The Rusty Drainpipe:
(Acrobatics DC 15 OR Climb DC 20)
Halistar, Zanos
Agitated Drunkard:
Intimidate DC 20 OR Sleight of Hand DC 15)
Algharud, Halfling, Lanialiar
Round 1, Turn Order: Lanlialiar, Algharud, Halistar, Halfling, Zanos
Halistar cast Heroism on himself.
and then Acrobatics his way up
With only a brief glance behind him as first Lanliarliar and then--more worryingly--Algharud successfully vaults over the fence, the halfling stoops, and with an easy gesture flings a handful of sand into the face of the drunkard he disturbed, taking off running as the hobo staggers back in surprise with an inarticulate cry of rage.
He darts off down the street, before ducking into another alleyway.
The Rusty Drainpipe:
(Acrobatics DC 15 OR Climb DC 20)
Halistar, Zanos
Agitated Drunkard:
Intimidate DC 20 OR Sleight of Hand DC 15)
Algharud, Lanialiar
Brick Wall:
Climb DC 15 OR Perception DC 25
Halfling
Round 1, Turn Order: Lanlialiar, Algharud, Halistar, Halfling, Zanos
"Well, this is exciting!" Zanos said, somewhat sarcastically.
He quickly wove his hands through an intricate pattern whilst muttering an incantation.
Suddenly, it was as if the world around Halister and Zanos slowed down when the spell took effect.
With that, he moved to the rusty drain pipe near the fence.
Round 2
Haste currently 1/6
Halistar will attempt the full round action to advance 2 cards
Halistar will now leap up the pipe. using last last turns roll if that is ok. If not,
He then moves his hands in a confusing manner, before throwing some perfume on the hobo to get passed him.
<-using Jack of All Trades
Round 2
Algharud tries to slip a coin out of the pocket of the drunkard and then "invites" him on a beer with his own coin. (just because beating up takes too long.)
Sleight of Hand:
Round 2
Zanos, who had never been the most athletic, unsuccessfully attempted to climb the drain pipe.
"Stars and stones! That's trickier than it looks!" exclaimed Zanos, his face turning red as he realized that the Crook Bearer's guards were watching.
While the drunkard is still clawing the sand out of his eyes from the halfling's assault Algharud dips his hand into the meager coins of the homeless man's pouch, passing it discretely to Lanlialiar who makes a show of spilling the items over the ground.
Before he has a chance to even look at the coins however, a blur that the pair vaguely recognize as Halistar bounds over the fence and pegs him in the face again with a vial of perfume. The homeless man falls to the ground with a cry, covering his face. "What ish wrong with you people!"
The group--sans Zanos who is still struggling to breach the first wall--hurries after the halfling, closing the distance, some faster than others. Despite his stubby legs and slower speed the Halfling still seems to be keeping himself ahead... right up until his fingers slip from the brick wall as he nears the sharply slanted roof above, sending him tumbling back to the cobbles below. He manages to land on his feet, but ends with his back, literally to the wall as Algharud, Halistar, and Lanialiar close in.
Round 3: Lanlialiar, Algharud, Halistar, Halfling, Zanos
(Acrobatics DC 15 OR Climb DC 20)
Zanos
Agitated Drunkard (Incapacitated):
Brick Wall:
Climb DC 15 OR Perception DC 25
Algharud, Halfling, Halistar, Lanialiar
Steep Rooftop:
Climb DC 10 OR Reflex DC 20
Halistar opens his mouth, but no sound comes out. At least, not that the PCs can hear.
Casts Ear Piercing Scream
DC 16 Fortitude save or take 3d6 () and be dazed for 1 round. Sucessful Save haves the damage, and negates the Daze effect.
GOT YOU!
Algharud grabs the halfling in case he is unarmed. If not, he pommels him with the blunt end of his weapon.
Zanos sighed. Oh well, I hope they catch the little bugger, he thought.
The sage moved back over to the camels to wait for the others.
As she rushes forward Lanialiar calls upon the heat of the desert, chanelling it into her fingertips to release it in a blast of fire as she reaches the halfling, charring the brick wall behind him...
...and yet not touching the eavesdropper at all.
Algharud's direct approach is significantly more successful, spying the Halfling's dagger he draws his own weapon and swings at the midget, dealing a sharp blow to the back of his neck.
Lanialiar and Algharud are mildly confused when the halfling then clutches at his ears, writhing in agony, letting out a pained cry as blood drips forth from them, leaving him reeling. It is only as they glance back at the silently screaming Halistar that a possible explanation is offered.
Round 3: Lanlialiar, Algharud, Halistar, Halfling
Brick Wall:
Climb DC 15 OR Perception DC 25
Algharud, Halfling, Halistar, Lanialiar
Steep Rooftop:
Climb DC 10 OR Reflex DC 20
Halistar grins at Algharud, and opens his mouth once more
Casts Ear Piercing Scream
DC 16 Fortitude save or take 3d6 and be dazed for 1 round. Sucessful Save haves the damage, and negates the Daze effect.
Algharud takes advantage of the halfling’s dazed state to wrap his arms around him and lift him off of his feet, while Lanialiar draws her scimitar--which crackles to flaming life—and presses it to his throat.
As his senses return the Halfling begins to struggle for a moment, before allowing himself to relax and smiling up at Algharud “Well, looks like ya got me. Watcha gunna do now?” he asks with a smirk.
Zanos, unaware as to the rest of the party's disposition, waited impatiently for them to return.
The halfling just chuckles in dark amusement at Lanialiar's suggestion.
I won't ask you anything twice. If you try to fool us or don't answer, I will hurt you badly each time. So here is the first question: Why did you spy at us?
"So in addition to attacking me without provocation with weapons and magic, you're now threatening me with further violence in an alleyway of one of the largest cities in the world, in broad daylight." he observes happily in answer to Algharud's questions and threats.
Indeed as the halfling makes you aware of the situation you notice the suspicious looks being cast down the alleyway in your direction, a few people who had paused to watch quickly making themselves busy as you look back that way.
Algharud looks around, trying to find a place to interrogate the halfling properly.
Realizing his mistake, he whispers impatiently to Halistar, Zanos and the others Distraction-maneuver, now!
Halistar starts telling the tale of Al-Hazred el Casemi, the Taldan explorer who could never find home.
Algharud tries to get the halfling into a quiet place.
Whether because of her outsider perspective, or despite it, Lanialiar spots something unusual about the brick wall that the others missed, distracted as they are with the halfling.
While Halistar bores the crowd into a stupor by reciting the ancestry of some of the ancient pharaohs, Lanialiar runs her hand over the wall, and after a moment digs her fingers into a crevice. With a click a latch releases and a section of the wall swings slowly open to reveal a thin facade of bricks over a wooden frame, and a steep stairway choked with dust leading upwards into gloom.
Algharud drags the halfling into the newfound hiding-place.
Come on, midget, we will have some nice talk, yes?
Algharud struggles up the steep stairs with one arm wrapped around the halfling. Ase he reaches the top the halfling suddenly gives up his impassivity and starts to struggle, taking advantage of Algharud's distraction to try and slip free.
The barbarian simply tightens his grip however, keeping him held tight, stopping his attempt, leaving the halfling red-faced.
Initiative:
Zanos' boredom is soon to be alleviated it seems, as a familiar looking Half-Orc suddenly round the corner, hunkers down behind his 'shield', followed by the unmistakeable twang of a bowstring.
The shaft easily flits through the air, and buries itself deep in Zanos's side. From the stinging sensation however, it seems the bolt is but the least of his worries...
"Argh! That hurt!" exclaimed Zanos as he quickly incanted a spell that caused him to turn invisible. He felt the poison working it's way into his system.
Uh oh, I'm in trouble! he thought.
As Zanos disappears from view, four similarly familiar guards round the corner a few steps behind the half-orc. These look like the men previously seen with the Paracount and his servant at the auction, Chellish Legionnaires . They move in front of the Half-Orc, drawing daggers from their belt as they do so, and letting fly at your own surprised guardsmen.
"Call off your men, and leave at once, before the guard show up and arrest you all."
The youngest of the guards, Willem draws a signal horn from his belt and with a deep breath sounds three short notes in a distinctive pattern. After a moment he repeats the signal as the other soldiers finish drawing their falchions and place themselves around the camels which seem unperturbed by the noise and commotion. The others on the street are not so calm however, bystanders scattering in all directions.
Just as the three and their unwilling guest reach the attic, they hear the clear sounding of a signal horn from somewhere nearby.
Feeling weak, Zanos almost stumbled, but caught himself.
Quietly, Zanos cast a spell on Illec and five of the guards to help them.
He then moved a little closer and off to the side, trying to keep the half-orc in sight.
"It seems like the guards are having a bit of difficulty. Algharud, subdue the halfling with extreme prejudice, then strip him before following. Lanialiar, with me."
Halistar takes off running toward the sound of the horn.
Initiative:
Initiative, Round 3: Lanialiar, Halistar, Halfling, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
The poison is proving to be particularly virulent, quickly sapping the strength from Zanos' limbs, making him feel lethargic. Nevertheless his spell goes off and the 5 guardsmen find themselves enervated.
Meanwhile from behind the Half-Orc's enormous shield comes the sound of a crossbow being draw and loaded, before the taught string twangs once more, but at Illec this time.
The bolt once again finds it's target, but Illec remains resolute. Even as the four apparently unarmed Legionnaires charge forward he simply slashes at one of them as they stream past him, and are in turn met by the weapons of his men.
Blades and fists fly as the two sides meet, but it seems significantly more blades than fists as the Guardsmen--bolstered by Zanos' spell--lay into the Legionnaires. Only Willem, the signaller has to drop his horn and draw his falchion, lagging behind the others. Even so, with the nasty gash dealt to his opponent by Illec, Willem's man goes down, while the second guardsmen completely fails to land a blow, his opponent ducking and dodging his clumsy swings. The other two Legionnaires, though still standing suffer several nasty cuts, and look to be on their last legs, while the Guardsmen seem only lightly bloodied.
Halistar and Lanialiar take off down the stairs, reaching the end of the alley.
Showing far more nimbleness than his previous attempts, the Halfling just manages to slip out of the Barbarian's grip, tumbling ten feet away, out of his reach, before popping back to his feet. "That'll be my signal to leave then." he observes with a smile.
Guardsman 1: 11
Guardsman 2: 10
Guardsman 3: 13
Guardsman 4: 11
Legionnaire 1: 23
Legionnaire 2: 0
Legionnaire 3: 22
Legionnaire 4: 27(Unconcious)
Zanos felt weak in the knees, but managed to cast mage armor on himself and to edge a little further around to get a good line of effect to the half-orc.
Initiative, Round 3: Lanialiar, Halistar, Halfling, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
Illec glances backwards to ensure his men are handling the Legionnaires, before turning his attention to the Half-Orc, still standing behind his enormous shield. He advances cautiously, ignoring the slice along his side from the bolt, and waits for an opening to get past the Half-Orc's shield...
...but one does not appear, the man keeping the Sarcophagus lid between Illec's blade and his flesh.
Zanos' clothes are starting to feel like they're made of lead, weighing him down as he stoops beneath the effects of the poison.
With a grin the Half-Orc finally straightens, dropping a small crossbow to draw his own weapon, a scimitar. After a moment of comparison the grin fades and he scowls at Illec's superior weapon, before lashing out savagely.
His blade barely nipping Illec's side, deflected by his armor.
The Legionnaires, now lay into the Guards with both fists, matching their speed now they have closed with the guards.
Despite his wounds the third legionnaire lays into his target, pummeling him with fists and elbows, leaving him looking woozy and bruised, while the uninjured second Legionnaire also lands a solid blow. Meanwhile the fourth continues to bleed out at Willem's feet.
Guardsman 1: 11
Guardsman 2: 17
Guardsman 3: 22
Guardsman 4: 11
Legionnaire 1: 23
Legionnaire 2: 0
Legionnaire 3: 22
Legionnaire 4: 28(Unconcious)
Halistar races back towards the caravan at top speed.
Round 4(?)
Halistar leaps the fence and continues on.
Activate Bralani's Step trait to gain 5 extra foot of movement.
Perception:
Algharud draws his falchion, moves up to the halfling, rages and tries to beat the halfling into unconsciousness.
Attack (-4 to attack for nonlethal damage):
Damage: nonlethal
Rage left: 17 rounds
Initiative, Round 4: Halistar, Halfling, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
Guardsman 1: 11
Guardsman 2: 17
Guardsman 3: 22
Guardsman 4: 11
Legionnaire 1: 33 (Dying)
Legionnaire 2: 22
Legionnaire 3: 31 (Dying)
Legionnaire 4: 28 (Dying)
Halistar meanwhile, pounds down the alleyway and nimbly kicks off the wall of the alleyway to leap up onto the top of the fences. He pulls himself up, balances for a moment, and leaps off, landing about 10 feet past the gate.
The vision that greets him is of Illec and his four men, 4 legionnaires--some of them recognizable as men from the Auction of the previous morning--and a half-orc likewise memorable from lurking on the outskirts of the auction the previous day. Illec is engaged with the half orc a short distance from the caravan, while the legionnaires and guardsmen are engaged in a clump by the camels. One of the legionnaires is down, and two more look badly hurt. The guardsmen look similarly disheveled though they have fared marginally better, moving with inhuman speed as they lay into the Legionnaires, taking down the two injured ones and leaving the last swaying on his feet.
Okay, so nevermind, pretty sure noone's perception is that good. YOU SHOULDN'T BE LOOKING HERE! *angrily shakes his fist*
Zanos snarled the words to a spell and shattered his invisibility as three silver arrows of force launched from his fingertips to slam into the half-orc.
You spot a small blast of fire impact into the lock of the chest that the guardsmen are defending.
Suddenly Zanos appears in front of and to Halistar's right past the end of the small alley he has landed in. The sorcerer launches a barrage of missiles at the half-orc, the silvery arrows dodging straight past his enormous shield, causing a roar of pain.
The Half-Orc glares at Zanos, but attempts to take out his displeasure on Illec instead. Somehow the wily guard manages to dodge the blows enough that they deflect off his chainmail, only further enraging the Half-Orc. "Stand still and die!" he bellows at Illec, the half-orc focusing his attention there now.
The remaining legionnaire wavers slightly but remains steadfast, relentlessly attacking his foes. It seems his wounds are affecting him more severely than he had thought however, his fists missing wildly.
Two of the guardsmen now focus their attention on the last legionnaire, while Willem and the Guardsmen 1 start to circle around to flank the half-orc.
The two guardsmen step to flanking positions and lay into the legionnaire. Both of them landing solid blows which cleave into his chest. The legionnaire crumbles to the ground, dead.
Initiative, Round 4: Halistar, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
Initiative, Round 5: Halistar, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
Illec: 2
Guardsman 1: 11
Guardsman 2: 17
Guardsman 3: 22
Guardsman 4: 11
Legionnaire 1: 34 (Dying)
Legionnaire 2: 40 (Dead)
Legionnaire 3: 32 (Dying)
Legionnaire 4: 28 (Stable)
Halistar pulls out a small drum from his bag and does a lively patter.
You spot a small blast of fire impact into the lock of the chest that the guardsmen are defending. It's looking rather melted.
Initiative, Round 4: Halistar, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen
Initiative, Round 5: Halistar, ???, Zanos, Half-Orc, Legionnaires, Algharud, Guardsmen