(038) The Concourse Catacomb

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Mads takes a few cautious steps into the dank chamber... the ground isn't too wet at the base of the stair, so there is no real risk of slipping.

As he does so, and cylindrical bulk raises itself up from the foul slick, turning an armoured head toward the light -- it is a giant centipede-like thing, the body perhaps a foot in diameter! Delicate feelers quest toward the new comers, perhaps tasting the change in the air...

The lay of the land is thus:


.........||/.............
.|.........=.............
-+---------M-----------+.
.|.....................|.
~.I~.~.~X~.~.~.~.~.~.~I~.
....--------+---------...
............|............


The monster is perhaps 30ft or so away from Mads.

What now?

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads quickly moves left a few steps and sets his lantern down on the floor of the chamber, and retreats back to the base of the stair with his sword drawn. Hesitating for a split second, Mads whistles up the stairs to alert the others.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Perhaps sensing Mads, the thing lurches forward as the brave warlock place his lantern down and hastily retreats. Dozens of stick-like legs ply a wave of motion and propel the great centipede out of the muck and onto the floor proper as it moves smoothly toward the lantern... It must be 7ft long long!

What now? Retreat, or face it? You have mere moments to decide.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
Rufus hidding in shadows, will a sneak around for a back stab if possible else stay hidden. When Rufus attacks he will cry out for the others to quickly help.

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads will try and flank the foul thing and hack at it with his sword, hoping that the lantern light is enough to distract it.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
(I'll give Dugel and Wendel 'til tonight to respond before I resolve the first round...)

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Heeding the concourse Man's advice, Dugel stays well up the stair and out of harms way.

The others are more eager to prove their mettle. Steel blades ring coldly as they are whisked from their sheathes and Rufus and Mads move immediately to either flank of the monster while Wendel approaches it more cautiously, head-on.

The over-sized centipede is unperturbed by this development, immediately focusing on (1-2=Mads, 3-4= Rufus, 5-6=Wendel; 1d6=1) Mads and powering at him with sudden speed!

Initiative is rolled (1d6; Mads=3, Rufus=5, Wendel=5, Centipede=2)

Our adventurous crew are itching to try their arms against it, and bring their weapons to bear most speedily; Wendel is about to cast his burning lantern at the monster, until it suddenly steers its course away from him and he stays his hand.

Rufus has the flank, and takes advantage of the opportunity leaping at its flank to drive his dagger into it (1d20=11) but alas! His blow is blunted against its hard carapace (FYI -- a backstab attack is only possible with surprise, and is only specially effective versus Man-types).

Mads has just enough time to hack at the great armoured head of the monster with his sword as it lurches up at him (1d20=10) but he is hardly well balanced and his blow too clangs harmlessly off its thick helmet-like head-plates. And instantly thereafter it is on him, its foul head-parts driving up at him (1d20=6) with its hideous mandibles snapping mere inches from his face and neck!


Round one is spent. What next, gentlemen?

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
"Die beast!" cries out Rufus a little at a loss why his back stab failed.
Rufus the quick will continue to fight with dagger and hand-axe in his hands, from his positon behind hoping it will allow an easier hit.


OOC: Thanks for the tip on back stabs. I guess a 4 Intelligence shines through sometimes.

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads presses on, attempting to find solid footing against the bug.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Very well.

The trio press their ill-advised attack, while Dugel the Dwarf take a few more anxious steps backward, up the stair. "Still the monster!" he instructs, while ensuring he is not at risk himself.

Initiative is rolled (1d6; Mads=3+1, Rufus=4+1, Wendel=1, Foe=2)

Rufus is quickest, and jabs at the monster's flank with his poniard (1d20=11) but again fails to penetrate its thick plated shell. Mads curtly sidesteps the monster's initial attack as he recovers his balance, and swiftly deals it a horizontal slash (1d20=17) that cuts through its carapace for (2dd=2,2) 4 hit points of damage. The game is afoot!

The monster reflexively curls around the wound behind its head for a moment before launching its next attack; it's dull amber eyes are fixed upon Mads now and it dives angrily for him (1d20=17) and this time its fearsome mandibles punch right through his leather jack to gore his chest for (3dd=1,2,4) a cruel 5 hit points! The wound is foul with the centipede's venom and Mads must save versus poison (1d20=9) but fails -- he is knocked flat on his back by the sheer weight of the worm's attack, and paralysed by its venom!

Not a moment later Wendel drives his sword at the monster's exposed flank (1d20=18) and penetrates its hide to deliver (2dd=4,6) a telling blow for 6 hit points. He leans bodily on the sword hilt, pinning the writhing monsters to the spot as it thrashes and hisses for a moment... and then drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Suddenly everything is still, and all is quiet but for Wendel's panting wheeze.

Mads is paralysed with but 1 hit point remaining.


(By some great fortune this giant centipede was a scrawny specimen, having merely 9 hit points from a possible range of 6-21).


What now?