|
Bruxo will cackle to keep the Misfortune in place, then try an Evil Eye hex (-2 to attack rolls) on the golem.
With three quick strikes Valeros brings down one of the morlocks. Raphael puts a few dents into the golem and Bruxo continues to laugh at the golem's fate.
Kyra will move up and touch Enrik, granting him Bull's Strength.
Kyra gives Enrik enhanced strength while Enrik lays into the morlocks.
Enrik finishes off once morlock and follows it up by downning the second one as well.
|
Raphael's sword becomes a blur as he weaves a steel net about himself and lays into the golem.
damage
damage
damage
AC-36
HP-66/66
status-Crane Stance, fighting defensively as a full attack, hasted, blessed
Raphael quickly ends the golem. The remaining morlocks once again flee into the darkness.
As the golem crumbles to the ground a cloud of green oily gas disperses into the area.
Several moments later, a small crew of men wearing Hellknight armor stride forth from the encampment. "Hail! Thank you for the well-timed assistance. My name is Paralictor Maladin Bane. How did you know to find us here?"
|
|
Weiman punctuates the attack with a laugh, but gets a few lungfuls of stink.
Weiman will take the initiate to start his self-determined-to-be-hilarious ruse and rush up to Valeros. In an affected voice, most likely taken from other slaves from back home, "Milord, milord! Are you okay? That stone man was full of farts!"
Valeros makes a show of brushing some imagined dust off his sleeve, straightening his doublet and looking at Weiman in feigned annoyance, but says nothing.
Kyra completely ignores the bard and addresses the men. Oh! It is good to see that the lot of you are alright and in good spirits. Considering the madness of the morlocks, its not hard to determine where assistance would be needed. Are there other areas where our assistance is required? Kyra will try to avoid more questions with questions of her own.
"Hmph! Well, frankly, everywhere. But what we really need is just straight reinforcements in the camp. Come with me, I'll get you settled. You can bring your slaves along, just keep them under control." He directs this last sentence at Valeros.
The Hellknight camp is surrounded by a wooden palisade that stands 15 feet high. At each corner of the palisade are 20-foot square watchtowers, each armed with catapults. There’s one entrance through the palisade—a 30-foot-wide wooden gate.
Paralictor Maladin Bane chats with you as he moves towards the camp and admits you in. "Now, there are some archaeologists below stranded by our broken lift. You're welcome to look at it if you've got the time. I'm sure we'll put you to work on guard duty and perhaps send you out on a few patrols."
"Here," says Bane as he stops before a scarred bear of a man, clearly adorned with the symbols of his patron deity-Asmodeus. "is Signifier Primo Ambusta."
"Good day." the man says as he studies each of you. "I'm so glad to have some skilled warriors to assist us. How far have you gotten in your Hellknight training so far?" He mutters a bit to himself as you reply.
Valeros puts on an aggrieved face and, in an almost offended tone, says, "It's a sad tale, and a bit infuriating as well. I've been a fighting man for years, man and boy. And when I learned I was a distant cousin by marriage to a lesser branch of House Thrune itself, I chose to take up the Hellknight's path. Yet in spite of all my fighting prowess, and family connections, they still call me recruit. Unbelievable. But my retinue can make themselves very useful when needed - I'm sure one of them will have some notions about your broken lift - and there's no foe I won't face. My name is Valinos Thrunekin - made that last bit up myself, you know - and I'm here to serve."
I am here more in a support role than anything. I have plenty of men to fight here, as you can see. However, somebody has to look out for them on those rare occasions things go wrong. Kyra says as the party is escorted about. A broken lift? And people are stranded? Perhaps once we get settled in we'll make that our first task. Where is this lift?
Signifier Primo Ambusta spends a moment looking you up and down while taking a deep breath. "Well, I am sure your training is going well," he notes to Valeros. "Keep this one," he nods to Weiman, "under control if you will. [b]"It seems you have far to go." he notes to Enrik. "But nonetheless we are glad to have you all here. You may take shelter in the barracks. Until then we will work you in to regular rotation. The lift is over there, you can take a look at it at your leisure."
With that, the Signifier goes back to his duties.
Not moments later, two more Hellknights approach you. The woman speaks up first, "Good day. You are the backup? Good. My name is Alexia Baradin, this is my brother Lurconarr, both of the Order of the Rack." Alexia is a stern and frightening woman. She also begins to mutter under her breath (same thing as before).
Turning on Enrik and Weiman, "Ah, so what are you scum doing here, huh? You're up to something; lying or scheming no doubt. No true Hellknight would hold such ethics as yours. What exactly are you folks doing here?"
Lurconarr steps forward, "Now, now, sister *hic*, don't be quite so rude. I apologize, folks. We'll leave you alone now. Come have a drink with me tonight. On me, I promise. Again, terribly sorry." Lurconarr leads his irate sister away from the party.
For the remainder of the day, you are given mundane tasks and not always together.
|
|
Subsection: Alchohol
People are truer in a state of inebriation, for better or for worse; Learn your own states, and apply the bottle accordingly.
The magnitude of greatness or awfulness is amplified while under the effects of Booze Seeing. Subsection: Music (Percussion)
Percussion can be played simply for great effect; if played awfully, it is also easy to cover up with equally-horrible singing.
Weiman formulates a plan for maximum greatness.
Valeros is impressed with Weiman's insights and tactical acumen, and will join him on his foray into musical inebriation. He'll temper his drinking - a hard task for a devoted Caydenite - but will join in the fun, and make every effort to play the part of a spoiled noble with an inflated sense of self.
Kyra doesn't seem to care for all the foolishness but she holds her tongue since it very well may be the best way for the group to get the information they need. She'll let the plans of the others take their course, staying close by in case assistance is required.
Hanging out with the Hellknights, the party find Lurconarr already drinking away. "Ha! Well, hello there newcomers! Come and sit! Let's get to know each other a little more."
Years of devoted worship of Cayden Cailean have primed Valeros to keep up with even the most seasoned drinkers. He accepts a drink from Lurconarr and takes a good, long pull at it, saying, "Thankee, friend! This is a duty I'm well-suited for! So tell me, what's the story with this place? We weren't given much information, just told where and when to report - and had to fight our way through the welcoming committee when we arrived. Not that I mind a good fight, of course. But anyway, what's down below, where the lift goes?"
Kyra, being a bit uncomfortable with all the drinking and such, will take a quiet stroll out in the yard. She'll take a good look around, trying to familiarize herself with the layout of the camp and the movements of those inside.
Kyra will try to make sure she visits the lift that has been disabled.
Kyra steps back, creating space between her and her new friend. So, Rulla is it? Rulla, I was about to go and join the others for a drink. Maybe you could tell me more about what you do here in the camp on our way over?
|
|
Bruxo laughs aloud at Lurconarr's remark. Ha! Now that I can drink to! Bruxo will take the bottle Weiman provided and pour himself a half-full mug, then hold it up in a toast before taking a sip. Family will get you every time, eh? Misery loves company, and all that. The gods know the troubles my ancestors have made for me. Here he casts a sidelong glance at his familiar Kampwirth, who in turn appears to eye him curiously.
|
|
He then looks to their new drinking aquantance. "You said she tricked you? Can't you quit, or at least try for a transfer someplace sunnier? Why'd she trick you into this business?"
Valeros chuckles at Lurconarr's tale and, after another healthy swallow of whatever swill they're drinking, throws his own story into the mix, "I guess you could say family tricked me into signing up too, though not in quite the same way. I found out that my great uncle Balthaz was related by marriage to the third son of a bastard child of one of the scions of House Thrune itself - so I'm family, you know? I figured I'd join the Hellknights, and when they found out who I was, they'd make me a commander and I'd be set for good." He pauses for a long moment, then fortifies himself with another draught and continues, "Turns out there's lots of folk with claims of Thrune blood - though few so strong as mine, I'd wager - and here I am, a recruit, after all I've seen and done. But I'm glad there's a drink to be had, and company to share it with, eh? Cheers!! Bottoms up!"
Rulla looks disappointed as you turn down her advance. "Oh, drinking is boring. You've seen the fort already, it's a dreadful place. I'd rather lie back and hear a bit more about how a woman such as you ended up in a place like this. Strange of you folks to just drop in like you did."
|
|
Weiman, seeing their target of diplomacy will be incapable of such things soon, makes a slightly inebriated move for information. "More like... more like tripping over... one. H...a! But, yeah, but what's going on around here, anyways? Gossip... secret stuff... secret... gossip?" He pauses a moment. "Your... sister? What's, uh, up with her?"
You all hear shouting outside
Seconds later you hear shouting outside.
Valeros lifts his head quickly in response to the noise, and says, "What's going on?" He moves to the door and looks out, a hand on the hilt of his longsword.
The boys hear something outside and emerge from their drinking stupor to see Kyra storming towards them, walking away from a Cheliaxian woman who seemed to be the source of the yelling just moments ago.