Excavated Tunnels under the Ruin.
Olleg slips, taking with him
Rogger & Esther,
-1hp each, they land in a heap at the bottom of the excavated stairs.
The dwarf sets about testing the buffeted support struts in case the crash into them is going to weaken into a full blown tunnel collapse. He can reason from his mining experience that the tunnels are generally sound and the woodwork planking thick enough to buttress a heavy weight. Fire remains a potential hazard or any kind of blast or physical area of effect spell could also weaken the supports. Should a collapse happen, maybe a ton or more of earth could fall in an area approximately equalling a man sized radius and the potential for being buried alive is quite high. There no hidden construction and the muddy stairs are just slippy not trapped.
Once everyone is on their feet, the group can explore a little. A dimmed lantern lit, just enough radiance to assess your immediate surrounds,
anyone striking a torch or using a lantern, please indicate.
Going up the right tunnel are distinct boot prints that lead away for about thirty feet, passing a small knee high burrow before tacking in a NE direction. The prints continue onwards that way for the best part of 50'ft or more. Firelight from a torch casts flickering shadows on the wall at the end of the tunnel which must open into a small cave like chamber. Hushed voices talk in a 'pidgin' common.
The burrow hole is enough for an unarmoured Halfling to wriggle into like a worm, a tight squeeze, if such an idea was thought.
To the left, the passage arches to the south and west going about thirty feet before opening to another larger chamber.
Mortar goes this way, sneaking as best he can to the turn of the passage. He beholds a very strange sight, one not expected at all.
As he nears the end of the passage, a tall figure steps into view as if to block the way. It looks like a giant weasel, a black chitinous insect creature standing upon its two rear legs as a human does. In two other legs it holds crafted shields and over shoulder raises two serrated blades. The creature has bug multi-faceted eyes and a long probing proboscis. Antenna sense the air as it studies the gnome.
Mortar can hold forth his wand which doesn't initially ping any sensation or alarm as each seems to 'put the feelers' out to test whether the other is 'friend or foe'. The creature chitters and from around his feet, several giant ants line up and then go scurrying into the passage to follow the gnome. There are five giant ants and you get five wand pulses which indicates these insects have more hostile intent.
Mortar can hurry back to the others knowing the ants follow, giving comrades a heads up on what you have seen.
Actions please and as this passage is quite narrow, two abreast at most, can you organise from left to right, where each character and NPC are as that will help me adjudicate any combat.
Health status & conditions:
Galadria: 16/17hp
Vennar: 12/19hp
Olleg: 30/33hp
Brick: 15/18hp
Mortar: 4/10hp
Durrant: 7/7hp
Edel: 11/11hp (14/14hp with Pallas the Owl:
3/3hp)
Esther: 2/3hp.
Jacupo: 3/15hp
Rogger: 4/10hp
Armour Class:
Galadria: 3/4/4
Vennar: 0/4/1
Olleg: 4/6/6
Brick: 2/3/3
Mortar: 8/10/8
Durrant: 9/9/9
Edel: 7/7/7
Pallas the owl: 7/7/7
Esther 10/10/10
Jacupo 9/9/9
Rogger 10/10/10
Illumination: dim lantern in chamber, infravision.
Spells Available:
Galadria: DE cantrip, any 3/4 x 1st, 0/2 x 2nd lvl
Vennar: DE cantrip, any 3/4 x 1st, 3/3 x 2nd lvl
Jacupo: DE cantrip, any 3/4 x 1st lvl, 2/2 x 2nd lvl.
Rogger: DE cantrip, any 2/2 x 1st.
Mortar: DM & RM, any 3/4 x 1st, 2/3 x 2nd
Durrant: DM, RM & Kn, any 3/4 x 1st, 2/3 x 2nd
Edel: DM & RM, any 2/4 x 1st, 3/3 x 2nd
