Eclipsed Faith

Game Master bigrig107

"If you mean like garlic or something, not that I know of. You might be able to pull them out fast, but the best way I suppose is killing as many as you can before they ambush you. We'll need some keen eyes ready for that."

Unless his roll told him more than that

"Stirge? Never dealt with them before..." says Sasha with an unhappy tone of voice. "The Goddess hasn't blessed me with the power to heal blood loss, and a hive could be really bad. How do we avoid them in this elevator?"

The oracle looks around, sticking close to Pheliks and looking at the stone walls as the pass. "I'll bet these walls open up at some point and the stirge can attack and retreat while we're going to be stuck here..." she muses.

"I guess we'll take turns keeping watch," Kiley says.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

No specific weaknesses or anything, though they do sometimes carry diseases due to their living conditions. You'd normally get some questions but you basically know all you can: flying blood-sucking disease-carrying dog-sized mosquitoes.

There aren't really any walls in the elevator, not really. It's just a metal framework on the open elevator structure. Sort of like it was supposed to have walls but wasn't quite finished, lending credit to the idea that this isn't a very well used path.

The elevator continues its slow descent into the earth and after nearly an hour of slowly falling through a dark tunnel it finally opens up into a much larger cavern. The relative safety of the visible rock of the tunnel beyond the elevator 'walls' suddenly drops away, giving way to a horrifyingly large distance to the cavern floor below. Or at least you assume there might be a floor, but if there is one then it's far below your ability to see in the complete darkness of the cavern.

Another hour drags on through this new terrifying open space before you are suddenly enclosed by rock walls once more. A few seconds after that the light level increases dramatically near instantly, as glowing fungus on the wall reacts to the presence of movement and lights up the tunnel, revealing that these walls aren't as close to the elevator as the seemingly dwarf-made tunnel you first passed down through.

Those of you who dare look down can see that the tunnel about 60 feet below you has a strange red growth spreading across the rock surface and small figures appear to be orbiting it, flying back and forth as little dots you can barely make out in the gloom. The path of your elevator will pass straight through a large hole in the growth, and you are quickly approaching said hole.

Kiley braves the edge and looks down.

"I think we found the nest," she quietly tells the others.

"I'd say you're probably right," Ari agrees, moving up alongside Kiley. "I was already thinking I'll be glad when this ride is over and that goes double now."

Shaggar pulls his flask of alchemist's fire and prepares to throw it... whether at the strange red lichen or the swarm of stirges is the only question.

Rutilux nods to Kiley, then sees Shaggar pull the alchemists fire and tries to think small in case there is spill back

"Is there anyway to hide from the stirges," Kiley asks Rutilux as she pulls back from the edge.

"You could try jumping off," Ari suggests drily. "I wouldn't recommend it but I'll wager a purse full of gold that you'll fall far faster than they can fly and your worries about the stirges will be swiftly forgotten."

"That's less hiding and more running away," Kiley retorts, her tone tart.

"Not that I know of, I'm sorry folks, but I'm not in the know on these things beyond what I've said already" Rutilux feels a bit like he let them down.

Sasha looks down and gulps. "The goddess bless us..." she prays as she begins empowering the others with divine magic.

Cast Bless as soon as it appears likely the stirge swarm will attack...

"Shaggar, how many of those do you have," Kiley asks, an inkling of a plan beginning to form.

Whatever preparations you decide to make, you estimate about5-6 seconds until the elevator plunges down through the hole in the strange red nest.

init, them: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Init, Shaggar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Init, Ari: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Init, Kiley: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Init, Sasha: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Init, Rutilux: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Just throwing up init to keep things organized. You've done everything you said you've done already, but now you have a full round to prepare before you head through the nest.

Init, Round 1

23- Shaggar
20- stirges
11- Rutilux
10- Ari
10- Kiley
4- Sasha

Party is up, the stirges haven't acted yet but will next round.

It's likely not to do much against a swarm of the things, but Kiley pulls our her greatsword and readies herself for whatever comes next.

Readied attack vs. First stirge to get in range: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 4) + 4 = 12

Round 1

Had to read up on alchemist’s fire… it’s pretty ‘meh’ on groups.

The gnoll replaces his flask as he shuffles away from Kiley. ”Ari, stand between us.” He explains, ”We stand back to back so they can’t flank any of us.” He readies his axe to sweep at least one of the blood-suckers from the sky.

FREE: 5’ Move
READY: Attack (+ Cleave) any monster(s) that come into range

We need to be in a 6-pack formation. That's what I'm going for.

Rutilux reminds himself that the mystic force surrounding him is still intact

I don't think the mage armor has worn off yet. So AC still at 17

A thought occurs to him, and the halfling mutters to the others "I'm going to see if they take some false bait."

Suddenly, there is a new humanoid shape above them, floating past the stirges like a big juicy glowing meal...

Dancing lights, have no idea if that will work, but if it does distract even a few, better it get swarmed than us :)

Sasha and Pheliks get in close with the others to avoid flanks as the oracle continues to pray. "Give me your favor and fortunate luck," she says, her crossbow ready to fire upon any stirge that attack.

Sasha casts Divine Favor for a +2 (+1 from the spell, +1 from her Fate's Favored trait) to hit and damage for one minute.

Letting Shaggar take charge of tactics, Ari does as he suggests and readies her blades.

Readied attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

direction: 1d8 ⇒ 3

It isn't a handful of stirges that approach the elevator as it descends into the hole torn in their nest, but instead a swarm of a couple dozen. They make a horrible buzzing sound as they appear over the edge of the elevator, flowing forward as a wall of wings and proboscises.

Even as it shoots towards you, however, a significant portion of it breaks off the swarm to follow Rutilux's illusion, weakening the main body somewhat.

The swarm acts as a swarm in terms of damage and distraction and the like, but as it's made up of Tiny creatures you can still do damage to it with conventional weapons. It will take half damage from slashing and piercing weapons as per the usual swarm rules however.

Shaggar's prepared action didn't go off on his turn, so he technically has an action before the swarm arrives on the platform. If he'd like to delay and do something right after the swarm acts, he can do so.

Init, Round 2

23- Shaggar
20- stirges
11- Rutilux
10- Ari
10- Kiley
4- Sasha

Party is up! If Shaggar delays until after the stirges show up, he'll be moved to Init 19 next time I post.

Round 2

Since you mentioned the swarm rules, I’m assuming our characters have some inkling on them… i.e. that my axe will only do half damage and that holding our formation won’t prevent being surrounded (although a swarm doesn’t get a flanking bonus).

The gnoll curses that he didn’t realise stirges were so small, recognizing his axe will be ineffective and there is no way to prevent these creatures from surrounding them. That being the case, his tactics change. His axe hits the elevator floor with a resounding clang. He pulls the massive flail from his belt as he sprints toward the creature, whipping it through the heart of the swarm.

MOVE + draw weapon: On Map
STAND: Attack

Kiley blinks as she realizes how ineffective her sword is likely to prove, but it's really the only option she has. She rushes around to the side of the swarm, hoping to swat them with the flat of her blade.

Attack (Power Attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 1 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 + 3 = 17

Looking at her knives, Ari comes to the same realisation as Shaggar and Kiley - her blades may literally be able to clip some wings but they're not going to be anywhere near as effective as simply smashing the buzzing mass of insectoid pests. With a sigh, she resigns herself to semi-effectual swatting and steps into the fray, hoping to take down a few of the tiny striges at least.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Rutilux is glad he divided some of the swarm, and waits to see what his allies hit. Should they wound one of the stirges but not kill it, he targets that for a jolt hoping to finish it off!
This might count as a delayed action but the first stirge to get wounded but not die gets zapped.. dice willing
Jolt, Ranged Touch to hit 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
dmg dice: 1d3 ⇒ 1

As she realizes the futility of her crossbow, Sasha swaps it for her morningstar and takes a swing at the approaching swarm. Pheliks does the same, clawing and biting at the tiny creatures as he growls, the sound more felt than heard...

Sasha, to hit and damage w/morningstar: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 171d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Pheliks, to hit and damage w/bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 111d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Pheliks, to hit and damage w/claw 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Pheliks, to hit and damage w/claw 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 231d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The stirge swarm moves towards the closest-grouping source of prey: Ari and Kiley. It encompasses the tasty-looking women, the many dozens of tiny little buggers scratching them with wings and claw.

Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) = 14 And one Con damage, from their blood drain.

Need a Fort save against their distraction from Kiley and Ari, which nauseates for a round. DC 14.

Init, Round 3

20- stirges (damage inflicted: 39)
19- Shaggar
11- Rutilux
10- Ari
10- Kiley
4- Sasha

Party is up!

Good news, the Con damage doesn't affect her HP total. Bad news, That was 2/3rds of her HP. Yikes!

Fort DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Uh oh.

Kiley staggers out of the swarm, the rapid bloodloss making her head swim and her stomach churn. Dozens of tiny blood droplets dot her skin as she brushes the stirges clinging to her away. Her fair complexion has turned a sickly pale as she tries to get a hold of herself and get back into the fight.

Round 3

Shaggar holds his ground and continues to sweep the iron-headed flail through the swarm.

STAND: Attack

Randu realizes his jolt is doing... absotively NOTHING. In fact, almost no spell he has can affect the swarm. For a moment, his spirit falls, but then he rallies himself I'm a Freewind, Dammit. My people sold a Bridge in Iriaebor! he weaves and scuttles towards Ari, and touches her weapon.

Thunderstaff , Ari's weapon now has the shock property for one round

"Good luck..."

Fort vs DC 14: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Fort vs DC 14 reroll with blessing: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Coughing and choking, as stirges fly into her mouth, up her nose, buzz around her ears, it's all Ari can do to stumble away from the swarm of tiny pests. Her leathers appear to be no use against the swarm of dozens of pinpricks and minor wounds and the tiefling feels light-headed. She's been hurt before but this is something else, something akin to the more creative punishments meted out by the Cyricists and brings up unpleasant memories like the bile in her throat. With her head in a mess, literally and metaphorically, she is unable to articulate a suitable prayer to Selûne to protect her from the stirges, or she is simply too far underground for the Moonmaiden to hear her offering.

Moonmaid Reroll!

STAND: Heavy Flail (crit: 19-20/2x | B)
Mods: 2H, 2H-PA
HIT: 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 1 = 24 | Previous DAM roll: 18 = 18

Botting Sasha for now, as requested.

Sasha and Pheliks strike out together at the swarm once more.

Attack, Sasha: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Pheliks, bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Pheliks, claw 1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Pheliks, bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sasha's strike misses, but Pheliks does some chip damage to the swarm. The swarm, for its part, moves to the closest source of the most food again encompassing Sasha and Rutilux with its horrible flood of wings and legs and suckers.

Swarm damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) = 7 And one Con damage from their drain.

Need a DC 14 Fort save from Rutilux and Sasha, against distraction, will make Sasha's here.

Sasha Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Sasha is nauseated by the swarm.

Init, Round 4

20- stirges (damage inflicted: 63)
19- Shaggar
11- Rutilux
10- Ari
10- Kiley
4- Sasha

Sasha, distracted by the fluttering disgusting bodies of the stirges, moves away from the swarm into 'safety'. The swarm doesn't look particularly healthy, with a majority of its members either dead or injured.

Party is up again! I took Sasha's action, will do Pheliks' attacks if the swarm lives through this turn.

Round 4

The gnoll again whips the flail through the cloud of creatures.

STAND: Attack

Shaggar swings his flail around in a large circle inside the swarm, making quick work of the remaining stirges. The swarm breaks apart, dispersing in various directions and flying away to leave you be.

The elevator continues to descend into the darkness past the nest.

Kiley recovers just as Shaggar disperses the swarm. She staggers over to where the others stand before collapsing to her knees.

"I--I'm sorry," she tells them.

"What for?" he asks as he cleans the stirge paste off his flail.

Although she is unsteady on her feet and collapsing to the floor of the elevator is more than a little appealing, Ari determinedly continues to stand. "If you're apologising for being dinner for those sadistic little buggers then I hate to tell you that you're not special. I don't think any of us probably feel great after that but I'm also pretty sure it's not a competition." Making light of the situation helps Ari to push aside the darker memories collecting in her mind. She coughs. "Please excuse me," she says, turning away and spitting out a dead stirge that had remained lodged inside her mouth. She then moves over to stand beside Kiley and offers her a hand.

Fortitude 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Normally a certain halfling would be rejoicing they survived, but currently Rutilux is a bit busy, trying not to puke up a lung.

"I wasn't--" Kiley begins to say before Ari interrupts and brushes her apology aside. Kiley takes the blue-skinned tiefling's hand as she wishes she could have done more. A soft glow covers Ari as she helps Kiley to her feet.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

While it isn't much, it does ease some of Ari's hurts. Kiley stares in slack-jawed amazement.

As Kiley takes Ari’s palm and the blue-skinned tiefling helps the other tiefling to her feet, Ari feels a warm pulse of… something pass between them. Her head feels a little less full of stuffing and the edge just comes off the prickling of her numerous wounds. Noticing the faint nimbus of light surrounding herself she mutters ”Huh.” She looks at Kiley. ”Did you just, well, use magic?” Ari asks. ”I mean, sure, you did - that much is clear. Leira would be impressed with you keeping that one quietly up your sleeve.”

"B-but I don't know how to do magic," Kiley quietly protests.

Sasha doubles over, breathing heavily as she tries to steady her stomach. Pheliks leans against her, helping her balance and stay standing. She misses the details of the others' speech, but looks up at the announcement that her friend has discovered a magic talent. The oracle tries to smile, barely managing a grimace. "The first time is often a surprise..." she chokes out, trying to be encouraging.

HACK and cough then "What? Magic?"

Realization kicks in, however minor the magic, and while feeling sick as a dog, the halfling cheers up, "Congratulations, Kiley! I wonder what kind of magic it is? don't you worry now... I'll tell you the same thing my family elders told me... 'Rutilux' they said, 'Your blood and spirit are going through some changes right now, and it's okay to be scared, or excited. It's an exciting scary thing, but you're becoming who you are meant to be and we are here for you, you're not alone. Also if you could not randomly blast your cousins or kill a caravan mule, that would be SWELL!'.. and I took those words to heart"

As Sasha and Rutilux try to pull her out of her shock, Kiley shakes her head and looks at them.

"I-is that something I have to worry about? M-momma was a wizard, so she always had to study to learn a spell."

"Oh we'll find out, so far your magic has healed, and that's a rather popular in demand magic indeed."

"Worry? I don't think that will help anything. Be careful and explore it safely? Yes - do that," replies Sasha with confidence, having experienced spontaneous spellcasting herself over the years.

"I'd probably listen to those who know what they're talking about," Ari agrees, indicating Rutilux and Sasha. "I'm going to suggest we wait until we're off this elevator before doing any more exploring though."

Seeing Ari is still hurt, Kiley reaches out again and places a hand on the other tiefling's arm. She tries to focus on whatever it was that she felt to see if she can mend more of Ari's wounds. On a whim, she sings a soft melody, one that soothes the hurts of the heart.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

This time, the magic seems to be more potent as more of the wounds Ari has suffered close up.

"I--I feel a little dizzy," she says, not used to the sensations she feels.