Rennick's Unhallowed Waters PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Rennick

The pirate looked askance at the dagger, rain splashing down on his ruddy and flat face. He looks back to Edgar weary as he answer's the first question. "Wat." he replies, "Me name's Wat."

On Edgar's second question his eyes dart away, tongue rolls over teeth and lips and it's easy to tell he seems to be trying to think of what to say before his shoulders slump dejectedly. "Aww wha' th'hell. I'm pro'ly dead as is... I used to be from Westcrown, in Cheliax. I was headin home from th' tavern and spotted a pretty little thing. Young wit' black hair and 'uge knockers... Well I introduced meself and pulled her aside for some er... fun" In spite his predicament he can't help but grin at the insinuation, "turns out she wasn't a fan... Nor was her father. Who I guess was the magistrate."

"One o' the captains gave me a way out. Join 'is crew and sail away, or face the stocks... or worse." At the end of his tale, Wat tips his chin up defiantly, half expecting Edgar to run him through for the tale. And seems to breathe a bit easier when Edgar asks why they were kept alive.

"Heh, Don't think it's cause you're all special. two pretty lasses, some strong backs and a couple o spellcasters. You were saved cause you'd bring in a pretty penny. Part o' the deal made between the Valdemar lad and Cap'n Karraso." He grins a gap toothed smile, "Absalom, Katapesh, the Shackles. There be plenty o' places to sell a man easier than a hog. And a woman even easier than that!"

Emboldened by his fairly humane treatment, the pirate scoffs and throws a head back towards the water at Edgar's next question. "The shore's right there. Try swimmin!" He hoots defiantly!

That's as far as you get without intimidate or bluff checks. Intimidate means Edgar will, to a point at least, go through with what he's saying (Or any other PC, for that matter) also don't forget that from his geography check, Edgar's pretty darn certain you are not on an island.

"Do you know what the penalty is for piracy in Cheliax, Mister Wat?" Eaton speaks up, raising his voice just a touch "It's not clean hanging, or beheading, like in Andoran. It's a rather significant torture before death. I believe the Chelaxian navy spends a few significant spells on their pirates before keel-hauling them. Water-breathing and some form of armor enchantment, if I remember correctly. It wouldn't sound so bad except, you see, spells run out. Incrementally at first. Slow suffocation, dagger sharp barnacles tearing at a man's back bit by bit as they begin to pierce through the armor. It can take hours to die. Screaming. Sucking in lung-fulls of water that keep you just alive enough to try screaming again. Still... could be worse. You could be charged with dereliction. That's what happens when a captain takes you on to commute a sentence of, say rape... And then you leave that captain's duty for piracy. See they cut you open, just a slice. And they summon up a tiny little fiend, an imp, about the size of a large rat. The imp crawls inside your guts and roots around. Makes a nest. While the summoner drops a demon charm on you that causes your flesh to heal back up behind it. It's grizzly. Gruesome. Frankly being ripped to shreds on the hull of the ship is a mercy in comparison. Now... the 'Lord' in front of my name means a bit of something. It means you don't sell me into slavery. It means I can expect to be ransomed fully and that that ransom can be expected to be paid. And most importantly... it means I'm empowered to execute the laws that you've managed to go and break, Mister Wat. So if you've refused to cooperate... well... what will it be, Mister Wat? Dereliction or Piracy? I can't execute you twice without animating your corpse and trapping your spirit in hellish agony for the interim and enslaving your very soul under the unbreakable shackles of undeath. Do you fancy feeling your flesh rotting off while we get ourselves a proper keel to haul you on, Mister Wat...?"

Eaton lifts his fingers, grinding forefinger and thumb together slowly while purple sparks flutter up from that point, his cantrip spell hissing obviously as little flutters of crystal dust scatter from his hand, like grinding lightning from glass.

My luck has to turn around eventually, right? RAW CHARISMA for intimidation! 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 Hope I get a circumstance bonus for masterwork threats. ;p

Not quite expecting that speach from someone who had just moments earlier counseled against torture, Phaedra pales a bit at his very vivid descriptions but keeps silent so as to not ruin their chances at getting the pirate to answer all their questions. Given his earlier talk, I'm assuming that Lord Starse is just bluffing, but my goodness, he is definately convincing. Though if he's not entirely joking and that adherant to the law, it may be best to not admit to anyone I have a warrant on my head.

There is a awkward pause after Eaton finishes his tirade. Edgar digs the knife in a little, making sure the pirate can feel the steel against his neck, but waits to see if Eaton's words have gotten through this sick pirate's head.

I'm not actually sure that should be an intimidate, or a bluff. Eaton has knowledge nobility, which would be the appropriate skill, but as a Taldan he probably isn't all that familiar with the judicial system of Cheliax, considering those country's mutual enmity. I KNOW the bit about being empowered to carry out law is a bluff. That said it was a b*tch'n speech and a good roll, so it makes it this time around for sure. That said keep in mind (especially with physical torture, so specify if your character WILL go through with it (Intimidate) or is lying to scare the man (Bluff)

Wat's eyes grow wider and wider with each word of Eaton's vivid description of Chelaxian law. "I didn't Leave no service!" He all but squeaks, "The cap'n is a pirate! 'e smuggled me out to pirate for 'im!" His mouth clamps shut as he realizes, a moment too late, that those probably weren't the smartest words to say. Yet another sharp crack from Tellar's sticks, brings the pirate back to reality.

"Alright.." he moans pitifully, "The Cap'n went wit' the lordling on 'is ship. Left about a dozen o' us 'ere. Plus the grindylows - but they come and go, I don' know 'ow many there are! The cave goes down to a cove the Cap'n found long time ago. The Sea Dragon's moored there...."

His face full of fear, he glances between everyone, terrified that he's about to die... the smell of urine steaming from his breeches in the cold rain.

Tellar looks silently on at Eaton's words and their effect on the pirate. Perhaps this mainlander isn't as soft as he appears.

Finishing his crude club, Tellar begins to slowly limp towards Sin and the cave. Glancing over his shoulder he nods to the rest of the prisoners and hefts the club to his shoulder. It aint an easy task ahead of us but sooner started, sooner finished.

Eaton blows a great sigh of relief. "Thank you, Mister Wat. You have no idea how glad I am not to have to go through with that. I mean, really, the food alone is enough reason to hate the Chelaxian culture. Now... final point of order. I don't make it a point of leaving enemies alive behind me, especially not in a desperate situation. This is a rule I just now made up, since really... this is about the first -real- desperate situation I've ever been in, but you've mitigated your crimes by helping us out when we've gotten down to the real brass tacks, haven't you? We're not enemies anymore, since I'm offering you clemency, are we Mister Wat?"

The Iron Lord nods to Edgar "Thank you, Mister Arrowni. I don't think knives will be necessary any longer, will they Mister Wat? That will be all. Well done." Eaton purses his lips and puts his hands on his hips. "If anyone has any further questions of Mister Wat, now would be the time...?" Given that no one has any further questions he nods to the pirate and states firmly, if softly "You have an option here, Mister Wat. Another one. Completely in your hands. You won't be shown mercy a third time in your life, I think. You can remain here on the beach for your mates to pick you up, and flee the pirate's life as soon as they put in to port; or you can take your chances with the road. You won't be traveling with us, we can't trust you. Not even at your sworn word. I wouldn't trust Miss Phaedra and Miss Emilia's pretty throats to you in the dark. Not after the treatment you've shown us. And I abhor slavery. I'll have no part of it outside of a magical tool. Either direction, I'll be punching you about the head now. I suggest you lie down and pretend to be unconscious if I haven't done the job quite right, hmmm? I guess you'll be out an hour, at most. You let me know when you're ready."

Phaedra begins to follow Tellar as Eaton finishes up his speech and prepares to punch the pirate. I can't decide whether or not I'm glad or sorry they didn't just kill the pirate. Phaedra muses quietly to herself, "About a dozen or so pirates...I wonder what our chances are at getting past them and out of here safely?"

Edgar lets Eaton do what he said he was going to do.

Once the pirate is unconscious, he speaks to the group.
"Hmm, there ship is here, this could be fortunate. If there is only a dozen, I say we try to take them out and take their ship. If we act quickly and take them by surprise, maybe draw them out into ambushes, I think we can do it. Let's find Sin and try to take these guys out."

A bit surprised by the take their ship suggestion, Phaedra asks: "Are there enough of us to try sailing a ship? This was my first time ever being aboard a ship, I don't know how much use I'll be trying to help sail one."

A bit surprised by the take their ship suggestion, Phaedra asks: "Are there enough of us to try sailing a ship? This was my first time ever being aboard a ship, I don't know how much use I'll be trying to help sail one."

That is a very good question. We probably don't have enough to sail it unless it is a very small boat. Rennik, any idea on what Edgar would know about sailing a ship with 5 or 6 people?

"Hmm, you make a good point Phaedra. If we are able to take the ship, then if we could nurse it to Riddleport we could try to sell it and use the funds to help get us home. Or if the pirates have any treasure we could recruit a crew to properly man the ship. Not sure if Riddleport is the place I'd want to find sailing companions though..."

Making their way up the beach, the group is met by Sin just outside the entrance to the cave. The young ninja presses a finger to his lips. Crouching in the sand he relates in a whisper, "The passage curves into a small cavern with two passages on the other side. Two men play at cards and a third sleeps beside them."

Looking rather uncertain, Phaedra offers: I could try to put them asleep one at a time and hope the other doesn't figure out what's going on until it's too late. I need to be no less than 30 feet from them though, otherwise it won't work. Looking even more uncertain, she continues: If there's no way to get that close without being seen, I suppose I could just tell them that Wat sent me to them. At the very least I'd have their attention even if I should fail to put them to sleep and maybe you can ambush them? I'm sure I can do this. They wouldn't just stand there and let anything bad happen to me.

"Only two awake now. If you were to 'offer them sport' they'd surely wake their companion up. As it stands now, you only have to get one... the other we can rush en mass. Say when, and we're right behind you..." Eaton whispers, tense and ready to spring, his few pathetic cantrips ready and bright in his mind.

"Well, I can try to sneak up on them. When you put one to sleep I will try to take the other one by surprise. Prevent him from screaming. If you can Phaedra, put whichever one is facing me to sleep. I'll take the one with his back to me. Eaton, you can back me up with that acid magic thing if things go south. The rest of you be ready to rush in encase things don't go as planned..."

Unless someone has more to add or to change, Edgar goes along with this plan.

Edgar slowly and quietly tries to make his way to the 3 men, and tries to stay out of sight and in the shadows. As soon as Phaedra puts one to sleep, Edgar jumps out and tried to get the pirate from behind, placing his free hand over his mouth and using the knife to attempt to slit his throat.

Stealth 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Melee: Dagger 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 |Damage1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 |Crit:19/x2
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 6

...sigh

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Phaedra says, "Ok then, here I go."

Unless anyone tries to make a last minute change, Phaedra goes in and attempts to put the pirate facing them to sleep before he has a chance to say anything. dc 15

The cavern is rounded, and about twenty feet in diameter with a ceiling at just over seven feet. Its walls are rough and unfinished, slick from the moist ocean air. Two of the pirates sit on crates with a table fashioned from a barrel and a plank of wood between them and a lantern resting on top of it that casts the light in the room. On the other side of the small room is the third, propped against the inclining wall, snoring away as he seems blissfully unaware of his friends boistrous game. Behind the three, just as Sin had said, were a pair of passages each curving in the opposite direction.

"Ha! My hand again ye cur! pay up before I stick ye like I stuck yer little..." The further of the two stands up in triumph at his latest win, before his eyes curl up into his head and with an "Oooh..." he slumps in a pile to the ground.

"The hells?" his opponent questions, slowly rising - his back still to Emilia's party - as Edgar pads softly towards him, dagger raised for a killing stroke... when the light from the lantern glints off of the blade and dances along the far wall.

His eyes wide in surprise, the pirate reacts in a spin that sends Edgar's blade flashing headlong harmlessly past him. The lad's would-be victim shoving him back enough to draw his own weapon - a one handed axe, "PRISONERS ESCAPIN!" he bellows at the top of his lungs.

The sleeping pirate starts awake, his hand fumbling for the shortsword that lies near him on the ground, just as Sinders rushes past Edgar and dives forward, his small spear driving through the man's chest, turning cries into a bubling gurgle of blood, "Shut him up!" Sin calls back in a harsh whisper.

With a panicked look upon her face, Phaedra quickly attempts to put him to sleep as well. will save dc 15 again

If Edgar acts before the pirate falls asleep...

Edgar quickly attempts to move around to put the pirate between him and Sin and tries another strike at the man.

Melee: Dagger 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 |Damage1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 |Crit:19/x2

If actually flanking...
+2 to hit above
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 3

If the pirate is already asleep, he turns his head to Phaedra and asks. "How long are they out for?"

If they don't have much time, Edgar will try to finish the one in front of him off quickly.

Phaedra shrugs, "Until they wake up or until something wakes them up."

"Acid splash indeed..." Eaton snickers softly, his eyes alight with the thrill of impending combat. He takes a few ragged breaths, and waits for the most opportune moment, only beginning his charge just as Sin does. The arcane energy that pours into his hand is amber, not green, focusing magic into his grip like one crushes a beanbag into it's most compact state in order to sap someone. And that's what he tries to do!

Charging up into the line of fire, the Magus lashes out, striking in an obviously inspired stance made for increasing impact and effectiveness, hoping to down and end the pirate that just avoided Edgar's knife.

Swift Action: 1 Arcane Pool point for melee bonus. Melee: Fist 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 |Damage 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 (+1 arcane, +1 str, +2 charge to hit) ... *facepalm* Apparently, cannot fight in combat.

Some of that lovely moisture from the sea air has collected in a few damp patches and puddles on the floor... one of which is REMARKABLY deep. Eaton goes into it to the ankle and darn near breaks his foot off, staggering forward and ending up bent over in front of the pirate as if asking to have his head cut off... ((Stupid -2 AC...))

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Edgar Listens to see if anyone is coming after the pirate's yell. If there is no noise he turn to the others.

"Now what? I don't like the idea of them waking up and flanking us from behind..."

If Edgar hears obvious signs of reinforcments he will finish them off before they arrive.

Regardless Edgar will sift through thepirates gear, looking for anything useful.

I never said they were dead yet. Please see the discussion thread

Replace the previous post with the following:

Perception 16 (from above)

Edgar is listening for any signs that more pirates are coming to answer to the pirate's yell. If he hears reinforcements while doing the below actions, he stops whatever he is doing or saying and says "-S@$~, We don't have any time..." And then starts to finish the sleeping pirates off. Until then he does the following:

Edgar abandons killing them off, for the moment...

Edgar kneels down and picks up the axe and offers it to Eaton or whomever wishes to use it. Assuming it fell from the pirate's grip when he fell asleep.

"Now what? I don't like the idea of them waking up and taking us from behind... Should...Should we finish them off?" Edgar asks everyone, but looking at Eaton when mentioning to do them in.

If Edgar hears Reinforcements:
Coup de Grace (dagger) Automatic Hit |Damage2d4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + (5) + 2 = 11 |DC: 21 Fort Vs Death {1d6 sneak attack

Does that make a little bit more sense?

Eaton nods a quick affirmative! There's a big difference between incapacitating a foe and then taking advantage of the situation, and abusing a prisoner by prying up his fingernails for information. "Quick and quiet, Mister Arrowni."

Give the weapons to people who are less likely to hit with their bare hands. Eaton can always use a club or the final cast-off. Once everyone is armed with appropriate sized weaponry, the fellow who studied bare-handed fighting can upgrade to a blade.

As much as I hate the idea of killing someone who is now helpless, I wouldn't want to leave them able to come after us and capture us again. They might not be as "nice" a second time. Now let's see if I can find a dagger and make this dress a bit easier to run in. I can always mend it again later. Phaedra searches for a dagger or knife and will use whatever she finds to put a long slit down her skirt, starting at about mid-thigh.

If the pirates are finished off without incident, she will then ask; "Do we let Sin keep scouting a head a bit and slowly follow him thought the tunnel now?"

Edgar does it, as much as he really doesn't want too. and then goes over and finishes off the other one as well. (Assuming the 1st is dead.)

Coup de Grace: Dagger |Damage2d4 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + (5) + 2 = 10 |DC: 21 Fort Vs Death {1d6 sneak attack

Once they are all dead, Edgar relives the pirates of anything useful... like weapon and armor and such.

The one handed axe is a handaxe correct?

With their foes incapacitated, the party quickly sets to the gruesome task of finishing them for good and stripping them of anything of use. There weapons are obvious, the handaxe and shortsword, as well as a dagger wielded by the third pirate that Sin killed. Only one of the three - the last one that Phaedra managed to put to sleep - is armored in a set of ruddy and worn looking leather armor.

Breathing heavily, Emilia hefts her chosen weapon, gripping it tight enough to make her knuckles go white, and asks "Now which way?"

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Edgar whispers to everyone, "We've got company! Their coming from the right! get ready!"

Edgar sets down the axe and quickly snags the short sword, holding a weapon in both hands and pressing with his back against the wall, tries to hide near the doorway to hopefully surprise attack whomever enters the room.

Stealth 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Readied Action: Melee: Shortsword 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 |Damage1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 |Crit:19/x2
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 5

Oh foolish bravery, seize not the nerdish heart! Eaton grins over at Edgar and hisses "Get everyone out safely..."

He heads over to the other side of the hallway, standing basically out in the open, and takes up a defensive posture, and the discarded hatchet. Lord Starse doesn't think he can manage the still and silent aspect like the lurking Mister Arrowni can, but he hopes that shouting at the pirates when they're in sight will possibly give the young navigator his chance to slip in amongst them and put a short blade in someone's side.

Hopefully we have a full round of actions to prepare? Move to pick up the axe, move action to pick up the axe. Move action across the hall, standard action for full defense. If we have a third full round, Eaton can take his standard to shift full defense again, and his move action to assist his allies with a +2 to their stealth by making himself an obvious target? Cross your fingers and pray. Thirty seconds is forever in combat rounds... Once the pirates are in view, a swift action charges the hatchet with obvious arcane energy.

Phaedra presses herself up against a wall, preparing to hex a pirate if needed.

Tellar will step up next to Eaton, club raised in his hand as he looks down the tunnel to the right. May the depths welcome me should I fall.

Initiative

Eaton Starse 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Edgar Arrowni 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Tellar Bronsev 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Phaedra Valerius 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7
Sinders 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Emilia Valdemar 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

1st melee pirate 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
2nd melee pirate 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bowman pirate 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Emilia/Bowman tied, Emilia has higher dex.
Eaton/1st pirate tied with same dex, Eaton's evens, 1d6 ⇒ 5 pirate wins

Initiative Order: Bowman Pirate, 1st pirate, Eaton Starse, Sinders, Edgar, Tellar, Phaedra, 2nd Pirate

All pirates have: AC 15, HP of 11

Moving with a speed brought on by desperation and a sheer will to live, Edgar and Phaedra press themselves to the wall on either side of the passage as the footsteps grow louder, as Eaton and Tellar place themselves in the direct path.

All at once, three more of the pirate scum charges from the gloom. These ones obviously far more ready for combat, each armored with leathers - two with scimitars drawn, the other holding a deadly looking longbow.

Suddenly as if from thin air, a dagger flies between Eaton and Tellar... from behind! As Emilia hefts her dagger, sending it end over end to burry itself deep into the first pirate's side!

1st melee pirate is at 8 hp

while the pirate with the bow cocks an arrow and lets fly, the missile whizzing just inches past Eaton's head!

Phaedra will attempt to put the bowman to sleep on her turn. dc 15

Hopefully, Eaton is ready for that first melee pirate. As the fellow takes a blade to the ribs, the young Magus steps up handily, arcane energy pulsing from the hatchet held in his hands until it is almost lost in the black-orange Halloween glow of his arcane infusion. Once the dagger punctured fellow is in range, the tactical Lord steps up beside him, trying to give Tellar an easy time flanking around the man, and sadly putting himself in better line for the bowman further up the tunnel.

With any luck, this first hatchet job will connect and end the pirate before the skirmish has really begun, giving the former captives an upper hand they desperately need...

One can always hope the diceroller will be kind today... The first melee pirate goes before Eaton, even after the dagger wound, so here's to crossing fingers that Eaton started in full defense, and was the target of the swing, and that it misses! ... Lots of hoping. ;p Step up swing! Swift Action: Arcane Pool down to 2 to infuse hatchet, full attack action: five foot step and swing: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 vs AC:

Hopefully, Eaton is ready for that first melee pirate. As the fellow takes a blade to the ribs, the young Magus steps up handily, arcane energy pulsing from the hatchet held in his hands until it is almost lost in the black-orange Halloween glow of his arcane infusion. Once the dagger punctured fellow is in range, the tactical Lord steps up beside him, trying to give Tellar an easy time flanking around the man, and sadly putting himself in better line for the bowman further up the tunnel.

With any luck, this first hatchet job will connect and end the pirate before the skirmish has really begun, giving the former captives an upper hand they desperately need...

One can always hope the diceroller will be kind today... The first melee pirate goes before Eaton, even after the dagger wound, so here's to crossing fingers that Eaton started in full defense, and was the target of the swing, and that it misses! ... Lots of hoping. ;p Step up swing! Swift Action: Arcane Pool down to 2 to infuse hatchet, full attack action: five foot step and swing: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 vs AC: Hurrah! If 15 hits: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

((Okay, not sure what happened there, but that was NOT a natural 20 the first time. The edit messed up my formatting. It was a 13 + 2 = 15. Guess I knocked my die. -.- ))

The lead pirate steps forward, scimitar flashing toward, onl to be blocked by Eaton's axe. An axe that cracks into the would be attacker's shoulder, sprayin blood as he slumps to the ground.

1st pirate at - 1 (he should have started at 7, not 8)

Tellar lowers his club slightly and reaches out a hand to quickly touch the pirate in front of him. A cold blue light radiates from his palm as the man screams and his skin blackens, frostbite destroying the flesh beneath.

Wintry touch attack: 1d20 ⇒ 13 vs. Touch AC, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 cold damage
Not sure the exact Touch AC but figured a 13 would be close so posted as a hit just in case.

Round 1 | Init 23
F +2 | R +6 | W +1
AC 14 | TAC 14 | FFAC 10 | CMD 15
hp 8 or 11 | Temp 0 | NL 0

Was Edgar ever healed after the 1st fight? or did I forget to mark it on my character sheet? I think he is at 8 hp, but if healed he is at 11, his max.

Edgar throws a dagger from his hiding spot at the pirate engaging teller.

Ranged: dagger, thrown 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 |Damage1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 |Crit:19/x2
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 4

He then takes two steps north, (I will be using compass directions to navigate the map, not actual in game north, I should be next to Eaton and Emilia,) and puts himself between Emelia and the bow...

Round 1

Initiative Order: Bowman Pirate, 1st pirate(Unconscious), Eaton Starse, Sinders, Edgar, Tellar, Phaedra, 2nd Pirate

All pirates have: AC 15,

[ooc]first pirate HP of -1
Second Pirate HP of 2
Third Pirate HP of 11

Slipping between friend and foe alike, Sinders comes up on the last remaining side of the 2nd pirate and deftly flashes his arm up and in, slipping it in between the plates of leather and piercing under his rib, dragging it along the curve of the ribcage to send a glut of blood, and lungs, splashing to the dirt. Without so much as a whimper, the man falls dead.

Seeing his last ally collapse in a pool of blood, the last pirate lowers his shot, looking over his shoulder as if seeking a way to escape - before he collapses to the ground as well, while Phaedra's hands glow with magical aura.

Retrieving her dagger from the first enemy (While giving it a twist to make sure he stays dead) Emilia nods once to the sleeping bowman, Make it quick, strip their gear. We need to be quick about this."

Following Miss Emilia's direction, Phaedra kneels down and begins stripping the gear from the pirate closest to her. Having no experience with armor, she is a bit slow to get his studded leather off.

Edgar quickly finishes off the sleeping one with a slash through his throat...

Coup: Shortsword |Damage3d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 2 = 14 |DC:21 {1d6 Sneak attack

And then helps strip the pirates.

After that is done, he grasps one of the mwk leather armors and dons it.

"Eaton, Teller, Sin, put on some armor! Can anyone use a bow?" He says as he is forcing the leather on.

Slipping up beside Phaedra, Eaton lowers his voice, almost murmering in the dripping cave. "Here... let me help. Look the side right here, this is the primary strap, then up under the arm..." He gives a quick course on removing light armor from a dead body, especially particularly valuable light armor like this stuff, and afterwards... cleans the blood off her hands.

"That actually went well..." Lord Starse says, rising to his feet and slipping the newly cleaned studded leather over his head and swapping out the hand-axe for the scimitar. The handaxe goes onto his belt, as an impromptu ranged weapon, and he smirks at Edgar. "Bit of a conundrum. I am a decent shot with a longbow, but I far prefer to be up close. And that's a composite bow. Anyone not strong enough to string it is going to have an extremely difficult time making the draw and aiming."

Eaton actually looks the proper warrior all dressed up! Even a bit shaggy, even second hand, he fills the armor out well. Just part and parcel of the high charisma gig! Then there's the other parcel... thinking thinking thinking...

"Sin? Let's have a look down this right side, hmm? Take point. See where these fellows came in from." He draws and sheathes his sword a few times, getting the feel of it, and even takes a few stagger-steps to test his fencing and footing in his water-stiffened boots. And maybe to stretch that near-turned ankle. Stupid treacherous footing...

Though a bit startled by Easton slipping up beside her, Phaedra follows his instruction on how to remove the light armor from the pirate's corpse. She looks rather relieved when he cleans off her hands. "Thank you m'lord."

After Eaton dons the armor, Phaedra places her hand on his arm for a brief moment. "Just a moment please, allow me to try mending any damage just done to the armor." Phaedra looks at the armor trying to check for damage and will go ahead and cast mending upon it even if she can't find any just to make sure. She will also cast mending upon both of the other sets of armor. I'd rather not have anyone injured because their armor is in ill-repair. Especially not if I can fix it for them.

Trying not to notice how well Eaton fills out his recently acquired armor, Phaedra will move to follow the group down the right side tunnel. Walking beside Emilia, Phaedra comments to her, "That was a nice throw Miss Emilia." I wonder where she learned she learned to throw a dagger a like that. Wish I were better at using a weapon, guess I'll just have to get better quickly. Also wish lord Starse would make up his mind to either keep being nice or keep being rude. He's making it hard to decide if I either like or hate him and the way he looks isn't helping that decision.

"Ok, lets go." Edgar says, a bit more confident now that he has armor and some weapons on. "They faster we move the better. We have taken out about half of them if "Wat" was telling the truth. Excluding the grindylows, we are halfway there."

Once everyone is ready, we start to make our way down the right path. Any particualr marching order? Edgar doesn't mind going first.

Stealth Rolls

Sin 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Edgar 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Eaton 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Phaedra 1d20 ⇒ 14
Emilia 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

I'm assuming Sin and Edgar have the lead, with the others trailing a few feet behind

Emilia retrieves the dagger from her fallen victim, smiling - somewhat unconvincingly - at Phaedra. "It was more luck than anything. Our uncle insisted that Eredin and I were each trained in the basics of martial training. He was always more adept with a blade then.." her words catch in a choke and she chooses to let the thought hang, taking one of the discarded scimitars and working at one of the suits of leather, she slips it over her head and clothes, buckling straps at the side. A second later she turns her back to Edgar, while looking at him over her shoulder, "Would you mind?"

Pulling her hair over her shoulder, Emilia bares the back of her neck, and a set of straps - loose from the previous owner's bulky frame - that need to be tightened to fit her form.

With those little preparations complete, the group set off down the right passage. curving right and slopping downward, the unfinished hall is lit by crude torches placed at long intervals - each barely casting enough light for a man to see. But as they approach the end, light can be seen.

The passage opens to the top of a large room, easily twenty feet high. Along the wall is a ramp that descends along the wall in a crisscross pattern.

At the bottom is something of a makeshift barracks, in one corner are a number of bedrolls, cots and hammocks. directly below that, is a long table with benches, a cookfire close by with discarded and unwashed pots and crockery. a chalked off square bares the makings of a sword ring and on the other side is a desk piled with papers, scrolls and parchement, a number of crates and chests piled behind it.

And the room is far from empty. Two pirates clad in leathers spar in the spartan sword ring, their drills being overseen by a burly and barechested Half-orc, who yells and curses at them with spittle flying.

While at the desk sits a scrawny Keleshite man in long burgundy robes that are patched with scraps of mismatched color. The hair atop is long and horse like face is pulled back in short corn rows, a pair of half moon spectacles sits on his brow while his quill scratches furtively across a piece of parchment. Squawking loudly in a cage behind him - pecking at the bars in protest - is a black raven.

"Perhaps we should try the other path.." Sin whispers to Edgar, just as his foot slips on a piece of loose rock! The upturned stone tumbles away and out of the hole, clattering noisily over the edge to land on the ground below.

All eyes in the chamber snap up to see the pair, and with a below of rage the Half orc screams, "Get 'em!"

Initiatives

Eaton Starse 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Edgar Arrowni 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Tellar Bronsev 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Phaedra Valerius 1d20 ⇒ 1
Sinders 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Emilia Valdemar 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Human Pirate 1 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Human Pirate 2 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Half Orc Pirate 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Pirate Wizard 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Initiative order: Edgar, Sinders, Tellar, One of the Human Pirates, the second Human pirate, Eaton, The Half Orc, The Mage, and Phaedra.

It takes a full round to move all the way to the main floor of the room (or vice versa)

Like Phaedra and Emilia, Eaton has a *DURRRR* moment when they hear bellowing, and looks over at her in trepidation. That pause costs him a serious moment of initiative, and then he starts running toward the room to back up the rogue-like individuals.

Sadly, most everyone goes before Eaton... Run Iron Magus, run! Action will come after I have a clearer look at what's going on in the room and nearer to my actual turn. :p

Emilia retrieves the dagger from her fallen victim, smiling - somewhat unconvincingly - at Phaedra. "It was more luck than anything. Our uncle insisted that Eredin and I were each trained in the basics of martial training. He was always more adept with a blade then.." her words catch in a choke and she chooses to let the thought hang, taking one of the discarded scimitars and working at one of the suits of leather, she slips it over her head and clothes, buckling straps at the side. A second later she turns her back to Edgar, while looking at him over her shoulder, "Would you mind?"

Pulling her hair over her shoulder, Emilia bares the back of her neck, and a set of straps - loose from the previous owner's bulky frame - that need to be tightened to fit her form.

"Uhh...O-OK..err... No problem!" Edgar jumps to the task blushing a little. As he is tightening the straps his emotions relax a bit. "Don't worry Emilia, We'll get out of here and we will avenge Fredrick. He was an important person in my life too... "

-----

How wide is the passage. Is there a spot we can bottle them up to make it so that we only have to deal with one or two of them at a time?

Them being so far away and us loosing the element of surprise Edgar decided to move to get some sort of tactical advantage in the passage with the others, letting the pirates come to them. [b]"We'll have an advantage if we fight them here in the passage, we'll be surrounded if we meet them head on..."[b] Edgar says to Sin.

If we are within 30ft of the baddies, Edgar will lob his knife at one of them, preferably the mage, followed by the half orc. If they are all too far away, Edgar will delay his action until someone gets within melee range

Ranged: Dagger 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 |Damage1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 |Crit:19/x2
Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 1

...flatfooted, that might actually hit...?

Tellar slowly moves forward, his gait slow and measured. As he does, his eyes flash a sudden deep blue and the air suddenly goes cold, the heat sucked from the surrounding area. The moisture suddenly begins to freeze around him, layers of ice clinging to his skin and clothes until solid plates of ice cover his chest, arms and legs. Hefting his club, Tellar awaited the pirates attack.

Move action to move 20ft towards the pirates. Standard action to activate Ice Armor ability, lasts for 1 hr.

On her turn, Phaedra will move up if necessary to see the pirates and will then pick one to cast sleep upon. If any are using a ranged weapon she will pick that one, if not then the mage, if the mage is dead by her turn then she will pick the half-orc.