IC IX

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Thorn the dwarf will attempt to move the creature back into the tunnel. Failing that, he will fully engage and attempt to give the others in the party the chance to hit the creature from the blind sides.

Innana clashes her forearms together and her cestus springs forth in a shimmer of shiny sharp blades. At the next instant she is running to the side of the wriggly foe, and draws her sword with her right hand. True to her spiral tattoos that symbolize her spin moves, Innana starts to make quick spinning movements, slashing into the thick hide with her sword one second, and then her cestus the next moment. Innana yells, "Die you dragon larva!!"

Innana intends to continue the spiral slashing all the way down the side of the wriggly, rotten worm.

Sword (Basic): +1, 1d8
Cestus Blade (Basic): +1, 1d3, Offhand

[thirdkingdom]

Round One

Bregalad utters the words to another spell and a fiery missile flies forth from his finger to unerringly strike the creature's flank. As Lanny scrambles up the slope Thordin backpedals and, as the creature follows, deals the monster another powerful blow. "Warble gorble!" it burbles in anger and confusion as it attempts to track the dwarf. Innana bursts from the tunnel and cartwheels down the length of the beast, a blade in each hand. While looking impressive, the warrioress's inspired gymnastics fail to damage the monster, and unfortunately also serves to ruin any chance of arrow fire from above as the archers do not want to risk hitting their comrade. Drudsa's whip snakes past Thordin's shoulder to crack harmlessly above the monster's head. Tratiln also finds that there are too many melee combatants in the way to safely throw his hammer.

With another liquid cry the monster falls upon Thordin with flailing tentacles; the fearsome fighter is able to avoid some but not all of their stings, and though dwarves are notoriously doughty he soon falls, insensate, to the ground.

Okay, Thordin has been paralyzed. The crawler is now half in, half out of the tunnel. If I am correct, Bregalad, Drudsa and Tratiln are within the tunnel (as is Thordin, but he is paralzyed) whilst Lanny and Rhys are outside and above. Innana is currently facing the crawler's backside and is in the pit, between Lanny and Rhys and the crawler.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny climbs to the surface and then surveys the situation down in the pit. He immediately begins chanting to call forth a magical arrow that never misses its mark.

Casting Magic Missile. 1d6+1 damage.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys scowls in frustration as the female fighter steps between him and his target, spoiling his shot.

His plan was sound, at least in theory....

He takes a deep breath and begins weighing the choices of firing at the creature and possibly hitting a member of the party vs. not aiding the others in the tunnel. He waits to see what the red-haired fighter does in the next round before making his decision.

[Innana]

Innana the Fighter:

Innana sees Thordin paralyzed on the ground, and feels the adrenaline shoot up her spine in hot waves. "Noooo!" Innana sees that she has failed to make much damage. She at once attacks from where she is standing. Innana raises her weapons high in the air with a banshee scream, and begins stabbing and slashing as deep as she can.

Sword (Basic): +1, 1d8
Cestus Blade (Basic): +1, 1d3, Offhand Ability (no offhand penalty)

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

TK, now that the creature has divided itself between the tunnel and the pit, how much room for melee attacks remains on both sides?

Also, not sure if you would prefer to control the healing actions of the clerics, and if they would be aware that a CLW has the potential to cure paralysis, but I would think that the clerics would err on the side of caution, waiting until the creature is engaged in melee with someone else in the tunnel before moving forward to drag Thordin out harm's way and administer aid (we can't afford to have our healers paralyzed too!)

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Seeing the brave dwarf falter and the warrioress throw herself into the fray, there was but one thing left for Bregalad to do.....

"Tratiln! Heed Thordin's words -- take up his elvish sword! I will buy us some time!" Bregalad forces himself between the fallen dwarf and the beast, pressing against its maw with his shield; this time giving it a taste of dwarvish steel!

Dwarvenmade Masterwork Spear (Skilled): 1d20+5, 1d6+3

[thirdkingdom]

There is room for one additional melee combatant in the pit.

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa brings forth a flask of oil and tries to light it while taking a few steps back from the fight.

I don't think we have a lit torch at hand, in case we don't Drudsa will light it with his tinderbox.

"If we fail to take down the monster now I will try to burn or scare it with flaming oil. Apologies in advance if any of us ends up burned too but I would rather have us charred a bit than eaten!"

TK, I believe Drudsa won't have time to throw the flask this round. Even if he does have time he will only throw the oil if Tratiln and Bregalad also end up paralysed by the monster.

If Bregalad and Tratiln manage to keep up the fight Drudsa will wait until next round to see if it is indeed necessary to use the oil.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

The crawler is on its last legs! One or two more solid blows and it will be history! Go team!

[Finglas]

Lanny the elf

The crawler is on its last legs! One or two more solid blows and it will be history! Go team!

Bregalad the elf

Yeah! We can do this!

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Not wanting to accidentally hit Innana, Rhys does the only thing he can do - draw his sword and run back into the pit and join her.

Not sure if he can do that this round, TK, since I already declared his action. If not, then no big deal. That will be his action next round...

[thirdkingdom]

Round Two

Rhys charges back down the slope, sword drawn, and deals the crawler a mighty blow that sends a spray of ichor into the air! Lanny casts a spell of his own, and another magical missile impacts the beast's side. It now appears to be badly injured but still filled with an almost preternatural rage, and neither Bregalad nor Tratiln are able to strike true with their blows. Innana attacks again, and manages a small cut with her cestus as the monster lunges forward and attacks Bregalad. The brave elf is able to dodge most of the tentacles, but one pierces his defenses and the warrior-mage collapses to the ground in a senseless heap. Drudsa readies a flask of oil to throw but is unable to find an opportunity when doing so might not injure a comrade.

Round Three

With surprising agility the monster snakes around and catches Innana with one of its tentacles. The warrioress, too, feels her muscles freeze and she collapses. Tratiln manages a minor stroke against the beast, but it is Rhys who delivers the killing blow, striking its alien head from its body. Whilst the three paralyzed companions are recovering the use of their limbs the others make a search of the monster's lair. Numerous bones are scattered about; some look quite old while others look relatively recent. The more recent ones tend to be humanoid in shape, and while none of the adventurers are experts in humanoid physiology it is a reasonable assumption that most of these are gnollish in nature. Half buried in the corner of the pit is the real find, however, as the companions unearth a fragmented skeleton clutching a finely carve spear, curiously untouched by the ravages of age or weather. When the rowan shield is brought near the spear it vibrates. Nearby a rotted leather pouch is also found, containing four tiger-eye gems. It is estimated that each gem might be worth 25 gold coins apiece.

Paralysis (in turns) for Bregalad, Innana and Thordin: (2d4=5, 2d4=2, 2d4=5)

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

Drudsa puts off the flame on the oil flask and goes checking the paralysed party members.

"Bregalad should be able to make good use of that spear. And now, back to Thrshold?"

[Innana]

Innana the Figher:

Focusing on her adrenaline powered slashing, Innana is not even aware of the huge worm turning its tentacled head on her. Right before she was about to sink her sword into the thick hide of the beast, she was paralyzed face up on the ground. She watched, helpless the battle around her. She saw Rhys swing the killing blow with dexterity, and effeciency.

Thankful that the worm lay dead, Innana just waits as feeling and movement come back into her limbs. Innana was able to hear all that was happening around her, but had been able to respond for what seemed a millennia.

Innana explodes to a standing position looking like she had been rolled and baked in the filth of the cavern. Innana takes a few moment to regain her composure. "Nice strike Rhys. I was able to see your saving blow, and was unable to do much to help. I know you had a plan, and I am glad you remained flexible. It saved our lives in this case. Not one part of me could move back from the attack when Thordin stepped in front of the beast. He showed amazing courage."

Innana moves over to the elves who are huddled together admiring the spear. Innana says in Elvish, "Looks like your desire for a spear have manifested Bregalad. My congratulations." Innana looks at Lanny, and winks. "It is nice to actually see you again."

Innana is needing a nice bath. "I think if we run into any more trouble, all I have to do is lift my arms, and our enemy will perish. I would like to leave for Threshold straight away."

[Alethan]

Rhys the Crawler Killer

With the large beast disposed of, Rhys leans against the carapace to rest and catch his breath while others search the refuse for anything of interest.

He smiles at Innana's kind words and nods his agreement as Bregalad takes up the spear and says, "It suits you!"

After he climbs back up to the top of the pit, he cleans and sheathes his sword and readies his bow once more. "I guess this is our way back into the lower levels of the dungeon, then, until we figure out how to reverse the stairs? Maybe as long as we have the orb, the main level is relatively safe from anything coming up? That might not be a bad thing..."

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Bregalad helplessly watches as the brave party fights on, breathing a sigh of relief as the last stroke fells the fetid beast!

As will slowly returns to the elf's body, his eye catches the sight of a spear being wiped clean of dust and decay. Could it be what he thinks? Is it magical? As the elf examines the finely crafted spear, the hint of a smile forms, and his eyes begin to gleam!

Innana the Figher:

.....Innana moves over to the elves who are huddled together admiring the spear. Innana says in Elvish, "Looks like your desire for a spear have manifested Bregalad. My congratulations.".....

Bregalad the elf

(In elvish, to Innana...) "You must read minds, fair one, for I had scarcely hoped in our adventures to lay my eyes upon a magical spear!"

The elf then turns to Rhys, Drudsa, and the others. "Thank you, my friends. I look forward to the day when you, too, are similarly geared!"

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny clenches his fist as the crawler's head is severed and battle is over. He rejoins the group down in the pit and stands guard while his paralyzed companions recover.

"Well done, everyone... Pressing the attack was critical in this situation, and we were successful."

While the others search the pit for treasure, Lanny takes a moment to put the finishing touches on his map of Castle Mistamere and its dungeon. He smiles as he looks over what the group has accomplished.

"Before we take leave of this place and return to Threshold, I suggest we do one final walk through of the main floor, to make sure we did not miss anything. Marodin had graciously agreed to prepare a spell this morning that causes all magical and mechanical traps to glow. He says it lasts for 20 minutes or so, which is just enough time for us to walk through each room of the ground floor one final time. I have to admit, I am a little curious to see what the areas by the inverted stairs now look like... Then, when we are finished, we should use the hobgoblin's key to lock the main doors of the castle and head home to Threshold. What say you all?"

In looking at the map of the first floor, I had indicated with a " * " the areas that still needed to be searched. In summary, these included:

1. the second humanoid statue - to see if anything might be hidden underneath it like the first one (Lanny would prefer not to shatter the statue in the process of checking, if possible, as he thinks the statue would make a nice decoration for their future home!)
2. the bedchambers (anything interesting on the tapestries?)
3. the fireplaces (taking a second look for more loose stones)
4. the dining room (party: if we want to try to recover any of the gold and silver items in there, we will need to come up with a plan to do so safely to avoid disturbing the yellow mold...)

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys agrees with Lanny's plan.

Would applying a lit torch to the yellow mold safely kill the spores?

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"It seems none of us is injured seriously so I see no problem with us doing one more check on the ground floor before we head back to the city. Just remember to keep our guard up, even on the areas we have visited before."

Yes, I believe fire should do the trick.