[IC] The Crucible

[miinstrel]

Mohan Drawing his final dagger, Mohander kisses the blade and lines up the shot. Even with the creature bearing down on him, if Issy and Kyra didn't get out of there more would be on them in a heartbeat. He aims carefully at their foe hoping to give them the opportunity to flee... or at least deal with the beast approaching him instead. Spoiler: OOC Show Attack Kyra/Issy's target. Using my inspiration for advantage. Attack: (1d20+6)[14] or (1d20+6)[16] Damage: (1d4+4)[6] + sneak (1d6)[5] Move = retreat further

[Armored Walrus]

Mohander's dagger clangs off the iron man's head, and drops in the dirt.

[kladams707]

Shaena, seeing Atas fall and the others heavily wounded, first wants to run. Then she realizes she might not get far anyway to learn all that she could. What we have learned and could ever learn is meaningless if we die before we share it with others! With that, she fires another eldritch blast at the one engaged with Kyra while moving back behind the the iron statue. While there, in an act of desperation she tries to find any weak points to these things, any thing she hasn't tried that she might think would work on them

Spoiler

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Invoking "Nothing should fetter the possibility inherent in all existence" trait for inspiration, knowing death would certainly limit said possibility.

Action: Eldritch blast with advantage (inspiration)
attack: (1d20+6)[22] or [/roll]1d20+6[/roll] whichever is higher
damage (1d10)[7]

finally trying to identify what we've been fighting: base (1d20)[20]

[Armored Walrus]

With a wrathful yell, Kyra plunges toward the fallen wood elf, and heaves him away from the statue. She manages to get him a few steps closer to Issy before the statue falls upon her, bludgeoning her with its arms.

Issy glances to her left and sees more figures pouring out of the stairs.

Spoiler: OOC

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Kyra moved to the square next to Atas, used her action to grapple him, then used the rest of her movement to drag him toward Issy. She was hit for 4 damage on the statues' turn. Everyone is up. (Atas, I recommend not posting a death saving throw until Issy posts :P )

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Issy breathes a sigh of relief when the creature in front of her goes down. As she scans the battlefield to assess their chances, she sees more automatons pouring out of the tower. "Aww ssshhhhhhhinikers, she mutters to herself. "Okay! We REALLY gotta go!." Issy runs over to Atas and lays a hand on his cheek, pushing some life force into him. "Come on warrior, it's not checkout time yet...." She offers her hand to help Atas stand, then helps him evacuate the scene of the battle.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

With a start, the wood elf throws his eyes open. His hand shoots forward, gripping Issy's arm, and glares at her with an anger that only barely resembles compassion.

"You haven't ran yet?!" he growls, nimbly getting onto his feet with the paladin's help. Now that he is back among the living, adrenaline surges through his body. Somehow, his second-near death experience has only made him more aware of how alive he feels otherwise. What a strange experience. Atas knows that if he survives, he will have to meditate on this feeling.

"Let us see to our safety, then." With that, he shoots away, his previously cracked feet once again moving with grace. He doesn't go too fast however, just quickly enough to stay away from the metal men and slightly ahead of Issy. It's not his plan to leave his savior in the dust.

[Armored Walrus]

Seeing her companions, against all odds, moving away from the fight on their own feet, Kyra carefully feints and dodges out of the statue's reach, joining the party in flight.

Spoiler: OOC

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Action to disengage, full movement away, rage ends. Mohander and Shaena are up.

[miinstrel]

Mohan Looking impotently at the knives and crossbow laying in the dust at the golems' feet, Mohander realizes they aren't worth his life and retreats with everyone else toward the supply cart.

[kladams707]

The little halfling quickly casts the spell as she sees the others begin to flee. She quickly casts a simple spell that might give her a boost in hurting this thing should she get lucky enough to hit it. Shaena takes another potshot with her eldritch blast before joining the others in fleeing.

Spoiler

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Bonus: hex because why not (even though I'm not sure necrotic will effect it). It takes disadvantae on strength checks (again because why not?)

Action: Eldrtich blast

(1d20+6)[16]
(1d10)[4]

hex damage if hit and not immune: (1d6)[1]


Move: as far as she can going in the same direction as the others.

[Armored Walrus]

Stumbling and scrambling through the dust, the party flees as yet more statues step out from the stairwell. In a burst of adrenaline, Kyra props up Atas' wounded form and helps him run, though they both leave a bloody smear of mud behind them.

Mohander's fleet feet carry him well ahead of the group before he starts to lose his breath. Light-headed and panting, he looks back quickly to see how the rest of the party is doing.

Fortunately, they're easily outdistancing the new group from the stairs, who quickly seem to lose interest. The one that had been engaged with them, however, is still giving chase.

Spoiler: OOC

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YOu manage to stay ahead of your enemies. 1 point of exhaustion to Atas and Mohander. Give me one more round of Constitution saves.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Atas feels pain with every breath, and his feet are sore as the torn soles of his boots offer little protection from the rocky ground beneath him. Every step hurts, and it is a battle to keep going.

He loves the sensation. It's what he came here for. This feeling of being alive....it's as if he's never been more in tune with his own life force.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20+1)[20] Constitution Save

[miinstrel]

Mohan Each breath stung through what he expected was a fractured rib, but he kept up the pace for death was the alternative. His companions similarly evading harm's way gave a bit of solace, but that monstrosity wasn't stopping. Was this worth avoiding a prison sentence? It was certainly more than he'd hoped to find, but yes... the potential of death in the wild would always trump the caged simplicity of life behind bars.

[Armored Walrus]

The party stumbles on. Issy's abdomen is just one fiery ball of hurt. Atas' boot is filling with blood, but he bears a manic, exhilarated grin. He bears up under Kyra just as she starts to flag, and it's suddenly unclear who's helping whom. Mohander, winded but rallying, stays a few steps ahead of the rest, grimly doing his best to ensure he doesn't have to settle for death in the badlands as an alternative. The final member, an oddly unscathed, bright-eyed halfling drinking in her surroundings curiously.

It's Shaena who turns, breathing hard, to check on the party's progress who first notices that they've seemingly managed to get away from their metal pursuer. It stands in the powdered rock, head swiveling like a blind man trying to identify the source of a noise, about two dozen yards behind the party. As she slows to a wondering stop, she see it turn and head back toward the tower.

She raises a hand to the rest of the party, most of whom are just catching up to her, and they pause, looking back to see the iron figure, arms still black with their blood, shuffling away.

It's at that point that Mohander spots the enormous winged shape leaping into flight from the top of the tower. It screams toward the group with a sound like a whirlwind, a vaguely humanoid shape dangling beneath it, jostling side to side with each beat of its terrifying black wings.

[miinstrel]

Mohan Eyes wide, he stares into the sky for just a second or two at the figure before turning and continuing on at the same pace. "KEEP GOING!!" he hollers, a twinge of fear in his voice. There was probably no outrunning a thing of that size, but standing still would be even worse. Scanning the area ahead of them he looks for any kind of cover - a cave, a stand of trees, a river bed... anything to break line of sight and maybe lose it in the few precious moments they had before the thing was upon them. Spoiler: OOC Show Perception?: (1d20+7)[16]

[Armored Walrus]

The round, mound like hills of the badlands, while they break up the horizon, don't seem like they'll offer much cover from the sky. Nevertheless, the alert elf leads his companions around and near the base of one of them.

The figure, having started at the height of the tower, has been climbing as is approaches. It now hovers high in the sky, too high to make out any detail. But even at that height, its shadow covers the entire group. A low, bellowing laugh booms down from it, followed by something more substantial. With a CRASH! another large, rusted figure blasts into the ground in the midst of the party. Much more corroded than the statues you've seen so far, this one bursts into fragments on impact, scattering fine red, chalky powder over most of you.

This breaks a few of you back into stumbling flight, but the monster easily keeps pace. It hovers far above you, emitting sinister laughter that sounds like thunder just over the horizon. It swoops nearer and farther, stalking the party for a few hours while they look wide-eyed over their shoulders, desperately trying to find a way to lose it.

Finally, as they near the place the hid their cart, with another deep-throated chuckle, the thing above beats its wings twice, flattening a few of you to the ground, then turns and flies back to its tower.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

The monk is flung off his feet as the statue impacts right next to him, causing him to plant his face into the dusty ground. With the beating wings of the monstrosity shooting wind at his back, and throwing even more dust into the air, he coughs heavily, only regaining his composure when the creature has long left.

Shakily, Atas then manages to roll himself onto his back and slowly stands up again. Noticing that he is still not dead yet, he first smirks, then mirthfully chuckles.

"I've told you so." he muses allowing himself a moment to catch his breath.

[miinstrel]

Mohan The rusty dust was in everything including his eyes for a while. Catching himself against a tree he slumps down as the beast takes flight and returns to the tower. "I'll take being a play thing over a meal anyday," he sighs back at Atas and looking exhaustedly at the others. "Hartholm? I've had enough for one outing."

[Armored Walrus]

The early afternoon sun is just beginning to draw the shadows of the hills eastward. Footsore, bleeding and exhausted, the party faces another hour or so walk to their cart.

You think you can make it back to the cave by dark, or you can make a bee line for Hardholm, spending another night out in the open on the way.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Stumbling, exhausted, but yet oddly cheerful, Atas addresses the rest of the party.

"As severely as my injuries are in need of treatment, I fear we'd be at a disadvantage if we found ourselves faced with more scarecrows. We should spend the night hidden in the cave, then hurry back to Hartholm as quick as we can."

[Fishybugs]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Issy is silent as she trods on, not really payhing attention to where she is going, merely following the others. Finally, she chimes in when Atas brings up returning to town. "And do what in Hartholm? I agree we need to make it to the cave, but is there a reason to return to town? We have nothing to report. Oh. There's a thing out there..." She waves dramatically toward the tower, then winces in pain and brings her arm back to her side to splint her abdomen. but we sure don't know what it is." She falls silent again aside from occasional grunts of pain when her foot slides under patches of soft ground.

[kladams707]

Iselshera Elkian 1st Level Paladin Issy is silent as she trods on, not really payhing attention to where she is going, merely following the others. Finally, she chimes in when Atas brings up returning to town. "And do what in Hartholm? I agree we need to make it to the cave, but is there a reason to return to town? We have nothing to report. Oh. There's a thing out there..." She waves dramatically toward the tower, then winces in pain and brings her arm back to her side to splint her abdomen. but we sure don't know what it is." She falls silent again aside from occasional grunts of pain when her foot slides under patches of soft ground.

Shaena remains silent for a moment, reflecting on the events that just unfolded and observing her heavily wounded allies. After a moment she responds. [b]Is everything in our cart something we'd want to keep? Selling might be a reason for returning to Hartholm. Or at the very least, we seem to have a lot of coin that could be converted if we returned. However, more time away means further danger on the return. If we have the supplies, it might be better to just return to the cave.[b] She speaks only to offer reasons for choosing either rather than picking either option herself.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

"Me and Mohander left behind all of our weapons at the tower. Kyra's priced axe is rusted. I am confident in my ability to strike without my arms, but not in theirs." There is something slightly arrogant and immensely blunt to the elf's tone as he speaks.

"Our employer will have to suffice with the existence of these creatures and the knowledge of some grand, ancient calamity for now."

[miinstrel]

Mohan Mo gives an understanding nod to Atas. "As he said, I can scout and gather herbs to bind some of the wounds, but I'm useless if it comes to a fight right now. I agree the cave would be better for tonight. We can make our way to Hardholm at first light. Besides, we still have the better part of a month before our first report is due."

[Armored Walrus]

Still worn, but at least no longer breathless, the party follows Mohander's lead to finally round the hill the obscures their cart. As you approach, you notice a large figure sitting in the shade of the cart, meaty hand buried in a pot of beans. Lummie sits with his back against one wheel, shoveling slimy beans into his gob.

He doesn't appear to have noticed you.

[Azktor]

Kyra

Kyra start regaining her stamina back and start cursing her own weakness "Arrh! I can t believe we let those iron statues get the best of us! I don't give a rat ass about what is inside the tower, but now we need to go back and destroy all those creatures!" she them grab her axe and start swinging in the air "My father gave me this axe! Danm this!"

After a minute or two Kyra adrenaline's start wearing down a bit she says a bit more calmer "I think we need to get rid of this trash before we do our next step!" she points to Lummie and the cart.

[Armored Walrus]

Hearing Kyra's outburst, Lummie scrambles to his feet, a sheepish expression on his face.

"You left me tied up," he says accusingly. "And ya took all th' food. Yer tracks was easy ta follow because of the cart. I didn't know what else ta do now that Haman an' Jast are gone..." He looks sadly at his feet.

Then he brightens, "I was makin' beans for all of us... but... I got too hungry to wait." He absently mashes a last handful of barely soaked beans into his mouth, and his powerful jaws work to grind them into paste.

[kladams707]

Hearing Kyra's outburst, Lummie scrambles to his feet, a sheepish expression on his face.

"You left me tied up," he says accusingly. "And ya took all th' food. Yer tracks was easy ta follow because of the cart. I didn't know what else ta do now that Haman an' Jast are gone..." He looks sadly at his feet.

Then he brightens, "I was makin' beans for all of us... but... I got too hungry to wait." He absently mashes a last handful of barely soaked beans into his mouth, and his powerful jaws work to grind them into paste.

Smiling cheerfully, Shaena says Well, you were honest...or at least smart enough to stay rather than venture out alone

Spoiler

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Shaena, using her telepathic abilities, thinks at him Just don't step out of line.

She looks at the pot and asks, bright smile still on her face, What was this I heard about you making us beans?

[Armored Walrus]

Lummie gets a confused, distant look on his face for a moment after Shaena starts speaking with him.

Then he shrugs and says, "Without no fire, they really need ta soak over night. I just got too hungry to wait."

He begins to look hopeful.

[Theoboldi]

Atas

Arms folded behind his back, the elf steps forward, an expression on his face that seems to be somewhere between admiration and annoyance.

"The first lesson all warriors must learn is initiative. You've demonstrated it well."

Then, with a movement so swift it belies his exhaustion and grievous wounds, he kicks the pot and topples it over, spilling the beans all over the dusty earth.

"The second lesson is patience. If you are willing to learn it and display some humility, you may join us for dinner tonight." Oddly, there is no real malice to Atas' voice, despite his crude actions.

[Armored Walrus]

Lummie gives Atas a rather bovine look. He doesn't seem phased by the elf's behavior. In fact, if anything, there's a slight sense of ... relief? ... in his expression.

"Oh, sure, humility. I'm a good human, and I can cook,too." He gives a regretful glance at the crock full of beans, then grabs one of the handrails of the cart.

"Where we goin'?"