Reflex save
Mercy signs and mutters a silent prayer before gripping the rope and sliding her armoured form downward...
:
Gustag follows the group, seeming none too optimistic about his luck with the rope.
Everyone manages to make it down the rope and onto the pier with relative ease.
Well almost everyone. Waydon loses his grip soon after going through the hole. The unfortunate former guardsman misses the skiff by inches and splashes into the water. Stories of the vicious Jigsaw sharks that inhabit the brackish river waters has everyone worried. Fortunately, there are no sharks this night, and Waydon manages to clamber out of the chilly water and onto the slimy dock.
That works for me
A narrow space exists under the fishery, with about four feet of room between the floor of the building above and the languid, foamy river water below. Wooden pilings support the building, and moss and cobwebs hang thick from ropes and rusted chains between them. A wooden walkway floats on the river surface, winding along the inner wall of pilings that supports the building’s frame above, leading from the sodden barge to the east all the way west to a wooden door that leads into an understructure below the fishery’s landbound half.
Veklen looks carefully around as he moves over the walkway, his face set in tight lines.
Kishta's back complains as she proceeds crouching beneath the low ceiling. She looks around carefully, for she is sure that Gaedrin has left cunning traps behind to guard his den.
Mercy casts her gaze around their surroundings looking specifically for traps and all things hidden;
:
Veklen stops. Did you all hear that scream? He asks quickly. We should hurry, but we don't want to leave that door there he points to the barge, unguarded. Lamm might slip out. One of us should watch it and raise a cry if Lamm tries to escape unnoticed.
Veklen does not stop to see if anyone listened to his suggestion, he begins to move forward towards the door at the south.
Waydon follows Veklen eager to see justice meted out.
I heard nothing. I agree that someone should watch for Lamm's escape.
"I didn't hear anything, but let's not wait. If we all attack here and now, he shouldn't get a chance to escape."
"No, sorry. I didn't hear a thing. Guess I was too busy praying to Desna that Kashki and I wouldn't fall."
Kishta pushes forward at the sound of screams.
"No need to leave someone behind. Gaedren Lamm only gets past us over my dead body."
Veklen barely hears the protests from his companions. When he gets to the door he opens it quickly and steps inside his sword drawn.
Veklen moves to open the door as the others discuss what they did and didn't hear. As he does, another scream echos out into the chilly night.
Inside a trio of tables, covered and surrounded by junk, sits to the north in a nook formed the outer walls and the walls to the other room. Cracks in the floor reveal the glint of light from the lantern reflecting off the river below. The most interesting thing about the room, and what certainly catches Veklen's eye, is who is inhabiting it.
A crooked, mean looking man glares at the half-orc before smiling a smile that only a mean, crooked thief and murderer could smile. This one must be Gaedren Lamm. Who else could hold such malice in his eyes.
A few feet away stands a massive half-orc with facial features similar to the two out cold above. He is clad in well made armor, and a big sword is strapped to his back. He doesn't seem to notice Veklen's entrance, focused on the person between him and Lamm.
The last occupant is one that looks instantly familiar, and can only be the older sister of the twins upstairs, Raseri. Most of her clothing is shredded beyond repair, with only her small clothes letting her keep any sense of decency. Bloody welts and cuts cover her arms, legs, and belly. It's a pretty safe bet they cover her back as well. Her face is relatively unharmed, only a small scratch and black-eye. By the looks of it, she'd been tortured for a while.
"Ah, You must be Veklen. Please come in, come in. I have to say, I believe I should have hired you rather than the two worthless blockheads upstairs. From the sounds of it, you managed to trounce them quite handily." His wicked grin spreads even further across his face, "Although I believe you had some help. Why don't you let your friends come inside, it's rather chilly out there."
Veklen looks out at his companions. Don't worry about the barge, he's in here, his voice comes out at a snarl. Then as he moves farther into the room he turns back to Lamm. Let the girl go.
"Oh I don't think I will. This girl tried to rob me, steal what is rightfully mine. Surely you understand that without law and order, civilization falls apart. And this one needs to be punished."
A nod from Lamm has the half-orc twisting a handful of the woman's hair and pulling her halfway to her feet. She grits her teeth, but a swift belt from the baton in Lamm's hand has her yelp in pain.
"Jeg håper ballene dine fryse av deg kuk suger gris!"
"And she seems to appreciate my administrations."
Though the words are foreign, from the tone it sounded more like a curse than praise.
"But enough about the girl, I'd much rather talk about you, and how we might, ah, benefit from a friendly business relationship, hmm?"
Kishta hurries into the room ahead, and the sight of Lamm hits her like a hammerblow. She felt her knees weaken and her face turn pale as she stared at him, and every instinct told her to cower and do anything she must to keep him from getting angry.
He's just a man. she told herself, over and over. Just a man. And an old one at that. You need not fear him.
After staring at Lamm for far too long, she tried to answer him.
"C-c-civilization is overrated," Kishta stammered. "But I don't think it counts as 'justice' when it's administered by a hired th-thug."
Arianna peers into the room, seeing for the first time the man responsible for her brother's death, thinking to herself What does this bastard know of law and order?
As her heart fills with hatred for the old man, her eyes begin to narrow...
Standing next to Kish, Mercy feels her hand instinctivly feel for her sisters reassuring grasp;
Older, frailer... but still cruel... still so cruel...
She speaks...
"I... I am... I rep-p..."
and her voice falters momentarily when faced with her oldest nightmare
You are the voice and sword of the Dawnflower. Be graceful in parley and sword play
The paladin's eyes steel, and her words sounds clear and strong;
"... I represent the blessed Dawnflower; Bringer of Light and Giver of Justice. Give this woman to me and clemency shall be shown to all..."
"Ah, Kishta and Mercy, I have such fond memories of our time together. Then again, the two of you were always trouble. Sadly Gobblegut died a few years ago, so I guess I can't feed you to him now. Oh, well."
He slowly moves behind Raseri, who is still being held up by her hair. He drops the baton and pulls out a nice dagger with that same wicked grin on his face.
"As for this poor girl, I think not. She's a thief and I think it's only fair I steal something in return. Oh, but what to take, what to take? She still has use to me, so her life won't do. She is Ulfen, though, perhaps if I take her hair. Truffles?"
He seems to talk to himself, as he taps the tip of the dagger against his chin. The Half-orc obliges Lamm and hauls the woman to her feet. Despite his hunched back and bent knees, the twisted man towers over his captive and really didn't need to pull her head back as far as he does.
"Consider this the price for your crime, dear little girl. Next time it'll be your sisters." He tells her before his blade shears through her hair. With another nod Truffles shoves her roughly, and painfully, to the ground.
"Such a fine lad, isn't he? Now, about our recent pest infestation... Kill them."
The Half-orc speaks for the first time, his voice like gravel.
"Gladly."
Gaedren:
Truffles:
The half-orc lumbers into a charge. The large wicked looking sword comes out of its sheath and into his hands. He doesn't go after Veklen, but instead attacks Kishta. His sword finds a seam in her armor and sends her blood splattering over the wall and floor as she spins down to the ground. His eyes alight with rage and joy as a vicious grin splits his face.
"Come brother, and sister. Surrender and Lamm may show you mercy."
Still overwhelmed by facing Lamm after all these years, Kishta can't make her feet move to take her out of the way of the half-orc's brutal attack. Her vision turns red as she spins and falls to her knees.
Better than last time when he broke both my legs with an iron bar.
"Only blood can water the rose," Kishta says, as she loses consciousness.
Initiative
" Lamm we've never met before, you took something from me very precious. Though you didn't realize it, you signed your own death warrant when you did that and I'm here serve it to you. Honestly I'd prefer it if you and your goons put up a fight. Don't expect to beg your way out of this and there's nowhere you could run that I won't find you and gut you. The name is Waydon Cordus, remember it so you can tell Pharasma who sent you."
Actions:
Watching Krista fall Wayden's face grows taunt with anger. Looking at the Half Orc he yells:
Face me and know your fate
Waydon this declares his challenge and strikes:
Truffle's vicious smile gets even broader as the former Guardsman scores a hit on his arm.
Lamm: 21/21
Gustag moves into the room, then roars in anger as Raseri's hair is cut. You've too much to pay for, Lamm! Thinkin' we'll start collectin' with yer fingers an' toes, ya' madman!
The stout dwarf cries out in dismay as he sees one of his newfound companions fall victim to the vile Lamm's murderous ally. Bold move fer one a'Lamm's stinkin' dogs! Why doncha' come an' fight one a' tha' Drinker's chosen! His will curse yer sword an' tha' limp hand weildin' it!
Dreqar enters as the fight starts. "Gaedren! You scum, I'll pull your hide off." He snarls, rapier in one hand and moving his hand to ready a spell.
Seeing Kish drop beside her Mercy’s immediate thought is for her sister, and then for the pain that Lamm and his thugs continue to inflict…
This ends… today… now
The Paladin makes straight for Lamm; hoping to end the conflict quickly;
Damnflower grant me the strength to overcome and the will to grant clemency when I do...
:
:
Arianna moves into the room wanting to target Lamm, but seeing how dangerous the half-orc is, Arianna lets her gaze drift toward Lamm's lackey as her eyes go black and she waves a finger slowly back and forth.
Veklen steps back, moving his hands methodically, pulling a bit of powdered iron from the pouch at his side. Size nisbi deyil. Fikir sehrli edir. Mən oda doldurmaq üçün inkişaf edə bilər. Then Veklen begins to grow. He becomes a monster towering over the others. His voices booms, Surrender yourselves, and you might live.
Dreqar moves in as soon as the way is clear, he wastes no time in targeting Lamm with a Ray of Frost spell
vs. touch
Lamm: 18/21 NL: 5
Waydon manages to score a minor hit on the half-orc that downed Kishta. His grin soon dies though as Gustag calls on the divine power of the Lucky Drunk. Visions of the dwarf staving in his chest fill his head before he succumbs to Arianna's magicks and falls to the ground asleep at Waydon's feet. Just in time to miss Veklen's call as he suddenly grows to the size of an ogre.
Mercy and Dreqar attack Gaedren Lamm, scoring a hit each. Lamm didn't survive this long by being weak however and draws a crossbow as he moves back. The small dart strikes Dreqar in the arm and sinks in fairly deep for such a small bolt.
All the while, Kishta bleeds out on the floor.
"I should have killed you all when I had the chance, would have saved me from having to clean up your blood later!"
Lamm's brow knots in rage and spittle flies from his cracked lips.
Heal check
Wayden concerned for the life of his companion despite his desire for vengeance tends to Krista's wounds.
As air breaks through Krista's lips, Wayden sighs and moves towards Lamm with bad intentions
Gustag moves over to kneel at Krista's side, his concern for a fallen companion suddenly prshing in front of his hatred for Lamm. He motions Waydon aside. I'm 'ere fer 'er, lad. Go, and kill tha' monster.