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Goode's armor creaks and jangles as he runs over to the side of Tabris, his focus entirely on the hated charau-ka. Just before ramming into it, as it seemed he may have been intending with his charge, a shot rings out as Goode fires his pistol at the ape-man mere inches away from its body. The bullet finds its mark as fire laps from the muzzle of the gun, sending sparks dancing over the creatures fur as Goode braces for the incoming retaliation.
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The wild baboon is easily fooled by Giovanni's feint, its eyes following the wrong hand as his rapier pierces the creature's heart.
Goode runs up and fires point-blank against the remaining charau-ka, risking the foe's club to deal more damage.
He manages to dodge the counter-attack and fires, bathing the charau-ka in burning powder as the lead ball pierces its skin.
The blast leaves the charau-ka still standing (barely), but the fire persists.
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"I don't know. I think it would be safer for us to finish covering the site" he looks wistfully toward the opening in the cliff face "and head back to Nantambu tomorrow morning." He roots around inside one of the tents and emerges carrying a leather satchel. "Here, this belongs to Juliet. Would you take it with you? I'm sure she wouldn't mind you making use of it while you do." Inside is an unfinished report to Aya, as well as detailed notes on the direction of the light. Additionally, you find some mundane writing utensils along with a lens, which Voltz can explain is a lens of detection.
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Once the shrieking has stopped and the group is recuperating, Goode opens up his pack and pulls out a set of tools wrapped in a leather case, setting to the work of cleaning his (still warm) pistol of the powder residue inside and around the barrel.
I don't care if you use the lenses, I'll help you track the old fashioned way, he answers Dylph as he checks the wheel-lock mechanism of the weapon to see that it's clear and oiled. Satisfied, he packs back up his gear as meticulously as he found it and stows it before putting back on his pack and simply saying ready.
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Dylph puts on the lenses and nods. "I guess we're ready to roll...I'll take point..."
With his bow ready, the rogue will check for the tracks of Juliet's party as well as the construct while keeping an eye out for danger...he'll try to conceal himself with what foliage and cover is available as he moves...
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Nigel looks relieved that the combat has ended so soon. I forgot to mention it sooner; I wasn't expecting trouble so soon, but The Exchange gave me this wand about a year ago, but I can't use it. If any of you have the ability to use it, please take advantage for the remainder of this job!
I have a friend who is excellent at finding things. Give me one minute to call her here real quick. She will be happy to go for a walk. That being said, she hates fights so I dismiss her at the first sign of trouble. Please be nice too! Nigel eyes his group of misfits and realizes that his snake woman friend will not be the strangest person in the group.
With that, he begins the minute long summoning process to pull Christina from the realm's of his mind into to reality.
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A snake woman appears after Nigel's long and complicated ritual. She has the face of an elf, but is covered in scales like a serpent. She has arms but no legs as she ends in a snake like tale. She wears a simple shirt to cover her top half and a bow and quiver on her back. Her scales are dark blue that matches Nigel's robe.
Helllllo there. The my name is Chisssstina. How are you all doing today? He snake like irises and pupils in her elf shaped eyes looks over the group she is traveling with. Thisssss lot makessss me feel ssssafe.
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"Wait, you're leaving now? But it's several days' journey! I'd feel much safer if you'd stay here tonight, then we can all set off in our separate directions in the morning."
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Her bow is in case of emergency. Don't worry, if things get rough, I have more fearsome friends than her! She is just a good traveling companion and I have never seen someone so perceptive in my life.
While I do want to get on the road, we have already seen that this camp is a target. Maybe we should stay and protect them and head out in the morning. I couldn't imagine the weight on my mind if they all died overnight.
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You spend an uneventful afternoon and evening repairing the breach and guarding the camp, and though you hear some suspicious hooting and screeching during the night, no threats arise to attack the camp. You awaken early, and Happ bids you a safe journey as he and the remaining researchers set out in the other direction, having covered the and sealed up the dig site as best they can.
The first morning of travel passes uneventfully as you trudge through the scrub-lands leading toward the light. Dylph is easily able to track the large, heavy footprints of the monolith, using the lens to verify that it followed roughly the same path as the humanoid prints. Around mid-afternoon, though, you come to a large rocky outcropping where the tracks are all but lost.
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Corona enjoys the walk. It gives her time to watch the sunrise and to enjoy its heat radiate upon her. Also that voice in her head keeps quiet, or at least agrees the fire is warm and inviting.
Upon reaching the end of the tracks, Corona offers to cast Guidance as needed to help her allies.
She actually manages to help a bit, despite the voice in her head screaming to look at the sun.
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Tabris marches stoically through the rough terrain, keeping the grumbles of the exertion to himself despite his armor. After the camp is left far behind, at an opportune moment of pause while the bearing is checked, he pulls a pendant from a belt pouch. Touching the carving of a fly to his forehead, he loops the leather cord around his neck to let it hang against his breastplate.
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It takes only a moment's search to locate the tracks on the far side of the muddy patch as Dylph leads you forward. You camp for the evening, then set out once more, arriving at what must be your destination early the next day.
Atop a high hill choked with tough grasses stands an enormous vine-covered ruin of granite blocks. The upper levels of the ruin are collapsed, exposing a balcony upon which a shining ivory sphere is plainly visible. A narrow path between the tumbled blocks leads into the ruin. The sound of steady pounding, as of metal on stone, rings from deep within the structure.
As you ascend a series of switchbacks leading through the tumbled blocks and up into the ruins, you hear the grating of large scales over stone as a huge snake with five heads slithers out from behind a stone at the top of the hill! Beside it is a smaller, but still quite large, snake with deadly-looking fangs which rushes toward you down the hill!
Initiative:
For every 5 by which you beat the DC you may ask for another piece of information about the hydra.
For every 5 by which you beat the DC you may ask another question.
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"Goddess, shield your servant from harm!" Tabris prays, the skull pattern of the fly symbol lighting up. Pale, sickly colors wrap around him as he moves forward to support Giovanni. "Fly, my pretty..." he mutters, almost under his breath as he swings the scythe. It whirls through the air on release, striking at the great beast before returning to Tabris' hands.
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"Fire it is, then." Corona cast Flaming Sphere and a molten orb appears on the multiheaded snake. The intense heat burns it for fire damage.
Corona draws her scimitar, just in case.
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Alarmed at the size of the beast, yet also not close enough to be as effective as he'd like, Goode begins moving as fast as his encumbered legs will carry him, stopping momentarily to take aim and fire at the giant, multi-headed snake creature, praying his shot finds its mark and immediately setting to reloading with a paper cartridge.
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All five of the hydras heads follow Giovanni as he takes a quick jab step with his left foot, and all five are surprised when he then quickly steps to the right, lashing out with his rapier and just managing to pierce the creature's body. Dylph, meanwhile, fires twice at the beast connecting with his second arrow as Nigel burns it with a glob of acid.
Though badly wounded, the creature's wounds seem to heal up a bit as it moves off the ball of fire and once again lashes out at Giovanni. It's first attack catches him by surprise, spinning him around and opening him up to head number five, which throws him to the ground, unconscious!
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