well I am still here...and would like to continue...if possible
Anton attempts to run the foul insect through with his sword.
Anton's blow scrapes along the beetle's exoskeleton, but fails to penetrate. The creature rears back and sprays acid on those nearest to it.
Yarroth targets the beetle again with his bow, hoping to pierce its tough carapace.
Anton staggers back slightly to avoid most of the noxious spray, but some still hits his sword hand. "Damn you, that really burns!" He recovers and lunges with his blade in a downward slash.
"Ack! Hold still so I can kill you!"
|
The acid spray catches Santoval completely by surprise, and he staggers back, smoking as the acid eats its way into his armor and clothes. He groans with pain, then focuses his anger to strike at the armored insect once more.
The wild swing skips off the armored carapace, and Santoval staggers back.
"We need to flank this damned bug...distract it so it doesn't know where the attacks are coming from!"
The beetle viciously bites Santoval on the leg.
Again Yarroth attempts to hit the creature with his bow.
Yarroth's arrow pierces the the beetle's eye. It lurches forward hissing, before suddenly collapsing, not moving.
Looking around the room, there is a pile of filth in the corner. The beetle had been pushing the mangled corpse of the villager toward it.
There are two other exists, a stairway leading downward to the west, and a door in the south wall.
Artagan uses his powers to heal Anton and Santoval. He decides to take the other villager back to Kassen and seek more aid.
Yarroth checks the rest of the party to make sure they are ok. He then moves over to the pile are garbage and takes a look.
There is nothing useful in the garbage. Some of it looks very old, the rest is spoiled rations or clothes from the villagers.
"Nice shooting, Yarroth."
Anton looks over the mangled remains of the corpse the insect was occupied with. "Gods, they thought this place was safe, and they all came in here to die. Not all of them, damn it. Not all of them." He trails off.
"Let's take a look through that door to the south, and then we can head down the stairs west."
You open the door to the south. A smokey corridor leads south for ten feet, then turns east for another ten feet.
The remains of a small fire smolder in the center of this broad chamber, letting off a plume of oily smoke. Fed by a heap of burning gear, debris, and more than few bones, the fire casts a flickering light across the walls of this room, partially obscured by the veil of smoke. Part of the room curves around to the south west and cannot be seen from the entrance.
With his bow still ready, Yarroth scans the room.
"Someone or something piled this stuff up and lit this fire. A ward, perhaps?" Anton says softly.
Moving into the room cautiously, his stance defensive and guarded, Anton surveys the chamber, making his way towards the concealed southwest area.
|
|
"More like they just moved away when they heard the noise...or they were townfolk and just got grabbed and eaten", says Santoval as he enters the room after Anton and Yarroth. "I got pretty chewed up back there with that bug, so don't plan on me charging in immediately. Additionally, do you think that this room is defensible if we decide to rest?"
A shadowy figure appears in the smoke. It reaches out and touches Anton's arm and he visibly pales.
Anton recoils in shock and horror. No sound escapes his gaping mouth, but instinct takes over, and his sword arm darts out, swiping at the shadow-thing.
Yarroth is taken back by the sudden attack, and he quickly levels his bow and shoots at the shadowy figure.
Your blows hit the shadowy figure, but only barely find purchase. The shadow dances in the smoke, reaching out to touch Anton again. Anton pales even further.
Anton starts to move slightly away from the creature, his sword and shield arms dropping lower with the weight, as the strength in his limbs seems to wane. "Feel....weak. Must...keep...attacking."
"Yarroth...Santoval...Artagan..." he says between labored breaths, "Need....help...here."
Yarroth again aims at the mysterious creature, attempting to get it away from Anton.
"Over here! Try this on for size!"
Despite feeling no firm contact against the shadow, it seems to be disrupted by your blows. The figure fades from view and is less distinct than before. The figment continues to dance around Anton, but he deftly avoids its touch this time.
Yarroth nocks another arrow and takes aim at the indistinct creature.
"For...Kassen..." Anton's attempt at a battle cry sounds more like a whisper, as he struggles to raise his sword once again against the elusive shadow.
You and the shadow continue to dance around in the smoke, but each twists away from the others blows. The thick smoke is making it hard to breath, you feel the need for fresh air soon.
Raising his bow once again, Yarroth targets the shadow.
Santoval's powerful blow dissipates the shadow form. The flames in the center of the room go out. As the smoke begins to clear you notice human bones amongst the ashes.
As the shadow dissipates, Anton falls to his knees and lets his sword clatter to the floor. "Desna's grace..." His breathing seems labored, and his eyes are downcast. "Death is one thing, that I do not fear, but feeling helpless...it's like my strength has withered away. I need rest, my friends, and some clean air - this smoke is suffocating."
"I will search the area to make sure it is safe to rest. I will keep watch while you regain your strenth, have no fear."
The smoke slowly clears through a hole in the ceiling. This room has only one door, the way which you came.
Yarroth also looks for any other exits out of this room...as well he goes and checks the pile of burning material, making sure it is all out.
"You know, I think I'll just sit here for a while." Anton says, looking up at the ceiling towards the hole in the roof, and surveying his surroundings. "It look like this room could be barricaded temporarily - the only way out is the way in."
In the remains of the fire you find two things, a copper key and a dagger. The dagger seems to be undamaged by the flames, even the leather wrapped hilt.
You easily bar the door and secure the room for an evenings rest.
|
|
Brushing the ashes off the key and the dagger sheath, Santoval frowns.
"I imagine that the key might be significant, but I know that this dagger must be magical in some way. Look at the sheath," Santoval says, holding it out for inspection by his comrades,"It was in that fire for some time and there isn't even a scorch mark on it. We may need it later."
Santoval makes himself comfortable and settles down for a rest.
"I got banged up pretty well, so I would like to get a bit of shut-eye. Don't hesitate to wake me up for my turn at watch though."
And with that he curls up in his cloak and blanket and is soon asleep.
Yarroth takes the first watch of about 4 hours, then wakes Santoval.
Nothing interrupts your rest and you awaken somewhat refreshed after eight hours.
Chewing on some trail rations, Anton's demeanor seems much improved. "I'm still feeling a bit weak, but I have enough strength to continue exploring this crypt further - I follow your lead, my friends."
He pulls his sword and begins gong through what look like training exercises and motions away from the rest of the group. His confidence may have been shaken a bit by the altercation with the shadow, but he seems like he's back to his old, brash self - more or less.
|
|
After waking, Santoval polishes off some of his trail rations, drinkng a fair amount of water with the dried fruit and biscut. Finishing, Santoval scratches at his slowly growing beard as he watches Anton exercise in the torch-light.
"I am thinking about using one of our healing potions, but I want your thoughts on it. Do it now, or just hold on to one, and use it if we get into trouble? My saergent always said that potions are like water in a canteen, they don't do you any good when they are in in the bottle."
Once we have all eaten, and got our gear put away, we will unblock the door and head back down the corridor.