The pebble reveals the pool to be about waist deep, slime coats the bottom and promises to make finding purchase difficult. No encounters right here but traversing the waters to go deeper into the cavern reveals that the floor beneath the waters is extremely slick, requiring DC 15 Acrobatics checks to remain standing. Future reference for if you have an encounter deeper in the cavern. Crossing the waters and delving further forces you to cross the waters a second time. The main tunnel continues deeper, the pool occupying the left side, shortly coming to another side tunnel on your right. Main tunnel ahead, side tunnel to the right.
Doubling back and taking the main path deeper into the cavern quickly leads to an underground pool that proceeds deeper into the earth. Beyond the pool, at the edge of the light, you can see more solid ground. While the pool does not appear very deep at first glance it is difficult to tell in the confines and darkness of the cave without further probing.
Seems like side passage it is. Bearing right into the side passage the ceiling grows lower and the tunnel narrows, barely five feet high and wide. The passage begins to bare left, you would guess running parallel to the main tunnel. After a few moments of squeezing a small cavern opens up perpendicular to the tunnel. The ceiling here is not much higher the the previous tunnel but it is much wider, perhaps 15 feet, and appears to be 30 feet long at most. At the far end, by the entrance to another small tunnel, sits a hairy form with two many legs and compound eyes hunched over the husk of a large lizard. The giant spider notices as you enter but has yet to move, guarding the remains of its prey.
After a few minutes work, your combined efforts clear away the nettle vines. The cave extends away into darkness, your light reaches to a slight curve to the left before being insufficient. A small passageway branches off to the right, barely wide enough for a human to move comfortably. The main passage is wider, allowing perhaps two to walk side by side, if tightly. The ceiling is low, no more than 7 feet high at its highest. Dripping water can be heard and small puddles and rivulets cover the floor of the cavern.
Sorry, surprise OT working security the last few days. It is not long before Daichi's earth spirit finds a likely cave. The cave is hidden behind a curtain of nettle vines growing up the 50 foot cliff face. Sitting neatly at the base of the cliff, the normal sounds of the swamp are almost absent from the area and the plant growth is oddly twisted. The air seems to be thicker and the shadows heavier here, as if night were attempting to fall early.
The journey upriver is uneventful, the current is rather weak this close to Sog's Bay and no more of the skeletons appear. Occasionally you sight a monitor lizard or hear a sudden splash from some animal leaping into the water. Drawing nearer your destination a light fog begins to coalesce amongst the trees, the air draws stiller and the ever present sounds of the swamp begin to dwindle into silence. Eventually, Runt guides you close to your destination, putting in at the shore. Southward you can see the rising cliff that sets the southernmost boundary of the Brinestump Marsh. "Bony men be around here somewhere, lots a caves near here, in cliff, must be in one." Runt is noticeably worried.
At Daichi's urging, Runt hopped out of the boat and began searching the shattered bones of the undead. After a few moments he came away with a handful of moss and detritus, looking over them with a discerning gaze. "Only one area in swamp this grow, south, up river. We look for place where no bird sing." With that he scampered back into the boat, "Even tighter fit now, new humie."
1 final left, go me. With a flurry of blows, the skeletons are reduced to dust and shards. An eerie silence falls on the swamp, you realize when the skeletons attacked the sounds from animals ceased. Runt peeks over the edge of the boat, his eyes filled with fear. "Bony men gone?" Damien: You remember wandering through the swamp following a heavy thunderstorm with green lightning arcing through. You had lost your brother and the others somewhere near a goblin village. You found a semi-dry space beneath an overturned log and weathered the night. Come morning, when the rains ceased you left the makeshift shelter and tried to find your way from the swamp. You had seen a landmark, an overgrown structure of some kind, and began working your way there before the brief sounds of battle and people screaming emerged from somewhere near it.
As the skeletons closed weapons flashed. Senga, Daichi, and Jayna managed to overcome their foes, bringing them low. Derric found purchase with his blade, but the skeleton pressed on. Attack v Leo: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage v Rishana: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Rusted blades struck out against Leodegrance, Rishana, and Derric. While Derric and Leo turned aside the blades of their foes, Rishana was not so fortunate and felt fire as the blade pierced he side. Party's up, Bless is up.
From the small boat came frantic yelling. Standing up and almost tipping the vessel Runt yelled in near incomprehensible goblin, his arms waving frantically and pointed around the ruined ship. From beneath the still waters arose a half dozen humanoid skeletons, eyes burning with unholy light and hands clutching rusted blades. Init Rolls:
Skeletons: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 251d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 111d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 151d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 Jayna: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Derric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Rishana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Leodegrance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Daichi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Kiko: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Skeleton Average=15.6, Party Average=13.8 Surging forward from the waters, the skeletons advanced into reach with their blades. Skeleton for everyone except Runt (who's not going to let them get close) and Kiko. Skelies had to double move to get in contact.
Runt guides you to Sog's Bay before circling to another small inlet of the Soggy River slightly more to the west. As the trees of the swamp slide by you see a strange tangle of branches begin to take shape before you, after a few moments you recognize the mass is actually the ribs of a wrecked and decayed ship. The ship lies on its side, split down the middle and half sunken into the mud and murky water. "Bony men came from wreck like this. Other one gone, fire. This only other big boat Runt know about, track from here." Perception checks to get out of the boat and search.
Sorry for delay on my end. Term papers coming due so I'm fixated on school and I'm still getting a handle on how hands off I need to be with this group. There's an optional encounter with the "bony men" coming up, if you want to do it Runt can lead you straight there or around to the finishing point for the swamp. I'll hold a vote, yes or no on encounter, first to majority wins with a tie breaker from me.
Leodegrance struggles with the tide of rats, his blade failing to thin the horde. Rishana grants him a moments respite as she drags him out of the myriad vermin. Derric has more luck in his battle with the rippling carpet of rodents, his blade cutting swaths of them away. The swarm responds to his and Rishana's efforts, flowing over the samurai and hunter. The last of the dire rats finds itself pressed hard and frost, claw, and spear end the creature. Runt sheathes his dagger and readies a flask in his hand, eyeing the hut intently. Swarm Damage on Derric: 1d6 ⇒ 2
The hut groans uncomfortably as the battle within continues. Swarm is all that's left, party's up. Derric and Rishana covered in rats. Rats between Leo and the front door Derric: The disease the rats spread takes a few days to do damage, you'll have time to get a Heal check in. DM Stuff: Sw HP 7/16
Daichi's blast crashes next to the rat attacking Kiko, had the rat been only a little larger it would have been a telling blow. Jayna is pressed by the vermin attacking her but unleashes a wave of frost, the rat shakes fur coated with ice crystals and advances. Senga's fury rips into the rodent but it somehow remains standing. Vines emerge from the earth to trap the Rat facing Jayna, courtesy of Rishana. Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 The vicious little creature is undeterred however. Rishana: Entangle has a 40ft radius and would easily hit everything on board. I'm going to restrict the AoE this time as if I didn't it would be far worse for the party. Leodegrance and Derric hack valiantly at the swarming rats, killing dozens, but still the tide presses on, enveloping them both. Kiko's spear pierces the eye of her opponent, it gives a struggled squeak before collapsing. Leo Fort from last round: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Senga AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
The rat facing Senga attempts to flee back into its warren but the cat is quicker and her paw neatly ends the threat of the rat. The frost covered rat advances once more on Jayna, yellowed teeth searching for purchase. Attack on Jayna: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
The furry beast gets a hold of Jayna's leg, teeth grazing and drawing blood. Runt leaps in, slashing at the rat with his dagger. Attack w/flank: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 But his blade is deftly dodged by the wily rat. Party's up. Leo and Derric are covered in rats. Jayna and Runt are engaged and flanking the last of the Dire Rats. Only Derric and Leo are inside. GM Stuff: Sw HP 9/16
RatA down RatB down RatC 4/5 Derric has Filth Fever, onset in 1d3 days
Rishana's strike with her fiery brand sears a few screaming rats. She and Derric turn and scramble to escape while Leo holds his ground. Derric sees the light outside the cabin and hears the beginnings of a battle. He bursts out to see three massive rats charging his friends. Jayna's blast of cold coats one rat with a layer of frost as it bears down on her. It leaps, jaws wide... attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 And Jayna twists out of its way. A second ducks a wave of earth loosed by Daichi as it scurries after Kiko. He spear held high, she stabs at the vermin. AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Slicing the tip of its tail away as it's teeth gnash at her. Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 It fails to find flesh however. The third rate makes for Senga, perhaps hoping for an opponent it's own size. attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Also missing. Inside the cabin Leodegrance sees the swarm of rats, hundreds of them, crawling over each other to get at him and his allies. They clamber over him and arm soon within the soft joints of his armor, nipping and biting at him. Swarm attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 Tearing chunks of flesh away, burning pain spearing through the brave knight. Need a Fort save Leo Derric double moved so he makes it out, Rishana's attack slowed her down. Runt rushes the rat attacking Kiko and launches a flurry of stabs... attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
The blade sinks deep into the rat's side, opening a wicked wound as Runt steps back to square away with his foe. GM Stuff:
Sw HP 15/16
RatA 0/5 Party's up. Leo is covered in rats, Rishana is a move action away from getting outside or can turn and help Leo. Derric is right outside the door. Kiko and Runt face off against a wounded rat, Jayna and Senga each have a dance partner. Everyone else is unengaged.
Initiative rolls:
Big ole rats: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 181d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 71d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 191d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Swarm Summoner: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Jayna: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 Derric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Rishana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Leodegrance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Daichi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Kiko: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Runt: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Bad guys ave 15, Party Ave 15.16, Runt 9 Rishana, zeroing in on the noise behind the wall and realizing the numbers she may face, quickly pulled out and lit a torch. As she stood and lifted the brand the wall seemed to ripple like water before warping and splitting as a tide of black rats poured forth. Leo heard the scurrying mass inside the next room as they burst the wood of the wall. Outside, the tool shed disgorged four rats the size of small dogs. Daichi's blast of earth took one in the head, ending it's threat before it could strike. The remaining three moved to take on Jayna, Daichi, Kiko, Senga, and little Runt. Parties up, three rats remain outside and there's a swarm inside.
As you search the room you can clearly see the exact nature of the skeleton's deformities. The skull seems half melted and weirdly elongated in the face, one arm ends in something resembling a bird's talon, and the ribs have grown long spurs of bone that protrude out from and into the rib cage. You also hear something skittering within the walls. Those outside hear a odd combination of squeaks and growls coming from the nearby shed. Runt looks progressively more uncomfortable, pulling a long dagger from his boot.
Rishana:
There are a number of animal tracks here, they look like overlarge rat tracks. Additionally there are tracks that resemble human or demi-human hands. DC14 to force doors. Yep, they're all stuck. Assuming Derric is calling second from the left. The door stays solid for a moment before giving way before the kitsune's shoulder. Inside you find what was once an alchemical laboratory, the equipment now fallen into decay. Ancient chemical spills create weird stains and colorful crystalline growths amid the partially collapsed workbenches. A skeleton, still dressed in tattered clothes also lies in the decay. The skeleton seems disfigured but from this distance it is hard to tell how.
"about to fall down" Leo says tempting fate... Through the arch lays the living room. Within more fungus and mold grows on the sagging benches, broken table, and narrow cupboards here. An old brick stove sits against the west wall. Two doors lay to your right and one to your left. Need to know if anyone is staying outside Edit: Perception rolls for people inside as well
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