Bodric looked upward as the walls of the cavern shook. "We better get deeper if we can," he said. "Or else outa here, but I don't see no maps layin' around nor any signposts..." He closed his eyes for a moment and focused inward on that innate ability of his race to find direction underground. "That-a-way's North," he said pointing. His glance rested one last time on the body of the rider. "Shouldn't we at least cover him up? You got any preachy words Missy?" The cavern trembled again. "Best be makin'em short though!"

Maksim came to the same conclusion about Agelia's eye sight, "Here, just a second." Maksim pulled an intact torch from his pack and quickly set it alight.

Feeling the ground rumble the gnome looked to his old friend, "Deeper?! That wouldn't be my first choice, but given what had chased us up there I'd have to agree! Lead on, Bodric, we're in your world now."

With a deep resonating rumbling sound the walls of the cavern shook again. Bodric was nodding his head now and helping Miss Redstart across the boulders and debris to the smoother floor of the southern passage. "Aye Maksim, be watchin' our backs as we be goin'."

Bodric felt badly for not having done something for the fallen rider, for if he'd not warned them of the coming of the aberrations, they likely would be, even now, digesting in the bellies of those horrible beasts. There was also a nagging feeling he was overlooking something as they left the cave-in area, but in his state he could not guess what it might be. With a typical dwarven grunt he trudged forward, belly leading the way.

The three worked their way down the south passage which quickly became narrower and very steep. It took both hands to steady themselves on the loose boulder floor. After a time they began to smell a rather unpleasant aroma, which Bodric quickly identified as bat guano, only it was somehow more pungent than he could recall. Finally, there was a slight breeze on their faces and they entered into a wider cavern, the ceiling of which was lost overhead in the gloom. The breeze seemed to be wafting downward into the cave from above.  The floor was covered in guano and would have been almost waist deep on the dwarf. They would have to go around the edges to skirt the tremendous pile. The stench was incredible!

You've just entered a wider cavern with a very tall ceiling that goes up into the darkness. There is an exit to your left, heading downward to the east and another leading straight ahead continuing southward. (See the map, X marks the party's location.)

Agelia could not reply, as much as groan and chirp awkwardly.  When water came into the equation, she began to sputter.  "Wraugh!  I'm... Nothing preachy.  Not unless you'd like to hear..." she coughed, "Something about mages and divinations being handy." She sniffed.  "The one funeral I officiated, they loved me.  'Bout as much as tight-lipped monk in a temple raid, at any rate."

Maksim gives a grunt of acknowledgment to Bodric as they start their way south keeping a look over his shoulder as they slid as much as climbed down the passage. At Angelia's explanation he tried to sooth, "Don't worry yourself about it, Little One. He is resting and I'm sure the others are somewhere else in these tunnels… Just got separated is all." People where never one of Maksim's strengths.

As the trio came to the bottom of the tunnel the wall of stench that hit the gnome's generous nose was nearly overwhelming. "OY!! My Gods what is that stench! Bodric, you've led us into Gilgamar's sewer? Theres a joke here I know it but I can't think of it through the stench! Lets get out of here."

Maksim's exclamation seemed to echo around the chamber and up, up, up into the darkness. After a moment it tapered off to nothing, but then there was a faint noise from far above sounding as of the flapping of large leathery wings. It did not take long for Maksim and Bodric to both see into the gloom, a large, entirely too large, bat-like thing flying down toward them! Suddenly there came not a sound, but a... pressure inside their heads. It became painful and moreso the longer it went as the creature descended from the darkness


OOC: Please make a Save vs. Deathray as the giant Bat has awoken and is using a radar blast to try to hinder your escape!

The flapping noise sent a chill up the dwarf's short spine. "A bat?" he muttered as his overly-large ears probed the darkness above... and then it started to come into view. It was tremendous!  Right then Bodric realized the reason for the horrible smell of the guano... more horrible than normal. It was likely because this creature of the darkness was a carnivore, a large carnivore that liked to munch on large-ish meats! The three of them probably qualified in that category...

"Run! This way!" Bodric yelled, pulling Agelia behind him and moving towards the east door on his stubby legs.

Bodric Battlebelly rolled 14 using 1d20+4 ((10)). Save vs Deathray, Target 12

Maksim figured out the sound of bat wings just as Bodric muttered it to himself. Unlike the dwarf though Maksim could not get the reverberation out of his head. The gnome looked about, not seeing his companions or much of anything for that matter.

---

OOC: 10:10, Today: Maksim Munzuk rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4. save vs deathray, 12.

When Bodric reached the passageway east, he risked a look over his shoulder, expecting to see Maksim right on his heels... but he was not! Bodric released Agelia and turned to see Maksim, seemingly transfixed by the descending monster! With a shout, Bodric drew his handaxe and threw it with all his might. "Get movin' ye runt! rrraaaawwwwWWWW!"

The axe sailed end over end through the air...

Bodric Battlebelly rolled 14,2 using d20+1,d6+1 ((13,1)).

The bat sensed the incoming missile and moved to dodge out of its way, but the flying axe managed to strike a glancing blow.
This message was last updated by the player at 00:44, Mon 23 Dec 2013.

The giant bat whipped its bulk to the side, trying to dodge Bodric's thrown hand axe. The confines where too tight and the weapon hit the soft membrane of its wing. The creature shrieked in pain and surprise, but had quickly regained control of itself and with a tremendous flapping of wings (which caused the stench within the cavern to multiply) it came around to attack Maksim.

The pain within Maksim's head seemed to suddenly decrease, although it did not entirely disappear. Thoughts began to swim again inside his head as if a dam were suddenly released, that had been holding back. He blinked his eyes, suddenly seeing the huge mammalian above him!

OOC:
Maksim you may attack if you choose, or attempt to flee to the safety of the easterly cave. If you attack, do so normally, if you try to get out of there, I'll need a Dex check. (1d20, roll under Dex+mod)
Agelia and Bodric, you may attack or use another action this turn. The Bat will attack next round.

Agelia felt so many things at once: Nausea, pain, terror, and other things that she hoped were not blood loss or nervous system damage.  'Oh, gods, my brain feels like grey and red paste...' was all she could think for a second or two.  With a yowl, she swung her mace at the bat, taking every defensive measure that she could not to end up even bloodied than she already was.

Of course, fighting a giant bat or a giant boar with paste for insides and what she could only guess was something perforated, was quite different from practicing aginst other acolytes.  Any legs that she could sweep at were quite high above ground or very firmly planted there, and trying to shove either off balance was out of the question.

21:44, Sun 22 Dec 2013: Agelia Redstart rolled 15,6 using 1d20,1d8 ((15,6)).

With the throbbing out of Maksim's head he finally caught sight of the giant bat hovering over him. He drew an arrow back and fired but in his haste the shot went wide.

---

OOC: 21:29, Today: Maksim Munzuk rolled 6,1 using 1d20+3,1d6 with rolls of 3,1. bow and arrow, bat.

The giant bat's wings swept in a wide arc as it tried to stop its downward momentum. It was not as agile as its much smaller normal-sized cousins. Agelia, despite her sore muscles and bleeding abrasions, was able to give an impressive smashing blow with her mace. Maksim heard her yowl and the continuing stream of insults from his dwarven friend. He tried to loose an arrow, but missed and heard it clatter against the stones in the darkness above.

The bat suddenly realized its prey was tougher than anticipated, however it was driven by a hunger much stronger and more powerful than its limited reason could control, so instead of winging its way back up into the darkness above, it swooped again at the noisy one... which happened to be Bodric, just arriving at Maksim's side to pull him toward the exit.

The bat's breath reeked of death and undeath as it's sharp fangs snapped at the dwarf.

The Usher rolled 19 using 1d20+2 ((17)). Bat attack vs Bodric
The Usher rolled 3 using 1d4+2 ((1)). Damage

Bodric found his boots bogged down by the deep guano on the floor of the cave as he tried to make his way to help his old friend. As the bat came closer, Bodric realized his dilemma and tried to turn his body defensively. He grunted in pain as the powerful jaws clamped down, driving the dagger-like fangs through his armor and into the flesh beneath. The creature's wings wrapped around the dwarf, pinning his arms to the sides as its jaws clamped tighter and tighter. He could feel the creature's mouth sucking at his blood through undershirt and armor. With a panicked roar, he shrugged out of the monster's clench and swung his battle-axe in an upward motion, hampered by the nearness of the bat's bulk and large wings.

Bodric Battlebelly rolled 14,7 using d20+1,d8+1 ((13,6)). Attack Bat, Damage.

Even in cramped quarters, Bodric's broad and sharp blade sliced true. The giant bat screamed in pain... the sound was almost humanoid, but not quite. It fell backward and wrapped its wings protectively around itself as foul, black blood dribbled in clumps from the wound Bodric opened. A strong stench, more foul than the waist-deep guano sprang up from the bloodied bat and the companions had to cover their faces to keep from vomiting.

Bodric slipped his battered backpack and fished around a little for his waterskin and a handkerchief. He doused the area of the creature's bite on his shoulder with the water and then wiped and dressed it as best as he was able with the not-so-clean cloth. Finally, muttering grumpily to himself, he approached Maksim the gnome. "Ye all right old friend? Let's be gettin' out o'this place before another'n comes!  I ain't an expert, but this here looks like a vampire bat! We gotta find a quiet and clean place to hole up and get some rest. I don't know if'n I be poisoned or not! Likely this place smells so bad 'cause that thing's been a'drinkin' blood from the critters it kills. C'mon Munzuk... keep up!" They turned to leave the chamber when suddenly Bodric stopped and turned back around.

Bodric Battlebelly rolled 12 using 1d20+4 ((8)). Save vs Vampire Bat Poison

"Me axe!" He exclaimed. He began to trudge his way around the outside of the cavern where the guano was more shallow until finally he found the weapon where it had clattered against the wall after striking the bat's wing. He wiped the filth off as best he could and then returned it to the leather loop on his belt. The dwarf then turned back toward the eastern branch.

Agelia let out a ragged breath, and exerted herself one last time before continuing on, to swing her mace at the bat's neck.  "And stay dead!"

The Usher nods: Clever girl...

The bones of the bat's short neck gave way with a dull crunch as Agelia delivered her final blow. It quivered a bit and then started to smoke! Its fur began to smolder and curl as if by heat. Bodric quickly started shoving the others toward the eastern exit.

"This be not good!" he shouted as they started stumbling and sliding down the steep narrow passageway. Just then there was a terrific 'Whooomph!' and the air from below blew past their faces as the gases from the guano in the chamber above them ignited from the decaying bat! The force knocked the three of them to the rocky floor and their ears popped from the sudden change in pressure.

Rather than get back to their feet, they slid further down the tunnel, working their jaws and trying to get their ears to regulate again. Finally they came to another small cavern opening, the floor of which was mostly flat. There they sat for a few minutes, trying to catch their breath and nursing their scrapes and bruises. Bodric's shoulder ached where he'd been bitten, but his only complaint was the ongoing mumbled mutterings that seemed to be the norm with him.

OOC: This cavern is beautifully illuminated by the combination of glowing fungi and thousands of quartz crystals growing in the walls. The effect is wonderful and unique and you all just sit for a moment and stare in wonder. Some of the crystals are very large and clear, others have impurities that show up in the faint light of the fungi. There are two openings besides the one you just slid down which goes steeply upward to the west.  The larger of the two continues downward to the east and another narrow opening, perhaps following a natural crack, heads approximately flat in elevation towards the south. I've updated the Group 2 map to your current location 'X'.

Bodric was the first to rise, his aching shoulder momentarily forgotten. He slowly made his way around the cavern, his dwarven appreciation for the beauty to be found underground showing through in his wide eyes and nodding head. He reached up and touched a particularly large crystal and then wiggled it free from its cousins. He held it aloft in his hand and it continued to glow with a greenish tinge, not as brightly, but seemingly under its own energy as he moved it away from the glowing fungi and moss.

"Don't that be a beauty?" he asked as he showed it to Maksim and Agelia. Then he went and found two more large ones for them, and several handfuls of smaller glowing crystals. "Somethin' musta gotten into them for 'em to glow on their own like that." He mused. He wrapped them all in a cloth sack and shoved them into his dirty backpack.

"Well I be thinkin' we're headed the right way. Gilgamar ain't far from the coast, in fact if ye coulda stood on them rocks we be hiding under up there, ye coulda seen it to the southeast. If we keep headin' downward we'll either run into water or a beach! This coastline be riddled with forgotten caves as every storm that comes be for buryin' or uncoverin' a cave somewheres. Another thing... When that bat exploded, the air be rushing past us, up the tunnel... that means there be a way for air to get in down here, and that's how we'll get out! I say we be findin' us a place to hole up. The two of ye can watch if I start to grow me fangs..." Bodric made a grimacing face, but it was obvious he was somewhat concerned about turning into a vampire, the aching of the wounds had returned.

"If you get as pale as I am, I'll be the first to let you know," Agelia said.  "Can't have competition.  Let's hope one of these caves you've mentioned is where some pirates forgot their treasure.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Not nearly as nice as a dragon's hoard, I'd imagine..." Agelia is trying, in her own way, to keep Bodric optimistic.  She looks at the crystal.

Agelia held the crystals in her hand and thrilled in the pale green glow. On a whim she grasped her amulet and murmured a prayer of insight. She felt the warm rush of holy magic within as she reached out to the stones, attempting to identify any magic they may contain.

She was intrigued by the outcome.

They were not magical in the sense of being enchanted. but rather held a deeper, much older, even ancient type of power. She had heard of such things in her studies, but had never touched something like this. Her hand tingled slightly and the crystal pulsed once dully.

Bodric wiped a fine sheen of sweat from his forehead... "where had that come from?" He tried a smile, but it was swallowed by his beard and the cavern's dull green glow.

"Aye Lassie, but dragon's don't normally be partin' from their hordes, and I don't know if the three of us be up to takin' on a dragon just now..." the dwarf mused.

"Hah!  I'd only ever come close to a dragon's hoard if I were sure that the dragon was quite dead." Agelia laughs.

Agelia licks at the corner of her mouth, and puts her crystal into her bag.  'You bear some looking-at, my little friend...!'

Maksim just sat there on the floor of the cavern staring at the crystal Bodric put in his hands. What a day its been already... His village destroyed, chased by unnatural beast and beings, stunned by a burning bat, and landed in a glowing cave by it's exploding waste. In a low undertone the gnome muttered once again, "Why did we come back today?"

At Bodric's plan to find the beach through the tunnels Maksim snapped out of his daze and got to his feet. Following the dwarf's example he wrapped the crystal and put it in his pack. "The old caves? I would sure like to see those again, old friend. Your plan makes sense, I'll keep a watch if you think this is a good place to stop. I'd like to get the ringing out of my head before I try and rest!"

Bodric considered the chamber they were in and thought it may well be a good place to rest. There was something comforting about the pale green light. He felt his near empty waterskin however and thought it might be best to keep moving. He thought he smelled water, and that's one thing they would need a lot of if they were to heal. None of them knew how long they'd be down here before they found a way out.

"It be a good spot Maksim and if we need to, we can always be turnin' back here. I think we might go on a bit further and see if we can't be findin' some water." his nose twitched a little.