We proceed carefully around the open tunnel. Falric is on point, wary of enemies or traps.
"We should be wary of whatever burrowed those holes in the wall." Sabha says, pointing out the bore holes.
Tethys asks, "What do you greybeards make of it? Natural?" She helps Falric scan the area.
She grips the handle on her hammer pensively.
As Tethys and Falric move up carefully, watching for traps/dangers, a serpent seemingly made of earth and sand suddenly rises from the ground, ready to strike at Tethys! A slit seems to function as the creature’s mouth. Thankfully, you were not surprised!
At the mention of holes, the Catfolk decides to study them along with his Lit Unseen Servant.
Hearing the sudden ruckus from ahead, the Wizard gathers his robes to tail it behind the others to see what's what!
Where's Wind and Fire, I wonder.
The smiling Catfolk then--Swiftly--grants Luck to everyone, while aiming a Magic Missile at the Earth and Sand snake!
Round 1:
Falric takes a 5' step SW and attacks the sand snake.
At the mention of holes, the Catfolk decides to study them along with his Lit Unseen Servant.
[dice=Knowledge (nature) (Int)]1d20+7Hearing the sudden ruckus from ahead, the Wizard gathers his robes to tail it behind the others to see what's what!
[dice=Knowledge (planes) (Int)]1d20+7Where's Wind and Fire, I wonder.
The smiling Catfolk then--Swiftly--grants Luck to everyone, while aiming a Magic Missile at the Earth and Sand snake!
[dice=Magic Missile]1d4+1
Idari determines that it appears that creatures burrowed through the walls of the passage and the fashion in which it was done reminds you in some sense to ground beetles, who burrow underground. However, these beetles would have to be much bigger than those insects.
With regard to the enemy, Idari recognizes it from his planar studies as a Sandling, a large elemental creature native to the Plane of Earth. The composition of its natural form grants its damage reduction.
Tethys sighs at Lucky, "Aren't you supposed to bring that? Maybe conjure up Serpentine Fire?"
She doesn't miss a beat and brings down the hammer.
The Sandling dodges out of the way of Tethys' polearm strike.
As the sand serpent arises, Sahba quickly reaches into her coin purse with one hand, mentally cursing to herself as she often did when using this spell. Quickly, she utters an incantation, a purple glow and a ring of arcane sigils radiating from her hand for a moment, before she flicks one of the gold coins with her thumb directly at the elemental snake with a practiced motion.
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Idari-lucien's blue eyes brighten at Tethys'comments.
Round 1:
The Sandling rears its head back, like an actual snake, takes a 5' step slither, and attacks Tethys, ramming into her chest cavity, breaking some ribs, doing maximum damage!
Round 2:
Falric grimaces when he sees TeThys take such a devastating hit. "Rad, heal Tethys, she's hurt bad."
As a move action, Falric starts his battle dance giving himself +2 morale bonus on some saving throws, attack and damage rolls. He then attacks the Sandling.
Radamiel takes a moment to understand this shifting sand is something dangerous.
When it rams Tethys he shouts "No!"
"Pharasma, if it is not our time, lend a spark of life to my companions"
Everyone gets 3 hp back (including the worm)
Falric will look at Radamiel angrily, "Really?! After all that, you go and heal the monster! You could have just healed Tethys directly!"
Radamiel raises his brow "You're welcome. Perhaps asking your deity for assistance will make you a better dancer."
Tethys groans in pain from the injury and is brought back from the brink, but only just. She says coldly angry, "Pike it you two." Flashes of pain cross her face as her broken ribs grind against each other as she takes her hammer in one hand and punches with her spiked gauntlet with the other.
Backing 30' further away from the Sandling (50' from Tethys), the Wizard frowns at his lack of useful cantrips!
The smiling Catfolk then--Swiftly--grants Luck to everyone, while aiming a Magic Missile at the Sandling snake!
Stepping forward, Sahba infuses her blade with magic as she strikes at the earth serpent.
Round 2: Sandling
The elemental rears its head back and strikes at Tethys again, ramming her into the wall with great force! You hear a crack, as her body slumps down to the floor!
Round 3:
Falric screams "Noooo!" as she sees the creature's ferocious attack on Tethys. He continues his dance, infuriated, and attacks the elemental.
Blue eyes watching from a distance of 30', Idari-lucien pukes as the Resounding Crack, break, Shatter, splatter of Tethys is on full display, coloring the previously bland sand motif into a Picasso painting!
That was quite graphic.
Sabha lets out a choked sound of absolute horror as Tethys' life is obliterated right before her eyes. Starkly reminded of the very real danger right before them, she presses her attack.
There would be time to mourn later.
The Sandling has taken a total of [b]19 damage, but it is still up.[/ooc]
With Tethys dead and Idari out of spells, Radamiel moves in with his heavy mace to help the party but misses poorly.
Round 3: Sandling
The elemental looks around the target rich environment and attacks Falric! It rears back and strikes at the halfling, but it misses by a mile, as the dancing bard dodges the blow!
The Wizard sighs.
All I have left is a Grease spell.
The Catfolk does pass out some Luck!
A number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier, you can predict an ally’s success, bolstering others’ resolve. As a swift action, you can shout an inspiring prediction, granting each ally within 50 feet who can hear you a +4 luck bonus on her next attack roll, saving throw, or skill check
Round 4:
Sabha continues the all out assault on the elemental creature, delivering a high spinning strike in tandem with Falric's attack from below.
Between Falric's maximum damage and Sahba's strike, the warriors finish off the Sandling. You can continue forward or do something else.
Taking a moment to calm her breathing in the sudden silence, Sahba moves over to Tethys' body, checking for signs of life, and unsurprisingly, finding none.
Looking first to Radamiel to see if his goddess granted him with any life-restoring magic, her shoulders slump from a glimpse of the cleric's expression.
"So...what now?"
Idari-lucien's blue eyes wonder over to Tethys'still warm body.
Toss some sand on her then we can legally loot her. She would want it that way.
The Catfolk shakes his head sadly at her prone form.
I suggest that we carry (you carry) her back to the Pharasma people. Radamiel can take charge of that part. We should probably recruit another suckered too before continuing further.
The ghost of Tethys gives Lucky a bad case of the willies before departing this world.
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Somewhere in Wati: Idari's stronger, more handsome, and devilishly charming brother stirs from his slumber. With a start and a sly grin, Bosco jumps up with a start, "That bastard! He left without me!"
Sabha gives the catfolk a withering look. Given what she'd seen of him in battle, she should probably have expected as much. The mage would likely run and leave them to their deaths with whatever he could carry given the opportunity. She would have to remember that.
"Radamiel, I'll need your help to carry her body out of here. After that, you would know best the details of having her interred." she says with a sigh.
Falric wipes the sweat form his brow. "Thanks Sahba and everyone for their assistance. That creature was damn tough. Poor Tethys, so young..." The halfling says a prayer over her corpse sending her soul to her god. "It would be foolish to proceed. Let's take her out to her temple. Idaris and I can help very little due to our lack of musculature. Sahba and Radamiel, if you will do the honors." We track back to the entrance and up the shaft then outside to the Necropolis then back to Wati. Thankfully, we have not rested so it should still be morning.
Thankfully, since it is still morning, the streets of the Necropolis are empty and free of danger. You make your way past the gates back into Wati, where scribes await adventurers like you. You see a tent of Pharasmans has been set up to tend to the wounded or the dead. You see other adventuring groups who participated in the lottery have also suffered losses. Priests of Pharasma take Tethys' body and promise to deliver it her family after taking down notes on cause and time of death. Radamiel says he will stay behind to make sure that it is done properly, and he leaves with the body, bidding the party farewell.
As you are sweating and a little winded from the journey, you pause to refill your waterskins and discuss your options.
Idari-lucien's blue eyes look up at the still morning sun with a sigh.
Perhaps, after lunch will be better.
The Wizard then proceeds to refill waterskins and to drink from them.
We should most likely find further adventurers around the tents.
Somewhere in Wati: Idari's stronger, more handsome, and devilishly charming brother stirs from his slumber. With a start and a sly grin, Bosco jumps up with a start, "That bastard! He left without me!"
Somewhere else in Wati, an Amurrun Alchemist and Cleric wakes up from the aftermath of a night of drunken revelry with a group of Caydenites. "Ughh.. last time I try to outdrink a worshipper of Cayden." Seeing the time of day reflected in the sunrise out of her window, however, she realizes that she missed something very important. Swearing to herself under her breath in a mix of Catfolk and Ancient Osiriani, she gets out of bed and starts preparing.
She lists off her daily preparations as she finishes, just to be sure, "Prayers for the day, dexterity mutagen, shaving and combing, gear, pistol cleaning, and the formula book... Alright, that should be everything!" Afterwards, she speeds out the door to the Necropolis, scraping her tekko-kagi on the door in her haste, hoping to run into someone she knows.
Falric, Idari, and Sahba leave the tents of wounded and dying patients to fill your waterskins at the nearby well/cistern. Today, it is a hotspot as around 30 locals. most males in headdress, have gathered about to chat and comment on the day's events. You hear a lot of chit-chat about the lottery and the excitement building in the city as to what treasures will be uncovered in the Necropolis. You also hear stories of adventuring groups, such as yourselves, that have returned with dead or lost members. As you stand about hydrating and gossiping, Idari spots his brother, Bosco, walking toward him.
Curled creamer! I forgot about that wager that I lost with my big brother!
The Catfolk Wizard quickly casts Prestidigitation to completely tidy the remaining lottery winners prior to waving at Bosco.
You're late!
The majestically groomed and clean Idari-lucien grins.
Ananet? Well played, brother. Well played.
Finally arriving with Bosco next to her, although slightly confused by the response, Ananet replies to Idari. "I ran into him on my way to the Necropolis! I heard some teams have lost their members. You know I'm not missing out on any potential secrets buried within those tombs if I can help it."
She scratches at a spot of fur that she didn't trim down to her usual length, in the rush to get out of her house, before responding and introducing herself to the rest of the group. "Oh, you must be an adventuring party into the tombs, yes? I'm Ananet Bast, an alchemical and divine healer, and worshipper of the gods of Ancient Osirion. Bastet, mostly!" She points to the golden cat symbol, the holy symbol of Bastet, around her neck. "This," after which she points to Bosco next to her, "is Bosco, Idari's older brother. He's decidedly not a wizard, more of a melee type."
Idari-lucien's blue eyes laugh.
Undoubtedly your assets may well provide just the correct skills that we have most recently lost.
The Wizard nods back at the medical tents.
Our Trapper done got dead.
Idari-lucien pokes his brother.
Whatever is the matter? Cat got your tongue.
The Wizatd turns his blue eyes to his fellow explorer's.
We want to perhaps eat, hash out details and I will scribe and prepare for another go in the morning?
The cleric chuckles a little before responding, "Which cat?"
"So will the two of us be joining you? Seems that you've lost two members we could help fill the gap in!" She pauses a few seconds, before continuing, "Also, might I ask what the rest of your capabilities are? I know that Idari is a wizard with some chronomancy, and Bosco here is a decent melee fighter. I don't know the rest of you, if my memory isn't failing me."
Bosco bellows, "This cat!" He strides towards Lucky, gets him in a headlock and, gives him a friendly noogie. "You owe me a fish li' Bro."
Bosco remembers the Caydenites and his head spins a little, "Maybe a little hair of the dog will do us some good."
The male halfling stands. I hope I'm not allergic to cats. "Pleasure to meet you both. I am Falric Dawnstriker. It seems providence has brought you to us. Let me correct, Idari, I am the group's trap disabler. We just lost the muscle of our group because our cleric was inept and failed to heal her during a tough battle." Falric looks at Ananet and smiles, "I am sure we will not have the same problem with you. Please join us for lunch. We plan on going back to the tomb afterwards. Sorry, Idari, but we can't leave the tomb open overnight. Someone might steal our assignment. If you're out of spells, we can use the proceeds of the tomb to buy you a crossbow. We're all fully healed so we should take advantage and clear out the tomb today. Those are my 2 cents."
"Indeed, I still have most of my magic available to me as well." Sahba adds.
"I am Sahba al-Xemestra, a battle mage of sorts, blending sword and spell. Welcome to our group." she says with a touch of reserve.
The callousness with which Idari refers to Tethis' brutal death irritated her, but it was also in character with the image of him she was forming in her head. Only time would tell how his associates handled themselves when they headed back into the tomb.
Hearing about a crossbow, Ananet chuckles to herself a little while tapping her stored-away pistol in indication. "Crossbow?! Okay, now I'm sure you don't know me: I'm from Alkenstar originally; I know how to handle myself without magic! I'm also prepared with as much magic and alchemy as I can for the day as I uh... overslept after a night drinking with some Caydenites. Getting something to eat with y'all would be nice. And I will try my utmost best not to be an inept healer." She swirls her Dexterity mutagen, making sure she prepared it right, before continuing, "Should we go eat that food now?"