conversations: human
conversations:  Your search for a missing peasant eventually leads you to a weathered path. The foliage around you is dense and tough, with bloodvines winding around and between the darkwood trees, but the path you’re on is cleared and well worn. As you approach a sloping hill, you see a clearing open up around the mouth of a cave.
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  "  That cave reeks of life,  " says Grig. "  We must be on the right track.  "
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian Tengu 
  
  " You can smell it?  Huh.  The only thing  I  smell is 'eau de sweaty bugbear.' "  He grinned at Grig.
  
  " So do we send somebody in to scope things out?  Too bad nobody here can read tracks on the ground and figure out what's inside. "
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  "I would be willing to go in first." 
conversations: Lemonus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian Tengu 
  
  " Alright, then.  Off with you.  Let us know what you find.  If you don't come back in three hours, we'll be right here waiting.  Honest. "
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  Eglath enters the cave, looking for any sign of trouble, but not really trying to hide.
conversations: Lemonus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Originally Posted by PolkaBear 
   " You can smell it?  Huh.  The only thing  I  smell is 'eau de sweaty bugbear.' " 
   
  
  "  Yes of course,  " replies Grig, rolling his eyes. "  That one never gets old.  "
  
  As the barbarian enters the cave, Grig adds, "  I don't think waiting around out here is going to do us any good. Elgath will have all the fun if we let him go in by himself.  " With that, Grig follows the goliath into the cave.
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  You enter a large, filthy chamber filled with roots, slime, and unsettlingly large fungus. You are immediately confronted by two axe-wielding orcs in heavy armor, and two evil-looking spear-wielding men with glowing tattoos of eyes on their foreheads.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  I will put a map up once everyone rolls init. You can try to get out of fighting the guards if you like.
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Init:
   (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 
  Really?
   
conversations: Lemonus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian 
  
  Lian clacked his beak and followed the others into the cave with a twinkle in his black eye.
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  The init order:
   
   Spoiler 
   Grig (G) 
   Cultist 1 (C1) 
   Cultist 2 (C2) 
  Lian (L)
   Orc 1 (O1)  (alive but neutralized)
  Orc 2 (02)
  Eglath (E)
   
  
  
  The map:
   
   Spoiler 
   
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  "  Death approaches us all,  " says Grig as he walks towards one of the orcs, "  but for some it approaches more quickly than others. Give us the peasant, and your struggle against death may be extended if the Raven Queen sees fit.  "
  
  By now Grig is face to face with the orc. He raises his axe above his head, and as he awaits a reply he offers the orc a wink and a smile.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Move to square between Elgath and 02.
  
  Intimidate:  (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 
  
  Ready an action to use Dominator's Strike if the orcs and cultists don't surrender immediately.
  
  Attack:  (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  vs. AC.
  Hit:  (2d6+4)[ 10 ]  damage, and Grig gains 3 THP.
   
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Grig's attack misses the orc and strikes the ground sending sparks flying into the air. The two cultists charge towards him and strike at him with their wicked spears.
  
   Cultist 1:   (1d20+6)[ 20 ] 
   Cultist 2:  15 (I accidentally deleted the result, but it was a 15).
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Do either of those hit?
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian Tengu 
  
  Lian saw the eyes of both the orcs follow the cultists, and he hoped to be able to take advantage of the momentary distraction.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   Move:  to square 'below' and 'to the left' of O1.
   Standard:   Piercing Shard  on O1
  Attack vs. AC:  (1d20+8)[ 23 ] 
  Damage (psychic):  (2d10+8)[ 14 ] 
  Effect: Invisible to target until start of next turn
   
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian's shard punches through the orc's ragged armor and buries itself in tough, leathery flesh. Stinking black blood spurts out and covers Lian, but he disappears a moment later.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  The orc is now bloodied.
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Eglath steps forward and slices his axe into a cultist. This invigorates him and grants him strength.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Shift up to Cultist 2
  Attack with Recuperating Strike
  Attack: (Strength vs. AC)
   (1d20+4)[ 15 ] 
  Damage:
   (1d12+4)[ 11 ]  and I gain 4 temporary hit points.
   
conversations: Lemonus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Eglath's weapon and clothing are stained with crimson as the cultist spasms and drops to the floor. Upon the evil man's death, vile energy washes over Eglath and Grig.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Eglath and Grig both take 3 necrotic damage.
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Seeing the first cultist collapse, Grig's eyes widen and he licks his lips. Howling in pain at the wave of energy, at the same time Grig seems invigorated by it, and attempts to repeat the dose on the other cultist.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Shift to square south of 02.
  
  Attack C1 with Dominator's Strike.
  
  Attack:  (1d20+6)[ 9 ]  vs. AC.
  Hit:  (2d6+4)[ 7 ]  damage, and Grig gains 3 THP.
   
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Grig's attack misses, striking the stone hard with a deafening clang.
  
  The remaining cultist grins unsettlingly, laughs, and plunges his spear into his own stomach. Out of his mouth comes a glob of back blood-slime, which washes over Grig, seeps into his skin, and starts to eat at his soul.
  
  As the cultist dies, his body twists and morphs into a stinking mass of something alien and awful.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 18 ] 
   Hit:  9 necrotic damage.
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian Tengu 
  
  " Now that's just nasty.  Looks like the breakfast you tried cooking up the other day, Eglath. "
  
  Taking advantage of the orc's startlement at a voice seemingly coming from nowhere, Lian struck again with his frozen blade.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   Move:  Shift 'up' one square
   Standard:  Attack O1 with  Icy Skewer 
  Attack vs. AC (with bonus from CA):  (1d20+10)[ 23 ] 
  Damage (Cold):  (1d10+8)[ 18 ] 
  On hit, +2 power bonus to all defenses against target's attacks until EONT
   
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  The wounded orc grunts with anguish as he is impaled by the blade of ice. Barley alive, he slides off the weapon and onto the floor in a moaning heap.
  
  The other orc, seeing his last companion fall, flies into a rage. He swings his axe at Grig with reckless fury.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Attack: [roll]1d20+6[/roll]
  Hit: [roll]1d10+5[/roll] damage.
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Eglath moves over to the last Cultist, and swings his ax at it.  "You know those berries were rotten!" 
   
   Spoiler 
  MBA against the cultist, after moving next to it.
  Attack:
   (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
  
  Damage:
   (1d12+4)[ 7 ] 
   
conversations: Lemonus:
conversations: human
conversations:  Eglath's attack misses, but manages to crush a rather large mushroom growing out of the cave floor.
  
  The air is filled with spores, and everyone feels slightly dizzy.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  There is no game effect...
  
  You hope. 😏
   
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  A roar escapes Grig, at once frustrated at his inaccuracy and reveling in the death that surrounds him.
  
  As he swings his ace with furious intent, Grig offers a whispered prayer to the Raven Queen. "  May you know the sweet, cold embrace of the Queen herself.  "
  
   
   Spoiler 
   Free Action : Dread Smite
  Trigger: You target an enemy with an at-will attack power.
  Effect: The target takes 5 cold and necrotic damage. If the attack hits, the target also takes ongoing 5 cold and necrotic damage (save ends).
  
   Standard Action : Vengeance Strike
   (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  vs. AC
   (2d6+6)[ 13 ]  damage (includes a power bonus equal to twice the number of enemies adjacent to Grig (+2)).
  
   Minor Action : Shroud of Shadow
  Gain concealment until EONT. Also gain 5 THP.
   
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian Tengu 
  
  Lian hopped over to the last remaining orc with bounding steps and took up a flanking position, then stabbed it in the back.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Move to NE of O2, which I believe sets up a flank with Grig.
  
  Then, attack with Icy Skewer.  Flanking gives him a +3 bonus to attack (Flock Effect).
  Attack vs. AC:  (1d20+11)[ 26 ] 
  Damage (Cold):  (1d10+9)[ 19 ] 
  On hit, Lian gets a +2 power bonus to all defenses against O2 until EONT.
   
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  The remaining orc drops to its knees, utterly defeated and vomiting black fluid. It looks up at you and utters a curse in some unknown language before ending its own misery with a knife.
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  "  You know I meant to keep missing.  " says Grig. "  Ugh. I don't feel so good.  "
  
  Grig drops to his knees heavily. Closing his eyes, he offers a short, whispered prayer to the Raven Queen. His wound begin to knit. After a moment he opens his eyes and takes a proper look around the cave.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  I'm guessing we have time for a short rest, in which case Grig will spend four healing surges to return to full HP, leaving seven surges remaining.
  
  Perception check to look for anything of interest: [/roll]1d20+5[/roll]
  Nature check to identify the mushrooms:  (1d20)[ 11 ] 
   
conversations: salt3d:
conversations: human
conversations:  The mushrooms are an unnamed verity from the Feywild. They are technically edible, but are hard on the stomach and known to trigger hallucinations (sometimes days after consumption).
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  Lian thumbed a claw over his shoulder.  " Anyone want to see if the other big ugly one is still alive?  I wasn't paying close enough attention to be sure once I saw him going down, but he might be revivable if we want to try to get some answers out of him. "
  
  He spun in place and sauntered back over to the orc he had first felled, checking the creature briefly to see if there was any hope of interrogation.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Perception check:  (1d20)[ 2 ] 
  Heal check:  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
   
conversations: PolkaBear:
conversations: human
conversations:  The orc is alive, but in poor shape indeed. The floor is splattered with its unusually thick blood, and it moans incoherently. It seems perceive your presence, and fruitlessly gropes at the floor.
conversations: Chainsaw Hobbit:
conversations: human
conversations:  " Yep, it's dead.  Except, of course, for the barely being alive part.  Anyone else want to poke it a bit more? "
conversations: PolkaBear: