Even though the huge half-orc has shown few signs of weariness, Hurgah still lets out a guttural sigh of relief as Halstadt's wave of positive energy washes over him. He quickly lays down flat, aware that his massive frame will stand out among the soldiers.
He lies there and listen as the others discuss the plans to infiltrate the camp and pyramid. Finally, he grumbles in a low, grinding voice.
"All this sneaking and skulking has gotten us nowhere. We are no closer to getting into the pyramid than we were when we arrived. Enough now, I say. Even if we survive the pyramid, we will still have to face the Exemplar and her pet monks once we emerge. Let us strike at them now, then.
We know that the soldiers are weak. They have numbers, true, but once we show them the heads of Khymrasa and the pale devil-lovers, their courage will melt and they will flee like whipped mongrels. Then we can explore the damn pyramid in peace.
If you have a place where we can hide and rest for a few hours, that would be best, but otherwise, I say it is time to show the high and mighty Exemplar and her flock of traitors and cowards the color of their entrails."
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
Seeing the mighty Hurgah still wounded Hal converts a few of Angradd's gifts into healing energy. [Ooc] Swap Enthrall and Instant Armor for 2 Cure Moderate Wounds spells. [Ooc]
Cure Light Wounds
Cure Light Wounds
Hal looks at the Potentate and Karek to ensure that they are well before we begin.
"I think the Sand Sage is who we need to worry about Hurgah, if we attack the Exemplar surely he will intervene. Better to sneak in and destroy this Pactstone. On the way out we will deal with the monks and if they follow us in so much the better".
-
It is all good news for Breach.
Not only does he not need to subtract 8, he needs to add in some more. The way I try to remember it - with my die luck it doesn't come up all that often and it’s confusing - is this:
In general, "static" bonuses (ones you do not have to roll for) are multiplied. Variable bonuses (ones you roll for) are not multiplied.
That means, when he crits with his axe on a Power Attack, Breach is a whopping +36. All of his bonuses like Strength, a +1 magic weapon, weapon training are multiplied. Basically, in this case, everything but sneak attack is tripled.
So we add 24 more points on to your results and we get some titanic hits. They range from 52 to 68! Breach really has achieved a Hollywood style K.O. These guys are not going to wake up for approximately 1 hour. Assuming their unmoving bodies hanging on their spears is not discovered before by a patrol before then, that will buy you guys a nice chunk of time.
"All this sneaking and skulking has gotten us nowhere.
"I have to come to trust friend Hurgah's instincts over these last few days, and my desire to take vengeance upon those cursed monks is almost as strong as my fervent need to bathe in a great vat of ale and then sleep for a month. And if it were not for the unnerving presence of the Sand Sage, I would wholeheartedly endorse razing Khymrasa's camp to the ground. Unfortunately, that powerful wizard made it quite clear that attacking the Osirian troops would bring his wrath. If we have a chance to strike at the devil servants without having to go through a bunch of troops first, then Hurgah's plan might work. Otherwise, I fear it would be a bloodbath with much risk to ourselves.”
And with that the Dune Squad departs, making their way back to the Slave camp. Their number has swollen back to eight, with the Mithral Scarab making it nine.
The last to leave the guard post is Breach who gives the Osirions-on-a-stick each one last solid whack across the noggin sending them back to sleep.
The trip back through the dunes is much easier this time around. Having already penetrated past the lines of guards guarding the camp, the only danger amongst the hills of sand in this region is the threat of hidden floating eyes which Lydia reminds have been known to patrol the area. Gandel and Lydia range ahead of the Squad, coning the area in tandem with their magic, hoping to spot the eyes before the Squad can be detected. From the middle of the pack, Karek elaborates on his theory that the Sand Sage might be a potential ally. If true, it would do little good for him to sound the alarm now. The Scarab, however, remains skeptical. She’s quite certain he remains in the service of Khymrasa.
It is though academic—nothing is seen. Either there were no eyes, or they evaded the Squad’s magical detection.
-----
Hal will don his slave garb once again placing his gear into his haversack.
Lydia will beat on you all to do what you can to disguise yourselves with an emphasis on concealing your weapons and armor. She will also be looking for a solution to the fact that Moonpate and Hurgah are well known as wanted men in the camp due to a certain pair of statues.
Moon will wrap his big, shiny pate in rags and stoop like a laborer who has carried heavy loads his whole life. He will also wrap his hands in rags, to hide his rings, as well as make sure that any other items like his mug and buckle are out of sight under his loose fitting clothes. He certainly already looks bedraggled, worn, filthy, and beaten.
Before moving out from the guard post he will also cast Mage Armor on himself.
Gandel re-dons his dirty slave garb, swathing himself in their loose folds in an attempt to disguise himself as a water-bearing child as he did the night before. He positions his haversack under the clothes to give himself a hunch-backed appearance.
Hurgah covers himself up as best he can, taking care to cover his many tattoos and wrap a scarf around his head to conceal his orcish ancestry.
Karek fiercely embraces Bunky and says some excited greetings in Terran before warmly greeting the rest of the party. He basks in Halstadt's healing glow as he meets Donkor, Halstadt, Gandel, and wise elder Breach once more. He greets Xerissa and the Mithral Scarab with a handshake and a wary glance. Which is a reasonably warm greeting, considering the circumstances. At least these witches don't seem to be elves.
----------------
Karek remains quiet and low as the party reunites, trying to catch his breath after his long run. He indicates that he more or less prefers the stealth option. When the subject of the Sand Sage comes up, Karek speaks up.
Da Sand Sage is loyal to his beeble, but he dislikes d'Asmodeans. He could hab helbed find us lasd nide, bud did nod. I dink he will not hinder us fv we look to fide da monks an' sbare his beeble.
Grumbling under his breath with having to remove his armor again, Breach reluctantly returns himself to disguised form along with the others.
He greets Xerissa and the Mithral Scarab with a handshake and a wary glance. Which is a reasonably warm greeting, considering the circumstances. At least these witches don't seem to be elves.
-
Actually, as luck would have it, the Scarab is a half-elf. Coincidentally, Thalia was also a half-elf so Karek's distrust of elves is probably not terribly assisted by the "half" aspect.Xerissa at least is a human. Both are Pathfinders if that helps, and Karek has had good dealings with Pathfinders historically, if I recall his background correctly.
Hurgah covers himself up as best he can, taking care to cover his many tattoos and wrap a scarf around his head to conceal his orcish ancestry.
-
The Scarab looks up at the giant Reaver and winces. She taps her toe in thought."Wait here," she says, "I'll be back in a minute." She then darts ahead of the Dune Squad entering the slave camp.
She returns a minute or two later dragging a large tent canvass. "Here's what we do. We roll him up in this like a carpet. Then Breach - and this other guy with the giant arms, Karek is it? You carry him like you're hauling a loaded tent. We've got workers moving tents and gear all the time right now. Now that the pyramids open, there's a lot less workers and a lot of people are being moved around."
-----
Donkor tries for a slightly different tact. Having already secreted his armor away in his pack, he inverts the lower half of his clerical vestments to conceal the various symbols of Pharasma embroidered within. He removes his top and turns his cape into something vaguely like a sash. Unlike most of the Dune Squad, Donkor’s skin has the look of the locals and he lacks the red blotches of burn that can so quickly expose a foreigner. He retains all of his jewellery, including the big honking ring of star tribe jewellery and his over-sized amulet. Using his acting skill he practices waltzing around like he owns the place, and in particular begins barking a few practice orders to those dressed in slave garb.
He then walks over to Gandel and says, “You There – you boy. You’d best hand me back my whip before I decide to practice my skills on your hide.”
“I’d appreciate the loaner,” he whispers, “I’ll pass it back as soon as we’re there.”
“And you! Bearded old man who does not seem to know how to wash,” he says gesturing to Halstadt. “I thought I told you, you were to carry my pack. See to it that it doesn’t touch the ground again.”
“That’s good”, she says to Donkor with a giggle that betrays her elvish ancestry, but once we get going, perhaps try speaking in Osiriani instead.”
“Breach,” she says, “You know what I want – lose the axe.”
“And the shield.”
“All of you – no weapons. Hide them in the tent-roll with Hurgah, if you have to. I am sure he can look after them.”
“Now let’s hurry.”
-----
Donkor tries for a slightly different tact.
Moonpate frowns. "No disrespect friend Sooron, but have we not tried the high profile approach before. I am fearful that you will be recognized, especially if that scarred devil monk got a look at you. I doubt that killer ever forgets a face."
Hurgah looks mighty sceptical at the notion of being hauled around like a rug, but eventually complies.
Breach groans in despair as he reluctantly gives up his weapons as well. "Lydia, lass, ya really know how ta hurt a dwarf."
Karek surrenders his weapon and takes his place as a rug-bearer, giving another suspicious glare at the Scarab's suddenly slightly pointed ears. He looks a little less sure of himself, but is too tired to raise a fuss.
Moonpate frowns. "No disrespect friend Sooron, but have we not tried the high profile approach before. I am fearful that you will be recognized, especially if that scarred devil monk got a look at you. I doubt that killer ever forgets a face."
---
Hurgah looks mighty sceptical at the notion of being hauled around like a rug, but eventually complies.
-
"Shhhhhhhh!" says the Scarab. Once Hurgah is wrapped up in the canvass, she pats him affectionately on the head."Alright boys," she says as she points to the huge lumpy roll, "Hoist him up. Everybody ready?"
In case it matters, for clarification, we'll say that when Breach and Karek surrender or give up their weapons, they wrap any pointed or bladed ends and stash them in the tent canvass with Hurgah. Karek's sack holding his armor can squeeze into there as well -- Lydia probably shoulda got a bigger tent.
Try not to jostle him too hard.
Phrip (or others), let me know what you would have Donkor do instead then. He does not have a set of slave clothes. In hindsight, the Scarab or perhaps the infiltration team might have anticipated this and obtained additional sets in advance. Donkor could always climb inside the tent canvass with Hurgah.[/ooc]
-
Sorry to hassle you Phrip but let me know what you mean. Only Halstadt, Breach and Gandel have actual sets of slave garb.Do you want the Scarab to head into the camp and try to fetch some while the Squad waits? Or did you mean Donkor should shred his clothes and just do the best he can to simulate Osiriani poverty?
Karek makes final preparations in his "costume" via muttered Dwarven with the infiltration team, who's at least a little familiar with this process. Beard goes under the shredded tunic? Fortunately, his day-to-day wear, armor excluded, is grubby and already tattered. Adding a few scraps here and there, courtesy of Bunky, is enough to achieve a look similar to that of the slaves in the camp. Whether Karek can act the part, though, is a different story entirely.
Once ready, he hefts his end of the tent, and groans under the strain. This is going to be a long day.
-
Sorry to hassle you Phrip but let me know what you mean. Only Halstadt, Breach and Gandel have actual sets of slave garb.Do you want the Scarab to head into the camp and try to fetch some while the Squad waits? Or did you mean Donkor should shred his clothes and just do the best he can to simulate Osiriani poverty?
---
True on all counts. Hal did originally plan for a much safer and sensible incursion by night and had this new venture sprung upon him.It's also usually correct to blame Donkor for stuff. Although in this particular case I can't yet quite see how.
-
Nope. Things seem to be solved one step at a time. (Must be adventurers. . .)
But having Sooron make a mess of himself might work too. Unless others think him lording it over us for a time is a better idea.
-
Clothes shredding it shall be. It's not much of a disguise, but being a native Osirion will help him.
-
Unnecessary - Donkor has been quickly dissuaded from the slave master idea.It sounds like the mending spells will come in exceedingly handy. Score another one for the Cantrip King.
The Mithral Scarab leads the way, selecting her path with care as she slowly tries to wind her way to the opposite end of the slave camp, off to the north, while being seen by as few eyes as possible. There she hopes to reach a green tent described to her by Xerissa Auraraun, the newest pathfinder dispatched by her Venture Captain.
The Scarab is followed by two slave-workers, a bearded man (Halstadt) and a water boy (Gandel). Behind them two burly slaves (Breach and Karek) follow, hauling a rather distended and disorderly roll of tent canvass (Hurgah). Hanging behind is a rather overweight and downtrodden slave (Moonpate) next to a skinny worried looking one with tattered rags for clothing (Donkor). Following ten to twenty seconds behind, a young Osiriani slave girl (Xerissa), darts in and out of the shadows.
The Scarab snakes through an alley of tents, hoping the shadow line will screen the Dune Squad from sight. She has a much more difficult time avoiding other slaves than she did earlier at dawn as the camp was just rising. Despite her best efforts, the Dune Squad encounters several people.
As the Scarab gets closer to the center of the camp, you begin to hear the sound of falling water. Remarkably, the camp appears to have a large white fountain installed as its epicentre. Many slaves in sandals form a winding line in front of the fountain, awaiting their turn to fill their clay jars and barrels. The Scarab however, deliberately avoids the crowd and as such the Dune Squad passes the fountain at quite a distance—you only receive a brief opportunity to glimpse it.
When the Dune Squad passes by the fountain, Donkor hears a strange crackling sound. It takes him a moment to realize it is coming from his own pack. It sounds vaguely like crushing glass.
The Dune Squad then crosses paths with another team of slaves with bowed heads, a smaller group hauling woven baskets filled with reed-wood or camel dung, used for fuelling the small campfires in the evening. They look a bit jealous at the high quality haversacks many of the Dune Squad carries, but their slave driver at the rear barks an order and they pass by without incident. Next, the Squad finds themselves taking a detour. A Build Beast has bit its handler in half and is now spitting acidic globs of froth at the workers who are bravely trying to coral it. The workers seem to be trying to close in on the creature with blankets of burlap.
Certain giant insects are sedated when their (many) eyes are covered. The slave handlers seem to be trying to creep close enough to fling a blanket over the creature’s head.
The Scarab ignores the disturbance, and bids you to take advantage of the distraction. A half minute later you come across a second group of slaves who are slowly rolling giant wooden stakes, the kind you have seen used to secure the outer palisade of the Master Camp. A pair of slave masters are employing their whips, ensuring that their charges complete their transport on schedule. The Scarab pulls to the side of the path, allowing the other group to take priority and pass.
As they pass, the slave masters eye the Dune Squad most suspiciously. However, they appear to return to their duty of labor-enhancement.
The Dune Squad is barely back on their feet when the Scarab is stopped by an older slave traveling solo. The Scarab appears to know him and they begin to converse.
From the snippets of conversation you can catch, this appears to be nothing more than an unfortunate social call. In the course of his gossiping, the salve remarks about a dead monk found on the east side of camp south of the stables. He was found in a hastily erected cairn of dirt. Lydia quickly makes her excuses – something about a tent needed urgently in the Master Camp. He appears to be satisfied with this and promises to catch up with her later, having messages of his own to deliver. Once he is gone, the Scarab exhales in relief.
The conversation ends and the Scarab resumes, this time traveling more quickly. You sense she is beginning to take chances, in favor of cutting the trip shorter.
Minutes later, the Dune Squad spies a monk of the Shrine of Horns. The monk is sitting inside the entrance of a black tent with his legs crossed, perhaps resting or in meditation. The slaves and workers of the camp appear to have given his tent a very wide berth. Outside the tent rests a small fire filled with red-hot coals. The fire pit is encircled by numerous stones, some splitting from the heat. A pair of tongs next to the rocks and a large clay pot of water hint that the monk may be preparing a sweat lodge. As soon as the Scarab sees the monk, she quickly adjusts her route, selecting an alternative path.
There is no indication that the monk took any notice of the Dune Squad.
Finally a emerald green tent is in sight. The Scarab begins heading towards it, until she can see that the tent’s entrance is guarded by a trio of soldiers. The Scarab quickly ducks in behind another tent, guiding you all towards here. It is another 40 feet to the green tent.
This is the right place. You recognize it from your scrying session in Sothis. If you are not too late, inside should be a cluster of volunteers and conscripts awaiting their moment to enter Ahn’Sehlota.
The body language of the soldiers is of interest. While they are making a show of guarding the tent from outsiders, they often glance over their shoulder and ward their backs. Perhaps their true focus is on preventing anyone inside from exiting the tent.
The Scarab whispers a reminder that the green tent is located very close to the actual dig site proper. Gandel, Halstadt and Breach well remember that last night there was a huge crowd of security there. If the Dune Squad were discovered now, it is likely that a truly mammoth force would descend upon them quite quickly.
When Xerissa still disguised as a young slave girl catches up she whispers, "Were here! This is the tent where their slaves are being held before they are sent into the pyramid. Anyone up for a rescue?"
DC 18 Sense Motive:
DC 24 Sense Motive:
DC 16 Sense Motive:
vs. 18
Whew! That was a close one. Bah! I prefer a straight fight ta all this sneakin' around.
vs. 24
Well that was easy enough.
vs. 16
Odd. Wonder what that's all about.
DC 13 Knowledge (nature) check:
DC 18 Sense Motive check:
DC 16 Sense Motive check:
- fail!
When Xerissa still disguised as a young slave girl catches up she whispers, "Were here! This is the tent where their slaves are being held before they are sent into the pyramid. Anyone up for a rescue?"
-
Absolutely! Though I also remain hopeful someone will tell me what the Dune Squad is going to do.
"So we need to get into that green tent?" Gandel asks Lydia and Xerissa. "If only we could find a way to distract those guards at the entrance."
Animal Handling DC 13 -
Sense Motive DC 18 -
Sense Motive DC 24 -
Sense Motive DC 16 -
Hal turns to Xerissa, "Your plan requires us to get in there first, is that right?"
-
There are no build bests in sight and apart from the rather hostile one Gandel passed approxiamtely 3-5 minutes earlier, Gandel is unaware of any others in the slave camp. Likely there are somewhere, but Gandel would have no way of knowing where.Gandel knows where the Build Beast stable is from here, but it is on the southeast side of the camp (Area "C" on the Dig Site map whereas you are in the southwest in Area "B").
"So we need to get into that green tent?" Gandel asks Lydia and Xerissa.
-
Lydia shrugs with a worried look, looking to Xerissa for confirmation. She has been out of touch with her Venture Captain for quite some time now.The younger slave girl, Xerissa, nods. "Khymrasa's men will come and escort the slaves and soldiers inside and send them into the pyramid. We need to be inside the tent to replace them -- assuming we're not too late. But if the tent is already empty, why would it be guarded?"
Hal turns to Xerissa, "Your plan requires us to get in there first, is that right?"
-
"Right," answers Xerissa. "I don't know how the tent's current occupants will react when we do though. Be ready for anything."Lydia whispers, "If they give us trouble, we might need to impose upon Breach for more of his bonking skills."
Hal turns to Gandel whispering, "Can you use your tricks to disappear and go see inside the tent and let us know what is in there? Then we can always go in through the side as we did with the buildbeast tent yestereve".
Here's my rolls:
Knowledge (Nature)
Sense Motive
Sense Motive
Sense Motive
Hal turns to Gandel whispering, "Can you use your tricks to disappear and go see inside the tent and let us know what is in there? Then we can always go in through the side as we did with the buildbeast tent yestereve".
-
The emerald tent is approximately 35 x 50 feet in length, making it one of the larger tents in the slave camp (area "B"). It has only a single entrance on the east side, the entrance point under triple guard.As Karek studies the tent, the detective in him observes an additional detail. The tent’s has been spiked more densely than other tents around the slave camp: whereas most tents tend to have a wooden stake driven through a slit in the canvass and into the sand every 4 feet or so, the emerald tent seems to have a stake every 1 ½ feet. Since the stakes can be uprooted from the outside, this is not an obstacle for anyone trying to sneak inside. However, it would make things tricky for anyone on the inside seeking an unconventional exit, particular if they were on the large size.
Karek cannot see any signalling horns on the three sentries guarding the tent. He also cannot see any other guards in sight. That’s not to say a group of them won’t come around the bend in the next minute, this area may well be patrolled.
The emerald tent is well screened by other tents on its south side, where the Dune Squad is presently hiding now. To the north is an open reach of sand and a path leading to the great abyss that is the dig site (the pyramid – area “A”). About 300 feet away from the emerald tent to the north is a small check-point where the path leaves the slave camp (a new feature, not on the map). The check-point is manned, but the soldiers are – in general - facing away from the direction of the emerald tent, looking towards the path leading to Ahn’Selohta. Enough noise could attract the check-point’s attention, but it would likely take a good shout.
Karek’s impression is that if the three guards were rushed and dropped quickly enough, it could be done without anyone else seeing. The assault would likely need to be flawless in its speed and execution and his assessment assumes there are no other hidden guards, traps, floating eyes, or general ill fortune waiting to befall the Dune Squad.