When the button was pressed again, by whomever it might be, nothing happened.

Had the Bulette been a nasty creature upon confrontation, nastier it revealed itself when dissected. The tentacles over its beak was sloppy and secreted a thick, viscous slime that was present in smaller parts in between its plating as well. And on top of being revolting, it was tough as nails — even cutting through its tongue was like slicing adamantine. By the time Mallory, and anyone who wanted to help her, had removed a single claw, Astre was well underway to scout out the crannies they had missed . . .

The tunnel from the icy chamber climbed rather steeply. It was entirely barren, with a few large holes that seemed to be the entrances or exits of tunnels and some empty natural chambers. There were several tracks of crampons in the ice, some strands of fur, and an extinguished torch. Continuing along, it became evident this path led back up to the first floor where the Bugbears resided. But as Astre approached, it wasn't the voices of Bugbears he heard.

"Bok, bok, BUC-AWW!"

Clucking. A rather animated chicken was bouncing around the room once Astre could peek over the ledge. Before that, however, he had smelled blood and . . . something slimy, not entirely unlike the odors of the Bulette his mistress was dissecting down below. In the corner, a mortally wounded Bugbear and their weapon.

---

Map.

Yes, Astre is withing Telepathy range.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Sat 29 Apr 2023.

---

Mallory's Nature on the chicken [14]: Yup, that's a chicken. A Rooster, more specifically. Going by the lack of blood on its beak or talons and the abundance on the fallen Knerk, it had no part in her felling.

And based on what Astre could hear and smell, whoever or whatever might have been the cause of this, they or it was in hid in the other end of the Floor, in the section with the collapsed staircase, and they were being quiet.

Work was something that Mallory had long since grown to enjoy.  The same could rarely be said of others in her social sphere, but simple labor - even in the form of methodical dissection - allowed her to focus her mind and feelings.  Compartmentalization, as she'd been taught.  Don't suppress or ignore those woes, but simply control them to process in time.  The partially-ceremorphized Bulette was a particularly twisted anatomical puzzle to try and unravel, so it yielded a considerable distraction from her troubled thoughts.

"Given how heavily mutated this poor beast has become, I'm reluctant to think its materials could be used for conventional enchanting.  There might be side-effects.  Still, best to take what we can to study for--" the young noble was elbow-deep in viscous ooze as she took vials of the stuff for later reference.  She stopped short, however, as her expression furrowed into a look of sudden confusion and then immediate shock.

"Astre?  Astre, slow down, you're not-- What do you mean Knerk's dead?!  A chicken?  Why would there be a chicken?  No, just show me..."  While the others had seen Mallory hold plenty of seemingly one-sided conversations with her Tressym companion, the current moment took things a little far.  She looked among the others in fearful concern.  "Something is very wrong upstairs.  The Bugbears have been attacked.  I'll look on ahead to see what I can, but prepare yourselves for another fight."

Once again, her dark eyes clouded as their irises bloomed out into a spreading black across her whole view.  The familiar, passing sensation of disorientation was no bother to her as her senses reallocated themselves, though the view of the awful mess in the room above through Astre's eyes made her flinch.  She could only hope poor Knerk was still holding on.  Bugbears were hardy, stubborn sorts, surely?  Mallory clutched her Lantern Rod in worry as Astre delicately pressed at the doorway; he didn't know if the chicken was friend, foe, or obstacle in some manner, so it was best to be safe about it.  The Tressym's body shimmered and faded out of view as bounded up into the air with a silent flap of his owl-like wings.

---

Mallory remotely casts "Invisibility" on Astre through the Familiar Link as he's still within range.  Astre, meanwhile, will continue to stealth around and investigate the supposed cause of the carnage.  He'll stay in flight or on elevated surfaces whenever he can; anything to keep from making noise or leaving paw prints on visible surfaces.

Invisible yet cautious, Astre glided into the room, above the frantic chicken, and past the doorway that led to the rubble-filled stairs. Thankfully, whoever was behind this bloodshed made no advances as they did not seem to have noticed him approaching at all.

"Bllrt, frrt?" a voice akin to a wet fart sounded, and Astre could soon thereafter lay eyes upon the intruders — a pair of Illithids the size of Gnomes. They were levitating on either side of the entryway above the debris and both held an apparatus in hand the likes of which Astre had never seen. Like a miniature crossbow, but with neither string nor arrow, and they were made of a brass-like metal, with a bulb on the end and a rotatable barrel of what seemed to be light-emitting gemstones near the grip. The handheld device of the Gnome Ceremorph to Astre's left shone a bright yellow, while the one at the bottom's was a bright purple.

"Ppprt blhf . . ." the other entity responded, its mouth-tentacles pattering in accordance with its speech. This one also held a caterpillar which it expositorily swung around, the conversation at hand likely relating to it. They proceeded to exchange quite a number of watery poots and toots over the short duration Astre had found himself amidst them, and the more time passed, the more confident he became these things never shut up.

---

Map.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:40, Mon 01 May 2023.

In her focus, Mallory's expression was intense and stormy as she viewed distant events.  But whatever she saw caused her blacked-out eyes to widen and a look of terror to suddenly cross her face... only to rather quickly turn to confusion.  Still terrified, but confusion all the same.

"Illithids!  There's a pair of Illithids up there and-- wh...?  Why are they so small?  Why are they talking?  Illithids don't talk.  Are they...?  What...?  What in the world am I looking at right now?" she pressed her palms over her brow, beyond overwhelmed at what she saw.  "They're speaking... I think it's a language?  Let me try and translate it..."

---

Mallory casts "Comprehend Languages" on herself so she can understand what she's hearing.  No time to waste on Ritual Casting, so that's a spell slot.  Since it isn't Concentration and Mallory wasn't the target of "Invisibility", it shouldn't expose Astre.

Comprehend Languages:

For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of any spoken language that you hear. You also understand any written language that you see, but you must be touching the surface on which the words are written. It takes about 1 minute to read one page of text.

This spell doesn’t decode secret messages in a text or a glyph, such as an arcane sigil, that isn’t part of a written language.

"Phhrandle one Bugbear," the translation of the strange speech from the short Illithid holding the caterpillar registered. "If we kill it quickly without the use of our lasers we should be able to limit the noise to a minimum."

"And what of the Rooster?" the other one asked. "Its noise might alert the delvers below of our presence."

"This would have been much simpler if you had installed the sleep crystal earlier," came the retort.

"Do not belabor me with an oversight made by us both." A moment of silence hung between them before the same Illithid continued, "we could Dominate the Bugbear and have it smother the Rooster. Not efficient, but silent."

"And expend such a precious resource?" the other argued.

"I have conceded efficiency. If you have further qualms, propose something better."

A moment of silence hung between them before the caterpillar-holding Illithid responded, "I cannot. We proceed with the aforementioned plan." Without further hesitation the insect was tossed to the ground with little regard for invisible Tressyms. For the primed Astre, however, it was a trivial matter to move out of the way. As the upended larva wriggled, the Illithid fiddled with the gem-loaded barrel of its handheld weapon, and, shortly after, the caterpillar was transformed back into Donk with nothing but the fewest of green magical twinkles to mark magic undone. The dim Goblinoid didn't get a chance to orientate herself let alone yell out in confusion or terror before the same Illithid proceeded to press three fingers to its squishy temple and glare at her. The Bugbear then quietly arose and began walking over to the Rooster in the room adjacent.

---

Donk's Wisdom Saving Throw against Dominate Monster (DC 15) [12]: Fail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:26, Wed 03 May 2023.

"They have some kind of magical weapons...  They know we're here but they're distracted - don't want to alert us." Mallory narrated what she saw through Astre's eyes for the group, though alarm came clear on her features as events took a turn.  "They've killed Knerk and have mind-controlled Donk... they're going to force her to kill Brak for them!"

The young noble's still-blackened eyes were wide; worry, fear, uncertainty.  The last thing she ever wanted to face in her life was a nightmarish Illithid, but she couldn't just leave their new associates to their doom!  If the group charged in, would they be able to make it in time?  Would they even be able to contend with the diminutive Mind Flayers and their strange weapons?

Despite her own doubts, however, it was a different voice that chimed certainty in her thoughts.  Astre's familiar confidence... and conviction.

"Astre... he says he wants to fight them.  He'll distract them to give us a chance to act.  If we do, we have to do it now.  Should we?" she reached out a hand imploringly - in her state of distant viewing, she was blind and deaf to her immediate surroundings, and thus needed more physical consent to her Tressym's reckless plan.

---

Might have a spell to cast here and an Action for Astre to take, but it depends on the others' input in the moment.

Donk trudged on towards the Rooster, ending up in a wilder chase around the chamber than she probably had intended as it alluded her grasp. The Illithids watched intently and continued to bicker on, completely unaware of the devastation that was to befall them. Though it took a bit of mental arithmetic to line up properly and he had to get uncomfortably close to one of the alien things, Astre was ready to unleash Mallory's spell.

The sudden appearance of a Tressym and the crackle of a spark forewarned the catastrophe. As the trajectory of the lighnting was drawn, they had a less than a second to react, and speed was rarely an exceptional trait among Mind Flayers — neither managed to move in time and they were both caught in the lines of lightning, terrible electricity coursing through them as they tensed and shrieked in pain. Throughout the intense shock neither dropped their weapon.

"Kill it!" one shouted, smoke rising from its robes, after it managed to gather its thoughts and comprehend the situation.

---

Gnome Ceremorph #1 (South) Dexterity Saving Throw against Mallory's Dragon's Breath (DC 15) [7]: Fail. The Gnome Ceremorph takes 6 Lightning Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph #2 (North) Dexterity Saving Throw against Mallory's Dragon's Breath (DC 15) [6]: Fail. The Gnome Ceremorph takes 6 Lightning Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph #1 (South) Constitution Saving Throw to maintain Concentration on Polymorph (DC 14) [14]: Success.

Gnome Ceremorph #2 (North) Constitution Saving Throw to maintain Concentration on Polymorph (DC 14) [10]: Success.

Initiaitive Order:
> Mallory and Astre [18]
> Khulekani [17]
> Farwalker [16]
> Rhydd [14]
> Idrianthe [13]
Bugbears [12]
Gnome Ceremorphs [3]

Battlemap. (Tiles are unlabaled as of right now. I'll fix it for when moving your characters around becomes more relevant.)

As we've done the past few combats, it's free initiative. You post in your block, and actions get resolved in order.

To reiterate: it will take 2 Rounds to climb up through the hewn chutes, or 3 to go through the ice tunnel. Meaning only Astre effectively gets to take his turn now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:49, Tue 16 May 2023.

Despite the threat to his well-being, Astre remained intent on his task while he flitted about side to side in the air above the Illithids.  The cold atmosphere still reeked of ozone and burnt cephalopod flesh as the Tressym drew in another breath; fur crackled and stood out in jagged spikes all across his body with the building charge of electricity.  Crackling sparks arced up and down his form as he unleashed another blast of lightning across the Aberrations and - before they could properly rally themselves one way or another - twisted to flap away as swiftly as he could.

Down below, meanwhile, Mallory was in a similar hurry as she darted up the icy tunnel in her part of their pincer maneuver.  They had to split the Illithids' ability to focus on a single target if they were to have any chance of success, but she could only pray they made it in time...

---

Mallory
Movement + Action: Dash up the ice tunnel

Astre
Action: Dragon's Breath at the exact same targets
DC 15 Dexterity Save or take 9 Lightning Damage (half on a successful save)

Movement: Full 40' Fly speed up the ice tunnel entrance
I mentioned prior that Astre would be attacking from overhead, so hopefully he's out of AoO range as he bails.  He should get about 10 or 15' up the ice tunnel by the time he runs out of movement.

Although unable to see exactly what was happening above but hoping the best for the cute l'il critter belching doom onto nightmares, Idri knew the plan. The witch knight prepared for the action by murmuring a few words of Jotun, then used her finger to trace palm-sized sigils on the cuisses of her armor. Those spawned more below them, all the way down the sabatons, a runic chant as they had seen below in the stormy blue so much of Idrianthe's magic adopted. This chant told the tale of research and fine-tuning that went into making spellcrafts possible for someone who used time and material to imitate the infinite knowledge of a wizard and the awesome power of a sorcerer.

Idrianthe began a full, striding dash towards the stairwell shaft and ran "up" the wall, inverting her own personal gravity so she could "descend" the stairs towards the ceremorphs and, just maybe, baffle the hell out of them.

---

OOC: Move + Dash up the hewn chutes, I believe it was. I may have narrated it wrong, but the point is I'll go the way Mallory doesn't to split their attention. Spider Climb still spares me from being caught in a bad spot mid-climb, even if it doesn't get Idri to the fight any quicker.

If our fellow players feel like now is a good time to jump back in, I will have left my rope of climbing for their use while I go up this way to draw fire.

It was going to be a tight fit for Astre — the Illithids were already in position to guard the doorway, which meant he had to get by, get by quickly, and get by without hesitation. Fortunately, his wings carried him well today, and just before the closest Gnome Ceremorph managed to lunge its tentacles in his direction he was gone, leaving only the aftertaste of gusts spurred by his flight.

Meanwhile, a befuddled Donk regained her senses just as she was about to catch the Rooster. With only the Tressym in sight, her mind was working overtime to comprehend the situation in a timely manner, and after a moment of hesitation she rushed over, nearly stumbling over herself, to grab the morningstar of the fallen Knerk. There were, however, no enemies in sight, so all she could do was head to where the winged cat had exited and prepare a solid grip on the crude weapon.

"Chase! Cover!" the Illithids yelled, desperation in their voices. The one who had taken hovering forward menacingly, but far more slowly than Astre could fly. It flew overhead of the lowly Donk, well out of her reach, and stopped in the middle of the room as it lost sight on the fleeing Tressym.

Astre, navigating the twisting tunnel that had taken them down to the turret in the first place, was hit by a sharp flurry of snow. It seemed that outside the weather had devolved into a full-fledged blizzard, and one could barely see anything past the first few yards. Despite this, he could make out the silhouette of something large and nautiloid.

The other Illithid emerged from its hiding spot, well aware of the now hostile Bugbear in their midst. It aimed its weapons and unleashed a blast of yellow plasma at her, which the bulky Goblinoid tried to dodge futilely. It hit her forearm with a fiery, scorching heat, inspiring a terrible roar of agony.

Resolute even alone, she went to pick up one of the javelins they had brought with them to their temporary abode and hurled it at the Illithid that had just shot at her, and she struck true much to its dismay. But before she could mount a better defense, another blast struck her in the back. And a last in the neck. she fell over limp, smoke trailing her body.

"Bllrt pfrt ffrt!" the wounded Illithid bellowed as it grasped at where the Javlin had struck. Blood a silvery-white color trailed from it, coating its alien fingers.

"Pruhh," the foremost Illithid said unsympathetically and levitated over to the tunnel Astre had not entered. "Shhr blrrt."

---

Gnome Ceremorph #1 (South) Dexterity Saving Throw against Mallory's Dragon's Breath (DC 15) [18]: Success. The Gnome Ceremorph takes 4 Lightning Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph #2 (North) Dexterity Saving Throw against Mallory's Dragon's Breath (DC 15) [19]: Success. The Gnome Ceremorph takes 4 Lightning Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph #1 (South) Constitution Saving Throw to maintain Concentration (DC 10) [7]: Fail. It loses Concentration on the Dominate Monster spell cast on Donk.

Gnome Ceremorph #2 (North) Constitution Saving Throw to maintain Concentration (DC 10) [13]: Success.

Donk Javelin Attack against Gnome Ceremoprh #2 [18]: Hit. The Gnome Ceremorph takes 9 Piercing Damage.

Initiaitive Order:
> Mallory and Astre [18] (ETA: 2 Round)
> Khulekani [17]
> Farwalker [16]
> Rhydd [14] (ETA: 1 Round)
> Idrianthe [13]
Bugbears [12]
Gnome Ceremorphs [3]

Gnome Ceremorph AC: 16

The characters emerging from the chutes are all here now, as the Illithids effectively took two rounds. Start counting movement from the hole on H8. I'll be posting for Khulekani and Farwalker, but I'm done writing for now.

Battlemap.

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:56, Mon 22 May 2023.

Inverted, Idrianthe came barreling up from the chutes and onto the ceiling, then straight across the room to where Knerk lay and the Illithid loomed above her.

The Witch-Knight drew a mark on her breastplate, summoning the protective glow she had done against the bulette, and then focused some of the storm magic her armor thrummed with into her hand for a more powerful strike against the tiny, nightmarish enemy.

Which, sadly, did not connect with the creature's bulbous cephalonoggin. So much for a strong first impression.

---

HP: 38/38
THP: 5/0
AC: 21

Move: H8 to N5, staying on the ceiling.
Bonus Action: Activate Guardian Armor protection, +5 Temporary HP.
Action: Cast Booming Blade and attack, with a roll of 12. The enemy AC has not been shared with us, but I doubt this hits and have skipped rolling damage.

20:39, Today: Idrianthe Mar rolled 12 using 1d20+7.  Booming Punch Attack.

Khulekani was first out of the hole and did as Idrianthe instructed, going for the unconfronted Illithid. Although she was out swinging, prepared to strike down these wicked creatures, she found herself in a similar predicament the Bugbear had been in upon realizing the Illithids were hovering high above ground — higher than Isiliva could reach. The only thing she could do was unsheathe a dagger a dagger to throw as she climbed over the door threshold. It was not where she excelled, so there was more than a slim chance she would miss. She did, and the dagger whooshed right past the Illithid who barely even had to dodge.

Farwalker, on the other, was better equipped for this exact predicament and upon entering the room she rang her shield to summoned a spectral battleaxe to strike the first Illithid she saw, the one hovering by Idrianthe. She struck true, cutting the robe and slicing into torso of the small creature.

While the wound certainly stung, evident by the Gnome Ceremorph's ability to stanch the mecurial blood flow, the wound hadn't been enough to fell it. It looked torn on what to do, finding itself flanked. In the moment the Goliath was the easier to aim at so it unleashed a bolt of Plasma Farwalker's way. The attack caught her off guard, striking her near her neck in a burst of radiance.

The second Illithid naturally fired at Khulekani, but the Squire was able to lift her shield in time to intercept the shot.

Just as Rhydd arrived, for a brief second the same Illithid pressed its fingers to its forehead. The other Illithid then did the same.

"We have not come here specifically to harm you. In the unlikely event you manage to overpower us," Rhydd could hear in his mind, "we wish to bargain." Soon after, Idrianthe heard the same message from the other Illithid.

---

Khulekani's Thrown Dagger Attack [11]: Miss.

Farwalker's Spiritual Weapon Attack [16]: Hit. The Gnome Ceremorph (#2) takes 14 Force Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph #2 (O5) Constitution Saving Throw to maintain Concentration (DC 10) [13]: Success.

Gnome Ceremorph Laser Pistol Attack against Farwalker [20]: Hit. Farwalker takes 14 Radiant Damage.

Gnome Ceremorph Laser Pistol Attack against Khulekani [17]: Miss.

Initiaitive Order:
> Mallory and Astre [18] (ETA: 1 Round)
> Khulekani [17]
> Farwalker [16]
> Rhydd [14]
> Idrianthe [13]
Bugbears [12]
Gnome Ceremorphs [3]

Gnome Ceremorph AC: 16

Battlemap.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Mon 22 May 2023.

Rhydd found himself wary of the creatures that his companions were fighting -- Mallory had called them "Illithids". "Afraid" was too strong a word, for the archer had faces many dangerous foes . . . aye, "wary" was about right.

This wariness was only increased when Rhydd heard words in his head -- unspoken words, but words just the same. He shook his head to clear it of the unwanted intrusion, and answered back, using his own mind. He was uncertain whether these Illithids could hear his thoughts, but given the fashion in which they had communicated with him, he thought it likely.

~I shall not discuss such things with such mind-slippery beings as yourselves. Reach out to the wizardess if you wish to parley -- she speaks for me in such matters.~

Rather than wait for more dickering -- seeing that some of his companions were already engaged in battle with these dangerous creatures -- Rhydd quickly made his own contribution to the fight, aiming first at the Illithid that was engaged with Khulekani -- who had beeen reduced to throwing a dagger at her foe.

---

OOC:

Action: 13:36, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 8 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 3.  Ranged Attack #1 (-5, +10 to Damage)

13:37, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Luck Die re-Roll; Attack #1 (-5, +10 to Damage). Hit!

13:40, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 22 using 1d8+15 with rolls of 7.  Damage, Attack #1 (+10 to Damage).

Bonus Action: 13:38, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 19 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 14.  Ranged Attack #2 (-5, +10 to Damage). Hit!

13:41, Today: Rhydd Maldhon rolled 23 using 1d8+15 with rolls of 8.  Damage, Attack #2 (+10 to Damage).

Move: Assuming that the Illithid that is engaged with Khulehani falls (either after Rhydd's first or second Attack), the archer will expend his full movement to move into the chamber where Idrianthe and Farwalker are battling.

Comments: I'm not sure how many Hit Points these Ilithids have. If need be, Rhydd will shoot twice at the Illithid that is engaged with Khulekani. But if the first arrow drops it, he will move so as to shoot his second arrow at the illithid that is engaged with Farwalker and Idrianthe.

Rhydd has used one of his three Luck Dice.

The feature that was used (-5 to Attack, +10 to Damage) is derived from the "Sharpshooter" feat (p. 170, PHB).

There was a soft gasp of fear when the ceremorph so casually turned and fired on Farwalker, giving way to relief only when she stayed standing. Idrianthe grit her teeth and scolded herself silently for failing to impart her distraction sigil on its big, stupid, jiggly forehead, and didn't try to be fancy about it this time. She wound back for another swing but stopped and stuttered short when she felt its intellect press in on her own... And communicate. The moment ruined her strike and took her completely aback, although it wasn't easy to tell between her enchanted helm and being upside-down.

Idrianthe's answer hung in a brief moment of consideration while she chewed on the realities of diplomacy with a culture and species famed for their nigh on omnicidal intentions, and on the lives already taken in the callous manner Illithids were so skilled in. Her gaze fell to Knerk, scorched and dead on the ground. And to the poor chicken, likely the one surviving bugbear, polymorphed into a feeble state.

~You must think me fair unbearded, caradhak, that ever I'd trust your kind to roam free in this plane.~ The protector's inner monologue snarled back, thickly accented in the tongue of her upbringing that she had long since suppressed in her speaking voice. Idrianthe punctuated her opinion on the matter by swiftly decking the illithid square between the eyes, stamping a blue sigil of binding on its purple-gray skin that tethered to her armor and its thunderous aura. With a steely glower through her visor slits, Idrianthe resolved that this one wouldn't lay one wriggling tentacle on anyone else while she drew breath.

---

HP: 38/38
THP: 5/0
AC: 21

Action: Attack, two strikes with Idrianthe's Thunder Gauntlet versus the Gnome-ithid she's engaged with.

Thunder Gauntlet Strike 1: Miss!
Thunder Gauntlet Strike 2: Hit! Gnome-Ceremorph takes 11 Thunder Damage and suffers from the weapon's Taunt, suffering disadvantage to attack anyone except for Idrianthe until the beginning of her next turn.

Bonus Action, Move, Interaction: Alas, none this round.

Reaction: I'll throw an opportunity attack if the gnome ceremorph does anything to provoke one.

quote:

11:50, Today: Idrianthe Mar rolled 15 using 1d20+7 ((8)). Thunder Punch 1
11:51, Today: Idrianthe Mar rolled 21 using 1d20+7 ((14)). Thunder Punch 2
11:51, Today: Idrianthe Mar rolled 11 using 1d8+4 ((7)). Thunder Punch 2 Damage

Khulekani cursed as her dagger sailed harmlessly away and clattered into the far wall. But before she could do anything else, Rhydd riddled that damned Mind Flayer with deadly shafts, removing the threat from the battlefield. Fearing the Illithids more than the strange Gnomes, she charged through the tunnel, and leapt over the fallen Bugbear, slashing twice at the floating creature menacing Idrianthe.

OOC Mechanics
Hit Points    : 39/39
Armor Class   : 18
Initiative    : 17
Active Effects: None

Free   : Jump 7 ft off the ground
Move   : Move 30 ft to M5
Action : Attack 05 Illithid

Damage : 8 Magic Slashing

-Rolls-
12:33, Today: Khulekani Kumalo rolled 11,24 using d20+7,d20+7. Attack Rolls.
12:34, Today: Khulekani Kumalo rolled 8 using 1d8+6. Damage Roll.

In spite of its confidence, the Illithid was popped like a balloon when faced with Rhydd's arrows. Once, twice, and it was nothing more than mercury-colored blood on the walls and a limp alien body on the ground.

The other Illithid fared little better against Idrianthe and Khulekani and was struck by a thunder-gauntlet and a glowing sword in turn. It seemed the duo had severely underestimated the strength of these delvers and were paying the price.

The remaining Illithid, for what emotions it could display, was desperate, and instead of tackling the insurmountable hurdle of disposing every single one of the enemies currently surrounding it, pressed its fingers to its head, only for its face to turn to utter despair a second later.

Up ahead, Astre could see something peculiar in the terrible blizzard currently raging, a blizzard even the ones inside the spire could presently feel — in the chamber, sharp snow was hurled about terrible, bone-chilling winds. As for the sight, it wasn't only the Tressym who took notice, but Wifni as well, who curiously lifted her beak from beneath insulating plumage.

The contour of a form, as large as the nautiloid, had moved up to the vessel and placed a hand atop it. And as it did, it was as if everything suddenly grew even colder.

~The Squidlings are perished. Nothing remains~ rang the ethereal voice of the remaining Illithid in the chamber underground. Suddenly, and in the hurry it very much was in, the Gnome Ceremorph vanished into an infinitesimally small point in a flurry of robes.

Shortly thereafter, a discombobulated Brak took the place of the Rooster.

---

Combat ends. Astre can give me a Perception check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:52, Sun 04 June 2023.

Astre - Perception w/Advantage
Mallory Bonheur rolled 25 using 1d20+5

Rolled with Keen Senses applied by default.  If this isn't something Astre's sense of smell applies to, then the result is 8 instead.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:05, Mon 29 May 2023.

---

Astre's Perception check on the figure [8]: It was impossible to smell anything in this weather, as his nose was harried to snow that stung like knives. It was likewise difficult to see, and all he could make out was a large, bulky being in tattered robes.

It wasn't until a few moments after the surviving Illithid fled the scene that Mallory herself managed to show up in ungainly fashion.  Gasps, grunts, and obviously failed efforts at her spell chants carried up the sloped ice tunnel well before the winded woman herself actually managed to arrive.

"I'm here! I'm... ugh... Gods, why did I enchant boots with raised heels?  Have at you, you brain-eating-- uh...?" Mallory wheezed as she brandished her staff in one hand but had the other at her side to try and deal with a muscle stitch from exertion.  Small displays of acrobatics were one thing, but the overt haul of clambering up a long, challenging incline clearly were too much for her level of athleticism.  She grimaced at the ruin that had been an Illithid before Rhydd happened to it, as well as the lack of desperate combat about the room.

"...I missed the whole thing, didn't I?" she panted as she staggered up alongside Rhydd and leaned heavily at his shoulder to catch her breath.  On one hand, she was upset she'd been so slow to contribute.  On the other, she didn't have to fight Illithids, so she'd call it even.  Mallory was brought back on topic, however, as Brak promptly manifested back into his proper state as whatever strange power the Illithids had transformed him with faded.  She cast a desperate look over to her allies, but Farwalker in particular.  "Ah!  Quickly, see to Knerk and Donk!  Can either of them be saved?!"

---

Astre, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes in the face of the snowy bluster and the looming figure in the gloom.  Wings once more unfurled as he took to the skies, close to the Spire's side to hide himself against its shape as he rose; a higher altitude would hopefully serve him better to figure out what was out there.

---

Astre - Stealth
Mallory Bonheur rolled 20 using 1d20+4

Astre's going to get some extra height to try and remain unseen while scouting.  He'll leave Telepathy range with Mallory for the sake of making out more details, but isn't going to engage.  He'll only go as far as 70' outside of Telepathy range, so that he can Move + Dash back into range if there's an emergency.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Tue 30 May 2023.

"They shall be seen to," Farwalker responded as she was already making her way to Donk, the most recent of the casualites. "If their heart still beats they can be saved." She knelt down and rang her shield uncomfortably close to the Bugbera's ears, but the magic worked nonetheless. Caressing arcane energy streamed through her body, a sign the divine blessing took, and Donk was revitalized. Brak had shuffled over to Farwalker's side to spectate the healing and once it was clear it had worked he hurried over to Knerk. "And him too!"

Farwalker repeated the procedure, but where the purple energy had blanketed and seeped into Donk, nothing happened to Knerk.

"I am sorry," was all Farwalker could say. The Bugbear ordered she try again, but the Goliath insisted there was no point. Knerk had been gone for a while.

---

The being was a hybrid creature, Astre saw as he flew closer. It wore a thin, torn blue robe and had horns like a ram's and a face like an owl's . . . and before Astre could see exactly what she was up to, she had conjured a small and lithe white orb that had already pierced the veil of the blizzard and struck him.

---

Chromatic Orb against Astre [16]: Hit. Astre takes 14 Cold Damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:35, Fri 02 June 2023.

There was a mounting hope in Mallory as she watched Farwalker work.  Donk's return to vitality made her hold her breath for Knerk's sake... but, like Brak, she was left with disappointment over the reality of the situation.  They'd only just met the Bugbears and had barely shared more than conversation, but it still pained the young noble to see one lost so suddenly and senselessly.  She bowed her hooded head with a forlorn sigh and gave an almost reflexive gesture of reverence to Kelemvor, for the sake of a lost soul's next journey.

"Thank you for trying, Farwalker..." Mallory said softly.  She didn't even know how she could begin to comfort Brak and Donk and, rather than try unwanted condolences, could only think to give them a moment to let them process their own grief...

...if only they had the time, that was.

---

In the perpetual twilight gloom outside, Astre's sharp eyes narrowed as he swooped about as silent as a shadow.  Whatever that strange figure was confused him... not something he could figure out so easily, but--

---

The young noble's brows furrowed and her expression darkened as it so often did.  By that point the others would surely recognize the signs of her taking in new information seemingly out of nowhere.  Not by divination, but by way of her daring cohort and spymaster chattering away in her thoughts as he always did.  What was only a passing beat of confusion turned to shock as Mallory jerked in place as if struck, with a gloved hand that immediately clapped over her mouth to stifle a cry.  Her dark eyes were wide as plates while tears welled at their corners, suddenly fearful and pained as she threw her gaze instantly to the icy tunnel entrance that led outside.

"Astre..." she whimpered breathlessly.  That frightened gaze cast about once more to the rest of her companions, Bugbears included.  "There's something outside.  A monster of some sort, at the Illithid's vehicle.  I... I don't... it... it got Astre..."

---

Arcana Religion check to see if Mallory recognizes the description of the creature?
Mallory Bonheur rolled 22 using 1d20+4
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Sat 03 June 2023.

---

Mallory's Religion on the Mysterious Figure [22]: This strange monster was unknown to Mallory.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:46, Sun 04 June 2023.

Idrianthe had spent a time making her way down from the ceiling while Farwalker worked to save Donk and Knerk, and was heading for the beaten Illithid to inspect its advanced weapon when Mallory revealed that circumstances were, in fact, not getting better for the snowy adventurers. Although she was trying not to show it on her face, Idrianthe was a seething cauldron of righteous rage, all of it directed towards the cowardly, arguably quite prudent mind-flayer.

The first answer to the news about Astre was Idri's deployable helmet closing around the elf's fair, furious features. Although she knew it would not blunt the pain Mallory was probably feeling, Idri put her artificed hand on the noble wizard's shoulder for a moment, then strode resolutely towards the ice tunnel.

"Someone hand me the end of the rope, please, so I may secure it at the top of the chute for everyone. Then we'll finish what this creature outside foolishly decided to begin."

---

Idrianthe, unless someone stops her, would like to use her ongoing Spider-Climb to take her Rope of Climbing up the tunnel and secure it with one of the climbing gear pitons that may still be up there, or else quickly hammer a new one in. She'll linger in cover near the top of the vertical shaft to stay out of this creature's line of awareness until others are near or at the top so we can make a concentrated offensive rather than trickle in and risk getting spotted/picked off.