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"If diplomatic efforts fail, and there is indeed only one captor, I can use the Ancestors power to try to make him fall asleep. However I warn you, it is not always successful and on occasion my enemies have managed the will power to shake off the Ancestor's Hex.
And there's always the chance our evil doer turns out to be one of those accursed elves!"
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Jory knows the Quadrangle pretty well from his time as an initiate. He tries to peer into all of the windows around the building but it seems that the curtains are all drawn making it impossible to discern anything at ground level.
The main hall has one window to the west that is 10 feet off of the ground. Thick ivy vines scale the entire west wall.
Inspecting the doors it seems as if the southern side door and the double doors to the east are both locked.
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Jory takes his silk rope with grapnel and puts it over his shoulder, slings his bow, and with two hands free scales the wall.
Jory tries to open the window if not locked. Lacking any true disarm skills, while on the window he uses his durable, adamantine arrow to open the window if locked. Just as the arrow cleaved through mechanical abominations for him in the past, he knew it was his ultimate lockpick. Typically he fired the arrows through a lock. Now, he was improvising (improvised weapon) to use it as quietly as possible.
Jory plans to hook the grapnel over any ledge to make it simple for others to ascend, and will knot the rope to make it even easier.
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Heccan nods with a bit of a wicked grin. As you wish.
Heccan then approaches Jory and looks to the dwarf as the party approaches the Quadrangle. I have ways of of speaking to you, Master Redcap. Please do not be alarmed should you hear my voice in your head and know that I have not ensorcelled you. Also, while your skill at clandestine operations proceed you, I offer my aid as my powers are able to ensure that no mortal will see you coming.
Once at the Quadrangle, Heccaan stands with the others to await Jory's reconnaissance.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a piece of copper wire)
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets one creature/level
Duration 10 min./level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies. Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check. You point your finger at each creature you want to receive the message. When you whisper, the whispered message is audible to all targeted creatures within range. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal (or a thin sheet of lead), or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks the spell. The message does not have to travel in a straight line. It can circumvent a barrier if there is an open path between you and the subject, and the path's entire length lies within the spell's range. The creatures that receive the message can whisper a reply that you hear. The spell transmits sound, not meaning; it doesn't transcend language barriers. To speak a message, you must mouth the words and whisper.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (an eyelash encased in gum arabic)
Range personal or touch
Target you or a creature or object weighing no more than 100 lbs./level
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless) or Will negates (harmless, object); Spell Resistance yes (harmless) or yes (harmless, object)
The creature or object touched becomes invisible. If the recipient is a creature carrying gear, that vanishes, too. If you cast the spell on someone else, neither you nor your allies can see the subject, unless you can normally see invisible things or you employ magic to do so.
Items dropped or put down by an invisible creature become visible; items picked up disappear if tucked into the clothing or pouches worn by the creature. Light, however, never becomes invisible, although a source of light can become so (thus, the effect is that of a light with no visible source). Any part of an item that the subject carries but that extends more than 10 feet from it becomes visible.
Of course, the subject is not magically silenced, and certain other conditions can render the recipient detectable (such as swimming in water or stepping in a puddle). If a check is required, a stationary invisible creature has a +40 bonus on its Stealth checks. This bonus is reduced to +20 if the creature is moving. The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature. For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe. Exactly who is a foe depends on the invisible character's perceptions. Actions directed at unattended objects do not break the spell. Causing harm indirectly is not an attack. Thus, an invisible being can open doors, talk, eat, climb stairs, summon monsters and have them attack, cut the ropes holding a rope bridge while enemies are on the bridge, remotely trigger traps, open a portcullis to release attack dogs, and so forth. If the subject attacks directly, however, it immediately becomes visible along with all its gear. Spells such as bless that specifically affect allies but not foes are not attacks for this purpose, even when they include foes in their area.
Invisibility can be made permanent (on objects only) with a permanency spell.
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Jory carefully makes his way up the thick vines attached to the western wall where he pries the large window open with a soft pop of the latch.
Standing still for a moment the dwarf peers in to the main hall to see if he was noticed at all.
Inside he sees that there are ten hostages tied and gagged onto a raised stage directly below the dwarf. ALl of the hostages seem to be deeply wounded and barely conscious. A lavishly dressed Aspis agent paces the main hall.
Peering a little closer it looks as if a wire is holding a wine goblet into the air some 10 feet above the group of initiates. The goblet contains a single bead that glows like living fire.
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Jory looks below as he hooks the grappling hook over the window sill and lets the knotted rope reach to the ground. He messages through the magic in his head the situation: Ten wounded hostages with a goblet ready to drop a bead of living fire into their midst and blow them all up!!
Jory also plans to try and pin the goblet to his body and contain any blast himself if things go wrong. He cuts the neck off his filled liter waterskin, planning to get the goblet in the water before it blows his body to pieces if things go south.
Jory concentrates to contact the others through his link of the mind: Bring up the stealthy ones to help, I am trying to disarm this nasty trap!! Anyone got a silence spell!! There is a single agent that could use a little sleepy sleep pacing down the hall.
Jory is quick to see if the hostages note his presence. If they do, he whispers to them to be quiet while invisible. If not, he will attempt to rescue them without their notice, as a bad guy may be lurking in that hostage group. He was naturally suspicious, and that is what he would do, put a wolf among the sheep. He looks for a way to grab the goblet.
Jory had been making an effort to allow the others to affect him with spells, eliminating his natural resistance to magic. He also had to use special concentration to keep the message spell working. He realizes that when the fiery bead goes off, he may be putting his ability to resist magic to the test.
Jory studies the wiry, fiery death trap carefully, suspecting some mechanism to prevent it from being disabled easily.
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Jory studies the situation from the cracked window, ducking his head down each time the initiate makes a pass towards the hostages. Jory believes he can make it down to the stage with little problem.
With the goblet 10 feet off of the ground the dwarf also knows that he will have little issue reaching the goblet. Jory is sure that the only way to disarm this trap would have to be to somehow remove the bead from the goblet without it dropping or alerting the nervous pacing Aspis agent.
The Aspis agent quickly moves over and begins to look at the hostages as he makes a few threats and goes back to listening intently at the eastern set of doors for a few seconds before he returns to pacing.
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Jory prepares to do a jump to the goblet and try to pluck the bead from it as Sabrina uses her magic on the Aspis agent to get him to slumber. With no experience in disarming traps, but being a very wise dwarf, Jory tries to get a feel for how hard the task in front of him is.
Jory's thoughts were plucking the goblet off the wire would be the safer play. With a goblet having a rounded bottom, the fiery bead would be most stable in the goblet, especially if something soft like a bag was placed over the top of it.
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"Well in my past 'occupation' I was good at Disabling mundane locks and traps, though I was never taught the fine arts of magical traps. However let me unlock the door to the south, so our companions can rush in if necessary. Then I can drink a potion to disappear, fly thought the window invisibly, and get close enough to get him to take a nap. But make sure his untimely slumber doesn't trigger the trap."
Take 10 for 26 if possible otherwise:
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Sabrina makes quick work of the door to the south as she returns back over to the west wall with Jory. Digging through her bag she reveals a potion as she quickly turns invisible and slowly flies through the open window so as not to make any noise.
As she gets within distance Sabrina attempts to hex the Aspis Agent and put her to sleep.
The Aspis Agent shakes her head for a moment as she fights it off. As she shakes her head the invisible Sabrina notices that the woman's hair parts slightly revealing a a slightly elongated ear. This woman looks to be human but must be a half-elf.
As she clears her head the Aspis agent rushes over to the bound up Pathfinders and begins screaming at them.
WHICH ONE OF YOU PIGS DID THAT? I WILL HAVE YOUR TONGUE.
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Sabrina's idea is to take out her leeching kit out of her handy haversack, and get the bead into there, put the cap back on, and fly back out the window. She hates to lose her leeches, having grown particularly fond of 'Filbert'. But the leeches are meant to save lives, and they can save many here if the plan succeeds.
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Sabrina does not feel as if the bead will harm her by touching it. With a closer look she realizes that the bead is in fact a single bead from a necklace of fireballs that was set to drop on top of the wounded initiates.
Flying up Sabrina carefully grasps the bead without disturbing the goblet in the slightest. Holding the bead tightly she flies back out the open window as Jory watches the entire spectacle.
Once outside Sabrina gingerly places the bead from the necklace in a safe place so as not to set it off.
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Jory lets the other truss up the Aspis Agent, he wants to stay invisible.
After helping the captives out he smiles at the others. "Thanks for the help. I couldn't do it alone!!"
Jory takes point again, slipping into the shadows. He looks for more challenges in this region before moving on.
He likes the telepathic spell and tries to stay in touch about 100 feet out in front. If it is still on, Jory is thinking about spicy Varisian lamb sandwiches with white cucumber sauce.
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Signaling the rest of the party bursts through the southern door. The Aspis Agent gets a startled look. GET OUT OF HERE OR I WILL KILL THEM ALL!
As the Pathfinders continue to advance on the agent an invisible hand tips the goblet as the Aspis agent smiles and ducks his head. After a moment she peers up as nothing happens. Grimacing she draws her blade but not before Graz, Herodotus and Heccan make quick work of her and free the captive initiates.
The initiates begin to hail the group as heroes and are impressed beyond words as they rush around the dormitory gathering possessions and hand them to Jory. Take whatever you need for your battle against the invaders.
Ambrus Valsin strides up to Sabrina and Jory rendering them an official salute. [b]I cannot thank you enough for saving all of the lives that you have here. I won't hold you up for long as I am sure you are needed elsewhere, but this will not be forgotten.
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Leaving Ambrus Valsin and the initiates to tend to the wounded at the Quadrangle the group heads further south when the beauty of the Grand Lodge’s well-manicured grounds is shattered by the sounds of shouts and screams from panicked initiates, support staff, and visitors. Frightened innocents trip over hedges and stumble through fountains and pools in an effort to get to safety by the most direct means possible, especially when the landscaping otherwise leads them to certain peril.
A large group frantically rushes past. Mixed into their ranks is the military historian Yargos Gill. A pair of large rhinoceros with a shaggy pelt of long brown furn and immense horns on its snout and brow barrel forth and nearly run Yargos into the ground. The man stumbles as he frantically crawls away. Luckily the Rhinoceros take notice of you as they begin to run right for Graz.
Sabrina
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Wholly Rhinoceros
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Graz
Herodotus
Heccan
Jory
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Heccan frowns as the wholly beasts engage the party. His eyes flash red as the subtle sorcerer taps his cursed innate power. He grins evilly as he sizes up the party's foes. Focusing on one of the isolated rhino's, he steps out of their presumed path, making sure he is clear of the expected charge, and speaks in a low guttural language and launches a scalding ray of arcane power toward one of the rhinos.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect one or more rays
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance yes
You blast your enemies with a searing beam of fire. You may fire one ray, plus one additional ray for every four levels beyond 3rd (to a maximum of three rays at 11th level). Each ray requires a ranged touch attack to hit and deals 4d6 points of fire damage. The rays may be fired at the same or different targets, but all rays must be aimed at targets within 30 feet of each other and fired simultaneously.
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Herodotus nods approvingly as the group hassles to another portion of the Northeastern lodge. "I am proud and humbled to be serving alongside you both." he says ponderously to Sabrina, as the first fleeing visitor scrambles by. "I do wish though that good Jory would avoid scampering off ahead. It makes giving..."
"Herodotus?"
"Later Gamin. As I was saying, it makes giving him the praise he is due all that much..."
"Herodotus..."
"Later Gamin, you are being rude. My apologies, Gamin is sometimes..."
"A big creature is charging us and it looks pissed."
At those words our paladin starts putting things together. "Oh. That explains why people are running around me and why my companions..."
"IT'S CHARGING US YOU RETARD! SHOOT IT!!!"
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After rescuing the initiates, Graz is eager to see what else can be set right during the Aspis assault. Moving back to the grounds, he spies the rhinos wreaking havoc and he moves to intervene, but it seems the wooly rhino has him in his sights first.
Graz braces for impact, gritting his teeth has he does so.
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Sabrina blesses the party as the pair of woolly rhinoceros charge through the gardens and hedges. Their heavy hooves trample the flowers into the dirt leaving deep recesses in their place as the pair stampede towards Jory.
The red rhinoceros attempts to gore Jory with it's sharp horned nose.
The red rhinoceros' horn hooks tight into Jory's side as he is caught off guard by the speed of the massive beasts.
It seems the Aspis Agents are letting some beasts loose from the Managerie.
Bless
Sabrina
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Wholly Rhinoceros
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Graz
Herodotus
Heccan
Jory (38/59)
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Seeing the rhinos bear down on poor Jory, Heccan tries to get some distance from the rampaging beasts. Once he feels he is safe from their attacks, Heccan draws upon his innate powers and draws forth a barrier of translucent magical energy about his person.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a piece of cured leather)
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance no
An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of a mage armor spell, providing a +4 armor bonus to AC.
Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Since mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can't bypass it the way they do normal armor.
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Herodotus fires a quick volley of arrows at the charging Rhinoceros. All of his arrows fly within mere inches of the beast as it lowers from a divot in the ground at just the right moment.
Heccan steps away from the rhinos and begins casting addition defenses about himself.
Bless
Sabrina
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Wholly Rhinoceros
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Graz
Herodotus
Heccan
Jory
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"Magnificent Beast, I cannot allow you to harm my companions. May the Ancestors place misfortune upon you!"
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Heccan eyes the situation and observes his fellow party members' actions. He takes a few steps to the north of Herodotus, speaking to the paladin as he does. "While I appreciate your noble efforts to spare the beasts, we, in particular good Master Redcap, cannot spare the time. Please keep your head down, Sir Herodotus and do apologize to your blade for me."
Heccan's eyes flash red once again as he draws upon his dark power. Crying out in that same low toned guttural speech, he throws his hands forward launching a gout of flames at the northern rhino, taking careful aim to keep the cone of fire away from both Herodotus and Jory.
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range 15 ft.
Area cone-shaped burst
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Reflex half; Spell Resistance yes
A cone of searing flame shoots from your fingertips. Any creature in the area of the flames takes 1d4 points of fire damage per caster level (maximum 5d4). Flammable materials burn if the flames touch them. A character can extinguish burning items as a full-round action.
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Graz whips his spiked chain through the air. The metal links whistle as they scrape across the red rhino's thick hide, tearing long lines of flesh.
Only two of Jory's arrows are able to pierce the rhino's skin as Jory did not put enough force behind the remaining two to do any damage as they bounce off as Sabrina glares the blue rhino directly in the eyes.
The rhino takes a small step back as it looks visibly shaken.
The rhino's buck back as they begin to corner Jory and Graz in.
Though the blue rhino is shaken from Sabrina, it's horned nose still finds a soft spot in Jory's defenses as it bites deep into his flesh.
Seeing Jory get wounded Heccan draws upon a dark inner power as he outstretches his hands into open palms. Goutes of flames violently spray forth onto the red rhinoceros.
The flames seem to mostly burn the rhinoceros' woolly fur more than flesh as it protects the beast from the brunt of the damage.
Bless
Sabrina
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Wholly Rhinoceros (red -72)(Blue- Misfortune)
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Graz
Herodotus
Heccan
Jory (38/59)
