Jenna had been confused when she had watched Corros retrieve the scraps of paper and some of the crystals. The half elf was her friend. So why was he taking all of this knowledge for himself? What did he mean to do with it? No one could be trusted, none of them, not Padin, not her companions, but Corros? Corros? Jenna felt as though she was being betrayed, and by her friend. Why would he do that?

She had not said anything, had simply watched, in silence, her blue eyes boring into him until the task was complete and they made their way back out of the chamber. As they descended the stairs some of the resentment that had spontaneously manifested itself began to fade, but the Priestess still shot a few sideways glances at Corros as they took some time to rest before continuing.

Jenna is alert as they move on down the tunnel, for so far this place had made various efforts to kill them all, so she did not expect their exit to be any different from their entrance in that regard. Her caution is rewarded when Nicola calls a warning as some...thing...emerges from its hiding place, her nostrils immediately wrinkling as its foul odour assails them.

The blonde haired Priestess raises her right hand, takes a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling as her eyes turn from blue to white and she summons forth a bolt of Divine radiance to fire towards the monster.

Jenna
AC: 17, HP29/38
Launching Guiding Bolt at thing (Level 2)

16:17, Today: Jenna Drax rolled 4 using 1d8+1.  HD for HP.
16:17, Today: Jenna Drax rolled 9 using 1d8+1.  HD for HP.

Taking the newly mended scrolls and crystals had felt right, like Corros somehow deserved these little tokens of power.  That maybe someone, or something, besides the Library could see his worth, recognized it, and set him above his companions.  And that felt...strange, ill fitting like a scavenged piece of clothing that would never really be his. The others had been giving him unusual looks, glares he'd last seen on the streets when the other children had recognized that he'd gotten some food that they hadn't or won some particular favor of advantage in their rough existence.  That had been shocking and made him wary of touching their minds, unsure of the thoughts he'd find there.

Walking away from Master Control had lessened both the feelings of his own righteousness and the unease he was picking up from the others, but it seemed like some sort of wedge had been put upon them, one that he hoped would fade quickly and prove to not be permanent.  It hurt a little when Jenna kept giving him what she must have thought were hidden glances.  And not her usual hidden glances.

Having a monster crash out of the darkness is almost a relief, something real to fight against that isn't the unease that seems to live in this place.  The random appearance of the thing, creates its own sense of wrongness and Corros once again calls on the Library to deal with his enemies, twisting his fingers into intricate patters as he moves to his position in their battle lines.

Corros
29/35 HP, AC 13
Casting Eldritch Bolt x2, +7 to attack, 1D10+4 damage each successful hit
1 HD expended for HP (result:3)

Little punk, Frostbeard thought to himself about Corros, who now had the most valuable treasure they had found.  Ulfgar was already thinking out easy it would be to transform into something stealthy and take the crystals and papers once they were back out in Baylefire.  He'd bide his time until --

What the fuck?

Another monster.  Of course.  Whatever the Weapon was, it was a monster magnet.  Well, it had to be dealt with.  Eventually, so would Corros...

Ulfgar Frostbeard
Stopping as soon as he sees the creature, color Green.
Casting Faerie Fire centered on the creature.  DC 15 DEX Save to resist, otherwise, advantage to all attacks made against the creature.
As a bonus action, casting Shillelagh
AC: 15, HP: 27/54

Nicolai keeps watch outside the Control Master chamber but one ear is tightly attuned to Corros' arcane manipulations.  He catches himself flexing his wrist to feel the hilt of his sleeve-knife and forces himself to stop; it's a tell he shouldn't have, and one his companions may have learned by now.  But it's clear Corros has his own agenda for the recovered information, one which doesn't involve sharing the expedition's spoils with the rest of the group.

(OOC: Spending 2 ranger hit dice and 2 rogue hit dice for refresh.)

Nicolai keeps his face impassive but his mind is picking away at the possibilities for ambushes.  Even as he leads off around the ring, he's thinking about ways to separate Corros from Ulfgar and Gronk.  The witchling and Jenna are inseparable, of course, so he'll have to deal with the priestess too...

Perhaps it's the Ardani's murderous thoughts that cue him to the ambush awaiting him within the crevasse, or maybe it's a lifetime of avoiding more ably-set traps than this.  Regardless, he's in motion before his conscious mind catches up with the threat lumbering toward him, rapier and shield coming up to interpose themselves.  "Thing!" he calls out, backing to give himself some maneuvering room.  It's not his most articulate warning but the seemingly-random assemblage of flesh defies more precise description.  It's still flesh, though, so presumably it can bleed...

Nicolai
AC 17; HP 35/38; Superiority Dice 4/4
Move: Into melee with the thing
Bonus (optional): If no advantage gained from spells, Feinting Attack maneuver (-1 superiority die)
Attack: +1 rapier (attack +7 w/ advantage; damage 1d8+2d6+4 [+1d8 if Feinting Attack used])

Gronk moves up to stand beside Nic. When the Ardani strikes, Gronk is right there with him, launching a vicious attack of his own.

Gronk
AC 16; HP 52/56
4/4 superiority dice/combat maneuvers remaining
Attacking Monster as soon as it is in Range

-
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Tue 17 May 2016.

As the grotesque creature lumbers towards its prey, the party magic-users batter it with spell attacks.

Jenna's Guiding Bolt staggers it, highlighting the monster with Arma's scorching radiance (O1 -24HP). Corros' pair of Eldritch blasts slow it further (O1 -23HP), allowing Ulfgar to illuminate the aberration with green Faerie Fire before it reaches Nic.

Nic can't miss. The tip of his rapier disappears into the monster's gaping maw, piercing its tongue and the palette underneath (O1 -18HP). The creature's jaws clamp down on Nic's extended arm, releasing its toothy grip only when the spiked head of Gronk's morning star impacts with a meaty thud against its side (O1 -13HP). Nic quickly withdraws both arm and rapier from the monster's unclenched jaws; the rotting carrion stench emanating from the wound suggests that it's worse than it appears (Nic -12HP; Nic is diseased!).

The monster isn't finished, lashing out at Gronk and Jenna with its two tentacle-like appendages. Gronk parleys the creature's miss into more offense of his own, smashing the offending tentacle aside (O1 -21HP) with Spike. The foul beast's second tentacle harmlessly bounces off of Jenna's armor.

The mouthy, three-legged, three-armed monster is badly wounded, but there's still some fight in it left.


Your Turn.

-

Ulfgar stands back, away from melee, concentrating on the maintaining the Faerie Fire spell.  The green hue was useful in aiding his allies attacks against the tentacled creature.

Ulfgar Frostbeard
Staying behind the front rankers
Keeping concentration for FF on the creature.

Corros watches as his two mystical bolts slam home into the nasty creature, glad that they inflicted damage it.  When the beast clamps down on Nic's arm, instant alarm and concern crashes into the warlock's mind that is only confirmed when the rogue withdraws his freed arm and reveals the two nasty punctures on either side oozing blood and ichor.  When the creature's other attacks fail to find purchase, Corros breathes a sigh of relief that is replaced with new emotions, grim satisfaction that Nic has proven that he is less than Corros, and concern that the others are still strong enough to menace him and his prize.

"Where..." he mumbles aloud in a confusion of his mind's devising, seeking some source of these thoughts.  But then the creature still continues to glow and if it doesn't die soon, it might turn it's attention to him before he can make use of his spoils.  He draws forward more magic to make sure that doesn't happen.


Corros
29/35 HP, AC 13
Casting Eldritch Bolt x2 again at the creature

"Get away from me!" Jenna hisses the words as the thing's tentacles flay impotently at her shield, venom dripping from her lips. Normally she would have tried to place herself between Corros and the impending threat, but this time she leaves the half elf Warlock to look after himself. After all, he has all of that new found knowledge does he not? A twisted thought courses through Jenna's mind, to step away, to see if what he has learned will help defend him against the creature.

Her lips curl into a smirk... it was tempting...so very, very tempting...but another thought pushes it aside, the desire to see this thing join the trail of death they are leaving in their wake as they move through this strange place. Letting out a wild cry Jenna lunges forward, Arma's Blessing raised high above her head, her right arm bringing the hammer down with all the force that she can muster, the blow aimed at what she takes to be the thing's eyes.

Jenna
AC: 17, HP29/38
Attacking thing with warhammer (1d8+1)
Using War Priest for bonus attack

Nic hisses inarticulately as he snatches his arm out of the creature's maw.  His sword-hand is throbbing as if it's already beset with a bone-deep infection.  He slings the shield off his right arm, letting it clatter against the wall, and transfers the blade to his weaker - but, for the moment, intact - right hand before whirling back at the monster.

Nicolai
Diseased
AC 17 15; HP 23/38; Superiority Dice 4/4
Attack: +1 rapier (attack +7 w/ advantage; damage 1d8+2d6+4)
Optional: if attacked and missed, spend 1 superiority die for riposte (additional rapier attack, +1d8 to damage)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:55, Tue 17 May 2016.

Corros puts the foul monster down with a second pair of Eldritch Blasts, but that doesn't stop Jenna, Nic, and Gronk from making sure that it stays down, alternatingly bashing and stabbing the felled creature until the matter is beyond all doubt (Otyugh is dead!).

An almost overpowering stench erupts from its battered carcass, still faintly glowing green from the lingering effects of the Faerie Fire. The smell escaping from the creature's wallow in the deep darkness of the crevice is even more nauseating. Perhaps there is an item of value buried in some fetid corner of the  den, although retrieving any such treasure without vomiting, or assuming the reek of the monster's leavings on one's person, will be almost impossible. It's that disgusting.

Nic isn't feeling very well, his injury more than a simple flesh wound. The creature's saliva must behave like some kind of slow-acting poison, and it's already in his blood.


The jealousy and antipathy the others felt towards Corros earlier has diminished significantly, leaving but a tinge of suspicion and resentment lingering on the trailing edges of consciousness.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:40, Wed 18 May 2016.

Jenna turned away from the thing that now lay before them on the ground, but the Priestess was too late to avoid the stench that assails her nostrils, raw, putrid. Foul. A split second later she felt the sudden rush of bile rising from the pit of her stomach. Instinct takes over, the slim blonde bending at the waist, just in time, for a split second later vomit spewed from her mouth and splattered over the floor of the tunnel, narrowly missing her boots.

"I'm sorry" she muttered to the others as she straightened up, moved further away from the carcass. Reaching for her waterskin she took a deep drink to try and wash away the taste, looking around at the others, at Nicolai, Gronk, Ulfgar. And Corros. Corros. Memories of the last hour or so come rushing back, culminating in the thoughts that she had had as they were attacked. She would always place herself between the Warlock and any danger, protect him with her armour, her faith. Her body. She had broken her arm defending him on the way back from Yonder's Hole.

But this time she had left him to protect himself. Had thought that he would betray them, take the knowledge for himself. Why would she think that about her friend? Jenna shook her head, looked away from Corros, partly embarrassed, hoped that he had not seen her looking at him as she walked up to Nicolai.

"You're hurt." The Priestess said. "Let me look at that." It was a command not a request, as closed her eyes, as her lips moving in a silent prayer to Arma as her hands closed around his arm, a warm tingle coursing over the rogue's skin.

Jenna
Casting Lesser Resoration on Nicolai

Corros grins with self satisfaction when his magical attack fells the disgusting beast.  He only wishes the stink would have faded with its life.  The vomit that Jenna adds to the mix doesn't really help, but given the foulness coming from the creatures lair, it doesn't really hurt either and he gives her what he hopes is an encouraging smile.  It seems like the anger and suspicion that was coursing through his mind is fading with the rush of combat.

"Something that gross has to be protecting something of value, yeah?" he asks moving forward cautiously.  He touches Jenna's mind briefly, almost a caress of concern and support, withdrawing before he can draw a complete picture of her thoughts, picking up only the briefest impression of her promise of protection.

The stench ahead stops him cold with a wretch, saliva rushing to his mouth to flush the taste of rot and filth away.  Corros spits and wishes he hadn't opened his mouth at all.  "A little light," he chokes at Ulfgar. "I can search from here with a spell. With a grimace, Corros call forth a translucent hand and starts to push through the muck.

Ulfgar pulled out a wineskin full of pirate whisky.  He took a long draw from it, replacing the stopper and stowing back in his bag when finished.  "Ok, let's get this over with," he said as the warm liquor hit his empty stomach.  He took a couple of deep breaths and readied himself for Corros to bring out the look with his mage hand.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Thu 19 May 2016.

"Moritasgus' balls," Nicolai swears quietly but fervently at the stench.  "That's..."  He flails at the air as words fail him, then quietly slumps against the wall.

As Jenna's shadow falls over him, he flinches away, then relaxes and looks up.  "Ah.  Yes.  Not feeling so good."  He glances at his arm, which is already beginning to swell and darken.  "What I get for fencing with a festering pit."

As Jenna's magic suffuses his damaged limb, he lets out a hiss of relief.  "That's much less bad."  With his undamaged arm, he fumbles in his pack and comes up with a small silver flask.  "Here.  This will help get the taste out of your mouth.  And guarantee you can't smell much of anything for a few minutes."

OOC: Nic will assist with assessing any loot once it's separated from the filth (perhaps with Prestidigitation if Corros has that?).  Lesser Resto should get him out from the poisoned condition, so he'll be as functional as he ever is once he's caught his breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:10, Fri 20 May 2016.

With Ulfgar providing illumination, and Gronk, Jenna, and Nic keeping watch behind them, Corros reaches into the crevice with a large, incorporeal hand. He sorts through the offal, more by sight than by feel, until the light from Ulfgar's lantern glints off of something shiny. He plucks the object out between magical thumb and forefinger and extracts it from the mess. A little water rinses the worst of the offending scum clinging what turns out to be a simple ring crafted of a jet black metal or stone. It's hard to hold on to with bare hands, hard to see, even, suggesting some sort of enchantment.

Added to BoH: 1 Jet-black ring

Storing the ring with the Five's other tunnel loot, the party leaves the otyugh's foul lair and continues roughly west, passing another quiescent myconid colony along the way. The nothic spoke true- as long as they give the intelligent spores a wide berth, the mushroom people show no aggression.

The tunnel has grown colder, not by much, but enough to be noticeable. The Five approach another chamber entrance in the outer wall of the tunnel. By dead reckoning, this chamber is located in the same spot as the nothic's haunt was encountered on the direct opposite side of the loop. Apparently, the builders of this massive tunnel valued symmetry.

As they draw nearer to the chamber, the adventurers pick out many low but animated voices speaking, presumably to one another, coming from its darkened interior. The Five could probably pass by the chamber in the shadows on the far side of the tunnel (if they're willing to extinguish the lantern flame), or they could continue to approach and investigate.


Your Turn.

-

Nicolai, in the lead again, freezes at the sound of murmuring and holds up a hand in warning.  Voices ahead, he thinks at Corros.  I can try to get closer but I'll need to be able to see without the lantern.  Can you relay to Ulfgar that I need him to enchant my eyes again?

Upon receiving the druid's magical aid, he creeps forward toward the chamber's entrance, pausing after each step to scan for any traps or obstacles that might betray his presence.  His sword remains sheathed but one hand is on its hilt, ready to lash out at any sign of attack.

OOC: If attacked and missed, will spend a superiority die for a riposte.

Ulfgar casts a spell and touches Nic.  The Human's eyes suddenly see through the darkness.

Casting Darkvision on Nic
-1 2nd Level Slot

Gifted with night vision by Ulfgar's druid spell, Nic cautiously approaches the entrance to the chamber. What he sees inside defies rational explanation.

An amorphous mass, like a tall scoop of naked muscle, pierced along its height by dozens of... mouths, opening and closing, chittering away in at least a score of different languages, occupies the center of the chamber floor. The monstrosity is producing a gibberish beyond comprehension, a muttering collective of insanity. It's got nearly twice as many eyes as mouths, but they don't appear to have spotted the interloper.


Your Turn.

-

Nicolai draws back from the chamber's entrance in horror.  He spends a few seconds scrabbling for words, then gives up.  Instead, he draws a shaky breath, focuses on Corros, and projects an image of the... thing... at the witchling.

No, he manages to send once he's shared the image.  Just... no.  Not unless you brought a fucking lot of fire.

I don't even...okay we'll sneak past this...thing.  Keep watch, Corros sends back to Nic.  Horror is the only word or emotion that the half-elf can bring to mind.  The tiny bolts of fire he can conjur aren't going to be able to strike this thing from existence, not in the scale of bonfire Nic is suggesting.

Trying suppress a shudder, he turns to the others, drawing them close and reaching out to their minds in turn, building and showing a plan to try and get past the creature.  Ulfgar, Gronk, Corros, Jenna, moving slowly one at a time.  That's the plan.  Then Nic can make his way back to the group.  If everything works.  If.

By keeping to the side of the tunnel opposite the chamber entrance, and continuing to eschew use of the lantern, the Five manage to pass the hideous, mouthy abomination described by Nic.

After that, the rest of the journey is relatively straightforward and uneventful. On a couple of occasions, the party encounters rust monsters, but the giant, metal-eating insects, apparently aware that the numbers are not in their favor, stay out of the bipedal intruders' way.

The Five arrive at the mirror image of the chamber where they were ambushed by the mimic; it has collapsed, leaving a large, partially rubble-filled cavity gaping in the outer wall of the tunnel. They move on.

A faint white glow appears up ahead, just around the gentle curve of the tunnel wall. It soon reveals its source- the jagged gash in the roof of the underground complex, through which the party gained entrance. Objectively, that was about 9 or 10 hours ago, but it seems to the adventurers like many days have passed since they last saw and felt the sunlight.

They return to the spot from which they began their subterranean trek and find a single set of five tracks leading away south into the depths of the tunnel, one pair featuring a deliberately notched heel. The strange circle is complete.

The Five ascends the rubble stair into the cold light of day to find the overworld dusted with a thin layer of fresh snow. The hike out of the shallow crater bowl and into the ruined city. They return the way they came, threading their way through mountains of debris. There are signs that the Five are being watched- a fleeting glimpse of movement, a sudden rock fall, inhuman tracks in the snow. The Five arrive at the edge of the city- they can see the snow blanketed steppe through the fallen towers up ahead. So close...

Corros hears the watchers- their "voices" inside his head- before he sees them.

They return.
They must be strong.
They look weak.
We are hungry.
They are few.
We are thrice as many.
Not thrice.
Close enough.
Let us feast.
Some of us will die.
More soft flesh for the rest of us, then.
We must eat.
We will eat.
Attack.
Attack.
Attack.

Thirteen human-sized, six-limbed insectoids, several armed with wicked-look double-head polearms, slowly materialize in a rough circle around the Five, their exoskeletons grey-dappled white now. Slowly, they close the noose on the weary adventurers.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:07, Mon 23 May 2016.

”Bydded i'r rhai sy'n byw yn ôl gwenwyn, farw trwy gwenwyn!” Ulfgar cried out as he summoned powerful druidic magic to defend the group.  Suddenly snakes appeared!

”Attack these the insects!  Kill them all!” Ulfgar said.  And as the words echoed but once, he transformed into a Direwolf, turned from the semi circle, and fled at top speed!  Barks of encouragement spilled from his muzzle as he fled what was certain to be an ugly melee.

Ulfgar Frostbeard
AC: 15, HP: 27
Action: Cast Conjure Animals (Giant Poisonous Snakes) centered on the maximum number of bugs.  Command the summons to attack the insects.
Bonus Action: Turn into a Dire Wolf (AC: 14, HP: 37, Move 50’)
Move Action: Run 50’ away from the insects.  (Keeping the concentration spell up)
(Purposefully trying to generate opportunity attacks if the Insects decided to pursue Ulfgar.  The snakes move 30 ft have a 10 ft reach, so that could be quite painful depending on final spacing)

1) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
2) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
3) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
4) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
5) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
6) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
7) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
8) Giant Poisonous Snake, AC: 14, HP: 11, Bite: +6, 1d4+4, Reach 10 ft, Target must make a DC 11 CON save taking 3d6 on a failed save or 1/2 on a successful one.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:17, Mon 23 May 2016.

Jenna simply looks at the creatures as they materialise around the group and begin to slowly advance. As they come closer she begins to circle around, her hammer held in her right hand, her shield strapped to her left. "So, you think you will slay us?" Her voice is low, her tone taunting. Almost mocking. A random snowflake lands on her cheek, its touch chill. Perhaps it was her destiny to die this day. Perhaps not. But other things had already tried to kill her. And failed.

"You should flee now, whilst you can, and pray to whatever God you believe in that we are merciful. For others have tried. They have all died. Every last one of them. So who amongst you wants to be first to try? Who wants to be first to die? You?" The slim Priestess doesn't even know if they can understand her but it is cathartic as she raises Arma's Blessing, points it at one of them. She's vaguely aware of Ulfgar shape shifting, of the slithering of serpents around her as the dwarf wolf sprinted from the circle. "You?" The hammer shifts to point at another of the creatures.

She didn't blame Ulfgar for running, perhaps she would have done too if she could. But her faith holds true. Jenna blinks, her eyes shifting from blue straight to black, no white this time. "You? We will destroy you all. Every last one of you. And when we are done we will rip your carcasses apart and mount your heads on spikes for all to see. So who is first? Who will be the first to die?"

The hammer points towards another. "You." It was not a question these time, but a statement. Jenna takes a deep breath, launches a bolt of radiant energy at the creature she is pointing at.

Jenna
AC: 17, HP29/38
Trying to sound like one badass bitch
Launching Guiding Bolt at random creature (Level 2)

Nicolai sighs wearily.  He'd like to say something snide but Jenna has already claimed pre-battle monologue duty for this round.  Instead, he exploits the momentary distractions she and Ulfgar have created by simply drawing his rapier, pivoting, and driving the blade toward the nearest creature's eyes.

Nicolai
AC 17; HP 23/38; Superiority Dice 3/4
Move: Into melee with enemy #3
Bonus: Feinting Attack (-1 superiority die) on enemy #3
Attack: +1 rapier (attack +7 w/ advantage; damage 2d8+2d6+4)
Contingency: If attacked and missed, will expend a superiority die for Riposte
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Mon 23 May 2016.