Zeriax breaks out the faintest of smiles at Ryu, and nods - "I will not forget about that, most definitely"
Looking around their location, he adds - "I should have avoided these creatures... With the city in ruins it is harder to get my bearings"
Taking in the surroundings, the monk adds decisively - "Master Horgus manor should be located in this direction"
Indeed with Zeriax having gotten his bearing the group manages to make it to master Gwerm's manor in short order. There was one brief episode where Zeriax took a side street to save some time. Looking back on the main path you could see in the distance what appeared to be some lumbering demon waiting there.
Arriving at Gwerm manor Horgus bids you wait at the front doors. Taking a key ring from around his neck you can see Horgus unlock first the main door. Once unlocked he lets you come in and wait in the entranceway. Turning to a coat closet he takes a second key from the ring. Putting his back to you to hide what he is doing and muttering a quick unintelligible phrase the coat closet opens. Stepping inside of it and closing it behind him Horgus disappears. 15 minutes later after you all begin to feel he deserted you somehow in the 5ft by 5ft closet he comes back out.
Handing the group a couple of bags you can hear the clang of coins jangle inside them. As promised, here is your payment of 3000gp for safe delivery of myself. As you just witnessed I have precautions made and should be quite safe here.
Those of you who are magically inclined figure that there must be some sort of extra dimensional space that he accessed that is keyed to him, his key, and his password. Even if you had the key and the password you may not be able to get in without magical intervention.
"Thank you, good sir. You are indeed a man of your word. I pray you will be safe here, as you say. Iomedae's blessing on you and yours."
Maelchar turns to the others. "We have more places to go... we should be on our way if we are done here."
"Your magical defenses and means seem strong, Horgus. I wish you well and safe journey."
Good luck to you and yours. If you do find a way to make it through this I might hire you on full time. This place is getting too dangerous for a man as refined as myself. Then again perhaps there is a place for me after all here. Only time will tell I guess.
"Stay safe Master Horgus - I believe we will be staying around Kenabres for a while still. Maybe we will meet again" - the monk offers the obnoxious man a spartan farewell.
Turning to the others after they have moved away, he adds - "I must admit I do not feel comfortable leaving him alone, even if he seems sure that he will do fine. It is his option though" - he ponders for a moment further, looking back on the manor, then keeps moving.
Further ahead, and climbing atop some debris, the monk looks all around, then to his group - "I believe we had agreed to take Miss Anevia to her household next" - he turns to the woman - "Where would it be located?"
|
"Be well, master Gwerm. We shall try to call on you to ensure your safety should we be near here again, with news should there be any, or if we make our way from here. Time will tell," Garith says to the nobleman.
"Aye, M'lady. We can escort you to your home, and we should do so quickly, as I for one believe we should make for the Grey Garrison as soon as possible. Zeriax, lead on."
Garith will advance with the group, Radiance drawn, and ready for action is case of another attack. as they walk, garith will ask Anieva, "When we first met a few days ago, you said something, questioning Horgus. Something about concealing his beliefs, when we were at the shrine of Torag. I fear I missed much subtext, but we had not time to fully discuss matters as we were in danger there. Please, would you kindly elaborate on your concerns?"
Anevia Tirabade takes point at this time helping Zeriax and giving him directions to best make it to her house. AS they proceed along she listens to Garith's question about Horgus. Getting a somewhat sheepish look on her face she hangs her head for a moment before answering. In a previous life, one that was before Irabeth, I acquired a certain skill set that is not the most savory. However, that skill set is what allows me to undertake certain missions necessary for the Eagle Watch to obtain the information they need. One of those missions was to investigate a warehouse for hidden and stolen items. It happened to be Horgus's warehouse that I was investigating. There was nothing illegal in the warehouse. As a matter of fact there was a shrine to Abadar hidden in a concealed closet. Along with the shrine was a ledger indicating numerous anonymous and quite large donations to local charities and crusaders. It was this hidden faith of his that I was referring to earlier in a moment of weakness. Although a pompous jerk, I feel that he is at least on our side.
As you continue out into the outer ring of the city, there are less demons and cultists seen as the majority of them seem to be closer tot he center of the city where the initial assault began. Nearing Anevia's house (K on the map) you can see that her street is in the best shape of those you have seen. There is still the signs of the demon attack and rampage, and the silence of the grave surrounds the place, but the buildings are not leveled to the ground here.
Upon seeing her house still standing, Anevia rushes up tot he front door and calls out to Irabeth, Irabeth, are you there and safe? Irabeth?!?
Maelchar moves forward with Garith to stay close to Anevia in case any threat becomes evident with her calling out as she did.
"I hope her friend is home, and there are no surprises," he says, speaking low to Garith. Though he prepares no weapon or spells at this time, he stands ready to do so at a moment's notice.
Maybe I misjudged Horgus he wonders before they find themselves watching Anevia race forward. He too moves forward a bit.
Zeriax pulls out his bow while the others follow Anevia, standing watch outside and making sure Anevia's shouts do not attract unwanted attention, all the while still mulling on what the woman had just recounted about Horgus.
You seem to hear a voice say something unintelligible. It may have come from inside the house or on the other side, you are not sure.
The house remains quiet as you stand by the front door. Clearly there is no response from Irabeth opening the door. Unless halted, Anevia makes to unlock and open the door to stumble inside on her broken leg.
"Wait!" - Zeriax warns - "I hear something - it is possibly coming from inside"
He moves to join the others and Anevia - "Please, I understand your need for confirmation but... Give me a moment"
With his usual methodical approach, Zeriax intently studies the door, both for anything out of place or trapped, but also for sounds from beyond it.
Anevia is anxious to enter but concedes to your wishes and lets you inspect the door. Zeriax you don't hear anything else coming from the house and your inspection shows that the door is secure but locked. Anevia produces a key for you to enter the door should you do the honors.
Ryu casually draws his sword and waits at the ready with Zeriax...
As soon as Zeriax unlocks the door Anevia makes to hurry inside the house to start her search for Irabeth. A stern glance holds her back though as the group prepares to move in first. She abides by your wishes but as soon as you cross the threshold she is immediately behind you.
At first glance this 3 room house seems completely intact with nothing amiss. The other 2 doors are closed leading to a bedroom to the south and the kitchen to the north.
|
|
Garith points first to the bedroom door. If met with agreement he approaches the bedroom and readies blade and shield, cracking the door with his off-hand then sliding to bring up the shield and opening the door with his foot to keep between his allies on this side do the door and any threat within.
Maelchar stands, as usual, weaponless for the time being, but ready and watches Garith open the door cautiously.
Pakak hangs to the rear, but must admit he's glad Horgus isn't about anymore. No longer are his attentions divided.
Zeriax moves forward, and into the house, taking a position that will offer him visibility to both doors, his bow at the ready.
Ryu
Maelchar
Pakak
Zeriax
Oriana
Sir Garith
People start to enter the house taking up defensive positions in the case of Zeriax while Pakak maintains his presence at the door, free from the charge of Horgus. Maelchar, Ryu and Garith proceed further in. As Garith reaches the door to the bedroom a voice calls out north of the table. Anevia Tirabade, Your wife will find your corpse in bed waiting for her! With that you can hear chanting commence.
Good guys up round 1
You are certain the person is located in D,8. You still suffer the 50% miss chance though.
Also forgot that everyone needs a will save being in the house...
You can tell that the voice is just an illusion. There may be no one present and ths is an empty threat to unhinge Anevia or they are disguising their voice somehow.
Ryu spits into the room.
"Piss off!" he growls to the noise, then turns to the others.
"Skip it, chief - it's a poxing illusion, savvy?" he says to Aneiva.
Not even going to bother with the perception...
[dice=will save]1d20+6
"But I hear it... coming from... that . . . way?" Garith says pointing vaguely, rather unsure, not knowing where the voice is and because it sounded so real. He then glances back to the door to ensure it is not a distraction, and readies the Radiance.
"Baka," Ryu growls to his lord.
"Yo - boss - snap the hell out of it! I know what I hear and I know what I don't hear, you get me?" he says moving over to Garith.
"It's naught but a gods damned illusion spell - likely meant to piss folks off. Trust me; I know what I'm talking about," he says staring at the knight.
"He's right, an illusion spell is at work...but I can't make out its source."
Maelchar nods to Ryu and speaks to Garith. "He's right, cousin, the voice is an illusion. However that doesn't mean no one is here... be wary still."
random attack Anevia, Maelchar, Zeriax
As if to spite your idle words the chanting ceases and a large crocodile appears from out of nowhere next to Anevia, Zeriax, and Maelchar. The voice responds laughingly, I told you you would be found dead by your wife Anevia. Your friends will be there as well. The chanting resumes again coming from north of the table as the crocodile attacks. Even catching you all unawares the crocodile is unable to sink its teeth or swipe its tail into Maelchar.
Group up round 2
Maelchar creates a lucerne hammer as a swift action and takes a step back , then attacks the croc.
The attack hits but some of the damage seems to be deflected or absorbed by the unusually resilient hide.
Pakak flings a ray of frost at the crocodile, feeling quite stingy with his better spells and besides, he wishes to test this beast's response to cold.
Even with the urging from Ryu, which makes Zeriax doubt his own senses, the monk is fairly certain he has located the invisible one, and lets two arrows fly in quick succession - "There!"
He still addresses Ryu though, as he is so adamant about the current situation, and Pakak, who is still outside - "I did hear something before... Perhaps behind the house?
Ryu looks at Zeriax and rolls his eyes.
"You dumb basterd - we all heard something - it's a gods damned trick - don't you get it?" he says with an almost zen-like calm at the monk's inability to grasp the idea.
1-50 miss chance
Oriana
Zeriax targets the precise square where the voice is coming from and lands 2 arrows in that area. One of the arrows lands in the wall while the other appears to hit the wall and land on the floor.
Garith steps up in the vacant hole left by Maelchar and proceeds to attack with shield and Radiance. Again like before the blade passes through the defenses of the beast and damages it quite severely. the shield manages to just cause a minor scratch as the rest is absorbed by its hide. Pakak fires a glob of cold at the creature but his aim is just off enough to avoid hitting the large crocodile.
Anevia steps back out of the way of the crocodile as Oriana step up. She takes a two-handed swing at the croc but fails horribly and gets nothing but air for her efforts at the mighty swing.
Ryu hollars at Zeriax trying to inform him of the errors of his ways as he decides what course to take next. {ooc]Will get next round up once I know what Ryu is doing. Crocodile is still up but not looking very good for either a real crocodile or an illusionary one.[/ooc]
Ryu moves to G:8 to flank with Zeriax and takes a swing at the crocodile, though his heart isn't in it.
G,M,R and G,O,R,Z
Ryu moves up and barely manages to sneak his blade past the snapping jaws of the crocodile. His aim is true but there is not much power behind the blow. If it wasn't for its fiendish heritage it would have been killed by now.
Round 2
A second crocodile appears and proceeds to lay into Garith. With a massive bite Garith finds the teeth sink into his flesh and the blood starts to drip. Not content to leave Garith alone with just the bite, the crocodile jaws clamp tight grappling the paladin in a vice like grip. The tail lashes out but can't seem to penetrate the armor of Garith. [ooc[]12 damamge and grappled Garith [/ooc]
On the other side of the fray, the crocodile this time targets Ryu with similar success. the jaws clamp onto the human and lift him up grappling him and doing damage as well. The tail swings weakly as there is not much life left to the injured crocodile.
The chanting still seems to come from north of the table.
Zeriax axknowledge's Ryu's words with a raised eyebrow, but dismisses it at the present, turning to their dwarf companion - "Master Pakak, we need your insight on this" - Zeriax urges - "You see there, where my arrow sticks out of the wall? I hear some chanting coming from there - Ryu tells me it is an illusion, but we need to make sure - someone is using magic"
Stepping back from the massive creature grappling Ryu, Zeriax unleashes two shots at a threat at least he knows is real.
If Zeriax's arrow doesn't kill the beast, Maelchar strikes again at the croc on Garith, otherwise he strikes at the one holding Ryu.
"Pakak, good fellow, can't you do anything to help reveal the caster?"
"Aye, tell me where you think he is, and I'll place a spell known to reveal the invisible...but it's a shot in the dark so to speak"
Indeed the arrow from Zeriax manages to pass under the arm of Ryu I bedding itself into the soft underbelly on the large croc. The arrow head punctures the heart as the croc finally expels its last breath freeing Ryu Whois bloody and hurt but from from out of the fight. In response, Maelchar steps back and delivers another strong blow to the croc but it holds on to Garith still.
Pakak looks where to target his spell but is getting conflicting reports. Zeriax indicates the presence is where his arrow is stuck in the wall but others tell him that the voice is a figment and not to be trusted.