Brayka braces from the impact of the falling roof which crashes partially across his shield while Darg duckrolls sideways and avoids the rubble completely . Then Ryiah - releasing her grip from the horses! - races around the other side of the building while Nenyath raises they shield and cuts at one, severing tens of carapaced and still-writhing legs as it reels from the blow...
...the "black" critter attempts to savage Brayka twice before scuttling sickly up the 15 foot wall and back upsidedown the partial ceiling!
...
Nenyath
Ryiah
Black Crawler (15 feet upsidedown on ceiling - out of reach)
Brayka
Darg
Red Crawler (-6 slash)
Green Crawler
Yellow Crawler
Horses!
...
|
Brayka's ear perks up at the sound of panicked barking and neighs. He:
◆ Strides across Darg and out the side door to see Plum.
◆ Slashes with his bastard sword at "Red"
◆ Roars a command at Plum: "Come Here!"
↺Reaction prepared:
Unimpeded
Liberating Step
Brayka races for the door, attacking a crawler from around cover of the wall, and missing. He tries yelling at Plum, but only manages to see which direction he and Desert Wind run off too... Meanwhile Darg manages to kill the already wounded Crawler...
...One responds by scuttling across the floor and lashing out at Darg, while another snaps twice with it's horrible mandibles at Nenyath's face!
The crawler injects a foul substance into they veins, then both crawl back up the walls and onto the ceiling, just out of range of counterattack!
Both animals bolt full speed Northeast!
...
...
Nenyath (-3 piercing) Fort Save pending
Ryiah
Black Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Brayka (-6 roof)
Darg
Green Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Yellow Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Horse (1 round full speed NE)
Dog (1 round full speed NE)
Reacting with incredible prowess, Darg slays the beast as it crawls away from him, never reaching the ceiling. Brayka lessens the sting upon Nenyath, but not enough to blunt the poison, which still begins to course through they veins. Ryiah aims what would have been a killing blast, but the creature scuttles just in time to dodge the incoming projectile. Nenyath take in the scene, and...
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SNapping their shield into the face of the creature, Nenyath flinches as some of the venom starts pumping through their bloodstream, feeling the tell tale burn from the slight wound caused. Standing their ground they lash out with their Blade at the green carapace monster before raising their shield once more to protect themselves.
for
for
The poison courses through the Redeemer's veins, burning them from the inside out, a sweat crossing their face , Nenyath lashes out at the creature upsidedown 15-feet up on the ceiling - but fails to reach it!...
...Meanwhile, with his guard lowered, the other crawler scuttles down the wall, and strikes at Darg once - which he blocks with his shield! - then scuttles quickly back up with inhuman grace!
...
Nenyath (-0 piercing, -4 poison) Second Fort Save pending
Ryiah
Black Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Brayka (-6 roof)
Darg
Green Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Horse (1 round full speed NE)
Dog (1 round full speed NE)
...
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Brayka watches Plum ignore his call and run off. Agony tears Brayka’s face into a tear speckled scowl as he turns back into the room. He:
◇ Drops his bastard sword at his feet to
◆ Draw his sling then
◆ Load a lead shot sporting the impression of a mug and
◆ Loops the sling in a tight Geb Overhand figure 8 style (specially designed for shield bearers) to hurl the shot at the Green Crawler
...taking it out with a perfectly aimed shot!...
...
Nenyath (-0 piercing, -4 poison) Second Fort Save pending
Ryiah
Black Crawler (ceiling 15 feet up)
Brayka (-6 roof)
Darg
Horse (1 round full speed NE)
Dog (1 round full speed NE)
. Darg skewers the last crawler on the ceiling, green slime dripping down the haft...
...meanwhile the animals continue sprinting in the northeasterly direction...
...meanwhile Nenyath is on the verge of taking a turn for the worse!
...
Nenyath (-4 poison) Second Fort Save Pending!
Ryiah
Brayka (-6 roof)
Darg
Horse (2 rounds full speed NE)
Dog (2 rounds full speed NE)
...
As their stout allies turn to hurled bullets and Javelin to take out their fors, Nenyath Starts to become palid as the creatures venom infects them from such little contact . Doing their best not to hurl from the pain they call upon Pharasma’s light to heal their wounds...
...
Nenyath (-0 bite, -4 poison, -1 poison, +6 lay) Third Fort Save Pending!
Ryiah
Brayka (-6 roof)
Darg
Horse (2 rounds full speed NE)
Dog (2 rounds full speed NE)
...
...
You see a lone figure rushing along the road from the direction of the village and towards the legion of undead you all crossed about an hour and a half ago. The legion still marches away from the village a couple miles downroad, and the lone figure looks to be less than one mile from reaching them!
The animals are in plain sight - 2 rounds worth of full Strides away.
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Brayka turns to his companions, indecision and pain transforming to certitude. "Forgive me, I cannot forsake Plum and Desert Wind. If we should be parted, may your taps and lives be free." Brayka spins on his heel and runs flat out (Stride ◆◆◆) to the animals, leaving his bastard sword where it lies.
|
Darg watches Brayka run off with a look of puzzeled amusement. "Huh, did not see that happening."
Darg looks over at Ryiah, "Can you help Nenyath? I have no skill with medicine. Do we bleed him to get the poison out?"
Darg looks over at Nenyath, "Can you walk, we must seek shelter before the undead arrive."
Darg will pick up Brayka's broadsword ◆ and then pick his way past the rubble of the fallen roof ◆ and look around the room to see what he can see in the front room ◆
While Ryiah scans the horizon to check the progress of the incoming Dead Army, Bryaka chases down his runoff steed, and Darg finds purchase on the doorway to the college and opens it into a great hallway, Nenyath, despite combating the progression with curative magic, sees their blood start to darken, their veins strained black as the poison seeks dominion over their system...
...But Plum breaks off from the trajectory the horse Desert Wind, in it's panic, rode towards, and seeing it's master running after it (and no more crawlers in sight), turns around to race back towards him : The two share a reunion about 1 round's sprint from the college, Plum licking the Liberator wet on the face!
...
Nenyath (-0 bite, -4 poison, -1 poison, +6 lay) Third Fort Save Pending!
Ryiah
Brayka (-6 roof) (1 round NE of college)
Darg
Horse (3 rounds NE of college)
Dog (recovered w/ Brayka!)
...
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Ryiah gives Darg a frightened look. "Oh, uh, no...I...don't know. I don't know what we can do. I can help with some of the basic cuts and bruises, but I don't think that's really what they need right now. I don't know what to do about the poison."
She looks at Nenyath. "Do you know? How can we help you?" She reaches out tentatively and places a hand on their shoulder.
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"Hmm, I'm not entirely sure myself ma'am"Nenyath replies as they stare critically at the blackened veins around the insignificant point of entry. "I could try myself I suppose."
With tools in hand, Nenyath works around the wound to try and clean it off with anti-septic and draw out some of the venom with a wad of cotton.
Nenyath pulls ointments from their Healer's Kit strapped to their Bandolier and applies them desperately to the bite area . Unfortunately, the their body begins to tremble viciously , causing their hand to waver somewhat, as the venom continues to take it's horrible course, progressing into full-blown life-threatening emergency!
...
Nenyath (28/32 hit points, 1/2 Focus Points) Fourth Fort Save Pending (@ Round 5)!
Ryiah
Brayka (-6 roof) (1 round NE of college)
Darg
Horse (3 rounds NE of college)
Dog (recovered w/ Brayka!)
...
...
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Plum licks Brayka all over and Brayka giggles like he hasn't since he was a little Goblet. "C'mon boy, we need to catch Desert Wind now."
[◆]Brayka mounts Plum and
[◆◆]Strides to catch Desert Wind, singing the Horse's Bargain as they go:
"Wind and rain and sleet and snow,
Biting, stinging wind does blow!
Howling wolves and roaring bears,
Hunters spears and snarling snares!
To my home, sweet horse, now to my home,
Together freed from danger we shall roam!
My shelter and my food eternal share,
If my body and free spirit you will bear!"
While Brayka reunites with his valiant steed and mounting it races off after the deserting Desert Wind, Ryiah relays what she remembers about the venom of a Giant Centipede:
Saving Throw: DC 14 Fortitude
Maximum Duration: 6 rounds
Stage: 1 1d6 poison damage (1 round)
Stage 2: 1d8 poison damage and flat-footed (1 round)
Stage 3: 1d12 poison damage, clumsy 1, and flat-footed (1 round)
...
Nenyath strains theyself and falls to the ground, summoning their strength to reach into their bandolier to grab some herbs to chew, hoping to stave off the worst of the infection in it's final assault over their body , managing to shrug off the worst of it .
Nenyath stands to see Brayka racing off to corral Desert Wind, while Ryiah stands by in support, and Darg starts poking around again in the main room, urging the party on...
But how long will it take Brayka to return?
You have a decision to make:
1) Continue chasing Desert Wind back down the Hill some ways, eventually catching up, and bringing it back. This will take 1 "Exploration Round".
2) Let Desert Wind run off, and return to your party with expedience, allowing for immediate exploration of the College. This will take 0 "Exploration Rounds".
Either way, please describe your chase and return in your next post!
...
Brayka @ Chasing down Desert Wind who Panicked and Fled?
Darg @ ??
Nenyath @ ??
Ryiah @ ??
...
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Darg calls back from the building, "If you are done dying I need light. We must find a place to hold up and make sure the building is clear."
Darg opens the door cautiously, waits a second then shines the light in the room, Brayka's broadsword held ready. If nothing attacks him outright he will search the room for traps and anything else odd.
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Brayka leans low over Plum’s haunches, merging his mind and will with his steed. Clover, scrub, rock, scree flash past as they tromp, tromp, tromp after Desert Wind.
Desert Wind continues on. Fear, exhaustion, hunger, then the return of fear again. His mind races. Where is his companion? Where is the two legs that raced with him, sheltered with him, stood by him? He is tired. So tired. The fear fades and his steps slow, more exhausted than relieved.
Plum comes up on Desert Wind’s left. Brayka angles in, well within the horse’s sight cone. He eases alongside.
“I know, big one, I know. They took him from you. And now, new friends, but more danger too. It is too much, too much. I can’t promise safety, not yet. But I will try, I will try. Yes, Brayka will try.” Brayka slips the lead around Desert Wind’s head and they head back to the college at a slow trot.
Brayka hitches the two animals near the well with a break-knot. They won’t be able to casually get free, but a sharp jerk in fear will slip the knot for them to run.
“What grimness is this that I risk your lives so? But what else is there to do, we must bring home the fallen and I cannot risk you both running. No easy choices for us today, no, but Cayden wouldn’t need us if the choices were easy now, hmmm?”
With that, Brayka returns to the front of the college after the party, flail and shield drawn.
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Rising from one Knee, Nenyath shakes their head to clear it, their grey pallor clearing slightly as they breath deeply, spitting out the remnants of leaf onto the ruined floor amidst the rubble. "Thank the Lady that's over. Hmm, seems we have to wait for Brayka to return - if you don't mind I shall do my best to try and recover from that ordeal."
As they wait, they take the time to prepare a tincture in an attempt to restore the damage to their internals from the poison - much of the colour returning to their cheeks as they choke it down.
for
"Whoo that is disgusting. Now our friend has returned - let us press on yes? I have your light here Darg." they respond to their cranky companion, making their way closer to the Ranger, Shield raised and Sword Drawn once more.
While Nenyath treats their own wounds waiting for Brayka to return with Desert Wind and tie the animals down to the Well around back, Darg and Ryiah look about the Main Hall of the College. Perhaps once majestic, this cavernous hall now truly resembles a cave: dark and dank. Dirt and standing water obscure the once-pristine white and gray tile, and stone colonnades stretching to the ceiling are covered in grime and mold. Sweeping staircases to the northwest and southwest lead upward, as does a spiral staircase. Smashed statues and torn paintings line the walls here: the signs of a struggle. Several doors exit to various rooms to the north, south, and east.
Together, you discover one painting that has survived the damage from the battle that took place here. The painting is of a distinguished, handsome halfling woman dressed in pristine white finery.
Anyone trained in Society or Academia Lore may attempt to identify the person in the painting.
...
Nenyath (1/2 Focus Points)
Ryiah
Brayka (15/21 Hit Points)
Darg
Brayka @ Chases down Desert Wind astride Plum
Darg @ Explore C2
Nenyath @ Treat Wounds (restoring +13 to full)
Ryiah @ Explore C2
Brayka @ Tying Plum and Desert Wind to Well
Darg @ ??
Nenyath @ ??
Ryiah @ ??
...
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"Do you think we can defend this place? Maybe hole up in a room and hide? They might not even find us - I don't know how hard they'd search. I think we still have some time to check out the building before they arrive, at any rate. But maybe we should wait for Nenyath and Darg."
When they come across an intact painting, Ryiah studies it carefully, trying to figure out if the woman matches the description of anyone familiar.
Ryiah identifies the painting as "most likely" a former dean of Goldenflame Academy, judging by her clothing, pose, items around, setting, and facial expression.
...
Brayka @ Tying Plum and Desert Wind to Well
Darg @ ??
Nenyath @ ??
Ryiah @ Identify the Painting (Society) @ (10)+5 = 15
Brayka @ ??
Darg @ ??
Nenyath @ ??
Ryiah @ ??
...
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Darg nods, "You are right, we wait until Nenyath and Brayka can join us." Darg survey's the ruined hall, "I think I was holding out some hope that this place had not fallen, but....just more ruin."
Darg leans against the wall, eyeing the door to the north of him. His foot tapping lightly on the floor, his fingers playing impatiently over the hild of Brayka's broadsword.
Eyeing the door to the north of him, his foot tapping lightly on the floor, his fingers playing impatiently over the hild of Brayka's broadsword, Darg notices through the open door that the room is barren and empty, and that the floor seems to have crumbled and/or molded out in one of it's corners, perhaps dropping several feet before bottoming out in dirt. He notices a single closed door on the opposite side of the room from him...
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Darg sets down Brayka's broadsword and unslings his shield. With latern held before him, Darg slowly enters the room, testing the floor in front of him with each step, feeling and listening for evidence the floor will not hold him as he makes his way toward the door. He skirts the opposite side avoiding the moldy corner as best as possible.