"I have recently perfected the use of bombs that use freezing cold instead of flame. While it has obvious uses against fire-based creatures, it also has the benefit of not making any light. This would allow us to keep the protection of darkness when we strike."
I could drrraw them to you. Grall suddenly blurts out, If they see a lone Gnoll, seemingly surrrprrrised to see them and not of theirrr clan, they will probably be overrrconfident of theirrr numberrrs and trrry to take me without necessarrrily rrraising an alarrrm. Especially not forrr one lone Gnoll that has wonderrred nearrr theirrr town by mistake...I can lead them rrright to you forrr an ambush. Just stay about 100 feet frrrom me...
They may simply assume your a scout for another Gnoll tribe, and increase their vigil Grall.
They may simply assume your a scout for another Gnoll tribe, and increase their vigil Grall.
And potentially rrreporrrt something that is nothing? They would prrrobably fearrr being punished morrre than 1 lone Gnoll...but that is just from my experrrience...I will leave the planning to the rrrest of you, just tell me what I must do! Grall seems pretty indifferent to what everyone decides to do.
+1
+1
You move a little to try and maximise your viewing angle but otherwise do your best to stay put and out of the fierce sun. The river slightly to your east looks blessedly cool in the heat but you maintain your vigil.
It is about noon when you notice smoke start to issue out of the large chimney to the tannery building. Some inhabitant appears to have started a fire and plumes of slightly acrid looking black smoke spiral lazily into the sky.
It is a little over three hours later until the gnolls return (or perhaps a different group return) to your field of vision. This time you have a slightly better position and confirm that there are indeed 5 gnolls with bows and heavy shields in addition to their sheathed weapons. For the few minutes they are in view they seem more concerned about getting out of the hot sun than thorougly patrolling the lower section. One pokes its head into the small building you can see to the north-west of the bridge but the others basically stroll up to the bridge, gaze around and up and down the river bank and then the group moves back out of sight.
perception
Grall
Nuveril
Linah
Khalid
Sajan
Arjun
At slightly after 2pm, the group heads west, retracing their steps and circling back around the town through the pesh fields.
Grall and Nuveril are slightly out in front, using their skills to screen for danger, but for all their experience they have no warning at all when the very ground beneath their feet gives way.
Reflex
Grall vs DC15
Nuveril vs DC 15
Both are unable to react in time, caught in the shifting dirt that rises and falls over their legs.
A monstrous creature, something like an enormous starfish emerges roaring from the ground. Its five arms are long and thin, and covered with hundreds of barbed, tubular cilia. One lashes forward attempting to wrap itself around Grall's leg damaging him.
hit
The tentacle attempts to grab the gnoll but even caught off guard his strength is enough to pull free.
Surprise round is over.
Initiative
Grall
Nuveril
Linah
Khalid
Sajan
Arjun
?
Ordered Initiative
Linah
Sajan
Khalid
Arjun
?
Nuveril
Grall
Reacting swiftly, Sajan rushes the creature fearlessly, somersaulting through the air to avoid tentacles and landing close enough to begin wrestling the larger creature.
Linah rushes forward to attack the beast with her scimitar.
Attack roll (charging):
damage roll:
Linah is quickest to react, running in to strike with scimitar.
As she does the creature lunges forward, circular maw snapping at the cleric.
AOO hit
The bite penetrates her armour sinking through into her shoulder and the creature takes a hold.
+4 for grab
About to grapple the beast, Sajan sees Linah caught up in the creature's tentacles and slams his brass knuckles into the creature instead.
Damage
Arjun removes a crystal vial from his belt, slaps it against the palm of his opposite hand, then briefly shakes it before lobbing it at the starfish monster.
Attack square R11
Damage cold damage
Creature is staggered on its next turn unless it succeeds on a Fortitude save (DC 15).
Despite the churned earth into which she sinks with every step, Nuveril hefts her hammer and determinedly strides toward the creature. "What are you? Some pet of the gnolls'?" she demands.
Sajan strikes the creature with a heavy blow.
Khalid's shot is true and the bolt rips into the creature's body.
Arjun's aim is similarly good and his bomb explodes against the creature sending a shower of icy splinters which penetrate its hide. It rears up, whole body arching, but does not release its grip on Linah who dangles in its mouth.
Fail
The creature arches its head and Linah vanishes inside its gaping mouth.....
Swallow damage
Nuveril dashes forward but the creature's mouth, now empty of cleric, surges forward to try halfling. Fortunately, the agile barbarian is too quick, ducking under the mouth and landing another heavy blow on the creatures side.
Linahrrrr noooo Grall cries out
Single move to T10 (40' since I have half movement) for the flank with Nuveril, go into rage and try to chop it to bits:
His hands and feet a blur, Sajan attacks with a flurry of powerful strikes.
Grall pounds into the creatures body in a frenzy, breaking free a segment of hard chitin and thrusting his falchion in deep.
The creature, grievously wounded, roars in agony, its entire body nearly rearing up out of the ground.
And then Sajan steps in, delivering a massive uppercut to the creatures head which sends it to the ground unmoving.
You move quicly to cut out a sorely injured, very messy, but still alive Linah.
"What is this?" Nuveril asks, with a jut of her chin at the corpse. "I have never seen its like on the savannah."
As Grall cuts Linah out...Linahrrr, what werrre you thinking charrrging the beast like that. You could have been killed. If you do something as foolish as that again I will perrrsonally stuff you in a sack to keep you safe until the town is securrred. he smiles to her in his toothy grin...
It is slain now- let us continue...
As the group continue on, Sajan says to Linah-
Wait until Sajan attacks to run in like that Linah, I can hold them at bay for you to cut them with your sword...
"The gnolls could have them under the ground all around the city," she says darkly. "Like dogs, but well-hidden. We must be on our guard."
"The gnolls could have them under the ground all around the city," she says darkly. "Like dogs, but well-hidden. We must be on our guard."
If this crrreaturrre is a pet of my people then this is the firrrst time I have everrr hearrd of it...morrre likely it would feed on them as it would us otherrrwise it prrrobably wouldn't have attacked me. Yes we must push forrwarrrd.
"I think that the gnolls would see this as a threat, considering its insectile nature. I doubt we will find them together in a given area."
Linah comes crawling out of the beast, clearly shaken and coughing blood. She panting heavliy she empties the contents of her stomach on the sand. "Thank you", the cleric finally manages. "What is that thing?"
Linah groans as she tries to move her shoulder. Whispering a prayer she moves her hand over the wound.
She looks up at Grall and Sajan. "I will be more careful, but that thing had you and Nuveril. I had to try and help you", she replies to Sajan.
Linah comes crawling out of the beast, clearly shaken and coughing blood. She panting heavliy she empties the contents of her stomach on the sand. "Thank you", the cleric finally manages. "What is that thing?"
Linah groans as she tries to move her shoulder. Whispering a prayer she moves her hand over the wound.
1d8+2
She looks up at Grall and Sajan. "I will be more careful, but that thing had you and Nuveril. I had to try and help you", she replies to Sajan.
Grall grabs Linah by the shoulders towering over her. For a second it almost seems like he is angry with her, but it is hard to read the Gnoll most of the time, We arrre the sworrrd in the scabbarrrd Linahrrr, you arrre the hand that drrraws us forrrth. If the hand is gone, the sworrrd is useless. New sworrrds can be bought, but the hand can not be rrreplaced. Neverrr forrrget that!
His point being made, he takes up his position ahead of the group.
"Do not imply that your life can be replaced, Grall", Linah retorts as sharply as she can manage in her condition meeting the gnolls eyes. "If you or anyone else in our group are in peril i will intervene. The only way you can stop me is to stay out of harms way"
You continue on your way, now wary of threats both above and below the ground, although the creature gave no apparent sign before its ambush.
Even with the fight you make better time now that you are more familiar with the terrain and its about 4:15pm by the time you conceal yourself behind a small bald hill about a quarter of a mile south of town with a good view of both the mid and lower sections.
You've barely set in to await the next patrol when the screams begin. Coming from somewhere in the vicinity of the battle market they sound human although its not easy to tell. Human or not the screamer sounds like they are in perfect agony.
"Let us press on that no more may suffer."
"What is that? We must help them!", Linah gasps and starts towards the battle market.
Grall steps in front of her trying another approach to dealing with her impetuous nature, Do you want to get us all killed Linahrrr? If we rrrush in now, we will all die. Therrre arrre sixty of my people in the town and who knows what else. I am alrrready a slave. To you want to join me? Will rrrushing in help whomeverrr is in therre? No. We should continue to scout, the sounds could be nothing.
The screams continue for a good ten minutes before growing steadily weaker and after another minute they cease. You fancy you can hear yapping laughter carried on the wind.
Its about 5:30pm and sunset is about an hour off when the next patrol returns, another 5 gnolls. You have a much better view of their progress this time and you watch as they emerge onto the path by the guild hall and wind their way down the hill. This time the lead gnoll is carrying a large canvas sack slung over a muscled shoulder.
The gnolls stop at the gatehouse, the sack carrier ducking inside the intact portion for thirty seconds or so and then coming back out, sack seemingly empty.
The gnolls continue up the path past the inn, getting as far as the bridge, as you saw before, before retracing their route (sans the gatehouse stop).
The sun sets at about 6:30 pm, bathing Kelmarane in shadow. The moon rises, large and silvery in the sky. The temperature drops quickly although this far into spring it does not become too uncomfortable even in your thin clothing.
Linah looks as first as she's going to try and argue with Grall but she knows that he is right. "I am sorry", is all she says as she hangs her head with a pained expression, trying to block out the screams of agony.