Chapter 2: The Highway and Silver Spring

[shaidar]

Garrant

"Greetings, Solenearcillus. I am Garrant, wizard and priest of Boccob. How long have you dwelled here in your very impressive domain?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff will move up to where Nah Olos is waiting.

[gurusql]

Solenearcillus & The Children
Early Afternoon of Godsday, 19th day of Planting, 597
14th day since leaving Loftwick

Androgost (AC -6, HP 31/65, Armor 13/26)
Qleceec (AC 1, HP 33/63) (Infravision, Lit Sword)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 40/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48) (Protection from Fire - 88)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 2/8) (Staff with Continual Light Coin)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8) (Glowing Dagger)
Boff (AC 5, HP 51/61)
Garrant (AC 3, HP 50/50, Armor 2/8) (Lantern)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 18/26) (Boff's Lantern)

Boff moves up to what is suddenly becoming a very crowded space. Everyone is quiet accept the new caller, Garrant - "Greetings, Solenearcillus. I am Garrant, wizard and priest of Boccob. How long have you dwelled here in your very impressive domain?"

The four "children" continue their chant at least for the moment.

The flying lava creature with the deep voice says, "Children, that is enough out of the pool and dry off over there." He points toward the rock that I marked with orange stripes. Turning to a slightly more pressing matter, "Garrant, the wizard priest - We were just visiting, you see," he explained, as if the absurdity of his situation needed no further justification, "but lava, as it happens, is decidedly fluid. And since your ever-moist friend seems to have vetoed my spawn from her upcoming plans, I must ask: what in the name of misplaced incantations brings you all here? And, pray tell, where do you think you're going? I recently informed the last duo who attempted a similar venture that the portal is now as unreachable as someone with a positive disposition on the Negative Material Plane."

Actions?

Map

PostRiver07.png (1.48 MiB) Viewed 1980 times

[Rex]

Qleceec

"What portal would that be?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff silently waits now having a better viewpoint of what is happening.

[Ythgar]

Hex also waits.

[ravenn4544]

Androgost is ready to lay low this unwholesome thing when the mention of some dark portal is raised. Is this yet another wrong that needs to be righted in the world? He listens eagerly to the exchange.

[cybersavant]

Nah Olos listens and waits, ready to spring to defence or attack if the parlay fails.

[Dicey]

Souisxie waits.

[gurusql]

Solenearcillus & The Children
Early Afternoon of Godsday, 19th day of Planting, 597
14th day since leaving Loftwick

Androgost (AC -6, HP 31/65, Armor 13/26)
Qleceec (AC 1, HP 33/63) (Infravision, Lit Sword)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 40/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48) (Protection from Fire - 88)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 2/8) (Staff with Continual Light Coin)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8) (Glowing Dagger)
Boff (AC 5, HP 51/61)
Garrant (AC 3, HP 50/50, Armor 2/8) (Lantern)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 18/26) (Boff's Lantern)

Most of the group is ready like a spring to jump and do not say a word, but sweating in this warm place. Qleceec says "What portal would that be?" Several of the "children" are gathering on the side of the lava pool.

Solenearcillus’ eyes flickered with a mischievous gleam as a broad, teasing smile spread across their face. "Ah, so we are back to my little dampling," they purred, the words crackling like embers in a playful breeze. "It appears that my flames have been scattered—splintered into sparks and dancing to the wind—while you persist in hurling yet ANOTHER question my way, all the while neglecting the queries I so carefully laid before you!"

"Now, pray tell, what exactly is this ‘business further ahead’ you speak of with such casual intrigue? Is it a scheme woven from mere whimsy, or perhaps a distraction designed to hide your true intent? You’ve frolicked at the edge of my patience long enough—teasing, provoking, and even frightening my dear little ones with your capricious antics."

"I believe you’ve had your fun, and now, it is time for you all to make your exit before my full blaze awakens. Begone, and let the embers of your misadventures cool before you dare disturb my realm again!"

Actions?

Map

PostRiver08.png (1.48 MiB) Viewed 678 times

[Rex]

Qleceec

Seeing this going badly, Qleceec switches to her bow, preparing to use normal arrows for the first round if combat breaks out. If they don't appear to hurt the creature she will plan on using her magic arrows.

"We are investigating the cause of the recent earthquakes if you want to know."

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff gets ready for a strategic retreat.

[Ythgar]

Hex and Raffi

Hex and Raffi make no sudden movements, yet.

[Dicey]

Not having magic effective against these fire-born creatures, Siouxsie was reluctant to engage. Was there an alternate path forward? From the back of the group, the druid was ready with her sling staff to hurl a stone, or retreat.

I'm still looking over all the PCs so I don't really know how tough the whole group is, except that cavalier with the crazy -6 AC. Maybe these aren’t a big threat.

[Rex]

The 2 toughest fighters in the group are at approximately half strength so not a great position but if we need to get by them we may have to fight.

[shaidar]

Garrant

Qleceec

Seeing this going badly, Qleceec switches to her bow, preparing to use normal arrows for the first round if combat breaks out. If they don't appear to hurt the creature she will plan on using her magic arrows.

"We are investigating the cause of the recent earthquakes if you want to know."

Garrant waits to see the creatures reaction to Qleceec's statement.

[gurusql]

Solenearcillus & The Children
Early Afternoon of Godsday, 19th day of Planting, 597
14th day since leaving Loftwick

Androgost (AC -6, HP 31/65, Armor 13/26)
Qleceec (AC 1, HP 33/63) (Infravision, Lit Sword)
Nah Olos (AC 4, HP 40/53)
Siouxsie (AC 2, HP 48/48) (Protection from Fire - 86)
Hex (AC 0, HP 22/27, Armor 2/8) (Staff with Continual Light Coin)
Raffi (AC -1, HP 21/21, Armor 8/8) (Glowing Dagger)
Boff (AC 5, HP 51/61)
Garrant (AC 3, HP 50/50, Armor 2/8) (Lantern)
Frannie (AC 4, HP 18/26) (Boff's Lantern)


Solenearcillus’ grin stretched wide, eyes shimmering like molten gold as he lifted a hand with an almost lazy flick of the wrist. The "children" stirred in response, their forms shifting like embers caught in a breeze. Then, with slow, deliberate steps, they began to advance toward Androgost, their movements carrying the eerie grace of something both ancient and inevitable.

"The earth trembles beneath your feet not from fear, but from reverence—a mere whisper of the Living Mountain’s will," Solenearcillus declared, his voice a purr of amusement layered over something deeper, something hotter. "We came through the Crossing, called by the pulse of molten stone, but the tunnel back?" He let out a low, satisfied chuckle. "Collapsed. Buried. Sealed by his decree. Hence the reason the others left."

His body started to move with a slight flapping of his wings heading in the general direction of Boff, Garrant, Siouxsie and/or Nah Olos. He moved with a lazy elegance, his flight more like a drift, as though he was simply carried by the rising heat. Below him, the lava churned and bubbled, eagerly licking at his fingertips as he dragged his hands through the molten river like a child gathering snow in outstretched palms. Bright orange embers clung to his skin, dripping from his fingers like liquid fire before sizzling back into the flow.

"Now, moist ones," he cooed, voice wrapped in teasing flames, "it is time to leave."

But even as he spoke, there was no urgency, only a slow-building pressure, like the warning rumble before a volcanic eruption. The children moved forward. The lava stirred. The air thickened with the scent of burning stone.

Actions?

Updated Map

PostRiver09.png (1.48 MiB) Viewed 225 times

[GreyWolfVT]

Boff heads back out the way the entered not needing much more of a invitation to leave. "Alright folks let's do as we be asked an leave."

[Rex]

Qleceec

Qleceec fires 2 arrows at Solenearcillus.

SC Bow w/+1 arrows [1d20+1]=2+1=3 [1d20+1]=7+1=8 to hit [1d6+1]=5+1=6 [1d6+1]=1+1=2 damage

"We will not be driven from our appointed task!"

[shaidar]

Garrant

The wizard-priest walks up to the edge of the magma lake in between Siouxsie and Nah Olos and fires off a Lightning Bolt at Solenearcillus. The bolt starts 15' from the edge of the magma and is 1" by 4" long.

Looking at the map it looks like it's around 40' from the edge of the magma to the rock in the middle. Starting the 4" version of the bolt 15' from the edge should mean it's reached Solenearcillus when its about 15' long and reaches the rock in the middle and any rebound is 15', which (if it rebounds back directly) will hopefully hit the target again, and if it's not a 180 degree rebound it should fizzle out over the magma. I realise that Solenearcillus is moving which has made choosing the distances interesting and it might not hit him on the rebound.

Lightning Bolt: [7d6]=20

Retain 3rd lvl evo (vs 14):[_4d6]=(5+2+2+5)=14