Xaivan doesn't really care that much either way at this point, he just wants to get to the surface.
Are we considered to already be in the room? If not then all I can do is move for my surprise round action.
for
Ce-Eshna prepares to feather the throat of the first one that tries to raise an alarm.
Seeing the crude mongrelmen whittling a human bone, Jokum's gorge--and rage--rises. Pulling his bow from his back, he waves the others forward and, sighting down the arrow, growls to himself "No need for that beastliness. Out of our way!"
The fight, if it could be called that, lasts only seconds before the surprised mongrelmen fall. One is dead, the other barely breathing. It is clear even to untrained eyes he will likely die if his wounds are left untreated.
The thick iron door is unlocked, the key still in the rusted looking mechanism. A fresh trail of dark mongrel blood leads beyond.
Treasure
The guards had a deck of cards, loaded dice, a light crossbow with 15 bolts, 23gp.
Jokum kneels beside the mongrelman that yet lives, and roughly binds his wounds, stopping the flow of blood and stabilizing their foe. He glances up at Karthak with a grim smile.
"No promises made to these ones," he says, spitting into a corner. "One has had justice served to him already--the other, we can deliver to his former clan for the same. Will that satisfy your god?"
Standing, he winces in pain as his glaive-inflicted wounds flare up again. "In our argument about the other mongrel, I never...if anyone has any healing powers or potions left, I would appreciate them. Before we step forward to face...whatever lies in the 'maze' beyond this door."
Ce-Eshna approaches the door, listening closely for ambush beyond. If the wounded one came this way, why were they not more alert... I don't like this...
She glances back at Jokum as she listens.
With a grin, "It's a good thing it was the dice that were loaded, not the crossbow, they might have hurt themselves."
Xaivan will scoop up the gambling contraband and the gold. Perhaps I'll make better use of it one day.
The halfling then listens to the door and, if hearing or seeing nothing suspicious, he'll open it and let Jokum or one of the others follow the trail of blood to their prey.
Karthak scoffs at Jokum:"No justice was served here, but yes, giving the wretch to his former clan would be just. If we can spend that precious half hour... that is..." the dwarf doesn't seem to have forgotten about the decision to let the other mongrelman go...
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Pollux shrugs. "If by justice you mean giving him death before he could repent his wicked ways. Those we kill before redemption are certainly bound for the Abyss, and almost certain to become demons after that. May our children's children forgive us." he then looks to Jokum. "Give me fifteen minutes. I'm sure I can come up with something."
Jokum snorts. "He won't be going anywhere. I think we can safely get him to his clan." To Pollux, he says, "I'm surprised a servant of an archdevil has so much interest in redemption...but then, what do I know? If you can do something, do it. I want to be able to help when we enter this maze."
This large chamber must have once been a cistern for the sewer system. Walls made of identical stone blocks hold up a lofty ceiling reinforced with elegant stone arches, while the center of the room contains a more recent-looking structure made of brick walls that reach from floor to ceiling. After a little examination its clear that this cistern now houses a crude maze. The trail of blood, becomes harder to track but it is clear that it goes into the maze.
Karthak gives Pollux a stare before speaking, fervor in his voice"By justice I mean giving a captured enemy a fair trial and if needed, a chance to repent! But of course you had to give someone who just tried to kill us all in service to Baphomet your word you would let him go scot free for his evil deeds! And before you ask... that's NOT justice at all... not in my book at least, but I'm sure you do things a little differently in Hell". Once finished the dwarf grabs the fallen mongrel and drags him toward the exit in order to throw him at the mongrelman waiting at the entrance of the lair
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"Asking 'What do I know?' is always a good starting point when it comes to matters of faith." Pollux muses as he says a prayer over Jokum. His hand suddenly becomes wet with holy water. "This will heal you. I would think you used to my fiendish magic by now so when your ears grow hot and your thoughts turn dark do not fret; it is only Hell taking its due."
He anoints Jokum with unholy water, conveniently leaving out any details of it being unholy water, and casts infernal healing. He then prepares for the next leg of their journey through the maze.
I'm guessing as long as we don't move we'll be ok as far as danger goes, so I'm going to proceed too.
Once Karthak returns, and Pollux has anointed him with his...strangely warm ablution, Jokum draws his sword and steps forward into the old cistern. He gazes around carefully, taking in every detail, as he leads the way forward to the start of the maze.
"Follow me, and be quiet, now," he murmurs to the others. "There are at least two foes in here--and one a beast of unknown danger." If he doesn't see anything, he proceeds into the maze, following the blood trail as best he can. It's gotten increasingly spotty, though...
Jokum manages to track it part way into the maze before the trail ends. The stone floor however has a collection of other stains. He finds himself at an intersection with two paths to the north and one to the south.
Once Karthak gets back to the others he briefly assesses the blood trail and nods at Jokum:"Yes, seems like the wounds I gave that heaten creature left their mark. Very good, maybe she'll be forced to stop and we could catch up with her and see what we can do about justice being done." then a sudden thought occours to him:"And let's not forget we have people who depend on us, we should not let them too far behind. They are still waiting for us at the entrance of this accursed place!"
Anyone else moving into the maze or will our brave tracker get eaten by the beast all by himself?
Xaivan follows, just wanting to get out of here. He'll keep an eye out for traps and such as they go.
Taking up the rear Ce-Eshna keeps an arrow readied, cursing mazes and their lousy lines of fire.
Karthak follows right behind Jockum
Seeing that the group is following behind him, Jokum sniffs the air. "I can't see any difference between these trails...there's an old rule for when you're lost in mazes, which is to keep turning right, so I guess that's what we'll do." With a shrug, he heads down the path to the south, keeping a wary eye out.
Jokum moves south and is surprised by the small creature that leaps forward to attack!
This creature's bloated frame shudders with each heaving step, yet despite its shape, the thing moves with surprising quickness.
Xaivan fires an arrow at the assaulting creature!
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Ce-Eshna Screams, "Dreeetch" dropping her readied arrow she reachs for a cold iron arrow and lets it loose.
With a bellow of rage, Jokum swings his blade at the abomination.
Order
Jokum: Bellows with rage as he swings solidly at the creature. The sword seems only partially effective against the thick hide.
Xaivan: Fires and misses.
Ce-Eshna: She moves up the northern passage to get in a clear shot. Unaware of the danger she has now left herself in.
The Dretch gnashes its teeth in a fit of rage and tears atinto the ranger!
Karthak: Moves up the north passage and readies to change places with the Ce.
Pollux: Jams his spear into the wall avoiding hitting Jokum in the back.
From the north the second Dretch makes its presence know. Taking flesh from bone with its devastating blows on the poor Sylph it caught unaware.
Xaivan, too close to the creature to use his bow, will retrieve his morningstar and try to strike it!
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Karthak tries to shove Ce-Eshna out of the way and defend her from the demon:"Move aside girlie! You are best suited at feathering them from afar!"
Seeing another one emerge in the back, Jokum lets out a bellow of rage. "Filth! Spodina! Zpět propasti s vámi!" The greatsword whistles through the air.
Edit:
Jokum: Hits again for only a little more effect.
Xaivan: Strikes the creature with the morning star but the Dretch ignores the feeble blow.
Karthak and Ce-Eshna: Ce-Eshna leaps back from the attacking , and Karthak taker her place, comes down solidly with his ax.
Dretch 1: Smarting from teh rangers blows but still able to continue
Pollux: Inspires you all with the courage of Hell.
Dretch 2: Happily changes its attention to the dwarf.
Jokum screams in pain as the dretch rips into him.
"Gnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh! Help! If you can heal me, I'd appreciate it!" he bellows through gritted teeth.
No retreat. No surrender. Keep it from the pack-mates until the life flees from your body! He swings the greatsword again with desperate fury.
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"My body is but a tool of the Archfiend, Prince of Laws! He dare not waste his energies on healing such a lowly vessel. But I have a mace," Pollux says, dropping his spear and pulling out his other, less impressive sidearm, "and I can smash its bloody head in until it can't hurt another soul!"
Pollux pulls Jokum back and moves in front of him, mace glowing with the wrath of Terendelev. His ears hot, his blood pumping, he grasps his mace in both hands. "Fear me demon, you will be the first of many."
After delivering the first blow Karthak gets thrown back by the demon's counter offensive, yet he manages to hold his ground and fight back:"What in the name of Torag is this foul creature? No matter it will be dealt with as all of its kind deserve. DIE FOUL ABOMINATION!"
Xaivan will strike again!
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Hearing Jokums Plee she moves as close as she can and sends another cold iron arrow at his foe
Jokum: Gives another mighty swing before ducking back behind the corner.
Xaivan: Swings and misses.
Karthak : Karthak strikes it soundly, but it lets out another low growl as it resumes its attack.
Ce-Eshna: Fires and misses.
Dretch 1: It lurches forward following after Jokum with the relentless fury of a demon. It turns it's ire to the devil man.
Pollux: Charges his mace with the power of his scale and prepares to swing it.
Dretch 2: Continues it attack against Karthak, but fails to land any of the blows.