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"Better follow Guligak, we'll need him later"
Peers into the darkness, and listens(+2 beyond roll)
I also leave Ka outside, and sneak up to it.Paellat sneaks with the stealth of a black cat on the prowl
Guligak peers into the cave, relying on his magic lenses to enhance his eyesight.
"Fine then. Meet your God in whichever manner you prefer." he says, with a wave of his hand. Gasker then begins to secure the mounts. He'll wait for Guligak to return, but if they need to make a run for it, they'll be able to.
"Guligak! Wait..." Jon curses. Impulsive fool. Who's going to follow an effing troll?
Seeing the Gasker's prep, Jon nods approvingly. He starts going through his mulke's pack looking for the vials of oil stored there. While searching he smiles grimly at Rose's comment. She's got a point, but this ain't good. He stuffs the three vials in his pouch and checks for the tindertwigs.
"Red, do a quick scout. Trolls are sly enough to sneak behind us while we deal with this one. And keep an eye on Andrea there. "
Jon hands Behr's reins to Gasker and and takes off in the wake of Guligak and Paellat.
Catching up to the others at the cave's entrance, Jon says, " Guligak, are you sure its a good idea following an Gorum-cursed troll into a cave? Tough to swing a sword in close quarters. And harder still to make sure a troll stays dead."
Assuming Guligak wants to press on, Jon will urge him to wait a moment. He shouts to Rose, "Red, is the area clear?"
Andrea pales as Gulligak announces the trolls presence
"A troll..oh merciful heavens...what could it want to say to us...it must be some sort of trap surely"
As the others leave her she looks around in consternation then jumps from the wagon and trots after Jon
"Don't leave me...you might need my healing and besides I feel safer with you close by"
Catching up to the others at the cave's entrance, Jon says, " Guligak, are you sure its a good idea following an Gorum-cursed troll into a cave? Tough to swing a sword in close quarters. And harder still to make sure a troll stays dead."
The warrior-priest nods thoughtfully. "It looks like an omen to me. Falling into a trap is a bad idea, but so is ignoring an omen. If you are all cowards who refuse to back me up, then I will be a coward too and we will slink away in shame and say nothing more of this day." Guligak looks miserable at the prospect of retreating, but he knows better than to assault a cave full of trolls by himself.
With nothing more than a nod, Rose breaks off from the group and circles the area opposite the Troll, as well as their getaway path. Returning, she reports: "Nothing. No other Trolls as far as I can see. They're not very good at hiding themselves, and generally have little to fear. If there were more of them, we would certainly be seeing them by now."
She takes a moment to look the warrior up and down; "You are wise. And cautious. I appreciate your concern. I will stay here with Gasker and keep an eye on things."
Guligak;
The cave entrance is little more than a convergence of huge pieces of limestone; rising out of the ground in a frozen tableau of collision, they act as the mouthlike opening to a path that clearly goes deeper into the ground. There is a cool draft that meets you as soon as you take a first few steps into the place.
The space is tight but manageable for you. The troll has to stoop in some points, but even walking slowly and carefully, he's moving faster than you.
Following the troll is easy enough. It's heavy breathing resounds in this main chamber; following the sickly sounding heaving is no problem for a hunter like Guligak.
Eventually the cramped space opens up, and a number of paths open up. At a crossroads, the troll continues through; until it reaches a bridge of sorts. The bridge is a hodgepodge of wooden beams and logs; construction materials derived in part from wagons, caravans, and some modicum of craftsmanship. It extends about 50 ft over a chasm of approximately the same depth. It crosses to the halfway point, and turns to see if you are still following it. A strange gesture for sure, it continues to beckon to you.
Guligak cautiously tests the bridge and then follows.
You and the troll meet halfway on the bridge. It snarls in your face, but does not strike a blow. Tension hangs in the air exactly the way its stench does.
The warrior-priest nods thoughtfully. "It looks like an omen to me. Falling into a trap is a bad idea, but so is ignoring an omen. If you are all cowards who refuse to back me up, then I will be a coward too and we will slink away in shame and say nothing more of this day." Guligak looks miserable at the prospect of retreating, but he knows better than to assault a cave full of trolls by himself.
Jon looks thoughtfully at the warrior-priest, trying to guage the effect retreat would have on his morale, and considering whether or not it's an omen. "We are not cowards. Neither are we fools. Lead on Guligak."
Andrea is fearful but tries not to show it as she creeps along behind Jon.
"Don't leave me...you might need my healing and besides I feel safer with you close by"
"You'll probably be safer out here with Gasker and Red, but suit your self."
OOC: I'm staying just at the edge of Guligak's light, aiming with my wand rifle (scorching ray) in case the troll attacks Guligak.
Jon notes the little man's actions with approval. "Keep an ear out behind us, just in case. I don't like the split in the tunnel behind us."
***
The makeshift bridge creaks and groans under the weight of another large creature (). To Guligak, the troll's intentions and thought processes are as alien to him as possible. They stand there studying each other for a moment before the troll suddenly brings it's heavy arms upward to strike a mighty blow.
Guligak uses his shield for full cover and begins backing off of the bridge.
Jon digs in his pouch for the vials of oil and tindertwigs. "Andrea, put up that knife. These will be more use. Make grenados. Light 'em with the tindertwigs and throw 'em at the trolls feet." HE shoves the oil and tindertwigs towards her, then unlimbers his sword.
As the troll raises its arms to strike Andreas hand shoots forward
"Luminositus Alacritus"
A bright flash goes off in the trolls eyes set above the Kellid.
Cast Flare :Fortitude Save DC 14 or be dazzled for one minute(-1 to attack and sight based perception)
She accepts the oils from Jon, her mind curiously focused as she puts the grenado together tearing a strip of cloth from her petticoat to serve as a wick.
... Eventually the cramped space opens up, and a number of paths open up. At a crossroads, the troll continues through; until it reaches a bridge of sorts. ...
Jon looks behind him for any sign of an ambush from the rear.
Andrea's flash doesn't seem to harm the troll, but the flash does briefly illuminate the area better. Guligak is able to see what awaits him below the bridge; layers of spikes and stalagmites littered with debris.
The troll howls in pain when Paellet's expertly aimed shot strikes him in the arm, causing it to go ablaze briefly.
In fury, the Troll brings it's arms down in full force to strike. The bridge. A solid blow rocks the foundation of the bridge, and with the added weight of another large creature, it starts to wobble.
Andrea delays until Gul gets off the bridge then throws the grenado at the trolls feet.
critical confirm 1d20+2=8 Bah!!
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Paellat has a last second idea as he sees Guligak losing his balance...he reaches into the side pouch of his haversack and...
The Troll is sent off balance himself by the teetering of the makeshift bridge; his scramblings are only exasperated by the lobbing of the fiery grenades.
Combined with the frantic abadonement of the enlarged Guligak, the bridge snaps in the middle. The burned Troll falls, howling as it scratches desperately in vain to catch the remnants of the bridge.
Guligak doesn't fair much better, and it's only with some quick thinking from Paellet that he manages to avoid the spikes below. Glued to the bridge, he still suffers a mighty blow as his half of the bridge swings and collides with the cave wall.
The bridge and the glue won't hold him forever; both begin to creak.
The Troll can be heard scurrying away. There must be a passage below, as well.
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"Jon! watch the passage, Andrea help me get Guligak up!"
reaches into his haversack, producing a fine silk rope attached to a grappling hook, finds a place to secure the hook and drops the rope down to Guli...
Mutters to himself Listen check:
Andrea scrambles forward to help the halfling her face a mixture of relief that the troll is gone and concern for the Kellid.She searches her mind for a spell that might help in this situation then stops for a moment and changes form to a Dwarven woman and then throws herself on the rope hauling with all her might .
Strength check Str 12 1d20+1=20...my goddess IC is on my side today
Paellet
"A Pathfinder you say? Very well, stranger. I shall believe you. For now. Your bargain is fair, and you know where to come to pay for the rest of it."
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Paellet
** spoiler omitted **
Guligak fumbles in his pack for a potion of Feather Fall as he loosens and drops his shield.
"You goddamned bastard! Gorum will f*** your skull in Hell, you s***-eating c*******er!!" Guligak screams at the troll in nearly incoherent fury as he dangles.
"Friends! I can make myself as light as a feather, but it will only last for a few seconds. Throw me a line, and I will drink my potion!"
As Guligak dismisses the magic from his body, he welcomes more into it by way of a potion. It's easy enough for him to use Andrea and Paellet's support to rise up again, and it's likewise also easy enough for him to float down unscathed to the bottom of the chasm.
Guligak is unceremoniously hauled to the surface.
"Pallaet, I owe you a debt. I will not forget what you did for me today, and by Gorum I mean to pay you back! Now let's leave this s***hole filled with traitorous, cowardly trolls who refuse to fight like men."
Guligak is still filled with rage, but it's directed mostly at himself.
Jon barely gets his sword drawn before the braidge breaks. He stares in admiration at the gnome's quick-witted, and well-aimed toss.
To Pae's suggestion Jon replies, "I'll go all the way back to the cross roads, if the light hasn't failed." The big soldier strides purposefully back up the tunnel with his naked blade in hand.
Jon;
The light spells will last 40 minutes. Of course, if there is anything else in this cave, it more or less paints an arrow to exactly where you guys are.
Back at the crossroads, Jon strains his eyes and his ears for any signs of danger. The howling of the Troll, and the crashing of the bridge were both sounds that reverberated through the chambers, surely alerting things to your presence. Jon does hear a low rumbling that seems to be coming from the eastern passage.
Jon calls back down the passage to his comrades. "Hurry up back there. We may have more company."
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OOC: "GNOME! I'm a halfling!" LoL
Paellat takes to the shadows once again * and slips silently into the shadows *
OOC: "GNOME! I'm a halfling!" LoL
Paellat takes to the shadows once again * and slips silently into the shadows *
Andrea doesn't expect a word of thanks from the sexist pig for hauling him up from the chasm and sure enough she gets none.Switching back to human form she moves off behind Jon assembling a second grenado as she does.
The adrenal rush has pushed her fear into the back of her mind and she moves more confidently