Bear Necessities
Log Info
- Title: Bear Necessities
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Andelena, Barclaiigh, Carver, Knightmare, Zofija
- Place: The Greatwood
- Time: Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 8:02 PM
- Summary: After the first attempt at investigating where Barclaiigh's animal companion was ended in retreat, the Dwarf hired on more people in a second attempt to investigate the cave where the bear's tracks appeared to lead, this time with more preparations in place to deal with the insects found inside. Namely in the supply of copious amounts of alchemist's fire. The group, led by the dwarven druid make their way through the greatwood until they reach the cavern in question, where they collect themselves before entering. Before they can however, the Barclaiigh spots a figure just inside the mouth of the cave, which swiftly attacks them! The group presses in after the electrically charged insect, as it continues to attack the group while disappearing further into the cavern. As they follow, Zofija and Andelena are assaulted by swarms of maggot like creatures, which badly burn and injure them with acid, and a weakening noxious poison. The two fall back after scorching the swarm with several bottles of alchemist's fire, while Barclaiigh summons a burning sphere to further burn through the pack, while pushing further in along with Carver. Zofija attempts to get them to fall back, quite angrily at that, but Barclaiigh will not be swayed, and is determined to push forward, even as he is injured badly by everything. Knightmare holds the rear, and pushes forward with him, and the swarms burn up from a further barrage of alchemist's fire vials, and the remaining energy of the druid's fire magic while the large insect retreats to the further caverns. Inside the large cavern is an unsettling sight, of a giant ant queen barely kept upright by resin, and numerous eggs, including a large one made of a similar resin. While the others hold back, Barclaiigh addresses the creature, attempting to bargain for the release of his companion. But it is Knightmare's frightening display that unnerves the remaining insects enough to allow Barc to enter the chamber further, and rescue his friend from the resin prison. He is a bit worse for wear, but with restorative and healing magics, they are able to help the large animal companion to squeeze out of the cavern, leaving the remaining insects behind.
The Greatwood.
An earlier mission by the Yggsdrasil Union to investigate an 'irritating tree' in the Felwood. While the Union's dryad provided an accurate location, a better warning would have helped. Things went pear-shaped. In the battle that ensued, Barclaiigh and Porter were kidnapped by the evil space tree. The dwarf came back funny, but he's mostly-better now, while Porter remained missing.
The Yggdrasil Union aided Barclaiigh in diving that Porter's location. He is in the Greatwood. One attempt was made to rescue Porter already but there was stiff bug resistance and a retreat had to be made.
The name of the game today will be fire. Lots of fire, and any other area affect spells. The adventurers are gathered outside of a cave.
GAME: Barclaiigh casts Longstrider. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15
It's a familiar path and Barclaiigh is champing at the bit to get this done; having to quit the rescue attempt and fall back rankled the Khazad-aul like little else. The union was sponsoring the second mission, too, and he'd spent time making sure the three mercenaries had a decent idea of what to expect in the cave: men-sized, bipedal bugs with acid for blood and massive, roiling mounds of devouring, insatiable maggots.
The Khazadi druid has magics to lengthen his stride, so keeping pace with the taller folk isn't a problem at all. Little zephyrs swirl semi-transparent about his feet as he nearly runs from the arrival point in the Greatwood to the familiar cave. He wears an extra belt today and that belt hosts a quintet of fist-sized and flat glass bottles containing a volatile concoction.
"... least two'a them vermin swarms rollin' 'round far as we got in," he adds last-minute. "Porter's tracks have'm pretty far in..."
Andelena's been hired on for this mission by word-of-mouth--more accurately, words over pints. Allegedly, she said, "You know what, rescuing a bear from big fucking bugs doesn't even make the top 10 of all the weird shit I've done lately," when she took on the job, and her expression today matches that sentiment: a flatline mouth combined with a steel-grey gaze that seems to be expecting everything and anything.
The Sunguard stands outside of the cave, her mane of copper-blonde hair waving in a slight breeze. The white cloak over her armor curls a little in the wind, too. "Alright. So, we're dealing with some premium-grade bullshit. Least we bought some fire to throw at them," Andelena says.
Zofija wasn't sure how she had gotten brought along for the job, save for a listing at the adventurer's guild. But when she was briefed on what was to come from the dwarf, she grumbled before joining them on the path. "Damn fire is going to cut into most of the payment is what it's going to." The Arvek-nar responds from atop her dark brown griffon. "Better than being dead I suppose, and pay is pay."
Carver says, "'eeeeey, a dwarf with twinkletoesy. Seens ittall now." Carver says as she strings her bow, biceps growing taut as she pulls back. Once it is taut, she strums it once with a callused finger, and a smile splits her dirty countenance in all its crooked teethed glory. "Singin'." She reaches to her belt, where a pair of vials of her own alchemist's fire lay. "Righ'. Ready when ye lot are." She has the nerve to elbow the statuesque Sunguard. "Got a BIG bit of sunlight to ligh' the path.""
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC25 Perception or Survival please" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Survival: (15)+14: 29 GAME: Zofija rolls perception: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16 (Screech Percep) GAME: Carver rolls perception: (11)+8: 19 GAME: Andelena rolls Perception: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Knightmare rolls perception: (20)+9: 29 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13+2: (14)+13+2: 29 (Bug Stealth)
Ahead is the cave entrance. The twisty little forest paths converge here, and there's still a lingering acrid scent. A small, dark pile lies just inside.
The tracks outside of the cave seem a little messed up, as if something tried to obscure them. Just inside another bug warrior lurks, blending in with the surroundings.
"... good t'be in with 'Ig-drizzle folk..." Barclaiigh suggests, looking up from his tracks, glancing up and giving Zofi a friendly smile. "'specially if y'like goin' outside. Never know when y'all'll need a hand with th'weather." The dwarf plucks three of the alchemist vials from his belt and hands out one each to Andie, Carver, and Zofija; he keeps two of the five for himself.
"'Appreciate y'all doin' this. Porter means th'danged world t'me'n he just sprouted up full-grown this season. Aint's time yet."
There's a nod and the wildman returns to his tracking, crouching down and pulling his sausage fingers down through his beard in thought. "Someone's fixin' t'be sneaky..." he rumbles, squinting.
Then, quickly, he looks up with his mouth in a surprise 'o' and his eyebrows raised enough to push back his hairline. He points at the cave mouth and hooks his finger to the right. Then he makes his best monster face (teeth exposed, of course!) and curls his fingers into claws.
A little late to the party, a side effect of making sure a spirited Dragonieri destrier is, in fact, going to have to wait rather than join the festivities, a heavy striding Knight tromps at last to the mouth of the cave where the others prepare. She holds a hand up, empty palm forward, but doesn't sound a hail as that may alert the forces inside.
For that, she waits until she gets closer, when she intones a soft, "Hail, friends." in a low enough volume that her words lack their usual hollow echo.
Andelena slaps her helmet onto her head, then draws her longsword and shield. "Alright. Let's go. I'll take point--whatever's lying in wait is gonna get a sword through the fucking gut or run off. Either way is fine with me."
She advances to the mouth of the cave, raising her shield in front of her.
"Well thanks Bar, that'll help if I need to use it. We'll get your bear back if possible." Zofija grunts as she stows the bottle, before she stops and stares at the entrance, and sighs. "Guess we're going to be busy in a moment." She says before jogging off to the cave entrance with her hammer drawn. "Careful lady, not sure what's in there. But you can't stab a swarm of bugs in the gut. Too many stomachs to stab."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18 (vs Touch) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (4)+8: 12 (vs touch) GAME: Andelena rolls Reflex: (16)+2: 18 (vs DC 16) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 4d6: (13): 13 GAME: You damaged Andelena for 6 points. 19 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13+1-20: (20)+13+1+-20: 14 (bug re-stealths)
Carver twists an arrow into place, drawing her bow back and aiming for a tiny window between the wall and the Sunguard's right arm. She just sneers briefly at the peekaboo strategy, but does not advance, holding her shot for the creature to peek out again.
It's a cave. There isn't much going on. Even with a warning, it's nearly impossible to see the bug that is apparently right near the entrance. As Andelena and Zofija move up, it appears.
The acrid scent in the air, it's not acid, it's ozone. The long-snouted bug aims at the buff woman and electric arcs radiate from it, and then Andelena is caught up in a sparking bolt.
Immediately after it pops back into hiding.
GAME: Carver rolls perception: (6)+8: 14 (vs DC 14 - Success) GAME: Carver rolls ranged: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Carver rolls weapon2: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
Carver's shot is no good. Absolutely atrocious. It buzzes through the air like an angry wasp and takes a lock of burnished copper hair from the Sunguard's pretty stern head. "Sorry, love! Shakin' the rust off they'd say!"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Gonna cast Flaming Sphere and then move action to roll it into the monster's square at 4,10." GAME: Barclaiigh casts Flaming Sphere. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19 (vs DC 16 - Success)
"Can't keep hidin' when company comes callin', mister," Barclaiigh calls out, his anger at the whole situation obvious. The Khazadi druid takes up his boar's tusks fetish and rests his other palm flat against the glowing embers of his breastplate. He chants out something rhythmic and low in the druidic cant and an ember sparks to life at the mouth of the cave.
Rapidly, the spark becomes a furtive flame, the flame a fire, and the fire a rolling conflagration. Hot air gusts out, kicking away scree and dust before the burning mass tumbles around the corner to harry the insectoid creature in hiding.
<OOC> Knightmare says, "move to -1, 8 drawing my shortbow and ready action." <OOC> Knightmare says, "if he pokes his head out to make zappy zappy again i'll drill him"
The construct has time enough to register the skulking figure just as things get spicy.
Betrys's articulated limbs carry the Knightmare with massy hooffalls toward a better angle on the the ambusher within the cave without cutting into the other archers lane of engagement, pulling, nocking and holding her bow drawn taut for the next moment the foe appears.
<OOC> Andelena says, "I'm gonna go over to 4,9 and bop that buggy-bug with my sword. Power Attack." GAME: Andelena rolls weapon1-1: (2)+6+-1: 7
"It's okay! Hair grows back!" Andelena calls out to Carver before she infiltrates the cave. She tries to take a powerful slash down at the creature, but it goes wide. Apparently, she needs more lessons with Aryia.
<OOC> Zofija says, "I'll move to 3,9, and try to hit the thing too" GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14
"Careful there, one set of arrows going after her is enough as it is. And I'm the one going in after her." Zofija grumbles, before she is joining the cleric in the caves. The hammer is raised, and slammed into the ground, but unfortunately missing the mark. "Just a matter of time, twitchy bastard." The arvek-nar growls.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d2: (1): 1 (1 Andelena, 2 Zofjia) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 (Bug Reflex vs DC 16) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (10): 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: You damaged Andelena for 5 points. 14 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13-10: (5)+13+-10: 8
The flaming sphere rolling into its space doesn't dislodge the bug, not immediately. It's engulfed and there is a hissing noise. A steam hiss, like a lobster being boiled. The insectoid clearly doesn't like this. With Andelena and Zofija pressing its position, and shots being fired from further out, it clicks and scuttles back into the darkness and around a corner.
The sphere at least, sheds some light.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Move me to 2,9, please, and I'll move the sphere to 5,11 if you think I have LoS." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, " 5,10 if I don't." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I think 5,10 makes more sense, well you could rol lit out of your sight if you want" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21 (vs DC 16)
The smoldering appearance of embers around the edges and creases of Barclaiigh's darkwood armor seem to flare while the sphere rolls through the cave. The druid shifts ahead, craning his head up and to the side, trying to see through the twists and turns of the cave. He purses his lips and blows, tossing his head to the right. A moment later, the fireball rolls around the bend and out of sight.
Just inside the cave there's a sizzling noise, and some small popping sounds.
Carver scowls, flipping her bow up onto a shoulder and reaching for her alchemist fire. She moves into line, touching the shoulder of the person ahead of them. "Got your hiney."
It's way worse than your nose.
<OOC> Knightmare says, "guess i'll put my bow back and move up, equip my shield this round. move 2, 10"
With the narrow entrance and likely minimal firelanes, the Knightmare begies to step up to form up with the slow advance.
She intones a hollow, "Check the corners." In retort to the Arvek's commentary.
The Bow returns to it's place on her back, while the heater shield clasped there is slipped free to latch firmly upon her forearm as she steps up to stack on the doorway as it were, and her spike shod fist closes opposite in readiness.
GAME: Andelena rolls ranged: (15)+3: 18 GAME: Andelena rolls 1d6: (5): 5
The Sunguard takes out her alchemist's fire. "Alright. Time to light these fuckers up," she growls, tossing the noxious contraption into the swarms of insects up ahead--and they catch flames.
Andelena seems rather satisifed, moving further into the caverns ahead so that others can move forward.
GAME: Zofija rolls knowledge/military theory: (4)+7: 11 (vs DC15) GAME: Knightmare rolls military theory: (1)+military theory: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
This is a bad bottleneck.
<OOC> Zofija says, "I guess I'll move to 5,10, take out alchemist's fire, and toss it at 5,12 as well" GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d6: (5): 5
"Gods damn it, why go past the opening?" Zofi growls as she ducks further into the cave, pulling out one of the bottles she was given. "You're just asking to get surrounded and killed."
The Arvek-nar chucks the bottle at one of the clumps of bugs. It cracks into the wall, spilling some of the contents onto the insects.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "bug attacks, then backs up, swarm moves over Zofija and Andelena" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 (Bugaloo claw swipe - miss) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (5): 5 (Alch Fire damage Swarm) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11 (vs DC 16 - fail) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (12): 12 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (8): 8 (Swarm Damage Zofija) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5 (Swarm Damage Andelena) GAME: You damaged Zofija for 8 points. 13 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Andelena for 5 points. 9 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13-10: (2)+13+-10: 5 (Bug re-stealth)
How can we sweep while our bugs are burning...
The sizzling pop-pop continues as maggots swell and burst in the alchemical fire. The flaming sphere also, is making pop-rocks out of the maggots. The multitude of steam hissing sounds like a distant baby's scream. It's grating, and unsettling.
The large insectoid swipes at Andelena and backs into the darkness, out of sight again.
The mass of maggots surge forward, rolling and blurping with unexpected speed. Zofija, Andelena, find themselves inside the mess, and feel the little worms wiggling their way under armour and clothes. They exude a muscus, which burns. The air is filling with a stinking smoke.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "But I will cast Call Lightning on 7,14." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "It can be cast inside and neither it nor Flaming Sphere are concentration spells." GAME: Barclaiigh casts Call Lightning. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (10): 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
"Skedaddle iff'n y'need to, y'all," Barclaiigh grumbles, trailing smoke and glowing from the breastplate as he speeds past Zofi and Andie. "... but I ain't leavin' afore I got m'boy back."
The Khazad-aul glances down the side corridor as he passes, watching his ball of flames smolder and burn among the mass of maggots. Reaching the eastern wall he pauses, looking north and then south. "How many'a y'all are there!?" He growls at the insectoid creature he spies in the black-and-white of his darkvision.
Barclaiigh mutters under his breath to Truffles, holding the tusks once more. The smell of ozone fills the air and electricity arcs across the room of the cave. The whole place lights up blue-white for an instant and zzzz'aut rolling into a mild thunderclap that spills through the cave and out into the wilderness beyond.
<OOC> Carver says, "Carver would like to use her turn to focus on looking for traps GAME: Carver rolls perception: (5)+8: 13
Carver's quips go a little quiet as she advances behind the other. No real argument against the soundness of their strategy there. Instead, she focuses where she can try to be helpful between the cracks. Keeping an eye out for any further surprises from whatever hellish plans this cunning creature might have and ready to throw her alchemist fire if a grouping of buggers become visible.
<OOC> Knightmare says, "move to 4, 9, draw warhammer, there's not much else i can do"
Drat!
With the narrow quarters be of significant concern, Knightmare shakes her head slightly as she'd seen companions do since Feld Mor in such circumstances and moves along to follow, unable to press into position to capitalize on her armor. Her warhammer finds itself in her hand, and the construct scans about looking for nooks and crannies to hide potential ambushers in the flickering light of the flames.
<OOC> Andelena says, "Okay. Andie's pretty rough, but I think if I cast Cure Wounds on myself," <OOC> Andelena says, " I'm gonna have to beat a DC21 caster level check... otherwise I hit the floor next round." GAME: Andelena casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 3 DC: 14 GAME: Andelena rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10 (vs DC 21 - Fail) <OOC> Andelena says, "I will reroll that as a last hurrah." GAME: Andelena rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15 (vs DC 21 - Fail)
Andelena tries her hardest. Sometimes that's not enough, or so she finds as she tries to call on Daeus's light to heal herself. The spell fizzles, and there's not a way out of the cave.
All there is to do is to hold onto hope.
<OOC> Zofija says, "I guess I'm withdrawing out of the cave" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "also, roll Fort DC16 pleas Zofija" GAME: Zofija rolls fortitude: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (4): 4 GAME: You damaged Zofija's Strength for 4 points. 4 total damage.
Zofija stops and winces as the maggots burn her, and she growls, ducking back. "Sorry Dwarf, but you're going to end up a pile of bones in there at this rate. You should get out while you can too, lady." She shouts, moving back to the door, only to find her forced to prop up on the wall. Careful, they've got some sort of poison to them."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "bugaloo shoots Barc" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (14)+8: 22 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 7d6: (29): 29 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Reflex: (15)+3: 18 (vs DC 16) GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 14 points. 25 HP remaining.
Lightning lit up the bug, and it remained sparking with a small halo. It then seems to absorb it, and the lightning is re-directed, back at the dwarf. He's enveloped in a glowing ball, his hair standing on end.
There are more sizzling noises. Burnt dwarf.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "CMW on Andie. 5' to 7,11." GAME: Barclaiigh casts Cure Moderate Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 2d8+5: (14)+5: 19 GAME: You damaged Andelena for -19 points. 25 HP remaining.
Barclaiigh cants his head at the 'nar as she falls back, his wide, thin lips curving up into a grim smile. "From Gaea, to Gaea. Easy roads!" Calls the wildman. He reaches into the writhing mass of maggots, taking firm hold of Andelena's forearm and chanting again.
Verdant green vines sprout across the Sunguard, knitting wounds like living sutures and bringing the warmth of a pleasant summer afternoon. "Skedaddle, miss'n make sure that fella'a yours doesn't get too neck deep'n'm werewolfs!"
Then the dwarf spits, pulls out his green-glowing spear, and takes a step closer to the spitting insect-man.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (1): 1 (Alch fire damage r2) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 (vs DC16 - fail) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (9): 9 (Flaming Sphere on Swarm) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (6): 6 (swarm damage on Andelena) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (6): 6 (swarm damage on Carver) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (6): 6 (swarm damage on KM) GAME: You damaged Andelena for 6 points. 19 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Carver for 6 points. 11 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Knightmare for 6 points. 31 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (10): 10 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 10 points. 15 HP remaining. <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Fort DC16 saves, Andelena" GAME: Andelena rolls Fortitude: (7)+5: 12 (vs DC16) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (3): 3 GAME: You damaged Andelena's Strength for 3 points. 3 total damage.
The maggot-bugs are everywhere. They coat the walls, ceiling, floor, in an undulating white carpet of wriggling. They slide on their ooze, and have legs to flagellate themselves along. Sometimes they bunch up in jelly-balls and roll.
The Arvek Nar's retreat dragged some along with her, but the encroaching adventurers are also a target. The Knightmare, Carver, find themselves engulfed, while Andelena remains in the mass and feels them getting under her armour. The noxious fumes cause weakness, and headache.
They're also clustering around her ears, nose, looking for holes to enter.
<OOC> Carver says, "I'd like to throw the fire at that swarm in the square between me and Andelena." GAME: Carver rolls ranged+1: (9)+6+1: 16 GAME: Carver rolls 1d6: (6): 6
"Sorry, Sunshine." Carver mutters to the... ugh, horrible mess Andelena is in. She STILL leaps over the person, with a series of squeals and ews, and bloody Desna tits whattisthats?! but she eventually squeezes through and spots the bugger who is the kingpin of this bad situation. Hi, I have Fire. Please burn and die. She arcs her throw and splashes the burning liquid onto the creature. Then grips her bow in both hands, white-knuckled and shivering.
The Knightmare advances. Mechanical hooves fall like hammers. Each step a splash, spraying fragments of maggot corpses. The herald of lost dragonieer is relentless, pounding forward, shield in front, warhammer raised. "You will die."
<OOC> Andelena says, "Think I might beat a retreat out of the cave." <OOC> Andelena says, "Double move to -1,9 if I can. Thank you for running, Cryo, I had fun. <3"
Andelena's been given an extension on life. "Thanks, Barc--Knight's light on your path. I'll make sure to keep my man out of trouble," she says, although she looks sick from the pain of the swarms.
She rushes out of the cave, grimacing as the bugs on her continue their nefarious work, back into the life and embrace of the Knight. No shame in retreat.
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d6: (2): 2
"Look, I don't care if you've got a deathwish, you're bringing other people into this, and I don't want to die trying to drag your bodies out of there." The arvek-nar shouts back into the caves while the others don't exit. Grumbling a bit, she pulls another flask out, and tosses it at the bulk of the maggot creatures, showering them in glass and burning liquid, which seems to smother most of them.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it lightnings KM, Carver and Barc, then backs up," <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Km would get an AOO, Zofija, you can roll that if you like, it's 1d20+7" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (1)+8: 9 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (10)+8: 18 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (7): 7 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Reflex: (18)+3: 21 GAME: Carver rolls reflex: (9)+7: 16 GAME: You damaged Carver for 2 points. 9 HP remaining. GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL) (KM's AOO) GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 3 points. 12 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13-10: (10)+13+-10: 13 (bugaloo re-stealth)
As the knightmare charges up, the bug also charges up. A halo of crackling sparks surround its head. It aims. The Knightmare swings, her hammer hitting a rock outcropping and twisting in her grip.
A blue bolt fires, arcing along the cave. It misses the metal horsewoman -somehow-. Carver and Barclaiigh are singed, their hair standing on end, as it lights them up.
With this distraction, the bug retreates deeper into the cave.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "move the fire to 7,10 as my move. Call lightning on 7,10 as my standard." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 (Swarm vs Flaming Sphear DC16) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) (Swarm vs DC 17 lightning) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (11): 11 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (12): 12
"Aaaaaaugh, ptoo! HGK!" Barclaiigh finds himself having difficulty staying on his feet as the tide of maggots finds him. He crushes a handful of the juicy things and throws them aside, trying to ignore all the shifting movement in his beard and the hundreds of little biting mouths.
The dwarf growls frustrations and calls the sphere, taking some solace in the light getting brighter and nodding when the hissing pop of cooking insects announces the flame's kiss.
Clenching a fist, the druid calls the same static dance and ozone smell before another bolt of lightning connects cave floor to cave ceiling and a low rumble follows. The swarm thins.
"'serious... skedaddle, dang'n... pt-pt-pt," his suggestion for the others is lost beneath the need to spit the swarm from his mouth.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay the swarm moves up and thats 2d6 on all" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (7): 7 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (9): 9 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 7 points. 5 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Carver for 9 points. 0 HP remaining. (DISABLED) GAME: You damaged Knightmare for 5 points. 26 HP remaining. <OOC> Carver says, "I'm at 0, disabled... which is, downed, right?" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "KM has a CLW potion she said she'd give to anyone that needed it" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you're conscious, can do a move or an action, and that will do 1hp damage" <OOC> Carver says, "I'll move to as far back toward the exit as I can get, and that will be that." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "if you delay, she'll hand it to you then move in, so you can roll the healing for the potion" GAME: Carver rolls 1d8+1: (7)+1: 8 GAME: You damaged Carver for -7 points. 7 HP remaining.
"Heal." The Knightmare says, handing a potion to Carver. "I will hold the passage."
She steps up and stares further into the cave.
Carver swallows maggot, and thankfully MOST of the potion as well, gagging and nearly vomiting. She desperately wipes at her eyes and nose to try to get air to breathe.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (3): 3 GAME: You damaged Zofija for -3 points. 16 HP remaining.
"Daeus, warm us, heal us." Andelena prays, channeling healing energy and restoring her nearby allies.
<OOC> Zofija says, "I guess I'll move to 4,10 and chuck another alchemist fire" GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Zofija rolls 1d6: (6): 6
"Appreciate it, Lady." Zofija grunts when she feels some of the healing magic take effect, and she stops to pull out another bottle from her jacket as she ducks back into the cave to lob it at the swarm, coating a big patch of them.
"BARCLAIIGH, YOU PROBABLY THOUGHT I FORGOT ABOUT YOUR NAME. GET THAT DAMN DEATH WISH OUT OF YOUR THICK SKULL AND MOVE!" The Arvek-nar yells into the cavern. "YOU'VE GOT A BROTHER, YOU STOP TO EVEN THINK ABOUT HOW HE'LL FEEL ABOUT THIS? I WILL DRAG YOUR BODY OUT OF HERE IF I HAVE TO, AND IF I DON'T, I'M PUNCHING A PSYCHOPOMP IN THE FACE AND SHOVING YOU OUT OF THE GREY HALLS."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (3)+13: 16
The Knightmare clearly sees something which makes her pause.
The bug she was fighting thought, that has vanished and remains hidden.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7 (Swarm Reflex) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (9): 9 GAME: Barclaiigh casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d8+5: (8)+5: 13 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for -13 points. 18 HP remaining.
The swarm swarms and the fire burns. Enough of the creatures in the tide of vermin die to the flames that the remain collapse and squirm ineffectively on the ground. Which is good, because the rolling conflagration sputters out and dies, dropping the cave into darkness.
Barclaiigh sighs a heavy sigh and moves a few steps ahead, leaning against the wall and chanting again to heal some of his wounds. The dwarf frowns when he hears Zofija call, glancing between Carver and Knightmare.
"Got all kinds'a kin'n I couldn't face a one if I didn't see this through, miss. Porter's m'best friend!" He shouts back.
Carver has had enough, spitting out maggots and eyes streaming. She stumbles forward and looks down the hallway that gave Knightmare pause, raising up her bow...
Dame Betrys intones darkly, "Ahead is an irregular shaped room, almost square, thirty five by thirty feet. There are multiple exits to the west and north. There may be exits to the south."
It's as far as she gets before Carver moves up. She can see, there are exits to the south.
There's also eggs.
Clusters and clusters of tiny eggs looking almost like whipped foam. They surround what seems to be a much larger egg-shaped object. An egg formed out of bees wax or some kind of resin.
There's a crackling and a popping noise, and one of the piles of whip collapses. Right beside it is a deer carcass. No, not a carcass, a heavily injured deer with burns and broken legs. It makes one last bleating moan as another swarm of maggots emerge and the engulf it.
They wiggle, into its ears, eyes, nose, any orifices they can find until the swarm has vanished. The hide of the deer ripples as things move beneath it, and it struggles in a last effort to escape... and fails.
Behind all of this, the small eggs, the larger eggs, the strange residues attached to the wall is one giant ant. Its head, her head? turns and globs a ball on the deer carcass, entombing it with a swarm.
Carver lowers her bow, swallowing bile at the sight. What comes next is a hiccup of terror, a primal scream caught just in time to be a gasp. That is shortly followed by patter of soft boots as she flees. Not retreats. FLEES.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Andelena channels some more" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5 GAME: You damaged Zofija for -5 points. 21 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Carver for -5 points. 12 HP remaining.
"And what, is that what I'm supposed to tell your brother? That you were too distraught over losing your best friend to keep on living?" The Arvek-nar snarls. "Because that's sure going to help them sleep at night, I can tell you that. And you didn't even stop to consider you're walking into an ambush with all these tunnel offshoots!"
The Arvek-nar continues to grumble as she moves further in, stowing her hammer that did so little against the swarms of bugs, so she could look around up north instead. "Hey, easy. Calm yourself, bit rich coming from me. If you saw something, tell us. Because we're on the back foot, and any bit helps."
"Biggest... damn, bug.. ever." Carver says between pants, back against the wall, eyes wide behind her mask of road dirt and crushed maggot bits. "Like, Queen Bug Arse spat out a whole swarm of those damn little buggers. Your dwarf friend is sick in the 'ead if'n he's going in there."
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Perception: (16)+12: 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21 (Bug Reflex vs DC17) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d6: (12): 12
If Barclaiigh hears Zofija he doesn't respond. Instead, the dwarf pushes past the war golem and steps into the large hive. The sinking feeling in his stomach is mirrored when his expression falls. The plight of the deer is horrifying.
The Khazadi druid's eyes narrow suspiciously as the large egg-- looking to the south when he catches movement. There's the flash of light spilling out through the cave and a familiar thunderclap. The creature is singed but dodges the worst of the blast.
"Gimme m'danged friend or I'll cave in this whole fuckin' thing," he growls at the gigantic queen bug.
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Diplomacy: (10)+0: 10 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "I'll reroll, I think." GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Diplomacy: (12)+0: 12 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Knowledge/Nature: (14)+11: 25 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (20)+8: 28 (Knightmare's Intimidate - Success!)
The queen looks old and broken. Ready to be smote.
The dark destrier strides forward, her hooves clanking on the cavern floor. The tattered banner of Dragonieer fluttering as she moves. Her voice is deep, coming from a face that is both helmet and horse skull. The crackling lightning reflects off her hard lines.
"I have witnessed the fall of my homeland, and will witness much more. Yield or perish." Her raised warhammer makes her intentions clear.
The warrior in the corner moves, a halo of sparks forming.
A twitch of the giant queen's fore-limb and the warrior is stayed. The queen turns her head, staring at the Knightmare, frozen and wary.
Waiting...
Frightened even.
Carver looks to Zofija, "He 'isn't' gonna go in there, righ'?" She looks back to where everthing is deadly silent in the main room, still clutching her bow. Guilt wages against survival instincts across her young face, biting down hard on her bottom lip. Squish.... Was that a bit of maggot? Her gag response suggest it mighta been.
"He already did, of course." The Arvek-nar sighs. "Which means that someone needs to go and make sure that they can get out of here. Stick with the cleric, only give them one avenue to approach you. That way, you can run away if you have to without getting hurt in the process. If you want to stay back, which would be a good idea."
"I don't want him to die, but I don't want him taking the golem down with him more. Doesn't even stop to think about his family in the whole process, so who knows.. But, maybe he can actually get his bear back. Assuming they aren't already passed down here."
Grumbling all the way, she heads back through the passage until she was near the entrance Knightmare and Barclaiigh had taken.
"... she's fit t'fall apart," Barclaiigh mutters to Knightmare, looking up at the ambulatory suit of armor. He half-turns, looking at the stayed warrior for some time. He's not good with people, generally, and the way the vermin of a hive behave can be markedly different than many of the animals he's been surrounded by for years now.
"'m gettin' m'boy..." warns the Khazadi man, unsure if the queen understands him. He takes a deep breath and shifts, hair sprouting across his body as his bones break and re-form under skin the stretches, tears, and knits too rapidly for the pain to properly register.
An oversized wolverine with an exceptionally-full, auburn coat snuffs at the ground. One last beady-eyed glance is given to the queen before it starts padding over to the large egg. He takes great care not to destroy the smaller clusters.
Click-click. The warrior repositions but doesn't approach.
The Queen, on closer inspection is held in place by the resin. It doesn't fully coat her, but does hold the giant insect upright. The mold on the carapace is very heavy on her limbs, those don't move at all. Maybe they can't. Some parts remain functional. Her head, an analog of arms, her tail.
Neither show any expression, both are waiting. Watching.
The Queen's head turns, there's a shift in her weight as the wolverine heads into the egg clusters. She's watching him.
She's watching the Knightmare.
GAME: Barclaiigh refreshes special ability pools. GAME: Barclaiigh spends ONE use of WILDSHAPE.
Inside the resin egg is a bear. It's Porter. He's hard to see as light is distorted through the covering. He seems to be moving.
Much like the deer is.
The Barverine issues a dangerous sound somewhere between a snarl and a low growl. He places his forepaws flat against the egg and pivots the claws forward and in, pushing his weight into the gestating sack with his hind legs. With a surge he claws out and down with both, hoping to tear the whole thing open in one go.
The egg is ripped open, revealing Porter. In terrible shape. Alive.
Zofija waits near the entrance to the main chamber as the dwarf manages to tear into the egg, and faces no resistance for it. "Well, suppose we need to help him get them out of here at this rate. If we can get him through the chambers properly." The Arvek-nar Sighs, Stepping close to the entrance and keeping an eye on the queen ant as she waits.
GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Heal: (17)+10: 27 GAME: Barclaiigh casts Lesser Restoration. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d4: (3): 3
The resin sack deflates, spilling out fluids and a haggard-looking black bear in half-ruined barding. The creature stirs, gacking out soft resin and pulped wood. A groan escapes through Porter's nose along with some thinner fluid and the bear heaves, spilling out more of the substance.
The Barverine coos, snuffling across the bear and inspect his fur and face after the worst of the expulsion is through. There's another growl and some stange chuffing before more of that green light spills out and over the bear.
Still in rough shape, Porter rouses and bellows complaint, rolling up and standing onto four paws at the end of furry, shaky legs. The Barverine leans into Porter, propping him up, and starts to lead toward the western exit.
The Queen shifts, the resin supporting her creaking, but there are no sudden moves. Her head is focused directly on Barclaiigh and the bear. As they move, over the other masses of eggs, she follows with her gaze.
The warrior rises briefly, its legs straightening, but it too remains fixed in place.
They are allowing the adventurers to leave.
By time the truly insane walk out of what should be their very disgusting graves, Carver is gone. A bit of sickness, a bit of shame at her courage breaking, she surrenders her part of the rewards with her lack of presence.
Zofija beats a quick exit through the caverns, keeping an eye on the two tunnels they did not pass through. Once they were outside, she spends a moment pulling grubs out of her boots and armor before she hops on top of the Griffon who was waiting patiently nearby. "Lets go before they change their mind." She grunts.
The going through the narrow tunnels is slow. Porter is is too big for the confines and just wants to lie down and sleep. Once the main room of the hive is abandoned, however, Barclaiigh shifts back into his natural Khazadi form and steers the bear. The dwarf walks backwards in front of his companion, stripping away the damaged barding as they go in the hopes of offering some relief.
Outside the cave, Barclaiigh takes the moment to cast another spell. Juicy currants sprout along the dead vines of a scraggly tree and he offers a few to Porter after watering the bear. Others are passed around to those in the worst shape.
The druid sends the others on ahead once they're a safe distance from the cave. Porter needs more water and rest. The pair can take some time alone in the wilderness to get sorted out.
The Knightmare nods, maintaining her vigil, matching the Queen silence for silence, implied threat for implied threat. Much like the hive warrior, she can stand still, ready and enigmatic until needed.
Much like the hive warrior, she was created for a purpose and fulfills it with singular focus.
She is the last to leave, covering the retreat.
OOC
MAP
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m2me530uexo
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
18 Andelena 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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16 Zofija 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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11 Barclaiigh 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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10 Bugaloo
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5 Carver 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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==============================================================================
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
18 Andelena 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 Zofija 1
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10 Bugaloo 1
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9 Barclaiigh 1
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7 Swarms
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5 Carver 1
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>> 2 Knightmare 1 <<
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Andelena |HUMAN |Clr | 25 | 25 |19/18/12 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
|Barclaiigh|MOUNTAIN_D|Dru | 39 | 39 |18/16/12 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
|Carver |HUMAN |Rgr | 17 | 17 |17/13/14 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
|Knightmare|WAR_GOLEM |Brg/Cav | 37 | 37 |22/21/11 | 18 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
|Zofija |HOBGOBLIN |Cav | 21 | 21 |16/14/12 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Barclaiigh|MOUNTAIN_D|Dru | 15 | 39 |18/16/12 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
|Carver |HUMAN |Rgr | 11 | 17 |17/13/14 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
|Zofija |HOBGOBLIN |Cav | 13 | 21 |16/14/12 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Andelena......| 19 | 25 |
| Barclaiigh....| 15 | 39 |
| (C) Porter....| 37 | 37 |
| Carver........| 11 | 17 |
| Knightmare....| 31 | 37 |
| (C) Cysgodawyr| 13 | 13 |
| Zofija........| 13 | 21 |
| (C) Screech...| 22 | 22 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Andelena......| 19 | 25 |
| Barclaiigh....| 5 | 39 |
| (C) Porter....| 37 | 37 |
| Carver........| 0 | 17 |
| Knightmare....| 26 | 37 |
| (C) Cysgodawyr| 13 | 13 |
| Zofija........| 13 | 21 |
| (C) Screech...| 22 | 22 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<OOC> Knightmare says, "three bottles of hot sauce plz"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So Bar gave everyone else a fire. Use mine first, plx. :D"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "OH! It's a Knightmare!"
<OOC> Knightmare waves
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Squeezing into gnome huts. Squeezing into caves. Is there nothing Knightmare can't squeeze into?"
<OOC> Knightmare says, "There's a negligee she's been pining for"
<OOC> Zofija squint
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "I know that feeling, I'm still trying to fit into my RHPS girdle."
<OOC> Knightmare wagwag
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "waiting on KM's pose in"
<OOC> Knightmare says, "working on it"
Stealth?
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it moves and hides when it's out of Line of Sight"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So, an action economy question, Cryo. Using a skill (stealth in this scenario) usually takes a standard action. Does this monster have something that allows him to do it for free?"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Like bow rogues have to alternate between hiding and shooting their bow to get sneak attack."
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "(though there's nothing stopping it from moving out of LoS, obviously)."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "are you sure? It says it's normally a 'none' action"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "and that it can be used as part of a move, but with a penalty, and also after sniping, if starting from stealth"
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Alright."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "anyhow it might not be able to hide the round, that's correct, but it is also out of line of sight"
The Ripley Award
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I'm still amused that the closest thing you have to a power loader, being a horse shaped war golem, gets the perfect intimidate. KM earns the Ripley award."