"I have some fine rope here...but am not much of a climber". "I'm better at killing".
Yeah, no rope here and not much of a climber. Kwin looks over the edge, without getting too close...
"I'm certainly not going to kill a mother with young ones to raise! especially since the male could come back ... We could go back where the bats were and let Kaduk check ahead if there is an exit since being in darkness should not hinder him "
Maybe we can feed the cat till it goes away? I'm all for trying doors that don't stink that much.
OK, roll for initiative. Battle map coming up.
Initiative
Initiative
The next thing you know is that a huge male lion runs up to Valynie and bites her for 12 points of damage.
You are up.
Trying a telekinetic fist on it...
To hit
Damage
Selina steps up and takes a swing at the lion, but misses.
Speaking of lions..
Initiative:
Attack:
Damage:
Yurggen quaffs his mutagen, and wades into the combat (Charge if possible)
Mutagen Effects.
+4 to STR, -2 to INT, +2 Natural Armor for 10 minutes
Warhammer Attack (+2 if charge allowed)
Warhammer Damage
Kaduk opens a sizeable gash in the lion's flank. The lion turns on him, picks him up in its jaws, shakes him and drops him, inflicting 11 points of damage.
You are up.
Selina takes another swing and curses her futility.
Yurggen swings his mighty Warhammer again, thinking it's maybe time to retreat.
Warhammer attack
Warhammer damage 11 (Using 2 HP's, I haven't used any yet?
Kwin will step to G18 and cast Color Spray at the lion. I think I can do so without hitting any of the other characters from there.
Kwin's dazzling burst of color stuns the lion, granting you a brief reprieve.
You are up again.
Seeing the Lion momentarily stunned, Yurggen shouts, "Come on! Let's get the Hay out of here"!
while the Lion is distracted / stunned, Yurggen casts Cure Light wounds on Dakuk, then Valyne.
CLW
CLW
The lion is only stunned for 1 round, but that means that Kaduk can act this round
Getting up on his feet, Kaduk assesses the situation before applying full defence.
Can't leave the cleric down like that..
Selina tries to strike at the stunned creature, but apparently, her goddess has abandoned her.
Selina tries to strike at the stunned creature, but apparently, her goddess has abandoned her.
1d20+5
Lady Selina, I am going to cast a spell that will help you against this...
Kwin will use his bonded object spell call to cast Enlarge Person on Selina.
Startled at Selina's sudden growth, the lion runs off, not wanting to tangle with anything its own size.
My friends, and I do think I can call you all friends now, I have used all of the arcane tricks at my disposal at this point. I think we should retreat, just temporarily, back to town to recover. If the rest of you want to push forward I won't leave you, but I think we should go for now.
If no one voices opposition, Kwin will add Kaduk, will you to the honors of leading us out? Yurggen, can you Valynie to her feet, or bring her with us?
In her enlarged state, Selina picks up Valynie and her gear and carries her out for as long as the spell lasts.
I guess now we use Yurggen's second roll above. Shame it wasn't more...
"I agree". "Let's go back and rest our bones".
You manage to get back to Brindenford without any further incidents, and spend the next few days resting and recuperating (and I suspect, selling some loot and buying new equipment).
As you reassemble at the Lost Shepherd, you notice that there is a new face in town, a young man who looks like an adventurer.
Once she'll regain consciousness , Valynie will be more stressed by the fact she could have a scar than nearly dying and pester those skilled in healing to check it regularly (once every hour)
You're aware of the newcomer before you even see him. “As big as an ox”. ”No, bigger.” whisper the children in huddles. “He eats you if you're naughty.” says one. The others gasp in fright. As you approach the tavern, you realise the village is quiet. Not just the children talk in hushed voices but the adults, too. As they see the battered party approach, conversation ceases and they ignore you, watching with suspicion as you pass or they move indoors, calling the kids, whereas before you could expect a cheery greeting. You're tired and in no condition to worry about such things now and head over to the tavern, the thought of warmth, food and rest uppermost in your minds.
Stepping into the taproom, your own conversation abates, having come across the stranger that has the town fearful.
It sits with it's back to you, silently eating it's meal and apparently unconcerned by your arrival, not even bothering to look. A shock of snow-white hair - tied in a braid - hangs most of the way down it's broad back; it's skin, in contrast, the colour of angry storm clouds. Around it's thick neck lies a studded iron collar.
The rest of the taproom is empty so you take a table at the far end of the room, as far from the stranger as possible. You sit, placing your gear down gently; as each of you tend to your wounds, check equipment and discuss recent events - quietly, so as not to disturb the silence of the room - you can't help but keep glancing at the stranger, who continues to eat.
Taran appears from the kitchen. She peers round nervously and tenses as she sees the creature still there. Looking across to you, she smiles meekly then mimes eating. You all nod yes and she returns a short while later, loaded with plates of assorted meats and vegetables, and anything else you expressed a like for during your last visit. You notice that her route keeps her as far from the creature as possible. She hands you your bowls in silence, evidently uneasy. Presently, she leaves and then returns with drinks for each of you, all the while in silence. You're now not sure who it is she fears, the newcomer or your group
As you watch the girl retreat and turn your attention to the stranger, you notice something quite unsettling. It wears a simple vest, pants that reach down to it's knees and sandals. Each area of flesh that you can see is a mass of aged scar tissue. You look closer, at length, sickened and yet fascinated by the pattern borne from pain.
Suddenly, the figure stands and turns to look straight at the group, dark eyes boring into each of you. Caught off-guard, everyone takes a sudden interest in the contents of their bowls or mugs.
Footsteps. A shadow blocks out the light.
“I believe you're going into Dragon's Delve; I'll be going with you.” His tone brooks no argument; his voice, a slow, low growl.
The creature appears to be a half-orc. Not quite the size of an ox - as the children described - he stands slightly taller than an average man but considerably broader across the torso and thicker in limb. Short, sharp tusks protrude from his bottom lip and his dark eyes are deep-set and feral-looking. His gaze has everyone feeling very uncomfortable. Studded bands of iron, matching that around his neck, decorate his wrists. The scars that blanket his back also cover his arms and chest. Close up, you see that the majority were inflicted with a scourge, whip or similar instrument of torture. Curiously, you notice, none of the scars extend to his face.
“I'm Phinn. Stay out of my way and we'll get on fine.” His mouth turns up at the edges in what you assume is a smile; it does little to reassure. “Come and get me once you're ready to go back.”. With that, he returns to his table, drops a few coins then exits the room, leaving you wondering what just happened.
Kwin shrugs at the spectacle of the newcomer. As he walks away, Kwin quietly comments I suppose we could use someone out front when the lion comes again.
there is a problem with your plan , Kwin : he could survive
As the huge half-orc leaves, a woman approaches the group. She is obviously strange looking, as can be seen immediately from her garb, which seems to be a patchwork of different clothes and cloths, sewed roughly together and all of them black. On her neck is what looks like a barbarian necklace, made out of some animal claws and dark feathers. Another claw hangs from her ear on a short chain of silver as an earring. In her hands she carries only a staff, a strange piece of wood different from other, ordinary woods. This too has three feathers on its top, together with some dangling short leather stripes, one of them holding what seems to be a small metal piece. While she seems weird and not belonging to this place, or any other civilized one, she does have some sort of charm in a strange, barbarian way.
As she arrives, she speaks quite slowly, as someone who didn't speak Common regularly for quite a long time: "I've heard rumors that you are heading to <mutters something in a foreign language>, or Dragon's Delve. I would like to join your group as I need <a spark ignites in her eyes as she says the word> to be there. It is said that strength is in numbers. Let me join you, and I promise you you will not regret this".
Yurggen deeply into about his 12 Ale, kicks out the nearest chair in greeting.
Take a load off and join us". "Can you tell us your story, and what might make you useful"..."Besides scaring kiddies that is"... He then bellows in laughter at his own poor joke, partially strangling on his half swallowed ale.
Makedonia smiles faintly as she takes her seat next to the others, on the chair made available for her. She pulls a ragged piece of paper from a hidden pocket somewhere in her outfit, then says a word as it spontaneously ignites. Nodding to the dwarf next to her, she says shortly - "Those are my powers. As for my story, it will suffice to say for now that my purpose in going there is part of an initiation ritual of my kind". As everyone stays quiet, she adds: "And what, if I may ask, is your reason for risking your lives in the Delve? Gold, Goods or Gods?"
Personally , I have no reason other than my fancy . I am bored and there is nothing good at either the arena or the whorehouse .
Of course , the cat was a bad surprise but that's all right , there should not be a scar. I just have a question before letting you join us . Do you find half-orcs attractive ? "
Kaduk listens on..although tries to act distracted, concentrating on a blemish in his armor. What the blazes is the cleric getting at?
Makedonia turns to the elven cleric with a puzzled look: "Risking your life because of boredom. Now that's interesting. Does your god approve of such actions?"
"Are half-orcs attractive? That depends on the one in question. As I have seen two during the last few minutes, I could find one of them attractive while the second isn't. Orcs are definitely not though".
I trust Calistia does indeed understand. And welcome to the competition for Kaduk . Selina is first for the moment but this could change any time .
Selina addresses the new arrival, "Welcome, I am Selina Aldaeth, holy warrior of Desna." She bows.
Kwin smiles at the new arrival. I'm Kwin. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Makedonia seems amused. "A competition you say? That sounds even more interesting. Who'll be the judge? Or is Kaduk here going to be both judge and prize?"
"Well met. And why, if I may ask, do you want to enter the delve?"
I've read and heard rumors about what lies below there. You can never tell what can be believed, but from what I've seen so far, it looks promising. I suppose... I just want to go home better off than when I left.
The middle-aged woman that you previously met offers to buy a copy of your map of the delve for 20 gp. She gives you an appraising look, then her interest fades and she goes back to her solitaire card game (she's using a well-worn but fancy-looking Harrow deck).