Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[sonofotho]

ooc: Status check - Jayamanka and Xantius are closest to the cave to the south (the one with the iron vats and cauldrons). The rest of the party are towards the north side of the cave.

Let me know if the plan is for the party to take a short rest (10 min as per rules) for Skagvurd to drink, bind wounds, etc. or if the plan is to move on.

[badams30]

Jasper T Bigguns - Scared Rogue

Jasper keeps the torch in one hand and his spear in the other as he rests for a few minutes. He keeps staring at the corpse on the floor and says to no one in particular "Woooooooo.... that thing is stinky. Reminds me of how mama used to tell me when I came home from playin' with me friends, she'd say "JASPER! You smellin' bad, go clean up before dinner, or yer daddy gonna whip you good, smellin' like that. Yeah, mama didn't like stinky stuff." He forces a smile and looks at the others. "Know what I mean? Huh?"

OOC: Jasper fidgets nervously, wondering if more stinky dead guys are afoot...

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Once the Northman's frenzied attack had subsided, Haroun got a look at the wound the creature had left. Turning to the mages he asked never seen anything like that in my life, thank the gods. Either of you know if we need to do anything to clean that gash?

To Jasper he continued c'mon, let's keep an eye on that other passage while our friend catches his breath.

OOC: yes, I suggest time for Skavgurd to recover would be a good idea - until/unless something else jumps us!

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd grunts as he takes the time to check his wound.

Physical Test : [1d20] = 4

Health Recovery [1d4] = 3

[sonofotho]

ooc: So, Skagvurd's rest attempt is a success. After 10 minutes, the cave is still quiet. I assumed everyone took a rest as well during this time - otherwise let me know and we can 'retrofit'.

Actions?

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Once the Northman appears to be ready to move on, Xantius hefts his lantern and looks at the party.

"Let's be a bit more cautious as we venturer deeper in. Any volunteers to lead the way?"

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

"My resolve is not shaken," Jayamanka responds determinedly to Xantius's question. "Unless someone else is eager to take the lead, I am ready to continue. Haroun, bring that light over here. She hefts her spear and shield and readies herself to proceed. She looks to Skagvurd, "Do you have my back Northman?" she asks him, wanting to confirm he is okay.

ooc: Assuming the group forms up again, Jayamanka will pause for a moment to extend her senses and then proceed along the passage to the south, spear and shield at the ready.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd nods and Jayamanka. "Lead the way, I won't let it happen again."

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Seeing everyone forming up and getting ready to move, Jasper smiles and hefts his spear and torch, falling into his spot at the back of the marching order. "Be careful up there! And do watch out for those stinky fellas, okay?"

[Longfingers]

OOC: any chance of a map update please?

Haroun

A moment, says Haroun to Jayamanka, before the warrior steps forward. Pointing ahead to the new cavern, he continues seems like the smell that our 'friend' gave off is strong up ahead as well. This tunnel mouth looks more defensible - what say we see if we can stir up anything lurking ahead and get it to come to us?

[badams30]

OOC: any chance of a map update please?

Haroun

A moment, says Haroun to Jayamanka, before the warrior steps forward. Pointing ahead to the new cavern, he continues seems like the smell that our 'friend' gave off is strong up ahead as well. This tunnel mouth looks more defensible - what say we see if we can stir up anything lurking ahead and get it to come to us?

Jasper shrugs and says "Want me to poke ahead and see if I can rile up anything up there? My mama said there was somethin' about me that could just rile things up and make stuff angry. Not sure if there's anythin' to that, but I kin run kind of fast if need be, so I could walk up there and see if stinky has some pals?"

OOC: Jasper could stroll ahead and try to draw out anything waiting. Good use of his stealth... and low wit.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

"Aye, an excellent idea."

Xantius strides confidently to the tunnel mouth, places his lantern on the floor up against the wall, where it casts a dim light into the cavern beyond. He then stands back, hand held ready for whatever might come.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka shrugs and steps back from the opening to let Xantius and Jasper move up and execute their plan.

"You watch yourself Jasper," she advises. "Anything happens. You get the hell outta there. That thing that went after Skagvurd was damn fast."

Not fully trusting to sorcery, she waits at the ready in the south-west corner of the room. Should Jasper get into trouble or anything get past Xantius's magic, she plans to intervene with her spear-point.

ooc: Blimey! You don't ask for much! I'll see what I can do about a map update, Malc

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Yes, that thing from the Maiden was fast as a cat, maybe even too quick for you, Jasper. Before we let you wander in alone, perhaps try throwing something ahead to see if noise attracts anything. Or perhaps our mages have something up their voluminous sleeves that might help? the swarthy swordsman added, his eyes narrowing as he looked first at Fiddleback, then at Xantius, who Haroun thought seemed a little too eager to send the thief into possibly mortal peril...

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd will take up a position at the ready with his hammer behind Jayamanka.

"You pin 'em, I'll squish 'em."

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue of Little Brains

Jasper Holds the torch in one hand, and his spear in the other and he advances, tapping his spear on the ground as he goes. He looks specifically for anything that could conceal anyone/anything and he'll advance cautiously toward it, with the goal of tapping his spear on it, and running like hell at the first sign of trouble.

"Hey. HEY! Any of you stinky types here?"

Jasper will advance far enough to clear the chamber before he returns to the others (assuming it's all clear.) He'll also try to listen in case something might be fidgeting around. (Rolling two dice for thief checks just in case!)

[1d20] = 12
[1d20] = 9

[Nitehood]

OOC: My apologies to all of you. I have been away for a week, taking care of a family funeral. I have been away from a computer and unable to follow the post or participate.

[sonofotho]

Jasper - Rogue of Little Brains

Jasper Holds the torch in one hand, and his spear in the other and he advances, tapping his spear on the ground as he goes. He looks specifically for anything that could conceal anyone/anything and he'll advance cautiously toward it, with the goal of tapping his spear on it, and running like hell at the first sign of trouble.

"Hey. HEY! Any of you stinky types here?"

Jasper will advance far enough to clear the chamber before he returns to the others (assuming it's all clear.) He'll also try to listen in case something might be fidgeting around. (Rolling two dice for thief checks just in case!)

[1d20] = 12
[1d20] = 9

Haroun, Jayamanka, and Skagvurd ready themselves at the entrance to the new cave. Xantius' lantern sits on the floor at their feet, casting light into the new chamber.

Jasper holds his torch up, further illuminating a cave of similar size to the previous. The flame casts dancing shadows from the numerous iron vats and cauldrons on the rough walls of the cave. He pauses to listen, but cannot hear anything.

The vats and cauldrons are quite large, some round, some rectangular, and all with open tops. The biggest ones reach five-six feet in diameter and three-four feet in height.

A nervous Jasper grips his spear and begins tapping as he makes his way in, wrinkling his nose at the strong death stench. He peers into the first couple vats and sees a foul, brown, gelatinous substance. The next few vats contain piles of bones, some human-like and others unidentifiable.

Suddenly from one of the vats another rotting corpse leaps up and over the side, lunging for Jasper with jagged nails.

Tohit1: [1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7, Tohit2: [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4

ooc: Both attacks miss Jasper. He can either attack or retreat to the others. The others are too far to attack this round, but could engage in Round 2

Actions everybody?

[badams30]

Jasper - Scared Rogue

Jasper takes off as fast as his feet will carry him back toward the group, glancing back to see if the thing is following.

"AHHHHHH! ONE A' THEM STINKY THINGS IS ON MY HEELS! I'M A' COMIN' YOUR WAY!"

[sonofotho]

Jasper dodges in between the vats to make his way back to the others. The animated corpse hisses through jagged teeth as it sprints after him.

Jasper dives between Jayamanka, Haroun, and Skagvurd just in front of the fiend, which lunges at the huntress. She braces with her shield and shoves the thing back a few feet.

Tohit1: [1d20+1] = 6+1 = 7, Tohit1neg: [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4, Tohit2: [1d20+1] = 3+1 = 4

ooc: I rolled randomly for who the thing would attack and it came up Jayamanka. Jayamanka, Haroun, and Skagvurd can all attack now (if you want), in order of agility (Haroun, Jayamanka, and Skagvurd)