There was not much I could see down there, other my cell. I am not sure where they were keeping the woman, but I do not believe it was below. The tactical info in the map room may be helpful. I say we take it.
Fraadok brings up the rear as they head down the stairs.
His mind wanders a little as he tries to think of any place the odd lone key they found go fit. No chests or doors come to mind, so he will just keep an eye out.
Idril heads down the stairs also.
Bringing up the rear, Thalrik conjured up a Light spell, keeping far enough back that the light allowed those in front to see, without the light shining too far ahead of the group.
Just are you all are about to head down the stairs, Idril and Thalrik both stop almost simultaneously. At first, the small filthy room to the side of the stairs appears to be little more than a reeking hole in the ground used for refuse (lovely), there is something strange about the back wall... Why I'll be damned! It would appear there is a secret door here that was hidden in the stonework.
Carefully side stepping the hole, you push open the secret door and reveal a much less foul smelling room containing nothing more than an extra large sea chest with a heavy iron padlock.
"Hm, a padlock eh?" Idril examines the lock speculatively.
She pulls off a scarf and flips open the pocketed section. She pulls out a couple of small tools, and after consideration, one from her hair as well and sets to work on the lock.
She looks back at the others.
"I, ah, worked as a stage magicians assistant for a while. I learned a few secrets..."
Despite having the key, Idril decides to be a badass and pick the lock anyways. Just for funs.
The lock pops open as easily as ... something that pops open easily. Idril casually notices that there was a badass trap in there that she totally avoided.
Inside the chest is the accumulated wealth of the entire Thistletop Goblin Tribe!:
7432 cp
2490 sp
89 gp
3pp
leather pouch containing 34 badly flawed malachites (? gp)
Medium Chain Shirt
Medium MW Scimitar
pair of MW manacles
gold holy symbol of Sarenrae (? gp)
jade necklace (? gp)
fine blue silk gown with silver trim (? gp)
My my a small fortunes here. Ok lets gather these quickly and head down. We can do the loot thingy later
Your footsteps echo of the cold stone of the rugged stairway and you carefully follow Kjell down the steps and emerge into the 'war room'.
Now that there is time to take a look around, a large table surrounded by chairs fills much of this room. A slate board to the north is covered with scribblings in chalk, but the map of Sandpoint that has been carefully inscribed on it leaves no doubt as to the purpose of this room - this is doubtless where the recent raid was planned.
An investigation of the map confirms this, as the battle plan on the raid on Sandpoint is clearly laid out. More concerning are notes that mention a "whispering beast", and that once this "whispering beast" is tamed,the architects of this plan intend to mount a second raid on the town, one that incorporates not only additional goblin tribes from as far as the Fogscar Mountains to the north, but creatures referred to as "sinspawn" that will invade from under the town. It's a good thing you guys drained that well of power... hopefully you will be able to find a way to make sure it never gains power again.
A thick wooden door to the southwest stands shut, while one of the southeast (the direction Kjell came through from the cells) hands slightly ajar.
lets grab the map arthur will hand it to thalrik and lets explore what lies behind that thick wooden door. he can come back to the cells later
Arthur will see if he has the keys for this door should it be locked.
The door is locked, and actually, none of the keys seem to work.
You easily unpin the map from the slate board and hand it to Thalrik.
Since it doesn't appear that i have the proper key lets use the poor man's lockpick. Would you mind bashing this door open for us Kjell ?
Almost on queue, the door flies open as you continue to talk loudly and jiggle handles and what not.
*pew pew!*
A bolt of arcane force launches itself into Arthur's chest, dealing damage!
Standing in the room beyond, which is full of clutter and books and books and some papers and more books, is a curvy, dark skinned woman wearing a purple cloak. In fact, there appear to be three of her, menacingly pointing a wand at you all. A orange tabby cat hisses at her/her/her feet.
Arthur just launch himself at the woman
Round 1
Fraadok blinks and wonders what was in that last 'Medicine' he used earlier.
The label said not to use martial or exotic weapons, I can see why now.
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On Going Effects:
Idril's face turns white as she realized how close she came to tripping the trap.
"Uh, yes of course I saw that."
She held up the fine blue silk gown to admire it, but then remembered it probably came off of one of the people in the meat locker. She turns a little green and carefully packs it away again.
When the woman appears and shoots Arthur, she whirls about and casts Vanish. While invisible, she moves to get close to the woman.
Arthur, from the descriptions of Nualia (aasimar crazy lady), the pictures in the journal, and the fact this lady is not an Aasimar, you quickly deduce this is not the big bad boss lady, and must be one of her "friends" that Gogmurt mentioned.
Ha so its just one of her hand maiden..
The four women speak in unison.
"How did you get down here?... who are you? How dare you interrupt my research!"
After hearing Arthur cry out in Infernal she smiles and responds in Infernal herself:
"Heh... you do not seem to be one for the devil tongue, a curse perhaps? Aha, oh, you will know Nualia when you see her. I am Lyrie Ankenja, scholar of arcana, architecture, and ancient Thassilon! Now, beg for your lives and I may allow you to run away before someone here kills you! Oh, and by the way, you say Tsuto is held captive? HAHAHAHAHA"
Initiative:
Thalrik = 25
Kjell = 14
Fraadok = 4
Round 1
Arthur - clearly not interested in speeches, Arthur rushes forward and powerful aims a blow with his club!
Arthur's club strikes the temple of one of the women, who smiles and then POOF disappears! (one of the illusions is destroyed!)
Idril - takes advantage of Arthur's attack, twirls and dances herself into an invisible form, and then stealthily makes her way towards the mage!
Realizing the nature of the womans spell, Thalrik once more conjured up an orb of acid, hoping to strike a clone and aid his allies in making the important strikes count.
Round 1_____
Move Action: Idril moves (Invisible) to the woman's back.
Standard Action Attacks the woman from behind (sneak attack).
for a possible slashing damage.
And becomes visible.
Round 1
Fraadok was momentarily surprised that Arthur was going to parlay with the woman(s), but quickly realizes the folly of that thought as the club comes into the conversation.
Moving forward to just outside the doorway (N13), leaving enough room for Kjell to maneuver into an offensive position, Fraadok stab at the women.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
On Going Effects:
Kjell steps forward and attacks the woman with his axe.
Round 1
Arthur - clearly not interested in speeches, Arthur rushes forward and powerful aims a blow with his club!
Arthur's club strikes the temple of one of the women, who smiles and then POOF disappears! (one of the illusions is destroyed!)
Idril - freshly invisible, sneaks up behind the caster without a sound, and then whips out her scarf at the three-fold woman!
The scarf strikes true and claims the throat of the woman... who then disappears in a puff of smoke as another copy is destroyed!
Thalrik - scoffs at this woman mage who dares think she is even on his level. He then promptly conjures up an acid ball, and then completely misses any of the women!
Fraadok - steps up to the side of the doorway and pokes his mighty spear at the lady(s)! His spear goes askew, but it manages to catch one of the 2 remaining women, who then, surprise!, disappears in a puff of smoke, leaving only one, and hopefully the real one, behind!
Seeing his chance, Kjell rushes forward with a crazed look in his eye! His great axe gleams in the light, and then comes crashing down on the woman, slicing her arm and hurting her badly! (16 damage).
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Lyrie - spins up against the wall to get away from the melee (AoO from Idril), hoping her nimbleness will keep her from harm. She then starts chanting as she pulls some spell ingredients from a pouch on her belt.
"That was quite an impressive blow fighter, but we shall not let that happen again!"
She then whips her hand out towards Kjell and a streak of dark energy rushes towards the fighter!
The mage cackles as Kjell is hit by the ray, taking 3 STR damage!
Kjell steps forward and presses the attack on the woman with his axe.
You may sap some of my strength, but my axe will still finish you, whore!
Satisfied that the woman had just doomed herself by going on the offensive, Thalrik backed out into the hallway they had come from, keeping watch for potential reinforcements. "Crazy woman. A simple spell of invisibility might have seen you escape."
Round 2
Arthur will move forward to attack the enemy
Round 2 _____
Standard Action Attacks the woman again.
for a possible slashing damage.
Round 2
Kjell - steps around Arthur and swings his mighty axe! Despite his weakened state, the fighter manages to land a devastating blow, nearly knocking the witch unconscious, though she still manages to cling to life.
Thalrik - backing up from the fray, Thalrik scans around to check for any new dangers. His elven hearing catching the sound of a door opening down the hallway just in time to see two more of Nualia's bandit squad approaching; a heavily armored man and a gruff looking bugbear! They start with surprise upon seeing the battle and make ready to charge into the room.
Arthur - flanking with the lithe dancer, Arthur brings his club down in a powerful attack, but his blow is deflected by an invisible force surrounding the sorceress!
Idril - also trying to take advantage of her tactical position, swings her bladed scarf at the mage, but her attack is likewise deflected!
Fraadok -
Hoping to bring down the caster, Fraadok pokes at her with his longspear, but cannot seem to find an opening in her defenses!
_____________________________________
Lyrie -
Managing to fend off her attackers, Lyrie grabs a handful of fat from a pouch and squeezing it into nothingness and she chants and gestures at Kjell, knowing he is the greatest threat to her! Suddenly, a thick greasy coating begins to appear on his axe!
But Kjell manages to maneuver his weapon out of the spell's area before it manages to take hold, successfully avoiding the grease!
_______________________
Round 3 _____
Standard Action: Flank Attacks the woman again.
for a possible slashing damage.
Round 3
Arthur will adjust his swing in order to bypass the magical defenses
Round 3
Seeing the threat behind them, Fraadok steps over next to Thalrik and sets his longspear for an incoming charge.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
On Going Effects:
Kjell attempts to finish the woman!
Seeing the incoming threat, Thalrik stepped around the corner, starting the words and motions for a spell. As it neared completion, he stopped, the last syllables hanging in the air as he waited.
Round 3
Kjell - Swings mightily at the woman, but his axe clanks against the ground at her feet!
Idril - whirling and twirling, Idril's scarf lets out a sharp *crack* as she snaps it at the sorceress, slashing her across the chest and spinning her around...
Arthur - ... and as she spins, Arthur brings his club down upon her head! Lyrie lets out a weak croak as she slumps to the ground, bleeding, dying, unconscious.
Fraadok - Seeing his allies have taken care of the woman, Fraadok moves into position to prepare for the new threats approaching from behind!
Thalrik - likewise readies a spell for when the new enemies approach.
__________________________
The two other enemies glance at each other. Both appear to be bandits as well, presumably the remaining members of the gang. The man turns to the bugbear: "Bruthazmus! They have harmed Lyrie, and most have taken out the goblins above! That bastard Ripnugget, I knew he was a weak coward! Let's kill them!"
The human rushes into the room, hoping to take out the pesky mage before he can cast a spell, and with a roar, the bugbear recklessly charges forward at Fraadok!
Fraadok, seeing this coming, brings up his spear as the enemy comes crashing towards him!
Success! Fraadok's spear jabs the creature in the side as the rushes past, leaving a nasty gaping wound! The bugbear attempts to continue running towards Fraadok as the human steps towards Thalrik. This was just what Thalrik was waiting for! He unleashes a bright and colorful cone out, engulfing both enemies!
But both of the bandits expected something like this and avert their eyes just in time!
Bruthazmus - The bugbear steps forward and swings a heavy flail at the brave Shoanti!
But Fraadok is too quick, and blocks the attack on the shaft of his spear!
Orik - The heavily armored human casts a terrifying grin at Thalrik as he steps up and swings his bastard sword at the young mage!
Thalrik is unprepared for the assault, as he is simply bewildered his trusty spell failed to work! He takes a mighty and terrible wound across his chest, ripping through his robe and sending him failing to the ground (-2 HP Thalrik!). Rikka chirps and scurries among the folds of his bloody robes, begging whatever mongoose gods for mercy upon her master!
__________________________________
Kjell chugs a potion of Bulls Strength restoring his strength temporarily then moves around the table to L15 to a more advantageous position.
Pick on someone your own size, cowards!
Round 4
Seeing Thalrik take a dirt nap on the cold stone floor, and seeing Rikka not taking off for the hills, he steps back a step and stabs at the bugbear.
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On Going Effects:
Round 4 _____
Enhanced Move Act.: Move to (L,16)
Activate: Battle Dance! Round 1
Standard Action: Spin Attacks the bastard swordsman.
for a possible slashing damage.
Round 4
Arthur will cast a move to K16 and apply it to Thalrik
Awakening with a groan, Thalrik looked around in confusion, before clutching the grievous wound. "Aach!" was the extent of what he had to say, before disappearing in a puff of smoke, appearing 5 feet away. He then got on his feet, his knees threatening to give way underneath him as he continued to bleed on himself.
Then he huddled back inside the previous room.
Round 4
Kjell - whips out a potion of Bull's Strength (which taste exactly like a Jaeger Bomb), and feels his muscles begin to ripple and swell. He then shouts a challenge and moves towards the new enemies.
Fraadok - lashes at the bugbear as he approaches, but is not able to land a blow as he is too busy blocking the attack! He jumps back five feet to retaliate with a mighty spear thrust, but he spear glances off of the bugbear's armor.
Idril - invokes her magical dancing powers for what seems like the first time in a long time! Energy crackles around her as she fluidly makes her way over to the Human bandit and cracks her bladed scarf straight at his head!
Arthur - moving behind his allies, Arthur runs up to Thalrik and lays his hand upon him, filling him with the healing energies of The Green!
Thalrik - still reeling, Thalrik opens his eyes and manages to come up with enough energy to invoke his inherit magical powers, vanishing out of sight and reappearing a few feet away. Struggling to his feet, he retreats back into the other room.
________________________________
Bruthazmus - continues his assault on Fraadok! Swinging his flail over his head, he lets out a war cry and brings it down at the Shoanti!
CRACK! Fraadok takes a mighty blow to the side of his head and is dealt 14 damage!
Orik - with the expressionless focus of a mercenary, the human raises is shield and tries to fight off his attackers, a bit miffed that he is now facing three enemies! He slashes at Idril from behind his shield and then takes a step backwards.
But the pretty lady is pretty fast. Too fast for his attack to hit her anyways!
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