Grusk looks at the door....
Perception
+2 monsterous humanoids
Catiously approaches....
Stealth
Attempts to open....
Disable device
Prepares for trouble.....
Initiative
Grusk gets the door open and finds himself at the end of a hallway. There is another door about twenty feet away that likely leads to the room next door. The hallway extends another twenty feet beyond the next door before taking a right turn.
Dark moves quietly up the hallway to the corner, looking around it to make sure that nothing disturbs the groups while they deal with the other door.
Blaze motions Grusk to open the door next to them, once Dark has given the all clear from the hallway. He then waves the half-orc back.
Sentis trailed bhind the others and took up position near the door Sunny indicated.
Grusk moves forwards to stand behind Dark taking in the array of doors, he points to his nose and invites Dark to take a whiff. ;)
Dark pulls back, but stays on the other side of the door, covering the approach from the hallway.
DM-
I know how much you love it when I spring crazy ideas on you, so I wanted to give you heads up as to something I'm considering using.
There are two objects on Doc's excessive equipment list that haven't come up yet, but that he's been carrying around for a while.
First are extendable tension rods. Basically, these are kind of like those collapsible shower curtain rods that you extend to fit the walls of your shower and then twist to tighten so you can hold up your shower curtain. The main difference is that tension rods are quite a bit sturdier (they are made to be used as impromptu support beams or scaffolding in locations where those things are hard to set up)
The second is a device blatantly stolen from batman's utility belt (that are amazingly simple and cool) listed as a "doorhandle brace" on my sheet. Imagine a metal hook that is designed to go over a doorknob or link with a handle. It also has a sharp bend in it that braces against a door frame and a mechanism on the shaft that is basically like a vice grip that tightens it down against the frame once it's been put in place. So basically, this thing is for keeping doors shut by pinning the door (which swings inward) braced against the frame on the outside.
Obviously this is no good against doors that open toward you, but that's what the Tension Rods are for. :)
All that make sense?
The door has a muddle of scents around it, and it is difficult for Darkbiter to make out any details. However as you listen you hear a voice within - one that you have not heard before, though it speaks at an ebb too low for you to hear.
Sentis could barely hear the muffled voices inside the room and strained his slightly pointed ears for any clue that would help them make a decision as to what to do next without putting their necks out too far.
Grusk smiles as dark sniffs the door....
Darkbiter picks up a faint scent, predatory and dangerous, while still exotic... almost like that of a tiger wearing perfume.
Sentis hears some of the words being said "..a pity, but not unexpected... if not for the enthusiasm... over much sooner.."
The words caused Sentis's anxiety to rise.
something's happening...I don't think we have much time...
At Sentis' words, Doc squeezes himself through the window, waving them forward.
"Go!" he hissed, hoping they weren't too late.
Pushing the door wide you gain sight into an office of sorts. In one corner is a writing desk piled high with parchment and books, while in the open area before it sits Holmburg on a wooden chair. His hands are bound and though he appears groggy, there is no overt sign of trauma. He does not react to your entrance... but the being standing in front of him does.
Standing seven feet tall and with a broad powerful frame is a creature of legend. Upon it's shoulder's sits a tiger's head, though it is clothed in the finery of men. It's arms end in claws that are unnatural in that the palms face outwards rather than in. It reacts instantly to the opening of the door, sniffing the air while keeping it's back turned to you. It mouths a single word, almost purring with latent danger "Interesting..."
Perception
+2 monsterous humanoids
Initiative
Sentis regarded the tiger headed man curiously wondering just what it was and why it felt like they were no threat to it.
The creature is unknown to Sentis, and has not yet turned to face you.
Hello?! Are...are you well Homburg?
Sentis was relieved to not see any signs of torture but he didnt like seeing the old man tied up.
"Step away from our employer, the dead don't pay!"
Grusk flies forward and "threatens" the beast!
Greataxe Attack
Damage
The tiger headed creature weaves easily out of the path of Grusk's axe and spins to face him directly. The beast's mouth parts in a snarl as it speaks with a voice that carries weight beyond words itself "Sit in the corner and be quiet little child"
Holmburg shows no reaction to Sentis' words.
Will save
"F@%# you! I'm gettin paid!"
What the hell?
"Boss? Yer call." Doc says waiting for orders.
Quietly Blaze says "Um, I have no idea that that thing is, but it doesn't seem at all bothered by us."
More loudly "What are you doing with our employer?"
Dark snarls as he watches this bestial creature, watching Blaze carefully, ready to strike quickly should it prove necessary.
Dark can confirm that the tiger headed beast is most definitely not human. Blaze did not observe a spell being cast.
The creature seems more bemused than upset at Grusk's continued recalcitrance and instead reaches to one side and places a claw firmly around Holmburg's throat and squeezes ever so slightly. Holmburg's breath becomes labored, but the windpipe is still open... for now.
The beast then refers to Blaze "Now now Corporal Blaze, if you would be so kind as to call off your dog?"
Despite the danger of the situation, Blaze can't resist messin with Grusk "Down boy, come over to Doc, maybe he'll scratch your ears for ya"
"Pussface, Ah don' mind talkin', but Ah think it's fair t' warn ye that if he dies, things are gonna git mighty unpleasant 'round here. Don' know if'n ye c'n take all o' us, but Ah'm willin' t' bet ye can't do it b'fore Ah run off an' turn this whole buildin' int' a poison-filled bonfire. So, why don't ye let go o' poor Holmburg, we'll pu th' leash back on Grusk, an' we c'n talk 'bout why ye got our guy tied t' that chair."
Grusk heads over by Doc
"If I lose mah pay, Im gonna take it out o his pretty hide."
"Im bettin tha two contracts at tha same time tha this one was tha result o magic an void makin mister kitty in deep trouble wit all tha companies."
As Grusk retreats the meaty paw opens and releases Holmburg's neck. Stretching languidly the tiger headed creature responds smugly "I am finished with your employer at any rate, knowledge that was desired has been taken. You are welcome to what is left... he should recover eventually. Despite your threats I hold no fear of you... try your luck if you must. But it would be a pity..." staring straight into Blaze's eyes he continues... in the voice of Robert Vankerman "...for it has been a while since we last spoke. How have you been?"
Sentis looks crossly at the tigerman but says nothing as he rushes over to Holmburg. You alright Mr. Holmburg? Are you injured?
Holmburg raises his head slightly blinking bleary eyes. He seems to recognise you, but Sentis suspects he has been drugged somehow.
Sentis's worry grew and he took out his dagger to cut the old man's bond's. Its me, Sentis. You're going to be alright sir. Have you out of here in a moment. Just take it easy/ He'll keep his supsicion's to himself until the Wolves were out of there.
Uh, may I approach and retrieve Mr. Holmburg?
The half wasnt scared for himself. He trusted the Wolves would descend upon the tiger man with fury if he tried anything funny...hopefully the old man doesnt get caught in the crossfire...
Grusk follows Sentis as a bodyguard if nothing else.
"You grab the old man I'll keep an eye on tiger head."
"Yah got a name tiger head?"
Dark remains quiet as his eyes never leave the strange unnatural tiger creature, ready to strike if need be.
Doc rolled his eyes. "Who cares what 'is name is. He's Vankerman. Tha' good enough."
Looking over at Blaze, Doc waited for orders.
"Or he killed an replaced Vankerman."
Despite everything, Blaze manages a grin "Oh you know, standard merc stuff. Saving people, looting dungeons, getting rich. You?" He replies in the most off-handed manner possible.
The beast pauses a moment before kicking Holmburg's chair making it slide forward to where Sentis might reach it. The elderly man is still out of it and does not speak, but reacts to Sentis' touch as the druid frees the man from bondage.
The creature is smug as it responds "I have no name you are worthy of, and I am doing the same as before... paying those that can be bought to risk death for me. Should I call your kin from below and order them to fight you? It would give me momentary pleasure, though is ultimately wasteful no?" chuckling as it smiles with a predatory bent before purposefully turning it's back.
The tiger headed beast moves to the desk in the rear of the room and collects a few pieces of paper into a journal. It seems completely dismissive of any threat you offer to it.
Helps Sentis free Holmburg.....
Thinking if anyone can help them know how to deal with this thing later on it will be Holmburg....
"Lets go this place smells."
Sentis nods his thanks to Grusk for helping with the old man and gives him a once over to see if there were any prevalent injuries.
Doc shrugs and follows Grusk out the door, helping support Holmburg.
"Don' care what yer name is. Ye'll always be Pussyface t' me."
"Bye for now! Thanks for the interesting conversation. We'll meet again soon, I promise. Be well until then, yes?" The Keleshite says as he turns and leaves.
Sentis is of the opinion that time is what will heal Holmburg, once whatever drug he carries is passed from his system he should be close to normal.
The tiger headed beast does not answer you directly, though you do see if cock it's head to one side for a second as you depart.