Menace at the Hotsprings

April 1st 2007

Players: Zsuzsa, Vashbav, Aipoc, Serena

A commotion has been caused by two young lovers running into town bleeding from multiple wounds, their bodies barely covered with tattered clothes, half frozen to death, screaming of demon spawned dog men attacking them at the hot springs and taking most of their possessions.

From the ledge along the cliff side, crude worn steps slowly evolve allowing the passage downwards to ease somewhat. Approximately forty feet down, the veil of mist lessens as if one had stepped through a wall of clouds and out the other side. What is revealed is truly a marvelous sight. Dark green and blue moss, some almost a meter thick, coats every surface of the valley below the fog. The natural light from sun or moon that permeates downward causes the mist to glimmer like platinum and causes every mossy surface to appear like sapphire and emerald. Mounds of moss-thick boulders are bisected by a narrow river that spills out the middle of the northern wall of stone. Running sinuous through the ravine's belly, the river water is tinted a mineral blue that is shrouded by wisps of rising miasma. The river collects in several pools over its run of a mile before a hole opens up at the southern end and swallows the entire flow back into the earth. The pools that form are steaming and have a perfectly round shape which are flanked by a pair of tall monoliths each. No moss grows upon the obsidian structures making them the only thing, other than the water, not covered by the moss. All told, there are four pools with four sets of standing black stones. As you arrive and look around there is no sign of the 'Demon spawned dog men' or any sign that anyone has been here in quite some time.

Zsuzsa comes riding up on her mount as she saw the half naked people running and screaming while she was already on her way to the hot springs. Her hood down and red hair looking extremely wind whipped from riding fast and hard to the hot springs, she slows as she comes to the path and mumbles "Why do I do this, and put myself in these situations" as she pats her horse and dismounts.

Vash makes her way into Springs with sword in hand as she narrows her eyes slowly. "Where are you." she whispers quietly out of her mouth attempting to look for those that attacked the lovers.

Aipoc makes his way into the springs, heavy flail swinging from one hand, shield in the other. He peers around with piggy eyes, first one direction then the other.

As you look around the hot springs seem deserted of all but the four of you there is however many places where things may be hidden the biggest of which is the fissure entrance down to the caverns below.

Aipoc glances around at the others for a moment, then begins casting about, looking for the creatures reputed to be here.

Vashbav looks around and blinks slowly, "When did that moss grow." she remarks and lowers her sword slowly. "This is going to be." she pauses quietly and frowns gently.

Zsuzsa looks around and doesn't see anything of importance, just the moss and the hotsprings but feels uneasy and starts mumbling under her breath. As she mumbles a green glow suddenly envelope her and then fades slightly.

Serena lowers her hood and her long silver hair spills out onto her back. Keen silver blue eyes look around the springs for some sign of this demon danger. She carries her bow in one hand a a wand in the other. She looks to the others giving them a cool nod of greeting. She looks to the fissure that she knows well and nods towards it,"We need to prepare ourselves." she says softly. Serena takes a potion from her cloak and drinks it down before replacing the vial in it's little pocket. She narrows her eyes and tilts her head,"It would seem that they have taken shelter in the cavern, or perhaps came from there originally."

From the entrance of the fissure a small glowing missile comes flying and hits Serena. In the distraction of the missiles flight a crossbow bolt flies past Aipoc's head and lands in the small pool with a splash. The sound of battle cries ring from the hills as a group of Kobolds come charging at you.

Aipoc glances at the elf with a look of distaste, but moves to the front of the group, shield up. As he moves towards the entrance of the cavern he begins to intone a battle-song in prayer to Forstorelse.

Zsuzsa watches as the crossbow bolt flies into the water and winces a bit.

Serena is hit by that magical bolt but keeps her focus. She can't see into the dark crevice so she fires her own magic missile at one of the kobolds coming over the hill to attack. The kobold staggers and falls but is not yet dead.

For the moment Aipoc seems oblivious to the kobolds descending on the group. After witnessing the magical energy emanating from the cave he focuses intently on getting into the cavern and the magic user. He continues his war chant as he moves to the mouth of the cavern.

After seeing the magic missile fly at one of the kobolds and the oncoming half-orc there is a guttural yell from the cavern then the sound of feet running deeper into the cavern. The Kobolds arrive in to the springs and start attacking all swing wide except for the second last which was right on target until his partner fell on him.

Vashbav blinks at what is spoken and lifts her sword, her first swing of the battle brings the kobold down and dead as she starts to sing out to the group. Her words flutter with courage that she attempts to give to the masses.

Zsuzsa steps out from behind Vash as she sings, Zsuzsa starts to speak in another language quiet enough not to disrupt the bards song. Zsuzsa's hands and eyes start glowing green, at the last word, she releases a ball of green energy that hits one of her attackers square in the chest, he stumbles backwards but still seems to be alive.

Serena continues her magic missile assault on the kobold and hits it again as it closes in on her. This time it falls down dead and she is left with but one to face now. Her bow and wand are clutched in one hand now as she uses her free hand to cast the bolts of magic at her would be attacker.

Realizing that the magic users have retreated back up into the cavern, instead he whirls in a giant circle whipping the head of his flail around, slamming it into the head of the nearest kobold, crushing the monster's skull as he roars out his battle rage. Blood and brain matter splatter into the air as he sights the next closest kobold.

There is a flurry of attacks made by the kobolds, all missed except the Kobold to Zsuzsa's right who did succeed in hitting her but not hard enough to cause damage.

Most Bards are frail creatures, prone to an easy death and there for hang in the back of the fighting. This half orc woman is another thing all together. Through her song, One of happy little cheer regarding Little bunny Foo foo with an Axe killing Kobolds, Sorry folks this is not your childhood songs here, Vash Bav attacks the second Kobold upon her killing him instantly with a blow from her sword. "Little Bunny Foo Foo Hopping through Hot springs, coming upon a Kobold and chopping off their heads."

Zsuzsa ducks to try to avoid the attack of the kobold but comes up swinging, the wounded kobold not seeing her coming back up is surprised as her dagger slices deep into it's flesh and starts spewing blood as she slices it's neck from ugly ear to ugly ear. She lets out a yell as she slices it.It falls dead to the ground and she looks to the other one "You're next" Zsuzsa says through clenched teeth.

Serena's last Kobald attacker is less fortunate than the last. She takes hold of it's arm and a wave of blue energy flows through her to this lizard man and disrupts his life force. It drops limply to the ground with a blue tint of cold upon it's skin.

The flail head almost whistles as the large half-orc priest keeps it moving through the air in a large looping circle. Aiming it at the other kobold trying to attack him, Aipoc chants out "May Forstorelse receive your soul into her arms, scourge it of weakness and impiety." a roared shout is his voice as his strong right arm brings the flail down onto the small kobold, literally pulping it in one massive blow.

Looking fearful the last remaining kobold swings his spear at Zsuzsa and misses miserably.

Vashbav growls and steps up to ZsuZsa's foe. Slicing it neatly in half she straightens up and nods firmly, "there is a chest under ground." she tells the group though doesn't say how she knows. "There are more there."

Vashbav straightens up a bit and moves to put her sword away. "Anyone hurt." she calls before moving to start searching through bodies.

Aipoc shakes his head to Vash's question as he cleans the brain-matter and gore from the head of his flail on the cloak of one of his victims. He constantly eyes the cavern, watching for sign of life, movement. Standing just at the mouth, his eyes glow faintly red as he peers into the depths, waiting for the others to prepare themselves to pursue their prey.

Zsuzsa bends down and cleans her dagger off on some moss hugging one of the nearby rocks and slides in back into the top of her boot. She stands and looks towards the cavern, staying quiet she steadies her nerves and her eyes seem to change, suddenly there is a great amount of strength in her eyes.

The narrow fissure in the stone that allows the river to flow outwards deepens back into the wall and expands outward revealing a cavern hidden within. Moss coats the ceiling, casting a yellowish bioluminescent gloom about this womb of rock. Illuminating the very source of the river, a large pool deepens downward to blackness and the unknown.

This cavern, though hard to attain, has been found before. The moss that glows above casts shadows downward that reveal the walls of this chamber to have been carved in exquisite relief. Mythic shapes blend together, one archetype to the next in a stone tapestry that seems to flow out of the black basin like the waters itself.

Off along the far wall of the Cavern sits a large treasure chest it is illuminated by a slight glow coming from inside.

Vashbav casts a few spells upon Serena, One to heal her the other is whispered to the woman, "In case you are hit with in the battle again, This will make you stronger so that your foes fall faster with sword and stick." she whispers to the other Magic caster. Following after the group as they head towards the cavern, Vash starts her song again, picking up softly to start the encouragement of her fellow warriors.

The majority of the cavern is in darkness the only spot of brightness is behind you and by the torches

Aipoc looks around inside the cavern, gaze sliding over the chest, looking for his foes. Unimpeded by darkness, his eyes glow slightly reddish as his dark vision kicks in.

Vashbav looks around slowly, "Be on guard." she offers not seeing a person, "This could get...messy, quickly." The orc says quietly and then goes back to humming her song quietly.

Zsuzsa wanders into the dark cavern behind the others "damnit I can't see a thing" she starts to whisper and stops "tho I do hear something" she says and turns her back to the treasure chest glowing on the other side of the cavern.

Serena nods at VashBav's words and says a few words of thanks in a quiet tone. "We are not alone as it might seem. There are at least 3 others here." she says in a cool tone,"Two by the chest and another over there." she says as she lifts her empty hand pointing off to her right."I am forced to wonder what their intentions are thought as they hide and wait."

A green tinted lip is drawn into a sneer over an eyetooth. The hideous countenance of Aipoc ripples as he spots the shadowy figures near the chest. A rumbled roar rises in his chest as he begins moving rapidly towards the chest, flail already in motion, massive attack circles as he moves towards his spotted foes.

Zsuzsa takes a step backwards and stumbles a bit but catches herself before losing her balance completely a small palm sized rock is what she stumbles on, she picks it up and gets an idea. She holds it between her two hands and starts whispering quietly, a moment later when she removes her hand the small rock is glowing.

As Aipoc reaches the half way mark to the chest the sound of loud bells peal out from the darkness seeming from all directions. At the sound of the bells movement is seen for moments before the torches are put out and more loud screaming is heard "Protect the chest you louse dog, if you don't he will not be pleased" there is then the sound of metal shod feet running downwards into the darkness.

Guttural chanting is heard from the direction of the chest, a bolt of pure energy comes flying from the darkness to strike the oncoming half-orc (Aipoc).

Serena lifts her empty hand and a bolt of magic leaves her causing the magic missile to strike the kobold to the right of the chest. It is not killed, merely wounded.

Crossbow in had Zsuzsa squints and tries to see the creature that was shuffling around behind her, she shrugs and without trying to aim takes a shot into the dark. And that's exactly what it was a shot in the dark she listens to see if it hit anything and hears it clink to the floor in the distance.

Out of the darkness from the right behind the entrance to the cavern comes a crossbow bolt it flies true and strikes Vashbav in the shoulder.

From the right of the group comes another flying bolt of energy striking Serena. Roaring, Aipoc swings at one of the spell casters, missing him cleanly. His guttural growl speaks the rage that boils within as his eyes narrow down and he begins the dance of death with his foe.

One of the kobolds guarding the chest that had moved up to attack the Enraged Half-orc stabs with it's spear at Aipoc but misses.

Vashbav reaches back and pulls the arrow out of her shoulder. Her eyes move to catch the being that attacked her before, *SNAP* the half orc breaks the arrow with a slightly twisted grin on her face, "Bo." she says quietly. The Kobold drops the cross bow and takes a step back as the half orc turns to regard him straight on.

Kobold Sorcerer1 takes a stab at Aipoc but trips over the spear and stumbles a bit before righting itself.

Serena finally gets to use her light crossbow. She levels it at the kobold that hit her with a magic missile and fires. The bolt sinks deep into the kobold's body but it still stands there in the shadows to her right. No doubt waiting to toss another magic missile her way.

Zsuzsa finally gets a glimpse of the kobold that was behind herself and Vashbav, she lifts her hand and to not disturb the bards concentration as she sings, quietly murmurs to herself and lets loose a magic missile at the kobold hitting it in the chest, it waivers a bit but still remains standing.

Kobold Sorcerer4 pulls out its short spear and readies it staring at Vash the tip of it's spear quivering in the air betraying how scared it is.

Out of the darkness a crossbow bolt fired by KS3 comes flying and bounces off Serena's mage armor.

A blood-curdling roar emanates from the throat of the enraged half-orc.

Aipoc swings his flail and slams it into chest of the kobold sorcerer Serena hit with the magic missile. Slaver runs from the corners of his mouth as he caves in the chest of the sorcerer, killing him instantly. He locks his gaze on the other sorcerer and says, "Surrender now or your fate is as his!"

Vashbav doesn't really seem to pay attention to the rest of the fight. Rather she mutters under her breathe, and a roar fills the cavern that seems to emanate from the Bard's mouth. The result of her actions. The kobold that attacked her wets himself...and falls over in a faint. Nodding to herself, apparently pleased by her actions, Vash turns to look around at what is left.

Serena loads and levels her light crossbow once again. Her adept hands skillfully aiming and firing it yet again. This time her bolt impales the kobald in a vital organ and it drops with little more than an off.

The last standing Kobold tries to stab Aipoc again but is visibly shaking now and misses by far.

Zsuzsa spins around on her heel after seeing the one that had been attacking Vashbav faint after her scaring it, to see the one kobold left that was attacking the large male half orc, again she whispers out a few words and lets loose a ball of magic towards the kobold, the missile shooting right past Aipoc and slamming the kobold in the shoulder throwing him a bit of balance.

Aipoc roars at the final kobold, whirling his flail around faster and faster, the crushing blow never comes however, instead, Aipoc slams the haft of the flail into the face of the kobold as it tries to duck the whistling head of the flail, knocking the poor gullible beast out cold, his body crumpling unconscious to the floor.

Vashbav looks around slowly and moves to tie up the kobold she caused to faint.

Aipoc quickly disarms the kobold he knocked out and motions to Vash to truss him with the other one for interrogation later. Eying the deep shadows of the room he rolls his shoulder sand says, "That was easy enough." The roar is gone from his voice, once more the cultured voice of the priest.

Vashbav shrugs slightly and moves to drag the other kobold over to Aipoc, "I didn't even deal a blow with that one." she remarks to the group.

Zsuzsa looks over to Vash "I nearly peed myself when I saw that" she says with a chuckle.

Zsuzsa looks over at the glowing box "So should we see what was so great that they were guarding?" she asks the group.

Aipoc nods quietly to Vashbav and then to Zsuzsa, "Might as well...I would like to know what caused them to attack those people."

Serena moves over towards the chest and begins to cast a spell to detect any magic that might be upon it. She is careful not to touch it as she is not a thief.

Vashbav thinks for a moment and hmms, Looking over it a bit she means to check for if its locked, Of course, she is not a rogue, so this could get deadly.

As Vashbav and Serena get closer to the Chest they look around and all of a sudden part of the chest whips out at Serena missing her Vashbav growls as the arm comes out and swings her sword at it quickly, Her speed isn't enough as she misses the arm as it misses Serena

Zsuzsa hears the commotion going on over by the 'glowy' treasure box and walks to within 20 feet of the thing that seems to be lashing out on it's own, her face gets a bit screwed in confusion, she points her crossbow at the thing "what the hell is that thing?" she asks as she fires a shot at it.

Aipoc bellows out a roar that shakes the air around him, slamming his flail into the mimic, hurting it badly, but he suddenly looks slightly confused as his weapon sticks to the creature, then is actually pulled out of his hands.

After being hit by the big Half-orc the mimic Strikes out at Aipoc hitting soundly and sticking to Aipoc, effect Vash growls and swings her sword fully attacking the creature.

Slamming the sword into it, she doesn't move fast enough to pull it back from getting stuck. Her handle on the blade though keeps it in her hands and with a swift grunt she attempts to get it free...it doesn't come. Of course through all this Little bunny foo foo is sung about again inspiring the others a bit of confidence. Course Little bunny foo foo isn't having a very good day either.

Serena 's eyes grow wide as this chest comes to life and starts to back away while reloading her crossbow and firing it at the thing. She manages to hit it with the bolt and back off a good 5 feet and might have moved farther if she hadn't been busy reloading. She is now a good 7-8 feet away.

"No seriously, what the hell is this thing?" Zsuzsa asks as she reloads her crossbow and fires another shot at the weird treasure box that's now got a half orc and a half stuck to it.

Aipoc doesn't even struggle against the creature's pseudopod-like grasp. Instead he calmly reaches down to his belt and pulls the light mace hanging there, raises it as high as he can and brings it crashing down into the center of the creature, killing it. With the mimic's death all that is stuck to it falls free, with Aipoc's weapon slamming loudly on the floor. when you look around to where the kobold were left they are gone, and there is a trail leading to the passage way down further into the fissure.

Zsuzsa looks around "as long as everyone is ok I need to go make sure my horse is alright" she says and turns to leave.