Ant-thony does her best attacking the invisible cultist but just can't seem to find her target, snapping and stinging empty air.
Dervak will move, grab the back door, pull it shut, and hold it closed.
The door slams shut, for a brief moment Dervak feels some resistance.
Rowan move up (5 feet) and does a flurry, but tries to stun on the first attack.
All of Rowan's attacks miss there target and a moment later the cultist reappears.
She frantically tries to reopen the door Dervak shut on her but can't get it open.
Mara cried, "Mommy, help me heal Ellery!", and cast a spell.
Ant-thony decides that persistence is a pleasant trait.
Theophilus Cackles and Evil Eye Hex Rapier (DC 18 -2 Saves).
Dervak bites the cultist.
Ellery finally stands back up glancing down at the gashes in his body, but nods his thanks to Mara. After he does a double take at the large ant that seems to be fighting the cultist he holds his rapier ready on the off chance the cultist tries to make a run for it.
Theo feels that Ant-thony's persistence will pay off soon, but not this time.
Dervak bites deeply into to the cultist's shoulder and she screams in pain.
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Rowan is obviously frustrated after the last flurry of misses, so unleashes a stunning kick.
Dc:17
Beaten to a pulp the cultist collapses on the floor. On the bodies you find 3 potions of cure moderate wounds, a +1 chain shirt, 2 regular breastplates, 2 masterwork battleaxes, a masterwork dagger, a masterwork rapier, and 400 gold worth of fine clothing and jewelry.
Past the door within the surrounding hedge, the garden of Iris Hill appears eerily shrouded in a thin mist that lingers over the grass despite the driving rain. All the buildings appear dark and quiet, and the odor of heather and ivy seems mixed with some sweetly sour, unwholesome essence.
Evidence of neglect lies strewn across this once magnificent garden. The grass grows tall and yellowed, and weeds choke flowerbeds along the sides of the estate’s buildings, leaving only a smattering of color from the few flowers that survive. A few overgrown bushes once trimmed to look like humanoids stand in a rough circle around a brick well in the center of the estate. A gravel path leads from the gatehouse and circles the well before
branching off to each of the estate’s buildings.
Theophilus pats Ant-thony on his head.
Well done!
Mara used another two charges of her wand to Heal Ellery.
Theo also uses his wand on Ellery.
Dervak looks around. "Where to now? Start with the first one on the right?"
Dervak will use a charge from his wand of Shield before we open the door.
Ellery nods his thanks at the healing and makes some hand signs.
I vote we clear the smaller houses first. I figure they are pretty much expecting us at this point so if they pour out of the large house we may be able to hold off a large force better in a smaller area.
Mara relayed Ellery's concern, "Ellery is asking that someone else open doors, after he's disabled the traps."
To Dervak's suggestion, she replied, "Sure, first building on the right sounds good to me."
When everyone was ready, Mara walked towards the eastern building, keeping an eye out for enemies. Once there, she checked the front door for traps.
Theo happily uses the wand on Ellery. He holds it up for anyone else.
My Unseen Servant likes to open doors.
Mara finds no traps but does hear light hearted laughter beyond the door.
Ellery follows Mara to the building and also checks for traps.
Ellery has similar results.
"No traps, and someone's home!" Mara whispered to the others. After casting a spell on herself, she concentrated intently, dramatically increasing the uncertainty surrounding the location of her being; her form began to waver and shimmer.
Dervak activates his wand of Shield (now at 49) and stows it, then waits for the Unseen Servant to open the door.
Frederick, if you will open that door, please.
Theo puts on his mean face.
This well-appointed lounge includes a brick fireplace, a mahogany table with three matching chairs, and an antique sideboard near the foot of the stairs. A couple dressed in the finery of nobles sits around the table in this room, sipping wine from crystal goblets.
Both of them have a surprised look on their face when the door opens, but the woman recovers quickly, "Asa, why didn't you tell me we were expecting guests?" The man sips from his goblet and replies, "I'm as surprised as you my dear, but not unpleasantly so." The woman continues eyeing the drawn weapons obvious magical effects with a wry smile, "Peace strangers, I am Lady Daelene Spence and this rogue over here is Lord Asa Lalith." Motioning inside, "Would you care for some wine?"
They're hiding something, but of course
Theophilus whispers into the White Rabbit's ear.
Do we recognize them?
Mara hesitated for a second, trying to gauge the nobles' reactions.
Ellery glances around behind them and makes some hand signs.
Rowan recognizes the names as minor nobles from Caliphas. Otherwise no one else knows anything.
Mara senses nothing but briefly interrupted boredom and the rose on there cheeks indicate that they have been drinking.
Theophilus tips his hat, bowing low.
Madame and Monsuir; we have come to this domicile to dispatch a desperate and decimated cult of yellow ragman followers. If you could be so kind as to ignore us and please continue to enjoy your repast. We thank you for your cooperation.
Dervak keeps his falchion up.
"Do you serve the King in Yellow?"
Daelene is taken aback by Dervak’s question, ”Why I serve Prince Aduard Ordranti III, as to whether he’s bedecked in something yellow I really couldn’t say.” She begins to take a pleading look at Theo, ”Oh that sounds dreadful, but surely you have some time to talk with us for a while?” Asa moves over to the antique sideboard, opens it, and pulls out a fine wine, ”We were just about to open another bottle and wine is always better with company.”
Theophilus grins.
I couldn't pass up such a fine offer!
The gentleman carefully and slowly tip toes into the chamber to the table, looking around avidly.
Mara wasn't sure about the motives of the noble couple, but wasn't sure it was a good idea to stay here and socialize. "That's very kind of you, however we have some business to attend to first."
Asa pours Theo a glass of wine, the drink smells of pixie wings and something earthier. The two nobles look at each other and then turn to the party frowning. Daelene asks soberly, "If you won't join us then perhaps you should let us know why you're prowling about Count Lowls' garden with weapons drawn? Surely you don't think your cult is present here?"
Theophilus waves at the offered glass of wine. A few seconds later (Frederick) it begins floating over to him.
The gentleman attempts to take it. He tilts his head back, emptying it completely (into his jacket pocket).
Wonderful vintage. Absolutely marvelous. I feel that a call to the head is in order. Up here is it.
He begins hurrying up the stairs.
"One of those beastly red-eyed guards tried to bite poor Ellery!", Mara explained, stowing her weapon; she waited to see what the reaction to Theo's antics would be. "My friend is a bit eccentric," she said apologetically.
Only Rowan notices that Theo did not drink the wine.
Theo sees a small landing atop the stairs in the guesthouse which has two doors to the building’s other rooms.
Daelene smiles at the rest of the group, "At least come out of the rain while you wait for your friend." Asa pours a glass, one for each party member and notes, "Oh those savages are just awful I don't know what Haserton was thinking! But other than a spot of blood I don't see any injury."
Dervak is frustrated. He suspects these people are cultists, but they could be random aristocratic guests of Lowls. He paces the room, impatient.
Ellery stays outside the door, his rapier at ready.
Rowan reaches into his pack and draws out some ale .
He turns his back to the nobles and signs sloppily to Ellery.
”A kind offer, but I prefer my own. Certainly you understand.”
He starts downing the ale.