Dwarf Fortress: Deep Dig

Log Info

• Title: Dwarf Fortress: Deep Dig

• DM: Subduction

• Characters: Crik, Hilde, Thoth, Warrick

• Place: Last Vigil, The Dwarf Fortress

• Summary: Dwarves are known to dig deep, sometimes at their own peril. A labyrinthine mineshaft has been discovered on one of the lower levels of the abandoned dwarven fortress, and adventurers are requested to scout the shaft and determine its safety so that the archaeological team might follow.

The Dwarf Fortress- whos name remains unknown, but which has started being called Last Vigil, given what has been discovered about the fate of its inhabitants. What, exactly, caused this place to fall to ruin and out of the annals of history is still not known for certain- but it has become increasingly clear that its inhabitants were assailed by some force from deep below, and wen they realized they were not going to be able to withstand it, they have elected to simply contain it- sealing the doors with stone and magic. That is, of course, until intrepid adventurers and curious archaeologists and the shifting of nature's stone cracked it back open again.

The way down is long, a winding staircase leads from the mapped and explored upper reaches- dormitories, ancient workshops, even a temple and a cemetery carved into the stone. Deeper and deeper still, the stone walls and steps taking on a roughshod appearance as it plunges further into the ground. Deep enough now that the cool of the earth begins to give way to a stifling heat and closeness of atmosphere.

Finally, the adventurers reach a landing- the stairs yet delve deeper, but this is where they depart them. A pair of human historians and a gnomish artificer are to be found here. The artificer is, presently, tinkering with a mine cart sitting on a set of tracks which head off to the east and then turn south. "Should be about set." The artificer says, glancing up- eyes magnified to terrifying proportions by the complex aparatus of lenses he wears over them.

Hilde draws back slightly at the artificer before she realizes the effect of the lenses. She turns towards the tracks and then examines the mine cart. "Is this used to travel underground?" she taps the side of the cart with her knuckles, seemingly satisfied at the solid -thunk-ing sound. Then she puts a hand on the top edge and tugs it gently to test it's weight and stability.

Crik was glad to be back again. It was like a puzzle that needed solving. It was a puzzle that needed solving. The darkness and the death therein was just a bonus, like a warm breeze on a beach holiday.

Carrying a thicker notebook than normal, with a chain attached to something under his raggedy cloaks, the hunched over corvid egalrin makes his way out of the stairs and looks around the room. Already, beak is open. "If we go deep enough, do we go past enough?" The notebook is flipped open and that thought is scribbled onto a large blank page.

A red haired man finishes his long trek down the stairs to the landing with a soft clank of blackended scale mail, one gauntleted hand holding a strap affixed to a large crossbow on his back, the other holding a small sphere that emits a pale white light. He looks down, blinks at the array of lenses, then quietly stifles a chuckle. "Good," Warrick nods to the artificer. "Anything stirring up since you've all been down here?"

A shrug is afford to Crik, before Hilde gets an appraising look, a nod of approval, then- "Wouldn't surprise me. I... hm. Never been in one though."

The click-clack of Thoth's talons are not the most subtle or quiet, as it slowly descends down those long long stairs. Following in the footsteps of other Adventurers that had come here before. Its beak bobs back and forth like a bird's as it moves with the rest of the group.

Its utterly broken and mangled wings are a mess, getting stuck on the winding staircase's walls from time to time. Scraping in ugly ways, ruining the quiet and panting of the biologicals moving down with it. Until finally, they arrive to the landing, and with that, the mine cart on the tracks.

"This one thanks thee for the escort." The strange War Golem remarks to the artificer. Its accent is... strange. The words it is using old, but understandable still in this day and age.

The historians and Artificer turn towards the adventurers once they finally arrive. This room, at least, is well lit by a pair of everburning torches deposited into sconces on the walls. "We've not been." the older historian- a human man with silver hair and thick, grey spectacles answers. "We've just got the minecart working again." he says and gestures over to the Artificer.

"It's a chain winch system. We sent a test cart down, and brought it back up again, and it came back with no extra holes or burn marks." he explains. "You'll be heading down first, scout out wherever it leads to, before we send in the research crew." he explains to the adventurers. "You should all fit but there's no seat belts so, uh, hold on tight. The ride sounded bumpy." he explains.

Hilde grins ferally at the historian. "A bumpy ride, is the best kind," she assures the rest of the part. Then she puts both hands on the cart to climb inside. She eyes the edges, sizes up the other adventurers and then takes her swordbelt off of her waist, and instead loops it over her shoulder and chest so that the sword is worn across her back.

GAME: Thoth rolls Acrobatics: (3)+3: 6

Thoth tilts its head to the side for a moment, considering the minecart for a moment longer. A chain winch system. It begins to approach, touching the metal with its clawed fingers. At four feet something, the minecart is a bit tall...

It gets in, but it's by no means a smooth method of entering it. Tumbling a bit, before kind of ending up laying there in a pretzel shape. "This one is in." It simply indicates.

Warrick hums to himself, nodding. "... hrm. Maybe the Watch needs to do minecart drills..." He shakes his head. "Very well. First time for anything." He looks over his team, tapping the side of his thigh in thought before making his mind up about something and sliding his helmet on. The visor is slips up with a 'shink!' "Scout, clear, return. Understood."

The man waits a moment as Thoth makes their attempt. He blinks, then smiles with a chuckle before helping Thoth get untangled as he stands over it.

He clambers into the cart, unslinging the crossbow as one of the limbs clangs against the side. He attempts to settle in. "... this is going to be a tight fit. We'll be fast friends. Name's Warrick, by the way."

Crik seemed to have no trouble at all getting into the cart. He seemed to have an uncanny ability to compress himself into the weirdest of shapes - even with all the rags around him. "The darkness shall be pierced by the cart of ourselves," The rogue says, barely hiding his excitement. "What shall we find?"

Meanwhile, he carefully reaches over and shifts one of those broken bits of Thoth away from himself so it doesn't accidentally prod the corvid. Or one of his bombs.

"You're all ready to go, then?" The Historian asks, but before they can really answer, the over-eager Gnome is already squeezing the clutch and yanking a lever with a grinding crunch. There is a rattling noise, as a chain running between the tracks begins to move- hooks every few feet on it. One of the hooks engages with some device on the bottom of the cart as it passes, and it begins to move.

Slowly at first, they trundle through a dark passage of rough hewn stone, the ground fairly level. After a few moments, though, and two turns, an opening and- unexpectedly- light can be seen head. And heat felt. The chain drive continues chugging along, dragging the card slowly towards the opening until it becomes clear that the track opens out into the side of a chasm, probably a hundred feet deep with fifty feet to the stalactite ceiling above. At the bottom of the chasm, a churning river of molten rock lights the entire cavern. Sour gasses and oppressive heat assault the senses. The tracks are built on a scaffold of dark metal, and plunging down into the magma flow beneath is a huge bucket chain- each link the size of a gull grown ox, charred buckets sink into the magma on one side, before emerging again carrying its incandescent payload up. At the top of the winch, the buckets upend, magma flowing into channels to be diverted elsewhere in the fort.

The party do not have much time to admire this marvel of engineering, however, as the minecart is approaching a steep downward incline- at the far side of the chasm, it plunges down towards the magma before banking sharply to the left and into another dwarf-made cave carved out of the rock. The cart picks up speed rapidly as it hurtles down the incline, and the party are thrown into the side of the cart which leans- but keeps its wheels on the track- through several snaking bends. Back in darkness, save for the light they bring themselves, they barrel along for several more moments.

Up ahead, the track ends abruptly. A small staging area, the entryway to the mine. But no apparent means of slowing the cart before it plows straight through the barrier at the end of the track and into the solid stone face of the opposite wall.

Hilde's eager smile has long since disappeared. Her fingers have lost where she tightly grips the sides of the cart. Then her eyes fly open as she sees what's coming. "Jump!" she urges the others before trying to spring out and off herself.

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (7)+0: 7

"Greetings, Other." The small bird War Golem addresses Warrick. "This one is designated 'Thoth'." It declares matter-of-factly. Its broken wings are easily moved out of the way. And as Warrick helps it get settled properly, Thoth begins 'preening' its broken wings with its beak.

If it was aware that its broken parts threatened Crik, it doesn't let it be known. Instead, it quietly observes from the cart as they begin to move. Letting the light brought by the others initially bring gleam into the dark recesses of this place.

Then, light. Heat. Thoth doesn't seem to shirk or blink from the temperature. The gasses go unsmelled. But it does take a moment to cast a magical barrier on itself to ward off some of the jostling around.

Then, a decline. Down they go. It holds on, making sure it doesn't get thrown off by the cart. Until finally, the end. Then, it spots the end.

"This one agrees. It is time to jump." Before the bird gets up and tries its best to... well... jump! Out of the cart and hopefully onto the staging area!

GAME: Thoth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
<OOC> Subduction says, "Right, if you're jumping out give me athletics rolls, if you're staying in give me reflex saves."
GAME: Warrick rolls athletics: (17)+6: 23
GAME: Hilde rolls athletics: (11)+4: 15

Warrick gets himself settled in, one hand holding onto the side of the cart as he frees the little orb. It floats beside his head, just above and out of the way. He's about to say something, but then they're sent off!

The open chasm and heat in the air gets Warrick's gauntlet to crinkle from how tight he's holding onto the edge of the cart. His nose wrinkles from the smell. "... Serriel, please let this cart reach its eeeeeend..-!"

The little Ioun Torch freely dangles in the air as they rapidly descend. And speeds to catch up. "Blasted dwarven insanity!" he curses in an ironic tongue. <Khazdul>

"Jump? For what--" He looks ahead over the cart. Eyes widen. "Shit! Jumping!" He follows with the others to leap out.

GAME: Crik rolls reflex: (11)+8: 19

Crik had taken out a small notebook and was busy clawing a path across it as they trundled along the tracks; magma, yes. Gasses, yes. Danger, plenty. Sharp turn, but of course.

Then the cart starts to head off towards the end, and the corvid raises his head, confused at all the yelling and jumping. "We are hopping off-?" He asks in confusion, before his beak opens and he drops his notebook, starting to hold onto the cart with wide eyed stare.

GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+1d6: (4)+(6): 10
<OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty, Hilde, Warrick and Thoth all take 6 nonlethal damage, Thoth also takes 4 bludgeoning damage. Crik... is fine. I shall pose why."

Crik seems doomed as the minecart hurtles towards the end of the line with no sign of slowing down- the others manage to leap from the cart, tumbling against the hard stone floor of the mineshaft- some more gracefully than others.

And then suddenly there is the sound of grinding gears, as the chain catches the speeding minecart. Crik is jolted forwards as the cart decelerates, but not quickly enough to cause the Elgarin harm or throw him from the contraption.

The grinding decreases in pitch, eventually pitering off to a slow clack-clack...clack as the cart finally comes to a gentle stop about a foot from the barrier at the end of the track.

Those that jumped from the cart are a little bruised and scraped but intact, for the most part.

The staging area they find themselves in is every bit as ancient and abandoned as the rest of the fort. Dusty, rusted remains of picks and hand barrows can be seen scattered about. Hanging lanterns on posts, their oil long since exhausted. Directly ahead, a section of the mine has caved in- rubble piled from floor to ceiling, but a secondary shaft extends towards the east.

Hilde holds a hand over her other arm, like a makeshift sling. "I'm sorry," she looks a little sheepish. "I've been on a wagon that crashed into the side of an inn, and I've been knocked from my horse in a joust. I thought anything would be better than slamming into the wall." She stares at the foot of distance between the cart and the barrier. Then she turns her head to cast a baleful look back up at the tunnel, and even though he's nowhere to be seen, clearly she's actually glaring at the gnome who pulled the lever to send them down here. Hilde shakes it off and begins to wander around the staging area, at some point returning her sword to it's normal place at her waist, and then drawing the weapon for good measure.

Click-crack-groan. The painful sound of metal tearing and being torn. Wings being bludgeoned by the ground. Thoth ends up laying on the ground, more broken than he was than when it arrived. The War Golem remains on the ground for a moment, staring out at the ceiling.

One of its metalic feathers of its wings falls off of its already otherwise mangled wings. A painful 'clink' that sounds unnatural. Like it is not made of normal metals. It then slowly rises up, looking back, one of its arms twisted back a bit.

It grabs the metalic feather, and then lifts it back to its wings. Quietly, placing it back where it once hung... and uses just a bit of magic to put that feather back in place while leaving its arm twisted.

It then looks forward at the rest of the staging area. Quietly observing it, making a few click-click noises as it opens and closes its beak a few times. Noting the darkness, it opens its chest slowly with a hand, and releases a dark blue feathered owl within a small cage of cushions. The owl screes in annoyance, then moves to sit on Thoth's shoulder instead. Staring into the darkness.

Warrick groans as he picks himself up, snagging his crossbow strap on the way up. He lulls his head over towards the cart. And groans. "... okay. Next time, stay on the cart. Probably should tell them that when we get back... everyone alright?" He cracks his neck, wincing. "Don't worry, I would have done the same in your boots," he assuages Hilde.

Seeing as she produces a sword, Warrick winds the winch on the large crossbow, and slides in a bolt. "Right. Let's get to it-" He stares at Thoth pulling a bird out of its chest. The man simply shakes his head and falls in line behind the front.

Crik stares at the wall - and then slowly flops over as the ride comes to a less than pleasant end. A faint 'crik' sound leaves his mouth.

A moment later the egalrin pushes his head up, glances around, and hops off to cart. Thoth and its animal companion gets a long look, with an open beak. Another throat 'crik' sounds out, almost in questioning manner - but back to matters at hand. Notebook is pulled open, glanced at, and then the sketch of the journey filled with zig and zags at the end is torn out and pushed into the folds of his rags.

"Best way to find the traps?" Crik asks from the party as he by habit goes up front, starting to blend into the darkness already. "Find them last." His beak remains open, before he hops along.

<OOC> Crik will try the StealthTM and do the trap checking. ._.
<OOC> Crik says, "And move ahead of the others."
GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (4)+12: 16
GAME: Crik rolls perception: (10)+11: 21
<OOC> Thoth will Aid Another Crik with Ra and Themselves in that Perception, if that is alright?
<OOC> Subduction says, "Sure!"
GAME: Thoth rolls Perception+2: (10)+2+2: 14
GAME: Thoth rolls 10: (14)+10: 24
<OOC> Thoth says, "That should up Crik to a nice cozy 25."

As Crik heads down the path, he soon finds another collapsed passage- which perhaps does not bode well for the overall stability of the mines. But like the staging area, this pile of rubble seems ancient and well settled- whataver caused the cave in, it was a long time ago. The side passage continues further east still, but unless they find another way to press onwards, this is going to be a very short excursion unless they bring mining equipment next time.

"Ra." Thoth remarks, before the Owl takes flight, aiding Crik by quietly flying through and scanning the area for trouble - while Thoth calmly moves along with them. Once they are far enough through though...

"This one will light the way. If thee wilt permit this one." It notes, before motioning its broken hand forward. There's a small buzzing at the end of its fingertips, before four motes of light suddenly shoot out, rushing in different directions. Creating almost a 'line' of lights that travel out towards any 'splits' in the road, or as far as they can within its range.

Hilde has been moving carefully so as not to make too much noise. Every few steps she twists halfway around at the waist to cast a glance behind them, but once they reach the next collapsed passage she frowns. She glances in three directions, then again, then finally gestures with her sword towards the east. "It seems there's only one way left for us to go."

GAME: Thoth refreshes spells.
GAME: Thoth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
GAME: Thoth casts Dancing Lights. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15
<OOC> Thoth says, "40 dim, 20 bright for each. No more than 10 feet between eachother."

"The rocks are not stable," Crik warns them from the shadows. Or behind the rock. Wherever a rag of clothing is most convenient. "I have seen this often. Plenty of blunt objections to a casual investigation." His tail bops, as the lights dazzle forward, tilting his head.

"... is that magic or artifice? And if it is something I can carry, can I borrow it?" There's a blank stare from those black eyes.

Warrick carefully steps along with the others, crossbow pointed at the collapsed tunnels as they pass. "More light is better in my books," Warrick mutters to Thoth. The bit of magic gets a brow to raise, and he shifts a bit closer to Thoth, just in case.

"Noted," he says to the black feathered egalrin. "We keep pressing."

And the party continue making their way down the abandoned ancient mineshaft. More fallen rocks, more rotten and decrepit mining equipment. Finally the path turns south once more, and this time it seems to extend some distance before meeting what appears to be a natural cavern. Or at least, one hewn by something other than pick and sledge.

"This one's lights art Arcane in nature." Thoth answers Crik, "'tis not something thee can carry. Just let this one know whence to move them, and this one shalt do so." The small little War Golem remarks, as it gets a better look at the environment.

Ra, its familiar, flying ahead to try and similarly get a good look.

"Please, Other." It motions at Crik. "Continue to lead the way." As it notably continues to hobble a bit. That jump from the minecart has left it in a bit of a mess.

GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (13)+5: 18
<OOC> Subduction says, "Give me Knowledge/Nature or Knowledge/Dungeoneering rolls if you have them."
GAME: Warrick rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (11)+7: 18
GAME: Crik rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (12)+7: 19

Warrick gets to the turn, him lingering at the corner as he squints into the darkness head. Idle glances to Thoth get the arbalest to point out, "Thoth, while I do not know your directives, you may want to give something unique aside from Other to us while we're doing this. I don't want something bad to happen and I don't know which Other you're talking about."

He slows some, looking up and around. "... weird. Too round. My old captain always told me there isn't anything round underground unless you're hitting an underground river bend. Something... dug? I think?"

"Pressing is one thing you shouldn't do." Crik replies to Warrick with another blank stare. Thoth also gets a glance. Maybe he could carry the mechanical bird instead? Then his beak opens and he half hops, half walks away. Feathers ruffle as he looks at the fresh hallway, looking up, down, up, and then more up.

Finally, he begins to make careful way forward towards the cavern, eyeing everything with either suspicion - or just plain wonderment. A massive circle is being drawn onto his notebook. In the center lies a question mark.

A hand comes up, fingers turn towards to the right, and the hand starts to make lot of hoppy motions, before repeatedly quietly making snapping motions. Then one of the fingers start to slowly pat and slide off the other.

Thoth closes its oculars for a moment as Warrick points out an issue with its speech-patterns and considers this for a moment. "This one believes this request is reasonable. This one believes this other is designated 'Warrick'." It considers while looking at Warrick, opening its oculars again.

It continues to move, until it spots Crik trying to make gestures.

"Ah. This one believes this Other is trying to play 'Charades'." Pausing. One finger up, move to the right. "One word." Hopping and snapping motions. "A bunny." Sliding motions. "This other wishes to pet a bunny?"

Hilde turns to stare at Thoth for a bit. Then she cracks a smile. "A bunny." She turns back to Crik and then holds out her hands helplessly to show she doesn't understand. Then she returns some signals of her own. She hefts her sword, points in the direction that Crik indicated, and then mimes chopping down at something with the sword a few times. Finally she lifts her chin in a reverse head-nod, the universal sign (or so she thinks) for 'question mark'.

Thoth helpfully adds; "And this one." Motioning to Hilde. "Is uncertain if they wish to chop up the bunny."

"... it's a figure of speech-..." the man trails off at Crik, giving up on explaining it. Warrick nods at Thoth in acknowledgement. "Correct." But then he looks forward at the hand motions. Slate eyes squint. "... a bunny?"

His head swivels to Hilde. To Crik. Thoth. A sigh escapes through the slits of the helmet. "Something like that. Possible contact up ahead then." He slips his visor down. "Should learn Handspeech. Or Merctalk." Warrick shoulders his crossbow, and presses up against the wall. Ready to take off.

Crik turns to look towards Thoth, completely at a loss. Then towards Hilde, he raises his arms in a shrugging motion. Considering - he then pulls over his cloaks and for a moment, settles down. Vaguely resembling a frog. Hand comes out as a 'blep'. Touch later, he then indicates the size by stretching his arms wide.

All that communicated well and clearly, Crik sneaks around the corner and slowly attempts to peek around rto see what lies further up ahead without bothering the creature.

"Ah." Thoth taps its broken hand onto its whole hand. Clink. "A Giant Frog." It corrects. "But why dost thee wish to pet a Giant Frog?"

It then moves to the front and also tries to peek around the corner, sending the Dancing Lights ahead.

As Crik creeps closer to the pony-sized salamander minding its business snatching up little grubs and licking salt deposits from the cave floor, it lifts it's head. Its nostrils flare, and it turns its head this way and that. The unfocused black orbs of its eyes don't show any recognition- they seem to be vestigal, unseeing. But nevertheless, it seems to have detected the groups approach. It's throat swells and its mouth opens to reveal sharp teeth trailing thick, sticky spittle and a fat pink tongue. It emits a low, trilling hiss.

<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 4 moves once and then spits at Crik"
GAME: Subduction rolls 3: (12)+3: 15
<OOC> Subduction says, "Hits vs touch, give me a reflex save crik"
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d4: (1): 1
GAME: Crik rolls reflex: (5)+8: 13

The trilling hiss is joined by several more hisses in recognition, and the plat-plat-plat of pallid feet against rock fills the cavern as several more of the large albino reptiles come rushing to investigate the sound their companion made. One of them is running along the ceiling of the cavern, unperturbed by being upside down. Its throat swells, and then it spits a gob of thick, sticky spittle at crik. The substance coats the Elgarin, plastering his feathers and quickly begins to thicken into a pitch-like consistency, making movement difficult.

GAME: Crik rolls damage1: aliased to 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Subduction says, "You scrape some of the goo off, but not enough to be able to move, yet"
GAME: Subduction rolls 2d4: (5): 5

Crik creeps closer towards the frog. It seemed blind - but down here that usually was not a great sign. Still - creeping forward...

Caught. Head rising, he glances around rapidly, before he calls out to the rest to the party. "Frog-CAW!" The egalrin is rudely cut off by a wad of goo sticking all over him and his cloak. On an instinct his blade comes out and he starts to try and peel the mess off.

"Frogs! More frogs! Where did the bunny come from? Where did it go?"

<OOC> Thoth says, "I would like my Familiar to get next to Crik and try to bite/talon off the remaining goo."
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4-2: (3)+-2: 1
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4-2: (4)+-2: 2
<OOC> Subduction says, "Nearly half of the goo is gone, but Crik still can't move."
<OOC> Thoth says, "Then move into position for a Burning Hands"
GAME: Thoth rolls Ranged: (2)+4: 6

<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 1 spits at Thoth"
GAME: Subduction rolls 3: (4)+3: 7
<OOC> Subduction says, "But wiffs. And then moves up to melee range."
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d4: (1): 1

The lights move ahead, and soon they are coming across the rather large lizard. "Ah. This appears to be a Salamander of sorts." Thoth remarks without any real intonation to it, even though its words suggest it just discovered something. "They appear to be hostile." It then proceeds to comment, right as one of them begins to open its maw and splatter goo on Crik!

"Ra, go help the Other..." It looks to Warrick, then back to Crik. "Help the one designated 'Crik'." It steps forward, trying to keep the lizards away from Crik. Sending a sudden warping beam of flames from one of its fingertips after a quick droning incantation. But the hand being used is the damaged one, and it flares right across the ceiling, creating a spectacular lightshow... without much to show for it.

Another gob of viscous spittle is lobbed at Thoth as he draws near, but this time it misses its mark and splatters against the wall behind the war forged. The lizard waddles up towards Thoth as the beam whips past it, oblivious to the peril it narrowly avoided- clearly its senses are not honed for detecting flashes of magic.

<OOC> Hilde says, "If I'm reading the map correctly, a double move will place me 'above' the Salamander which is next to Thoth, I think that's all I can do for this turn"
<OOC> Subduction says, "Correct, the rubble counts as difficult terrain so double movement."
<OOC> Subduction says, "Go ahead and pose it."

Hilde spits a curse in Goblin-Talk. The cave has suddenly erupted into battle. Not bunnies at all, she notes to herself. Some of her own comrades are getting into the fight, but Hilde needs plenty of room to operate - and to swing her oversized sword. And so she has to spend a few precious moments hustling through the cave and around Thoth. Once there she spots the other lizards. "There's more of them!" she calls out warningly, although at this point Warrick is the only one who hasn't seen them. "Half a dozen!"

<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 3 moves and spits at Hilde"
GAME: Subduction rolls 3-2: (4)+3+-2: 5
<OOC> Subduction says, "But wiffs."

<OOC> Warrick says, "going to pass heavycross bow to one hand and draw longsword, going to use it to scrape crik free"
GAME: Warrick rolls damage14: aliased to 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3
<OOC> Subduction says, "More goo removed, but not quite enough still. Pose it."

Warrick is a bit busy watching their backs as Crik is suddenly glued to the floor. He looks ahead, eyes wide. "Bunnies my-- gah, I'm coming!"

Seeing the adherent, a longsword is drawn free as hacks away at the goop keeping Crik to the floor. "We're going to be glued soon! Get in a good position and prepare-"

<OOC> Subduction says, "5' steps and spits at Warrick"
GAME: Subduction rolls 3: (10)+3: 13
<OOC> Subduction says, "That's a hit, reflex save."
GAME: Warrick rolls reflex: (9)+4: 13
<OOC> Subduction says, "You are also gooped"
GAME: Subduction rolls 2d4: (6): 6
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d4: (2): 2

Another of the translucent-white salamanders rounds the corner, and as it does so it spits another bundle of saliva towards the advancing Hilde- but again, misses its mark and coats a nearby hobgoblin-sized boulder instead. Clearly, though these critters can make their way well enough in the dark, their accuracy leaves something to be desired.

GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (7)+4: 11
<OOC> Subduction says, "Wiff"

And as though on cue, another glob of spittle comes flying towards Warrick, catching his outstretched sword arm and plastering him from elbows to ankles partially glueing him to both Crik and the rock underfoot.

One of the Salamanders rushes towards Hilde, jaws wide, and lunges for her- sharp teeth attempting to grab an outstretched limb, but failing to find purchase.

<OOC> Subduction says, "Mose of the goo is off you, now, Crik, but you still can't move."
<OOC> Thoth says, "Want to hold init for after THoth, see if the Familiar can get it off?"
<OOC> Thoth says, "We're on the same init anyhow"
<OOC> Crik says, "I'll hold, I do not have anything too smart here."
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4-2: (3)+-2: 1
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4-2: (3)+-2: 1
<OOC> Thoth says, "Ra tries to peck away at that darn goop on Crik."
<OOC> Thoth says, "And Thoth will cast Burning Hands this time."
GAME: Thoth casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16
<OOC> Subduction says, "That'll free him, but he's still entangled so -4 dex and -2 attack and half movement speed."
<OOC> Thoth says, "I'll risk the AoO of course."
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (17)+4: 21
<OOC> Subduction says, "Hits"
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4
<OOC> Subduction says, "Concentration check"
GAME: Thoth rolls 3 + Intelligence - 4: (20)+3+4+-4: 23
GAME: Thoth rolls 3d4: (7): 7
<OOC> Thoth says, "7 damage against DC 16."
<OOC> Thoth says, "(assuming that includes Evocation Spell Focus)"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (10)+4: 14

Ra keeps pecking away as best as it can, tearing at the goo. Until finally it gets Crik at least somewhat loose. At the same time, Thoth raises its broken arm as the Salamander comes for it while it is casting with its other hand. Two fingers up, a small red bead forming at the tip between the two fingers...

And then points forward, sending a spray of gouting red flames forwards, burning at the Salamanders. "This one's structural integrity is compromised." It warns the group. "But it will seek to protect you." It then adds without any inflection.

<OOC> Crik hrm. "I can read. I guess I'll sneak up one to the left and do the regular shank with the knife.
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1+2: (19)+8+2: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1+2: (11)+8+2: 21
<OOC> Subduction says, "That's a crit and a sneak attack."
GAME: Crik rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d4+1+2d6: (2)+1+(6): 9
GAME: Crik rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d4+1+2d6: (3)+1+(6): 10
<OOC> Subduction says, "And that drops it."
<OOC> Subduction says, "Ah, right."
<OOC> Subduction says, "SO that's 13 not 19"
<OOC> Crik says, "True, sorry. Brainderp."
<OOC> Subduction says, "Still drops it, though."

<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 2 is cowed by the fire, and climbs up onto the ceiling and hisses."

As the blades and knives fly at Crik, the goop is finally freed with Thoth's assistance. Slowed and even more scruffy looking, Crik bops his head at Thotha. "Thanks." A knife appears in his hand. "Try not fall in pieces yet."

There's another few hops and looking at his knife, as if seeing it for the first time - he suddenly stabs it at the nearby frog's back. And makes a downward sliding, petting motion that gores the creature dead.

While the beam of fire hitting the ceiling went unnoticed by the advancing salamanders, the great gout washing over three of their number, the smell of burned flesh and blood, the feel of heat- those are noticed. One of the advancing salamanders stops its advance, retreating up the wall with the same adroitness with which it travels along the floor, looking back and hissing at the group.

<OOC> Thoth says, "Which reminds me, I owe you an expended spell slot"
GAME: Thoth casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 3 DC: 17
<OOC> Hilde will attack Salamander 5 with falchion, using Power attack and Furious Focus
GAME: Hilde rolls weapon1: (15)+7: 22
GAME: Hilde rolls 2d4+4+3: (3)+4+3: 10

Hilde catches from her peripheral vision the salamander next to her twitching - and then falling. She risks a glance that way and sees Crick standing behind it, quickly piecing together what must have happened. Hilde returns her attention to the Salamander in front of her, just in time to spot an opening. Her sword flickers out and slices into the scaled hide in a furious burst of motion.

<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 3 moves up to Warrick, provokes from Crik and Thoth"
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1: (17)+8: 25
GAME: Crik rolls damage1: aliased to 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Thoth rolls Melee: (14)+1: 15
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d3+strength: (1)+0: 1
<OOC> Subduction says, "Also hits."
<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 3 slams Warrick"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

Another of the Salamanders scuttles along the wall and ceiling towards Warrick- taking lashes and strikes from Crik and Thoth as it passes them, but its eyes are set on its ensnared target. Once above Warrick, it drops from the ceiling attempting to simply throw it's mass ontop of the guardsman, but it lands adjacent, splayed out, instead.

<OOC> Warrick says, "well, seeing as shooting is massively bad right now due to the penalties to dex, I'll drop the crossbow and two hand the longsowrd at the salamander"
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon14-2: (8)+6+-2: 12
<OOC> Subduction says, "That's a wiff, I'm afraid."
<OOC> Warrick says, "I'll pull out a dagger as off hand and end turn"

Warrick grunts as the goop makes his sword arm get jammed to his armor. "Guh, ah- Thoth! Try to keep that up!" he barks, eyes widening as one of the Salamanders drops down at him. Thankfully he didn't need to move, but the fallen creature makes a good target! He drops his crossbow and swings down with the sword, but the stick mess keeps him from getting any sort of power behind it.

"Oh come on," the arbalest huffs, yanking a dagger free.

<OOC> Subduction says, "4 full attacks Crik, 5 full attacks Hilde."
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (13)+4: 17
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)

The Salamanders which, at first blush, could appear quite cute to some eyes are less cute as they headbutt and bite at Crik and Hilde. While Hilde deftly avoids the attacks coming her way, Crik is not so lucky, and suffers a bite to the wing that tears flesh and feathers alike.

Warrick grunts as the goop makes his sword arm get jammed to his armor. "Guh, ah- Thoth! Try to keep that up!" he barks, eyes widening as one of the Salamanders drops down at him. Thankfully he didn't need to move, but the fallen creature makes a good target! He drops his crossbow and swings down with the sword, but the stick mess keeps him from getting any sort of power behind it.

"Oh come on," the arbalest huffs, yanking a dagger free.

<OOC> Subduction says, "You can move north and then back south again, if you want to bait just one."
<OOC> Thoth says, "Yeah, let's do that."
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Thoth casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 3 DC: 16
GAME: Thoth rolls 3d4: (4): 4
GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (8)+5: 13
GAME: Subduction rolls 5: (20)+5: 25

"This one will attempt not to permit further damage to its Master's property." Thoth answers Crik with a firm and strange sense of determination, while watching the Salamanders flit and move about. "It appears these creatures do not like flame." It points out, as it kicks its talons at one trying to get by to go for Warrick!

More flames shoot out, rippling over more Salamanders, only for one to slam into it, bending its already broken arm further. The War Golem lets out a frustrated sound. "This one requests assistance." While Ra is assaulting another Cave Salamander to aid Warrick!

<OOC> Crik says, "Five foot to right and shank salamander 3. ._."
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1-4: (3)+8+-4: 7

There's a loud, shrill 'caw' as Crik gets _battered_ by the salamander. Blood spills. The egalrin reaches out for his knife and attempts to clean up the frog from harassing Warrick, but the swing goes very wide. Very wide indeed.

<OOC> Subduction says, "Charges Thoth"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4+2: (17)+4+2: 23
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4
<OOC> Subduction says, "That does provoke from Hilde"
GAME: Hilde rolls weapon1: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Hilde rolls 2d4+7: (7)+7: 14

The fear of flame that cowed one of the Salamanders only lasts so long, as another gout of flame blisters and chars the hides of the two nearest him, the one on the ceiling drops down and rushes towards Thoth. Hilde's blade catches it in the flank, eviscerating it- but its momentum carries it through to slam into Thoth despite its grevious injury.

<OOC> Hilde says, "Okay now I'd like to attack Salamander 5 :D"
GAME: Hilde rolls weapon1: (12)+7: 19
GAME: Hilde rolls 2d4+4+3: (6)+4+3: 13
<OOC> Subduction says, "Very dead, pose it."

Hilde catches a flicker of movement as a Salamander tries to streak by her in a rush towards Thoth. She reaches her sword out and catches the creature with the tip of the blade, but can't quite prevent it from passing her by. Grimacing, she returns her attention to the one directly ahead of her and slashes it with the backswing, slicing deeply into it's chest and narrowly avoiding the spill of blood and viscera.

<OOC> Subduction says, "3 full attacks Warrick"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (13)+4: 17
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (5)+4: 9
<OOC> Subduction says, "One hit, with the entangle penalty"
GAME: Subduction rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8
<OOC> Subduction says, "This does remove about half of the goo, though."

Finding its feet and getting them back under itself, the Salamander that tried to land on Warrick lashes out, its simple-minded frustration at its own failure taken out on the nearest target. It clamps its jaws around Warricks thigh, teeth biting deep and spilling blood, and the limb twisting painfully as it is wrenched by the attack. One saving grace is that the attack does just as much damage to the slimy goo, freeing one of Warriks legs entirely.

<OOC> Warrick will melee salamander 3 with a longsword.
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon14-2: (1)+6+-2: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Warrick says, "drop longsword and don shield"

Warrick gasps as one of the salamanders bites into his leg, him batting at the creatures with the butt of his longsword to pry it off. "Gah! Serriel damn it- Thoth, fall back!" he quickly says, going for a low swing of the longsword.

It sparks off the stone and stops it cold. "... fuck." He drops his sword and pulls out a wooden shield, pressing it against his body after quickly strapping it in.

<OOC> Subduction says, "Give me a reflex save, everyone"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4+2: (11)+4+2: 17
GAME: Subduction rolls 4+2: (2)+4+2: 8
GAME: Subduction rolls 4+2: (4)+4+2: 10
GAME: Warrick rolls reflex-2: (1)+4+-2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Subduction says, "Crik:"
GAME: Subduction rolls 8-2: (6)+8+-2: 12
<OOC> Subduction says, "Thoth:"
GAME: Subduction rolls 4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Subduction says, "Hilde:"
GAME: Subduction rolls 3: (16)+3: 19
<OOC> Subduction says, "Salamander 3, Warrick and Thoth fall prone."

A deep rumbling begins to shake the cavern- it starts like a low hum, the sort of noise you feel in your teeth. Then it slowly grows into a hissing roar, the ground shakes. Dust and pebbles fall from the ceiling, and then the ground shudders violently knocking one of the Salamanders, Warrick and Thoth off their feet.

Whatever this rumbling is, the Salamanders seem to recognize it. They immediately abandon the fight, the ones still upright turning to leave with abandon.

<OOC> Thoth says, "Can I do a reflexive Geography or Engineering roll to sense if this is an earthquake or OTHER"
<OOC> Subduction says, "Sure, Geography works."
GAME: Thoth rolls Knowledge/Geography: (12)+8: 20

GAME: Thoth rolls 6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Thoth rolls 6: (8)+6: 14
<OOC> Thoth says, "Thoth will try to punch it!"
GAME: Thoth rolls Melee: (4)+1: 5

"This one thanks you, Oth~ Hilde." Thoth remarks as the warrior moves to defend it. Only for the cave to shake. "This one believes this is not natural shaking. It senses a large serpent." It warns the group as it tries to claw its foot-talons at the one to the side of it, while Ra starts coming down to claw at it. Thoth can't easily use its Arcane spells while stuck on the ground like this.

GAME: Crik rolls weapon1-4+2: (20)+8+-4+2: 26 (THREAT)
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1-4+2: (11)+8+-4+2: 17
<OOC> Subduction says, "That's a crit with sneak attack again."
GAME: Crik rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d4+1+2d6: (1)+1+(7): 9
GAME: Crik rolls damage1: aliased to 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5

Crik looks down at Thoth. Then at the frog. Then back down at Thoth. Then he is gone - there is a disgusting sound of flesh being torn apart - and Crik looks down at the dead frog. Blood drools off the edge of his knife.

"Time to run?" The corvid egalrin finally asks.

GAME: Hilde rolls weapon1: (10)+7: 17
GAME: Hilde rolls 2d4+4+3: (6)+4+3: 13

Serpent? That sounds ominous. And somewhat exciting, Hilde admits to herself. But first things first. She sidesteps her way behind Thoth and Warrick, always trying to keep the last salamander in sight. She looks for an opening but between how the floor is rough and uneven, the bits of salamander spit seemingly everywhere, and the room required for her to swing her falchion, she ends up having to move all the way around. But as soon as she's able she raises the sword and brings it smashing down on the top of the reptillian creature's head, splitting it messily.

THe rumbling, hissing, earth-shaking noise builds to a crescendo, and then there is a violent crash that sends rock flying out of the ground as a maw, fifteen feet across, bursts from the rock face. Following this maw is a segmented body of chitinous plates, rushing past one after another after another. The last remaining salamander dissapears into the gaping, tooth-lined maw as it tries to flee, before the great worm crashes back into the stone again and the rumbling begins to fade.

And then, slowly, the noise begins to grow louder again.

Definitely time to run.

Hilde takes a deep breath and holds up her sword with both hands, concentrating. "Try not to move," she advises Warrick, before bringing the edge down on the thickest concentration of lizard goo holding him immobile. Then she moves on to the next one, and the next until he seems able to move freely again. "I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to!" she comments. "We need to get back to the minecar!"

With the last nearby Salamander downed, Thoth finally rises up and looks at further mangled parts of its body. "It seems this one was unable to halt the damage to Master's property." Thoth points out with a hint of disappointment. Only to spot the start of that 'snake' coming their way.

"This one recommends we depart." It alarms them while pointing at the serpent. But, it then notices Warrick still being stuck, as well as his property. So it grabs and pulls on one of the items stuck in the goop, and looks to Warrick. "This one will carry this, and return it to thee at thine earliest convenience.." It helpfully declares, before booking it.

Warrick falls flat on his back, a pained groan leaving him as the tunnel rumbles. "A.. snake? Gods- agh, hell no, retreat!" he hisses, stabbing at the glue keeping him tethered. He almost panics, but Hilde backs him up and slices into the lizard. "I owe you!"

He holds still at the request, then scrabbles to his feet. He scoops his crossbow on the way up, already hobbling towards the exit. "Okay, move!"

Oh hey, free gear. Crik picks up the last remaining item. Then he lets out loud caw as he holds onto to the longsword underneath his set of cloaks. His running steps were more like running hops, both feet landing at the same time, but the point of running away from very large adn toothy snake still remains.

The rumbling grows louder and louder as the party make their hasty way back towards the exit. As they round the corner from what is increasingly obviously a worm tunnel into the mine shaft, the worm that made it bursts through the rock wall again narrowly missing the party before plunging back into the rock.

They make their rapid way back to the mine cart, pile in, with one of them wrenching the lever before hopping onboard as that hissing sound draws nearer again. The cart begins making its way, painfully slowly at first, as the chain drive drags it back up the slope that gave them such a start on their way in.

They are halfway above the magma ravine when the worm emerges from the rock wall once more, managing to arrest its movement before it plunges into the magma below it rears back- in the light of the molten rock below, its purple carapace glistens. It's maw opens wide, three sections peeling back to reveal ring after ring of jagged teeth disappearing into the darkness of its gullet.

A swell moves up its gullet, and then a huge chunk of rock is launched from its mouth, sailing across the ravine and thankfully missing the mine card before crashing into the far wall, showering the party in splinters of rock as they disappear back into the cavern opposite.

The worm, denied its meal, twists and plunges back into the rock wall from which it came and the tremors gradually subside. The mine cart trundles its way back to the central staircase- one of the two historians is tending to the other- his grey hair wet with blood, but he's conscious if dazed. The artificer greets them.

"I forgot to mention, there's a bit of a ramp about half way."