The group makes it roughly 40 feet down the tunnel before Abramov and Kalam step on something and an intense gout of flame bursts forth to greet them.
Fortunately the flames stop shy of engulfing the girls as well.
Kalam jumps back, feverishly trying to pat out his coat, "S$!+, s+$~, s!@#! Well I guess we're on the right track...", he mutters miserably.
Holding out his charred hand he gestures to Abramov, "You alright doc? Better get the damn wand again. I hope to Cayden this doesn't leave a scar.", he takes a sip from his flask to emphasize his plea.
Once they're ready to go again, he motions the doctor forward, "Try to watch where you step in future, eh?"
Completely oblivious to the trap, so intent on looking ahead for danger that he barely noticed the all consuming flames until it was too late, Abramov stumbled forward until reality threw him back.
"Mother's scarf!! They'll pay for this!!"" the doctor hissed in a mix of anger, frustration and surprise. Oh, and a good amount of pain.
Taking the wand from Abramov, Kalam patches up his own burns and then to doctor's.
Handing the wand back, he straightens his now singed coat, "I guess we'd better keep moving..."
"If they haven't heard us coming by now.." and he sighs, knowing that they're walking into a trap wide-eyed stupid.
After being patched up by divine energy, Abramov takes his place at the head of the colum again and moves onwards. This time a little more wary..
Kalam moves as quietly as he can after the doctor and helping to keep a lookout.
After patching themselves up, the party advances.
Moving deeper into the sewers, the expected vermin begin to appear again and there's no signs of further traps magical or otherwise. There are however strange bits and pieces of partially rotted meat. At a glance it's difficult to tell if it's animal or not.
Kalam merely grimaces at the rotten meat...
The doctor kneels and studies the bits of rotten meat. Ah, reminds me of a Sczarni rip-deal gone wrong..
Abramov recognizes that whatever killed this (whatever it was) was horrifically strong as it was literally torn apart. He also catches signs of what looks like claws. Big ones.
The doctor's brows dipped down and he looked at his companions with a frown. "Big claws, inhuman strength. I do not like where this is going. We're in a sewer on a wild goose hunt, stuck in a system of narrow tunnels that we don't know, chasing a cult of killers who apparently have rigged the tunnels with traps AND there is a beast out there that can tear us apart with ease."
Putting aside his own concern, Kalam grins at the doctor, "You didn't think this would be easy, did you? Traps and monstrous guards are just a good sign we're on the right track. Now lets get moving...spend too long down here and I'm worried the smell might seep into my skin..."
"You're mad." And with that, the doctor continued onwards.
Kalam smirks, "If I weren't I sure as the abyss wouldn't be down here..."
Advancing a bit further, the scattered gore appears more frequently and, disturbingly, further and further up the walls...
Kalam eyes the gore with a slightly nauseous look...
Professional interest in the exact nature of the carnage began to fade as it became more and more clear they'd have to face whatever caused it.
Ceinwynn and Kalam hear the sound of two figures approaching from around the corner. Whatever they are, they sound big and breathe in ragged gasps.
Kalam hisses to get the attention of the others.
Holding his rapier at the ready, Kalam looks at the others, "Sounds like a pair, we can bottleneck them on this side. Fall back if things get hairy doc and I'll cover you."
"I am going to try and slow them down. Abramov move back behind me if you can so you can chuck bombs. Kalam take his place. I'll attack and heal from the second position."
Ceinwynn casts grease in front of the alchemist.
Turning the corner are a pair of tall hairless humanoids. They lurch on back-bent dog-like legs and their hideous mouths are flanked by tiny arms with three-fingered hands. Despite their awkward lanky builds, their spindly frames bulge with sinew.
Spotting the intruders, they brandish crude spears and attack!
The doctor's reaction is to chuck down the contents of a tiny vial. After that, all he can do is wait for them to come forward and attack.
Kalam delays, looking for an opportunity to make himself useful.
"Cayden's balls those things are damn ugly..."
Ceinwynn draws her bow and shoots.
The crowded quarters and awkward angle make Ceinwynn's shot veer far off course but Halsanna has more luck, threading the needle with expert precision. Her shot slams into the shoulder of the nearest creature causing black bubbling ichor to ooze from the wound.
The monsters emit a hideous shrieking sound before shambling forward.
The first quickly loses its footing and crashes to the ground but the other proves to be move stable and stabs fiercely at Abramov.
A combination of agility and magical shielding keeps Abramov out of harm's way. For now. He did the one thing he could and that was to fight back.
Ceinwynn moves to the open spot behind Abramov (drawing her whip) and attempts to hit the creature standing.
Frustrated by the limited maneuverability, Kalam sheathes his rapier and retrieves the shortbow from his back. Frowning as he tries to size up a shot around both Ceinwynn and Abramov, "How the abyss am I supposed to make a shot through this? Guess it's up to Cayden..."
Abramov and Ceinwynn manage to bloody the monster further, spilling more bubbling ichor but failing to bring the creature down. It drops its crude weapon to tear at the good doctor with its filthy teeth and claws.
The other scrambles to its feet and climbs down into the sewage.
Seeing the second creature drop into the sewage, Kalam chooses to loose a shot at the less obstructed target.
Kalam curses as his arrow plunges harmlessly into the sewage, "Serves me right, who trusts a drunk to shoot straight anyway...", frowning he slings the shortbow back over his shoulder and shuffles back a step, anticipating some closer quartered action shortly.
That one is all yours Doc! Ceinwynn drops her whip and draws her blade. Come taste my blade! She readies to attack the other one if it gets into range before her next turn.
The doctor ducks to avoid a claw aimed at his throat, only to then having to dodge a wicked bite. The creature's aggressive assault resulted in an opening and a dagger went forth to exploit it.