Sean's Master of the Fallen Fortress (Inactive)

Game Master osuracnaes

"By all means Filios."

" Go ahead Filios, whatevers inside might clue us in on their intent."

Jareth moves beside the door with weapons ready. Hoping to cover the door should anyone come through.

Filios opens the chest and begins to examine the contents.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I just didn't want to waste my spell. I'd say wait on the chest for now.

Hey, a key. I'll go ahead and cast Shield, and try the key on the door.

Beckett, if you did not want me in the chest, I gave you an opportunity to stop me in character. Asking me not to after the fact, out of character is not going to cut it. I am, after all, a rogue. That ship has sailed. Sorry.

I don't care about the chest, I don't want to waste the buff, and asking and then doing before a responce, (not that I care) isn't really asking.

Jeeeeez...c'mon Beckett, lighten up. I did wait almost two hours before acting again. I apologize for my PC not taking into account your various caster slots. That is just not realistic. If you have anything further on this topic, please take it to the discussion thread so as not to bore the others.

I'm not angry (?), just explaining.

As Filios examines the contents of the chest, Beckett casts a spell and opens the door.

The chest contains a suit of studded leather, buckler, and rapier, all masterwork quality, as well as a shortbow with 15 arrows. Judging by their condition (and lack of smell), they weren't used by troglodytes. Two pieces of paper covered with strange writings are rolled up to one side along with a compass-like object made of silver with gold accents.

As Beckett opens the wooden door, his light spell illuminates a small room. A figure in filthy clothes sits on the floor against the far wall, squinting his eyes against the light. His hands are behind his back, and you can make out a glint of metal around his wrists. His face is bruised, and spots of blood dot his clothing. He speaks in Draconic, his voice is raspy and faint.

Humanoid? I'm guessing a trap. . .

Hey, we got a live one here.

Oops... forgot to mention that he's a human. :P

On hearing Beckett's words, the man peers at you through squinted eyes, blinking as he becomes more accustomed to the light. He speaks again, this time using a language everyone can understand.

"You're... you're not Tulok... who are you? Did the Society send you? Oh gods, please help me..."

"Who are you? Clearly you're not one of these filthy Trogs, or we would smell you from here."

Not so sure about that last part. brushing away a little of the air from around is nose. How is it that you know their language, friend?, as I step in to try and release him, still know it's a trap.

As the human grows used to the light, he manages to keep his eyes open longer to view his would-be rescuers. "I'm... my name is Balenar. Balenar Forsend... a Pathfinder. I came here just looking to make a name for myself and found it crawling with the filthy creatures." He looks up at Beckett as the cleric approaches, "Just happened to study Draconic awhile back... probably saved my life here. They probably would have killed me right away otherwise. Instead, their leader wanted to save me to sacrifice to some dark god. Please... I beg you, get me out of here! I don't know how many days it's been since I left the city..."

You notice that the key you found on the large troglodyte matches the manacles that bind Balenar's hands.

Quartes smirks. Sounds familiar.. He circles around to the side of the seated man, watching warily for danger as Beckett attempts to release him. If it makes any difference, when he was speaking draconic he was speaking to us as if we were his captors, and he claimed that he was sent here to investigate.

Perception to watch for any foolery.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

His expression shifting from relief to worry as he picks up on the connotations of Quartes's statement, Balenar nods at the spellblade, "I was sent here... just not by the Venture-Captain. There are many factions of Pathfinders, each with their own leader... that's who sent me. I thought I'd come here on my own instead of in a group as is normal to prove myself, but... well, you see where it got me. I'd just about lost hope, but with you here I might actually see my home again, thank the gods..."

Filios stares down the alleged Pathfinder.

Might these items belong to you?

He holds up the armor and buckler.

I'm guessing my spell had 9 rounds left and Quartes's has maybe 4.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

and I'll try the key to release him.

There was a climber's kit in the chest too... forgot to mention that.

The human smiles as Filios holds up the items, "Aye, once the bastards surrounded me they took everything I had. Should have been some other items as well... my rapier and shortbow, couple scrolls, some climbing tools, and my wayfinder, of course. I'd be grateful for their return, though I already owe you my life for saving me. With my gear I could help you guys clear out the rest of this stinking tower, though if you made it this far I imagine you've already slain most of the troglodytes. Tasskar's up top, though... please tell me you haven't killed him yet. I want to see him pay. I'm a little worse for wear, but I can hold my own. Know a spell or two, and I'm quite the actor back home."

The key fits the manacles, and they come free as you unlock them. Balenar rubs his wrists, thankful to finally be free of his bindings.

"What can you tell us about this Tasskar? Any idea why he would have brought Troglodytes this close to Absalom?"

Aye, Balenar, the remainder of your items are in a chest in the other room. I will get them for you, then we can be after Tasskar.

"From what I could piece together, they managed to find a way in here from their underground caves after the earthquake but the stairs back down collapsed. Tasskar's their leader, and he thinks that some dark god gave the fortress to him so he can take over the surface with his troglodyte army. Crazy, I know, but they're not the brightest things." He slowly rises to his feet and shakily follows Filios into the other room to collect his belongings.

"We've had to kill six Trogs so far, do you have any notion of how many he had with him here?"

"Hm... well Tulok was the one that usually beat me," he points to the dead troglodyte with Noran's arrow buried in its neck, "and I know there were at least three others, though not how many exactly. I do know that Tasskar keeps a few animals... he's got a white crocodile that follows him everywhere, plus I heard the other troglodytes talking about a frog and some shocking lizard."

Sounds like we have a great deal of work left.

Quartes nods. Also sums up much of what we've been through. Does Tasskar use any magic, or do the other just follow him because he's a brute?

He leans in to Beckett, after seeing him visually appraise the man while he undid his shackles. Well...what do you think? I don't like an unknown sword at my back; can we trust him?

He seems to be tlling the truth and not influenced by magic that alter his will. I don't trust him though.

"Well, I'm happy to fight with him, but we certainly have enough pathfinders already that if you two aren't comfortable with the idea, we can just send him on his way and finish searching this tower ourselves. Either way, we have already made a lot of noise fighting the other Troglodytes, so we need to either continue with him now, or send him on his way and find this Tasskar ourselves."

I agree, Noran. we need to move, with or without our new friend. let's decide quickly. It makes no difference to me.

Filios walks to the door, and he prepares to ascend when everyone has made a decision.

Quartes gives Balenar a wary look, and motions for him to proceed. I'm sure you'll understand my hesitation; but, I'll have you in front of me and not at my back.. He keeps the former prisoner in front of him as he moves to follow Filios.

Noran makes a point of handing Balenar's weapons to his allies so that they can decide whether he gets them back to use with us or we hold them and send him on his way, then while they are making the decision helps Balenar into his armor and pack.

Quartes hands the arms over to Balenar, though he does so with some trepidation.

Balenar looks back at Quartes, surprised and slightly offended, "No... I'm not sure I understand your hesitation. But very well, I still owe you my thanks for rescuing me, and I'll walk wherever you wish."

He turns to the rest of you, "If we're to fight this Tasskar, it's best if everyone were free if injury. I know some healing magic, if anyone is wounded. I'll need some myself..." He looks back at Quartes again. "If that's OK with you?" he asks in a snarky tone.

ha ha ha

I can bring the healing rain, too, but I am nearly tapped out.

Also going to assume that my spells are gone by the next fight, meaning all of my buffs where completely wasted. :(

The pathfinders have a poor reputation, friend, and honestly, I agree, it is wise to be weary of betrayel in strangers. Don't take it personal. We did unbind you, yes? That means at least we trust ya enough to for that, and enough to give ya the chance ta prove yourself, sir.

Quartes snorts and offers a smirk in return. He only nods his head at the man, and bows his head in thanks at Beckett's attempt to salvage the situation. If there's anything that Iearned from my bastard of a father, it's to watch who you trust.

Balenar responds to Beckett with a nod, "Fair enough. I suppose it's wise to be cautious."

He casts a spell...

... and a warm glow surrounds him. As his bruises fade away, he nods once more. "So... to Tasskar?"

Yes...let's head up!

Filios draws his Curveblade and heads up the stairs.

Everyone is following Filios?

Sure..we can finish clearing what we're skipping afterwards.

Sure am

Okie doke!

As Filios leads the charge up the winding staircase, it becomes apparent that the uppermost floor is unlike the others. A faint, natural light comes from above, and you can tell that the stairway leads to an open room, as opposed to the smaller rooms below. Before you reach the top, you can also see that the ceiling is slightly higher than the previous floors... about 20' above where the stairs end, as opposed to 15'.

It's pretty clear that you're headed to the BBEG encounter, so let me know your marching order up the stairs. I updated the map (here) with some boxes that represent the stairs up to the 5th floor. In combat, moving up or down costs 5' of movement. I'll say 2 people can share the same vertical location. Balenar prefers to be at the back to support you, but will go where you'd like. Hopefully that's all not too confusing. :P

Quartes would stay towards the back, near Balenar. I moved him, but for some reason his icon gets buried underneath the square when I do so, so I moved him back.

Quartes waits for the others to funnel into the stairs ahead of him, then he follows, keeping close to the newest addition to their team.

Noran follows Filios, intending to break wide to one side away from Tasskar for clear shots when we clear the door.

I ordered the white boxes to the back so now people's icons should be in front of them when they place themselves.

I'm good...let's do this!

I'll take the lead beside Filios, I guess.

Ok - so Filios in front, then Noran/Beckett, Balenar/Jareth, and finally Quartes. Cue the epic battle music!

Filios is the first to emerge from the staircase.

The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where the spiral staircase you emerged from leads below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest.

Behind the chair you can make out another troglodyte who you can only assume is Tasskar. He looks out of the eastern archway, surveying the lands that will soon be his. Next to the chair is a small crocodile, its skin completely white. It catches sight of you with its pink eyes as you enter the room and hisses a warning to Tasskar. The troglodyte raises a scimitar as he turns towards you, speaking in Draconic.

Initiative
Quartes 21 (1)
Noran 21 (2)
Filios 19
Beckett 17
Balenar 9
Jareth 7
Tasskar 6

Tasskar - HP 32/32; AC 17/11T/16FF; +9F/+3R/+6W
Snapjaw - HP 19/19; AC 20/14T/17FF; +5F/+5R/+2W

Just to be clear, it takes Noran and Beckett 5' to get to where Filios is at the top of the stairs, 10' for Balenar and Jareth, and 15' for Quartes.

Understood

Round 1, Init 17
HP 8/8; AC 16/16T/14FF; +3F/+3R/+6W

Regretting the stink I made about staying close to Balenar...oh well.

Quartes sets to take action, but quickly realizes that the stuffed stairs and the fact that Balenar was still at his side forces him to stay his action until the group clears out ahead of him.

Delay action until after Balenar

You can move through allies' squares (and Balenar counts as an ally at this point), just not end your turn in them. Wasn't sure if you were delaying because of that or to stay with Balenar.

A little bit of both; I'll delay until after Balenar