"Depends," Thorvin says, shouldering his axe. "We could split up, or we could try and sneak by going West or we can try and bull straight through the trouble and head East. Pers'nally, I think sneaking's already out, what with the big door opening. But then again, if we head East, something may come from West and try and take us from behind." The dwarf grins humourlessly. "Ain't this just a walk in the daisies?"
"I think we should East. I will take point and Thorvin and cover our rears with his bow. Any objections?"
A conversation ensues as to if the party should go East or West from this point. Virgil suggest West and Lianth agrees. Thorvin first appears ambivalent about the issue and then decides to that traveling towards the ever present wailing would be the "safest" alternative as it prevents said enemy from sneaking up from behind. Virgil agrees with the dwarf, earning him a dirty look from the druid. Rourke looks on with tilted head interested, yet very confused. Carrion throws his luck in the with the idea of going East and the path is decided.
The ancient Eastern hall quickly bends South and as you approach the mournful wailing grows louder with each step toward the door at the end of this musty hallway. There are a host of bones strewn on the floor here, many of which are cracked and broken. The door itself is another iron banded oak affair, but this time the door bears a large rectangular copper plate set with a large keyhole. The wailing is definitely coming from behind this door.
What first appeared to be an alcove on the Western side of this hall, turns out to be a side passage running a few feet before ending in an oaken door with a large iron pull ring.
"The wailing is either some wretch in need of assistance or some wretch in need of slaying. Or both. Any objections to this door?"
"Try the door to the side, first," Thorvin advises. "If there's someone in need of saving at the end of this tunnel, there might be guards or keys in there. If there's some horrible beastie waiting to butcher us, maybe there's some spears or similar to keep it at bay."
"The other door then." Virgil slowly cracks open the door to the west after everyone has lined up behind him.
Carrion eyes the door cautiously, hobbling somewhat closer as needed. He then casts Detect Magic, centered on the door.
Spot on the door, for runes, markings, etc.
Disappointingly, Carrion finds the door devoid of any magical properties, whatsoever. It would appear that both of these doors are of the rather mundane variety.
Virgil cracks the Western door spilling light into a dark, musky smelling room. The Southern portion of the room is obscured in shadowy darkness as Virgil strains to see in the light emanating from the hissing, sputtering brand grasped by Lianth behind him.
Suddenly, a sharp, raspy hiss comes from somewhere in the darkened room followed immeadiately by a "clack, clack, clack" sound.
Knowledge Nature DC 12:
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*
*FIGHT!
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Round 1
Initiative Order:
- Thorvin
- Lianth
- Virgil
- Carrion
- ?????
"Make room for me," Thorvin says, already starting to surge forward. "I can see what hides in the dark. And ask yer wolf what he smells"
1d20+6
"Beware, it could be some venomous insect, and we have no magic to treat toxins."
Hearing the hissing and clacking, Virgil shuts the door and leans back while holding the pull-ring to put his weight against it opening. He looks at Lianth, "You said something about giant insects? No sense in wandering about in the dark trying to find it. I doubt whatever it is can open doors, so let's wait a few seconds and try to listen to see how big and how many there are. It will probably come and scratch at the door. Prepare yourselves."
Moments after Virgil shuts the door in front of him, the portal shudders as a large mass slams against it's other side. Other than this initial impact, however, the room beyond the door remains silent.
"So at least it isn't intelligent enough to try to open the door. Would someone like to peek underneath while I hold it shut?"
The space beneath the door is very small, and even Thorvin with his darkvision can see little more than was first revealed when opening the door. There is no visible sign of the insectoid assailant.
Perception Check DC 20
"Hold on, let me take a look," Thorvin grunts as he gets down and peers through the narrow gap. "Can't make anything out," the dwarf soon curses. "Someone else want to have a try?"
"I think we should flank it at the intersection just behind us. Carrion in the north hallway and Lianth and Thorvin in the south hallway. Thorvin in front. I will open the door and run straight to the north hall and Carrion will be behind me. When it comes out, we can hit it from both sides."
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"A good plan. I suspect that it may be a centipede or beetle, based on the sound of the pincers, so be sure to dash back quickly after unlatching the door, it may be quite fast..."
She silently prays that it is not a scorpion's claws they heard clacking, as she has heard that their venom is deadlier than most.
As they get into position, she places Guidance upon Virgil first, and then takes her position behind Thorvin and places Guidance upon him.
"Let's do it, then," Thorving grunts. The dwarf hefts his axe and gets moving.
"As soon as Carrion is in place..."
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Carrion will ensure he has cast Resistance upon everyone, readies his morningstar, casts Shield upon himself, then moves into position to accompany Virgil.
Carrion will also cast Detect Magic, and concentrate on it, dropping it as soon as a hostile creature or object is within visual range. If a trap is found, and Detect Magic is still up, Carrion will discern its magical nature, if any.
"Ready as we'll ever be"
"Ready? 3..2..1..Go!" Virgil lets go of the pull-ring and gives the door a solid kick. He then runs to the space just north of the intersection and stands ready with his sword.
Virgil explains his plan and orders everyone into place. Lianth tells Rourke to guard Carrion before she moves into position behind the dwarf.
"Ready? 3..2..1..Go!" Virgil lets go of the pull-ring and gives the door a solid kick. The door flies open again, nothing is visible, but a hissing rasp issues forth from the darkened room. Virgil takes off towards the junction to the East. "Here it comes," he yells, legs pumping. He glances over his shoulder to see a man-sized, yellow beetle, with long whip-like antennae chasing behind him. He rounds the corner of the Northern Hall sure the creature is only feet behind him.
Two heartbeats leap in the warrior's chest, but the beetle does not emerge
He takes a quick glance around the corner only to see the beetle arching it's back as a proboscis like appendage protrudes from the tip of it's abdomen and sprays forth a torrential spray of green liquid. It covers Virgil and Thorvin smoking and burning their skin and eyes.
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*
*FIGHT!
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Round 1
Initiative Order:
- Thorvin
- Lianth
- Virgil
- Carrion
- Beetle
Knowledge Nature DC 12
Knowledge Nature DC 17
Knowledge Nature DC 22
Virgil roars in anger as the acid scalds his face, "My plans! They do nothing!" Wiping the worst of the burning acid from his eyes, he lunges at the beetle with a fierce whisper, "The Boar Rushes Down the Mountain." His stroke begins as a powerful diagonal slash which starts behind the right shoulder, and then curves into a horizontal slash.
Attack, with Power Attack
Damage
Thorvin bellows his pain and outrage at the assault, acid sizzling his skin. He registers Lianth's healing magic but dimly. "It's a giant bombardier beetle!" he shouts. "Territorial bug! Close the door and it won't follow!"
Virgil roars in anger as the acid scalds his face, "My plans! They do nothing!" Wiping the worst of the burning vitriol from his eyes, he re-grips his sword and peeks around the corner, "It's already past the door! We need to hit it hard and fast! Go!" Virgil backs up against the wall to allow Carrion to move past him without impedance.
Virgil can't really do anything with his move action besides just make himself a target to the beetle and block everyone's attacks. He stays put.
Virgil roars in anger as the acid scalds his face, "My plans! They do nothing!" Wiping the worst of the burning vitriol from his eyes, he re-grips his sword and peeks around the corner, "It's already past the door! We need to hit it hard and fast! Go!" Virgil backs up against the wall to allow Carrion to move past him without impedance.
Virgil can't really do anything with his move action besides just make himself a target to the beetle and block everyone's attacks. He stays put.
"Try and keep me alive, kind lady," Thorvin shouts to Lianth. "Death or glory! HAAARRGH!" Thorvin raises his trusty battle-axe ... and charges around the corner in an attempt to cut the bombardier beetle down. Sadly, it does not seem like his blow does any real damage. "Back me up here, longshanks!" he shouts at Virgil.