"The north door is unlocked. And there doesn't appear to be any danger. But it's more likely any who fled is behind a locked door, right?"
She will move over to the west door and take a look, slipping the goggles down over her eyes.
Mortimer halts his progress into the Pool Chamber and scans the floor for tracks
.
"Monsters and Despair, huh? Doesn't sound natural...", he trails off, finally distracted by his environment. "Does this chamber seem like some kind of initiation or sacrificial platform to anyone else?"
He sniffs at the air some more.
"It's getting colder the closer I get to this Pool, and I swear I saw something moving through the water. Tynan, Pillette -- did you want to check for tracks or -- traps -- before we investigate any further in this chamber?"
"Sure Mort, I can give the area a look."
Tynan moves to Mort, and scans the floor around the pool for any signs of recent passage.
"It's getting colder the closer I get to this Pool, and I swear I saw something moving through the water."
Tynan looks closely at the pool, trying to discern what Mort might have spotted earlier.
She continues looking through her dragon's eyes to see if the woman left a trail, a direction of where she went.
Pillette's attempt at lockpicking the West door's lock is unsuccessful.
Your examination of the West door's lock has something familiar about it. The same coloration of the stone worked into its metal seems to match the stone key Tynan collected earlier from the personal quarters of Thedrick.
Tynan approaches the dark pool, and studies its surrounds. Both he and Mort are able to see light prints in the gathered dirt that seem to come and go from the pool, returning to each of the doors.
There appear to be faint scratches along the stone floor, accompanied by dried blood, that lead up to the low stone walls of the pool itself.
The dragon's eyes don't appear to detect anything of aura in the central hall, nor the side hallways.
Sol, finding nothing of interest in the hallway, waits.
Finding the worry stone suddenly in his palm, Mortimer shrugs and stows it back in his pocket.
"I guess it was nothing..." He cautiously meanders toward the foot of the stairway and up, scanning the room as he goes.
Ascaria walks up to the pool and tries to see into the darkness below.
"Pillette, I think I found the key to this door earlier when I was searching Thedrick's room... at least, it was made of the same kind of stone. I gave it to Mort."
-----
"I'm not seeing anything in the pool Mort, but there are signs of scratches and dried blood here. I suppose something could have been dragged into the pool while trying to claw itself free of it's captor."
Tynan looks around, and takes a step away from the pool, just to be safer.
"Anyway... I think that stone key I gave you earlier opens the west door. We should keep searching for Kendra that direction."
"Anyway... I think that stone key I gave you earlier opens the west door. We should keep searching for Kendra that direction."
Pillette will return to report on her investigation.
"As far as I can tell, the door is not trapped but it is locked." If I were fleeing, I would want a locked door between me and my pursuers.She will take a look at the areas that concern Mort and Tynan.
"Even if Kendra went into the pool, I don't know if we could retrieve her." I an only hold my breath for so long. Locked doors seem like a much safer obstacle to overcome.
Solrisa considers, thinking.
"I just have a feeling she went behind us somehow. I'm going back around to look again," Sol says.
"Rae? Do you want to come real quick? I just want another set of eyes as I walk back through that area to make sure there is nothing we missed."
If Rae agrees, Sol will go one way and Rae the other, up the stairs and around to see if the priestess was around.
"Rae? Do you want to come real quick? I just want another set of eyes as I walk back through that area to make sure there is nothing we missed."
If Rae agrees, Sol will go one way and Rae the other, up the stairs and around to see if the priestess was around.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She offers dryly.
Sol sends Rae one way and she goes the other, trying to ensure that the priestess didn't circle behind them. She might be in the boring room, but and that's the only place Sol will not look.
"Pillette, I think I found the key to this door earlier when I was searching Thedrick's room... at least, it was made of the same kind of stone. I gave it to Mort."
Huh? Oh right, the key that didn't open the wooden chest.
Mortimer rifles through his backpack for the marble key."The north door is unlocked. And there doesn't appear to be any danger. But it's more likely any who fled is behind a locked door, right?"
"That would make sense, unless in their haste they didn't bother to take the time to relock the door. And if this unlocks the West door, what are the odds that there is more than one copy of this key laying around?"
"Even if Kendra went into the pool, I don't know if we could retrieve her."
"I'm thinkin' she'd have to be a shapeshifter to have gone in there. In that case, she'd definitely have the advantage even if I thought I'd want to go in after her. No. I wouldn't think to ask anyone to go in there," he says, sniffing at the air again. "It's cold, and I'm not even sure that's all water," he adds, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
"I just have a feeling she went behind us somehow. I'm going back around to look again,"
Mortimer considers this possibility.
"It does look like the trail ends on this side of the Asmodoor. I don't see how, but is it possible we missed a secret door or something back there?"
Worry stone in one palm and marble key in the other, Mort prepares to follow the Twins back through the Asmodoor. If nothing else, he wants to be sure that someone doesn't try to carry out any grudges they might be holding against a certain swine.
Mortimer takes to the stairs, winding upwards, stopping at one of three platforms that overlook the central pool. A stone fixture in the wall, a carving of a torch, flickers with the appearance of flame light.
You expect to peer into the depths of a watery well, but the density of the liquid proves much more opaque than water. Aside from the chill rising from the surface, you are able to see nothing more than the surface of the pool. There doesn't seem to be a film covering the surface of the pool, so you may presume that dipping your head below the pool's surface will result in no further observations.
Solrisa and Raella, accompanied by Mortimer, make a backtracking sweep of the Asmodean wing of the underground complex. The dire boar can be heard shifting about well beyond its doors. The sisters come together, confident that Kendra is not to be found from that direction.
When the three return empty-handed, Mortimer moves to the West door, and unlocks it with the stone key. Beyond the doorway lies a stone hallway that slowly descends around a bend, until it's lost to the darkness.
Ascaria moves up to Mort and Tynan. His light blends with Mortimer's as he tries to see around the bend. He waits for the tougher members to lead on.
"I can see nothing in the darkness that is that pool. It's unnaturally dark in fact. We should check it later when we have time."
C'mon, ladies!
Mortimer gingerly swings the door open as though he expects everything to be completely different colors beyond. He's neither surprised or disappointed to discover yet another dull grey stone hallway.
He shifts to the far edge of the floor against the wall on the north side, keeping off the central path as much as possible to avoid messing up whatever tracks might be there.
"I can see nothing in the darkness that is that pool. It's unnaturally dark in fact. We should check it later when we have time."
"Aside from us, is there anything down here that is natural?" he whispers.
He peeks around the bend, then continues down the hallway keeping as close to the wall as possible if the coast is clear.
With the western door opened, Tynan quickly scans the floor for signs of Kendra's passage.
You are unable to see any signs of Kendra's passage along the stone floor behind the West door. There are light signs of pacing, of some kind of cat-like creature, however.
Mortimer and Ascaria bring their light to bear on the curving hallway. A small expanse of cave opens up in the light ahead. The pocket is roughly twenty feet wide, the floor and ceiling littered with stalagmites and stalactites, respectively. The ceiling is roughly twenty feet at its highest points.
A pair of white eyes reflects in the torchlight, 15' high, darting from behind a stalactite.
Pillette will scramble after Tynan and Mort, and peer into the now-unlocked room.
Spotting the stalagmites, she narrows her gaze.
"Part of the mine?" Or something more nefarious?
"Wait Mort." Tynan's voice is quiet, but the worry is evident. "I don't see Kendra's tracks, but there are some belonging to a feline of some sort. It appears to have been pacing near the door."
Tynan peers into the area past Mort, watching for what seems an eternity...
"I don't see anything though, so be careful..."
Sol moves up and completely misses whatever is happening.
"Rae, maybe you should be in front! You're the best!" Sol says to her sister.
"Part of the mine?"
Mortimer peers into the pointy gloomy space.
"Does this scream 'Trap!' to you too?""I don't see Kendra's tracks, but there are some belonging to a feline of some sort. It appears to have been pacing near the door."
Lovely.
That'll shake something loose.
"Well, this is the Jackal door. Let's just hope they've got really huge feet in proportion to their body size," he offers quietly yet cheerily. "Do you mind if I yell?" he whispers to Tynan.
he bellows, slamming his fist into the stone wall.
When that results in nothing, he'll just start navigating through the stalagmites, pausing to help anyone through if necessary.
Almost as if in answer to the giant's goading, two sling stones zing by Mort's head.
"உங்கள் கைமுட்டிகள், நீங்கள் மாடு மனிதன் பவுண்டு. திரும்பி போ. இப்போது."
"Pound your fists, you cow man. Go back. Now.
Two white-eyed, pale-skinned creatures hang from the stalactites above. They seem quite comfortable in their current position, though their brows knit against Mort's ioun torch.
The two creatures work their way from the stalactites, along the wall and down, entering the same space directly in front of Mortimer. Only when both are in position do they attack the giant with wooden clubs. They swing with ease while fighting next to each other.
Round: 1, Initiative: 17
Weapon Equipped = CLW wand
Cold Iron Bullets (2/10), Silver Bullets (10/10)
Conditions = Read Magic (10/30m)
Life Link (3) = Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (0/7) (DC: 15)(Avoid 4) (2d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Melee Attack: BAB +2, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +2, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark,
Zero (14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Spark, Stabilize
First (15): (1/6) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Diagnose Disease, Liberating Command
Though he cannot see, he feels Mort’s pain and eases his suffering*. He then moves up, hoping to see something of the opposition, but twisted tunnels and his own eyes fail him. He refreshes his light casting Light on his hat band.
Sol readies to act, watching Mort walk in to danger.
Round 1, Init 15
Rae rushes up to attack the latest obstacles between her and an end to this job.
Round 1, Init 16
AC: 16 (T: 14 FF: 12)
HP: 21/21
Fort +3 | Ref +6 | Will +0
Melee - +3 / Ranged - +6 (+7 Point Blank)
Equipped: Crossbow
Perception +6/ Know (Dungeoneering) +6 / Know (Local) +7 / Sense Motive +4
Pillette will move forward to try and find a shot at the creatures attacking Mort.
Round 1, Init 14
Following Rae's lead, Tynan closes on the creatures, slipping past Mort to take up a position past him. He stabs at the closest figure.
HP:20/22
Saves:F3,R7,W2
Round 1, Init 8
Sol moves up, but is unable to get into a position to strike this round. She draws her sword, meaning to get into combat next turn.
AC 17, 21 on AoO; 23/26 HP
BAB = +3 (level 3)
ToHit = 1d20+7
RHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
LHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+4 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+5
Will+2
Initiative+2
CMD = 20, 18 if flat footed
Round 1, Init 13
The first shot hits the bridge of Mortimer's nose squarely, causing a stinging sensation to burn through his already beaten brow and he winces. He drops the light crossbow.
"Augh!" It's just one damned Thing after another down here.
When the blur clears he focuses on one of the club wielding creatures and swings.
"உங்கள் கைமுட்டிகள், நீங்கள் மாடு மனிதன் பவுண்டு. திரும்பி போ. இப்போது."
"Not a bit of it. Now kindly get out of our way!"
forfor
Ascaria answers violence with reparations. Pillette gains line-of-sight, but misses one of the creatures due to a stalagmite. Raella joins Mortimer in the close confines, also missing her target. Tynan whisks by despite the uneven ground, hoping to strike a creature. The creatures take full advantage of the slim man's attempt to pass, knocking him to the lip of unconsciousness for his boldness. In his staggered condition, Tynan checks his swing as he tries to remain standing.
Mortimer remains standing despite the flurry of attacks, and almost drops one of the creatures as both his fists find clammy skin. Solrisa girds herself for the opportunity to defend her friends.
The injured creature coughs blood on its companion, setting both creatures' determination to stand their ground and prevent the interlopers from passing. They both attack Mortimer.
They hisssss in their combat prowess.
Round: 2, Initiative: 17
Weapon Equipped = CLW wand
Cold Iron Bullets (2/10), Silver Bullets (10/10)
Conditions = Read Magic (10/30m)
Life Link (3) = Mort, Sol, Tynan
Channel Energy (0/7) (DC: 15)(Avoid 4) (2d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Melee Attack: BAB +2, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +2, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark,
Zero (14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Spark, Stabilize
First (15): (1/6) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Diagnose Disease, Liberating Command
Still in the dark, and more alone as everyone moves up, Ascaria is pummeled by the damage done to both Tynan and Mort*. He moves up so he can see the opposition, and is happy to see one with the blooming injuries caused by Mort’s fists.
”Hell Blessed…” he mutters under his breath, as he heals himself.
Sol readies to act, waiting to see what others do.
Round 2, Init 15
Rae attacks, wishing she had the energy to get truly upset, but it's been a very long day already.
What Mortimer begins, Raella finishes. The creature bares its teeth in surprise, falling to the uneven ground, its blood effortlessly coursing around the irregularities in the floor. Its comrade barks in dismay.
Pillette reloads, and takes another shot at the second, sickly-skinned skulker. Her effort is rewarded, as the bolt finds its mark.
Round 2, Init 8
Sol delays, trying to get into the fight.
"Get him, Rae!"
AC=20
HP=28/28
Right hand = long sword
Left hand = equipped shield
LoH 1/3 used
Quik Shirt 1/1 used
[ dice]1d20+5+1[/dice] to hit (+bless)
[ dice]1d8[/dice] damage.
Round 2, Init 14
Clubbed into near oblivion by the two creatures, Tynan feels Ascaria's healing energies once again return him from the brink.
"Thanks Ascaria!
I'll definitely watch this awful terrain more closely from this point forward... don't want to be caught unawares again.
Eyeing the creature carefully, Tynan stabs his short sword at it's pale frame.
Still unsteady from his wounds, Tynan's thrust falls short of its mark.
HP:5/22
Saves:F3,R7,W2
AC 17, 21 on AoO; 08/26 HP
BAB = +3 (level 3)
ToHit = 1d20+7
RHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
LHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+4 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+5
Will+2
Initiative+2
CMD = 20, 18 if flat footed
Round 2, Init 13
"Thanks Canary!" bellows Mortimer as he feels the warmth of Ascaria's healing surge through him once again.
Mortimer tries to pick up the remaining D'd Thing by the neck and break its back on his knee.
for
for
The nasty thing manages to slip from his grasp at the last second.
Tynan stands his ground, and swings in place, missing the pale-skinned creature in his study. Mortimer levels a solid blow, encouraging the creature to think twice about its positioning. Solrisa delays, hoping for space to open up in the dank cave.
The injured creature takes a hint, and barks as it retreats back across the cave, carefully avoiding attacks at its flank. For all its barking, a third skulker reveals itself, taking up positioning alongside its mate. The two creatures await the onslaught.
Round 3, Init 8
Sol moves up and readies to strike one of the baddies if they get close.
Ready:
to hit (+bless)
damage.
AC=20
HP=28/28
Right hand = long sword
Left hand = equipped shield
LoH 1/3 used
Quik Shirt 1/1 used
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit (+bless)
[ dice]1d10+3[/dice] damage.
Round: 3, Initiative: 17
Weapon Equipped = CLW wand
Cold Iron Bullets (2/10), Silver Bullets (10/10)
Conditions = Read Magic (10/30m)
Life Link (3) = Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (0/7) (DC: 15)(Avoid 4) (2d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Melee Attack: BAB +2, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +2, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark,
Zero (14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Spark, Stabilize
First (15): (1/6) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Diagnose Disease, Liberating Command
Ascaria watches the last creature flee. He must drop Tynan from his healing, but he leaves Mort* as he winces slightly.
”Sorry Tynan, I, er, well…”
He moves up and cures himself with the wand once again.
AC 17, 21 on AoO; 13/26 HP
BAB = +3 (level 3)
ToHit = 1d20+7
RHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
LHit = 1d20+7-2 (-1 to hit, +2 dam on Power Attack)
Throw = 1d20 + BAB + Dex
Fort+4 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+5
Will+2
Initiative+2
CMD = 20, 18 if flat footed
Round 3, Init 13
"Thanks again, Canary."
Mortimer retrieves the loaded light crossbow at his feet and trundles through the difficult terrain to once again taunt and torture the creatures -- already having a torrid time -- with his Ioun Torch.
How many of these things can there be?
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Round 3, Init 10
"Oh no you don't.' Rae races after the retreating ruffians.
Round 3, Init 14
Tynan moves forward a few steps over the uneven terrain, leaving room for the more heavily armored sisters to get past him. Swiftly pulling a throwing dagger from his bandolier, he throws it at his well-studied foe.
HP:5/22
Saves:F3,R7,W2
Ascaria hemorrhages, then heals. Pillette reloads and fires, unhindered by the front line at the moment.
Raella surges forward, pushing past the white-eyed creatures, preventing their retreat. For her trouble, she's swung at twice.
Tynan almost takes down the wounded creature, reducing the duo's strength greatly, but Raella's dash causes him to pull his throw. Mortimer retrieves his crossbow, then pushes forward across the rocky floor. Solrisa readies a swing, should the creatures step forward.
Denied the chance to retreat, the two creatures try desperately to make a path. They bash at Raella, only one of them succeeding in making a dent.
They both snarl loudly, their noises echoing down the hall.
Round 4, Init 15
Rae grumbles, striking at the closest of the creatures.
Pillette, on a streak of sorts, loads and fires a bolt that proves deadly to the injured creature.
Raella cleaves heavily into the fresh creature, but it still stands, despite the massive damage to its sickly frame.
Round: 4, Initiative: 17
Weapon Equipped = CLW wand
Cold Iron Bullets (2/10), Silver Bullets (10/10)
Conditions = Read Magic (10/30m)
Life Link (3) = Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (0/7) (DC: 15)(Avoid 4) (2d6+1)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, reroll to avoid worsening attitude)
Melee Attack: BAB +2, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +2, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 3, Concentration +7)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark,
Zero (14): Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Spark, Stabilize
First (15): (1/6) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Diagnose Disease, Liberating Command
Mort heals a little more* as Ascaria continues to pass healing onto the big man.
He then moves up along the wall so as to keep everyone in focus. He is not pleased with the damage to Rae, but there is nothing he can do at this time to help her.
He also heals himself yet again, muttering ”Hell Blessed” under his breath as he moves without giving the phrase any thought.
Round 4, Init 14
Tynan moves up on the remaining creature whose attention is focused on Raella, and eyes it for any weakness in its defenses. He lashes out with his sword, striking at a vulnerable spot on the creature's back.
HP:5/22
Saves:F3,R7,W2