Switching over to his sword and shield, Jeorik begins to move slowly along the room, trying to determine where the sound is coming from. He is cautious lest something pop out of one of the many skulls and take him by surprise. He also examines the ground to see if there are any signs of tracks besides theirs.
Heather makes a face at the sight of the room full of skulls..
"What charming decor" she murmurs before her attention is diverted by the sudden change in the parties alertness
Jeorik barely takes two steps before two heads start to slither out of each of the side walls, propelled by a snakelike-skeleton. Two simliar skeletons emarge from the far end.
Simultaneously, some of the nearby skulls spit a greenish fluid which sizzles when it hits the floors.
Layout: columns A-D across the top, rows 1-10 from top to bottom. The secret door is at the top of C1. B and C are the only full length columns. A2 and D2 are the alcoves. A7 the passageway near the far end.
Inititative and Positions:
Keliwyn, 23 , D2
Inigo 18, B2
Darthen 12, C0
Heather 10, C1
Istas 9, C2
Jeorik 8, B3
Skel-snakes 4 B3, C3, B7, C7
Acid spitting skulls in walls 2,
This is the surprise round. Jeorik, Inigo and Keliwyn get actions for hearing the skel-snakes.
Seeing as how one of the snakes like monstrosities is on top of him, Jeorik tries to move back a step, right into Inigo, which messes up Jeorik's swing.
Attack vs. B3 1d20+3=20, Damage 1d8+2=8
Inigo hammers his mace down on one of the skeletons.
<Still at B2>
The emerging skeleton-snakes rattle themselves clear of the walls and strike at Istas and Jeorik. They launch like missles from their holes. As each rib clears the edge of the hole it clicks. Their human-like jaws snap shut; the one attacking Jeorik, on empty air ; the one attacking Istas bites into her thigh.
Jeorik reacts quickly but can't connect with his sword. Inigo's mace sparks as it scrapes down the wall, then smashes into the skeletal threat, breaking off the tail is it drops completely to the floor
Simultaneously acid splashes from various skulls in the walls. Everyone is splashed by the burning liquid. It hisses off armour, soaks into clothing and burns your flesh .
End of surprise round. Begin Round 1.
Heather screams as the acid burns her then launches a crackling bolt at one of the snakes emerging to the rear of the group.
Istas takes a sharp breath as she feels the bite of the skeletal snake upon her leg and the sting of the acid spray. Gritting her teeth, she draws her war-club and brings it down on the creature's skull.
Glancing at the snake/skeletons, Keliwyn quickly realizes his rapier will be of little use, if he could even fit in the passageway to fight them, and leaves the combat to those better equipped to handle it. After the initial shock & pain subsides from the acid that hits him, he switches his attention to the door again, and checks to see whether it's locked.
Keliwyn heard nothing through the door and he got a full round to listen before the clicking began. It is not locked. Twist the knob and go. Your last post was surprise round, so you still have round 1 to act.
Keliwyn opens the door and looks to see what is on the other side.
Istas: A numbing sensation begins to crawl up your leg from the bite, but a quick prayer and concentration keep the limb moving.
Keliwyn, behind the door
Across the closest table from you, a large gnome, or skinny dwarf with sickly grey-blue skin is holding a mop and staring at you in surprise. From Istas' description it is probably a derro.
"Back! We hold them at the doorway!"
Round 2 action:
Without turning his eyes from the derro in front of him, Keliwyn yells, "Come on, quick, through here." At the same time, steps into the room, points his rapier at the twisted creature and holds his other hand up in a stop gesture to indicate it should stay where it is.
I attack one of the skull-snakes before stepping in through the door after Keliwyn.
Post for round 1 Radavel. You will act before the skel-snakes.
Jeorik tries to move toward the door, but is cut off by Istas, Heather, and the skel-snake they are combating. Jeorik does manage to move away enough that Iñigo can attack the skel-snake in B4 (was attacking Jeorik) and the 2 snaking towards the party from down the hall, presuming you're using burning hands.
"Back! We hold them at the doorway!"
Round 1 Recap:
Keliwyn opens the door in the alcove and steps in, where he is confronted by a derro across the room.
Inigo tries to get the others back to "the door". (Not sure if he means the door to the secret tunnel or the door Keliwyn has gone through.) And holds his action until his companions are clear of the attacking skel-snakes.
Darthen is still in the secret passage and unable to act effectively. Although he would like to get to the action, he will lead the retreat if the party comes back into the tunnel.
Heather and Istas team up to smash and burn the skel-snake attacking Istas, but it stills writhes and strikes with vibrant un-life despite the damage they deal. Jeorik richochets off Inigo and starts to move toward Keliwyn, but is blocked by Istas and Heather.
The two nearest skel-snakes strike at Jeorik and Istas. Jeorik takes a minor scratch to his ankle (1 hp). The two skel-snakes approaching from the from end of the room clatter to a halt and rear up like a charmed cobra. They begin swaying in an oddly hypnotic pattern.
Jeorik, fortitude save please for the bite. Everyone make 2 will saves versus the "Dance of Death."
The skulls in the walls spray no acid at you this round. Are they all out, or just reloading?
END OF ROUND 1.
Beginning Round 2
Inititative and Positions:
Inigo Delaying, B1
Keliwyn, 23 , F2 (into the next room)
Darthen 12, C0
Heather 10, C1
Istas 9, C2
Jeorik 8, B3
Skel-snakes 4 B4, C3, B5, C4
Acid spitting skulls in walls 2
Keliwyn keeps his hand up and his blade pointed as he steps into the room. He says, in common, "Don't . . move." However, he does not make any move towards the derro, but looks around the room for anyone else that might be lurking, and for any other doors or exits.
Everyone make 2 will saves versus the "Dance of Death."1d20+6 = 13
Heather and Istas team up to smash and burn the skel-snake attacking Istas, but it stills writhes and strikes with vibrant un-life despite the damage they deal. Jeorik richochets off Inigo and starts to move toward Keliwyn, but is blocked by Istas and Heather.
"Go!" Istas urges Heather, "Make room for the rest! I'll hold this one off."
She glances further down the hallway at the priest of Asmodeus. "Inigo! If you value your life, get out of there!"
The Shoanti priestess then punctuates her words by bashing the skeletal snake once more.
Keliwyn keeps his hand up and his blade pointed as he steps into the room. He says, in common, "Don't . . move." However, he does not make any move towards the derro, but looks around the room for anyone else that might be lurking, and for any other doors or exits.
Keliwyn surveys the room with half an eye, keeping the other on the derro. There is plenty of the luminescent blue moss in this room and a lantern hanging from the ceiling. He sees three cauldrons against the far wall. The derro stands in H4 near the southernmost cauldron. There are 2 additional exits from the room. One in I5 and one in G6.
Heather and Istas team up to smash and burn the skel-snake attacking Istas, but it stills writhes and strikes with vibrant un-life despite the damage they deal. Jeorik richochets off Inigo and starts to move toward Keliwyn, but is blocked by Istas and Heather."Go!" Istas urges Heather, "Make room for the rest! I'll hold this one off."
She glances further down the hallway at the priest of Asmodeus. "Inigo! If you value your life, get out of there!"
The Shoanti priestess then punctuates her words by bashing the skeletal snake once more.
Istas' mace comes down hard on the skeletal reptile and chips of bone fly. The undead twists, rears up, and strikes back.
Jeorik, seeing his route into the other room cut off, switches to his mace and attacks the snake thing that just bit him...
Attacking with mace: (1d20+4=9)
But it seems that the act of switching weapons kept his attack from being effective.
"Follow Keliwyn!" shouts Jeorik, deciding that he will follow his own advise after those in his way have taken it.
Will saves 1d20+2=17, 1d20+2=22
Heather reacts instinctivly to the priestess' words and at Jeoriks cry hurries after Kel wondering what her lover might have discovered.As she does however her scholars mind tries to identify the attacking creatures
Heather reacts instinctivly to the priestess' words and at Jeoriks cry hurries after Kel wondering what her lover might have discovered.As she does however her scholars mind tries to identify the attacking creatures
Heather identifies the skel-snakes as a variant of necrophidius. Undead constructs of humanoid skulls and great constrictor snake bodies. Their swaying dance can fascinate and effectively hold their victim. Their bite causes paralysis.
She hurries into the next room and Jeorik follows. Darthen is right behind them. Istas shields their movement from attack by the necrophidii (?)
Heather identifies the skel-snakes as a variant of necrophidius. Undead constructs of humanoid skulls and great constrictor snake bodies.
Keliwyn surveys the room with half an eye, keeping the other on the derro. There is plenty of the luminescent blue moss in this room and a lantern hanging from the ceiling. He sees three cauldrons against the far wall. The derro stands in H4 near the southernmost cauldron. There are 2 additional exits from the room. One in I5 and one in G6.
Keliwyn continues to keep his hands up and tries to keep the derro in place through sheer force of will. He slowly walks along the wall to his right, and says, "Do you speak? Where is your master? If you tell me, you will suffer no harm."
2nd room, 2nd round:
Keliwyn continues to keep his hands up and tries to keep the derro in place through sheer force of will. He slowly walks along the wall to his right, and says, "Do you speak? Where is your master? If you tell me, you will suffer no harm."
Keliwyn surveys the room with half an eye, keeping the other on the derro. There is plenty of the luminescent blue moss in this room and a lantern hanging from the ceiling. He sees three cauldrons against the far wall. The derro stands in H4 near the southernmost cauldron. There are 2 additional exits from the room. One in I5 and one in G6.
The derro is obviously confused and regards Keliwyn silently. As Keliwyn moves to his right, the derro inches to his left maintaining their relative positions. The arrival of the others into the room seems to make matters clear to the derro. He spits, "Surface dwellers. Urgathoa take you, " and dashes out the opening in the wall at I6.
Waiting for Inigo's second round action ....
For The CrimsonDM
Attack and Damage rolls for Rounds 1 and 2 vs. the Skeleton Creature.
Inigo steps into the spot Jeorik vacated and smashes his mace into the snake-like construct. Although its skull is split open it continues to attack.
The Long Room:
The two frontline necrophidae attack Inigo and Istas, but their snaping jaws bite only air.
No acid attack.
The Ruined Lab Room:
Exit one derro as described above.
End round 2. You're still on initiative. Please post for round 3.
Only half noting some of the others entering the room behind him, Keliwyn quickly moves to the exit the derro took, to see what he can. After checking that exit, he checks the other as well.
Beginning Round 3
Inititative and Positions:Keliwyn, 23 , I5 (after his round 3 action posted above)
Darthen 12, F1
Heather 10, E4
Istas 9, C2
Jeorik 8, G2
Inigo 7, B2
Derro 6, Past I5
Skel-snakes 4 B3, C3, B4, C4
Keliwyn finds the passage beyond I5 is rough 5-10 feet wide and runs 30' or so before deadending into a crossing passage. Footsteps echo back to him, but it's not clear from which direction. Beyond G6 the passage runs 10 feet before ending in a door.
1d20+6 = 14
The two frontline necrophidae attack Inigo and Istas, but their snaping jaws bite only air.
Istas keeps her shield between her and the snake as she withdraws through the door taken by everyone else. She reaches behind with her other hand to find the edge of the door itself, preparing to shut it once Inigo makes it through.
"Fall back!" she calls to him, "And we'll close the door!"
"What are those things," Jeorik asks, and then says loudly, "Inigo, fall back!"
In the meantime, Jeorik hitches his mace to his belt and then pulls out his bow, so as to attack from the doorway (and out of the way of the acid) if Inigo needs help.
The derro is obviously confused and regards Keliwyn silently. As Keliwyn moves to his right, the derro inches to his left maintaining their relative positions. The arrival of the others into the room seems to make matters clear to the derro. He spits, "Surface dwellers. Urgathoa take you, " and dashes out the opening in the wall at I6.
Keliwyn takes notice of the others entering the room behind him as he flips over the southern table with little regard for anything on top of it. "A derro fled through there," he says with a nod toward the exit, as he adjusts the table so it provides some cover from both of the exit passage. "We can probably expect company," he finishes as he leans his rapier where it's close at hand, and draws his bow.
Keliwyn takes notice of the others entering the room behind him as he flips over the southern table with little regard for anything on top of it. "A derro fled through there," he says with a nod toward the exit, as he adjusts the table so it provides some cover from both of the exit passage. "We can probably expect company," he finishes as he leans his rapier where it's close at hand, and draws his bow.
As Keliwyn lifts, the heavy table tilts and glassware begins sliding off to smash on the floor. Suddenly a (poorly repaired) leg snaps and it all topples to the ground.
EDIT: I could swear I had posted describing the contents on top of the table, but reviewing my recent posts, maybe not, or maybe it was eaten. Anyway, the north table is loaded with alchemical glassware and such. The south table was loaded with broken pieces of the same.
We can assume north is up on the map for purposes of discussion during this delve, but with respect to the outside world up is east.
"So that was a Derro...ugly little so and so's aren't they."
Heather draws her bow and takes up a position beside Kel...she doesn't seem unfamiliar with the weapon and the adrenaline rushing through her system does a lot to dull her lack of confidence
After Inigo strikes the skelsnake he dashes through the doorway into the lab room. Istas slams shut the door, through which two dull impacts can be heard.
The party has a brief chance to catch their breath here and decide what's next. Back into the long hall, out the "eastern or southern" portals, or something else my poor and limited imagination has not conceived?
End of combat for a moment.
"There was a derro?"
Jeorik asks with thoughtful interest.
"Perhaps we should follow him."
Jeorik takes a moment to examine the contents of the room a little more closely.
Jeorik takes a moment to examine the contents of the room a little more closely.
Pretty much as described above. Additional inspection of the lamp shows that although it looks like a burning oil lamp there's no wick and if tapped the oil well rings hollowly. The southernmost of the 3 cauldrons against the wall stands out a good foot farther than the others and is surrounded by a thin greasy film. A mop leans against the wall behind it. Both tables are solidly built from thick hewn planks. The broken leg of the table Keliwyn tipped over had been snapped clean through then repaired. The repair was what broke. Some firewood is stacked in the northeast corner.
"There was a derro?" Jeorik asks with thoughtful interest. "Perhaps we should follow him."
Istas winces at the thought of a slippery derro getting away and warning his master. If that necromancer finds them first, she can't imagine things working out nearly as well as she'd hoped.
"Do we need to brace this door?" the priestess calls, "Those snakes had no hands, but I'd like to make double sure they don't come up behind us."
She sees Keliwyn and the tipped table over her shoulder.
"Maybe we should wedge that thing over here?" she suggests, "Then, let's follow this derro...and quickly. If we hurry, maybe he'll lead us straight to his master...and before they can prepare for us."
Jeorik picks up the lantern with interest.