"Yes, I suppose we should rest, given the circumstances."
Balenar stands up gathering up his stuff, struggling into his armor and buckling his sword belt back on. Once he is geared back up he looks around at those gathered.
"Thanks for the rescue, I will let the Society know what you have done for me. Stop by the Grand Lodge for a reward when you're done here."
Balenar bows to all and excuses himself.
Seldlron thinks Ingrate! Coward! But, he decides insults will not help with his attempt to pursuade. "Balenar. Did these lizards break your spirit? Did they not give you an appetite for revenge? What was your mission in this tower? Will the lodge respect you more for returning or fighting alongside us? The offer to help us remains."
"I can accompany you if you wish, I would just as soon go back to my home, have a hot bath and see my sweet Estelle but since you asked so nicely let us proceed then?"
Balenar will wait by the door for everyone to finish up.
Yes! "Offer accepted. There will still be plenty of time for Estelle. Taqan, let us check that northern door in the other room." Seldlron stops fiddling with the backpack. He heads out with three small javelins in his off hand and the medium sized one in his right hand.
Taqan slinks off to the North Eastern door, you see him touch the door, and give a listen. He returns shortly.
"A man found no traps or locks, A man did find some water though as the elder has described from the floor below."
Seldlron has three small javelins in his off hand and the meduim sized one in his right hand. He looks back making sure the party is in position. He puts his foot against the door and takes a deep breath. Last time he did this he was greeted with a sudden attack. But, their arrival had been announced. Hopefully this one goes better... He pushes the door wide open.
Lukas stands with a dagger in one hand, poised to throw, his other hand contorted into an arcane gesture. He watches the fighter open the next room, licking his lips in anticipation.
As the door creeks open, the light from behind Seldlron casts his shadow well into the room. The floor has puddles all over it, with vegetation or what you think is vegetation starting in the room as well. A loud throaty sound reverberates off the wet walls in the room.
It is a giant frog
Everyone but Seldlron and lukas notice a Giant frog trying to hide just to the side of the door way. Seldlron enters the room before the others can warn him.
The Frogs tongue manages to go through Seldlrons feet as he steps in to the room.
His javelins fall to the stone floor bouncing about, making pleasant jingling tones as they quickly come to rest. Seldlron's eyes open wide when he sees the huge frog. His stomach rumbles and he salivates. Now that is dinner! Who does not like frog legs? It then occurs to him that this huge delicacy may be having similar thoughts about him. He draws Harm and takes a routine swing.
5 foot step directly away from the frog.
Tiresias moves towards the door and gets a line on the giant frog, screwing his face up in disgust he closes his eyes, pointing the index and middle fingers of his left hand at the frog he unleashes a Ray of Sub zero cold.
The door hides just enough of the Frog and Tiresias's ray goes high.
"Seems we got ourselves some quality dinner, kids. At least if this frog isn't poisonous."
Oskar moves trying to get a good line of sight to shoot the frog, while his wolf advances to bite the creature.
Oskar squashes the frog flat, spilling its insides out from the frogs mouth.
A small jade statue lies hidden under some rubble. It resembles an Angelic Being.
Balenar steps up between Oskar and Seldlron,
"You sure you gentlemen really need my help? looks like you have things under control."
Taqan scours the room for traps or hidden passages.
Taqan reports in after a 10 minutes, "A man has found nothing trapped or extra passage. A man will move up the stairs?"
"Taqan, we have yet another door in this room. I am beginning to hate doors. They have been so unkind. And, I believe our casters could use a rest before we head upstairs. Lukas has indicated he would benefit."
Seldlron searches the room for anything of value or interest.
take 20
"I'm not sure our pathfinding friend here would like the idea of spending another night in this tower, but you kids feel tired i guess we should rest. I'm fine either way."
If this is the final encounter, I recommend being fully loaded. Fine either way, though.
Seldlron picks up the small jade statue and places it in his backpack with the other loot.
Seldlron picks up one of the bed frames and takes it to the exposed portion of this floor saying "My name is Seldlron. I will be your server tonight." You hear his axe destroying the bed. He uses a tindertwig to start the fire. You hear several dull thumps obviously being made by a greataxe falling upon a giant hunk of flesh. He uses his javelins to position the huge frog leg he acquired over the flames. After tending it until done, he moves it from the flame, still skewered on a stand of Javelins. "Dinner is served on the veranda, my friends."
b]"We need to secure an area for the night. I think the best place is the room with the staircase. Probably should work up some sort of order to keep watch throughout. My need for rest is not like that of a caster. I can take take a couple of shifts. He looks to the old outdoorsy dwarf "I reckon you have had enough time to do everything there is to be done. How does a party get rest and keep watch?"
"I can take a watch, don't want to waste what is left of my life with sleep, after all.", he says. "Think Barkley here will eat this whole frog if don't hold him back, too."
"Tis a plan Oscar. I shall take the first watch."
Over the course of the night you hear scratching at the interior door, you have braced both doors closed so they cannot be opened inwards. The night is busy but the casters manage to get enough sleep to help them feel refreshed. You can see it start to be come light out by the cracks in the tower walls that is still letting more water in.
Seldlron dreams that he is with an oracle. He leans into her, putting his ear close to her mouth to hear what it is she mumbles... But Seldlron wakes up with... Seldlron is awakened by... Seldlron awakens, somehow knowing with certainty that the sun is rising outside the darkened tower they inhabit. He rumbles through his backpack until he finds the paper Lydia gave him the day before and a sunrod which he activates. He heads to the exposed portion of this level to take care of some business, offering Barkley his companionship for his morning ritual. He whispers "Wanna go outside boy? I know I do." The two give each other some odd grins prior to their return. He dons his armor in preparation for battle.
Oskar spends the later portion of the night in a vigilant state, and then goes into his trance meditation as the rest of the party wakes up.
As Seldlron and Barkley come back.
"Thanks for taking him for a walk. Are we all ready to clear this tower?"
"Seldron is ready. As I like to get up and personal with Harm, I do hope one of you casters have the ability to give me magical protection of some sort."
Lukas stays up late for first watch, munching frog leg and contemplating the bones.
He pops awake bright and early the next morning, then sits watching the others rouse themselves one by one.
"Protection? Hmm, sorry, I'm afraid I don't know any spells like that."
"Taqan, run yourself upstairs and see what is we are up against. Report back please sir."
Taqan finishes... well it seems like he is always ready to go since he has yet to lower the cloth over his face even to eat.
He heads up the stairs,
Taqan returns about 2 minutes later, looking at the group.
"A man found a trap door, A Man did not open the door as it opens straight up and A Man would have been exposed."
Seldlron looks to Tiresias "Gimme some of that mage armor and I will go first."
"Can't give you armor, can give you some luck, i guess.", Oskar says, touching his shoulder.
"Ahh...Thank ye, olde wisened one." He then says to the group "Best to do any preparing down here. I will bravely lead the way up yon stairway and open said trap door. Anyone planning to stay out of melee brave enough to read that scroll Tiresias found? I double dare ye." He moves to the stairway looking his party over waiting for them to acknowledge their readiness.
Seldlron's adrenalin begins to flow as he contemplates heading up the stairs. He has learned to use it as an advantage, negating the detrimental effects it can have. He thinks cowards do vex me this day! He has come to believe the scroll they found could change the outcome of whatever it is they now face. He looks to Balenar. "Balenar, we saved your life yesterday. There is no limit and I cannot imagine what it is they would have done to you. You desire to see your Estelle. What better way than to read this parchment and give your best melee guy a serious advantage in combat. You will be harmed, no doubt, but you can always move away from me to stop those effects. I will do so myself if I see you harmed seriously. What say ye, Balenar. See your Estelle or maybe see Estelle?" Looking at the scroll he says to Balenar"I can't quite make out what this says, can you read it to me, Balenar?"
"Oh, what's this?" Lukas looks over Balenar's shoulder at the scroll in question.
Tiresias identified it as a scroll of shield another. DC 13 His response was cryptic. Page 5 I believe.
Balenar takes a look at the scroll, then looks up at Seldlron, ”It isn’t even a spell I can read, I can figure it out if you give me a moment.”
Balenar sits down with the scroll and goes over it mouthing soundless words and making gestures in the air. After a few minutes he stands up smiling.
”I think I have it. Is everyone else ready?”
Tiresias and Taqan nod at the Bard, Balenar motions for Seldlron to stand in front of him and he unleashes the magic from the scroll. Tiresias shrouds himself in protective magic and Taqan pulls out 2 daggers holding them points down.
Seldron creeps up the stairs as quietly as he can. All 4 javelins are in his offhand so he can maneuver the trap door better. When he reaches the top, he gently pushes the door open just enough to get a peek into the room.
As Seldlron opens the door, the stench from the room above hits him full force. Either there are lot of dead things up here or you found the den of Trogs above ground.
DC 13 fort save or sickened for 10 rounds.
Is the door on hinges? What are my choices?
Smells like chicken to Seldlron.
As Seldlron comes up through the door, he notices a very large Trog in standing about 20 feet away from the door and a large white crocodile with him as well. The large Trog smiles at Seldlron and runs a hand across the head of the croc.
Seldlron throws the medium sized javelin at the large Trog.
(he is FF)
He takes a 5 foot step making room for the others and staying close to Balenar.
The javelin bounces off the Trogs hide and clatters to the floor, it smiles down at you with wickedly sharp teeth.
Taqan moves up the stairs to behind Seldlron, "A man awaits your advance before a man can proceed."
Follows Taqan up, he starts to gag on the stench that is flowing down the stair well. He leans against the wall, trying to clear his head.
Seeing his support cower in fear and sickness, Seldlron raises his voice"Oskar, could use a little help up here!" He was hoping for some ranged attacks before using Harm. Oh, well. He glances around the room. Hmmm....
"*Cough*I'll*Cough*be with*cough*in a momen*cough*", despite the terrible stench, Oskar tries to walk up the stairs and take a shot at the big trog.
Barkley growls and advances at the crocodile, ready to show who is the best companion.
Seldlron carefully judges his distance from Balenar. His javelins fall to the stone floor bouncing about, making pleasant jingling tones. He charges his target. Harm adds to the music on Seldlron's dance floor with a whir as it tears through the air.
Oskars preoccupation with retching causes him to miss his shot, Barkley however manages to roll the crock over exposing its soft underbelly. Tasskar manages to dodge out of the way of Seldlron's Harm rounding beside the mighty warrior.
Balenar follows Seldlron up and moves off to the side, pulling out his lute and starting a song.
"A fine mess we are in here, I owe ye a good one though there big Trog fella."
Taqan moves up as well moving towards the closets Trog, stabbing at it with his short sword.
Taqan's sword bounces off the Trogs solid hide not leaving a scratch.
"I will be there in a second" You hear Tiresias call up between retching.