GM SpiderBeard's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

"Such a fuss," Raven Six sighs as she swings up her crossbow, draws a bead on the floating Derro, and launches a bolt. "And such a waste of bombs...."
Barely has the bolt sped away, or Raven is slotting the next one into place and turning the winch.

Standard action: Crossbow attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 for 1d8 ⇒ 6 damage. Move action: reload.
Clearly the dice favour me as an archer, rather than a mad bomber. :p

Donnell's bolt flies right for the derro before deflecting off of some sort of shield he has on himself! Sevenspawn's channel energy blasts into the zombie, who resists the worst of the ability, but is damaged nonetheless. Raven Six then fires her own bolt, and that one bounces off of the derro's shield spell as well.

Scowling at the archers, the derro holds out a fistful of dust, and lets it slowly falls from his fingers. Donnell, and then Raven Six both blink their eyes and feel sleepy, but it's Sevenspawn who crashes to the ground unconscious.

Sevenspawn has fallen asleep! Thod is up!

Rolling his eyes before half-heartedly sending a foot in the direction of Sevenspawn's backside: "Typical... he'll probably wake up and tell us we've survived thanks to Milani's grace."

Reloading his crossbow, Donnell glances over his shoulder: "Speaking of sleeping, Raven, is that pseudodragon of yours alive? I wouldn't normally ask it to risk itself, but maybe it could distract the spellcaster long enough for me to land a shot?"

"Given the opponent's magical arsenal, I should be loath to make the request."

As with other fights, Majenko fled into the next room, and remains nearby, watching the battle fearfully.

Thod continues his assault, spewing a tirade of dwarven profanity as he swings wildly at the shambling corpse blocking the way into the room.

Rage rounds remaining: 3
Power attack with Halberd.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

EDIT: Crit confirmation! And Halberds are *3!

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Crit Damage: 2d10 + 20 ⇒ (4, 6) + 20 = 30

Thod drives his weapon right through the chest of the zombie before ripping it straight up in the air. There's an explosion of rotten guts as he zombie's torso flies open and its head careens across the room, knocking into the irritated derro floating in the air.

Everyone else is up!

The fury of Thod's attack almost shocks Donnell into inaction (almost).

Light XBow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (6) = 241d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Drow Poison Fort 13

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
g#@$!~mit - I need those 20s for Attacks!!

Donnell will aim a more precise kick at Sevenspawn's backside in case the last one didn't land.

Ranged attack 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage.

Raven Six fires another bolt, only to see it fly hopelessly wide. She reloads.... @_@

A couple of swift kicks manage to wake up Sevenspawn who yawns loudly as he figures out where the hell he is.

Sevenspawn is up! However he is also prone.

Sevenspawn dreams.

"WHY THE THE RAT?"

"You know why."

"PERHAPS. TELL ME, PHAEDRAN."

He nods once, happy, perhaps, to submit. "I understand the rat." Sevenspawn looks down as one skitters out of a doll house he has never seen, offering it a small piece of beef from his dirty fingers. He feigns pontification a moment with a tight smile. "Born in squalor, he must fend for himself at a young age. He climbs over his brothers and sisters for food, for space; when there is too little of either, he sets himself apart with his strength. His cunning."The priest points a finger at someone, oddly comfortable. "His teeth, too."

"He hides in shadows, avoiding the giants around him. He scavenges and forages, and considers little else but his next meal. He is wary, nimble... suspicious." Sevenspawn draws his hand back sharply, making a small hissing sound as he looks back down at the oily rodent. "Ach! You see? I offer him food and he bites. He is suspicious, as he should be."He pauses a moment. "As I am. As all people of Korvosa should be. He is only a symbol, I know. But we rats need protection from giants, and comfort when they stomp us under their sandals."

"AND THEIR STATIONS IMPROVED?"

He shakes his head. "No. Not in the way you imply. He will never be more than what he is. Even if he becomes the largest of rats, he will still be a denizen of dark corners. And he cares nothing for the giants' stations in life. He is content to be the rat, and to him no man's table is better to forage upon than the next. All he wants is to be left to live and make his way."

"IT IS TIME TO AWAKEN, PHAEDRAN."

"Awaken, mistress...? Am I asl--

***

Sevenspawn's eyes fly open. He lifts his head, tasting dirt, and focus on the floating derro.

"Right," he says aloud to no one in particular as he draws his axe. "Let's get a little bloody."

Sevenspawn stands, his hand spinning his hammer-axe around, and hurls it directly at the necromancer.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

unfortunately as the hammer isn't designed to be thrown, there's a -4 penalty.

Sevenspawn hurls his warhammer as best he can, and it flies straight for the derro, only to bounce off of his shield spell and land on the ground. Snarling, the derro points a finger at Thod, whose world suddenly goes dark. However, Thod shakes his head rapidly, fighting off the spell!

Everyone is up! Sevenspawn's warhammer is directly underneath the derro.

Raven Six whips out and throws another bomb. This time, the throw is textbook for accuracy!

Ranged touch attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

CRIT THREAT! Confirmation roll 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"GET'CHER ASS DOWN HERE, YEH PALE SKINNED FLYIN' FREAK!"

Thod raises his halberd over his head and runs forward, swinging it in a wide arc overhead as he approaches the derro.

Rage Rounds Remaining: 2
MOVEMENT: Move forwards.
STANDARD: Power attacking with my halberd. I'm hoping the ceiling isn't so high that the Derro can't be reached with my halberd.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

The halberd reaches.

Thod finally, finally gets past the horrid undead guardians and howls like a maniac as he charges at the derro. Raven Six's crossbow flies home, and Thod brutally skewers the derro with his halber, almost driving him against the wall.

Donnell and Sevenspawn are up!

That was a bomb. :p

.... I only have two left for the day. :| Looks like I may have to use my mutagen yet!

by my calculations, Vreeg should be at -48 - Donnell had a critical hit last round (a roll of 19, confirmed by a 24) with a poisoned bolt for 12 damage.
At the start of Round 4, Vreeg = -11 then, - 12 (D) - 6 (R) - 19 (T)
Of course, maybe I've missed something important.

Donnell just shakes his head grimly, loads a regular bolt into his crossbow, and fires.

LXB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Sevenspawn raises his own crossbow at the same time as Donnell, loading a masterwork bolt into his own.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

You're right Donnell, I misread your crit.

Sevenspawn loads his crossbow and misses with a bolt while Donnell does the same. The necromancer panics as Thod menaces him with the halberd, and he quickly throws something down on the ground.

"BWWAARRG!

The bone he throws to the ground vanishes into the ground. The ground rumbles, and then an enormous, rotting ogre crawls out of the hard stone floor of the dungeon, roaring wildly. It tries to break Thod's face, but misses wildly, instead slamming its fist into the stone wall and sending a spray of cracked rock into the room.

Know Religion: 1d20 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (5) = 14

"S***, s%~%, s*~@!! Thod! That thing's a plague zombie! It's carrying all sorts of diseases, and it'll explode once it finally dies!"

Continuing to swear under his breath as he reloads, Donnell realizes that he going to have to get rid of this 'caster quickly so he can help Thod. Reviewing his options, Donnell immediately begins chastising himself - there were a couple of tricks he could have pulled before they entered the room. Anything he tries now will catch Thod in the blast...

"Hell, I guess I just keep hammering bolts at him for now."

Switching back to poisoned bolts, though I only have a couple left

LXB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Drow Poison = Fort 13

Crit Confirmation!!: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (5) = 231d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I had to blow the last of my Inspiration, but at least it's another critical hit (though only for a lousy 9 damage). Fingers crossed for a crappy Fort save!

"Fire in the hold," Raven Six says in a calm tone of voice, as she presents another glass vial. The Alchemist pushes a thin, zinc rod through the vial's clay stopper, causing the contents to bubble and seethe -- and sends it spinning through the air, arcing over the zombie to explode behind it. This way, the zombie should take the full brunt of the blast and shield Thod from it by its own bulk!

Ranged touch attack by bomb 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 BOOM.

CRIT THREAT! Attack roll to confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage.

from the map, it looks like the zombie is between us and Thod

Raven Six can happily just direct hit the ogre without touching Thod. No worries there.

As Raven's bomb goes off, Donnell's crossbow bolt whizzes past the ogre's ear, and slams heavily into the necromancer, sending him pinwheeling through the air. The necromancer wobbles a little, but once more he resists the poison. However, he looks to have seen, far, far better days.

Thod and Sevenspawn are up! The necromancer looks very close to dead.

Does the zombie have DR?

Rage Rounds Remaining: 1

"EXPLODING ZOMBIES!? GOOD, THOUGHT THIS WOULD GET BORING! LITTLE DISEASE KEEPS YOUR BODY HEALTHY, Y'KNOW!?"

Despite his boisterousness, Thod is starting to shudder a little, his swings losing a bit of punch, and his breathing getting a bit heavier and slower. He seems to have enough for one more good swing. He holds just a moment to make it.

I wish to hold my action until Sevenspawn goes. Specifically, in case he shoots at the Derro.

If the Derro is not dead after Sevenspawn's action, Thod will swing at the Derro, but without using Power Attack.

If Sevenspawn is able to take out the Derro, Thod will instead swing at the ogre. In this case, he will power attack.

Making sure he is within range, Sevenspawn reaches out to the heavens for some divine power and presents his holy symbol.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Missed your post during my Preview, Thod. Sorry.

I know you're channeling to harm the zombie but make sure to specify that Sevenspawn.

Sevenspawn sends out a burst of holy energy which badly scorches the gigantic zombie. Seeing that the derro was not killed, Thod swings out mightily. His halberd catches the derro in the gut, and with an impressive display of power, he spins the irritating necromancer overhead before slamming it down onto the ground before him. The derro is very, very dead.

The zombie, however, doesn't seem to mind. It turns on Thod, and hammers a gigantic fist down at his head.

Thod takes 13 damage. The derro is dead! [b]Everyone is up!

"OH, YOU WANNA PLAY ROUGH, HUH? WELL, MAYBE I'LL just take a swing at you once I can... lift this thing... whew...."

Satisfied at his work on the derro, Thod turns to the ogre zombie. However, it seems whatever drove him to dive headfirst in the fight has run out, as he visibly slumps and breathes heavily with fatigue.

Rage runs out, and Thod is Fatigued for 10 rounds. -2 to Strength and Dex, and can't run or charge. On the bright side, since I'm out of rage, I regain +2 to my AC, though this drops by -1 due to the Dex penalty. Current AC is 16.

Still, that doesn't mean the zombie is going to let him take a breather. He swings as best he can, a bit slower than normal, but still quite strongly.

Power Attack on the ogre zombie.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Pulling a vial of holy water from his pouch, Donnell hurls it at the zombie.

Holy Water: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 82d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 1 = 7

ah hell

Thod plunges his halberd into the big stinky ogre zombie, and noxious diseased guts spill out. It's highly unpleasant. The ogre teeters on its last legs. Donnell then chucks some holy water, which unfortunately just splashed on the north wall. A tiny, tiny drop falls in the ogre's eyes. With a loud shriek, it runs around wildly as it is blinded before charging into the north wall, and collapsing.

...

KABLAM!!

This may be the worst thing that's ever happened to you. The corpse explodes spectacularly. Rancid, diseased guts of a long-dead ogre explode over the room, falling just short of Sevenspawn, but absolutely coating Thod. However, the ogre is gone, and the long fight is finally over.

End of Combat

As you move into the room to search it, there's a sudden thrashing. A torso, with an arm still attached lies on the south bench and it lunges out, grabbing a hold of Sevenspawn's ankle! It doesn't appear capable of much, but the grip is painfully strong. The arm and torso appear to match your missing Shoanti.

Other gear found in the room:

- A spellbook
- a magical robe the derro was wearing
- a wand
- three doses of blue whinnis poison
- a masterwork dagger
- a magical ring
- 38 gp
- two silver rings
- a gold and pearl bracelet
- a mithral hip flask
- a 12 inch bar lined with spikes and plates which radiates magic

Hurrah for splash damage!

"Crud - I brought antitoxin but I didn't think to bring any antiplague. Thod? Are you ok?"

And, after looting the room: "Oh this is all quite excellent - I was running low on poison, and I've been waiting my whole life to decipher a spellbook! Raven6 - do you think we could clean and secure this place well enough to turn it into our own lab? Or should we just cart away the equipment and books and rent a house (or just move into Zellara's)?"

GM: I'm not sure how the extraction of alchemical formulae from a spellbook works - I think we can just convert spells into 'known' formulae (that is, ones that are on the formula list). I'll have to look into it a bit more - hopefully there's a possibility for experimentation at higher levels to create new formulae.

Gang: I think the Party loot tracker is up-to-date. Once we've identified everything we can sell off the loot and divvy up or sell off the equipment.

Sevenspawn frowns down at the twitching arm around his ankle, unsure if it is leftover necromancy or the spirit of the young Shoanti expressing his fury. He privately decides on the latter. Squatting and wrenching it off, he holds the torso up and looks at it before placing it in with the rest of the body, muttering some soothing words to it about how he will be with his grandfather soon and may now rest peacefully.

Tying the bag up tightly, he moves to his pack and produces some clean rags. Handing them to Thod to wipe off the corpse remains, he casts Create Water a couple of times in a receptacle taken from his healer's kit. Pushing it over to Thod, he remarks that a trip to Temple Row to remove any potential diseases is paramount for them all. Finally, he produces Milani's symbol a final time and uses his last two Channel Energy allotments for the day to heal all who are injured.

Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12
Channel Energy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Fluttering his eyes open as the magic fades, he hoists the bag over his shoulder. "I do not wish to be in this place any longer", he announces. "Let us depart, collect our neighbours from their hiding place, and return the remains of Thousand Bones' grandson to him through the Field Marshal. I will wish to stop at the market to buy a proper chest to place them in first." He pauses a moment, adding something to himself. "And a doll house."

Retrieving his hammer and giving a solemn, silent last look at the derro's body, he tips out a single vial of Holy Water over top of it and leads the way back.

Frowning slightly at Sevenspawn's comments, and recalling Thod's earlier comments about sleeping in the cavern, Donnell reconsiders his first plan - likely the others are less tolerant of rat-infested holes in the ground than himself...

Shrugging: "I agree, Sevenspawn. Let's complete our rescue and our mission. While you are out finding an appropriate box for Ghaeken, I'll hire some carts and labourers to help me clear out any usable books and laboratory equipment. Raven6 and I can set up the top floor of Zellara's as a laboratory until we find a place with a bit more permanency."

depending how much that will cost, Donnell can Appraise the various loot items and then hawk them with his jeweler friend. We'll have to get the magic items identified before we decide which ones we are keeping.

"Agreed, up to a point," Raven Six says to Donnell. "With regret, our current locale seems unsuitable to our needs; it is known to hostile creatures, who may have gotten in through ways unknown to us. Our coming and going here would stand out even to casual observers.
We would need to painstakingly scout and refurbish the whole complex before it could be termed even partially safe, and even if it were, we would need to constantly defend against scavengers, particularly if we were seen coming and going with greater frequency.
Removing all that is here does seem wisest, but one recommends using Sevenspawn's underworld contacts, if any can be found who are reliable; any laboratory we set up would need to remain as secret from our current employer as possible. A basement somewhere would be good. Perhaps in the tanners' district, the harbour area, or a similar area where any undue scents would be masked by the prevalent aromas and a certain amount of traffic is to be expected."

The Alchemist turns to Sevenspawn.
"Are you familiar with people who could be relied upon to move the spoils of our foray quietly and unobtrusively, and keep their mouths shut about such an operation?"

And finally, Thod.
"Should you wish a bit of alchemical assistance in overcoming the effluvium of disease .... here."
From her pack, Raven Six draws a ceramic flask with a wax seal, into which an R and a 6 have been engraved with a hot needle. Even sealed, the thing smells faintly of aniseed.
"I brewed it just this week. Antiplague. I hope to create a stockpile against the predicted plague, but this might be more useful to you in the here and now than the uncertain future. Bottoms up."

Looking over the immediate spoils, Raven Six nods thoughtfully.
"Decoding this spellbook should be a worthy challenge. If you do not mind, Donnell, I should like to claim at least one vial of blue winnis. I currently have no poison at all, and it might be useful to have."

If I've read the APG correctly, we just need to copy the spells from the book into our own, so long as they're on our extract list. No real decoding necessary, even! :) Just the basic expenses.

"Are you familiar with people who could be relied upon to move the spoils of our foray quietly and unobtrusively, and keep their mouths shut about such an operation?"

Sevenspawn nods. "Almost certainly. I will make inquiries on your behalf immediately after Ghaeken's body has been returned to his grandfather."

"I take your point regarding the safety. I was in a bit of a rush to move the equipment quickly for the same reasons - I wasn't sure if anything would be left by the time we got back if we just walk away from it now. Thod, perhaps you wouldn't mind staying behind with me while the other two sort out the other business? Thod could watch my back while I try to organize and prioritize things here."

Probably just being needlessly paranoid - luckily, that's pretty much Donnell's personality anyway...

"Perhaps Majenko would be willing to deliver a written message to Sevenspawn's contacts, and we could await their arrival, then depart to deliver Ghaeken's remains and escort the victims home?" Raven Six suggests.

Thod holds his ground as the ogre zombie screams and runs around. Huh, didn't know zombies could do that. Looks like...

KABLAM!!

This may be the worst thing that's ever happened to you. The corpse explodes spectacularly. Rancid, diseased guts of a long-dead ogre explode over the room, falling just short of Sevenspawn, but absolutely coating Thod. However, the ogre is gone, and the long fight is finally over.

"Crud - I brought antitoxin but I didn't think to bring any antiplague. Thod? Are you ok?"

Thod stands there for a moment, covered in rotting bile and decomposing viscera, his eyes closed, his face contouring in disgust, as well as shuddering a bit.

"That was worse then the time I had to drink a keg of the ale I tried to make. I think some got in my mouth."

Thod gives a dwarven grunt of appreciation as Sevenspawn gives him rags and conjures up some fresh water to clean with, and Thod does so eagerly, taking special care to scrub off the multitude of canteens adorning his person.

"I do not wish to be in this place any longer", he announces. "Let us depart, collect our neighbours from their hiding place, and return the remains of Thousand Bones' grandson to him through the Field Marshal. I will wish to stop at the market to buy a proper chest to place them in first." He pauses a moment, adding something to himself. "And a doll house."

"Ah, right, let's...

"I agree, Sevenspawn. Let's complete our rescue and our mission. While you are out finding an appropriate box for Ghaeken, I'll hire some carts and labourers to help me clear out any usable books and laboratory equipment. Raven6 and I can set up the top floor of Zellara's as a laboratory until we find a place with a bit more permanency."

"Uhh, okay, then...

"Agreed, up to a point," Raven Six says to Donnell. "With regret, our current locale seems unsuitable to our needs; it is known to hostile creatures, who may have gotten in through ways unknown to us. Our coming and going here would stand out even to casual observers.

We would blah to blabibity scout and reblahblah the whole complex before blah could blah termed blah blah safe, and blah if blah blah, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...."

Thod's eyes glaze over and he wavers a bit, completely uncomprehending what Raven is saying. He burps slightly and holds back some bile from being vomited.

And finally, Thod.

"Should you wish a bit of alchemical assistance in overcoming the effluvium of disease .... here."
From her pack, Raven Six draws a ceramic flask with a wax seal, into which an R and a 6 have been engraved with a hot needle. Even sealed, the thing smells faintly of aniseed.

Thod stares off into space for a moment, a mix of nausea and tuning out of Raven's polysyllabic vocabulary, so he doesn't acknowledge that Raven is talking to him at first, until he realizes that a vial is being waved in front of his face.

"I brewed it just this week. Antiplague. I hope to create a stockpile against the predicted plague, but this might be more useful to you in the here and now than the uncertain future. Bottoms up."

Again Thod stares at Raven in confusion, but fortunately her last two words clarify everything.

"Right. Thanks!"

And so Thod chugs down the vial. and then decides he's still thirsty, and still not feeling well. So he washes down the alchemical concoction with a drink of whiskey.

Antiplague's main advantage is to let me roll twice today when I make another save against the disease. Which I'm quite certain I'm going to have to do.

"Thod, perhaps you wouldn't mind staying behind with me while the other two sort out the other business? Thod could watch my back while I try to organize and prioritize things here."

"Uhh... Sure, I guess. Just guard you while you do... stuff? I can do that."

Thod busies himself, since he's long since lost track of what people are discussing, on cleaning his weapons and gear of rotten ogre guts.

"Perhaps Majenko would be willing to deliver a written message to Sevenspawn's contacts, and we could await their arrival, then depart to deliver Ghaeken's remains and escort the victims home?"

Sevenspawn considers. "I prefer the previous plan - the Kings may as easily shoot at Majenko as follow instructions through him.

"While your bounty here is clearly important, we must move with haste: Thousand Bones and the Shoanti must be satisfied, and quickly, before there is action. I will deliver these remains to the Citadel after I find an appropriate receptacle in the market to place them in, go immediately to see my colleagues, and have them find several strong men with hand carts to remove these items. You should reward them fairly handsomely - gold is important to the cause."

But the Dead Warrens themselves, now emptied, he thinks, may be an even greater reward.

Bowing slightly, he exits, retrieves the hidden townspeople, and moves to complete the tasks he has outlined after showing them to freedom.

That read as a bit abrupt on my part on the re-read - apologies. Just trying to push the scene. Cheers all!

It turns out that the positive holy energy from Sevenspawn's channel energies seems to have done enough to still the thrashing arm and torso. With the body complete and the Dead Warrens explored, you make your way back out into the city and straight for the Citadel.

----

You are ushered in to see the always-exhausted Cressida Croft. The Field Marshal welcomes you in, passing over the promised reward as she takes the body.

"Once again you have done a great deed for Korvosa. Please enjoy your ahem well-negotiated price and take your rest. I will give you a day or tw--"

She is interrupted as a guard rushes in, saluting Cressida hurriedly.

"Sorry ma'am. Ah... Mister Sevenspawn, sir. Folks've been looking for yas. A runner told me to pass this on when you showed back up from battlin' evil or whatevers."

He passes a note. Cressida, professional as always, does not inquire and lets you read it outside.

Impending attack from Devargo's men. Need help now. -RH

Sevenspawn recognizes the signature as being from Ilisana, the right hand of the Dead Kings.

Sevenspawn frowns hard at the note. Devargo? What in Her name for? Our only meeting was amicable.

He returns with haste to the Warrens, finding his companions.

"I need your assistance," he says as he barges urgently into the cavern, looking them over with a grim face. "I cannot say much now, but my family is in danger. There is likely to be trouble, probably going to be blood, and possibly some killing will need to be done."

The cleric backs up two steps, preparing to leave immediately.

Looking glumly at his neatly organized piles of equipment and books, Donnell sighs: "Of course, brother, whatever you need. Hopefully, some of this will be left on out return. Or, with any luck, we can send someone to look after things for us."

Donnell will hitch up his pack and weapons and follow the cleric.

I don't suppose I could arm the two we rescued from the pits and have them watch things for us? They're probably long gone, in any case...

"Very well," Raven Six says, placidly. "I still have one bomb and two extracts ready. Do you have information as to the nature of this trouble which might help us prepare?"

"The note from the Right Hand is vague," Sevenspawn replies, already turning to go. He passes it over. "It says that an attack by the King of Spiders is imminent, which makes little sense. It is possible that the note is spurious."

"No, it may be logical," Raven Six says, placidly. "We did, after all, benefit more from the exchange than the King of Spiders did. He may well have enquired after us, and used this opportunity to weaken your position in the city, and by extent our group, preparatory to an attempt to either enlist or eliminate us. Now. You mentioned a 'cause'. I am as yet unclear as to its details....?"

Sevenspawn shrugs. "Men like Devargo earn their living by betting on long odds. Using physical force to gain some petty revenge would be bad for his continued business. Anything is possible, however, and I respect your logical thinking.

"Cause...? Ah. Family. I belong to a small group of men and women who live in the Shingles, protecting and supporting the people therein where we can. We are an old club, called the Dead Kings. We are... unauthorized. They raised me from a small boy when my mother was unable to. What little I am today, I am because of them and my goddess."

He looks over the pair to Thod, hoping he will attend, and back to them as he takes the measage back, setting it to a torch. "The note is from the Right Hand - the second in command. You have my thanks for agreeing to come... I too am sorely depleted, both in spells and Her gifts."

"I'd dearly love to put a poisoned bolt through Devargo's neck, but my supply is running low. We will have to play this smart, friends. I have a number of smaller tricks that we can employ - smoke bombs, thunderstones, and the like - but these things are only useful if we are careful."