"There's little to do now. Let's do what we can to clear this place and be done with it."
”It is, as you wish, leader friend Taranis. Perhaps Toth would like some Oldlaw Whiskey? My mother would give it to us when we were feeling ill.”
The thought of a drunken tiger seems like something out of a Tien opera, and gives the druid a small chuckle. "No, but thank you. Let's go."
Unrak grins, and hands his hand out to Augrym. I'll take Toth's dose
Zed handles the figurine with care, in the event his examination proves it to be fragile, valuable, or both. He notes the workmanship, tries to ascertain its source by means of a maker's mark, or barring that some clue as to its cultural origins.
He provides a relatively pedantic running commentary on his findings, but attempts to hold his audience (consisting of Toth alone who seems too lethargic to distance himself from the muttering wizard like the others) in suspense for his verdict.
With a flourish, Zed announces the figurine's value and origins...
Zed announces that the statuette could be sold for 250gp, perhaps, to the right intermediary. The imagery of the statuette mimics kobold features, though the figure is winged and perhaps could be considered to have some religious value.
Continuing on, a deep and ominous chasm splits the passage. The chasm is a few yards wide, and twice as deep, but thick ropes of tangled roots fill the entire area. The passage continues on the far side of the chasm, and between the two ledges, numerous loops have been tied into the roots to serve as hand- and footholds.
Taranis looks down in to the chasm. "We can cross or go back the way we came and see if the other path connects."
Taranis notices that several of the vines ate cleverly tied to look stable, but will break if you try to use them. Fortunately, avoiding those looks easy.
Taranis also notices the long tail of... something, down in the rift. Whatever it is, it is massive. And it is starting to move...
"There's something down there. Let's try the other path...."
Does Zed see it, and if so, does he know what that tail might be attached to?
(Note: If peering and pondering can't happen simultaneously with Taranis, and lingering would mean initiative or something, I'm happy to skip this...)
Zed suspects that a gargantuan insect inhabits the chasm.
Taranis leads the way back the way you came, to the other branch near the hive entrance. Thereupon, he discovers a rather strange scene. Two mites are in the next cavern, where one is standing with his mouth wide open, and the other is attempting to fire a caltrop into it using a miniature toy catapult.
Both mites immediately take notice of the new arrivals--you--and screech a battle cry.
+2 if Surprise
Round I
1. Marc, Taranis, Augrym
2. Mites
3. Zed, Unrak
Taranis casts a spell of Guidance on Toth, and orders his faithful companion forward!
Toth's teeth chomp down for
Study target and move forward.
Toth puts an entire mite head in his cavernous jaws while the Huntsmen prepare for combat.
The remaining mite screams and fires his armed miniature catapult at the tiger. It bounces off the fur.
Round I
1. Marc, Taranis, Augrym
2. Mites
3. Zed, Unrak
Unrak strides up, and heaves his heavy sword at the bugger in a lazy swing.
too lazy, apparently...
Relying on the others to keep him safe if he moves in, Zed steps closer to unleash a quick spell to boggle the mind!
-------------------------------------------------
Taranis, careful not to block Augrym casts a spell of Guidance on Augrym as he orders Toth forth!
MISS
Don’t forget bless...
The tiger savages the last mite!
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Feeling good about the lopsided victory, Taranis looks about the area with Toth.
Zed needs to rest and study his spellbook... he asks the more tactically-minded members of the party if that is feasible.
”I agree with shaman friend Zed. A rest would be welcome.”
Faint screaming can be heard further down the cramped tunnel.
"Zed may have a point. We could rest right outside, staying vigilant. Eventually I think we're going to have to face the thing in the pit. I'd rather do it with a full complement of spells."
*faint screaming continues*
"We've got to press on a little more. Are we able? Zed, I know you're low. Have you any scrolls or cantrips?"
Wordlessly Unrak holds out a wand and a bottle to Zed.
Can Zed tell what manner of creature is screaming?
He thanks The Dreadful Bear for the supplies, tucks the alchemists fire carefully into his sash, and sends a tiny amount of magic into the wand. The wand glows faintly, and Zed smiles at the opportunity to spray flames toward his enemies.
Sounds like a kobold, to Zed's ears.
Proceeding along the tunnel, the narrow passage makes a sudden turn. Down. Straight down.
The screaming is louder now.
Taranis, not good at climbing, still follows in rear guard with Toth:
After Taranis falls, everyone hears a rather dog-like "boof" out of Toth. The big cat then scrambles down:
Taranis smacks into the hard ground below, the wind knocked from his chest. Toth scrambles down afterwards, landing gracefully next to the prone Redleaf, and his brother follows close behind.
Toth growls at the half-dozen mites that turn to this unexpected intrusion. Knives are already in their hands, and a tortured, bloody kobold is chained against one wall.
+2 if Surprise
Round I
1. Zed, Unrak, Taranis (16/20 hp), Augrym
2. Mites
3. Marc
Banking on the mites not being overly skilled combatants, Taranis stands and opts for his scimitar, a poor weapon in his hands, but nevertheless:
for . He then backs away as much as possible.
"Toth, undo them!"
MISS
MISS
hit? for
Taranis and his pet manage a meager scratch on...
The bloodrager moves to run interference for his brother, sword swinging against Teal. He roars in rage, but he's clearly too spent to put actual, real blood-rager rage into it...
The brothers Redleaf quickly snuff out a mite life.
Round I
1. Zed, Unrak, Taranis (16/20 hp), Augrym
2. Mites
3. Marc
Get down and move up.
- Round the First
- Current HPs: 12/12
Zed uses the wand to cast Burning Hands!
With the wand still gripped between his thumb and forefinger, Zed spreads the remainder of his digits wide as gouts of flame leap forth to consume the foe.
Zed makes it down without trouble. He then fishes out the wand.
The mites fall on the Huntsmen with a screaming fury, for all the good it does.
MISS
MISS
MISS
MISS
Marc follows his friends, with haste and without skill. Luckily, he lands on his rump and is only a bit bruised. He gets to his feet.
Round II
1. Zed, Unrak, Taranis (16/20 hp), Augrym
2. Mites
3. Marc (15/16 hp)
Unrak swings at Silver (and if he drops him, will 5' step into his place)