Iana takes the note and looks it over, she nods saying: "It should be fine, the whole point of the lie is that we need the warden because it's a special unexpected case." She smiles while looking at Ami. "Nice touch with the spellcasting"
She breathes profoundly and adds to everyone: "I will bring the warden downstairs unless any of you have any other plan to take the warden unaware?" Iana adds with a bit of challenge.
I say we get the jump on him before he has a chance to uh piece things together. P-perhaps Grumblejack and Kalethe can grapple him and uh break his h-hands... y'know, so he can't cast a thing on any of us. The landing is cramped but it c-could deter him from casting anything that may harm him in the process due to proximity. Or, if we attack in the Library, he may be too cautious to damage any of his precious books, or uh..tapestry. Just, uh, just some ideas.
Kalethe sets up near the bottom of the steps, but out of the way of being seen. I think we do it here in the library. He nods to Iana, Go for it, but don't stop here when you're leading him down. We don't want to give it away too early.
Ami stands far from the stairs. Raising her arms, she orders the eagles to hover out of sight, ready to dive bomb.
I crouch between a bookcase and a small chest, waiting for the warden to come down the stairs. The first attack, however, will have to be made by the others.
Iana nods before going up. "I'll bring him down, be prepared." Then she goes upstairs carrying the note, she knocks first in the warden's office door, then in his private room door if no one answers. "Better act as a guard would."
Once the warden answer, Iana will say: Sir, I'm sorry to bother you sir, but there's a unexpected prisoner, just arrived, the men with him want you to receive him personally sir. Seargent says he is sorry sir but he needs you. Iana gives the warden the note, all the while trying to put a combination of urgency, regret at bothering a superior, and just a tiny bit of awe.
"Yes the guards probably feel a bit afraid and awed by him, most likely think he is a bit strange too."
The Warden looks over the document, brows furrowed and a slight frown crossing his face. He looks up at Iana, eyeing her up and down. Of course, he says simply. Give me a moment. He shuts the door, leaving Iana to wait in the hall.
Dog Tooth takes a knee to stash his equipment. Oh man, I really don't want to be bogged down by all this stuff. Uhhh let's see. He looks down between the rapier and the crossbow,contemplating which to use. His finger moves back and forth between the two until he decides on
the crossbow.
all right, pal. Let's go. he grabs onto the crossbow and the quiver of bolts and proceeds to climb the bookshelf where he prepares to shoot.
Iana waits in the hall for the warden.
Not even a full minute passes before the warden opens the door again. He looks at you a moment, then his hands begin to move rhythmically. You realize he is casting a spell.
Iana notices the warden casting a spell. "Damn! Mi Lord give the strength to slay your enemies!" Then she rapidly moves next to the warden and attacks with her claws.
The warden cries out and steps back. He looks at you with hate-filled eyes. Nosrep mrahc, he says with a wave of his hand.
You feel a wave go through you. For a moment, it seems as if the warden is actually your friend. You grit your teeth and are able to shake it off.
Dog Tooth hears the struggle in mid-climb. He immediately climbs back down, falling to his feet the last but of the way. CURSES! Did you guys hear that? W-we gotta go help her.
After shaking out of the spell effect Iana advances a step and attack the warden with her claws again. "I'm killing you, for my lord!"
Getting lost in her thought for a moment, Ami is shaken out of it by the alarm in Dog Tooth voice.
Moving towards the stairs, she shouts and waves her arms at the birds, "Go! Kill him!"
The birds fly up the staircase and lunge for the warden, attempting to peck out his eyes.
Small infernal animal
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +2
SR 5
Infernal - Resist Cold and Fire 5
OFFENSE
Speed 10ft., fly 80 ft. (average)
Melee 2 talons +3 (1d4), bite +3 (1d4)
Special Attacks Smite good
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
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Smite good 1/day as a swift action (adds CHA bonus (+0) to attack rolls and damage bonus equal to HD (+1) against good foes; smite persists until target is dead or the infernal creature rests).
"Damn, hopefully the women can stand her ground for the moment." Paul says as he moves up the stairs.
Paul gets to the top, seeing the fighting taking place. He calls out, yelling "My lord, grant us the power to rendure your harsh judgement upon this dispicable follower of Mitra!"
Paul moves as quickly as he can up the staircase, huffing a bit from the quick movement. That time in the cell seems to have affected me more than I thought...
Kalethe moves up the stairs at a run, not bothering to speak with the others.
"Damnit," I snap, and chase after my comrades-in-escape. But it seems I have little to offer in this fight...
Several of you reach the top of the stairs, with Grumblejack lumbering behind, just in time to see Iana tear the warden's throat out. The man falls to the ground.
Ami moves up the stairs, making the hostages walk ahead of her. Seeing the warden on the ground and blood on Iana's hands, she dismisses her summons with a wave.
Chuckling, she comments to Dog Tooth, "Doesn't seem like she needs our help...let's see if the old fool has anything worthwhile..."
Ami heads into the chamber, taking care not to get blood on her new shoes. She shakes her head disapprovingly as she gives the fallen warden a passing glance. Pathetic...To think mere hours ago, fear was driving me out of this place. Now, I just want to get away from the stench of their combined failures...
Not giving the warden another thought, she begins rifling through his belongings.
"Pft yeah yeah, whatever. S-should've known this Wizard was useless" he replies to Ami. He steps on the Wizard on as he passes him by, making sure to add extra pressure on his chest. He gives the room a good long look and gets to work.
Iana smiles as her claws tear the warden's throat out. Then she begins to clean herself of blood using the man's clothes while searching him for any valuables.
Murmuring she will thank her god: "Thank you Mi Lord, for the power to slay your enemies."
Ami finds on the warden:
A potion
3 scrolls
Dagger
A gold ring with diamonds
An ioun torch
Dog Tooth searches the room finding:
5 elegant silk robes
A well packed alchemist lab
Ami throws the ring in sack, along with the rest of their stolen goods. She reads over the scrolls to see if anything looks familiar . Putting the scrolls and the potion neatly in a stack, she turns to Ashmoniel. "Wizard...do you know what these are?" she inquires, gesturing to the potion and any unidentified scrolls. Next, she holds up the ioun torch and asks, "Anyone want to hold onto this? Or should I just throw it in the sack with the rest?"
Crossing over the body again, Ami heads to the office and begins searching.
As she searches she talks to those in the hallway. "So what are our next moves? Try to get up on the walls and gatehouse to take out remaining guards?"
Spellcraft to identify things
How cruel that I find a lab now of all times. J-just great. He looks over it's content enthusiastically, and let's out a gasp Oh wow...l-look at these flasks! D-d'ya think I've got enough time to make a thing or two? A-alchemist's F-fire m-might be u-useful for later....uh just in case.
The scrolls contain one of each; Bull's Strength, Hideous Laughter and Sleep
The potion is Cure Light Wounds
Inside the warden's office is a desk with little of interest. There isa locked drawer that may contain something . . .
"No, we have killed the warden, and most of the prison guards, I'll not leave without dealing with the sergeant. Not without returning the pain and humiliation... Iana says while moving scratching the F in her arm.
"Besides even if he is blamed for our escape and the warden's death, it doesn't mean he will get arrested, and in such a case we will have a free enemy, someone who would blame his misfortune on us. Such a person could become dangerous."
Ami leans out the doorway and sees Dog Tooth occupied with something. Turning to the others she gestures to the drawer and asks, "Think any of you could force this lock open?
Replying to Iana, she adds "Of course. Killing Blackerly has always been plan A. Consider framing him our backup." Ami looks down at the painful scar on her arm. "Besides, this mark means more that just a death sentence. It is sign that we are outcasts...to be detested by all. I want Blackerly to go to the afterlife knowing that he will be hated by the people of Talingarde." Pausing to reflect for a moment, she adds, "...but I still think the guards on the gatehouse and wall should be our first priority. Blackerly is distracted and probably drunk. They are alert and have higher ground.
"Don't let your desire for vengeance obscure your future goals," I remind them. "I'd like to see Blackerly suffer, but I won't die for it."
"Die? We already outnumber the guards. And there's more than just vengeance to it. Leaving something unfinished like this can come to haunt us later!" Iana says rather angrily at being disagreed with. Then she turns towards Ami "Still I see your point, we can take the ones on the wall and gate first."
While speaking the woman was remembering, the kid she had thought cowed until he returned with his older brother, the blabbermouth responsible for exposing her. "No leave, nothing unfinished..."
Replying to Ashmoniel, "I won't deny that there are risks involved in fighting Blackerly. However, there are risks either way. We need to decide which is more dangerous, fighting Blackerly or leaving people alive who can follow us."
Pulling on the desk drawer a few more times, she sighs and heads over to Dog Tooth. She quickly makes sure that Ashmoniel took the scrolls and informs the others that they have aquired another potion, putting it in the sack. Tapping Dog Tooth on the shoulder, she asks "Hey, when you are done with...whatever it is you are doing, I have a locked drawer in the office."
"I'm going after Blackerly. What you need to decide! Is it, if you are going to run, with all humiliation unpaid, leaving a possible threat behind because of some risk, or if you are going to help me make his last moments a nightmare!" Iana speaks with conviction, clearly she is set in going after the sergeant and will do so even if alone.
The unexpected tap on the shoulder violently pops Dog Tooth out of his productivity bubble. The concoction turns sour as a greenish-blue flame spikes out of the beaker. Narrowly missing the flame, Dog Tooth pulls off his goggles and turns around to face Ami, singe marks outlining where the goggles were. He stares at her silently for an uncomfortable period, breathing heavily, holding eye contact. As his tension dissipates, his breathing slows, and he finally speaks. "Ami, p-please.. please don't touch me w-when I am working. Give me a minute to unwind and I'll take care of it"
He turns back around and packs everything he's used back into it's proper place, then heads to Ami's locked drawer. What a waste. I almost had a pretty good batch of Alchemist's Fire, too. At least there's no one here to beat me for my failure, but damn if I don't feel like I deserve it.
He nonchalantly goes for the drawer, preoccupied with his thoughts to give it any proper attention.
"I imagine our patron is more interested in seeing us leave this place as quickly as possible. Not to mention our lord probably has plans for us beyond simple vengeance." Paul sighs a bit, "However, I imagine they both want to see us as a group. So I will go along with with the idea of killing Blackerly though we shouldn't spend too much time on the whole thing...Killing the remaining guards should be our priority in case they notice us and raise an alarm. We should swiftly deal with the sergeant before leaving his place as soon as possible."
"I'll back you," I snap, "our odds are better if we stick together."
Iana trembles as if stricken by Paul's words, giving a look of pure hatred to him, for she had in her thirst of revenge forgotten service to their Lord. Yet Iana calms herself before answering for most of the group has decided to help, and she suspects the others will agree to it. "Dogtooth mightn't but Grumblejack and Kalethe? Yes I'm sure they do it."
To Paul Iana answers:"Accepting humiliation is for the weak, and I would not be weak both for myself and for our Lord!"
Then turning to Ashmoniel looking in her eyes: "Good! And thank you." The words are spoken courteously and surprisingly sincere. There was calculation these words: not antagonizing a companion. Yet the gratitude for the help, even if it had been given grudgingly.
Dog Tooth works at making Alchemist's Fire, but after some time figures he is making no progress. He goes to the drawer and finds a book. This beautiful book is made of fine cerulean leather embossed with gold leaf. Its edges are reinforced with brass fittings and strange arcane symbols adorn its cover. It bears a strange rune in the center of this cover.
Ami tries to hide her amusement at the singed goblin. "Sorry", she says, with an unapologetic shrug, "Although, I wasn't expecting you to be working on dangerous experiments in the middle of a prison escape..." she says letting a half smile slip out. A goblin lockpick who can't resist science...and doesn't know what goblins are. Where did they find this guy?
She nonchalantly walks past the argument in the hall and shows Dog Tooth the drawer. Her eyes brighten with curiosity as she flips through the book.
Without looking up from the tome, she shouts out into the hallway, "Well, can we all agree that the man on the gate and anyone on the walls should be taken out? Why don't we start there? If we make a mistake and a horn gets blown, this whole argument will be a moot point...We have gotten this far by taking things one problem at a time."
The book is a spell book containing many spells:
2nd level – bull’s strength, flaming sphere, hideous laughter, invisibility
1st level – alarm, charm person, expeditious retreat, feather fall, mage armor, magic missile, mount, shield, sleep
0th level – all cantrips in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook
Hey yeah, sound's like a solid plan Ami. We'll take to the walls, take whatever guards are there out, and p-pay Blackerly a visit. Dog Tooth slams his balled up fist into the palm of his hand to emphasize his intentions.
Then we can make him uh... pay!
Ami hands the spellbook over to Ashmoniel, commenting, "Looks like good stuff, but magic has never really worked that way for me. Perhaps you can do something with it."
Ami nods to Dog Tooth and says, "Shall we move then?"
She takes a minute resummon Itzal then begins proceeding down the tower. When she reaches the exit, she turns to Dog Tooth once more and asks. "I'm going to send Itzal to scout one half of the walls. Can you go with him, open doors and whatnot...and perhaps check the other half?"
Itzal nods and moves towards Dog Tooth with a soft hiss and a subtle bow, preparing to follow him.
"C-come on now, Itzal. Let's see what we see"
Dog Tooth secures his item takes a deep breath before speaking up again.
"Well, uh...I guess I'll be back"
He head towards the wall.
"Saved," I fall upon the spellbook in delight, hugging it to my chest and spinning delightedly. "Such good spells," I smirk. "Let's corrupt them a little..." I start, somehow. "Of course any of you are welcome to copy as needed or desired," I half-smile, utterly unwilling to release my death-clutch upon the spellbook...
After showing Dogtooth the map and gesturing to the tower on the right , she turns to observe the excited elf with a combination of curiosity and amusement. At the remark about copying spells she shakes her head a little.
"No need. Its strange really, as much of my life as I have spent writing, the whole casting spells from a book thing has always alluded me. My magic always felt more like an emotion...or a negotiation with forces I can't fully comprehend." She looks thoughtful for a moment, then chuckles, "Its probably for the best. Not sure I would be able to copy much with that death grip you have on it."
Yeah, sure thing Ami. We've uh got this
Oh m-m-man I can do this. It'll be easy. Just uh climb up, give it a good look around and then come back. No one'll see me. Quick and quiet. Whoa, ok well...here goes nothin'