Although he's become accustomed to being ignored, Gelik's shoulders slump a bit. He takes his position in the middle of the group, hoping that the mine isn't actually stuffed with monsters. Though he suspects that it probably is.
The wooden beams supporting the mine’s main entrance are weathered and sagging. Water trickles down the sloping floor among the wooden footholds leading down the main shaft. Inside the mine, the tunnels are pitch black. The walls of the mine are carved from gray rock salt, and most of the tunnels and chambers in the mine are flooded with water, ranging in depth from knee-deep to shoulder-deep. Narrow walkways connected by rickety wooden bridges run along the walls in most of the rooms and passages.
As you approach the pool where the water is collecting, Torch spots something moving beneath the surface. It's hard to tell exactly what it is, since it seems to be transparent, but the movement is unmistakeable. Something is lurking there.
I think we'd better go into initiatives at this point. The passage is wide enough to allow a double file if you prefer.
Dungeoneering:
"Careful Torch" says Aerys loudly, "that thing is a crystal ooze, perhaps we can find a way round it. The thing is deadly and not unlike the grey ooze." says Aerys backing away and motioning the others to back away also.
The passage is narrow enough that you'll have to deal with the ooze one way or other if you are to proceed.
Torch follows Aerys' lead, backing away from the ooze. "Ranged attacks," he tells the others. "Need a new light source, Kamal, I need to sheathe my blade."
Since you're going to beat its initiative, you can all unleash a round's worth of ranged attacks before it disappears below the surface.
Backing away quickly, Kamal throws his hand up and causes one of the overhanging rocks to glow with a pale white light.
Seeing the ooze withdrawing back under the water, Torch forgoes the niceties and just drops his scimitar on the mine floor, readying how bow quickly, notching an arrow and letting it fly.
Aerys takes aim and fires into the oozes body, hoping to have made enough allowance for the reflection caused by the water.
Gelik imperiously points his finger at the ooze, hoping that it will spontaneously burst into flame.
He doesn't have high hopes, as the mindless yet somehow cowardly bag of crud is already fleeing underwater, but it's his best option.
Ralf tries blasting it with a burst of sound.
Discordant Note: sonic + staggered for 1 round, DC 16 Fort save for 1/2 damage and no staggering
The ooze takes a little damage from Ralf's spell and none from Gelik's.
It stays underwater for a while. You may pass and leave it to the expedition to mop up, but it may make your retreat a bit more perilous. Your choice.
Cowardly, unnatural, pus-bag. Gelik mutters. Still, all it did was attack us unprovoked, presumably to kill and eat us. Nothing more than your average she-savage and pet two-legged doom would do instinctively. Probably just has daddy issues. I propose we attempt to make it an ally. Maybe set up a palaver for after we murder whatever else is lurking in this armpit of a mine. He looks like he's going to add more sarcasm, but tires of his own joke and gives it up.
After you. He gestures grandly to anyone who'll lead the way, then follows, in the middle of the pack.
Kamal sighs at the tirade from Gelikugel yet a small smile manages to peek through the Mwagani mans stony exterior. So moving on then?
"If by moving on you mean, we clear the way of obstacles for our train, then I am with you on that Kamal." says Aerys. "But we shouldn't leave it here to disrupt the expedition that follows?" Aerys looks around for a large boulder rock, loose on the mines floor.
Pointing towards the passge leading out, Kamal nods to Aerys. Yes, we should clear out the obstacles. Do you wish to wait for the creature to surface?
"Kamal, if you can light an arrow, maybe we can skewer it and make it shine in the darkness. Then let us keep it at range, take it down slowly but surely. Torch is the best to try, his name lends itself to such a task." says Aerys hoping to finish off the danger.
Given enough time and patience you can easily destroy it.
You are then able to move deeper into the mines, treading gingerly along the ledge until you reach a bridge over to the other side where the ledge continues.
, -4 if it's a Listen check, +4 if it's night
"Pssst!" Ralf whispers. "There's a couple of shifty looking characters under that bridge. Don't let them get the jump on us!"
Carefully, Kamal raises his hand. I can flush them out with some light. He whispers.
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Torch has his scimitar ready to hand again. "Be ready," he whispers. "Remember, we were told to expect the dead..."
Aerys creeps forward, her longsword ready, her shield up. She whispers to Ralf "So what creatures are these, can you tell?" She peers into the darkness, searching but not seeing, above all she tries to keep quiet.
She whispers to Ralf "So what creatures are these, can you tell?"
"Eh? Speak up, miss! Why do you youngsters always have to mumble?"
Raising his hand, Kamal calls up the power of the sun. It is the same power that causes the flowers to bloom and grass to grow. It feels hot in his chest. Pointing a finger, light blossoms near the crouched figures that are hiding below the bridge.
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Roll for initiative. The monsters are currently submerged, so you may have to hold your missile fire until they come out.
Gelik delays to see what the bridge trolls do.
Init
Kamal can't make out much more than that they are humanoid and probably dead as there are no bubbles and they don't seem to be aquatic.
Kamal can't make out much more than that they are humanoid and probably dead as there are no bubbles and they don't seem to be aquatic.
Ralf waits for them to leave the water, then he casts Glitterdust on them.
Kamal holds up his hand that a moment ago he used to create light, that is instead now wreathed in flame. He holds his hand at the ready to launch a bolt of fire upon the watery creatures.
The dead guys clamber up onto the bridge and lumber towards you, whereupon they are promptly hit by Kamal's bolt and Ralf's spell. One of them is blinded.
Your turn.
Their still comming! Kamal barks throwing another bolt of flame at the flame wreathed creature.
Aerys moves forward and attacks.
Torch moves forward and slashes at the blinded corpse.
I feel like stabbing these guys...I'm gonna stab one of these guys.
Gelik moves just far enough forward to attack the closest enemy.
Aerys and Kamal finish off the dead man that is not blind, while Gelik and Torch attack the other. He flails wildly but fails to connect with Torch. Eventually he regains his sight though.
You are up again.
Flames lick Kamal's hand as he holds another orb of fire in his palm. He waits to see how the attacks from the rest of the group will fair before he attacks.
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