As Gorm approaches the bridge, the remainder of the party follows closely behind. A twenty foot wide canal here leads between ancient masonry walls into darkness. The water moves sluggishly, indicating a weak current. Torchlight flickers in the distance, across the bridge.

With the bear's first steps onto the bridge, a freakishly tall form emerges from the water beneath the bridge. Its green skin is spotted with bulbous outgrowths that resemble barnacles, and black seaweed clings to its shoulders and limbs. Its hands are webbed between viscous looking claws, and the claws on its webbed feet scrape against the stone as it climbs up the stairs leading up to the far end of the bridge.

Baring grim, black teeth, it hollers at Gorm. [Language unknown: "Teicpl'ilta sticonare seshe ith thiwastin urecomill Ateouroul."]

---

Map updated!

Anyone who would like to can make a Nature or History check to identify the beast.

21:31, Today: Secret Roll: Kaabo Roulnar rolled 18,19 using d20+6,d20+4 with rolls of 12,15.  History & Nature.

Kaabo's eyes widened at the enormity of the creature as it stood up out of the water, "They call themselves Gorgebelly, and protect Sadie."

If Kaabo knows what it is, he relays relevant information to the party as well.

Kaabo is aware that Gorgebelly is some form of troll, and he shares this information with the rest of the group.

Landrin sees the troll rise up. “Oh Nine Hells nah!”He takes aim causing a bullseye glyph to appear on the troll’s head and fired both hand crossbows into it.

12:25, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 8 using 1d8 with rolls of 8.  Skirmisher damage.
12:24, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  Hunter Mark damage.
12:23, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 9 using 2d6+6 with rolls of 2,1.  Both hand crossbow damage.
12:23, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 19 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 11.  Hand crossbow attack 2.
12:22, Today: Secret Roll: Landrin Flint rolled 14 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 6.  Hand crossbow attack 1.

Bonus: Hunter’s Mark
Move: Move 5 feet to get in view
Action: hand crossbow attack and free attack from Dread Ambusher feature

Seeing Landrin raising his weapon, the troll lets out a slurring growl. The sound blends a menacing reptilian gurgle with a baritone roar echoing off the slick wet stone walls of the cavern. Hurrying forward across the bridge, its webbed feet wetly slapping the stone, it rakes its claws towards the bear and snaps its jaws around her throat.

---

Map updated!

Everyone is up now. Technically Magdrak takes his turn before the Troll, so if something unexpected happens I'll retcon this post.

Round 1 So Far:

Troll moves across the bridge and attacks Gorm - HITS 2 twice with 2 claws for 18 slashing, CRITS with bite for 12 piercing (30 total) .

Round 1 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Magdrak	15
Troll	14
Makari	13
Morg	13
Gorm	12
Landrin	9
Kaabo	6	Mage Armor

Kaabo reached his right hand up to the bend in his left elbow and quickly ran it down to his wrist as if striking a match against his skin. As he did so, a jet of flames shout out from his left hand toward the troll.

Action: cast Fire Bolt
Result: Hit AC 22 for 11 Fire damage

18:05, Today: Secret Roll: Kaabo Roulnar rolled 22 using 1d20+07 with rolls of 15.  Fire Bolt.
18:05, Today: Kaabo Roulnar rolled 11 using 2d10.  Fire Bolt.

Makari let out a sigh and tossed a disapproving glare at Landrin after they shot the creature. "always the violence." He shook his head but then the troll attacked Gorm and the frown on his face turned angry. "Don't hurt Gorm!"

He held his staff and pointed at the troll, muttering his arcane phrase as a pair of golden light energy streaked out to strike them.

Pounded on like a drum in the initial assault Gorm is visibly bashed up and bleeding from the assault. . . for a few moments, then she is suddenly unharmed as if an entirely new bear, although one that looks exactly the same, biting at one of the swinging limbs proves fruitless but the claws connect with the troll's legs leaving at least temporary cuts in its tough hide.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:42, Fri 14 May 2021.

Landrin continued his barrage with one arrow going wide and the other two planting themselves in its neck. He quickly reloaded as surely it had more to give.

08:54, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 10 using 4d6+3 with rolls of 3,1,2,1.  Crit damage.
08:53, Today: Secret Roll: Landrin Flint rolled 28 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 20.  Bonus attack .
08:50, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,3.  Crit Hunter Mark damage.
08:50, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 13 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 4,6.  Crit crossbow damage .
08:49, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 28 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 20.  Attack 2.
08:48, Today: Secret Roll: Landrin Flint rolled 12 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 4.  Attack 1.

Two crits for 30 damage total.

Magdrak grumbles as the battle starts.  "Could have picked a better spot to attack.  Gonna be tough to swing my axe from here."

He moves up the stairs, looking for a way to maneuver past the bear and the troll to get behind them.  When he spots an opening, he dashes through.

---

OOC:

Move up stairs (Movement)
Prepare to dash when troll moves to melee range (Ready Action)
Dash to first square past troll (Reaction)


Current HP: 43/51
Current HD: 3/5 (d10)
Lay on Hands: 20/25
Channel Divinity: 1/1
Current Spells:
1st: 2/4
2nd: 0/2
Heavy Armor Master (DR 3/magic)

Morg readies his sword, in case the creature comes within range of him.

---

Action: Ready: attack monster with greatsword - trigger is it moving within 5' of Morg.

6000 posts!

Gorgebelly lets loose another loud bellow, this time tinged with pain.

Seemingly split between guarding the bridge and charging after Kaabo, he finally renews his attacks against the bear.

---

Map updated!

Everyone is up now. Technically Magdrak takes his turn before the Troll, so if something unexpected happens I'll retcon this post.

Round 1 Summary:

Magdrak moves up the stairs and readies a move.

Gorgebelly moves across the bridge and attacks Gorm - HITS 2 twice with 2 claws for 18 slashing, CRITS with bite for 12 piercing (30 total).

Makari casts Eldritch Blast at Gorgebelly - HIT twice for a total of 28 force.

Morg readies an attack.

Gorm re-invokes Wild Shape and attacks Gorgebelly - HITS with claw for 8 slashing.

Landrin casts Hunter's Mark on Gorgebelly, then attacks twice with a hand crossbow - HIT once for 14 piercing.

Kaabo casts Fire Bolt at Gorgebelly - HIT for 11 fire.

Round 2 So Far:

Gorgebelly attacks Gorm - HITS twice with claws for 26 slashing .

Round 2 Initiative Order:

Who	Init	Status
Magdrak	15
Gorgebelly	14
Makari	13
Morg	13
Gorm	12
Landrin	9	Conc: Hunter's Mark
Kaabo	6	Mage Armor

Morg Danforge:

6000 posts!

!!!

Kaabo continued his fiery assault. He'd had no opportunity to prepare spells better suited for single targets, so mere cantrips was the best he could muster for now.

cast Fire Bolt, hit AC 20 for 16 Fire damage

22:46, Today: Kaabo Roulnar rolled 20,16 using d20+7,2d10.  Attack w/ Fire Bolt.

Morg moves back, then runs past Magdrak and jumps onto the bridge behind the troll.

---

Move: 5' NE, run 10' SW (thru Magdrak=difficult terrain).
Action: Dash: jump 15' onto the bridge just behind the troll.

Landrin unleashed bolt after bolt into the beast with two striking home but only for minimal damage. He reloaded as the troll continued his rampage.

23:40, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 5 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 1,1.  Attack 3 damage.
23:40, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 10 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 3,4.  Attack 1 damage.
23:39, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 18 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 10.  Attack 3.
23:39, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 10 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 2.  Attack 2.
23:39, Today: Landrin Flint rolled 19 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 11.  Attack 1.

Action: Attack and extra attack, hit once for 10 damage
Move: none
Bonus: attack hit for 5 damage

Makari stayed back a bit, weaving his head a bit, stepping this way or that so he could see better, even glancing behind him to make sure nothing and no one was coming up to flank them. He noted Gorm was getting hurt but held off on healing for the moment, as just a few moments before the bear had miraculously healed themselves it had looked like.

He uttered the same incantation once more, pointing his staff forward with a gesture and two more golden-green bolts flared out towards the troll.

With a deafening croak, the web-toed Troll keels over sideways off the bridge, then lands with a loud splash into the water below.

---

Map updated!

We're out of initiative.

Round 2 Summary:

Magdrak

Gorgebelly attacks Gorm - HITS twice with claws for 26 slashing.

Makari casts Agonizing blast at Gorgebelly - HIT twice for 21 force.

Morg jumps onto the bridge.

Gorm

Landrin attacks Gorgebelly with crossbows - HIT twice for a total of 15 piercing.

Kaabo casts Fire Bolt at Gorgebelly - HIT for 16 fire. Gorgebelly is dead.


Loot thread updated!

XP gained: 1,800
Running total XP (each): 10,388

The cuts across Gorm's back don't so much heal as it seems like the whole bear is replaced by a new bear that looks exactly the same from the inside, the old bear is either absorbed or simply fades from existence all within the same second or two in which the process concludes itself, even glancing away to watch the troll fall is enough to miss the event itself.

Turning her attention to Morg for several seconds the bear then continues on across the bridge to presumably follow the scent trail.

"Aye." Morg says to Gorm. Then to the rest of the party, "I think that cultist has gone and warned the others already. Gorm and I could do with a bit of a rest to gather ourselves. Shall we go back and search and rest in the barracks, or rest at the next safe looking place?"

"I'd rather not leave the possibilities of enemies behind us if we're about to push forward into the unknown too."

Makari watched the troll fall but then his eyes were drawn to Gorm. He watched as their form...changed...again. It wasn't healing, per se, but it was fascinating to watch. He frowned lightly and spoke towards Gorm, "Is it...impolite...to ask how you do that?"

The discussion began about next steps. "I am not sure giving any remaining cultists time to gather and regroup is necessarily a good thing but.." Makari gave a half-shrug. "If rest is needed, we should go where we know is empty and can be defended."

Landrin looks across the bridge and considers the options. Each of his new group had good points as to whether to give chase or rest. “If we give chase, I can scout ahead a little bit as I know how to disappear amongst the shadows. If we stay and rest, I know the safest place to go where they won’t find us but we will be able to see if they come across the bridge. Just need to know what we decide before I proceed.”

Morg puts 2 fingers in front of his eyes then moves them to the eastern corridor, and then mimes bandaging himself.

Landrin nods and moves over to the corridor. He holds the end of a piece of rope and whispers an incantation. The rope floats up into the air up to the ceiling. He quickly climbs up the rope and disappears into the ceiling! He pops his head out and motions for everyone to climb up the rope. Once everyone is inside, he pulls the rope up inside seemingly disappearing from sight. Inside the space seems just like a space floating in the air. The portal they came through like a window where they can watch the immediate area while they rested.

Kaabo wasn't very skilled in the use of random hand signals for communication. He thought the dwarf was trying to say something about seeing 2 enemies to the east and tying them up. Apparently Landrin took that to mean go over there and conjure a magical hole in the air for taking a rest? Whatever it was supposed to be, Kaabo followed the others and did what they did, with a note to ask about silent communications later.