Round 1 Init 10
The maggot's jagged teeth bite into his leather, one tooth piercing deeply, only a silver stud preventing it from penetrating into the Gnome's skin.
"Barren bunnies!" He curses not having picked up his shield to better protect himself. "Big R! May your firey wings protect me!"
With both hands un-customarily free, he uses his entire strength to swing a mighty blow down on the cute-but-dangerous biting grub.
"लेडी बदला लेने के के डंक से महसूस करो!"
Round 1, Initiative 5
HP: 10/10
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 29/30
Silver Blunt Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 1/1
Child of the Crusade = 1/1
Bow already out, Cole gives a look, likely missed, to the shiny one. When will they learn to leave well enough alone? Not everything should be touched. He's probably a hugger too.
Cole shoots at the maggot directly in front of him.
(point blank) (point blank)
Round 1
Jurin's mad slashes miss the undulating maggot in front of him.
Eli misses the maggot as he tries to avoid hitting Jurin.
Beagan tries to bring The Big R's retribution to bear, but misses with his hand and a half sword.
Cole, his bow already in hand, speeds an arrow into the maggot attacking Serra, dropping a bit of maggot onto the ground
Grasker slashes viciously at maggot 2, inflicting a horrible wound, though the maggot continues to wriggle and bite.
Serra misses both his foot and the maggot.
Init 1
Maggot 1 attacks again, his abdomen roiling and rolling before his maw opens wide, his previous meal rushing up and out onto his next.
Maggot 2, barely holding himself together none the less snaps again at Jurin, but misses, possibly due to the way his head keeps drooping into the rest of the maggots body.
Begin Round 2
Round 2, Initiative 5
HP: 10/10
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 28/30
Silver Blunt Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 1/1
Child of the Crusade = 1/1
Pleased, a little, with his early success, Cole shoots again, this time hoping to do more damage.
(point blank) (point blank)
Alas, while his aim improves, his 'sticking' power doesn't and he grazes the maggot yet again.
"What's going on! Is it bats?!"
"Zeff! Good shot! Don't let them come this way, Zeff! I'm an important man with important things to do. You have to get me out of here!"
"That can't be good! I'll come help you!" Anevia offers as she tries to stand. Though able to put weight on it, it is still a painful hobble over to help battle the maggots.
Jurin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Elyanius: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Beagan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Serra: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Cole: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Grasker: 1d20 ⇒ 5
maggots: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Round 2, Init 9
Fort Save vs. DC 13
Ha! I've been a barkeep all my life, you think a bit of vomit is going to vex me? I clean up messes like this for breakfast.
Might you want to re-phrase that?
Oh...OH! Neverbother.
Serra holds his own stomach against the mess that had just spewed out of the maggot. He tries again to stab it.
to hit;
damage.
"*nearvomit* Hold on, sir. We'll be...*nearvomit*...with you in a moment," Serra replies.
You think your father would ever let this happen to his armor?
You think your father would ever let this happen to his armor?
Oh, I don't know. Kast's relationship with his armor was always...special.
Round 2 Init 20
"And then their teeth get in your blood."
Jurin begins spinning about and slashing at the maggot.
"And their blood gets in your teeth!"
Round 2, Init 13
AC = 13
HP = 10/10
Weapon Equipped = Lucerne Hammer
Condition(s) = None at present
"Thank you, young man." Eli steps the opposite direction of Jurin, taking advantage of the more open path to the maggot.
The very nature of the creature before him causes him to falter. This?! Talk of demons, such stories, and our introduction is maggoty spew. This?!
"Sorry, sorry. It keeps... moving. I'm not sure... I can... bring it injury." Two swings, and Eli starts to breath heavily.
Jurin's wild slashing and spinning misses his target, though his words have Horgus yelling and terror, " He's been possessed! Protect me! He's One of Them!"
His spinning takes him out of Elyanias' way, leaving his hammer free to bludgeon maggot 2 through the head. Its body continues to jerk and spasm, but no longer attacks.
Round 2, Initiative 10
Seeing the creature vomit spider innards onto Serra, the Gnome cringes with an extremely disgusted, sour taste in his own mouth.
"أم هرة-الدلاء! بالتأكيد ليست لطيف، والرجال متسوس كبيرة"
Trying to avoid being the next meal himself, he swings his over-sized sword up again, trying to slash into the maggot that almost seems to be looking him in the eye.
A solid slice removes some of the writhing flesh, some maggot-gore slithering across his blade.
Round 2
Jurin begins spinning about and slashing at the maggot, but Eli, now able to more fully connect, strikes down maggot #2.
Beagan steps up and does his damnedest to finish Maggot #1's horrifying regurgitation, dropping him where he wriggles, though he continues to twitch on the floor.
Serra manages to keep his lunch down, but misses the maggot in front of him.
Cole, however, doesn't miss as shoots again, hitting maggot number 1 deep in its now empty midsection.
Grasker swings on the barely remaining maggot, finishing him off.
Eli doesn't hide his disgust as he pulls back his hammer slowly. "Unpleasant work, and they looked to be barely spawned. I'd hate to deal with their mother." Eli taps at the spider carcass, not interested in leaving a third sibling under foot.
"Beagan! Are you alright?" Eli tries to take in as much of the cavern as he can, now that danger has erupted so close.
"Oh, Anevia! Are you sure your leg can bare weight? I don't think I completely set it correctly. Do you require further healing?" Eli stands his ground, listening intently on both sides.
Jurin jumps on top of the freshly killed maggot and begins kicking it's teeth out.
"It has teeth in it's mouth, not as bad as some places. Need to make sure though. Can't have it coming back."
Sometimes they come back.
Bloody work finished, he looks around at the cavern, then absently reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small rock, which he throws at his head. It begins to circle and emit light.
"Too dark. Can't trust the dark. It has teeth."
"Eli, Beagan, Anevia, you meet the nicest people Serra. If we had two mules we could carry them all out, but all we have are your pants. Falling down is so much easier than falling up."
He looks at Eli.
"Your hammer isn't sharp, but it's sharp enough."
Satisfied that the worms aren't getting up again, Cole examines the cave, walking around the perimeter with his sunrod. He returns and speaks in low tones to Gasker. He seems not so much to be whispering a private conversation, but rather just keeping quiet in general.
"Gasker, looks like there are two ways out, both tight. I think one opens up a little more than the other, but I'm not sure. Hard to tell without really going in. You up for a little recon while the others sort out their hierarchy? We won't go far."
The ceiling and far walls of this vast cavern recede into darkness.
On one side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble—here and there the arms or legs of victims who didn't survive the fall protrude.
Just before Jurin's stone begins to shed light, Beagan's lights flicker out, casting lurid dancing shadows upon the stone walls.
The light from Jurin's stone spins round and round, sparking off something in the dust in one of the exits.
"Oh, Anevia! Are you sure your leg can bare weight? I don't think I completely set it correctly. Do you require further healing?" Eli stands his ground, listening intently on both sides.
"I... I can put weight on it, but I'll be slow."
Round 2, Initiative 10
Seeing the creature vomit spider innards onto Serra, the Gnome cringes with an extremely disgusted, sour taste in his own mouth.
"أم هرة-الدلاء! بالتأكيد ليست لطيف، والرجال متسوس كبيرة"
** spoiler omitted **
Trying to avoid being the next meal himself, he swings his over-sized sword up again, trying to slash into the maggot that almost seems to be looking him in the eye.
[dice=Bastard Sword]1d20 + 3; Damage: 1d8 + 1
A solid slice removes some of the writhing flesh, some maggot-gore slithering across his blade.
"There are others with us? Perhaps we should use the more common tongue, then...आप उन्हें अराजकता के प्यादे लगता है कि जब तक?"
"I...I can put weight on it, but I'll be slow."
"Slow is better than stop, so you're a sight better than most here, I gather." Eli smiles reassuringly.
"You're hammer isn't sharp, but it's sharp enough."
Eli offers a hand to Jurin. "You have the right of it. It picks up momentum quickly enough, but it also needs room to swing. Room which you afforded me, so you have my thanks. And you have my name, too. I've lost yours, so I'd be thankful a second time to you for it."
"Slow is better than stop, so you're a sight better than most here, I gather." Eli smiles reassuringly.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+7
"Harrumph! Some of us have things to do! Lawful lives to get back to! Isn't that the right of it, Zeff? We locals need to be on our way." the rotund man shoots a worried glance upwards towards his home town.
"Jurin I was, Jurin I am for now. The young lad with pants on over there is Serra, he's a good kid when he's being good. My uncle had to spank him once, he tried to steal the bakery."
***
"You can't return to your life, you lost it down here with the grubs and spiders. Unless you're a butterfly? Maybe you can fly again. I can't fly, not yet. Maybe if we take these maggot teeth we can turn into flies that fly?"
***
"You can't return to your life, you lost it down here with the grubs and spiders. Unless you're a butterfly? Maybe you can fly again. I can't fly, not yet. Maybe if we take these maggot teeth we can turn into flies that fly?"
"I think the fall has rattled this one's brain's loose! Maybe it would be better if those of us that can, hurry ahead to uh, send help back." He eyes Aravashnyel, Anevia, and Jurin with a growing distaste clear on his face.
*pant*
*pant*
Serra bends over and tries to slough off the vomit while catching his breath.
"What were those things?" Serra tries to wipe away more of the dust from his eyes. "Is everyone okay? " Serra squints around, hopeful that no one is seriously injured or drowning in vomit.
Serra pauses his retching to watch Jurin curbstomp the dead larva, then tries again to clean himself off.
Jurin. Jurin. I thought he was dead. How does he still live the way he is? Some say he lost him mind during the Othoe wars, others say he never had one.
* * *
Serra will make sure the blind Elf is okay.
"I'm right here, Elf. If you need me, just holler, I'm going to check on the exit then find someone to guide you, okay. Just give me a moment."
Now what? What would Kast do? Something perfect, no doubt.
What would Mom do? Scoop up the coin and thank the customers.
Serra goes to examine the shinies near the 'exit'.
Jurin sighs.
"No maggot teeth for you then. Don't worry, when you finally remember you're dead and stop moving, the maggots will be waiting. Then they can be flies and you can fly. Until they poop. Then you'll be what you are again."
He begins collecting teeth from the grubs and passes them out to whomever is interested.
Jurin pours some of the blood into a small vial and puts it in his pouch.
"Thank you, Sir Serra. Forgive my earlier outbursts; I was taken somewhat off guard." He crinkles his nose at his own behavior, only to wince as the movement flexes his destroyed eye lids, a horrible defining feature for an otherwise handsome face. Obviously fresh, the scent of the burn still marks him, and his hair on one side is singed short.
Six shiny silver "shields" about the size of the palm of Serra's hand litter the ground.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that it grants the bearer: Disguise: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale
can be used to cast alter self. While disguised, the target gains
a +4 bonus on all Bluff checks made against evil creatures.
As soon as Serra reaches for another scale, the scale's radiant "message" fades, though he remembers what it "could" do, for whatever reason, he knows it will no longer function while he holds more than one scale.
Jurin sighs.
"No maggot teeth for you then. Don't worry, when you finally remember you're dead and stop moving, the maggots will be waiting. Then they can be flies and you can fly. Until they poop. Then you'll be what you are again."
He begins collecting teeth from the grubs and passes them out to whomever is interested.
** spoiler omitted **
Jurin sighs.
"No maggot teeth for you then. Don't worry, when you finally remember you're dead and stop moving, the maggots will be waiting. Then they can be flies and you can fly. Until they poop. Then you'll be what you are again."
** spoiler omitted **
"Why you dirty dretch-faced tourist! We do not have to stand for this! Zeff! We're leaving! Let's go!" The plump politician sets his jaw and begins to head in whatever direction the party isn't.
Cole looks at Horgus a moment and comments in his general direction, "Go if you must, but there is strength in numbers, even among tourists."
He walks over to Horgus and offers him his lit sunrod if he is intent on leaving. "At least you'll have some light to guide your way. Be careful though, it expires in about 6 hours. If you see anything you should run back the way you came and run quickly. Also, keep your voice down - you'll avoid unwanted attention if you're quiet."
He looks at the spider and the maggots nearby. "And for the love of all that is holy, don't touch anything"
Jurin watches the exchange before putting his hands behind his back and standing on his tiptoes.
"That was very nice of you to give him your light. Now he can find his way in the dark and we can find him in the dark. Bye bye mister!"
This last is said in a higher pitch than normal.
"Tired now, so tired. Long day, long fall. Winter will be hard now."
The young looking man with the old man eyes wanders back to the spider and stares into it's innards. You think you hear light snoring.
With the maggots dispatched Grasker will look around for trouble, and take stock of combatants and non-combatants.
"Anyone feeling... queasy?",[b] he says, giving gore covered Sera a long look. [b]"Like a giant maggot is about to burst out of them?"
With no attacks he will join Cole. "I like this plan. Lets take a quick look and make sure nothing is sneaking up to us."
Since Horgus seems concerned, he will add "Rally your companions and be ready to move with haste, lawful citizen. We will search a route free from monsters."
Grasker will then go with Cole down an exit while others loot, clean.
Eli shuffles over to Serra. "Hello. Serra is it? What have you come across here?" If the shinies prove especially shiny, Eli acquires two, one for him to look over, and one that he proceeds to walk over to Beagan.
"It's not Burrble, but it's something found at the beginning of our time in Kenabres. A reminder, or maybe an omen. Shields may be important in the dark times that we face."
Grasker's calm persuasion, in the native accent, is enough to calm Horgus and lead him back to you. "You're native, aren't you, Grasker? I think I knew your parents."
Eli shuffles over to Serra. "Hello. Serra is it? What have you come across here?" If the shinies prove especially shiny, Eli acquires two, one for him to look over, and one that he proceeds to walk over to Beagan.
"It's not Burrble, but it's something found at the beginning of our time in Kenabres. A reminder, or maybe an omen. Shields may be important in the dark times that we face."
Eli picks up two of the shields, carrying one over to Beagan to share.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that it grants the bearer:
Cloudwalking: Three times per day as a standard action,
a scale can be used to cast levitate. A pillar of roiling clouds
rises below the levitating object or creature, growing and
shrinking with the target's altitude. This pillar is 5 feet in
diameter (regardless of the target's size) and provides
concealment (20% miss chance) to any creature or object
wholly contained within.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that one remaining scale grants the bearer:
Sacred Weaponry: Three times per day as a standard action,
a scale can be used to cast align weapon, but only to make a
weapon lawful or good. Unlike a normal align weapon spell,
this effect can be cast on an unarmed strike or natural weapon.
"Ohmy... I'm sorry, Beagan... I didn't realize" Eli almost drops his ...silver box... 'shield'. He makes a quick noise on inhalation, as he grasps for it, catching it at the last. He presses it between his palms, takes a moment of comfort in its warmth.
"So that's what it looked like... I am sorry, Terendelev. What you must have endured..." Eli can feel his eyes water. He turns to the others.
"She is still here with us. Terendelev. Serra, good, you have one. As do you, Beagan." Eli looks around the chamber. Those. They have a quality... "Jurin, Zeff, and you, Grasker. You should each take up one of her scales. There is supportive magic with which she's imbued them. It should ease our ascent." Eli pats his hand, and motions the others to gather the rest.
In death, you still try. You will not be forgotten.
He looks down at the shot, sliced and smashed corpses and sighs in disgust and disappointment. I guess they aren't cute anymore, and they don't look like very good eating, either.
After wiping his sword clean, he re-sheaths his weapon and slips back into towards the blinded Elf. Bending to retrieve his shield, he dusts off the slightly dented steel and reveals a three pointed "star" of daggers pointing out from a shiny, golden center.
"إنهم ميتون، لذلك أنا متأكد من أن البعض منها تشوبه بطرق فقط سيدة النبوءة يعرف. ومع ذلك، ربما هو أكثر مهذبا في استخدام لغتهم."
Hearing his traveling companion address him, he turns back and approaches, receiving the small shield, thinking it might be about the right size for him to use as a buckler.
"Eli! Yes, I'm fine. It was this Sir Serra chap that got gooed by guts. Nice hammer work, by the way!"
Upon taking the shiny from Elyanius, bright blue eyes immediately widen in astonishment. A shudder shivers through his entire body as his mind re-absorbs the experience. He clutches the scale to his chest, pressing it against the amulet with the firey wing crossed by a sword.
A lump forms in this throat. "Another sacrifice by a Crusader to liberate the innocent from danger. Thank you, Big R!" And thank you, too, noble dragon lady.
Grasker will accept a scale. "Thank you, wise one. And Terendelev..."
He is struck by images of the vast destruction that fell so suddenly on his home town.
To Horgus, "You may have... but that destruction of the wardstone's fortress, the cathedral.. I wonder how any could have survived without the dragon magic that saved us."
Grasker is interested in leaving this room... he will look down the exits.
Grasker will accept a scale. "Thank you, wise one. And Terendelev..."
He is struck by images of the vast destruction that fell so suddenly on his home town.
To Horgus, "You may have... but that destruction of the wardstone's fortress, the cathedral.. I wonder how any could have survived without the dragon magic that saved us."
Grasker is interested in leaving this room... he will look down the exits.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that it grants the bearer:
Resistance: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale
can be used to cast resist elements—but only against electricity
or cold.
"Jurin, Zeff, and you, Grasker. You should each take up one of her scales. There is supportive magic with which she's imbued them. It should ease our ascent." Eli pats his hand, and motions the others to gather the rest.
Cole eyes Elyanias and accepts a dragon scale. "It's Cole actually. Zeff is my family name."
After taking his scale, he follows Grasker down one of the halls, bow at the ready.
"Jurin, Zeff, and you, Grasker. You should each take up one of her scales. There is supportive magic with which she's imbued them. It should ease our ascent." Eli pats his hand, and motions the others to gather the rest.Cole eyes Elyanias and accepts a dragon scale. "It's Cole actually. Zeff is my family name."
After taking his scale, he follows Grasker down one of the halls, bow at the ready.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that it grants the bearer:
Comrades at Arms: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast wilderness soldiers. these soldiers remain rooted at all times. This power only works within normal light or brighter.
Jurin wakes with a snort,"Out of the dust and into the future."
His hand upon the scale clutches as the first flash of memory assails him.
The shield, a scale from their savior, radiates a warm aura in his hand and he becomes aware of the great power that it grants the bearer:
Dire Humor: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale
can be used to cast hideous laughter as per the spell—but only against an evil creature. The caster receives a +4 bonus to checks against creatures on the same Law/Chaos alignment.
Two exits are on the eastern side, narrowing sharply into shadow. The western edge of the cavern appears to have collapsed in upon itself.
Serra's eyes boggle and he breathes deep as the remembrance of the dragon's sacrifice hits him...a body blow of loss that he has not felt since realizing his parents had disappeared years ago.
Serra bows his head, a single tear runs down his right cheek and disappears into his beard.
Serra holds up the Silver Scale in his palm, taking a moment to look around as it's something he would delight in showing his squire...even if the force of remembrance would not take the squire so hard.
Serra swallows and composes himself.
It's been 5 minutes, we should get going.
Serra returns to the spider carcass and, this time, stands a bit away from the pulverized larvae.
"People...it seems we are more acquainted! Now it's time for us to get moving. I understand there is an exit this way," Serra points that way, towards the top east.
"Please gather yourselves and each other. Sir Beagan, if you would take the rear and make sure no one is left behind? And you two...you whisperers?" Serra points at Cole and Grassy. "Might I call upon you to take point? You, the big one," Serra points to Horgus (who, I think is carrying the light), "You'll walk third and use that light to help us move."
Serra looks around to see who is left.
Jurin. The blind elf. The injured lady. Me. And the old one with the negligent hammer. Hmm...
"You, sir! With the hammer. Might I call upon you to help that lady with the broken leg? And I'll aid my new good friend, the Elf as we walk. Jurin, I trust you to do what you do best." ...which I'm not sure what that is.
Serra looks about for any questions before getting the Elf and putting the Elf's hand on his shoulder.
"No one is left behind. Shall we move?"
"Thank you, Sir Serra. Forgive my earlier outbursts; I was taken somewhat off guard."
Serra returns a smile to the blind elf while he finds a way to secure his scale within the scales of his armor. Eventually, he tucks it into his belt pouch, ready for future use.
"Oh, neverbother. It's been a rough day and we're in a tough spot. We don't know where we are or where we are going...I understand where you are coming from. Think nothing of it."
I think mom would be proud of that answer. Dad too.
Serra heartens slightly.
"Now, come along now. Put your hand here and I'll guide you as we move. You'll need to listen clear as we go. I got you."
Diplomacy
Sir Serra's skillful diplomacy brings a smile to Aravashnyel's mouth as he lays one hand on the other man's shoulder. "There now. I, at least, am ready to continue on."
With a quick snap of his feet, the Gnome clicks to attention at the sound of "Sir Beagan." Just a week ago he almost laughed himself out of his armor when Elyanius had said the same. He's heard of battle field commissions, but much to his surprise, apparently what the Priestess had predicted had been correct.
"Yes Sir! No one left behind, I'll make sure of that, Sir!"
After tucking the dragon's gift into a sack on his belt, he scrambles to get his heavy pack on his small but stout back. Hefting the shield heralded with three daggers, gloved hands trace his amulet once more before he takes up his position at the rear, sword drawn and at the ready.