Leeka is quite successful, and her stealth goes unnoticed by a pair of Hellknights a couple of turns down the sewers. Behind them, on the sewer wall, is a sword she recognizes from the bits and pieces of the others, with this one being in the best shape of all, despite its innocuous location. The duo appears to be watching for something, and are obviously low-ranking hellknights, with but chainmail and small shields bearing the order of the Rack. The hellknights are guarding what appears to be a pool room, both holding torches for their eyesight, which just isn't enough for them to notice the Slip.
Leeka returns and reports.
Iolana smiles at the news Leeka brings them. "Only two, and poorly armed. Surely we can subdue so many." She pauses, a thought occurring. "Is anyone here a gifted actor? A distraction might be beneficial."
Stanley's expression turns to worry, "Surely there must be a better way, or other option? Is this the only exit we can use? If either of them survive, and recognize us, our faces will be made known to every Hellknight that goes on patrol. If we deem that we must get through them, then we must kill them without pause, no subdual. If that is unacceptable, then I suggest we take another path if at all possible."
"Subdue, kill--they threw their lot in with the devils long ago. I agree with killing them wholeheartedly. A slip of the tongue," Iolana says with a shrug.
Janiven speaks out at this point. "Friends, I am sorry that it has come to this, but beyond that turn is a pair of other turns and our exit... and what passes for our freedom. I don't relish the thought of slaying anyone, although the idea that they have thrown their lots in the the Lords of Hell... I cannot say I disagree with Iolana"
Looking to Stanley's suggestion of an actor, Janiven further notes "Tervon is an actor of some skill, perhaps he will be able to provide the distraction we need."
To Janiven's and Stanley's comment.
"While I don't relish the idea of combating the Hellknights, being caught and tortured is worse than our other options. I'll be glad to try. So, what's my character, and what's my motivation?"
He grins as he says that last part.
Lucina purses her lips, a frown creasing her brow as she considers their actions. "I don't like to waste life needlessly, but the Hellknights - and the Asmodean church - are a blight that need to be dismembered and dismantled." She manages a faint smile, though it's clear she struggles to muster the will to form it. "I expected to get my hands dirty somewhere along the line. In the name of freedom, it's a burden I'm more than willing to shoulder... so that others don't have to."
Pushing some locks of dark hair out from her eyes, Lucina muses the suggestion that Tervon might distract the Hellknights, but she comes up blank. "I don't imagine there are many people down in these sewers normally... you've got to assume they'll treat you as suspicious from word go. The only other alternative is a hobo or something, but you look a little too well-dressed for that." Lucina smirks. "It might be too dangerous..."
Stanley purses his lips in a tight line, furrowing his brow, "I agree with Lucina. It is after curfew, and they are down here looking for dissidents. There is likely no disguise that would cause them to ignore their post or duties. That is, unless you have a full set of Hellknight armor of a higher rank, but I find that unlikely."
Once they get the lay of the land, Tervon says grimly "I'll dash through them, I should catch them off guard. Once I do that, and their backs are turned, rush them."
He brandishes his sword to show his meaning.
Stanley just shakes his head, "That's a fool's errand. They would surely see you before you get to them and cut you down as you rushed past. If we have to do this, we should do so en masse, using our full force at once."
"I agree completely," Lucina mutters simply, shooting a glance towards the corner of the sewer track. "We all go together. And soon. They might be waiting for another patrol here..."
Bah, our little slip could do it, so can I! Besides, I'm not afraid of running through the wee bit of sewer in the middle there.
With a flourishing bow, he turns the corner.
The guards, where they stand, do not see Tervon until it is too late.
Tervon runs past the guards, screaming "Torbles! Torbles everywhere! AAAAAHHH!"
The startled guards barely get out a "Halt!" Neither of them has drawn their swords yet.
The PC's have a surprise round here.
Initiative track:
Enemy Damage Track:
Red Guard 9/9
Blue Guard 9/9
GM:
S-4
Order:
Stanley-Janiven/Morosino-Iolana--Tervon (acted)-Lucina-Leeka
Lucina is honestly not expecting Tervon to just rush off like that, and as a result she is rather delayed in her dashing after him.
"Well, that was definitely...a distraction," Iolana mutters, and then dashes off after Lucina to get as close to the guards as possible without endangering herself.
Leeka moves up, but can only get 15 feet, as somebody else is blocking the way.
Janiven and Morosino move up cautiously, with Morosino being somewhat slower due to being a child.
Like the others, the most Stanley can do is try to keep up with the others. He too uses Tervon's rush to move forward and advance on the guards.
The group advances and the guards fall for Tervon's bluff, not noticing the party.
And the party is up!
Stanley-Janiven/Morosino-Iolana-Hellknights-Tervon-Lucina-Leeka
Iolana charges down the tunnel and attempts to plunge her dagger into the left-hand guard's back. Sadly, it rakes off the man's chainmail...
Stanley starts by trying to do what he can to mitigate the damage the two Hellknights may produce. He decides to try and hinder the one on the right by giving it a long pause.
Leeka moves up, getting right in front of the blue Hellknight at the end of her move.
[dice=Blue Hellknight "will save"]1d20-1[/dice]
The Blue Hellknight falls prey to Stanley's daze, losing his focus for a moment. Janiven and Morosino rush to the party's aid, Janiven rushing between the two Hellknights, but not able to do much more.
The "red" Hellknight turns and swings his longsword in a long sweeping motion intending to slash at Iolana.
"Die filth!" The hellknight yells as he swings the sword, missing as Iolana deftly ducks under the blade.
Tervon, seeing the opportunity presented by the Daze spell, but also seeing the actions of the Red Hellknight, he swings in Red's direction.
"Insulting a pretty lady, my friend, will get you stabbed. Both by her capable hands and my own!" Ye yells as he thrusts.
Tervon finds a weak link in the chainmail and the hellknight coughs blood as the shortsword stabs into him.
NPC/Enemy Damage Track:
Red Guard 2/9
Blue Guard 9/9
Janiven Full
Morosino Full
Player Damage Track:
Tervon 8/8
Lucina 13/13
Iolana 9/9
Leeka 10/10
Stanley 7/7
GM:
Lucina is up next. I'm going to try something in PFS I see as pretty successful for initiative:
Group 1 (acting first)
Lucina
Stanley
Janiven/Morosino
Iolana
Enemies
Group 2 (waiting for others).
Tervon
Leeka
Enemies will act no later than 6/12, unless "group 1" finishes their actions by tomorrow evening.
With no room to maneuver in these cramped sewers, Lucina sheaths her rapier and reaches for her shortbow as she moves further down the slippery passage.
Stanley eyes the other Hellknight, the unwounded one, and tries to get into his mind. "Poor man, you must be so tired in all that armor? Surely you can feel it dragging you down, making you too hindered to avoid our weapons?"
Well, no more stealth, I guess, Iolana thinks dourly, though she grins. May as well let them know what they're dealing with.
As she leaps at the Hellknight in front of her, she throws back her head and howls. "The Everbloom! The Everbloom! Blood on the streeeeeeeeets!"
It is not dangerous, just gross. I like option "B" better, with a smattering of "A". It is what occurs.
Iolana, taking her break and screaming wildly, stabbing into the Hellknight quite soundly, and, hearing the sickening sound of metal on bone, he slides off of her dagger, headfirst into the muck to her right. Her hands, unfortunately, are covered in the hellknight's blood.
Janiven, taking advantage of the Stunned "Blue" Hellknight, swings her longsword into the hellknight.
And missing wildly.
The remaining hellknight attempts to prevent the evil eye.
(HE is much easier to hit)
Looking down, seeing Leeka, the hellknight's fears provoke the words "Traitorous Slip!" as he attacks and fails.
Enemy Damage Track
Red Guard -4/9, bleeding.
Blue Guard 9/9 Round 0/7 -2 AC.
Janiven Full
Morosino Full
PC Damage Track
Tervon 8/8
Lucina 13/13
Iolana 9/9
Leeka 10/10
Stanley 7/7
GM:
3
When making a melee attack against an adjacent target, your target has cover if any line from any corner of your square to the target's square goes through a wall (including a low wall). You are correct, but it's already been adjucated. I was thinking it was -2, but you are correct, -4 it is. Noted for future... encounters }:)
Okay... now we're in a better track.
Order of adjucation:
Group 1 (acting)
Tervon
Leeka
Lucina
Stanley
Janiven/Morosino
Iolana
Enemies
Enemies will act no later than 6/14 unless all have posted by then.
Tervon, acting in his way, looks to Iolana's hands as she finishes the hellknight.
"Good show! We need to get you some singing lessons right pronto!"
He flashes as weak smile as he swings towards the remaining hellknight.
Though not overly proficient with archery, in her youth her father had taken her out hunting on a couple of occasions, so Lucina was generally familiar with the basics of ranged combat. She tries her best to avoid hitting either Leeka or Janiven and fires off an arrow that barely manages to scrape past the Hellknight's hand.
"This is harder than it looks," she mutters to herself.
Leeka leaps up and tries to kick the Hellknight in the head, but the Hellknight bends down to strike her, so she misses high where his head used to be.
YES! At last, the revolution begins! Iolana's mind is exultant, even as she forces herself to stay focused on the problems at hand. Finding her options limited, she bares her teeth and hurls the dagger at the remaining Hellknight. The dagger clatters against the far wall, and she growls in frustration.
Stanley permits a smile to touch the corner of his mouth as he continues, "So it has struck, the weariness, and now it not only bogs your reactions, but also you can feel the heaviness in your arm. That weapon is testing your muscles for certain."
Despite the challenges hitting him, with an arrow protruding from his shield arm, and a stab in the back from Tervon, the remaining Hellknight bares his teeth. I'll not let a revolutionary fool defeat me! He yells as ye tries to resist Stanley's evil eye.
Janiven attempts another swing with her longsword as the hellknight feels the pressure from both Tervon and Lucina.
Followed by the Hellknight attempting to drink a potion!
Unfortunately, Janiven's blade strikes true... too true, in fact. Dropping the hellknight before he can even bring the potion to his lips.
Enemy Damage Track:
Red Guard -5/9 Bleeding. Fort
Blue Guard -6/9
PC Damage Track:
Tervon 8/8
Lucina 13/13
Iolana 9/9
Leeka 10/10
Stanley 7/7
GM:
2
End Combat... for now.
For those that wish to search the Hellknights:
Search, DC 8
So, you have a door in front of you and two dead hellknights, what is up for the Dissidents of Wesctrown? More blood on their hands, or have your battles ended for the evening's excursions.
"Great. Now, we're murderers and thieves from the hellknights!"
Tervon smiles at the thought.
"So, does this mean we're going to Hell or perhaps somewhere less unpleasant?"
His dry humor falling short of his intent he stiffens, waiting for Janiven or someone else to lead their way out.
"What have we done? Asmodeus will never forgive us, now! I'm done for!"
As the Hellknight falls, Iolana lets out an exultant shout. Turning to Tervon and Leeka, she says fiercely, "Do not fear for the wrath of the Prince of Lies. We do the work of a far better and far more beautiful goddess. We are the thorns of the Everbloom, and our cause is just. When the city of Westcrown is free from its chains, we will be received as heroes; and if we live not to see that day, we will be reborn in Elysium or on this world to continue the goddess's work."
Turning back, she hauls the unconscious Hellknight out of the sewer. Holding her hands over his still-bleeding wound, she applies pressure and tears off a piece of her dress to bind the gap. As the bleeding slows, she smiles. "Stanch the other's wound. We are no murderers yet...though I will not grieve if either of these petty tyrants die."
As she stands up, Iolana stares at the stone wall of the sewer. With the Hellknight's blood still dripping from her hands, she dabs at the wall, smearing the blood on thickly until she manages to draw something that crudely (but recognizably) resembles a rose. She smiles grimly. "Now they know who they are dealing with."
Janiven, wrinkling her nose at the prospect of helping those hunting them chides. "We've given the Hellknights plenty of time for hunting. Heck, I swear they're using us for training missions... Her voice trails off.
After the two Hellknights are bandaged, left unconscious, and the group is ready, they quickly slink out of the "choke point" room and out to an unguarded, open sewer entrance. Janiven, feeling responsible, checks the area, and quickly brings the characters up and directly into a building that you all know, but can't place in the dark.
"Welcome to the hideout, friends. I'm sorry for the terrible stench and other unpleasantries we've had to deal with, but we will need to talk. In the interim, I've had the others prepare wash basins for all of us, there's an alcove upstairs for each of you with a wash basin. None of us wants to smell of sewer, and we'll all think better after some rest."
Janiven leads the group throughout what appears to be an abandoned temple. It is worth noting that there are about 15 other 'rebels' in various locations throughout the building. As you walk through the main hall, you notice that heavy fabrics have been hung over all of the temple windows, even the tallest ones. The pews have been converted to makeshift beds, and, while not the most comfortable looking things, you see poor Morosino fast asleep on one of the pews. Janiven pats him on the head as you walk by towards the front.
"This was the temple of Aroden, at one point. The laws against defacing and destroying places of worship even extend to Aroden's old temple. Arael found that the place was deserted and, given the laws, he felt it would be relatively safe. Both the Dottari and the Hellknights tend to avoid the temple, and, with all the heavy cloth up there, virtually no light escapes the temple at night, so we stay safe by not drawing further attention to us as well. I'm sure you have more questions, but I would like to get cleaned up. Behind the main altar is a small room with some light provisions. Once we're all cleaned up and rested from our adventure, we can meet there and have a small bit of food. Given we're past curfew, I apologize, but it's safer to stay here. It's not much, but please accept our hospitality."
Janiven leaves the group for their own discussion, going to one of the upper alcoves and closing the door.
Leeka sighs in approval of baths, and without a word, she quickly heads up and washes. She's done in very short order, taking no time to enjoy the water, and then she dresses in whatever she can find and slips into Iolana's alcove, where she immediately begins washing the other woman's back and hair.
After everyone has cleaned up, he moves to each of them in turn and looks for any signs of infection from the foul paths they just traversed. He barely glances at himself, secure in his abilities to tend himself if there is trouble. He attends the others dutifully, and focuses on ensuring the young man is well, knowing the frailty of youth.
Stanley's thorough investigation of everyone brings up no indication that anyone has any disease.
Iolana's eyes open wide at the sight of the deserted, but now revolutionary temple. It's happening...everything is moving faster than I thought possible! The people of Westcrown are beginning to stir! The revolution comes! She breaks out into a wide grin when Janiven describes the situation.
"I am well pleased to hear that things are thus in Westcrown, Janiven," she says, clasping the other woman's hand. "Believe me, had I known about your work, I would have joined you long ago. But now, you're right--all of us will think better after a rest."
Before everyone disperses, she hands the borrowed knife back to Lucina, meeting the other woman's gaze levelly. "I thank you for the loan. I may not yet fully trust you, child of House Tilernos, but you fight well and you seem of good heart. I will look forward to...further conversations with you." She nods stiffly and heads to her alcove where, drawing the curtain, she folds up her dress, placing her holy symbol on top, and relaxes into the hot water, closing her eyes. Oh, Tiberiu...I wish you had believed me...if only you could see what was going on here!
She's completely lost in her reverie, so she's more than a little startled when small hands begin washing her hair and back.
"GAAAAAHH!" Iolana bolts out of the water, fumbling for her dress, and whirls to face her "assailant." Seeing that it's only Leeka, she calms down, though only just. "Milani's sweet taproot, Leeka, what are you doing?"
"Helping with your bath, of course. Do you..," she pauses, sounding confused, "do you wish me to stop?"
Oh, ye gods. Iolana sighs slightly, and passes a tired hand over her face. "Leeka, it's--I--" She sighs. "I'm just really used to doing this sort of thing for myself. I don't need any help. Besides--" she tries, and almost fails, to ask the next question without revealing that she assumes she knows the answer. "What made you want to do this?"
Leeka shrugs. "It's what I do. I apologize for having offended and disturbed your bath.".
Leeka puts the wash cloth down and backs away, out of the alcove.
Tervon, relatively clean compared to a short while ago, walks by as Leeka apologizes for... well... being a slip. "I heard a small bit... I'm assuming you helped with Iolana's.... refresher?" He smiles as he continues walking. He speaks over his shoulder as he continues on. "Not everyone believes a slip should be a slave, Leeka. You'd do well to remember that.
He heads down the stairs to the first floor, finding an open pew, he sits down, bows his head for a moment, and lies down to sleep without eating. Those that look, find a selection of small, street vendor sweet meats on the table near the main altar. The meats are cold, but taste fine, and the small bit of white wine that is there goes reasonably well with the meats.
One by one, the rest of the group does likewise. Some, after somewhat tense and others somewhat strange situations, go to bed. Oddly, the pews are more comfortable than they look.
Janiven brings the party together shortly after everyone has a small breakfast of sweet breads and cheeses. It's not much, but it's a good meal for after everyone's ordeal in the sewers the night before. There are several other young faces about.
"I apologize, but we are but a bit disconcerted with Arael's loss. Morosino has gone about looking for clues to when or if the Dottari will allow the Hellknights to have him. I pray that does not come to pass."
She looks about the room, realizing the faces about the room, and no one has properly been introduced!
"I'm sorry, but I have forgotten my manners with everything that's happened this past night. Allow me to introduce everyone."
Janiven introduces each of the party members, then goes about the room introducing each of the troupe in the room.
Janiven introduces Amaya, a Tian human who works as a glassblower and she is strikingly beautiful. She moves on to Ermolos, a Chelish human, who has worked as a blacksmith's apprentice for the past several years, and he certainly has the physique to prove it. Fiosa, a fellow slip, is known to Leeka, and is one of the very few free halflings within Westcrown, although she does work as a house servant. Gorvio is a Chelish human, has amber colored eyes and helps his uncle Jacovo with his horse stable and trading business. Larko is a Garundi human who works on the docks. Mathalen is a thin and wiry chelish woman, with a very calm and meditative look upon her face. Rizzardo, a Varisian human, works odd jobs about town and many of you have seen him hauling loads of stone for repairing walls as well as lumber for building sets for plays. Sclavo, another Garundi human, is very quiet and soft-spoken, with ink-stained hands and wearing a simple robe, he is a scribe for one of the courts in Westcrown. Tarvi, a Chelish female, smiles across the room, wearing some simple, but glittering, costume jewelry, her parents owning the "Glitter Palace" jewelry shop. Vitti, a strange man who appears to be of Chelish descent, has his hair dyed green, he works as a woodcarver. And, finally, a female Gnome named Yakopulio, whose only response to all the introductions was "good, yer done. Now let's get Arael." Yakopulio is a bartender at the Bruised Eel.
As Janiven completes her round of introductions, noting that the few others about will be introduced shortly, she then slows down a bit.
"So, as you see, our troupe together is small. Certainly not enought to take on the Dottari, let alone the Hellknights. But, with the right leadership in Arael, some great support, and heroes like you, we will be able to bring Westcrown from the brink of imploding back to the thriving city we all know it can be!"
Yakopulio then shouts out, "Yeah, but when they're all happy to see us, how will they know who to thank or, hells, who to join? This ain't a festhall party or a theatre troupe, missy."
To which Janiven replies: "I know, Yakopulio, but we cannot name our group until we get some fame built up. We also need to figure out a uniform, something that others could idenitfy us with, but not actually show our identities."
At this point, the group within begin talking about names, such as the 'Knights of Westcrown,' 'Guardians of Cheliax,' 'Children of Westcrown' or, from Yakopulio, 'Westcrown's Spanking Crew.'
Among the group, everyone is in favor of hiding their face, either with a deeply hooded cloak, or with some sort of distinctive marking, or even something as simple as a red armband.
The group seems tied at this point, and, given Janiven's preoccupation,
"It seems the others won't agree to disagree until after we get Arael. Would you by chance care to vote yourselves. We'll go with whatever breaks the ties here."
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Lucina lets the adrenaline finish its course through her in silence, watching almost distantly as Iolana bloodies the wall with a mark of her presence at the same time as she stops the Hellknights from bleeding out. It brings to mind her literature lessons as a child--a rose among thorns... or perhaps a thorn among roses, considering how acerbic the Varisian woman seemed to be in general. But... she seemed goodly, if... prone to an intensity not often seen in Chelaxians such as herself.
Perhaps that is the way Varisians are, Lucina ponders as Janiven leads them out into the shadow-cloaked streets of Westcrown and then into the once-abandoned temple of Aroden. Her first breaths of the cool night air are some of the most delicious she has tasted in her life; away from the cloying stench of the sewers, away from the near-constant fear of every distant noise... away from the blood they had shed in the name of freedom.
"Impressive," she says approvingly, glancing around the dilapidated place with undisguised curiosity. However, before Lucina can think too deeply on the matter, Iolana has addressed her--rather coolly, she notes--and returned her dagger to her hands. Though still having yet to figure out just what made Janiven a person to trust but not herself... Lucina forces herself to smile and waves as the other woman disappears towards the baths. "Yeah, I think we can get along well!" ...... Hopefully.
Lucina takes her time in the baths provided, relishing the opportunity to soak away the grime, sweat and blood. Not only that, it allowed her a chance to even begin to digest just what had gone on today... she heaves a sigh, glancing side-long at her silver necklace lying atop her pile of clothes. Be brave, Lucina, the young paladin tells herself silently, and never stand down from these things you know are right... no matter how dirty you get from them. There'll always be a nice, warm bath waiting for you afterwards...
Come the next morning, Lucina happily digs in to the proffered food, thanking Janiven profusely for it all. She enjoys meeting their fellow rebels, taking the opportunity to shake the hands of each individual in turn with an earnest smile. She seems quite amused by Yakupulio's sense of humour (or so she styles it), recognising the type of brashness required of a fellow tavern worker. "Westcrown's Spanking Crew sounds kinda like something the Calistrian church would be into," Lucina retorts with a laugh. "I kinda like the Knights of Westcrown myself! How gallant it sounds!"
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Iolana sighs as the halfling girl flees. Great, I scared her off. Well, no matter. One day...we'll keep working on her.
She then descends to the main part of the temple, says her prayers, and falls into a light slumber on a pew.
Waking several hours later, Iolana rises, stretches, and retreats to an unoccupied corner of the temple to say her prayers. This place was once sacred to Aroden...the god Milani served before she ascended to her own place. Surely, here, the goddess's light smiles upon me. Taking her holy symbol in her hand, she sits cross-legged and begins to pray, pressing her thumb into each of the rose's thorns one by one and reciting the virtue associated with each. When she's done, she quickly takes a spare scrap of paper and inscribes a prayer for protection on it before going to join the gathering. She listens intently as everyone is introduced, scanning the faces for any signs of weakness or disloyalty.
"Well met, all," she says, with a firm nod, when all have been introduced. "I agree that we need a name for our organization, and of those proposed, I would support 'Knights of Westcrown.' However...I would also suggest something more like to strike fear into the hearts of our oppressors. Perhaps 'Thorns of Westcrown?' That has the advantage of association with the Everbloom, whose help I surely intend to call upon." She smiles confidently at them.
"Before we begin our work in earnest, though, I have two issues I must bring forward: first, my arms. While I recognize that stealth is of the utmost importance to our existence, I will be only of limited use to you without weapons. Hidden in my lodgings I have armor, my shield, my trusty morningstar...all I need to bring the fight to our enemies in earnest. If there is some way for me to get there and return, I would like to know of it.
"Secondly...who is this Arael you all speak so fondly of? How did he come to be in our foes' clutches?"