TWO HUNDRED NINETEEN
(I/C)
Kovid rolled up his map and shrugged, “Well I've got mapping to do either way we go. Seems like UP is the general consensus... but let's not forget to return to the locust area at some point. I'm sure there is something to reward our exploration. Dwarves like me never leave a tunnel left unknown!"
“Muy as well, Senor Koptor,” Abraxas sighed, moving to the front with Wyn behind Brendon.
The echoing from the northwest of the insects down there drew the Magic User’s gaze. "Well, let's climb that golden shiny wire of hope, we can check on the bugs later... unfortunately."
Brendon checked his arrow and made his way to the base of the steps, already scanning for tripwires or the like. “If we’re lucky the Owlbear will get eaten by the locusts.”
Lyra snorted, “For some reason I can’t picture bugs taking down an owlbear.” She gave her flail and experimental swing and then settled in to climb. “If it’s upstairs we go,” she whispered to the Scout, “do keep a good eye for traps. I’m sure they’re anticipating we’re going to make our way up eventually.”
“Always do,” Brendon replied.
“He’s a scout, that’s what he does,” Lannis chuckled. “Scouts for traps, scouts for opportunities to stab a friend, scouts for the chance to betray a person’s trust.”
“Hey, Big Brain. Zip it, ok?” Kovid gave Lannis a little shove from behind, making the wizard hiss and hold his arm exaggeratedly.
“Ow! That was a Red Book violation if I ever saw one.” He looked around and frowned. “This party needs a safety coordinator to make sure you don’t do things like that again as well as someone I can ask important questions to all day.”
“Sounds like a terrible job,” Brendon snorted, eyes peeled as he walked up with care. “Being around you would make someone want to give you an accident.”
“Hey,” Lyra interrupted. “More trap lookie, less Lannis bullshit, ok?”
“Neigh,” the wizard mumbled and then looked intently at the ground. “Damn, my ankles are really bony.”
“Do we ‘ave to get an update ever’ time you notice sumthin’ bout your body?” Wyn asked rhetorically.
“Ignore him, Senor,” Abraxas reassured the elf. “He’s doing it por attencion.”
“Sigh,” Wyn rubbed his forehead. “We just don’t want sometin to go wrong dis close to de stairs en cause dem 2nd floor folks to tink dey need to come down here. One wrong move with a swarm ov locusts, or even just a dozen, or Lannis gettin’ whacked in de head by an irate party member, might tell dem right we’re we be.”
“Have we ever tried gagging him?” Kovid wondered.
“Hello,” Lannis waved his hands. “I’m right here. I can hear you.”
“So happy for you.”
At the landing Brendon peered around the corner, seeing the passage was a few paces long and then went up another 20’ ending in the gloom at a door above. The scent of Troglodyte was a bit stronger up here but not at all nauseating yet (>Find Trap, Red 52). After making sure the place was clear, he turned the corner and the group continued heading up towards the door above.
Brendon (Red 5), then Wyn (Orange 6) and Abraxas (Blue 6) followed, with Lyra right after walking across the landing (White 1 – Ah damnit – hold the narrative!)…
And a heavy steel guillotine looking blade on weighted and spring loaded guides SLAMMED down from the ceiling and smashed into the cleric (1d10 Damage: Red/Black 6 – Take 6 Damage) dropping her to the ground with a spray of blood and a dozen splintered chainmail rings flying everywhere (fall prone). It then rocketed back UP into the ceiling as the spring guides flicked to another track and withdrew instantly.
“Aine Shit Damn it, Brendon!” Lyra cursed, checking her limbs to make sure none of them had been severed, blood leaking through her fingertips. “What did I say? Huh? What did I say?! Traps! Look for traps! And what happened? I got hit with a trap!”
“I know!” Lannis looked shocked, his foot one step away from the landing. “That could have been so much worse. It could have hit me!”
(<Hear Noise from trap going off: 1-3 yes, 4-6 no: Red/Black 1 – hears it – thanks Kelly!)
While the group was looking around and Brendon was trying to figure out HOW the trap went off as well as where there might be an override, when the door at the top of the stairs opened…and two Troglodytes were up there, eyes moving independent of each other, flicking about and staring at the group. They were clad in mouldy looking leathers and had no weapons save their 2” talons and double row of shark’s looking teeth in their finned and scaled head. “Argggsssshpktawwwi,” one of them growled in his language and the other nodded, drool spilling from his peeled back lips.
“And there it is,” Lyra moaned from the floor, getting her dizziness under control. “The other boot.”
(Initiative: Tie 5 vs 5. Reroll: Party Steel 1, Trogs Red/Black 3)
The lead one raced down the stairs and drew no weapon, but launched itself at the Scout (<+3 Claw, Green 3…<+3 Claw, Green 11 (missed by 1 thanks to ring – thanks Lolth!)…>+3 Bite, Yellow 19). He ducked and weaved, slinging his bow around to keep it safe and hastily drew his short sword, getting some scratches for his efforts but he was one step ahead, the ring on his finger growing warm as the Trog tried to hit him. But it was a stray bite on his forearm (1d4 Damage: Blue 4 – Take 4 damage!) that had him snarl and stomp his foot in pain as the reptilian tore a deep puncturing gash in his flesh. “Poseidon’s Balls! That hurts!”
The second Trog was right behind and hit the stairs at a loping run skittering to the bottom to hit Wyn next, also with claw and teeth instead of traditional weapons. Wyn gave up the lantern with a clang as it fell (“Hey!” Kovid barked, “Be careful with that!!”) and tried to defend himself from the murderous foul smelling humanoid (<+3 Claw, White 1…<+3 Claw, White 7…>+3 Bite, Black 16). He too managed to keep most of the blows superficial but a wicked chomp on his shoulder (1d4 Damage: Red/Black 3 – Take 3 Damage!) made him curse before he could drive the Trog back far enough to escape a second or third bite.
(Save vs Poison: >Pink 17, <White 3, <Orange 9, >Blue 18, >Red 15, >Yellow 12. Lyra and Wyn are nauseous and have -2 on all their rolls for the next 10 minutes – everyone else saved)
Time now is Day 6, 2:16 PM
(OOC)
Lyra is prone and can get up this round but anything you do is at -4, FYI. The trap after going off also reset, so Lyra, Lannis, and Kovid – if you MOVE (in the Cleric’s case) or go on the landing (the other 2) the trap might go off again – just letting you know. Right now there is zero chance of finding a way to ‘turn it off’ so save your energy in that department. Bottom of the round – you guys go.
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