GM SpiderBeard's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

Twitches feels that one, howling in agony as Variel manages to cut through his resistant skin.

Just on Mutt now!

Mutt manages to avoid Twitches as he screams and tries to attack. "It wasn't my fault! Blame Saul!"

Mutt feels some of his wounds stitch back together as Thaddeus heals him. He hears Saul attacking Bofur. "Bofur! Don't forget, I want to get my shots at him!" He frowns as he sees Variel dealing lethal damage to Twitches. However, he still focuses on Hans.

Attack (bloodrage, power attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 1 = 18
Damage (bloodrage, power attack (+50% to power attack due to using two-handed weapon)): 1d12 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 16

Bloodrage active. Stats now are: AC 12, touch 8, flat-footed 12; hp 9/25; Fort +7, Will +4; Str 20, Con 19; CMB +7; CMD 17. Bloodrage rounds left: 6/15. Destined Strike: 1/3.

Michal moves closer and attacks Twitches, trying not to kill him.

Attack (raging song, nonlethal): 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 17
Damage (raging song, nonlethal): 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Fredrick moves to Twitches and tries to do the same. "Twtiches! Calm down! Stop fightin' an' let us help you!"

Attack (raging song, nonlethal): 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 11
Damage (raging song, nonlethal): 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Sam moves closer and once again fires at Hans, being careful not to hit Mutt.

Attack (firing into melee): 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 1 - 4 = 7
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Bjorn, meanwhile, cheers as Old Scratch dies. He then books it through the kitchens and up the stairs.

Since Bofur only used a move action, I'm giving him a free attack on Saul before his round is over.

Mutt pokes his axe out, hitting Hans in the chest and putting him at perfect range to take a brutal chop to the collarbone. Mutt wrenches his axe out, and Hans lies dead at his feet.

Michal and Frederick surround twitches and start whapping him with the sides of their swords while Sam misses terrible.

Something like this

Bofur's Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Spotting Saul, Bofur sidesteps the attack, and cracks the pudgy man with his axe. Blood pours down Saul's face. Screaming, Saul looks straight past Bofur.

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"

Although not fooled by the ruse, it does give Bofur pause, which is all Saul needs.

Feint: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 SNeak Attack: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (6, 6, 2) = 19

Withdrawing his rapier, Saul looks around the losing fight, blood-soaked and very, very worried. Bofur slumps to the ground.

"BOJASK! HEEELLP!"

Bojask doesn't seem to come.

Bofur takes 19 damage and is at -7 and dying! Everyone is up!

... Everyone is up!

Thaddeus:

"BOFUR!"

Seeing a friend fall, stabbed by the person they were so recently fighting for, Thaddeus takes the initative, seeing that Fiona is still nowhere around, so it's up to him. Unfortunately, he has to get close, first.

He moves through the lounge (Room 14) into the Atrium (Room 17), though in doing so he gets dangerously close to two combatants. He is exceedingly cautious when he does so, keeping as far away as he can and jumping away from any attack.

STANDARD: Total Defense, bumping my AC by +4. Currently it's at 20.
MOVE: One square W, one square S, one square E, one square S, and one square E again. This will provoke from Twitches and Saul. Bit risky, I'll admit.
And, if it's important, if I do provoke, unless Twitches and Saul have Combat Reflexes, the both of them will have used up their AoO's this round, meaning everyone else can move freely.

========
Old Horn

Stays where he is.

========
Zhen

MOVE: Puts away his bow, and two-hands his longsword.
STANDARD: Move as Standard, hustling up the steps. This will put him just East of where Bjorn is right now.

========

Doing this from my tablet. May I implore upon some kind soul to move my respective tokens for me, please? Hopefully the directions I gave above should be descriptive enough.

Moved Thaddeus' token.

Variel watches Thaddeus move in, heedless of Twitches and Saul. He nods and follows.

Arriving at Bofur's side, he expends the last of his sacred magic. "แสงรักษาบาดแผล"

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Well, assuming I get there safely, Bofur is at least stable. I'm out of healing, though.

Twitches AoO: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Saul AoO: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Thaddeus rushes past Twitches and Saul, ducking and weaving as best he can. Twitches snaps at the air and Thaddeus leaps back as Saul's rapier whisks through the air in front of him.

This allows Variel to rush in, chanting a spell and healing Bofur. Bofur lets out a gasp and although still unconscious, is alive.

Kwava, who apparently didn't do anything last round, looks to Mutt.

"He is a wererat and is dangerous. I will save him if I can."

A silver arrow flies into Twitches. One takes him hard, and he slumps backwards, collapsing on the ground, bleeding out, but alive.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Kwava rushes over to Twitches, and starts pulling out banadages.

"Deal with Saul, I will keep him alive."

Mutt is up, and Twitches is down! Only Saul remains from the bad guys.

Hold on a second! I haven't acted yet! :p

Round 9: Actions
Free Action: Maintain Raging Song
Full-Round Action: Double Move up to the stairs

Fiona's song gets closer as she makes her way up the stairs.

"How the time seemed to fly!
From our carefree lives,
And the solitude and peace we always knew!"

Hurry--hurry hurry...

His eyes go wide in shock that their thick-fingered former employer could move so lethally. He strikes out in self-defense, glancing his brother's axe off the fool's skull. For a split second, he fears he has failed to notice another henchman, when suddenly he realizes the crook's rapier has gone between his ribs. His lips move, forming soundless words as blood erupts from between them and he collapses to his knees and then the floor.

A few seconds later, the outer wound knits itself together at Variel's touch. It will hold if nothing reopens it.

Something like this

Lol. You know, when I saw that link, I thought that was the clip being used. Then, I clicked on it and got the image of Michal and Fredrick non lethally hitting the stuck wererat Twitches to Don't Stop Me Now by Queen.

Mutt is a bit angry when Kwava fires at Twitches, but relaxes when he sees that he's alive. He nods at Kwava as the elf tries to save Twitches. Looking at Fredrick, Michal, and Sam, he says, "Help him heal Twitches! If Bjorn shows up, brief him on the situation and have him keep an eye on Twitches!" He then bolts towards the others.

When Mutt runs through the doorway, he sees Saul. The rage and hatred at his betrayal bubbles to the top. His heart is pounding heavily, overworked due to his rage. "Hello, Saul. Let's have a chat." He then brings down his greataxe! "You betrayed us and now you will be destroyed! You hear me?! I WILL END YOU!!"

Attack (bloodrage, power attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 - 1 = 15
Damage (bloodrage, power attack (+50% to power attack due to using two-handed weapon)): 1d12 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 18

Bloodrage active. Stats now are: AC 12, touch 8, flat-footed 12; hp 9/25; Fort +7, Will +4; Str 20, Con 19; CMB +7; CMD 17. Bloodrage rounds left: 5/15. Destined Strike: 1/3.

Michal and Fredrick nod at their boss and move closer to Twitches and Kwava so they can help. Sam rushes in to try and aid as well.

Bjorn rushes down the hall and stands at the doorway, seeing the sight before him. From where he is, Sam explains the situation. Shocked that this wererat is Twitches, Bjorn watches Twitches in case he snaps again.

SSMMMASSHHH!!

Saul screams and hits the ground as Mutt's axe goes overhead, and carves straight through the wall, opening up a hole into Saul's filing room beyond! Saul comes to his knees, begging profusely.

"PLEASE! OH GODS I DON'T WANT TO DIE! Mutt, you have to understand, I just had too much riding on this and you guys were going to ruin everything! Larur knew too much too and he had to go! I confess to anything you want. I had Bojask kill Larur, then that moneylender after you guys let him live, and then he had to kill that informant to cover the tracks! WE're square now, right? Please? How you want to be rich, huh? Richer than you've ever..."

Feint: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Sneak Attack: 1d6 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (3, 1, 3) = 9

Saul suddenly lunges up, the point of his rapier running straight through Mutt. Saul withdraws his rapier, smirking.

Meanwhile, Kwava tries to stop Twitches from bleeding out, and does so successfully.

Heal: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Mutt's hp total says 5, but my tracker states he was at 13 which would put him at 9 hp left after Saul's attack. I'll let Mutt figure out where he is at. ;) Everyone is up! Only Saul is left!

The hp tracker is based on my nonrage hp. Also, I had 13 hp? I thought I had 9. Am I missing something?

Found my error! I did not update the tracker after you got some healing. I recounted all the damage you've taken/been healed since the start of the fight. Your status before Saul hit you was 11/21. Saul's sneak attack did 9 damage. So you're now at 2/21 and very much up and angry.

Thaddeus

Seeing Saul pathetically plead, only to take the advantage and stab his friends, is really starting to tick the country boy off.

"Ah ain't never been much fer killin' folks, Saul, but ye ain't a person no more, just a wild beast 'dat needs t'be put down!"

Thaddeus' eyes narrow at Saul, before he smirks a little, bringing his hand up to his face.

*YAWN*

STANDARD: Slumber Hex. DC 14 Will, or sleep for 2 rounds. Which should be long enough.
MOVE: Procure the other Scroll of Cure Light I have.

"'Course, dat don't mean Ah gotta be th'one t'kill yeh."

========

Old Horn

Moves into the room.

========

Zhen

Moves into the room, and looks for an opportunity to get inside to face Saul.

Okay. Thank you, Spiderbeard.

Mutt grunts as the blade goes in between his ribs. He looks down at the blade. It then comes out. He looks up at Saul's smug grin. All is silent. Until Mutt screams in unbridled rage! "THAT'S IT! YOU WILL REGRET THAT!! I WILL DESTROY YOU!!" He then swings his greataxe, trying to take off Saul's head!

Attack (bloodrage, power attack): 1d20 + 7 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 - 1 = 23
Damage (bloodrage, power attack (+50% to power attack due to using two-handed weapon)): 1d12 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 14

Bloodrage active. Stats now are: AC 12, touch 8, flat-footed 12; hp 2/25; Fort +7, Will +4; Str 20, Con 19; CMB +7; CMD 17. Bloodrage rounds left: 4/15. Destined Strike: 1/3.

Seeing that the situation with Twitches is well under control, the bouncers focus their attention on the battle. They all gasp in shock as Saul stabs Mutt, but are amazed that he's still standing. Michal decides to move in. He moves past Mutt and stands next to his boss, slashing at Saul.

Attack (raging song): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 1 = 23
Damage (raging song): 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

The rest of them decide to hang back, seeing that the room is getting crowded. Except for Bjorn, who moves a bit closer.

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Saul, wiley as ever, starts to prepare for a strategy as Mutt comes in. Unfortunately for him, something strange seems to happen. He sways, he staggers...

And then it's over. Screaming with the rage and frustration of being betrayed again and again, Mutt swings with horrifying power, and hits the mark exactly where he needed to. Saul's head smacks wetly into the side of the wall as his body crumples from beneath. There's a moment of silence, and the long, brutal fight is finally at its end.

End of Combat

Ding! Welcome to level three!

Thaddeus smirks as Saul slumps to his feet.

And then Mutt lets loose all of his pent-up aggression on Saul's unconscious form.

Since we're in the spirit of Youtube links: A rough approximation of Thaddeus' expressions.

Inwardly, Thaddeus contemplates that he really would have liked to take Saul alive for questioning, but then decides there was no getting in between Mutt and vengeance.

He also notes the tendency for people who piss off Mutt to lose their heads.

"Uhh... Well... Guess dat's over now." He looks over the collected individuals.

"Oh, uhh... Anyone got sum' rope fer' Twitches, dere? If'n he's that angry 'fore, Ah don't see him bein' all 'dat pleased when he wakes up."

A thought occurs to Thaddeus, as he quickly turns to head through the various offices and private rooms of Saul, making sure there wasn't some last-minute attempt to destroy any evidence.

Not actively searching through papers, more looking for any stragglers, open windows, and perhaps burning documents. Or large summoning circles. Obvious things.

Mutt breathes heavily as he sees Saul's corpse. He screams one last time. "I HAVE WON!! I HAVE MY VICTORY!! LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ALL MY ENEMIES!! I WILL NOT STOP!!" Slowly, he comes out of his rage. It's then that he grunts again. He places his hand on his wounds and feels the blood flow freely. It's then that he feels light-headed. Then, he falls onto the floor, a resounding boom echoing in the room. His eyes slowly fade and blood pools around his body. The bouncers stare at him in shock, unsure of what to do.

Sorry, guys. I'm coming out of my bloodrage. I might need it later. I'm assuming that I don't get the more hp when I level, so I'm currently at -3 hp and dying. I'll roll a quick stabilize check. Please ignore what it says in my header. I believe my hp is off.

Stabilize: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

And I'm at -4. Huh... Well, I'll wait to roll another one.

As Mutt lies there, he begins to hallucinate. He sees a wide expansive field, the grass and wheat sway in a faint wind. Standing there is a figure. However, it's too blurry to tell.

Stats
HP: -4 and dying. Bloodrage rounds left: 4/15. Fatigued for 22 rounds. Destined Strike: 1/3.

So, I'm dying. I have 4 bloodrage rounds left (unless I get the 2 extra ones from my level up. If so, then I have 6 rounds left). I'm fatigued for 22 rounds. And I have 1 use of Destined Strike left.

Also, I have something fun planned for the 'hallucination'. It's for RP purposes.

I actually went through the posts and counted by hand the hp you had left. But I have no opposition to some hallucinatory RP. :D

Kwava rushes over to Mutt and begins to bandage up the bloodrager.

"Thaddeus, I have much rope in my pack. Use that."

Kwava takes 10.

Kwava prevents Mutt from bleeding out. As Kwava works, eveyrone gets a better grasp of the situation. Bodies are everywhere with Saul's expensive mercenaries slaughtered to a man with the lone exception of Twitches. The comfortable apartments you've spent so much time in are drenched in blood.

Thaddeus starts exploring the upstairs area thoroughly as Michal orders the bouncers to tie up Twitches and keep an eye on him. The following are found on the bodies, on Saul, and in the area:

- Three small black vials
- Leather armor, which radiates as magic
- A rapier, which radiates as magic
- A ruby earring which looks expensive
- A gigantic key
- A belt pouch containing 25 gold
- Six longswords, heavy steel shields, and suits of chainmail
- 120 gold between the bouncers

It does not look like Saul has destroyed any evidence, or kept anything up here of note aside from the cooked accounting documents that Bofur found. The last area of the goblin that hasn't been explored since your return is the octahedron below.

The wind rustles the needles on the pine trees that hug the side of the mountain. Bofur watches in admiration as a bird of prey spreads its massive wings and dives elegantly downward, only to rise with a rabbit crushed within its talons. The sun reflects off the river meandering through the valley below. Then his attention returns to the task at hand; tracking his elder brother, who has gone off with friends in search of adventure and may not return for days.

I actually went through the posts and counted by hand the hp you had left. But I have no opposition to some hallucinatory RP. :D

Thank you for that. I thought that the 2 hp was after the bloodrage. If that was a mistake, I'm sorry. I appreciate you taking the time to go through all of the posts and counting my hp.

As Mutt continues to bleed, the figure becomes clearer. It's Skyr, the Shoanti brave from the fighting pits of Kaer Maga. Skyr looks at Mutt and smiles. "Mutt. It's good to see you. What are you doing lying on the ground? It's not your time yet." He holds out his hand for Mutt to take. Mutt's shocked to see him. He takes Skyr's hand and feels some sort of power. Skyr continues. "You have to meet your great destiny." Mutt feels greater power, some force tied to his rage flowing through him. His skin feels stronger. His body feels more resilient. He does feel... something else. Something that he can't explain. A faint, almost mystical power. This power seems to call to him, as if begging to be released, like the seductive whisper of a woman. However, for whatever reason, Mutt knows he can't utilize it.

It's at this point that Kwava stabilizes Mutt. The vision ends and leads to dreamless unconsciousness.

And that's how I'm explaining the new abilities from the level up; as well as Mutt beginning to feel the beginnings of magic in his veins.

Been sick and busy at work at the same time, so no creativity this morning. Variel will help search, assume he's his usual annoying self. ;-)

With Mutt and Bofur taken care of, Kwava procures two potions, pouring them into each of their mouths in turn.

CLW Bofur: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW Mutt: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Both men blink their eyes, coming to in the splatterfest that is the results of this combat.

The group continue searching the top and main floors, now with full unfettered access to the goblin thanks to some keys on Saul's body.

- In the night vault in the counting room is the deed to the Gold Goblin. Of note, the deed does NOT grant ownership of any smugglers' tunnels that might exist below the property. In the finders keepers law of Riddleport, possession of the deed confers ownership.

- The records in the record room, with closer inspection, show that most of the profits from the Goblin have been funneled to someone indicated only as "D.A.".

Okay, just to clear up the confusion, how much hp do I have at this point?

Mutt gasps as he's healed. He looks around, trying to take in his surroundings. He stands with the aid of the bouncers. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Thank you." When he's informed that Kwava gave him a healing potion, Mutt looks at the elf and nods. "Thank you, Kwava." He notices something odd. There are light trails of smoke coming from his forearms and they seem to be getting warm. He simply wipes his forearms with his hands and on his pants. However, the faint smoke trails are still there. He mentally shrugs, not thinking much of it.

Mutt decides to help search the Goblin. As he moves, very light sparks of lightning come from his feet. They don't do any damage, but it's still rather odd.

When the team finds the deed, Mutt grins. "The Goblin is ours now!" His excitement is a bit duller due to his slight heavy breathing.

Again, I'm fatigued for the equivalent of 22 rounds.

Knowledge (local) (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 3

Mutt really doesn't know about the smugglers' tunnels.

When they discover the transfers, Mutt frowns. "Who's this D.A. person? And why was Saul giving them the Goblin's profits? All while claiming that the Goblin wasn't doing well?!"

You're at 9. You were technically in positive hp, but we're keeping the dream state :D

Kwava steps over the bodies, looking around with a frown.

"This D.A. may be the renegade elf I have been looking for. Someone spoke of an arena in the basement, let us investigate there. I have done as promised and helped you remove Saul, now it is your turn to assist me."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"Dere's smuggler's tunnels under here? Weird a deed would specify 'dose."

"Nice we got th'casion, Ah guess. Cain't say Ah've ever run a business 'fore. Guess we'll just have t'see how it goes."

"Uhh... Mutt... Any reason you happen t'be glowin' 'dere? An' that lightnin' on yer feet?"

GM call here on if Thaddeus can figure out why Mutt's starting to smoke and spark. I figure a Kn(Arcana) check would be appropriate. Let me know if you'd prefer otherwise.
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"Looks like dat's th'last place we have t'look is down below. Give us a moment, dere, Kwava. Some o' us almost died, give us a chance to catch our breath."

Bofurs eyes open and uncross and he rises unsteadily. "What? Where? Oh, yeah." He looks around at the carnage and smiles in satisfaction at Saul's dismembered body. He figures he's been out for a few minutes, if they've already looted the fallen, which prompts him to examine his own belongings. The proximity of Kwava with an empty phiol tips him off to why he's conscious and he places on hand on the kneeling elf's arm. "Ye have my thanks, ranger."

After Kwava's revelation, Bofur adds, "Bring that big ol' key. I've searched the upstairs pretty thoroughly and I didn't find no locks that size. If there is one, it's hidden below where I haven't looked. Shame Saul won't be tellin' us his secrets now, traitorous scum. Speakin' of below, did that bastard Bojask fall in the fight? I didn't see him."

He rises, checks that his weapons are in working order, and polishes his brother's axe. "Torag's nutsack! What happened to ye, Mutt? Ye've got static something fierce!"

Mutt looks at the gathered loot from all of the bodies. He gives two heavy steel shields and two sets of chainmail to Sam and Zhen. When he looks at the leather armor and rapier, he asks, "These have magic. What magic do they have?"

Did we sell the rest of the loot from the previous raid?

When Kwava shares his thoughts on D.A., Mutt narrows his eyes and snorts. Obviously, he's not happy.

When Bofur asks about Bojask, Mutt shakes his head. "I haven't seen him. If I did, then he'd be dead."

When Thaddeus asks about the purple glow, Mutt raises his brow. "What? It's something that helps me when I really want to hit something. Don't you glow when you really want to hit something?"

When Thaddeus and Bofur ask about the smoking and the sparks, Mutt is a tad shocked about the electricity coming from his fight. "I don't know! It's just happening!" He glares at Saul's corpse and proceeds to kick it, electricity coming out at every kick. "What did you do to me?!" Deep inside, however, Mutt may be beginning to realize that it probably wasn't Saul. At this point, there appears to be a bit more electricity at his feet. His forearms are starting to get warmer and there's a bit more smoke and, if one were to look close enough, a tiny orange glow on some parts of his arms. It looks similar to the faintest embers of a dying fire. If Mutt can feel the flames, then he shows no signs of pain or discomfort.

As the activity dies down, Variel assesses the damage. "I'm not sure if we will care to continue the business, but if not we'll need to do some cleaning before we can sell it. Regardless, I believe the outcome is acceptable."

While inspecting Saul's belongings, Variel speaks a word of incanation. His eyes glow as he studies everything for magical auras. Spellcraft is +5, feel free to roll for me since I don't know how many there are.

When Kwaava asks about the basement, Variel nods. "Let us examine the lower levels."

When the group begins to move, Variel takes a moment to catch his breath, and observes everyone.

Under pretext of resting before hefting the shield again, Variel takes a moment to use his detect alignment SLA on Kwaava. I should have done this a long time ago, but forgot I had it. First time with an inquisitor and all. ;-)

Also, are we using our shiny new 3rd level stats now? If so, Variel has a new spell slot he can use for one more heal if anyone needs.

Fiona staggers up the stairs, covered in imp blood.

"...huh. I missed the deathblow? Disappointing." She sighs, wobbling from two injuries inflicted by Old Scratch.

Rapier: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Armour: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Armour, Thaddeus trying: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

The rapier is a +1 rapier, the armour is leather armour +1.

Leaving the mound of bodies up top, and Mutt's men to guard Twitches, the group descend into the octahedron below to investigate, using the nearest entrance which is through the wine cellar. As you pass through, a strange funk fills your nostrils.

Stepping out into the sublevel, the group is immediately greeted with the sight of Bojask. The unkempt, snarling man has an enormous, vicious-looking pig at his side and he looks to the group with undisguised contempt.

"My orders were to guard the damn basement and if you're here, it means Saulie lost, don't it? Should have been upstairs, fighting with him. He were a good man to me!"

Spitting to the side.

"How about we make a deal? I gives you some information you won't get with me dead, and you let me walk. I never see any of you bastards again."

Also, you can take advantage of new spell/skill slots and abilities. Although it doesn't fit with the RAW, whatever makes the game more fun.

Pre-Basement

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"I heard from some patrons that the smuggling tunnels under Riddleport are more or less public property--and they go just about everywhere in the city."

Fiona turns to Variel and points out her injuries. "Got these from Old Scratch. I don't suppose you've got something to... help heal me?" She takes a breath and winces.

---------------------
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Fiona sniffs the air and wrinkles her nose. "I swear, I've smelled something like that before..."

"How about we make a deal? I gives you some information you won't get with me dead, and you let me walk. I never see any of you bastards again."

Fiona taps her earthbreaker against the stone floor. "Well... I'm tempted to accept that offer."

Taking 10 to Sense Motive for 23. Is Bojask being honest?

Variel nods at Fiona. "I feel slightly refreshed, I may be able to do one more healing prayer..."
CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

- - - -

With Bojask
Variel listens to Bojask's offer, and tries to asses the man's intentions. Take 10 for 20 Sense Motive.

Pre-Basement

Fiona breathes a sigh of relief as the worst of her wounds heal. "Thanks, Variel."

Variel and Fiona are fairly sure Bojask is being honest. He obviously would prefer to murder you all, but doesn't have much of a hope of doing that.

GM, any input on my Knowledge(Arcana) check in my last post to determine why Mutt is glowing and energized like that? Also, Variel did a Detect Alingment on Kwava, what's the results on that?

Also, I'm going to decline the new spell slot. As a prepared caster, it doesn't quite make sense in my mind to suddenly have a spell I didn't prepare.

When Thaddeus asks about the purple glow, Mutt raises his brow. "What? It's something that helps me when I really want to hit something. Don't you glow when you really want to hit something?"

"... No? Leastwise Ah can't recall ever glowin'less Ah was actually castin' somethin'. 'Course, can't say Ah've wanted t'hit things as hard as you likely do..."

Though seeing the muscular ex-gladiator get angry at the newfound energy coursing through him, Thaddeus decides to drop the subject for now.

In the basement

Can't make the check untrained.

"Peeeee-Eeeeeewwww!" Ah've smelled pig barns that're better 'den 'dis!

Thaddeus stays in the back, letting the more charismatic people chat with Bojask.

"Ah'm okay wit'dat, if you guys are."

We're not unreasonable, Bojask. How about ye tell us the kind of information that'll tempt us to let you live? Bofur makes sure the cellar-dweller can see the giant key in his hand which was once Saul's (hand).

Pre-cellar: Bofur would gladly change into the leather armor if no one else wants it. It wouldn't improve his AC but the lower penalty would improve his skills.

Yipes, missing things all over. Thaddeus could make a good educated guess that Mutt may have latent power much like a sorcerer does, which is usually (but not necessarily) related to their ancestry. Variel does not detect any alignment for Kwava, a good sign that he is neutrally-aligned.

Bojask slaps a hand on his giant, angry pig and lets out a long breath between his teeth.

"I know that Saul's key opens, and where he goes when he goes missing. Not much more'n that, but I reckon that's valuable to buy my life. It was valuable enough to end Larur's, and try for yours.

"... No? Leastwise Ah can't recall ever glowin'less Ah was actually castin' somethin'. 'Course, can't say Ah've wanted t'hit things as hard as you likely do..."

Mutt snorts. "Well, maybe you should try. Maybe you'll start glowing outside of your spells as well."

@Variel

Mutt looks at Variel when he voices his doubts about taking the Gold Goblin. "Well, I want to own it. It's only fair. We killed Saul, we get his business."

@Fiona

When Fiona finally arrives, Mutt looks at her. "Yep. I got him. Cut off his head."

In the Basement

Mutt's nose wrinkles at the smell. "Bah! This is disgusting! Probably Saul's fault!" When Bojask arrives and tries to barter for his life, Mutt scowls and feels his anger. The electricity at his feet seems to grow and the smoke from his forearms seems to increase. More orange, glowing, ember like spots appear on his arms (some appearing to have gain faint tiny tongues of flames; though, you're not sure if it's real or just a trick of the eye). He leans to Fiona. "You're not seriously consider letting him go, are you?"

When there's a pause in the conversation, Mutt glares at Bojask. He speaks with an even tone. "Let me ask you this, Bojask... Where. Is. Fetch? And what happened to Larur? I want the answer and details!" His eyes seem to radiate a glow. However, it's not the same glow as before.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Bojask takes a bit of a step back, staring at Mutt's strange arcane power warily.

"Fetch? Oh! Yer dog, yeah he's in the kennels. He's fine. Wouldn't stop whining and so Saul told me to take him but not kill him since the staff were already pissed off with you lot gone and they like the dog. As for Larur, he was asking a lot of questions about the books, making Saul uncomfortable. Larur was always smart. So Saul told me to kill him. I went to his flat, killed him, dropped his cloak off at Smeed's so you lot would take care of Saul's debts, and then brought Larur back here for Pigsaw to clean up."

Bojask talks about the act of murder dispassionately.

"So you want a fight, or you want information?"

When Bojask arrives and tries to barter for his life, Mutt scowls and feels his anger. The electricity at his feet seems to grow and the smoke from his forearms seems to increase. More orange, glowing, ember like spots appear on his arms (some appearing to have gain faint tiny tongues of flames; though, you're not sure if it's real or just a trick of the eye).

Thaddeus ends up taking his focus off Bojask, looking intently at Mutt, mentally running through what little he knows of magic, trying to catalogue this strange expression of power, and making mental notes to refer to later.

He still keeps an ear open to what Bojask is saying, though.

"As for Larur, he was asking a lot of questions about the books, making Saul uncomfortable. Larur was always smart. So Saul told me to kill him. I went to his flat, killed him, dropped his cloak off at Smeed's so you lot would take care of Saul's debts, and then brought Larur back here for Pigsaw to clean up."

Thaddeus loses interest in Mutt to look at Bojask, eyes widening in surprise at the blasé confession of murder. He then throws his hands up in the air and rolls his eyes, and takes a step back from Mutt.

He also readies an action. If combat is about to break out, he casts a spell.

"Where'd the boss go in the tunnels, Bojask? What was he doin' there?"

Bofur has a suspicion Bojask isn't going to cough up the info, so he keeps his crossbow at hand.

Bojask looks over the group dully. Although vicious, sneaky, and remorseless, BOjask was never that good at reading a room.

"Sounds like I've got my deal, fine. Saul's key opens up a hidden trap door in the middle of the octahedron. He ain't told me what goes on down there, but stinks to high heaven. Meeting with some woman named Depora. I dunno anything beyond that. Now let me past!"

Kwava's eyes light up at Bojask's comments, but he remains silent, watching the group for their response.

Bofur raises his crossbow, anxious to bury a bolt in the scoundrel's eye socket. "Not so fast, scumbucket. Ye're life ain't worth much, but I think it's worth a wee more than that. If ye knew who he was meetin', ye knew why he was givin' this Depora all that money. Enough money to drive the casino nearly out of business. And I bet ye know what the stink's about, don't ye? Stink seems like somethin' right up ye're alley."

While he's at it, Bofur tries to identify whether the stench is related to an animal or plant and if so, what.
Knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
For some reason, he suspects the culprit is rotting popcorn.

Variel lets Bofur lead the questioning, but holds his whip ready and looks menacingly at Bojask.

Ready to attack when hostilities break out. Variel has accepted Bojask's confession and is ready to sentence, but is allowing him to provide any further useful information first.

Bojask holds up his hands, shaking his head.

"I don't know or care about that s+!$. Saul met with Depora, and arranged some stuff with her but I was kept out. The only other thing he did I wasn't privy to was arranging some shipments to some island. I never cared about the Goblin's profits, so long as I got paid, see? I'm good at my job. I don't ask questions."

Fiona listens carefully before turning to the others. "I'm still for letting him go on his way."

"I always wondered what the elders meant when they said someone was too dangerous to let live." Bofur says and he lets the bolt fly at Bojask.

Atk: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24 dmg: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9