With Dak’s torchlight, Raspar moves into the strange underground.
”Is this where our goblin friends used to live? And this is where the monsters are, huh?” Raspar draws a starknife, holding his shield in his other hand. He pads in, keeping quiet, as he does.
He moves to the right as he enters, always staying within the light. He looks down the first right corridor.
Perception
"Raspar, a moment." Cabaguil calls out before they get to far below. He strides up to him and casts Light (•>>) on the front of his shield.
"There, now we'll have multiple people with some light."
He moves back to his position, mumbling, "This place is pretty large, look at all those doors!"
He moves along with the group.
Cuthberwyn is fascinated by the find. Oh! A catacomb of sorts! He hurries past Raspar to the middle of the chamber, taking care to look down the hallways as he passes them. How very interesting indeed!
Raspar smiles up at Caba as the man de-lights his shield. He likes teamwork and working together and not dying in the dark, so Caba’s gift is well received.
He head tilts to follow Cuth as his gnome friend glides deeper into the darkness where there is probably no dangers at all, including any aforementioned monsters.
Raspar is not worried about this, as he will move to save, and bleed for, his friend.
|
With several sources of light springing up from the darkness, pushing it back to the furthest recess of the hallway. Peering down the first few side chambers you find door after door.
Cuthberwyn goes a little further as he gets brave. Just on the fringes of Raspar's dim lighting from his shield swoops a trio of birds with brilliant, iridescent plumage. They begin to squawk and shriek loudly, cranky and frustrated at such a confined space.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (24/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Dori (36/36)
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Birds
----------------------------------------
The lithe elf dashes forward towards the front line. He weaves his hands in a geometric pattern and speaks a short burst of spidery words as an icy ray strikes at the brilliant bird.
Round 2
Action 1: Stride in front of Cuth
Action 2: Block
Action 3: Readied strike
Raspar watches the shimmering bird descend, feeling suddenly and inexplicably a little guilty about having disturbed them in their home. Maybe because they are simply so stunningly beautiful, he doubts - if only for a moment - that they are truly evil. What if they're just grumpy about being cornered?
"Hello, birbs!" he speaks softly but assuredly. "We mean you no harm! If you'll let us finish running an errand here, we'll be right on our way!"
Diplomacy
He moves in front of Cuth, standing protectively. He also readies his shield. From prior experiences, he found it's sometimes difficult to reason with birds who are intent on murdering you. He will strike if they come closer.
to hit;
damage
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 19 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 11/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Cuthberwyn draws his hand crossbow and loads it.
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
”Hey, anybody know what these things are? How’d they get in here?”
He waits to see what the others want to do. Assuming the birds are hostile, he’ll move up a little (•>) to get a firing lane, and launch fire at the red one.
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Alak bounds forward to try and fend the birds off. Cabaguil tosses a small ball of fire into the air. One of the birds swoops down and out of the way as the magical flame plops to the floor.
Raspar prepares himself for if the birds come closer, holding his starknife at the ready. Ðakaþos releases a chilling ray into the already gloomy and rather chilled chamber as it frosts a wall. Cuthberwyn draws his crossbow, ready to go hunting, but he isn't quite sure what exactly he is hunting.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (24/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28; ready starknife)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Dori (36/36)
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Birds
----------------------------------------
Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Demoralize
"Nine Hells! Do we have to fight everything in this place?" Kelvin muses along, nonetheless moving forward to stand beside. Opting to try and instill fear, the dwarf shouts, "RRRAAAARRRRR!"
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Dori stands guard just inside the tunnel as he draws his waraxe as Raspar attempts to speak with the birds. They don't seem to understand a work he is saying after all as they squawk loudly. Kelvin doesn't seem to be helping matters as he waves his arms, yelling at them in a crazed manner.
The birds swoop overhead by just a few feet. As they get into the brighter light of the spell their mesmerizing wings play tricks on your eyes.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (24/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Dori (36/36)
----------------------------------------
Birds
----------------------------------------
Round: 2
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
Dazzled (link) for the round (at least), and so effectively blinded, Cabaguil hunkers down and waits for his vision to clear.
rounds
Will Dazzle Rounds
Will Dazzle Rounds
Dazzled: Your eyes are overstimulated. If vision is your only precise sense, all creatures and objects are concealed from you.
Concealed: While you are concealed from a creature, such as in a thick fog, you are difficult for that creature to see. You can still be observed, but you’re tougher to target. A creature that you’re concealed from must succeed at a DC 5 flat check when targeting you with an attack, spell, or other effect.
Round 2
Action 1: Block
Action 2: Stride to flank
Action 3: Strike vs. FF.
Raspar moves to flank with Kelvin, knowing how much the dwarf likes to hit tied-up and distracted foes.
to hit vs. FF.
damage
Conceal
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 19 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 11/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Dak tries to cut the bird down as it goes! for
"What the... Where is it?! Fight me, you feathery bastard!"
Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike
Kelvin swings wildly struggling to pick out friend from foe!
Confused Attack vs Cuthberwyn
Confused Attack vs Red
Miss
Confused Attack vs Cuthberwyn
Miss
Cuthberwhyn is dazzled but still sees Kelvin flail about, one blow landing across his arm while he's able to dodge a second.
He steps away from the flailing dwarf — he's confused, doesn't know who he's trying to hit! — and fires his hand crossbow at Magenta, reloading after the shot releases.
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"Don't let them play tricks on your eyes!" Alak blinks quickly to try and shake it off. He closes on one of the birds and slashes across the air.
Alak's sword misses as he sees a bit of dazzled stars still it seems.
Kelvin grows a bit confused by the dizzying effect and swats Cuthberwyn in the shoulder with his morningstar. The damage leaves a sizable bruise.
Raspar shifts underneath the bird and twirls his starknife underneath it, removing a few extra feathers.
Cuthberwyn steps away from the confused dwarf and manages to still stick a bolt into one of the birds' wings.
Dori's waraxe slices right through one of the wings. The green shimmering bird flops to the ground where he chops its head off.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (24/30; confused 2 rounds)
Cabaguil (22/22; dazzled 3 rounds)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28; dazzled 1 round)
Cuthberwyn (16/28)
Dori (36/36)
----------------------------------------
Birds (Red -5) (Purple -1)
----------------------------------------
Cabaguil calls out, still rubbing his eyes, ”How are we doing? Are we winning?! I can’t see a thing in this light…”
As Kelvin seems to be flailing a bit, no doubt from the blindness, Cabaguil puts some distance between them with a step (•>).
He then tries to locate one of the birds by sound as well as peering through the spots on his eyes caused by all his rubbing. Targeting the purple one, he lets fly a Produce Flame .
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Cabaguil ignites one of the birds as it screeches, diving up and down to try and make it stop hurting.
Ðakaþos moves into a flank with Alak and slashes his bastard sword high above his head.
The bird is split apart as it falls silent upon striking the ground. The remaining bird swoops down, pecking aggressively at Kelvin.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (16/30; confused 2 rounds)
Cabaguil (22/22; dazzled 2 rounds)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (16/28)
Dori (36/36)
----------------------------------------
Birds (Red -5)
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Round 3
Action 1: Strike vs. FF.
Action 2: Strike vs. FF.
Action 3: Shield block.
Raspar continues to flank with the confused Kelvin.
to hit vs. FF.
damage
to hit vs. FF.
damage
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 19 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 11/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Round: 3
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: Dazzled (2/3r)
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
Happy things are going their way, he takes another step back from Kelvin (•>), and fires another Produce Flame , this time through cover at red
(cover)
Failing in every conceivable way, Cabaguil laughs at his misfortune. "Well, that didn't go as planned!"
Kelvin rubs his eyes, disoriented still by the avian creature. "Hold still, you roast turkey!"
He continues swinging, but is unable to tell Dori from his foes.
Cuthberwyn moves to get a clear shot at the remaining bird. Or at least what he hopes is the remaining bird — it's hard to be sure with the scintillating lights in his eyes.
"I am! I think?" Kelvin replies, still flailing wildly.
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Alak's sword clangs loudly against the wall. Luckily Kelvin seems to momentarily snap out of his confused state as he smacks the bird against the wall, stunning it. The bird flops angrily to the ground as Cabaguil tosses a ball of fire against the wall where the bird was just at.
Raspar's starknife stabs into the birds back. Not quite dead it spasms as it tries to get free.
Ðakaþos steps in and ends the birds life before it suffers too much.
Alak (-15)
Kelvin (16/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (16/28)
Dori (36/36)
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Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike
"Rovagug's taint, the damn things are everywhere!" Kelvin swears, rubbing red eyes filled with tears. "I'll get you!"
Kelvin finally comes to his senses. He sees the dead bird-thing, but he also sees the looks from the group and the recent wounds to Alak and Dori. "You were... There were birds right where you are just a second ago, I was sure of it. I swear I..."
He sits down, breathing heavily from the combat. "My head is still spinning. Are you guys alright?"
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Alak groans and stumbles to his knees as the morningstar smashes into the backside of his armor. He coughs up blood and seems to have a hard time breathing.
Though you have little time to do much else as Kelvin's same morningstar swings back around and clips Dori's brow, nearly braining him.
Alak (-30)
Kelvin (16/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (16/28)
Dori (26/36)
Cabaguil’s eyes finally clear, in time to witness Kelvin’s impressive run. ”Goof form there Kelvin, but, uh, those were our people.” he grins.
Calling on Dori for help, he breaks out his healing kit and takes a whack at Cuthberwyn and Alak, probably treating Alak first as he looks about to fall down. He works carefully, always worried his ministrations will make things worse.
vs DC 15 (likely)
vs DC 15 (likely)
Raspar readies his shield and stands in front of Kelvin, interposing himself between the dwarf and Alak. His eyes are affixed on the dwarf. He's not smiling, which is unusual, and seems to be readying himself to take down the dwarf if he continues his rampage.
"Dwarf, again you dishonor yourself," Raspar hisses warning. He doesn't want to attack a friend, but then again, friends shouldn't be attacking friends.
"My head is still spinning. Are you guys alright?"
Raspar keeps his eyes on the dwarf for a while longer, not allowing the kind words to be trickery or distraction. He waits to see what the dwarf does next.
"Cuth? What's going on? Is Alak okay? Caba, can you move him away?" Raspar asks while he guards.
Looking a little worse for wear himself, Kelvin turns to Cuthberwyn after he's been attended to and says, "You wouldn't happen to be have a kit of your own? I'm no field medic, but at this rate I might see about learning how to set a dislocated shoulder."
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Cabaguil sets to work stitching up the pair and giving a little bit of pain reliever as the group punches out the dent in Alak's armor so it isn't pushing so much on his chest region. "Thanks, was getting hard to breath."
Alak (-21)
Kelvin (16/30)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Raspar (27/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cuthberwyn (26/28)
Dori (26/36)
Looking a little worse for wear himself, Kelvin turns to Cuthberwyn after he's been attended to and says, "You wouldn't happen to be have a kit of your own? I'm no field medic, but at this rate I might see about learning how to set a dislocated shoulder."
Cuthberwyn smiles, as he is already setting down his pack to pull out his kit. Right here, he says, one eye on Raspar. You, uh...you had us worried for a bit there, like you weren't right in the head.
Cabaguil wipes his hands and says, "Let's try the first door on our left shall we?" he gestures up the first tunnel. "Might as well start there as anywhere, right?"
He turns back to Alak, "Maybe you should hang back a little. I don't like how that one bandage is seeping. We'll check it when we next rest."
He moves a little way down the tunnel, but waits for the warriors to lead as usual.
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Alak nods in agreement. "Will help where I can." Cabaguil nods towards the first tunnel on the left as the group cracks the door open.
A broken bed frame, splintered drawers, and a smashed desk mark this chamber as a long-abandoned bedroom. Greasy tents and moldy piles of cloth reveal that someone has recently been squatting here.
Squatting in the room are a pair of intelligent frog-like creatures holding clubs. Their voices are croaky and unsettling and their laughter
rings out with a disgusting burping quality. "Look Krikk, there more than goblins down here." Roak looks confused. "But we chase them out til tunnel is done."
Society
Raspar smiles as he sees the frog creatures, new friends he has yet to meet. He strides up to them.
Diplomacy
”Oh hai,” Raspar beams, holding out his hand. ”We didn’t mean to disturb you, but we’re here because they said some monsters had kicked them out of their home. Have you seen any monsters around here?” Raspar asks, looking around for monsters.
You, uh...you had us worried for a bit there, like you weren't right in the head.
"I don't think I was. Whatever those bird things did got in my head. When I could actually see it was like there were threats everywhere. But everything was hazy and confusing. If we run into more of those, we should turn the other way."
==============================
Kelvin winces when he hears Rasp phrase it wrong. Quickly jumping in, he adds a little lie that will hopefully give them pause. "To be clear, we're an advance scouting group of the Hellknight Order of the Nail. The goblins have allied with the Order."
He then looks over to Alak, then adds, "Lictor, should I call forward the troops?"
to ID
"My friends! Look, there is no reason for hostilities, er, yet. Let's chat a while and see what we can do for each other. So, come down here often? What are you tunneling into? Something we can do to help?"
"We're a very helpful group." he suggests, and nearly calls out Alak as someone they've helped, but it occurs to him he's also looking fairly wounded and tired just now, so maybe that's not the best thing to point out. He stops while he's ahead.
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Up close Raspar notices a strange symbol or rather insignia imprinted in the creatures shoulder plate. A sort of smoking dragon's claw.
All of the Cinderclaws wear their cult’s insignia prominently, a symbol of a smoking dragon’s claw. The Cinderclaws themselves are a relatively unknown cult, but you recognize it as an unusual symbol sometimes associated with the cult of Dahak, the god of evil dragons. His more well-known symbol is that of a falling burning scale, but this successful Religion check confirms that the smoking claw is one used by those of his worshippers who focus more on his aspect as a god of destruction than of evil dragons or greed.
While Raspar believes these creatures to be little more than giant toads Cabaguil recognizes them as boggards. Their sticky tongues able to grab ahold of victims 10 feet away and their terrifying croaks can frighten off even the most hearty of warriors.
Boggards are aggressive humanoid amphibians that thrive in swamps, marshes, and even some rain forests. Boggards hatch from eggs into tadpoles, fiercely competing for food and even consuming their siblings in that struggle. Over 3 years, the surviving boggards develops arms, legs, and lungs while learning the rudiments of hunting, crafts, and warfare—everything needed to survive in their might-makes-right society. At the top of most boggard hierarchies lords a hulking swampseer imbued with sinister divine magic.
As Kelvin looks back at Alak he is holding his own head from the severe injures he has sustained. The pair of boggards squint their eyes, raising their clubs as they smash them on the ground. "You lie, and not good." *Croak*
Cabaguil cuts them short from attacking as he tends to men the situation. “There are many Cinderclaws—many! We came through the glorious portal. We invade your lands! We dig into your homes! We destroy all! And when Malarunk unleash Dahak—glorious, glorious Dahak! You cannot stop Cinderclaws!” They seem restless and eager for a fight, even more so with Kelvin lying to them. "Bring the Hellknights. Soon Cinderclaws below activate elf gate Huntergate. Overwhelming force of Cinderclaws will pour in from Mwangi Expanse into Isger and release Dahak!" The pair chortle.
Dori (26/36)
----------------------------------
Boggards
----------------------------------
Cabaguil (22/22)
Cuthberwyn (26/28)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Kelvin (29/30)
Raspar (27/28)
Alak (-21)
Kelvin gasps at the mention of Dahak. Is this it? Is this how it starts?
Know (Religion)
Raspar stares blankly at the smoky insignia certain his new friends will help him find the monsters that the goblins spoke of.