Chapter 2: High Road to Krusk

The member 'lord8track' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 2

+1

The member 'Mikegld561' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 9

Meanwhile, Cordial, your staff pauses before responding to your questions.

"Oh, my qualificationssss? I've held quite a few jobs... worked in Conjuration for a ssssorcerer in Goldcliff, protection detail with a wizard caravan in Damara, did some freelance piracy for a mage captain in the Ssssea of Swords... last job was with that dead gentleman there, recruiting for the Order of the Many-Starred Cloak. I've protected many lives over the years, deflecting hundreds of spellls, curses, hexessss... A lesser stave would be kindling by now! But... all that arcane damage has taken a toll on my body, my long-term memoriessss... Couldn't tell you my name, or what I used to look like..."

The staff shakes in your hands, then begins to writhe and slither a bit before speaking again.

"I follow my master'ssss lead, you want to be great, we go be great. You want to be nasty, I'm down for the ssssound of that town too. I'm a people pleaser! You want out, just lay me down, no big deal... sss... But please, if we're traveling together, when you ssssummon me... please be kind and non-judgmental, like you were with the worg? Yessss?"

Cordial is pleased with what the staff has to say, and she feels that once again, nature has provided for her. A feeling of warmth and harmony and awe at the power of nature washes over her. This staff could be a great asset, not just a weapon, it could inflict more than a scratch, a flesh wound. As such, she feels it must have a name. "Monty," she thinks triumphantly.

"Thank you, my friend," she whispers to the newly-Christened Monty, "I will wield you as wisely as I am able."

(OOC: how far am I from the others? Can I see the giant rat?)

[Cordial, you now wield the Staff of "Monty" the Python (I just realized now what's being referenced here). You do have Darkvision, so I think we'll count it as a confirmation. - DM]

In looking up the ridge, Cordial, you can see the shapes of Thokk and Eledriar, but you can tell something is amiss, as they appear to have their weapons drawn. A malodorous odor has traveled downwind from where they are; your companions must be facing off against something threatening, enough so that they are on the defensive.

The staff pulses against your palm. "Monty--that's me now, I guesssss--is open to whatever, let'ssss mix it up! But please, whatever happenssss, don't make fun of me, k?"

"This'll end with you lookin' like me, lad. Ye'll wish ye listened to ole Kidrin when that goblin stabs ye in the back."

Ezythyr ignores the spirit as he comes out of his trance. He feels...odd. Not quite as satisfied as he had hoped. But still, he had at least made some peace with Morkan, and he wouldn't trade that for anything.

Picking up his new staff once more, Ezythyr makes his way back to his companions. But the scent of decay is upon the wind. He searches quickly for the others, his darkvision piercing the gloom.

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OOC: Mind if I join?

Cordial picks up the pace to reach the others in hopes of helping.

Ezythyr, as you approach, you hear and see Morkan floating alongside.

"Ohoho, dreraaraal hec kar... Dhakec used to love how chewy their tails were, she never cared how sick it made her after, mwahahaha... Tell your friends to not get bit, or they'll need serious healing. Also, some of them explode when very agitated, so there's that too. Strange that this one is out alone, though, they're usually pack hunters."

OOC: OMG... If this is how Morkan is going to help then I'm SUPER glad I did this.

Genius!

OOC: Sorry for the late reply. I got logged out of the forum and wasn't getting emails when there was a new post, and ALSO my family was in town. Ready to fight this rat tho.

Thokk pulls out his sword and attacks the rat, hoping to put it out of it's diseased suffering.

d20 + 6

The member 'Mikegld561' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 17

Hearing Morkan's advice and seeing Thokk draw his sword to strike, Ezythyr yells out a quick warning.

"Don't get bit! And it might explode!"

OOC: 1d8 + 2 slashing

The member 'Mikegld561' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd8' : 4

[Thokk, you hit the Diseased Giant Rat, doing 6 slashing damage! - DM]

Before the Diseased Giant Rat can react, Thokk, you rush forward and swing your longsword, cutting into the beast's mid-section. The cut is deep enough that you see iridescent, green blood and guts escaping from the fresh incision.

The Diseased Giant Rat staggers in its place, barely able to stand. From a different angle, it almost appears as though the beast is convulsing, seizing, vibrating...

[Eledriar's turn. - DM]

Eledriar yelps a couple of choice curse words as she sees the rat appear, and before stopping to think, unsheaths Jeremy. "Let's see what you can do!" she cries as she runs in after Thokk, sword in hand, attempting a slashing attack.

OOC: I think +3 dex for finesse weapon, +2 proficiency, and +1 from Jeremy's magic properties? So +6 to attack?

The member 'galaxysedge' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd20' : 8

OOC: Assuming I've done that right, gonna save some time and roll damage now... +1 to damage from Jeremy's properties. If not, then feel free to disregard this roll!

The member 'galaxysedge' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'd8' : 1