Braggi whispers. "Shh, guys. There's people there." Then he makes a sign for the strong ones to help him. When they have gathered, and unless someone has a better way to do it and alerts him, he leads them on the effort to break down the door, hoping to do it at the first attepmt and catch whoever's there by surprise.
"Let's hope there aren't much traps."
I'll help
Musami moves back to the alcove and looks within it.
Braggi gives a strong shove, his effort causing the repaired door to crack, the board barring the door snapping from the strain. As it shoves inwards he stumbles a moment, finding himself in a large chamber, cluttered with used furniture, bedding, and a mash of things recovered from other areas of the moat house.
Ahead a brigand stands ready with a bardiche, just to the right of him three others ready various weapons, to the near east a pair of half orcs leer menacingly at your intrusion, and along the eastern wall a trio of brigands hold crossbows at the ready.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
SURPRISE ROUND
Taking advantage from the surprise, Braggi moves behind the barrels to seek cover from the crossbows while engaging some of the bandits on the north wall. "We've got party! Bring some beer!" he warns to his comrades.
Musami moves into the room, sees the brigand behind a desk straight in front of him. He moves to the brigand and clambers up onto the desk.
Musami's rushing clamber up onto the table caused him a bit of struggle, the dwarf finding himself at a disadvantage as the brigands react to the group's intrusion.
Looking around the room it becomes apparent the group was aware of your presence, one of them likely spying upon you from either the grand hall or one of the arrow slits as Filnefillan warned.
The band of fighters and thugs appears to be a diverse and motley crew, dressed in mostly leathers wielding mixed weapons and gear. One warrior stands adorned in the armor of a Keolandish royal scout (Aide), another in the dress armor of the Knights of the Vale (C), while a half-orc sports a blackened chain shirt painted with the Red Axe of the Pomarj (G). The larger half-orc (Leader) looks even more sinister and malevolent, his scarred face sneering angrily above a breastplate gilt to resemble a leering dragon's maw. Toruk blanches slightly when he notices the ornate leathers a bowman (F), those of a Highport slave tracker, replete with the feared crimson skull cowl.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Fil steps into the room, and, seeing the dangers directly beside him he chooses now to cast Color Spray, holding his bow his off hand.
He prepares for the inevitable backlash.
Brigand G steps forward into the sudden blast of colors, a riot pulsating and flashing through the air. He staggers and falls forward, the heavy falchion in his hands clattering to the floor, his body landing in a heap, unconscious from the effect. The large half-orc leader merely snarls through the blast, his grip tight on a massive great axe he waves towards Filnefillan menacingly.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Toruk double moves to F. ”Slaver, eh? You won’t be taking any more slaves after I’m done with you!”
The Aide moves up and engages Filnefillan using a whirling combination of blows involving a longsword and flail, cursing the elf as a pointy eared daisy muncher in the process. His bark seems much worse than his bite as both blows fail to penetrate the thin layer of force surrounding the wizard.
misses
misses
Brigand E tells F to Duck as he sets his crossbow sights on Toruk, firing an oddly shaped bolt at the warrior, a glass vial situated behind the head which seems filled with a thick yellowish substance. Upon impact the bolt head bursts into flames as the glass reservoir flash ignites once exposed to the air, burning Toruk's shoulder around the impact site. While it does so the man pulls a bolt from his case while reloading his crossbow.
success
plus
Brigand F dropped prone at his comrade's command, smiling wickedly over at Toruk, saying Oy, yous' muss be an escapee yeah, so's there still a price on yer 'ead I's can collects mebbe? He turns his crossbow towards Filnefillan and fires off a shot of his own.
success
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Jocasta steps in and launches the dagger in her hand at the nearest brigand across the way.
Jocasta's dagger thunks into one of the barrels to the left of the Aide, behind which Brigand C is standing. The pair glances at one another, unsure which of them was her intended target, eyeing her for more such projectiles.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Trying to take advantage of the surprise once again, and to prevent being cornered, Braggi spins quickly, allowing the centrifugal force to cut through the thug at his back.
Brigand B senses Braggi's swing, sidestepping the blade's arc before resuming his defensive stance against Musami.
The half-orc Leader steps towards the low pile of damaged furniture beside Filnefillan, grinning as he pulls back and swings his greataxe in a heaving downward, chopping action, catching the elf hard across his right shoulder, deep into his chest, dropping him to the floor.
Brigand C attempts to take advantage of Braggi's attack by lunging out with a heavy weighted spear, trying to catch the sailor from the flank, drawing blood as the tip draws a shallow cut along his left thigh.
Brigand D shouts a warning as he takes aim at Musami down the length of his light crossbow. Wielding a bolt similar to the one which felled Toruk, the man launches a shaft crafted with a capsule of a thick emerald green liquid towards the high standing dwarf, piercing his outstretched forearm, the wound sizzling and bubbling as the liquid eats away at his hair and skin.
plus
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Would I be able to cast entangle in this room? Just not sure if there would be enough plant matter here to make the spell viable. thanks
Musami swings the Earth Breaker at Brigand B.
Musami's hammer lands heavily and forcefully against the neck and shoulder of Brigand B, an audible crack followed by the man's neck snapping backwards and dangling listlessly as he falls to the floor, dead.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A thru B
Cedryk and Hedgewyk move into the room. Hedgewyk throws a pinecone at the bandit before them (Aide) while Cedryk attempts to strike him with his staff.
Seedpod: DC-11 or deafened
Attack:
Damage:
Cedryk misses with his staff but manages to carry Hedgewyk close enough to launch a seedpod which catches the Aide on the cheek, exploding loudly across the room, momentarily confusing the man due to the ringing in his ears.
Success
Failed
Bandit A steps up to Braggi, bolstered by his comrade's success, and thrusts out with his longsword, hoping to keep the warrior off balance. The blow, like that of his companion, only strikes a glancing blow, the deft sailor dodging about as though he were on a deck in a sea squall.
Success
Toruk and Filnefillan lay unconscious and bleeding, unable to resist the warriors pressing against them. The Leader snarls angrily as one of the bowmen, (Brigand C) calls out, Yield or face sword justice...
Initiative Order:
First Group: Toruk & Filnefillan vs Aide and Brigands E thru G
Second Group: Braggi & Jocasta vs Leader and Brigands C thru D
Third Group: Cedryk, Hedgewyk, & Musami vs Brigands A
Braggi swings his sword again, but this time he lets his frustration take control...
; Toruk stabilizes
Justice?
The Leader holds up his axe and his men hold their weapons at the ready. Man pick up sword one day put sword down, or fall to other man's sword. Today we put sword down, yes?
Pointing at Fil, then back at Toruk, You take you, we take we. Both go away. Not come back.
He looks back at his men, speaking quickly, Bu joy juda issiq. Juda ko'p askarlar, juda ko'p dinshodchilar. Biz g'arbga, ehtimol janubga ketishimiz kerak
"Wait!" Braggi holds his palm up.
"We're here looking for some human girls. We think they're taken by some bugbears. Do you know anything?"
The Leader looks at Braggi, giving him a once over up and down. We no take girls. Bad business. Dead customer no come back. You want cultists. Cult not here. We here all winter. We leave town ok. Town leave we ok. Looking back at his men, Bu ahmoqlar sig'inishni izlaydi. Sizlarga aytdimki, ular askarlarni uzoqqa olib kelishadi. Biz xush kelibsiz. Bu kurash bizniki emas.
Jocasta's hand stays near her next dagger. She wavers slightly, then she says, "Fine, leave Hommlet behind and let's hope we never see each other again." She tensely waits for the bandits to vacate the area so that the team can tend to their wounded. She certainly doesn't seem too happy about the decision, though.
Giving Jocasta and the rest of the band the stink eye the Leader lowers his greataxe and turns to his men. Grab bags, we go.
The Aide grabs a rucksack from behind the barrels, slinging it over one shoulder. Behind him the other brigands grab sacks, packs, and similar gear as the Leader moves to the eastern wall behind the bowmen. He pulls a torch sconce sideways, causing a rubble choked passage to open up. Fresh air wafts from beyond along with a stream of light. He heads out, two brigands half dragging the dazed half orc warrior behind them, still shaking off the effects of Fil's magic.
The Aide turns back to Jocasta, saying We ain't like de cultists below. We offer Protection services ta merchants, nice like, tell 'em who da bad guys are, wat roads ta take fer safety. We charges a fee, but we don'ts go killin' and all. Bad fer business. You wants bugbears and gnolls, they wit da eyeball guys. Down below somewhere. Moved in a few months back, we stay't clears of 'em. Tried hirin' us when we's was in Nulb. Nasty blokes, gave de boss da willeys. Watch yerselves, they don' play nice likes us.
He turns and exits thru the passage, same as the rest. The last man leaving, Brigand C, straightens his Vale armor as he goes, pausing in the entry. He looks back at the group, a moment's hesitation. He looks after his companions, then back to your group. Seeing Toruk's holy symbol lying in a pool of the man's blood, he speaks, low. We saw it once, just once, but they have an ogre. Luck. He climbs out through the rubble passage and disappears, leaving the passage open behind him.
As they part, Jocasta says,
She glares, but waves for the bandits to leave, then leans down to check on her associates.
"I sure hope someone knows how to bandage wounds, because these boys are in some trouble," she says.
"I will have a look at them. Here, bring them together over here."
Cedryk takes out his healer's kit and using a poultice of herb, stabilizes the wounded men.
"I will need to pray to receive a spell which can heal their wounds, but for now, they will be safe."
Looking about the surroundings, Jocasta says, "It's mostly dry in here. The bandits did the work of keeping it at least somewhat habitable. Maybe we can rest overnight, get them back on their feet, and carry on in the morning."
We cannot stay here tonight. We must get back to town and see to the smith.
In searching the room over Braggi finds the group did not bother to claim their fallen comrade, who had a bit of gear on him. In checking the body he recovers a bardiche, a dagger, a worn sap, a suit of masterwork studded leather, a steel buckler, a small citrine, 14 gold orbs, 8 silver nobles, and two small potion vials.
Jocasta checks over the secret exit out of the room, securing it closed, and in the process locates a recessed lever which seems to open a small 3' x 3' panel which opens into a narrow spiral staircase leading down. The shaft is quite dusty and dirty, a bit of rubble and debris fallen about the upper landing. It does not appear the brigands ever located it, nor has it been used anytime recently.
"Mmm. Interesting."
Jocasta turns away from the secret passage, shutting it before she does so.
"We can investigate this later. One problem with going back to town, Musami: These boys are in no condition to walk. Unless we have some way to get them back on their feet, we aren't going anywhere. I don't think we can carry them both."
Musami rifles in his pack and produces the flasks of cure light wounds. He passes them to Jacosta.
"Worth a shot."
Jocasta moves over to Toruk and crouches down. She carefully opens the tiny vial, then cradles Toruk's head in one hand. She slowly dribbles the potion through his lips.
She glances back up at the dwarf as she rests Toruk's head in her lap. "Thanks, Musami."
Jocasta rocks gently back and forth while holding Toruk's head. Finally she looks up and says, "He's breathing, but he's not waking up. He's pretty badly banged up. If you have another one, you can give it to Toruk, or try giving it to Fil. I don't know enough about medicine to know if they'll wake up."
A small amount of tautness creeks into her voice as she keeps control in the face of a small amount of panic.
"Or, we could try to wake up Toruk, and hope that he has magic that can heal Fil."
"But if you want to go back to town to help the smith... we can't all go. If necessary, I'll stay here to watch the boys while the rest of you go. Still, splitting up seems dangerous."
I say we give the flask to Toruk. You are right, he may be able to help Fil.