At hearing the name Amun, Ariarh's head turns to look directly at the strange girl with the southern accent but does not address her but the party with her next words,
"If they are expecting Amun, their leader, and do not know of his demise, then we have gained an advantage. They are not expecting their master's enemy to be advancing through these tunnels."
Then looking back at the girl beside Brett, Ariarh asks, "What is your name? And can you tell us how many guards will be waiting by the west gate?"
Ariarh at this time is relieved to hear that Anuk-su is still alive as she is valuable to this enemy ... She hopes they will find her with the guards by the west gate or guarded somewhere close by.
Very good - then Cali is medium at this time - as it has now been at least seven minutes since the mutagen has been tasted - and she was enlarged roughly 2 minutes before that.
At hearing the name Amun, Ariarh's head turns to look directly at the strange girl with the southern accent but does not address her but the party with her next words,
"If they are expecting Amun, their leader, and do not know of his demise, then we have gained an advantage. They are not expecting their master's enemy to be advancing through these tunnels."
Then looking back at the girl beside Brett, Ariarh asks, "What is your name? And can you tell us how many guards will be waiting by the west gate?"
Ariarh at this time is relieved to hear that Anuk-su is still alive as she is valuable to this enemy ... She hopes they will find her with the guards by the west gate or guarded somewhere close by.
"I am Anaitis nes-Ma'at... I do not know how many guard the west gate - the storm is bad - many may fled to the city over the waters - some may have returned - I do not know their plans - and if I did - they have changed them sense... for they call me "traitor" - and would have killed me - but that they wished to have me watch the Wadjet Ata die..." she answers.
Before the Lady Ariarh is able to speak again, Isani deftly asks the girl a question,
"Anaitis nes-Ma'at, why did they wish you to watch the death of the Princess Snake Goddess? What did you do to be identified as a traitor?"
She quietly translates to the group that Wadjet Ata is Osiriani for Princess Snake Goddess.
Before the Lady Ariarh is able to speak again, Isani deftly asks the girl a question,
"Anaitis nes-Ma'at, why did they wish you to watch the death of the Princess Snake Goddess? What did you do to be identified as a traitor?"
She quietly translates to the group that Wadjet Ata is Osiriani for Princess Snake Goddess.
”My people worship the true god – the Serpent – for it is the maker and destroyer – it creates and devours all things… This is truth. Yet before this we had never seen one that had the ken of the Serpent as so – Wadjet Ata is the winged Serpent – the goddess – like – war goddess? She say she do battle – and fight to kill for her people… The silver men – the false Serpent – she called her people – they be her creation, yes? So – she is their god.”
”It is foolish to fight a god – for they are maker and destroyer of life – if we try to kill false Snake Men – the silver skins – then we insult god – we insult Wadjet Ata – this be foul thing… It cannot be lived with – some of us say we cannot let her die – or to be killed so foul… They say those who speak with such words are traitor – so they torture – they kill – they curse our blood so we cannot be send to other side…”
”But we did not listen – so they keep us to live and torture – to make us bleed – and to make us suffer – so our soul be damned – and not given to the Great Ones – and the Great Serpent cannot swallow us into his embrace – for we are outcasts…” she adds with a mixture of pride – and turmoil.
”We cannot be one with our god – for we fought for another – we fought for Wadjet Ata – so now we claim her as god – if she have us… and if not? Then how can we live? For we gave ka to new god – if new god not claim us - or be false – then we suffer for it…”
She looks at you questioningly – wondering if you would ask anything else...
"Point being - we don't need to be waiting about too long, eh?" Brett says, suddenly interrupting.
"We got a way to move on - let's do it - eh?" he adds, gesturing to the gates and beyond.
Anaitis nods, and grips her sword hilt tightly - and she, Brett, Anaitis, Dhoj, Khang and Grod watch the party - all of them wondering what the party will do next...
Brett's point of not waiting is not missed on Ariarh and she nods in his direction, still uncertain about Anaitis nes-Ma'at's intentions.
Facing Kae she directs, "Kae, I would like you to take lead again. Anaitis has informed us that the guards will be waiting by the west gate -- so that is where we go and we need our best fighters upfront. They are not expecting us, hoping instead to see the return of their victorious leader, Amun. So let us take advantage of this opportunity now that the djinn has been permanently dispatched from this plane."
Ariarh notices how agitated Dior is around the stranger Brett had rescued. He seemed to be acting in the same manner as when they were interviewing the cultist leader in Saravale and she remembered how Dior spoke of a reptile smell coming from the leader and his guard. As the others start to move through the gate, she bends down quickly and whispers to Dior in Celestial (careful not to be overheard by Anaitis),
Shae is paying attention, but everyone seems to understand the urgency of the situation. Shae would love to get out of this mountain.
Tightening his grip on his Glaive, Ka'etil takes point and advances toward the western gate. "Of course, Ry. Look lively everyone, and try to keep quiet."
Stealth
Brett's point of not waiting is not missed on Ariarh and she nods in his direction, still uncertain about Anaitis nes-Ma'at's intentions.
Facing Kae she directs, "Kae, I would like you to take lead again. Anaitis has informed us that the guards will be waiting by the west gate -- so that is where we go and we need our best fighters upfront. They are not expecting us, hoping instead to see the return of their victorious leader, Amun. So let us take advantage of this opportunity now that the djinn has been permanently dispatched from this plane."
Ariarh notices how agitated Dior is around the stranger Brett had rescued. He seemed to be acting in the same manner as when they were interviewing the cultist leader in Saravale and she remembered how Dior spoke of a reptile smell coming from the leader and his guard. As the others start to move through the gate, she bends down quickly and whispers to Dior in Celestial (careful not to be overheard by Anaitis),
** spoiler omitted **
Tightening his grip on his Glaive, Ka'etil takes point and advances toward the western gate. "Of course, Ry. Look lively everyone, and try to keep quiet."
Stealth
1d20+8
Kae - you advance forward - at this time Brett shall come with you - as he has range weapons.
He has spoken extensively to the girl - and is prepared to share the information he learned without being asked - and does so at this time...
According to the girl - the cave itself stabs west for some time, then a long flight of stair descends deep into the side of the mountain. At the base of the stairs is a wide cavern - the cavern is several hundred feet across on a north/south axis - and about 300 feet across on an east/west axis.
This is mostly a large lake - roughly 20 feet in depth.
On the far side of the lake is a small opening in solid rock - this opening is roughly 40 feet in width, and about 30 feet from the top of the water. There is a gate in it - that keeps out invaders - and keeps small craft safe in the cave.
On the beach - which is really just a flat rocky outcrop that is roughly 40 feet wide, and stretches the entire north/south axis - you will discover some small docks - a few small skiffs. This is where the boats that ferry people from the island to the mainland will travel.
The girl suggests that this area will have at least the two guards who are waiting for their boss - but more then that - she cannot say. It has been two days sense she has been tortured - and she doesn't know what the guards have done at this time... if they have been doubled, decreased - or what have you.
If she is right - hopefully you will find Anuk-su by one of the docks - near a boat - with the two guards waiting for their master. She again warns you - there may be more then that there, though...
She also says that the guardian is not able to enter the cave if the gate is down - and - moreover - typically patrols the south eastern side - normally avoiding the western side altogether.
Kae - you are able to advance, with Brett and his musket ready to offer ranged cover. The ledge you will exit on is about 50 feet above the beach - which can be reached by a stone stair that leads down to it...
That said - you proceed...
Brett's Perception Roll - once he grows closer -
Enemies Perception Check -
Kae – Brett pulls you down and points – directing your attention the rock wharf.
You see three boats – one of them is loaded with a bundle – what looks like Anuk-su in dragon form – though she is bound with heavy chains – and cruelly it seems. One of the “pink guys” is standing by the pier, getting ropes and other things ready for the skiff to cast off – you suspect the skiff can hold about 10 people – though only one guy and Anuk-su are on it.
The other is lounging by the docks – glancing over the stony beach.
You see something else that is rather disturbing – there are 6 men – only they look unusually tall. Roughly 7 feet in height – and they have strange masks – that look like Jackal Heads. They are garbed with linen wraps – and long white cloth tunics with bronze discs stitched on them – and their weapons look like long spears with crescent shaped heads.
These 6 men with jackal masks stand as still as statues – and they wait, staring at the rock staircase – luckily – they are staring straight ahead – and don’t see up the stairs to you the entrance of the cave that Kae and Brett are peaking out of.
The stairs are 10 feet wide – you believe that only 2 people can stand on the stairs easily – but possibly only one of these creatures – you are not sure if they are a Large Size or not – but if they are – only one of them can stand on the stairs at the same time…
Brett turns to you Kae –
”So – what’s our next move?” he asks, readying his musket – looking at you.
Ariarh, Isani and Dior hold where they are in the line, waiting to hear something from the others in front, like Kae or Brett. Their ability to be stealthy is not the greatest and they do not want to alert the remaining enemy of their presence.
That depends on where he is - so far he's on Shae's shoulder - he has not moved up to make a Perception Check - nor a Stealth Check.
For now he is remaining on Shaezon's shoulder until further orders...
That depends on where he is - so far he's on Shae's shoulder - he has not moved up to make a Perception Check - nor a Stealth Check.
For now he is remaining on Shaezon's shoulder until further orders...
Well - while I wait - what do you, Dior or Isani decide to do?
I edited my previous post but you may have missed the edit. Isani has no stealth ability whatsoever ... and Ry and Dior's aren't so high ... I had them hold until information could be passed down to them somehow (i.e. through Mister) ... They do not want the enemy to hear them above and realise they have unwanted company.
Plus, if only Ariarh knew there were jackal heads down there for she has information about them from the last encounter in the cave with Amun. Oh well, if only someone told her about it ...
Ariarh whispers to Isani and Dior to stay where they are until she sees what is going on in front and then motions them forward. She will attempt to steathily move forward, closer to Brett and Kae,
Mister moved up near Brett and Kae
Stealth
Percep
He looks at Kae and Brett letting them know he is reading their thoughts if they want to communicate silently. He'll relay whatever messages they want to the rest of the group.
I edited my previous post but you may have missed the edit. Isani has no stealth ability whatsoever ... and Ry and Dior's aren't so high ... I had them hold until information could be passed down to them somehow (i.e. through Mister) ... They do not want the enemy to hear them above and realise they have unwanted company.
Plus, if only Ariarh knew there were jackal heads down there for she has information about them from the last encounter in the cave with Amun. Oh well, if only someone told her about it ...
Well - technically this is all happening at the same time... It is technically the same round until we hear formal action - otherwise Brett may move back to share details as soon as he gets a chance.
Well - technically this is all happening at the same time... It is technically the same round until we hear formal action - otherwise Brett may move back to share details as soon as he gets a chance.
Indeed!
Brett can share with Mister what he saw via his thoughts -
Ariarh is now moved up next to Kae and Brett... She is able to see what they do - including the various torches around the water - and that the water is choppy - likely from the still falling rain outside...
Ariarh sends the following mental message through Mister, ::Six Jackal Heads. Amun, the djinn, had such creatures serving him back in the cave to the north of Saravale. The last time we fought them we discovered they had a natural resistance to cold iron but they could be hurt by bronze, whether a bronze weapon, bronze summoned creature or a bronze dragon.::
"Great - well; does anyone got any bronze weapons?" Brett whispers hoarsely.
Then - realizing he has spoken - he decides to relay via Mister.
"We can do some things - like - maybe - take a few of them out - but, if we even get half of them - or most of them - they may be putting a knife to the young lasses throat - if that happens - then what? How do we deal with that? We need to get to the young lass - without her dying - or get pinched as hostage under knife... What do we do?" he asks tensely...
::I could sneak to the boat and cause a distraction or something. Maybe start a fire? on the side opposite the cave. The boat couldn't get away and they'd have to come onto land. ::
Mister suggests, trying to help.
Through her mind she tranfers the question to the spellcasters in the group, ::Any remaining invisibility spells?:: And then to Shaezon in particular, ::Mister can put someone to sleep with his sting can he not? Maybe he could stealthily move toward the guard by Anuk-su and put him out?::
::I could sneak to the boat and cause a distraction or something. Maybe start a fire? on the side opposite the cave. The boat couldn't get away and they'd have to come onto land. ::
Mister suggests, trying to help.
Isani listens to the conversations flowing through their collective minds. Thank the gods for the tiny pseudodragon's gifted ability.
She will attempt to move closer to the front of the group, behind the Lady Ariarh,
Through her mind she tranfers the question to the spellcasters in the group, ::Any remaining invisibility spells?:: And then to Shaezon in particular, ::Mister can put someone to sleep with his sting can he not? Maybe he could stealthily move toward the guard by Anuk-su and put him out?::
"If Mister hangs over the side of the boat - near the lad by Anuk-su; provided he be sneaky - then we make a bunch of noise to draw them running - likely one lad will remain with the young lass - when they all come running - if Mister makes his move and can sleep the bugger - they may not know it when we do our knife work! Then we got a prisoner with news - and our lass safe!"
Brett whispers.
Ariarh sends another mental message, ::I still have my summoning spells and I believe Isani does as well. I am unsure about Shaezon and Arasmes. Would a water elemental come in useful? We could have one carry the boat with Anuk-su away from the guard stationed by her (or any enemy close to her) to a safe distance across the lake.::
::I could sneak to the boat and cause a distraction or something. Maybe start a fire? on the side opposite the cave. The boat couldn't get away and they'd have to come onto land. ::
Mister suggests, trying to help.
Isani listens to the conversations flowing through their collective minds. Thank the gods for the tiny pseudodragon's gifted ability.
She will attempt to move closer to the front of the group, behind the Lady Ariarh,
Verrrry lucky - they didn't see you - sadly - Isani doesn't see much; though Mister can relay the information...
Through her mind she tranfers the question to the spellcasters in the group, ::Any remaining invisibility spells?:: And then to Shaezon in particular, ::Mister can put someone to sleep with his sting can he not? Maybe he could stealthily move toward the guard by Anuk-su and put him out?::
::I have no invisiblity spells left. Also, Mister's sting does put some to sleep, but I'm afraid it's not particularly potent. ::
After Mister no doubt gives him a dirty look.
::Sorry friend.::
Through her mind she tranfers the question to the spellcasters in the group, ::Any remaining invisibility spells?:: And then to Shaezon in particular, ::Mister can put someone to sleep with his sting can he not? Maybe he could stealthily move toward the guard by Anuk-su and put him out?::::I have no invisiblity spells left. Also, Mister's sting does put some to sleep, but I'm afraid it's not particularly potent. ::
After Mister no doubt gives him a dirty look.
::Sorry friend.::
"It's worth a shot - but, well - if we can't do something, then what do we do in the meantime, eh?" Brett asks tersely - staring at the rest of the party.
Arasmes speaks through Mister and says :I can drop a blinding cloud of particles upon the boat so as to distract and blind those upon it. Once blind perhaps Cali could slip down and pick Anuk-su up off of the deck. Either that or if I can get close enough to grease Anuk-su so that she may slip free of her bounds.:
Arasmes speaks through Mister and says :I can drop a blinding cloud of particles upon the boat so as to distract and blind those upon it. Once blind perhaps Cali could slip down and pick Anuk-su up off of the deck. Either that or if I can get close enough to grease Anuk-su so that she may slip free of her bounds.:
You'd not know it - but they can pass on to you that Anuk-su is not moving - she may not be able to slip her bonds - she could be unconscious - or drugged.
To get to the dock you'd have to rush down fifty feet of stone stairs with no protection on the stairs.
Once you get to the bottom of the stairs - there is roughly 40 feet to the wharf where the boat is... The six "jackal-headed men" are standing at attention in a loose formation on the beach.
You'd have to get down the stairs - then across the beach - then to the boat - but; if you did it - it'd have to be very fast - because the man in the boat - if he saw you - is likely to simply to do something aggressive to Anuk-su.
That said - what is your move?
:Cali can take out the enemy standing on the boat with her perhaps before there is a chance for retribution but I cannot be sure. She can make it down there very quickly and attack. From there it is a matter of keeping the Jackals away.:
:Cali can take out the enemy standing on the boat with her perhaps before there is a chance for retribution but I cannot be sure. She can make it down there very quickly and attack. From there it is a matter of keeping the Jackals away.:
"If that's the plan - then make it so..." Brett says in a very cultured voice...
He levels his musket and awaits the move and holds action.
As soon as an enemy charges, he'll be firing his weapon on the first guy who rushes up the stairs...
Cali
Initiative should it be needed for Cali.
Stealth to get as close as possible before being spotted.
Cali will take off and skim the water, attempting to keep as low as possible to avoid detection and get as close as she can.
Cali
Initiative should it be needed for Cali.
1d20+2
Stealth to get as close as possible before being spotted.
1d20+6
As soon as Cali flies out of the mouth of the tunnel - and the cover you all shared - she is now in the extremely huge and wide open cave - and the wide open cave offers no cover at all.
However - as she advances through the air into the cave - it seems the jackal heads are aware of your presence.
They instantly snap their spears up and move into a loose formation - calling out in a loud baying howl.
You are currently 60 feet from the Jackals - and more beyond to the boat - what is your move?
You can see that the man in the skiff draws his blade, as does the other down by the water...