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Seeking to prevent any further damage to his companion, Grymwold CHARGES at the undead and runs through him, his heavy boots stomping the bones into an muddy, ashen pulp.
Zarena steps back, bracing her feet in the soft earth, then unleashes a searing jet of flame from her palms. As the blast fades, one of the three skeletons is gone, and the other two skeletons' ribs are cracked and black with char marks.
Saélihn's arrow strikes true, piercing through the spooky hide with a sickening sound. The skin wails and its body twists and writhes at the impact.
Who's up
Blue Skeleton (-3), Skin (-10)
Zarena (-15), Saélihn, Ghost, Grymwold
Gronilda, Lizzie
Yellow Skeleton (-3)
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"There is some weird skin flying here!" Gronilda finally reacts. She pleas to Erastil, enlarging herself to a giant size and slicing through the weird creature with her axe in a mighty arc.
Then steps back gesturing for Pawnies to attack.
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As Gronilda's battleaxe slices through the animated hide with a decisive strike, the skin gives one final violent shudder. The force animating it seems to dissipate, and the skin collapses to the muddy ground.
Who's up
Blue Skeleton (-3)
Zarena (-15), Saélihn, Ghost, Grymwold
Gronilda, Lizzie
Yellow Skeleton (-3)
Lizzie walks 10ft forward, then starts swirling a bullet at the blue skeleton.
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Lizzie's stone hits well enough to blast the skeleton into a heap of bones.
Yellow lurches 5 feet towards Grymwold, and swings both claws.
One claw lands, and cuts open a shallow wound in Grym's shoulder.
Who's up
Zarena (-15), Saélihn, Ghost, Grymwold (-4)
Gronilda, Lizzie
Yellow Skeleton (-3)
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Grym leans his shoulder into his shield and tries to run over/smash/stomp the remaining skeleton
Banner+1,Relentless+2
IF Bull Rush is successful he deals 4pts bludgeoning damage
AND free action Overrun
IF Overrun successful he inflicts 2pts bludgeoning damage
If your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD by 5 or more, you move through the target’s space and the target is knocked prone.
Zarena throws a ball of acid at the remaining skeleton.
(Hemlock Banner)
"That was scary. Well done my friends" Gronilda cheers everyone, then kneels to examine closely the skin creature she has defeated trying to understand what it was.
She then proceeds to scan the area with detect magic before taking attention to the skeleton remains "We should bury these bodies with a proper blessing before they do wake up once more"
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As the party searches the grim scene, they uncover items that survived the destruction. A satchel contains a
Gronilda recognizes the shredskin, a wretched undead creature created when a humanoid is skinned alive. Around its neck is
Taking a closer look at the dirt where Zarena had started to dig, the party notices mangled remains of bodies, as if it was some sort of mass grave. They also notice notice glints of metal in the mud - as if there might be more valuables buried here.
But as Gronilda examines the mass grave, her religious training suggests that leaving these poor souls in such a disturbed state seems wrong. The burial and subsequent desecration by undead has left the area feeling cursed. As a cleric, she also knows that proper burial rites would help these souls find peace.
Feeling too weak to shovel, Zarena rests and attempts to identify the canister of gray powder and the mummified hand.
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Moving to join the others in inspecting the aftermath of the battle, Saélihn borrows Zarena's anytool in its shovel form, beginning the process of digging through the desecrated mass grave after getting Gronilda's attention and pointing out the sorceress' condition.
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Lizzie doesn't have a shovel, but will help in whatever other way possible. Dragging the bodies into proper graves and such, making a short prayer to Desna for the souls of the departed.
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"This place is cursed. We need proper burial for this bodies or they might become a danger once more" Gronilda points the ground and while the more physically strong of the party take the shovel to work on the earth, she conducts prayers, invoking the name of Erastil and overall pointing how the bodies need to be treated in order to bring them the final peace "Erastil, guide these lost souls to your eternal fields. Let them find the peace denied to them in life and protect this ground from further desecration. By your grace, may we turn despair into hope and chaos into harmony"
At some point she also takes the powder and attempts to identify it.
Finally, she moves to examine the mummified hand found around the shredskin's neck. Holding it at arm's length, she murmurs a quick prayer for guidance, hoping to discern its nature.
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The nature of the powder escapes both Gronilda and Zarena, but it's clear to them that the mummified hand is a
As Saélihn and the others begin their excavation under Gronilda's blessing, a movement in the branches above catches the party's attention. A large owl perches on a branch, watching the work with unusual intensity.
As Lizzie and Gronilda's prayers echo through the clearing, the party works to both recover items and treat the remains with dignity. The combination of proper burial rites and careful handling seems to lift some of the gloom from the area. The air feels lighter. The owl continues its watch, tilting its head at Gronilda's invocations to Erastil.
Eventually, the party finds the mangled and partially decayed corpses that appear to have been hastily buried, as well as
As you finish the proper burial of what were likely Gristledown's residents, it's almost as if the day has gotten brighter. The owl lets out a soft, approving hoot and spreads its wings to take back to the forest.
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"Well, it definitely feels like the energy here has...lightened, the air isn't as heavy." Saélihn says, wiping the sweat from her brow due to the exertion.
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Zarena watches the owl, at first worried that it was a spy, but in the end convinced that if it was a spy, it was more the positive, perhaps divine sort.
When Saelihn mentions the lightening of the day, Zarena says
Agreed. Well done.
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Grymwold enjoys the simplicity of physical labor. Feels similar to the meditative trance he attains while at the forge. After the burial is complete he says a simple silent prayer to Torag.
We did good work here. I hope these are the last graves we ever have to dig He says this knowing full well how unlikely this is
Gronilda watches the owl for a moment, her expression softening "A fine omen..." she murmurs, rubbing Pawnies' head gently "The forest must be pleased with our work here"
Kneeling by the arrows, she mutters a short prayer and examines their aura, looking for any divine blessing.
Satisfied, she stands and looks to the others "We've earned a good lunch before pressing on to the caves. Best to go in with full bellies and clear heads"
Gronilda, could you heal me a bit?
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"Sorry for my inattention" Gronilda grasps her hands around her holy symbol and a wave of positive energy washes the group.
She then opens her healing kit and wraps the remaining wounds with bandages "Let me see what we can do with this"
Thank you so much.
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With the grim work at Gristledown complete, and their wounds tended to, the party returns to their journey toward the troglodyte caves. The map indicates they're only about two hours away now, though the terrain grows increasingly rough and hilly.
Lizzie's keen eyes spot it first, with Grymwold noticing shortly after - a narrow cave entrance screened by hanging roots, cleverly hidden in the side of a tree-covered ridge. Without knowing to look for it, you might have walked right past it.
The opening is low but wide enough for a person to enter comfortably.
From your vantage point, you can see bulbous brown and purple fungal growths near the entrance, and catch the faint scent of sulfur in the air. A streak of cloudy teal crystal runs along one wall of the entrance. In the soft earth around the cave mouth, you notice several three-toed footprints leading both in and out.
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Stealthily creeping forward with Ghost at her side, Saélihn studies the area, noting every detail and reading the environment, getting a feel for what they would face upon entering and how many creatures likely laired in this place.
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Creeping forward to peek into the cave entrance, Saélihn notices the light quickly fade away. It's pitch dark further in. She can tell the caves show signs of being both natural and worked stone, and the crystal veins suggest possible valuable mineral deposits.
The fungal growths are a species that troglodytes cultivate for food and other uses, and the nasty sulfurous smell comes from the troglodytes themselves. Saélihn knows they emit a noxious stench as a natural defense.
The footprints indicate a tribe this established likely numbers between 15 or 20, and suggest regular patrols.
Saélihn's keen eyes spot what appears to be a large, 4 foot tall mushroom near the entrance. She thinks it could be a shrieker mushroom, capable of letting out a piercing scream when light shines on it or when approached too closely . However looking to the west, it seems like the setting sun's rays would shine directly into the cave entrance daily.
Her silent approach allows her to get close enough to hear muffled conversations in a strange language further in.
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Gronilda is about to cast light to combat the darkness in the cave when Saélihn points out the shrieker "Could you destroy it at a distance?"
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"I can try." Saélihn replies quietly after relaying all the information she's gleaned to her companions. "Or if we wait until sunset, the sun's light will hit it as it likely does every day. They're likely to ignore it if it happens at the same time every day."
Waiting until sunset seems like the safest way to handle this Grym looks about for other opinions. This is NOT his area of expertise
Gronilda looks at the sky then nods "Ok, if you consider that is the safest procedure, let's wait then"
The dwarf offers, then points to the nearest vegetation "We can hide and set watch in order to see if anyone comes in or out"
Going along with the plan, Zarena attempts to hide.
Saélihn and Ghost hunker down, waiting for the setting sun to signal the time to act.
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Waiting for the sun to set, Zarena and Saélihn find excellent hiding spots among the roots and undergrowth and lead the party there, observing the cave entrance.
It takes a few hours with little noteworthy happening, but right on schedule, the setting sun's rays pierce through the forest, striking the large mushroom. A piercing shriek echoes from the cave entrance, just as expected.
Emerging from stealth to approach the entrance again, Zarena hears one troglodyte grunt to another in Draconic in the distance: "Ugh!! Sun scream again! Happens every day. Very annoying."
It seems this would be an ideal moment to enter if you wish - the alarm system has already been triggered for its daily false alarm.
Assuming not everyone has darkvision in the group, Gronilda whispers a quick prayer to Erastil and casts light on her shield. With that, she begins to enter the cave cautiously "[smaller]I heard some trogs nearby, but cannot understand what they said, let's be careful"
Slowly, she makes it in, alongside Grymwold and Pawnies, the axe ready at her hand.
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Saélihn hold up a hand before they start moving. [smaller]"Lizzie, Ghost and I should take point. And we should take out the mushroom while the expected alarm is being ignored. It'll be a full day before anyone would notice something odd about it not going off again." she says, raising her bow and firing a shot into the shrieking mushroom just before the sunlight falls off of it.
Closing her eyes for a moment the huntress takes a deep breath, reaching out beyond herself to the animal world that she couldn't begin to explain, yet felt a natural part of her, drawing on the vision of nocturnal creatures like bats.
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Saélihn's arrow strikes true, and the shrieker mushroom stops suddenly and shrivels up like a deflated balloon. Gronilda illuminates her shield and therefore the cave entrance, and she starts to move forward with Grymwold and Pawnies, but Saélihn insists on taking the lead to scout ahead.
Ghost's keen senses immediately alert to movement ahead - two troglodyte guards stand watch in a chamber where the tunnel opens up. A massive violet crystal, as big as a human head, hangs in a cradle of braided roots from the chamber's center.
Thanks to Saélihn's stealthy approach, the guards haven't noticed the group yet. The light from Gronilda's shield hasn't reached this chamber, but Saélihn's familiarity with bats allows her to see in the dark, and she sees that the guards are positioned on either side of the hanging crystal, seemingly engaged in some kind of meditation.
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Turning to look back at her companions, Saélihn signals enemies, holding up two fingers before drawing her bow, taking careful aim, and firing a perfectly placed shot right into the troglodyte's throat, before stepping back and directing Ghost to do the same.
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"Give me just a second" Gronilda requests when Saélihn points about the guards "Ghost usually suffers from not having a metal skin like us. Let me ask Erastil for help here"
With a quick prayer the dwarf casts her barkskin domain spell on Ghost before the group forces the combat to start.
After Saelihn shot Grym CHARGES in towards the green trog, momentum driving his blade home
Banner+1, Charge+2
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In the darkness of the chamber, Saélihn's arrow flies from the shadows, striking a troglodyte with devastating force. It barely has time to register the arrow protruding from its chest before collapsing.
The second troglodyte's meditative stance breaks as its companion falls, and it hisses in anger as it draws its weapon.
Zarena wishes they could have negotiated with the Troglodytes, but doesn't worry about their communication issues in the beginning of battle. She moves swiftly until she can see the target that Saélihn is engaging, and throws a ball of acid at it.
Missing badly.
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Gronilda moves forward as far as her short legs will allow her, then suffering from Zarena on the first line, commands Pawnies to defend her "There, protect Zarena!"
The dog obediently runs setting himself in front of the aasimar, and tries to protect her from the troglodyte.
Lizzie walks to join the cluster of companions, taking her dagger out.
Racing into the chamber, Ghost attempts to bite the remaining standing enemy.
Moving in along the wall, Saélihn silently releases a shot at the Troglodyte being harried by Ghost.
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Ghost and Saélihn double team the troglodyte, first biting at its leg and then following up the wound with a precise arrow.
The wounded troglodyte bellows something in Draconic - understood by Zarena as "Surface dwellers, in our home!" - and turns toward the connecting passage as it staggers around Ghost, dark blood dripping from its wounds. From the chamber beyond , you hear sudden movement.
As the troglodyte limps off deeper into the cave, Saélihn quickly fires another shot, seeking to take him down, and commanding Ghost to finish the job.
Ghost races after the fleeing troglodyte, tearing into it.