Elanna
Kormei (Red moves with him)
Itka
Elien
Rhaegal
Duncan (8 damage, Green Yellow White move with him)
Buzzers (Green 5 damage, Yellow 1 Temp HP, White 3 Temp HP, Red 4 damage)
Peaches
Elanna pulls out her blade and in one quick motion slices the bug on her shoulder in two, its feast denied. She moves up to help Duncan and warn him about Peaches.
Itka pulls out her blade and stabs the the critter bugging Kormei. It stays, undaunted from its yummy prize!
When Rhaegal speaks, he roars! The buzzer with the Green leaf gets some of the shock but keeps drinking. The fuzzy White thing lays itself flat against Duncan and avoids damage entirely.
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Elien draws his shortsword and moves after Duncan, seeing the man is practically teeming with bloodseekers trying to drain him dry. "Hold still, Duncan! I'll get one!" His blade flashes quickly in an effort to save their swashbuckling friend.
Hearing the warnings of his companions regarding Peaches, Elien then looks past Duncan to discern if the frenzied animal might be coming after them. "Where's Miss Kwon? We could really use her help getting that dog to calm down..."
Elien shortsword severs the sucking sucker on Duncan's shoulder. But the violent removal leaves a wound that keeps bleeding.
Duncan heeds the warnings about Peaches and quickly retreats. He tries to swat one of the bloodseekers off of him, but it's his second swing that pierces the yellow-tinted critter. It continues to hang on, barely.
Invigorated by his good aim, the first bloodseeker's wound closes.
Elanna
Kormei (Red moves with him)
Itka
Elien
Rhaegal
Duncan (8 damage, Yellow White move with him)
Buzzers (Yellow 5 damage, White 3 Temp HP, Red 4 damage)
Peaches
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Kormei lashes out at the large bug on his shoulder. He whips and turns in sheer panic. He quickly draws his dagger and wildly slashes at the bug.
Actions:
1) Interact to draw dagger.
2) Action to attack with dagger
3) Action to Cast Inspire Courage. +1 to attack rolls, Damage rolls, save against fear to allies within 60 ft.
"Get this thing off of me!"
Whether through fear or instinct, Kormei's dagger stabs the bug tormenting him.
It's enough to kill the bug, its meal denied. Kormei is relieved, and his sigh is enough to bolster the party's spirits.
The two bugs drinking from Duncan continue their feast.
Duncan feels his fluids drain out as the bugs enjoy their feast. He collapses and begins to bleed out.
The Yellow insect is quite satisfied, but the White tinted insect wants more. And Elien is right there it Steps towards him, its bloodsack swinging back and forth, ready for more.
Peaches barks, berserk from fear and unable to focus.
Elanna
Kormei
Itka
Elien
Rhaegal
Duncan (Dying 1, needs Recovery check)
Buzzers (Yellow 5 damage 7 temp HP, White 8 Temp HP)
Peaches
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Elanna kneels down by Duncan, using the bandages and salts she holds in her bandolier to try to staunch the bleeding and bring back Duncan to consciousness. "DUNCAN, stay with us! You can't let go now!"
Then, as she sees one of the bugs bloated with Duncan blood and still fluttering between her and Elien, she lances it with a quick thrust of her sword.
Elanna quickly kneels down and bandages his wounds. She stands up and in one swift motion bisects the bloodseeker across its yellow abdomen.
The remaining bloodseeker avoids the worst of Rheagal's lightning arc and avoids his spear.
Elanna
Kormei
Itka
Elien
Rhaegal
Duncan (Unconscious, Wounded 1)
Buzzers (White 6 Temp HP)
Peaches
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Once Kormei has finished off the huge bug on his shoulder, Itka gives him a nod. "Hmp." Her attention turns to Duncan as he collapses. Lumbering over to stand between Elien and Rhaegal, she takes a couple of stabs at the remaining large menace. There's something satisfying about watching the blood drain out of these things when they're poked, like popping a pustule.
Itka digs her dagger into the remaining bloodseeker's blood sac, and its precious cargo sprays upon the dirt floor.
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"These things truly are horrid creatures!" Elien grimaces as he sees Duncan collapse. Thankfully, Rhaegal and Itka arrive to support him, and Elanna skewers one of the remaining bloodseekers. The final one continues to hover and the investigator feels a chill run down his spine when he realizes it's directly focused on him. "Get back! Go away!" he snarls, waving his shortsword to line up a kill shot, and then swings hard.
With one swing, Elien analyzes and kills the remaining insect, critically striking it. It buzzes to the ground, dead but with a full belly.
Peaches continues barking for a bit before finally calming down.
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Once the insect threat is over, Elanna sheathes her sword and kneels back down by Duncan. She grabs the body of the insect she killed right over Duncan's unconscious form and quickly turns it over looking at its chitinous shell to locate any weaknesses.
Once done, she tosses it over her shoulder and sets out to help Duncan as best as she can.
"Can someone see over to Peaches and find her mistress? I fear something bad has befallen her. I would do it but I must try to get Duncan back up as best as I can."
She takes out her cloak and lays it on the ground by Duncan. On it, she disposes bandages and ointments. After cleaning her hands with water from her waterskin, she sets out to treat him.
"Oh, and if anyone has some healing magic, it would greatly help."
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Rhaegal whistles to get Peaches' attention and then begins to advance calmly towards her, careful not to make any sudden moves. "Peaches, it's Dragon. Remember me? Remember my smell and taste?" He snorts and shakes his scales out to enhance his scent. Finally he reaches her to let her sniff him directly.
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Kormei sheathes his blade and quickly moves to Duncan's side. His eyes frantically scan over his fallen comrade.
"I'll do what I can, but I am nearing the limits of my abilities."
Kormei places his hand on Duncan's forehead and mutters something quietly under his breath. It sounds almost like a soothing poem.
Elanna inspects the insect and knows it's a bloodseeker. A really large mosquito variant, the size of a melon. Once it bites with the proboscis it can rapidly drink blood and use its nutrition to fend off blows. She also knows that once it bites, pushing or killing the bloodseeker leaves a nasty wound that is Persistent and will keep bleeding.
Kormei comes by to help Duncan and stabilizes him, while Elanna spends time trying to heal the man. Elien decides to analyze the man's potions and finds a Minor Healing Potion with the Sword of Schools logo scratched on it. Bottoms up, Duncan.
It's enough to get him awake.
Rhaegal approaches Peaches, who growls as the kobold approaches. But Rhaegal makes the right motions. Peaches stops growling, cautiously approaches, sniffs his hand, and then yips before licking the kobold's face, tail wagging all the way.
After a few moments, Peaches starts barking again. The dog tries to bite Rhaegal's clothing and drag him deeper into the woods.
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"Thanks Elien. That was good thinking.", she says as Elien gives the potion to the unconscious Duncan.
She leans over the swashbuckler as he regains consciousness:
"Duncan, how are you feeling? I'm sorry you got nearly sucked dry by those nasty bloodseekers. I've done my best to patch you up but I'm afraid I haven't been very effective. But Elien found on of your potions and gave it to you. So take a deep breath before standing up and don't go exerting yourself too much over the next hour. I may be able to help you more after that, when you body has started healing itself."
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"Peaches has once again run off without his master...or mistress, as it were...just like when we met him in town..." Elien observes, "Perhaps Miss Kwon is out here somewhere? And, hopefully, she hasn't succumbed to these bloodseekers herself! It would be much better if she's just out here trying to find her dog...or the missing friend she mentioned. But, either way, let's see where Peaches wants to lead us. And keep a sharp eye out for any more of these dangerous pests. As long as we look out for one another, we should be able to fend them off before they can bring us down. But individually, I can't imagine anyone lasting long against a swarm of them..."
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Now that was unpleasant. Thanks for asking Elanna, but I'm afraid I'm still feeling a bit woozy.
Duncan digs in his pack and pulls out a second vial marked with a small sword and drinks it down.
After downing it Duncan frowns.
Must have been a bad batch. I'll try to avoid getting swarmed in the future, but sometimes my feet are faster than my head.
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Kormei walks over and kneels next to peaches. He reaches out and begins to scratch behind Peaches' ear. He frowns as he notices Peaches trying to drag his companion deeper into the wood.
"Whats going on buddy? Is Miss Kwon out in the woods? You're okay now. We wont let anything happen to you. Right guys?"
Kormei stands and looks out into the woods in the direction that Peaches is trying to drag Rhaegal.
"If we can manage to continue moving, Miss Kwon may be in grave danger. However I doubt it would be wise to press on ill-prepared. What do you think friends?"
Duncan thinks the second potion is expired, he doesn't feel much better afterward. Still, he presses on with the party deeper into the woods. Peaches runs towards a bush, turns around to make sure you're still following, then continues onward.
Itka and Andor lead the rear as Andor is barely able to keep up. His gaze is fixed on the bloodseekers, their sacs spilling red liquid across the ground. He looks at how drained Duncan is, and Andor shudders. Itka has to nudge him to keep his focus on following the other Pathfinders. "Sorry Itka. I just... never coming back here. I'll leave this kind of stuff to the professionals, like you."
The dog leads you to a clearing in the woods, where you find Haru standing, staring blankly. A large bloodsucker is feeding off her, its proboscis is firmly planted in her neck.
Rhaegal quickly skewers the bloodseeker. As soon as it falls off, Haru regains control of herself. Peaches barks and begins licking her face. ”Okay, Peaches. Down! I’m okay. I think. I’m alive, anyway.”
She looks up to you all. ”Thank you. All of you. I’m not sure how I got here. I entered the woods and then everything afterward was a blur. But I did find something.” She points to a rock.
”That rock is hiding some cavern entrance.” She hesitates, then sits down. ”I’m sorry, I’m quite tired. I need to take a quick rest, then return to Shimmerford.” She hands you a dagger and three vials. ”This vial is empty, but this vial is filled with holy water. This dagger was forged with cold iron.”
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"Hmp. Elanna had the compass. But if that hidden cavern isn't what we're looking for, I'll be mildly surprised." The slowpokes catch up to the group just in time to see the hand-off of the goods. "Hmp. Glad you're okay. Thanks for the stuff. We'll check out the cavern. Do you and Andor want to come along, or wait just inside the entrance? That might provide you with some cover from the mosquitoes and bloodseekers. Then we can all head back to town together. Neither of you is in any condition to fight off another attack on your own. Hmp."
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Rhaegal takes the empty vial, examining it and then storing it away. "Could always be useful." He glances at the dagger, then at Elanna. "Elanna, you want to use that?"
"Haru, this is Andor. He's been hurt too. The two of you can stay together with Peaches, while we explore the cave. Peaches should help guard you if anything comes."
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"Hmmmm...a cave, you say?" Elien muses aloud. The investigator has a look around the exterior to see if there might be any signs of tracks like the ones they had followed on Witchtop Hill. "Elanna, dear? Care to lend your expertise on reading the terrain? I'd like
a better idea of what we might be dealing with inside. And check your compass again. Let's see where it's pointing..."
Once finished with their walkabout, he returns to address the team. "Well, this is the best lead we've found so far. That cave is either a witch's lair, Lasarte's 'discovery', or something we haven't yet considered when pondering who could be behind all this mayhem." He looks back at the bedraggled Andor, Haru, and Peaches. "I agree with Itka and Rhaegal. Best if you stay close to us. We're the best protection you've got out here. And in your injured state, you wouldn't last long at all if something else crossed your path between here and Shimmerford. At the very least, I'd recommend sheltering within the mouth of the cave while we investigate the interior..."
Elien readies a torch to carry in his off-hand. "Remember what we learned in town..." he reminds everyone, "The holy water might be useful against the witch. And the smithy said fire helped keep the mosquitoes at bay. Best we go in with both readily at hand in case we need them." He proceeds to assist anyone else who cares to light a torch by offering his to ignite theirs.
Then, he pauses in front of Duncan, eyeing the man's pale face and weakened condition. "You sure you're still up for this?" he quietly asks, "You got mobbed pretty well back there. Feared we might've lost you, but that was smart having those healing potions in your pack. Lucky I found them in time. If you want to hang back out of harm's way, I'd be happy to loan you my crossbow. If not, maybe let me and Elanna take the lead before charging into anything dangerous right away?"
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Elanna bows to Haru. “I would be honored to accept this dagger. In my village, it is considered bad luck to receive a blade without giving one back in return. So you would honor me if you would accept this one in exchange.“
She draws her own dagger and presents it to Haru, hilt first and palm open.
Then she turns to her companions: "I agree with all of you. This may be the place we are looking for. And we should prepare before going in.”
“I also think it best if Master Oronce, Miss Kwon and Peaches take shelter at the mouth of the cave. But I also would suggest we take the time to heal them up before we get deeper in. Then I can take a look at Duncan once again. We are not on a such a clock that we cannot take one hour before going in.”
"As for getting in the cave, light will be an issue for some of you. I do not need it, my mother's tribe lives under the mountains and I inherited their ability. but for any who cannot see in the dark, I agree with Elien, each of you should carry a torch, if you can."
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"Andor, eh?" She gives him a look before finding her backpack and pulling out a healer's kit. "You don't look so well. But I'm guessing they patched you up?" She leads him to a nearby tree and they sit down. "I think Andor, Peaches and I should stay outside. You guys check out the cave." She pets her dog who continues licking her. She pulls him away just long enough to smile and face you. "We're just gonna slow you down."
Elanna and Elien look for more tracks, but they aren't able to find anything- just lots of underbrush. Haru Kwon and Peaches's footsteps are all over this clearing, they must have put up a fight.
But there's a bigger clue- the compasses that were spinning wildly are now pointing directly at the rock. Elien prepares to light some torches, once everyone is ready.
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"Alright...an hour of rest and the ministrations of Elanna's growing medical expertise seem to have us on our feet as well as we're going to get. Elanna? Since you can see better than us, best you and Duncan lead the way. I can stay to the rear with Itka so our torch doesn't bother you as much. Rhaegal? Be ready with those lightning tricks of yours. I have a feeling we may need them if we run across that witch..."
There's nothing but you and the buzzing of insects for the next hour. Elanna takes the time to patch Kwon's wounds and exchanges weapons with her. "Okay, I'll hold onto this. But you come back so we can exchange it back or something. I'll keep watch over the entrance, alright?"
Duncan feels his vitality restored, just like he woke up this morning. Minus the mosquito bites, of course.
When the team is ready, Duncan lights a torch and heads downstairs. Elanna is close by, relying on her darkvision to illuminate the cavern.
Elanna creeps forward carefully. As she reaches the eastern edge, she sees a small blue smurf, leaning against the wall. A shortsword and a set of daggers at his side, but not drawn. She also sees another blue critter and another bloodseeker down the path. Still undetected, she gives a hand signal to stop the party before it's too late.
Duncan's torch dimly lights the western path, and he also sees some smurfs. The one in the back looks up and squeaks, ”You dare bring light into my lair?” A blue skinned creature stands atop a crate. His bulbous head cranes across you. ”For that, you will die! And then you will die! So says Gwibble, the Mosquito Witch!” He cackles madly and points his shortsword at Duncan before retreating. More footsteps and the buzzing of wings approach!
"Buzz! Come to Gwibble!" You hear the buzzing of wings grow quieter as the smurfs on Elanna's side quickly retreat.
Smurfs
Itka
Kormei
Rhaegal
Elien
Elanna
Duncan
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What? This light? Fine, fine. It's all yours.
Duncan tosses his torch a short distance ahead.
With Gwibble's eyes on the guttering flame Duncan slips around the corner, waiting to see if they come to the light.
Tucked away in the shadows Duncan wraps his cloak around his arm shielding it from probing proboscises.
Duncan throws the torch ahead and he can tell the smurfs are tracking the bright light rather than himself. He quickly wraps around the corner and hides himself. He figures he can move about 5 ft further, but which way?
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Elien moves around the eastern passage, slipping by Elanna and Rhaegal far enough so he can attempt to identify their quarry.
"Mitflits!" he whispers low enough so only his companions can hear him, "Fey creatures with a touch of madness!"
Since he's bearing a torch, he moves back again until he's behind the nearby corner, putting himself against the rock wall between Elanna and Duncan so he can stay out of sight but also remain close enough to support them should they be attacked.