Ghiv will move behind the Hellknights and begin the ambush with a surprise attack! AND unholy damage Will DC 15 for half.
Bulls Strength 4 minutes (+4 Enhancement Strength)
Divine Favor 9 rounds (Luck Bonus)
Shield of Faith 4 mins (+2 Deflection)
Bless 4 mins (+1 to hit and to saves versus fear; Morale)
Channel Force 2 more attacks +2 att/damage Unholy
Attacks
Sawtooth Sabre +12 1d8+8
AC 21
After so much waiting and skulking about, it's refreshing to have an 'honest to goodness' fight. Before he really has time to think, Kage is running full speed at the Hellknight Ghiv attacked. He aims one powerful strike towards the armored man's armpit!
Ghiv materializes out of nowhere behind the Hellknights on the bridge and his weapon, crackling with unlife energy, strikes hard. Following up his attack, Sa'Kage sprints past the stunned hellknights and places another solid blow on the target. The man sways under the brutal attacks, then collapses.
Myra rushes forward, but is unable to find an opening in the hellknight armor, despite catching them unprepared.
With two hellknights stunned, and one down, Eris turns her attention to the only remaining threat. Smiling sweetly, she casts a grease spell on his weapon. (DC 16)
Myra ducks low to the ground and runs forward in a crouch, her arms spread wide like some kind of bird's wings. As she rushes forward she prepares to transfer her momentum into a flying scissor kick into one of the hellknight's jaws.
The remaining Hellknight who is able to act resists Eris' spell, and turns it on Kage.
Ghiv shouts, an estatic cry of joy as blood spills upon the ground. He whirls to see his Ally in Blood Yamyra rush to attack the remaining Hellknight and he follows.
however, in his haste and elation...he momentarily loses focus. Ghiv curses in goblin pōro toto
Bulls Strength 4 minutes (+4 Enhancement Strength)
Divine Favor 8 rounds (Luck Bonus)
Shield of Faith 4 mins (+2 Deflection)
Bless 4 mins (+1 to hit and to saves versus fear; Morale)
Channel Force 1 more attack +2 att/damage Unholy
Attacks
Sawtooth Sabre +12 1d8+8
AC 21
Kage moves to flank Ghiv's target, aiming to sneak his sword under the knight's guard to strike in a particularly sensitive spot!
Kage's blade bites deep into the only Hellknight able to act, but he does not kill him with the blow.
Frustrated with her failure last round, Eris tries again to disarm the remaining hellknight with her Grease spell.
The Hellknight again keeps hold of his weapon.
Myra kicks the remaining armiger in his helmeted face.
In an impressive display of fighting prowess, the halfling woman leaps high in the air and brings her foot across the Hellknight's jaw. Blood and spittle fly as he staggers under the force of the blow, but he keeps his feet.
Bess's whip cracks several times in aid of her family.
The sole active Hellknight mumbles through a broken jaw, Luutnt! Fdra! Hlllp! In desperation, he strikes out at Kage again, but also tries to increase his defense.
His blade would have been true, but for Bess's whip which stings the man's hand and causes his blade to turn just enough that it scrapes against Kage's armor which absorbs the blow.
Myra kicks him again, this time going for the knight's knee.
Ghiv moves up to slay another Hellknight, his face is a mask of ecstasy as blood flies!
Bulls Strength 4 minutes (+4 Enhancement Strength)
Divine Favor 7 rounds (Luck Bonus)
Shield of Faith 4 mins (+2 Deflection)
Bless 4 mins (+1 to hit and to saves versus fear; Morale)
Attacks
Sawtooth Sabre +10 1d8+6
AC 21
Kage presses home the attack.
Kage's first brutal slash is enough to end the Hellknight's life in a spray of blood. He crumples to the stone floor.
The other two Hellknights still stand, bewildered and blinded, under the effects of Eris's spell.
Ghiv unless stopped will slay the men ritually, slicing their throats while praying a chant to Achaekek.
Most glorious battle.
Kage agrees, "Let us dispatch these quickly and take the fight to their brethren on the shoreline. We don't want to be trapped by the patrol's return."
He slits the throat of the nearest guard.
After the blood is spilled and the last two corpses crumple to the ground, the cavern is again silent except for the gentle lapping of the underground river against its shores. You stand in the light of the everburning torches that line the stone bridge. With the guards dealt with, you have your choice of banks to travel.
Impassively, Kage stares into the outside world. His strange eyes glittering and tracking every movement.
It's not movement that Kage notices with his perceptive eyes, but a well-disguised, recessed stairway cut into the cavern wall on the far side of the bridge.
Kage shares his observation with the other mantises and suggests, "Look over there, you can just see what must be a stairway cut into the cavern wall. I think we should go over the bridge, or perhaps take one of those skiffs."
Eris frowns slightly "We could attempt to fake an escape by hiding the boats, manipulating them to think we headed up the river...or we could just take the skiffs and flee, hoping they are unanble to follow, and that we could handle any future trouble we might encounter on the water."
Let us cut free the boats and continue on foot.
Mama purses her lips, disliking all this uncertainty. "Eris dear, is it worth a quick look at those maps you put together? Maybe between them and Ghiv's knowledge of the citadel we can figure out which is most liable to lead to an exit.
"I'm curious about exploring those stairs too--if only because any pursuers won't expect us to have gone up them--especially if we take Eris' suggestion that we loose a boat or two to make it seem we've gone downstream.
"Still, losing whoever we suspect is behind us won't do a bit of good if those stairs lead up to a populous portion of the citadel."
Kage nods at the suggestion of cutting loose the boats, "They must send forces to check the boats out, I like it. Divide and conquer. Of course if we really want to mess with them, we can burn our metaphorical bridge behind us to prevent the search party from following easily."
Upon consulting the map Eris was able to obtain, it is fairly clear that this canal, which is entirely new construction, has taken you far away from Citadel Demain. You have gone at least a mile, perhaps more, underground. Furthermore, it appears that the Order of the Scourge has incorporated a section of this underground river into their tunnel into the Barrowood. The bank leading upstream on the far side of the bridge appears well-traveled, continuing further west out of sight. The river then bends south and continues to flow into the inky depths.
By untying the moorings, the skiffs can easily be pushed out into the current and sent downstream. Then, crossing the bridge, you have a choice: to climb those hidden stairs or to continue upstream toward what you would assume to be the forest redoubt.
"We know the redoubt is guarded. We don't know where these stairs lead. The worst case scenario is also to somewhere guarded. So maybe we should take the stairs?" Myra suggests. "In any case, let's move. Standing here debating is making me nervous."
"Sounds good to me, lets see where the stairs lead"
Mama nods. "Good call." She examines the door to see if it's locked. While she does, she suggests, "Anyone want to check those Hellknights, see if they're carrying keys, papers, anything else of use?"
Ghiv does a thorough search of the dead hellknights.
A quick but thorough search reveals nothing of potential use, although the lieutenant does have a number of medals attached to his pauldron.
The steps are treacherous, but fortunately are designed for ascending. To attempt to climb back down would be extremely hazardous, since the small footholds are cut in such a way that they are hard to spot from above. The steps reach a natural chimney with similar hand- and footholds designed for climbing up and meant to discourage climbing down. Bess's dungeoneering skills recognizes this as a naturally-formed vent for the times this underground river swells and forces air out of the caverns. The Hellknights apparently have appropriated it for a handy escape route in the case of such an event.
In short order, the Red Mantis are blinking in the late afternoon sun somewhere in the Barrowood west of the citadel. The entrance to this natural chimney is unmarked and overgrown with dense foliage. It would be nearly impossible to locate without knowing exactly where it is, and even then it would require a very diligent search or incredible luck.
Kage blink with surprise when he climbs up into the light. Letting out a sigh he remarks, "I don't know about you, but I'm thinking a long boat trip might be in order. We've done what we came for and I think we've rather outstayed our welcome..."
He then whispers to Eris, "I must say that was most impressive. Remind me never to play cards with you."
Back in the sunlight, and happy at the escape, Eris reverts back to her previous form. "Ah, but how would you know if it was me you were playing against" she teases, while privately agreeing that with the mission complete, it was time to plan ahead for the next one.
Now that they have escaped, Yamyra switches her mantis helmet out for her hat of disguise. Then she changes form into human peasant girl around 13 or 14 years old. "Yes, let's leave immediately. I'm sure He Who Walks in Blood has more work for his children."
Ghiv smiles at the thought... There is always more blood. Always.
Kiddrik tilts his head as if listening to something, then nods. He clears his throat. I believe Egorian will be a very dangerous place for assassins for a while. I will risk it to give word of our success to Red, and to see how he fares. We will attempt to rendezvous with you if Achaekek wills it.
He clasps hands in farewell, then turns to give Citadel Demain a wide berth as he begins to head back to Cheliax's capital.
As the Mantises walk away into the proverbial sunset Kage reflects on their mission, "Perhaps the elders are onto something here." He studies each of his companions before continuing, "Each in our own way brings something unique to the table, and together we achieved something that should not have been possible. It's true we were lucky but they say you can make your own luck..."
"I prefer to think of it as personal skill, but if you want to call it luck, then each to his own", Eris answers casually.
We have the Blessing of He-Who-Walks-In-Blood, there is no skill or luck involved. We are his chosen warriors. His arm, his sword.
As Ghiv speaks, Mama finds herself thinking of other missions and Mantis children who didn't come back. We may be his chosen warriors, but that doesn't make us sword-proof. We can pray for his assistance...but I hope we keep honing our skill as well. Ghiv is truly a child in need of watching over if he believes his own words.
She looks over all of her children and shakes her head. Enough of those thoughts.
She smiles, starts to unwrap something wrapped in waxed paper, and says, "Well done indeed! Gather round, little Mantises. We completed our work and made it out alive. For that you get a treat. I made these hard candies last night. Have as many as you'd like! The yellow ones are butterscotch and the green are lime."
The remaining mantises hike through the Barrowood until nightfall, doing their best to disguise their tracks to discourage pursuit.They finally make camp for the night, nestled in the shadow of two great menhirs that are overgrown with ivy and lichen.
As the last light of the day gives over fully to night, Eris receives a sending from Vespid.
The yellow-black image of Vespid appears in your mind, floating just in front of your vision. She has a pleased expression. Congratulations, but I must be brief. East not safe. Travel west to city of Belde. Contact Pavre Ricer, town miller, for next job. Bye!
"We hear and obey", Eris answers, wanting to press for answers but aware that the limitations of sending might restrict this. Waking up her fellow Mantis, she relays to them what was said and immediately prepares for departure.
"Sounds good to me," Myra says. She grins, "Let's go!"
West. Towards the setting sun. Ghiv muses, and wonders if it has some greater significance.
Mama Bess packs up her few supplies in silence. I'd been fantasizing a bit about being sent next to Andoran, hadn't I? To maybe seeing my old family? It's a childish dream. I have responsibilities to this family now. My only family.
After everyone is ready and walking again she muses aloud. "Belde is on the Maiestas, which runs to the Ocean. Do you suppose we're on our way home to Mediogalti?
"He Who Walks In Blood could have work for us to do in Belde of course...but if not there are so many possibilities!"
As they start walking Kage asks, "Does anyone know anything of Belde? How far is it? How fastidious are the local watch? And what of this Pavre Ricer? Ricer eh? Seems a little obvious. I wonder if that was somebody's idea of a joke..."