Drusellia keeps watch outside the fog, with a magic missile at the ready, should one or more of the outlaws show themselves.
Luther attacks the one between him and Dez.
In that case, one missile on each thug, please.
Stepping to the side, Conner tries from a different angle..
Dropping his longsword, he draws his Greatsword and swings again.
Pick that up! He directs the Unseen servant.
Drusellia, who is able to make out the outlines of the outlaws within the mist, releases two arcane bolts…they unerringly find their targets and the fog cloud momentarily lights up like a lightning cloud…when the bright flash subsides, one of the outlaws lies dead. With but one shadowy figure remaining, Conner steps up and uses an over-sized blade to bisect the cloud, catching and slaying the last of the defenders…
Finally getting the opportunity to look around the room that you stormed, it appears to be some kind of mess hall. The north and south walls are fitted with shelves containing mismatched goblets, platters and bowls. Noticeably, a number are made of fine porcelain emblazoned with crests of noble families. A raised table with three lavish chairs stands at the east end...looming over the more mundane tables within the room.
Searching the bodies, you find:
- 4 potions of cure light wounds
- 7 vials of a green viscous liquid
- 4 light crossbows (and 34 bolts)
- 4 short swords
There are several doors leading from this room, one to the south and two to the north.
Luther quickly channels, making sure to exclude all bandits.
Luther then checks the green liquids to see what they are with a sniff and taste.
"We can divide up the healing potions, leaving me out, in case something happens and you need one. Remind me we need to come back and get the dishes and maybe even some of these chairs to bring back with us. I am sure they are valuable."
After the group is ready, Luther points to the North doors.
"Symon, let us continue while Dez has strength and wooden skin."
Taking his longsword back, Conner sheathes it and continues with the Greatsword.
He commands the Unseen Servant to carry one of the shortswords, in an upright guard position.
"Once the door is open let my unseen guard go through first. It might get them to attack it and give us an edge."
With that he rests the Greatsword point down on the floor and casts light on the floating shortsword.
Cautiously entering the next room through the open doors to the north, you see that this this room serves as a kitchen. A large hearth takes up most of the south wall, and there’s a basin for washing up against the west wall. Dry goods, provisions, and cooking gear clutter the space.
A door to the north leads from the kitchen into the main corridor that you had previously discovered (but at the northern end beyond where it turns east)...three further doors provide exits from this part of the corridor. To the north, there is a single door and, just to the right of it, a set of double doors whilst, to the east, a sturdy wooden door stands at the end of the corridor. There are a multitude of animal noises coming from this eastern door...
"Let's keep north, the double doors north."
Symon creeps up to the double doors and checks them for locks or traps. He also listens at the door to see if he can hear anything from within.
Perception (Listen):
Perception (Traps):
Moving through the double doors, you move from the ordered structure of architectural tunnels into the open space of a large natural cave albeit, a cave that has been widened by excavation. Masonry walls enclose structures within the cave, including what looks to be a temple to the north and some way to the west, a crypt. In the eastern end, a low stone wall encloses a large pool of water.
At the northern end of the widened cave, a low tunnel heads off into darkness. Even from fifty, sixty feet away, you can feel the cool breeze that is moving the fabric hanging above its entrance.
"Well, we have the nest of rooms to clean out first. We can come back. Still need to find our escapee too."
Luther leads them on a systematic search counterclockwise from the double doors north (single door north then single door west then single door south at end of west corridor).
Moving to the ornate double doors that lead from the cavern, you overhear at least three voices beyond…the doors are too thick to determine what is being said however the tone and cadence of the voices suggest they may be involved in some kind of ritual.
"I think we need to crash this party." Luther readies his flail and checks the doors four times.
Listening for longer, you still don't get much of a sense of what is being said although one phrase is repeated several times, "With One Hand I Give...."
Luther whispers:
"Let's stop this. Conner and Dez, charge em!! Dru, knock em down."
That seems to be Luther's plan get 'em.
Conner nods and readies his sword.
" Is the door locked?"
he whispers.
Stop what? Wonder what he heard...
Symon moves forward and checks the door. If unlocked he will throw it open for the others to pass through.
Perception:
First checking and then pushing the door open, Symon reveals a room of clearly religious significance. Rows of pews and a stone altar on a low dais show that this room is a shrine. A large statue of a mysterious, hooded figure stands solemn vigil at the east end whilst paintings on the walls depict a gray-hooded man in a variety of exploits and triumphs.
At the far end of the room, three robed figures stop their liturgy and, clearly trained to be combat ready, reach for weapons...a female voice calls out from beneath a cowl, "How dare you interrupt our worship!!! This is our place...and you have received no invite!!!
Luther moves into the room (20' move for surprise std)
He seems to think the others will follow.
Drusellia moves into the room proper, then launches two magic missiles at the woman.
Spells Remaining: 2
Tremors Remaining: 5
Symon moves into the room and slides along the back wall. Once clear, he fires his bow at one of the waiting cowled figures (#1)
Attack-Ranged:
Damage:
Conner rushes into the room and straight at one of the splinters.
" Raarg!"
He screams incoherently as he slashes overhand with the Greatsword.
Rushing into the room, a number of attacks are unleashed upon the robed figures at the altar end of the temple. Each of those attacks, Drusellia’s missiles, Symon’s crossbow bolt and Conner’s charge, are successful…with the two men staggering the most under the sudden assault.
Drawing his short sword, Conner’s opponent stabs at him before stepping back towards the altar…he keeps one eye on the woman at all times..
Wordlessly, the woman picks a small chime from the altar and, with eyes narrowed upon the intruders, lightly rings it…
…the light ringing echoes back once from the statue of the hooded figure and then, in retort, echoes back a second time with cacophonous dissonance and volume - the volume is so loud that it causes you physical pain.
Seeing Dezco clutching his ears, the other man draws his sword and charges at the dwarf.
Luther issues a word of command grasping his holy symbol targeting the woman.
"Come!"
"Symon, help Dez, that bell magiced him!"
Luther retreats back to the wall (Square down from Symon)
Symon shakes off the after effects of the ringing and fires at the man attacking Dez.
Attack-ranged:
Damage:
Conner charges his blade with arcane power then steps forward and swings at the splinter again.
"Wasted my servant spell, Hag!"
He growls as the soundburst dissipates his unseen servant and the shorts word falls to the floor with a clang...
His anger making him swing wide...
Symon’s bolt almost nicks Dezco’s neck as the outlaw ducks behind the dwarf…the bolt instead clattering harmlessly to the floor after bouncing of the altar.
The woman at the rear of the temple, placing the bell back on the altar, ignores Luther’s invitation to come forwards…instead she fixes Conner with a stern look and commands him to hold his ground…a crushing weight saps all of the strength from Conner’s muscles and it is all he can do to stand…
Seeing his opportunity, the outlaw who had ducked Conner’s great sword stabs forwards…and then, smiling at the crimson staining Conner’s clothing, steps backwards…
Meanwhile, the other outlaw slashes fruitlessly at Dezco.
Drusellia snarls an unladylike oath and sends another pair of magic missiles at the woman. She then ducks behind some pews so as to have cover.
Spells Remaining: 1
Tremors Remaining: 5
"Get in there Symon. This time help Conner. Use a blade."
Luther waits to see how desperate thongs are.
Conner's face turns red as he struggles to move.....
"You filthy,kobold loving, piece of troll dung! HAH!!"
He screams in triumph as the spell starts to give....
Luther begins chanting and a portal to elemental planes opens.
Dezco’s fury is immense, his sword striking the outlaw in the midriff even as he stands from picking it up…slicing upwards, the outlaw lets out one final shriek of pain before dropping to the floor.
Drusellia lets off another barrage of missiles…each one slamming into the woman as she starts to move against Conner.
Safe at the eastern end of the temple, Symon continues to shoot at the outlaw fighting with Conner – this time managing to land a glancing blow.
Seeing the tide of battle turning away from them, the woman shouts to the remaining outlaw, ”Take him down…the Grey Master will judge him!!!”. The outlaw grimaces and ducks around Conner…slicing at him as he goes…
The woman raises her rapier, it crackles with black energy before she moves in on Conner…hissing, ”This is OUR place”
Coming up briefly from behind the row of pews, Drusellia concentrates on the woman, unleashing a tremor beneath her feet.
Spells Remaining: 1
Tremors Remaining: 4
The woman barely has time to draw her sword back from Conner when Dezco is upon her…the dwarf’s blade strikes true…and hard. She crashes backwards against the wall, her eyes rolling back in their sockets as her lifeblood gushes from the deep wound in her chest.
Luther completes his ritual and a creature of earth forms and charges the last bandit.
Luther channels posting energy excluding their three enemies after advancing to engage the last one.
Stoney smashes and misses.
Luther advises the last bandit to surrender. Stoney is angry.
"Crap!"
Conner manages to spit out before crumpling to the floor....
Dropping his crossbow, Symon draws his short sword and moves to strike the already beleaguered bandit.
Attack-melee: (Flanking)
Damage:
Sneak damage:
Symon's blade strikes hard on the remaining outlaw...yet, surrounded and outnumbered he doesn't give in - at the top of his voice he shouts, "IN HERE!!! QUICK, TARRIN IS DOWN!!!", before stabbing at Symon
Luther channels again.
but no enemies heal.
Hoping more bandits come in while the elemental is active and Dezco is strong, Luther hopes they can be mobile soon.
"Conner and Symon, search the bodies and get anything useful. We need to loot this place before we have to leave. When Dezco's armor and strength wear off, we want to be out of this lair if the Splinters are actively hunting us. Dru get that bell."
Luther sends his stone servant out looking for trouble he moves to open the double doors south. Wielding the horn with his shield, Luther seems ready to cover their escape with fog.
Dezco's blade cuts through the armour of the outlaw, piercing his chest and, with ribs cracking, emerging on the other side...
...the man is dead before he falls to the floor...