They were two days south of Sasserine when they stumbled across the slaver's plantation in the last rays of the day's sun. It was hidden well away from any trail, but Kassius and Penny Fort Evergreen were following the Emerald River to its headwaters and travelling cross country. Even so, it was only the sickly sweet smell of the crop that allowed them to find it. "Zzonga fruit" spat Penny. Kassius was familiar with the plant and the fearsome reputation of its fruit. Those eating the plant or drinking its juice, slipped into a blissful state of contentedness that left them totally unaware of the outside world. A blatant threat might be enough to jerk them back into reality, but zzonga addicts would often exist in their own happy world to the point where they could be struck down without them even realising. Possessing any part of the plant or cultivating the fruit was punishable with a long jail sentence in Sasserine or its holdings.

They crept towards the plantation, with Kibeti taking the lead. The small cat moved silently through the thick jungle and Kassius had trouble following his movements through the undergrowth. When they reached the outskirts of the property they were just in time to see a dozen slaves being taken back to their holding pen for the day, and to their surprise they saw that the slavers were not human. Ten amphibious humanoids were matching the humans back in the direction of a crude camp. "Bullywugs!" exclaimed Penny in a hoarse whisper. "I hate these guys."



Penny Fort Evergreen


Bullywug



Plantation cut out of the jungle showing the yellow flowers of the zzonga plants.


Our first battle map. Let's see how this works.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:30, Thu 18 Dec 2014.

"We are going after them," said Penny with a definite tone in her voice. That was surprising. She had been driving a hard pace since leaving the city and been fixated on reaching their goal and getting back to Sasserine within a week. Penny had employed Kassius several times over the years to escort her into the jungle, and she had always proved to be a reliable companion, but if there was one thing that could distract her it was Bullywugs.

"We need to do it quickly though. Tonight. Let's follow them back to their camp, wait for most of them to fall asleep and then slaughter them all." The dreadlocked women looked at the plantation. "And free the prisoners and maybe burn all this lot as well. We will see how much time we have."

The crept along after the Bullywugs and their band of slaves, and didn't have to go far before the camp was revealed in a bend of the river. Kassius saw with a sinking heart that it was well laid out. "OK squirt," the ranger said using her charming nickname for him. "Your turn to come up with a plan this time. What are we doing here?"

There will be a full moon (already up and shinning) and no cloud cover until the rains come in sometime around midnight. It is now 1800 and there will be twilight for another 10 minutes. You are approaching the camp from the east, but the jungle is so dense that you can circle around and approach from any direction you choose.

"Kibeti, kuwe," he comands softly, directing the inquisitive feline to stay low. Creeping in a low crouch through the underbrush with his bow drawn and an arrow nocked at the ready, he kneels beside Penny to peer at the encampment.

Kassius rubs the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. "You're paying me as a guide, not as an exterminator, this calls for a renegotiation" he chides teasingly in a low voice as he observes the situation overtly.

"Seriously though, I'm all for freeing the saves if that's your aim, and even setting the crop ablaze, but Bullywug's have just as much right to live thier lives as anyone else...I'm not going to hunt down ank kill every single one of them just to satisfy your thirst for blood...just to be clear," he admonishes in a rather firmer tone.
[Private to Dungeon Master:
OOC: Where are we on the map? The circle K? Are the slaves human? I don't see where you specify. About how long to we have to wait til dark? Just to be clear, Kassius has Low-Light Vision instead of Darkvission. Is the hedge some sort of barrier? How hard would it be to get through? Where are the crops planted? How is Penny equipped? Does she carry a bow?]

The small feline hunched down as soon as the command was given [Secret to Kassius: no handling check needed for everyday stuff] with his head resting on the dirt of the jungle floor. His tail likewise stayed down, but its tip flicked hypnotically from side to side. After so many years with the creature Kassius was almost as good at reading its mood as knowing his own, and Kibeti's body language right now said 'I'm ready to play'.


Penny just grunted, but didn't take her eyes off the camp. She was in the mood for something else than humour.

The ranger looked at him. "They are vermin Kassius, nothing more or less. Would you hesitate to wipe out every last rat in your house? Would you leave a couple behind to 'live and let live'? No, I think not. And right now, my friend, we are in my house."

Down in the camp they saw that the dozen humans had been stuffed into a small pen at the east of the camp. They were all men and all emancipated to varying degrees. Each of them had a leather collar around their necks that was attached to a hemp rope which was tied to the fence posts of the pen. It didn't look like a comfortable way to spend the night.

Further on they saw that there was a crude fence around the northern side of the camp. It was made out of prickle vines and stinging bush roughly woven into some bamboo sticks laid out with X-shapes. It was about five feet tall and two feet across, but quite patchy in places. Kibeti would be able to slip through easily if wanted, but it would take Kassius or Penny at least a few seconds to get through. In one spot a very basic gate had been made out of a couple of tree tunks, and they saw the last Bullywug close this as he moved through. This had even less covering than the rest of the fence line.

You are currently in Z16, Z17 & Z18, lying prone in the dirt and brush of the jungle. No, you are not at the K with the circle in it. Sorry, that was an error and was on a drawing layer I should have hidden. You only have 10 minutes until dark, but there is a full moon and no cloud cover until midnight so there is actually going to be good visibility - you will almost be able to read a book in it - so for the distances we are talking about don't worry about limited visibility.

For humans, the crude fence needs a DC15 check in acrobatics or survival to get through in one round, DC10 the next round, DC5 the following round. The square it is in counts as difficult terrain. The crops are planted about 100 ft to the east, so they aren't on the map. Penny has a full character sheet, check it out! Yes, she has a bow and is pretty good with it too.

Oh, and we are playing with the version of Bullywugs that existed at the time of the printing of the Adventure Path. i.e. no darksight, they are amphibious and can move in marshes with no penalty, the are cunning more than smart, and good at hiding if they have to be. At least, that is what Penny keeps telling you as she gives you lectures about them while sharpening her sword every night.

"Oh, you're welcome to chase every last one of the buggers down and kill them all to the last newborn tadpole if that's your will. I'm a simple man however, I have to focus on one thing at a time. You want the every last Bullywug slaughtered, the slaves freed, the crop destroyed. Let me reprioritize that somewhat."

"First, I'm going to wait for it to get a little darker while observing their camp. Then I plan to circle around and set the Zzonga grove ablaze with the help of some flasks of oil and whatever dry brush I can find. If it's that important to them they're bound to rush out to extinguish the blaze. If they bring out the slaves to put them to work, we'll hit them there. I doubt they risk them taking advantage of the chaos and escaping into the jungle though, so I'll probably cut a hole through the barricade near the slave pens while they deal with the fire, I imagine I'll have to dispatch at least a couple of guards left behind, but better I think than taking on the entire camp at once. You're welcome to come along if you like, or at least protect my rear with that bow of yours."

Penny nods in reply. "I am happy to postpone the Bullywug armageddon until another day and focus on what we have at hand. Alright, you take care of the crop and provide the distraction. I'll stay here and see what they make of it. Just make sure you come back and talk to me before you hit their camp. I want to tell you how many are still in there and see if we still like the plan, I'll also intervene if they hear you playing in their field before you have the fire lit." She sees his look and smiles. "In the VERY unlikely event that happens. Don't worry, I know that you're beginning to know your stuff squirt!"

OOC: Fast forwarding a little here.

Kassis waited half an hour until the sun was truly down, and then slowly crawled back off the ledge. With Kibeti in tow he headed back the hundred feet or so to the Zzonga plantation. The hunter used several flasks of oil and as much brush as possible to cover the bushes, and then lit the gunky mess in several places. The flare up was a lot less than he had hoped for, the plantation was just as wet as the rest of the jungle and the fire wouldn't spread, but it would definitely kill most of the zzonga bushes.

Penny was still lying motionless when he got back to their spot. "Alright," she said. "They saw your little fires - did you use any brush at all? Anyway, it got them into a real tizzy. It looks like there is no clear leader, so that is good for us. There was a big discussion about what to do, and whether it was even their planation burning. Then six of the beasts slipped into the river through the mud and disappeared east towards the fires, they have put an extra guard up on the lookout spot so there are now two up there and they are alert. There are about four others still in the camp hanging around the cooking fire. They haven't done anything with the slaves. Happy?"

"Ecstatic, except for the fact I'm about to get soaking wet," Kassius comments wryly.

"You pretty much have a clear shot at the sentries from here, if they become alerted to my presence or if I send a signal spark up in the air take them out..or at least keep them penned down. Kibeti and I will sneak through the barricade near the slave pens and free the slaves taking out any guards as necessary, after we get everyone away you can start filling Bullywugs with arrows to discourage pursuit, but don't dally too long, I'll need your help getting everyone back to Sasserine. And don't even think of getting killed...I haven't gotten paid yet."

”You need my help getting them back to Sasserine?!” she splutters. “We’re not taking them back to damn Sasserine! I am on a tight deadline here and if I don’t get paid, then nether do you!” She shakes her head. “Alright, we’ll help them get as far as Blisterwall, the county militia can take over from there.” Kassius recognizes the name of the Sasserine fort that is located a couple of miles to the north west.

“Otherwise, I agree. It sounds like a good plan.” She nocks and arrow and takes up the slack on her bow. “And same goes for you not getting killed. I have put a lot of work into you over the years squirt. I don’t want all that effort to be wasted and have to start training up someone else!”

OOC: Right, ready when you are. Two bullywugs on watch, although not with a direct line of sight over the holding pen. Four more hanging around the cooking fire or wandering around the camp. Six off checking out your diversion. Good luck!

Kassius gives a nod and slips back into the underbrus followed by the silent cat, Kibeti moves like a ghost in the night, but his master isn't quite as skilled, occasionally stepping on the occasional twig in the darkness, but hopefully it will be drowned out by all the other night sounds of the jungle. [Stealth 13 (20 Kibeti)]

The pair carefully cross over the relatively shallow river and climb onto the bank on the far side, staying as close as possible to the crude barrier to shield themselves from view of the hopefully distracted sentries. Once past the large rock, Cassius drops down to the ground and proceeds to worm his way under the broken branches followed by Kibeti. [Survival 17]

Once on the other side, he pauses to take stock of the situation. [Perception 11 (24 Kibeti)]

---

...
[Private to Dungeon Master: Kassius rolled 11,24 using 1d20+6,1d20+5. Perception, Kassius/Kibeti. Survival, Kassius takes 10. Kassius rolled 13,20 using 1d20+6,1d20+9. Stealth, Kassius/Kibeti.]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : none
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (2/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (1/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Bull, +2 Str)

This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

Despite Kassius making a little bit of noise as he slips into the small stream, the Bullywugs in the camp remain unaware of him - they are probably distracted by the raucous that their comrades are making upon discovering that it is the plantation that is the source of the smoke. It can't been too long before the six who went that direction put out the flames and head back to the camp. DC10 required, both Kassius and Kibeti pass.

Both Kassius and the panther pass through the crude fence easily - the cat hardly breaks his stride. The Bullywugs really should have made more of an effort on that. The hunter pauses on the other side of the barrier and listens. As far as he can tell, no-one in the camp has heard them enter, and that includes the human slaves who are moaning in discomfort a few feet away.

You are now at T13. I will update the map when I get home. The slave pen is made from boards nailed into posts which are themselves hammered into the soft ground. The walls are only about five feet high, and easy to climb (DC5), but each of the slaves is tied onto a post via a collar and leash. They also look dehydrated and listless. As mentioned above, the slaves haven't noticed you yet.

Updated map.

K = Kassius
k = Kibeti
P = Penny

Red 1-5 = Bullywugs (you don't have line of sight on Bullywug 6 who is somewhere in the camp, nor Bullywugs 7-12 who are at the plantation)
Black 1-6 = Slaves

After a long pause for several moment to listen, Kassius slowly creeps forward to the crude pen and uses his dagger to pry the lower board lose to crawl under, making his way the closest slave. "Don't be alarmed, my name is Kassius, I'm here to rescue you," he says in a gentle whisper and begins cutting the slave's bonds.

---

...

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : none
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (2/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (1/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Bull, +2 Str)

This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Sun 11 Jan 2015.

The slaves head jerks up as he hears the hunter's voice and he looks around in fright. "What?! Who?!" the man exclaims, not loudly, but not in a whisper either. Kassius' explanation seems to sooth him a little, but it appears that it is taking the dehydrated man's brain a bit of time to understand the situation. "You have to get me out of here!" he whispers, rather than just staying quiet. "Please, help me!"

A few of the other slaves have overheard and soon there are muttered queries flying round the pen about what is happening. The other men also start to stir and try to get to their feet. It appears that they are all in poor condition.

The sound of scrambling feet climbing up one of the stone columns on the side of the pen makes all of the men go silent. Kassius looks up and see one of the bullywugs has climbed up to a lookout spot and is now peering down at the slave. "What you maggots do?!" he demands in harsh common. He it looking intently and it is surely only a second or two until he spots Kassius.

But the good news is that we found Bullywug number six.

Kassius curses under his breath, quietly motioning Kibeti to stay put, and drops his dagger at the slave's feet after the man's hands are completely cut free.

"Free the others, but stay down," he whispers urgently, beginning to mutter an ancient incantation calling upon the very jungle to rise up in aid, and quickly draws his bow in readiness.

---

Free : drop dagger | Stnd : cast Entangle (DC13) | Move : draw bow
[Private to Dungeon Master: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/e/entangle]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : none
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (1/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (1/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Bull, +2 Str)

This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Mon 12 Jan 2015.

19:17, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 1 Reflex Save. PASS
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 2 Reflex Save. FAIL
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 3 Reflex Save. PASS
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 4 Reflex Save. PASS
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 5 Reflex Save. FAIL
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Bullywug 6 Reflex Save. FAIL

Prepared action from Penny, rapid shot. Bullywug AC is 17/12/15. Firing against flat-footed AC 15

19:26, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Penny Rapid shot 1. MISS
19:26, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 23 using 1d20+5. Penny, confirm the fumble. NO FUMBLE
19:26, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Penny rapid shot 2. MISS

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Mon 12 Jan 2015.

The bullywug above Kassius yelps in alarm as thick green jungle weeds suddenly sprout out of the ground at his feet and entwine around his legs and waist. Similar cries of alarm tell Kassius that the bullwugs on the lookout spot and at the cooking fire are having identical problems.

THWACK. THWACK. Two arrows speed out from the moonlit darkness as Penny fires in quick succession at one of the Bullywugs on the lookout spot. The first shot is so far wide that it hits the dirt closer to the cooking fire than the intended target, the other clatters off the stone at the monsters feet. Both of the lookouts roar and try to get to their feet as the weeds crawl around them.

So much for Penny helping. At least she will distract them a bit. Roll for initiative.

19:40, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Penny Initative.
19:40, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 1 initiative.
19:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 2 initiative.
19:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 3 initiative.
19:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 4 initiative.
19:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 5 initiative.
19:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 22 using 1d20+2. Bullywug 6 initiative.

"Hurry, the vines won't hold them for long, I'll try to keep them pinned down" he whispers urgently, fitting an arrow to his bow and quickly loosing at the closest Bullywug as the slaves cut themselves free.

---

Rd1 : Atk17/dam5 | Rd2 : Atk10/Dam5[Private to Dungeon Master:
Kassius rolled 10,5 using 1d20+2,1d6. Shortbow Attack/Damage rd2.
Kassius rolled 17,5 using 1d20+2,1d6. Shortbow Attack/Damage.
Kassius rolled 8 using 1d20+2. Init. ]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : none
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (1/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (1/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Bull, +2 Str)

19:16, Today: Dungeon Master, on behalf of Kibeti, rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Kibeti Initiative.

This means the order of initiative is:

Penny (24)
Bullywug 6 (22)
Bullywug 2 (12)
Bullywug 4 (11)
Kibeti (10)
Bullywug 1 (9)
Bullywug 3 (9)
Kassius (8)
Bullywug 5 (3)
All the Slaves


Penny stands straight up on the ledge and lets two more arrows fly towards the same target (BW 2). "HURRY UP AND DIE YOU HOME WRECKING MUTHER FRACKERS!" she screams at the top of her lungs.

19:29, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Penny attack 1.

That's more like it! See, swearing always helps!

19:29, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Penny: Confirm threat as crit.

Oh yeah!

19:33, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11,8 using 1d8+5,1d8+5. Penny critical hit damage.

KABOOM!

19:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 23 using 1d20+5. Penny second attack.
19:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d8+5. Penny Damage on second hit.

The first arrow pierces a bullywug in the eye as it tries to clear the plants tangling its legs. The creature falls to its knees, and then face down on the ground - dead before it even hits the dirt. The second arrow also finds its target and hits the other bullywug that had been on lookout in the shoulder.

The bullywug overlooking Kassius (BW6) roars at the creepers climbing up its legs and then tries to jump down to the ground below to escape.

DC 15 Acrobatics check to avoid the non-lethal damage from the 10' drop.

19:56, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d20+2. BW 6 acrobatic check.
Natural one rolled! Confirm the fumble.

19:56, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Confirm fumble on acrobatics.
Yep, that is a fumble.

19:59, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d6. Non lethal damage from 10' fall.
Ouch!

The vines clawing at the bullywug throw its jump off target and it lands painfully, rolling its ankle and falling to the ground with a cry of agony.

One of the bullywugs next to the campfire (BW4) manages to shake off the creepers and runs full speed straight towards Penny.
(Runx4 so normally 80' or 16 squares, but first 5 squares count as 10, so 6 left.

The white panther at Kassius side flashes past him, and moving at full speed leaps on the bullywug writhing in pain at the bottom of the cliff (BW6).

Pounce attack at +2.

20:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Kibeti bite attack.
Hits since -4 to AC due to being prone (normal AC is 17)
20:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d4+1. Bite attack damage.
20:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24 using 1d20+4. Claw attack.
Confirm crit
20:16, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Confirm Kibeti crit.
Confirmed
20:17, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2,2 using 1d2+1,1d2+1.
4 total damage from the claw attack
Bullywug goes to -1

The pale ghost of a cat lands square on the chest of the unfortunate creature and rips at its face until a claw rips out the jugular vein. Thick green blood splurts from the wound and sprays across the white fur of the cat.

The remaining bullywug at the lookout spot (BW1) tries to ignore the arrow sticking out from its shoulder and runs straight towards Penny.

Acrobatics check to avoid the non-lethal damage from the first 10 feet.
20:23, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+2. DC15 acrobatic check.
Just made it
Runx3 (16 squares) First three squares are at double cost so 10 squares left.

The bullywug manages to just stay on its feet when landing on the ground below, then runs as best as it can across the ground until it reaches the river. Without missing a stride it leaps the rickety camp fence, jumps into the river and swims to the far bank. It tries to claw its way up to the ranger at the top.

20:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+2. DC 10 acrobatic check to climb river bank.

It reaches the top as Penny is distracted with notching an arrow. The women snarls and draws her longsword.

One of the bullywugs around the campfire (BW3) runs towards Penny and just reaches the perimeter of the camp.

OK Kassius, you're up. I'll use your prerolled attacks to hit the guys on the riverbank, but first of all I need to update the map.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:56, Fri 16 Jan 2015.

Updated map

Kassius stands up and calmly fires his bow over the top of the slave pen fence. The arrow hits one of the bullywugs (BW3) just as it reaches the camp perimeter.

The last bullywug (BW5) stamples to its feet, try to move with the plants firmly attached to it (he was one of the three bullywugs who failed their entangle save and is the last one alive). Unable to move quickly, it only makes it five feet before the weeds bring it to its knees again.

The slaves finally react to Kassius' arrival and the first one manages to use the dagger to free himself.

End of round one. Entangle spell has five rounds left.

End of round one map update. BW5 got to move 1 square, the lucky guy!

Initiative order with the dead guys removed.

 Penny (24)
 Bullywug 4 (11)
 Kibeti (10)
 Bullywug 1 (9)
 Bullywug 3 (9)
 Kassius (8)
 Bullywug 5 (3)
 All the Slaves

Penny considers pushing the bullywug she is facing off the cliff, but then sees the size of the wound in the creatures shoulder (this is the one she hit with the second arrow in round 1) and smiles. She swings at it with her sword, but it dodges her attack.

21:13, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Penny attack roll. MISS

One of the bullywugs on the river bank (BW4) jumps the fence and lands in the water. With effortless grace it swims the stream and leaps up the bank on the other side.

21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 21 using 1d20+2. DC10 acrobatics check.

The small cat senses that the figure beneath him has ceased to struggle and looks for new prey. Seeing a bullywug still on the riverbank (BW3), he darts through the slave pen, scarring the occupants into a panic, then streaks out and pounces onto the green skinned creature. But the beast sees him coming and flings the cat to one side.

21:19, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Kibeti bite attack. MISS
21:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw attack number1.
21:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw attack number 2.

The bullywug squaring off against Penny cries out a gurbling warcry and swings with his club, but Penny dodges.

21:23, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+3. BW1 attack roll. MISS AS HER AC IS 17

The Bullywug next to Kibeti (BW3) tries to land a blow on the cat, but the animal is simply too fast for him.

21:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+3. BW3 attack against the cat. MISS VERSUS AC17.

Kassius try to hit the bullywug in melee with Kibeti but misses.

The entangled bullywug by the camp fire (BW5) manages to move another few feet and get out of the area of effect of the spell. Yay for him!

The slaves panic and the one with the knife drops it.

End to round two. Four rounds of entanglement left.

Updated map at the end of round two.

If Penny is troubled at facing off against two of the creatures, she doesn't show it. She concentrates on the wounded one, but has to parry against the other bullywug and the attack is wasted.

21:33, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d20+5. Penny attack.


The uninjured bullywug swings at her but misses.

21:35, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+3. BW4 attack vs Penny.

Kibeti attacks the nearby bullywug, but totally misses.

21:37, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5,6,13 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2. Kibeti bite, claw, claw.

The injured bullywug facing Penny attacks with its club, but misses.

21:38, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+3. BW1 attack Penny.
The bullywug next to Kibeti attacks him with its club, and lands a massive blow on the cat's head.

21:40, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 21 using 1d20+3. BW3 attacks Kibeti.
21:41, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d6+2. Club damage versus the cat.
NO! Not the cat!! Down to 3 hp.

Kassius' turn.

Kassius curses under his breath as Kibiti's primal instincts take over, breaking his command to stay put to instead spring to the attack. His frustration turns to concern at the cat becomes severely wounded.

"Kibiti, kuto!," he yells, instructing the cat to seek safety, as he hushes to his companion's side.

---

[R3] Move: 35' S20 | Stnd : CLW 9hp
[Private to Dungeon Master: Kassius rolled 9 using 1d8+1. CLW. ]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : Animal Focus (stag/ +5' speed) 1 min
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (1/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (0/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Boar, +2 Con)

True... Kassius' last instruction was to stay down, but there was a bullywug with a sprained ankle just a few feet away, how could he ignore that?! And that went so well that one thing led to a next, but he has learnt his lesson... At least for today.


Nice rolling on the CLW BTW.


The bullywug at the south (BW5) tried to free itself, but is unable to.

19:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d20+4. BW5 escape from entangle DC13.


Penny takes a few quick steps backwards and then drops her sword to the ground and tries to fire off two arrows in quick succession, but her two opponents are simply too close and she ends up dropping her bow after the second shot!

19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Penny attack one.
19:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Penny attack two.
19:19, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Penny fumble check.


One of the bullywugs steps forward and tries to bring its club crashing down on her, but despite not having a sword in hand she is able to dance out of the way.

19:22, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 9 using 1d20+3. BW4 attack on Penny.

Kibeti sprints away to the north, back to the spot where they entered the compound.

The other bullywug facing Penny takes a step forward, but his blow lands short.

19:23, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+3. BW1 versus Penny.

The bullywug that just hit Kibeti roars as he sees his target flee. He turns on Kassius but is unable to connect with the hunter.

19:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+3. BW3 attacks Kassius.

Back to you Kassius!

Updated Map

Attack

---

[R3] Move: draw Scimitar | Swft: Animal Focus | Stnd : Atk13/7dam | Free: 5ft step back[Private to Dungeon Master:
Kassius rolled 13,7 using 1d20+3,1d6+3. Scimitar Attack/Damage]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : Animal Focus (Bull +2 str) 9 rds
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (1/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (0/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Boar, +2 Con)

Kassius strikes out with his curved blade by his bullywug opponent deftly turns it aside. "Just wait human," glubs the creature through its rubbery mouth. "I will smash you just like your pet!"

The bully wug down on the river bank (BW5) FINALLY manages to free itself from the plants entangling its feet. With a cry of triumph it rips the roots away and throws them in the stream.

20:28, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+4. BW5 escape from entangle DC13.
Wow, I thought he was never going to get out. BTW, this is round 4 of the 6 rounds that the spell will last for, and sorry again for letting the BW's run through the entangle area - that won't happen again.

Penny stands on top of the cliff, now with no sword and no bow. Cursing, she takes a step back and swallows a potion. One of her opponents quickly follow after her and swings at her with a club, but her new found swiftness surprises him and he misses by a mile.

Potion of cat's grace (+4 dex). She'll get her stuff back next round and suffer the AoO, but at least her AC will be better. Sigh. I thought she would clean these two guys up quick, especially since one was already heavily wounded.

I hope you will forgive me bringing Kibeti back into the first, but his pounce attack is so powerful and additionally he can flank (well, next round at least). OK, let's see if I can do this right this time. He uses his pounce attack which lets him do a charge (x2 movement = 100' = 20 squares!) and then a full attack at +2. His BAB = +1 and his str = +1 so total +4 to attack in total with bite, claw, claw.

20:49, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+4. BW1 versus Penny.
20:44, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Kibeti bite.
20:44, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw1.
20:44, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw2.

BW AC = 17 so no hits. Crazy!

Kibeti disobeys his master's order to launch himself, snarling, at the bullywug Kassius is facing, but is unable to connect with any attacks. The other bullywug facing Penny misses, but the one attacking Kassius is more successful and lands a hit on the hunter's shoulder that brings him to one knee!

20:37, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d20+4. BW4 attack versus Penny.
20:56, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+3. BW3 versus kassius.
20:57, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d4+3. BW3 damage.


IN NPC MODE: Kassius scrambles back to his feet and then lashes out with his scimitar. The blow catches the monster just as it is recovering from its strike against the ranger, and slices deeply into its side. Kassius takes a wide step to one side, to open up the route for Kibeti to flank next attack.

20:53, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Kassius attack.
20:53, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d6+3. Kassius damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:00, Fri 06 Feb 2015.

The bullywug in the river slips into the water and quickly crosses the small stream, when it reaches the other side it runs into the jungle as fast as its little feet will take it - straight towards the plantation and reinforcements!

"Kassius! We have to stop him!" screams out Penny as she dodges and weaves through the swinging clubs of her two opponents, as though the hunter can do anything at all to help... Penny darts forward and makes a desperate grab to retrieve her bow, her two opponents swing wildly but she tumbles out of the way with a laugh. When she comes to her feet several feet away, the box is in her hand again.

21:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+3. AoO versus Penny 1.
21:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+3. AoO versus Penny 2.


One of the creatures snarls in frustration and steps forward, but she parries his attack.

21:12, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+3. BW4 versus Penny.

Meanwhile Kibeti jumps to one side and launches an attack at his opponents undefended flank. With a quick lunge it bites into the bullywugs calf muscle and brings it to the ground where it is able to quickly finish it off.

21:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Kibeti bite.
21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw1.
21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw2.
21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d4+2. Bite damage.

And that brings it back to Kassius again. You have taken 6 points of damage, but your opponent has fallen. Only the two facing Penny are left, and BW 1 is damaged.

It's been a hard slog, but the battlefield is finally thinning.

Kassius briefly considered of calling upon the jungle plants to Entangle the fleeing Bullywug, but since they display a supernatural ability to evade the grasping vines, he quickly dismisses the idea, instead stabbing his sword in the soft ground an nocking another arrow as he rushes to the rivers edge and looses the arrow.

---

[R3] Move: T25 | Swft: Animal Focus | Stnd : Atk14/2dam
[Private to Dungeon Master: Kassius rolled 14,2 using 1d20+3,1d6. shortbow.]

---

HP: 10/10  |  AC: 16/14/12 |  Saves: +4/+4/+2

Special Notes:

  (De)Buffs : Animal Focus (Tiger +2 Dex) 8 rds
 Conditions : none
   Spells : (1/2) Cure Light Wounds, Entangle, Summon Nature's Ally
  Abilities : (0/1) Animal Focus


---

Companion : Evolved Companion (Pounce), Animal Focus (Boar, +2 Con)

Note: if he's climbing the bank out of the river I believe he loses his dex bonus to ac?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:53, Mon 09 Feb 2015.

Ahem, yes. That must be a feat that they have?


Yes, agreed. Which drops him down to AC15. Sorry, close but not quite. What are you telling Kibeti to do?

Kassius' arrow flies through the air and misses the bullywug's leg by a hair's breath. The creature scrambles up the bank and disappears into the jungle. Penny takes a step back until she is right on the edge of the bank and begins to notch an arrow, but she has misjudged the cliff edge and her back foot slips away - dropping her straight into the river with a cry! One of the bullywugs on the cliff gives a throaty chuckle and jumps into the river after her, confident that he will be able to drown her in his own natural element. Penny sees him coming, and draws a dagger from her boot and tries to stab it into his throat, but he is able to turn it aside and deftly wraps his hand around her head so that she is not able to attack him and is forced under the water.

20:07, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Penny attack
Rolls a natural one, check for fumble.
20:08, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Penny check for critical fumble.
Rolls another natural one!! FUMBLE

20:12, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Penny attack with dagger.
20:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 20 using 1d20+3. BW5 grapple attack.

Oh man. Maybe you should just leave her. This is not going to end well. Kibeti's turn now.

Updated map

Well, maybe you can take out BW1 at least. He is already wounded.

Kassius swears as his target escapes, but abandons pursuit when he hears Penny's cry.

"Kibeti! Kupu!," he commands pointing at Penny's attacker.

The cat will, probably, step back from the rivers edge to get a running jump, leap gracefully over the narrow part of the river and pounce on the bullywug attacking Penny.

Kibeti rolled 12 using 1d20+9. Jump.

I'll let you resolve the attack.

Addendum: Animal Focus changes from Boar to Frog; losses the 2 temp hp, gains +4 to jump and swim
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Tue 10 Feb 2015.

Penny squirms like an eel in the water and manages to break the bullywug's hold on her. She reaches the surface and grabs a lungful of air. Her opponent roars and lunges at her again - she tries to fend him off with her dagger but once again is unable to get any leverage and misses. The bullywug captures her in exactly the same hold and forces her under the water again.

Meanwhile, Kibeti takes a few steps back and then jumps out into the water to attack the bullywug holding Penny down. His jump is elegant but poorly aimed, he ends up well short of the creature (he fumbled his first attack).

The other bullywug up on the ledge sees the fun down in the water and jumps in to help. He helps his friend hold Penny under the water.

And back to you Kassius... In an even worse situation... The last two BW's are in the water holding Penny under. Kibeti is in the square next to them.

19:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Penny escape grapple.
Success!
19:19, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Penny attack of op with dagger.
Miss
19:17, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 18 using 1d20+3. BW5 grapple attack again.
Penny's adjusted CMD (with cat's grace potion) is 18, so that is a success!
19:06, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d20+4. Kibeti bite.
Natural one rolled, checking for fumble
19:06, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+4. check for fumble.
failed... This is a fumble
19:12, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 10 using 1d20+3. BW1 grapple.

He needed to make an attack roll against AC10 and just made it.

Running Kassius in NPC mode...

Kassius curses as he assesses the situation. He had travelled with Penny before and she had always proven to be a worthy boss, but today the fates were just against her. He considered staying out of the combat and using his shortbow, but with the water being a swirling mass of bullywugs, the ranger and his companion it was too risky. He grabbed his scimitar and dived into the water to join the combat. Using his frog form to propel himself through the water, he came up from behind one of the bullywugs holding Penny down and struck it on the shoulder. The creature gurgled as Kassius struck it in the same shoulder Penny had earlier hit with an arrow, and then fell face down into the water.

The remaining bullywug took his eyes off of Penny, whom he was holding under the water with a firm grip. Penny tried to break free, or at least surface for air, but was unable to. The bullywug snarled when it realised that it couldn't defend itself and keep drowning her. It released Penny and swung at the back of her head with its club. The blow missed as Penny pushed off the bottom of the riverbed and surfaced to one side.

Kibeti floundered around and tried to land a bite or claw on the beast, but was unable to. Kassius also missed again. Penny broke the surface of the water and jabbed her dagger into the creature's neck - a burst of green bile swept out into the water and the bullywug jerked back, swinging its club at her ineffectively.

Kibeti dived under the water and was able to bite and claw the bullywug, while his master wedged his scimitar straight into the monster's head. It slunk unmoving into the stream.

17:04, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Kassius attack with Scimitar.
HIT
17:06, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d6+2.
17:08, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Penny escape grapple again.
FAIL
17:09, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+2. BW4 vs Penny.
MISS
17:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Kibeti bite.
17:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Kibeti claw 1.
17:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Kibeti claw 2.
ALL MISS
17:12, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+2. Kassius attack again.
MISS
17:14, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Penny Attack dagger.
17:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20+5. Confirm crit.
NO CRIT
17:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d4+2. Penny damage.
GOOD DAMAGE THOUGH
17:33, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 12 using 1d20+2. BW4 vs Penny
MISS
17:34, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+2. Kibeti bite.
18:38, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d4+1. Kibeti bite damage.
18:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw1 (incl flank bonus)
18:39, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Kibeti claw2 (incl flank bonus)
18:40, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 2 using 1d2+1. Claw damage.
20:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 24 using 1d20+4. Kassius attack with flank.
20:20, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 22 using 1d20+4. confirm crit.
CRIT CONFIRMED!
20:22, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d6+2. Kassius damage roll 1.
20:22, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d6+2. Kassius damage roll 2.

Penny stood up in the river, coughing and trying to recover her breath. "That was... a lot harder than I thought it would be," she gasped.

The slaves had all freed themselves and now stood on the river bank, watching the trio and trying to figure out what to do next. More worryingly, the sound of the other bullywugs can be heard from the plantation just a couple of hundred feet to the east.

OOC: An interesting learning experience - and a massive grind. But we are now ready to move on and that is the important thing. Penny suggested that you take the slaves back to 'Blisterwall', which is a fort a couple of miles to the north-west and the closest civilisation. Of course, the BW's are going to be hot on your heels.

Penny and Kassius quickly rounded up the slaves, and led them towards the north-west. This was the shortest route into the jungle and also the direction of Blisterwall, the nearest fort. When they reached the treeline, Penny refusesed to enter.

"I have some unfinished business," she said grimly. "Keep them moving, and I will catch up." There wasn't anytime to argue. Even as they were talking, a half dozen bullywugs announced their arrival in the camp with blood-curdling screams of fury.

Within two minutes of leaving Penny, Kassius could hear her war cries as she unleashed a volley of arrows at the oncoming amphibians. A few seconds later she came bashing through the jungle and almost ran into the group.

"What?! Haven't you gotten any further?!" She seemed surprised at how little ground they had covered, but the slaves were dehydrated and exhausted, and the moonlight was patchy in the jungle making it hard for them to see. "I got one more, but they are REALLY frakked off now!"

The two rangers and Kibeti set up another ambush across a small clearing, and forced the slaves to run on ahead. The bullywugs burst from the jungle a few seconds later, only to be meet by an entangle spell and a thick storm of arrows. Two more of them fell, before the remaining four fell back to the trees.

The chase continued over the rest of the exhausting night, with the bullywugs never being far behind but now being more cautious about showing themselves in the open. By the time they reached Blisterwall the slaves were dead on their feet and Kassius and Penny weren't much better.

They rested in the fort for two days before leaving with fresh provisions and the thanks of the men they had saved. They headed back into the hills and upriver.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Wed 25 Feb 2015.

The first night out of the fort they make camp close to the shore of the Emerald river. Penny volunteers to collect the water, but takes her time checking the surface and the river bank before finally filling their canteens. The Emerald River takes its name from a unique form of algae that grows atop its slow-moving water. This green vegetation forms a solid layer in some stretches of the river, that looks like sheets of floating emerald. While quite beautiful, the shiny algae makes perfect camouflage for crocodiles and other waterborne predators - the ranger has learnt from past experience to be very careful near the beautiful waters.

After a good solid meal, Penny leans back and relaxes a little. With Kibeti on guard it would be impossible for anything to creep up on them, and the couple of days cooped up inside the fort had been hard for her.

"So squirt. I guess you're wondering what we are doing this far up the gods forsaken ass of the Sasserine wilds? Ha! Well I can tell you that I wouldn't be doing it without the right encouragement," she says, rubbing her thumb and fingers together.

"No, we need to find something for some crazy old geezer who hired me back in Sasserine. He called himself 'VORSH', although I doubt that was his real name. He said he needed a big rust monster for a spell he was researching." She chuckled. "It's so sad. They always say that, don't they? But you know it is probably to treat a <ahem> personal potency problem. Why don't they just come out and admit it?!"

"Anyway, he wants us to go up into the mountains and locate the biggest rust monster that ever lived - some beast called Kogoloxen. I don't know. I have half a mind to just wander around our here for a few more days and then just go back and just say we couldn't find it. Or say we did find it! And then just give him a vague location up in the hills. You see, he doesn't want us to try and kill it. Just tell him where it is and what its lair is like. Weird..."

The ranger shudders. "But he was cold Kassius. Ice cold and creepy. I'm not going to cheat him - I wouldn't dare. We'll do our best for about a week to try and find this thing and then go back and report the result truthfully, whatever that result may be..."

This message was last edited by the player at 20:31, Sat 28 Feb 2015.

The Emerald River - beautiful but unhygienic

The pair continue further up into the Hell Furnaces as the mountains surrounding Sasserine are known. They trace the Emerald river and watch it change from a deep, shining green to a mottled metallic red as the algae become less prominent and the source of their nutrients become apparent - the rocks in this area are rich in iron minerals and the runoff from the mountain looks like it has been carried by a rusty pipe.

After three days of hard walking and being constantly on guard for rockslides and kobold scouting parties, the Emerald river has dwindled to a shallow stream cutting a ragged path through the mountains, and the air is as cold as Kassius has ever felt before so close to Sasserine. They take turns checking for tracks, but Penny seems to be searching for something other than animal trails - she keeps scanning the skyline and sometimes makes them walk on after dusk in the moonlight while she keeps her gaze fixed above the peaks.

For that reason, Kassius can hardly be surprised when something does become visible through a gap in the mountains on the third night. He sees a tall tower with remarkably smooth sides and with great gouts of gushing flame bursting from the top of it. Penny pauses, looking at it carefully. She then announces that they will camp and then head straight towards it first thing the next day. The ranger is quick to catch Kassius' incredulous look.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:51, Wed 04 Mar 2015.

"Don't worry, we're not going into it! It is the Tower of Rust and Fire, and just serves as a landmark, that's all. We need to find a cavern that is somewhere between the river and the tower, at least that's what the rumours say. We'll see soon enough if there is any truth to the myth of Kogoloxen the great!"

The Tower of Rust and Fire
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Wed 04 Mar 2015.

"It's your funeral, I'm not too proud to turn tail and run if things get too hot," Cassues says with a teasing grin.

After quickly setting up camp, he heads out to find something palatable to supplement their rather bland rations.

Kassius rolled 23 using 1d20+7. Survival forage/hunting.

"You and me both, squirt!" retorts Penny. "And although Kibeti might be the fastest out of us three, but I think I might be the second."

Kassius scuttles up into the mountains after the camp is set up, and is quick to find some tracks. Within half an hour he has followed them back to the a lair, and dispatches the creature inside with one carefully aimed arrow - a small rust monster. The creature is unfortunately slimy and has sickly looking pustules across its body. The half orc isn't brave or desperate enough to contemplate eating it, but there are half a dozen eggs in the lair that look more promising. He carries them carefully back to the camp, where Penny looks them over with an expert eye.

"I suppose that is a good omen. At least we're in the right terrain for the beasts. It was covered in sores you say? I think the influence of the tower of rust and fire breeds all sorts of mutant beasts in these parts. If it can just make a rust monster the size of a house then I will be happy. Ha! And rich!"

They boil the eggs over a small smokeless fire and they make a delicious meal.

The next day they break camp and head into the mountains. It quickly becomes clear that Penny has no plan other than heading straight towards the tower, which is occasionally visible through the peaks. When Kassis tries to ask her what she is looking for, she waves him off irritably. The sun is high in the sky before she finally stops, and points at a streaky layer of rock high above them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Sat 07 Mar 2015.

"I think that is it. We're looking for something called the 'Corroded Caves', that apparently have a vein of iron-rich rock running through them. If we follow that vein up there until it reaches a cavern then that should be our target."

So they spend several hours marching up and down the mountainous terrain, trying to keep the dark red string of rock in view. It proves to be much harder than Penny anticipated, with a lot of climbing being required and with the special rock just disappearing into the mountainside sometimes. But they finally find the spot where the vein winds its way into a cave mouth.

"OK. Last chance to back out. But keep in mind that if you want to get paid then we've got to go in!"

Kassius gives a derisive snort. "What you think I came all this way just for the pleasure of your company," he retorts, giving Penny a mischievous wink.

"Come on Kebiti, we'd better get a move on before Penny here chickens out on us," he whispers loudly so as to be overheard as he strokes his feline companion fondly.

Penny tilts back her head and howls. "Frak yeah! Let's do this!" she exclaims with a disconcerting amount of enthusiasm.

They scramble up a low bank to the cave mouth and pause at the entrance while Penny lights a torch. Kibeti ranges ahead and makes the most of the shadows just out of the torch light to act as an almost invisible scout.

The interior of the cave is hot, damp and smells of rancid iron. Numerous trickles of slimy water drip from the ceiling or slide down the cavern walls, giving rise to a small ecosystem of bugs and insects. The constant drips from the cavern roof also feed the stalagmites encrusting the floor, making their entirety of the cave difficult terrain. They quickly come to a junction, where Penny directs them to the left. The tunnel then descends deeper into the mountainside through a series of corkscrew-like bends that leaves them disorientated.

Just when Penny is beginning to look worried - "This better not lead into the bottom of the frakken tower of rust and fire," she mutters - the tunnel widens into a small natural cavern about 15 feet in diameter. Many small stagnant pools of tepid water steam among tooth-like stalagmites in the dark, uneven chamber. The water looks grotty and reeks of something more than stagnant slim. Perhaps it really has been tainted by the magical energies from the tower they had seen in the distance? Needless to say, the three of them stick close to the wall and stay as far from the pools as they can, and head into the tunnel on the far side.

This route ends after just ten feet when the tunnel widens again, this time into a much larger cavern. The scent of iron is especially thick here, and the walls show signs of erratic digging as though something has burrowed into any spot where the rusty red mineral was present. In the centre of the room is a large sink hole, its step walls mostly hiding it from the torch light.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Mon 09 Mar 2015.

Artist's impression only. There are a lot more twists and turns in reality.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:44, Mon 09 Mar 2015.

Penny stops at the cavern entrance and places the torch on the floor. She draws her bow and then motions for Kassius to go forward. "You can see in the dark," she whispers. "Go check out what is in the hole. I'll cover you."

OOC: Sounds like a fair enough plan. What could possibly go wrong?

"My eyes are better than yours, but even I can't see in darkness that deep," Kassius mutters approaching the hole wearily.

[OOC: has Low-Light vision instead of Darkvision]

Picking up a small pebble, he mutters an incantation causing it to glow, and tosses it down the shaft, nocking an arrow, he leans over and peers down, drawing back on his bow nervously.

[OOC: readies attack against whatever the nefarious DM has planned, lol]

The pair of them stand motionless by the cavern entrance, arrows nocked and bowstrings drawn, as the shinning pebble disappears into the hole and then clatters down the side. Kibeti stands between them, as taunt as a bowstring himself.

For many seconds nothing happens, until Penny actually lets the tension off her bow and turns to Kassus as if to say something, but then the soft rustle of a breeze starts pushing out of the deep pit. Penny turns back to the centre of the cavern, staring at the hole in puzzlement as the gentle wind increases into a stiff jet of air, and then quickly increases again into the roar of a tornado. The air smells sickly sweet, like corroded iron bars mixed with rotting flesh and toxic chemicals.

With a deep throated roar a mighty beast covered in corpulent pustules throws itself out of the hole - its girth is so wide that it fills the hole almost like a cork in a bottle and it was pushing the air out in front of it as it ran up the shear walls of the pit. The beast roars again, and waves its two feathered antenna as though trying to sense something. Kassius realises that it IS a rust monster, just one so covered with sickness and filth that it is almost unrecognisable as such. And it is huge. As big as a house.

http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs7...y_evelar-d4um3a5.jpg
I won't post the picture here because of copyright, but this link shows what this beast looks like coming out of the hole.

"Well!" chuckles Penny quietly. "I call that mission frakken accomplished! If this isn't the Kogoloxen then I don't know what is. Let's get back to town and tell the crazy old man that his days of impotency are as good as finished!"

Sitting astride its burrow, the antennae of the creature swivel with lightning speed and point at Penny. The feathery tips vibrate up and down its sensor stalks like an oscillating wave and then stop frozen. Kogoloxen bellows and begins its charge.

"Frak me!" screams Penny as she turns to run, arrow dropped forgotten at her feet.

Initiative please
22:29, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Kogoloxen initiaitive.
22:29, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Penny initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Tue 10 Mar 2015.

OOC: Or I can roll.

21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Kassius Initiative.
21:15, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Kibeti Initiative.
Initiative order is:
Penny (17)
Kassius (17)
Kibeti (11)
Kogoloxen (8)

Penny is off down the corridor first, but Kassius is not fair behind. The hunter screams an order at Kibeti, but the little cat is slow to response, perhaps off-footed by the noise and thread of the incoming monster.

Penny quickly reaches the cavern with the pools of steaming, noxious water, but rather than skirting around the edge she sprints directly across, trying to jump between the slippery rims around each pond.

DC12 acrobatics check
21:25, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Penny acrobatics check.

The ranger manages to easily stay on her feet and reaches the far end of the cavern.

OOC: Kassius has a choice. Try to jump over with a DC12 acrobatics check, or slowly go around the edge of the room. Consequences for failing are that he falls into one of the smelly pools of water and might get attacked. Consequences for going around are that he won't fall in, but definitely will get attacked.

OOC: OK, let's say that both Kassius and Kibeti choose to brave the stinky ponds.

09:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 19 using 1d20+2. Kassius acrobatics check DC12.
09:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Kibeti acrobatics check DC12.

Hmm, but Kassius would have used animal focus and selected 'tiger' giving both himself and Kibeti a +2 bonus to dex. So both of these are a pass.

Kassis and Kibeti are both just a few steps behind the ranger. The hunter is able to navigate the thin slippery lips of the ponds without difficulty, but Kibeti struggles and almost falls in. Perhaps he is off put by the tremendous bestial roar coming from The Kogoloxen. The fiendish monster has barrelled out of its own cavern and is now heading into the cavern with the ponds, scraping against the sides of the corridor connecting the two rooms and knocking stalactites clean off in its haste to catch up. Once the albino panther has cleared the last pond it opens up to its full sped and quickly pulls ahead of Penny and Kassius, leaving its master at the back of the queue.

The ranger and the hunter make it a few more yards but the tough terrain starts slowing them down. Kassius has the choice to push on as fast as he can and risk tripping or take it slower. If he does slower than The Kogoloxen will get one hit at him, but at least he won't be prone.

It is a DC15 acrobatics check to keep running through the rough terrain.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:12, Mon 06 Apr 2015.

"Kibiti! Kuto!," Kassius call out, urging the great cat to escape all the while pushing himself to catch up.

Kassius rolled 15 using 1d20+3. Kassius acrobatics check DC15

The cat needs no urging to continue running out of the cave and is soon far ahead and lost in the darkness. Kassius struggles to keep close behind Penny and can soon hear the rust monster's snorting closing on him. Somehow, the hunter manages to maintain a small lead and makes it out of the caverns before The Kogoloxen can reach him.

Penny and Kassius scramble back down the small cliff at the cave entrance and look back anxiously into the shadows of the tunnels, but nothing leaves the cave. Kogoloxen bellows and roars but refuses to come out into the sunlight.

"Yeah. Mission frakken accomplished," pants Penny.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 06:22, Mon 06 Apr 2015.

The three of them make their way back to Sasserine over the next couple of days, following the Emerald river back to where it empties into the great lagoon. Penny says she is 'happy' with Kassius' performance and pays him the agree amount for his help - 50 gold Sasserine crowns. But there is one additional surprise in store. She asks him to accompany him to some sort of social engagement in the Champion district the next day. Penny mutters something about it being a cousin's wedding and not wanting to turn up alone... She seems a little embarrassed about it.

We'll say that Kassius accepted since he turns up at the wedding in the next scene...