The lock yields to Vug's skill. Behind it the environment is very different from the warehouse above. None of the dust and dirt of the
warehouse above is present here. The walls are carved with an intricate flowing scrollwork that never seems to repeat itself. A blue Continual flame at each end sheds an eerie light over the corridor.
Iron double doors cap this long hallway at both ends. Opposite you there are four doors spaced evenly along its length, with only a
lone door on the other side, from which you emerge.
So, six visible exits for once.
Valgrim stows away his morningstar and rope and wields his greataxe again. He tries to listen for any noises coming from the hallway or behind the doors.
Valgrim spots a pit trap before the double doors to your left. There is no sound coming from any of the doors.
"Well, it looks like those doors are out of the question," Feres comments, pointing to the double doors to the left where Valgrim discovered the pit trap. "Let's try the double doors to the right."
Valgrim motions the party to stop and stay quiet and he moves stealthily to the closest door and tries to open it as quietly as possible, if open.
"Water, an octopus, this mechanism, and now traps. Somebody went through a hell of a lot of work and expense to hide something valuable...or powerful." Vulcan mutters.
"I hope its the first and not the second." Bubba says, leaving the lever alone for now.
The doors opposite you (the single doors) are made of iron (as are the double doors), and they are all locked.
Vug will try to disable the pit trrap and she'll examine the other doors for traps.
Disable: take 10 for 25
Perception:
Vug manages to disable the pit trap but the double doors behind it are fake. The other doors seem safe.
"Great job with the trap, lassie. Can you open these locked doors now?"
She'll move counterclockwise around the room from the false doors.
Closest single door and move from there, leaving double doors for last.
As you open the locked door, two dopplegangers inside scramble up from their beds, taken aback enough not to have changed from their natural forms.
Roll for initiative, and I'll get the battle map up ASAP.
Init:
Valgrim and Vug beat the shapeshifters' initiative, so you can go first.
Valgrim waits for Vug to bomb the shapeshifters before moving to X14 () and using Power attack and Vital Strike on enemy in W15:
True to form, Vug throws a stink bomb at one of the doppelgangers.
with PBS:
7 splash damage, nausea for 1d4+1 rounds (DC 16 save)
The doppelganger is hit squarely by the stink bomb and starts retching uncontrollably. The other one takes a solid hit from Valgrim's axe but fights on, clawíng at Valgrim for 10 points of damage while letting out a piercing scream.
You are up, all of you.
"Good hits!
Bubba starts Inspire Courage +2, and if he is in range whips at the doppelganger fighting Valgrim.
Vug fires a pair of arrows at the sick doppelganger.
with PBS and courage:
Confirm?
Vug shoots the doppelganger right in the liver. "Do doppelgangers have livers?" she mumbles to herself, and she makes a mental note to investigate the doppelganger hepatic system at a future date.
Valgrim swings twice at the doppelganger he just hit!
Round One:
Unable to reach the doppelgangers battling Vug and Valgrim, Feres keeps an eye out for any additional shapechangers that may alerted by the sound of the battle, ready to attack if need be.
Vug and Valgrim kill their foes (who seem to actually have had a liver until recently). Then four more dopplegangers emerge, one of whom is struck by Feres and retaliates for 7 points of damage. The rest of them are busy closing in.
So you are up again.
Vug throws a stink bomb, splashing the enemies in R11 and R12 with fire and hitting the enemies in R11, R12 and S12 with nauseating gas.
targeting a grid intersection (AC 5):
7 splash damage, nauseated for 1d4+1 rounds (DC 16 save)
"Good work, but there's more!
Bubba tries to whip trip one of the approaching doppelgangers .
Vulcan steps forward and to his left lining up before the advancing dopplegangers as he draws out a scroll and begins chanting.
His friends can feel the hair on their bodies stand on end as he summons the power of the storm, unleashing a mighty lightning bolt with a roar as it shoots down the hall.
Bubba sends the first doppelganger sprawling as Vug lobs a noxious bomb behind it. They resist the nauseating gas, though. Then Vulcan summons a deadly bolt of electricity, frying the prone doppelganger and scorching the one behind.
Feres and Valgrim are up.
Valgrim moves to S12 and uses Vital Strike on doppelganger in R12!
Round Two:
Feres steps up next to Valgrim and attacks the other shapechanger.
Valgrim and Feres destroy the doppelgangers in the corridor. The last one lets out a scream and claws at Valgrim for 5 points of damage.
You can kill it now. Your turn, all of you.
Drawing his wand from the holster in his belt Vulcan speaks the command word and a shard of pure force streaks forth to unerringly slice into the doppleganger
Bubba tries to use his whip to do damage instead of trip.
Valgrim grimaces and takes 2 swings at the enemy:
Vug fires her bow, aiming for the liver.
Congratulations, that's one dead doppelganger.
What's next?
Check the rooms from whence they came.
The rooms are practically identical (except that the eastern one contained no doppelgangers). Each contains two comfortable beds, a washbasin, two full-length mirrors, and a large wardrobe packed with different styles of clothing. Various bits of jewelry (brooches, amulets, and rings) are scattered throughout the wardrobes of these rooms with a total value of 500 gp in all. Each room also contains a single noble’s outfit and a single royal outfit, in addition to numerous other outfits totaling 250 gp in all.
"Hey, Bubba. Take a look at these nobles' outfits and royals' outfits. Are there any distinguishing features that could indicate which families they represent?" Feres asks the half-orc bard.
Bubba examines the outfits.
"Whoa...do you think all of these noble f-families have had f-family members kidnapped and replaced by doppelgangers!? That doesn't sound good..."