GM Slothsy's Second Darkness

Game Master Slothsy

Nel chuckles at Aishe's sheepish explanation of his collection of lock picks. "I am in no position to judge. I've been told that I have a gambling problem." Nel waits a moment for everyone to fall back to where they feel comfortable, before she pushes the formally locked doors open.

Gillian, Orthrus, doing anything before we go into the next room? Just note it here, since you have plenty of time.

Posting the next room while I'm still powered by Coffee!

The center of this vast oval chamber is dominated by a number of tall stone bookcases coated in dust and cobwebs. Some of these shelves lean ominously to one side, their age clearly showing. Scattered about the floor of the chamber are thousands of crumbling tomes, most holding little more than scraps and dust, their knowledge forever lost.

Three drow occupy this room; one woman sits at desk and reads documents while a pair lazily stand guard. As the door opens, the two guards snap to attention.

"Intruders," one says in Elven as she takes on a well-trained battle stance.

Initiative - Crumbling Stacks

Tamiro, Nel
DS 1 and 2
Aishe, Orthrus
DC
Gillian

It looks like you could push some of the bookcases over with a STR check...

Slightly Earlier

Gillian shrugs as Aishe picks the locked door, puzzled as to why he'd be embarrassed.

"Not everyone who holds a blade is a murderer, not everyone who studies the arcane is dangerous, and not everyone who can pick a lock is a criminal," she responds. "And even if you had been at one point, I'd much rather have your skill at opening locks than to have to break down every door and smash open every lock we come across."

She does glance at Nel curiously, but chooses to say silent on this new bit of information for the time being.

Her, a gambler? She doesn't seem the type.

Once Aishe gives the signal, Gillian nods and grips her longspear, ready for what might lie ahead.

Raising one of his blades, Tamiro charges passed Nel roaring jovially, "I dont think they said, 'Welcome! come in!', but that is all I am hearing!"

Trying to swing down onto the first drow in the room, his blade catches the door frame as he runs passed knocking it off target and he yells angrily, "Jaakuna toshokan!! Anatahadare no sobadesu ka?!"

I dont know if I can charge in here? Spider webs and doors and stuff? If I can then add 2 please!

Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14

Eh, the spider webs are more ~set dressing~ and you're not blocked by bookshelves, so you can charge. However, nat ones are nat ones.

I cannot see the guard drow. I am going to presume that they next to each other where Tamiro is standing.

Nel steps up into combat with the guards. As Tamiros sword catches the doorframe, Nel winches. "Hey, anata no mokuteki no tame ni seishishita obujekuto o semenaide kudasai!" she snarks out, leaving two deep cuts in drow standing in front of her.

Attack+Power Attack: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 15 - 2 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 = 17
Attack 2 + Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 - 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 = 17

That's weird; they're definitely there? Well, except one of them is now gone...

Initiative - Crumbling Stacks

Tamiro, Nel
DS 1 and 2
Aishe, Orthrus
DC
Gillian

Nel's cuts drive deep into flesh of the drow. She instantly collapses, dead before she could even act.

Her partner attempts to slash Nel with a short sword, taking a low swing. However, Nel easily parries the attack. The clang of sword-on-sword reverberates throughout the area.

Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Round: 1, Initiative: 16

Aishe 5’ steps back into the doorway. He eyes the drow in the rear, figuring they’re the boss ‘round here and brings his focus to bear** (swift). His first shot resolves against their touch AC as he also drops some grit into the combat*. The other two shots resolve against their normal AC.

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 1 = 28 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 3 = 17 (point blank, focus)

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 1 = 17 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 3 = 16 (point blank, focus)

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 - 1 = 17 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 3 = 19 (point blank, focus)

* Sharp Shoot (Ex): A bolt ace can resolve an attack against touch AC instead of normal AC when firing a crossbow at a target within its first range increment.

** Ranger's Focus (Ex): +2 bonus to attacks and damage against the foe.

Seemingly disinterested, Orthrus moves forward slowly.

Initiative - Crumbling Stacks

Tamiro, Nel, Aishe, Orthrus
DC
Gillian

Aishe's first bolt rips through the remaining bodyguard, causing her to crumble. As he takes aim against the captain, however, the shots fly wide.

The captain glares at the group and beseeches, "Abraxas, may your mighty blows slay these foes!"

Tamiro, Aishe, Nel, and Orthrus are wracked with a tremendous cacophony. Everyone takes 2 points of damage.[/dice] The cacophony stuns Orthrus. [ooc]You are stunned for one round. Your falchion and anything else you are holding is dropped.

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2
Tamiro: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Aishe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Nel: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Orthrus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Round: 2, Initiative: 16

Aishe rubs his ears and makes a mental note to stand further from the group in the future.

He stands firm, and continues shooting at the follower of Abraxas. Who’s Abraxas? he wonders as he shoots through cover.

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 - 1 = 19 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 3 = 22 (point blank, focus)

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 - 1 = 23 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 3 = 20 (point blank, focus)

Crossbow (silver, cold iron, magic): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 1 = 8 (point blank, focus, cover)
damage: 1d8 + 12 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 3 = 16 (point blank, focus)

Abraxas? Have we heard that name before?

Kn. History: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Although she figures that they most likely have little to fear from the lone female drow, Gillian decides that it still might be best to bolster the group's battle effectiveness - just in case their enemy has any nasty surprises up her sleeve. She steps forward and calls on a blessing from whatever god or goddess of light might be listening right now.

Spell Resistance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
______

Gillian will step forward a bit and cast Prayer on her allies!

*CLANG!!*

knowledge (see modifiers above): 1d20 ⇒ 3

That's it for this round.

Orthrus recognizes these creatures as the "drow" that they've heard so much about, but can't recall what's true or what's fake - the legends swirl about these boogeymen. He does recognize the name Abraxas as a prominent demon lord associated with forbidden magic.

Gillian, I'm going to use your roll with your knowledge planes modifier instead. You know a little more about Abraxas. Abraxas is said to know the Final Incantation, a single word that could cause the annihilation of all magic. He is also associated with devastation.

Initiative - Crumbling Stacks

Tamiro, Nel, Aishe, Orthrus
DC
Gillian

Aishe's first shot clangs off the woman's armor, but the second shot hits true.

Initiative - Crumbling Stacks

Tamiro, Nel, Aishe, Orthrus
DC
Gillian

Tamiro charges forward at the woman, his katana shining as he brings it down. He lets out a wordless shout as his weapon crashes down on her, striking true. The woman falls as the blade strikes true, her blood starting to spill over the desk she is now slumped against.

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 3 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

You are out of initiative! Box text reminder.

The center of this vast oval chamber is dominated by a number of tall stone bookcases coated in dust and cobwebs. Some of these shelves lean ominously to one side, their age clearly showing. Scattered about the floor of the chamber are thousands of crumbling tomes, most holding little more than scraps and dust, their knowledge forever lost.

Aishe keeps his crossbow out, and warily searches among he stacks for any hidden opponents, just in case.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Presuming he finds no-one, he returns to the door and keeps guard, leaving the others to search the woman and desk.

Apparently my dice care not who rolls...they will still try to roll low.

Wiping the blood from his blade, Tamiro begins searching the woman's possessions, "The dead sure pay well for services rendered..."

Giving a laugh to punctuate his joke, he examines her weapons.

Orthrus carefully picks through the scene for hints of magic.

detect magic + spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

detect magic + spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

detect magic + spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

detect magic + spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

"These guards they've left here seem rather weak," Gillian remarks as Tamiro and Aishe bring the remaining drow down swiftly. "Maybe they underestimated the importance of what might be left behind in this place?"

I forgot to hit submit! Orthrus, give me a perception check.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Hey, she didn't specify that it had to be 'good'.

Hey, in a lot of ways, games are better when interesting things happen instead of "good" things.

The desk on the southern end of the room is mostly intact and filled with books and assorted scraps of paper. The six books all deal with either astronomy or the Great Beyond. In particular, there is a book marking a page the discusses the properties of the "realm of shadows" and how time can be "mutable in such a domain".

You can keep looking around, if you wish. I feel that Nel is going to be interested in this library, as an Order of the Tome cavalier.

In approximately 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) = 10 minutes, a crew of 5 elven scouts arrive and begin to establish a firm hold on the building. Freeing you up to go elsewhere.

+3 Battle Points!

In approximately 3d6 minutes, a crew of 5 elven scouts arrive and begin to establish a firm hold on the building.

Orthrus prepares to ambush the reserves, until it is pointed out that they are on his side. At which point he says it's hard to tell the elves from the drow, claiming "You all look alike."

"I wouldn't say that too loudly," Gillian whispers to Orthrus.

"At any rate," she continues at a more normal volume, "this place seems secure for the time being. What do you think, should we press on now and return later when the area is more secure?"

While the party waits for elven reinforcements, Aishe will search the building for anything useful.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

When the elves do arrive however, he's ready to move on. "Where to next? What's our next assignment?" he asks them. "Or do we need to go back to basecamp to get something?"

GM Slothsy wrote:

In approximately 3d6 minutes, a crew of 5 elven scouts arrive and begin to establish a firm hold on the building.

Orthrus prepares to ambush the reserves, until it is pointed out that they are on his side. At which point he says it's hard to tell the elves from the drow, claiming "You all look alike."

"Are you blind orc? These elves are pale, the others are dark. It is literally black and white." Tamiro admonishes Orthrus, shaking his head as he sharpens his blades.

When the reserves show up he gets back to his feet and cleans his blades, putting them back in the scabbards.

"Boss? Tsugi no keikaku wa nanidesu ka?"

Nel shakes her way out of her stupor, and glances around the library. "Sorry, I was just..." Trailing off, Nel slides a book off of a dusty shelf and flips through it. Clearing her throat, she glances at what at one point appeared to be desks. "Huh, I wonder what was studied here?" She mumbles to herself, shifting through piles of notes.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Linguistics: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

"Well, I believe the general gist of the plan was to try and recapture all of the major roads leading into the city - to make it easier to march further in and strike at the Academy of the Arts," Gillian reminds them. "Once we're finished here I suspect we'll need to continue working our way around the city helping to secure footholds on the outskirts."

Despite her words, she doesn't seem inclined to rush Nel as she continues to examine various books in the library.
______

That was as much a reminder for myself as everyone else on what we're supposed to be doing, heh!

Nel finds a number of crumbling tomes covering a variety of topics. The best-preserved books and information is those in the desk. The six books (all written in Elven) deal with either astronomy or the Great Beyond. In particular, there is a book marking a page the discusses the properties of the "realm of shadows" and how time can be "mutable in such a domain".

Picking up the six books in better condition, Nel wraps each of them in a cloth before storing them in her rucksack, pulling out the map that was provided to them. "Right, does anyone remember which building was the Academy of Arts? I know that we are in this building, heh, because of its unusual floor plan. However with the city laid out in this weird triangle road system, I'd like to avoid the giant river and swamplands, if we don't need to go that way." Pointing out the two possible main roads, Nel waits for any input before slinging her pack back on, ready to head out.

Aishe looks over her shoulder at the map.

"Maybe this one?" he stabs at a building, but he's really not sure. "Maybe the elves know." he suggests if the group doesn't remember/can't figure it out.

"I bet the roads are patrolled too. If it's on the far side of the city, we might be better off slipping into the woods and coming back in from another angle." he suggests, with equal uncertainty.

"Yes, I think they mentioned that both drow and demons patrol most of the roads - skirting around through the woods would probably be our best chance of getting around unnoticed," Gillian agrees.

"Whats the fun in being unnoticed?" Tamiro says with a grin.

Getting up and going over to the elves, he hails them and begins questioning them on what the layout of the city is and where the various structures are.

One of the elves looks distractedly over Tamiro as he works on unpacking gear on the top of the tower.

"There's three major that form a rough triangle around the city. Eviana's orders are to fight our way to the center of the city, but it's pretty packed with demons and drow right now. If you don't know what to do, I recommend reporting in to Eviana. Be careful out there, as you're likely to find trouble on the roads."

She pulls out a tripod and begins to assemble it. "Sorry that I can't be of more help; I'd ask around back at base camp if anyone has a map you can look over."

"Are you blind orc? These elves are pale, the others are dark. It is literally black and white." Tamiro admonishes Orthrus, shaking his head as he sharpens his blades.

"So I should judge them based upon the color of their skin?" Orthrus nods his understanding.

Picking up the six books in better condition, Nel wraps each of them in a cloth before storing them in her rucksack.

....

"Right, does anyone remember which building was the Academy of Arts?" .... Pointing out the two possible main roads, Nel waits for any input before slinging her pack back on, ready to head out.

"Why go there? Figure dark elves easy pickings while they watch play?"

Assuming the Academy was pointed out before, and that it is one of the far points of the triangle, Orthrus points it out again. He may be dumb but he remembers things. He might also point out some of the known obstacles in their path.

"City complex, but things we know. Known knowns. These things we know we know. There are too known unknowns. Things we know we don't know. But there are too unknown unknowns. Things we don't know we don't know."

He finishes up by crossing his arms over his chest, and sagely adding: "We should kill those things."

He wanders a bit further out in the library, searching for more unkowns with detect magic and perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Are we supposed to hit the Academy of Arts next? Was that our next target? If so, let's get going, but if we're not sure, maybe we should check in. I'd hate to outpace our support." he gestures to the elves moving in their position.

"I...what?" Gillian responds to Orthrus, rubbing at her temples. "I'm going to assume that was another way of saying, 'We should get going' - and I agree. The Academy of the Arts is our ultimate goal but I think pushing directly for it right now would be unwise. Let's report back to Eviana and see what she recommends next."
______

OOC, I get the feeling that trying to head directly to what's basically the center of the city wouldn't turn out very well for us. I suspect this section is either sort of 'free form' as to what our targets are or we've missed/are forgetting some bit of information, which is why I figure we might as well head back to Eviana for a hint advice :)

"Are we supposed to hit the Academy of Arts next? Was that our next target? If so, let's get going, but if we're not sure, maybe we should check in. I'd hate to outpace our support." he gestures to the elves moving in their position.

"No check in!" Orthrus looks around slyly as if expecting elven eavesdroppers. He continues on in a lower, but no less strident tone. "That's just what elves would expect."

Aishe Danior wrote:

"Are we supposed to hit the Academy of Arts next? Was that our next target? If so, let's get going, but if we're not sure, maybe we should check in. I'd hate to outpace our support." he gestures to the elves moving in their position.

"No check in!" Orthrus looks around slyly as if expecting elven eavesdroppers. He continues on in a lower, but no less strident tone. "That's just what elves would expect."

Aishe chuckles, "We're working for the elves. We should do what they expect." he enjoys - but respects - Orthrus' single-mindedness.

"The elves seem well organized, I don't think we should wander around willy-nilly without support. Let's go back and get our next assignment - and maybe the one after that too so we don't need to check in as much."

Wrinkling her nose at the thought of heading back to camp, Nel pinches the bridge of her nose as it become apparent that they will have to head back. "I'd rather be safe and check in, over being dead. Let's go check in and figure out where we need to go."

Sounds like the closest thing this group gets to a consensus!

As you return to the base camp, it's clear that fighting in the city has reached a steady pace. Fires burn in the ruins and the acrid tang of smoke hangs in the air. Mute cries and the occasional explosion or magic provide a steady beat to your march back.

The camp itself is quite active. A large tent is open on one side, and a quick peek around the flaps reveal the bodies of fallen elven soldiers. In the center of the camp, Eviana's tent is a flurry of motion. Messengers stream to and from the tent, relaying reports and receiving orders.

As you enter, Eviana motions at a map of Celwynvian that has been carefully tagged with a number of small flags, some black, some green.

“These green flags represent our current troop deployments around the city, while the black flags indicate known drow holdouts. One such holdout in particular has caught our attention, and taking it out might help us greatly in the long run. We believe these ruins,” she says, indicating a spot on the northern edge of the city, “contain an alchemical workshop where the drow have been producing many of their more insidious weapons. We want you to storm this place and take it out. The sooner the better.”

As Gillian looks at the location indicated on the city map, she whistles. "Not on the other side of the city at least, but still quite a distance from here and from the library. Hopefully we will be able to keep to the treeline for most of that distance though."

"Once we take control of the workshop are there any other targets that we should consider heading to or do you want us to report back here first?"

"Report back" Eviana says. "The battlefield changes every moment, and I want to ensure you are best used."

One cue, a messenger comes in with an urgent message, and one of the pages responds by moving several green flags around the map.

"Ensure that you cut off the drow's access to those supplies - permanently."

Remember that you can receive healing or purchase additional supplies while in camp.

"Alchemical lab huh? Wonderful. Probably catches fire as soon as we get there..." he worries a little about setting the whole forest ablaze.

"Do we have any protection from fire?" the asks the others, expecting to more or less 'wing it'.

(We don't have a lot to sell, so not much to hand out. If folks want to do a divvy, let me know, otherwise I suggest we hang on until we gather more loot.)

"I think I can help with that, but it will only last an hour or so," Gillian offers. "We may want to wait until we are close to the lab before I use my magic."
______

Gillian has Resist Energy (single-shot version) that we can use unless someone has something better.

"Alchemy is dangerous...for everyone involved. we should take care in assaulting such a complex. I would rather not be blown up, or poisoned, or turned into something...or all of the above." Tamiro says as he examines the map.

"Protection from fire is not a bad idea, is there a quartermaster around we could possibly get some potions from?" This last question is directed towards Eviana.

She gestures to a tent outdoor. "Quartermaster is set up in there. Half-elf by the name of Jasper. If you need a specialty order, we have merchants teleporting in at dusk."

"Potions aren't a bad idea either - and that would allow me to save my magic for other uses," Gillian muses.
______

I'm good to visit Jasper if we want or to head on over to the lab now :)