Eagleheart

Talus DeVale HP: 34/30 AC: 19 Perception +8 Fort +7Pie Ref +7 Will +10 Seeing the wounded man, Talus thinks Do we have time to help him? and immediately feels as if something is clutching at his chest. No, don't think that way. We came out here to help people. Let's do it. Slowly stepping forward, he says "Take it easy, we're not the enemy. It's a magic disguise. Otherwise, why would I be with him?" "Please," he adds, "let me look at your wound and patch you up. Let's all get out of here in one piece."

The charau-ka slashes at Vharag with their sickle, leaving a nasty cut on one of his arms before they are taken down by the combined attacks of Vharag and Matilde. Syhlas moves to the other charau-ka and tries to stab them. They dodge out of the way, but Renali runs over and catches them with her fangs, taking them down as well. "Ohhh this is not good," the ugly creature yelps. "I'd better go tell the boss." He flies away, and unfortunately, he is considerably faster than any of you. Round 2 cont'd. CK4 Reactive Strike vs Vharag Syhlas Stride - provokes CK1 Reactive Strike Feint vs CK1 Rapier Strike vs CK1 Round 3 Ugly Fly away (50ft fly speed) Renali Stride Bite x2 vs CK1 Party turn. You have 1 round to prepare for the boss' arrival.

Flick HP: 30/30 AC: 17 Perception +7 Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 "I'd be glad to keep traveling with you guys," Flick agrees.

Disaster

Vharag's spell kills one charau-ka while another lashes out at Matilde, striking her with their whip. Syhlas stabs them in return, badly wounding them but not quite killing them. Renali sighs with exasperation and transforms, becoming , which Arionne and possibly Baldric understand to be her true form. With superhuman grace she scuttles over and bites the badly-wounded charau-ka, finishing them off. The remaining charau-ka attack her and Syhlas, significantly wounding both. While that is happening, the ugly creature reappears beside Baldric and sinks its disgusting mandibles into him, then flies up to avoid direct retaliation. Round 1 cont'd. CK2 Reactive Strike vs Matilde Syhlas Stride Rapier Strike vs CK2 Shortsword Strike vs CK2 Round 2 Ugly Fly to Baldric Bite vs Baldric - if hit, you must roll a Fortitude save Fly up 25ft Renali Change Shape Stride Bite vs CK2 CK1 - dazzled Stride Throw Debris x2 vs Renali CK4 Shrieking Frenzy Throw Debris vs Syhlas Stride Sickle Strike x2 vs Syhlas Party turn. Renali is at 28/60, Syhlas is at 29/41. Map

"I'm sure it can be fixed... just not by me," she grumbles. "...Let's just keep moving, shall we?" The next area is a larger cavern which is 'decorated' with old bones and a few pieces of broken furniture. In here you find more charau-ka, along with that looks like an unholy mix of man and insect. Upon seeing you, they immediately attack. The man-bug cloaks himself with an invisibility spell while the charau-ka move in to strike. But Renali quickly casts a spell to stymie them, blinding them with an array of flashing colors. She takes a few hits for her trouble - these charau-ka seem quick to react, perhaps thanks to the man-bug's guidancein other words, the charau-ka have Reactive Strike until their 'leader' is defeated - but as the charau-ka blindly stumble and flail, it's clear that her spell still had an effect. Round 1 (the above Perception rolls are also your initiative rolls for this fight) Lil' Ugly cast on self Renali Stride vs CK1-3 - provokes CK1 Reactive Strike CK1 - stunned 1, blinded 1 round, dazzled 1 minute Shrieking Frenzy - quickened until end of turn Seek Trip vs Renali Sickle Strike vs Renali CK2 and CK3 - stunned 1, blinded 1 round, dazzled 1 minute Seek Stride CK4 Throw Debris vs Renali Stride Whip Strike vs Renali Party turn. Map

"No," she admits. "I don't know how to fix it, either." Matilde and Vharag point out the the 'tent', and Renali says "That's where we were hiding out." If asked why it's made of spider webs, she just says "Had to work with what was available," as if that explains everything. Arionne suddenly remembers having read about the . They are a reclusive Mwangi people who magically disguise themselves as human because they learned long ago that most humanoids are not fond of giant spiders. They are also known for their ability to create almost anything out of spider-silk. Renali must be one, that must be what she's been so guarded about.

is still here? personally, I don't see the point of continuing if they're not

Talus DeVale HP: 34/30 AC: 19 Perception +8 Fort +7Pie Ref +7 Will +10 "Alright Talus, you can do this. Just like the Barrel Run," he says to himself. He casts a little spell to psych himself up, then conquers the stack of crates with a combination of climbing, jumping, and sheer youthful agility.

Jin & Whiskey HP: 10/10 | 10/10 Stamina: 9/9 Resolve: 4/4 EAC/KAC: 14/15 | 14/14 Jin SavesFort +5 Ref +5 Will +2 | Whiskey SavesFort +0 Ref +5 Will -1 Jin glares at the recording of Tarika. She knows he hasn't heard from Shan. Why would she ask? But, as usual, he forces that out of his mind and plunges himself into the task at hand. He tells the others what he has learned about Akiton, but it's not much, and some of it is from dubious sources. Cultural studies never were his strong suit. He hopes someone else will bail him out here.

I figure the population of Flick's tribe is probably around 100... not tiny, but smaller than a lot of human communities, yeah. Judging by , they probably live somewhere in the east or northeast (i.e., in the mountains)

"The portal needs a key. I think the cult leader has it," says Renali. "But, the portal also needs to be physically intact... so I did a bit of property damage." She smiles wryly. "I don't think they have the know-how to fix it. But, if your 'Voz' is helping them... we might need to hurry." "The Ring is this way," she says, leading you to the east. She guides you through a small area with a thick sheet of spiderwebs hanging from the northern wall. If you look closely (Perception DC 18) you notice these are actually the walls of a cleverly disguised tent-like structure.

Talus DeVale HP: 34/30 AC: 19 Perception +8 Fort +7Pie Ref +7 Will +10 Talus has been on edge, constantly wondering when more of the Ironfang would arrive... and now, here they come. The marching steps, the beating drums... unlike the scouts and recruits they've been fighting so far, this is not an enemy they can defeat. All they can do now is evacuate as many people as possible - including, hopefully, themselves. The dog he summoned is still barking up a storm, rousing people and leading them to the bridge. And despite his internal panic, Talus has also been busy. He has been gathering items from the uniforms of fallen hobgoblins, wearing some and giving others to Rezzik to make themselves look more like the enemy. After all, the best way to escape them is to avoid their notice entirely.

Cat

It took me long enough, but Liam is finally ready for review.