Iagon moves forward to get close to the mouth of the cavern. He tries to find any target within, but is too afraid of hitting his own ally and holds his blast.
Kytes, if you can hear me...lead it out! We're ready to put it down!
Seeing the entangled Chaneque go down, Ashilia dismisses his spell and continues running toward the cave.
Túrante checks the fallen chaneque for skulls, and smashes any that it might be wearing.
Turante smashes two skulls as the chaneque begins to smolder and crumble.
Attai smiles as the vines and creepers disappear. He rushes toward the cave to find Kytes.
Double Move: To K24
Tired of her shots missing their mark, Liamae rummages in her pack for a torch and quickly lights it.
Engaged with the last chaneque, Kytes makes a fighting withdrawal trying to lead the beast, and the mind-affected druid out into the open.
The group reorganizes their tactics. Attai moves up into the cave and Kytes withdraws to hold the line with him and Kolondros. Liamae fetches a torch and illuminates the cave interior. Now everyone can see the chaneque and the half-orc druid and bear companion.
kolondros steps up and around Attai and hurls another spear at the now visible chaneque.
He strikes the vile fey and clips a wing. Kolondros is now out of spears to throw.
Badly injured, the chaneque barks a command to the dominated druid, who then runs forward, swinging his club for Kolondros.
Kolondros raises his wooden shield and avoids a nasty blow.
The bear follows its master and continues to go after Kytes.
Once again, powerful jaws slip their way passed Kytes' armor and tear out a chunk of flesh. The pain is intense and Kytes finds it hard to focus.
Because of Liamae's aegis enhancement to his armor, Kytes holds off the bear's bite.
The chaneque carefully follows up behind the druid and his bear, untying a spare skull from its belt.
Seeing the opening for which he'd been waiting, Iagon moves in and launches a flurry of wooded particles at the Chaneque. Alas, he tries to account for his allies positions and fires his blast into the cave ceiling ineffectually.
Ashilia catches up to the front line and grants Attai a bit of guidance.
The elven ranger moves up by the front lines but the cave entry is too choked to allow her to get into the fray. She waits for an opening, either due to a foe falling or the front line pulling back slightly to allow more space.
Attai slips in oast Kolondros to within reach of the chaneque and batters at it with his morningstar...
Move Action: Move to L27, possibly copping AoO from the dominated half-orc druid...
Standard Action: Strike!
[+1 BAB, +2 Str, +1 bless]
[+3 THF]
Liamae fires another arrow past everybody in her way to strike the chaneque!
Kytes finds himself in melee combat against an angry and mind-addled bear. He doesn't really want to kill the bear since it is the companion of the other druid, who is currently enchanted. Instead of a killing blow, Kytes takes total defense, using his sword and shield to stave off any lucky strikes from the bear. Then he plows ahead, into the open space working his way back towards the chaneque, after everyone behind has fired.
Liamae fires through the crowded front line and strikes the chaneque deep in the heart. The foul fey drops dead, but the druid's soul remains trapped in the skull, still under the orders of the chaneque's domination.
Kytes steps up, his shield raised to hold the line, while Attai tries to slip through passed the dominated druid.
Attai takes a hit on his back, but it doesn't stop him from bringing his morningstar crashing down on the fallen chaneque, smashing the remaining skulls.
As Turante moves into position, the half-orc druid suddenly drops his fighting stance. He looks around confusedly at all the commotion. "Kolondros, 'sdat you?" he asks, perplexed, "What's goin' on? Who're all dese people?"
Iagon pumps his fist in the air. Nice shot, Liamae! He then realizes that it may not be the right situation for this, and turns to the half-orc. Sorry to drop in on you, sir, but we're here to help! Kolondros, if you will?
Iagon watches the exchange, not moving forward quite yet as he watches to make sure the druid is out of the spell's influence.
Attai picks himself up from the broken skulls and dead chaneque.
"Yes, a clear eye does not sin." he remarks. He looks at all of his companions, and emits a brief laugh. "Well done all!". With that the sylph sits, groaning a little in pain. He places his morningstar on the ground and turns to the now free half-orc druid.
"Welcome back!"
Liamae nods with satisfaction and slings her bow back over her shoulder. "All in a day's work."
"Indeed, it is I, friend," Kolondros replies, holding his hands up in a gesture of peace. "These good people helped to free me from the control of the chaneque, and in turn, we worked together to free you."
The half-orc rubs neck in nervous confusion, as his bear companion looks around, also confused. But, her master has ceased fighting, and so, instead of continuing her attack on Kytes, she backs off and nuzzles the druids limp hand.
"Relax Grezhg, the threat is over, we're now free," consoles Kolondros.
"Aye, but what 'bout de Black Rain?" questions Grezhg, "We still lookin' fer dem?"
At the mention of 'Black Rain', Kolondros and Ashilia look to each other nervously.
"I think this might have been a false lead, friend," answers Kolondros. "I think we should return to the Wildwood, report what we found here and what became of these foul creatures. But first, night has come, and there are worse things than chaneque hunting these woods at night. Perhaps we should stay the night in this cave till morning breaks."
"Aye, me camp's dis way. De bastards had dem a lair deepr in de cave if'n ye want ta check it out," suggests Grezhg. The half-orc looks to the party and says, "Guess I should be offerin ye folks somedin' fer savin' our hides. Here take dese."
Grezhg opens a satchel and offers up two magical vials.
Attai nods.
"We should be on our way. And while we travel you can illuminate us as to the activities of this "Black Rain". Attai looks from Kolondros to Grezhg meaningfully.
The princess carefully wipes down her dueling blade before sheathing it.
"If we can help to make this forest wholesome once more, we are inclined to do so," she says. "I enjoy the sylvan lands when they are bright and full of rich and beautiful life, and even some of the animals that aren't so pretty - they deserve a good life too! - and I cannot abide wickedness such as this within its bower."
Iagon reaches out, dipping his head in thanks at the vials. Thank you, Grezhg; I'm Iagon, and this is Turante, Attai, Kytes, and Liamae, and our good friend Ashilia. If you would, please take us back to this lair; we'd like to make sure there are no more hidden dangers before we leave this place.
Attai coughs, and taking a moment nods as he is introduced. He stands gingerly.
"Yes. Let us investigate the lair..." With a sigh and a stretch Attai gathers his crossbow and loads it while staring into the middle distance.
"Right! Ready to go!" he adds brightly.
First, Grezhg and his bear (she goes by Da Dan he tells you) show you their sleeping nook designated to them by the Chaneque. It’s really just a pocket in the cave wall, just more thane enough room for a large half-orc and bear. Further, the cave slopes downward, the ground changes from soil into gravel before it levels out. Liamae keeps her torch lit, and everyone proceeds with caution.
Near the bottom of the slope, the passage opens up into a low, roughly circular cavern. The roof here is limestone, and the floor muddied rock. The air is saturated with the smell of wet charcoal, stale smoke, and decaying organic matter. A few smoldering fires are placed around the chamber near rock outcropping in the floor. There’s a total of three bedding sites around the fires, the low rock outcropping serving as tables and workbenches. Simple tools, wooden bowls, and clay pots occupy the tables and benches. The muddy floor is strewn about with small animal bones and rotting waste. On each of the fires is a small black cauldron, filled with a boiling mass of fairy skulls steeping in an oily black mush.
As everyone searches about, Kolondros informs you that The Black Rain is a Druidic circle, who’s members have darker agendas than most Druids. The Black Rain have somehow corrupted the Verduran east of the Verdant Slopes for their own purposes. Kolondros and Grezhg came upon this site while investigating possible Black Rain activity after the disappearances of three Wildwood Druids in this area. Neither Kolondros nor Grezhg can tell you how long they’ve been captive of the Chaneque.
All in all, going through the Chaneque camp, you uncover:
a sack of chestnuts, 3x sacks of dried black mushrooms, bag of iron nails, a broken barrel, 2x bottles of wine turned vinegar, box of charcoal, clay pitcher), gemcutter, grappling hook, Mouldey loaf of bread, sickle, small cask of oil, gardening spade, vial of ink, tarnished bronze statuette of a warrior, faceted crystal egg, ivory drinking horn with copper ends, silver candelabra.
Also, several half buried piles of coins amount to:
Attai finds a hidden cache in the cavern wall. Their, he finds several pouches of neatly sorted rough gemstones:
bloodstone, carnelian, freshwater pearl, hematite, jasper, lapis lazuli, pyrite, rock quartz, turtle shell, tigereye.
At the back end of the chamber, the cavern splits into two passages. The passage to the right is quickly choked with thick spider webs. The passage to the left smells of mold and uric acid. Grezhg states he has no idea what’s beyond this point.
Iagon whistles at the gems as Attai opens the pouches for them to view. Well, that's a nice find; the Marquis should be happy with that. Seems we've a decision to make - left, right, or should we return with these goods and give them over to our employer?
He eyes the right tunnel and shivers as he imagines hundreds of spiders crawling over his skin in the dark. I....well, I'd vote left..
"Into the toilet?"
Attai seems ill-suited to the close and fetid cavern, but does smile a little when he finds the hidden cache.
"I am still wounded, and we have not rested for some time. If either healing or a rest is obtained I am keen to move forward."
The sylph indicates the gathered trove.
"I am unclear as to whether any of this falls under the protection of the Marquis. Are these his lands? If so, does he own all within it?"
With his oossibly rebellious or even treasonous question raised Attai casts a minor magick to ascertain the properties of the treasure.
Iagon shrugs helplessly. I really don't like spiders.
He moves over to the passage with the webs, glancing inside briefly before retreating back into circle of light from Liamae's torch. Or, we can figure our job's done here and move on. Maybe all we have here is an unused passage and a toilet, and this danger is stopped.
Liamae shrugs. "Well, we are here. We might as well see what we can find here, besides a malodorous stench."
Iagon will take that as a cue, and motion for Liamae to accompany him, hopefully with the torch, and will peer into the passage to the left.
Liamae follows closely behind Iagon, holding the torch over his shoulder. She leans forward, her chest brushing against his back, as she investigates the passage as well.
Attai scans the objects found, but none detect as magical. However, he spots an aura coming from a rock in the chamber. Digging under the rock, he uncovers a small box, within are two vials of glowing liquid, one oily brown, and one a wispy blue.
Iagon and Liamae press on deeper into the cavern. Opting not to face the obvious nest of spiders, they take the left passage. The corridor here descends slightly and curves to the right. The ground here is spongy, and closer inspection reveals it is covered in mold and groupings of little black mushrooms.
A little ways in, the ground bottoms out. The corridor continues back upward, from where there's a steady trickle of liquid and an overwhelming earthy, mouldy, acrid odor. The trickle of liquid pools here and there's a sudden blossoming of black fungi growing around the pool. Liamae and Iagon spot something beneath all the fungal growths. They find three bodies, each in differing stages of degradation. On the bodies are a variety of arms and armor. However, before they can sift through the remains and all the goodies, the ground beneath their feet begins to heave and undulate. A mass of slime rises up before them, hungry for fresh influx of organic materials.
This is a slime mold, a large ooze. Beware it's fungal rot!
Liamae is quick on her feet!
Iagon leaps back, shouting for Liamae...but he sees here nimbly moving well before he can even think of what to do.
Liamae's eyes widen as the slime begins to shudder to life. "Look out! Fall back to the others!" she shouts, dragging Iagon by the arm.
Iagon, seeing an infinitely more prudent reaction than his "get ready to blast it!" was going to be, follows Liamae back to the others. When he sees his other companions, he shouts. I think we woke something up!
Attai looks up from his position crouched as he is over he unearthed box.
”Something? he asks carefully. He begins to load his crossbow...
Túrante brings up her dueling sword and shield as she takes up a spot next to Liamae.
"Kytes, if we're going to fight this thing, we should block it in the hallway here!" she suggests. "Unless you think we should draw it into the room and surround it, but then we risk it attacking vulnerable people!"
Kytes joins up and even takes the lead in front of Iagon, sword and shield at the ready.
Ashilia and Kolondros run up behind Liamae and Turante, granting them both a touch of Guidance.
Grezhg follows behind. He also casts on Turante, who then feels her muscles bulge with a surge of strength.
The slime mold wobbles slowly toward the group down the cavern corridor. It engulfs Kytes and Iagon!
Liamae turns around and fires an arrow at the slime mold!
Iagon's eyes widen in fear, both at the beast, and the thought of what could happen to someone sucked into its form. With a gasp, he attempts to leap back out of its way.
Iagon jumps back and avoids getting sucked into the fungus covered pile of slime.
Liamae successfully aims just to the left of Kytes as the slime tries to consume him, and her arrow plunges into its goopy form.
Túrante lashes out with her blade in an attempt to hack through the slime mold.
Attai sights and fires his heavy crossbow, trying to avoid Kytes or the backpedalling Iagon...
[+1 BAB, +2 Dex, -4 fire into melee]
Iagon leans back from the creature, and summons a hundred small slivers of wood to pelt it with force.
Kytes tries to avoid being consumed by the slime mold, but is not agile enough in his heavy armor to do it on his own. Instead he just plows away from it, taking a hit if he has to.
To everyone's horror, as Iagon jumps back out of the way, Kytes is engulfed by the wobbling mound of slime.
The already injured paladin falls into the slime and becomes pinned under its mass. Kytes is badly hurt, but, luckily, he fights off any fungal infection.
The creature is a 8 ft tall mound of wobbly goo covered in fungal growths. It proves rather easy to hit. As Kytes falls underneath the slime, everyone else unleashes what strength they have left after taking down the chaneque. The mass of slime quickly loses its cohesion and falls apart into a chunky puddle of goop, mold, and mushrooms.
Kytes lifts himself and tries to wipe off the goop from his shield and armor. He probably says something along the lines of, "Please, let us take refuge now and not press on any further."
Iagon and Liamae though, know that there's probably some good stuff waiting where they found the slime mold.