I've counted 35 damage on The CBD so far, right?
Grimm is ready to shoot the Crawler once he appears.
Grimm's ire is raised by the attack on Kate, so much that he whiffs his shot.
Frustrated, he slings his rifle and ingests his feral mutagen for his next opportunity.
Wounded and enraged, the Crawler seethes with the desire to leap at the pretty one's throat again, but it is hurt....bad.
It weeps, it screams, its ragged sounds of agony strangely amplified in the Ethereal Plane's gray, ectoplasmic wastes....
But it dares not attack again, the pain is too great....
GET IT!!! KILL IT!!! IT'S GOING AFTER ME!!!
Kate is in a veritable panic, but she takes a defensive stance.
Seconds that seem much longer tic by, but The CBD does not appear....
Koran drinks his ethereal oil.
Koran drinks his ethereal oil.
Koran suddenly feels his environment change around him....
He is in a gray, colorless world of shadow and light, ectoplasmic webbing forming great structures that drift through the Ether....
There he can see his quarry, and hear its shrill howls of pain and frustration, cut short by a ragged gasp of shock as it realizes that it suddenly has company on the Ethereal Plane!
No!! Don't kill me!! How!? How are you here!? This is my place! Mine!!
The CBD attempts to scuttle 80 ft back through the Ether, distancing itself from Koran, but it is too large to make a clean withdraw from the tiefling, so it provokes an AoO....
Assuming that all PCs except Kate drink or anoint themselves with oil of etherealness this round....
As the members of Team Lido appear one by one in a matter of seconds in the Ethereal Plane, The CBD gasps in horror and tries to flee along a great stand of ectoplasm as thick as a tree trunk, scrambling as fast as its long spindly legs will carry its bloated frame!
Koran Smashes the CBD as it rus away.
Koran Smashes the CBD as it rus away.
[dice=attack]1d20+9[dice=damage]4d6+9
As The CBD turns to scramble in a panic away from Koran, the tiefling brings his earth breaker down on the monster's bloated rump, to a satisfying crunching sound as its inner organs are mashed by the massive hammer's onslaught!
With a pitiful wail of agony, The CBD is stopped in its tracks by Koran's crushing blow, and crumples into a heap, its eight spidery legs curling inward and twitching their death-throes!
EEAAAAARRRGH!!!
Derrik looks as the creature is felled by Koran's hammer. Assuring the creature is as dead as it appears.. Hacking its head off with a powerful stroke
Derrik looks as the creature is felled by Koran's hammer. Assuring the creature is as dead as it appears.. Hacking its head off with a powerful stroke [dice=Axe]1d20 + 4; 1d8 + 3
A geyser of mustard-yellow gore spews from the ugly stump where it's head was struck off by Derrik's mighty chop! If it wasn't quite dead before, it certainly is now.... It's legs give a final jerk before slowly relaxing into the curled-in position.
The CBD's head, indistinguishable from that of an old man, lies at Derrik's feet, gray eyes staring blindly up at the young paladin....
On the Material Plane, scores of hungry eyes stare through sliding glass doors at the pretty young thing in the front parking lot, standing all alone....
Stealth checks with +4 due to improved cover, modified for distance (curtains and reflective glass) ....
They watch from between drawn curtains....
On the Material Plane, scores of hungry eyes stare through sliding glass doors at the pretty young thing in the front parking lot, standing all alone....
Stealth checks with +4 due to improved cover, modified for distance (curtains and reflective glass) 1d20+5....
They watch from between drawn curtains....
Perception check
Young Kate looks fearfully at the sliding glass doors and sees the drawn curtains, and wonders if she's being watched....
Oh my God, guys, f!+#ing hurry up.... Don't leave me here alone like this for much longer.... Anyone....or anything....could be watching me right now from those windows and I wouldn't see shit....
Grimm stands astonished at how easily the creature was felled. It is too late to turn back the process of ingestion of the feral mutagen. I hope the others understand.
Grimm yells Grab the head! We need to get back.
Koran steps back into the material plane, Charging a cannibal with his hammer.
raging
The sliding glass door of the nearest ground-floor unit slides open quickly, and five cannibals spill out, leering at Kate with bad intent....
The one who opened the door, a scrawny ginger with glasses and a hard-on, wants to lead the rush on the startled Kate, but four others push past him with single moves, bringing them to within 10 ft of Kate, but not quite upon her yet....
Oh yeah, baby, you're a sweet little piece of poon buffet, ain't ya! squawks a wild-eyed goon with braces and spiky blond hair....
No sooner does this happen, then two more sliding doors slide open, disgorging another ten cannibals, hellbent on raping and then eating Kate!
Initiative
Koran steps back into the material plane, Charging a cannibal with his hammer.
raging [dice=attack]1d20+11[dice=attack]4d6+12
"The Hammer's" sudden appearance and lethal charge on the spiky blond cannibal (who drops with a look of horror on his face and his head twisted 180 degrees by Koran's heavy stroke) sends waves of uncertainty through the other cannibals!
Derrik also comes out of the ethereal plan holding the creatures head in his gauntlet-ed hand raise high
" If this is your master.. we are his slayers know that if you touch one Hair on this woman's head.. Your deaths shall be slower... back down and you might be spared"
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Derrik also comes out of the ethereal plan holding the creatures head in his gauntlet-ed hand raise high
" If this is your master.. we are his slayers know that if you touch one Hair on this woman's head.. Your deaths shall be slower... back down and you might be spared"
[dice=Intimidate] 1d20 + 4
[dice=Initiative] 1d20 + 4
A collective gasp of shock and amazement erupts from every patio and balcony of the Sandcastle!
It... It's The Crawler! They killed it!!
A moment of hushed murmurs of awe....
The cannibals fall down on their knees, or even completely prone, sobbing or laughing hysterically at the sudden realization of their freedom from the vile Crawler Between Dimensions!
A hundred cannibals surrender to Team Lido, and nearly half as many cannibal skanks.
At 200 XP each (for the cannibals--the skanks are noncombatants),that's 20,000 XP, plus 1,600 for The CBD = 21,600 XP, divided by 7 PCs = 3,085 XP each, enough to level all PCs to 3rd level!
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The cannibals, sufficiently cowed by Koran's display of lethal ferocity and Derrik's display of genuine confidence and their former master's severed head, willingly lead Team Lido to the deluxe beachfront two-bedroom suite on the third floor of the north most wing of the Helmsley Sandcastle, where the vile monster stored its collected treasures:
45 bottles of fine wine worth 10 gp each;
30 bottles of liquor (rum, vodka, whiskey, and tequila) worth 10 gp each;
25 flasks of acid worth 10 gp each;
4 lbs of hydroponic marijuana worth 1,000 gp each;
10 items of gold and silver jewelry (watches, rings, bracelets, brooches, etc) worth a total of 2,000 gp.
Team Lido happily loots this rich treasure, loading it all onto The Chuul's Folly to be transported back to Pandora's Box.
Kate, are you okay? Grimm inquires of her. In his feral state, Grimm hopes that Kate will not be taken aback. Especially with his new development. A third arm begins to sprout from his lower left abdomen. The fully functional arm will be of a great help to him, but will also make him seem less human.
This all happened so fast. The Ether was a surreal place and not a happy one. I hope that we never see that place again. Koran really dominated that monster. I hope that Kate won't think that I am a freak and be repulsed by my new affliction. Hey, it seems that freak is the new normal.
Kate, are you okay? Grimm inquires of her. In his feral state, Grimm hopes that Kate will not be taken aback. Especially with his new development. A third arm begins to sprout from his lower left abdomen. The fully functional arm will be of a great help to him, but will also make him seem less human.
This all happened so fast. The Ether was a surreal place and not a happy one. I hope that we never see that place again. Koran really dominated that monster. I hope that Kate won't think that I am a freak and be repulsed by my new affliction. Hey, it seems that freak is the new normal.
Kate is initially repulsed and horrified by the sight of Dr Grimm in his feral state, especially when her eyes fix on the muscular third arm extending from his torso....
But she is reassured by his kind (if huskier and more bestial) voice, and she nods her head in answer, and finally allows him to embrace and comfort her.
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oh almost forgot uncontrolled rage
DC - 11
Team Lido has succeeded at the dangerous mission of beheading The CBD, and have conquered its cannibal slaves without having to shed a great deal of their blood. They have looted a valuable hoard of treasure, and have yet another rich reward to collect from The TUtB in exchange for the head of The CBD.
What sort of treasure?
*money signs for eyes*
Team Lido brings the head of The CBD to the poolside area of the Sarasota Sands Resort, where Derrik holds it aloft for The TUtB and its cannibal slaves to behold....
YESSS!!! You are victorious, mighty Fierce Ones! I can see very well there the ugly face of my old chum! You have earned your reward.... And my gratitude.... BRING FORTH THE FIERCE ONES' REWARD!!
prepared action to shoot something if combat begins.
Two cannibals emerge from the patio door of a ground floor poolside unit near by, each carrying a cardboard box. They approach and set the boxes down before Derrik, retrieving the head of The CBD from him.
Oh, glorious day! Did it beg you to spare it? Did it plead for its pathetic existence? Oh, to have seen its stupid face when you appeared on the Ethereal Plane! HA!! That must have been priceless!
The TUtB is ecstatic over the success of its plot to eliminate its hated rival, The CBD....
It remains invisible at its perch, out of harm's reach, but its malicious glee can clearly be perceived.
Derrik drops the head of the CBD with a sickening plop as it falls in... The TUtB and group unable to see the disgust of doing such for it but perhaps feeling Derrik's presence growing stronger as he approaches
" We have upheld our part of the.. Deal... tell us what you know. I do not wish to be here any longer than I have to "
just as a precaution kinyama moves to the ethereal plane to see if the tutb is there.
just as a precaution kinyama moves to the ethereal plane to see if the tutb is there.
There is no sign of The TUtB in the Ethereal Plane.
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Derrik drops the head of the CBD with a sickening plop as it falls in... The TUtB and group unable to see the disgust of doing such for it but perhaps feeling Derrik's presence growing stronger as he approaches
" We have upheld our part of the.. Deal... tell us what you know. I do not wish to be here any longer than I have to "
Yes.... Of course.... The Fierce One's are in a hurry to kill other evil monsters and right wrongs, yes? hisses The TUtB from his invisible perch.
I promised an interesting secret, yes.... His Relentless Malignancy fears certain ancient relics of your world which might have power to harm him.... He sends his servitors on perilous quests to locate and recover these artifacts so that they might be destroyed.... Or at least kept out of the hands of His Ineffable Evilness' enemies.... Yes, this much I know.... He seeks the artifacts of power, for He would destroy them lest they be used against Him....
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Derrik drops the head of the CBD with a sickening plop as it falls in... The TUtB and group unable to see the disgust of doing such for it but perhaps feeling Derrik's presence growing stronger as he approaches
" We have upheld our part of the.. Deal... tell us what you know. I do not wish to be here any longer than I have to "
Yes.... Of course.... The Fierce One's are in a hurry to kill other evil monsters and right wrongs, yes? hisses The TUtB from his invisible perch.
I promised an interesting secret, yes.... His Relentless Malignancy fears certain ancient relics of your world which might have power to harm him.... He sends his servitors on perilous quests to locate and recover these artifacts so that they might be destroyed.... Or at least kept out of the hands of His Ineffable Evilness' enemies.... Yes, this much I know.... He seeks the artifacts of power, for He would destroy them lest they be used against Him....
He tests this creatures words not completely sure of their weight in wind , He contemplates the new information he was given and as to WHY the creature would tell them such if he were allied with it.
" Assuming what you say is true Coward who hides behind Magic, Why tell us Fierce Ones this.. Do you hope us die in the attempt? Do you think this will spare you our wrath? Or Have you done this all before an know the end result? What do you gain from helping to end the creature that has brought you into this world to cause havoc and torture the inhabitants as you have done.. What has 'His Relentless Malignancy' Done to make you risk so much? For if there is no such thing.. I question your motives"
Derrik grips his Axe, Dawnbringer tightly in his right hand.. and The TUtB can literally see this particular fierce one 's aura.. one opposite to him.. has grown stronger and brighter
As Kinyama, Mephos, Radsworth, Koran, and Kate hold their weapons ready for a sign of trouble, Derrik and Dr Grimm pick up the cardboard boxes and check their contents:
10 doses of Large scorpion venom (injury; Fort DC 17; 1/rd for 6 rds; 1d2 Str; cure 1 save; price 200 gp each);
10 doses of shadow essence (injury; Fort DC 17; 1/rd for 6 rds; 1 Str drain/1d2 Str; cure 1 save; price 250 gp each);
3,500 bullets (for revolver or rifle) worth 1 gp each;
20 potions of cure light wounds;
10 items of gold and silver jewelry worth 500 gp total;
pill bottles containing narcotics and antibiotics equal in value to 500 gp.
" Assuming what you say is true Coward who hides behind Magic, Why tell us Fierce Ones this.. Do you hope us die in the attempt? Do you think this will spare you our wrath? Or Have you done this all before an know the end result? What do you gain from helping to end the creature that has brought you into this world to cause havoc and torture the inhabitants as you have done.. What has 'His Relentless Malignancy' Done to make you risk so much? For if there is no such thing.. I question your motives"
My motives are no concern of yours.... Suffice it to say that I have just as much reason to applaud the destruction of certain evils as you do....
Bluff check
Derrik senses that The TUtB fears and hates its superiors in the monstrous chain of command it hints at, and rankles at its servitude.
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The darkness behind the helmeted warrior peers through the creatures thin walls of attempted deceit to find the truth of the matter... That just like the cannibals its tortures and brings fear... it too detests and fears those above it. Had the TUtB not have done its various acts Derrik would have shown him more mercy or even pity.. but it made it's decision long ago he would guess. His eyes focus in the direction of the creatures voice.. Detecting its foul presence in a much different way.. and It amazes Derrik his is able to do so.. his eyes seeing the world in various colors.. distinct in vibrant Reds, Blues.. greens and grays. Moving over the area where it speaks
" Know this ... I will not be simply put off by this information.. but you HAVE given yourself a chance .. to change ... If you fear those above you that you would have them destroyed then you should not build such a relationship with those beneath you.. or the same fate that may befall the Crawler.. may befall you. "