Catastrophes Spark with DM Deevor PFS2 #02-03 - T1 (Inactive)

Game Master Deevor

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You return to the expeditionary force of Pathfinders camped outside the ancient cyclops city of Min-Khadaim.

Rannarix walks out of the forest in the middle of the night and is waiting for Venture-Captain Kline. He gives a dramatic salute and puffs out his little chest. "You've a good eye for talent, Captain. You've got Rannarix on the job and that means it's as good as done already! You've got strong guys and smart guys, but now you've got a guy what's smart and strong makes it look -good-. Come on, what's the mission, huh?"

A bit hungry and tired after the long journey from Absalom to the base camp outside of Min-Khadaim, Redd checks in at the main tent to let the superiors know of her arrival. After getting directions to her tent that will be her home for the next several days, she decides to stop at the mess tent for some hot stew and friendly conversation with other Pathfinders who are taking a much needed break from their busy day of archaeological duties.

During her meal, she hears a gruff Iobarian voice call out from across the mess tent.
"Redd! Redd Appleblossom! Is that you?
She spins around toward the voice and sees Brosi the stable master waving at her.
She waves and calls back as he makes his way to her table.
Hi, Mister Brosi!
Arriving almost out of breath, Brosi pulls out a chair next to Redd and plops his burly body into the seat. He wipes sweat from his bushy grey brows with a thick mittened hand.
"Redd! So good to zee you, my dear. Vhat brings you back? Another expedition?"

Yes, yes.
She nods excitedly.

Brosi furrows his brow.
"Ohhh. I hope it not as dangerous as last one."
He says in his thick Iobarian accent.
He then leans in close to Redd with a serious expression and speaks quietly.
"I hear about phantom dragon and undead cyclops. Word around camp was your group very brave and come back victorious. Many important discoveries, too."
He leans back with a smile and then slaps his knee.
"Well, I bet Ugo will be excited to see you."

Redd's eyes light up with glee.
Oh! Mister Brosi! I've missed Ugo soooo much! I hope he can come along with me on this expedition. He was such a wonderful pack horse. I thought of him all the time when I was back at the lodge in Absalom.

"Well, tell you vhat, my little rosy-cheeked dear. If your group need pack horse for expedition, I save Ugo for you!"
He points a mittened hand at Redd.

Oh, thank you, Mister Brosi.
Redd tilts her head with a smile.
Can I see him now? I have a couple more days until my mission briefing. I would just love to see Ugo now.

"Of course, my dear!"
Brosi holds out his thick arm for Redd and leads her through the encampment to the stables.

The two make their way through the muddy and snow-lined pathways of the encampment to the main stables. As they get within sight, Redd notices the unique brown and white markings on Ugo's hind end as he munches on a pile of hay.
The horse looks up and swings his head around when he hears the familiar giggles of a halfling.
Ugo!!! Hiya, Ugo!
Redd shouts as she runs towards the horse.
Ugo drops a mouthful of hay from his mouth and then neighs and bobs his head excitedly at Redd's approach.

Redd leaps up and throws her arms around Ugo's neck with a big hug. Swinging down, she moves to stand in front of him and rubs the top of his muzzle. She pulls an apple from her pack.
Ugo! I've missed you so much! How ya doin', boy?
Ugo nudges Redd affectionately and munches on the apple. He nods his head up and down and stomps a hoof in happiness.

Brosi crosses his arms and looks on at the reunion with a smile.

A shadow detaches itself from the dark side of a tent as Redd and Brosi amble toward the stables, following them casually. It happens to be a svelte, dark gray-skinned half-elf woman dressed all in black. At night, she'd blend in quite nicely, but out here in broad daylight she sticks out like a sore thumb. Stopping about ten paces back from the trio of stable master, halfling, and horse, she watches with a fond smile at the equine greeting. After a short bit, she speaks with a flinty voice: "Hey Redd. Hi Master Brosi. Ugo looks happy and healthy."

Nal!!! Oh my goodness! I'm so happy to see you!
Redd runs up to Nal and gives her a big halfling squeeze.
Wait a sec. Were you called on another mission, too? Did you get a missive to meet with Eando Kline tomorrow?

Oh, how wonderful!

Redd gives Ugo a pat on the nose and says goodbye to Brosi and the horse for now.

I hope Ugo can join us on our expedition. I wonder where we'll be going this time and who our other teammates will be.

As the day begins, the patrols guarding the camp, continue dour faced as they trudge their weary way around the camp, where security has tightened since first Incendia Pyreclast, Nal Bagura, Rannarix and Redd Appleblossom first arrived at the camp many days ago. It was after their first mission that things changed, the appearance of a strange demonic figure kidnapping a member of the Decemvirate, leaving only their magical helm behind, had changed all that.

Now walking through the ordered rows of tents everything was sombre and workmanlike, with men and women like ants milling around, each with their tasks set out. There are all races in the camp, humans from several parts of Golarion, dressed in different styles of clothing, half-orcs of various shades of green. Elves walk silently and haughty through the other races, gnomes busy making useful and useless implements, whilst halflings make and eat many breakfasts throughout the day. The camp is alive and preparing for a new day, as four Pathfinders walk with determined steps towards one of the larger tents, the tent of the Vigilant Seal faction leader Eando Kline. All the talk was of how he has now taken charge of the investigation into the appearance of the strange demonic figure and the exploration into Min-Khadaim.

Passing by a cold, finger blowing Pathfinder, he suddenly stops, turns his face rude and healthy in the morning, "Ahhh, you're off now? Good luck, let me know if there's anything I can help with before you go." The sound of Mister Brosi's voice and the wave of his hand, provide you with cheer for the forthcoming adventure.

As the company of Pathfinders reach Eando Kline's tent for the briefing, two armoured and experienced warriors of the Vigilant Seal, stop your progress. As each of you show your invitation, they let the flaps of the tent be opened so you may enter.

Eando Kline stands in his pavilion tent, rubbing his beard and looking at a sketched map of the cyclopean city of Min-Khadaim pinned to a table. Wooden markers indicate digs in progress, sites of interest, and potential threats. He looks up, his brow furrowed in thought.

“Ah, Pathfinders. How good of you to come on such short notice. We are in need of your expertise. Please, sit down.” He gestures to two benches on either side of the table. “It is good to see you. Our mission into Iobaria has recently changed. While we’ve had expeditions into these lands before, with the Society back to strength it is now time to explore this frontier once more. At least, we thought it was, but no sooner had we begun than one of the Decemvirate was abducted by a demonic figure. We need to do further research to understand what may have caused this—we need to uncover the history of Koloran, the nation that once thrived here, far from the Ghol-Gan empire in Garund. Vigilant Seal members have been going around the city, inventorying sites of interest. We have begun excavating the entrance to an underground complex, led by fire iconography at surface ruins.”

Eando points to the location on the map. “A team has been making good progress widening the entrance here for easy access, but they discovered a number of bones in the neighboring room, some quite fresh. These ruins are clearly not as abandoned as they first appeared to be. I need you to go to the site, thoroughly explore the ruins, and report back with anything you discover. Cyclops is a fairly obscure language, and it has changed somewhat since the days of Koloran, so I’ll be sending you with translation assistance.”

He pulls a small book, handing it over with a satisfied nod. “Any questions?”

Incendia pulls out a pair of knitted mittens from a bulging belt pouch as she talks to the guard.

"Here, put these on, dearie! Your Aunt Cindy can't see you catch a cold now. I'm simply knit another pair." She gives him a reassuring pat on the elbow before she heads deeper into the camp.

Incendia takes a seat at the table and looks around for a pot of tea. Seeing none, she asks, "It's good to see you, Mr. Kline. My, you have certainly made the best of a bad business out here."

She taps a bony finger on her chin, "Will we be hunting down many demons, do you think?" There's a murderous gleam in the grandmotherly gnome's eyes as she poses the question, and her hair fluffs a bit with a static charge.

Earlier:

Nal!!! Oh my goodness! I'm so happy to see you!

Redd runs up to Nal and gives her a big halfling squeeze.
Wait a sec. Were you called on another mission, too? Did you get a missive to meet with Eando Kline tomorrow?

Oh, how wonderful!

With a cocky half-grin, Nal responds: "Yup. Back again. Apparently I like being in over my head. Go figure. At least this time, I can help a bit if someone goes down. I've learned a trick or two since we were here last." (Sorcerer multiclass w/ Stabilize and Guidance. Her experience out here last time deeply influenced her spell choices.)

And back to the present:

Tapping the point of her black dagger against her white teeth, Nal muses: "Fresh bones? Any chance a predator found a way in and was using it as a den? Heh! This place is too sinister for something that mundane. I guess your team out there would be able to give us a clearer picture of what they found. Will we have a chance to talk to them?"

@GM Deevor: Any chance Nal can pick up a Wayfinder before heading out?

"Going into an underground complex?”
Redd frowns thinking about what dangers could lie within.
"I guess we won't be taking Ugo. Oh, well. Maybe on another expedition. I'm sure there will be others that I'll be sent on to the Cyclopean city."

Greetings, Mister Eando Kline.
My name's Redd. Redd Appleblossom.
She says as she raises a hand.
Has anyone been able to identify the strange demonic creature that kidnapped the Decemvirate member?

Rannarix jumps up and waves a hand like a toddler who has to go.

"Snare kit. I need a snare kit. Can I buy one around here?"

She taps a bony finger on her chin, "Will we be hunting down many demons, do you think?" There's a murderous gleam in the grandmotherly gnome's eyes as she poses the question, and her hair fluffs a bit with a static charge.

With a shrug and a sideways nod, the Venture-Captain sighs resignedly "Who knows, we've disturbed one demon, there's probably others. Just remember your mission here is to discover, investigate, report and protect the Society and the lands, whether it's demons or not. We of the Vigilant Seal have a duty to protect and destroy ancient evils that threatens us all."

"Snare kit. I need a snare kit. Can I buy one around here?"

Eando Kline, coughs, clears his throat, "The quartermaster, go check with him, that or you faction may have some supplies. We haven't travelled all this way unequipped for the wilderness of Iobaria." Then wanders back to look at the maps and documents on the table.

She says as she raises a hand.
Has anyone been able to identify the strange demonic creature that kidnapped the Decemvirate member?

“Yes. The Decemvirate,” he grimaces, “decided that the time was ripe for a new campaign, plunging us into the wild, flammable, and monster-infested forests of Iobaria, venturing to the edges of the Inner Sea to seek out secrets long-buried. Very noble and all. Would look good on a poster. This city, Min-Khadaim, was identified and chosen as a base of operations. That... didn’t really go as planned. We uncovered more than we bargained for, and a demonic figure has disappeared with a member of the Decemvirate, leaving only their mask behind.”

Slowly the Venture-Captain nods his head, feeling the shame of not having been able to protect their leadership as he admits the Society hasn't been able to identify the demon yet. "We are on plans to uncover any information that can lead to a rescue attempt, but we have a long way to go yet. This mission may uncover more information, but we don't know." his disappointment easy to see.

Tapping the point of her black dagger against her white teeth, Nal muses: "Fresh bones? Any chance a predator found a way in and was using it as a den? Heh! This place is too sinister for something that mundane. I guess your team out there would be able to give us a clearer picture of what they found. Will we have a chance to talk to them?"

The question brings Eando Kline back to the more familiar grounds of the mission, as he responds, "Bones, ahh bones! Yes, Yes and the archaeologists. The site of interest is nothing more than a few walls and rubble, but has a staircase leading down into a much wider room. The staircase was partially blocked, so when one of the team finally got a good look inside using a lantern, they saw bones. Both old and new. We don’t know what is down there; hence, we’re pulling back the archaeologists and sending you in until we’re certain the site is secure. Of course you can talk with the team, you'll find them at the site. They may know more, but this is what they reported.” His confidence back, showing the signs of leadership that took him to this level in the Society.

[b]"Oh and remember the book. he says holding it once more in the air, you'll probably need it. It’s a record of the words and phrases we’ve translated so far in this site. It should be helpful in piecing together the meaning of any text you encounter."

Please all take 1 hero point at the start of the scenario.
Have your boons all sorted out.

You may roll a secret roll for Society(Recall Knowledge) for what you remember about Cyclops.

You may roll a secret roll for Nature(Recall Knowledge) for what you remember about the Finidar Forest. Anyone with a Chronicle Sheet for Pathfinder Scenario 1-15: The Blooming Catastrophe please tell me, as you do not have to make a Nature Roll

"Never hunted a cyclops. Not much call for it these days, hmm."

Redd takes the book and tucks it securely in her pack. She thinks about her previous expedition here and what knowledge she may be able to recall.

I have a chronicle for The Blooming Catastrophe.

Rannarix leaves the briefing at the exact moment when Kline tells him where to get supplies, again not unlike a toddler who's been told there will be cookies.

Purchase 1 Snare Kit. 5 gp.

"Whoa!" Nal gives an amused chuckle as Rennarix dashes out the doorway. "Bring me back a cookie! Hehe. We'll catch him up later."

Rannarix returns later with half a bag of cookies. Or whatever baked goods he can find and hasn't eaten by the time he returns. He cheerfully distributes these to his fellow Pathfinders, oblivious to the cookie crumbs on his snout.

"Momma always said 'Lady with knives wants cookies, Lady with knives gets cookies.'"

Cookies!?!
Redd exclaims.
How kind of you, Rannarix!
I looove cookies. And pastries, pies, blintzes, coffee cake, sweet rolls, honey butter biscuits, cheesecake... and much more!
She nods excitedly as she munches on the cookie.
I actually used to be quite the baker before doing all this Pathfindery stuff.

As Rannarix munches through one of the cookies shaped like a parcel, a piece of parchment falls out.

Information gleaned from the centaurs of the Redpines Tribe: Initially unknown to the inhabitants of the Finadar Forest and their allies in the Pathfinder Society, far more damage had been done by cyclopean relics than was immediately apparent. These relics caused horrific scars and lingering Abyssal pollution to infect many of the innocent nature spirits that called the Finadar Forest home. Druids and other wielders of primal magic attempted to commune with these spirits, but eventually it was the Pathfinders who managed to cleanse the spirits of their Abyssal corruption.

It is then that Incendia suddenly speaks with a certain amount of excitement, "Rannarix, you've bought some sage biscuits, how clever! Children always had such fun learning from eating and reading fun facts. Let me try one?" she says hopefully. As she bites into the crumbling soft brown pastry, another piece of parchment falls:

From Trebor's Ranger Handbook: Iobaria is home to a rare species of highly flammable conifer pine known as bruorsivi, also known as blood pine. The forest had always been prone to brief, intense fires that burned out naturally or were contained by elf druids as well as centaur sages. In early 4719 AR, a massive fire swept through Iobaria’s Finadar Forest. This fire, fueled by the magic of an incomplete cyclopean ritual, was inadvertently activated by a small community of goblins living in the skeletal remains of an old draconic graveyard.

Redd's eyes open wide as she too breaks open one of the sweet tasting biscuits.

From Jeile's Investigative treatise on Iobaria's civilisations: The post-classical period of Ghol-Gan saw the cyclopes abandon their gods in favor of demons and other fell powers. This led to a period of excessive violence among the cyclopes.

Nal also takes a biscuit and starts to munch, but no parchment falls out, however soon tangled between teeth, Nal pulls a wet soggy piece of parchment that reads:

From H'rthz's History of Civilisations: The best-known cyclops civilization is the Ghol-Gan empire. Scholars divide its history into four distinct eras: prehistoric, pre-classical, classical, and postclassical. The empire reached its height during the classical era, which saw the advent of writing and a long period of peace.

Now is the last chance to visit Quartermaster Aram bin-Kaleel, for any shopping before you move on, who is able to provide non-magical equipment, consumables, and spell-casting services.

I assume you show each other your pieces of parchment, even Nal's slightly damp one.

When ready we shall proceed to the building.

Ready!

"Hehe! Thanks, Rennarix! You're a good egg. Looks like we've got all the info we'll get here. Let's grab some gear and head out." Nal makes her way to the Quartermaster's tent and begins picking through the supplies.

She buys a Wayfinder (28gp) and a Lesser Healing potion (12gp).

You can also pick up your one free consumable from your Society school from the quartermaster's store too. Return it to the store after the scenario if not used.

Nal, I will assume you get the Wayfinder from the boons available, (get a free wayfinder for playing in 2 scenarios)

Redd looks around in astonishment at everyone and the sage biscuits.
Well, I guess we're all a bunch of "smart cookies".
She giggles.

Given directions to the ancient building, Rannarix, Redd, Nal and Incendia, start off to your next adventure for the Society. Passing through pathsways already cleared of the ever encroaching forest you make your way into the remnants of the city.

The ruins of Min-Khadaim are bustling with activity. Pathfinders clear debris from streets, shore up walls, and cart rubble out. Down one of the smaller streets is a cordoned-off area, containing a nondescript building. Two figures are busy loading dirt into a cart. You approach as they wipe their palms on their trousers and shake hands with the each of you. "You must be the exploration party, I'm Danna and this is Jaci." The young woman with the blonde hair and grimy face says as she introduces the young man in dirty dungarees next to her. Both are covered with the earth of their labours, as they excavate the site. Their eyes shine, their smiles wide as they offer to take you around the base of the ruined building where they are clearing the vegetation.

Any questions to these 2?

"Well, hello, dearies! We were told that you encountered some bones in your early excavations here. Care to elaborate for us?"

Hi! It's nice to meetcha! My name's Redd.
She says as she shakes their hands in greeting.

Redd is also intrigued about the discovery of the bones. She nods along with Incendia's inquiry.
Yes! The bones! We heard some were fresh, even. Eww.
Redd scrunches her face.

Walking around the perimeter of the building with the others, Redd remembers about all the interesting pictographs and writing her group found on the previous expedition. She also remembers about the book of translation she was given.
Have you found any strange writings on the walls out here?

Their eyes shine, their smiles wide as they offer to take you around the base of the ruined building where they are clearing the vegetation.

A half-smile ghosts across Nal's lips. "You look like you have something special for us. Lead the way." She decides to let Danna and Jaci do the talking first. They may answer a bunch of her questions on their own, and that's much more efficient.

As they walk along, her eyes rake the ruins for anything familiar or noteworthy.

Perception + 7: Does she see anything like what she may have encountered in 2-01 Citadel of Corruption, or anything else that stands out as pertinent?

Jaci, his voice giving him away as just a youth, "Redd, well I didn't see them, Daana did. But we have found something, haven't we Danna." he seeks the reassurance and defers to Danna's experience in archaeology, though his eyes are wide wide excitement.

Daana smiles and nods to Jaci, before turning towards Redd, "Well, yes there were bones, but I didn't stay to check them, they were still white, so recent. We're not adventurers, just archaeologists." She opens her arms to take you all in the direction of the entrance to the building.

In the entrance is a hallway, Daana muses, "This hallway is interesting, although it seems reasonable to us, it is small for a cyclopean entrance." She continues, "We have been carefully clearing rubble and dirt from the area and around the building, hoping that when you have dealt with whatever lies beneath, we can continue the excavation inside. Once you go through that area there, you'll find stairs that go down. That's where we saw the bones." she says trying to be helpful, before she cannot contain herself further and beams, "There, see." The light from the door illuminates some coloured tiles on the floor in the larger room. "A mosaic, or at least only the part we have uncovered. This visible portion of the mosaic amidst the rubble is what initially drew the team to this building. While the building exterior is nothing special, these type of mosaics are an expensive and time consuming art form." Daana explains. She holds her hand next to some of the tiny tiles for comparison. “Imagine a cyclops with such big hands laying these tiny tiles? Either they put in a lot of work, or smaller creatures were the ones to lay them!”

The uncovered part of the mosaic depicts curling flames. "Now you see why we're so excited by the find and want to explore further, but the dangers are too great!" Jaci nods in agreement, "Yes, we're waiting for you to say it's safe and we can continue." he smiles at you all.

Beyond there is a stairway that leads down into the darkness.

For future reference, the corridors in the ruins are 10 feet wide and 15 feet high. The rooms are 20 feet high, unless I specify otherwise.

OK, I need your exploration mode, whether you have darkvision or not, what light sources you have. And I'd like you to complete the marching order (slide 2)

Does anybody have a light source? If not, I have my fancy-shmancy wayfinder.
Casts bright light in a 20-foot radius (and dim light for the next 20 feet) like a torch.

I can act as scout or search for things as we go. I do have low-light vision.

"I got darkvision, so I'll be fine without it. I'm happy going ahead a bit to scout out what's in there. Of course, if you'd rather, I can be sneaky as well."

Exploration mode: Scout (if no one else is doing it) or Avoid Notice (if scout's already taken).

"I appreciate the light, dear. My eyes aren't what they once were!"

(Just realized I made this character without a light source. Oops!)

I suppose you could always Produce Flame to set something on fire. ;)

Remember you exploration mode ... ;-)

Exploration: Investigate (Hopefully using Arcana.) Someone should probably Search. (My Perception is not great.)

"Dragons don't need light!" says Rannarix. "I can see in the dark!"

"'Cause I'm a dragon."

Rannarix scouts ahead, looking for trouble.

Exploration Activity: Search.

He's not as good at Perception as Nal Bagura, but he doesn't know that.

Haha! That's great. If things go badly, Nal might change her exploration mode to compensate, but for now she sees no reason to do so.

As the party prepare to descend into the depths of the building, Redd picks up a piece of broken stonework, saying a few words and making it shine and flare like a torch. Then the group start to make their way....

A damaged stone stairway leads downward. The steps are high, clearly made for something much larger than the average human. The room at the bottom is dark, and a musty smell hangs in the air. One section of the room contains numerous shelves and barrels, while a channel fifteen feet below the main room holds crates. The entire room is littered with pieces of clay, loose stones, and scattered bones.

Please see map
Inside yellow circle is normal light, inside larger dark yellow circle is dim light.
South of the red line, the light does not shine so it is dark.

Nal and Rannix spot what appears to be a crab-like creature hiding in the debris, which is motionless, possibly asleep or otherwise incapacitated.

Incendia as she looks into the room and as she thinks about it, postulates that this is a former wine cellar. It is still strewn with pieces of long-dried clay jugs, once kept safe and dry off the ground by raised shelving.

"An old wine cellar, perhaps? Even cyclops would wet their whistle once in a while, I suppose."

"Quietly. There's a crab-like creature over there, see? Right by the opening. It may be sleeping. Don't know what it'll do if it sees us, but let's be careful, just in case. I'll scout ahead to see if there's anything on this side of it. Wait here." Nal begins stealthily moving eastward along the north wall to peek into the room at the end.

Perception +7: any secret doors, etc?

As Nal patiently searches the far eastern room, carefully bypassing the old and broken barrels, she tiptoes past the discarded bones of small animals, an assortment of white thigh bones, rib cages, skulls with their flesh removed, picked dry.

In the darkness of the shadows, Nal silently and slowly creeps past the sleeping creature. Nal is so quiet blending into the shadows, even you have difficulty watching his progress. He peers into the channel 15ft below, his eyes moving to the east see at the end of the storage channel a massive stone door with debris and rough stone piled around it. The way it looks as though the door hung into the stonework in the past, this door could have been used as a secret passage leading deeper into the complex, but time and disturbances have laid the entrance bare.

To the west the channel appears to continue into a dark dead end.

Nal you can go back to your companions either sneaky or not, or you can tell them the way is clear and get them to you, or anything else you want to do ... I just can't think or much else.... although you might have other plans.

Rannarix busies himself laying out a spike snare in the space in front of him, waving Nal around it when she returns.

A wine cellar? I sure wouldn't want to encounter a drunk cyclops.
She cocks her head to the side in thought.
I wonder if they see double with only one big eye when they're drunk.

----------------------------

Redd watches the kobold make his snare. She waits patiently in silence for one of her companions to give directions on where to go. She worries about the crab creature, hoping it doesn't notice Nal sneaking around.

Nal silently draws her black-bladed shortsword and tiptoes back toward the crab-thing and silently waves to get Rannarix's attention. Once he looks her way, she waves him over and gives "thumbs up" and an "quiet" sign. She stays where she is until everyone else is past the crab, holding her shortsword at the ready in case the crab awakens or causes any problems.

With Nal beackoning everyone over, the rest of the party creep towards Nal and the way through the ancient wine store. As Rannarix passes the crab like creature, it suddenly moves jerking towards Rannarix.

Encounter in the Wine Store - Round 1
Rannarix is up first.

1.◆ Hunt Prey on the crab.
1a.◇ Monster Hunter - Recall Knowledge on Crab.

Shortsword v. crab w/ Precision: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4) = 10

"Gaaah! Crab attack!" yells the little kobold while simultaneously skewering the nasty thing with his swiftly-drawn blade.

Big apologies for the group the GM has messed up big time, it is not Rannarix's turn it.... It is Nals's turn, so Rannarix you will get your turn later and if you want to can keep the roll of 15 for that turn.

Some many big apologies!!!! I've screwed a big dramatic moment ...

So Nal can you take your turn ..... as you can see from the initiatives spoiler for the group ..... Nal 27, the rest under 20.

As soon as the crab thingy stirs, Nal brings her shortsword down onto its carapace with three quick strikes.

Shortsword (P): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Shortsword (P): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Shortsword (P): 1d20 ⇒ 101d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

◆ Strike, ◆ Strike, ◆ Strike

Gah! It's too quick for her. She needs a flank! "Somebody get directly across from me!"

As the shell moves, Nal quickly uses her shortsword, each strike chipping part of the hardened carapace away. Lacking her normal precision, the carapace holds mainly together. But as the last of her strikes hits home, she is horrified by the realisation that it is not a creature, it is merely an empty shell, no living creature inside. The shell nestles with a clatter on the floor.

With the sudden feeling that whatever is happening, the omens are not good for the party. As the feeling of insecurity and threat descends upon Rannarix he feels a thin, but extremely strong filament Strike 1d20 ⇒ 6 which sticks around his ankle, grabbing the kobold tight. As it the filament tightens, the ranger feels himself being pulled towards the edge of the storage channel. Pull Filament 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (1) - 5 = -4. As the filament is pulled, it suddenly breaks, releasing the hold on Rannarix's ankle.

A creature is hidden from Nal, Rannarix and unobserved from the rest of you.

You are all up.everyone except Nal are Round 1.

Nal is disgusted at her overreaction to an empty shell, but also curious as to how it moved. She didn't *think* anyone kicked it. Then Rennarix's body moves toward the channel in a being-pulled-by-the-feet way. Her eyes dart along the filament across the channel and spot something. "Over there!" She out the spot where she saw something and strides around the corner, holding her shortsword at the ready in case the filament strikes again.

◆ Point out, ◆ Stride, ◆ Ready

Redd glances around as she scouts forward to the east and wonders why the group suddenly turns southward.
Hey. Let's check out that chamber over there.
She whispers as she points to the east. However, the group turns southward.

Redd is suddenly surprised as a crab thing animates and then tentacles spring out of nowhere to grab Rannarix.
She pulls her bow from her back and waits for the elusive creature to come out.
What was that!?! It almost got Ranni!
Adjusted radius of Redd's wayfinder. It's bright in 20', then dim the next 20'.