Lephista:
Recap: We entered the reef, Jack left us, and we passed through without being harmed by the former dwarves trapped in the walls. Then we entered the old city, where that rival adventuring party sicced a giant centipede and her children on us.
thuryl:
Sweet. Recapped like a BP oil well.
Lephista:
Anyway, after the big fight, we followed them down a cliff, to where we are now.
thuryl:
You're currently at the base of the cliff you just climbed down, on a narrow and slippery rock ledge with just enough room to squeeze past each other. Below you is a fast-flowing underground stream. You can see another, similar ledge on the other side of the stream.
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
Meredith:
I scowl at Jarrox.
thuryl:
Jarrox is still phenomenally drunk.
Lephista:
Perception: any sign of which way the jackass party went?
Meredith:
Rope?
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 19
Phulax:
I look around too, for signs of ruins, threats, the other party, etc.
thuryl:
Lephista looks carefully at the ground and sees recent disturbances other than the ones the party has made. The others probably came down this way.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 12
Lephista:
Which way did they go?
Jarrox:
Boy, if I had my daddies ship right now I would sail down this river.
thuryl:
Well, it would have been hard to go UP-river. But from here, you can't see any disturbances on the ledge on the other side of the stream.
thuryl:
Phulax is pretty sure this is a natural cavern. There are no obvious signs of the stone having been worked by hand, at least.
Phulax:
How deep is the water? How fast is it moving?
Jarrox:
(Is up stream to the right or left?)
thuryl:
Upstream is to the left.
The stream is flowing eastwards.
Meredith: the party still has no rope. Getting back up this cliff quickly may be a challenge.
Jarrox:
So who is going swimming first?
thuryl:
Actually, wait, Jarrox does have a rope.
He was just too drunk to remember to get it out last session, I guess.
Jarrox:
(Shhh)
Phulax:
LOL.
Lephista:
"I could conjure som- oh, never mind."
thuryl:
Or, like, secure it at the top of the cliff.
Jarrox:
No one swimming? Fine I'll go first.
Meredith:
"Which one of you wants to swim across to the other side with the rope?"
Phulax:
I try to teleport myself to the ledge across the river.
Meredith:
"Thank you, Jarrox. Nice to see you have some uses."
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 3
thuryl:
The river doesn't look too deep -- you could probably stand in it without being submerged, if it weren't for the very fast current threatening to pull you away.
Lephista:
"You're wearing a breastplate, you idiot."
Jarrox:
I tap up my ale skin with care and make sure my axe and shield are not going to get lost in the current and wade out.
Phulax:
(I'm such an embarrassingly bad portal mage...still, it fits the character)
thuryl:
Phulax blinks out of existence, and back into existence just above this side of the stream. Everyone, roll Dex to grab him out of the air before he falls in.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 10
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 13
Phulax:
(Hahaha! Yes!)
thuryl:
Meredith successfully reaches over and pulls Phulax back out of danger as he falls.
Meredith:
"Don't try that again."
thuryl:
Meanwhile, Jarrox attempts to swim across. Wearing metal armour. While drunk.
Roll a save, Jarrox, and pray it's a 20.
Dyen:
"Jarrox, tie the rope around yourself before you get swept away, you fool."
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 8
Lephista:
Wow. That's a lot less than 20.
Phulax:
"Thanks, Mer! Somehow I failed to adjust my trajectory according to..." I trail off confusedly.
Meredith:
"Yes, I'm sure you did."
Lephista:
I see jarrox struggling, and run to grab him before he's swept away. (Roll?)
thuryl:
Jarrox sinks like a stone, and the current begins him to drag him away. Lephista, rolling would be an excellent idea.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
thuryl:
Lephista doesn't quite grab Jarrox in time, and he's swept further downstream.
Phulax:
"Hold on, Jarrox... Err...wait... I'll...try to save you!" I try to teleport Jarrox to the other ledge.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
Meredith:
I shake my head and tie the rope around my waist.
thuryl:
Fortunately, Phulax's teleportation spell hits its mark, and Jarrox is teleported safely to the other side.
Dyen:
"I'll take the other end, Meredith."
Phulax:
"Huzzah! There, all better."
Meredith:
I nod to Dyen and attempt to cross to Jarrox
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 5
Phulax:
I smile happily.
Meredith:
(I did say attempt)
Jarrox:
"Pffffhhh!" I cough. "See, easy as pie to walk across."
thuryl:
Even with the rope, Meredith isn't strong enough to fight the current. Dyen, roll to keep hold of the rope.
Lephista:
I scowl.
Jarrox:
I check my ale skin to make sure its okay after the trip underwater.
thuryl:
Jarrox's aleskin is covered in water on the outside, but still full of ale on the inside.
thuryl:
Well, the last one is mostly full, at least.
Phulax:
I try to help hold the rope (roll?)
thuryl:
Sure, why not.
Jarrox:
I smile with glee.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 17
Dyen:
(I'm taking ten, if necessary.)
Jarrox:
I just wander up and down my ledge dripping water.
thuryl:
OK, that's good enough for me. Dyen holds onto the rope and with Phulax's help, keeps Meredith steady against the pull of the current. She regains her footing at the bottom of the riverbed.
Meredith:
Another roll to continue crossing?
thuryl:
Yeah.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 12
Meredith:
(woo)
thuryl:
Meredith successfully makes it across.
Meredith:
Once on the other side, i look for a rock or stalagmite to attach the rope too
Dyen:
"What can you see over there?"
Lephista:
"I'll hold this end while you guys cross."
Meredith:
"Jarrox, being Jarrox. And another ledge back on the ther side of the river."
Jarrox:
I hit Meredith on the back with my palm. "See, easiest thing you have ever done."
thuryl:
There are a few small bits of rock sticking out that seem promising. It'll be a Nature roll to find out which ones are stable.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 4
Meredith:
(i dont think i even have that skill)
thuryl:
One rock looks pretty much like any other to Meredith.
Dyen:
"Why don't you come back across and head towards the ledge downstream?"
Jarrox:
I look at the rocks to see if any are gold. (nature)
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 3
Lephista:
(Jarrox does. If only his drunkennes penalty weren't greater than the skill. :P)
Phulax:
I look for a sturdy stalagmite from where I am (nature).
Meredith:
I shrug. "Jarrox and I will just hold the rope."
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 19
thuryl:
Jarrox, appropriately, finds only fool's gold.
Meredith:
I look at Jarrox pointedly.
thuryl:
Phulax spots a promising stalagmite on the other side of the river and points it out to Meredith, who ties her end of the rope to it.
Jarrox:
"I'm rich! We are back in the race boys, lets get a moving."
Lephista:
I take our end of the rope from Dyen and Phulax. "Come on, get moving!"
Phulax:
I chuckle at Jarrox's peculiar sense of motivation.
Jarrox:
I collect quite a bit of the fools gold.
thuryl:
With the rope properly secured on the other end, everyone not yet across can now take 10 to cross.
Phulax:
I use the rope to carefully cross, taking 10.
Dyen:
I take ten.
Lephista:
Holding the rope, can I take 10 to go to the ledge due east of me?
thuryl:
Sure, why not.
Lephista:
I do that.
Jarrox:
"Okay, now that you all are over here lets get over there." I point across the river agian. "Follow me." I walk back into the river.
Lephista:
"Use the rope! I am holding it for that very purpose, you sot!"
Phulax:
"Jarrox, is that terribly wise?"
thuryl:
... are you going to, uh, secure yourself to the rope or anything first?
Meredith:
"He's an idiot. If he goes this time, don't bother diving in!"
Jarrox:
(Jarrox is too drunk to think of that.)
thuryl:
Fine, roll a save.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 18
Meredith:
I take 10 to cross over, with the rope.
thuryl:
Jarrox swan-dives gracefully into the stream and, by some miracle, makes it safely across.
Lephista:
"Whoever's last, untie the rope and bring it."
Dyen:
I take ten to follow the others.
thuryl:
The others can't take 10 until Lephista makes a Nature check to secure the rope on her end.
Jarrox:
I shake myself off on the other side of the river and smile.
Lephista:
Okay. I do that.
Meredith:
Oh.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
thuryl:
Lephista thinks she's found a good place to anchor the rope.
Lephista:
I tie it.
Lephista:
But I also hold on in case my knot slips.
thuryl:
OK. Anyone want to trust her and cross?
Jarrox:
"What are you looking for Lephista? More gold?" I look around too. (Nature)
Meredith:
Sure.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 19
Meredith:
(As in, sure, I trust her.)
Dyen:
I cross.
Phulax:
I wait patiently for the others to cross.
thuryl:
Jarrox confirms that Lephista's stalagmite is secure, and Meredith and Dyen cross safely.
Phulax:
I untie the rope on this side, then cross to the far side.
thuryl:
OK, everyone is now across.
Jarrox:
"Good knot but no gold there. Lets keep moving till we find the vein." I wander down the bank.
Lephista:
I examine this ledge for signs that anyone's been on it recently.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 11
Lephista:
"Someone who actually knows how to tie knots should take the lead."
"Not Jarrox."
thuryl:
Lephista doesn't find any sign of disturbances on this ledge, other than the ones made by the party.
Jarrox:
"All you needed to do was ask."
Meredith:
"I'll go. Just hold the rope."
Lephista:
"The rope's tied."
Meredith:
"Oh."
Meredith:
I take the rope and tie it around my waist, and head across.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 1
Phulax:
...
Meredith:
(lol)
Lephista:
(You could have taken 10, you know.)
Phulax:
(And so it begins...our DOOM!!)
Jarrox:
"Race you over!" I walk out into the river to cross again.
Meredith:
(I thought crossing it the first time needed a roll?)
thuryl:
Meredith's knot-tying skills evidently need work. The knot slips when she's halfway across, and she tumbles downstream.
Meredith:
(oh well, now I know)
thuryl:
(Only if the rope isn't tethered to something secure.)
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 2
Lephista:
"Mer!" I drop my axe, grab the rope, tie it around myself, and dive in after her.
thuryl:
Jarrox also wades boldly into the drink and is washed away close behind.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 2
Meredith:
"Phulax, now is the time to secure my faith in you!!"
Phulax:
(Thanks! Now I can see what's ahppening)
I cast teleport on Mer!
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
Phulax:
...
thuryl:
Lephista fights her way through the fast-flowing current, but can't get a grip on Jarrox or Meredith.
Phulax's spell fizzles.
Jarrox:
I try walking down river since I'm so heavy that I sink to the bottom.
Phulax:
"I am not the most secure of entities in which to trust."
thuryl:
OK, Jarrox tries to regain his footing on the riverbed. Roll it.
Phulax:
(Can I try again with a spell?)
thuryl:
Sure, but Meredith and Jarrox will be washed further downstream in the meantime.
Lephista:
I swim after them.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 13
thuryl:
You'll have to untie the rope to continue swimming much further after them, Lephista.
Phulax:
I cast Open Window ahead of Mer and Jarrox, so they get washed right into the portal; the other end is on the ledge ahead of them.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 1
Phulax:
...
Meredith:
oh god
Phulax:
I growl in frustration.
thuryl:
Phulax mixes up the polarity of his portal, and manages to teleport Jarrox and Meredith even further downstream.
Meredith:
I keep an eye out for any protruding rocks I might be able to grab to stop myself.
Lephista:
Okay, I untie myself and swim after them.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
Phulax:
"Why can't I DO THIS RIGHT???" I blow puffs of black smoke out my mouth.
Jarrox:
"Blub blub, gurgle?" I keep on marching.
thuryl:
Meredith, fortunately, manages to grab hold of a ledge as she drifts by.
Hey, Jarrox, Meredith and Lephista, Perception rolls.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 13
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 16
thuryl:
Jarrox and Meredith notice that over the general noise of the river and the rescue attempt, there's a very loud sound of rushing water coming from the south.
Meredith:
"Guys! Waterfall ahead!"
thuryl:
This is perhaps concerning, as Jarrox is still being washed uncontrollably downstream.
Jarrox:
"Blub?"
Dyen:
Is the rope still securely tied on this ledge?
Meredith:
I lean out as much as I can to try and grab Jarrox
thuryl:
Dyen: Yes.
Lephista:
I'm still swimming after Jarrox. Roll?
Meredith:
use a stamina point to keep from slipping
thuryl:
OK. Meredith, roll it. Jarrox, roll too if you want to actively attempt to swim over to her.
thuryl:
Yes, Lephista, roll.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 12
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 8
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 5
thuryl:
Meredith reaches out for Jarrox's hand and manages to grab onto it, but he's too heavy for her to pull up. She won't be able to hang on much longer.
Phulax:
I try to warp to the ledge where Mer is.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
Meredith:
"Climb up, you bastard!"
thuryl:
Lephista manages to avoid being swept away in the current and swim further downstream.
Lephista:
I swim to the ledge where Mer is.
thuryl:
Phulax neatly teleports himself into the middle of the river.
Jarrox:
I let go seeing that I'm too heavy to be pulled in.
Phulax:
I blub-blub vigorously.
Lephista:
"Godsdamnit!"
Dyen:
"Oh Gods."
Lephista:
New swimming roll, or can I get on the ledge without one?
thuryl:
You can, unless you want to rescue Jarrox.
Who just let go of Meredith's hand and is being washed even further downstream.
Y'all still have a lot of Stamina left, I'm just sayin'.
Jarrox:
I go back to trying to walk on the bottom of the river.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 9
Meredith:
I used one trying to save Captain Suicide other there.
Phulax:
I try to swim after Jarrox. (roll?)
thuryl:
Jarrox manages to slow himself from being dragged away, slightly.
(Phulax: if you want to swim in any kind of fast and controlled fashion, yes.)
Lephista:
"Jarrox!" I climb up onto Mer's ledge, and cast Resconjure Minor to create a rope.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 6
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 19
thuryl:
Lephista creates a rather feeble-looking length of string.
Meredith:
As Jarrox passes me again, I'll use another stamina to try and grab him.
Phulax:
(ooh, a good roll!)
Lephista:
I throw one end to Jarrox.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 6
Lephista:
"Grab on!"
thuryl:
Meanwhile, Phulax powers downstream and nearly catches up with Jarrox.
Jarrox:
"Gurgle gurgle gurgly!" I try to get my head up for a breath of air.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 6
thuryl:
Jarrox flails around helplessly in the water.
Lephista:
After I make my throw, I run after Jarrox and spend a stamina to try and grab him.
thuryl:
Lephista's rope is of little help to him as it slips through his grasp and he is washed further downstream.
Lephista, roll to grab him.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 2
Phulax:
"Hey, I'm not bad at swimming!" I put on an extra burst of energy and grab to get Rock-head. (spend 1 stamina)
thuryl:
Even straining with all her might, Lephista can't quite reach Jarrox from where she is.
Meredith:
(this is great to watch, now I'm safe)
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 1 stamina.***
Lephista:
Can I spend another to try again?
thuryl:
Fortunately, Phulax catches up with Jarrox, grabs on to him and holds on to the ledge with his other arm.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 stamina.***
Meredith:
(hey, thuryl, i dont think you took a stamina from me the first time i used one.)
thuryl:
For the moment, Jarrox and Phulax are stable.
Jarrox:
"Burbly burb glub." I now am really thrashing around trying to get a breath.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 1 stamina.***
Lephista:
Never mind. I help Phulax reel Jarrox in.
thuryl:
Oops! Thanks for the honesty.
OK. With the whole party here to help, Jarrox is easily pulled out of the water.
Dyen:
"Hey, everyone safe now?"
Lephista:
"Dyen, bring my axe!"
"Also, yes!"
Meredith:
"Well, that was faster than going back and forth."
Jarrox:
I vomit up water over and over again as I lie on the ground not moving and just coughing.
Phulax:
"Having a sea captain for a father meant I did learn to swim competently."
thuryl:
The whole party, except for Dyen, is now assembled at the river's edge. The surroundings are... not perhaps what you might expect at the edge of an underground river.
Phulax:
"But I am glad that little adventure is over."
Dyen:
Is the rope long enough to reach the ledge everyone else is on?
Meredith:
"Just dive in, we'll catch you!"
thuryl:
In fact, you appear to be at the edge of a forest, filled with strange and exotic plants that somehow survive despite the total lack of sunlight.
thuryl:
Dyen: no, the rope will only take you about a third of the way.
Phulax:
"I can try to teleport you!" I add hopefully.
Dyen:
I take a deep breath and collect the rope and Lephista's axe.
Phulax:
"But I won't make you."
Jarrox:
As I vomit up more water a little pale cave fish come out with the water. I look at it then roll over on my back and try to breath.
Dyen:
"Okay, Phulax. Be careful!"
Lephista:
"Still thirsty?"
Phulax:
"Ooh!"
Phulax:
"I'll be very careful!"
Phulax:
(Teleport)
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
...
(The die is a funny thing sometimes)
Lephista:
Finally, we move without drama.
thuryl:
Phulax masterfully teleports Dyen, his possessions, and the rope tied around him to join the party, all in one piece.
Jarrox:
(Thats because I wasn't moving.)
Phulax:
"Huzzah! Someday I'll be able to do it that well everytime!"
Lephista:
"Thanks!" I take my axe, and cautiously move forward.
Meredith:
I nod my head and move off into the jungle.
Phulax:
I look around the forest.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
thuryl:
At the edge of his light, Phulax notices some kind of a creature snuffling around in the undergrowth.
Phulax:
(In which direction?)
thuryl:
NE
Phulax:
I whisper, "Careful, comrades."
Nature to analyze the critter.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 9
Jarrox:
I just lie on my back staring blankly up into the rock abouve me.
thuryl:
It has the size and body shape of a very large dog or a small bear, its back is covered in bony plates, and its face is flattened, with tiny pits for eyes and enormous dish-like ears.
Phulax:
(Does it notice us?)
thuryl:
Phulax doesn't recall seeing anything like it before.
Dyen:
Stealth:
thuryl:
Well, that depends. Dyen and Phulax, roll Stealth.
Lephista:
Whisper: "Let's go around it."
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
...
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 2
Phulax:
...
thuryl:
Dyen stumbles off into the undergrowth, but Phulax thinks quickly and teleports him back before the bearbat appears to take any notice of him.
Lephista:
Perception: have any people come through here recently?
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
Phulax:
I turn to the others and quietly say "Let's try to slip around it."
"Move slowly and quietly."
Lephista:
Whisper: "There's another one."
thuryl:
Lephista looks around a bit, but it's hard to tell whether any disturbances are from humanoids or the bearbats digging around.
The party hears a short, high-pitched noise, somewhere between a howl and a screech, from deeper into the forest to the northeast.
Meredith:
I attempt to go SE, quietly, keeping an eye out for any life
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
I'm carefully exploring to the north.
Meredith:
Do not waste my twenty by splitting the group
Lephista:
I follow Mer.
Jarrox:
I sit up at hearing the noise and look about me.
I take a swig from my ale skin.
thuryl:
Meredith creeps through the forest, silent as a cat. She also notices an interesting-looking ripe, bulbous blue fruit in the branches of one of the trees nearby.
Dyen:
I follow Phulax, attempting stealth again.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 12
Jarrox:
"That sounded like a pit faced lava monkey." I mumble.
Meredith:
I reach up and take it. and nibble at it lightly.
thuryl:
Meredith takes a small bite out of the fruit, and suddenly feels much better.
Meredith:
***Meredith is healed and gains 1 hit points.***
Phulax:
I pause and look around carefully.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 1
Phulax:
...
Phulax:
Phulax sees... rocks. And they fall and everyone dies.
Lephista:
(You know, there are numbers other than 20 and 1. :P)
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
thuryl:
Phulax trips over a fallen log, making a lot of noise. A series of screeches echo from deeper within the forest, and you hear heavy footsteps running through the underbrush around you.
Jarrox:
I try to fill my tummy back up now that all the water is out of it.
Phulax:
(Can I use Nature to conceal myself?)
thuryl:
You can *try*.
Dyen will have to try too.
Phulax:
(I "try.")
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 9
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 14
thuryl:
The bearbats edge closer, forming a quarter-circle around Phulax and Dyen and continuing to make little screeching noises.
thuryl:
You can't help but notice the long, sharp fangs in their wide mouths.
Lephista:
I take 10 to move north quietly.
thuryl:
Thankfully, Lephista doesn't seem to draw any further attention.
Phulax:
(result of all-natural 100% attempt at concealment?)
Jarrox:
"Hey what was that noise?" I stand up and draw my axe and dwan my shield.
Dyen:
Fated Strike:
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 3
thuryl:
You know you can't move if you're using Fated Strike, right? Or are you readying an attack in case one approaches?
Dyen:
Readying an attack.
Jarrox:
(How far can I move per turn?)
thuryl:
Fair enough.
5 steps, same as the others, although in your current condition you won't be very stealthy if you move your full speed.
Phulax:
(Can the critters see us yet?)
thuryl:
(You could roll Nature to see if you can tell.)
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
Jarrox:
"Hey Lephista, whats going on?"
Lephista:
"Shh!"
thuryl:
Well, you can't tell if they can "see" you. But judging by the way they're slowly advancing on your position...
Meredith:
I quietly follow Leph, tucking the rest of the fruit away.
Meredith:
(take 10)
Phulax:
I take ten to roll my eyes at Jarrox.
Jarrox:
"Shh you, I heard lava monkeys."
Lephista:
Whisper: "Jarrox, on 3, we're gonna scream like demons and charge north. Got it?"
Jarrox:
"And where are the others?"
Phulax:
Almost silently I mutter "So much for camouflage."
Lephista:
"1. . . 2 . . ."
Jarrox:
"RAAARWW!"
Dyen:
"Yeah, well, it was your fault." I whisper.
Phulax:
I blink. "What was that??" I whisper to Dyen.
Lephista:
"3! Gyraaah!" I swing my axe over my head, roar, and spit flames. Intimidate:
thuryl:
Jarrox's scream results in more screeching from deeper within the forest, and you hear even more running footsteps coming toward you.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 19
Phulax:
"Yeah, sorry I'm so clumsy," I answer Dyen.
Jarrox:
"Come to me you lava monkey demons! Face my water wrath!" I bellow out as I run.
thuryl:
The bearbat closest to Lephista, however, seems somewhat pained by her incredible scream, and backs off slightly.
Lephista:
"GRAAAAH!" I keep going towards the group.
thuryl:
Unfortunately, the group of bearbats closest to Dyen and Phulax are not so easily cowed, and they pounce.
Jarrox:
(When is it our turn again?)
thuryl:
Dyen, now's the time to roll that attack you readied.
Meredith:
I carefully follow Lephista.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 3
Dyen:
(Oh come on)
thuryl:
(OK, we're now in combat. Enemy's turn until I say otherwise.)
Dyen takes a swing at a bearbat as it lunges at him, but the blow bounces off its thick hide to no obvious effect. Fortunately, he at least manages to dodge the mighty, clawed paws of the two bearbats converging on him.
thuryl:
Phulax is not so lucky: one of the bearbats sinks its fangs into his thigh for 4 damage.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 4 hit points.***
thuryl:
Party's turn.
Lephista:
"Grraahr!" I charge Bearbat 2 at a run and try to cleave it in half. Spend a stamina.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 7
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 1 stamina.***
thuryl:
Lephista manages to cut a small gash into the bearbat's thick hide, near the shoulder. It screeches in pain.
Dyen:
I spend a stamina to strike at bearbat 7.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 4
Dyen:
*** Dyen loses 1 stamina.***
Phulax:
I ready an Open Window spell; when anything charges at me, I use the Open Window to redirect it so charges right into the rock wall to the northeast, as far away from me as possible.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 16
Jarrox:
"Bringer of doom and drinker of alien ale is here to bring death upon your firery heads! I scream as I charge.
thuryl:
Even with all his strength, Dyen seems unable to pummel his way through the bearbat's hide.
thuryl:
Phulax readies his spell. The portal he creates seems strong and stable.
He waits to blink it into position.
Meredith:
I draw my gun and pull the trigger at bearbat 7
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 16
thuryl:
Meredith shoots the bearbat in its side, and it howls in pain. The loud report of the gun also seems to startle the surrounding bearbats.
thuryl:
Is that everyone's turn?
Lephista:
(Yep.)
thuryl:
Okay, enemy turn.
One of the bearbats breaks off to charge at Phulax in his new position, but instead finds itself quite nonplussed as its flattened face becomes even more flattened upon meeting the cave wall.
Phulax:
"Ouchies," I chuckle.
thuryl:
One of the bearbats attacking Dyen manages to claw him for 6 damage. The other also takes a swipe at him, but manages to hit the first bearbat instead.
Dyen:
*** Dyen loses 6 hit points.***
Dyen:
"Could use some healing soon."
thuryl:
Lephista fends off the bearbat nearest her, while another bearbat lunges at Meredith, knocking her over for 4 damage.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 4 hit points.***
thuryl:
More bearbats continue to lumber through the undergrowth toward you.
thuryl:
Party's turn.
Lephista:
Who needs a heal this round?
From me, I mean.
Meredith:
(can i eat my fruit and attack?)
thuryl:
(Sure, it counts as an item.)
Phulax:
"I'll heal Dyen."
Jarrox:
I charge bearbat 8 while bellowing at the top of my lungs "LAVA MONKEYS!"
I then swing at it with my axe.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 10
Phulax:
I try to avoid the attention of the fell beasts, and slip around to administer first aid to Dyen.
Lephista:
You're both fine? Sweet, that means I get to have fun.
Meredith:
Cool, I'll eat the rest of it, then, and thrust at #5 with my rapier.
Lephista:
I barrel down on bearbat 7, and chop it with my axe.
thuryl:
Jarrox strikes a mighty blow to the bearbat with his axe.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
Meredith:
(sweet)
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 2
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 17
thuryl:
Meredith grabs the fruit in one hand and swallows it whole, and her wounds begin to close as if by magic. With the other hand, she sinks her rapier deep into a bearbat's flank.
thuryl:
Lephista's bearbat dodges out of the way of her attack.
Meredith:
***Meredith is healed and gains 5 hit points.***
thuryl:
Phulax treats Dyen's wounds, and he recovers 6 HP.
Dyen:
***Dyen is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
thuryl:
Dyen still has an action, I think.
Dyen:
Now that I'm healed, I cast Glimpse of Oblivion on bearbat 6.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 5
thuryl:
The bearbat seems unfazed by the inevitable heat death of the universe.
Phulax:
(LOL!)
thuryl:
Enemy's turn.
Jarrox:
(Can I take a drink between swings with out losing an action?)
thuryl:
(Sure, it's an item use.)
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
thuryl:
(It's still the enemy's turn now, though.)
One bearbat strikes Phulax in the chest with a mighty paw for 5 damage, while another two miss Dyen and Lephista continues to fend off the one attacking her.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 5 hit points.***
Phulax:
"Aaauuggh!"
thuryl:
Meredith's bearbat opens its mouth and unleashes an agonisingly loud screech, stunning her and draining 2 stamina.
Phulax:
"Stop that!" I glower at the bearbat.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 2 stamina.***
thuryl:
Meanwhile, three bearbats converge on Jarrox. One connects: he deflects most of the force of the attack with his shield, but still takes 1 damage. The other two seem to start fighting over who gets to eat Jarrox in the middle of their pounce, and one ends up raking its claws across the other's side.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 1 hit points.***
thuryl:
Party's turn.
Dyen:
I punch bearbat 1
Lephista:
I charge bearbat 2 and attack it.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 14
Jarrox:
"No worries, you'll all get a part of me."
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 18
Jarrox:
I finish off bearbat 8
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 8
Phulax:
I try to get way from the beast, and spend a stamina to administer an extra strong first aid treatment on my wounded self.
thuryl:
Dyen delivers a mighty chop to the back of the bearbat's neck: with a sickening snap, it falls to the ground, twitching.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 10
thuryl:
Jarrox beheads his bearbat with a mighty swing of his axe, while Lephista seriously wounds hers.
thuryl:
(Phulax, you've already used First Aid this encounter)
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
Meredith:
I attack 5 again..
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 17
Lephista:
(If you get hurt again this round, Phulax, I'll heal you.)
Phulax:
(I thought I could do it once per person?)
thuryl:
Meredith twists her rapier around deep in the bearbat's guts, and finds something vital. It wails and falls to the side, dead.
Phulax:
(If I can't, that's okay, I just take a different action)
thuryl:
(No, it's once per First Aid user, not per target.)
Phulax:
(Oh. So I can't use FA again until another fight, right?)
thuryl:
(Right.)
Phulax:
(Huh. Okay. Let me think of a different action...)
thuryl:
Well, bearbat 2 is badly wounded. If you Can't Stop The Rock it, you'll probably finish it off.
Lephista:
"Can't Stop The Rock?"
thuryl:
His perk.
thuryl:
He gets to take 10 on a teleportation roll once per session, under any circumstances.
Phulax:
I use Can't Stop the Rock to drop Bearbat 2 on Bearbat 6.
Phulax:
"Pain for you both."
thuryl:
That... might have required a little more than a 10 to work well. Phulax manages to shift the massive bearbat over to one side a bit, getting it tangled up with Bearbat 6 and impairing both their movements somewhat.
Anyone not moved yet?
Lephista:
Nope
Phulax:
(...oh well)
Jarrox:
(Did you get my drink?)
thuryl:
Yes, I got your drink.
I haven't actually filled in the chart beyond "phenomenally drunk", though.
Wait, one sec.
Jarrox:
I invent new terms for drunk everyday.
thuryl:
Okay, Jarrox is now stupendously drunk.
Enemy's turn.
Of the three bearbats in the northwest, one swipes at Dyen, striking a glancing blow for 1 damage, while another one bites into Lephista for 5 damage, but the third is too busy disentangling itself from the second to attack effectively.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 5 hit points.***
Dyen:
*** Dyen loses 1 hit points.***
Phulax:
"Well, at least it stopped them...one."
thuryl:
The other three bearbats continue to attack Jarrox. He fends one off with his shield, but the remaining two knock him down and claw at him for a total of 6 damage.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 6 hit points.***
thuryl:
Party's turn.
Meredith:
I move to Jarrox and attack #13 with my sword.
Phulax:
I try to bomb bearbats 4 and 6 with bearbat 2.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 7
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 11
Phulax:
(teleport roll)
thuryl:
Meredith's swing goes wide and scratches the bearbat's skin, but fails to do any significant damage. Phulax gets the three bearbats a little more tangled up in each other.
Jarrox:
"Ha, you lava monkeys have yet to turn up the heat, so I'll do it." I spend 3 stamina and make a sweeping blow against all three at once.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 20
thuryl:
holy wow
Dyen:
I punch bearbat 2.
Jarrox:
(Jarrox rocks the drunk like a pro.)
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 3 stamina.***
Phulax:
...
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 20
Dyen:
...
Phulax:
...
thuryl:
holy wow the second
Lephista:
I swing at 4 while it's distracted by how awesome we are.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 2
thuryl:
With an almighty sweep of his axe, Jarrox manages to behead one of the bearbats he's attacking and seriously wound the other two in a single blow.
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
Meredith:
"Jarrox, you DO have your uses! How nice!"
Phulax:
I stare at Jarrox, amazed. "Wow. I didn't realize you were good at anything! That's impressive!"
thuryl:
Dyen punches bearbat 2 so hard it nearly becomes airbone. It collapses, quite dead, and bearbat 6 is partially trapped under its body.
Lephista's swing, unfortunately, goes wide.
Jarrox:
I spit a little of my drink on the remaining two bearbats and mock them.
thuryl:
OK, I think that's everyone. Enemy turn.
The two bearbats in the northwest swipe wildly at Dyen and Lephista, but they don't achieve much, being tangled up in each other's limbs with another bearbat corpse weighting them down.
Meanwhile, the other two attempt a revenge attack on Jarrox, but he easily fends them off.
Party's turn.
Lephista:
I attack 4 again.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 7
Meredith:
I attack 14
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 9
Jarrox:
I cut up 9 into little bits.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 5
thuryl:
Lephista manages to make a small gash in the bearbat's flank, but all the little wounds are starting to add up, and it seems to be slowing down a little.
Phulax:
I look for a rock or other large yet moveable object.
thuryl:
Meredith and Jarrox likewise make a couple of small cuts on their respective targets.
Dyen:
I attack bearbat 4 again.
thuryl:
Phulax finds the fallen log he tripped over earlier.
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 1
Lephista:
(I will have to go afk for a bit in 10 minutes.)
Phulax:
I try to bombard 4 and 6 with that pesky log.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 14
Phulax:
"Here, have this wonderful log!"
thuryl:
In fact, he finds it just as Dyen trips over it while attempting to attack a bearbat, sending himself flying and landing roughly for 1 damage. After this is done, Phulax drops the log neatly on bearbat 4's head, finishing it off.
Dyen:
*** Dyen loses 1 hit points.***
thuryl:
Enemy's turn.
With a deafening wail, the surviving bearbat in the northwest pounces on Lephista and savages her with its claws. She is knocked down and loses 4 HP and 2 stamina from the assault and the noise.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 4 hit points.***
*** Lephista loses 2 stamina.***
thuryl:
Meredith and Jarrox likewise fare poorly against their own bearbats. Enraged by pain, they strike for 4 damage on each of them.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 4 hit points.***
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 4 hit points.***
thuryl:
Party's turn.
Meredith:
"Gah!"
Lephista:
I back off, and perform First Aid on myself.
Dyen:
Spend a stamina and attack bearbat 6.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 3
Jarrox:
"Ha, my mamma hits harder then you!" I finish off 9 and 14 with one strike spending 2 stamina.
Meredith:
I spend a stamina point skewering 14
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 11
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 14
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 14
thuryl:
Since you and Dyen are both knocked down, the bearbat isn't flanked, Lephista - you can only safely move 1 space without opening yourself to attack.
Meredith:
(kill-stealer!)
Lephista:
We have attacks of opportunity now? Dear lord.
Lephista:
I still do the FA.
thuryl:
Jarrox, fortunately, manages to slice both his bearbats in half with a single blow. Meredith's attack is redundant - you can take a different action if you like.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 2 stamina.***
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
Phulax:
I take the log off dearly departed Bearbat 4's noggin, and bestow it on 6.
Meredith:
I'll move forward and shoot at #6
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 7
Meredith:
(roll again?)
thuryl:
(Yeah)
Meredith:
(darn)
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 18
Jarrox:
"Lava Monkeys fear me!" I howl in furry.
Meredith:
(...or not)
Phulax:
(Haha!)
(Furry fury, Jarrox)
thuryl:
Phulax's log bounces off the bearbat's armoured back to no obvious effect. Meredith's bullet, however, hits it right in the lower jaw, eliciting a gurgling screech of pain.
Jarrox:
(lol)
Phulax:
"Log resistant enemies...I'll have to try to remember that..."
thuryl:
Dyen also strikes the same bearbat, breaking its neck with a sharp uppercut.
Dyen:
*** Dyen loses 1 stamina.***
thuryl:
End combat.
Phulax:
"Are they all dead?" I pant for breath.
Lephista:
Since the battle is over, can I take 10 on FAing myself?
thuryl:
Sure, if you want.
Lephista:
I do so.
Lephista:
***Lephista is healed and gains 5 hit points.***
Phulax:
"I guess we should start moving again?"
thuryl:
Lephista manages to treat some of her more serious wounds.
Lephista:
"Dyen, patch up Jarrox." I cast Succor on Meredith.
Lephista:
Again, take 10, using 1 stamina.
Jarrox:
"Where are they? Let me at them!" I stumble around drunk looking for a fight.
Phulax:
I trudge along somewhat painfully.
thuryl:
Lephista heals Meredith for 7 HP at the cost of 1 stamina.
Meredith:
***Meredith is healed and gains 7 hit points.***
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 1 stamina.***
Meredith:
"Thank you, Lephista."
"Before we go, we should check the trees."
Lephista:
(Oops, Dyen doesn't have any FA. My bad.)
Meredith:
"I found the most remarkable fruit which heals wounds..."
Phulax:
"Sorry I'm not more use in a fight, guys. I came here to help, but I don't seem to be much help in battle..."
Phulax:
"Really?"
Phulax:
I look for the nifty fruit.
Meredith:
I check the two nearest for me for the magical wonderful fruits.
Lephista:
"A healing fruit? Fascinating."
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
Lephista:
I look, too.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 1
Phulax:
(Fruit falls, everyone dies)
Dyen:
I look as well.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 10
Jarrox:
"Lava Monkeys!" I call out drunkenly.
Phulax:
I try to avoid Jarrox.
Jarrox:
I take a swig from my ale skin.
thuryl:
Meredith finds two other ripe fruit by searching around, and Dyen and Phulax find one each. Lephista experimentally tries an unripe fruit, and finds that it wasn't such a good idea: her body is immediately wracked with pain.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 2 hit points.***
Lephista:
"Ow!"
Phulax:
I eat the fruit I found.
Dyen:
I eat mine as well.
Lephista:
I treat my indigestion with FA. Take 10.
Phulax:
(Did Lephista already use FA?)
Lephista:
***Lephista is healed and gains 2 hit points.***
thuryl:
That's stretching the definition of a damaging encounter, but okay, Lephista induces vomiting and manages to stave off the worst effects of the unripe fruit.
Lephista:
(The rule is once per damaging encounter. That bad fruit was a damaging encounter. :P)
Phulax:
(LOL!)
thuryl:
Dyen and Phulax recover 6 HP each from their fruit.
Dyen:
***Dyen is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
Lephista:
(I'd feel bad, but I pointed this very exploit out to Lilith when she was making the new healing rules. :P)
Phulax:
***Phulax is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
Phulax:
"Amazing. That may actually be the best fruit I've ever eaten."
thuryl:
(I may just have to make the healing proportional to the damage taken in future, just because of you.)
Meredith:
(hey, so if i lightly punch you, you can roll again?)
Lephista:
"Blarg. That was awful."
Jarrox:
"Rawr!" I scream and charge bearbat 10 in a blind drunk haze.
Lephista:
(I could, but FA can't heal more damage than you took in the damaging encounter, so at best I'd break even. :P)
Jarrox:
Axe attack.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 10
thuryl:
Oh dear.
Meredith:
(aww)
Meredith:
"Jarrox you absolute beast!"
thuryl:
Jarrox, having found another small group of bearbats that deigned not to attack earlier, decides that this just won't do, and digs his axe deeply into one of them.
Lephista:
"Where did he go? Jarrox?"
thuryl:
I'll let the rest of the party try and help him if they want before the bearbats get a turn.
Meredith:
"I'd have half a mind to let you die, but unfortunately I was gifted with a full one."
Phulax:
As I slip through the subterranean foliage, I look around to get a sense of where Jar might be.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
Dyen:
"Do we have to help him?"
thuryl:
Phulax hears the distinctive sound of Jarrox doing something stupid from the south.
Meredith:
"He did somewhat help us last time."
Lephista:
I charge through the trees. "Jarrox!"
Then I attack BB 10.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 5
Phulax:
I try to stay out sight of the beasts, and look for nice rock or piece of floral debris.
thuryl:
Lephista blunders through the trees and just manages to get all the leaves out of her face by the time the melee is starting.
Dyen:
Glimpse of Oblivion on bearbat 12:
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 9
Meredith:
I attack the original bearbat (no number, so I guess 1?).
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 5
thuryl:
The bearbat seems slightly shaken, although it's hard to tell with bearbats.
thuryl:
Meredith's rapier glances off the bearbat's bony plates.
thuryl:
Phulax?
Oh, you were looking for a rock.
Sure, there are rocks and logs around.
Phulax:
I watch for one of the bearbats to lunge in attack, and use Open Window to redirct's attack into one of its fell comrades.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 5
thuryl:
OK.
Enemy's turn.
One of the bearbats charges Jarrox. Phulax fires off his spell, but fails to open the portal in time to stop its advance, and the bearbat barrels bodily into Jarrox for 3 damage.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 3 hit points.***
thuryl:
The bearbat that Jarrox wounded swipes wildly at Lephista as she charges out of the foliage to the north, but misses.
Meredith deftly dodges out of the way of her bearbat's attack.
Party's turn.
Jarrox:
I chop at bearbat 12 with my axe.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 10
Phulax:
I watch number 12 again, and when it tries to swipe, cause it to smack into 10 instead.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
Lephista:
I cast Succor on Jarrox.
thuryl:
Jarrox cuts into the bearbat's side, while Phulax readies his spell.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 15
Dyen:
I punch bearbat 12.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 15
thuryl:
Lephista heals Jarrox for 9, at the cost of 1 stamina.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 1 stamina.***
Jarrox:
***Jarrox is healed and gains 9 hit points.***
Meredith:
I swipe with my rapier again
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 3
thuryl:
Dyen strikes bearbat 12 with a mighty punch to the temple, cracking its skull. It collapses to the ground, lifeless.
Meredith once again fails to make any headway against the beast's natural armour.
Phulax, do you want to redirect your action, since its target is now dead?
Meredith:
"Somebody help out? I'm a scholar, not a slasher!"
thuryl:
I don't want to penalise players for declaring their actions quickly.
Phulax:
Yeah, redirect against plain Bearbat that is menacing Mer.
thuryl:
OK. Enemy's turn.
Meredith's bearbat takes a swing at her, but finds itself teleported into position to strike the other bearbat instead. Its claws tear deeply into the beast's flank, and the target collapses from pain and shock.
Party's turn~
Lephista:
I advance on the last bearbat and attack it.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 5
Jarrox:
I charge the last bearbat.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 13
Meredith:
I attack too.
thuryl:
Lephista's swing chips a bit of bone off the bearbat's back, but Jarrox is more successful, cutting deeply into its body.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 3
thuryl:
Meredith once again jabs ineffectually at the bearbat.
Dyen:
I punch again.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 2
thuryl:
Dyen bruises his fist slightly on the creature's back.
Phulax:
I bomb the last creature with a nearby rock.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 9
thuryl:
Phulax manages to drop a rock on the last bearbat's head. It staggers, but does not fall.
Enemy turn.
Phulax:
"Gravity is my ally. Sometimes it's not a very aggressive ally, though."
"But it always works."
thuryl:
Surrounded, the bearbat attempts to let out an ear-piercing screech, but is too weak to do more than seriously annoy the party.
Party turn.
Meredith:
ATTACK!
Jarrox:
Choppy
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 8
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 4
Meredith:
(meh)
Phulax:
...
Lephista:
Lephista CHOP!
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
!!!
thuryl:
Lephista neatly beheads the bearbat and is invigorated by the force of her own attack, regaining 1 stamina.
End combat, again.
Lephista:
***Lephista gains 1 stamina.***
Phulax:
"Anyone need healing?"
Lephista:
"Rreargh!"
FA on Jarrox. Take 10.
Jarrox:
"Whoa, Lephista is a true warrior."
Meredith:
"I'll live, but thanks."
Phulax:
"Nicely done, Lephista! That's was fierce."
Meredith:
"And nice work."
Lephista:
"It was necessary."
Meredith:
I search the two nearby trees for more magical fruits.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 11
Phulax:
I administer FA to Lephista.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 12
Dyen:
"Jarrox, do we need to take your axe again?"
Phulax:
(I am allowed an FA after this fight, correct?)
Jarrox:
I dig in my pack and pull out a stamina potion and pass it to Lephista. "You truly made me proud today."
Lephista:
(You are allowed, but nobody took damage in it except Jarrox, and I think my FA will heal it all.)
Lephista:
"Uh, thanks, I guess." I take it.
"But I'm mostly a healer, you know."
thuryl:
Meredith finds one more ripe healing fruit, while Jarrox recovers 6 HP.
Jarrox:
***Jarrox is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
Meredith:
"Lets move before Jarrox leads us into another pointless fight."
Jarrox:
"Warriors are called many things Lephista." I smile, and slip my axe back into its place on my belt.
Meredith:
"Yes, often that thing is "stupid", huh, Jarrox?"
Lephista:
I drink my stamina potion. :P
Lephista:
Also, I search for more healing fruit as we walk. Perception:
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 18
thuryl:
OK, Lephista drinks one of Jarrox's stamina potions and feels refreshed.
Lephista:
***Lephista gains 3 stamina.***
Lephista:
(Correct.)
thuryl:
Lephista finds one more ripe healing fruit, and is pretty sure that's the last one nearby.
Jarrox:
I follow the others.
Phulax:
I pause to look for anything interesting or dangerous.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 17
thuryl:
She also hears more snuffling and digging to the east.
Lephista:
"Shh!"
Lephista:
"Let's go around this time."
thuryl:
Phulax hears the same, but to the south, since he's... well, where he is.
Phulax:
I try to be very natural and unnoticable (nature roll)
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
thuryl:
Phulax does his best impression of a tree. It isn't very good, but he's far enough away from the bearbats that they don't seem to be alerted.
Jarrox:
I go around.
Phulax:
I'm moving very slowly... like a walking tree.
thuryl:
OK. So the whole party's going to be sneaking around to the north?
Lephista:
I certainly am.
Jarrox:
I'm trying to at least.
Meredith:
Umhmm
thuryl:
Meredith and Dyen, going to need Stealth rolls from you two.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 18
Phulax:
"Being a tree is kind of fun!" I mutter to myself.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 7
thuryl:
Meredith and Dyen come perilously close to the bearbats, but manage to creep past without attracting their attention.
thuryl:
(Good thing both of you are trained in Stealth.)
Phulax:
Seeing what appears to be a new tunnel, I pause, and watch / listen for the others to catch up, and for any signs of danger ahead.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 8
Lephista:
I listen, too.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 15
thuryl:
Phulax and Lephista notice immediately that the rich soil of the forest has abruptly given way to hard rock. There's a musty smell in the air, and Lephista notices that the ground seems oddly warm.
Phulax:
"Everyone done playing tree now?" I whisper.
Lephista:
"Jarrox is almost here."
Meredith:
"Although we'd probably be better if he never caught up with us."
thuryl:
So you guys are continuing into the cave?
Phulax:
"We can't abandon him to the bearbats now, though." I pause to wait for Jarrox.
Lephista:
"I promised Skrass I'd watch out for him."
Lephista:
Yes, I am.
thuryl:
I'm going to need a roll from Lephista.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 10
Meredith:
"We all made promises. Mine requires me to make it to the altar and help these people. Jarrox is going to hinder that. Let's move on."
thuryl:
The light of Lephista's torch seems unstable: it's flaring up alarmingly and then nearly going out.
Phulax:
"Is it supposed to do that?" I gesture at the torch.
Phulax:
I look around for a cause of the torch's behavior.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
...
Lephista:
"Watch out. I bet there's gas down here."
Meredith:
(!)
"Hot air, maybe."
thuryl:
Phulax realises that the smell in the air reminds him distinctly of coal dust.
Meredith:
I fix Jarrox with my gaze.
Lephista:
I cast Mystic Avian, and summon a canary. :P
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 10
thuryl:
Lephista summons a small canary. It perches on her shoulder.
Phulax:
"Coal. There's coal here. That torch could be a liabilty..."
Lephista:
"Coal isn't explosive."
Phulax:
"But it's burny."
Lephista:
"Well, that's a smaller risk than trying to find our way in the dark, right?"
Meredith:
"So then please be sure not to stick your torch into the walls and hold it there long enough for the coal to ignite..."
thuryl:
The rest of the party has magical lights.
Lephista:
All of them? Oh.
Lephista:
I put out my torch.
Phulax:
(We do?)
thuryl:
Well, Jarrox has a sunrod.
thuryl:
Phulax has a lantern, which is also burning somewhat unsteadily, but less so than Lephista's torch.
Lephista:
Hmm. I'll put it out anyway.
Phulax:
I look around. "North or south, comrades?"
Meredith:
"North. That's the way we've been heading so far."
thuryl:
OK. Lephista puts out her torch. Phulax, are you leaving your lantern on or putting it out and letting the party rely on Jarrox's sunrod?
Phulax:
"Could your little canary scout to the south for us before we go on?"
Meredith:
(DO NOT RELY ON JARROX)
Phulax:
Because the lantern's flame is contained and less likely to set random things on fire, I continue to use it for now.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 19
Lephista:
"Sure. Canary, go south, look around, and report."
thuryl:
Lephista's canary flies off to the south.
Lephista:
"If it never returns, then we know the air to the south is deadly."
thuryl:
(You know, it can't actually talk.)
(I mean, the limit of the information you will get from it is "comes back/doesn't come back".)
Phulax:
I go glance southward a bit.
Lephista:
(Well, that's my main interest here. :P)
Jarrox:
I pull out a day ration and munch on it.
Phulax:
Can I see any signs of tracks?
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
thuryl:
The party continues to explore. After a minute or two, the canary returns, seeming to still be in reasonable health.
Phulax doesn't notice any recent tracks other than the party's.
Lephista:
"Okay, south is safe. Now, canary, north!"
thuryl:
Okay. Is the rest of the party doing anything in particular while they wait for the canary to come back?
Meredith:
I'll look for any humanoid tracks.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 13
Jarrox:
"Munch, munch, munch."
thuryl:
Lephista's canary comes back, still seeming healthy. Phulax, I'm going to need a roll.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 3
Phulax:
...
(Not good)
Meredith:
"Wait. Where did the others go, Dyen?"
Lephista:
(Southeast.)
Phulax:
Phulax has a bad feeling about this.
Dyen:
"So much for heading north."
thuryl:
While the gases in the cave are not lethal, they're certainly flammable. Phulax's lantern flame triggers a small firedamp explosion, scorching him for 5 damage and shaking rocks loose from the walls and ceiling.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 5 hit points.***
Lephista:
"Gah!" I rush forward and perform First Aid on him.
Phulax:
"Oops!"
Lephista:
Take 10.
Meredith:
"Yes. Well, what do I know, I'm only the most intelligent person here."
thuryl:
Lephista treats Phulax's wounds and manages to mitigate the effects of his burns.
Dyen:
"Jarrox, you have the only light now. Want to lead the way?"
Phulax:
***Phulax is healed and gains 3 hit points.***
Phulax:
I try to FA myself as well.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
thuryl:
Phulax's burns are about as treated as they're going to get, short of magic.
I'm assuming Phulax doesn't want to try relighting his lantern.
Phulax:
I move away from my current spot, then try relighting the lantern.
Lephista:
"Phulax, before your light exploded, did you see that thing to our south?"
thuryl:
You sure? OK.
Phulax relights his lantern. It doesn't immediately cause another explosion.
Lephista:
I get away from Phulax anyway. :P
Phulax:
"Thing... umm... no. Was it a probably-trying-kill-us thing, or a oh-that-is-interesting-thing?"
Lephista:
I search it to find out. :P
thuryl:
OK, roll it.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 16
Meredith:
"A thing? I TOLD you we should have headed north. Sweet merciful Mariona."
Phulax:
I look around for hints of where the coal and gases and might be most concentrated.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 12
thuryl:
Working at the edge of Phulax's lantern light, Lephista spots a goblin corpse, mummified by the dry cave air. It's at the edge of some kind of a pit or hole in the ground, and seems to have some burns on it.
Lephista:
A normal goblin?
thuryl:
Phulax sniffs around and comes to the conclusion that there's flammable gas all over the place. Staying here with open flames around is probably going to be risky no matter where exactly he stands.
Well, it doesn't appear to be a mutant goblin or anything.
Lephista:
How long has it been dead?
thuryl:
It's not armed or armoured, although the torn and decayed remains of a backpack lie beside it. The body must have been down here for a long time to dry out so thoroughly -- probably months, at the very least.
Lephista:
Fascinating. I search the backpack.
thuryl:
There's some old rope and rusted climbing spikes inside, along with some scraps of thick brown paper that might once have been used to wrap up something, and an old leather pouch full of silver coins.
Phulax:
"How in the world did an ordinary goblin get here?"
Phulax:
I cast Gatesense.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 14
thuryl:
Phulax has no clue.
Lephista:
I take everything.
thuryl:
Lephista counts the coins and finds there are 19 of them. She eagerly stuffs the pouch in her pack, along with everything else that isn't too decayed to be potentially useful.
Jarrox:
I follow the others picking my path carfuly.
Phulax:
"What about that funny pit?"
I look at the pit.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 6
Lephista:
"Hmm. Could be interesting, I guess."
Meredith:
I peer into it too.
Phulax:
(Phulax cannot see the pit)
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 16
Lephista:
(Watch out, it might peer back.)
Meredith:
(haha, nice)
(though wasn't that the abyss?)
thuryl:
The walls of the pit have been dug into the rock with care, and it's filled with sticks and dry straw.
Lephista:
(I'm guessing you could also translate it as "pit." :P)
Phulax:
I back away.
Phulax:
"Should we go back north now?"
Meredith:
"Guys... This pit..."
Phulax:
"Yes, Mer?"
Lephista:
"Yeah?"
Meredith:
"Sometimes, worshippers of Liea used to make them, and light them on fire as a sign of worship and devotion to Her."
"It'd explain the sticks and straw. I think we should light it."
Lephista:
"Hmm. Maybe this is one of those tests the king mentioned."
"But isn't the air down here explosive?"
Phulax:
"If you say so." I douse my lantern, to avoid any accidents.
Meredith:
"Wouldn't a fire burn the explosive gasses in a controlled way?"
thuryl:
Phulax extinguishes his lantern.
Phulax:
"Perhaps that's why it's a test? A test of trust in Liea, perhaps?"
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 1
Lephista:
"Even so, whoever lit the thing would be at the center."
Dyen:
"You could always throw it."
Meredith:
"Then pass me a torch."
Lephista:
"I'll do it. You guys get clear."
thuryl:
Jarrox, wandering around muttering to himself about Liea, trips and falls into the pit. His fall is partially broken by the straw, but he's still bruised.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 2 hit points.***
Phulax:
I pull Jarrox out of the pit and dress his bruises.
Meredith:
"I'm staying with you. The only way I'll see what happens is by observing."
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
Lephista:
(Has Rowen said anything recently? Because if so I'm not seeing it.)
Meredith:
"...once we get the oaf out."
thuryl:
(He IMed me with an action, and then rolled.)
(BTW guys, unless you want to do something secretly without the rest of the party knowing, I much prefer actions in chat.)
Lephista:
I help pull Jarrox out. FA, take 10.
Phulax:
(I need to remember this taking 10 thing more.)
Meredith:
(I make a list of the order in which I kill the rest of my party.)
thuryl:
Lephista lowers the old rope and raises Jarrox out of the pit. Unfortunately, she's already used her first aid on Phulax, and this still counts as the same encounter.
Phulax:
(What???)
Lephista:
(Eh, I guess that's fair.)
Phulax:
(Can I try FA?)
Jarrox:
"Thanks." I mutter and wander off.
thuryl:
(You already tried it too. You got a 4.)
Lephista:
"Jarrox, Phulax, Dyen, you guys make some distance. Mer and I are about to do something stupid.)
Phulax:
I step back a respectful distance, but am too curious to get all the way back.
Meredith:
"I would like to do the deed, Lephista, if I may?"
Lephista:
"Sure."
Lephista:
I hand Meredith my torch.
Meredith:
Nodding, I move forward, and drop it into the pit, aiming at the straw lining the sides.
thuryl:
You're going to drop it into the pit unlit, or light it first and drop it in?
Phulax:
(Hahaha!)
Meredith:
Oh, i thought it was lit. My bad.
thuryl:
(She extinguished it, but Jarrox has flint and tinder.)
Phulax:
(I have flint and steel)
Lephista:
"Allow me." I breathe a small puff of flame onto the torch.
thuryl:
I just want to make everyone's actions very clear.
Meredith:
"Thank you."
Lephista:
(I'm a dragonborn, fools. :P)
thuryl:
Okay. Meredith and Lephista, I'll need rolls from both of you.
Meredith:
Once the torch is lit I'll drop it into the pit.
Phulax:
(So am I, I just forget we can breath fire)
Lephista:
"Now, everyone stand back."
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 1
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 7
Phulax:
...
Liea will NOT be happy.
Meredith:
(this has been a screwy session for dice)
thuryl:
A bright light flares in the near-total darkness as Lephista lights the torch. Meredith was holding it a little too high, and burns her fingers as the pitch ignites. She yelps and drops the torch at her feet, where it promptly triggers an explosion, scorching Lephista and badly burning Meredith. Somehow, the pit remains unlit.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 6 hit points.***
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 1 hit points.***
Phulax:
...
Dyen:
"Brilliant, you two."
Phulax:
(Can I do anything to help them?)
Meredith:
"Thanks."
Phulax:
"Oh dear."
Meredith:
I'll eat one of my fruits.
thuryl:
You could teleport the still-smouldering torch into the pit, I guess.
Phulax:
I warp the torch to the pit.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 16
Meredith:
***Meredith is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
thuryl:
Meredith eats another fruit, and feels like she'd never been burned in the first place. Meanwhile, Phulax teleports the torch into the pit, which quickly begins to catch alight.
Lephista:
I bow my head in reverence.
Phulax:
I kneel respectfully.
Phulax:
And watch to see if the fire does anything.
thuryl:
It burns. Rolls from everyone, please.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 1
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
Phulax:
...
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 4
Phulax:
Sigh.
Jarrox:
(Me too?)
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 14
thuryl:
(If you want.)
Jarrox:
(Best not to roll unless I have to.)
thuryl:
Phulax kneels a little too close to the flames, and burns his face slightly. Meredith thinks she can hear some kind of hissing noise, like rushing water or steam, from somewhere below.
Meredith:
(you're learning!)
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 hit points.***
Meredith:
"Huh. I can hear some kind of hissing. Like steam."
Lephista:
"Hmm. Is that dangerous?"
Meredith:
If it hasn't hurt us yet, I'd say no. Maybe the lower tunnels are now clear of explosive gasses?"
Phulax:
"Should we go on?"
Lephista:
"Yes, let's."
Phulax:
"North or east?"
Lephista:
"I say east."
Meredith:
I take a moment with my head bowed at the burning pit, before following the group, noting the presence of the pit on a sheet of paper.
thuryl:
By the way, since you're not in combat, you don't have to measure your moves. You can all move around freely for now.
Also, you should probably either stay with Jarrox or light a light, lest you run into a wall.
Phulax:
I try to relight my lantern.
But I get away from else before I do.
Dyen:
Do I have anything to light?
Lephista:
I take cover while he does that.
thuryl:
Phulax phulights his phulantern.
Dyen does not.
Phulax:
Probably phulish of me, but I try.
Meredith:
(ouch)
thuryl:
Well, it hasn't immediately started another explosion.
Meredith:
(that was thuryl-esque)
Phulax:
(LOL!)
Phulax:
"These caves are immense!"
Meredith:
(but not as refined)
"If I could just have a week down here, exploring, recording..."
Phulax:
"Hey, there's another pit over here!"
"Meredith, do you want to check it?"
Lephista:
"And another body!"
Dyen:
Perception to search the body.
Lephista:
I search the body.
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 12
Lephista:
(Also, where the hell is Jarrox?)
thuryl:
The body is in a similar condition to the previous one, but a little more badly burnt. There don't appear to be any notable possessions on its person.
Phulax:
"You suppose we need to light this one too?"
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 6
Meredith:
"Yes."
Dyen:
"Might as well."
Lephista:
"Might as well. Shall I do it this time?"
Meredith:
"I'll do it again. You should all stand back."
thuryl:
Everyone but Jarrox, roll Perception.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 5
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 16
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 18
thuryl:
Meredith, Phulax and Dyen hear an almighty "foom" from somewhere in the northwest.
"Did you hear that?"
Phulax:
"That was a very impressive...'FOOM' sound, methinks."
Lephista:
"No. What was it?"
Meredith:
"Loud. Foomy."
Phulax:
"To the northwest."
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 1 hit points.***
Dyen:
"Let's light this quickly and then head over to check it out."
Lephista:
"I'll go now."
Meredith:
"I'd hazard to guess that somebody else is lighting these pits."
Phulax:
"Okay." I make sure to be safely away from pit when Meredith lights it.
Lephista:
"Hmm. I forgot I can't see on my own. Hurry up and light it."
Meredith:
(Do I still have a torch?)
thuryl:
(Did you ever have one?)
Meredith:
(No)
I hold a sheet of paper out, and motion for Leph to breathe on it.
Phulax:
I try to teleport a good stick up from the pit to beside Meredith.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
thuryl:
Phulax teleports a stick and a handful of dry straw up to the edge of the pit.
Phulax:
"Behold! A stick."
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 16
Lephista:
Can I take 10 on lighting the stick non-explosively? :P
Meredith:
Please?
Phulax:
(Ahahahaha!)
(It's a good thing Kurex isn't here.)
thuryl:
The party hears another foom, this one from the north.
Phulax:
"Fum fum fum... sounds like a song..."
Lephista:
That was an actual question.
thuryl:
Lephista successfully breathes out a small puff of flame and lights the stick.
Lephista:
Ah, there we go. I pick it up carefully and hand it to Mer.
thuryl:
Somebody will still need to roll to actually put it in the pit, though.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
Meredith:
(phew)
Phulax:
(Indeed)
thuryl:
Meredith masterfully ignites the pit, and soon it's burning merrily.
Meredith:
"To the north, to find the cause of these "fooms"?"
Phulax:
(Does anything else happen?)
Dyen:
"Phulax, lead the way north."
thuryl:
The hissing noise from below you seems to be getting louder. Everyone can hear it now.
Phulax:
I check the standard dead goblin here.
(roll?)
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 6
Jarrox:
"Whoa, there you all are."
Meredith:
"I feel we've missed something down here..."
thuryl:
The party arrives just in time to watch Jarrox drop a length of burning rope into the pit.
The pit flares up instantly and admirably, scorching his hand slightly.
Phulax:
"Here's another down here!"
Lephista:
"Jarrox, what have you been up to?"
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 1 hit points.***
Phulax:
I check the goblin for anything interesting.
Jarrox:
I rub my hand and go to take a swig of ale but stop myself.
Meredith:
"There was a passge to the south we didn't venture down. Maybe there's another there?"
Lephista:
"Could be."
Dyen:
I check one of the bodies around this pit. (Perception)
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 15
Phulax:
"Did anyone ever explore the passages to the north of where we first entered koal cave? We might need to check there, too."
Meredith:
"Somebody pass me a torch then!"
thuryl:
Dyen finds an old bottle of liquid among the corpse's meagre possessions. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to help him much.
Phulax:
I try to teleport up a stick from the nearby pit for Mer.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
thuryl:
Phulax summons another stick.
Phulax:
Then I search the nearby bodies.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 17
Lephista:
I light the stick carefully.
thuryl:
Phulax finds a small cloth pouch with four large, round black seeds in it.
Phulax:
Nature on identifying the seeds.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
thuryl:
Phulax recognises the seeds as from a plant known for its invigorating properties. They should restore a small amount of stamina when chewed.
thuryl:
Lephista ignites the stick.
Meredith:
(Do I have a light source now?)
thuryl:
Well, you have a burning stick.
Phulax:
(LOL!)
I stare.
Meredith:
I wander off to the south
Phulax:
"Aren't you going to light the pit...?"
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 6
thuryl:
The party hears yet another impressive "foom" from the northwest. The hissing below is very loud, now, and seems to be coming from all around you.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 1 hit points.***
Phulax:
I try to warp another stick out of the nearby pit.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 11
thuryl:
Phulax acquires another stick.
Lephista:
I light this one and drop it in myself.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 3
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 6
Phulax:
As Lephista wrenches the stick out of my hands, I flee.
thuryl:
Lephista stands much too close to the pit while lighting it, and a flash of fire catches her full in the face.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 4 hit points.***
Lephista:
Ow.
Are we still on the same encounter as before?
Phulax:
"This is all very strange." I again cast Gatesense.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 5
Phulax:
"Nothing! How did all this get here???"
thuryl:
As the pit is lit, the hissing around you rises to almost deafening levels and then seems to localise to somewhere to the south of you.
Phulax still can't sense any particular portals.
Phulax:
"Lephista, where'd everyone go?"
Meredith:
I attempt to look around to the south.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 1
Meredith:
(I fail to see Dyen)
Lephista:
"South, I think."
Dyen:
"Boo!"
Lephista:
"Here's Jarrox!"
Jarrox:
"Hiha Lephista."
Lephista:
Can I use FA again yet, or not?
thuryl:
(Not yet.)
Meanwhile, Meredith and Dyen have come to a wide gallery with a floor of igneous rock, glowing a dull red colour from heat. Streams of water pour onto the rock from both sides and quickly evaporate, cooling the rock down.
Phulax:
(I think the entire Koal Cave is one encounter)
thuryl:
The radiant heat is exhausting even from here: Meredith's stamina is beginning to fail her.
Meredith:
*** Meredith loses 1 stamina.***
Lephista:
Can the rock be crossed, or is it still too hot?
Phulax:
I look for any clues on how to cross safely.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 19
thuryl:
As you all move in closer, you see that the water is streaming in from seven large holes in the cave walls to the sides.
The rock has cooled down enough that Phulax thinks it would be possible to run across it quickly, although it might be painful.
Meredith:
"How many pits did we light?"
Lephista:
I eat my healing fruit.
Phulax:
"We lit all seven pits, right?"
Lephista:
***Lephista is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
Dyen:
"Well, I guess there's nothing else for it. Can I get a light?"
Lephista:
"I think so."
Phulax:
"Well, here we go." I try to run across the hot stuff. (Roll?)
thuryl:
Yup.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 5
Phulax:
...
Phulax:
(At least I won't die...)
Meredith:
(you hope)
thuryl:
Phulax loses his nerve as he runs across, and hesitates long enough to be burnt by the rock and scalded by the steam. He does manage to get across in one piece, though.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 2 hit points.***
Phulax:
"Ah ah ah ah ah!"
Dyen:
I follow Phulax.
Meredith:
I, sensing that it's possible to cross, attempt to do so.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 12
Phulax:
"Whewwwww..."
* Dyen rolls: 1d20 => 13
Lephista:
"That didn't look so bad." I spring across.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 2
thuryl:
Meredith and Dyen run across quickly. The heat is almost unbearable, but they get through it without actual injury.
Lephista:
(gods damn it)
Meredith:
"Are you sure you lit all 7 pyres?"
thuryl:
Lephista finds herself too flat-footed to complete the crossing quickly and safely, and ends up with some significant burns.
Lephista:
*** Lephista loses 4 hit points.***
thuryl:
She does, however, get across. Only Jarrox remains on the other side.
Meredith:
I give Lephista one of my fruits.
Jarrox:
I sit down and wait for more water to cool the lava off.
Lephista:
I eat it.
thuryl:
The rock continues to cool down as water streams across it. The water pressure seems to be declining.
Meanwhile, Lephista snacks on another fruit.
Lephista:
***Lephista is healed and gains 6 hit points.***
Phulax:
"Anyone else still have extra fruit they'd like to share with me?"
Lephista:
"Come on, Jarrox! It's much less dangerous than most of the stuff you do!"
Jarrox:
Can I cross now wit out needing a roll?
Phulax:
"You can do this, Jarrox! It's just a bunch of rocks! Run Jarrox, run!"
thuryl:
You could take 10, but that doesn't guarantee you won't take damage.
Meredith:
"If you're that scared, go and make sure all the pits are lit before crossing."
Jarrox:
I go to take a swig from my ale skin, look at it and put it back without drinking and start to run across.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 17
Meredith:
I also hand my last fruit to Phulax, somewhat reluctantly.
thuryl:
Jarrox charges headlong across the hot rocks, barely seeming to feel the heat.
Phulax:
"Thank you, Meredith!!!" I eagerly eat the fruit.
Lephista:
I descend the stairs with Dyen.
Meredith:
"You owe me. Do not forget it."
Phulax:
"I'll do my best."
thuryl:
You have all crossed safely. Ahead of you, a stone stairway carved into the rock leads to the south, burrowing even further down beneath the City of Hope.
From somewhere ahead of you, you can hear a cacophony of clanking and grinding noises.
End session.