AvB - Ajah

[Rizban]

You hear a faint chuckle from behind the screen.

"A most unscrupulous merchant named Jakob Schneider. He has tried to subvert me too often and hired thugs against me one too many times. Kill him, and I will reward you greatly. I must warn you, it will be no easy task. Are you certain you are up to this?"

[acid_ninja]

I may be untried but I was raised from childhood to kill. What can you tell me about his guards?

[Rizban]

"Very little. I know that he employs several bodyguards, but they work on rotating shifts. It is impossible to know which ones are guarding him at any given moment without observing them at that moment.

I do know that he employs a cleric, a couple of strong fighters of some sort, and at least one master of the arcane. More than this, I can not say."

[acid_ninja]

That is helpful. The fighters are of little moment, but the wizard must be dealt with.

A few more questions. Where does he live, what is the payment and what proof do you require?

[Rizban]

"He lives in the merchant's quarter on... Schneider Street between Cobbler's Crossing and Broad Chase."

He practically spits out the name of the first street mentioned, and you can tell he is quite upset by it.

[acid_ninja]

Understood. His death will be swift, silent and soon.

And my other questions?

[Rizban]

"Payment will be fair and dependent on the quality of the job. You can expect that it will more than cover your costs if you manage to succeed.

You need not bring proof. I will learn of the deed quick enough once the job is completed."

[acid_ninja]

Ajah nods, sketches a bow to the shadow and steps out of the room.

moving to the city streets

[Rizban]

You can actually do everything here if you want. The City Streets is mostly for if you want to go out and interact with the other players between jobs. Feel free to go play it there though, because that would actually be more "immersive" if people did that between locations and actually doing a job.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah heads off of the main thoroughfare looking for tenements or places with a room to let.

[Rizban]

You find a nice, cheap place in the Guildsman District.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah makes sure he's not being followed before checking out the room.

Spot: +4, Listen: +8

He's looking for something with multiple exits, preferably something with a window that overlooks another rooftop. He pays for two months in advance and adds another 20 gp.
If anyone asks, this room is still unoccupied, isn't it?

Edit: I originally rolled my own checks but I thought you'd want to do that.

[acid_ninja]

You can actually do everything here if you want. The City Streets is mostly for if you want to go out and interact with the other players between jobs. Feel free to go play it there though, because that would actually be more "immersive" if people did that between locations and actually doing a job.

That's what I plan to do.

[Rizban]

No one is following you.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah settles into his new quarters. He has very little that isn't professional gear. No ornaments, no mementos of friends. He packs away his simple possessions, making sure that his stock of poison is well-hidden then lies on the bed and closes his eyes to wait until nightfall.

[Rizban]

Night falls.

[acid_ninja]

At 10:00 or so Ajah opens the window and uses shadow jaunt to teleport down to the alley. Pausing in the shadows long enough to meditate for a moment he heads towards the sisters of salvation to meet with his new ally. He arrives an hour before midnight and finds a shadowy spot. He hides (+14) and watches the spot for an hour.

[Rizban]

I really have no idea what it is that you're doing, so...

You watch the spot for an hour, the Sisters of Salvation have already entered for the night and have closed up the majority of the center. You notice a few remain awake and active in the main room, apparently in case someone should need their aid during the night. A few homeless people sleep on mats in one corner of the room.

[acid_ninja]

I'm meeting with planswalker's character to team up. I just want to make sure its not a set up first

Ajah steps out of the shadows and waits in front of the sisters of salvation.

[planswalker]

a voice right next to you whispers "hello there"

[acid_ninja]

That's a handy trick. No wonder you were able to complete two jobs already.

Ajah motions back into the shadows.
We can't all disappear at will but the shadows are close enough for me. The target is Jakob Schnieder, a merchant. He lives in the merchant's quarter on Schneider Street. He has a few warriors, a priest of some kind and a mage guarding him. I suggest we take a closer look at his estate before we decide how to take him out. How are you at moving over the rooftops? I'd rather not be seen strolling down the street.

[planswalker]

"I can fly. rooftops are not a problem."

[acid_ninja]

You're full of surprises. Let's get to work.

With that Ajah teleports to the roof, pauses for a brief moment of meditation (re-readying manuever) and heads towards the Schneider estate via the rooftops.

[planswalker]

The dragonborn dwarf flies after him, still invisible

[Rizban]

You arrive at at the Schneider family estate, and from your vantage point atop the buildings, you see that there is an open garden area within a high wall, a fancy, but not luxurious, house sits in the very middle. The estate is only slightly larger than the houses of the merchants around it, but it is very well maintained. You can see a three patrols of two guards each walking the grounds.

[planswalker]

"Want a cloak of darkness to keep the guards occupied?" uvag whispers

[acid_ninja]

OoC: Are there any lights on in the mansion and how far back from the other houses is the house set?
Maybe. But why bother with the guards at all? If you can fly and I can move through shadows, why don't we just get into the house and bypass the guards. If we're quick and quiet Schneider will be dead and his guards will never know we were here.

[planswalker]

"I like the way you think. Shall we go down now?"

[Rizban]

The house is set some 40 or 50 feet away from the walls, which are 25 feet high and 20 to 30 feet away from the nearest surrounding buildings. There is no walkway along the tops of the walls; however, there is a guard atop the gatehouse on the eastern side of the estate on Schneider Street.

[planswalker]

"I have an idea: how much do you weigh?"

[Rizban]

acid_ninja, can you PM your character sheet to me?

[acid_ninja]

With all my gear? About a hundred and sixty pounds or so. Can you fly us to that rooftop in six seconds or so? That's about how long I can remain invisible. Once we're there all I need is an open window and we're in.However, we should be careful. If I knew assassins were hunting me there's no way I'd leave the roof unguarded. Maybe you should take a scouting run over the roof?

[planswalker]

"well, i couldn't achieve true flight, but i could glide us over. I'll do a scouting run first."

Uvag does a silent fly-over of the roof to see what defenses there are there.

remember, i can see through magical darkness and invisibility

[Rizban]

You spot some sort of mechanical device sitting atop the building which has been shrouded by invisibility. Two guards stand near it. They are not invisible.

[planswalker]

i fly over and land behind the guards for a closer look

move silently: [roll0]

[Rizban]

One of the guards hears you and turns to look behind him, he fails to see you, though he continues to look in your direction for a moment before looking back the direction he was looking before. He places his hand on an invisible lever, poised to pull it if necessary.

[planswalker]

what does this contraption look like? can i guess what it might be designed to do?

spellcraft if there is some sort of magical part to this: [roll0]

[Rizban]

It looks like a collection of gears and pulleys and tubes. There is nothing obviously magical about them.

[planswalker]

I fly back to Ajah and tell him about the contraption.

[Rizban]

Roll a Move Silently

[planswalker]

[roll0]


... and the darned forum wants me to put other characters on this post so that it is "long enough" :smallannoyed:

[Rizban]

The guards don't hear you.

[planswalker]

i tell ajah what i learned and ask for his advice.

[acid_ninja]

Tubes and Pulleys? Sounds mechanical, like an alarm. But it also sounds like those two guards have to be alive to operate it. If we take them out quick and quiet we won't have to worry about it. If you can glide us over, invisible, we'll get the drop on them. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve that can prevent them from speaking?

[planswalker]

"alas, no. I don't happen to have that in my repertoire. yet."

[acid_ninja]

Then we'll have to strike decisively and prevent them from reaching the levers. Unless you want to try to find another way in. All I need is a slight opening to get in. Maybe a second scouting run is in order. I'd like to avoid needless death.

[planswalker]

"As would i. What if i create a path of darkness leading to the entrance to the house, but neither of us actually approaches yet? We do this repeatedly until they either commit all of their forces in one place or start ignoring it. If they ignore it, one of these times we actually do walk through. If they commit all in one place, we should then be able to sneak in a back way."

[acid_ninja]

Hmmm...the problem is that Schneider has more guards who are not on duty. Right now we have the element of surprise but paths of darkness would put them on their guard.

OoC: Are there any lights on in any of the rooms? What are the windows like? How many storeys is the manor?

[planswalker]

well, i'm afraid that i'm out of ideas. I guess we could always try really hard to take out the guards on the roof silently, but other than that, i just don't see how we can get you and me both in without being detected.

[acid_ninja]

It seems so. We should both focus on the same guard at the same time. We'll start with whichever is closer to the lever. I'll start by attacking him with a noose of shadow as soon as we are witihin 50 feet. Then we concentrate on taking him out, followed by the second guard. Agreed?

[planswalker]

"sounds good."

Uvag glides the two of them over to the roof.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah uses Offensive Precognition (2min duration, 1 pp) and cloak of deception just before they take off and attacks the nearest guard with Shadow Garrote as soon as he is within 50 ft.

[roll]1d20+6 against touch AC

[acid_ninja]

Ajah meditates for a moment, readying his manuevers and gaining his focus (taking 10) before manifesting offensive precognition.
Ready.
As soon as Uvar grabs him Ajah initiates cloak of deception, fading from view and as soon as the first guard is in range Ajah extends his right hand where a inky cloud coalesces. He flicks his hand at the nearest guard.


Attack roll:[roll0] against touch AC and he's FF because I'm invisible
Damage: [roll1]
DC 17 Fort save or be flat-footed for one round

[planswalker]

Uvag then lands just behind the guard who was assaulted.

from 50' away, it'll take me 2 move actions to get there.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: How are we handling initiative? Go in order of posting or are we rolling?

Just in cases:
Initiative: [roll0]

edit: nice

[planswalker]

[roll0] my init is guaranteed to be lower than yours.

i guess now we wait for rizban.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: Yeah. Bit of a waste of a natural 20 but at least I'm pretty much guaranteed a full round of sneak attack. By the way, I gotta know how you pulled off the invisibility at will thing.

[Rizban]

The guards do not react until the one you targeted begins to choke and sputter. The choking guard regains his ability to breathe just as Ajah lands.

The second guard calls out as Ajah becomes visible at the end of his turn. The formerly choking guard takes a 5 foot step away from Ajah, draws his crossbow and fires, just missing his target.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

The second guard draws a large sword and readies himself for combat but looks as if he's unsure whether to jump into combat yet or not. Uvag then lands somewhere on the roof, still invisible.

Initiative:Ajah - 25
Guard 1 (Choked) - 13
Guard 2 - 11
Uvag - 9

[planswalker]

. By the way, I gotta know how you pulled off the invisibility at will thing.

lesser warlock invocation. sadly, it's not as awesome as it seems. 3/4 bab and noncombatant flaw puts a cramp in my style.

[acid_ninja]

OoC:Would it be possible to put up a movement grid? One of my big advantages is my speed. Also, not sure how you're adjudicating shadow blade. Is it straight bonus damage or does it replace Str? If its the latter, add 2 to the off hand damage.

Ajah wastes no time upon landing and, drawing both blades, trips the catch to release the alchemical retainer on his right hand sword (swift action), the blade crackles with lightning and is covered with a rime of frost simulatneously, he moves towards the choking guard and strikes with both swords (wolf fang strike)


Primary: [roll0]
Crit confirmation [roll1]
Damage [roll2]
SA [roll3]
Quickspark [roll4] elec
Quickfrost [roll5]cold

Secondary: [roll6]
Crit confirm: [roll7]
Damage: [roll8]
SA [roll9]
so I rolled a 5, 6, 1, 5. Ouch.

[planswalker]

Uvag shrouds the area in darkness, leaving the edge of the darkness just outside of the combatants so that it covers the guard we are not attacking. he then draws his blade, still invisible.

[Rizban]

{table]|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N
1
2
3
4
5
6
7|||||||G2|M|M|M
8||||||||M|M|M
9||||||||M|M|M
10||||||A
11|||||||G1
12||||||||U
13
14[/table]
70ftx70ft,5ft squares
M = Machine
A = Ajah
U = Uvag
G# = Guard

[planswalker]

the darkness is centered in G6

[Rizban]

That makes it Ajah's turn.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah grimly re-sets himself completely focussed on his target.

OoC: Is this guy still considered flanked even if he doesn't kmow Uvag is there?

If so:
Full Attack:
Primary: crit confirm: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2] SA:[roll3]

Secondary: [roll4] crit confirm: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6] SA:[roll7]


If not:
Sapphire nightmare blade
Concentration check vs AC: [roll8](if that is successful attack adds 1d6 and is against FF AC, otherwise attack is at -2 and no extra damage or sneak attack)
Attack roll [roll9]
Damage: [roll10]SA[roll11]SNB[roll]1d6

Edit: screwed up inputting the damage. oops.

[acid_ninja]

Sapphire Nightmare Blade damage: [roll0]

[Rizban]

He is still flanked. The first hit is a confirmed critical, and the second hit drops him to the ground. He is bleeding out.

The second guard runs back around to he far side of the machine and pulls his lever.

You hear the turning of gears and a clicking sound. It seems you have a few seconds before the machine fully activates.

Uvag's turn.

[acid_ninja]

I'll take care of the guard, you deal with that machine, try to turn it back off!

[planswalker]

"Sure thing. now go attack him!"

Uvag dismisses the darkness so as to not hamper his ally.

[Rizban]

Still Uvag's turn... unless dismissing the darkness was a full round action.

[planswalker]

He then walks over to the machine and hits it with his sword, his solution to every problem like this.

attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1] weapon has hardness 12, should be able to overcome metal's hardness
hideous blow: [roll2] half against objects.

[Rizban]

He smashes into the machine, and delicate parts sunder and crumple beneath the blow, other parts scorching and cracking from the eldritch energies. The invisibility on the machine fails as something inside catches on fire, and it begins to belch smoke from the wound Uvag has caused.

The guard goes pale.

Ajah's turn.

[planswalker]

uvag is still invisible, right? invisibility specifically says it ends if i attack a creature not an object.

[Rizban]

Yes, Uvag is still invisible. His square is now also filled with smoke, and he'll start choking on it at the start of his next turn...

[acid_ninja]

ajah dashes over to the remaining guard and becomes absolutely still for a split second before one of his blades lashes out.
sapphire nightmare blade concentration check, DC=target's AC, target flat-footed if succesful:
Attack: [roll1]
Dam: [roll2] SA [roll]2d6SNB[roll]1d6]

[acid_ninja]

sorry for the double post. tried to send the last one from my phone.

SA damage:[roll0] SNB Damage:[roll1]

[Rizban]

Your blade inserts itself cleanly into the guard, and he takes 15 damage.

He manages to pull his own lever, and what is left of the machine sluggishly struggles to life. There might be enough time to smash it before it activates.

Uvag's turn.

[planswalker]

Uvag Smash! he thinks to himself

attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1] weapon has hardness 12, should be able to overcome metal's hardness
hideous blow: [roll2] half against objects.

[Rizban]

The housing is badly damaged and slows the inner workings, but the machine continues to function.

You hear clanking sounds suddenly emanate from the walls in all directions then stop just as suddenly as they started.

Ajah's turn.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah strikes with his right hand blade and a shadowy double of the blade appears to follow the stroke:

Shadow Blade Technique:
Crit confrim:[roll1]
Shadow Weapon: [roll2]
Crit confirm:[roll3]
Damage: [roll]1d6+3
Shadow weapon: [roll4]
Taking the 2nd roll which is at least a threat

[acid_ninja]

Damage roll:
[roll0]

[Rizban]

Are you attacking the guard or the machine?

[planswalker]

Uvag will continue to smash the machine, just for good measure.
attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
eldritch: [roll2]

[Rizban]

The guard falls under Ajah's attack.

The machine grinds to a halt, and a large plume of smoke is rising from the roof of the building.

[planswalker]

"I recommend that we get down soon. It may be night, but the smoke might get noticed."

Uvag then gently glides down, trying to land very softly. [roll0]

[Rizban]

On his way down, Uvag notices that all the windows are now secured with metal bars. He doesn't remember seeing metal bars on the windows when he was checking out the house earlier.

[planswalker]

well, i guess the security device went off after all. Oh well, it'll cost them a bit to repair it, I suppose, should the inheritor of the estate choose to repair it. he thinks to himself.

he waits for Ajah to join him.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah takes a moment to re-focus (OoC: changing manuevers readied - forgot I can take 15 on concentration checks by expending psi focus, hello insightful strike). Before checking the roof for trapdoors down. The guards had to get up here somehow. He also checks the bodies of the guards for any keys or anything that may give him a clue as to what other opposition lies in wait.

[Rizban]

Ajah finds no keys or other items of note on the guards.

He finds no doors or windows on a cursory look around. A detailed search check roll might be required.

[acid_ninja]

Search check (expending psionic focus to add 2 - fate mantle granted ability)

[roll0]

How much noise did the machine make?

[Rizban]

The machine made minimal noise outside, except for the sound of the steel bars sliding into place over all the windows. The smoke is certain to draw attention.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah vanishes in a wisp of shadow and re-appears on the ground, using the shadows for cover (Taking 10 on a hide check - 22). Realizing that they've lost the element of surprise he tersely whipsers into the dark:

I know I wouldn't wait around to be killed and I'm sure that there was some sort of alarm on that device. My guess is some sort of underground tunnel out of here. Do you have any way of detecting something like that?

OoC: Are there lights on in the building, is there any sort of activity?

[planswalker]

"I think we should just go for it. We have a better chance now then we will later after they have been alerted and are given the chance to up their security on this place. Let's just go for it. Worst case scenario, I will cover your escape. I can be pretty elusive if ii need to."

[Rizban]

The windows appear dark.

[acid_ninja]

Right. Let's check the ground first. If the mark is trying to escape via some secret tunnel maybe we can cut him off.

Ajah recovers shadow jaunt, inserts his blade between the bars on one of the windows and breaks a pane of glass, then teleports in (all I need is line of effect), and hides, using his darkvision to scout the room and listening for any noise in the building.

Hide check: [roll0]
Listen Check: [roll1]

[Rizban]

He appears to be in a small storage closest which is quite dusty for disuse. It seems like this is where the winter clothes and such are stored during the summer.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah silently cracks open the door and heads towards the front to let in Uvag.

Move Silently: [roll0]

[Rizban]

He comes up behind two angry looking guards just down the hall from the closet. They don't hear him.

[planswalker]

Uvag waits invisibly just to the side of the door, seizing the first opportunity available to enter.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: Can I see the door? How far away is it?

I might be able to take these two out silently. If it goes bad I can get to the door and open it quickly

Ajah uses shadow garrote against the guard on the left:
Attack Roll: [roll0] Crit confirm:[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
DC 17 Fort Save or be flat-footed next round

Then he goes after the other guard:
Initiative:[roll3]
If Ajah wins: Use cloak of deception, close range and wolf fang strike
Primary: [roll4] Crit Confirm: [roll5]
Damage: [roll6] SA: [roll7]

Secondary: [roll8] Crit Confirm: [roll9]
Damage: [roll10] SA: [roll11]

OoC: Trying to move things along but if I'm overdoing it, let me know

[Rizban]

Initiative
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Rizban]

Left guard - 24
Ajah - 14
Right guard - 9
[hr]You can't quite see the door, but you believe it to be at the end of this hallway to the left.

The left guard is hit and is off balance.

He turns and attempts to strike you, but you avoid the attack.
1d2+0+2
[roll0]

[Rizban]

Trying again
[roll0]

[Rizban]

Both of your attacks against the guard on the right are absorbed by his armor, and he remains uninjured.

He draws his longsword and attempts to hack to you bits, landing a solid blow (but not a crit).
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Rizban]

The left guard attempt to hit you again, but misses.

[roll0]
[roll1]

Ajah's turn.

[acid_ninja]

Do I get an AoO on the guard drawing his sword?

If so:
[roll0] Crit confirm: [roll1]
Damage: [roll]1d6+4[roll]

I think I'll need help with these two

Ajah uses shadow jaunt to teleport to the end of the hall and opens the door for Uvag

[Rizban]

Drawing a weapon doesn't provoke an AoO.

[planswalker]

as soon as the door opens, Uvag casts darkness centered on the two guards to confuse them then walks into the room, standing between Ajah and the guards.

If I have to act in initiative order for this, I do so at [roll0]

and i will delay until one initiative below Ajah's

[Rizban]

New initiative:

Left Guard - 24
Ajah - 14
Uvag - 14 (you delayed until he could open the door to get a full round.)
Right Guard - 9

The right guard moves away from the front door down the hall, trying to find Ajah, as that is the direction Ajah was attacking from before moving.

The left guard follows suit.

[planswalker]

"let's try and make a break for it away from them entirely." Uvag suggests.
he will follow Ajah in whatever direction he goes.

[acid_ninja]

Yes. These guards aren’t our targets, there’s no need for them to die.

OoC: How many directions are possible from this hallway? Would a map be possible?

[Rizban]

The only other option is to move to your right. Going that direction, you find a staircase leading up as well as a small closet which appears to be a coat closet for storing the outer garments of visitors.

[planswalker]

"Do you know if the mark sleeps upstairs or down?"

[planswalker]

rizban, I trust you to have a handle on my guy's style. feel free to godmod him to keep the action moving while i'm out of town. or whatever you feel is necessary

[Rizban]

No problem.

[acid_ninja]

I don't know where he sleeps but I doubt he's still in bed with all the commotion. Let's make sure there isn't a secret way out before we start searching the whole place.

Ajah checks the closet for any kind of hidden door, knocking on the back wall softly to see if it sounds hollow beyond.

Search check (I really need to put ranks in that skill): [roll0]

[Rizban]

Uvag says, "That's probably true. Lead the way."

You fail to find any hidden passages in the closet.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: It would probably make more sense for Uvag to go first since he's invisible and I'm just sneaky. However, with you Godmodding him that would just be weird so in the interests of fun I'll take the lead.

Ajah proceeds up the stairs silently, listening for anyone up ahead waiting to surprise him.

Move Silently: [roll0]
Hide [roll1]

[Rizban]

Uvag follows after you. He stops you and says, "There's a mark on the right wall up ahead that's been made invisible. I'm not sure what it is, but it looks like trouble."

[acid_ninja]

my contact did say the mark was protected by a mage. I'd bet that this is his handiwork. looks like we're on the right track. I can teleport past the glyph easily enough. Do you have a way to bypass or disable it?

[Rizban]

"I can blast it and hit it with my knife." He pats his greatsword.

[acid_ninja]

Let's hold that in reserve. Let me scout ahead and see what we're dealing with. Where is the glyph?

Ajah Shadow Jaunts down the hall, making sure to end up at least 15 feet away from the glyph. He checks the hall for any doors

[planswalker]

Once Ajah has turned a corner and/or isn't in sight range anymore, Uvag will walk over to the glyph and try to scratch it out thinking that'll either disable it or at least draw attention away from his buddy when it explodes in his face.

[Rizban]

The hall continues about 20 feet beyond the glyph then turns left, there are three doors along the left wall at about 20 foot intervals. The hall continues to the left about 80 feet away. The right wall has several windows along it.

Uvag attempts to scratch out the glyph, triggering it as he approaches. Make a Will save.

[planswalker]

[roll0]


I wonder what it does....

come on, a 3?

[Rizban]

Uvag is paralyzed and unable to move, though he remains aware of his surroundings. Ajah does not realize that anything has happened to Uvag, because he is out of sight.

[planswalker]

well, that's one way to write him out of the action for now... good thing he's invisible. now here's hoping that no one steps on me....

Uvag remains still.........................

until the paralysis finally wears off, which will probably be after Ajah does some junk.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah sneaks up to each door in turn, listening for activity.

[Rizban]

He hears nothing at any of the doors.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah goes to the last door and opens it a crack. If its dark beyond he teleports into the corner of the room and hides.
If he sees light he hides in the shadows in the hallway.

Hide check: [roll0]

[Rizban]

A small candle is burning on a table right by the door. Ajah hides in the shadows of the hallway. The door remains open about an inch.

[acid_ninja]

Does the room have a dark corner that Ajah can see?

If so, Ajah teleports to it and hides:
Hide check:

If not, Ajah uses cloak of deception and silently enters the room:
Move silently: [roll]1d20+12]

[Rizban]

The flickering of the candlelight illuminates everything he can see from the hallway. Moving into the room, he sees what appear to be two maids huddled in the far corner in fear.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah silently backs out and, pausing for a moment to ready his manuevers, heads to the next door, cracking it and peering inside

[Rizban]

It's completely dark inside except for light entering in from the exterior windows behind him. He can see nothing beyond a few inches inside.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: Ajah does have darkvision. Still can't see anything?

[Rizban]

Beyond the first few inches is a darkness which seems to block normal darkvision.

[acid_ninja]

Hmmmm, whatever's in there, its not normal darkness. I think I've found the mage bodyguard. I think Uvag is probably more suited to deal wit this than me.

Ajah returns to the corridor and teleports to where he left Uvag.

I think I found him

[Rizban]

Uvag is still paralyzed in place. He'll be free in another 2 rounds or when planswalker returns, whichever comes first.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: yeah but ajah doesn't know that, especially if he's still invisible

[planswalker]

Two rounds later, Uvag says, "Did I miss much? I set off that glyph. It help me in place for a bit, but i'm ready to go know. You said you found him? lead the way."

internet is quite erratic out here. go ahead and lead Uvag over to the place. I should be able to get on sometime tomorrow.

[Rizban]

Ajah leads Uvag back to the magically darkened room.

[acid_ninja]

OoC: Sorry for the lag, haven't been feeling well.

Ajah tersely whispers
This is it. Can you dispell that darkness?

[planswalker]

"i'm afraid that's not a talent of mine. i can see through it though. i'l try to flush the stuff out to you so you can ambush it." he casually peeks inside.

[Rizban]

He sees a fairly ornate bedroom shrouded in magical darkness. He catches a glimpse of movement when he first looks in, but he sees no one inside.

[planswalker]

Uvag quietly creeps inside [roll0] move silently

[Rizban]

It looks like an ordinary bedroom. You hear something to your right, but when you turn to look, nothing seems out of place.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah hides in the shadows of the hallway readying himself to srike if Uvag flushes anyone out.

Hide: 1d20+12

[acid_ninja]

Dammit, let's try that again:

Hide:[roll0]

[planswalker]

he searches the room carefully, taking the time to be thorough. he starts over near where he heard the noise.

21 total, taking 20

[Rizban]

When Uvag approaches the location of the noise, which appears to have been a large armoire (http://images.oneofakindantiques.com/6322_French_armoire_1.jpg), the door flies open to hit him but misses and is slammed shut immediately after.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[planswalker]

he attacks the armoire right back.
i'm guessing that this guy sees me even though I am invisible so my powers are next to useless anyways.


[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] halff if this is an object and not a mimic.

[Rizban]

Actually, it heard you and was attacking blindly into the square. I just forgot to roll miss chance, not that it mattered anyway.

Your sword crunches into the armoire, doing 8 damage to it.

The entire room seems to burst into a frenzy in response to the attack, as the objects within seem to come alive and begin to look around for someone to attack.

[planswalker]

i'll slice into the bed next.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

i''ll then call out to Ajah, "The furniture has gone mad in here. an armoire just tried to kill me."

[Rizban]

The bed takes 18 damage.

[planswalker]

I'll whack at it again

[roll0]
[roll1] and [roll2]

[Rizban]

14 more damage, and it stops moving. The various other objects begin to swarm your square, attacking blindly.

You cumulatively take 14 damage.

[planswalker]

I withdraw to the egress and the hall beyond, stomping as loudly as I can and hoping to draw them out to where Ajah can help out

[Rizban]

You provoke several AoOs. You take another 4 damage.

After you leave the room, the objects swarm around angrily for a few moments before returning to heir proper places. The bed remains where you felled it.

[planswalker]

I tell Ajah "the room seems to have been animated. Do you really think anyone's in there? I didn't see anyone. Let's move on. I killed the bed, but the smaller objects swarmed me and I had to get out of there."

[acid_ninja]

Ajah tries unsuccesfully to suppress a small chuckle.
Sorry. I know that the target is protected by a mage so I thought the darkness was coming from him. There's still one more door. Let's check it out.

Ajah moves to the last door and cracks it open, looking for a dark corner to teleport into

[Rizban]

The last room is filled with blindingly bright light. The sudden change in light leaves Ajah temporarily dazzled.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah flings the door wide open while staying out of the doorway.

[Rizban]

Light floods out into the hallway. A solemn and dignified head floats about six inches above the shoulders of the otherwise headless body of a stocky humanoid creature. The being’s skin softly glows, and white light peeks between the cracks of its armor. It points a greatsword directly at Ajah and stares blankly but menacingly at him.

"Come no further."

[planswalker]

Uvag tries to invisibly sneak around the floating head.

[roll0] move silently

[acid_ninja]

I can't do that.

Ajah uses shadow garrotte
Attack: [roll0] against touch AC
Damage: [roll1] Fort Save DC 17

Rolling initative: [roll2]

[acid_ninja]

Sorry for the double post. Please tell me Shadow Garrotte can crit.

Confirmation: [roll0]

[Rizban]

[roll0]

The floating head rotates above the body towards Uvag. "I may not see you, but I am not deaf. You will not deceive me, for death comes swiftly to all liars."

Lacking a neck of any kind, the shadow garrote passes through the empty space and does not harm him.

"Shadow can not harm me, for I am light!"

He lifts his hand in the air above his head with palm open. Glittering particles burst forth, filling the room near where he heard Uvag.

Glitterdust on Uvag. Will save to resist blinding.

Sorry you wasted a crit, but shadow garrote specifically says "The strand wraps around the target’s throat and chokes it." This creature does not have a neck and is immune to decapitation by a vorpal weapon, to being strangled, and to suffocation.

[planswalker]

friggin illumians...

[roll0]

I vast darkness, centered 20 feet away from him in my direction, attempting to regain my stealth

[Rizban]

He's not an illumian. They have magic words floating around their heads.

Also, what is the roll for?

[planswalker]

will save. I meant lumi.

[Rizban]

Ah, right. I lost track of what I was doing with the various thread.

Also, I didn't pick him specifically to thwart the two of you. I rolled randomly and he's what came up.

Uvag is not blinded.

Initiative:
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll0]

[acid_ninja]

And I am shadow.

With that Ajah intiates cloak of deception and steps into range, blades whirling.

OoC: Is he close enough for a 5 foot step and then full attack? If not I use Wolf Fang Strike

Primary Attack: Crit confirm: [roll]1d20+7 against FF
Damage SA [roll2]
Secondary Attack: [roll3] Crit confirm: [roll]1d20+7 against FF
Damage [roll4] SA [roll5]
screwed up the syntax, again.:smallannoyed: but neither of those is a threat anyway

[Rizban]

I have all my attack rolls already typed up with correct syntax in another file and just copy/paste them when I need to use them. It saves time and frustration that way.

Ajah vanishes, approaches the Lumi, and uses his Wolf Fang Strike. His first attack hits home, slicing into glowing flesh, but the second clatters off of its armor as Ajah once again becomes visible.

He raises his longsword, bringing it down at Ajah and cutting deep then attempting to slice back up on the back swing but being deflected. Ajah takes 16 damage from the hit.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[planswalker]

Uvag approaches him from the darkness, gives Ajah a flank, and swings his knie at him, boosting it with a fiery admixture

[roll0] attack roll vs flat footed
[roll1] slashing
[roll2] untyped
[roll3] fire

[Rizban]

Uvag's weapon is stopped by the creature's armor.

"You can not overcome me."

[acid_ninja]

Grimacing in pain Ajah flicks the catch on his weapon, releasing the quickspark and quickfrost. He filters out all distractions, becoming one with his blade as he attempts to place a single, precise blow.

Insightful strike: Attack [roll0] Crit confirm: [roll1]
Damage: 25 (expending psionic focus to take 15 on concentration check. [roll2] First is elec, second is cold

Woo-hoo! That's a threat at least.

[Rizban]

Ajah lands a critically wounding blow.

[planswalker]

did you remember that Uvag is giving you a flank for possible sneak attack if applicable?

When it is Uvag's turn, he will once more attack with his knife.

[roll0] should be flat footed ac due to the darkness, right?
[roll1] slashing
[roll2] untyped magical
[roll3] fire

edit: oh well, i'm giving you a +2 to hit here...

[acid_ninja]

Yeah but it doesn't apply to insightful strike but I figured that since we were having so much trouble hitting the guy I was better off with one big shot that a full attack. Looks like it worked - that was 58 damage I just dropped on him

[planswalker]

well, noncombatant on a melee kinda tanks. I had originally envisioned my guy as someone who avoided combat and coup de graced people in their sleep. so far, that hasn't happened.

[Rizban]

The Lumi recoils under the massive blow as it slips through a gap in his armor like the platemail wasn't even there. He desperately flails with his greatsword at Ajah but misses.

Uvag's attack is against deflected by his armor.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3]

[planswalker]

After the Lumi's attack this turn, Uvag will will continue to try to distract him, focusing on giving Ajah an opening more than actually trying to slip past his armor

aid another: +2 to Ajah's attacks against him. sadly, I go after the Lumi so this bonus won't take effect until the turn after. [roll0] vs ac 10, as per phb p. 154. if it "hits", Ajah will get an additional +2 to his attack roll, for a total of +4 from the flank and the aid another.

[Rizban]

That roll would have actually hurt him too. :smallbiggrin:

[planswalker]

*facepalm*

[acid_ninja]

Sensing his moment Ajah presses the attack.

Primary: [roll0] Confirmation:[roll1]
Damage: [roll2] SA [roll3]
Secondary: [roll4] Confirmation:[roll5]
Damage: [roll6] SA [roll7]

[planswalker]

was that with the flank bonus in there?

[acid_ninja]

It wasn't now that you mention it. Good catch. I think we're turning out to be a pretty good team, btw

[planswalker]

thanks! me too. once I get dispel, i think we'll be golden

[Rizban]

With the flanking bonus, both attacks hit, dealing another 24 damage.

95 total damage to him.

The Lumi takes a 5 ft step to the right to remove the flanking bonus and defensively cures himself for [roll0].

[planswalker]

my aid another from last turn should now help Ajah out, giving him +2 to hit. this bonus will fade away if you don't go before me. It may be worth it to risk an AoO if you don't have tumble in order to get a flank against him.
due to the delicacy of the situation here, I shall forgo declaring my turn until Ajah and the lumi go.

[acid_ninja]

Why won't this thing die?Ajah almost seems to blur as he attempts to perform a diving roll and come to his feet slashing.

Manifesting Hustle. Tumble check to move into flanking position: [roll0]
Primary: [roll1] Confirmation [roll2]
Damage:[roll3] SA[roll4]
Secondary: [roll5] Confirmation [roll6]
Damage:[roll7] SA[roll8] Flank and Aid Another figured in.

[Rizban]

Ajah tumbles past him successfully and stabs him for 11 damage.

79 damage to him.

The lumi cuts at Ajah, dealing 9 damage then attacks the darkness, trying to hit Uvag on the backswing, threatening a crit dealing 13 damage after damage reduction.

[roll0]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll1] Hit if >50.
[roll4]

He takes another 5ft step further away from Uvag.

{table]|A|B|C|D|E|F
1|
2||U
3||||L
4||||A
5
6
-|-|-|D|-|-|-[/table]

[Rizban]

Crit confirm
[roll0]
[roll1]

[planswalker]

Uvag will cast another darkness, centered 20' back from the Lumi away from Ajah. he will then walk over to give Ajah another flank,going back and around so as to avoid an AoO.

[acid_ninja]

Go on the offensive, we need to bring him down!

Primary: [roll0] Confirmation [roll1]
Damage:[roll2]SA[roll3]
Secondary: [roll4] Confirmation [roll5]
Damage:[roll6]SA[roll7]

[Rizban]

With the flank bonus that wasn't added to the roll, Ajah lands another 11 damage.

Despising the spreading darkness more than the damage to his body, the Lumi attacks Uvag with extreme prejudice, but his attacks pierce only shadows.

[roll0]
[roll1] < Nat 100... too bad it missed anyway.
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

[acid_ninja]

Actually it was added in so I think I whiffed it. Stupid honesty.

Also, just to let you both know, I'll be out of town this weekend so I may or may not be able to post for a couple of days.

[Rizban]

You're right, but it still hit.

He's taken 90 total damage. Hopefully you can drop him this time before he heals again...

[acid_ninja]

hopefully. btw didn't that crit force a Fort SoD?

[planswalker]

Uvag strikes from the shadows at the being, sword crackling with flames

[roll0] attack
[roll1] slashing
[roll2] untyped
[roll3] fire.

[planswalker]

crit confirm:

[roll0]
[roll1]

i'm guessing the extra fire and EB damage isn't critted...

[Rizban]

Uvag strikes a nasty blow against the Lumi who falls to the ground in death. The room seems darker than it was before.

[planswalker]

I strip his body of all valuables, then hew his head in two, just to be safe.

I would nave simply beheaded him, but he is a lumi, after all.

[acid_ninja]

Ajah leans against the wall, panting slightly.
Ordinarily I wouldn't do that do a fallen foe but I agree. I never want to fight one of those again. Hopefully that was the most dangerous of Schneider's guards.

He winces as he gingerly touches the wound the Lumi's greatsword opened.

Ajah reagains his focus and searches the rest of the room, checking for hiding spots and hidden doors.

Search:[roll0]

[Rizban]

Upon looting the body, you find that his full plate armor survived the battle and will be serviceable with a little work. His greatsword is obviously magical as well. Other than his armor and sword, he carried no gear.

Ajah finds nothing of note.

[acid_ninja]

I can't find anything here. Let's find the mark and go home.

OoC: is there another floor above us?

[Rizban]

Nope, you're on the top floor.

[planswalker]

Uvag takes the armor and weapon, goes invisible, then enters the room that the lumi just came from.

[Rizban]

He loots the body but is already standing in the room where the Lumi was.

[planswalker]

okay, then, I don't understand what is going on with my surroundings. can i have a map please?

[Rizban]

You're in a 30x30 room with no furniture and a dead Lumi. There is a single door on the south wall through which you entered. Outside the door is the hallway you were in before entering to fight the lumi.

[acid_ninja]

No sign of the target. He must be downstairs if he hasn't escaped us already. The two maids in the next room might be able to give us some information.

Ajah gathers his scarf so it covers his face but for the eyes and heads back to the room with the two maids. He opens the door with a drawn blade.

I am here for Schneider. I have no wish to hurt you. Tell me everything you know about this house and you will be free to go.

[planswalker]

Uvag follows behind invisibly.

[Rizban]

Sorry about being away all weekend. I had friends come in from out of state and didn't have time to get online.

The two maids begin babbling, talking over one another. You are told about minutiae of the house, primarily servants' gossip about who is shirking their duties and who is trying to win the boss' favor and who is stealing from the larder and other unimportant information.

[planswalker]

a bolt of eldritch energy strikes the ceiling from an invisible source.

"please stop babbling and tell us if you know anything about the owner of the house specifically."

[Rizban]

One faints, the other protests her ignorance of his current location.

[planswalker]

Still invisible, Uvag decides to change tactics. "If you truly know nothing, then you have no need to worry. However, if you do know anything, please tell us. A dragon and his follower have assaulted this house and are seeking his life. We are associated with the city guard and have come to try to assist Schneider. That is what is meant by we were looking for him. Please, his life may be at stake. I am a special agent of the city guard who specializes in being unseen. I am sorry that my blast startled you and your friend, but you were hysterical and we needed to break you out of it."

bluff: [roll0] quite a bit of half-truths in there, but at least one blatant lie. we have not come to assist Schneider. the rest is true enough.

[Rizban]

She stop speaking and refuses to tell you anything more. You see a bit of anger in her eyes.

[planswalker]

"I suspect that this has gotten out of hand. I think we should leave these ladies alone. We still need to find Schneider before anyone else does."

[acid_ninja]

ajah nods tersely and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

ground floor. Lets try to avoid another fight

[planswalker]

"agreed, let's"

Uvag wil;l follow behing, taking 10 on move silently, for a 19

[Rizban]

Glancing out of the window on your way back to the stairs, you notice a crowd of people gathering outside. Many seem to be spectators, but a good number seem to be with the Fire Brigade, responding to the smoke, while others appear to be with the City Guard, responding to the reports of forced intrusion. For now, they seem to be concerned more with keeping the crowd at a distance than approaching the building, though they are keeping a close eye on it and are ready to spring into action in an instant.

[acid_ninja]

That...complicates matters. We need to be quick.

Ajah heads downstairs taking 10 on Hide and Move Silently for 22
and heads down the corridor on the ground floor where he first encountered two guards.

[planswalker]

"If we have to, I will cover your escape. It is hard to catch what one cannot see. Even harder to hold it."

[Rizban]

From the top of the stairs, he spots a patrol of 3 heavily armed guards run past, obviously looking for the intruders.

[acid_ninja]

Okay, new plan. we'll never be able to work with all these guards running around. The only ones who have seen you are dead so as far as these guards know, I'm the only intruder. I'll draw them off so they'll think the danger has passed. You find a spot somewhere in the house to hide out and once things have settled you can take out Schneider nice and quiet.

[planswalker]

"Sounds great. Do we know where he sleeps yet? If so, I'll hide out in his room and he will get a surprise the next time he sleeps."

[Rizban]

You have found a bedroom, and destroyed that bed, but you don't believe that you have found his personal bedroom. The room with the two maids did appear to be his study though.

[planswalker]

I'll walk back into that one and wait.

take 10 on move silently, for a 19

[Rizban]

Just waiting on Ajah to lead the guards away so that people think the coast is clear before your character can proceed with his plot.

[Rizban]

A terrible explosion suddenly rocks the entire city, and the ground shakes as if an earthquake were tearing the city apart. The sky lights up from a blast many times the brightness of the sun, and you are certain that certain death has at last come to claim you. As the brightness fades, you look toward the Mages' Quarter and see the last remnants of the horror burning directly towards the sky in a seemingly endless stream of raw, burning mana which threatens to tear reality asunder. What seems like an eternity passes as you stare, though it is likely only a few seconds, and at last the blast fades away. In the distance, you hear a building collapse, and you are certain that something horrible has been unleashed upon the city.

[planswalker]

From the study, Uvag thinks, Looks like this is your chance, Ajah. Whatever that was should give the guard a distraction.

[Rizban]

*nudge*
So... acid_ninja....

[planswalker]

acid ninja hasn't been on in 2 weeks. Can we say that he escapes in the chaos of the massive explosion for now and let me get on with my part of the mission? we can do the time warp later and get him through his part when he returns.

[Rizban]

he escapes in the chaos of the massive explosion for nowYep, let's go with that.

[planswalker]

Uvag will remain at the study for either the next eight hours or until someone enters.

[Rizban]

The two maids cowering in the corner stand up and remove their disguises. It turns out that one of them is a man AND your target.

[planswalker]

I walk over to the door quietly taking 10 for a 19

Unless they notice me, panic and leave before I get there, I stand in front of the closed? door and cast darkness. If the door isn't closed, I slam it shut then do the darkness.

[Rizban]

You slam it shut and cast darkness.

[planswalker]

How do the two react? how close am I to my target?/how big is the study?

I draw my greatsword.

[Rizban]

They stand there in shock and surprise. They don't seem to know exactly what just happened.

[planswalker]

I draw my greatsword and attack the mark.

[roll0]

[planswalker]

brainfart. damage roll

[roll0]
[roll1] hideous blow

[Rizban]

He staggers under the blow and panics, attempting to run away and provoking an AoO.

[planswalker]

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Rizban]

Having taken 45 total damage, he stumbles through the room, bumping into bits of furniture but manages to reach the door and pull it open. His wife screams at the sounds of her husband being hacked and blasted.

[planswalker]

I strike at him once more. this town is so savage. Will I ever be able to painlessly end the evil in their sleep?

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll]3d6[/roll[

they can't see through the darkness, right?

[planswalker]

[roll0]

goobered up the hideous blow.

[Rizban]

No, they can't see through the darkness.

He groans and collapses to the ground, dead at your feet.