Corros takes the ring and badge of safe passage back from Jenna and steps in front of the stone creature.  There is a patient power radiating off the thing, a timeless sentinel waiting to do it's job.  For a moment, Corros wonders what that kind of patience would be like, an eternity of waiting and standing still until the conditions are right to act.  And then, what, a return to waiting.  His error, he knows, is bringing his own thoughts to something that is not human and doesn't share his way of thinking.  Something totally foreign.  With that in mind, Corros gathers The Library in his thoughts, seeking a link to the golem.

The probe is careful, the connection tenuous so as not to startle the creature.

Greetings sentinel, he sends.  We seek passage and do not wish to anger or disturb you.  We believe there is danger to our world beyond you and must discover the source.  How may we pass?

Corros has little doubt that the golem can understand him, but it quickly becomes apparent that the ancient construct is unable to reply in kind. It's ability to communicate is apparently limited exclusively to gesture.

The golem's actions and the signage that the party has so far discovered strongly indicate that the golem will not allow any unauthorized (i.e. badge-less) or armed personnel past this point. Fortunately, the construct doesn't seem to have the capacity to become impatient or angry with the party's persistent experimentation with bending the rules.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:14, Mon 29 May 2017.

Being the most capable of the Five when it comes to unarmed self-defense, Amaldaris leaves his elven staff spear with his new friends and takes the platinum ring badge. The Golem allow him to pass by unhindered. In fact, the golem seems to completely ignore anyone who successfully passes its invisible threshold. Its sole focus appears to be prohibiting the unauthorized entry of armed individuals.

The soft-footed elven monk pads into the darkness beyond the single-minded guard and is soon lost from view. The tunnel continues straight ahead for some time, until it terminates in a small chamber made of metal. This chamber is closed off on Amaldaris' side by folding metal grate. This grate does not appear to be locked. In the far wall of the chamber is the hollow imprint of a ring, by the looks of it the same dimensions as the platinum badge he currently bears.  It reminds the elf of a mechanical lift, quite common in the advanced, sylvan cities of his people. There's writing inscribed inside the chamber, but Amaldaris is unable to read and comprehend it.

The others wait, under the unblinking gaze of the sculpted stone guard.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Mon 29 May 2017.

"I am trained in fighting with my hands," commented Amaldaris as he lent his spear against the wall.  He then pulled his dagger and placed it on the ground next to it.  "Should I take the ring and make my way past the golem?  It may be that further rings can be found just beyond the guardian."

Receiving a series of nods from his companions he took the ring and approached the golem.


After studying the writing for a while Amaldaris removed his calligraphy set from his pack and then copied it down as best he could on a sheaf of parchment, making use of his scribe training.  Once the ink was dry he then rolled up the parchment and returned it to his pack in order to show his companions later.  Hopefully one of them could make sense of the words.

He then took the platinum ring and placed it in the hollow that seemed to match the shape of the ring, half expecting the floor to move in some way.

Amaldaris carefully opens the sliding metal grate and enters the chamber. When he inserts the platinum badge into the recess- it fits perfectly- he is not disappointed. The badge glows faintly with a pleasant pale blue light. Two wedge-shaped crystal pieces set flush on either side of the metal ring mount slowly light up. The one pointing up is red. The one pointing down is green.

-

Amaldaris studied the two crystal arrows, unsure what the colours indicated.  Based on the logic that they needed to go deeper into the mine he both said "Down" aloud and then thought the same in his mind.

If that didn't work he then waved his hand at the green arrow in the hope that that would work.

Words and thoughts seem to have no effect. Lightly brushing the down-pointing, green-lit crystal, however, does. The light turns red and an unpleasant, intermittent buzzing sound blares out from somewhere behind him. He turns to find the source of the noise and realizes that he left the grate open behind him. He closes the gate and the buzzing sound stops. Clearly, the Forgotten Ones were big on safety precautions. After closing the gate, he tries again with the lift controls. What follows is a low rumble and a sharp creaking sound coming from somewhere above the chamber. The chamber shudders briefly, showering the elf in fine, grey dust, then it begins to descend, slowly at first, then picking up speed.

The lift descends for about thirty seconds or so, then screeches to a jouncing halt. The machinery has clearly not been used for quite some time.

Amaldaris looks past the grate into the space beyond. The lift entrance opens into a short hallway, ending in a metal door. Next to the door is another empty, circular recess.

-

There seemed to be a high degree of dust, judging by what had fallen on him while he descended.  Brushing the worst of it off he looked to see if there were any tracks in the dust on the floor of the hallway that ended in a metal door, trying to judge if any booted feet or animals of some kind had crossed the floor.  Once he had scanned it thoroughly he then searched the chamber for any more of the rings, hoping that something had been dropped and was concealed in the accumulated dust.

The rings seemed to be the key but Amaldaris was a little unsure whether he should proceed without the others.  Everything had been simple since passing the golem to this hallway but he was concerned that a solid metal door could have been installed to keep things in as much as to keep them out.

Once he had completed his various searches the High Elf then returned to the lift and tried to work out how the machinery worked so that he could return to the others.  He tried to repeat the gesture he had done previously but this time focusing on the arrow pointing upward, brushing it gently if simply wafting his hand in front of the crystal was insufficient to make the floor move again.

After examining the floor between the lift and the metal door (there are none), Amaldaris retraces his steps, reactivating the mechanism that returns him to the upper level. He finds his companions waiting patiently on the far side of the stone-silent guard, discussing possible ways to bypass the security system without a potentially costly fight with the powerful construct.

While the elf was away, Nic had a bit of an epiphany. Perhaps the extra-dimensional space inside Ulfgar's Bag of Holding will conceal the party's assorted weaponry from the golem. There's only one way to find out...

One at a time, bearing the platinum ring, the adventurers bypass the sentinel, tossing the badge back to those still waiting their turn. Again, once someone passes the golem, it ignores them, even if they no longer have possession of the badge. Corros and Amaldaris cross the threshold first, being as both are comfortable and competent when it comes to fighting without a conventional weapon. Gronk, Jenna, and Deepdelver, each still armed, wait on the near side. Then, it's Nic's turn, carrying his own weaponry, the suspected Sun Blade found in the locker, and Amaldaris' staff spear, in the Bag of Holding.

It works. The Golem, still facing south, makes no move to stop him. He tosses the ring, and the bag, back to Gronk who stuffs the rest of the party's weapons into the magical satchel. The half-orc crosses in turn, and the ring is passed on until all Five adventurers and Deepdelver are past.

They proceed down the passage to the lift and descend to the lower level. The ride is a bit cramped. The lift probably wasn't intended to carry quite so many.

The lift grate opens in to the short hallway endcapped by the metal door. The ring is placed in the lock plate and the door pops open with a long, sighing hiss.

What lies beyond is a natural cavern, dimly light by red and blue mosses. The cavern roof, hung with dozens of small stalactites, is roughly twice as tall as Gronk. The sound of slowly dripping water echoes around the cool, humid chamber. As soon as the first of the companions steps foot into the room, the floor and walls of the chamber seem to vibrate. Nic issues a warning. Something seems off. He gets the feeling the party is being watched, or otherwise monitored. The vibrations cease. The companions are on their guard, their personal weaponry recovered from the BoH in the lift. Another step is taken. The vibrations resume, more intense this time. Before Nic can issue another warning, a creature burst out of the cavern floor, about 15' ahead of the party.

"It's an Umberhulk!" Deepdelver cries.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Sat 03 June 2017.

"Can we kill it?" Nicolai asks, but it's a pro forma question as he flicks his blades out.  He doesn't know what an umber hulk is, but it's apparently an ambush predator, which makes it a lot more inviting target than a golem that's just stoically doing its job.  He matches pace with Gronk and steps in, angling for a strike at the joints where the chitinous exoskeleton appears to have weak spots.

Nicolai
AC 16 • HP 61/61 • Superiority Dice 4/4
Move: Into melee (waiting for Gronk to move in for flanking)
Attack x2: Rapier +1 (attack +7, damage 1d8+4)
Bonus: Off-hand attack, dagger +1 (attack +7, damage 1d4+4)
Special: +2d6 sneak attack damage to first successful attack

The face emerging from the floor gives Corros pause.  He watches, drawing forth energy as Nic and Gronk move forward in a now familiar battle line to deal with the creature.  A few steps take the warlock to where he knows his place in the center of their group will be.  Flinging loose two bolts of power, he draws the Library near, betting that if there is one of these, there could potentially be more, each one ready to move through the stone like the brute in the corridor before them.  Emerging exactly where? That's the rub, yeah?


Corros
AC 13, 61/61 HP
Casting Eldritch Bolt x2 (+8 to attack, d10 +5 damage)
Will use Entropic Ward if another creature attacks him

The ground seems to simply part, the thing emerging from the hole ahead of them, perhaps thinking to block their passage. Unknowingly mirroring Corros' thoughts, Jenna's eyes flick about the chamber for a moment, looking to see if there any others coming out of the ground before she turns her attention back to the one ahead of the,

The blonde haired Priestess steps forward, not as far as Nicolai or Gronk, but placing herself between Corros and the creature as she raises her right hand towards it, a deep breath as she calls on Arma, the ends of her blonde mane beginning to move of their own accord and her eyes turning from blue to milky white as the Goddess's power and grace flows through her, culminating in a sudden ripple of energy that dances around her fingertips for a moment before she unleashes it at the Umberhulk.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP 56/56
Taking position in front of Corros / behind Nic and Gronk
Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 3) at Umberhulk

"And what, prey tell, is an Umberhulk?" asked Amaldaris as he looked at the creature erupting from the floor of the chamber.  There was a degree of uncertainty in his voice as he tried to recall matching descriptions he had read while studying.

Nicolai's question was really the relevant one however.  It was clear that this creature was intent on attacking them and that it wasn't something that could be parlayed with.  Therefore he looked for a way to get behind it so that he could attack it from the rear and increase the number of people engaging.

"Once it is engaged I will leap behind it," he called to his companions.  His intention was to get behind the creature and the attack it with his spear twice, wielding it two handed, and to then release his spear with one hand and strike his target with his fist.


Amaldaris
AC: 18, HP 63/63, Ki Points 8/8
Move: Using Acrobatics and his 45 foot movement to do a running leap behind the Umberhulk so that he can attack it in the rear (and hopefully ensure that Nic gains his flanking bonus)
Action: 2x Attack with Spear held two handed (+7 attack, 1d8+4 damage)
Bonus Action: 1x Attack with Fist (+7 attack, 1d6+4 damage)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Sun 04 June 2017.

Amaldaris vaults the Umberhulk before it's completely emerged from its burrow, landing gracefully on his feet, staff-spear in hand, behind the monster.

Nic steps forward, expecting Gronk to be right beside him as usual. Instead, the Half-Orc stands still, a look of utter confusion writ large across his grey-green face (Gronk is confused!).

While Amaldaris and Nic are moving swiftly into attack position, Jenna and Corros unleash their magic. The cleric slams a bolt of radiant energy into the monster, wounding it, and illuminating the target for her companions (UH1 -23HP; grants advantage to Nic's attack). Corros' twin Eldritch blasts also connect, doing further damage (UH1 -10HP).

Nic lunges for the beast, aiming for a gap between the plates of its exoskeleton. Touch of Sylk fails, twice, to find the soft spot, but Nic's not out of tricks yet. With a flick of his left wrist, he slices the inside of the monster's elbow with his dagger (UH1 -11HP).

The creature's armored hide stops Amaldaris' first spear thrust, but the elven monk's second attempt is better, piercing the shell over its lower back. A follow up palm strike, however, has no discernable effect (UH1 -10HP).

Although preempted by the quick reflexes of its intended prey, the subterranean ambush predator fights back, lashing out at Nic with both of its claws (Nic -18HP). Surprisingly quickly for such a large creature, the Umber Hulk then turns on Almaldaris, mandibles snapping (Amaldaris -14HP).

While the Umber Hulk unleashes its wrath against the front rank of the party, three stalactites detach themselves from the ceiling and drop, silently, falling towards those in the rear. Despite benefitting from the element of surprise, all three creatures fail to do damage. The one targeting Corros misses entirely, hitting the ground beside the warlock, hurting itself instead (P1 -3HP). The other two bounce off the armor of their respective targets and land on the ground, injuring themselves in the process (P2 -3HP, P3 -3HP). Although startled, neither Jenna or Deepdelver are hurt. The strange, roughly conical creatures start to slink off towards the walls of the cavern, emitting a disgusting smell as they retreat. Appears that the monsters have shot their bolt, and now wish only to escape retribution.


Your Turn.

-

Jenna is momentarily taken by surprise when the....thing...falls from the roof, glances off the shoulder plates of her armour before falling to the ground. Her eyes flick towards it as it scuttles away, her nostrils wrinkling as she inhales the foul odour that the creature is secreting.

The Priestess has no idea what it is, is momentarily concerned that the smell may be harmful, toxic perhaps, but the snapping of mandibles ahead of her swiftly draws her attention back to the umberhulk that is clearly posing a threat as it menaces Nicolai and Amaldaris. Unable to strike at both she calls out quickly to Deepdelver. "Look up, see if there are more of those things!"

The words tumble from her lips. Her fingers are already crackling with radiant energy as she takes a deep breath, channels the Goddess's grace into another bolt that hurtles towards the umberhulk.

Jenna
AC: 21, HP 56/56
Talking to Deepdelver / Casting Guiding Bolt (Level 3) at umberhulk

Nicolai cries out in pain as the creature's claws bite deep into his overextended left bicep and forearm.  He manages to hold onto his dagger but it's a near thing.  As the creature turns on Amaldaris, he staggers backward, exaggerating his pain - then steps back in and rams his rapier toward the base of the creature's skull.

Nicolai
AC 16 • HP 43/61 • Superiority Dice 3/4
Bonus: Feinting attack (-1 superiority die)
Attack 1: Rapier +1 (attack +7 w/ advantage, damage 2d8+4)
Attack 2: Rapier +1 (attack +7, damage 1d8+4)
Special: +2d6 sneak attack damage to first successful attack

Corros risks a glance at the ceiling trying to spot a blank spot that lacks the possible living missiles that just dropped in an attempt to skewer the warlock and his lady love.  A few steps lead him to what he hopes is a safer spot where impalement is a less likely option.  Lighting up the strange creatures now walking away is tempting, except for the fact that the umberhulk is hurting his companions.  With the flick of his wrist, Corros sends two more bolts of energy flying

Corros
AC 13, 61/61 HP
Casting Eldritch Bolt x2 (+8 to attack, d10+5 damage each)

Reeling from the gash the umberhulk had opened up on him Amaldaris kept moving, trying to give it multiple targets to think about and therefore hoping to prevent it focusing all of its attacks on one single person.

He then lashed out with another series of blows with his spear and then his fist.


Amaldaris
AC: 18, HP 49/63, Ki Points 8/8
Move: Continuing to move but still engaging, trying to prevent the umberhulk focusing on a single target
Action: 2x Attack with Spear held two handed (+7 attack, 1d8+4 damage)
Bonus Action: 1x Attack with Fist (+7 attack, 1d6+4 damage)

Gronk snaps out of whatever strange fugue state the Umber Hulk had provoked in him, and instinct takes over. The half-orc, just on the edge of rage, lashes out at the big bug-headed beast with his trusty morning star, Spike.

Gronk
AC 19; HP 88
2x melee attack +8

-

The Umber spins around, its sweeping kaleidoscope eyes sweeping its rather feisty prey. Nic and Amaldaris are overcome by confusion (Nic & Amaldaris are confused!).

Jenna and Corros continue to fight back, as does Gronk, who's just come back to his senses.

Arma's power flows out through Jenna's outstretched hand, slamming into the Umber Hulk (UH1 -23HP; UH1 grants advantage to next attack). Corros hits the monster with one Eldritch blast (UH1 -6HP), further weakening it. The Umber Hulk is grievously wounded. It's half-way back into the tunnel from which whence it came when Gronk serves it a mighty overhand blow, caving in its insectoid head (Gronk scores a Crit!). The glimmer instantly leaves the Umber Hulk's multi-lensed eyes and it keels over, dead.

The mind-scrambling effect of the Umber Hulk's presence instantly ends; Nic and Amaldaris are one again in control of their own faculties.

The strange, stalactite-mimicking, slug-like creatures that dropped from the ceiling continue their slow, oozing retreat back up the cavern walls. Deepdelver smashes the nearest of the four with his hammer, splattering himself in its gooey, foul-smelling innards in the process (P1 is dead!). The other monsters slink out of reach. They no longer appear to pose any kind of serious threat to the adventurers.

Up ahead, the cavern curves to the right. Over the sound of their heavy breathing, the companions can hear the faint, almost ryhtmic clink of metal against rock.


Your Turn.

-

"So we're going to need to get you a bath, yeah?" Corros says to Deepdiver.  The warlock is obscenly glad one that the strange creature didn't pop on him and deliver that terrible smell all of his skin and robes.  Or Jenna for that matter.  Would have made things awkward.

Corros turns toward the sound of metal coming from further down the corridor.  "I suppose we should see what awaits us now."  The creatures they've been facing have shown a tendency to be tougher than what they've seen before.  What that means for the power at the center of this place is hard for him guess, but it can't be good.

"Post-combat hygiene seems to have been a theme since we met," Nic comments dryly.  Then the pain hits.  "Ow.  Shit.  Give me a minute."  He staggers to a nearby rock that's roughly the right height for sitting, fumbles a roll of bandages and an oilskin packet of herbs out of his back, and begins clumsily cleaning and binding the gouges in his arm.

Nic -1 poultice
20:39, Today: Nicolai Romanelli rolled 8 using 3d6.  poultice #1.
+8 hp (51/61)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Thu 15 June 2017.

"What the 7 hells happened?" Gronk asks, patting himself down. He seems a bit surprised to have come out of the scrap completely unscathed. "One hit? I know I'm like real strong and all, but that fight ended way too fast." Apparently, the half-orc is unaware of the time he lost to the Umberhulk's confusing gaze.

-

Jenna's eyes follow the retreating slug things suspiciously, her nose wrinkling as she does so. "Should we let them go?" The Priestess asks after a moment. "They may return in greater numbers, seek to attack us again?" There's a significant amount of uncertainty in her voice, not having any clue as to what the creatures actually are.

Putting the matter to one side for the moment, she looks over to Nicolai. "Would you like me to have a look at that for you?" Poultices and herbs were all very well after all, but they were no match for the power of the Goddess. "Is anyone else hurt?"

"I'll walk holding a dagger over my head," Nicolai rejoins.  "I've got this one.  I need to stay in practice.  I might annoy Arma someday and it'd be a shame if I'd forgotten how to take care of myself."  He arches a millimetric smirk at Jenna as he ties off the bandage, then relents and nods toward Amaldaris.  "I think I saw our new companion take a bite, even if he's too stoic to admit it."