Khismia al-Khair |
- Those interplanetary transport sounds a bit dry, interplanetary trading rings a bell for me, so I am willing to proceed and find Elessia to speak about joint venture, - Khismia smiled to this idea.
тυιcн |
Tuich shakes her head in resignation and falls in behind her fine feathered friend.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vyk Tyr |
Vyk puts a comforting hand on Tuich's shoulders.
"It'll be fine. The Pathfinders haven't blown up the world, yet. Have a little faith in the Decemvirate. They'll know what to do."
тυιcн |
" 'Yet' being the operative word," Tuich replies with a grin but only a half-joking tone.
-Posted with Wayfinder
StephNyan |
As you head toward the courtyard you pass through several areas, which are all abandoned.
A14:
Low bookshelves line the northern wall of this library. Two freestanding bookshelves fill the center of the room, but nearly all of the books have been taken off the shelves and are strewn haphazardly over the floor, along with dozens of pages of notes. In the southern part of the room, a double staircase leads down to the first floor, while double doors allow exit to the south.
A13:
A suit of ceremonial full plate armor stands at attention near the landing of two stone staircases that lead upward. Beneath the staircases are two small alcoves that must have once served as an armory, judging by the empty weapons racks and shelves they hold.
A8:
This circular central room contains four exits, one in each of the cardinal directions. Four marble busts stand on pedestals spaced evenly around the room, though their features appear to have been chiseled off. The door to the south is reinforced with steel bands, while those to the east and west seem less sturdy. To the north, an open archway leads to a larger room with stairs climbing up to the second floor.
A6:
The eastern and western walls of this dark, fifty-foot-long passageway are interspersed with two floor-to-ceiling arrow slits, while the ceiling is covered with a thick iron grate, twenty feet long and ten feet wide, through which the sky can be seen. The double doors to the north lead deeper into Fangwood Keep, while the larger doors to the south lead to the inner yard. A short stool leans against the southern door.
You move the stool away and open the doors leading to the courtyard. Countless shallow pits have been dug into the soil. More alarming, however, are the signs of recent combat all around-dozens of corpses are littered throughout the courtyard, most human, but some of hobgoblins as well, and all bear signs of an intense battle. The human bodies have been stripped of their equipment, and if not for the broken swords and bows lying about, one might be inclined to think that the dead soldiers fought with the shovels and pickaxes leaning against the inside of the outer wall.
Miko Teppen |
Poor sods, Miko says, good thing those hobgoblins are gone. Do you reckon we are safe here? I wonder what is still lurking in the parts we haven't explored.
Are we aware of those 's'-es on the wall?
Vincent Blackwood |
"Hiding, no doubt. Vos, be a dear and call her out please. I'd rather not hurt your lady friend due to a misunderstanding... and her attacking us would be a very poor decision." Vincent suggests helpfully to Vos.
I assume at this point we have taken Vos's combat gear and tied his hands behind his back, possibly a short rope between his feet as well so he can't run easily. Vincent will lead the way.
Also, Vincent uses one CLW charge on himself.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Back at full!
тυιcн |
Tuich "ooh's" a little as they pass through the library, and is clearly disappointed that she can't stop and look through the scattered tomes. She nervously gives the suit of armor a wide berth, just in case.
"Okay, now what?" she says as she looks out over the carnage, shivering a bit.
Sorry, very busy at work today, couldn't post.
StephNyan |
@Vincent: I'd also assumed that :)
"Elessia?"
There's no reaction.
"Eleeessia?"
There's still no reaction, and Vos gives you a look that's a mix of fright and worry. "I don't know why she isn't responding..."
A quick search of the courtyard reveals that Elessia's not present.
Vos seems confused and shakes his head. "I don't get it..."
Miko Teppen |
The departure of your orange friends gave her inspiration, hmm? Miko says. Maybe the draft got to her? Tell me, where in this castle did she have her quarters, then? Just guide us around, and we'll see if we can reunite you start-crossed lovers.
тυιcн |
"Or perhaps she has her own agenda which she chose not to share with you, Vos," Tuich theorized.
Vincent Blackwood |
Vincent shrugs. "The ladies of court have often confused me as well. Perhaps she's begun searching for the artifact herself? I think Miko's suggestion is a good place to start though."
StephNyan |
"She stays in the same quarters as I do... Maybe she's gone back there while we headed here?"
You head back the entire way from the courtyard to where you first saw Vos, and check the room from which he emerged when he engaged you (A18). This large private chamber is vaguely partitioned by beams that span the ceiling east to west. The northern half of the room contains a double bed and easy chair, while a large wardrobe and table with chairs occupy the south. An enormous wool carpet lies in the center of the room. Two sets of double doors allow egress from the quarters: one to the west decorated with carvings of oak leaves and acorns, and a much plainer one to the east. There is no sign of Elessia.
"Looks like she indeed has her own agenda concerning the artifact," Akre comments, "but there's no way I'm going into the basement. That place freaks me out. Many of the men who went there didn't return..."
"If you decide to go there, shall I keep an eye of Vos in this room?"
тυιcн |
Tuich eyes Akre, clearly uncomfortable with the idea but saying nothing.
Vincent Blackwood |
"Should we assume she's already ventured into the basement herself? Perhaps our arrival hastened her plans. Let's check for clues to figure out if she did or not..." Vincent glances around, searching for any hints. "Leaving you with Vos sounds risky for several reasons, not the least of which is for your own safety."
Vincent suspects that something isn't quite as it seems. He's rather used to Taldan political intrigue, despite his tendency to end drama with his fists. Vos clearly hasn't been in control of the situation, and who knows what other strings Elessia has been pulling. I'd like to roll sense motive on Akre and Vos.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Also I'd like to cast a Detect Magic spell that includes Akre and Vos, concentrating for three rounds if I catch any magic auras.
Miko Teppen |
Let's have closer inspection, shall we. Clues, notes..
As Vincent tries to read Vos, Miko has a search of the room
Prc: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
We should probably check that back room as well, and the one opposite of this one.
It seems the upper level are pretty empty now, but I wouldn't want to go down without clearing the upper levels first.
тυιcн |
Tuich nods and moves to the back door (invoking Detect Magic on it and the area as she approaches). She checks it for traps and (if finding none) places an ear against it and listens carefully.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
If nothing questionable turns up, she'll quietly open the door and peek in.
StephNyan |
Vincent senses that Vos is confused. He senses that Akre hates Vos and doesn't have any ulterior motives. There are no magic auras coming from the two men.
Miko's search of the room doesn't turn up anything new, and Tuich's inspection doesn't turn up anything of interest either.
You open the double doors to the west (A21a) and a rampart that looks out on the land between the outer walls and the edge of the nearby forest is revealed.
You head to the large room on the opposite side of the hallway (A17). A long, formal banquet table dominates the center of this room. A desk and table occupy opposite sides of the room, and two sets of double doors, one in the west wall, the other in the east, are the chamber's only visible exits. The double doors in the east wall reveal a rampart (A21b) that looks identical to the one you saw moments ago.
Miko spots a couple of secret doors in the hallway. When you open the secret doors, you see two small rooms (A19a&b) that are packed floor to ceiling with racks and shelves filled with a wide assortment weapons. The western locker contains primarily one-handed melee weapons, including longswords, heavy maces, and daggers, while the eastern room contains two-handed and ranged weapons, including halberds, battleaxes, and light and heavy crossbows with a plethora of bolts.
There's nothing else of interest to be found on this floor.
Vincent Blackwood |
Vincent ponders for a while as they search the rest of the floor. "Akre, I think Vos may not be to blame for what's happened. I agree that you should watch him here as we go after Elessia to get to the bottom of this. Make sure he can't run away, but don't do anything rash. I know you want justice, but I think you should wait until we know the whole story."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
He checks the weapons and stuff for magical treasure that they might take with them, just in case...
"Vos, how do we get to the basement?"
I think I'm going the right direction with this. Am I totally off? I assume our next destination is the basement to recover the artifact and hunt down Elessia.
Khismia al-Khair |
- I think the door to underground is carefully hidden and we can find it only knocking walls through, - proposed Khismia
тυιcн |
Tuich cuts a glance at Vincent. "What are you thinking, that she affected his mind somehow?"
Vyk Tyr |
Vyk shrugged then answered for Vincent, "Love, like beer, is wondrous, grand, and has fueled an innumerable number of bad decisions."
The tiefling smiled.
"Lead the way, Kawrock."
StephNyan |
Akre nods at Vincent. "I'll not harm him any further. Don't worry."
Vos gives you the direction to the place where he had his soldiers dig the hole to the area below the keep. You head downstairs and into the east wing. Here you follow a small corridor to a door, which you open with the key Vos held when you looted him.
The flagstone tiles of this room have all been pulled up and lie stacked against the walls. The room has been completely excavated, and picks and shovels still lie scattered about. The digging has unearthed an old circular staircase made of a lighter stone than the rest of the keep. The staircase begins at the bottom of a seven-foot-deep pit accessed by a short ladder, and leads down into darkness.
Vyk Tyr |
"Maybe I should stay just ahead of everyone, seeing as I can see in the dark."
Vyk drew his scimitar, just in case, and stalked forward, looking for trouble.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Well. That happened.
Vincent Blackwood |
Vincent replies to Tuich, "It's quite possible. Vos made a series of poor decisions, and was abandoned in the end. Maybe enchantment was at work. Or maybe he's an idiot." He shrugs.
Vincent follows at a distance as well after casting Light on his necklace. He keeps an eye out for danger.
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
тυιcн |
Tuich will take a spot in the middle of the pack if that's okay.
Miko Teppen |
Into the depths once more. I wonder if we'll meet any talking lions.
StephNyan |
You descend the stairs and end up in a semicircular room drenched in blood. Detached body parts of both hobgoblins and humans lie strewn about amid fragments of ancient furniture and half-dried pools of blood, and broad spatters of blood decorate the walls. A circular staircase winds up in to the ceiling, while to the south a large, beige stone door without handles appears to be the only other way out.
You see a creature that looks like a wicked old man with metal boots and a blood-red pointed cap dancing among the cut-up body parts in the room, while dipping his little red felt hat in their blood. He sings a depraved tune in a language that you may or may not recognize as Sylvan.
"రైతు అప్పుడు పిచ్చి వెళ్లి
మరియు అతని మెరిసే పొడవైన కొడవలి పట్టింది!
అతను తన భార్య మరియు కుమార్తె కట్
మరియు రాత్రి సమయములలో లాఫ్డ్!"
and took his shiny scythe!
He cut his wife and daughter down,
and laughed throughout the night!"
The little man notices you and his grin widens. "Come! Come! Join me in my dance!"
The girls are still on the stairs.
Vyk Tyr |
Vyk looks confused for a moment before he has a realization.
"Oh, I get it. You're insane. I don't suppose you would be willing to surrender peacefully, would you?"
Miko Teppen |
Miko agrees with Vyk, but doesn't speak, readying instead to negate any dancing or singing this man may do with a countersong.
Khismia al-Khair |
Walking behind the others, Khismia felt herself well protected. She didn't thought they lose money, since she and friends were unharmed. Moving around took a lot of time and she was tired in her armour.
"At least this one can stop a random poisoned bolt coming from nowhere" she thought to herself. This idea brought another thought - she found an old scroll in her possessions and read that prayer aloud. Her words gave some strength for an invisible geist roaming near her.
Oracle touched Vincent's elbow: - I do believe this crazy may bring some trouble. Let the spirit protect you from his weapon.
- Hey, you expect this madman is going to fight you? - asked Ayu, waked by a prayer.
- Yes, and I want you to be near Vincent and protect him from a danger Khismia used a power in a scroll to give an order.
- Fool! You'll soon meet your fate and this hall will have nice trio of dancing pairs of madmen - Ayu whispered in return.
Retrieve scroll and cast shield of faith (+2 deflection AC) on Vincent
Vyk Tyr |
"Yeah, that's not exactly proving to me that he's not crazy, Kawrock."
тυιcн |
Tuich pulls off a scarf and readies it, just in case. "So what do we do? Try to talk him down?"
From "circular staircase" I presume it's open like a typical spiral staircase and those of us further back can at least see this fellow. Do we also have the option of firing ranged/using reach weapons from the staircase? How about leaping over the railing and down onto the floor?
StephNyan |
@Tuich: All fine with me!
The little man lets out an angry shout and looks like he's about to explode. "Bah! No dancing?! Nooooo daaaancing?! BAAAAAHHH!!"
A sudden grin shows on his face. "Bwahaha! You must be tired then! Tired means you have to rest, like these here!" He points at the corpses that are scattered throughout the room.
Khismia: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Miko: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Vincent: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Vyk: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Tuich: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Crazy little man: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Scythe: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Damage: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13
Kick: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
The crazy little man steps up to Vyk and swings his scythe at him. The scythe cuts into Vyk's side and is followed by a kick from the little man's iron boot, which misses.
"Bwahaha! I like the color you have inside!" The grin on the little man's face widens.
Round 1:
Crazy little man
Vyk 17/31HP
Khismia
Tuich 36/39HP
Kawrock
Miko
Vincent 22/27HP
тυιcн |
"What? Nonono, we're not doing that!" Tuich declares. "స్టీల్ కండువా!" and, a moment later, a glint of steel as she whips her scarf at the dancing fool.
Steel Scarf Revelation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Rats!
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Vyk Tyr |
Vyk has no time to react as the insanely quick scythe attack opens a large wound along his stomach.
"Gah!"
The tiefling grits his teeth and growls.
"Oh, we'll dance little man," Vyk promises.
Vyk shifts to the mad fey's right side, to give his comrades a better position.
Cast Defensively DC 16: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Shocking grasp!
He then spins theatrically, hiding his casting in a dance of his own. His scimitar sparks with blue arcane lightning as the spell takes hold.
Spellstrike: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 = 24
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 2 = 10
Sad panda. But I probably still hit him, so...
Damage +4d6 lightning: 1d6 + 5 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + (4, 3, 5, 2) = 21
He sends his scimitar into another complicated series of spins and attacks once again.
Scimitar: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Vyk howls in rage as arcane energy sparks amidst his teeth.
Miko Teppen |
Such a pity that this strange creature won't talk. Its mind is so alien..
Miko hesitantly lobs some acid in the direction of the strange fey.
RT: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 101d3 ⇒ 1
Khismia al-Khair |
- Madman! - called Khismia, - are you aware of what you've done? Look around... She started praying to Pharasma about souls of those who were slain here, as their spirits rised and become visible for the small creature with a scythe.
Cast cause fear Will DC16 shaken if success, frightened for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds if failed, immune if 6HD or more