Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphon

Niphon will stay with the main body of the group so that his torch lights the area. If the rest of the group moves up he'll move with them.

[BaltoBruiser]

Basilday the 8th of Molivios 2993 AEP 12:30 PM

Athena moves northwest to support Jintu and Mudlark reaching the second "Y" intersection providing enough light for the two thieves to move forward. They move forward as Athena does first about 10' on a northwestly route then the tunnel begins to bend on west southwest path. As they move forward, they can see a light source and clearly hear armored legs marching in unison. They move to the edge of Athena's light another 20 feet where they find an opening to a large circular room that is partially in shadow as the light source is from torches in scones on the western wall which appears to be more than 30 feet away leaving the entrance where they are in deep shadows.

In the room, the thieves see a large, segmented worm-like creature with a dozen legs on its segmented body and 8 tentacles growing from its head. The monster is about 10 feet further to the west in the chamber with what appears to be a human in legionary armor from the history books embraced in one of its tentacles motionless. A group of similarly armored men who have formed a shield wall from which spears protrude are steadily advancing on the monster from about 15 feet away. Another solider is opening a chest in the southwest corner of the room on the far side about 40' away giving the order: Forward!

In addition to the armor from antiquity there seems to be something else odd about the fighting men but in the shadows, at distance, and with the commotion it is hard to say exactly what but Mudlark could swear the one separated from the group has the face of a sheep under his plumed helm.

[Rex]

Athena

Athena will try to focus her attention on the details of the scene and she if she notices anything that would make her think it is an illusion of some sort.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Draws axe and shield, and prepares to attack at a moment's notice.

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphon

What's going on? What do you see? Niphon whispers. He remains ready to cast sleep

[BaltoBruiser]

It certainly looks like the soldiers and the monster will commence hostilities in the next minute or so. Does the party want to engagement in this battle, observe, leave the situation and explore to the east, or execute a fourth option?

[Doctor Crunch]

It is unlikely the Carrion Crawler will be grateful, so my vote is either help the soldiers or wait for it to be over and finish off the winner.

[Rex]

Athena

I am fine with attacking the carrion crawler, but would only do so with missile weapons while it is engaged with the soldiers. Then we can attempt to negotiate or fight uninjured if need be.

[gurusql]

Gelli

"Missile weapons are the way to go. We would not be able to negotiate with the beast." whispers Gelli.

Map
Hoping I kind of have it

HallsArdenVul_SecondCliffMap01.png (120.88 KiB) Viewed 266 times

[BaltoBruiser]

Basilday the 8th of Molivios 2993 AEP 12:40 PM

As the party moves to the mouth of the stone chamber, the hostilities begin between the soldiers and the carcass crawler. The figure near the stone chest removes a set of javelins from the stone chest and throws one over the shield wall and it sticks in the monster's back. The soldiers in the shield wall close on the monster attempting to stab it from behind their shields with spears. One of the soldiers appears to open a gash on the monster head but is caught by one of the tentacles and freezes. Another fends off a tentacle aimed at him with his spear cutting the tentacle and causing a spurt of black blood to spray across his shield and armor.

Moko is hit close ranks.

As the rank move forward pushing the monster back toward the opening of the chamber in the party's direction, the soldier flanking the paralyzed trooper on the left of the shield wall squeezes down and keeps the wall tight. The distance between the back of the monster and the party is now only 5'.

[Rex]

Athena

To close for comfort. Athena acts, attacking with her spear.

Spear [1d20]=14 to hit [1d6]=1 damage

Not sure if she gets an attack bonus for attacking from behind.

[BaltoBruiser]

with the surprise and because the crawler is unaware give your selves a +4 bonus to hit an AC of 7 this round (12 or higher with your roll and bonus) so Athena hits the crawlers backside striking one of the crawler’s legs causing it some discomfort but nothing more than a scratch on its hard shell.

Given the spacing there can only be 4 melee attacks from the party this round. Which PCs and retainers will engage in melee and which if any will use missle weapons?

[BaltoBruiser]

With holiday weekend here in the states I wasn’t sure if folks missed the latest update. Anyone else jumping into the action or should I move to the next round of combat?

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will fire his bow at the creature.

Bow: [1d20]=19 Dmg:[1d6]=5
Bow: [1d20]=2 Dmg:[1d6]=5

[ravenn4544]

Octavios stands ready as the those with missile fire can see to business. He keeps his eye on the group of men for any untoward responses to the party.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Wades in and attacks the creature!

Hand Axe [1d20+1]=11+1=12 Damage [1d6+1]=5+1=6

[BaltoBruiser]

Round 2 of combat

Thargus' Ax slices a huge wound in the crawler's abdomen spilling dark blood onto the sandy floor of the cave while Gelli's arrow found purchase in one of the crawler's segments near its head. Between the wounds from the soldiers and the party the crawler is hurt pretty badly. With its means of egress cut off, the crawler shows surprising agility and speed moving its exposed rear to the south while shifting its head and mouth around to the north allowing its tentacles to snap at both groups of attackers. The crawler's sudden movement catches the soldiers off guard and their spears miss or bounce off its chitinous head. The thrown javelin skitters across the sandy floor as it misses its mark.

Thargus bats away one of the paralyzing tentacles with his shield: while Athena dodges the tentacle aimed at her: Meanwhile, another of the soldiers is struck and paralyzed while the remaining shield wall pivots to protect their frozen comrades (3 down with 3 in the shield wall and 1 throwing javelins from the southwest portion of the chamber near a stone chest).

What does the party do?

[Rex]

Athena

Athena attacks again with her spear.

Spear [1d20]=12 to hit [1d6]=4 damage

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Offers a prayer to Odin, then swings again.

Hand Axe [1d20+1]=7+1=8 Damage [1d6+1]=5+1=6

Then curses himself for being a shameful and incapable fighter against this vermin.

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will fire two more arrows at the creature.

Bow: [1d20]=4 Dmg:[1d6]=3
Bow: [1d20]=8 Dmg:[1d6]=1