Chapter 5: The Darkness of Dimwater

[Storm11]

Oops, I think I gone done and kilt it yes indeedy," Hex says guiltily.

[ravenn4544]

Wil suggests, "If we must pass this strange plant - be wary of touching it - there are plants in the world that surely can be irritating if touched if not down right ruining one's day through poison and death".

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Phineas impatiently peers between and around the halted legs of the lumbering big folk.

Is it possible to get through the corridor without touching any of the fungi?

[Mant72]

Is it possible to get through the corridor without touching any of the fungi?

Yes, the fungi is only growing on the left side of the hallway. The right side is clear, but everyone would have to walk single-file if they wanted to pass without touching it.

[Inferno]

"That way to the egress!" whispers P.T. Codswallop.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Just stating the obvious lets avoid touching the fungi."

[Grognardsw]

Aric, barbarian

Aric doesn't advance further.

"I have heard legends of strange plants whose aromas put men in stupor, or worse. We should stand well clear and set them afire."

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

I wish I had a glass-enclosed lantern to make use of this beautiful fungi for light, murmurs Osprey quietly.

Speaking to the group, What will it be? Walk by or burn it?

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Best to burn it I suppose. Better safe than sorry."

[ChubbyPixie]

Trusty Yon, Human Cleric

"How about this? If there's a volunteer who wants to attempt walking by, I'll get my lariat around you and dole out the line, if anything happens we can pull you back," says Yon. "So... any volunteers?"

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

I'll walk by. Let's do this because I'm feeling silly with all of us stymied by fungi.

[Mant72]

Yon, priest of Light, devises a plan to use his lariat.

He offers up the rope to the warrior-mage, Osprey, which is then tied tautly around the elf’s waist. Yon holds onto the end and feeds out the excess slack while Osprey quickly, yet cautiously, bypasses the fungi. The elf does not come into contact with any of the bizarre fronds and now stands on the other side unharmed.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "I was gonna burn it as I walked by with my torch anyways."

[Grognardsw]

Aric, barbarian

Seeing Osprey pass by unharmed, Aric feels he must do the same though he still wants to burn the fungus. The barbarian sprints through, staying low and away from the purple stuff.

[Storm11]

If all seems ok with the barbarian and the spellblade Hex will follow cautiously.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Phineas follows in turn, glancing at the violet fronds of undulating fungi. "Astounding! he exclaims, and then drops his voice to a mutter: "But a little high brow for sideshow material."

[Mant72]

Each in turn, the adventurers skirt around the unusual fungi. In passing, some stare and marvel at its wonder while others wince and shudder as if it might pose a threat. Eventually, the group reaches the other side and continues along its path.

About 30’ further up the hall, the party comes upon an even larger mass of fungi, and it looks to be roughly three times the size of the one they just passed. Its 10’ wide swath sprawls all the way across the hallway, up both sides of each wall, and stretches across the ceiling to almost meet in the middle. Lying in the center of the growth, at the base of the left wall, are the remains of four bodies.

One of the bodies appears to be a dwarf, but the races of the other three are unidentifiable as they are all in an advanced state of decomposition and covered with the purple, phosphorescent fungi.

Sensing warm flesh, the fungi-riddled corpses rise to feed!

image.jpeg (54.68 KiB) Viewed 332 times

Kragg stands in utter astonishment as the rotting dead advance. One of the putrid creatures lashes out with a gnarled hand to strike the warrior-rogue’s thigh (3 HP damage). During the exchange, some of the fungi fronds attached to the corpse come in contact with Kragg’s leg, delivering a low-voltage shock (1 HP damage). The dwarf reels back from the pain and immediately snaps out of his bewilderment.

Another zombie shambles forward to take a swipe at Kragg, but it misses.

Actions!

Party Surprised: [1d6] = 1 Yes.

Aric Surprised (unfamiliar territory 10%): [1d100] = 86 No.

Zombie Attacks Kragg: [1d20] = 16 Hit.

Zombie Attacks Kragg: [1d20] = 2 Miss.

Zombie Attack Damage: [1d8] = 3

- The zombies surprised Kragg; however, only two of the four were able to attack due to the confines of the corridor.

- This also applies to the party. Only the first two in the marching order can engage in hand-to-hand combat; in this case that would be Aric and Kragg.

- The other party members may take action, but rules for firing missile weapons into a crowd are in play.

- Hit Point Status: viewtopic.php?f=337&t=5274&p=233463#p233463

[GreyWolfVT]

Who put Kragg to the front of the marching order?

Kragg attempts to retaliate against one of the undead with his scimitar.

Scimitar [1d20] = 12 to hit [1d8] = 3 dmg

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Unable to join the fray, Phineas gets out of the way of the priest and suddenly becomes distracted by his ring. Hm! Does this thing detect the undead? he wonders.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Speaking to Kragg and Aric in the lead, I can toss you a flask of oil if you want to take measures against those three horrors and the fungi.