I'm surprised anybody has bothered studying them, considering their diet and environment. I agree with Lia's plan. Don't get too close, Salm, lets try to get it's attention without startling it.
In a whisper, Salm replies, "If I recall correctly, they are intelligent, though they have a different perspective than we would. And if it's all the same to you, I would rather not have it's attention at all."
No post this evening. I must get up very early to get in line to sign my three year old up for ballet. I'll get a post out once I get back. Then we shall see the effects of flying chicken carcass!
As the others get into position and start to move slowly on the side away from the otyugh, Lia moves closer attempting to catch its 'eye'. As she inches down the stairs it suddenly turns towards her, tentacles flicking about menacingly. It is then that Lia flings the chicken carcass over onto the far corner of the room. With lightning speed one of the razor barbed tentacles lashes out impaling the carcass as soon as it hits the ledge.
With the creature intent on its next meal, the rest of the group swiftly moves towards the exit. They reach the archway as the creature pulls the carcass into it's maw and hear the sounds of bones crunching. The creature seems to notice them but does not make any menacing motions, seemingly content with its new-found morsel.
Lia joins the others shortly and the group is able to press onward. The momentary rush of adrenalin of having encountered the otyugh gives way once again to the uncertainty of their location and where the Hellknights might be. Moving swiftly along the corridor, the group finally reaches a junction. A side tunnel branches off and once again the group peers at a smudged area that looks like it might be the symbol. Finally take a chance the group take the new side tunnel and hurries along.
Moving another 300 feet, the group turns a corner to find itself face to face with a trio of goblins racing towards them from a small room. All carry the trademark dogslicer daggers and seem intent on using them.
ACTIONS?
Initiative Order
Tobias
Thosys
Lia
Hadrian
Zumii
Goblins
Salm
Lia smiles excitedly at the others as we leave the otyugh behind us, "Whew, that was exciting wasn't it. Never met anything like that before. Seemed harmless enough. Makes me wonder though if we took a wrong t.... Watch out! Those little guys have knives!" With a look of surprise she blurts out her warning.
Going to wait to see what Tobias and Thosys do before I post her action.
If I get to facing them I do my best to duck and weave while giving a good left and right hook.
combat:
Assuming they're left when it gets to me I rolled 16 for my first flurry of blows and 9 for the second. That makes an 18 and an 11 for 4 and 7 points of damage respectively.
Tobias grumbles something under his breath about how adventuring always seems to end in death...With a quick passing of two outstretched fingers, Tobias attempts to put the nearest goblin asleep for a round. The hex complete, Tobias then reaches underneath his cloak and wields his sap.
Sleep hex, DC 15, asleep for one round.
Here's a link to a nicer looking map indicating character position. Once everyone has posted an action I'll move on with results. Thanks to Zumii for her Map-fu skills. ;)
Seeing she is trapped between everyone behind her and the menacing knife wielding goblins in front, Lia swiftly decides she is going to need to defend herself quickly and give her companions some room to move up to help. Taking a step forward she feints a grab for her rapier with her right hand only to lash out with something in her left.
Bluff for feint: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 To hit with sap: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7That's a miss even with a flat-footed goblin.
Deadshot:
Spoiler:
Using combat expertise to make her AC an 18 for this round.
I assume I am between Zumii and Salm, because I don't see Thosys on the map Thosys readies his crossbow to attack. If one of the goblins takes a hit or two and looks like it is about to go down, Thosys will finish it with Magic Missile.
Sorry for the lack of posts. I am going to try to get one out this evening. Parent Teacher interviews are tomorrow and I have a back log of marking to finish. Everything will be back on track by Wednesday.
Sorry Thosys. Yes you are in between Zumii and Salm. A quick post to move things along.
Hearing Lia's warning, Tobias prepares his sleep hex hoping it will not be needed. Behind him Thosys readies is crossbow and brings the incantation for his magic missile spell to the forefront of his mind should the opportunity present itself.
Meanwhile, in the front of the party, the battle begins with the goblins. Lia makes a quick feint to the left which the lead goblin completely falls for but a wayward piece of excrement causes Lia to lose just enough balance to have her attack slice over the goblin's head.
Squeezing by, Hadrian has better luck. His fists move with practiced percision, smashing into the face and centre body mass of the creature causing it to collapse in a bloody heap.
The next goblin barely acknowledges it's fallen comrade as it steps forward, ignoring Zumii as she casts her Resistance spell on Lia. Instead the creature looks to challenge Hadrian. With its wicked looking dog slicer, it slashes at Hadrian's abdomen but he is not fast enough and Hadrian deftly sidesteps the awkward attack. The next goblin moves towards Lia but his attack is very clumsy and he almost breaks his dagger off on the wall.
Salm takes measure of the two goblins and sees the one attacking Lia leaving its back exposed during its attack. Deftly aiming his crossbow, he fires the bolt cleanly through the neck of the vile creature.
Seeing its compatriots felled, the last goblin snarls and prepares for its final stand.
ACTIONS?
I don't have the map with me but other than placing Thosys between Salm and Zumii's former position and Zumii's move everyone is in the same place.
After a moment of shock as the crossbow bolt takes the goblin confronting in the neck, she quickly recovers and does a leap and tumble over the remaining goblin coming up behind it she strikes with her sap.
To hit with flank: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21Ooooo...possible crit. Two twenties already, perhaps the dice roller is feeling guilty about my other PBP's Crit confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8Awww...
Map - I think this is roughly the positioning
Zumii will wait to see what happens with everyone else's actions before casting or taking any further action.
Tobias continues to weave a mystical pattern in the air, attempting to aim it at a goblin.
If I can move down without squeezing to where I can see a goblin, I'll move down and Sleep it (DC 15, 1 round), if not, well, same ol' readying Sleep hex)
With one goblin left raring for a fight, it is rather anti-climatic when Tobias moves to the corner of the tunnel and weaves his spell. Upon completion the goblin starts to shake its head trying to shake off the cobwebs. Finally, it loses the battle and falls face first into the slug-filled water.
Over the sounds of a snoring goblin, shouts and the clanking of metal can be heard in the distance, echoing off the tunnel walls. To the north, the makeshift door to the gobin lair stands open...
Yes, lets see if we can find anything of value in their den. Thosys says casually after stepping over the goblin bodies. Got really busy yesterday, didn't have much chance to check the boards.
I lazily walk forward to the goblin's door, trying not to step into bodily fluids on the way and unless someone is there ahead of me push open the door with one hand while standing to the side.
Tobias places a hand on Salm's shoulder, We're in their home, Salm; Perhaps mercy is in order? I'd rather you knock it aside the head, rather across the neck...but I am not known for my adventures, so if you believe it better to slay this miserable creature instead, then I will defer to your tactic.
"I agree, the den may have valuable supplies that may be of use to us". Zumii looks at the dead goblins on the floor & then to the goblin sleeping soundly. "If we can search the den & get out before this little fella wakes up, we should be fine. If not I doubt he will be any less pugnacious than before!"
Zumii starts to move forward towards the den's entrance.
The adrenaline starting to wear off Lia stares, almost against her will, down at the crossbow bolt stuck in the dead goblin's neck, "Don't kill it Salm. It was only defending itself." Relieved to have something distract her attention she quickly enters the goblin den, "I'm good at finding things."
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 =O I must have goblin blood in my eyes Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 In case there is anything of notable value.
While searching she says to Zumii without looking her way, "What was it you did back there? I felt....like a warmth....for where you touched my shoulder."
Zumii watches Lia pottering about & searching the den. She gives Lia room to keep searching & replies to her question. "A simple spell to protect you from harm, we don't want Pharasma to be judging you so soon do we" . Zumii gives a gentle chuckle & smile to Lia, hoping that she gets her sense of humour.
Zumii turns towards Salm. "Lia's having a good poke around in here, I'm not sure if she has come by anything of use as of yet. Does someone want to keep lookout at the entrance?
Zumii watches Lia pottering about & searching the den. She gives Lia room to keep searching & replies to her question. "A simple spell to protect you from harm, we don't want Pharasma to be judging you so soon do we" . Zumii gives a gentle chuckle & smile to Lia, hoping that she gets her sense of humour.
"No....no, I suppose not....thank you. Do you sense it....I mean can you tell when someone is about to, you know....die?" her guarded look says she is not sure whether she really wants the answer to this.
Zumii ponders the question deeply. "Some say that they can, they say it's like a sixth sense .. I however have yet to experience such a feeling. I'm not sure how much truth there is in it to be honest, but I do know that should someone need healing or protecting I will do my best for them. Should that not be enough, then their fate rests in the hands of Pharasma."
Zumii ponders the question deeply. "Some say that they can, they say it's like a sixth sense .. I however have yet to experience such a feeling. I'm not sure how much truth there is in it to be honest, but I do know that should someone need healing or protecting I will do my best for them. Should that not be enough, then their fate rests in the hands of Pharasma."
You are a rare breed, then, Zumii. The clerics here in Westcrown seem to guard their healing. Those that are powerful are concierge clerics to the rich and powerful, and those healers that the commoner can afford can hardly offer more than mundane healing for those not of their clergy. I applaud your indiscriminate healing efforts, though; you offer an empathetic heart, for a cleric of Pharasma."
I cannot take the compliment that you offer. Like others, I too profit from other peoples need for healing & therefore there misfortunes. Back home, I have a partnership with an alchemist. We sell various potions & services, however we both avoid the political sway of life .. at least where possible. Should we come by someone in immediate need of our aid we would not hesitate to help .. "
Zumii lets her sentence trail off, not wanting to bore her party, but with one last thought she adds "Although life has taught me that there are always exceptions to the rules". At this Zumii smiles, as if recalling a fond memory.
While Salm keeps watch the rest of the party checks out the room. Dirty straw makeshift beds line the walls of the room indicating that 3 more goblins occupy this room at some point. Refuse fills on corner of the room which hides a small leather pouch filled with silver (25gp). Nothing else of value is found in the room.
Deciding to press on, the party heads back out into the tunnel and continues away from the goblin lair. Several twists and turns later, the group exits into a junction area with several broken doors lying across the sewer trenches allowing access to the other side of the room and the tunnels beyond. On the other side of the makeshift bridge stand 4 figures hunched over the bodies of 3 Hellknights. The creatures are eating parts of the fallen knights when the group enters the room. Seeing fresh meat, they move to attack, surprisingly fast.
On the other side of the makeshift bridge stand 4 figures hunched over the bodies of 3 Hellknights. The creatures are eating parts of the fallen knights when the group enters the room. Seeing fresh meat, they move to attack, surprisingly fast.
ACTIONS?
What is the distance involved and how much time is available? I don't know if we're all in the room but I'll try to move in front of any spell casters if necessary and meet the charge of the first one. My initial thought is to be on the defensive as I'd rather not be bitten by something with a taste for human flesh but if it comes fast enough to get a good shot at it (attack of opportunity) I'll take it.
If I can make a clean shot at one, without firing into melee, I will take it. If they are just coming to fast I'll drop the crossbow, and try to get into a defensive position with my staff. (I say try, hopefully I can pull it off)
Lia's hand flies up to cover her mouth as she gasps involuntarily, "Their....eating them. What kind of people would eat other people." Suddenly realizing her danger she backs up, also surprisingly fast, to avoid their oncoming rush.
Tobias, unsure of what he is facing, weaves his fingers through the air, mumbling an ancient chant-word, placing a Hex of Slumber on the closest enemy. With the hex placed, Tobias wields his crossbow.
Keeping in mind Tobias is not a tried and true adventurer yet, knows nothing of undead beyond their existence, I'd imagine he's got to learn the hard way about immunities, unless someone knows enough about undead to share the knowledge with him before his turn comes up, in which case he will just wield his crossbow and load it with a bold
Zumii might be able to aid with some information, depending on what type of undead creature they are. Although with us being rushed by them she might have to fill you in on the info after =P.
I'll wait to see the map, buts its likely ill cast channel positive energy
HERE is a rough map. My scanner has decided to quit on me so I did this in Excel then paint. Creatures are the brown stars. Feel free to repost actions based on position and initiative order.
As the creatures turn their attention to the party, Zumii can taste defiled earth and knows, as does Salm, that the creatures they are facing are zombies...
Initiative Order:
Hadrian
Lia
Zumii
Zombies
Tobias
Salm
Thosys
This is the first time I've ever actually used this spell...
Salm moves forward and casts Disrupt Undead
Attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 RTouch; Damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 PBShot included (due to the range of the spell, it will apply if I can hit at all.)
Hadrian steps forward not knowing about zombies per se but he's heard of the unquiet dead that eat corpses of their fellow man. Choking back a little bile in his throat he hopes he isn't being a fool confronting them. And hoping that smell is just the sewers. Buy gloves. He definitely is going to buy gloves if, no when, he gets out of this. These things do not look sanitary to be hitting with his bare fists.
combat:
It's time for a zombie fist sandwich. Not that I'm encouraging them to bite on it.
Roll 1) Attack 12 Damage 7
Roll 2) Attack 10 Damage 8
bah, mediocre attack roles, probably due to Hadrian's discomfort at confronting the undead
The disgust plain on her face Lia seems unsure what to do about creatures willing to eat the flesk of kin until Zumii's exclamation snaps her out of it, "Zombies? You mean they are dead?" Lia pulls out her heavily water warped bow and takes a shot while trying to stay out of reach.
To hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23Ha, getting all these good rolls on things that don't matter. Don't think I can hurt them with my bow but Lia doesn't know that. Goooo Zumii and Salm! Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Hmmm, how does one know how well you are doing against a creature like this?Thosys ponders for a second while casting Magic Missile at the zombie Salm attacked.