Stellan is startled at the actions of Warren. "That's not- Okay then that was impulsive." While Stellan considers what to say, others comment. "Yes, that was a possibility but Erastil is rather restrictive in his ways, at least we could have waited for Thad's ideas. Now we see just how upset the master of this temple is."
See what's coming.
While Warren attempts to rectify his miscalculation. Three more of the giant bat-like creatures swoop down from the darkness above. Fortunately, the the glowing symbols and your searching eyes do keep everyone from being surprised this time.
The first creature dives down over the group, releasing another ear shattering screech. As it pass by the other two creatures swoop down upon the party. One of the bats, manages to tear into Imon as it passes. A good chunk of the lawman's flesh hangs from its mouth as it swoops back up into the shadows.
The other creature dives toward Anwel but jerks away at the last minute, apparently misjudging the distance to the hard cavern wall.
Andrei shrugs off the screech and moves forwards to block Imon from easy attack. "Friends, once upon a time a group of companions on a divine quest were attacked by one of these bats. Udo killed it. Lets do it again."
Anwel stands straight this time as the bat swoops down on him, remembering that the last one failed to harm him. Andrei's story bolsters his confidence, and the thought briefly occurs to him that someone or something - besides Udo - might be shielding him from the bats' hunger. He dismisses the thought as quickly as it comes; who would do such a thing? Who with the power cared?
Besides, Anwel does not need to rely on such fickle whims. Drawing on the room's memory of the just-departed darkness, and the fresh shadows that nestle in the hidden corners and crannies of the cavern, Anwel weaves a subtle web around the bat as it swerves away from the wall. The darkness hiding the ceiling seems to press down like a weight upon it, shoving it down away from safety and keeping it within the reach of Anwel's companions.
Udoeak is much more visibly affected by this screech, unable to cover both of his ears while holding his sword. He shakes it off after a few seconds, but his actions are still sluggish.
Udoeak, on his initiative, readies an action to Attack the first of them that comes into his threatened range.
|
The sound once more stops Gorax in his tracks, making it difficult for him to be able to use his full force against the creatures. Gorax moves forward into a position he can start to fight the great bat like creatures, next to Anwel, ready to defend him, his sword already drawn. "Anwell, get behind me." he says gruffly, holding his shield up to protect him.
Imon stepped forward, in sync with Gorax's notions of keeping their most fragile and possibly,Imon hated to admit, most valuable member in the back. He grabbed an arrow and fired it at the nearest beast, and with practiced precision did the same thing a second time.
The bats's screams seems to go through Stellan but leaves no lasting affect.
Tries to keep it simple this round. Attack closest bat.
Ray of Frost. Add one more, should have been plus three.
Edit error in roll had to reroll.
Vinur wimpers as the scream tears through him...
... leaving him unaffected.
Although he had been affected by the sound before, it doesn't stop him from being affected again. He grabs his ears in pain.
Imon stepped forward, in sync with Gorax's notions of keeping their most fragile and possibly,Imon hated to admit, most valuable member in the back. He grabbed an arrow and fired it at the nearest beast, and with practiced precision did the same thing a second time.
[Dice=First arrow hit] 1d20+4
[Dice=Second arrow hit]1d20+4First arrow damage]1d8+2
[Dice=Second arrow damage]1d8+2
[Dice=Fortitude]1d20+2
Sorry I didn't think about the penalties (:
Better prepared for the diving attacks, Gorax nearly shears the wing off of the bat that tore into Imon. The big man's longsword rips through sinew and muscle with startling ease and leaves the creature struggling to maintain its flight. With a startled and pained squawk the giant bat veers away only to be struck by Imon's second arrow. With blood pouring from its wounds, Stellan sends a chilling ray of magical energy into the creature's already mangled wing. The pain and damage are simply too much and the bat falls to the water below. The splash echoing back a few seconds later.
Anwel's web of shadow magic, easily wraps up the bat diving in his direction. As the creature struggles to maintain its flight, Thad manages to nick it with an arrow. Udo attempts to follow up on the monster's distress, but both of his enhanced blows miss the mark as the creature slips back into the darkness of the cavern.
Warren continues to exchange natural liquids in the cup after cutting himself with his scimitar.
He leaves his eagles ready to engage the bat again if it returns.
Round 2
"Good swing Gorax, keep going everyone, only two to go."
Andrei sword starts to glow as he waits to attack any bat that gets in range.
"Indeed, Gorax, a fine hit," says Anwel gratefully. He lets the dark web he had woven fade back into the ambient darkness. When the bat comes back around for another attack, he wants no distractions to interfere with his aim. He raises his bow, and waits for one of the creatures to leave the umbral sanctuary of the ceiling.
Udoeak nods, still off balance. "Keep it up," he says, readying another blow for whatever bat is ill-fortuned enough to meet his blade.
Stellan nods at he words of encouragement and tries to keep track of events.
Track bats and be wary for the possibility of more avenging forces arriving.
Ray of Frost.
Imon took another two shots before he noticed his injury. He'd felt the bat's claws rake across him, but he hadn't given it much thought until then. With the realization of his wound, along came the pain. He cursed loudly, mixed with a groan. He felt a strong desire to retreat, but where could he flee to?
A few tense seconds pass before the creatures once again dive upon the party out of the darkness. Ready and waiting, Anwel and Thad both lodge shafts deep into the first creature's chest. Gorax follows the ranged attacks with a solid blow from his sword that leaves a long, savage cut blooming with blood along the creatures side. Moments later Andrei steps out catching the giant bat before in can dive away to safety. His glowing sword slices clean through the monsters wing and sends if fluttering desperately to the bottom of the cavern.
The second bat swoops in a nearly catches Andrei, but he manages to twist away from the creatures bite at the last second. As it flies past Andrei it runs right into Udo whose first punch glances aside, but the second lands right between the eyes. The creature's answering screech is gargled as it swallows several teeth jarred loose by the blow. Imon and Stellan follow up the alchemist's attack with an arrow and another frost ray. As it disappears into the darkness, blood can be seen pouring from its pulverized face and other wounds.
As the others fight off the attacking monsters, Warren continues to let his blood drip into the cup. Slowly the cup fills with it currently about a fifth filled.
Stellan briefly consider whether he can assist Warren, then figures that it could be as likely to hurt than harm. As the current battle appears to be swinging in their favor, he continues his weak but infinite attack.
Ray of Frost.
Any big bat that he sees.
Udoeak once more readies himself for the creatures, ears ringing.
Anwel looks back at Warren, slowly filling the cup. He wants to help speed the process, but his fear of what might happen if he approaches the relic again stops him. Instead, he draws another arrow and pulls his bow, a little disappointed at the monotony of it.
"Are you alright Warren? Do you need some healling?"
He tries to keep his eye on the bat as it sweeps around and readies his blade for if it gets too close.
"I'm fine. Just filling up a cup with my own blood."
The tension builds as the party waits for the cup to fill and the creature to swoop back in for another attack. However, as the blood continues to flow from Warren's wrist, the creature doesn't appear again.
As you wait on the ledge, scanning the darkness, you suddenly hear the light tinkle of pebbles bouncing down the wall from above over the sound of Warren's blood dripping into the cup. A few seconds later larger, finger or hand-sized stones begin to fall and the echoing sounds of something scraping at the rock somewhere high above can be heard.
Warren is happy to keep the blood flowing steadily. Holding the arm down makes the blood flow faster.
Warren makes no attempt to dodge the rocks, as he does not want to disturb the bloodletting process.
Andrei gets a gash to forehead from an early rock fall before raising his shield over his head.
Stellan
Vinur
Stellan and Vinur easily dodge the falling rocks.
Stellan gets close to Warren to aid him in bleeding faster safely.
Stellan is grim as he approaches Warren but quietly says, "Let me help you bleed faster, safer."
Make Warren bled faster then stop it when the cup is full.
Imon kept his wits about him as the rocks fell, but doing so required that he kept his eyes above him, and oblivious to anything but falling stones.
Anwel continues scanning the shadowed ceiling, alert to whatever comes falling down, creature or cobble.
"Get something over your head or get under someone's shield. Thad do you think this is more dipleasure at the wrong offering or is it a sign that it is being accepted?" Andrei asks
Udoeak gets hit in the head by a few rocks, and a small stream of blood oozes from his scalp. He continues looking up nonetheless, watching for any more signs of movement from above.
As the cup reaches the halfway mark, Thad shakes his head at Andrei's question. "No." He replies barely dodging another large stone. "I don't believe this is the work of Erastil or the former priests who dedicated this space."
He tilts his head to the side. At the same time everyone can hear heavy scraping noises echoing along the wall from high above the party's position. The scraping is occasionally punctuated by a short high pitched squeak.
He starts to speak again, but instead ends up being hit by one of the falling stones, causing a small gash across the side of his head and forcing him back up against the wall.
"So what is it then, a trap from the Bone Ravens, or Akiros' men?" asks Anwel, pressing himself up against the wall to avoid a cascade of sharp rocky shards from high above. He catches a few glints of red in the cascade, reflections of the light from the sigils.
Imon had more difficulty dodging the stones this time, but still managed without a scratch. Imon was surprised by Anwel's question, he'd just assumed that such things were not out of the ordinary. "I had presumed it had something to do with the bats," He called out. "What could do something like this?"
dice=Reflex Save]1d20+4[/dice] Stellan
Vinur
Seeing his failure to have any meaningful results with Warren, Stellan considers Imon's question, "Well, that a good question. Wonder what it could be ..."Stellan's voice trails off as he looks and listens trying to figure out what is happening.
What's there, what clues do I have?
Based on what clues he has, what's stalking us?
Andrei still holding the shield above his head sheaths his sword and cast light on one of the pebbles at his feet, picking it up in the process. "I'll throw this up to get a better look, if a couple of you have your bows ready that might be wise." He states.