Fantasy DUNGEON DELVER: Secrets of Caedia — Expedition #3, Find the Ecologist

[simj26]

Expedition #3

CHARLOTTE

ELF RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

Twin Steelsongs sung, drawn forth from their Homes, their elf Owner emerging from the Shadows and Green, the scent-drowning mud flecking off her Person as she dove forwards. ‘Twas a Trap that relied on Bodies and Firepower, a Tactic that she was unused to. Too much Noise, too much Reliance on Fleshblood to withstand a Creature's advance.

But since the Young Ones were offering, she would have to make do. There was no Point in readying her Arrows- trust as she might in her Prowess with her Weapon, the risk of striking the Horned One was still present, especially in the current Situation, where both the Horned One and the Masked Creature with its Mask were now trading Bites.

Her Blades thrummed with the wicked twisted Energies of the Wild Green. She was not sure if the Effects were usable on the Creature or the Mask, but it never hurt to try. After all, ‘twas her first experience, and she might as well take Notes on their behaviour when exposed to Toxins of the mind.

As the Witch fired her projectile, so too did the Elf shoot forwards, baring her own Fangs, and delivering them unto her Hunt.

Interactions: Roda the Red joshuadim @Coyote Hart Elenion Aura Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Elenion Aura]

Expedition #3

GARWAN

HALFLING RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

The trap had been sprung. Dakdak's ice surged forth, encasing the beast in a jagged cage of frozen shards. Its massive form halted. Limbs stiffening as frost crept up its limbs. It roared in fury, jaws still clamped around Gou's shoulder. The Oni's own fangs had sunk deep into the creature's neck. His mouth filling with the foul taste of corrupted blood and black, oily bile. Ever as the beast thrashed, struggling against the ice and brawn that bound it.

Then, the barrel of a gun erupted. Smoke and fire. The lead bullet tore through the air, striking its quarry in the shoulder, the impact ripping a gaping wound through the monster's hide, sending a spray of blood and black ichor across the clearing. The creature howled, its body reeling... As twin poison-blades flashed through the air. Biting deep into its flank, carving long, jagged wounds across corrupted flesh. Its body sagged.

Victory appeared close at hand, the creature weakened, surrounded, bloodied and afflicted... But it wasn't over yet. The ice that had been its cage groaned....

Then, with an explosive burst of strength, the ice shattered. Frozen fragments scattered as the beast broke free. It bucked violently, tossing Gou aside, sending him crashing to the moss-laden floor with a bone-rattling thud.

The creature turned, its bloodied body surging forth. Heading for the treeline, its eyes blazing, colliding with Charlotte and knocking the elf huntress out of its path. In an instant, it was almost gone—ready to vanish back into the shadow of the forest... But for the efforts of a lone dwarf, who leapt into its path.

Slamming both palms into the ground and activating a carefully placed sigil beneath the earth. The rune blazed to life, and with a rumbling crack, a massive spike of stone erupted from the ground, driving itself into the creature's chest.

The beast shrieked. Blood and black ichor gushed from the wound. But it did not stop. The stone spear snapped like dry kindling. The beast lashing out, massive jaws snapping shut around Lewyse's midsection. The dwarf gasped as the creature clamped down, lifting her into the air. Her body hung limply in its maw, swaying helplessly as it tore itself free from the spike and bounded through the trees, taking its prize with it.

"NO!" Garwan screamed, firing bolts into the brambles, but it was too late. The creature, and Lewyse with it, had already vanished between the gnarled branches of the swamp.


Interactions: Roda the Red simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[joshuadim]

Expedition #3

DAKDAK

KOBOLD WIZARD

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Dakdak silently cursed at himself as the creature broke loose of its icy hindrance, thinking that perhaps he had underestimated the creature's strength and in turn had led to its freedom. Lewyse's attempt to fell the creature was... admirable, to say the least. A competent work of geomancy that ultimately fell prey to the same complacency in underestimating the beast's persistence. In turn, she became its newest victim as she became ensared in its vicious jaws and soon disappeared into the trees along with it. If she wasn't dead before, she most likely is now. the wizard commented to himself, as he straightened himself and let out a snort.

"...any other creature would have died by now." the wizard mused, turning attention back to the ichor that he had collected in the vial and looked over to the similar substance that had flowed out of the beast's wounds. "Perhaps whatever is corrupting it makes it stronger and more resilient." he then suggested, "This requires investigation, lest we walk yet again into an encounter without any idea of what we're facing nor what its properties are."

Interactions: Elenion Aura Roda the Red simj26 Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[simj26]

Expedition #3

CHARLOTTE

ELF RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

“Still your Tongueflapping and Seal your Lips, the Hunt begins now!”

Three hundred years. Ever since she could string her Bow, let loose an Arrow into her Prey, and wield the bites of her Sword, she had never lost the Elation of the Hunt. None of the Rest mattered to her in this Moment, this Second, not the Green One's Cries of Anguish, not the lost Dwarf. Death was Nothing, merely an Act of the Cycle. ‘Twas the Dwarf's fault for being careless, and if her Life was removed from the Cycle, the Blame cannot be shouldered upon Others.

For once, in the Presence of Others, her Lips curled, her Teethfangs bared. Blood was in the Water, and she smelled it. She raised her Head, and released a Wolfhound's howl skywards, a Call to the Hunt, before she bounded after the fleeing Creature, her Feetsteps Wild, but Calculated, as they crossed over the Bogging marshland.

Interactions: Roda the Red joshuadim @Coyote Hart Elenion Aura Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[joshuadim]

Expedition #3

DAKDAK

KOBOLD WIZARD

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Dakdak rolled his eyes as the Charlotte let her suicidal intentions be known and ran off after the beast without a care in the world. "Fine, kill yourself for all I care." the wizard said aloud with annoyance to the she-elf, his words trailing behind her in the wind, before turning to the others who had yet to bound off. "If you're less intent on throwing your lives away against a beast like this, and get to the root of the problem, then I suggest you help me in collecting samples. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can find an easier way to beat the beast that holds our ecologist in its jaws."

Interactions: Elenion Aura Roda the Red simj26 Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Roda the Red]

Expedition #3

GOU

ONI BARBARIAN

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

Even for the gluttnous ogre, the taste of monster's very flesh was nothing short of vile, the urge to recoil being almost enough to force his jaw open, having adrenaline to thank alone that he pressed further. However, valiant efforts and a powerful will can only take you so far, his body flung away like a ragdoll from the beast's second wind. Fingers clutched onto the muddy ground as Gou raised his gaze, getting a full view of the monster's retreat, a struggling ecologist at the mercy of its baleful teeth.

The chunk of meat the ogre claimed from the battle traveled down his gullet, muscles tensing with a primal desire to hunt. He wanted to save that poor woman, he ached to defeat that monster to patch up his torn pride, he craved to feast upon the foul flesh of this powerful prey. A hand reached for the large puncture wounds on his chest, the scarlet cascades reduced to trickles. Gou's body began to heat up, a gentle cloud of steam emanating from his damp skin, a low growl escaping his lips as muscle fibers stitched themselves up at inhuman rates, the wounds didn't disappear in their entirety, but they bled no longer.

Dak Dak's reasoning rung muffled in Gou's ears as he stood up, crimson eyes focused on the pursuing Charlotte, her motives clear even if her words never reached him. He roared with a sprint, picking up his club in the way. Thunderous steps took him across the swampy terrain, getting him close to the ranger, treading through by her side like a hunter and hound.

Skill Used: Ogre Vitality​

Interactions: Elenion Aura simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[joshuadim]

Expedition #3

DAKDAK

KOBOLD WIZARD

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

It was when the idiotic Oni stumbled behind the she-elf's trail that Dakdak threw his arms up in the air in exasperation, clearly fed up with everything: "Bah! I'm surrounded by the imbecilic and suicidal!" the Kobold shouted in frustration. Clearly, this was a jest put upon by by whatever higher powers existed merely to test his patience and his composure. Both of which he was failing at given how much he was fuming at all this. But a wizard always worked with what cards they had... in this case, it was a group that was hell-bent on diving into danger headfirst without a care in the world.

And so, rather than wade into a situation that would likely be perilous he was intent on crafting a means by which to fell the creature. As he walked forwards, he picked up the vial he had collected previously of the same ichor from the creature and began to infuse a spell into it. He figured that this corruption was magical in nature, and thus its properties could be used against it. In turn, by imbuing this sample with a repellent spell it would - in theory - cause a looping violent reaction if it made contact with the creature.

Spell Used: Counterspell
​

Interactions: Elenion Aura Roda the Red simj26 Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Coin]

Expedition #3

CADRIS

HUMAN SORCERER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

Once the flash-bloom of fire dissipated from the muzzle of the barrel, Cadris squinted to see if she had indeed hit the cursed creature. The witch bit the bottom of her lip and grinned when she confirmed her shot had found its mark. Sure, it wasn't a mortal blow, but that just gave her an excuse to shoot it again. However, before Cadris had the opportunity to reload, the monster lashed out and nabbed Lewyse. It disappeared deep into the foliage, earning a muttered curse under Cadris' breath; a wound like that would surely be lethal if she wasn't dead already.

She grabbed her gun by its middle and jumped down from her post in the tree, pressing her hat to her head as she ran after the rest of her party. She jogged by Dakdak, who was clearly venting his frustration with the situation. "Aye, perhaps, but at least it isn't boring!" the witch chortled as she passed.

The slender firearm floated in the air beside her as she ran, giving her hands the freedom to reach into her ammunition pouch. She fished out a lead bullet, a flashpowder vial, and some cloth from the pouch and began the reloading process while on the move. Not once did she let the rangers leave her sight for more than a few seconds while she reloaded, there was no way she'd last too long without her compatriots.

Cadris called out to her fellow hunters as she rammed the bullet home with the ramrod, "If I can make it to Lewyse, there's a chance I can see to her wounds! The lot of us just have to make sure she doesn't turn into cat food first!"

RE: Elenion Aura , joshuadim , simj26 , Roda the Red

Code by Serobliss

 

[Elenion Aura]

Expedition #3

GARWAN

HALFLING RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

His heart sank as the creature disappeared into the darkness of the swamp, Lewyse limp in its monstrous jaws. He fired blindly into the brambles as they vanished, like throwing pebbles into a storm.

He cried out again, breathless and frantic. He was running before his senses had the chance to catch up with him. His instincts screamed at him to slow, to think. But the pounding in his ears drowned it all out. He had already lost Lewyse once, he wouldn’t lose her again.

Their chase was a fevered blur, a wild dash through the swamp, following every snapped twig, every fresh print in the muck. His breath came in ragged bursts, the stench of decaying foliage heavy in the air as they sprinted after the monster.

Garwan's eyes darted between the trees, his crossbow gripped tight as they followed the path of destruction left by the beast’s retreat. Broken branches, patches of churned mud, splatters of dark blood marking where the creature had staggered in its flight. It was close. It had to be close.

Suddenly, a figure appeared just ahead: Charlotte. Garwan nearly collided with her, his boots skidding to a stop in the muck as the swamp fell silent.

The smell hit him first—a sickly sweet stench of rot mixed with something his senses could not identify.

“...Gods above…” Garwan whispered.

There, in a small clearing, the beast lay still. Its body crumpled in the marsh. Its chest had cracked open. It appeared, somehow, less monstrous in this slant of light, more like the beast of the swamp that it was... Before corruption had taken it. What appeared to be the remnants of its black ichorous mask was strewn about it on the forest floor. Its maw hung open, but there was no more threat behind those jaws—only death.

But it wasn’t the dead creature that made Garwan's breath catch in his throat.

There, just beyond it, standing with her back to them, was Lewyse.

Her clothes were in tatters, hanging from her frame in strips, though her she appeared intact. Her hair was matted with mud, but she stood. She was alive..!

Garwan’s heart was in his ears as he stumbled forward, feet dragging through the muck. “Lewyse…?”


Interactions: Roda the Red simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[joshuadim]

Expedition #3

DAKDAK

KOBOLD WIZARD

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Dakdak followed the others, though at a less frantic pace and instead at a healthy jog, bounding through the marshes without a care in the world. Such rashness was always a prelude to something terrible to befall upon one, and this situation seemed to be no different. Arriving at the clearing shortly after the others, the wizard took note of his surroundings - most notably the dead beast - and narrowed his eyes. It was *dead*, surprisingly, but that led now to a whole new series of questions: Was it even alive before, or reanimated? What is the source of this corrupting fluid? And just what in the Hells was going on with the ecologist? He looked over to where Lewyse stood, a moment of confusion taking him as she seemed to be standing fine...

Perception Roll 1d20 = 19
There's something very wrong here.​

That was the conclusion that entered Dakdak's mind as he gripped the vial in his hand, its contents swirling with the magics infused into it. He looked back to the dead beast, and observed closer: its form had shifted as well to be lesser than what it had taken prior. And the ichor had disappeared... but where to? There was some on the ground surrounding the creature, but not enough to explain just how saturated it had been prior. A realization then hit him as he quickly darted his gaze back towards the ecologist, and grabbed Garwan on the arm to stop him from going over to her.

"She's infected with this ichor." he stated bluntly, confident in his conclusion.

​

Interactions: Elenion Aura Roda the Red simj26 Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Roda the Red]

Expedition #3

GOU

ONI BARBARIAN

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

The barbarian's frenzy subsided, as the lifeless body of their prey lied on the clearing, unceremoniously lying with its jaw agape. A tinge of disappointment was reflected in his eyes, shamefully staining the relief of seeing the dwarf standing in a seemingly safe manner. The oni felt bad for the creature, clearly corrupted by whatever was infecting this okace, and not even being allowed an honorable death in battle.

Something felt off, however. The way the woman wasn't reacting to the party's arrival, her silent stoicism while giving them her back, whatever might've been the case was way beyond Gou's comprehension, but the unease was there regardless. The little green one's late arrival soon cleared up any doubts. The Oni stare blankly at the allegedly corrupted woman, release the grip on his weapon, letting the hefty club taste the swamp terrain for a third time today.

"I'll restrain her, cover me."

Hesitation had ailed the party long enough, and time might be a luxury they now lacked. Thus he lunged forward, rushing at the standing Lewyse with arms wide open, aiming to tackle her and bind her smaller frame with a mighty lock.
Interactions: Elenion Aura simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Coin]

Expedition #3

CADRIS

HUMAN SORCERER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

"I concur," Cadris said aloud, echoing Dakdak's observation while still catching her breath. "She's definitely infected."

In truth, she really had no idea what the fuck she was looking at.

Perception Roll 1d20 = 6​

As Gou advanced to try to apprehend Lewyse by non-lethal means, Cadris backed off a few steps to allow the others to cover his approach. The witch repositioned her floating gun so it was pointed in Lewyse's general direction and stood behind it, ready to arm herself at a moment's notice.

Meanwhile, she reached into her alchemy pouch and fished around for raw ingredients and reagents. She practically wrung her brain out trying to think of what potion or salve she could create to neutralize the unknown ichor without also killing its host. Unfortunately, without a good grasp on exactly what they were encountering, trial and error was the best solution she could offer. A broad spectrum antidote would have to do for now.

RE: Elenion Aura , joshuadim , simj26 , Roda the Red

Code by Serobliss

 

[Elenion Aura]

Expedition #3

GARWAN

HALFLING RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Lewyse turned. The sight of her face brought Garwan’s breath to a halt—it was her, the same Lewyse they had fought tooth and nail beside only mere moments ago. Her eyes were wide and startled, her lips parted in a small, relieved smile.

Her hand rose, in it a small flask, the remnants of a healing poultice barely visible inside.

At first, Lewyse’s expression softened, relief flooding her features as she looked around at the familiar faces of her rescuers. But then her gaze flicked to Dakdak and Cadris, before finding Gou as he began to advance on her. The others, with weapons drawn, stood tense with anticipation. Confusion turned quickly to alarm.

"What... what are you doing?!" she stammered, taking a step back, her muddy boots sinking into the soft marshy ground. The panic in her voice rose as she saw the barbarian move to restrain her. "Stop! Wait! It’s me!"

Too late. The pair of them went down together into the muck, Lewyse's shouts of indignation muffled by the other's brawn.

"Hold on, hold on!" Garwan barked, his own body jerking as he thrust a hand into the air. "Stand down, all of you!" His voice was raw, urgent, cutting through the tension as he stepped forward, roughly shrugging off Dakdak's grip.

He turned to face them, his breathing labored, his brow damp with sweat. "It's Lewyse! She’s not... infected." His gaze darted between his companions and the terrified woman beneath the Oni's grip.

"Get off her!" He reached to grab Gou by the arm and hoist him up... Despite their size difference.

Interactions: Roda the Red simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[joshuadim]

Expedition #3

DAKDAK

KOBOLD WIZARD

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Dakdak's eyes narrowed when Lewyse presented a healing draught that seemed to suggest she had cured herself, an outcome that he found unlikely considering everything that had transpired before. The Oni proved to at least be competent in restraining her in this manner, but Garwan was too out of it to see the likely danger he was flagrantly putting aside for his own personal feelings. "Keep her restrained." Dakdak said back, directly contradicting the halfling as he put forth the flash of the ichor he had infused with his earlier spell. If his hunch was right, then this could be the key to determining her condition.

"I have a hunch that we will find out now." the wizard stated as he moved slower on approach. He held the vial up front, making sure to observe if something - anything - happened for him to react to. But Garwan shouted at him again, in his incessant blindness: "Stand down!"

The wizard simply ignored this and continued to slowly move towards Lewyse with vial in hand.

Unknown Roll 1d20 = 14
​

Interactions: Elenion Aura Roda the Red simj26 Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[simj26]

Expedition #3

CHARLOTTE

ELF RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

All the Happenings were duly Noted. She kept her silence, even as the Party came across the dead Beast, and its Quarry. She held on to that Silence, as the Scaled One brought up his Observations. She had seen it, too, but she held her Tongue. The Children would have to puzzle this one out themselves. She crouched down beside the Beast, her Blade stabbing into the black Ichor, and then into the Beast’s hide. As if it had its Life sapped from it, the Meat looked unpalatable. Yet, the Body possessed no open Wounds, with the Exception of the one on its Chest. What blows the Party had delivered unto its Form had sewn themselves shut.

It appeared as if some-Thing within it had shed its skin.

Then surely…

She stood up at the raucous Din behind her. The Green One was attempting, in his Earnest, to relieve the Horned One’s grip of the Dwarf. She approached them. She could no longer hold her Silence at a Time like this.

“Let the Scaled One do his Work, lest this one opts for an easier Approach.” Her razor sharp Blade closed in on the Green One's Neck, its Bite drawing but a single drop of Blood, a Promise and a Threat of more to be spilled if he persisted in his emotional folly.

“This one has done Work for the Resurrectionists. Two Bodies will be of no Issue for this one to Ferry back to the Corpseraisers. If you would doubt this one's Words, then by all Means, carry on with your Wailing for your precocious lovelorn Affair.” She kept her Voice low, quiet. Screaming and Shouts only revealed her true Intents. Killing both and dragging them back was indeed of no Issue, but such an Act was frowned upon, that much she knew. She simply had to hide the Fact that she was in any Way bothered by such an Act.

Interactions: Roda the Red joshuadim @Coyote Hart Elenion Aura Coin

Roll: 4+10 (intimidation)

Code by Serobliss

 

[Roda the Red]

Expedition #3

GOU

ONI BARBARIAN

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

To the mud once again. By this point, Gou had stopped caring about soiling his clothes and body whatsoever, though a nice hot bath was something he more than looked forward after all this was dealt with. The Oni's embrace was firm yet gentle, his arms adamant and unmovable against the ranger's efforts, yet not a single ounce of unnecessary pressure was exerted against the panicked dwarf. He stared at Garwan for a moment, a tinge of guilt getting to him as the pair we so insistant against his actions. "...Sorry." But his trust in the elf and the kobold kept his spirit unyielding.

"We'll all get back home safe...I promise." He added to Garwan, hoping to further convince the man by contrasting to Charlotte's pragmatic threat with a more hopeful reassurance.

Interactions: Elenion Aura simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Elenion Aura]

Expedition #3

GARWAN

HALFLING RANGER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, Dungeons under Caedia

Garwan froze as Charlotte’s blade pressed coldly against his neck. He saw, as she intended, the steely glint of her resolve in her eyes. A realization settled over him like a shroud—he was alone in his desperation. All of them had decided to err on the side of caution. There was nothing he could do.

Reluctantly, he backed down, his hand dropping from Gou’s arm. Garwan’s heart beat heavily, his face tight with frustration, but reason had at last broken through his clouded determination. He took a slow, trembling breath, nodding toward Dakdak to proceed with his test, though his gaze remained locked on Lewyse’s face, searching for some trace of the woman he had known.

The vial of ichor glimmered darkly in Dakdak's scaly hand, the murky black liquid shifting subtly as he moved. Lewyse’s wide, unblinking eyes followed it, though she said nothing. Closer and closer Dakdak came, the tension thick enough to be cut with a blade. The situation held its breath, as the though the swamp itself were waiting to see if the ichor would reveal some hidden truth.

When the vial was brought right up to her face, mere inches from her nose... nothing happened. The dark liquid remained still, unreactive, indifferent. There was no flare of power, no reaction, no transformation. Lewyse blinked, a flicker of annoyance flashing across her face, and then she let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Well?” she spat, her voice sharp and cutting. “Is that all? Can we be done with this?”

Interactions: Roda the Red simj26 joshuadim Coin

Code by Serobliss

 

[Coin]

Expedition #3

CADRIS

HUMAN SORCERER

THE GLOOM-MIRE MARSHES, DUNGEONS UNDER CAEDIA

Cadris let out an audible groan of frustration when a clear rift had started to form between their party and their leader. Delvers had enough unspeakable horrors to worry about down here; they were in most danger when they didn't cover each other. Thus, the witch did the most responsible thing she could think, and remove herself from the situation for the time being.

She took a few measured steps back to ensure she wasn't caught in any collateral were a sudden brawl to erupt. From this second perimeter, she began to juggle the three distinct tasks simultaneously: finishing the broad spectrum antidote still in her hands, concentrating on the telekinesis that kept her gun afloat beside her, and scanning for any danger that may jeopardize everybody. Once the antidote tincture was complete, she tucked it into her shoulder pouch and snatched her gun from the space beside her.

"Look, I'll say it because I'm still worried about it," the witch chimed in after the ichor in the vial didn't react with any unexpected ferocity in Lewyse's proximity. "We saw that overgrown housecat snap you up into its jaws, Lewyse. Last we saw of you, you're moments from being turned into kibble, and now you're bright as sunshine. The peculiar thing here is that weird slime stuff. It was working both in tandem and apart from our dearly departed feline, and I think I could dismiss some further worry if I knew it wasn't a parasite. Does anybody have further insights on what it is? Because I sure as shining shit do not."

RE: Elenion Aura , joshuadim , simj26 , Roda the Red

Code by Serobliss