Even Angels Weep

Game Master DragonBlood472

"I never said he was a companion. I said that fool dwarf was the last of someone that priestess supposedly sent. We're in the thick of things, and you show up unannounced, crossbow level. Either servants of the Silver Flame are the most inept at timing since the Fall of Xen'drik, or you both happen to have convenient information and are waiting until we are already wounded. Sorry about your luck, but if you have genuine intentions, you picked the absolute worst time to make yourself known. The damnable rats are down the hall, feasting on what remains of someone that was hired for this mess. If you were sent to help, lower your weapon." Silian spits and keeps his aim at towards the warforged.

"Balthazar, if you can keep the rodents occupied for a moment longer, I'll get the dwarf back up... we wouldn't want his mule to miss him."

Demise drops his crossbow to the ground.

Looking over her shoulder Akasha's eyes widen. "What the %^$!!? Silian, what did you just shoot?"

"I am not certain. A badly animated well-armored Karrn, or possibly the bastard son of Vol and a smithy's forge."

To the human from around the corner, "Your reinforcement and the best hope you have at finding the hand that Kaelys Tela comissioned you to recover."

He continues to clutch the arrow in his chest awaiting the outcome of the battle.

"That cleric really needs a better idea than just telling people to find us and 'sign up'." Akasha grumbles, turning her attention back toward the rats.

"From the sound of things, you can probably use all the help you can get. People dying inside and the four of you hiding out here...I would hate to see what is in there...four warforged juggernauts and a karrnathi necromancer?"

Alrighty then, moving on to the next round.

R2
Bosramir, Vannevar, Demise, Rat 1, Rat 3, Akasha, Balthazar, Lianna, Silian

"May I please help now Lord Elfness?" Demise peers around the corner to see if he is aiming at him.

"You did as I asked, which is more than I can say for some. Yes, your help would be appreciated. We are dealing with several large vicious rats with hunger in their venomous bites. We aren't hiding out here, we were attempting to draw them out because charging the room is what landed us in the predicament of our wounded. Besides... it's Lord Silian." Silian smirks, and although he continues to shift his gaze from the hallway to the newcomer, he drops the guarded demeanor.

"As you wish...Lord...Sssilian. Demise grins sarcastically at the elf before cautiously rounding the corner (move to X9). He immediately sees the dwarf bleeding out and the two rats hungrily attempting to feed. Demise is forced to make a split second decision to save the dwarf's life. He leans over and strains in what appears to be a silent shout. The closest rat squeals in pain as sound waves, inaudible to others, send the rat into convulsions.

Ear Piercing Scream
Fort Save 15 DC for 1/2 damage and no stun. If he fails, the rat takes full damage and is dazed (can take no actions) x 1 round

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Maybe if he fails his save it will give someone time to get a heal off on the dwarf before he dies!

Vannevar moves for the dwarf, placing one hand on his beard and the other on his boot and proceeds to drag the limp clump of hair and ire to X7, placing himself at W7. He gives a curious gape at the passing iron figure as he unkindly slumps the unconscious Bosramir at Silian's feet.

Fortitude 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
The rat snarls and shakes its head as the sound penetrates its ears, but is able to withstand the attack. Rushing out of the room it strikes out at Balthazar, but is unable to sink its teeth into the miniaturized gnome.

Bite 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 3
Acid 1d6 ⇒ 3

The third rat moves out into the hall, and climbs over its brother in an attempt to strike out at Balthazar, but likewise finds himself unable to bite the tiny gnome, before falling off of the other creature and landing behind him.
Climb1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Bite 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage 1d6 ⇒ 5
Acid 1d6 ⇒ 3

R2
Bosramir, Vannevar, Demise, Rat 1, Rat 3, Akasha, Balthazar, Lianna, Silian

Map
Although according to the charts, small creatures still take up 5 ft of space, I'm allowing them to temporarily occupy the same 5 ft square because rats tend to swarm and they aren't swinging weapons. That being said, with Balthazar in his current tiny state, I will allow another character to temporarily be in the same space as him as well. Basically that would be occupying the square behind/in front/next to him and stepping into his square, sharing it and yours for an attack. Obviously, swinging over his head will not be an issue. I will count moving into his square, and then back out after an attack as the same move action.

Stepping over Balthazar for a moment, Akasha strikes, the scrabbling of the rats affecting her aim, her blade sparking off the ground. Cursing she steps back her connection to the miniaturized alchemist reinforcing his valiant stand.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Balthazar, grumbling about the effectiveness of his last bomb, hurls a globe at the rat in the back. T7

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Fire Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Splash=4

Rat 1 Reflex Save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Rat 3 Reflex Save 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

The first is able to avoid the bulk of the splash from the bomb, but it is not enough to keep it alive. The third rat is unable to dodge any of the damage, and in a fiery blaze falls over dead as well.

Balthazar, you will also need to roll your Reflexes to take half damage. The good news is, THE RATS ARE DEAD!!!

Reflex save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

You're good, only 2 pts of damage.

Demise grabs the arrow sticking out of his chest with both hands and pulls. Grimacing in pain, he is able to pull it free. He walks over to Lord Silian and hands it to him. "Your arrow Lord Silian...it is no longer of use to me."

Akasha hisses as she feels a burn across her shoulder, the connection transferring some of Balthazar's damage.

Balthazar only takes 1 pt of damage, Akasha takes the other.

Silian looks at the arrow surprised. "Thank you. And you are?"

Silian kneels beside Bosramir, and half-paying attention jabs the wand up the dwarf's nose as he channels the healing energy through it.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
34 charges
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
33 charges
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
32 charges

Once the dwarf's eyes flutter open, Silian will look, realize what he did, wipe the wand on the dwarf's beard and stand. "Welcome back to the realm of the living."

Demise bows slightly. "I was called Demise by my creators. I am here to assist in the recovery of the lost hand. I should not have rushed into combat like I did, but I have experience in group tactics and I guess my instincts kicked in. My apologies for that. Demise, knowing this group is his best hope of survival in the Fall, sucks up his pride. "I am skilled at shutting down enemies and controlling the field of battle. I can also use healing magic. May I join your group?" His glowing red eyes switch from person to person waiting for their response. A voice in his mind responds "We must not trust them, especially the elf. We must use them to protect us on our rise to power."

"That decision is not entirely up to me. Everyone here but the rug-faced one has a say in who accompanies us. Bosramir was also sent to help us by the same Lady as yourself." Silian stands and brushes himself off. "You did as I asked, so you have my vote. Not that I will trust you, but you've been a better boon than the last 'help' to come our way."

Bosramir looks at the elf and feels a bit dazed. " thank you for healing me. Those rats bite hard." He slightly chuckles. " I may have a pretty nasty scar. "

Balthazar shakes himself a bit and peers into the room, looking intently at the body on the ground before stepping through the open door and scanning the room more thoroughly.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

He calls out to the others, "Is the dwarf dead?"

Bosramir calls out. " No, the dwarf is alive. "

Akasha turns to study Demise, her eyebrow rising slightly at the warforged’s macabre appearance. ”Well if you can convince Silian that you’re worthy of joining us then why not? As long as you aren’t as reckless as our last member, if you go in there you’ll see what that got her.”

"Good."

Demise fulfills Akasha's request and walks into the room to view the corpse. He sees the half-eaten body of what appears to be a female elf. He returns to the group. "It appearsss the rats found her flesh to be a rather fine delicacy. Do not worry my lady...caution isss my middle name. I do fancy my life and as Lord Ssssilian has learned, I lissten quite well. He gives the lady a crooked smile.

Bosramir stands and holds his side and goes to pick up his hammer and looks in the room at the half devoured body. He sighs as he feels he will be left soon seeing as how that elf was the only one who did not hate him. He then looks around at the other members. Then to the warforged. " You seem to know battle. The name is Bosramir of the clan Silverhelm." He says.

Then to the warforged. " You seem to know battle. The name is Bosramir of the clan Silverhelm." He says.

"Pardon me if I do not shake your hand. You are quite filthy." Demise nods his head instead. "Well met Bosssramir. They call me Demise. I am glad you have made it out of thisss sskirmish relatively intact. Every ssspell cassster requiresss a ssspeed bump."

"Then we'll get along just fine." she says, trying to stifle a laugh at the warforged's bluntness in addressing Bosssramir

Balthazar finds that the old pantry is mostly empty. The shelves have been cleared and all that remains are a few broken, empty barrels, a couple of smashed tables and a basket of long past rotted fruit. There are a few more average rats and mice to be seen scuttling about, sticking to the shadows but no other treats are to be seen.

Aeyra's dismembered corpse contains the only things that could possibly be of any value.

"A speed bump eh? Well I am not here to be a bump in the road for you. " he says as he turns and walks away.

"Would you mind sharing some of the healing wand'sss magic with me Lord Sssilian? I am not feeling so well thanks to your proficiency with a bow.

"A speed bump eh? Well I am not here to be a bump in the road for you. " he says as he turns and walks away.

"A ssstone wall would be much preferred Master Dwarf. I'll do my best to keep you alive and well if you will attempt to keep the creepy crawliesss away from me. Does that sssound like a plan?"

" I will keep them off of you and you heal me, sounds wonderful." He says as he smiles and nods.

Silian looks at the wand, "Are your... people constructed to be mended by the same mystical energies that repair flesh? Were the Sovereigns kind enough to allow their grace to refold steel?"

Silian will touch the wand to Demise and channel energy through the instrument, seeing what will happen.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
31 charges
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
30 charges

"When we see the green-skins again I suppose we should mention that they missed a few rats. We should burn her remains... although she was rash and sometimes unpleasant, I'd prefer to deal with only the living Aeyra rather than the rat-infested vengeful corpse or spirit of one."

Demise thanks Lord Silian for the healing. "Yess. It workss on me, but it is not asss effective. I have the ability to repair myself, but it takess time. I can do it at night while you ssleep."

"Elves do not sleep. We meditate in what we call the reverie. It seems we both can learn much about each other."

Akasha walks over to Aeyra's corpse and crouches, a war hardened expression on her face as she detaches herself from her actions. With a whispered word, she begins gesturing,the corpse's flesh and possessions being sorted as if by an invisible hand.

Mage hand

Aeyra's Belongings:
Sword Cane, Shortbow, Dagger, Thieves Tools, Artisans Tools, Backpack, Caltrops, Chalk x10, Flint and Steel, Grappling Hook, Hammer, Hemp Rope 50ft, Sealing Wax, Sewing Needle, Waterskin, Merchant's Scale, Ring from skeleton, and 9 sp

"I sssuspect we can Lord Sssilian. I look ssso forward to it" He looks around and addresses Silian again. "Shall we continue then? Who usually ssscouts for the group? Hopefully not that pile of half eaten rat food in there?"

Silian looks down at Balthazar, "I suggest our tiny friend scout while his stunted stature is even further diminished. I would also like to go back to the room next to the library rather than scattering ourselves to the winds and picking a random door. Demise, the room we stayed in is filled with rat-catching orcs... that thus far have not been hostile."

" These orcs have also given us shelter. They seem like ones to trust." he says watching the war forged.

"It isn't their shelter to give, they just did not attack us. This is an abandoned building in the slums of the the city. Trust is not a commodity to be freely given to anyone, dwarf."

Once the corpse has been picked clean, Silian will draw his bow and follow Balthazar if he agrees to scout.

After a minute Balthazar returns to his normal diminutive size. He looks at Silian,

"I will scout, but I need time to prepare more bombs and extracts, not to mention my mutagen. I suggest either we take some time to rest and re-equip, or someone else goes first."

He shakes his head. "I'm all tapped out."

He smirks. " Your just a ray of sunshine aren't you elf?"

"Dear Death Mark...sssomeone pleassse lead the way..." He leans over to Silian and whispers, "Doesss the other elf or redhead even ssspeak?"

Silian smiles. "Oh yes. All of us elves gifted with the Mark of Shadow are cheery and bright!" Turning towards the 'forged. "Vannevar is a man of few words. Lianna, however, has a scathing wit with fiery hair to match her icy disposition."