Malena attempts to twirl through the doorway and around the corner without drawing the notice of the dazed devil.
Acrobatics:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Once she reaches the back wall of the room behind her allies, she once again commences with her whispering in Infernal, casting daze on the devil on the far side of the bedroom (DC 14 Will).
Move: Move 15 feet (S, W, N).
Standard: Cast daze on far devil.
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Vesparo whips his rapier up to meet the creature, but cannot quite block its sting as it bites into his flesh. Shrugging off the surge of strangeness from his wound the tiefling hisses like a cat and snaps at his foe, letting it dodge his fangs to guide it into a thrust of his rapier that bites deeply, compared to his last blow anyway.
Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 18/12/16 | Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +8 | Init +5 | Perception +9 ]
Cressyk swings at the devil to his right (the one that just attacked Vesparo), but is still off-balance from his approach, and his falchion swings wide.
Malena dashes in graciously - for a Chelaxian, anyway - and fires of another jinx at a devil. This time, the monster is unaffected.
Will:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Vesparo's cunning display earns hit a proper opening, and the thrusts his rapier in to full effect. A clearly audible wail of pain can be heard from the imp, and infernal blood trickles forth.
Nils brings down a powerful attack. Strong though as he is, the mighty blow does nothing but clip a scale of the hell-raised creature before him.
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
Rhanloi draws his bow and fires at one of the imps, but instead of drawing and releasing physical arrow, he unleashes a force missile, causing 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 points of damage. (6 of 7 left today)
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Sorry to say this, but Daze works on humanoids only.
Rhanloi creates a missile made of pure force, that strikes the nearest imp. I'm assuming you'll take a step to get out of reach as well. If not, I'll happily make an AoO. Mogall tries another incantation, but sadly it doesn't seem to have any effect on the imp.
The imp next to Nils lashes out with its poison sting, while the other imp speak an infernal code word and turns invisible. The flapping sound of wings can be heard.
Attack:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d4 ⇒ 1
Vesparo and Cressyk may make an AoO against the southern imp before it turns invisible
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Muttering a curse as his rapier fails to damage the vanishing devil Vesparo steps up to the visible imp and attempts the old bite and stab again. But his fangs cannot penetrate his foe's scaly skin and his thrust is poorly aimed.
Vesparo is going to use dodging panache instead of parry riposte - this allows him to step 5ft. and increases his AC by 3.
A vine shoots out from Mogall's hand which the half-orc attempts to trip the devil with.
TangleVine range melee trip attack:1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 4 = 2(include soft cover adj. This is a CMB att vs CMD. Let me know if, I'm not using it correctly.)
The trip attack misses badly.
Tanglevine sorcerer Verdant power:
Tanglevine (Sp): At 1st level, as a standard action, you can create a 15-foot-long, animated vine that springs from your hand. This vine lasts for 1 round and can be used to make a single disarm, steal, or trip combat maneuver, using your sorcerer level plus your Charisma modifier in place of your normal CMB. You can use this power a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Nils and Vesparo direct their attacks at the visible imp, but the creature is to fast to be hit by either of them. The tangle vine created by Mogall also has no effect, failing to even discomfort the creature. Rhanloi saves the party's face by hurting the creature with another of his force missiles.
As the other imp turns invisible, Cressyk manages to punish the creature for letting its guard down, leaving a trickle of imp blood at the creature itself vanishes from view. He then, in one swift turn, faces the other imp, and dishes out mighty punishment.
The visible imp screams in pain and stings in retaliation
The other imp reappears as its poisoned stinger drives itself into the back of Vesparo.
Attack, Vesparo (Invisible, Flanking, vs AC 19 (?) ):1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 191d4 ⇒ 4Also a save vs poison, here
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Will hit since Vesparo is denied his dex and I don't think he can use his immediate action abilities vs an invisible foe. But I believe it should now be visible right?
Vesparo is struck by his invisible foe and feels its poison begin to take effect, his bite and lunge going wide of the mark as he steps out from between the two creatures.
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
Can't see map at work - if I'm in danger of an AoO please 5ft step me =) If I can attack the invisible imp I will - otherwise going for the one I can see.
Rhanloi continues his magical attacks on the imp, quickly shooting at the now visible imp before it disappears again.
Damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5(4 of 7 left today)
Taking a step forward, Malena once again channels the flask in her hand as an alchemical focus. She flings the orb of acid splash that forms at the devil closest to the door.
Nils' War Axe hits the imp hard in the leg, and manages to chip off a scale. Vesparo steps out and sees an energy bolt whizz past his hair and into the reemerging Imp.
Malena hits the nearest imp and covers it in acid. The creature merely smiles and shrugs it off, tauntingly avoiding the slashes of Cressyk as well, retaliating with its tail.
Attack, Cressyk:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 91d4 ⇒ 4
The other imp takes another swipe at Vesparo, seeing his prey slowed down by the effects of poison.
Attack, Vesparo:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d4 ⇒ 1Vesparo is already poisoned, so just roll the regular save
I'll try and update the map, but I'm on one of those flaky airport connection, so your mileage may vary (as may mine)
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
Rhanloi grew up in the frozen lands far to the north, where he learned at a very young age that is something is working, you keep doing it until it doesn't work. Then you have to change tactics, and quickly. But so far, his force missiles are doing what he needs them to do, and so he releases another one at whichever creature he can target!
Damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3(3 of 7 left today)
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Vesparo tries to step out of the way as the devil's tail swipes in almost dodging it with panache, but slowed by the poison and not quite able to avoid the razor sharp sting. He then skewers the closest remaining foe with his rapier.
Rapier:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7Thought I managed to avoid the hit with dodging panache, before I realized my dex had been lowered, hence roll order. Fort:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Seeing that the acid has had no discernible effect on the devil and frustrated by her apparent uselessness in this particular situation, Malena unleashes a horrific string of insults and threats in Infernal at the closest devil, seeking to demoralize the creature.
Infernal:
"You are bound to fail, creature. And you know what Cheliax do to servant that fail - much worse than death. You wish now we kill you, no?"
Rhanloi's latest force missile softens up the imp closest to the door enough for Cressyk and Mogall to find a moment to place powerful blows. The onslaught proves too much for the creature. The imp starts to deform and is sucked back into the woodwork.
The event distracts the other imp for a long enough time to be skewered equally hard by Vesparos rapier, and before the first imp is completely absorbed, the second creature also disappears, to be part of the woodwork once more.
Combat over
A secret door now opened, the woodcutting swing into the room, allowing access to Zarta's secret study. In contrast to the large and lavish rooms that make up the rest of this side of the embassy, the secret study is cramped, utilitarian, and sparse. Almost all of the room is taken up by a long desk topped by a series of cubbies full of papers and curios. The desk itself is clear except for a piece of paper and a small, framed portrait of Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin with a lipstick kiss-mark on it. The walls of the room are irregular and look as if the room was shoehorned into wasted space between other rooms. Like the rest of the personal chambers, this room is windowless, and is pierced only by the secret door and an air vent in the southern corner.
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Vesparo sits down upon the bed exhaling, "Argh, I do not feel so good, this poison..." He shuts his eyes for a moment gritting his teeth visibly and then springs up, "I think that was the worst of it, anyone have any healing magic I find myself stung."
Fort with Charmed Life:1d20 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 3 = 18
With the devils defeated, Malena calls for Korvus in Infernal and tucks her acid flask back into her belt pouch.
Infernal:
"Come, silly bird,"she says. "Danger is gone so you can be of use again.
Once the raven is perched back upon her shoulder, Malena will investigate the secret room. She will pick up the framed photo and check if there is anything tucked away within it. Then, with no small amount of persuasion, Malena will try to open the vent and send Korvus through it to check on other rooms without detection.
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Vesparo squints at the paper, "Sexikai? What is that, for a monk I would actually like to meet? Some kind of code?"
Malena picks up the framed photo and finds a note tucked away behind it (Again, it's on the handout).
DC 15 Disable device or Str to open the vents:
There's some items tucked away in a bag behind the vent: a cloak, a pouch containing dust, some false documents establishing fake identities for Zarta, a hat and quite a bit of money and four opals.
Korvus flies into the corridor. Malena gets sensations of claustrophobia, and some garbled imagery. Banner, Lion, Justice, Crowns, Spear...
Other than that, nothing of interest turns up in the room.
M Elven Wizard (Evoker)-6 | AC 13 (17 w/mage armor) T 12 FF 11 | HP 27/27 | F +2 R +4 W +7 | Init +1 | Perc +7
"We have what we came for - now we should find our way back to the waiting room before the ruse is discovered! We can decipher the code later..." Rhanloi says after checking out the small room for anything else they might have missed.
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Male Half-Orc Inquisitor 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 18/12/16 | Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +8 | Init +5 | Perception +9 ]
Cressyk examines the two pieces of paper...and determines that the second note is a key to the first.
Codebreaking Stuff:
From the note behind the portrait:
V > W
Q > H
I > A
W > T
I > A
G > M
I > A
S > N
A > I
M > J
Y > U
D > S
W > T
Q > H
I > A
K > V
O > E
W > T
E > O
K > V
O > E
S > N
W > T
O > E
K > V
O > E
X > R
U > Y
Z > P
X > R
E > O
H > D
Y > U
F > C
W > T
A > I
E > O
S > N
Q > H
O > E
H > S
Cressyk looks up briefly from the papers to respond to Rhanloi's comment. "I don't think we're done - we don't know where she is, nor why she has been taken."
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
It takes Vesparo a few attempts, but he eventually wrenches the vent open. Retrieving the items he hands them to Malena with a bow.
"So our Lady has assumed a false identity it seems..."
Mogall suggest "We should take time to thoroughly search here. I'll check for magic. The half-orc sorcerer cast detect magic to see what items of magic are in the room.
(suggest someone with good perception takes 20 to search.)
(Magall cast Detect Magic and scans the room, then bed room.)
perception:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
code work:
[code]
what a man! i just have to vent. every production he's
vgiw i jis! a mydw giko we kosw. okoxu Zxehyfwaes go'h
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Vesparo squeezes in to the vent and begins to crawl forward, putting his darkvision to good use.
This crammed vent leads to a series of old ventilation tunnels. The floor and some of the walls of the tunnels are plain stone or plaster, but in many places the walls and ceiling display pieces of crumbling mosaics, frescos, murals, and bas-relief sculptures.
The tunnels are narrow with low ceilings, and are about 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall.
At the first junction, the wall to the left of the fork is adorned with the head of a lion, cut off from whatever mural sustained it in the room below, and the right side of the fork shows an ancient banner unfurling.
I've put the situation on the combat map, aggressively cropped for that extra-claustrophobic feeling.
Swashbuckler 3 | HP 25/25 | AC 22 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 17 | Fort +2 | Ref +7 | Will -2 (+0 vs Mind Effecting while drunk) | Init +4 | Perc +1 | SM -3 | Panache 5/5 | Fire Resistance 5 | Charmed Life 3/3 day
Recalling the note Vesparo takes the left lion passage, "Lion, scales, king, centaur... Hey Malena ask Cressyk if he can translate the code at the bottom of the vent note."
