Hakak grinned at the promise of battle. He would show his strength! But he saw Kern and Choot choosing the silent path. Hakak had no strength there.
"Our kind are strong, but the might of the stones can beat all. I will call on it and the weeds will rise up, taking them?"
Shakraal listens to her brothers, and nods in understanding. She gazes upon the palisade, attempting to understand a culture that dwells thus.
Shakraal likewise prepares for onslaught.
Nodding to the hunter,
"Yes use your magic, it is imperative we are not caught unaware.
Feeble 'weed magic', what a waste of talent.
"Very well lets end them quickly"
"Very well lets end them quickly"
The front doors sit three feet above the ground. Charred wooden beams and ash are all that remains of a small porch and stairs that once led to the entrance. The small windows flanking either side of the door frame are broken,but a large stained glass window dominating the face of the building to the right remains in fine shape, and shows a multicolored image of the human's goddess holding her sword aloft.
The tribe enter through the doors, quietly, like the Rat God himself. Their booted feet stomp upon shattered glass and broken beams, but Verex steels the Rull-song of their footfalls, and they make no noise to alert the warriors of the temple. The scent of old burnt wood fills the air, and stone, shattered by the strength of Selzarian's gift, sends puffs of dust into the air with each movement. The walls are stained with smoke and further marred with graffiti in the pathetic tongue of the humans. Fire has claimed the second floor of the temple, and the hall is open to the Great Cave above in many places.
Just before the large end of the hall, stand two doors. One to the north, and a set of double-doors to the south. The sound of orc voices come from deeper within the temple.
Kern and Grell move into the temple, moving as one, with Kern holding his big axe ready to chop off some heads.
Shakraal peers through her mask, distaste for a human temple, and of such a goddess, palpable in her mouth. She spits for good measure.
"What plan have we?" she hisses to her brothers.
Choot smiles, "I shall pad forward and determine their numbers, then I shall return and we will formulate our plan".
Cast Guidance
Stealth
From the rear, Kraq agrees,
"Yes scout ahead, if we can determine numbers and layout we will have the advantage!"
Choot cautiously stalks deeper into the ruined temple. His footfalls softly sounding in the darkness. The support walls and pillars that once connected the temple to the huge boulder behind it have burnt and crumbled in this ruined chamber, revealing nearly the entire face of the monolithic stone as well as much of the sky above. Jagged red runes have been painted onto the rock in long, broad strokes that reach from top to bottom. The runes are orc and spell out the name Skreed. A cabinet on the southeast wall and a tall bookcase against the northeastern wall are all that remain of the room’s furnishings.
Other than thick cobwebs hanging in the air, the room is empty.
Choot Othul:
Thrall:
Hakak:
Fleshripper:
Kern Dead-Eye:
Grell:
Kraq Skysplitter:
Shakraal Kringsdaughter:
Thoku Blood Drinker:
Spiders:
Choot examines the room in greater detail, he hears the sound of muffled voices coming from the under the floorboards in the north.
Choot Othul:
Thrall:
Hakak:
Fleshripper:
Kern Dead-Eye:
Grell:
Kraq Skysplitter:
Shakraal Kringsdaughter:
Thoku Blood Drinker:
He does not, however, hear the creeping death at it descends from the webs above.
[spoiler=Spider Strike]
The spiders are greedy, they have not fed in many moons, their hunger makes them desperate and crazed. One of the spiders rushes quickly to the attack, but Choot bends down to listen to the voices from the floorboards and just the right moment. Zagresh does nto wish for his slave to join his great horde, yet. The spider's venomous bite feasts only on air!
Kraq advances with purpose but not too close to draw the spiders to him,
"Vile creatures!" Kraq mutters between clinched teeth knowing battle will surely ruin any chance of surprise.
Kraq Skysplitter: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Spiders: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Shakraal Kringsdaughter: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Fleshripper: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Hakak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Grell: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Kraq cautiously advances towards the spiders. The spiders pay him no mind, for now. They have easier prey.
Thoku moves forward and attacks the spider with his glorious orc tusks
Thoku moves forward and attacks the spider with his glorious orc tusks
[Dice=bite] 1d20+5
[Dice=damage] 1d6+6
[Dice=free trip] 1d20+6
Kraq Skysplitter: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Spiders: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Shakraal Kringsdaughter: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Hakak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Kraq cautiously advances towards the spiders. He is a caster of bones and runes. The smoke of Selzarian fills his lungs and mind, opening his eyes to the dangers of the world. He is no warrior. His weapons are not those wielded by the strength of muscle and sinew, but of the mind and tongue. His tongue filled with power, but his flesh is weak and fail. He knows the danger of spiders, the strength-sapping venom, the flesh-rending fangs, the webs that bind and entangle. He is of no use to the tribe if he succumbs. Still, he must draw nearer to be of any aid. And so, he cautiously advances towards the beasts and the shaman of his tribe. The spiders pay him no mind, for now. They have easier prey.
With brutal fury, mighty Thoku rushes past the cautious weird-caster. The breather of smoke may fear the fierce fangs and deadly poisons of the spiders, but not so the Bloodied One! He is a warrior of Nulgreth, and he knows not fear! The Blood God fills his loins with with power, and the blood-rage that is the gift to the people courses through his mighty veins! His claws send chips and dust flying form the flagstones in his eagerness join in glorious battle even with such puny foes as these spiders!
His great fangs crush one of spider's legs in twain! Yellow-Green blood bursts from his jaws and runs down his chin in great rivers. The spider shrieks in agony as mighty Thoku shakes his head, like a dire wolf sending his prey on its back. But, the spider adjusts his position and refuses to fall to the stones!
The wounded spider wheels on his attacker, no longer focused on the easy prey Choot presented.
Spider 1 attacks Thoku
flat-footed + Charge!
Spider 2 webs Choot
ranged touch attack + flat-footed.
But, Thoku's grip on its leg is too great, and the creature cannot bend itself to reach the great warrior. The other spider, however, takes a different tactic. There are two prey, one is far easier to subdue than the other, for he is smaller than the fierce red-skinned warrior. The spider rears back on its hind legs, inverting its swollen abdomen and shoots a spray of sticky web! The thick strands cling to the shaman, entangling his limbs and anchor the slave of Zagresh to the stones!
To bring the might of the Earth to Mother's call now would foil Thoku.
Hakak seized Fleshripper and spoke, "Mother's Might be sharp on your teeth! And Go!"
Kern and Grell rush forward, eager to attack the spiders. Kern's path to one of the spiders is clear, and so he charges at it, swinging his axe to cleave it in twain.
"Grell, flank!"
His companion doesn't have quite the clear line of charge, and so moves around behind the spider to help her master.
Choot attempts to cast a spell at the Spider that entangled him.
Magic Missile
Concentration Check DC 16
But the webs prevent his hands from completing the necessary motions to effect the spell.
Kraq Skysplitter: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Spiders: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Shakraal Kringsdaughter: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Hakak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Shrakaal stalks down the hallway her skin covered in the vicious scars and callouses tattooed with the sneering faces of Selzarian's spirit-slaves. Call of blood sings in her ears as Rull's chant from a skald. She longs for the clang of warfang clashing against shield, of axe shattering bone, the screams of the weak and dying, the fierce roars of victory of the mighty warrior, sinew and muscle bulging and alive, slick with sweat and the soul-power of the slain! She is a wyrd-caster, as is Kraq. But the Bloodscreamer has bound her life to the ways of the mask, learning to bend and twist at the fates of mortals, bestowing powerful curses upon them. She has unlocked the power of Selzarian's flame within her own flesh, using it as the wood to create her great smokes! Her scars and the spirit-slaves shielding her flesh from harm are proof of her power! She is hale, and she fears not the throng of combat!
The slave of Zagresh struggles against his bonds. He calls upon the Doom of All Things to fuel a dark shadow within him that he might send a sliver of the Destroyer's might through the air as an arrow loosed from a marauder's bow to bring low his enemies. But, the spider's bindings are too tight, and his hands cannot work the forms that the Fire Lord demands to form his great smokes. He is weak against the works of his enemies, and Zagresh denies the weak his greatness. Choot's smoke dies within him, and he suffers the shame of failing his god.
Yes, Hakak and Kern hear the call for blood and are not shamed! They honor their tribe and people with their prowess and war-craft. The Earth-speaker grabs his beast roughly by the snout and yanks it up hard to face him. "Mother's Might be sharp on your teeth! And Go!" He adjusts his hand to clutch the lizard just behind the jaw and slams his other fist into the dinosaur's teeth. The beast roars in pain and snaps at Hakak, his teeth flashing with the Thunderer's power. Fleshripper's fangs grow longer and sharper, and froth splatters his maw. His claws scratch against the stones as he charges forward. Rull-blessed teeth tear deep into the spider's abdomen, spilling yellow green fluid on the stones of the hall.
Grell's Acro: 9 Spider's CMD is 15.. so that's a strike
miss
Grell, flank! Kern commands his beast and the fierce warcat surges forward, carried down the hall by a few bounds of her mighty legs. The sticky life-water dripping from the spiders slicks the stones, and fierce Grell scrabbles for purchase. Her claws scratch and gouge the stones, and she falls! Her head rebounds painfully off the stones, but her momentum carries her forward, sliding on the blood of her foes and underneath the venomous fangs of her prey! She stands on all fours, claws digging into the ruined stone, and snarls a challenge at the vermin as its own blood colors her fur as though an oracle to its fate.
Not to be out done, Dead-Eye raises his double-sided warclaw high above his and runs at the spider. His hobnailed boots stomp and grind against the stones, the veins of his muscles throb with power! Kern's mighty thews pump as quick as the great warcat he has tamed, and he leaps high into the air to bring his orc-blade crashing down on the spider's head! The beast squeals in agony as yellow-green blood sprays from its wound coating warrior and beast alike in vital fluid.
Thoku continues his attack on the spider
Kern and grell will rip into their spider to try to finish it.
Fleshripper continued his assault on the spider.
Hakak himself rushed to join the fray.
Choot grunts in frustration and attempts to extricate himself from the webs.
Escape Artist Check DC 12
Kraq moves up towards one of the spiders, casting a spell
Shakraal snorts, surrounded by the spill and spray of blood and ichor - the wyrdwarrior summons a burst of primal hatred for the enemies of orc-kind - in this case an abberrant arachnid - and attempts to bring her own fang of pain to bear...
Free Action: Initiate Rage
Standard Action: Attack spider...
[+1 BAB, +3 Str, +1 mwk, -1 large]
[1.5 x +3 Str for THF]
Kraq Skysplitter: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Spiders: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Shakraal Kringsdaughter: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Hakak: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
The Skysplitter speaks Selzarian's tongue and black smoke flecked by electric sparks and small bits of glowing cinder billows from his mouth. The smoke floats on the air, carried to his outstretched hand and drips and runs, like Rull's own gift. The liquid collects in Kraq's palms, and he rolls the sticky water into a small ball that he hurls at the spider harrowing Choot. The rune-speaker's aim is true and the drop of water splashes against the spider's chitinous hide. The beast's shell bubbles and steams as the Rull-blessed acid of Selzarian eats away at the creature, as a flame devours wood!
Great Thoku clamps his jaws about the spider once more. He mighty claws rake against the spider's sides, but its hide is too firm, and he cannot make purchase. Then, he closes his jaws. The spider squeals in pain as the Bloodied One once more shatters another leg betwixt his powerful fangs. With a mighty heave of his mighty thews, he twists his neck and rips the ruined leg clean from the spider's body. It's yellow-green blood sprays out from the wound, painting red-hued Thoku in liquid victory as the spider collapses to the ground, dead.
The remaining spider is too stupid to realize the battle is lost. It rises on its legs and assails Grell with its deadly fangs.
The spider's fangs grab hold of dread Grell's powerful neck, and the warcat can feel the beast squeeze, venom draining from its fangs. But, her armored hide is too thick, and creature's fangs chip and scrape themselves against her plates. She roars in triumph as the spider's attack fails.
Shakraal snorts, surrounded by the spill and spray of blood and ichor - the wyrdwarrior summons a burst of primal hatred for the enemies of orc-kind - in this case an abberrant arachnid - and attempts to bring her own fang of pain to bear. The gift of Nulgreth burns within her, hardening her muscles, steeling her flesh! She swings her steel-fang in a mighty arc and brings it crashing down on the spider's head. The beast collapses to the ground as its yellow-green life coats the tribe in its fleeing power.
The great Destroyer smiles on his favored slave, and Choot bursts free from the web's confines with a flex of his god-blessed muscles. The tribe stands victorious, drenched in the life of their enemies!
Amidst the wreckage unsettled by the fight, the Tribe spots the unmistakable glint of gold! The unearth a small box of gold, studded with rubies and other gems. Pathetic humans! They hide their gold because they are too weak to fight to keep it! But, Verex takes all things, even that which is hidden! He is a crafty god and thinks clever thoughts! He knows that those who are strong can claim that which they find! The Tribe has proven themselves strong, and so the Rat God gives them treasure!
Inside the box, Choot recognizes two vials of glowing water as sacred to the human goddess. No doubt, she birthed the waters herself, and the humans anoint themselves in her leavings to honor her like slaves. Beside them, there are two iron flasks that slosh heavily with the liquids inside. Selzarian has trapped his smoke into these waters! They will prove useful in the coming battles! Also, Shakraal and Kraq spot three sheets of paper bearing the feeble words of humans who work Selzarian's smoke.
gold coffer= 500gp
2 potions of holy water
1 oil of magic weapon
1 potion of shield of faith
2 scrolls of knock
1 scroll of summon swarm.
Next to the box is a sharp knife. It is a hopeknife, like the ones the pathetic humans wear about their necks to kill themselves instead of facing the might of their orc captors with bravery and strength, and bears more of the weak human-scribbles.
the blade says:
For Roderick, my love.
"I would like to add the scrolls to the tribes... Arcane library..." Kraq says with a smile.
Choot nods at Kraq's suggestion, "Good idea, let us take that chest and make our way to those voices. The true treasure of this place it seems we have yet to find..."
The room echoes with silence. Each war-fueled breath thunders in the emptiness like Rull-song itself. The wooden staircase to the north once led to the upper story has all but crumbled to ashes. The wall beneath it, has collapsed into a giant pile of rubble, and the floor underneath has sunk entirely, leaving a dark, gaping hole in the ground surrounded by rubble. Muffled voices echo from the ruined hole.
A single door exits the room to the northeast. The door is warped and stuck in its frame. It will not budge easily, and clearly leads outside. There are two sets of doors, one to the south, and a double-set on the west.