Hella tentatively follows the group towards the tunnel, slinging her crossbow back over her shoulder, and with hands raised steps up saying, "Peace to you, friends. If you would have me in your camp, I would be in your debt, for there is safety in numbers, and 5 is better than 1, my current state."
Hella tentatively follows the group towards the tunnel, slinging her crossbow back over her shoulder, and with hands raised steps up saying, "Peace to you, friends. If you would have me in your camp, I would be in your debt, for there is safety in numbers, and 5 is better than 1, my current state."
"That was a most welcome crossbow shot, madam," Sandros says, "and for that alone would I offer you our fire. Share your story, and share our camp, if you will."
Hella tentatively follows the group towards the tunnel, slinging her crossbow back over her shoulder, and with hands raised steps up saying, "Peace to you, friends. If you would have me in your camp, I would be in your debt, for there is safety in numbers, and 5 is better than 1, my current state."
Ahh, but we are in your debt for your aid against that vile creature. I guess that would make us even were you to camp with us. Consider yourself most welcome to join us.
Ka'kara looks annoyed, "Camp?! We just got up! Thanks to you that little @$#%&#% barely scratched us and LOOK!" She points to the newcomer, "We number one more. The little monster is fast but I can hit it and when I do it's not getting back up. Who knows if we rest it may be able to generate more acid and stinking mist. It only had the jump on us because it wasn't directly concidered an enemy. Now.....it is...."
Hella tentatively follows the group towards the tunnel, slinging her crossbow back over her shoulder, and with hands raised steps up saying, "Peace to you, friends. If you would have me in your camp, I would be in your debt, for there is safety in numbers, and 5 is better than 1, my current state."
Roylenna jumps up and claps her hands with glee when she sees her ray and the crossbow bolt both strike home, but realizes that the bolt could not have come from one of her friends and whirls in the direction from which it came. Her globes of light follow her searching gaze, bathing the newcomer in soft light. Seeing a fellow halfling and hearing the woman's request, she smiles broadly, "Peace, indeed, sister. That was quite a shot and much appreciated!" Keeping an eye behind for the mephit and moving the lights back behind the party as they proceed toward the kobold caverns, she says, "I am Roylenna, late of the caravans. That gentleman is Proteus, a good man and a healer. The man that just completed his swim is Sandros, as quick with his wit as he is with his blade, but only when necessary. The woman is Ka'Kara, a formidable warrior from distant lands. Unfortunately, she took the brunt of the mephit's magic. How do you come to be alone in such a dangerous locale?"
"... and LOOK!" She points to the newcomer, "We number one more."
To the newcomer, "I think that makes it unanimous - you are welcome to join us, at least for the short term."
Proteus leans over to Sandros, with an eye towards the barbarian woman, and speaks loud enough for all to hear.
"It would seem that we are now in the minority. Do men no longer adventure alone? Or, has the world become so dangerous that only women strike out on their own?" he asks with a grin.
Proteus leans over to Sandros, with an eye towards the barbarian woman, and speaks loud enough for all to hear.
"It would seem that we are now in the minority. Do men no longer adventure alone? Or, has the world become so dangerous that only women strike out on their own?" he asks with a grin.
With an equally big grin, "I will let you know as soon as I find a man to ask."
Hella responds, "Thanks to you all. I accept your hospitality. You humble me with your praise. I am Hella Stumblefingers, an apprentice appraiser of antiquities. I accompanied some fellow students into these caves on an errand for our Master. My companions met a most horrible end, and I have been wandering in these caves, seeking exit."
Pulling something from her pack, "If we are going to rest now, I would share this bottle of fine wine. I judge it to be an excellent vintage from a good year."
My companions met a most horrible end
A hopeful look crosses Ka'kara's face, "Might there not still be a chance to save your companions? Let us go and at least attempt for maybe against the odds one survived."
Hella bows her head and drops her voice, "If only that were possible. I fear many sleepless nights I will be haunted by the image of them melting before my eyes."
Proteus continues to slowly walk away from the lake cavern. "I am very sorry to hear about the untimely demise of your colleagues. Sadly, we too have lost our share of friends on our journey, so we can appreciate your sorrow." He recounts the story of Thorak allowing others to tell parts they know best. Before the group knows it, he has led them back to the cave opening.
"I suggest we rest in the cave and return when we are better prepared."
Hella bows her head and drops her voice, "If only that were possible. I fear many sleepless nights I will be haunted by the image of them melting before my eyes."
With a suprised look, "MELTING?! By the spirits, what evil befell your companions?! Point the direction and I shall avenge your fallen friends."
With a long sigh, Sandros waves away his own vote. "If the group wishes to proceed, I am willing. We cannot risk the mephit again without better preparation, but we can certainly find another course and move on, as long as we are careful." He seems supremely unaware of the irony in his words.
"Incidentally, Roylenna, I must take exception to your words about me earlier. My wit is ever-quick, whether it needs to be or not..."
"I'm willing to continue. I have some resources left yet today."
With a long sigh, Sandros waves away his own vote. "If the group wishes to proceed, I am willing. We cannot risk the mephit again without better preparation, but we can certainly find another course and move on, as long as we are careful." He seems supremely unaware of the irony in his words.
"Incidentally, Roylenna, I must take exception to your words about me earlier. My wit is ever-quick, whether it needs to be or not..."
"Silly, it was your sword that was quick when needed. We know your wit is always dangerous!"
Supposing you want to press on, where do you want to go? Hella can tell you that there is another entrance to the dungeon besides the two that you've discovered, but maybe that's not such a good idea, considering what happened to the last party to go that way...
"My companions met their fate near the cave entrance that I started from, but I cannot tell you more than that it was back the way I came. I cannot tell you how long I was wandering in the dark, or which path I took. Only that it happily led me to your merry group." Says Hella, pointing back towards the lake. She continues, "As for our present course, I leave decision to more capable minds than my own. I was lucky to make it this far."
"If we wish to press on, I will not abandon the group. However, my usefulness has its limits and I fear we are quickly approaching them."
"If we wish to press on, I will not abandon the group. However, my usefulness has its limits and I fear we are quickly approaching them."
"My friend, your usefulness extends beyond the blessings that you provide to heal us. Your mind and insight are valuable and without limit. I think that if we proceed cautiously, with a plan, we will be fine."
"I don't really like any of the options, but I don't think we should do anything close to the water. I would prefer trying to sneak down the closest cave entrance before the beetles. We also have the unexplored cave in the southwest corner. I would also suggest we go back and recover the rope."
"I don't really like any of the options, but I don't think we should do anything close to the water. I would prefer trying to sneak down the closest cave entrance before the beetles. We also have the unexplored cave in the southwest corner. I would also suggest we go back and recover the rope."
"Ok, it's a plan." Hefting her sword she begins to make her way toward the nearest cave entrance before we reach the beetles. She will pause there, "Since Grond is away I guess I'll lead now. Can I get light on my sword again Proteus?" Some angry welts where the acid hit her and a claw mark still visible but she seems to pay them no mind.
Hugging the wall and proceeding carefully you manage to stay out of range of the mephit's breath weapon. Unfortunately he has some other tricks up his sleeve. Roll for initiatives, please.
Initiative: 1d20+4=19
The mephit goes on 19, so Hella gets a sneak attack with her crossbow before it gets to do something horrible to you.
Since the mephit only sticks his head and arms out of the water, he is a difficult target to hit and Hella's bolt misses him by inches. He conjures a ball of what looks like runny mud and hurls it at Ka'kara. The mud splashes all over her and burns like acid for 5 points of damage. With a final curse the mephit disappears under the water. The caustic mud continues so burn, though.
Ka'kara desperately tries to scrape the acidic mud off, staggering under it's effects.
Having missed her chance to burn the nasty, nasty mephit, Roylenna uses her Heavenly Fire on Ka'kara instead.
Heavenly Healing by Fire (1d6=1)
The flame flashes green for but a moment before sputtering, doing little good for the afflicted woman. Roylenna realizes she has another option and begins a spell .
Using one of her new cantrips that she was running around camp experimenting with, she cleans all of the mud off of Ka'kara and then, caught up in the magic, proceeds to do spot- and stain-removal on anyone else that appears to need it.
The caustic mud burns for another 6 points of damage and then evaporates. Now what?
Proteus releases healing energy from within.
Ka'kara collapses from the burning acid but is brought back to conciousness by Proteus......barely. She does not seem well at all and is barely staying on her feet though she is obviously loath to admit it.
Ka'kara collapses from the burning acid but is brought back to conciousness by Proteus......barely. She does not seem well at all and is barely staying on her feet though she is obviously loath to admit it.
Roylenna sings a song of springtime flowers and renewal as she places her hand on Ka'kara's arm.
"Does that help, my warrior friend?"
"Does that help, my warrior friend?"
She straightens up and takes a deep breath, "Very much, thank you. I should be able to continue now. I want to crush that little water devil."
So, do you want to go diving, bugsquashing or exploring the passage south? Or something else that I haven't thought of?
So, do you want to go diving, bugsquashing or exploring the passage south? Or something else that I haven't thought of?
Roylenna shares with Hella that she's got a stash of extra bolts that would fit either of their crossbows.
She decides to emulate the new member's readiness, taking her crossbow off her belt and loading it. She also notes how the other woman never points the readied weapon toward any of the others, so she follows suit, keeping it always pointed to the side. While in the room with the lake, it will remain pointed toward the lake, of course.
Given a direction from the rest of the party, she will conjure up another Dancing Lights and send it as far down the south tunnel as useful for scouting, but she will continue to keep another set over the water of the lake. In fact, she will move the lights along the shore as though the party were still traveling around the lake in hopes of misleading the mephit, stopping them about 40' beyond the group.
Hella thanks Roylenna, "My thanks to you, cheery sister. Sadly, I fear I will put many of these to good use before we make it out of here."