The box with the strange plant inside is small - it can be held comfortably in one hand and weighs perhaps two pounds.
@ Tyrus "That should certainly come in handy hiding these wounds for tomorrow. And as much as I want to explore more, my spell is running short and I don't have any more to use today. Those centipedes woun't likely be back by tomorrow night. How about we reinforce that door a bit and call it a night hm?"
"Sounds good Dante, we can use the items we pulled from the store room to block the other door. Tyrus would you apply the salve to those most hurt, then we can head back up." Logan offers.
Luca glared at her Eidolon for a few moments - and despite the damage it had taken, it looked more amused than anything else as it began pushing a few of the larger boxes in front of the door leading forward. Easy enough to remove from this side, but the mortals were right - it might make things at least a little more secure, and it was entirely in favor of anything that added to the protection of the <hafh'drn>.
Once that was finished, it began moving back towards the tunnel they'd come from, heading back to their base - and Luca followed about sixty feet back.
Once Tyrus finishes his doctoring, the group helps pile boxes in front of the remaining door. You manage to secure it against entry of anything that isn't very, very small, unless it manages to batter down all the stuff behind it.
Returning to the shared prisoner barracks, you are able to close the secret door once again behind you. Vincent goes to test the switch again, and you find that you can open it again without trouble.
Tyrus finds himself disappointed that the adventure seems to be ending.
Tomorrow night he promises himself - but that raises the looming spectre of his meeting tomorrow with the Captain.
Don't think there's much that can be done with Fluffy. "The eidolon does not heal naturally". Possibly worth using the lotion? Guessing that the poison does wear off even if the damage doesn't?
Rejuvenate Eidolon is what is going to be needed here.
Tyrus doesn't have a clue.
Healing Dante is easy, but again the eidolon doesn't heal normally, right?
Assuming the damage is Dante's, use a dose of lotion and 'call me in the morning'
Insist on seeing Logan's wound in case it's poisoned, then admit that a scratch like this seems to be something that will heal fine on its own.
Start off with a dose of Lotion ... but the poison is the real threat here.
Nothing can help now but rest.
Tyrus spends a little while checking wounds.
"The best thing for all of us is a good night's sleep. Let's get back before the others notice, and all try to get some rest."
Just before going to sleep he calls over Logan - and with some reluctance Dante.
"Gentlemen. I believe Luca will recover, but there's no doubting she's had a bad reaction to the venom. Even worse than you, Dante, though you're bad enough. I'd like to prescribe a day of bed rest for her... but we'll need a way to get her some food. I have a few small coins still placed on my person. I might be able to pick up some food in the village... but it would be good if she didn't miss breakfast. If we can get enough I'd like you to stay here with her Dante, and try to get some rest as well."
"Logan. There's a chance I will not be able to come back tonight. Keep what we've found. If I'm not here tomorrow night, put another dose on Dante and Luca."
Tyrus is worried about Luca. Has been for a while - not just after the attack. She's young, and obviously has been put under a great deal of stress
"Young lady! It has been a hard day, a trying night and tomorrow does not look much brighter. Go to sleep!"
Somewhat reluctantly, Luca gave the metal case to her Eidolon, rather hoping that it wouldn't be able to easily manipulate the box or otherwise cause trouble for their group. It never seemed particularly interested in sleeping, so at least it could stand guard over the plant. Maybe. Hopefully. She certainly couldn't dictate terms to the darn thing. On the bright side, nobody else seemed terribly interested in it at the moment, so they probably weren't going to try and steal it or anything. It probably didn't even need to be guarded, but one could never be too careful... especially when dealing with anything that had even the slightest connection to the horrible powers that refused to leave her alone.
With images of her companions being injured dancing in front of her eyes, Luca curled up in her sleeping area and tried desperately to get some rest.
He takes off his armor before entering the general room and asks again, "Shouldn't we leave the lotion and metal box here in the tunnel just in case?"
He sneaks in the best he can putting down his armor off next to the improvised bedroll, just like before.
Tyrus nods admiringly "Yes! That is a good idea."
The party sneaks back to their bedrolls, and none of the other prisoners seem to be awakened by the slight added noise. Despite the exertion of the fight with the giant insects, they have not been gone long and their rest is not seriously hindered. Fortunately the added benefit of the tincture helps Lara recuperate more than she might have otherwise. At the concerned glances from the rest of the adventurers, she just nods with a little smile, moving with a bit more dexterity than she was able to the night before.
The morning comes, and with it the pirates once again bring food and tools. The eldest of them looks to Tyrus. "Captain wants ya again, Mr. Tyrus."
Fluffy (4 damage, 1 Dex damage)
Dante/Eidolon (5 damage, 2 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Lara (1 damage, 3 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
As the very first thing that happened in the morning, the Void took over and sent its main minion back into the world... and, a bit listlessly, Luca ate the food that had been provided. Afterwards, however, she was just about to bring the metal box over when-
""Captain wants ya again, Mr. Tyrus."
...Oh. She'd have to ask him about the plant later, then. The other items didn't concern her very much, but the unknown was a major source of fear for her, and it would be nice to get it settled soon. Well, Tyrus would be back soon. Probably. She could ask him about it later - for now, she quietly hid the box safely out of the way, then got ready to follow her Eidolon around as it worked through the day.
Since leaving home, you've already seen and experienced so much. Otherworldly beings, great magic, hidden labs... skilled as you are, you haven't even begun your true schooling, you know that much is true. Spells you had marked down suddenly make sense where they didn't before - previously murky elements of your crafts are suddenly laid bare. This is only the beginning.
Tyrus spends twenty minutes that evening cooking up something in his retort. It smells something like strong coffee, spoiled milk and a faint aroma of expensive potion.
Sliding up to Luca and Dante when they're alone he hands over a small home-pressed tablet.
"If you do want the day off, take this. You'll pass for sick. I used a similar mixture myself to get out of some lessons I didn't want when I was young and foolish. Of course, I used Scutigera coleoptrata."
Tyrus nods to the pirates when they arrive
"Would you mind if I fortified myself with some breakfast first? It's a long walk for a man of my physique."
"How long will this potion keep? I should think we should wait for more obvious wounds. I would hope we would delve better next time though. But it is nice to have a backup plan." If it lasts more than a day he will wait, other wise he will not waste this opportunity.
The pirate nods respectfully to Tyrus. "Aye, break yer fast. I'll wait."
Logan does little other than sleep and in the morning eats heartily. He smiles at Lara and offers to massage her legs once they get a break.
Tyrus eats quickly and stands
"I am at your disposal gentlemen."
Lara chuckles at Logan's offer. "My legs are fine, thanks."
After the prisoners eat, they grab their tools and are escorted down the road towards the tunnel. Tyrus walks with them until the split in the path, then is led off towards the gate back to town. It is a cloudy, windy day, and the sun is still rising behind the patchwork gray sky. The birds and insects seem oddly subdued; perhaps sensing an approaching storm.
Luca glanced around as the group headed outside. Her Eidolon did the same, though it seemed less interested than most of their group - it was hard to tell what sorts of things even mattered to it, or what could make it focus when it seemed more bored than anything else.
Logan smiles as Lara as she chuckles and he is off with the group towards the new day of work. He keeps an eye out for anything strange and to see if the guards notice that some are not with them...
Init Order and Status:
Goblins
Dante (5 damage, 2 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Lara (1 damage, 3 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Fluffy (4 damage, 1 Dex damage)
Bugbears
Vincent
Luca
Tyrus
Logan
Yllaine
Pirates
Prisoners (8 total damage)
Something catches Yllaines eye from out of the rubble field, and she gasps as she puts a hand to Lara's arm. Ever-attentive to her charge, Lara needs no more warning. From the rear of the line, Vincent cries out "Goblins!"
At his cry, the rubble comes alive with the creatures - and something larger, as well. Hulking humanoids with ugly faces similar to the goblins, carrying crude spiked maces. All of them rush forward towards the strung-out line of prisoner and guards. Up ahead, Tyrus sees two more bugbears suddenly stand from the ramparts of the gatehouse, pushing the bodies of the now-dead guards off to fall to the dirt below. The gate stands closed.
These are bugbears, large cousins of the goblins. They are more calculating than their smaller kin, with an appetite for cruelty and destruction to match their size.
A hail of primitive arrows leaps forth from the bows carried by some of the goblins, aimed at the guards and prisoners in the front of the column. Only a couple arrows manage to strike their targets, sinking sharpened stone and wood into flesh. In the wake of the arrows the goblins and their large companions rush forward to the attack.
"Back to the fort NOW! We can' stay in the open!" Dante yells as loud as he can over the sound of battle. [I]This is completely in their favor if we stay out here. Have to get to a defensible position. Have to find a weapon. "Hey guards! If you have any spare weapons hand them over or we're all dead!"
"Are you goblins or big green boogers?" he yells making rude gestures. Hopefully that will draw fire from the unprotected prisoners.
Luca needed no encouragement - she got as far back towards the fort as she could, and at the same time, her Eidolon simply vanished into the air. It didn't need to be here - and in just a few moments, the Void would start using precious time to help turn the tide of the battle. Pure, unthinking fear was driving her now, so perhaps it was for the best that her power could be used from either end...
Round 1
"Hell!" He states at seeing the goblin horde before them. "Dante can you armor me up!" He yells to Dante hoping to get some defense as he moves over to his fellow warrior and draws his knife out, he will wait for the others to move back to the fort before acting.
Stunned by the sudden appearance of the goblins - and surprised that there were bugbears on the island - Tyrus panics and freezes up for a moment.
The goblinoids rush up and engage, ganging up on the humans whereever they can. A couple of prisoners fall in the initial charge, as does one of the pirates, whose already faltering defense is overcome by a vicious hit from a bugbear. Arrows fall among those not engaged as the bow-wielding goblins seek open targets. A pair of them hit Logan - one only grazing, the other burying itself in flesh as far as the crude stone head will go.
Dante attempts to get the others to follow him back to the fort, but his words have little effect on those who can hear - they step up to fight. As the humans begin to fight back, Vincent steps up and lands a solid blow on a goblin.
Init Order and Condition
Goblins (Group 1: 4 damage)
Dante (5 damage, 2 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Lara (4 damage, 3 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Bugbears
Vincent
Luca
Tyrus
Logan (4 damage)
Yllaine
Pirates (1 fallen)
Prisoners (8 total damage, 2 fallen)
Once the Void judged that it had gone far enough, it stopped, and began channeling Luca's forward to begin sending forth its minions. Let the foul beasts that dared threaten its <hafh'drn> this way realize that their superior numbers weren't quite as superior as they'd thought...
Tyrus recognises the creatures immediately. Hadn't their description been used to instill fear into him when he was just a boy? 'Or the bugbears will get you' had been what stopped him from wandering off into the woods.
"Bugbears! he yells, incoherently.
Carefully he backs up the path, summoning his eldritch armour wars to protect him.
Torble hides itself in the rocks of the path, waiting for a goblionoid target upon whom to spring out.
Noticing that the prisoners are panicking rather than running he trys once again but more forcefully. "Fort! Now! We can't fight them in the open with nothing but picks!"
I am channeling the charisma of Logan apparently.
When that doesn't work he decides to use actions rather than words. He heads back towards the prisoners and lays into a group of goblins.
sweet
His cries to Dante unheeded and with nobody seemingly ready to fall back, Logan swings his pick at the nearby goblins with all his might.
The battle rages on, with the high-pitched war screeches of goblins mingling with the deeper roars of bugbears and the shouts of their human opponents. More arrows fly from the goblins' bows, one of which nicks Lara. Dante wades in and buries his pick in a goblin's head even as Vincent finishes his chosen foe off. The bugbears show the ferocity their kind is known for and lay low another of the pirates as they severely wound a third.
Tyrus backs down the path, shielding himself with magic. Lara works her own arcane skills, and a wrinkle in the fabric of the world twists and throbs with her spell...
Off in the distance, it can be seen that one group of goblins has seized a pair of dead or wounded prisoners and is dragging them off towards the forest.
Init Order and Condition
Goblins (Group 1: 2 dead)
Dante (5 damage, 2 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Lara (5 damage, 3 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Bugbears
Vincent
Luca
Tyrus (Mage Armor (cast in round 2))
Logan (4 damage)
Yllaine
Pirates (17 damage, 2 fallen)
Prisoners (4 total damage, 3 fallen)
Luca's manipulation of arcane energies completes and the warp in reality bursts like a pustule, spilling forth a vilstrak right next to her foes.
As soon as the ritual was completed and the stone warrior appeared, the power flowing through Luca renewed... a second summon was on its way.
Vilstrak 1:
The otherworldly creature let out a fierce roar as it slammed both of its arms into the goblin that had dared to get close to its <hafh'drn>.
for
for
Why yes, it did have every intention of pounding the little things into so much paste... and for as long as possible, it would support Luca's efforts to help turn the tide of the battle.
Terrified, Tyrus calls almost instinctively upon the same spell that saved him from the mugger.
He fells terrible for the poor people being dragged off to torture and death at the hands of the Bugbears, but at the same time cannot help a guilty relief that it isn't him.
Sorry Logan. Don't have the reserves of magic a wizard would.
Round 3
Unhappy about the whole situation he knows he is safer from the bows when in combat and will continue to fight near Lara. I have to focus on the target at hand otherwise this will turn bad fast.
"Keep moving toward the keep, focus your attacks on the bugbear, I can handle these goblins. Come get some green uglies!" He says to the two woman nearest to him then yells at the goblins as he swings the pick axe at another of them. Again the lack of a good weapon takes its toll as he merely smashes the axe into the ground as the goblin jumps to the side.
fighting defensively, with Power attack, and combat expertise
Pickaxe is a two weapon martial weapon, 1d8 damage as a medium creature.
In the flurry of blades, Lara takes several blows from the stone swords wielded by the goblins.
At Logan's words she gives a hurried gesture to Yllaine. "Do what he says! You can slip by that thing now that it's surrounded!" She, however, makes no move to change her target, a grim gleam in her eye through the blood that covers her face.
A pair of arrows pierce the Vilstrak summoned up by Luca. The lone remaining goblin of its groups panics and flees before the summoned creature and other foes, leaving the Vilstrak, Dante, Vincent, and their companion prisoners and pirates to rush at the nearby bugbear instead. Now flanked, it takes a pair of grievous wounds but remains on its feet, only roaring louder. Somehow in the fray it manages to land a hit on Yllaine as she tries to weave through the melee, and the blue-hued woman shouts in pain even as she dodges a second blow and makes it beyond the creature's reach.
Somehow in the rest of the slashing frenzy, Dante, Lara, Logan, and several of their foes all miss each other, drawing no further blood to stain the stoney ground. Off to the front, the pair of bugbears who had ambushed the gatekeepers dash past the entrance to the cliffside path, failing to notice the portly wizard who hunched, terrified, several yards above. They instead rush an unfortunate pair of prisoners and in a display of brutality lay them both low. More of the unfortunate fallen are picked up and carted away by goblins.
Init Order and Condition
Goblins (Group 1: 2 dead)
Dante (5 damage, 2 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Lara (10 damage, 3 dex damage) -1 to Dex-based skills and saves
Bugbears (B1: 12 damage, B2: 4 damage)
Vincent
Luca (V#1 5 damage)
Tyrus (Mage Armor (cast in round 2))
Logan (4 damage)
Yllaine (4 damage)
Pirates (17 damage, 2 fallen)
Prisoners (4 total damage, 3 fallen)
More arcane energy spills forth and another Vilstrak takes shape upon the battlefield. Though still fighting valiantly, Lara shuffled and weaves upon her feat almost drunkenly, blood pouring from her many wounds. It is clear she cannot afford to take many more.
Round 4
He sees the blood of Lara spill before him and it enrages him he stops being defensive except for his stance. He tries to cleave through two of the goblins.
with Power attack, combat expertise, rage
with PA and rage
with Power attack, combat expertise, rage
with Power attack, combat expertise, rage
with PA and rage
Once more, power flowed through Luca, even as the two stone warriors already present lumbered forth to do battle. The power controlling her had her take a five-foot step towards the others , even as a third Vilstrak began to appear.
As for the others?
Vilstrak 1:
Assuming the Bugbear was still alive, the Vilstrak slammed at it with both arms in a full attack.
for
for
If the bugbear was already down by the time it moved, well... the Vilstrak simply lumbered forth instead to swing at Gob2 or whichever enemy was within its reach.
Vilstrak 2:
The second Vilstrak crouched down, then lumbered forward to the closest goblins with the bows and swung one mighty fist at them.
for
Though, perhaps because of the disorientation of being summoned, it wasn't a particularly good hit. Still, the archers were now within a range the creature could threaten, so there was that benefit for the allies.