GM..Kashka's Emerald Spire Campaign

Game Master Andrew Torgerud

Seeing the scouts, Robin says in a calm voice, "I think that there has been enough blood shed today. Why don't you just surrender, and you can live, at least for a few more hours. You compatriots chose to do things the hard way, and they died with my arrows in their chests, arms, and faces."

Vala steps forward, drawing her daggers - ready to act on Robin's threat.

"Both of you. Stand down. Or die."

The two scouts look at each other nervously. They drop their crossbows and surrender."alright - we give up. Just let us pass and we'll never bother you again."

"Go. But know that if I ever see you drawing a weapon against me or my friends, I will not be so easy on you. Have you heard about the ancient ways on the worship of Hanspur? I will have you know that neither my brother nor I have properly completed our rituals." he says with a cold voice, a touch of cruelty coming out.

Yon coughs when Robin says this, and looks to the side. He drags Rbuod, and steps where the two scouts, should they come past him, will not be able to get close.

"What about our guarantee?" he shouts now from further around the corner, "Can you throw down your arms? We could maybe pass them back to you after you've gone past. Maybe."

Saying, "And do it SLOWLY", Yon takes a moment to consider their intent, not trusting the thieves since they were kin of those on this level.

Sense Motive +4: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Then again, he may believe they had a change of heart...

Seeing that they've dropped their arms.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Good choice. Before you go. What can you tell us of this place? Who do you work for?"

Daggers remain drawn and menacing.

Agriver will approach the now unarmed bandits and pull his rope, while kicking the weapons aside.

Detect Evil

In the event they are evil - which is likely - if not we can retcon

"I am afraid I can not allow you to wander as your people have violated the laws of this land, proven you have the root of evil in your heart, and more importantly your cohorts have caused great hardship toward us - and we have lost one of our comrades as a result."

Allowing the bandits to let what he is saying sink in, he continues.

"You have my word that no harm will come to you before you stand trial. I will ensure your protection on the journey to the keep. From there you will have your time to speak your story. At that point - fate will be your guide"

Looking back at Robin, who still has his bow - then turning his eyes back on the soon to be prisoners. "Do you agree to these terms?"

As Agriver starts forward, the close scout calls out "oh hell no - you stay back. We go our own way or we'd rather die on our feet."

will agriver continue his posted plan?

"Agriver, quid agis? Statuere, aut stercore ventilatum est ledo iterum."

Nodding at Robin Agriver counters the bandit by tossing the rope on the floor in front of him.

"Why do you deserve Iomadae's mercy? You can risk death, or you can take the stand and I will bear witness and speak to the knights on your behalf. If you come willing that is. My word and my actions are the only way you may yet find your freedom. There is no need to bleed today."

Gesturing to the ravel of silk at their feet. "Begin by binding your hands please. But first weapons on the floor."

This is emphasized by the far scout grabbing up his crossbow and firing at Agriver. crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 but misses. As Agriver avoids the shot, the other scout steps to the door and opens it.

Resuming combat where we left off

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 2-3 Bold may Act
Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scouts
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

""Agriver, why did you have to push? Robin says in Alzanti. He moves up, planning to take the one who shot at Agriver with a single arrow. He nocks and fires his arrow. The arrow flies true, though if Robin were to judge its flight honestly, he'd Saipan it was off to the left. Nonetheless his shot was true, piercing the thin armor of the scout.
pb, single shot: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16 Pb arrow: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13

To the other, he says, "I told you. Now I will have to let you both live, for now. At doesn't make me happy, nor should it make you happy. Best you should just fall on your sword. I hear drowning is about the worst kind of death possible. " As he says this, he looks back at Agriver.
"This is on your head, Mr. Justice. " is says, again in Azlanti.

Hearing Robin the paladin sighs. "Bandit, if you run from us - you will only delve deeper into this dungeon and die. Or you will die here, it saddens me to hear your choice."

Grapple Attempt: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

As the rogue slips thru his fingers Agriver quietly mutters "May Iomadae's grace find you."

"Alright. The hard way then." Vala mutters.

Turning her head over her shoulder to speak to her comrades, but audible to the bandits. "Keep one alive - I still want that information" Vala grins mischievously. "One way or another."

The bandits gather her intent.

Vala moves forward and attempts to... subdue the enemy. Soften him up a little.

Attack, dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Yon shouts down the hall in Azlanti, "Be careful, if he gets away he may have more traps ahead!" Then thinks to himself, "It would have been easier to accept the original terms for their surrender..."

Spyridon moves in, sighing and popping an arrow off.

Longbow, PBS, Combat: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Damage?: 1d8 ⇒ 5

"That's weird, still doesn't look like there is any way into the room with the spire in it. Oh, except that open door right next to the poor bugger," Robin says in Azlanti. "Vala... no, not like that... what? By Hanspur, must I do everything?"

He looks back, "Yon, can you entangle him, or something. I know Agriver is gonna let him go, whether he wants to or not."

Vala misses, while Spyridon's shot strikes true.

"Joe.. no!! OWWW! Damn murderhobos!" The emptyhanded wounded scout flees away and down the stairs and out of sight.

will you persue?

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 3-4 Bold may Act
Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

Robin moves up, shaking his head. He looks for a clear shot, as the scout has to be around here, somewhere. He didn't have time to drink a potion, or anything, after all, and the green glow of the spire should be lighting everything up.

"Vala, Spanky, keep the one I shot alive. You can get your questions out of him."

I dub the bandit that got away - Kevin I hope he goes on to be a repeat villian!

Agriver will kneel down by the fallen bandit and check for a pulse.

If alive

"Given how these floors have been laid out we will likely see him again soon."

Yon uses stabilize, just in case the scout is only mostly dead...
Then he pulls Rbuod into the hallway the rest of the party is in.

"Agriver, is he alive?"

Not seeing where the scout went, but assuming he ran down the stairs, Robin shrugs, shoulders his bow, and goes back to the group. "Please tie him up so that he doesn't get away. If someone has manacles, even better."

Robin moves over to Rboud, and picks him up. He then walks over to be in front of the only door still remaining unopened, carefully sets Rboud down, and draws his bow.

"Oh no you don't!" Vala gives chase. Through the darkness. Alone.

Acrobatics, blind: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 4 = 19

"You are NOT getting away until I have my information!"

As Agriver and Robin seem to give up, a determined Vala takes off into the darkness and out of sight.

Spyridon steps forward to see her run down the stairs, and sees Agriver heal the wounded breathing scout.

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 4-5 Bold may Act
Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

Robin sighs as Vala runs past him. He holds onto his bow in one hand, as he follows Vala in to the darkness. (double move of 40')

Slowed by his armor, Robin considers just taking it off...

"Hey... it is dark down here!"

Acrobatics DC12: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Robin trips himself up on the stairs, and starts falling down them.
"Ow! Ow! WHat?! Ow!"

[ooc]Hey! Who turned out the lights?[/b]

"Spanky, stay with them! Sounds like we need some light downstairs..." Yon says rushing down the hallway, pointing to Rbuod, and making his way down the steps.

In Halit, "Robin, you twit, not so loud..."

"But Yo-o-o-o-on! I fell down the stairs. It hurts!"

Agriver runs up to the stairs letting his wayfinder shine its illumination down into the murky darkness.

"You do realize that chasing him into unknown territory is ill advised right? Whatever is down there will undoubtedly seal the choice he has made. We still have an area on this floor we need to explore - and we should resupply before heading deeper. That and ... Joe... is alive - we can question him on the way back to the keep."

Seeing that the group seems to be set on their course the paladin groans audibly.

"Spyridon, please tie up Joe.. the rope is at his feet."

Robin immediately trips as he goes downstairs. Both Yon and Agriver see him sprawled ten feet down.

Robin had another -4 on the Acro. Vala and Spyridon are up.

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 4-5 Bold may Act
Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage_
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

Spyridon looks on in a blank stare... as he begins the work of tying the scout up.

vala acro: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 4 = 24

Robin hears Vala's footsteps fade away as she continues to chase the fleeing scout.
acro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The scout continues to evade Vala, his footsteps continue to just be out of her reach.

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 5-6 Bold may Act

Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage_
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

Robin stands up, and pulls out a sunrod. He looks confused by why the stairs rose up to hit him in the face. "Yon, where are you? I cannot see Vala. I cannot see anything!"

Agriver hears Spyridon fussing with the ropes while he ties up “Joe”.

Looking down the dimly lit stairwell and making out the faint shadows of his friends, the paladin walks down the stairs twenty feet allowing his wayfinder to widen its illumination.

”Robin and Vala – come back! We don’t know what is down there yet, and we are ill prepared. We should finish what is behind us before exposing the group to any unknown perils. The bandit has cast his lot with fate – leave him to it.”

Looking up toward Yon. ”Do you have any brotherly tricks to get our ranger back on track?”

Spyridon looks upon his work tying the bandit up, pulls out his wand, and heals himself.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Turning to Agriver, Yon says, "Yeah, I got this, you watch our prisoner with Spyridon. I'll be right back." then he goes down the stairs as fast as possible. "Vala, you hear that? We've got a prisoner." he shouts ahead as he runs trying to shed as much light as possible by holding his way finder out in front of him.

Vala continues her pursuit, heedless of the darkness

vala acro: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 4 = 23

acro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

The scout continues to evade Vala, his footsteps continue to just be out of her reach.

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 6-7 Bold may Act

Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage_
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

Heeding Yon's request Agriver will move back up to Spyridon and inspect his ropework on "Joe".

Robin lights his sunrod, and starts hurrying down the stairs. He hasn't realized there is little to no chance of him catching up, but at least he can move full speed. 'Soon I will be able to run faster!'

Vala continues her pursuit, heedless of the darkness

vala acro: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16

acro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The scout continues to evade Vala, his footsteps continue to just be out of her reach.

Spyridon and Agriver wait up stairs...

Yon and Robin continue to run down.

Vala continues her pursuit, heedless of the darkness

vala acro: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 4 = 7

But the darkness finally gets to Vala as she trips on a broken cobblestone.... the footsteps of the scout disappear as she stands again.

Party Effects
Light sources: Yon, Agriver

Initiative: rnd 8-9 Bold may Act

Robin -5hp, -5 wis damage_
Yon -2hp, -1 con damage_
Vala -3hp, -6 wis damage, -2 con damage_ _
Scout-6hp
Spyridon -6hp, -3 wis damage_
Agriver -2 dex damage, -1 wis damage, -1con damage_

After inspection of the bonds on Joe, Agriver will tend to the bandits wounds.

"Yon? Are they coming back?"

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"$hi+! Oww" Vala exclaims as she trips. "I'll be back for you!" Vala shouts down the hall towards the escaping scout.

Vala brushes off her pants then heads back up the stairs. "Well. At least we DO have another to question, apparently" Vala thinks to herself, recalling the shouts from her party as she was intent on her chase.

As she nears the top of the stairs before she appears out of the darkness "Hey guys! Don't shoot - it's me Vala"

"Stupid scout got away." Vala frowns. Perking up "How's this one doing?"

Yon says to Vala, "We can see you aren't him, so I guess we won't... right Robin?" he says poking Robin in the ribs with his elbow.

Then as the trio approaches the stair once more, he shouts up to Agriver, "She ran far but we managed to get her to come back... not completely sure we caused that, but it works."

"Excellent, lets ensure we keep our new friend in good care and check that last area on the floor we have yet to chart out." Agriver will glance at Spyridon and nod.

"If the goddess shows mercy on that bandit that escaped, we will meet him again. It may not be too late to help him out of this place alive."

Reaching down Agriver hoists the unconscious man we only know as "Joe" over his shoulder. Slowly he then moves over to the site of the unopened door and sets the bandit carefully down.

"Vala, would you check the door please?"

Resting the greatsword on his pauldron once more the paladin nods at Robin and waits for the all clear.

"Naw... no reason to shoot her now, big brother. I ain't got a hand free, anyway." he smirks.

He follows Yon up, carrying the lit sunrod in his hand. He looks to Vala, and asks, "You want this?", indicating the sunrod.

He then resumes his duty of vigil guard of Rboud.

Whispering to Vala, "I don't like having a hungry animal like that to our backs without some warning in place. Have any tricks we could use?"

Turning to walk in step with Robin, "You know, you shouldn't go off into the dark like that... here..." he trails off, and grabs the bow, Shirak! Now lit, he hands the bow back to Robin. "Now you can see and shoot!"

"But I had my sun rod... just forgot to light it in the excitement." Robin stammers. "But, thank you."

Spyridon takes the sunrod and Vala closes and locks the door to the spire room.

Vala Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 2 = 20

The party checks the final door, no lock no traps...open it...

An ancient stone door opens into a dusty old crypt. Five stone sepulchers sit in the chamber’s northern and center portions. Each is carved with an effigy of a masked man or woman. To the south, one large sepulcher lies, its lid secured with iron bands.

Dumb struck Yon says, "Did the ancients worship Razmir? How old is that guy?" Before going further into the room to investigate the iron bound sarcophagus.

Agriver focuses his divine gaze throughout the room as he takes in the features. Placing his hand on Yon's shoulder - "Let Iomadae's grace divine the room before we enter. We have had enough tragedy for a day - and I believe you and I have plans for a drink."

After a brief silent reverie Agriver will remove his hand from the druids arm and join him in exploring the room.

"I sense no evil."

Agriver detects no auras.

Yon looks closely at the barred sepulcher... the images resemble the garb the thieves have been wearing

Perception +8: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Huh. Yon grunts, and looks closer at the iron bands. He decides he has no way to open it up himself, so he changes his attention. "Spyridon," he says, "what do you think the builders meant this to look like? I think these thugs and defilers turned some of their attentions to this room, too."