The children smile as they sip the refreshing water. The boy Mikra, now carrying the spear and wearing what he can of the small armor, stands as stoically as possible after you call him a brave warrior. Kimi simply stands in front of him and offers her most warrior-like face as seriously as she can manage. Savram simply stands behind Kimi carrying the spear more like a farming implement then a weapon of war.
Omen will take one more moment to cast light on each of the children's weapons and then he will stand and walk toward Edgrin. "Hrmm... let us be off then and save the rest of their packmates," he nods toward the children," and... hrmmm... save their pack as well," he nods toward the kobolds.
Omen will then proceed where Edgrin instructs. Passive Perception of 18.
J-rod: XP-wise, Rogan is at 5,150.
Edgrin nods towards the rocky corridor. "It's down this path here. There is a room with a forge at the end along with a passage that leads down to the second floor. It is there that the dwarf-demon lurks. I hope Jurin is still alive."
Edgrin steps to the side to allow you to pass and then begins to follow.
You begin heading down the natural corridor, and unlike the rest of this level, this area features rough stone and undressed rock reminiscent of a mine shaft. The tunnels divide and rejoin several times, making it difficult to maintain a sense of direction. Compounding this confusion, thick acrid smoke fills these tunnels, making it difficult to see anything beyond a few feet.
Noctem will be paying particularly close attention to the scents in the air. He will alert Rogan immediately if he smells anything new.
Noctem will be paying particularly close attention to the scents in the air. He will alert Rogan immediately if he smells anything new.
Rogan
You continue down the passage which passes by two large rough columns. The smoke continues to remain heavy, and beyond the passage the sound of a billowing forge echoes through the cavernous corridor.
Rogan nods once as Noctem finishes relaying his observations. "Noctem tells me there is a combined scent of sulfur and canine in the air, Omen. If this dwarf or these scale-skins have a hound of their own, our scent may already be detected. Perhaps the children should stay here, if there is a half-fiend in the next room."
Omen hazards a glance at the children before responding to Rogan, though his answer is in the guttural tongue of his forebears.
"Hrmmm... this one hears wisdom in friend Rogan's words but is not sure if leaving the children unattended will... hrmmm... end in disaster. Say the children remain as Rogan suggests and Edgrin or Noctem remain to guard them and we are vanquished by this dwarven demon and his dog. Hrmmm... this one thinks those left behind would be left to... hrmmm... a grisly end."
Rogan ponders this for a moment, and then responds somewhat haltingly in orcish, "You are... correct. But I will, um, no let this happen. If our slaughter is... clear... then I will send my brother and Edgrin to... to help them get safe away."
He pauses a moment, then says in common to Edgrin and Omen, "Have you any wards against fire, or some other spells to protect us from the hell-powers of a fiend? I have a ring that will protect me somewhat from fire, but beyond that it is a matter of hitting it harder and faster than it can hit me."
Omen arches an eyebrow as he hears Rogan's reply. His response is immediate, the harshness of the ocrish language matching the grim matter which they are discussing.
"And what if more of these dark-talon scaled ones that Kerrdrekmak mentioned happens upon the small ones while we battle with... hrmmm... a demon and his dog? There are doors behind us unopened, friend Rogan, and we do not know what is behind them that might emerge behind us. This Merlokrep... hrmmm... affects this pack like a rot and this one does not know what foul and unnatural things... hrmmm... he keeps in his halls."
"As for these wards you speak of... hrmmm... this one can either hide the children from the eyes and ears and noses of any animals in this place or... hrmmm... he can call on his father White Ear for aid. This one cannot take the bite out of the flame."
DM
Rogan begins nodding before Omen finishes. As he concludes, Rogan looks back at the children and stumbles once more over the harsh orcish syllables. "I think about that... already. Is not a circumstance I do not know of. My... idea is if we are slaughtered, the slaughter of them is happening. If it - shows us? - that our slaughter is coming, they must run. They may be slaughtered. If they do not run, they will be slaughtered.
My brother can hide the young ones from animals. Use your power as you... determine."
He turns back to Noctem. "Hide the cubs from their enemies, Brother. And prepare to feast on the flesh of fiends. Our lives may depend on it."
Noctem turns a soft, tufted, black ear towards Rogan's voice. Whines softly in assent, and then touches his nose to each of the children.
Noctem pauses for a moment, then stalks forward to Rogan, Omen, and Edgrin, and touches his nose to each in turn.
He turns to Rogan as he walks back to the children, "The smell of the scale-skins is not out of place here, but you are. If one of my brethren is here, he will not see, smell, or hear you. If one of you attacks an animal, it will find all of you."
"Hrmmm... this one thinks that there is no right answer. We find ourselves in the harshest of storms... hrmmm... and its eye is very narrow. This one is least comfortable leaving the young ones out of sight. However," he glances over toward Kimi, "this one also thinks that if they accompany us they will join the fight... hrmmm... rather than stay safe and out of the way. Hrmmm... if we tell the children to stay here, we cannot make them stay. Let us see what they wish. If the bold one refuses to remain and promises pursuit... hrmmm... we should bring them. If the bold one will stay, they may... hrmmm..." he glances then to Noctem and a small but wry grin appears on his face, "keep the stirges at bay."
Rogan stops and turns to Kimi. "Young lady, I do not know what lies in wait for us in the next room. If it is what I suspect, however, we are all in grave danger. The only reason that we continue on is to rescue your friend. Since it is your friend we are rescuing, and since I cannot guarantee your safety here, I leave it up to you what you and your comrades will do. You may stay here with Edgrin and Noctem, or you may come in with us and face whatever is holding your friend.
If you choose to accompany us, however, you must listen to me very carefully. Protect your friends, Kimi. Do not attack unless your friends' lives depend on it. And if I tell you to run, run as fast as you can for the exit with your friends and do not look back. Get into the woods and get your bearings by the sun. Head south until you hit a road, then follow it west. It will take you home."
Rogan. Sorry.
So I was thinking what we could get BJ for his birthday and am wondering if these slippers of spider climbing would do. I mean, every character he makes has to have them... why not give him the slippers in real life?
So I was thinking what we could get BJ for his birthday and am wondering if these slippers of spider climbing would do. I mean, every character he makes has to have them... why not give him the slippers in real life?
Omen
Kimi looks to Rogan and simply nods. "I will fight. And... I will run if you tell me to. I will protect the kids." She steps in behind Rogan and follows.
Omen
"Hrmmm...let us see then what manner of creature this Merlokrep has in his service."
Omen will begin advancing once more, taking great care to keep as many of the chidren shielded by his frame as possible.
Rogan advances behind Omen, an arrow drawn and ready.
Noctem places himself at the rear, ready to attack anything that threatens them.
Continuing around a curve to the left, you pass a large column on your right. Suddenly and without warning, a blast of flame bursts through the darkness and catches both Omen and Rogan in it's wake. After the flames recede, you look to your right and see a creature resembling a big, powerfully built dog with short, rust-red fur; its markings, teeth, and tongue are sooty black. It has red, glowing eyes that pierce the darkness.
Reflex Save: 1d20+7=25
Rogan begins to react as soon as the flame appears in the corner of his eye. He shouts a quick warning and dances back on his feet lightly, The flames lick his face with their heat, but do him no harm. He swears softly as he looks at the singe mark on the brim of his hat, then swears again, louder this time, as he sees the beast responsible. He levels an arrow at it's eye and says in a less-than-steady voice, "Omen, what in the hells is that thing?"
I quit the game.
Reflex Save: 1d20+7=25
Rogan begins to react as soon as the flame appears in the corner of his eye. He shouts a quick warning and dances back on his feet lightly, The flames lick his face with their heat, but do him no harm. He swears softly as he looks at the singe mark on the brim of his hat, then swears again, louder this time, as he sees the beast responsible. He levels an arrow at it's eye and says in a less-than-steady voice, "Omen, what in the hells is that thing?"
I quit the game.
Initiative, should it be required: 1d20+4=11
{Scroll down a bit, had to make some room.
Kobolds (20)
Kimi (13)
Rogan/Noctem (11)
Hound (7)
Omen (2)
The kobolds move up after the blast of fire strikes Omen and Rogan. One of them steps around the column on Rogan's right and thrusts at the hound.
The kobold seems taken aback by the other-worldly beast and misses it.
Kimi is stunned by the creature and does not react.
Rogan doesn't wait for an answer before pumping two arrows at the snout of the beast before him, smoke still whisping from its nostrils.
Attack Rolls: 1d20+7=12, 1d20+7=22
Damage Rolls: 1d8+1=3, 1d8+1=7
Noctem growls menacingly, the hair along his spine and shoulders bristling as he places himself squarely in front of the children.
Omen
Not only do they have fiery breath, but their bite is as deadly as their breath. Their mouths are wrapped in flame and cause fire damage when they bite.
The hound-beast lurches forward with it’s beady-red eyes staring straight ahead at Omen. It growls deeply and lunges at Omen’s throat.
Omen reacts quickly by placing his forearm in the way of the beast’s jaws. The hound latches on briefly and bites down onto him which send flames into the wounds and burns the surface of his skin.
"Rrraggh! This one should have known about you, demon-dog... where is the rest of your pack?!"
Omen shuffles back five feet to put some space between him and the hellhound's burning jaws. As he does so, his eyes cloud over and electricity begins to spark and jump from the fingers of his right hand.
"Rogan, be wary... there are likely more of them about. They are cruel pack hunters..." with that he reaches his hand out toward the slavering beast.
Ranged Touch Attack: (1d20+2=14)
Lightning Arc Damage: (1d6+1=3)