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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jon Potter" data-source="post: 1664697" data-attributes="member: 2323">[PLAIN][Realms #276] The Second Test, part V[/PLAIN]Feln ignored the dwarf's words and trotted cautiously into the cave. The entrance opened onto a ledge running along one wall of a natural cavern about five feet off the ground. Two floor-to-ceiling pillars of stone supported the vaulted ceiling. Another ledge on the opposite wall sported an arched tunnel entrance leading deeper into the earth. That entrance had been fortified with jagged bits of stone and wicked-looking stakes mounted on the wall below the entrance. A pool of stagnant water stood in the corner to the half-orc's right and another tunnel went off into darkness at that point. To Feln's left, the ledge gradually dropped down to the level of the cavern floor as it curved along the wall, forming a ramp of sorts up to the main entrance. There were six giant rats scurrying along toward the ramp.Feln motioned to the others that they were about to have further company and then dropped quietly off the ledge landing lightly on the cavern floor. He pressed himself against the nearest column of stone and peered around it. Three of the rats had broken off from the others and were heading straight for him.Karak had already dropped onto his backside in order to strip off Vade's Slippers of Spider Climbing by the time that Feln gave his warning gestures so he could do little other than struggle with the footwear more quickly. Morier, however dropped down from the ledge with a clatter of mail and took up a position beside the half-orc, his greatsword readied to strike.Ixin started forward but was drawn up short as Vade wrapped himself around her right leg. He planted half-a-dozen kisses of gratitude on her thigh before she could pry him off. "Thank you for saving me, Ixin!" he said without any guile. "Without your help, I might never get to see my family again!""If you don't let me get in there you still might not!" the mage replied. The halfling relented and thrust a healing potion into Ixin's hand."For you arm," Vade said, indicating the bear scratches. "You got those helping me, so it's only fair." Ixin nodded and downed the elixir.Ledare, meanwhile had sheathed her hand crossbow and drawn her silver-iron longsword. She advanced through the cave entrance and moved along the ledge until she reached a point where she could see the three yard-long rats coming at her. She grimaced. "I've just about had all the filthy stinking rat crap I can handle!" she cursed as her sword dealt a swift death to the nearest vermin.The trio of rats threatening Morier and Feln came finally within weapon's reach and Feln swung one of his clubs at the first. It split open like an overripe piece of fruit beneath the blow. "That's one more for me, dwarf!" the half-orc growled.Morier's sword licked out like a lightning bolt and the second, but drew only sparks from the cave floor.A thunderous clank like someone dropping an anvil signalled the arrival of Karak on the cavern floor, but the dwarf was only just maneuvering himself into position when the two remaining rats began to convulse. They each made phlegmy hacking sounds as if they were sucking air through a lungful of putrid custard. Then they both vomited steaming projectiles of mucous, bile and who-knew-what at Feln and Karak. Feln ducked to avoid the putrid wad directed his way, but Karak was struck full in the face by his and it stopped him dead in his tracks since it not only burned his eyes, but clogged his nose as well.Ixin could made her way into the cave, but could see no obvious place to ply her magic since the situation seemed well in hand. She assumed a defensive posture against the column of rock and waited for her skills to be needed.Ledare meanwhile stabbed twice with her longsword, dropping another of the mangy rats that faced her. But then the last made that horrible retching noise and coughed up a stinking missile. She was able to avoid the worst of it, however and the  sticky mass which had the unfortunate consistency and odor of rotten cottage cheese splattered across her breastplate and dropped down her chest. The stench was ungodly.Before the rat could celebrate its victory, however, it lurched backward with a sling bullet lodged deep within its left eye socket. It twitched once and fell dead. "That's one for me!" Vade cheered as he waved his sling in victory. "Can I play now?"Morier didn't answer as he dealt with the last of the rats, but Feln chuckled at his little friend's enthusiasm. Karak, who was blindly scooping vomit out of this eyes just grumbled.</blockquote>

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