Keep up the great work old man. Just try to avoid getting hit or he is going to knock the grey out of your hair.
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot: <-- about time
Damage:
Crit Confirm: <-- sweet
Damage:
Having shaken off the effects of the spell, Kzrira again takes a deep breath and fires two arrows which penetrate directly into the skull of the overgrown salamander.
Seeing the Troglodyte Chieftain slash at Amir I try to stab him with my blade again.
Faelar light blade can't seem to push past armor and scales though Kzrira releases a pair of arrows that sink deep into vitals mortally injuring the troglodyte.
Karethas smiles as Kzrira's arrows hit home. He unleashes another Grease spell, this time targeting the troglodyte's weapon.
Egged on by the archer Amir attempts to nimbly move himself opposite Faelar to maximize his effectiveness.
Once more Amir stabs at the troglodyte.
But finds that despite his better positioning, he is unable to land a blow AT ALL!
Kzrira simply shakes her head as the elder dancer shows off his ability to remove the trogs whiskers without actually causing any noticeable harm to the trog.
The heavy great axe flies from the troglodyte's claws allowing Amir to shift for the flank though luck continues to evade him. With only moments to live, the viscous creature channels another blast of negative energy.
Will:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Kzrira grimaces as the cold of death once more sweeps past, but this time she is prepared and manages to shrug off most of it. She then draws back her bow two more times launching two more arrows directly at the troglodyte.
I shudder as the wave of negative energy flows straight through my body, it feels like a sword has been stabbed through me and I nearly crouch over in pain, but manage to stop myself. Holding my sword up pointing it at the enemy I begin to tap my foot on the floor to create a beat and sing a catchy yet dark battle chant.
Through his pain, Faelar begins a quite uncharacteristic howling cry. Kzrira draws Tempest and releases a killing shot to the dying troglodyte chief.
Still shivering from the icy burn of the negative energy, Kzrira hesitantly lowers her bow while looking around for any additional enemies that might be waiting in the wings.
Considering the number of enemies, that went well. Only this monstrous shaman caused much problem. We work well as a team, I only wish we had a method of protecting our old punching bag better. As she says this, she gives Amir a sly wink.
Perception: <-- do I see anything important or of value?
Only the leader has anything of particular value: a greataxe decorated with jagged teeth and a spidery motif, breastplate armor embossed with swarming centipedes, and a wand. All are magical. The others have only malodorous leather armor, lesser quality axes and javelins.
Seeing that the threat has been vanquished I take out the wand and begin to remove my hurts, then Amir's and finally Kzrira's.
_______________________
Also, Karethas and Faelar need to spellcraft the equipment. I am not a big (bug) fan of the motif, but good equipment is good equipment.
Forgot I have it.
Spellcraft (axe):
Spellcraft (breastplate):
Spellcraft (wand):
Kzrira identifies the items as a +1 Great Axe, +1 Brestplate, and a wand of spiritual weapon. As Faelar draws his oft used wand, Kzrira uses her spellcrafting and tactical knowledge to explain conservation of magic items to the naive bard.
Beyond the ancient shrine is a warren of caves. Blood and gore from the battle between the troglodytes and the gnolls not fit to serve the Carrion King yet covers several of the rooms. The chieftains chamber is identified by its garish decoration and collection of dingy bangles and knock-knacks shoved into a corner like a cheap dragon's hoard. Threadbare tapestries hanging on the wall are despoiled by bloody smears in the symbol of Rovagug.
No more troglodytes are found in the caves though one passage is noticeable warmer and contains a sandy side room.
Kzrira looks into the warmer sandy room, wondering why it is different and not as despoiled as the other rooms.
Perception:
Kzrira looks to the others.
What concerns me, is how did the gnome make it through all this mess? If he was that good at sneaking, he would have been able to escape from the Carrion King long ago one would think. We shall have to be alert to him using deception against us. We were fooled by the tannery wench, I have no doubt that the gnome would just as quickly betray us to return to the Carrion King's good graces.
The sandy room contains the unmistakable bouquet of troglodyte musk and looks like several objects were recently dug up and removed. As Faelar wanders through his foot unearths a leathery gray egg that was missed!
Karethas grunts at the wave of negative energy, but is grateful that the chieftain is finally down. "I thought it went well too, although I wish I had thought to disarm the big one before Amir had to take that nasty slash. In any case, I am drained of spells for the day. I think we should retreat to my pocket dimension to recuperate. We can examine the magical items in there.
Kzrira looks at the equipment.
I prefer my bow, but can use the axe in a crunch. The breastplate is about the same quality as what I am already wearing, although mine lacks the gruesome artwork.
As far as the wand goes, I do not know whether any of us will be able to use it. It contains spells usually only usable by clerics. If we worked at it, I am sure that one of us could get it to work, although probably not that well. It creates a weapon that will fight for us for a short period, who know what type of a weapon though since it was likely created by a priest of Rovagug.
Seeing the leathery grey egg, I bend down and pick it up, I stroke it for a while before placing it in my pack. I don't say anything to anyone about it while I do so.
Kzrira simply frowns as Faelar gathers the egg.
You do realize that you are going to get yourself killed one of these days. The phrase "curiosity killed the cat" has more truth to it than many believe.
I look to Kzrira, "I agree it could kill the cat, luckily though I am not a cat. This egg could lead to many great discoveries and could even grow to be a powerful ally. Would you rather we just destroyed it without having the chance to benefit from it's life?"
Kzrira shrugs:
I suppose that anything can be good. However, many are by their origins tainted toward good or evil. All know the stories that Asmodeus was once a great angel which fell. And we all have seen hard working orcs and gnolls working in Katapesh, minding their own business and not harming anyone. Nonetheless, seeking to raise an orphan troglodyte which naturally has an aura so overpowering that it causes all near it to feel ill would not be my first choice for the test of attempting to make evil good.
Amir stays silent on the issue of the egg, mostly chagrined at the turn of events at the combat. I could use the axe in theory but I doubt I would fare any better than I have been. The armor as before is not ideal for me. As for the wand...I have some training and experience in "coaxing" such things to work. If it makes sense I can carry it and even attempt to use it in such a circumstance where its effect might prove of use?
"I will take full responsibility for the creature once it hatches, I have a good feeling about this Egg. Also witnessing a life come into this world is a beautiful thing, regardless of the form that is being born or hatched."
Karethas rolls his eyes at Faelar, "We'll just hold on to the items until later, if you don't mind holding them in your sash Amir?"
With things sorted out and the immediate area explored, the adventurers take time to eat and check on the horses which remain hobbled in the woods not far from the cave's entrance. You are certain they will be fine so long as they are not left for more than a couple days.
The night inside Karethas' shelter passes without interruption and you arise the next day to continue your exploration. According to Bug, the secret passage to the Carrion King's Hall should be farther along the warm passage.
I believe Amir will continue to lead. Karethas can cast the light on my bow or on one of Amir's swords.
Amir again leads the way down the smooth walled circular passage though he has little reason to be worried about traps as you move away from the former gnoll lair. The way forward grows increasingly warm and soon uncomfortably hot as you move upward into the mountains interior. Soon strange drawings appear along the passage: long black serpent-like forms with many legs and horned heads.
The heat burns in your lungs as you move forward. Only Karethas and Kzrira seem immune to the oppressive heat; Karethas from his magical ruby seal and Kzrira from Tempest which seems to wrap her in a cool breeze despite the dangerous heat levels.
When Kzrira suddenly realizes that Faelar and Amir seem to be sweating profusely:
Do we have anything that would help you? I feel hardly any of this heat, but it is clear that the temperature has greatly increased.
Seeing Amir and Faelar struggle in the heat, Karethas calls for a short rest and casts spells on each of them, protecting them from the heat. "This will last about an hour and a half. I can cast it again for a shorter amount of time, but lets hope we are past this heat by then."
I had thought little of it but now with the magic it does seem that I was walking the desert in midday. Thank you for the magic. We may need more of it in a few moments as I suspect the images of serpents is more a commentary on the denizens of the cave than an idle fancy of the creators...No gnome came this way. No normal gnome at least.
Everyone seems more comfortable after Karethas casts his heat warding spell. Continuing down the sweltering tubular tunnel, Kzrira feels something awaken in Tempest. The bow's strange cool material seems to tingle in her grasp and she senses that in addition to enveloping her in a refreshing breeze to protect her from heat, it can send forth a gust of wind three times a day and even fire ice arrows.
Kzrira's revelation is interrupted as the passage suddenly widens into a cave. The cavern measures some 40 feet wide by 30 deep. Wisps of acrid black smoke eddy in the eerie light shed by the flickering pale blue flames that pop and hiss from cracks in the cave's floor. A rough flattened mound of lava rock rises from the center of the room with a clay bowl resting on top and long blackened bones cast about its base. Three other passages exit the room.
Kzrira, holding the cool bow in her hand looks about the room.
Something tells me that it gets very hot close to that bowl.
"I can get the bowl without getting too close. Let us see what happens!" Karethas points his finger towards the bowl and with a gesture causes it to rise and begin to float to him.
The bowl clatters a moment and then rises off the black rock. A moment later a small impish figure leaps from behind the rock onto the bowl stopping its flight. The creature is fiery red with flames licking over its batlike wings and grotesque face complete with horns, long drooping ears and long pointy nose. It shouts something in an elemental tongue that pops, cracks and hisses like the flames around you.
Karethas whispers to the others behind his hand, "It seems he is very possessive of his clay bowl."He turns back to the creature and says more loudly,
The creature clutches the bowl tightly and hisses something at Karethas.
Kzrira looks to Karethas.
Should I eliminate this? Or is it a creature that can be reasoned with?
Kzrira has her bow out and an arrow nocked. However, she does not point it at the creature waiting for instructions from Karethas.
"Let's see what it has to say"