In Search of Heroes

Game Master verdigris

We will assume the other actions that would use up resources didn't happen. You may need those later.

Kast wails a few more times upon the gelatin and only when he is satisfied does his hold his action to turn to the frozen Chrystosm.

"What's wrong with you, soldier?" Kast asks while cleaning off the Iron Quill on his sneezerag.

1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 Heal check

Kast give a good look at Chrystosm, trying to help my yanking on his tongue and sticking his fingers up his nose. "Snap out of it."

Simon shoves the kobold towards Nimeon and bolts to the side of Chrystosm to tend the fallen man.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Chrystosm, presently in training for the 'Plank of The Year' competitiion (again), lies stretched out immobile on the floor, unable to object as Kast prods and probes him.

I wouldn't stick your fingers up *there* if I were you. Ooh! That tickles!

In his paralyzed state, Kast can't seem to tell if Chrystosm is alive or dead. probably dead.

Simon, however, sees minute signs of life, even though the poor man's chest doesn't even rise and fall with a single breath.

Chrystosm, still conscious inside the prison of his paralyzed body can only watch as he is manhandled by the scholar, not even able to feel the exterior of his nose.

After a moment, though, the paralyzing gel begins to wear off, and soon his whole body tingles as sensation returns in a rush.

The whole time, the kobold watches from the back, and he gasps as Simon's ministrations apparently bring the dead warrior back to life.

"You...you is powerful priest, you are! "He falls to his knees and begins worshiping the herbalist in a loud screechy voice.

Dorial turns her gaze from Simon to the kobold.

Uh..oh..

Nimeon watches the kobold carefully as Simon attempts to help Chrys.

"Any idea what that thing was?"

Kast wipes off bits of gelatin from Chrystosm, happy the soldier is alive.

"That was most unpleasant to watch, Chrysto. Try not to let it happen again."

It could have been me. My leg nearly buckled, barely moved in time. I can't let them know I worry for it's strength.

Kast sighs and looks down at the armor, taking some time to clean it off and quickly stow it in his pack.

'It was clever how the armor seemed to be alive, but was really just held fast by the gelatin. Strange, that. Clever and deadly too. However, we must move on. We have children to save."

Kast moves up to the intersection and looks around. (moved on map)

Gripping the kobold's shoulder, Simon glares at Kibbo, "Yes, yes, powerful priest that prefers silent prayers." Llwynally pokes her head out from Simon's cloak and snarls at the kobold, exposing her sharp little teeth. "And we don't want your loud ministrations bringing more trouble down these halls. Now where are the children from here?"

"Unpleasant to watch? Huh!"

Chrystosm crosses his arms in front of his chest and seems to be on the point of sticking his bottom lip out too, but controls himself sufficiently to mutter thanks to Simon, then scoop up the battle-axe (and anything else that happens to be lying around loose), still in a bit of a sulk.

'Snot fair!

"yesyesyess, Most Powerful Priest. Silent prayers, yesyes!" only then does Kibbo realize he is still talking. He visibly flinches and moves back to his position behind Nimeon, trying to unsuccessfully to blend into the background.

From the cross way of the halls, Kast can see a room ahead, with a portion of a what looks like an old stone bunk showing, and to his right a long hallway leading to what looks like a mess hall of some sort. To the left is a short hall way, with another crossway visible.

Chrystosm, both the set of plate mail, and the battle ax look very to be nice craftsmanship, and in good shape considering they've been riding around in a cube of gelatin for who knows how long. If touched, the blade of the ax draws blood very easily.

map, slide 4

Simon will detect magic on the armor and axe.

spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

They both detect as magical, but Simon is unable to define just how

Othoe will help Simon with the articles of war.

Spellcraft on Armor: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Spellcraft on Axe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Kast is right for once, we should press on."

Ignoring the armor and axe, Nimeon moves to the intersection and looks North. Knowing how futile it likely is, he scans the area for any tracks Kast hasn't obliterated.

Perception Track: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 +1 Track, +2 vs. Humans

Dorial moves up with Kast and Nimeon, "Perhaps we should check out the bunk room first? Maybe one of the children are held up in there."

She leans into the room and takes a quick look, her ears open wide. Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Chrystosm straps the axe to his backpack, makes sure his crossbow is loaded, then slouches along behind the rest of the party, eyes peeled.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

A faint sound of fighting comes from the right, raised voices and the clash of wood on stone. A high pitched voice screams, answered by a reptilian hiss and gurgle.

"This way!"

Nimeon rushes towards the sounds of (presumed) combat.

Keeping a grip on Kibbo, Simon follows Nimeon.

Nimeon rushes down the hall as the sound of combat dies away. A small, moon faced little halfling stands over the body of a a blood scale warrior, his chest heaving like the bellows of the blacksmith as he tries to catch his breath. Hiding behind an overturned bench, Kimi sags to the floor, a broken bit of stone still in her sling.

Simon and Kibbo follow, one of them far more willing than the other.

Chrystosm runs into the room behind Nimeon and Simon, stopping short on viewing the scene in front of him, his face breaking out into a smile.

"Kimi! There you are! Er, are you alright?"

Kast limps up, following the nimble Nimeon.

Did a double move on map.

Othoe also follows along, and is surprised to see another halfling down here.

I would have been keeping up with the group, but in the rear, so maybe I can't see him yet...

Dorial tenses up at the sounds of battle, but sighs when seeing Kimi.

Oh thank goodness we found one! Now to just find the others.

The girl looks up at the sound of her name,and lurches, nearly throwing herself into the arms of the closest hero, but stops herself short. "I...we... they..."

The halfling takes over for her as she stumbles over her words. A battered and broken lute hangs slung over his back, kobold scales caught in in the tangled strings.

"The heroes of the Hollow, I presume? and just in time, too. Do you have anything to eat, by any chance? For Miss Kimi, of course. Edgrin Galesong, at your service." The rotund little man bows dramatically. His clothes, though well cut and obviously well made, have been rough worn, and hang loosely upon his frame. Apparently, his proportions, though still large for one so small, have shrunk since the tailor originally took his measure.

Kast limps forward into the room, the Quill ready for combat.

"Greetings. I am Kast. How did you all get in here? And have you seen any human children?" Kast asks the obvious questions.

Kimi, we're so glad you're safe! Where are the others?" Simon keeps his attention on the little girl, but draws a set of earplugs from his pack.

Dorial kneels down next to Kimi as she digs through her backpack.

"I bet you're hungry? These rations should help fill you up."

Nimeon uses the judgement of Erastil to assess the scene.

Detect Evil

"Where are the others?"

Where is he?

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Neither of the two short folks in front of you detect as evil, Nimeon. The kobold on the floor clearly does for a moment, before he passes away and detects no more.

Kimi grabs up the rations and begins to devour them, only to stop mid bite and offer one to Edgrin.

"He was very brave too. Just like he was one of the heroes, only a halfling instead." Edgrin, however, declines the food, stating only that the fighting has turned his stomach for the moment. This is clearly a falshood, but one he is willing to tell if it means the child will eat more.

"Well Kimi is practically grown, of course, but a horrible creature of chain and smoke took Javros off in that direction, and poor Hollin is still below. I heard them saying they were saving him for the sacrifice at the new moon. They... they have my friend Tyran as well. I think it has something to do with the color of their eyes. Their shaman is an odd duck, and seemed intent on one of us rather than the other..."

Chrystosm bites his lip.

"Best go and get Javros quick-smart, then"

Othoe produces more food so that Edgrin needn't be so hungry himself. "Please, we have plenty, help yourself."

Othoe contemplates creatures of chain and smoke and doesn't like the thought.

"Much as I don't like it, I think we must press on. Let us get the children on this floor first before we go below. Everyone be mindful of your consumables, this is going to be a long trek I think."

Othoe considers his spells remaining and his scrolls. He takes out his sling, never used in battle, and prepares it for use.

Edgrin quickly sketches out a map of the area he knows of the dungeon. "We came up here, I don't know much this level, they knocked out Tyran and me out when they brought us in, but this part I saw when Kimi and Javros and I got away. The the...chain beast... took Javros that away. the poor thing was too shocked to even scream, I think."

Edgrin's map, slide 6

Kast listens to the words, planning how to help and appreciating the map.

"Should we still look for the solo child? Or proceed immediately after this 'chain beast'?" Kast looks to the others for answers and holding the Iron Quill at the ready.

"Let me at the 'chain beast' and stand back. I'll not risk you all."

This is a job for a soldier.

"We must follow this 'chain beast', Javros is depending on us!"

His hands already smoking and a fiery gleam rising in his gullet, Simon pushes Kibbo to Nimeon, then casts resistence on Kast and Chrystosm. "Lead the way, brave warriors, the children have suffered for too long already!" Knuckles popping as he flexes his fingers, Simon follows right behind them.

Edgrin and Kimi lead the group down a hall and turn left. They both hesitate before entering the room, taking a deep breath before they do. The reason is obvious as the scent of death and decay hits heavily upon turning the corner into the room.

Two large stone blocks rest in the center of this room, while to either side hang large rusty hooks over small channels in the stone floor that lead to old drains long since choked with refuse. A kobold lies on one of the blocks. The little creature’s chest has been ripped open and its entrails hang obscenely off the sides of the block. (room 15)

Though clearly fresh, whatever obscenity set this scene, they are not present just now. "We came through there." Kimi says, as she leads the group into the next room. "Up that hole. The kobolds are down there." She gives a look to the groups latest acquisition, and for a moment, her eyes glare bloody murder at the little green kobold. (room 17)

But Javros' plight weighs heavy in her mind, the chained monster much scarier than the kobolds. "That thing took Javros this way, I think."

Unlike the rest of this level, this area features rough stone and undressed rock reminiscent of a mine shaft. The tunnels divide and rejoin several times, making it difficult to maintain a sense of direction. Compounding this confusion, thick acrid smoke fills these tunnels, making it difficult to see anything beyond a few feet. (area 18)

The group now stands outside this tunnel. Please mark on the map or tell me how you approach. there is quite literally only room for single file and medium creatures will be squeezing through the tunnel.

Kast looks down the tunnel and turns back. "You're sure it's not far from here? The Chain Beast?" Kast looks seriously to Nimeon and then to Chrysto.

"I think you'll be safe, Nimeon, but you Chrysto...be careful with whatever we face in there. Be perfect. Be protected."

He will hand his scrolls of Magic Weapon and Spiritual Hammer to Simon.

Kast casts Protection from Evil on Chrystosm (3 minutes), then the same to himself before picking up the Iron Quill, casting light and moves down the tunnel, hunting the Beast.

Kast will time it so everyone has a chance to buff/get ready before casting and moving.

Chrystosm will ensure his crossbow is loaded and cocked before wriggling down the tunnel behind Kast

Knees shaking, barely in command of the common speech, Simon continues to apply resistence to Kast and Chrystosm as they enter the tunnel, then he enters himself, crossbow loaded and ready.

Simon will go in whatever order works, being near Kast and Chrystosm to use the scrolls if needed would be a good idea

Let's use initiative for movement from this point forward. It'll be easier that way.

Initiative:
Dorial: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Simon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Nimeon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Kast: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14
Chrystosm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Othoe: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

The sound of a hammer on steel echoes from further back in the passageway, its harsh tones repeating upon themselves and nearly wiping out any other noise.

Round 1, Initiative 8

Othoe double moves down the hall and tries to peer into the chamber. He keeps as silent as he can and presses against the wall once in position. He takes out his sling as he moves and loads a bullet.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Stealth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Round 1, Init 14

Kast, still in soldier's stance of readiness, enters the tunnel. Squeezing and smooshing as best as he can, he double moves close to Othoe (double move and already moved on map).

Oops. It's a move action to load a sling (I'm no warslinger) so my sling is out but unloaded.

Round 1, init 8

Chrystosm crawls through on his elbows behind Kast, inspecting his reflection in the latter's shiny backside.

Round 1 Init 15

"The boy's alive in there. Move carefully Kast."

Nimeon will follow the others once the way is clear.

Round 1

Though it appears entirely like Simon is hiding behind a rock, he moves into a strategic position to support his allies while staying sheltered from sight of the room ahead of the party.