Kalethe watches the guards, smiling at the lack of a horn. He waits for the guards to get up a little way, then, as quietly as he can, he jumps down and slips around the corner. He waits there for the ambush to begin.
"Well, no horn makes things a lot easier. Just be ready to attack when the others do, Ishtak"
Ami quietly readies to open the door for Grumblejack as soon as she thinks combat has started.
The guards turn slightly at the sound of Kalethe dropping, but by the time they look, he is out of sight. They continue up the stairs and look to Iana and Paul, Go on. Get to your positions. We'll stay here.
Hey, at least it's not on the gatehouse.
The other man nods and prepares to take Iana and Paul's places.
As the guards move closer, Paul says, "Yes of course, please feel free to take a break. In fact, just stand right there." Indicating to Iana and the somewhat hidden Kalethe, "My friends, if you would deal with them." Paul motions toward the left guard. "Halt." .
The guard seems to consider the commands for a moment but shakes it off.
I settle, quietly content to let my companions do the bloody work they seem to enjoy, whilst preparing arcane intervention should the situation turn against them.
Ami throws the door wide open and smiles at Grumblejack. "Give 'em hell, champ!" she says with a wink.
"Drunk? It seems our escape truly is Mi Lord's will." Iana waits and waits in anticipation, her face a cold mask but her head full of emotions, rage, "How dare they imprison me?!" anticipation and excitement, "Come closer, you fools, I want to see the terror when your insides are spilling on the floor your life going with them." She smiles while attacking. The longsword in her right hand cuts horizontally with all of Iana's strength.
Itzal lunges forward to bite the nearest guard's ankle.
As the attack is sprung on the unsuspecting guards, Dog Tooth makes his way to the entrance to keep an eye on the hallway and warn the group of any other guards coming.
Kalethe moves up the stairs, getting around the first guard and flaking him with Iana.
Paul tries to cast a spell but it is shaken off. Iana strikes at one of the guards, wounding him badly, as Kalethe comes up behind him to surround the man. Itzal charges the same guard, biting him. Most of the others stay or of the fighting for now, though Ami releases Grumblejack.
Grumblejack steps into the doorway, swinging one of the manacles at the guard neat Paul, severely hurting the man. Grumblejack, in a rage, swings again. The drunk guard collapses.
Ami sees one of the men still standing. I can't give him a chance to shout for help... She steps into the doorway and summons an Eagle right next to the remaining guard.
N Small animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +10
Defense
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2
Offense
Speed 10 ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee 2 talons +3 (1d4), bite +3 (1d4)
Statistics
Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 7
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 11
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Fly +8, Perception +10; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception
The eagle, clearly tainted by dark forces, lashes out at the remaining guard.
The eagle tears into the remaining guard. As the man falls to the ground, his guts in front of him, he breaths a raspy sigh, then stops.
Ash breathes a sigh of relief. The escape seems to be going well, so far...
Ami looks pleased at the last guard goes down. She extends out her arm, calling the eagle towards her. She looks Iana and Grumblejack over. Yes...definitely keep those two in front of you.
"So now we need to take out the guards in the hall...but they have a horn so we will have to be careful. It seems in addition to the hallway we also have another room connected by the chimney. All we know is there is a fire and some people who don't really fit into our guard count... Servants perhaps? I personally don't see myself being able to climb down there or jump over the fire." she turns to the group, '...but perhaps some of you have the skill. If so, we might be able to surround the hallway."
Ami also picks up the longbows and arrows from all four guards. "Anyone who can use these should take one. A ranged option never hurts...especially when we still have to deal with the guards on the walls and gate." She puts any unclaimed bows into the sack. "I'll hold onto the rest, in case anyone changes there mind...plus we may need to get some quick gold if we get out of here"
Kalethe looks at the unconscious guard. His eyes burn. He steps over to the man, kicking him in the face.
Kalethe pulls on the pile of "bricks," and a large sum of gold comes out, right around 100 pieces.
Kalthe shrugs, Well, at least we've got this, he says, shoveling the gold into the sack. As far as the chimney, I can go, and I think it would be a good idea. Kalethe prepares himself to go down the chimney. Handing the dagger over to Ash, and grabbing two sets of manacles and looking around, Anyone else coming?
"Thanks," Ash nods as Kalethe hands over the dagger, ruthlessly stripping a guard of his belt tucking the weapon into it. [/b]"Well, I certainly don't want to be left behind!"[/b] She jokes, smiling. The chance of escape, of life, is invigorating!
Iana spends a moment watching the eagle tearing the man's flesh apart. To her it seemed strangely symbolic: "A predator killing prey..." Upon hearing Kalethe's question Iana has a sudden image of herself trying to drop down the chimney in armor, her hair and face getting covered in ashes. "No thank you, I'll take the stairs!" "There is only so much of my dignity I'm willing to sacrifice." Iana searches the newly killed guards to see if any of them has anything useful.
Kalethe stomps on the guard and the man soon stops breathing. As Iana searches them, she finds that many of them simply carry standard gear. Each one has much the same:
•chain shirt
•heavy steel shield
•longsword
•leather club
•longbow with 20 arrows
•a key (doesn't seem to fit anywhere in the cells)
Dog Tooth keeps an eye on the stairs, but it doesn't appear anyone else is coming.
"The chimney's all yours Kalethe. We'll meet you downstairs. Maybe we can uhh find some ointments to treat those burns."
He ignores the loot and creeps closer down the stairs and into the hallway.
Ami thinks for a moment and turns to Kalethe. "If there are servants down there, perhaps try taking at least one hostage? The guards may give up the horn...even their weapons if it means not seeing the maid get her throat slit..."
"Itzal, do you think you can make that jump?"
Ami hears Itzal reply "It will be risssky, but I do not fear the flamesss."
"Itzal will go with you, Kalethe. He won't be much help in a fight...especially if he botches the jump...but at least we will be able to remain coordinated."
Kalethe laughs, If I get any burns, it will be because I put them there. Well, unless your coming Paul? Here we go. Kalethe smiles a toothy smile at the group, See you in the hallway. Wait for us to get there, that way we can come at them from different directions, keep them from blowing that horn. Kalethe steps forward and begins down the chimney, climbing, then jumping.
Kalethe and Itzal jump through the fireplace, Kalethe making it easily, Itzal landing with his tail still in the fire.
As they land, Kalethe and Itzal see two servants jump, one of them dropping the knife he had been using. It clatters to the floor and everything goes silent as the two men stare at the new intruders, mark of the forsaken on one of the man's four arms.
*******
Dog Tooth creeps down to the hallway. Peeking through the door, he finds that the hour has brought more changes than just the guards. One man stands guard at the end of this hallway. He still holds the horn, but is otherwise alone.
"Damnit," I snap as I scurry across the stairs, "the fireplace doesn't come out in this room! If Kalethe stumbles on something he can't handle, we'll be caught! Dog Tooth," I snap, "what do you see?"
Kalethe looks at the servants with a cruel smile. He throws a set of manacles at the one who dropped a knife and moves over to the other, Surrender yourselves, or we kill you.
"Well, uh... We've got one hallway, four doors, one guard and one horn..."
He takes an awkward pause, as if he were done talking. He immediately starts back up again as soon as some else starts to talk.
"...now would probably be a good time to use that longbow. It'll have to be a quick shot to the throat....or, y'know... I guess you can put the guy to sleep again or something."
"Arcane power isn't to be used lightly, nor for problems that can be solved otherwise," I scold lightly - then paused. "Can you make the shot? I can get the door for you - and cast if you fail."
I'll charge him too, and Ami should also be ready with her spell. Iana adds to the group plan's while thinking: "So how good are you with a bow Dogtooth?"
"Ranged attacks would be our best bet...although if none of us are skilled with a bow it will be tricky to down him before he can blow the horn," Ami whispers.
"However, I don't think we should do anything until we know Kalethe is ready. Ishtak says there are two of servants and Kalethe is trying to intimidate them into submission." She sighs a little and adds "I also think it bears repeating...having hostages could make this significantly easier..."
Unfortunatley, he is too far away for me to use Grease...but a summoned Eagle could probably reach him. Of course...he may be able to blow the horn before the eagle managed to attack him," Ami says apologetically, "However, if it comes to combat I will hit him with what I can..."
Dog Tooth looks up towards Ashmoniel, and then at Iana, then at Ami and down at himself. He holds his arms out, hands pointed towards himself, and then points towards the longbow. After the awkward silence, he speaks up with his deep monotonous voice
"Uh yeah sure no problem. I am masterfully skilled at using a weapon that is just as tall as I am. It's easy as pie."
He let's it sink in for a moment, while he fumbles trying to lift the longbow. Once he gets it in his arms, he draws the bow back as far as his arms would allow (which, for a longbow, probably isn't very far) and he smiles sarcastically at the others.
"Uh, easy as...pie....Let's go with another plan"
The servants look at each other, fear covering every inch of their face. The one nearest Kalethe speaks up, Please don't hurt me.[b] he looks at his companion, [b]I mean us. Please don't hurt us. Both men get on their knees, hands held in a placating gesture. The first man looks to the door, a hopeful expression on his face. It falls a moment later as he looks at the man before him.
Paul smiles a little as Dog Tooth tries to use the weapon. Skilled and funny, not a bad one to have.
"You know, considering our disguises, it may be better to try to move forward a little...if we can get close to the man without raising the alarm, we may be able to stop him from doing anything..." Paul says. "Though for now, I think waiting for Kalethe is a good idea."
Kalethe's eyes lift in a sort of mock smile, Good choice. Put those manacles on, he says to the far one as he begins to do it for the near.
Kalethe grabs the chains of each set of manacles, looking them over to ensure both are locked. He drags the men to the next door, then turns back to Itzal, Tell Ami I've got two hostages. Tell her we'll narrow it down to one soon, just like she ordered, turning back to his new hostages he adds, You are now competing for the number one hostage spot. The other person dies. Let's see who can cooperate the best to win. He gives them a confident look and turns to the door to listen.
Iana laughs at Dogtooth's words. It's a forced laugh but it sounds natural enough, even if she wants to kick the goblin's backside, and smashing her own head against the wall. Still nothing to be gained from either action. So she forces herself to take things well and laugh.
"Yes we should be able to cross at least half of the corridor without giving ourselves alway." She thens sit down on the stairs hand in her sword. Waiting for Kalethe's actions. While thinking about her companions.
Ami chuckles at Dog Tooth's remarks, but then appears to get distracted for a moment.
"Ok. Kalethe has two hostages...although we may end up with one if we leave him to his own devices..." she says with a slight sigh. "Whatever our moves are...we should start making them.".
"It seems we have two good options...jump him using your disguises or force him to surrender using hostages...or some combination of the two..."
After relaying Kalethe's message, Itzal slithers closer to the servants.
"You can begin your cooperation by telling usss all that liesss between thisss room and the hallway nearby....
The servants put the manacles on without any argument. They move, breathing heavy as they shuffle along. The men look at Kalethe's threat, their eyes widening, We'll be . . . helpful. The men jump again as the snake speaks, The . . . the . . . just the dining hall. It's empty. You can . . . you can get to the hall from there.
Kalethe listens at the door and hears nothing.
His ears perk and Dog Tooth let's the longbow drop to the ground
"Would you just listen to that. Kalethe's got some hostages, sounds like he's got a plan. Ami, tell Itzal to get that fire out... We can drop down from there, I could probably get my hands on a smaller knife, and we'll be a bit closer to the guard if we exit into the hallway.
He rubs his stomach.
"Uh, also, it wouldn't hurt to grab a quick meal"
"It sssoundsss like the othersss are thinking of coming to usss...if we can quench the flamesss..."
Itzal searches the kitchen for any large containers of water.
"Yeah sure no problem. I am masterfully skilled at climbing down chimneys in full armor. It's easy as pie... Sorry but you and Ami, Ashmaniel can go but Me and Paul are going to rely on our disguises." Iana smiles sarcastically enjoying the small payback
Kalethe drags the servants over. You pour the water over this. Put the fire out. No. With your manacles. Hop to. He claps with two sets of hands, the sound echoing through the kitchen. When it's done he turns to the servants, Now we're waiting for some friends.
It's no time to stand on ceremony, I realise. As soon as the fire is out and the stones are suitably cool, drop down the chimney into the room below...
Dog Tooth throws his hands up in a false-apology as he walks away from Iana and Paul.
"Yeah, suit yourself, Lady Iana. Jerk."
The gesture slowly turns crude.
He takes the chimney route down into the kitchen along with Ashmoniel.
Ami shakes her head disapprovingly, "There is no harm in a little teasing...but nothing good will come from us fighting with one another. Save that malice for our enemies..." With that she picks up the dropped bow, puts it in the sack and follows Ashmoniel and Dog Tooth to the chimney.
Upon landing in the kitchen, Ami gives an overly friendly wave to the hostages, before picking up an apple and biting into it. "Before we move on, let's see if there is any food we can use as rations," she says, pausing to take a big bite out of the apple, "Man, that's good...also lets see if we can find some steaks or something...in case we run into the dogs our friend told us about."
A large kettle is found, already full of water. The fire is extinguished and the remains left to cool.
Ami knots the rope, making her way down the chimney. As she and Itzal look around the kitchen, they find lots of food. Most of it (about 40 days worth) is perishable food and includes some meats. But they are also able to find about 10 days of iron rations.
It looks like an awfully long way down the chimney. "After you," I invite Ami, then scurry down her knotted rope behind her.
Climb
It's quite, quite filthy in the chimney - my body will become as black and my heart will have to become.
As Ashmoniel reaches the bottom, Dog Tooth unties the rope from it's anchor and drops it down below. We might need this for later
Once down to the bottom level, he dusts himself off. Looking at his hands in disgust, he searches around for any water to clean them before continuing to grab two pieces of fruit. He weighs the two fruits...Ehhh then inspects their shape and symmetry ...Hmm... and finally licks the two pieces ...Ah! and begins to snack on one. He chews harshly with his mouth open, letting the flesh and fruit mash fall out. . His mouth, considerably bigger while eating, now gaping wide as he chews, his rows and rows of teeth obliterating it. In mere seconds, the fruit is no more.
He looks down to the second piece of fruit in his hand unsure of whether he is hungry still. To make sure, he licks it one more time but decides against it. He places it back where he found it.
Dog Tooth finally looks around and realizes that he had an audience. He points his finger back and forth between the two the servants with a puzzled look on his face.
"....Uhhhh....so whose face am I eating?"