Anfinn approached the door. The stonework around the door was rough faced limestone blocks, the flagstone and ceiling were limestone slabs. There were cracks and crevices in the stonework. The door was four foot wide and eight foot tall and built from thick timbers with iron bands. The door was damp to touch and smelt of mildew.

OOC Describe what Anfinn is doing and I'll provide more information. If you choose to use a Thief skill let me know and I will roll.

For everyone else if Anfinn chooses to use a Thief skill it will take a Turn, so your character will have a Turn to explore also. You can make use of this by describing what you are doing or by also taking a Turn to doing something similar i.e. Check for secret door.

Fiene steps aside and lets Anfinn have the door.  He watches for a few moments, then starts to get bored. He swings his light away, then snaps it back to the door so the man can do whatever it is he is doing.

Anfinn strolled up to the door. Placed his ear to the door and began to hum. As he deftly began to move his hands about the door. The thief turned his head and winked.

OOC: Anfinn will use the skill remove/find traps

While a few of the others busy themselves with the door, Barnabas moves inside the tunnel and shines his lantern down the western-branching corridor.

Teodore will stand guard over Anfinn as he investigates the door.

The door felt damp and slimy. The smell of mildew was strong as Anfinn laid his ear on the door. Anfinn's fingers felt no sign of any traps and his heard nothing to indicate it was anything but an old and very damp door.

Adventurous Ben walked along the corridor to the west. When he reached the doorway he found a plain room bathed in a red glow. The red glow came from a fire beetle, a two and half foot long beetle with glowing red glands. The fire beetle was devouring a mountain kid goat.



OOC

Day: 1. Time: 10:30am. Turn: 9. Weather: Clear. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil used Ben and Fiene: 3 Turns
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:49, Wed 16 Dec 2020.

Having made his discovery, Ben, his pulse more than slightly elevated, tiptoes back to Teodore and the others. Speaking in his hushed tones, as if the scavenger could understand his speech, he says, "I think we can get the jump on that beetle."

By "we," it's obvious that he means anybody in armor and with a weapon longer than his.

Anfinn brushed his hair and smiled, "Well well, one of you big brawny gents want to take care of the beasty? A shrimp like myself would just get in the way."

Fiene follows into the western room, his curiosity getting the better of him.  "What manner of creature is it?"

Teodore looks around for a moment, already knowing that he was the only, "big brawny gent," here. He sighed and looked at the armored girls.

"Ladies? Shall we see what we can do? If it's okay with your patrons, that is." He does not presume to command them, for he is not paying them. "Hopkins, remain here. I'll go see that someone doesn't get hurt."

Teodore moves around the corner just far enough to see this beetle Ben mentioned. He also checks the walls and ceiling for beetles there - especially if there's a corner that might hide a beetle from view.

Siward blinked at the insect, aware that he had never actually seen one that large before. Steeling himself, he tightened his grip on his hammer and fell in behind Teodore, mindful that his prowess on the field fell far short of the warrior's. Even so, he knew St. Ras would provide him with the courage that he required.

Once in the doorway Teodore spotted the giant beetle easily. There were three glands on the beetle which glowed brightly enough to illuminate the small chamber in a red glow without the use of Ben's or Fiene's lantern. Theodore carefully checked the wall and ceiling, both were bare.

Whilst no one had entered the chamber the beetle continued to feast on the kid goat.

"You may back him up." Fiene tells Ermangard.  "Unless this is also a good omen."

"Nay I've never heard of a lucky fire beetle. I've heard that their glands can be harvested" Ermangard replied to Fiene before she took her place beside Teodore to view the giant creature.

The apprentice wizard looks on with interest. "Yes, fascinating creatures. Quite useful in environments such as these!"

Barnabas smiles encouragingly at Nerida, "Go on, now; show'em what you can do," slipping further and further away from the fire beetle with each word.

Teodore whispered to the others watching the beetle, "On three then, yes? All at once. Watch for the mandibles."

Disturbed by the approach of Teodore and Ermangard the giant fire beetle left off from its feeding to rear up aggressively. The giant beetle's mandibles snapping dangerously.

OOC We'll be moving into combat rounds shortly. Can everyone please declare what's in your hands and if you wish to cast a spell. If you do not wish to get involved please declare what you are doing too.

The chamber has space for 3 characters to attack with melee weapons and 3 to attack with range weapons or spells.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:04, Fri 18 Dec 2020.

"What better time than now?" asks Teodore rhetorically. He readies his shield and moves to skewer the beetle with his sword.

Attack the fire beetle (melee). Sword and shield in hand.

Ben: Ranged attack with dagger
Nerida: Melee attack (shield and war hammer)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Fri 18 Dec 2020.

Fiene hold his lantern aloft, and his walking pole in the other hand.  He gives Ermangard the room to use her spear.

The beetle agitated by the invasion of its meal time turned to the adventurers ready for battle.

OOC It looks like we have a room full, someone roll for Initiative.

Led by Teodore the adventurers rushed in on the Firebeetle which due to its partially digested meal of goat was slow to respond.



OOC We have completed declaration and initiative. I've guessed movement based on posted intentions. We now have missile attacks from Ben, then melee attacks from Teodore, Ermangard and Nerida.

Ben and Teodore can both make their attacks. I have rolled on behalf of Ermangard and Nerida, both missed.

Teodore opts for a straight thrust instead of a slash that might skate off the beetle's shell. Unfortunately, his point is still turned aside. "Blast!"


14:44, Today: Teodore rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  Sword damage? Nope.

14:43, Today: Teodore rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Attack fire beetle.

Please disregard the extra roll - I tried to go from Canyon Thread to Dice Roller and hit Back, generating an extra to-hit roll. Oops.

The hastily thrown dagger can find no purchase within the exoskeleton of the canyon scavenger.

17:35, Today: Ben rolled 9,2 using d20,d4.  ranged dagger.