Session 7: Down Once More...

Rumrunner · September 16, 2023

Trouble found them in moments, tentacles surrounding them, slithering out through pipes and cracks in the walls behind them as the monsterous writhing mass pursued Nikolette pack towards them from at the other end of the tunnel. The walls were close, the space was tight for a wolf as large as she, but there were advantages to that. Moving into the T junction she blocked one path and left enough room for her lupin friend to pass. As the monster gave chase, Souris lashed out, a wide maw fangs meeting the tentacled mass in matching fury.

Dice Ex Machina

Sentinel as reaction to attack it as it attacks Nikolette
Then normal action to attack.
Pack Tactics nullify the disadvantage.

GM Saint · September 16, 2023

Draysus cleanly cuts the eye from the stalk and the rest of it retreats into the pipes. Aaliyah is released at the grabbing tentacle follows suit. Down the hall a ways, the shadow baby has gone limp and it's shadowy cloud fades away. You can still move down the tunnel beyond it but the body makes it difficult terrain. You remember from the last baby that the body breaks down quickly, turning into just a fleshy goop in about a day. That's a faster timeframe than is helpful to you though.

Down in that tunnel, at the end, Niko had spotted a fresher body. If you examine it, it's a dwarven man with his head bashed in. He's lucky he died before the toxin could take hold of him. This body is very fresh, barely chewed on even. You'd guess he was taken down less than a day ago. He's wearing mostly well fitting leathers, worn but well maintained. There is a long bow on the ground nearby and this pristine pair of leather bracers, on which is a silver emblem of a crescent moon and an arrow in the gap.

On his belt is a dagger, very well made. Murdain, you recognize the smith's mark on it as belonging to one of the craftsman from Valefort. It's not a special dagger, just a very well made piece that draws the eye. Also on the belt is a pair of small shackles. They're very small though, as if meant for a child or a very small race such as kobolds or halflings. Around his neck is a locket. If you open it, it has art of two younger dwarves, one boy and one girl. On the back is engraved, 'so you remember we're always with you daddy.'

The coins in his pouch are stamped with the Sun-in-Glory, minted in Carysand. There is something about the leather his gear is made of. It's not normal hide but you can't really place it.

Souris. Now that it's quiet again and you can focus, there are eight creatures beyond this collapse. Eight distinct odors that are all similar enough that they're likely the same type of entity. Two of them are much stronger. You don't hear the movement Murdain mentioned. Nothing in that room is moving at all. Also, you begin to smell the Shadow, more strongly than ever. The scent is coming from every pipe opening. This entire place...

Rejakor · September 16, 2023

Hmm.

The raggedy man watches the tentacles retreat into the pipes. Annoying. Still, he cut that eye thing off. It looked small on the ground there. When he'd had seen those tentacles erupt out of nothing he'd thought it would be a seriously powerful creature. And maybe it was, wherever the rest of its body was inside the pipes. That had likely just been an offshoot.

Leaning over, he coughed a mouthful of blood onto the stone, straightening back up slowly but without any sign of the pain he was feeling around his ribs. The lashing tentacles had broken open the wounds on his face, not the first time judging by how red they were around the edges - blood oozed down his face, but he ignored it.

"Which way?"

A few moments later, he clarified.

"The main body. Which way?"

OOC

TheGospel · September 17, 2023

Name Aaliyah \| Class Warlock/Sorc \| Level: 3/2 \| AC: 17\| HP: 29/43 \| Prof: +3	Stats: Str 8 / Dex 14 / Con 13 / Int 12 / Wis 10 / Cha 18
Special Abilities: Luck: [o][o] Hex Curse: [o]	Attacks: Leaf \| +8 \| 1d6+5 slash - EB \| +7 \| 1d10 Forcex2
Cantrips Spells Known (6):	Magic Items: Healing Potion [o][o][o]
Spell DC: 15 \| Spell Attack +7 Sorc Points: 2/2 Spells (Sorc lvl1) [o][o][o] (War lvl2) [o][o]

"You cut that eyeball right off! Squish it." Aaliyah tried to stomp the eye but her little frame didn't do much. "We gotta find the body but it's gonna be way bigger and might mind control someone so if it's you and I have to blow you up in super sorry." She rambles through the last bit without taking a breath, then broke down panting. That was terrifying.

WolfBirch · September 17, 2023

Prepared Spells | Spell DC: 15 | Spell Attack +7 | Hit Dice d8 (5/5) | Death Saves: 0/0

Cantrips: Light, Spare the Dying, Sacred Flame (2d8 radiant DEX save), Word of Radiance (2d6 radiant CON save)

Level 1 | (3/4) | Bless C (+d4), Cure Wounds (1d8+7 healing), Healing Word (1d4+7 healing), Inflict Wounds (3d10 necrotic)
Level 2 | (2/3) | Hold Person C (WIS save), Zone of Truth, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon (1d8+4 force), Prayer of Healing (2d8+8 x6)

Level 3 | (2/2) | Beacon of Hope C, Mass Healing Word (1d4+9 x6), Daylight, Aura of Vitality C (2d6+5 for 1 minute), Revivify

Barkvin breaths a sigh of relief. The baby one was down and what ever type that grabbed Aalyiah was gone. He took a few moments to catch his breath and then he followed the others. "Argh, is everyone okay? And that was a little one..." He leaves the thought hanging in the air as he keeps his eyes open. It was so dark in here. He wished that he was outside in the daylight rather than traipsing around here in the darkness.

Mechanics

MOVE: none

ACTION: none

BONUS ACTION: none

OOC:

Edited September 17, 2023 by WolfBirch (see edit history)

Alliebaby · September 17, 2023

Name Nikoletta Vandal \| Class Blood Hunter \| Level: 5 \| AC: 15\| HP: 33/60 \| Prof: +3	Stats: Str 18 / Dex 12 / Con 14 / Int 14 / Wis 10 / Cha 8
Special Abilities: Luck: [o][x] Eyeless [x] Aroooo:[x] The Die: 1d6	Attacks: Greatsword \| +7 \| 1d12+4 slash - Bow \| +4 \| 1dd8+3
Spells: Misty Step/Levitate/Dispel Magic/Bless [x][o][o][o]	Magic Items: Healing Potion [o][o]

One hand over her chest and the other dragging her sword on the ground behind her, Niko picks her way over the baby's body. This was her second encounter with the creatures and even the babies were dangerous foes. "This is a far step from werewolf hunting."

She thanks Barkvin for the helping hand. He doesn't know how dangerous things can become if she's forced to transform from a place of pain and desperation. Even after his healing, she was in a dangerous place right now. "He does not appear to have been dead long. Had we not delayed last night and come then, perhaps he lives. A failure for our sense of urgency and not one we should make again. We can see him buried when we're done here. For now, we should move on."

Rejakor · September 17, 2023

"Don't worry about it." If she had to blast him, she had to blast him. Better she shot him than he became a menace to others. That was a worry. But he felt he had better odds of landing an axe on something than it did of using his battered carcass for much.

He witnessed the tiny spear user stomping on the eye. It seemed pretty dead to him.

Still, better safe than sorry. Retrieving his fallen torch, he wandered over and held the flames to the eye. Slowly and methodically charring it over and over to burn any touch of resurgent life from the dead flesh.

OOC

TheGospel · September 17, 2023

Name Aaliyah \| Class Warlock/Sorc \| Level: 3/2 \| AC: 17\| HP: 29/43 \| Prof: +3	Stats: Str 8 / Dex 14 / Con 13 / Int 12 / Wis 10 / Cha 18
Special Abilities: Luck: [o][o] Hex Curse: [o]	Attacks: Leaf \| +8 \| 1d6+5 slash - EB \| +7 \| 1d10 Forcex2
Cantrips Spells Known (6):	Magic Items: Healing Potion [o][o][o]
Spell DC: 15 \| Spell Attack +7 Sorc Points: 2/2 Spells (Sorc lvl1) [o][o][o] (War lvl2) [o][o]

"So it can come out of these pipes and it knows we're here. So I don't super trust you but you seem nice. So here." She reaches into her bag and produces a a staff made of blue metal out of it somehow. "This kills magic users somehow. I need it back so if you die, make sure you die somewhere i can get to."

OOC: and Saint didn't give the crunch of HOW it kills magic users...

Diofant · September 18, 2023

Murdain Shattershield

Class: Psion 5 | AC: 14 | HP: 50/50 | Prof: +3 | Init: +3 | PP: 16 | Speed: 30ft

ConditionsPsionic Empowerment |0/3 ☠ 0/3| 5/5d8 HD| 2/2 LR| 3/4 SR| 1/1 LR| 10/10 |💼 Inventory

After making sure the others were out of danger, the dwarf nodded with satisfaction and looked for a few moments into the corpse's face. Nobody I know. Locket dont seem familiar, neither. Good. "This mark on the dagger... Weapon's been branded with the smith's mark. I know it - from Valefort. Aint really special, but the craftmanship's quite good. His gold's from... Carysand though, thats a bit odd." He shook his head. "Poor soul. Least he died 'fore it converted 'im. Wonder iffen your family's alive... If they are, best send the locket to em." he straightened up, half-turning to see Aaliyah produce the staff and make an incredulous expression: "...'zat the same one I think it is?" He shook his head and glared down the tunnel: "Dunno 'bout main body, but none of the critters it spawned before could spawn these tentacle fields. Might be that was from the main body... Might be there's an older spawn in 'ere. Aaliyah may be right, could be its too massive to squeeze outta these sewers... Though iffen it can squeeze through pipes, should be able to. 'Ey Souris, what're the chances that tha reason you only sensed three is cause the last one's too big an didn't register? Forest fer the trees an all that."

OOC/Mechanics

Action:
Bonus Action:
Free Action:
Move: None
Reaction:
OOC:

Edited September 18, 2023 by Diofant (see edit history)

Rumrunner · September 18, 2023

Reaching out mentally to Murdain, Souris looks towards teh rubble. ~They're behind the rubble, the scent of eight creatures of shadow. Also its seeping through everything, every pipe in this place.~

Dice Ex Machina

Diofant · September 18, 2023

Murdain Shattershield

Class: Psion 5 | AC: 14 | HP: 50/50 | Prof: +3 | Init: +3 | PP: 16 | Speed: 30ft

ConditionsPsionic Empowerment |0/3 ☠ 0/3| 5/5d8 HD| 2/2 LR| 3/4 SR| 1/1 LR| 10/10 |💼 Inventory

Murdain exhaled through his teeth - a hissing sound - when he'd heard the number of creatures they were dealing with, and slowly and quietly repeated a few dwarven curses from the years of his father's father's father. Almost poetic, them. "Right... May wanna keep chatter to minimum. I'll go first - got that special surprise, courtesy of our large 'friends' visit back then." He briefly tapped his bracer. If it was in the pipes, it may be able to see - or hear everything they plan. "Souris, if you can, tell Nikoletta and Draysus why they oughta hang back." He wiggled his hand and tapped the side of his head, indicating telepathy. It would not be good if they were found out. The bracer was unlikely to kill any of these things - but it may wittle them down some. It wasnt worth using if he couldnt get a lot of them caught in it. The next problem was how he was going to spot them without being spotted... Magic fire had varying effects. "Barkvin... May really need Sola's brightest soon; if you got anything of the sort." Invisibility just may be the ticket here. Given his connection, maybe they could sense him less. "Nikoletta." He walked up to the drow and plucked a carefully wrapped vial off his bandolier, lowering his voice. "In case of crowds. Fire. Spread's..." He lifted his hand showing five fingers, avoiding saying as many words as he could. "Around impact."

OOC/Mechanics

Action:
Bonus Action:
Free Action:
Move: None
Reaction:
OOC:

Rumrunner · September 18, 2023

Souris telepathically reached out to those nearby, telling them each: to stand back, there are multiple shadow monsters behind the wall, and to wait for Murdain's signal.

Dice Ex Machina

Alliebaby · September 18, 2023

Name Nikoletta Vandal \| Class Blood Hunter \| Level: 5 \| AC: 15\| HP: 58/60 \| Prof: +3	Stats: Str 18 / Dex 12 / Con 14 / Int 08 / Wis 10 / Cha 14
Special Abilities: Luck: [o][x] Eyeless [x] Aroooo:[x] The Die: 1d6	Attacks: Greatsword \| +7 \| 1d12+4 slash - Bow \| +4 \| 1dd8+3
Spells: Misty Step/Levitate/Dispel Magic/Bless [x][o][o][o]	Magic Items: Healing Potion [o][o]

"Many...? Perhaps the cat has a pride? If there can be many Shadows down here, I do not see how we can win. Bury that passage and we go around, so nothing attacks us from behind again."

She accepts the vial and casually pockets it. If it burns when broken, she was now one rough hit away from dying in the worst way... "The staff Aegis gave you. Is it charged well? I must admit, I dare not change if I'm hurt this much. The wolf is much more difficult to control if it's in pain."

Edited September 18, 2023 by Alliebaby (see edit history)

Rejakor · September 18, 2023

The ragged man looks up as the short spear user offers something to him. He's even more ragged than before - those tentacles tore some new holes in his coat, and ripped off the bottom part of his right pants leg, which now dangles behind him.

Laying the torch down on the ground, he pauses for a moment, re-aligning the torch so it rests on the eye and still keeps burning it, before taking the staff. "Thanks." His voice is again way less rough than you'd expect, smooth rather than coarse and well spoken if a little hoarse. He looks for a moment at the staff and axe, one in each hand, with the expression of deep thought.

Then he puts them both in one hand and rummages around in his coat.

Producing a length of fisherman's twine, he uses the edge of the axe to somewhat awkwardly cut off a length and starts binding the two items together - axe and staff - at several points along their length making sure there is no wiggle or ability to move between the two staves.

Hefting the new combi-weapon, he gives it a few practice swings. The weight is off but it should work.

He nods again to the small spear wielder. "I will put it to use."

This sounds less like thanks and more like a grim promise.

OOC

Edited September 18, 2023 by Rejakor (see edit history)

WolfBirch · September 18, 2023

Prepared Spells | Spell DC: 15 | Spell Attack +7 | Hit Dice d8 (5/5) | Death Saves: 0/0

Cantrips: Light, Spare the Dying, Sacred Flame (2d8 radiant DEX save), Word of Radiance (2d6 radiant CON save)

Level 1 | (3/4) | Bless C (+d4), Cure Wounds (1d8+7 healing), Healing Word (1d4+7 healing), Inflict Wounds (3d10 necrotic)
Level 2 | (2/3) | Hold Person C (WIS save), Zone of Truth, Lesser Restoration, Spiritual Weapon (1d8+4 force), Prayer of Healing (2d8+8 x6)

Level 3 | (2/2) | Beacon of Hope C, Mass Healing Word (1d4+9 x6), Daylight, Aura of Vitality C (2d6+5 for 1 minute), Revivify

As Barkvin surveyed his allies, it appeared that the dark elf was worse off than the others. "Argh, We'll be needin' yer strength me hearty. Here Nikoletta take a wee bit more of Sola's light to bind them wounds."

The half orc is a little chilled as the number jumps from 3 to 8 more, plus the mother in the pipes. "Aye, Murdain, was savin' the most holy light for the mama, but if there be eight of them little beasts, it may be needed now." He looks around nervously at every pipe waiting for something to jump out. He was happy to stay at the back and not be the punching bag this time. He considers his escape route should things take a turn for the worse. With tentacles popping up out of the ground, there may be no escape.

He notes the dead dwarf and takes a moment to kneel down and offer a prayer for the souls safe passage to the after life. Before standing her takes the money, bow, bracers, dagger, locket and shackles from the corpse. He will happily hand the items to anyone who will take them.

Mechanics *

MOVE: none

ACTION: Uses preserve life on Nikoletta for 25 HP of healing @Alliebaby

BONUS ACTION: none

OOC:

Edited September 18, 2023 by WolfBirch (see edit history)

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Session 7: Down Once More...

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