Cadfael is a Big Pain in the Neck
Subject: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
[Initiative Sa'id 20, Tichenor 17, Garyth 14, Cadfael 13, Rennik 12, Mission 12, Swamp dragon 5, Farron 4, hippogriff 4]
Mission's warning that the swamp dragon will not be stunned for long still ringing in his ears; Sa'id runs full speed back to the tunnel opening. It was excellent foresight to keep the rope attached, and the wizard says a silent thank you to whoever's idea that was. He grabs the rope and begins climbing down, regretting that he has so little experience with such maneuvers, and cursing the slowness with which he climbs. Unfortunately, attempting to climb faster would put him in serious danger of losing his grip and falling 25' to the stone floor. The wizard hopes that the dragon doesn't do too much damage to the camp, since he was unable to stop and pick up his gear before descending.
Tichenor continues to dance around the swamp dragon, barking and dodging. The dragon is still stunned, and the wolf is doing its best to keep the monster confused and off balance.
Garyth moves over to the tunnel opening, and puts himself between the dragon and the rope. His face is white and drawn with the pain caused by moving, but his expression and grim, and his weapons to not falter in his hands.
Cadfael carries his collected gear over to the hole, still humming his jaunty little tune. He drops the bundle past the climbing wizard, and then begins descending the rope just above him.
Rennik realizes that he will not have time to pick up his gear and still get off another shot while moving toward the hole. Always a believer that a good offense is the best defense, he abandons his pack for the time being, and moves over next to Garyth to take one final shot. [Roll 21, hit; damage 3] Again, the arrow strikes the monster, but just bounces off, appearing to do little damage.
However, the dragon gives one final massive shake of its head after the arrow hits, and the shakiness leaves its bearing. Mission cartwheels away [Tumble attempt 18; success] from the dragon, avoid the creature's quick snap at his heels as he retreats. He pauses for a quick second to tuck the large wolf under one arm, then moves to the hole to wait for Cadfael and Sa'id to move out of the way.
The swamp dragon, now fully recovered from its unsteadiness, and apparently quite angry at the indignity of having a soft pink thing knock it silly, lunges across the space between it and the group in a lightning fast move. Its jaws open wider than it would seem possible, and it attempts to swallow the now encumbered monk in one huge bite. [Attack 18, hit; Damage 20; grapple attempt 31 vs 28; grappled] The bite pins Mission's left arm and shoulder inside the creature's mouth, and he drops the wolf.
Almost as an afterthought, the swamp dragon's tail comes whipping across the ground at Farron's legs. [Attack 31, hit; Damage 24; trip attempt 25 vs 2 resist; Farron is tripped] The tail strikes his knees with bone crushing force, and the wizard is literally flipped completely over by the blow, landing with a sickening crunch on his neck.
The wizard is still conscious though, and calls out for aid to his hippogriff while he tries to crawl back to his feet.
The hippogriff comes slashing down onto the swamp dragon's broad and armored back. [Attacks 22, 21; both hit; damage 10, 8] Both claw attacks strike home, and this time they actually do some visible damage, as a section of the crocodile's armored skin is ripped away from its shoulder in a spray of blood. The crocodile whips its head around, trying to bite at the annoying thing on its back. It appears that the dragon may be distracted for a while if the hippogriff can keep tearing at it.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Addendum:
When the croc turned to face the hippogriff, it of course dropped Mission.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Farron will command the hippogriff to keep attacking and will move as quickly as possible toward the hole.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Cadfael climbs down lightly after Sa'id, as he is in no hurry himself he is not bothered by the mage's slow descent.
When he reaches the bottom he will gather his things and check to make sure nothing is broken. Assuming all is in good order he will move a healthy distance from the rope, unpack his bedroll and try and catch up on lost sleep.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Mission picks himself off the ground.
"I'll get the wolf," he pants lamely.
He'll grab Tichenor again, and drop down the hole using slowfall.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
I hope mission will remember it was MAGERY that saved his ass this time. Perhaps he will make mention of it during Farron's eulogy.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
If Mission can't make it through the hole this round, for whatever reason, he'll use stonetap again on the swamp dragon.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Ok. Here is the deal. Those without any climb skill or rope skill are forced to move at 1/4 speed down the rope. That basically means that only one person per round will be able to get on the rope. People can move faster, but they will take the chance of falling.
Though, a 25 foot drop does less damage than a bite from the dragon, so you picks yer poison on that one.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Well, in Farron's case, I imagine either the bite or the fall would finish him off, so you can pick whichever one has the most dramatic value.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
I'm guessing the guys will let the badly thrashed Farron go next. And the hippogriff should be able to keep the croc busy another round or two. Without a critical, the croc can't kill the hippogriff in one round.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Sadly for everyone else, Cadfael seems pretty relaxed about this whole situation and isn't about to risk his neck by climbing too fast.
1/4 movement rate it is.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Cadfael. Traitor. Madman. Mission watches him out of the corner of his eyes, as the cleric shouts insanity at Garyth, as he slips slowly down the hole.
And now to see him clutching the rope, hear him huffing and panting lightly-- he didn't seem in any hurry to get down.
A sudden impact, like he had slammed his shoulder into a boulder, and Mission felt the swamp dragon's teeth tear into his arm and side. It had him, and he felt a moment's panic. But then, a rush of wind, the smell of some animal, musky and powerful-- and Farron's griffon raked its claws along the dragon's back.
He was free. Free to move.
If Mission can get down the hole using slowfall, he will attempt to hurry Cadfael along-- by smacking him on his way down (subdual damage). He'll only do this if he can make the move without upsetting his own balance, whilst holding a passenger, and only if he thinks he can knock Cadfael off the rope to make room for someone else.
On that note if Mission thinks he can grab Farron and make it safely down the hole in one round, he will carry the mage down rather than Tichenor.
That said, if Mission cannot slowfall while people are on the rope, he'll stay up top and strike the swamp dragon with stonetap.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
*climb climb climb*
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The underground trail; what do you mean we go down the hole one at a time?!
Rennik will stand at the top of the hole while the beast is distracted to make sure everyone else gets clear. If Mission did in fact grab Farron instead of Tichenor, he will stay topside with the wolf until he can think of some way to get the animal to safety.
If the beast again turns to focus on the party and Tichenor is not safe, Rennik will climb the nearest tree to get above the swamp dragon's snapping jaws, and start tagging it with arrows from above.