[KAUAI]The Rod of Seven Parts: Of Hexes and Gems

Brakkus replies, "I'm ok with not bothering them if they don't bother us. No need to start a fight if we don't have to, though if they welcome us with open arms, I'm not giving any hugs."
Brakkus will try to maintain a position in the group where most of the slugs have to pass under his guisarme to get at any of his allies.

"If we don't find it, we'll need you to use the Rod to search for it again." Voadam says to the albino in answer then heads in, holding the torch and illuminating the way.

Forgetting his spat with the goblin, Gamad searches through his memory for anything identifying tidbits that might prove helpful in an encounter with giant slugs. Unlike the owlbear, which was a creature obviously altered and manipulated by the arcane, the slugs as described by the goblin sound more a natural phenomenon...a species found underground, or in dark, wet places. Despite his early years as a member of a dwarven community, the slugs are certainly nothing Gamad's ever heard of or encountered.

Intelligence +4 --Gamad's ability check.

Giving up on getting anything coherent out of the Green Wizard, Maelicent creeps back into the cave and discretely takes up a post behind one of the stalagmite formations. Out of sight of most of the slugs but still in view of anyone entering from the west, the goblin watches and waits for the others.

Brakkus is next to enter. As of yet, neither Voadam, Chev, nor Gamad have appeared.

Click on the thumbnail image for an enlargement and please provide a grid square for your PCs if you haven't already.

Brakkus trails in after Maelicent, then next in are Voadam, Gamad, and Chev. While Voadam heads north to check out the tool rack indicated by Maelicent, Brakkus stops short and interposes himself between the nearest two slugs and Gamad. A moment later, Chev silently steps forward to the vanguard to form a stouter block between the giant slugs and the rest of the group.

The creature is just as the goblin described; a huge grey body is covered in thick slime and two humanoid arms roped with meaty muscle grasp a rake that could easily serve as a polearm with 10-foot reach. The slugs both have milky white eyes and sensory stalks at the top of their heads. The first of the the slugs lurches forward as if intending to engage Brakkus and Chev but though the creature is obviously strong, it is also slow-moving. The slug slithers forward only five feet. Its rake is leveled at the ground. The second slug remains motionless and continues to scritch in the dung where it has been working.

Looking south, Maelicent notes the fourth slug maneuvering away from him as it slowly heads toward the pool.

Initiative:
Voadam 21
Brakkus 20
Maelicent 12
Gamad 7
Slugs 2

With his battleaxe gripped strongly in his right hand and his shield in his left, Chev waits and readies himself if any of the the slugs attack.

Gamad

Standing behind (G12), Gamad gaze interestingly at the slow slimy slug.
If they offend, attack them with fire, who knows what the slimy layer could do to your metal weapons.

"Gamad we need to know where to look, use the rod." Voadam steps between the slug and the weapons and addresses it "Greetings, do you speak the tongue of men?"

Not having any fire handy, Brakkus resolves that he'll just have to use his guisarme if it comes to that. He readies himself to attack the slugs if it tries to attack him or his companions.

OOC: Readied attack. Attack bonus: +6, Damage: 2d4+4, unless the bull's strength spell is still in effect then Attack bonus: +8, Damage: 2d4+7

Voadam readies standard action total defense (+4 dodge bonus to AC) for if the slug thing attacks.

Move action look around for the rod. Search +7

While his allies engage the seemingly oblivious giant slug-creatures in conversation, the Gudwulf warrior takes advantage of the opportunity to stealthily dart forward towards the great iron door. Ignoring the crushed creature lying in the carefully tended excrement, Maelicent backs into a dark recess along the cave wall next to the portal (Move action to H-20, Hide & Move Silently +13, taking 10). Hiding in the shadows once more, the goblin raises his nocked arrow while peering into the finished stone room beyond (Spot & Listen +8, readying an action to shoot anyone threatening).