Jameena pulls a candle from her pack and lights it. By it's light, she does a quick examination of the cave before calling her companions through. She is careful not to let her open flame get too close to the gas.
The gas stings the eyes, but if you hold your breath and cover your mouth and nose, you can make it through without ill effect.
Ty will follow suit, trying to block the gas, and jumping in line behind everyone.
Fort
Fort save
Quzman pulls his vest up to cover his mouth, and with a concerned look, he whistles for Kyra to follow him as he dashes through the mist.
The party moves through the noxious gas and most of them pass through with only a few coughs. However, the gas stings Tyronel and Eli's eyes severely, causing them to reflexively open their mouths in pain and unfortunately, inhale some of the gas.
Both warriors feel dizzy from the effects of the gas, but other than that, they seem to be fine.
Quzman's tracking skills reveal that of the three passageways that snake forth (W, N, and S), the northern passageway seems the most traveled.
Eli, feeling a bit woozy, stumbles as he comes through the mist. Blinking the sting from his eyes he sits down on cave floor to wait until the chamber stops spinning.
The dizziness does cease after a few seconds but both Eli and Tyronel still feel the noxious gas in their lungs, making them feel a little light headed.
Eli gives a cough, trying to expel the noxiousness from in his chest as he struggles back to his feet, "That must be why I have never taken to the habit of smoking Tabbac." Pulling the Wayfinder from his pocket he commands it to illuminate and then checks the the groups orientation. "This way is north and since it seems to be the most traveled passage then it is a good bet that it will lead us to where we want to go. I say we follow the northern wall, Quzman and I at the lead followed by Jameena and Duham and Ty taking up the rear guard. What say the rest of you?"
With the light from Eli's wayfinder illuminating the cave, Jameena blows out her candle and slips it back into her pack. She draws her scimitar and moves over to stand by Dumah.
"Sounds good. I'm not much of a scout, so it is probably best to have you to take point. We'll be right behind you."
"Lead the way, Eli. I've got your back."
Quzman and Eli lead the party, following the commonly used road in this cave system. After 10 minutes of twists and turns, the party turns a corner, wherein the party sees and hears the hiss of more gas seeping out from the earth, forming another noxious cloud.
Through the mist, however, the party sees that 20' past is a dead end wall, upon which is arrayed a stone arch on the wall with glyphs and other arcane symbols. The mist obscures however more detail from this distance and with the present light source.
I don't see any other ways to progress beyond the gasses. If we feel it is important to see what those symbols are, I could cross on my own and try to interpret them. Otherwise, perhaps we should explore some of the other possible routes before subjecting ourselves to the gas twice.
"The arch is inscribed on the wall for a reason and I for one don't want to turn back without checking it out. I'll leap through and take a look, who is with me?" Eli will cover his mouth with the vest again and dash through the mist without waiting for an answer.
Tyronel, do you have a rope you can secure me with? I know several languages and should join our impulsive friend, but I'm concerned that I may succumb to the vapors and become trapped within them.
After getting a rope around his waist and making sure his gear is secure, Dumah will cover his mouth with a heavy, dampened robe sleeve and cross over.
Fort save
"Go ahead, my friend. I'll pull you out if things get bad." Ty says this concentrating on holding his end of the rope. As soon as he hears the mage begin coughing, Ty realizes the gas might be effecting Dumah. He waits for a sign before pulling the wizard out of the area.
Untrained in the arcane arts, Jameena stays put, ready to help Ty pull Dumah to safety if needed.
Quzman orders Kyra to stay, as he moves a little closer drawing his weapons. He waits patiently to see if anything interferes with his comrades reconnaissance.
Eli runs through the mist, as Tyronel moves to tie the rope around Dumah, Jameena stays put and Quzman inches up. As Eli passes the mist, suffering no ill effects from the gas, he looks back to the party to signal he is ok, when suddenly a cone of fire, originating from behind the party, overwhelms his friends, their screams of pain echoing in his ears!
As the party recovers from the blast, all of them suddenly see now behind them a 10' tall brown, shaggy furred beast standing on grey hooves, with powerful claws, resembling a maniacal horned ape. the beast pounds its chest with its powerful arms and moves to attack, screaming in some horrific language!
Eli sees the beast looming behind his companions and quickly rummages through his pouches to pull out a stoppered vial. "Hold Fast! Fear Not!" Eli calls out to bolster the Sand Stalkers as he works his way towards the wall of the cavern.
Quzman screams out in surprise at the burning pain. He calls for Ky to come away from the beast, as he pulls out a vial and drinks it while eying the suddenly appearing creature.
The horned ape-like creature's long muscular arms lash out, grabbing the female paladin by the neck, diging its claws in to her flesh causing her much agony. Then, to the party's horror, in one move, with enormous strength, it yanks her off the floor, slams her into the wall, and brings her to its toothy maw, where it bites deep into her skin. the paladin's body goes limp for a second and the creature releases her. To its surprise, the paladin does not fall, as magic intervenes and the paladin lands on her feet, some of her wounds healed, but still hurt very badly!
Ty will 5' step to F 16 and pull his bow and arrows, firing a shot at the apelike monster.
Attack
Damage
Hmm. An Infernal speaker...
Knowledge Dungeoneering
Knowledge Planes
Knowledge Religion
Dumah will cast a Magic Missile on the creature, emerald darts of energy that spiral past Tyronel to strike at it.
Damage
Hmm. An Infernal speaker...
Unfortunately, as Dumah studies the creature and begins to cast his spell, he forgets the ape's long arms, which lash out in his moment of distraction. Thankfully, Dumah evades the attack and his missiles strike true, causing the ape to snarl in pain.
1.+12 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+6 (x3) 115' range
2.+13 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+7 (within 30')
3.+9 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+10 (w/Deadly Aim)
4.+10 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+13 (w/Deadly Aim + within 30')
5.+10/+10 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+6 (w/Rapid Shot)
6.+11/+11 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+7 (w/ Rapid Shot within 30')
7.+7/+7 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+10 (w/Rapid Shot w/Deadly Aim)
8.+8/+8 +1 Composite Longbow (+2 Str.), d8+13 (w/Rapid Shot within 30' w/ Deadly Aim)
Dumah calls out Stalkers! Silver or holy weapons if you have them! Don't bother with acids or mind spells!
As the gush of flame washes over her, Jameena ducks low, covering herself against the fire. Where the flames touch her exposed skin, a soft golden glow seems to shield her, leaving only a few red blisters where the flames should have burned her severely.
Whirling around to face the unseen foe, Jameena tries to get her scimitar up between her and the monster, but the beast bashes it away and grabs her. Her bronze skin goes ghostly pale as the blood gushes from her neck into the stinking maw. Just before she slips into darkness, a single word escapes her lips, echoing over and over in her mind, as the floor rushes up to meet her.
"Sarenrae..."
Shining motes of dust float gently in golden sunlight. A warm, pleasant breeze caresses Jameena's skin and plays gently with her long, flowing hair. Even though she can feel the blood run down her chest from the horrible wound in her neck, she feels no pain. Suddenly, she is aware of the flamehaired woman in front of her. Reaching up, the deity lays a soft hand on Jameena's wound, and the flow of blood stops. "Stand strong, my brave champion. They need you." The light fades, and the stench of the monster tears in her nostrils. The soothing words of the Dawnflower are replaced by the infernal curses of the ape-thing. But she is alive. And her goddess is with her.
Jameena land on the floor with the grace of a cat. Still weak from the loss of blood, she stumbles for a moment, then crouches low, scimitar ready to strike. With her free hand, she grasps her holy symbol. "Thank you, Dawnflower. Now lend your healing grace to these heroes, so we may bring this abomination low.
Waves of healing energy wash over her and the rest of the Sand Stalkers, except Eli who is still too far away.
Initiative:
Eli: 15
Quzman: 15
Ky: 15
Horned Ape: 14
Dumah: 9
Tyronel: 9
Jameena: 7
"This demonsterous thing is no match for us!" Eli holds his breath and rushes through the mist again racing up and onto the wall, his magical slippers helping him cling to the vertical surface. Unable to reach the ape-thing he stops just behind Dumah, placing a hand upon the mage, Eli utters the magic words that wash a small amount of relief over his body.
Quzman sighs audibly as the healing warmth of Sarenrae washes over him. Taking Dumah's warning to heart, realizing how dangerous beasts from beyond can be, he quickly digs out another vial from his pouch and applies it to his scimitar.
The horned ape howls and goes on the attack again, rearing back and lashing out with its claws. Its first claw srikes the paladin, slashing her throat again! This time, the paladin's pleas go unheard and she falls to the floor, unconscious, bleeding from her neck!
The ape, satisfied with its first attack, then moves in 5' closer to G17 and eyes Dumah and then lashes out again, missing with the claw, but biting the mage on the shoulder severely!
Ty moves a bit further back, trying to stay away from the monster's reach, and fires two arrows at it.
Attack
Damage
Attack
Damage
Stabilization roll:
Step to G15 and cast Mage Armor.
AC 16
Hit Points 34 of 34
It is from the lower planes, and as such is accustomed to fire, cold and lightning, and bathes in acid.
Step to G15 and cast Mage Armor.
AC 16
Hit Points 34 of 34
Step to G15 and cast Mage Armor.
AC 16
Hit Points 34 of 34
Round 2.
AC 12.
Hit Points 16 of 34.
Step back to G15 and cast Haste. He'll hit all of the Stalkers except Jameena.
Round 2.
AC 12.
Hit Points 16 of 34.
Step back to G15 and cast Haste. He'll hit all of the Stalkers except Jameena.
Quzman snarls at the mayhem the beast has caused among his friends. Running forward he drops his dagger and takes his silvered scimitar in two hands trying to hit the fiend with all his might and Kyra is right at his heels.
Eli steps towards the beast, still on the wall, arriving in a space above the wolf. Ducking and weaving he feints up and away from the Ape thing and attacks. "We have it now!
Jameena continued to bleed