JJ steps forward and stabs at the one in front of him.
"Why!" he rages. "Cauldron is your city too. Why do you let it drown?"
Juraan enters the small entrance past the store room and fires Burning Hands
And then fires an arrow at the alley basher in front of him (blue)
JJ quickly lands a solid hit on the first surprised man he can find. A wound bleeds generously in his belly.
The assault continues then with a jet of flames that takes half the room into a small hell.
The one in the center covers himself between the arrow slit and his cloak and most of the flames pass by, but the one injured by JJ is too clumsy to avoid the flames and it falls to the ground his skin horribly burned.
Maxim draws his previously loaded pistol, quickly checking all is readied with the weapon [oc](Move Action)[/ooc]
As the group once again pours forward he scowls in frustration;
"Gods be damned, ain't no way through again..."
When the door is flung open, Marigold raises her crossbow and fires off a shot at the one Alleybasher that she can actually see.
As she fires she flinches at the familiar sound of Maxim's grumbling from behind her. Though she's not sure what he's saying, the tone of irritation needs no translation.
Maxim grumbles as he finds no empty space while Marigold shots to the melee hesitant not to damage JJ.
The alleybashers finally seem to react, dropping their bows and drawing rapiers. One of them quickly moves to the door effectively blocking the way in, while both harass JJ inside the room.
But they are too hurried and JJ easily dodges the attacks.
Ryan steps forward, blocked at the doorway by Juraan, with a smile he offers a blessing of guidance to the sorcerer, before switching out to his xbow.
surprise round step forward
Round 1 - cast guidance(standard action)
stow shield (move action)
Deciding that it might be best to clear out before Maxim starts shooting, Marigold quickly takes a step away from the wall and offers Kikinnin a small bit of guidance with her magic.
Juraan fires another Burning Hands at the guards
… he then steps forward diagonally 5 ft to let Kikkinin or Ryan join in
JJ takes advantage of Juraan's positioning and tries to drop the man in green as quickly as he can.
"Take that... Where are the wands?" he calls out.
AC = 22
HP = 44/44
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = Guidance
Kikinnin gravitates to the next buzz of activity, unhappy with more bottlenecking, as the new adversaries hold the doorway.
If Kikinnin can step up on the bashers, he takes a single swing of his axe.
If the way is still barred, he holds his position, and Marigold's inspiration, a little while longer.
Ryan and Marigold empower their companions.
The alleybasher takes an opportunity attack as Juraan starts to cast in front of him.
His rapier is deflected by the professors magics and he completes his spell!
The flames take full effect on the men that cry in pain.
Juraan moves then back leaving empty space for Kikinnin.
One of JJ's swords find the blocking alleybasher and drops him to the floor unconscious.
Kikinnin moves with ease in the now empty space and crashes his axe on the still conscious alleybasher quickly ending the battle and winning the position for the party.
3x Studded leather
3x masterwork rapier
3x shortbow with 20 arrows
3x red sash.
From this point you can see a passageway through a group of slits, perfect to attack with bow and arrow to any passer by in a perfect, unseen and difficult to defend ambush.
There is no other place you can access from here, not even the corridor you can see through the slits.
The long vaulted hallway seems empty and harmless.
"Shall we head back and try those other doors on our left as we came along that first passage?" asks JJ
"Remember the trap he told us about!"
JJ, after looting the bodies, heads back.
"We should all wear a red sash, just in case it helps buy us a few seconds of confusion."
"Huh...g-good thing we c-came in from the b-back way first," Marigold muses as the group peers around the ambush room. "W-would've b-been a big p-pain otherwise..."
"We could have become pincushions!"
"That's one trap out of the way."
"There are probably others, too."
"I agree with JJ about those sashes."
"We could get through faster if others think we belong here."
--------------------
⋮
Juraan moves then back leaving empty space for Kikinnin.
⋮
"Good idea with the sashes JJ, we should have enough of them by now, Kikinnin, Maxim we haven't run into any dwarven Alleybashers or Hillfolk, Perhaps you should walk towards the middle like you were prisoners to aid in this deception, a moment or two in our favor should help most engagements."
Donning one of the red sashes, Ryan joins JJ at the doorway across the hall, listening in before JJ opens the door.
"G-guess it c-can't really hurt," Marigold agrees though she looks at the sash a bit dubiously before putting it on. "Though they m-might know who we are b-by now...have a description and s-such..."
"Maybe... but who would have provided it? Who that is, who knows we are hunting the wands?" asks JJ.
"I can't see it hurting, and it may help. Might not, but sometimes those two seconds are what matters."
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Maxim assists in gathering the loot, then also moves back with JJ.
"Reckon there's a lot we don't know Surabar... Best we presume our foes know more than we give 'em credit for. Like Lil' Miss says names, descriptions, birthdays an' favourite colours..."
The dwur follows the young swordsman, letting his wry comment soak in as he steps aside to let the front line members of the group pass.
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"So long as they don't know the colour of my small clothes..." says JJ, trying to lighten the mood a little.
He then stops, sighs and mutters "Actually, too late for that."
As you walk into the southern rooms, you do discover the corners of the rooms are clogged with webbing, but a five-foot-wide, eight-foot-tall web-lined tunnel leads south.
The webs here and in the caves beyond coat every inch of floor, wall, and ceiling. Although most of the webbing is no longer sticky, it is quite soft, which makes your steps much more silent.
Up to six small spiders run around you as you step in, looking for the protection of the webs.
While you descend into the western direction of the tunnels you find the air in this cavern is thick, stuffy, and humid, and stinks of rotting fungus. Sheets of thick white webs choke every surface, and coils of the sticky stuff hang from above in thick ropy sheets. The webbing muffles sound, making the cavern seem much smaller than it actually is. In fact, the thick webs make it quite difficult to accurately judge the size of the chamber, or what might be lurking in its depths.
While you are considering checking the previous tunnel to the south, webs in the height erupt and try to catch you all.
The webs send to JJ and Maxim just fall nearby but all the others are taken by the sticky web, becoming entangled!
JJ, having dodged the web stands ready, waiting for the thing to close on him.
"Maybe we should pull back..." he suggests.
"slowly..."
Seeing the fell arachnids descend, and aware of most of the group being entangled Maxim spins toward the nearest - the one entrapping Marigold and steps beside the little oracle .
Mirthlessly raising his pistol toward the creature, he utters some words of arcane power...
"Gloeiend Straal!"
... and a burning ray of arcane flame is fired from his hand-gunne ;
:
:
Glad that the webbing has momentarily softened the sounds of his footfalls; a chill still crawls down his spine as he watches one of the smaller spiders scuttle into the webs darkness. "Busy critters down here." he mumbles admiring somewhat their industriousness to coat the floor, ceiling and walls of the tunnels.
Arghhh, just when I was getting used to them. continuing to grumble under his breath, Ryan attempts to break free from the fallen webbing.
"Aaaahhhh!" Marigold shrieks as the webs suddenly come down on them all, entangling most of them in their sticky grasp - herself including. In a panic, she thrashes mightily in an attempt to free herself...
...and succeeds, the adrenaline coursing through her body giving her strength.
1=West
2=East
3=South
She takes a trembling step to the south, away from the nearest spider as she calls upon the gods to deliver them from these horrible monsters!
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"Kikinnin, Maxim, we haven't run into any dwarven Alleybashers or Hillfolk. Perhaps you should walk towards the middle like you were prisoners to aid in this deception, a moment or two in our favor should help most engagements."
Kikinnin shakes his head. "Unless you want to take my axe from me, I'd not consider someone like me walking around armed as a prisoner. If you want to go first, I'll not object, just don't get too far ahead."
"So long as they don't know the colour of my small clothes... Actually, too late for that."
For as small as the boy is, Kikinnin completely misses the subtext of JJ's randy recall.
When the band starts to wander down the web-strewn halls, Kikinnin almost raises his voice in objection. By the time he's well and truly ready to speak the words, he's already snared.
AC = 22, yeah, 11 if Touch
HP = 44/44
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = Bless
With very little room to maneuver, Kikinnin stands his ground reluctantly, and waits for either more webbing or spider fangs. Neither welcome.
Maxim points his gun towards the closest spider and a jet of flame erupts from it getting a full hit on the spider that burns down on the fire falling to the ground all toasted.
Marigold and Kikinnin burst the webs covering them while Ryan keeps struggling under the strings.
Two spiders attempt to web back Kikinnin and JJ.
Kikinnin is coated into more web strings while JJ dodges the web with skill.
When the nearby spider climbs down, JJ launches his readied attack, cutting through one of the spider eight legs.
JJ succeeds to dodge the bite attack!
Two other spiders descend over Kikinnin and Ryan respectively.
The vermin bites a leg over Kikinnin's armor without harming him.
The giant jaws of the large spider tear Ryan's right arm as he fights against the webs.
Marigold follows with a blessing to inspire the whole party.
Juraan, inspired by fear, easily breaks out of the webbing holding him.
He then tries to fire an arrow at one of the larger spiders (red)
… but misses badly in the confusion
AC = 22
HP = 44/44
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = Bless
Realizing the error of his ways, Kikinnin remains webbed, and seeks to lessen the number of blasted spiders beforing ripping free from them again. "The alleybashers didn't much care for signs on doors, warning of the webs and webslingers, eh? None of 'em thought to clear this part of their lair out? How in earth do spiders this large get into a hold like this? Makes no sense." Kikinnin swings on the spider that recently tried to puncture him.
"Spiders... I hate spiders." mutters JJ
He slashes out with his paired swords, trying to down the monstrosity in front of him.
As one charred spider falls, Maxim turns and eyes the larger cavern where more targets await...
He raises his pistol once more, this time whispers further words of arcane power;
"Ricocheren Schot"
He then steps closer to the action mulling his options...
Juraan frees himself from the webs, then attempts a shot with his bow but it hits one web string and gets deflected.
Similarly, Kikinnin's axe is stuck in the web that holds him on place and fails to hit the spider in front with strength.
Next to him, JJ stabs one of his swords in the belly of the large spider in front of him. The vermin spits a purple blood but does not collapse.
Maxim casts a spell, the ammunition in his gun ricocheting.
The spider with orange drawings spits another web at JJ.
But the sticky net falls far from its target.
The other spider next to the one spitting the web descends from the ceiling and joins the fray attempting to bite JJ.
Whom dodges the bite by just an inch.
The rest of the spiders
"AGahhh.. Vermin.. aint these your specialty Kikinnin?" collars JJ as the spiders seem to concentrate on the young ranger.
His twin swords continue to plunge in and out, as he tries to finish off the spider he has already wounded twice.
But the press of spiders and some long held terror of the creatures causes him to rush his blows, and they come to naught.
With little else she can do from the back of the pack, Marigold steps behind Maxim and levels her crossbow at the one injured spider that she can see...
AC = 22
HP = 35/44
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = Bless
Kikinnin yowls as the spider finds a way past his armor, burying its dripping fangs beneath his skin. For all the burn of the poison, the black-beard's adrenaline dumps into his blood stream, taming a majority of the venom.
With the critter so intimate with him, he brings his axe through its space, hoping to open an equal or better gash in its side.
"AGahhh.. Vermin.. ain't these your specialty, Kikinnin?"
"These look like rodents to you, JJ? I've had my share infestations, but none like these. Some rats get as big, but they're less wily than these spiders, with their webs. These beasts don't fight fair, trying to snare us before they bite."
Through the scrum of melee, Maxim hears the clash of steel on carapace.
He scowls as the shot channel is tight, and resolutely draws on his magic again;
"Skit... tough shot... Keep 'em busy lads, got somethin' comin' fer these bugs!"
Once again he mutters some arcane words, further enchanting his combat prowess;
"Waar Slaan!"
Juraan drops his bow momentarily, realizing it's not much use in this mess.
"ჯადოსნური სარაკეტო"
He targets Red:
round 2
Frustrated at not being able to get loose from the webbing, ryan's immediate needs outweigh needing to untangle himself as the large spider moves in.
yet more of the webbing catches the mace as he swings.
Round 3
still swinging....
JJ is too pressed by the spiders and his swords fail to get through the creature thick skin.
Marigold shots an arrow but the combat is so packed she has difficulties to find the spider and the attack fails.
Kikinnin fights against the venom and profits that raging energy to crash his axe on the offending spider.
Maxim casts another spell aiming carefully with his gun.
Juraan casts magic missiles that burst the big spider fighting JJ, the creature shrieks in pain.
Ryan swings his mace, one of his attacks finding the blue spider despite the strings holding him down. The creature shrieks while one of its legs is crushed.
The spiders keep attacking those in front of them.
One of the spiders bite JJ in the right arm!
JJ gasps in pain as the spider sinks its fangs into him. Still, his youthful good heath and constitution seems to have kept the poison at bay.
He swings his own fangs back, trying to break the creatures defences.
His newly enchanted sword sinks into its' boated abdomen deeply, drinking in the spiders blood.
Juraan quickly throws one of the beads from his Necklace of Fireballs (a 5d6 fireball) into the cave at an angle near the back corner
… and in an inspired moment , he throws another right behind it:
Deciding that perhaps she'd be better-served helping someone that's much better at shooting than she is, Marigold offers Maxim a small bit of guidance just as Juraan throws the two beads from his necklace. She shrieks with both amazement and alarm as fire suddenly explodes into the cavern and washes over most of the spiders!
Round 4
Ryan continues to attack the huge spider fronting him....
AC = 22
HP = 35/44
Weapon Equipped = MW Dwarven Greataxe
Condition(s) = Bless
Kikinnin winces as JJ takes a similar stab from spider. It's a good facial expression to take, as his eyes are mostly closed when the fireballs burst. When the fire dissipates, he takes in the remaining spiders. At least the spiders who tried to pinch him again. He throws out his axe at the big boy spider beast.
, Ricochet Shot (2/3 rounds active)[/ooc]
Maxim levels his pistol, adding to the powder keg of arcane energy
The dwur scowls as he aims through the press of bodies, focussing on the bulk of the huge spider , then trusting in his magically augmented marksmanship pulls the trigger;
:
:
The bullet then flies into an adjacent spider
:
:
JJ's sword stabs at the big spider's bag, the purple blood sliding all through his blade, leaving it extremely damaged.
It is then when Juraan picks two beads from his necklace and in a bold movement throws both of them at the same time to the bottom of the cavern.
Both beads fall on the intended location within the spiders where the fire should not reach his allies.
The flames burst spiders and webs alike, clouding your vision for a second. JJ and Kikinnin cover themselves instinctively as they think for an instant the flames will take them, but ultimately only lick their faces with their heat.
When the sudden double explosion ceases in intensity you see three of the spiders remain in the ground, smoke spirals raising from the consumed flesh. Two spiders remain, still they smell like barbacue and pose little thread now.
Ryan easily drops the big blue one with a swing of his mace that drops the spider to the ground.
An enraged Kikinnin brings down his axe on the stunned white spider cutting by half the vermin.
The webs in the cavern slowly consume themselves while the fire is put down and the place recovers its silence.
Thanks to his darkvision Maxim observes movement down the tunnels and instinctively shots his gun with true strike. The bullet impacts what seems an strangely shaped humanoid figure then ricochets to a similar one next to it.
They open their strange mouths and spit webs at both Maxim and Marigold.
But both fail sticking into the walls of the cavernous tunnel.
These creatures are ettercaps, a special type of aberration with empathy for spiders. They are able to spit webs like normal spiders. They can talk common, have darkvision and their low save is Reflex.
Juraan takes a weaker fireball beads he has left and throws it behind the new threat
It started with 4×3d6 (not 4×2d6), 2×5d6 and 1×7d6 fireballs.
After this round, there are 3×3d6 and 1×7d6 fireball beads left.
"Pull back" suggests JJ. "And let them come to us."
He pauses
"In that confined area, they will have the advantage."
And then Juran throws another fireball.
"Or... maybe not."