INTERLUDE - Pirate Captives!

[Max_Power]

"Looks like a blind end. Go ahead and try your luck I will stay right behind you." Fin turns around and follows Wavedancer on the way back.

[TetNak]

"Very well," Wavedancer says. He moves away from this side of the cavern completely. The elf makes his way to the opposite side, hoping to find a way out of the complex and not another dead end. It is possible that they must actually pass through some sort of challenge, but until all options present themselves, Wavedancer does not plan on making a choice.

Action

Going down the 'NW' tunnel

[Trogdor]

With the two main passages in front of you blocked by twisted creatures, you opt to try the next best way out. So you pass once more through the trophy cave, past the giant lizard skull, as well as various displays, shelves, jars, and chests, all somehow marking the exploits of the Crimson Pirates, who until an hour or so ago called this complex home.

At the northwest exit to the trophy chamber, the noise grows much louder, including shouts of hunger, cries of anguish, and the clang of metal on metal. Carefully looking around the corner, you see a cave lit by dim lanterns on the walls. Dozens of five-foot wide iron cages are built into the walls of this large cavern. Some are empty, but others contain the partially eaten remains of dead men and women. Yet most horrible are the thrashing, wailing figures in the cages with the dead. Each of these seems more deformed than the last, twisting legs, writing arms, vestigial heads, and jaws agape with too many teeth are all on display as the mad prisoners howl and slobber and throw themselves against the walls of their cages in a cacophonous attempt to break free.

Some of the men and women, both alive and dead, look like the former shipmates that were taken away to be made slaves. As you look, you can't help but wonder who got the worse end of the deal - those that were changed or those that were eaten alive. You shudder to think that it may be the latter.

Map

[TetNak]

"Change in plans," Wavedancer says, "That way, it appears, is not exactly the exit." The elf turns, shakes his head, and begins to wonder if there is not exit at all. He supposes, for the moment, the strange beasts tied up might lead to a path of freedom. "I believe there are only two more tunnels ... shall we?"

OOC

Go toward the NE tunnel

[Max_Power]

Fin follows Wavedancer back towards the NE tunnel. "I just hope that this time we have some more luck. I really would appreciate it to get my property back and get out of here, this cave starts to frighten me."

[Trogdor]

Not liking the look of this room either, Wavedancer turns to yet another of the dwindling options of unexplored passages. This time he heads to the easternmost passage. But unlike the rest of these caverns, this does not lead to an open area or a wide passage. Instead, it opens up to a maze of narrow corridors, none of which are lit. The sounds of movement and muttering can be heard from within, though from exactly where is impossible to tell with sounds echoing around the twisted passages.

It's beginning to look as if there is no completely safe way to get out of these caverns.

Map

[Max_Power]

"I think we should try our luck with this room. We should stay at the northern wall and try to get through." Fin draws his sword and prepares himself for a defense response.

[TetNak]

"At least for the moment," Wavedancer agrees. He reaches down and grabs some pebbles, infusing them with light to help them pass down the tunnel and be able to see what is making the noise.

OOC

Dancing lights

[Trogdor]

With his Dancing Lights flowing around, you can see a small way ahead of you in these narrow caves. The light would go farther. But the twists and turns make visibility of more than about five feet unlikely. And that's why, barely ten feet into the cave, Wavedancer comes up to a turn in the cavern and is immediately confronted by a terrifying sight. One of the Crimson Pirates comes rushing around the corner. And like the prisoners in the other cave, this man is warped and twisted, with vestigial limbs and tentacles poking out of its side, open sores revealing sharp bone spurs covering its body, and elongated and sharpened teeth in its mouth.

Whether it was drawn by light, sound,. or chance is irrelevant. With lightning speed it leaps forward and clamps it's teeth on Wavedancer's left shoulder, biting deeply. The half-elf is able to pry the creature off, but the attack leaves behind a painful wound.

As it pulls back, the creature lets out a hideous screech, louder for just a moment than the incessant background din. The two former prisoners know this can't be good.

Cramped in the tunnels, Wavedancer and Fin can respond.

Initiative

Round 1: Mutated Pirate 22.8, Wavedancer 22.1, Fin 14

Characters in bold have acted this round.

Roll

P-1 attacks Wavedancer: 17 vs AC 10 (FF), hit for 9 (max!)
Wavedancer's Fort save vs. disease: 23, saved

Map

[TetNak]

"Damn our luck!" yells Wavedancer. He instantly brings up his hands in a defensive posture. "Be fallen by the lights!" he says, attempting to mesmerize the mutated figure before him and save himself anymore harm.

Action

CoD: Color Spray vs. mutant