Dark's Age of Worms IC

[Othniel]

Corinne

Not pausing her song to curse, Corinne hacked away at the sticky tanglefoot goop that held her fast.

Spoiler: OOC

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Guess I don't need an attack roll, so just damage: (1d8+3)[10]

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld managed to avoid getting glued to the floor. He growled in frustration as he drew a javelin loose.
"...Why do they even have archers? They're BLIND!"
He hurled the javelin up at the at the grimlock that had been scorched by magical flames.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld will throw a javelin at the one that gut burnt (A1?)

YEET: (1d20+3)[13]
Damage: (1d6+5)[10]

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

*** Earlier, up top... ***

Shaking herself off, Louise eased up onto her feet and looked to Reynauld.

"Well, for a second there, this seemed to work fairly well." She looked to the axe. "But I think I may need to invest in some better armor if I'm going to use this on a regular basis. For the moment, I think I'm going back to my bow."

*** Back in the present... ***

"The world just likes to torment us, I suppose!"

Louise, deciding that the best way to help would be to try and eliminate the archers as soon as possible, drew her bow and fired at the grimlock Cordellia had singed.

Spoiler: Actions

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Use bow to attack G1.

Attack: 18
Damage: 12​

[TheDarkDM]

Assailed from above, the heroes of Diamond Lake leap into action with practiced speed. Simone's magics drag yet another person back from the brink of death, as Corinne's song banishes despair. A barrage of magic and steel leaps up at the first of the Grimlock archers, drawing screeches of pain as black blood falls on the party like rain. In response, the wounded Grimlock reaches into a hidden nook and pulls free another tanglefoot bag, launching it at Louise before collapsing prone and disappearing from view. The grey sludge strikes true, and the factotum is shrouded in webbing even as her attack is returned two-fold. Luck sends one of the Grimlock's grey-fletches arrows wide, but the second strikes true in Louise's abdomen.

Spoiler: OOC

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GA 1 falls out of direct line of sight, and Louise must make a DC 15 Reflex Save against the tanglefoot bag. Louise is then hit for 6 damage.

[Tychris1]

Hair fraying from the withering heat, Cordellia sent another ray of arcane kaleidoscopic flames hurtling towards the lone standing Grimlock, and quickly ran for cover to break line of sight with them. "Come quick!" She gestured with her glowing rapier down the tunnel like a signalwoman on the pier.

Spoiler: SCORCHING RAY Grimlock Archer 2

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KABLAST HIT GA2!:(1d20+7)[13]

SIZZLE CRACK POP DAMAGE:(4d6+2)[16]

Crit?:(1d20+7)[24]

CRIIIIIT:(4d6)[13]

Also move to the space I put myself on the map.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld was pleased to see the party dishing out as well as they were getting, considering their disadvantageous position.
"We'll need to kill them if we're climbing back the way we came!" shouted the crusader as he pulled an alchemist's fire free from his belt.
"We've got them on the ropes! Dawn shall break!"
He hurled the alchemical weapon upward, briefly lighting the shadows with an explosive burst of flames.

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld will toss an alchemist fire at the boy still standing, A2.

Ranged touch: (1d20-1)[8]
Fire damage: (1d6+2)[3]

Still potential for splash damage on a miss. Should it hit the grimlock also lights on fire and takes another 1d6 damage unless they spend a full round action making a DC 15 reflex save to extinguish the flames.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Gritting her teeth, Louise aimed at the second of the archers and tried to plug an arrow through its head.

Spoiler: Attack

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Firing at GA2.

Attack: 18
Damage: 10

[PepperP.]

"That's it Louse, just like that. May Pelor light our path to victory." Simone stood behind the bookish woman and placed her hands on her shoulders, summoning Pelor's strength yet again to heal Louise's fresh wounds.

Spoiler: ooc

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CLW on Louise
(1d8+4)[5]

[Othniel]

Corinne

Once again, Corinne attacked the remains of the tanglefoot bag that held her fast.

Spoiler: OOC

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Damage? (1d8+3)[5]

Still singing, of course.

[TheDarkDM]

While the Grimlock under cover undertakes some new mischief, the remaining archer lets loose another pair of arrows towards Louise. However, luck is on the factotum's side, as both shots go wide.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld fumbled at his belt for another alchemical weapon, banking on the more generous accuracy requirements of such attacks while the glue was impeding his aim.
"Confound this glue!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Reynauld will toss an acid flask at the standing archer boy.

Touch attack: (1d20-1)[12]
Acid damage: (1d6+2)[5]

Possible 1 splash damage on a miss as before.

[Tychris1]

Shuffling out once more from cover Cordellia glanced up to where she remembered the first archer laying down and let off another explosion of flames.

Spoiler: Combat

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Move out from the cave, then Fiery Burst the space where GA1 was located. DC 16 Reflex Save

(2d6)[6] Fire Damage on a Failed Save, Half on Success.

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

Louise, sidestepping the arrow, returned one more volley of her own, intending to put the archer down for good.

Spoiler: Actions

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I believe I'm attacking G2, if I interpret the post right.

Attack: 23
Damage: ​13

[PepperP.]

"Look out!" Simone took cover as she had little that could reach an opponent at range.

[Othniel]

Corinne

Sheathing her sword and drawing her bow, Corinne maintained her position and kept singing.

[TheDarkDM]

The dying Grimlock's cries send echoes reverberating through the cavern as it falls out of sight. Its companion, perhaps driven to madness by the loss of its fellow, rose with a guttural curse and let loose an arrow towards Louise. Once more, the blind marksman finds its mark, as an arrow sprouts from Louise's shoulder.

Spoiler: OOC

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Louise is hit for 6 damage! The party is up.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld could feel the abominable glue beginning to harden and grow brittle. With great effort he drew another javelin from the quiver on his back and did his best to hurl it at the last remaining archer above.
"Ya-AH!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Javelin at a boy: (1d20+3)[20]
Damage: (1d6+5)[11]

[TheDarkDM]

Reynauld's javelin flies true, catching the remaining grimlock in the ribcage. Carried by the crusader's great strength, the barbed missile continues up to emerge from the creature's gurgling throat, showering spittle and blood down on the party even as it props up their foe in a macabre parody of life. Breathing heavily, the foes of the Ebon Triad pause, but no further threats emerge from the surrounding gloom.

Spoiler: OOC

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Victory! Each member of the party gains 240 xp.

Searching the body of the fallen Grimlock Kennel Master, you discover:

1 cloak of grey primate skin (effectively studded leather armor)
1 masterwork battleaxe
1 composite (+3) longbow
20 arrows
5 gp

1 potion of cure light wounds
2 potions of remove fear

[Lord Of Mantas]

Louise

"And a good shot, Reynauld."

Breathing raggedly as she tried to keep a pleasant face through the pain, Louise turned to the others.

"I know the goons at the entrance were a touch... impatient, but all things considered, after what we've had to deal with thus far, I think it might perhaps be in our best interests to retreat temporarily at least? Rest up, gather our strength."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld dusted off the crumbling glue from his armor, free at last. Through the slit in his visor he could see there were still some wounds about; the old ache of a glancing axe wound still barked at the crusader, although he was tough enough to put it at the back of his mind.

"These servants of the Many have certainly given us a rougher welcome than the Hextorites, I'll grant them that. I for one can press on, but such is the nature of a crusader. What of our spell reserves? Miss Cordellia? My lady Simone? I shall not protest if we wish to retreat, but I'd like to retrieve my javelins, and strip those archers of their gear."

Reynauld produced a rope and grappling hook, and moved to where the cavern wall met the lip of the ledge where the archers had been harassing them. If he could secure the hook, a rope with a wall to brace against would prove an easy enough climb.

[TheDarkDM]

After a few test throws, Reynauld manages to secure his grappling hook onto the grimlock archers' stone shelf. Bracing against two opposing cave walls, the ascent proves a simple task for his brawn. Dozens of feet above the cavern floor, the crusader discovers the aftermath of battle - one grimlock lies arrow-stuck and charred on the ground, while the second remains impaled precariously at the edge of the abyss. Across from the makeshift ladder leading up to the former lair of the krenshar and their minder, Reynauld discovers another set of pitons driven into the rock face, leading down towards the elevated passage leading deeper into the cave.

Spoiler: OOC

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Between the two archers, Reynauld discovers:

2 studded leather armor
2 clubs
2 masterwork composite (+2) longbows
80 arrows
2 50 ft. ropes with grappling hooks

3 tanglefoot bags
3 potions of cure light wounds

42 gp

[CockroachTeaParty]

Taking note of the upper passage deeper into the caves, Reynauld grabbed the more valuable items from the dead archers and climbed back down to his companions.

"Well, while we ponder our next move, perhaps we ought climb back up the cliff to where that grimlock was tending those freakish skull-cat... dog... things. We never got the chance to properly search it in our... enthusiasm."

The crusader volunteers to remain below while everyone else climbs up, guarding the others in case of a surprise attack from the unexplored depths.

[Tychris1]

Cordellia sighed as the fight finally ended, placing her hands on her hips to quench the motes of swirling arcane sparks lingering on her gloves, and twisting her face in disgust at the sight of all her hard work being undone in the span of a few seconds. Upturning her nose the magics she had previously put at work were swiftly upon the task once more, swirling fey flames reminiscent of will-o-wisps apparated in brief flares of activity all over her boots and clothing, and as those twinkling phosphorescent motes faded into the ether once more where they clung to was crisply clean of blood and dirt. This pattern repeated itself all the way up her fashionable form leaving Cordellia as groomed as when she first entered the dingy gods forsaken cave and at last her scowl melted into a satiated pert grin. She cast a glance to the side to Simone, at first with a dismissive brow brought upon by pure instinct, and upon a moment of introspection she bobbed her head from side to side in indecision before sucking on her teeth and looking away in regret. The sparkling magics worked once more upon Simone, then Louise, Reynauld, and at last Corinne cleaning all of them and leaving their ensembles in prim condition (save for tears and the scars of battle).

Twirling a finger through the air she shrugged as Reynauld spoke on the matters of magic and the divine. A simpleton's path to victory was easily repeatable and she respected his candor in checking in on those who suggested reality sit down and shut up for a few a quick wine break. "I've barely used any of my extensive repertoire of magical feats. Causing spontaneous combustion and dispersion of heat throughout the confined parameters of my will fixated in space and time is as easily replicable as your thumping metal. So long as I don't overexert myself that is. I've fire enough to spare for a host of freakish kennels but preparing a different spell might be prudent if we return, I've half a mind on a few new tricks actually inspired by this endeavor, and fieldwork is always so surprisingly rewarding in expediting the theoretical processes of Evoking the mind's eye upon the material."

She took the proffered rope first, figuring that in the unlikely event someone doubled back or snuck behind them she would have the easiest time dangling on a rope over the side of the cliff.

[TheDarkDM]

The party cautiously ascends back towards the krenshar's lair, the climb a far simpler task absent arrow fire or howls of supernal terror. Reynauld's vigilance goes unchallenged, and eventually his only companions at the base of the cliff are the foul stench of dead grimlocks and the occasional echo of water dripping down from above. As he ascends, darkness rushes in to swallow the ground below, and eventually the entire party reconvenes. The eastern end of the cave above reveals little on first glance, save for several crude and noisome sleeping mats circled around the ashes of a fire. However, a casual pass by Louise reveals a shallow depression beneath one of the sleeping mats hiding a crude leather pouch. Clacking with the weight of stones, its contents prove to be four agates and a large ruby, the raw stones glittering in the adventurers' light.

Spoiler: OOC

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You discover:

4 Agates worth 50 gp each
1 Ruby worth 200 gp

[Tychris1]

"Oh gems, wonderful. Nothing quite like the twinkle of finely polished stone. Let's head back to the sanctum of War and Conquest and chart our next move, yes?" She looked to the others as if to poll their approval but was quick to assume acceptance and began walking. Cordellia looked her glowing rapier over once or twice as they left the Caves of Erythnuul's Savages and glanced to Reynauld in between those stolen glimpses at her weapon. "You know, about that whole running away thing..." She puckered her lips in thought before quickly releasing and clicking her tongue "Actually nevermind. I've been thinking something over watching you fight, it almost reminds me of my aunt, this was her old rapier I'll have you know, and she was the finest duellist I had ever seen growing up. I'll trance on those old displays some more before we return, but I think I have some suggestions for your footing, and we've been doing close quarters near back to back enough that I feel comfortable going over some tactical notes."

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld let Cordellia prattle on, not certain what she was talking about, but that was relatively normal for her. The crusader secured the various bows and other heavier pieces of loot to the straps on his pack as he began to march back out of the winding caves.
"We haven't camped together like this since that abandoned building outside the Whispering Cairn. I've brought extra rations if anyone needs them. If we pick a room in the Hextorite base with only one exit, and set a good watch rotation, I don't foresee too much trouble, and we won't have to pester Smenk's goons again."

Once the party returned to the now-cleared Hextor section of the dungeon, Reynauld took the time to drag any remaining corpses away from where they would make their camp, so that the smell wouldn't bother them. Not requiring a great deal of rest himself, he volunteered for first watch.

[TheDarkDM]

Wary of any ambushes that might await on the path to the Hextorite compound, the party is pleasantly surprised when no further monstrosities emerge from the darkness. Quickly ensconcing themselves in the furthest suite of apartments that once served Theldrick, five adventurers settle into a well-earned rest. It is impossible to distinguish day from night so far below the surface, but a few earnest hymns to Pelor seem to summon images of the summer sun all the same. As the hours pass, you reflect on the increasingly strange series of events that has seen you move from exploring a tomb that miraculously still contained a modicum of treasure to hunting down and destroying a cult at the heart of Diamond Lake. Pain and hardship has dogged your steps, true, but never greater than the deeds you have accomplished in spite of the town's unseemly reputation.

Spoiler: OOC

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You rest uninterrupted, and reach Level 4!

[Tychris1]

Finished flipping through her spellbook, Cordellia tucked her feet into her leather boots, and stood with blade drawn. "Well, let's get on then, those monsters aren't going to burn themselves. Shall we go down the path those archers were guarding? Just to make sure nothing else comes dropping down unexpectedly with a zealot's murderous lust?" She rubbed the spot on her upper torso where an arrow had so recently blemished her skin with unsightly blood, as brief as it may be, and now was sunkissed with vitaly from the powers of Simone.

[CockroachTeaParty]

Reynauld was up early, doing light exercise and practicing his maneuvers. He had cleared some room in his repertoire, and had begun drills on a new maneuver inspired by Mountain Hammer. By the time the group was ready to proceed, he felt he had it mastered.

"I concur, Miss Cordellia, it's always beneficial to keep the high ground if possible. It was an easy enough climb with the proper ropes in place and that wall to brace against."

Once the party had returned to the caves of Erythnul, Reynauld activated another sunrod, secured it in his belt, and led the march back to the strange cavern where the snipers had ambushed them, seeking to secure a rope and climb up to the hidden ledge.

[Tychris1]

Stepping behind Reynauld as they returned to the Erythnuul Slum, Cordellia tapped Simone on the shoulder, and looked at the Pelorite with surprisingly soft eyes "May I touch that mystical artifact you have claimed for your God? I wish to show your guard something." Waiting for confirmation she thumbed the front of the circlet and lifted it partially off of her skin with a gloved pointer finger. Cordellia shut her eyes for a brief moment, putting one foot in front of the other in a fencer's stance, and upon straightening her back and lining her shoulders she stuck her free hand out while simultaneously opening her eyes. Sparks shone in that empty void, the scraping of a thousand swords against each other, the low muffled sound of trumpets escaping her throat, and a cape of stars twinkled transiently into existence off of her back before fading with kaleidoscopic colors. When her hand rest upon the Crusader's pauldron he felt the same surge that broke from the Wizard's unfettered spirit pour into his soul and a fire burned within.

Releasing the magical accessory she smiled and began to incant a layer of armor over herself and wiped her hands over her blade to usher forth magical light.

Spoiler: Spells

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Cast Light, Mage Armor, and then HEROICS upon Reynauld giving him Martial Study.