[Game Thread] A Change of Season - Part 3

[mountainbound]

Despite the dank chill of the subterranean passages, Oren pants heavily from the exertion. He was no great swimmer, and the tunnels were more than a little treacherous with jutting rocks and sudden currents. As it was, he was more than relieved to come out at the sandy bank. He points, "I see rodent prints, and they're still wet, which means Lux can't be far." It also meant they didn't have to brave the torrent any further -- something of a relief to the warlock.

"Let's proceed quietly if possible. We don't know what Lux is up to and I'd like to know if this trip is part of some greater plan of his mistress."

OOC Dagger Leather armor Dungeoneer's pack Chalk Waxed breathing bag   Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (6)+5 Total = 11

[zebedee]

Gallindan was pleasantly surprised that they hadn't drowned. He had no been nearly as optimistic as Oren that there would be air pockets enough to sustain them. He wasn't especially tired... it turned out that swimming was much easier with magically enhanced strength. He tied his skins to his belt and drew his sickle.

"The bad news is, the imp survived. Hopefully he found something nasty." He moved to the front and led the way to the tunnel as quietly as he could.

[Admin Bhelogan]

The trio followed the trail. The tunnel with the rat footsteps continued for about thirty feet before suddenly the prints on the ground disappeared. Another 10 feet down, there were new marks, lots of them that looked like they came from large birds.

OODM In addition to any other check you wish to make here, in your next rolls please include a perception check.

[mountainbound]

Seeing the footsteps disappear, Oren glances up and around the cave, suddenly wary of a trap. He didn't like the fact that the imp could change its form at will, and could be anywhere. "Looks like company," he mutters, drawing his dagger. The blade was long, an inch shy of a short sword, and black as jet. Five glyphs inscribed on its length shone silver, sometimes glimmering when Oren wielded magic with it in hand. But the warlock had not had time to learn their meaning -- he was no scholar and always needed to devote extra time to understanding the arcane.

Lucky for him, spells came easy to him -- a gift from the Great Nameless One. He mutters a quick incantation of protection before search the cave further.

OOC Cast Armor of Agathys Perception   Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (3)+4 Total = 7

[zebedee]

OOC How "large" a bird are we talking? Large like a raven, an eagle, or a roc? Dice perception check: 1d20+3 (1)+3 Total = 4 Lol @ our perception checks. Does Daybreak get one?

[Admin Bhelogan]

Daybreak seemed as confused by the track as Oren and Gallindan were. "Whatever it is, it's probably quite a bit larger than we are." She pointed to the sides of the tunnel, were scratch marks marked either side, that had been scored in the rocks by whatever this creature was. The tunnel continued on further than the trio could see, but further indication of inhabitants came now in the audible sound of clicking. It sounded like a beak snapping at something.

[mountainbound]

Puzzled and curious at the tracks, Oren whispers, "Let's see what's down here. That's what we're here to find out, after all." He gives Daybreak an encouraging wink. "Stay behind me," he tells her.

Calling upon his innate magic ability, Oren projects an image of a burly dwarf with a big battle axe and leather armor. The illusion is silent, but looks real enough. "Ready?" he asks Gallindan. The elf was much more a warrior than Oren, but a decoy might give them both an opportunity to asses what's ahead. The warlock makes a shoeing motion with his hand, and the dwarf stomps forward. Oren keeps the dwarf marching about 10' in front of the group.

OOC The spell and movement is contingent on Zeb not having a problem with going to investigate. Just trying to be efficient. So by "large birds" I imagined eagle-size prints. Daybreak saying "larger than we are" means they're bigger still. DM, how big are the prints? Action: Cast Minor Illusion Free: Draw dagger Move: Walk at speed ahead

[zebedee]

Gallindan paused, unsure of how to proceed. "I suppose we should go and look. Should I lead?"
(Assuming the others are ok with that...)
Taking a deep breath, the elf stepped forward slowly, bare feet finding purchase in the sand.

OOC Dice stealth check: 1d20+2 (16)+2 Total = 18 I miss the days when elves were automatically pretty stealthy!

Ninjad!
Gallindan hesitated a moment... this was not the plan he would have chosen! But the spell was cast, and the dwarven march was on, so he followed behind.

[Admin Bhelogan]

Following the dwarven illusion, the trio moved down the hallway. The approached a crosssection, where a tunnel ran perpendicular to the one they were in. The illusion sat there for a moment, in the crossroads as they waited to see if something would jump out at it. As they were nearing the crossroads, the clicking and clacking sounds grew louder, until they got close. Then, they suddenly stopped and went silent. They sat for a few moments before Daybreak finally broke the silence, albeit at as much of a whisper as possible. "They aren't going for it. My guess is, they do not depend on sight to find their prey." Based on what was heard earlier, they could guess that there were two creatures, down either side of the tunnels to their right and left.

OODM The footprints are about 3' long.

[mountainbound]

Oren nods at Daybreak's guess. To Gallindan he says, "You want to lead?"

[zebedee]

As quietly as he can, Gallindan replied,"Presumably hearing, then. That's a lot trickier. Good thing we can see, at least." And with that, he strode forward into the lead, hugging the left-hand wall of the tunnel as he neared the intersection. Not for the first time, he regretted leaving his glaive behind... he was much more comfortable and much better trained with larger weapons than his sickle.

[Admin Bhelogan]

OODM Ouch, time slipped from me here, my apologies!

Daybreak did not want to lead. She feared what was around the corner. Gallindan hugged the wall, and proceeded towards the intersection. As he got close, he didn't get a chance to peek around the corner, before he saw what was making the clicking noises. It was a massive creature that looked like a featherless bird vulture, with a shell on its back and two massive hooks on the ends of its arms.


He was close enough that the creatures charged the intersection. The creatures were large enough that only one could fit in the tunnel width at once, which made it clear why they wanted to lure their prey to the intersection. Clear that this wasn't going to happen, they now charged.

OODM Ok, time to roll initiative! The enemies will act on 12. So, roll 12 or higher, and you can act. I am not sure how far back you are from the intersection, but the creatures are each 10' away, to your left and right. AC 13. I'll get a map up later today, if that helps.

[zebedee]

OOC: I'll just roll initiative for now... trying to picture the layout. If we DON'T advance, can only one of them get to us at a time?That's what I think I'm reading in that description. Dice Gall initiative: 1d20+2 (4)+2 Total = 6

[Admin Bhelogan]

1 square = 5'

OODM H<X> = Hook monster AC 13 PCs by their first letters

[mountainbound]

Oren moves forward, hearing the heavy tread and strange sounds coming quickly around the corner. "Daybreak, get behind me!" he cries, gripping his dagger.

OOC Oren AC 14 HP 27/27 Conditions: Armor of Agathys Init Dice Roll: 1d20+3 (8)+3 Total = 11