Rikar hesitates a moment. Sure do wish Misha or that Therena were up here to chat with these little wingy guys, small talk isn't exactly my strength.
"Ah, you know how it is," he responds, his voice getting a bit louder so the others are sure to hear, "I'm new here, and got a bit mislaid in the tunnels, been wandering about lookin' to find some of the folk I was brought in with. I guess they figure we'll all be fighting Gorge when it comes to it."
He looks the little winged fellow up and down as it hovers in the air, then asks, "Say, Gaggalooloo-so-incredibly-efficient-tasks-run-away-from-him - did I get that right? - what kind of creature are you, if you don't mind my asking?"
Rikar was avoiding answering when they asked about us, and now he is pretending he is alone, so I guess he wants to talk to these creatures by himself, Misha thinks to herself, or otherwise he would have given some kind of signal to approach when he heard my clumsy bum stumble forward.
She thinks a moment, then remembers something, chiding herself, You know, there's that cantrip I always forget to use that would save us a world of problems like this. Quick thinking, Misha! It only took you several months to think to cast it. True sign of a famous adventurer, that.
She pulls a small wire from her component pouch, folds it into a triangle, and whispers an incantation for the message spell. Everyone in the party is well within range, so she points her finger at each member of the party: Rikar, Krieg, Therena, Borris, and Josef (). She whispers, and suddenly everyone can hear as if Misha as she is standing behind them, whispering in their ear.
"Do not shout out or gasp, this is the emergency Misha communication system, do not be alarmed. Rikar, do you want a hand up there? If so, cough."
Rikar's eyes widen, and then a faint smile spreads itself across his face. He raises a hand to his mouth and coughs, then clears his throat and spits, waiting for a reply to his question, and some help from his friends.
"Gagg a loog, not Gaggalooloo. Too many loo's. And tasks can't run, but they can be afraid. You must be the brawn of the group. I know I heard someone else. Is that the brains?" replies the creature.
"I am a mephit. An Ooze Mephit to be precise. Tell your brains to come forward. I am sure that he will know what I am.
Misha, hearing the term Ooze Mephit thinks hard on what she knows, and figures the following.
Mephits are small, winged, horned creatures from the elemental planes that serve more powerful elemental creatures.
Ooze Mephits, most often found on the Plane of Water, are disgusting and slow to act.
Yes, you can get everyone with the Message spell.
"Rikar! I told you not to go too far ahead in these tunnels, or we'd get separated. Who is this now?" Misha gives Rikar a surreptitious wink as she approaches.
She looks at the winged creatures. "Mephits, eh? You're a long way from the elemental plane of water. Are you here on a mission from an elemental lord, or are you on an independent enterprise?"
Therena follows Misha to look at the mephits. The creatures seem fascinating, though a little disgusting. She stands back a bit and tries not to grimace at their appearance.
Diplomacy aid another:
Rikar's not accustomed to being told off for getting lost - but then again, he doesn't usually pretend to be lost either. He swallows his instinctive reaction to Misha's mock scolding and says, "Right you are, and right you were, but now we're back together."
He gestures at the mephits and says, "This is Whatzit and Whoozit - they'll have to tell you their names if you're to hear 'em right. As you'd expect in a cave under a mountain, they are accountants. For the mine here."
As if conveying something obvious, he says, "They know we're with Ground, and they say Gorge is close by and asked me if we'll be fighting Gorge. So, yeah." He shrugs a bit lamely, not accustomed to bluffing his way through things like this.
"Accountants? I expect the finances can't be very good given the mine hasn't been in operation for awhile. Of course, if Ground regained ground here, so to speak, then it would be, and I imagine your commission would rise considerably as a result. The issue is, we're worried you see, as we're not well equipped to take on Gorge. As Gorge is underwater, and unlike you gentlemen, once we're inside water we won't last very long. It's the whole lung issue you see, terrible weakness, I know, but you're stuck with what you're born with. I don't suppose you'd have any suggestions?"
As Misha talks, she tries to get herself on a roll, and taps into some of her adventurer's moxy for good measure.
As Misha rounds the corner, and asks the mephit who it works for, the mephit says something apparently to someone around the corner, "Googallagawag-gogorra-rock-and-azkar-as-ura, itxura garunak emakumezkoak dira. Agian isilik uzten merkataritza dezakezu"
"We on our own. Gorge does not control us." he replies to Misha. When Therena makes an appearance, he speaks again to something around the corner, "Bestean emakumezkoak. Gure aukerak bikoizten."
Then he bows slightly, "The brawn can not remember simple things. I am Gaggaloog-who-is-so-incredibly-efficient-tasks-are-afraid-of-him and my business partner is Googallagawag-tough-as-rock-and-swift-as-water. What is your name, both of you? Only the three of you? That is not many to take on Gorge."
"Pleased to meet you, Gaggaloog-who-is-so-incredibly-efficient-tasks-are-afraid-of him, and Gaoogallagawag-tough-as-rock-and-swift-as-water. I am Misha the Explorer, and this is Rikar Sarakin and Therena, Priest of Shinashakti. The rest of our group is not far."
"And as I asked, do you have any suggestions for how we may handle Gorge? There must be some reason you've taken an interest in the mine, though it is not lucrative in its current state, so clearly we have some shared interests, yes?"
"Ah, you understand the importance of names and saying them correctly. As you have such short names, we shall call you
Misha-nor-da-smart-eta-polita-eta-ulertzen-garrantzi-of-izenak, which in your tongue is Misha-who-is-smart-and-understands-importance-of-names."
On hearing the mephit's reassurance that the aboleth will attack when they enter his cave, Rikar grumbles a bit, "Well, that's certainly good news, little fellow."
He looks to Misha and Therena and says, "Looks like either way, we've got a Gorge to take care of. Shall we finish getting to know these caves a bit, and then turn to that ugly business?"
Noticing the tonal shift in the mephit's expression between languages, Misha tries to discern what he might have left out.
"What a wonderful epithet!" Misha says. "What you've just said is interesting though. In what way does Ground like dwarves?"
She had theorized perhaps Ground WAS the dwarves (and Gorge the aboleth) but her theory looks like it has failed. She is wondering whether they mean Ground likes dwarves as allies or dwarves to eat...
... but she has no clue.
Therena raises an eyebrow at the mephits translation of Misha's new Aquan name, but, not knowing Aquan, shrugs it off.
Kreig can't take it any longer. The idea of getting help fromi the little demons is churning his guts, but he stays hidden. Instead he leverages the clever spell Misha had cast earlier to communicate. "Them little rascals 'r trying ta stir up trouble by askin' after dwarves. Gimme tha word 'n I'll put a arrow through their gut-sacks."
"Ground likes to help dwarves get gold, and some mithral in these mines. Gorge doesn't like it when Ground helps or gives away," says the mephit. "If you help Ground, he maybe give you gold too."
Thinking on Misha other question, "Handle Gorge like adventurers handle everything. You go into room and beat it to death."
"That is most helpful, gentlemen." Misha doffs her hat. "Rest assured we shall work in all of our best interests," she finishes, intentionally vaguely. "We shall have to confer with the rest of our associates, as we've got a good deal of brawns and brain to go around. Here's one with a good dose of both," she adds, as Josef steps forward.
"We'll report back to you once we've dealt with the Gorge situation."
She signals to the others to follow her and moves back the way they came. When she gets out of their line of sight, she whispers as quietly as she possibly can, which should still sound clearly in everyone's ears via the spell. "Kreig thinks they're trying to play us. And Gaggaloog is looking at me in a way I really don't like. Still--at first I thought they were talking about the aboleth and the dwarves. But they're talking about an earth and water elemental. And I'd believe what they are saying on that -- the water elemental wants to flood things, the earth wants the place to be mined, so in that way the sides are rather parallel. And in that matter, we are 'for Ground' as it were--and I'm thinking further, if we deal with the water elemental, perhaps that may help deprive the aboleth and skum of their environment... but we may well not have the whole picture. We might want to seek out these elementals and talk to them... but who first, and are we ready to fight either if things go poorly? Josef, what do you know about elementals?"
Rikar nods appreciatively at Misha's read on the situation, saying, "Ya see? This is why I wanted to be sure you came up and chatted with the little muddy guys there, because you're quick." He pauses a moment to consider, then says, "I think you're right about what's going on here, though I don't think it changes our strategy a lot. We should finish exploring the caves in the area, so we know the lay of the land - and then we try to take out Gorge, since the mephits said we might get some help from Ground if we do so. Maybe that'll mean some help in fighting the aboleth."
He glances back down the tunnel and asks, "Since we have some idea that Gorge is at the far end of the main tunnel , I say we check out the other branches first, then take on Gorge."
+1 Trapfinding, +2 Unusual Stonework, +2 Checks related to metals, jewels, gemstones
+2 Underground
+2 Underground
Rikar and Kreig lead the way down the corridor where noises were heard earlier, but away from where Gorge and the Aboleth are. There is a ten foot area that is partially underwater, but with one of the spears, it is found to be about one foot deep, so everyone moves thru it. The brackish water does not feel good on you, but nothing comes up from it, so you continue.
As you approach the corner , Kreig and Rikar hear a sloshing sound, as if something is moving around in the area to the groups right. Even Misha, from her position in the back hears it also. And it sounds large.
Rikar gives a look over his shoulders at his companions, shrugs and tips his head to indicate he's going to take a look. With a nod at Kreig to join him, the burly Shoanti and his cat companion move clumsily around the corner, Latys somehow making even more noise than her heavy-footed friend.
Juust in case, Misha pulls out her whip, and readies her other hand in case she needs to cast a spell.
Krug hugs the wall and follows along with Rikar. He mouths a single word when the Shaonti looks his way. "Gorge? "
+2 Underground
+2 Underground
Rounding the corner, Rikar, Kreig and Latys see a large mass of tangled vines and dripping slime on two trunk-like legs in the water, reeking of rot and freshly turned earth. Rikar, seeing this monstrosity, stumbles momentarily, making a loud splashing noise in one of the puddles.
The creature, hearing the noise turns and with two arm like appendages moves towards the ranger, making loud gurgling sounds that everyone easily hears as it moves in for the kill.
Therena takes a five-foot step south, sees the "thing" and touches Latys on the hind quarters, granting her a bit of luck.
Rikar ponders a moment whether he's heard of such a beast, then steps forward, blade held high and ready to attack the creature if it comes near.
Latys turns her head, briefly surprised to have been touched by someone other than Rikar as a fight is starting. She sees Therena close by and feels an unusual spring in her stride. Puzzled but focused on the fight, she turns and slips around Kreig to stand by Rikar, ready to attack the strange creature if it comes close.
Misha moves to see what Josef is shooting fire at and the others are gawping at in horror, while casting a spell that makes her grow taller, wirier, and get pointy ears. She takes a stab at guessing who they are meeting.
"So we've decided to call off the alliance with Ground then?" she asks.
Kreig instinctively knows the beastie is going to clear the distance between them in moments. He searches his memories for the times his father had spent teaching him of aberrations and monsters found on the subterranean depths.
At the same time he knows his how will be next to useless in close quarters, so he stashes it away and sets into motion. Rikar dashes right and slashes out with his giant sword as Latys attention an attack of her own. Kreig opts for a tumble to the left in the hopes he and his pal can get on both sides of the monstrosity and free up the passage for Boris and Josef.
"Any of ya folks need an herb garden? Looks like we just found ourselves a compost heap!"
》 ...what is this?
》Put away Seeker
》 ...try to avoid AoO
》Move to BF26
Mayor: Drebin, I don't want anymore trouble like you had last year on the South Side. Understand? That's my policy.
Frank: Yes. Well, when I see 5 weirdos dressed in togas stabbing a guy in the middle of the park in full view of 100 people, I shoot the bastards. That's *my* policy.
Mayor: That was a Shakespeare-In-The-Park production of "Julius Caesar", you moron!
Josef hears the creature moving, and moves up to behind Rikar and Latys. Seeing the thing coming forward to attack, he casts a Scorching Ray at the mass of vines and slime, however the creature shrugs off the damage as if it never happened. Borris moves up in front of Rikar and Kreig, and stands in wait for the creature to come forward. Rikar takes a step forward, next to Borris and also waits for the creature. Latys, moves up next to Borris, and seeing his friend stand in wait, also does the same. Therena, moves up behind the cat and grants him some luck for his attacks against the creature, while Kreig moves to the other side of Latys, and tries to figure out what the thing is, but he has cannot tell what kind of creature this is.
The creature steps straight forward and reaches out to Borris and Latys, and all the readied attacks swing or bite. Borris misses with his earthbreaker, and Rikar misses with his greatsword while trying to figure out what this thing is, but Latys bites the thing and rips some of the vines out of the tangled mass. The creature, hits Latys, but brutally slams into Borris with a critical hit.
Misha moves up and in shock tries to figure out if this is Ground, but she is not sure, so she alters her appearance.
Josef UP
Latys crouches briefly, then springs forward and past the massive creature, setting herself up to flank it with Rikar. Landing nimbly behind it, she lashes at it with her teeth, but misjudges her attack and misses.
Rikar sees Latys' bite miss completely and decides to focus more on accuracy than power as he attacks. He steps forward to put himself opposite his faithful companion, then strikes with his greatsword. As he moves, he grunts out, "Well, I don't know for sure what this ugly thing is, except that it's some kind of plant creature. I'm sure we'll learn more as we try to kill it - like that fire doesn't hurt it much, eh, Josef?"
Therena reaches out and gives Borris a bit of luck this time.
Same as before, roll twice for all d20s and take the best result.
Kreig chokes down his revulsion at the creature's stench, knowing only that it just gave their heaviest hitter the raspberry. "Right, ya ugly bunch o' snail food, time fer a good ole' fashion trimmin'!!"
The dwarf hefts his short sword, hoping the magic of the weapon might penetrate the green beast's hide. His stunted legs begin to chug away as he leaps forward to take a slice out of it. "Ahhh, yer mother was a potato!"
》Move to BE24 thru the 10 ft threatened space of the beast's reach. Acrobatics check to avoid...
》
》
》
"...you can move through a threatened square without provoking an attack of opportunity from an enemy by using Acrobatics. When moving in this way, you move at half speed. You can move at full speed by increasing the DC of the check by 10. You cannot use Acrobatics to move past foes if your speed is reduced due to carrying a medium or heavy load or wearing medium or heavy armor. If an ability allows you to move at full speed under such conditions, you can use Acrobatics to move past foes. You can use Acrobatics in this way while prone, but doing so requires a full-round action to move 5 feet, and the DC is increased by 5. If you attempt to move though an enemy's space and fail the check, you lose the move action and provoke an attack of opportunity."
So this would be against the baddie's CMD with a +2 modifier as I close the distance thru his 10 ft reach along the slippery ground. Is that right?
threat
confirmed
Josef figures that if fire didn't work, perhaps force will so he casts magic missile at the creature and more of the vines fall off it. Borris steps up next to the creature and swings with both his earthbreaker and klar. He hits with his earthbreaker, and returns the favor of a critical hit with his klar. Rikar pauses to let Latys get in flanking position, then obliterates the creature with a powerful blow from his greatsword. The creature falls apart into a mass of dead vegetation.
Misha goes forth and examines the now inert heap of compost (holding her nose as needed), poking it with her folding pole.
"So I thought all we had to deal with was skum and the aboleth... now elementals... and whatever this was... which on retrospect, seemed too dumb to be an elemental spirit... where did all these creatures come from? Why are they fighting over these godforsaken tunnels? And if this place is ruled by an aboleth like we were led to believe... not to say I don't believe what those poor people had been through... why haven't it and the skum dealt with the other creatures here? Aboleths hate everything... seems like everything'd be destroyed by it or enslaved by it. Instead we seem to have walked into a whole new game. It's annoying, if for no other reason, I'd rather just deal with one threat at a time. There's nothing interesting here, it's deeper into the mountain is where the good stuff supposedly lies..."
Stupid ancient and planar creatures! How dare they get in the way of the progress of a perfectly good, scholarly expedition!
What am I missing?