K'nyaz is surprised to see the girl didn't go far when she ran off. The strike hurt, but he tries to recover quickly as he returns a swing of his own. His strike is way off. Since he caught up, Voroan alights back onto his shoulder, no concern recognizable in his eyes but K'nyaz feels it in his thoughts.
kelgeah dashes off after K'nyaz, uncoiling her whip. "Robes are not for running, K'nyaz! Stay with the group!" If she can get in range, she will snap K'nyaz's opponent.
Del: yes, that will hit Nayven. Quick note: Nayven has a 16, the wererat has the 19.
Kelgeah: Embyr collapses, throwing down her weapon.
Nayven: 11-4=7
Sasha/wererat: hp 20-12=8-7=1
Round 4:
Delkaneth:
Embyr: down
Nayven: swings at Del
K'nyaz:
Kelgeah:
Hralyk:
Sasha: swings at Talon
Talon:
Nayven: shortsword vs Del:
Sasha: shortsword vs Talon:
Talon was more than ready to end this, his swords whirling in both hands as he cut once more at the wererat.
The first blade swings over the wererat's head and makes them duck - the second stabs out, sinking into the creature's chest. The fighter yanks the weapon out of the dying monster, checking on how the others are doing.
As the rogue's blade cuts into him again Delkaneth realizes that his position between these two enemies is dividing his focus to his detriment. Trusting Talon to finish off the were-creature and trusting his luck to keep him alive he moves into position to focus his full attention on the woman.
Hralyk, seeing Talon finish off the wererat, charges the only remaining combatant.
@Kelgeah: She's at 0. She's surrendering.
Kelgeah winds up for another snap of the whip, but sees Embyr's weapon clatter on the floor and stays her hand. "Good choice, my dear. Pray some of your friends have as much sense. K'nyaz, watch her. If she makes a move, knock her out by any means necessary."
She then turns to aid the group, announcing herself as she struts back to the battle. "We've got a reasonable one here, my friends. Anyone else want to surrender INSTEAD OF being hacked into quarters? Now's the time."
Delkaneth tries to ignore the pain from his bleeding wounds as he faces off against the persistent Tower Girl. At Kelgeah's announcement he holds his swing to give his opponent a chance to follow the cleric's suggestion.
Nayven, seeing Sasha fall, surrenders, roundly and foully cursing Ayala for sticking them here, all her favorites, Sasha in particular, and Natalya for 'bringing all these invaders in on us'.
Talon flicks the wererat blood off of the swords before with a flourish sheathing them again. The cold and pragmatic part of him said that they couldn't take on prisoners and the only mercy they should be given was a swift death. That part was beaten down by the honorable part, the idealistic part, and the sporting part of him. "Tie them up, gag them, and remove anything with an edge from their possession," He whispers, helping out with the task.
Unless there was a hidden passage they didn't know about, it would be safe enough to leave them here for now. The way in so far didn't have any particular junctions. "Let's keep moving - there's bound to be others up ahead." He whispered to the group.
Kelgeah Notes the surrender of their opponents, and a smile flashes across her face. Before she returns to the group, she takes a moment to cast a little spell. She then returns and assists in gathering the remaining girls and tying them up with a smile. Normally, I'd be more gentle and thorough about this, girls, but pardon the rough work for now. Tell you what, though: you darlings sit tight and don't make any trouble for us coming or going, and I'll see about showing you a far more exciting and rewarding lifestyle than waiting to be sold out in ruined towers full of mold and dung. Maybe even get a little payback on your malefactor, Ayala.
Her smile turns to an almost predatory grin.
What do you say, ladies?"
Delkaneth is glad to lower his weapons, carefully eyeing his worthy opponent. He moves in to assist with carrying out Talon's instructions with extra focus on checking for concealed weapons. Sure in the knowledge that there are more Tower Girls to be dealt with he moves as quickly as caution and his wounds will allow.
Despite the fight that just took place, K'nyaz is kind and gentle in helping the runner to her feet to lead her back to the others. As he returns, he offers an explanation for his actions. I apologize for my hasty action, but if she got avay, ve vould possibly be deal vit an alerted compound. She vas more risk escapinG than, just getting myself singled out."
As they work on making prisoners out of the women, He makes a few suggestions. First, tying them to the pillars a few floors down to limit their movement or access to one another, and is about suggest another before Kelgeah speaks, he adds You know dese vomen are invaluable resource. Maybe they will feed us information on dis place in return for leniency? It vould be irresponsible to not try and learn something from dem first."
He doesn't speak to the women directly, as much as suggesting to those that are better suited for it to do the questioning.
Kelgeah leans over to K'nyaz, using her hand to cover her face from the prisoners as she whispers.
"Oh of course, K'nyaz. I plan to do more than just question them, but it works better if I get them a bit riled up and 'inspired' first. Empathize, earn a little trust, and...well, just watch and learn." She finishes with a knowing wink.
Nayven (who apparently doesn't know how not to curse) mutters "Somethin' more than roastin' her @#$&% pet rats? Maybe that %$#^& Natalya had it right after all. Her favorites get more than their *&%^$ fair share and we get stuck up here while the rest get to find more o that &*(&^%$ treasure. Ain't even allowed down there ta see any o it."
Ember sniffles and looks very nervous. She keeps looking around as if there's something else here to be scared of. "Hush. Ya know those stupid rats talk ta her."
Delkaneth knows enough to stay silent as Kelgeah appears to be making progress with the captives. As he is retrieving the axes he threw their words do catch his attention. We started at the lower level, what does she mean by 'down there'?
He readies two throwing axes and moves to stand guard near the hallway to ensure no surprises interrupt their impromptu interrogation.
Kelgeah kneels down to Nayven's eye level. "ah, so there's little honor among her thieves then, is there? Fairly stingy to set guards out for grunt work without even showing them any pay. We have a word for service like that. It's called slavery, perhaps you've heard of it?" She cocks an eyebrow with a knowing smirk to punctuate her meaning.
Spying Ember's fear plain on her face, she shifts her position to address her. "She has spies among the rodents, then? Doesn't even trust you enough to let you stand guard on your own..." Kelgeah slowly shakes her head. "I can't imagine working for anyone for long who won't even let me do my own job. What could possibly compel you to stay, then? A favor owed? Debts? Threats to family or the like? If it's simply your safety for which you fear, perhaps you should seek out less shifty company? Say...Calistria's clergy? The Savored Sting has every appreciation for bold women of independence, especially those with a score to settle."
@Del: the other rooms appear empty.
There is a stick jammed into a crack back wall of room 7. It looks like the wall may be able to be moved. Some kind of secret door, perhaps?
The two women look at each other consideringly. They hold a low conversation with each other, then Ember speaks. "Ain't one fer the gods much, but hey can't be worse, I guess. Yea there's more here. Lots o' secret passages 'n stuff. Kayra's in the next room. One o' Ayala's favorites she 'blessed' ya might say. Caught someone else sneakin' in and is holdin' her there waitin' fer instructions."
She's good Hearing the Tower Girl's words Delkaneth quickly swaps out one of the throwing axes for the silvery one he knew he'd be needing shortly. With a nod he motions for Talon to keep watch on the hallway and makes his way over to the back wall for a closer look.
Kelgeah's eyes light up at the new information. A prisoner, you say? Interesting, indeed." She places a hand each on Ember and Nayven's cheek with an almost doting smile. "You're both quite fortunate to have another path open for you here. If you'll consider my words--simply explore my proposal, mind you, no obligations--you'll find a better reward waiting then a fugitive's life. Natalya has broken your trust; perhaps it's time to place your trust in something better than a greedy wererat who plays favorites."
"There's a secret door in in that room's back wall" Ember mutters, "We've got it propped with a stick."
"Are you done?" Talon asked Kelgeah, looking at the two girls. Obviously, not all of the girls were wererats judging by what they said. That was useful to know, though he supposed they would need to keep using silver weaponry against them just in case. "Seeing as you are not cursed, I don't see any reason not to let you stay alive after helping us. Unfortunately, we can't exactly let you take the time to bring you to the authorities for now. So I expect you both to be sitting here tied up when we get back - if you are, then when we get to the mainland, we may 'forget' to turn you in. Understand?"
He turns away, trying to formulate a plan of action based on the information they've gotten, looking at the group. "There's a prisoner being held ahead, and another wererat guarding them. We're going to rescue them if they're still alive, and kill the wererat. Hralyk and Del, you're upfront with me. Kel and Kay will support from the rear. Any other suggestions?"
If there were no other objections, Talon would lead the way into the next room.
His quick inspection of the door confirming what their prisoners are saying, Delkaneth comes back over to the main group as Talon details his plan. He nods his agreement but leans in to whisper to Kelgeah.
"Looks like these lovely ladies are well in hand. That one's pretty tough, did quite a number on me." He winces a bit as he touches one of his many wounds. He turns his back to the women to try and hide his condition but keeps whispering to his teammate. "Before we head in there, I'm wondering.......if you could........."
Kelgeah eyes Delkaneth as his body language leads her to his wounds. "ahh," she whispers, and nods with smile. With a low chant, she stretches two fingers to point at Delkaneth's back surreptitiously, flushing a divine warmth through him and shrinking the worst of his wounds.
Delkaneth's eyes fly wide open and his entire body shudders as the wave of healing energy washes over him. He holds his breath for a few seconds then lets it out slowly, trying to recover by replacing the shocked look with a smug grin. Trying, but not quite succeeding.
"Wow. Maybe I should get wounded more often? My thanks." Taking another second to collect himself he grabs his silvered axe in one hand and a throwing axe in another and moves into position as Talon indicated.
You make your plans, then swiftly push open the sliding door to reveal a large room. In a short corridor directly in front of you is a young woman, tied up, gagged, and laying on the floor.
Between you and the prisoner (in the square where the 8 is) is a female wererat, just finishing her transformation. As you burst in, she fires her crossbow, but the shot goes wild.
Init:
Round 1:
Talon
K'nyaz
Hralyk
Delkaneth
Kelgeah
wererat
Wererat vs 1st person through the door.
Following Talon's lead through the door Delkaneth quickly assesses the situation as the crossbow bolt streaks toward them. Breaking to the left as he enters the room, he makes sure there are no other surprises waiting for them to the side of the room. He gives the wererat a wide berth as he moves around the room to position himself between the prisoner and the creature.
Hralyk moves into the room and assumes a flanking position with Delkaneth, then swings his greataxe at the creature.
As you move into the room, you spot two more of the tower girls, one in each of the corners along the north wall, holding hand crossbows, preparing to fire.
TG1 fires at Del:
TG2 fires at Hralyk:
Round 1:
Talon
tower girls x2: attack
K'nyaz
Hralyk
Delkaneth
Kelgeah
wererat: attack
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 20-9=11
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion; DR 10/silver
Melee short sword +4 (1d6+2/19–20), bite –1 (1d4+1 plus disease and curse of lycanthropy; DC 15)
Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
tg1:hp 11
tg2: hp 11
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1
Melee short sword +1 (1d6+1/19–20)
Ranged hand crossbow +3 (1d4/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
The moment that Talon steps forward, he notes the attacking wererat, feeling that bolt cut through the air past him. He acts reflexively, two silvered chakrams suddenly flying through the air at the monster at once.
He can tell from the release his second was going to miss it, but was also made concerned about the further Tower Girls in the corners. "Kay, Kel, hit the corners!" He directly, taking a brief step towards the northeast corner while drawing his two bladed sword.
Kelgeah casts a spell, crossing her arms across her chest as a shimmering field of force flickers for a moment. She then draws her whip, snapping it about as she makes her entrance behind Talon. She spots the tower girl in the northeast corner, and grins hungrily as she moves to help Talon cut her off.
K'nyaz understands Talon's intentions, but doesn't get the rationale. He stays within the doorway and launches one of his conjured darts of acid at the shapechanger. SplittinG focus only creates vounds on each enemy, but single focus vill remove an enemy, meaninG vun less to vorry about."
"What a welcoming surprise!", Shadow says to herself. This maybe the distraction she needs to escape her bindings and perhaps more?
Using sleight of hand to disguise her attempt to escape her constraints, she begins to work hoping not to be noticed by the enemy or enemies.
AC 19, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 20-9=11-3=8-6=2
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +3
Defensive Abilities evasion; DR 10/silver
Melee short sword +4 (1d6+2/19–20), bite –1 (1d4+1 plus disease and curse of lycanthropy; DC 15)
Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex)
tg1:hp 11
tg2: hp 11
Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +1
Melee short sword +1 (1d6+1/19–20)
Ranged hand crossbow +3 (1d4/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
The dual wielder was in range of the first Tower Girl, his steel blades striking out in concert at the enemy.
It's a furious flow of misses, hissing through the open air as the woman dodged his attempts.
Not relenting on their adversary Delkaneth presses the attack against the creature in the center of the room.
With the infected creature already defeated Delkaneth moves to the tower girl on the east side of the room and engages her.
Round 2
Del takes the wererat down but misses the easternmost tower girl. The wererat drops the weapons she was examining.
@Shadow: you can retrieve them now.
These two tower girls seem to have better moral that the first two and continue to fight.
Round 2:
Talon: miss
tower girls x2: attack
K'nyaz: ???
Hralyk: ???
Shadowlightbringer: retrieve her weapons
Delkaneth: downs wererat
Kelgeah: ???
Kelgeah keeps just out of melee range, grinning as she lashes out at the eastern tower girl. [b]"The water or the whip, girl. Choose!"