Daehalya pulls a rope out of her bag and helps the group down, her strength as always seeming far greater than it would seem from her slender elven form.
After easily letting Ezgara down, the rope threatens to slip!
The masked amurrun jumps into the pit to land on his feet beside Nicholo. "Next time, Nicholo do like Onye Dinta and land on feet," he says before moving away to make room.
Alvarius walks to the edge, looks down, and says, "Ok, sure. Let's jump down into the trap. That seems like a good idea."
He waves away the help offered by Daehalya, says an arcane word under his breath, and jumps down.
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Next time, Nicholo do like Onye Dinta and land on feet
To which Nicky responds.
If my hands were not grasping a rapier and a buckler, I would give you a clapping ovation for that snarky comment. So, I'll give you a head nod of snark appreciation.I think I'm rubbing off on you. Back when we first walked into Sevenarches in the Black Wood forest, I'm not certain that level of sarcasm was in your bones. NOW, you have a bona-fide sense of humor. I'm lovin' it!
Nicky is prepared to go forward down one of the pathways. Not backward toward the door.
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The amurrun looks at Nicholo from behind his mask and blinks. "Alvarius landed on his feet."
Grundle graciously accepts Daehalya's offer instead of wasting precious resources just to show off.
Once everyone else is down, Daehalya leaps down, easily landing on her feet.
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Using magic, a small bit of rope and grace you each manage to make it safely down the small sinkhole to assist Nicholo.
Half a dozen animal skins hang from iron chains attached to the lumpy clay ceiling. This corner of the caves is utterly frigid—a thick layer of frost rimes the animal skins and earthen walls. Much of the ground is, incongruously, made of white bricks. A sturdy wooden door to the southwest is one way out, while two tunnels to the north offer alternative exits.
Ezgara and Alvarius notice telltale signs of a complex magical trap layed into the tiles. Small bits of cold fog rise from the floor.
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Using magic, a small bit of rope and grace you each manage to make it safely down the small sinkhole to assist Nicholo.
Half a dozen animal skins hang from iron chains attached to the lumpy clay ceiling. This corner of the caves is utterly frigid—a thick layer of frost rimes the animal skins and earthen walls. Much of the ground is, incongruously, made of white bricks. A sturdy wooden door to the southwest is one way out, while two tunnels to the north offer alternative exits.
Ezgara and Alvarius notice telltale signs of a complex magical trap layed into the tiles. Small bits of cold fog rise from the floor.
Ezgara hangs back and rambles… offering Guidance anyone he can.
"They're etched in a little more strongly than I expected," Daehalya explains sheepishly, and sets to trying to erase the runes with more vigor.
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Daehalya erases the magical runes one by one clearing the room of a deadly freezing trap. Not all of the skins hanging here belonged to animals—some were demons. Searching the hanging bits of flesh you find two polished demons horns that radiant magical auras.
However, some useful adventuring basics are stuffed into the crates, including 10 sunrods, a set of infiltrator thieves’ tools, a set of expanded healer’s tools, four lesser elixirs of life, and four doses of moderate antiplague.
Ezgara kicks away the healers tools having just paid a premium for his own set of sharpened trigs and sticks in town.
He tries to explain what polished demon horns are.
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Ezgara expains about poolishing demon horns in his own gifted, cryptic poetry of words as the group continues down the now trap-free tunnel.
A tangle of stitched-together animal hides lays on the bloodstained wooden table in this chamber’s center. Racks of skinning and tanning tools lean against the western wall. In the opposite corner, someone has piled a mound of discarded clothes and adventurers’ gear.
A juvenile skin beetle swarm and an abominable construct called a skinstitch dwell in this chamber. On one of the tables lies a days old body, it's flesha nd muscle stripped at various points as the beetles seem to be feeding on the remnants. This monstrous amalgamation of various dead travelers, demons, and animals— clumsily animated by a swarm of skin beetles trained specifically for the purpose—is the result of some awful experiment as it moans lowly, shambling around a table.
"That's no way to treat the dead. Highly disrespectful," Alvarius says, carefully studying the movements of the fleshy construct. He's hoping to make sense of what it's programming has it doing.
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Whoa - disgusting. It's like an everything plate spam at the Cracktooth Tavern in Sandpoint! You think it's a good idea to make a golem, but then you see the results and go .. EEEWWWWW.
Magic peeps. What do we do?
Seeing the swarm, and seeing that it's the real threat. He takes out a bottle that will explode.
"What is this place?" Daehalya wonders aloud. "Monsters, and some trappings of society ... but no people. Crusaders gone bad?"
She's ready to move on, not feeling a need to pick a fight with the construct, as long as it's content to leave them alone. It's who's responsible for this monstrosity that she wants to meet.
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"On one hand, there is a twisted brilliance in this macabre recycling, an echo of nature's own relentless cycle of life and death. It is a form of conservation, an adaptation to the harshness of existence where nothing is wasted, where every sinew and bone is given new purpose. There is a grim efficiency in this process, a stark reminder that in the grand design of survival, even the remnants of the fallen can serve a greater function.
Yet, this practice, while undeniably resourceful, also plunges us into the depths of revulsion. It is a grotesque desecration of the human form, a perversion of the natural order that commands a visceral response of repulsion. The reassembly of bodies, stripped of their humanity and reconstituted as mere components, strips away the dignity of life and death, reducing what was once noble and valiant to a grotesque mockery.
As we stand at this crossroads, the decision to halt this grim enterprise or to acknowledge its brutal pragmatism must be made. Do we see it as an affront to the sanctity of life, a practice that must be extinguished to preserve our humanity? Or do we accept its cold logic, understanding that in the harsh theatre of survival, even the most grisly acts can hold a twisted form of utility? This, dear companions, is the burden of discernment that we must bear."
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...This, dear companions, is the burden of discernment that we must bear.
Nicky listens to all this. Understanding and contemplating the salient points he is making. Impressed at the way he extolls both sides.
But Nicky's response is not one of intellectual thought.Above my paygrade. That decision is way above my paygrade, Grundle. Don't look my way for the "discernment" answer. I want to crawl out of this tunnel alive and with the comet-star. Which of your options lead to the end result of "staying alive"?
Alvarius can't help but chuckle. "I'm generally in favour of the 'staying alive' option too, current state notwithstanding. And you can question the nature of things all you want. But you should know that what those beetles are doing is making the construct stronger."
"One thing you should keep in mind though is that the construct has no feelings. And the bugs are just bugs. But someone made that thing, and can probably control it. Whoever that is, they could be nearby. And I doubt they're a nice sort. My vote is to chop it up into small enough pieces so it doesn't bother anyone."
"Onye Dinta agrees with Alvarius," the catfolk says. "The beetles are simply being, but the beetles stand as an obstacle."
Daehalya sighs. "I would rather just leave it -- and the beetles -- as they don't seem to care about us. It has done nothing wrong; it's not the monster that is the horror, but rather the monster's creator, whatever mad doctor it may be. But if you are worried, we can destroy it now."
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One by one you slowly and quietly creep through the room, Onye's padded feet ive him quite the advantage as he makes it past. Nicholo is still getting used to his elven features but forgets to tur on the silent graceful footsteps as he bumps into a corner and knocks over the pile of leathers. The beetles rear up fro their meal as the construct creaks and turns towards the noise.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Nicholo
➤ Alvarius
➤ Grundle
Skinstitch
Daehalya
Onye
⠀⠀Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
Ezgara
"These creatures, blind to reason and driven by their macabre purpose, leave us no choice but to engage in battle."
Grundle's psychic energies roil around the beetles, animating the loose bits of flesh and bone. He whips them into a frenzy, battering the insects in a grisly vortex of human chowder.
He then takes cover behind the pillar (two squares East; unable to manipulate the map at the moment).
Alvarius moves in the opposite direction of Grundle, stepping out from cover. His bony fingers move through arcane gestures, culminating is a spell that releases jagged electricity arcing between the swarm and the construct.
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Alvarius and Grundle mve in opposing directions. Alvarius' electric arc doesn't seem to have a lot of effect as it passes over the beetles and into the skinstitch. Grundle sends the table of muscle bits and bones into the air as it creates a grotesque storm.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Nicholo
Alvarius
Grundle
Skinstitch
Daehalya
Onye
⠀⠀Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
Ezgara
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Nicky tosses the canister in his hand at the skin beetle swarm. It pops as it flashes bright.
damage 2d6. Dazzled 1r DC 17 Reflex. DC 17 Fort.
so THAT's what a bioluminescence bomb does?! Who woulda thunk?
Success The creature is unaffected.
Failure The creature is dazzled for 1 round.
Critical Failure The creature is blinded for 1 round, then dazzled for 1 round.
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The bioluminescence bomb explodes sprinkling a glowing goop all over the beetles as it seems to dazzle them momentarily. The mindless construct rushes towards the source of the bright flash and swings both mangles limbs at Nicholo. One arm a jagged piece of bone and another a blunt chunk of corpse ribcage sewn on like a cudgel.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Nicholo
Alvarius
Grundle
Skinstitch
➤ Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
Ezgara
HP 72/72
AC 24 (+1 vs. traps), deny advantage, cold resistance 3
Fort +10, Ref +14, Will +11 (+1 vs. traps)
Hero Points: 3
Deviant backlash DC: 5
Effects:
Daehalya rushes in, risking getting close to the beetles to get a clear shot at the monstrosity. She twirls her staff, smacking it with first one end, and then the other.
The amurrun considers for a moment before returning the way he passed. He chants an eldritch phrase to generate a small arc of lightning.
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Daehalya rushes in getting next to the grotesque creatures. Her staff sweeps through teh air as it crams its way deep ito the skinstitch'es back.
Onye chants a phrase lost to time as a small arc of lightning streaks across the air.
The skin beetle swarm shifts back and forth as it has a hard time seeing clearly. The slump falls free from the table as it swarms overtop of Onye
The beetles bite Onye before skittering across the ground onto Nicholo.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Nicholo
➤ Alvarius
➤ Grundle
Skinstitch
Daehalya
Onye
⠀⠀Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
➤ Ezgara
Alvarius steps to get a better view of the monsters, moving bony fingers through the motions of a spell. Glowing sigils appear in the air, a sure sign of the manifestation of magic. The process completes and a jumble of rocks cascade down upon both the swarm and the stitchskin.
plus marked area is difficult terrain.
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I'm in the *thick*. This is so wrong. I need to get out. Pronto!
Nicky takes this que of crawling bugs and moves away. He first raises his hand to blast the swarm of bugs.
◆ Stride
◆◆ Devise a strategem.
Thinking it through, maybe a beam of fire won't really huyrt the bugs. He changes targets.
◆◆◆Attack the golem instead.
I don't think the fire helped. Sorry Y'all.
""I have endured all that I can bear, and now, my tolerance has reached its breaking point."
Grundle unleashes his psyche and sends a Phase Bolt at the Skinstitch followed by a Psi Burst.
Ezgara moves into position and bolts the swarm and skinstitch!
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Ezgara shocks the pair of skin-collecting foes. The bright flash glares across Nicholo's vision as he misses with his blasting beam. Alvariu's small rubble pieces misses as they rise to the ceiling and come crashing down all around the pair. Grundle's phase bolt passes through the stone wall missing the construct, though the residual psychic energy.
The skinstitch attempts to flay some skin and fur from Onye's hide.
The skinstitch grabs ahold of the flayed fur and attaches it to its own injuries closing them up.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Nicholo
Alvarius
Grundle
Skinstitch
➤ Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
Ezgara
HP 72/72
AC 24 (+1 vs. traps), deny advantage, cold resistance 3
Fort +10, Ref +14, Will +11 (+1 vs. traps)
Hero Points: 2
Deviant backlash DC: 5
Effects:
"Leave him, creature!" Daehalya suggests. Are we all going to be made of pieces of each other by the time this is over? That device in Kaneepo's let my friends take of each other's very being, and now this creature tries to do the same thing...
But she realizes those thoughts are a distraction as her attempt to trip the creature nearly knocks her over instead! Focusing more carefuly, she sends her staff arcing back around toward it's head and then prepares to avoid its attack.
Critical Success You precisely discern the target's strategy, gaining a +2 circumstance bonus to AC against the creature until the start of your next turn and a +2 circumstance bonus to your next saving throw against the creature before the start of your next turn.
Success You deduce the gist of the target's strategy; as critical success, except the circumstance bonus is only +1.
Failure You fail to discern the target's strategy and gain no benefit.
Critical Failure You misintearpret the target's strategy and take a –1 circumstance penalty to AC against the creature until the start of your next turn, and a –1 circumstance penalty to your next saving throw against the creature before the start of your next turn.
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Between having his fur flayed and the skin beetles swarming over him it leaves Onye's fur dark red and covered in blood. Daehalya sweeps her staff at the skinstitch's legs and knock it prone to the ground where she cracks it across the creature's head.
Daehalya tries to figure out the creatures motives but it is a bit more difficult with it being a mindless construct.
This electric arc is much more successful as the skinstitch begins to have difficulty holding itself together and looks like it will fall apart soon.
The skin beetles continue their deadly loop as they swarm all over Nicholo and Alvarius, though the don't seem to get alot of meat from Alvarius.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Nicholo
➤ Alvarius
➤ Grundle
Skinstitch
Daehalya
Onye
⠀⠀Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
➤ Ezgara
Seeing the swarm devour Alvarius and Nicholo puts Grundle through a rollercoaster of emotions. After briefly weighing the pros and cons he switches the attention of his oozing psychic energies to the beetles.
"Leave my friend and also my associate be!"
He hopes the change in targets yields better results with the same strategy.
"I'm honoured to be considered an associate!"
He then steps out of the swarm, only to quickly cast a spell to hurl more electricity.
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Of Course you are a part of the team Alvarius! I bet it's when you's getting flayed, or beetle swarmed that you rethink how much of an honor it is!
I mean - Onye got whalopped a second ago and the think toon HIS skin to make it -it's own.
That just sucks the big one.
Nicky moves out of the swarm, as he feels mauled.
◆ Stride
He then bears down at the Skinstich with his blasting beams. Looking at a strategy to get them all in a line, but not finding an angle.
◆ ◆ devise a stratagem
Liking what he's got, he lets loose with his beam of fire. Taking a mild backlash.
◆ ◆ ◆ Strike the skinstitch.
Ezgara flings fire at the swarm before backpeddling!
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Ezgara scorches the beetle swarm, causing a fewto shriek and scurry away. Meanwhile Nicholo fights for his life. He sends out another powerful beam into the skinstich. The energy burns through the stitching causing the cnstruct to tear apart at the seams as it also seems to slightly burn Nicholo as well.
Alvarius hurls more electricty at the beetles as Grundle psychicly bursts a few of their numbers out of existence.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Nicholo
Alvarius
Grundle
➤ Daehalya
➤ Onye
⠀⠀➤ Uhu
Skin Beetle Swarm
Ezgara
With the golem fallen to burning pieces and the only enemies a swarm of fist-sized beetles, the catfolk prowler decides that magic is the best option. He calls upon the frigid air of the mountain peaks and attempts to freeze the beetles.
Then he touches his wounds and a puff of ephemeral golden feathers floats away from his hand.