Rath chimes in, "Perhaps like fish it is drawn here. Suggest we let it pass us and watch what it does and what happens to it. If something bad is ahead, maybe it will encounter it first."
As much as it pains me to say Rath is right we should follow the creature and see what happens Sarenrae willing it will not be hurt in the process
The deer ignores Pete's attempts to subdue it and brushes past him. It continues on, brushing past other party members like it can't even see them, and continues on down the corridor.
The deer is clearly alive and not undead.
Thinking about all of the fish skeletons, Gregor is a bit disturbed by a woodland creature being found underground.
"What in the Nine Hells is that deer doing down here? It doesn't make any damned sense...we should follow and see what's going on here."
"This is just like what Brycen said was happening aboard the ships! Animals are entranced and don't even seem to perceive people or other stimuli. I agree, let's follow but cautiously and with only our stealthiest members in close proximity to the deer. Try to stagger yourselves as you follow in case the deer is the focus of remote viewing attempts."
"By the way, Pete," Alexis turns to face him before he goes to join advance group.
As the party begins to move out, Alexis calls out, "Sir Elorin? A moment please..."
The two of them converse in hushed tones as they move.
"Even if you change your mind, there are a few important things to realize. Firstly, group positioning. Unlike the swing of a sword or marksman's projectile, many of a mage's attacks target an area. When I saw how everyone was bunched-up, the first thought that entered my mind was that I could have potentially incapacitated most of our group with my color spray spell. A more powerful mage could have certain hit everyone in that area with a burst effect such as a fireball, or struck everyone in the same line with a lightning bolt. Something is causing the strange spernatural effects we are seeing here. It could be a druid or a mage for all we know."
"The other thing to keep in mind is resource management. A spellcaster is not an endless font. We cannot cast powerful spells all day the way you might fire arrows or that Biter might hack and cleave. Abbas' bursts of healing, Gregor's fiery hand, my attack of light spell, these are all limited resources. If we expend them prematurely, against foes that might be dealt with by conventional means, that leaves us without such resources when we truly need them."
"So then, when you see me hanging back, it is not necessarily out of fear or reluctance, but rather due to the two principles I just mentioned: Group positioning that will not advantage an enemy caster, and the management of limited resources."
"By the way," she nods her head towards Burnsten, "certain members of our group think that I need additional protection. While it is true that mages are weak in melee and ideal targets if isolated, please remember that I have entrusted you as my bodyguard. You are well within your duties to remind others of this if you deem that their actions compromise your ability to meet that goal. For now, your keen eyes are needed up front. Go attend to that and I will ask Ravarath to take the rear guard with me."
"Please be careful, I worry that we are being led like moths to a flame..."
"Rath?" Alexis motions to her friend and fellow Pathfinder.
"While he may technically have seen more turns of the seasons than any of the rest of us, he is still rather young for an elf and his excitement tends to get the better of him at times. I know that Burnsten has also offered to protect me, but frankly I get the impression that he is either trying to impress me or is genuinely rash and therefore places himself in undue danger."
"Now Pete has a good, level head and I've asked him to point out to any of the rest of us, myself included, if he thinks we are taking actions that will endanger the group as a whole. Similarly, I have reminded Elorin that just because others say they will protect me, he has final say over who does what. Someone may have good intentions, but if that complicates his duties then it risks being counterproductive."
"Since our present situation requires both of them to be our vanguard, would you walk with me as part of our rear guard? I realize your vision in the dark is poor, but I can address that with magic. Also your perceptive nature would be ideal for discerning threats approaching from the rear."
"Would you mind?"
Biter, Pete, Tracant, you are with me, we follow the deer with stealth. Let's see what is ahead while the rest of the group follows at a little distance, tracant can relay what we see to the rest of the group. Lets not engage anything if possible until the rest of the group catches up with us...ahem,Biter.
Stealth
Perception
Surprisingly enough, Biter simply shrugs… and disappears.
Rath smiles, finding some humor in Alexis' words.
Putting words to action, Rath sticks to Alexis like glue (unless otherwise stated or requested by Alexis) and keeps his eyes wide open scanning in all directions.
Alexis winks and rejoins the trailing half of the party.
To Alexix in Dwarven
Pete turns to Rath and gives the doughty monk a thumbs up, before moving up to join the scouting party. He will stay about 20 feet back so as to keep the main group and the scouting group in sight.
Stealth
Perception
Tracant will stay with Elorin and the others
Perception checks
Stealth checks
Burnsten will stay with Alexis so the advance team can sneak better
Perception check with Bond Senses
Perception check normal with Alexis group
Alexis smiles at Rath's mention of her twin sister. She continues to keep her voice low and comments, "I wonder how Alissariel is doing right now. She mentioned showing that warrior-priestess, Priyya, around Greengold before heading to Cassomir. Their expedition to the Mwangi Expanse should have arrived long before we reached our destination — wish I knew more about who the other members of her group were. Do you suppose that she's alright?"
Rath nods, "Have noticed one thing about Kirmoons in general, Rajkumari... despite getting knocked on ass at times, Kirmoons very good at landing on feet." He smiles reassuringly, "Alissa... Ali... Allisariel is smart and skilled, I am sure she is doing well - probably declared Queen of Gurund by now."
He thinks a moment, "Apologies for ass comment. Probably not proper to say to Princess." He shrugs, "But then I am not proper man... so what can you expect?"
"Alissa... Ali... Allisariel is smart and skilled, I am sure she is doing well - probably declared Queen of Gurund by now."
Alexis grins at Rath's attempt to pronounce her sisters' name. "Alissariel (A-liss-AR-ee-el)," she whispers, "but that was pretty close. You've obviously practiced my name quite a bit more."
"But then I am not proper man... so what can you expect?"
Alexis purposefully bonks Rath on his right bicep with the top of her head. "Well, you might not be a landed nobleman just yet, but from the way Suny and Lureene were going on to Alissariel, it would seem there is no doubting your manliness."
She looks up inquisitively and asks, "So what exactly is a <insert the name of a rather shocking 'position' she overheard the other three talking about>? Is that a Vudrani term? Unlike me, you don't exactly talk about your homeland much..."
Alexis grins at Rath's attempt to pronounce her sisters' name. "Alissariel (A-liss-AR-ee-el)," she whispers, "but that was pretty close. You've obviously practiced my name quite a bit more."
Rath looks at her earnestly. "Oh, yes, Rajkumari. I have spent far more time thinking about you than Alissariel." While that could be a flirtatious line from many men, Alexis realises Rath means it as a mere statement of fact and possibly an indication of his depth of care for her.
Alexis purposefully bonks Rath on his right bicep with the top of her head. "Well, you might not be a landed nobleman just yet, but from the way Suny and Lureene were going on to Alissariel, it would seem there is no doubting your manliness."
Rath rubs his shoulder as if injured and blushes slightly. "I do not think I will ever be a 'landed nobleman', Rajkumari. I will, instead, be content to have been in the company of fine noble-women." He smiles his crooked smile at her, "As to what Lureene and Suny said, they were maybe being too kind in their praises. They were wonderful to overlook my flaws..."
"Although, I did carry them both - one on each arm - and ran around Master Laithoron's shop once. Perhaps that was the 'manly' display they meant. I was showing off a bit... which I hear is very 'manly'." He chuckles."So what exactly is a <insert the name of a rather shocking 'position' she overheard the other three talking about>? Is that a Vudrani term?"
Rath looks genuinely conflicted. "Rajkumari, I would prefer to be honest and answer your question but the answer may hm... scandalize you. The "Swallows Descend, One With an Injured Wing" is a... well... hm translation from Vudrani of a sacred configuration of... bodies." Rath quickly switches the topic to an intellectual curiosity that might appeal to the young wizard. "There are many sacred Vudrani books, for all aspects of life. In same book with "Swallows Descend" are many meditational positions that we Monks use to align ourselves with the Universe. I was using one of those positions when had that vision on the boat."
"Unlike me, you don't exactly talk about your homeland much..."
Rath smiles at her. "I will talk - didn't know you were interested. Can't say too much about Impossible Kingdoms. My memories are vague. I was sent away when I was 6 or maybe 8. Hard to say. I don't know my birthday. I am from a very low caste. Don't know how you'd say it here... peasant, serf, maybe? Anyhow, so was not born smart and have this odd-shaped face. My people are superstition... so deformity seen as bad sign. Think maybe that is why I was sold or given to monastery. One day, I see my Mother talks to wandering monk and then he talks to me and has me play some games with him. Then he talks to my Mother again and goes away. A few days later my Mother takes me on a walk from our village to coast - maybe a half-day walk - very exciting for me to leave village for first time. Exciting to see ocean for first time. There is a big boat at the dock and the monk is there. My mother hands me over to him and he drags me on the boat. There were other boys there, all young, all scared like me. I was crying to my Mother but she didn't say anything. Then the boat sailed away... Eventually we arrive in Jalmeray for monk trainings. So, Jalmeray I know more about than Impossible Kingdoms."
Alexis grins at Rath's attempt to pronounce her sisters' name. "Alissariel (A-liss-AR-ee-el)," she whispers, "but that was pretty close. You've obviously practiced my name quite a bit more."
Rath looks at her earnestly. "Oh, yes, Rajkumari. I have spent far more time thinking about you than Alissariel." While that could be a flirtatious line from many men, Alexis realises Rath means it as a mere statement of fact and possibly an indication of his depth of care for her.
Alexis purposefully bonks Rath on his right bicep with the top of her head. "Well, you might not be a landed nobleman just yet, but from the way Suny and Lureene were going on to Alissariel, it would seem there is no doubting your manliness."
Rath rubs his shoulder as if injured and blushes slightly. "I do not think I will ever be a 'landed nobleman', Rajkumari. I will, instead, be content to have been in the company of fine noble-women." He smiles his crooked smile at her, "As to what Lureene and Suny said, they were maybe being too kind in their praises. They were wonderful to overlook my flaws..."
"Although, I did carry them both - one on each arm - and ran around Master Laithoron's shop once. Perhaps that was the 'manly' display they meant. I was showing off a bit... which I hear is very 'manly'." He chuckles."So what exactly is a <insert the name of a rather shocking 'position' she overheard the other three talking about>? Is that a Vudrani term?"
Rath looks genuinely conflicted. "Rajkumari, I would prefer to be honest and answer your question but the answer may hm... scandalize you. The "Swallows Descend, One With an Injured Wing" is a... well... hm translation from Vudrani of a sacred configuration of... bodies." Rath quickly switches the topic to an intellectual curiosity that might appeal to the young wizard. "There are many sacred Vudrani books, for all aspects of life. In same book with "Swallows Descend" are many meditational positions that we Monks use to align ourselves with the Universe. I was using one of those positions when had that vision on the boat."
"Unlike me, you don't exactly talk about your homeland much..."
Rath smiles at her. "I will talk - didn't know you were interested. Can't say too much about Impossible Kingdoms. My memories are vague. I was sent away when I was 6 or maybe 8. Hard to say. I don't know my birthday. I am from a very low caste. Don't know how you'd say it here... peasant, serf, maybe? Anyhow, so was not born smart and have this odd-shaped face. My people are superstition... so deformity seen as bad sign. Think maybe that is why I was sold or given to monastery. One day, I see my Mother talks to wandering monk and then he talks to me and has me play some games with him. Then he talks to my Mother again and goes away. A few days later my Mother takes me on a walk from our village to coast - maybe a half-day walk - very exciting for me to leave village for first time. Exciting to see ocean for first time. There is a big boat at the dock and the monk is there. My mother hands me over to him and he drags me on the boat. There were other boys there, all young, all scared like me. I was crying to my Mother but she didn't say anything. Then the boat sailed away... Eventually we arrive in Jalmeray for monk trainings. So, Jalmeray I know more about than Impossible Kingdoms."
The group separates into two groups, with Pete in the middle, and stealthily (converse) move down the corridor. The cave is a combination natural tunnel and mined corridor. The deer reaches a T-intersection and continues on straight, rather than down the left passage. As it approaches another T, this time going left and right, you hear a curious scuffling sound from the darkness to the left. The sound gets louder as hundreds of rotting bunnies dash out into the corridor and swarm over the deer. The deer breaks out of its stupor and makes a sound not even Gregor knew deer could make as it goes down with hundreds of bite marks ripping it to pieces in mere seconds.
Initiative:
Burnsten Initiative:
Biter Initiative:
Rath Initiative:
Alexis Initiative:
Gregor Initiative:
Abbas Initiative:
Pete Initiative:
Elorin Initiative:
Tracant Initiative:
Zombie Bunny Swarm:
Elorin
Abbas
Biter
Alexis
Rath
Tracant
Burnsten
Zombie Bunny Swarm
Gregor
Pete
/
Up next: Elorin, Abbas, Biter...
"This... can't be good. Abbas, Gregor, if either of you have any area affect spells, now would be the time. Everyone else, clear out unless you have area attacks!"
Reflex DC 16 for half, swarms take +50% dmg from area spells.
After casting, she moves as far away as possible.
"This... can't be good. Abbas, Gregor, if either of you have any area affect spells, now would be the time. Everyone else, clear out unless you have area attacks!"
** spoiler omitted **
"Only if we were above ground...down here, not so much."
Round 1 actions
You see Elorin move back to the group and pull out a flask of somethingI have 2 flasks of oil, I can hit the creatures square with this if someone can light it with some type of flame dart or magic? I assume that fire can hurt them?
You see Elorin move back to the group and pull out a flask of somethingI have 2 flasks of oil, I can hit the creatures square with this if someone can light it with some type of flame dart or magic? I assume that fire can hurt them?
Pete sees this and gives the elf a nod of approval, "Good thinkin' thar. I be hangin' onto it though, 'n use it ta block our retreat. I dinnae want anyone ta turn inta bunny chow!"
"Abbas, if my spell doesn't slow them down, then save your channeling for if they overtake our retreat. I can only cast it once more..."
Still going. It's been a minute at most.
Rath guards and falls back with Alexis.
Round 1
"By the dawn flower this whole place is infested with undead monstrosities.
Abbas will move 20' back and ready an action to channel energy to harm undead should the swarm get within 30' (rolls just in case )