Watching Adeline fiddle with the butt of the spear, Sasyra touches the bare stone and whispers an incantation softly. "Blessed stone, hale of heart, where once was whole, ne'er break apart."

OOC: Using the Mending Cantrip on the statue to heal the break with the spear - and not just to mess with Adeline (though its a good bonus!)

"The Hunter won't be pleased we're trespassing here. Let's not compound his fury by the disrespecting him."  She patted the statue kindly, addressing it directly.
"Hunter, as an offering, I do be making whole your shaft. Grant us safe passage..." She wasn't expecting an answer from it. And she really wished she'd listened more as a child, offering to the god as the caravans had passed through the darker forests.

Just as she was wondering if anyone had just such magic as Sasyra began weaving, Adeline shrugged and held the broken off haft up to the jagged break, turning it so the pieces married up nicely. "Ain't no disrespect in taking a look, same as leaving well alone, so no need for no fury. I do like to see a thing made whole though." Adeline mused.

Adeline turned to Erdan and Tegan to see what they'd discovered. "Seems to me the left tunnel's been used, but that don't mean much if the one using it can fly or crawl up them walls." To emphasise he point, she made a show of slowly lifting her gaze, craning her neck to check the ceiling and walls for any signs like the ones she'd seen in the ruins above.

As Sasyra speaks the incantation the stone spear haft turns semi liquid, the broken ends flowing together until the break disappears, and it is whole again. A minor act of respect and veneration of the Hunter, hopefully heard by the ancient deity.

As Adeline looks up, she can see a few similar markings across the ceiling, scuffed scratches on the rough stone and minor stalactites.

"I suppose that'll have to do," Erdan commented as Sasyra made her offering. "Let's hope it's enough to grant us some favor.

"Whether the creatures here walk on the ceiling or the floor, our only clue seems to be to the left. Let's move on before we petrify from time."

He was first through the left passage, keeping his elven eyes and ears open.

20:08, Today: Erdan Amakiir rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Perception. – 18

Tegan was unsure of what signs or tracks Erdan had spotted, for the Half-Elf was unsuccessful in his own efforts to spot a blood-trail inside the chamber. But the Wood Elf seemed certain that the left-hand opening was the one to investigate, and that was good enough for Tegan.

He fell in behind Erdan, placing his javelin in its oversized leather quiver, and drawing his longsword. The blade was better for close-in work, and it seemed to the paladin that was more likely than ranged combat, given the fact that the group was moving into the close confines of a tunnel.

---

OOC: 20:57, Today: Tegan rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  Perception Check: Into the Tunnel.

Comments: Sheesh. It's a good thing that Erdan took the lead in going into the tunnel. :)

As you venture down the ten foot wide, dark left tunnel the signs of something moving through here soon become more evident, a set large canine tracks, as well as a smaller boot prints. They look to lead both to and from the statue cavern. You also see more blood smears along the floor. The tunnel itself looks carved from the surround rock by humanoid hands. Roughly hewn, it twists and turns, seemingly following a seam of softer stone. As you come around a slight bend, you notice on the floor in front of you, what looks to be a chunk of fur covered meat. From this distance it looks like a leg from a deer, or a goat perhaps. Though mostly intact, it has been torn or at least crudely hacked away from the rest of the rest of the animal, of which there is no sign. Ahead of you the tunnel winds on, but you can hear a slight echo ahead. The tunnel must widen up further along, though into what you still can’t see.

"I think that I just heard something up ahead," Tegan whispered. "I believe that we are getting close."

Turning to the Half-Orc and Wood Elf, he said "In my opinion, this would be a good time for you, Adeline, and you, Erdan, to act as scouts once again."

"Sasyra and I should hang back a ways, lest the light from her lantern or my noisy armor alert whoever -- or whatever -- is down here of our approach."

"Come back and report if you can. If we hear the sounds of battle, we shall come up to support you, on the double."

The Half-Elf glanced around at his companions. "How does that sound to everyone?"

"Good call." Adeline agreed with Tegan, her voice low as she thought the same herself. "Erdan. Do you want to take the lead or shall I go ahead? You've a softer step than me, so if I make a racket, I'll create a distraction. Either way you can get into a good position unseen. Hopefully."

The wood elf stopped when Tegan addressed the party.  He nodded to Adeline, keeping tight grips on his sword and staff. "I'll be on first," he conceded.  He was already leading, so might as well keep to it.  He ignored the haunch on the ground.  Just another sign of the predator he was expecting to encounter.

Erdan crouched a bit, softening his step as best he could and crept along, keeping to the right wall when/if the tunnel widened.  Still keeping his senses open to magic, his gaze swept high and low.  His ears shifted back when he paused to listen every few paces.

He thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye and when he jerked his head suddenly in that direction, he banged his sword against the stone with an unfortunately clear clank.

12:25, Today: Erdan Amakiir rolled 4 using 1d20+3.  Perception. – 4
12:25, Today: Erdan Amakiir rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Stealth. – 6

Well RIP

As you creep forward, the clanging of Erdan's sword rang down the tunnel. Though it wasn't  loud, the surrounding silence only emphasized it, and caused you all to hesitate. Continuing onward, you all pass the bloody chunk of meat on the floor. Up close you see bite and claw marks across it, some seem larger than what a normal wolf could make. The blood stains continued along the floor, but before you enter any upcoming cavern, you hear a faint whistling noise and you see a metallic glint fly out of the darkness towards Erdan. A sharp pain, as the warlock looks down to see a dagger sticking out of his stomach, a slight dark energy playing along the razor's edge, before he sinks to the ground. Ahead you hear a harsh whisper and light footsteps approaching.

OOC:
22:33, Today: GM rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  attack.
22:38, Today: GM rolled 5,8 using d4+3,2d6. damage. So that's 13 total.
Ouch sorry Erdan....

Everyone roll initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Fri 17 Feb 2023.

OOC: As requested:

16:47, Today: Tegan rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Initiative (Tunnel Fight).

Erdan's eyes widen as the amber color of his irises faded to the normal brown.  His sword and staff clattered to the ground as he dropped them to grip the hilt of the dagger in a failed attempt to pull it out.  The wood elf dropped to his knees and then fell half sideways, still holding the implement of his pending doom.

OOC: Double RIP

I assume I'm not rolling initiative, and just to keep things rolling, here is my first Death Save roll for this turn:

17:57, Today: Erdan Amakiir rolled 12 using 1d20.  Death Save (DC 10). – 12

Successes: 1/3
Fails: 0/3

Sasyra, conscious that her light source might tip off anyone in the cavern, remained at the back and shielded the light as best she could so that there was just enough light to see by.  She never saw the knife fly out and hit Erdan, but she heard the impact and smelled the blood.

OOC:
00:05, Today: Sasyra rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

Only a few paces behind Erdan and with her hunter's paranoia making her ready for an ambush, Adeline was barely taken off guard when the knife flew out of the darkness and hit her friend. She cursed herself under her breath for not insisting on taking point. Almost instantly her shield was raised, the whip in her hand snaking back and forth with greater agitation as her muscles tensed in preparation to leap forward and protect her friend from further duress. An animal growl escaped her lips as she strained her eyes to see who, or what, threatened their little expedition.

00:58, Today: Adeline Ashburner rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

The footsteps quicken, and out of the shadows you see a small humanoid figure moving towards you, another jagged dagger clutched in its cloth wrapped hand. Covered almost entirely by a dark, hooded cloak, the creature hisses aggressively as it rushes forward.



OOC:
18:18, Today: GM rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  initative.
18:19, Today: GM, on behalf of Leon Renard, rolled 12 using 1d20.  initative.

So the initiative order is:
 - Adeline
 - Tegan
 - Leon
 - 'the thing'
 - Sasyra
 - Erdan
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:16, Sun 19 Feb 2023.

The animal growl on her lips turned into a predatory roar as Adeline leaped forward, leaving the care and defence of Erdan to the others. Her shield high, her long legs covered the distance down the crude corridor. Even as it appeared she wouldn't reach the diminutive creature, her leather bullwhip snaked out from behind the shield, unseen until the last moment, it's long reach making up the remaining distance. Perhaps it was her haste, perhaps her rising anger, but either way her aim went awry.

OOC:
Move: Directly toward the creature.
Attack: Whip,melee vs. creature
19:36, Today: Adeline Ashburner rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  Attack (Whip).

Tegan did not have a good view of what happened in front of him, but suddenly Erdan dropped his sword and staff, and crumpled to the floor of the tunnel. Quick as a flash, Adeline rushed forward to engage the small figure that had emerged out of the darkness, hissing aggressively.

Tegan's first impulse was to rush forward to aid Adeline, then he noticed that Erdan was not getting up. Instead, the Wood Elf was stretched out on the floor, and looked to be either unconscious or dead.

Hoping for unconscious, Tegan quickly sheathed his sword and called out to Leon and Sasyra, "Aid Adeline. I'll get Erdan healed up."

~Hopefully.~

The ex-Stormcrow realized that he might not need to give any guidance to Leon and Sasyra, but you never could tell with civilians -- at least not until you had fought with them enough to know how they would react to the stress and uncertainty of battle.

Tegan sidled up against the side of the tunnel, to give Sasyra and Leon as much room to pass by as he could. Kneeling down beside Erdan, he touched the Wood Elf's shoulder with his gauntleted hand. A flash of pure white light erupted under the gauntlet, and seemed to flicker  over Erdan's prone body, much in the manner of lightning flashing across a rainy sky.

---

OOC:

Free Actions: Sheathe longsword, speak.

Move: Tegan will press up against the wall of the tunnel so as to give Sasyra and Leon as much room as he can to move by him, and will kneel down beside Erdan.

Action: Tegan has a Laying on Hands Hit Point Pool of 10 Hit Points. He will expend up to the 10 Points that are available to get Erdan as close to his maximum Hit Points as possible.

Behind most the group, Leon drew his longsword and moved forward, towards the fight. Running up beside Adeline, he brandished his shield and readied his sword to strike the creature should it move within range.

OOC:
Free action: Draw sword.
Move: Move up beside Adeline
Action: Ready

Seeing Adeline and Leon forming a makeshift shield wall, the creature hesitated for half a second before rushing forward silently towards Adeline. As it ran at the group, the ragged hood slid back a bit revealing a wide mouth filled with needlelike teeth, a long drooping nose and a pair of pale glowing eyes.

Raising its dagger to strike at Adeline, Leons sword whipped out, catching the creature in the chest, scoring a long bloody gash along its ribs.

Letting out a screech of pain as it was hit, the slash the creature had been meant for Adeline went wide, hitting nothing but air.

OOC:
Creature
Move: Move up to Adeline and Leon
Action: Attack Adeline

12:28, Today: GM, on behalf of Leon Renard, rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  attack.
12:30, Today: GM, on behalf of Leon Renard, rolled 7 using 1d8+5.  damage.
12:37, Today: GM rolled 10 using 1d20+5.  attack.
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:42, Sun 19 Feb 2023.

Sasyra watched as everyone else reacted, leaving her alone with her lantern at the back of the cavern tunnel. She glanced behind her, a cursory glance to check nothing was sneaking up behind before moving close to Tegan.

"Will he live?" she whispered. Of all of them, Erdan was the closest thing she had to a friend in the band. But as soon as she asked the question, she knew the answer. <red>"Good. Good."  She flipped the dagger in her hand, now no longer holding it like a melee weapon but readying it to throw at the earliest opportunity.

OOC:
Free: (I'm hoping it's free!)  Put down the lantern safely
Move: To Erdan and Tegan, as there is no width for her to enter the fray in the corridor.
Action: Ready Action: If the beast becomes visible to her, throw her dagger at it. If the creature is kind of visible, then the ready action trigger is when it is in less cover by the bodies of her allies.

The dagger slipped away from Erdan's gut and fell to the ground.  His eyes fluttered open as Tegan's light washed over him.  It took a moment to get his bearings.  When his eyes fell on the humanoid creature attackinig Adeline, he simply reacted.

The wood elf picked up his staff and, propping himself up on one elbow, held it above his head, incanting a spell.  The staff glowed a faint green and silently burst out ethereal leaves that swepted toward the engaged group as if directed on the wind.  It floated in a stream behind the attacker and then spread out into an spherical shape.  The leaves seeped into the bodies of anyone caught in the spells wake.

OOC: Casting Sleep.  Not sure if there's room behind the creature to center the spell in a way that does not encompass Adeline & Leon, but I'll risk it.

15:04, Today: Erdan Amakiir rolled 30 using 5d8.  Sleep HP affected. – 30
This message was last edited by the player at 01:51, Mon 20 Feb 2023.

As Erdan released the spell the creature, ready to raise its dagger for another attack, stopped dead in its tracks. Blinking a few times, as if trying to shake off the effect, it finally collapsed to the floor as the sleep enchantment took effect. Unfortunately in his haste to end the battle Erdan miscalculated the range of the spell, and as the creature fell to the ground, so did Adeline. Seeing the opening, Sasyra who had been waiting for an opening, threw her dagger, but to no avail as the attack went wide.

OOC:
From where Erdan is, it would be dificult to see a place to center the spell without hitting Leon and Adeline, but not impossible. It'll be an Arcana check, DC 10, to do so.

13:04, Today: GM, on behalf of Erdan Amakiir, rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  arcana.
 Wow, even by proxy...

13:57, Today: Sasyra rolled 20 3 using 2d20+2 with rolls of 1,17.  Flying dagger.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:28, Mon 20 Feb 2023.

Erdan cringed as Adeline fell and Sasyra wildly threw her dagger.

"Stop!" the wood elf hissed as he reached out for his sword before getting to his feet. "They're just asleep.  Tie that thing up - carefully. Hopefully we can get some answers."

Adeline was just maneuvering for a second blow of her whip when the magic took ahold of her and sent her flopping to the ground, the tension of battle immediately releasing as she drifted to the land of nod with a gentle crash of shield and armour. She snored. Loudly.

"Hunh," Tegan grunted, his voice low. "Asleep, you say?" he replied to Erdan.

"That's good to know."

"Well, we don't want Adeline's snores to wake up our foe." he observed.

Whether or not he was jesting, the Half-Elf quietly moved over next to the sleeping Half-Orc and nudged her gently in the ribs with the toe of his boot. "Wakey, wakey, Sleepyhead," he said with a chuckle.

~If she startles awake and comes up swinging, I need to be able to jump back out of the way,~ he mused.

---

OOC: It occurred to me that Tegan *would* wake up Adeline first (before dealing with Mr. Bad Nasty), just in case the subdual efforts did not go well -- in which case, the more party members who are ready to fight, the better. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Mon 20 Feb 2023.