Sounds like a good idea Thame. Check out the fie pit in the center there. I don't know about any scuffle at the docks. We searched there once already when we first arrived. Dosn't hurt to go over it again though.
"We should be cautious about the well. Perhaps some toxin in the water poisoned the mind of the colonists."
Lara rolls her eyes at Thame's grin, and dutifully retrieves her lockpicks. She inserts the picks into the lock, and almost instantly, the Taldan begins scowling. Some time later, after she's let out a few muttered curses, she finally pops the lock. Lara breathes an exasperated sigh and opens the lid, then motions to Kragg. "These look like they belong with a holy-man of some sort," she says, motioning at a number of small bags, each of which contains incense, powdered silver, and a pouch containing diamond dust.
Kragg looks at the items found in the lockbox and let's out a low whistle. That is some find there. Indeed some of those are reagents for some impressive holy spells. I myself in all my years have not been blessed with such understanding or gifts from Abadar myself yet I know of them. Perhaps if I stay in his graces long enough he will bless me with further understanding of his ways. . Looking at the silver Kragg continues. Those reagents I could use given proper time and inclination. Yet I find myself drawn thin at the moment with wanting to restore the books, the chapel, and be ready in case we come across other locals that we must converse with as well.
Checking the outskirts of the colony reveals nothing new until you reach the north...
North of the colony, but well within sight, is a small field. Inundating the meadow is a series of large holes dug in at an angle. Piles of dirt surround each hole. A large copse of trees grows due east of this location. Two dozen or more holes in this area. With a detailed search of the field, you discover fragments of leathery eggshells in a few of the holes, sized for a Small creature—and one hole that contains a human skeleton bereft of clothing or equipment.
You notice the bones are pitted as if exposed to acid. A finger on one of the skeleton’s hands still wears a copper-colored ring engraved with arcane symbol
Realizing where you must be your not totally caught unaware as a much larger and more dangerous looking bug bursts through the earth and lunges at you.
Initive Order
Trieste snoops around a bit, pointing out all the holes. "Probably another one of those tunneling critters. We should be careful. Look, there's a body."
"Hey, that ring looks interesting." Unfortunately, there is little time to examine the ring yet because the ankheg butts in.
"Ha! We're sort of ready for you this time!"
Kaldan takes a step to place himself between the Ankheg and Thame.
Lara frowns, noting the holes in the field. She is thankful that she has her bow in hand when the ankheg bursts forth, and proceeds to snap off an arrow at it.
The wizard's eyes widen in alarm as the insectile creature bursts forth, only for it to seemingly hesitate. Not one to question his good fortune, Thame backs off a step and grabs his crossbow, loading a bolt into it after going through the cumbersome process of cranking the string back. Thame is relieved when Kaldan rushes forward to attack the beast.
Seeing that Kaldan is preparing to rush up to attack it Kragg steps up beside him and casts shield of faith on the ranger. May Abadar protect you and see you to victory!
As the spell is completed Kragg then grips his new spear in both hands ready to fight should the ankheg move through his weapn's range.
Kragg - casts shield of faith on Kaldan.
Thame - 5' step to the right, draw and load crossbow
Trieste - Misses
Lara - Misses
Kaldan- Misses
Ankheg - Lets out a roar as it bites at Kaldan, its jaws seem to be held back barly a hairs bredth from his flesh by an unsean force.
'Remind me to do many nice things for Kragg!' Kaldan thinks, sweat pouring from him at the closeness of his escape. He grits his teeth and yells a challenge as he swings again.
Kragg moves 15ft to the east and then 5ft SW to get into flank for Kaldan. Once there he stabs with his spear hoping to draw blood.
Longspear for
Lara snaps off another arrow at the over-large bug.
Thame moves to a vantage point not blocked by his companions, leveling his crossbow and firing it at the massive beast. The wizard tries not to quake with fear as he loads another bolt, with a modicum of success.
Trieste almost trips over the creature as it dives around trying to lock its jaws onto one of them. Her sword swings wildly, missing the ankheg by a shamefully large margin.
Kragg - Hit
Thame - Miss
Trieste - Miss
Lara - Miss
Kaldan- A hit! A palpable hit!
Ankheg - Again Kaldan is supernaturally protected as another deadly blow is halted the acid from its maw scorching the ground around his feet. The ankheg howls in rage.
[dice=and grab] 1d20 + 11
Praising Abadar for protecting his companion Kragg strikes again at the monster ankheg hoping to bring it down finally.
Spear attack with flank for
Thame's brow furrows as his fired crossbow bolt careens off the hard carapace of the ankheg, the wizard angling the attack away from Kaldan and Kragg being problematic. The wizard shrugs, lowering the crossbow and raising a hand as he whispers in the slippery language of magic, a thin bright beam of light extending from his outstretched digits to the eyes of the large insect.
Kaldan winces at yet another close escape, still they were bleeding the monster.
Lara hustles at an angle, hoping for a better shot. Another arrow nocked to her bow, she lets fly.
ROUND 3
Kragg - Miss
Thame - Hits with his ray
Trieste - Trieste misses
Lara - The arrow glances off the thick shell of the giant bug.
Kaldan- Miss
Ankheg - With an unexpected twist of its jaws it manages to catch Kaldan dispite being dazzled by the bright lights!
Kaldan.
KRagg grits his teeth in frustration. He was on the opposite side of the Ankheg and could not get to Kaldan immediately. The best option was to kill this creature quickly and hope there was still time to save their valiant comrade.
longspear for
He then moves 30 feet closer to Kaldan in order to heal him once he gets there.
Thame's eyes widen in alarm as the big creature manages to catch Kaldan on its third attempt, bringing the large ranger down. The wizard stares into the ankheg' disgusting bug eyes, imagining the beast rending his own flesh and that of his companions. Decision made, the illusionist backs away from the creature to make room as he pulls off the third and largest bead from the now depleted necklace of fireballs, tossing it in between himself and the formidable foe in the hopes of missing his companions.
As much as Trieste wants to cut this thing's head off, her companion's need is more dire. She steps back from the ankheg, and dashes to Kaldan's side. At her touch, healing magic pours into his frame.
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ROUND 4
Kragg - Miss
Thame -
Trieste -
Lara -
Kaldan-
Ankheg -
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Lying on the ground Kaldan feels the warmth of healing battling the pain wracking his body, he blinks up to see Trieste's lovely face looking down at him with concern.
He barely has time to register what happened when he's warmed again as the unforgettable Whoompf of a Fireball going off nearby sounds.
'Oh S~$~! The Ankheg!' He remembers.
Finding his sword still clutched in his hand he thrusts desperately up into the looming head of the Ankheg.
Kaldan wakes up with the surge of healing magic and slays the Ankheg with his terrified blow.
Now that the terrifying monster is dead, the wizard blew a sigh of relief. He definitely hadn't signed up for that. He had been working on a spell that would keep mosquitoes away, as he had heard they were a problem around here. He'd have to create a much more powerful version to keep an insect THIS big away.
Regardless, now that the threat was vanquished, the wizard goes forward to inspect the human skeleton, wondering which of the former colonists had been unlucky enough to end up in this hole.
Trieste offers Kaldan her arm to help him up. She claps him on the shoulder. "Well done!"
As the ankheg collapses to the ground--somehow avoiding landing on Kaldan--Lara breathes a sigh of relief and begins canvasing the area for any of her arrows that may have survived being shot. Need to work on my aim, she mutters soto voce to herself.
You can find all of them intact.
Treasure: A finger on one of the skeleton’s hands still wears a copper-colored ring engraved with arcane symbols.
Figuring that Thame is probably better at spellcraft than she is, Trieste attempts to aid his identification of the ring.
Kaldan takes a few deep breaths, getting to his feet and still warily eyeing the giant insect. "And you." He nods gratefully to Trieste.
He finally cracks a smile, "In fact good work all! That could have been very deadly if it wasn't for the way we worked together."
Kragg adds his thanks to the ankheg finally being slain. Thank Abadar and the rest of you as well. I was very concerned when Kaldan fell to that bite that we would not be in time to bring him back. Excellent job Trieste in getting to him time.
Heal check in Kaldan for extent of injuries or other effects
If you still need some healing Kaldan I am blessed by Abadar for 1 last healing touch. If you need it then I will give it to you.
Once Kaldan is patched up Kragg turns his attention to the holes the ankheg came from. Find anything of interest Thame? Does it seem like many of the colonists ended up here?
Thame ponders the ring for a moment, slipping it off the bony digit of the former owner.
Regardless, it didn't appear that there was much else of interest in the hole. "Yes, a well placed blow, Kaldan. Good job, everyone." The valuable fireball necklace was gone, now, but it wouldn't have done their corpses any good.
"Where else do we have to look? Is it about time to bed down for the night and see if our mystery people show up tomorrow?"
"I'm not opposed to getting some rest. It's been a long day." She looks around. "Do we want to stay in one of the buildings, try to barricade ourselves in til morning?"
"Barricading ourselves in sounds like an excellent idea. We can go check out the secondary site tomorrow, then be back in time for our mystery pick up if it is going to happen. How about the town hall building?"
Kragg let's out a yawn at the mention of sleep. Sounds great to me. However I am thinking we should stay away from the town hall building. That is where we found that clockwork creature. Clearly it is being watched. I would think either the cleric's house if cleaned up or Rayland's house.
Lara retrieves her spent arrows and rejoin the group as the discussion on camp commence. "Kragg makes a good point, though we did remove that clockwork spy. The governor's house, then?"
After deciding where to secure yourselves for the evening and taking the precautions of barricading the doors The night blessedly passes by uneventfully. Only a few sounds of the wilderness reach you in your secured house. During the evening there is a light rain that lasts for about an hour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moonday, 14th of Arodus 4717AR. There will be a 1/4 moon tonight. Moon is currently waning. The morning is partly cloudy.
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Kragg takes his turn at watch in the middle of the night with his darkvision. When he goes back to sleep though he tosses and turns as his sleep is full of dreams...
As he lays there the encounter form the previous day at the shrine plays over and over in his head. In his dream Kragg watches as the spectre reveals himself only to watch everyone run away from him. Try as he might Kragg can not help the poor soul and is helpless. Raising his eyes to the heavens Kragg calls out for help only to be responded by a spectral key forming above his head. The key then rotates slowly in place before being thrust into his chest. Dropping down to his knees Kragg feels the key turning within himself.
As soon as the key finishes turning Kragg wakes up. Grabbing a drink of water Kragg goes to pray in a corner of the building as he thanks Abadar. Clearly the key was his deity unlocking secrets and power within himself to help his comrades and protect them.
Kragg prepares in the morning to head out to the second landing site. Looking at his companions he asks, Are we finished here and ready to leave or should we make a quick search on the way out?
Thame shrugs, being ok with Rayland's house as their retreat. As they retire and Thame finishes the scroll he had been preparing, he falls into a dreamless sleep. Such physical exertion was something he avoided, so he felt rather fatigued.
--------------------
Thame woke up, feeling sore all over. Groaning as he rubbed his lower back, he still finds it in himself to respond to Kragg. "Unless there is something that has escaped our notice I think we're done here. Let's move out."
Kaldan stretches after the nights rest, grunting a little as bones crack. He came very close to dying yesterday, and spent some time considering the matter before shrugging it off. 'This is a good crew.' He thinks with some satisfaction. 'We work well together and they Saved my bacon!'
He ponders Kraggs question. "Might pay to have a quick look again. Just in case who ever's watching this place came snooping?"