The Emerald Spire

Game Master Stormstrider

Sorry for the delay. When I got up there was no internet at home. Doing this from work as best I can.

He confirmed a crit with a natural 2? Daymmm...

My mistake. I just realized Uriel is adding the + 4 (I'm guessing for the prone?) in his attack roll, when technically that is supposed to be subtracted from the AC. I realize it comes out the same, as long as both the attacker and the DM don't both apply it! Which is what I did in this case. So, in the future, since RAW says it is a negative to the AC, please DO NOT add it to your attack rolls! *** Cyan still died anyways.

Uriel? Am I missing something? You just took an AoO, to the best of my knowledge you cannot still be holding a readied action. Am I mistaken? Or what am I missing? I am still half-asleep, so ...

Sorry for the delay. When I got up there was no internet at home. Doing this from work as best I can.

Gansu Kaichuta wrote:

He confirmed a crit with a natural 2? Daymmm...

My mistake. I just realized Uriel is adding the + 4 (I'm guessing for the prone?) in his attack roll, when technically that is supposed to be subtracted from the AC. I realize it comes out the same, as long as both the attacker and the DM don't both apply it! Which is what I did in this case. So, in the future, since RAW says it is a negative to the AC, please DO NOT add it to your attack rolls! *** Cyan still died anyways.

Uriel? Am I missing something? You just took an AoO, to the best of my knowledge you cannot still be holding a readied action. Am I mistaken? Or what am I missing? I am still half-asleep, so ...

Sorry, I am used to that with flank, aid another, etc. I will leave the prone for you...and as far as I know, holding a readied action does not preclude one from taking AOO’s...

So, as far as Uriel and I know, RAW is not clear on AoO's while holding a readied action. My logic says no. But, I am going to go ahead and allow it for now, but with the specification that it may change in the future if I come across other info.

Green had taken damage before right? I can't seem to find it, but, my job is very slow right now, so I'm very bored and getting sleepier by the minute ... Since I am fairly certain that Green took damage before I'll go ahead and call him dead. I believe that just leaves 'red dye # 2' and tied-up pink? Who just woke up on the floor, unarmed ...

I believe that Dashed Green was unhurt, thus the "Hammer and Anvil" comment. Uriel doesn't actually get his readied action triggered until Gansu steps up and swings--I was just pre-rolling it to speed things up.

Also, I think that is a good call on the AOO. To me, it is clear that in the RAW it is allowed. If the RAW say you get an AOO if, for example, an opponent stands from prone within your threatened reach, you should get that attack unless there is a specific rule somewhere else saying you shouldn't. For example, if you do not have Combat Reflexes and you haven't yet acted in combat, you can't take AOO's -- even if someone did an action which provoked one.

Since the block after Aldrhanhald has both bad guys dead, I'm guessing I can go.

Gansu steps forward and attacks the last bandit with his Nodachi.

Nodachi +2 Flank +2 Divine Favor -1 Power Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 3 = 27
Damage +2 Divine Favor +3 Power Attack: 1d10 + 6 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 5 = 20

"I suppose that would make me the hammer," says Gansu.

Between the 'hammer' and the 'anvil' they definitely make mince meat out of the green tasselled bandit.

The female bandit in pink tassels continues to struggle to get out of her bonds ...

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

CURRENT INITIATIVE:

Block 5:
Boudacia & Sama

The only opponents left are the pink bandit - tied up on the floor - and the red-dashed bandit - who just woke up, unarmed, prone, surrounded by three enemies (Aldhranhald, Gansu, & Uriel). I don't think we really need to stay in initiative per say, but you all do need to determine what is to be done with these two? *** Some of you may recall there are two iron-barred cells in the corner where Brother Guiness died. Just a thought.

”Indeed, Gansu, indeed. And a fine hammer you were too. Do you have this one covered?”, Uriel asks as he gestures to the remaining bandit on the ground before them.

Assuming the answer is in the affirmative, Uriel will head off to get the Pink tied up bandit, saying, ”I will fetch the other one.”. His plan is to carry her back to the main group, at least for now...

"I warned you all." Aldhranhald says, "Freedom and truth are twin spirits. Now that you betrayed my truth, you have lost your freedom. If you would like to regain your freedom, you need only serve the truth." The dark-haired Inquisitor of Irori says, looking at the prone, disarmed, conscious guard who is, quite literally, under the "knife" of Gansu's Nodachi. "My friends and I have questions about you, your leaders, your knowledge of the Spire, and your motivations here. We will not play games, and we are very good at discerning the truth." Aldhranhald puts away his weapons speaking in his sternest voice, leaving all his threats out in the open air, giving the guard time for reflection. When Uriel arrives with the girl in her pink tasseled armor, he smiles and continues. "Ah, your friend has arrived. Now for one more revelation for you. Pain and suffering are the crucible of truth, they bring truth from the depths where she might lie. Please know that as an Inquisitor I have been trained in the use of pain and suffering to bring the truth. So, here, good people, is your new truth. If we perceive that you are lying to us, it is not you I will harm, but your fellow guardian." He looks from the guard in red tasseled armor, slowly to the girl in her pink tasseled garb. Indicating that pain and suffering do await them both, but that they are within their power to save that pain and suffering from each other. "So, let us start with the most basic of questions, and telling the truth will start easily. What are your names?"

Aldhranhald would use his Detect Alignment at-will ability (starting with law and chaos to see if they are lawful or chaotic, and then going to good and evil to see if they are good or evil) to detect the alignment of both of the guards immediately after finishing his threatening barrage. :) Since that is a Spell-like ability, it requires only mental activation. So they would not know that they were being so analyzed. :D

Not knowing what Aldhranhald is doing with his detection abilities, Uriel uses his own to detect evil on the two surviving bandits. Additionally, a bit concerned by Aldy’s implication that torture could be the next step (but not smart enough to really follow what he said), Uriel attempts to play “good cop”.

”Come now, answer quickly and truthfully, and I am sure we will be able to come to an arrangement.”

What that arrangement is will depend greatly on their answers and the result of Uriel’s detection of evil...as well as the preferences of the other characters, of course.

Uriel “good cop” Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Aldhranhald detects no law or chaos, nor good. Only evil.

Uriel also detects that both bandits are evil.

However, their auras are so weak, as to be almost laughable.

The girl speaks up, but in a derivative manner, "Well, you already heard them call me Jenny you fools! You'll never overpower Jaris, and if by some miracle you do, then CERTAINLY NOT our Lady Tarrin and the rest of the Splinters!"

The bandit with the red tassels reacts angrily at her outburst, "Shut up you fool! Your giving them too much information!" and then turning his face towards Aldhranhald, "My name is Arvol. But you will have to kill me before I tell anything else."

Arvol's/Red's bluff check: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

And it is TOTALLY obvious that he is scared completely out of his wits, and will probably be needing a change of pants VERY soon. :-D

Whaddya know? Uriel is actually trained in Religion, so he can at least ask the obvious question...

Turning to Gansu, Uriel asks, ”I have heard of such things done by powerful priests such as yourself, Gansu. Would you like me to slay this Arvol as he has requested so that you may question his corpse?”

Now that's a threat with some meat behind it! :D

"Might as well, Jenny is obviously the more loose-lipped of the two anyway." Aldhranhald says, and pulls an arrow out of his quiver and uses the sharp point to clean the dirt out from under his fingernails.

Boudacia gets into a position where both bandits will see her clearly and goes through the transition to human form. She then speaks in a calm thoughtful tone while obviously contemplating body parts to possibly be removed "That is an option. Gansu could also then animate their corpses with their eternal soul and use them as slaves for all eternity. They could start with telling us the information we want to know. But I hold this lot responsible for killing Brother Guiness, so we should hurt them first. Perhaps if we start by removing body parts that they won't need as undead slaves like the nose and ears?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

I put in a claim for a ginormous bonus on the intimidate roll due to their helplessness, the transformation and nature of the threats.

”Who are these people I have fallen in with? If they are serious about these threats to torture these bandits, I am going to have a real problem...”

Sama sends her thundercloud to sulk angrily in the corner.

"That is an option. Gansu could also then animate their corpses with their eternal soul and use them as slaves for all eternity..."

"Ah..." Gansu's jaw drops for a moment. Then his eyebrows go up. "Ah, yes, I can do that. Yes."

Bluff (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Gansu thinks for a moment.

"Though for the record it might be easier to kill them and then use a speak with dead spell. It's less work. It looks like we have lots of corpses to choose from."

Since that is a Spell-like ability, it requires only mental activation. So they would not know that they were being so analyzed. :D

For the record, spell-like abilities do provoke attacks of opportunity. So presumably there is some way to detect that you are using one.

For the record, spell-like abilities do provoke attacks of opportunity. So presumably there is some way to detect that you are using one.

Thanks for pointing that out Gansu. That might be one of those, 'universal' rules vrs 'specific' rules situations. I would think it might depend somewhat on the situation as well. In this particular case it don't matter - Period. - And I don't mean that as in this conversation is over, I mean it as it don't matter for this.

Everybody notices there is now a nasty smell in the air. It is no longer a question whether or not the red-tasselled bandit will be needing a change of pants. "Okay! Okay! Please don't kill me! What do you want to know? I'll tell you anything! Jaris, is our apothecary. He uses animals to test out potions on them and as such he has several strange mutations locked up in his laboratory. He has a nasty snake pet. A lot of different vials and potions in his office. The quantity of people currently in the den will vary depending on how many are out doing a job somewhere, or maybe just out on patrol, but you can expect anywhere from 15 to 25 more lower/newer recruits such as Jenny and I, about 3-6 officers, besides Jaris and his snake, and then our boss lady may or my not be in! I have no idea what she has in her bedroom, no one is ever allowed in. Avoid the room with the coffins! That place has an extremely dangerous aura! Oh, and it looks like you already figured out the masks keep you safe from the gas in the statues. There are no other traps. Crossbow bolts are poisoned. That's all the important or semi-important stuff that I can think of. What else do you want to know?"

No sense motives needed, everybody is certain that he is telling the whole truth - from his point of view.

In the meantime, Jenny is kicking and struggling furiously, screaming out, "Arvol you fool! And you said I was telling too much?!? Shut up you idiot!" but as Arvol just keeps blabbering, she turns her head more to the hall to the north, "Splinters! Be aware that Arvol ha---" as someone in the party finally has enough sense to shut her up.

If anybody insists on me coming up with names for any of these people, you will most likely find yourself being a third level character again, out by yourself in the middle of the meadow with the portals. So, just don't please. I already had to make up these two names. I HATE making up names. And yes, that is even with an online fantasy name generator. For some reason I am compelled to look for the name that 'feels' right, even though I know it don't matter, but I MUST find the name that 'fits'.

"There now, that wasn't so difficult, was it? As far as I'm concerned you've earned your freedom. Though, I doubt it's the freedom you desired. Freedom from your mortal coils. Boudacia, Sama, would you care to do the honors?" Aldhranhald says, pulling out his map making materials and jotting down all the notes that Arvol informed him about.

Craft Cartography: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Uriel Interjects, ”Come now, Aldhranhald, that is no way to treat these helpful informants. I, for one, would like to see them into the hands of the proper authorities so they may answer for their crimes. Failing that, we should keep them somewhere secure while we explore the rest of this level. Any suggestions?”

"Nice of you to co-operate Arvol. How large is this snake of Jaris's? And your boss lady, what race is she Arvol? And what capabilities has she displayed?" asks Boudacia in gentle and calm tones.

Uriel Interjects, ”Come now, Aldhranhald, that is no way to treat these helpful informants. I, for one, would like to see them into the hands of the proper authorities so they may answer for their crimes. Failing that, we should keep them somewhere secure while we explore the rest of this level. Any suggestions?”

Aren't paladins supposed to stamp out evil wherever they find it? I know it wasn't posted here, but on the facebook page Stormstrider mentioned that Aldy and Uriel detected that these two prisoners are evil... I thought Uriel would be all on board for removing the threat of them possibly corrupting others. Also, if you want someone to take them to the authorities, Aldhranhald will do it, after they are good and tied up (read: helpless), but don't be surprised if he comes back after a ludicrously short period of time. :P :P :P :P :P

Uriel of Mendev wrote:

Uriel Interjects, ”Come now, Aldhranhald, that is no way to treat these helpful informants. I, for one, would like to see them into the hands of the proper authorities so they may answer for their crimes. Failing that, we should keep them somewhere secure while we explore the rest of this level. Any suggestions?”

Aren't paladins supposed to stamp out evil wherever they find it? I know it wasn't posted here, but on the facebook page Stormstrider mentioned that Aldy and Uriel detected that these two prisoners are evil... I thought Uriel would be all on board for removing the threat of them possibly corrupting others. Also, if you want someone to take them to the authorities, Aldhranhald will do it, after they are good and tied up (read: helpless), but don't be surprised if he comes back after a ludicrously short period of time. :P :P :P :P :P

Good points, Aldhranhald, but a Paladin who wanders the town and kills anyone he detects as evil will be in jail and convicted of murder in short order. Rules are a bit different in a dungeon, but killing a surrendered prisoner is not a good act, and probably not lawful unless Uriel has been empowered by some authority to act as judge and executioner. I try to play a lawful good character without making him too lawful-stupid or lawful-irritating, but lawful-inconvenient is sometimes unavoidable...

... I know it wasn't posted here, but on the facebook page Stormstrider mentioned that Aldy and Uriel detected that these two prisoners are evil...

Excuse me??? It was posted here! Let's see if this works? That should be a link to the post, but it was on 10/10 @ 8:55 pm, where I also told you Aldy detected no law or chaos, only evil, but such a weak aura as to be laughable.

Arvol (Red-tassels) looks hopefully towards Uriel, "Yes! I'll go willingly! Please, take me to Thornkeep so I can face justice there!" and when Boudacia asks about the snake, race and abilities, Arvol gets a slightly confused look on his face for a moment, then it looks like he finally processes the barrage of questions and their meaning. "Oh no, we are all humans here! The snake, it is large for a snake, but smaller than you or I? And weird ... it seems to be made of metal? ... Oh! Capabilities? Ummm ... she is very good with her Rapier! And she can cast spells, some healing, though she prefers to cause pain ... make you bleed profusely, loud sounds that hurt your ears, make people stop moving, ... She found out that enemies of Norgorber had spread an incorrect translation of his holy text, Words Behind the Mask and she has shown us the light! She is working on making the proper corrections and often sends her 'Splinters' to steal pieces of the text or other books when she has heard a rumor of their existence. Some of the Splinters aren't very happy to be stealing what they consider to be worthless parchments or books, and would prefer to be stealing money, but she lets them take whatever they find when they go on these missions of hers, so, they seem to be satisfied with that for the time being."

The snake is considered 'small' size for game mechanics.

Aldy & Uriel, I just want to point out, from the

Adventurers and the Law

While obvious monsters are fair game to all, the Hellknights do not recognize the right of any self-declared adventurer to kill “villains” and seize their belongings. That’s common banditry, and those who ride back to Fort Inevitable after committing such vigilantism can expect to be arrested— unless they’ve first secured a letter of warrant.
A letter of warrant is a license from the lord commander authorizing the bearer and her company to “act in the interest of good order and keep the lady commander’s laws.” That is generally construed as doing most of the things adventuring parties typically do—attacking outlaws, hunting monsters, surveying dangerous ruins, and investigating mysteries.
Adventurers operating from Fort Inevitable purchase a letter of warrant for 50 gp per year. The lady commander’s agents also require reports of just what actions were taken with a letter of warrant.

Interpret that as you will.

Your party has that letter of warrant. (Though technically Gansu, Sama & Uriel have not signed it and are not mentioned on it, so might be considered as unauthorized?!? - My fault since I had forgotten about it. Might want to take care of that next time you go to town ... :-D

...Be wary of crusaders justified in their own minds to be the judge, jury, and executioner of those he finds unworthy. Justice untempered by mercy will end up cutting the hand that wields it...

"Let's just get these fools to the local authorities," says Sama as she crosses her arms and leans back against the wall. "Dealing with the whole justice system isn't really in our mandate - we're here to fight our way through the Spire."

I was hoping someone would mention the nearby jail cells in the next room over in response to Uriel’s request for a secure place to keep them. If the door is open to that room, though, he might see the cells and suggest we keep them there. If not, he waits for the others to continue discussing.

I had mentioned at the bottom of this previous post that someone of the party could remember the cells in the room where BG died. But so far, no party member has mentioned them.

Nobody has asked Arvol about how the 'splinters' go out on these 'missions' or this patrolling either. Just a thought.

****

Mended, thanks for those links about book reading, but they are both blocked by our IT dept. GGGRRR!!! Forbid I should read something!!!

"There are some cells down there near where Brother Guiness died. We can lock them in there and take them with us as we leave. And don't worry, it is poor etiquette to kill co-operative prisoners, so you will be fine. These "splinters" are you guys right? And you go out of the spire to patrol and find these "holy texts". How do you get in and out? And how is word of holy texts and the like make it's way to the boss?"

I think killing prisoners is obviously evil. OK a demon or devil maybe, but humans and the like. Literally scaring the s**& out of them is just sensible.

"A most excellent suggestion, Boudacia. Assuming they answer your questions truthfully, let's put them in there for safekeeping right afterwards."

Uriel will check out the indicated room (C6) and prepare it for the bandits -- the dead ones in one cell, the live ones in the other, (stripped of treasure & equipment, of course).

Let me know what treasure & equipment we can get, and I will update the loot chart.

Treasure and/or loot will have to wait until I get home, other than 8 Masterwork light crossbows, 8 short swords, and 8 sets of some sort of armor? Can't remember if it is just leather or studded leather right now. How are you going to manage to carry 8 masterwork light crossbows? Up to you.

Arvol: "There is a tunnel leading to the surface, if you follow the correct path. Otherwise you go deep, and then find death itself waiting for you. That is where that ugly creature that was in the cells came from. ... As to how do the texts make it to the boss? I am not sure what you mean? We simply hand them over to her when she is here. And since she sends us on the missions, she has a decent idea of when we will be back. But she spends most of her time here anyways. Usually holed up in her room, or else in the worship area / assembly room.

Uriel finds the cells are unlocked. Now, how to make the prisoners stay in the cell?

Answers as to the cells will most likely have to wait until I am home as well.

You find a total of 90 Gp. 8 Leather Armors, 8 daggers, 8 Cure light potions, 8 small vials with an unknown liquid. Besides the 8 Masterwork light crossbows, & 8 short swords mentioned earlier. Not a bad haul, if you cn just figure out how to carry some of this stuff. Too bad no one knows floating disk!

"...She found out that enemies of Norgorber had spread an incorrect translation of his holy text, Words Behind the Mask and she has shown us the light!..."

"Hmmm... you are worshipers of Norgorber?"

Bluff (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"I don't think they have worshipers of Norgorber where I come from. What is his faith about? Or is Norgorber a she?"

I'm really just fishing for things that would amount to a confession.

I assume I do actually know about Norgorber:
Knowledge (religion) Take 10: 10 + 5 = 15

While I'm at it, since I now can cast lesser restoration...

Gansu examines his wounds, and chants softly to himself. A light seems to come from his eyes, and quickly he feels less clumsy.

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

That gets rid of the DEX damage. Does anyone else have any?

I'll just give you the info on Norgorber. It won't really come into play, unless you all come up with something about it.

Arvol: "Yes! Great is the reaper! ... Must a deity have a gender? Each follower may have their own belief on that, it matters not. Norgorber's concerns? Greed, ... murder, ... poison, ... secrets! ... Oh no! ... No! Secrets!!! I have failed him!" As he lists the concerns, his face lights up with more and more pleasure as he names each, until reaching the word 'secrets', whereas he suddenly gets a panicked look upon his face and he starts turning, looking frantically in every direction until his eyes suddenly settle upon Gansu's sword. Suddenly he yells "Forgive me Norgorber!" and tries to throw himself onto the sword in an obvious attempt to kill himself.

If anybody wants to try to stop this then give me some sort of action and why you think that would be the corresponding action. Example: Dex check to grab/stop him, Gansu only: Ref save to move sword out of way. Others? If no one tries to stop him, he will die. His info has come to an end anyways. I gave you all a LOT!!! :-D

Heh. My reflex save isn't so good... doesn't look good for this guy. :)

Reflex to pull sword out of the way: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Apparently Norgorber forgives him. ;)

Gansu, a little shocked by the thief's suicidal intent, pulls his sword away with his left hand. Then, with his right, he punches the pathetic man.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Nonlethal damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"Settle down, damn you!" Gansu shouts.

A faint, eerie voice emerges from behind Gansu.

"Hito wa jinsei o owara semashou. Kare wa haiboku shide iru. Samurai wa teki ni kono reigi o ataeru node wa nai nodesu ka?"

Gansu looks troubled, but says nothing.

Aldhranhald shakes his head, looking from Sama, to Gansu, to Boudacia, and finally at Uriel. "Some night when we bed down to rest, remind me to have a conversation with you all about the afterlife. You place entirely too much concern into this mortal life, when the life that comes after is eternal. Relieving these two of their bodies is the most merciful and swift judgement, and not a punishment. To live under the corruption of evil is much more a punishment; to live in prison, here in these mortal bodies, is much more a punishment than to end life." Aldhranhald's eyes turn vacant for a moment, looking far off, at memory, at the past, at the reality of life without freedom. "Carry on as you will, I do not wish to cause dissension, if these creatures would rather live in prison than die and have their evil purged from them forever, I will not stand in their way. If the keys to the cells are gone, I can certainly lock them with my tools." The dark-haired elf points at his satchel of precision tools for opening and closing locks, and disarming mechanical traps.

So, Uriel? Evil aligned bandits, who admit to serving an evil deity. To the extent of trying to commit suicide when they realize they have failed siad deity. What's the lawful good Paladin going to do? :-P

Remembering Iomedae’s guidance regarding prisoners, ”When in doubt, I may force my enemies to surrender, but I am responsible for their lives”, Uriel contemplates for a few moments, then speaks.

”Arvol, you have admitted to many crimes in service to an evil god. Be warned that, by taking you prisoner, I have accepted responsibility for your life and possible future actions. You have two choices before you. Be inprisoned here for a time to contemplate a change of heart so that you may live to seek rehabilitation at Thornkeep, or submit yourself to judgement from those of us authorized by the Warrant of Thornkeep to mete out punishment. Choose.”

Uriel Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

If Arvol sincerely wants to die or continue to live as an evil servant of an evil God, Uriel will ask one of those who have signed the Warrant to pass judgement, which he will then carry out. If he wants to seek rehabilitation, we lock him up.

Same deal for Jenny...

Uriel sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Uriel, The warrant is from Fort Inevitable, NOT Thornkeep. Thornkeep is another town to the North. You might want to check into that. ;-)

Jenny refuses any sort of compromise and just keeps struggling against her ropes. She has said nothing else.
Arvol lies there just sobbing, you have trouble understanding him, but finally you make out, "Just kill me."

Sama's angry thundercloud finally dissipates. The wizard shakes her head in apparent disgust when Adranhald speaks his philosophy, but doesn't bother starting an argument over it.

"What's it gonna be, Uriel? If we put them in the cells we can always come back for them later. If we take them back to town that's kind of a trip out of our way having just gotten back in here, but I expect we'll be making that trip many times regardless."

Ah, sorry, Uriel gets mixed up with those things sometimes. It must have been because the bandit said Thornkeep earlier.

Having heard no defiant declaration of undying devotion to the evil god, Uriel surmises that there may be a shred of hope yet for these poor souls. ”Sama, you have it right I believe. Let’s lock them up securely and return our focus to the mission at hand. When we come back through on our way back to the Fort, we can take them for judgement then.”

”What say the rest of you? Is this acceptable?”

Yes, the bandit did say Thornkeep, which is further away than Fort Inevitable. There may be a reason he requested Thornkeep? Knowledge local if anyone wants? Or give me a reasonable reason for some other type of check.

"Though I think it's beyond stupid to leave enemies behind us, who could be rescued and then attack us from the back. I will, as I said, go along with whatever you all think best. If the cells have locking mechanisms I'm sure I can get them locked. I'll even use my magic to leave them some containers of water so they don't get dehydrated. If they're to be prisoners, they should be treated with mercy and dignity."

After saying his peace, Aldhranhald goes to examine the cells to see about getting them locked.

Take 20 Perception: 20 + 12 = 32

"Where I come from, a defeated warrior is given the chance to erase his shame by taking his own life. He takes a small sword and disembowels himself, while another warrior watches with sword drawn. This other warrior takes the man's head if he fails to complete the deed, which many do. It is not easy."

"This is considered an honourable death."

Gansu looks Arvol up and down.

"I would not consider these people to be honourable. And yet, if this man wishes to salvage his one last chance at honour, who am I to say no?"

He shakes his head. "Since they are not of my people, honour does not require it of them. And yet... I would not deny them if it is truly their wish."

Aldhranhald sees that he should have no trouble manipulating these locks any way he wants. I just jinxed him into rolling a nat 1! Haha!

And well said Gansu.

Now, maybe we can get some final decisions going and get this back on the road?

Some of you manage to hear noises from further up the north hallway ... like ... furniture being moved around maybe?

"You have both spilled secrets and betrayed the your god. Should you wish to die with honor and meet him now as Gansu offers, be my guest. If you are having second thoughts and perhaps wish to make better life choices in the future, I will put you in the cell."

Uriel offers Arvol back his shortsword (under Gansu's watchful eye). Unless Jenny breaks her silence, he will then pick her up (as she is still tied) and put her in the cell. Once she is in the cell, he waits for events to play out with Arvol--if he dies, Uriel tosses his body in with the other dead. If he lives, Uriel puts him in the cell with Jenny. After recovering the rope and guarding carefully while Aldhranhald locks the cell, we should be ready to move on.

Anyone have a preference on the path? The door to the north in the jail room, or further down the hallway?

Arvol hesitates, but takes the sword, then glances around briefly and realizing attacking any of you would be pointless, he holds the sword out pointing back in to his stomach, and then drops forward flat on his face impaling himself on the sword. Dead

"Well then Jenny, what's it to be?" Aldhranhald says pointing at the pool of blood spilling out of her fellow Splinter's stomach. "Follow Arvol into the cleansing of the afterlife? Or hole up in a prison of bars waiting slow death or capital punishment at the hands of the Hellknights at Fort Inevitable?"