Yes Oleksandar. Rejoin the game by all means. Post whenever you can. Currently in combat and it's the PC's turn.
I believe i did apply the damage to the forge spurned too.
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Ash's frost and Sebastion's longsword destroy a zombie as Oleksandar struggles with the other zombie. Zanaiah's backs up to channel healing energy, removing most of the burn from the hot ash hanging in the air. It seems to hang in the air another round . The zombie gets a lucky hit on Oleksandar . The chain covered creature sees an opening and moves toward Oleksandar with its warhammer swinging, hurting him . The burning chain reaches across and attacks Sebastion from 10 feet but it is blocked suddenly and does no damage.
We shall continue then, i will bot them for now. We could find another PC or 2 among the survivors or once you reach the surface so no worries there. Hopefully Oleksandar comes back, it's been just over 3 weeks now. Wow i didn't realise how long since i last posted. I've been in a car accident and hurt my back (don't worry I'm managing), so with pain and such I've not focused too well and forgotten which games i have to update. We're still on anf i hate slowing down and not doing regular updates as it degrades player motivation as well, so please continue to bear with me.
Have we lost you Zaniah? I know Oleksandar said they are away for 3 weeks which I will just bot him for now. I've been slow updating recently and I'm trying to pick up the pace again. Hope you're all still on board.
Ash moves forward, calculating how far his flames could reach and shoots forth from his hand a cold flame engulfing a zombie and the chained creature. Moments after the flames flash away, Sebastion is chopping at the zombie but his defensive stance affords him few chances for a good hit against it. Fortunately that he moved forward so defensively, the chain wrapped around the creature moves as if alive and reaches 10 feet to Sebastion to lash at him but is repelled. Zaniah gets within pistol range and opens up on the chained creature, her bullet hitting on target. Oleksandar moves forward on the other side of the room to attack the other zombie in the way hacking into it. The former guardsmen turned zombies mindlessly lunge at Oleksandar and Sebastion without much effect, bouncing off shields and armour. The chain again moves on its own striking more accurately at Sebastion. The chain-wrapped creature takes air into its lungs and then breathes out a long breath, expelling a cloud of stinging soot, ash, and glowing embers, covering a portion of the room. The cloud of ash gets in your eyes and the embers burn you.
With no advance knowledge of what might be the cause of all the trouble here, you open the door to the main chamber.
initiatives... 4 20's???:
I've been sick and my gf too so been slow lately. Oleksandar thanks for letting me know. Not too much will have happened in 3 weeks I think so it will be ok if you want to come back.
Above the door you see the symbol that the guard described and recognise it as the Hammer of Torag. But it is defaced and another symbol has been 'painted' over it. A brown smear, long dried blood. The blood symbol is that of a stone arch with a fire burning below it, like a kiln or forge.
Religion DC 20:
This is the symbol of one of Torag's enemies. Droskar. Originally one of the greatest student smiths of Torag, it was discovered that he had been copying his work from another whom he had enslaved. For this he was cursed by the Father of Creation to never be able to create an original work and cast from the pantheon. Rejected, he searched for followers of his own, promising them salvation in return for ceaseless work or simply enslaving them. None of these helped him, however, or inspired any originality within the god. With this enslavement rose a new type of undead abomination. The Forge Spurned. Creatures that are immune to fire, can breath a cloud of glowing embers and ash, and are covered in one long chain that is said to bind the sould of those it slays with the souls former bodies becoming its mindless zombie puppets.
Religion DC 25:
The Forge Spawned can't be destroyed normally. It rises again after 24 hours unless its chain is broken (hardness 15, hp 50, break DC 25). If a forge spurned’s chain is sundered, it is instantly slain, never to rise again. When a forge spurned’s chain is destroyed, the souls bound within are released. Though on the outside a simple looking stone-carved structure, it been ornately designed on the inside with dwarven imagery. Inside the door is a small entry room where worshipers would remove their coats and wash their hands in the basin of holy water before entering the main worship chamber. The porcelain basin sits atop a stone bench partially full of holy water (enough for 2 doses). Another stone door, closed this time but not locked leads to the main worship chamber.
So far nothing seems to come out to greet you. The slightly opened door beckons you inside.
Survival DC 15: This is definitely the building the near dead guardsman told you of. Tracks are visible going both ways, 4 tracks went in, 1 continued on and another set of scuffed tracks went back in a hurry, matching up with the fleeing guardsman's tale.
"Yes, I will keep them moving. They wished to volunteer to give the rest of us a chance. I hope we find something soon. Good luck in your search." The group stops to rest, sitting on the ground and the piles of rubble and rocks from the collapsed ceiling. They will remain here until Array moves again. The four of you move on, following the passage for another 15 minutes. There are several smaller openings that you come across that the larger snaked could have slithered down. The passage opens up suddenly into a larger cave and almost immediately you find a wall in your way. It does not completely block your way and you can move around it easily. The building looks rather old but solidly built, nothing like a temple from the outside. There is a door on the far side of it that is open just a crack, no light comes from the slightly opened door. The passage thins again past the building continuing on...
"That will help. We don't have that much food. We need to find a way to the surface as soon as possible before we all starve. Though I have been speaking to some of the elderly and a few of them have volunteered to stay behind so we can move faster and consume less resources. We will look after the Captain's man. Go quickly and keep searching for a way. I pray the Captain found something and is going for help."
Sebastion works to get the snakes edible. It's not long before the rest of the group arrive, following the light of Array. Some look at you hopeful that you have finally found an exit to the surface. The kids are quiet, still quite scared. The elderly are struggling more than the rest but not complaining about the hardship. Everyone just wants to survive. Horgus Gwerm comes forward to talk to you. "Has there been some progress towards our escape?" He looks around and notices the wounded soldier. "Was there some battle? Where is the Captain?"
"Maybe, 1 hour to walk. It was too busy devouring the others to chase me when I ran... They didn't have a chance. Throats ripped out in their sleep. Luckily I heard something and woke up before it could get to me... Maybe it only guards the temple."
"We didn't recognise it. None of us ever studied religions. There was what looked like an upside-down hammer but it had been vandalised and an arch was scratched over it with flames meant to be burning the hammer. There were pictures of dwarves and forges. But most of them were vandalised and made to appear broken. We thought nothing much of it." He takes more difficult breaths but now is sitting up and able to keep himself up, strength is returning slowly. Oleksandar recognises the iron hammer and the forges as symbols of the dwarven god of creation, Torag. The reasons for vandilisation could be some rival desecrating the temple. "The thing that killed the other 2 was covered in chains and glowing razor wire. Smoke came from its beard, hiding its face." The guard shivers, as if reliving the horrifying moment all over again.
"The Temple is further down the passage. Dedicated to some dwarven God. I don't know who exactly. We didn't know something already lived there."
The soldier can speak and does so between grunts of pain. "I didn't see them. They weren't there before," he says referring to the snakes. "We rested in a temple, but the captain took first watch. We didn't notice him leave. Then when I woke, the other two were already a meal for something in the temple we didn't see so I abandoned them and ran back here." It will be hard for him to walk and he will be no good in a fight in his current state.
There are 7 smaller poisonous snakes. They can be made safe to eat by removing the poison glands . The poison can also be used by those skilled in alchemy and healing to create antitoxins, though unless preserved, , the poisons usually is useless in about 24 hours. There is also the danger of poisoning oneself. The guard is still unconscious and not breathing until Zaniah channeled positive energy. He coughs and starts breathing deep breaths, holding his chest and groaning, likely suffering from broken ribs.
Ash crawls along the wall carefully until he is over Sebastion. The magical cloud remains under him, helping to conceal Sebastion from the snake. Oleksandar moves north-east, ready to patrol to protect Sebastion's retreat. The other 2 snakes follow him but meet their ends at his and Zaniah's hands. Only 1 snake remains but Sebastion is unable to hit it. It strikes out at the mist but finds nothing. The large snake is gone, retreating somewhere to nurse its wounds. It won't be eating anyone for a long time.
That's ok, get well mate.
Sebastion is unable to aim his attack properly, feeling the shock of his wound still. Ash's bolt strikes the ground just past the snake, barely missing. Oleksandar kills another snake, chopping it in half next to Zaniah. The rest keep striking, still only snapping at air for now.
Everything ok with you Zaniah?
Ash hits with his frost bolt and gives the large snake some cold burns as it continues retreating towards the passage ahead. Zaniah is able to shake off the snake's poisons effecting her. The 4 small snakes that remain surrounding you are all still alive even though Sebastian, Oleksandar and even Zaniah's dagger find their marks. These snakes are a lot more aggressive than the large one and do not seem to give up despite their wounds, snapping forward threateningly but not able to find flesh to sink their fangs into.
Sebastion returns the ferocious bite with an inhumanly powered swing and with urging from Zaniah tries again but he could not focus enough so soon. A healing spell from Zaniah returns some life to him. The large snake hisses and strikes back at him but cannot get past his shield. It decides you are too much trouble and gives up its meal, slithering away over the rocks, uncovering the soldier that it had been constricting. Oleksandar chops of the head of a smaller snake and moves closer to Zaniah. The snakes he left behind follow and Oleksandar chops off another head. They strike their targets again, mostly unsuccessfully, unfortunately Zaniah is bitten again. Zaniah feels a poison from the snake that first bit her weakening her
Depends which direction it's aimed down and hard to give an example here with 2d characters, but a look at it sideways pointing down looks very similar to the regular flat effect areas just turned to a different axis.
Ash activates his scale from Terendelev and rises up above the battle 20ft., leaving a pillar of cloud below him. The ceiling of this room is roughly 60ft. at its highest and looks broken on the sides that collapsed. Around other edges, cracks and pits in the walls and ceilings look to be the home of these snakes that were shaken from their nooks during the earthquake. It's possible there could be more around still up there, making this site potentially hazardous when the main group comes through. Zaniah and Oleksandar have trouble hitting the snakes, blades sliding off scales or being dodged by the smaller dexterous snakes. Sebastion's strength pushes his weapon through the large snake's defenses and cuts into it again. It has already dropped the guard that it planned to make a meal out of and he lies under part of its body, no longer constricted. Zaniah notices colour return to his face slowly. The large snake snaps forward again, this time its bite gains good purchase on Sebastion's shoulder and stays locked on biting down deep for a few seconds. It would surely have decided to make him its next meal if it weren't for the metallic shield and heavy armour encasing him and so it lets go. The smaller snakes aggressively hiss and snap at the air around their targets, only one going in for a bit on Zaniah
Another ray of frost impacts on a rock instead of the target.
Sebastion has better luck and his blade gets past the snake's scales, cutting it. It hisses and retaliates trying again to bite Sebastion but again missing. The other snakes continue to encircle the party, though Oleksandar cuts off one's head and further wounds several others. One of the snakes manages to bite Oleksandar.
Sebastion charges ahead, planting his shield but his swing with his fist goes wide. Ash curses and fire a ray of frost which harmlessly hits a rock. Oleksander moves to block the smaller snakes from encircling the party. Zaniah moved forward to get in range and fired a shot from her pistol.
As the bang from the pistol echoes around the room, the smaller snakes are threatened by you all and start to move towards you. Several move through Oleksandar's parol area and he wounds 2 of them. One gets next to him and strikes but bites only air. The big snake uncoils and hisses at Sebastion and its jaws snap forward at the air in front of his face, a warning to stay away from its meal.
Hey guys. Am going camping for a couple days. I'll be back on wednesday and update then.
"You must always take any opportunity my boy. Yes, I will keep them together and we will follow the strange floating device. Good luck." Horgus says to Sebastion. You 4 move off together, the last you see of the people behind you as you turn a slight corner is them staring at the floating ball of gemstones named Array curiously, Horgus has been noticed recently looking at it greedily. After about half an hour of walking and encountering nothing much the passage opens up to about 60ft. wide. On either side of this room there are fallen piles of rubble. On top of the rubble are several white banded snakes coiled up, they look wounded and their tongues flicker at the air, sensing a disturbance nearby. Their nests have been disturbed in the quake. Of note there is one larger pale coloured snake coiled around a man. That's one of the soldiers that went with Marcus! You can't tell if he is completely dead yet or not. Nature DC 11:
These snakes are certainly venomous, their stripes of white indicate them as banded cave snakes. Their poison is strong enough to kill the average man if not tended. They aggressively defend their nests when something gets too close. Nature DC 15:
The larger snake is a type of constrictor. Completely pale all over, this is an albino constrictor. Large and very strong, it latches on with its bite before coiling around its prey and crushing it before eating. Perception DC 20: There is colour in his face! It is completely purple but there may be a chance to save him if quick action is taken.
When Sebastion shouts, his voice instantly reverberates around the room and echoes down the passages. Everyone is instantly quieted and turns to look where the voice came from. They all pay attention and his earnest words calm them and get them moving and packing up and ready to go within 10 minutes. "My boy that was exactly what they needed to hear. Though why did you say that Zaniah would lead? I think you would be a better leader, with me by your side to also guide you. Though for now I will stay with the people and keep their spirits up." Aravashniel incants and with a touch to his forehead he opens his magical eye. "Help me please, Anevia. I may not be able to see, but I can still help watch over everyone." She does as asked and as everyone packs up and prepares to move again, he walks around to each person, with Anevia's help to guide him, and touches them and gives a few uplifting words. "I will not trip over anyone at least." He informs Ash and the others, "If you wish the use of my other spells, you will still need to point me in the right direction." Anevia offers her help as thanks for setting her leg and allowing it to heal straight, eventually. "I am too slow to join you as scout, but I can still be of use. My bow will protect the people and I will stand by Aravashniel. Tell me what spells you have old man in case we need them."
Waiting several more hours still sees no sign of the Guard Captain or his men. The people are getting restless, wondering and whispering about what might have happened. "Did they find a way out yet?" "Did they abandon us and leave us to die down here?" "Maybe some monstrous creature killed them and is now coming for us?"
The people settle down and sleep, fitfully, often waking and the children sometimes crying out for their parents. Some can't sleep and sit against the wall watching you guard them. Eventually nodding off from exhaustion. In the 'morning', or at least when people start waking up, there is still no sigh of the Captain or his men.
I will do that.
Yes I think it should work.
"I prepared them this morning, but unfortunately I do not have my spellbook with me, only my staff. So once I cast it, it is gone. At least until we regain the surface and if my office is not destroyed." The staff he has with him is his bonded item. He takes the time to tell you the spells that he prepared.
Aravashniel's Spells: 3rd—heroism, magic circle against evil, summon monster III 2nd—acid arrow, levitate, resist energy, summon monster II 1st—mage armor, shield, sleep (DC 16), summon monster I(x2), true strike 0th—acid splash, arcane mark, detect magic, flare (DC 15), prestidigitation
"Though I was blinded by the Storm King's whip, I am not useless here. I have prepared spells that I can use with some directional aid." Aravashniel tells Ash. When the camp formation is settled and everyone is comfortable, more or less, Anevia opts to be on the outside, her shortbow always ready. Aravashniel sits with the elderly and Horgus Gwerm takes charge of camp logistics and making sure food is shared equally. "It was midday when we fell. Judging time is difficult down here in the dark, but I would guess it is getting near sunset soon. Here looks safe to let everyone sleep. Many are exhausted already from the shock of the fall and the difficult trek, especially the older folk. I have given everyone a rationed meal but we only have enough for one more meal each tomorrow. Unless we make it to the surface soon or find something edible down here..." Horgus shares with you when the camp is settled. "If the captain doesn't return soon with information, perhaps someone should go looking for them."
I am finally home with some time to update my games. Christmas and new years was slightly crazy, I hope everyone had a good time and is able to post regularly again with me.
It takes almost 10 minutes to get everyone ready to move with the elderly and children in the middle, the adults in front and behind them and you spaced to best protect them. Rough Marching order, we'll change it if you want "There are so many of us. Have you found the surface? If we have to go far it will be slow going. Anything truly dangerous down here will be able to pick us off. There is no way to hide our presence." Aravashniel asks Ash. "I appreciate the healing. My leg will heal correctly over time thanks to your setting. I may not be able to move fast but if things come to a fight my bow will be ready." Anevia says to Crusader Zaniah. "Ah, you are back my boy. I have managed to keep everyone calm but they are restless to get back to the surface. Tell me you have found a way? Why has the Guard Captain not returned with you? I pray he has not fallen to whatever creatures dwell down here." Horgus confides to Sebastion and stays near the front with him. The trail of survivors stretches as you finally start moving. At the tightest points you must pass one at a time, helping the elderly through. What took you 20 minutes to walk takes around 2 hours but finally you reach the campsite safely and get everyone calmed to rest.
Not going to get to update for a couple more days. Hope everyone's enjoying holidays or so.
Might be able to make one more post tomorrow. In any case will be pausing for a few days and hopefully have another update on the 27th. In the spirit of the time, I give you all a gift. Merry Christmas. Holiday Spirit You may use this bonus to automatically succeed at one attack roll or saving throw.
It only takes you about 10 minutes before you come across the campsite that Marcus mentioned. A torn bedroll lies next to the cold remains of a fire. There is fallen rubble partially covering the fire and bedroll. There is also a piece of torn cloth pinned by a larger rock. Someone was possibly sleeping here when the quake happened. It seems there was a little skirmish. Marcus and his men fought and killed 3 giant cockroaches the size of small dogs. You don't remember seeing any wounds on any of his men either. The campsite seems safe, and a good place to rest for a bit once the people start moving. The rest of the way back to the large cavern you dropped into takes another 20 minutes and you find everyone waiting. Several adults are looking after the children, near them are the elderly and surrounding them are the rest of the adults and Marcus' men. Aravashnial is with the elderly and Horgus and Anevia are close by.
Marcus frowns and walks right up in Oleksandar's face. "I gave orders soldier. Now if a single one of those civilians don't make it back to the surface and you do, I will see to it that you never set foot in Kenabres a free man ever again." To Sebastion he says, "Be lucky your uncle is Horgus Gwerm, boy." He turns to Zaniah as well. "I gave you charge of this group, crusader. Keep them in line or none of us will make it to the surface." He turns back to his 3 men and has them mark the wall with chalk in the direction they will go.
"Bring them to the campsite and let them rest. It should be a safe place. Then follow this new path east to find me before we advance further."
"Intelligent enough. See for yourselves." One of Marcus' men speaks and tosses a dirty sack for one of you to catch. Inside are 3 candles, a bent fishhook, flint and steel, tindertwigs, string, 10ft. of frayed rope and a copper brooch depicting a bat with purple eyes perched on a mushroom.
Craft(Jewelry) or Appraise DC 20:
Both of the bat's eyes are tiny amethysts, making the brooch worth 200gp. "They abandoned the campsite when the earthquake happened. We may catch up to them. What exactly they are I don't know but there we also found a torn bedroll sized for you or me." Marcus says. "You 4 go back down this passage and get everyone moving. I and my men will continue scouting forward slowly." He indicates to take the north-west path which will lead back to the civilians. "There were also some scavengers at the campsite. Giant cockroaches which we fought off. Be careful in case they have returned."
"Weapons down men." You can hear the sound of swords being sheathed. They walk forward slowly. "Stand down. I am Guard Captain Marcus. It seems our paths have converged. Luckily there seems to be another way and we are not trapped down here forever." You can see it is him and the three men he took with him to investigate the other passage. Both passages have come together and now there is only 1 way forward. "What did you find? Was your path easy? or have obstructions? This way will be slow, especially with the children and elderly we have. We found an old campsite. There are intelligent creatures down here. Best to assume they are hostile and proceed with caution. I thought you may have been some of them." He commands answers and information from you.
Again Ash shoots flame and crisps many of the bats. Having lost many of their number, the few remaining bats disperse and flee to find a dark crevice to hide in. The passage keeps going, the difficult terrain slowing you considerably. Behind almost every little crack or crevice some bug, vermin or spider scurries away from your torchlight. After another 10 minutes you come to a fork in the passage. One way leads north-west and the other leads east. Before you can decide which way you should go, you can hear noise coming from the north-east path. A few seconds later you see light come round a corner and 4 humanoid figures surrounding it. They freeze when they see you. "Who's there? Identify yourselves. We are armed and we will defend ourselves." The voice sounds exactly like Marcus the Guard Captain.
Ash's fire burns away a large chunk of the swarm and another portion of them are burnt by Zaniah's acid flask. Sebastion's sword and Oleksandar's warhammer are nigh useless, swatting only a few bats out of scores. Many still remain and swarm angrily around Oleksandar still.
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