A few days after the lighthouse is repaired, Jask discovers a hole in the ground that looks like it leads to an underground cave!
Munkustrap looks at the opening. He looks across the azure landscape of the sea. He thinks about his time here, fighting mutant crabs, devil worshiping cannibals. Yet the hole beckons him. The lust for treasure outweighs his sensibilities.
"Shall we take a look, my friends. Who knows, we might actually find some treasure in this place and get rescued. Greedy, I know. But wouldn't it be grand to say that we actually profited from this misadventure." He looks expectantly at the others.
Ndombe shakes his head. "I sorrow for you cat-friend. You have your freedom, you can never be more rich than that."
Nothus shakes his head, "At the moment, we're trapped on the island, Ndombe. Freedom is still in the works."
"And nothing wrong with exploring a bit as we wait. We're not going far."
Neltji feels the conflicted opinions on the opening being found. She likes the idea of being safe and just waiting for a ship to arrive. However she is concerned about what the hole might contain and if it might expel some creature in the middle of the night. I think we need to investigate it as a group to make sure we are safe and not going to be attacked on out sleep. Once that is accomplished then we can rest easy and hope to get off the island.
Nothus looks up from scratching the spotted cat that answered his call, and then laughs bitterly, "Given our luck and what we've found on the island so far, I think Neltji's probably got the right idea."
Ndombe lets out a laugh, "No friend Nothus, you are trapped here," he gestures to the island, "because you choose to feel trapped here," he says as he taps his temple with his finger. "One can live free, even on an island not of their own choosing. If we choose to leave this island, it does not mean we were not free while here."
Munkustrap shines a light into the hole lading to the cave. "What do you think? Robe ladder or rig something more substantial up? Ishirou and Jask can guard this as we descend."
"Do we have enough robes to tie together for that?"
Nothus says, "Not sure what you're going on about, but I have a 50' length of actual hemp rope, if it helps."
"Rope will work too!"
"I vote Ndombe." the catfolk looks to the Mwangi cleric before addressing the group. "I have plied my trade as scout for you all in the past, and vowed not to do so again since you all feel so passionately about parleying while I am being attacked.
"I can assure you though, whoever goes first, shall have my knives at your back ... to keep you safe of course. I'll let my steel do the talking." he ends in a wiry grin.
Ndombe nods, slings his weapon over his shoulder, and climbs down once the rope is ready.
Nothus shakes his head, "I'm the steathier of the two of us. And I can bring Blackleaf with me for another set of eyes... and his nose."
Neltji stayed back from the conversation as the ‘menfolk’ seemed to be discussing the value of robe ladders and hemp. When the decision finally made to use one or the other she waited patiently for them to descend to make sure the hemp worked or the robe ladder, either one seemed interesting to her. Before the men descended though she stood at the opening to give them each a bit of guidance and cast light to allow them to see. After all we’re down she guided herself and climbed down to help explore what this cave held.
Perception take 20 for 22
"No, no, it is clearly my turn, as stated by the cat-man. I shall go."
As stated earlier, Ndombe will lead the charge.
The uneven floor of this ten-foot-high cave is stained with blood and scattered with pieces of wood, fallen leaves, broken weapons, and in places, bits of bone. A hole in the ceiling leads out to the surface.
Neltji follows at the back end as Ndombe moves onward. We have your back, right behind you about 20ft. I will have the wand if healing ready should anything happen.
Ndombe will level his trident, cast light on it, and search around. If he spots nothing, he will head off through the passageway to the East.
The smell of decay is thick in the air of this wide but low-ceilinged cavern. To one side, the ceiling drops down to little more than three feet in height over a region strewn with bones and bits of old flesh, while to the other, the ceiling bulges upward in a dome shape—six circular, pod-like alcoves line the walls of the cave at this side.
As Ndombe enters the cavern, he sees two hideously malformed, hairless, pustule-covered corpses that move and snarls more like an undead hound than an undead man.
Hearing the snarls and assuming that Ndombe needs help Neltji moves up 5ft. Seeing the things...
know religion
she tries to determine what they are and if they are susceptible to her hexes. For sure she could try the misfortune hex as that works on everything but the others hexes she is unsure of.
alphabetical blue/green
misfortune will save DC 17 on green.
Effect: The witch can cause a creature within 30 feet to suffer grave misfortune for 1 round. Anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A Will save negates this hex. At 8th level and 16th level, the duration of this hex is extended by 1 round. This hex affects all rolls the target must make while it lasts. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
She then laughs at it suffering from her hex. (cackle)
The festrog charges Ndombe!
The festrog will also attempt to trip him.
Ndombe is knocked prone!
Ndombe will stand (this will provoke), and attack the beast...
Melee
Nothus rushes forward, calling in druidic, "Blackleaf, flank and kill", as he closes, waiting for the speedy cat to rush around the undead creature before they launch into their attacks.
for
for
Galdon will move up and throw a starknife at the blue festrogs.
for
As Ndombe stands, the festrog tries to bite him.
Ndombe then stabs the creature with his trident. As he does, some of the festrog's boils rupture, squirting Ndombe with puslike fluids.
Nothus and his cat attack the festog bringing it down! As the cat chomps on the festrog, some of it's boils rupture!
Galdon throws his starknife and kills the thing. luckily no one was near when the things boils broke open!
(Bull's Strength)
(Magic Weapon)
Hopefully before Ndombe uses his spells Neltji has a chance to intervene. Save them as I have the wand here. A quick use of these will allow you versatility later when we may need it.
After the fight Neltji looks at the others. That could have gone better. That first one was quite resistant to my hex. I am glad that the fight didn’t last that long.
Ndombe will give the place the once over, looking for loot, etc.
Ndombe hands the note to Neltji without reading it, "here, a message for you readers."
A dark pool of water lies in the center of this silo-shaped cavern. A five-foot-wide ledge of stone winds down to the pool below, passing several cave entrances along the way.
When handed the letter by Ndombe Neltji quickly reads it quietly to herself. After the first time through though she almost drops it to the ground. Anthony catches it in a claw and holds it for her while she composes herself. Thanking him for the patience she picks it up and reads it to the others aloud. When she is done she looks at them with tears in her eyes. I am not sure to laugh, cry, be angry, or wallow in misery. Our answers to why we are here are nothing short of madness. The captain was possessed and forced to wreck us here. Her sanity must have broken through though at some point to realize what she had done. That explains this note and why our gear was left on the beach.
Pity for the captain started rising to the surface of her emotions, Imagine knowing that it was your fault that shipwrecked everyone here and yet you were unable to help it.
Pity quickly turned to wrath though as she thought more of their plight. Ieana though deserves to suffer for the death and misery she has caused to all on the Jenivere. If we find her I am going to hex her till she dies.
Well, on through V21, and following a right-handed search, I guess we head towards V27 next.
This long cavern is scattered with bones, body parts, and bits of seaweed. A hole in the floor to the west echoes with the sloshing of waves.
Four undead creatures begin to shreik and howl!
Neltji targets the front creature with her misfortune hex and cackles as it tries feebly to overthrow her mental assault.
Standard misfortune dc 17 will save
Cackle to extend duration
@GM - can you please fix the party order, I should be out front of everyone else, as I'm on point.
The Lacedons swarm Ndombe and Nothus!
Success
Success
Success
Ndombe will enlarge himself with his domain ability and attack Lacedon 4...
Melee
Crit Confirm
Melee
Nothus whistles for his tiny furry companion, who circles the beast and attacks from behind while Nothus watches and studies the thing's movements, looking for patterns before striking.
for
for
Ndombe and Nothus both bring down their foes!