Moved guys on the map. We go this way.
Kappi will do the short scout first.
Stealth
Perception
The party backtracks to the pukwudgie lair, which smells no better now than it did before. The uneven steps wind up into the darkness from here and extend for quite some time. Ali gives Kappi the everburning torch and the young Varisian set soff climbing the steps.
Another set of steps rises some ten feet beyond the door, the cold inky darkness swallowing what lies beyond Kappi's line of sight.
The Varisian lad looks at the strange runes for a moment. He shakes his head in confusion and is again reminding why he so happy that Ojos Locos is in his adventuring party.
The lad scoots back to give his report.
I know I work a different schedule than some of you guys who tend to post from 8-4 during the day.
Vojtek, his strength returned, shoos the Speaker of the Ancients forward. He is careful to shoo politely, but with an insistence that brooks no dilly-dally.
He gestures to Kappi, who in turn gestures to the runes. The runes say...
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The fire burned bright behind Harold's stocky frame. The storyteller relished the way his eclectic audience ignored their drinks and leaned in, intent on his every word. As a courtesy to the bar wench, he asked the assembled adventurers, merchants, laborers, and ne'er-do-wells to raise a glass to the Speaker of the Ancients, as he translated the runes young Kappi pointed out.
With a darkened visage, abetted by the firelight behind him, Harold assumed his 'Davosh' voice, to the delight of the crowd.
"These Runes my boy, these runes are a basic version of the Iobarian that I know you've been neglecting in your studies!"
In a flash, Harold's face assumed the guileless innocence of young Kappi, and the gifted storyteller aped a look to Vojtek which spoke volumes of confusion and bewilderment on behalf of the lad, who as far as he knew had never been told to learn 'Yo Bardic' runes...
With his shadowed visage assumed once more, Harold skillfully turned his face a bit, to allow one of his eyes to catch the light... "Let me use The Eye here, to decipher these runes that any schoolboy should be able to read..."
With a mumbling and an exaggerated mimicry of Davosh's peculiarities, to the crowd's immense delight, Harold pronounced in the Voice of the Ancients, "These runes say...."
The crowd smiled and raised glasses once again to the Speaker of the Ancients, and as a few drained their beverages and raised them to the bar wench to be re-charged, she smiled a crooked smile to King Odric's Herald in thanks.
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The carved runes surround a carved waning crescent moon. Davosh reads them aloud: As the seasons of life change, so must we sacrifice our past for the wisdom of our Winter years.
Kappi is quick to point out another set of runes, these much more faded, carved across the threshold. Davosh studies these a bit and reads the too: Blessed be the path you are about to walk. Cling not to what you were, but only to what you shall become.
Davosh dives deep into actual language, looking for some kind of teleos: .
"Works for me. Once the maiden becomes a crone, there's no going back!"
After the party is finished investigating the door and runes. Kappi continues up the stairs to see what lies beyond. He carries the Torch of Continual Light in one hand and his trusty magic sh sword in the other. Though he always seems a bit awkward the lad is surefooted and moves quietly.
Stealth
He keeps his eyes and ears open as he scouts along
Perception
The ceiling of this cavernous chamber extends off into the inky blackness, beyond the illumination provided by the everburning torch. A forest of stalactites jut from that ceiling, though their base is invisible so the rogue cannot judge the size or depth of them. Several stalagmites rise from the floor as well, most with their tops shorn off. At the far edge of Kappi's light to the north and west, he can see shapes of white crisscrossing about the place — webs, maybe? Hard to tell. Also, a vague shape of some sort rests carved into the ground to the south, though the Varisian lad cannot make it out. A flight of steps rises into the gloom near the entrance.
The scout quickly returns and gives his report to the party.
Kappi does not like that he can't see the ceiling and there are stalactites for things to hide amongst. The lad suggests that Davosh use his dancing lights to illuminate above to make sure scary things don't drop down amongst the party and start killing us.
The Varisian lad also does not like what appears to be webs on the far side of the cavern. He firmly suggests they start throwing Molotov cocktails into the webs for surely there are spiders hiding.
Vojtek posits that maybe the rocksicles with their tops shorn off suggest something enormous roams the cave and hits them with its belly.
He wanders up to the edge of the hall, and casts a spell to dance some lights per the lad's suggestion.
Considering the huge possibility of sneaky combat, Ali uses her wand of Shield NOW. (1 minute)
Ali buffs up in precaution as the warlock sends his dancing lights into the gloom.
As the lights move deeper, Kappi hears a skittering and some white sticky strands begin to move. Edward's detection doesn't ping...at first. But then Edward then senses the presence of evil. As he concentrates a bit...it is a foul evil indeed, and impossibly large — the size of an elephant! A dark blue arachnid rears up on its six hind legs to raise its barbed and razor-edged front claws as the dancing lights approach!
Additionally: those swarms appear to bear similar taint to them...perhaps they are fiendish...?
The oversized arachnid scuttles forward on its many legs and spits out a web!
Round 1
baddies 1 — web
Edward —
Vojtek —
Ali —
Kappi —
baddies 2 — TBD
Davosh — TBD
There is a humongous spider AND two swarms of spiders?
There is a humongous spider AND two swarms of spiders?
Ali is hopelessly tangled in the sticky goo.
I'll try to Hasten us...hang on!!
Reflex save
The slippery rogue manages to slip through the webs. Stark horror paints Kappi's face as he sees probably the scariest thing in his life. (Which is saying a lot since he has battled a dragon). The Varisain lad moves away from the terrifying elephant sized spider and instead engages the only slightly less scary spider swarm.
Alchemical Fire flask already in hand (for burning webs) he hurls it at a swarm.
throwing attack
Molotov cocktail
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Round 1 the de-stickyfi oneself round
Ed feels the evil pouring off of the giant creature, his premade flaming arrow serves him well. It eases his passage through the webs, but before he moves he casts Bless Weapon on Vojteks weapon.
Vojtek your weapon is blessed, and that spider is evil. You have your assignment.
- Round the First
- Current HPs: 112/112
- Raging
plus...Fort: +10/Ref: +5/Will +3/ +1vCold, +2vTraps
Vojtek dodges nearly, taking a quick step northwest to avoid the worst of the webbing. He draws back on the steel-strong bow. The wood and sinew creak with the massive strain. The barbarian sights down the arrow at the insane monstrosity and with a quick breath, he releases the bowstring.
for .
In a flash, he draws back the bow and releases another arrow.
for .
Confirm: for .
Ali casts Haste on the group, and draws her bow
<--success
Ali casts haste!
Edward casts bless weapon on Vojtek's...longbow, I guess...?
Votjek just manages to avoid being entangled, thanks to haste. His first shot goes awry, but his second strikes true ! His third shot, courtesy of Ali's spell, also hits, for !
Kappi moves out of the web with ease, but to his growing horror, the flames of the alchemist's fire sizzle and pop like usual but have very little effect on the swarm!
The swarm Kappi targeted descends on him! He takes damage and needs to make two separate Fort saves (poison, distraction)!
The other swarm double moves to the nearest other target, Edward! He takes damage and needs to make two separate Fort saves (poison, distraction)!
lt red 1
Round 1
baddies 1 — web
Edward — cast, move
Vojtek — pew pew pew (Refl save pending)
Ali — cast (move action pending)
Kappi — move, alch fire, "aw sh1t!"
baddies 2 — swarm/swarm
Davosh —
Fort Save
Fort Save
The lad screams and strongly considers running away.
:-)
Vojtek is about 2 seconds from outrunning Kappi on the way out of this cave...
Davosh, heedless of his own safety brings one of his most powerful spells to bear on the swarm nearest Kappi. "BACK! GET YOUR ARSES BACK IN THE HALLWAY NOW! FULL TREAT EDWARD VOJTEK COVER!"
Great magical hailstones pound down in the room. The hail and ice obscures the bebilith a bit.
Neither Edward nor Kappi are poisoned by the swarms, and both likewise manage to keep their wits about them so they are not distracted!
Davosh is thoroughly entangled in the web, but he brings the magic of the ancients to bear! His fierce winter spell is strong enough to dissipate the swarm nearest Kappi!
The abyssal arachnid moves with blinding speed, and Vojtek has a brief flash of self-satisfaction as he watches its bloated, blue frame glide perfectly over the shorn tops of the stalagmites. It stops well short of Edward, but its maw lashes out and reaches the Oradin where he stands!
Edward feels the bite sink in and his very flesh feels corrupted!
Round 2
baddies 1 — mmm, tasty paladin snacks
Edward —
Vojtek —
Ali —
Kappi —
swarm — TBD
Davosh — TBD
Ali blinks, and her blade lights in magical flame. She uses this to cut her way free of the web, clearing a path toward Edward to give him a way out, then doubling back to burn through the rest of the web to escape.
Round 2
The Varisian lad doesn't even notice a huge slush ball that hits his face as the ice storm destroys the spider swarm. Sheer terror and a haste spell makes the lad move like lightning. Webs caught him off from escape. He throws another alchemcal fire to start burning a path of egrets.
He also pulls a torch and lights it from the burning flames.
Ali blinks, and her blade lights in magical flame. She uses this to cut her way free of the web, clearing a path toward Edward to give him a way out, then doubling back to burn through the rest of the web to escape.
Ali walks about quickly, swatting at the webs to try to cut & burn a path for escape.
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Round 2
Ed's desire to stay and combat the fel beast is strong, but it seems Apsu and Ali's flaming blade has shown the path to fight in a new direction.
Taking the offered path out of the room, Ed considers his words and turns to face the spider one more time.
Know this Fel Spider your time on this plane is limited. I will return to send you back to where you belong. Now do as Apsu commands and flee from us
<~~~nope Spending 1 hero point
Ali blinks, and her blade lights in magical flame. She uses this to cut her way free of the web, clearing a path toward Edward to give him a way out, then doubling back to burn through the rest of the web to escape.
Ali walks about quickly, swatting at the webs to try to cut & burn a path for escape.
Just get clear!
Kappi has a good reflex save, he shouldn't be too far behind you.
Ali watched the demonic spider watching Ed slip back out the burned webs. The retreating form turned and invoked the power of his god telling it to flee. The spider paused trying to resist the command, but then the clicking of 8 legs echoed in the cavern as it slipped back into the corner.
With a few quick cuts Ali smiled as Kappi used his typical fighting style, ungainly yet graceful in it’s own way, to foil the webs restraining grasp. The rogue sprinted past the magus and her flaming sword pointing to the swarm that was approaching quickly. As everyone retreated down the corridor Ali brought up the rear.
As the party approached the previous cave, Ali slowed and tapped Ed on the shoulder. Here is where we make our stand Ed. I have a little surprise for them.
The writhing and skittering spiders flowed down the corridor, the mass undulating over the floor and walls. The redhead smiled, waiting for the small arachnids to come into her trap. The graceful elf’s fingers did a few quick forms with practiced movements, her lilting voice speaking words of power as a smooth stone began to glow in her palm.
At the end of the incantation she flicked the stone with an infusion of her skill and her power. Magic caused it to bounce off of each wall and the ceiling. It ended its journey by falling into the middle of the swarm, it’s magic causing millions of more stones to fall bludgeoning the spiders as the passed through the spell.
Ali’s smile beamed as the skittering slowed. That smile changed as the dust settled and cacophony of the falling rocks ended the clicking of the swarm picked up. “...no no nO NO!” The magus whispered and then yelled with frustration, rage, and a tinge of fear.
The witch took flight moved to the center of the canvas tent grasping it’s center pole his slightly gnarled but nimble fingers working on the knots holding the center up. “Kappi, Vojtek get ready to drop the tent.” The duo fell to the task trusting the witch had a plan.
Ed reached out grabbed the magus and pulled her backwards, her normal graceful steps faltered slightly at the unexpected urging from the oradin. She quickly found her feet and backed up, Ed’s gentle grasp moved her behind him.
A voice moved through the witch, he never heard or felt something so old. A voice from the beginning of creation itself. “Use me Edward use me and my power will be enough.”
Ed felt the closeness of the power, he reached in his pack for a flask, a flask he didn’t have. Kappi knowing the oradin didn’t have another alchemical fire was already tossing one at Ed. “Ed catch, and make it count.”
The swarm approached and Vojtek knew that Ed wouldn’t make it out of the conflagration if he didn’t get help. Vojtek threw his axe splintering the pole holding up the corner and sprinted towards Ed. The barbarians arm wrapped around to carry Ed out from under the tent just as he finished asking for Apsu to smite the swarm.
The flask tumbled through the air as the tent fell on the swarm. Ed felt the edge brush down his face. Everyone’s breath was held so as not to miss the sound of the flask breaking exposing its chemical reaction to the air the flames starting almost immediately.
Davosh watched the beauty of the flames but it struck him that the flames were wrong. They weren’t the normal reds and oranges, but they were blue, white, with an intermixed green weaving through them. He recognized it as what he learned could be dragon fire. The canvas of the tent went to ash almost immediately. It seemed the swarm almost condensed into itself as the flames did the same to them as it did the tent.
Ed slapped the barbarian on the back reminding the north man to set him down. Ed fell to his knees gazing up at Davosh thanking him and Apsu for his guidance and help.
(How come every encounter I lose my equipment?! Maybe Vojtek can throw a brick or something… Because you started it when you began clawing things there rage monkey lol)
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As Slappy Edward's smite strikes true, the fiendish swarm dissipates, destroyed through the power of Apsu. The Oradin is breathing heavy as Davosh looks at him curiously (though, to be fair, no one can much tell the difference at first, because Davosh). After a moment the Warlock fishes out a smudged, scuffed mirror and silently hands it to the devotee of The Maker of All. Edward's eyes fall on the once-polished steel and see that those same eyes, once dark brown, now shine like silver discs on his face.
After taking a moment to catch their collective breath, the party realizes that the only ways to go are through the door with the inscription, up the flight of steps that rose into the gloom just beyond the entrance to the bebelith cavern, and back to face the bebelith herself.
"When the ancestors smile, sometimes the Gods smile with them." Davosh stares intently with his Big Eye.
Vojtek rolls his shoulders and wonders how the group will possibly deal with three crazy eyes. As he cools down, his massive strength flies from his body and he staggers to a sitting position on the cold stone floor. As he heaves in air, his skin regains a more natural tone, and Davosh turns The Eye towards him. He wonders if he imagined the scaly character of the barbarian’s flesh...