Dungeon Master Forum

Haynuus this time actually coughed and choked at the spasmodic muscle movement and pain. It would take more effort to throw off this poison! (1d20+6=10, 1d20+6=19, 1d20+6=25, 1d20+6=12) However the wasp seemed to turn and start to raise up showing it's underbelly. It was his moment to strike back! (1d20+10=29, 2d4+6=12) He didn't hesitate a moment in trying to return the 'favour' that the wasp had bestowed him moments before.

OOC - This next rounds action coming tomorrow!... It'll be screamer bumping time. Oh, and it should have been 31 and not 29 to hit the wasp.

As one of the slimy, crawling things heads toward her, Ameena turns and climbs up the cliff face. At least for the moment she'll be safe, she hopes, unless these things are slimy enough to stick to the walls and climb up after her.
Easily gripping the rough wall with her claws, she looks around from her new vantage point over to where Westian seems to be deailing with the insect fairly easily. But it looks like he may be about to have some more trouble.
"One of them is heading for you, Westian!" she calls. "Can you get them to come over here? Maybe I can help. If you keep them busy..."
Already she is looking around, watching everything that moves, trying to work out how she can jump onto one of the long, slimy creatures. When they stretch out, they are certainly bigger than her, but since most creatures are bigger than her, often extensively so, these are actually comparatively small, at least when they sort of squidge their bodies together the way they do when they crawl.

OOC - Since I don't really fancy trying to solo a leech (Rogue getting agro = Very Bad, and all that), I'll wait till Westy is a bit more...available, before I do anything more. Can I delay my action? Yelling to Westy is a free action so Ameena hasn't technically done anything yet. If he can take out that wasp and move closer to Ameena, hopefully the two of them can start duoing the leeches.

I forgot to say last post, remember your falchion has an improved threat range. If you roll a natural 18 - 20, you do maximum weapon damage. So 14hp! Not that it matters this time round. Westian is in the same boat, but only on a natural 19 - 20.

Hmm, not really a good roll to blow, as I rolled high on the poison this time. You take 5 damage to your dexterity score! So that will affect your acrobatics, and armour class until you can get it healed. I think you had 10 as an initial score, so that five will probably means you have a -3 penalty to dexterity based rolls. The good news is, you only take the poison one time[.

Where did you get the extra +2 from? Aurel's 'aid another' only counts for one roll during a round I'm afraid.


Haynuus struck out as the messy of fuzzy goo tried to get away, and gave a decisive blow that made the creature drop from the sky and smash messily downwards on the rock face and drop finally around the edge of the water. Unfortunately, the extra injection of poison seemed to have some effect this time, and some semi-paralysing venom tried to take a hold of Haynuus's body. Once more, his body fought back with remarkable resiliance, but there was still a weakness in Haynuus's limbs that left him slow and slugging, uncertain on his feet.

OOC - Okay...I suppose we're not really acting in initiative order as such, what with it being more of a case of "everyone else post then Wuffy makes an update", otherwise I'd be able to see if Westy kills his wasp this go and maybe move toward Ameena, who can then hopefully descend and do something. As it is, well, I suppose I can do that anyway - that other post I just made was more of a reactionary one to the last update. Once OB has posted, then hopefully we can finally see the Rogue in proper action. Chances are it'll be shortly before she becomes leech chow, but hopefully she'll get a good BS in before then .

Westian spun around at the shout from Ameena, and looked with disgust at the leech approaching him. Still, he could not afford to let his guard down, so he had to keep his main focus on the wasp. Holding his shield close to his face and with his sword held out in warning he rearranged his position so he could face both adversaries by turning his back to the wall. Once in that position he slowly began to withdraw towards the murafu, his pace picking up as he got further away from the creatures.

Full withdraw, moving to the base of the cliff beside Ameena.

It may be a surprise to you but as part of Haynuus's training from orclet to that of a fully mature half-orc included one test had him defecating into his own hand and having him throw it at his enemies. Usually chained goblin slaves with sharp pointy sticks. To be fair it was never the most effective of combat technique but it sure helped his intimidation and bowel evacuating techniques in the battlefield. It can surprise both friends and enemies alike, however.

Years later and now that Haynuus is much bigger, if he finds that physically barging into his enemies as a great way to upset the balance in a battle, so to speak. First though he dropped his rucksack to the floor with a squishing noise and shouted over his shoulder to Aurek. "There's a rope in there! Get it down to Westian while I bravely hold off the next onslaught!" His last little exaggeration would be easily seen through but Haynuus wasn't too concerned. He thought for a moment and added. "Oh, and you'll actually need to hold on to one end of it as well."

So then, his idea was that of smacking into the screamers like skittles in an attempt to throw a few off the edge of the path as a quick way to whittle their numbers down. An added bonus would be if all the other beasties down there craved for a rain of screamer slices like Haynuus did, then they'll divert their attention from Westian and Ameena. He lowered his shoulder down once more and sprinted into the first screamer. (1d20+10=19, 1d20+8=19) For the first time ever though he had enough presence of mind to raise his sword in two hands above his head and point it at his foe. He was strong and expert enough with the weapon to attempt to defect any attacks. His intention was to knock this first screamer (S1) into a second one (S2) which would then be thrown over the edge!

OOC - Bullrush Strength check, +4 STR, +4 Improved, No +2 bonus as he can't charge over such a short distance, +2 bonus for size difference?, does the screamer get +4 for being considered 'stable'?

Ameena keeps a track of Westian's movements, watching as he moves along the ground toward her. She also keeps an eye on both the striped insect and the slimy crawling thing. She wonders what she should do, and contemplates attempting to leap onto the insect if it comes close enough. But she would have no way of telling what it would do if she did so, and doesn't particularly want to become covered in the green ick that comes out of them when injured.
However, she is currently gripping onto a surface made of rock - maybe she can use some of it the same way as before, possibly to better effect.
She reaches around till she finds a piece of rock loose enough (and small enough) to pick up (OOC - I presume there must be plenty of nooks and crannies and stuff, so she can grab something worth using), then holds it ready to throw at the insect should it come into range.

OOC - I think you can only ready one action, can't you? Fairly obviously, Ameena is planning to chuck the rock at the wasp if it comes near enough, but I can't also say that she'll sod that and move further along the cliff face if the leech turns out it can follow her, can I? Going with the former, Ameena will lob the rock at the wasp if it happens to come into range in its (possibl) pursuit of Westian. Sooo, Attack roll = 14 (6+8), and in the event that that somehow hits, damage = 1 (pff).

Westian took up his best defensive pose, and moved as fast as caution allowed to support his murafu comrade. The wasp hovering above took a speculative swipe at Westian, but apparently was done with the fight. The wasp moved off in the opposing direction, hovering just out on the water, ichor leaking.


Heh, because your DM is evil, the wasp was hovering directly above you, thus ensuring you were locked down even to a withdrawl (withdrawl just protects the first square you move away from, not the square five foot away). Still, it was an intelligent tactic, and luckily the wasp missed anyway. So I don't have a moral quandry of punishing you for doing everything right and me being nasty


Westian still had the taint of the wasp on him unfortunately, and that seemed enough to justify the leech still moving forward. Either that of the leech smelt his warm blood from his crushed shoulder. The icky feel of it under his armour was not a pleasant distraction.

A less pleasant distraction, but a welcome one, was Haynuus's second kill of the battle. This wasp was a mess of innards anyway, and made a particularly disgusting 'splat' amid its companion and the other leech.

The huge leech seemed to reveal in the fresh kill, and the second leech stopped its advance on Westian. Again it extended its body, tasted the air with its expanding and ocntracting maw, and then moved swiftly back to the new feast. Westian made it to the rock wall without further incident.


For now...


Meanwhile, Haynuus was having even greater success - both physically and mentally. Aurek seemed pleased that Haynuus had the hidden tools all along to reunite with their charge and murafu friend down below. The paladin eagerly rummaged, and found the rope - with one chewed end, for some reason - buried in the bottom.

The end of the rope landed without note right beside the group of leeches - it was the best place Aurek could land the rope, and due to the angle of the ledge Aurek could not tell what was happening down below.

"Get the rope! Quickly!" was the cry.

Meanwhile, Haynuus flexed his muscles against the highly ill-equipped screamers. At another time his rush forward and stance might have been to wrestle one of these creatures away with him, but for now he instead had to practise his crowd control methods.

Like a perfect trick shot, the first screamer was easily lifted and pushed into the second screamer. There was a moment of resistance, but then the second screamer, and then the first, tumbled off the edge of the ledge. Unlike the wasps, these screamers completed a parabolic flight instead of crashign against the wall below, and so ended up in the water.

The fading shrieks from below did not have time to die off, before the remaining screamers reacted. One screamer had been beside the beligerant orc as he pushed the other screamers, and shriekd directly into Haynuus's face as the half-orc passed.

Haynuus felt an odd pain in his eyes and nose, and wondered why sound hurt like that. It was then he detected the aroma of mold - the screamer had sprayed spores in his face! Haynuus started painfully sneezing, a sneeze that seems to also produce a pain in his chest.

The screamers all eagerly came forward to press into Haynuus, but luckily the half-orc was fore-warned and kept his nose out of the way as they shrieked at him harmlessly.

However, the shrieks of the screamers seemed to echo oddly somewhere in the cavern. Somewhere out there, in the half-light, something hooted.

More importantly, Haynuus could spot another two screamers coming forward around the corner. How many more screamers were around? Were they angry at his proto-screamer theft?


Improved bullrush protects you from thos AoO from the defender, unfortunatey not anyone around. Usually there's be a chance at missing you, but the spore attack is a splash attack blasting spores into the square, so I'll rule it will hit with a successful roll. And sadly, losing 5 dexterity points, and losing your greaves much earlier, means Haynuus has a bad enough AC to get hit!

Roll me a fortitude save (just one) to see if you get affected (again). Really liek this tactic, so I just rolled strength checks from both the screamers in turn, and luckily the second one just missed resisting Screamers I'm ruling as just as stable as humans (one trunk), so no bonus. Screamers are medium creatures, so no size bonus. If you can push around small people, please do - they get a -4 size penalty in that case! Just move by the way, and also I'm glad you went for the rope aswell. I was hoping someone would create a space and then try to reunite!


Ameena, meanwhile, was watching the progress of allies and potential foes. When Westian came forward, the leech moving towards her stopped and tested the air. It locked on to the cleric, and as Westian's back touched the wall, the creature moved eagerly forward. Ameena released her rock, but sadly the leech's fast movement made it hard to judge. The rock skittered across the cavern floor.


I took the liberty of making the ready action 'when a creature comes close' instead of 'when the wasp'. Also, 14 isn't that bad of a hit roll against these scavengers, but in the case of the leeches, just not good enough. I'm afraid you can't nominate contingencies as a readied action. You can delay your actions, and have them all, but only after another's turn, or you can ready an interrupting action, but it can only be one action, with a specific trigger. For example, if there was a hostage situation, you could either delay your actions but not be able to stop a hostage being attacked, or you could ready a specific action - attack if the hostage is about to get attacked - but you'd lose your action if the trigger didn't happen (ie the hostage taker ran off). You couldn't say 'I'll shoot the hostage taker if he makes a move, unless he runs in which case I'll run after him.


The leech continued onwards towards Westian, undistracted by the rock attack. Westian had been focused on his own two foes, and was perhaps not expecting the fast moving leech to appear at his side so quickly. The leech stretched obscenely, and then flopped forward behind Westian's shield, onto his crushed and weakly-armoured shoulder. Only as Westian was suddenly attacked did he realise how powerful these creatures were. The leech attached itself as if a vice, and Westian felt as if his arm were being pulled through his armour. The needle teeth piercing his arm were painful in the extreme, but were as nothing to the feel of the leech draining his blood. The body expanded and contracted eagerly.



I'm sorry! I keep joking about killing you, I didn't mean to auto-hit you in your tin can! Leech attack (1d20=20) So, umm, yeah... 9 damage, and (mumble mumle lose 1 constituion point and have a leech locked onto you that will keep draing constitution from you until you can pull it off mumble)

The good news is a) the creature seems vulnerable as it feeds on your sweet, sweet blood. You know, vulnerable *wink wink* b) you can attack it normally. c) You can also try to grapple it off, although Westian will feel it has a powerful grasp.

Anyway, that's a fun cliffhanger. Haynuus is being sprayed and surrounded. Westian is latched on. Aurek waits to rescue his comrades below. Ameena potentially has her moment to shine.

And somewhere buried in there was a strong hint that all these ability score draining

Spoiler

low AC low hp

critters are, as mentioned, simply the second wave to knock you until the wacky third wave can strike.

Then you can enjoy the cavern again!

Anyway, have a good weekend, map will be posted in the OOC thread.

OOC - Yaay, update . Rather than wait for the map, I'll make my post and then edit it if it turns out I can't do what I plan - I'll explain after my IC section...

BIC - Ameena watches the insect head off out over the water as Westian moves to stand against the rocky wall, now seeming so far away considering her size and the height she has managed to reach. It's unusual for her to be able to look down at someone, so she feels a little strange as she watches Westian, and the slimy creature approaching her. A rope drops down from above to land near the heaped remains of more than one of the insects (and the slimy creatures now feeding on them), followed by a shout to grab onto it, but there's no time for such things at this time, as Ameena is about to find out.
When the slimy creature attacks her friend, she winces in empathy at the pain he must be feeling, then does what any murafu would do in her situation - attempt to help.
She drops down from the wall as quickly and safely as she can, moves the brief remaining distance toward the slimy creature currently feeding off Westian, draws her flimsy-seeming knife, and lashes out with it.

OOC - This is assuming, of course, that I can move that far in one go - does the descending from the wall count as my whole move because it's another Climb? If so, then obviously just ignore the last bit where she attacks. I don't imagine she can just let go and drop the whole distance without taking damage so she won't do that - she'll climb down until she knows she can drop safely, which I think is what she did in order to get down there in the first place.
So, in case they are needed, here are my rolls...Climb = 17 (3+14...phew, glad I get a nice bonus there, lol). Attack roll on the leech = 18 (8+8, then I added another 2 for the flanking bonus I'm presumably getting or whatever for the leech being busy...if there is no bonus or if it's not +2 in 3.5 edition then just ignore that part ). And finally, damage, I hope, = 14 (2 basic attack, then 5+5+2 Sneak Attack ).
I hope that's okay - if all Ameena can do this turn is climb down, then that's what she'll have to do. Unless I can still have her throw another rock? I'll get the Sneak Attack damage from that, I think, 'cause there was something on the rules site that said it's possible to make a ranged Sneak Attack if within 10 squares. Or was it 10 feet? I can't remember now. Ah well, get back to me and I'll edit this post as appropriate. Either way, there's no way I'm not gonna get to BS this slimy fu...(can I say that word?) considering it is so blatantly occupied .

OOC - If murafu are like rats they can probably jump down enormous distances when compared to their body height.

Haynuus learnt his math from within the brutal school of warfare. Aurek was basically open to free attacks at his side and had to be protected at all cost. The half-orc would have loved to have just stood there and swung his large sword around his head cleaving bits of screamers everywhere but for now it wasn't to be. He took a 5' step backwards closer to Aurek and was now beside the third screamer (S3). He concentrated his mind on this one as it was the most threatening to the paladin.... Which translates to hitting it with his falchion. (1d20+10=16, 2d4+6=9)

OOC - Roll me a fortitude save to see if you get affected (again). (1d20+6=25) Screamer attacks were Wisdom based weren't they! lol, Nicely translated to fort saves, then. Haynuus would make a perfect screamer farmer and who knows - maybe one day get additional resistances to them due to prolonged contact.

Westian howled in pain and surprise as the leech found a way through the armour. The pain was worse than he had expected, and either the shock or the sudden loss of blood made him feel slightly faint. Still, now the leech was motionless and an easier target. Westian resisted his initial urge to just lash out and instead carefully positioned the point of his sword near the creatures jaw. He then pushed the blade downward, cutting into the leech's flesh.

Attack was 16 + 6 = 22, damage was 7 + 2 = 9

Haynuus thought of his comrade ahead of unleashing his fury, and took a sideways step. If Haynuus secretly hoped to cleave through one of those delicious green caps and into another, a low swing that buried into the trunk put paid to that plan.

Still, it was a powerful hit, and white ooze (Sap?) freely leaked out of the surprisingly solid trunk of the thing. Still, the smell was not enough to block out the stench of the wasps from earlier.

In a mixed blessing, the screamer did not move, focused on the half-orc by the blow. Like passengers on the bus crowded towards the driver by an inconsiderate and unshifting passenger, the other screamers surely grumbled at barely being able to move forward.

Still, it meant only three of the five screamers could actually crowd around Haynuus, Aurek was free to continue his rope duties unmolested.

"Westian! Ameena! Are you there!" screamed out Aurek into the sparkling darkness below, trying to be heard above the oddly out of place babble of the cascade.

Unfortunately for Haynuus, even three screamers created quite a stench of spores in the air. Haynuus managed to avoid the worst of it, and had shrugged off the previous spores, but with the smell coming form three directions, it was not long before his tongue felt even thicker, his chest felt full, and for some reason even his ears felt filled.

Shame you didn't get a cleave in there Ian, S4 was still in range! Ah well, maybe this time. Feel free to roll against each in turn, just incase of cleave damage. Also, screamers are dumb enough to generate AoO attacks against themselves trying to move passed you. Not if you are going ot bury falchions in their body though! Anyway, luck was with you on that fortitude save, and also the fact two of those screamers missed. However, I'll need another fortitude save from you! Roll well! (again)

Meanwhile, Westian's calm resolve paid off - he scored a grevious hit against his dire opponent. Black blood (was that his own, necrotised so fast?) poured from the leech. However, the wound was not severe enough. The thing screeched, a sound that literally reverberated unpleasantly to the bones of Westian. The creature was really just a sponge with the ability to contract itself, and even hanging off half dead, it futily expanded and contracted.

Red blood oozed from its wounds now, and Westian's lightheadedness continued as the creature kept trying to feed.

Ameena scrambled from her perch, but in her hurry a foot snagged and she tumbled down to the ground.

Luckily, at only 15 foot up, and falling from half way along, you only take 1 non-letahl damage. Unluckily, you also fall prone and end your movement. Luckily, that still means you have an action left. Unluckily, attacking from prone imposes a -4 attack penalty. Luckily, the leech is more vulnerable and its AC lowers while latched on. And, you know, the reason it's more vulnerable is it loses its bonus to AC. And so yeah, sneak attack does work (I forget if I said it would definitely before.

Ameena was painfully down on the ground, but even so low on the ground a rogue and murafu of Ameena's skill could still make a desperate attack as high as Westian's shoulder. It would have been an impressive sight to see, assuming Westian wasn't light headed and had a leech in the way.

The blow cleanly took the muscles at the back of the thing's 'neck', and it lost its grip on Westian. Black and red blood mingled on the ground, and the thing twicthed on final time. And one final time it screeched, a low, mournful screech that echoed around the rocky ceiling.

Across the cavern floor, the two other leeches paused in their feeding. Both 'stood' with much of their body hovering in the air. They turned one way and the other, mouths testing the air. And then, as one, both leeches started a series of high and low pitched screeches. There was an almost sing-song quality to it. It was certainly capable of being intepretted as...sad.

You meanies! You killed the leech You know, the leech that was set to do 3 more constitution damage if Westian have been just 5 foot further out of range.

Well, that's Westian and Ameena out of the woods. And by out of the woods, I mean you still have to negotiate one wasp, two leeches, and three...no, wait, that's after next next round. Yes, just one wasp and two leeches to get to Aurek and get back up.

OOC - Technically, Ameena being in the "prone" position only counts if she's actually fallen over, right (ie has no feet on the ground)? Because, mechanics aside, she's much more agile on four feet than on two. It just means she'll have to be more defensive and less able to attack (unless she tries to nom stuff ). I suppose her all-fours advantages are balanced out by the fact she can't attack quite so well. And the fact that everything becomes further away from her when she's that much lower to the ground .

BIC - Ameena gives herself a quick shake - that landing hadn't been quite up to her normal, agile standards. Then again, she had been rushing it somewhat, she realises now. She manages a decent strike on the slimy creature, however, soon after Westian makes an attack of his own, and the creature slithers to the ground in a very dead-looking (not to mention disgusting) lump of...dead slimy...stuff.
She looks up at Westian.
"Are you alright?" she asks with concern, noting the very obvious blood, and other things, now coating his left shoulder and side. "There's a rope." she continues, pointing. "But it's near those other creatures...and the water. And there's that insect still buzzing about. What should we do?"

OOC - lol. I can visualise Ameena falling off the wall yet perfectly planting the dagger into the back of the leech. SPLAT!
I'll need another fortitude save from you! (1d20+6=26)

The half-orc seemed to revel being surrounded by screamers. "Ha-Haaahhhhh!" he screamed with all his lungs into the air as if he was at the centre of attention of some groupies. It was time to go dizzy and start chopping. This time he stood his ground and again concentrated on the third (S3) screamer he had seen, but with a mind to swiping and chopping his way across all those that stood before him. (1d20+10=23, 2d4+6=9, 1d20+5=20, 2d4+6=10)

OOC - I can give you some more d20 and 2d4s (1d20+10=17, 2d4+6=10, 1d20+10=27, 2d4+6=11)

The truth was that he was feeling as sick as a dog, yet having the best time of his life for a few brief moments. He realised however that he was not the only one bellowing...

Westian was surprised at the ease with which Ameena dispatched the leech. He had not expected her to be competent in combat, but she certainly was.

"I am okay - mainly thanks to you. That thing was powerful.' He flexed his left arm back and forward, wincing in pain slightly as he did so. "I see the rope. Do you think it will be able to support my weight? Anyway we will have to get past those leeches first. I think we will have to fight our way past."

Hearing Aurek's cry he responded. "We are here, we are okay. But we cannot get to the rope just yet, there are creatures in the way."

He reached into a pouch and pulled out a healing potion. "Are you injured, do you need healing?" he drank one of his own concoctions, and offered a second one to the murafu. In truth he was glad to have a few seconds reprieve from combat to recuperate.

OOC: I don't think Ameena is injured, but just in case there is a potion available. Healing for Westian was 12.

Haynuus was, to put not finer point on it, getting into the swing of things. His thick tonuge seemed to be blocking the worst or the screamer spores, or whatever was in the air, from affecting him. And a quick footballer-style nasal clearing out saw him ok. So far, so good.

Meanwhile, he happily planted his feet and hacked again at the leftmost screamer, severing the trunk of it and seeing the green cap splat onto the ground infront of him. His falchion carried on the swing, slicing a goodly portion of the cap of the next. Haynuus would not be dettered, and flexed him muscles to rip the rest of the screamer's cap apart, and found that this movement was powerful enough to cut the end off the third screamer's cap, leaving a juicy slice on the floor begging to be eaten. It glistened with stick sweet goo.

The wounded screamer shuffled forward as if to power passed Haynuus, and the remaining two screamers shuffled to get closer to him. All three screeched, and once more, although from somewhere much, much closerdownwards there was a mourning set of cries from where Westian and Ameena were. And, oddly, there was once again the sound of some form of hooting. Again, it sounded like it was coming from somewhere close.


Lol, I scored two high hits and a crit there - it was only a matter of time. Luckily for Haynuus, in this circumstances, the natural 20 does nothing different!. So Ian, please roll me three Fortitude saves - and I'm sure this time you might not be so lucky - and also roll me a perception roll to figure out the direction of the hooting.

The wounded screamer died, so you got to cleave through to the second. And then, the second hit killed the second screamer, so you got to cleave through to the third. These ascreamers have no manoeuverability, so easy to hit, but those were still some good rolls


As Ameena and Westian took a welcome respite, and Westian trusted to the raw power of VI to restore his strength while his body was weakened, the remaining leeches were still in - for want of a better word - mourning. All too soon, the cries died off. The leeches still tasted the air with their fanged maws, then then both turned inneringly towards Ameena and Westian's position.

As one, the fatter leech first, the two creatures peeled away from their corpses. They moved slowly for now, sneaking forward and then standing upright to 'look' around. However, they only looked a fraction of an angle to the left and right of the two champions. And their forward movement never waivered.


Yeah, you have more leeches oncoming. ON level healing potions do not have the ability to heal ability score damage, so unless Westian (or Haynuus) use one of the uber-powerful healing potions from Soorec's room, your current weakened ability scores won't be healed.


"Do you need aid? Do you need us to come down?" yelled Aurek, relief apparent in his voice as he heard Westian replied. Meanwhile, the trailing rope suddenly touched the water. The problem with this was that there was clear distance between the lake's edge, and where the rope was. A small protrution of water, a thich tendril, came from the lake. It managed to touc the rope's frayed end, gently playing with it.


Aurek missed his perception check, and Haynuus is badly placed. In all honesty, if Westian or Ameena would look towards the rope right now, then they might spot the oddness - roll perception if either of you think you wouldn't be fully concentrated on the leeches this round. If I don't get to post a map, imagine the leeches are about a third of the distance between where you guys are now and where they were in the last map.

Haynuus, S5, S6 and S7 have shuffled into the position that S3, S4 and S5 respectively were before. Remember Haynuus is down one square from where he was. Aurek has not moved.

Oh, and screamer 5's new stas

Spoiler

AC8, 4/15hp

Heh, you guys might spot my friends had to be a little later, hence one last update So you are set for a new world of hurt tomorrow - ain't I nice

OOC - Ameena and Westian are "champions"? Wow, when did that happen .

BIC - "No, I'm not really hurt." replies Ameena, relieved that Westian doesn't seem to be in too bad a shape. "But I expect it will be useful for me to carry one of those around with me in case I'm separated from you but with someone who needs it. Or if I need it myself."
So saying, she accepts the offered potion and puts it into one of her pouches. Then she glances toward the leeches, then back at the rockface, then at the leeches again.
"Umm...I suppose you can't climb up this, can you?" she asks, gesturing toward the cliff. "Maybe we can climb up it a little way, so they can't reach us. And then...umm...well, I'm not sure."

OOC - What is the strength of the healing potion Ameena's just been given - that is, how much does it heal? I just want to make a note of it on my character sheet so I have the necessary details for whenever it does get used.

It was not visible, but behind his visor a look of fear crept across Westian's face when Ameena mentioned climbing the wall. "I don't think I will be able to do that Ameena, I am sorry." He felt guilty that Ameena was down with these creatures just because he had stupidly lost his balance and fell like a fool down the cliff, and now he felt that he was holding the murafu back.

"Maybe if we get rid of these leeches we will be able to climb up the cliff at our leisure. With Haynuus and Aurek holding the rope I think I would be confident enough to climb up."

Hearing Aurek's words he responded. "We are okay for now. No need to come down, we will try to get back up to you when we have a chance. You focus on clearing whatever is attacking you, and we can kill or distract these creatures."

While talking he was trying to think of some way to distract the leeches. With a sudden flash of inspiration he pulled out the club that was attached to his belt. He daubed it with as much of his own blood and as much wasp and leech ichor as he could. He then took careful aim at the nearest leech and flung the club through the air.

Attack was 18 + 4 = 22. Damage was 4 + 2 = 6. The potion Ameena got was the same one Westian drank, an UM VI (3d6 healing).

OOC - roll me three Fortitude saves (1d20+6=9, 1d20+6=9, 1d20+6=26)

Haynuus was most happy at his excellent three deCAPetating swing, a new Personal Best... But realised that the effort had left him with his face close to the floor, a leg pointing north and hot excited gases escaping from his rear. The new screamers advanced and sprayed their attacks into his face. It was only sheer freakish luck that his flailing leg had actually held back the third screamer from nearing his face.

"Behhh!" he shouted half blinded and half choking. If he was to form a 'working relationship' with these guys later on, he'd need to find a way to keep the spores out of his face. "Westiaaaaaan!" he shouted once more as his lungs felt like they were caving in.

The half-orc was neither prone nor finished, however. He was more than ready to continue his pirouette and layed into the mass of dangerous vegetation in front of him (1d20+10=11, 2d4+6=11) and then realising that he probably missed it, gave it a good whack with the pommel of his large sword (1d20+5=6, 2d4+6=11). It was not his day, however, as chance would have it (1 in 400, in fact) his trousers had fallen down around his ankles.

Ameena looks a little confused as Westian talks, one word momentarily striking her as odd.
"Leeches?"
But after a brief pause, she realises what he means.
"Ohh, that's what you call them. I'll have to remember that. Umm...those creatures don't look too fast at moving. I suppose they might be much quicker than they look, but maybe if we move apart a little more, and you can get one of them to come toward you and between us, I can come forward and strike it."
She is slightly distracted, however, by a sudden half-orcish bellow emanating from above them. She glances up, slightly nervous - are the others alright? What's happening to them? She still doesn't really know much about this "Aurek" - she'll need to ask him some questions when she gets the chance, but he's seemed somehow...distracted, and she doesn't want to interrupt him.

OOC - Ready action - Ameena moves along the wall and slightly outward from it away from Westian if he agrees to her suggestion. She's upright now so will only move four squares due to the "It's a Move action to stand up" mechanic. The plan is that Westian gets one of the leeches to come over and gets it between himself and Ameena. Hopefully he can survive long enough for her to then dart forward and BS the crap out of it with the flanking bonus their positioning will have generated .
Oh, and OB, don't forget the wasp still hovering. It might be waiting for a chance for us to become busy enough with the leeches that we don't notice it. Speaking of not noticing stuff, I'm not entirely sure the rope-climbing idea will work if we end up with a Water Elemental climbing up it instead .

The pressure was strange, and Haynuus felt shaking of limb (luckily, his limbs had been shaking in the opposing direction from the wasp venom from earlier, so he went stock still). Still his limbs felt weak, and worse was the fact he coulnd't get as much air to his powerful lungs as before. It was as if there was less space in his lungs. Sadly, the weakening and distraction meant his normally powerful and danagerous swings simply went wide over the head of the screamer. Perhaps Haynuus should go lie down. Although, perhaps being horizintal at a time like this wasn't the best idea.

Ouch, you take 3 damage to your strength, 3 damage to your constitution, and hey, guess what - you have screamer spores infecting you! What that means, who know? No, wait, I do - it means you have an hour to get rid of them before you start needing to make more fortitude rolls to stave off the effects. Remember to adjust your maximum and current hit points by 6, your fortitude save goes down by 1, and also your melee attack roll goes down by 2!


The screamers seemed to sense Haynuus's weakness. The all shrieked a lower shriek, and then as one started to move swiftly around Haynuus as the half-orc tried to recover himself. The ripped open screamer made a very determined beeline for the shouting Aurek, along with one of his fellows. Haynuus's bulk still, at least, blocked the last screamer, who could only shuffle around Haynuus abjectly.


Ian, remember you can roll an attack of opportunity against one of the moving creatures - 5, 6 or 7. Also remember that you can still leave from 5 to 6 (I think the others you can't drop in a single round now), so roll me an extra attack for that)


Aurek was yelling down to Westian. "The rope! Something has the rope!" For a moment Aurek tugged back, although he did look around nervously as he realised his position was precarious, or that he had foes coming at his back. "You might not have another chance!" yelled the paladin.


I'll leave the rest of the paladin's actions based on any rely Westian might give, and also whatever might happen with the screamers.


Westian's ploy was hasty, and yet seemed a good one. The club smashed into the lead leech, making it pause for a moment. Better than that, it did actually stop to writhe over the disgusting club. That did not last long, and the leech lifted itself up from the wooden weapon and gave a hiss back towards Westian. Still, it had been forced to pause a moment, and the leech behind still seemed eager to investigate one its bulkier ally moved aside. Ameena moved sideways into position. It seemed the two leeches would not attack together. Perhaps they could divde, surround and then conquer. Perhaps this could all work!


Nice idea there OB! And always helps to actually clock the creature in the face, too Despite the range penlty, still a solid hit. Sadly, an inorganic item won't hold the leeches long at all. You've 'frozen' both leeches this first round, then L2 will start to move. L1 will then be delayed a second round as it investigated the club and makes its own disappointing discovery. So that's not bad - you've bought one round of set up, and one round of single leech-dom

Ameena, tell me if the postioning is what you thought when I posted the map, or if your ready action will even go off since Westian didn't move.


The lone wasp, meanwhile, was buzzing aroudn closer to the shore again. It hovered near the corpses, but seemed loathe to actually come right up. It buzzed up and down instead, but once more, it seemed to be in no hurry to get close to the ledge with Aurek and Haynuus. Of course, the question was - did it fear the party, or did it fear things as yet barely hinted at?


Right, that should be that! I'll post the map, and you guys can do your funky attacking/defending/running screaming thing



Spoiler stats:
Wasp 2

Spoiler

AC14, 10/29hp

Screamer 5

Spoiler

AC6 (run), 4/15hp

Screamer 6

Spoiler

AC6 (run), 13hp

Screamer 7

Spoiler

AC8, 15hp

Leech 1

Spoiler

AC16, 15hp

Leech 2

Spoiler

AC16, 17/23hp

OOC - Ameena's position looks fine enough to me - basically she wants to be far enough away that the leeches go for Westy rather than her, yet close enough that she can get back over to Westy in a single move in order to gank whatever leech is attacking him. If Westian decides to do something else because he's had a better idea or something, then her ready action won't go off unless that's part of the plan. It isn't really necessary for Westian to move much, just get the attention of one leech at a time so Ameena can flank it (though that won't be necessary if one of them latches onto Westy again, 'cause she'll get combat advantage then anyway ).

OOC - Heh, yeah, I figured we're only gonna get one of 'em for now - the tricky bit is probably gonna be killing it before the other one gets there too .

"We won't make it!" Westian shouted back at the paladin. "Pull up the rope, we cannot climb while these creatures are nearby." In truth Westian was not sure that Aurek could hold the rope on his own while Westian climbed. And if it went wrong, both armoured men would surely fall into the water and drown.

"Are you okay, Haynuus?" The shout from the half-orc was loud enough to reach him above the sound of flowing water. "We cannot get up yet. Can you hold on some more? If you get your level clear then we should be able to use the rope to get up to you."

He nodded at Ameena suggestion - he would try to draw one of the leeches onto him. Luckily the creatures seemed to be separating from each other, stacking the odds slightly in their favour.

Readied attack was 6 + 6 = 12, damage 4 + 2 = 6. Not so good, I hope Ameena can do better!

Haynuus gained an attack of opportunity against one of the moving creatures (1d20+10=15, 2d4+6=13) (oops, should be 1d20+8=13, 2d4+4=11) (OOC - roll me an extra attack (1d20+8=9, 2d4+4=8)) as they almost desperately shuffled their way to the paladin who was making what looked to Haynuus as rude gestures with the rope. Was he pulling up Westian as he seemed to be heaving and shouting?!

The half-orc was dizzy and most unwell. He really needed to finish off these things as soon as possible and help Aurek with the rope. He had a choice. He could either attempt to shout the screamers off the side of the cliff or even into the waterfall - Haynuus had a natural ability to intimidate even the unnatural, or... He could hit them. Yes, that was it! What a plan, especially as one the one closest to Aurek had it's 'back' to him... Maybe.

He prayed to whatever god that would listen to him and he desperately swung his heavy and sharp piece of metal around his head. (1d20+8=18, 2d4+4=10, 1d20+3=12, 2d4+4=7)

I'll update now, since I assume Ameena's action is going to be to delay until the leech comes.


Haynuus might be wheezing a little, focusing less on the surroundings, and possessing of less muscle co-ordination than normal, but he was still a half-orc. Haynuus wasn't about to let his future livestock just ignore him, and he swept his falchion in a powerful blow as the creatures tried to swarm passed him. He easily separated the reduced cap of the one closest to him, and the upswing saw a small small branch like part with green cap smack him in the face. It was an odd bouquet to be trying to catch, but then Haynuus didn't fancy being a screamer bride any time soon.

Haynuus took a long step forwards to chase down the injured screamer, but sadly it seemed a little too swift on its toes and Haynuus's swing went wide. The half-orc planted himself better though, and after taking a second to concentrate actually put some effort into his return swing. Not only did he smash the wounded screamer into bits, but when he moved to avoid smacking himself in the face, his blade kept going and sliced perfectly into the last screamer. Aurek's back was clear, and Haynuus had one faintly squeaking screamer to contend with.

Maybe he could keep it as a pet..?


I won't make you re-roll your roll just because you got the bonus wrong, so I've taken the rolls in order for your actions. So we have 1) Roll for AoO, 2) roll for cleaving through on AoO, 3) Roll for first fullround attack (automatic miss), 4) roll for second part of full round attack, 5) roll for cleaving through. Well, it seems you're getting a good return on your cleave feat here! Remember if you suspect / know your opponent has low AC, and low hit points, you can also load up some extra damage using your power attack to gamble upon the the cleave triggering more. Especially in a tight group with great cleave - you can be quite lethal! Oh, and if screamer 5 is dead, screamer 6 would be free to move closer to Aurek without interruption. And, sadly for it, means Haynuus can take a five foot step and get in his full attacks. So that's how that fight worked out.


Westian had planted himself perfectly, trusting to the usually passive murafu's skills when the fight was desperate. Westian, of course, had skills of his own. He waited until the last minute to strike at the fat leech, but almost immediately knew he'd made a mistake. The slow movement and hesitation of the creature was gone. Whatever strange muscles allowed it to crush armour and drain blood so fast also allowed the leech to concertina across the distance in record time. Westian's sword blow was off, slicing a shallow cut across rubber flesh.

No ichor flowed, and the leech did not seem to notice the blow. Luckily, Westian's shield skill did not desert him, and Westian's chest plate was still strong. There was a disgusting waft of wasp guts scent that penetrated Westian's helm, but that was the only thing that got through Westian's defenses. Still, the leech's teeth made convincing dents in the black armour, and worse the leech stood almost face to face with the cleric on its powerful body muscles. The thing rocked back and forth as if a snake waiting to strike. The thing's mouth pulsated, and a low hiss escaped from the visible depths of its pink throat.


Heh, so Ameena needs to act, whether before or after the leech I will leave to her. Obviously, if after it would make the combat updates easierto still know the proposed action. Or else the combat will become twice as long as I make two updates for two split groups!


Aurek heard the words of Westian, but seemed to hesitate. Especially as Haynuus cleared up the creature whio tried to get close to the paladin. "Do not worry about us, we've almost cleared here!" he yelled. "Haynuus can lower me down to help you!" However, the paladin barely got the words out before there was then a sudden tug on the rope.

Aurek seemed to hover for a moment pulled too far forward. There was a second where he could have let go of the rope and scrambled for the ledge, but he kept a grip on the rope instead. One moment Aurek was in sight of Haynuus, and the next the black-armoured paladin pitched off the ledge, heading directly for the water.

The splash did not seem large enough for the weight that hit the water. The ripples seemed to die out too quickly. And worse yet, while the rope floated in an oodd way to show where the paladin had fallen, there was no further sign of Aurek - not even a churning of the water.

The screamer seemed to sense both the power of the half-orc beside it, and the clear area now Aurek had disappeared. It shuffled off, trailing white goo and seeking the inner side of the ledge, getting close to the cascade. Meanwhile, the wasp dodghed backwards at Aurek's fall, but then seemed to appreciate that Haynuus was alone. The wasp hoved up level with the ledge - if not within range of Haynuus. It had, apparently, not realised what had killed its fellows.

Worse yet, the hooting seemed to have come back. It was hard to tell, but it seemed as if it came from the cascade, and it was almost as if there was a ripple then splash that came from lower down. And then, very clearly, Haynuus could hear a single hoot come from directly above his head. There was nothing up that way though, neother except a ledge much higher up. Was that a puff of dust from up there?


Maybe grabbing Aurek was a little cheap, but Westian's yell for Aurek to let go did add +2 to the strength/release check just before. Just he got a middling result when a good DC check was needed, Haynuus did a little too good a job of clearing up, and worse yet simply a horrible acrobtaics check to grab the edge. I'm obviously not going to kill Aurek, but without player intercession, Aurek will be adventuring separately for a while...whartever the consequences of that could be.

Anyway, map and stats to follow (I'l edit here). Also, I think you'll soon discover what the last wave of critters was. The outcome will certainly determine where you guys get to go next, of course!