In which
our heroes engage the cult in a running battle in the tunnels Book Two, Chapter 4.2 (session 84, 16 th April
2019) The Party: Naergon Harna, elven wizard (Diviner) Mads Rangle, human fighter/warlock (Fiend: Archdevil
Zariel) Jamna Gleamsilver, gnome rogue (Arcane Trickster) Tomaz Stormwind, human ranger (Hunter) Druscilla Oakenrock, dwarven cleric (Trickery: Mask) Talis Wintercrest, half-elven cleric (War: Bane) Tomaz
runs forward whilst fumbling through his pouches for a potion of healing, standing
over his spear he glugs the potion [27 HP] whilst Naergon casts web across the western
tunnel entrance in front of the sleet storm before stepping into the northern
tunnel. Druscilla swings her rod [axe] at the guard drake, nearly chopping its
head off as it collapses with a gurgle, then she moves up the northern tunnel
toward Jamna. Mads follows her and casts eldritch blast up the northern tunnel
at the westernmost dragonclaw, hurling it back and smearing its body across the
western wall of the tunnel. One of the remaining dragonclaws pulls out swords
and charges at Tomaz, the other steps sideways and shoots at Talis, the bolt
flying wide. In the western tunnel two dragonclaws emerge from the sleet storm
and are immediately snared by the web, behind them the sound of boots and
shouted orders can still be heard. Jamna moves north to stand alongside Talis
and shoots at the dragonclaw facing Tomaz, her arrow takes it in the throat and
it collapses soundlessly at the ranger’s feet [sneak attack]. Talis kicks the
coin of light further up the passage and then advances on the remaining
dragonclaw and stabs Winters Strike through it and out it’s back, cold
blossoming across the wall behind “ that’s
another one that should have been mine, I can smell the life essence. Feed me!”
screams Hazirawn in her head. At the far end of the northern tunnel the
dragonwing shoots at Talis but misses before stepping back into the shadows and
out of sight “ that one’s mine, come on”
growls the sword in Talis’s head. Tomaz
picks up his spear and walks up to the lit coin and kicks it a few feet forward
but is unable to see any enemy in the dark tunnel ahead. Naergon looks around,
satisfied that there is nothing coming from the south he dashes up the northern
tunnel to stand behind Talis “keep
moving, come on. Advance!” he commands [telepathic link]. Druscilla, swaps
rod for crossbow and steps cautiously northward keeping an eye on the webbed tunnel
behind the party [ready action]. Mads moves in front of the webbed tunnel “ move up the tunnel, I’ll take of these” [telepathic
link] and then shouts at the cultists caught in the web “come on you fools, I’m waiting for you!” In the web the cultists
struggle but can’t advance as more of their kin step out of the blizzard and
are caught. Jamna looks at the cultists in the web, nods at Mads and runs up
the northern tunnel behind Talis and Naergon. Talis moves up to the coin, again
kicking it forward and ignoring the screams of Hazirawn “ charge, come on attack, drop that damned spear and let me drink your
enemies.” Steps to the western sidewall as a crossbow bolt screams out of the
darkness ahead, narrowly missing Tomaz before burying itself in the eastern sidewall. Tomaz
again moves up and kicks the coin ahead, knocking an arrow and hugging the wall
[dodge] as he peers into the darkness ahead. Naergon moves north behind Talis asking
“ Mads, what’s happening in the south? Update
please” [telepathic link]. Mads replies “ I’m waiting on these fools to emerge from your web, so I can chop their
heads off” [telepathic link]. “ Ok and
how long do you think that’ll take?” [telepathic link] there’s a moments
silence before Mads replies “I don’t
know, depends when they get out, I guess” [telepathic link] “ I’ll tell you now, I can drop the web whenever
you want, just ask.” [telepathic link]. “Err,
ok I’d rather not just yet actually” confirms Mads [telepathic link]. “ OK, carry on then ” Naergon concludes
[telepathic link]. Druscilla continues to move slowly backwards up the tunnel
[ready action]. Mads casts eldritch blast at one of the cultists in the web, the
bolts slamming into it as it hangs suspended in the strands. The cultists
feebly struggle to free themselves but fail, remaining firmly entangled. Jamna
moves up behind Tomaz. On the other side of the tunnel Talis moves forward and
kicks the coin a few feet further. Another crossbow bolt comes screaming out of
the dark but misses. Tomaz
moves up to the coin, picks it up and hurls it down the tunnel. Naergon moves
up behind Talis “ Mads, do you still need
the web?” [telepathic link]. “ Yes, unless
you need to, leave it in place as long as you can” [telepathic link] Mads
replies. Druscilla continues to step backwards [ready action] up the tunnel.
Mads again casts eldritch blast, slamming the cultists hanging in the web. The
remaining cultists desperately try and free themselves but are caught fast.
Jamna advances up the tunnel as Talis moves, picks up the coin and throws it
forward illuminating a cultist “I can see
one” she shouts as Hazirawn commands “ come
on, lets kill it, just you and me and drink deep.” The dragonwing looks at
her, raises its crossbow and shoots, the bolt slamming into her shoulder,
lightning rippling across her armour but Talis retains her concentration on the
sleet storm [CON save 21] as the cultists slips back into the darkness. Tomaz
advances along the eastern sidewall behind Talis as Naergon urges “ keep moving, advance, advance!” [telepathic
link] as he creeps along the western sidewall. Druscilla continues to step back,
watching the tunnel behind [ready action]. Mads casts eldritch blast again and
again, rocking the cultists hanging in the web, bodies writhing and jerking as
they are suspended in the sticky strands. Jamna runs forward ahead of Talis but
still can’t see any enemy. Talis again moves and picks up the coin, hurling it
down the tunnel “ I see you; I smell you,
take me to it, let us drink, charge woman, I must feed” screams Hazirawn as
Talis spies a cultist ahead “ cultists
ahead, retreating around the corner” she calls out [telepathic link]. The
cultist shoots at her but misses, before stepping around the curve of the tunnel
and again sliding out of view. Tomaz
advances alongside Talis hugging the eastern sidewall as Naergon keeps pace
against the west sidewall. Druscilla brings up the rear, eyes peering into the darkness
behind [ready action]. Mads casts eldritch blast into the struggling pile of
webbed cultists as they writhe and strain to free themselves. Jamna races
ahead, past Talis and hugs the western sidewall. Talis follows up behind her. From
the darkness ahead a crossbow bolt slams into Jamna who twists and ducks
[uncanny dodge]. Tomaz
walks up to the coin and kicks it a couple of feet forward but still can’t see
anyone ahead in the gloom. Naergon advances along the western sidewall as
Druscilla slowly steps backwards [ready action]. Far to the south, Mads
continues to eldritch blast the helpless cultists in the web. Jamna moves forward
and shoots at the cultist ahead but misses in the gloom “I see one” she calls [telepathic link]. Talis moves up to the coin
and hurls it past Jamna down the tunnel as her sleet storm spell ends. The
dragonwing in the northern tunnel shoots at Jamna but misses and then steps
away into the darkness “he’s run away”
calls Jamna [telepathic link]. “I saw him briefly” [telepathic link] confirms
Tomaz as he advances along the eastern sidewall, arrow knocked [ready action].
Naergon moves up behind Talis as Druscilla continues to bring up the rear,
crossbow tracking from side to side [ready action]. Mads continues to eldritch
blast the trapped cultists as they scream incomprehensibly [draconic] at him.
Jamna dashes ahead, around the corner and sees a side tunnel opening into the north-eastern
sidewall. She screams “ Oh no! There’s
dozens of them ” [telepathic link] as crossbow bolts scream out of the side
tunnel [readied actions], two of them catching her no matter how much she
twists and ducks [uncanny dodge]. Jamna casts misty step and leaps ahead
shouting “ there’s lots of side tunnels
here” [telepathic link]. Talis moves up to the coin and pockets it, Tomaz
screams “what happened?” as he is
plunged into darkness, “I don’t want to
be targeted, so you can see. Now shut up” retorts Talis [telepathic link]”.
She is cut off as Jamna starts screaming from the darkness ahead “ there’s too many of them, aaargh!” In the
darkness ahead three dragonwings swoop in on the gnome and stab her brutally
[pack tactics], short swords plunging again and again [multiple criticals] through
her desperate defences and lightning rippling around and across her as she is surrounded
and hemmed against the north-eastern wall. Tomaz
swaps bow for spear as he blindly stumbles forward into the darkness. Naergon
demands “ stop screaming Jamna. Short,
succinct and informative updates please ” [telepathic link] as he advances around
the corner, up against the north-eastern sidewall and casts flaming sphere
amongst the dragonwings. Far to the south, the web ends suddenly as the sphere
barrels into one of the cultists burning it and casting weird flickering shadow
images along the tunnel walls “ sorry
Mads, needs must” Naergon belatedly mutters [telepathic link]. Druscilla
advances to the northern corner and shoots the burning cultist in the head, it
staggers but remains standing. In the south Mads reacts to the disappearance of
the web by casting fireball on the clump of floundering cultists, five of whom
immediately collapse as blackened, twisted, smoking corpses. The remaining dragonfang
emerges from the blast, charred but very much alive, swords in hand and anger
in its eyes. Mads pulls forward his glaive [action surge] and steps in and
swings at the last cultist, cutting through the smoking robes and armour again
and again but failing to kill it. In the north crossbow bolts fly out of the darkness
beyond the flaming sphere, bolt after bolt slamming into Tomaz as he stumbles in
the dark. From the side tunnel more cultists appear dimly in front of the
ranger and again shoot, more bolts riddling his jerking body. Back in the south
the dragonfang stabs Mads through his armour, lightning ripping through his
body. Meanwhile Jamna activates her boots of speed and runs away from the dragonwings,
all three swing at her but only one connects with the tumbling gnome [uncanny dodge],
sending arcs of lightning rippling through her again. As she reaches Tomaz,
Jamna turns and shoots one of the dragonwings and then continues to run away
around the corner towards Druscilla. Talis steps into the centre of the tunnel
in front of Jamna and casts flame strike on the dragonwings “not spells, use me, I need to drink”
screams Hazirawn in her head. One of the cultists screams and collapses into a
burnt heap, another looks badly burned but keeps coming. The one at the rear
appears relatively unscathed and also advances as Talis backs down the corridor.
Both of the dragonwings close on Tomaz, the first stabs furiously [pack
tactics] and lightning rips through the ranger [critical] who cries out and
falls to the floor, spasming, heels drumming the tunnel floor. The second dragonwing
leaps over his body and charges down the corridor towards Jamna and Talis. Tomaz
continues to jerk and twitch [death save fail] as Naergon moves his flaming
sphere to burn the dragonwing standing over Tomaz, it screams as it crumples to
the floor, charred and smoking. Naergon mutters “ your tun now” and casts fire bolt at the dragonwing charging
towards Jamna, the bolt burns a hole straight through its chest [critical] and
it falls in a smoking, reeking heap. “ Someone
fix Tomaz” demands the wizard [telepathic link]; “nothing could fix Tomaz” mutters Talis behind him. “ Leave it to me” calls Jamna [telepathic
link]. Druscilla swaps crossbow for rod [axe] and advances towards Jamna,
pulling her shield into place. Mads continues to swing at the dragonfang in the
south, killing it before turning and running up the tunnel towards the party.
In the north, three dragonclaws step out of alcoves in the western tunnel and
shoot at Druscilla, one bolt hitting the dwarf as the cultists duck back into
cover. From the north-eastern tunnel another three appear and shoot
ineffectively at the heavily armoured cleric before ducking back out of sight.
Jamna pulls out the wand of healing and points it at Tomaz [6 HP] and then ducks
in against the eastern wall. Talis advances slowly up the tunnel but can’t see
anything “ stop being so cautious, we need
to get in close and personal, slide steel into flesh and drink deep. Kill,
kill, kill, come on, charge! Get moving, I need to drink. Let me feed, kill
something, do it now” screams Hazirawn in her head, Talis hugs the western
sidewall [dodge]. Tomaz,
groans and hugs the floor of the tunnel, pretending to be dead “ they’re hiding, I can just see one around the
next corner. Be careful” he whispers [telepathic link]. Naergon moves the
flaming sphere forward but can’t see anyone to target as he moves up to stand behind
Talis, Druscilla and Jamna. Druscilla advances past Tomaz and calls out “I can see two of them, in the side tunnel”
[telepathic link]. Mads continues to race up the tunnel towards the party. One
of the dragonclaws emerges from the dark and shoots at Druscilla, the bolt is
deflected off the dwarf’s shield. Two more charge out of the darkness and stab
wildly at the dwarf [pack tactics] but cannot penetrate her armour. From the north-eastern
side tunnel dragonclaws emerge and shoot at Talis, bolt after bolt slamming
into the wall near her as she twists and ducks. The cultists retire back into the
tunnel. Jamna moves back against the eastern sidewall behind Naergon. Talis steps
forward, peering around the corner cautiously, in her head Hazirawn urges “ yes, yes, just step over there and slide my
steely body into that useless ranger, I get to feed and you get rid of this
irritating idiot. Come on, you know you want to. It makes sense, what’s the harm.
There’s no risk. No, no, no not more spells! Steel and blood, let me drink!” Ignoring
the sword Talis casts insect plague down the western corridor across the crossroads
the cultists are hiding in, from within the cloud cultists scream. Tomaz
stands up and runs back into the darkness, stumbling into Talis and casts cure
wounds on himself [19 HP]. Naergon prepares fire bolt [ready action] and
watches for a cultist to appear from the northern alcove around the side of the
insect plague. Druscilla swings at the first of the dragonclaws, cleaving it
shoulder to groin. It collapses in a welter of blood, cloak flapping, the other
cultist looks nervously at the dwarf as she turns towards it. Mads continues to
run up the tunnel towards Jamna. A cultist peers out from the northern alcove
and raises a crossbow to shoot at Talis, Naergon promptly fire bolts it [AOO]
and the bolt burns through its face, the dragonclaw sliding to the floor
soundlessly. The dragonclaw facing Druscilla is joined by another and they stab
wildly [pack tactics] at her managing to repeatedly slide swords in through her
armour [critical] and past her defences again and again. Jamna races back up the
tunnel [boots of speed] and shoots one of the dragonclaws facing Druscilla, the
arrow skimming over the dwarf’s shoulder and taking the cultist in the throat,
it falls gurgling as it dies [sneak attack]. Talis steps across to Tomaz “let me have him” pleads Hazirawn “just one little nick and I can feed. No,
no, not more spells, you fool!” as Talis casts cure wounds on the ranger
[10 HP] before moving north towards the side tunnel behind Jamna. Tomaz
leans against the wall and casts another cure wounds [16 HP] on himself.
Naergon moves the flaming sphere back towards Jamna who cries out “get that thing away from me!”
[telepathic link]. Druscilla looks at the remaining cultist who looks back with
fear in its eyes as the dwarf swings and cuts it down, adding to the pile of
corpses around her. Mads continues to run up the tunnel finally appearing
behind Naergon. Jamna stays still. Watching the flaming sphere warily as Talis
moves up alongside her and casts cure wounds on her [14 HP]. In
the flickering light of the sphere, Tomaz moves past Jamna and collects his
weapons. Naergon moves the sphere up the northern tunnel “ where does that tunnel go? Is it a dead end?” he asks [telepathic
link]. Druscilla replies “I don’t know,
it disappears into darkness, could go anywhere. Mads can check it out when he
gets here.” [telepathic link] as she steps back to the corner, keeping a
wary eye on the insect plague. Mads moves past Naergon to stand behind
Druscilla “ you called?” [telepathic
link] he grins as he steps past her and to the tunnel “ I can’t see anything; it just keeps going into darkness. We should
check it out, unless you want to drop the insect thing?” [telepathic link].
Jamna casts invisibility on herself and races ahead of Mads up the tunnel
[boots of speed]. Talis looks around “ has
anyone explored this tunnel yet?” [telepathic link]. Mads replies “ yes, pretty sure Jamna just raced off up
there ” [telepathic link]. “Yes, I’m
here, there’s nothing here, you should follow me ” says Jamna [telepathic
link]. Talis walks into the tunnel “ keep
that sphere ahead of us Naergon” [telepathic link]. Tomaz
knocks an arrow and huddles against the north-eastern wall [ready action].
Naergon stands alone in the southern tunnel “ where are we going?” [telepathic link] Druscilla points “up there, following Jamna and Talis”
[telepathic link]. “ Follow me” says
Talis “ the plague is blocking the cultists
in to the west, let’s see where this tunnel leads” [telepathic link]. Naergon
runs up and take station behind Talis, moving the sphere ahead of them.
Druscilla moves past Naergon and Talis, shield and axe at the ready. Mads scans
around and uses his armour’s ability to detect the closest dragon [to the north
west] before following Druscilla. Jamna runs north [boots of speed] until see
spies a junction ahead, moving to the far side she says “ I’m waiting at the next junction, it’s about 80 paces ahead of you”
[telepathic link]. Talis asks “ is the tunnel
clear all the way Jamna?” [telepathic link], Jamna replies “yes”
[telepathic link] then runs north up the tunnel. Tomaz
seeing everyone has left, turns and runs after them, Naergon, Druscilla, Mads
and Talis continue to follow the tunnel searching for the junction where Jamna
waits invisibly, the flaming sphere flickering and casting eerie shadows along the
tunnel walls. Before they arrive, the flaming sphere winks out of existence. Mads
arrives at the junction first and finds a side chamber to the right “ there’s what looks like a sleeping chamber
up here, big table and several beds and chests” he reports “ no sign of Jamna though ” [telepathic
link]. Jamna overhearing this decides to move into the chamber and take a look
at one of the chests [perception 20] deciding it looks harmless. Talis asks “Jamna where are you?” [telepathic link]
but there’s no response. Mads enters the chamber and looks ahead “ still no sign of Jamna but this chamber
links through to another larger one, looks like beds, lots of beds. I think it
must be a barracks.” [telepathic link]. Meanwhile Jamna attempts to unlock
the chest [thieves’ tools 20], popping the lid she finds some cult clothing,
spare shirts, shaving kit and other mundane items, including a hair brush and
manicure set. “ oh hair brush” she
says and pockets it. Mads turns in time to see one of the chests spring open
and random objects float out of it, Talis also sees this and points “ beware, animated objects. There’s a wizard
around here!” [telepathic link]. Naergon replies “ more like there’s a light-fingered gnome around that isn’t talking to
us!” [telepathic link]. Talis looks at him, grins, nods and steps out of the
doorway, pulling her coin out before throwing it into the western tunnel. Tomaz
says “ thank the gods for that, I can see
again!” [telepathic link]. Mads stalks towards the chest “ it might be Naergon but it might be a mimic
or something better, safe than sorry ” [telepathic link] and with a roar he
swings his glaive, smashing the chest in twain. There’s a shriek as Jamna rolls
to one side [invisible] “ be careful Mads,
that’s dangerous!” she squeals. “Then
tell us what you’re doing, or we’re going to assume the worst and be quiet!” growls
Mads [telepathic link]. Jamna
[invisible] runs out of the chamber and turns right after the Druscilla and the
rest and then passes them and off into the dark corridor [boots of speed]. The
rest of the party continue to advance “ Did
anyone else feel that?” asks Druscilla “ something
ran past me?” [telepathic link]. “ Yes,
me too” says Talis “I’m guessing it
was Jamna again ” [telepathic link]. Mads confirms “yes it’ll have been Jamna I’ve just had words with her.”
[telepathic link] “ Jamna talk to us, keep
us updated please” he continues sounding exasperated. After
a few minutes Jamna calls back “ the
tunnel curves around on itself a bit up ahead” [telepathic link]. The rest
of the party keep on advancing through the dark tunnel, using Talis’s coin to
light their way. A short while later Jamna again reports “ there’s a crossroads here. I’ll wait for you to arrive” [telepathic
link] and deactivates her boots. A couple of minutes later everyone else arrives
and in the light of Talis’s coin they can see the tunnel continues to curve
around to the east, whilst another tunnel opens up to the north and a few feet
further away another one opens to the south. “ I have no idea where we are or where we’re going” says Naergon “ which way did you say the dragons were Mads?”
[telepathic link]. “If I have my bearings
then it should be north west, that would be up there” says Mads [telepathic
link] pointing up the tunnel in the northern sidewall. “ We should probably head that way then, shouldn’t we?” says Naergon
[telepathic link]. Before anyone can answer, from somewhere ahead to the east
comes the low roar of a dragon and the faint sound of claws scrabbling on
stone. Next
time: pick a tunnel, any tunnel . . . No levels
were gained this session:
Naergon
17 th
level
Mads
16 th
level
Jamna
16 th
level
Tomaz
16 th
level
Druscilla
16 th
level
Talis
13 th
level
XP
earnt is now irrelevant as the rest of TOD is based on milestone XP In-Game
the session ended at 07:45 on 15 th Eleint 1485 DR [The last LONG REST was completed
at 06:00 on 15 th Eleint] Next
session Tuesday 23 rd April at 19:15
This
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