Kings patron - Orlovsky

Game Master Mardavig

It takes a real effort to get a proper handhold on the portcullis, but eventually Gareth is able to wrench the thing up in a feat of unparalleled strength.

The wolf comes over to Natalya as soon as she hauls herself out from beneath the dangerous gate and licks her wounds.

A distant high pitched laughter is heard echoing off the tops of the ruined towers, or perhaps it is the wind playing over loose stones.

Lorald keeps his weapon ready as he strains his senses to pick up the source of the laughter if not wind.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Edit-Don't think my mod will save me this time.

Sadly not, Lorald.

As you all (presumably) enter into the ancient keep from the East you find a central tower, with four smaller towers facing north-east, north-west, south-west and south-east. There also seems to be a sizable break in the curtain wall facing south.

The corner towers each have doors facing the central tower, but the central tower has no entrance facing you. The stonework is overgrown in places with vines and plants. The courtyard, which is perhaps 30 wide, is largely overgrown with bushes and brush, only the area between yourselves and the central tower is relatively clear.

The entire courtyard is difficult terrain, except a 10 by 30 strip between the portcullis and the central tower.

"Perfect spot for an ambush" Gareth says as he looks at the upper works of the castle for archers.

Natalya pushes Wolf off of her and gets to her feet. Incanting dark words under her breath, she passes a hand across herself in a clawing motion.

inflict light wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Her wounds close somewhat, not disappearing but at least ceasing to ooze black, viscous liquid.
That was unpleasant, thank you Gareth.

Looking around at the courtyard layout she grimaces slightly

I agree with your assessment, we should be on our guard. Whoever set off that portcullis no doubt has other surprises in store.

Blade at the ready she slowly advances down the pathway, scanning every step for fear of setting off another trap.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

hp 21/38 Spells/day(1st): 5/6

Perception
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

In a rare instance for the young man, Gareth focuses his attention entirely on searching the area for threats. He is aware of his companions and his position but puts everything but the keep to the margins of his senses.

"I suggest we start with the lesser towers. As I would think both larger and more power creatures would claim the main center tower."

That makes sense Lorald, especially considering we are such a small team.

Natalya growls quietly at Wolf

She continues walking towards the nearest small tower.

Natalya heads towards the northeastern tower. It has fallen into severed disrepair. The northeast tower is open to the sky, its roof and interior levels having fallen away long ago.

Having tripped her way through the difficult terrain she stands in an open doorway, long bereft of it's door, Wolf at her heels. There is an unpleasant odour in the tower, but nothing much of interest besides the remains of rotten beams and tumbledown stones. sun from the clear windy sky blows through the shattered tower.

One thing Garreth notices is that the door to the south east tower is newer than the rest of the keep.

"The door to that tower there is newer than the others. If someone lurks about it would make sense that he uses that tower," Gareth says, while pointing to the southeast tower.

Right you are Gareth, well spotted

Natalya looks over the ruins of the north-east tower one more time, wrinkling her nose, before moving off southwards towards the new door. She takes it slowly, Wolf leading slightly as his enhanced senses would alert them to danger sooner than her own.

Normally I'm a fan of cat and mouse, but today I'd be happier with a stand up fight. Ah well, we make the best of whatever situation we're in eh?

She moves to the new door and asks Wolf to smell who or what may have been here before, and how recently.

Not sure if he can do that but doesn't hurt to ask >.<

Without having set foot in the NE tower Natalya turns towards the SE one. Treading carefully over the difficult terrain she makes her way towards the tower and it's newer door. As she approaches the tower Wolf begins to growl, not a threat, but a warning. Eusebius draws his bow and places an arrow.

Natalya carefully pushes open the door, finding it unlocked and the tower seemingly empty of occupants. The 40ft tall tower no longer has a roof, but a canopy of vines and vegetation render the light inside dim, no hindrance for Natalya.

The vegetation at ground level has been cleared and someone has placed Small-sized furniture here, creating a cozy living space in the 20ft wide tower. The scene might be picturesque were it not for several bloody scalps nailed to the far wall.

"Wonderful. We must arrange to have this chap decorate the halls of the capital once we have established such."

Figured we'd sweep the area for whichever nasty thing it was that was laughing at the portcullis trap before we searched, sorry should have said! Have mentally marked the NE tower to sort through later in case it's been used to stash anything.

Grinning at Gareth's dark comment despite the serious nature of the situation, Natalya eyes the room suspiciously, opening her senses to see and listen for the enemy she is sure is lurking nearby.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Throwing a hand up to the sky, to the moon hidden behind the clouds, she draws down power and wraps herself in a protective dwoemer. Casting Shield of faith, AC now 21 for 3 minutes

She directs Wolf to move through in to the middle of the room, then enters the doorway herself, blade at the ready.

Spells/day(1st): 4/6

Lorald readies to fire on anything hostile. Be it home or some guardian of a vacant master. It seems clear the inhabitant is wicked and not to be underestimated or allowed to live by his reckoning.

Have class tonight so just in case, don't want to hold things up. ;)

What kind of furniture is inside? Is is too small to be used by a human?

Wolf heads into the tower, clearly on edge but sensing no immediate danger.

Natalya notices a small clay pot tucked away unobtrusively on a ledge, perhaps 20 feet up.

A tiny piping voice begins to cackle from within the room. "Welcome to the abatoir little piggies, my knife is ready for your hide!"

At the same time a swirl of multicoloured lights begins to take shape in the courtyard to the west, perhaps 40 feet from the group.

You will all act together in initiative, including our bards should they manage to join us. I'll be able to put up the map in a few hours. Until then, it's up to you.

Hmm, I have excellent vision so if I can't see the enemy it must be using magic, let's remove their advantage then!

Natalya snarls

She then releases a bit of the darkness she usually keeps so well hidden inside.

Obscuring mist in a 20ft area around Natalya, should hopefully encompass the interior of the room

Natalya then strains her ears, waiting to hear the sound of the enemy so she can strike. She mouths a prayer that Wolf's senses will help them locate their foe.

Here is your map.

Feel free to adjust your starting positions as needed. A cloud of hindering billows out from the tower at Natalya's command.

Gentleman?

Where is the bad guy on the map? Was my readied attack wasted?

We can't see anyone, we just know something's there! Hence Natalya's logic that if we can't see the enemy, better to make it mutual to even the odds!

You heard a voice from within the tower, which Natalya points out as being of unknown origin. You saw some sparkly lights appear to the west, and then Natalya summoned a cloud. Every square within 4 spaces of her is obscured by the cloud.

If you want to manoeuvre out of the cloud (difficult terrain) and fire upon the lights feel free.

Here are your sparkly lights.

Guess I hold my readied. I am sure the murdering monster has less patience then I do. ;)

Gareth holds out his free hand before him and mumbles something unintelligible under his breath.

Casts detect magic to scan for aura nearby

Lorald spins about, hiw bow drawn, prepared to perforate any that dare present themselves. Eusebius is doing similarly.

Gareth parts the veil between himself and the magical world, he is instantly surrounded by the shimmering veil of the summoned cloud, making it hard for him to see much else.

Here is the map, with the area of the cloud denoted.

"What's the matter?" calls out the voice, this time from the north. "Afraid of an empty keep? Or perhaps it's not so empty," says the voice before breaking down into historical high pitched laughter.

Your turns again.

Lorald refused to be baited or waste any resources. He waits for his chance while trying to pin down the source.

"Show your ugly face and I'll show you the meaning of fear. Or is that why your hiding, mother was not kind of face ether huh. Use to the dark are you?"

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Really don't want to lose those rolls, that's right even Lorald can talk smack. xP

"Please, Lorald, let's not mention the foulness that was his mother. Such subjects are not worthy of gentlemen."

Come to us, little foeman.

Gentlemen this mist will remain until we have removed the threat, you are possibly best served watching its edges in case the foe tries fleeing

Natalya will follow right behind Wolf, and will strike (blindly if required) in the direction he growls.

Ok, all caught up.

Can you please place me in the little nook in the corner south of the main gate? I would have my bow drawn and ready.

(Back a turn or two) Is there any chance I can use Spellcraft to figure out what those lights are? Perhaps the mysterious voice casted a spell?

To Lorald the obscuring Mist does it's job too well, anything beyond 5 feet is totally concealed. The voice definitely came from the north but it's almost impossible to get a line on it.

Perhaps you gentleman would like to back up your jibes with some intimidation rolls? Perform: Trashtalk?

Wolf launches back out of the tower, snarling, Natalya follows after him. The two head out to the north, swirling figures just beyond Gareth's reach in the mist.

Marlani can absolutely attempt a spellcraft check.

here is you map, Marlani and all.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Such ferocious magic, Marlani cannot discern how it could be caused.

Lorald moves out of the mist as it rendered him useless. Still ready and holding for the appearance of his target.

Perform Trashtalk: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Doubt ether will be useful, for the record Lorald was not threatening. He believes what he says. xP

"Let's just kill this unseen pest so that I can use pieces of it for spell-components."

Intimidate
1d20 ⇒ 2

Gareth and Lorald should form a stage act. It would be a shame to waste such charisma.

You two are bad at this. Gareth and Lorald's threats come off as nothing more than empty posturing.

Which way does Lorald go? North (he cannot see where Natalya went, and she did not announce her intentions). Or West towards where the lights were sighted?

North because the wolf was growling in that direction. He is not going near random lights I can tell you that. No one is going to light themselves up if they are hiding or even near them. Someone who would, would not need the lights to begin with. Btw sense this is becoming a running theme, I suspect fey which I have as favored. Don't forget those bonuses on any rolls I make please. ;)

Edit- Geez where is my head. I GOT A PAIR OF HUNTING DOGS!

Lorald whistles.

"Sai! Roak! Hunt!

Natalya swears loudly

This isn't working too well, so much for drawing out the enemy.

A moment's concentration later, the mist completely fades, revealing Wolf heading northwards with Natalya following him, sword in a guard position.

The moment Natalya drops her mist, a blurring form rushes towards her so quickly you think it is an arrow, she just steps out of the way. As it darts past she sees a tiny elf, in grey clothing, with little antennae slash at her with a small short sword. he lets out a high pitched curse that dopplers away from her just as quickly.

Those with held actions may attempt to attack the creature, after resolving a 20% miss chance (1-20 on d100 misses, anything above hits), owing from it's great speed.

Lorald I shall add your dogs to the map next round, but unless they are your animal companions you need to make Handle Animal checks to command them.

Gareth nearly leaps into a lunging thrust at the blurred foe.

Attack
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Miss Chance
1d100 ⇒ 90

Oh yeah, 14? That cannot possibly be a miss.

Although Gareth spots him the the creature laughs like a loon when he misses.

Presuming it's a free action, now we've gotten a glimpse of the creature Natalya tries to recall if she's seen its like before, and whether it has any weaknesses
knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Wolf snaps at the small creature as it races past

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
slashing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Auto-trip attempt if hits
trip v CMD: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Miss Chance DC 20: 1d100 ⇒ 79

Already rolled for attacks. Gussing he is a fey so +2 atk/dmg on top if so.

Looking is free, but wolf has already used his actions this turn. I realize we've been kind of free forming this round so it might be hard to track, next round we'll be more official.

Natalya recognizes a quickling.

Lorald definitely makes the miss chance, and the for is definitely fey, so make the attack roll.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ah ok thanks Mardavig no worries!

On recognising the creature Natalya shouts

Use Cold Iron! It will be invisible when it stops moving!

I guess those other rolls were for nothing. I bet these are low. T.T

Rapid Deadshot Cold Iron: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 211d10 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Rapid Deadshot Cold Iron 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 231d10 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Edit-Yep called it

Can't ready a rapid shot because it is a full attack action. It hardly matters none of the rolls would have hit. In the future if you ready a roll and I call for you to make that roll later, I'm really just asking you to quote the earlier roll so I don't have go back and find it.

The little bastard zips off after attempting a strike at Natalya, he delayed a spring attack until after Natalya, attacked her and then ran away to the north west around the tower.

Round Three, you guys are up. Lorald's hounds appear at the entrance to the courtyard, ready to command. Euisebius knocks an arrow (he failed his miss chance)

Here is the current map, misty cloud gone.

Realising that with the quickling's speed, and the party having nothing to either slow him down or entangle him, her options are limited, Natalya concentrates and prepares a spell for when he next appears.

Readied action to cast burning disarm on him the next time I get a chance. This will do fire: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9 damage to him unless he makes a DC 14 reflex save to drop his weapon.

Wolf will ready his jaws to snap as the quickling comes past

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Shameful Wolf! *sigh*

Spells/day(1st): 3/6 SLA 2/3

Marlani has been watching from the corner; she would like to hold her action until she gets a glimpse of this critter, and then cast "Suggestion" on it (DC 15).

If successful, her suggestion will be "Come talk to me".

A 29 does not hit? Or do you mean 23?

Why be left out of the 'Readied Action' party?

Gareth calls a spell to his mind and subtly weaves a complex pattern with the fingers of his left hand. At the same time he mutters an incantation under his breath.

Readied action to cast Glitterdust on the little cretin once he gets within 150'. DC 14 Will save to avoid blindness, no save for the sparkly covering effect

Note: Gareth's Glitterdust spell is accompanied by a brief sampling of Maria Carey's song [/i]Glitter[/i], just to be sadistic.