“Uh… what? Yes! Of course. Ehrm… master Valkeri, Master Nimlaidas, please inform the Khaan that the Spirit is very pleased with the hobgoblins worshipping him, and… and that I may teach them the Holy Tongue of the Spirit, if so he wishes. In due time. If we have… ehrm... time. Time. The Spirit will be pleased to talk directly to the Khaan.” he tries wiping off the sweat, that now runs cold on down his spine as it runs hot on his brow. He fails.
"It would seem that the Spirit is indeed quite pleased with you and your worship, Great Khaan. And what is more, the Spirit would indeed like you to be taught its language, so that you may be able to speak directly to it and it to you. A great honor, I am sure."
Penance offers a bow in kind to the Khaan, though he doesn't understand a word of what was said. Once they've left the Khaan and his men behind, Penance grunts at the gnome, "Alright, spill-- what's got your nuts in a bind? You looked about ready to piss."
Telemakos keeps torturing his own hands, playing with his fingers and pinching his own skin “Yes, well… that’s a bit blunt…” he replies to Penance “I mean, I did just talk to the warden of a volcano, for Nethys’ sake…” he whines within himself.
“It, well, the Spirit was indeed quite powerful, but uninterested about fighting the dragon unless he comes here – which I do believe we can orchestrate, by the way, given proper planning…” his gaze seems to wander off for a second.
“Anyway.” he is back “The reason of my... astonishment was his reply to my inquiries about the… idol the Gold Agent told us about. The hobgoblins referred to it as the God of the Glass Scales.” he gulps “The Spirit said he was tasked to defend… uh, I almost forgot! The volcano is portal to the plane of Fire! That’s fascinating! Anyway, the Spirit is defending this portal from the God. I got a name. Nyarlathotep. This being comes with a series of epithets longer and scarier than Zon-Kuthon’s himself: “Haunter of the Dark”, “the Black Pharaoh”, “the Crawling Chaos”… those I seem to remember.”
He pauses for a second, wiping cold sweat from his forehead “Also… apparently this island is its sleeping body…” a chill runs down the gnome’s short spine as he says the last words.
Corridan has always prided himself on being an eloquent man. Certainly a man possessed of both a considerable control over his emotions and reactions, as well as a distinct, sometimes dry sometimes flippant, wit, if he does say so himself. Still, on this particular occasion all he can manage is, "Pardon?"
Penance looks.... pretty disturbed by Telemakos's words. In his head, Abadar doesn't sound too thrilled either.
"That.... seems bad," he says slowly. "Do we think this... could the dragon be, hell, I dunno, a servitor or something? Of the Narly-thing?"
He talks while walking, eager to leave the oppressive heat of the volcano heart behind. Seems like there's plenty to sweat about even in cooler air. He doesn't know exactly what this Nyarlothep is... just that he's heard the name whispered, in a way that people don't whisper even the name of Asmodeus.
"Maybe we should ask the Khaan if he recognizes the names or any of the symbols. And then let's get to some actual exploration of this place. That's what we're here to do, right?"
<< | | | >>
The Aspis agents, minus Emerion, gather the morning after the conversation with the elemental. Telemakos, Penance, Devram and Shinjuko mount the riding lizards.
They set out towards the south west, hoping to do a thorough survey of the Iron Fist land. The terrain continues to be very hilly and heavily forested, and the going is slow and rough. It takes them four hours to get out of the immediate vicinity of Fire Mountain where trails and mounted forest patrols are regular, if not plentiful. Twice during the first few hours a group of six hobgoblins leaps past over their heads, on the lizard mounts, traveling through the canopy. They wave, but make no effort to interfere with the Aspis.
<< | | | >>
The exploration continues well past noon with little to note other than acres and acres of virgin forest. It's about an hour after they eat lunch that the Agents are filing through a valley.
Suddenly, four mottled-green, slimy, worm-like creatures the size of humans, whose mouths are a sickening tangle of tentacles and hooked jaws drop from the canopy above onto the unsuspecting Agents.
The aberrations bite at the riding lizards hungrily. One of them manages to latch onto Penance's unsuspecting mount, tearing off a long strip of flesh with its hooked beak. Two more of the worm-things bite chunks from Telemakos' lizard, wounding it badly.
====================================
The creatures continue to attack the mounts, ignoring the slowly reacting Agents for now. Now firmly planted on the ground the creatures bring their tentacles as well as their beaks to bear. In a matter of an instant, Penance's mount is torn to shreds, and collapses. The weight of Penance's armor causes him to tumble into the dirt on his rear, in the shadow of one of the jungle horrors.
Miraculously, Telemakos's mount dodges the attacks of the other two creatures and emerges without further harm.
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Initiative:
Grick 15.5
Party 14.16
Hit
Miss
Hit
Hit
hit
hit
hit
Quick to react, Corridan strikes at one of the creatures, specifically the one closest to him. His stance cautious and defensive, the tailor's left jab misses the strange beast, but his following right cross connects solidly with its soft flesh.
"Ugh...," he mutters, disgust rather evident on his expression.
Devram gives a shout as the strange worm creatures descend on them and do horrific damage to Penance's lizard. He draws his dueling sword and swings a two-handed strike at the closest one attacking Telemakos. "What are these things?!"
Penance swears a blue streak in his mother's tongue as his riding lizard gets made into so much mincemeat. "Son of a--"
He hadn't really liked the damned thing, but he likes being flat on his back even less.
The half-orc wheezes, staring up at the jungle canopy overhead and the thin patches of sky he can see beyond. This is not the best start to their exploration.
Abadar, do you want me to explore this damned island or DON'T you?
Baring his teeth in a snarl, Penance rolls enough onto his side to snatch his greatsword out of its loops-- and swings at the nearer of the creatures, his eyes starting to burn with a familiar gold light.
“Are you all right, Master?” shouts Arasmes as soon as he sees Telemakos’ lizard attacked.
“I… fine, ‘Ras, I am all right, this poor beast got the worst of it. Time to earn your pay, Ras!”
“You… you don’t really pay me, Master, but that’s ok, I’ll…”
“Details! You wanted a fight, here we go! Don’t let those things near me, for Nethys’ sake!” Telemakos points a finger towards his eidolon and the genie immediately grows several feet in height.
“OH MAN, I LOVE THIS SPELL MASTER!” Arasmes’ voice booms through the jungle. “Oh wow, hear me out, my voice is so strong! I bet they could hear me even in…”
“Ras! The fight?” shouts back the gnome, impatient.
“Right! Sorry master, here we go!” the genie attacks with reckless enjoyment the worm-thing in front of him. His horns fail to penetrate the thick skin of the monster, but the blade buts deep. “Master, they’re not as soft as they looks!” screams Arasmes.
_____________________
Shinjuko scrambles off of her mount in a hurry and draws her tachi as she reaches the ground. Torrents of arcane energies course through her arms to settle along the length of her weapon. The air around the blade begins to chill and steam against the stifling humidity of the jungle.
Iliante draws his revolver and fires at the jungle squid next to Penance.
These look like squid. Wonder if they crawled out of the sea like me? random thoughts flicker through Iliante's consciousness has his hands automatically attack.
Crap! That bullet should have hurt more. He shouts to his companions in panic.
The creatures continue to attack the mounts, ignoring the slowly reacting Agents for now. Now firmly planted on the ground the creatures bring their tentacles as well as their beaks to bear. In a matter of an instant, Penance's mount is torn to shreds, and collapses. The weight of Penance's armor causes him to tumble into the dirt on his rear, in the shadow of one of the jungle horrors.
Miraculously, Telemakos's mount dodges the attacks of the other two creatures and emerges without further harm.
Quick to react, Corridan strikes at one of the creatures, specifically the one closest to him. His stance cautious and defensive, the tailor's left jab misses the strange beast, but his following right cross connects solidly with its soft flesh.
"Ugh...," he mutters, disgust rather evident on his expression.
Devram gives a shout as the strange worm creatures descend on them and do horrific damage to Penance's lizard. He draws his dueling sword and swings a two-handed strike at the closest one attacking Telemakos. "What are these things?!"
Penance swears a blue streak in his mother's tongue as his riding lizard gets made into so much mincemeat. "Son of a--"
He hadn't really liked the damned thing, but he likes being flat on his back even less.
The half-orc wheezes, staring up at the jungle canopy overhead and the thin patches of sky he can see beyond. This is not the best start to their exploration.
Abadar, do you want me to explore this damned island or DON'T you?
Baring his teeth in a snarl, Penance rolls enough onto his side to snatch his greatsword out of its loops-- and swings at the nearer of the creatures, his eyes starting to burn with a familiar gold light. The awkward positioning prevents him from bringing full force to bear, and his blade bounces off the grick's hide.
“Are you all right, Master?” shouts Arasmes as soon as he sees Telemakos’ lizard attacked.
“I… fine, ‘Ras, I am all right, this poor beast got the worst of it. Time to earn your pay, Ras!”
“You… you don’t really pay me, Master, but that’s ok, I’ll…”
“Details! You wanted a fight, here we go! Don’t let those things near me, for Nethys’ sake!” Telemakos begins chanting an incantation and waving his hands.
“Right! Sorry master, here we go!” the genie attacks with reckless enjoyment the worm-thing in front of him. His horns fail to penetrate the thick skin of the monster, but the blade buts deep. “Master, they’re not as soft as they looks!” screams Arasmes.
Shinjuko scrambles off of her mount in a hurry and draws her tachi as she reaches the ground. Torrents of arcane energies course through her arms to settle along the length of her weapon. The air around the blade begins to chill and steam against the stifling humidity of the jungle.
Iliante draws his revolver and fires at the jungle squid next to Penance. These look like squid. Wonder if they crawled out of the sea like me? Random thoughts flicker through Iliante's consciousness has his hands automatically attack. His round barely penetrates the grick's hide. Crap! That bullet should have hurt more. "Do these squids need silver or cold iron to penetrate their hide?" he shouts to his companions in panic.
================================
Two of the giant worm-squids converge on the prone Penance. As one moves away from Corridan he lashes out at it, but misses. Penance also takes another swipe as the two jungle gricks flank him. The bite at the prone paladin, trying to get at the yummy meat in the tin. Unfortunately, their beaks are not can openers, and all they manage to do is slobber on his full plate.
The grick that Arasmes attacked quickly whirls on the genie, attacking it with beak and tentacle. The genie whirls his greatsword, parrying most of the blows, but one tentacle gets through to cut a long, shallow gash along his flesh.
The final grick lashes out at Telemakos, seeking to interrupt his spell. The thing bites him, and slashes his face with its barbed tentacle, but the terrified gnome manages to maintain his chanting out of sheer desperation.
____________________________________
Hit
Hit
Hit
Pass
"Ah, you sons of-- get-- off--" Penance says, still fighting awkwardly from the ground as the worm-creatures surround him. He swings again at the same one he focused on earlier. If he can just clear enough space to get to his feet...
"Damned if I know," he says to Iliante, "I haven't hit one yet!"
*Summoner share spells would allow enlarge person to be cast on him. You can cast any spells that you can cast on yourself, onto your eidolon, regardless of if they target a 'person' or not.
Iliante draws his cold iron boarding axe and swings at the squid in front of him. He can't damage it. Crap! It's not cold iron. He shouts to his companions in panic.
Shinjuko reinforces the cold enchantment on her sword and swings at the grick twice.
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>
>>
>>
>
>
>>
>>
“Aaaaah! Aaaah! Get it off get it off get it off me ‘Ras!” Telemakos panics when the weird worm bites him: with all the struggle of this long expedition, it is actually the first time he has been wounded since they left Katapesh.
The already tall figure of Arasmes has now doubled in size, and towers over everyone else “You. Hurt. My. MASTER!” his scream booms through the jungle. The genie takes flight, trying to get into position “Master, hold on! Too many trees…” Telemakos isn’t really listening, he just knows that he has to get out of there Oh Gods oh Gods there’s one behind me too oh Gods I’m going to die it hurts so bad… “Move, move you stupid beast MOVE!” the gnome tries spurring his mount away from the grick that bit him, all while murmuring a protective incantation.
A glimpse of the elemental wrath genies are known for shows on Arasmes’ usually cheerful face as he lands in front of the enemy. “YOU DON’T HURT THE MASTER!” he screams lifting his blade, ready to hack down.
_____________________
Despite the creature's natural resistance to physical attacks, Corridan does not give up and moves to flank the closest one and deliver a strike to what appears to him to be a vulnerable spot on its alien body.
Devram spurs his lizard mount around Telemakos to engage the other worm creature on his other side. He slashes at it with his dueling sword, cutting a huge gash.
Two of the giant worm-squids converge on the prone Penance. As one moves away from Corridan he lashes out at it, but misses. Penance also takes another swipe as the two jungle gricks flank him. The bite at the prone paladin, trying to get at the yummy meat in the tin. Unfortunately, their beaks are not can openers, and all they manage to do is slobber on his full plate.
The grick that Arasmes attacked quickly whirls on the genie, attacking it with beak and tentacle. The genie whirls his greatsword, parrying most of the blows, but one tentacle gets through to cut a long, shallow gash along his flesh.
The final grick lashes out at Telemakos, seeking to interrupt his spell. The thing bites him, and slashes his face with its barbed tentacle, but the terrified gnome manages to maintain his chanting out of sheer desperation.
"Ah, you sons of-- get-- off--" Penance says, still fighting awkwardly from the ground as the worm-creatures surround him. He swings again at the same one he focused on earlier. If he can just clear enough space to get to his feet. He misses again. "Damned if I know," he says to Iliante, "I haven't hit one yet!"
Iliante draws his cold iron boarding axe and swings at the squid in front of him. He can't damage it. Crap! It's not cold iron. "It's not cold iron!" he shouts to his companions in panic.
Shinjuko reinforces the cold enchantment on her sword and swings at the grick twice. Her katana slices cleanly through the worm with both swipes, cutting it into three dead pieces. "Apparently, magic works fine," she says, whipping her blade back into the ready position.
“Aaaaah! Aaaah! Get it off get it off get it off me ‘Ras!” Telemakos panics when the weird worm bites him: with all the struggle of this long expedition, it is actually the first time he has been wounded since they left Katapesh.
The already tall figure of Arasmes has now doubled in size, and towers over everyone else his scream booms through the jungle. The genie takes flight, trying to get into position
Telemakos isn’t really listening, he just knows that he has to get out of there. Oh Gods oh Gods there’s one behind me too! Oh Gods I’m going to die, it hurts so bad… “Move, move you stupid beast MOVE!” the gnome tries spurring his mount away from the grick that bit him, all while murmuring a protective incantation. The well trained mount follows the panicking gnome's instructions, opening itself to another vicious bite from the jungle Grick. The lizard staggers, very badly wounded.
A glimpse of the elemental wrath genies are known for shows on Arasmes’ usually cheerful face as he lands in front of the enemy. he screams lifting his blade, ready to hack down. He swings the massive sword with such anger that he disregards a nearby tree, which absorbs the blow completely before cracking and wobbling where it stands.
Despite the creature's natural resistance to physical attacks, Corridan does not give up and moves to flank the closest one and deliver a strike to what appears to him to be a vulnerable spot on its alien body. The blow leaves behind a nasty bruise on the Grick's flesh.
Devram spurs his lizard mount around Telemakos to engage the other worm creature on his other side. He slashes at it with his dueling sword, which hits it right in the head, but bounces off its spongy hide harmlessly.
--------------------------------
The two gricks flanking Penance ignore Iliante and Corridan, continuing to attack the downed paladin. The jungle worms savage Penance, cracking and bending his armor open in multiple places so their slithering sharp tentacles and beaks can rend his delicate green flesh. It is a singularly unpleasant experience. Their attack leaves the paladin whirling and panting for breath as his blood flows freely into the jungle dirt.
The girck near Arasmes withdraws from the flying genie, leaving its flank open to Devram. The move surprises the duelist who only manages a feeble and ineffective slash. Arasmes also lashes out, the worm having underestimated his reach. It's a move the worm regrets as the massive enraged genie bisects the lower half of its body and tail lengthwise. It slithers away with its split tail leaking purple blood like some kind of demonic snake tongue.
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Hit
Hit
Miss
Hit
Hit
Hit
Miss
Miss
Miss
Hit
(@_@) max damage....
Abandoning his more defensive stance, seeing as how the strange creature appears entirely focused on Penance, Corridan continues to rain blow after blow on it. Still, between the beast's tough hide and unusual body, his strikes prove ineffectual. "What does it take to hurt them?" The question comes out revealing a little more frustration than he would have liked.
"Apparently, all it takes is a huge genie." Devram glances back at Shinjuko. "Or a magic wielding Tien."
He holds back from attacking spinning his dueling sword around in his arms, trying to disorient the worm in a display of prowess.
"Aaaarrgh!" Penance snarls, his face contorting with anger and pain at the multiple lashes and bites. Right. He's had enough of this crap.
His eyes flare yellow and some of his injuries seal shut. No longer caring if he has enough space to get to his feet, Penance lunges upright.
Penance.... gets savaged as he stands up, there's no other word for it. Clearly this was not the wisest decision of his young life. Both gricks tear into him, one of them ripping through an already-weakened point in his armor and hitting an artery.
He's having some flashbacks to nearly dying back on the beach. Wheeeeze. As before, the only thing keeping him upright is his orc blood.
Penance releases his sword enough to gesture and cry out. Healing light staunches the worst of some of his prolific bleeding.
Penance stands there, breathing raggedly, still covered in his own blood. He regrips his sword and glares at the grick in front of him.
"I have told... people on this gods-damned island... before... that I'm-- not-- supposed-- to die yet," he snarls. "Try harder, you sons of b~&~+es."
Telemakos cheers as the worm that bit him is hacked down in the middle by Arasmes “Oh. Oh wow. Good job ‘Ras!” he says, timidly, over the sound of battle.
“There… there’s more of them. Please help Master Penance, he seems to be – alas, again – in dire need of assistance!”
The small whirlwind that is Arasmes’ lower half flies him fast over to the other side of the battlefield, above the heads of Telemakos and Shinjuko. As he finds himself above the grick, he swings again in a descending arc.
“I think I’m getting good at this!” he says proudly as his blade cuts deep into the grick’s flesh. “Master, look, I’m…” with a loud CONK! Arasmes bashes his head against a tree branch and falls on the ground.
“He’ll be the end of me, I know that!” murmurs Telemakos between himself “Keep going, ‘Ras, I will keep an eye in case the other one wants to return!”, he says pointing his rifle into the jungle.
_____________________
"Without making a check, a flying creature can remain flying at the end of its turn so long as it moves a distance greater than half its speed. It can also turn up to 45 degrees by sacrificing 5 feet of movement, can rise at half speed at an angle of 45 degrees1, and can descend at any angle at normal speed. Note that these restrictions only apply to movement taken during your current turn. At the beginning of the next turn, you can move in a different direction than you did the previous turn without making a check. Taking any action that violates these rules requires a Fly check. The difficulty of these maneuvers varies depending upon the maneuver you are attempting, as noted on the following chart."
Since Arasmes flies magically, even a failed check won't cause him to plummet to the ground. It just causes him to flail about uselessly like an untrained astronaut in zero gravity.
Arasmes's fly speed is 30', and he has 10' reach. So right now the bottom of his 10' cube is 10' off the ground (5' between it and the Gricks' heads). Since moving to KL24/25 is more than half his speed, and he doesn't need to ascend or descend, he doesn't need a fly check this round.