Re: Chapter Four

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

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#2 'D10' : 9

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#3 'D20' : 15

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#4 'D10' : 1

[Dwan Bolduum]

After the group has agreed on the course of action, Dwan speaks up.

Good, we'll get the jump on them, but be cautious their bite has been known to petrify all likes of creatures.

-----------------------------------

I can create some flame to set a few of them ablaze for some light. If anyone has another light source feel free to use it. Are you ready?

 

I will launch a fireball at the beasts as well.  There will be some light, but the shadows may still affect their visibility.   (30 feet of light)

Dwan follows along side Kellar as they make their way into the antechamber.  

have at the bastards!

Dwan dodges away from Kellar and his lance, pulls out his scepter and swings it in the direction of the cocatrices. A spark launches from the scepter and quickly grows into a large sphere of Flame just as it reaches it's resting point between two of the creatures.  Part of their wings alight for a moment, but only a singe is left on the flesh.

=================================

Dwan warns of petrification
Flaming sphere at Alpha and Beta.

[Custer Thickett]

Cuss listens to the Dwan's description of the Cockatrices and their roost in their cave.  He knew little of the animals.  He asks, "How they taste after roasting on a spit?"  

He meets a blank stare with a shrug.

When Dwan mentions the birds petrify prey, Cuss swallows hard enough for the whole group to hear.

He looks away from them to his waist, and busies himself with hooking his loaded hand crossbows in his belt so that he could bare the longer range light crossbow in the cave.  Dwan's estimate of the height to their roost on the ceiling meant his shots may fall short using the smaller bows.

In the cave, it is a struggle for Cuss to keep his mouth shut.  He was no fan of this kind of darkness since Urukath's tomb.  He was in no hurry to meet another pile of mouths and eyes.  K'Tesh's laughter made it no easier.  It was a faint echo at first, but once in the cave's darkness, it was if the dead Drow was standing right over him.  

One hand on Dwan's back, Cuss stumbled forward with careful steps and hoped the darkness concealed his fear from the others.  

Good Folk aren't scared of the dark.  Go away, K'Tesh!  I watched you die with me own two eyes, yeah?

Suddenly, Dwan lurches away from Kellar's lance, but Cuss can't see to anticipate the move.  He falls flat on his backside as the cave begins lighting up with magical fire.  

From the ground, Cuss hoist his father's loaded crossbow, and pauses with a smile before loosing a quarrel into the roost.  

It's not you.  It's their wings.

He pulls the trigger, but can't see the bolt's path for the dancing lights and shadows from his friends fire attacks.  

[Rolling assassinate with light crossbow +6]
25

But after a brief moment, he hears the dull thud of a corpse that fell from the ceiling.

Cuss rolls to his knees and jams the crossbow into the stone as he cocks it back with both hands.  As he works with the weapon, the laughing wings turn from a flutter into a crescendo of noise much like the sound of Lake Esmel's waves crashing ashore in a large storm.  

It was enough cause for Cuss to look left and right for any ledges he could find cover under.  

[Cunning Action, Rolling stealth +9]
24

......

Shoot n hide.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 12, 19

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#2 'D20' : 15

[Ao]

The firelight flashes in an instant, burning oil igniting through the flock of Cockatrices in an explosive ring.

It nearly blinds you, a cacaphony of shrieks and the flapping of seared batwings erupting in an offensive, ear-piercing medley from out of the dark.

Now, fire streaks down from the ceiling as the brood takes flight, three of its flock still flaming like lit torches, their filthy, feathered bodies stinking of burning flesh and hair.

They disperse in an instant, the air filled with the sound of flapping wings and shrieking, petulant creatures.

“Damn!” screams Olufsen above the din, and you can hear him lighting two torches, throwing them upon the rocky surface as a 30-foot ring of light spreads out around them.

[Olufsen lit and threw two torches]

You can see the water running quickly through the stream as the flock of beasts swoop through the air, confusion fading to fury, the beasts coming round to defend their stake…

[…]

Keller stands resolved, his lance braced against the cavern floor as three screaming bird-horrors dive from out of the blackness at him.

He turns two aside, feeling the heady bite of the third against his flesh.

[Kellar, hit by cockatrice]
[2 damage to kellar]
[Must succeed at a CON check, DC 11, or be unable to act next turn as petrification sets in…]

Osvald stands at range, but the beasts close on him in seconds, swooping upon him and digging their ruddy claws into his armor, biting viciously at his face…

[Osvald hit by 2 cockatrices]
[6 damage to Osvald]
[Must succeed at 2 CON checks, DC 11, or be unable to act next turn as petrification sets in…]

Artimus spits, the stink of oil filling his nostrils as he fends off a rake from the descending horrors, scratches and bites splitting the skin on his arms…

[Artimus hit by a cockatrice]
[2 damage to Artimus]
[Must succeed at a CON check, DC 11, or be unable to act next turn as petrification sets in…]

Olufsen ducks, rolling out of the way as two furious cockatrices swoop over his head.

[Olufsen avoids attacks]

From the shadows, Custer is caught off-guard by a solitary bird that swoops nearly silently into him, drawing a deep gash across his face…

[Custer hit by a cockatrice]
[3 damage to Custer]
[Mist succeed at a CON check, DC 11, or be unable to act next turn as petrification sets in…]

Dwan watches, turning round and watching the vicious beasts swooping and clawing at his fellows. The druid sidesteps, effortlessly avoiding the haphazard attacks of two more…

===========

Ok fellows! Round 1! Get your CON checks in lads…could get ugly.

Ao

EXP: +20

[Custer Thickett]

[Con save +1]

Lincoln Thickett's light crossbow, strung but unloaded, clattered against the stone floor as Cuss reached for the throbbing pain in his face. His eyes widened as a heavy headed feeling similar to molded Leaf bloomed. Poisoned?

It flashed to nothing just as quick. He looked at his hands. There was barely any blood. A shallow wound at worst. His mind and vision were clear. He'd be fine.

He pivoted to look at the fray behind him. The cloud of diving enemies dance among the flicking light of fire. Noise echoing from every direction.

Custer pulls the black and white loaded hand crossbows from his belt. The runes shimmering a dull silver in the low light as he fires two quarrels at the Cockatrice diving in for another attack at his face.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 11

[Custer Thickett]

[Shot 1 +7]
21

[Shot 2 +7]
26

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 14

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#2 'D20' : 19

[Osvald Hale]

Osvald curses as the blinding flash of light throws off his aim, the concussive force of the blast echoing cacophonously in the caverns...

'Hope we haven't just awoken every damn monster in this cavern.' He thinks grimly and turns back to face the flock of cockatrices, just in time to feel their talons rake across his chest and face!

The bastards were quick, much quicker then he had expected. Osvald manages to roll--or rather fall--backwards, and get a little distance between himself and the assailing chimeral creatures, but as he raises his bow arm it feels... sluggish. Heavy...

Osvald grits his teeth and manages to shake off the petrification, but it has slowed him slightly and his first shot is wildly off target (fumble!), Cursing, the rangers corrects his aim, and the follow up shot strikes true. The arrow head sinking deep in the greasy feathers of a beast, the arrows thrum matching pitch with a terrible shriek.

======

Rolling two CON checks, and my Two attack rolls in case I pass both... will edit post based on results. Here goes!

Both checks passed, first shot rolled a 1, second is a hit. DMG going in lair, I'll let you determine the effect of the fumbled shot Ao...

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 12, 19

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#2 'D20' : 1, 12

[Kellar]

The Cockatrice swooped toward Kellar and attacked. Kellar's scales converged where it struck Kellar's armor. (Blade Ward activated) The scales flaked away and shimmered in the fire. Orbaugh, your turn! Show them what you can do! Kellar kicked the bird and sent it away ten feet, giving him enough room to draw down his lance. He pierced the wing of the beast and it remained attached to the end.
Attack Roll= 10+7= 17; Success! Damage= 3+3+7= 13!

Orbaugh drew his tail high and moved to paralyze. Orbaugh Attack Roll= 5+4= 9; Miss! The Cockatrice squirmed and kicked, making it difficult for Orbaugh to get a clean shot.

"Keep them scattered! Don't let them bite you! Shout if you become petrified!"

Actions:
Kellar made his CON save, Blade Ward wore off.
Kellar attacked and made 13 damages.
Orbaugh missed!
Gave battle commands.
The end.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 11

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#2 'D20' : 10

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#3 'D6' : 1, 3

[Artimus DeLonde]

A conflagration of flaming oil, burning feathers and panicked chicken reptiles encompassed the party.
Artimus drew his dark blade and slashed at the bird creatures as they flocked and scratched.  The rapier struck one under the left wing, deflecting it corkscrewing through the air and a second on the neck sending them both into the cold wet stone.  

One remained there half limp and twitching.

Still more swarmed him. Talon and beak scraped at his forearm tearing the flesh, sending a trickle of sanguine rolling to his wrist. The wound felt strange and cold. An odd sensation flooded his body .

*Con check 19 Passed *

Artimus blinked… slowly as the strange sensation passed .

"Keep them scattered! Don't let them bite you! Shout if you become petrified!"

“Artimus Delonde doez not fear theze foul thingz!”

Artimus retuned obviously missing Kellars meaning of 'petrified'.

==================
Artimus hits twice, My and Kappa
'My' Dies
Passed Con!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Artimus DeLonde' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 10, 14

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#2 'D20' : 19

[Ao]

The flock of beasts circle madly, their shadows dancing in the torchlight and their screeches deafening. Water rushes past in the stream, casting a ripple through the light that flickers upon the far-off, cavernous ceiling.

Bat wings - huge, leathery, disgusting - flap past your face as the lizard like tails whip through the air.

Keller stands firm, batting away the awful creatures. One slips past his defences, gnawing vengefully on his arm, even as the corpse of its flock member falls from the tip of the lance.

[Kellar is hit, 3 damage, DC11 CON check or paralyzed next round]

Artimus deftly parries the passing creatures, feeling another deep gash upon his forearm…

[Artimus is hit, 2 damage, DC 11CON check or paralyzed next round]

Osvald and Custer skitter away from the flock, ducking as the swooping beasts flap haphazardly overhead.

Dwan looks up, his beard dishevelled and a tangle as two Cockatrices descend upon him…

[Dwan hit twice, 7 damage, 2xDC11 CON checks or paralyzed next round]

===========

Ok guys, round two. Get em!

EXP: +20

[Dwan Bolduum]

Dwan cries out as the beaks pierce his skin, he can feel a warm tingling flow over his arms where the beasts took hold, the grip on his scepter and shield loosen.   Dwan shakes off the birds easily and raises his defenses once more.

(2 constitution saves +3 20, 21)

The feeling subsides from his arms and Dwan races towards the side of the chamber, trying to find a corner to reduce the points of attack. Once his defenses are up Dwan notices a flicker of flame near the ceiling, and can see two cockatrices together looking for another point of attack.

With a swift movement of his scepter, Dwan moves his fireball up towards the creatures, a smile forms on his face as he hears them crying out.

===============================

Dwan saves against paralyze, and then attacks Epsilon and Zeta.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Dwan Bolduum' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 17

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#2 'D20' : 18

[Custer Thickett]

Sucking hard on his lips through his teeth, Cuss's mind is focused on the task at hand.  Reloading Olc and Maith.  

When he looks up, he cannot spot the Cockatrice he'd shot before.  It had disappeared in the brood or had been dispatched as he looked away.  He was almost disappointed, but the ones alight made for better targets.  Or so he thought.

The quarrels he fired disappeared through streaks of flame, and the birds kept flying.  Cuss stared in disbelief, but the echo of his bolt's iron tip off stone several feet further down the cavern rang truth.  He'd missed.  Twice.

11 & 11

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 4

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#2 'D20' : 4

[Kellar]

Constitution Roll= 16+2= 18; Success!

Kellar felt the piercing of the beak through his armor. A trickle of blood seeped through. He punched the bird aside and raised his other hand and formed a javelin made of flame! "Think again bird brain!" Attack Roll= 8+7= 15; Success! Damage= 3+7= 10 The flame pierced the Cockatrice and scorched from the inside, making its eyes burst from the intense heat. "Keep it up! They're almost done for!"

Orbaugh, attack again! Find one!

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 16

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#2 'D20' : 8

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#3 'D10' : 2

[Artimus DeLonde]

Through the calamity artimus could not find purchase on leathery skin or feathered wing. Talons dug into his back as a cockatrice dove upon him. Again a strange coldness swept over him. Again he resisted.

2 missed
passed con check.
sorry guys short post, birthday shenanigans

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Artimus DeLonde' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

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#2 'D20' : 1, 6

[Ao]

Olufsen dashes forward in the flickering torchlight, levying his bow and firing it mid-run. The arrow sails into a cockatrice, threshing its face and sending it careening into the darkened cave floor.

As fire burns around you, and the swooping of predator birds diminishes, you can sense the fury of the beasts transmuting into bitter aggression, and then doubt.

Their attacks become more guarded, their formation more disciplined…

[Cockatrices use SA Flock, granting them +2 AC in exchange for -2 to-hit]
[Cockatrice AC is 16 this turn.]

You and your fellow rank up, turning aside the diving beasts as they burrow into you from the flanks.

Kellar stands tall, batting away the balance of the attacks, feeling only the cruel sting of a barbed claw..

[Kellar is hit, DC 11 CON save]
[Kellar takes 3 damage]

Custer, however, staring off after his missed shots, feels the penultimate pang of distraction - as his eyes chase the lost bolts, one of the cunning beasts swoops past his neck, dragging its hideous claws across the tip of his spine…

[Custer is hit (CRITICAL!) DC 14 CON save]
[Custer takes 9 Damage]

The blow knocks the halfling backward, searing pain cutting through his upper back. He stumbles across the jagged cave floor, tripping through the torchlight as if in slow motion.

His vision blurs, the sound of rushing water filling his ears -

And as his ankle bends beneath him, he can see the river rushing up to meet him -

[Cuss-read below]
==================

OK guys - no one has taken control of Olufsen yet. He killed Gamma this turn,. but I really need someone to pilot him!

Custer, if you fail your DC 14 CON save vs. petrification, Ill need you to make a Dex check (DC 20!) because of the petrification. The critical hit set you stumbling across the cave floor, and you’ve fallen across some craggy cave floor.

Unless you can save vs. petrification, you’re going to tumble in the stream without that DC 20 dex check.

EXP: +20


good luck

-Ao

[Kellar]

CON Roll= 17+2= 19; Success!
Kellar felt the talons grasp at him, not ferociously, but desperately. "Press the advantage!" He punched the bird that clawed at him and raised his hand again and drew another javelin of flame. Attack Roll= 2+7= 9; Miss! The javelin splashed against the cave wall, offering more illumination, but no damage to his foe. Orbaugh chased after the bird (Epsilon) Kellar punched and raised his tail to strike! Attack Roll= 12+4= 16; Success! Damage= 1+4= 5

Orbaugh bared his tiny teeth as he whipped his tail around and plunged it into the ribcage of the bird. An awkward SQWUACK! erupted from its maw and it fell to the floor. Lifeless. Master! I got one! I got one! Orbaugh dashed back toward his master, looking for the next target to kill.

Actions:
Kellar saved CON.
Orbaugh killed a bird.
Kellar missed an attack.
Olufsen post coming after the others post.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 17

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#2 'D20' : 2

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#3 'D10' : 5

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#4 'D20' : 12

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#5 'D4' : 1

[Dwan Bolduum]

Dwan ducks his head as the Cockatrices swoop around the chamber. As his friends are defending themselves and killing off the beasts, Dwan eyes the still smoldering cockatrice that he hit earlier. Seeing that none of the other Cockatrices are close enough for the fireball to hit multiple targets, Dwan swings his scepter and thus the ball of flame into the path of the injured creature.

Dwan laughs as the flaming sphere reaches it's location perfectly and the cockatrice flies through the flames, and bounces off the ceiling of the cavern in a panic.

[Artimus DeLonde]

Artimus sees Dwan crunch down and ducks reflexively, allowing him to evade the swooping talons of the cave dwelling birds before his human eyes spot them swiftly diving out of the blackness.

Artimus heard the tearing of flesh as one of the birds collided with Custer. it ripped and tore at the halflings back sending the lithe figure off balance. Artimus reached for him in an attempt to steady Custer.

** Dex check**

The laughing of the dwarf echoed through the cavern as it played off one wall then another. Dwan's low tones set his mind at ease, they reverberated with a certain familiarity in this rocky place.

Artimus heaved the heavy crossbow into firing position and levied his gaze at the flitting flaming cockatrice ahead, up and to the left.. as he Began to squeeze the trigger the floating smouldering sphere fell to the ground. ** Delta dies**

Artimus  quickly shifted his aim to another of the cadre and pulled gentle exhaling as he hugged the leaver with his forefinger.

**Artimus Fires Heavy Crossbow at ETA**

The thick bolt flew awry clattering into the unknown expanse.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Artimus DeLonde' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 1, 8

[Custer Thickett]

[CON save +1]
15

His knees buckle and hit hard against the stone as the pain courses down his back, through his legs, and down to his feet. His ears ring, causing his cry of pain to form into words, "Bah! Stop it Shorjy!"

The movement of his mouth made the pain worse, but the ability to produce the words suggested that he'd be fine.

Cuss inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to calm the screaming laughter in his head.

Eyes still closed, his hands danced with his hand crossbows. They needed no guide, and soon produced two more bolts ready in their flight grooves.

He hefted the bows in each hand, pointing them straight over his head where he knelt.

Eyes still closed, he thought, 'Guide me, My Lady,' and pulled the triggers.

[Firing with disadvantage +7]
8

[Firing with disadvantage +7]
15

He heard one bolt snap hard against the stone ceiling, and the other...

................

Critical fail on eyes closed shot. Other just barely missed.
Not petrified, but still stupid.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 1

[Custer Thickett]

[Halfing's Luck, re-rolling 1]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 14

[Custer Thickett]

[Rolling attacks.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 16, 8

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#2 'D20' : 1, 18

[Ao]

Osvald stumbles across the cave floor, his foot skirting dangerously close to the burning torch as three of the Cockatrices fly a looping swoop and barrel down upon him…

[Cockatrices miss osvald]

The ranger nimbly sidesteps the horrific birds, as their brood take off into Custer, who steadies himself at the crest of the stream…

[Cockatrices miss Custer]

The beasts flap upward in the cavern, flying erratically around one another as the fellowship rebukes them. They screech and caw, flapping nervously as their lizard-like tails hang limply beneath them.

All around you are the corpses of the fallen beasts. They burn and sputter, or lay dripping in a piles of offal and gore. Their hideous forms are contorted in the most unnatural of ways.

With a defiant caw, the fattest of the Cockatrices turns and flies full-bore away into the darkness of the cave. His cadre follows, and in seconds they disappear from the torchlight circle, and the cave is plunged into silence…

=============

Ok lads - the cockatrices retreated from the combat. You can have another round of ranged attacks for free against them, if you wish, to pick them off as they flee.

+225 experience each, for defeating the cockatrices with relative ease.

The emerald stream bubbles ominously beside you, winding into the deeper bowels of the cave.

This antechamber is enormous…hundreds of feet across. You could elect to search the chamber, if you were so inclined…

Otherwise, you can pursue deeper into the cave system, either following the stream or not.

If you elect to chase the cockatrices on foot, please let me know.

Ao

[Custer Thickett]

His head turns and his eyes open, greeted by flapping wings and gnashing beaks.  They were headed straight for him.

Cuss spins as he ducks, twisting on his knees and planting his unloaded bows into the hard stone.  His hair is moved by the turbulent air boiling off their flapping wings as they pass, their claws only just missing his soft flesh.

He watched them fly away while hugging the ground on his hands and knees.  

Thank ya, My Lady.

Cuss pushed himself into a seated position by the toxic water, and touched his neck.  He inspected his fingers for blood, and found very little.  He was surprised the wound throbbed with so much pain for being shallow.  He hoped it would pass soon.

He spat upon the ground and wrapped his neck tighter with his torn scarf.  He sat still to catch his breath, and looked into the caustic blue water for sympathy.  He found an idea.  

Cuss dove into his pack and pulled free his pliers and a empty glass vial.  Much as he had at the pink lake, Cuss tried catching some of the blue water in the vial to carry with him.

As the others gathered themselves to move, Cuss stowed his bows and carefully picked his way across the uneven ground to pick up one of the torches that had been thrown.  He very lightly blew upon it to fuel the flame brighter, then fell in behind his friends, walking in silence.

He palmed a broken piece of chalk in his left hand.

[Stealth]
25

...

Taking some blue water with me, yo.
Taking up the rear with a torch. I plan to extinguish it at the first sound or sign of company.
Cuss will mark an arrow on the wall pointing back the way they came anytime the group approaches an intersection of paths.

[Custer Thickett]

[Forgot to roll stealth for travel +9]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 16

[Artimus DeLonde]

Artimus winced in pain as the rampant flapping of the cave birds wings disappeared into some unknown annals of the cavern.

The claws of the subterranean aviators were sharp, and split the flesh into ribbons. A strange blessing, the skin folded neatly back onto itself, the blood sealing it nicely. Artimus cleaned and bound his wounds.

Lighting his lantern, Artimus carefully plotted around the cave collecting the carcasses of the cavern foul. Seven all told.

As he gathered the birds he asked Custer about searching the cavern.

"Cuzter, what can you eyez uncover in zhiz room? iz zhere an obviouz waz ahead, I'm afraid my vizion iz... quite limited here."

Artimus had heard rumor that the feathers were highly sought after by alchemists and potion brewers.

He brought warm corpses to Osvald.

"Lord Hale, Perhapz you could be zo kind to help me zkin zheze monztrozitiez, zhey will fetch a fine price. If fortune zmilez we can locate wherever zhiz creature hidez away whatever zhat cold venom waz. We can uze every edge for what liez ahead. Any guidance you could provide would be appreciated. If it iz not a fizh, a gull or a chicken, I have not zkinned it."


Pulling forth dragged carved from the Luskan ivory the mariner followed the skilled rangers lead, cutting where he cut, first around the neck, then around the shoulders and lastly the feet. Done skillfully the skin came off like tightly knitted sweater.

As they worked the mariner asked Olufsen -

"Before in zhe glade, when zhe orgez called out a kind of greeting, do you perhapz know zhe clean rezponze. It would be a wize for uz to know all we can about how zheze groupz interact if we are to better infilitrate zhem"

The skinned bodies began to stack up as they worked.

Artimus looked over one of the fleshy resultants trying to determine which among gizzard and liver was the poison sack.

"Dwan Mon amie, if it iz not too gruezome could you lend you knowledge to finding where zhiz fiend ztorez it venom, I am beyond my depzh I fear."
=========================================
Artimus Gathers the cockatrices and skins them with Hales aid if he agrees
Asks Dwan to help find the poison sacks
Asks Custer to search the cavern
Asks Olufsen about the answer to the orge greeting and anything else he might know about their customs .

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Artimus DeLonde' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 12

[Custer Thickett]

"Might be ya brilliant, Captian. Might be that venom will be the edge we need, yeah?"

"Me eyes are no better than ya own in here, friend. Mayhaps Dwan can look about, no?"

[Artimus DeLonde]

"Ah yez..." Artimus answered realizing his folly - with a tone that sounded like a schooner that drifted pulling an achor across a lake floor.

"Dwan could your eyez aid uz to zearch this cavern with hazte?"

Artimus inquired, seeing a soft cool ember in the dwarves eyes. The orbs fixed just above a scraggly beard seem to drink up even the little light that invaded into the darkest spaces.

[Kellar]

"They're falling back. With luck, they won't return, knowing that we can easily kill the rest of them." Kellar looked to Orbaugh, Look about the room, look for anything shiny, but stay away from the water, we may not have been the only ones to come through here. Perhaps weapons or trinkets were left behind.

I look, Master. I hungry too.

Kellar removed a ration from his pack and broke it apart. He ate some and waited for Orbaugh to return and then fed him while he rested on his shoulder. He watched the sailor dressing the dead birds. "If you remove the talons, I could use those," he said.

"I'd reckon we could move forward, Olufsen, do you want to lead? I'll follow and rearguard."

Actions:
Orbaugh Perception Roll= 19+3= 23; What'd we find?!?
Kellar Stealth Roll= 18+5= 23; Stealthy, yo.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 19, 10

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#2 'D20' : 18

[Dwan Bolduum]

Dwan Mon amie, if it iz not too gruezome could you lend you knowledge to finding where zhiz fiend ztorez it venom, I am beyond my depzh I fear.

Dwan nods towards Artimus before realizing that it was in vain.  Yes, let me see if I can find it for you. Come over here, I may be able to locate the poison for you but my fingers will be unable to cut or tear anything out.  As Artimus approaches, Dwan brings his flaming sphere to hang above the cockatrice granting light to the dissection.  

**Nature roll to find poison sac 5+3 = 8**

Once this is completed Dwan will take a look around the room to see if there is anything else that may be of use to the party, any side passages or hidden treasure.

**Perception roll 4+3 = 7**

If Dwan finds any new paths or anything of interest he will bring it to the party's attention before they proceed, if not Dwan will join the party as they continue through the cave, dissipating the flaming sphere once they leave this opening.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Dwan Bolduum' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 5

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#2 'D20' : 4

[Ao]

The sounds of squelching and scraping echo about the cavern, harmoniously superimposed over the soundscape of the running, caustic stream, as Artimus sets about carving up the fallen birds.

[Artimus recovers 6 hides. 2 poison sacs]

Custer’s vials fill gently with the emerald green liquid, shimmering in the torchlight. Behind him, he can hear Olufsen speaking gruffly.

“Bloody paralytic nuisances. I don’t know why you’re skinning those beasts, captain. They’re uglier than the streetwalkers from Imnescar. You Cormyrians have strange taste in fashion.”

Meanwhile, Kellar scouts the perimeter of their position as Orbaugh skitters off into the blackness.

[Orbaugh looking, master!] squeaks the tiny dragon, his dainty voice filling Kellar’s mind.

[Orbaugh - perception/search]

The dragoon senses as Orbaugh skitters across the vast cavern, covering ground quickly. The tiny beast, delves into worn crannies, snooping through small growth clusters of mushrooms and nightshade undergrowth.

Orbaugh discovers a network of caverns in the northwest region of the antechamber, a series of four-foot wide holes bored into the cave wall. An uncomfortable fit for anyone but a halfling, leading up and in to the mountain. The pseudo dragon explores the first twenty feet of the discovery before turning back. The tunnels do not widen, and their trajectory becomes even more steep.

[Cold, master! And spooky…]

Orbaugh skitters back towards the fellowship, squealing as it stumbles across the remains of a humanoid, draped in rotted fabric, picked apart and decomposed.

The pseudo dragon balks, and Kellar can feel the fear tearing through his companion.

It takes several moments for Orbaugh to calm himself.

[D…dead man, master. Big hole in his head…]

Indeed, Kellar gets a sense of a sizeable hole, nearly two inches wide, bored into the forehead of the corpse.

After recovering from the shock, Orbaugh claws across the corpse, discovering a small pouch hung at the unfortunate traveler side, as well as a hatchet in its hand.

The pseudo dragon slings the pouch over its back, dragging the hatched behind him towards the fellowship…

[…]

You watch as the pseudo dragon emerges back into the torchlight, spilling the pouch onto the cavern floor and dropping the hatchet.

[Master…axe is magical!] shouts Orbaugh excitedly. The pseudodragon clicks his paws in anticipation.

The coin purse spills out a mixture of silver and gold coins.

Olufsen looks at the hand axe grimly.

“Roarad…” he mutters under his breath.

“That axe belonged to a ranger from my company. What in the hells was he doing in here?”

He pauses, rubbing at his chin, and then responds to Kellar.

“Yeah - I’ll take point with the halfling.”

[…]

The cavern winds upward alongside the burbling stream, and you walk behind the light of Custer’s torch twenty feet ahead.

The halfling’s eyes peer into the darkness, Olufsen walking with his bow drawn back and ready to fire..

You walk for perhaps thirty minutes, winding through the cavern path. It splits off into smaller crags and crevices, but the ranger’s intuit direction keeps you to the larger artery of this tunnel.

Dwan’s dwarven eyes pick up that this tunnel was widened crudely, in the last decade or so. And it was done with pickaxes - the walls are hewn roughly, and artlessly. Similar to the goblin tunnels he knew from his time in the Gold Army.

Suddenly, Custer tenses up.

Ahead, he catches a glint of torchlight upon a set of eyes perhaps 30 feet ahead, peering at you from the darkness. In that split second, Custer sees that the humanoid catching sight of your torch was not expecting to be disturbed.

Silence, and then - the spy erupts from its vantage point, landing lithely upon the cavern floor. It looks at you for a second, and you can see it clearly -

A small goblin, with a crossbow slung across its back. Its face is contorted into a look of fear, and it takes off running in the opposite direction with incredible speed!

====================

Ok guys, you’re in the tunnel traversing into the depths of the mountain.

Custer’s stealth roll allowed you to happen upon a ‘sentry’ or ‘spy’ of some sort, even with a torch, and get the surprise on it. Good rolling.

Of course, it still has about 30 feet of clearance from you, and it’s running like hell in the opposite direction.

The tunnel is craggy and uneven, and challenging to run across. You’ve got a few options here:

If you want to chase the goblin down, I’ll need a DEX check (with a supporting skill, if you think its appropriate) of at least 17 to catch it.
If you manage to catch it, you’ll need to subdue it in some way. It’s small, but I’ll need a STR check of at least 13 to wrestle it to the ground. And then we’ll have some opposed skill checks the following round to keep it there.
If you’d prefer to fire off a ranged weapon at the goblin, it has an AC of 15 and 16/16 health points. Reducing it to 0 will kill it, I’m ruling (so no chance to question it, etc. - be aware of that)

Anyone in heavy armour (think chainmail or above) is not eligible to participate in the DEX check. You can follow behind, or fire a ranged weapon.

Anyone without dark vision, if you’re not with Custer or don’t have your own torch, you have an 80% chance of tripping and seriously injuring yourself (1-80 on a d100) if you’re participating in the DEX check.

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LOOT:

34 gold pieces each (pouch)
12 silver pieces each (pouch)

Handaxe:
+1 Small Steel Whirling Wounding Handaxe
1D4+1 damage
Deals 1 CON damage
3/day - attack all enemies within five feet of the user.

EXP: +25
-Ao

[Custer Thickett]

The goblin looks at him after landing in a perch upon a stone half its size.  Their eyes meet, and Cuss can see panic shape the face of the goblin's brief stare.  Cuss tries to think to the thing, 'Doan run an...' but it was already tensing to lunge away.  

The trickle of the water in the cavern fades to silence in his mind as he reaches for his bracer, dropping his chalk as he grasped the hilt of a hidden dagger.  In one fluid motion Cuss pivots as he raises his arm holding the torch, pulling the dagger free from it.  He flings the weapon end over end after the fleeing goblin.  Its deadly metal shimmering in the torchlight as it rotates.  

[Advantage from surprise, disadvantage from range. +6]
17 Hit
20 Damage Assassinated!

The blade catches the goblin in the back of the head, just where the neck and skull come together.  It buried to the hilt with barely a sound at all.  The goblin tensing a moment as it begins to fall forward, then contorting limp as its body finds rest among the stones of the uneven floor.  

Cuss stares at the body, one arm still high in the air holding the torch and the other outstretched as it had released the throw.  Holding the pose, he whispers, "Might be that was a close one, yeah?"

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