Quzman slumps to the ground as the beast falls, as he tries to catch his breath from the myriad of wounds the minotaur inflicted. Looking up with a wry grin, "I hope they don't come much bigger than that one. He was a tough one.
Let's check the area before we move on and make sure we aren't missing anything that might be useful later.
Dumah will cast Detect Magic on the fiend and any gear it may have. He'll also check it for any valuables. Finally, he'll take another look at the gong (without touching it) to see if it may have any value or enchantments.
While Dumah is investigating the fiend and the gong, Eli will study the well it sprang out of. He will gaze at it with his magical sight, as well as rack his brain for any tidbits of information he might know that would be useful here.
* arcane
* dungeoneering
* engineering
* history
* planes
* religion
Dumah does not detect any magic on the fiend's corpse nor on his weapon. Eli studies the altar, and while he does find arcane runes on the ground, he cannot discern their purpose.
After healing, (), the party spots a passageway heading north.
Quzman administers to himself and the others as best as he can with his wand.
As the fiendish monster falls to the brutal assault of the three Sand Stalkers, Jameena lowers her scimitar and sends a quick prayer of thanks to Sarenrae. Her face shows a mixture of relief in the safety her companions and sheepish embarrassment of not having struck a single blow against the foe.
"If this beast is an indication of what awaits us in this place, I had better conserve my healing for future battles. It is probably best to use the wands for now."
Quzman administers to himself and the others as best as he can with his wand.
Eli is eager to move on and explore the passage to the north, but before going he calls Dumah over to the alter, "What do you make of these runes"
Ty stows his axe, and grasps his bow. "I don't see how you guys can stand there and take those attacks. It's much easier to stand in the back and just shoot arrows. And less dangerous."
Eli ... calls Dumah over to the alter, "What do you make of these runes"
Dumah will study the runes carefully.
Knowledge Arcana
Linguistics
Those are the skills I think most likely to apply; let me know if he needs to roll for another.
Dumah will study the runes carefully.
Eli ... calls Dumah over to the alter, "What do you make of these runes"
Good eye, Eli. These runes are a summoning circle. No doubt what was used to bring this fiend in here as a guardian. It makes sense if someone was concerned about the salamanders beyond the portal, having a guardian resistant to flame. I believe these are no longer active now that the fiend has been slain on this plane of existance.
With an approving nod, he adds Very well done, Sand Stalkers. But I believe this goes to show we definitely need to be on guard for threats beyond the mere hordes of gnolls.
"Alright then, let's keep moving. I am done with hi-jinx of the Carrion King and ready do be done with him."
Eli will start up the northern passage staying alert for danger, once everyone is ready to move on.
Jameena follows Eli down the corridor, careful to keep back so she won't ruin his scouting.
Dumah closes his eyes for a moment, mentally tallying his remaining arcane arsenal. His face grim, he falls into place to trail behind the scouts.
Quzman quietly stalks after Eli while keeping an eye out for signs of tracks or danger.
Quzman and Eli lead the party north through a solid corridor and after about 100 feet, they see the rough stone cavern stone floor turns to tiled floor up ahead at an intersection. The party clearly hears numerous rough loud yelps associated with gnolls communicating with each other and moving around. The party, as usual, looks to Dumah for a translation, as they gather up together. The mage concentrates and listens to the different gnoll voices and shouts and redacts, word for word, in a whisper:
"Any sign of that traitor Lazrul? He's going to pay for the deaths he's caused!
"None, Packleader, we are looking but that scum could be hiding anywhere."
"Send out two of the chosen, they won't be able to hide from them!"
"Uh....uh..yes, sir." Dumah can clearly sense fear in this voice.
"Lazrul and his slaves must be put to death before the Gnoll King learns of this! You 4 look there to the east! You five, come with me!"
Quzman and the party hear steps approaching the intersection from the west that will pass the mouth in 1 round...
Knowing that the gnolls are coming at any moment Eli quickly suggests a plan and whispers, "If we can keep them from alerting their leader we might be able to capture them for information. I have a enchantment that may effect their minds, but only briefly." Eli prepares his arcane trick, and waits for the gnolls to turn the corner so he can ensnare their minds before they have a chance to react.
Jameena nods and gestures with her scimitar. "Good idea. I am trained in striking down foes without inflicting permanent harm. I will do this on one of them, you handle the rest" she whispers softly.
Ty pulls his bow and a handful of arrows. "You two can pick one ot capture. I'll help deal with the others."
Quzman nods quietly to Eli, and whispers "I shall take out the trailers." as he crouches ready to charge the back end of any gnoll pack coming.
I will be ready with a spell of Haste or mystical darts in case they are needed to catch any fleeing.
As soon as he sees the gnolls cross the passage, Eli lets an arcane flow emanate out trying to ensnare their minds and consciousness.
Ty fires an arrow at the gnoll at C9.
Attack
Damage
Ac 21, DR 2, Hp 54/59
As soon as he sees the gnolls cross the passage, Eli lets an arcane flow emanate out trying to ensnare their minds and consciousness.
Ty fires an arrow at the gnoll at C9.
The arrow punctures the creature's eye, as it falls to the floor with a loud thud!
Pushing past Eli, Jameena rushes forward, scimitar at the ready.
Quzman charges forward and slices at the gnoll directly ahead.
As soon as he sees the gnolls cross the passage, Eli lets an arcane flow emanate out trying to ensnare their minds and consciousness.
Well, seems like that plan was useless then. Eli will leap forward and attack the Gnoll in front of him instead.
Should Eli's attack fail to silence the gnoll, Dumah will follow up with a Ray of Frost.
To hit
Damage
Quzman charges up and disembowels one of the lead gnolls. Eli follows, skewering the third gnoll (), amid gnollish screams of surprise, fear, and rage. Dumah hearts screams of "Reinforcements, we are under attack!"
Seeing more gnolls come rushing down the hallway, Jameena calls out.
"Hold, let them come to us. If we stay close together, they can't overwhelm us with numbers."
Aye, we don't want to get caught in between two sides attacking, back up so we can hold the tunnel and force them to come at us in smaller numbers." Eli is feeling a bit exposed standing out in the cross section of the passage and waits for Jameena to move back so he can step into the tunnel with the rest of the Sand Stalkers.
"Did King Meterfon the Pious falter when his monks were outnumbered by the denizens of the farthest Hell? No, he and his brethren held fast the hallowed halls of Caer Katafan. So today will the Sand Stalkers stand firm against the onslaught of an evil of the darkest kind!"
Jameena moves aside to let Eli pass, but does not seem inclined to move back herself.
"Eli, allow me to hold the front with Quzman. I have better armor than you, strike swifter and can heal myself with the brush of a hand. You can aid us from behind with your inspiration and your magic - or grab the enchanted longspear we took from Ataraxia and stab at the enemies from behind our ranks."
She keeps her eyes firmly locked on the advancing gnolls, ready to strike at the first one to move within range.
Eli glares at the newest Sand Stalker, "I have held the line with my sword brother Quzman more times than I care to count and I be useless poking about with that long pig sticker. If you think it will help, you take it up and put it to good use."
Jameena meets Eli's glare with a measured stare, flashing with the fires of fury for the briefest of moments, then softened by a smile.
"My place is not behind you, it is besides you. I will protect my allies with my life. They are my light and my strength, as I am their light and their strength. We rise together. Such are the tenents of a Paladin of the Dawnflower. I live my life as her mortal blade, shining with the light of truth, and I will not turn back into the dark."
"Well my backside is hanging out in the wind, no one is saying turn back but you need to back up!"
"If you will not step back past me, then I will step forth to stand beside you." Jameena motions to move forward to the middle of the corridor (C8)
Eli scowls as Jameena moves past him into the hall and he steps back beside Quzman. "Your pride will get you killed. The idea is to keep inside the narrow hall so they can't surround us. Perhaps Cayden Cailean will shine your armor with some luck."
"Shut it, you two. Let's take out the damned gnolls before we turn on each other!" Ty's demeanor becomes just as surly as the other two as he waits for a target for his bow.
The packmaster gnoll snorts in derision at the warriors, as they argue amongst themselves, and then intones arcane language and gestures at the 3 warriors in front. Suddenly, an ear splitting sound goes off, as Quzman, Eli, and Jameena reach for their heads in pain but manage to fight off the wooziness, blood trickling forth from their eardrums.
Dumah will delay until the gnolls have gone.
Can he tell what was cast? Spellcraft
If we were to retreat through the portal, is there a place to rest on the other side that wouldn't be damaging to us?