I scramble up the stairs, and weigh my options. What would the advantages be for house del Arionne if the baron were to be slain here...
Knowledge (nobility, untrained)
Uncertainty leads to disruption, and since House del Arionne is currently riding high, it seems more worthwhile to stabilise the baron than hope one of my brothers could secede him. Besides, he seems weak - a strong wife would have no difficulty taking him in hand. Especially if she'd first demonstrated her power, and obligated him to her to boot.
So I think, anyway, as I charge into battle, slashing at the werebear's vulnerable back...
,
,
Kayla slips into the room looking for an opening in her target's defenses, drawing her fist blade, the poisoning sheath coating her blade with huge scorpion venom.
The werebear swings his hammer at Kayla trying to swat her away and tries to claw and bite Cruor.
But he can seem to connect.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the sheriff drops Cimri and quickly drawing a second axes she attack Taissa with two handaxes.
Your go again.
Mercer gives the bartender/werebear the staredown and hits him with an Evil Eye hex (-2 to his saves, 8 round duration, DC:17 Will save to make it a 1 round duration).
Laughing as the large creature's teeth hit nothing but steel, Cruor mocks him. "Come on, this the best you can do?" Reaching for the arcane energy deep in his soul, Cruor brings forth a surge of magic, growing to match to his opponent's height and bulk.
Kayla draws her second blade the poisoning sheath coating that one with another dose of the scorpion venom.
Kayla then tries to get into a flanking position (assuming it is more than a 5' step to flank
Kayla strikes with her second blade
"Damn bear," I snap, slashing at him again...
,
.
She smiles, "Not bad, but let's see how you deal with pain on top of your fear." She steps back and invokes the infernal will.
Patonicus' arms would start to move about in mystical patterns as arcane words of power flowed from his lips. His feet taking him slightly further from the combat at hand.
The werebear attacks Cruor given the chance.
The he attacks Kayla and Appula.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the sheriff attack Taissa with two handaxes.
You can all go again apologies for that long delay.
I thought I rolled it.
Looking back did miss a save for the sheriff
I did her attacks at -2 I think that was correct.
As she nimbly dodges the axes, she strikes in with her mace again. Between knowing her enemy and focusing Asmodeus' wrath, it seems to be a solid hit. "Why do you persist in opposing those superior to you?"
Cruor's spell fizzles. "Fine then. Have it your way, you stinky furball. FACE ME!"
Kayla attempted to dodge the blow but lost her footing and the hit nearly knocked her prone.
can't take that again. she mutters and with a twirl of her blades, a swirl of shadow essence begins to flow from the blades and as the shadowy mist clears there are now four Kayla's moving in unison.
"You rough f&@~er," Appula snaps, "take this! And that!"
Mercer casts Ray of Exhaustion on the bear.
Bear needs a DC:18 Fort save (I think he's at -4 from intimidate and evil eye) or be exhausted (-6 str & dex), if he passes he is fatigued (-2 str & dex).
With a flourish, Patronicus' spell would come to a finish and rather fearsome-looking eagle would come into existence on the opposite side of the werebear from Cruor. As it forms, it starts to strike out with beak and talons that have been imbued with it's fiendish essence.
As the falcon attacks Patronicus would once more start to cast a spell.
The bear warrior exhausted poisoned and surrounded goes down after a barrage of attacks and on her side Taissa manages to bring down the sheriff. The guards and the staff manage to stop the fire although it is discovered that most of the slaves were freed during the attack.
When the battle is over the baron holds out a small cube and presses one of the faces and moves forward.
He has a cube of force
That is what protected him from the werebear.
"About time, this attack was too bold! I expect you to retaliate and finish these rebels at once" he exclaims
"Powerful magic my lord .... you were fortunate to have it on hand when the beast attacked."
"Should we question those we have captured today before we proceed to Fort Estazano?"
Cruor's face hardens in a contemptuous sneer as he wipes blood off his greatsword.
"We would be on our way already, had you managed to put up a half-decent defense without needing us. Watch out that you don't get ambushed again while we're away, or you'll run out of magic tools to hide behind."
He sheathes the weapon and checks the foe's body for valuables.
"I don't see what insight we could get from them. Let's just storm the fort, the sooner, the better."
Taissa takes a moment to heal her wounds and restore Cimri to consciousness.
As Cimri comes around, Taissa will be right there before her. "Your service is not over yet."
After that she will search and bind the sheriff, including checking for magic.
She will then drag the unconscious Sheriff back for proper punishment. Reporting in, she hears the Baron's orders. "It shall be done, My Lord." She will ignore Cruor's comments until the Baron shows offense.
With that she enters a meditative state. She focuses to seek out the information they need.
"Where can the rebels be found?"
"Where are the secret ways into their lair?"
"Who is beloved to the rebel leader?"
"What defenses do the rebels have?"
"Who is most likely to betray the rebels?"
Kayla slips he blades into their respective sheaths. and she tries to bind the claws scrapes across her shoulder.
looking to Taissa as she does healing magic. a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
a little embarrassed to ask, Kayls motions to her own wounds you, ahh, got anything left? she asks timidly.
"Where can the rebels be found?"
-In the woods they have taken over the old fortress
"Where are the secret ways into their lair?"
-no information available on this
"Who is beloved to the rebel leader?"
-Nothing learned here.
"What defenses do the rebels have?"
-word is they have an angel with them also elves have joined their ranks
"Who is most likely to betray the rebels?"
-no useful information learned.
"Over here Kayla...." Mercer gestures as he pulls out his cure light wounds wand.
"I say we move to reconnoiter the fortress and develop a plan for our assault."
Taissa shares the information she has gotten. "I can be quiet, especially when I'm with others."
"Stealth," I say, "is not my strong point."
Well I can go in and scout, I'll report back when I have some info.
she turns to Appula, While I am out, can you stop by that little bake shop by the market and get me one of those fish shaped pastries?
She will turn to the only member of the group smaller than Kayla, "Getting a bird's-eye view would be very valuable. Will you help scout?"
"Craaaaaaw......" Corbie says as he hops from one of Mercer's shoulder to the other, giving Taissa the side-eye.
Well I can go in and scout, I'll report back when I have some info.
she turns to Appula, While I am out, can you stop by that little bake shop by the market and get me one of those fish shaped pastries?
"Anything for my cute little sister!"
"Corbie could overfly the fortress and examine it from height, but the results might not be what you expect for while he is a clever bird, his interests tend to run towards collecting shiny things and in his view, most two-legged beings all look alike." Mercer says.
"We also know that there is a druid of some power allied with the rebels. It is possible that such a spellcaster could recognize that Corbie is not a natural bird."
Leaning against the wall, Cruor yawns theatrically.
Taissa nods to accept the argument, "There is a small amount of risk. However, one does not achieve without striving against challenges. Even a simple pass over could help us prepare for victory."
Mercer will try to convince his familiar to overfly the fortress and relay what he saw when he returns.
Bits of ham, dried fruit, and shiny baubles will be employed as bribes.
"Perfection is as much our enemy as the rebels," I say, "every moment of delay increases the chance they'll catch wind of us and take flight. Let us put them to the sword, take prisoners, and beat the location of their other hideouts from the Sarenrae-worshipping scum."