Sesla stepped back.

"Magic moss?" Sesla said in disgust. She looked back to the fouled water. "By the gods, have we all been infected?"

Cain nods. "The first group to enter the caves was a party of halflings. Looks like we found what happened to them. Maybe. Anyway, it's not the speed of growth of this moss that I find worrying, but the fact that it's growing from their flesh. Oh, and in a dark cave as well. I am no expert in botany by any means, but I am pretty sure both of these are somewhat unusual traits for a plant. So let's just stay the hell away from it."

Should we proceed down this passage, or try to climb in the other tunnel? I'd prefer we explore the other tunnel first, in case there's another passage that does not take us by flesh eating moss. And with Aid Another even those of us with -2 to skill should be able to Take 10 to make this climb.

Brokam's explanation, Sesla's vexation, and Cain's observation were each addressed by the android with a single grunt. Their more destructive predisposition suggested they burn the strange growth, but unknowing of how the fumes and water would react made Ix reconsider the action. Staying away was the wiser choice.

"Perhaps we will check ot'er tunnel first," he mumbles, shambling slowly over to the ledge. It shouldn't have been too hard to get up for him and Cain and Se-

Ix looks back at the stargazer, then to the alchemist before emitting a needlessly long sigh.

He slides his shield onto his back before standing tall with bent knees, his masked face pointed at his...softer companions.

Agreed, Cain.
If anyone approaches the ledge to climb, Ix will not say anything and will attempt to manhandle you up. It's his way of "helping" XD.

Brokam nodded with the other’s assessment, and shrugged at Sesla’s question. “It’s possible that we’ve breathed something in that we shouldn’t have, yes. There’s nothing I can do about it here, sadly, we’ll need to seek treatment when we get back.” He said, caught between wanting to calm her and understanding that lying would do nothing to help anyone. He made his way to the ledge and waved Ix aside before hefting his pack to the top of the ledge, pulling himself up behind it. As he waited for the others, he pulled one of his torches from his pack and began working to light it, suspecting that bioluminescent beetle innards weren’t going to cut it down the line.

Ooc: okay, now that we’re actually headed in this direction, I’d like to remove my pack and toss it up the ledge, then pull myself up behind it with a take ten.

Brokam makes the climb onto the ledge without much trouble while Ix plants himself at the base to help lift the others up. (He's strong enough to negate the need for a check.) Once atop the ledge, the alchemist retrieves a torch from his water-poof sack and quickly lights it with a small flint and steel. Holding the flame aloft, he finds that a collection of stalagmites choke this low-ceilinged cavern, making it difficult to squeeze between them. Matching stalactites close in from the five-foot-high ceiling, giving the impression of a maw of needlelike teeth bearing down on one another. A dead half-orc sprawls on the ground near this cave’s eastern entrance.
Note: You will need to stoop and squeeze to pass through this area.
Group 0 Map Updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:55, Thu 12 Aug 2021.

Cain clambers up on the ledge as well. "Eesh, this place really is a death trap. We have not moved 10 yards from the entrance and already we keep tripping over dead bodies." He moves closer to examine the body to see if he recognizes who it was, and how they died.

Plus to see if there's anything of value to loot.

Selsa hops up onto the ledge while thanking Ix for his assistance.

"This place is telling us that it is dangerous and that we had best tread curiously else we will end up like those who have come before. No heroics, if we need to cut and run we do just that, and come back later more prepared. I wanna be the first to break this curse and actually return from these damnable caves."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Fri 13 Aug 2021.

Cain squeezes through the stalagmite forest to approach the corpse.[Private to Cain: Cain immediately recognizes the fallen half-orc as Parda Garr, a popular brawler in Torch who almost everyone considers a friend. She recently fell in with the local gang, the Ropefists, and she and a few others of the gang made up the second expedition. Examining the body, Cain finds multiple stab wounds from a short-bladed weapon and no gear or valuables beyond her clothing.]

Brokam followed behind Cain, keeping the torch as high as he could to spread the light around. While Cain busied himself with the body’s belongings, Brokam inspected this corpse as well, this time hoping to identify a cause of death. “I doubt it was animals that killed all these men, no beast would waste good meat like this,” He mused aloud as he conducted his inspection.

Making another check to work out how this guy died, with a result of 24.

After examining the body Cain agrees Brokam. "No, animals did not do this. I recognize the body, that was the brawler Panda Garr from the second expedition. She was stabbed to death with a dagger or something similar. We better proceed with caution. Somebody does not want us here."

Cain drags the body out of the narrow passage and to the side. He plans on carefully and stealthy making his way to the other side. To have a hope of remaining unnoticed, he will leave the glowing insect remains behind and instead trust in his keen eyes to navigate the passage.

Well, one of us has to be first, and I guess scouting is what a rogue is supposed to do. Unless someone has a different idea?

Brokam confirms Cain's findings, easily spotting the multiple stab wounds inflicted by a short-bladed weapon on the woman's corpse. It also seems that any gear or valuables, if the brawler brought any, have been stripped and little more than her clothes and boots remain. After moving the body aside and leaving his beetle corpse behind, Cain carefully approaches the narrow opening to have a look with the light of Brokam's torch behind him. This passage ends another narrow passage twists to his right, but to his left the cave opens up into a dark cavern, its twenty-foot-high ceiling thick with stalactites. A rocky shore overlooks a placid pool and stream, fed by a trickle of water leaking from a narrow fissure to the north. A small garden of toadstools and dark mold grows along the banks, and resting atop this bed of fungus--as of yet unaware of the approaching torchlight--is a small, frog-like, vaguely humanoid creature with webbed and clawed hands and feet. On its flank is a branded symbol, unfamiliar to Cain, and tied to its large head are the tattered remains of a leather hood.
Group 0 Map Updated.

Once Ix half-helped half-chucked his companions up onto the ledge, he followed up himself with his shield on his arm. The stalagmite forest was certainly an uncomfortable feeling, so the android stayed back for now. The feeling of limited mobility was discomforting, and he set his unseen jaw against the mysteries of this coffin of a cave.

"No beast would waste good meat like this."

Perhaps the meat was the problem, Ix thought.

He waited just behind Brokam, looking around this stalactite forest with wary eyes.

Rolled a fat one on perception in this spikey room. Imagine Ix doesn't see froggy yet.

Brokam followed behind Cain at a distance of ten or so feet behind the man, near enough to provide some small light by which to see, but hopefully far enough not to give away where he might be to any creatures further along. He stopped when he spied the garden, and the frog-man within. He paused, taking in the features as best he could make out, wracking his brains, trying to think of what it might be.

Rolling knowledge(Nature) to try and identify the creature, assuming I can see it well enough from where I am, with a result of 24.

Cain waves to those behind to follow him through the passage before he tiptoes across the new tunnel to make room for others. There he hides in the shadows as he waits for the party to join him. Hopefully someone in the party will know what they are up against here.

Sneaking 10' to the right to hide in the new passage going south. DM can roll stealth for Cain if needed.

As Cain leaves cover and Brokam advances, spilling torchlight directly into the creature's chamber, the grotesque frog-like beast spins around at the disturbance and screeches at the pair, revealing a row of sharp teeth and long, slithering tongue. The only thing that comes to Brokam's mind at the sight is that there is nothing natural about this creature. (No one has ranks in Knowledge: Arcana, so no one can identify this Magical Beast.) Quickly, before anyone can react to the beast's apparent warning cry, it bolts from its spot on the shore and after the encroaching pair. As it closes in, the beast's eyes suddenly emit bright, blinding light which floods through the entire cavern and makes Brokam's torch seem like little more than a candle under the bright sun. Overwhelmed by the flooding light, there is little Brokam can do to protect himself from the lunging beast and soon he feels the pain of several dagger-like teeth tearing through his leather armor.(-5 HP)
Group 0 Map Updated.
Everyone may now act.
Sesla is Staggered per her Curse.
Stalagmite forest(from ledge at west to dead beetle at east) is difficult terrain(half movement, no running or charging).
Everyone within or entering within 30' of the beast(this extends 5' past Ix) is subject to its blinding gaze. DC 13 Fortitude Save or be blinded for 1 hour. To avoid the gaze you may shield or close your eyes, acting as if blind and accepting 50% miss chance. You may also attempt to avert your eyes, giving you a 50% chance to avoid the gaze but giving the beast concealment from you(20% miss chance.)

17:59, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12,11,16,5,17 using d20+2,d20+6,d20+2,d20+3,d20+2 with rolls of 10,5,14,2,15.  Initiative Brokam, Cain, Ix, Sesla, Enemy.
18:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24,5 using d20+7,1d4+1 with rolls of 17,4.  Enemy Attack/Damage Charge v Brokam.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:31, Mon 16 Aug 2021.

Sesla moves forward drawing her crossbow before she notices the brilliant burning light.

"Gaah, what in the name of the gods...?"

Averting his gaze to avoid getting blinded Cain draws his sword and slashes ineffectually at it.

Going with a half measure of averting gaze, luckily it works. Please ignore my first roll, I mistakenly rolled d20 instead of d2 there.
13:55, Today: Cain rolled 1 using 1d2 with rolls of 1.  Averting gaze (1 - works; 2 - nope).

And attacking (I'm assuming that flanking is possible, if not, that's -2 to my roll):
13:56, Today: Cain rolled 8,2 using 1d20+6,1d8 with rolls of 2,2.  Flanking (Attack, Damage).
13:58, Today: Cain rolled 3 using 1d10 with rolls of 3.  Concealment (1 & 2 - miss).

Even with the penalty to AC from charging that's still likely a miss. Well, at least I'm not blind. Yet.


edit: It looks like I can't get behind it from my position. We need to bring as much hurt on this thing as we can. Does anyone have any ideas? Cain can 5' step south in the tunnel, but even then I'm unsure Brokam can move past the monster. Maybe he could 5' step back and someone can step forward in his place?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

Cain manages to avert his gaze from the beast's eyes just in time, but the effort results in him failing to strike the beast with the swing of his blade. Injured and overwhelmed, Brokam shields his eyes from the bright light and stumbles back down to the crop of stalagmite, feeling his way along the walls. (Withdraw Action) As the alchemist fleets, the android brute rushes in, heedless of the light. His vision is quickly awash in a flood of useless and distracting, flashing and moving colorful spots--but no more cave or enemy. (Ix is Blinded for 1 Hour) Despite being unable to see, he continues to face the monster and throws what would be a strong punch if only it had found its target. Startled by the sudden start of combat, Sesla remains back in the stalagmite tunnel but pulls out a crossbow. Emboldened by fleeing Brokam and the failed attacks by Cain and Ix, the little beast lashes out at the large android and although it fails to chomp down on false flesh with its teeth, the beasts's claws both make it past his shield and draw blood which looks real enough. (-4 HP, -4 HP)
Group 0 Map is updated.

18:09, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Ix Tlacoatl, rolled 19,6,40 using d20+5,1d6+4,d100 with rolls of 14,2,40.  Attack/Damage/Miss (Low is Bad).
18:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7,4,23,4,18,4 using d20+5,1d4+1,d20+5,1d3+1,d20+5,1d3+1 with rolls of 2,3,18,3,13,3.  Attacks/Damage Enemy vs Ix.

Ix's cry a fury and anguish seemed to be more vibrating than vocalized. The dark encompassed his sight, and he saw nothing more than an inky abyss. Yet the pain that swept across him ignited his sense of touch.

"Fiend."

That was all he said as he flailed with futility, hoping to end this miserable creature, and his own miserable state.

11:55, Today: Ix Tlacoatl rolled 14,7,7 using d20+5,d6+4,d100 with rolls of 9,3,7.  Hit/Damage/Concealment Roll (Low is bad).

Not looking good, kids.

5ft. Step away from the Battle Toad.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

"Oh, to hell with this! Ix, back away, I'll blast this thing!" Cain yells a warning as he shields his eyes. He takes a step away from the monster and grabs a handful of colored sand from his pouch, ready to cast his spell the moment Ix gets out of line of fire.

Completely shielding eyes against the glare. 5' step to the south, Color Spray to the north the moment Ix steps out of AoE. I've been saving this for a rainy day, but the sky looks pretty damn cloudy already. Hopefully it's not immune to this spell.

Ix, you really need to do a 5' step away from this thing. I do not know if Color Spray works on someone already blind, or if tunnel walls would provide cover from the spell or not. But let's not find that out the hard way. This is a nasty spell against a 1st level character.

Sesla bobs and weaves while trying to get a line of"Incoming." fire on the toad.

Sesla Lento rolled 11 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 8.  Fire and light-creature with crossbow.
Sesla Lento rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Crossbow damage.

After another blind, wild swing from Ix, both Ix and Cain step back as the roguish mage blindly flings out pinches of multicolored dust. Neither of the pair can see what follows, but both can hear the frog-like creature let out a croak of distress before the quick procession of a crossbow bolt clacking against the cave wall and a loud blast joined by a wave of heat. While neither knows for certain that Sesla's crossbow shot went wide and Brokam tossed a quickly made bomb to great effect(-11 HP!), Cain does see the bright light of the monster's eyes through his eyelids and neither hears or feels the beast's continued assault.
Group 0 Map Updated. Enemy is Blinded and Stunned ... but for how long?

12:28, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 8.  Save v Color Spray.
12:41, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 56 using 1d100 with rolls of 56.  Brokam Avert Gaze.
12:43, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Brokam, rolled 20,11,50 using d20+4,1d6+5,d100 with rolls of 16,6,50.  Bomb Attack/Damage/Miss.

"Let's finish it!" Cain shouts as he moves in to stab at the monster once again. This is not helped by him still shielding his eyes.

I'd like to finally get in a flanking position, but I'm pretty sure that's still a no go without an Acrobatics check. Since Cain would be doing that while shielding his eyes, it's probably hopeless. Still, it does not hurt to try since he can't make AoOs.

09:29, Today: Cain rolled 9 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 5.  Acrobatics (at -4).

Yeah, Cain is not going anywhere. So I'll just take another stab at him.

09:31, Today: Cain rolled 23,2 using 1d20+4,1d8 with rolls of 19,2.  Attack, Damage.
09:32, Today: Cain rolled 13 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 9.  Crit?
09:32, Today: Cain rolled 8 using 1d10 with rolls of 8.  Concealment (1-5 miss).

It's a hit, possibly a crit? But for miserable damage either way.

Ix was quiet.

Blind, bloodied, blundering, but quiet.

Eerily so, even.

Was he scared? Nervous? Upset?

The android stumbled back, and like everything in front of him his face remained unseen as one arm raised his shield, the other thrusting out behind him. He felt for those stalactites as he tried to move as far back as he could.

Move back 15 feet, or as far back as he can, favoring the left side (North) side of the cave wall.
As I'm trying to act out being blind, I'm not refreshing the map for dramatic effect :)

While Ix stumbles back to collect himself and Brokam shields his eyes from the beast's beacon-eyes and retrieves his mace to prepare to rush in to battle, Sesla takes aim with her crossbow and unleashes a bolt between the pair, striking the beast true and wedging the bolt into its backside. (-7 HP) Wasting no time, Cain presses his own attack, but awkwardly stutters his steps as he nears the beast and fails to find a way to slip around the creature as it reels from the crossbow bolt. In frustration he lashes out with his blade at the nearly helpless beast and manages to make a good slice across its throat, drawing spurts of blood through the small cut. (-5 HP) The creature falls as consciousness slips away from it, and soon the light pouring from its eyes begins to dim to a safe level as it clings to life. Although no longer blinding, the light provided illuminates his home cavern fairly well and reveals the mostly-eaten, slowly putrefying corpse of an unidentifiable man laying in the shallow, slow-flowing pool of spring water.
150 XP Each!
Group 0 Map Updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:07, Fri 27 Aug 2021.