Gromtheb moves 7 squares per time until he reaches the combat, maybe 2 or 3 turns?
Cover or no cover, saves or no saves, Ser Harris shreds the f&!~ out of the big ankheg.
Gromtheb moves back towards the group.
Quinn stands very still.
Duglan gives chase.
Captain Teemo, I mean Velinari, disappears into the shadows.
Duglan rounds the corner to see the smaller ankheg from before turn a corner in the tunnel it's digging and head right for Quinn. He also sees, further down the tunnel, another smaller ankheg.
The smaller ankheg bursts from the wall and lunges at Quinn, but he hears it coming and is able to sidestep it's assault.
Damage
Grab
Quinn Perception
Sense Motive!
Duglan stares blankly at the cowering ankheg. He approaches it slowly (move to N11), "Oh! Whatsa matta?" His face bears a smirk, but he chooses not to attack yet.
If the ankheg in K17 is still alive on Harris's initiative, he will expend another dose of bardic blending on it.
Velinari appears once more in the corridor, sliding his blade into the back of the anhkeg.
atk: ()
Dmg:
if SA also, +3 bleed
If not dead, Velinari will attempt to tumble to 17,K
Acrobatics:
otherwise, move to 12,N.
"You should have ran, you stupid bug." If the beast is still alive, Quinn 5' steps to L20 and fires another magic missile. "Are we going to finish cleaning them up any time soon? Dulgan? This is getting irritating."
Harris shreds another ankheg.
Gromtheb continues trying to regroup with the party.
Quinn taunts the dead bug.
Duglan taunts the live one.
Velinari doesn't miss his sneak attack.
And we're off initiative. I'll assume you all go into the other room, where the ankheg in the corner lies half on it's back and wheezes pitifully.
Save vs attack3
Save vs attack5
Save vs attack6
Damage =
Perception:
Duglan looks like he's holding back the impulse to put the ankheg out of its misery. Quinn's comment almost pushes him over the edge, but he maintains composure. "Take eh look a' this one."
"One less ankheg now," Ser Harris says in satisfaction. Hearing Duglan's comment, he turns and examines the cowering creature.
"That's odd. He's suffering from some sort of affliction." Harris pauses, before saying "I'm no healer. Can one of you tell me what causes this sort of lesions?"
Gromtheb takes a step back. Whoa, I wouldn't get to close to that bug. That looks to me like a from of the Red Drip, a nasty fungus that can kill you at worst and take your hand at best. Best to kill this thing from a distance and be careful not to touch any part of it. I'm outta here. This thing can't live long anyway. Gromtheb books it out of there.
Does Velinari think that the could somehow turn the disease into a poison?
Craft Alchemy:
Gromtheb, whither bookest thou?
Duglan emits a slight grunt and backs away from the diseased ankheg. "Well, we did wha we came here fer. Yeh all wanna get outta tha cave?"
And the rest of you?
Duglan will shrug and start leaving the cave too.
In sum, we bugger off.
"Let's get away from that thing," Ser Harris says of the Ankheg. "I'd rather not risk amputation or worse as a result of being around these diseased wretches any longer."
"Hm, so either the beast never brought anything of value down here, or we simply haven't found it. Oh well." Quinn begins walking away.
So you're all just exiting?
Okay, sounds good. You return to the surface without incident. What's the plan now, then?
Duglan grumbles something about collecting the reward and getting a drink.
"Well, that was not to difficult of a job, Yes. Maybe we go and collect our reward. Although maybe we should a not a mention the fungus, Yes? Might make some people a unduely excited, yes."
"I agree. Let's let these folks know whats up, collect our gold, and get out of here."
"Yes, let's not worry them too much. We've already worn out our welcome," Harris glances briefly at Duglan, "so let's not turn the townsfolk against us any more. It's unprofessional."
Harris actually approves of the party leaving town and of Duglan's actions insofar as they soured the party's relations with the townsfolk.
You return to the inn. Gordel greets you at the door.
He's dead, then?
"He is, and the rest of the ankhegs we encountered are dead or dying as well. They should trouble you no more." Harris will let one of the others demand payment.
Gordel harumphs and walks back to the bar, picking up a dirty mug from a table along the way. He begins to wipe it out with a rag.
So there was others, eh? Mebbe tha's why Four-Jaws was more 'gressive a' late. Don't make no matter now.
I'll go get the golders I promised yeh from where I got it. O'course, yer rooms from last night 'r on me, and y' can stay as long's y' want. I'm a man o' m' word.
He sets down the mug more than a little firmly and heads back into the room. Other than your party, the common room is empty.
I'll give you guys a minute for discussion, if you want, before he returns. If no one's posted by the time I check this tomorrow morning, we'll move on.
After Gordel leaves, Harris turns to Duglan and says, "And remember to keep it in your pants this time."
Duglan sneers at Harris. "In a good world, I wouldn't hafta. We just saved their sorry town. Someone gonna tell fatteh about the... er... whaddever that creature had?"
Gordel returns to the room. He grudging throws over a large purse which jangles enticingly of coin.
I figg'r ther'll be some kinda party here too, t'night.
Deftly catching the purse, Harris attempts to turn down Gordel's grudging invitation. "We probably shouldn't attend. I'd hate to impose on you for another night."
Not imposing is hardly the reason Harris does not want to attend. He seems uncomfortable with the idea of spending any ore time around too many of the townsfolk.
Duglan looks up, his facial expression conveying a mix of surprise and outrage, "Aww, whassa big fuss all about Harris? We could use a nice nightta rest."
Gordel SM:
Gordel appears pleasantly surprised as Harris' suggestion of leaving, but he stifles it quickly. Well, ei'er way, we're in y'r debt. An' I do mean that, we all really 'r thankful f'r yer gett'n rid o' that danger.
"Indeed. I have no interest in watching you clumsily attempt to seduce everything in a skirt. Besides, the party is likely a way for the townsfolk to plan out what to do now that the ankhegs are deceased. I don't think they would appreciate you turning it into your kind of party, Duglan."
To Gordel, he says "I wish you luck, and hope your community prospers and remains safe for a long time."
The unspoken message in Harris's address to Gordel is that he hopes he doesn't have cause to come back to this town again.
Harris shares the gold within the sack equally among the party members.
"Yes, I really do think we aught to get going. We've got places to be, things to do."
"Ah, we out not impose yes."
Duglan grumbles, but his disappointment fades away as he accepts his 60 gold reward. "Besta luck fer ya, Gord. We'll be on our way now."
Alright, you guys leave town without incident. I'll give you 24 IRL hours (ish) for any conversation on the road before I advance the plot.
As the party travels, something seems to be weighing on Harris's mind, and after a while he says "They should be fine. That lone ankheg was dying and those tunnels will collapse soon and contain the fungus."
A few moments later, he continues, "that said, those of you who were bitten by ankhegs ought to keep an eye on your condition. Most diseases have an incubation period, and this fungus may feature a delayed emergence as well. If you feel ill or notice rashes or other abnormalities emerge on your person, inform the rest of us."