The journey starts out great. Everytime Coronus would start to slip either Mateoor Lysanders strong grip would right him... until the last area before going under the waterfall, when the Centaur's hooves slip on the wet surface and he falls to his side beginning to slide towards the edge. Bludgeoning damage from the fall.
STR DC10 for both to make it, or DC15 for one to make it.
Lysander and Mateo brace themselves and try to keep the big priest from slipping over the edge.
Bludgeoning damage from the fall unless one of the above rolls are made. Reflex DC16 for half damage.
Perception DC 15
Ahead of you after you pass under the falls you see a rope ladder descending down to the lake below the falls. You see (4) squat lizard like humanoids climbing the ladder with baskets full of squirming fish. As the last climbs the crest onto the trail you see them point at you, and drop the baskets of fish to the ground.
Lysander grabs for his friend before the slick surface takes him. "No you don't, Coronus!"
The big centurion takes a quick look around before speaking a bit softer to his friends. "We don't know what to expect here, my four hooved friend. A fall like that would make an awful clamor."
"And it seems we have company" Lysander gestures to the lizardlike creatures as they drop their baskets.
As the centaur begins to slip, Mateo tightens his grip on his part of the makeshift rope and holds on tightly.
He braces his feet against a nearby rock, the angle providing friction for his feet and letting the taut muscles in his arms and legs support Coronus's weight. He looked over at Lysander and saw the demigod easily holding his own there. Giving him a nod, the two soldiers would begin to pull Coronus back in and out of the dangerous fall below.
"We got you, friend." Mateo says, patting the centaur's side with a grin. Lysander's gesture called out to the retreating foes who hurried along back into wherever they came from. "There went the element of surprise." Mateo thoght softly, resolute that they should be expecting trouble now. "I'll scout ahead just a bit but they're expecting us. If either you or Aristeides have any magic you'd like to cast, not would be the time to do it."
Once their preparations are down, Mateo would quietly make his way forward towards wherever the troglodytes went. He hoped that the roar of the waterfall would cover his approach somewhat as he kept his eyes peeled for an ambush.
Lysander:
Mateo:
Coronus:
Aristeides:
Baddies:
Initial Range: Far
Aristiedes
Mateo
Coronus
Lysander
Poor bad guys
Not sure if killing the troglodytes is a good idea, Aris decides to remove them from combat without harm.
With the enemies swiftly approaching, Mateo steps behind his comrades for the moment and draws out his bow. Nocking an arrow, he lays sight upon them but waits until they are closer.
Coronus attempts to balance in a precarious position. Now with threats approaching. He carefully pulls out his longbow and readies to fire with Mateo.
Lysander slips to the front of the group, his shield placed to easily defend his comrades, and his blade drawn itching for action.
Coronus attempts to balance in a precarious position. Now with threats approaching. He carefully pulls out his longbow and readies to fire with Mateo.
Coronus attempts to balance in a precarious position. Now with threats approaching. Coronus readies his shield and focuses on not being hit.
One of the vicious humanoids suddenly stretches, yawns and slumps to the ground, almost rolling over the edge. He lies on his back snoring with one foot over the edge. His companions pay him no heed as they charge towards their change in diet over fish.
Unfortunately for Mateo his well aimed arrow flies through the empty space where the lazy Troglodyte decided to take a pre-dinner nap.
The Trogldytes bellow some inhuman sound, and begin skittering, and lurching towards you all seemingly unimpaired by the treacherous terrain, as their clawed toes dig into the ground.
Aris decides to take one further step towards lethality - even when he was trying not to kill, the guy killed himself by falling down the cliff...
He conjures a small ball of fire, which jumps forward to one of the smaller troglodytes.
Mateo watches as the scholar's lethality increases, the fireball forming in the elf's hand before soaring out across the way. Mateo levels his arrow again, sighting that same enemy before firing an arrow at him as well.
Coronus draws his sword and focuses on his footing.
He prays to Chiron for the ability to strike his foes with divine fire.
"Think they want some wine, maybe grapes?" Lysander chides as he lunges for the bigger trog. "Hello chum! What say we dance?"
@ Aristeides>>: The wily mage is sure the Trog he put to sleep is going to roll over the edge to his death, but at the last minutes he hits a small bolder and his roll off the edge is arrested. He then turns his attention to another of the beasts, and watches it's eyes widen in surprise as a glowing ember takes him in the chest. He stops in his tracks trying to beat out the flame as...
@Mateo>>: Mateo takes careful aim at the confused creature, and his arrow takes him straight in the eye ending his miserable existence. He is not so fortunate as his slumbering friend, and falls over the edge trailing smoke like a comet.
@Coronus>>: Coronus holds his place and tries prepares to attempt to dodge any attackers who make it through to him, cheering on his comrades.
@Lysander>>: Lysander does not hesitate, but falls into his old soldiers routine, stepping forward to take out the greatest threat... the bigger of the Troglodytes, however he is unprepared for the stench of the creature and nearly gags as he gets close enough to attack.
DC 15 CON Check or poisoned. (Disadvantage on attacks and ability checks). If you are poisoned you need to roll your attack again to account for the disadvantage of being poisoned.
The hulking Troglodyte smiles... maybe... and though he's not fond of the smell of Lysander he isn't sickened by it, however you can tell by his squinting and looking away that the direct sunlight definitely is bothering him.
Attacks Vs. Lysander.
Hulk:
Claw
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing Damage
Claw
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing Damage
Bite
Bite (Disadvantage)
Piercing Damage
Mini Hulk:
Claw
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing Damage
Claw
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing Damage
Bite
Bite (Disadvantage)
Piercing Damage
And between the two of them they manage to almost bring the man to his knees.
Total of 22 points of damage.
OUCH!
A grim smile spreads across his face at the sight of the trogolodyte falling off the side, the arrow protruding from his face as it toppled over the side. The two others descended upon brave Lysander and as well as he could fight, the two beasts fought just as dangerously. More than once did a blow connect to him and soon enough, his friend was nearly toppled over.
"Lysander!" Mateo shouted, lifting his bow up once more and aiming for the smaller of enemies. He took a moment to whisper a prayer to Lysander's father for his blessing before firing the arrow off.
"Focus fire them down! Areisteides, follow my arrows and burn them down. Coronus, support Lysander." The half-elf commanded. The stress of the situation brought back his years with the legion as he nocked another arrow and looked for his moment to fire again.
Aristeides might be a philosopher, but now they're in battle and in battle you should do as soldiers do. He nods to Mateo's shouts, assuming at the smallest enemy and firing his spell again
Coronus sheathes his sword and carefully approaches behind Lysander. "By the battle rage of Chiron, keep fighting!"
The other smaller Trog also falls off the ledge leaving a trail of smoke.
"Keep fighting, Aye." Lysander grumbles as he looks up at the bigger Trog. "You still with me, Princess?"
Lysander tries to score a telling blow, but the blood on his hands makes the sword slip a bit... then he feels the warmth of healing enter his battered body, and with a surge of energy spins in place scoring a deep blow on the chest of the creature.
"Arrrrgh Die"!
The lumbering brute leaps onto the centurion attempting to tear him limb for limb... but obviously battling the bright sunlight on the side of the cliff beside the falls. Storm clouds begin to suspiciously attempt to block the sun as the fight continues.
Claw 1
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing damage
Claw 2
Claw (Disadvantage)
Slashing damage
Bite
Bite (Disadvantage)
Piercing damage
Total of 5 Damage
One of the claws slaps upside Lysancer's face partially tearing one earlobe off.
Aris feels a bit more confident with the troglodytes reduced to only one, though he knows this is the scariest one, so he fires again at him with his magic.
Another troglodyte falls to the ground and Matteo's confidence grows, the shortbow lifted once more to take aim at the remaining foe. As a fireball is fired at the fearsome enemy, he takes advantage of the distraction and aims for a shot in the lower gut where all the juiciest and painful organs laid vulnerable.
The hulking foe jukes out of the way, the arrow singing through the air before being lost within the heavy sounds of the falls around them.
"By Chiron, keep fighting with both ears!" Coronus says and knits Lysander's ear together.
Aristeides flings forth a pitiful globe of flame which hits the big Trog right between the eyes. His eyes widen as the destructive force nears... then he bellows in laughter as it fizzles to almost nothing as it hits.
Mateo attempts to hit the laughing beast with an arrow but his pitiful attempt at archery hits the ground between the beasts feet... and Lysanders.
Coronus keeps the holy healing flowing.
Lysander up then bad guy.
[dice=bonus healing for Lysander from previous two Cure Wounds]2d8
@Lysander: You can use those two 7's instead of the 6 and 4. Hould give you a few additions healing points.
Lysander seems to swell with the healing power of a god he does not know. He'd have to ask Coronus to tell him more of Charon at some point. He chances a squint towards the light shed by the sun. "Well, smelly. It seems this isn't your day."
He smiles a knowing grin and pushes his sword towards the monsters belly.
preparing his shield for the inevitable counter-attack.
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With a grunt and if your observation is correct a look of surprise, the big Troglodyte first falls to his knees, then collapses forward his neck almost cut through by Lysanders last blow.
And BTW...
"Good job!" Aris feels an euphoric surge after the victory. He understands, for the first time in his life, why some soldiers and conquerors end up addicted to battle.
Lysander lies flat on his back and breathes for a moment.
"Coronus, remind me to sacrifice something special to Charon later."
Coronus pats the demigod on the shoulder and replies with a mirthful chuckle. "Yes. Will do. First thing first is to honor is name, Chiron (KYE-ron). I believe Charon guards the Underworld."
The last troglodyte falls and Mateo lets out a breath before he moves closer, looking down at his friend who laid upon the ground catching his breath.
"You need to keep your shield arm up higher, my friend. Good show though, don't scare my like that ever again though." Mateo looks at the other two and gives them a nod of thanks; the fight was fierce but quickly over. Their tactics were tightening up though, a good show for certain.
"Take a bit to rest; I don't think that'll be the last of the smelly bastards."
Lysander just shakes his finger in agreement with his friend, then plops back to take a breather.
The party's celebration has unwanted side effect, as the Troglodyte peacefully sleeping on the trail before them begins to stretch and grumble in his sleep. His skin had slowly taken on the colorization of the surroundings, and he'd almost been forgotten.
Perception.
However she must have been dreaming that her King had chosen her as his favorite Concubine, and she wanted the dream to continue, and rolled over even closer to the edge, and began to snore again.
"Oh s@@#..." Mateo hissed as the camouflaged troglodyte nearly awoken from their slumber off in the distance. Quietly, he drew closer towards them and gave a look over the beast. The creatures were quite tough but he would hold onto the spear tightly. Taking his time, he would lift the spear upwards and try to jam it down into the sleeping target.
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The last remaining Troglodyte never wakes from her erotic dream, as Mateo shoves his spear all the way through her neck...she never moves, and the party can continue their rest.
The party had just about finished resting when suddenly they were startled by a commotion from the edge of the falls above them.
"Help! I say Help! I mean could I possibly impose upon you to help me from this unfortunate situation".
The group looks up just in time to see a fancy canoe go slipping over the edge of the falls and plummets to the foot of the falls smashing into a thousand pieces as it lands. Following it's trajectory you see a fancily dressed person hanging at the edge of the falls his arms wrapped around a branch snagged at the top of the falls... for now. He weakly raises an arm to wave and get your attention almost losing his grip as he does so.
Deimus:
Your pleasant picnic along the river didn't exactly go as planned. First your paramour's father showed up just as the wine began to take effect, then it started raining, and your paddle broke... and now the falls were dead ahead with no way to stop your plummet. At the last minute you saw a snag from a tree hung up on the edge of the falls and were able to lunge and grab onto it as your beautiful... and rented canoe plunged over the edge. Now what? You suddenly heard voices from below you through the roar of the falls and spotted what looked like four men and a horse below you on the trail. It also looked like some larger creatures were sleeping below them. Ah Rescue!
"Uh... That one seems to be in danger, and not a troglodyte." Aris los ser the situation for an instant. "A rope might be useful if we wanted to help. Do we have one?"
Did he ask whether I was a Troglodyte?! thinks Deimus, for a moment distracted from his impending death. He frees a hand again, risking a plunge, but this time, instead of waving, he tries to fix his hair.
The half-elf you see hanging to dear life looks quite athletic and nimble, but seems to be dressed more for a banquet or a feast than for travel or adventure. He wears cerulean blue flowing pants, held by a wide leather and silver belt with a hefty pouch attached and no shirt.
"May I count on your help? And did you say Troglodytes are about? If so, then I must impose on you! One can face death only so often in one day, and I'm running out of fingers!"
The centaur looks at the two ropes that Mateo and Lysander have used to prevent him from tumbling down the trail.
"I've got two right here that someone can use."
The canoe goes crashing over the edge of the falls, plummeting down before shattering apart in the rocky waters below. His eyes immediately look up to see the fancily dressed half-elf clinging to the rocks there. The man looked ridiculous and entirely out of place for how deep into the wilds they were now.
"The Fates are strange..." Mateo murmured, untying one of the ropes from Coronus and fastening instead around himself. "Stay." He says to Coronus with a wide, s++%-eating grin on his face as he makes he way to the rocks. "Someone please hold onto the rocks while we extricate our worried friend." The rocks were mossy and wet; there would be precious few things to hold onto. They may have been fated heroes but Mateo had no doubts between a powerful mage, a demi-god, and a blessed centaur, that he was the most disposable.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Just hold tight friend." Mateo would murmur, the athletic half-elf beginning to climb up the rocks. Deimus would recognize that the half-elf and one of the other men were dressed in the colors of the Centurions, a famed fighting force from the city of Mystros some distance away.
Without question, Lysander braces himself against the rocks, holding the rope to make sure Mateo doesn't fall to his death trying to help the fancy one.
"May the gods smile upon your fate! This is a blessing, yes, to meet such kindness in the wilderness! Yes, do be careful, these rocks look slippery indeed. No point rescuing one only to have two gone, no?" Deimus says while hanging for dear life.
After a bit of initial confusion on how to reach the dangling dandy hanging about 25' up the falls the group is finally able to rescue the soaking individual, and bring him to rest on the trail where they had so recently dispatched the Troglodyte.
@Demius>>: As you reach safety you can see that you were mistaken... there is no horse here, but a Centaur, Two kin of yours (Half Elves), and a Human... and a very dead Troglodyte.
After the introductions the party follows the natural trail to a cleft in the cliffside which shows sign of much travel. To the right over the edge of the cliff you can see the rope ladder the Troglodytes used for scaling the cliff down towards the pool beneath the falls. You also pass two full baskets of fish, some alive and some dead flopping about on the ground from two spilled baskets.
The path leads downward"
This natural tunnel runs for fifty feet at a slight incline. The floor is wet and moss grows along the walls and ceiling. The floor is well-used, covered in the tracks of the foul creatures from the waterfall. The tunnel eventually forks. To the left, the tunnel
continues into a network of natural caves. A terrible stench comes from this direction, along with echoing shrieks of pain and horror. To the right, the tunnel becomes a stonework passageway.
Reaching safe ground, Deimus sighs and gives you all a formal bow: "Consider me in your debt. I am Deimus, at your service." You can tell that being in someone's debt is not something he is too happy with.
Deimus has a very... magnetic appearance. Everything about him, his melodic voice, his pale skin, his glittering pale blue eyes, his set jaw, his naked and athletic exposed torso, but also the makeup he uses around his eyes and on his cheeks, his stylish baggy pants and fine leader sandals, is something that catches your attention, teases out a thought or an opinion.
He seems... godlike.
Deimus turns to the churning waters and shrugs: "A fine bboat it was, and a fine date, just ruined by the father. I guess that's what good fathers do... I should be bitter about him sending me to my demise, yes?"
"Right. As I said, at your service! Allow me to repay my debt my lingering alongside you and help in any way a master of Thylea's arcane mysteries can!"
Deimus stays at the back, but he offers to provide light if someone comments on the darkness.
" Is this the dead Troglodyte's cave? It sure smells like it. I'd suggest going where it smells better..." he otherwise offers, whispering for once.
The flamboyant man was quite the character; his appearance more reminiscent of men described in old stories and tales then that of an actually person. To Mateo, Deimus looked and sounded like a nobleman, an idea that brought a chuckle to his lips and an errant thought to his mind.
"Would I have been like him if I had been born under a different omen?" The thought only stayed in his mind for a moment though before he let it free, such daydreams were useless when the Oath of Peace between the Gods and the Titans were about to come to an end. They had a job to do and a new, willing ally to assist them it seemed.
"I am Mateo Nikas, Odyssean of Mystros. This is Lysander, Coronus, and Aresteides. If you feel obliged, you can help us clear the caves ahead." Mateo quickly moves ahead to the point of the group, his steps quiet and certain as he moved closer towards that entrance way. Deeper into the tunnel, his ears twitch at the sound of pain and misery coming from the awful direction to the left.
"If we seek to rescue to centaurs as well, we should assume they're this way. I'll lead on. Keep the light on my back." Mateo would scout just outside of the light's reach, using his natural vision to help him see in the darkness as he led the party onwards. His shortbow is drawn as he carefully steps onwards.
The centaur nods at his name when Mateo introduces him to the new half-elf. His focus is obviously on his footing until they reach the tunnel. While not having the sky above causes him discomfort, he visibly relaxes a bit when he leaves the cliffside trail. With a quick prayer to Chiron, he causes the emblem of the lidless eye with the tail of a comet on his shield to glow.
"Thank you, Mateo. We go toward the shrieking. Hopefully, we're not too late to save the centaurs." He keeps his right hand free to start rescue with a Sword of Chiron.