"I could use a bit of a rest, but if everyone else is game to continue, I can press on."
"We should be good for a quick foray downstairs and a scrap or two. Best be ready, I can magic your weapon when we get into it."
To keep their doughty dwarf up to snuff in mobility, Luther casts a spell on Dezco, and he feels much faster.
"Have some elven speed my good dwarf."
Shrugging over his shoulder at the others.
" I have another cone of fire, and a shocking grasp that's fairly tough. If I run out of my ordered magics, I still have cantrips. Plus if needed, I can always switch to the claymore."
He returns to looking down the stairs.
" So. Is it true they get more dangerous the deeper you descend?"
Passing the dead spider at the top of the stairs, your descent takes you a further ninety feet into the depths before the broad stone staircase opens into a small, irregularly shaped chamber lit by oil lamps. To the east, a short flight of steps leads up to a sturdy door set in the middle of a wall and flanked by arrow slits whilst to the north, a wide gate of iron bars blocks an archway leading to a larger chamber filled with the eerie green glow of the Emerald Spire.
Symon shudders as he passes the dead spider, and tries to get as far from it as he passes.
"If I never see another one of these things again, it will be too soon!", he mutters to himself as they continue deeper into the dungeon.
Luther whispers 'can we open it fast?' and points to the door with the arrow slits. He mimics stepping quietly and looks at Dezco and Symon.
Symon will sneak towards the door, keeping in the shadow and moving to the opening-side, so he can pull the door open. He will also examine the door to see if it is locked.
Stealth:
Perception:
As Symon creeps towards the closed door, his movements are catlike and near silent...Dezco, on the other hand, accidentally knocks over a pail that was placed at the top of the steps...it clatters downwards, metal ringing against stone for a few seconds and then silence...
...until a man's voice calls out from beyond the arrow slits...
"Who goes there?"
Symon, Dezco - the door is a sturdy design and appears to be locked.
There are laughs beyond the door, "Really? Well you are truly lost...turn around...go back the way you came"
While Dezco speaks with the unknown man on the other side of the door, Symon will examine the lock and then try to open it (if no trap is present).
Perception:
Disable Device:
Luther closes 20' and grants protection to all.
He looks to see if he can stall.
"I'm a healer--anyone hurt or sick?"
"In the name of Lolth, open this door. I am Drusellia Malacore, of House Dreznekt and I demand entry!"
Conner douses his light, then moves to the edge of the stairs.
He stands quietly as he isn't sure what to say....
Conner douses his light...but the illumination from the arrow slits, and from the green spire to the north, stops the area being plunged into darkness...
As Symon starts to interfere with the lock, things deteriorate quickly, "No-one is hurt around here...except you, if you don't get away from here now...take the drow down first!!!"
Crossbows poke through two of the arrow slits...aiming towards the group containing Drusellia with the creaking of bow strings pulling tight...
...and then, with a simultaneous 'twang', two bolts shoot towards Drusellia...
Luther motions for Symon to leave some room in front of the door.
He moves to be fifteen feet directly in front of the door and attempts to command the human to come out.
Symon does as Luther signals and moves away from the front of the door...he stays out of the vision of the arrow slits in the door, however, crouching under the holes in the wall.
Drusellia does as instructed, moving out of the line of fire.
Luther motions for Symon to try and unlock again and for Dezco to open the door.
Conner will start practicing his forms, dancing and weaving around at the edge of the stairs.
" Sorry guys, not really my area..."
Symon will move under the arrow slits and back to the door, where he will once again try to unlock it.
Disable Device:
From beyond the arrow slits, the sound of a crossbow being cranked tight and then, with another loud 'twang', a bolt flies toward Drusellia...this time striking her in the shoulder.
As the blood runs from Drusellia's wound, she feels the burning sensation of poison...
Meanwhile, amid cries of "What in the seven Hell's are you doing?", the door swings open revealing a confused man....crossbow held limply by his side.
As the door swings open and the human stumbles out, Symon takes the advantage to stab him from behind.
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Sneak:
Luther steps back. "Take him down and make sure Dez gets in the door."
Luther touches the dwarf's melee weapon and it glows with enchanted power.
Luther's protection on the group wears off.
Oops, Luther touched Symon's weapon then.
Drusellia gasps as the bolt strikes her and the poison takes effect. With a numbness in her limbs, she moves out of the way of the door.
Conner rushes (move action)to attack(standard action) dropping (free action) his longsword and drawing( part of move) the claymore on his way. Charging his sword(swift action) with arcane might, he swings.
Moving to the arrow slit that the bolt that hit Dru came from..
Casting defensively, Conner projects his hands into the slit and fires off a cone of fire...
Annnd fumbles the spell...
With the cloaked human stood in the doorway, Symon and Dezco both attack him...but somehow miss. Pushing his friends to one side, Conner swings his sword...the blade catching hard on the man's leather armour and cutting a deep wound across the stomach...
The man, regaining his senses, drops his crossbow and, in a single elegant move, draws and stabs his sword at Conner...but he is still groggy and misses wildly.
Meanwhile, the crossbow, still thrust through the arrow slit, releases another bolt.
The second bolt from the crossbow is more accurate, striking Drusellia in the neck...she crumples to the floor, unconscious and bleeding...
Luther advances to right behind Conner and channels positive energy excluding their foes.
Seeing Dru conscious, she points at the man in the door. "Dru, shake the earth and knock him down."
Removing his backpack, Symon jams it up against the hole the crossbowman has been firing out of, hoping to keep Dru safe from his ranged attacks.
"We need to bring down this first guy and engage the next."
As his weapon glows with magical power, Symon strikes once again at the guard in the doorway.
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Sneak:
Whilst Dezco is again unfortunate, Symon's blade finds another vulnerable spot on the guard, blood splashing to the floor as he visibly weakens...
With a grunt and a mighty over hand chop, Conner hammers into the human in front of him.
"Inside quick! Luther is Dru alright?"
Drusellia does as instructed, sending forth a wave of tremors.
With a mighty swing of his sword, Conner slays the guard at the door and, moving past his falling body, enters the room beyond. The other guard, seeing his friend fall, shouts in anger, "This is Our Place!!! I'll kill you for that..."
His loaded crossbow clanks as he fires a bolt at Conner...
Cursing he drops his crossbow and draws a sword...