ENT: Exploring the watery cave

[Argennian]

~ The trio of island explorers hold their positions up on the rock ledge in the watery cave. They clean giant rat gore from their weapons, armor and gear and keep watch for any signs of further trouble or their returning companions from down below the surface beyond the crab den.

Minutes pass uneventfully. The soft, gentle lapping of the water within the cave threatens to soothe the dwarf and two elves into relaxation and complacency. As they all wonder how much longer they'll be waiting for Bogdan and Emm to return, the three of them begin to hear a series of shrill squeaks of what must be giant rats in distress from deeper within the cave.

Actions?

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OOC: okay then, confirmed that all spells cast were either marked off or notated on Battle Sheets.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:20am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 23/25 ; Ulrich 13/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace/shield ; Lauranna - daggers/short sword (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Up on the rock ledge in watery cave: Ulrich , Caelvanna , Lauranna

[dmw71]

"Those rats..." Caelvanna wonders aloud. While tempted to investigate their distressed calls, she remains perched in her current position for the time being, but keeps a mindful eye in the direction the sounds are coming from.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich remains alert, mace and shield ready. He looks in the direction of the noises.

[Argennian]

~ The three island explorers holding position on the rock ledge by the entrance to the underwater crab den all hear the shrill squeaks and squeals of what must be more giant rats in distress deeper within the cave. They look to each other to make sure everyone hears it but forgo moving away from their respective watch positions.

Another minute passes eventfully but suddenly the squeaks and pitter-patter of small feet can be heard just ahead. As the Wild elf archer, the dwarf cleric and High elf magic-user/thief all stand ready, a wave of more giant rats, about a dozen or so apparently in flight from something, break around the corner in a dead run headed straight for them!


Actions?

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OOC: okay then, no initiative needed here, guys. Everyone was weapons-ready and had heard the giant rats approach, so go ahead and declare actions and make any attack rolls needed. Caelvanna can fire off her 3 arrows/rd as before (if so desired) before having to switch to melee. Lauranna can also fire off 2 of her daggers as well.

POP1: thrown or missile weapons fired at any rats that may become engaged with other party members have an even chance of becoming friendly fire!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:21am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 23/25 ; Ulrich 13/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace/shield ; Lauranna - daggers/short sword (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Up on the rock ledge in watery cave: Ulrich , Caelvanna , Lauranna

[dmw71]

Caelvanna, normally one looking for an excuse to test her newly improved skills with her bow, keeps her arrow nocked but does not release it immediately. Ignoring the rats completely for the moment, she keeps her bow sighted beyond the rats, appearing more interested in what may be causing the rats to flee. Her eyes and ears pealed for any possible sight or sound of what may be causing the vermin flight.

[Nuke66]

Lauranna likewise stands her ground, sword at the ready, hoping the rats will just pass them by. She sidles up against the wall, giving as much room as possible.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich is sorely tempted to bash the nasty little critters as they run this way, but thinks better of it. He keeps his eyes past the rats, wondering what they could be running from.

[Argennian]

~ Although prepared to exterminate the new wave of vermin coming their way, the three island invaders forgo their proactive attacks to turn their concentrations on what is making the giant rats flee...

Already crouched at the right wall of the cave, Caelvanna holds her readied arrow and keeps it pointed at the corner some 50 feet away further in. She strains her sharp Wild elf eyes and keen ears for any sign of what else is lurking beyond. Lauranna steps to the left wall and gets as tight against it as she can, hoping the big rodents will simply pass them by on their way to making a clearer escape from whatever it is they're fleeing from. Regardless of what happens, the High elf remains ready with her blade in hand. Ulrich stands defiantly in the center of the tunnel like a statue of dwarven resolve, and remains tempted to bash the vermin when they come into range. But he too is curious about what else this watery cave has to offer.

A horde of over a dozen giant rats approach quickly. Many of them go through the gaps and bound off the rock ledge into the water beyond but some of them try and bite the adventurers nonetheless. They are apparently ungrateful or unaware of the generosity being afforded them, or perhaps they just can't help themselves being so close. Either way, of the two that attack Caelvanna, one bites her on the left leg for a minor wound (1dam). Of the four that attack Ulrich, two of them are somehow able to get past his metal-armored defenses to land bites, both of them wicked ones (5dam). Only one of the rats goes after Lauranna and thankfully for her, bites down on not but water-soaked leather!


Actions!

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*** Need return attack rolls for Round 1 & then a d6 initiative (for the party) and DAs/attack rolls for Round 2, please! ***

Party casualties:
- Caelvanna: taken 1 point of damage (from rat bite)
- Ulrich: taken 5 points of damage (from 2 rat bites)

OOC: Since all three characters were weapons-ready and prepared to defend themselves, everyone gets to make return attacks against the giant rats that engaged them in the first round (Rd 1). We'll then have everyone declare their actions/make their attack rolls for Round 2.

Dave: Caelvanna can drop her bow, draw her sword and make return attacks in Round 1, but she will only get to swing twice due the extra action of changing weapons. She can then get her normal 3 attacks/round routine in Round 2.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!

TOD: now 8:22am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 22/25 ; Ulrich 8/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace/shield ; Lauranna - short sword (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Up on the rock ledge in watery cave: Ulrich , Caelvanna , Lauranna

[SocraticLawyer]

"Curse you motherless vermin!" shouts Ulrich in frustration. He swings his mace, hoping to brain one of the rats that bit him.

To hit with mace [1d20] = 12

I don't think that's a hit, but just in case:
Damage with mace [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

[dmw71]

Caelvanna feels the nip at her ankle and, not sure whether the vermin will linger or move on, decides she can no longer afford to ignore the minor annoyances. In a well-practiced motion, she quickly slings her bow over her shoulder and retrieves her short sword. Stabbing down at the ankle-biters, she looks to end any risk they pose.

Short Sword (vs. s/m) [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20 [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4
Short Sword (vs. s/m) [1d20+1] = 12+1 = 13 [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

[dmw71]

Adding initiative roll for next round:
Initiative [1d6] = 5

[Nuke66]

Lauranna naught but kicks at the rat and moves toward the back toward the direction they came from, hoping the silly beast leaves her alone.

[Argennian]

Encounter with more Giant Rats: Round 1 (TOD:0823hrs)

~ The three island scouts react to the sudden and somewhat unexpected vermin violence brought upon them by the second wave of giant rats...

Caelvanna forgoes her beloved short bow for elven steel once again. She quickly draws her short sword and swings it at the two rodents that engaged her. Her aim and focus is true and she quickly dispatches both of her verminous aggressors in a spray of rat blood, fur and guts.
Ulrich swings his mace mightily at one the four giant rats that attacked him while bellowing a angry curse upon the rodents and their previous generation. Unfortunately, the stoic dwarf cleric just misses his intended target and smashes naught but the rock floor below his armored feet.
Lauranna forgoes a sword stroke and attempts to simply boot the giant rat biting down on her waterlogged leather boot...

Lauranna: kicking attack vs giant rat [1d20] = 4

... but is unable to connect with the excited singular vermin menace. The High elf magic-user/thief takes a few quick steps deeper into the cave, hoping that the giant rat will decide against following her and making any continued attacks.


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Initiative: Round 2
Party: 5
Giant rats: ??



Actions!

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*** Ok, we have a party initiative roll but still need DAs/attack rolls for Round 2! ***


Enemy/opponent casualties:
- 2 giant rats KIAed (by Caelvanna)

Party casualties :
- Caelvanna: taken 1 point of damage (from rat bite)
- Ulrich: taken 5 points of damage (from 2 rat bites)

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!


TOD: now 8:23am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 22/25 ; Ulrich 8/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short sword (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace/shield ; Lauranna - short sword (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Up on the rock ledge in watery cave: Ulrich , Caelvanna , Lauranna

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich calms himself for a moment, trying to refocus his anger into an accurate strike.

To hit with mace [1d20] = 16
Damage with mace [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

Huzzah!

[Argennian]

*** Still need Declared Actions/attack rolls for Caelvanna and Lauranna for Round 2 when can! ***

[Nuke66]

Lauranna swings, hoping dissuade any pursuit.

[1d20+1] = 10+1 = 11 to hit [1d6] = 6 damage

[Argennian]

Encounter with more Giant Rats: Round 2 (TOD:0824hrs)

Initiative:
Party: 5
Giant rats: 2


The impromptu prolongation of melee continues in the watery cave and the the three adventurers press their recovered advantage...

Having already destroyed the two giant rats that attacked her on their hurried way west to escape the unknown circumstances within the inner cave, Caelvanna steps over and engages the four that attacked Ulrich with powerful yet calculated swipes of her elven blade...

Caelvanna: To Hit, Short Sword [1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6 (miss), Damage vs small/medium creatures [1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5
Caelvanna: To Hit, Short Sword [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16 (hits AC2), Damage vs small/medium creatures [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4
Caelvanna: To Hit, Short Sword [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16 (hits AC2), Damage vs small/medium creatures [1d6+1] = 5+1 = 6

The Wild elf fighter misses with her first strike but cleaves two of the vermin asunder in a spray of rodent blood and innards with her last two swings. Ulrich brings his light mace down hard with solemn dwarven determination and terminally maims one that bite him previously. Lauranna swings her short sword in a defensive arc, trying to either finish off or at least dishearten the lone, frantic giant rat attacking her. The well-oiled blade slices open naught but the damp cave air but the High elf's point is certainly made.

As if some kind of unanimous decision is suddenly made, the remaining rats finally give into the flight aspect of their fight or flight tendencies and flee westward to try and escape what has now become a cave of certain doom. The lone rat facing Lauranna, as well as the last one facing Ulrich, forgo any additional attacks as well as fighting withdrawals and make for the ledge, provoking attacks of opportunity from their engaged combatants...

Lauranna: To Hit, Short Sword [1d20+1] = 19+1 = 20 (hits AC0), Damage versus small/medium creatures [1d6] = 5

Ulrich: To Hit, Light Mace [1d20] = 13 (hits AC7), Damage vs small/medium creatures [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5

... Neither one of the over-sized vermin make it to safety beyond the rock ledge as both the High elf magic-user/thief and the dwarf cleric take advantage and dispose of them with a most gruesome revenge of cold steel.

As those vermin that made it past the trio swim for their rodent lives towards the entrance of the watery cave and ultimate freedom, Caelvanna systematically cleans her meticulously-maintained blade and returns it to its scabbard before taking up her beloved bow again and readying an arrow in the direction of the inner cave. Ulrich spins around and assesses the shrieking rat that he maimed moments before. The vermin still lives but its spine is broken and it tries to crawl away from him with only its front claws. With a harrumph of satisfaction, the dwarf lifts his armored boot and stomps down hard, ending the shrill squeaks forever.

All is now quiet save the lapping water and heavy breathing of the three island explorers as they gather themselves and regroup on the rock ledge. No more giant rats or any other creatures show themselves from further within the cave.


Actions?

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Enemy/opponent casualties:
- 7 giant rats KIAed (4 by Caelvanna; 2 by Ulrich, 1 by Lauranna)

Party casualties :
- Caelvanna: taken 1 point of damage (from rat bite)
- Ulrich: taken 5 points of damage (from 2 rat bites)

OOC: okay gang, apols again for the long delay on my end. The encounter is now over and the party is once again victorious!

HPs & WIH adjusted and made correctional edits to the previous action post, so we should be all caught up & current. Please post with any specific declared actions, if so desired, and we'll get things moving forward with the trio waiting for the return of their fellow heroes!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or need any further clarifications!


TOD: now 8:25am of Day 6 on island (Total time since departed Karagonia: 18 days)

HPs/Status: Caelvanna 22/25 ; Ulrich 8/16 ; Lauranna 9/9
WIH (primary/secondary): Caelvanna – short bow (arrows fired: 6/quiver: 18 left) ; Ulrich – mace/shield ; Lauranna - short sword (SC = spell component/spell to cast)
M.O./Location Up on the rock ledge in watery cave: Ulrich , Caelvanna , Lauranna

[Nuke66]

"I think I am going to go take a look, cover me." The Elf maiden gathers her senses and moves to investigate the reason the the rat's flight. "I won't go to far." Lauranna carefully proceeds to move quietly toward the corner and peek around the corner.

[SocraticLawyer]

Ulrich nods to Lauranna as she heads out. He sets his mace aside just for a moment as he tries to undo some of the damage caused by the hated rats.

Cure light wounds [1d8] = 4

After healing himself, Ulrich picks up his mace again and waits.

[dmw71]

Caelvanna steps over and engages the four that attacked Ulrich with powerful yet calculated swipes of her elven blade...

Thanks for picking up my slack.

Curious as to what caused the rats to flee into the room in the first place, Caelvanna nods in appreciation as Lauranna offers to perform a bit of recon. With an arrow nocked, the wild elf keeps a trained eye on her companion as she distances herself from their current position.