Azzra'el casts shocking grasp and takes a 5' step forward.
Calas waited as he listened to the falling foot steps of the enemy as they approached. He considered letting them walk up to the corridor so they could all attack at once, but dismissed the idea.
The hallway is too narrow. Only two of us could fight at a time, and a mage could fry us all in such a narrow space.
The footsteps were getting closer.
Damnit... this is going to hurt, but someone has to draw their attention and cut off their escape. Also, Saeras may need help farther down.
The footsteps were almost to the corridor's entrance.
Calas clicked his boots together, then walked out hurriedly towards the enemy. He hoped that they would be too distracted by his disguise to attack him at first. He wasn't worried about blowing his disguise, all it needed to do was serve long enough for him to get into position.
When he stepped out, Calas saw what he assumed was the mage and two other warriors. He moved quickly and carefully to a position between the two warriors and behind the mage, ignoring any protests they may have.
Then... he let his hunger consume him.
8 rounds remaining
Boots, Daredevil Softpaws (1400 gp) (1 lb.)
This pair of magical softpaw boots allows the wearer to gain extra maneuverability while moving through hazardous areas.
As a free action, the wearer can click her heels together to grant herself a +5 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through threatened squares or to move through an enemy's space without provoking attacks of opportunity for up to 10 rounds per day. The rounds need not be consecutive. Furthermore, anytime the wearer of the boots successfully moves though the space of an enemy without provoking an attack of opportunity, she gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against that enemy until the end of her turn.
5 rounds remaining
Rage A barbarian can call upon inner reserves of strength and ferocity, granting her additional combat prowess. Starting at 1st level, a barbarian can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can rage for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from rage and spells like bear's endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a barbarian can rage per day. A barbarian can enter rage as a free action. The total number of rounds of rage per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.
While in rage, a barbarian gains a +4 morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution, as well as a +2 morale bonus on Will saves. In addition, she takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase to Constitution grants the barbarian 2 hit points per Hit Dice, but these disappear when the rage ends and are not lost first like temporary hit points. While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
A barbarian can end her rage as a free action and is fatigued after rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the rage. A barbarian cannot enter a new rage while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a barbarian falls unconscious, her rage immediately ends, placing her in peril of death.
44 minutes 48 seconds remaining
An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of a mage armor spell, providing a +4 armor bonus to AC.
Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Since mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can't bypass it the way they do normal armor.
Vantrag hefts her crossbow, preparing to fire as soon as she has Marisis in her sights.
He fired quickly twice mentally cursing at how errant his shots were when the benobled vampire slid between them . . .
If and when an enemy presents in view of the hall and I catch a glimse of them...
Which activates and hits if I ever get a target.
Vantrag and Mourn engage as soon as the mage steps into sight. Vantrag's bolt hits, but Mourn has more trouble. Calas as cleverly inserted himself among them in the mean time, and Hakk's wand fizzled menacingly but doesn't actually go off.
One of the soldiers draws his weapon first and is immediately hit with Vicalan's spell.
He fails to drop the weapon and is badly burned for his sluggishness.
The mage takes a step away from calas and produces a needle with a whisp of thread attached. He locks eyes with Vacalan and flicks the needle in his direction.
You suddenly feel that needle plunge into your lips, stitching them together! You take damage.
One of the guards steps between the caster and Calas and both attack the poorly disguised half-breed!
but both come up short.
Down the hall, the two remaining guards start running down the hall, clearly expecting Saeras to follow.
Vicalan see's the spell coming.
It has no effect on him. He draws his crossbow and fires, hopefully they listened and targeted him, that way he could conserve his remaining spells.
Nathaniel tenses as the battle begins. He stays back but ready...
Saeras snarls at his fellow guards. In his best 'intimidate slave' voice he commands - for what where simple soldiers but fancy slaves?
Aware he is very much in a bottleneck and in a magic Killzone but he dropped prone and fired off a single shot torwards the guard that had been burnt by the spell.
Vantrag presses her wrists together, momentarily putting her crossbow under one arm, then taps her heels together as well. This activates an experimental alchemical device she had concocted, and a layer of sticky webbing comes out of the palms of her gloves, making them highly adhesive. She flexes her wrists and climbs up the wall, as easily as a spider, to hang upside-down from the ceiling, crossbow at the ready. After a moment spent adjusting to the change in perspective, she has a clearer line of sight to the enemies.
The guard's swing was pitiful. Calas brings his arm up and smacks the weapon away. Then sneers vehemently at the guard, bearing his large teeth.
"Out of my way weakling. I have business with the coward behind you.
Calas steps around the guard, and smiles as the mage comes into reach. "You'll make an excellent meal," he began before frowning as he looked at the mage closer, "but you're not tender enough."
8 rounds remaining
Boots, Daredevil Softpaws (1400 gp) (1 lb.)
This pair of magical softpaw boots allows the wearer to gain extra maneuverability while moving through hazardous areas.
As a free action, the wearer can click her heels together to grant herself a +5 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through threatened squares or to move through an enemy's space without provoking attacks of opportunity for up to 10 rounds per day. The rounds need not be consecutive. Furthermore, anytime the wearer of the boots successfully moves though the space of an enemy without provoking an attack of opportunity, she gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against that enemy until the end of her turn.
4 rounds remaining
Rage A barbarian can call upon inner reserves of strength and ferocity, granting her additional combat prowess. Starting at 1st level, a barbarian can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can rage for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from rage and spells like bear's endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a barbarian can rage per day. A barbarian can enter rage as a free action. The total number of rounds of rage per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.
While in rage, a barbarian gains a +4 morale bonus to her Strength and Constitution, as well as a +2 morale bonus on Will saves. In addition, she takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class. The increase to Constitution grants the barbarian 2 hit points per Hit Dice, but these disappear when the rage ends and are not lost first like temporary hit points. While in rage, a barbarian cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.
A barbarian can end her rage as a free action and is fatigued after rage for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the rage. A barbarian cannot enter a new rage while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise enter rage multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a barbarian falls unconscious, her rage immediately ends, placing her in peril of death.
44 minutes 42 seconds remaining
An invisible but tangible field of force surrounds the subject of a mage armor spell, providing a +4 armor bonus to AC.
Unlike mundane armor, mage armor entails no armor check penalty, arcane spell failure chance, or speed reduction. Since mage armor is made of force, incorporeal creatures can't bypass it the way they do normal armor.
Phaenox sidesteps slightly to the right, and takes a shot at the mage But his aim is off, and the bolt goes wide.
Azzra'el moves up and attacks marisis.
The mage is magic missiled and shot through the throat faster than anyone expected. Especially him. The rest of the guards are mopped up with no problem.
Nathaniel frowns at his lack of punishing drow...
"Marvellous." Saeras noted and wiped his blade clean. He had never really thought it, but he could probably grow to like fighting! Assuming they have their backs turned, heh. "Check their belongings quickly; we might have attracted unwanted attention." he suggests and then leads by example, searching the two guards next to the door.
Azzra'el scans the fallen for magic, and looks for anything of value before heading for the matron's chamber.
The matron's chambers are empty. And not just of people. Your foes have already started carting off your House's wealth and they seem to have started with this room. The bare walls and floors bear marks where heavy furniture was moved and a couple suspicious looking scorch marks near where said heavy furniture was. Someone didn't check for a third layer of traps, apparently. In the end, it honestly just looks like another series of rooms without the Matron's mark. It's a grim reminder of what just happened... as if you needed reminding.
Vantrag leads the way to a clearly unused section of the Matron's complex and goes through a quick but precise ritual to open a very well hidden passage. It's cramped. Nathan as to pass off the matron as the route is designed for single file passage. You wind your way up and around the house so much you lose all your bearings. It seems that the cramped space will never end, then it does. It opens on a dreary, damp tunnel. You're not more than 100 yards from your destination when you hear a shout behind you and men appear. Then more men. Then a couple wizards...
You should probably go now.
"RUN! DO NOT LOOK BACK!"
Hakk will try and fire off another missile from his wand at the closest target.
Vicalan uses a minor spell to detect magic, the proceeds to strip the dead spellcaster while padding him down. He uses some torn off cloth to bind what he could only consider a familiar for easy transport.
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As soon as the first shout goes out, he does not even look. He pushes whoever is in front of him. Hissing with a sound that should not be possible for a drow.
"Move."
He swore that if they were found because one of these spider kissers forgot to shut the door behind them. He would take his time with his displeasure, he kept a special spell on his lips should things proceed from bad to worse.
Azzra'el sighs and breaks into a run, probably carrying the matron again if no one else can. "Let's get away... quickly!"
Nathaniel waits impatiently as the drow search the obviously empty chamber. Once they start down the tunnel, he hands the matron off to Azzra'el.
Damn skinny elves!
Upon hearing the commotion from behind them, Nathaniel winces.
And why would they think to shut a secret door behind them!
"On the bright side, no beasts!" Yet! Saeras notes as he accelerates for all what he is worth. There was a simple flaw that most soldiers and wizards shared, but beasts did not; their reliance on sight. With a long drawn out curse the mesmerist fiddled with the pockets to his coat. Eventually, after what felt like far too long, he pulled out a smokestick and quickly ignited it with a tindertwig.
It's a cave. Zero wind save what you are producing yourselves by running. :)