You follow west, which quickly becomes southwest in a series of serpentine squiggles. The hall is of similar construction to the previous cave: obviously worked, but by hands that cared more for function than beauty. Eventually, you come out into a 25' by 20'-ish cave with one exit, which coincidentally leads you back into the hallway you entered by.
The cave itself is shrouded in an eerie mist that seems to coil and writhe like snakes. Sinister whispers echo through the rocky chamber, though no speaker can be found. The air is heavy with the stench of decay.
Djack enters, rapier drawn and keeps alert for danger.
Something makes Rocko pause. He tries his best to speak quietly, something he isn't always very good at.
"Hold up, my friend. I reckon we should be havin' a gift out rather than blades."
Not just the sounds, but the smells are making Rocko worried. He tries to pinpoint what it is that bothers him.
I like gifts too, but that didn't work out too well a little while ago.
Neither Djack nor Rocko perceives anything not already noticed. Try as he might, Djack cannot think of something commonly found in a dungeon that would fit the description, either. Quite possibly another undead, given the former "Master's" profession.
Chaucair:
Yoltzin:
No one else in the party perceives the danger they are now in, either. Suddenly, something drops from the ceiling in a fluid motion, and a massive, vaguely female form lands on top of Chaucair.
The creature, whatever it be, appears a monstrosity of green ectoplasmic flesh, horns, and a tremendous scythe-like claw.
Initiative:
"Woman":
Damnit, from above... really?
"This is why I hate caves!" The elf chimed in, trying to ready herself in the face of danger.
Amideo:
Rocko:
Chaucair:
Initiative Order:
Amideo, Djack
Creature
Yoltzin, Rocko, Chaucair, Zia
Djack lashes out with his rapier, then tried to move by the creature distracting it from Amideo's approach.
Amideo points his sword at the woman as he says with iron conviction in his voice, "You are an abomination, a blight upon the land. I pronounce the sentence of true death upon you, and appoint myself and my companions as your executioner!"
As he does so, his blade glows faintly with magical power, holy light derived not from any god but his steadfast dedication to his oaths of office.
He steps forward and swings at the woman with his sword, intent on carrying out her sentence.
Djack and Amideo both manage to perform well in combat, yet against this foe, the damage is not as impressive as it might have been. "She" must be sturdy, indeed.
The evil beast in the form of a disfigured, oversized woman lashes out again, this time at Amideo.
Rest of party may act in Round 1
Rocko will drop the torch he was carrying and pull out his axe as he steps up to take a swing.
"Okay, no gifts for the 'witch-lady-thing'."
Chaucair does his Bard thing, everyone get +2 attack and damage.
Despite this bonus, Rocko's axe swing only connects with loose, slimy parts of the evil beast, doing no damage (aka 19 total is a miss).
Zia fires a pair of Magic Missiles at opponent:
Holding on Yoltzin end of Round 2.
The elf looks to the creature, trying to pick up the details of its necronatic construction and puzzle out its origins. As she does so, she plucks an arrow from her quiver so that she might take aim.
Yoltzin's arrow strikes true. However, her knowledge draws a blank. While the creature has suffered several damaging attacks, it looks like it still has a lot of fight left.
Top of Round 2 (pretty sure).
Amideo and Djack may act before creature.
Holding on Djack and Amideo.
Djack isn't quite certain what he's fighting or that he wants to know.
Djack manages another solid hit, puncturing the horrid "woman" in its monstrous abdomen.
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He is, but still short.
The creature hisses out as the steel of Amideo's blade sinks into it shortly after Djack's piercing strike.
Amideo saving throw
The woman locks eyes with Amideo and speaks some foul words obviously intended to do him harm, but the knight is too strong-willed, and her attempts at witchery fail.
Yoltzin and Rocko may act.
"Fallen spirit of the ashlands, you shall do no more harm to us this day!" Yoltzin shouts, channeling her divine magic to protect her allies and herself in this fight, placing a hand on each of their shoulders as she circles around to behind Amideo (directly to his left on the map).
As Yoltzin casts her spell, she feels something pushing back. Unlike its usual manifestation, the protective energies coalesce with a fierce determination, shimmering with a faint, defiant light that seems to push back against the encroaching darkness. In this corrupted domain, the protective aura seems to pulse with an almost aggressive vigor, as if it's engaged in a silent battle against the malevolent forces lurking in the shadows.
"Xenxolotl, may our fate this day be of triumph..." She utters, feeling the energies of the room collide.
Rocko breaths in deeply as he gathers strength to lash out as powerfully as he can. Rather than any witty remarks, he just lets off a guttural bark as he first slashes and the slams with all his might
The more powerful of the two attacks glances off the creature's gooey flesh, but the shield-bash lands solidly in its midsection, spewing green undead gunk into Rocko's snout.
Xiamara has used up her most compelling and effective spells, and is left throwing cantrips in the hopes it helps turn the tide in some small way.
Ray of Frost
Top of Round 3.
Djack and Amideo may act.
Djack watches his friends work to overcome the threat and winces as Rocko get's a snoutful.
He tries to end it, Gramms, help me...
Djack be nimble, Djack be quick!
He braces for the creature's inevitable retaliation.
Amideo takes a deep breath, studying the ghostly woman's movements. He is injured and sore, an yet his duty comes before all. He swings his blade, a perfect, vicious arc, one that would make the valiant caballeros of old cheer with joy.
He lets out a mighty whoop and bellows, "True death comes for you, horrid villain!"
Djack nearly falls back, feeling the cavalier's blow himself... at least evidence of its impact.
Glad we're on the same side.
With those two attacks, the horrible she-creature lets out a piercing scream, and her body reverts to a puddle of putrid goo.
The single long fingernail lands pointing toward a chest nestled in a crack in the rocky wall.
Inside the chest, you find the following (added to party treasure):
738 gp worth of gems
1442 cp
1261 sp
314 gp
27 pp
wand of magic missile (20 charges; 3rd level, claimed by Xia)
"To think that the might of spirits can be twisted it to such forms, it is beyond pale." Yoltzin utters, breaking out and lighting sticks of incense to help purify the air. In several respects, really.
As the spirit collapses, Amideo smacks his blade once against his shield in triumph before sheathing it. He nods and says softly to nobody in particular, "Your sentence has been served. May justice alone be what looses my blade from it's scabbard."
He then turns to the party with a grin, face bruised and bloody, "By the gods, we did well. That was a truly abominable thing we slew. I am, ooph, rather wounded if any of you can help with that."
"Of course." She agreed, lifting up her pendant to channel the divine power of fate.
There are only two ways out of this cavern; back toward 4, or east. Continue on?
With the fight over Rocko frantically drops his axe and shield so he can get this horrid gunk off his sensitive nose. Wiping with a rag only seems to smear the gunk around, and a douse from his water skin doesn't do much better.
"bleh"
Rocko isn't to concerned about this show of weakness in front of his companions, but he still sulks a little as he picks up his gear to follow whichever direction everyone wants to go
Djack gives everyone a clap on the shoulder, obviously proud to be a part of this formidable group.
Looking around to ensure everyone is ready, Shall we?
He starts East.
Heading east, you come almost immediately to a smallish square room. There is very little of interest here. After a brief recon, you determine your current choices of direction (aside from going back), are:
Cavern Map updated
South (A)
Jog North, then back down South (B)
or
further Northeast, then job South and continue East toward the rock creatures that bested you yesterday (C).
Amideo returns Djack's clap on the shoulder with a mighty clap on the back. Unless he's prepared for it, the gesture of affection threatens to send the rogue stumbling.
"Let us head south first. The simplest path is often the best."
Going South, the hallway wides after a short distance, and you come to two rusty iron doors. Each door is 5' wide and 11' tall. From the look of the hinges set into the stone, each of these great doors must be at least 1' thick. On each valve are many leering demon visages in bronze. The air is unusually damp in this area.
"An interesting find." She mutely observed, looking closely at the figures depicted upon the doors.
Djack catches himself but barely, after Amideo's clap on the back. Taking it in good humor he moves South.