As we continue to explore this underground labyrinth of cavernous passages, it becomes obvious other creatures have fallen down the trap chute over the decades. Many feral/starving foe who attack what they see as food. Surprised to question why these creatures don't camp in the octagonal room under the trap-chute awaiting food delivery. Emaciated BugBears, a swarm of large mosquitoes (i.e. Stirges), and a treat for the cleric...frenzied undead hobgoblins. But most alarming and deadly, a strange gelatinous cube that threatens to devour man and his weapons with acid.
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Garith...Carrying the goblin-king's head around on this spear. Having to protect it from these starved creatures we keep encountering. Damn if I'll let my treasure be eaten by those molting bugbears! At least the undead hobgoblins ignored the head as they went after us instead. Damned filth-fevered things slashing with claws and long fangs. Continuing along the passages when I hear the elf "crowing" as HE found a secret entrance. Only to find bats swarming out...not bats... those large mosquito-things that latch-on to suck your blood. At least the gnome closed the door to keep most of them inside as we dealt with a few. More passages when I hear Geno cry out in pain from around a corner ahead of us. I've heard about these acidic cubes. Eat flesh and corrode weapons. Damn difficult to kill...with spells and ammunition you're willing to lose. So yes, I encouraged our hasty departure. Torches and a plan to cleanse the secret room of those blood-sucking stirges. Best hurry as the cube approached. Lack of healing potions or spells, many wounds and weakened allies from blood-lose...it was time to rest and recover. That is, after we found another secret room with treasure chests to entice the rogues. Had to discourage the gnome from starting a fire to create his bullets...enclosed cavern, damp wood... the smoke would have killed us in our sleep! Kept him busy as we talked more about his pistol and ideas to create a silencer while improving his basic firearm.
ReplyDeleteKukla...Serves the elf for not signaling the advance of those bugbears (claim all you want you held up your hand in a fist). Trying to be sneaky, and look what it got you...knocked down and bleeding after two claws swipes from the enraged things. So hell yes, I blasted away with my pistol as I faced the 3 of 'em with my allies still 30+ft behind me. Finally clear, healed and continuing only to open a door into same octagonal room. Last bullet...forced to rely on my crossbow. Which became useless when we rounded a corner and the non-stealthy elf alerted the 4 humanoids squatting in front of their fire. Geno tried to hail them but they replied only with hisses while rising to charge. I was forced to use my sword when rushed by these undead hobgoblins ...which explains why I soon dropped from their claws and bites. Veocyn tried to tumble behind the creatures to flank but lucky claw swipes and the rogue was knocked aside, paralyzed. The cleric used his channeling to radiate the undead only having a few channelings left to heal us. And even that healing failed to raise Veocyn...minutes later before he stirred...his stiff muscles finally relaxing. More trekking these cavernous passages till Geno noticed the secret passage. A protruding rock that acted as handle to open the door. Then a flush of those blood-sucking bird-things before I could quickly close the door. Surprise upon surprise that Veocyn actually hit one of these flying things with his blade. Even more surprised he has any arrows left considering he hasn't hit anything today. After killing those that attacked, and removing their needle-proboscis stuck in our skin, we continued searching the passages.
ReplyDeleteOnce again I hear the elf yell out in pain, yet when I step forward to see what's the matter, I'm burned by something invisible. Rubbery texture...a shimmer/distortion...but no discernable form till Oleg approached with his torch revealing a blob. The dwarf warns of its deadly nature...able to melt skin and consume weapons. But he lacks knowledge how to kill it beyond ranged spells. Thus we get the hell out of there, deciding to try to remove the stirge infestation in our new-found room. We enter with torches as we face another dozen. Then warning from the cleric as he spies the blob rolling our way. Anxious moments as we fight the flying things hoping the jelly-mass cannot seep under the door. Once we clear the room, Garith finds another secret door (now that the elf has shown him what to look for). A smaller chamber with an alcove holding 3 small chests. Magical potions, sword, a ring, and parts of plate armor. And more coins and jewelry to fill our Bag-of-Holding. All this potential money and nowhere to spend it! But an opportunity to rest. A chance to craft needed bullets till Garith squashes the idea...worried my burning the damp chests will smoke us out. Can't complain too much as the dwarf spends the next hour discussing ideas for my pistol. That's IF we ever get out of here and get to a decent forge and smithy!