Mutt and Variel quickly dispatch two of the larger centipedes.
Mutt
Fiona
Variel
Thaddeus
Samaritha
Mages
---
Centipedes:
Red
Blue
Green
Swarm
Variel steps clear of the mass of bugs, and calls back to Mutt, "Burn away, my friend!"
He swats at the reddish one in front of him, then turns and notices something odd about the blue-tinged one. "Fiona, this one appears to have a blind spot. Strike from the left!"
The speed of the creatures catches Thaddeus off-guard. Especially the swarm. He backs away from the giant crawler as he quickly considers his options.
"Variel! If you can get out of the swarm, I can burn them alive!"
"Yeh kin what, now?!"
Well, at least Mutt seems to be accepting he has magic in the blood, instead of scoffing at the notion. Seems to have gotten a quick handle of it, too, if he knows what he can do. Thaddeus already saw Mutt grow to a giant, and now he's casting... something with fire.
Still, no guarantee whatever he's about to do will take out the swarm. Any amount of damage will help.
(*1.5)
------
OLD HORN
Old Horn decides he's too close to the action, and moves back, though he gives the token effort of trying to get Mule to follow.
Variel is so busy swatting centipedes off of his arms that he is unable to get a good swing in on the red-banded centipede in front of him. Thaddeus then steps back, and alchemist's fire explodes right behind Variel, scorching the earth and destroying many of the centipedes!
Mule remains rigidly in place as the far cleverer Old Horn tries to get ornery creature to move.
Two centipedes lash out at Fiona, rushing her with incredible speed while another tries to eat more of Variel. Fiona proves a very difficult target as she swings her earthbreaker around with ease, batting aside the nasty bugs, while Variel jsut steps back.
The swarm then continues to follow Variel, overwhelming him and moving closer to Fiona, Mutt, and Thaddeus!
Mutt
Fiona
Variel (18/24)
Thaddeus
Samaritha
Mages
---
Centipedes:
Red
Blue
Green
Swarm (7 dmg)
Variel is overwhelmed by the swarm of centipedes. Barely able to breathe as they crawl over his entire body, all he can do is stagger away.
A centipede leaps at Variel, but misses wildly.
"Variel! If you can get out of the swarm, I can burn them alive!""Yeh kin what, now?!"
Mutt looks at Thaddeus. "I said that I was going to burn them alive! Don't ask me how! Ever since that big magic light show I pulled back in Riddleport, I somehow knew I could do this. Like it's some kind of... instinct. Watch!" Mutt glares at the swarm before him. He then shouts out in some arcane language. He then drops his greataxe at his feet and holds out his hands. His forearms begin to glow orange. Small tongues of fire begin to form on them. Then, Flames begin shooting out from his hands! The fire goes towards the swarm and burns them. The cone goes so far out that it hits a large centipede!
Thaddeus looks quite impressed and surprised as Mutt calls fourth magical powers, with the requisite gestures and incantations. And achieves the intended effect with it. Quite a powerful effect, for that matter. He could feel the waves of heat from here!
Still, they aren't done being attacked, yet.
Fiona heeds Variel's warning and swings at the blue centipede, coming at it from the left...
One of the mages rushes up while the other looks around helplessly.
Samaritha then targets the green centipede, blasting it with a magic missile and killing it outright!
Mutt channels his incredible latent power into a blast of scorching fire over the swarm, aided by one of the Cyphermages.
Many of the centipedes are destroyed, but the swarm keeps on moving! The fire has killed the red centipede, though. Fiona then swings out, utterly squashing a centipede while Thaddeus pulls out a sling.
The swarm then rushes northwards, overwhelming Mutt and Fiona!
Mutt
Fiona
Variel (18/24)
Thaddeus
Samaritha
Mages
---
Swarm (23 dmg)
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"AAACCCKK AAACCKK BUGS BUGS BUGS BUGS!" Fiona squawks and flails as she feels hundreds of centipedes biting her.
Fiona takes off, running away from the bugs.
With the giant sized bugs dealt with, Variel backs away to allow the others to deal with the swarm and says a prayer.
Mutt feels the swarm biting into his flesh. He rips off some of the centipedes and moves back. "I only got one more spell in me! I'd rather save it for something more threatening!"
"I only got one more spell in me! I'd rather save it for something more threatening!"
"Fine! But 'dis stuff's expensive!"
Thaddeus throws his second vial of Alchemist's Fire at the swarm.
(*1.5)
As the bomb explodes, Thaddeus quickly checks around, readying his dagger to attack the remaining centipedes. He's a bit surprised to see that the other giant crawlers have all been crushed, burnt, or otherwise killed.
Seeing a bit of movement from the swarm, he jumps somewhat and runs back towards the path, not paying enough attention to see if the swarm was still alive, or he just saw one or two remaining centipedes twitching.
Fiona handles being eaten alive with centipedes as any rational person would, Variel heals his wounds, and Mutt backs out of the swarm. Thaddeus throws another alchemist's fire, and the game Cyphermage blasts the swarm with burning hands once more.
The combined blasts of fire scorch and destroy many more of the centipedes, and as the smoke clears the swarm has scattered with the remaining centipedes scuttling off into the dense undergrowth.
End of Combat
Fiona returns to the others, gasping for air and visibly mortified.
"...I. Hate. Bugs."
"I only got one more spell in me! I'd rather save it for something more threatening!""Fine! But 'dis stuff's expensive!"
Mutt snorts. "I'll pay you back for it!"
Fiona returns to the others, gasping for air and visibly mortified.
"...I. Hate. Bugs."
Seeing the swarm scatter, Mutt shoulders his greataxe. As Fiona chimes in about her hatred of bugs, he grumbles and says, "I don't blame you."
Variel returns the the group and nods in agreement. "Sauteed centipedes are a lovely delicacy. Fresh and wriggling, not so much."
The elf approaches the remains of the tower carefully, watching for signs of more infestations.
"Whew, glad 'dat's over wit'.... Uhh, think 'dere's one more o'dem tings wrigglin in yer chainmail, 'dere, Fiona. Right 'tween yer shoulders."
Thaddeus looks at the ruined tower.
"Guess 'dis place's a wash, 'sfar as takin' shelter. Should we try fer th'other lighthouse, 'den?"
Fiona flails about to get the rest of the centipedes out of her armour.
Samaritha quickly moves over to Fiona, casting a prestidigitation spell. A sweet-smelling smoke envelops Fiona, and with the help of the mage, she manages to get the rest of the centipedes off of her.
Variel explores the ruins thoroughly, stomping out more of the centipedes. The ruins could form a kind of shelter, although it wouldn't help much with the torrential rains in the area. He does however find the bodies of several erstwhile explorers and some gear that looks to be valuable.
- three suits of studded leather armour
- a heavy crossbow with 15 bolts
- three short swords
- a magical cloak, easily identified as resistance +1
- a masterwork longsword
- a masterwork chain shirt
- 125.35 in mixed coins
Beyond that, Variel manages to extract something interesting from a pack that's been eaten through by centipedes. In the pack is a crude map of Devil's Elbow. It shows a dotted line leading from what appears to be the pier into the thick of the forest. There, you see a large 'X'. There are no other markings.
Mutt listens to Thaddeus and shrugs. "We may as well. Things couldn't get any worse." He turns to Variel and says, "Find anything?" He walks over to him to aid him.
Variel points out the cache to Mutt. "Looks like a fairly well-equipped group was here at some time in the past and left behind rather valuable gear. Let's divide the weight between us. If nothing else, it provides us some valuables with which we might bargain if we find ourselves in trouble."
Such as being abandoned by our ship if the captain saw the pirates and decides not to risk coming back for us... Variel chooses not to voice this particular concern just yet.
"This longsword appears better made than my own. I will carry it for now, if no one else has a need for it."
Once everything is divided up, he agrees with Thaddeus. "There's nothing else here, let us continue our search."
"Anyone want 'dis cloak? Already got one m'self. Keeps yeh safe from spells 'n such. Well, safer. Got a fine suit o'chain here, too, if'n anyone wants it."
"We also got Mule 'n Old Horn 'dere t'help carry some stuff."
*BEEEEAAHH!*
"It's called earnin' yer keep, yeh lazy bum!" Thaddeus shouts at his ungulate companion.
"Anyways, best shot is th'other lighthouse, 'den."
"And what have we here ..." Variel stoops to pick up a map he almost missed.
"Hmm ... X marks the spot? Are they that cliche?" He studies it and shows it to the rest. "I wonder if this is what our new neighbors came for in the night?"
Fiona raises her hand. "I think I'd like that cloak, please."
Mutt nods at Variel and begins to help pack up. When Thaddeus asks about the cloak and armor, Mutt shakes his head. "I'm okay. My armor is good enough and Fiona can take the cloak." When it comes to the map, Mutt looks it over in interest. "So there's other valuables here. We have a lot of things to find. The drow, the skymetal, Zincher, and now this."
Fiona takes the cloak and puts it on.
The seductive, intimidating High Priestess has given you a mission. A group of heroes who have some sort of arrangement with the church have set out for Devil's Elbow in the wake of the disappearance of the Blot, the falling star, and the tsunami. The dark elves of legend, hated creature with purple skin and white hair who live below the surface apparently are real, and are plotting the destruction of everyone.
Shorafa, the High Priestess, is a finicky and easily changeable creature. After the group set out, she began to fret about the strange tales of horrid monsters being heard around Devil's Elbow and that there may need to be more to shore up your number. You were chosen as her agent.
The journey to Devil's Elbow is not quite what you had hoped for. You were aboard a small sloop called the 'Dawn's Triumph' and set out for what was a simple five hour journey. Unfortuntely, you were waylaid by pirates. An enormous ship known as the Tears of Araska blasted the sales with a fireball spell before boarding and slaughtering half the crew. Your holy symbol to Calistria saved you thanks to sharing the faith. However, you were kept prisoner to be ransomed.
The pirates spoke of skymetal, and of a great treasure they knew the location of. With that, the ship docked at the pier and half the crew went off to begin scouring the island. This was your opportunity. Having loosened your bonds well in advance, you slipped out of them and picked the lock to your door. Snatching your equipment, you bolted for the side of the ship before plunging into the ocean to swim to shore. They weren't even aware that you had escaped.
Finding shelter at a nearby beach, you waited out the night.
==============
==============
Giving the pier the widest possible berth to avoid the pirates, you push through the incredibly dense bush southwards. A waterproof scroll tube contains the instructions from Shorafa.
You are to locate and join forces with the inquisitor Variel Duardlon. He is accompanied by Thaddeus, an unfortunately low-class spellcaster who is never without his goat, two Shoanti/Varisian half-breeds named Mutt and Fiona, and a dwarf from the south called Gunryn. Give them the second letter which accompanies this one and assist them in any way you can.
May the Savored Sting guide you,
Shorafa Pamodae
Avoiding an unfortunately huge number of extremely large centipedes, you strike down a game trail until you finally come to a large east-west road.
As you attempt to figure out which way to go next, you hear rustling around you. Through the forest, you see strange blue shapes move between the trees. Strange creature that look like tentacled lions begin to emerge from the bush around you.
You also see a crew of people travelling down a road, who pause as they spot you. Among them you see an elf who matches Variel's description - but you have little time to react as the creatures pounce!
-----
Finding nothing that looks like a reasonable place to rest, you start heading eastwards to the second lighthouse in a desperate attempt to find some decent shelter on this island. The journey from west to east takes a few hours - you're treated to a delightful view of the lagoon to the south.
You pass through the remains of Witchlight and spot the small crater that was once the watchtower that nearly killed you all. Quickly moving on, you strike southeast, heading down the hill.
Variel is the first to spot her - a woman you do not recognize stands on the trail a short distance from you, looking to all sides. The blue creatures are emerging from the woods around you.
Ellesbeth
Mutt
Variel
Thaddeus
---
Creatures
---
Fiona
Mages
Variel calls out to the woman on the road, "Look out behind you!"
Drawing his sword, he advances to try to protect her from the creatures moving up.
The woman, a shorter Varisan woman, slender of frame, turns at Variel's call. Her long brown hair whipping about her in the breeze, her eyes go wide at the sight of the creatures emerging from the trees.
"Oh, no! Please, help me, noble Sir!"
She turns back to the creatures, raising her arms in a defensive stance.
Mutt sees the woman and the creatures emerging from the woods. He growls at the sight of the strange blue creatures that bit him and took down the tower they were in. He runs over to her, drawing his greataxe. He stands in front of the mysterious woman, ready to intercept them. "Come on, you b*****ds! Bring it on!"
Thaddeus is a little nervous to see another person on the road, though this nervousness is replaced with frustration as more of those tentacle dogs start making their way out of the bush.
"Dagnabit! Guess we didn't kill 'em all! Well, might as well get rid of'a few more!"
Thaddeus hustles up to get close, taking a moment to defend himself.
The blue creatures are utterly silent as they move, making their attack all the stranger. They bound across the road towards you, opening their maws to show a multitude of tiny larvae wriggling across their teeth. They rush in as close as possible, snapping at Mutt and Ellesbeth.
Fiona
Mages
(rnd 2 begins)
Ellesbeth
Mutt
Variel
Thaddeus
----
Creatures:
Blue
Red
Pink
Yellow
Green
Mutt growls at the creatures. He then gives into his rage. His pupils dilate. His muscles expand. His eye glow with a sinister violet light. He lifts his greataxe up and brings it down one of the creatures!
Ellesbeth shrieks, and hops back a step. She waves her arms around frantically, as if swatting at invisible bugs. She speaks clearly in a strange tongue, and then thrusts her hands forward. Massive gouts of flame shoot forth from her hands.
Variel moves up directly behind Mutt, then uses the larger man to cover a quick dart around to the other side of one of the creatures.
As he moves, he watches the woman produce a jet of flame similar to what Mutt had done to the centipedes earlier. Well, that's convenient.
Fiona gets her earthbreaker ready and starts running towards the lady's defence.
Thaddeus continues to close the distance between him and the tentacle quadrupeds. He considers one bit of magic, but remembers the spell's range is too short to make it there from where he is.
He sees one last dog is lagging behind. It's a bit of a distance, but he can probably slow things down for the monster even more, keeping him out of the fight for just a little while longer.
As he hustles closer, he stops, cups his hand to his mouth, and gives a loud cry.
"SSSOOOOO-IIIIEEEEE!"
The stench of a barnyard in summer quickly rushes past the group, as the ground between the straggler tentacle dog and the main fight becomes a stinking quagmire of mud and manure.
Variel and Fiona move into position while Thaddeus turns some of the ground into mud and Ellesbeth blasts three of the creatures! They silently writhe in agony. The mages behind the group act as Samaritha quickly chants a spell before throwing grease beneath the feet of the three creatures Ellesbeth burned. Two collapse to the ground. The two mages with Samaritha hold back.
The creatures rally with one charging very, very slowly across Thaddeus' swamp's grasp. Two stand from the grease, drawing a brutal hit from Mutt which kills the yellow creature instantly. They attack, and Mutt takes a solid bite on the arm.
Fiona
Mages
Ellesbeth
Mutt (8 dmg)
Variel
Thaddeus
----
Creatures:
Blue
Red
Pink (3 dmg)
Green (7 dmg)
"Variel, 'R Mutt! One o'ya step back a little!"
Making a strange sound somewhere between a chuckle and whimper, Ellesbeth repeats her hand motions, and unleashes a gout of flame once more. Her eyes are wide, and shining with emotion.
"Shove off, you beasts!"
"Variel, 'R Mutt! One o'ya step back a little!"
Variel steps over to clear room for Thaddeus, then notices something. "Mutt, that one with the red spot on its foot has a limp - catch it in the left front leg!"
He then turns to face the one in front of him and swings his sword.