Untended Graves (Part 2)
Log Info
- Title: Untended Graves (Part 2)
- Emitter: Subduction
- Characters: Karasu, Ravenstongue, Skielstregar, Telamon, Vaera
- Place: Subduction's Trench - Green Gate
- Summary: It's decided! Karasu, Ravenstongue, Skielstregar, Telamon, and Vaera go into the cave. There, they encounter a group of ghouls, which they dispatch handily through tactics and brawn. But what lies ahead for the heroes?
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= At a glance around Subduction's Trench -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Karasu 5'9" 125 Lb Human Male Clearly a man of Xian decent with dark hair and eyes. Ravenstongue 5'0" 99 Lb Half-Elf Female Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair. Skielstregar 7'2" 330 Lb Sith-Makar Male A silver/bronze scale with fangs and empty eyes. Telamon 5'6" 140 Lb Half-Elf Male A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a metallic leg. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Subduction Eating Continental Shelfs -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Our group of adventurers find themselves at the scrub on the edge of the woods, near a cliff face that rises from the land. On their approach, they have spied a suspiciously shaped patch of disturbed earth- and further along there is the irregular gap in the cliff face of a natural cave of some sort.
Thusfar, their approach seems to have gone unnoticed or unheeded by whomever it is they have been tracking through the woods- but there's no doubt about it. The tracks lead right up to the cavern entrance.
Ravenstongue puts her hand around Telamon, presumably to keep him from straying too far off. Her eyes narrow as she looks at the cave. "We should investigate that cave," she says, "but I'm not going first."
"Scaredycat," Pothy jeers at Ravenstongue as he mimics a schoolboy. This earns him a tiny glare from Ravenstongue.
Telamon eyes that cavern entrance quite suspiciously, hands on his hips. "I can't help but think we'd be better off collapsing the entrance. But we do need to find out if the gravedigger lives, or not." He flexes his fingers, and grins at Raven. "I don't think either of us should go first. Skiel might be our best bet, then the rest of us."
<OOC> Karasu would like to cast Detect Magic. Because that hole is mighty suspicious. GAME: Karasu casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14 <OOC> Subduction says, "And Vaera, give me a Survival roll." GAME: Vaera rolls survival: (8)+11: 19
Skielstregar grunts, him rolling his shoulders and nodding towards Telamon. "Yesss, that isss thisss one'sss duty," he rumbles, stepping aside for others to inspect the patch in front of them. "Though, perhapsss you would like to wear the armor and hold thisss?" he teases the half-sil man, holding out the heavy polearm jokingly.
Karasu moves his hands, making odd symbols with his fingers that ends with a gesture to his eyes as he looks at the patch of disturbed earth. There was nothing magical about it, but the earth itself could be hiding the magic within. He makes a wide berth around the patch. "Vardama's bell tolls for us all." He murmurs to Telamon and Ravenstongue as he passes them, and nods politely to Skeilstregar. It seems he intends to keep pace with the sith-makar rather than hanging back.
Vaera stops by the upturned earth, kneeling down with a faint whirring of gears from their leg. She stops, and chuffs before she stands up. "It's about a week old. But it wasn't dug up with any tools. Hands, nails, like the ones in the graveyard. I think we may have found where they are, so be wary."
Telamon nods to the others. "I guess we go in, then." He eyes the disturbed earth a bit suspiciously, before smirking at Skielstregar. "I wouldn't want to take away your favorite toy, Skiel." He gestures, and a quartet of luminous spheres float up out of his palm to hover around him. "Some of us will need light," he explains, waiting for Skiel and Karasu to take point.
GAME: Telamon casts Dancing Lights. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
It's a fairly pleasant day out, considering the grisly topic of this little adventure. By now, the sun is high overhead and there are birds aplenty making noise from the nearby trees. No apparent signs of danger out here in the woods.
Skielstregar chuckles, taking his weapon back and moving to the front of the group. "While thisss one enjoysss thisss weapon, the only favoritesss thisss one hass isss hisss friends."
Realizing how absolutely sappy that sounded, he rubs his neck and looks down at the ground for a moment.
He rolls his shoulders, holds the polearm with both hands and takes his usual spot: at the front.
"Aww, thanks Skielstregar, we like you too," Ravenstongue replies with a little giggle.
Pothy looks a little upset by the sounds of other birds nearby, but he'll live... For now.
Ravenstongue nods. "Let's go forth."
Karasu stays at Skiestregar's side, offering the larger sith-makar a small surprised look at his words. Wuya offers a clicking noise that has Karasu ducking his own head, and he makes a comraderic gesture of patting Skielstregar on the shoulder before continuing forward into the cave. "One day I would be honored to be counted as such."
<OOC> Subduction says, "Well, roll stealth anyone who wants to sneak." GAME: Telamon rolls stealth: (20)+2: 22 GAME: Skielstregar rolls stealth: (11)+-1: 10 GAME: Karasu rolls stealth: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Vaera rolls stealth: (18)+12: 30 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Stealth: (10)+2: 12
Vaera had her thunderbelcher out, and she takes a moment to check the ammunition and weapon herself, before she nods to the others. "Watch the back as we go, in case we end up snuck up on in the process."
The cave smells moist and earthy, clods of dirt hang from the ceiling tangled up in the roots of plants growing above. Here and there, tree roots force apart the stone to wind their way into the cave- it's not particularly deep, after all. The ground underfoot is covered in thick, springy moss- pale green and brown, dormant for the winter. And in many places, trampled dead- especially towards the center of the passageway.
The cave is narrow and low- only about five feet from floor to ceiling in this place, causing taller people to have to stoop or bend double as they creep in. And barely wide enough to pass in single file. The light from outside quickly disappears into inky darkness within- Telamon's dancing lights causing the shadows of the jagged walls to flicker.
Telamon spreads out the glimmering orbs a bit, to try and provide better coverage. His low-light vision helps, but still... he pauses, hard to see in the shadows thanks to his dark clothing, and studies the trampled moss. "They've been moving back and forth through here for a while now," he remarks.
Ravenstongue sticks close to Telamon, eventually just catching his hand to try and stick close to him. She looks around nervously and seems only comforted when she can find her other half to hold onto even if it makes passing in single-file awkward. "R-Right," she whispers back to Telamon. Who knows if she actually heard and understood what he said or not, as her little shiver indicates she'd rather not be in this cave.
Skielstregar blinks at Karasu's pat, him looking down and giving a closed eye smile. "... thisss one considersss you asss such, consssidering you have sssaved thisss one's life. Ssstay behind thisss one, and you ssshall be sssafe."
And into the cave they go.
The silver/bronze scaled makari grumbles a bit in annoyance as he has to dip low, him shifting his grip on his polearm to wield it more like the traditional spears he grew up with to account for the narrowing passage way. Armored tail behind him levels out to counterbalance, and become a smacking hazard for anyone behind him. "... sssorry," he rumbles in an advanced apology. He continues forward, setting the pace: slow and steady, no rush.
As the person immediately behind Skielstregar, it's Karasu's shins in danger of being hit, but the graceful witch manages to avoid such a fate for the most part. Nor does he compalin when mishap occurs. It's not Skielstregar's fault after all. He keeps as silent as he can, not offering any commentary as they pass through the cave. Would not have anyways. His mind is swimming with what Skielstregar said. That they are already friends.
Vaera was in the back, keeping at range, and also keeping the less sturdy folk safer from any attempted ambushes. The moss on the ground was a boon, silencing the worst of the sound of the metallic leg on the stone and earth. "I still know not if there is any in charge here, or if it is undead fulfilling some unknown purpose. Be prepared for one to be raising the dead, still."
GAME: Subduction rolls 11: (19)+11: 30 GAME: Subduction rolls 11: (4)+11: 15 GAME: Subduction rolls 11: (12)+11: 23 GAME: Subduction rolls 11: (14)+11: 25 GAME: Subduction rolls 11: (3)+11: 14 GAME: Subduction rolls 9: (11)+9: 20 GAME: Subduction rolls 9: (17)+9: 26 GAME: Subduction rolls 9: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Subduction rolls 9: (20)+9: 29 GAME: Subduction rolls 9: (17)+9: 26 <OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty, give me perception rolls while I work on a pose." GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception+2: (9)+4+2: 15 GAME: Karasu rolls perception: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (3)+11: 14 GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (19)+11: 30
The narrow passage descends along a shallow slope deeper into the earth, and grows narrower still- to the point that the walls seem to be pressing in around our erstwile adventurers. Finally, though, the passage opens up- a section of the ceiling having collapsed at some point in the past, causing a fairly large, open space. Stagnant water pools here and there, and the moss does not penetrate this deep- no sunlight reaches this part of the cave. The ground is harder, but covered in a slimy layer of wet dirt.
Peeking around the corner grants a view that is obstructed here and there by larger chunks of stone and earth that litter the small cavern. The ground slopes back up again towards the middle, and touches the roof there- a mound of debris from the erosion that formed this place- more roots hang down from above.
The earthy scent near the entrance persists, here. But it is joined by something sour and sickly, like spoilt meat.
Telamon takes a deep breath, then wrinkles his nose. Casting his voice low, he hisses, "Damn. That smells like the time my uncle Tonarius forgot about a plucked pheasant he'd hung up to cure." He looks at Raven first, then the others, flexing the fingers of his free hand -- the other, of course, holding Raven's.
One of the advantages of being tall, was being able to keep a look out from the back of the group. And she stops, scraping one claw against the stone of the Cavern, hoping to get attention without drawing more to them.
"Humanoid figure, left side of the passage around the bend, coming closer. Another not far behind." She signs, before readying her weapon and trying to get a better view. <Handspeech>
Ravenstongue frowns as she sees the handspeech gestures. She squeezes Telamon's hand for a moment before she lets go and signs, "I can dust them." <Handspeech>
Karasu notes the handspeech behind him, and realizes abruptly that Skielstregar either doesn't understand, or hasn't noticed the words. Quickly his hand lashes out, grabbing the larger sith-makar's cloak and tugging it backwards urgently, on instinct he flashes a quick hand-sign, but when recognition doesn't flicker in the other's eyes he lowers his voice to a murmur. "Enemy." He says, then points around the corner.
Skielstregar's face scrunches up at the scent. Ugh. He knew that smell. He felt that roiling foul within him, thinking about doing something in preparation, but he had to keep his quiet.
Amored tail clunks against Karasu's shin. "... ssorry..." he quietly whispers before he slows to look back at Vaera.
He quirks a brow completely not getting a lick of the hand movements. But she was readying her weapon.
So... he holds his weapon up with spear tip out. Waits for everyone to be ready and girded, and-
Ack. He's grabbed by the cloak. A dead silver eye looks down to the smaller man. Tradespeak seems to work for the makari, his gaze firming as he nods with a quiet chuff.
Well, an enemy has to be met! And who is good at that?
Skiel is! The Warrior steps out with weapon at the ready, far more prepared for whatever is to come with the heads up.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Subduction has dropped a TIMESTOP! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
<OOC> Subduction says, "Alright, The one Vaera heard swipes at Skiel as he steps out." GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (4)+5: 9 (miss)
Now that attention has been called to it, Skiel is able to make it out in the shadows- A hunched humanoid figure. It has matted, stringy hair hanging lank from its scalp, pointed ears, and pale yellow eyes set in deep, sunken sockets. It's skin is pale, almost translucent, and stretched tightly over bone and sinewey muscle. It's mouth is full of long, spine-like teeth and its lips are stained red and brown. Its fingers are tipped with overgrown, yellowing nails. It wears no clothing, and it crouches in the shadows, hunched over as it creeps towards them. Its lips pull back into a grimace and it hisses, baring its stained teeth as it realizes it's been seen.
And while he's looking at that one, another lunges at him from behind.
<OOC> Telamon says, "I will move to 6,5 and nail the ghoul at 9,1 with a scorching ray." GAME: Telamon casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Telamon rolls ranged: (9)+4: 13
Telamon suddenly picks up on how things have become... kinetic, is the term he heard once. He lets go of Raven's hand, gliding forward behind Skiel and sees the enemy for the first time. His expression twists in revulsion and horror, and he thrusts his hand out, saying, "Ganzer agida!" A lance of orange-white flame sizzles through the air, narrowly missing the creature and burning a smoldering black spot in the cave wall.
The ghoul spotted by Skielstregar watches as its comrades attack catches only hard armor and scale, and seems to think better of pressing the attack against Skielstregar. It creeps along the far wall of the cave, staring at the mottled Sith, teeth bared and dripping with saliva- but makes no move to attack yet.
Out of sight, the sounds of others creeping around in the shadows can be heard.
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "and swift action use arcane strike to make weapon magic for +2 damage" GAME: Skielstregar casts Shield. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 <OOC> Subduction says, "Can't take a 5' step on difficult terrain." <OOC> Skielstregar says, "ooh, well, I'll eat the AoO" GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (6)+5: 11 (misses)
Skielstregar gasps in surprise as a swipe clangs off his armor. He shoves it off, trying to keep his footing as another swing goes for him. "There'sss more than two in here!" he hisses to the group. He gets some space. And focuses.
"Come on you defilement, do your job and keep thisss one safe!" he snarls, throwing a hand forward. There's a rush of energy, and a black ichor manifests along his back, sprouting and webbing out to silhouette blackened, boney wings. It folds around him, then >pops<, vanishing, leaving an invisible barrier around him.
Said ichor stains his weapon. "Come and get thisss one!" he challenges.
<OOC> Vaera says, "moving to 5,4, and taking a shot at ghoul 2!" <OOC> Vaera says, "pbs deadly aim" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+6+4-1: (15)+6+4+-1: 24 (hits) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4+1: (7)+4+1: 12
Vaera growls as their presence is made known quickly, but it was only a matter of time that they would be thrust into combat. The red makari had their thunderbelcher at the ready, and she steps forward to take aim at one of the creatures, blasting a large chunk out of the wall, and the creature in question in the process with a bright flash of light and sharp crack from the weapon.
The creature recoils even before the bullet hits- the flash of light causing it to turn away and stagger backwards- the bullet sinking deep into its chest causes it to fall backwards, and it shields its face as it flees, half crawling away and into the shadows.
Ravenstongue is short. This is undeniable as she can't look over the others and see what's happening ahead of her. Only the sounds of combat. She purses her lips and she weaves past her allies, her steps incredibly careful as she moves around them and stops just a bit behind Skielstregar.
"Please don't hit me," she murmurs under her breath.
There's a lot going on in the little room beyond, most of which Karasu can't see through the people suddenly rushing forward. He shakes his head at the commotion, slipping forward nimbly and drawing his crossbow from his robes. He ends up somewhat to the side and behind Skielstregar, where he can offer the sith-makar some suport.
<OOC> Telamon says, "I cast Snapdragon Fireworks, and lob a paf in ghoul 1's direction. It targets his 5' square, not him." GAME: Telamon casts Snapdragon Fireworks. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 <OOC> Telamon says, "DC 17 Reflex save." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (2)+4: 6 (fails, is dazzled for one round)
Telamon is careful to let the others flood in, though he twitches a little as Raven slips past. Still... Skiel is there, and Karasu, and Vaera's shot already put one to flight. He chants, "Izigi'edena zanzana," and a flickering light appears around him, tiny blue-and-silver dragons circling his head. With a gesture, he launches one at a ghoul he sees cowering in the shadows, the firework-dragon making a loud BANG, more noise than injury but still startling.
After their surprise attack yielded less than stellar results, the Ghouls are rather more cautious now- they continue backing away, hissing and baring their teeth, but not striking at the adventurers as they make their way deeper into the caves, gathering together.
The ghoul that was struck by the firework flinches back, covering his eyes with filthy hands as he stumbles trowards his kin.
<OOC> Skielstregar casts expiditious retreat and moves to 11,6 GAME: Skielstregar casts Expeditious Retreat. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13 <OOC> Skielstregar says, "oh, and swift action for arcane strike"
Skielstregar has his weapon at the ready as the sounds of combat reverberate through the cave, him prepared to take on undead.
And then... they run away?
He squints, no. Retreating to regroup. "Take care, they fall back to bolsssster!" he warns the party before stamping both of his taloned feet on the ground. "You're cooperating, keep doing that and get thisss one there!" he hisses wit some ire. Black ichor seeps from between his scales and coats his legs, and he bounds off into the fray to harry the fall back tactic.
<OOC> Vaera says, "I'll move to 8,5" <OOC> Vaera says, "shooting at ghoul #1" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+6+4-1: (18)+6+4+-1: 27 (hits) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4+1: (1)+4+1: 6
The group retreating was a concern, but they needed to move forward still to have actually deal with them. So Vaera jogs forward, until she is able to see the two groups in the much more open room. Taking stock,m she decides to strike at the one closest to Skielstregar, hoping to free him up so they could focus in one area, sending another ringing shot through the cavern, impacting the ghoul, but not as badly as she had hoped.
<OOC> Subduction says, "Ghoul 4 full attacks Skiel. Ghoul 2 moves up to and attacks Vaera." <OOC> Subduction says, "Resolving ghoul 4 first." GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (2)+5: 7 GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) (roll to confirm) GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+3: (2)+3: 5 <OOC> Subduction says, "Fort save, Skiel." GAME: Skielstregar rolls fortitude: (10)+7: 17 (saves) GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+3: (1)+3: 4 <OOC> Subduction says, "Two fort saves, Vaera." GAME: Vaera rolls fortitude: (5)+8: 13 (saves) GAME: Vaera rolls fortitude: (12)+8: 20 (saves)
As Skiel moves into the pack, he discovers the extent of it- another of the creatures was waiting for him, crouched in the crevice made where the central mound makes the ceiling. As the makar steps into the midst of the ghouls, this hidden one lashes out at him. Its pointed teeth scrape against armor, while its nails scrape and claw at him- eventually, they find purchase, prying his scales away and drawing blood.
Meanwhile, while Vaera's attention is turned to one of the ghouls Skiel is battling- the one she shot earlier re-emerges from the shadows, scrabbling along the loose and soggy ground towards her. It lunges forwards, and sinks its teeth into her shoulder- its filthy maw tearing at the flesh.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I want to move to 10,3 and Glitterdust ghouls 3 and 4." GAME: Ravenstongue casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Subduction rolls 7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Subduction rolls 7: (12)+7: 19 <OOC> Subduction says, "Ghoul 3 is blinded, 4 is not."
Ravenstongue sees the swarm of ghouls and she frowns deeply. "Hold on, hold on," she murmurs as she runs over to behind Vaera: the perfect vantage spot for...
A shower of magical glitter that falls onto two of the ghouls, successfully blinding one of them. Even in the relative darkness of the cave, both ghouls can be seen easily now.
<OOC> Karasu will Ill Omen #2 after moving to 8,3 GAME: Karasu casts Ill Omen. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
Karasu shifts a bit to the side, keeping his eyes on the various and numerous ghouls. The ones that Skielstregar is fighting are too far away for him to do much about, but he can assist Vaera, so he once again moves his fingers in an obscure pattern, eldrich words leaving his lips in a language not understanadable. A darkness gathers around the ghoul in question, and he nods once to himself in satisfaction.
<OOC> Subduction says, "I'll just have Telamon snapdragon 1 again, since he did that last round." GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Subduction rolls 1d4: (1): 1 <OOC> Subduction says, "Hit and dazzled again"
Telamon dazzles one of the ghouls with his magic!
<OOC> Subduction says, "Ghoul 1 moves to 12, 5. Provokes from Skiel." GAME: Skielstregar uses an AoO! 0 remaining. <OOC> Skielstregar says, "no power attack" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon12: (2)+11: 13 (miss) <OOC> Subduction says, "Attacks with flanking and dazzle." GAME: Subduction rolls 5+2-1: (20)+5+2+-1: 26 GAME: Subduction rolls 5+2-1: (13)+5+2+-1: 19 (roll to confirm, no crit) GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+3: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Skielstregar rolls fortitude: (6)+7: 13 (succeeds) GAME: Skielstregar rolls fortitude: (7)+7: 14 (succeeds) <OOC> Subduction says, "5 moves to 12, 7. Provokes, but Skiel is out of AoO's." <OOC> Subduction says, "3 full attacks." GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (12)+5: 17 (miss) GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (13)+5: 18 (miss)
The ghouls smell the blood in the air from Skielstregar's wounds- and since the one attacking Vaera is also efdfectively blocking his allies' advance, the remaining ghouls move in, closing around Skielstregar. They lash out at him with tooth and nail- and though his vigilance keeps them largely at bay, it is only a matter of time until their relentless attacks get lucky. And get lucky they do, one of them finding a gap in Skielstregar's armor to sink its teeth into his scales and tear at the flesh hungrily.
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "skiel going to bonk the blinded one" <OOC> Skielstregar says, "swift action to arcane strike, powerattack but furious negates" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon12: (16)+11: 27 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage12+6+2: aliased to 1d10+7+6+2: (1)+7+6+2: 16
Skielstregar grinds his jaw as one arm is bitten, his other hand held out to focus the invisible shield on blocking the others. H-Hey, all things considered, that thing is holding out well..!
Magic flies over him as more of them are harried, and one seems disoriented. A weak link. "Deal with the one behind thisss one!" he shouts to someone as he cocks his halberd back.
Black ichor spills upwards and collects on the axe end.
And the necromantic power trails behind as it fell cleaves downward, almost clefting them in twain. "Return to Ea!" <Draconic>
<OOC> Vaera says, "I guess I'll provoke an attack of opportunity to move to 9,4, then" GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (11)+5: 16 <OOC> Subduction says, "AoO wiffs" <OOC> Subduction says, "Roll your attacks." GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+6+4-1: (3)+6+4+-1: 12 <OOC> Subduction says, "Wiff" <OOC> Vaera says, "again on 2" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+1+4-1: (18)+1+4+-1: 22 <OOC> Subduction says, "Hit." GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4+1: (4)+4+1: 9
Vaera grunts as the ghould bites down hard into her shoulder, and she shoves it away best as she can, trying to gain any semblance of space as it swings at her again, just enough to load more ammunition into the firearm. The first shot is knocked off course by the flailing of the ghoul, and the second, the red makari shoves the weapon into her foes stomach, snapping bone from the sheer force of the weapon, and sending it crumpling to the ground.
"Mind yourselves! There is something foul to the bites of these creatures." She shouts to those behind her, already planning her next course of action.
<OOC> Subduction says, "4 full attacks." <OOC> Subduction says, "SKiel." GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (15)+5: 20 GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (15)+5: 20 <OOC> Subduction says, "All wiff, thanks to shield."
As the ghoul is split open by the downswing, it's entrails spill out- foetid and rotting, their stench is almost unbearable. Unperturbed by the grevious wound its fellow suffers, the other ghoul harrying Skielstregar continues to scrabble at his armor, teeth gnashing. Its nails flex and break as it claws at steel but finds no flesh.
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 3d4+3: (8)+3: 11
"Don't bother us any longer!" Ravenstongue growls. Arcane darts form in her hand and she sends them into the ghoul closest to her. A satisfied smirk comes to her face as she watches it fall to the ground, lifeless and inert.
"Nice shooting," Pothy says from her shoulder. The bird gets a kiss on his fluffy head from his mistress.
<OOC> Karasu will draw dagger and move to 12,5.
With the ghoul falling in combat Karasu realizes that there's a real risk of the other ghouls being just smart enough to take its place. So he rushes forward, drawing his dagger and standing at the side of the much larger sith-makar. He feels a poor substitute, but he does his best to make himself seem large enough to block access into the inner reaches of the cavern.
<OOC> Telamon says, "Move me to 11,4 -- I know, difficult terrain, but I should be able to get there with a move action." <OOC> Telamon says, "Then drop Glitterdust on ghouls 3, 4, and 5. Template should be big enough to hit all three without hitting Skiel." <OOC> Telamon says, "DC 18 Will saves." <OOC> Telamon says, "And they are sparkly now. :D" <OOC> Subduction says, "3 and 4 are already glitterdusted, although only 3 was blinded." GAME: Subduction rolls 7: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Subduction rolls 7: (6)+7: 13 GAME: Subduction rolls 7: (7)+7: 14 <OOC> Subduction says, "3 saves, but is blind already anyhow. 4 and 5 fail their saves, and are now also blind."
Telamon watches two of the ghouls fall now, and slogs over through the wet terrain to stand well behind Skiel. "Alright, let's see if I got this right..." Gesturing, as bands of silver and white sparkles swirl around him, and he chants, "Mulan ukum." There's suddenly a 'pop' just behind the ghouls attacking Skiel, and all three of them are coated in silvery, glimmering dust, blinding them as well. "Ha! Got you!"
<OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty. Ghouls 5 and 3 are going to keep flailing in Skiel's general direction." GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (14)+5+-4: 15 GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (13)+5+-4: 14 GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (13)+5+-4: 14 GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (14)+5+-4: 15 GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (11)+5+-4: 12 GAME: Subduction rolls 5-4: (19)+5+-4: 20 <OOC> Subduction says, "And miss repeatedly."
The ghouls hiss and cower as the bright dust covers them, getting in their already sensitive eyes. They flail about, wildly swinging their limbs and gnashing at the air- but where before they found only steel, now their attacks find nothing at all as they bat at the air around Skielstregar.
<OOC> Skielstregar commends the teamwork and bonks 5. <OOC> Skielstregar says, "Aracne strike, PA, F. Focus" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon12: (19)+11: 30 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage12+6+2: aliased to 1d10+7+6+2: (10)+7+6+2: 25
Skielstregar shields his eyes as sparks burst in front of him, blinding his adversaries. "Good! We're holding! Keep going!" he rallies like a paladin should. The barrier summoned keeps the gnarly bites and claws away, eddies of black wavering at each ceased blow. A taloned foot kicks one against the wall, and he rears the weapon back.
Inky trails follow the axe head as it buries itself into the stonework behind the ghoul with a crash, cutting it in halves from the waist up.
<OOC> Vaera says, "Move to 8,7, and shooting 4" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+1+4-1: (12)+1+4+-1: 16 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+4+1: (5)+4+1: 10
With the ghouls starting to thin out, there were less targets to find where she was. So the hunter runs deeper into the cave, finding more foes that were harrying Skielstregar. She takes aim at the one closest to her, and lands a solid shot that tears into the undead.
<OOC> Subduction says, "Ghoul 4 ttempts to withdraw deeper into the cave." <OOC> Subduction says, "But it's blind soo..." GAME: Subduction rolls 6: (7)+6: 13 <OOC> Subduction says, "Manages not to fall on its ass."
Clearly on the loosing side of this fight, and with enough intelligence to see it- if not the communication skills to back that up, the ghoul scrambles backwards away from Skeilstregar- arms up to shield itself from strikes, even if it's blind. It's back hits the wall, and it turns, scrabbling along the wall, feeling its way with it's palms along the edge- towards the deeper reaches of the cave.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I'm gonna magic missile ghoulie 3." GAME: Ravenstongue casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 3d4+3: (6)+3: 9 <OOC> Subduction says, "3 is dead. ANy move action?" <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "She'll go over to 12,6."
More arcane darts conjure in Ravenstongue's hand, her violet eyes flashing with her violent intent. Her braid swings a little as she sweeps her arm, releasing them at the ghoul that hasn't scampered off. "You aren't getting away, either," she says, and another smirk finds her face as she watches that one fall, too.
<OOC> Telamon says, "Move to 11,7 so I can see #4, and paf him with a firework." <OOC> Telamon says, "He makes a DC 17 Reflex for half." GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (2): 2 <OOC> Telamon says, "He -would- be dazzled if he fails, but as he's blinded..." GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (4)+0: 4 <OOC> Subduction says, "He's Blidazzled."
"Oh no you don't, you little corpse-gnawing bugger." Telamon jogs past Skiel to get line of sight, and points at the glimmering figure trying to scramble away. Another tiny, silver-blue dragon zips after it, dodging around stalactites and stalagmites, before detonating against it with a sound like a firecracker, yielding an angry howl. "Dammit, these just don't sting enough..."
<OOC> Skielstregar gets angry for a turn, runs to 6,9, and tries to finish it GAME: Skielstregar RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 10 temporary HP GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon12: (6)+13: 19 <OOC> Skielstregar says, "and if it hits for the sake of expediency" <OOC> Subduction says, "The difficult terrain ends at 6, 9 but that's still 20' through difficult terrain." <OOC> Skielstregar says, "skiel has 60 movespeed" <OOC> Subduction says, "Ohh, right, Expeditious" GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage12+6+2: aliased to 1d10+9+6+2: (8)+9+6+2: 25
Skielstregar whips over to the one running away as the others fall around. He needed just a smidge of that thrumming power, but not enough to make him go wild. "... oh..."
"No you don't."
A Forgotten makari gallops towards the fleeing ghoul on all threes, sliding across the ground and ramming his full weight into the spear end of the halberd against center mass of the ghoul.
He snarls, rights himself, and tosses the impaled creature off. "... vile creature..."
The furthest reaches of this little chamber reveal something interesting- the soft dirt and dross finally gives way to stone, fairly dry at that, towards its lower reaches. And what's more, it winds away from the chamber, seeming to double back on itself as it leads ever deeper down into the earth. What else lays there, who can say- but at least the retreating ghoul was not able to get there first and offer advanced warning to whatever it may be.
Vaera distinctly recalls seing some sort of canid tracks, after all, and they've seen no sign of any dogs or wolves yet...
OOC
Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=muhhlxex5k8
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 2 ===================== ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes-------------------------------------------- 23 Telamon 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 18 Ghoul 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17 Ghoul 5 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 17 Ghoul 3 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15 Skielstregar 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Vaera 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> 10 Ghoul 4 1 << ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 Ghoul 2 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7 Ravenstongue 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Karasu 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ==============================================================================