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The group sets out with Janiven in the lead, Morosino close on her heels followed by the newly met rebels having choosen to this new path before each of you. Unfortunately your path has led you into Westcrown's sewers. After a couple of minutes pass with everyone watching where they are walking, Janiven speaks up startling the group out of their own thoughts. She must feel you are all safe enough away to talk freely now as the sounds of the Hellknights are no longer heard from behind them. Arael and I made these marks a few months ago when we were explored the sewers. We marks intersections so our people could find their way through the sewers to our hideout! They might take a few minutes to search in the tavern after they take care of the issues you left for them but some are going to follow us down here after they a lantern or make torches. They might even try to infiltrate the sewers ahead of us if they can guess our route so we need to keep moving! She leaves off her last sentence as she hops over a small backup of sewage that will be gone with the next rain.
Travel is slow going but steady, the group is slowly getting used to the smell by now but the slow moving dirty water right next to them causes some to feel like dinner might come up. For the most part you have been moving in a single file in a five foot sewer tunnel until an intersection is seen up ahead. This large, oddly shaped room as four exit tunnels and mulitple sewer channels. One part of a channel connects to a long cesspit. Several large wooden planks form a single bridge over another section of the channel. The cesspit is only a few inches deeper than the main channel, as a deep cesspit would become clogged with waste and would have to be manually emptied; it mainly serves as an emergency overfloww for the channel in times of heavy rain one would guess. Janiven pauses thinking she hears something up ahead, the group stops five feet away from entering the intersection, she whispers back, Something is uphead of us, I hear scraping sounds like dragging feets or the like! She passes back the torch so the light won't give them away but little does she know they have already been spotted. Anyone with darkvision at the front of the group can see armoured figures advancing on your position but at a very slow pace. Splashing water can now be heard as they move closer and closer.........
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I hear their approach from ahead! Ashenal hisses. We should advance so that more can engage them!
"By the Pantheon, what is it now?"
Mithrael attempts to peer around the line in front of him, being careful not to overbalance and fall into the sewage beside him.
Sensing that danger is near, Za'unda retreives a small wooden whistle and blows it 3 times, in quick succession. It produces very high notes (almost not perceivable). Putting away the whistle, Za'unda tightens his grip on his club and gets ready for battle.
Barely able to make out the shapes ahead of them before the light is passed back and his vision is restricted, Tahlali mouthes a silent Elven curse, before looking over to the other side of the water, wondering if a jump could be made to a possible ledge there.
Wuglat steps forward to place himself between Janiven and the unseen threat. With his sword drawn high he squints into the dark hoping to gain a glimpse of what is to come.
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Janiven gives a quick yelp as she is pulled backward towards the group leaving Morosino in the lead. Morosino peers into the darkness ahead and sees six armoured figures approaching but notices there is no flesh holding the armour up, red light fills the sockets of these warriors and each has a rusty scimitar drawn as they advance. Their armour is old, wholes and rust riddle the chain shirts they wear. They quietly approach as their evil aura washes over the group. Morosino squeaks out several sharp high pitched words, Those......those....things are not living........Skeletons his last word is almost a shout leaving no one unclear what they face up ahead....
A dark and large scaly thing shoots by the group from behind them through the sewage flow. A member of your party quickly bends down and reaches out a darken hand stroking creature as if petting it before it races ahead toward the danger lurking before the party.
Everyone
Wuglat grabs Morosino by the shoulder and pulls him back through his space and steps forward to stand between the skeletons and the boy. As he clears him he brings his great sword down on the lead skeleton.
Mithrael moves forward until he can see the undead creatures clearly, and is within short range.
"Blasted creatures of darkness. The existence of the undead has always been an affront to light and nature."
Mithrael grips his staff with one hand and extends the other, a ray of brilliant white light shooting from his fingers at the closest skeletal creature.
Disrupt Undead (1d20+2, 1d6=[16, 2], [3])
Elim watches carefully, readying an action to aid Mithrael if he is attacked. (+2 AC)
"Skeletons? skeletons! Men of valor! Fight well, fight on!"
if only I'd brought a bow...
Mithrael looks back at the bard with a raised eyebrow.
"The skeletons are fighting on. That's the problem!"
Not to be outdone by a half-breed that he thinks is below his ability, Tahlali moves forward to where there is more room to maneuver and swings Arinae at one of the Skeletons.
Attack Skeleton with Arinae. (1d20+5=24)
Confirm Critical. (1d20+5=7)
Damage. (1d10+1=8)
Za'unda smiles has he sees his old companion appear at the scene. He yells out after him in his native language. "Bonoye Kawa, Tei!Me Kawa" At that, the 'scaly thing' moves in a hurry to the front of the group and tries to crush a skeleton's bones with its huge maw. Za'unda is close behind, swinging his club at the same skeleton.
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With enemies behind and now in front the party presses forward quickly to take care of this evil. Now that the heroes have room to face these undead creatures with their weapons. The Mordent elf a long ways from home slashes out at one of the skeleton and easily connects shattering the creature to a pile of bones on the sewer floor. With an arm raised a ray of positive energy shoots from Mithrael, the wave of energy slows the skeleton for a few seconds before it continues its attack. With Morosino out of danger and out of his swords way, the half-orc attacks one of the skeletons with his great sword, his strike fails to hit the creature though. The dark Mwangi native shouts out to the reptile who rushes out of the sewage water at the command and snaps at one of the skeletons, its jaws fail to connect as does the native's club on the same skeleton. From right behind the heap of bones at the feet of Tahlali another skeleton moves in with its sword raised high, it brings it down on the elf hitting and bouncing off the armour of the elf. Another skeleton attacks the large half-orc and has the same problem as its friend, a loud ring and skreech as its sword slides against the half-orc's armour. Two skeletons move attack the reptile and mwangi man, the one slams its sword into the sewer floor as it tried to hit the dark green creature, the other though draws a line of blood along Za'unga's arm. The last skeleton moves in but there is no room for it to get into the fight but presses forward behind its own kind. Moving in to help Wuglat, Ashenal uses his rapier to distract the skeleton so Wuglat next attack will have a better chance of hitting the creature. Alamander surveys the battle scene looking for someone or something that might be controling these undead creatures but from his vantage point spots no one except the skeletons they are currently engaged in battle with. The tiefling bard begins to sing a song about skeletons and for the heroes to fight with valor and to fight well.......
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Almander pulls out his blade with a ringing cresendo that echos off the sewer walls, he engages the closest pile of bones and slashes at it with his Taldorian Falcatta.
to hit 22, to dam 6.
Here's where it gets tricky for me. I'm not sure who's engaged with what. Am I adjacent to a skeleton now? Can I use disrupt undead again without suffering an attack of opportunity? If I'm at range from the combat, can I use it without suffering the -4 penalty for shooting into melee?
Murmuring certain words in draconic, Mithrael draws glowing white energy to his hand again. Then he looks around and tries to gauge the battle.
Za'unda urges his reptilian companion to fight fiercely while he maneouvers around a skeleton. As the small alligator tries to crush or pull out a skeleton's leg, Za'unda rises his shield to blocks blows, waiting for the opening he needs to deliver a mighty club strike.
"Fight on my allies"
Begin to inspire courage.
Wuglat swings his greatsword again missing his target
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Mithrael- Am I adjacent to a skeleton now? No
Can I use disrupt undead again without suffering an attack of opportunity? Yes
If I'm at range from the combat, can I use it without suffering the -4 penalty for shooting into melee? Yes
I figured you were farther back out of melee range so you could use you talents to the greatest effect. The combat is a bit scattered about the room so I figure their is space to fire off your spell without hit one of your mates! It would be easier with a map which I am not good at but I will try to put a simple map together later today hopefully so everyone can see where they are at in the room!
Tahlali takes another mighty swing at the Skeleton before him, this time reducing the creature to an explosion of bones as Arinae cleaves a path through it's rib cage and spine.
Attack Skeleton with Arinae (Inspire Courage). (1d20+5+1=26)
Confirm Critical. (1d20+5+1=21)
Critical Hit Damage. (2d10+1=10)
Mithrael again releases the positive energy from his hand, targeting the same skeleton.
Elim flutters her wings nervously but remains perched on Mithrael's shoulder, as though ready to spring into the air at the first sign of serious trouble.
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The battle rages on against the skeletal figures in the dark and dank sewers below the city of Westcrown. The awful stench of the sewers is forgotten by the combatants as the fear of undead advance on your group. Shadow Blade tries to finish off the skeleton he thought he had ended moments ago. This time he is sucessful is his attempt the skeletal figure drops to the sewer floor before him. Once again Mithrael unleashes another of his spells sending a ray of positive energy towards the same skeleton he focused on earlier blasting it to pieces. Another of the takes its place not even fazed by the loss of one of its own. A huge sword comes crashing down towards a skeleton but some how misses the mark fustrating the half-orc repulsed by these evil creatures. The large Mwangi man in tandum with his reptilian friend attack the skeleton in front of them, the man tries to position himself off to the side to get a better shot at the creature but does not need to as the alligator rips the skeleton apart with its powerful jaws leaving the big man free to maneuver on to the next skeleton coming at them. He raises his club and smashes the thing in the skull but the skeleton just shrugs off the blow and swings its sword at the man. The blow causes it to mis-judge its attack though and misses by inches sending a tickle sensation across the man's stomach. The skeleton facing Wuglat trades blows with the holy warrior as their steel clang against each other. The other skeleton swings its sword to greater effect but only scratches the Mordant elf. Deciding to act now that no leader types are present, Almander strides into the battle with his Falcata raised, he slashes across skeleton who nicked Shadow Blade sending it into pieces. From behind Xaandros begins to send words of courage to his fellow rebels hoping to inspire them to great feats of bravery against these undead creatures.
It might be possible to use a weapon as an improvised weapon that does bludgeoning damage for its size - i.e. you whack it with the flat of the blade. A skeleton's DR makes it so that slashing and piercing weapons deal less damage than bludgeoning weapons.
Mithrael raises his hand again, shooting a ray of brilliant energy from his fingertips at the skeleton attacking Za'unda. Elim is calmer now, watching the ongoing combat warily.
"Bona Bonoye, Tei!me!"Za'unda yells to the alligator. He swings his club at the skeleton a few times but his blows are mostly meant to distract the undead from the greater threat that is his companion's jaws. Indeed, urged on by the words of his master, the reptile surges from the filthy waters and tries to crush the skeleton's midsection.
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Almander reverses the flow of his swinging Falcatta and brings it back against another skeleton.
Att 11; dmg 7.
Wuglat swings and again misses.
"Now is not the time to halt our advances, not when victory is so near." Mithrael's voice rings out, almost musically intoned to match with the music played by the bard.
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The clash of steel rings off the walls of the Westcrown sewers sounding louder than it would normally above ground making everyone jumpy as they do not want to give away their location to the Hellknights in pursuit. Shadow Blade stands his ground leaving the last two to Wulgat and Za'unda. Having had success with his spell he unleashes it again against the skeleton fighting Za'unda. The ray leaves his hand and delivers blast of brilliant energy into the skeleton which halts its for a second before it continues on with its battle against the Mwangi man. Once again Wulgat trades blows the blades ringing against each other with a loud "Clang" which echos off the walls once again. Za'unda yells for the alligator to atack the skeleton again, its surges out at the skeleton its jaws gripping the bone creature and shakes it with all of its might sending bones flying in every direction as the thing comes apart in its maw.The rest of teh group sits back as the fight goes on thinking everything is well in hand but the mighty warrior decides to finish now so they can move on from this place. His falcata connects easily enough as the skeleton is distracted by the large half-orc in front of it, however the skeleton some how shakes off most of the damage and turns to attack the new threat upon it.
Tahlali moves forward to finish off the last Skeleton, wanting to be gone from this place and back into the fresh night air.
He swaings Arinae around in an arc, trying to cleave the creature in two with his fine blade.
Attack Skeleton with Arinae (Inspire Courage):
Damage:
"Tei!me Kawa !" Za'unda barks to his companion as he positions himself behind the last remaining undead. The animal growls for a second but finally releases his previous victim to go attack the last enemy.
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The battle is over and won but the alligator that seem to obey the black-skinned man opens his maw and begins growling at the others. "Tei!me !" Za'unda yells sharply at the alligator. The beast hesitates but finally retreats to Za'unda's side, docile for now. "Pardon me and excuse him, companions. This is my protector, Tei!me." Za'unda makes a strange 'click' sound as he says the name. "You might find more ease in calling him 'Timmy'. He's ... not used to others but he will not hurt you while I stand amongst you. Just try not to touch him."
Once they are once again ready to go, Za'unda looks for a mark on one of the passages, like the one Janiven showed them earlier.
"Fight on, then tarry away from here before the Hell Knights arrive."
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With combined effort the newly formed group finishes off the last of the deadly skeletons. Janiven and Morosino enter the cesspit sewer area witht the rest of the group once things are safe and the fight is over. She says, Yes lets keep moving quickly! agreeing with the Tiefling and pointing out a mark on the wall showing the way out of this area. She takes the lead again and sets off with Morosino a step behind.....
Za'Unda nods at Janiven's words and follows her silently, the alligator close behind.
Mithrael looks around, glad to see that everyone was rested up since the last encounter, and nods in affirmation.
"It seems we have lost the priest of Nethys. I hope he has not gotten lost in the sewers, this place seems dangerous enough."
He lifts his staff from the sewage it was standing in, attempting to shake the odoriferous liquid from it. Elimnarel flutters nervously, but flies ahead as if also anxious to be moving.
After the last bones drop Wuglat examines his sword wondering how it missed so many times. Then gain jumps in the front to protect Janiven in case of another ambush.
Mithrael attempts to comfort the orc, as he wipes the end of his staff on the hem of his robe.
"Do not be surprised by the inefficiency of your blade, Wuglat. A skeleton's body mass is approximately half of what its body originally was. It is only natural that your blade will fail to strike it approximately twice as much."
Tahlali glances towards Mithrael and says, "that is true. I would still have been happier to have ended that battle sooner however."
He looks around at the others. "Let us be away from here quickly, lest the sounds of battle attract more sewer denizens."
He then waits for the others to move ahead, before following behind them in the shadows.
Stealth:
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The party sets off once again towards the safety of the secret hideout Janiven has promised. She leads with Morosino quickly on her heels followed by Wuglat, Mithreal, Shadow blade and Xaandros. Janiven notes Mithreal's observation with a nod and whispers back to him and the rest of the group, Yes it seems we have lost some of our original group which is a pitty but maybe they just got lost in the fight and will catch up eventually. They know the trail by the markers so it is not impossible to find hopefully for them if they wish too.
Leaving the battle area you once again follow along a five foot corridor with barely enough room to walk as the sewage flows by. However you make good time with little in your path to interupt your passage. Passing through a few more intersections and cesspits the smell becomes easier for each of you but it clings to your boots and clothes. You come to end of your current passage to find yourselves with a choice. After a short walk over the sewage using a piece of wooden tabletop serving as an improvised bridge left there by someone in the past you find yourselves looking either left or right to go. Janiven looks confused as she searches the wall for the mark but she is not having any luck it seems not finding what she is looking for as of yet. To the right the passage goes off into the darkness. To the left the same but for a door on the opposite wall about fifteen feet away from you at the intersection. She continues to look with Morosino's help now, she mutters under her breath trying to cover up her uneasiness, she knows you are all looking to her for guidance through this maze of sewers.............
"Aye, confusing battle, let's get a head count so we know who is still here..."
As he sees Janiven hesitate on the way to go, Za'unda kneels down to pick up some muddy dirt on the floor. To the surprise of all, he licks it, perhaps tasting it, and speaks solemnly. "I ask the guidance of the land's spirits." A peculiar spark flashes in the wild man's eyes as he starts scanning the ground for any clues, his shining club held high.
Noticing Janiven's difficulty in finding the markers, Mithrael takes up his staff and searches with the light from the magical flame, hoping to help her find it.
Wuglat steps toward the door, ready for trouble. when he gets close he presses his ear to it and listens for sounds. perception
Tahlali moves off a little down the corridor opposite Wuglat and attempts to hide in the shadows there in hopes of surprising anything that may move at the party from that direction.
Stealth Check:
Perception Check:
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Janiven and Morosino continue looking for the marker as the rest of the group moves into positions of defence. Shadow Blade moves down the corridor and blends into the shadows ready for any trouble that might approach from that direction. Bending down to the sewer floor Za'unda picks up some of the muddy rotten waste and brings it up to his mouth for a taste surprising any of the others who maybe watching. His eyes flash as he asks for guidance from the land's spirits who immediately answer showing him multiple tracks going in all directions of this T-intersection. In front of the door many tracks head into and from the room. Taking a moment to figure out what kind of being made all of these tracks he pauses in thought as Wuglat leans against the door to take a listen to disern what is on the other side, his eyes narrow as he comes to the answer at the same time as Za'unda, Sewer Goblins! he whispers back to the others as Za'unda nods in accent. Mitherael's light from his staff jumps against the wall to help in finding the marker and notices where the marker used to be, but is now a blur as someone or something has rubbed the mark leaving it unreadable. Both Janiven and Morosino not knowing Mithrael's discovery hurry in their searching upon hearing Wuglat's whisper. Wuglat senses the goblin chatter is neither heading away from the door or moving closer to where he stands. Behind Za'unda stands Xaandros at the intersection, who is the only one to hear a very distant noise behind him, a clang, an image comes to mind like metal hitting metal......
Mithrael looks closely at the mark, surprised to see that it was similar to the marks that Janiven had pointed out but which now had been blurred out.
"Aha! See here, Mistress Janiven. The mark has been erased by something, or someone. Can you tell which way it was once pointing?"
Elim flutters out of the shadows, perching on the staff as she too glares at the marking on the wall, bobbing her head excitedly.
"Aha! See here, Mistress Janiven. The mark has been erased by something, or someone. Can you tell which way it was once pointing?"
Za'unda whispers. "Goblins must be the ones responsible for erasing it but it be of no importance. We should go with haste, goblins are like jackals. Weak and coward but they can still overwhelm their prey. And let's not forget those clad in steel that shadow us."