Mukluk paces the party (mostly because if he did not, the rest of the party would leave him behind) as they tromp and traipse through the swamp. Still, as always, his very well used Three Sisters stewpot clanks nicely as he walks.
Know (Nature)
”Oh, watch out there! Watch out for them nettles!” Mukluk warns the party. ”Them be stinging nettles and not even Moose wants to eat those. It gives him a heartburn bad and then he’s really flatulent and grumpy, and he’s a good mule so there is no telling what it will do to you lot if you get too close. Anyone bring a machete or another way to get rid of the nettles?”
Durgan recognizes the nettles, and sets to work clearing them with his axe. The gauntlets that come with his armor should keep him safe, but he is wary all the same.
Rory groups some of the nettles with his lance and Durgan chops them clear - taking care not to be scratched (good save!).
As you peer into the darkness, those of you with darkvision can see a side passage a little way in. You also see a little standing water, part of something larger no doubt, to the southeast.
Mukluk moves up to peer into the dark. He waits for those that need light to enlighten themselves (but also has a free hand if someone needs him to carry a torch or whatever).
Perception
Durgan will switch to his Warhammer.
"You all did remember to pick up bludgeoning weapons expecting skeletons, right?"
He describes what he sees. "Wide tunnel with a narrow branch to one side. I don't see anything moving yet."
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Rory holds up the sling staff showing it to Durgan. "Duel purpose"
I didn't know Roresy was a duelist. GunRockslinger probably.
Mukluk laughs at something funny, but then returns his gaze to the tunnel as he awaits people moving up and moving in.
Kisaiya holds up the warhammer she bought, then one of her gauntleted hands. ”Hammer and the anvil.”
Seeing the dark tunnel ahead, she lights her hooded lantern. ”Ready.”
As you enter the cave and approach the intersection, you hear the tearing of flesh to the west. Rending even.
You can see deeper into the main shaft and see it descends into a pool further in.
"I'll hold the lantern if you want, Kiss'ya," Mukluk offers though he doesn't need the light but understands that she might. "You should have your hands free...you know, so you don't get murdert."
"Sounds like something active down that way. Does anybody wish to scout, or shall we enter in force?"
Durgan can do a lot of things well, but Stealth is not one of them.
If the party decides to proceed in force, he will cast Shield.
Mukluk follows Rory down the left path.
A spider the size of a man - a hairy red-backed creature - is feeding on the carcass of a giant gecko it dragged back into the web filled cave.
The party surprises it, intent as it is upon its meal.
Oops almost forgot!
One question for each 5 you beat the DC as usual.
- - -
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Round of Surprise
Know (Nature)
"Now, are you *sure* it's a giant spider? Maybe it's a huge one? Or just ginormous? The classifications of spiders are taken quite seriously by some, especially Moose. There are words for words for a reason, Roresy, and so don't be talking about a giant spider when it's merely jumbo."
Mukluk moves into the room and is unable to classify the exact size of the spider.
"I think we can agree it's not colossal nor immense, but maybe vast? Are there vast spiders? Maybe it's a vast one? Anyone speak spider enough to ask?"
Kisaiya immediately jumps into her battle stance and rushes forward, drawing Saya as she moves.
She circles around the spider to begin working on flanking it. She slashes at it with her sharpened scabbard as she circles.
HP: 22/22
AC: 18/12/16
Saves: F6/R3/W6
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 0/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style, Trait Save Bonus
[ dice]1d20+6[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Durgan is mildly confused by the eagerness with which his newfound comrades enter the fray.
He advances at a measured pace.
Durgan steps up and strikes at the spider, unsuccessfully. He does not seem overly bothered or frustrated, quietly resolving to do better next time.
Kisaiya rushes in and smacks the spider. Durgan measures his pace, but fails to land his blow. Rory bashes part of an eye with his sling stone, while Storm misses his prey. Mukluk moves into the room.
The spider looks up in horror! All it was doing was having a little lunch! Seriously wounded, it scampers away to the south, or tries to.
vs Kisaiya CMD 17
Kisaiya does not get a swing as it scampers into the darkness.
We’re still in rounds if you wish to give chase.
Round 1
Mukluk declines to go running after the fleeing spider, be it giant, vast, or merely hugenormous.
Kisaiya holds back, not wanting to get drawn into a spider’s web by chasing it with abandon.
Rory charges after the spider. Storm brings the spider down with his bite, and Rory touches it up as it falls with his quarterstaff.
Mukluk chugs after Rory, bringing Kisaiya’s lantern with him. As he passes the body, he will look to see what was lunch and if it was something that should be explored more later.
Perception
Kisaiya pumps a fist and smiles at Rory and offers Storm a head pat, should he feel comfortable with her. ”Well done!” She crouches down near the spider and looks it over. ”I wonder if it’s edible.”
"It's probably the same water.
I wonder where these other branches go."
Durgan peers down the corridor leading southwest. He can see that it splits off further down, but doesn't venture to that intersection yet. He listens carefully.
"No Storm, if she want's licked, she'll say so."
Mukluk makes a mental note to mention this to Moose as well. Moose can be somewhat bitey when grumpy and it's best to set clear boundaries when dealing with others.
"Okay, which way next?" Mukluk asks, trying to keep the lantern alit and ready for Kisaiya's eyes.
Mukluk finds nothing interesting in lunch. Just a large gecko. It's pretty trashed too - the spider was hungry.
While vermin are a good source of protein, Kisaiya doesn't think she'd get many takers. Plating it would be tough.
Rory is pretty sure the cave bends around. The water doesn’t look too deep. Maybe 3’ at the deepest, but it’s covered in cave slime and is likely very, very slippery.
Durgan hears a little dripping water here and there, but nothing large moves. Further, the southwest passage narrows rather tightly. Rory can likely squeeze through with only a little difficulty, but Storm and the rest of you bigguns surely won't.
Kisaiya would like to try spider herself—both as curiosity and for the challenge—but lugging the corpse about now is probably not a great idea. Still, it feels more respectful to her to eat what animals you kill when it’s possible and there are no ethical issues. She also considers constant improvement in all her skills an imperative, and what better challenge than food from off the beaten path?
She follows along with the others, working out how she would solve this hypothetical. ”Would probably need to handle it like a crustacean…best meat is probably in the legs…would need utensils for that though…maybe repurpose some thieves’ tools….
Mukluk awaits a direction for which he can follow.
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"Let's try the branch going off to the northwest."
Durgan starts heading down the next branch. The human and halfling don't have Darkvision, and Mukluk doesn't wear any armor, so Durgan finds himself in the lead for now.
Who is Mukluk, anyway? Why is he with us? To finish off downed goblins? I guess that is marginally useful in case there is a healer amongst the enemy. Why is he unarmored? Does he not value his safety? Is he a wizard who doesn't like casting spells?
Durgan ponders the mystery of Mukluk.
The northwest passage ends in a deep pool of dark water within which is a small island. The island is comprised in part of glittering crystals - and Durgan imagines it would be quite splashy with a light source. In the dark, he sees thought that they are merely crystals and not worth much, if anything.
It appears to be a dead end.
Durgan goes back around to the larger tunnel where Rory is. Like the halfling, he stays out of the water.
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Durgan ponders the mystery of Mukluk.
Mukluk follows along.
Kisaiya brings up the rear, pondering the mystery of spider meat rather than the mystery of Mukluk. He is holding her lantern after all, so it feels unseemly to subject him to speculation.
Nearly a half dozen skeletons lie on the ground scattered throughout the next, rather large, cavern. You see a bone or two in the water as well, lying under the scummy surface. Their gear and broken armor is definitely in the Tian style. However, they do not move and do not appear to be hostile.
The passage continues onward.
Mukluk readies to move up as and when others do.
Kisaiya looks over the bones and their armor, trying to delve her mind for anything relevant to identifying the bodies.
She also looks them over to see if she can identify how long the bones have been here.
The bones have been there for a generation or more. So they're fairly old, but not, like, hundreds of years old. However the wet environment has really done a number on the gear, none of which looks salvageable.
Durgan moves up next to Kisaiya.
"Shall I call upon the power of Abadar?
If these are simply the bones of your kin, they will not be disturbed.
But if they are undead abominations, they will be damaged or destroyed."
If Kisaiya agrees, he will Channel to harm undead.
Durgan channels, and the skeletons rise up to defend themselves!
vs DC 11 for 3hp
vs DC 11 for 3hp
vs DC 11 for 1hp
vs DC 11 for 1hp
vs DC 11 for 3hp
Pink was fully submerged and so no line of effect.
The skeletons are quick! They rise up (move) and close (move) for the most part. They draw wakizashi as they move.
"Keeper of the Vaults, send these souls back to their rest."
Durgan channels again.
vs DC 11 for 3hp
Pink remains standing as the others collapse under the might of Abadar!
Kisaiya nods at Durgan’s question. ”The spirits of my kin should be with the Empress of Heaven, not confined to bones.”
She draws her warhammer and enters her battle stance, making some adjustments for having a warhammer instead of a cutting weapon.
Mukluk delays for Kisaiya’s blow, certain that whatever he brings to the fight is not yet needed.
”What are those swords?” Mukluk asks those who might know more of weaponry.