The crocodile recoils in pain at Aicard's attack but responds in turn, attempting to bite Aicard. Happily, the attack is ineffective and the crocodile's jaws snap shut just next to the man's left leg. While the croc is keeping Aicard preoccupied, the troglodyte gestures and continues his hissing and flames appear in his hands, as bright as a torch. With a glance at his feet, he carefully steps forward, to the left of the large chair.
The spiders, however, advance at the troglodyte's will, swarming over Aicard and Chombo, biting and pricking as they cover their bodies, attacking them.
Balenar, grimacing at this turn of events, backs away, but begins reminding you of previous heroes who have dealt with swarms and other draconic creatures - his speech of ruins and treasure brings you all some renewed courage.
Combat Round 2
Effects
Terrain
Those bolded below may act.
Dakka Nobu
Troglodyte
Reptile - 8 damage
Aicard
Chombo - nauseated for 1 round
Shae Sasogne
Urhan Quinn
Balenar Forsend
I'm totally fine with my previous post, just attack the crocodile instead of spiders. I'll move my icons more appropriately once I go on my laptop. Is that alright with you?
Chombo slaps and tries to get the spiders off of him. Chombo moves out of the swarm to stand in the face of the big guy. Chombo doesn't feel so good. Ugh.
Urhan sees the troglodyte keep his footing and throws his hands up, waving his guisarme, "Some days things have to go the hard way..."
Hearing the bard's song, the brash half-orc feels like he can take on the world. He makes sure that his bow is out of the way and moves in with his polearm toward the croc.
"You ugly lizard! Your mother was a newt and your father smells like a dwarven night soil!"
"Get the troglodyte!" yells the sellsword as he hammers away at the crocodile, constantly shifting his shield so that the blasted reptile can't sink its teeth into his flesh.
Shae urges Scarlett to attack yet again as she slices towards the crocodile, "Scarlett, attack attack!" She yells as she misses her mark. She glances towards the swarm of spiders... Spiders. What do I know of spiders?!
Scarlett lets out a growl and bites the crocodile.
Aicard, Urhan, and Shae both fail to land blows, but happily, Scarlett manages to down the crocodile. Dakka Nobu shoots at the troglodyte at Aicard's suggestion and the bolt knicks the creature's shoulder.
The troglodyte staggers as his companion goes down and bares his teeth, obviously aggravated. He throws fire at Dakka Nobu and the flames singe the bird rather thoroughly even as more fire appears in his palms.
The swarm moves as he bids, moving to climb all over Shae and Chombo. Shae, takes the brunt of the spiders, becoming nauseated as the strength slips out of her.
Balenar continues to chant memorized stories as he draws out his rapier and advances, stepping behind the chair to stab at the troglodyte, unfortunately missing.
Combat Round 3
Effects
Terrain
Those bolded below may act.
Dakka Nobu - 4/10 hp remaining
Troglodyte - 2 damage
Aicard
Chombo
Shae Sasogne - nauseated for 1 round
Urhan Quinn
Balenar Forsend
Seeing that the last troglodyte is firmly boxed in between his allies and the thing's throne, Aicard doesn't hesitate and drops his hammer to then bring forth a javelin. Taking a deep breath, he steadies his hand and throws - hoping to impale the vile creature and bring an end to its existence.
Chombo side-steps to make his way around the big guy, hoping to get away from the spiders.
After moving Chombo will attack the big guy with his greatsword.
"Come on guys. Let's get this big ugly."
Urhan moves again around to get a good angle on the troglodyte. "Shae, hold on! Nice one Chombo!"
He drops his guisarme, pulls back the string on his bow and lets loose.
Aicard's javelin pierces the troglodyte's scaly skin and it shrieks, the voice a high pitch that causes Balenar to wince. Chombo's blow nearly knocks the troglodyte clean off its feet and leave a giant gash in the creature's body. Severely bloodied and in obvious pain, the troglodyte glares.
Shae urges Scarlett to attack while she flees the spiders and the wolf makes her way over to the troglodyte to bite at him, but the poor wolf can't quite concentrate.
Balenar attempts to give it another go with the rapier, but has no more luck than before. Though frustrated, he continues reciting memorable stories, his enunciation and inflection nearly impeccable.
Dakka Nobu attempts another shot - and succeeds! The troglodyte goes down with a cry, his body quickly emptying of life. All that's left is the chest and returning Balenar to the city, but... You've done it.
“We-- We did it.” Balenar seems a bit surprised, but considering his experiences with this particular group, he can’t much be blamed. Turning to the group, he smiles broadly and throws his arms wide. “The first round’s on me! What say we head back? Venture Captain Valsin’ll be wanting my report soon, anyways.”
"Oh, and let me help you out with that - looks painful!" he points out, using as many spell slots as necessary to bring everyone back up to full health.
- a potion of cat’s grace
- a potion of lesser restoration
- a wand of summon monster I (CL 3rd, 9 charges)
Chombo says "We did it, guys. What a fight!
"Scarlet - stop nibbling on that troglodyte body. That can't taste good. Hey Chombo! Well done. I thought that last blow would decapitate the guy. I think in my retelling of this part, I will say that this floor had a glass roof and that the troglodyte was actually a wizard...And the croc was his companion. It could have happened..."