Out of the Abyss, IC II

[Spore]

Galdar Bloodskull Duergar 'Psion' AC: 19 HP: 38/38 MP: 39/39 PP: 15 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 San: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Sorcery Points: 3/4 Conditions: Telepathic Bond (Nilvae), Soothsayer (helped), Inspired Leader [8/8 tHP] Concentration: - Disturbed by Nilvae's mental link going suddenly silent- she was singing in her mind up until now - Galdar yells at her before slashing at an ant. Raise, dumb girl. he shouts at her with the powers enhanced by Laduguer. Spoiler Show Twinned Healing Word to Charlotte and Nilvae (1d4+2)[3] Surge 96 Advancement to the west. Charlotte will be uncommanded and defend herself.

[RandomWombat]

Advancing back towards the mound, Galdar calls out. Divine magic and psionics wreathe through his words and descends into Charlotte and Nilvae, staunching their bleeding wounds. Nilvae gasps awake and kicks the ants off of her, for the moment. Surrounded and menaced, Charlotte pulls in her legs and uses them to shove away anything getting close, focusing on avoiding more wounds.

One of the ants slides its head under Spide's abdomen from behind and launches him spinning into the air.

Spoiler: Combat Log

Show

Galdar stands and moves closer. He'll need a Dash to get in range for Healing Word on both targets, and heals Charlotte for 3 and Nilvae for 4, curing Bleed as well.
Charlotte Dodges.

Scuttler A and B move closer.
Scuttler L Grapples and throws Spide, who takes 10 damage and falling Prone.
Scuttler M attacks Derendil, but his Dodge action negates the Advantage and it misses.
Scuttler Larvae wriggle away from the fighting.

ALADIN and Ront are up.

Situational References
Bag - Collected by Derendil
Armor - Collected by Borthan
Shield - Collected by Elara

Apidae B and C are currently above the battlefield within ~80 feet for the purpose of ranged attacks.

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Each player can choose on round 1 whether to use joint or split initiative for their characters, as usual.
Flat Scuttlers C/D - 21
Flat Scuttlers I/J - 21
Flat Scuttlers E/F - 20

Borthan/Derendil - 19
Spide - 18

Apidae Faerza B - 18
Apidae Faerza C - 17
Flat Scuttlers P/Q - 17

Elara/Turvy - 16
Nilvae - 16
Faedryl - 15

Flat Scuttlers G/H - 15
Flat Scuttlers R/S - 13
Flat Scuttlers N/O - 12

Galdar/Charlotte - 10
Dawnbringer - 10

Flat Scuttlers A/B - 9
Flat Scuttlers L/M - 7
Flat Scuttler Larvae - 6

ALADIN/Ront - 6

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 40/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Thrown well out of the fight by the ants, it takes Ront a few moments to get his bearings as his roll comes to a stop, shaking his head to cast off the effects of the impact. It takes another few moments past that for him to gather himself, to stand, and then to comprehend the sword's warning about the bees. With that in mind, he drops the Sunblade(Attached via the vambrace), choosing instead to hurl a pair of javelins at the closer of the pair of creatures, figuring that everyone else could just run away from the ants. Spoiler: OOC Show Move: Stand from prone. Action: Attack twice. (1d20+8)[10] Attack (1d20+8)[23] Disadvantage (1d6)[4] + (1d4+5)[7] Damage (1d20+8)[21] Attack (1d20+8)[13] Disadvantage (1d6)[2] + (1d4+5)[8] Damage

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 12 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Seeing the equipment retrieved, ALADIN slowly backs away from the ant nest, not making any sudden moves, making it clear that he was not a threat. As he walks, he calls out "I recommend we leave, and try not to injure any of the ants. They may accept their victory." Once clear of the ants, he raises his tool, neatly shaping it into a pointer, before a pair of purplish energy blasts lance out at the more injured(Or closer) bee. Spoiler: OOC Show Move: Back away from the hive, hope that Mr. Q doesn't take offense to this action. Action: Eldritch Blast the same Bee as Ront is trying to hit (1d20+9)[15] Attack (1d10)[3] Damage (1d20+9)[11] Attack (1d10)[10] Damage

[RandomWombat]

The Dawnbringer dangles indignantly from Ront's wrist as he hurls a pair of javelins up into the air. His target swerves around the projectiles with ease as they struggle to climb against gravity, and descend to spear into the ground nearby. But a ray of purple energy from ALADIN's tool strikes it in the side, leaving a glowing mark.

In spite of his careful movements, ALADIN finds that the ants are far more aggressive with the smell of burning larva in the air - but its fangs clink off of his armored shin, unable to find his vulnerable joints.

As he's in the midst of preparing for his retreat, Borthan is beset upon by two of the creatures. They claw and grab at him until they bowl him over together and heave him up, then toss him straight at Derendil. Their heads collide in the midst of Derendil trying to sit up, and Borthan goes tumbling overtop of the quaggoth prince. Elara's fate is similar, with two ants flipping her into the air. She sails over the crouching steeder and her naked body falls on Galdar's shoulders, rolling down his back onto the hard dirt. The shimmering barrier lingering around her seems to have dampened the fall, at least.

Two of the ants surrounding Charlotte begin attempting to get leverage to toss the steeder away, but she dodges and shoves them away before they can get a grip.

Spoiler: Combat Log

Show

Ront's two tosses miss.
ALADIN hits with one of his rays for 3 damage on Apidae B, the one he damaged earlier in the climb. Mr. Q does take an angry snap, but misses.

Scuttlers C and D grab hold of Borthan and toss him away from the larvae and at Derendil. He slams into Derry with a crit, with both of them suffering 9 bump damage (after it was split between them), then lands Prone nearby.
Scuttlers I and J yeet Elara into Galdar, dealing 6 damage to her and 5 to him. She falls Prone as well.
Steeders E and F fail to grapple Charlotte.

Borthan, Derendil and Spide are up!

Situational References
Bag - Collected by Derendil
Armor - Collected by Borthan
Shield - Collected by Elara

Apidae B and C are currently above the battlefield within ~80 feet for the purpose of ranged attacks.

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Each player can choose on round 1 whether to use joint or split initiative for their characters, as usual.
Flat Scuttlers C/D - 21
Flat Scuttlers I/J - 21
Flat Scuttlers E/F - 20

Borthan/Derendil - 19
Spide - 18

Apidae Faerza B - 18
Apidae Faerza C - 17
Flat Scuttlers P/Q - 17

Elara/Turvy - 16
Nilvae - 16
Faedryl - 15

Flat Scuttlers G/H - 15
Flat Scuttlers R/S - 13
Flat Scuttlers N/O - 12

Galdar/Charlotte - 10
Dawnbringer - 10

Flat Scuttlers A/B - 9
Flat Scuttlers L/M - 7
Flat Scuttler Larvae - 6

ALADIN/Ront - 6

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:44/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan exchanged a look with Derendil as they both painfully scraped themselves from the ground. "Distract this one, Biggun'! I'll make a move for Nilvae. You can take a smack on your way out, but we're done this fight!" Derendil snarls "My magic makes me faster!" "And if you run in there you might get knocked down just like her! Go!" The feline bruiser gives a hiss to show how he feels about this plan, but he tries to get the ant's attention before running away from the nest. Borthan, using the moment when the ant is distracted, runs towards Nilvae. He throws himself into the fray, standing between the two ants over Nilvae. He does his best to look big and intimidating, but try to convince the ants he was here to aid his ally and drag her away, not fight them. "NEED A HEAL HERE! RIGHT NOW!!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

15 feet to stand up, then move and dash to get to Nilvae. Derendil will move first to take the AOO from the ant they both disengage from. If possible, Bort will roll (1d20+2)[17] Handle animal to calm down the ants and let them know we're leaving/submitting.

[Spore]

Nilvae and Mr Spide Half-Elf Witch | Sentient Spider Cleric AC: 13 HP: 25/32 MP: 40/45 | AC: 14 HP: 37/37 MP: 34/34 PP: 11 PIv: 11 PIs: 14 San: 13 (+1) | PP: 10 PIv: 15 PIs: 10 San 14 Spell Slots, 3rd: 1/2 | Conditions: Exhaustion [1] Concentration: Find Beasts (Apis Queen) My dear sir, we shall depart. Spide says to Galdar. The spider scurries to the east and yanks the psion free, who just needs to regain their composure and decide if they want to be angry or not. Leaving a naked lady exposed was not very nice, but then again he would not die for someone he just got to know. Spoiler Show Moving east, then using web grapnel to yank Galdar out of the melee. 10ft. like we discussed.

[RandomWombat]

Jaws snap at Derendil's heels as he scrambles to his feet, but the quaggoth is too fast, bounding away on all fours to join Turvy at the edge of the nest's clearing. Borthan splits off, rushing to Nilvae's aid among the ants just as she's beginning to reawaken to pain and danger. One of those chasing them nips at his ankles, leaving a scrape through his pant leg.

From above, two stones are hurled by the hovering bees, one falls painfully on Ront's large foot as he tries to aim another javelin. The other sails in an arc and impacts ALADIN in the shoulder, twisting and denting some components.

Spoiler: Combat Log

Show

Scuttler M snaps at Derendil as he flees, but misses.
Borthan stands and Dashes to Nilvae.
Spide stands and uses a web grapnel to drag Galdar back from melee with the scuttlers.

Apidae Faerza B tosses a rock at ALADIN, dealing 9 damage.
Apidae Faerza C tosses a rock at Ront, dealing 10 damage.
Scuttler P moves up from the broken nest.
Scuttler Q bites Borthan for 7 damage.

Elara, Turvy, Nilvae and Faedryl are up!

Situational References
Bag - Collected by Derendil
Armor - Collected by Borthan
Shield - Collected by Elara

Apidae B and C are currently above the battlefield within ~80 feet for the purpose of ranged attacks.

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Each player can choose on round 1 whether to use joint or split initiative for their characters, as usual.
Flat Scuttlers C/D - 21
Flat Scuttlers I/J - 21
Flat Scuttlers E/F - 20

Borthan/Derendil - 19
Spide - 18

Apidae Faerza B - 18
Apidae Faerza C - 17
Flat Scuttlers P/Q - 17

Elara/Turvy - 16
Nilvae - 16
Faedryl - 15

Flat Scuttlers G/H - 15
Flat Scuttlers R/S - 13
Flat Scuttlers N/O - 12

Galdar/Charlotte - 10
Dawnbringer - 10

Flat Scuttlers A/B - 9
Flat Scuttlers L/M - 7
Flat Scuttler Larvae - 6

ALADIN/Ront - 6

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 17/34 MP: 28/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating:-- She was tired, and the bees were out of range of most of her spells, but she could still fling a trio of bolts in the sky, perhaps enough to bait them from tossing rocks at an annoying distance into melee.

Spoiler: Actions

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Action: Magic Missile for 6 force damage on the most injured looking bee. Sometimes you roll high, sometimes you don't. This was a don't turn.
Rolled a 20 on the Wild Surge d20. Hopefully that means good things instead of bad things.
Move: Further off the battlefield I guess? We're trying to beat a retreat.

[Bobthewizard]

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 33/33 +8 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 3/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 1/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy considers burning down most of the ants, but decides against it. They don't seem to be pursuing us when we flee and a big ball of fire on top of their larvae might just enrage them. Instead, he aims his fireball at the pair of Apidae.

"Everyone flee. They don't seem to be following us."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move 25' south.
Fireball (8d6)[27], DC15 Dex saves (1d20)[8], (1d20)[12]
Surge (1d20)[5]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 12 HP: 41/41 +8 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 5/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara continues to flee, moving southeast to avoid the nearest ant. When she sees Turvy blast the bees, she decides to try to drop them.

"Nice job Turvy"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move 30' SE
Cast 1st level sleep on the Apidae. (5d8)[25] HP fall asleep
If they fall, they take (8d6)[22], and (8d6)[25] fall damage
Surge: (1d20)[10]

[Spore]

Nilvae and Mr Spide Half-Elf Witch | Sentient Spider Cleric AC: 13 HP: 21/32 MP: 40/45 | AC: 14 HP: 37/37 MP: 34/34 PP: 11 PIv: 11 PIs: 14 San: 13 (+1) | PP: 10 PIv: 15 PIs: 10 San 14 Spell Slots, 3rd: 1/2 | Conditions: Exhaustion [1] Concentration: Find Beasts (Apis Queen) Battered, bruised and cut open, Nilvae will soon find her guts revealed just like Elara's bosom was, and heals herself. I don't want to play the damsel in distress, but now would be a good time to actually murder some of those. she says as her form begins to glow and the half-elf's body is mended significantly. Spoiler Show Healing self for 17 via the Healing Hex.

[RandomWombat]

Missiles are chased by a mote of flame that bursts into a conflagration in the underground sky. A burning corpse falls, trailing smoke, and lands on two of the ants surrounding Charlotte. The other falters in its flight, then abruptly falls to sleep in the air and plummets, breaking its head open upon the hard ground.

As his spell's power lingers around him, Turvy feels a lingering something. A magical static charge, waiting to catch on something and go off. What and how, it could be anybody's guess. An Identification spell could perhaps tell more - and may set off another.

Pressing her wounds back together with a gleam of magic, Nilvae finds she and Borthan both unceremoniously chucked by the ants.

Spoiler: Combat Log

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Faedryl casts Magic Missile, pummeling Faerza B for 6 damage. Low rolls surge, so she's fine.
Turvy casts Fireball, dealing 27 fire damage to one and 13 to the other, killing the first. He feels a Surge, but cannot tell what it did.
Prone prevents Elara from moving the full 30, but she moves 15 feet SE. She casts Sleep, which drops the remaining Faerza, and the fall damage kills it.

Apidae Faerza B's corpse falls on Scuttler E and F, dealing 11 damage to each of them. They are knocked Prone.

Nilvae casts a hex, healing herself for 17.

Scuttler G and H grapple Charlotte and yeet her at Elara, dealing 7 damage and a KO to Charlotte and 6 damage to Elara. It deals 4 after being reduced by her remaining thp.
Scuttler R and S grab Nilvae and yeet her 60 feet away, dealing 10 damage but removing her from the battlefield.
Scuttler N and O grapple Borthan, though only N succeeds. It tosses him away, dealing 9 damage and tossing him off the battlefield.

Galdar and Charlotte are now up, with Charlotte passing her first death save.

Situational References
Bag - Collected by Derendil
Armor - Collected by Borthan
Shield - Collected by Elara

Apidae B and C are currently above the battlefield within ~80 feet for the purpose of ranged attacks.

Spoiler: Initiative

Show

Each player can choose on round 1 whether to use joint or split initiative for their characters, as usual.
Flat Scuttlers C/D - 21
Flat Scuttlers I/J - 21
Flat Scuttlers E/F - 20

Borthan/Derendil - 19
Spide - 18

Apidae Faerza B - 18
Apidae Faerza C - 17
Flat Scuttlers P/Q - 17

Elara/Turvy - 16
Nilvae - 16
Faedryl - 15

Flat Scuttlers G/H - 15
Flat Scuttlers R/S - 13
Flat Scuttlers N/O - 12

Galdar/Charlotte - 10
Dawnbringer - 10

Flat Scuttlers A/B - 9
Flat Scuttlers L/M - 7
Flat Scuttler Larvae - 6

ALADIN/Ront - 6

[Spore]

Galdar Bloodskull Duergar 'Psion' AC: 19 HP: 38/38 MP: 39/39 PP: 15 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 San: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Sorcery Points: 3/4 Conditions: Telepathic Bond (Nilvae), Soothsayer (helped), Inspired Leader [8/8 tHP] Concentration: - Eugh, stand up, you useless piece of crap! Galdar shouts at his spider mount. Spoiler Show Bonus action to cast Healing Word fore 3 on Charlotte. Moving to intercept creatures moving on Charlotte and cast Sword Burst as soon as he can hit two or more. (prepared action)

[RandomWombat]

With the party beating their retreat, the scuttlers clack jaws at them and watch them go, forming a perimeter around the nest as some of them collect the surviving larvae and begin to carry them in the other direction. The two the fallen bee dropped on drag themselves free, hobbling away from the scene.

Retrieving Elara's equipment from the mound had proven a more costly endeavor than the party had planned, but the insects do not follow them as they move further along the cliff of the ravine. Many of their number are bloodied, or covered in bumps and bruises and sprains from being thrown around like ragdolls.

[Bobthewizard]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 41/41 +0 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 3/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara collects her gear and thanks to those who grabbed her armor and bag.

"Thanks. Let's get a little distance then rest. I'm not a fan of this twisted weave around here."

She quickly puts on her amulet and then carries her armor, shield and backpack until we are a few hundred feet away from the ants, then she stops and puts everything on.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 33/33 +8 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 4/4d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 3/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy feels the energy still built up inside him. This should have disappeared when the pellet launched from his fingers, but somehow the feeling remains even after the spell is cast.

"Something went wrong with my spell. I'm not sure what it is but it feels like it's still in me. Be careful around me just in case."

He keeps his distance from the others, at least 20' in every direction.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 17/34 MP: 28/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating:-- "Now that that's handled, does anyone have any ideas on how to continue? I'd rather not try climbing back down and get attacked by bees on the way." The fall would be lethal, no matter how she might twist her body against it.

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 30/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Ranging around the ants to meet up with the rest of the party, Ront grunts as he reunites with the group. "Bad fight." Spoiler: OOC Show (1d10+5)[9] Second Wind

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 34/43 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 12 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Seemingly ignoring the damage the rock had inflicted on his shoulder for the moment, ALADIN also rejoins the collection of adventurers. "Once we reach the area above the hive, I would be able to cast feather fall, ensuring that we could arrive safely. Ront, I believe, could utilize Mr. Grump to make an entrance for us in the hive, which would give us at least local surprise. Is anyone in desperate need of healing? Taking time to do a more complete rest will likely allow the bees more time to prepare for our arrival. If we can leave the area of the faerzress, we may be able to utilize a limited amount of healing magic instead."

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:26/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan takes a moment to smack the dust and dirt off of his clothes as best he can, but he still looks bedraggled and beaten, mostly because he is. "Healing magic? Yeah, though after all the magical mishap I do recommend we take a walk down the hill before we attempt it. Last thing we need is someone to heal a hole right through me. Do we have enough magic to get everyone back in fighting shape though? I don't want to take a break, but we might not have a choice if we intend to survive."

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 23/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (0hp/8hp) Concentrating on: HD:1/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 3/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil also looks like he's been thrown down a hill of jagged rocks, with burs in his furs and small streaks of blood where stones cut him. "I must say, the amount of infernal Underdark wild magic here is supremely frustrating."

[RandomWombat]

Feeling rather worn down after their struggle, the motley crew wanders over the plateau in search of a place to mend their wounds without fear of the air saturated with wild magic. Patches of 'normal' space are not uncommon in faerzress-infused regions of the 'dark, it is only a matter of tracking down the signs. Borthan leads them, following the trails and burrows of normal animals, as well as the patches of flora and fauna not saturated with overgrown and unusual specimens.

In the end, their bastion against the madness is a grove of small bluecap mushrooms - inedible, save for the rather large spores on the underside of the cap which can be ground into flour. Following the trail of some small lizards that subsist off of the (normal sized) insects crawling among the stalks. While not the comfiest or most secure resting spot out here on the open plateau, their flying foes are slowly running out of the spare reserves to harass them. And the sight lines work both ways, giving those with a keen eye a clear view of anything on the approach.

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:26/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Having successfully found a place to hold up for a while, Borthan sets about removing a ration (really just dried lizard meat) from his bag and beginning to chew. "Should be good to cast spells here. Do we have enough healing magic to get back in the fight immediately, or are we gonna take a break here, swig some water, salve some bruises, and head back in a few hours?"

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 23/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (0hp/8hp) Concentrating on: HD:1/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 2/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil sighs and sits on a large, stool sized mushroom, which crumbles under his bulk, spilling him to the ground. "Personally, I think a short break is most appropriate. I've still got most of my spells, and once I'm bandaged I feel like I'll be ready to return to our jobs as exterminators." He awkwardly clambers back to a standing position, rubbing at his tail bone.

[Spore]

Nilvae and Mr Spide Half-Elf Witch | Sentient Spider Cleric AC: 13 HP: 21/32 MP: 40/45 | AC: 14 HP: 37/37 MP: 34/34 PP: 11 PIv: 11 PIs: 14 San: 13 (+1) | PP: 10 PIv: 15 PIs: 10 San 14 Spell Slots, 3rd: 1/2 | Conditions: Exhaustion [1] Concentration: Spide and I certainly know how to heal ourselves. We spent years in the Feywild on our own. Nilvae's hands glow and she quickly dances around the camp throwing glitter into the faces and hair of anyone hurt. She takes special glee in making Faedryl as glittery as possible. Now that you are healed and pretty, may I ask you for some fire? Like a proper witch I may be able to concoct a bit of magic into my food. If I roast and skewer these lizards we might have something akin to climbing potions. Not long after Nilvae starts singing as she cooks some lizards. Spoiler Show Healing Hex abuse!!!! Aladin (2d8+4)[10] Borthan (2d8+4)[13] Derendil (2d8+4)[9] Faedryl (2d8+4)[9] Cure Wounds 3rd level: Ront (3d8+4)[13] May require a bonfire from Faedryl and someone to catch some lizards. Using 10 minutes to redo the inspiring leader temporary HP (or MP whichever you want!).

Galdar Bloodskull Duergar 'Psion' AC: 19 HP: 38/38 MP: 39/39 PP: 15 PIv: 9 PIs: 13 San: 14 Spell Slots, 1st: 4/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Sorcery Points: 4/4 Conditions: Telepathic Bond (Nilvae), Soothsayer (helped), Inspired Leader [8/8 tHP] Concentration: - Is she always this annoying? Galdar asks no one in particular.

[Amnestic]

Faedryl Melad Drow Hexblade/Evoker AC: 17 HP: 34/34 MP: 28/31 PP: 13 PIv: 15 PIs: 13 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Concentrating:-- In Faedryl's opinion...yes, Nilvae is always that annoying. She's still not quite over the abandonment at the Kua-Toa town, nor does she seem entirely trusting of whatever new powers she's tied herself to, flitting between patrons like a bat or some other less flattering simile. But...she had just healed her, and there was some gratitude in that which stilled the tongue. Conjuring flames is no great cost to her, and a quick trio of sigils summons a bonfire at her feet, freely available for use. "Just as a reminder, we should attempt to kill the Queen as the top priority when we're down there. If possible, focus your attacks against it, to the exclusion of others. It should break the hive's morale. Better to cut through one than a thousand and one."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Two hit dice expended to get back to full, after the healing hex.
Using Arcane Recovery to get back a 2nd level slot.

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 51/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: After the battle ends, and the quest for a non-tainted area completed, Ront looks to the Sword. "Good eyes. Flying bees hard see."

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 12 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: During the break, ALADIN tinkers with the artificial eye he carries, keeping an interested eye on Nilvae's crafting as she works. However, when she requests assistance, he speaks up, his generically neutral voice conveying no emotion. "I am sorry, but my skills do not extend to live capture of specimens for use in magical experiments. When dealing with hive creatures, eliminating the queen is typically a good strategy, although reducing the number of other potential hostiles first can be critical." Spoiler: OOC Show Skipping the short rest, in hopes of continuing the work on the laser eye? (1d20+8)[21] Tinkering

[Bobthewizard]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 37/41 +8 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 5/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara offers prayers and chants to Sehanine and a dome of darkness filled with moonlight surrounds the party. Once everyone has rested, she proposes that we move on, but she leaves the strategy to the others.

"If everyone is ready, we can step out of the protective moonlight."

Spoiler: OOC

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Uses Harness Divine Power to regain a first level slot before the rest.

Turvy sheet Deep Gnome Wizard 5 AC: 14 HP: 33/33 +8 THP PP: 12 PIv: 16 PIs: 12 MP: 30/30 MD: 5/5d12 Sanity: -1 Initiative: +6 HD: 3/5d6, Conditions: mage armor, exhaustion 1 Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 3/3, 3rd: 2/2 Portents: 5, 10

Turvy spends the rest refueling his magic reservoir. Once he is finished, he's anxious to get moving.

"Let's go. The sooner we kill these bees, the sooner we can get back to our boat."

Spoiler: OOC

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Uses arcane recovery to regain 3rd level slot.

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:45/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 3 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan, with fresh bandages up and down his arms, unslings his magic axes and releases them into his sheaths. "Ain't no reason to hesitate. Let's get moving.

Spoiler: OOC

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Survival (1d20+4)[19]

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 39/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (0hp/8hp) Concentrating on: HD:0/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 2/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil makes a few experimental jabs with his trident, then nods and gestures for Borthan to lead.

[RandomWombat]

Tinkering with his eye, ALADIN makes another substantial chunk of progress as the group settles in within the mushroom grove. With a few of the small lizards caught by Borthan and Spide, Nilvae roasts them over a fire with a little sprinkle of fey magic. The exact nature of the lizard skewers' power will remain unclear (but perhaps hinted at by anyone who knows their species) until they are eaten, but with any luck will prove helpful in their invasion. The blade at Ront's side answers him in his own brute tongue.

Spoiler: Orcish

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"Eyes are not a thing that I have. I wonder sometimes how different I see from animals. How would I begin to tell about the way only I see?" the Dawnbringer ponders aloud at Ront's idle compliment. "I could just as fast ask for you to tell me, how does blue look?"

Spoiler: OOC

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ALADIN makes 21 more progress on his eyes. He doesn't need to sacrifice his short rest benefits for the downtime action, since he isn't doing heavy labor.

Nilvae cooks up two lizard skewers.

Spoiler: Nature DC 12

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These small lizards are called blue-striped spore-suckers, for their blue camouflaged backs which allow them to cling to the undersides of bluestalk mushrooms and feed on the nutritious spores they produce.

Spoiler: Nilvae: Insight DC 12

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With the knowledge of what they are, she guesses these lizard skewers could grant an effect to do with mushrooms, climbing, or camouflage.

Bearing in mind Nilvae's earlier spell, they track their way back to the ledge overlooking the hive deep below in the ravine. Staring into the abyss below spins the stomach into troubled knots. With the distance they have to drop, a fall could carry on for more than a full minute, and a single misstep on the way down could be disastrous. There are of course two arachnids who could ferry down some of their team - but their travel would be far out of sync with a falling squad, and dangling from the wall would make one tempting prey for the giant apidae.

Each casting of Feather Fall can carry five travelers down safely. The last group to slow - and the first to land - will need to include ALADIN, lest he slow himself first and the others fall out of reach before he can save them. The time has come to determine their drop teams.

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 51/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: As he rests, Ront continues to speak with the sword, glad that it switched to a more reasonable language. "Grey, in this darkness. Or black, depending on the blue." Spoiler: OOC Show

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 12 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Considering the next task, ALADIN assesses the strengths of the group, and quickly determines optimal groupings. "There will be two waves of us going in, and my group will arrive first. Ront, we'll want Mr. Grump to open the way. The first group to arrive will also need to deal with any bees, and clear the way for the second. So I think that in addition to myself and Ront, Borthan, Elara, and Galdar should be there. The second group would be Nilvae, Mr. Spide, Turvy, Faedryl, and Derendil." Spoiler: OOC Show AKA drop the melee-ish characters first, then the pile of casters behind them.

[purepolarpanzer]

Borthan Zuek Half-Drow Ranger AC: 17 HP:45/45 22/29 MP 0 Temp HP PP: 14 PIv: 9 PIs: 14 Sanity:12 Conditions: Concentrating on: 4 of 5 d10 HD. Spell Slots- 4/4 1st, 2/2 2nd Borthan reasons over Aladin's logic, finds it sound, and nods to the others. "We're gonna have a good drop, all of us. It'll be as easy as walking off a cliff!"

Prince Derendil Quaggoth Barbarian/Abjurer AC: 17 HP: 39/39 34/34 MP 10 Temp HP PP: 10 PIv: 12 PIs: 10 Sanity 10 Conditions: Mage Armor (8 hrs), Arcane Ward (2hp/8hp) Concentrating on: HD:1/1 D12, 3/3 D6 Spell Slots- 2/3 1st, 3/3 2nd, 2/2 3rd Derendil renews his mage armor spell, and in doing so reinvigorates his defensive wards by a mote. He looks nervous, whiskers twitching, but he takes a big breath, nods to the others, and prepares to go down in the second wave.

[RandomWombat]

As easy as walking off a cliff.

As easy as fear allows. Even knowing that ALADIN holds the power to ferry them to the bottom of this terminal drop safely, it is accompanied by the knowledge that one mistime or one surge of unpredictable magic could mean a permanent grave among the bees. To each their own trepidation, but all must step together or fall out of sync with the rest.

They fall. It's as easy as walking off a cliff at first, then the first of many high speed jutting ledges and fungal growths fly by and the divers in the dark-sky soon learn to guide themselves away from said cliff face. All around the party, the buzzing magic in the air blurs past, creating a kaleidoscopic effect that dazzles the eyes. Behind them, the wounded Charlotte hobbles her way down the cliffside. She is unlikely to arrive in time to aid them in battle, even were she in the shape for it.

From the moment they step off, ALADIN is calculating. Tracking their velocity, measuring the most efficient moments to pop his two life-saving spells and enable their daring maneuver. When the first key moment comes, the other magi suddenly find themselves aloft, gently descending as if they were slowly hovering down atop magic carpets. The change in velocity is as dizzying as the Faerzress' brilliant colors flashing by, and by the time they get their bearings the warriors - and ALADIN - are nearly out of sight continuing to fall.

Another flash of magic crackles through the Faerzress. It does not catch on the wild Weave, and they see the warriors slow to a comfortable descent just below them. And past that, the approaching shape of the hive. A mound of sickly green-yellow wax built into the wall of the cliffside, just above the fungus-rich ravine floor. Ront feeds Mr. Grump, and a huge boulder appears beneath him.

It crashes through the hive's roof like paper mache. Interwoven strands of wax, paper and sticky goop come undone beneath the boulder's weight, creating a shredded and dripping opening. Ront is carried with the boulder, bound to it by a chain. He crashes through another floor of the hive, catching only a brief glimpse of a hulking shape in the dark and some round eggy-looking masses nestled in honeycombs that line the floor he soon descends through. This time, having lost momentum to the sticky material in his previous two crashes, Mr. Grump lands with a sludgy, springy thump on the floor. It sags, but does not rend or crumble. Ront lands softly on the boulder's hard surface - though whether he lands gracefully after the tumble through the structure is up to him.

The orc finds himself in a large, large chamber in the very belly of the hive. Nearby are three constructs that show no surprise at his sudden entrance, reacting to it with designed expediency, if not well-formed legs. One of them has a dwarven maul fused into its head, like a hammerhead shark. Another in the room has a hollowed section in the middle of its chest in which a magical crossbow is mounted, operated by tiny slithering wax pseudopods.

Spoiler: OOC

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Ront can roll a DC 14 Acrobatics save to land on his feet atop Mr. Grump. Otherwise, he lands Prone on top of Mr. Grump.

ALADIN, Borthan, Galdar and Elara descend through the first hole and land in a chamber that looks like eerily like a living quarter. There are mounds of softer material arranged along the walls of four quartered chambers, and a small nook off to the side holds a (relatively) smaller Apidae Faerza specimen feeding some honey to a pair of wriggling larvae. Larvae the size of Elara. Another nook houses a similar specimen examining what appears to be a wizard's spellbook, while lying atop a bubble-mound of congealed slime that forms something like a water bed. The mound of ooze quivers and begins to move, responding to their intrusion as if itself aware.

None of the bees, it seems, were expecting visitors to suddenly crash through the ceiling. Though two constructs guarding the area immediately begin to move, the two drones are awestruck dumb. These constructs are different from those they faced before on the ship, if only in a single way - one of them is armed, the head of an axe sticking out of its acidic sludge arm. Another has a pair of gloves that are... more floating among its 'hands' than worn on them. But the gloves' fingers flex readily, as if aiming to grab.

The floor sizzles beneath their feet, and some of them may find they got some of the acid on them during the fall through Grump's gap.

Spoiler: OOC

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Ront, Borthan, Elara, ALADIN, and Galdar can roll a DC 10 Acrobatics check to avoid 2 acid damage during entry.
Drop Team 2 can pre-emptively make their skill check and adjust for it, as they will roll the same when they arrive.

Spoiler: Combat Log

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The Bees are unable to react in the surprise round due to the sheer audacity of the party's entrance, but their constructs react immediately and impassively to hostiles entering sight.

Ront, Bort, AL, Elara and Galdar are all up. They beat the speed of anyone able to act against them.

Drop Troopers
The second drop party will arrive on the start of Round 3. It is now Round 1.

Map Key
Map is up on roll20, it's big because all the floors are on it so zoom out to find yourselves.
Bright paths are inclines leading up a floor. On the top floor, they lead out onto the roof (they saw no bees out there, since they already killed the outside guards).
Dark paths are declines leading down a floor.
Passages between floors are color coded with boxes. Moving between one box and another of the same color costs 5 feet of Speed.

Holes
Grump's hole is the black square, and can be hopped down relatively safely, anyone hopping down can land adjacent to one of the black squares, or adjacent to or on top of boulder-Grump.

The bright swirls indicate bee tubes in the ceilings, and the dark swirls indicate bee tubes in the floor. Sliding down a bee tube will inflict 5 acid damage from the terrain, halved with a DC 14 Acrobatics check.

Everyone is still under Feather Fall, so falling damage is not a concern.

Acidic Terrain
Anyone with non-magical footing here can last for 3 cumulative rounds on acidic floor before their footwear bites the dust. Anyone going barefoot like poor Spide will have no protection. Standing on Grump is safe, and the party may have the means to create safe patches of floor.

Anyone barefoot on the acidic terrain takes 2 acid damage at the start of each of their turns. Anyone knocked Prone also receives this damage from touching the floor, unless they are in Heavy Armor.

Spoiler: Initiative

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Apidae Faerza Warriors - 21

Ront - 20
Ront/ALADIN - 19.5
ALADIN - 19
Elara - 19B
Borthan - 19
Galdar - 18

Apidae Faerza Larvae - 17
Wax Facsimiles - 13
Apidae Faerza Queen J - 11

Dawnbringer - 10

Apidae Faerza J Honey - 8
Apidae Faerza Queen J (Legendary Action) - 7
Apidae Faerza Drones - 4
Apidae Faerza Queen J (Lair Action) - 4
Apidae Faerza Queen J (Lair Action) - 2

Arriving Soon
Faedryl - 17
Turvy - n1
Nilvae - 15
Spide - 7
Nilvae/Spide - 11
Derendil - 12
When drop team 2 arrives, players may choose to merge initiative with characters already present if desired.

[Bobthewizard]

Elara Moon Elf Dhampir Cleric 5 AC: 20 HP: 37/41 +9 THP PP: 16 PIv: 10 PIs: 16 MP: 40/40 +8 TMP Sanity: +3 Initiative: +2 (Advantage and +1d8) HD: 5/5d8, Conditions: none Spell Slots, 1st: 3/4, 2nd: 2/3, 3rd: 2/2 Channel Divinity 1/1 SR + 1/1 LR Vampiric Bite: 3/3 LR Vigilant Blessing: self Eyes of the Night: 1/1 LR

Elara steps off the side of the cliff with some trepidation. She could climb down with Charlotte and not risk the fall. But she agreed to go with the others since they will need her help to defeat the bees. She falls, unsure if she will land safely or splat against the rocks below. She watches the cliff go past faster and faster. And then, suddenly, she's floating alongside the others. Just before breaking through the top of the hive, she prays to Sehanine for her protection. The now familiar moonlight surrounds her, bathing her allies in healing light.

Once in the hive, she assesses the situation.

"Ront is going to need our help."

But she can't leave the others yet. She summons a spectral glowing sword to attack the nearest waxen monstrosity, following it up with an attempt to pull its life out of it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Channel Divinity for Twilight Sanctuary 1 round before we land.
Once landed, Cast Spiritual Weapon and attack Waxen Fax 3 (1d20+8)[14], (1d8+4)[10]
Then Toll the Dead (2d8)[6] or (2d12)[23] if SW hit, DC16 Wis (1d20)[9]

THP (1d6+5)[9]

[Archmage1]

RONT Orc Brute Fighter AC: 19 HP: 51/51 PP: 11 PIv: 9 PIs: 11 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: Rint roars in fear and rage as he falls, knowing that this would either end in death, or glory. And as the magic hits him, and he slows, he hurls Mr. Grump, that mightiest of rocks, through the roof, the floors, and the other floor, still attached to it, and landing awkwardly on the rock, with a huge grin. This was going to be glorious. It isn't until after he manages to stand up, and take in the surroundings that he realizes that something went wrong: He was berift of allies, with the exception of his maybe trusty sword, his definitely trusty fist, and the mighty Mr. Grump. But there were plenty of enemies to be had. And he had Mr. Grump. Without really considering anything beyond how awesome this could be, he jumps down from Mr. Grump, spins around, and grunts with exertion as he picks up the mighty stone, and hurls it at the crossbow wielder, figuring that would keep it busy for a moment or two as he pulls Dawnblade, and lunges for the nearby waxen figure. Spoiler: OOC Show Move: Stand from prone, hop off of Mr. Grump. Action: Hurl Mr. Grump at the crossbow wax, for save? (1d20)[1] If it is strength based, a 16 is probably the DC? Unless powerful build/Brute modify that. Also, second attack, move a little more, and lightsaber stab Mr. H. (1d20+10)[29] Attack! (1d8+7)[8] + (1d4)[2] Damage

ALADIN Autognome Artificer AC: 19 HP: 43/43 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 12 Sanity: 10 Conditions: Concentrating: As he lands on the acidic ground, ALADIN quickly takes in the scene, noting several of the waxen figures, bees, and the slime mass to the north. And then he initiates stage two, shifting to the north, and activating the pre-equipped Battle Poppet, sending it further north, to drench one of the two waxen figures guarding the descent into the lower level in a flow of seawater, hoping to wash it away, and start reducing the acid on the floor with the flooding. Spoiler: OOC Show Move: Move north a bit(Moved on Map.) Action: Activate and command the Poppet, send it fifteen feet north and five feet east. Have it unleash The Trove upon the adjacent facsimile. (1d20)[17] Strength DC 14 or be washed away. Bonus: Not used.