Kneecap touches Dorn on the shoulder, transferring some divine energy into Tyr’s servant, giving him Guidance for one minute.
He then nods at the archway, points at his hammer and smiles. He then looks over at Calim and gives him a nod. He then looks at Volneer, glad the elf-man is back with the rest of them and says, “Stay close!”, but then looks at Volneer’s fire spewing hands and adds, “but not too close. Hahahah”.
OOC: Kneecap is concentrating, Dorn has Guidance for one minute for his next ability check.
The heroes inspect around the last corner between them and the archway and reveal a very large chamber beyond. At one time, perhaps a meeting hall, or perhaps a sleeping bay for the quartering of troops ... but now the large chamber looks as if it was used to store the remains of those that had ran afoul of the cult!
One the far end of the room, a large fountain. At one point perhaps, it had held fresh water ... but now it was full-to-overflowing with an oily black mess.
Standing at the edge of the fountain, a robed figure with pallid gray skin. The robes were a filthy sort of purple, like an old bruise. Rotten, like an infection that had gone too far. The figure was slowly and methodically taking pieces of the cult's victims and lowering them reverently into the oily fountain.
Elsewhere in the room, shuffling about through the rows of corpses, two additional figures. These were not robed, but rather wore only simple rags. This left much of their skin exposed and by the grouping of muscles and placement of joints they were, or perhaps had been, something very close to human ... but the visual differences were jarring enough to let the group know that these two figures were anything but. A glimpse of their faces proved beyond the shadow of a doubt ... these creatures were no longer human ... as they had no eyes! Just two sunken holes covered with flesh where eyes would have been! Grimlocks! Hideous cannibal subterranean dwellers that had abandoned the surface and the sun ages ago.
They appeared to be unwell. Infected somehow, covered with large patches of a purplish-red fungus. One of them even had full on mushrooms growing out of a wound on its shoulder!
The pair were picking up and sorting the remains according to some sort of plan. One pile for this, another pile for that ... although the specifics were not immediately clear.
Over by the fountain, the human-like figure raised up another hunk of flesh and — prior to placing it in the fountain — licked it with a raspy tongue that was far too long. A ghoul!
Up until this point, the trio had been doing their diabolical chores in complete darkness, but as the light from Aria's lantern and Volneer's mage-hand-held torch reached around the corner, the ghoul called back over its shoulder.
"How did the summoning go, humans? Is it hungry?"
A nod of the head toward the back of the chamber and the infected grimlocks shuffling around in it. "Shall I have the slaves bring it a meal?"
There is no light in this room save for what the heroes provide. Right now, Aria has a lantern and Volneer has a torch being held aloft by a mage hand. (I'll assume that it begins in the square right next to him. As that situation changes, I will place it on the map.)
There is also something very obviously wrong with the two grimlocks. Investigation, Knowledge (Nature) or Medicine checks would be appropriate [DC15].
Volneer stares at the Grimlocks, wondering what could be wrong with them. Medicine18 He's also ready to cast chill touch against the ghoul as soon as it seems a fight is inevitable.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dorn looks at each of the party members quickly to see if anybody had any bright ideas. and immediately attempted to mimic the guttural undercommon voice he heard chanting before: "...It hungers... send... both"
And will signal for the party to move across the entrance to this room, into the northern end of this hallway they're currently in, and to dowse their lights. "Let them pass"
Dorn will move to the end of the hallway north, with stealth. 19 And persuade the ghoul to send both grimlocks 15
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Noticing that Dorn seems to have a plan and repulsed by the infectious wounds of the ghoulish figures, Calim positions himself at the south side of the door, hidden in the hallway. He prepares his shield and handaxe, hoping to keep some distance between himself and the infected flesh and to control any viscera splash back. The idea he believes Dorn is suggesting is some sort of a kill box for the minions. He holds his action, as before, to slash the wretches as soon as they cross into the hallway.
Assuming this is going to turn into an encounter, Initiative after the first attack - 17
Before the light vanished, Volneer was able to get a long, good look at the grimlock's mysterious affliction. They bore all the signs of being affected by a parasite of some kind.
Kneecap positions himself about 15 feet south of the archway, making sure he is out of sight of the ghoul, fully expecting his comrades to pull a surprise attack on the grimlocks at they pass.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Initiative: 11
Kneecap moves up next to Claim, and attacks the first Grimlock exiting the room with his Warhammer, or the second one if the first dies before his turn.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dorn will position himself 20 feet in front of aria (diagonal one, down three) and Throw his dagger at the first Grimlock, or second if the first one is down; and will equip his Rapier.
"Aria, with me. Kneecap and Callim have the chokepoint; we strike anything that gets past them!"
Dorn is suggesting Aria follow Dorn, and ready an attack if an enemy makes its way into this hall.
EDIT: And I guess Dorn should actually use his movement to position himself one more space further down. against the left side of the hall, in line (horizontally) with Callim.
Kneecap touches Dorn on the shoulder, transferring some divine energy into Tyr’s servant, giving him Guidance for one minute.
He then nods at the archway, points at his hammer and smiles. He then looks over at Calim and gives him a nod. He then looks at Volneer, glad the elf-man is back with the rest of them and says, “Stay close!”, but then looks at Volneer’s fire spewing hands and adds, “but not too close. Hahahah”.
OOC: Kneecap is concentrating, Dorn has Guidance for one minute for his next ability check.
The heroes inspect around the last corner between them and the archway and reveal a very large chamber beyond. At one time, perhaps a meeting hall, or perhaps a sleeping bay for the quartering of troops ... but now the large chamber looks as if it was used to store the remains of those that had ran afoul of the cult!
One the far end of the room, a large fountain. At one point perhaps, it had held fresh water ... but now it was full-to-overflowing with an oily black mess.
Standing at the edge of the fountain, a robed figure with pallid gray skin. The robes were a filthy sort of purple, like an old bruise. Rotten, like an infection that had gone too far. The figure was slowly and methodically taking pieces of the cult's victims and lowering them reverently into the oily fountain.
Elsewhere in the room, shuffling about through the rows of corpses, two additional figures. These were not robed, but rather wore only simple rags. This left much of their skin exposed and by the grouping of muscles and placement of joints they were, or perhaps had been, something very close to human ... but the visual differences were jarring enough to let the group know that these two figures were anything but. A glimpse of their faces proved beyond the shadow of a doubt ... these creatures were no longer human ... as they had no eyes! Just two sunken holes covered with flesh where eyes would have been! Grimlocks! Hideous cannibal subterranean dwellers that had abandoned the surface and the sun ages ago.
They appeared to be unwell. Infected somehow, covered with large patches of a purplish-red fungus. One of them even had full on mushrooms growing out of a wound on its shoulder!
The pair were picking up and sorting the remains according to some sort of plan. One pile for this, another pile for that ... although the specifics were not immediately clear.
Over by the fountain, the human-like figure raised up another hunk of flesh and — prior to placing it in the fountain — licked it with a raspy tongue that was far too long. A ghoul!
Up until this point, the trio had been doing their diabolical chores in complete darkness, but as the light from Aria's lantern and Volneer's mage-hand-held torch reached around the corner, the ghoul called back over its shoulder.
"How did the summoning go, humans? Is it hungry?"
A nod of the head toward the back of the chamber and the infected grimlocks shuffling around in it. "Shall I have the slaves bring it a meal?"
There is no light in this room save for what the heroes provide. Right now, Aria has a lantern and Volneer has a torch being held aloft by a mage hand. (I'll assume that it begins in the square right next to him. As that situation changes, I will place it on the map.)
There is also something very obviously wrong with the two grimlocks. Investigation, Knowledge (Nature) or Medicine checks would be appropriate [DC15].
Kneecap stares at the Grimlocks, trying to figure out what is wrong with them.
Medicine17
Volneer stares at the Grimlocks, wondering what could be wrong with them. Medicine 18 He's also ready to cast chill touch against the ghoul as soon as it seems a fight is inevitable.
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Dorn looks at each of the party members quickly to see if anybody had any bright ideas. and immediately attempted to mimic the guttural undercommon voice he heard chanting before: "...It hungers... send... both"
And will signal for the party to move across the entrance to this room, into the northern end of this hallway they're currently in, and to dowse their lights. "Let them pass"
Dorn will move to the end of the hallway north, with stealth. 19 And persuade the ghoul to send both grimlocks 15
Noticing that Dorn seems to have a plan and repulsed by the infectious wounds of the ghoulish figures, Calim positions himself at the south side of the door, hidden in the hallway. He prepares his shield and handaxe, hoping to keep some distance between himself and the infected flesh and to control any viscera splash back. The idea he believes Dorn is suggesting is some sort of a kill box for the minions. He holds his action, as before, to slash the wretches as soon as they cross into the hallway.
Assuming this is going to turn into an encounter, Initiative after the first attack - 17
Attack 10
Damage 6
The ghoul cultist harrumphed with a self-contented, cruel sort of pleasure when impersonated-cultist spoke.
Then, barking at the two underlings in the room.
"You two. Bring an offering to the summoning chamber! Be quick about it!"
The grimlocks moved to obey the cultist ... collecting their awful cargo and moving toward the door.
Aria, for her part, follows Dorn's lead. Positioning next to her mentor, she held her rapier at the ready, and lowered the hood on her lantern.
OOC — The lantern now only emits dim light in a 5' radius.
Volneer is going to return to the summoning chamber and scream, "IT'S DEVOURING ME! SEND- AHHHH" Deception: 16
OOC: I don't know why but it won't let me unbold... I'm taking the help action for Dorn's deception check, Initiative 12
[A paper drops out of a flash of light and drifts to the ground at your feet] -(extended sig)-
Before the light vanished, Volneer was able to get a long, good look at the grimlock's mysterious affliction. They bore all the signs of being affected by a parasite of some kind.
Kneecap positions himself about 15 feet south of the archway, making sure he is out of sight of the ghoul, fully expecting his comrades to pull a surprise attack on the grimlocks at they pass.
His shield in one hand, Warhammer in the other.
Initiative: 8
Deception: 8
Luck on Deception: 10
Seeing Volneer dash away, Dorn appears confused. He mouths to the party."... where is he going!?"
The plan was afoot!
Dorn and Aria moved north and dimmed their lantern.
Calim and Kneecap prepared for the fight to come to them.
And Volneer moved to the south to assist with the subterfuge.
The grimlocks emerged from their chamber, arms laden with a gut-churning armload of 'food' for the beast they thought was in the summoning chamber.
The red dot is Volneer's mage hand, and it is bearing a torch. Aria's lantern is emitting dim light in a 5' radius.
The grimlock's movement into the hall triggers Calim's readied action and combat has now begun.
The grimlocks and the ghoul are [Tooltip Not Found].
The broken tooltip link is supposed to say surprise.
Initiative: 11
Kneecap moves up next to Claim, and attacks the first Grimlock exiting the room with his Warhammer, or the second one if the first dies before his turn.
Attack: 15
Damage: 6
Dorn will position himself 20 feet in front of aria (diagonal one, down three) and Throw his dagger at the first Grimlock, or second if the first one is down; and will equip his Rapier.
Attack: 8 Damage: 6
Last luck on that attack: 11
"Aria, with me. Kneecap and Callim have the chokepoint; we strike anything that gets past them!"
Dorn is suggesting Aria follow Dorn, and ready an attack if an enemy makes its way into this hall.
EDIT: And I guess Dorn should actually use his movement to position himself one more space further down. against the left side of the hall, in line (horizontally) with Callim.