Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Whisker continues to run up to body of the fallen ankheg and starts to paw and bite at it carcass.

"Stop! Stop! Whisker don't damage the specimen!" Tink says breathlessly as she catches up and call her mechanical pet back. As she comes to a stop she bents over and breathes heavily trying to catch her breath. After a few short moments she straightens and starts examine the fallen ankheg while saying, "I must say that was quite and experience. Natures design is truly ingenious. The multi segmented construction of this insectoid allows for freedom of moment, while the sturdy carapace provides a more than adequate defense. It's acidic propulsion system seems to serve the dual purpose of engaging its prey or enemies from afar while giving it a headstart on the digestion process. Perhaps I could incorporate that into some improvements for you Whisker. What do you think?"

Whisker gives Tink what seems to be a wry look before turning her back on the elf and walking away.

Minsys runs up his face a jolly smile.  Then he sees the unmoving corpse and he slows to a jog and his smile fades.  He stops just next to the creature and drops the hammer head to the ground.  "I missed the party..." he says dejected.  

Taking a deep breath he sighs and then pulls a dagger from his belt.  He shoes whisker away and goes about harvesting what he can.

Survival 17

Nature 6

(OOC: Minsys' survival check was sufficient to successfully salvage a 18-pound piece of the ankheg carapace, however the process will require about 2 hours to do so. Reference the #house-rules chatroom for specifics on this. As the logger's camp adventure location unfolds, events may occur that could interrupt this process, but I will honor the original skill check as long as the full amount of time required for the task is expended before the party departs the location.)

Connak steps out from behind the bush, wiping off the remnants of the acid on his back.  "Thank whatever gods you believe that those don't attack in packs!"

He starts to look around for the human, and makes his way to him, clearly frustrated.

As Minsys works on the creature he says, "This is for those in on the kill.  Which wasn't me.  I can only take little for the harvesting."

" Oh my oh my, now what is this new horror... ?!" Tabesha'l exclaims as she daintily steps over the debris of the wall and approaches the battle site. " I surmise we didst find what damaged yonder tents and took force poor miners below cruel sands, after all... And what of thee, fairThuniviel, art thou quite alright ? For a reason that escapes me, 't would seem yon insectoid creature had a surprising fondness for thy upper back," she observes as she notes the acid spills on parts of Connak's leather cuirass.

She then brings her attention down to the ground, where her familiar is proudly strutting, each of the centipede's many little legs treading the grass with martial fervor: " Oh yes, thou art quite the warrior-fiend, thou most certainly are, Arvi-Dear. We shall make something of thee yet, thou shallt see ! Do keep thy patrolling of yon grassy knoll in the meantime if thou will, methinks we may not have seen the last of such strange and lethal creatures..."

** History check just in case (update: and... never mind that): 7 **

"It is called an ankheg if my memory serves me right. I don't think I need to expound on its defensive and offensive capabilities as we have already experienced that ourselves. These creatures are subterranean tunnellers who surface usually to get meat. I do not know if they live in packs, but I recall people saying that various interesting items or treasures can sometimes be found in the tunnels." Tink says recalling what she knows of the creatures.

A few moments later, the group hears a terrified scream coming from the other side of the cabin. They can't see exactly who is screaming or why, but collectively they all realize that the man who Connak found barricaded inside the office is not standing among them...

Connak transitions from a pissed off stride to a concerned run to be able to get a visual line of sight on the human, and whatever is threatening him.

(Try to use the building for cover)

Minsys whips his hand out splashing some gear from the blade and sheaths it.  He grabs his maul and is moving towards the scream.  "Some late party guests?" he says a little hopefully.

"Well that certainly not within the expected parameters," Tink comments as she starts moving towards the cabin, "Whisker! Come!"

As Connak peers around the side of the cabin, he sees the terrified man stand in the middle of another circle of tents to the south east. Closing in around him are three more acid-dripping ankhegs, all sizing him up as if trying to decide where to take thier first bite of his flesh:

ROLLING INITIATIVE!
16 - CONNAK
16 - TINK
13 - TABESHA'L
16 - MINSYS
8 - VAXIS
4 - COMMONER
9 - ANKHEG
18 - ANKHEG
12 - ANKHEG

High up on the hill to the west, a tiny screeching laugh can just barely be heard...

Minsys, all full of glee, grabs his maul and runs off.  His vigor renewed, "Me first!" He yells as he runs.

Dash action to run over there.  And then more running if I get extra move action.  I think that's 90 feet.  Still ot enough to get there though.

Minsys watches in horror as two of the ankhegs release streams of acid at the man:

ANKHEG1
ACID SPRAY: Dexterity Save (Commoner) - 15 vs. DC 13 taking 7 acid damage on a failed save or(3) on a success

ANKHEG2
ACID SPRAY: Dexterity Save (Commoner) - 14 vs. DC 13 taking 9 acid damage on a failed save or(4) on a success

 His age betrayed his abilities as the portly, middle-aged man ducked one acid stream and then stepped aside as the second came at him.

Connak looks at the three Ankhegs and admits that man is doomed.  He takes a shot anyway at the nearest (still outside my first range increment, so disadvantage) before moving directly south while looking west to try and find the source of the laughter...

Longbow Attack: 22 Damage: 5

Perception, if needed: 8

(I'm moving to be able to get up that escarpment via the 'ramp' in the bottom left corner of the map)

Connak's arrow sails wide to the left and as he moves towards the ramp, he sees Tabesha'l's centipedian familiar wallowing on the ground gripped with laughter at the sight of the old man dodging the lance-like surges of acid spewing forth from the cornicopia of ankheg closing in around him.

Vaxis moves as fast he can towards Minsys, attempting to close the distance and to support his friend.

"I am coming, friend Minsys!"

(Move me as close to Minsys as humanly dragonbornly possible)

Right on the heels of her new companions, Tink and Whisker run towards where the screams are coming from as fast as possible.

The old man turns and flees (with surprising speed) to the north away from the ankheg threat.

ANKHEG 3
Acid Spray (Recharge 6): 2

The hulking insectoid lurches forward, clearly less stable on it's enormous stalks while above ground than below. It gallops towards the screaming man with massive mouth parts grasping in his direction.

Tabesha'l sends a quick telepathic message to Arvi, ordering him to " allay yon moronic snickerings" and quickly turn into his bat form instead, so as to survey the area and keep her updated on the ankhegs' position.

After which, she lifts up the rim of her long skirts and starts jogging along the river until she can get a bead on the creatures...

** Dash Action to run towards the east (see Discord). **