Ghostfoot's Savage Tide (IC)

[Ghostfoot]

THE SAVAGE TIDE RISES!

The first savage tide has already touched the mortal world, yet none who live today recall this terrible time of red ruin. It swept over an ancient city, transforming beggar and noble, merchant and thief, resident and visitor, one and all into feral, ravenous fiends. What took the ancients hundreds of years to build came crumbling down in a matter of days. When the final ripples of the tide faded, only ruins remained.

Now, after a thousand years, the hidden architect of the Savage Tide gazes upon new targets. This time, the doom will not be limited to one hapless city. This time, all of civilization is perched on the shore, blissfully ignorant of what the tide is about to bring in.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/TashlutaFromTheSea_zpsf094b23a.jpg

Tashluta: The City of Slithering Vines.

1st of Kythorn, 1375 DR

A late spring breeze wafts in across the city from the sea as you make your way toward the Vanderboren Estate in the Merchant's District. Sunset approaches, but still the clinging heat of the day remains in the air. Hawkers begin to pack up there wares as the city's inhabitants prepare for their evening activities.

Tchinik & Mary-Iris:
You recognise the name of the author of the letter, Lavinia Vanderboren. She is the eldest daughter of the Vanderboren merchant family.

Looking out, you can see the imposing House of Night's Embrace looming from a caldera ridge over one side of the city, and the sprawling House of the All-Seeing Orb on the other. The opposed temples to Talona and Savras dominate the skyline. To the south are the distant mist-covered mountains, and beyond them deadly snake-infested jungle. To the north is nothing but clear calm ocean, dotted here and there with fishing and trading vessels.

The seven-foot high stone wall that surrounds the estate is hard to miss, as is the towering, gothic, three-storey house that dominates the grounds within. Leering gargoyles and capering nymphs festoon the eaves of the manor's roof, and several trees give the manor grounds a nice buffer from the bustle of the city outside.

The compound gates are open and no-one is in sight. You make your way to the front door and knock. After a few moments the wizened halfling servant who originally contacted you opens the door.

"Welcome. Thank you for arriving on time. My mistress, Ms Vanderboren, will be with you shortly. Please make yourself comfortable here in the atrium".

She gestures inside to a spacious waiting-room. It is open, light and has several plants and seats placed for comfort.

The adventure begins! Time for you to describe your characters as they each enter, introduce yourselves, and you can have some brief interactions/ dialogue if you wish (a couple of posts or so - there'll be plenty of time for inter-party dialogue as we progress). Then I will move us all forward...

[Phasm]

A short, thin woman clad in green robes of the style worn in Calimshan is first to arrive. Her skin is a shade or so lighter than the dark brown of the locals, her sharp features dominated by a beaky nose worthy of the blue and yellow macaw on her shoulder. Amiyah al-Hassan, adventuring wizard, nods politely to the halfling and addresses her in Tashalan. "Thank you, good halfling." She still has a Calish'ite accent, but it's not nearly as strong as it was two years ago.

I wonder if Ari got an invitation too? Amiyah sits down on a nearby divan to wait. Her familiar shifts his weight on her shoulder, looking around with bright black eyes. "Dinner, Ami?" She reaches up to scratch the yellow feathers on his breast. "Later, Khalil. Be good now, we are guests here."

The parrot grumbles to himself and decides to preen his mistress' long black hair. Amiyah lets him; if he's busy with her hair, he's not getting into mischief elsewhere.

[FyreByrd]

As Tel-Agion walks through the gates and into the compound the dwarf's attention is much more on the stone walls than anything else. His heavily armoured frame, and large shield locked on his arm rattle softly as he walks with slow deliberate steps. His visage is somewhat stern as the halfling opens the door and guides him into the waiting room. As he walks a small electric blue orb hovers at his right shoulder.

He glances once at the slim woman already there, and nods briefly in her direction. Then rather than taking any of the seats he stands close to one of the walls, not quite leaning against it. "I am Tel-Agion" his deep voice rumbles, "I see I am not alone in being summoned here?"

OOC:

Tel is a title, my character's name is Agion. So if you were to refer to him as Tel, that would be the same as me refering to someone as "sir", or "Captain", a gesture of respect. Feel free to refer to him either with the honorific, or just as Agion, he won't get upset!

[Battlemage]

A tall young man enters the waiting-room. His dark red skin, glowing crimson eyes, unnaturally black hair, ribbed horns and pointy tail clearly mark him as descended from fiends. His face is characterized by a sharp nose, high cheekbones, and a strong jaw. Despite wearing a heavy black coat, he seems to be unaffected by the hot weather and shows no signs of discomfort. Spectral silvery-blue energies form a dragon-shaped necklace around his throat and ghostly vambraces around his arms.

A tiny crystal dragon sits on the man's shoulder, studying its surroundings with curious eyes of glittering rainbow colors.

The tiefling smiles at the other guests, his warm expression a startling contrast to the sharp and pointy teeth revealed by his lips.

"Good evening. I am Zathras. It is good to meet you." A slight echo reverberates in his voice.

He takes one of the available seats and leans back in a relaxed manner, though experienced eyes can see the nervousness underneath.

Suddenly the small crystal dragon on his shoulder moves down his arms, jumping on a nearby table and toward a crystal vase which it studies for a long moment before tentatively bumping the object lightly with its snout.

~Xin! Not here please, we need to be on our best behavior. You know the bad first impression my appearance usually gives and there is no need to make it worse.~

~Sorry!~

The small dragon climbs back up its master's arm and curls up on his shoulder like a cat.

[razorback]

Tchinik walks into the compound with a broad smile that does not quite reach eyes if an observant person were watching. Taking note that there were no visible guards, he knows that they must be just out of view and the lady must be trying to make a good impression or setting a good trap. Still, he could find no direct ties between House Vanderboren and Ton Arsi.
"Have care" he admonishes himself under his breath as be follows the halfing servant.
Entering the atrium he is surprised to see a few others gathered. Bowing at his waist with a crooked grin on his face he say "Hello, I am Tchinik. Who would be Lady Vanderboren?" wondering if the information he had paid for was incorrect. When no one responds to the name he breathes a small sigh of relief, sitting and brushing his shoulder length red hair back. "Any idea why we have been called here?" he says as he begins to discount the idea of a trap.

[Phasm]

Amiyah looks up at the new arrivals, smiling hesitantly. "Ah, good evening. I am Amiyah al-" A parrot's screech drowns out the rest of her sentence. Khalil has finally looked up from the important task of grooming his mistress' hair and noticed their company. Specifically, the tiefling.

"BAD MAN! AMI! BAD MAN!" His feathers are slicked back in what could be either anger or fear.

"Khalil! Stop that at once!" The wizard glares at her parrot. Honestly, she isn't thrilled about the red-skinned man's presence either, but Miss Vanderboren must have invited him or he wouldn't have got past the guards. And now everyone here is going to think she can't control her own familiar!

The parrot swivels his head to look at her. "Not bad man?" He looks back at Zathras. "Looks like bad man with fire hands."

"He is not a bad man. Now say you're sorry."

Khalil ducks his head. "Sorry."

"That's more like it." Amiyah gives the tiefling an apologetic look. "My humblest apologies. We had an encounter with another tiefling some time ago, you see, and it left quite the impression on Khalil." She coughs slightly. "So, as I was saying, I am Amiyah al-Hassan. It is a pleasure to meet all of you." Turning to Tchinik, she shrugs. "I am afraid I know no more than you do about why we have been called here. Hopefully we will find out soon."

[Battlemage]

A pained smile crosses the young tiefling's face as he answers.

"Do not worry about it, I am quite used to this kind of reaction. Sadly many of my brethren do in fact deserve it. It is not for me to judge if I am a bad man, but I try my best not to be."

He pauses and scratches his crystal companion's neck before he continues, his pained smile turning more mischievous.

"And I try to only use my fire hands for good purposes."

He is tempted to underscore his little joke by actually manifesting some fire, but decides against it. The possibility for things to turn ugly is too great. Playing with his heritage was always a dangerous coinflip.

"In regards to the purpose of our summoning, I am equally in the dark."

[NovaZulu]

A distant commotion can be heard from outside; a thump followed by three loud cracks, each followed by a high pitched yelp.

'Repent of your wickedness boy, lest He find no place for you at His table!' a voice rings out.

A large woman enters the atrium, tall and broad as a man, her face slightly flushed. She is covered head to toe in thick black robes, frayed at the edges and dusty from the road. The robes have been cut open about the legs and shoulders where a variety of armored plates and weapons protrude. On her head is a wide brimmed wimple, black offset with white. She stands rigidly erect, stock still with her feet apart. She does not smile.

She regards each member of the group slowly, perhaps pausing a little longer on the half fiend than the others.

'His blessings upon you' she says to the assembled group, 'I am Mary-Iris, Sister Penitent in the service of Tyr.'

'Be warned, I am not accustomed to permit blasphemies in my presence and if perfidy is your intent you shall not be spared a full measure of His swift justice.'

SP Mary-Iris continues to regard the group, making no move toward a chair. You notice that she has a pack and shield slung across her back, she is in no way dressed for dinner. She does remove her right gauntlet, her left hand already bare when she entered.

[razorback]

As the sister enters, Tchinik stands and bows... then hesistates when she doesn't take a chair. When she declines to take one he blushes and sits.
Seeing her armed he almost regrets leaving his valued spear in his room at the inn.
Looking around for a drink, he says aloud "Hopefully, someone will appear soon to either provide refreshments or answers. Preferably both."
He steeples his hands upon his chin as he waits patiently.

[DrK]

With a loud Crash the doors swing open and Connaught swaggers in with an air arrogance and self confidence about him. Looking every inch the Northern barbarian with crude leather clothes roughly stitched, a beard gleaming with grease from the half eaten kebab of unknown origin.

As he walks in his size becomes apparent, a hulking brute of a man he towers above the Halfling lady who comes barely above his knee.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs32/f/2008/221/2/1/Barbarian_Concept_by_Zyklon8B.jpg

In clipped and common sounding Illuskane he brusquely thanks the halkfling glances around the room welcoming the others. "Greetings. Gods blessings on you. I am Connaught of the Northern Tribes, who you be?"

OOC
Thanks for inviting me into the game

[Phasm]

Amiyah and her parrot just stare for a long moment, speechless. "Ah, Amiyah al-Hassan, pleased to meet you," she answers automatically. Why in the name of all the gods would a noblewoman invite this... this barbarian into her home? She looks around the room at her fellow guests, thinking. So far there's herself, a known wizard for hire, a heavily armed and armored dwarf (although it would be stranger if the dwarf wasn't armed and armored, being a dwarf and all), a handsome and well-mannered Northerner, a tiefling with some sort of spellcasting ability, a priestess of Tyr, and now a greasy barbarian.

Tel-Agion could be a noble among his people, Tchinik has the manners to be either low nobility or a wealthy merchant, and clergy are welcome in any house that worships or at least respects their deity. Amiyah herself could have been invited to consult on some arcane matter, although the local diviners are generally better at the information side of magic. But in combination with the other guests...

"Who else here thinks that Miss Vanderboren wants us to solve a problem that will almost certainly require violence?"

[razorback]

Smiling at Amiyah's comment and leaning over he says "I am Tchinik Denid of Lutcheq. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance." as he extends his hand. "but I believe the lady is correct. It would seem that some endeavor is at hand. Although I am curious why she requires our collective skill set.". With that he sits back and relaxes.

[DrK]

Connaught grins at the Mulani and leans forward to take his hand in a solid grip and a chuckle. "I hope it do involve a fair amount of violence. I ain't good for much else".

Eye ranging over the assembled folks - eyes lingering on the red skin of the tiefling and the fine form of the holy sister under her shapeless robe. "We have the looks of a the whole of Faerun. Whay has brought you all here"?

"Amiyah is it?" he confirms with the wizard, "You got letters from a half person as well?"

[Ghostfoot]

At that moment one of the interior doors is thrown open and a group of strangers stride across the atrium toward the front door.

The group look almost as strange an assortment as the six of you - a pale-skinned, dark-haired male half-elf dressed in fine leather armour and carrying throwing knives and a rapier; a sour-looking, weathered dwarf bearing the holy symbol of Silvanus around his neck; an attractive but haughty-looking Chondathan woman with a crescent moon tattooed on her cheek and purple robes; and finally a tall and handsome Tashalar man in fine chain shirt armour bearing twin shortswords.

They look you over as they depart, and the tall man mutters to his companions under his breath "Hmmm. Must the help Lavinia's bringing in to help". He calls out flippantly over his shoulder "Best of luck to ya" as they leave through the front doors. The halfling servant races behind them and manages to catch and gently latch the door that they had carelessly flung about. Catching her breath she turns to you all "Ms Vanderboren will see you now, please - this way".

You are ushered through a trophy hall. Leopards, wolves, bears and the odd not-so-small dinosaur are displayed around the hall. The servant opens a door at the far end and guides you into a private dining room. The spacious room is filled with comfortable upholstered chairs, bookshelves and a few tables. A window overlooks the manor's central courtyard and the carpet is thick and soft. A large portrait hangs on one wall, a fine work depicting a handsome young man with a short beard and a sneer on his face.

"Thank you, Kora". An attractive human woman in a flowing blue dress stands in front of the portrait. "Welcome, I am Lavinia Vanderboren. Thank you for coming, I do hope that you can help". She gestures you toward an assortment of simple but elegant dishes and fine local wines as she continues talking.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Lavinia_zps623a31ea.png
"As you may have heard, I recently inherited my parent's estate. Along with this fine house, unfortunately, came a fine amount of debt owed the Dawn Council, the harbormaster, and quite a few guildhalls. It seems my parents, for all their success as adventurers, were not as skilled at finance as one might expect. If I'm to get these taxes paid, I'll need to access my family's vault under Castle Teraknian."

"And that's the problem, you see. The vaults are magically locked - keyed to special signet rings, at least, until recently. My mother lost hers a few months ago. She arranged for a replacement, but it won't be done for another month or so, too late for me. Which leaves my father's ring. He never wore it - he had a thing about men wearing jewelry. He kept it hidden somewhere on his ship, the Blue Nixie."

"The problem there is that the harbormaster's seized the ship until someone pays for the last four months of mooring. I've paid the fines to the man the harbormaster's put in charge of my ship, a brute named Soller Vark. Yet, when I went to claim my ship, Vark's men wouldn't let me board, claiming that I hadn't yet paid the fines. I spoke to Vark again and he denied ever receiving my payment. My complaints to the harbormaster have fallen on deaf ears - he's a doddering old fool who trusts his man and won't relent."

"Vark and his men are up to something on my ship, I know it. What I need is to find out exactly what they're up to. Unfortunately, Vark's not the type to react well to diplomacy or logic. I need someone who speaks his language...which is where you come in. If you can find out what he's using my ship for, or even better, recover the money I paid him, I'll pay each of you 200 gold in return once I've access to my vault."

She takes a small sip of her wine and looks to each of you in turn, waiting to answer any questions.

[DrK]

Connaught, towering above the other adventurers stares down at them with a challenging glare - a look of innate suspicion at the pale skinned elf... At the comment from the other adventurer he grunts back "Us... we shall be helping you if you beg nicely."

Distracted he is the last to the enter the room and looks sheepish in the quiet room with the elegant young Lady Lavina. Looking her up and down he listens to her tale, eyes roaming the pictures and books- even if he cannot read them.

At the end of her tale he sits down gingerly lest his vast bulk reduce the ornate chair to splinters of kindling. "We will find him and break the truth from him milady. Where abouts are his quarters in the docks? How much gold had you paid him?

[Phasm]

Another group of adventurers leaving with a 'good luck'? Oh, that's not ominous at all. Amiyah seats herself near one of the tables, turning a wood-backed chair around to make an improvised perch for Khalil. She loves her familiar, but parrots tend to be messy eaters and she does not want half his dinner down the front of her robes. Once he's occupied with a plate of fruit and nuts, the wizard turns her attention to the noblewoman's tale.

Hmm. Two hundred gold would be quite welcome... if she's being honest. Even if she wasn't being honest, Amiyah would be tempted to take the job; nothing's illegal as long as you don't get caught. As it is, they have a devotee of Tyr breathing down their necks, which means no overt breaking of laws and therefore no two hundred gold unless Miss Vanderboren is telling the truth.

Amiyah pours herself a glass of wine, inhaling the delicate bouquet appreciatively. If there's one thing she misses about Calimshan, it's being able to afford good wine. "If I may be so bold as to ask, my lady, why did you not simply give your gold directly to the harbormaster?"

[Battlemage]

At the entrance of the hulking barbarian, Zathras' face goes so very blank it could almost be called expressive again. He turns his head toward his dragon familiar before he looks at the newcomer again.

~........~

~...........~

Disturbed in his silent musings by the other group of adventurers, he gives them a sweet smile, which grows wider and wider around his fangs until it looks a lot more unsettling than kind.

"Same to you, my friends."

Afterwards, following the rest of the assembly into the dining room, he tries to keep in the back, avoiding as much attention as possible. He still cannot shake the nagging feeling that his invitation had been a mistake and that the Lady Vanderboren would notice his demonic appearance any second and call the guards. It was silly of course, but past experiences had a tendency to leave their mark beyond anything logic could overrule.

He could also think a lot better when he wasn't the one leading the conversation.

You'd think that getting a harbormaster and his unruly thug in line would be an easy task for someone with her family name. I have the feeling there's more to this than meets the eye. Then again, when isn't there? Is there any place where people aren't spinning countless intrigues and plots over one another like some absurd and incomprehensible web of lies, omissions and half-truths?

[FyreByrd]

Tel-Agion's only reaction to the others entering the room, is a slightly raised eyebrow, prefering not to comment until he takes the measure of these. Although, purely as a gut reaction he feels his fist tense as the Tiefling enters the room, servants of chaos more often than not he muses.

Equally his reactions are fairly low key as the other party of adventurers strides through, and even when Lavinia arrives his prefers stoic silence to over the top reaction, however this all changes at her words. As he hears of her plight, and the fact that despite her payment, she still does not have access to the ship. He straightens to his full height, and speaks in a deep powerful voice, "Lady, this is outrageous."

His tone is stern, and there's no trace of hysterics despite his emotive language, "Whilst holding the ship against your debt is perfectly reasonable, if you have paid the fines due, you should have full access by now." he grimaces, "Point me to this rogue and I shall make certain the full weight of the law comes down upon his head!" he pauses, then continues, his tone softening slightly as he puts a question in his voice, "However, and forgive me for enquiring, how do you come to have inherited this estate, if your mother is arranging for a replacement ring, surely she still lives?"

[Ghostfoot]

Lavinia turns to Amiyah and speaks earnestly, "I admit that it was foolish to hand the money over to Vark without any independent official witnesses. I was somewhat naive I guess. As Vark is the harbourmaster's man, and the transaction legitimate, I thought that it would be honoured. I was foolish to trust him."

And to the hulking Northerner, "I don't know where Vark normally lives, but I know for sure he and his men are camped on the Blue Nixie now. They're there all hours, and I'm just sure that they're up to no good. It was one hundred platinum pieces that I paid to him. A pouch of a hundred platinum coins".

Tears begin to well in her eyes as she answers Tel-Agion's question regarding the inheritance and her family, "My mother arranged for the replacement ring before her death. She and my father were both killed about a month ago." She takes a moment to compose herself. "I'm sorry, I still haven't quite gotten used to it. They were taking a recently purchased ship for a cruise around the harbour here. Something caused it to catch fire and burn to the waterline. There were no survivors."

Tchinik, Amiyah, Zathras:
Your sense motive observations don't reveal anything unusual or unexpected.

[razorback]

Not able to get a full bead on the woman, Tchinik nods and says "The dwarf is right, lady. I will help in the endeavor to help reclaim your funds and see to it that Vark and those who give him succor are given over to the law."
Sitting back in his chair, he tries to figure out how this merry little band will work together. He wonders about asking about the group who just left be decides it is the ladies business and has nothing to do with the discussion at hand.
"Are we all in agreement?" he says as he look around at those assembled.

[Battlemage]

After the others have voiced their questions Zathras decides to speak up as well.

"I am sorry for your loss, my Lady. I am willing to take on this task, though I have to ask about the group we were meeting on the way in. Are you putting multiple teams together to work on this issue simultaneously or were they part of a previous attempt that met difficulties? If either of those is the case it is something we need to know about. I apologize if their presence was unrelated to this matter."

[NovaZulu]

'Young lady, you charge the harbour masters man, Mr Vark, with corruption and the harbour master himself with complicity at worst and incompetence at best,' says SP Mary-Iris her eyebrows slightly raised and her face grave, 'these are charges most serious.'

'I must warn you Ms Vanderboren, that once engaged in pursuit of justice in this case I will not be turned or diverted. As long as your cause be just you can count on my shield, but should I find that it is you who attempts to subvert the due process in this matter, it will go no better for you than for those you accuse.'

SP Mary-Iris fixes the young women with a hard stare then goes on 'So I ask you, are you certain you wish my service in this matter and do you vouch that what you have said to us here tonight is the whole truth of the thing? If you are possessed of a doubt I will trouble you no further and take my leave. While you think on this permit me one further observation.'

'A great deal of misfortune has befallen you lately,' the Sister begins, sympathetic without any particular warmth. 'No doubt an intelligent young woman such as yourself has already considered conspiracy, but I wish to offer another way to look at it ... providence. There is no thing under heaven that the gods have not put here and perhaps your current predicament offers you a unique opportunity to reject a life of corpulence you have not choosen but only inherited. Perhaps this is Devine invitation to take your place in the world on the merits of your valour and earn for yourself a place of honour in the hereafter.'

'Perhaps, moreover, you may consider it fitting to start out by joining our little company on this venture? Justice provides for all men, to criminals correction, to victims recompense and to by-standers example lest they become one or tuther. You may find salvation and liberation if you heed this His call.'

SP Mary-Iris waits silently for Ms Vanderboren's answers.

[DrK]

At the small Mulani's words Connaught grunts approvingly, a vast and slightly dirty paw slapping the smaller man on the shoulder. "We will board your boat and dump the rubbish over the side. Let the harbour eels take 'em!".

Looking around the others he grimaces at the Sister's words of law and the Gods, a hand brushing what appears to be an arrowhead trapped under the flesh of his mostly exposed muscular chest. "Law or not law, then we must help. Do we need the cover of darkness to approach or shall we do it like men of strength in the full light of day."

[Phasm]

Amiyah barely manages to suppress a groan at the priestess' speech. Oh, let's insult our prospective employer and a noble who can make life in Tashluta much harder for us, fabulous idea! If Miss Vanderboren was the adventuring type, doubtless she would already have taken care of Vark by now. But if this makeshift party sticks together, Amiyah will have to put up with the woman for some time; no use making enemies of someone who might be covering your back. Instead, the wizard simply nods to Miss Vanderboren.

"I too am willing to undertake this task for you. Corrupt officials are sadly common, but that does not mean they should be allowed to keep a woman from her property." She smiles. "Besides, now I'm curious."

[Ghostfoot]

"That is quite alright, Zathras. That group fashion to call themselves the 'Jade Ravens'. They have been in the employ of our family for some years now, and have proven adept at assisting where less skilled employees would be unable. I have just sent them to Thindol to seek further assistance from my aunt and uncle there. They have not been involved in the specific issue of the rogues aboard my ship".

"And Sister, thank you for the reminder. I can assure you that my conscience is clean and that a servant of Tyr, bound to uphold justice and reverse the actions of lawbreakers, is precisely the representative I seek. As to providence I must say that my place lies as a citizen respectful of, and protected by, said laws rather than an enforcer. You will understand that this is the reason that I cannot accompany you. If anything should...happen...then not only would I likely be a burden to yourselves, but I would be more directly associated in the very least as a witness, and therefore unable to freely continue my efforts to pursue justice and free myself of these thugs. Everything that my parents have worked so honestly for would, quite frankly, be forfeit".

Zathras:
You detect no evil from any of the people so far.

[FyreByrd]

The stern looking dwarf listens carefully to both Lavinia's measured response to his question, and the comments and questions by the others in the room, nodding fiercely at Sister Mary-Iris' words of warning.

In a moment of quiet he bows his head to their prospective employer, "Forgive me again, for my impertinenant question, I am sorry for your recent losses, I just need to be content in my mind that your cause is just, and I stand with the human, in her assessment of the situation, and her warning against you."

Satisfied now, the dwarf glances around at his companions, "I believe our first step should we all wish to take this contract is to head to the harbour, and gain more information from those that the lady has accused."

[razorback]

Tchink nods assessment with what Tel-Agion says.

"Connaught, it would be best to acertain what the situaton is before we make a move towards these scofflaws. Any chance of bringing them to justice will require proof. Tipping our hand prematurely will only give them time to cover their tracks. When hunting a bear, is it is best to set a trap for your prey and not to approach from upwind so as not to startle it or find yourself in a trap set up by your quarry? This is what we seek to do, I believe."

[NovaZulu]

'Ms Vanderboren, you may consider me engaged,' says SP Mary-Iris.

Looking around at the group SP Mary-Iris considers the their questions and the challenge ahead, battle plans already forming.

The forthright Dwarf, neither mealy mouthed nor unnecessarily cruel and a man of faith. Doubtless a strong right flank if he is as direct in battle as he is in conversation.

The Northman, entirely typical of his people, dangerous to friend and foe alike. Likely the sort who chews on his shield until frothing and insensate before battle; unlikely to run at least. Front line shield side, left flank.

Mr Denid, solicitous, nervous, in search of alcohol and largely unarmed. None of this bodes well in the Sisters Opinion. Presumed coward until proven otherwise. Second rank and scout.

The half-fiend and his little lizard, understandably anxious of the impression they make. What hope have they for salvation but valor so undeniable, so excessive that it erases the stain of that bloodline? Second rank and rear guard.

And finally Ms al-Hassan, consumed by fear, fear of giving offense, fear of the bird making a fuss, fear of violence and fear of those very fears. In battle can she be trusted to find her courage and master her fear or will she simply crumble? Second rank center.

'Reconnaissance is wise. Mr Denid you seem well suited to low places, will you lead us in this phase of the engagement?' says SP Mary-Iris, no trace of irony in her voice.

'Ms Vanderboren, I will pray for your salvation.'

OOCSP M-I is ready to move on when the group is and will follow along with whatever information gathering plan the group agrees upon/help as she can as long as it does not include criminality or cowardice. Completely flexible wrt nighttime or daytime approach.

[Phasm]

Amiyah nods, taking a sip of wine. Not too much; a drunken wizard can be dangerous to herself and others. "If possible, I would prefer to wait until tomorrow morning before starting out. The sun is going down, and searching the ship for something as small as a ring will be considerably easier in daylight." She pauses. "Also, I would like to prepare some spells better suited to combat in tight spaces with a large group of allies than what I have now. The last thing I want is to accidentally hit one of you with an area-effect spell because there is no room to dodge on a crowded deck."

[razorback]

Tchink rubs his beard a little pondering the two women's words.

"I agree that we should not fully show ourselves to any would be watchers but, perhaps, it would be wise for a couple of us to get a lay of the land, so to speak. Mark out any guards, obvious or otherwise, along with the comings and goings of anyone. Probably dressed as sailor come to port? Any thoughts?"

[Battlemage]

Zathras smiles as he weighs in. He has not touched any food or drink offered.

"Sounds reasonable enough. But I do not think any kind of dress-up is going to make me blend in, so I will have to sit that part out."

[DrK]

Connaught smiles at the Sister. "As you say Lady Priest. I'll hold my back me anger till its justified."

As the dwarf and little Mulani speak Connaught nods. "If you need one to dress as a sailor, drink like a sailor, swear like a sailor and .... he tails off, reddening beneath the heavy beard ... like a sailor, then I am your Northman."


I'm happy to dress up as a sailor and go scouting.
As Savnok is still bound until I change to Dahlver in the morning then I'm good for going unarmoured (though with a little axe or dagger at least!)

[Phasm]

"A good idea, Tchinik. However, I do not believe that I would fit in on the docks without raising suspicion. I will sit this part out with Zathras." The minute she opened her mouth, her upper-class Calish'ite accent would give her away. Granted, women of all nationalities and backgrounds resort to the world's oldest profession in a major seaport, but Amiyah isn't anywhere near pretty enough or good enough at acting for that.

[NovaZulu]

'It is settled then,' says SP Mary-Iris.

Mr Denid and Connaught will scout out the docks and gather what intelligence they can. I too am likely to stick out after dark on the docks. I will instead make inquires at His temple. I wish to make obeisances there and if there is corruption in the Harbor Master's Office my brothers and sisters may have heard tell.'

'The remainder will make what preparations they see fit and we will all meet tomorrow morning at the entrance to the docks one hour after dawn. Please do not be late.'

Without further word the Sister turns and leaves.

OOC
Gather Information [roll0] + any context bonus for talking to other Priest of Tyr about a significant religious focus (corruption)

lol even other Priests of Tyr don't like SP M-I :smalleek:

[razorback]

After the Sister is out of earshot, Tchinik nudges the huge warrior.
"Why do I have a feeling that woman is going to make our lives hell? You know, go to church, no elbows on the table, that sort of stuff?" With a sigh and a shake of his head, he says, "Ready, big guy? I'm going to swing by my room and pick up a... uhm, less high stepping outfit, if you don't mind."
With that he heads back to his room with Connaught in tow before heading towards the docks.


Disguise
[roll0]
Gather Info
[roll1]

[FyreByrd]

Tel-Agion once more nods sharply, at the words of the Sister, "Agreed," adjusting his shield so it rides more comfortably on his arm, he strides from the room, the ball of glowing blue light following close in his shadow.

ooc:


Will keep same spells and melds for tomorrow!

[Ghostfoot]

You all continue your conversations, with each other and with Lavinia, planning out your approach to the matter.

It seems that the Blue Nixie is currently docked at pier five in the Merchant District, between the Merchant's Guildhall and the Smith's Guildhall (there are lots of piers in Tashluta - it's a city of canals & lagoons as much as it is streets and alleys).

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Pier5_zps416a1f89.png

Most of you break to your current abodes to prepare for the following day's activities. Tchinik and Connaught spend some hours at the Merchant District docks. With a few subtle adjustments to your attire it proves no problem at all to fit in among the other folk. Although distinctly individual, you are no more conspicuous than the many other drifters and workers who populate the area at any moment.

It quickly becomes apparent that the Blue Nixie is not in fact docked at pier five. It is moored to a float in the lagoon about 100 feet from the pier. The boat itself is lit, and you can see activity on board. About a dozen men and women are moving about the ship. At this distance you can still see that they're armoured (albeit lightly, in leather armour), and that they all seem to carry rapiers and/ or crossbows. Two of them seem to be on lookout/ sentry at any point in time, one on the quarterdeck and one on the foc's'le deck.

You make some discreet enquiries amongst the locals as to the activity and the perpetrators:

"Yeah, I hear they're headed out tomorrow. Got some sorta deal happenin'. Wouldn't tell me what they'd landed this time. Selfish bastard."
"Vark. Huh! Well one things for sure, if Vark's involved it ain't legit. He ain't done an honest days work in his life."
"He sure took that posh lady for a ride. Oh, can I have some money? I'll just take your ship as well! Can you believe it! More money'n sense, some people."


Sister Penitent Mary-Iris makes enquiries with Father Rufus Laro, head of the small local temple to Anachtyr (a southern aspect of Tyr).

"Ah, the Harbourmaster. Lord Keltar Islaran. We have noticed an increase in the number of minor complaints and grievances in relation to his men's duties. He is old, and I suspect that the answer here may be waning competence rather than outright duplicity. If you were to find any direct evidence of corruption or deliberate lawbreaking you should refer it to me, as well as to the city bureaucracy, of course. We may be a relatively small congregation here in Tashluta, but we can still exercise the power that we have to see the law upheld."

[Phasm]

Precisely one hour after dawn, Amiyah waits next to a cooper's shop on the landward end of pier five. Her green robes are the same as the day before, but now she carries a light crossbow and quiver of bolts on her back. A short sword, dagger, and wand have joined the belt pouches at her waist, and her black hair is pinned up in a severe bun that does no favors for her appearance. But it's up and out of the way, which is what matters most when there might be a fight. Khalil is perched on a barrel next to her, head tucked under his wing.

[Battlemage]

Less than a minute later, Zathras arrives. He is now wearing a well-made breast plate of black steel under his dark coat and a crossbow on a sling across his back. Slim and spiky black steel gauntlets cover his hands, and a buckler of the same material is fastened to his left arm. Instead of the ghostly vambraces from the day before his feet and lower legs are now surround by swirling light-blue energy.

He smiles his usual fang-bearing smile at Amiyah and anyone else present.

"Good morning! Ready for an exciting day of harbor adventures?"

[Ghostfoot]

2nd of Kythorn, 1375 DR

In the morning you gather near the pier, well prepared for the task at hand. The Blue Nixie is still moored 100ft from the pier, in the harbour lagoon. There is plenty of activity around the harbour already. The activity on board is somewhat diminished now that daylight has come. There are still two sentries and five men on deck.

You should be able to secure a couple of small boats if you wanted to row out (will cost no more than a silver or two). Due to the activity, you should be able to get quite close before arousing suspicion (depending on your approach, of course). The deck is about 10ft above the waterline and has plenty of ropes and other handholds hanging off it (Climb DC10 to board).

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie_zpsc0ba584c.png Hope this makes sense:

Main deck
Two raised decks with stairs up to them (quarterdeck foc's'le deck)
A set of stairs leading below deck to the east.
A ladder leading down a hatch
A cargo hold, which is covered in a metal grill.
A couple of rowboats.

=> Party

[DrK]

Connaught paced on the pier glancing around and twitching unable to settle. A heavy wooden shield battered and scarred and a battle axe that looked like it had been carved from sort of bone added to the same leathers that he had been wearing the previous evening.

"If we row out do we storm the boat as soon as we board her?"

A hand itching his head slightly at something underneath the coarse hair was a momentary distraction before he resumed his pacing.


DO we want to "bluff" our way aboard or just row right out there and then "attack"?

[NovaZulu]

The nun considers the tactical situation. No chance either her or the Dwarf make it up those ropes in armour, and a slip means drowning. No option to approach undetected and guards posted on the deck not likely to mistake a group of heavily armed adventurers as the relief shift.

'We need to get ourselves invited aboard' says SP Mary-Iris, 'lets talk to the Harbor Master.'

An accusation of corruption, the sanction of the Temple of Tyr, what life long bureaucrat would turn down an opportunity to be part of a quick solution rather than become embroiled in a lengthy investigation of the problem?

OOC

If you want to RP a HM encounter nps, otherwise Intimidate Check [roll0] to intimidate the HM with a lengthy and laborious investigation of corruption in his office and an offer to expedite the process if he will escort us aboard the Blue Nixie to investigate the claims and resolve the matter today.

In case that doesn't work how high is the float? In particular could one go form row boat to float to Blue Nixie deck without climb checks, or any other route onto the decks that would avoid (failed) climb checks?

Finally if the group decides to assault and no non-climb route is available SP M-I will reluctantly take off her armour for the journey out in the row boat.

[Ghostfoot]

SP Mary-Iris strides purposefully into the offices of the harbourmaster. This early in the morning there is only a young clerk manning the desk, slowly working through a tower of paperwork.

"Ah, g-g-good morning Sister." He checks a notebook. "You d-d-don't seem to have an appointment. It's g-g-going to be very d-d-difficult to-". A few curt comments cut short the clerk and focus him on the Sister's immediate requirement.

"Sister, I can understand your predicament but I assure you that there's nothing that I can d-d-do. The requisite f-f-forms simply must be completed in t-t-triplicate, and since we have run out of said d-d-documents it is simply impossible to begin the process of assessing your r-r-request to-". Shrill yells and the sharp crack of corporal punishment wake several neighbouring residents.

Shortly afterward, as the party gathers, SP Mary-Iris arrives literally dragging a disheveled young man by his ear. "Ladies. G-G-Gentleman." He looks about as if fearful of being struck. "My n-n-name is Whinse, assistant junior administration clerk in the office of the harbourmaster. The good Sister has gently informed me that you have some b-b-business aboard one of these vessels. I can t-t-take you there, if that is your instruction".

There's nobody at the harbourmaster's office who can meaningfully help. Whinse is clearly virtually useless, but has been coerced into helping as he can. He has brought one of the city's large rowboats, and can ferry you out to the ship if you want. You can disregard him and choose another approach without penalty if you choose to.

You options under consideration at the moment are:

Hire a boat/ boats and storm the Blue Nixie
Hire a boat/ boats and attempt to bluff your way aboard as buyers
Have Whinse ferry you to the Blue Nixie and attempt to bluff your way aboard under some sort of authority
Other?


There is no way aboard the Blue Nixie without a climb check (although a fall could be back into a rowboat rather than into the lagoon).

[FyreByrd]

Tel Agion looks closely at the man cowering in front of them. "You Sir, are the authority around here?" he says in his stern tones, with a touch of incredulousness to them.

He leans close, his bushy eyebrows bristling above burning grey eyes. "Then I believe you can help us! I believe a crime has been committed here, and I will stop at nothing until justice has been done in this matter. You are the authority so you shall accompany me in seeing that justice is done." He lays a heavy hand onto the quivering shoulder, and stares deep into the poor mans eyes, "The law will be satisfied, and if I find any wrong doing they will answer with their heads!"

ooc:

Rolling intimidate to persueade the young man to take us out, under the purview of an official investigation.

[roll0]

[razorback]

In a chummy sort of way, Tchink sidles over to the man and wraps his arm around him.
"Listen, I know they can come off a bit harsh but we are here doing good and lawful work. Probably best not to say anything to anyone for the mean time. At least until our investigation is done, so it doesn't get back to anyone one. Best to follow our lead until we can let you go on your way. How does that sound?" he says as he gently ushers the overwhelmed man out the door and towards the awaiting boat.


Diplomacy to soothe the man a bit so he's a bit more manageable
[roll0]

[Battlemage]

Zathras is tagging along with the group, staying in the background and now and then rolling his eyes a bit when SP Mary-Iris or Tel-Agion start preaching about the law again.

Nine hells, they are intense. Their intent seems to be good, but the way they go about it...

While the others are talking to the harbor official, Zathras takes in the many interesting sights of the busy port and lets the fresh breeze of the sea cool his black armor. It was important to enjoy the moment, nasty business would occur soon enough.

"Wonderful day for a boat ride," he murmurs, smiling.

[Phasm]

Amiyah shares a commisserating look with Zathras when the Lawful Duo's backs are turned. So far it looks like he shares her sentiments the most, and he's making an effort to be friendly; she'll give the tiefling the benefit of the doubt.

Dark eyes light up as an idea occurs to her. "I have an idea for how to increase our cover as potential boat buyers. They will wish to see gold, yes? I can make them see a lovely big coffer of gold when we are in the boat." She smirks. "Even if they have no intention of selling to us, you see, they may well allow us to board in order to take the gold as they did from Miss Vanderboren." Amiyah turns to Connaught. "Would you pretend to carry my illusory chest, Connaught? You are large and strong, having it in your hands will make it seem more real. As long as my concentration is not interrupted, I can make the illusion move with you so that you may open the lid and display the contents when the time is right."

[DrK]

Connaught watched the dwarf and the "nun" with a wry grin. Seeing the demon spawns expression he grinned more widely and rolled his eyes.

Standing at the edge of the pier he watched the waves and only half heard the Cali****e sorcerer. You need a chest carried. I will get it, it should not be too bad for a man as manly as me. Clever magic to make gold appear.

[Ghostfoot]

The plan settled, you all head off to your respective positions.

Tel-Agion, SP Mary-Iris, and a subdued looking Whinse head to the small civic vessel. They row out into the lagoon and begin to circle around to the far side of the Blue Nixie, taking care to keep plenty of regular traffic between them and their target.

Amiyah, Tchinik, Zathras and Connaught hand over a few coppers and rent a larger rowboat. They row directly toward the Blue Nixie, Connaught standing proudly with the false chest displayed for all to see as the boat approaches.

The sentries are clearly wary as you come up alongside the larger ship. They hold loaded crossbows, and you see some of the other crew loosen their rapiers in their belts. A particularly filthy and despicable-looking fellow looks down at you. His eyes widen as he sees the chest, but he is still suspicious "By the Bitch Queen's tits, what do you scum want? No visitors! Clear off before you end up at the bottom of the lagoon where you belong, you worthless molluscs".


Intimidate, Bluff, or Diplomacy check to get aboard, if you wish.
I didn't check what your various familiars/ sidekicks are doing. I assume that they are with you, but they could easily be elsewhere. Please post an update in the OOC if they're doing anything noteworthy.
And I presume that you have weapons loaded and in easy reach, although hidden under cloths, sheathed or similar (rather than clutched threateningly in your hands ready for use). We'll treat this as "draw weapon" rather than "pick up weapon", so for Tchinik & Connaught with BAB+1 it's free as part of your move action. Amiyah & Zathras will need to use a move action to "draw" any weapons.

[DrK]

Connaught flexes his arms around the massive (and fake) chest - better to show off his massive muscled bulk. "Watch your mouth you son of a troll.One more word disrespecting my mistress and I shall tear you head from its shoulders and present it to her as a particularly ugly chamber pot."

Initial insults to establish dominance concluded he continues to bellow. "Send down a ladder now or explain to your master how you cost him money. I doubt your pox ridden hide is worth a hundredth of what we offer. Let my mistress aboard. She would speak with the cur that runs this vessel"


Intimidate [roll0]
- Just to establish some alpha male dominance, can't have minions disrespecting us! :smallwink:

[razorback]

Tchinik feigns a smile while looking back at Connaught before looking back at the crossbowman.

"What my excitable companion is expressing is that we are in the market for a ship, possibly with a doughty and experienced crew who rightfully protects their masters interests, like yourselves, for... ahem, well, for matters that I can't discuss with you at the moment. As some of the men back at the harbor had mentioned that this vessel was like to be confiscated and sold due to unpaid debts, we thought it would best to get our bid in early, as time is a factor in our business. If you would be a good man and let your master know we seek an audience with him to speak and haggle, you would have our deepest appreciation. And, as I have said, you keep your masters interests close to heart, that bodes well for you if you seek further employment with this ship once it is under our command." With a slight flourish, he nods to the man as from the boat they rented.


Diplomacy to get the guard moving

[roll0]

[Battlemage]

Zathras looks at the man on the boat with his head tilted sideways, studying him intently. Then he speaks, opening his mouth widely to emphasize his fangs.

"You ssshouldn't make the mistresss wait. It'sss very rude!" He intentionally speaks with a hissing snake-like accent.

Turning toward Amiyah he looks at her with a begging look, his tail swishing impatiently, before his crimson gaze returns to the sailor.

"May I eat the rude man, mistresss? May I pleassse?"


Supporting intimidate check for whatever it's worth:
[roll0]

[Phasm]

Mistress? Since when? Well, never let it be said that Amiyah doesn't know how to improvise. She looks up at the guards with the cool, haughty expression of a rich Calish'ite toward an inferior that she was taught as a child, then over at Zathras. Gods, please don't let me laugh! "Not right now, Zathras. He might give you indigestion." With that, she returns her concentration to the delicate task of coordinating the movements of her illusory chest with Connaught's hands and the rocking of the boat.

Khalil perches on her shoulder, thankfully quiet for now.

[NovaZulu]

As the small civic boat bobs on the lagoon SP Mary-Iris begins regretfully removing her amour, laying it in a neat pile under the forward seat. Her habit hangs lose in places and an occasional glimpse of ripped and corded muscle and fading scars can be seen beneath. Her left forearm is particularly ravaged, looking like it has been operated on by a drunken hobgoblin surgeon with only leather working tools to hand. The skin is red and stretched, with three long scars from elbow to wrist, puckered where crude stitches have pulled the flesh together. Cauterization scars dot the skin between, still shinny.

As the other row boat approaches the Blue Nixie she kneels in the bottom of the skiff, her head bowed, and offers up prayers to Tyr. For valor and courage to her companions and enemies both, and that due justice be done in Ms Vanderboren's case.

'Our companions must have entered negotiations to board by now,' say SP Mary-Iris 'and will soon be either on the deck or fighting glorious battle outnumbered and outgunned. Let us begin our approach.'

She takes up a position at the prow, standing tall in the bobbing row boat and gathering all the authority of a servant of Tyr to her carriage.

[Ghostfoot]

"Eh? What?" He looks from one of you to the next, clearly confused by the verbal engagement. "Ah, screw it." he mutters. "You two can come aboard, but not the other freaks" he says to no one in particular. "Ket, go and get Vark up here. Now!".

He drops a rope ladder down to you. The remaining thugs continue to finger their weapons warily.

[DrK]

Connaught glances up with a sneer on his face before placing the chest on the floor of the rowing boat beside Zathras. Turning he reaches up almost to the edge of the boats side and heaved himself up onto the deck.

Standing on the deck he towers above the little people and looks around. so what now?

Though he does make sure to stand near the ladder top lest they stop his companions climbing up.

[razorback]

Tchinik follows Connaught up to the deck of the ship, grumbling loudly so the sailor-guards can here.
Once up top he dusts himself a bit as he looks around.
"Now, good man, retrieve your master so we can discuss the mundane tasks at hand.". At this point Tchinik fluffs his gloves a bit, he makes a bit of a face at the non-existent dirt as he feigns the part of a well place servant.
"Mistress, please come aboard so we don't have to worry about you on the small boat. It would cause me know end of despair if you were injured." with that he waves the rest of the group up.

[Battlemage]

Thinking it wise to act quickly and decisively before the men on the ship could find time for more objections, Zathras deeply bows to his "mistress".

"Allow me, misstresss. No need to sssully yoursself with activity below your ssstation."

Then, if she indicates approval, he carefully holds her around the waist and flys them up to the ship, where he lightly puts her down on the deck, takes a step back and bows again.

OOC:
Together with both our gear, I can only move Amiyah with my "lift of ground" value, but that should be enough to just hold her for the second I need to fly up.

[FyreByrd]

Tel-Agion sits in the boat just behind Mary-Isis, and next to their rather reluctant guest. As he watches Mary-Isis remove her armour, he does the same, stacking it not quite as neatly as she has in the aft of the boat.

As she speaks, he grunts, "Agreed, let us use caution however, neither of us, are particularly nimble, I would guess, even without our armour on."

ooc:

Removing armour, but keeping my shield ready.

Sorry for lack of posting over the weekend, it's been a nightmare!

[Ghostfoot]

"Wait, what? Where's Vark? Go and get him, I said. Yes, you kelp for brains. Bring that chest with you, no point leaving it down there. No - only two I said! Can't you understand wh- Whoa!"

As Zathras glides into the air with Amiyah all eyes (and crossbows) turn toward him in alarm. Those without crossbows ready draw their rapiers as the sorcerous guests land on the deck. They glance about, waiting for one to give a signal, or act first...

From the door at the bow (front) of the ship comes a string of profanities as an angry bald man appears. He's clearly their leader and is equipped similarly (although his weapons and armour are clearly far superior in quality & condition - ie masterwork).

"I told you idiot scum - no visitors! How hard is that!" He backhands a smaller goon that happens to be too close. "Bane's balls, are you lot looking for an early grave?" He advances threateningly toward you all (although doesn't have his rapier drawn yet). The confused thug that you've been bullying melts back into his comrades to avoid his boss's questions. Everyone looks a lot more tense, if that were possible.

On the far side of the ship, the smaller boat with the dwarf and the priestess (and of course the clerk) slowly approaches unnoticed.


Did you bring the "chest" onboard, or is it still in the launch?
Your Judge Dredds will arrive at the beginning of next round, and can board immediately if they wish.
If you're going to initiate combat, please pick a starting square (within reason, say H11,H12,H13, and any surrounding squares).

=> Party

[razorback]

Tchinik bows deeply at the approach of the other man, and then turns with a bit of a flourish.

"Good morning, Master Vark. We are humble servants of the Lady Amiyah" he then bows again in her direction "who is in search of a vessel for transport. If the rumors are to be true, this vessel will soon be on the market as levy for unpaid taxes and dues. As the early bird catches the worm, we are here to put in our bid first so as not to miss this 'golden' opportunity." Tchinik then flashes his best, unctuous smile at the man, as he hopes his greed will outway his immediate distractions.
"We have funds ready if we can secure this ship quickly, as my mistress' business is quite urgent and time, as you can imagine, is of the essence."
With that, he bows again, deeply and waits on the man.


Tchinik is set in Punishing Stance.
He is readying an action to draw his sword if/when the man becomes hostile.

[Phasm]

Amiyah gives Vark a regal nod, drawing on all her childhood lessons in proper deportment for a lady. Straightening her robes, she casually steps toward the rail where she can get a better view of her illusion in the boat below. Did I not tell them that I need to see the illusion in order to control it? Oh well, we'll probably be fighting soon anyway and flying up certainly beats climbing!

[Ghostfoot]

"Well it's a bit silly to leave all of your shiny gold down in that boat. No telling who might come along and take it". He signals his thugs to close in around you.

"You two", he points to a couple of his goons. "Bring the ladies' gold up here, pronto".

Two of them climb down the ladder and make to fasten a rope around the illusory chest.

Tel-Agion & SPMI have reached the Blue Nixie.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie2_zpseec1ddba.pngSorry for the line-of-sight/ fog-of-war shenanigans. It goes a bit funny when trying to portray split levels. Hopefully you get it. I've made some assumptions, but let me know if you want to change your party positions at all.

[NovaZulu]

'HARBOR MASTER'S OFFICER WHINSIE AND PARTY COMING ABOARD' yells SP Mary-Iris in her best battlefield bellow.

She grasps hold of a hanging rope and pulls herself up to the deck.

'Mr Vark, you stand accused of grave corruption. You will surrender this vessel immediately into the care of the Harbor Master's officer who accompanies me, lay down your weapons and return to shore to answer the charges,' instructs SP Mary-Iris.

Stepping forward towards Vark she goes on, 'If you refuse to accompany me voluntarily I will not hesitate to compel you in His name.'

She glares around the deck, daring anyone to defy her as she slowly looses the shield from her back, and rests her hand on the hilt of her sword.

OOC

Move Action 1: Not sure of the combat situation so if SP M-I can take 10 on the climb check she will for (10+3) 13 (-2 if slung shield gives armor check pen = 11) vs DC 10.
Otherwise climb check [roll0] + Action Point [roll1] (-2 if slung shield give armor check pen) vs DC 10.
Free Action: Speak + Intimidate check [roll2] to scare Vark into compliance.
Move Action 2: Loose (Draw) shield and move to JK11(? sorry can't see numbers, S then SW from her current position on the row boat)

And rolling for granted manu's in case someone starts a fight around here O.o

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare (threatened enemies -4 to hit allies)
[roll3], [roll4], [roll5]
Manu (Granted, Withheld, Expended)
1. Crusader's Strike: G
2. Stone Bones: G
3. Charging Minotaur: W
4. Leading the Attack: G
5. Douse the Flame: W

[DrK]

Connaught grimaces at the oncoming forces of "Law" before smiling at the small pirates beside him. "What say you we chop this Lawkeeper into fish food"

He punctuates his words with a snarl at Sister Mary as he draws out the ong bony axe from his waist. "In the mountains we know how to deal with lawkeepers.."


Thanks for the distraction to allow me to draw my weapon :smallwink:
I'm happy with my position on the map. Though wary of being surrounded by so many people!

[Ghostfoot]

"You'll never take me alive!" yells a nameless goon. All of a sudden everyone is drawing weapons and flailing about...


First combat of the game so it will no doubt be a bit chaotic. I'm going to be really annoying and roll initiative individually for everyone involved. Let's see how this works. Bear with me.

Initiative:
{table=head]Initiative Chart
{table=head]Character | Initiative
Zathras| [roll3] [21]
Thug 1 | [roll10]
Thug 9 | [roll18]
Tel-Agion |[roll1]
Thug 6 | [roll15]
Thug 2 | [roll11]
Whinse | [roll20]
Connaught | [roll5]
Thug 8 | [roll17]
Thug 5 | [roll14]
Soller Vark | [roll9]
Soulspark | [roll7]
Amiyah| [roll0]
Xin | [roll8]
Thug 3 | [roll12]
Thug 7 | [roll16]
Khalil | [roll6]
Thug 4 | [roll13]
Tchinik | [roll2]
Thug 10 | [roll19]
SP Mary-Iris | [roll4]
[/table]
[/table]
Edit: man, that's a lot of combatants. Battlemage is up first, followed by thugs 1 & 9 then Tel-Agion. Let's post in order, at least for this first combat, so we get used to how it's going to work.
I've rolled for sidekicks as well. Not sure if they will be participating? If not, let me know & I will strip them out so we are not waiting on them to act.
Post lots of questions - I'm sure there'll be heaps to iron out with this.

[razorback]

Pulling his longsword out of its sheath while trying to make the move seem clumsy, Tchinik move to protect 'Lady' Amiyah.
"Vark, I hope you can explain this and I hope that you have not brought my Lady into any of your unpleasant business. he growls at the man.

[NovaZulu]

A hint of a smile crosses the nuns face as her stance widens and her shield comes up, her sword still in it's sheath. Her eyes remain locked on Mr Vark.

OOC
No Action: Duel of Wills vs Vark [roll0]
SP M-I will engage Vark in a duel of Wills as per ToB p27. Should have done this before initiative so feel free to ignore. Basically he can Submit (in which case he takes -2 initiative penalty and -1 to hit me first round), else Ignore (in which case my intimidate check vs DC 15 to get +1 morale bonus to hit him for 1 round) else Participate (in which case we make opposing intimidate checks, winner gets +1 morale to attack/damage vs loser and loser takes -1/-1 vs winner for entire encounter).

Also not sure on the ruling on stances out of combat (ToB p.38 suggests it is always active even out of combat) but SP M-I is in Iron Guards Glare (ToB p. 59). All enemies she threatens take -4 to hit anyone but her. All enemies she threatens are aware of the effect.

[Battlemage]

Seems the subtle method has reached its limit.

Zathras suddenly shoots upward, blue energy swirling around his feet, and lands in the rigging of the ship 20 feet above the deck.

He looks down at Vark and the spectral dragon chain on his neck pulses before he spits a glob of sizzling acidic black tar from his fanged mouth at the crew leader.

OOC:

Move action to fly upward 20 feet into the rigging. Standard action to shoot Dissolving Spittle at Vark.
Ranged touch attack: [roll0]
Damage if hit: [roll1]

Edit: So much for that

[Ghostfoot]

Vark tries to stare down the Sister as the situation dissolves into chaos around them.
Duel of Wills: Opposed Intimidate [roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

One of the thugs who has just come out onto the deck from the cabins screams something unintelligible and charges at SP Mary-Iris with his rapier, missing wildly.
Full round action: Charge from F7 to F9, attack SP Mary-Iris with rapier
Attack roll: [roll0](includes -4 penalty for cover(rowboat)+4 to this roll, I didn't realise SPMI had stepped out of cover around to F10. Still a big ol' miss)
Damage roll: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2]
Extra damage: [roll3]

Another one, down in your launch, is surprised as the gleaming chest of gold is revealed as an insubstantial figment. He yells in anger and climbs up to attack. Hanging on the the rope and stabbing through the railing, he narrowly misses Amiyah.

Move action: Climb rope ladder in J12 and draw rapier
Climb check: [roll4] vs DC 10
Standard action: Attack Amiyah with rapier
Attack roll: [roll5] (includes -4 penalty for cover(railing). I'm going to rule that's a miss, and that you are not flat-footed, even though that's probably incorrect. I would feel bad beating on the wizard straight off the bat:smallredface:)
Damage roll: [roll6]

Critical confirmation: [roll7]
Extra damage: [roll8]

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie3_zps86c3a75e.png

=> Tel-Agion

[DrK]

Connaught looks around as the carnage begins. Holding the axe he shrugs the dented wooden shield onto his arm and jostles around for some space.
Still continuing the pretense he shouts a warning...

"Protect the Lady!!" before he stares at Vark catching his eye. The windows of his eyes allowing the pirate to see into the madness of Dhalver Nev... a whisper of share my pain as he shares the madness with the pirate...


Move:- Draw shield
Standard:- Shield Other with Vark to give him half of my damage.
Will DC 14 to resist the effect

[FyreByrd]

As Tel-Agion hears the sounds of combat starting above he grunts, "Too slow!" then turning to the cowering clerk, his brows bristiling, "Stay here!"

He then grasps the rope, and begins to climb.



If you need a roll (i.e. I can't take ten:)

[roll0] (carrying my shield (-2 pen, leaving armour in boat)

[Ghostfoot]

The other thug down in your launch also attempts to climb up the side of the ship and stab at Tchinik. He slips on the side of the ship and falls prone in the launch.
Move action: Climb rope ladder in J11 and draw rapier
Climb check: [roll0] vs DC 10 Fall
Standard action: Attack Tchinik with rapier
Attack roll: [roll1] (includes -4 penalty for cover)
Damage roll: [roll2]

Critical confirmation: [roll3] (includes -4 penalty for cover)
Extra damage: [roll4]

A particularly ugly thug standing next to Amiyah takes one look at her and discounts her as a threat. He steps in to flank Connaught and tries to catch him unawares, missing the huge Northman.
No action/ Move action: 5ft step to H12 and draw rapier
Standard action: Attack Connaught with rapier
Attack roll: [roll5] (includes +2 for flank) Miss
Damage roll: [roll6]

Critical confirmation: [roll7] (includes +2 for flank)
Extra damage: [roll8]

Whinse, perhaps unsteady on his sea-legs, perhaps catching a dwarven boot as he aids Tel-Agion, promptly falls overboard and begins splashing around ineffectually.

Connaught eyes his man as he readies his shield. Vark, bolstered by his foolhardiness, is unaffected.
Vark: Will Save [roll9] vs DC 14 Save

The sentry on the quarterdeck has his attention drawn by the acid-spitting demonspawn that now clings to the rigging. He fires his crossbow at Zathras, missing wildly.
Standard action: Attack Zathras with light crossbow
Move action: Reload light crossbow
Attack roll: [roll10] Miss
Damage roll: [roll11]

Critical confirmation: [roll12]
Extra damage: [roll13]

The goon standing next to Tchinik tries to impress his boss by skewering him with his rapier. He draws blood.
Move action: Draw rapier
Standard action: Attack Tchinik with rapier
Attack roll: [roll14] Hit
Damage roll: [roll15]

Critical confirmation: [roll16] Hit
Extra damage: [roll17]

"This is some sorta set-up. Kill 'em all". Soller Vark clearly fancies himself a better swordsman than he actually is. He draws his rapier and flamboyantly (yet clumsily) attempts to disarm Connaught. Connaught easily evades and in response knocks the criminal back with his axe. Vark crumples to the deck.
Move action: Draw rapier
Standard action: Disarm Connaught with rapier
Provokes AoO: Connaught vs Vark with MW battleaxe (I guess you want to proceed with this? Apologies if not)
Attack roll: [roll18] Hit
Damage roll: [roll19]
Critical confirmation: [roll20] Ouch!
Extra damage: [roll21]
Opposed attack rolls: Vark [roll22], Connaught [roll23]
Opposed attack rolls (counterattack): Vark [roll24], Connaught [roll25]

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie4_zpscd18adda.png

=>Soulspark>Amiyah

[Phasm]

Khalil lets out a frightened squawk and takes off, finding a hiding spot amid the rigging to land and wait out the fight.

In the boat, the chest of gold winks out of existence like a popped soap bubble. Amiyah has more important things to concentrate on now, such as not being skewered. The wizard reaches into her spell component pouch as she chants the words of a familiar spell, keeping an eye on the thugs around her. Nothing changes to the naked eye, but Amiyah feels the comforting force of mage armor surround her.

"It seems that the priests were right in this case- wealth is only an illusion." The Calish'ite smiles and draws her short sword.


Casting mage armor on the defensive, DC 16, let's see if she succeeds:
[roll0]

...the dice gods are not with us, it seems. :smallfrown: Standard action to attempt and fail at casting a spell, move action to draw her sword.

EDIT: Used an Action Point in the OOC thread and rolled a 5! Mage armor activate for +4 AC!

[Ghostfoot]

The lowlife thugs seem unconcerned that their leader was so easily dispatched. "He always was a lightweight", mutters one.

The second sentry also shoots his crossbow up into the rigging at Zathras.
Standard action: Attack Zathras with light crossbow
Move action: Reload light crossbow
Attack roll: [roll0] Miss (debatable whether you get your Dex bonus in the rigging, after flying)
Damage roll: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2]
Extra Damage: [roll3]

Two that have turned to face SP Mary-Iris (G10, G11) try to cut her down as she stands firm and pronounces her instructions to surrender. One of them draws a line of red across her as she strides forward.
Standard action: Attack SP Mary-Iris with rapier
Attack roll: [roll4]Hit
Damage roll: [roll5]

Critical confirmation: [roll6]
Extra damage: [roll7]

Standard action: Attack SP Mary-Iris with rapier
Attack roll: [roll8] Miss
Damage roll: [roll9]

Critical confirmation: [roll10]
Extra damage: [roll11]

=>Soulspark & Tchinik
Sorry FyreByrd, your Soulspark was due to go before the thugs but I figured I'd keep the combat moving by delaying it's action until you're ready (if it is going to act).

[razorback]

Tchinik yells out to the men "Give up now otherwise it be your death! You master has already fallen. This will be your only chance to live."

With that, his longsword held high over head, he darts in and out as the blade flickers towards the two foes that are near him as he is conscious of the two men preparing to come up from their boat below.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 7

Free ~


Standard Action Action ~ Steel Wind strike against I-10 and H-12 in Punishing Stance
I-10 strike
[roll0]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll1]

Damage
[roll2] + [roll3]

2nd attack against H-12
[roll4]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll5]

Damage
[roll6] + [roll7]

Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind - X
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - O
Leading the Attack - O

[Ghostfoot]

Tchinik's first strike cuts down his man, and he turns to trade blows with the second.

The last remaining thug to act charges into the gap left by his fallen companions and tries to stab at Connaught while his attention is with the foe behind him.

Move action: Charge from H7 to H10
Standard action: Attack Connaught with rapier
Attack roll: [roll0] Miss
Damage roll: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2]
Extra damage: [roll3]

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie5_zpsef317042.png

=>Soulpark, SP Mary-Iris & Zathras

[Battlemage]

Seeing the situation below him evolve into an all-out brawl, Zathras stays put in his position and spits a globe of black acid at one of the crossbowmen that are targeting him.


Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at a crossbowman
Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] (Would be an 11 then if not shooting into melee, so probably still not hitting anything)
Damage: [roll1]


I also realized that in the future it would be helpful if you could quickly mention if any foes are wearing any kind of metal armor, since that makes them easier to hit with electricity powers. For this action I was assuming these guys aren't wearing any (on accord of being sailors on a boat).

[NovaZulu]

The nun watches the battle unfold around her, taking note of Tchinik's practiced sweep as it drops a pirate, and Conaught's savage reprisal against the fool Vark. She sees the failing attempts of goons as blow after blow goes wide or is deflected, barely even registering the minor wound she sustains.

Satisfied she has the measure the field, she finally draws her sword and in one fluid stroke brings it down toward on the head of a nearby scurvy.

She roars 'You die an ignoble death here today sinner.'

OOC

Free Action: Speak
Move Action: Draw Longsword
Standard Action: Melee attack on Goon in G11 [roll0], dmg [roll1]. Crit confirm [roll2], crit dmg [roll3].
Initiating: Stone Bones (ToB p. 84 5/- dmg reduction for 1 round)
Conditional: 5 foot step to G9 if the goon in G11 is killed by SP M-I attack

Edit: Soz forgot +1 dmg from Furious Counterstrike so should be 8 dmg to the goon

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare (threatened enemies -4 to hit allies)
[roll4]
Manu (Granted, Withheld, Expended)
1. Crusader's Strike: G
2. Stone Bones: GE
3. Charging Minotaur: W
4. Leading the Attack: G
5. Douse the Flame: WG

[DrK]

Connaught looked at the blood on the axe. The reflex had been instinctive - the axe parrying the blade and tearing out the throat of the rude pirate's mate.

The blood splattering onto his face tasted metallic and warm - his heart thrummed and he could feel a wild surge slowly building within his chest. Looking around at the massed ranks of pirates swarming them and the blood leaking from the Sister's leg and he allowed the red rage - a fault of his clan to engulf.

Swinging the axe with massive abandon he howled like a wild beast and plunged forward hewing and chopping at all things piratical...


Enter whirling Frenzy!! (+4 str, +2 dodge AC/Ref saves, +1 attack on FA)
Hack at the pirates to the North and the East of my position...

Attack 1 [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Attack 2 [roll2] Damage [roll3]

[Ghostfoot]

SP Mary-Iris draws her sword and strikes down her man (G11). She steps forward to engage more of the opponents.

Zathras launches a gob of sizzling tar at one of the crossbowmen. It narrowly misses him, his armour protecting him from the few drops that hit.

The thug clinging to the railing next to Amiyah stabs at her again. She dodges aside.
Standard action: Attack Amiyah with rapier
Attack roll: [roll0] (includes -4 penalty for cover) Miss
Damage roll: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2] (includes -4 penalty for cover)
Extra damage: [roll3]

The tattooed thug next to SP Mary-Iris (F9) takes a swipe at her but draws only a faint scratch across her already scarred body.

Standard action: Attack SP Mary-Iris with rapier
Attack roll: [roll4] Hit
Damage roll: [roll5] (DR)

Critical confirmation: [roll6]
Extra damage: [roll7]

The fallen thug in your launch (J11) tries again to climb up toward Tchinik. Again he falls.
Move action: Stand from prone
Move action: Climb rope ladder in J11 and draw rapier
Climb check: [roll8] vs DC 10


A thug next to Connaught (H12) takes a swipe at him as he tries to defend his flank from the surrounding foes. The blow draws blood, but only seems to enrage the northman.

Standard action: Attack Connaught with rapier
Attack roll: [roll9] (incl. +2 for flanking)
Damage roll: [roll10]

Critical confirmation: [roll11] (incl. +2 for flanking)
Extra damage: [roll12]

In response Connaught launches himself at the pirate without mercy. He cuts down the man, whirls on another and demolishes him, and looks for more.
The man to the north (G11) is already down due to SPMI. The guy to the east is taken down (H12), and the follow through to his flanking buddy west (H10) deals to him. Did these attacks include the -2 penalty for using the Whirling Frenzy extra attack? I couldn't work it out - just need to understand for next time.

A crossbowman shoots at Zathras again, this time landing a solid hit. Seeing his companions fall he shouts in anger and frustration "Burn it! Burn it all!". Dark smoke starts to erupt from the hold in puffs through the large grating and trap door. This is accompanied by the shrill cacophony of animals and birds in distress. Above the noise of battle you also hear a crashing and splintering from the hold, followed by a female scream that is abruptly cut off in a wet gurgle...

Standard action: Attack Zathras with light crossbow
Move Action: Reload light crossbow
Attack roll: [roll13] Hit
Damage roll: [roll14]

Critical confirmation: [roll15]
Extra damage: [roll16]

=> Soulspark, Tel-Agion, Amiyah

Map: to follow (opponents still visible in F9, G10, J11, J12, -B5, -B22)

[Phasm]

"Oh no!" Not only does it sound like someone just got killed, their employer's ship and all the evidence are going to go up in smoke! What kind of crazies are they dealing with? Amiyah curses in Alzhedo and once more reaches into her spell component pouch, coming up with a lump of suet. Chanting the words to another spell, she tosses the lump at the rail in front of the launch. It flies toward the rail... and fails to become a greasy coating like it's supposed to.

This just isn't her day, is it? Oh well. Spell having failed, the wizard turns and steps over the body of the thug in front of the ladder. Normally she wouldn't go into the unknown alone, but she's right there and something must be done if they want to keep the ship intact. "Tel-Agion, I need some backup here!" The dwarf isn't actively engaged in combat and he's also close to the ladder. With that, she starts climbing down...


Concentration check to cast grease on the rail in front of the launch, DC 16: [roll0]

Moving down the ladder and hoping for the best! Yes, I know that provokes an AoO from the thug on the rail. Hopefully the grease will make him take a spill before he can attack.

EDIT: Or not. Still going for the ladder, I do not want our evidence to go up in smoke.

[Ghostfoot]

The lowlife thug stabs through the railing at Amiyah as she rushes to the hold. He can't connect.

Standard action: Attack Amiyah with rapier
Attack roll: [roll0] (includes -4 penalty for cover) Miss
Damage roll: [roll1]

Critical confirmation: [roll2] (includes -4 penalty for cover)
Extra damage: [roll3]
Climbing quickly down the ladder she is faced with a scene of chaos. Cages filled with monkeys, brightly-coloured birds, and other animals of the nearby jungle are stacked around the hold. The animals throw themselves at the bars of the cages, clearly panicked by the smoke that fills the area.
Peeking around the mast Amiyah sees a horrific sight. A thug has evidently tried to set fire to the ship, but in the process she has knocked open one of the latches.

A spider-like creature the size of a small pony now feasts on the hapless woman's corpse. The creatures body is dark brown with yellow stripes, it's furred legs long and spindly. The front pair of it's ten legs grasps it's meal, and you see the legs end in hooked suckers. It's head and mandibles are massively oversized compared to the rest of it's body, and the clatter and clack as it feeds.

Despite the distractions around it it seems to sense Amiyah's presence and turns toward her, raising it's hooked appendages threateningly.

Back on deck a crossbowman shoots again at Zathras, missing him. Seeing the situation is hopeless he turns and dives of the end of the ship.

Standard action: Attack Zathras with light crossbow
Move action: Move from -B23 to G27 (jump into water)
Attack roll: [roll4] Miss
Damage roll: [roll5]

Critical confirmation: [roll6]
Extra damage: [roll7]

A thug in combat with SP Mary-Iris moves to flank her, his eyes looking side-to-side for an escape route but finding nothing. He hacks frantically at her, but his blows seem only superficial.

Not-an-action: 5ft step from G10 to H9
Standard action: Attack SP Mary-Iris with rapier
Attack roll: [roll8] Hit
Damage roll: [roll9] DR absorbs?

Critical confirmation: [roll10]
Extra damage: [roll11]

Maps:
Decks:http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie6_zps4dba9527.png
Hold:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie7_zpsec227f74.png
There are doors to the east & west (in white on the map).

=>Soulspark, Tel-Agion, Tchinik, SP Mary-Iris, Zathras

[Battlemage]

Zathras reels from the pain as a crossbow bolt hits an unprotected part of his leg and burrows itself deep in his thigh, sending burning lines of agony through his body. He feels weak and knows the next hit might be fatal.
Cursing, he dives downward into cover, blue winds flaring around his spectral greaves. Then he concentrates, radiant multicolored energy flooding from his hands over his figure and buffering his life energy for the moment.

OOC:

Move Action: Not sure about the exact possibilities here, if possible Zathras would go to any place within his 20 feet fly reach that offers any kind of cover or visibility obstruction. If any exist but are outside his reach he will move toward them. If none exists he will stay where he is.

Standard Action: He casts Vigor on himself, sharing it with Xin, granting both of them 5 temporary HP.

[NovaZulu]

'These people are under His protection and mine,' bellows SP Mary-Iris 'you DARE strike at them?!'

She slips easily to the side and lashes out at one of the remaining thugs, righteous indignation and zeal empowering her strike.

OOC

Apols posting out of order but within block
Free Action: Speak
No Action: 5 ft step to G10
Standard Action: Attack Thug in F9, [roll0] dmg [roll1]. Crit confirm [roll2], crit damage [roll3].
Initiating: Crusader's Strike (ToB p.58) heal Zathras [roll4]

Edit: assume 10 misses so Crusader's fails to trigger, sorry Z :(

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare (threatened enemies -4 to hit allies)

Manu (Granted, Withheld, Expended)
1. Crusader's Strike: G
2. Stone Bones: GE
3. Charging Minotaur: WG
4. Leading the Attack: G
5. Douse the Flame: WG

[Phasm]

Amiyah stares at the spider, eyes wide. And here I thought I would just be dealing with a thug who likes fire. The wizard takes a deep breath, trying not to cough on the smoke, and lets it out in an ear-piercing shriek.

"GIANT SPIDER!" What to do about it, Ari isn't here, most of the party is already wounded... immobilize it somehow? But how? If only she had the skill to cast web, such poetic justice that would be!

Wait. Don't most ships have nets for holding the sails and cargo and such on deck? "SOMEBODY BRING A NET!"


ZOMG spider alert, since you can talk out of turn. Maybe some of the remaining thugs will be scared into jumping off the ship if we're lucky! :smalltongue:

[DrK]

Connaught heard the scream distantly through the sounds of battle. Even through the battle rage the piercing cry of a woman in peril triggers the most basic instinct within him,

Stepping he drops through the trapdoor into the smoky burning hold below. "Worthy prey..." the heavily set barbarian growls before continuing to stride forward, axe swooshing down in a brutal arc...


Step to trapdoor drop down moving to P15 to protect the sorceress and engage the spider [roll0] damage [roll1]

Again I'm not quite in sequence but close (Sorry if its annoying but sometimes its easier to post when I have the free time)

[Ghostfoot]

SP Mary-Iris hacks about at an opponent. The scoundrel is hard-pressed to defend himself, but manages to deflect her attacks with a frantic parry of his buckler.

Injured, Zathras glides to another spar out of sight from the remaining crossbowman. Mystic energy takes the worst of the pain from his wound.

As he ducks away, all but one of the slower thugs take a look at their fallen companions and decide to make a break for it. In various stages of panic they leap or climb from the ship and into your launch and start rowing toward shore. Whinse and Tel-Agion follow in hot pursuit, Whinse frantically waving at a group of watchmen to intercept the criminals as they approach land. Tel-Agion sternly barks orders across the water.

Meanwhile Connaught steps through the haze of the hold to do battle. The spider raises it's legs threateningly and gnashes it's huge mandibles in anticipation. Smack! As it does so the barbarian brings his axe down hard against the creatures exoskeleton, wounding it.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie9_zps72eaaf57.png

=>Tchinik & Amiyah

The fleeing mooks are effectively out of the fight - don't bother chasing them, they'll get mopped up by the watch.

[Phasm]

Even if she could find a net right now, Amiyah doesn't have the strength to lift and throw one. No, she's better off helping Connaught. She runs up next to the raging barbarian, praying he won't hit her in the bloody haze of battle, and pulls a tiny cloak that might have fit a pixie out of her spell component pouch. Touching it to his massively muscled shoulder, the wizard whispers a few arcane words. The cloak vanishes just as it's supposed to.

Good. That should help a little if he gets bitten.


Moving to square O15 and casting resistance on Connaught. Now watch, he'll make all his saves by a landslide and not need it at all. :smalltongue:

[razorback]

Tchinik, seeing the fleeing men, mocks them as he moves towards the crossbowman when he hear's 'Giant Spider!"

Looking around, he finds a net and and runs to help.


I imagine something should be readily available where Tchinik is standing... an action to grab something and a move action to get down the stairs?

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah moves up to support Connaught, keeping her distance from the lethal-looking insect. She utters her words of magic, and arcane energy suffuses the northman.

Hearing Amiyah's yell for help, Tchinik hacks free a section of webbing and leaps down into the smoky hold to help.
The webbing counts as an improvised net, so -4 on attack rolls with it.

The lone thug curses his companions as they abandon him. Looking around at the hopeless situation, he turns and dives into the sea.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/BlueNixie10_zps2fb60c9b.png

=> Tchinik, SP Mary-Iris & Zathras
razorback - Tchinik does get another go now. His move to grab the net/ webbing is catching him up from the round before.

[razorback]

Tchinik, with the newfound net, sees Amiyah and Connaught confronting the monsterously large spider. Seening the burly warrior in some sort of battle lust, he avoids him while rushing forward and launching the net at the spider, not quite in a gainly fashion that he hopes Amiyah doesn't catch.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 7

Free ~


Standard Action Action ~ throw net at spider
[roll0]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll1]



Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind - X
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - O
Leading the Attack - O



As the net flies towards the monsterous creature he yells out "Try to keep the beast cornered and between us, so it doesn't have the chance to single one of us out!"

[NovaZulu]

With the cowards fleeing into the arms of the law SP Mary-Iris turns and runs towards the battle below. Dropping down through the hatch the nun sees the group gathered around the spider, the smoke thickening in the hold.

Without hesitation she charges forward, trying to put herself between the group and the beast.

OOC

Not sure on the movement possibilities here, ideally want to get into melee with the spider.

Move Action: move to Q15 (G11, G12, drop , Q13, Q14, Q15)
Standard Action: Attack spider [roll0], damage [roll1]. Crit confirm [roll2], crit damage [roll3].
Initiating: Leading the Attack (ToB p.91), +4 moral bonus to ally attacks on target for one round.

If SP M-I can't get into melee she will take a second move action to circle around to Q17.

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare (threatened enemies -4 to hit allies)
[roll4], [roll5], [roll6]
Manu (Granted, Withheld, Expended)
1. Crusader's Strike: G
2. Stone Bones: G
3. Charging Minotaur: W
4. Leading the Attack: G
5. Douse the Flame: W

[Battlemage]

Seeing the crew flee the ship and his companions racing downstairs, Zathras follows suit and drops through the hatch, flying into the cargo hold. Beholding the ongoing struggle with the spider, he quickly thinks about what to do. Lacking any better option at his disposal, he reverts to his standby and spits a globe of acidic black tar at it.

OOC:
Move Action: Fly down into the hatch to land at Q12.
Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at the spider
Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] (including -4 for shooting into melee)
Damage: [roll1]

Not going to happen today.:smalltongue:

[Ghostfoot]

Tchinik casts his makeshift net, praying that it catches the oversized insect on it's many hooks and protrusions. The smoke and the cramped quarters impedes his shot and the creature bats it away with it's huge mandibles. A spray of caustic tar from Zathras goes wide and as SP Mary-Iris closes on it the thing lunges at her with its legs and mandibles extended wide.

It draws her in and the massive jaws clamp shut. Blood sprays as the sister is caught firmly in it's grip. A monkey hoots and shakes the bars of it's cage, the blood and the large predator sending it into a panic. Seeking safety from the chaos a couple of brightly coloured birds flap through the melee.

You note with mixed feelings that it doesn't seem to have poisonous fangs bared, just really fearsome-looking flesh-slicing mandibles.

SPMI moves to Q16. Edit: I've updated post now I see how Steely Resolve works.

Leg 1: [roll0]
Leg 2: [roll1]
Grapple (if a leg hits): [roll2] vs SPMI [roll3]
Bite: (if grapple hits): [roll4] (confirm:[roll5])
Bite Damage: [roll6]

=> Connaught, Amiyah, Tchinik, SP Mary-Iris & Zathras

[DrK]

Connaught howls loudly in delight as the rest of the party comes barrelling down to help. Even as the vile spider beast pounce forward to wrestle with warrior Nun he shoulder barges the creature and hacks manically at it... "FOR TYR!"


5ft step forward to P16 (I'll flank it next time!) and attack its flatfooted ass (assuming its in a grapple)

Attack [roll0] damage [roll1]
Attack [roll2] damage [roll3]

[Ghostfoot]

Connaught's axe bites deep, his swing driving the heavy weapon through a weaker point in the thing's armour. Despite it's injuries the aggressive spider-beast seems only maddened. It continues to clamp down on the bloodied nun, it's crushing jaws seeking to sever her in two. Flailing limbs batter Connaught's second axe swing aside.

=> Amiyah, Tchinik, SP Mary-Iris & Zathras

[Battlemage]

Lacking any better options, Zathras flys into melee, windstep sandals flaring, and tries to strike the beast with his spiked gauntlet.


We need to bring it down before it snaps our dear Sister in half! She might be a tad annoying, but probably not annoying enough to deserve this.

Despite the dire circumstances he can't prevent a crooked smile from appearing on his lips. His humor had always been dark.

OOC:

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!
Move Action: Fly to P15. I think it's open now? Otherwise any other melee range square.
Melee attack: [roll0] Assuming I can keep the roll, it's a 16 now with Zathras' +0 melee bonus.
Damage: [roll1]

New damage roll is here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15712947&postcount=2607).
Damage: 5

[Phasm]

Amiyah steps away from Connaught, suppressing a grimace at the grisly scene. Well... hopefully the blood will put out the fire. It's too risky to use her crossbow- she stands an equal chance of hitting Mary-Iris- and the wizard is too weak of arm to deliver a telling blow with her sword under most circumstances. No, the time has come for her backup plan. She reaches for her belt, drawing a slim wand of almost white wood, and aims it at the foe. With a single whispered word, a bullet-sized white sphere emerges and hurtles toward the spider with unerring accuracy.


5-foot step to O16, draw wand (move action) and fire wand at spider.

Damage: [roll0]

[razorback]

Tchinik sees the sister hit and drawn in my by the massive spiders attack.

"Hang on, sister, were on our way!" he yells out as he steps forward warily. Watching the rythm of the creature, he stands with both hands on his sword above his head, near stock-still, as he lashes out a moment later in an assault on a perceived opening in the spiders defenses.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 7

Free ~
Yelling out

Move
5' step to R15


Standard Action Action ~ Sapphire Nightmare Blade
Concentration check with DC equal to spiders AC; if successful the spider is flat-footed against this attack and the attack does an extra 1d6 damage; if not, the attack is at a -2
Concenctration check
[roll0]

Attack roll
[roll1]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll2]

Damage
[roll3] + [roll4] for Punishing Stance + (potentially) [roll5] for SNM Blade strike



Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind - X
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - X
Leading the Attack - O

[NovaZulu]

SP Mary-Iris grins at the monstrosity flaying her flesh, blood outlining each of her teeth. Deep lacerations cover her body, white bone showing where the muscle has peeled open ... she seems not to notice.

A look of serenity crosses the nuns face as she mouths a prayer to Tyr, and her head rolls back. Suddenly her eyes flick open, blood spraying from her mouth she yells 'HAVE AT YE FIEND' and smashes her forehead down savagely into the spider's face.

OOC

SP M-I is holding 5 points of damage in her delayed damage pool, which will reduce her to 0 HP at the end of her turn if this heal doesn't proc

Free Action: Speak
Swift Action: Activate Strength Devotion (http://dndtools.eu/feats/complete-champion--57/strength-devotion--2793/)Special Ability
Natural Slam Attack: [roll0] + AP [roll1] (+5 BAB/Str/furious counter strike, -4 for being grappled), damage [roll2], crit confirm [roll3], crit damage [roll4].
Initiating: Crusader's Strike (ToB p.58) heal self [roll5]

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare (threatened enemies -4 to hit allies)
[roll6]
Manu (Granted, Withheld, Expended)
1. Crusader's Strike: GE
2. Stone Bones: G
3. Charging Minotaur: W
4. Leading the Attack: G
5. Douse the Flame: WG

[Ghostfoot]

Crunch, crunch. The enormous insect braces itself against cages, spars and the ceiling with it's many legs. Snick, snick. Snick, snick. It's razor sharp jaws continue to worry away at the priestess. The beady eyes stare at you, as if daring you to try to claim its meal.

The Calish-ite sorceress draws a slim wand and energy blasts across the hold, punching into the beast. It flares its limbs in her direction and as it does so Tchinik strikes. His sword drives deep into the spiders body and wedges, stuck fast against the exoskeleton as it skewers right through the thorax. He holds on and tries to wrench it through the cartilage.

Zathras swoops through the carnage. The tiefling looks like he belongs in the smoky hell that the hold has become. He evades the beasts limbs and begins tearing at its vulnerable joints with his slim spiked gauntlet.

With her many wounds Mary-Iris seems only more determined, exultant in her devotion to the task at hand. She drives herself forward against the mandibles and strikes solidly and persistently against the things vulnerable head, again and again. Blood and ichor sprays freely, it is impossible to tell from whom. The arachnid tries to release its prey and break free. There is no escape as the sister clamps her legs about its face and continues her methodical assault. Under the savage onslaught it suddenly crumples inward to its core, many legs twitching once then again more slowly.

SP Mary-Iris falls from its jaws and lands in a crouch. Somehow she remains not only conscious but seems to have drawn strength from the life-and-death struggle. A piece of insect slips slowly down her face and drops wetly to the floor.

[Battlemage]

Zathras grins at the blood and ichor covered Sister Penitent.

"Remind me to never get into a wrestling match with you," he quips before he becomes serious again. "Are you ok?"

Then he turns around and begins to smother the flames before they can take hold. He winces as his life-buffering power dissipates and the ache in his leg returns with a fierce sting.

"Time to find out what exactly is going on here," he mutters.

[razorback]

Putting a boot on the carcass and finally yanks his sword free, Tchinik agrees with the tiefling. "Aye, but we have to get this fire out otherwise this smoke is going to kill us if the flames don't. I don't see a bucket brigade working out so well. Maybe some wet towels or blankets?" he yells over all of the screaming animals.

[DrK]

As the spider creature tumbles to the floor Connaught lets the rage drain out of him. Looking in some surprise at the smoke, the flames and the blood splattered clothes and axe that he is in. "Is it done. Are we victorious?"

A closer examination at the dead beast and the ichor soaked nun and he grins punching her gently on the shoulder. "Now you are a priestess I can understand" a wide grin despite the laboured breathing.

Looking around the he spits at the flames. "Lets see if we can find a bucket eh?"


Connaught will look for some bilge pumps or buckets.
First the fire and then then looting!

[Phasm]

"You are a brave woman, Sister." Amiyah inclines her head to the priestess, then looks around the hold. There's still a fire to deal with here. "If this is anything like the ship I sailed from Calimshan on, there ought to be water or sand buckets on deck for firefighting. I'll go take a look; if nothing else there should be sailcloth that can be dampened." With that, the wizard sheathes her weapons and vanishes back up the ladder.

[Ghostfoot]

The attempt to torch the ship was inexpert at best. You quickly gather the smoldering rags and smother them with wet sand. The smoke slowly dissipates, and you are able to get a better view of the hold and the rest of the ship now that the chaos has subsided.

Not all of the fallen criminals are dead, some are only badly wounded. You grab one who had been knocked unconscious and question him about the situation.
"Vark said he 'ad a sweet deal. I should'a known it'd turn bad. Always did with him. Tymora never looked kindly on 'im. Had this 'ere bunch o' wild animals that he picked up for a song. Said he had a buyer lined up to take delivery. All we 'ad to do was 'elp load 'em on the ship and then keep anyone from snooping around. Said he'd pay us 20 gold each to keep it under wraps. Normally the taxes and other rules would mean this was a waste of time, but since he had signed on with that fool Islaran the harbourmaster he was able to wave his badge and who's gonna stop 'im? Specially with this 'ere fancy new ship that we pinched of that fool fancy lady. The perfect 'iding spot, we thought. Don't ask me who the buyer was or where the critters came from. I couldn't care less if I just got my gold".

Onshore the district watch have rounded up the remaining fleeing thugs and have them under arrest. Whinse and Tel-Agion seem to be directing them successfully. A launch carrying a few lawmen is on it's way over to the Blue Nixie and will be here in a few minutes time.

You take a quick inventory of the thugs equipment and confiscate anything dangerous from them. In addition a large leather pouch bearing the Vanderboren crest is lying openly in the captain's cabin. It contains 100 platinum pieces, presumably the payment that Lavinia seeks to recover.

Lewt:


Leather armour x11
Buckler x11
Rapier x11
Light crossbow x12
Bolts x115
55gp
MW studded leather armour
MW buckler
MW rapier
Vark's gold earring
Vark's silver ring
Small metal vial containing liquid (ie potions) x2

I'm open to suggestions on how best to deal with loot in the game....I have yet to see it handled well in pbp. Failing any bright ideas I'll just edit the loot list to keep it updated with any claims that people make.

=> Party

[razorback]

Fingering the edge of his blade as the man sits with his hands tied behind his back, Tchinik give a smile that is friendly with a dangerous edge to it.
"So, friend... who would Tymora be? Was he planning on sailing somewhere or was this mystery buyer to meet him aboard ship?"


Not sure if you want a diplomacy or intimidate but here it is
[roll0] +6 for diplomacy or +2 for intimidate

As far as the spoils, the best I've seen in one game I play is the DM keeps a spreadsheet of everything and people call dibs on things. So far, since its a small group without overlap, the only thing that people have wanted are arrows out of the loot and we just divy it up. DM subtracts that from the total based on selling price. Once we get to town and sell items the loot is then divied up accordingly. Anyone who takes more than their share owes an IOU to the rest of the group. Like I said, so far it hasn't been an issue and seems to work well PbP.

[NovaZulu]

The sister remains crouched for some time before the fallen spider, praying silently, giving thanks to Tyr for His favour this day in pursuit of His justice and the strength and courage of her allies.

She acknowledges each of her companions with a stern nod, 'You acquitted yourselves adequately today' she says, 'I have born true witness to your courage and commended your valour to His attention.'

As her allies attend to the fire she attends to the worst of their wounds. Praying quietly next to Messrs Soulfire and Denid that he may find them worthy and mend their wounds.

Satisfied that the boat is in safe hands with the city guard and that the appropriate evidence has been collected she commandeers a guard boat to transport the group back to shore. Retrieving her armour from the other boat she quickly dons it and makes her way back to the house of Ms Vanderboren to report the results of the investigation.

OOC

Spontaneous Conversion: cast Bless as Cure Light Wounds (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/cureLightWounds.htm)on Tchinik, heal [roll0] hp
Spontaneous Conversion: cast Bless as Cure Light Wounds (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/cureLightWounds.htm)on Zathras, heal [roll1] hp
Cast: 3x Cure Minor Wounds (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/cureMinorWounds.htm) on self heal 3 hp

[DrK]

Connaught looked around the ship now solely in their safe hands before he joined the others in the general looting. Glancing down he looked at the savage gash on his chest before putting it out of his mind and licking some blood off his fingers as he pawed through some materials.

"Well fought my friends. A glorious victory over a vile creature". As he looks at the strange beast he reaches down and yanks out two of the beasts large hooked claws. Slipping one into his belt pouch he proffers the other to Sister M-P. "Amongst my tribe it is common for warrior to show their prowess with trophies of those they have slain". As he speaks he points to the small teeth and claws and other fetishes that hang form his own leather armour or are intertwined in his beard.


Exploring the ship he helps pile the loot in the base of the hull smiling at the pile of platinum and the Vandeboren family ring. With a smile at this he nods. "We will make the fine Lady Lavinia happy this day".


Is there any interestinganimals that Connaught could keep as a mount or a pet?
A dire badger.... angry hawk.... anything suitably fierce
:smallsmile:



With the ring and coins in hand he gladly sits next to Sister MP as she sails back towards the shore. "You fight well lady priest. Like a true Skald of the North. Where did you learn such skills?". Even as he speaks he continues to hold the slight wound in his side wincing slightly as the boat moves and shifts.

For treasure - I'd assume we would leave a lot of that behind. Like the piles of weapons and armour as I wouldn't want to carry all that around

Will we have to roll for potions/ Identify magic items or will you tell us what they are?

[Phasm]

Amiyah leaves the others to interrogate the thug; she's never been much good at that. Instead, the wizard heads for the captain's cabin and begins methodically searching the place for any clues as to Vark's plans, particularly papers and journals. An underling's word won't have nearly as much weight with the law as hard evidence (preferably in Vark's own hand).


Search check:
[roll0]

Remember that she has Trapfinding if necessary.

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah, searching the captain's quarters, uncovers a well-hidden panel in the headboard of the bunk. Inside is a signet ring bearing the Vanderboren seal, through which is tucked a cryptic note written in neat Tashalan script:


Chimera looks to sunrise
Cyclops looks to sunset
Medusa looks to sunrise
Umber Hulk looks to sunset
Basilisk looks to sunrise

This is the ring that Lavinia is looking for. It actually wasn't in the pouch with the cash, but you found it anyway. :smallsmile:

Meanwhile a thorough questioning of the surviving thugs doesn't reveal any further information of interest. They are typical riff-raff that were hired for their muscle not their brains.

[razorback]

After questioning the men, Tchinik lets them go with a sound of disgust.
Sheathing his blade, he walks over to the others.
"Even with a little smoke damage, I think the lady will be happy with the recovery." Scratching his scruffy chin, he thinks for a moment before continuing "If we take the word of those men, it would seem that Islaran had no idea of what Vark was up to. As for the spoils" as he nods his head in the direction of the pile of equipment taken from the thugs "I think the lady would be ok with us making a bit of extra coin from it. I'm sure we can find a merchant for this somewhere in the city. What say you?"


Tchinik, too, has his eye on the buckler. Maybe he can rock-dagger-parchment it with Zathras for it?

[DrK]

After questioning the men, Tchinik lets them go with a sound of disgust.
Sheathing his blade, he walks over to the others.
"Even with a little smoke damage, I think the lady will be happy with the recovery." Scratching his scruffy chin, he thinks for a moment before continuing "If we take the word of those men, it would seem that Islaran had no idea of what Vark was up to. As for the spoils" as he nods his head in the direction of the pile of equipment taken from the thugs "I think the lady would be ok with us making a bit of extra coin from it. I'm sure we can find a merchant for this somewhere in the city. What say you?"


Tchinik, too, has his eye on the buckler. Maybe he can rock-dagger-parchment it with Zathras for it?



Connaught smiles and nods. Happy to take his share of the loot...

Once ashore after the pleasant boat ride with the Warrior Nun he glances around, "Do we share meat and mead to celebrate or head to the Lady Vandeboren to return her rings, money and boat?"

[Phasm]

The wizard emerges from Vark's cabin with ring and note in hand, rejoining the rest of the group. "Look what I found! It seems that this job is complete now." She hands the note to anyone who looks interested. "Puzzling, no? It almost seems like the combination to a lock, or the solution to a riddle- except that we have neither lock nor riddle here to solve."

Spotting the pile of loot, Amiyah makes a few gestures and utters a cryptic phrase, casting her second to last spell of the day. Let's see if any of this is magical...


Casting detect magic on the loot. I'm especially curious about the jewelry...

[Ghostfoot]

As the watch round up the criminals you all complete your search of the Blue Nixie. Tel-Agion and Whinse accompany the guards to make a full report and to ensure that no loophole allows these scoundrels a chance of freedom. No doubt it will be a prolonged period of indentured servitude on a Tashalan navy vessel to make up for their crimes.

Amiyah utters the words of the detect magic spell and confirms that only the two potions contains any magical properties (radiating faint auras of illusion magic). You allow a local outfitter and his apprentice on board. They offer you good coin for the unwanted arms and armour that you have confiscated, and take this away.

Having secured the ship and instructing the watch to keep a guard you begin your journey back through the morning crowds to the Vanderboren Estate. You detour past the House of the All-Seeing Orb, a sprawling church complex dedicated to the worship of Savras. A surprisingly efficient setup allows you to quickly engage a truth-teller (a diviner) to confirm the contents of your vials (the elixirs of swimming).

You arrive back at the estate after midday. Kora Whistlegap (the elderly halfling servant) smiles as you approach and welcomes you in. "Lavinia is waiting for you. She's been ever so anxious."

An obviously relieved Lavinia Vanderboren can barely suppress her emotions on seeing you. "Thank goodness that you have prevailed". She casts a worried look at the obvious wounds that you have incurred. "I can't thank you enough for your assistance. I don't know what I would have done without your help. The watch sent a brief message outlining the incident. I'd love to hear the tale from you."

.....................................

"You are clearly a very capable team. A team I can trust. I need the right people to help me with my affairs and to make sure I don't get into these sort of situations again. I can offer you each a monthly wage of 100gp each to act as my agents and sometime bodyguards".
Questions aside, one way or the other, you all say yes of course. Otherwise I'm making up the next 20 levels worth of action on the fly :smalleek:. Railroading? Never.
.....................................
"That's wonderful! It's such a relief to have help, with my family gone. The first task I have for you, once you are ready of course, is to accompany me to our family vaults. We must get access to my family funds. All of the Tashlutan families maintain vaults under Castle Teraknian in the harbour. I've heard that some of these vaults are quite extensive and guarded by deadly traps, but based on what I've heard my father say I think ours are quite small and relatively safe. I remember something about a construct guardian, but I was young at the time and have never had reason to enquire further. I'm sorry to say I've never actually been there myself."

"When you are ready, perhaps tomorrow, you can accompany me to the Vanderboren Vaults. In the meantime please make yourselves comfortable. You may stay here this evening if you wish. Kora will show you around."

[DrK]

Connaught smiles and nods at the guards and then the merchants and the seers at the large Temple. Roaming town he looks at the piles of gold provided by both the Vandeboren house and the sale of the pirates and motions to his new found comrades...

"I have an idea if we will be working together...


With the 200gp each and the ~500 odd from the sale of stuff shall we buy a wand of CLW? Or if possibly 2 half charged ones (for our lovely cleric and bard).



Reaching the Vandeboren mansion he accepts the hospitality greatefully. "Thank you good Lady. Its an honour working for you." The heavy pouch stuffed with gold attached on the mammoth leather belt cheering him up. At the invitation to work further he nods in agreement and motions the other encouragingly. "Gladly Lady. I am at your disposal and happy to be on your service."

He sits down as the Kora the small Halfling lady brings around some refreshments. "Good lady - would have some healing balm - I took a small cut from a dastardly pirate."

Then he looks back to the others with a smile again. "A vault you say. A noble vault - it would be a privilege to see such a thing! As for staying here - do we drink to our victory my brave new fellows? Or rest and pray on it!" The lastr comment with a slap to Sister Mary's wide back.


Happy to stay wherever
So with 316.65gp each... If we each chip in 150gp we can get a wand. And that still leave us with ~166.65 each afterwards, plus a plentiful supply of healing to spare Sister Mary's spells.

[Phasm]

A hundred gold pieces per month? Hells yes! Of course, Amiyah accepts in a much more refined manner than that. "I would be happy to work for you, Lady Vanderboren." She takes out the note she found in Vark's cabin and hands it to their employer. "Vark had this in his cabin along with your signet ring. Do you think it might pertain to the traps in the vaults?" Pause. "Your ring will enable you to get to your vault without triggering said traps and guardians, will it not?" Please say yes. Please say yes.

Connaught's suggestion is a surprisingly good one; he must be more intelligent than he looks. The wizard nods in agreement. "That is a good idea, Connaught. I think that buying two half-charged wands would be most prudent, in case the Sister is caught in a situation such as we had today and cannot effectively cast spells." Amiyah smiles slightly. "It is not good for wizards to drink very much- I limit myself to one glass of wine or mug of ale at a time- but if the rest of you wish to celebrate, I will join you." She only has one cantrip left, so she couldn't do much drunken casting, but it's best not to get into bad habits.

[NovaZulu]

'Your cause today was just Ms Vanderboren. I see His will in each step which brought me to your door. I will continue to assist you.' the nun pronounces.

SP M-I makes her apologies to the group, she must inform the church of the days discoveries but will return later in the afternoon to join the group in the prayers of glory.

'Have care Northman, you fought like a man today, it would be humiliating if blood loss rendered you a boy before a draught,' she says, fixing him with a stern stare. Connaught wonders if he detects for a moment a hint of a smile somewhere behind the woman's eyes. When he looks again there is no trace.

The nun returns to the humble church, making her report then spending an hour in prayer, asking for the wisdom to see His truth.

'They fought with some valour today Father. Mr Denid, suspected coward, was none such with blade in hand. Ms al-Hassan was first down the stairs when she heard the death cry from below. The little demon faced the spider in hand to hand combat to assist me, though ill-equipped to do so. The Northman, though slavering, directed his axe toward the enemy at all times. Only the dwarf, whom I had thought stalwart, let glory pass him by to the detriment of his immortal soul.

You have delivered to me a lesson with this strange little company. Grant me the wisdom to marshal them to glory.'

Rising she nods to her fellow servants of Tyr as she leaves, returning to her new allies and reflecting on those truths which are only revealed in battle.

[Battlemage]

Despite the pain in his leg, Zathras smiles broadly when he hears the Lady Vanderboren's offer, the euphoria of well rewarded success making him temporarily oblivious to the disconcerting effect that this expression has on his fanged face.

"You are a woman of your word, Lady, and I would be honored to be in your service. Though I reserve the right to walk away at any moment if I feel the need to. As long as I stay you will have my full loyalty."

From a hunted nobody to the agent of a well-known noble. This could get interesting. It's certainly going to help me gather the resources and power I will need to take on Rishan.

Later, he nods at Connaught's words. He pokes at his wounded leg before he answers. "Good suggestion, my muscled friend. I have the feeling we'll aquire a few more scratches before this is over."

Whatever this actually is.


@Ghostfoot: Zathras is just saying the "walk away at any moment" part for character reasons, I'm not planning to derail the adventure or anything. I just feel that Zathras, who spent most of his life in slavery, would not agree to any kind of service relationship where he doesn't have the power to leave at will.

[razorback]

Tchinik smiles at the offer and is about to decline it when everyone else starts to accept.

<Do I really want to be tied down to one place for that long? he thinks to himself. <If I accept this obligation, then what? What of Ton Arsi? Although, with steady income and, I can only assume that I will have enough free time to hunt him down. Plus, while in her employ I will have resources I couldn't gain by myself.> While the internal dialogue only takes a few moments, the look on his face would be apparent to anyone watching that he was weighing something heavily.

"Yes, my lady, I will also accept your generous offer." He sits back, quiet for his normally boisterous self.
After the tour, Tchinik bids his companions good night as he makes his way back to his room, head down as he still wars with himself internally over the decision.
Once at the inn, his normally alert self fails to pick out anyone keep an eye on him as he makes his way up to his room to sleep.
The next morning he makes his way back to the Vanderboren estate, remembering to bring his trusty spear with him.

[Ghostfoot]

You spend the evening in discussion, celebration and preparation as you see fit. Lavinia is mostly occupied with correspondence and bookkeeping so you are left to your own devices. Kora provides you with food, drink and comfortable beds. She is able to produce some basic bandages and salves for those that require them. Later, a priestess of Waukeen, The Merchant's Friend, stops by the estate in her lavish gilded scarlet cloak. She sees to it that all of your wounds are fully healed, Lavinia having made arrangements with her family's existing contacts at the church.

3rd of Kythorn, 1375 DR

The following morning you have a couple of hours to prepare yourselves before departing for Castle Teraknian. Two coaches arrive and transport the five of you, plus Lavinia, across town to High Market in the Noble District. From here Lavinia arranges a ferry to the island at the mouth of the harbour on which the castle sits. She is dressed much more practically today, having switched her exquisite blue dress for a finely made matching set of shirt, vest, trousers and boots. A filigreed rapier sits at her hip.

You spend only a few minutes in the castle itself. Lavinia talks to a clerk, who verifies Lavinia's identity and her signet ring before escorting you all down a spiral staircase into a large circular chamber. Over a dozen five-foot wide hallways radiate out from the central vault chamber. Each hall is ten feet long and ends an an iron door. The clerk motions you toward a particular door and then bids you good day, returning up the staircase to his office.

The solid-looking door is emblazoned with an eight-pointed star. Above the door, inscribed in flowing script on a polished silver plaque, is the name "Vanderboren". A single handle protrudes from the door, above an indentation that corresponds to the shape of the Vanderboren signet ring.

"It seems that the signet ring is the key to the vault," states Lavinia. "Are you all ready for whatever is down here...".

Everyone is fully healed. You have time to prep spells and to buy equipment before setting off. Feel free to ask any questions that will help you prep. :smallsmile:

[DrK]

Well rested and nursing only a slight hangover from imbibing much ale in victory the night before Connaught rose early in the morning and looked about his room carefully.

Safe from prying eyes he pulled forth his chalks and charcoal and began to draw on the floor of the room. All the while chanting mystical words. A mist soon began to fill the small circle glistening before a dozen black arrows slam into the floor - each leaving a trickle a blood that slowly begins to coalesce into the heart of the circle and an armoured blood stained form slowly rises from the mist. "I would have your service spirit" Connaught demanded loudly. THe armoured form gazed at him before nodding "You know the cost of failure..." the bitter words punctuated by another arrow appearing from the mist and slamming into Connaught chest, the shaft vanishing leaving just a bloody wound and the faint shape of the embedded arrow beneath the barbarian's tattooed skin before he vanishes along with the dark figure, mist and the arrows.


Summon Savnok [roll0] VS 20
- Sign An arrowhead under the skin
- Influence - choose a path once decieded. Don't remove armour once donned

Powers - Move ally 1/5 rounds
Summon MW Full plater with DR 1/ piercing
Heavy armour Prof



Breathing heavily Connaught wipes down the floor to remove the traces of the circle before joining the others for breakfast. The journey through town to the Castle was interesting - the delights of the city with foreign creatures and people utterly foreign to the Northman. His axe and shield banging on his back - though his leather armour missing.

He remains quiet at the Vaults, not wishing to spoil things for his new employer. But once at the door he stands aside for a second holding out his arms in supplication... To his comrades surprise no doubt, pieces of spiked coal black armour materialis eout of the air around Connaught before affixing themselves to his massive frame. The massive suit of plate engulfing him in heavy steel. Pulling forth the shield and the axe he announces "I am ready" his voice echoing slightly within the confines of the helm...

[razorback]

Tchinik looks around at the others before answering.
"Yes, lady, we are ready." he says in hushed tones.
With spear gripped in his right hand, pointed towards the ceiling, he reaches over and checks the weight of the rapier that had replaced his trusty longsword. The blade is a feather weight compared to his longsword and he keeps having to check it as he wasn't familiar with not have the other blades heft at his waist.

[Battlemage]

Zathras is wearing his battle gear, black breastplate and buckler, his hands encased in spiked steel. The swirling blue spectral greaves from the day before have vanished, and instead his forearms are once again surrounded by silvery-blue astral vambraces.

The tiefling studies the vault door with fascinated curiousity and a crooked smile, his crystal companion looking on from its usual perch on his shoulder.

"Deadly traps and construct guardians. Sounds like a fun day's work. I'm ready."

[Phasm]

Amiyah gazes up at the heavily armored form of their Northern companion, openly fascinated. "I have never heard of such a spell, Connaught. When we are finished here, will you tell me how it is accomplished?" Perhaps he's not simply a barbarian, but a cleric of Tempus? The ever-armored war god might grant such a spell to his devotees. She hasn't seen the symbol of Tempus on him, but then she hasn't been looking.

Focus on the task ahead. The wizard checks over the mechanism of her trusty crossbow one last time, loaded but with the safety catch engaged. Khalil perches on her shoulder, ruffling his feathers and muttering irritated nonsense now and then. The parrot does not like being underground. He dislikes being away from Amiyah even more, though.

[NovaZulu]

The sister stands before the door impassively, looking around at the assembled group. 'It is merely a door,' she states matter of factly.

'Please allow me,' she says, reaching out for the handle and gesturing for Ms Vanderboren to insert the signet ring. When she does the nun gives the handle a twist and gives the door a heave to throw it open.

Standing directly in the doorway SP Mary-Iris looks in. Once satisfied there is no immediate danger to the group she strides forward into the vault.

[Ghostfoot]

The border of the door flashes once with soft blue light when Lavinia inserts the signet ring into the indentation. It swings ajar slightly.

Sister Penitent Mary-Iris pushes it firmly and strides into the darkness beyond. The rest of you follow, Lavinia grabbing a lit torch from one of the sconces nearby.

The door opens into a hemispherical domed room twenty-five feet in diameter. The floor is of polished green marble. Smaller alcoves are to the east and west, and pillars carved to represent intertwined serpents dot the perimeter of the chamber.

As you enter the room your attention is drawn upward. A grotesque gargoyle creature unfurls itself from the boss at the shadowy apex of the roof. It has bat-like wings, a horned head, and curved fangs jut from it's mouth. It's body seems to be composed of stone. It flaps it's stone wings and prepares to attack...

Amiyah:
You recognise this creature. It is a guardgoyle, a guardian construct commonly found in the tombs, vaults and manses of wealthy merchants and nobles across Faerun. You know that they are hard to injure (Damage Resistance), normally have a couple of doses of poison built in to their bite, and possess the ability to emit a damaging ear-splitting shriek (sonic attack 30ft cone).:smallsmile:.

Initiative:
{table=head]Initiative Chart
{table=head]Character | Initiative

Lavinia | [21]
Guardgoyle | [14]
Amiyah| [7]
Zathras| [6]
Tchinik | [4]
SP Mary-Iris | [4]
Connaught |[1]

[/table]
[/table]
Does anyone other than Lavinia grab a torch as you enter (prior to the combat)?
I presume no familiars are participating? Let me know if otherwise.


Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Vault1_zps58926a88.png

[Ghostfoot]

"Beware!" Lavinia cries in alarm. She draws her rapier and darts to take cover behind one of the nearby pillars.

The guardgoyle flaps a couple of times at the peak of the domed chamber and hovers. It's fanged jaws open to emit an ear-piercing shriek that is amplified in the enclosed space. SP Mary-Iris and Connaught are both caught by the shrill blast as they face the beast.

SPMI Fort Save vs DC 11: [roll0] 2 sonic damage
Connaught Fort Save vs DC 11: [roll1] 5 sonic damage and deafened (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm) for 1 round

The thing is just in range of reach weapons, but out of range of normal weapons.


=> Party

[Battlemage]

Zathras quickly moves to take cover behind the pillar on the right.

Well there's a guardian alright. Seems weird that the Lady's parents wouldn't have told her of a way to disable it. Seems awfully inefficient to fight this thing whenever you want to access your money. Ah well, efficient or not, we're still getting paid to take it out.

Looking out from behind the stone pillar, he forms a dose of acidic tar in his mouth, the spectral amulet on his throat glowing in a dark and eerie light. He spits it at the gargoyle with a hiss.

"Take that you flying rock!"


Move Action: Move to I10
Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at the Gargoyle in G7.
-> Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0]
-> Damage: [roll1] (acid)

[DrK]

Connaught grunts in fury as the world goes quiet, ears ringing from the sonic attack and blood dripping from his eyes, ears and nose. Undaunted he steps forward.preparing to stop the beast reaching Lavinia.


Step into the vault
Ready an attack if it swoops down
[roll0] dam [roll1]

[razorback]

Tchinik, seeing the affect that creature has on the Sister and the big northerner, grits his teeth in anticipation of being hit by the blast as he brings his spear to bear.
<How did she not know this was down here?> he thinks as he flicks his spear back and forth as he feints in quick succession before he lunges forward at the flying creature.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 14

Free ~
5ft step to H-7, if necessary


Standard Action Action ~ Sapphire Nightmare Blade while in Punishing Stance
Concentration check DC vs. Guardgoyle's AC
[roll0] If your Concentration check succeeds, the target is fl at-footed against your attack, and you deal an extra 1d6 points of damage. If your check fails, your attack is made with a –2 penalty and deals normal damage.

Attack
[roll1]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll2]

Damage
[roll3] + [roll4] + [roll5] if concentration is successful




Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind -O
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - X
Leading the Attack - O

[NovaZulu]

'Take cover behind the pillars, deny this beast open targets so it must leave the safety of the high dome,' she calls out.

The nun raises her shield as she slides to left. Drawing a spear she hurls it savagely at the creature.

OOC
Free Action: Speak
No Action: 5 ft step to G6
Move Action: Draw Spear
Standard Action: Attack (throw) spear at Gargoyle [roll0], damage [roll1], crit confirm [roll2], crit damage [roll3]

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare
[roll4], [roll5], [roll6]
1. Crusader's Strike G
2. Stone Bones G
3. Charging Minotaur W
4. Leading the Attack G
5. Douse the Flame W

[Phasm]

"Be careful, its bite is venomous!" Crossbow in hand, Amiyah moves to flank the guardgoyle with Mary-Iris. A magic missile would have a better chance of penetrating its stony hide, but there's no telling what else is in the vault. Better to at least try shooting it first. Let's see... yes, right under the wing should do it. The wizard takes aim and fires.


Move to G10 (without getting within melee range of the guardgoyle)

Attack: [roll0]
Damage if applicable: [roll1]
Sneak attack: [roll2]

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah ducks through the shadowy chamber and moves around to one side. She takes careful aim and fires at the creature as it flaps above her. Her crossbow bolt strikes it solidly, but the creatures stony hide seems completely unmarked by her efforts.

You don't get the flank because it is elevated, and thus not able to be surrounded from the ground. Not that it would have mattered because the creatures damage resistance kicks in & reduces all damage to zero :smallfrown:.

Zathras also hustles into the shadows. Fffssshhhttt!!! Dark acidic tar sprays from his mouth, missing his allies and spattering liberally across the guardgoyle's body. The sizzling and steaming indicate that has inflicted real damage, and the thing turns toward him. You don't know if a construct can feel pain, but it looks as if it intends to stop Zathras from inflicting more damage.

Tchinik steps in, carefully watching his foe. He lunges with his spear, but can't penetrate it's stone skin..
That's a miss, not DR. Sadly only a miss because of failing the SNB conc. check.

The nun casts a spear toward the creature. There is a lot of strength behind her throw, but it goes wide.

The fierce beast swoops toward Zathras, it's fangs bared and it's stone wings making odd clacking sounds as it catches the air. It makes to attack the tiefling, coming close to Connaught who strikes it with all his strength. Even with such a fierce swing the guardgoyle seems largely uninjured. Tchinik also stabs deftly at it as it flies past.

Move to I9 (5 ft/ 1 square elevated, so in normal melee reach now)
Damage resistance 5 vs Connaught's attack = 1 modified damage
Tchinik AoO: [roll0] Miss
Damage: [roll1]+[roll2]

Standard Action: Bite Zathras [roll3] Miss
Bite Damage: [roll4]
Confirmation: Bite Zathras [roll5]
Bite Damage: [roll6]
Poison: Zathras Fort save vs DC 11 [roll7]
Initial Poison: [roll8] Con damage


Lavinia steps forward carefully, making sure that the guardgoyle is clearly illuminated by her torchlight. She stands ready to strike if it comes near her.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Vault3_zpscdaa019b.png

=> Party

[DrK]

As Connaught's hearing returns he grunts in annoyance and steps forward, stepping in between the beast and the sorceress before hacking it with his axe. "Die ye beastly fiend!"

the battle ragin overtaking him as he spins around chopping like a madman!


5ft step to H9
Frenzy
Attack!
[roll0] Damage [roll1]
[roll2] Damage [roll3]

Currently AC 23

[Battlemage]

Zathras takes a step backwards, careful to avoid giving the flying beast an opportunity to strike.

"You didn't like that huh? How about another dose?"

With that he spits another globe of acid at the Gargoyle.


Minor Action: 5-foot step to I11.
Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at the Gargoyle
-> Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] (Edit: would be a 6 for shooting into melee, but likely doesn't matter anyway)
-> Damage: [roll1] (acid)

[Phasm]

Amiyah quickly reloads her crossbow, scowling. She only has one spell prepared that will directly damage the thing; after that she'll either have to try cantrips or use her wand. Why in the name of Mystra doesn't the signet ring have a function to disable traps and guardians? This doesn't make sense!

Something to think about later. Crossbow loaded (for all the good it'll do her), Amiyah shifts it to one hand and recites the mystic words of magic missile, pointing at the guardgoyle. A tiny white sphere zooms toward the construct.


Bah, DR 5 at 1st level? :smallmad:
Move action: reload crossbow
Standard action: cast magic missile
Damage: [roll0]

[razorback]

Tchinik, seeing his new group in a bit of trouble by this creature, begins encourage them a rousing song of battle as describing the Purple Knight Sir Trevalaine and his battle with a great wyrm.
"On Trevaliane,
valiant beyond compare,
Fought the wyrm
of Narfell,
whose foul breath
drove back the very air!
On and on
the battle raged,
But never did he relent.
Until the dragon
fleed in fear
its might fully spent!"


5 foot step to I-7
standard action to Inspire Courage = +1 morale to hit and damage while he sings plus 1 minute

[NovaZulu]

Seeing the creature descend to ground level the Sister's eyes flash and she strides quickly across the chamber.

'Little pest, fear His wrath!' she snarls as she swings her sword down at the beast's exposed flank. The sword arcs slowly, gaining an irresistible momentum as it connects with the construct. At the moment of contact the nun appears to become even more substantial, an increased density in her body and inertia in her movements.

OOC

Apols for posting out of order, getting one in before I depart.

Free Action: Speak
Move Action: Draw longsword and move 15 ft to I8 (H6, I7, I8)
Standard Action: Gargoyle [roll0] (+2 flank) damage [roll]1d8+3[roll] roll in OOC damage 10, crit confirm [roll1] crit damage [roll]1d8+3[roll].
Initiating: Stone bones, dr 5/- till end next turn on hit

Apols forgot the additional +1 to hit/damage from Mr Denid's battle anthem.

Note since SP M-I now threatens the Gaurdgoyle it takes a -4 to hit her allies from Iron Guard's Glare.

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare
[roll]1d2[roll] Roll in OOC (for this round, final manu will be granted start of next round)
1. Crusader's Strike G
2. Stone Bones GE
3. Charging Minotaur W
4. Leading the Attack G
5. Douse the Flame WG

[Ghostfoot]

The small sphere of energy zaps from Amiyah's fingers toward the guardgoyle. It strikes unerringly despite it's jerky flapping movements and blasts stone chips from it.

Zathras spits acidic tar again, this time going wide and spattering the nearby column as he tries to avoid his companions.

In the centre of the domed chamber Tchinik lets forth a rousing song of battle that fills everyone with hope and courage.

SP Mary-Iris steps forward and strikes at the construct. Several swift blows connect, but fail to breach its rock-like armoured body.

The northman steps in next to the sister and flails away madly with his axe. His frenzied swings connect with the beast. The blows that would fell a normal man still damage it, though it is clear that the stone body is somewhat resistant to the hewing blade of the axe.
Again, DR 5 vs this attack, so 5 & 2 damage after modifications (incl +1 from inspire courage).

Lavinia advances into the combat, rapier in one hand torch in the other. While she can wield a blade, she is clearly not as skilled at combat as any of you. She stabs at the guardgoyle as it battles the rest of you. "Take that, you foul fiend!". She doesn't connect with the agile thing.

Move action: Move to H8
Standard Action: Attack w rapier [roll0] Miss
Damage: [roll1]

The guardgoyle itself turns to attack Connaught as the barbarian rages upon it. It reaches toward the huge armoured man with it's stone claws, and tries to bite him with it's fanged maw. It claws at his helmet and upper arms, and buffets him, but his sorcerous armour holds true.

Rotate 90' to face north (don't think this provokes AoO's). Retain hover at 5ft/ 1 square elevated.
Full Attack: Bite Connaught [roll2] Miss
Bite Damage: [roll3]
Confirmation: Bite Connaught [roll4]
Bite Damage: [roll5]
Poison: Connaught Fort save vs DC 11 [roll6]
Initial Poison: [roll7] Con damage

Full Attack: Claw Connaught [roll8] Miss
Claw Damage: [roll9]
Confirmation: Claw Connaught [roll10]
Claw Damage: [roll11]

Full Attack: Claw Connaught [roll12] Miss
Claw Damage: [roll13]
Confirmation: Claw Connaught [roll14]
Claw Damage: [roll15]

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Vault4_zps4dbd62f6.png

=> Party

[DrK]

Connaught smiles a grim smile behind his beard as the creature flails pathetically against the spiked platemail that now adorns him. Pushing back he whispers in a his frenzy - "Your stone heart will be a whetstone for my blade.."

Even as he speaks he bashes the creature back with shield before hewing at it massively with his axe.


Attacks [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Attacks [roll2] Damage [roll3]


EDIT: I forgot the inspire courage bonus so should be +1 hit and damage
EDIT EDIT: To hit should be +4 higher if the leading the attack was effective

[razorback]

Tchinik continues to sing his battle song as he focuses effort in how Sir Trevalaine rallied the troops together, hoping this works for rallying his allies.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 14

Free ~
5ft step to I-7, if necessary


Standard Action Action ~ Leading the Attack
[roll0]


Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll1]

Damage
[roll2] + [roll3]





Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind -O
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - X
Leading the Attack - X


Inspire Courage = +1 morale to hit and damage while he sings plus 1 minute
Leading the Attack = As part of this maneuver, you make a single melee attack. If your attack is successful, your allies gain a +4 morale bonus on attack rolls for 1 round against the creature you hit, does not stack with Inspire Courage's attack bonus.

[Battlemage]

Glad that his allies have diverted the creature's attention, Zathras continues spitting acid at the gargoyle.

OOC:

Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at the Gargoyle
-> Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0] (+4 more if Leading the Attack hits for 15)
-> Damage: [roll1] (acid)

[NovaZulu]

Seeing the Gargoyle strike out again at Conaught the Sister is incensed, lashing out at the creature with a brutal backhand. Zeal fills her strike and but she fails to penetrate the creatures stoney hide.

'Little coward, FACE ME!' bellows Mary-Iris.

OOC

Free Action: Speak
Standard Action: Gargoyle [roll0] (+2 flank,+4 leading the attack) damage [roll]1d8+4[roll], crit confirm [roll1] crit damage [roll2].
Initiating: Crusaders Strike Heal Connaught [roll3] on hit

Since SP M-I now threatens the Gaurdgoyle it takes a -4 to hit her allies from Iron Guard's Glare, no pen. to hit SP M-I herself.

Stance: Iron Guard's Glare
Manu's granted for next round, full refresh: [roll4], [roll5], [roll6]
1. Crusader's Strike G Next round:W
2. Stone Bones GE Next round:G
3. Charging Minotaur WG Next round:G
4. Leading the Attack G Next round:W
5. Douse the Flame WG Next round:G

[Phasm]

Amiyah really doesn't like having to rely on a magic item, but needs must when the pit fiend drives. Shifting her crossbow to one hand, she draws her wand and aims at the angry guardgoyle, whispering the magic word. Another magic missile zooms toward the foe, dodging around her allies.

Magic missile redux!
Damage: [roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Again a magic missile zaps from Amiyah and knocks a few chips from the stone creature, and again Zathras spits acidic tar. The skin of the stone beast becomes pitted and scarred as it reacts with the viscous fluid.
Due to the initiative order, Leading the Attack will kick in for Zathras' attack next round. This round he just gets the +1 for Inspire Courage. You could use an Action Point this attack if you want? Might be worth it given the damage rolled :smallbiggrin:. Let me know and I will edit this post. Edit: Done.

Tchinik builds his song of inspiration to a crescendo and becomes a vision of battle prowess. As he chants the successes of long-fallen heroes he seems to inherit a spark of their glory and strikes a mighty blow against the flying creature. He stabs it square in the chest, a blow that would drop a normal man.
10 modified damage after DR, still pretty darn respectable.

SP Mary-Iris continues to goad the thing, warding off its attacks and keeping it occupied, but unable to land a decent blow.
So to confirm, no cost for trying your Action Point - since it didn't connect I won't penalize you for trying to use it. AP's only get deducted of they end up of benefit.
And sorry, no flank since the combat is happening in 3D not 2D as usual (the guardgoyle is elevated 1 square).

Ah, Connaught. The frenzied warrior continues to strike it again and again. Chunks of rock go flying under his assault but the thing still "lives".
I'm gonna assume you use that AP you rolled for SPMI for yourself, making it two hits at 8 damage each, rather than a miss and a hit. Hope that's okay. Seems like a good move to me.

Lavinia continues to stab away at the guardgoyle, taking inspiration from Tchinik's voice. She look determined but also somewhat fearful as she engages in the deadly combat. Her blade stikes home but is completely ineffective.
Standard Action: Attack w rapier [roll0] Hit!
Damage: [roll1]Less DR = 0 damage

Facing multiple opponents the guardgoyle turns toward the nun's stalwart challenge and tears at her defences. The creature grabs her with it's long stone claws, finding purchase on her armour straps and drawing long furrows in her arms. Sharp fangs stab into her again and again, splashing blood about as the stone thing drives her to the ground under its relentless assault. Although clearly near to destruction the creature looks up from the nun and relentlessly refocuses it's lethal attention on Connaught.

Rotate 90' to face west. Retain hover at 5ft/ 1 square elevated.
Full Attack: Bite SPMI [roll2] Hit
Bite Damage: [roll3]
Confirmation: Bite SPMI [roll4]
Bite Damage: [roll5]]
Poison: SPMI Fort save vs DC 11 [roll6] Save
Initial Poison: [roll7] Con damage

Full Attack: Claw SPMI [roll8] Hit
Claw Damage: [roll9]
Confirmation: Claw SPMI [roll10]
Claw Damage: [roll11]

Full Attack: Claw SPMI [roll12] Hit
Claw Damage: [roll13]
Confirmation: Claw SPMI [roll14] Miss
Claw Damage: [roll15]

I think that's SMPI down! Steely Resolve ain't enough to help here.

Map (no change):
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/Vault4_zps4dbd62f6.png

=> Party

[DrK]

As the Sister was savaged by the beast Connaught slammed it again trying to drag it down by the force of the axe! "Vile beast I shall crush you to dust!"

The hacking and chopping words punctuated by the savage swinging of the axe.


Attack [roll0] Damage [roll1]
Attack [roll2] Damage [roll3]

[razorback]

Thinking on a couple of different levels Tchinik realizes his best option is to keep on with his current tactics.
As the current song comes to a rising crescendo, he jumps right into battle march of the Six of Saerloon, who fought the off dire creatures to save the city.
The rousing march, with its driving staccato seemingly perfect for the situation.


Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 14

Free ~
5ft step to I-7


Standard Action Action
[roll0]

Confirmation (if necessary)
[roll1]

Damage
[roll2] + [roll3] (Punishing Stance)






Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind -O
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - X
Leading the Attack - X


Inspire Courage = +1 morale to hit and damage while he sings plus 1 minute

[Phasm]

Once more, Amiyah points her wand at the guardgoyle and unleashes a magic missile. It's almost embarrassing how much damage this doesn't do... hopefully she'll be able to afford a scroll and arcane inks to scribe something a bit better in her spellbook for next time. Or even a better wand!


Oops, forgot the Inspire Courage +1 to damage last time.
[roll0]

[Battlemage]

Seeing the success of his previous attack, and inspired by Tchinik's battle hymn, Zathras continues his course of action and fires acid at their adversary once more, hoping to finish this quickly to help their fallen comrade.

"You're one tough cookie, stoneface!"


Standard Action: Dissolving Spittle at the Gargoyle
-> Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0]
-> Damage: [roll1] (acid)

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah's magic missile shoots unerringly from her wand and strikes the guardgoyle in the base of it's "skull". Somewhat surprisingly it explodes in a shower of mortar dust and masonry. The pieces of the construct scatter to the floor around the room.

Lavinia cries out and falls to her knees next to Mary-Iris, "Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead". Tears streak her face as she clumsily tries to staunch the bleeding. Her stoic demeanor has crumpled and in this desperate situation she is looking more the inexperienced young girl than head of a noble household.

First Aid Heal check [roll0] vs DC15

Success. I didn't expect that!

She looks pleadingly to the rest of you for help...

=> Party

[DrK]

As the guardgoyle shatters Connaught slowly comes out of his whirling frenzy breathing slowly and looking at yet another small scratch. The massive barbarian looks down at the broken Sister Mary and swoops her up in his arms striding for the door.

"Help, help. We have wounded here..."

Even as he hollers he strides back towards the main central part of vaults looking for any assistance. A brief "Keep the Lady safe" was all he said to the party.

[razorback]

Tchinik approaches the fallen sister as Lavinia is seeing to her wounds. "You're doing find, mylady. Keep pressure on the wounds. I think we need to get her out of here and to a healer. Or, it may be faster to get her out of this room and have a healer brought over." He keeps his voice calm and even but inside he worries about the sister.

[Ghostfoot]

With a crude tourniquet tied to limit the bleeding, Connaught scoops up the priestess and makes his way back up the stairs. Lavinia and the rest of you hurry worriedly behind him.

You catch the startled clerk just about to sit down to a mid morning snack of bread and dipping oil. He leaps to his feet and frantically pulls at one of several cords that disappear into the ceiling, before rushing over and helping make the sister comfortable as she lays on the floor.

Before long the room is a-bustle with guardsmen and clerks. A priestess of Tyr, stationed at the castle to assist with legal duties, arrives after not too long. She bends down and invokes a prayer to Tyr, healing energy washing through Sister Penitent Mary-Iris and healing the worst of her wounds.

2x cure light wounds = 11 hp healing

With the crisis averted the crowd disperses, guards back to their posts and clerks no doubt off to file reports. The original clerk looks at you and says "It happens sometimes. Young scions or servants try to sneak into the family vaults to "borrow" funds or teach their parents a lesson. We're obviously not allowed into the vaults, but I hear that some have horrible traps and guardians to protect them. Still, your brother never had this sort of problem."

At the mention of her brother Lavinia's head snaps around, "What? My brother? What do you mean? Have you seen him?".

"Of course. He's visited several times over the last few weeks. He had a signet ring, just like yours."

"But...he's been missing. No one's seen him for weeks..." her voice trails off and the clerk looks shocked.

Lavinia turns to you all. "My brother Vanthus and I used to be close years ago, but he fell in with a bad crowd. He hadn't lived with us at the estate for a year or more. He came back briefly after our parents died, but we fought and he struck me. He ran off and left me on my own to try to sort out our family affairs and stop everything my parents worked so hard for disintegrating around me."

After a brief conversation among you all a somewhat more hale Sister Penitent Mary-Iris cuts in. "We can continue this conversation later. Since we're here now we really should focus on the task at hand. We can investigate claims of assault and abandonment later - rest assured I will not let that lie!".

So, a chance to regroup, chat/ questions, and then back downstairs to finish this small vault.

[DrK]

Connaught claps Sister MP on the shoulder and helps her to her feet. "Glad to see you back with us and nae' with Kelemvor. You be making a habit of this. Its not a good one!

As the other chatter reaches the tired Northman's ears he listens to Lavinia's sorry words. "If he had a key then why did we have to board the boat m'Lady? You don't think he's taken the vault's stuff do you?" Whilst the words do seem semi-caring they also in part reflect that he wants to be paid...

Glancing back at the wounded Sister, "Are you well enough to come back down to the vault and make sure the Lady no been robbed of all she owns?"


I'm ready for the vault room 2 and hopefully not another guardgoyle!

[Battlemage]

Zathras tags along with the group, happy to see Sister Mary being restored to health. He hated the feeling of helplessnes that came with watching your comrades suffer and being unable do do anything about it. His black powers could only burn and destroy, never mend or heal. Rishan hadn't seen any need for that in his creations.

When he hears the news about the Lady Vanderboren's brother, he rolls his eyes. I knew there was something going on behind the scenes. The whole thing didn't make any sense. Seems our employer is getting played. Ah, family...

"If you're feeling up to it, Sister, by all means, let's finish this. And afterwards we should have a serious conversation with your brother, my Lady."

The first question will probably be "Where is all my money?", because I have a feeling it's not in the vault anymore.

[razorback]

Tchinik is relieved that the sister is alright and expresses even if he thinks she is a bit of a stick in the mud.

"If he had a key then why did we have to board the boat m'Lady? You don't think he's taken the vault's stuff do you?"

"If you're feeling up to it, Sister, by all means, let's finish this. And afterwards we should have a serious conversation with your brother, my Lady."
"Both of these men are right, milady. Connaught brings up a good point and so does Zathras. But, as we are in your employ, it would seem we should ask you how you want to proceed." The last bit is somewhere between at statement and a question but he look on at Lavinia with an arched eyebrow.

[Ghostfoot]

"There are only two signet rings, my mother's and my father's. You retrieved my fathers from the Blue Nixie. My mother's was lost months ago. If Vanthus has a ring...maybe he found my mother's ring somewhere? I'm sure he wouldn't have taken anything from the vault - would he? He's my brother...", Lavinia's words trail off as she looks Connaught in the eye, not daring to suggest the obvious.

From the top of the stairway Sister Mary-Iris calls out, "If you're all ready, let us push onward". The nun strides swiftly down the stairs, shrugging off any hint of pain or inconvenience caused by her recent wounds.

"Let's make sure the sister didn't suffer that hurt in vain" says Lavinia quietly, in answer to Tchinik.

Gathering your gear, the rest of you follow...

Reaching the chamber of the guardgoyle you look around more closely. Shadows flicker around the room from your torchlight. Chunks of the construct litter the floor. There is no apparent way onward.

"There must be a way, may Tyr grant us the clarity of his sight" says the sister.

"My parents mentioned the guardian construct, but nothing about anything else down here. All I know is that it's not as extensive as some of the other vaults". Lavinia starts searching for a hidden passageway or other clue.

Nova's likely out for the next 3-4 days, so I'll keep SPMI rolling along as needed. Feel free to throw in any RP (roleplay) or comments as you recover and then head back down - it makes sense to finish this bit of the vault off now.

[DrK]

Connaught glances around looking for another door. "Lady Lavinia, I would have thought you'd know more about your own vault?"

Search [roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Lavinia steps back and holds the torch high so that Connaught can see more clearly as he searches.

"I was due to start learning some of the family business when I turn 23 - in a few months time. I suppose they wanted to wait until I was grown up and had shown some responsibility. I mean, I overheard bits and pieces, like that there was a construct in here, but they never actually sat down and involved me with the intricacies of it all. All I know is that our family funds are supposed to be stored down here. Safe and secure."

[Phasm]

Family drama and lack of knowledge about Lavinia's own vault on top of whatever Vark was up to. Great. Amiyah puts her wand away, resisting the urge to sigh. Instead she mutters the words to a light cantrip, casting the spell upon the end of one of the hairpins sticking out of her bun. Fully illuminated, the wizard begins her own search of the area.


Search check:
[roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Everyone searches the room for a hidden mechanism or way forward. The torchlight and Amiyah's magical light cast strange shadows as you work. After a few minutes Amiyah finds a hidden catch. Blocks of masonry slide aside and form an archway leading into the darkness to the north.

"Well done Amiyah. I never would have found that" says Lavinia earnestly.

She actually does sound earnest, rather than condescending which is how it might read.

Peering through the archway you see an octagonal room about 20ft in diameter supported by a single large grooved pillar. Excluding the wall that you are peering from, each of the other seven walls bears fantastically detailed bas-relief of exotic monsters in threatening poses. Starting at the wall immediately to your left, and moving clockwise, the carvings depict:

a tentacled monster with a glaring red eye and a mouth full of teeth,
a looming dragon,
a fish-like creature with three eyes and four tentacles,
a two-headed giant wielding a pair of immense clubs,
a spherical creature with four eyestalks and a bulging central eye over a drooling maw,
a gorilla-like beast with a fanged maw and six eyes,
a towering black spider with seven eyes.

Each creatures eyes consist of a glittering red stone. The ceiling above is only ten feet high, with a familiar eight-pointed star radiating out from the central pillar. The arms of the star are black, save the one that points south toward the entrance, which is red.

The room is otherwise empty and has no other exits.

[DrK]

Connaught glares at the monsters surrounding him. Standing taller than many of the drawings he glares at them trying to identify them.


Know (Religion) [roll0]
Know (Arcana) [roll1]


Walking around the octagon he draws his fingers along the pictures prodding the red gemmed eye sockets. "Something to do with the eyes perhaps? Or the red arrows? Does it move?"

Setting his words to action he grabs the red arrow and yanks on it to see if it moves. If it does he won't move it far before he starts prodding the surprisingly shiny eyes of the various monsters. A small mutter of "You have a strange family Lady Lavinia."


Search [roll2]

[Phasm]

"Thank you, Ms. Vanderboren." Amiyah smiles briefly at her before turning her attention to the carvings on the walls. There's something tickling the back of her mind... aha! She reaches into her belt pouch and pulls out a piece of paper, unfolding it. "I found this note in Vark's cabin along with the signet ring. Let's see...


Chimera looks to sunrise
Cyclops looks to sunset
Medusa looks to sunrise
Umber Hulk looks to sunset
Basilisk looks to sunrise."

Pursing her lips, the wizard looks around at the carvings. "So, the logical thing to do now is to look for a chimera. 'Sunrise' could mean either the eastern direction or the direction of a light source."


Looking for a chimera... I think that's a magical beast, so hopefully Knowledge: arcana will work.

Knowledge: arcana
[roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

"That's definitely my father's handwriting" says Lavinia when Amiyah pulls out the note.

Connaught steps up to the first monster. Carved like a natural stalagmite with a staring eye and tentacles he recognizes the beast as a roper. "Roper" mutters Amiyah at the same time. They have only heard tales of these dangerous creatures as they live away from humans in caverns far below the surface.

It is hard to determine the specific sub-race of the dragon, and the fish-creature is completely strange to you all. Further around the room Tchinik recognizes the two-headed ettin, a creature of the cold hills in the north. He is also familiar with the giant spider, common all over Faerun.

Tchinik and Amiyah step up to the only other beast that they can identify. The odd six-eyed gorilla-like beast is a gray render, a deadly predator only ever found in remote marshlands far from civilization.

There is no sign of a chimera, or any of the other monsters on the note.

There are no distinctive markings that would indicate to Tchinik that any of these creatures were noteworthy beasts from a fable or tale. Nor can he recall any tales or ballads that would hold such an eclectic selection of monsters as pivotal, or even incidental, participants.

The gemstone eyes in each of the carvings don't react in any way as Connaught pokes and prods them. You could probably prise them out if you wanted to.

Click click. The star on the ceiling spins to and fro easily when Connaught yanks on it. In fact it seems that the star and the central pillar are attached and are all designed to spin together as one piece. By moving the central column you can rotate it all to point the red arrow at any of the seven carved monsters, or back at the entranceway that you have come in through.

[DrK]

Connaught looks at the others a look of slight puzzlement on his face. "Amiyah, do you know if any of these beasts are similar to the ones on the wall. Can we point the red arrow at a creature like the chimera or are they all very different."

Looking at the arrow he drags it a bit clockwise and anti-clockwise to see if it can rotate "sunrise" and "sunset". "Are you sure you know nothing more Milady?"

[razorback]

Looking at Amiyah, Tchinik says "I would hazard a guess that it means east rather than a light source. But, since there is no chimera, maybe there is another set of scupltures, statues, or paintings that have relevance to that note? I wonder if we can close the archway if this scene would change, though I am loathe to trap ourselves inside without knowing how to exit this room."

[DrK]

The barbarian stares at the figures on the wall. "The eyes must be important. That is why they are jewels. If the chimera looks to sunrise and has 6 eyes then we should point at the umberhulk?"

To suit his words to action Connaught pulls the red arrow towards the chimera and waits to see what happens.

[Ghostfoot]

Connaught rocks the contraption back and forth gently. It certainly does swing to "sunrise" and to "sunset".

Amiyah and Tchinik investigate the entranceway and find a catch that operates the door from the inside of the chamber. After some careful study Amiyah closes the doorway. Unfortunately there is no monster or other marking on the closed doorway, and the scene in the chamber remains unaltered. She opens the archway again.

"I think you're right about the eyes being important" says Lavinia. "A chimera has six eyes, and an umber hulk has four eyes. But neither of those creatures is depicted here".


The barbarian stares at the figures on the wall. "The eyes must be important. That is why they are jewels. If the chimera looks to sunrise and has 6 eyes then we should point at the umberhulk?"

To suit his words to action Connaught pulls the red arrow towards the chimera and waits to see what happens.
The chimera and the umber hulk are both mentioned on the note, but are not depicted in the chamber. Did you mean the gray render, with 6 eyes?

[DrK]

Connaught nods his thanks to Amiyah and Tchinik and the pushes the red arrow clockwise towards the chimera and then anti-clockwise back to the roper - going sunrise to the grey render and sunset towards the roper. The pair of them matching the chimera's 6 eyes and Cyclops 1 eye. He then stops listening to any creaking or noises.

[razorback]

Rubbing his beard for a few moments, Tchinik looks at the others as he shakes his head.

"So, the Roper has one eye... the dragon has two... the fisth creature has 3... the two heads of the ettin contain four... that spherical creature has 5 in total... the gray render has six and the spider has seven.
" Rubbing again, he continues. I'm not sure if the riddle has anything to do with it but the ones that look towards sunrise cause you to turn to stone while the ones that look towards sunset... are big and nasty???" With that he shakes his head again. "Well, unless we can point that red arm of the star in some kind of combination, maybe there is an eight eyed creature that we are missing that should be pointed towards the door?"


That's all I got.

[Phasm]

Amiyah shrugs, visibly frustrated. "The gray render seems like our best target. I am not terribly skilled with this sort of puzzle... it is not something I have much experience with." She is intelligent, knowledgeable on arcane and esoteric matters, she can drive a bargain, spot traps and pick locks. But puzzles? Puzzles are annoying. "Chimeras do not turn their victims to stone; they have breath weapons and sharp teeth. Perhaps we are meant to follow the trail of eyes to one final room that has the listed monsters in it, and that is where the 'sunrise, sunset' clues will come into play."

[Ghostfoot]

Connaught experiments with a few turns while the others confer among themselves. Click, click, click. The device turns toward the six-eyed gray render. was that a subtly different sounding "click"? Click, click, click. Back to the roper. He could have sworn it sounded different...he continues the pattern. Click, click, click. Dragon. Click, click, click. Ettin. Click, click, click. Dragon.

A loud rumbling fills the room as the seven monsters rotate back and an alcove opens on each wall. Each alcove is filled with chests and coffers.

Lavinia rushes to open a nearby chest. "Gah! Empty!" she cries in dismay. "And this one!" As she works her way through the looted chests she grows more and more distraught, and tears run freely down her face. Eventually "Ah! There are a few at the back here that are untouched!"

A couple of chests to contain a few thousand gold and a number of ledgers and notebooks. "This should be enough to keep the wolf from the door, and look, these ledgers details a number of business debts that are due to be received from local guilds. It shouldn't take too much to get this in order. I guess they weren't worth taking - impossible to cash in. This one's a bit odd. Maps and sketches in my mothers handwriting. I can't read the language though. Anyway, first things first...thank you so much."

Lavinia hands you each 300gp, being your reward for recovering the Blue Nixie plus your first month's wages.

Everybody gets +300 XP.

Had you worried there? :smallbiggrin:

[DrK]

Connaught jumps slightly as the alcoves slide open. Looking at the empty chests he looks saddened for Lavinia on her behalf, a sadness that fades slightly as the last couple of chests turn up some gold and lots of books.

"Thank m'Lady. You are too kind. Where do you think the rest of your money has gone? Do you think maybe your Brother has been a stealing it?"

He looks at the others. "Maybe you want us to find him and ..." there is a sound of a meaty fist hitting another meaty hand. The implication obvious. "Will you want me to carry the chests M'Lady?"


Pub, sleep or shopping then folks?
- Ghostfoot. Can we assume we can pick up the Wand of CLW "off screen" giving us all 265.5gp (including that extra 100gp for our first month's retainer).
- Secondly ghostfoot did you get my PM from earlier today? :smallbiggrin:

[Phasm]

"Ah, you're welcome, Miss Vanderboren. I only wish we had managed to beat your brother here." Amiyah awkwardly accepts the bag of coins. She's never been good at the social aspect of adventuring, things like what to say when your employer realizes her brother is a filthy thief who stole most of her inheritance. "Would you like me to take a look at the maps and sketches? I know Alzhedo, Tashalan, Chondathan, and Celestial; if the language is not one known to any of us, I am sure that someone in this city will have a scroll of comprehend languages for sale."

[Ghostfoot]

"Why certainly". Lavinia hands a notebook stuffed with notes and sketches to Amiyah. "She's written it using Espruar, the elven alphabet, but the language is not elven".

Amiyah is not familiar with the language, and on passing it around nor is anyone else. The sketches contain maps of various jungles and coastlines, again none that anyone is immediately familiar with. There are also sketches of several terrible and exotic-looking beasts which Tchinik recognizes as dinosaurs. While you get a few around here, they are apparently extremely common in the Jungles of Chult. Chult is an inhospitable area of mountainous jungles at the end of the Chultan Peninsula. Savage humans, wild dwarves, goblins, lizardfolk, pterafolk and yuan-ti dwell there.

Connaught and some of the stronger members help transport what remains of the Vanderboren treasury back to the surface.

"I'll take the notebook to the priests of Savras. They'll be able to assist, I'm sure" says Lavinia.

"In the meantime, perhaps we could could talk further regarding my brother Vanthus. The two of us were quite close growing up, since our parents were rarely around. We grew to depend on each other, and got into a fair amount of trouble together. After one particularly complex prank I was sent to the Thenalar Academy for the remainder of my schooling years while Vanthus went to live with one of our uncles on his plantation. When we both returned he had changed. He no longer had time for me. He slept all day and he spent the evenings with associates of doubtful character. Eventually he moved out of the house entirely. I suspect he had a lover in the Azure District somewhere.
When our parents died he came back for a week, but he had changed even more. His sense of easy humour was gone, replaced by bitter cynicism. We argued several times and he struck me. I think he surprised himself, but he was soon scowling and brooding again. Pretty soon after that he gathered his belongings and left.
I know something profound must have happened to change him. I'm sure he's fallen in with a bad crowd - perhaps smugglers or thieves. Can you help me find him, so I can try to talk some sense into him? He's still my brother, after all."

You all travel back to the Vanderboren Manor without incident, by boat and carriage. It is by now late afternoon. The air is hot, the heat of the day has accumulated and radiates from the city stonework.

You can do any shopping you want on the way back, or as you investigate the city. You can spend the evening at the Manor eating and planning, or you can head out into the city night.

In the absence of any more specific plans, an investigation will involve Gather Information checks as you make enquiries in each district:

Azure District - waterfront, docks
Champion's District - arena, mercenaries
Cudgel District - residential
Merchant's District - trade (most significant area of city)
Noble's District - noble residential
Shadowshore - black market area
Sunrise- upper class residential


The Vanderboren Manor is in the Merchant District.

[razorback]

Once they safely have the Lady Vanderboren safe in her home, Tchinik accepts his wages with a bow and a smile.
After listening to her speak of her brother, he thinks for a moment.
"Well, I am staying down in the Azure district. I may go through the Merchants district to procure some supplies, if anyone else is interested in joining me. I will see if I can find any rumors of your fiendish brother, Vanthus, milady. My question for you is this - What justice do you seek against your brother when we find him?" As he asks he keeps a shrewd eye on the lady as he waits for her response.

[Phasm]

Amiyah nods to Tchinik, gently stroking Khalil's head feathers. The parrot still seems a bit disgruntled at having had to travel in the dark, dank vault. "I will come with you, Tchinik. Tashluta has a fine selection of arcane goods; I think I will spend some of my coin on a new spell and inks to transcribe it into my spellbook. I fear I have little skill in sifting the gold from the dross when it comes to rumors and word of mouth, but I will keep my ears open for word of Vanthus Vanderboren." What were his parents thinking, giving him a name like that?

[Battlemage]

Zathras had been keeping to himself during the puzzle-solving, staying silent. He didn't like riddles very much and the rest of the group seemed to have it under control after all.

The empty treasure chests only elicit a resigned sigh from him, he had expected this after all. Luckily not all was gone and he accepts his payment with a smile.

Back at the mansion, he nods at Tchinik.
"I will also join you. I might want to buy a few things on the market myself."

[DrK]

Connaught nods. aye. The market sounds grand. Then onto the arena eh ? That's where I would hiden Down in champions or shadow shore.

[Ghostfoot]

Once back at the Vanderboren Manor, Sister Penitent Mary-Iris makes her excuses and departs for the temple of Anachtyr for her evening prayer.

Nova's away for another week I think so we'll just park the nun until things heat up again.

Tchinik poses his question to Lavinia. "Justice?" she replies. "No, this is still a family matter. He is my brother, and I'm sure he has been led astray by someone with ill designs. If you can find out where he is and convince him to return then we might be able to undo some of the mischief that has been wrought."

You've got time to do some shopping this afternoon/ evening, plus make Gather Information checks for a couple of districts. I'll leave you to make the rolls. You can cover off additional districts tomorrow if needed.

Please indicate if you purchase anything (either in the IC or OOC is fine).

[DrK]

Connaughts heads down with the others enjoying a few drinks and casually starting to Gather some information as they pass through the merchants district asking after Vanthus as a man who he had traded with one.


Aside from the party CLW wand I'm not sure what else I want to buy just yet... I'll have a think

Merchant distict Gather Info [roll0]


After that he turns to the others. "Do you want to come down to the Arena should eb some action there?"


Gather info in the Arena district when he gets there [roll1]

[Ghostfoot]

You step out of the Vanderboren Manor into the heat of the late afternoon in the Merchant's District. Following the maze of alleys, bridges and canals you head toward the bustling activity of the harbour market a few streets away.

Fine cheeses, exotic spices and exquisite wines are for sale everywhere. There are the goods that Tashluta is renowned for, and anything that hasn't made it to the export markets is available locally en masse. Colourful fabrics, olive oils and delicate glassware add to the scene. Seafood is everywhere, either salted for storage or available to consume as you sit or wander. Wooden carvings fill booths and sit behind counters throughout the market. A few heavily guarded stores specialise in a selection of the Tashalar's signature weapon - fine crossbows of all shapes and sizes, famous throughout the Realms, are on display.

A wine merchant mentions "Yes, I've seen Vanthus Vanderboren around from time to time. Not for a few weeks now, though. Nothing seemed amiss. I thought he was still staying at Vanderboren Manor - he never said otherwise".

After finishing your enquiries you press on...

Are you all going to the arena in Champion's District? Or is Tchinik (and/ or others) headed off to make enquires in Azure District or elsewhere?

[Battlemage]

Zathras seems to find absolutely everything about the market interesting, studying the multitude of different wares with fascination, red eyes glowing with excitement. He tries various foods and enjoys taking in so many different sights.

When it comes to gathering information, he keeps himself at the back as always, trying not to unsettle or upset anyone with his appearance.


I actually can't think of anything to buy for Zathras right now, so I'll just hold on to my gold for now (except for my part of the wand of CLW of course). Zathras will go with Connaught to the arena.

[razorback]

Tchinik, and any others who go with him, make their way down to the Merchants District. Even though it is late in the afternoon, he stays and moves from merchant to merchant until they are all closed.
He idly spends his time asking about Vanthus and Betyib Ton Arsi, in round about fashion, as he steers each conversation in that direction as he feels each merchant and rumor-monger about. Keeping his act up as an out of town mercenary just rolling in, he spends a few coin on nicknacks and souvenirs, knowing gold it the lubricant that keeps the jaws oiled.
After the sun sets and the last of the merchants close their shops, he makes his way down to the Azure District, dropping by his room to leave his spear, before making his way through the local bars, pubs, and taverns as he continues to seek information on Vanthus and Betyib Ton Arsi.


Not sure how many you needs, but here are the rolls. I though in 4 attempts but won't be out until the crack of dawn, it depends on how long each Gather Info check takes. Maybe midnight at worst?
-
1st [roll0] hours
Gather Info
[roll1]
Sense Motive
[roll2]

2nd[roll3] hours
Gather Info
[roll4]
Sense Motive
[roll5]

3rd[roll6] hours
Gather Info
[roll7]
Sense Motive
[roll8]

4th [roll9] hours
Gather Info
[roll10]
Sense Motive
[roll11]

[DrK]

With Zathras in tow Connaught heads down to the games and watches a match or two in smaller fighting pits that run day and night in the shadow of the arena. After an ale or two he'll casually ask "How do you find being a demon an' all?" to Zathras. WIth a wave of the hand he adds "I'm not fussed. You ain't all bad. Plenty of strange beasts out there that aren't too bad?"

Aside form the small talk he tries to find a small amount about Vanthus.

Got 17 in first post above over [roll0] hours and an additional [roll1] hours to take us to dinner/tea time with a check of [roll2]

[Phasm]

Amiyah accompanies Tchinik as far as the Merchant's District, where she spends her time and money at the vendors of arcane goods. After a great deal of deliberation, the wizard decides on a scroll of burning hands and enough mystic ink to scribe the spell into her spellbook. She can't carry much more in the way of possessions than what she already has, and buying extradimensional storage space is going to require saving up. Scroll and ink in hand, Amiyah heads back toward the Vanderboren house to begin the delicate task of transferring scroll to book.


She'll use read magic to decipher the scroll.

Spellcraft DC 16: [roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Tchinik, Amiyah, Connaught and Zathras spend an interesting few hours among the merchants stalls before heading their separate ways.

Tchinik spends his evening down at the docks, in the Azure District. His enquiries with the sailors, publicans and hangers-on uncovers no new information. After a fruitless evening he heads back to his room at the inn.

Amiyah heads back to the manor with her valuable new scroll and locks herself away in her room to study the document. Try as she might, she can't quite get her head around some of the trickier aspects of the casting, and she is also forced to retire defeated for the evening.

Connaught and Zathras wander over to the Champion's District to take in the night scene there. They pass a large building attached to the arena, decorated with a fearsome black dragon motif. This is the headquarters of Zelkarune's Horns, a famous and successful mercenary company. Within the arena several members of the Horns are putting on martial displays and engaging in various non-lethal contests of might and prowess. Engaging with the other spectators and those working in the arena regarding Vanthus proves just as disappointing as the previous enquiries. As the evening draws late Connaught and Zathras return to the manor to rest.

4th of Kythorn, 1375 DR

You all wake to a new day, ready to continue with your investigations and any other tasks...

So the areas investigated so far are:

Azure District - waterfront, docks
Champion's District - arena, mercenaries
Cudgel District - residential
Merchant's District - trade (most significant area of city)
Noble's District - noble residential
Shadowshore - black market area
Sunrise- upper class residential

Where to first?

[DrK]

In the evening in the manor Connaught seeks out Kora the Halfling housekeeper. "Miss Kora - do you have any paintings of Vanthus that we could see to aid in our search?" A short while later Connaught stood back in the dining room looking at the portrait of Vanthus on the wall.

The next morning with his chalks a black crane flies through the wall landing in the circle before as the room darkens a three headed dog shoulders out of the circle and proceeds to brow beat Connaught.

Moments later Connaught appears down in the breakfast bar to greet the rest of his comrades. Even as they eat the fruit and breads Connaught seems to shimmer, his massive form slimming, his face turning harsher and his shaggy appearance neatening into Vanthus's pointed beard.


Disguise self as Vanthus [roll0]
- Hopefully if we start asking around it'll shake some information loose. Or at least get Connaught mugged!

[razorback]

Tchinik meets back at the Vanderboren Manor early and waits for the others.

"Amiyah and I" he begins as once everyone is assembled "were not able to gain any information on the ladies... missing brother. How fared the rest of you?"

Once everyone has had a chance to explain, he chew on his lip a little bit before he speaks. "I am of a mind that the Shadowshore District is probably the next best place to look. Maybe the Noble District, as I am sure he still has friends there. What say the rest of you?"
He sits and sips some of the hot tea that was brought after he nibbles on one of the flaky pastries.

[Phasm]

Amiyah is obviously rather disgruntled at her own failure to understand the scroll she bought enough to scribe it into her spellbook. Oh, she'll be able to use the scroll in the ordinary fashion, but not in the way she wanted. The Calish'ite puts together a plate of fruit for Khalil before she serves herself more fruit (fresh, and she didn't have to gather it herself!) and delicious-looking pastries. "I will be buying another scroll and spending the day here, reading it. With Mystra's favor, hopefully I can scribe this one into my spellbook."

She blinks as Connaught shifts into an entirely different form. He's a barbarian, or possibly a cleric- how did that happen? "Connaught, how are you doing that? You did not use the words and gestures of a mage..."


Here we go again, this time with a +2 bonus from her specialty school. Benign Transposition, 25 gp, Spellcraft DC 16:

[roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah wanders back down to the markets and seeks out a vendor that can help her. She finds a kindly but somewhat aloof old wizard who can help her. He has small coloured feathers tied all through his greying hair, and a number of small birds perch freely around his stall. A tressym, a kind of winged cat, curls contentedly among the scrolls and inkpots.

Once she has purchased the spell scroll, Amiyah returns to the manor and spends the afternoon mastering the new spell. The familiarity of conjuration magic is a relief and she soon has it confidently transcribed into her spellbook.

Zathras, Connaught & Tchinik prepare themselves and make their way to Shadowshore. Although relatively small, Shadowshore is perhaps the most notorious of Sasserine’s districts. This strip of land nestled in the shadow of Champion’s District has long been a haven for thieves, thugs, and criminals of all kind. Generally, the only people who live here are those poor enough that their homes hold no attraction to thieves or those who can ably protect their property by wit or muscle. It is evident that the city watch has all but given up on Shadowshore. Those few that you do see seem more interested in looking the other way than keeping order.
I have rolled Gather Info checks for you.
You spend all morning making discrete enquiries, careful not to end up a target in this rough neighbourhood. Toward midday Tchinik gets a break at The Plucked Parrot.
"Vanthus Vanderboren, that posh git?" says the bartender, keeping his eye firmly on the half-demon Zathras as he speaks. "Yeah I seen 'im around quite a bit. Hanging out with that dodgy merchant fella, now what was 'is name? I hadn't seen 'im for a while, figured he'd had to leave town. He used to do a bit o' smuggling on the side, and he never treated the girls well, if you know what I mean. Figured he must o' roughed up the wrong lass and her minders did 'im over. What was 'is name?
Anyways I saw them both down at Panchi's a few weeks ago. Y'know, "It Still Floats!", the boat shop down the way there. They were yellin' and screamin' at ol' Panchi. He must have been driving a hard bargain. Either that or he sold them another dud. Heh!
Oh that's right, I remember the other fella's name. Arsi. Betyib Ton Arsi. A real ****bag that one."

[DrK]

She blinks as Connaught shifts into an entirely different form. He's a barbarian, or possibly a cleric- how did that happen? "Connaught, how are you doing that? You did not use the words and gestures of a mage..."


Connaught, or Vanthus grins. "I have many talents depending on how the ancestors choose to give me my blessings."

-------------------------

At the plucked parrot.
Tucking into the leg of duck and the large mound of roasted bread fruit Connaught is too busy eating to really notice the conversation that the bard is having. At least until Tchinik explains it to the rest of them.

Upon hearing of it Connaught smiles, "maybe we should go in disguise, If I go in as Vanthus maybe the boat owner will be more forthcoming with information?"


What do people think? Try and bluff the boat owner?

[Battlemage]

Zathras just nods when Connaught displays his sudden talent for changing his appearance. He'd learned to accept almost any kind of strange ability early in life, since the denizens of Rishan's fortress had had no shortage of them. "Useful."

At the Plucked Parrot, he sits back as usual, letting the more socially skilled members take the lead. He smiles at Connaught's suggestion.

"It might work. It might also cause all sorts of unintentional consequences. After all they didn't seem to be on great terms the last time they met. It's a gamble, I think, and I don't mind throwing the dice. Your call."

[DrK]

Heading down to the ship yard and boat renter Connaught pauses outside the ragged "It still floats", concentrating and calling upon the power of the lost hound Naberius his form shimmers and twists as he once again takes the form of Vanthus Vanderboren.

Striding arrogantly into the shop he looks for the owner before beginning to bark angrily at him. "Your boat leaked. It sunk and I lost all of my gear. You know who I work with - you'd best get me another boat and sail me and Arsi back out there yourself or you'll be having nightmares for how ever many days you have left. It won't be bloody many...


Disguise [roll0]
Bluff [roll1]
Intimidate [roll2]

Lets see how how this goes.... fingers crossed

[razorback]

Tchinik looks stunned for a moment when the bartender mentions Ton Arsi in the same breath as Vanderboren.
Recovering, he smiles over his drink and moves the conversation to other matters. Paying the man, and throwing in a few extra gold for the information, he leaves the bar with Connaught and Zathras.
As they walk together he is unusually subdued. He knows that he must let his new companions know that this has become personal to him.

As they make their way on the boat to It Still Floats!, he explains the situation to Connaught and Zathras.

"Look, I have to be forthcoming with you. Fate has smiled upon me today. The reason I am in Tashluta is because I have a vendetta against Ton Arsi. While I cannot ask either of you for help in this matter, do know that when I meet this man one of us will be dead. I mean to see it isn't me. The small amout of rumor I have garnered on the man is that he is unscrupulous and often employees mercenaries as bodyguards. If we do run across the two I cannot promise on how I will act against this man." He bows his head a bit before continuing. "I just wanted to be fair to both of you. If it comes to fighting and it looks overwhelming, I will not hold it against you if see this as my fight alone. And I hope not to bring you into dark matters not your own, but I will slay this man through any means possible." As he looks up, his two companions can see his face is red as he tries to contain himself.

[Battlemage]

Zathras smiles in sad way as he answers.

"The need for revenge is a feeling I know all too well. I will stand by your side if he attacks you, but I cannot help you kill a man that I don't know anything about in cold blood. If you want me to actively help you take him down you need to convice me he deserves it."

[razorback]

"You misunderstand. I do not seek to cut him down from shadows, as some common cuthroat in an alley does. I will seek him out in the bright daylight to challenge him. It will be a day of reckoning for him, for sins known and unknown."
Connaught and Zathras catch the hint of barely controlled anger the seeks to boil over from the man.

[Ghostfoot]

The group heads down to the boat shop. It Still Floats! is a run down shack on the waterfront. Poorly maintained rowboats are arranged about it and stand against its walls. The place seems to live up to its name, but only barely. As Tchinik explains his situation to Zathras, Connaught (in the guise of Vanthus) barges into the store.

A grimy dwarf jerks awake from behind his desk where he dozed. Some sort of foul-smelling tea spills across a sheaf of already stained papers. "What the-...what'n the Hells are you doing back here? What'ya mean the boat sank? You must've done something to it. It was fine when I sold it to you. What'd you do? I told you not to stack too much of that oil and lanterns in it, and to arrange the rope properly. Ah, Beshaba's blessings. I knew I should'a told you to stick it. You look like trouble. Too fancy to be down here in Shadowshore. And Arsi is trouble, I knew that. Look, take the boat leaning next to the sign outside, and we'll call it even. Don't come back here. I don't know what you two are up to, and I don't wanna. Leave me outta it. I don't wanna see your fancy face around here again!."

[razorback]

Tchinik, watching Connaught as of Vanthus, walks into the store behind the warrior.
"Master, do not slay this poor dwarf, please. You already have enough trouble from the city guard. I say you take this man's boat and we be on our way."


If/when Connaught goes down to the ship, Tchinik continues with the dwarf.
"Forgive my master, he has fallen into league with Ton Arsi and, with the sinking of the ship, he has spent the morning drinking and putting himself into a rage. Unfortunately, my master Vanthus didn't include me on all of the details of his enterprise he took up with Ton Arsi when he woke me this morning. Do you know where they were planning on going? I would hate to spend the day circling around your establishment while my master sobered up enough to remember. It might call unwanted attention to both of our endeavors."

[DrK]

"Vanthus" roars and bellows a little more before hearing the sly words of Tchinik. "Let us see this shabby floating ruin then". The door swings open as he kicks open the door and inspects the boat spitting and shaking it roughly and waiting for Tchinik to join him.


Cunning plan there Razorback!

[Ghostfoot]

"Going? How'n the Hells am I s'posed to know where you're going? Get outta here." The dwarf is unhelpful, and only passingly sober himself.

Zathras has lingered behind as Tchinik engages with the dwarf and Connaught makes a pretense of raging at the boat. He catches the eye of a shifty-looking figure hiding in the shadows of a nearby alley. The man approaches, head bowed and hands clutched in a meek, subservient manner. "S'cuse me sir, master, sir" says the half-elf. His black hair is a mess and his gaunt face indicates he has fallen on hard time. "S'cuse me sir sorry sir. I hears you is, ah, I hears you might be looking for the fella Vanthus sir? I know where, ah, I might be able to, ah...help." He looks you in the eye and holds out his hand.

[Battlemage]

Feeling suspicious of this sudden turn of events, Zathras puts up a deliberately intense and dangerous expression on his demonic face.

"Do you, indeed? I will tell you what is going to happen now. You will tell me where you heard that we might be looking for Vanthus. Then you will tell me what you know about him."
Zathras left hand reaches under his breast plate and pulls out a jingling bag of coins.
"If you tell the truth you will be well rewarded for your effort."
Then he bares his fangs and spits a glob of black acid next to the man's feet, where it sizzles and smokes on the ground.
"If you plan on lying to us though, you better come clean now, or you will regret it."


Zathras can be a bit paranoid when he feels he might be taken advantage of.
Intimidate roll: [roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

The grubby half-elf cowers, his eyes flicking between the pouch of coins and the dripping fangs.

"I just heard, y'know. Word gets around. You've been askin' folk." he says. "See I know where he is. He's hiding out on Parrot Island 'ere. Y'know - one o' those small islands in the harbour. Looks just like trees and stuff on it, but he's found some tunnels an' stuff that he's hiding in. Old smugglers used to use 'em, years ago. I can show you where, if you want." His eyes linger once more on the pouch of money.

[DrK]

Connaught continuing to rage and shout about the boat watches the tiefling out of the corner of his eye waiting for a signal to move out of sight and transform back to his towering northern form.


Ah ha progress! :smallsmile:

[Battlemage]

Zathras nods grimly. "Alright. Meet us in the harbor tommorrow at sunrise. Dont be late!"

Let's hope we're not walking straight into a trap.

[razorback]

As Tchinik walks out, he sees Zathras with a down-trodden half-elf.
Once he gets the story from Zathras, he looks at the half-elf and says "Give us a moment." not unkindly as he nods his head towards the end of the dock. Once the half-elf has moved, he says to Connaught and Zathras "We should get the others. Being stranded on some island, possibly outnumbered, does not sound like my idea of fun. What say you?"


Taking the DM's prompting and running with it. :smallcool:

[DrK]

Finding a quiet location Connaught reverts back to his bearded and savage form and nods in agreement. "Sounds good to me. Shall we find Amiyah and Sister MP. Then we can have a night to prepare ourselves before we head out to some small island. Given what we found on the boat I'm expecting some more giant spider monsters.."


In the morning I'll bind Amon the Void before the Altar

Sign: Ram's horns
Influence: Grumpy and need to make a will save Vs even friendly divine
Binding DC 20 [roll0]
Powers:
Ram's horns 1d6 damage, +1d8 on the charge
Breathe line of fire 10ft range 1d6 REF DC 14 for half
Darkvision 60ft

[Ghostfoot]

After instructing the half-elf to meet you at sunrise, the three of you return to Vanderboren Manor to plan and prepare. Amiyah is updated on the days progress and the plans for tomorrow, and a messenger is sent to the temple of Anachtyr to inform the Sister Penitent to be ready in the morning.
NovaZulu is back from his travels, and assures me he'll be joining us again soon :smallsmile:

You have plenty of time to prep, equip, bind, memorize, etc. I'll just plough ahead with the storyline, but feel free to insert in any comments or actions that might happen over this period.

5th of Kythorn, 1375 DR

The party gathers at the docks at daybreak. It is another clear day. The sun's heat has not yet blanketed the city, and it is quite brisk and refreshing (but not cold) down at the waterside.

The vagrant half-elf, Shefton Rusk, slumbers under a dirty tarp at your meeting spot. He's obviously slept the night here. An empty bottle of cheap wine lies next to him and he still wears the same filthy clothing and leather armour as yesterday.

You rouse the sleeping half-elf and board your boat, which you had secured nearby. While quite beaten-up, it still appears to be watertight. As the dockworkers and fisherfolk around you start their days work you cast off and begin your journey to Parrot Island...

"You there. Don't think that you can expect to escape justice simply by doing your duty and aiding those that abide by the law" utters the Sister sternly to Shefton. "Whatever sins you have committed, confess them now and we shall see to it that your punishment is swift, such that you can begin to redeem yourself that much quicker".

The already pale Shefton pales even further and moves as far away as possible from the priestess.

...After fifteen minutes of rowing you near your destination. A long, narrow islet juts from the harbour's waters. It looks about 500ft in length and is surrounded on all sides by rocky cliffs (30ft or so high). Thick vegetation covers the island and you can see (and hear) the hundreds of brightly coloured parrots that give the island its name. Tucked away from the busy ports and shipping channels, this island is somewhat of a haven for the noisy birds. A narrow beach, toward which you are headed, breaks the cliffs at one end of the islet.

Connaught:
You notice a partially overgrown trail leading up from the beach to the interior of the islet.

[DrK]

After getting the information form the bedraggled looking half elf Connaught sought out the others. "With this talk of smugglers tunnels I'm thinking we may need some ropes, climbing gear and some lights"


I'll spend 40gp and 5sp on 200ft of silk rope and 5 pitons


A night back at the Vandeboren manor passes quietly as the hulking northman reads some of the books in Lavina's library about the city to better understand the jungle surroundings and the strange city of pirates that he's now found himself in.

In the morning the circle on the floor explodes into a greasy crowd of black smoke as the foul mouthed and spiteful ram headed serpent tailed form of Amon rages in his binding circle before being drawn slowly into Connaught's frame. Even as he does so he collapses on the floor writhing in pain as his skull twists and warps, curled horns sprouting from his head and protruding from his tangled hair.

At breakfast he is surly and irritable grunting mono-syllable answers and tearing at the bread, cold meat and fruit. The row across is little better as the Northman is even more surly than normal.

Reaching the island he straps on his axe and his shield and leaps out into the surf wading forwards. "There is the path. Is that the way? Answer quickly- prove your worth eh."

[razorback]

As the boat makes its way towards the shore of Parrot Island, Tchinik scans the beach and cliffs for any signs they had been seen or if there is any movement.

To no one in particular he says "How do we handle a situation if we run into any resistance?"


Listen
[roll0]
Spot
[roll1]

[DrK]

To no one in particular he says "How do we handle a situation if we run into any resistance?"

Connaught wading ashore leans against a tree and begins to scratch his long curved horns against it. "How do you think eh? We crush it, stab it and break it!"

Gesturing to the path he grunts and begins to walk forward. "You, thief, you show us where are going."


Damned Vestiges and their bad influence :smallwink:

[Battlemage]

Zathras enjoys the sea breeze and the interesting scenery during the boat ride. Even during dangerous jobs there was always time to enjoy the moment.

Stepping out on the beach he takes a deep breath and listens to the wild parrots. A smile wanders across his fanged mouth before he motions for the half-elf to lead the way.

[Ghostfoot]

Connaught spends some time reading up on the local history & culture. SP Mary-Iris knows the basics as well, having been born in the Tashalar.

Connaught, SP Mary-Iris (& anyone else who cares to research or enquire):
Tashalarans are famed for their skilled craftmanship, hunting prowess, shipbuilding, exotic spicy cuisine, and winemaking, and they have adopted much of the high culture of Calimshan over the years. Tashlutans (as the inhabitants of the capital city are known) are warm and welcoming to strangers, and many speak foreign tongues. Attitudes quickly change in the countryside however.

Most of the Chultans, lizardfolk, and Shaarans living in the Tashalar are slaves purchased in foreign markets. But slaves comprise only a small percentage of of the total population, despite the willingness of Tashalaran merchant to traffic on sentient lives. Most Tashalaran commoners labour in the fields, groves, or vineyards, although some work as sailors, shipwrights, sailmakers and provisioners. The wealthy merchant families dwell in ostentatious palaces, diving their time between their contry estates (most of which include a hamlet just outside the villa walls) and the elite districts of Tashluta. Hunting is a poplar sport among the merchant nobility, and the bravest hunters seek out the deadly denizens of the Black Jungles (albeit in the tamer reaches north of the Tashan Gap) as trophies.

The merchants of the Tashalar defend their country with a fleet of fast ships, most of which have fallen under the influence of a consortium of aggressive traders known as the Rundeen. This group, based in Tashluta, effectively controls the ruling Tashalaran oligarchy and dominates all trade into and out of the Tashalar. Despite the loss of their monopoly on shipping on the Shining Sea, the Rundeen also dominate Calish-ite shipping through partnerships in Amn, Calimshan and Tethyr.

Tashalarans have an intense, and justified, paranoia about incursions by yuan-ti snake people from the southern jungles. As such any snakes are immediately killed on sight.

The dominant religion in the Tashalar is that of Savras, The All-Seeing, Lord of Divination. A popular pastime is to "consult the decks" and everyone possesses at least one set of cards with which they cast their future fortunes.

Interestingly for a country that fears snakes, Tashluta also houses a large contingent of clergy faithful to Talona, Lady of Poison, Mistress of Disease. The temple does not engage locally in any overtly evil acts, although no doubt there is a subculture of malign activity that is supported by their presence.

Other prevalent religions include Chauntea (Earthmother) among the farming and grape-growing population, Waukeen (Merchant's Friend) among the merchants and traders, and cults of Malar (The Beastlord) among the hunters.

http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/02_SerpentKingdoms_72_ppi_cv2891_zpsd7b8d739.jpg

To the south of the Tashalar lie the Hazur Mountains. Gold and iron mines dot the mountains, operated by Tashalan miners and Thindolese gold dwarves. Salamanders and kuo-toa constantly harass and battle these inhabitants.

Beyond the Hazur Mountains to the southwest lies the realm of Thindol. This country is heavily divided and can barely be called a cohesive nation. It's main inhabitants are Chultan and Tashlutan humans, and the gold dwarves of the mountains.

To the southeast lie the Black Jungles, where the serpentfolk rule supreme. This area is incredibly deadly, and the only inhabitants that could be called even passingly non-hostile are the reclusive tribes of wild dwarves that roam here.

..............................

The pleasant boat ride leaves the half-elf looking quite pale (pale & sickly even for a half-elf). As Connaught issues his curt instructions Shefton responds "Yes. Yup, ah, that's the way alright. Up that path is where the ol' smugglers tunnels are. There's a hidden trapdoor, y'know. That's where Vanthus is. "

Zathras motions him forward and he sets off up the path, followed by the party. After a short walk the old path opens into a small clearing. Shefton scurries off to one side of the clearing and starts brushing away dirt and leaves. He uncovers an old stone trap door set in the ground. "Here 'tis. The ol' tunnels." He smiles ingratiatingly and holds out his hand, seeking his payment.

[razorback]

Tchinik

Tchinik eyes the grubby half-elf, trying to get a bead on him as he asks for payment.
"Say, fellow, you do not happen to know of a companion of Vanthus that goes by the name of Betyib Ton Arsi? He's a merchant who sometimes frequents the area." he asks to see what kind of reaction he'll get.
He has his spear in hand as he keeps the trapdoor in sight just beyond the half-elf.

Sense Motive
[roll0]

[DrK]

Connaught walks across to the door and tearing a long branch from a tree prods open the trapdoor - assuming there is no explosion - he then peers down the hole. His vision enhanced by the power of Amon giving him a clear view despite the darkness.

"Right then. Down we go I guess." He mutters angrily as he ties the ropes to a tree and drops down the hole. "Who wants to go first?"

[Ghostfoot]

Parrots continue to flutter, flap and squawk in the treetops around you, feasting on the fruits and nuts that grow profusely from the vegetation.

"Ton Arsi? Name's familiar. Yeah, come to think of it I think I have seen him around with Vanthus. He does a bit of business in the Old Empires - sending weapons and stuff out that way, since they seem to like fighting each other so much. I ain't seen him for a few weeks though. Say, you guys sure look and sound foreign. Mercs or something, right? Did they screw you over on a deal or something? Ah, forget I said anything. It's none of my business." Shefton's hand remains outstretched, although with his other he pulls out another wine bottle, pops the cork and takes a swig.

He seems legitimate enough, although you can't be sure he's telling you the whole truth. He's definitely a shady & unreliable character. Now that he's shown you where Vanthus is, Shefton is obviously preoccupied with getting some coin, hitting the bottle, and resting under a tree in that order.

Connaught levers open the heavy trapdoor with a branch. A 5ft wide brick shaft leads straight downward, illuminated only by the sunlight coming through the trees. A rope, looking quite new, is attached to a hook in the wall and leads down to the shadowy base 30ft below.

The rope is DC5 to climb down, meaning only Zathras and SPMI have a chance of falling in ordinary circumstances, and none if you "Take 10". If you want to take the time to knot your own rope you could reduce this to DC0 and all be "super-safe". :smallbiggrin:.

Unless anyone objects:

"I'll go first". says Sister Mary. She makes sure all of her weaponry and armour is secured, and makes her way slowly down the rope. On reaching the bottom she draws her weapons, stands guard and motions the rest of you down.

[Battlemage]

"You did your job. Thank you."

Zathras hands the man a handful of gold coins before he readies himself for whatever is to come, checking the fit of his armor, strapping the buckler to his left forearm and flexing his gauntleted fists.

"Down the rabbit hole, my friends. I hope we are the dogs and not the rabbits here."


Zathras gives the half-elf 10 gp. I don't have a really good grasp of how much money ordinary persons /non-adventurers in D&D make, but that seems like it should be plenty for a day's work. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[DrK]

Connaught stares daggers at the drunk before sliding down the rope landing with a heavy thump and moving to stand at the front beside Sister Mary. His eyes with Amon's flames burning behind easily gazing through the darkness. "Lets get this over with shall we. Do you have need of light or shall we proceed in more a stealthy manner. myself and Xathras can guide the rest of you."

[razorback]

"I, at least, have need of light. I can't speak for the others. What if you two scout a bit ahead of us that lack the ability to see in the dark?" Tchinik says.

[Ghostfoot]

The half-elf takes Zathras' gold eagerly and sits himself down under a nearby tree. Setting his open wine bottle next to him he alternates counting the shiny gold and taking happy swigs. He never seems to make it past six.

Amiyah hoists her skirt and makes her way expertly down the rope. Khalil perches on her back and rides down, not happy to be leaving his kin and going underground but even less happy to be away from his mistress.

You all gather in the shadows at the bottom of the shaft. It opened into a small 10ft square room in which you now stand, the walls slippery and slimy this far below ground. A narrow brick-lined tunnel leads away to the west.

Conferring briefly, Connaught and Zathras (two horned men with glowing eyes!) elect to quickly scout the area ahead as the others wait in the daylight. Sister Mary-Iris hands one of her torches to Amiyah and turns to face the darkened tunnel where the other two are scouting, sword drawn.

Moving cautiously down the tunnel, Connaught and Zathras are alert for signs of danger. It is only 5ft wide and twists frequently, making it hard to get a good view ahead. About 50ft down the slimy tunnel it ends in a old wooden door.

Tchinik, Amiyah and Sister Mary-Iris wait back in the entry chamber, tense and ready to rush to their companions aid if required. Suddenly, surprisingly, there is a strangled cry from above. You turn your heads just in time to see Shefton falling over the lip and down the shaft toward you. Khalil flaps out of the way, and the rest of you leap back, as the half-elf hits the floor with a sickening crunch. His body lies twisted and broken before you, obviously dead. The fall is not what has killed him though - a dagger sticks out of his back, embedded to the hilt.

"Ha ha, that'll teach you!" taunts a voice from above. Looking up you see the leering face of a handsome man with a goatee beard - Vanthus Vanderboren! His leans over and cuts the rope. "Serves you right for meddling where it's none of your business. Helping out my goody-two-shoes sister? Time to put a stop to that, right now! So long fools. Say hi to Ton Arsi's ghost while you're down there! Oh here's the half-elf's payment. Job well done, my friend! Ha ha!". He scatters Shefton's gold coins down the shaft and prepares to close the trapdoor above you, sealing you in the darkness...

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/ParrotIsland1_zpsef13cb33.png
Sorry if it's a bit unclear. There's a door at the end of the tunnel, near Connuaght.


Stuck down the tunnels. Who would have thought? :smallsmile:

Vanthus has a readied action to slam the trap door shut if threatened. You can talk/ interact with him, but any hostility will bring this to a close.

Phasm's out for a bit. NovaZulu should be back soon. I'll run them both for now.

[razorback]

Tchinik

Tchinik, surprised by the sudden move by Vanderboren, gets ready to launch himself at the man when he hears of Ton Arsi but calms himself.

"What do you mean, ghost? Come, good man, no need for hasty action. I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement before we come to some kind of impass? Surely, you can garner something from us instead of passing on this opportunity?" The others, having gotten to know him over the past few days, can hear a slight strain in his voice even if others can't.


Mythweavers is down and I'm on my phone, so I'll have to roll a diplomacy check in the morning OOC.

[DrK]

Connaught joins the others and looks up at the smug swine above him. "You swine. Give us back the dammed rope or by Bane's left ball I will tear your arms free and use them as pitons and your intestines for my rope!"


Intimidate [roll0]
- Sorry folks that Connaght is a grumpy sod. Amon is a cheeky vestige :smalleek:

[Ghostfoot]

Sister Mary-Iris doesn't even blink as the impact spatters blood up her cassock and neck. She stares daggers at the man above her. "For that, you will pay. I will personally see that you answer for your crime. Surrender now".

Vanthus smiles down at Tchinik. "Well I guess he's a ghost by now. Can't say I'd wager on anyone surviving down there for too long. No, I'm sure they got him, just like they got the others. They sure screamed a lot! Ha ha, better them than me. Ton Arsi and his boys got in my way just like you.

"An agreement you say? How about we agree that you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sorry about this. No hard feelings...suckers! I can't stand people like you. Always helping the weak and acting just. Makes me sick! Yeah, you had it coming I reckon. Ha!"

Vanthus's eye widen as Connaught comes barrelling out. "Me, a swine? Look at you - you're a sheep! Still, I do like the look of those horns. Fascinating. They're new! Some sort of pact? I really must look into that. A little soul-bargaining will work wonders, eh?" He looks from Connaught to Zathras. "And look at you - part demon, but all sulk. What a waste!"

He cuts the rope and throws it down at your feet. With that he makes to close the trapdoor. "So long, suckers!"

Last chance for parting comments, if you have any

[razorback]

Tchinik

Tchinik makes no move towards the closing door above.
"The sister here is right. You will pay for that. And, if you have robbed me of my triumph over Ton Arsi, you will scream for the sweet succor of the nine hells before I am through with you." he says, menace almost a physical entity as it emanates from him.

[DrK]

"Malar hunt you down and eat your heart Vanthus. For if he doesn't I will!"

As the door closes he curses some more - mainly involving Vanthus and various animals local to the North, long horned Elks and angry wolverines for the most part...

Looking at the others he points down the narrow, damp and soaked corridor. "Best press on that way. Smugglers eh, bet they've got a back door somewhere"

[Battlemage]

Zathras does not say anything to Vanthus. Words would not do any good here. There'd be a time to settle scores later.

After the trap door closes, he looks over at the half-elfs broken body with an expression of sadness.

"Looks like he wasn't the one planning to lead us into a trap. Not intentionally at least. That was some bad luck for the poor fool."

Then he studies the interior of the chamber again. It seemed different now with the knowledge that they were trapped here.

"Well, let's make the best of this situation. Not like we have much of a choice regarding the direction to proceed. Better be ready for anything."

[Ghostfoot]

Thunk! The cursed Vanthus slams the heavy trapdoor shut above you, sealing out all light and leaving you in complete darkness. You hear a muffled scratching as something very heavy-sounding is shifted on top of the trapdoor.

Snick. Snick. Fffsshhht. Amiyah lights the torch as Khalil flaps nervously on her shoulder. The flame casts shadows around the small brick chamber as you look at each other and prepare to venture into the tunnels.

Zathras takes a second glance around the chamber. You're in a 10ft by 10ft room with old brick walls. Slime covers the walls in patches where dampness has seeped through the bricks. The floor is muddy flagstones. The tunnel which leads away is 5ft wide and 10ft high, with a rounded ceiling. Similarly to the chamber it is lined with slimy bricks.

Okay. Proposed party order in 5ft corridor, in the absence of any trap-finding or scouting in the dark, is:

SP Mary-Iris
Tchinik (with a reach weapon)
Amiyah (with your only light source)
Zathras
Connaught

Let me know if I have that right (maybe you want Connaught elsewhere?). I'll amend this post to reflect any changes.

Feel free to assume that SPMI performs any reasonable for the time being - ie she can kick down the door or stand aside for a rogue or someone with darkvision, etc as you wish.

=> Party

[DrK]

Connaught looks about at the others. Face angry in the darkness. "Are you leading out Sister or shall one of us who can see in the darkness lead us?"


Connaught will lead the way with axe and shield in hand if the others will follow

[razorback]

Tchinik

As the others talk of how to proceed, Tchinik stands seething with anger. He begins to pace slowly in a circle as his thought race.
<If Vanthus has stolen my victory, I will gut him like a pig> he thinks to himself. <But, the man wasn't sure he was dead.>
Stopping, he keeps thinking. "Whatever we do, we need to be on our way. Vanthus thinks Ton Arsi is dead after he left him down here, so we can expect some nasty surprises." With that, grim look on his face, he prepares to follow whoever takes the lead.

[Ghostfoot]

You all make your way carefully along the corridor to the door at the end. Amiyah steps forward "Let me take a look at the door. Who knows, it might be trapped."

She spends a few minutes searching the door and the surrounding area. "The door looks clear. No traps that I can find. It is a bit swollen with moisture though. Might take a bit of effort to open. And look here, and here. There are some footprints in the mud. Human, if I had to guess, but I can't tell you much more than that."

All doors down here are DC13 to open, unless I tell you otherwise.

=> Party

[DrK]

Joining Amiyah at the front Connaught looks at the door with an unimpressed expression. Raising his legs he growls these tunnelsq are a waste of our time. before giving the door 3 massive kicks.



Strength kicking open the door with up to 3 attempts [roll0] each +3.

[Ghostfoot]

Connaught kicks the door. The old wood splinters and the door swings open. Through the door is a short, dark, brick-lined hallway, slightly wider than the corridor that you are in now. His darkvision picks out double doors to the east and west. There is nothing of note in the hallway.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/ParrotIsland2_zps6432aff6.png

[Battlemage]

"I don't think we should split up, since we have no idea what awaits us here. Maybe we could block one of the doors somehow to avoid being ambushed from behind while we explore the other one. If anyone has any yet unrevealed skills that could help with that, now would be a good time to show your hand."

Zathras' hushed words are accompanied by a quick glance at his companions.

"In any case, we have to decide which direction to take. Any preferences?"

[razorback]

"No preference" Tchinik says stiffy "but, we can use some rope to bind the door together. As Connaught has shown, the doors won't hold against some serious force but, at least, it will slow anything down along with the sound of the breaking door might give us some warning of ambush from behind."

[DrK]

Connaught nods and points to the east door. "Should start where the sun does." Looking at the other door he nods at the young bard, "I'll leave that other door to you." Assuming that he is left undisturbed to rope the door together Connaught will stride up and kick the door to the east with a mighty running blow.


Wait for the other door to be roped shut then kick down the other one [roll0] - though does running at it give me a bonus?

[Ghostfoot]

"I have a grease spell that might hold off something for a few seconds, but nothing more robust." says Amiyah.

Tchinik securely ties the handles of the western doors together with a length of rope. As observed, the sodden door won't hold for long but should provide a brief delay or warning.

Connaught hurls his body against the western door. It flies open revealing another dingy, darkened room. An old barrel sits against one of the central columns.
Sure, I'll give you a +2 for the charge.

Those with darkvision can see another pair of double doors across the room from you in the darkness. They stand slightly ajar. Another closed single door is to the north of you.

Everyone except Connaught:
You can hear a faint scratching sound coming from the single door to the north.

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/ParrotIsland3_zps05455dcb.png

[razorback]

Tchinik

"You guys hear that?" he whispers in vain, after the previous door had been smashed by the huge northman. "Make ready while I listen to see what I can make out."


Listen check at the door (yes, probably a bad idea)
[roll0]

[Ghostfoot]

Tchinik creeps toward the door and bends to listen more carefully...has the noise stopped?

Smash! A tattered arm bursts through the door, its broken fingers grasping at Tchinik. He swats free of the clumsy grasp and stumbles back. Crash! The remains of the door are bashed aside and you are all faced with a figure of horror. A ragged pirate, long-dead, shambles toward you with its grasping hands outstretched. Animated somehow by its corrupt life-force its jaws open and shut - opening grotesquely wide and then snapping shut again and again.

Connaught:
You recognise this vile thing as a form of mindless animated zombie. It has damage resistance vs piercing & bludgeoning weapons. You need blades (or magic)!

Initiative:
{table=head]Initiative Chart
{table=head]Character | Initiative
Zathras| [roll2]
Amiyah| [roll1]
Zombie | [roll0]
Connaught |[roll5]
Tchinik |[roll3]
SP Mary-Iris | [roll4]
[/table]
[/table]


Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/ParrotIsland4_zps4eeab874.png

=> Zathras, Amiyah

[Battlemage]

"Undead pirates. I should've seen that one coming..."

Falling back on his go-to tactic, Zathras opens the fight by spitting a black glob of acidic tar at the shambling figure.


Dissolving Spittle at the pirate.
Ranged touch attack: [roll0] (Not sure if he counts as in melee yet, I'll assume no because no action has been taken yet, but if yes subtract 4 from the roll).
Damage: [roll1] (acid)

[Ghostfoot]

Zathras is unfazed by the undead thing, having seen similar abominations during his years in Thay. Seeing the zombie lurch forward he spits acidic tar toward it. It spatters harmlessly off the hanging door.

Amiyah, aghast at the thing, draws her wand and zaps it with a ball of magical energy.
Move action: Draw wand of magic missile.
Standard action: Zap it. Damage [roll0]

Scraps of its rotten leather armour blast away. It staggers, but keeps coming. It grasps toward Tchinik with it's filthy, cracked claws. It's mouth gapes wide...Tchinik pulls free and dodges out of the way.
Standard action: Attempt grapple (No AoO as Tchinik is flat-footed:smallfrown:).
Grab (melee touch): [roll1] vs AC 13 Miss
Opposed grapple check (if relevant): Zombie [roll2] vs Tchinik [roll3]
Bite damage (if relevant): [roll4]

=> Connaught, Tchinik, SPMI, Zathras

[NovaZulu]

Apols, posting out of order to get one in.

The sister glares at the zombie, her lips pulled back in snarl Abomination!' she roars, 'have at ye!'

She strides forward, placing herself in front of zombie cleaving at its rotting flesh with strong steel.

OOC

Actions
Move ACTION: Move 5ft to X49, (or to wherever the Zombie is when other moves are complete up to 20 ft).
Standard ACTION: Attack the Zombie with Long sword, [roll0], damage [roll1]
crit confirm: [roll2], crit damage [roll3]

Manus
[roll4], [roll5], [roll6] - roll for this round
[roll7] - roll for next round
Stance: Iron Guard's Glare
1. Crusader's Strike
2. Stone Bones
3. Charging Minotaur
4. Leading the Attack
5. Douse the Flame

[razorback]

Tchinik

Tchinik leaps back from the attack, barely missed by the cold embrace of the creature.
"Cursed creatures! Back to the hell that spawned you, foul things!" he says as he lashes out at them.



Tchinik
AC ~14; Current ~ 12
HP ~ 14; Current ~ 14



Free ~
Kn:Religion to see if he recognizes these and draw his Longswordotherwise he will fight with his spear.
[roll0]

Move Action
5 foot step back if he fails his Kn check otherwise to attack with longspear.
Otherwise he draws his longsword as a move action.

Standard Action Action ~ Leading the Attack strike against in Punishing Stance
Longspear if Kn check fails
[roll1]
Longsword if Kn check succeeds
[roll2]


Confirmation (if necessary)
Longspear if Kn check fails
[roll3]
Longsword if Kn check succeeds
[roll4]

Damage
Longspear if Kn check fails
[roll5] + [roll6]

Longsword if Kn check succeeds
[roll7] + [roll8]



Effects~
Punishing Stance - -2 to AC and +1d6 damage
Steel Wind - 0
Sapphire Nightmare Blade - O
Leading the Attack - X

[DrK]

Connaught looks at the zombie. "The vile undead. Easy meet to crush and destroy!" as the others hold the beast at the door Connaught roars with frustration!


Ah good man. Allowing me some space to slaughter this vile creature!" He leaps forward sword and axe in hand



Move to in front of door
Attack zombie [roll0] Damage [roll1]

[Ghostfoot]

The sister steps forward to hack at the walking corpse, but can't get a clear shot in as it gasps at Tchinik.

Tchinik himself steps backward and stabs at the thing with his longspear, succeeding only in warding off the creature.

Connaught steps in to the gap and hacks at its grasping claws. Thunk! Snick! Crunch! The zombie falls in a heap of dismembered limbs, finally properly dead.

[razorback]

Proding the dead thing with his spear to make sure it is truely dead, looks at it to make sure it isn't Ton Arsi.
"I am guessing we might be running into more of these foul things. Any suggestions on how to fight them? I have no experience with these, only a few tales of boogie men spoken to send children running to bed."

[DrK]

Connaught spits on the corpse at his feet and grins. "It be easy my good friend. You hack 'em down like the filth that they are." Kicking the dead-er one at his feet he grins. "You need to chop em good, poking little holes won't do."

Looking through the door with his darkvision he looks for any other zombies before kicking at the remains of the door. "I reckon this way be good as any other."

[Ghostfoot]

Amiyah looks nervously at her crossbow. While she normally hates to resort to the weapon, knowing that it is now next-to-useless makes her uneasy. She secures the weapon tightly and clutches her wand in her hand.

Through the now-shattered doorway you can see a short corridor and another door (leading west from cell H44). There are no undead visible.

Smash! No sooner has Connaught focused his attention through the passage when you hear a loud crash and the sound of splintering wood coming from the double doors that you had previously secured (cells L40 & M40). A low moaning comes from that direction, echoed by rising moans from the doors ajar to the southeast (cells L52 & M52).

=> Party (one round of actions only please, at this stage)

Map:
http://i1355.photobucket.com/albums/q710/Ghostfoot/ParrotIsland6_zps3d1a0278.png

New map, better resolution. Cell co-ordinates have changed.