Jacques spins round from peering back into the fog and stares intently at the chimney.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 I think you're right Gerthi. It seems someone is home. Could it be family of yours perhaps, Mr Devendell? Sense motive check on Mr Devendell's reply: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
"We knew someone or something was bound to be inside. I still say we make a circle around the mansion as best we can and see what we see before we enter,"says Senjak.
Jacques spins round from peering back into the fog and stares intently at the chimney.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 I think you're right Gerthi. It seems someone is home. Could it be family of yours perhaps, Mr Devendell? Sense motive check on Mr Devendell's reply: 1d20 + 4
Devendell looks worried.
"No one should be home... In any case, there's a basement entrance and a side servant's entrance."
"I know it's going to sound familiar, coming from a Dwarf and all, but I'd be happier taking the basement. That way we can presume that no one is behind us. But I'll accept the servant's entrance if that is the will of the group.
"By the way, Mr. Devendell, will you be accompanying us into the mansion house?."
"Well, so far it seems most of us feel more strongly to the servant's entrance. And yes, Miss Stensikker, I shall be accompanying you. I am not without my own protection."
"I apologize, I forgot to mention it! The servant's entrance is just around on the eastern side. We'd have to cross through the old rose gardens though."
"No... at least there wasn't when I used to live here. Let's just say most of the house will not be as I last saw it. It wouldn't surprise me if the rose garden was no longer quite as enjoyable as before."
Heading down the path that takes you around the house into the gardens, you notice a rather large raven perched on a wooden post.
"Oh don't mind him, that's just Sir. He's the house raven."
Ken looks back at you.
"He's stuffed."
The rusted gate ahead leads into the rose garden. Large vines grow all over, dwarfed by a towering hedge of leafy bushes, blocking much of the garden ahead from view.
"Well, I was waiting on others to see if everyone was ready. So, who will lead the way? Form up men! And women... I doubt this garden is as tranquil as I remember."
Simply put where in the "adventuring line" you want to be. Front line, middle or rear guard for example.
"We best let Gerthi go in front, otherwise she won't be able to see anything." Jacques says, smiling. "I'll watch the back, in case any of Mr Devendell's roses try to get the drop on us." he adds, quietly sliding his knives into his hands.
Gerthi glances coldly at Jaques, her narrow eyes searching for... something... before she breaks into a broad smile. "Lucky for you, boy, that you surfacers's sense of humour´ is one of the things I love about this damned roofless world! Come on then, fall in behind me and Senjak.
The dwarven paladin's left hand grips the heavy hammer she carries, and the right arm tenses and relaxes behind the great metal shield.
"Let's see what's taken hold while Mr. Devendell's been away from his garden. Lorasaadi? A word, if I may?"
Sakina takes her place beside Lorin as the group heads through the rose garden towards the servant's entrance. While walking, she looks around, alert for any signs of danger.
"Well, these statues were hand carved by the late Mikhael Evenburger... I believe he owed my uncle a favor and this collection largely covered it. In any case they aren't exactly my favorite."
Perception DC 20:
You see a movement within a rose bush... and it's moving towards Mr. Devendell
Initiative:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Gerthi rushes to one side of the angle of attack from the vine so that her shield is between her and the bush, and stands poised to swing her trusty hammer should it attempt to strike again...
For those of you who haven't done this before, simply roll all your attacks and damage at the same time, then hit preview. Depending on your roll, you can write out your actions after.
The plant nevertheless misses, and coils back in on itself, writhing just inside the bush.