After seeing how hurt the boy is, Omen's face will cloud over with concern and he will carry the youth. "Edgrin! Instruct the scaled ones to take us to shelter. This one must tend to the boy's wounds."
After seeing how hurt the boy is, Omen's face will cloud over with concern and he will carry the youth. "Edgrin! Instruct the scaled ones to take us to shelter. This one must tend to the boy's wounds."
Edgrin nods and then takes Kerrdremak aside to speak with him. The kobold nods rapidly and then waves his hand to Omen and Rogan to follow. Edgin turns back to Omen, "This way! They will take us to the monk's sleeping quarters."
You both follow Edgrin back through the underground temple to the left passage from the main entrance. Edgrin steps up to the door, grabs hold of the handle and pulls. It doesn't seem to budge. He regathers himself and then with a mighty pull, extends his right foot up against the wall to the side and frees the door nearly toppling to the ground.
Kerrdremak laughs in what can only be described as a reptillian laugh as Edgrin smirks and then bows gesturing the rest of you to enter. "We might need some light... it's dark in there for us halflings... and by us I mean me."
At this, Edgrin casts a spell (light) on his signet ring and extends his arm forward as he steps into the room. "Looks clear," he says, and then walks in.
Within the room you find several rows of uncomfortable-looking stone beds. The room itself does not appear to have been disturbed in quite some time.
Omen will set the boy down on one of the stone beds and point to the injured kobolds and gesture for them to sit down as well. He will then ask Edgrin if any of the uninjured kobolds would be able to procure some bandages and salves. He will also cast dancing lights and situate the hovering orbs in the upper corners of the room.
Omen will set the boy down on one of the stone beds and point to the injured kobolds and gesture for them to sit down as well. He will then ask Edgrin if any of the uninjured kobolds would be able to procure some bandages and salves. He will also cast dancing lights and situate the hovering orbs in the upper corners of the room.
Edgrin nods and speaks with Kerrdremak again as you are tending to the boy and the injured kobolds.
As you are directing the lights, Edgrin speaks to you as he sits down on one of the warm stone beds. "The robed one says there is nothing like that up on this floor. All of their 'healing stuffs' are down on the next floor."
Edgrin places his hand on his chin and looks to be concentrating as he stares at the wall. "It seems I still have some energy left." He then gets up and steps over to the boy. "Jurin, let me see that wound of yours." The boy looks up and squints as Edgrin places his hand over the open wound on the boy's chest and then speaks a few words as a light blue glow emanates outward from his palm and begins closing the wound. The boy looks down at his chest and then back up at Edgrin and smiles. "That'll do it," Edgrin says and then goes to sit back down.
The boy stands up without much effort and walks over to where the other children are sitting on another bed and they begin talking among themselves about what they are going to do when they get back home.
"Hrmmm... let us secure this place and rest a while then."
Noctem sniffs about for the smell of blood, and on the creatures that the smell is strongest he briefly touches his nose to their wounds.
1d8+3=7
1d8+3=9
1d8+3=6
Noctem sniffs about for the smell of blood, and on the creatures that the smell is strongest he briefly touches his nose to their wounds.
1d8+3=7
1d8+3=9
1d8+3=6
Omen casts a spell on the children and then begins to play a beautiful song on his ocarina. The tune seems to put the children to sleep almost immediately; their eyes grow heavy and then lie down and drift off to sleep. The kobolds fall asleep as well, while Edgrin lies up against the wall on one of the uncomfortable beds listening. He quietly whispers, "Beautiful tune, friend. I shall sing of our glorious rescue by yours and your friend Rogan's hands once we escape this foul place." He then closes his eyes as Omen finishes his the tune and falls asleep. Omen follows suit shortly after.
Rogan, unless you are staying up to keep watch, Noctem hops up on the same bed as you and lies down at the foot of the bed, hanging his front paws over the side and resting his head on them as he looks towards the door. Both of you drift off to sleep.
Rogan sits casually on one of the stone beds, stroking the long, dark fur of the wolf whom he did not choose so much as the wolf chose him, and listens to the soft sounds of Omen's ocarina, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. As the half-orc ends his gentle tune, Rogan stands and walks to the doorway, bolting it and peering outside at the hallway beyond.
Seeing the wounded boy in Omen's arms had stirred something deep within his soul. Up until that moment, the reality of their situation had not fully saturated his consciousness. These were children. He didn't know what he had seen at the forge, wrapped in chains and belching smoke from a half-rotted face. What being could possibly do what they were doing to these kids? Such malignant evil and hatred he had never seen before, even in the outlaw bands he had seen so often in the past. The disdainful acts of outlaws often stemmed from a profound self-centeredness. This was something far worse.
There would be no sleep for him for now. Too much was at stake.
An hour passes after everyone but Rogan has fallen asleep. As he sits on the edge of one of the stone beds next to Noctem, he hears a noise coming down the hall. It can only be described as an odd slurping noise; the noise a boot might make after a poor traveler stuck his food in a thick patch of mud and tried to pull it out. It seems to be heading down the hall towards the direction of the shoddily bolted door.
Rogan quietly wakes Edgrin from his slumber with a gentle shake of his shoulder and raises a finger to his lips as the halfling awakes.
"Wake one of the kobolds and ask them where this other door leads." He whispers. "Something is coming, but I don't believe it is intelligent. If I am wrong, however, we may need to use it as an escape. Quickly and quietly, if you please."
He returns to the wall with the door, but does not return to his previous position. He stands back from the crack a few feet and peers out into the hallway beyond, waiting for the source of the sound to slog into view.
Edgrin awakens to your prompting and quietly sits up. He whispers, "Bloody stone. I can't wait to get back to linen and cotton." After you speak he gets up and walks over to Kerrdremak and wakes him up with a little nudge. He speaks in soft whispers as the kobold replies in kind.
"He says the other door leads to the same hallway. If we go through that door and down the hall, we'll end up in the main foyer located near the crucible of offering, that pit of molten slag."
As you are speaking, a blur of sorts appears right in front of the door. Within the center appears a suit of full plate which appears to almost be floating in the air along with a glowing battleaxe. The blur edges up to the door and bashes into it causing a loud thud. The sound of a piece of wood falling to the stone floor is heard underneath the door.
Omen awakens to the thud and sits up rapidly.
Rogan quickly backs away from the door, looking around frantically. His eyes settle on one of the stone beds.
"Omen, Edgrin, help me move some of these beds in front of the door. This bolt won't hold for long." He glances back at the door. "I'm not sure how to kill this thing."
Omen will use the last spell he had available and summon White Ear into the hallway next to the blasted gelatinous cube. He will then try to keep the door from bursting open and also let some lightning arcs out through the crack and into the insufferable blob of goo.
Rogan grabs hold of the nearest stone bed and nods to Omen as both heave and pull it up against the door. White ear growls outside the door and you can hear his attack:
After the attack, White Ear retreats down the hall to the south and then turns and growls to see if the cube will follow.
Edgrin fishes into one of his pockets and pulls out a small piece of wool, speaks a brief word in arcane, and then waves his hand as he speaks. Suddenly you hear a voice beyond the door coming from the hallway straight ahead. “Hey, you overgrown puddle of goo, over here!”
The bizarre object ignores the voice completely and slams into the door once again sending two large wooden planks partially dissolving from a corrosive, sizzling acid falling to the floor directly on top of the stone bed. The creature then moves straight up against the door jiggling as the surface of the cube causes the outside of the door to sizzle.
Kerrdremak stands up and then moves over to the stone table and begins casting a spell with a word as a blast of flame bursts from his outstretched palm. The flame flashes over the door and through the wide hole created by the cube. The cube jiggles as an eruption of flame coalesces through its immense body.
The other kobolds leap up, yipping as they grab their spears and head towards the northern door. One of them hops up on the table and attacks:
The kobold jams his spear into the gibbering object and pulls out a small chunk of the creature which drops to the floor between the bed and the door.
Rogan pulls out his bow and looses an arrow at the newly created gap in the door.
The arrow disappears into the mostly transparent cube of acidic goo, and the creature responds in a way that might be considered anger.
Omen lets loose another arc of lightning and watches as it hits the cube and then just seems to be absorbed into its gelatinous body.
Edgrin moves over to the bed, hops up on it and lashes at the cube with his dagger and makes a small slash in the cubic mass:
With this the cube rears back slightly and lifts up in an attempt to maneuver over the stone bed but its feeble attempt is thwarted by its immense size. A pseudopod emerges from the center of the cube and extends out towards the kobold warrior standing on the stone bed:
The kobold easily dodges backwards at the pathetic attack from the cube, and then seeing how the creature can now easily attack him, he quickly jabs it again and then hops down from the table:
Rogan looses two rapid arrows straight at the bizarre invader:
The two arrows strike the center of the cube and cut through it like butter leaving only the feathered fletching visibly protruding from outside. The cube quivers and then presses further against the door.
Omen pulls out his handaxe and swings it at the creature with a sideways slash:
The creature jiggles upon impact and pulls away from the door but then slowly begins to crawl back as Edgrin takes a swipe at it and makes a small cut:
White Ear charges in at the cube after sensing the creature has no desire to follow him:
The wolf leaps up and bites into it’s anatomy-less mass and causes the entire cube to jiggle violently and noticeably shrink in size.
The cube manifests another pseudopod and attacks Edgrin:
[ooc]Attack: 1d20+mod=17; Damage: 1d6=3; plus 1d6 acid=4
The pseudopod swats Edgrin across the face leaving a burning acid residue on his cheek which burns him. Edgrin cries out in pain and goes to reach at his face but then pulls away realizing that is probably a bad idea. As he is reaching for his face, he suddenly stops moving and freezes in place. The cube directs the pseudopod and wraps it around the back of Edgrin’s neck and then pulls him in, engulfing the halfling into its quivering gelatin-like body.
Unarmed, Kerrdremak steps away from the stone bed and allows one of the kobold warriors to take his place with a spear attack:
Another kobold behind him steps up and likewise thrusts metal-tipped spear into the cube:
The cube quivers rapidly and again visibly shrinks in size exposing the suit of full plate at the top as well as the pommel of the glowing battleaxe.
Rogan attempts to take advantage of the weakened state of the cube and rapidly lets two arrows fly:
Both arrows easily strike the central portion of the cube and stop nearly three feet into it. The massive creature shakes and jiggles violently as it slowly shrinks into a liquid-like state on the floor and then pools out into the hallway.
Edgrin’s limp body lies in the puddle of hissing acid along with a suit of full plate and the battleaxe.
Omen shoulders his way through the corroded opening and into the hallway beyond and immediately sets to tending to Edgrin's wounds.
The massive creature shakes and jiggles violently...
Omen shoulders his way through the corroded opening and into the hallway beyond and immediately sets to tending to Edgrin's wounds.
The massive creature shakes and jiggles violently...
Omen steps over into the pool of steaming acid which slowly begins to neutralize and picks Edgrin up out of it. Carrying him over to the stone bed used as a barricade, Omen lies him down and then checks the wound on his face.
Omen
Noctem steps over and begins lapping Edgrin's wound which quickly begins healing and forming a scar but doesn't quite close up all the way.
Omen wraps up Edgrin's wounds with a spare cloth and treats the acid with an herbal salve. He then lays him down on the stone bed he was lying on before the gelatinous cube attacked. Several seconds later, Edgrin begins to stir and then sits up on his side. "My gracious, that was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. My thanks, friend Omen."
The kobolds return to their beds after helping you to pick up what is left of the door and place it back to form a moderately defensible position. Rogan returns to his watch as the rest of you attempt to get some rest.
Rogan briefly steps outside, looks up and down the hallway, and then heaves the suit of armor up and into the room. He returns for the axe after laying the suit of armor out on an empty bed for closer inspection.
Rogan briefly steps outside, looks up and down the hallway, and then heaves the suit of armor up and into the room. He returns for the axe after laying the suit of armor out on an empty bed for closer inspection.
Rogan inspects the full plate armor and finds that it is made of an exceptionally light metal. His first thought is mithral, but he is not entirely sure.
The axe glows dimly creating an outline around it's sharp edge.
Omen, you identify the suit of full plate to be made of mithral, and the axe to be a +1 Battleaxe. The axe has a small engraving on it which appears to be written in dwarven.
"Hrmmm... you are right, friend Rogan, this armor is indeed crafted from... hrmmm... mithral. The axe seems to be enchanted, but I am unfamiliar with this writing... perhaps it is... hrmmm... Dwarven?" He'll offer the axe to Edgrin or Rogan to read if they indicate they might be able to.
Before falling asleep, Edgrin looks at the axe and with a yawn reads, "Glintaxe." And then is gone. The rest of the companions head to sleep.
Rogan faithfully watches over everyone throughout the night without any disturbance. You all awaken to the smell of the acid still lingering within the hallway and then gather your equipment after Omen sits quietly preparing his spells for the day.
Still griveously wounded, though not quite as badly as it appeared before resting for the night, Omen intones two quick prayers once he has finished his morning rituals.
Once done, he'll look up and turn to his companions.
"Hrmmm... are we ready to cleanse this Rot? This one does not wish to linger any longer than... hrmmm... is necessary."
Edgrin nods at your words. "The way to the second floor should be safe now. Perhaps one should stay back with the children in this relatively safe room? One child remains, and perhaps my wizard companion, though I don't know for how long."
Omen will once more shift to the language spoken by the denizens of the Holds of Belkzen, "Hrmmm... this one hears wisdom in hiding the young ones away, but this one does not think we can. We require Edgrin's help in speaking with the scaled ones and this one is not comfortable leaving the children in the keeping of just scaled ones. This one does not see a way to safely secure... hrmmm... the children, do you... hrmmm... friend Rogan?"
Sorry I haven't gotten you fellah's the campaign traits for our next adventure yet. I threw my back out yesterday and spent the evening in exceedingly great amounts of pain. It's actually a little worse at this point, so if you boys wouldn't mind tossing up a prayer or twelve, I'd be much obliged =\
Sorry I haven't gotten you fellah's the campaign traits for our next adventure yet. I threw my back out yesterday and spent the evening in exceedingly great amounts of pain. It's actually a little worse at this point, so if you boys wouldn't mind tossing up a prayer or twelve, I'd be much obliged =\
Get this.
I walked.
Down the stairs.
Last time this happened was about 2 years ago when I was digging holes up near Harrisburg for a shady cable company. I had apparently strained my back enough on the job that my back went when I lifted the toilet seat back at the apartment. A humiliating injury, to say the least.
This time, though, is just plain dumb.
Did you take the day off work?
Negative. I am at work and my office chair makes my back angry. But I can manage.
... double hammer
Heck to the YES.
Did you take the day off work?Negative. I am at work and my office chair makes my back angry. But I can manage.
... double hammerHeck to the YES.
Alright boys, pray my back gets better or else. Cuz if it doesn't, there's no way I can drive 2 hours to lancaster and spend most of my time there in unforgiving chairs in 2 days' time =\
Rogan thinks for a while before responding, his lips moving slightly to the words as he runs through them in his mind.
"I think of nothing... helpful. What we have done is worked so far. When they... come with us?... at least we can protecting them. Yes?"
Rogan thinks for a while before responding, his lips moving slightly to the words as he runs through them in his mind.
"I think of nothing... helpful. What we have done is worked so far. When they... come with us?... at least we can protecting them. Yes?"
Alright boys, pray my back gets better or else. Cuz if it doesn't, there's no way I can drive 2 hours to lancaster and spend most of my time there in unforgiving chairs in 2 days' time =\
"Hrmmm... perhaps we can protect them. Perhaps not. Hrmmm... we can't be sure either way. This one supposes the choice before us is... hrmmm... action or inaction. Do the young ones come with... hrmmm... or remain behind? Again, this one finds no right answer."
Edgrin speaks up. "Perhaps you both are right. I will stay back with the children while the two of you and our kobold friends clean out this place and rescue the other child. The kobolds appear to be good allies who are ready to help take back their home."
Edgrin stands up and sheathes his dagger which he held on to throughout your rest. "I am ready when you are."