My bad, Nngara and Alethia are both me
It seems the castle is not far from the city says Deslin after a few enquiries The easiest way to get there will be on foot He yawns and says We should go to bed soon if we are to get up early. As they say:
A full belly and rested eyes
are the first step to keep your life
"Aye. A good nights sleep then off in the morning to this mysterious seige castle.
You find out that a bunk is 4 coppers a night, a flop is 4 silvers a night, and a flathouse is 5 gold a night. Bunks are little more then places to sleep out of the rain with only a curtain for privacy. Flops are small simple single rooms that share privies, baths, and kitchens. Flathouses are nice well kept dwellings, it is the best a visitor can expect without paying long term rent.
When everyone comes back from their respective tasks and meets up again for the evening Indeo comes back to the group with the rates quoted to him by the barkeep
"I think the flop should be sufficient for my needs for the night"
Unless anyone has more to say Indeo will head back over toward the barmaid he spoke with earlier and retire for the evening.
.
Flop works for me. Unless someone has something else that needs to be done, we should get moving early. I plan on an early dinner and that we be on the road before sunup if the gates are open.
Barring some event during the night, I am up and preparing for the road 60 minutes before sunup.
Dispite the early hour Absalom is still awake and busy. You manage to hail a camel cab that takes you to the east gate. Once you leave the city proper you start to notice a change as you travel, the land becomes littered with bones, broken weapons, and shallow graves. Following the map and after a few hours you arrive.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower's walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountian of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower's darkened interior.
Well, unless someone else has a better idea, lets see what we can find. By the way, did Skaar or Devlin find anything about this mysterious amulet or the odd human who sent us on this wild goose chase?
My vote is to head in through the opening unless someone else sees some other way in.
That morning Indeo is the last to appear. His eyes are a bit bloodshot and his hair is a mess but beyond that he appears battle ready.
*yawn* Alright lets get goin, no sense waiting arou*yawn*nd any longer than necessary
As they leave the gates of the city Indeo perks up considerably, even starting to whistle a tune. The whistling dies off as they come upon the derelict castle.
This place looks...challenging.
The sleepy frown and half closed eyes dissapear of Deslin's face and a childlike smile forms That's more like it! His smile turns to a mischievous grin as he jokes Are we waiting for somebody to come here and invite us? while he walks towards the opening.
"Well let us not rush ahead too quickly. First lets look around and see what there is to see!"
Colyne approches the hole in the wall, looking all about for any dangers.
Good idea Colyne
Indeo adds his sharp dark vision to probing the darkness beyond the broken opening for threats.
Before the party can do anything a pack of dogs bear down upon them.
Dog 1
Colyne
Deslin
Dog 4
Dog 3
Indeo
Scar
Nngara
Dog 2
One of the dogs lunges at Nngara. It's jaws find a hold on her fnags boring into her flesh.
Colyne swings around and strikes at the dog attacking Nngara.
Deslin shoots his bow at one of the dogs.
Two dogs, the one that attacked Nngara among them, flee after taking stinging blows. Only two remain, one going after the wounded wizardess. His fangs bite deep into her flesh as his brother did, the wound is too great and the world goes dark for her.
Nngara! No lying down on the job.
Indeo calls upon the power of his god to return Nngara from the brink.
He then draws his morning star and moves toward the wolf threatening the wizard.
I am confused as to whether this is the first or second round and whether there was some type of surprise round.
Also, could we have established a marching order - if I was in the middle behind the fighter and paladin, were there and attacks of opportunity? Also, what about when the dogs fled. Just some questions as there is no battlemap at present.
Having taken a serious hit, I switch to total defense (AC +4).
I do not know what actions I can take at 0 hp.
Indeo --> Not sure, but I think that the channel energy would also heal the dogs. Cure light wounds would be better.
I am on total defense at this point, doubt I could hit any of them. - this will last until my turn next round I believe.
.
How did the other two dogs attack me and also run away without giving me an attack of opportunity - just a little confused as to the sequence of things.
Standing his ground, Colyne draws his two axes and attacks the wild dog.
S'kaar moved up on the second dog and swung his scimitar in a slash from low right to high left.
Scar tears at the dog landing a hit. The dog ingores the lizardfolk going after the weakened and wounded elf. But Scar's sweeping claws catch the beast before it can attack.
OK in case you want me to re-roll my turn.
Attack:
Damage:
CATCH!
hp: 3/8 (unless someone else has healed my by then)
If I am still alive once my turn comes:
(a) If no dogs are close enough for an AoO, I will cast Acid Splash at the most wounded looking dog.
Melt back into the earth from whence you came vile b*tch.
Ranged Touch Attack:
Damage
(b) If there is still a dog nearby trying to kill me - I will remain on Total Defensive with +4 to AC
The last dog falls under Colyne's attack. Those that escaped are off in the distance running like the wind. They are likely looking for an easier meal.
That hurt. I do not know about you all, but in the future, we might want to stay in a slightly tighter grouping. I may be the only lady in the group and have an easier time attracting gentlemen and getting free drinks, but I would prefer if it was just potential suitors and not monsters who I attracted. It is your decision, but I would prefer to not become dog food quite yet.
Um, Mr. Indeo, how many more of those heals do you have, I still have a nasty bite in my leg.
HP: 3/8
Colyne retrieves his axes and wipes them clean on the dead animals. "Well I should be in front, and am sorry Nngara that those dogs got by me. I suppose I was just too focused on the fortress. From now on, I will proceed you unless you request it otherwise!"
"It would be my pleasure dear lady:"
The elf is right, there's little point in having two strong big warriors if it's our wizard who gets caught in melee says Deslin. By the way... Are you carrying a steak Nngara? Those dogs seemed to have it for you He looks at the party before adding I think I should stay at the back, I'm no use in a melee, but I'm quite handy with a bow... a mischievous grin appears in his face ...ad I have a few tricks in my short sleeves
"Right then, no permanent harm done. Unless anyone would like wolf meat for dinner I suggest we get moving. Colyne, if you wouldn't mind leading the way?
"All right, lets get going!" Drawing his axes, he approches the hole in the wall.
From outside the fortress the party can see into the exposed east section. Also that two archways lead to the northern and southern sections. The southern section seems choked with rubble and inaccessable.
My vote is to see what is in the eastern part. It is partially collapsed, however if there is an important item, I would assume that it would have been kept in the center/eastern part of the fortress. So we might as well start there. From its appearance, the south is more or less inaccessible. So, lets start with the smaller partially collapsed east, and if we find nothing, then move north.
Let's go then! says the halfling cheerfully as he walks toward the opening while keeping his bow ready and looking around for any dangers.
I have my crossbow in hand and ready.
The opening allows sunlight to come in and besides the 15 ft high ceiling the eastern section is bear with only rubble on the floor. You see no sign of danger or anything of interest.
"Hmm, heads we go North, tails we go West?"
Indeo flips a copper coin
"Tails it is, my vote is to explore the western wing before heading through those arches to the north."
To the north it is! he looks at Nngara and with a wink adds Let's not wait for more dogs to come searching for sweet tender elven flesh... let them chase our backs and see if they are bold enough to bite Indeo's sweaty butt!