Gideon spots the massive wolf and shouts in alarm. "Look at the size of that wolf!" He instantly, almost instinctively, begins to mentally catalog facts about the local fauna, while starting to pull out his bow.
"When fleeing from ravenous animals, be at least faster than your slowest member of your group," Kaduk grins while recalling an excerpt he read from Adventuring 101.
Initiative
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Once underway, and well before we reach the site, Kwin will offer Shall we have a gentleman's agreement that any bounty we find in our exploration we shall split equitably, or at least as much as the nature of such findings will allow us?
"On two stipulations. First, that we not plunder from the buried dead. And Secondly that I have first claim to sacred relics, literature, or histories of good and noble religions, either to learn from or return to those the might belong to. Fair enough? I would obviously, naturally do in kind with wizardly texts or weapons and tools others might prize beyond simple treasure."
Initiative:
Unsure if he is joking or serious with that remark, "I will attempt to hold it off, my friends, allowing you time to get by this creature." while taking a step to better protect the doctor, (and others that do not appear as physically capable <no offense>).
Avendryl, Gideon, Kaduk and Janos are up, then the wolf.
Kaduk draws his sling, loads a bullet and whirls it around. Judging the distance at 40 feet, Kaduk was unable to pick a choice spot for his shot.
To hit: - Damage
Avendryl draws his sword , and then moves awaiting the wolf.
AoO (if applicable):
Damage:
Gideon is both exhilarated and terrified. The massive wolf could likely tear him to shreds if he were alone, but the presence of allies heartened him. "Watch for the teeth!"
He knocks an arrow into his bow and shoots the wolf. It's a solid strike, but the bow doesn't have very strong tensile strength and it barely penetrates the wolf's thick hide. "Note to self: get better bow."
Marius draws his sword and his advances on the wolf. He holds his swing and invites the wolf to come to him.
Kaduk's and Gideon's missiles hit the wolf, rousing it to anger. It bounds towards Marius, whose blow bounces of the wolf's paw. Only his extensive training saves him from its snapping jaws. He's close enough to feel its foul breath as he barely averts its attack.
Your turn. Map updated.
Attack:
Damage:
Gideon pulls out another arrow and moves for a clear shot. Shaking and unsure of himself, he overshoots the arrow significantly, flying high in the air above the target. Actual combat is quite different than target practice at the archery range.
Having failed to hit with his last attack, Marius drops into a defensive posture. Ducking under the wolf's bite, Marius comes up next to the beast and swings for its throat.
Seeing the creature engaged in melee, Kaduk puts away his sling and readies his greataxe for use.
Kwin to go, then the wolf.
Kwin moves to H10, and with a gesture releases a bit of pure force at the wolf.
Telekinetic fist. Ranged touch attack
Damage
Somewhat hampered by the sheer mass of combatants, Kwin misses.
The wolf makes another try to take a bite out of Marius, but he easily blocks.
Your turn.
Avendryl holds his ground, and makes another attempt to strike the wolf.
Attack:
Damage:
"Let's surround this beast," Kaduk calls out. He weaves while closing in trying to dodge any incoming attacks. A wicked underhand slash, trying disembowel the wolf.
To Hit
Damage
"Watch for its bite! This type of animal likes to bring its prey to the ground! Aim for its heart, as its cardiovascular system is primitive!" Gideon shouts a few helpful hints to bring the beast down safely.
Marius blocks the wolf's bite and counters. "Try to flank the beast if you can!"
Kwin and Janos delay, but Avendryl and Kaduk put some more hurt on the wolf, which decides that no meal is worth a beating like this and turns tail.
There is a set of stairs leading down into the ground just north of where you stand.
"Well that was thrilling. Shall we head down the stairs?"
Gideon takes a deep breath. He's never really gotten into a fight before. It was exhilarating and terrifying. He mentally notes his reaction to put in his notes later. He watches the others as well for their reactions. This will be a gold mine of material for his next paper.
Gideon points out the stairs. "Through this nondescript gate awaits the most mysterious dungeon one can find. Steel yourself, friends, for adventure!"
We'll need some light. Kwin readies his crossbow before starting down with the others.
Gideon cases light on one of his arrows, which he places back in the quiver. He worked quite hard to master the simple spell and is very pleased with it. He knows a few more advanced spells, but he is yet to really do much with them.
Marius looks surprised at the wolf's departure. "Hugh? I guess I should have showered? It's bad when even the wolves don't want to eat you." Turning to his companions, "I can take point; however, I don't think I could spot a trap to save my life. Since that is actually what it could mean, I would appreciate it if someone with such skills could walk next to me."
Seeing Gideon's little spell, Marius brightens, "Do you think that you could put something like that on my shield?"
Gideomn happily complies, glad to use his minor talents at spellcasting. As he casts the spell, he frowns as the light on his arrow goes out. "Oh. It seems that I can only illuminate one item at a time. What a pity. Your shield should be the light since you are leading."
Well done, Gideon. I can create a similar magic when properly prepared. I hadn't expected to be going underground so soon or I would have done so as well. When we next rest for an evening, I'll be sure to do so.
To Marius, he adds Despite the stigma my people some times have, I have little experience with entering potential trapped areas. I'll take the post, though, unless someone else knows better what to be looking for.
The stairs down are 10 feet wide. Any other preparations before descending?
"You need light? Beh! I'll go first," Kaduk says half amused, while wiping the blood off the edge of his greataxe. "I don't need light to see but I do need an extra set of eyes and a reliable blade if company's afoot. It's time we discuss marching order. Oh and keep the healer handy eh?" Kaduk pauses to see for any other suggestions.
His eyes fall upon the halfling wizard. "By the way, don't take what I said back then too seriously 'kay? It's only in jest, and somebody needs to loosen up." *glances sideways at the Raven Knight*
Kaduk sneaks down the stairs, only to find three separate sets of stairs going down in diverse directions. Map.
Which way do you want to go?
"We should have a standard procedure to avoid getting lost. I would suggest that we always take the right-most passage first, and mark passageways we've traveled down." He says, pulling a piece of chalk from his belt pouch.
Good thinking, Avendryl. And perhaps we should design the marks so that they point to the way out, in case we find ourselves disoriented, or needed to leave in something of a hurry...
Gideon pulls out his journal, sketching the general layout of the corridors and a few quick notes. He slides it back into his tunic so that he can get it out quickly and not slow the group.
Gideon's eyes dart around quickly, trying to take every detail in. "Yes, I agree. Might I suggest Sphinx? It's a delightful language with a fascinating syntax. Every sentence ends with a question!"
"I'm sure you both mean well, but I doubt either of those languages will do the rest of us much good should something happen to you. It is a dungeon and not every adventurer emerges successfully...not that I'm implying anything will happen to you, something could just as easily happen to me."
"I do not know what other languages the rest of you speak, but I am fluent in, beyond the obvious Common and Elven, Goblin, Orcish, and Draconic. Would any of those be appropriate?"
"Well, I only speak two languages, common and bad common. well, three. I know a little dwarf. The most common, non-monstrous language should do." Brignat readies his sword and prepares to take the lead. "Shall we start to the right?"
Kaduks licks his finger and feels the air current around him. Acclimatising himself, he pauses, trying to perceive all that his senses could pick up.
Descending the stairs to the right you see a massive chamber (about 60 feet across) filled with cobwebs and dust. A shallow pool twenty feet across lies in the middle of the room, with tall pillars to the east of it, each carved to look like a tall, beautiful, human woman. The ceiling is vaulted, and a crescent moon has been painted at the highest point, which is directly above the pool. Although the paint is chipped, it still retains a peculiar luster that reflects light with a glistening glow. The walls sport a few empty sconces, and you see an imposing set of bronze doors on the east wall. These double doors bear images of winged horses rearing majestically.
There are two visible exits besides the double doors, two passages leading away from you.
Knowledge (religion) 15:
Perception 20:
Gideon scribbles furiously into his journal, trying to get the details of the massive room. He mutters to himself as he writes. "Most interesting. While I'm not an expert, the moon symbol and carved pillars look to be in reference to Glarias, a moon goddess popular in ancient times, but mostly forgotten today. I wonder if this has anything to do with the library in Absolom, as some say that there is a secret seal there only known by the true masters of secret lore..." He is completely distracted by the room's academic value and barely notices his allies, much less anything else.
Kaduk waits for the rest of the companions to close ranks. "I don't sense anything nearby," he says, somewhat apprehensive.
"Hey Doctor, this Glarias goddess, is she benevolent or malevolent? I might go across and see what's in the pool."
*looks at the nearby dusty floors, seeking any recent tracts and whatnot*
Perception:
Kaduk: there are several sets of tracks, but they aren't fresh and all you can say is that they were made by two-legged creatures.
Where do you want to go next?