Return To The Ruins (Warlords Palace)

[silifi]

Sik decides to join Xenos on the raft.

"We should follow the shoreline. Who knows what things swim in these black waters."

[subaltari]

Magda (& Skavi)

The witch's trancelike visage gradually turns to a puzzled look, then one of concern. Finally she answers the Kimmerian warrior in a halting voice.

"He is still somewhere... I but know not where. Perhaps not just a far place, but another realm of existence... like where the Hyperboreans and Naacal adepts send their minds? I've not felt this before, something is interfering with our bond."

She slowly pulls her hood over her dark hair, picks up her staff, and steps daintily onto the skiff.

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He keeps an eye on Magda while going aboard the skiff. "A bit of good news, then. Skavi is still well. No disintegrations. We just have to find them. I think that once we rest up, we come back and look around. Perhaps your bond with Skavi will become clearer if we get closer."

[Karaunios]

So maybe the solution is walking around looking for them and with Magda acting as a medium. Sensing Skavi closer or further.

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Sighs over the losses and gets in where there is room.

[OGRE MAGE]

So the note you sent along with Skavi is seriously blank then?

Under The Zakath Desert
Uncertainty
No Idea On Time Or Day

With some of the group seemingly unconcerned as to the whereabouts of their companions, and others still without a care how they should return to the hut, the water crafts are boarded by most of the remaining group who are ready to leave the missing duo to their fate.

To call this trek through the pitch black darkness without the use of their Scout perilous would be a bit of an understatement. Unable to see anything beyond their light sources, the pair of paddlers decide to head straight towards the undiscovered shoreline to their immediate right. As they slowly pole to the shore, they hear slithering and smacking noises coming from the dark shallow waters beyond sight.

Just as the boats hit the gravely edge of the shore, a horrible looking 10 foot tall water dwelling monster rears up from the darkness to feed.

Sluggo.jpg (61.84 KiB) Viewed 372 times

Only a few feet away, it appears about to attack the closest group on the raft.

Actions!

Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 19/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12 Torch
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

[silifi]

Sik jumps off raft towards the shore and runs inland as quickly as he can.

FYI - Sik has been holding a torch for some time now...

[shaidar]

Xenos

Xenos attempts to get to dry land before the creature strikes.

[Karaunios]

Is jumping to the shore at all possible?

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

"Good Gods! To the shore!" On the skiff, Kain tries to get those on his vessel to the shore so they can mount a counterattack. "Don't fight it in the water!" Kain jumps ashore in the dim light and starts beaching the vessels.

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus jumps to the shore like all the others.

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Joins the move to shore torch held high.

[OGRE MAGE]

Is jumping to the shore at all possible?

Just as the boats hit the gravely edge of the shore...

[subaltari]

Edited after I reread other PC actions.

"Eek!" Magda makes sure her satchel is with her and grabs her still-lit lantern, using her free hand to vault over the front of the skiff (...and leaving her staff behind). She quickly helps Kain to pull the skiff up on to the rocky beach, far enough that it won't float away, before scrambling well away from the monster and holding the lantern high.

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus helps Kain and Magda, not by pulling the kiff towards the shore, but making sure he's ready to interpose himself in the way in case the creature attacks them while they're busy.

If there's time for it.

[OGRE MAGE]

Under The Zakath Desert
Uncertainty
No Idea On Time Or Day

Trying to secure their crafts seems to be the main thought, other than simply jumping to the shore, which turns out to be quite effective for everyone who does so.

Yanking the wooden crafts up onto the flat gravel shore, Akhilleus is brave enough to place himself in between those working on the rafts and the horrible looking threat coming for them. The 10 foot monster, twice as wide as the Fighter, tries to grasp Akhilleus with its multiple clawed arms, though it appears unable to envelop its target. So instead, it spits a horrible green snot-like substance upon the mercenary, which starts to run into the spaces between his armor, slowly burning into his flesh. 5 dam

While the beast is occupied, remaining in the shallow water at the edge of the shoreline, the others are able to avoid the thing, securing the raft and skiff, while cringing at the shriek of pain from their normally stoic protector as his skin melts from the acidic goo.

Actions!

Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 14/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12 Torch
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

[silifi]

Sik, seeing Akhilleus in trouble, charges at the creature with his torch.

To hit: [1d20]=15, damage with torch: [1d4]=3

Assuming I am far enough away for a charge attack, +2 damage (total 5) and -2 AC. Also, Sik is going to drop the torch as soon as he hits/misses to grab his axe next round.

[shaidar]

Xenos

Xenos casts Chill Touch, ready to rush in to attack next round.

[subaltari]

So the note you sent along with Skavi is seriously blank then?

Sorry, I neglected to answer this last turn. Since a (now) NPC suggested it but didn't do anything else, let's say Magda did write a very brief message: We will follow. Try to be where you find Skavi, again in twelve hours.

Magda

As the creature spits a caustic fluid on Akhilleus and also appears to have limbs capable of land movement, the witch gasps and draws out a long dart from the back of her sash. "Xenos... do you still have that net?" she cries.

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus

The warrior shouts in pain. "I don't think this is something we can fight right now. We should fall back!" He swings a sword at the thing, as long he doesn't have to advance in order to close to combat. He's priority is in doing an "orderly" retreat, so that comes first.

If he's close enough for a swing before falling back, he'll do so.

Broad sword (one-handed) - To hit: [1d20+3]=3+3=6; Dmg: [1d8+4]=3+4=7