Chapter 7 -- In Search of a Book Seller

[greyarea]

Milton says, What about this door to the south? I will open it. And does.

[Etarr_the_Good]

Balthar turns around at Tarmo's suggestion and nods.

[jcftao]

Milton barges the door open and he sees a large circular room. Several columns ring the interior. In the middle of the room are three cultists, dressed in russet robes.

They each hold curved daggers and are chanting with their arms in the air. Near them is another of the straw effigies. It appears to float off the ground and glow with a diffused green radiance. The creature moves its arms and flexes its neck. The eyes are what frightens you the most. They are deep black pools...it is as if you are staring into a great void.

Milton and Balthar need to make saving throws....Milton's eyes meet the straw man and he feels his soul being sucked into the creature's gaze.

Milton stands in place, unable to move, unable to speak, all he can do is watch as the creature moves jerkily towards him.

Balthar catches the sight of the creature and quickly avoids his gaze. [Made his save!]

The three cultists spread out in the room, taking cover behind the stone columns.

Actions?

[merias]

Tarmo, seeing Milton freeze and noticing some movement towards him, rushes forward and pushes Milton aside, bow ready. He'll fire at whatever moves.

[jcftao]

Tarmo, seeing Milton freeze and noticing some movement towards him, rushes forward and pushes Milton aside, bow ready. He'll fire at whatever moves.

Everything is moving! The cultists have gone for cover behind the columns, so they are not viable targets right now. The straw creature walks towards you, reed hands
grasping, reaching for your throat. Tarmo's eyes meet the creature's briefly, but Tarmo pulls away from the stare. [Save made!]

Tarmo's arrows fly unerringly toward the creature! [Both arrows hit!] They sink into the effigy as if Tarmo were shooting at a straw target. You are unsure if the creature is damaged.

Actions?

[greyarea]

Milton springs into inaction!

[jcftao]

Lol! I stared at your hypnotoad and lost all track of time...

[Etarr_the_Good]

Balthar will attack the effigy with his sword.

[merias]

Tarmo switches to his axe and lays into the straw effigy. "Have we any oil?" Tarmo asks, thinking the straw creature will not like being set alight.

[jcftao]

The straw creature twitches and jerks, moving towards the adventurers. Its straw limbs shaking and its straw hands clutching at the air.

Balthar attempts to strike it, but slips and falls! [rolled a 1 for attack!]

Tarmo hews into it with a heavy axe blow! 5 points of damage!

The creature reaches down to claw at Balthar's face. Balthar fends off the creatures attack, but meets the gaze of it's red eyes.

17! Balthar saves again!

The party has hit it several times but none of you think it is doing any significant damage.

Actions?