Atreos anger flares up!
"Curse you goblin! Why wont you just die already???"
"...<insert funny Ray comment>..."
Rive spins his blade to keep the attention of the two enemies on the wall. The orc doesn't seem to pay attention, so Rive forces it to with a mental onslaught (and probably a witty quip!).
PS. Rive's not doing so well hp-wise.
He's now at:
HP 11, Healing Surges 11. Action Point spent.
The Jhorash'tar orc growls and swings its greataxe at Rive but it clangs harmlessly off the wall... and that dirty goblin slides across the floor, dodging combat, and tries once again to pick out Rive's kindeys, but just can't find the hole in his armor.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
none
Thugs == AC: 17, Fort: 15, REF: 14, WILL: 13
Goblin Cutters == AC: 15, Fort: 13, REF: 14, WILL: 13
Orcs == AC: 14, Fort: 16, REF: 12, WILL: 11
-Jhorash'tar Orc Soldiers get to make a free attack when killed.
-The Thugs have a rechargable power, it hits, pushes, and dazes you.
Once they use it, they have to roll each turn to see if they can use it again.
-If the Goblin Cutters get combat advantage on you, they strike twice as hard!
Upright Pillars = block line of sight and provide limited cover.
Fallen Pillars = DIFFICULT TERRAIN: Athletics Check to climb up on (DC 10), and they provide limited cover from ranged attacks.
Stairs = the stairs in the north wall go UP and are DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Rubble = DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Everything else is normal
RED DOTS on enemies indicates Bloodied (Players do not get marked)
PURPLE DOTS are Cog's Curse
ORANGE DOTS are Rive's Mark
Initiative - bold shows who's turn it is
===================================================================
Orc2: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog, Marked by Rive
Gob1: Bloodied! Marked by Rive
Cog: concealed (attackers take a -2 to hit you), +2 to all defenses (from Ethereal Stride, TEoNT), +1 AC (from Aurr)
Aurr
Katsuye
T2: Bloodied! (1 shroud) (used recharge power)
T3: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog
Atreos:
Rive: Bloodied!
===================================================================
I smile wickedly at the Orc (which probably looks worse coming from me), looking pointedly at some of the holes I made in its armor. I signal to Cog and Rive before disappearing and popping up behind the Goblin. (E6)
Shadow Storm on the Goblin
I flick my blade at the Thug in front of Rive, little droplets of goblin blood arcing through the air as the shadows darken around him.
Aurr fumbles with his devices fearing too much for his friend. He does manage to heal him a little...
"You'll only evade me for so long mudborn!" Cog shouts.
Arcane energy flings across the room - missing its targets, but lighting up the room in a brilliant display.
Katsuye finishes off the dirty little goblin, and shadows creep further up one of the thugs' legs.
"Fight on! They're afraid of us! Kill the battlemind and artificer and we've got this won." Vendis's Thugs seem to be reenergized by your recent misses. (). The thug nearest the stairs takes another large piece out of Rive, while the other backs closer to the wall and fires again at Aurr.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Aurr: 7
Rive: 12
Thugs == AC: 17, Fort: 15, REF: 14, WILL: 13
Orcs == AC: 14, Fort: 16, REF: 12, WILL: 11
-Jhorash'tar Orc Soldiers get to make a free attack when killed.
-The Thugs have a rechargable power, it hits, pushes, and dazes you.
Once they use it, they have to roll each turn to see if they can use it again.
Upright Pillars = block line of sight and provide limited cover.
Fallen Pillars = DIFFICULT TERRAIN: Athletics Check to climb up on (DC 10), and they provide limited cover from ranged attacks.
Stairs = the stairs in the north wall go UP and are DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Rubble = DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Everything else is normal
RED DOTS on enemies indicates Bloodied (Players do not get marked)
PURPLE DOTS are Cog's Curse
ORANGE DOTS are Rive's Mark
Initiative - bold shows who's turn it is
===================================================================
Orc2: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog, Marked by Rive
Cog
Aurr
Katsuye
T2: Bloodied! (2 shroud) (used recharge power)
T3: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog
Atreos
Rive: Bloodied! +1 AC (from Aurr)
===================================================================
Rive knows he doesn't have much strength left, so he concentrates on the nearby thug, cutting a deep slash through him.
"...<Funny Rayism>..." (translates to: "Take that evil doer!").
He's now at:
HP 10, Healing Surges 10. Action Point spent.
The Jhorash'tar orc grunts a dismissal of Atreos's lightning ()
"Gar'mak gol'kosh!" it barks out in its language. Then it slides up next to Rive and follows through with its orcish promise... Rive drops to the ground in a bloody mess and the orc chuckles in a throaty animal sound.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Rive: 15 (he only had 10)
Thugs == AC: 17, Fort: 15, REF: 14, WILL: 13
Orcs == AC: 14, Fort: 16, REF: 12, WILL: 11
-Jhorash'tar Orc Soldiers get to make a free attack when killed.
-The Thugs have a rechargable power, it hits, pushes, and dazes you.
Once they use it, they have to roll each turn to see if they can use it again.
Upright Pillars = block line of sight and provide limited cover.
Fallen Pillars = DIFFICULT TERRAIN: Athletics Check to climb up on (DC 10), and they provide limited cover from ranged attacks.
Stairs = the stairs in the north wall go UP and are DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Rubble = DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Everything else is normal
RED DOTS on enemies indicates Bloodied (Players do not get marked)
PURPLE DOTS are Cog's Curse
ORANGE DOTS are Rive's Mark
Initiative - bold shows who's turn it is
===================================================================
Orc2: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog
Cog
Aurr
Katsuye
T2: Bloodied! (2 shrouds) (used recharge power)
T3: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog
Atreos
Rive: DYING! (Failed Death Saves: 0/3)
===================================================================
Eldritch Blast vs. Reflex
Damage
I make several gestures at Atreos (pointing down the hall) and then turn my attention back to the enemy. I growl at the sight of Rive crumpled and bleeding. I darken and reappear on the other side of the Orc, trying to use Cog's distraction to my advantage. It works. With swift movements I am able to slice into the Orc's side before he can defend.
Shadow Step to D4 and Shadow Storm on the Orc
DAM
I look directly at the thug near the stairs and tighten my open fist...the shadows grow darker. (Shroud)
Cog, when you try to move from the orc, he just barely catches you with side of his axe, even despite your halfling reflexes. Cog's Eldritch Blast nearly drops him, but it's Katsuye's khopesh that finishes the orc... or so you think.
The orc roars, shoves his fist in the gaping hole Katsuye made, and howls the only common these orcs seem to know, "VICTORY OR DEATH!". It then tries to cleave into Katsuye with a Savage Surge! The orc misses, but in the end of the exchange he actually looks more revitalized.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Cog: 12hp
"I need healing!" cries Cog.
HP: 6/31 Temp HP: 0/0 Surges: 8/8 AP:1/1 Buffs: None
The orc lets out another throaty chuckle. He doesn't know the words Cog spoke, but he can tell the hint of fear to them and he sees Cog near death...
Hang in there Cog! I will throw this dart right at you and it will heal you!...No really it will help!
"Vendis promised mee...."
Two darts fly across the room, one burries itself in the thug nearest the stairs, he gurgles something in death, and a bright golden light flashes from that dart to the small one stuck in Cog's arm, energizing the warlock halfling.
HP: 6/31 Temp HP: 10/10 Surges: 8/8 AP:1/1 Buffs: None
"You just did me a favor! Now I don't have to share my part of the reward with those others." The last thug continues to fight on -- now that Rive's gone, he figures he just needs to take out your group's healer... He sends another crossbow bolt straight for Aurr's chest.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Aurr: 11 (I've got to think this puts Aurr in a bad way, he's taken a few big hits -- is he dead too?)
Initiative - bold shows who's turn it is
===================================================================
Orc2: Bloodied! (Used surge) Cursed by Cog
Cog
Aurr (dying?!)
Katsuye
T3: Bloodied! Cursed by Cog
Atreos
Rive: DYING! (Failed Death Saves: 1/3)
===================================================================
Current HP 1/31 AP 1/1
I tire of your insolence!
After the first bolt of lightning from Atreos, the remaining Vendis thug begins a standard enemy death speach, "Your group is destined to fail, Vendis has assur- <GAHHH>!!!" The second bolt from Atreos shuts him up for good, leaving him a smoking blackened husk.
.
"Hmphf" The last orc standing just grunts at Atreos's display, licks the end of his axe, steps away from Katsuye, and cleaves Aurr nearly in half. The changeling's true face appears as he slumps to the ground unconscious and dying. The orc grins again with two kills to his name... He looks about for his next target.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Aurr: enough -- Aurr's down!
Orcs == AC: 14, Fort: 16, REF: 12, WILL: 11
-Jhorash'tar Orc Soldiers get to make a free attack when killed.
Upright Pillars = block line of sight and provide limited cover.
Fallen Pillars = DIFFICULT TERRAIN: Athletics Check to climb up on (DC 10), and they provide limited cover from ranged attacks.
Stairs = the stairs in the north wall go UP and are DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Rubble = DIFFICULT TERRAIN.
Everything else is normal
RED DOTS on enemies indicates Bloodied (Players do not get marked)
PURPLE DOTS are Cog's Curse
ORANGE DOTS are Rive's Mark
Initiative - bold shows who's turn it is
===================================================================
Orc2: Bloodied! (used surge) Cursed by Cog
Cog: concealed (attackers take a -2 to hit you)
Aurr: DYING!! (Failed Death Saves: 0/3)
Katsuye
Atreos
Rive: DYING!! (Failed Death Saves: 1/3)
===================================================================
Diplomacy
"Tend to the dying, quick!" cries Cog.
Eldritch Blast vs. Reflex
I shift quietly closer to the Orc, knowing that another well-placed slice could be the difference for the team. I say nothing. My lack of expression never changes, but there is a determination in my movements as I ready...and then a lot of things happen all at once. I watch for the previous opening I made in his armor and this time when I gesture it is at my blade. As it sinks into his side, the shadow haze sucks into the wound turning the spilled blood into a black ooze. If he is still standing it will not be for long.
Shroud, Shadow Storm, Dark Reaping and Shroud dissolution
Katsuye delivers a mortal wound to the orc... it grabs the blade of her khopesh and drives it deeper into its chest so it can get closer to Katsuye. It roars, spit and blood mist from its mouth, and lands a brutal blow with its dying strength.
Total Damage to PLAYERS:
Katsuye: 12
At Cog's request, the greying warrior, Theeb, rushes into the room and helps Rive stablize. Rive is no longer in danger, and will heal with rest. Aurr, still needs to be stablized.
Plans on what to do next?
You can search the room, the new bodies (orc, thug, goblin), the two old bodies in the corner.
You can take a short rest (spend surges). (Someone needs to stablize Aurr, or he just keeps rolling death saves -- Heal Check, DC 15)
Your current goal is:
1) Find Vendis, if possible -- he stole an important journal/ritual book from a fallen Cannith Artificer and he's responsible for the ambush that you just lived through.
2) Get back to Ironholm and collect your reward.
There are two noticable exits from the room. The stairs to the north (that lead up) and the closed doors to the east.
heal
HP: 31/31 Temp HP: 0/0 Surges: 4/8 AP:0/1 Buffs: None
With one arm pressed against my side, I push over the slumped corpse of the orc and look closely at Rive and then Aurr, awkwardly patting each one on the arm before moving off behind one of the broken pillars to attend to my wounds.
I would poke around the corpse(s) by the stairs looking for anything useful and then do a careful search of the stairs to determine whether or not I think someone went that way.
I really can't tell...what do stairs look like right after someone has used them? They just look like stairs to me.
You find that the two bodies in the southeast corner are wearing House Tharashk Finder's Guild crests. Kartus can confirm that one was the guild page sent with Vendis's group and the other must've been his bodyguard. They were clearly executed.
"Lorbask Torrn will not be happy about this. Vendis has made some powerful enemies today."
The Eastern door is locked from this side, and Aurr's natural perceptive nature can tell that the stairs have definitely been used. The stairs go up, and this room appears to have once been an entry foyer, so it makes sense to think that the stairs are the way out. And perhaps the way after Vendis.
Monkey's paw or rabbit's foot, this lucky charm helps you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Lvl 4 +1 840 gp
Neck Slot
Enhancement Bonus: Fortitude, Reflex, and Will
Power Daily (No Action) Trigger: You miss with an attack or fail a skill check, ability check, or saving throw.
Effect: Roll a d6 and add the result to the attack roll, skill check, ability check, or saving throw.
I wait for Cog to gather everything into his pack and the general pause in the group as everyone finishes their tasks. As soon as it seems like everyone is ready, I would head up the stairs...moving quickly.
"Let us get a move on, Vendis may not be far. We can split this up back in town" Cog tells the group.
The stairs lead up to a dusty enterance hall -- although clearly built by dwarves, there is plenty of space for the taller folk in your group. Small alcoves dot the walls where dwarven craftsmenship would've been on display, and you can imagine that at one point this walk must've been inspiring. Nothing of its former glory remains, though -- everything has either been removed by the owners or pillaged long ago.
The hall is clear of danger for the first 40 or 50 feet or so, no trace of magic or traps... there are some tracks in the dusty floor and the hall ends at a single large door - it is locked.
Aurr quickly notes some issues:
1. This is an exterior door or perhaps a door that leads to an exterior gateroom, either way, you should be very close to outside (Cog's halfling senses confirm that he is close to the outside... there's just something in the air that lets him know he is close to the green scrub grass of the Ironroot Mountains).
2. This door has a locking mechanism on *this* side of the door -- the lock is not engaged so the door should open easily, but it doesn't - it feels locked.
3. Both Cog's and Aurr's natural arcane senses tell them the door is locked magically from the outside -- if this is the path that Vendis took, he has sealed the door behind him ().
Arcana Check on the Door
Cog, the door has been sealed with Arcane Lock.
You remember reading something about it in the lead artificer's ritual book (). You're not sure if this is the same ritual from that book, but you think that you can help direct someone (like Katsuye) in openning the Lock ().
One last thing. There's no way to tell if this lock was placed to keep people in (like you guys), or keep things out (like the Jhorash'tar Orcs). But you do know this, Cog, when the lock is broken or bypassed, the creator of the Lock will know it's been openned.
)
Someone will need to stop me if they don't want the door unlocked. I am not about to let some fancy lock keep us from finding that filthy rat.
I pull the tools from my pack, try to memorize Cog's directions and get to work...
Thievery Check
Katsuye's expert theivery is able to piece the Arcane Lock. Cog and Aurr sense a little pop (). The Lock is broken. It's creator (probably Vendis) knows...
The door can be openned.
Alright... assuming you open the door cautiously and proceed forward.
The door opens into a 30x30 enterance/guard room of the dwarven hold you have been traveling in. In front of you is the door to the outside - the actual door has long been destroyed and you can see out into the Ironroot Mountain's foothills. You would guess that it is midmorning sometime, and it is still overcast ().
The room is empty and has been fully looted long ago.
Kartus bursts with excitement, "We're finally clear!!" He takes off for the exit out.
"Katsuye, do you think you can make out any tracks from Vendis?"
perception check
= 19
I follow Cog's direction and walk to the exit. I peer out into the gloom, looking closely just outside of the open doorway to see if I can figure out which way Vendis might have gone.
I turn and look at Cog, shaking my head and shrugging. He obviously wanted a few moments to cover his tracks and he got them.
Cog is easily able to tell that the immediate space outside is clear of enemies.
He's also able to note that there are several tracks that lead from this area. You think you might be able to make out a few "recent" ones. None of you are true woodsmen, but there seems to be four paths.
Two lead off deeper into the foothills and two lead off back to town (Ironholm).
Vendis may have gone back to Ironholm to try and collect his own reward (no one there would know that he double crossed House Tharashk or that he murdered his guild page). Plus, from the town he could buy/steal a mount and be off to Irontown (a large city with its own Lightning Rail and passage to anywhere in Khorvaire).
The paths into the foothills could be made by Vendis or they could be made by the orcs that teamed up with his men ().
You don't have to talk to Kartus, you know his vote -- he wants to report back to Ironholm, as soon as possible... and he thinks that either of the paths that leads to Ironholm would be fine.
The paths into the foothills could be made by Vendis or they could be made by the orcs that teamed up with his men ().
Do you mean that it would be strange for the tracks to be orc-made?
Do we have any idea how many people may have been with Vendis based on who was missing from the large gathering room and who we've killed since then? I am just thinking about the number of paths leading away and what Kat's approach would be.
With one final look towards the hills, I start off in the other direction, moving quickly but not running.