Karethas stares at gate in the wall. "I think we should be a little more cautious than that. A man who worships a goddess of thieves and spies is likely to protect his privacy in many ways, including magic and traps."
'I am very sorry but climbing is not one of my strong points. Maybe I shouldn't have spent so long reading books and actually done some physical training? I am open for any other suggestions though, I would like to take those windows back to the house of Shelyn, IF we have enough time.'
Though quite dextrous my ability to climb is lacking. Tumble through a cord of vipers? Absolutely! Grasp the succulent fig from the top branch? I'll wait for it to fall! Amir chuckles to himself at his jest.
As Karethas begins to cast Amir looks at the gate examining it for traps.
Beyond the distracting ringing on the Street of Chimes, Karethas is better able to concentrate and quickly detects a faint aura of abjuration on the garden gate. After the warning, Amir finds an alarm spell has been cast on the gate.
Whelp, iff'n the only alarm is on the gate - we should go over the wall like I recommended in the first place. But the choice is yours to make as a group.
Ah magic that would cause an alarm to be raised... Amir will turn to the others. We certainly run the risk of setting the spell off if we attempt to open or manipulate the gate. I could try to disarm the effect but magic is such a tricky thing and my training, though good, would still require that I am quite lucky. Our other option would seem to be scaling the wall here as Kzrira says. I am willing to try but if I fail we most certainly will be detected...or at least I would be...
Although I may appear small, I have some training in climbing. Let me see how hard this is. Did anyone bring some rope so that I can help the rest of you climb up?
Climb:
Like a cat, Kzrira scales the wall in a more concealed area well away from the warded gate.
'Well it would appear climbing is the only option, I would rather not be noticed just because of some bad luck.' I also try to give climbing the wall a go.
I follow Kzrira exactly, as she knows where is good to climb.
Once Kzrira and Faelar are up everyone can boost Karethas over and they pull Amir over as well.
The garden at dusk is beautiful. The scents are amplified in the dim light. White stepping stones wander beneath citrus trees and through arbors covered in jasmine and other beautiful sweet smelling vines. Toward the house you hear the trinkling song of a fountain.
'Well, that took me by surprise, I did not think I would make that so easily. I was sure I would need assistance. That is a lovely sound, a lovely sound amongst a beautiful view.'
'Is that a pair of toes, or may be some-ones boots from under that arbor? Over there, can you see them or am I just imagining things?'
I stare at the elf wondering if he is insane and put my finger to my lips in the universal sign of Shut Up:
I then whisper to Amir: Are you stealthy enough to see what is there? If it is someone, I will surprise him with a bolt.
Karethas' pride seems very damaged as he lands on the inside of the wall. He takes a moment to adjust his robes and brush the dust and leaves off of his robes. When the toes are pointed out to Amir, Karethas pushes up the sleeves of his robes and raises his hands, as if ready to cast a spell at a moments notice.
Amir looks to the boots and the intervening terrain. There are many long shadows and trees. I will attempt to make my way there
With trained precisions Amir creeps towards the arbor.
While the others watch, Amir creeps forward to inspect the boots. After a moment he draws a blade to begin cutting away the vines and promptly collapses to the ground!
I briskly but quietly walk over to Amir to see what is wrong.
I get to him, place my hand on his should and shake him slightly. I quietly mutter some strange words and perform a couple of hand gestures . I start to whisper something, 'Amir, you all right, what happened? Amir? Amir, wake up!'
Amir
Karethas
Faelar
Kzrira
??
I draw out my weapon and attack it:
Seeing Faelar draw his rapier, I loosen mine and move toward them with my crossbow drawn.
Perception:
Kzrira approaches as Faelar pokes at the something in the vines. She cannot make out any attackers.
Faelar, what do you see? Is Amir ok?
Karethas casts detect magic, hoping to seethe source of an enchantment spell. If he sees no evidence of a spell, he will examine the plant from a distance.
Neither Faelar nor Karethas can quite identify the vines. They are definitely exotic and Faelar can almost see skulls in the mottled red and purple blossoms.
Still using my message, I whisper to Kzrira, 'A vine or plant is crawling over Amir, it has skulls in it and can burst pollen onto people.'
I thrust my blade at one of the vines, hoping to draw it to me instead of Amir.
Hearing Faelar's whisper, I grab Amir's foot and pull him away from the vine while holding my breath.
Strength Check if necessary:
Faelar pierces the main stem near the root severely injuring it. The plant retaliates with a pair of barbed vines that flick toward the elf slashing and burning him with toxic thorns.
Kzrira is able to grab Amir and pull him away from the plant during the distraction. There is a tiny spray of blood as tendrils are yanked from his skin.
Karethas finally identifies the plant itself as the foe and attempts to cover Kzrira's withdrawal of Amir. He pulls his arm back like he is winding up for a pitch and as he finishes his incantation a fist size glob of green liquid appears hovering in his cupped hand which he quickly throws at the the vines trailing from Amir.
Karethas' conjuration flies right past Faelar's leg and strikes the heart of the damaged vine which writhes as it withers and dies.
Amir revives after a minute.
Once I have Amir away from danger, I shake him. Amir? Are you ok? what happened?
My message still active I whisper to both my friends, 'Well, that was rather painful. Good job on getting him to safety though; my dear lady. Also good shot from yourself; my intellectual friend. I think from now on, I shall remain near the back of the group if any more encounters show themselves. I do not think that I can take much more pain before I pass out, but I can still quietly assist you. How is Amir?'
He seems to be coming too. Karethas, any clue what that plant was?
As Amir comes around, you hear a door open and shut over the sounds of the fountain.
'We should hide, people are coming over hear. One of them sounds familiar and another called Omar.'
Karethas buries himself in the shadows as deeply as possible, but readies himself to cast a spell if they are discovered.
I try to drag Amir out of the way and then hide as best I can.
Stealth:
I ready my crossbow to fire if someone sees me or acts like they can see someone else.
In the gloaming light you see two dark figures walking along the path toward you. As they near, you can recognize one as Katlan, the crafty rogue that nearly killed Faelar today. With a quick cantrip, Faelar creates a disturbance outside the gate. Omar turns to investigate, but Katlan grabs his sleeve.
"No, ignore that." He points to the burned vines, "Someone is here." They look around apprehensively, but fail to see you.
Amir
Karethas
Faelar
Kzrira
Thieves
Surprise Round
HP: 7/12
Attack-Katlan with Crossbow:
Damage:
nd then I said to the camel...wha huh? Amir softly sputters awake.
Seeing Kzrira's bolt fly, Karethas unleashes the spell he was preparing. He points his right hand at the pair and a rainbow of colors bursts from his fingers, hopefully stunning them.
I move to the back of the group when I realise that my distraction did not work. I start to hum a little battle chant.
On my next round I shall continue to perform, while standing defensivly
The rogues turn toward Faelar as he begins his battle song. Before they can react, however, Kzrira sends a bolt into Katlan's gut and a brilliant wave of coruscating light washes over them from Karethas' hand. Omar falls unconscious and Katlan teeters with his eyes fixed blindly ahead.
The uproar appear to have finally awakened Amir, who stands up muttering to himself.
Karethas' eyes grow wide, "I've never done that spell in anger before. Quite effective!" He seems to collect himself after a moment. "Uh, put your hands behind your head Katlan if you wish to live to see tomorrow." Meanwhile, he prepares another Acid Dart in case the rogue does not comply.
Round 1
HP: 7/12
I reload ready an action to fire again at Katlan if he should make any move.
Attack-Crossbow:
Damage: