Chapter 8: Against the Cult of the Reptile God

[AleBelly]

Pelias guards the hallway, standing three feet to the east of the entrance. "Let us not spread our forces too thinly" whispers the paladin. "There is great evil in this direction."

He waits for the observations of others.

[dmw71]

Avril, not completely convinced that the western passage being pursued is the exit Ingrid was somehow removed through, will open and peer out the door she listened through moments earlier. And, if she spies nothing unusual, she will re-close this first door and open the second door along the same wall.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
The Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Between 8pm and 9pm. Friday, October 21st, 576 CY
Full moon, cloudy, damp, cold, misty





The heroes desperately search for Ingrid in the shadowy, maze-like cellars of the Foaming Mug Inn!

Moogeye opens a door onto a dark hallway with fresh droplets of blood on its floor and shouts her discovery!

Mouser steps back, into the darkness behind his allies.

Avril opens the southeast door and finds a tool room (15); saws, hammers, nails, planks of wood, and no space for anyone to hide.
She throws open the southwest door and is immediately hit by the sickly sweet smell of this abandoned rotten fruit cellar (14), the center of the spider infestation. Fetid, moldy vegetable flesh crawls with writhing insects and maggots, trapped in deadly gossamer webs.



Pelias moves to the western door, joining Bo and Moogeye who hold their lanterns to illuminate a path. Telkis and Grothnak take it. They lunge down the blood spattered corridor in search of Ingrid, casting dark looming shadows before them! The blood trail leads west.

But as they pass the first pair of open doors, they are suddenly flanked by fierce terrible figures that seemingly materialize from the pitch shadows themselves! Hideous malevolent faces of warped, macabre reptilians. (R3 and R4)

Reptilian 3.jpg (213.32 KiB) Viewed 774 times

Survivors of an older, more fiendish primordial age. Their very existence whispered of horrors that still remained, lurking in the dark corners of the world.

Reptilian 4.jpg (194.54 KiB) Viewed 774 times

They strike without mercy with sinister jagged spears, and sharp guttural intonations that carry the hiss of a cobra!

Telkis beats down one spear but is gashed across the ribs by another (-2 hp)! He pivots and returns the attack, trying to bludgeon the terror of fangs and talons that stabbed him (R3). The gnome warrior swings his heavy morningstar wide, splintering the door jamb in an explosion of wood shards!

Grothnak brings Vadok to bear with a ferocious swipe that splits an inhuman skull! The snake-scaled abomination (R3) is dead before his vile body hits the floor!

Suddenly, the heroes' minds are once more under assault by the black sorcery of these flagrant monstrosities!
Everyone except Avril and Grey, please Save on 1d20. You want low. Please post your action regardless of the roll's outcome. Thanks.


Actions?


Map:

Foaming Mug Inn Cellar 5.jpg (478.1 KiB) Viewed 774 times

One square = 5 feet. Red signifies the unconscious or the dead. Light source: Bo's and Moogeye's lanterns. The two nearest and one furthest doors are ajar.[/ooc]


DM Notes:

Party surprised? (1-4): [1d6] = 5 No.
Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 2, Monsters: [1d6] = 5 Monsters win.
R3 and R4 attack Telkis: to hit: [1d20] = 14, [1d20] = 6 One hits...
R3 damage to Telkis: [2d4] = 2 ...for 2 damage

Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 5/10, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 9/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 24/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 0/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 12/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 15/19, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 24/28

Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
  Shocking Grasp (Mouser): Duration: one touch.

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Zhym]

Grothnak's mind is disciplined. Evil will have no hold over him. He brings Vadok down again in an even more deadly arc against the second abomination.

[1d20] = 6
Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22, Dmg [1d10+4] = 9+4 = 13 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 7+4 = 11 (L)

BOO. YAH.

[ChubbyPixie]

Without really understanding what he's doing, Telkis attempts to repel the mind attack by imagining himself secure from threat in a dwarven tower perched on a cliff in Brassfang territory.

Mind Save: [1d20] = 10 hmmm... could be good, could be bad...

Seeing Grothnak positively decimate the creature that stabbed him, then draw a bead on the remaining one, he feels it best to continue down the hall and vacate the Half-orc's kill zone. "Leave some for the rest of us, Grothnak!" he begins lightly, then is once again overtaken by the urgency of the situation. He'll throw open the next door, ready to attack whatever lies within...

Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 18+1 = 19, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 4+1 = 5, vs L [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

[dmw71]

Understanding that now is not the time to be casually inspecting seemingly empty closets, Avril will reclose the doors and make for the western hallway, stopping at the opening, careful to stay well out of the way of Grothnak's flailing halberd.

[AleBelly]

"Cry out if you need help!" calls Pelias to Wrenly Telkis and Grothnak. He peers down the hallway, looking out for more trouble in case the gallant duo get ambushed by something further down the hall.

[1d20] = 7

[Starbeard]

Steeling herself, Moogeye takes the opportunity to peer inside the room to the left (R3's room), providing cover in case there's anything else to kill in there.

[1d20] = 2

Open hand To-Hit (ThAC0 20): [1d20] = 2, Damage [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo steps into the corner to let people pass by him.

He stays in the same room and watches all of the doorways behind them in case others appear. He remains vigilant of possible rear attacks as the fighters do their thing.

Random D20 [1d20] = 5

[Inferno]

Day Six.
The Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Between 8pm and 9pm. Friday, October 21st, 576 CY
Full moon, cloudy, damp, cold, misty





In the warren of dark, brick rooms, the heroes' psyches are again attacked by the insidious devilry of the ghastly serpent men!



But this time, the investigators of Briarsgate hold fast. None of them succumb to this evil onslaught of the mind!

Moogeye slips next to Grothnak and peers into the dark doorway and sees an old servant's room, fallen into ruin from disuse and age.

Avril, Bo and Pelias gather at the hall's mouth and watch in all directions. Long Bo notices that Mouser is gone!

Telkis charges down the hall and throws open the northwest door. Suddenly a door opens behind him and he is surrounded by more heinous, warped serpentine horrors emanating out of the very shadows themselves! (R5, R6, R7) Somehow, one of them had the same terrible visage that he saw in his mind! (R7)



Lantern light glimmers on its fangs as its forked tongue tastes the scent of Telkis' blood on the air.

The inhuman malefactors drive their spears deep into Telkis' belly! The valiant gnome warrior is impaled in the gut by two cruel, hooked spikes! (-10 hp)
Standing in a growing pool of his own blood, Telkis instinctively crashes Cranach into his nearest enemy (R5), the one in the door he just opened, shattering ribs but not landing a deathblow!

Ten feet away, Grothnak wheels on another loathsome atrocity (R4) and shears his foeman half asunder with his terrible iron blade!

The disgusting, nauseating stench of the revolting horrors instantly worsens! Burning eyes water and wretching mouths fill with bile.
Everyone except Grothnak and Mouser, please Save vs. Poison. You want high. Regardless of your roll, please post your...


Actions!


Map:

Foaming Mug Inn Cellar 6.jpg (478.05 KiB) Viewed 726 times

One square = 5 feet. Red signifies the unconscious or the dead; red edging signifies the wounded.
Light source: Bo's and Moogeye's lanterns.[/ooc]


DM Notes:

Every PC made their Mental saving throw!
Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 3, Monsters: [1d6] = 2 Party wins initiative.
Telkis Surprised? (1-4): [1d6] = 4 Telkis is surprised, but because he is now wary and searching for enemies, I will only give them initiative over Telkis, not two attacks.
R5-R7 Attack Telkis: [1d20] = 17, [1d20] = 19, [1d20] = 11 Hit twice.
Damage to Telkis: [2d4] = 7, [2d4] = 3 10 damage.

Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 5/10, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 9/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 24/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 0/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 12/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 15/19, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 14/28

Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
  Shocking Grasp (Mouser): Duration: one touch.

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Zhym]

"Afar Vadokanuk!" cries Grothnak, rushing forward to Telkis's aid, placing the still-bloody blade of Vadok deep inside his enemy's skull.

Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15, Dmg [1d10+4] = 7+4 = 11 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 11+4 = 15 (L)

"Pelias!" he calls behind him. "Come bring the power of Good to the battle front!"

Speaking of which, do PCs who are near Pelias and need to roll a save get +2 on their rolls from his PfE aura?

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo spits the acrid taste from his mouth with a big gob on the floor and then rubs his eyes.

Save vs. Posion (10) [1d20] = 17

The lanky druid feels trapped again within the confines of this underground labyrinth of death. He nods at the two fighters with him, hoping that they can help out with the battle. He stays put where he is and continues to watch the many doors of this room while he fumbles with some herbs in his pouch.

[Grognardsw]

Mouser looks upon the battle erupting in the tight quarters. If possible he squeezes in and races for the creature at the end of the hall (R7). If that one is struck down prior, he'll turn into the north doorway and attack with the electrified Scalpel.

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 17, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 6
If R7 can be charged, +2 to hit.
Shocking Grasp [1d8+1] = 7+1 = 8

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis gags at the stench in the air then reels from the pain of his wounds.

Save vs. Poison: [1d20] = 18

Quickly, though, as he is trained to do, his mind snaps back into focus on the present danger. He thrusts Cranach backwards and upwards trying to catch one of the creatures who stabbed him in the chin with the end of his weapon.

Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, vs L [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

Apparently his mind doesn't snap back far enough... he finds nothing but air...

[AleBelly]

If he can see (I've lost track of who has the light source), Pelias charges forward, trying to help Telkis. If he can't get there, he will at least get close enough to allow the brave gnome to avail of his protection against evil.

Can't roll right now. Will update later, but feel free to roll for me if necessary to move things along.

[Inferno]

Day Six.
The Abandoned Foaming Mug Inn (16)
Between 8pm and 9pm. Friday, October 21st, 576 CY
Full moon, cloudy, damp, cold, misty





Beneath the Foaming Mug Inn, the heroes invade the nest of the abominable serpent men! The execrable stink of the repulsive atrocities threatens to overwhelm them, but no resolve is weakened.



The hideous creatures hiss and rasp at each other in a chilling form of snake-like communication that sets the flesh crawling! The abhorrent demons prepare to back up, trying to separate the heroes and lure them deeper into the dark, maze-like cellars.

But before they can, Grothnak bears down on the reptilian fiend threatening Telkis from behind (R6)! Seconds later, the scaled horror is rolling on the floor in its death throes, the merciless blade of Vadok buried deep within its split skull.

The human lizard before Telkis (R5) dodges the bone shattering crash of Cranach!

The Grey Mouser lunges toward the backs of his allies. He slips past them and charges the serpentine terror at the end of the hall (R7). The sorcerous thief buries his electrified Scalpel to the hilt in its chest, killing it amid the stench of burning flesh and sizzling blood!

Moogeye and Avril leave Long Bo to guard the rear flank, and enter the battle in earnest, but neither can land a blow!

Pelias wades into the heart of the deadly fray, and guts the last reptile devil standing (R5)! It dies rasping an inhuman curse until its fanged mouth fills with its own black blood.

As suddenly as it erupted, the melee is seemingly over. Within the shadowy vaults of the abandoned hotel, an eerie silence descends.


Actions?


Map:

Foaming Mug Inn Cellar 7.jpg (488.78 KiB) Viewed 695 times

One square = 5 feet. Red signifies the unconscious or the dead. Light sources: Bo holds one lantern. Moogeye's lantern is behind her, on the floor in the hall.[/ooc]


DM Notes:

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 4, Monsters: [1d6] = 1 Party wins.
Moogeye: Save v. Poison (13): [1d20+2] = 17+2 = 19 Saves.
Moogeye: To hit: [1d20] = 6, damage: [2d4] = 3 Misses
Avril: Save v. Poison: (10): [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22 Saves.
Avril: To Hit: [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3, damage: [1d8+1] = 7+1 = 8 Misses.
Pelias: Save v. Poison: (12): [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22 Saves
Pelias charging: To hit: [1d20+2] = 17+2 = 19, damage: [1d8] = 1 Hits.

Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 5/10, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 9/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 24/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 0/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 3/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 12/22, Spells: 5/5 1st lvl, 1/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 15/19, Laying Hands: 0/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 14/28

Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.

Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Zhym]

Grothnak wipes serpent-monster guts from Vadok and follows the blood trail, if he can find it. "Ingrid!" he cries as loudly as he dares. "Call out if you can hear us!"

[Grognardsw]

The Grey Mouser, thief

Grey spins around, expecting more scaled terrors. He holds his breath against the stench, concentrates against another mental assault. Distance seemed to help. He moves back into the middle of room (#13), takes a deep breath of fresher air, and watches through the open door down the hall.

[ChubbyPixie]

"She can't be far!" says Telkis, moving as fast as he can, but wincing with every step. He'll throw open the door at the end of the hallway, taking a swing at another snake creature should that prove necessary.

Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 7+1 = 8, vs L [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

[OGRE MAGE]

Ignoring his own injuries, Bo follows behind his friends. He looks closely at their health, wanting very badly to keep each of them alive. He sees that Telkis is limping a bit but does not want to get into the way of the fighters as they ply their trade.

Most of his magic does little good in the confines of an underground dungeon. He tries to get close enough to the gnarly gnome to rub some chewed herbs into his wounds.

He will heal Telkis if he gets a chance to get close enough to him.
CLW [1d8] = 1 sorry chub