Haroon Falstaff |
Dot.
GM Striker |
Fireday, 16th of Arodus, 4713AR, aprox. 12:15 p.m.
You awake, suddenly in a dark place. Your heads throb with a thunderous headache. Your ears ring. You’re having trouble breathing. After a few moments, the sounds of rocks clattering, coughing, and moans of pain, as well as the choking smell of dust, become apparent as your senses seem to return, but it remains pitch black. Feeling around in the darkness, there is feel rubble all around you, and you soon realize that your body is covered in dirt and filth.
As your headache clears, memories of what just happened flood back:
Armasse officially began at noon with the blessing of the festival by Lord Huirun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor.
To the west, the fortress known as the Kite-the location of Kenabres's wardstone- had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens.
A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd-Kenabres's greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human woman.
Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature's identity w s immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres! As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev's body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd.
The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza, and this meant there was no escape-it opened below your feet, angling away into darkness.
Even as you fell, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final chance to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut, and the light of the world above was gone. The screams however, remained. Cut off far too soon as the poor souls who fell with you met their fate on the ground below.
Sam Jakobs |
Sam started to cough as they woke up in the dark, getting her bearings again. She blinked several times as her eyes started to water from the choking dust - that was not all the tears were for though, as she recollected one of the last things seen before plummeting down here.
Sir Enoch was dead at the hands of a demon, and his squire had been able to do nothing at all to save him.
Sam was in shock about that. The man who'd saved her and brought her here was gone, and now there wasn't anything that the gunslinger could do to bring him back. But there would be a chance for vengeance, for justice at the end of a smoking barrel. First things first however - getting up and seeing who else was down here with her.
"Anyone else alive?" The squire - ex-squire, now - called out in the dark as Sam stood up slowly.
Valtyra Beltain |
Sitting up Valtyra looks around before standing up and dusting herself off. Looking around she saw a few others scattered around the ground in the cavern she now found herself to be. She mourned the loss of the great dragon who had sacrificed itself to save her. She also hoped that the child she had saved was still alive. Soon she heard another moving around in the darkness of the cavern.
"Yes, who's there?"
Ginger Axegrinder |
Ginger just lays where she had landed, groaning a little because of the throb in her head. As the cobwebs cleared she moves to a sitting position, once up that is when the memory hits her like the rocks around had hit the ground. Ginger lets out a sob for the death of the beautiful silver dragon. That radiant beast shall be revenged and the evil demon will be crushed ,is what Ginger tells herself. Standing up Ginger reaches up then out before she twists her back to the left then the right popping her back. That is when she hears one person call out, then another responds, heading toward the voices Ginger also calls out "Is there only the two of you that has survived the fall?"
Haroon Falstaff |
Haroon shakily rose to his feet and nearly retched when he saw that he stood on the mangled remains of an eviscerated townsman. I should be dead, his thoughts raced. Those blasted wings on my back couldn't have saved me from that fall. They're way too small. It was the dragon! She saved me... us!
Yes, I'm here as well. Haroon Falstaff is my name, who are you?.
The darkness was no impediment to Haroon's vision, another gift of his obscure heritage, so he quickly plucked a candle from his kit, and with a snap of his fingers, lit it, illuminating a small, flickering circle of the cavern.
Cast spark.
Oliver Cross |
Landing softly Oliver rolled to a crouching position still hanging on to his blade as if his life depended on it. Then he heard the voices starting and he remained silent, demons wanted to instil hope before crushing it. As light blossomed forth he saw the source of the voices, ordinary like him. Standing to his full height while lowering his sword he said: "I am also here, I am Oliver Cross."
Ginger Axegrinder |
Ginger raise her hand the front of her eyes to block the sudden flicker of light, after a moment she lowers her hand and looks to one who had lite the candle. "Haroon Falstaff and Oliver Cross, sad greetings to you two, for its an unfortunate way we met. Also a sad greetings to you two, madams. I am Ginger Axegrinder." She gives an awkward bow to the two men and women.
Sam Jakobs |
"Hey, is this really the time for introductions?" Sam snaps as the light flickers into existence to illuminate everyone. "In case none of you were f~$!ing paying attention up there, the f@+@ing world just f%!!ing ended, so I'd like if you'd all keep the f~@*ing formalities to a f$@&ing minimum until we've figured out where the f%~% we are, who the f+%* is still alive and where the f@%@ we've fallen. Now shut the f%%& up, get out a light and start looking!"
Admittedly, the boyish squire was not in the best of moods to begin with there when they went on that tirade, but somebody had to get people going. Though now that Sam checked their equipment it seemed that there wasn't any torch in the backpack. That could be a problem in this dark cave.
"...anybody got a spare torch?" Sam grumbles.
Hargus Gwerm. |
"Idiot boy shut your mouth! Do you have any idea what else might be listening?" The harsh whispered words came sharp and quick. The man came into the glow of the candle lit by Haroon. His features took on an otherworldly appearance as the flickering flame cast strange shadows.
He moves slowly, his corpulent belly bouncing as he moved over the uneven stone floor towards Sam. "All of you a far too loud for my taste, especially you!" He jabs a finger roughly in her chest. "Are you trying to get us killed?"
Elder Greylocke |
The older man looks around the darkness, straining his old eyes to catch glimpses of shadows. "Aye, Mordan here. Is there anyone hurt? I'm trained in first aid." He stands up stiffly, body still old enough to feel the bruises welling up. "Call out, softly, and I'll try and find my way there."
Sam Jakobs |
Sam bristles a bit at being poked like that, glaring at the portly man. "No, I'm trying to get everyone to think about survival! We can't...we can't just die like..." the squire trails off, their heart lurching.
This was no time for mourning, Sam slapping their own cheek before looking around to see if anyone was unconscious. "We could use a little more light..."
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Haroon Falstaff |
We're not dead yet, and it seems the dragon spared us injury as well Haroon calls out softly, but we very well could be, if we don't work together. Let's all try to find a way out. Is there anyone else here?
Haroon sets down his candle and moves into the darkness, searching for an exit or other survivors with his preternatural sight while his raven companion quorks softly on his shoulder.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Oliver Cross |
Oliver is surprised as Haroon walks out without any light and seems to navigate fine. He looks to the others in the light of the candle. "I don't like this, we need the light to see, but it'll draw enemies like moths to a flame." At Sam's suggestion, he smiles coldly. "I think you're right a little more wont make a difference and might improve our chances. If only I had my backpack."
Haroon's words spark a different chain of thoughts, voicing them, he asks: "Now the question is, where are we?"
Haroon Falstaff |
I've a sunrod in my pack if we absolutely need it Haroon calls from the darkness, But I daresay that Master Cross has the right of it. Too much light here may be more trouble than it's worth.
The slight young man emerges back into the tiny circle of candle flame, dark breeches and boots barely visible under a greatcloak the color of dried blood. He places an unused sunrod on the ground and makes his way to Mordan. I've found an elf in pretty bad shape, even blinder in this place than most of us. If you like, I'll lead you to him.
Valtyra Beltain |
Valtyra listens as the other talk before walking into the dim light of the candle. [b}"I agree that we need to find a way out of this cavern but we should be mindful of how much light we use or noise we make."[/b]
"Mordan if you are willing mayhaps you can help the elf that Haroon has found, while the rest of us can see if we can find a way out of here."
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Anevia Tirabade. |
The sound of stones shifting and moving comes from the nearby rockfall woman's grunt followed by the crack of stone on stone. She comes into the light as she rises to her feet. She stands for a moment with a pained look on her face and suddenly her leg gives out. She collapses and her left leg lies at an unnatural angle to her body.
"Damn rocks, Pharasma take them all!"
She look to those gathered around the small flame.
"Any of you care to give me a hand?"
Elder Greylocke |
Slightly worried at the increasing number of wounded, the elder paladin begins to gingerly make his way to the elf. "If you can't move, stay there," he says to the woman. "Let me see to this poor man first, his wounds may be lethal at first glance. If you can move, even assisted, then come this way so that I may look over your wounds as well. If anyone else is hurt, please come this way and I'll do what I can. Master Falstaff, that sunrod if you would. I will need more light than the flicker of a candle to tend to these by the looks of them." With a muffled clang, Mordan pulls his tower shield from the rubble, it's dented surface no longer gleaming. "Prop this up, facing away from the wounded. Then strike your sunrod beneath it. While the light will still reflect, it should diminish it in the direction away from us."
Mordan will then attempt to look over the wounded, starting with the elf.
Heal checks: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 for Aravashnial.
Heal checks: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 for Anevia Tirablade.
Haroon Falstaff |
Haroon nods his head briefly and follows Mordan's instructions as best he can, struggling mightily with the weight of the tower shield. Eventually, he gets it into position with more scrapes and clangs than would be desirable normally, and strikes the sunrod into the ground, illuminating much more of the cavern. He blinks and looks around, trying to mentally tally how many people are trapped in the underground cave.
Does Haroon recognize any of these people?
kn(local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
I don't know how you manage that thing, old man, but I don't think I'll be winning any arm-wrestling competitions with you, he adds with a small grin, hoping a bit of levity will cheer the group.
Elder Greylocke |
Mordan grins back, attempting to help lighten the darkness as well. "You might be surprised. It's all in the wrist. And arm. And shoulder. And waist and legs, now that I think on it." With the light now at least enough to see, Mordan redoubles his efforts to stabalize the elf. "Sadly, I do not think I can do much for his sight. This will require magic, and of the highest order. The most I can do is to keep the wounds from killing him, and prevent infection in the hopes of rescue later."
Elder Greylocke |
Shrugging his shoulders, Mordan replies "Too soon to tell. This one will walk fine, but without his sight there will likely be a need to assist him. The other appears to have a broken leg at a glance. As long as the bone has not broken the skin, a splint should keep them capable of moving. Neither of them will be comfortable though."
GM Striker |
Elder Greylocke bandages the wounded elf's injuries. As you bandage him he tells you how he was dangerously close to the Storm King when the demon landed after grounding the dragon, and that just before he fell, he took a lash to the face and eyes from the balor's flaming whip. Fortunately for the elf, it was a glancing blow that did not decapitate him but it did destroy both of his eyes and left his face a mass of horrific burns. At 2hp and blinded
After some work he also manages to successfully splint the woman's leg using splinters of wood and rope from the rubble to fashion a splint, allowing her to hobble with the aid of an improvised crutch formed from a fallen timber. At 6hp and a broken leg (max speed 15ft). Her attitude is now Friendly
12:15pm
The ceiling and far walls of this vast cavern recede into darkness. On one side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble- here and there the arms or legs of victims who didn't survive the fall protrude. As the light from the sunrod flashes bright in the darkness the gleam of something or rather several somethings silver flash near the rubble. In the back of the cavern, a disturbing shape looms. Nearly the size of a horse, what appears to be an immense black spider crouches silent and still on the ground. The nine of you are all that have survived the fall.
Haroon Falstaff |
Haroon freezes as the light illuminates the spider. Gods that's big... he exclaims in a fearful whisper. Mordan, you may be wanting your shield. He leans the massive bulwark toward the elderly healer and looks to the others, eyes wild. What should we do? It hasn't attacked us yet, but we're probably just a tasty meal to it.
Haroon looks around for spider webs and more spiders.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Valtyra Beltain |
Valtyra moves closer to the others, standing next to the elderly paladin should she need to help the wounded. She doesn't like the look of the spider standing in the shadows. Valtyra takes her long spear into hand ready to defend herself and the others should the spider move to attack.
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Oliver Cross |
When the light illuminates the rubble and the limbs Oliver feels his stomach turn and he does and extra swallow to keep his breakfast down. The whispering and gestures from the others alerts him to the spider and he involuntary takes a step back. Gripping his shield and sword tighter he says: "I think we should leave in the opposite direction of that beast and hope for the best."
Elder Greylocke |
Mordan slowly reaches towards his tower shield, attempting to strap it on without allowing the light to escape around it. "Stay with the elf, lass. I'll try and keep a barrier between the creature and you." He looks around at the other survivors, steeling himself for conflict. Those with a good eye can see a sparkle in his eyes though. "If anyone has a bow or crossbow, or even dagger to throw, now might be a good time to test your skill. It would at least tell us if the creature survived the rocks."
Haroon Falstaff |
How far away is the spider? Is it blocking our way to explore deeper into the cavern? Is it close to any walls?
Haroon hands his candle to his raven familiar and whispers strange syllables to it.
The corvid grips the candle in its talons and flies up toward the roof of the cavern before swooping lower to illuminate the spider without coming within reach of its hairy legs or fearsome mandibles.
Meanwhile, Haroon thinks back, trying to remember some useful tidbit of information regarding spiders of the giant variety. Once the candle's flame illuminates the giant vermin, he studies it, attempting to match the lore he has studied with the reality presently before him.
Sorry about rolling initiative prematurely. Here is a flight check for my familiar, and knowledge(nature) roll for Haroon. Not sure if you want to make these checks yourself or not, so I figured I'd spoiler them on the off chance.
Fly: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Kn(nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Just a minute, just a minute, let me have a look, Haroon mumbles toward Mordan. But yes, I've got something that should get its attention... A shimmering green energy begins to pluse in Haroon's left hand.
Acid dart arcane school ability.
Sam Jakobs |
"You want someone to shoot it?" Sam asks, before shrugging and stepping in just a little closer. "Fair enough."
The pistol cracks like thunder as it fires at the spider, the gunslinger aiming for right between its numerous eyes. Sam's already reloading before the echo starts, pistol ready once more.
Pistol attack(: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 - 2 = 11
Pistol Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Moving up 20ft so not to get such a terrible range penalty there.
GM Striker |
The bullet strikes the best with a sickening crunch, and the echo of the gunshot fills the cavern. The spider lurches backwards and crumples, the smell of rotting flesh and sulfur now compete for your attention.
The remains however seem to quiver still, and with no warning two large maggots burst from its body.
Given how low they move and how many of you have ranged attacks I doubt they will reach you. Not even going to roll initiative on this cake walk.
Please post your actions for round one.
Ginger Axegrinder |
After the lady has been helped Ginger looks around at all that is happening, when the spider is spotted she lets out a kind of gruff growl that dwarves make. Ginger shifts to stand in front of the wounded and Elder Greylocke. "I may not have any ranged weapons but if the creature comes close to us I will cut it down with my axe." Ginger pulls out her dwarven war axe. She flinches a little when the big bang happens as Sam shoots the spider. "Oh gross are those maggots?" Ginger gives a slight shiver before gripping her axe tighter and looks around to make sure nothing comes up and strikes the injured from the behind.
Haroon Falstaff |
Haroon moves into range and hurls the glowing green dart at the closest maggot. I knew there was something rotten with that spider!
Move up to 30' away from the maggots.
ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Elder Greylocke |
"Well that's disgusting..." Mordan moves next to those firing, still working on strapping his massive shield to his arm. "My aim isn't what it once was, but should they get too close we can see how they deal with a wall of steel."
Move next to the ranged people, ready an action to step between them and the oncoming maggots.
Valtyra Beltain |
Valtyra continues to hold her long spear at the ready should these maggots get within range of her spear to stab. "Disgusting creatures!" She moves to the side, away from Mordan and the injured that they have found toward the maggots.
Valtyra prepares to stab the maggot that gets within 10ft of her with the spear.
Long spear attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Long spear damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Ginger Axegrinder |
Ginger moves to stand in front the injured and ready her action for when an enemy attempts to pass her to get to the injured.
dwarven war axe attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
dwarven war axe damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
I want to apologize to everyone if my role playing is choppy or just not well. This is my first play-by-post, I'm trying to learn everything.