Frustrated over the turn of events with the bees, Kalia decides to take it out on the giant ants. She charges one of them with a scream.
At the sight of the second set of enlarged creatures, Varis uttered "Either we are in some land with large creatures... or we have been magically shrunken!"
Varis Focuses on a cluster of the giant ants.
Seeing the foes as yet unbloodied, Iocundius stows his shield and draws his crossbow, with a mind to rectify that state of affairs...
The burst of light might have caught half of them... but strangely doesn't.
Shocked at the size of the creature. Antal's first thought is not of a threat but as a new riding mount. He starts to day dream of having such a steed, and snaps out of it with Kalia's battle cry.
Drawing back on his bow and sighting down his arrow. Antal lets the arrow fly.
Gaeldren moved alongside Kalia, allowing her to get the creature’s attention with her warcry. He brought his hammer down right behind it’s head, taking full advantage of it looking the other way.
Most of the attempts to kill these abnormally large ants come to naught, except Gaeldon who's mighty hammer slams into one of the ants chitin... knocking it sideways but not killing it despite the hole he's driven into the carapace.
1 ant on each party member... one ant possibly holding back. There is no reason you can see as to why it hasn't rushed into the fray.
Kalia for if hit, then you are grappled.
Varis for if hit, then you are grappled.
Iocundius for if hit, then you are grappled.
Antal for if hit, then you are grappled.
Gaeldon for if hit, then you are grappled.
Antal drawing his Rapier, he stabs at the ant.
The Ant bit deeply into Varis' arm as it maintained it's viscous grip.
Varis tried to slip out of the creatures grip.
Throwing caution to the wind, Gaelden attacked with wild swings, seeking to bring the ant down.
Kalia swung her hammer again, trying her best to kill these giant annoying insects.
Iocundius swings his mace at the ant!
Antal finds a gap in its hard carapace... he is rewarded with a squirt of ichor when he withdraws his blade.
Kalia misses, while Iocundius' mace bounces off his mark.
Varis is unable to escape the ants mandibles.
Gaeldon is able to crush his targets skull... leaving him opponent free.
The ants continue their attack.
Iocundus for
Kalia for *Grappled
Antal for *Grappled
* Varis.... the ant curls its body trying to make contact with a stinger at the end of its abdomen.
for DC11 Con Save vs Paralysis
Fresh from his kill, Gaelden moved onto the next most injured ant, swinging his hammer without regard for his own safety. Seeing how many of his comrades were grappled, he decided that now was not the time for caution.
Antal tries to side step the ants mandibles but trips on an exposed root. Just as the grabs hold of him.
Antal starts to spin sideways hopping his small size and flexability can slip out of the ants grasp.
"I am to ride you, not the other way around."
As the giant ant trapped her in it's fangs, Kalia retaliated by smashing her hammer down on it's body.
Varis goes limp in the mandibles of the giant ant.
Iocundus lashes out once again with his mace, eager to be done with this ant and aid his grappled companions!
The giant like Goliath smashes Antals ant, just as the plucky Halfling wiggles free. His ant looks like one good hit will drop it.
Kalia smashes the ant, cracking shell, as does Iocundius. Their ants are still fighting strong.
Varis falls limp and passes out from pain and wounds.
Strangely the unengaged ant still holds back from the combat... standing largely motionless apart from Antennas that wave slightly.
Death save Varis stabilises.
The Ant tries to stab the limb Varis again.
or
And stabs him with the stinger.
- Note, this is 2 failed death saves.
Iocundius for *if hit grappled
Kalia for *if hit grappled
Antal for *if hit grappled
Seeing Varis fall and assailed by multiple ants, Iocundius in one smooth motion gestures with his mace, then resumes battering the ant before him.
A bolt of energy flies from the cleric's hand, slamming into Varis' chest, as the man's words reach his ears:
"Varis! Rise and strike!"
Kalia smashed her hammer into the Ant again, hoping to beat it to death.
Antal grabbed it the vice grips of the ant again. Just goes and stabs the creature.
Varis suddenly breathes deeply as he is suddenly awakened by an all too familiar voice in his ears.
Although hurt and bruised Varis struck at the creature immediately feeling like it was out of his own control.
Desperation kicking in Varis again stabbed the creature not wanting to feel deaths cold grip again.
Lost in a silent rage, Gaelden kept going, unthinking of concerns such as “tactics” or “safety.” Rather, his hammer rose and fell, crushing any insect within striking distance.
Between Varis and Gaeldon they are able to kill that one.
Antals rapier skids off the ants shell.
Kalia beats her one to death!
Iocundius mace cracks his foes carapace.
Antals ant for If hit, grappled.
Iocundius Ant for
The ant that was standing back watching begins to shimmer and then changes shape to that of an old woman...
"Guess I have to kill an old woman now." said Kalia, who opts to move and smash Antal's Ant in the face.
"Take her down!", calls Iocundius, as he hammers the ant again!
"I will not be some kind of ant food!" yells Antal as he gives one final try to slay the ant and prevent it's death grip.
Still feeling lightheaded from death's embrace, Varis strikes his rapier into the touch shell of one of the Ant's still fighting.
Varis is able to scratch the shell...
Gaeldon swings, raging at Antals Ant...
w/ adv.
for
And manages to crack more of its carapace.
...
The crone, dressed all in ragged black, completes the transformation, her face all but cloaked in shadows under a hood. She's waves her hands... the Ants stop attacking, but more importantly you feel a supernatural grip on you. Stiffer and colder than Glacier Ice!
DC22 Wisdom save.., Yes. That's right.
Kalia Wis
Varis Wis
Antal Wis
Gaeldon Wis
Iocundius Wis He's the only one with a chance here, because, let's face it - HIS God likes him :)
You are ALL seized, frozen almost, in an icy implacable grip.
Well, well and Well, the old crone rasps, seemingly pleased. Quite the group of manlings and others we have here... yessss. Perhaps, perhaps they are fit for some purpose... other than my meal, She says with an iron menace that leaves you under little doubt she could fulfill the threat.
A colourful oriole wings out of the trees and also transforms into an old woman... but one dressed in clothing more appropriate to an old farmers wife, and far less threatening by far.
Really?, she chides. That was hardly necessary... especially with the Ants.
Test them, we must... yesss. They have steel and courage... the dark robed cackles from within the darkness of her hood. Not much skill though.
Her will still locks you in place...
Iocundius Wis
Even the priest.
Time... the seasons race even now and the stars shift. Tests unto destruction do little good you know. Especially now. These could be a final chance... if they are brave enough, the pleasant old woman gentle rebukes the other figure, and ending on a suggestive note.
and Strong enough, the crone says. Yes, yes..., finishing the sentiment brusquely and impatiently.
Maybe we should invite them for tea? They do seem more promising than others who made it here.
Iocundius Wis
The black robed crone considers this for a moment then waves her gnarled hands in defeat.
Very well, she Croaks, and waves her hands again.
And with that you find yourselves able to move and standing in the spacious kitchen of a farmers cottage. It is neat and tidy, except for a large, ugly, raw-looking rocking chair in a corner, in which sits the old crone, rocking back and forth ominously. The room is lit by Dim morning light entering windows of wavery and translucent glass.
How do you take your Tea dearies? the pleasant old woman asks you... a grandmotherly matron with a simple dress with a green apron, long hair, silver-white and thinning done in a neat bun, and green eyes.
Kalia opens her mouth to say something (knowing her, something rather mean), when the group is teleported.
She opts to instead allow one of the others to speak flowery words and chooses not to sabotage the attempt.
Magic. The one thing Gaelden feared. He looked around nervously.
”Never had tea before. Thanks...eh...for the tea...and not eating us.”
Iocundius does his best not to simply glare.
Ware...they are strong enough to crush us.
"Iocundius Paulum, Servant of Law. I take my tea with a little milk and no sugar. What is this about a 'test' and with whom am I speaking?"
Shocked and relived being whisked away from certain death. Takes a quick look around and answers the question.
From the wounds that Antal has suffered. He replies "With a healing potion or two, please."
"Iocundius Paulum, Servant of Law. I take my tea with a little milk and no sugar. What is this about a 'test' and with whom am I speaking?"
Names... names are dangerous, Priest, you of all people should know that, she chides very very gently, as she prepares tea cups. If a name is needed? Hmmmm.... Matron Sagmārius will do.
"With a healing potion or two, please."
I think you'll find the tea restorative young one, she says smiling.
Sit, such is the invitation you find yourselves sitting down... into perfectly sized wooden chairs that were not there a moment ago!
Much more comfortable I think, she says passing each of you a cup.
Leave the dregs as you drink... we can read the tea leaves. Drink and we'll talk. Have a scone even... , looking down you see that you are holding a baked scone, still warm from the oven.
Deciding that the witch could have killed them if she wanted everyone dead, Gaelden ate and drank. And if this was just a cruel joke, then she would obviously have a backup plan to kill those who did not play along. So the Goliath decided that if he was going to die, then he might as well die with a full stomach.
"Matron Sagmārius it is then."
Iocundius drinks his tea and tucks into the scones, for similar reasons to Gaelden.
"These are very good scones.", the priest notes.
The smell of warm tea and fresh scones is almost too much for Varis to bear. Being close to death once again, the visions of of the giant ant it's mandibles ripping into Varis' flesh. Varis could feel his hands shaking, drinking the tea before he knew what he was doing. A scone shortly following into his mouth almost uncontrollably. It tastes amazing as Varis tries to relax a little and feel a little more at ease. Seeing the power old women had over them is more than enough for Varis to realize that he should choose his words wisely. He only hoped his companions could do the same.
"Greetings, my name is Varis Martel. I guess we should thank you for not eating us when you had the chance." Looking down at the holes in his armor and tears in his clothes from the large insects Varis continued "Although not for lack of trying. Anyway, what is it you want with us? We have been sent here by the lord of the fort across the river. The city was recently raided and evidence point us this direction. Clearly something is going on here... other than delicious baking of course."
She accepts Varis' introduction with a nod.
We will try to explain, says the Matron.
Without breaking their minds, rasps the crone, face still draped in shadow, from the gnarled old rocking chair.
Yes... that is always the challenge, agrees the Matron thoughtfully.
Lets us suppose, moppets, that you have a bucket of oil on one side of the scale? And on the other? Hmmmm? Let's say a piglet...
And the floor itself was banked coals awaiting Fuel..., interjects the Crone.
if the scales were sudden released and the bucket and its contents were heavier, what would happen and how could you stop the fall of the scale without changing the contents of the scale?, the Matron asks.
Varis pondered the riddle "So I assume once the bucket of oil hits the coals that a fire would follow? The bucket would have to tip on some manner would it not? If it did would we not let the bucket fall and enjoy the roast pig or are we engulfed in flame as well?"
"Place a firm hand onto the piglet - or the side of the piglet. Or a firm hand beneath the bucket."
At the explanation, Iocundius feels a sense familiarity....
Everything would burn Varis Matrel, says the Crone, and the way she says his name feels like fingers down a slateboard to the half elf, as if she were directly touching some part within him. YOU would not be the one to enjoy roasted flesh, she finishes with a certain dread relish.
A hand on the scale you say Priest of the Empire?, says the Matron, avoiding use of his name. Yes, that is the way... and so it has been for the Aeons.
It could be said the bucket of oil itself was a placement of one set of forces... and the piglet? Sadly a replacement for a much heavier weight, that now no longer exists. Call it a long term gambit that in this case, may now pay off, Matron Sagmārius explains.
And now all we have is a piglet, rasps the crone. Not fit for task.
But also a possible hand on the scales, the other counters.
Not looking a gift horse in the mouth where the old crone could have let him be an ant snack. Antal drinks the cup of tea and nibbles on the scone.
"It sounds like a trap. No matter which you try and save.....hay what do you mean all you have is a piglet?" Felling better after the drink and snack, but wondering if he is about to be dropped into the fire.
"Perhaps it would be better to just tell us what you want us to do. A lever doesn't need to know why when pulled it opens a door; it just opens a door." said Kalia. She was clearly uncomfortable and wanted to be away from this place as soon as possible.