This could be going worse... Corros thinks as he moves down the ramp.  He doesn't dare cross the full distance to the floor, pausing instead at a rock sticking up from the floor where he can hide from flying missiles.  The Drow are carrying all sorts of nasty pointed weapons that he doesn't really want to get punctured by.  He doesn't really want his friends to get punctured by them either.  Eyes sweep the cavern floor, looking for points of weakness both in friendly positions and enemy.  The half-elf decides that maybe four people with weapons is a bit much, even for Nic, and sets his sights on the two advancing Drow in the rear.

It's gonna get loud, he tells his friends.

Corros
AC 13, 61/61 HP
Casting Shatter at D8 and D9, 4th level spell, 5d8 damage, reflex save for 1/2 damage
Still holding Counter Spell ready for the priest

Jenna moved forward, not hesitating as she advanced into the fray. She was aware of Corros holding back, thought that it was a prudent thing to do, for her lover was not equipped for close quarter battle. And she would make sure that none threatened him, would stand between him and the Drow.

The battle was joined now, the Drow reacting, although the Priestess noted that several of them had already fallen, amongst them the Mage. The servant of the false god still stood though, so Jenna raised her hand towards her, took a deep breath as she called on the Warrior's power, felt Arma's grace ripple though her as another bolt of divine energy left her fingers, although this one too lacked the strength of some that she had hurled eariler.

Jenna.
Moving to quarry floor
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 2) at Drow Priestess

Ulfgar spider carefully extricated himself from combat with the drider, then leapt down to a relatively clear spot on the floor.  Once safely on the ground of the cavern, he transformed back into his dwarven form, happy to be back under the protection of his shield and armor.

Action: Disengage (No opportunity attacks)
Move: Spider jump and move to an area clear of enemies (30').
Bonus Action: Revert to normal form (Dwarf)
AC: 18, HP: 84

The bite of the Drow blade is followed by the now almost familiar wave of nausea brought on by the fast-acting poison with which it is dosed.

"So you wanna fight dirty, spiderfucker?!?"

Counting on his boiling rage to mitigate the effects of the poison, Gronk continues to duel with the Drow champion, trying to overwhelm his opponent with a combination of technique and brute strength.

Gronk (Raging)
HP 65/88; AC 19
Superiority Dice 2/4: Spending one to attempt a trip attack (to gain advantage on 2nd attack)
2x +9 attacks v D5 (dam 1d8+8+2)
Riposte on tap

-

The Sun Blade bites through the Drow priestess' scale mail, sinking into the purplish flesh beneath. Somehow, the gravely wounded Dark Elf manages to hang on to life. (Nic hits DP for 26 damage) She staggers backwards under the blow, hands rising to draw upon the power of her demon goddess. The Ardani's call for assistance is answered by his own priestess companion. The Armist's Guiding Bolt flies true, blasting the apostate to the ground in bright flash and puff of white smoke. (Jenna kills DP!) One of the Drow bodyguards lunges at Nic, attempting to skewer the human on the point of his sword. Nic gracefully dodges the blow and delivers a well-placed counterstrike, killing the attacker. (Nic kills D1!). The Dark Elf's companion comes to a sudden realization and, instead of attacking, flees towards the floor-level entrance to the tunnel.

Corros, meanwhile, deals with the approaching Drow reinforcements. The explosion created by the warlock's Shatter spell strikes both warriors dead and causes bits of ceiling to rain down on the chamber floor. (Corros kills D8 & D9!)

Still in spider form, Ulfgar climbs away from the sword-wielding Drider. He crosses the ceiling to a point above unoccupied floorspace and drops on top of a slag heap. When his eight feet meet loose rock, Ulfgar returns to Dwarf form. The Drider follows his every step, dropping down to the floor next to him. Twice in quick succession, the fell creature swings its sword at the Dwarf's two legs, missing only once. Pulling its sword free, the Drider bends at the waist, its humanoid upper half lunging forward, jaw opening unnaturally wide to deliver a stinging bite above Ulgar's knee. (Ulgar takes 7HP slashing damage, 9HP poison damage)

Gronk's rage and skill overwhelms the elite Drow warrior. The Half-Orc gets in two powerful blows before his opponent can respond. The Dark Elf misses with its counter-attack; Gronk doesn't give the Dark Elf a chance to take another swing. Spike smashes into the side of the Drow's white-pated skull, effectively caving it in. (Gronk kills DEW!) The Drow foot soldier thinks better of tangling with the enraged Half-Orc and, instead, runs for his life, heading for the chamber entrance (floor level).

Amaldaris finishes his stunned opponent with a familiar knife-edge hand strike to the throat. (Amaldaris kills D4!) The High Elf surveys the subterranean battlefield, sees the fell spider-Drow hybrid skittering after an ally, rushes to the newly transmogrified Dwarf's side. Amaldaris strikes the monstrocity in the abdomen with his fist, but the beast brushes off the monk's second attack with a wave of its hairy, articulated leg (one of eight). (Amaldaris hits Drider for 8HP) A crossbow bolt glances off said leg, barely cracking its hard outer shell (Deepdelver hits Drider for 2HP damage; his first attack missed entirely).


Your Turn.

-

Going for the runner, Nicolai sends to Corros as he kicks the spider-priestess' falling form in the face for insurance and uses her body as a starting block to launch his pursuit.  He doesn't waste time explaining the obvious.  The witchling grew up on the same streets as the Ardani, even if it was in a different city, and knows equally well that a fleeing combatant brings down either official heat or the rest of his gang.  The group is winning the fight but they're expending a lot of resources and they won't be able to maintain this level of exertion for a second battle on the heels of this one.

Nicolai - AC 16 • HP 61/61 • Superiority Dice 2/4

Statuses: Bless (Jenna) • emitting sunlight (Sun Blade)

Bonus: Cunning Action to Dash
Move: Into melee with D2
Attack x2: Sun Blade (attack +8, damage 1d8+5 radiant) on D2
Reaction: If any enemy attacks and misses, -1 superiority die to riposte (Sun Blade attack, +1d8 damage)

Contingency: If Dash is not needed to enter melee with D2, bonus action is an off-hand rapier attack (attack +7, damage 1d8+4 piercing)

Trying some new combat tag formatting... advise if too annoying.

"To my health!" Ulfgar says as he pulls out a small bottle of beer and drinks it in the middle of combat.  "Ffon curo!" he adds, as he drops the empty bottle and pulls out the belaying pin he took from the pirate ship.

Ulfgar Frostbeard
Standing Ground Against Drider
AC: 18, HP: 68 out of 84
Action: Use object - Beer-Potion - 'Asp APA’ Grants Protection from Poison, per the spell:

You touch a creature. If it is poisoned, you neutralize the poison. If there's more than one poison, you neutralize one you know is present, or one at random. For the duration (1 Hour), the target has advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and it has resistance to poison damage.

Bonus Action: Casing Shillelagh

"Well hells," Corros smiles as the priestess falls.  He sends Nic a mental thumbs up, making a note to check back in with the agent in a few moments.  Corros is fairly confident that man doesn't need magical death hurled over his head while he runs after the Drow. He's trying not to get cocky here, which can be a problem for the half-elf.  It's part of his charm, after all.  Still overlooking the battlefield, he looks for an opportunity to continue to spike the fight in their favor.  With Ulfgar and Amaldaris tangling with the Drider, he decides to hopefully free up Gronk to join in the bashing occurring there.

Let me see if I can get him, he sends to Gronk and pulls power out of the air.

Corros
AC 13, 61/61 HP
Blessed
Casting Eldritch Blast x2 at fleeing D11. +8 to attack, d10+5 damage each.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Sun 15 July 2018.

The battle appeared to be going well but Jenna knew that it was not yet over so she turned her attention to the spider thing that was attacking Ulfgar, a ripple of radiant energy darting from her fingers and flying towards the monstrosity, trying to weaken it so that the others could bring it down. Even as the bolt left her fingers though Jenna felt herself weaken, fatigue rippling through her, her connection to the Goddess growing ever more tenuous.

Jenna
On quarry floor
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 2) at Drider

Small fish, Gronk thinks as he watches the Drow fighter running away. A quick survey of the battlefield instantly reveals the most formidable enemy remaining- the large, half-spider, half-Drow hybrid creature, currently squaring off against Ulfgar, now back in his original dwarven form.

Gronk takes off at a run, heading for the drider, keen on helping his druid companion destroy the foul beast. He almost shouts, "Hang on little buddy!" but he decides Ulfgar wouldn't appreciate that.

Gronk
HP 65/88; AC 19
Superiority Dice a/4
Dash action into melee range w/ Drider

-

Nic, fleet of foot, catches up to the fleeing Drow well short of the exit. A single swing of the Fire Blade from behind instantly parts the Dark Elf's head from its shoulders (Crit! Nic kills D2).

Corros, meanwhile, stops the other fleeing fighter with twin blasts of Eldritch energy (Corros kills D11). Together, the warlock and the Ardani's efforts have just significantly decreased the odds of Drow reinforcements joining the battle.

With Gronk and Amaldaris both rushing to Ulfgar's aid, Deepdelver fires another pair of crossbow bolts at the Drider from on high. Again, only one of the bolts hits its target, but this one does more than just graze the beast (Deepdelver does 11HP piercing damage v. Drider).

This leaves only the Drider. Jenna hits it squarely with a Guiding Bolt, outlining the monster with radiant energy (Drider -15HP; grants advantage to next attack).

The determined Drider attempts to even the playing field. It stretches a hand towards the priestess of Arma and, instantly, she and her warlock companion (within 15' of target) are enveloped in a sphere of magical darkness. (Jenna & Corros are affected by the Darkness spell.)


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:58, Sun 15 July 2018.

I could get used to this, Nicolai decides as he withdraws his glowing blade from between the fleeing Drow's shoulder blades.  He turns back to the fight just in time to see a rippling hemisphere of inky velvet envelop Jenna and Corros.  The culprit is evident - and, conveniently, it also has its back to him and an Ulfgar in its face.  Nicolai's no mage but the counter-move is painfully obvious.

Nicolai - AC 16 • HP 61/61 • Superiority Dice 2/4

Statuses: Bless (Jenna) • emitting sunlight (Sun Blade)

Move: Into melee with Drider
Attack x2: Sun Blade (attack +8 [advantage on first attack], damage 1d8+5 radiant) on Drider
Special: First successful attack on Drider gains +2d6 sneak attack damage from advantage and/or Ulfgar's presence in melee
Bonus: Cunning Action to Help Ulfgar's next attack

Ulfgar positioned himself for an attack as he watched Nic rush forward to impale the half-spider/half-drow beast with the Sun Blade.  After the swarthy human made his move, Ulfgar made his - a powerful swing with the carved wooden belaying pin.  Frostbeard had smacked around quite a few enemies with the pirate ship souvenir.  Now it was the drider's turn to enjoy the unyielding salt-seasoned oaken club.

Ulfgar Frostbeard
Standing fast against the Drider
AC: 18, HP: 68 out of 84
Attacking w/Advantage.  +8 to hit, 1d8+5 damage.
Active Buffs: Protection from Poison.

Gronk arrives on scene, joining Nic and Ulfgar in their assault against the Drider thing. Fueled by rage, the big half-orc swings Spike with a joyful abandon.

Gronk
HP 65/88; AC 19
Superiority Dice 1/4
Attack x2 (+9) v. Drider
Riposte on tap

-
This message was last edited by the player at 00:30, Tue 17 July 2018.

Nic approaches the spider-legged monstrosity from its blind side, slips between two of its back legs and thrusts his sword at its bulbous hindquarters. With a hiss of foul-smelling steam, Nic's Sun Blade pierces the Drider's abdomen. (Nic hits Drider for 26HP damage; Drider loses concentration spell). Jenna's sight is instantly restored as the veil of magical darkness drops.

With his enchanted belaying pin, Ulfgar thwacks the Drider on one of its knees, smashing the joint (Ulfgar hits Drider for 9HP damage).

For the Drider, the hits just keep coming. Gronk's morning star cracks exoskeleton, spurting himself and his companions with reeking ichor. (Gronk hits Drider for 32HP damage)

Up Next: Jenna and Corros (in any order)

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:24, Tue 17 July 2018.

The blackness that wiped out Corros' vision leaves as abruptly as it arrived.  He looks first to Jenna, making sure that she's okay and feeling relief surge through his veins to see her still standing and looking none the worse for wear.  Then he turns his attention to his allies, particularly the mob surrounding the Drider.  The abomination looks bad, but still so very dangerous.  Corros raises his arm and lets fly.

Corros
AC 13, 61/61 HP
Blessed
Eldritch Blast x2, +8 attack, d10+5 damage

Jenna blinked as the darkness that had briefly enveloped her vanished. The brief wave of panic that had swept through her disappearing with the effects of the spell she focused her gaze on the foul abomination that was the drider, raised her hand towards it and called down Arma’s power – or at least as much as she could, for the conduit felt increasingly weaker – and unleashed another bolt of radiant energy at the eight legged thing.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP 56/56
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 1) at drider

Dark energy and light, both strike the badly-wounded monster. The Drider's eight legs give out at once, dropping its pendulous abdomen on the cavern floor. Its dark-elf torso remains upright for a beat or two, before falling forward, face-first, landing with a meaty thud. (Corros and Jenna kill the Drider!)

The noise level in the cavern diminishes suddenly, the sounds of battle- metal on metal, metal on flesh, heavy breaths, blood pumping through (or out of) arteries in the head and neck- replaced by the comparatively melodic rattling of chains. The prisoners- Zima conspicuously not among them- have taken a set of keys from the guard they overwhelmed and are using it to free themselves. The sound grows louder as a few of thecreatures struggle to be the next to use them. One set of shackles is already empty, its former occupant nowhere to be seen.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Tue 17 July 2018.

"This isn't what I'd call subtle, but it has its uses down here," Nicolai comments to Corros.  He whispers the Sun Blade's command phrase in Primordial and watches, still fascinated, as the glowing blade collapses into the hilt.

"You two okay?" he asks Gronk and Ulfgar, who seem to have taken most of the hits in the brief but intense skirmish.

Jenna took a deep breath, blinked, almost as though she was scared that her vision might disappear again. The blindness had sent a wave of panic coursing through her when it had happened for what if it had not been the drider?  What if it had been Arma? Had Jenna angered Her by giving her love to another rather than the Goddess? Was this punishment for not following Her teachings? It was foolish to think in such ways of course, but she could not help herself.

"We killed them all?" She said. It was part statement, part question, more than a hint of surprise in her voice for she had not thought it possible that they could have overwhelmed the drow in the way that they had, seemingly taking little damage themselves.  Little damage was not teh same as no damage though.

"Do any of you need healing?" If they did she would help them as best as she could, but that help was likely to be limited, for Jenna felt weak. Drained. As though she could hardly stand, was exhausted, both mentally and physically, the weariness etched on her face. She needed to pray soon, to renew her connection with the Goddess.

"Handy to have in a fight," Corros confirms to Nic.  "Especially for the 'oh gods, my eyes' set."  Truth be told, the warlock can't really believe they're all standing there, not really that much worse for wear.  Jenna is worn out, Gronk and Ulfgar have some wounds, but most of them look good.

"We'll find a place soon, love," he says softly to Jenna, squeezing her shoulder once and ignoring the fact that the Underdark isn't really a place for softness.  He leaves her to the healing work and start walking over to the group of struggling slaves.

"Easy," he says in common, before repeating again in Abyssal.  "We'll get you all free and we've no interest in keeping you from putting some distance from the slave parties.  We're hunting Drow and I'm really damn curious about that thing," the warlock's hand indicates the stone edifice poking out of the rock.

OOC: Corros will use psychic communication with an identified leader if he has to (ex: if no one speaks common or Abyssal), but he doesn't really want to tip that advantage yet.

"Aye, I'll have some healing, but save your strength.  I'll summon some berries for Gronk and me." Ulfgar said.  He held the Tree of Life around his neck and cast a spell.  When twenty berries appeared, he divvied them up evenly between himself and Gronk.

"I'll check the dead to see if they have anything useful," Ulfgar said once he'd wolfed down his 10 good-berries.


+10 HP for Gronk and Ulfgar
Ulfgar now HP: 78/84
Searching the dead for LOOOOOT!

With a subtle wince, Gronk wipes blood away from his freshest wound. In answer to Nic and Jenna's inquiries, he replies with good humor, "Yeah, but you should see the other guy." He gratefully excepts a new batch of Goodberries from Ulgar. "Much thanks, dwarf." Popping one in his mouth, he makes a contented sound, adding, "I just wish I didn't have to get cut to enjoy these things."

+10 HP (now 75/88 HP)

-

The prisoners continue to unshackle themselves. None of them are talkers. Although it's a stretch to describe it as such, the most civilized among them is a Gnoll. "Damned if I know," the jackal-headed creature replies gruffly (speaking Abyssal), in answer to Corros' question. "Too bad you can't ask him," it adds, dropping his chains on the Drow guard that he and his fellow captives literally tore limb from limb a couple of minutes earlier. The other prisoners- among them a troglodyte, a grimlock, a quaggoth*, a hook-horror, and an ogre- depart as soon as they are freed. Corros doesn't get much more out of the Gnoll, except that it was part of a Gnoll slaver party that clashed with the Drow and lost.

The others examine the strange, rib-like structures the slaves were excavating. They could be ribs, but if so, of a creature more massive in scale than any dragon of which any of them have heard tell. They could also be crude columns, or the bars of a enormous cell of some sort. Whatever they are, as evidenced by the piles of slag heaped about on the cavern floor, the Drow have invested a significant amount of effort to expose them.

Several minutes pass with no sign of Dark Elf reinforcements. The party counts a total of 23 Drow, including the Drider, that they've encountered, and sent to meet their gods, since entering the caverns beneath the ancient tunnels (two were killed by something else). Amaldaris explains that this number is almost exactly half the size of a typical Drow war company. Such bands are led by a priestess, he adds, implying that whether this be half a company, or half of a whole one, the party has almost assuredly deprived it of its high-level leadership.

Satisfied that they are relatively safe, and badly in need of a long rest, the party beds down on the cavern floor. Amaldaris volunteers to take the first watch at the elevated entrance, stationing himself on the landing at the top of the pathway. Deepdelver volunteers to watch the floor-level entryway.

The party is about four hours into its planned respite, when Nic awakes with a start. He senses that something is amiss. Listening to his gut, he looks up. Amaldaris is not at his post. Instead, a strange figure darkens the doorway atop the landing, gazing down at the sleeping adventurers with black eyes. The creature has the body of a man, at least it would appear so, as it wears dark robes like in cut and size to those of a human acolyte or magic user. The head atop the body, however, is grotesquely incongruous in shape and aspect. It's as if someone has spliced the body of a large squid onto the body of a man. Another, larger figure, appears at its shoulder. It's got the now-familiar long neck and bull head of a minotaur.

OOC: Long rest interrupted; short rest completed. All spells and abilities that recharge after a short rest are recovered. Those requiring a long rest are not.

*The party encountered and bested a Quaggoth in the tunnels beneath Warehouse 8 in Balefyre. Its presence here may or may not be coincidental.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:48, Sun 22 July 2018.

Tales of unwholesome worship services in coastal elven enclaves come back to Nicolai in a squeamish flash.  His left hand closes on the Sun Blade's hilt.  The word of command hangs on his lips but he doesn't speak it yet.  Instead... he hasn't tried to awaken Corros through the witchling's psychic link, isn't even certain if it works while he's asleep, but -

Corros!  Wake up!  There's an elder god's squid-headed avatar at the door!

OOC: Superiority dice have refreshed.