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While traveling on the Flood Road near Urgir an unexpected storm—a rainstorm drives them to seek shelter in a nearby cave. Inside, you find the remains of a campfire that is 2 days old, as well as some simple traveling gear such as a bedroll and cooking pot. A small note is stuck into a crevice in the cave wall, where it stands out against the dark stone. The crevice is near a narrow tunnel that leads deeper into the caves. The note is written in Common and Orcish, and is dated 2 days before.
If you find this, I am caught somewhere below. I am Lorekeeper Unzgrin, and I’ve gone below to explore what I believe are the ruins of an ancient dwarven outpost. I trust that there is no danger, but if you find this note, and more than a day has passed, then I am likely in trouble. I offer a reward in gold for any assistance in exploring the caves — and for my immediate rescue, should I be in danger.
—Lorekeeper Unzgrin of Urgir
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Corabee checks his meeting appointment paper for the eighty-sixth time as he walks into what he hopes is the correct room. He is happy to see that at least a couple of other people are there.
Corabee is a fairly average sized Gnome. A bit wiry and has a smooth grace to his steps. Today his hair is mostly a dark red - which somewhat clearly highlights the streaks of white that are there as well.
He greets those in the room with a cheerful smile and a wave. "Hi everyone, I'm Corabee Cori. If that is too much of a mouthful for you, you can just call me 'Bee'. I've never really liked being called 'Cora'," His grin widens at this point, "and besides it is just too much fun when people get drunk and slur their words and call for me by shouting, 'A B' across a crowded tavern."
"Anyway, happy to be working with you on this assignment. Who do we have in the team?"
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A small note is stuck into a crevice in the cave wall, where it stands out against the dark stone.
After Bee reads the note he scoffs a bit. "Right. Because that obviously isn't a trap. Some fishers fish with nets. Others fish with baited hooks. That looks like bait to me."
He thinks for a bit more, with a slight scowl on his face. "Though I suppose it would be better if we spring the trap ourselves rather than having an unsuspecting and unprepared someone stumble into it instead."
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Heavy bootsteps sound through the hallway as a woman enters the room described in the letter she had received earlier. She was certain this was the room that was described, though it wouldn't be the first that she had made the mistake of entering the incorrect location described in a letter. Seeing others arriving as well as others waiting, Cath's posture relaxed when entering the room.
Standing slightly shorter than other Chelaxian women, she made up for it in her corded muscle and stockier build. Hair of raven color, it was cropped short to just under her ears, accenting her sharp features.
Raising a single hand, she greets the others with a smile and the slight accent of Cheliax, "Greetings to everyone. I assume we are all here about this, letter? My name is Cath Gerbaine of Korvosa. It is a pleasure to meet you all." Nodding towards everyone in the room as she speaks, the woman then makes her way further into the room before standing in a relaxed pose. "Mayhaps a drink after this venture would be quite enjoyable, especially if we are successful."
"I'm sure working with everyone will be enjoyable!"
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Listening to Bee's thoughts, Cath nods while brushing the various hilts and handles at her waist, "It has been told to be that knowing a trap is coming is better than being caught unawares. Even more advantageous if sprung too early."
Looking deeper into the cavern, she takes out a torch to light it, "Though, it may be that it isn't a trap seems likely as well. Perhaps this Unzgrin found something valuable."
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By the door, a horned changeling shows up, looks at his letter then at the people waiting and nods as if confirming something.
The least significant detail is his light clothing flowing as he walks towards the group, wavy dark navy hair and red and brown heterochromia come third in order of importance, and his pale blue skin and dark horns would come first if not for a large iguana with a cauldron tied to its back walking by his side.
As he comes closer, he nods again and with a half hand wave, speaks with a soft voice, "Good seeing others here. This is Bea." as he points towards the giant blue lizard with an open palm, then to himself, "And I am Thull Ashun. Surname Thull, first name Ashun. Either Ashun or Ash is fine." before taking his hands to his chest and bowing his head, "It is a pleasure.". As he approaches the others, the changeling gives a slight smile and agrees with the other two, "Yes, that would be grand, it has been indeed quite a while since I last spent coin on drinks. Although I ask of you to not give Bea any, it does not matter what he tells you or tries to do." with a tone difficult to distinguish if it is truthful or a joke.
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"It does indeed sound like a trap, but given his title, if not a fake one, could be worth investigating." as he says after they both say their thoughts.
And after Cath's words, "I do tend to prefer this way of looking at things. he says in agreement, "I could protect, guide or empower any of you should you decide to venture forth."
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"Good seeing others here. This is Bea."
Corabee bounces on his toes at the mention of the lizard. "Oh hi Bea, I'm Bee. This really is going to be entertaining."
"And good to meet you both, Ash and Cath." He nods warmly at both of them.
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Looking deeper into the cavern, she takes out a torch to light it
Bee straps his buckler in place properly and checks the rest of his gear. He sees Cath lighting a torch. "Good plan. Though if you want, I can probably hold that for you instead. My shield is pretty small."
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The Shisk arrives at the entrance of the cave traveling on the Flood Road near Urgir. He's wet in the rain wearing simple explorer's clothing, having something as bony quills that resemble calcified pin feathers. These spines are longer around his arms, as if he once had wings. When he speaks two narrow fangs as the front teeth on their upper jaw can be seen.
He looks at the assembled party which seems to travel together.
Hello, my name's Rinshu, coming from the Mwangi.
Then he leans on his spear.
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What looks like an animated suit of metal armour with a holstered firearm has been standing in the corner all this time. It has been sillent and unmoving all this time until other Pathfinders arrive and begin conversing. Finally he speaks in a mechanical sounding voice and extends a n arm in greeting.
Good morning Pathfinders. My name is Dar Lek. My purpose is to exterminate all enemies of the Pathfinder Society. I will be your bodyguard on this mission.
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Bitty hides under a table, cuddling her best friend, Egg. She likes it in the cozy hidey-hole, listening to the adventurers talking without having to put herself forward. It feels warm, and safe.
The other people chat easily with each other, as if they are all old friends, even though they just met each other. Bitty knows she should have just come out from the beginning instead of darting under the table the moment she heard someone come in. Now if she pops out from under the table, it's going to be awkward, and they'll wonder why she was eavesdropping on them.
She frowns and turns to her blue-speckled dinosaur egg. "Egg, why is it so hard to talk to people?" Egg doesn't deign to answer her question, but the pause gives her time to think. "You think I'm not giving them a chance," she says. "Maybe you're right."
Her draconic tail curves like a question mark as she lifts up the table cloth a bit and peers out. There's another gnome, a robot, a tall human warrior, a tall spiky person, and another human with what looks like a sort of squashed small reptile as a companion. Bitty stares at the adorable reptile, and says to Egg, "Egg, Egg! That little reptile... Could that be a dinosaur?"
Bitty loves dinosaurs. Any party with a dinosaur in it can't be all bad. She crawls under several tables until she is right next to the party of adventurers, just to get close to the squashed dinosaur--what did the human call it, Bea? Bitty reaches in her pack, and finds some candied bugs and offers one to the squashed dinosaur.
Feeding the little dinosaur makes her feel brave so she knocks from under the table. "Um... My name's Bitty. Egg wants to meet your dinosaur, Bea, if that's alright." Then she gets even braver and peeks her head out from under the table. "Um, Egg and I are adventurers too. We're pretty good at sneaking, and traps, if you need help."
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"This isn't too bad of a cave. My grandpa Ifekuba has a cave kind of like this, except of course it's large and well-furnished and has space for his hoard... A wave of homesickness overcomes Bitty for a moment, as this cave reminds her so much of the caverns near Cloudspire. She peers at the crevice with longing. "I think we should follow up and make sure that the traveler is okay."
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Not used to seeing people usually showing up from under stuff, Ashun nods to Bitty. "Feel tree to. Bea is mostly docile, worst he can do is give people nightmares when he wants to." and playfully shrugs at his own commentary, then gets down into a squat to get on the same eye level as the table gremlin, "Well met, Bitty, your abilities sound very useful. I'm Ashun, I hope we can get along nicely." with soft smile he nods again to Bitty before getting up again, while the short-legged blue dino crawls under the table with the gnome and Egg to make them company.
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"Your grandpa sounds like an interesting person, Bitty." and nods in agreement to the blue gnome as he turns to face the small cave opening, "Although I am able to slightly see under moonlight, full darkness is not my forte. Unless any of you can safely scout ahead, I do suggest keeping your torch lit, Cath.", waiting for someone to take the first step into the unknown.
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You proceed into the cave system itself. Cath, Corabee, Rinshu and Ashun manage to discover tracks of a booted humanoid. You follow the tracks to a large human-sized mushroom that Cath, Bitty Blue and Rinshu recognize as a Shrieker. At the base of the Shrieker, you notice what appears to be a backpack with a slight growth of moss on it.
You recall that Shriekers emit a piercing shriek if disturbed.
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Holding her hand out, Cath whispers, "Shrieker ahead. Things make a loud noise if bothered. We should be careful, but there is a backpack nearby it." Pulling her thick bastard sword from its sheath as quietly as possible, Cath then takes a few steps to the side. "Anyone feel up to grabbing the bag?"
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Hello, my name's Rinshu, coming from the Mwangi.
Good morning Pathfinders. My name is Dar Lek. My purpose is to exterminate all enemies of the Pathfinder Society. I will be your bodyguard on this mission.
"Greetings to you both. It looks like we have a fairly exotic group then."
Feeding the little dinosaur makes her feel brave so she knocks from under the table. "Um... My name's Bitty. Egg wants to meet your dinosaur, Bea, if that's alright." Then she gets even braver and peeks her head out from under the table. "Um, Egg and I are adventurers too. We're pretty good at sneaking, and traps, if you need help."
"Oh, and one more. Hi there, Bitty."
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Bee makes sure to grab a torch and light it before heading down into the caverns with the rest of the team. He also draws his shortsword as they move out. "I'm still expecting a trap. Might as well be as ready for it as possible."
When they find the pack with the mushroom, Bee doesn't think anything of it and has to be shooed back by some of those more experienced in such things. "Why is everyone so worried about a mushroom?" he mumbles to himself. He takes a closer look at the fungus to see if he can remember if the things are edible.
When the thing emits a loud shriek, Bee regrets his decision to carry a torch and sword. It means he now no longer has any hands free to cover his ears with. So instead he just stands there and cringes in obvious pain from the noise. "Ow, owowowowowow."
Once the noise stops, he comments to no one in particular, "Well, if this is a trap, then our presence has certainly been announced."
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Bitty nods at all the friendly faces, and then shyly smiles, pointing to the large dinosaur egg in her backpack. "Egg says its very nice to meet you, too!"
"Ow! That hurts so bad!"
Bitty holds her bleeding ears, then swiftly checks to see if Egg's shell is still intact. "Egg, are you alright?" After a moment's inspection she makes a deep sigh of relief that Egg's still alright. She disentangles the pack...
"Please stop! You're going to hurt Egg!"
...and with her other hand Bitty also slices the mushroom's air sac.
Bitty watches as the mushroom deflates like a crashed soufflé. Once the mushroom has stopped screaming, Bitty looks inside the pack.
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Bitty turns to Bee. "You can cook up all the shrieker mushrooms you want, because no one should leave them around where they might hurt innocent dinosaurs. Or people," she adds belatedly.
Then she thinks. "Someone probably did plant them as an alarm system." She keeps digging through the pack for clues about whomever dropped it here.
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How about you Bee? Maybe you should purchase ... earplugs
Bee shakes his head to try and clear the ringing. "I'll live. I was already getting a headache. That didn't help any."
He eyes the weapon that Dar Lek was holding. "That's one of those fancy firearms isn't it? I have heard those things also make a lot of noise. Maybe your idea of earplugs is a good one."
Bee straightens up and gives his head a final shake. "Anyway, Bitty, what did you find?"
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"If I was securing a lair I would indeed plant shriekers."
A bit taken aback, Ashun says "Are Shriekers not a natural fungus? They need to be tended to? to then walk to the withered mushroom and gets down close to it. "Fascinating. Do you guys think I can use this for some kind of potion? Or even a base? I have not seen this one yet."
While still near the dead shrieker, pondering about its uses, he turns his head to Bitty, "Do you need assistance with anything? I'm not a scout, but I can try helping, or maybe a small encantation if you would prefer so." as he lifts his hands, showing a faint purple spark in his ringfinger fingertip.
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Just a ... standard pepperbox ... nothing fancy ... not like ... elven mithral tree. Firearms or ... boomsticks ... not known for ... subtlety
"Ah, don't sell yourself short like that. Seems plenty fancy enough to me. And yeah - so the plan, then, is that you distract them with big loud booms and I'll take them out when they aren't watching me. Whoever 'they' happens to be." Corabee grins at the android. "Standard ruse and skewer tactics. Nothing fancy."
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Bitty violently hacks down the Shrieker and collects the backpack. Upon opening the pack, Bitty finds a journal filled with sketches of various objects, a series of progressively more challenging Dwarven writing exercises, and theories about possible locations of ancient ruins. It also contains two minor healing potions and 1 week of rations.
She also notices more footprints heading south.
You follow the footprints to a large chamber with large pool of water. The pool in this damp chamber is only a few inches deep. The sound of dripping water echoes throughout the cave. Thick webbing covers a large boulder protruding from the floor at the center of the pool. The desiccated husks of dozens of insects and arachnids, and the bones of a few small mammals, lie in the water. One recently dead spider with an intricate pattern on its abdomen lies near the boulder, a dagger embedded deep in its thorax.
The webbing is humanoid shaped. However, before you can investigate the webbing further, three spiders turn the corner, no doubt attracted by the earlier shriek. They look hungry...
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your turn:
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Those with ** may go
**Dar Lek - AC 17, 17/17
**Bitty Blue - AC 17, 14/17
**Corabee - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 19/19
**Thull Ashun - AC 14, 14/14
Blue
Green
Pink
Rinshu - AC 16, 12/15
Cath - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 18/19 (AC 20)
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Slightly startled after the gunshot, the changeling quickly gets back to it as fingers glow with a slight purple spark, creating a neon-like trail, drawing a round sigil in air, right after that the same symbol appear on the back of Corabee's hand and on Purple's chelicerae, at the same time extending his other hand towards Bitty, creating a surge of adrenaline in her heart "Bee, take front. Bitty, strike."
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on Corabee vs Purple (+1 status to AC and saves against Purple)
Bitty Blue (+2 status to damage)
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"Fascinating. Do you guys think I can use this for some kind of potion? Or even a base? I have not seen this one yet."
Bee looks again at the now sliced apart enormous mushroom. "Ehh, I don't know. If they are cultivated for their noise, I can't really expect them to be good for much else. Maybe something to research later."
The pool in this damp chamber is only a few inches deep. The sound of dripping water echoes throughout the cave. ... One recently dead spider with an intricate pattern on its abdomen lies near the boulder, a dagger embedded deep in its thorax.
Corabee, holding his torch, takes a long look at the spider. "Well, that's creepy. Also, someone wasn't going down without a fight."
three spiders turn the corner, no doubt attracted by the earlier shriek.
Dar Lek clanks forward, draws his weapon and fires at Blue
EXTERMINATE!
Bee flinches a bit at the sound of the pistol, but grins afterwards. "Now that's a fun weapon. 'Scuse me here, bud." He moves to stand in front of Dar Lek and brings his buckler and torch into a protective stance. He draws his short sword and waits for his quarry to come to him.
As he waits he feels a rather unexpected, but not unwelcome pulse of magical energy that gently enfolds him.
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Dar Lek attempts to exterminate Blue. The shot hits and does some damage. Ashun strengthens Bitty Blue's strikes and protects Bee. Bee, meanwhile strides forward, raises his shield, draws his weapon, and waits for danger to come.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your turn:
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Those with ** may go
Dar Lek - AC 17, 17/17
**Bitty Blue - AC 17, 14/17 (+2 Damage)
Corabee - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 19/19 (AC 20; Forbidding Ward vs Pink; AC 19/21 vs Pink, +1 to saves vs Pink)
Thull Ashun - AC 14, 14/14
Blue (-4)
Green
Pink
Rinshu - AC 16, 12/15
Cath - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 18/19 (AC 20)
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"Eep!" Bitty's eyes go wide as she sees the spiders. When the nice dinosaur loving lady casts a spell on her, Bitty says, "Thanks, Ashun!"
Bitty cautiously moves forward, hugging the wall so that the spiders cannot flank her. She drops the adventurer's pack as a free action, and pulls out her rapier to use on the already injured Blue spider.
◈ Interact to draw weapon
◈ Stride
◈
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Bitty thrusts her rapier at the Blue spider. The rapier enters one of the spiders many eyes and into the brain. Blood and ichor fountain out of the wound but the spider collapses like a wet balloon.
A large spider with some iridescent green markings sets itself and spits a stream of silk at Bitty Blue.
The web connects, anchoring Bitty Blue to the wall. Bitty Blue also feels a tingling sensation where the web touches her. The spider closes in and attempts to bite the helpless gnome.
Bitty Blue feels a burning pain in her arm as the spider's fang pierces it.
Pink moves in close and attempts to also pin Bee to the wall.
Missing, the spider lets out a hissing sound and tries again.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your turn:
DC 16 Fortitude: Bitty Blue (x2)
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Those with ** may go
-2-
**Dar Lek - AC 17, 17/17
**Bitty Blue - AC 17, 8/17 (+2 Damage; Immobilized; FF; Escape DC 16)
**Corabee - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 19/19 (AC 20; Forbidding Ward vs Pink; AC 19/21 vs Pink, +1 to saves vs Pink)
**Thull Ashun - AC 14, 14/14
Green
Pink
-1-
**Rinshu - AC 16, 12/15
**Cath - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 18/19 (AC 20)
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CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
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Max Duration: 4 rds
Stage 1: Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
Stage 2: 1d6 Poison + Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
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Bitty hates the tingling feeling from the two bouts of poison, but she hates being trapped even more. The little sylph leaps out of the web with a poof of air, still trailing bits of spider silk. With more puffs of wind energy, she bounces back to Ashun, her tail between her legs.
"Medic please!"
Meanwhile, Bitty attempts to treat poison on herself.
◈ Escape
◈ Stride
◈ Treat Poison (Fail)
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"Stay safe Bitty!" she called out as Cath tightend her grip on her shield. Striding forward towards the spider that bit into the gnome, she steels herself for the fight and with the swing of her arm, she attempts to squash at the creature with the steel of her shield before raising it to defend herself.
"These things look gross, and don't seem too friendly! Stay behind me if need be!"
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Bitty Blue manages to escape the web but the poison clouds her mind. She retreats, trying to treat the poison herself but does not succeed. Rinshu sends a magical bolt at Pink and hits it.
Cath slams Green with her shield, causing cracks to form in the spider's abdomen.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your turn:
DC 16 Fortitude: Bitty Blue
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Those with ** may go
**Dar Lek - AC 17, 17/17
Bitty Blue - AC 17, 8/17 (+2 Damage; Poison Stage 2: Stupefied 1, 1d6 Poison dmg )
**Corabee - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 19/19 (AC 20; Forbidding Ward vs Pink; AC 19/21 vs Pink, +1 to saves vs Pink)
**Thull Ashun - AC 14, 14/14
Green (-8)
Pink (-5)
Rinshu - AC 16, 12/15
Cath - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 18/19 (AC 20)
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CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
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Max Duration: 4 rds
Stage 1: Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
Stage 2: 1d6 Poison + Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
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"Stay behind me if need be!"
"Nah, I'll stay behind them instead," Bee quips as he darts towards and then slides under the purple spider. He stabs upwards with his sword as he goes under the arachnid, leaving a long gash in its underside.
He uses his sword hand to brace himself, making sure to not douse the torch in the shallow water, and scrambles quickly to his feet on the other side of the spider. He settles into a casual defensive stance and assesses the situation again.
"Yech, but now I am all wet."
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With a small grit and a sigh, the fading sigil on both Corabee and Pink pulses once more.
Ashun's hand reaches for a side pouch, while using the same motion to draw a glyph into the air that glows and reappear in his arm like a tattoo, and unrolling a bit of pre-cut bandage to cover Bitty's wound, the other hand reaches into the pounch to grab a tiny vial filled with clear liquid. Dropping the liquid into the bandage, making bubbles of a greenish hue sizzle out of the bite wound.
"Give me a second and I can also close the wound using Bea if you want me to."
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Bee manages to get behind Pink, gaining Panache. He strikes, plunging his sword into the spider's abdomen and kills it (). Dar Lek again shoots a spider, he manages to put a large hole in the spider's abdomen but doesn't kill it.
Green decides to put a hole in Cath.
But the many wounds it has suffered has made it near impossible to focus.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 2-3
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before your turn:
DC 16 Fortitude: Bitty Blue
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Those with ** may go
-3-
**Dar Lek - AC 17, 17/17
**Bitty Blue - AC 17, 8/17 (+2 Damage; Poison Stage 2: Stupefied 1, 1d6 Poison dmg; +2 on next save)
**Corabee - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 19/19 (AC 20; Forbidding Ward vs Pink; AC 19/21 vs Pink, +1 to saves vs Pink)
**Thull Ashun - AC 14, 14/14
Green (-14)
-2-
**Rinshu - AC 16, 12/15
**Cath - AC 18 (20 w/shield), 18/19 (AC 20)
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CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS REFERENCE
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Max Duration: 4 rds
Stage 1: Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
Stage 2: 1d6 Poison + Stupefied 1 (1 rd)
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Bitty breathes a sigh of relief as she feels some of the painful tingling ebb away with Ashun's treatment. Bitty smiles gratefully to the changeling. "Thank you! Dinosaur people are the best!"
◇ Bitty drops her rapier as a free action.
◈ Bitty interacts to draw her bow.
◈ Bitty strides to where she can get a clear shot on the spider.
◈ Then she shoots!
"Poisoning people and trapping them in webs is not right!"
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Quickly glancing ahead, Ashun sees that there's only one spider remaining, so to focus on his friend, the markings on both Bee and the spider (pink) turns into smoke as if evaporating. And as he makes the finishing touches on Bitty's bandages, the sigilic tattoo runs down his arm, to his hands and starts dripping towards the floor instead of Bitty's bandaged arm, also turning to smoke, "Get back here, I was not d—" he sighs as the blue gnome runs away from him.
Seeing that the fight looks almost over, to avoid any extra injuries Ashun draws the same aiding and the same protective glyph in the air again, pulsing them on both Cath and the apparent last spider (green).
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Bee watches satisfied as the bottom of the spider drops entrails all over the place and the spider collapses. He puts one foot on its abdomen and leans on it. "Is that all you got?"
He looks over at the last spider as he feels the protective magic from Ashun fade. "Cath, you can handle that one, yeah?"