D&D 5E The Kalarian Precipice - Chapter Four

[97mg]

Four Sides

"Infernal..." The expression on Annit's face darkens at this revelation, though she is humbled by Carthum's courage as the priest advances off down the passageway. The rogue moves forward a little, tentatively, an arrow nocked and ready.

With the light of his shield overcoming darkness ahead, Carthum's magic detection spell places an aura in the space's north-east. There is illusion and abjuration at work, and plenty of it, three shapes?

Ignore all else, focus only on the stone you touch, Metea's patron reassuringly offers. This ensnarement is as much about the mind, as it is of physical entrapment by magic? There is a way to break this bond the warlock begins to realize, as Otiroth comes to the Tiefling's side.

Further away, with the dwarf safely tucked against a wall, Jeovanna's steps are quiet and determined as she sneaks along the southern walls. An excellent tactical decision! If only the ranger wasn't so out of sorts right now, his foot managing to crunch against a loose lump of crispy fist-sized coal. Would anyone or anything have heard? Behind the sounds of the priest calling out and the flinging of infernal tongue around, it is unlikely. For now you are safe, but the intersection with the eastern passage is close in your sights.

"I disagree, bearer of light! Everything here is for me!" The fiendish voice spits back at Carthum. "You must deliver! What payment do you bring?"

Appearing as though from out of thin air, a short and devilish form takes shape. Deep red skin and scales, firey orange eyes, and of course a set of foot-long horns and a serpentine tail. It is good that these physical traits aren't completely new to anyone here, otherwise it would all seem much more frightening. Well, its not a full-blown devil or demon, you are pleased to know. Its similarity with certain members of the group might be discomforting though...

Less pleasing are its friends. In each hand the imp-like beast holds a leather strap, like some kind of hellish take on an animal-training leash. These accomplices are neither canine or feline however. On the right an unnaturally large spider rears up threateningly on hairy black legs. To the left, a rat the size of hound drools and growls.

"Stop there Orcman! Tell your sniveling mortal friends to place all of value at their feet, ahahahaha!"

"NOW!"

<We move to initiative if anyone attacks. Metea may make a Wisdom check at DC 18 each round, once successful her hand is released from the trap.
PS: With a dash, Jeovanna and Dain can reach the fiend if they wish.>

 

[Metea]

Metea: four sides

Yes, I'll... any moment now...

Metea tries to clear her mind of the distractions nearby. She is just down in the catacombs, trying to gently tug her hand free of the ward. It's a nasty construction, though, and what happens next kind of throws her.

<Wisdom check= 11>

In truth, maybe she hadn't been expecting... well, she wasn't sure what. But she didn't look frightened, exactly, just shocked. Hopefully? Maybe for a brief second. "Are you..." she began.

No. Focus up! He was mugging them...

 

[Carthum One-Tusk]

Carthum One-Tusk: Four sides

It is not going as expected, that is certain, and Carthum can only hope that Dain and Jeovanna had heard the ruckus and were acting in their own way. It is enough that Otiroth and Annit have his back for now- but Metea's voice, it wavered.

Was this another tiefling? It seemed a strange place to find one. But not all could be as lucky as he and Metea in their youth. If anything, it just made Carthum angrier, though perhaps part of it was pity and regret as much as orcish fury. He did not know what path would lead one to live in such a place. He was not so vain as to assume they were so different. But he could not allow pity to endanger his comrades!

"Is it the bounty of my god or the bounty of my mace that you desire!" The half-orc bellowed, drawing himself now to his full height, fully squaring off with the red-skinned tiefling and his creatures. "For both shall lay your valuable head at MY FEET, and let that be your prize if you step closer!"

If the tiefling called his bluff? Then let the radiance of Suru's light shine once more!

<Intimidation check- 20+3 =23 >

 

[Otiroth]

Otiroth: Four sides

Hm! Now, this was interesting. Unfortunate timing, but interesting.

If this creature was anything like Metea, well, his fire magic was indeed worth little in this fight. Carthum was roaring in true orc fashion, and while Otiroth could not understand the words, the sentiment was enough to rattle the rafters.

Were there any. Just stone.

"Be careful, friend. There's no reasoning with him when he's like this," the sorcerer tried to look conciliatory, like the tiefling beastmaster was in more trouble than he realized.

He laid a hand on Metea's shoulder. It'd be alright. They were all here. No rush.

 

[Jeovanna]

Jeovanna: Four sides

The shouting was getting louder! Was that Carthum?

Impressive!

Jeovanna dashed ahead; they were close enough, now, that there was no reason to sneak any longer. But she would not attack. Not yet. Let this horny devil know that she could've! Oh, she certainly could've.

And... really? Rats *and* spiders? At least they were bigger ones! She could pretend it was just... dogs or something. This was not Jeovanna's day, and that irritated her. No, it made her angry!

She'd leave worrying about the other path to Dain!

<Perception check=4>

 

[daindarkspring]

Dain - Four Sides

Dain was hard on Jeovanna's heels, even if he was not as silent. But let the demon-gurgler know they were coming! Let it not be said that they were assassins who put knives in the backs of their enemies as they slept!

Sliding up alongside Jeovanna, sword poised and torch aloft, Dain looked at the tiefling and his animal-servants with eyes that quickly grew enraged. Animal slaves? Vile mastery!

It took some work for Dain to not attack outright. As it was, he ground his teeth in anger. But he understood that this was outside his experience. Perhaps the mystics could be relied on here to propose the path that would best suit them, whether it was parlay or melee. Even so, he kept a close eye on the tiefling, ready for some trick or deception!

<Insight check = 20>

 

[97mg]

Four Sides

The Imp recoils, a look of surprise and deep concern creeping into his devilish face. Lips are pressed tight and his eyes begin to jitter about nervously.

I underestimate them, these aren't as foolish as they look, and now more come!

Yes, his rat has turned to growl at two more figures approaching, Jeovanna and Dain!

The fiend isn't likely to feel fear, but Carthum's display has thrown a heavy spear into the local’s confidence. Remaining here and being caught on both sides isn't going to lead to any favors or promotions, that's for sure. The mace is wielded with skill, and combined with the glowing light of what could only be a wondrous magical shield, the Imp chooses not to chew what he's bitten off.

“Yja! Get them!” The fiend commands of his pets. Let them do the biting and chewing! Then he raises his hands, but not in surrender...

<Imp insight = 4 (natural roll of 1 owch)
Everyone roll initiative please.
Imp initiative = 4 (another natural roll of 1 )
The pets are unleashed and look sure to attack! Eventually
Imp's initiative was rolled at a disadvantage because of Carthum's natural 20 for intimidation. >

 

[97mg]

Four Sides

Round 1 - Initiative:

Metea = 21 ~Ensnared hand: make a DC 18 Wis check at start of each round to (free action) break bond~
Annit = 18
Carthum = 16
Jeovanna = 15
Dain = 11
Otiroth = 7
Imp / Giant Spider / Giant Rat = 4

---

The fiend's pets are no longer bound by their owner's grip upon the leashes. The rat gnashes its teeth and the spider wiggles its fangs! Thanks to your priest's display of bravery and resolve, the explorers have an opportunity to strike first!

<Two characters can fit side by side in these passages, so potentially two from Carthum's direction and two from Jeovanna's. If you attack from both angles (west & south passages) you can have Advantage. As the Imp is guarded by his beasts you will either need to attack the pets first, or make a called shot to hit the Imp, in which case your Advantage is void. Firing range weapons or spells through your colleagues into melee is at a disadvantage.>

 

[Metea]

Metea: four sides

"No," Metea whispers, "get *you*..."

Okay, it wasn't a great comeback, but in Metea's defense... she had recently and deliberately stuck her hand on a wall. It was probably lucky she was able to quip at all...

She'd try and press herself further against the wall, as if that would somehow make herself a more difficult target? Perhaps not. But her hand seemed quite stuck, and Metea's concentration was... well, it wasn't very effective at all!

Still, she'd spit a curse at the imp, and at first, only at the imp, before unleashing a bolt of crackling eldritch energy in his direction.

<Spellcasting bonus action: Hex, 1st level warlock spell. Cursed ability check: constitution>
<Spellcasting eldritch blast: 18 to hit (disadvantage 25), 15 damage>

 

[97mg]

Four Sides

The Imp is surely a paler grade of red now, losing a lot of his flamey complexion. Metea's single-handed curse penetrates the depth of a devilish subconscious, and sends a sensation of weakness right through the scoundrel's infernal bones.

"Smy tarrfezw zmy tarrfezar!" He screams. A true statement. She has corrupted the corrupter! But that is not all. Her crackling blast of skin-shredding electricity hits the impish fool square in the chest. "Arrhhghghg!" Almost comical, the way he hugs himself after that, twitching in pain.

Annit is impressed, even though she can only catch glimpses from a distance. "Remind me not to make the Tiefling or the Half-Orc angry," she whispers to herself. So what to do? It didn't look like there were many rogue-friendly options right now. Metea, Otiroth and Carthum were blocking a solid shot to the end of the passage. Dain and Jeovanna had gone the other way...

She turned to look at the dwarf, alone and slumped near the western exit, and frowned at the sad and sorry sight. The young thief chose to move next to him, keep her eyes and arrow pointed down the crack that Jeovanna and Dain had explored. Guard duty. Eyes peeled. Ears honed. Waiting just in case...