* The remains of the door have crashed into the southern room, revealing what lies beyond. Shattered stone and fresh dirt cover the slick floor of this devastated chamber. Judging by the remnants of masonry and floor tiles, this area was once part of the tomb complex. A rope ladder hangs near the broken door, leading up into the darkness. Just beyond it to the east, the slippery floor gives way to a shallow pool.
SteelBrow stows his crowbar and takes up his axe.
Akia moves behind Steelbrow and peeks over him into the room.
Sebrinia has connected.
Sebrinia is now In-Character. (IC)
SteelBrow steps into the room and looks up the rope ladder.
Akia steps in close behind, looking closely at the rubble.
Norry leans over to peek into the next room.
Sebrinia also slips inside the chamber, still carrying her shortbow, and looks around.
SteelBrow steps into the room, keeping some distance from the water.
Akia eyes the pool, and casually freezes the near surface.
Norry walks to the edge of the pool, and peers across its surface.
SteelBrow glances up the shaft, "goes up quite a ways. At least halfway to the surface."
* The pool is only about a foot deep, and the surface near Akia quickly freezes over.
Akia says, "Hm, nothing interesting in here."
The DM rolls some dice.
Norry looks up suddenly. "D'you hear that?"
SteelBrow, prefering not to climb the rope ladder, peers across the water.
Sebrinia looks up, too. "I did. It sounded like it came from the ladder."
Akia looks around, "Hmm?" Then she's silent, listening.
Norry nods, and says in a hushed voice, "There's something queer up there."
SteelBrow stands to face any intruder descending the ladder.
The DM is acting....
* From the shadows of the shaft, a spindly creature emerges and snarls through its oversized sharp teeth. It resembles a hairless, carnivorous chimp that has tentacle-like limbs, each ending in spiny, handlike appendages. ( http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG35a.jpg ) It begins to move towards Steelbrow, being the closest to it.
The DM says, "Initiative."
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 4,1 = 5.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 16,4 = 20.
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 19,5 = 24.
* The... whatever it is... snarls something that sounds almost like a language, having been foiled in its attempt to sneak up on you. It seems to then wait for a response.
Sebrinia draws an arrow, but hesitates as the thing seems to speak. She does keep it aimed at the creature, though, ready to fire if it moves to attack anyone.
The DM says, "Akia, you're up."
Akia growls, sharp claws springing from her fingers as she lunges at the beast. She swipes viciously at the creature with both hands.
* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 3,1 = 4.
* Akia rolls 1f20+1: 6,1 = 7.
Akia swipes at the creature, seeing it dodge and realizing it hadn't attacked, she looks a little sheepish and frowns.
* The thing takes its held action as Akia leaps forward to swipe at it, and shifts its target to her, flinging out both of its barbed tentancle-like hands at Akia just as Sebrinia also acts, loosing her drawn arrow.
* One swipe goes wide, and another strikes, scarring Akia with its hooked grasp, but fails to take firm hold, tufts of fur coming off in its grasp. The arrow, meanwhile....
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 30,7 = 37.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 18,7 = 25.
* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 4.
* ...flies true, burying itself deep in the creature's chest. It howls in pain, but does not fall.
The DM says, "Norry, I believe it's your turn."
Norry takes a short step away, hoping to avoid the creatures reach as he readies his crossbow.
* Norry rolls 1f20+6: 9,6 = 15.
Norry grunts as his shot goes wide.
The DM says, "Steelbrow, you're up."
SteelBrow, predictably, swings his axe at the creature.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6: 16,6 = 22.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 2,4 = 6.
SteelBrow catches the creature with the edge of his axe as it tries to dodge.
- The impact dislodges the creature, sending in falling.
* The creature keens in a dying howl as it falls, and crumples to the ground. How unnaturally it lays there is difficult to determine, since it's so unnatural to begin with, but it certainly doesn't move further.
Norry steps back fastidiously as it collapses.
SteelBrow peers up the shaft again, "I hope there aren't any more coming."
Akia puts a hand over her wound, and a bluish glow appears between her fingertips for a moment.
Akia pulls her hand away, looking critically at the wound which is far from fully healed. "Well at least it took the sting away."
Norry asks, "Oh, I can help with that. How bad is it?"
Akia says, "Not deep. Lost a bit of skin and fur, though."
SteelBrow looks to see if there's an open route through the water.
Norry lays a hand on Akia's wound, and mutters a prayer.
* Norry rolls 1d8+2: 8,2 = 10.
* Norry rolls +1: 1.
* Except for the icy spot Akia created, the pool seems to end at the eastern wall. There's no obvious inlet for the pool, in fact.
SteelBrow frowns, "looks like it's up from here."
Sebrinia wonders, "Did you see anything else up the latter, Steelbrow?"
Akia heaves a sigh of relief, "Ah, that is much better." She preens the new fur a bit, then seemingly satisfied, turns her attention to the ladder.
SteelBrow says, "clear shaft for 100 ft or more, so far as I see."
Sebrinia does not look thrilled at the prospect of climbing up a hundred feet or more of rope ladder, but seems amenable to following if the others want to go.
Norry says, "It looks like it's either up, or wake the sleeping beast."
SteelBrow says, "I doubt it's still sleeping."
Akia asks, "Sleeping beast?"
SteelBrow says, "Behind the door we blocked with ice."
Norry says, "You didn't go to so much trouble to freeze that door for nothing."
Akia says, "Oh right. Well I haven't yet..." she holds her tongue, not wanting to jinx it.
Sebrinia wonders, "So we're climbing, then?"
SteelBrow grrs, "I guess so."
Akia peers up, then looks at Steelbrow's bulk, "I'll go first."
Akia tugs a little at the ladder, testing it.
Sebrinia volunteers to go next. She doesn't seem to want to be behind Steelbrow, also noticing how heavy he appears.
Norry tries to slip in in front of SteelBrow as well.
* The ladder still seems to be in decent condition. It is fairly resistant to the tug, suggesting it's firmly anchored, although there's a bit more give due to the length.
Akia peers up into the darkness, hoping to see any possible other threats, then begins climbing, keeping an eye on the darkness.
* If it hasn't already been mentioned, the ladder is solid wooden rungs bound with sturdy-looking rope.
Sebrinia slowly follows after Akia, carefully and alertly climbing up.
SteelBrow rigs a fastening of his axe to his pack for the climb.
Akia gets to the darkness of the tunnel and pauses a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dim light.
SteelBrow waits for Norry to also go ahead.
Norry climbs, as he already indicated.
SteelBrow Takes up the rear, climbing steadily, but taking to chances.
* The climb is interminable, and you have climbed well over a hundred feet before you first see light overhead. It is about two hundred feet before you reach the opening overhead. Being the first one there, Akia sees:
* You emerge from a hole that is surrounded by earth and rock. The ladder you're climbing is fastened to a post just a few feet beyond the opening, near an immense plinth of stone. Above you looms a weathered statue. Overgrown with creeper vines, it depicts a crowned and bearded man who is regally dressed and points his drawn sword to the east. Some trees nearby are taller than the statue, which has no inscriptions you can see.
Akia blinks, adjusting to the light. She quietly climbs up out of the way and crouches near the statue, looking for any immediate danger.
* Akia spots immediate danger.
* Norry rolls 1f20+7: 7,7 = 14.
* A hairless, houndline creature races from the undergrowth to the east, its pale skin covered in runic patterns and glistening. Sprouting from the center of the creature's back is a serpentine neck supporting an eyeless head that is mostly a toothy maw too big for the creature's body. Its squealing turns to a gurgle as it begins to fill its maw with green bile.
The DM says, "Initiative."
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 7,4 = 11.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 5,1 = 6.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 14,4 = 18.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: -10,5 = -5.
The DM says, "Akia, go."
Akia yeeks, pointing at it with a finger as a streak of flame flies towards the scary beast. As soon as the fire is away, she attempts to get behind the statue and hisses, "Watch out, ugly beastie!" to those still on the ladder.
* Akia rolls 1f20+7: 19,7 = 26.
* Akia rolls 1d8: 8.
* There is a hiss from the beast, and a howl of anger, following Akia's rapid attack. It immediately begins to chase her through the underbrush.
* It makes it up to where Akia is hiding, but that takes its entire turn.
Sebrinia rapidly emerges from the ladder, warned by Akia, and moves to the south to allow the next climber to get out. As she does so, she readies her bow, and fires at the houndish beast.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 3,7 = 10.
Sebrinia curses herself for firing too quickly, her shot going wide.
Norry follows suit, ducking to the side and loosing a bolt.
* Norry rolls 1f20+6: 13,6 = 19.
* DM rolls 1d100: 65.
* Norry rolls 1d6: 4.
- The beast flinches as the bolt strikes, and sends a growl over its shoulder in Norry's direction.
The DM says, "And... Steelbrow. You're up."
SteelBrow emerges from the shaft, grabs his axe, and swings.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6+2: 12,6,2 = 20.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 6,4 = 10.
SteelBrow connects with a decently solid hit, gouging into the side of the creature.
* The houndlike thing howls again, but is still standing.
The DM says, "And... Initiative."
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 18,4 = 22.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 6,4 = 10.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 9,5 = 14.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 13,1 = 14.
The DM says, "Norry, go. By the way, the undergrowth the creature is standing in is providing minor concealment to ranged weapons."
Norry prepares and fires another bolt.
* Norry rolls 1f20+6: 7,6 = 13.
- The bolt clacks against the side of the statue, rebounding into the underbrush.
* The houndlike thing, still facing Akia, releases the bile it had been building up, sending it in a vile spew towards her. It also doesn't seem to be having any difficulty defending itself against the two immediate threats it's facing.
* Akia rolls 1f20+5: 2,5 = 7.
* Akia rolls 1f20+5: 18,5 = 23.
Akia yowls in pain.
* The bile strikes Akia with a searing noise, sinking in like acid.
The DM says, "Steelbrow, go."
SteelBrow swings his axe around for another strike.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6: 11,6 = 17.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4: 4,4 = 8.
SteelBrow connects with another hit, again cutting a gash in the creature, but not yet dropping it.
Sebrinia moves aside to get a clearer shot, and fires another arrow, not seeming to have a lot of other options.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 19,7 = 26.
* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 4.
* DM rolls 1d100: 96.
* The arrow flies true, and buries itself in the thing's hide, but it otherwise doesn't seem put out by the hit.
The DM says, "Akia, go."
Akia curls her fingers into a ball shape as a white hot ball of fire grows between them. She flexes her palms and the flame blasts the creature with searing power.
* Akia rolls 1f20+9: 11,9 = 20.
* Akia rolls 2d6: 2,1 = 3.
Akia slinks off further into the underbrush.
* The runehound somehow manages to dodge the brunt of the flames, and takes a parting snap at Akia as she flees.
* Akia is just a bit too fast for it, though, and its maw closes on empty air.
The DM says, "Initiative."
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 3,4 = 7.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 11,4 = 15.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 18,1 = 19.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 18,5 = 23.
Sebrinia draws back another arrow, taking more time to aim, and fires again.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 11,7 = 18.
* DM rolls 1d100: 10.
* The arrow is unfortunately deflected by an inconveniently placed branch, and misses the creature.
The DM says, "Steelbrow, go."
SteelBrow makes a roundhouse swing for another shot.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6: 2,6 = 8.
SteelBrow's swing goes wild and misses.
The DM says, "Akia, you're up. If only barely."
Akia runs around to the other side of the statue, just able to make out the creature. She gestures and another streak of flame arcs to the creature.
* Akia rolls 1f20+7: 14,7 = 21.
* Akia rolls 1d8: 8.
* The plume of flame hits the creature solidly, and it howls again, but still stands. In fact... some of its earlier wounds even seem to have healed a bit.
* Its quarry having slipped away, the runehound turns to face Steelbrow and lunches forward with its toothy maw to snap at him.
* The lunge goes wide, though, such that Steelbrow doesn't even have to move aside.
The DM says, "Norry, you're up."
Norry makes an upward-grasping hand motion.
* The undergrowth suddenly comes alive, along with the branches of the trees, and they twist and grow everywhere rapidly, quickly turning a huge part of this area into a writhing disc of plant life. The runehound looks like it is about to break free when a loop of vine catches its back paw, and is soon held fast.
The DM says, "And... that's initiative."
* Norry rolls 1f20+4: 6,4 = 10.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+1: 8,1 = 9.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 8,4 = 12.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+5: 9,5 = 14.
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+7: 12,7 = 19.
* Sebrinia rolls 1d6: 3.
Sebrinia draws and fires another arrow from her slowly diminishing supply, and the arrow hits the beast, but doesn't seem to harm it very much.
The DM says, "Akia, go."
Akia moves closer to the rest of the party, clearly heavily wounded. She stops and flings another dart of flame at the captured beast, "Take that, foul thing."
* Akia rolls 1f20+7: 6,7 = 13.
* Akia rolls 1f20+4: 30,4 = 34.
Akia says, "whoops."
* Akia rolls 1d8: 3.
* The burst of flame lashes at the creature, but barely harms it. Some of the surrounding plants holding it shrivel a little in the exposure to the fire, but still hold fast.
* Not bothering to break free just yet with Steelbrow so conveniently close, the runehound snaps at him again.
SteelBrow stumbles half a step from the hit.
* The thing manages to snag Steelbrow and chomps on his armor, the teeth piercing to the skin beneath.
The DM says, "Norry, go."
Norry touches Steelbrow's axe, which begins to shimmer slightly. * Magic Weapon: +1 bonus *
The DM says, "Go for it, Steelbrow."
SteelBrow Swings down hard at the entangled beast.
* SteelBrow rolls 1f20+6+1-2: 18,6,1,-2 = 23.
* SteelBrow rolls 1d12+4+4+1: 11,4,4,1 = 20.
SteelBrow strikes with a massive blow across the beasts back, cleaving it in 2.
* The two halves drop to each side, which are quickly entangled by the still-writhing plant life.
The DM says, "And that ends initiative."
SteelBrow, winded from the battle and a deep wound, stumbles back against the base of the statue.
Akia ahs, "Well, that's good..." She sits down on the ground, bleeding a bit.
Norry rushes to Akia and inspects her wounds.
* Norry rolls 1d8+1: 5,1 = 6.
Sebrinia takes a deep breath as the thing is finally destroyed, and also goes to check on Akia, although there's little she can do to help.
Akia is still quite damaged, but is very grateful for the aid.
SteelBrow surveys for any landmarks.
Norry also briefly glances at Steelbrow's wounds, but just shakes his head tiredly.
SteelBrow stands and looks around the edges of the clearing.
Akia nods to Norry, "Thanks. Thought that'd be it for me. What a vile and horrid beast."
Akia looks about, wondering why it was here.
SteelBrow asks, "Campsite southeast of here. Anyone note the direction to town?"
Norry takes a good look at the statue, and where it might be pointing.
* Akia rolls 1d20+4: 3,4 = 7.
Akia says, "No idea."
Sebrinia also pokes around a little, and also takes a look at the shaft with the rope dangling below. "You know," she says, "I think this was recently dug."
Akia leans down and opens up something. You hear the light clinking of metal. "Wonder whose this is." She looks about.
SteelBrow examines the workmanship of the statue.
Norry frowns, looking around. "Well, digging that hole was clearly a good use of time and effort. I wonder why it was done?"
* Akia rolls 1d20+4: 13,4 = 17.
SteelBrow looks over the remains of the camp.
SteelBrow asks, "Someone mind climbing a tree to see if they can check the direction to town?"
Norry looks dubiously at the height of the lowest branches.
Akia gestures to the open box before her, "Looks like a nice set of plate mail. Think it might fit you, Steelbrow?"
SteelBrow says, "I can boost ye easy. I'm just not much of a climber meself."
Akia grimaces, "I don't think the owner will be coming to claim it anytime soon."
The DM says, "It'll be a DC 15 climb check to ascend a tree."
Norry says, "Well I prefer my feet on the ground too you know."
SteelBrow appraises the armor for fit and condition.
SteelBrow says, "Nice work on this armor. Too bad for it's prior owner."
Sebrinia continues poking around the shaft entrance, and hazards, "Maybe the ones we've been chasing came in through here?"
Akia nods, "Odd that it's just here. I suppose the owner didn't die in combat... wonder what happened to him."
SteelBrow starts fitting on the plate in place of his maille.
Akia watches for threats as Steelbrow is distracted.
* Other than the infrequent sounds of forest creatures - the runebeast you have slain seems to have kept most of them away - it's really rather quiet here.
SteelBrow asks, "Anyone have use for a maille suit?"
Norry wanders over to the campsite. "Well, there's a camp site here. And I'm rather in need of one."
* Also, since you're outside, you notice that it's turned into a slightly cloudy day, and the sun is past the midway point in the sky. Mid-to-late afternoon or so.
Akia throws a few branches into the firepit. They suddenly burst into flames. She sits next to the pit and warms herself as she rummages in her pack.
SteelBrow checks his pack, and retrieves some travel rations.
Norry plots down and digs around in his pack for a moment, coming up with his pipe and pouch.
Sebrinia stops investigating the dig, and moves over to the campsite, also pulling out her rations, and she looks curiously at the barrel, sniffing it. Glancing at Akia, she asks, "Is that safe to drink?"
Akia says, "It's rainwater."
Akia says, "If you don't see any stuff floating in it, it probably is."
* Sebrinia rolls 1f20+9: 10,9 = 19.
Sebrinia gives it a somewhat more expert look, then nods in satisfaction, and draws some drinking water from the barrel instead of drinking from her own supply.
SteelBrow tops off his waterskin and takes a drink.
Akia says, "I... can purify that if you want."
Sebrinia also breaks out some of her rations, and looks at Akia with interest. "Really? That would be very appreciated."
Akia says, "Tastes much better. You'd never have guessed."
Akia takes her flask over there, opens it, and a thin stream of water leaps from the barrel to fill her flask.
SteelBrow eyes the angle of the sun, and settles in to rest against the base of the statue, "If ye don't mind, I'll catch a we nap before it gets dark. I can take watch then."