Morph goes over his mud map of the groups travels.

"So, most of the may is just following along here, but then we get to the split here."

Morph points out the part of the map where there is a raw passage north that connects to the first cross roads.

"If we go north we will cut down on the distance to paint, but I'm not sure if its the best way to go."

"The tunnel is very rough and a little tight to travel through. I would not be surprised if there was a cave in if we travelled through it, or later on, that may cut the painted line."

"If we go the long way around it will take us longer, but the line, and us, should be safe from cave ins."

Morph looks at his friends,

"What do you think?"

Morph gets out his Medics Manual and starts casting the ritual to bring Joy back, while waiting for his friends input.

"I agree that the unfinished passageway seems more like a short-term solution. A line would need to be repainted and this stuff is probably not cheap. So let's do it right this time and take the longer route," Laniel says.

Titus chimes in “Yes, very well. The longer route seems wisest.” He scratches his chin and ponders “Can we help paint the line too? So as to help speed things along? Or are we best left to keep watch, while Joy goes to work?

(someone would have to create some extra brushes, I think.)

"Well, we only have the one brush, and I wouldn't want to get separated down here."

"Joy paints the line, so the rest of us can keep watch for trouble. Also Joy doesn't get back pain bending down to paint the line, so there's that as well."

Morph smiles and winks at Titus.

Rethan nods his agreement to the plan.

Quote from MindDetective >>

(Joy can paint about 200 feet of the line in an hour. It has been about 36 minutes since she started up again.)

With more than 900 feet to paint, it will take Joy about 4 1/2 hours to complete the line.  She begins the task without complaint and tirelessly, staying close to the floor but otherwise painting along the wall in a consistent, controlled line. After 65 minutes, sounds of skittering creatures approaching echo through the hallway. As everyone draws their weapons as a matter of caution, three carrion crawlers appear. Two of them are crawling along the ceiling and the third creeps along the floor...

Titus grips his shield and maneuvers himself to stand alongside his companions. He braces for impact and readies his battleaxe for combat. 

(Titus will try to position himself so he is within 5ft of two of his companions, so he is better positioned to use his shield to guard them.)

Initiative:

Initiative:

Atuan, Morph, and Laniel are up now.

Carrion Crawlers are next

Titus and Rethan are last.

Aaaand....go!

Morph's eyes go wide at the sight, and he pats the bear on the shoulder, sending it forward to fight, while stepping back himself.

"Looks like we aren't getting out easy."

Morph raises his rod and lets off twin beams, split between the two Carrion Crawlers on the ceiling, while the bear engages the one on the ground.

Every bite, scratch, and beam finds its target. The Carrion Crawlers on the ceiling are not much affected by Morph's magic but Bear does some significant damage to the one on the floor.

Laniel leaps in, careful to stay out of reach of the creature's tentacles, taking on the foe alongside Bear.

Quarterstaff Attack: 27 Damage: 13

Quarterstaff Attack: 13 Damage: 13

Kick Attack: 9 Damage: 10

Atuan sees the one on the floor is handled so focuses on the left ceiling-bound creature, casting Toll the Dead.

WIS(14) check: 12 or take 17 damage.

Both of Laniel's staff strikes leave cracks on the carapace of the crawler but his kick fails to penetrate. Atuan's spell also sizzles away part of the crawler's face with necrotic damage.

The two on the ceiling scuttle over and bend down to reach (1) Titus and (3) Rethan respectively. The one on the ground strikes at (2) Bear. 

Tentacle and Bite attacks against Titus (at disadvantage...all miss).

Tentacle Attack: 17 Damage: 5

CON(13) check or be paralyzed: 7 + CON Bonus 

Bite Attack: 13 Damage: 6

Tentacle and Bite attacks against Rethan (no disadvantage, since Titus used his reaction already. The bite hits for 10 damage.)

Tentacle Attack: 16 Damage: 3

CON(13) check or be paralyzed: 17 + CON Bonus

Bite Attack: 6 Damage: 6

Tentacle and Bite attacks against Bear. (All hit, no paralysis.)

Tentacle Attack: 14 Damage: 4

CON(13) check or be paralyzed: 16 + CON Bonus

Bite Attack: 20 Damage: 8

(Rethan and Titus are up!)

Titus lets out a mighty roar and starts chopping away at the disgusting creatures. 

Battleaxe Attack: 8 Damage: 5

Battleaxe Attack: 15 Damage: 10

(If I am not mistaken, Titus's reaction with his shield cannot be used on an attack made against himself, only an ally.)

Quote from Smullzilla >>

 

(If I am not mistaken, Titus's reaction with his shield cannot be used on an attack made against himself, only an ally.)

(You're right. Duh. Rethan takes no damage. Titus is hit by the tentacles for 6 damage.)

Titus' second strike lands against its target, but only opens a small gash on the carapace of the beast.

Rethan growls and his staff strikes out in a blur at the crawler that attacked him.

Attack: 12 Damage: 9

Extra Attack: 13 Damage: 14

Bonus Attack: 29 Damage: 14

Rethan's first strike narrowly misses but his next two hit with expert precision, opening gaping wounds in the vile beasts.

(Atuan, Morph, and Laniel are up next!)

Drained from combat and spellcasting, Atuan hopes to follow Rethan's success!
Attack: 23 Damage: 16

The bear is looking the worse for wear, but he continues to attack in a fury.

Morph continues to target the other two crawlers, another set of twin beams shooting out of his black rod, the gold inlay flaring with light, at each cast.

Atuan slays the crawler over Rethan with a perfectly placed strike through its  eye.

Bear finishes off the carrion crawler on the floor with a vicious bite. His swipe at one of the ceiling crawlers is in vain, however. But both of Morph's blasts hit the remaining crawler, further wounding it.

Laniel whirls and strikes at the final crawler, clinging to the ceiling above Titus.

Quarterstaff Attack: 15 Damage: 8

Quarterstaff Attack: 19 Damage: 8

Jump kick Attack: 23 Damage: 7