Cimrodel casts his spell and peers out at the room. He picks up no auras in the room.
With Cimrôdel finding nothing magical inside the room, Saria cautiously sends one light into the room as takes a look as well, hoping her elven senses help her pick out any non magical danger that might be lurking inside.
Shathee whispers as he does his best to see out the opening, "We may want to try and restrict our use of lighting as much as possible. Anything that doesn't need it can see the light far before we see them."
"With all due respect, Shathee," Cimrôdel says, his tone calm but insistent, "restricting our use of light would be a poor decision. While I understand the concern for keeping our position hidden, some of us are simply incapable of functioning without it." He glances over at his companions, his gaze settling on those who rely on light to navigate. "I, for one, would be nearly blind without my ioun stone. My magic, which is my primary means of defense, requires clear vision. Trying to fight or even maneuver in the dark would put us at a severe disadvantage, especially in an unknown, possibly hostile environment like this." His voice hardens with determination. "We must find a way to balance stealth and preparedness, but I would advise against cutting off our ability to see."
Before Saria even starts to move a light out into the room she hears a clicking sound as if sticks were lightly tapping stone coming from above the door.
Saria orders the light back and holds up one hand. "There's... Something inside. Seems like some sort of clicking sound right above the door. Kind of like sticks lightly tapping the wall. I'd guess it's another one of those spiders. Might even be Clicky Legs. Either way, make sure we're all ready for it before we go in. I can go in first to get its attention."
"Why don't we just go in and see what we see?" Doc mutters, while he takes the time to mix a couple of alchemist extracts. "I ain't afraid of the dark." Unless anyone stops him, he drinks them and pushes forward. His head lamp shines on whatever was making the skittering sounds.
Cimrôdel will follow Doc.
Saria steps out just ahead of Doc and Cimrodel. A sticky tendril shoots out of the darkness above the doorway and hits Saria on the back. Saria pulls her head around and Doc steps out so that they both can see the dim outline of some large insect like thing on the ceiling. When Cimrodel steps out he can easily make it out. Before anyone can react Saria is yanked ten feet in the air.
It is a cave fisher, a big one. They can see in the dark to about sixty feet, they are immune to mind affecting effects, and they use a sticky tendril of webbing to grab and pull prey toward them.
Round 1
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cave fisher uninjured
Cimrodel 18/18<<<
Shathee 19/19<<<
Saria 18/25<<<
Doc adams 28/28<<<
Aurie 20/26;<<<
Molasbar 22/22;<<<
Seeing Saria fly up into the air, Shathee sprints through the door, his lithe frame gliding through the rest of the party as his bow slides from his shoulder and he plucks an arrow from his quiver.
Upon reaching further into the room, he turns and quickly aims his bow up to whatever is holding Saria and lets the arrow fly.
Doc rushes closer and with his unnaturally long arms he stabs at the creature.
Molasbar brings up his bow, casting a spell upon it as he does.
"This is a Cave Fisher," Cimrôdel announces, his tone serious as his eyes scan the creature. "A pretty sizable example, possibly class 3 or 4. They are immune to mind-affecting spells and have darkvision. Saria, I apologize in advance for what I am about to do." His gaze flickers to his companion suspended in midair, struggling against the creature's sticky tendril.
I must help her escape, but I cannot risk her slipping further into danger, Cimrôdel thinks, preparing his magic. With a deliberate motion, he raises his hands and begins the incantation. "Tal’vashra!" he commands, and a slick coating of grease suddenly covers Saria's body, making her slippery and harder to hold on to.
He steps back, watching carefully for any change in the creature’s hold on her, and quickly scans the room for other threats. His mind races, ready to act again if the situation escalates further.
"You apologize in... Cim, what are you..." Saria calls out as she struggles against the creature's hold. She realises what's happening when the magical grease appears, and does her best to use her new slipperiness to escape.
Shathee's arrow hits but does not find a particularly vulnerable spot. Cimrodel has an excellent but gross idea coating Saria in grease. Though it seems to work at the tendril's adhesive Saria still cannot get loose from the line.
Round 1
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cave fisher uninjured
Cimrodel 18/18
Shathee 19/19
Saria 18/25
Doc adams 28/28<<<
Aurie 20/26;<<<
Molasbar 22/22
Doc briefly considers rushing forward and attacking with his unnaturally long arms, before he realizes the creature is too far away. Instead, he draws his crossbow and loads it, then fires it at the enemy.
Shit, Saria! Aurie, bloodrages, seeks to wallrun on a wall, jump diagonally, and grab hold of her, intending to cut the line connecting Saria to the cave fisher
Doc's arrow finds a chink in the fisher's armor. Aurie exits the tunnel leaps up on the wall and kicks off for height. She cuts the tendril of silk and Saria drops the short distance the ground (5 non-lethal dmg, acrobatics roll DC 15 to avoid dmg and land on your feet).
The thing must be pretty hungry or obstinate for it doesn't run but tries again. This time it shoots a tendril out that hits Doc in the head and pulls him up ten feet (DC 10 REF to avoid being blinded).
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cave fisher -7 lightly injured
Cimrodel 18/18<<<
Shathee 19/19<<<
Saria 18/25<<<
Doc adams 28/28<<<
Aurie 20/26;<<<
Molasbar 22/22<<<
Molasbar brings up his bow with an arrow nocked. For just an instant, reality blurs to his vision. He sees dozens of possibilities for how the next second could go. Based on what he sees, he adjusts his aim ever so slightly, then looses his arrow.
Prescience
Longbow w/gravity bow to hit , damage .
Edit: Since the prescience is slightly better, let's sub it for the to hit roll, giving him a 17 to hit.
Can someone f@~%ing shoot it?
Aurie snalrs as she tries to repeat her performance from just ago, but this time she grabbs onto doc.
Apparently intended to climb up on Doc and give the crawler very stabby "Yoink one party member, get stabbed in the face for free" deal.
"This creature is relentless," Cimrôdel mutters to himself as he watches the cave fisher continue its assault. He observes the chaos unfolding in front of him—Aurie’s daring moves, Doc being dragged upward, and the continuing struggle to free their comrades. The situation is growing more dire, and Cimrôdel knows they must act quickly.
I need to finish this thing off before it can cause more damage, he thinks, his eyes narrowing on the Cave Fisher. The sight of the creature's continued efforts to ensnare them only solidifies his resolve.
"Everyone, be cautious. I will focus my efforts on this monstrosity." He raises his hands and begins the incantation.
"Tal’vashra!" he calls sharply, and two streaks of force erupt from his fingertips, each aimed at the Cave Fisher. The magical missiles zip through the air with deadly precision, crashing into the creature’s hide.
Let's see if this will put an end to it, he thinks, stepping back to keep a close eye on the ever-evolving battle.
Doc frowns and reloads his crossbow from his precarious position above the ground, firing again at the creature above them.
Molasbar's arrow finds purchase. Then Aurie grabs onto Doc. As the two of them begin to swing Cimrodel launches a pair of magic missiles that dislodge the creature causing it to fall. The fisher hits the ground with a crack, Doc and Aurie fall as well (DC 15 Acrobatics or take 5non-lethal dmg and fall prone).
Round 2
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cave fisher -23 moderately injured
Cimrodel 18/18
Shathee 19/19<<<
Saria 18/25 (maybe 5 non-lethal dmg)<<<
Doc adams 28/28 (maybe 5 non-lethal dmg)
Aurie 20/26 (maybe 5 non-lethal dmg)
Molasbar 22/22
"Ah, gravity," Cimrôdel mutters with a wry smirk, watching the cave fisher crash to the ground, followed by Aurie and Doc. "It has an uncanny way of reminding us all of its unforgiving nature." He gestures toward the fallen creature. "Even this creature, which seems to defy most expectations, cannot escape its laws."
Though perhaps it’s the momentary loss of control that gives us an edge, he thinks, watching Doc and Aurie’s landing with an analytical eye.
"Let’s be thankful that gravity is on our side for once," he adds dryly, keeping a wary eye on the surroundings as the battle continues.
Aurie slides down gracefully
And tries to steady Doc as he, still blinded, falls down as well.
GREAT SHOT CIMRODEL! Aurie shouts with approval!
"Thanks, Aurie that was..." Saria's thanks as Aurie cuts the silky tendril are cut short as she falls unsteadily to the ground.
"Ow... Well, it got me free, shouldn't complain too much." Saria uses her spear for support as she tries to get back up, and cheers as Cimrôdel's spell makes the creature come crashing down.
Reacting quickly to the creature's attack, Saria raises a stone slab from the floor in an attempt to block it.
"Nicely done, Cimrôdel! Although if you ask me, gravity could have been a bit more gentle just now." She adds with a pained grin.
She quickly glances around and realises that stepping back to use her spear would mean leaving Cimrôdel exposed. With no better option, she uses her gloved hand to strike at the creature, but with the intent of leading it into Aurie's blades.
Doc stumbles and falls as he drops from the tendril. He stands up and takes a step back, leaving his crossbow on the ground as he quickly draws his rapier to stab at the creature.
Saria recovers and means to help Aurie but the redhead focuses on trying to steady Doc. It's not quite as easy as she hoped and Doc hits the ground fairly hard. Doc rises from the ground, tendril still stuck to his head and looking like a super long top knot in the dim light. He lunges for the downed fisher but the blade skips off its carapace. Shathee takes another shot at the giant bug but fails to find anything soft. It rises from the ground (AOO from Aurie, Saria, and Doc). Then it lashes out at (whoever hits it the hardest).
Round 3
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cave fisher -23 moderately injured<<<
Cimrodel 18/18
Shathee 19/19
Saria 18/25 (5 non-lethal dmg)
Doc adams 28/28 (5 non-lethal dmg)
Aurie 20/26
Molasbar 22/22
Doc finds a weak spot and slips his rapier in. Then Aurie smacks the thing so hard it cracks its shell. The fisher shudders and drops back to the ground. You notice there is a leather pouch attached to one of its legs. Inside you find a dozen polished rocks, 23 tiny teeth, and a bracer.
The bracer is magical.
Doc frowns at the single bracer while others presumably detect magic. "Huh, wonder if that's the bracer we're lookin' for. Does this mean this thing was 'clicky legs'? Or mebbe the cave fisher ate clicky legs. Anyhow, I reckon that's that task done. I'd suggest we carry the dead carcass back in case it was clicky legs after all."
Cimrôdel will attempt to identify the qualities of the bracer…
+2 to ID magic item properties
Unless someone else is going to try, I’ll pocket the item.
Spellcraft
Seeing Cimrodel's puzzled look while examining the bracer, Molasbar looks and reveals his own thoughts on its potential properties.
Aurie is panting a bit after the frantic bit of activity.
This went suspciously well, for me at least.
She says while checking her mane of red hair
Am I actually this good? Is that shard f&&$ing with me?
She thinks
"You were pretty amazing there, Aurie. Me, not so much." Saria replies, still rubbing the sore spot where she unceremoniously landed. "You too, Cimrôdel. Making the thing fall down to the ground definitely turned this fight around in our favor."
As the others look at the bracer, Saria takes a moment to heal herself of her damage from both the skeleton fight and the fall.
"You are too kind, Saria," Cimrôdel says with a slight bow of his head, his tone sincere. "It was a team effort, of course, and Aurie's swift thinking certainly contributed to our success."
He then gives a thoughtful glance toward the creature they just brought down, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That, however, was the last of my magic missiles for today. If we require more such assaults, I will need to take extraordinary measures—either by stretching the limits of my arcane resources or resting to recover some of my strength."
He lets out a small sigh. "But, for now, I shall fall back on my other spells. I trust we will manage as we always do."
Molasbar determines that the bracer is one of protection (bracer of armor +2). But that without its companion bracer he is quite sure the protection spell they provide would not be complete.
Team condition
Arodus 14, 4712
2130, 73 degrees, humid (outside)
Cimrodel 18/18
Shathee 19/19
Saria 25/25
Doc adams 28/28 (5 non-lethal dmg)
Aurie 20/26
Molasbar 22/22
I think its that pride shard I am linked too. Bit worried about the price tag, such powers always have one. Aurie responds
Its something my mother told me, always safe an ally before going after a foe, dont even think, just act, good enough plan executed instantly is 10 times better then a really great plan executed too late.
She lights up a bit
Also, weird other lessons, like, always verify that Litheria blossoms a Succubus offers you actually are Litheria blossoms,
or
It is actually inefficient to decapaciate bearded devils, since their beards make this really hard and somewhat unhygenic, so honestly just stab them in the abdomen a lot.
No idea how much of it is actually true.
"I cannot speak to the first lesson, Aurie," Cimrôdel begins, his tone thoughtful. "But the second, about bearded devils... that is an old elven saying, one passed down through generations." He pauses, looking around the group before continuing. "It is often used to warn children of the difficulties of dealing with such creatures—specifically their beards, which are as dangerous as they are unhygienic. The full saying is..."
Cimrôdel briefly shifts into Elven, the language smooth and fluid as he repeats the saying with the appropriate gravitas: "Na'vorel sa'rith'ira thindro'rae, mir'na'varre ishta."
"Which translates to: 'Do not try to sever the head of a bearded devil, for it is as messy as it is pointless.'" He gives a slight, amused smile. "A rather practical warning, I suppose, though perhaps not one of much poetic value."
Shathee stays back and keeps his bow trained on the downed creature until after everyone has thoroughly made sure it was dead. He was not used to such creatures in the alleyways back home. A cutthroat rat'kin, a rogue genie you had to avoid, those were things he was better with. But unknown creatures crawling around and hooking you with a line... not so much.
"Aurie, I have no doubt the shard is affecting you, but you are very skilled. Just keep killing the enemies and we will let you know if things seem suspicious. But now it seems we've got what we were looking for."
Your accent in Elfish is unusual, at least to my ears, where exactly are you from? Back in Galt, we had an Elfen retainer who was teaching me Elfish, how to wield polearms, table etiquette, spoiler I wasnt great at that, and she was about to teach me firearms but then yet another revolution happened and people who had retainers, and were thus regarded as stalwarts of the prior revolutionary regime, better be elsewhere.
She says to Cimrodel
Thanks for you vote of confidence Shathee!
She smiles at Shathee
"Ah, my accent," Cimrôdel begins with a slight smile. "I suppose it is a bit of an oddity. I hail from Magnimar. The city is full of diverse influences, so I suppose my speech has absorbed a variety of local tones over the years."
He glances around at the group, making sure everyone is ready to proceed before continuing. "I cannot speak for your Elven retainer in Galt, but it sounds as though her tutelage might have been more... practical than what one might receive from a more traditional household. As for firearms, well, that is another subject entirely. I admit, I have no experience with them myself."
"But I assure you, my elven roots run deep. It’s just that the urban life of Magnimar has... shaped me in some ways." He gives a small, almost apologetic shrug. "I’m sure you understand how city living can influence one’s mannerisms."