Tatya's first priority is to retrieve the potions from Beatrix's pack. If she gets them and still has time before the draugr arrive, she'll cast mage armor on herself.
Bostarg is good to go, if possible are we able to set up so that we can take readied attacks when they break through?
Alazandaru and Morthos could ready a swing, Aedorn a shot and Bostarg an Aid Another ;)
I'm assuming that Bostarg is going to be in the room with you all. Also is that the formation you will be maintaining for when they come? You do have time to set yourselves up.
Okay. I moved everyone. Is this cool with y'all? If not, just move where you want to be. Or if y'all have a different set up, then go for it. It's all good to me.
Bostarg wanted to be in position for an Aid Another, which means he has to be able to hit in melee, and Aedorn needs to be in position to take a readied shot when they come around the corner without allies in the way. What about Morthos in Z 16, Alazandaru in Z 19, Bostarg in Z 18, and Aedorn in AC 17? That way he can get his shot before the draugr are in melee and avoid the -4 (unless he has Precise Shot; I haven't checked)?
Attcks readied, our villains wait as the draugr come around the doorway, weapons in hand. The draugr turn, finally coming upon their quarry, and move forward, striking furiously with their weapons. Aedorn's arrow strikes the undead about to attack Morthos, throwing it's aim wide, the axe going away in a wide arc, opening it up to a blow from Morthos.
The other of the creatures moves forward to attack Alazandaru, Bostarg attempting to trip up the creature as it moves in. The undead knocks the gnome aside but takes a serious blow from Alazandaru's staff, who easily knocks aside the strike meant for him.
Alazandaru, Aedorn and Morthos all hit. Undead missed. As readied attacks, you all are up.
Tatya draws her dagger but remains standing by the unopened western door.
Delay until someone needs healing. King Mark, I'm assuming we can see down the hall into the mushroom room since the draugr broke through the doors to the east?
Forced off balance by the approach of the draugr, Bostarg's brief thoughts towards heroics begin to pale. He manages another attempt at a warding strike for Alazandaru before trying to minimize his personal risk.
Aid Another (Alazandaru Attack): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 +2 on Alazandaru's attacks, then 5ft backwards.
Attacking Y 17. If it dies before it's my turn, then 5' step to Z 17 and attack the other one. And if that one is also dead by the time it's my turn, then YAY!
Aedorn tries his hardest to stay cool as the foul undead enter the room. Taking a deep breath and holding it momentarily, he lets two more arrows fly at the left Draugr.
Flurry of Blows, Point-Blank Shot. I've used 3/6 magical arrows. Morthos, I also updated my sheet for the arrows, you can remove from loot. Also, Tatya - of course I have Precise Shot ;) attack:1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 17 attack:1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 17 damage:1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4 damage:1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
Alazandaru ran at the Draugr with his staff held out as if to lunge, but he planted it firmly on the ground instead, using it to launch himself up and over the two Undead foes as well as dodge their axes. Now in a position to attack them from both sides with Morthos, Alazandaru landed gracefully, span on one heel to maintain some momentum from the landing and slammed his hastily raised quarterstaff two-handed into the back of an Undead skull before it had turned to register his new position.
If Aedorn's arrows took down the left hand one the move remains the same and the standard becomes a readied action for as soon as Morthos moves into a flank with him.
Able to prepare for the draugrs coming, a response is met with tactical perfection. Bostarg manages to trip up one of the undead creatures, pulling back and causing the abomination to stumble forward as the gnome pulls away. Alazandaru takes advantage to leap and strike at the other creature, it's head caving in from his blow as two arrows from Aedorn propel it forward into the stirke, making it all the more forceful. Morthos then proceeds to step froward and cleanly remove the last draugr's head with a clean swipe of his blade. Both of the creatures fall to the ground, dead.
Round 2 Inish
Tatya (Delay)
Bostarg (Aid Another on Alazandaru's next attack, hit)
Aedorn (Two hits on left draugr)
Alazandaru (Tumble and attack D1, hit and kill)
Morthos (5' shift, attack D2, hit and kill)
Draugr
"Those things are what you all were afraid of?" Not waiting for or expecting any kind of respons, Aedorn looks around the room impassively. "You say you're looking for some sort of amulet? What's in these other coffins?"
"Splinters. And likely vermin," Tatya responds. "But feel free to dig through them if you must." She looks to see if there is any inscription above the western door before trying it.
I believe King Mark said we searched all the unsmashed coffins. We have time now to remove Beatrix's cloak and put it on Alazandaru if he wants it as well. I assume Aedorn will end up with her iron circlet, but Tatya's not going to give it to him; the Cardinal will have to okay the transfer. ;)
Through the doorway to the west lies another door, thicki wood and banded in heavy iron. An inscription rests above the door, and a large iron key hangs on a peg next to it.
Bostarg breathes heavy after the brief though explosive action and danger endured, attempting to regather himself sufficiently to throw Tatya a somewhat haughty glance... but probably not carrying the deception through with conviction.
Moving to the Western door he reads the script, but shrugs as they have little choice "There does not seem to be any other path that leads forward" beckoning to Morthos or Alazandaru to open the portal.
As the door is approached, beyond can be heard the sound of metal against metal, the clink clink nature familiar with that of an armored man shifting in position, not attempting to be quiet though not overly active.
Bostarg's mind immediately sets to racing with possibilities and potentiality. Whatever is there is behind lock and the key was provided to us by the Cardinal? This is something he wished for us to find... but caution is prudent, he has set false purpose to us before. Perhaps a question? - much could be gained... and little lost. For 'tis easier to ask forgiveness than otherwise...
Putting finger to mouth to mime silence Bostarg gathers his lungs and asks loudly "Ho there within, be you friend or foe"
A voice calls back through the doorway, "Friend or foe I know not without knowing the nature of the one who calls out to me. If you walk the path of righteousness under Iomedae's gaze, then indeed I shall call you friend. I am Sir Eldon, Knight of the Alerion Order."
Knowledge (Nobility) DC 15 or Alazandaru:
Sir Eldon is the son of Sir Balin of Karfield, and honorable knight of the Alerion Order. He is quite skilled in the art of swordplay and a devout follower of Iomedae, near fanatical in his beliefs.
A wry smirk forms on Bostarg's face as he bids his companions remain quiet. A deep inhalation of breath and when Bostarg's voice sounds forth once more the inflection is much changed and altered. Weaker, desperate and tinged with hopelessness - as though his facade of strength was torn asunder as the shining ray of Iomedae's light shone through from the heavens "Oh thank god... I had thought myself alone... We woke up among these stones and then the dead... they rose and took her..." turning to racking sobs before seeming to take breath and heart once more "The door is locked on this side Sir Knight... Are you held as a prisoner?"
Aedorn speaks in a low voice, almost a whisper, "I've heard of this knight before. I've no qualms about fighting him, if that's our path, but know that he is an master swordsman and will be a difficult foe. More so than those...things we just fought," nodding back the way they came.
"Indeed, captured and imprisoned, though left with armor and blade. A foolish choice, I would expect more from Asmodeans. Do you think you can manage to find a way to open this portal? I ask that you do not unnecesarily endanger yourselves to free me though, if you can escape, take the chance."
Voice shaky, but seeming to grow in confidence at the knight's words "I... I think I saw a key with one of the dead ones... Hold on Sir Knight... I will try and free you." before beckoning his companions away from the door where they might whisper in secret.
"Surely it cannot be a coincidence that one of the devout is imprisoned and we are given the tools to act against him? The door implies that we are to Serve our Master... surely that would mean we are to kill the nobleman? If he kens even a scent of our true essence I cannot see us walking away without bloodshed." allowing the others to speak their words in the debate.
"If we choose to act then I may be able to even our odds somewhat. By turning my tongue to words I might hold his gaze and possibly turn his eyes from the door to deeper within the room. Then you might be able to sink a dagger between his shoulders before he realises you are there?"
Mechanically Bostarg wants to open the door while y'all are out of view and attempt to Fascinate the knight with his bardic performance. Once attention is garnered, then Bostarg would enter the room and try and get Sir Eldon's gaze to follow him. Then the rest of you can step out from hiding and dogpile him from the backside.
Thoughts?
"How does his mere death serve our master?" Tatya asks. "If the Cardinal wanted him dead, he could have killed him rather than put him in a cell. Is our master not better served if we can drive him to despair, or at the very least, send him back to his father maimed and broken?"
"By his words the man is armed and armoured... and Aedorn paints him a talented swordsman. It would not be an easy thing to convince him to divest himself of his steel."
Tatya nods slowly. "As His Eminence could have killed him, so could he have taken his weapons and armor. This is a Lesson for us -- if we can only puzzle out what we are to learn from it."
"Given time and effort I have confidence I could warp his mind... but here?" shaking his head slightly "My talents might draw his gaze unto me and distract him from the world around... but little else. Do you have means of bending his thoughts Tatya?"
"Aedorn?" He looks around and notices the halfling. "Oh." Turning back, "Regardless, I say we attempt to bring him to the way of Asmodeus. If he is as powerful as the other small one says he is, think of his usefulness as an ally."
Gesturing as though for Morthos to continue "Please, elucidate me on how you expect to achieve that in the here and now? Twisting minds takes time and the right leverage... I would say that we have neither with us now." sighing before adding "At the least we should render him unable to act against us, lest he answer words with steel."
"The gnome is right," Tatya frowns. "The knight is the one we need on the rack." Her eyes widen as she remembers something. "The squire -- he said the pendant was his master's. If the man behind the door has it, all we need is the pendant to complete our task. His life or death is none of our concern; we only require his bauble. If we can disable him, we can take it -- and remove his weapons and armor, leave him vulnerable to further persuasion, if it is to come."
I'm guessing silence is golden in this instance and we've a forward plan?
Bostarg moves Beatrix's corpse to a point in clear view of the door that he will open, and puts one of the draugr nearby for good measure. Waiting until all of his companions are safely ensconced out of view - Bostarg moves to the door, taking a deep breath and preparing himself.
Before moving to open the portal, Bostarg whispers one last instruction "Be ready to move when I either cry in pain or make mention of the fake staircase."
He then re-adopts his frightened voice and stoops slightly as he cries out with relief "I have it Sir Knight, it was in the hands of the dead... I will set you free." intentionally fumbling with the lock once or twice so as to give an impression of eagerness and haste. Once the lock is parted, the door is swung wide with a shuddering jerk.
Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34To keep his suspicion of me at bay to start with.
Once he can see within, Bostarg takes a quick look around and gauges the Knight's initial mood...
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22For sight of any threats, and also to see if he can spy the pendant in clear view.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25To gauge if the knight is wary of me.
....as long as no immediate blows or assault are forthcoming, Bostarg begins once more to speak.
Yet this time his tone is more ethereal and tinged with a cloying tone that wraps around the mind as though a pillow and clouds all else from view. "Thank the maker that I managed to find you..."
Like a serpent newly awoken to the day, his voice languidy whips out and seeks to ensnare the attention of the good knight...
DC 16 Will save from Sir Eldon or he is fascinated - and he will sit quietly and observe the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on all skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.
I'll continue speech once Bostarg knows if he's caught the attention of Sir Eldon in his web.
I can't move people on the map as I'm at work - but I'm assuming they are all safely out of the way.
Opening the doorway beyond stands the man who claims to be Sir Eldon, a claim reinforced by his attire. Dressed in fine plate armor, Sir Eldon also wields a large shield strapped to his left arm, and a longsword in his right, the blade at first raised as you enter. Seeing the sight before him, he lowers the blade. "Ah, good. I had thought you may yet be an Asmodean, attempting to lure me into a relaxed state. I am Sir Eldon. And how may I call you sir gnome?"
As you enter and Sir Eldon lowers his guard somewhat, you notice on his neck a pendant, silver and sapphire, in the middle of which is inscribed the symbol of Iomedae. An impressive symbol to the Inheritor.
Bostarg:
You sense from the man that he is indeed still wary, though the wariness of one who is always on guard. You also sense your song has not enraptured the knight.
Adopting a limp Bostarg mentally curses as his honeyed words were unable to snare the knight. He slides forward dragging a heel slowly around the knight to rest against the Western wall, putting Sir Eldon between himself and the doorway. As he shuffles "I am no knightly being as yourself Sir Eldon, just a lowly faithful... though my name is Caldazar." casting a hollow eyed gaze to where Beatrix's body still lies in ruin "That was my friend Maggie... before the dead got her." twinging in imagined pain from his leg.
"Do you have any skill at healing Sir? The dead ones caught my leg while we fought and rendered me less than able."And here comes the crux... will he take the bait... beckoning Sir Eldon to see if he might inspect the limb himself.
Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31
If he does so, then Bostarg will add the following words "I saw a staircase on my way here... perhaps it leads out?" giving the signal to the others to appear and bring pain and anguish to the trusting Sir Eldon.
"Only of the mundane variety, but I'll see what I can do. I've dressed a few battle scars already." Sir Eldon is turned towards Bostarg as he moves, completely oblivious to what lies in front of him.
Sir Eldon is caught completely unaware. You each get a surprise action, as well as a first round action before he goes. Lucky!
I didn't get a chance to move myself back on the map a bit to where I was more likely to have been waiting until just now - hope that's ok.
As soon as he hears the gnome's trigger words, Aedorn takes careful aim and lets an arrow fly at the armored man. In rapid succession, he then draws two more and fires them before the man can react.
