Ain't Nothin' But a Hound-Dog

Chat log started at 3.8.2007 / 18:41:45
Geyer: That creepy thing say somethin' about a chamber of riches?
Sonadora: What was that?
Sonadora peers into the darkness suspiciously.
Geyer: Someone should check out that island.
Sonadora: I didn't like the sound of the whirlpool of death myself....I've changed my vote. Arphaxad can go over alone.
Ranja peers toward the island.
Geyer: Sounds good to me, lass. Feel like wading, wizard?
Arphaxad: Fair enough - but perhaps I should take someone else with me? Warrior?
Geyer: If that pool's deeper 'an it looks, I'll sink and drown before I get my armor off.
Ranja: Can anyone see... does it look like there's something written on that plaque?
Ranja begins to look excited at the thought of previously-unknown writing.
Sonadora turns to Ranja and shrugs.
Sonadora: Chicken scratch?
Ranja: Ooh, i wish I could see what it says, but I'm not a very strong swimmer...
Arphaxad strides forward and feels for the depth of the pool using his staff.
Arphaxad: No, it appears rather shallow. A foot or so at most.
Sonadora agrees with Ranja. "I'm not so strong myself."
Arphaxad: Unless you're all worried you'll drown while wading?
Geyer: Aye, then I'll come too. You lead, lest it drop off.
Sonadora: Looks can be deceiving.
Arphaxad nods.
Ranja beams and hurries to the edge of the pool. She gathers up the hems of her clothing, and prepares to follow Arphaxad across.
Arphaxad looks a bit abashed as he follows suit, removing his boots and lifting his robes above water level.
Arphaxad: Hmph.
Sonadora sighs and grumbles, following the group and motioning for Vida to follow along.
The plaque in the center of the island has rusted over, making any words that may have been found on it impossible to read. You notice the cloud of dust that had taken the form of the miner rise and settle in the blink of an eye.
Vida keeps his nose above water level as he sloshes through the pool.
Arphaxad: Well... nothing... too amazing about this plaque...
Sonadora mutters about the water being cold and, of course, wet, therefore making her cold, and of course, wet.
Arphaxad waves his staff over the plaque, seeing if it reacts in any way.
Ranja looks disappointed about the rusted over plaque.
Ranja: I can't read a thing on it!
Arphaxad: What was it that specter said?
Geyer makes squishy sounds by stomping about in his wet boots.
Sonadora searches the ground where the miner vanished.
Sonadora: Search [1d20+1 = 12]
Geyer: Somethin' about a Black Hound, and riches. Oh - and whirlpools.
GM: Nothing of note on that search through the area.
Arphaxad: I suppose the Black Hound is some sort of metaphor?
Ranja ponders.
Arphaxad: Hmm, I don't know that I like thinking that I may be inside a hound right now...
Sonadora points at the water.
Sonadora: The grave of tears?
Arphaxad ponder.
Geyer: Maybe we should offer the hunter's hound to the spirit?
Sonadora gawks at Geyer as if he grew another head when they'd reached the island.
Geyer: Possibly in exchange for them riches it mentioned.
Sonadora glares and rolls her quarterstaff in her hand for good measure.
Sonadora kneels down slowly, still glaring at Geyer and muttering about vile acts of torture under her breath while she continues to search around.
Ranja: Perhaps the Black Hound refers to some sort of clan? Or a god they worship?
Arphaxad: Knowledge: Religion [1d20+7 = 15] (I cheated a bit here since I was NPCing Arphaxad. I didn't want me to be the one to divulge information!)
Arphaxad: Hmm, I'm afraid I don't know of any "Black Hound" cults... not in the books I've read, anyways.
Sonadora: Knowledge (Nature) [1d20+3 = 5]
Ranja ponders.
Ranja: Knowledge (Arcana) [1d20+5 = 13]
Ranja: Knowledge: Religion [1d20+4 = 11]
Geyer: Knowledge: History [1d20+1 = 19]
GM: Well, as far as Nature, the Black Hound could be referring to a Black Hound. Nothing else of note with that kinda knowledge check *grin*.
GM: Arcane... no, nothing is yielded there either.
GM: Religion... you remember once reading about a Black Hound in a book of Halfling religious practices... but that's about all you've got.
GM: And History, you recall once hearing a Halfling Gladiator recall a story of mines in the mountains, about a hundred years ago.
Geyer: Hmmm...Black Hound has somethin' to do with a legend 'bout a mine I heard of once. Guess this is the mine.
Ranja glances at Geyer.
Sonadora winces.
Geyer: Supposed to be about a hundred years old, but this place seems older 'an that.
Geyer: Wish I could remember more, but Squib got ate by a Gnoll 'fore he could finish telling it to me.
Ranja: Odd, I recall reading somewhere about a Black Hound in a book of Halfling religious practices...
Ranja looks around at the cavern.
Arphaxad: Oh, hmm...
Arphaxad reaches into his robes and pulls out the horn you found earlier among the miner's accoutrements.
Sonadora: Are you gonna blow that thing?
The brass horn is simple and, despite some rust, seems to be of fine quality. The metal curls slightly, creating the appearance of a literal horn, and the sound-producing end has been shaped into the open maw of a vicious looking hound.
Arphaxad: Well, I don't know if that would be... ahem... a sound idea.
Arphaxad chuckles softly to himself.
Ranja snickers.
Arphaxad: But it is an interesting coincidence that it is in the shape of a hound.
Arphaxad: If indeed a coincidence it be.
Sonadora: Because it wouldn't surprise me if that thing ends up either bringing the tunnel down on us or unearthing something terrible.
Sonadora sighs.
Arphaxad holds the horn up to the light and looks inside.
Arphaxad: Oh, well... we know it's not magical.
Arphaxad: Neither of us sensed it when we endeavored to detect magics in the area.
Sonadora: Maybe it's like a giant whistle?
Arphaxad: The spirit wanted us to do something... you think it had to do with blowing this horn?
Geyer: Aye, but what sort of dog might come to it's call?
Sonadora: A big, black hound of death.
Ranja: Do you think we should blow it and find out?
Geyer: Not in a watery, dead end chamber with our backs to a wall, I don't.
Arphaxad shivers.
Ranja glances from Sonadora to Vida to the hound.
Ranja: But.... you like dogs.
Arphaxad glances at the hound.
Arphaxad: We could drown the hound first, and then blow the horn?
Arphaxad: In case?
Ranja frowns.
Ranja: Why would we do that?
Sonadora: Please don't make me kill you. I don't like the blood.
Arphaxad: In case it becomes a big black hound of death?
Arphaxad sighs.
Geyer: Well, if we blow the horn and that pup turns into a demon hound, I think the wizard would get to say he told ya so.
Arphaxad: I guess not. But don't blame me if it eats your gizzard after someone blows this horn.
Arphaxad nods to Geyer.
Sonadora: In that case, I will kill it myself.
Arphaxad holds the horn out to Sonadora.
Arphaxad: Blowing this might be the best way to find out, then.
Arphaxad grins.
Ranja shivers.
Geyer: Again...not in a dead end tunnel.
Sonadora puts the hound down and folds her arms.
Geyer: If we think this might spur a fight we should have an out, eh?
Ranja: Should we go back to the entrance?
Sonadora: We're on an island. Couldn't we just run back across. Our boots are already wet.
Arphaxad: Then too, given the fact that we know there's some ghostly activity here, it's possible the horn won't have an effect elsewhere.
Ranja frowns.
Geyer sighs, and then wades back over to the other side.
Ranja: I say we blow it. I must admit, I'm anxious to find out what happens.
Geyer: Well, at least let me set up a perimeter.
Geyer draws sword and shield and places himself squarely in front of the only entrance.
Arphaxad: Will it take too long? The longer we wait, the further away that townsperson gets.
Arphaxad: Oh, that sort of perimeter.
Arphaxad nods.
Sonadora sighs and flippantly waves her hand at Arphaxad.
Geyer: Aye, then.
Sonadora: Proceed.
Ranja holds her breath.
Arphaxad holds the horn out to Sonadora.
Sonadora blinks.
Sonadora: Hey, this was your idea.
Arphaxad: I said we should drown the hound, no way I'm going to blow it. And *you* said we should blow the horn.
Sonadora glares and snatches the horn from Arphaxad.
Arphaxad nods.
Arphaxad steps back to the edge of the island.
Sonadora: For the record, I did not.
Ranja squeezes her eyes shut.
Sonadora fidgets and looking a bit worried, also closes her eyes and timidly blows the horn.
Toot!
Arphaxad: I think you may need to put a little more lung into it...
Arphaxad: I could barely hear that.
Sonadora glares at Arphaxad.
Sonadora: If you have a problem with the way I am blowing the horn then maybe you should do it?
Sonadora offers him the horn.
Arphaxad holds up his hands in a conciliatory manner.
Ranja: Goodness, I'll do it! Give me that thing!
Arphaxad: Sorry, sorry... maybe less timidly next time.
Sonadora continues glaring at Arphaxad, blows the horn angrily in his direction.
The horn resounds throughout the mines, small rocks and pebbles *plink*ing into the pool, and you can just imagine that everyone and everything inside the mines probably heard you.
Ranja starts at the sudden noise.
Arphaxad steps backwards, holding his hands over his ears!
Arphaxad: Oowwww.
Geyer: Well, THAT'S done it then.
Ranja pokes a finger into one ear, then the other.
Sonadora drops the horn and backs away from it, holding her quarterstaff ready.
Arphaxad looks around cautiously.
Ranja: Mercy, that was louder than I thought it'd be...
Arphaxad steps over to Sonadora and inspects the hound near her feet.
Arphaxad: Any change?
Arphaxad waves his staff over the hound to see if the light reacts at all.
Geyer scans the tunnel ahead for signs of movement. Someone is sure to come check on the noise.
Arphaxad: Hmm...
Arphaxad: Maybe that wasn't what the ghost wanted...
Arphaxad sits on the island and prods at the plaque with his staff.
Arphaxad: Stupid rust.
Ranja: Can you make out what it says?
Arphaxad shakes his head.
Ranja looks hopeful, then disappointed.
Arphaxad: What did the ghost say again? Tears, whirlpool, riches...?
Sonadora: Death....you left out death.
Arphaxad: Oh, right right. Death. Black Hound.
Sonadora: The hound was not necessarily related to death!
Arphaxad: I didn't say it was!
Ranja: Grave of tears... Perhaps this pool is the tears and they're buried beneath it?
Ranja looks thoughtfully at the water.
Sonadora: Most likely.
Arphaxad: If the ghost wants us to dig him and his friends up, I don't think we have the time.
Geyer mutters..."Fine, fine...poke at the plaque. Never mind the likely onrushing horde of goblins."
Arphaxad: Did you say something, knight?
Geyer: Nay, good sir wizard, nothing at all.
Geyer grins.
Arphaxad: Oh, ok.
Sonadora ponders.
Sonadora: Maybe the miners drowned in crystals while they were mining?
Sonadora sighs again and plops onto the ground next to the hound to check on his health.
Ranja checks the plaque again, as if hopeful the rust had suddenly disappeared.
Geyer: That thing wants us ta free it and it's made of dust. Maybe bring the dust outside?
Geyer: Let it blow free in tha wind or some such?
Ranja: Or put the dust in the water?
Sonadora: Maybe we can talk to it?
Sonadora ponders.
Geyer: I wouldna want to be dead and stuck in this creepy hole, neither.
Sonadora: It said, "Promise to free us...and free him."
Sonadora: Maybe him is Aaron?
Sonadora: Or do we have to drag all the dirt on this island outside?
Geyer: We should give them a proper burial, anyways. Only right.
Arphaxad: Though, perhaps they've already been buried? This does seem like a sort of memorial.
Geyer: Nay, just the dust of their bones and their arms and helms. And mayhap the plaque for a marker.
Ranja looks deep in thought.
Geyer: Aye, but seems they might want ta be buried elsewheres.
Ranja: This is an awful lot to carry to bury elsewhere.
Arphaxad: Perhaps it's only the spirit that is trapped, though the bodies are free?
Geyer: Oi! Ghost!
Ranja: Ghost?
Sonadora: The moving dust didn't give that away?
Sonadora grins mischievously.
Geyer: If ya help us find the lad, I swear I'll take yer dust and helms and give 'em a proper burial out of this hole.
Sonadora pokes the spot that the miner vanished with her quarterstaff.
As you make the promise, you see the pool around you begin to evaporate, the water seeming to disappear before your eyes.
Sonadora: That's a hefty promise, sir knight.
Ranja blinks.
Rather than making the air more humid, though, the air itself appears to become dryer and dryer, the moisture being sucked out of it along with the water in the pool.
Geyer: Hefty promises is what being a knight is, Lady 'Dora.
You can feel your lips chap slightly and you just wish you had some beeswax.
Sonadora: If we live after all this, I suppose I can help you drag out some dirt.
On the plaque in the center of the room, you can just make out a rusted etching, though the symbol appears faint and difficult to read.
Ranja moves closer to the plaque and peers down at it.
Sonadora: What does it say?
Though it's hard to make out... it appears to be the silhouette of a dog's head.
Ranja: I can't quite... It appears to be just a symbol.
Ranja rubs at the plaque with a thumb.
Ranja: It looks rather like a dog's head?
The rust is stubborn.
Ranja frowns at the rust.
Sonadora stands up and dusts herself off.
Geyer: Someone else take watch.
Arphaxad stands.
Arphaxad raises his cloak before realizing there's no water left and walks over to Geyer.
Arphaxad also puts his boots back on.
Geyer: And if anyone has a vial, urn, or sack, I would like to borrow it.
Arphaxad: Borrow it?
Geyer: Aye. To transport some bone dust out of this mine in.
Sonadora: I have a pouch?
Sonadora follows Arphaxad a bit before kneeling where the water used to be and searches the area.
Sonadora: Search [1d20+1 = 18]
The pool appears to be natural, formed from the water and moisture that has accumulated in the cavern. You also note that it's the same as the stone throughout the cavern, and though there's some silt, there's not an abnormally large amount of dust. Even the "island" was just an outcropping of the natural floor.
Geyer: That should do fine, lass.
Sonadora hands Geyer one of her belt pouches, empty the various leaves and stones and feathers into her backpack.
Geyer begins to scrape the dust from the altar into the pouch. Once it is full, he stores the dust and the helmets in his pack.
Geyer then attempts to remove the plaque as well.
The plaque is more persistent than the rust.
Sonadora: Uh...should you be doing that?
It is persistenter.
Ranja: Be careful with that! There might be more writing beneath the rust!
Geyer: Strength bonus [1d20+3 = 8]
You try to get your hands underneath the plaque, but make no progress.
Geyer: Stuck, then.
Geyer: This lot will have to be content to be buried without this marker.
Arphaxad: So far, I haven't seen anything...
Arphaxad: I was thinking though... who did we free, anyways?
Arphaxad: Did we free moisture?
Arphaxad: That hound hasn't changed, has it?
Arphaxad squints at Sondaora.
Sonadora mutters about men and storms back to the island to check the hound.
Arphaxad: I'm on watch! I can't watch the hound and the tunnel!
Geyer: Well, it's right done anyways.
Sonadora: I agree. Aaron is more important.
Geyer readies his sword and shield once more. "Shall we keep going?"
Arphaxad: Let's.
The light creates dancing shadows at the edges of your vision and you begin to wonder just how far into the earth you'll have to go. The chamber you're looking into right now seems to extend beyond the area that has been carved out - perhaps you're straying into a natural system? Halfway into the room, a 10 foot high enbankment blocks off the rest of the area, so you're not sure if there's more up ahead. You can, however, see the tips of several rock formations up above.
Ranja peers around.
Sonadora: Let's go that way.
Sonadora points at the strange tunnel.
Geyer: Well...looks like we'll have to climb over.
Geyer: Other way was blocked by that stuck door, and there's no other paths unless we missed a hidden one.
Sonadora shrugs and nods.
Sonadora: Climb [1d20+1 = 14]
Ranja: Climb [1d20-3 = 12]
Geyer: Climb [1d20-4 = 12]
Leaping up and grabbing the ledge, Ranja and Geyer pull themselves up -
Sonadora: Jump [1d20+1 = 10]
Sonadora leaps and tries to grab onto the ledge to pull herself up, but doesn't quite make it.
Sonadora stops to catch her breath.
Sonadora: Do you both happen to have rope? I think we'll have to drag up the hound and Vida first.
Geyer: Aye, I have some.
Geyer: But I don't think yer wolf will enjoy being dragged up a wall.
Geyer: Can ye keep him calm?
Vida sniffs at the wall.
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora mumbles some words under her breath so she can communicate with Vida.
Geyer drops down some rope and prepares to drag the wolf over a ten-foot wall.
Vida sits panting.
Sonadora: Vida, we have to get over the wall. We're going to tie a rope around you. Please do not sturggle or bite Geyer?
Vida whines softly.
Vida: I suppose if I must.
Sonadora: Well, maybe Geyer. Not Ranja though. We enjoy her company.
Sonadora grins and pets Vida.
Vida pants, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
Ranja giggles.
Sonadora ties the rope around Vida as comfortably as possible.
Vida hangs onto the rope with his teeth, too, his paws scrabbling at the wall.
Geyer strains to drag the wolf up the wall.
Vida: Climb [1d20+1 = 6]
Vida tries his best to aid in the climb, his paws scrambling for purchase and making the effort on Geyer's part much easier.
Sonadora: Climb [1d20+1 = 7]
Geyer pulls up the hound and afterwards, anchors the rope as Sonadora climbs up the wall using the rope to make it (much) easier.
Arphaxad: Climb [1d20 = 12]
Arphaxad leaps up and drags himself over the ledge without need for a silly rope.
Geyer coils the rope neatly and re-stows it in his pack.
This is the most natural part of the cavern yet, and it's pretty obvious no hand shaped this chamber. Columns of stone and the jagged points of rock formations just from the ceiling and ground. Against the far wall of the room you spot a small humanoid skeleton, about the size of a human child, pushed behind a stalagmite. Your mind quickly turns to the possibility that it's Aaron, but you notice cobwebs and realize the skeleton must be older. You also spot something just behind the skeleton, hidden by dust and debris.
Ranja shudders.
Sonadora cautiously approaches the stalagmite, not really wanting to know what lies behind it.
Geyer: Spot [1d20+4 = 19]
Ranja: Spot [1d20+3 = 16]
The stalactite thing: Hide [1d20+10 = 23]
Sonadora: Spot [1d20+3 = 22]
Arphaxad: Spot [1d20+1 = 16]
Out of the corner of your eye, you see movement - almost in slow motion, you watch as the stalactite above you seems to break apart, revealing itself to be a creature that resembles a squid or octopus, with a stonelike shell covering its body and a tough membrane stretched between its unfolding tentacles.

It wasn't a rock. But it also wasn't a rock lobster.

Ranja: Initiative [1d20+1 = 18]
Sonadora: Initiative [1d20+3 = 18]
Geyer: Initiative [1d20+2 = 19]
Arphaxad: Initiative [1d20+3 = 14]
The stalactite thing: [1d20+4 = 18]
Vida: Initiative [1d20+2 = 7]
Sonadora screams as the hideous monster appears.
Before you can even think to react, you lose sight of the creature... and everything else... an inky blackness suddenly dominating your field of vision.
Ranja squeals!
Geyer: Son of an orcish whore!
Sonadora wails.
Geyer ,trusting wholly in luck, runs into the murk and attempts to kill the beast. (Small error on my part here - in that kinda lighting, he should've been able to move only at half-speed upon entering the cloud - he wouldn't have made it all the way to the darkmantle.)
Geyer: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 7]
Swinging wildly in the dark, you catch a chunk of wall, but it seems no stalactite-thing.
The stalactite thing: Slam [1d20+5 = 8]
You all hear something slimy swing through the air... but can't make anything more of it.
Sonadora shudders and swings her staff.
Sonadora: Quarterstaff [1d20+2 = 15]
You swing your staff in the direction the creature was in... but hit nothing!
Sonadora tries to get out of the ink cloud, whistling for Vida to follow.
Ranja draws her sword and plunges forward to take a swing at the creature.
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 19]
Ranja: Longsword damage [1d8 = 3]
Ranja: Miss Chance [1d10 = 1]
You take a swing in the dark and though you could swear you were swinging at the right thing... it was just a shadow!
Arphaxad: Spot [1d20+1 = 19]
The stalactite thing: Hide [1d20+10 = 16]
Arphaxad catches a glimpse of movement and quickly goes through an incantation and points into the darkness as two missiles of blue energy careen into the shadows.
Arphaxad: [1d4+1 = 5]
You hear a loud groan emanating from somewhere within the shadows and see something writhe as the light from the missiles briefly illuminates the stalactite thing.
Geyer: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 21]
Geyer: Miss Chance [1d10 = 6]
Geyer: Longsword damage [1d8+3 = 11]
The stalactite thing: Hide [1d20+10 = 14]
Geyer: Spot [1d20+4 = 19]
You spot the creature flailing in agony, with Ranja between you and it!
Geyer steps around Ranja and swings at the strange creature! Its flailing limbs doing nothing to impede the sword, Geyer slices into the thing's torso, dragging it bleeding to the ground.
The creature ceases to move, the stalactite was briefly a stalagmite, and now it's a stalagprobablynot.
Geyer: Thanks fer softening it up, wizard.
Arphaxad brushes off his sleeves.
Sonadora kicks dirt over the creature for good measure.
Arphaxad: Not a problem.
Arphaxad: What *is* that thing though?
Arphaxad kneels down to examine the stalactite-thing.
Sonadora: Something nasty.
Arphaxad: Doesn't look natural, that's for sure...
Geyer: Looks like seafood gone bad.
Geyer: 'Course, I ain't had seafood since I left the Coast. Think it's edible?
Arphaxad glances askance at Geyer.
Arphaxad: Um.
Arphaxad: Perhaps?
Arphaxad glances at Ranja.
Arphaxad: Any idea?
Ranja peers at the remains of the creature.
Ranja: Knowledge (Arcana) [1d20+5 = 19]
-> Ranja: You recognize the thing as a "darkmantle" a sort of airborne squid that hides by attaching itself to the ceilings of caves and acting like a stalactite. It uses high-pitched sounds to locate prey even in the deepest shadows.)
Ranja: It's a darkmantle.
Ranja frowns.
Sonadora searches around the skeleton to see what else is about.
Sonadora: Search [1d20+1 = 12]
Behind the skeleton you spot a small pouch and a dagger.
Sonadora picks up the dagger and the peers inside the pouch.
Sonadora: Anybody need a dagger?
-> Sonadora: In the pouch are 40 gold coins and a black, rough stone.
Geyer: What all did you find, lass?
Sonadora: 40 coin and a stone of some kind.
Sonadora splits the coins four ways.
Sonadora pulls out the stone to examine it.
The stone looks like a black, rough stone.
Geyer: Gold. Now, that's worth fighting for.
Ranja grins.
Geyer: Heheh.
Sonadora rubs the stone, curious as to why the child had carried it.
Sonadora: Knowledge (Nature) [1d20+3 = 19]
Hmm, you don't recognize anything particular about the stone. But then again, you're not a big expert on caverns.
Geyer: So, these 'darkmantles' good ta eat, or no?
Ranja shrugs, then says, "I don't know very much about them. They were only mentioned in a book I read. They hide in caves and use high-pitched noises to locate prey even in shadow."
Sonadora gives the stone to Ranja to examine.
Ranja accepts the stone and inspects it.
Black, rough stone.
Ranja: Knowledge: Religion [1d20+4 = 19]
Black, rough stone.
Ranja: Knowledge (Arcana) [1d12+5 = 15]
Black, rough... wait... it's not a stone! It's a rock lobster!
No, no, it's just a rock.
Ranja: I don't see anything special about it.
Ranja offers it back to Sonadora.
Sonadora: But why would somebody be carrying it around?
Sonadora: See if Arphaxad can figure out the stone.
Sonadora gives the stone to Arphaxad.
Arphaxad: Perhaps I should search for magicial properties in this stone?
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora: I already rubbed it but nothing happened.
Arphaxad focuses deeply on the stone as he chants some words to try and understand it.
Geyer: Well, no sense wasting it.
Geyer begins to clean and filet the darkmantle with his dagger while they poke at the stone.
You acquire some filet of darkmantle.
Sonadora shudders in disgust.
And as for magic... the stone doesn't resonate to your enhanced sense. No magic.
Arphaxad: Worthless rock if ya ask me, filet it.
Sonadora: I'll carry it if somebody takes the spare dagger.
Geyer: I can carry the dagger.
Sonadora gives the dagger to Geyer.
Arphaxad: Well, if we're done storing our pet rock, perhaps we should move on?
Arphaxad: By the way, Sonadora, what did you name it?
Sonadora sighs and pockets the rock.
Sonadora: I named it Arphaxad after your rock-like head.
Geyer: Hahaha
Ranja giggles.
Arphaxad tries to hide his grin.
Geyer: Let's go try to bash in that door.
Arphaxad: The same one we did before?
Geyer: We've already given away our presence. No further need to be subtle.
You hear the sound of rocks bouncing off the ground somewhere, the echoes creeping through the dark tunnels.
Sonadora: I guess that means more rope to get down?
Arphaxad: Well kids, noone lives forever.
Arphaxad takes the plunge.
Geyer lowers the animals and anyone else who wants to take the rope.
Geyer then jumps down.
Sonadora hangs onto the end of the ledge and drops.
Ranja jumps down as well.
You do reach the room with the pool and the island in it, though... except there's no pool anymore.
Arphaxad: it seems our ghost friends remain at ease.
As you reach the door, you notice its looking... a lot less swollen than it was earlier, and you hear a whisper from afar... "You promised.... so did we..."
Geyer: Thankee, friend ghosts.
Geyer: Should be right less stuck now.
Sonadora: My lips still feel chapped, but I suppose it is worth it to find Aaron.
Geyer pulls on the door.
You pass through the door and your heart leaps up into your throat. Aaron's form lies half buried underneath a slope of dirt and loose stone that covers the west side of the chamber. His upper torso lies exposed, his eyes closed and his skin ashen and dirt-smerared. Along the opposite wall, you notice a ragged blanket and pillow.
Ranja: Oh no! Aaron!
Sonadora cries and rushes towards him!
Sonadora: Aaron! Wake up!
Geyer stays back, alert for danger.
As you examine the area, you note that Aaron appears to have been dragged from across the room, a trail in the floor remains as evidence. You hear the sound of rocks clattering along the ground, and as you look up you see Aaron's body... move... just slightly further into the rockslide.
Sonadora: Aaron!
Arphaxad: He's alive!
Sonadora pulls on him.
Geyer rushes over and pulls the boy free from the rubble.
Arphaxad: Careful, we don't know if anythings broken, or if anything is watching...
Geyer rushes forth and grabs Aaron by the torso, pulling him free of the rockslide with one massive effort! (Geyer used his Hero Point, acquired from the last session.)
As the rocks slide off of Aaron, you catch sight of something that makes you struggle to fight away a feeling of utter revulsion. Below his left knee, Aaron has only a ragged, bloody stump. Clutching the remains of Aaron's leg is the largest centipede you've ever seen. It's mandibles *clack!* together, a warning to you about disturbing the centipede any further.

Huge Monstrous Centipede. Also not radioactive.

Geyer: For the COIN!
Ranja gags.
Sonadora stares in shock.
Geyer: Initiative [1d20+2 = 8]
Ranja: Initiative [1d20+1 = 7]
Arphaxad: Initiative [1d20+3 = 10]
Vida: Initiative [1d20+2 = 18] (I always delay him to Sonadora's turn, if he's faster.)
The monstrous centipede: Initiative [1d20+2 = 19]
Sonadora: Initiative [1d20+3 = 9]
Ranja: Knowledge (Arcana) [1d20+5 = 17]
Sonadora: Knowledge (Nature) [1d20+3 = 14]
I'm afraid, Sonadora knows something of giant centipedes... they're giant, they're centipedes, and they're poisonous.
Quite poisonous.
Sonadora: Don't let it bite you!
A monstrous centipede glares at Geyer, who still holds Aaron in his arms, and scuttles forward, it's body seeming to elongate as it reaches its pincers out at him!
A monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 6]
Geyer pulls Aaron back and the centipede's lunge turns into a futile snap at air!
Arphaxad summons the cold to hit the centipede with a ray of frost
Arphaxad: Ray of Frost [1d20+3 = 11]
Arphaxad: Ray of Frost, Damage [1d3 = 3]
The ray of frost arcs toward the centipede, hitting one of its many segments and freezing it solid!
Sonadora puts the hound down and attacks.
Sonadora: Quarterstaff (Attack 1) [1d20+2 = 22]
Sonadora: Quarterstaff (Crit Confirm) [1d20+2 = 21]
Sonadora: Quarterstaff damage [1d4+1 = 4]
Sonadora: Quarterstaff damage [1d4+1 = 4]
As the centipede streaks forward towards Aaron, Sonadora releases a bestial cry and leaps towards the centipede. It misses Aaron as Geyer pulls him back, and instead it meets quarterstaff, wielded by an angry halfling. The staff jabs into the creatures eyes, shutting one of them permanently! (8 damage!)
Vida: Bite [1d20+3 = 4]
Vida dashes forward at the centipede, attempting to protect Sonadora from retaliation!
GM: Due to the hero point, Geyer, you may hold onto Aaron and retain your shield bonus. No extra encumbrance. (Heroic!) Downside is... you've got the centipede's food. Take that as you will. *grin*
Geyer steadies the boy in his off-hand and aims his sword for the beast's neck!
Geyer: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 14]
The centipede recoils from your strike, its body looping in on itself!
Ranja draws her sword and steps closer to the beast.
Geyer: I must risk it....
The monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 12]
The monstrous centipede strikes forth as Geyer backs away quickly from the monster in an attempt to keep Aaron safe. Despite the monster's speed, Geyer moves just out of reach and once again it's left snapping at air!
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 16]
Ranja: Longsword damage [1d8 = 2]
Then, just as it feels the pain of losing its food, it feels the pain of a longsword cutting off a leg! (2 damage)
The centipede scuttles along the wall, intent on its meal, but doesn't pay attention to the fact that Ranja is able to reach it!
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 9]
Unable to reach its food, it reaches for the insect (heh) that caused it so much pain...
A monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 19]
A monstrous centipede: Bite damage [2d6+4 = 11]
A monstrous centipede lunges at Sonadora, catching her in its pincers and thrashing her about violently and shattering several bones in her leg! Sonadora collapses to the ground, the pain too much for her to handle.(11 damage!)
Arphaxad gives his fallen comrade the potion he recieved from the priestess in town, hoping it will help her wounds.
Arphaxad: Potion of Cure Light Wounds [1d8+1 = 9]
As soon as the centipede releases Sonadora, Arphaxad kneels by her side and pours the potion into her throat, massaging her neck to make sure she swallows it.
Arphaxad: Come on, get up!!
Before your eyes, Sonadora's wounds close up, a blue aura stitching them back together! (9 points of healing)
Arphaxad: Are you alright?
Arphaxad: You were only out for a few seconds, and this isn't over yet!
Sonadora coughs and cries, biting her lip against the pain.
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora: Fortitude save [1d20+3 = 18]
You feel dizzy as you regain consciousness, but with an effort of will, your body shakes off the nausea! (Save successful)
Sonadora: Thank you, sir mage.
Arphaxad: It is my pleasure, but now lie still and don't draw attention!
Sonadora drops her staff and throws a dagger.(I found that you couldn't use ranged attacks except crossbows, and you got a -4 with melee attacks... but thrown attacks went unmentioned. I ruled that she could throw something at no penalty, though I may add a -4 to it after thinking about it for a bit.)
Sonadora: Dagger, Ranged (Attack 1) [1d20+5 = 8]
As Arphaxad speaks, Sonadora sits up and lets loose her dagger into the centipede's side!
Only to be deflected by its thick carapace... damn!
Arphaxad: Run!
Arphaxad: Get away!!
Vida: Bite [1d20+3 = 6]
Vida runs up beside his fallen friend Sonadora and snaps at the centipede, unable to get in a good bite.
The monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 24]
The monstrous centipede: Bite damage [2d6+4 = 8]
Geyer hesitates, considering fleeing with Aaron, before turning back into the fray.
The centipede sees its chance and strikes at its prey, missing only because Geyer covers Aaron with his arm... so the centipede takes that instead, crunching bone and tearing flesh as it pulls away! (8 damage)
Geyer: GAH!
Geyer: You'll pay for that, devil-worm!
Geyer: Fortitude save [1d20+4 = 14]
Geyer nearly falls to his knees from the pain as a sudden dizziness assails him!
Arphaxad: Stay with us Geyer!!!
But... he clenches his teeth and with a great effort, rises again! (Save Successful)
Geyer: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 17]
Geyer: Longsword damage [1d8+3 = 10]
Geyer: Taste steel, fiend!
Geyer growls as he fights through the pain, his sword cleaving an antennae off of the monster, its pain evident in its frantic flailing! (10 damage)
Ranja screams as she lashes out with her longsword.
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 7]
Ranja swings bravely, but the centipede's thick carapace protects it once more!
Arphaxad: Why won't you die!?
The monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 6]
A monstrous centipede strikes forward at Geyer but is rebuffed when it meets only steel!
Arphaxad casts magic missile!
Arphaxad: Magic Missile, Damage [1d4+1 = 2]
The missile clips the centipede, and you can just make out a crack in the carapace. (2 dmg)
Sonadora casts a flame at the centipede.
Sonadora: [1d20+5 = 24]
Sonadora: [1d6+1 = 4]
Sonadora chants quietly as flames flicker around her outstretched hand! She gestures forward, and the flames fly into the centipede's side, roasting an entire section!
Sonadora stands up afterward, slowly.
Vida: Bite [1d20+3 = 16]
A monstrous centipede: Bite damage [1d6+1 = 3]
As he sees his friend bravely fighting back, Vida tugs off one of the centipede's legs with a massive effort of strength! (3 damage)
Arphaxad: Finish this Geyer!
Geyer: Aye, wizard! That I shall!
Geyer: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 8]
The centipede snaps at Geyer's sword, causing it to skitter harmlessly off of the hardened surface!
Ranja closes her eyes and takes a split second to settle her mind before attempting to cast.
You sense the feint aroma of old books, leather, and bookbinding glue all drifting through the air as a holy light shines from around Ranja's amulet
A monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 23]
A monstrous centipede: Bite damage [2d6+4 = 11]
A monstrous centipede scuttles around Geyer, forming a loop with his own body and striking at him ferociously - (11 Damage!)
Arphaxad: Geyer!
Geyer: Fortitude save [1d20+4 = 6]
A monstrous centipede: Poison, Dex Damage [1d6 = 2]
The poison seeps through Geyer's body as his armor crumples underneath the centipede's pincers, and he falls to the floor, his arm still protecting Aaron, even as he loses consciousness....
Geyer slips into unconsciousness, his bleeding body attempting to shield Aaron as best he can as he falls.
Sonadora: Geyer!
Arphaxad: You sick, demonic worm! You will pay!
Arphaxad casts magic missile.
Arphaxad: Magic Missile, Damage [1d4+1 = 2]
The centipede recoils a little from around Geyer as it feels another blow to it's back, and another crack in it's armor! (2 damage)
Arphaxad: Kill it Sona!!
Sonadora pulls out her sling and attacks.
Sonadora: Sling (Attack 1) [1d20+5 = 12]
The stone flies over the centipede, hitting the wall beyond, and shattering!
Vida: Bite [1d20+3 = 16]
Vida: Bite damage [1d6+1 = 2]
Vida continues to tear at the centipede's side, tearing a portion of its armor away! (2 damage)
Ranja rushes to Geyer's side and bends over him.
Ranja concentrates and places her hands over Geyer's form as she chants quietly to herself.
Ranja: Cure Light Wounds [1d8+1 = 6]
Most of Geyer's wounds close at Ranja's touch, but enough remain that he's still unconscious! (6 Healed!)
Arphaxad: Try to run, Ranja, if you can!
Geyer drools a bit.
Seeing someone touching his food, the centipede lashes out violently!
A monstrous centipede: Bite [1d20+5 = 25]
A monstrous centipede: Bite damage [2d6+4 = 10]
The centipede's enormous mandibles cleave through Ranja's armor, leaving an enormous gash in her side! (10 damage)
Ranja: Fortitude save [1d20+1 = 4]
A monstrous centipede: Poison, Dex Damage [1d6 = 3]
You feel your limbs become heavy and your body fall over as you lose control of your muscles and lapse into unconsciousness.... (3 points of Dex damage!)
Arphaxad prays to the Gods as he tries to fire one more ray of frost
Arphaxad: Ray of Frost, +1 Bless [1d20+4 = 12]
Arphaxad: [1d3 = 2]
Seeing an opportunity, Arphaxad freezes a portion of the centipede's underbelly, shattering a small portion of the armor and exposing some of the thing's innards!
Sonadora attacks the centipede with her flame.
Sonadora: Produce Flame, Bless +1 [1d20+6 = 10]
Sonadora: Produce Flame, Damage [1d6+1 = 6]
Seeing Arphaxad's previous work on the centipede's underbelly, Sonadora begins to chant and follows him up with a blast of flame...
Which you can hear, in a sense, frying the centipede's insides as it curls up on itself, its limbs scratching enormous grooves into the hard rocky floor of the mine! (Dead)
Arphaxad: Finally!!! Now quickly, heal Ranja!
Sonadora cheers half-heartedly and rushes over to Ranja to heal her.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 19]
Acting quickly, Sonadora rushes to wrap Ranja's wounds and stem the flow of blood. (Stabilized!)
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 20]
You quickly make a poultice to draw out the rest of the poison from Ranja's body!(Secondary Poison Damage, Averted!)
Sonadora runs over to Geyer to do what she can for him also.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 23]
You use the poultice again to draw the rest of the poison from Geyer, hopefully saving him from any further effects! (Secondary Poison Damage, Averted!)
Sonadora lastly checks on Aaron for a pulse to see if there is anything she can do.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 20]
You check Aaron carefully, but... something's wrong.... there is no pulse...
END SESSION