An Unknown Participant slithers through the stones of the tunnel, and reveals itself! It looks somewhat... plain. Unlike the ones you fought before, it looks more like a snake with a wedge for a head, disregarding its talon... But its back is covered in sharp quills. It moves across the river at a low point and makes its way over to a stalagmite. Its quills rustle, and glow gently as it casts some kind of spell. The other creatures that can be seen spasm for a moment... and while their base body stays the same, quills suddenly sprout from their bodies in a brief spurt of gore.
Oriander is, naturally, very concerned about this. He grits his teeth. "I'll go for the stalagmite hider, try and bring it into the open." He rushes forward towards CR1.
CR2 slithers up behind a stalagmite and takes aim at Oriander, before yeeting quills at the goliath!
CR2 roll: 10 Damage: 8
Oriander grits his teeth as he takes the hit, but shrugs it off for now... the quills shattering against his muscles with his Stone's Endurance!
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Kalgren was not liking this one bit. Not only did they wander eyes wide open into a fight, it seems the creatures could induce mutations in each other in close proximity. Which means they had two options: try to seperate the lot from one another, something he immediately discarded as impossible to do in the tight cavern spaces. The other option was...
'Concentrate your attacks.'Kalgren told the others. 'I think our best shot is to pick them off one by one.'
He moved up to besides Vigil and pointed his hand at the creature he now had a clear view up. He spoke a swift incantation and a ball of reddish yellow light soared towards the creature. Maybe it was the adrenaline or an optical illusions by the sudden appearance of magical energy in the dark but Kalgren could swear his attacked shined and was shaped just a bit more like the sun than usual.
OOC: - movement 2 squares diagonally up and left - action Eldritch Blast Attack: 18 Damage: 8 On a hit, the blast pushes the creature (CR 2) up to 10 feet back. I would like to push it back not into the water but near the edge. That would be 1 square then?
The creature screeches as it gets shoved towards the water, quills bristling in response.
The smaller creature (CR1) slithers out from its cover for a moment to shoot quills at Zack.
To Hit: 7 Damage: 4
It then slides up to Oriander to strike at him!
To Hit Oriander: 19 Damage: 2
The other unseen participant makes its move...
Active Stealth check rolled off-screen to facilitate this being one post with little edits (and due to disadvantage imposed on visual checks by dim light, Zack cannot see the creature. And Vigil's passive perception just barely failed the result).
Suddenly, CR1 and 2 twitch and spasm, and their singular talon splits into two! They rub their newfound double talons together, in seeming anticipation.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hearing Kalgren’s advice, Vigil walks forward to get a better line of fire at C2 (3 squares north). He then releases a bolt from his hand crossbow at the creature.
Hearing Kalgren’s advice, Vigil walks forward to get a better line of fire at C2 (3 squares north). He then releases a bolt from his hand crossbow at the creature.
Attack: 14 Damage: 8
The bolt pings off the creature's talon and it glares... well, seemingly, since they don't appear to have eyes.
Zack, you are good to go. Only change on the map is Vigil's position.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Zack moves up to find some cover (3sq north, 1sq east - behind the pillar) and continue to concentrate his efforts on the already injured creature (CR2) with another fire bolt. His hand momentarily wreathes in flame before he leans around the pillar and points at the creature, letting loose his fire bolt.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Oh, something I hadn't made clear: the stalagmites are 1/2 cover, not full cover. so +2 to AC and saving throws if something is trying to hit you or them while they are behind a stalagmite.)
CR2 takes the brunt of the fire bolt and writhes in place before digging its newfound split talons into the ground, ready to strike.
CR3 on the other talon, moves up closer to Zack while staying behind cover and yeeting a quill at Vigil!
To Hit: 6 Damage: 9
Assuming the creature hits: Thorns would explode from the single quill and cause Vigil and Oriander to make a DC 13 Dex save or take 6 piercing damage! Half on a successful.
Oriander: 8
Oriander then grits his teeth before swinging at CR1.
To Hit: 10 Damage: 6
CR2 then rushes Vigil and swings twice with its newfound talons!
To Hit: 4 Damage: 7 To Hit: 16 Damage: 4
Vigil Zack CR3 Oriander CR2 Kalgren <--- Current Initiative Step, though Vigil needs a Dex save. CR1
(sorry for a late post, guys. I've been sick the last couple days. But, right back into the swing!)
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Kalgren saw one of the creatures get a bit too close to the others. He had noticed that his magical blast packed more punch than normal so this was another chance to see what had changed. He repeated the incantation and another ball of reddish yellow light appeared. Like the previous one, it was bigger and shined brighter than usual. Kalgren locked his gaze on the creature and directed the magical force at it.
OOC: - targeting CR2 in between Vigil and Zack: action Eldritch Blast - Attack: 21 Damage: 4 and pushing it the full 10 feet back if it hits.
Edit: Both Zack and Kalgren putting in the minimum effort it seems...
CR1 just swings at Oriander, trying to take down the goliath in a fit of fury!
To Hit: 15 Damage: 5
To Hit: 23 Damage: 6
Unseen Participant suddenly bursts from the shadows, charging straight for Kalgren! As it moves, quills erupt from its back too... indicating that the powers are shared even if they have one to share! This one is colored black, with feathery ruffles around its crest on the head... and a single talon, despite giving the others two! It then stabs at Kalgren two times with its talon!
To Hit: 20 Damage: 13 To Hit: 17 Damage: 8 (I uh... think Kalgren is down)
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Looking around, it seems that the situation is not in their favor. These things won’t seem to go down and Kalgren was just knocked out. The fourth creature was still looming over him.
"Oriander! Get Kalgren! Zack! C’mon, we have to leave!", Vigil shouted.
He charged at the newcomer that assaulted Kalgren. As he was running, he took a bit of blood from his wound and slathered it across his scimitar. He focused for an instant and his eyes grew dark. He begin reciting incantations in voice deeper than usual and reverberating.
"Sanguinis Rictus. Infernae." With that, like oil in a lantern, the blood on the blade ignited.
Bonus action: Crimson Rite damage to Vigil: 4
He then swings the flaming scimitar at the creature looming over Kalgren.
Zack moves his full movement south, "Definitely not what we had hoped for," he says as he moves. Upon reaching his destination, he spins on his heels and throws a fire bolt at the creature over Kalgren (CR4).
CR3 writhes in place and yeets a quill at Vigil before returning to cover.
To Hit: 21 Damage: 4
Oriander moves over, totally in disregard for the smaller creature attacking him!
AoO: 18 Damage: 3
He then picks up Kalgren with a grunt and books it down the river, disregarding his injuries for the time being as he moves.
CR2, however, screeches at the fire. Sure, it may have taken a few fire bolts already, but with seeing a *blade of fire*, it seems all of the creatures are now a tad on edge and trying to steer away from Vigil! It doesn't move any closer, but it also doesn't actively make an attack...
With Kalgren being downed, his turn in the initiative is taken up by a death saving throw.
CR1, meanwhile, turns and starts retreating. It is smaller, it isn't meant to fight seemingly, it only was because it was here.
CR4 on the other talon, SCREEECH as Vigil lights it on fire with his Rite, and the flaming blade makes it leery of him... Its eyeless beak shifts to stare at the blade... as it slowly moves around Vigil. Is this one smart? Or is there something else at play here? No attacks are made.
CR4 Vigil <--- Current Initiative Step, but Kalgren death save. Zack CR3 Oriander CR2 Kalgren CR1
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kalgren was so caught up on what was happening to the others that he failed to notice one of the creatures sneaking up on him. A sudden movement and a dark mass bursted forth from the shadows.
'What the-?' Was all Kalgren could utter before he felt two sharp jabs to his torso. He clutched his stomach and in the faint light of the cavern, he could see a dark, sticky substance covering his fingers.
'Not... good.' He stammered before his knees buckled underneath him and he slumped onto the floor. It was strange: Kalgren knew he was lying on the cold and damp cave floor but he strangely felt a warm glow inside of him. He could feel the warmth leaking out of him right where he had felt the piercing pains in his midsection. Voices erupted all around him, reverberating against the cavern walls and ringing in his ears.
'This was a bad idea.'Kalgren grimaced. He had to keep talking to himself, to keep himself conscious lest he would take a dirt nap so far away from the sun's light.
Vigil notices the effect that the fire on his blade seems to have on the creature. Could this be a weakness? This gave him a lot to consider. However, his vision was getting blurry from his injuries, and they were outnumbered and needed to back away. So Vigil began walking backward, swinging the flaming scimitar in the air to deter the other creatures from coming any closer.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zack looks across to the creature firing quills at Vigil, and considers his options in the moment. He shakes his head and focuses his attention back on Vigil's creature, "Focussed attacks, they said," he reminds himself as his hand is wrapped in flame and he looses a fire bolt at the creature (CR4).
Fire Bolt Attack: 18 Damage: 5
He looks across at Kalgren, "You'll be fine, my friend," he says as he searches the immediate future of his downed companion (using one of my portents to give you a 10 for your next death save so you've definitely got a pass on it.)
The creature slices the fire bolt out of the air with its talon and hisses... But with Vigil waving the flames in its... face? It slowly backs off. All of the creatures flee deeper into the tunnel now, though the Quilled one can be seen silthering through the stalagmites... seemingly acting as a sentinel at the moment... Just on the edge of Vigil's darkvision. It seems they will not be allowed to proceed down that part of the tunnel at this time.
Oriander grunts as he better picks up Kalgren and quickly pats him down in a first aid. (Using DM fiat to let that Portent apply to the Medicine check instead since we're ending initiative here)
"...That... was rough." The goliath says as he keeps walking further down the river... And it becomes clear to everyone that his legs are shaking hard. It seems he's on his last bit at the moment too.
"...Do we go back and resupply, or find ways... around...?" The goliath grunts.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
"You got that right, big guy. But it wasn't a complete waste. For starter, those things being here mean that we're on the right track. And...", he looks down to his still lit blade. "We've discovered something they seem to be afraid of."
The creature's reaction gave Vigil a lot of new idea on how to deal with them. He was, however, also concerned by their ability to rapidly mutate and evolve. He also considered the larger specimen, the one that attacked Kalgren. So many things to consider...But first they needed to tend to their wounds.
"We need to get out of here for now. Let Kalgren come back from dreamland. We'll figure out a plan then."
"Agreed," Zack said as he knelt down and checked on Kalgren, "Not a great outing, but still informative to say the least. And as you say, we're on the right track. It would appear the creatures that ventured into town wished to ingest and carry away their prey. Here however, their tactics differ wildly and would indicate much more protective and defensive in nature. This is definitely their hideout."
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CR2 screeches as Zack hits it.
An Unknown Participant slithers through the stones of the tunnel, and reveals itself! It looks somewhat... plain. Unlike the ones you fought before, it looks more like a snake with a wedge for a head, disregarding its talon... But its back is covered in sharp quills. It moves across the river at a low point and makes its way over to a stalagmite. Its quills rustle, and glow gently as it casts some kind of spell. The other creatures that can be seen spasm for a moment... and while their base body stays the same, quills suddenly sprout from their bodies in a brief spurt of gore.
Oriander is, naturally, very concerned about this. He grits his teeth. "I'll go for the stalagmite hider, try and bring it into the open." He rushes forward towards CR1.
CR2 slithers up behind a stalagmite and takes aim at Oriander, before yeeting quills at the goliath!
CR2 roll: 10 Damage: 8
Oriander grits his teeth as he takes the hit, but shrugs it off for now... the quills shattering against his muscles with his Stone's Endurance!
Unseen Participant
Vigil
Zack
CR3
Oriander
CR2
Kalgren <--- Current Initiative Step
CR1
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Kalgren was not liking this one bit. Not only did they wander eyes wide open into a fight, it seems the creatures could induce mutations in each other in close proximity. Which means they had two options: try to seperate the lot from one another, something he immediately discarded as impossible to do in the tight cavern spaces. The other option was...
'Concentrate your attacks.' Kalgren told the others. 'I think our best shot is to pick them off one by one.'
He moved up to besides Vigil and pointed his hand at the creature he now had a clear view up. He spoke a swift incantation and a ball of reddish yellow light soared towards the creature. Maybe it was the adrenaline or an optical illusions by the sudden appearance of magical energy in the dark but Kalgren could swear his attacked shined and was shaped just a bit more like the sun than usual.
OOC:
- movement 2 squares diagonally up and left
- action Eldritch Blast Attack: 18 Damage: 8
On a hit, the blast pushes the creature (CR 2) up to 10 feet back. I would like to push it back not into the water but near the edge. That would be 1 square then?
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
The creature screeches as it gets shoved towards the water, quills bristling in response.
The smaller creature (CR1) slithers out from its cover for a moment to shoot quills at Zack.
To Hit: 7 Damage: 4
It then slides up to Oriander to strike at him!
To Hit Oriander: 19 Damage: 2
The other unseen participant makes its move...
Active Stealth check rolled off-screen to facilitate this being one post with little edits (and due to disadvantage imposed on visual checks by dim light, Zack cannot see the creature. And Vigil's passive perception just barely failed the result).
Suddenly, CR1 and 2 twitch and spasm, and their singular talon splits into two! They rub their newfound double talons together, in seeming anticipation.
Unseen Participant
Vigil <--- Current Initiative Step
Zack
CR3
Oriander
CR2
Kalgren
CR1
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Hearing Kalgren’s advice, Vigil walks forward to get a better line of fire at C2 (3 squares north). He then releases a bolt from his hand crossbow at the creature.
Attack: 14 Damage: 8
The bolt pings off the creature's talon and it glares... well, seemingly, since they don't appear to have eyes.
Zack, you are good to go. Only change on the map is Vigil's position.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Zack moves up to find some cover (3sq north, 1sq east - behind the pillar) and continue to concentrate his efforts on the already injured creature (CR2) with another fire bolt. His hand momentarily wreathes in flame before he leans around the pillar and points at the creature, letting loose his fire bolt.
Fire Bolt Attack: 25 Damage: 4
(Oh, something I hadn't made clear: the stalagmites are 1/2 cover, not full cover. so +2 to AC and saving throws if something is trying to hit you or them while they are behind a stalagmite.)
CR2 takes the brunt of the fire bolt and writhes in place before digging its newfound split talons into the ground, ready to strike.
CR3 on the other talon, moves up closer to Zack while staying behind cover and yeeting a quill at Vigil!
To Hit: 6 Damage: 9
Assuming the creature hits: Thorns would explode from the single quill and cause Vigil and Oriander to make a DC 13 Dex save or take 6 piercing damage! Half on a successful.
Oriander: 8
Oriander then grits his teeth before swinging at CR1.
To Hit: 10 Damage: 6
CR2 then rushes Vigil and swings twice with its newfound talons!
To Hit: 4 Damage: 7
To Hit: 16 Damage: 4
Vigil
Zack
CR3
Oriander
CR2
Kalgren <--- Current Initiative Step, though Vigil needs a Dex save.
CR1
(sorry for a late post, guys. I've been sick the last couple days. But, right back into the swing!)
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Vigil Dex Save: 19
(so is half 2 or 3?)
Kalgren saw one of the creatures get a bit too close to the others. He had noticed that his magical blast packed more punch than normal so this was another chance to see what had changed. He repeated the incantation and another ball of reddish yellow light appeared. Like the previous one, it was bigger and shined brighter than usual. Kalgren locked his gaze on the creature and directed the magical force at it.
OOC:
- targeting CR2 in between Vigil and Zack: action Eldritch Blast - Attack: 21 Damage: 4 and pushing it the full 10 feet back if it hits.
Edit: Both Zack and Kalgren putting in the minimum effort it seems...
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
(OOC - haha yeah, those damage rolls just make you sad... big swing, for such a little ding :( Oh well haha)
(2, always round down unless otherwise told!)
CR1 just swings at Oriander, trying to take down the goliath in a fit of fury!
To Hit: 15 Damage: 5
To Hit: 23 Damage: 6
Unseen Participant suddenly bursts from the shadows, charging straight for Kalgren! As it moves, quills erupt from its back too... indicating that the powers are shared even if they have one to share! This one is colored black, with feathery ruffles around its crest on the head... and a single talon, despite giving the others two! It then stabs at Kalgren two times with its talon!
To Hit: 20 Damage: 13
To Hit: 17 Damage: 8 (I uh... think Kalgren is down)
CR4
Vigil <--- Current Initiative Step
Zack
CR3
Oriander
CR2
Kalgren
CR1
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Looking around, it seems that the situation is not in their favor. These things won’t seem to go down and Kalgren was just knocked out. The fourth creature was still looming over him.
"Oriander! Get Kalgren! Zack! C’mon, we have to leave!", Vigil shouted.
He charged at the newcomer that assaulted Kalgren. As he was running, he took a bit of blood from his wound and slathered it across his scimitar. He focused for an instant and his eyes grew dark. He begin reciting incantations in voice deeper than usual and reverberating.
"Sanguinis Rictus. Infernae." With that, like oil in a lantern, the blood on the blade ignited.
Bonus action: Crimson Rite damage to Vigil: 4
He then swings the flaming scimitar at the creature looming over Kalgren.
Attack: 8 Damage: 5
plus 3 fire damage from Rite of the Flame.
Zack moves his full movement south, "Definitely not what we had hoped for," he says as he moves. Upon reaching his destination, he spins on his heels and throws a fire bolt at the creature over Kalgren (CR4).
Fire Bolt Attack: 14 Damage: 2
CR3 writhes in place and yeets a quill at Vigil before returning to cover.
To Hit: 21 Damage: 4
Oriander moves over, totally in disregard for the smaller creature attacking him!
AoO: 18 Damage: 3
He then picks up Kalgren with a grunt and books it down the river, disregarding his injuries for the time being as he moves.
CR2, however, screeches at the fire. Sure, it may have taken a few fire bolts already, but with seeing a *blade of fire*, it seems all of the creatures are now a tad on edge and trying to steer away from Vigil! It doesn't move any closer, but it also doesn't actively make an attack...
With Kalgren being downed, his turn in the initiative is taken up by a death saving throw.
CR1, meanwhile, turns and starts retreating. It is smaller, it isn't meant to fight seemingly, it only was because it was here.
CR4 on the other talon, SCREEECH as Vigil lights it on fire with his Rite, and the flaming blade makes it leery of him... Its eyeless beak shifts to stare at the blade... as it slowly moves around Vigil. Is this one smart? Or is there something else at play here? No attacks are made.
CR4
Vigil <--- Current Initiative Step, but Kalgren death save.
Zack
CR3
Oriander
CR2
Kalgren
CR1
(whoops, CR4 should be in D12, but screenshots)
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Kalgren was so caught up on what was happening to the others that he failed to notice one of the creatures sneaking up on him. A sudden movement and a dark mass bursted forth from the shadows.
'What the-?' Was all Kalgren could utter before he felt two sharp jabs to his torso. He clutched his stomach and in the faint light of the cavern, he could see a dark, sticky substance covering his fingers.
'Not... good.' He stammered before his knees buckled underneath him and he slumped onto the floor. It was strange: Kalgren knew he was lying on the cold and damp cave floor but he strangely felt a warm glow inside of him. He could feel the warmth leaking out of him right where he had felt the piercing pains in his midsection. Voices erupted all around him, reverberating against the cavern walls and ringing in his ears.
'This was a bad idea.' Kalgren grimaced. He had to keep talking to himself, to keep himself conscious lest he would take a dirt nap so far away from the sun's light.
Death saving throw: 7
How nice of the creatures to not attack me :)
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Vigil notices the effect that the fire on his blade seems to have on the creature. Could this be a weakness? This gave him a lot to consider. However, his vision was getting blurry from his injuries, and they were outnumbered and needed to back away. So Vigil began walking backward, swinging the flaming scimitar in the air to deter the other creatures from coming any closer.
Action: disengage
Movement: 5 square south (should end on D18 based on latest map)
Zack looks across to the creature firing quills at Vigil, and considers his options in the moment. He shakes his head and focuses his attention back on Vigil's creature, "Focussed attacks, they said," he reminds himself as his hand is wrapped in flame and he looses a fire bolt at the creature (CR4).
Fire Bolt Attack: 18 Damage: 5
He looks across at Kalgren, "You'll be fine, my friend," he says as he searches the immediate future of his downed companion (using one of my portents to give you a 10 for your next death save so you've definitely got a pass on it.)
The creature slices the fire bolt out of the air with its talon and hisses... But with Vigil waving the flames in its... face? It slowly backs off. All of the creatures flee deeper into the tunnel now, though the Quilled one can be seen silthering through the stalagmites... seemingly acting as a sentinel at the moment... Just on the edge of Vigil's darkvision. It seems they will not be allowed to proceed down that part of the tunnel at this time.
Oriander grunts as he better picks up Kalgren and quickly pats him down in a first aid.
(Using DM fiat to let that Portent apply to the Medicine check instead since we're ending initiative here)
"...That... was rough." The goliath says as he keeps walking further down the river... And it becomes clear to everyone that his legs are shaking hard. It seems he's on his last bit at the moment too.
"...Do we go back and resupply, or find ways... around...?" The goliath grunts.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
"You got that right, big guy. But it wasn't a complete waste. For starter, those things being here mean that we're on the right track. And...", he looks down to his still lit blade. "We've discovered something they seem to be afraid of."
The creature's reaction gave Vigil a lot of new idea on how to deal with them. He was, however, also concerned by their ability to rapidly mutate and evolve. He also considered the larger specimen, the one that attacked Kalgren. So many things to consider...But first they needed to tend to their wounds.
"We need to get out of here for now. Let Kalgren come back from dreamland. We'll figure out a plan then."
"Agreed," Zack said as he knelt down and checked on Kalgren, "Not a great outing, but still informative to say the least. And as you say, we're on the right track. It would appear the creatures that ventured into town wished to ingest and carry away their prey. Here however, their tactics differ wildly and would indicate much more protective and defensive in nature. This is definitely their hideout."