[Game Thread] A Change of Season - Part 3

[Admin Bhelogan]

After the short combat, the trio decided to take a short rest to catch their breath and mend their wounds. There was another one of these hooked beasts of the deep in the tunnels, and the knew it would be protecting something. They were the invaders today, and these beasts would fight to protect their territory, or whatever else they had stored away. Gillindan tried to reach out with his divine senses, but could not detect anything near by.

Once ready, the pair headed down the tunnel which the monster had fled. It turned and descended, but after a short while they knew that they must be getting close to something. The scent of what must have been the beasts droppings started to get stronger. The tunnel continued on, but to the left was an offshoot tunnel. It went about ten feet, then opened up into a larger cavern. The clicking sound of the monster could be heard inside. It must have known they were there, but it was holed up inside that cavern.

[mountainbound]

Oren peers into the darkness of the tunnel. Making the most of his distant elven blood, he squints, sniffing the air. "Looks like there's a cavern at the end of this short tunnel," he says to Gallindan and Daybreak. "We came to root out these things, and see what they were protecting, so now is our chance. Could be that Lux is within, half eaten by one of those horrors." At that the warlock can't hold back a little chuckle. The thought was a bit too delicious. "But we can't hope for that kind of luck. Still, we need to be sure."

"Question is, how do we safely get in there... or lure the thing out?"

[zebedee]

Gallindan thought for a moment. "If it's protecting a lair, or even a child, I don't think it's likely to be lured out. I think we're going to have to go in after it. I wish we knew if it was alone... if we knew that, I would say we should just charge in and overwhelm it. But I'm not sure we have other choices, unless we want to see if this offshoot gets us into the same cavern."

[mountainbound]

"Could be we already killed its mate. Big hunters like that monster don't care to have multiple exits typically -- at least that's what they taught us in basic training," the warlock replied, dredging a bit of information from his time as a soldier.

"I think we'll need to head straight in and deal with what's in there. Is there any protective spell you can place upon yourself?" he asks Gallindan. Then to Daybreak, "Or do you have anything that might help us be prepared should there be more than one of those horrors inside?"

"I can open the way down the tunnel if we are agreed to go in."

OOC Oren would cast Armor of Agathys on Gallindan if he could, but it's only a self range. Hate to have us go in without armor. Hoping Daybreak has something up her sleeve. Oren can fire an Eldritch blast down the tunnel to clear it for us. From there, I'm thinking we rush in and hope for the best.

[zebedee]

OOC: G has one spell left, and could cast Shield of Faith for +2 AC. Another Bless might be better.

[mountainbound]

OOC Yeah Bless probably is better. Here's my thinking, let me know if you have other thoughts. We take a round for buffs. Oren shoots down the tunnel to clear it. Gallindan goes first, then Oren, then Daybreak. Hope we don't find a whole family of Hook horrors in there.

[zebedee]

OOC: Yep, it's as good an idea as I've had.

[mountainbound]

After a bit of quick, whispered discussion among the companions, Oren and Gallindan agree upon a plan of action. From not far away, the ominous clicking of the horror could be heard in the darkness. How many there were, it was impossible to say.

Flanking the noisome tunnel, the two men silently ready themselves for the siege. "Ready?" he mouths at Gallindan, eyebrows raised. Dagger in hand, his other free, Oren then leaps forward, just inside the tunnel. Calling upon the Lord of the Mountain Throne, the warlock connects with a reservoir of psionic energy, blasting a wave of it forward, and hoping to clear any beasts that might be waiting for them ahead.

OOC AC 14 HP 35/27 Conditions: Armor of Agathys (+10hp) Actions: Before heading in, casts Armor of Agathys. When post begins, casts Eldritch Blast into the Hook Horror's chamber. Not really aiming at anything unless he spots something inside. Oren will then move aside for Gallindan to lead the way, and will follow him in. Perception Dice Roll: 1d20+4 (10)+4 Total = 14 Eldritch Blast Dice Roll: 1d20+5 (14)+5 Total = 19 Dice Roll: 1d10+5 (7)+5 Total = 12

[zebedee]

Gallindan took a moment to gather himself. Speaking as quietly as he could, he Bless on the 3 of us again. I'm still reading that as +1d4 to all attacks and saves for the duration.once again called on his faith. "I call upon the blessings of the Eldest. Even here, the light will shine." Feeling the boost to his soul, he nodded at Oren, and rushed to follow him into the chamber.

[Admin Bhelogan]

OODM That is the correct bonus from casting bless

Daybreak responded with a look of caution, "I think using that trick Lux showed me, I might be able to turn into a wolf. Worth a try, if you want me to. Otherwise, I can try to keep the monster distracted again."

As the trio came down the tunnel, it curved to the right before opening into a cavern. Inside, they saw the large hooked monster they had faced before, though it was not alone. Two smaller juvenile monsters were at its side, and a nest with eggs seemed to be behind the group. While the adult monster was intent on defending the nest, the smaller creatures seemed ready for a fight. Behind the nest, the cavern didn't end but seemed to drop off into a dark cliff, descending deeper into the earth.

1 square = 5'

OODM H<X> = Hook monster AC 13 JH<X> = Juvenile hooked monster, AC 12 Roll initiative. Get a 14 or higher, and you can act now. We have Oren's action already if he beast the initiative. Otherwise, we can use it for after the enemies go.

[zebedee]

OOC: Dice G init: 1d20+2 (14)+2 Total = 16

[mountainbound]

OOC Initiative Dice Roll: 1d20+3 (15)+3 Total = 18

[mountainbound]

Storming down the dark tunnel, Oren concentrates his energy blast on the first thing he sees moving within the cavern. The wave of invisible power issues out toward the smaller horror even before the warlock has a chance to take in the bigger potential threat: the mother.

"Three on three," he says to Gallindan, "Could be worse." Sizing up his opponents, he notes there's no imp in sight. To Daybreak he says, "A wolf could help bring down one of these younglings!"

OOC The way I took your OODM above is to count my action from last round for this round. Let me know if you need any other rolls. AC 14 HP 35/27 Conditions: Armor of Agathys (+10hp) Action: Attacking JH1 with Eldritch Blast from previous post.

[Admin Bhelogan]

OODM @mountainbound, that is correct. @zebedee - is Gallindan casting bless this round, or was that done when Ore cast Armor of Agathys? If so, then I need his action for this round.

[zebedee]

OOC: I think Bless was probably last round as a preparation. I'll get an action up in a minute.

Gallindan didn't like this development. For one thing, the creatures didn't seem to be evil; he wasn't sure they were intelligent enough for that to mean something. So slaughtering children in their nest didn't seem justified. On the other hand, Oren's home would never be completely safe if creatures this aggressive lurked nearby. He could only hope his divine sponsor felt similarly. For the moment, he was inclined to see how Oren and Daybreak's actions changed the battlefield. Move to F6He strode forward to intercept the larger beast, but Dodge this round. Hoping to gang up on it next round.focused on not being killed rather than on offense.