B flies over the shattered glass but it is clear from a cursory inspection there is nothing here but potential slashing wounds.
Zabeth listens intently after several moments of complete silence slowing down her own breathing she is able to hear the shuffle of feet echoing ever so slightly echoing down the hall from the south. It speeds up, then stops. After several minutes there are gutteral curses as well. Then more shuffling then stopping. Finally, a small cry of elation. Then silence once more.
Zabeth opens the door to her right, and pauses a few seconds before peering inside.
Broulnindre sneaks behind Madam Zabeth, staying approximately twenty feet behind.
Some rubble nearby her collapses as she creeps.
Pink Eye taps Gauntlet and nods and moves toward the front entrance and to the side of it to wait in tense silence for his friends to return or for him to go after them.
Gauntlet waves Pink-Eye on, and stands ready to move from his semi-distant watch over the entrance mind-blade gripped tightly in his right hand. Time ticks away the seconds quietly, and gauntlet knows his friend is in a possible trouble spot and there was nothing he could do about it now. And he sent her there. HE did that. Seconds pass so slowly...
Zabeth hears a noise behind her but it is just B accidentally knocking over rubble in her wake.
She pauses as does B, heart hammering in her chest but even after a few minutes, Zabeth hears nothing and no one respond to B's momentary clumsiness.
She checks the door to her right which opens to a once grand library whose shelves are full of torn pages and ripped bindings, either rotting into pulp or converted into nests by Industrious rats.
---
Near the door Pink-Eye also hears the collapse, it's not loud per se but in this graveyard to buildings it sounds loud in his ears.
Once the dust settles, Broulnindre asks Zabeth "Hyu gon een, or should Hy?"
Zabeth points to the next door on the opposite side of the hallway before moving to it. She opens it - keeping herself out of view a moment before peering in again.
Pink Eye hears the noise and then listens for sounds of combat drawing up his battle axe at the ready.
Zabeth opens the door across the hallway.
Stealth
Stealth
Stealth
Zabeth Perception
Pink-Eye Perception +5 Diff due to distance.
Zabeth & B absolutely hear feet shuffle though sh does not see anyone from her vantage point.
Pink-Eye pauses and tries to listen but is just too far away to hear much of anything.
Zabeth pauses...
Once this was a grand Feasting hall. Now, it appears to be a prime hunting ground for rats and other vermln. Benches and tables have been knocked over some broken up for who knows what purpose.
--- Outside ---
Frank cuts off a half foot of rope from his robe sleeve, puts away his knife, and casts a spell to cause the rope to glow before sticking it in his haversack and laying in wait.
It isn't long, though, before Frank stands up and heads for the entrance with a loaded crossbow in one hand and a glowing bit of rope in the other.
"B says the entry hall is clear. I think I'll move to the doorway."
--- in the hallway ---
Broulnindre sneaks over to the other side of the ex-feasting hall doorway before peeking in.
After Frank approaches Pink eye goes in and moves to the next door up his axe drawn and at the ready and Tenzo takes the other side of the door
Zabeth gently closes the second door, and moves to the last door on the right side of the hallway. Again, she opens the door while trying to stay out of sight, and waits before peering inside.
As Pink-eye and his companion move in, Zabeth closes the door and proceeds farther down the hall to the next door.
Rats and insects are the only creatures that seem to make use of this kitchen. Rusty cauldrons and broken crockery are scattered across the room and everything is covered with dust, cobwebs, and mold.
Across the room is a door leading farther into the Hall.
Pink Eye points to the door and moves up next to it axe drawn placing himself against the wall waiting and listening
Seeing the others moving in, Gauntlet waves the others forward keeping his words short and too the point.
"Quietly. Stay together as best as possible, but don't crowd each other too much either."
Frank moves into the welcome hall right before the glass, picks up the glowing bit of rope and moves over to the entrance of the hallway.
He ducks behind the door frame with only a shuffle.
Leaning over to look down the hallway, he sees Broulnindre in the shadows and jerks his head towards the now closed second set of doors.
Broulnindre nods and steps over to Zabeth.
She whispers "Hoi Zabeth, Franky iz gon cover dem doors."
Just as she says 'doors' Franky's glowing bit of rope lands right in front of them, illuminating the area.
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Zabeth screws up her courage, and steps into the room.
>Minor Shape Change (Su): All changelings have the ability to transform
themselves at will. This ability is similar to Alter Self with the
following exceptions.
This ability is a supernatural ability, akin to a lycanthrope's
shapechange, and thus, it is not subject to dispelling.
Using this ability is a full round action that does not provoke
attacks of opportunity.
While this ability does not affect clothing or gear, it does effect
the tactile, olfactory and audible aspects the new form, thus granting
a +10 circumstance bonus to Disguise checks.
This ability does allow changelings to appear as specific people,
including those of other genders.
This ability does not grant any new abilities or movement rates.
Likewise, this ability does not allow the changeling to change its size
category.
It lasts for as long as the changeling desires, even if unconscious
or sleeping (although changelings do revert back to their natural form
upon death).
Anything that can see through or acts on a shapechanger's alternate
forms applies to a changeling in the same manor.
Changelings with grievous physical wounds (lost eye, severed hand,
etc) cannot disguise that injury regardless of their form, nor can a
changeling mimic such an injury intentionally.
As Frank drops light in the hall and Zabeth enters the kitchen she hears the squeal of rats who rush out from the debris aggressively!
Viorr
Dev
EE
Kana
Frank
Zabeth
Gauntlet
Pink-Eye
Meridian
Rats (4)
Most of the group is still outside the front door but I will assume that Gauntlet will make a motion for them to come in thus their inclusion on the initiative chart.n
Viorr, Meridian, Gauntlet, Kana, Frank, B, EE, Zabeth - GO!
Rats
Pink-Eye & Dev.
Frank, hearing from Broulnindre telepathically, points his crossbow at the door Zabeth just entered, waiting for something to come out.
Broulnindre moves closer to the doorway and is likewise poised to strike.
Upon hearing the squealing vermin, Gauntlet will stride past the rest of the group to encounter the swarm first and let his adamantine plates take the brunt of the attack! He then reaches down while mentally activating his wand sheath with his magic!
Zabeth steps into the corner - away from the doorway, and prepares to strike as the rats approach.
Knowing the gig is up and the noise is going to draw problems Pink Eye will grab the biggest rubble he can get and block the second set of doors while the rest of the party comes roaring in because of... Rats
Frank holds steady waiting to fire at any threats that spill into the hall.
Gauntlet charges past his position and plunges into the room the light from his hands giving an eerie glow in the darkness. His attempt to grasp these larger than normal rats fails.
Zabeth takes a step back and her eyes widen when Gauntlet's form spills light onto these rats, they are no mere sample fare rats but altered in some hideous fashion! Likewise, her cane misses the small and fast moving targets charging at her.
Meridian, Kana, Viorr, and EE now enter the building but with the hall so crowded with their allies they are only able to reach Pink-Eye's flank.
Rat #1 vs. Gauntlet - Damage
Rat #2 vs. Gauntlet - Damage
Rat #3 vs. Zabeth
Rat #4 vs. Zabeth
The rats double up on Gauntlet and Zabeth, Zabeth manages to avoid their deadly bites while Gauntlet's armored hide is not enough! Their teeth find their ways past his plating and cause damage most of which creates a wicked burning sensation!
Pink-Eye grabs a piece of rubble and sets it down when from the eastern door, he feels something try to force it open! The rubble was placed down in the nick of time though as the door only budges a bit, no doubt whoever is lurking in there expected a much easier result from pushing on the door.
Dev mills in the back, the hall too crowded to enter for the moment.
Viorr, Meridian, Gauntlet, Kana, Frank, B, EE, Zabeth - GO!
Rats
Pink-Eye & Dev
Others.
"Hey Zabeth, maybe let Pink-eye work his magic?" Frank says as he takes up a position on the far side of the doorway and fires a bolt at the nearest rat.
Broulnindre huffs in response to some telepathic communication, then moves over to the middle of the hall where she helps the rubble keep the door shut.
Gauntlet in a rare showing starts swinging careful strikes with his mind blade and enchanted hand!
Spell Combat!
+
=>Add+3 w/metal enemy
Zabeth swipes at one of the vile rats at her feet.
Viorr weaves through his friends to stand beside Zabeth, but he does not reach the rats in time to strike.
(I think he would face an AoO from the rat in front of Guantlet)
Frank's bolt cannot pierce the heavy armor of this vermin.
B holds the block in place resisting the push from the other side.
Gauntlet's mindblade fails to land but his shocking hand sends a jolt through the rat which squeals but does not die.
Zabeth's cane fails to cause any damage as well, Viorr charges into the room and gets attacked by one of Gauntlet's enemies. His armor blunts the wicked looking teeth of the vermin.
Meanwhile EE aids B in keeping the door from being pushed open to keep the group from being flanked while dealing with the threat from the other room.
Kana heads behind Frank and fires into the melee - Bow - Damage - Bow - Damage Her first shot misses but the second lands and right in the eye of the rat laying it low!
Medirian gets into the doorway next to Frank and releases a Blast at the foe to Zabeth's left - (ranged touch) - Damage but the rat is too quick and manages to side step the energy release!
Rat #3 AOO vs. Viorr - Damage
Rat #1 vs. Gauntlet - Damage
Rat #2 vs. Gauntlet - Damage
Rat #3 vs. Viorr - Damage
Rat #4 vs. Zabeth - Damage
Strength Check
This time Gauntlet's armor repels the remaining rat while Zabeth and Viorr both manage to nimbly leap over the rats further clumsy attacks!
The door is pushed on, hard and the block moves!
Not to be outdone, and because his patience hasn't earned any awards, Dev follows Meridian and released his own energy blast at the same target, hoping to make advantage of the rat's dodge and catch it just as it thinks it's safe!
-4 if in melee
Pink eye and Tenzo delay hiding waiting for the guys behind the door to push through with reach, weapons, and teeth ready grinning.
Viorr lashes out at the rat in front of Zabeth.
Frank decides that he needs something more expendable than Broulnindre to help fight, and relays that to her telepathically.
She manages an alarmed expression and a "Hoi-" before she vanishes into thin air.
Frank puts moves back towards the entrance to keep himself out of the way of his allies that prefer to get up close and personal.
Viorr's attacks miss as the armor of these strange rats proves too tough.
Dev's energy blast succeeds where Meridian's failed and one of the rats is fried!
One of the humans wielding two axes lunges at EE!
Viorr, Meridian, Gauntlet, Kana, Frank, B, EE, Zabeth - GO!
Rats (2)
Pink-Eye & Dev
Others
Kana raises her bow and shoots at the axe-swinger threatening EE.
As the door gets pushed all the way open a huge battle axe gleams out of the darkness with dark energy rippling across the blade!
VIorr attacks the rat again.
Pink-Eye drops the first one of the humans to lunge into the hallway, the negative energy blackening his skin as he hits the floor.
A second one follows out and swings at EE standing over the body of his vanquished ally trying to drive his spear through the Warforged
but EE's heavily armored hide easily deflects the spear.
Kana's flurry of arrows bring the barbarian down atop his fallen comrade.
With such quick work made a voice from within cries out in rage and frustration, "Noooo. We gives up'n!"
Meanwhile in the Kitchen Viorr's blades both find their mark eviscerating the mutated rat.
Gauntlet takes a double swing at the remaining vermin
+1 Keen Mindblade (Falcata):
Damage:
The Falcata tears through the oddly armored vermin bringing the threat to a halt.
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Kana looms over the fallen barbarian, inspection the holes her arrows punched into his chest.
Gosh, this new spell i learned is really amazing! I can really understand now where wizards get their god-complex from fiddling with gravity and other things like that.
She then turns around, addressing the remaining foes who just surrendered:
Well come out then, hold your hands where we can see them and drop your weapons! Better don't try any tricks!
With a smile to Pink-Eye she adds:
You won't believe what my minotaur friend here is able and willing to do with their horns!
Gauntlet immediately starts the post-fight sequence. He waves at the dead attackers.
"Viorr? Keep watch and see if you can figure out where these men came from. Dev? Help Pink-Eye and Kana with the interrogation. Your abilities might come in handy here. Madam Skoata, Would you mind checking to see if anyone is hurt other than me? Also, I think the ruse is done: You may resume your normal form if you wish. Frank, send Broulnindre ahead again to scout, and then check those corpses for anything useful that might tell us anything about what is going on. I'm going to make sure this rat's nest is dead and gone completely. I don't want one of these things sneaking up on us later."
He then moves toward the area the rats came from, looking for more, or signs of a nest. Holding out his hand, a copy of his forehead symbol lights up brightly, casting greenish-magical light in an area in front of him as he moves.
Frank nods his assent.
While Gauntlet searches the room and others interrogate their new prisoners, Frank reloads his crossbow and then begins the minute long ritual to summon Broulnindre.
Pink eye pets Tenzo and wipes his overlarge battle axe on a body and searches them for anything of value while the others come out from hiding
Viorr nods, and steps across the hall to keep watch.