PandemoniumHanding the torch over, Theller readies his crossbow as the group begins their walk through the tunnels. The city stands as a lone beacon, its few external lights glittering behind them even as the actual walls leave the reach of their torchlight, a twinkling wall of stars at their back as they move forward. Though it's hard to hear through the gusts, they could swear hearing the occasional footstep or scratch of claws against the rock, or seeing a faint sparkle of red eyes in the distance before it's gone.
Following the tunnel wall, they pass a number of branches to the right, gaping holes leading deeper and further into Pandemonium, away from the Styx by the dwarf's reckoning. One, two, three...eventually, they see the first branch to their left, angling downward some. The air about them flows into the tunnel like water down a popped drain, brushing by skin, hair, and feathers alike a bit more rapidly than before. It still may be a bit strange for some, stepping onto what appears to be a grade and feeling no change in gravity. Especially for those that look back, seeing what from the current perspective looks to be a sloped pitfall, opening onto a chasm that for as much as they can see may as well be bottomless.
This new tunnel is much more cramped than the last, and the light from the torch is just barely bright enough for them to see both walls simultaneously. Unfortunately, they no longer have the distant site of the city to hearten them, instead seemingly surrounded by a bubble of pure black held at bay only by the flickering boon of Rosalyn's loaned torch. They continue on, the wind at their backs for good or for ill.
The new tunnel winds on, curving about rather than carving the straight path of their last route. 200 feet, 500 feet, they've almost lost count by the time something happens to break the building tension. Just on the edge of the torchlight, clinging to the ceiling, three
deformed humanoid creatures wearing little more than bits of leather and with bony, not-quite-horn-like protrusions jutting from their skulls stare at the four travelers, seemingly laying in wait for them to approach. Bearing fang-studded mouths dripping with viscous spittle, they stretch their gangling, double-jointed arms, leather membranes spanning from limbs to bodies. With gore-caked claws beared, they leap from their perch, not merely gliding but flying towards the travelers as they flip in mid-air. As two of the creatures spread out to pincer the party, the third merely presses forward slightly. Quickly, the three have surrounded the travelers, waiting at the edge of the brightest part of their torchlight with talons and teeth ready to tear at their flesh.
The creatures get a surprise round, but do nothing with it but move into position, thankfully for you all. They started in squares C3, C4, and B4 respectively, if this is relevant for anyone.
Battlemap (Values next to the creatures are current heights. The tunnel itself is 35 feet tall.)
Initiative:
Monster1: 18
Theller: 17
Monster3: 16
Trivale: 12
Zant: 8
Alvar: 7
Monster2: 4
Reminder: In combat, we move to daily posts. If you don't get an action in by 24 hours, I'll NPC your action as best as I'm able. You're certainly free to describe actions over multiple rounds if you like, and I'll play that accordingly as we move through combat. Also, I skipped over possible exploration in side tunnels for now since none of you saw anything interesting down them. But if anyone feels like that's too railroady and you want to check out the area than following the dwarf's instructions to the letter, let me know and I'll hold up at the next time you hit a crossroads.