Nightmare in Katapesh IC

[BelGareth]

Gex frowns, the gnolls were much hardier than he thought they would be, he followed a few steps after Sadar, grimacing as he was speared in the chest! But then someone else healed him, Gex had truly fallen in with the right crowd!

He wiggles his fingers again, focusing on the same gnoll, hoping to help a little.

Spoiler

Show

repeat!
Cast Daze on H1
4 mental damage, Basic will save DC 17 : Critical fail stunned 1

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
Spells:

1. 1st level - 1/3

[Prehysterical]

Forced to acknowledge that his own return shot was lacking in true effect, Mauricio resolves to help their mangled caravan guard. Thankfully, their archery skills seem to be somewhat lacking. While Gurmok's healing does help, this encounter could flip on its head should their best fighter go down. He hurries over and does what he can to stem the awful bleeding on Sadar's leg. Despite his best efforts, the wound is too grevious. Cursing his own incompetence, Mauricio fires his crossbow at the hyena menacing Kharesh and scores a hit.

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio has to double move, unfortunately, to reach Sadar at I16. 25 foot speed sad.
Battle Medicine on Sadar: (1d20+5)[9]
Strike roll of 23 in OOC for 3 piercing damage
Mauricio Averni
HP: 10/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh was successful in one of his strikes, but the dog quickly recovered and pulled him from his feet with a vicious bite on his calf. Grunting in pain, the dwarf stood and struck again, two rapid blows aimed at the hyena's head.

---

OOC - Running low on hp ... better knock this doggy down quick!
Action 1: Stand up
Action 2: Flurry w/Falling stone
Action 3: Use the nearby wall for cover if possible/necessary
Attack 1 - (1d20+7)[16], Damage - (1d8+4)[7]
Attack 2 - (1d20+2)[11], Damage - (1d8+4)[6]
Effects / Status / Conditions: Mountain Stance; Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 6/22 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)

[SanguinePenguin]

Gumok heals Sadar. Dalnu blasts Purheegee with a ray of frost and makes a scowl, but Sadar’s powerful blow dropping the hyena forces him to emit a wail. Gex assaults the other hyena’s mind, Maurico fires a crossbow bolt into its leg, and Kharesh delivers a hammer blow to its body. Under this combined onslaught, the creature loses consciousness.

Purheegee barks in anger, "Take down the healer! Then the warriors! Then the wizards!" Both he and the female gnoll continue unleashing a volley of arrows in rapid succession. Whether blessed by Irori or by Desna, not one of Purheegee's arrows connect. The female gnoll has better luck both arrows are mere glancing blows and do very little damage.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Vs Gurmok (with light cover) (then Kharesh, then Sadar)
Purheegee arrow: (1d20+12)[13] Damage: (1d6+2)[6]
Purheegee arrow: (1d20+7)[11] Damage: (1d6+2)[5]
Purheegee arrow: (1d20+2)[5] Damage: (1d6+2)[6]
Gnoll arrow: (1d20+10)[21] Damage: (1d6)[2]
Gnoll arrow: (1d20+5)[22] Damage: (1d6)[1]
Gnoll arrow: (1d20)[4] Damage: (1d6)[2]

Net Damage:
Sadar 8
Kharesh 16
Mauricio 7
Dalnu 3
Gurmok 3
Purheegee 27
H1 20
H2 20

Spoiler: Map

Show

[BelGareth]

Gex was almost squeeling in delight, but then theings turned for the worse, or he thought they had, there was no way anyone could have survived that volley he thought to himself, almost screaming, the combat around him roaring with sounds.

He frowned, and being the better part of virtue, or what have you, he ran forward, and wiggled his fingers at the lead gnoll, attempting to take him out of the fight.

Spoiler

Show

Move it I16
Cast Phantom Pain on Purheegee
Mental Damage - (2d4)[3] & Persistent Damage - (1d4)[2]
Will DC 17

Critical Success The target is unaffected.
Success The target takes full initial damage but no persistent damage, and the spell ends immediately.
Failure The target takes full initial and persistent damage, and the target is sickened 1. If the target recovers from being sickened, the persistent damage ends and the spell ends.
Critical Failure As failure, but the target is sickened 2.

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
Spells:

1. 1st level - 0/3

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh gave a faint nod to the hyena as it fell to his last blow. But before he could spend much more time in respect of his opponent, arrows flew across as the gnolls continued to attack from afar. He peered at the path ahead towards the right most gnoll, checking for traps, then marched ahead to engage and strike the archer.

---

OOC - Guess we'll press on!
Not sure if I have to take an action, but here's a Perception check for traps: (1d20+5)[6]
Action 1/2: Advance 20' to D14
Action 3: Flurry w/Falling stone vs female gnoll

Attack 1 - (1d20+7)[19], Damage - (1d8+4)[9]
Attack 2 - (1d20+2)[12], Damage - (1d8+4)[10]

Effects / Status / Conditions: 13hp back!; Mountain Stance; Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 6+13/22 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)

[Gwynfrid]

As he's singled out, albeit with a pathetic lack of effectiveness, by the gnoll leader, Gurmok hesitates for a second. I might not be this lucky for long. But he sees how the dwarf, as wounded as he was by the rats, rushes forward nevertheless. Irori teaches to never let an ally down. With a frown, the blue-skinned goblin remains in place, and calls on the god's healing power again.

"Crois-tu, mon courageux ami
Que je vais te laisser tomber?
Aller me planquer? Que nenni!
Puissent tes plaies se refermer!"

The heroic monk feels his strength renewed just as he strikes the enemy!

Spoiler

Show

#1 Sustain Bless to make it a 15' radius
#2-3 cast Heal on Kharesh, (1d8+8)[13] healing.

Gurmok, level 1 cloistered cleric of Irori
Perception +6; darkvision
AC 12; Fort +4, Refl +5, Will +8
HP 15/15
Spells used for the day: Bless (7 rounds left), Heal (2/4)

Zen, goblin dog (trained animal)
Perception +6; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
AC 17; Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +5
HP 17

[Prehysterical]

Any sort of resentment that Mauricio feels from not being referred to as "the healer" vanishes as he sees the gnolls loose a volley of arrows at Gurmok. Thankfully, the goblin doesn't have anything to show for it but a few cuts. Now, focus on how you can help. By now, the motion is practiced: reload, line up the shot, and fire.

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio reloads and Devises a Stratagem
Strike roll of 24 in OOC for (1d6)[6] piercing damage on P
Mauricio Averni
HP: 10/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[DrK]

Sadar

Sadar feels some healing flowing over his body, wounds closing up. As the hyena drops to the floor he spits on the dog and nods, face pale, at Kharesh and strides froward onto the low bridge, blade swinging at the stinking mangy gnoll.


HPs 11/24

1. Stride to E14
2. power attack "P" [roll]1d20+10p[/roll] dam (2d10+4)[19]
EDIT: 15 to hit on OOC (sad times)

[SanguinePenguin]

Dalnu launches another salvo of golden fire dragons at the gnoll facing Sadar.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

3 action Magic Missile: (3d4+3)[12]

Will save from Gex: (1d20+9)[19]

[SanguinePenguin]

Gumok heals Kharesh, who delivers a powerful blow to the ribs of the gnoll before him, but misses with the second. Sadar has less luck, and fails to connect with Purheegee. Gex wracks the gnoll's mind with pain, Mauricio scores a solid blow with his crossbow, and Dalnu blasts him again with magic missiles. Under this combined onslaught, the gnoll collapses from his wounds as he tries to draw his axe.

The other gnoll screams, “PURHEEGEE!” She draws her battle axe, and chops violently at Kharesh, biting hard into his arm with the blow.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Vs Kharesh
Gnoll axe: (1d20+10)[19] Damage: (1d8+4)[9]
Gnoll axe: (1d20+5)[8] Damage: (1d8+4)[5]

Net Damage:
Sadar 8
Kharesh 12
Mauricio 7
Dalnu 3
Gnoll 9
Purheegee 49
H1 20
H2 20

Spoiler: Map

Show

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh knew the fight was over, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t still be a casualty. Glancing briefly at the fallen gnoll to his left, Kharesh held his blows for a moment, calling out loudly, ”Hold girl! If you want your love to survive, throw down the axe and we’ll see to him. Keep attacking and you’ll be joining the city’s sewerage. Your choice…”.

---

OOC - Trying to end this without more bloodshed, but ready to fight if necessary.
Not sure if I have to take an action, but here's a Perception check for traps: Charisma - (1d20-1)[4]
Action 1: Influence check?
Action 2: Hold/delay?
Action 3: Flurry w/Falling stone vs female gnoll if she doesn’t surrender.

Charisma - (1d20-1)[4]

Attack 1 - (1d20+7)[20], Damage - (1d8+4)[9]
Attack 2 - (1d20+2)[5], Damage - (1d8+4)[5]

Effects / Status / Conditions: 13hp back!; Mountain Stance; Darkvision; Ancient Blooded Dwarf (+1 save vs magic); Cat Fall (falls are 10’ less)

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 10/22 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)

[BelGareth]

Gex watched in amazement as the group gangs up on the boss, who, falls to the concerted effort! A big grin spreads over his face, which promptly vanishes as one of his new friends, Kuresh was being attacked! Gex wiggled his nose, and then his fingers this time, causing scree to fall upon the remaining gnoll form the ceiling, spreading all over the floor.

Spoiler

Show

Move to F16
Cast Scatter Scree on remaining gnoll. Squares B/C-14 (difficult terrain for 1 minute)
Damage - (1d4+4)[5]
Basic Ref DC 17

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
Spells:

1. 1st level - 0/3

[DrK]

Sadar

Wounds freshly knitted start to bleed again as Sadar is hit but as the gnolls fall Sadar feels the battle is going well. Vaulting over the dying Purghee in front of him he leaps towards Kahresh to battle alongside him swinging with a terrifically powerful blow at the beast's furry head.


Hps 3/24
Stride to the gnoll
Power attack (1d20+9)[22] dam (2d10+4)[12]

[SanguinePenguin]

Kharesh, Sadar, and Gex pummel the remaining gnoll, who collapses from wounds. The immediate danger is abated as the two gnolls bleed out on the sewer floor.

From the large confinement cage erected along the southern wall, a badly bruised woman cries out weakly, "help us..." She is prone in the cage along with ten other bodies, at a glance they all look to be human females. Aside from the barely conscious woman who cried out, the other ten are unconscious. While some are shivering from fever, it is likely their injuries are the reason they are passed out. Dalnu does recognize one of them as the woman she met a decade ago, Sofh al Ustadh, only bruised and aged a decade.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sadar did not take that hit, Kharesh did. Sadar should still be at 11.

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh shook his head as the female continued to fight. Some people just didn't know when to call it. Several punches later, the female gnoll lay at their feet with soft cries coming from the cage towards the southern wall. Walking over as he held a hand to his ribs, Kharesh called out, ”Hold on, we're comin'.”.

To the others, he murmured softly, "Hurry ... I don't know what's legal, but we saw a gnoll ran off for something, maybe reinforcements. Plus, we just attacked the information broker's kin. Save or toss him, either way we need to leave. Soon."

---

OOC - heading over to check on the women and free them if possible. He'll check pockets of the two main gnolls if necessary.

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

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 10/22 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)

[Prehysterical]

Mauricio winces as the female gnoll sinks her fangs into Kharesh's arm. He would simply have to check that to make sure there are no signs of infection... Thankfully, their combined efforts bring down their remaining opponent.

He readies to move toward the fallen gnolls, but one look at the cage and its pathetic occupants reminds him that this pair would not appreciate any gesture of kindness or mercy. For just a moment, Mauricio glares toward the fallen slavers as his sunken cheeks tighten. In the end, Mauricio moves toward the cage and the abducted women. It is not benevolence that spares the gnolls, but practicality. Kharesh is right. With one gnoll unaccounted for, their time is now a precious resource. There is literally no time to even cut throats.

Only women... Ye gods, I don't want to imagine...." Mauricio inspects the conscious woman's eyes, looking over her and the others. If any of them are critical at the moment, better to know now rather than when they are being moved. "Madam, can you walk?"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Medicine check to evaluate the condition of the women: (1d20+5)[19]
Unfortunately, Forensic Acumen would probably take too much time.
Mauricio Averni
HP: 10/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[SanguinePenguin]

Purheegee has a runed battle axe, a short bow and 15 arrows, gnoll sized leather armor, a fine bracelet of silver, onyx, and jade, a small vial containing a red liquid, 2 gold, 12 silver, 8 copper, a large canine tooth, and a large wrought iron key. The gnoll woman has a battle axe, a short bow and 23 arrows, gnoll sized leather armor, small vial containing a red liquid identical to the one in Purheegee’s possession, 25 silver, 7 copper.

Mauricio examines the women, and though all are in pretty bad shape, none are in imminent danger of death. The wounds are all non-lethal, but severe and seemingly routinely given. A few wounds are infected, but nothing too severe. More concerning, several have filth fever or perhaps some other illness. For three, the fever has progressed to the point where it might become life threatening if efforts to treat don’t begin within a day or so.

At Mauricio’s question, the woman says, "I think so…" with some effort she is able to pull herself to stand, but the unconscious forms at her feet make balancing challenging.

[Gwynfrid]

Gurmok grins manically when the two gnolls fall, but it is more an expression of sheer relief than of true joy at seeing them fall. He drives Zen forward, giving a wide berth to the vanquished enemies - one can't be too cautious, even thought they don't seem to have any aggression left in them.

He eyes the unfortunate women with pity. "Yes, by the powers of the Master of Masters, I shall at least give you some relief. We are looking for a particular person, but I would be proud of freeing all of you from these disgusting slavers."

"Can we all gather round, please?" He waits patiently until all are close enough to him. But, just as he's about to cast, a thought crosses his mind. "This is this Purheegee, I presume. Son of Jaghun. Dangerous individual, if I read the signs correctly, at least. So... If he still lives, it might be wise to take him prisoner rather than let him to die on this floor, don't you think? To spare us retaliation, possibly?"

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh grabbed the key and left the rest of the items for now. Walking gingerly over to the cage, Kharesh handed the key over to whoever was trying to get into the cage. ”Found this on our boy.
The two of them had some coins, a few vials, weapons and knick-knacks. And I don't think they'll be long for this world.”.

---

OOC - Kharesh will help herd cats to get moving as necessary, since he feels like the hourglass is ticking. Probably some good loot (maybe even some magic items) but Kharesh tends to be goal focused and freeing the women was his primary effort. Let's make a decision - save the gnolls, kill and dump them, or leave 'em be?

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

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 10/22 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 kneels beside the gnoll and wipes the blade clean before heading to the fallen prisoners. A quiet, "Are you well? Hear, drink." he adds offering some water to the injured. Even as he does so he moves very slowly, blood still leaking from his flanks.

[Gwynfrid]

None of the others seem particularly keen to consider the option of taking prisoners. Understandable. He exchanges a glance with Kharesh, confirming their enemies aren't about to be revived. He begins his appeal to divine power.

"En voilà plusieurs en triste état,
Que ce soient des victimes,
Ou des vainqueurs au combat!
Aide-nous, Maître magnanime..."

He raises his hands high, and extends them in a wide gesture around him. A soft aura of light emanates from them, extends, and covers all present in a healing wave.

Spoiler

Show

3-action Heal (1d8)[3] for everyone.

[SanguinePenguin]

The gnolls’ ragged breathing ceases before long and they expire. With the exception of the armor, their valuables are quickly collected. Kharesh unlocks the cage. Sadar helps the barely conscious woman drink some water. Gurmok heals everyone still alive. Most of the women begin to stir. When asked, they confirm they can walk and struggle out of the cage. A lot seem confused, but fairly sure whatever is happening now seems an improvement of their situation. Though mostly they just follow your instructions, a gray-eyed Taldan woman works up the courage to ask, “are you rescuing us?”

Illness drags about half of them and they have trouble holding down fluids. Three of the women do not rise, though. They are still unconscious, and a cursory examination by Mauricio convinces him their filth fever has progressed significantly. They will need care (outside of a sewer) soon.

Sofh is a kelesh woman in her late thirties with wavy (and currently filthy) dark hair down to her shoulders, brown eyes, low cheekbones, a long neck, and in quite better physical shape than her spouse. Even here, while ill and feverish, she carries herself with poise. When she spots a woman she hasn’t seen in a decade, she says with complete shock, “by Desna! Dalnu? Is that you? It’s me, Sofh - we met on that expedition almost… ten years ago? How are you here? Who are these people?”

[Prehysterical]

When Mauricio hears the deathrattle of the gnolls, there is a part of him that takes sadistic glee in the sound. His more professional side is horrified and feels a pang of guilt, but practicality maintains a firm hold. The gnolls would have thanked them for their mercy by killing them at best and a living hell of chains and torture at worst.

"I know that there are many questions, but we have no time," Mauricio interjects. "The gnolls will be back at any moment and in greater numbers! Will someone help me with carrying the sick? If they don't receive proper medical attention within the next twenty-four hours, they will be dead!"

---

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mauricio Averni
HP: 13/17
AC: 14
Class DC: 17
Speed: 25
Fort: +4
Ref: +6
Will: +7
Perception: +7
Feats: Forensic Acumen, That's Odd

[SanguinePenguin]

All and all, the slaying of the gnolls and stripping them of their valuables takes considerably less time than the bedlam that is herding the women. Though clearly eager to leave, they are in bad shape and mostly need clear instructions, but aside from “leaving” none are provided. Several keep asking for more water, a few are moving very slowly and stopping every other pace to catch their breath, one has been devoting all of her energy to stomping on the throat of Purheegee’s corpse continuously and barely acknowledges your presence, one of the women is vomiting into the sewage sluice, and another of the more lucid ones keeps informing you that she is angry to be walking in bare feet down here and seems to be expecting you to do something about it.

Spoiler: Gex and Mauricio

Show

Although the churning sewer sounds make it hard to hear, the sizable fire hard to see down the paths, and the commotion of releasing and helping the women make it hard to focus attention elsewhere, you spot a dim torch coming down the path from the north. At first you assume gnolls, but a more thorough study reveals the coming figures wear the garb of the Zephyr Guard.

[DrK]

Sadar

As the woman flap and moan and wander about Sadar looks at them sternly, rapping an armoured fist loudly on the stone wall./ "Ladies," he says in a stern voice, "If you wish to leave organise yourself. Get a friend, help each other and line up." he pauses, a note of menace in his voice, "Be quick lest the gnolls return and then you will be prisoners once more." The fact that he is pale, sweating and covered in his own blood should help highlight that he has been sorely wounded.

[Starbin]

Kharesh Hammerfist, dwarven monk

Kharesh pushes the bodies into the sewage along with any items no one claims, completing the promise he had made to the female. A slight nod of his head gave a modicum of respect to the fallen foes, but he showed no other emotions with regard to the deaths.

Once they’ve gathered the ‘loot’ he joins Sadar in herding cats. Where the warrior offers sage advice, Kharesh simply guides ladies physically towards the entrance they had used. For any that cannot walk, he will help carry as necessary, but he is implacable in his silent urging to follow Samar’s directions and heed the warnings given.

---

OOC - Kharesh is herding cats …

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

Spoiler: Crunch& Status

Show

AC: 17 (19) HP 10/22 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)

[farothel]

"Yes, it's me," Dalnu said, "it's a long story which I'll tell you after we get out of here, but we're indeed here to rescue you people."

Although they hadn't known that all these people were here, it would be evil to leave them here, so Dalnu also started giving out water and helping to carry the ones who couldn't walk on their own. For a magic user she had quite some strength.

[BelGareth]

Gex was holding onto his stomach contents, or at least, was attempting to do so, mouth on hand, cheeks inflated, he was breathing heavily, though, with their current locale, the air wasn't much help, if at all. Recalling that he could actually do something about it, he wiggled his fingers, and cleaned the air around him, if only for a moment he had relief. Frowning, he was about to speak up about the gnolls, but then the stench of the place came roiling back, and he choked on his words again.

we wouldn't kill them, would we? he thought, No, we're better than that... he continued, as no one did anything, or replied, letting the gnolls pass away. Gex's eyes went wide and he looked about in despair, had he truly fallen in line with a group of thugs who wantonly killed people? Gex stifled his fear, but his face looked drained, white as a ghost as the others pilfered the freshly killed bodies, steam rising from them as they did, he turned away, he could not be party to this.

He mumbled out a 'thank you' as the wave of energy rolled over him, but upon hearing something...one of the women complaining about shoes? He takes his off and offers them to her "Would....these work?" he asks timidly, the whole situation dangerously close to overwhelming him.

If she accepts, he will take them off, clean them, clean her feet, and then put them on her feet.

As he is helping, he looks up sharply "A torch is coming!" he frowns and stares, "It's the Zephyr Guard!"

Spoiler

Show

prestidigitation to clean things

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
Spells:

1. 1st level - 0/3

[Gwynfrid]

Seeing the plight of some of the women, Gumork suggests: "Perhaps my companion here could carry those who cannot walk?" Then he remembers how irritating contact with a goblin dog can be for humans. "Unfortunately, this comes with some drawbacks, I'm afraid..." he adds sheepishly. He does his best to help with the painful convoy, patiently keeping his best calm even though some of the victims make rather irrational requests.

When Gex warns about the guards, he asks the more knowledgeable folks in the group: "Guards... that's a good thing, right? They're going to help us?"