Ezren shares his findings with the team, especially about the black pudding and its dangers.
"Sorry, but my quick estimate on the ring was inconclusive. I could take some more time maybe to work it out if you all feel it would benefit us." offers the wizard.
"Regarding the black pudding, can we circumvent it and go another route potentially? I'm good either way, but be warned about the hazards related to the weapons."
I’m kind of partial to my sword. Perhaps we should at least investigate where this other passage leads, if anywhere, before risking a trip to the blacksmith after we get outta here.
Fumbus agrees, "Good call Mr. Door Basher. Other book guy, you know what type o' bombs work best on dat ting case we fight it?"
I aughta start writin dese guys names down.
"I can call on the solar fire of my Goddess, if the creature is vulnerable to heat."
"I advise avoidance if at all possible. I agree we should pursue the alternate pathway as you advise Valeros." offers Ezren.
Turning to Fumbus, "I don't specifically recall any weaknesses or immunities per se. My guess is that fire would do normal damage. For weapons, bludgeoning is the only recommended methodology."
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Ezren isn't sure of much else, but assumes most elements will work as normal against the pudding. Perhaps several slashes to quarter the ooze, followed by blasting the lot with godly and alchemical fire.
Walking down the roughly-hewn side passage turns into a slog. You move slowly not only because you are forced to, but for fear of sinking any deeper into the now-blue sludge. After a turn, the path extends a ways before it once again disappears into darkness. Five misshapen stone columns that hold up the sub-chamber also impede your view somewhat.
"You would think you would get used to the smell of the sewers, but no. It is just like a rotting body." Amiri say splashing through the sludge.
Kyra pauses to kindle a torch.
Valeros thanks Kyra for the light. Anyone know what this blue sludge is? Or at least whether we can keep walking on it without sinking in?
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Fumbus is sure it'd take years to analyze all the sludge's components, as it's a more concentrated form of the normal sewer's contents: runoff from Quantium's many arcane laboratories. It's somehow safe to walk through, if difficult to do so
Passing by the second pillar, Valeros has but a second to react as he looks at it. A covering of yellow slime pushes off the stone and rains down onto the runoff, covering him and several teammates!
"I knew this was going to happen eventually." Amiri says wiping off some of the slime.
This keeps up, I'm going to look like the scrolls Ez always has his nose buried in.
Fumbus rushes up, just outside the range of the mold and pulls out two vials, "Drink these, they might help!"
Amiri grabs the potion, Thanks little one. She pops the top and takes a swig.
Probably time to chug one of these.
Working quickly, Kyra takes out various medical supplies and begins to wash off the toxic slime before applying a thick, sweet-smelling salve.
Amiri will reaches for her own elixir and drinks it down.
Muttering under her breath, the Keleshite continues to work on the barbarian.
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The fungus takes its toll, eventually flaking off or sticking to skin. Amiri is able to weather much of the harm, though. Knowing what to look out for, you all notice telltale signs of more spores on the fourth pillar. With this in mind it's easy to burn it or disturb it enough to burst harmlessly. The way forward is clear, if not appealing.
Shaking her head, Kyra applies healing magic to the barbarian.
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Kyra patches up Amiri as best she can. You move forward as a team, wary of any further mold or sinkholes. The smashed tunnels quickly give way to a larger room, back in the sewer.
This large, vaulted chamber is filled with a shallow pool of greenish slurry ringed by a stone walkway. Large inflow passages to the east and south add slow rivulets of sludge to the pool, which drains lazily away to the northwest. An enormous metal contraption 20 feet in diameter stands in the middle of the pool. Four round legs support the machine, and several hoses slurp the slurry in the pool. The contraption chugs and hums ominously.
Across the chamber are two people, a tall Garundi man and woman. They look quite alike, with high cheekbones, greasy hair, and countless acid scars. A little doll made of doughy clay wades in the slurry, its massive head barely breaking the surface. It notices you emerge and begins to keen loudly! In response, the Ohrlavi twins start and draw kukris. "Intruders! Get them, Kanker," Bijan roars.
These must be the folks we're looking for? Don't seem too friendly. Valeros strides forward, placing himself between the group and these new antagonists, and raises his shield.
Ezren, seeing the battlefield relatively clear, decides to open up with a hellish blast of fire, hoping to engulf all of the enemy combatants!
Hoping to end the fight quickly, he elects to use his Hand of the Apprentice instead of move to a safer location. He targets the lead combatant, bespells the weapon, and hurls his staff!
Fumbus moves out of the tunnel into the fight, but stays up on the walkway to lob bombs at the enemies. As the explosion rocks over the three targets he shrugs, "How bout cold? Can ya do that too?"
He lobs a frost vial at the closer human, hoping to hurt and slow them down. He then pulls a flask out of his pouch.
for & slowed by 10 ft till end of next turn. If misses, it takes the splash and isn't slowed. If crit misses, no damage.
Ezren packed a lot of punch into that one action focus spell.
I would like to use a Hero Point to re-roll that attack.
If possible, here is my new roll:
Merisiel bounds south, circling around the walkway at the edge of the chamber to flank the villains and allow Valeros to take center stage with his nice, hardy shield.
Kyra steps up between Fumbus and Amira, raising her ankh holy symbol in benediction and chanting a prayer to her deity for support.
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Bijan yells in anger at the doll's destruction, while Zaynap calls an arcane word. Instantly, the machine starts chugging more intensely, sucking in sludge from under it. Perhaps it could be disabled conventionally or using the knowledge of ooze-crafting
The pair step forward and start flinging vials at Valeros. He blocks one with his shield and another falls in the muck, but each explodes near him. He finds himself lightly burned, shocked, or chilled in several places.
Valeros grunts in pain as the vials explode near him and their contents splash him. All right, that's not happening again. Might end up having to take a trip to the blacksmith after all. He stalks forward to the northernmost alchemist and lashes out with both sword and shield.
"I'll handle the machine! Everyone else focus on the enemy combatants!" shouts Ezren, hoping his telecast doesn't make him a target!
Ezren pushes his aging body as he hustles over to the slimy contraption. He scans his memory of occult lore, hoping something makes sense of things.
Fumbus slams back the elixir and his vision narrows, helping him focus on his enemies. He points at the closer target, "You suck!"
Realizing the dude is ignoring the little goblin, he moves forward and points again saying, "HEY JERK, YOU SUCK AT THROWIN, YA GODDA DO IT LIKE DIS!"
for + 3 Persistent
Still holding up her ankh, Kyra advances and concentrates on strengthening her blessing.
"I'll handle the machine! Everyone else focus on the enemy combatants!" shouts Ezren, hoping his telecast doesn't make him a target!
Ezren pushes his aging body as he hustles over to the slimy contraption. He scans his memory of occult lore, hoping something makes sense of things.
As Ezren realizes this is going to take some time, he quickly casts a Shield spell while he considers what to do.
Merisiel dashes right up to the southern foe, having exactly as much speed as she needs to attack twice.
"Hey, hey, buddy. You gonna get stabbed." And then she stabs.
She then quick draws her dagger. "Twice!" And then she stabs again.
Hrothdane
GM Crunch