The dancing lights flit about the cave, but do not penetrate the thick webbing deeper in. All that can be seen is the carpet of insects. You're going to have to go in there...
"So much for that. Someone pitch a burning torch into the mess and leg it."
"On second thought...."
Lym casts a quick cantrip, judges the results, and if these seem reasonable yells "Fire in the hold!" before sending rays of searing, sizzling heat at the webbing and bolting away from the cave's mouth!
The stench of charred insect and burnt webbing flows out of the cave, obscuring sight. It is somewhat clearer in the interior, and now you can see further. The carpet of insects continues to flow over the remains destroyed by the fire. Some 40' or so down the tuneel you can make out what looks like humanoid remains on the floor.
Nodding, "Well alright. That helps clear things up." Gripping his axe a bit securer, "Now let's go see what else is down here."
Aurora grins as the waves of heat wash over everyone, she seems completely unperturbed.
Now if you'd of told me that was what you were going to do I could have summoned a giant ball of fire and instead of exploding it I'd have just walked it around the inside of the cave for you!
She stares at the charred remains and the waves of insects on the floor fleeing past the party.
...though I have to admit your flash in the pan was pretty quick work!
She glances up at Thordak.
So now Master Thordak, would you care to lead the way?
She hikes up her dress and tucks it up under her belt so it doesn;t drag across the insect-covered floor, before flexing her hands and following Thordak in to the cave.
"Yes, well, we'll probably need your energy for the dragon battle," Lym demurrs. "I'll... bring up the rear."
Lym does indeed follow after the others -- her feet never touching the floor as she hovers over it.
"Umm, unless you ladies want to clear out a lot more bugs with your fire, we should stay out here. I would not be surprised if that poor sod in there had been eaten alive by the crawlers."
Grinning wryly, "Come on, elf! It's just a few bugs. They won't kill ya... much." Thordak heads in, keeping his eyes peeled for danger of any kind.
The sounds of boots crunching and squishing insects is muffled by the webbing all about you. The ceiling of the cave rises to 20' once you get past the entrance, but the rock above is obscured by the webs. Thordak, in front, halts as he reaches an intersection. To the right, the cave ends in more of a 'normal' fashion. To the left, deep webs lead on into blackness. The lead edge of the webs is burnt, but the sheer mass of webbing stopped the flames before they got too far.
Praxim will be next, detecting evil continuously.
Squinting to be sure, "Do ya see that, lads and lasses?" he says, pointing directly at the thick webs to apparently something beyond. "Looks like if we cut our way through that blasted 'blanket', there's another tunnel that leads deeper to... well, somewhere. It's only about thirty feet or so beyond 'em. So I'll start cuttin'. Unless one of you wants ta try and burn 'em again," he looks for any takers. If there are none, Thordak will begin cutting through the webbing as best he can.
"Here. Let me try something" Tomaru casts Summon Monster V and brings forth Medium Fire Elementals. "Burn us a path." he commands them.
Lym hovers behind Aurora, continuing to use her flight magic to not have to touch any of the icky, icky insects!
"While we have a little time, we should discuss what we're going to do when we get to the dragon," she says. "The last time I fought the thing, it had warded itself - or been warded by someone else - against ice attacks. Those of us who cast would probably be best advised to use non-traditional elements for the rematch; if it has half a brain left after the pummeling it took, it probably still wards itself against the Obvious, and is naturally resistant against fire. Given that spellcasting dragons tend to sorcery, it may have even warded itself against all elements... So keep an open mind. Aurora's bonewracking spell and my magic missiles may end up our best magical offensive, provided we can pierce the beast's resistance to magic."
Tomaru turns from supervising his summoned elementals. "It can't keep those wards up all the time. The protection against ice might be persistent, but probably not any others."
"Still, it is best not to make assumptions. Don't use fire, don't use ice; electricity and acid are possibly best for ranged attacks. For melee, any melee-oriented summons should do well. Earth elementals, air elementals, celestials... you know the sort."
Following a few steps behind Thordak, Aurora appears to be concentrating deeply on Lym's suggestions.
Now that is useful to know, I've a few tricks up my sleeve to deal with those who ward themselves against fire, but as you say perhaps less elemental magic may be the way to go instead...
She taps one delicate finger against her lips, deep in thought.
Alarm bells and warnings go off all at once, and chaos breaks out. Two large, dark forms unfold themselves from blackness of the webbing and come at you!
It's immediately obvious that these are not normal spiders. For one thing, the body is merely an animated husk filled with thousands of tiny spiders that drip from it like drops of blood. The bloated things skitter up and over the fire elementals, to drop down in front of Thordak. Using their reach they bite at the dwarf. Twin sets of mandibles skewer Thordak, tearing flesh!
Tomaru moves up behind Thordak and casts Prayer (+1 luck bonus to hit, to damage, saves, and skill checks; enemies get -1 penalty to those rolls)
Fire elemental 1 steps up and sets the giant spider husk 1 on fire.
Fire Elemental 1 +2 if flank plus Burn (1d6, DC 16)
Fire elemental 2 steps up and sets the giant spider husk 2 on fire.Fire Elemental 2 +2 if flank plus Burn (1d6, DC 16)
Before he can even react, the dwarf is wickedly opened up and two large pools of blood hit the ground in a mighty splat. Managing to remain upright, "That all... all ya got... ya... ya blasted beast?" he manages through pained breaths as he draws upon his reservoir of fury which manages to bolster his resolve and bring about a newfound energy. With a blood spewing yell, the dwarf tightens his grip on the longaxe and swings it mightily with every ounce of strength he can muster, hoping to at least carve the beast into multiple pieces.
"What the--Thordak watch ou---"
Praxim gives up with the warnings and settles for pincushionung the husks, starting with the most injured. He takes a 5-foot step back if he needs to avoid their reach.
Making a fist with each hand, flames erupt around Aurora's hands in a ribbon of dancing flame, surging it suddenly lashes out snake quick and slashes across first one spider, then the other.
She shouts at Lym
Not sure these things even have bones to break!
Thordak hacks away at the spider husk facing him. Chunks of exoskeleton and spiders fly about him. Behind him, the spiders dripping from the husk swarm over the elementals, ignoring the burning flames. Between fire and axe, the first 'spider' goes down.
Praxim shoots arrows into second deathweb, hurting it. Aurora's flame ribbons sear into the creature, killing it and sending waves of nauseating smoke into the cave.
All that's left is the stench of burning insects, some old bones, withered husks...and the gleam of gold...
As both of the creepiest-looking-spiders-he's-ever-seen fall in a burning and bloody heap, Thordak calms. Taking a moment to catch his breath and gather himself, he looks over at Aurora. "Thank Torag you're on my side," he tells her, grinning tiredly. "There's no way I'd make it through the heat that you can summon, lass," he says as a matter of fact.
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"Get a room," Lym says. "Let's make sure there are no more of those freaks here."
"Get a room," Lym says. "Let's make sure there are no more of those freaks here."
Above the smell and the lingering fumes of roast undead arachnid, the webs blocking the passage are 90% clear. The tunnel Thordak spotted is more obvious now. It is narrow, 5' wide at most, and most of you will have to crouch to use it, but it clearly goes deeper into the side of the canyon. Thordak's dwarven cunning with stone can tell you it's stable, and more important, shows all signs that it goes quite far. Maybe all the way to Jorgenfist?
"I suggest we return and investigate this tunnel's possibilities after we finish our business with the dragon."
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"Get a room," Lym says. "Let's make sure there are no more of those freaks here."
Thordak looks over at the half-orc curiously, chewing on his bottom lip in thought. A room?! Why in the bloody blazes would I want a room in this death trap?! I think the lass is goin' mad. Well, she stays pretty mad most of the time but this is a different mad. Maybe if I just play along... "Okay, lass, I'll get a room if you be thinkin' it's a good idea." He looks around the area a moment, "Not sure exactly where I'll be puttin' it but I'll get back with ya on that," he nods, hoping that's enough to appease her.
"I suggest we return and investigate this tunnel's possibilities after we finish our business with the dragon."
Turning to Tomaru, "Sounds good ta me, lad."
"Very well. Remember what I said: avoid using fire- and ice-based attacks if you have any. We'll need to attack the beast in its lair, and it is an intelligent enemy, so expect traps and possibly lackeys.
My first move once we're inside will be to seal off the main exit so the dragon can't just bull rush us and escape to warn the Giants. If possible, we should try to take the beast by surprise. Barring surprise, we have to take it by speed. Dragons are dangerous in any terrain, and this will be its home ground. Its enclosed home ground, where any fire it breathes has a chance of hitting us through backwash. Try to surround it if you can.
Before we go into the dragon's lair, I can protect one person from a certain amount of fire damage. I was going to cast it on myself, but it could go to whoever is willing to attack the dragon head-on, risking its fiery breath. Any other preparations we can take?"
"For that I prepared a communal spell. I can protect all of us for a shorter duration. If Lym and Aurora can protect themselves, then I can cover us men."
That's ok Thordak, I promise not to singe a hair on your head no matter how excited I get!
She winks and then places a hand over her mouth as she stifles laughter at Lym's words and Thordak's response.
I agree Tomaru, bad-tempered dragon first, horribly cramped deathtrap tunnel later...
Still smiling she replies to Lym.
I can protect others from the dragon's flame for a while, also from its spells if you think the threat high enough to do so?
"Keep it in readiness, just in case. It did not cast during the previous battle, but we are going in somewhat blind. Be prepared for the worst. And I will use the Protection-spell for myself; depending on how spiteful the creature is, it may go for Praxim or myself first."
The cave entrance for the dragon's lair is difficult to reach except from the air: The entrance is 450 feet up the side of a near-vertical mountain face. Shattered skeletons of dozens of animals, wyverns, and even a few rocs litter the ground far below the cave entrance.
"Again, I can take care of getting us guys up there with Dimension Door if you ladies can make your own way. We need to be mindful of the timing so we arrive at the same time. Once we actually encounter the dragon, I can help seal him in using Wall of Stone."
Will have cast
Resist Energy, Communal (v fire, 30 minutes for Praxim, Thordak, and Myself)
Shield of Faith
Magic Vestment
Longstrider
Endure Elements
"Let me do the sealing; wall of force. If we're lucky he'll brain himself trying to get out, and we won't have to tunnel out ourselves."
Praxim will cast weapon of awe and divine bond (holy) just before they go up.
Shattered skeletons of dozens of animals, wyverns, and even a few rocs litter the ground far below the cave entrance. Within, the cave is a simple affair, 200 feet deep and 50 feet wide. The floor of the cave strewn with thousands and thousands of copper coins. Footing will be treacherous, and perhaps most importantly, loud.
Lym mouths to the others "Ready?" and, once she gets the nod, casts her spell to seal the main exit. Immediately, an invisible, transparent pane of force seals off the exit.
Tugging Tomaru on the sleeve, she whispers: "Do we summon some support first, or try to stealth through?"
In response, Tomaru says, "Silthanan! I choose you. Cast Summon Monster V.
Lym mouths to the others "Ready?" and, once she gets the nod, casts her spell to seal the main exit. Immediately, an invisible, transparent pane of force seals off the exit.
Tugging Tomaru on the sleeve, she whispers: "Do we summon some support first, or try to stealth through?"
Resist Energy, Communal (v fire, 30 minutes for Praxim, Thordak, and Tomaru)
Shield of Faith
Magic Vestment
Longstrider
Endure ElementsIn response, Tomaru says, "Silthanan! I choose you. Cast Summon Monster V.
Lym signals to the Avoral: "Please do not join us; you agreed to be our scouts, not dragon-bait. We shall return... or if we do not, please spread news of what is brewing in these highlands to the rest of the world."
Before the group goes inside, Lym casts a summons of her own, bringing forth a Lillend Azata, which silently hovers a pace behind the Wizard after a brief, whispered conversation.
"I promise ya this: If this dragon is on the ground when we see it, I'll be headin' straight for 'im I will. He'll not be escapin' me axe," he nods adamantly. He then ponders that a moment before, "Well... unless he flies away of course. But that'll be the ONLY way!" He nods adamantly once again.
That's ok Thordak, I promise not to singe a hair on your head no matter how excited I get!
She winks and then places a hand over her mouth as she stifles laughter at Lym's words and Thordak's response.
The dwarf grins sheepishly. Always lookin' out for me, that one is. "Such a sweet lass," he mutters to himself.
Before they begin their advance, Thordak takes out one of his potions and drink it to help heal some of his wounds.
"Alright. I'm ready." The dwarf pops his neck and gets a better grip on his longaxe. "Just say the word," he says, ready to rush in at full speed.
Praxim can cast angelic aspect for the wings.
to move at less than half speed (ie move 5 feet)
[ooc]Also OGGM, I forgot that I sent Thordak flying earlier. I have some potions of flying so I can still be airborne, but wanted to let you know for the sake of keeping proper record.
I say we follow Thordak in. After all we want to fight the dragon.
[ooc]Also OGGM, I forgot that I sent Thordak flying earlier. I have some potions of flying so I can still be airborne, but wanted to let you know for the sake of keeping proper record.
I say we follow Thordak in. After all we want to fight the dragon.
You cross over the threshhold of the cave entrance, cleverly avoiding the simple noise-trap created by the scattered coins. However, multiple conversations and Lym's subsequent casting of Force Wall to block the cave mouth are NOT so silent. A deep rumbling voice rolls out from the darkness at the back of the cave. You could swear that you hear the sounds of great clawed limbs clapping...
"Bravo." The voice says. "You have caught me. Except that I do not wish to fight you. Not again. I wish to parley." There is the sound of coins rolling and sliding, as if a great body was shifting position on top of a mountain of them.
"What say you?"