Seeing her companions in dire staights, Israfel attacks her opponent and then steps away.
Xotchli attempts to attack the creature who still has her choked again.
Attack:
Damage:
Kers, stumbling from behind from taking a side trip to answer the call of nature, is shocked to see the scene of horror unfold in front of him.
Hearing the commotion Kers comes running up and starts swinging! First at Xochtli's opponent. His enthusiasm fouls his swing though and the blades bites nothing but the air.
27 Opponents
23 Kers
21 Israfel
15 Xochtli
9 Fleur
8 Allain
5 Dwarf
As Kers stumbles back from answering the call of nature, he sees the carnage and springs into action. Unfortunately, his attack misses and the creature hisses at him.
Israfel swipes at the creature menacing her, then steps adjacent to Xochtli. Xochtli manages to take advantage of the thing choking her's awkwardness and stabs deeply into the thing's gut with her dagger. It squeals and releases her, suddenly outnumbered by Israfel, Kers and Xochtli.
Fleur flings at dart at the creature who has just let go of Xochtli, sinking it deep into its neck. It tears the dart out, but suddenly looks much less brave than it did before.
Allain, still locked in battle, stabs at the creature choking him: , but fails to penetrate its skin.
The dwarf swings his axe at the brute: , but the thing dances free and they continue circling.
ROUND 4:
27 Opponents
23 Kers
21 Israfel
15 Xochtli
9 Fleur
8 Allain
5 Dwarf
The injured brute again attacks the dwarf: and , hitting with one attack for damage, and attempting to lock its victim in a choke again: . Its attack barely scrapes the dwarf and fails to constrict his neck!
Thing 1 bounds after Israfel, attacking her with 2 claws: and . Only one claw hits, but it seems to hit terribly hard: . Fortunately her armor keeps the wound from penetrating too deeply: and a grab attempt: . However, Israfel turns at the last minute, preventing the creature from locking on.
Thing 2 turns to flee, evoking attacks of opportunity from Kers, Xochtli and Israfel.
Thing 3 continues choking Allain: , dealing damage and sending the elf into unconsciousness. The creature then barks a single harsh syllable and begins to drag Allain off into the darkness.
Fleur throws another dart, this time at the one on Allain, hoping to stop it from dragging him off. If Kers has already dropped that one, she'll aim instead at the one on Israfel.
Kers takes a split second to try to focus his emotions. This one counts, and he shall not let the darkness claim anyone else if he can help it. Feeling rage and bile build in him, he swings with all he has.
:
On her turn she'll pull her last mundane dagger out and throw it at the creature grappling and dragging Allain away.
Upon seeing Allain fall, Israel charges his attacker, warding off the attacks of the creature facing her.
27 Opponents
23 Kers
21 Israfel
15 Xochtli
9 Fleur
8 Allain
5 Dwarf
Kers swipes at the fleeing creature, but his attention is focused on the one dragging Allain off and he misses. However his charge finds purchase on the creature dragging Allain off, and he nearly slices through its torso with his swing. It lets out a high pitched blood curdling scream and yanks harder on Allain.
Israfel, however, has the opposite effect. Her swing catches the fleeing creature in the back, cutting through its spine and sending it to the ground, dying. However in her cautiousness, she misses the creature dragging Allain.
Xochtli swipes at the fleeing creature, but it's dead as it hits the ground and her attack only serves as insult to injury. However her well thrown dagger strikes the creature dragging Allain high in the shoulder, rendering one of its arms useless.
Fleur's dart is the icing on the cake of death. It strikes the thing in the back of the throat, puncturing some vital artery. A spray of greenish blood arcs from its throat and it falls forward, releasing Allain. It tries in vain to crawl away, but it soon twitches once and goes still.
Allain lies still, his neck bruised and rent.
The dwarf swings his axe once more at the brute: , cutting into it for damage, enough to lop its head from its body and end its threat.
Round 5:
27 Opponents
23 Kers
21 Israfel
15 Xochtli
9 Fleur
8 Allain
5 Dwarf
The last thing, seeing its leader and comrades all slain, abandons its attack and flees into the darkness.
Fleur rushes to Allain's side, wishing she had some way of healing him... so she does what she can to at least see if he's still alive...
Her meager skill not up to the task, she thinks perhaps he might be dead and feels tears well in her eyes.
"Israfel, help him, please... I... I think he's dying... or already dead."
Kers knows he will be unable to help Allain, but he also knows that if this creature gets help they are all in a world of hurt, so he pursues it untl he makes it fall. It will fall, he thinks grimly, it will!
Israfel slashes at the beast as it flees before turning her attention to her wounded companions.
Kneeling beside the wounded Allain, Israfel sings a song of healing, attempting to repair at least some of the damage he has suffered.
She then turns her attention to Xochtli, healing her as well.
Seeing the others' wounds knit and heal, especially Allain's, , Fleur bites her lip a moment before asking, "I hate to be a bother, Israfel, but I am seriously wounded as well... is there any chance you can do that one more time? I'd really appreciate it."
Shaking her head sadly, Israfel responds to Fleur's request I wish I could, but that was all I have, at least until I have a chance to rest.
Allain's eyes flutter as his wounds mystically knit together. "Ugh. Are those things dead?" He struggles to his feet while the stone dwarf calls out. "Best not to stop. More things might lurk here. Leave the bodies to them."
However, as you pass you note that the largest of the creatures has a ring jammed onto one long tentacly finger.
Fleur will bend down and take the ring off its finger before moving on... "Allain is right, we'd best keep moving, but I don't think this one will be needing this trinket any longer. It's ours now." She sighs and stands back up, slowly and not without some degree of pain.
Cursing, Kers returns to the group.
We need to run, they know we are here.
As you gather yourselves and limp onward, the dwarf leads you to a tunnel that leads downward. He stops beside it and beckons you close. "This tunnel has been forbidden to us, the stonefolk. But it leads directly to the north and will bring you out safely near the Vale of Weeping Trees. Walk carefully, you have about a day's journey before you reach the door. I know not what you will face, but I trust you will face it well. Fare well, humans." He turns to the elf and speaks in a language that sounds like grating stone. Allain replies, albeit in a less harsh throat. With this, he turns and strides away the same way you came.
Allain sighs. "There is a grotto not far inside where we can rest and bind our wounds. The stone folk say it is a sacred place, so it should be safe."
Fleur nods and limps along, glad for the opportunity soon to rest a bit. "Lead on then, Allain, I'm glad you know the way."
"We should still find a place to rest shortly, we're all injured."
Allain leads the way into the darkness. Unlike the rest of the tunnels, this one is unworked stone and drips with water from an unknown source. Stalactites and stalagmites line the floors. Your feet crunch unseen insects as you go deeper, and the tunnel gets closer in and nearly claustrophobic. Without warning the tunnel angles upward and opens into a dome, with the ceiling covered in a pale luminescent fungus and the center of the room dominated by a pool of crystal clear water that bumbles up from below. Colorful luminescent fish swim in the pond.
Unlike the rest of the tunnels you've just passed through, this room is dry. Near the pool is a low stone bier covered in the remains of a mattress. A small table nearby sports two chairs and strangely enough, a spread of delicious looking food, unspoiled and smelling delicious. In the corner of the room is a curtain, behind which sits a natural stone bath, shaped from the stone of the room and filled with steaming water. Also behind the curtain is a privy, though a thin trickle of water keeps it clean and fresh smelling.
Allain whistles, the sound echoing. "I think this was their matrimonial chamber. According to their customs dwarven couples would come here following the marriage to spend a week, and um, consummate the marriage."
Across the room another similar entrance leads outward, but this one features a stone door that is tightly closed.
Kers takes a moment and looks over the room for obvious dangers. He pays careful attention to the ceiling.
Israfel carefully looks around the matrimonial chambers before glancing at Kers. As long as nobody gets any bright ideas we should be safe here for the next few days
After looking around, Israfel will walk over to the table and more carefully inspect the food with detect magic.
"Ah good, a place to rest... I must say I'm sorely in need of one." Fleur opens her bedroll and lays down on her back, staring up at the ceiling. "I don't think I've hurt in so many places for so long before. This feels a little better to be able to relax a bit."
After inspecting the food, Israfel will take a seat at the table and prepare a plate of food. We should take advantage of the Dwarve's foresight. The food seems to be safe and magically replentished.
"How can we know for sure it was left by the dwarves though?"
Israfel smiles A magical meal for two waiting in the matrimonial chambers?
As Israfel takes the first bite, it does appear to be a feast fit for a honeymoon. The food is delicious and the drink is pure and tasty. There's more than enough for two here, and thus enough for everyone to eat.
The next two days pass quietly, with food appearing each morning and evening and the tub filling with hot steaming water when a dwarven word is spoken, something which Allain shares after availing himself of the luxury and commenting upon the idea that you might wish to do the same.
Finally on the morning of the third day, you all feel well enough to travel, though reluctant to leave the paradise you've spent the last two days in. The door out of the chamber is heavy and stone but only requires a hand to be laid upon it to swing open. The tunnel beyond is lightless and silent, and as you set out, you feel a sense of wonder fall over you as the tunnel turns a corner and opens into a large cavern, lit by luminescent mushrooms. You hear crickets and some sort of lilting lullaby being hummed as you enter...