[OOC: Both groups come back together]

"Hello lads, we have very sad news we found one of the boys dead. We've made sure his attacker some sort of plant will bother no one else though. In the future use piercing weapons against plants like spears and rapiers, not axes." Orlen comments on their adventures up to this point.

Sir Jovius nodded in agreement at the trackers summary of their Adventures

“Any sign yet of the other boys?”

The druid, ever quiet, seemed more somber and perplexed. She looked at the badger at her side who snorted, but she looked at them all. "We found the boy in a cave, strung up by stone, still alive but trapped. We were attacked by one of the farmers, or it was once was. When it hit us it was an undead abomination with a stench of death and evil."

She placed her hands on her hips. "To shape stone like that takes true power.....only elementals or spellcasters with power could have done that."

"This is an old, old place," Ty says nervously. "Maybe it was a trap left from way back then and there isn't a sorcerer here now to do that to us."

"Was you able to free the boy?" Orlen asks "And you only found one not two?"

The gnome shrugged at Ty's words. "Perhaps, but either way it is a potent warning. I have some skill in moulding earth, but not on this scale." She paused to sigh. "I doubt a sorcerer would have this power to be unnoticed. They would have more potent spells to use. Perhaps a cleric with earth powers, and given the undead, that would be my guess. Had it been just the earth, i'd say a turned druid as there are some that follow a darker path....the destructive path of nature, but even they do not abide undead."

She looked behind her. "If an arcane magic user, they would have the power to summon an earth elemental and summon and control dead, a potent mix."

She looked at Orlen "One human was hanging up in the chamber, another human that was turned attacked us. That was it."

"Reunited perhaps we can rescue the boy with all our powers, shall we not go and try to free him?" Orlen asks of the others.

“Given time I am good at damaging things, so I could focus on freeing those trapped by stone. Undead are typically burned out with alchemist fire....”

Clover added his observations made during his attempts to free the child.I have the feeling that the child was pushed into the ethereal plane and rematerialized on the spikes. When I tried I discovered that the child is not so much impaled by the spikes, but fused to them.

   "The child we found had be penetrated by a number of plant tendrils that sucked the life out of him," Theo tells the others.

Sir Jovius frowned in confusion
"I'm not sure I understand you all.  What exactly is there, waiting for us?  Is there still a boy to be rescued?  Is there still a monster there to be slain?"

"They may be one and the same," Ty says to Jovious. "Why believe that this is not just the beginning of the boy's transformation? Go look for yourselves."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

"Show us the way and we'll have a look perhaps we can put all our heads together laddies and figure this out." Orlen suggests.

Sir Jovius shrugged and nodded in agreement.  He was no expert in such things, but he was definitely curious.

The room with the boy is free from any opposition at the moment so all can see the kid.

I'll update the map tomorrow.

The gnome led the party to the room, stalling at the entrance of the room, averting her eyes from the boy

   Theo advances and examines the boy, without getting too close, to try to tell whether he's still alive or not.

Orlen looks up at the boy and the stone. Things look very strange to him. He's just not quiet sure what to make of it all. He turns to the others "Anyone got any ideas?"

10:18, Today: Orlen rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Knowledge (Nature).

“This is most odd; I have heard of spiders that can phase through solid objects and of course ghosts but this is something intelligent and different.”

Beagan ponders
Beagan WobbleCog rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge (dungeon/planes/nature/etc)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:20, Mon 30 Mar 2020.

The boy is alive but somehow connected with the stone. Obviously some sort of magic effect but exactly what could have done this is unknown.

How far up is the boy?

  Theo scratches his head. "I can't think of anything I can do to help," he confesses. "My magic won't be strong enough to damage nor deform the stone. Maybe we should explore a bit more for a possible answer: He's not going anywhere."

His feet hang a few inches above the ground.

Sir Jovius frowned in frustration and nodded
"Very well, my good friends, let us sally forth and see if the cure for this dastardly deed lies further on.  Lead on, good  tracker, if you please"

Orlen looks up at the boy "Hang in there son we'll get you lose". He nods to Sir Jovius "Let's go, May the Bright Gem light our way."

Rallying the party and heading out of the room the group encounters two gnomes riding a bat!

Orlen looks shocked to see two gnomes riding a bat, must be a pretty big bat. He keeps his weapons ready in case of trouble but greets them. "Hello, it is good to see gnomes here. Do you know how to free the boy from the stone?" he asks them in Gnome.

Nixif was just starting to make way through the northern passage when the rest of the group instead exited it.

He was not currently on his mount, it was off tracking the critter noises in the room to see if it could catch a snack.

Normally, seeing weapons at the ready was alarming... but these gnomes had already clearly had to kill something once and to not be ready would be foolish. Nixif, however, had wanted to be stealthy and so had not had done the same.

He also wasn't much of a talker, and so he opted to wait and let Binx have first chance to answer.

The Small Gnome and his elongated, Large, muzzled Dire Bat:

Both wore High quality, Silken, padded armor, the beast's armor included intimidating spikes and patched scaling, A ram style horn, and a well-designed saddle.

The gnome had a lantern hanging from the left hip side of his belt, oh the many belts he had... there was even a belt across his chest. Oh, but his hat, of course his hat, A little over a foot tall and point. It shined a little in the light and seemed made up of flip sequine like material, a leavy vine crawled its way up the hat. Currently, it was flipped up, showing a purple.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Mon 06 Apr 2020.

Binx enters with Nixif and the bat. He offers polite nods all around to the group, taking a moment to peer up at the trapped figure. He shakes hsi head, "What a shame... He turns back to the others, "Greetings, friends. I am afraid my magic is not strong enough to undo the stone either."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Tue 07 Apr 2020.

Beagan wondered if his adamantine hammer and his iajutsu focus could break the stone quicker than the others might even imagine, but he said nothing as the group encountered the bat riders....

Clover stood quietly pondering the situation, gratful that no had suggested brute force it hammers. The chance for a failed blow striking the wrong spot was the biggest flaw with that but, even the most successful is still going to transfer vibration and harmonic waves of kinetic energy causing a great amount of pain into the child's body if not damage as well.

I wish someone had a sleeping draught, because if the child was unconscious, separating the child from the wall would be less tramatic on him.

[OOC: Let me know when you have a plan for helping the boy or moving out.]

Orlen looks at the boy sadly and at the new gnomes "I don't suppose anyone has a way to put the boy to sleep do they? Clover's idea would be a good one and we could chip away at it."

Nixif will move over to get a line of sight of the boy, before then starting toward him and so back into the section of cave the other adventurers left.

"Well, first, what have you guys discern about the situation? I'd hate to try and guess at the situation just to guess something one of you has already proven isn't the case."

then, putting his hands in his pockets, he started a slow saunter over to the boy while adding. "Could always just knock the kid out."

Binx adds, "Perhaps it may be best to continue further and see if a less jarring solution can be found."

"Well in truth we haven't discerned much about hi condition. Have you had a look yet?" Orlen admits.

"One of his friends is already dead and we've not found the third boy yet. The one was killed by some sort of plant creature with vines. Seemed to suck the life out of him." he adds after a moment of contemplation.

“Perhaps we find ourselves in the midst of a battle of stone versus plants...is it the stone’s job to contain the plants and the plants to escape this chamber?”

Binx lifts a brow, "Two beings of the earth in disagreement?! Things must be terribly awry."

"If stone and plant are at war, then it's certainly not a natural phenomenon. We should explore more and see if we can find the other boy and a way to free this one." Orlen tells the others.

Sir Jovius seemed dubious about all this talk of "plants vs stones", but he couldn't argue that something weird was going on.
"Very well, let us keep exploring, to fill in this mystery more"

In reply to DM Neogi (msg # 34):
31.5 move silent results.

In reply to Nixif (msg # 43):

ooc: the boy wouldnt lose his hands, thanks to the healing, can I focus on just dissolving the part of the rock connected with the larger ammount of rock? leaving the bonded bits still bonded to the boy so it can be dealt with later?

as a note, since you publicized i'm doing a secret with the boy that could harm him... people may be inclined to meta notice. I'd appreciate a little leeway if they do.
Also, sorry to those who were going to respond to my move silent but now may be percieved as meta'ing, I tried keeping it private but perhaps the gm missed that.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Mon 13 Apr 2020.

In reply to Nixif (msg # 45):

OOC:  it makes sense that we'd all.get a chance to notice any magic shenanigans, but it's fair that we'd have a few penalties to our spot checks since most of us are focused on further exploration

As things keep talking Beagan examines the rock near the boy that has trapped him.

Examining the rock he finds a place to perfectly strike with his hammer.

Beagan WobbleCog rolled 10 using 4d6.  Damage to rock from Iaijutsu focus. 09:15, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Damage to rock.

Does everyone want to follow Jovius' plan and head out? along the passage to the west or back to the large chamber where routes lead east and west?

   "Let's see where that narrow passage west leads: We think two came this way and we've found one," says Theo.

Binx nods, being a newcomer. "Yes, time is crucial, it seems.

[OOC: waiting for Beagan's confirmation of plans.]

While the others were planning Beagan had taken at least one crack at the rock holding the kid.
If it doesn’t look like he can be freed easily and effect a self rescue; Beagan will leave with the others

"Sounds good Theo lets go that way" Orlen says heading off the indicated path in hopes of finding the other boy.

Sir Jovius followed the tracker

[OOC: Now that you are a large-ish party would someone like to come up with a marching order? If not I can continue to use a 'most likely' positioning based on best AC at the front and back, worst in the middle.]

In a normal situation, I volunteer to be scout (that is to travel a little ahead of the marching order). Right now I'd be behind the party until I catch up, naturally. Unless the stone decides to fight us... in which case im in the room with it.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:25, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

OOC: Yes, I will be towards the middle please.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:17, Tue 14 Apr 2020.

Orlen would be near the front as one of trackers

  Good armour, but very little perception puts Theo at or near the back.

I can search for and disable traps so near the front is fine.
Unless I am still making around to see if the kid can be freed

Someone want to write it out?

<-  Insert character names here  <-
<-  And here for two abrest      <-

In reply to DM Neogi (msg # 61):


CURRENT LINE UP:

0 or o or x = wall
Be = Beagan
bo = boy
Ni = nixif
bi = ninx
Th = Theo
Jo = Jovius
Or = orlen
Ba = Dire bat


Any objections?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

OOC: Second in line works for me
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Wed 15 Apr 2020.

ok.
maps done, unless someone wants to be moved.
remember that every square space is a 5 foot square

How did you make that map? That's pretty cool, I will have to use that trick.

(Okay what we waiting for?)

I was looking for a marching order. If nothing then I will continue later today once I finish up a bit of work.

I'll be in front I put that up before did everyone not put in where they were going?

You can put everyone in position 'cause no one else seems to want to.

pretty sure I did that with the map, if you mean you want one for moving forward then I will move myself but you would need to resolve what happened between beagan and the boy

clover continues to take notes on what is going on in the area. the arrival of bats large enough to ride spoke volumes to the possibility of encountering large open underground areas. he knew enough to know that all manner of threats could hide on the ceiling waiting for careless "prey" to wander below them. he would need to keep an alert ear for that possibility. but he silently hoped he was just being over cautious.

ooc
A) sorry I missed you

B) nice map upgrade, thank you.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

I was thinking of a marching order. What position everyone is in when moving through the tunnels. That is. who is going to get chopped up first at the front of the group, who is going to get smashed at the back of the group and who will be amushed in the middle.

pg 167 of PH
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

You still need to resolve what happens when beagan smacks the stone holding the boy.


Marching order

	Ni
		Cl		Ba	Ba
			Jo	Ba	/Bi	Th
		Or

/ = sharing square
Be = Beagan
bo = boy
Ni = nixif
bi = Binx
Th = Theo
Jo = Jovius
Or = orlen
Ba = Dire bat
Cl = Clover

Beagan, please decide where you would like to be in the marching order.
As a note guys, my char is intentionally staying ahead of the group so if Clover and Orlen try to move up to match Nixif's advance then he will advance further ahead.

The bat will also stay in the middle, but no more than 40 feet from Nixif (if we scouts end up in a foot race or something ;p)

Binx can walk under the bat or ride it, up to him since he also wants to be in mid.

Nixif's move silent roll was 31.5, hide roll is 21.5, a 'passive spot' of 19 and a listen check of 20.
Bats move silent is 30 and its hide roll is 34 (one stealthy bat).
and because it's so stealthy, Imma say it is currently on the roof (it has a climb speed). The dire bat has echo location blind sense of 40 feet, a 'passive spot' of 19 and a 'passive listen' of 23.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:10, Mon 20 Apr 2020.

Binx walks beneath the bat, cautiously keeping an eye out.

Beagan's hammering on the stone?

One arm of the stone cracks in half. Blood sprays all over Beagan and the walls. The teenager cries out and dies. Once the flow stops Beagan can see that the boy's flesh was fused with the stone and he had become a part of the rock.

A loud wailing sound reverberates throughout the caverns.

Sir Jovius rushed back into the room to investigate

Orlen rushes back with Sir Jovius and he is saddened to see the boy now dead. He shakes his head, he doesn't recuse Beagon though knowing he was at least trying to help. "Well those cries will bring whatever is here to us. We should prepare and we need to at least make it back with the last boy alive. Perhaps even enough if possible to pay for the other two to be raised or something for their families."

“What the Frick!”

The outcome of hitting the stone wall moving to the arm and breaking it apart makes no sense, how did the energy of the blow travel through the stone and into the boy, it would be like hammering a chain link and having one four links away suddenly come apart.  The only answer is the stone being struck killed the kid rather than release him, but that means the stone is not just fused with the boy but is itself alive, and could rip the kid apart at any moment.

Worst case scenario should have been kid had to carry a chunk of wall with him out of the place...
earth elemental that feeds on flesh and blood, or coverts it to stone?

Silently, as the others moved past him to see what happened, Nixif shook his head. He could already tell beagan was going to be a bit of a headache but the bat riding gnome wasnt much for confrontation and was new. So for now he opted to slip back into the main hall to watch out for any incoming trouble.

  "Ah," says Theo seeing that it would appear that the boy is dead. "That's unfortunate. That leaves one for us to rescue." The gnome readies himself to be attacked.

Binx closes his eyes and puts his hat over his heart, "Just like that..." After a quiet moment he regains his composure, "All the more to strengthen our resolve. Onward."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Wed 22 Apr 2020.

"Yes Binx is correct, we must save the last one, let us follow the trail and resume our search. Poor boys never had a chance, and this place could be a danger to far more than they if these creatures escape." Orlen tells his friends.

Marching order

	Ni
		Cl		Ba	Ba
			Jo	Ba	/Bi	Th
		Or

/ = sharing square under
\ = Sharing space over
Be = Beagan
bo = boy
Ni = nixif
bi = Binx
Th = Theo
Jo = Jovius
Or = orlen
Ba = Dire bat
Cl = Clover

Beagan, please decide where you would like to be in the marching order.

(note:, my char is intentionally staying ahead of the group. so if anyone tries to move up to match Nixif's advance then he will advance further ahead.

The bat will also stay in the middle, but no more than 40 feet from Nixif (if we scouts end up in a foot race or something ;p)

Binx chose to walk under the bat

Nixif's move silent roll was 31.5, hide roll is 21.5, a 'passive spot' of 19 and a listen check of 20.
Bats move silent is 30 and its hide roll is 34 (one stealthy bat).
and because it's so stealthy, Imma say it is currently on the roof (it has a climb speed).
The dire bat has echo location blind sense of 40 feet, a 'passive spot' of 19 and a 'passive listen' of 23.

[OOC: Sorry, rpol wasn't working well for me yesterday. Maybe the site was in maintenance or my computer was having an 'episode']

With everyone organized the party heads east out of the room following the trail for the last of the missing boys. Past the 'T' junction the corridor continues and the wall decorations continue their change from idyllic forest wholesomeness into illustrations of darker, meaner, scenes.

Nixif, Orlen, and Clover: what are your detect traps numbers?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:20, Thu 23 Apr 2020.

ooc

if you are using spot 19 (bat) and 25 (nixif), 21(bat) for echo location blindsense

if you are using search then 21(bat) echo location blindsense and 24(nixif)
I have trapfinding like a rogue.

This message was last edited by the player at 11:47, Thu 23 Apr 2020.

Orlen resumes searching for traps and tracks

Orlen has a +7 to search to find traps
He has a +0 to survival for tracks

The trail leads down a corridor for 40'. The corridor ends in an archway of bones, in the chamber beyond it can be seen that bones are cast about the floor and embedded in the walls. Mixed in with the bones are bits of rotted clothing, the glint on iron weapons, and the occasional glint of silver and gold coins.

Sir Jovius cocked an eyebrow
"Well.....that certainly looks like an inviting place to visit "

Nixif looks over the ark for a moment before turning to Beagan "ok hammer boy, your up."

Orlen isn't so sure about this place "Yeah inviting if you are a ghost perhaps."

Orlen looks about the floor of the place to see if there is a rock or something loose to throw.

Binx looks around in disbelief, <yellow>"The stone here seems to enjoy fusing with folks. We should be wary."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Sun 26 Apr 2020.

Good one...

“This is a most disturbing scene.  Perhaps we could throw the carcass of the plant beast in here. If you notice the organic materials  are gone, though clothing mostly plant fibers, bone and metal are not consumed...

Beagan considers the scene
“DM Is it possible to shovel or rake material out of the room without entering it?

Perhaps slicing a hunk of meat and tossing it in will tell them something about what creature is causing this

There are small bits of gravel and small stones on the floor if someone wanted to toss that. For more substantial rocks or flesh, there is the shattered kid in the last room....

Orlen picks up a rock and tosses it into the room ahead to see what happens.

Beagan shakes his head and throws some pieces of meat into the room to see what happens

There is no observable effect from the rocks or meat being tossed into the room.

Updated Group 0 map for north portion of dungeon complex.

Clover observed others in the group testing the content of the room for some type of response, so Clover waits his turn knowing there are things he could do. Unfortunately they were not subtle, and doing them flippantly now would make doing them later more difficult...

Instead he looks around looking for movement not associated with objects being thrown at the contents, keeping an offensive effect readied just on case.

Clover rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Spot check

Sadly Clover's hair keeps getting in his way and he spends much of his time pushing it out of his eyes.

---

To help with speed of movement as a team in the ...if x does then my character does


Clover is never up front, but most of his effects have a range of 60 ft or less. So he likes to be quite near the front.

Clover needs line of sight, but not line of effect. So he is almost never behind full cover. He will often move right or left to ensure he has line of sight.

Clover can heal things/Clover can directly harm things

Clover can anchor single targets in place/clover can prevent any force from anchoring a creature in place.

Clover can make you very good/or very bad at a skill check.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Mon 27 Apr 2020.

Sir Jovius nodded grimly
"well, folks, either the monster in question is biding it's time, or is absent altogether.  So it seems rude to keep.it waiting.   If there are no objections, I'll enter and investigate more closely. "

Nixif chills near the ark and just watches, keeping vigilant.

"Good plan.  I will keep lookout."

Though Sir Jovius thought he might, perhaps, he acting a bit impatiently, but he wanted to move forward
The halfling swashbuckling knight moved forward, carefully, keeping his eyes peeled for trouble

Secret secret secret

The dire bat will move to near the ark with nixif, 20 feet from Sir Jovus

Binx keeps his eyes peeled as he moves with the bat.

[OOC: I waited a while to see if any of the other characters were brave enough to accompany Sir J into the room. I guess they aren't!]

The bravest little hobbit halfling of them all enters the room and sees...


Those waiting in the hallway hear the sound of scraping rock coming from somewhere behind them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:41, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

Sir Jovius looked askance at the monstrous sight before him.  He called back to the others
"Some kind of....stone demon! It's got its hand....inside the child's skull!"
He spoke to the creature, pointing his weapon and getting into a defensive stance
"Release the child, foul monster!!  If you want blood, I'll show you your own soon enough!!"

Nixif hadnt detected any signs of traps thus far, he was confident of his ability even in the dark and over stone... no scraping on the ground indicating a trap, he knew there was some kind of stone entities in the area, this and what Sir Jovus shouted from the room. The only logical conclusion was, there were two stone monsters and one was flanking them from an opposite room.

While Speaking, he reaches down to pick up a stone and than moved over to his dire bat and mounted into its saddle.
"There's another threat coming from our rear, the Boy's a lost cause, get out here and help us secure a retreat route back. thanks to hammer boy, we arent rescuing any of them so we need to focus on our own safety and eliminating these problems."

Using his knees, he quickly directed the dire back to go back up to the ceiling while charging the stone with the light spell, it was firmly wrapped by his hand to conceal the light until he threw it in the direction of the scraping sound.

Right afterword, a humanoid-shaped body of light would form on the ground and shoot back into the room with Sir Jovus at 100 feet per round.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

“A stone demon you say!  This is most odd along with the plant thing earlier...”

Beagan begins to ask questions but instead he moves forward slightly to see it himself...

Beagan WobbleCog rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge (all sorts)
This message was last edited by the player at 11:54, Wed 29 Apr 2020.

  Theo readies his shield and dagger as Nixif speaks of another threat, yet he hadn't seen anything yet.

Clover entered the room. Stopping near sir  Jovius. Looking over the creature...Clover rolled 21 using 1d20+8.  Know planes

you were warned, and you chose not to comply, it is only fair to return your favor.

Shifting his focus slightly.

Clover rolled 33 using 1d20+21 truespeak

Using the "extra" to bypass the possibility of spell resistance most demons often have.

Clover used a reversed utterance of inertial surge, causing black tetacles of force energy to wrap around the demon's head preventing any movement.

release the child immediately, or I am going to start speaking body parts out of existance. How about I start with that ugly nose.

Clover rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Intimidate

Binx steels himself, readying his staff for battle. He steps a little closer to get a look at the creature.

Orlen was ready to assist.

OOC: Sorry I would of gone with him but seems I kept getting a lot of error messages last couple days and got discouraged.

This message was deleted by the player at 01:23, Fri 01 May 2020.

I was having troubles too. Will get a post up later today...if the site lets me.

[OOC: Nixif I'm not sure what this means:

So we have Sir Jovious, Orlen, and Clover in the room, Binx at the entrance looking in, and Nixif, Beagan, Theo, and Galeyn in the corridor looking back to where the sound came from.


INSIDE THE ROOM:

Clover's spell removes a portion of the stone demon's face. It doesn't move. It seems to be a demonic looking statue, nothing more or less.

From the bones spread about the place rise six large skeletons, their eye sockets glowing orange, shod in rotting leather boots and scraps of clothing, armed with battle axes and morning stars. They advance upon the people in the room.


IN THE HALLWAY:

There is a moment of shuffling sounds in the darkness then four large skeletons come charging towards the party. Their eye sockets glow orange, they are shod in rotting leather boots and scraps of clothing, and they are armed with battle axes and morning stars.

[OOC: Updated dungeon map]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:13, Mon 04 May 2020.

Dancing lights can manifest as motes of light or as a humanoid shape (like, it looks like a medium humanoid creature with no discernable features, only the general shape of) of light. I am choosing to have it manifest as a humanoid shape next to Sir Jovus.

In reply to Nixif (msg # 117):

Thanks!

OOC: The map I see for group 0 doesn't show where we are or the skeletons? Is there another map or is that the wrong one?

OOC: I didn't put that much detail into it. I'll try to update it tomorrow but for now consider the skels are in missile range for one round them melee.]

  "Skeletons!" Theo warns the others from the rear. "We could do with a strong burly type back here." As the skeletons approach, the gnome concentrates and sends a small bolt of eldritch energy into the nearest undead, which does very little.

OOC: Eldritch blast: Hit AC 19, damage 1.
  Is the ceiling here high enough for him to climb (spiderclimb) up and be out of reach of the skeletons?

Sir Jovius prepared himself for combat

Orlen switches to his hammer. "My bow would be useless against them, so we'll have to engage them in melee combat." he tells the others.

[ooc: Theo, yes it is high enough.]

Binx pulls a slender piece of wood from his robes, decorated with arcane script. He points it at one of the skeletons and bolt of yellow force flies from it.

OOC: Wand of Magic Missiles level 1.


16:53, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 4 using 1d4+1.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:40, Wed 06 May 2020.

Beagan readies an action to use his hook hammer
If the head is in range he will hammer it; if not he will hook to trip“Careful lads!”

From the ceiling, rider the Dire Bat, Nixif knocked an odd looking blunt arrow into an exotic bow and shot it out at the skeletons. Where it struck, it would explode into a fiery burst kin to an alchemist fire... only to later reform on the ground.

As if chasing the arrow, the Dire bat charges across the ceiling in a burst of movement before whipping an elongated tongue out and down at another skeleton!

NIX:

  After hitting with his bolt, Theo uses his magic to climb up the wall, out of reach of the undead, providing a position from which he can continue his firing.

OOC: Move action: Climb wall.

gm

Clover keeps his attention on the demon, making good on his initial threat.

He wasn't even entirely sure if the "statue" was a living creature, but when his utterance dealt damage.that confirmed that it was. Had it not been...

 ("denizen of the lower planes with abilities to disguise as and manipulate  stone like material,")

...his utterance would not have worked.

take care of the skeletal creatures, but we have a bigger problem here

Clover keeps his focus on the "statue" there was not alot he could do at the moment since he had to release the movement restrictions from the creature to speak the new utterance. So Clover readied himself for any retaliation, knowing full well that his back was exposed.

Hallway:

Theo's bolt of energy strikes the skeleton, singing it slightly!
Nixif's arrow flies true and damages a skeleton!
The bat's tongue strikes a skeleton. The skeleton strikes at the tongue with it's axe causing 3 points damage!
Galeyn prepares her staff for the fight to come.


Chamber:

Binx's magic missal strikes one of the skeletons knocking off a rib!
Clover continues to concentrate on the statue.
Orlen and Sir J prepare to meet the onrushing skeletons!

Roll initiatives, please.

Galeyn rolls: 7

Skeletons roll: 5

13:57, Mon 04 May: Nixif rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:35, Fri 08 May 2020.

OOC: 03:21, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 5 using 1d20+3.  Initiative

Beagan WobbleCog rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.

OOC:
07:59, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Init.

OOC: Initiative 6. The dice roller is rolling low, as usual, I see.

Clover rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Initiative

I think the gm is tracking next rounds action this round though he is not wrong about Clover's planned actions.

Round 0 made threat and magically "grabbed" stone demon's head

Round 1 made good on the threat (provoking Aoo)

(Next round) round 2 concentrate for more damage (Provoking another aoo)

Orlen stood ready with his hammer to meet the skeletons, but he'd have to delay until they arrived within range to attack. "Steady lads!" he calls out to his friends.


OOC:
07:26, Today: Orlen rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
07:28, Today: Orlen rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Attack with Light Hammer when Skeleton comes in Melee range
07:28, Today: Orlen rolled 4 using 1d3+3.  Damage should my pitiful roll hit.

[OOC: Binx! With my crappy roll I thought every one of you would beat it.]

Everyone aside from Binx has initiative this round. Thanks for the rolls Orlen, how about everyone else - aside from Binx - roll to hit and damage]

Orlen takes a mighty swing at the nearest skeleton but his hammer whistles a mere inch away from the monster's hip bone.

I already rolled, and included my rolls

OOC: I think he meant to roll your attack and damage rolls, not just initiative :)

its there

   From his vantage point, Theo sends another bolt of eldritch energy at a skeleton, but it goes way wide.

OOC: Eldritch blast ranged touch attack of 6 (rolled a 1).

“So much action down here.”


15:18, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 2 using 1d4.  Dana . 15:18, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Attack hammer head.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Wed 13 May 2020.

Did any enemies act on the aoo clover provoked last or this round while he was preforming his utterances?
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Wed 13 May 2020.

OOC: Are we able to? Which Skeleton were you targeting is it in AoO range of me? No have not done before was not sure which you did and if could.

Sir Jovius slashed at the closest skeleton

OOC:
14:50, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 7 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
14:50, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Rapier

INSIDE THE ROOM:

Clover's spell removes more of the statue's head!
Orlen misses with his hammer.
Beagan strikes a skeleton with his hammer!
Sir Jovius slashes a skeleton with his rapier!


IN THE HALLWAY:

The bat whaps a skeleton!
Nixif strikes a skeleton with an arrow!
Galeyn misses with her staff!
Theo misses with his bolt of energy.


NOW THE SKELETONS ATTACK!

INSIDE THE ROOM:

Skeleton strikes Orlen with an axe causing 1 point damage!
Skeleton strikes Sir Jovius with an axe causing 5 points damage!
A skeleton swings it's morningstar and Beagan but misses!
Two skeletons converge on Clover, both swing their morningstars at him and both hit for
6 points total damage!
A skeleton rushes up to Binx and strikes him with an axe causing 4 points damage!

IN THE HALLWAY:

Nixif and Theo are up high so they are out of reach of the skeletons!
A skeleton swings it's axe at the bat tongue but misses!
Three of the skeletons surround Galeyn and all strike her with their weapons. Blood sprays from the deep wounds but the gnome is still standing!
The last skeleton can't find room around G so marches up to Binx and swings, connecting with a natural 20! Yet only 4 points damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:04, Thu 14 May 2020.

Binx, you get your round now. And when done roll initiative for next round.

Once Binx posts the rest of us can roll init.

Binx winces as the axe cuts deep,"Drizzlenuts," he exclaims in pain! He wields his wand again towards the foe that struck him, letting another pulse of magical force fly true.


09:18, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.

09:19, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 6 using 1d20+1.

Sir Jovius slashed again

OOC:  17:38, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 8 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
17:38, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Rapier.
17:37, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Initiative

So let's skip the new initiative, it only slows down the game.

Binx's magic missal blows an arm off one of the skeletons! It was the arm holding the axe!

How much was the damage from each separate hit?

I need to know because it will effect concentration check DCs and how/if certain defensive effects work.

Is that 6 damage taking into consideration my defenses. Or before defenses.

---

Item familiar (construct)
Hardness 4

Each blow from the two skeletons lands with a deadened but audible thud as 4 of the 3 points dealt from each strike lands ineffectually.

Leaving 0 damage to split between clover and the item familiar.

While clover is aware of the skeleton's attempts to strike him he is unimpressed and keeps his focus on the demon speaking destructive words at it once again.

Clover rolled 30 using 1d20+21.  Truespeach.
 Clover rolled 6 using 2d6.  Reverse utterance damage.


I can keep this up all day.
You can die or you can release the child without harming him. The choice is yours.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Fri 15 May 2020.

Sorry, I should have said that I rolled 3 for each hit.

  Theo takes a couple of deep breaths, silently saying a short prayer to his goddess, Tymora, as he refocuses and sends another blast towards the skeletons. This time the shot is close, but still misses.

OOC: Ranged touch attack hit AC 10, which I don't think will hit.

Orlen swings his hammer at the Skeleton near him moving if necessary a 5' step to do so.


13:51, Today: Orlen rolled 21 using 1d20+7.  attack with light hammer on Skeleton.
13:52, Today: Orlen rolled 4 using 1d3+3.  Damage (note if the skeletons also count as giants then they take 3 additional points).

“This might be a bigger job than we thought!

Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 3 using 1d4. 08:31, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Attack hook/hammer.

[OOC: Let's wait and see if Nix can ger his post in tonight. I'll check when I get up in the morning.]

preventing an ally from being butchered is higher priority then ending one of the enemies, killing without being killed. A basic principle in war and combat.

And so, Nixif, having the ability to more easily look across the fight from his aerial perspective, would direct his Dire bat to 'hang from it's hind legs and drop it's long tongue down to grab ahold of Galeyn and pull them up to the saddle.


If Galeyn allowed it, and this worked, the moment Galeyn was up with Nixif... The ranger would use his standard action to begin using healing hand on his injured ally.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Sun 17 May 2020.

IN THE ROOM:

Sir Jovious strikes hard into a skeleton's bones yet the horrible monster still stands!
Orlen's hammer rattles the skeleton's old bones but it still stands!
Beagan strikes! But the skeleton continues to fight.
Clover continues to damage the statue.


IN THE HALLWAY:

Binx's magic missile strikes a skeleton shattering it into shards of bone!
Theo's magic bolt misses the skeleton.
Nixif" bat secures Gal and lifts her to safety, taking 1 point damage from a morningstar strike.

IN THE ROOM:

A skeleton swings at Orlen but misses!
A skeleton's axe strikes Jovious for 4 points damage.
A skeleton swings at Beagan but misses!
Two skeletons can't hit Clover!

IN THE HALLWAY:

Of the four PCs in the hallway three of them are now out of reach of the skeletons leaving poor Binx all alone against four of them! Fortunately for him, there is only room for three of the monsters to attack this round.

Chunk! Chunk! Chunk! All three skeletons strike poor, unarmoured Binx causing 2 + 1 + 2 points damage! 5 points total.

Sir Jovius was feeling hard pressed, and badly hurt, but he knew he had to push on, to protect his group


OOC: 18:09, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 8 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
18:08, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Rapier

Orlen moves if necessary to attack another skeleton, his swing catches air where a human's gut would be.

19:23, Today: Orlen rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  attack with light hammer on Skeleton.

"BINX! You good?"

It was certainly worrisome to have the clearly not a fighter all on his lonesome against a couple of rather large skeletons.

Binx is hacked relentlessly by the skeletons, but manages to emerge despite his many cuts that ooze scarlet.

"Cover me while I get some distance from these fiends!"

He uncorks a small vial and downs the liquid before moving into the room.

OOC:
11:56, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 7 using 1d8+1.  Potion of Cure Light Wounds.

   Theo tries to nail a skeleton with some eldritch energy once more: This time he hits, but does little damage. Then, seeing Binx in trouble, he heads back down the wall: He's not much of a fighter, but he can be a target and he trusts in his mistress and his armour.

OOC: Standard action: EB (ranged touch) hit AC 24, 2 damage. Then move action: Move back down wall, to be a target and take some heat off of Binx.

Clover is aware of the two skeletons behind him. He was also aware that I he laws of probability meant the he was going to get hit at some point, but greatful that it has not been effective yet. He maintained his concentration dealing another 7 damage.
Clover rolled 7 using 2d6

He hears the sounds of effective combat behind and around him, and believing he has his portion of the fight "handled" he holds off calling for assistance just yet.

“We might want to regroup and join forces!”


Beagan hammers the skeleton again
Beagan WobbleCog rolled 3 using 1d4.  Damage . 18:46, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Attack hook hammer

"By Mystra! We are boxed in!" Nixif shouted back to the room, he felt an urge to say 'told you so' but felt just keeping them alive was best. He knew he couldnt finish the mission alone, if anything.

With a quick flurry of his free hand and a quick belch of sound, the hallway floor, from next to binx (but not at his square) on to 25 feet into the hallway becomes covered in a slick liquid. With his knees, he would direct the dire bat to move backtowards the room.

To Gaylen, "where are we dropping you?"

IN THE ROOM:

Sir Jovious strikes his foe and the skeleton fall to pieces!
Orlen misses in his attack.
Theo strikes his target!
Beagan strikes a skeleton but it still stands and fights!

Nixif's spell covers the ground and three of the skeletons in grease. Those monsters will be stuck slipped in the hallway for a while!

Galeyn says "Drop me beside Binx!" then casts barkskin on Binx. (a.c. +2)

Clover damages the statue further and a dark red ichor begins to flow from the wounds. The stone begins to split apart, the fingers embedded in the teenager's skull flex shearing off the top of the boy's head. His body and the ruin of the stone arm fall into the pool of green liquid where some sort of submerged creatures begin a ravenous feast on the kid's remains.

SKELETONS:

A skeleton swings at Orlen but misses!
The two skeleton's targeting CLover still can't connect with their morningstars!
A skeleton strikes Bagan for 5 points damage.
Even with the barkskin, a skeleton manages to strike Binx for 2 points damage.

Sir Jovius smiled as his boney foe fell to his blade.  He leapt forward to slash at the next closest monster

OOC :05:53, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 7 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
05:52, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Rapier

Orlen continues to attack with his light hammer "Keep it up lads, we will beat them back to the grave yet!"



09:09, Today: Orlen rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  attack with light hammer on Skeleton.
09:10, Today: Orlen rolled 4 using 1d3+3.  Damage.

Binx nods, moving besides Galeyn. The spell begins to take hold, hardening his flesh. "Thank you friend!" Just then another chop from the skeleton cuts through even the spell's protective magics, though it is not so bad. "You fiend!" He answers back with another missile from his wand.

OOC:
09:20, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 2 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.

  Theo stays on the wall as the slime seems to have taken care of the skeleton for a bit, and tries to hit one with an edritch blast, but again his shot goes wide.

OOC: Another 1 on the to hit roll!

The situation was better, but whatever was happening at the statue still troubled the ranger and not having a clear exit strategy was a major problem to any tactician.

First, with a quick touch of the hand, a healing light flashes over Gaylen as Nixif casts cure light wounds. (youve been healed a total of 16 from the last healing and this healing).
With a move action, he directed his bat, with a finger and sticking out his tongue and making a 'blegh' sound, to near binx and so it would put Gaylen there.

Clover is beginning to feel the strain on his voice. Choosing to survey the damage to the statue.

16:50, Today: Clover rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Heal check

Despite the lack of movement, Clover attempts to judge based on the "blood" flowing from the statue, if it is still alive, dead, or dieing.

He doesn't want to take his eyes off the statue till he is certain that it is dead.

IN THE ROOM:

Jovius strikes one of the skeletons that has been menacing Clover!
Orlen strikes his foe but the monster will not fall!
Binx's magic missile strikes true but the skeleton still fights on!
Galeyn steps to the ground and lashes out with her staff but misses the skeleton.
Clover senses that the statue is dead. The blood flow has stopped and it doesn't move.


IN THE HALLWAY:

The three skeletons make little headway in their march into the room.

Theo's eldrich blast misses.

THE SKELETONS IN THE ROOM:

One swings it's morningstar towards Sir Jovius but misses!
Another chops with an axe at Orlen but misses!
An axe-wielding skeleton strikes Clover for 3 points damage (absorbed by armour, yes?)
A skeleton with a morningstar strikes Beagan for 5 points damage.
Binx and Galeyn face off against one skeleton which strikes Gal for 3 points damage.

4 points absorb, and then divided in half. Half to clover, half to armor.

Once the magic item becomes a construct, the rules of envoloping creatures apply.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Wed 27 May 2020.

Orlen swings again at the large skeleton before him.

21:16, Today: Orlen rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  attack with light hammer on Skeleton.the large skeleton

21:17, Today: Orlen rolled 5 using 1d3+3.  damage. (+3 more damage if counts as a giant, so giant would take 8 points)

Sir Jovius pressed forward, trying to finish his bony foe

OOC:  19:52, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 10 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
19:52, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Damage .
19:52, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Rapier

  Theo sighs, but perseveres in his attempts and this time is rewarded with a hit that does a little more damage.

OOC: Eldritch blast: Hit AC 24 (ranged touch), damage 3 (still below average).

[OOC: I'll give the others a bit more time to reply and if I don't hear from them when I check in later today I will just NPC them this round.]

Binx sticks close to Gaelyn, firing off another missile at the skeleton.

OOC:
09:04, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 2 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.

[OOC: haven't heard from Nixif or Beagan so will roll for him this round.]

IN THE ROOM:

Orlen strikes the skeleton knocking a number of bones off its frame but it can still stand and fight!
Sir Jovious strikes true and another skeleton falls to pieces!
Binx strikes with his magic missal and the skeleton now looks very damaged! Galeyn adds in a strike from her staff and the monster falls to bones!
Beagan swings but misses.
Nixif rides his bat across the room to assist CLover and strikes a skeleton for 6 points damage! But it doesn't fall.
Clover picks up a shinbone and swings it like a club but does not connect with his skeletal foe.


IN THE HALLWAY:

Theo strikes and damages one of the skeletons!

SKELETON ROUND:

IN THE ROOM:
Three skeletons remain in the room:

One swings at Orlen but misses!
Another swings at Beagan but misses!
The third hits Clover with his axe causing 5 points damage.


IN THE HALLWAY:

The three skeletons continue to struggle forward through the grease.

With a smile on his face as the great dance of combat, Sir Jovius spun and attacked another skeleton

OOC:
05:00, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 8 using 1d4+6.  Damage .
04:59, Today: Sir Jovius rolled 20 using 1d20+7.  Rapier

Seeing the skeletons begin to falter fills him with some resolve, "We'll have you yet!" He lets another arcane bolt fly.

OOC:
19:06, Today: Binx Quillfeather rolled 3 using 1d4+1.  Magic Missile.

Orlen keeps trying to hit the skeleton

11:36, Today: Orlen rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  attack with light hammer on Skeleton.
11:36, Today: Orlen rolled 6 using 1d3+3.  damage.

"I do not seem to be making a dent on this thing and it is sure to finish us off at some point,"


Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 1 using 1d4.  Damage.

21:32, Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  attack roll hook hammer

[OOC: let's wait a little longer for Nix and Clover.

  "It's slow going, but I think we're wearing them down," says Theo. "Only are they wearing us quicker?" he adds as he sends another bolt of energy into a skeleton.

OOC: Standard action: Eldritch blast on skeleton: Hit AC 21 (ranged touch), dam 2.

Clover seeing, and feeling his luck holding out bit just barely moves to better engage a new target, instead of having 2 skeletons at his back facing what is now (hopefully) a dead stone demon.

Once he has repositioned himself with his companions to best engage with a new foe, he looks around and identified his next target, determining if they need to have thier health increased or decreased and the priority of which needed to happen first.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Fri 05 June 2020.

[OOC: Sorry CLover, you are already amid the party with everyone except Theo who is hanging above the greased hallway. Want to repost your action? Everyone in the party looks to be in good health, the skeletons are a ratty-looking bunch.]

Determined to clear an exit, Nixif and his bat attack the skeletons struggling with the grease, though it would be finished this round. His Dire bat's 25 AC and beefy bulk would need to be enough to hold them off while the others handle the remaining skeletons in the room. As the bat began it's charge, he griped out "You lot really know how to pick 'em".

His bow let loose as the bat whipped out a full assault on a skeleton.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Fri 05 June 2020.

[Sorry, ran out of time to compile all the actions tonight. Should get them for you tomorrow. I'm thinking that these skeletons are gonna be done.]

With only a few skeletons left in the room, the party is able to gang up and destroy them this round.

In the hall, Theo's blast and the bat with Nixif's help drop the final three monsters.

Aside from the party's panting breaths, the only sound is of the teen's body gurging and dissolving in the pool of greenish liquid.

Orlen frowns at the plight of the boy. "It seems we can't save any of them," he says sadly.

Sir Jovius nodded with a tight smile
"So it would seem. "

Clover was not pleased with the current situation that led to the death of the three boys and the farmer that came down before the group hopeful that he could save the boys, but received a far worse fate when he was reanimated and an undead creature.

As sad as it is, I think thier families will be able to get closure. That is far better then not knowing, because the not knowing can be more painful then the loss itself.

“Truth spoken, the question now becomes will we be able to extricate ourselves.”

"We could leave the way we came assuming the bat could carry each of us one at a time. No need for ropes or anything." Orlen suggests.

  Theo sadly shakes his head. "I don't think any of them stood a chance; let's face it, that was a tough fight even for us," he says morosely. "At least we ended their suffering."
  He looks towards the way they entered. "I could climb up and let down a rope," he offers.

[OOC: The rope that some of the PCs climbed down should still be hanging there. But it would be a long climb back up!]

In reply to Theo Metuckle (msg # 206):

Nixif looked to theo, and shook his head "one stood a chance, one did." before a reply or follow up could occur, he would turn back to the hallway "If it hasnt happened yet, would prefer we investigate the rest of this place before leaving..."

"It might help to know more about this place and if it is a danger to the village above. We know very little about it." Orlen comments "How wounded is everyone? Could we press on?"

Sir Jovius winced as he felt his side.
"I'll admit that I'm still wounded.  I can move on if need be, but a good spot of healing would help tremendously."

   "The parents deserve to know what has happened to their children as soon as possible," states Theo. "In many cases, not knowing is worse than knowing the worst. We can come back here after that's done."

Nixif moved over to Sir Jovus, a gently glow formed about his hand and if he wasnt resisted then he would reach up and touch the swashbucklers shoulder... Healing him up to half his HP. "I cant help you the whole way, only most the way, but I can do this all day so if someone else has any more extensive healing then I can start it and they can finish it."

Binx adjusts his belt, "The skeletons did their best, but we remain. I am a bit battered but agree that we should move on."

“I too have been back boned by the skeletons.  But we may move ahead a little and perhaps have a better understanding.”

In the quiet, once you've all had a chance to catch your breath, you notice one of the party is missing. Tydor seems to have got lost somewhere or somehow.

"Where's Tydor?1" Orlen exclaims "We need to find him fast!"

   "Do you think he's wandered off or been grabbed?" wonders Theo.

"I don't know but we need to find out, anyone see which way he went?" Orlen asks the others.

Binx looks confused, "I can't believe we lost one. We better go look."

“Crap!  This is no good.  Perhaps this is why the kids went deeper as well.”

Orlen looked over the footprints to see if he could isolate Tydor's and see which way he went. However Orlen really was only good at tracking giants not little people. He shakes his head as he looks over what tracks are with folks walking over where other folks did. It was a dang mess.

11:40, Today: Orlen rolled 10 using 1d20.  Survival Check to Look For Tracks.

Binx pulls a small, thin vial of pearly white liquid from his belt and hands it to Orlen. "You look a little ragged, friend, this may help."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Thu 18 June 2020.

Seeing the commotion of finding Tydor, Nixif sighs and then starts checked the room much as orlen is.
Which a quick set of hand signs, he speaks towards his bat "One like us missing, find".

The large beast looks across us all and then down at the ground... for a moment it seems to be checking different marks and grooves in the floor when it then excitedly jumps around a skeleton. To which, nixif responds with a facepalm before walking over to his mount "oh, you big ouf. No, we aren't skeletons... look at the size differences!" he then begins indicating his size and starts arranging the skeleton to show how much larger it was.

Orlen will drink the offered liquid from Binx.

  Theo walks over to Orlen, and lays one of his hands upon him while muttering a simple spell. As a healing glow settles on the gnome, Theo comments "there, that should help too."

OOC: Casy Vigor, Lesser on Orlen. Will take a little time, but will heal up to 12 points.

"Thank you Binx and Theo I'm feeling much better. I can't seem to make out tracks that tell me which way Tydor went. We need to find him though as soon as possible." Orlen says.

After the battle and gobs of grease tossed around, there is little chance of finding any trackable footprints.

"We'll have to look for him, with all us about and the battle I can't pick up his trail. We'll have to stay together make sure we don't lose anymore but I'm ready to head forth and try to find him. Hopefully he's not suffered the same fate as these poor kids. Now remember no going off on our own." Orlen tells the others hoping they would be willing to look for Tydor.

Scanning the floor, Nixif had no better luck
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Mon 22 June 2020.

  "We might have better luck looking for prints in the main corridor, beyond the mess this fight caused," suggests Theo. "After all, it looks like these two rooms are a dead end."

"Either way it is time to move on."

"Okay let's go to the main tunnel and see if we can pick up a trail" Orlen says as he heads in that direction looking for Tydor's tracks.

[OOC: I will assume everyone follows Orlen.]

Returning to the main tunnel the group finds no tracks other than the ones they made upon entering the place.

Orlen looks around nervously at the walls, floors and ceiling "This is why I like being outdoors more than indoors. This place is creepy we need to find Tydor though if we can, which way haven't we gone before?"

The hall continues west into the darkness. Heading east you would pass the opening in the ceiling and dangling rope then into more unexplored areas.

Sir Jovius shrugged and smiled wryly
"Well, my friends, let us be off to new areas of this forsaken place, to see what we might see"

“If this is our course then so be it should we pass a note up warning them to guard the escape and informing them of the children fate?”

  "I'll pop back up and tell them," volunteers Theo, heading for the wall, then walking up it to the hole.

OOC: Is there anybidy waiting up top?

Orlen thought about the others. "We shouldn't split up, we still don't know what carried Tydor off. Going alone you might get picked off. If we go to pass a message, we all need to go and Binx can fly up and deliver a message, return to us at the bottom of the hole and then we can proceed," he counsels the others.

A medium sized humanoid figure of light will walk up and take up the rear of the group.

  Theo is heading for the hole.

Orlen looks at the humanoid of light asking, "What are you?"

[OOC: sorry for the delay. Was waiting to see who else would comment then got busy with work for a few days.]

The party makes it to the area of rubble below the hole in the ceiling. A dim shaft of light comes down across the floor. Theo can go to the surface along with anyone else who wants to climb the rope or fly.

...are we leaving the hole...or continue to find our friend.

OOC: Theo intends to tell anybody still waiting of the boys' fate (in general terms) before heading back down. So just a short diversion.

Sir Jovius shrugged
"I'm up for more exploration, chaps, but I'll follow the group"

"I think we should find Tydor" Orlen says. "We should stay together though"

Clover rubs his throat as if it is a bit sore he looks a bit hesitant, but still willing to continue, as he speaks his voice sounds on the edge of going "horse"

I only ask because my offensive and healing ability is depleted for the day. I can still manipulate proficiency and mobility. So I am going to be in the background till I can rest my voice a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Wed 08 July 2020.

Binx nods, "I don't think we should leave anyone behind, we know not hat lies ahead. Let's move on and see what we can find."

On the surface, Theo finds the three town elders still waiting. Their already sad faces fall even further at his news.

"Tis an evil thing that has been awaked," one says.

"If only you hadn't ploughed so deep it would still be asleep," says another.

"Maybe so, but it would still be down there waiting for someone to awaken it," the third says defensively.

[OOC: From the map there are three ways to continue: east or west down the main hall, or back to finish exploring the room where the deadly vines grew.]
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:20, Thu 09 July 2020.

Beagan is not certain the best course of action
Continue to explore or try to uncover the history of the region that might shed light on the place

“My thinking is we either explore and discover or we go to the library and elders to learn the history and related lore.”

  "Alas, I believe the chidren awoke it," replies Theo to the elders, "but now we know about it and we are here: It may be possible to do something before it awakens further and grows stronger."
  He turns and bids them good-bye before heading back down to the others. "The elders were waiting," he tells them. "They think something has been woken up. I said we'd try to deal with it before it got too awake."

"Let us continue to explore, but we will need to be prepared to retreat if Clover is out of healing if we take to much more damage," Orlen says.

In reply to Orlen (msg # 254):

"Lead on, my stalwart friend!  We shall follow!"
The swordsman smiled encouragingly

“Aye if something slumbers now is the time to strike, though the whole “awakening evil’ might just be an assumption.”

Clover followed close behind the group. There was no hesitation in his stride but he kept quiet as if he was trying to preserve his voice as long as possible.

Which way would you like to go?

"Let us head east my friends and check out that area." Orlen says as he takes up the lead.

Sir Jovius follows heading east

“It seems like as good a plan as any.”


Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 23 using 1d20+7.  Search (traps/secret doors)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Sun 12 July 2020.

Binx keeps his eyes open as he travels with the group.

(as a note, though stealthing, I would like to have the same marching order as before)

The way East continues for 100 feet of dust on the ground covering inlaid artistic tilework and the walls continue to have the painted carvings of idyllic scenes with menacing evil creatures hiding in the background.

The walls narrow in and an ornate archway surrounds the entrance to a stairway heading down.

(map to be updated in the next day or two.)

Orlen takes a moment to inspect the archway and ground below it for any traps.

09:31, Today: Orlen rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Look for Traps at Archway.

Sir Jovius raised an amused eyebrow at the murals
"Now that's a level of creepy one doesn't see every day ".

He keeps alert for trouble

  Theo, at the tail of the party, keeps watch behind them, making sure they're not surprised from the rear.

“It seems the constant behind the scenes is perhaps an evidence of fey in the background.  It is often fey are portrayed like evil; that they do not distinguish between the perverse and the perverted.”

18:19, Today: Clover rolled 25 using 1d20+11.  K history.

this is worse then the previous roll of the same skill (a 27 to determine the same information)

For context a 30 dc jump check would allow a character to break the Olympic world record long jump, so that should indicate the focus Clover has when he throws out knowledge checks and truespeak checks that are "impressive"

---

clover looks over the paintings on the wall and comes to no new information then he did last tlme, which was sadly nothing. he is unable to even identify any piece of the legend of the place or the creatures that once made the region home or of the creatures that once tormented the region.

he gains no information as to why the tunnels were buried in the first place.

Sorry none of these cave paintings are giving any clues that could inform anything about what we are going to be facing

In reply to Clover (msg # 269):

Sir Jovius nodded encouragingly at Clover
"We appreciate the attempt, chum.  Information is good, but I'm fine settling for a good sword arm for now."

“So it would appear a good bit of offensive action but perhaps even more sneaking our way forward to find the slumbering evil give it milk and cookies and tuck it back in for another millennium.”

Search take to =17

Move silently take 10 is 18
This message was last edited by the player at 11:55, Wed 22 July 2020.

No traps are found around the archway of the stairs but halfway down Beagan finds a pressure plate built into a step. Unfortunately, he can't tell what will happen when the plate is pressed but he might be able to deactivate it.

“Stay clear lads, I found a pressure plate.”


Today: Beagan WobbleCog rolled 14 using 1d20+7.  Disable trap

Sir Jovius nodded to their trapsmith, ready to back away

Binx peers at the trapwork curiously, I don't get to see such mehanisms disabled often."

"Really?  The mundane ones are very much either crude set ups with gravity or precision gears like an automated toy or music box.  The ones made of magic are a bit harder to find and disable."

Beagan deactivates the trap as best he can. It looks safe now but the only true test is for someone to step on the plate.....

Beagan takes the plunge

Orlen was ready to go forth when Beagan rushes forward. Orlen prepares to aid his friend by pulling him back if necessary.

Beagan steps on the stone step....nothing happens immediately...then there is a sound, a click? from somewhere deeper in the complex. Or maybe it was just imagined or perhaps just the usual sound of ancient stone shifting under the weight of millenia. Either way no damage is taken by anyone in the party.

“Paranoias almost makes me think it went off somewhere else....if it was a fake trap, but why?...oh well forward again.”

"I don't think someone would waste the effort to put a pressure plate and have it do nothing, though perhaps age has prevented it from working." Orlen says.

Sir Jovius nodded grimly, though his confident smile never left his face
"Best we prepare for the worst, everyone.   We should perhaps presume that the denizens of this place know someone's come to visit"

The stairs continue to lead down and as the group descends a cold mist is seen filling the way further down the steps. Theo (a deep gnome) can tell that the mists are only a foot or two deep and the stairway is about to end.

A faint voice is carried upon a breeze "Why do yuo disturb this place?" it asks.

Standing tall...ish, Sir Jovius spoke up
"We are here because there have been evil done in this area, and we mean to find out why.   Identify yourself, if you please?"
The halfling's voice was polite, but carried the authority of someone who expected to be obeyed