The jungle of Saventh Yhi take no notice of your failure at the last vault. Small lizards flee from your return to your Sargavan fort. Monkeys race and playfully trade punches. Birds swoop from the sky upon large insects and devour them hungrily. It is simply coincidence that these creatures mimic your chasing off the Chaura-Ka guards, or the brutal pummeling by ogre mage monks that caught you unaware from on high.
However your return is welcomed by the workers and inhabitants of the islands you have claimed. A difficult life certainly but for many it is becoming less of an exploration mission and more a permanent settlement. Your eventual triumphs over impossible foes continues to inspire them.
While General Havelar has returned to home you find the large building set aside for the Sargavan government busy with activity. Inside workers bring in buckets of sand to fill a large container in the main room. The tables and chairs have been moved for this addition, and Kassata of the Free Captains is supervising to some degree while lounging in Havelar’s favorite seat. Mostly she is playing with her hand crossbow, and one wall holds a chalked human outline and several bolts gone wide of their mark. She sports a new eyepatch but otherwise seems her talkative if eccentric self. You last saw her many days ago at the feast where Garluu the boggard begged you to slay the Green God.
”Hold on, I’ve almost got this!” She calls, then shots a bolt that flies dangerously close to one of her nervous looking Shackles Freebooters. Leaping from the chair she strides forward. ”I assumed bad news when your Sargavan scouts squeaked such a quick return. Fortunately I know just the thing for planning a new assault, a secret technique of the Captains involving sand, a table, and miniature figures to represent all possible attacks. We call these sand tables … the Sand Castle!” She waves dramatically across the container.
”Sculpting what you know of the vault in the sand, you can use tokens to represent your approach and were you will use my personal guard, which I will provide for your disposal and my own tactical expertise. So let us make plans to seize glory! A victory over the last vault awaits.”
(Throgg mills about away from the commotion and thinks: That was close. We might need a better plan, if we're going to make it any further. Flying around is for flies and other food [he eyes Borracho skeptically], but I'm not sure I can beat them without learning.)
Zeki walks in stirring a drink and casting prestidigitation to cool it to a reasonable drinking temperature. He eyes the sand castles and plays a little using mage hand to move pieces he cannot reach.
Zeke walks in, stone-faced and quiet. Every so often he winces and shakes his head, or nods. You should have known better, Zekediah Angraddson Gravelgrout Kazmulke! But Nooo, you don't listen to me, do you?!?!?! I might as well be talking to that man of yours. He at least knows the difference between bravery and stupidity. I suppose you're going to go drown your sorrows in that camelspit they're passing off as ale around here, aren't you?Aren't YOU?
"Wait. I didn't catch that last part. Can you repeat that?"
As the last of the sand is added and smoothed down, Kassata adds some tokens to the sand table and answers Zeke's question.
"See these domino pieces can represent the vault doors, in miniature. They are symbols of the real thing. This model will help you plan your spells and tactics." She scrapes away some sand to suggest the cliff face but it really isn't a very good or representative depiction of the cliff, path and drop into brambles by the final vault.
"Or did you mean my personal guard? They will help you.. starting now! Bring forth the tokens!"
One of the Freebooters brings over a small box that Kassata rummages through and begins tossing things into the sand.
"This golden coin with a crown can represent our small noble, Zeki. And you Zeke can be symbolized by a rock. Your sidekick this knife," which sinks under the sand as she flicks it in blade first. "We will need a marker for your frog but I happen to have the perfect thing for Borracho." She reaches into her coat pocket and takes out a tropical bird with bright red plumage, which also is cast on the sand table.
Some of its feathers are missing and it has been dead for several days.
"Yes, yes, I see now." He nods, then grins as he helps to shape the sand. When the cliffs look somewhat more like cliffs, he tries to stand the rock marker on end, only to have it jump out from between his fingers.
"Yes, well, they're only markers, aren't they?" straightening his shoulders he steps away and lets the others deal with their own.
Some of its feathers are missing and it has been dead for several days.
Borracho picks up the bird, examining it deeply with his magnificent eyes.
"This is a wonderful example of Borracho's life. This bird probably faced too much danger, and flew too high...but like the spirit of Borracho. No doubt, this bird died trying to be much like Borracho," Borracho says, a small honorary tear on his cheek.
"This bird represents those who wish to fly like Borracho because they love him so much but fail because they are not as mighty and brave as Borracho. This token will serve as inspiration for the other tokens to follow...especially the rock."
Borracho smiles and places his token back on the sand.
"Yes, it is clear that the other tokens envy and love the bird as much as all my friends love Borracho."
"OK then. They know we're coming back, so they'll be ready for us. Can anyone protect us from the cold of their spells? No? Well then we'll just have to soak it."
He flies up to see the table more fully and looks at the makeshift map. Using mage hand he moves everyone's token into position for their standard marching order.
He thinks hard for several moments.
"I don't see a clear way through the predicament. There are a few spell changes I'll make to try and gain the upper hand, but in the end it's just a very tough fight that we're going to have to find a way to survive on our own."
"On the first round though, I propose casting Cloudkill into the chamber. That means we all wait a moment while the deadly vapors roll away from us. They'll know we're coming, but it might take a bit of the fight out of them."
Zeki uses prestidigitation to give some sense of how the fog will move using colors. Cloudkill
"Is this the last vault? We've done all the others?" he digs out a map of the city and checks all the known vault locations.
Throgg eyes the tokens suspiciously. This is no battle. More like some children's game. Still... "Well, if we can lure him to the door entrance, we can hold him there. He may be tough, but he's not going to force his way through these." Throgg eyes his thighs (frog legs?) and then looks away, hoping no one noticed. "I mean, he can't force his way through all of us. I fear that if we charge in all at once again, the same is going to happen." Throgg looks down at his shiny new boots. These should help anyway. As he looks up, his eyes pause once more on his thighs and a smile passes upon his lips. Looking good my friends. Looking good.
Kassata eyes Borracho with interest. His reputation is well known at the Sargavan camp. "Yes soaring Borracho, often flying high and low. Many a time did we hide in sandy caves, watching swooping iridescent bats hungrily, while being content with common fish."
As the little magic prestidigitation cloudkill floats into Zeke's well shaped model, the Free Captain is clearly impressed. "Oh, Cloudkill, such a powerful wizard! But what of other spell tactics? Perhaps casting many area spells into that room to stack elemental damage?"
"But what will Zeke plan to do? And your frog Thogg, is he a porter like the other Boggard that showed up this morning?"
Borracho waits, trying to figure out how Borracho should single-handedly slay both the invisible demon-monkeys. When it is clear that others love Borracho too much to let him go it alone, he listens quietly, pretending to stare into space with his hands on his hips rather than offer the obvious...that Borracho should go in alone to slay the beasts.
"You should tell Borracho what how you think Borracho could be most heroic...for that is what Borracho does, act heroically," Borracho says as he removes his left fist from his waist to twirl the left side of his mustache.
"I do not fear their cold spells, for Sinashakti protects those who believe like Borracho believes."
Kassata, are you a dimwit flying cannibal like the the apes I've enjoyed thrashing for the past 3 months? Perhaps not, but you're certainly closer to one than I am to a wretched Boggard...
"Of course, I shall be ready with sword and shield to rid this vault of the infestation, to return the city to its true deserved glory. The nation, our Compte, and you, true companions, require no less."
"I'm most effective mounted, but I don't think this is exactly a jousting field." Although the need for action and the time for me to locate and train a proper mount is not likely available, in any case. Alas, such is the life of a knight in the deepest, darkest Mwangi jungle. If only jungle horses were as common as gorillas...
"As a follower of the Draconic Code of Knighthood, my place is between these infiltrators and my stout companions. Else my armor, sword, shield, and dedicated honor are best what I can contribute."
He looks at Throgg!!! "Of course, when I'm engaging a foe with a companion by my side, it's my honor to aid my allies, usually with shield or insight."
"Ah Throgg, I did not mean to ruffle your feathers or.. get your fur up. I am bad at telling Gippli from Boggards, or remembering Anura in general. Brain damage when I was, a tadpole as you might say." She seems pleased with herself.
The word Anura is an especially ancient and obscure reference to a classification system for all creatures based on their characteristics, that ultimately was abandoned because the appearance of so many things came down to "A wizard did it." Anura was the word for frogs and toads.
Zeke, as you check your map and take inventory of the focusing crystals acquired so far, you are certain this is the last vault to delve.
Kassata returns to you after nodding along and sympathizing with Werner's description and difficulties finding an appropriate mount.
"And of Zeke, I feel we at camp know you the least. Who is Zeke? What special tactics will you bring to assault this last vault? Perhaps you are a dwarven paladin, able to blast undead? Or a great warrior like Boraccho, Werner, and.. Throgg?"
...
Kassata promises to bring four of her Shackles pirates along to shoot Ogre Magi and any other foes. She says she will need two days to prepare them for combat after many easy weeks loafing around the camp.
Zeke shakes loose from whatever inner voice he may have been listening to.
"When the stone speaks, I will listen. Should my friends wish to enter through some unsuspected wall, I will lead them through. And if we can find the granite and diamond dust that I would need, I will make my friend's skin as if born of the toughest granite."
His head tilts to one side and he shakes his head, but falls silent once again.
If we're delaying for the Free Captains, and why not, then Zeki will teleport back to town and gather supplies, both for the camp, and for our personal needs.
The trip is uneventful... or at least the spell casting is.
Zeki will also sell the party items (below) and distribute the cash (there are 5 of us?)
• +2 Dwarven War Axe (8,320gp)
• Hammer head, MW, rotted (Kragach Clan will pay 3,000gp)
• Breastplate, rotted with 9 emeralds inlaid (2,700gp)
Total 14,020gp or 2,804gp each.
Borracho nods as others plan. Borracho, himself, has no need of planning. Perfection and skill at arms carries Borracho through every challenge...and that is the way Borracho likes it.
He will rest and recover his spells...and take his time to see if any of the womens in camp need pleasing. Borracho realizes that he has spread himself too thin with the womens and tries to give himself to as many as he can before his next act of daring. It makes Borracho sad to know that there womens out there who cry themselves to sleep for their want of Borracho.
He, if asked, will decline to join Zeki on his trip to sell the goods, only placing a small order of things he might need.
* * *
In the morning, Borracho stares at the jungle with one hand on his spear, and the other twists his mustache. He is in deep thought, preparing for the fighting to come.
Zeki flies to the side, and just above (5' above the party) over the chasm as they close in.
Before we get too close, he'll cast Heroism on Borracho and Werner (extending both for durations of 240 minutes). He'll also cast a Light spell on Werner's shield, just in case.
At the curve of the chasm (where we are now on the map), he'll cast Bless on the party (12 minute duration - doesn't stack with Heroism). He'll refresh the spell with a pearl of power.
- - -
Once everyone is ready, and just before the party leaps into action, he'll cast Prayer (12 round duration). He'll then fly around the corner and cast Cloudkill (Fort DC 22) through the hopefully open doors. If they are not open, he waits for someone to open them and casts into the entry at the ceiling level.
The Cloudkill will drift down and away at a rate of 10' per round on my initiative.
As they approach the entrance, Throgg mutters, "fly, fly" and clicks his heels. He flits about awkwardly before landing. He rubs dirt between his hands and grasps his falchion tightly.
He starts psyching himself up as the party approaches the entrance to the cave. When they arrive, he plants himself firmly in the entrance and awaits his fate. I may not be able to catch him, but he's not getting by me.
Throgg scans the room...waiting.
Borracho, when approaching the cave and before taking to the skies (for the wind longs for Borracho's caress), will cast Resist Energy (cold), Heroism, and Invisibility Purge. And Magic Circle of Protection Against Evil 10'.
Borracho floats on the air, like an angel, but only more manly and definitely more pretty.
When people are ready and in position, Borracho will blow his mighty horn (cast Horn of Pursuit) to let the invisible jerks know that Borracho has returned.
Zeke offers to use two doses of the granite and diamond dust from Zeki's trip, one for Werner, and one for Borracho.
With his Dorn Dergar in hand, and a spell in mind, he waits with the others.
Borracho tries to politely beg off the Stoneskin.
"Borracho needs no diamonds to be strong. Diamonds would only lessen Borracho's appearance for Borracho's skin already suggestively glistens with sweat."
Zeke stops, the pinch of dust that took him forever to pull together in hand, as Borracho refuses his help. Shrugging, he lets the dust go back into the bag, but a spray of it goes everywhere anyway.
"Werner? What of you?"
"Whenever you're calling forth a blessing with stone or minerals, count me as willing." Even eager.
There was a reason he decided to follow this dwarf. Always trust a companion who can retrieve you from a stone vault sunk deep underwater.
The day before you return Kassata takes four of her best pirate crew out for target practice. While lounging in the shade she directs her freebooters in their training program.
One climbs a small building and then unpacks a bright red cloth that looks like a pirate semaphore flag, which he ties to a rope. While he throws it about like a fisherman casting a line, the others take rapid shots with the hand crossbow. Occasionally some hit.
After a long day napping she returns to announce: "There.. I think we are well prepared to shoot down these flying foes you encountered. It would be a foolish monk indeed that stood up to my Freebooters."
One the following morning she approach Zeki and ask "So, Compte, something tickles the roving mind. You mentioned cloudkill. Any other area blasting spells you plan on casting? I would be keen to avoid them or purchase a potion of resist energy, if I knew the energy to be resisting."
Later you make your way back the the last vault. As before there is the narrow dirt trail along the side of a cliff, with vines dangling from the top 20 feet above and a tangle of thorny brambles 30 feet below. As you begin casting your spells and round the corner, you see the doors remain open as you left them before.
"Kassata, the battlefield will be a complex one. I suggest you and your troops remain behind the front lines and support us with your crossbows. If you were to protect yourself against an element, I'd suggest cold, as it's what the opposition will be using, as well as I should the opportunity present itself."
Zeki begins to look forward to rulership if all his subjects are as helpful as this one. He tries to hide it, but he swells with pride at being called the Compte...
Borracho waits for the smart little man to finish his spellcasting so that he might slay the beasts inside.
He keeps a vigorous lookout for opportunities for vigorous acts of heroism, for that is what Borracho does.
Arrayed outside the open vault doors, the adventurers make an impressive sight. Great weapons, flying heroes, and a small army of supporting characters. As you wait Zeki speaks dreadful words of power and summoner forth Cloudkill. You see the deadly mists appear deep inside the vault, filling a great volume with rolling poison gas. The cloud slowly descends to the floor of the vault, when those near the doors see something odd.
From a small hole in the cliff below the doors the yellow/green vapor of Cloudkill begins to drain from the room into the jungle below. You don't recall seeing vents or a drain before. But out it pours, and for the small crawling creatures nearby it is a gnomish apocalypse. The fog automatically kills the birds, lizards, and large striped rodents with big charismatic eyes, all that lived safely in the brambles.
Before you have even 10 seconds to contemplate what is happening and how things have changed, the ogre magi appear, their invisibility purged by Borracho's spell. Flying in from above above the jungle they focus on Zeki, with Chiyo grabbing for the spellcaster while Makko begins the pummeling. They must have been hovering in wait to respond so quickly.
Zeki, the grapple provokes if you have a weapon out. If successful the grapple pulls you north one square, adjacent to her and you both gain the grappled condition.
Even though he has reach Makko makes a point to get his Ogre Magi body looming over yours. His face is impassive, though if you could read minds you imagine he is thinking flurry of blows.
Round: 3, Initiative: second->last
HP: 44/64
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements, Mage Armor (1 of 12h), Overland Flight (40’)(1 of 11h), Bless (1 of 12m), Prayer (3 of 12r)
Focused Trance (3/3)
Hair (11/11m)
Levitation (1/1)
Flight (11/11m)
Minor Healing:
Major healing:
Wards: Borracho, Werner
Pearl of Power (first 4/5) (second 1/1) (third 1/1)
Cloak of the Hedge Wizard (caster level 1) Endure Elements (0/1) Shield (1/1)
Rod Metamagic Extend (6) (1/3)
Spellguard Bracers (3/3)
Boots of Escape (0/1)
Spells (caster level 12)
Zero (DC 13): Dancing Lights (1/1), Ghost Sound(1/1), Prestidigitation (1/1)
First (DC 14): Comprehend Languages (at will), Speak with Animals (1/1)
Spells (caster level 1)
Zero (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Ghost Sounds, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Resistance, Stabilize
First (DC 14 (4/4)): Command, Cure Light Wounds, Endure Elements
Spells (caster level 11) (Concentration +17 (+2 defensively)) (Spell Resistance Check +13)
Zero (DC 17): Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Spark
First (DC 18): Bless, Identify, Obscuring Mist, Ray of Enfeeblement, Unseen Servant
Second (DC 19): Frost Fall, Frost Fall, Glitterdust, Glitterdust
Third (DC 20): Howling Agony, Prayer
Fourth (DC 21): Blessings of Fervor, Blessings of Fervor, Dimension Door, Ice Storm
Fifth (DC 22): Cloudkill, Hold Monster
Sixth (DC 23): Cone of Cold, Greater Dispel Magic
Zeki does indeed have a dagger out, as always, for what little it's worth. This might be the first time he's ever used it...
(bless, prayer) (prayer)
Zeki takes the punch to the face and smiles.
"Friends! Pile on! Fear not for me, take advantage of his grappled condition! I'll be out of this in a jiffy!"
Zeki holds his action until the last moment (delaying to the end of the round), and then transports himself out of harms way (using his Boots of Escape to dimension door out of the grapple).
Round 3, Initiative -
Init +0; Senses Perception +12
AC 24 (t 9, f 24) {includes -2 for charge, -2 more to non-challenge opponents}
hp 142/142
Equipped: Longsword and Shield
Challenge 3/4 (1 used on Ogre Mage)
Conditions: Bless (1 of 12m), Prayer (3 of 12r), Warded by Zeki
Feats include Blind-Fight, Coordinated Maneuvers, Fast Crawl, Lunge
Aid Allies +4 (Ex) Aid Another grants +4
Power Attack -4/+8 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Saving Shield As an immediate action, add a 2 shield bonus to an adjacent ally's AC.
"Get your hands off of the Compte, you honorless scoundrel! Pick on someone your own size! Like me!" At least the cavalier's ego is as big as an ogre….
Werner charges the challenged Ogre holding Zeki.
Zeke thrusts out his hand and clenches his fist, then jerks it towards the ground, *hard*. "Down! The air is no place for your foul presence."
20: Chiyro appears and grapples Zeki, provoking. Zeki stabs but misses (grapple condition not yet in effect)
19: Zeke comes in (yes?) but misses the TK CMD target even with challenge & grapple. Monks!
18: Werner opens inventory screen, reshuffles weapons.
? Borracho, Throgg
4: Kassata drinks her elixir of tumbling boldly like a pirate captain
3: Freebooters drink moderately their potion of shield of faith +2like pirate out of their depth
?last: Zeki
There is a rush of air as Zeke's telekinetic force attempts to swat down the monk, though she evades the blow even while grappling the surprisingly optimistic Zeki. Werner casts down his shield and booms out a challenge while drawing a bow. Meanwhile the pirate crew draws forth and drinks potions at the command of their captain. "Ready your defenses now! The spells fly and flop like blind fish on the hot plate!"
Round 3, Init ?
Borracho looks down at the Ogre Magi who bypassed the opportunity to meet Borracho in deadly combat (the only kind that Borracho knows!) and instead go after Borracho's dear friends (who love Borracho with all their hearts).
This makes Borracho angry and he takes this time to show his displeasure. He activates bane and begins work on the Ogre grappling Zeki (to make use of the penalty to AC). He will 5' flap after finishing his attack.
to hit; (heroism, bane)
damage; (power attack, bane)
to hit; (heroism, bane)
damage. (power attack, bane)
AC 28, touch 16, flat-footed 23 (+9 armor, +2 Dex, +1 natural, +3 deflection, +1 dodge, +2 MCPFE10')
hp 97 (12d8+34)
Spells:
Magic Circle Protection From Evil 10' (110 minutes)
Resist Cold (20) (110 minutes)
Invisibility Purge (11 minutes)
* * *
Griselda will unsling her bow and take one shot at the goon holding Zeki.
to hit;
damage.
Throgg flies into a rage and charges the ogre, ignoring the cloud kill.
the +5 only if ogre has spells, SNA, or SLA
F(+18), W(+9), R(+11); +5 morale bonus to saves against spells/ SNAs / and SLAs
Throgg takes to the air! Using previously mentioned flying, he moves like a battle toad and charges Chiyo, hitting for massive damage. .
Afterwards, at the end of the round Zeki finally acts, appearing south of the fighting via means of boots of escape!
Being brought so low by the initial attack, Chiyo says to Makka "Loyalty to the Maka Yaki is not worth this death." Makka nods and they move to escape.
The Maka Yaki were known to be a massive bandit group, named after a crimson piranha like fish. They burned a path of destruction across the southwestern Mwangi expanse after a legendary monster known as the Kaava Bush Devil appeared and took control of their group. Only open battle with the combined troops from the cities drove them away, and no one heard from them since.
The two Ogre Magi withdraw from the fight, flying backwards from your weapons then up out of sight over the twenty foot high cliffs.
Borracho gives them some chase, but eventually lets them go after giving them a good talking to.
Borracho will rejoin the party and prepare to enter the final(?) cave.
"Borracho will follow Throgg, flying as the funny little green man walks along. Borracho is sure that Throgg wishes to please Borracho the way women wish to please Borracho."
Borracho twists a manly mustache while he waits for others to follow him into the cave. When they are ready, he moves in with them.
HP: 64/64
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements, Mage Armor (1 of 12h), Overland Flight (40’)(1 of 11h), Bless (1 of 12m)
Focused Trance (3/3)
Hair (11/11m)
Levitation (1/1)
Flight (11/11m)
Minor Healing:
Major healing: Zeki
Wards: Borracho, Werner
Pearl of Power (first 4/5) (second 1/1) (third 1/1)
Cloak of the Hedge Wizard (caster level 1) Endure Elements (0/1) Shield (1/1)
Rod Metamagic Extend (6) (1/3)
Spellguard Bracers (3/3)
Boots of Escape (0/1)
Spells (caster level 12)
Zero (DC 13): Dancing Lights (1/1), Ghost Sound(1/1), Prestidigitation (1/1)
First (DC 14): Comprehend Languages (at will), Speak with Animals (1/1)
Spells (caster level 1)
Zero (DC 13): Create Water, Detect Magic, Ghost Sounds, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Resistance, Stabilize
First (DC 14 (4/4)): Command, Cure Light Wounds, Endure Elements
Spells (caster level 11) (Concentration +17 (+2 defensively)) (Spell Resistance Check +13)
Zero (DC 17): Light, Mending, Ray of Frost, Spark
First (DC 18): Bless, Identify, Obscuring Mist, Ray of Enfeeblement, Unseen Servant
Second (DC 19): Frost Fall, Frost Fall, Glitterdust, Glitterdust
Third (DC 20): Howling Agony, Prayer
Fourth (DC 21): Blessings of Fervor, Blessings of Fervor, Dimension Door, Ice Storm
Fifth (DC 22): Hold Monster
Sixth (DC 23): Cone of Cold, Greater Dispel Magic
Well, OK then.
Zeki watches the Ogre Magi fly away and wonders if they'll be back.
While Borracho chases them, Zeki heals himself of his injuries.
Fully refreshed, he prepares to enter the cave, peering inside.
Init +0; Senses Perception +12
AC 26 (t 11, f 26) {-2 this round for charge, -2 more to non-challenge opponents}
hp 142/142
Equipped: Longsword and Shield
Challenge: 3/4 (1 used on Ogre Mage)
[b]Conditions: Bless (1 of 12m), Prayer (3 of 12r), Warded by Zeki
Feats include Blind-Fight, Coordinated Maneuvers, Fast Crawl, Lunge
Aid Allies +4 (Ex) Aid Another grants +4
Banner +3/+2 (Ex) Allies who can see your banner gain +3 save vs. fear & +2 to hit while charging.
Coordinated Maneuvers +2 to CMB if adj ally with same feat. More to escape a grapple.
Dragon's Demanding Challenge +12 (4/day) (Ex) +12 to damage target, -2 AC vs. others when used, allies gain +4 to hit the target of your challenge.
Greater (Coordinated Maneuvers or Pack Attack, 9 rds, 3/day) (Ex) Grant the use of your teamwork feats to all allies in 30 ft.
Power Attack -4/+8 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Saving Shield As an immediate action, add a 2 shield bonus to an adjacent ally's AC.
Just as he gets his arrow knocked, he sees the savages flee.
"That's right! Flee before I can strike."
They quake at the sight of my bow!
Switching his arms to sword and shield, Werner will approach the entrance, ready to back up the Compte.
"More dangers to face?"
Or did the billow-ous, killing cloud clear the entrance?
Mumbling quietly to himself, Zeke approaches the entrance on foot. "Can't say that I trust the way those two took off. Not after last time."
Throgg approaches the cave quietly and peers into the darkness.
Hopefully, they'll be back. I still owe those two a thrashing.
As soon as the monks can, they pause their flight to hide with invisibility. Heavily thrashed in their first round of fighting by a flying frog and man with a long spear, they do not reappear.
As the cloudkill drains from the room into the jungle, Kassata grows increasingly restless. "My pirates trained in fighting out in the opening, and not cave fighting with death magic. We will go back and defend our fort from those ogres if they dare show up again. We'll shoot them right out of the sky!"
"Those cowards deserve to die," she adds, while commanding her troops to start back. Her Freebooters, who are in a highly anxious state , look somewhat relieved.
Inside the first room you find the no signs of your previous fight. It has been returned to the fastidiously clean state it was before, with Zeke's impromptu stone shaping missing. A new stone door blocks the tunnel west. It does not have a handle and works more like a plug than a door, with exposed edges that could be gripped by someone large and strong.
The area out was smoothed out with stone shape, and vents were added to the ceiling and floor to allow air circulation. These changes allowed the cloudkill to empty into the jungle. The stone plug is also a new creation via stone shape.
"Look here, two things. One - they plugged the tunnel to the west tightly using a stone shape of their own. We'll need another stone shape I think to remove it. Might turn open like a corkscrew, but it's hard to say for sure and even if it would work, we may not be strong enough to do it without hurting ourselves."
"Two - and this is more unsettling - they've created vents. See? Here and here. Almost like they knew I was going to cast cloudkill. That means they either have a spy in our midst, or they were lurking invisibly while we made our plans."
"I'm not sure which one is more likely, they each have their attraction and drawbacks. Still, we should check for magic and search for invisible watchers next time we have another planning meeting. If we're again caught out, then it's a spy and that will be harder to pin down I think."
Borracho looks over his shoulder while Zeki examines the door.
"Borracho expects that the enemies that fled from Borracho will come again. They are much like the women who lie with Borracho: they long for Borracho's touch again," Borracho muses while hovering. "But do not worry, friends. Should they return, Borracho''s magic will reveal them and Borracho shall deal with them again."
"Borracho was about to say the same thing about the door. You are smart, Zeki, much like Borracho. Perhaps the solution to opening the door lies with Borracho's other friends, who also love Borracho with all their hearts."
Borracho looks at Zeke and Werner, expecting one of them to have the answer as he most certainly does not.
How will you deal with the stone door plugging the passage west? Will anyone manipulate it or will you use magic?
