Piter stops as he realizes the fear is gone. He wonders what he was running from, but soon it occurs to him that it was nothing, just a spell cast on him. That Erudite.
He looks around. He has probably gone a hundred feet from the clearing, and he is still in a chasm. There was someone new, someone... disturbing looking, but Piter didn't get a good look at him. Lots of blood, yes.
He realizes he left his bow back in the battle cavern.
Piter is concerned that the others think he ran away willingly, so he starts straight back. As he nears the sounds of battle, he sees the little bridge ahead, atop the mesa, and wonders if there would be any benefit to climbing up there, and how hard it would be.
(HP: 37/37, Mana: 7/8, location: 25' N of wooden planks?)
Kwen feels the same insticdent warning him to move out of the way, trying to take heed of the split second warning he spins to the side of the whatever was coming his way.
Coming out of his roll, the Rogue sees Swenj starts to bring the some kind of power and aiming it towards someone behind the rogue. Kwen takes the chance and takes another stab at Swenj, feeling a perverse glee in getting another chance to bring his Kurki blade into the truly evil man.
Evasion= success
AoO
damage
Moving around to get better foot work, and get a better chance on landing his blade into Swenj's spine he takes another stab at him.
move action 5 ft step
Kurki attack with flank
damage with back stab
Giving a snarl at missing his target twice in a row.
Kur'Plugh winds up his great club and takes a swing at the human in rags that was hitting people with spells.
Cold Res (2)
fail 17/19 points of damage taken
damage
normal attack
damage
Nogglegrop (41/48 hit points, 40/50 mana) is caught fully by the human's spell, never seriously considering that someone would injure themselves to hurt others: he had not spent enough time with necromancers and shadowknights it appears.
Reflex Save (vs. DC 18 Frost Spiral of Al'Kabor):
Plumes of panting breath tears through his ragged white beard as the cleric attempts to catch a breath caught in his throat.
The cleric understands that him falling will not help their cause, so he works to ensure he does not succumb to his injuries (5' step back and cast).
Minor Healing (Nogglegrop, free action):
Minor Healing (Nogglegrop, standar action):
The cleric breathes easier and works to draw in information about the condition of those around him.
Gwendalyn is hit full-blast with the magical frost.
Spellcraft (cold spell):
Spellcraft (electricity spell):
Loki (25/26 hit points, 18/42 mana, minor shielding: +2 AC/+2 hit points) continues to absorb Swenj's life force (Fort save vs. DC 19 lifespike for half damage).
"Ahhh, that feels better."
Lifespike (Swenj):
The necromancer moves behind cover, seeking to full avoid the possibility of the next attack, while his skeletal minion works to destroy Swenj.
Claw (AoO):
Damage (AoO):
Claw:
Damage:
Revery's spells have as much effect as waves breaking across the bow of a warship.
Will Save (Swenj vs. DC 22 eye of confusion):
Fort Save (Swenj vs. DC 20 shallow breath):
Swenj is able to just barely fend off the majority of Loki's spell, though he still feels some of his lifeforce transfer to the necromancer.
Fort Save (Swenj vs. DC 19 lifespike): (success)
Piter quickly discerns that the will not be able to climb the rocks, since they have been cut specifically to block an ascent (DC 30 to climb). He is easily able to get back to the battlefield, and can even move right next to anyone on the field if he devotes himself to nothing other than running (4x movement brings him up to 120' from his current location of skulking just around the corner from the battlefield.
Kwen is unable to capitalize on his opportunity, or his follow up strike.
Kur'plugh shows the rogue how it is done, as he nearly takes the human's head off with a powerful strike of his club.
Gwendalyn is hit so hard by the spell (critical failure) that she is knocked prone.
Glancing around you are each able to take in the general status of your friends and foes:
- Loki (25/26 hit points, 18/42 mana)
- Skeletal Minion (12/12 hit points)
- Revery (39/42 hit points, 74/108 mana)
- Piter (37/37 hit points, 7/8 mana)
- Kwen (52/57 hit points)
- Kur'plugh (12/33 hit points, 9/12 mana)
- Nogglegrop (41/48 hit points, 40/50 mana)
- Gwendalyn (29/45 hit points, 38/50 mana)
- Zaruksis (dead, on fire)
Gwendalyn lies on the ground, half-dead and covered in frost. She heals herself and strengthens Sajeek, then looks up at the amazingly tough wizard and casts a very simple spell, one of the first that she ever learned: Flash of Light (DC 16). She stands up, ready to hit him again if he tries more spells like that.
AoO (Swenj):
Damage:
Minor Healing (Gwendalyn):
38/50 mana, 29/45 hp
Active Buffs
Talisman of the Beast (+3 buff Str): Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery and Sajeek indefinitely
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str, +4 Dex, +1 insight AC): Sajeek 3 rounds, Bast 2 rounds, Gwendalyn 1 round
Swenj is more monster than man, that is the only explanation as to how he is able to absorb so much punishment (109 damage taken). He moves slower, perhaps due to the accumulation of damage, or possibly exhaustion after using so many spells in short order.
He smiles, to prove that he is barely scratched, but you all see through the ruse (critical failure). This man has sold himself to the darkest of magics imaginable. They had told him that he would be immortal, which was true right up to the point where it wasn't. You see fear in his once gloating eyes, and two sacks soft hit the ground, filled with something incredibly bloody. Swenj needs room to maneuver. The goodly forces recognize the contents as adult hearts, which is disgusting, The evils group sees salvation in the sacks, for there is definitely more than 30 hearts present.
Bluff (Swenj): (fail)
Swenj easily fends off Gwendalyn's attack as he searches out ways to use the environment to his advantage. Whatever magics buoy him are playing out, and he cannot trust in his protective runes to last forever.
Fort Save (vs. DC 16 Flash of Light): (success)
Though wounded the wizard is far from done, and still very much dangerous. These were elusive foes, but soon they would all fall to his might!
Seeing the human distracted by the spell he was casting, Cakkarak snaps a kick into magic users midsection.
The magic users spell suddenly detonates in the essence of winter in one tight contained area.
Even with his people's weakness (total dam with cold vul: 11) to cold doesn't slow the monk from dodging out of the full brunt of the explosion of cold. The monk is battered by the blasts of freezing cold that he had endured, but isn't out of the battle yet.
Inhaling deeply, Cakkarak holds the breathe and still his thoughts. Focusing inwards, the monk slowly exhales his held breathe, seemingly shaking off the frozen cold that had been making him sluggish. While he had healed the worst of the damage, Cakkarak knows the next few moments will more then likely be his last.
The monks cold reptilian eyes narrow. If it wasn't for the fact their foe would strike them down as they ran, he would have fled the battle. And he would be triple damned before he let the dark elf befoul his corpse with his magics.
Sajeek tries to ram his fist down the bastard Swenj's throat as the foul excuse for a person stops paying attention and goes through the motions of casting. Bast lunges to take a bite out of murderous crime in the Plains. The Beastlord feels confident that he stopped the spell.
...Needless to say, Sajeek is more then a little surprise when the vile piece of rotting feces completes his spell. The very air seems to freeze for a span of heartbeats, turning inhalation into feeling like trying to breath with knives in ones lungs.
Cold seems to have more of an effect on the two felines. While they had hopped out of the way of the fire with little problem, the magical cold was a low blow to the pair. Teeth chattering suddenly, Sajeek redoubles his efforts to kill Swenj. Since the bastards parents were too negligent to drown the waste of skin at birth, it looks like it was left up to them.
Bast growls and shakes a fine coat of ice off of his fur. His mis matched eyes burn as he glares at the two-legger. Who was soon to be out his legs, once the tiger got his claws into Swenj.
As opportunities are take advantage of, so is the one that Gwendalyn creates by casting a spell right next to the very dangerous wizard.
Slam (Gwendalyn):
Damage:
Cakkarak exploits the opportunity presented, but after mending his wounds (standard action that does not provoke an AoO) he does not find an easy opening for his follow up strike.
Sajeek launches a perfect blow, but Swenj turns at the last moment and makes it only a glancing blow. His follow up blows are both on point, finding purchase in the man's torso and side of his smirking face.
Bast exploits the opportunity to delve in once the guard is dropped to the fullest, but only one claw lands, but that is sufficient to give enough meat for a back leg to tear across the man's legs.
The wizard brings down a firestorm on top of his own head, affecting all of the closest as well. Hearts will be a little singed, as long as they don't catch more than one wave of it.
You each recognize this spell as being the one that continues to drop for 3 waves, and the fact that Zaruksis has been set aflame multiple times, so you realize that this is not something to stick around and observe for more than a few fleeting seconds.
Swenj (165 damage taken) remains in the middle of the firestorm, almost daring the others to come back in and engage him, since it will be coming down again and again (those in melee range of Swenj please include a DC 18 reflex save to only take half damage).
Firestorm (quickened): (note: fire damage)
Swenj staggers under the weight of his own spell, but only laughs.
Using the distraction of the others needing to get outside of a 20' radius, centred on himself, the human wizard casually picks out a target, and launches a blast of pure conflagration. Revery finds himself the target of the wizard's second strike, and it is a spell that is sufficient to kill him more than once if it hits flush: luckily it doesn't (Revery please include a DC 18 reflex save to only take half damage).
Random (by alpha - Loki, Piter, Revery): (Revery)
Shock of Lightning: (note: electrical damage)
(end of round)
(start of new round)
(please ensure you take the distraction of the damage into account for any spells cast)
Nogglegrop (29/48 hit points, 38/50 mana) once again is taken by surprise, and takes the full blunt of the blow He has not choice but to withdraw (double move, no AoO).
Reflex Save: (fail)
The gnome tosses a heal (free action, no AoO, or ability to be distracted) at Gwendalyn.
Minor Healing:
Loki (25/26 hit points, 15/42 mana, minor shielding: +2 AC/+2 hit points) shakes his head in disbelief of the power that this "human" possessed, feeling that any spell he might cast would be no more than a flea's bite to a Geonid.
He seeks to slow the human's movements (clinging darkness, DC 19 vs Will to negate).
His pet had simply been evaporated by the wizard's spell.
Recognizing the truth of the spell, and the contents of the two dropped bags, he yells, "Kick out the sacs!"
Mentally chiding himself for not finding an opening in the wizard's defense, Cakkarak tries to ignore the sting of his wounds. His eyes widen as the human rapidly spits out a few phrases in the arcane tongue. The iksar almost recognized the sound of the words. Not to mention the frighteningly fast series of ritualized movements.
Once more the iskar monk's world explodes as flames suddenly wash over his blackish-green scaled hide.
Feeling little more then a sensation of warmth from the sudden firestorm, Cakkarak sneers at the wizard. 'He'll have to do better then that,' the monk thinks as he readies a kick to the human groin.
Loki's words manage a quick stop by his earslits. Cakkarak blinks, looking at the wizards clothes, riddled with bloody bumps. All perfect, handsized targets.
A cruel smile twists the iskar's snout.
He strikes out with rapid precision, clawed hand open to tear a heart free.
Sajeek looks at his fist in disbelief. This whole fighting with his fist thing was getting really old. 'I need to remember to strap one of my clawed wraps around my left hand for after I throw my spear,' a part of his mind thinks as the rest rages.
Sensing danger, the vah shir attempts to dodge out of the worst of what ever is coming at the end of the twisted mages rapid spell.
Avoiding the hottest part of the flare up, where as Bast does not, Sajeek glances around. Instinct was pushing him hard to get back. He knew this spell was going to lash the area with fire once or twice more. He wasn't sure he could handle another blast like that. Bast just growls in pain, but the tiger was more then mad enough to shred Swenj.
The Beastlord could see that the bastard had felt the burn from his own spell. Which means it could kill him as well. Not to mention all around him, but that was a minor detail. He snarls, fighting himself to stay close.
A voice calls out for them to tear free the sacks. That jogged his memory enough to recall the very recently dropped hearts that had been under Swenj's clothing. Sajeek growls, clawed hands both striking out to rip away the bloody bumps under the vile magic user's clothes.
Kwen darts away just as the spell strikes, hoping again that his reflexes bring him out of danger again.
Success! No damage due to evasion
Kwen rolls forward, avoiding the flames completely, then keeps his forward momentum to get right next to Swenj, then using both Sajeek and the Iskar he stabs his Kurki into Swenj hoping to hit the final sweet spot and bring this b@#$^@$% down. Not even the rogue's armor seemed to be singed, it was uncanny as if the fire itself was parting just for the rogue to get past it.
Kurki (if able to flank/target denied dex mod)
damage
kurki
damage
Surprised by the smaller Swenj being able to slam into people like she does, Gwendalyn's Flash of Light was interrupted -- a wasted action. She stands up just in time to get hit with another attack, this one fire, and takes the full brunt of it (though she manages to keep her feet this time).
The combat-hardened mystic rapidly assesses the tactical situation. She has to get out of range of the Firestorm, but so does everyone else; and if they all play it safe, then no one will be able to do anything else. She lets the Fleeting Fury on herself expire (since it won't help her from a distance), and casts it on Kwen instead.
That done, Gwen gambles that she can heal herself more than Swenj can hurt her with his shoulder, casts a Minor Healing spell on herself, and accidentally-on-purpose leaves an opening while distancing herself from the scary serial killer. She takes the opportunity to cut off his retreat to the south, which coincidentally distances her from the others. Then she casts a more powerful healing spell on herself, just in case he shoots lightning at her like he did to Loki and Revery.
Channeling (Flash of Light) vs. DC 18: Failure
Reflex (Firestorm) vs. DC 18: Failure, 12 damage
Minor Healing (Gwendalyn):
Light Healing (Gwendalyn):
31/50 mana: 38 + 2 (failed channel on AoO) - 2 (FF) - 2 (MH) - 5 (LH)
35/45 hp: 29 - 7 (AoO) + 2 (Noggy) - 12 (Firestorm) + 6 (MH) + 17 (LH)
Active Buffs
Talisman of the Beast (+3 buff Str): Bast, Gwendalyn, Kwen, Nogglegrop, Revery and Sajeek indefinitely
Fleeting Fury (+4 Str, +4 Dex, +1 insight AC): Kwen 3 rounds, Sajeek 2 rounds, Bast 1 round
Revery sees the wizard ignore his spells, but a very small consolation is that he had taken a little bit of damage from them anyways (1 from the first, 2 from the second Shallow Breath).
Then he feels the wrath of this evil man, and tries to dive out of the way of the lightning.
Reflex save (DC 18) (failure: 19 damage taken)
The blue bolt hits him full on, and he staggers from the pain. Poison adds to his pain, as his body is wracked by its destructive effects ( damage).
Feeling like a one trick pony whose trick is not even working, Revery hopes this monster dies soon. But he changes tactics, partially. First comes Invisibility, cast on Gwen. Then another Shallow Breath on the monster.
Invisibility (5 mana)
Channeling for ongoing poison damage (DC 13): (success)
(Gwen is invisible)
Quickened Shallow Breath, free action, no AOO (4 mana)
Channeling for ongoing poison damage (DC 13): (success)
Damage: and -2 to DEX and STR for 8 rounds
Save: Fort 20 for half damage (2) and no ability loss.
(HP: 18/42, Mana: 65/108)
Piter runs back into the fray, seeing the fire blast down on the man and the group. He still has his sword in his hand, so he rushes up, singing his song (Chant of Battle), taking the spot the big Barbarian had left, and slashes at the wizard.
Power Attack on Swenj:
Maybe it is something in the fear he felt, he knows not, but his attack is as far off as it could be and his sword clashes against the rocky ground.
(AC: 21, HP: 37/37, Mana: 6/8)
Poison Bolt (Revery): (note: poison damage)
Poison Bolt (Nogglegrop): (note: poison damage)
Swenj (198 damage taken, -2 to DEX and STR) wards off Loki's spell, but chokes and finds it hard to breathe.
Will Save (Swenj - DC 19 vs. Clinging Darkness): (success)
Sajeek and Cakkarak find the sacks unattended, and easy to lay hands upon, though they are about to be destroyed by falling flame.
Bast misses with all of his strikes.
Kwen tears deeply into the man's side.
Fort Save (Swenj - DC 20 vs. Shallow Breath): (fail)
Piter trips and does a sliding face plant into Swenj's feet (3 subdual damage, prone, additional damage to your pride and reputation). If there is a positive to this flop it is that he uses his body as a makeshift shield to protect the hearts from another scorching.
The ogre is nearly dropped by the spell (4/33 hit points, 7/12 mana). He wisely backs out of range of the next wave of falling fire and heals himself.
Reflex Save (Kur'plugh - DC 18 vs. Firestorm): (fail)
Minor Healing (Kur'plugh):
Piter, Kwen, Sajeek, Cakarrak, and Bast remain in range of the next spell's fall. Swenj, his peasant garbs fully aflame, laughs as the next wave comes down on him (those in melee range of Swenj please include a DC 18 reflex save to only take half damage).
Firestorm: (note: fire damage)
Perhaps the fire is getting through the wizard's gnarly skin, for he fails to exploit on an opportunity, and then misses with his next strike.
Slam (Gwendalyn- AoO):
Damage:
Slam (Bast):
Damage:
Swenj falls to his knees and expires with an eerie cackle and prayer in that sibilant tongue that is familiar to Sajeek: Shissar. Speaking of tongues, he is positive that he has cracked the riddle of the tome's page, they need to travel to the Lake of Ill Omen in Kunark, and he knows exactly how to find the master's buried remains.
(end of combat)
Those with the wisdom to escape the flames do so, and avoid the damage that Swenj's inanimate body takes.
Emaciated female slaves start to pour out of the lower tunnel, seeking out their imprisoned children, and wander around in the darkness. No matter how fast the good group might lash out at the evils they understand that many women will die in the process.
It seems like a wonderful time for a parlay.
(goodly group please return to the Torture Chamber and do not post anymore here, we will continue once someone writes up a synopsis to this point of the battle)
"Leave us the catacombs, and their contents, you take the slaves. Safe passage for all on our words."
Loki's words sound convincing enough.
Diplomacy:
He nods towards half-melted Zaruksis, "You may have what is on that one."
With a casual glance the goodly forces notice:
- Spiked Chain
- Longsword (masterwork)
- Light Flail
- Longbow (destroyed)
- Chain Shirt (masterwork)
- Buckler (masterwork)
- A number of gems and items that might not have survived the fires
Sure the battle between both parties is over.... for now that is, all of you are burnt, or shocked, or have bits of frost attached to armor still. The battle against Swenj is over and Loki is trying to barter with the good group, after all they had the ability to take most of you out at the moment.
Cakkarak is able to smuggle at least one bag of hearts, if not both. Surprisingly, the bags of hearts appear to be undamaged, which is quite odd to say the least.
The half elf does appear to take your words, while he might not agree, it seems like he is trying to make sure that another round of combat is not going to erupt today between either party. He does inform you that there are more gnolls in the cave, and there could be the possibility of another temporary alliance between both groups, at least for as long both of you are in the caves together.
You might not like this fact, but you know that going toe-to-toe against them today, or even tomorrow would be foolish to say the least. Then again, perhaps next time words could be exchanged before attacking, could be the lesson that is taught to the group.
While the loss of one of your number cannot be good, the knowledge that you have survived to live another day is paramount. Although bribing them has a better chance at soothing wounds, the dialog is open and at the moment it seems like both groups are trying to parley.
Oh yeah and Ding for level 4
Piter's acrobatic mishap finds him right next to the sacks of hearts. Not realizing another wave of flame is coming down, he is surprised by it, but he tries to evade as quickly as he can, his hands holding the sacks.
Reflex save:
He seems to have recovered his poise, and he jumps out of the way, bringing both sacks with him and protecting them against his body as much as is possible (6 damage).
No thanks to him, Piter watches the wizard collapse as he gets up and moves from the flame area, on the off chance another one is on the way.
He looks at the Half-Elf, and says, "You fought well. Want to make double damned sure he's dead? And, how many gnolls are there?"
He sheathes his sword and walks over to pick up his bow, cautiously watching for threats from above (the mesa) and down the dark passages. He looks at the Erudite with hard eyes, feeling the enchanter had made him look the fool, even though he knows it was magic and all part of the game.
(HP: 31/37 + 3 subdual; 6/8 mana; damage to pride)
Piter turns and addresses the former slaves, the ones he had had a part in torturing. "The elf is wise. Do not let his skin color detract from his words. And I want you to know, we are no longer the slavers we were. We were taken, ourselves, as slaves, and managed to escape. Having been under the whip, and chain, we know what it is like, what it means to suffer that indignity. Nobody should suffer that.
It seems our meeting again was fortuitous, for you likely would not have survived, that... man. Unless, of course, your enchanter was able to scare him away." He smiles.
"Perhaps we'll meet again, and share a drink and a story. But more serious matters are before us all. Our friend was hesitant about coming with us here, but we convinced him. Now we must live with that." He looks at the burnt body of Zaruksis.
He looks at the gnome. "You, you need diving lessons. I am impressed that you made it from that place, and survived to make it here."
Bluff check for the minor exaggerations and saving face:
Diplomacy to smooth everything out:
Piter's lies about his feelings about slaves may be obvious, but hopefully they allow everyone to move on without having to start on accusations, which might lead to further confrontation.
Wasting little of his precious time, Cakkarak scoops up the two discarded hearts. They dangle from his clawed hand. The monk had caught them by the valve, giving him three hearts balanced in his left hand. The claws of his right hand find the mage's shirt and he quickly drags the body out of the burst of flames.
Moving a bit towards Zaruksis's corpse, he lets go of the corpse and drops the hearts into a pile. Making sure that the flames not longer rained down upon the body, before he retrieves the longsword. With purpose in his steps, Cakkarak goes back to the human's corpse.
With a few chops, he hacks off the head of the wizard. He casually kicks Swenj's head away from it's body. Setting down the sword, the monk quickly strips the mage, tearing the peasant garb, exposing the hearts. Stripping the hearts off of the corpse, he adds them to the pile of hearts.
Picking the blade back up he chops the arms and legs off of the body. Kicking the limbs away, the monk pauses for a second. Reversing his grasp on the weapon, Cakkarak drives the blade through Swenj's own heart. Pulling the blade out with a wet sucking noise, he walks back and drops it on the fire bathed corpse.
"Gnolls you say? Hmmm, that could be problamatic," the monk rubs the underside of his scaled snout with a bloody hand as he thinks. His cold gaze moves to the emaciated slaves. "Perhaps the group of you would be interested in hiring our services to make sure that the gnolls are taking care off while you rescue them." The monk points towards the human females.
Out of meeting all of the members of the slave ship, perhaps the only one that wasn't bent on fighting you to the death was the half-elf. Next time you meet, perhaps talking to him first wouldn't be remiss, nonetheless, you decide to give the other party at least a day, and being in such close proximity wouldn't be a good idea.
Traveling back to the surface happens rather quickly, as the ritual is a number of miles away. You have the components that you need, now you must travel away to get to the perfect position. Plus you know you must start the ritual at a specific time, when the moon is at it's Zenith.
The goal at the moment after reaching the surface is to travel to the ritual spot, which you know will have a stone tablet/altar, plus it will give you a chance to find a spot to lick your wounds and regain some precious mana, in peace.
There were those that felt that diplomacy was a possible route, but the necromancer knew better (sense motive). The only reason that they were able to escape without further bloodshed is the risk of what they could do to the slaves if the battle was met anew.
The half elf knew them not, and was possibly ignorant to the seething rage that existed in the eyes just behind him, but Loki would not extend a moment's trust to the other party, even for mutual gain. They had routed his group and retained the upper hand...for now.
Realizing that you managed to get away from the skin of your teeth, thoughts of revenge and plots spin around, next time you feel it won't be so close of a match. Score one for the other group, next point should be going to you.
Following the others, Cakkarak clutches the bag that he had dumped the hearts into in his clawed hands.
"Let's just find a place to recover, and prepare for the next step," suggests Piter.
He looks around the plains, keeping his eyes and ears out for threats, especially gnolls. In particular he notes any possible hiding places where ambushes might come from.
Loki agrees with Piter, adding, "We had the upper hand only around the slaves. Let us cover our tracks, even backtracking if someone has such skills, and make haste from this location before the others seek out vengeance for stories from yesteryear." Loki did not want to admit they had been routed, but that is what had happened, and it galled him. The necromancer ruminates about the battle time and again as they travel toward the area of the ceremony.
Zaruksis was a fine combatant; they were weaker without his strong arm.
It is very true, Kur'Plugh spends what little mana he has left in healing himself, grumbling about fire, then spending time helping hide your tracks. This makes the trek take longer then it normally would, but you find a good place to make camp, the ritual would have to happen tomorrow night, between the all the combat that has taken place today, and the fact that a lot of mana was used today, you decide that resting for the rest of the day/night wouldn't be to remiss.
As luck would have it you find yourselves a few hours away from the ritual site and the spot you find to camp has a small stream flowing near by. A series of logs are on the ground in fact, this site looks like it been used off and on for years by travelers off the beaten path. It looks like years ago someone set up a camp site here, a fire pit is in the center of the site. It appears to have used last a few months ago, and a rather large amount of fire wood is available for use, at least enough wood for 10 days of usage.
Loki brings a pet into being and then finds a spot to drink, eat and meditate.
"A fire would likely attract unwanted attention, unless someone has the means to obscure it from sight."
Glancing around at the plains, Cakkarak shakes his head "no." He didn't feel up to digging the pit deeper. The weather seemed pleasant enough so that they didn't have to fear death from the elements. And trail rations didn't get any better with heat.
The monk draws up the hood of his tattered and stained cloak. While it did little to hid his protruding scaled snout. His half closed eyes stare out at the plains as the monk ponders his discovery of the enchanted humans sibilant prayer. The Shissar. It rocked Cakkarak to his very core.
"I heard the human speak in the tongue of the Shissar, in prayer as he died," the iskar pierces the silence that had grown. "I find myself being somewhat curious to know if the human translated the script, which I find unlikely. Or if the Shissar lurk about the plains as well. I am surprised to even have recognized the tongue, but every iskar grows up listening to our victory over them."
The monk glances at the bag of hearts. He wonders just what that human had found. A somewhat random thought occurs to the monk. He leans his head slightly to the right.
"And does anyone else find it odd that we just so happened to bump into those whom where slaves? Here, of all places?"
Piter nods his head. "Yes, very odd. As if it were some kind of karmic thing. Also, why did that man have a bunch of hearts, unless he was attempting the same thing we are? There could be other explanations, but to me the odds of it being anything else seem minuscule.
Tell us about the Shissar, then. What are they? What role could they have, here."
He recalls what he knows about them, but does not say.
Bardic Knowledge (Shissar)
After a few hours of rest everyone is at full mana and HP, everyone make spot and listen checks against DC 21.
Loki relaxes after recovering his mental reserves (32/32 hit points, 64/64 mana). If there was one advantage in not extending trust easily it was that everyone tended to only relax so far.
Spot: (critical success)
Listen
"I don't know about this karma you speak of. My guess is that it would be some type of meddling from the gods or powerful, interested spirits," the monk falls silent. "Because I doubt it was random chance. I would like to believe that they were not searching for the tombs. I don't think that they would have the..., stomach to active the knowledge inside. Perhaps seeking them out to destroy them?" Cakkarak muses out loud. "It is fortunate that the spell casting human had gathered so many hearts.
"As far as the human speaking Shissar, I believe I was wrong about that. I just heard him hissing something and guessed it was a prayer," the iskar shrugs. "It could have been the tongue of the dragons, or I most likely misheard him and he was just his dying breath through clenched teeth. I believe the Shissar never made it off Kurnack. Perhaps in small pieces," the monk almost grins.
"As to his need for the hearts..," Cakkarak shrugs his shoulders. "They did seem to be a source of power. But I know not how. Loki might, I really have no actual knowledge of necromatic practices. Maybe some sort of life pool? Or instead of a potion or healing spell, the hearts might have filled him with new life as he was wounded?" the monk speculates, lapsing into silence once more.
Loki considers whether he has any reference to what they had just seen in Swenj.
Knowledge: Mysticism:
A simple dagger absently spins in the necromancer's hands, "Should this task be completed without issue it leaves the question of what is to follow. I seek the power to vanquish those that oppress me, both mortal and immortal. How say each of you?"
Loki: you see a group of gnolls coming in, at least that is what you are able to catch a glimpse of, although you do not hear them.
Cakkarak: You hear the sound of creatures trying to stay silent as they move to try and kill you
Loki considers whether he has any reference to what they had just seen in Swenj.
Lok warns the others in a fervent whisper, "Gnolls approach." He nods in the direction of the approaching threat.
"I thought I heard something," Cakkarak whispers back. The reptile's heat sensitive eyes seek out the creeping gnolls.
The iskar doesn't begin to move yet. He wants them to think that they were undiscovered. Which they still were to a degree.
Piter whispers in response, without looking, "How far? Do they carry javelins, or bows?"
Loki: Ritual possession might call for this, or somehow bartering your soul for more power, along with selling the souls of innocent victims. First one would have to find a way to contact a being of great power, then find a way to get the contract set up in your favor. Although trying to get a good deal, looking for all angles to protect one's self, will be difficult in saying the least.
One would also have to devise the ritual that would summon said being, one would also have to have a name, a lot of time would needed spent researching a powerful being who would make a deal.
The group will have two rounds before the gnolls attack.
Successful spot check: Informs Loki that they are indeed carrying javelins and weapons.
The necromancer had seen enough in that first glance.
"Javelins and other weapons."
Loki (32/32 hit points, 62/64 mana, minor shielding +2 AC/+2 hit points) stares at his pet's impassive visage as he considers his next move.
The choice had been made for them and the necromancer was going to be ready (minor shielding).
"Ranged weaponry?"
Kur'Plugh grunts " I have nothing for that, I can hit some of us with some strengthening spells, they don't last long about 20 heartbeats but at least it will allow some more damage to be dealt out." The ogre says quietly.
"Does anyone know anything about gnolls - the the intentions of gnolls? It might be useful information at this juncture."
Loki considered that these creatures had skulked towards them, like thieves in the night with weapons bared.
Cakkarak had frowned, or whatever passed for a frown on the lizard's puss, when he had engaged the slaves, so he passes on the opportunity to launch an early strike, and leaves the talking to the others.
He does move to the back of the group though.
Please post actions for round 1 as the gnolls will post their actions at the end of Round 2.
Piter thinks about what language Gnolls speak, and tries to recall what motivates them.
Bardic Knowledge:
He stands up, sword in its scabbard, bow at his feet, shield in his left hand; and faces out to where the gnolls seem to be, based on Loki's glances. "Rather than attack, I suggest a temporary truce," he calls out.
Diplomacy: (plus any bonuses based on knowledge of their motivations)
"After all, you're free, now that your master is dead. Yes, yes, we killed him. I can prove it. So you may want to reconsider your... ambitions."