Gronk cocks his weapon arm and waits for the transparent cube to ooze to within range. When it does, he strikes at it with Spike, once, then twice.

Gronk
AC 16; HP 60
Launching two melee attacks v GC

-

Spike gouges two chunks out of the gelatinous cube's slab-like front face (Gelatinous Cube -21HP). A globular appendage partially extrudes from the creature's cuboid body, whipping out to slap the half-orc on his weapon arm. Gronk shouts in pain as the attack's acid residue eats into his exposed flesh (Gronk -10HP). The cube oozes closer. Gronk tries to avoid it but he's not fast enough. The half-orc is engulfed by the glutinous, transparent body of the creature (Gronk -10HP; Gronk is Grappled!). He's plainly visible for all to see, struggling madly to escape the corrosive embrace of the oncoming cube.

As Gronk launched his attacks against the gelatinous cube, Nic is right beside him. The rogue plunges his rapier deep into the soft mass of the monster, then swirls the tip to enlarge the wound cavity (Gelatinous Cube -14HP). He tries to withdraw the blade but it doesn't slide out as smoothly as he'd anticipated. Instead, the glutinous body of the creature gloms onto his sword hand and pulls him in, quickly engulfing the struggling human (Nic -10HP; Nic is Grappled!).

At the other end of the party line, Jenna strides forward towards the giant croc, Ulfgar-polar bear loping along at her side, more of his snow white fur splattered brown with each splashing paw-fall. The priestess attempts to place Arma's Blessing on the massive reptile's head. The first blow glances off the beast's sewage-slicked scales, but the second lands squarely on its shoulder, splitting open its leathery hide (Crit! Giant Croc -13HP). The croc lashes out at the human with its tail but Jenna manages to avoid the worst of the killing blow.

Her ursine companion, meanwhile, attacks the giant lizard with teeth and claws. Ulfgar-bear sinks his teeth into the back of the croc's neck and rakes its leathery skin with his claws (Giant Croc -16HP). The powerful beast jerks away and comes at the bear with its jaws gaping. They clamp down hard on Ulfgar-bear's shoulder and hold fast (Ulfgar-bear -21HP; Ulfgar-bear is Grappled!).

Corros hangs back, letting his two sturdier companions shield him from the croc's pointy end. He repeats the incantation to call forth two more Eldritch Bolts and sends them flying at the pale form of the albino crocodile. Unfortunately, the warlock's aim is thrown off by the two companions interposed between him and the target. His two Eldritch Bolts miss the giant croc, one hitting the ceiling of the sewer tunnel above the melee in a shower of sparks and the other strobing down the tunnel where it sputters out harmlessly in the darkness.

Despite having Ulfgar-bear clamped firmly between its jaws, the giant albino crocodile's strength and vitality seems to be ebbing quickly.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:45, Fri 17 June 2016.

A great roar filled the sewer, unnatural in that no polar bear had ever inhabited a city drainage system before.  Ulfgar followed his rage-roar by lashing out at the giant crocodile, striking at it with claws and his bite, intent on freeing himself from the huge creature.

Ulfgar Frostbear
Armor Class 12 (natural armor),  Hit Points 21/42 (5d10 + 15),  Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.
Multiattack. The bear makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

The after effects of Corros' spell casting an eerie glow on the battle unfolding before her, Jenna watches as Ulfgar finishes off the reptile, its tail causing a shower of water to spray over her as it goes into its death throes, soaking her hair.

Wet strands of blonde clinging to her face, the Priestess turns to see what is happening in front of them, sees some sort of gelatinous cube approaching, Nicolai and Gronk seemingly caught up in its midst. "Watch out in front!" she calls to the others before she raises her right hand, feels Arma's power ripple through her as she launches a bolt of divine radiance towards the cube.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP44/44
Launching Guiding Bolt at cube (Level 2)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Sat 18 June 2016.

Corros is considering his spell options when Ulfgar-Bear goes into full on blitz mode on the crocodile, turning it into a source of airborne meat chunks at the same time that he fills the space with a massive roar.  Is this how sewer legends are born? he wonders.  Will there be tales of a bear that lives under the city in the years to come?

Jenna's cry alerts him to the threat to the front, and Corros whirls in place.  It takes his eyes a few moments to adjust to what they are seeing: floating rats entombed with garbage and debris and a gel that seems to be grasping Gronk and Nic, trying to pull them into its grasp.  Slashing or poking the thing seems to be useless, so Corros asks the next best question he can.  What will happen if I try to blow it apart?

Measuring the distance isn't easy, but Corros projects the focus of his spell to a point in the tunnel past his companions, trying to keep them safe from the shockwave that is about to rock the sewers.  And hopefully blow apart the jello mold oozing at them.


Corros
40/40 HP, AC 13
Casting Shatter, 3rd Level Spell slot, 4d8 damage

Gronk can't breath. He can barely move. He fights down the panic, draws strength from the primal rage of his orcish ancestry, and attempts to burst forth from the gelatinous cube's suffocating hold.

Yesterday: Raellus, on behalf of Gronk, rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  str check to escape gc.

Struggling mightily, Gronk tears himself loose from the sucking body of the cube and stumbles to his knees in the cold sewage at its transparent base. Nic is struggling too, Gronk can see, but with much less success. The cube is eating his friend alive. Heedless of his own safety, the half-orc plunges his bulging arm into the glutinous body of the cube and attempts to pull his friend free.

Gronk
AC 16; HP 44/65
Action surge to take bonus action to free Nic from Gelatinous Cube

-
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Sat 18 June 2016.

Ulfgar's right bear arm is pinned to his body by the vice-like grip of the giant croc's jaws. Using his clawed left paw to gain purchase in the croc's scaly hide, Ulfgar-bear cranes his neck around and attempts to sink his teeth into the massive reptile's throat. Ulfgar-bear's top teeth penetrate the croc's softer underside- gnashing and twisting to increase the damage done, he feels a lukewarm spray of blood from a severed artery soaking his muzzle. Mortally wounded, the croc releases the bear and thrashes about weakly in the soupy effluent, quickly losing strength. In a few more seconds, the beast is dead (Giant Crocodile -13HP; Giant Croc is dead!)

With the threat to the party's rear eliminated, Jenna and Corros turn their attention forward. What they see is alarming, to say the least. Both casters act fast. With a violet flash, Jenna's Guiding Bolt sizzles into the transparent body of the gelatinous cube; the creature jerks and quivers in response, clearly hurt by the blast of magical energy (Gelatinous Cube -19HP). Corros follows up with a very well-placed Shatter spell- it detonates behind the transparent cube, sending a violent shock-wave, back to front, resounding through its gelatinous body (Gelatinous Cube -21HP).

With the gelatinous cube reeling from back-to-back spell attacks, Gronk manages to grab a hold of the still-enveloped Nicolai. Bare skin burning from the creature's acidic nature, Gronk pulls his friend free (Gronk -10HP). Still holding on to Nic, Gronk staggers away from the slowly advancing cube shouting, "Hit it again but don't get too close!"


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:15, Sun 19 June 2016.

Not needing to be told twice, Corros readies his second Shatter spell.  Once again, picking the right spot to center the erupting magic proves critical.  Too close and his friends will be at risk.  Too far and the creature could devour them, leaving them just as dead.  The balance is delicate, but Corros feels confident, can almost see the focal point taking shape in his mind.  With a series of complicated gestures and mouthful of tongue twisting words, the warlock unleashes what the Library has taught him, again.

Corros
40/40 HP, AC 13
Casting Shatter, 3rd level slot, 4d8 damage, save for half

"Nicolai, Gronk, keep away from it." Jenna yells, her hair starting to flicker and dance despite the fact that it is soaked in whatever she is wading through, errant tendrils of blonde standing on edge as she calls on Arma's divine grace, her eyes milky white, not the black that they have been when she or Corros have been in mortal danger.

The Priestess can feel the Goddess' power coursing through her, flowing through every fibre of her body to coalesce around the fingers of her right hand, already pointed towards the cube, a sharp breath, her chest rising and falling within the grey armour that she wears as she unleashes that energy towards the advancing cube, sensing that there is more power in this one as she bolt leaves her fingers. As it streaks towards the cube Jenna takes several steps backwards, trying to keep a distance between herself and the approaching mass.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP44/44
Launching Guiding Bolt at cube (Level  3)

Ulfgar wasn't keen on attacking some kind of acid ooze in his bear form.  He transformed back to his normal dwarven-self and considered his options.  He decided pelting it with fire and keeping his distance was the best plan at this point.

"Yeah, what Jenna said!" he added as the small fire appeared in his right palm.

Ulfgar Frostbeard
AC: 15 HP: 66/66
Casting Produce Flame.  +7 spell attack modifier, tossing it at the ooze (2d8 damage if it hits)
Moving 15' away from the cube after throwing fire
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Sun 19 June 2016.

Gronk tries to get Nic and himself a safe distance from the advancing cube, and out of the way of the spell casters. As he does so, he summons his inner reserves of fortitude, attempting to shake off the cumulative corrosive effects of the creature's acidic essence.

Raellus, on behalf of Gronk, rolled 5 using 1d10+4.  second wind HP recovery.

Gronk
AC 16; 39/65 HP
Second Wind & pulling Nic out of range of the advancing monster

-

As Gronk drags Nic out of reach of the gelatinous cube's grasping tendrils, Corros, Jenna, and Ulfgar launch a barrage of ranged spell attack at the slow-moving monster.

Corros' second Shatter spell doesn't seem to have the same effect on the cube as his first, but the creature slows further, clearly damaged by the attack (Gelatinous Cube -10HP).

A bolt of radiant energy leaves Jenna's outstretched hand and penetrates the cube's transparent body. An eye-blink moment after the resultant flash, the monster loses all viscosity and cohesion. Like a curtain of clear water, it crashes down to mix with the brown sewage (Gelatinous Cube -16HP; Gelatinous Cube is dead!).

Deprived of a target, Ulgar's mote of flame dances down the tunnel, briefly illuminating the entrance to the side channel where the party found the secret door. The tiny fireball winks out once again plunging the tunnel into darkness.

The violent din of battle is over, leaving only the sound of sloshing water and heaving breaths. Hints of the pale of mass of the dead albino crocodile appear and disappear above the murky surface of the knee-high effluent behind the party. A solitary boot bobs in the filthy water up ahead. What with the predators and scavengers that the Five have so far encountered in the city sewers, it occurs to the adventurers that they are highly unlikely to find any significant human remains underground. There's still one lead, however tenuous, still to follow- the mini-beholder in the hallway behind the secret door not too far from where they currently stand.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Wed 22 June 2016.

The Five decide that they're not in the best shape to face whatever waits behind the secret door, so they retreat above ground. Climbing out of the sewer hole, dripping with filth, they draw a small crowd of curious onlookers which, as the last of the party emerges from the underground, grows to include a patrol of four Redcloaks.

"Hey! What's this all about?", the Redcloak in charge shouts.

Corros, experienced in the ways of urban evasion, leads the party in a hasty withdrawal. Impeded by the growing crowd, the mercenaries are unable to keep up. It's not lost on the Five that as soon as the street gang's campaign of harassment against the Bloodforged begins, it's going to be even more difficult to move about the city unimpeded.

Back at Balint House, the Five get cleaned up (Lenore: "Again with this stinking filth? What is wrong with you people?") and settle down to recover from their latest close-run fight (Short Rest completed).

After catching their second wind, the Five head back to the Harbor Ward. They make a quick stop at Strongarm's Smithy to pick up Gronk's new scale mail before reentering the sewers.

Back underground, the Five retrace their steps to the site of the recent battle. The body of the albino crocodile has drifted off or been completely consumed by other subterranean scavengers (a scary thought, but unlikely). From there, it's not far- a left turn and half-a-block's soggy walk- to the tunnel containing the secret door. The Wand of Secrets once again reveals the shimmering outline of the hidden entrance, more or less where the party expected to find it. A muddy humanoid (but not human) handprint marks the location of the brick that operates the door's opening mechanism. A couple of course, stringy hairs are imbedded in the dried muck of the print. Nic carefully presses against the brick; it recedes under the pressure, there's a click and the door slides back and to one side.

The Five climb the short flight of stairs into the dimly-lit hall. It looks the same, except for two suits of exotic plate armor standing still at the far end, facing one another across the hall. The armor appears to be fashioned out of bronze, decorative more than functional, of an ornate style often associated with the Sunrise Kingdoms. The adventurers note the scrape and click of the secret door closing behind them.

As the adventurers cautiously advance down the hallway, the floating, eye-stalked orb floats into view from around a far corner.

Spectator: "Again? I thought I told you lot to fuck off. I'm afraid I can't let you off that easy this time. Have at 'em boys."

The two suits of armor, seemingly still empty, rattle to life, turning slowly to face the Five. Jerkily at first, they begin to plod their way towards the adventurers. At the same time, two of the spectator's four eye stalks start to glow.

"Don't say I didn't warn ya."


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:52, Tue 21 June 2016.

Jenna shakes her head slowly from side to side when the four eyed orb speaks. "Your warning is duly noted. And ignored. You will simply join the list of those we have slain." The blonde haired Priestess' voice is low, her tone matter of fact as she moves to the center of the hallway, where she can form a line of defence should Corros be attacked, takes a deep breath as she raises her arms out from her sides, her lips moving in silent prayer, causing the air around her to shimmer, forms beginning to take shape almost immediately, spectral images, their faces indistinct as they swirl around the Priestess in a perpetually moving circle as she advances to face the advancing suits of armour, almost as though they are protecting her.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP44/44
Casting Spirit Guardians (Level 3), designating the rest of the Five to be unaffected

"Right, let's get this done then."

If Jenna's advancing into melee, Gronk is too. Gronk moves down the left side of the hallway, swinging Spike low in an effort to trip the animated armor directly in front of him.

Gronk
AC 18; HP 65/65 (3 hit dice spent during short rest)
Move to contact; Trip attack v. AA1 (i.e. one on the left), second attack to follow

-
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Tue 21 June 2016.

"You sure gotta lot of eyes," Ulfgar said before casting a spell.  Suddenly the area behind the advancing armor suits was shrouded in heavy fog.

Ulfgar Frostbear
AC: 15, HP:66/66
Casting Fog Cloud - Positioned so the edge of the cloud is just behind the armor's heel.  I want the creature to have to come out of the cloud toward Jenna, if it wants to use it's eye stalks.  Ideally it would have to come out within her 15' radius.

Or it can sit there in the cloud while we deal with it's armor friends.  Or run away, though I'm guessing it can't really do that per say given it's purpose.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:49, Tue 21 June 2016.

"It's a long list.  You wanna reconsider?"  The question is rhetorical, in the main.  Nicolai still doesn't know exactly what the eyestalk-laden thing is but he's dealt with other summoned guardians before and knows their single-mindedness.  Still, he's found that repartee can interrupt the footwork of most sapient opponents.  He ignores the nagging inconsistency of trying to disrupt the footwork of a creature that lacks feet and moves in on Jenna's shoulder, setting his shield against the advancing empty armor.  The tip of his blade bobs in the air as he focuses on a crumbled leather strap that looks like it's tired of bearing weight.

Nicolai
AC 17; HP 32/45; superiority dice 4/4
Move: Into proximity with Jenna
Action: Readying +1 rapier attack against AA2 once it comes in range and Jenna gives me sneak attack effects (attack +7, damage 1d8+2d6+4)
Contingency/Reaction: If attacked and missed, will expend last superiority die for Riposte

The many-eyed orb disappears in an rapidly expanding cloud of opaque fog- Ulfgar's timely handiwork. It stands to reason that if the monster can't see the Five, it likely can't effectively attack them either.

"Clever fuckers!" the effectively blinded spectator shouts through the wall of fog.

Circled by floating, blue-glowing, vaguely humanoid figures, Jenna advances towards the lumbering animated suits of armor. As the priestess' spirit guardians pass through the armor, the suits flare brightly with radiant energy (Animated Armor #1 -18HP, AA2 -13HP). Clearly agitated by the contact, both of the suits flail briefly at the passing ephemeral forms before resuming their single-minded advance.

Gronk strides up alongside Jenna, passing her as he targets the suit on the left. Spike sweeps in low, catching the side of the creature's left knee plate. The attacked leg buckles inward and the suit pitches over, falling hard on its left side (AA1 -10HP). Gronk quickly raises his morning star and brings it down hard on the helmet of his fallen enemy. Decapitated, the armor comes apart, as whatever force that was animating it is extinguished (AA1 -14HP; AA1 is dead!)

Nic slips by Jenna on her right side, thrusting his rapier at a perceived weak spot in the right-hand armor's binding. Touch of Sylk severs one of its many leather straps, loosening the armor's right arm plates (AA2 -16HP). It swings the arm anyway, attempting to bludgeon the lightly-armored rogue with its heavy bronze gauntlet. Nic easily dodges the clumsy blow, then slices through another load-bearing strap on the suit's opposite side. The animated armor staggers, then comes apart completely, its various pieces clattering noisily to the floor at Nic's feet (AA2 -14HP; AA2 is dead!)

At the back of the party, Corros hears the click and scrape of the secret door opening. He turns around to face the new entrant. A hairy, humanoid creature- not a classic werewolf per se, but something roughly analogous in appearance, takes all of the steps in one loping stride and advances rapidly towards Corros with obvious bad intentions.


Your Turn. Corros goes first.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Wed 22 June 2016.

The sight of his companions dealing with their adversaries with extreme prejudice gives Corros a welcome sense of security.  Even with the floating eyeball inconvenienced rather than removed from the battle, he's feeling good about their chances.  Instead of lashing out with an attack (and all the witty comments having been taken), he holds back, ready to counter a magical attack should one come.  Well that and watching Jenna kick some ass.  It's kinda hot.

Thankfully he's not too engrossed in his semi-inappropriate thoughts to be caught unaware when the Five find themselves in the midst of another tunnel squeeze.  The warlock turns in time to see the wolf/man/thing loping towards him with malice in its eye.  "Trouble behind us!" he yells to the others before weaving a magical net out of runes and mana to stall the creature's advance.

Corros
40/40 HP, AC 13
Casting Hold Person (3rd level slot) on the advancing creature

Nicolai, always a firm believer in keeping an open escape route, is turning almost before Corros finishes shouting his warning.  "On it," he advises Jenna as he slides out of formation with her.  A few quick steps bring him past Corros, sword questing for the new opponent's eyes.

Nicolai
AC 17; HP 32/45; superiority dice 3/4
Move: Into melee with the furball
Contingency/Bonus: If hold person fails, spending 1 superiority die for Feint
Attack: +1 rapier against furball (+7+advantage attack; 1d8+2d6+4 damage [+1d8 if feinting])
Contingency/Reaction: If attacked and missed, will expend 1 superiority die for Riposte

Ulfgar maintained concentration on the fog cloud, as he transformed into a giant spider.  He crawled up the wall, standing now above the melee combatants.  He shifted slightly to hide in the shadows.

Ulfgar-Spider
AC: 14, HP: 26/26, +7 to Stealth
Ready Action: Shooting Web @ Eye Creature if it comes out of the fog (hoping for advantage if it doesn't detect me).

Web (Recharge 5-6) Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target can make a DC 12 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).
Concentration Spell in Effect: Fog Cloud

With the many eyed orb obscured by Ulfgar's fog Jenna heeds Corros and Nicolai's warnings and turns to face the new threat behind them, her spiritual companions continuing to swirl around her, flitting in and out of this plane. Several times they seem to pass right through her, causing her flesh to tingle and the small hairs at the back of her neck to stand on end.

Given the speed that the thing is moving at Jenna  scarcely has time to register its presence before she is stepping up to face it, her ghostly guardians with her as she raises her hammer, swings it towards the beast, calling on the Warrior to guide her attack as she does so.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP44/44
Attacking wolf thing with warhammer (1d8 +3)
Using War Priest for bonus attack

Gronk would love to get in on the developing action behind him, but he's got enough tactical sense not to leave the front line unattended. He takes up a versatile ready position facing the fog and semi-patiently awaits further developments.

Gronk
AC 18; HP 65/65
Ready action

-

The hairy, almost ape-like creature wades right through Corros' magical net and lashes out at the warlock with a long-fingered, long-clawed hand. As the dagger-like nails tear through Corros' cloak and into the flesh underneath, the young warlock rebukes the creature; the hairy beast releases a guttural scream as it erupts in a brief pillar of scorching hellfire (Corros -6HP; Q -20HP).

Using his quickness to rapidly shift position from the front of the formation to the rear, Nic slides up beside his beleaguered warlock friend. The rogue's first maneuver is a feint; the monster reacts defensively to the false attack, giving Nic a better opening. Touch of Sylk darts in under the monster's outstretched right arm, sinking deep into its hairy side (Q -17HP). The creature lashes out with its left hand, raking Nic's hand with talon-like fingernails (Nic -6HP).

Jenna too shifts away from the fog wall to attack the monster besetting Corros. With Nic on her lover's left, she takes up position on his right. Her Spirit Guardians beat her to the new enemy. As the first of the transparent blue entities passes through the beast, it howls in agony, its entire body contorting violently. As the priestess steps forward to deliver the coup-de-gras with her sanctified warhammer, the monster collapses to the floor, already dead (Q -13HP; Q is dead!).

With Ulfgar now in spider form and poised on the ceiling, Gronk finds himself alone holding the front of the line, a few feet short of the thick fog wall.

The spectator's gravelly voice filters through the cloud.

"You people must think I'm stupid. I ain't floatin' through this soupy shit. You want some of this, come and get it!"


Your Turn.

-

We give 'em what they want...

Ulfgar spider slowly advances into the fog, feeling out the route carefully.  He was now hunting the eye creature.  His palps quivered with the anticipation at the thought of injecting the creature with poison.

Ulfgar-Spider
AC: 14, HP: 26/26, +7 to Stealth, Blindsight 10'
Moving 10'-20' forward (but not leaving the fog).  Looking for the mini-Beholder.  If I finds it, I webs it and I bites it!  Web in the surprise round, bite in the follow-on round.  Both with advantage if the creature is in the cloud.

Web (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 30/60 ft., one creature. Hit: The target is restrained by webbing. As an action, the restrained target can make a DC 12 Strength check, bursting the webbing on a success. The webbing can also be attacked and destroyed (AC 10; hp 5; vulnerability to fire damage; immunity to bludgeoning, poison, and psychic damage).

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.

Concentration spell in effect: fog cloud.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Thu 23 June 2016.