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I let out a low guttural roar....and and unleash a withering torrent of Draconic insults at the Trog. calling into question its genetic heritage and its utter mockery creation itself...I feint...deeke..and lash out with the arcane enhance blade....the blood surging and pounding in my very eardrums...
I see the beast react....as I follow through...
Caoilte flees the spider swarm and runs to the trog, swinging his axe. It bites the trog, leaving a nasty gash in its shoulder.
Eloriand is able to snap off a shot, winging the trog, but the lizrdy thing fights on.
Tarek gets himself clear of the swarm and gathers himself.
Havelock swings his blade at the trog but it is turned away.
Isador takes a shot at the trog, but misses.
Kat is able to drive a shaft into the trog, it yelps in pain but fights on.
The trog reels on Caoilte and launches a gout of flame at him. The flames shoot from the thing's claw and strike Caoilte in the chest and helmet, scorching him severely.
The spider swarm moves deeper into the room and envelops Isador and Balenar. The multitude of spiders crawl and bite both pathfinders, causing much distress. Balenar doubles over and vomits as the creatures swarm him. His speech ends and he manages to crawl away from the swarming arachnids.
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Tarek's stomach stops churning and the the pounding in his head starts to ease and his vision begins to become focused once again Does anyone have a way to burn those spiders? There are just too many to squash and fire may just do the trick.
I am trying to make my way to you Caoilte. I will do my best to keep you on your feet!
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I my open in amazement as I see the flames envelope Caoilte...the stench of burnt human hair and flesh along with the Trog could only be worse if it were to be disembowled...which is actually my aim...
Its back and side to me....its guard is a bit down and I strike out again..
I am almost postive my blade will not strike...my foot slips and all I can do is follow through with the attack to keep my defense up and hope that I at least distract the thing.....
HEY!! not very Many to take on a wounded man are ya....You stinking dirty Podex of a Cack born snake
I can't believe I said that...ridiculous....ahhh to hell with it...if it gets it distracted...so what...
In the face of tremendous pain and agony. Caoilte heroically fights on. Ignoring the scorching pain, Caoilte slices another gash into the trog caster.
Eloriand, still battling the trog stench, fires another arrow wide of the mark.
Tarek, recovered from the momentary bout of sickness, rushes to Caoilte's aid when he sees the warrior get cooked. He casts a healing spell when he is able to reach him.
As Tarek administers aid to Caoilte, the floor of the chamber begins to lower suddenly. Tarek's added weight has exposed a weakness in the structure of the tower and the floor in the eastern throne area collapses. Caoilte, Tarek, Havelock and the trog try to scramble for a handhold as the floor beneath then collapses! The heroes fall with the floor. Caoilte and Havelock fail at their attempt to grab ahold of the solid floor, but are able to catch themselves on the floor below. They hang as the trog, his flaming hand trailing a plume of fire, and Tarek hurtle past them. Tarek and the trog share a hateful glance before Tarek bounces off an exposed section of floor two levels below and strikes the surface of the third floor hard. The trog continues his plummet and is unable to find purchase. His trailing flame falls the distance of the tower and the trog splatters at the base of the tower in a bloody splat! The flames extinguish and the spider swarm dissipates upon the trogs death.
As the remaining party cautiously peers over the rim of the collapsed floor, they can see Coilte and Havelock hanging on for dear life off the edge of the exposed floor below. Two floors down, Tarek lies unconscious, blood pooling around his body.
Balenar becomes visibly upset upon seeing Tarek's condition. Tarek! He yells. Suddenly he turns and closes his eyes. Balenar draws upon his own reseve of poser and is suddenly covered in a shimmering light. He quickly glances at eh party before his gone in a flash. His speed magically enhanced. In an eyeblink, he appears at Tarek's side. He leans over the prone holy man and expends more of his arcane energy as he attempts to magically heal Tarek. As the healing magic takes hold, tarek's substantial injuries subside and he blinks his eyes open.
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Kat's eyes grow wide as the floor gives away. She throws her pack off and pulls her rope out, letting it unravel as she moves towards the gaping maw where the throne and floor had been. The red opens her mouth to call out to Eloriand to urge him to help Tarek but the words die before they leave as Balenar flies into action.
As she tosses one end of her rope down the hole she addresses the others left on the top floor with her. There is no way I can support either of their weight on my own, I'll need both of your help. Keep an eye out for a stable place that can act as a brace as well.
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Seeing the world change in an instant and sudden disappearance of the spiders leaves Isador confused for a moment. He shakes his head and snaps back to the present upon hearing Kat's cry for help.
Come on Eloriand, their life hangs in the balance... literally.
Isador looks for something to anchor them but if nothing is close he will attempt to jam his dagger into the floor.
Kat, be wary of getting too close to the edge, the rest of the tower might come down if we lose any more of the structure. Toss me your end of the rope and Eloriand and I will try to anchor us here.
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OH Cack!!
As the ground gives way and I find myself falling I Reach out to try and grasp ahold of anything that looks solid...my reflexes take over and I fell my left side hit something solid...and in a flash my hand grasps something solid....stabilized...holding....months of military training take over and sheath my gladius in its scabbard,..as I then bring my other hand up and around....I look of for my comrades....unsure where the trog, Caoilte or the others are....I speak out in a raiised voice...
umm.....could use a little help please....
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Caoilte stares up wide-eyed, in pain, watching Tarek fall to what appeared to be his end, his own predicament and the sudden revelation that Balenar is more than he appears to be. He looks up and says For the love of all the gods, get us a rope or something to climb up on. Looking down below. Balenar, get you and Tarek out of the way in case we fall.
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Tarek groans and slowly opens his eyes What happened? Tarek tries to sit up Where am I? Tarek's eyes slowly adjust as he tries to comprehend what just happened
Tarek looks up and quickly realizes that he just fell several levels and pieces of the floor above continue to drop around him. He looks to Balenar who is standing above him Balenar, can you help me to me feet so I can get clear of this crumbling part of the tower?
Although his body is sore and badly bruised, Tarek does not notice any open wounds but is sure it is his blood that he sees on the floor Balenar, did you heal me? You seem to be full of surprises. Thank you for the help my friend.
As Tarek moves to a safer location he motions for Balenar to head to the stairwell Leave me here and lend aid to help the others He smacks Balenar on the shoulder The others need your help as well. It is ok to go. Trust me, I will be fine Tarek then slumps against the wall until he feels recovered enough to climb the stairs to help rescue the others
After recovering from his near death experience, Tarek gets on his feet and joins Balenar and the rest of the party in aiding Caoilte and Havelock. With everyone working together, the party is able to rescue the pair. After taking a few moments to rest and gather themselves, they search the remainder of the tower. Upon the remains of the trog caster, they find two keys that fir the locks of the doors on the third floor. A large wooden chest is found shattered not far from the flattened trog corpse. Inside, the party finds a masterwork short sword, 15 cold iron shurikens, two flasks of acid, a potion of cat’s grace, a potion of lesser restoration, a wand of summon monster I, an amethyst w, and 247 gp in assorted coins.
The party gathers their loot and makes their way back to Absalom with Balenar in tow. Balenar is extremely grateful for the party's aid in escaping his captors. He spent enough time in the tower to surmise that the troglodyte caster was in the process of gathering an army with an eye towards attacking the surface world. Balenar assures the party that they will give Master Vaslin a glowing report of the party's ability and bravery. Balenar seems especially thankful to Tarek who risked his life for a stranger. he promises to make it his life's mission to ensure Tarek is indeed invited to join the Pathfinder Society.
As the party leaves the Fallen Fortress behind, Havelock glances back as the sun sets in the Cairnlands. He cannot be sure, but he can swear he made out the tiny form of a blue creature climbing about the rubble and the sight of a faint spark as darkness set on the now conquered Fallen Fortress.
Thug 1 = 4 hp