Tairas nods. "Very well, we are ready then. Time to get everyone into position."
The men spend sometime moving people around making sure to keep you four out of sight. After it seems everything is in place, Tairas approaches. "Jallant will be arriving shortly. I have it set so he will only have his two guards to defend him against you four and a few of our own men. The rest of my men will be keeping Jallant's loyalists from interfering. It will still be a tough battle but I have faith in you four. Now let's get into position."
You take you positions out of sight in the main lobby. Other than you, Tairas only has himself, Mickky, and about four other men. The fur of you are hidden behind tapestries and pillars.
Jallant walks in. A tall man with pleasant features. Not as Gruff as one would have expected. His two guards look stronger than any man in this facility save for Tairas and Micky. Jallant merely nods at Tarais as he enters but says noting.
Tairas speaks. "Hello boss, I must say it is good to see you."
Jallant regards Tairas. "What are you up to Tairas? What's going on?"
Tairas smirks. "We are here to put you down my good friend." He then adds smugly but in a matter that sounds jokingly too "We have evidence that you are going to betray the Syndicate and we have to dispose of you for that." Though the information was fabricated Jallant shows signs of concern.
Jallant responds. "So, you found out what I was planning to do huh?"
Tairas looks confused. "Um well yes, you were planning to leave." Tairas seems surprised by Jallant's affirmation of the evidence.
Jallant looks at Tairas seriously. "Then you know I must kill you know, you know too much. I won't let you leave here with that knowledge even if it costs me my life." Jallant seems deathly serious as he and his guards draw their weapons. "Even if you kill me, others will be out for your head after this."
Now Tairas seems scared. "Wait, what are you talking about? Hold on, we can talk this over." Jallant lunges into offense and Tairas and Micky attempt to counter attack. "Everyone attack! Kill Jallant!"
Jallant then shouts. "It is not in any of your best interests to fall with this man! His life and the lives of those who follow him are forfeit even if I die! Join me and you will be spared!"
It is now your turn. I'll get a map up as soon as I can but feel free to take a moment to consider what has transpired.
Roku readies his bow while replying.
"Oh yes I will side with a guilty man against the syndicate because he makes grand baseless threats. If such was the world it would be a simple place indeed. Die then and let us see if you speak true."
His words were lined with power giving his allies sure and strong strikes.
"Besides," Scrapeknee adds, "There are worse things than death, and we came through that better than any could imagine."
Scrapeknee lashes out with his newly acquired longsword at the nearest foe.
Round 1
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 3/3
Judgement 1/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Roku's words inspire Xzevrra on to strike.
"AH HA!"
Malum laughs with glee as the fight begins.
He strikes for the main target with his longsword.
You all launch the surprise attack but much to your surprise, The enemy defends most of your attacks.
Jallant presses Tairas hard drawing a magic sword and attack the man with it scoring a nasty hit.
The two guards try and keep their leader, as well as themselves, from getting surrounded.
None have yet to target any of you.
I have Tarias, Micky, and Malum on Jallant. Scrapknee and Xzerrva are one each of the guards. Roku I have you held back. There is no room for you to move in to attack.
Your turns
Not really sure on the rules but if Roku can tell what kind of magic is in the sword.
Roku aims and fires at the nearest enemy while keeping his words of power flowing.
Scrapeknee thrusts again at his foe , a smile on his face as he finds a sort of happiness in battle.
Round 2
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 3/3
Judgement 0/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Judgement (Justice)
Xzevrra lines up another shot, silently offering a prayer to Shelyn to aid her in bringing these criminals to justice.
Still Waiting on Malum but here is a battle map.....of sorts = MAP!!!
Malum over extends and misses his target to boot!
The enemy presses their attack on Tairas.
Xzevrra is the only one who hit one of Jallant's guards.
Roku's shot misses in the fray of combat
Malum and Scrapeknee simply miss.
Jallant himself strikes Tairas twice, once with a chill touch and second with his sword. Tairas seems to be panicking as his attack goes wide.
Micky lands a solid blow to Jallant.
The guards and Thugs are fighting each other trading damage. The thugs are getting through but are having a hard time when taking hits.
It is now your turns.
Roku drops the bow in annoyance and moves in to attack drawing his rapier while flanking with an ally. Still letting his words empower the group.
"The gods seem to want me not to have it easy...curious." He perseveres against his foe anyway, taking up the challenge apparently laid before them without complaint.
If the rages if battle weren't keeping you occupied you'd see the Gnomes eye become blood red as he summons the power of his god into his hands.
(touch attack)
If it hit.
Round 3
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 3/3
Judgement 0/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Judgement (Justice)
Xzevrra takes another shot.
Map is about the same only Roku is in melee and where Tairas is, there is a body.
You press the attack Roku successfully wounds one of Jallant's guards.
Malum is able to reach out and give Jallant a nasty pinch.
Both Scrapeknee and Xzevrra miss their targets.
Tairas and his men press as well taking down one of the guards in the process.
The remaining guard is able to drop one of the thugs.
Then the whole thing goes south when Jallant, who for the most part has taken minimal injury, swings hard and separates Tairas's head from his shoulders.
Tairas is DEAD. Though his men fight on.
It is your turns. One guard is down.
Jallant and one guard remain,
On your side, Micky and two thugs are left.
Your turns
The guard on the right, the one you moved to and stabbed last round
Roku keeps his words of power going while taking the opening to attack Jallant himself.
"Someone move to flank him with me."
"Fine, I'm not having much luck here," The oracle says and tries to help take down Jallant
Round 4
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 3/3
Judgement 0/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Judgement (Justice)
Xzevrra moves and takes another shot.
I should update the map but I don't have my computer at the moment. I'll update it tonight when I get home from work
Okay here's the MAP!!!
The map is set after all your turns are concluded. I apologize for not being consistent with the map but I need to be at my PC to make it and I am not always posting from that. I realize you may not be where you intended as some of your actions were not possible. I did my best to place you in the most advantagious places you could get to. For much of the battle, only Malum had the ability to attack Jallant directly.
This turn Jallant is now open to two more of you.
I took Malum's turn. HE attacked and hit Jallant
The battle rages. The combined effort of Xzevrra, Roku, and Scrape take down the last of Jallant's guard but not before he drops another thug.
Jallant presses on Micky. The dwarf takes a hit and looks to be in dire straights.
The remaining thug moves in on Jallant and misses.
It is now your turn.
Round 5
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 2/3
Judgement 0/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Judgement (Justice)
Xzevrra moves up and channels a bit of healing energy into Micky.
Roku keeps his words going while moving in to attack Jallant.
Scrapeknee sees that Xzevvra is healing Micky, and so he presses with an attack on Jallant.
Micky gains some healing, yay and Jallant turns his attention to Malum and drops him in a magic and sword attack. Roku manages to get a vital strike but the damage isn't so good.
Micky clocks Jallant hard with his axe. The attack continues.
Jallant is good and hurt. He won't last long. Keep going you almost done with it
Roku keeps his words going while attacking Jallant again.
Scrapeknee chortles, "I see it all so clearly, it is as the gods told me... battle after endless battle!"
And he strikes at Jallant.
Round 6
HP 18/18
AC 17 T13 FF14 CMD16
F/R/W 4/3/5
Spells
1st - 2/3
Judgement 0/1
Effects
Inspire Courage
Judgement (Justice)
Xzevrra takes another shot at Jallant, not sparing a glance for her fallen ally.
Between Micky and Xzevrra, Jallant finally goes down.
Micky survey's the battlefield and sighs heavily. He then turns to you and then looks to the door. "Well, their ain't nothing dat can be done. Tanks fer your help but you best get going now."
Micky kicks the body of Tairas. "With dis fella dead dere ain't noting dats gonna save ye from de Syndicate now. If ya leave now I pretend I ain't seen ya an will clean up dis mess myself."
"Wait..." Scrapeknee says to Micky, "What is the best way up and into the city?"
Micky points to the door Jallant came from. "Dat way. Only way less you went te go trough da tunnels. I wouldn't recommend it do."
Roku sighs, they had kept their end but the others could not even stay alive.
"I don't suppose we could strip the bodies before we go, that way this whole thing is not a complete lost."
Micky waves his hand. "Day gonna want deir belongings. Ye can have de guards stuff but everyting of Tairas an Jallant will go to de Syndicate. Dats all ye can have."
Roku could only hope that they were paid recently and goes on to strip the fallen guards.
"Well, Micky... the more you cover for us, the more likely we'll be around if you ever need a favor, like more healing.." Scrapeknee makes note of where the man was healed with a grin, "Seems like battle awaits us wherever we go though. Fine by me." ANd he helps Roku loot the guards, hoping for better armor at least.
Two breastplates
Two Shortswords
Two Battleaxes
Two Light Steel shields
four Potions of CLWs
128 gold.
The remaining Thug begins to loot his fellows and demands you keep away from them. Micky makes no motion for the Thug to hand anything over.
When you are done Micky states. "Dat be all I can risk givin ye. Befere ye sell anytin ya needs ta remove da insignias. Others won't buy em an day may even make ye a target of da Syndicate."
Scrapeknee takes one of the breastplates and immediately switches into it, "Understood." He tries to cover the insignia with clothing or some such.
Roku puts on a light steel shield and splits the gold. He also takes a pair of potions to carry himself.
"Would one of you two carry the rest."
He picks up the longbow he discarded earlier. Making it clear he was ready to leave and not about to return what was given. After all adding another dead body when the other guard started his own looting had crossed his mind. He had his rapier still in hand as well.
Xzevrra silently goes to help Scrapeknee strip the bodies. Seeing him change into one of the breastplates, she considers doing the same herself before deciding against it. Instead she packs it up and takes half the belongings to carry. The entire time she seethes internally about the situation. "I only pray helping him survive at least throws off pursuit."
"Roku, you are one coin short of us... I am grateful, and perhaps later I'll buy you a drink to make amends," He grins.
Once you all pile up on the Micky gestures to the door for you to leave.
The pathway through the door isn't quite as obvious as it is another small network of passages. As you make your way up the trail Micky specified, you come across a sickly looking fellow whom you recognize.
This person was in the dungeon with you for some time but had vanished after the last torture session. Now here he is sitting slumped and starving in this tunnel. Face covered in dirty and a few cuts and bruises.
You recall this fellow's name is Baron Tars Ruukin.
Scrapeknee nearly steps over the fellow in midlimp, but when he sees him, stops, "Baron? I think it was baron... not sure if that's a title or a name for you." he addressed the downed man, "What the hell did they do to you?" He looks to the others, "We have any left over food? Poor bastard looks starved."
Roku shakes his head.
"We are all starved, one decent meal does not change that. If he can not move then leave him. I have no strength or desire to drag around someone who is useless and half dead. If he can not manage as we have then so be it."