The first arrow finds its mark on the underside of the serpent's neck, just where Peregrine had landed a hit moments before. This time, the serpent's hiss is laced with a new note – pain. It lashes out, its head whipping around to snap at the source of the irritation. The arrow protrudes gruesomely from its neck, a testament to Morgid's aim. The creature thrashes momentarily, its focus on Sosen temporarily faltering.
The second arrow finds its mark with a satisfying thud, sending a tremor through the massive body and eliciting another ear-splitting hiss from the enraged beast. The serpent whips its head around, obsidian eyes gleaming with fury. It seems momentarily torn between constricting Sosen further and retaliating against the persistent archer. Morgid watches, his chest heaving with exertion, hoping his arrows had caused enough pain and confusion to give Sosen a chance. He glances at Peregrine, silently urging his companion to keep the pressure on. We have to act fast, before the serpent tightens its grip once more.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The monstrous serpent writhes in a fury, its obsidian eyes burning with a hatred that seems to sear the very air. Morgid's arrows, though not meant to be lethal, had found their mark, adding fresh stings to the creature's already mounting frustration. But this isn't a mindless beast, its rage is laced with a cold intelligence. It knows the true threat – the nimble archers peppering it with arrows and the desperate goblin bound within its coils. With a ferocious hiss, the serpent lunges, its massive head whipping through the air in a blur of motion. For a horrifying moment, Sosen finds herself staring into the creature's gaping maw, a maw lined with rows of serrated teeth that gleam with a deadly promise. But the serpent's target isn't her this time. Its aim is clear – Peregrine, the persistent drow nearby who keeps peppering it with arrows.The attack is sudden and ferocious.
The serpent's strike is swift and brutal. Its gaping maw clamps down on Peregrine's shoulder, serrated teeth sink deep into flesh and bone. A sickening crunch echoes through the swamp, followed by Peregrine's choked scream. The serpent doesn't linger. With a savage jerk of its head, it flings Peregrine aside like a ragdoll. The rogue's body thudds against a nearby tree, crumpling lifelessly to the ground. Morgid's vision blurs with tears of rage and despair. Peregrine, his new friend, his new companion, gone in a blink. The monstrous serpent, emboldened by its victory, turns its full attention back to Sosen. Its coils tighten with renewed purpose, the air whistling from the goblin cleric's lungs. Hope, once a flickering ember, threatens to be extinguished altogether.
As the constricting coils tighten with renewed purpose, the air whistling from her lungs, Sosen acts fast. She knows time is running out for her to save her downed companions. With a desperate gasp, she again closes her hand around the holy symbol of her deity, Xalicas, which glows with a brightness yet seen. A surge of warmth, a whisper of divine power, pulses outward as wave of burning radiance surges out from the goblin's body.
Sosen knows she is running out of time. Desperation claws at her, but amidst the grief and terror, a spark of defiance flickers. She focuses on the divine energy thrumming within her. With a rasp, she utters the sacred words, the power of her deity Xalicas courses through her. A radiant light erupts from her hand, washing over the wounded serpent's constricting form. It is a desperate attempt, a Word of Radiance cast in the face of overwhelming odds.
But the monstrous serpent seems impervious to further injury. The radiant light dances harmlessly on its thick scales, leaving no mark. The creature hisses in annoyance more than pain, its grip tightening further. The air whooshes from Sosen's lungs, her vision swims at the edges. Morgid, fueled by a white-hot rage, lets out a guttural roar, but against the monstrous serpent, he seems like a gnat buzzing around a behemoth.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Despair tightens its grip on Morgid's heart like a physical vice. Peregrine and Lanu, his friends, lay still, a silent testament to the monstrous serpent's savagery. The sight fuels a fire in Morgid's gut, a primal rage that threatens to consume him. But rage wouldn't win this fight. He needs to act, and fast. With a choked sob that tears from his throat, Morgid reaches behind his back, his trembling fingers fumbling for his quiver. He draws two arrows in a single, jerky motion, his eyes blazing with a desperate determination. This isn't about vengeance, not anymore. It is about survival, about buying Sosen a sliver of a chance.
He focuses on the monstrous serpent, the creature that had stolen his friends and now threatens to claim another life. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his wounded shoulder, he nocks the first arrow, aiming for a vulnerable spot he'd noticed on the serpent's neck during the earlier struggle. It isn't a large opening, but it is their best shot. Attack: 23 Piercing Damage: 5
Morgid doesn't hesitate. He fumbles with the second arrow, his fingers slick with sweat and tears. He knows this might be his last chance. He aims for the base of the serpent's skull, the point where its neck meets its massive head – a risky shot, but potentially the creature's weak point. He released the arrow with a silent prayer, hoping against hope that it would find its mark. Attack: 23 Piercing Damage: 5
With a deep breath that did little to steady his nerves, Morgid looses the first arrow. It flies true, propelled by his desperation, and embeds itself deep within the exposed flesh of the serpent's neck. A furious hiss erupts from the creature, its coils momentarily slackening as it thrashes its head in pain.
This time, luck was on their side. The second arrow, imbued with Morgid's desperate will, finds its mark. It pierces through the thick hide and bone, finding a vital crevice at the base of the serpent's skull. A bone-jarring tremor runs through the massive body, followed by an ear-splitting shriek that echoes through the swamp. The serpent convulses, its coils spasming one last time before going slack.
Slowly, almost disbelievingly, Morgid watches as the monstrous creature slumps to the ground, lifeless. The oppressive weight that had settled on him lifts, replaced by a wave of exhaustion that threatens to pull him under. He sinks to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Across the clearing, Sosen coughs, her face pale but alive. Her eyes meet Morgid's, filled with a mixture of relief and horror. The battle was won, at a terrible cost. But for now, they are alive. They had each other, and that, in this moment, was all that mattered.
Sosen's breath wheezed in her chest as she struggled to crawl out of the dead constrictor's coils. Looking to Morgid, she waved an arm in an arc, "This is as good as spot as any to make camp. Can we cut some snake meat to roast on a fire?"
Tottering forward, she first stopped at Lanu, tears dripping down her cheeks as she invokes Xalicas and casts Spare The Dying on the ravaged body of Lanu. Once satisfied, she stumbled forward to do the same for Peregrine_Eyes.
After such an effort, Sosen bends over to catch her breath and shakes from head to toe at the memory of the encounter. Dropping her pack, she roots around until she pulls three well padded and bundled items. Unwrapping the first, Sosen tendly takes a Potion of Healing and dribbles some into Peregrine's mouth as well as drops into the grievous wounds about Perry's body before attempting to pour the rest of the liquid into his mouth. Not even waiting for positive signs, she staggers back over to Lanu and attempts the same with the second cocooned potion. One last cocooned bundle unwrapped and administered to Morgid.
Lanu starts to cough and splutter as she comes too. "Death really seems to want to find me. Thank you for one again delaying it. I am sure death will grow tired of me soon and I can actually provide something useful other than bait."
"To be certain, Death is always waiting," Sosen wheezes as she drags a larger, dried limb toward their 'fire pile', "... though, I suspect Death has a vested interest in this marsh."
She turns to look at her companions. "We are barely halfway through this marsh. Not yet even faced what challenges will meet us at the fort. I would not blame anyone among us to say - enough is enough - and turn back to Urzin or anywhere other than Brokenveil Marsh." She sits down heavily to catch her breath.
"If we are to continue, know - you will have gone far beyond your simple duty - to Urzin. And, his high and might Ogre Lord Buhfal the Second, can kiss my nethers if he says otherwise. He knew EXACTLY what kind of death trap the marshes can be and yet, he thought it would be to his benefit to send adventurers that had barely left their last taste of their nursemaid's milk. If.. nay.. WHEN I return, Buhfal's ears shall burn when I 'enlighten' him."
The tiny goblin seemed to curl in upon herself before uncurling and stretching all her limbs with an effort. "My pardon. I should not rant when surviving should be our main focus. Let us eat and rest and heal and great the new day ahead with a firm resolve."
Sosen will putter about their makeshift camp; making certain all are comfortable and fed. Looking at making a bramble barrier wall to at least slow any curious animals. And generally trying to make a secure camp to make it through the night. Eventually, she will settle in and do some meditative prayer to Xalicas.
"Turning back to Urzin is no option. If we are to return empty handed then we might as well be offering our head on a plate to Buhfal. And to leave the marsh requires walking through more marsh, something which I think we have all established is much safer when we are together. I feel like if any of us were alone, they would have died to the marsh already. Bol'bara is more attuned to the marsh I feel, and so I would be surprised if they have fallen prey. The sooner we get to the Dwendalian dogs the better." she pauses.
"That said, we need rest. We won't make it unless we are at full strength, particularly Sosen. They seem to be the best one at bringing us back from the brink of death, and if she is not at full strength and starts dying more herself, I don't think the rest of us will make it much further."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sosen sets to work on the monstrous serpent. The task is gruesome, but the thought of letting such a bounty go to waste is unthinkable. Lanu, ever the resourceful bugbear, joins, her hands surprisingly adept at the task. As they work, they realize the sheer volume of meat they are harvesting. The serpent was truly massive, and even after taking only the choicest cuts, they end up with a mountain of flesh. It is far more than they could possibly consume in a single sitting, or even over the next few days. Sosen, with her innate goblin practicality, suggests a solution. Working together, they carefully select a large, undamaged portion of the serpent's hide. It is thick and leathery, a deep, mottled brown with hints of green and gold. With Lanu's sharp knife and Sosen's surprising dexterity, they manage to peel off a sizeable piece, large enough to be useful. They use the giant constrictor snake skin to haul 61 pieces of snake meat back to camp.
"We are eating well tonight, and hopefully this isn't a last meal for any of us. I don't suppose anyone carries salt around with them that we can use to cure the meat so we can carry it with us for longer? I would suggest we also take some of it raw, preferably wrapped up so it doesn't smell to attract creatures, but that can be unwrapped and used to draw away any hungry ones who would otherwise be feasting on us."
Sadly, I do not have salt... especially enough to treat this much meat!. We can cook some for a meal or two. Perhaps slightly overcook some for bad jerky. Definitely the rest as raw for enticement to other roaming creatures. I wish we did have a hill of salt. I imagine a good salt processing would make this skin something worth holding on to."
Sosen huffs and puffs her way back to the camp and starts setting up cooking spikes for the meat.
"Hopefully we can get a good night's rest and recovery. And we can make good headway to get out of this nightmare marsh."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(FYI I have the snake hide with an expiration of 10 days, which should be enough time get to the fort & back to Urzin with an estimate of ~3 day journey to the fort).
The crackling fire casts dancing shadows across the faces of the weary travelers as Sosen carefully tends to the snake meat. While the experience of preparing and consuming such a creature is not one they would soon forget, the practicalities of survival outweigh any squeamishness. With a practiced hand, Sosen slices the meat into thick steaks, ensuring each piece is cooked through thoroughly. Some portions she cooks to a golden brown, their savory aroma fills the air and tempts their hungry stomachs. Others, she deliberately overcooks, letting them dry out and harden into a crude jerky. This will provide them with a more portable and long-lasting food source for their journey ahead. As they gather around the fire, the silence is broken only by the occasional crackle of the flames and the soft clinking of utensils against metal plates. The snake meat, though not a delicacy, is surprisingly palatable. The overcooked jerky, while chewy, offers a satisfyingly salty and protein-rich snack.
Cooked steaks 6; snake jerky 11
Exhaustion from their ordeal finally settles in, and one by one, they drift off to sleep. The fire, now reduced to glowing embers, casts a warm and comforting glow over their campsite, a stark contrast to the chilling memories of the battle with the monstrous serpent. They find solace in each other's presence, a shared understanding of the dangers they had faced and the resilience they had shown. The monstrous serpent, once a symbol of fear, is now a triumphant memory, a reminder of their strength and a testament to their unwavering determination to survive.
The first arrow finds its mark on the underside of the serpent's neck, just where Peregrine had landed a hit moments before. This time, the serpent's hiss is laced with a new note – pain. It lashes out, its head whipping around to snap at the source of the irritation. The arrow protrudes gruesomely from its neck, a testament to Morgid's aim. The creature thrashes momentarily, its focus on Sosen temporarily faltering.
The second arrow finds its mark with a satisfying thud, sending a tremor through the massive body and eliciting another ear-splitting hiss from the enraged beast. The serpent whips its head around, obsidian eyes gleaming with fury. It seems momentarily torn between constricting Sosen further and retaliating against the persistent archer. Morgid watches, his chest heaving with exertion, hoping his arrows had caused enough pain and confusion to give Sosen a chance. He glances at Peregrine, silently urging his companion to keep the pressure on. We have to act fast, before the serpent tightens its grip once more.
The monstrous serpent writhes in a fury, its obsidian eyes burning with a hatred that seems to sear the very air. Morgid's arrows, though not meant to be lethal, had found their mark, adding fresh stings to the creature's already mounting frustration. But this isn't a mindless beast, its rage is laced with a cold intelligence. It knows the true threat – the nimble archers peppering it with arrows and the desperate goblin bound within its coils. With a ferocious hiss, the serpent lunges, its massive head whipping through the air in a blur of motion. For a horrifying moment, Sosen finds herself staring into the creature's gaping maw, a maw lined with rows of serrated teeth that gleam with a deadly promise. But the serpent's target isn't her this time. Its aim is clear – Peregrine, the persistent drow nearby who keeps peppering it with arrows.The attack is sudden and ferocious.
Bite Attack: 23 Damage: 8
The serpent's strike is swift and brutal. Its gaping maw clamps down on Peregrine's shoulder, serrated teeth sink deep into flesh and bone. A sickening crunch echoes through the swamp, followed by Peregrine's choked scream. The serpent doesn't linger. With a savage jerk of its head, it flings Peregrine aside like a ragdoll. The rogue's body thudds against a nearby tree, crumpling lifelessly to the ground. Morgid's vision blurs with tears of rage and despair. Peregrine, his new friend, his new companion, gone in a blink. The monstrous serpent, emboldened by its victory, turns its full attention back to Sosen. Its coils tighten with renewed purpose, the air whistling from the goblin cleric's lungs. Hope, once a flickering ember, threatens to be extinguished altogether.
Death save: 11
Death save 13 (2 passes, but might not matter as this might be the end for us all)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
As the constricting coils tighten with renewed purpose, the air whistling from her lungs, Sosen acts fast. She knows time is running out for her to save her downed companions. With a desperate gasp, she again closes her hand around the holy symbol of her deity, Xalicas, which glows with a brightness yet seen. A surge of warmth, a whisper of divine power, pulses outward as wave of burning radiance surges out from the goblin's body.
Word of Radiance [ game log - Dmg = 4 ]
A momentary respite but, perhaps, her tiny distractions can allow Morgid to get in at least one more volley of arrows.
Giant Constrictor Snake CON save (DC 14) 18
Sosen knows she is running out of time. Desperation claws at her, but amidst the grief and terror, a spark of defiance flickers. She focuses on the divine energy thrumming within her. With a rasp, she utters the sacred words, the power of her deity Xalicas courses through her. A radiant light erupts from her hand, washing over the wounded serpent's constricting form. It is a desperate attempt, a Word of Radiance cast in the face of overwhelming odds.
But the monstrous serpent seems impervious to further injury. The radiant light dances harmlessly on its thick scales, leaving no mark. The creature hisses in annoyance more than pain, its grip tightening further. The air whooshes from Sosen's lungs, her vision swims at the edges. Morgid, fueled by a white-hot rage, lets out a guttural roar, but against the monstrous serpent, he seems like a gnat buzzing around a behemoth.
Despair tightens its grip on Morgid's heart like a physical vice. Peregrine and Lanu, his friends, lay still, a silent testament to the monstrous serpent's savagery. The sight fuels a fire in Morgid's gut, a primal rage that threatens to consume him. But rage wouldn't win this fight. He needs to act, and fast. With a choked sob that tears from his throat, Morgid reaches behind his back, his trembling fingers fumbling for his quiver. He draws two arrows in a single, jerky motion, his eyes blazing with a desperate determination. This isn't about vengeance, not anymore. It is about survival, about buying Sosen a sliver of a chance.
He focuses on the monstrous serpent, the creature that had stolen his friends and now threatens to claim another life. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his wounded shoulder, he nocks the first arrow, aiming for a vulnerable spot he'd noticed on the serpent's neck during the earlier struggle. It isn't a large opening, but it is their best shot. Attack: 23 Piercing Damage: 5
Morgid doesn't hesitate. He fumbles with the second arrow, his fingers slick with sweat and tears. He knows this might be his last chance. He aims for the base of the serpent's skull, the point where its neck meets its massive head – a risky shot, but potentially the creature's weak point. He released the arrow with a silent prayer, hoping against hope that it would find its mark. Attack: 23 Piercing Damage: 5
With a deep breath that did little to steady his nerves, Morgid looses the first arrow. It flies true, propelled by his desperation, and embeds itself deep within the exposed flesh of the serpent's neck. A furious hiss erupts from the creature, its coils momentarily slackening as it thrashes its head in pain.
This time, luck was on their side. The second arrow, imbued with Morgid's desperate will, finds its mark. It pierces through the thick hide and bone, finding a vital crevice at the base of the serpent's skull. A bone-jarring tremor runs through the massive body, followed by an ear-splitting shriek that echoes through the swamp. The serpent convulses, its coils spasming one last time before going slack.
Slowly, almost disbelievingly, Morgid watches as the monstrous creature slumps to the ground, lifeless. The oppressive weight that had settled on him lifts, replaced by a wave of exhaustion that threatens to pull him under. He sinks to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Across the clearing, Sosen coughs, her face pale but alive. Her eyes meet Morgid's, filled with a mixture of relief and horror. The battle was won, at a terrible cost. But for now, they are alive. They had each other, and that, in this moment, was all that mattered.
Sosen's breath wheezed in her chest as she struggled to crawl out of the dead constrictor's coils. Looking to Morgid, she waved an arm in an arc, "This is as good as spot as any to make camp. Can we cut some snake meat to roast on a fire?"
Tottering forward, she first stopped at Lanu, tears dripping down her cheeks as she invokes Xalicas and casts Spare The Dying on the ravaged body of Lanu. Once satisfied, she stumbled forward to do the same for Peregrine_Eyes.
After such an effort, Sosen bends over to catch her breath and shakes from head to toe at the memory of the encounter. Dropping her pack, she roots around until she pulls three well padded and bundled items. Unwrapping the first, Sosen tendly takes a Potion of Healing and dribbles some into Peregrine's mouth as well as drops into the grievous wounds about Perry's body before attempting to pour the rest of the liquid into his mouth. Not even waiting for positive signs, she staggers back over to Lanu and attempts the same with the second cocooned potion. One last cocooned bundle unwrapped and administered to Morgid.
Potion of Healing #1 - 10 #2 - 6 #3 - 9
"Our lives hung in the balance and you steadyfastly fought to the bitter end. Thank you for saving us and may Xalicas bless you."
Lanu starts to cough and splutter as she comes too. "Death really seems to want to find me. Thank you for one again delaying it. I am sure death will grow tired of me soon and I can actually provide something useful other than bait."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"To be certain, Death is always waiting," Sosen wheezes as she drags a larger, dried limb toward their 'fire pile', "... though, I suspect Death has a vested interest in this marsh."
She turns to look at her companions. "We are barely halfway through this marsh. Not yet even faced what challenges will meet us at the fort. I would not blame anyone among us to say - enough is enough - and turn back to Urzin or anywhere other than Brokenveil Marsh." She sits down heavily to catch her breath.
"If we are to continue, know - you will have gone far beyond your simple duty - to Urzin. And, his high and might Ogre Lord Buhfal the Second, can kiss my nethers if he says otherwise. He knew EXACTLY what kind of death trap the marshes can be and yet, he thought it would be to his benefit to send adventurers that had barely left their last taste of their nursemaid's milk. If.. nay.. WHEN I return, Buhfal's ears shall burn when I 'enlighten' him."
The tiny goblin seemed to curl in upon herself before uncurling and stretching all her limbs with an effort.
"My pardon. I should not rant when surviving should be our main focus. Let us eat and rest and heal and great the new day ahead with a firm resolve."
Sosen will putter about their makeshift camp; making certain all are comfortable and fed. Looking at making a bramble barrier wall to at least slow any curious animals. And generally trying to make a secure camp to make it through the night. Eventually, she will settle in and do some meditative prayer to Xalicas.
(Awarding Sosen inspiration)
"Turning back to Urzin is no option. If we are to return empty handed then we might as well be offering our head on a plate to Buhfal. And to leave the marsh requires walking through more marsh, something which I think we have all established is much safer when we are together. I feel like if any of us were alone, they would have died to the marsh already. Bol'bara is more attuned to the marsh I feel, and so I would be surprised if they have fallen prey. The sooner we get to the Dwendalian dogs the better." she pauses.
"That said, we need rest. We won't make it unless we are at full strength, particularly Sosen. They seem to be the best one at bringing us back from the brink of death, and if she is not at full strength and starts dying more herself, I don't think the rest of us will make it much further."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Sosen Survival Check for Snake nom noms - 23
Sosen sets to work on the monstrous serpent. The task is gruesome, but the thought of letting such a bounty go to waste is unthinkable. Lanu, ever the resourceful bugbear, joins, her hands surprisingly adept at the task. As they work, they realize the sheer volume of meat they are harvesting. The serpent was truly massive, and even after taking only the choicest cuts, they end up with a mountain of flesh. It is far more than they could possibly consume in a single sitting, or even over the next few days. Sosen, with her innate goblin practicality, suggests a solution. Working together, they carefully select a large, undamaged portion of the serpent's hide. It is thick and leathery, a deep, mottled brown with hints of green and gold. With Lanu's sharp knife and Sosen's surprising dexterity, they manage to peel off a sizeable piece, large enough to be useful. They use the giant constrictor snake skin to haul 61 pieces of snake meat back to camp.
"We are eating well tonight, and hopefully this isn't a last meal for any of us. I don't suppose anyone carries salt around with them that we can use to cure the meat so we can carry it with us for longer? I would suggest we also take some of it raw, preferably wrapped up so it doesn't smell to attract creatures, but that can be unwrapped and used to draw away any hungry ones who would otherwise be feasting on us."
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Sadly, I do not have salt... especially enough to treat this much meat!. We can cook some for a meal or two. Perhaps slightly overcook some for bad jerky. Definitely the rest as raw for enticement to other roaming creatures. I wish we did have a hill of salt. I imagine a good salt processing would make this skin something worth holding on to."
Sosen huffs and puffs her way back to the camp and starts setting up cooking spikes for the meat.
"Hopefully we can get a good night's rest and recovery. And we can make good headway to get out of this nightmare marsh."
(FYI I have the snake hide with an expiration of 10 days, which should be enough time get to the fort & back to Urzin with an estimate of ~3 day journey to the fort).
The crackling fire casts dancing shadows across the faces of the weary travelers as Sosen carefully tends to the snake meat. While the experience of preparing and consuming such a creature is not one they would soon forget, the practicalities of survival outweigh any squeamishness. With a practiced hand, Sosen slices the meat into thick steaks, ensuring each piece is cooked through thoroughly. Some portions she cooks to a golden brown, their savory aroma fills the air and tempts their hungry stomachs. Others, she deliberately overcooks, letting them dry out and harden into a crude jerky. This will provide them with a more portable and long-lasting food source for their journey ahead. As they gather around the fire, the silence is broken only by the occasional crackle of the flames and the soft clinking of utensils against metal plates. The snake meat, though not a delicacy, is surprisingly palatable. The overcooked jerky, while chewy, offers a satisfyingly salty and protein-rich snack.
Cooked steaks 6; snake jerky 11
Exhaustion from their ordeal finally settles in, and one by one, they drift off to sleep. The fire, now reduced to glowing embers, casts a warm and comforting glow over their campsite, a stark contrast to the chilling memories of the battle with the monstrous serpent. They find solace in each other's presence, a shared understanding of the dangers they had faced and the resilience they had shown. The monstrous serpent, once a symbol of fear, is now a triumphant memory, a reminder of their strength and a testament to their unwavering determination to survive.