I. Entry

[Alethan]

Abelard nods his consent to the idea.

[spanningtree]

Tossing the gland toward the sound of the rats Luken will kneel down on one knee and stabilize his aim. Go ahead and toss the dead'un in, let's see what we can see.

[dmw71]

Before anyone jumps to volunteer and throw the rat corpse, Tavari offers to scout further north to even see if it's a viable option.

At the same time the halfling make the offer to scout ahead, the unmistakable sound of someone -- or perhaps, something -- wearing metal armor is heard clanking in your direction from this northern passage.

[AleBelly]

"Something clunky this way comes!" whispers Tavari anxiously. He turns and runs to the south wall, ready with his bow if a threat appears from the north corridor.

[spanningtree]

Luken will sit tight with his crossbow aimed at the northern tunnel. Pondering if whoever is coming is in the same predicament as they are.

[Alethan]

Abelard readies his mace and makes sure he positions himself so the pool is between him and the north passage.

[onlyme]

Kernodle will quietly ready his sword and stand near Abe. He will glance toward the south to make sure nothing is sneaking up on them.

[dmw71]

The group strategically positions itself on the southern side of the cavern letting the pool stand between themselves and whatever may be approaching from the north. With weapons drawn and prepared, they waits at the ready.

The rapid metallic clanking sound lasts only briefly and is out of view when it stops, apparently in a neighboring cavern to the north. Once stopped, the clanking sound is followed by a grunt, then "Ahh!" is yelled by a male in the common tongue.

[Alethan]

Abelard utters a quick, "Shush..." and listens.

"It sounds like whoever it is is in trouble. We might try and help them. Safety in numbers and all that..."

[spanningtree]

Aye, let's check before the rats do. Move up together slowly? Luken will say standing up.

[Alethan]

Abelard nods. When appropriate, he moves around the pool and proceeds forward.

[AleBelly]

Tavari, beads of sweat on his brow, nods affirmatively and proceeds with the group, bow at the ready. "If something killed an armored figure, it was probably hungry. I fear we may stumble upon a morbid feast."

If he observes another hungry denizen of this underworld, he'll unleash a bow shot.

Bow shot under 50' - [1d20+4] = 19+4 = 23, damage [1d6] = 2

[onlyme]

Kernodle moves with the group, ready to save whatever wayward individual was duelling one of these cavern rats.

[dmw71]

Tavari is the first to enter the new cavern, which is eerily similar to the one they just left, complete with a standing, shallow pool of water in the center of it. Immediately upon entering the room, Tavari witnesses a tall human male in banded mail doing battle with a familiar rat.

Luken arrives immediately after Tavari. He and the halfling witness the human -- with a shield in one hand and a flail raised above his head in the other -- get bit by the rat.

Abe moves to enter the room next, followed by Kernodle in close pursuit, but their progress is stopped short by the form of an armored human collapsing forward in front of them, blocking their path.

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The rat dashes to the side, further away from the party, to avoid being squashed by the much larger human collapsing nearly on top of it. It stands frozen, momentarily contemplating whether to inspect its latest victim or flee at the sight of what will likely be four new opponents.

It chooses to flee out the cavern exit on the east wall.


Actions?

[AleBelly]

Tavari will step five feet north, shooting an arrow at the fleeing rat if he can see it.

Bow shot under 50' - [1d20+4] = 2+4 = 6, damage [1d6] = 5

He then rushes over to check on the armored human. If others haven't checked on him, he will shake the human "You have life in you yet. Speak to us!"

[Alethan]

Abelard bends to examine the man and see if he yet has life in him...

[onlyme]

Kernodle not wanting to push his way in, keeps his watch toward the south.

Eh, is he still breathing?

[dmw71]

Tavari fires an errant arrow down the eastern passage, but is able to confirm that the rat has officially fled. Meanwhile, Abe inspects the fallen form which almost crushed him. The human is alive, but unconscious; their vitals are extremely weak, and their life is likely fleeting.

[Alethan]

Abe quickly lays his hands on the man and prays, "Mighty Thuul, hear my prayers. Grant this man blessings and healing that he might live on. Your humble servant asks these blessings in your infinite grace and wisdom."

[spanningtree]

Damn rats... Luken will say as he moves around the puddle and take a stance at the east passage opening. Pointing his crossbow down the passage he will try to cover the group should the rat decide to return.