After a few minutes of traversing tunnels with Weasel as your guide, the main sewer tunnel expands into a circular hub with a pair of arrow slits carved into outer walls, directly across from each other. Two passages continue on to the north and south. A stone door is set into the back wall of a stone ledge to the west.

OOC: whoever is leading please give me a Stealth roll

MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...XanatharGuildHideout]

07:22, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 7 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 2.  Stealth.

Feeling as though his armor is exceptionally noisy in this enclosed space, Raszire suggests in a whisper “Maybe I should cover the rear...”

He motions to the rest of the group to go ahead of him as he maintains a constant glare over the area from which they just left.

Filimena tiptoes and peers from side to side to try to get a glimpse of those in front of her. "So uh... I noticed we've stopped."

OOC: Marik was sort of leading before, prior to our meeting Weasel. Shall we assume he's leading now? I don't mind rolling if it makes sense since from the map it seems Filimena is just a bit behind.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, guys! Was running around a lot this week.

OOC: Rani rolled 20 for Stealth.


Not entirely trusting Weasel (and the others discretion), Marik stayed besides him to scout ahead for the party.  Seeing the intersection, Marik signal Rani to stay quiet and lead her to ward the circular hub, making a quick check in each direction to ensure nobody's or nothing is waiting for them in ambush. Then, he lead Rani toward the small platform. The panther effortlesly jump wth feline agility out of the water to the platform, her paws touching the ground almost without a sound despite the weight she's carrying.

Closing his eyes, Marik then concentrate on the door and let his ears pick up any source of sound around them. He filter in his head the amplified sound of dripping water and the sloshing sound of his teammate walking in the water. He instead concentrate on trying to hear movement or conversation behind that door.

OOC: Marik rolled a Nat 20 on a general Perception check if applicable (26 total). 

The sewers are mostly quiet, the main noise being the movement of water through the tunnels. Weasel is well aware that this is area of a Eyes hideout.

[Private to Marik: Marik sees movement from the arrow slit across from the group.]

Weasel turns to face Raszire, Omaron and Filimena  "Well... we are close... Now, you decide what to do, my work is over.  Me...I will watch...this should be entertaining" he says, grinning.
As  he finish his last word Weasel jump forward and... a rat land on the ground.

The rat quickly scurry away and run to Rani, jump on her right paw and then on her saddle. As Marik look at him, he gives him a thumbs up, before going in one the bags on the saddle.
He then nestle comfortably, chewing nonchanlantly on some dried herb in the elf bag as he prepare to watch the show unfold.


11:24, Today: Weasel rolled 20 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 16.  Stealth.

Marik grimace as he see the rat climbing in one of his bags. He makes a few gestures to try to shoo it away, but it seems Weasel is well installed and unwilling to move out of his medecinal herb bag. He'll deal with this later. For now, he doubt their approach has gone unnoticed.



He turns toward the group, attracting the attention of Omaron, Filimena and Raszire. He point the small arrow slit and mimic someone walking with two fingers. He bow the head as if inviting them to come forward and gently tap on Rani sides. The big cat slowly walk back in the side tunnel, out of view of the door, while Marik prepare his bow.

Preparing for what comes next, Raszire closes his eyes momentarily and begins to pray. St. Fenwyn, I ask you to look after us in our journey. Keep my friends under your protection, and help us to defeat what is evil.

His grip tightens on his shield and mace and he crouches into a low, powerful stance. He nods to Marik, and motions to Omaron and Filimena to advance by his side.

Omaron nods appreciatively as the cleric's magics washed over the group. He cracks his neck, and ensures the grips on his axe and shield is secure. He walks up to the door, testing to see if it is locked or barred.

Filimena nods to no one in particular and steps forward, stealing occasional glances back at the young man, not quite ready to let go of her suspicions of him.

The sewers remain quiet as the group feels empowered by Raszire's prayer.

[edit]


Omaron finds the door unlocked/unbarred.

MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...in-need#Q2WatchPosts]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Fri 15 Mar 2019.

Omaron's eyes rise in surprise. "It's open," he says quietly, voice carrying faintly across the sewer. He moves to open the door, hesitating in case anyone has another idea.

Marik simply nods, as a way to say "Go on".

Omaron shrygs and kicks the door open, rushing through the opening quickly shield-first.

Omaron's boot connects and sends the door flying off the hinge and into the space beyond. Anyone nearby probably heard the ruckus. Inside is a passage which snakes right then left and ends with another door.

Marik feels a bit of breeze coming from the southern passages which smells of salt water.


MAP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:25, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

"Could have just...opened it, you know...like a door" say Marik to the dwarf, before making Rani step forward to check the interior. No immediate signs of life, even if that shouldn't take long with that ruckus.

Smelling the odor of salt, Marik frowns a bit. Maybe that area is really close to the bay. He looks down on the rodent still lazily installed in his medicinal herb bag.


"Is that... By the..., stop chewing this!...Is that tunnel...going into sea?" he ask Weasel, waiting a second before thinking "just...nod one time for yes...two for no"

“Marik is right, perhaps a bit more subtlety would be in order, however, we’re here now and we’ve announced our presence. Let’s make haste and hopefully we can still catch them before they’re prepared for us.”

The cleric begins feeling a sense of anxiety and urgency as he maintains a vigilant watch on the path behind the group. Though they’re in a sewer tunnel, they’re still fairly exposed.

Raszire ushers Filimena to the roundabout adjacent to the doorway where the rest of the party has just entered.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

Before Weasel can actually do/say something an arrow comes streaking out from a tiny slit in the far wall of the corridor and hits Omaron !

10:21, Today: Goblin rolled 25,7 using 2d20+4,1d6+2 with rolls of 14,7,5.  ARROW!
That's a 14 + 4 == 18 vs AC for 7 damage

MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...in-need#Q2WatchPosts]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

The arrow seems to strike Omaron, but falls to the ground a heartbeat later. "Alright, then," Omaron chuckles, the stony aura of his skin cracking slightly as he does so. The dwarf charges forward, interposing his shield between the arrow slit and the tunnel behind him. "More arrow slits and a door," he calls back to the others.

Marik ears pick up the sound of the bowstring loosening and that of the thin wooden projectile piercing the air for a second.

He curses.

"Damn, the...Allright, you can "Open" this one...your way I mean..."


OOC: As I remembered, they was another arrow slit not too far from me (the one when I saw movement), so Marik will get out his shield and "plug" this one too while Omaron does his patented "Stonehammer opening" move.

FIlimena springs forward, ready to follow the party into the tunnel and take on whatever it was that shot that arrow. If all they are up against were things shooting arrows, she'd consider them lucky.

OOC: Sorry guys! Been impossibly busy with work pretty much every evening this week. Did get a promotion though, so that's good!

As the arrow bounces off the dwarf's armor a scurrying noise like unshod feet slapping on stone can be heard from the slit.

Update MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...in-need#Q2WatchPosts]

As Raszire hears the beginnings of a commotion happening in the hallway, he glances over and notices an odd depression in the adjacent wall. He pushes Filimena away from the opening while gesturing to her in silence, pointing out the sliver of space between the rocks in the wall.

OOC: I’m picturing myself with my back flat against the wall to the right of the arrow slit with Filimena to the left, the two communicating silently with hand gestures and head nods to be careful and to watch for other potential danger points.

Raszire and Filimena can see movement through the arrow slit...

OOC: Hey! Nice job with the promotion, Filimena!


Thinking they might be in danger if they don't move soon, Marik ask Rani to assist Omaron and tear down that second door. The panther roars, pass near the dwarf and violently slam the door with her giant paws.


OOC: Rani rolled 20 for a Atletics check to break down the second door.

The door explodes inwards as the big cat pounces on it and as Rani lands on the other side she finds herself face to face with massive, long-limbed fur covered humanoid brandishing a wicked looking morning star in one hand and in the other a shield.

OOC : Initiative!
08:57, Today: DM5 rolled 2,14 using d20,d20, unique dice with rolls of 2,14.  Initiative - Party vs Goblinoids.

Looks like the baddies go first ...

---

ROUND 1
The bugbear tries to smash Rani with the its morning star but the swing is wild. From the breeze it generates Rani and Marik know the bugbear meant business

OOC: 08:59, Today: Bugbear rolled 10,9,11 using d20+4,2d8+2,2d6, unique dice with rolls of 6,1,6,6,5.  Attack, Weapon Damage, Surprise Damage.
Swing and miss!


OOC: 09:04, Today: Goblin rolled 7,4,16,8 using 1d20+4,1d6+2,1d20+4,1d6+2 with rolls of 3,2,12,6.  Attack, Weapon Damage x2.
16 should connect for 8 damage to Rani!

They disengage after they attack so no AoO for Rani.

HEROES TURN!
Update MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...in-need#Q2WatchPosts]

OOC: Alright! I'll take it. Marik will use a bonus action to switch to sword and board and will force future attacks to target him instead (Mounted Combat)


Marik ducks instinctively, all the while hanging his bow on two small hooks designed to this effet on the saddle and drawing his sword and shield. He trust his sword toward the large goblinoïd  while Rani roar and bites powerfully into the creature arm.


OOC: Alright, so Marik use his mounted combat feat (and not inspiration as I previously wroted it) to attack with advantage on the bugbear and roll 17, doing 9 points of piercing damage. He command Rani to use her reaction to attack as well, with 21 and 10 points of piercing damage.

OOC: Contrary to what I though originally, Marik does not have two attacks like other fighter classes (That's the Hunter conclave), so rectifying this here.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Tue 26 Mar 2019.

Seeing the cat-mounted elf and bugbear filling the hall, Omaron concentrates for a few moments. With a few chanted words, the dwarf dissipates into a swiftly moving cloud of mist. The mist shoots through the arrow slit, reforming into the solid dwarven form. He grins, drawing his axe and swinging at the goblins surprised faces.

---

13:05, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4.  Axe dmg.
13:05, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Battle axe atk.

---

Action: Attack goblin (Hit- 15  Dmg- 7)
Move Action:
Bonus Action: Misty step through arrow slit

---

HP: 30/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10')
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 1/3 Spell Slots,

---

The goblin falls before the dwarven axe with a thud then blood begins pooling under its form.

OOC: one down, two to go!

Filimena, Raszire, and Weasel  - whenever you're ready to post by all means

Update MAP!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Tue 26 Mar 2019.

Goblins? FIlimena thinks, an eyebrow raised. These creatures don’t quite fit how she’s imagined the Eyes so far. Catching a brief glimpse of the creature through the arrow slit, she fires of a quick pair of Eldritch Blasts, on the off chance one of them lands, before slipping as quickly as she can after the party through the tunnel.

OOC: I believe both hit

08:25, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 18,8,23,8 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 10,3,{1}15,3.  Eldritch Blast w/ Agonising Blast.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:16, Thu 28 Mar 2019.

OOC : Filimina while you can move thru the bugbears square you only have 25ft of movement/action and from where you are in the hall it is 45 ft to the nearest goblin and that would put you in melee range.

You could shoot at the goblin though the arrow slit near you, but I'd give him some cover.

Update MAP!

Raszire thunders in behind Marik, sees Rani face to face with the bugbear, and Omaron in the adjacent room with foes he can not yet see. He touches his mace-clenched fist to his chest and casts BLESS

He then readies his gaze on the bugbear and say to Marik, “We must dispatch of this beast and make it through to the next chamber. I fear that Omaron may have his hands full.”

OOC: Raszire targets Omaron, Filimena, and Marik with BLESS. Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.

OOC: Ack! Oops! Somehow I thought that arrow slit was a second door. Edited my last post. To reflect this. Basically Filimena will attempt to shoot one of the goblins through the slot, then use her remaining movement to get herself as far into the tunnel as possible.

Feeling somewhat less safe on the back of Rani, especially after feeling the wind from that club swing, Weasel decide to find another spot to watch the show.

He jump off the herbal bag and start to run on the inclined back of the panther, near Marik. Seeing the large form of Raszire just behind, Weasel takes a running jump and quickly escalade the heavy armor.

Finally, after grumbling something in rat about Raszire being so damn tall, he manage to climb on the dragonborn plated shoulder.

As if he anticipate Raz curious look, Weasel does his best imitation of a smile and a wink, except for rats, and grab on to the plates with his tiny fingers.

"Man, the view is much better from up here" he thinks as he takes a look around, prepared to watch the rest unfold.

The second goblin before Omaron follows it cohort in death.

---

13:03, Today: Bugbear rolled 17,13 using d20+4,2d8+2 with rolls of 13,8,3.  Attack, Weapon Damage.
JUST MISSED!

Party is up

Update MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...in-need#Q2WatchPosts]

Realizing that the recently transformed Weasel has now ascended to his shoulder, Raszire winks at the little creature and whispers "Stay with me my little friend, St. Fenwyn smiles upon us!"

He turns his focus to the bugbear, closes his eyes, and lowers his head and prays "Fenwyn, smite my enemies, for they know not of your greatness!" as he casts SACRED FLAME.
Flame-like radiance descends on the bugbear.

OOC: Sacred Flame Cantrip - The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw. Save - Dex 14, Range - 60 ft.

13:53, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 14 using 2d8 with rolls of 7,7. Sacred Flame Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:17, Thu 28 Mar 2019.

The long limbed goblinoid dodges out of the way of Razire's spell as though a creature possessed.

OOC 14:08, Today: Bugbear rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  Dex Save DC 14.

Sorry ... not sorry?

Omaron approaches the bugbear, stepping over it's fallen allies. "Are you part of the Eye Watches Eternal?" he growls menacingly.

---

14:30, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 18 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 15.  Intimidation.

---

Action: Intimidate bugbear (18)
Move Action:
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 30/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10'), Bless (9/10)
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 1/3 Spell Slots,

---

This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Thu 28 Mar 2019.

OOC: Omaron - there aren't any goblins ... they're both dead

Marik grimace with pain under the heavy impact, feeling the shock from his shield to his spine. He feel the pain course though his body like a vibration in his bones.

He didn't heard the crack though...It's the only sign his arm might not be broken at the moment.

He hears Omaron shout something...something about the Eye. Whatever it is, he don't think the feral creature will listen but a word of it...Not in that state at least...


[Private to group Elf: "Rani, bring it down! Drag him prone!]" he says to the panther while preparing another trust. The creature swing left her chest completely exposed. He could go for the heart...But decide for the shoulder. And the short sword bites, stinging hard into the large muscles.

As this happen, the panther release the creature arm and instead bite powerfully into it's thigh, trying to destabilize it and bring it down.


OOC: So Marik roll 23 and does 5 points of piercing NON-LETHAL damage.
     Rani roll 20 and does 11 points of piercing NON-LETHAL damage.


OOC: Sorry Omaron, had to go with what Marik would do and I really doubt he would wait patiently while that large club still has a chance to swing.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:57, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

Filimena grimaces at the crowded mess before her. Stepping firmly forward and nudging slightly into one of the dragonborn Raszire’s legs, she takes a quick peak around the corner, and attempts to fire off another pair of Eldritch Blasts, this time at the hulking, hairy beast presently assaulting Marik.

OOC: Rolled a 16 to hit doing 10 damage, and a 13 to hit doing 13 damage. Not sure if either of those hits since presumably there’s going to be some cover. If one of them does hit, though, Filimena also has Repelling Blast, so maybe shove the guy against the wall? Haha

The assault on the lone bugbear slays the goblinoid quickly.

end combat
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

As Marik prepare another assault, a flash of searing, hot and crackling light explode right in front of him. He wince and turn away, before opening his eyes again. As the white flash give place to other colors, he see the large goblinoïd on the ground, Rani still biting its thigh ferociously. It got blood coming out of it's left shoulder and a huge, gaping wound in the middle of it's chest, where blood pour over the charred and cripsy flesh.


He turn to look behind him, seeing Filimena lowering her hand. He breathe in relief, nodding appreciately at the halfling. He feel something dripping off his face.

He gently tap Rani sides, who imediately release her prey and look at him worried, her jaws scarlet red. He sheathe his sword and tap her head to tell her she's a good girl. He pass his hand on his face and the glove come out with spots of red. He must have blood sprayed all over the face.

"Nicely done" he says, as he look around and realize the fighting is over.

He tries to move his left arm. A flash of pain make him wince. He manage to lift it slowly and remove the shield, before taking a feel with his hand to inspect the damage done. Nothing broken, thank the spirits, just a large dark red spot that will make a epic bruise tomorrow morning.


He look around to look for Weasel, seeing the large rodent on top of Raszire shoulder pad. For a moment, Marik is reminded of a wierd looking tattoed fighter with a pet hamster he once passed by on the road. He only recall the hamster was named "Boo", for hearing the large man refer to it that way.

"Is...Is that normal?" he ask the rat, while looking straight into the rodent eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Fri 29 Mar 2019.

With the last of the foes falling before the team, Raszire looks to each of his friends and asks "Is anyone hurt? Marik, how is your shoulder? And Rani, is she okay?"

He surveys the adjacent chambers, formerly held by the creatures, and suggests "We should continue our advancement through the lair. Be prepared for more creatures as we proceed."

Filimena glances over at Marik and Rani and satisfied herself that they weren’t on the verge of death. That was a quick fight, but as with all fights, things could have gone wrong. ”Yes, we should move on, as soon as we’re ready. They may already know we’re here.”

"If there was another, they definitely know we are here," Omaron says, watching the door. Then, as an afterthought, "Though my approach is certainly not the most silent, that I admit." He moves to the door, attempting to listen through.


OOC:
Perception- 19

"I'll live" the elf respond to Raszire. "I think Rani took hit...but by surprise. Should be able to avoid others.


He then hears Filimena and Omaron talk, while the stout dwarf goes to the door.

Marik turn back to Weasel.

"You...You know this place...Where's prisoners? Where they keep them?

The door to the sewer remains quiet, to the North area a set of stairs leading downward while South appears to be a large room with rusty weapons and threadbare clothing littering the floor

MAP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:11, Mon 01 Apr 2019.

Omaron moves to the top of the stairs, the will to summon an a totem of entangling vines ready at a moment's notice. He watches and listens carefully for the sounds of anyone climbing the stairs.

OOC:
Perception- 12

Raszire moves to backup Omaron at the top of the stairs.

Peering down the dark staircase, he asks the dwarf "Are you planning to use the darkness, or should we light the way for those of us not gifted with the ability to see through it? We shall approach however you feel most advantageous for us."

He looks for any markings or abnormalities around the lit portion of the staircase as he waits for Omaron's response.

OOC: I'm just trying to see if there are any wayfinding markings or scribbles that could clue us in to what's ahead.

11:02, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12. Perception.

The stairs lead down two short flights before reaching a landing which turns to the East. Omaron hears nothing from the below nor does Raszire sees no markings giving a hint as to what is ahead of the group.

MAP!

"If these are any indication of the gang," Omaron replies, gesturing to the goblinoid bodies littering the floor, "the darkness may be more of a hindrance than a help to us. However, I say we let darkness shroud us for the time being. If we do find that we need the light, we can always create it then, yes?" He keeps his gaze focused on the stairs as he talks.

"Is there anything useful in that backroom, Marik?"

As Weasel simple stare back at him, Marik hear Omaron.

"Light work best when unexpected by prey" He respond, as he guide Rani toward the back room to take a quick look, in order to satisfy Omaron curiosity. His eyes peers at the furniture, the weapons and clothing with quickness, yet absorbing every detail.


OOC: Marik rolled a natural 20 (total 26) for Perception again!

The room has little of any value and Marik finds the few weapons in it to be rust covered scrap due to neglect.

"Just as I though" thinks Marik as he guide Rani back toward the stairs.

"No..." he respond to Omaron.

Filimena taps her toes, feeling slightly restless, eyes glancing over the walls and ceiling of the room the party is in. Upon hearing Marik’s “No”, she spins around to face the stairs once again. Ah, the allure of the dark. Not a creature of the night herself – she wishes at times she had the eyes of an elf, or a dwarf – the darkness nevertheless calls out to her with a question, asking what lies beyond.

OOC: Just a bit of flavour text. Also, just a reminder, any time in makes sense, feel free to add 1d4 to ability checks from Filimena’s Guidance spell. I can’t possibly interject each and every time someone makes a roll. Filimena is feisty and an individualist, but she can be a team player too when she feels like it =P
This message was last edited by the player at 09:22, Sat 06 Apr 2019.

assuming we're moving on

---

The stairs stop at a landing which turns right into a corridor. Some 40ft later the corridor opens up into a large room (15ftx20ft). The room is empty save for a half-dozen tattered, straw-stuffed mattresses lying on the cold stone floor. A door at the South-Eastern corner leads onward but voices of two individuals can be heard beyond the door and they seem to be having an argument.


MAP!

Marik hears the voices, turns to Rat-Weasel. He catches his attention with a wave of the hand, then mimic going under the door and point his eyes, then the door. He then join hands like a prisoner and then point toward the dead goblins and bugbear below, with a interrogative look on his face...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:28, Tue 09 Apr 2019.

Weasel see Marik wave him and does a exaggerated nod with his tiny head.
He jump off from Raszire shoulder to the ground, run toward Rani, then jump on her back. He quickly disappear in Marik medicinal bag again, taking out some kind of herb for the road and then jump off to the ground from Rani's head.
He turn around mid-air before the confused elf and the huge cat looking at him, giving them a wink.
Then runs as fast as he can under the door into the room to check out what lies there.

Today: Weasel rolled 10 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 3.  Perception.
Today: Weasel rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1.  Stealth.

Weasel finds the next room is similar to the room he was in previously - some 15ft by 20 ft - but with two doors on the Eastern wall. The two voices are coming from individuals by the north-east door, one appears to be a a duergar and the other a human who has eye-shaped tattoos on his bald pate. The NE door has several piece of furniture piled up against it in a haphazard way.

Initiative!
12:18, Today: DM5 rolled 5,8 using d20,d20 with rolls of 5,8.  Initiative - Party vs Baddies.

Uh ... oh...

---

Looks like 2 hits on Weasel - first knocks him out of rat form with 2 damage (1 point spills) and the other hits AC14 for 10 

From the other side of the door the party can here the sounds of combat.

[Private to GM: We are here
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...-need#Q5SleepingArea

Krentz - http://rpolportraits.shannara-rose.com/mfw190.jpg

Zemk - http://rpolportraits.shannara-rose.com/mfw419.jpg]

Omaron immediately attempts to open the door.

The door opens revealing to Omaron and the others a human and a duergar both standing with weapons out.

MAP!

Seeing the duergar and human, Omaron hunches behind his shield and says, "It doesn't have to go this way. We just want the man you took from the other gang. He's not who you think he is."


OOC:
Persuasion- 8
Well, that probably won't work.

"Okay, no respect for rat, no respect for you !" says a angry Weasel, before cracking his neck and fingers

The young man hurl himself toward the two individuals, arms extended before him. His body distort and extend. His legs merge to form a long and massive tail. His back enlarge and cracks as hardened plates of scaly hide erupts from under the skin. His extended arms and head fuse together and give way to a massive jaw full of jagged teeth where they were fingers. A enormous and thick mass of dark green lands before the two individual with a heavy thud and look at them with golden, reptilian eyes. Then it roar...and launch itself on Thigh-that-looks-like-a-delicious-piece-of-ham AKA Krentz.

OCC : Weasel  use Shapeshift again and take...you guessed it...Georges for model

OOC: Weasel launch a Bite attack and rolls ....."drum rolls" NATURAL 20! 24 total and deals 19 points of piercing damage (12 + 7 from the additional damage die)

As soon as he hears the sound of commotion and Omaron break the door, Marik usher Rani to run forward. The panther launch herself forward and starts to run faster and faster. As he pass through the door, Marik sees the two individuals attacking Weasel and...wait...What's happening to Weasel?...What the?...WHAT IS THAT?

Marik thinks about yelling "Stop!" but can't form the word in time. The panther continues to run forward and pass the door. She's already face to the other one, the one not currently having his leg pulled apart by a giant, roaring maw...Too late to stop now.

[Private to group Elf: "Jump!"] Marik commands. And the panther launch herself on the duergar at full speed.


OOC: Rani rolled 20 to make a bite attack and deals 10 points of piercing damage.

As the individual struggle with Rani biting his leg, Marik bash his head with his shield in a attempt to knock him out cold.

OOC: Marik rolled 24 for a Non-lethal "sword attack" which I will flavor as a Shield Bash, dealing 8 points of damage.

Filimena steps into view and briefly considers sending an Eldritch Blast in the duergar’s direction, but then decides the party may need him alive. Instead, muttering strange words under her breath, she conjures the image of the floating eye creature the party had killed earlier, behind the duergar and somewhat close to the two doors, causing it to flicker slightly so the party hopefully realises it’s her. That should be a distraction at least. At that precise moment, however, the big cat Rani comes bounding into the room with Marik, attacking the thug. She rolls her eyes in bemusement. Well, she tried.

OOC: I wrote two separate replies, and each time someone else posted first. Decided what the heck, I’ll just post the second one anyway. Haha.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Wed 10 Apr 2019.

In the briefest of moments our heroes down the pair of villains in a flash. The human lies dead while his companion lies unconscious nearby.

combat over
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:48, Wed 10 Apr 2019.

As Raszire watches the massive reptile tear into the human, he gasps and rushes over to him. As he places a palm on the forehead of the dying man, he casts SPARE THE DYING. Raszire tears a piece of the man's shirt and uses it to tie off the wound as he stabilizes and lays unconscious.

"Quickly, someone give me a rope so we can secure these two! We need them alive for the moment as we need to secure some information from them." He beckons to the other members of the party for assistance.

The downed human slowly starts to breath again and the bit of color comes back to his cheeks after Raszire's spell.

Before the group can do much else a female voice calls out from the door behind the barricade, "Hello?! Is anyone out there?"

[Private to GM: we are here https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...d-in-need#Q6Lavatory

"she" is this https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/adult-oblex
looks like this - http://rpol.creativelass.net/fmc977.jpg ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:57, Wed 10 Apr 2019.

Marik nods and immediately rush his hand into one of his bag to throw Raz one of his two bundles of rope. He gets out the second bundle to tie the duergar, before hearing the female voice.

Marik freeze...not knowing what to do...Doesn't sound like Floon. He looks at Filimena.

Something feels wrong...

Weasel let Raszire do his thing, although he isn't very happy about it.
That human sure wouldn't have brought back any rat he killed.  No grats for a killer of rats.
But he kinda like Raz. His shoulder was a good perch and he was friendly with him.
So Weasel just turn and begin walking again, clapping his massive jaws to express his disapproval.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Thu 11 Apr 2019.

Filimena’s eyebrows rise at the sound of the voice. Nodding at Marik, she walks towards the door with the barricade and listens closely.

OOC:

Any clue from the voice what manner of creature might have spoken. Was the tone of the voice plaintive? Threatening? Rolled 9+3 on Insight with Guidance.

Also, did the voice sound like it was coming from just behind the door? Any sound of motion? Rolled 12+2 on Perception with Guidance.

Let me know if I shouldn’t be using Guidance in such quick succession.

Presumably the second door is closed, so we can’t tell what’s through it without opening it? If it is closed, Filimena would probably gesture to Marik to peak through a keyhole or something just to see.

voice is speaking common with the accent of someone from Titan's Gate and with a bit of a concern or worry maybe

hard to tell from the distance and stuff between the group and the door

all that is a yes.

Marik nods at Filimena gesture and signal Rani to approach the second door while Filimena deals with this. He gently taps on Rani sides. The panther lowers herself and allow Marik to get at just to good height to try to take a peek. Hard to see anything though. He turns to Filimena and just says "No" with the head.

OOC: Marik rolled 7 for a Perception check.

Filimena frowns at the door, not quite sure whether to trust what her instincts tell her.

"I think..." she begins, pausing. "Whoever that is, I don't think she means trouble." She glances at Marik, then the rest of the party. "Why would they have barricaded the door, though?" She looks down at the bottom of the door. What was this the two had said about sealing it?

OOC: Is there a visible gap? If so, Filimena will try peering through it.

16 on perception with Guidance.

23:08, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 16 using d20+3+d4, rerolling ones with rolls of {1}10,3.  Perception w/ Guidance.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Thu 11 Apr 2019.

MAP!
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Thu 11 Apr 2019.

Omaron approached Filimena's side near the barricade. He moved to pry some boards from the barricade, then stopped for a moment, a questioning look cast back to his companions.

Seeing Omaron begin to pull apart the barricade, Filimena starts to do the same, not pausing when he does. ”Has anyone faught an ooze before?” She asks. ”I think maybe if we’re planning on saving this woman we need to be quick.”

"Ooze? Shit! [Language unknown: Eau noelis!]"says Marik as he gives some quick instructions in Elven.

The big cat growls and quickly close the distance to the blocked door. She begins furiously grabbing furniture with her giant claws and throwing it out in the room. The barricade appear well made and the big cat struggle a bit.

[Language unknown: "Pre e atte. Wa plad latic!" ]

The panther roars and tear apart pieces of woods, sending them flying into the air before Omaron and Filimena

OOC: Rani rolled a 5, but Marik will burn his advantage. Rani rolled 22 for a Strengh check, 24 with Filimena's guidance to break down the barricade.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Tue 16 Apr 2019.

Weasel heard the voice but didn't move, not really caring about it. As he see Rani grab and throws piece of furniture around though, he thinks "Hey, that's look fun!" and decide to join in. He charges in and gleefully  imitate the big cat by throwing pieces of furniture in the air with his massive mouth.

OOC : Weasel rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  strengh.

MAP!

Inspiration to all - as this scene amused me greatly
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:14, Fri 12 Apr 2019.

Filimena stares at the young woman. "Yeah, you might want to move away from that thing. Just a suggestion," she says, gesturing first at the ooze, then back behind herself into the room the party is in, before taking up her staff and aiming it at the greyish-yellow goop. "Question," she continues. "Do we fight, or do we run?"

OOC: The moment anybody says fight, Filimena will shrug, reply "Okay", and fire off an Eldritch Blast, which I guess I can roll for then, if it happens. Filimena is fine with retreating too.

Actually, how much does Filimina know about oozes, and in particular this greyish-yellow one. Are they particularly dangerous?

Rolled an 11 for Arcana, with Guidance, which isn't great.

14:50, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 11 using d20+3+d4, rerolling ones with rolls of {1}5,3.  Arcana w/ Guidance.

"Uh, that is certainly and ooze," Omaorn says, slamming the door shut after Filimena's blast tears through the air. He racks his brain for anything he might know about such a cretaure as he begins dragging the bodies on the floor to the ooze door.


OOC:
Arcana- 20

OOC: Welp!

21:25, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 28,13,23,12 using d20+8,d10+5,d20+8,d10+5, rerolling ones ((20,{1}8,15,{1}7)).
21:27, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 3 using 1d10, rerolling ones ((3)).

Let me parse this, because there's a natural 10 in there. Also, I rolled 1s for both damage dice, but those shouldn't be re-rolled, because Halfling Luck only works on d20s

The first blast is a crit, doing 1+3+5=9 damage
The second blast is a 15 to hit, dealing 1+5=6 damage

Omaorn recalls that oozes lack true or even animal level intelligence but are drawn to movement and warmth. They are the creation or offspring of a demon-lord, depending on which accounts you believe. Oozes are often used by creatures as a way of disposing of bodies or waste as their acidic bodies will eat though almost anything - though sometimes coins, metal gear, bones, and other debris can be found suspended within some oozes. Omaorn lastly recalls that an immaculately clean passageway or room is a likely sign that an ooze nearby.


Going to give Raszire a moment to reply before going forward with a GM post - I've a feeling the Life Cleric might take issue with the unconscious bodies of two tied up souls being taken to feed an ooze.

As the girl is released and takes a moment to catch her breath, Marik says

"Yes...take breath...slow...take...time...hum, you like cats?" he ask, before suddenly remembering the sight of a giant cat with bloody jaw standing up a few feet from the girl might maybe be unsettling.

[Language unknown: "Wiles, illme honde init llof nde us m el wiiou ma.. N nopena bear, Str in ll shean, U stiratlin?"]

The big cat drops on the floor and hide her bloody jaws in her front paws. She begins to purr loudly, as if overcompensating a bit.


He then realize the giant form of Weasel is also nearby. If the sight of a giant cat with blood covered teeth might be unsettling, so might be the vision of a enthusiastic giant lizard that could swallow her in one bite in close proximity.


"Weasel...Weasel, stand back. Leave her...space" He turns back to the girl, trying to engage a bit of conversation "Hm...small cats are fun...big cats can save you. This one did. Save you from monsters..."

He gives a look dripping with scorn to the still breathing bodies of the two henchmens. By the seven, they locked down a child with a ooze...A shiver pass through his spine. He can imagine the screams, the gasping for air and the pain of melting flesh. He feels a anger rising though him.

He then see Omaron going to grab them. He wait a bit to see what the dwarf has in mind, even though he has a idea of where this is going. His lips curl up in a hard smile. Monsters had it coming. He suddenly think of something though and raise his hand as a stop.

"Omaron...wait..." he says, pointing the two bodies. "Wait...Good rope of them...Oh and maybe talk information first"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:09, Tue 16 Apr 2019.

Filimena stares at the closed door, the glances down at the gap beneath it and stares some more. "Er. Is it really such a good idea to be doing that here?" she asks, not taking her eyes off the gap. "One of the men did say something about sealing the door."

"I have a blanket that we can use to fill the gap below the door, but are we sure this will be enough to stop the foul creature?" Raszire exclaims as he turns to the others for their opinions.

"I fear that we may need to dispatch of the creature in order to secure time to question our captives and to plan our path further through the lair."

Raszire pulls the blanket from his pack and drapes it over the bound captives and readies himself to blast the creature should the group decide to face off against it.

"If we feed it, it may enter a sort of torpor for a time in order to digest," Omaron says, redirecting his meaningful look from the bound enemies toward the passage and stairs the party had descended to reach this room.

[Private to Marik: Use the Language Group Elf (bottom of the pull down) rather than Private Message Elf as folks who don't speaking Elf can't see you speaking it at all when you use the PM option but with the LG they see a jumble of letters indicating you're speaking.]

[Private to GM: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/adult-oblex]

"What, or whom are you suggesting that we feed to the creature? Should you all see fit, I'm sure the sight of seeing the human thrown to the Ooze would motivate the Duergar to divulge any secrets that he may be keeping. Not the most humane way of dealing with the situation, but could certainly buy us some time and help us on our path. This might also help to appease any malcontent I might have created by sparing the bastard's life."

Raszire hangs his head slightly. "Should we go this route, I'll pray to St. Fenwyn for our forgiveness later, but now is the time for survival, not necessarily compassion."

OOC: Raszire feels slightly defeated at the thought of sacrificing a life, but knows it's in the party's best interest.

When Weasel hear Omaron and Raz speak about feeding the Ooze, a idea pop in his head. Yeah sure, if it makes the two of them happy to feed the ooze with dead bodies, he can help them to do so, no problem at all! He doesn't really care about oozes, they disgust him a bit to be honest, but if the dwarf and the dragonborn want to to feed them, who is he to judge?

The lizard form of Weasel turn back and disappear into the flight of stairs they climbed before. The group could probably hear a mix of growls and thumping sounds as the lizard descend enthusiastically back to the entrance of the lair. A moment pass....And then the giant form of Weasel reappear before them, two dead goblins in his giant maw, tail wagging like a happy dog before Omaron and Raszire.

Marik leaves Omaron and Raszire to their conversation about the fate of the two living captives. He personally don't care much if they live or die, especially since they tried to murder a girl by ooze. Monsters takes many shapes and nothing says these two won't try this again in the future. Maybe they are just like the Ban'thuur, a plague upon the world that can't be cured and simply need to be erased. Or maybe they are nothing, nothing but hands following orders. Hands have a memory. Hands can remember not to touch something that burned.

His thoughts drifts, as his eyes slowly turn to one of his gloved hands...

The voice of Kamon pulls him back. Right now, he needs to focus on two things. Find Floon to gain a ally and help this girl. He needs to say they are here to help.

"We here....We here...to...help" He articulate in his broken Common "Curious band...I know...but here to help...Also seek another...prisoner...Floon...Floon Blagmaar...fancy man....well dressed...jewelry...Seen something like this here?"

Omaron nods as croco-Weasel drops the goblin corpses. He drags the two bodies to the ooze door, dropping them off to the side. "I need a volunteer," he announces. "I propose we toss these two in for the ooze to consume, giving us time to find Floon and clear out of here. I just need someone to open and shut the door before the thing gets out."

"Torture....hm...." ponders Marik. "Isn't....Isn't safe to go back..." says the elf, thinking of the large form of Georges still swimming in the sewers.

"Better stay with us..." he adds, as he unsheath a gleaming dagger out of his belt, makes it twirl in his fingers and present it to the girl, hilt first. "Know how use this?...Helps us...Show us....torture room...and we help you..."

"Her... Rani" he says, as he gently tap the panther shoulder. The large cat lift up her head, look at Marik then Kamon. "If Eyes attack you again, she eat them....And this Filimena" he says pointing the halfling woman. "If Eyes attack, she destroy them..."

"Them...Omaron and Raszire...Stay close to them, will shield you...and that's (he point Weasel) a friend.......................maybe, don't approach him too much..."

OOC: Marik offers his nice dagger to Kamon if she want it.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Wed 17 Apr 2019.

“I could open and shut the door remotely,” Filimena suggests to the dwarf, causing a spectral hand to appear in the air before the group, miming the action of turning a nob. Hearing her name being mentioned by the elf, she turns to him and the young woman, and gives them the best fake-sweet smile she can muster. “Hello.”

The duergar and human remain unconscious in a heap on the floor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:14, Thu 18 Apr 2019.

As Raszire glances over to Kamon to acknowledge Marik's recommendation for protection, he too begins to notice the odd, somewhat overwhelming smell of rotten eggs.

His brow furrows as he searches his memory for the significance of what the sensation means.

OOC: Raszire rolled a 22 for Survival.

14:55, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19. Survival.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Thu 18 Apr 2019.

Raszire recalls that naturally decaying plant matter can have the smell of rotten eggs, that there have been reports from those who have dug deep into the earth and found pockets of air that smell similar, some animals produce a rotten egg smell to drive away predators.

OOC: How are the areas that we’re in and have traveled through lit? Are there burning torches or sconces on the walls?”

In reply to Raszire Toumash (msg # 103):

Not really - there is a lantern in this room but not any lights elsewhere due to goblins ability to see in the dark

Raszire turns to the group and explains "I'm not completely certain, but there could be some sort of "natural gas" leak in the area, or there is another foul creature lurking. In either case, keep a watchful eye out and be careful with any open flames."

Filimena frowns. ”This is getting stranger and stranger,” she mutters. ”Did we see what was through that other door? Or maybe we should back up, and interrogate these two.” She motions at the two unconscious figures.

As Kamon evoke the smell of rotten eggs, Marik stops and takes a few quick sniffes, before frowning and nodding. Then Raszire evoke the necessity of watching for open flames and his gaze drift to Filimena.

"Will scout ahead. Do what you...want with" He points the general direction of the two tied man "but do quick..."


He goes to open the second door.

Raszire follows the conversation between Filimena and Omaron about how to best feed the Ooze to keep it at bay. "Maybe it would be best if you, Filimena, were to use your magical hand to throw the deceased foes in to the Ooze while Omaron manipulates the door. I think it best to keep our friend as far from the creature as possible. Do you two think you can manage that while Weasel and I try to press some information from these swine?"

Raszire reaches into his pack and pulls a tiny vial out from a small leather pouch containing bandages and other medicines. He turns his attention to Weasel and asks "Weasel, how would you like to help me "convince" these two bastards into giving us the information we're hunting?!"

The Dragonborn positions the captives in the far corner of the chamber, then beckons Weasel in his large reptilian form over to face them. He then walks from one figure to the other, passing the tiny vial below their noses. Slowly, the captives both regain consciousness only to realize that they're bound together with Weasel snapping and hissing mere inches from them.

"Now that you're both back with us, we have some questions for you." he says in his booming loud voice. "If you fail to answer those questions, or lie to us in any manner, I'm going to let my friend here take you apart piece by piece until you decide to cooperate, or die. One of you has already felt the pain my friend here can deliver. I've saved you once, don't expect the same consideration again."

"First of all, we are looking for a man named Floon. Do either of you have any knowledge of this person's whereabouts?" He glares at the bound men as Weasel continues to hiss and whip his tail around.

OOC: Sorry for the long post!

OOC: 15:52, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 22 using 2d20+3, keeping the highest dice only with rolls of 13,19. Intimidation with help from Weasel (advantage).
This message was lightly edited by the player at 22:55, Wed 24 Apr 2019.

Marik finds the door is unlocked and opens with little effort, beyond is a short corridor which turns after five or so feet.

The duo wake with a bit of a start and after a moment or two of trying to get out of their bonds find themselves at the parties mercy.


MAP!

Filimena is just about to protest, but sees the dragonborn walk off to interrogate the two captives and sighs, before looking towards Omaron. ”My Mage Hand spell won’t be able to lift these bodies,” she tells him. ”They’re a bit too heavy. I could use it to open the door, and you could toss the bodies in. Or, if that’s a bit too risky, I could ritually cast a floating disc to lift the bodies up, and then slide them into the next room.” She narrows her eyes and begins to twitch her fingers, casting the ritual without waiting for the dwarf’s reply, figuring she could simply stop if he has a better idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:31, Wed 24 Apr 2019.

OOC: Don't be sorry, Raz! I love reading longer posts and this one was great. Quite sure Weasel will love it too. :D


As a name is mentionned and a interrogation begins, Marik close the door. No need for scouting if they already know someone is in the next room.

"Who's...Ephrem?" ask the elf "What are they?"

As he ask this question, he also turn to Raszire and Filimena currently arguing over the dead bodies. He sigh.

"Not waste...time...powers for this...Rani can do it. Just open door. " He gives a few instructons in Elven to the panther, who growls, and approach the ooze door, grab one of the goblins in her mouth and another in her left claw and await Omaron to open the door. As soon as he does, Marik says a word and the big cat flings both dead bodies in the damp room. Marik then signal her to pull away, which the panther does, as Omaron presumably close the door quickly.

"Still await answer" says Marik, as he turn back to face the tied up captives.

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Give me a DC 15 Wisdom save please]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Sat 27 Apr 2019.

Weasel is definitely not pleased with what he just heard, letting out a menacing growl and clapping his massive jaws in anger.

Ok, fine, if he want to play it like that. No need to keep his word if Ephrem won't keep his.  He had warn him about Georges and hurting him.
How could Ephrem been that stupid, with all the trouble he had been through to keep his furry and scaly friends and the Eyes separated!
He gave them tricks to avoid George's hunting grounds. He had built some barrages with his rat friends to keep animals and two-legs aparts. He had even taken on himself to slowly and painstakingly convince Georges to change his hunting grounds to go in the Eastward part of the sewers, closer to the other gangs so that he would stay clear of the Eyes territory.
Do they even know how hard that was  and how stubborn a grumpy old croc can be? Nah, f**k it.

Ephrem did the one thing he asked him not to do and now he will regret it....dearly... Georges taught him some things about what he can do in croc form and he's pretty sure Ephrem and his eyes won't like any of it.

Oh dear. 12. Does not look good.

08:11, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 12 using 1d20+6, rerolling ones with rolls of 6.  Wisdom save.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 00:29, Tue 30 Apr 2019.

Filimena grabs her head in pain.

alright you take 18 psychic damage and suffer from Memory Drain : target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from any ability check or attack roll it makes.

OOC:Wait....What? O_o...What the...What?

Marik is about to reply when he takes notice of Filimena grabbing her head and wince.

"You...You alright?" he ask, worried.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Tue 30 Apr 2019.

Filimena grabs her head and squirms as her head is wracked in agony. What now? She thinks, assuming at first that the voices are speaking to her again. But no, this time is quite different.

"Something is here," she hisses, glaring up at Marik through bloodshot eyes.

OOC: I guess this is a great time to test out this new effect! I guess I roll a d4 with each attack and ability check, as opposed to just once applying the same number indefinitely? Also, any indications when/how it might wear off?

Does Filimena know anything about what manner of creature might cause this kind of damage? Rolled a 12

"Something..." he mutter, as he raise his shield and quickly scan the room...The floor...the ceiling...the walls...the two idiots tied up...and Kamon...They are in a empty room, what the hell could do something like this...The ooxe? He double checks...

Instinctively, his sword hand goes to reach his component pouch...


OOC: Marik rolled 24 for a Perception check.

Marik sees no obvious sources for whatever is happening to Filimena.


Thinking is difficult, Filimena feels as though a fog has settled on her brain - things she knew are slipping behind it and making her feel lost in her own mind. She is aware that mental damage like what's she's just experienced is often difficult to determine the exact location as psychic abilities don't require the same gestures and components as those of arcane or divine nature. She's never heard of anything like the lingering memory lose that's occurring to her now.

Marik has seen Filimena had her share of headache and sudden moments where she phased out but this seems different. "Something is here" she said. Something is hiding from their eyes.

But he has other means to see.

He quickly sheathe his sword and mutters something in words forgotten by most. His gloved hand does a series of quick, complicated gestures as he draws in the air the glyphs of one of the Ageless, Cihnehal, The Beast from Beyond, Eater of the Eldritch and Sorcerer Stalker. They whose eyes can pierce the veil between the natural and the supernatural and see those who wishes not to be seen.

[Language unknown: "O Virlarany o Cedint, Enncsiis wh adosth naoul ev wita Antlinted. Nailni e el ive al haslarlat ev iema, ca isof T era and u es tic paac."  ]


The eyes of Marik suddenly becomes entirely white and seems to glow from within, as if illuminated by a strange light. The world become shades of grey and black, as appear the colors of magic, as the Great Beast see them.



OOC: Marik cast Detect Magic and attempt to scan the room again.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Wed 01 May 2019.

FIlimena looks around her, her eyes struggling to focus. Everybody else seems fine. Why does everybody else seem fine? Why only her? She grimaces, seething with irritation and rage. "Something is here," she hisses again through gritted teeth. "Dealing psychic damage."

Aside from the some known items the group found in Jzadirune, Marik doesn't see any magic auras from behind the door, the two captives, or Kamon.

His eyes still glowing white, Marik turns to the others in the group.

"Not here...Need to move and find it..." he says, turning Rani toward the second door, the one he opened with the intend to go scouting. He open it and peer in the corridor, shield in hand. If it seems clear, he will signal the group to follow.

Guessing no one else has anything to say/do so moving right along

---

Marik glances down the corridor which runs South some thirty-feet before coming to a set of stair leading up.

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Make another DC 15 Wisdom Save please]

MAP!

OOC: Secret roll, although anyone who looks in the dice roller can see!!!

[Private to GM: 11:49, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 21 using 1d20+6, rerolling ones with rolls of 15.  Wisdom save.]

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Nothing happens]

"I'm ready to move forward if you all are. Weasel, I feel like I might have slighted you by reviving your attacker before, so I'll leave the fate of these two in your hands. They seem to be of no more use to us, and I have no objection to what you may choose to do here. Anyone else care to weigh in on the fate of our captives?"

Raszire steps through to enter the next passage behind Marik and Rani.

FIlimena’s eyebrows furrows. ”Something happened again,” she says. ”I could feel it, although... I don’t think it managed to get me this time. I think we should move on as quickly as possible, if only to find the source of... this thing.” She eyes the room suspiciously, before resting her gaze on the young woman. This happened after she joined them. Could she have something to do with it? Maybe not, but she might have some idea what might be causing it.

”Do you know anything about what might be causing this?” she asks, still feeling humiliated at being the only one apparently afflicted by this trouble. ”Or you?” Her eyes dart wildly towards the deurgar and the human.

[Private to Raszire Toumash: Give me a DC 15 Wisdom Save please]

[Private to GM: Nihiloor is a https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/mind-flayer-psion ]

OOC: Secret Roll!!!

[Private to DM5: 10:32, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17. Wisdom Save.]

A feeling of nausea passes over Raszire for a moment and a slight of a headache lingers.

"There are strange forces at work here, friends. We must advance quickly for I fear that we are being attacked by some unseen foe!"

Raszire scans the perimeter of the room for any detail or clue as to what forces are being unleashed upon him and his companions.

OOC: 11:37, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 23 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 20. Perception.

Raszire sees no obvious source. The room is in a bit of chaos after the short fight that happened. There are six tattered, straw-stuffed mattresses which are strewn about the floor as well as blood from the injured. Bits of furniture once used to barricade the door to the north east are now in pieces spread across the room by the party.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:29, Thu 09 May 2019.

Filimena is still parsing what the human and the duergar have said when the dragonborn Raszire interrupts. "You too?" she asks. Torn between the urge to put as much distance between herself and this room and the desire to know more about the threat the party is facing, she turns to the two villains and gives them her most threatening look.

"Alright, look here. I'm getting really tired of this," she says. "Tell us everything. Who you are, who this Ephrem is, who this Nihiloor is, or what he is, what you're doing, where our friend is, everything. Otherwise, you're going to die, and it's going to be painful" She takes out a dagger. An Eldritch blast might be quicker, but a dagger is a more tangible kind of scary, which is mainly the point. She tilts her head a bit to the side, lowers the tip of the blade and squints as if aiming it at something between the human's legs.

OOC: Intimidation check!

That's a 19.

21:04, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 19 using d20+8-d4+d4, rerolling ones with rolls of 12,3,2.  Intimidation, with Guidance, but less memory drain effect.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Sat 11 May 2019.

'I'd listen to her, she won't hold back for long." Raszire chimes in, most impressed with Filimena's posturing and menacing demeanor.

OOC: Hell yeah! Very Badass!

[Private to Filimena the Gentle: Illithid!

Mind flayer !

tyrants ^slavers _voyagers

RULERS of a _fallen empire]

Marik stopped as he heard that. "Illithid", the word sounds familiar, but it's been a log time since he heard that. He recall that word was pronounced with intonation of dread by the rangers going deep beneath the world and the elders. He treis to recall what they were saying about it.

Whatever it is, he knows enough to know it means bad news. Better move fast.


He waves his sword to attract the attention of the others and point toward the corridor with eagerness.

"Bad news...go...quick"

OOC: In case it could be relevant with Marik training, I made a Arcana check (14) to know if he heard of the illithids. Feel free to disregard if it isn't.

Your roll said Nature - but I'll give it you as you aren't proficient in either.

Marik recalls a bit about illithids, or mind flayers as they are commonly called. They bend others to their will and wield powers that shatter the minds of their foes. Mind flayers subsist on the devoured brains of intelligent creatures.

As Marik is pondering life, the universe, and everything he's brought back to reality by the sound of claws on stone. The elf looks up to see what appears to be a brain with clawed feet ten feet infront of him.



Marik - Give me a Intelligence Saving Throw vs DC 12 please

Interesting, Filimena thinks, not so much at what the human has told her, but what the Voices have just deigned to say to her. In light of very recent events, their psychic intrusion feels almost warm and friendly. Tyrants, slavers, voyagers. Rulers of a fallen empire. She turns the words around in her mind, considering their implications, not only for the party’s immediate situation, but for her patron.

Her thoughts are interrupted by Marik’s warning. Quickly, she sheaths her dagger. ”Don’t go anywhere,” She pretend-whispers to the tied-up human and duergar, and spins around to join the elf down the corridor, only to come to an abrupt halt behind him as something apparently stands in his way.

OOC: Initiative?

I went ahead and rolled anyway, and it’s a measly 6
This message was last edited by the player at 00:38, Wed 15 May 2019.

OOC: And I rolled...........13.....oof, that was close.



"What the...?" mutter Marik, as he suddenly feels a horrible sensation, like fingers reaching and crawling in his brain. He feels a acute pain as something attempt to grasp, to take hold...and fail before slipping out of his thoughts.


Still seeing through ethereal eyes, Marik now clearly see the four legged... brain thing before him. It comes from there....

"Thank you, Great Beast..." he thinks for himself before lifting his short blade for a charge.[Language unknown: "Tofi, ughiouthe!"], the panther lunge forward, roars and goes for a powerful bite, as the cavalier strike with trained precision toward one of the creature leg.

OOC: Alright, so don't know if everything applies, but here's the action that I will take on my turn in combat whenever possible. (I rolled 16 for initiative if applicable)

Marik attack (roll 25) and does 9 point of piercing damage with his elven sword

Rani attack as well ( roll 24) and does 8 point of piercing damage (bite attack)
 
This message was last edited by the player at 01:19, Wed 15 May 2019.

we do group intitaitve - so no need to roll. I'm okay with y'all going now.

Both Mark and Rani land solid hits on the strange creature but neither seem to cause any harm....

Rest of the party may go
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Wed 15 May 2019.

Hearing the commotion develop down the hallway, Raszire rushes through the doorway, just behind Filimena. He says to his companions as he observes the creature in front of them, "We're in tight quarters here, we'll have to be careful!"

With a wave of his mace and the mumbling "Fenwyn, show us your might!" a blue, glowing, spectral Mace appears behind the creature (Spiritual Weapon, 2nd Level, Bonus Action) and soars directly at the beast. However it's slightly off mark and slams into the wall nearby.

Raszire growls at the missed effort and lets loose a furious blast of fire from deep in his gullet. A burst of fire streams from his mouth and engulfs the creature!

He flexes his chest and clenches his mace and shield and readies for his next attack.

16:34, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,3. Rasz's Flame Breath Damage.
16:33, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1. Rasz's Spiritual Weapon attack. (Miss)

Filimena half grins, half grimaces, as she lunges forward with her staff, firing off a pair of Eldritch Blasts towards the horrifying brain on legs.

OOC:

Okay, have to let the DM rule here. I made a bunch of rolls to attack and hit, re-rolling ones. Evidently I rolled a few ones, because a few {1} appeared in the notation. Problem is Halfling Luck only applies to d20 rolls, and I can’t for the life of me figure out the notation. What do all the commas and semicolons mean?!?! So I re-rolled again, ignoring Halfling Luck this time, just to make it simpler, but then I evidently also rolled better. I’ll defer to the DM whether to go with the more inaccurate but lower roll, or the more accurate by higher roll :p

17 to hit doing 9 damage, and 11 to hit doing 12 damage
08:27, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17,9,11,12 using d20-d4+8,d10+5,d20-d4+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 13,{1}4;4,{1}{1}7,4;7.

17 to hit doing 12 damage, and 24 to hit doing 7 damage
08:32, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 17,12,24,7 using d20-d4+8,d10+5,d20-d4+8,d10+5 with rolls of 10,1;7,17,1;2.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Thu 16 May 2019.

The creature seems rather fast - which makes sense as it is about the size of a house cat. It only gets lightly singed by Raszire's breath and just one of Filimena's arcane blasts managed to land.

As it skitters about the stone floor, starting moving away from the group, but not before blasting Rani's mind!

11:27, Today: Intellect Devourer rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Dex Save vs Breath Weapon DC14.

Marik give me an Intelligence save for Rani, DC is 12 and if Rani passes she may take an Opportunity attack should she still have a reaction left.

MAP!
[Private to GM: 13/21 counting up]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Thu 16 May 2019.

Filimena doesn’t like the creature getting away. It might do anyway at this point, but she’s not going to give up without a fight. Sliding between Raszire and Rani’s feet, she fires off another pair of Eldritch Blasts. The first flies off the mark, but the second seems to hit. ”There’s a mind flayer about somewhere here,” She warns the rest of the party. “Let’s try not to let this thing escape.”

OOC: That’s 10 to hit doing 12 damage, and 19 to hit doing a full 15 damage

08:27, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 19,15 using d20-d4+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of {1}15,4;10.
08:27, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 10,12 using d20-d4+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 6,4;7.  Eldritch Blast less memory drain plus Agonising Blast .
This message was last edited by the player at 00:35, Fri 17 May 2019.

"....What?" says Marik.  That was a direct blow and it didn't even pierce the hide. Even Rani, while enormous compared the tiny thing, can't seem to bite into it.

The cat-sized creature slip out from Rani's claws, as Raszire and Filimena appear and unleash on it.

A look of pure, unadulterad terror pass on Marik face as he see Raszire spill out a large cone of flames right next to him. He feels the wave of heat and pulls strongly on Rani's reins and the large cat jump away, just in time, before another blast of green energy explode in the same spot.


[Language unknown: "Eino...HE... ICH IO....LL.... VIR.Ortlarent!" ] says Marik, his voice cracking with fear.

The big cat move to turn away, then fall down suddenly, roaring in pain as she clutched her head between her paws.

[Language unknown: "Naos, thihisect lesovepre...?"] begins Marik before being cut out as he fall with the cat on the ground, wincing as his shoulder hit the now warm stone floor with a heavy thud.




OOC: Rani is less fortunate than her rider and rolls a meager 8 for her saving throw.

Rani shakes her head before taking half a step forward and slumping to the ground.

OOC: Alright
10:09, Today: Intellect Devourer rolled 13,10 using 2d10,3d6 with rolls of 5,8,5,1,4.  Devour Intellect - Psychic Damage, Intelligence.

First the easy part - 13 Psycic Damage

The tough part is  Rani's intelligence is reduced by 10 which I believe means she's at a Intelligence of 0 so she is STUNNED (see conditions below) until she regains some of her intelligence.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:14, Fri 17 May 2019.

The second of Filimena's blasts catches the creature full on and causes it to explode into a pile of goo and viscera.

OOC: Dead!

As soon as the creature is obliterated, Rasz's spectral mace also vanishes.

Raszire steps over and kneels by the fallen Rani, places his hand on her shoulder and whispers "Fenwyn, I pray that you aide our courageous companion with your healing grace." casting Cure Wounds at 1st Level. The spell restores 8 hp to the big cat.

He turns to Marik and Filimena and asks "Are either of you in need of prayer, or are you able to continue on your own for the time being?"

11:20, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5. Cure Wounds for Rani.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:28, Fri 17 May 2019.

Marik move back in a suden jolt as soon as Raszire comes into view. He shakes his head and calm down slightly as the dragonborn utter his prayer, but still look pretty nervous.

The elf extract himself from under the large car and move to her head, lifting one of her pupils. The big cat breathe but is clearly in shock. Her eyes look at him bewildered, like she doesn't recognize anything, not even how to stand.


"Mind....her mind...broken..." says the elf, as the form of tears well up in his eyes. "She...She don't see...don't know....Confused" he says. "Can....Can Fenwyn....cure....mind?"

"I ought to be ok for now," FIlimena replies, swigging a Potion of Healing. "Unless you have a lot of those spells to spare. I'm rather more concerned with the cat." Her eyes call on the large feline. She hadn't been too keen on the creature at first - too wild, too unpredictable. But they have been adventuring together for a while now, and she's developed a certain fondness for it; that, and she recognises a special bond between the cat and the elf Marik. She fears how the latter will react to the former's predicament, nearly forgetting her own.

OOC: Filimena healed herself for 8hp using a Potion of Healing. She's still 10hp down, though.

20:07, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 8 using 2d4+2 with rolls of 2,4.  Potion of healing.

Raszire’s heart breaks as he searches his memory for any spell he can think of that would aide Rani in this situation. He turns to Marik and says “Unfortunately, my friend, that magic is beyond my capabilities. I’m only able to heal the body, not the mind. I fear we’ll have to find another solution to help restore poor Rani.”

A feeling of helplessness and failure creeps over Raszire as he stands and makes way for Marik to be next to his dear friend. He exclaims to the elf, as though asking for forgiveness, “I truly wish there were something more I could do.”

"Then...go...all...or suffer same...I cover you here" says the elf, his voice cracking, while pointing the door at the end the corridor, "Go quick...finish this... save him...I stay here...with her"

The elf put his sword on the floor next to him, take out his bow and aim toward the end of the corridor, in case another one of those things decide to approach.

Filimena gingerly lays a hand on the elf’s waist. She cannot help but think this might be a mistake, just three of them moving on. Against this Mind Flayer thing they’re going to need all the firepower they can muster. Yet, she has the lingering suspicion that, in his position, she might do the same, much as she would hate to admit it. Eyebrows furrowing, she looks up at the dragonborn and the dwarf. “Let’s move on,” she says, determinedly.

Omaron was chewing on his beard when he heard the scrabble of claws and the whoosh of flame. He looked curiously toward the hall his companions were lining, and his eyes widened in alarm at the sounds of a large body slumping to the floor. "Don't move," he growled at the two prisoners, eyes hard as granite. He approaches the tunnel, axe and shield held ready, and moves past Filimena and Raszire. His expression softens at the sight of Rani and Marik and a small, ghostly spring burbles from the ground near the big cat. The dwarf continues moving past the elf and cat team, cautiously moving down the hall.

---

Dice Rolls

---

Action: Ready for an enemy to move within range
Move Action: Move in front of Rani and Marik
Bonus Action: Place Soothing Totem near Marik and Rani

---

HP: 30/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10')
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 1/3 Spell Slots, Soothing totem 3/3

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:34, Tue 28 May 2019.

Raszire steels himself, knowing he must leave an ally behind to face the foe ahead. "We WILL return for you both. Take care and watch your back." he says to Marik as he passes, following Filimena and Omaron.

He readies his shield and clasps the mace tight in his hand as he advances down the hallway behind the Halfling and the Dwarf.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Thu 23 May 2019.

The corridor goes twenty-feet before a set of stairs leading to a long skinny room (15' wide x 50' long). Flickering torchlight gives low levels of illuminations while casting on strange shadows on the threadbare curtains hang on the east wall of a long hall. A muscular orc in dingy robes stands near the dead brain creature looking down the hall - Weasel recognizes him as Ephrem.

Seated on a raised platform to the south is a nightmarish figure wearing black robes. It has large white eyes and rubbery purple skin, with four tentacles encircling an inhuman mouth. It cradles and gently caresses what looks like a disembodied brain with feet - very similar to the creature you just encountered.

MAP!

[Private to GM: we are here  - https://www.dndbeyond.com/sour...-in-need#Q7BossFight]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:50, Tue 28 May 2019.

Omaron moves between Filimena and the possible enemies in the room. "We are looking for a man, mistaken for another and taken by the Eye Watches Eternal," the dwarf's voice is loud and steady, eyes barely above the rim of his shield. "We do not seek conflict, merely the return of the one name Floon Blagmaar. If you have this man, kindly release him to us and we will depart without further violence. Your men in the previous room are still alive, if you doubt our sincerity."

---

21:42, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 23 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 20.  Persuasion. Nat 20!

---

Action:
Move Action:
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 30/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10')
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 1/3 Spell Slots

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:11, Wed 29 May 2019.

The mindflayer rises from the stone chair, sets its pet down, and glides across the room towards the west side. It looks at Ephrem, who nods as though some information has passed between the pair.

The hulking orc steps in line with the hall, "We got 'em but you can't have 'em." Crackling energy erupts from the orc's hands and comes blasting down the corridor.

OOC: DC 15 Dex Save or take 27 damage (13 on successful save) ... and combat!

08:38, Today: Ephrem rolled 27 using 8d6 with rolls of 3,4,5,1,1,3,5,5.  Lightning Bolt damage.

---

08:40, Today: DM5 rolled 6,17 using d20,d20 with rolls of 6,17.  Initiative - Party vs Baddies.


MAP!

The brain with legs pushes in front of Ephrem and Filimena Omaron can feel it attach her his mind!

Filimena Omaron - give me a DC 12 Intelligence Save or take 8 psychic damage and lose 9 points of Intellegence...

08:45, Today: Intellect Devourer rolled 8,9 using 2d10,3d6 with rolls of 1,7,2,1,6.  Devour Intellect - Psychic Damage, Intelligence.

Party is up
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Wed 29 May 2019.

Omaron hefts his shield as the bolt of lightning shoots down the hall. The shield seems to absorb some of the lightning's power, but does nothing as the four-legged brain blasts the dwarf with a psychic wave of energy. Omaron sways as though drunk, his gaze dumbstruck as his muddled brain tries to understand the information presented before it. A growl escapes the dwarf's throat, growing to a roar as he charges at the brain creature.

"NO HURT FRIENDS!"

---

09:22, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Dmg.
09:22, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Att vs devourer.
09:16, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 8 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 6.  Int Save.
09:13, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 15 using 1d20 with rolls of 15.  Dex save.

---

Action: Attack intellect devourer (Hit- 20  Dmg- 8)
Move Action: Move to devourer
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 7/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10'), Int 3/14
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 1/3 Spell Slots

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:24, Wed 29 May 2019.

With barely a second to react, Raszire raises his shield to protect himself, not realizing this will not do him much good against the lightning bolt crackling through the corridor. He roars in pain as he takes the full force of the blast!

He rights himself, points his mace at the Orc, mumbles some words under his breath and flame engulfs Ephrem (Sacred Flame Cantrip, Dex 14 saving throw, 12 hp damage or 6 on a success)

He then calls out "Fenwyn, lend us your might against our enemies!" and a spectral mace appears behind the orc, swinging, but sadly missing.




09:09, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 14 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 12. Raszire's Dex save.
09:25, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 12 using 2d8 with rolls of 4,8. Sacred Flame Damage.
09:26, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 9 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 3. Rasz's Spiritual Weapon attack.

Omaron's axe square strikes the brain creature but doesn't seem to get penetrate it's exterior...

Meanwhile, Ephram manages to only just be hit by Raszire's attack.

09:35, Today: Ephrem rolled 19 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 18.  Dex Save vs DC14.

[Private to GM: counting up
Ephram -6/42
Brain 0/21]

“Omaron,” Filimena shouts, not sure if the dwarf still understands her. “We can’t stay here in a straight line. Try to push out maybe!”. Her immediate instinct is to attack the brain creature first, and she first off an Eldritch Blast at it.

OOC: She rolls 21 and 24 to hit, doing 9 and 13 force damage respectively, and each time pushes the creature 10 feet backward, creating space for Omaron to move forward, hopefully

The brain explodes as Filimena's arcane bolts send it splattering over Ephram in a rain of pink goo.



DEAD!

Weasel and Marik need to give me Dex save and actions

Concentrated on Rani, Marik hears at the very last moment the sound of crackling energy. Eyes wide, he duck of the floor a mere second before being hit dead center. His whole body tense as some electric energy course through him, before dissipating behing him. He hears a scream, probably Kamon. He turns to see how she is doing.


OOC: Marik rolled 13 his Dex save, which means he JUST passes. His first instinct would be to look at Kamon behind him, to see if she managed to avoid the blast. I will do something depending on the state she is in.

forgot about her ... oops
09:21, Today: DM5, for the NPC Kamon, rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Dex Save.

[Private to GM: -27/75]

Marik gets up, almost trip, and run as fast as he can to Kamon, shambling on his wooden legs. He grabs her shoulders, shielding her with his own body and move aside with her into the room where the two goons are still tied up, out of the line of sight of Ephrem.

Kamon doesn't look good. Marik think about calling on the power of another Ageless to help her, but decide to hold on just a bit more. Better to keep his energies until they are really in mortal danger. Instead, he move her behind the wall into cover.

"Stay....here...cover" he says, thinking about what to do.

He needs to retaliate. He can't let the others face a mage and a illithid alone. He could shoot from here, in the corridor, when the others have move. But his bow...His bow is still hooked on Rani's saddle...He needs to get it back.

Marik curse himself and prepare to go get his weapon, while muttering another prayer, this one to the Thousand Eyed Hunter. Instantly, the eyes of the Great Beast fades, as a third, single black eye open on his forehead.

OOC: Marik use a bonus action to drop Detect magic and cast Hunter's Mark on Ephrem.
Marik use his action to move him and Kamon into cover.

The orc wipes brain matter off his face before snarling and pulling a massive battle axe from under their robe. Ephrem swing wide however and only sparks off the wall.

14:51, Today: Ephrem rolled 8,12 using d20+6,1d12+4 with rolls of 2,8.  Great Axe!

PARTY'S TURN

MAP!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Tue 04 June 2019.

Omaron roars as the half orc misses his attack. "GO AH WAY!" the dwarf's enraged voice reverberates off the walls. A sudden pressure build in front of the dwarf as a deafening thunderclap detonates in front of him, slamming into Ephrem with a physical impact.

---

20:59, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 21 using 4d8 with rolls of 7,4,7,3.  Thunderwave.

---

Action: Cast Thunderwave (Dmg- 21, Con save DC 15 or be pushed ten feet)
Move Action: If Ephrem is pushed, move into melee with him
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 7/30 AC 19
Buffs/Debuffs: Aura of Stoneshield (allies gain +1 AC w/in 10'), Int 3/14
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 0/3 Spell Slots, Soothing totem 1/3

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:38, Tue 04 June 2019.

10:38, Today: Ephrem rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Con Save vs DC 15.

The hearty orc seems only slightly phased by Omaron's magics.

[Private to GM: HP -10/42]

Still reeling from the previous blast, Raszire looks back at a recovering Marik and says "We'll try to clear the corridor and take any attention off of you and the girl. Keep her and Rani safe..."

He turns back and steps around Weasel while grabbing a Potion of Healing out of his pack. He downs it (healing 5hp) while raising his shield.

He gestures to the Spectral Mace for another swing, but it again misses the mark as Rasz's focus wasn't true.

Raszire then yells to Filimena and Omaron, "We NEED to clear this corridor, we're sitting ducks back here!!"

10:03, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 5 using 2d4+2 with rolls of 2,1. Rasz's Potion of Healing.
10:04, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6. Rasz's Spiritual Weapon attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Tue 04 June 2019.

Filimena glances back at Raszire. He's right. They shouldn't be standing here in a line. She'd tried to make way for Omaron to move forward by blasting the stupid brain creature forward, but the half-orc had moved in too quickly. Pointing at him, she sends two blasts hurtling in his direction again.

OOC: She rolls 16 and 2 to hit, doing 8 and 8 force damage, and each time pushes the half-orc 10 feet backward.

She will probably try to move through Omaron's space and into that small nook to Ephrem's right, but it depends. Do we know what that "S" is to Ephrem's left?

In reply to Filimena the Gentle (msg # 175):

16 hits, AC is 14, so he shifts back 10fy

The S is Rasz's spiritual weapon.

OOC: Ok yes, in that case I would like to move to that spot current 2 squares to the right of Ephrem on the map.

Verify your location on the MAP and I'll get it updated.

Just waiting on Marik and Weasel.

OOC: Yup, that works. Thanks!

Too massive to move around, the big croc is hit dead center by the crackling bolt and roars. As the thunderous flash of light fades, Weasel is down on the ground, reverted to human again.
Clutching his ribs,  he gets up with pain.

As the others battle Ephrem and surge foward, he follow the movement, passing besides Raszire and walking up to the moment where he can see Ephrem, with anger flaring in his eyes.

"We had a deal....Ephrem...We had a deal and you broke it...You attacked Georges...You have no respect for the sewers"
he intone, as he lift his hands up in the air, with the rat skull covered in weird scrawling in one, and begins to chant "leis a 'ghataid agus an damhan-allaidh".

A low rumbling sound suddenly echos through the walls of the corridor and the room, as a concerto of sqeaking noises and scratching sounds is heard.
Dozens, nearly a hundred rats, start pouring out of every hole in the ceiling and the floor, and begin to run toward Ephrem.
"Georges is the Sewer King...And you'll be nothing but sewer shit..." he says, pointing his finger at the half-orc as the swarm move in for the kill.

---

19:56, Today: Weasel rolled 10 using 1d20 with rolls of 10.  Dex save.

---

Cast Conjure Animal and summon 8 rat swarm in the room around Ephrem.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Thu 06 June 2019.

As he hears Filimena crackling bolts fires, Marik breathe and decide to take his chance, throwing himself on the floor to get his bow from under the large panther. It takes a few tries but he eventually feels the wooden frame of the bow under the panther and pulls on it. It budge a bit but it's still stuck. He continue to pull. The bow slowly comes , slowly.

"Come on...Come on!" he thinks, getting desperate

As he make another pull, he hears another sound. That of a voice. It's Weasel chanting in a bizarre voice. Then the walls rumbling, and the squeaking, and the scratching....As Marik lift his head to see, he see them, even from behind Raszire massive shape...the walls...moving...squeaking...

Marik makes another pull and finally nudge the bow from under Rani...but stay still...unable to do anything but stare at this moving wave of swarming bodies full of teeths and claws closing in on where should be the half-orc.


OOC: Marik spend his turn getting his bow...I don't think he would be able to shoot from behind Raszire anyway.

The orc laughs as Weasel chants and with a wave of his meaty hand the spell fizzles. An echo of rat screams fill the room for a moment.

• Reaction - Counterspell

---

"Fools you will all burn!"  a moment later a streak of light leaves the orc's finger tip and for a moment loks like it will hit Raszire but instead it blossoms with a low roar into an explosion of flame!

FIREBALL!
Filimena, Omaron, Raszire, and Weasel need to give me DC 15 Dex Saves!

Fail and you take 28 Damage
13:23, Today: Ephrem rolled 28 using 8d6 with rolls of 4,2,5,2,1,6,3,5.  FIREBALL!
Save and you only take 14

Heroes turn!
MAP!

With a roar, Omaron charges forward as the hlaf-orc is blasted by Filimena's magics, swallowed by the sudden fiery blast. When the fireball fades, everyone can see the dwarf's smoking form lying motionless on the floor.

---

14:23, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 7 using 1d20 with rolls of 7.  Death save.
14:21, Today: Omaron Stonehammer rolled 11 using 1d20 with rolls of 11.  Dex save.

---

Action:
Move Action:
Bonus Action:

---

HP: 0/30 AC 18
Buffs/Debuffs: Int 3/14
Conditions:
Spells/Totem Duration: 0/3 Spell Slots
Death Saves (S/F): 0/1

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Thu 06 June 2019.

Seeing the flames erupting from the Half-Orc's hand, the Dragonborn Cleric again lowers his head behind his shield. His tunic singed, his scales smoking, Raszire lets out loud snort and snarls, exposing his sharp fangs. His frustrations with the foe are beginning to boil over.

He clasps his clenched mace against his breastplate and says "Faith" casting Cure Wounds @ 3rd level on himself, healing the damage from the fireball.

He then extends his mace and swings it down in front of him. As he does, the spectral mace soars through the air, landing solidly against the half-orc's skull with a thud!


"You've not bested us yet, Ephrem!" he exclaims!

OOC: Luckily Rasz is resistant to fire because I needed that half damage as I failed my Dex Save. Cast Cure Wounds on myself to keep me in the game, hopefully we can start making a dent. Omaron, I'm coming to help next turn.

13:52, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 3 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 1. Rasz's Dex Save.
14:18, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 16 using 3d8+8 with rolls of 2,2,4. Rasz's 3rd Lvl Cure Wounds.
14:24, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14. Rasz's Spiritual Weapon attack.
14:26, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 6 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 3. Rasz's Spiritual Weapon Damage.

The rat disappeared...Did he just...snap his fingers and the rat disappeared?

Marik doesn't try to process what happened. Not yet. Instead, as Raszire get out of the corridor to give him a line of sight, Marik lift his bow to aim. He see the enemy. Time to put an end to this.


Then comes the small bead of light....and the roars...and the heating glow that erupts in the whole chamber.

And Marik freeze...His hands shakes as terror gets hold of him. His wooden legs almost gives in under him... He knows what will happen... He will die...horribly...screaming... The fire roars, hungry and devours his friends...He need to run...He needs to run NOW!

....But he doesn't...

Rani is still here, besides him. He can't leave her. She could have left him to die but she didn't.

So he won't...And he will die if need be. He won't leave her. And he won't leave them...

Gritting his teeth as hard he can, Marik take a a resolute breath and steel himself just long enough to stop the shaking. Well, mostly. He takes the shot and the arrow flies to Ephrem but barely hit him. Marik curse.

"Not good enough. Not good enough. Shit!" think Marik, as he shamble on his wooden legs to get back behind the cover of the wall with Kamon.

OOC: Marik rolled 16 for a Wisdom Saving throw.

OOC: Marik rolled 14 for a attack and did...6 point of damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Fri 07 June 2019.

Filimena yells in pain as she is engulfed in flames. Throwing an arm against a wall to keep from collapsing, she glares at the half-orc in fury. Two can play this game, she thinks, and points at him and mutters some words under her breath, casting Hellish Rebuke at him.

"Courage, Marik!" she yells towards the corridor down which she knows the elf must still lie, remembering his reaction the last time she used the spell. She follows this immediately with two more Eldritch Blasts, only one of which strikes the half-orc. Quickly, she ducks slightly into the corridor to get what little cover she can.

OOC:

Roller says I got a 15 but actually it re-rolled two ones. I have to take the second, which gives me a 4.
20:09, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 15 using 1d20+3, rerolling ones (({1}{1}12)).

Ephrem must make a DC 16 Dex Save, taking 19 fire damage on a fail, or half on a pass.

Rolled 18 and 11 to hit for Eldritch Blasts, doing 14 and 7 force damage respectively. This time, she does NOT push the Ephrem back, in order to keep him in Weasel and Marik's lines of sight.


20:21, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 11,7 using 1d20-1d4+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 6,{1}3;2.  Eldritch Blast less memory drain plus agonising blast.

20:21, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 18,14 using 1d20-1d4+8,d10+5, rerolling ones with rolls of 13,3;9.  Eldritch Blast less memory drain plus agonising blast.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:24, Fri 07 June 2019.

Too surprised by his spell fizzling out into nothingness, Weasel doesn't see the fireball Ephrem throws at him!
A smoking, crisp druid falls on the floor, unconscious.

---

20:29, Yesterday: Weasel rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9. Dex Save
20:16, Yesterday: Weasel rolled 8 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 7. Death save

---

Death Saves (S/F): 0/1

---

08:50, Today: Ephrem rolled 3 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 2.  Dex Save vs DC16.

Not being quick enough, Ephrem goes up in a pillar of flame and falls the stone floor in a smoking heap.

COMBAT OVER

With smoldering bodies heaped on the floor in all directions, both friend and foe, the large, scaled cleric scans the room for any further immediate threats. When he's sure the area is clear the spectral mace fades, he stows his shield and checks his mace on his hip. He drops to one knee, pulls a crystalline amulet out from beneath his tunic, and while clutching it in his fist, he begins to pray aloud, "St. Fenwyn, your protection has served us well in this battle. We've weathered this storm, but my companions are still in need of your graces. Please grant them the health and vitality to regain conciousness and continue on. Your mercies are wonderous and kind."

With this, Raszire casts Preserve Life restoring HP to the three injured/fallen companions with him in the chamber. This gives me a pool of 25 HP to spread to any creature within 30' of me, so since Omaron and Weasel are incap I'll give them 10 HP each and Filimena 5 HP.

He looks to Filimena and Marik, "I wish I could do more, but my magic is waning. A rest, I'm sure, would restore some of my ability, but I'm not sure we've the time for it now as we've not reached the terminal chamber of this underground lair. If you need, I can assist you further now, but I fear that it will leave me unable to do so if we continue."

HP: 23/43
AC 18
Spells:
2/4 Lvl 1 Spell Slots
1/3 Lvl 2 Spell Slots
1/2 Lvl 3 Spell Slots
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:32, Fri 07 June 2019.

Filimena finds she is able stand upright again more easily as the wave of healing magic passes over her. She steps forward back into the chamber, giving the body of the half-orc a slight kick with one of her feet. She glances for a moment down the corridor at Marik and Rani, then at Raszire. "I thank you, sincerely," she says. "But do you truly believe we are in any position to pursue the Illithid now? We have, all of us, taken serious damage. Not only our bodies but our minds are affected as well. We came down here to save an innocent man from harm, but who is he to us that we should risk dying ourselves?" She pauses, knowing well that her words stink of cowardice, but mindful also that greater things are clearly at work in these sewers.

"Listen," she begins again. "I'm not saying we should give up on him. But when we came down here we didn't know an Illithid was involved. Something strange is happening here. I'd wager there is more at stake than one man's life."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Sat 08 June 2019.

MAP update

The group hears a groaning sound coming from behind the curtain in the southeast corner of the room.

A slight toc....toc...toc is heard from the corridor, as a worn-out and trembling Marik arrive in the chamber, walking with a shambling gait on his wooden legs. His bow is still firmly in his grasp. He arrive and take a few quick looks at the top of the ceiling and the walls, as if to make sure the illithid isn't lurking somewhere and then stare for a moment in silence at Ephrem burning body, pearls of sweat still dripping from his forehead. He seems simultaneously absentminded and tense. His hands are visibly shaking.

Then he look at  all of them, a wave of relief appearing on his face as he realize they are all still standing. He look at Filimena.

"Thank...Thank you" is all he can manage to get out.

Then he pick up the sound and quickly raise his bow, arrow nocked, in direction of the southeast corner. He stay still, waiting, listening.

OOC: Marik would like to make a perception check, just to validate his suspicion that the groan indeed sounds like a human in pain. Marik rolled 18 for a Perception check (I forgot to add it).

This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Sun 09 June 2019.

“I agree that now may not be the time to go after the Illithid, but there are still areas of this lair that we haven’t searched. We know which way the Illithid went, so we can avoid that path.”

Raszire pauses as Marik joins the group in the chamber. “How’re Rani and the girl?” he asks.

Before Marik can answer, the sounds of groans reverberate through the room. Raszire pulls his shield and readies his mace. He looks to Marik and Filimena and whispers, “Stay here with Omaron and Weasel as they come to. I’ll go find out where those sounds are coming from.”

The large figure, somewhat uncharacteristically, moves in almost complete silence as he traverses the length of the chamber. He uses his mace to slowly withdraw the curtain from the opening, but struggles to make out the source of the groaning in the darkness beyond.

20:52, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 25 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 20.  Rasz’s Stealth.
20:53, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  Rasz’s Perception .

Filimena doesn't like being asked to stay while somebody else gets to investigate, but she sees sense in staying with the dwarf and the scrawny human. Keeping her staff raised in case of some sudden attack, she whispers after Raszire, "What is it?"

The sound is definitely coming from a person but otherwise is tough to identify.

Nothing jumps out of the darkness to attack, beyond the curtain chained to the wall is a thirty-something human male who has several burns across his torso. A small cooling brazier of coals sits across the room with a rough piece of steel sticking out.

MAP update
This message was last edited by the player at 16:16, Mon 10 June 2019.

Raszire motions to Filimena and Marik. “There is a man here, bound and tortured. Maybe this is the person we’re here seeking. Can one of you come confirm? I’ll keep an eye out for any potential threats.”

He steps back holding the curtain open for his friends.

“If this is him, let’s collect him and our other friends and exit this foul place with the utmost haste!”

Filimena deftly slides over to where the dragonborn had been. ”We’ve never actually seen him,” she whispers in reply before turning to the man. ”Floon Blagmaar? If so, you need to come with us. Hurry.” She makes to help him up.

OOC: The forum post gives it away, but I assume FIlimena can see that the man at least fits Floon’s description? Also, is there a reason he didn’t say anything upon seeing Raszire? Gagged? Unconscious?

The man is hanging, slackly, from a set of rusty manacles which are keeping him nearly on hit tip toes as they keep him stretched out. He is the spitting image of Renaer Buchanan.

Marik lowers his bow. From what Ranaer and Disanz told them, it must be him. And looking at him, how he looks, Marik has a idea oh why Ranear was so keen of getting him back.

"Him...Floon Blagmaar..." he look at the others, specifically Omaron and Raz and their imposing physique "You...You need take them back...Quick...Him and Kamon...find Ranaer. Probably too hurt to walk and need carry him. Will check on Kamon. She hurt...badly, but may be able to heal..."

He promptly begin to walk back into the corridor, as fast as he can despite his own wounds, and go to find Kamon, passing the still unmoving body of Rani. But the youth isn't where he left her...The place where he left her is empty, with only the two goons still here...

"Where...Where is she...Where she go...Answer quick!" He ask the two goons, while looking around. She was struck by a bolt of lightning and was greviously wounded. If she got up, she might have left a trace.

OOC:Marik rolled 23 for a Perception check to try to see traces of where Kamon went.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Wed 12 June 2019.

The floor where Kamon stood is slightly damp and glancing at the two prisoners (Krentz and Zemk) you notice they are not awake ... they were moments ago.

FIlimena looks over at Floon. ”If necessary I could conjure a floating platform that would take his weight, but I don’t think we have time for me to cast it ritually. We should hurry.” She leaves the space to make room for the dragonborn and the dwarf, and stands in the chamber outside where the body of Ephrem lies, glancing alternately at the door through which the Illithid and disappeared, and the corridor leading back out the sewers.

OOC: FIlimena doesn’t know what Marik saw, but can she at least see him from where she’s standing? You know, in case something happens. GULP.

Marik feels a cold shiver run down his spine and begins backing up. He needs to get back to the others....to Rani.

He put down his bow and throw it across his shoulder for the moment. Whatever roams around, his bow won't be useful in such close quarters. Instead, he draw out his curved blade, maybe more for calming himself than protection.

The memories carried in his sister's blade always made him feel a bit better...


He begins to back out into the corridor, trying not to slip and fall. The pain is getting worse now that the immediate rush of adrenaline is falling. His shirt is burned where the bolt hit him and the scarred tissues are visibles under the skin like red tendrils running from his chest to his waist and neck. He wouldn't need much more to fall. He needs help...

He put his hand on his wound and wince.

[Language unknown: "Oslong-ledi...Ndisof Herforith u Allsompro...Un si witne wa peof anpo ousterich... Timaic at thuek Tedamelesati...antsanons p ngun somratout sannc p aiadri, Ithateich Ncethiestome" ]

As he pronounces the words of the Old Tongue, his mind wander for a moment into the image of the forest, into the sea of trees.  He drifts past the East Woods, passing their scorched and gray landscape, and let his mind go further...much further...somewhere deep and wild. There lies the evergrowing brambles and the maze of twisting trees, ever pushing and breaking against one another before healing and growing again. There lies the domain of the Warden of the Wildwoods, the Undying, the Green Rampant which fear no cuts nor flame. A place where its denizens had forgotten fear and survival, wounding themselves in perpetual battle and healing just as fast. It was rumored that even someone on the gates of death could heal anew there, provide they could be desperate enough to brave the wildwoods...and not be eaten by innate amount of trolls on the way...


Then as his mind focus again on the corridors around him, he see his torso covered in branches and leaves sprouting from his hand, filling his wound and running along the scarred tissue, feeding from it. The pain fades away after a few seocnds, as do the leaves and branches that falls dead on the ground. And in place of a gaping wound, newly healed skin, with only some traces of fractal scars left behind.

OOC: Marik cast Cure wounds level 2 and heals 13 points of damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:03, Wed 12 June 2019.

Raszire steps into the room with the tortured prisoner and whispers "Hold fast human, we'll get you free and make our way out of this villainous place."

With that, he swings his mace, shattering the rusted chains securing Floon's manacles to the wall. He checks his mace on his hip once again, reaches down, and hoists the near lifeless man over his shoulder.

He turns back to the group, "I think it best that we leave here now. I can not imagine any further fortune will find us should we remain here any longer."

He trudges past Filimena, back towards the corridor where they entered the chamber.

09:28, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 11 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 7. Rasz's Strength Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Wed 12 June 2019.

Filimena if you're in the room where the remains of Ephrem are then you couldn't see Marik checking on Kamon and the prisoners

So NO one is going to look at what's behind the double doors to the West?

What is the group's exit strategy?

Omaron sits up, his form still smoking. He looks around blearily, rubbing at his eyes almost sleepily, but remains sitting on the floor where he had fallen.

"Raz!" Marik says, as he see the Dragonborn. "The girl...Kamon...I think...think it got her...illithid". "Go...go back Ranear... Save Floon...and Omaron..." he says, looking at the dwarf waking up without seeming to know exactly what is happening "Need kill this thing...Save Rani..." he finsih, beginning to walk back toward the chamber where Filimena is and toward the double doors...

His tone seems to suggest he know fully well what his chance of survival are...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Thu 13 June 2019.

There aren't any sounds coming from beyond the doors.

MAP update

FIlimena grabs the elf by the wrist and hisses, “What are you doing? Are you crazy, we’re all going to get killed!”

Orange: FIlimena will try to recall what needs to be done to help Rani and Omaron, not to mention herself. Is killing the Illithid the only way? Doesn’t seem likely to her. Rolled a non-natural 20 on Arcana.

In reply to Filimena the Gentle (msg # 208):

Whatever happened to Filimena is unlike what happened to Rani and Omaron as they suffered a lose of intelligence versus Filimena who lost access to memory - this is explained by there being two different sources. Rani and Omaron are attacked by an Intellect Devourer, but Filimenas assailant is unknown.

"Rani....can't move...can't leave her die...need kill this...least try...Flee...Follow Raszire...Live" respond Marik, tears welling up in his eyes, but stil looking at the double door with a grim determination.

FIlimena’s tone softens, but retains its sense of urgency. “If you go in there, you might not make it back out alive, and then who will take care of Rani? I’m sure we will find some way to help her. We have Floon, don’t we? His friend who sent us seems a knowledgeable fellow. He’ll help us. And we’ll help you carry Rani out of this place. Even I can help, once we get far away enough from here I can comfortably cast a ritual.” She looks to Omaron and Raszire for support.

"You....you can?" ask Marik, who then swith to Elvish for quickness sake [Language unknown: "Sa Blend wheametio wil, ch on itsaev In. Linurethi wer sturce t p haacma, ce ie Eraughpro maho Laatar t ing haio wa n has nefien. Icsato, Naous il iouyinder evfiislo Notfornce stlo Limope hertinere...ripro rieren. At liis tome res le atiic wiwewi ec omof ie is, she pa p tinaal whevenkorest sti malahe. I be ti as we nc atnd onri k enme, O anyillill penc a ruterskorsom us k etout. Tidi Re llio ulenos maseng letra be isio wi eios Eruscewi was al tho ioch taort. O ncwe oulus e analri et ousereoun tharca atut O trawitthu ecle est t unatpa ecet om forughate nti u. Ughingman sheonsave ntutli.] He tries to force a smile "You can go...Live... fight another day...I....I'll catch up with you when I'm finished."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Tue 18 June 2019.

Raszire stands at the exit to the chamber, his back to the corridor where they were all so recently lit aflame. He looks perplexed as he listens to the conversation going on between Filimena and Marik. On one hand, he wants to leave this place as it's taken so much out of the group to even get just this moment of calm that they find themselves in currently; on the other hand, the guilt he would have for leaving a team member behind to secure his own safety would be unbearable.

He looks to Marik with a very concerned gaze and pleads, "Please, Friend Marik, I do feel that there is only certain peril awaiting us on the other side of those doors. I understand your desire to continue on to the end, but we've accomplished what we came down here for. Maybe a return trip when we're better prepared would be best. We have Floon and Omaron and Rani who are all in desperate need of care that I can not provide. But, let me make this clear to you, I will not let you go further alone."

With this, he turns to Filimena. "Omaron is worse for wear, you are weakened, Weasel is shaken and Rani is disabled. I can't let Marik go through there alone! If he's determined to go, I'll leave the fallen with you and I'll assist the Elf until we see this through. I trust you'll aide the rest of the group until we return. If you've not heard from us by the time this candle burns through..." He sets Floon down, resting against the wall to the corridor, walks over to Filimena, and hands her a candle from his pack. As she holds it in front of her, he sparks the wick with a small ember from within his chest. "...then you should leave. Somehow, someway, get yourself and the injured out of here. Like Marik said, WE'LL catch up to you when we're finished."

He looks to Marik again, mace gripped once again in his right fist and shield in his left. "What say you, Friend Marik? Shall we all exit here together, or venture forth, just you and I, into the unknown?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Tue 18 June 2019.

"I...I can't leave Rani.." respond Marik, almost choking on his words. "Saved me..can't leave her...die....to this.......Please...Go...take care them...Omaron...Filimena...Floon....wounded...Need you...I...I...good hunter...and....not alone....I never alone..." he says, pointing his sword and his now closed wound where some leaves still clings to the flesh. "can do this....Go save you...them...Sewers full of bad...Go...Protect...I'll find you...when finished..."

"No," Filimena says. "I'm not going to let you do this. We've wasted enough time already. We need to get out of here. I'm going to cast Fly on Rani. She needs to let me do this. Can you help?"

Without waiting for a response, she strides over to the big cat. Her determined face turns into a sad and concerned one as she reaches out to touch her. [Language unknown: "Io astei filiac ur. Nte eiwihe i ovele of,"] she whispers to it in Elvish. She turns back to see if Marik and Raszire have followed her back up the corridor.

OOC: FIlimena will wait a moment for Marik to come, to maybe put Rani's mind at ease, but even if he doesn't she's going to cast the spell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:56, Thu 20 June 2019.

"Wha....what?" respond Marik with a blank stare, as FIlimena get going, trying to make sense of what he just heard. Then he shake his head and promptly try to follow the halfling to the side of the fallen panther. The big cat is still layed down, wildeyed and drooling.

[Language unknown: "Not tevor m romenting...E stiterven naiou aveon lo llate wa earpreentthomen ativirver, dinma prac ekivnd fi oreev..."]

[Language unknown: "Aring ma any bedin...Thncos ard naant..." ]whisper the elf

Marik caress the fur and scratch her behind the ear. He thinks back to the moment where his sister brought her back from the mountains...She was so small back then...He remembers her growing up, never quitting his sister's side...And then the fire...and Rani pulling him from the flames. She had never quit him since.

And then he remember the ritual he did, one night at the summer solstice, the same he saw his sister doing before with Rani. He gifted her some his blood, she gifted some of her's to him. He burned the sacred herbs and they both went into a long transe, their vision floating between the elves and spirits of old. There, before the forest spirits, they bonded their souls and strenghten their own connection to the forest, gifting it part of their own spirit in the process.

"The bond between a ranger and their companion cannot be broken unwillingly" his sister's had said. "It is beyond the material and the immaterial, beyond life and death. For as long as the forest endures, those who are bound to it will too"

He could feel her spirit. Inside of him, Rani's presence was always there, listening, communicating by emotions. He realize he always gave her commands using gestures,probably by habit, but deep down, he always felt that wasn't necessary. Rani knew what he meant before he could even say or signal it.

Maybe....maybe she could understand this...if he ask her to accept, using the power of the bond, maybe her spirit would understand the command in a way her body could not.

"Trust me, girl." Marik think, trying to focus on Rani's presence inside him. "Lift off the ground and fly for me now"
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:56, Thu 20 June 2019.

Marik concentrate....but it's obviously not working. Rani twitches and shudders but remains flat on the floor, incapable of mere movement.

But it reminded him something. Something he learned a very long time ago and forgot. Something that never seemed a option.

Tears form anew in the elf eyes, who wiped them off just as quickly, fist clenched in anger. Some words get out of his mouth, slowly forming a sentence

[Language unknown: "Has un ofouro fi dionac... te erewitsti samorice... noerma m laalut annc'pleimi"]

His hand tremble, reaching for one of his pocket. The words get clearer and more fluid.

[Language unknown: "Ta a strwhiint ivfor mifopran ni ingis tioiouons'artund, terersion poss dayte comtercon" ]

He gets out a dagger, gleaming into the little light. The shaking of his hand become worse.

[Language unknown: "Elca tr rut m olit ainbleion arofec, adrebe pasi ect ofllad me ng la mi"]

He lift the dagger, trembling even more, above Rani neck.

"It will work....It will work" repeat the elf, eyes closed. He must not doubt the power of the forest. She is bonded to him. She will come back if called.

But he can't bring himself to do it...just yet. Doubt fills his mind. What if it doesn't work? What if the forest lost too much power? What is instead of returning among the other spirit, she is lost for good? What if she doesn't returned when called?"

But the illithid is still around. And he knows he has no chance against such a creature. Rani will be lost forever if he fails to kill it.

"He...Help" says the elf. "I...I can save her...I can!...Call her...But I can't...this...Help me"

"This doesn't make any sense. They will probably think I'm becoming completely crazy now..." think the elf.

"Help me..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Thu 20 June 2019.

Filimena is about to cast the Fly spell on Rani when she suddenly realises the spell won’t work with the big cat incapacitated. She winces in frustration, and is about to say something when she suddenly notices Marik raising a dagger about the big cat. It occurs to her momentarily that she is about to be stabbed, but she quickly realises the blow is aimed at the cat instead. Barely having any time to react, she casts Mage Hand in an attempt to stay his blow. “What are you doing?!” she hisses. “Listen, calm down. We still have a chance. Fly won’t work. But I can create a floating disc still. It will take some time, but we’re wasting time anyway now, deciding what to do. You and Raszire - and Omaron if he’s up to it - stand guard, so the Illithid doesn’t catch us by surprise. If I manage to create, we scram. If the Illithid attacks before we do, then… Well we’ll have to give it our best shot, won’t we?”

The hideout is quiet save for the heavy breathing coming from Rani as well as the prisoners.

The dagger fall on the ground, besides Rani...

And Marik just nods. A lot of conflicting emotions wages battle inside his head but he feels too tired to fight them. He doesn't want them to die, but apparently they won't go...and they still are his best chance to save Rani. If they are to die, might as well be together.

The elf sob and then stand, taking back the dagger, and wiping his eyes with his glove. He switch again for his bow and nock a arrow, preparing to hold one side of the corridor.

"Give...Give it best shot..." he says, nodding again "And thank you..."


OOC: Yeah! 3000! Let's keep it up guys! ^^
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Tue 25 June 2019.

Happy 3K posts! Inspiration all around!

So the plan is to ritual a floating disk to help move Rani? I like it - what is everyone else doing while Filimena is casting?

Nodding, Filimena focuses on the ground right beneath Rani, and begins muttering quietly under her breath, beginning the ritual to conjure a floating disc under the big cat.

OOC: Yup! Last week was nuts but here I am!

"Yes, guard," Omaron says, his speech broken and stuttered. He grips his axe in two hands glaring around the room, his attention centered around the passage tentacle-face went.

Ten minutes feels like an eternity - tensions are high as adrenaline causes loud thumping in everyone's ears as they expect something to assault them.

But the time passes with nothing coming out from the double doors nor through the corridor back to the sewer and the rest of the hideout.

"I....think it left..." says Marik after a time.

A few minutes pass in silence, then as Filimena stop incanting, Marik looks in surprise to see a metallic saucer extending under Rani and slowly lifting her up. He breathe in relief. The disk appear to tremble slightly under Rani's weight, but appear quite stable.

"How...much can take...more?" he ask Filimena, pointing the three foot disk up in the air..

“It can take 500 pounds in all,” Filimena replies. She glances over at the elf and looks him up and down. “How much do you weigh? The disc disappears if more than 500 pounds is placed onto it.” There is a nervous energy in her voice. Notwithstanding the silence from the other room, should would still like to get out of here as soon as possible.

OOC: Yeah, so how much does Marik weigh? Haha. If we take Rani’s weight to be 210-300 lb, then anything less than 200 lb ought to be pretty safe.

"I'll carry Floon and whatever else I can manage. I can carry any gear if you two want to assist the others. I'm glad we're getting out of this dank place, it makes my scales crawl. I think it best that we get our friends to someone who can provide the care that they need as quickly as possible."

Raszire again picks up the unconscious man and hoists him over his shoulder. He looks to the party to see how else he could be of assistance.

OOC: Sorry for my silence, I've been on vacation with the family. Congrats on the post milestone!! Would Raszire know of someplace where Rani and the others could be taken to reverse their curses or whatever affects them? Just in case I made a couple of rolls, Medicine and Arcana.
09:32, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19. Rasz's Arcana.
09:32, Today: Raszire Toumash rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14. Rasz's Medicine.

The magical disk lifts Rani up with no issue. As the group moves out of the space, in the next room are the pair of unconscious Eye members and the door that the group barricaded.

FIlimena barely glances at the two unconscious Eyes, intent as she is to move on out through the sewers.

OOC: I guess we just push on? Unless anybody has anything they want to do with the two captives.

Raszire knows of several temples in Titan's Gate where the group might seek aid, the temple of Saint Cuthbert would be a likely choice as they were the temple who asked the groups aid previously.

---

Leaving the hideout our heroes find no trouble only their own foot falls echoing in the sewers. Weasel brings the group to the nearest exit which leads to an alley in the dock area off Spices Street near a Hostel.

The twin moons wane in the sky overhead. Due to the late hour most establishments are closed and only a handful of people at best wander the streets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Fri 05 July 2019.

"Now that we are out of that dank sewer, I suggest we make our way to the Temple of Saint Cuthbert to find aide for our friends. Hopefully someone there will be able to reverse the conditions affecting our companions."

Raszire steps forward to lead the way...

Marik follows without a word, as best as his legs can carry him, keeping his eyes on Rani the whole time.

Then he remark Weasel still follow them, not having said a word since he woke up after being wounded.

"You...still here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Thu 11 July 2019.

The group moves through the moonslite streets with terrific efficient, as Raszire slips the through alley ways and side streets the others would have easily overlooked.

After a half-hour or so the group come upon a two story structure made of white marble with veins of vivid blue. It stands in stark contrast to the wood and stone buildings around it. A pair of white marble statues depicting armored warriors stand on either side of the temple's heavy oaken door. Each of the statues has a mace raised toward the darkened sky. Above the door's marble architrave are boldly inscribed the following words : WITHIN LAW LIVES HOPE.

FIlimena approach’s the temple with minor trepidation. The structure seems to loom taller over her than she knows it does actually. Maybe it’s the marble lending it an air of imposing solidity, or maybe it’s what she knows it stands for, a creed she respects but knows she could not live by. A familiar face greets the party at the entrance. How long it feels since they last saw this young man. Solemnly, she follows the group into the building.

"Thank you, Brother Ruphus. Your assistance is most welcomed. We've met with some fiendish beings that have stricken some in our party most grievously; our feline friend, Rani, and the Dwarf, Omaron, worst of all."

He ushers them in, following closely behind Ruphus...

The interior of church appears empty save for a pair of guards just inside the door, both of whom are slightly startled by the groups entry. Ruphus waves the guards away and brings the group to a large room off of the primary service area, during normal hours the space probably serves as a meeting hall or a place to serve the public. "Wait here while I retrieve Matron Urika, I won't be long."

Omaron follows along behind Raszire, his gaze firmly on the dragonborn's gait. He watches the novice priest greet the group and leave on an errand, the dwarf mute throughout the exchange.

Moments seem to last an eternity as the group waits for someone to arrive. When the door finally opens, a woman enters. She has premature streaks of gray in her rich brown hair which she has tied up roughly with some bit of leather. Her dress is simple but nice - a brown robe over a night shirt, her bearing gives you the feeling that she is someone of authority. "Acolyte Laro said you lot are in need of aid, I am here to help any way I can."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:33, Wed 17 July 2019.

Marik is before her, inclined head looking at the ground, making no effort to try to look any more proud or less vulnerable than he feels now. He looks defeated. His hand posed on the spotted grey fur of the panther, he says a few words. Articulating them anew seems even harder now.

"...Pl...Please...Help her...broke...mind broken..."

The priestess frowns as she moves to Marik and Rani, "I shall pray to St. Cuthbert for his aid with her." Jenya sits and takes Rani's head in her lap and gently talks in a strange language to the massive cat, [Language unknown: "Has Nticon'saners lomi isce nienbemo romwitproson ilol arint hispro'eenherred cente sonal, ho oreic mibe a teprtrbent ma ilure st."]

As she speaks her hands glow with a warm white light after it fades away, Rani slowly raises her head and begins to purr.

Trembling and preparing himself for the divine spell to fail, Marik can't contain the tears of relief once he see Rani raising her head. Trembling, the elf just buries his face in the panther and stay there for long minutes without saying a word, his two hands clutching the spotted fur. Even with the sound muffled, there no doubt he is audibly sobbing.

Razsire walks over and places his massive hand on Marik's shoulder. He is pleased with the senses returning to Rani and Marik's relief.

He turns to Jenya and asks "And our friends Omaron and Weasel? Omaron is still very far from himself though in a better state than Rani was. Weasel, well... Well he hasn't spoken since being injured. I can't say that I'm fully aware as to the extent of his injuries."

"I can continue tending to my own and Filimena's injuries. Please let me know if there's anything that I may assist you with."

He bows as he turns his gaze from Jenya to the rest of the party members, again smiling as he sees Marik and Rani together.

Filimena shifts uncomfortably. "I too was afflicted by something," she says, raising her hand. "Something that seemed to empty my mind of memories. Have you also a cure for that?"

The priestess nods to both Razsire and Filimena, "Of course of course, I will do what I can." Jenya places her hands on Omaron's shoulders saying strange words which again cause her hands go glow [Language unknown:  "Acca Accentio ndur po dayastcom ni llday, tareof ngoun rech sanll ivicno st ofecmeiv."] As her hands stop their glowing Omaron's mind is restored.

She repeats the process with Filimena, but the halfling doesn't feel the fog lift from her mind... Jenya notices and asks, "Strange, what happened to you dear one?"

FIlimena feels her pulse quicken slightly. ”I don’t know,” she says, a look of alarm crossing her face. ”It happened suddenly. I don’t really understand it. It’s difficult to think, and things I once knew are hard to recall.” What could have happened to her? She had assumed up to now it was similar to what had afflicted the big cat and the dwarf, but if even their more seemingly severe conditions could be lifted and hers could not... Could this be a message from the Voices? Could they be beginning to leave her? Perhaps she had done something wrong, or failed to do something right? But they had whispered something to her recently, had they not? After even this weird drain on her memory had happened. They had, hadn’t they? Filimena isn’t sure.

Raszire looks on, puzzled...

"Priestess, what does this mean? Is her condition incurable?"

The dragonborn cleric is feeling very helpless at the fact that one of his friends seems to be suffering from some affliction that he is powerless to assist with. He's very concerned with Filimena's condition.

Priestess Urkias shakes her head slowly placing a hand on Filimena's shoulder, "Some ailments simple take time to become well again. Magic can cure much, it does not fix everything. Tell me more of the circumstances around what happened to you Filimena? Leave out no detail."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:10, Thu 25 July 2019.

As the fog lifts from Omaron's mind his gaze takes on the sharp, intelligent glint he usually has. He bows his head in thanks to the priestess as she moves on to Filimena.

Filimena furrows her brows as she reaches back in her memory, straining to sift the real from the imaginary as her own mind begins filling in gaps in her remembered experience with images and sensations of its own creation, reassembled from impressions further back in time.

"We were in the sewers under the city," she says, slowly, wondering just how much she should disclose. "In pursuit of someone we believe had been kidnapped by accident. We'd just defeated two criminals... tied them up and interrogated them. One of them mentioned an illithid. There were other things as well. Like brains, but with legs. They attacked us. I think it was them that..." She looks over to the dwarf Omaron and to Rani.

The priestess nods, "Intellect devours... you were fortunate. They are devilish creatures which can take over a person. Rumor was there was such a creature running a shop as front for drow allies." She glances at the rest of the group, looking perhaps for some sort of reassurance or acknowledgement of the events described.

FIlimena is rather a bit too stunned to think what to say. Take over a person? She finds the thought discomfortingly familiar. She has been so taken over before, many a time, and has somehow never before questioned it. Not that she is questioning it now. Still, she once again finds herself wondering whether there be some relation between her patron and the villains now lurking under the city.

“There was one drow that we ran into below,” she offers tentatively, recovering from her thoughts.

"Ghelve...Keygan...Shopkeeper" says Marik, who apprently didn't lost much of this conversation, as he raise his head from Rani's side, eyes still red from crying. "Could be...creature....forced...kept portal to Undermountain....childrens we....searched ...for you"

"Undermountain?" Jenya says with obvious confusion but doesn't press.

"We spoke with MrGhelve after you returned. The slavers had taken his daughter, a Nisris Ghelve, which was why he was working for them."

The young priest enters the room, taking a moment to speak in hushed whispers to the priestess. [Language unknown: "Poarec k ng olnd il elecne iv ectastove ar omeantres ers sti."]

The priestess nods to the younger man before looking at the group, "My apologize friends - I must leave you in the capable hands of Curate Laro." Without taking a beat to let any of the heroes speak, Jenya leaves the room.

Outside a light rain begins tapping against the glass window as the sounds of a few people moving carts along the street can be heard, It would seem that late night has at last become early morning.

Filimena gazes silently towards the window, although where she’s standing she can’t see much out of it. Suddenly, she doesn’t quite feel like doing or even thinking about anything. ”I think we need rest,” she murmurs softly, not quite concerned if anyone actually hears her.

OOC: Time for a nap I guess?

Raszire agrees, "I think some sleep will do us all good."

He settles into a chair in the corner, resting his gear at his side, but keeping his mace near, ready to react at the slightest provocation. He scans the room, taking in the sight of his friends again before slowly closing his eyes and relaxing his weary head.

Marik is about to turn to Curate Laro, wanting to inquire to see if everything is well given the sudden change of attitude from the High Priest. Head still resting on Rani, he want to speak but his mind remain blank with words. His eyes feels heavy....very heavy and...

Marik tries to stay awake for another minute, before his eyes goes empty and white as he enters a transe. Rani moves slightly, before resting her own head on the elf thigh. Her eyes stays on Filimena for a bit, with a look of recognition and turns to the others, as if she takes time to remembers theirs faces.


OOC: Hello all! Sorry for the delay. ^^ I...I now have a girlfriend living with me in my apartment and between the long workdays and the evening with her, I'm still figuring out where to fit the RP time XD She's not into RPG (yet...working slowly on it) so it's still a bit akward to justify spending time alone on my computer pretending I'm a elf on the internet instead of doing thins with her. I'll find my new pace soon don't worry.^^

A much needed rest refreshed the group. Filimena's mind fog vanishes as she watches the world outside the window move through it's day in the rain.

[Private to Filimena the Gentle:
A bit
   of rest
      ^brings back
   the mind ^the mind
how much
   _did we ^lose
      how much
   did we _gain]

As the group's rest ends, they can hear a booming voice outside the door.

Marik wakes up, face almost buried in Rani. He raise up grumbling, removing with a glove some white and black hair from the panther still sticked to his cheek.

"Voice...Dwarf...Disanz..friend....Oh right! Floon!" he mumbled as his sense slowly come bac to him. He takes a look around the chamber to see Raszire sleeping on his chair and Filimena tucked in a corner. No sign of Weasel. He looks in the direction of Floon to see how he is doing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:37, Mon 12 Aug 2019.

Filimena’s eyes flicker open. How long had she been asleep? She is slumped in a corner against a window. The view outside is a different one from before. It is more crowded, more people about, and the rain seems to have stopped, albeit recently. The ground glistens with wet, and the sky looks like it might start raining again still. She fixates alternately on a few of the people she sees standing and talking by the door below, a crow settling on the rooftop of the building across the street, a cart bearing cabbages coming around a corner. Does she imagine that she perceives them more clearly? How can she tell? Had she been dreaming, seemingly moments ago, when she felt the fog lifting from around her mind? A different fog remains settled around her now, one thick with trepidation and uncertainty. She stands precariously against the edge of a vast sea cliff, the words of the Voices lingering amidst the sound of waves indistinct yet unmistakably there, as if carried over a great distance by the wind from some stranded ship she cannot see.

It is not the booming of Disanz that brings her back to the room again, but Marik shuffling about as he rises. The turns to look, and prepares to get up herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Sun 11 Aug 2019.

Outside the world is moving on as it usually does in a busy city - even in the rain - cold and uncaring. Across the room, Floon that handsome subject of mistake identity is sleeping like a babe near the far wall. He seems oblivious to the world around him.

Marik nods as he see Floon asleep and shuffle, lifting himself from the panther. He pull a streak of black hair from his face and begin to search in Rani's bag. He takes out his little kettle and boiler to make some morning tea. He chose one he named the "Black Gold", taken along the Ashuapmushuan river. The tea leaves are so oxyded they are almost pitch black and mixed with the pollen of some river flowers, giving them a slight golden glistening. A woody flavor with a scent reminiscing of a mix between rosemary and lavender soon begin to fills the room as he add the leaves to the hot water.

He remark Filimena shuffling as well.

"You...Okay?" he ask


OOC: That last post was beautifully written, Filimena!
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:29, Mon 12 Aug 2019.

The smell of tea and the sound of gentle rustlings bring Raszire back to consciousness. He looks at his friends, seemingly in a much better state than he's seen them in days.

Turning to Marik, he says, "How's Rani? Any issues during the night?"

Then to Filimena he gestures, "Hey you! You feeling better? You gave us a scare last night. Things still "hazy"?"

He stands and stretches. Groaning and grunting softly as joints pop and muscles loosen from their settled, post-battle recovery.

"And Omaron and Floon? They haven't seemed to stir since settling in. And what's the commotion going on outside the door?"

Filimena turns to the elf and the dragonborn. "Things are... better," she says. For a moment it seems she is about to say something more, but then she changes are mind and chooses to remain silent. Instead, she stands up and walks towards the door, pausing before it and gesturing with her shoulders, as if to ask, shall I?

OOC: Heh. I was bored listening to a presentation when I wrote that.

"No...issues" respond Marik, while continuing to prepare tea and looking at the big cat. "Seems...hum...back normal" he add, as the panther loudly yawn and begin pushing on his shoulder demanding to be fed.


OOC: written this quite quickly between two travels too XD
This message was last edited by the player at 22:06, Thu 15 Aug 2019.

Floon awakens loudly with a snort of a snore followed by a massive yawn, as though his body isn't sure what action it should take so it is doing all of the at once. He rubs his eyes as a child might before they ask to stay up longer. His limbs seem slightly long as though he never grew into his height, even so he is rather handsome and the resemblance to Renaer Buchanan is impossible to miss.

As reality comes better into focus for the man, he jumps of with a start exclaiming "Where are am I?! Who are you!?"

Marik turn as the man awaken

"Oh!...hum...Name Mariel'kor Eldebrath....Marik for short...this Rani" he says pointing the large cat at his side. "You safe...Church of St-Cuthbert...long story...hum...tea?" he says, looking in turn at his companions as if asking for help.