Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
Niveus feels oddly out of place within these halls, his thoughts distant and fleeting. He misses the sensation of grass between his toes, the smell of bark and the majesty of towering trees.
Instead of searching the rooms, he stands rooted with his eyes closed - silently in prayer with the Green.
Abruptly interrupted by Tessa's crossbow - he is about to unsheathe his shield when he notices there is no reason to be alerted. He smiles at his own eagerness, and resumes his meditation.
This is not Niv's daily meditation for his spells, it's rather his way to cope with unnatural places.
Just a reminder, Ty will be on vacation for the next week or so.
Otyugh Room "Ew, now this is nasty." Typhon holds his nose as he searches through the room the otyugh inhabited.
Among the still-uneaten body parts on the island, Bosch finds are the broken legs and hips of a human—legs decorated with bold Shoanti tattoos.
Bosch's search is also rewarded with a few trinkets left over by the otyugh’s meals: an amber necklace worth 350 gp, a silver dagger, and a wax-sealed elixir of vision in a metal flask.
Typhon's perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Exsanguination Chamber
As Corwin opens his mouth to inform Bosch that the stirge is probably oblivious to the world while it is feeding, Tessa interrupts him with her crossbow bolt. Blood and mosquito-bits spray from the bloated corpse.
"I don't think this is the Shoanti kid we're here to find." Typhon prods the corpse on the stone slab that the stirge had been attached to. "Probably a vagrant, by the looks of him."
Searching near the northern wall of this cavern, Typhon finds a crack in the wall. By pushing on it in just the right place, he opens the hidden stone door. Behind is a series of tunnels leading in several directions
Typhon's perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Skull Corridor
Neither Bosch nor Typhon notices anything unusual about this hallway festooned with skulls. However, the secret door from the room with the tables leads to the far end of this hall.
Otyugh Room "Damn," Bosch said, finding the legs, "We'll have to come back and such this more throughly," he brings the legs out of the refuse along with the gold, dagger and potion. They reeked too much for him to want to carry them on his person.
Exsanguination Chamber "Well, that answers that," as the cat-sized mosquito monster bursts. Calmly, he wipes half digested blood from his face.
When Typhon finds the hidden tunnels, Bosch moves to join him.
"Well, this would have been useful," he said, stepping into them, "In fact, I'm seeing a pattern here, one we'll have to look into later."
Skull Corridor
Bosch shrugs when his examination reveals nothing and begins making his way down the hallway to the door.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
Opening his eyes when Bosch addresses the party, Niv nods and replies.
"I believe the opposite is the problem, we're not in the woods yet. On your leave, I shall follow."
Niv allows Typhon and Bosch to take lead once more, following close behind. His shield still strapped to his back, and the Shillelagh firmly placed in his hand.
Mechanics:
HP: 21/21
Active:
Barkskin R. 70/300
Shillelagh R. 10/30
Exsanguination Chamber
Trey finds a large bruise on the back of the scruffy-looking man's head. It looks like a serious blow from a club or some sort of blunt instrument, but probably wasn't life-threatening. She finds four puncture wounds on the man's chest - it looks like several stirges had been feeding on him recently. Nearly all of his blood is gone.
Skull Corridor
Bosch and Typhon lead the way down the skull-filled corridor, Niveus close behind. As they are about halfway along the corridor, gouts of acid spray from several of the skulls.
Typhon jumps, startled at the noise, caught between two streams of green fluid. "Guess I missed those." He looks around warily for other potential threats, but sees nothing.
Acid splash, two touch attacks on Niv, Ty, and Bosch Attack on Bosch:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 141d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 Dmg to Bosch:1d3 ⇒ 11d3 ⇒ 2
Ty's perception on the corridor:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Alchemy Lab
The corridor ends in a wooden door. Ty listens at the door for a moment before beckoning Bosch and the others into this room. Wooden tables here are stacked with vials, beakers, and other alchemical gear, although the southern one is heaped with broken vials and leans awkwardly on a hastily repaired leg. Three large cauldrons sit against the east wall, one of them upended. Its foul, rancid contents of rendered fats have spilled over the floor. A door leading south is boarded over. The cavern narrows and continues to the east.
Typhon takes a careful look at this room. He finds another hidden door to the north. He carefully fishes several body parts out of the cauldrons with a large wooden paddle "This place just gets creepier and creepier," he groans.
Ty's perception in the alchemy lab:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Skull Corridor "Ah! Damn!" Bosch shouts, startled by the acid burning a hole in his trouser leg but managing to dodge out of the way of the second spurt of acid.
Alchemy Lab "Ty, go take a look through that door. If we have a chance to scout ahead this time, we should use it," he said. His mind was more on the matters at hand than on their immediate surroundings. Fear and disgust could come later.
Typhon nods and silently slips through the hidden corridor, hardly making a sound as he creeps through the stone passage. Reaching the other end, he finds a similar hidden door. Pressing his ear to the door, he can hear two distinct voices. One is low and gravelly, the other higher pitched. But they are speaking in a language Ty cannot understand. He reports back to Bosch.
"Hey Bossman, there's another hidden door at the other end. There's at least two people on the other side. I heard em talking but couldn't understand em. Don't think they noticed me."
"I went through the secret passage to the north and there were two voices coming from the room at the other end. It didn't sound like they were going somewhere." Typhon explains. "I'll check the other exits too."
The door to the south is boarded over. Typhon takes a moment to listen at it as well. "Sounds kind of like that otyugh - like something chewing in there." Ty's perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Through the passage to the east, Typhon finds that the corridor branches to the north and south. Heading north, he finds a locked door and hears silence when listening at it. To the south, he can hear a loud voice mocking someone. "You be good and me feed you! Maybe! Bahaha!" Cautiously peering around a rock outcropping, Typhon spots a large, burly humanoid creature shouting at someone he cannot see from his vantage point. He returns to the alchemy lab and relays this information to Bosch.
Ty's stealth:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Ty's perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
.
Niveus is able to identify many of the herbs, roots, and other materials as common components to potions of barkskin, bull's strength, and bear's endurance. The two potions in the pots with the human body parts are vats of potions of bull's strength and bear's endurance, though soaking body parts in them is not typically part of the recipe.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
Mechanics:
If this is not possible, or there are no empty flasks I can use (or if I require alchemy to do this) - please pay no heed to this spoiler.
Niv attempts to find some bottles and harness some of the fluids, trying not to vomit from the stench and grotesque sight of the body parts.
"Sounds to me like each path leads to battle. I am ready, and will gladly follow you into the fray Typhon - Bosch. Perhaps we should relay this information to the others before deciding how to continue?"
The druid slightly sighs as he ends his sentence, having noticed how hungry the two are at storming into battle. He readies his shield and Shillelagh - ready to run after them if they pick up the pace.
Tessa whispers to Bosch: "Sounds like somebody who needs help to the south. If Desna truly smiles upon us it's that shoanti kid we're looking for. I say we hit that creep before he knows we're here and see who he's yelling at"
"Sounds like," Bosch said, not weighing in on the Shoanti kid possibly being alive. He did not put much faith in Thousand-Bones' sources but they had yet to be steered wrong. He returned to Corwin and Trey to relay the situation and once everyone was together, told them he planned to try and free the captive first. From his tone of voice it was easy to tell he be trying to do so whether the others came along or not.
Corwin follows Bosch, Roscoe, and Typhon to the room Typhon described, lamenting that he wishes he were quieter on his feet so that he could translate the conversation that Typhon overheard from behind the hidden door.
This foul-smelling cavern is bordered on three sides by ten-foot-deep pits. It is from these pits that the rancid smell of excrement and decay fills the air—each pit contains a few heaps of moldy straw, a wooden trough of filthy water, a few rotting body parts, and one still-living prisoners. A lumbering, deformed giant with beady eyes devoid of wit or kindness paces this room. Its puffy face features a wide mouth with ill-fitting teeth. As the group enters the room, it shakes its enormous club in your direction and shouts "Rolth give me big reward for yous heads!"
AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19
Fort +7, Ref +1, Will –1
Usually a knowledge check is needed to identify a creature, but in this case, it is a fairly common monster. The creature in front of you is so ugly and deformed that you barely recognize it as an ogre. Ogres typically have a thick blubbery hide, are incredibly stupid, and are well-known for their cruelty.
Round 1: "I-is that the necromancer?" Trey holds the torch out to shed light into the room. "If someone can keep him busy, I'll check on the captive."Trey will delay until the ogre is engaged, then she will go to check on the prisoner.
"Blast, another narrow corridor." Corwin readies his wand of magic missile, waiting for a clear shot at the ogre. Corwin will delay, then move forward and use the wand once there is room for him to see into the room.
I'm back. Nice DMPC job! looked like I was here. Skull room.
" Crap that hurt." Hisses Ty as the acid sprays his armor and drips down inside.
Prisoner room
"Heya Ugly! You want my head come and get it!"Ty will reply in an almost singsong voice, keeping it low so others in the dungeon won't hear it.
Moving into the room across from the ogre Ty will throw a dagger at the Ogre, the same one he recently pulled from the Derro's arm.since it was in his hand. XD. thrown dagger:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 And if flat footed... sneak stab:2d8 ⇒ (8, 3) = 11
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
"Foul creature! Bosch - let nature guide your hand!"
Niveus extends his arm, mutters a few words in druidic and touches Bosch's arm. A luminescent green light flickers from his chest, down through his fingertips, through the broad man's arm and settles at Bosch's chest. A feeling of immense strength radiates through Bosch's body.
Mechanics:
HP: 18/21
Active: Barkskin R. 75/300
Shillelagh: R. 15/30
Standard Action: Cast Bull's Strength on Bosch: +4 Strength R. 1/30
Move Action: Attempt to flank with Bosch, Roscoe and Typhon. If Niv still has his shield equipped ( I believe he does), he sheathes it as a move action and casts the spell instead
Yep, the ogre was flat-footed since it had't acted yet, Ty...but you still miss :(
Typhon's dagger thunks off of the ogre's studded leather armor. The ogre turns, swinging its greatclub at Typhon while shrieking "You go in pit now!" Greatclub attack vs Typhon:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 damage:2d8 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15
Enemy Stats:
Ogre: AC 20, touch 11, flat-footed 19
Fort +7, Ref +1, Will –1
Ty's round 2 action. " Hughff." Ty exhales in pain as the club fractures ribs along his side.
He will then dodge and weave to avoid further impacts while drawing a wand out of his belt, though he seems to be having some degree of trouble over his movements.
Standard action to do total defense (+4 to AC), and move action to draw wand of grease. Damn that really did some damage. Kinda wobbly on my feet now.....
At Bosch's urging, Roscoe darts forward. The big dog still dwarfed by the ogre and his jaws fail to find purchase on the ogre's hide as he shies away from the ogre's club.
Not questioning whatever Niv did to him, Bosch moves in next. The smith was intent on feeding the ogre several feet of steel but finds that despite his magically aided muscles, his attack is rebuffed.
fearing for her friend's safety, Tessa rushes to Typhon's side and lays her hand on his injury. With a brief thought, healing warmth flows from her hand.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
Round 2 Actions - probably need to do an AoO check against the Ogre?
Niv swings his Shillelagh with both hands towards the Ogre, only to see it disperse before any blow could land - resulting in his Ironwood Club reforming in his hand mid-swing.
"Typhon, be careful! This creature's strength surpasses that of normal men!"
Corwin steps up, the ogre now in his sights. He uses the wand to fire bolts of force at it. Magic Missile:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Round 2 magic missle:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Trey, seeing that Typhon has been injured shouts "Are you okay?" A burst of light fills the room, flickering through everyone but the ogre. Selective channel, should hit everybody but the ogre. healing from channel energy:2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3
The ogre swings its club at Niveus. "Puny human! Rolth pay big money for your head!" The club misses, hitting the rock floor instead. Pebbles spray from the impact.
Ogre's greatclub attack on Niv:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 damage:2d8 + 7 ⇒ (1, 8) + 7 = 16
Typically, yes the ogre would get an attack of opportunity as anyone moves within its threatened squares. However, you only get one attack of opportunity per round unless you have the feat 'Combat Reflexes.' So since the ogre isn't very smart and doesn't have combat reflexes, it would probably use up its AoO on Roscoe since he acted before you. Rules on Attacks of Opportunity here.
Bosch cusses under his breath and adjusts his grip on the sword. In the dim light of the cavern, the blade flashes as it catches the light just right and suddenly Bosch whips the sword up and through the ogre. The blade parts the ogre's crude armor as it cuts a deep canyon in then down through degenerate giant's chest and gut.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
If the creature is still alive, Niv will swing his Club at it once more. If not, he'll try to see what else the room contains. Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Niv swings his Club at the creature once more. Astonished by Bosch's stroke as it sends shivers down his spine - the blood and guts sprayed over the young druid makes him fumble the swing.
As Tessa's and Trey's healing kick into effect Ty straightens up mostly free from pain.
" Ahh. Thank you my friends, I was seeing the the white light of pain for a moment there."
He will look at the ogre. If it is still up he will, after dodging his way forward, try to set up a flank attack.
acrobatics:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 sneak stab if applicable:2d8 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 round 3 actions if needed. decided not to use the wand after seeing Bosch's attack. XD.
With a vile tearing sound, Bosch's greatsword rips through the giant's torso, revealing a red ruin of muscle. The ogre is quite clearly dead.
Searching about turns up a size large greatclub that the ogre was wielding. It was also wearing a set of +1 studded leather armor and carrying 200 gold pieces.
One pit contains a frightened, sickly, malnourished woman. "Help," she calls out weakly from the ten-foot deep pit. She does not seem to even have the strength to get to her feet or attempt to climb out of her prison.
"If someone can bring her up here, I can tend to her wounds," Trey says, removing some bandages, salves, and other healing supplies from her pack.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
"I've got some silk rope tucked away in my backpack, I'll climb down and treat her. Bosch, maybe you'll hold this end, seeing as how you cleaved that ogre in two - it shouldn't be a problem for you to hold my weight."
Niv sheathes his Ironwood Club, retrieves his silk rope from his backpack, hands one end to Bosch and throws the rest of it down into the pit.
Climb:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Once down, he carefully approaches the woman, hands her some of his trail rations, a swig of his waterskin and begins treating her - talking to her softly as if to make her calm down and feel safe in his presence.
"You have naught to fear - allow me to treat your wounds in nature's name. Perhaps you would tell me who you are, what you are doing here - and who put you here?"
After retrieving his dagger,Ty will watch from the edge of the pit as Niv climbs down. He's prepared to toss a dagger if the woman turns hostile, but mostly just seems ready to help Bosch haul them up from the pit.
" Gotta remember to not get so close to big ugly things next time! That nearly did me in. Haven't hurt that much since Lamm left me for dead..."
"Woof," Roscoe said and proceeded to grasp the rope in his mouth and dig in with all four paws. The big mutt was as good, if not a better anchor than Bosch was and together the weight of the druid and the emaciated prisoner would be nothing.
"Thank you, mister. Name's Tiora," the woman says, shaking Niveus's hand. Between mouthfuls of rations and gulps of water, she explains "I snatched the wrong coin purse one day. Wasn't even full of coins, just bat droppings and lizard teeth. Turns out it belonged to, Rolth, the head honcho here, and he tracked me down. Says he's savin me up to use in some nasty experiment or other. Used to be a couple folks in the other pits. Rolth took em out... I guess it was a few days ago. Hard to keep track of time down here." Tiora shudders.
Niveus's food, water, and healing salves seem to do wonders to Tiora. Unsteadily, she gets to her feet and grabs onto the rope. "Okay, I'm all ready!" she calls to Bosch & Roscoe. The two easily haul the gaunt woman and Niveus out of the pit. Tiora looks around the cavern nervously. "Did you... find Rolth yet? Skinny, pale guy, lots of scars, carries a bunch of little knife-things?"
Trey inspects Tiora, but does not find any wounds that Niveus missed.
Corwin watches Tiora sternly. "Necromancy may be a disgraceful past time, but so is thievery."
" I'll be alright, Tessa. But it was close for a minute there. Thank you."
Typhon glances up at Corwin's disapproving tone, and then ducks his head back down.
Hmm. I've had to steal a time or two, just to survive. " Sometimes... sometimes there just isn't any other choice. I've been down that road more than once in the cold winter when there wasn't any warmth to be found in the wharves and warehouses. And no one deserves a fate the likes of which this Necro-guy is dishing out."
Ty will then replace all of his knives, back into their proper place. Then he will pull his crossbow off his back and load it.
No more close encounters with big ugly mugs.
Male Human (Varisian) Druid 3 HP 21/21 | AC 15(17) | T 12 | FF 13 | CMB +4 | F +5 | R +3 | W +6 | Init +2 | Per +8
"It is good to see that nature's touch does wonders even in dark, unnatural halls like these." he smiles, looking towards Tiora.
"Tell me, what do you know about this.. 'Rolth' you speak of? And do you know who or what else call this place home? And, I apologize for all the questions, have you seen or heard words about someone named Gaekhen?"
"I'm sure Tiora has learned the error of her ways," Bosch cut in, quickly stepping up to handle this point of contention between allies.
"And I'm also sure that there are more issues at play here than just petty thievery. Poverty, lack of education, lack of proper employment. A person rarely embarks on a life of crime because they want to, despite what the penny-dreadfuls would have you believe. Of course, whether they are willing to turn from that life when the opportunity presents itself is another matter entirely," Bosch said, obviously having put some thought into the issue.
"Regardless, we'll find this Rolth fellow and put him to the blade if he refuses to surrender."
Ty will nod to Bosch in acknowledgement of his point. Then he will flash a smile at the rest of the group, while replying to Bosch's last comment..
" I'm up for that. This place is creeping me out. Makes me wanna stick somethin sharp somewhere unpleasant."
Tiora gives a small, grateful smile to Bosch & Typhon. "I did what I had to do. But nickin stuff got me where I'm at," she says, gesturing at the cave. "I'm done with that lot. Wouldn't mind drivin a fancy carriage for some of those types I used to steal from, or workin in a stable. I've got a bit stashed away, should be enough to put me on my feet and get me started into somethin new."
Corwin nods in approval."Theft may be necessary in some circumstances, but it does not make it right," he says quietly.
Tiora continues. "Let's see. Couple of folks who live in here. You met old Cabbagehead there, our prison warden." She points at the dead ogre on the floor. "And there's Rolth. Like I said, pretty sure he's in charge. Always ordering everybody else around like he owns the place. Dunno too much about him, aside that he likes killin folks and is real big on revenge. I mean, there prolly wasn't more than a silver's worth of newt eyes in that pouch I nicked from him and look what he did to me. One a the other fellows down here said he used to be a shopkeep, thought old Rolth was up to no good, and refused to sell stuff to him. Next thing he knows, he wakes up down here."
"Never heard of anybody called Gakhen. But there's a few little short guys, blue skin, crazy hair. Don't think they even spoke common, never caught their names. And there's this creepy dwarf. Think his name's Shadak or something like that. I think he helps Rolth with whatever hocus-pocus stuff. Once, he was in here with Rolth. Cabbagehead took us all outta the pits, one at a time, and Rolth and Shadak was pokin and prodding and measuring us, listening to our breath, and whatnot - like some kind of doctor or something. I dunno what they're up to, but it's not good."
"A-are you saying there are two necromancers?" Trey asks.
Tiora shrugs. "Could be. The dwarf carried around a big old battleaxe though, dunno if he's your typical wizardy sort."
"We won't keep you here any longer Tiora. Be careful on your way out, there are a couple of traps in place. If you need help in the future, I know a thing or two about horses and would be more than happy to teach you a bit if I have some free time."
"Appreciate the warnin. I'll be on the lookout. I'll be sure to stop by sometime," Tiora says gratefully to Bosch.
"Thanks," Tiora says to Tessa, stowing the coins in a tattered pocket. The gaunt woman cautiously moves along the corridor towards the exit of the Dead Warrens, giving a final wave and a smile as she rounds the corner towards the alchemy room.
By the end of this, we'll be set up to own and operate a small merchant empire with the number of apprentices and people that owe us favors.
"I vote we take the secret passage to the northwest and ambush whatever is lurking down there. How are your wounds Ty?" Bosch asked with obvious concern. They had been fortunate enough to be spared the worst of potential injuries since the beginning of their cooperation. This was the first time someone had really been hurt. All at once he was reminded of just how perilous their situation was and he was at least partially responsible for it.
