Nightmare in Katapesh IC

[Prehysterical]

So, they have stumbled into the serpent's nest... Mauricio winces when the ceiling cracks, but none of their party follows the debris down. Fortunately, it seems the alarmed slavers are too distracted by the half of the party on the roof. Time for violence, unfortunately.

Using the element of surprise and the elevation advantage, Mauricio readies his crossbow. After briefly considering the targets, he decides to go after the unarmored one first. He fires.

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Interact to draw the crossbow, Devise a Stratagem (result of 8), Strike with crossbow for an attack roll total of 15 at target T
Damage: (1d8)[2] piercing
Strategic Strike: (1d6)[1] precision damage
Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[farothel]

Dalnu had spend some time trying to explain that she was just here to visit some old friends and do some shopping, nothing more, but she wasn't really getting through to the woman. She had already felt that whoever had bound her wasn't all that good at it (and they had even let her keep her armour), but she hadn't done anything yet. There were four of them as far as she had been able to determine and that was too much to take on without a plan and at least knowing where she was. So with typical elven patience she had bided her time, learning as much as she could from the people who had captured her. She hadn't done a spell yet, so they might not be aware that she could cast spells, at least beyond the utility spells a lot of people learned. So she had spend a couple of hours trying without success to talk them into releasing her and also gaining some information.

Then she suddenly heard a ruckus outside of the room she was in and as her captor was distracted, she tried to get out of her bonds and if she was successful, throw a spell at her to teach her some manners.

Spoiler: OOC round 1

Show

action 1: try to get out: unarmed attack vs bound DC: (1d20+5)[9]

if action 1 is not successful:
action 2: try to get out: unarmed attack vs bound DC: (1d20+1)[18]
action 3: cast shield spell (AC +2, gold dragon scales visible)

if action 1 was successful:
action 2-3: cast electric arc: damage (1d4+4)[8] (basic reflex save DC17)

wounds: 12/12
AC: 18 (20 with shield spell)

[Gwynfrid]

Ouch... Well, this is it, Gumrok reflects philosophically as the fight begins and Sadar is already struck. But there is no time to reflect on the safety of life choices, and anyways, he was sent on a mission. Without lingering further, he prays for his deity's help in this instance.

"Déjà volent les projectiles
De me garder, je me dépêche
Un bouclier me sera utile
Contre tout type de flèche."

"Ton esprit est-il si fragile
Que tes crimes le troublent?
De tes pensées tu perds le fil
Et ta confusion redouble."

Downstairs, one of the slavers suddenly feels a splitting headache...

Spoiler

Show

Action #1 Cast Shield
Actions #2-3 Cast Daze on opponent T, I assume I have line of sight to him. Basic Will save DC16 for 3 damage, stunned 1 if crit fail.


Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 16 including Shield effect; Fort +4, Refl +5, Will +8
HP 15/15

[DrK]

Sadar grunts as the dart hit him, and with his blood fired up he drops into the room below, sword in hand as he strides towards the nearest of the slavers and swings hard!

Sadar drops down (presmumably Q5 --> C5)
Attacks O with power attack (1d20+9)[25] dam (2d10+4)[20]


HPs 15/19

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh was listening closely to the people below, thinking about how they might best get the drop on them. Unfortunately, someone upstairs beat them to it by dropping a portion of the roof down to the floor below. Suddenly, the voices below raised in alarm and the fight was on!

Kharesh saw or heard his companions rush into motion, attacks coming rapidly from multiple angles. Sighing internally, the monk slipped forward and leapt down to attack one of their adversaries. Landing with surprising delicacy for such a stout dwarf, Kharesh entered into a stance and launched two rapid punches, hard like the stone he emulated.

The dwarf waited a moment, then moved to support his companions at the new table, all the while watching the room for signs of violence. Fortunately, this discussion was much more civilized and earned information that would hopefully pan out. Unless it was a trap, and the potential for more slaves on the market.

---

Round 1 - Action 1: move/jump to F4
Action 2: Enter Mountain Stance
Action 3: Flurry of blows w/Falling stones vs R
Attack 1 - (1d20+7)[18], Damage - (1d8+4)[7]
Attack 2 - (1d20+2)[21], Damage - (1d8+5)[11]
Effects / Status / Conditions: Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’ (14’)
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[SanguinePenguin]

As the conflict begins, you can assess the features of the opponents. The tall man in the corner of the warehouse is dressed in colorful orange Katapeshi robes, but he looks strange. He is bald and lacks eyebrows, but has small nodules protruding from his jawline. Mauricio’s bolt grazes his shoulder, clearly hurting, but not a substantial blow. Gurmok’s spell causes the strange man to clutch his temple and grunt in pain, but it does not appreciably slow him down.

A young half-orc woman with tightly braided black hair in hide armor encounters Sadar’s blade. His powerful chop strikes her shoulder and cuts deep. Somehow the woman keeps her footing, grunting in fury, and drawing a bastard sword.

Kharesh moves into range of the man in leather. Underneath his scars, and slightly misshapen face, he looks young. His dark hair is cropped very short, as if shaved, just not recently. Kharesh felt that his first blow should have connected, except the man seems to summon some preternatural quickness to jerk his head back at the last instant, narrowly evading the strike. His luck or skill fails him when the second blow connects, and Kharesh can hear a rib crack in the strike. Gex takes notes from Gurmok and uses a similar magic to influence the mind of the rogue, but aside from a wince and a grimace, there is little sign it had much effect.

In the office, Sapha hears the shout and turns, “wait here!” She sprints toward the door, glancing back as Dalnu slips a wrist from her poorly tied restraints. “Ugh!” the woman grunts in frustration, clearly choosing to prioritize the unknown assailants, as she passes through the door, a termite riddled slab of free of handle or latch. This newcomer entering the warehouse floor from the small room is a beautiful young woman with wavy black hair and hazel eyes. She wears studded leather armor visible under more stylish Katapeshi garb. She places a small flute to her lips and trills a few notes. As she does so, a chunk of debris on the ground launches toward Kharesh. Perhaps it was the unexpectedness of the move, but the debris connects hard before richocheting into the far wall

The half-orc woman, left shoulder drenched in blood, swings her blade twice in succession at Sadar. Her left arm swings out to catch his clothing, and she pulls him off balance for the the return swing to connect.

The rogue draws his shortsword and slashes twice at Kharesh. The first blow connects, but the second is clumsy and uncontrolled.

The tall man breathes deeply, raises his left hand, and commands three glowing projectiles into existence that launch at Kharesh striking him with a forceful punch.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

S telekinetic strike vs Kharesh: (1d20+7)[20] Damage: (1d6+4)[5]

O snagging strike vs Sadar: (1d20+9)[25] Damage: (1d8+4)[9]
O snagging strike vs Sadar: (1d20+4)[20] Damage: (1d8+4)[6]

R attack vs Kharesh: (1d20+7)[23] Damage: (1d6+2)[6] + (1d6)[6]
R attack vs Sadar (or Kharesh): (1d20+2)[3] Damage: (1d6+2)[3] + (1d6)[1]

T magic missile x3 at Kharesh: (3d4+3)[10]

15 damage to Sadar (should be at 0)
21 to Kharesh (should be at 1 - he has a lot of HP!)

All PCs can go
Sadar should be unconscious
Dalnu is free (door blocks line of sight, but does not slow movement)

Spoiler: Map

Show

Three levels: ground (including a room behind a closed door), above the room (7 ft up), and the roof (12ft up)
Gray on roof is a hole, you can see most of the room.
Gray on ground is a room behind a closed door (only Dalnu and Saph are in there).
Dark red walls are doors (all but hatch is closed)
Orange walls are ladders

[Gwynfrid]

Gurmok winces at the violent spectacle below. These opponents appear to be really tough, and Sadar is cut down! That won't do. He starts channelling Irori's power towards the unfortunate warrior.

"Point n'est question que tu chutes
Car nous avons besoin de toi
Même pour juste une minute
Pour la bagarre autour de toi."

Reflecting on his own security now, he decides to renew his protection, with additional words of prayer coming out of his lips.

"Je vois ici qu'ils ont un mage
Avec eux, qui projette sa force
Donc il me faut un blindage
Car je vois que les choses se corsent!"

Spoiler

Show

Actions #1-2 Cast Heal on Sadar (1d8+8)[12]
Action #3 Cast Shield

Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 16 including Shield effect; Fort +4, Refl +5, Will +8
HP 15/15

[farothel]

Seeing the woman leave, Dalnu stood up and after putting her shield up, she went after her captor. There she noticed some other people trying to fight others she recognised as her captors.

The others see an elven woman come out of the small office, quite good looking and with her long black hair in a single braid. She's not visibly armed, but she has some golden scales on her face and she's wearing scale mail armour. She also has a shimmering force field in front of her.

Spoiler: OOC round 2

Show

action 1: get up
action 2: cast shield
action 3: move to F8

wounds: 12/12
AC: 18 (20 with shield spell)

[Prehysterical]

And just like, what looks to be a promising ambush has been reversed on their heads. Mauricio watches in alarm as Sadar goes down under the swing, but healing magic from their strange goblin acquaintance has the man back on his feet. Kharesh, meanwhile, staggers under the barrage of his opponents. Realizing that the chances of survival would drop proportionately to their numbers, Mauricio makes a quick jump down and does what he can with some poultices for the dwarf's wounds. He then draws his dagger, knowing in his gut that reloading the crossbow would take time that they don't have.

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Drop down/step to G4
Treat Wounds (against DC 15) on Kharesh: (1d20+5)[12]
Unfortunately, can't try again if this fails.
Interact to draw the dagger.
Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[Starbin]

[QUOTE=Starbin;25532958]Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh grunted as several attacks all impacted him from different directions in rapid succession. The chunk of rock distracted him, leaving his guard open for the blade strike. But the three missiles were going to hit him no matter what. Staggered, he saw Sadar drop to a knee for a moment, and knew he should retreat. However, could he leave a downed man to the predations of these foes? Stay and fall, or run and survive?

The logic of retreat was clear, but he realized it was moot - how could he hone himself if he ran from the opportunity? It was times like these that tried the hardest, and to flee from such a challenge would make him less than he wanted to be. Instead, he straightened up, spat a glob of blood on the floor and smiled at the man in front of him. Squatting down, he stepped forward with both hands some up swiftly to catch the man in the chest and push him back ... hard. Even as he did, he followed him steadily, swinging one elbow at his opponents rib cage as he moved. When they came to a stop, he used the combat to help shield him from the other attacks, bobbing and weaving behind his fleshy shield.

---

Round 2 - Gonna try some other things this go.
Action 1: Shove R back (following him along). He will attempt to push R towards D3 and T Shove - (1d20+9)[26] vs Target's Fort DC
Action 2: Strike with Falling Stone Attack - (1d20+2)[18], Damage - (1d8+4)[12]
Action 3: Take Cover, using R for cover against T if possible.

Effects / Status / Conditions: Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less), Mountain Stance (in spoiler below)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’ (15’)
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar drops down into their midst and flickering blades bite into his flesh, even as the blades bite he counterattacks before falling unconscious and toppling to the dusty floor


So I guess my understanding is I get this round and then get hit and go KO
Power attack (1d20+9)[21] dam (2d10+5)[24]
Attack 3 (1d20)[16] dam (1d10+4)[6]

[SanguinePenguin]

After Mauricio fails to heal the injured monk, Kharesh lands a palm squarely on the rogue’s chest and pushes him back. He follows quickly with another fist, but, again, the rogue is able to deftly avoid the attack.

As Dalnu strides into the room and shields herself, Kali looks at the scene below and shakes her head, “gods! They are practically children!”

Gex hops down off the roof. He raises a hand and fires a sickly green ray of light at the rogue, but the man dodges the beam with ease.

Almost as soon as the half-orc takes Sadar out of the battle, Gurmok brings him back in. The warrior launches a powerful swing while on the ground, mangling the half-orc’s left leg. This time, she drops hard. Sadar then rises to his feet.

Surveying the carnage, Sapha cries out, “Palla! No!” She raises her hands, still clutching the flute, and says, “if you let us heal our friend, and do not harm us further, we will surrender. Gallwa, Phinn?” The rogue and tall man glance over to her and nod, but maintain postures ready to act.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

@DrK: slightly modified Sadar’s action to have him stand after the power attack

Gex ray of enfeeblement vs R: (1d20+7)[11] Fort: (1d20+5)[21]

No map

[farothel]

Dalnu looks at the scene and the others who had attacked her capturs.
"Tell me who you are and what you want and why you abducted me," she asks to Sapha.

[SanguinePenguin]

The rogue slowly, and making sure there is no confusion, removes a kit from a pouch at his side, as he says, “bandages for her wounds… please.” He then goes to administer first aid to the downed half-orc.

Sapha looks pretty nervous and holds up her hands beseechingly, but answers, “I am Sapha, these are my friends. And we didn’t abduct you! We tried to… uh, unencumber you of any excess wealth… which I thought you were going to have since you were looking to buy fancy jewelry, but you didn’t. I thought you might have had a stash or know where valuables could be found, but you haven’t been forthcoming about that. We weren’t going to hurt you! We’re desperate for some coin is all.”

Spoiler: Dalnu

Show

Everything she is saying checks out pretty well with what you’ve seen. Aside from the bracelet she originally showed you to lure you here, none of them has displayed much of value other than weapons and armor. They postured and threatened, but aside from tying you up, have done nothing to hurt you. She has been asking you mostly questions about stashes and where valuables are stored. You’ve also overheard the others trying to figure out what they would do with you.

[Prehysterical]

Unfortunately, the poultice that Mauricio applies sloughs right off of Kharesh. The whole skirmish dances on a knife's edge... Thankfully, Gurmok's healing brings Sadar back into the fight and enables the warrior to rise and strike again. Things come to an abrupt halt when the half-orc is felled and her apparent friends call for mercy. At first, Mauricio is shocked at the audacity of such a request from a group of slavers, but... the youth of their adversaries finally sinks in. His confusion only grows when the woman who was obviously the captive emerges, obviously an elf and not a human.

Eyes darting back and forth, Mauricio finally comes to a most unsatisfactory conclusion. His face twists into a fierce scowl as if he had swallowed something foul. Mauricio poses an icy cold question.

"Sadar... Might we be in the market for a gnoll-skin cloak?"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar scowls, a hand pressed to his flank where the blood wells out from underneath his fingers. “you scum, a cloak sounds good right about now.” Struggling upright he gestures with the sword. “wher is the woman? We want her back”

[SanguinePenguin]

Sapha motions to the clearly visible Dalnu, with a note of confusion in her voice, “she is right here. We haven’t harmed her.” Then to Dalnu, “please tell your friends we didn’t hurt you!”

[Prehysterical]

As Sadar interrogates the group, Mauricio facepalms... which means that his fingers end up brushing over his bald scalp. His fingers curl away and Mauricio's voice becomes heated.

"We have been duped, Sadar! The gnoll lied to us! This woman, whoever she is," Mauricio pointed to Dalnu, "is clearly not Sofh the researcher, wife of Zetath al Ustadh! And Jaghun, the flea-bitten mongrel, he knew that! He's probably laughing with his female cohort at the Rabid Dog right now!"

Mauricio leans against the office wall, stroking his temple to soothe a growing headache. "We are back to square one... May he choke on that gold coin," he mutters.

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[SanguinePenguin]

“Jaghun!? Again!” Sapha cries out in evident rage.

The tall strange-looking man gazes at you with a dumbfounded look, “wait… you lot believed Jaghun? The gnoll? Who spends most of the day playing bluffing card games!? Are you daft?”

“Ugh! He’s been trying to get us killed for months.”

“Always in indirect ways like this.” The tall man interjects for clarification.

“It had been almost a month since the last one - that Ulfen berserker. I thought he might have forgotten about us.”

The rogue looks up from his tending to the fallen warriors wounds and says, “you lot ever do try to kill him, let me know - enemy of my enemy and all.”

[Prehysterical]

"No more or less daft than a pack of would-be muggers who miss their mark," Mauricio snaps back in temper. Pinching his nose and taking a breath to calm down, Mauricio explains, "We were short on leads... and time.

Now..."

The doctor's tiefling heritage becomes fully apparent as his sunken cheeks grow taut in an unpleasant smile, his bared teeth showing sharp tips. His next words, despite their dark mirth, are as cold as the grave.

"How would you like that moment to be sooner rather than later?"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio Averni
HP: 17/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[farothel]

Sapha motions to the clearly visible Dalnu, with a note of confusion in her voice, “she is right here. We haven’t harmed her.” Then to Dalnu, “please tell your friends we didn’t hurt you!”

"You didn't kick me if that's what you mean," Dalnu said, "but you did bring me here against my will. and what's this about Sofh. I know here and only an idiot would mix up us two. She's a human from Kataphesh and I'm an elf from Kyonin. How much different can two people be, really."

She looked at the 'invaders'.
"So you're looking for Sofh, right? Anything wrong with her? It's been a while since I saw her, but I had hoped to visit her while I was here? And any idea on what to do with these idiots?"

[BelGareth]

Gex was still shaking somewhat, and clung to the closest shadow he could find, the gnolls where enough, but an all out ambush? he shook his head, he was definitely getting new experiences, just not ones he was hoping for!

As the woman spoke, it dawned on him she knew Sofh.

Stepping out of his shadow without thinking "Wait, you know Sofh?" he says, not meekly at all, and only his hands shaking.

Spoiler

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Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: none

[farothel]

"Well, knowing is perhaps too strong a word," Dalnu said, "but I've spoken with her once or twice, yes."

[BelGareth]

Gex tilted his head to the side, was this newcomer being obtuse on purpose? he couldn't tell.

"We're looking for her, have you seen her recently, tell us what you know, if it pleases you?"

Spoiler

Show

Gex
HP's: 16/16
AC: 16
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25ft
Fort: +5
Ref: +6
Will:+5
Perception: +3
Feats: Hobnobber, Unexpected Shift
Effects: none

[farothel]

"No, I haven't seen her recently," Dalnu said, "that's why I'm in Katapesh. I've last seen her about a decade ago or so. But where are my manners. My name is Dalnu."

It's clear that time has a different meaning for her, and you get the feeling that's she quite a bit older than you would expect.

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar snarls a curse under his breath as they again foiled but then as he looks at his wounds and winces he staggers back to the others and listens more closely. "You knew her, that is good. May have you an idea asto where she is?" After speaking politely to Dalnu he looks back at the gnoll, "You, where is she. Tell us everything."

[farothel]

"I don't," Dalnu said, "I didn't even knew where she lived around here. While I was checking out the jewelry that had these so riled up, I was also asking around for her, but no luck so far. But if you're looking for her, I'm willing to help out."

[SanguinePenguin]

The rogue thinks for moment on Mauricio’s proposal and says, “you would need a good plan. A great plan, actually. Jaghun… he’s an old, retired gnoll. Only way a gnoll gets to be old and retired is if they are tough, but most importantly smart. I hate him, but he’s rarely alone, and dangerous on his own. He’s got a bad leg, but otherwise he is tough. He lives right near here, part of why he hates us, and there are always other gnolls staying with him.”

Spoiler: Sadar

Show

Sadar knows that the rogue’s assessment of old gnolls is accurate, but perhaps even understating the situation. Retirement to a gnoll is basically no longer having to follow the edicts of the clan leader, but not being exiled. For a gnoll to retire, they would have to be tough enough and wily enough to survive to old age, have enough clout within their clan that their retirement is permitted, and be smart enough to navigate the rules of whatever place they retire to so that no one else kills them. A clan leader would only permit this if the other gnoll is sufficiently dangerous enough personally or politically. This also explains why Kathalra, by all accounts a leader in this area, was even a bit deferential to Jaghun. Sadar expects Jaghun would be a rather formidable adversary. A direct attack would likely be suicide.

Kali finally climbs down off the roof. She looks a little upset, but says to Dalnu, “we ‘ave been asked by Zetath to find Sofh. Her caravan from Solku was raided by slavers west o’ the city. She was travelin’ under a false name, but they found it out somehow. We tried talkin’ to the gnolls, but the big one, Kathalra, either dinnae know or feigned ign’ance. That awful Jaghun said these kids had her, and sent us here.”

After Kali delivers an account of events, the rogue scratches his chin and says, “it turns out, I might have overheard something related to this Sofh-“

Sapha interjects, “and we can surely part with that information, if Dalnu here can forgive our transgressions, we’ll forgive you the assault on our home, the Zephyr’s can remain oblivious to the whole incident, and we’ll part ways in peace. Is that acceptable?”

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh was quiet as the group entered an uneasy truce that quickly revealed several things. First, the people they were assaulting appeared to have nothing to do with the woman they were seeking. Second, they were very young, but quite adept. Third, the group had likely been deceived by the gnoll in an effort to remove competition?

He didn't say much as the others spoke, one hand pressed against his bruised ribs, possibly broken. As the others unraveled the mystery, and slowly reached a common ground, he finally spoke. "I have questions. First, why does Jaghun seek your death? Second, what is his ... profession? Third, do you know which slavers he associates with?

He knew the name Sofh ..."

---

OOC - so how long does a medicine check take? I read it as 10 min normally ... and that if someone fails it, the 'patient' is immune to further attempt for an hour?

Effects / Status / Conditions: Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 22 Initiative +5
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +7 Per +5 / Move 20’ (14’)
Abilities: Str 18 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 14 Cha 8
Skills: Acrobatics +5, Athletics +7, Warfare Lore +3, Religion +5, Stealth +5, Pahmet Lore +3
Abilities: Call on Ancient Blood (prior to rolling a save vs magical effect, add +1 [circ]); Flurry of blows (make two strikes for 1 action [flourish]); Mountain stance (see below); Darkvision; Dwarven Weapon Familiarity; Cat Fall (treat falls as 10' shorter)
Stance: Mountain (+4 AC, +2 vs Shove/Trip, +0 Max Dex, -5 ft move; Falling Stone are only Strikes useable in stance)
Combat: Axe (+7 / 1d8S+4 / sweep); Clan Dagger (+7 / 1d4P+4 / agile, dwarf, parry, uncommon, versatile B); Unarmed (+7 / 1d6B+4 / agile, finesse, nonlethal, unarmed); Falling Stone (+7 / 1d8B+4 / forceful, nonlethal, unarmed)

[SanguinePenguin]

The tall, strange-looking one is the first to start on answering Kharesh’s questions, though seems to amble into a lot of loosely relevant setup. “When we moved in here about a year ago, I had thought we lucked out with our gnoll neighbor, Jaghun. We actually own this place. Real estate in Dogtown is dirt cheap, if you can even find the owner. He was calm, and honestly, he was actually kind of nice, for a gnoll, I mean. Most gnolls are as likely to try and rip your arms off as talk with you, but not him - he’s downright chatty.”

Sapha gets more to the point, “Jaghun keeps trying to kill us because some of his possessions went missing about six months back - a pittance compared to all his wealth, but he thinks we did it. We didn’t, but he still keeps doing this. We don’t know why he does it in this weird way, and he pretends like he knows nothing about it when we’ve tried to get him to stop.”

“It’s never been his people, though. It’s always just some odd folks who came to him for something, and he manages to dupe into trying to kill us instead - no offense. He was a Spotted Hide raider, and an important one I gather. Now he gambles most of the day, and basically has a harem next door. But I don’t know much about his history beyond that.”

The rogue answers Kharesh’s final question with a non-answer, “and I think I know why he knows of this Sofh.” He looks to Dalnu expectantly.