With two votes made, Yulmiath stuffs the pieces of snail shell into his pack and looks to hotfoot it out of the cave. While he does spare a sorry glance at the coin accumulated in the room, but given how difficult it was getting the statue, and how much he would rather not meet whatever it is creating the rumbling.
"Beating feet gets my vote. Let's grab that statue and get busy being somewhere else."
Yulmiath will give Mr Thicc whatever help it needs to cart the statue away.
(@Lerus: Mm~ Rage Looting~ ... But alas! We are not a party of barbarians, so another time for that one!)
"Got it!"Hun proudly declared, holding his prize above his head. Then he finally takes notice of the sounds and says, "Frack! Alright, let's go!"As he slips the statue into his bag of holding, a thought occurs that had him later pausing a few steps away to look at the carcass. Realizing however that likely too much of the shell and body had been damaged to effectively plug up the hole, he instead climbed aboard Mr. Thicc and rode his mechanical servant out after the others; hoping all the while in the back of his head that the gunked up floor would slow any pursuers as surely as it might've the group in that moment. "Remember to stick together once we reach the other tunnels! We don't want to get cornered alone!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Those who have a moment to spare quickly express their decision to run. As soon as Kairus and Yulmiath are done collecting however many pieces of magical snail shell they could and Hun is done freeing the snake statuette, the Snackers book it out of there. Mr. Thicc's hands are still dripping snail goo, which is quickly drying into that sticky "glass" substance. Rhogal and Krodhen serve as the group's rearguard.
The sticky ground delays the party for but a moment because they are soon back at the portion of the tunnels the snail never seemed to use, at least not recently. Their path is also easy to select, at least at first, as the tunnel winds but doesn't immediately split. They run, run, run; all the while the noise behind them growing louder and louder. Eventually, its source bursts though the snail's chamber's holes. From this distance, the group can hear what sounds like hundreds of hash sounds being uttered all at once. Kairus recognizes it as the Terran variant of the Primordial languages, but the sound at this distance is not clear enough for the triton to decipher any particular words. One thing is clear though, the enraged creature or creatures is/are in pursuit.
(OOC: If you have any strategies for outrunning your pursuers or losing the tail or whatever else, now is your chance.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the Snack Packers beat feet away from whatever is chasing them, Yulmiath feels a flash of inspiration. Letting his pace slacken off to fall to the back of the group, he lets Rhogal and Krodhen get ahead of him.
Keeping an eye out for a likely spur off the route the Packers are on, he stops and produces his newly acquired hat of vermin. Placing his hand into the hat, he speaks three words. Removing his hand after each one with a flourish like some kind of magician.
"Rattus. Rana. Emballonuridae."
Releasing the conjured rat, bat and frog down the spur, he hopes that they might distract their pursuers long enough for the Snack Pack to gain an edge in making their escape. Wishing them good luck, he turns and follows the route of the other Packers, pumping his arms and legs in an effort to catch up.
Preferably at any intersection but if the party has not reached one - just in a tunnel - Kairus summoned his favourite Fog Cloud. "Don't know if it stops whatever primal evil is following us, but let's hope it will slow the thing(s) down."
For Hun's part, he'd take advantage of the freedom of not needing to split his focus between running and other things to examine their surroundings, hoping to find some faults or suggestions of faults that might collapse the cave behind them!
And if able to find as such, fangs are put to the half of his patented shishkabober, priming a deluge of acidic spray to hit the faults behind them, and hopefully collapse the tunnel. A risky gambit, as he and Rhogal would know well, no matter how skilled one may be at excavating. Yet if push came to shove, Hun would trust his instincts and see the cocktail released in transit... once assured none weren't lagging too far behind as well!
(If successful, burning the spellslot for a Tasha's Caustic Brew.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rhogal says "I'll keep watch up there if ya need me!" pointing to the ceiling before his form morphs into a bat and flies up to hang from the ceiling, keeping an eye on the situation.
As the tunnels begin to widen and bifurcate, the Snack Packers choose their way somewhat randomly. The priority is to escape, not necessarily avoid getting lost. Thankfully, several party members come up with varied ideas on the fly to ensure their success.
First, passing by an errant tunnel ignored by the rest of the group, Yulmiath produces three new life forms from his new hat and sends them down the path in a suicide mission to serve as distractions.
Second, hoping to slow down their pursuers even more, Kairus places an obscuring fog at the next underground intersection. This will hopefully cost the pursuer(s) additional and precious time.
Perhaps a little bothered by only coming up with the third idea, Hun focuses his attention on finding a wall of rock that looks particularly prone to collapsing. His kobold digging instincts are infallible and, spotting such an opportunity at the other end of the next chamber they enter, the artificer leads the party that way. With perfect execution of drive-by spellcasting,Hun times the collapsing of the wall just as the group enters an adjacent tunnel.
The party advances some more before adrenaline levels begin to lower. They continue moving but Rhogal volunteers to magically disguise himself as a bat and keep and eye on the party's side of the freshly collapsed wall. If anything is coming through it, the druid will know right away. For now, the dwarf deduces that the pursuers have been sufficiently misdirected. The blockade is not being dismantled or tempered with, at least not yet.
(OOC: If the group wants to take a breather, this might be a good opportunity. If/when you decide to move again, I'll need at least one survival check to navigate the tunnels ahead. You may also want to discuss your desired path. Are you aiming to return to the myconids, following through to the farther away cave exit mentioned by the myconids, or just taking whatever path you can find from your current location?)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Panting, Yulmiath squats on his haunches and looks to the rest of the Snack Packers.
"We in the clear, do you think? Or are they just stuck behind whatever rubble Hun bright down? Either way, can we take a breather?"
Flicking his eyes around the caves, he doesn't immediately recognise anything, "More to the point, where are we? Can't return that statue to the creepy skeleton snake folk if we can't get out of here in the first place. Then how would Hun's human get free?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"A deal is a deal, and they owe us a boon. His release and our safe departure from their realm should serve it well enough, as we'll fine plenty enough treasure elsewhere. And if they don't, well... Might be a good idea to invest in clubs and the like 'fore we meet'em, if'n you catch my drift." Hun started to grin wickedly only to grasp at his head where the flail struck him. "But, a brief rest would be good. Gond only knows how off track we may be at this point after that mad dash here. And if we're to run into another roper trying to find our way back, I would prefer to have a bit more vigor back. Either way, we should be clear for the moment -- BUT, I'd like to have those shards if you don't mind. Need to store those away just in case whatever chased us can sense them."He request, and would promptly store the shards in the bag of holding.
After which, if allowed the respite, he'd bid Mr. Thicc to stay on watch while he kept close to the center of the group for once to start cataloging injuries and treating them over the next hour.
(If able to SR:)
-> SR Healing(2): 9 HP regained.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rhogal flies back down, retakes his normal form and rejoins the rest of the Snackers.
"We lost whatever was chasin' us, so we should be good fer a while,"He reports. "We also gotta remember to pick up that canoe. If wit wasn't picked apart that is..."
The Packers let the dust settle and, after a few minutes pass, count their blessings. As far as they can tell, they are no longer being pursued. Rhogal's words lend credence to that belief.
Kairus briefly mentions going back the way they originally came from but Hun is quick to remind the bard that the run for survival has now placed the party in an unknown part of the vast cave system. Yulmiath begins examining the group's surrounding, but has little to go on for the moment. He thinks he arrives at a good guess on the general direction to follow, based on the angle of incline of the ground beneath his feet, but he would have to gather more information than just on this current chamber.
Preferring to recover some of their strength, the party settles down to tend to their wounds, place the snail shell fragments in a more secure location, and eat some of their dried food. The last little bits of Eblis jerky come in handy now.
(OOC: Feel free to roll some hit dice and complete a short rest.)
("... remind the bard that the run for survival has now placed the party in an unknown part of the vast cave system." - when did that happen?!!! It sounded like we were going back by the known tunnels (do not remember that many intersections on the way here either), but now we are lost?!)
"Good point about the canoe, but it looks like we need to find the way back first. Hope your instincts will kick in again, Grandpa." Kairus was not the one to navigate underground and was waiting for more knowledgeable to point the way.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Does anyone remember when we left the canoe?"
Yulmiath's furrowed brow suggests that on the finer geographic scale, he hasn't a clue where the canoe is. "Maybe if we get out of these caves in the right place, we might bump into Eeyal. She'll know where we left it!"
Once a touch more alert and full, Hun nodded curtly to Yulmiath. "I have a vague idea of where it is, but its gonna take some climbing to get to it, assuming we can trace our steps properly. A -lot- climbing, in case you forgot as much." The Kobold admits, then snorts and shakes his head. "But first we need to get out of here and back to those Myconids, and from there back tracking to the volcano 'n all that."At any funny looks from the others, Hun would remind them of the flying snakes and other potential predators on the island.
Apart from answering any further queries(or commenting, as he felt the need), the Kobold had been otherwise content to enjoy the rest of the break in relative silence. Only by Mr. Thicc shaking the dozing Kobold awake some time later would he rise grumbling and cranky, but otherwise ready to continue the journey. His intent being to follow from the back of Mr. Thicc just behind whoever was to take point, and provide a little pick me ups along the way.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
For the next hour or so, the group rest, patches up, and eats as planned. Despite of how close they were to being snagged by their pursuers, their rest goes by undisturbed. Their distracting and impeding measures were perhaps more effective than what the Packers themselves realized at first.
SHORT REST
Hun recovers 17 HP.
Rhogal recovers 8 HP.
Yulmiath recovers 14 HP.
Once the group is ready to resume their trek back, Yulmiath takes point and begins directing the party in the direction he believes to be north. The first half-hour is quite easy, but soon the tunnels begin to diverge and open up into chambers of all shapes and sizes. Every stalagmite and stalactite receives a second careful look, every mushroom is checked for sign of sentience, every medium sized boulder is looked over for limbs. The group is careful but progress in not necessarily swift.
(OOC: Let's get another survival check. Whoever volunteers may benefit from guidance as preemptively cast by Hun.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Yulmiath looks around at the new rock formations, or maybe they're old rock formations? He supposes in fairness, they are all old rock formations, just new to him. Although that one that looks familiar. And that one.
"Arg! Why'd we let Eeyal leave? She'd have this licked in no time."
Picking a likely direction, he points an arm towards what he hopes is the way out.
Definitely running!
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
With two votes made, Yulmiath stuffs the pieces of snail shell into his pack and looks to hotfoot it out of the cave. While he does spare a sorry glance at the coin accumulated in the room, but given how difficult it was getting the statue, and how much he would rather not meet whatever it is creating the rumbling.
"Beating feet gets my vote. Let's grab that statue and get busy being somewhere else."
Yulmiath will give Mr Thicc whatever help it needs to cart the statue away.
(@Lerus: Mm~ Rage Looting~ ... But alas! We are not a party of barbarians, so another time for that one!)
"Got it!" Hun proudly declared, holding his prize above his head. Then he finally takes notice of the sounds and says, "Frack! Alright, let's go!" As he slips the statue into his bag of holding, a thought occurs that had him later pausing a few steps away to look at the carcass. Realizing however that likely too much of the shell and body had been damaged to effectively plug up the hole, he instead climbed aboard Mr. Thicc and rode his mechanical servant out after the others; hoping all the while in the back of his head that the gunked up floor would slow any pursuers as surely as it might've the group in that moment. "Remember to stick together once we reach the other tunnels! We don't want to get cornered alone!"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Those who have a moment to spare quickly express their decision to run. As soon as Kairus and Yulmiath are done collecting however many pieces of magical snail shell they could and Hun is done freeing the snake statuette, the Snackers book it out of there. Mr. Thicc's hands are still dripping snail goo, which is quickly drying into that sticky "glass" substance. Rhogal and Krodhen serve as the group's rearguard.
The sticky ground delays the party for but a moment because they are soon back at the portion of the tunnels the snail never seemed to use, at least not recently. Their path is also easy to select, at least at first, as the tunnel winds but doesn't immediately split. They run, run, run; all the while the noise behind them growing louder and louder. Eventually, its source bursts though the snail's chamber's holes. From this distance, the group can hear what sounds like hundreds of hash sounds being uttered all at once. Kairus recognizes it as the Terran variant of the Primordial languages, but the sound at this distance is not clear enough for the triton to decipher any particular words. One thing is clear though, the enraged creature or creatures is/are in pursuit.
(OOC: If you have any strategies for outrunning your pursuers or losing the tail or whatever else, now is your chance.)
As the Snack Packers beat feet away from whatever is chasing them, Yulmiath feels a flash of inspiration. Letting his pace slacken off to fall to the back of the group, he lets Rhogal and Krodhen get ahead of him.
Keeping an eye out for a likely spur off the route the Packers are on, he stops and produces his newly acquired hat of vermin. Placing his hand into the hat, he speaks three words. Removing his hand after each one with a flourish like some kind of magician.
"Rattus. Rana. Emballonuridae."
Releasing the conjured rat, bat and frog down the spur, he hopes that they might distract their pursuers long enough for the Snack Pack to gain an edge in making their escape. Wishing them good luck, he turns and follows the route of the other Packers, pumping his arms and legs in an effort to catch up.
Athletics - 16
Preferably at any intersection but if the party has not reached one - just in a tunnel - Kairus summoned his favourite Fog Cloud. "Don't know if it stops whatever primal evil is following us, but let's hope it will slow the thing(s) down."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
For Hun's part, he'd take advantage of the freedom of not needing to split his focus between running and other things to examine their surroundings, hoping to find some faults or suggestions of faults that might collapse the cave behind them!
Investigation: 23. (23)
And if able to find as such, fangs are put to the half of his patented shishkabober, priming a deluge of acidic spray to hit the faults behind them, and hopefully collapse the tunnel. A risky gambit, as he and Rhogal would know well, no matter how skilled one may be at excavating. Yet if push came to shove, Hun would trust his instincts and see the cocktail released in transit... once assured none weren't lagging too far behind as well!
(If successful, burning the spellslot for a Tasha's Caustic Brew.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Rhogal says "I'll keep watch up there if ya need me!" pointing to the ceiling before his form morphs into a bat and flies up to hang from the ceiling, keeping an eye on the situation.
Perception: 18
Extended Signature
As the tunnels begin to widen and bifurcate, the Snack Packers choose their way somewhat randomly. The priority is to escape, not necessarily avoid getting lost. Thankfully, several party members come up with varied ideas on the fly to ensure their success.
First, passing by an errant tunnel ignored by the rest of the group, Yulmiath produces three new life forms from his new hat and sends them down the path in a suicide mission to serve as distractions.
Second, hoping to slow down their pursuers even more, Kairus places an obscuring fog at the next underground intersection. This will hopefully cost the pursuer(s) additional and precious time.
Perhaps a little bothered by only coming up with the third idea, Hun focuses his attention on finding a wall of rock that looks particularly prone to collapsing. His kobold digging instincts are infallible and, spotting such an opportunity at the other end of the next chamber they enter, the artificer leads the party that way. With perfect execution of drive-by spellcasting, Hun times the collapsing of the wall just as the group enters an adjacent tunnel.
The party advances some more before adrenaline levels begin to lower. They continue moving but Rhogal volunteers to magically disguise himself as a bat and keep and eye on the party's side of the freshly collapsed wall. If anything is coming through it, the druid will know right away. For now, the dwarf deduces that the pursuers have been sufficiently misdirected. The blockade is not being dismantled or tempered with, at least not yet.
(OOC: If the group wants to take a breather, this might be a good opportunity. If/when you decide to move again, I'll need at least one survival check to navigate the tunnels ahead. You may also want to discuss your desired path. Are you aiming to return to the myconids, following through to the farther away cave exit mentioned by the myconids, or just taking whatever path you can find from your current location?)
(I thought the goal was to leave the cave completely? Aka, getting full way back where we said goodbye to Eeyal?)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Panting, Yulmiath squats on his haunches and looks to the rest of the Snack Packers.
"We in the clear, do you think? Or are they just stuck behind whatever rubble Hun bright down? Either way, can we take a breather?"
Flicking his eyes around the caves, he doesn't immediately recognise anything, "More to the point, where are we? Can't return that statue to the creepy skeleton snake folk if we can't get out of here in the first place. Then how would Hun's human get free?"
Survival - 20
"A deal is a deal, and they owe us a boon. His release and our safe departure from their realm should serve it well enough, as we'll fine plenty enough treasure elsewhere. And if they don't, well... Might be a good idea to invest in clubs and the like 'fore we meet'em, if'n you catch my drift." Hun started to grin wickedly only to grasp at his head where the flail struck him. "But, a brief rest would be good. Gond only knows how off track we may be at this point after that mad dash here. And if we're to run into another roper trying to find our way back, I would prefer to have a bit more vigor back. Either way, we should be clear for the moment -- BUT, I'd like to have those shards if you don't mind. Need to store those away just in case whatever chased us can sense them." He request, and would promptly store the shards in the bag of holding.
After which, if allowed the respite, he'd bid Mr. Thicc to stay on watch while he kept close to the center of the group for once to start cataloging injuries and treating them over the next hour.
(If able to SR:)
-> SR Healing(2): 9 HP regained.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Rhogal flies back down, retakes his normal form and rejoins the rest of the Snackers.
"We lost whatever was chasin' us, so we should be good fer a while," He reports. "We also gotta remember to pick up that canoe. If wit wasn't picked apart that is..."
Short rest (1): 6 (8)
Extended Signature
The Packers let the dust settle and, after a few minutes pass, count their blessings. As far as they can tell, they are no longer being pursued. Rhogal's words lend credence to that belief.
Kairus briefly mentions going back the way they originally came from but Hun is quick to remind the bard that the run for survival has now placed the party in an unknown part of the vast cave system. Yulmiath begins examining the group's surrounding, but has little to go on for the moment. He thinks he arrives at a good guess on the general direction to follow, based on the angle of incline of the ground beneath his feet, but he would have to gather more information than just on this current chamber.
Preferring to recover some of their strength, the party settles down to tend to their wounds, place the snail shell fragments in a more secure location, and eat some of their dried food. The last little bits of Eblis jerky come in handy now.
(OOC: Feel free to roll some hit dice and complete a short rest.)
("... remind the bard that the run for survival has now placed the party in an unknown part of the vast cave system." - when did that happen?!!! It sounded like we were going back by the known tunnels (do not remember that many intersections on the way here either), but now we are lost?!)
"Good point about the canoe, but it looks like we need to find the way back first. Hope your instincts will kick in again, Grandpa." Kairus was not the one to navigate underground and was waiting for more knowledgeable to point the way.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Does anyone remember when we left the canoe?"
Yulmiath's furrowed brow suggests that on the finer geographic scale, he hasn't a clue where the canoe is. "Maybe if we get out of these caves in the right place, we might bump into Eeyal. She'll know where we left it!"
Yully's hit die: 1d12+3= 13
Once a touch more alert and full, Hun nodded curtly to Yulmiath. "I have a vague idea of where it is, but its gonna take some climbing to get to it, assuming we can trace our steps properly. A -lot- climbing, in case you forgot as much." The Kobold admits, then snorts and shakes his head. "But first we need to get out of here and back to those Myconids, and from there back tracking to the volcano 'n all that." At any funny looks from the others, Hun would remind them of the flying snakes and other potential predators on the island.
Apart from answering any further queries(or commenting, as he felt the need), the Kobold had been otherwise content to enjoy the rest of the break in relative silence. Only by Mr. Thicc shaking the dozing Kobold awake some time later would he rise grumbling and cranky, but otherwise ready to continue the journey. His intent being to follow from the back of Mr. Thicc just behind whoever was to take point, and provide a little pick me ups along the way.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
For the next hour or so, the group rest, patches up, and eats as planned. Despite of how close they were to being snagged by their pursuers, their rest goes by undisturbed. Their distracting and impeding measures were perhaps more effective than what the Packers themselves realized at first.
Once the group is ready to resume their trek back, Yulmiath takes point and begins directing the party in the direction he believes to be north. The first half-hour is quite easy, but soon the tunnels begin to diverge and open up into chambers of all shapes and sizes. Every stalagmite and stalactite receives a second careful look, every mushroom is checked for sign of sentience, every medium sized boulder is looked over for limbs. The group is careful but progress in not necessarily swift.
(OOC: Let's get another survival check. Whoever volunteers may benefit from guidance as preemptively cast by Hun.)
(And from a Bardic Inspiration, cast on demand!)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Yulmiath looks around at the new rock formations, or maybe they're old rock formations? He supposes in fairness, they are all old rock formations, just new to him. Although that one that looks familiar. And that one.
"Arg! Why'd we let Eeyal leave? She'd have this licked in no time."
Picking a likely direction, he points an arm towards what he hopes is the way out.
"This way. I think I smell fresh air."
Survival - 11 (plus 1 from BI and 4 from Hun.)