Round 6
Grasker considers the demon spawning inscription. Does it look like something that can safely be trod upon? What is it?
With the worms diminishing he will look around for other cultists and stray worms on or around himself.
"Take a moment.. check for worms on you."
Grasker considers the symbol, but is unable to make much out of it. Cole and Serra discuss just how to beat up the symbol while Eli saves the priest from certain damnation, and death too. Stabilized, he remains unconscious, still grievously wounded in mind, body and soul. Jurin encourages Serra and Cole in destroying the symbol.
Seeing the grubs melt away and the man removed from the symbol, Beagan slips the oil flask back into his bandolier. He picks any remaining worms from his leathers, making sure they are all nicely smooshed before retrieving his shield.
"Beagan, please. Can you bind him for the moment? It wouldn't be good if he injured himself or another when he stirs."
"I’ve got rope in my pack, let me get it." He scampers back behind the Elf, back to the spot where his helpful porter had left his pack.
"...someone should watch the non-combatants back there."
"If you guys smash the symbol and help Eli and Jurin bind that despicable, vile-mouthed man, I’ll watch over our rear."
He digs the rope out of his pack and thrusts it at Horgus the Large. "Bring this rope to Eli the Knowing and to Jurin the Enigmatically Wise. Anevia and I can watch for anything approaching from the rear."
"What a sad state we find this wretch man. He burrows beneath the city like those demon worms through his body."
When Horgus has a moment, Grasker will offer the nobleman his dagger.
"Because it is better than nothing," he offers apologetically.
Eli nods at Grasker. "The worms, yes. Strength in numbers, even for worms." He spends a bit of time rummaging through the priest's clothes, then stands to inspect his own.
"This is unexpected. The priest is not in danger at present, but if we intend to move onwards, he'll certainly meet a grim fate if we leave him to it here. We're not going to do that, are we?" Eli studies Grasker and Cole, primarily They are now the decision makers.
Eli walks slowly to the bottleneck, and peers ahead into the darkness.
He also studies the environment for signs of the Weave.
"If we need to rest, I think we have calmed our surrounds for now. I don't think I'm capable of it myself, but we have plans to make here."
Horgus's brow knits and his mouth works as he takes the rope from the gnome.
"Yes well, ehhh. I suppose we'll have to do that." The man stalks up to Grasker and trades rope for the dagger. "What will we do with him, then? Surely we can't take care of yet another one."
"Horgus, we're bringing him with us. His attack could have been due to possession and not his own act. Would you doom an innocent down here? Until we know - he comes along."
Cole moves back to the front with Grasker.
"Let us continue on then."
He follows Grasker into the darkened tunnel.
"I can do it if you like - but someone should watch the non-combatants back there."
Serra looks at the hammer, then again at his charge (the Elf), and politely declines the hammer.
"Thank you, Cole, but the Elf is my charge for now. I'd thank you kindly to do that so I might lead those need my help."
I still need to find my squire.
Serra turns away, then returns back to speak with Cole.
"Mind you if you see my squire. He's a good lad, still learning the ropes, but will be a fine knight one day. Keep an eye out, won't you?" Serra asks, a fair amount of worry for an innocent not yet accounted for in his voice.
Eli returns from the bottleneck. "Yes, we should maintain caution. It looks like there is some form of building down here out there, if you're willing to believe me. Not far, roughly 30'." Eli moves to the priest, and struggles to find a comfortable way of bringing him along.
"My lucerne hammer can make one side of a stretcher here, with my blanket. Do we have something rather longish to support the other side?"
"Serra, you speak of a squire. Was he running an errand for you at the time of the collapse? Was he by your side when we all fell? Did he receive the same blessing from Terendelev, slowing our descent?" Eli speaks with concern, his tone suggesting a conclusion already reached regarding the wellbeing of young boy alone and injured in these depths.
"I can do it if you like - but someone should watch the non-combatants back there."Serra looks at the hammer, then again at his charge (the Elf), and politely declines the hammer.
"Thank you, Cole, but the Elf is my charge for now. I'd thank you kindly to do that so I might lead those need my help."
amount of worry for an innocent not yet accounted for in his voice.
Anevia steps up, placing a hand on Aravashnyel's shoulder. "I can help Aravashnyel, Sir Serra. That will free you up to take care of the symbol." she smiles warmly, happy to do what she can to help the group move forward.
"Horgus, we're bringing him with us. His attack could have been due to possession and not his own act. Would you doom an innocent down here? Until we know - he comes along."
The Gnome swallows hard when he hears Cole’s comments. He had heard what the fallen man had said, and the thought of such a vile mind accompanying the group made him nervous. If he can be saved, I guess it’s worth the risk…
Hearing first Serra and then Anevia re-assure the safety of those in the back, he scampers back to give whatever help he can give Eli truss up the fallen attacker. Now that he’s sees that the prostrate form appears to be human and unconscious, his countenance loses any remaining stiffness and returns back to his normal, relaxed, and chatty self.
He thinks for a moment, and the words just come rolling out… ”Sir Serra has a longbow he isn’t using, maybe that could be used as a stretcher pole. Otherwise, you said there was a building ahead which might contain a useful item. Cole and Grasker might come back with something. Or we could leave Anevia to watch over him and the others and join our scouts and see what’s in the building. That sounds more interesting.”
Before he can charge forward, he stops as he looks down and eyes the spot where the symbol was. ”Is this defaced enough to ruin any power it had?”
As far as Beagan can tell, it needs more destruction, just to be on the safe side. However, if nothing else bleeds on it, it may be ok.
Grasker trades his dagger to Horgus for the rope, then passes it to Beagan.
"Eli has given you an unpleasant ask. The only knot for this fallen cleric is the hangman's noose."
"If our wise companion demand mercy then gag this goat worshiper and strip him of unholy symbols and weapons."
Grasker is clearly displeased with this turn of events. He will go with Cole to scout ahead.
"Have you ever traveled as a gaoler in your expeditions? Perhaps that building Eli saw could serve as a temporary jail."
Serra nods at Anevia, showing thanks and accepts the hammer from Cole.
I'm sure I can do this. Can't be harder than tapping a cask, can it?
Serra spits on his hand, gripping the warhammer with both of them, and takes a few swings at the evil circle. He doesn't seem to mind the noise of hammer on rock.
damage.
damage.
damage. *phew* Serra wipes his brow from the exertion.
damage.
damage. *pant* *pant*
damage.
Serra pauses to examine his work.
"Think that's good enough?" Serra pauses while he, and others, check out the work.
* * *
Eli returns from the bottleneck. "Yes, we should maintain caution. It looks like there is some form of building down here out there, if you're willing to believe me. Not far, roughly 30'."
Serra frowns at the poor report, wanting more information.
"If you wanted, I could scout it out. I can move decently, and I'll better than most, even in the dark. As I am a trained knight, I have no fear of such things," Serra says, not boastfully, but a statement of fact.
* * *
"Serra, you speak of a squire. Was he running an errand for you at the time of the collapse? Was he by your side when we all fell? Did he receive the same blessing from Terendelev, slowing our descent?"
Serra looks into Ely's eyes and sighs.
I worry for him.
"Truth be told, I don't know what happened to him after we fell. At one moment, we were side by side, the next...you know, the explosions and demons and horror. I do know that the boy has called to me repeatedly down here," Serra relates. "He said he was looking for a way out...but he couldn't have gotten far, what with his limp and all. However, I know he has a stout heart, and with that there is no telling what he might accomplish."
He will do more than I ever will.
Serra's diligent work eventually crumbles enough of the symbol for the group to be reasonably certain that it has been destroyed enough.
The priest, still unconscious, will need to be carried. Aravashnyel will need to be led.
"Eli has given you an unpleasant ask. The only knot for this fallen cleric is the hangman's noose. If our wise companion demand mercy then gag this goat worshiper and strip him of unholy symbols and weapons."
The Gnome swallows hard and snaps to attention. "Yes, yes of course, you are correct, Sirrah." His hand crosses his chest, half in salute, and half for the reassuring touch of the amulet around his neck.
While Serra pounds the symbol from the ground, Began ensures the fallen priest is stripped of anything useful, before binding the blasphemer tightly, running his long silk rope about the wrists, hands, ankles, and feet, leaving enough extra after the last knot to have slack for anything that is rigged to port him.
to make sure there is nothing else hidden/interesting on the unconscious man.
Knowing the power of words, he takes his kerchief and belt, fashioning and fastening a gag, using his experience with these things to make sure the man can't talk but can still breathe.
"If you wanted, I could scout it out. I can move decently, and I'll (see) better than most, even in the dark. As I am a trained knight, I have no fear of such things."
"Yes, I think that would be good, don't you? It looks like you would be good company for Cole and Grasker. You move well, and see well in the dark? That is useful, isn't it? It puts you on even footing with creatures that can do the same. How have you come by such skill? By your training, I gather? That is very useful training then." Eli nods approvingly.
"As for fear, I find it a healthy thing. It keeps one on their best attentions. The dark is often an accomplice to darker things. So, if you fear not the dark, you should fear what lurks within it." Eli taps his temple.
"Truth be told, I don't know what happened to him after we fell. At one moment, we were side by side, the next...you know, the explosions and demons and horror. I do know that the boy has called to me repeatedly down here," Serra relates. "He said he was looking for a way out...but he couldn't have gotten far, what with his limp and all. However, I know he has a stout heart, and with that there is no telling what he might accomplish."
Eli looks over the sad knight. "You have heard him? With Cole and Grasker, you should be able to pinpoint him, I think. And my ears are usually very good. Strange that I haven't heard him myself, otherwise I'd help you as best I can. You have a problem then. If the passageways down here prevent your reunion, will you trust him to make his own way to the surface, or will you expect us to find him before we leave this general area? I myself am rather partial to not leaving anyone behind."
...
Eli assists Beagan as best he can, largely with words of encouragement and approval at the work being done. "That is... very good, I think... yes." Eli pulls on Beagan's work, not holding back. That needs to hold. When he is sure as he can be, Eli picks up the priest. "Thank you, Beagan. It looks like I was more right than initially thought. I make a very good mule." He smiles as easily as he can, gauging his new center of gravity. He is glad to have the length of the hammer to lean on.
"I believe I will continue to pace myself with Anevia. At least for as long as the priest remains indisposed. Who will assist Aravashnyel?"
"Aravashnyel and I are helping each other out. We're fine, and better that you keep things moving up front." Her smile, faint though it is, seems real enough.
"If you have him, we should try to aim for that building you mentioned. But... perhaps Sir Serra could scout out the building before we commit to it."
"Serra, you can see in the dark, and are a knight? We would be greatly helped if you scout ahead as Anevia & Eli suggest. It is a tribute to your knightly virtue that you aided the injured so far that they can now make their way."
Jurin nods gravely at the proceedings, while casually tossing the cultist for information and goods. He chuckles as he rips the holy symbol off, tossing, almost tossing it aside. He pauses and looks again at the defaced object, looking for a way to clean it.
"So far to fall little priest, so far. Worships a useless goat."
His ears perk up at Grasker's question.
"Serra can't see in the dark. But he can sure chop bacon. Look at him go with that fork. Don't forget to finish your food Serra!"
"Eli, Eli, watch how he lies. Don't put him head down, all the blood will go back and he'll remember what a silly goat he picked."
"Serra, you can see in the dark, and are a knight? It is a tribute to your knightly virtue that you aided the injured so far that they can now make their way."
Serra looks at Grasker and nods.
You're a knight! Uh huh.
You're way too fat and too much of a failure to be a knight.
Oh neverbother.
"I can see in the dark a bit." I think. "I'll go check out that building. If I'm not back in five minutes, something bad has happened...expect danger."
"Mind you the Elf. He has lots of questions and will bump into things if you don't tend to him," Serra adds, worried that he'll lose yet another of his charges.
Serra hands the hammer back to Cole and bravely heads into the darkness.
* * *
Serra, once out of the light, pulls out his Dragon's Scale, turning it over in his hand.
"Alright, dragon, let's see if you're a better liar than I am."
Serra will concentrate into the Scale...transforming himself into the most ugly thing he can think of.
If it works (he'll know because he can see), he will walk orcily (aka without thoughts of gossamer wings of whimsical beauty) to the structure and carefully look about.
Take 10 Perception = 17.
Cole groans as Serra heads into the darkness.
"Are we really letting him go off alone? That is most unwise."
Cole bides his time - a whole two rounds maybe - before he follows after him with his sunrod blazing in the darkness.
"What, is Serra your canary in a cage? If you think it unwise, don't compound the problem by letting him go alone. Remember, strength in numbers." Eli gives Cole a stern look, leaning his head away from the priest's posterior.
Serra looks up from where he was lost in thought, turning over Scale in his hand...and looks at the approaching light.
"What are you doing, Cole? I'm about to get scouting," Serra says, keeping the Scale in hand. "Your light's just going to make this worse."
I wonder if this one is always so controlling. I wish he's control some soap.
Cole looks at Serra evenly. "Down here no one should be alone. If for no other reason than one person can escape the demon that eats the other and let the survivors know not to go this way. It's not a question of heroics, it's just what's good for the group as a whole."
"Of course, if you insist, I shall not force myself upon you. Nor will I be able to come to your aid should you fall afoul of something in that building. Your choice."
Cole waits patiently for Serra to respond.
"Ain't nothing heroic about what I'm doing, Cole," Serra agrees honestly.
Just want to die to demons. Is that so wrong?
"Yeah, you should come along. I don't invoke the eyesight with your torch around. Might as well scout with you now that you're here."
Serra puts away the scale and draws his starknife. He enters his soldier's stance and waddles carefully to the structure, any attempt at surprise ruined by the light.
Take 10 Perception = 17.
After a moment, Cole and his light head off after Serra, the others gathered together behind them.
"Well, I, for one, appreciate them going to scout a safe way out of here. When we're back, I'll reward you all properly." The puffs up a bit, swinging his dagger to practice. It *has* been a very long time, from the looks of it.
"Still, I'm not sure of the wisdom of slowing us down with a man that tried to kill us. Or worse!"
"I *thought* we should stay together as a unit. Two alone against the darkness is madness." The elf stands stiffly, his hand clutched tight on Anevia's shoulder.
"Now, what's this about a man that tried to kill us? What did I miss?!?!"
"He's under control, Aravashnyel, don't worry. We must try to get him to the authorities, either to help him, or to pass judgment. Irabeth will know what to do." Anevia sighs softly, thinking once again on her wife and her likely well being.
Cole freaks out as he sees the fly and attempts to pepper him with arrows before he can take flight out of his view.
(point blank) (point blank)
"Dear me. Serra, watch yourself, that may be a demon! Get your guard up!"
Serra,
fly,
Cole.
Serra, you're up. The flies wings hum as it prepares to seek its next meal.
Round 1, Init 16
"Psst. Psst, Cole. You see tha--
Serra startles as Cole's bow seeks the flesh of the fly before he can react.
Ah crap. I should protect him...since he smells like @#%!, the fly will want to get him first.
Serra stands in front of Cole, trying to protect the archer from the fly and buying time for him to take down the fly.
Serra moves to stand between Cole and the fly, readying his starknife in a defensive attack if it gets closer.
to hit; (attack defensively)
damage.
also, forgotten roll for Eli:
HP: 10/10 (+13 temporary for 0/19 minutes)
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 20/30 (4 missed)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 1/1
Child of the Crusade = 1/1
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3
"Good one Serra, you're tougher than you look."
Cole lines up on the flying fly and lets lose another arrow hoping to stop its harassment of Serra.
(point blank) (point blank)
However he can't quite get the hang of shooting a fly and his shot goes wide.
Focus you idiot - focus!
"Still, I'm not sure of the wisdom of slowing us down with a man that tried to kill us. Or worse!"
"I would agree with you, Horgus. If you would offer the courtesy to Anevia and Aravashnyel, please allow me the same. I will not endanger us in slowing the group down. The priest decided to attack both Cole and Grasker. Only a madman would do that, so my guess is that he intended to die at their hands. I can see no other way. Death likely intimidated him, and he had little courage to stab himself with his own dagger." Eli looks respectfully at Horgus.
"I wonder what keeps the others from reporting back. Perhaps you are correct, Aravashnyel. If two met ten, we might have lost strength just now. How much longer do you suggest we wait?"
The human bantering doesn’t really interest him. Now that the cultist is bound and well-gagged, the Gnome lets his mind wander again, staring down the cavern where Serra and Cole went ahead. Something tickles his ears, and he cleans it out with his finger, trying to listen harder. His eyes widen, and he waves his arms frantically, trying to "whisper loudly" back towards the group.
"SSSSSHHHHH! Shush everyone! I think I just heard Cole say Serra ran into a demon!"
His Gnome feet quickly trod several steps down the corridor where Cole and Sera headed, attempting to listen intently for any more noises from the scouts, sounds of conflict or worse...
As he heads into the dark to listen for more, he pulls a special stick from his pack. He doesn't light it yet, as he doesn't want its glow to interfere with his hearing. He knows he hears much better in the dark.
Round 2
Serra: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Grasker: 1d20 ⇒ 11
fly: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 (-4)
Beagan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Cole: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Jurin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Elyanius: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Serra guards Cole, swatting the fly away with his star knife. The fly swoops in, but misses. Cole files at the fly once more, but misses this time. Beagan, hearing mention of the Demon, scurries down the tunnel after Serra and Cole.
Round 2, Init 16
"Good one Serra, you're tougher than you look."
Serra grunts as the fly nearly bypasses his defenses and does unclean things to him.
"Yeah, my dad taught me that. Now, *he* was a soldier. Fought like a demon. Lucky I remember a bit of what he taught me."
Seeing the fly overextended on its charge, Serra takes the opportunity to lash out with with his starknife.
Balance. Dad said it was all about balance. He would know. Balance and practice, that is.
to hit;
damage.
Serra swings his blade at the fly again, this time cutting off a bit of one wing. It wobbles in flight, clearly damaged. It tries to bite the tin can one more time, but his aim is off with the injured wing.
The Gnomes eyes widen as he sees the demonic fly.
"Abyssal bug!"
He hesitates for a moment, seeing Cole ahead of him with a bow, but the Demon Bug is on Serra the Large, who appears to be blocking the archer's shot. With a lurch Beagan drops the stick and charges forward, pulling his sword as he moves. Stepping in front of the shieldless archer to protect him, he swings at the huge vermin.
With a loud clang, the oversized sword slams down just beneath the fly, chinking hard against the stone floor.
AC: 18
HP: 10/10 (+13 temporary for 7/19 minutes)
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 19/30 (4 missed)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 1/1
Child of the Crusade = 1/1
Silver Dragon Scale = 3/3
Not sure that I'd compare my father favorably to a Demon, but OK.
Cole, trying to do as well as Serra, lines up another shot. I see from the map the fly has cover.
(point blank, cover) (point blank)
"Serra, please step to your right and I can get a clearer shot. I can't hit it for fear of striking your head."
...
"Oooffff! What was that? Beagan? What are you doing here?"
Now you'll never get a clean shot - just like the shinys to ruin your record.
"Sure, I can *dodge* try to *slip* do that *parry*. Let me find my opening."
"Oooffff! What was that? Beagan? What are you doing here?"
"You said demon. What Gnome in his right mind would pass up a chance to see a demonic fly up close and personal?"
This must be the reason the Big R granted Beagan such a combination of keen Gnoman ears and eyes.
Perception
Grasker and Eli hear something from up ahead, but Jurin is lost in his own musings on the useless goat god. Grasker clearly hears a voice that can only be Beagan's cry out, ""Abyssal bug!"
Anevia at nearly the same time, cries out, "What was that?!?!"
Grasker hears word of demon ahead and Anevia call-out behind. More weapons ahead and more hurt people behind.
"What is back there Anevia? There is fighting ahead, are we attacked from all sides?"
If something, Grasker will head back. If nothing, the forward towards the abyssal bug.
Jurin looks up from the maggots, tired of arraigning them in rows by size while waiting for the injured to pass him. Moving forward he squeals in delight.
"A fly, a fly! I knew it. So many maggots there had to be a fly!"
With that he draws his sword.
"Not back here! Ahead. I thought I heard something up ahead."
Grasker and Jurin come rushing up at the cry of "Abyssal Bug!" to find Beagan, Serra and Cole locked in a deadly pest extermination. An ugly giant fly the size of a man flies wobbly with a torn wing as it attacks Serra.
Round 2
Serra: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Grasker: 1d20 ⇒ 11
fly: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 (-4)
Beagan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Cole: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Elyanius: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Jurin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Eli stares ahead, watching as first Grasker, and then Jurin disappear out of his limited range of sight.