Chapter 8: Against the Cult of the Reptile God

[Inferno]

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





Underneath the abandoned Foaming Mug Inn, the investigators of Briarsgate discover ghastly terrors not of this world.

Reptilian 2.jpg (226.13 KiB) Viewed 1215 times

Bo the druid moves to make way for his friends, and pray over the battered form of the valiant Avril Hollysword. His holy invocations to the Shalm beg that her broken body be healed. His petition is answered and Avril awakens. (Avril: +6 hp)

Telkis descends the creaking cellar stairs and hammers Cranach into the vile abhorrence looming over Avril (R1), shattering the thing's ribs!

Avril stands and runs her assailant through! The tip of the enchanted elven blade emerges from the center of the hellspawn's back! (R1) It collapses to the floor in a growing pool of black blood.

Whatever these nightmare creatures are, they bleed and can be killed with steel.

Grothnak leaps into the fray with an Orcish battle cry! His mighty halberd, Vadok, crashes against the jagged spearhead of the nearest revolting horror (R2).

Long Bo drops his lantern to the ground and drives his spear at the closest abomination (R2), brutally impaling its right thigh!

Moogeye likewise places her lantern on the stone ground behind her and, as the shadows grow and thrash, she tries to hack an iniquitous serpent man to death, and narrowly misses!

Mouser and Pelias thunder down the stairs! The dabbler in dangerous magicks readies a spell and he and the paladin feel the air electrify, as if just before a lightning strike!

From the stairs, Pelias' cold steel sword lands a fell handed blow upon a heinous horror (R2), striking it dead in an eruption of black blood!

All the heroes are overwhelmed by the disgusting stench... and something else:
A dread oppressive presence can be felt, malignant and vicious, inside their minds!



Its the despicable, unearthly will of another of these monstrous reptilians and its very existence within their psyche creates agonies exquisite and unnatural.
All PCs: Please Save on 1d20. You want low. Fyi, failure results in hp damage again. Please post actions regardless of the outcome.

Suddenly, the fearsome alien horrors in the looming, writhing shadows (R3 and R4) lift up Ingrid and carry her away into the unlit room beyond the southern door!




Actions?!

Foaming Mug Inn Cellar 3.jpg (265.29 KiB) Viewed 1215 times

Map: One square=5 feet. Red signifies the unconscious or the dead. Light source: Bo's and Moogeye's lanterns.


Dice Rolls:

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 3, Monsters: [1d6] = 1 Party wins.
Moogeye attacks R2: [1d20] = 11, damage: [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6 Misses

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 10/10, 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 27/28

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]

"Stop them!" cries Grothnak. He charges the alien horrors carrying Ingrid, bringing Vadok down in a deadly arc.

Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14, Dmg [1d10+4] = 9+4 = 13 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 8+4 = 12 (L)

[Grognardsw]

The Grey Bumbler leaps out to back stab the retreating creature.

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 1, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 4

Smell [1d20] = 17, Fumble [1d8] = 2

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter

Save Against Mind Bullets: [1d20] = 17 Whoops...

Telkis winces at the pain in his head but charges after the creatures carrying Ingrid. "Bring the lantern!" he cries. If he gets within range of one of them he'll try to sweep its legs with a blow from his morningstar:
Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 8+1 = 9, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, vs L [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3

It could happen to anyone. I blame mind damage...

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo

Random D20 [1d20] = 15

The tall human squints in pain once again from the intrusion into his mind. He uses this second opportunity to delve back a little, trying to see if he can learn anything mentally from the invader as he struggles through the pain.

If this proves fruitless, the druid of the Shalm follows behind the others that went after Ingrid.

[Starbeard]

Moogeye snatches up her lantern and hustles along with the others after Ingrid,* ready to kick at anything that slithers.

*Edit: got my names right.

Saving throw: [1d20] = 5

Open hand To-Hit (ThAC0 20): [1d20] = 6, Damage [1d4+1] = 2+1 = 3

[dmw71]

Avril, without hesitation, charges after the evil abominations that carried Ingrid out of the room.

Requested saving throw: [1d20] = 13

[Inferno]

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





Underneath the abandoned Foaming Mug Inn...

Cellar steps.jpg (148.19 KiB) Viewed 1168 times

...the investigators of Briarsgate discover ghastly terrors not of this world. A dread oppressive presence can be felt, malignant and vicious, inside their minds, creating agonies exquisite and unnatural (Mouser and Telkis: - 1 hp). Bo can glean nothing from the unearthly mental attack.

Without hesitation, the heroes shout and chase after the evil abominations (R3 and R4) that had carried Ingrid into the next shadowy room!

When they reach it, they find another similar, brick chamber where spiderwebs glisten thickly in the lantern light. There are three doors, all shut; two on the southern wall, one on the western. The room is empty and quiet.



The stench of the inhuman horrors remains, as does the creepy sensation of lurking peril.


Actions?!


DM Notes:

Pelias: Mystery Save: [1d20] = 11 Saves
One damage roll for all party who failed the Mystery Save: [1d3] = 1 ...1 hp damage
Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 3, Monsters: [1d6] = 6 Monsters win.
The Monsters move first, after having just moved last round. The heroes don't see them in this next room, so the heroes' attacks do not occur. Those rolls are lost. So Mouser does not fumble with his electrified blade, mercifully. It is still charged.

Also, fyi, I'm still on vacation for another week. Thanks.

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 26/28

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)

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis runs to the center of the room and turns in every direction, frantically, looking for clues as to where they went. "They couldn't have disappeared so quickly!" he cries.

Weren't they "invisible" when first encountered? Telkis doesn't know this, however... does this count as metagaming?...

[Starbeard]

Moogeye, ever a woman of action, rushes over to the door in the west wall and tries it. "We cannot let them get away," she cries.

[OGRE MAGE]

Long Bo holds out his lantern to light the place up better.

The nature priest knows a bit about things like the habits of spiders. He immediately checks each of the doorways to see if he can discern which one of them the creatures used most recently by searching for disturbances in the webs designs.

I don't think we should split up at all. This place seems to be the perfect spot for traps and ambush. They are trying to divide and conquer us!

[AleBelly]

Pelias reinvokes his power to detect evil, trying to sense in which direction is lies. He will keep his shield high, and will position himself such that his protective aura shrouds as many of his comrades as possible.

[Zhym]

Grothnak stands fixed, looking from one door to the other, then to Pelias for direction.

[dmw71]

Avril quickly rushes to the leftmost door on the southern wall and, with her hand on the handle or knob, she listens for any sounds.

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser stands poised toward the back, watching the room.

[Inferno]

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





Weapons drawn, the heroes burst into the dark chamber below the abandoned Foaming Mug Inn where the serpentine abominations carried Ingrid!

Long Bo raises his lantern and the menacing shadows that surround them recoil and wither before its stark light. The room is empty except for a few small wine barrels, none large enough to hide Ingrid or her sinister reptilian captors. One oaken keg had ruptured long ago. Gossamer webs layer all.



The hair on Mouser's arm stands up in fear or from the crackling electric potential of his newly enchanted blade.

Long Bo notes the spider infestation. The predatory arachnids prey upon insects attracted by the spilt wine. The grey druid's keen perception sees the cobwebs are undisturbed by the southern doors, and rent asunder by the western one.

Avril violates the webs at the southeast door as she listens at it. The half elf hears nothing over the shouts of her companions. But the knob is unlocked.

In urgency, Moogeye rushes to the nearest door, the western one, and throws it open.

Cellar hall.jpg (303.68 KiB) Viewed 1123 times

It opens onto a hallway that had been repurposed into servants quarters; silent, unlit, clear of webs, and thick with the disgusting stink of the inhuman monstrosities. Drops of bright red blood dot the floor. It has five doors, three of them ajar, inviting the heroes to enter.

Pelias the paladin feels dire emanations of wretched, unholy evil festering from the direction of that hallway.

Sudden movement near Bo catches his eye. A fly, trapped in a web, struggles for its life as a spider it cannot perceive slowly, patiently closes in for the kill.




Actions?

Map:

Foaming Mug Inn Cellar 4.jpg (330.5 KiB) Viewed 1123 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]





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 26/28

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)

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser slides into the furthermost shadows, attempting to hide in the darkness and prepare a sneaky attack.

[ChubbyPixie]

"I'll try the right-hand doors! Someone else try the ones on the left!" cries Telkis as he runs to throw open first one doors hen the other. In his haste he'll try to ascertain where the blood drops go. If they seem to continue to the end of the hall, he'll run down there and throw open the door on the end. If he encounters a reptile creature he'll try to swat it with Cranach.

Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 5+1 = 6, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 5+1 = 6, vs L [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7

[OGRE MAGE]

Long Bo is overly excited about his discovery within the webs.

They went to the west! He shouts, overstating the already rather obvious fact.

He moves to the doorway leading down the hall of doors and shines his lantern in for the other investigators to get a better look.

Fresh blood trails! We must hurry!

[Zhym]

Grothnak follows the blood trail if he can. If he can't find the trail, he looks into the open door on the left.

If needed:

Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 15+2 = 17, Dmg [1d10+4] = 6+4 = 10 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 4+4 = 8 (L)