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Nyym steps to the side and slowly opens the door. Keeping the door between himself and the opening. But far enough that should it gets hit again. It won't take him out in the process... Also taking an opportunity to look into the room though the damaged section..
If the door gets hit or if some or something is still close to the door. This way, I can still maintain cover and concealment.
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Nyym steps to the side and slowly opens the door. Keeping the door between himself and the opening. But far enough that should it gets hit again. It won't take him out in the process... Also taking an opportunity to look into the room though the damaged section..
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
If the door gets hit or if some or something is still close to the door. This way, I can still maintain cover and concealment.
Nyym can make out the huge iron cage that fills most of this circular chamber, with several crates, chests, statues, paintings, and other art objects crammed between the cage and the walls of the room. Inside the cage, something sits under a cloth drapery of some sort.
He can also see that the iron cage can be raised in the air thanks to a thick chain attached to a pulley on the other side of the room.
The pulley effectively doubles the amount of weight a character can lift off the ground, so a character with a Strength score of 17 or higher can use the pulley to hoist the cage 5 feet off the floor (alternatively, multiple characters can combine their Strength scores together to lift the cage). As a reminder, the room's ceiling is ten feet high. Hoisting the cage in this way is a full-round action; a character pulling on the chain loses her Dexterity bonus to AC and can move only 5 feet per round (as a fullround action). If the chain is released, the cage falls. Anyone adjacent to the cage when it falls takes 3d6 points of damage and is knocked prone. A successful Reflex save halves the damage and negates the prone condition.
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Nyym steps to where he can get a better view into the room. Looking for ways past the cage without having to go through it.
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Back in the armory, the trio of Aiko, Meir, and Oloch begin the task of lifting Rohan so that the giantkin can be moved to the chapel.
Rocnork carefully picks up the headless skeleton of Castellan Varias, then looks to Tsadok. Once they're settled in over at the shrine, I'll return to help out with taking down the hill giant chieftain.
Aiko calls out to Meir and Oloch, Time to get the patient out of here. She then turns to regard her sword-sister. We leave things in your hands.
With a nod, the Minkan warrior, Meir, and Oloch make their way out of the chamber carrying Rohan, with the wyvaran not far behind them.
Kyt looks over at those left behind: Charlotte, Colt, Liesel-Marie, and Tsadok. They were a pretty formidable force in and of themselves, even without herself and Nyym. Still, she knew that the group would need to take care, given that all of their healers would be tending to Rohan.
I think we should go up and wait for Nyym's report. No sense hanging out down here as far as I'm concerned.
Colt nodded his head in agreement while finishing up checking over his rig. I guess we're moving lickitey-split then.
The gunmarshal walks toward the armory door, his spurs jangling with each step.
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Liesel-Marie nods back to her sword-sister. As the rest of the party moves out of the room, she gives the room a once-over before turning to follow.
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Liesel-Marie nods back to her sword-sister. As the rest of the party moves out of the room, she gives the room a once-over before turning to follow.
As the Erutaki looks one last time over the armory, her eyes scanning the rows of barren shelves, empty weapon racks, and vacant armor stands skirting the perimeter of the chamber, the looted corpses of ogres lit by numerous candles, nothing else aside from the stern-faced portrait of Tamand Varias, the previous castellan, really catch her notice. And that is due mainly to the way the eyes of the painting's subject seem to bore into her soul.
The symbols that had been drawn in the sand had been defaced thanks to the efforts of Meir, who had mentioned that one looked very much like the medallion worn around the neck as well as the skin of Pappy Gorb, a mark of devotion to Zura, Vampire Queen of the Abyss.
Nothing else stands out to Liesel-Marie, and so she exits the chamber to reunite with Nyym once more...
lore engineering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Nyym steps to where he can get a better view into the room. Looking for ways past the cage without having to go through it.
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
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Nyym knows the to 2 giant orcs had to get through here without disturbing the cage or dealing with the Manticores within. So he sets about looking for the path they took. The path that would allow Orcs or their size to pass unscathed..
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Nyym knows the to 2 giant orcs had to get through here without disturbing the cage or dealing with the Manticores within. So he sets about looking for the path they took. The path that would allow Orcs or their size to pass unscathed..
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Nyym is able to discern that the giantkin orcs managed to get in and out by squeezing* themselves by taking a path on the left side of the chamber. If he and the others were to take the same route, based on what he can see, squeezing wouldn't not be necessary, but they would have to go through single file.
Who's there? calls out a guttural male voice from inside the cage. Let us out! If someone is there, then let us out!
Nyym can hear something moving around restlessly within the cage.
*Squeezing: In some cases, you may have to squeeze into or through an area that isn't as wide as the space you take up. You can squeeze through or into a space that is at least half as wide as your normal space. Each move into or through a narrow space counts as if it were 2 squares, and while squeezed in a narrow space, you take a –4 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to AC.
When a Large creature (which normally takes up 4 squares) squeezes into a space that's 1 square wide, the creature's miniature figure occupies 2 squares, centered on the line between the 2 squares. For a bigger creature, center the creature likewise in the area it squeezes into.
A creature can squeeze past a creature while moving but it can't end its movement in an occupied square.
To squeeze through or into a space less than half your space's width, you must use the Finesse skill. You can't attack while using Finesse to squeeze through or into a narrow space, you take a –4 penalty to AC, and you lose any Dexterity bonus to AC.
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Nyym stops and looks into the cage at the source of the voices .
Surely they can't determine my location. Could it be they possess the same ability as Rau and know his location and is just testing him? Or is it truly because he moved the door to enter the room?
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Who's there? calls out a guttural male voice from inside the cage. Let us out! If someone is there, then let us out!
Nyym stops and looks into the cage at the source of the voices .
Surely they can't determine my location. Could it be they possess the same ability as Rau and know his location and is just testing him? Or is it truly because he moved the door to enter the room?
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Please! We're prisoners, being held here by an evil giant that starves and mistreats us!
The male manticore's words carry the ring of both truth and desperation within them, as does the listless moans and groans of the female behind it.
Behind Nyym out in the corridor, he can hear movement. If he looks out, the half-drow can see Aiko, Meir, and Oloch struggling to carry the lanky unconscious form of Rohan. Not too far behind them is Rocnork holding the headless skeleton that the group needed to aid the chaplain with being laid to rest.
He also hears the jangle of spurs, signaling the arrival of Shieldmarshal Colt Winchester. Which meant that Kyt and the others were on their way up from the armory as well.
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Nyym looked to the male voice to look the Manticores over. While he detected no deception from him. Nyym was not so quick to trust having been fooled only a short couple of weeks before. The betrayal still fresh in his mind. So he looked over the 2 from his hidden position for signes of starvation and injuries.
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Tsadok moves up to where Nymm is at.
What have we got in there? Tsadok says in a low smooth voice.
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Tsadok moves up to where Nymm is at.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
What have we got in there? Tsadok says in a low smooth voice.
Please! We're prisoners, being held here by an evil giant that starves and mistreats us!
Though he sees no sign of the elusive half-drow, Tsadok does catch sight of the two manticores locked within the cage in the chamber. They do not appear to have seen him, however.
Several crates, chests, statues, paintings, and other art objects are crammed between the cage and the walls of the circular room. In addition,
six clay-impregnated blankets, each weighing approximately 20 pounds, have been tossed about haphazardly in the southern portion of the room.
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After making her way up the stairs from the armory, Charlotte heads over to the open door where the mated pair of manticores are caged.
Again, the male manticore pleads for the release of itself and and his mate.
Having been imprisoned by the orcs herself, the little human girl feels a swell of pity for monsters. The expression on her face makes it perfectly clear that she fully intends to set the pair free.
However, before Charlotte can step further into the chamber, she is stopped by both Colt and Kyt from doing so.
Woah there, little miss, says the shieldmarshal when she gives him a questioning look. We need to be knowin' more about these here critters before doin' anything reckless.
Kyt nods in agreement. For all we know, they could be ready to take advantage of your goodwill. The last thing I want to is have something bad happen to you. If they truly are prisoners, then we will free them. But it will not be at the risk of you or anyone else. Is that understood?
Charlotte's head dips up and down.
The elven warrior-monk smiles, then turns to regard the two caged beings with a stern look.
Why were you brought to this place?
The male glares at Kyt in annoyance. We were hunted down to be made gifts for another. Someone the evil giant calls Volstus. To be... dowry, I think.
The creature looks uncertain as to what a dowry is.
Colt raises an eyebrow at this before turning toward Kyt. Seems to me yer giant chieftain's lookin' to git herself hitched.
So it would seem. The elf gives a critical eye to the room's contents. If I had to guess, I would say that everything in here is a part of the dowry. Which would imply that this Volstus is a being of great importance.
The shieldmarshal gives a brief whistle. Take a look at the wings.
Kyt takes notice of gaps in the feathers of the manticore's wings as it flaps them as though irritated. Clipped. And crudely done at that.
Charlotte appears confused by the use of the term.
It is unable to fly. Done no doubt to prevent escape.
The human child's face gives way to shock, pity, then anger. What can we do to help it?
Kyt seems unwilling to answer, as she is still not convinced that the creatures can be trusted. However, the elf also understands that the cruelty inflicted upon the pair is tugging at the heartstrings of Charlotte.
She looks to Colt, who shrugs helplessly, before turning to Liesel-Marie (who arrived just before Kyt asked her question of the manticore).
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The Erukai's skepticism is clear once she twigs onto the situation. "They are not stupid. And rarely kind. How do we know they would not immediately give us away or even attack directly? But they have seen us - either we free them or they are a problem for us." She looks at Kyt meaningfully.
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The Erukai's skepticism is clear once she twigs onto the situation. "They are not stupid. And rarely kind. How do we know they would not immediately give us away or even attack directly? But they have seen us - either we free them or they are a problem for us." She looks at Kyt meaningfully.
We don't know. And you're right. These creatures are neither stupid nor kind. Kyt turns to regard Charlotte and smiles before continuing. Yet while we are kind, that doesn't mean that we have to be stupid. We should release them, but be prepared for the possibility of having our mercy repaid with violence.
The young human looks confused. Do you honestly think they would attack us after setting them free?
The elf kneels down in front of Charlotte and places a hand upon the child's shoulder. It is a sad fact of life that living creatures will prey upon one another, whether it be through the use of force, through manipulation, or a combination of the two. It is a risk we take with each interaction in our lives. And while we cannot control what others may do, we at least control the things we ourselves do. It can be harsh lesson to learn, but it is one that we all would do well to benefit from.
Colt glances at Kyt, a smirk upon his face. Why, if I didn't know better, I'd say that you're some kind of romantic.
The elven warrior-monk rises and laughs at the shieldmarshal's words. If you're a member of Team Ruby, you can't help but be a romantic.
The human male looks thoughtful for a moment then says, I suppose you could say the same about bein' a marshal.
Well, then we're glad to have you with us. Looking back to Liesel-Marie, Kyt asks, Got any ideas as to how we should go about releasing them?
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Nyym uses the arrival of the others as a distraction to gently try the door. But before he does. In inspects the door and listens closely for sounds of anyone or anything that may be lurking on the other side.
Hearing nothing, Nyym slowly opens the door. Letting it swing slowly as if pushed open by a breeze as he stands aff to the side using the wall as cover.
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Nyym uses the arrival of the others as a distraction to gently try the door. But before he does. In inspects the door and listens closely for sounds of anyone or anything that may be lurking on the other side.
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Hearing nothing, Nyym slowly opens the door. Letting it swing slowly as if pushed open by a breeze as he stands off to the side using the wall as cover.
After waiting a moment as a precaution, when Nyym pokes his head through the open doorway, he sees a landing and a flight of stairs winding its way up and around the tower.
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Liesel-Marie considers the question before addressing the manticore that had spoken, "Creature, do you have a name?"
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Liesel-Marie considers the question before addressing the manticore that had spoken, "Creature, do you have a name?"
The male growls, the tone dripping with disdain. You and all of your two-legged kin have a strange fixation with naming things. I have none and do not seek one.
As the manticore speaks, the female nips and bites at the male, who in turn does the same to her. This goes on for a couple of minutes.
When the two are done, the female manticore speaks for the first time: What is your intent? What does it matter whether we have names or not? Either you will free us or not... that is what matters most. If you do not desire to help us, then leave us to our suffering.
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The bloodrager shrugs her shoulders, ”It is a sign of respect to use one’s name or title. I would not leave anyone in a cage. I also would not release you to attack my friends. What assurance do I have that you will leave this place and not trouble us when released?”
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Nyym moves back to the winch set up to better examine it's up close. After hearing Liesel-Marie talk of freeing the 2 Minotaurs. He figures he best have another closer look at the mechanism.
As he studied the mechanism. Nyym made sure to keep his ears tuned at any sounds that may arrive the other side of the doors he just checked.
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Nyym moves back to the winch set up to better examine it's up close. After hearing Liesel-Marie talk of freeing the 2 Minotaurs. He figures he best have another closer look at the mechanism.
engineering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
As he studied the mechanism. Nyym made sure to keep his ears tuned at any sounds that may arrive the other side of the doors he just checked.
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
The bloodrager shrugs her shoulders, ”It is a sign of respect to use one’s name or title. I would not leave anyone in a cage. I also would not release you to attack my friends. What assurance do I have that you will leave this place and not trouble us when released?”
The pair of manticores begin to bite again at one another. After a moment of these antics, the female says, I can't say that one could be given, though it would be rather foolish of us to trouble you after such a display of generosity. The scent of blood clings to you, and your eyes are those of one who has faced death many times over. We just want to be free... of this place and those who have imprisoned us.
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Liesel-Marie looks at her visible allies. ”What say you?”
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Liesel-Marie looks at her visible allies. ”What say you?”
Leaning against the doorframe, Colt produces a freshly hand-rolled quirley that he lights using a tindertwig. After taking a draw, the shieldmarshal exhales a plume of smoke and says, I'm not for leaving anyone that's been unjustly imprisoned in such a state. That said, I haven't heard anything that would convince me of trusting them. If you do decide to free them, then know that I aim to clean their plows with my Highwall here.
The human then uses one hand to produce Executioner, his rifle, from beneath his long leather coat.
Kyt looks over at Liesel-Marie. I'm going to have to agree with Colt. I don't think they should be left here, but I'm not sure if they can be trusted.
Do I have a say in this? Charlotte looks between both the elf and the Erutaki.
I think that you do, Kyt responds with a smile. What do you think, Liesel-Marie? Does Charlotte have a say in this?
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"Absolutely. Girl, you have fought and bled alongside us all. What do you say?"
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"Absolutely. Girl, you have fought and bled alongside us all. What do you say?"
Charlotte looks thoughtful for a moment, then says, If my brother were here with us, he'd say 'Leave them where they sit. No sense letting these monsters roam about to attack innocent people.' As she speaks, the human child does a fairly comical impression of Meir, complete with mannerisms. She continues, I say let them out. Since we're going after the giants here, I don't want to think about them starving if we leave them here.
The pair of manticores look surprised by this. The male looks ready to speak, but Charlotte raises a finger and cuts him off. I'm not done talking yet. If we let you out, you'd best not betray us and attack. You won't like what happens If you do.
A feral glint can be seen in the young girl's eyes as she stares intently at the captives. The pair in the cage seem very uncomfortable and avoid making eye contact with her.
Colt's lit quirley nearly falls from his mouth as he stares slack-jawed at Charlotte for a moment. He soon catches himself and nods approvingly at the younger human.
Kyt looks back at Liesel-Marie, also somewhat surprised. I don't think we could've said it any better that.
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Liesel-Marie give a firm nod as she looks at the child, an amused glint in her eyes. As she turns to the manticores, the amusement disappears.
"The child has said it well. As you say, it would indeed be foolish to trouble us if we release you. If you are hungry, there is far easier prey among the residents of this castle."
She looks back at her friends, waiting.
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With all the loud conversations about freeing the Manticores. Nyym suddenly wonders if the voices have arrived enough to draw the attention of others. With that in mind, Nyym moves back close to the double doors and listens for the arrival of other unwanted guests..
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With all the loud conversations about freeing the Manticores. Nyym suddenly wonders if the voices have arrived enough to draw the attention of others. With that in mind, Nyym moves back close to the double doors and listens for the arrival of other unwanted guests..
[Dice=perception] 1d20+14
Nyym desides to slip on though the one open door in the back of the room to open the doors at the top of the stairs. It is his hope that seeing the door he had already opened. The Manticores would opt to take that route. This putting them in direct conflict with their capters. He does so in a way that both the occupants in the room up the stairs as well as the Manticores attention. This is all timed with Team Ruby releasing the Manticores.
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Liesel-Marie give a firm nod as she looks at the child, an amused glint in her eyes. As she turns to the manticores, the amusement disappears.
"The child has said it well. As you say, it would indeed be foolish to trouble us if we release you. If you are hungry, there is far easier prey among the residents of this castle."
She looks back at her friends, waiting.
Kyt begins to nimbly make her way around the cage and over to where the pulley is. She pauses for a moment as her dark tresses slip from the bun in which they're held then seeming to ripple before being surrounded by a rippling ice blue aura.
She looks to Liesel-Marie, Colt, and finally Charlotte before placing her hands on the thick chain...
Nyym decides to slip on though the one open door in the back of the room to open the doors at the top of the stairs. It is his hope that seeing the door he had already opened. The Manticores would opt to take that route. This putting them in direct conflict with their captors. He does so in a way that both the occupants in the room up the stairs as well as the Manticores attention. This is all timed with Team Ruby releasing the Manticores.With all the loud conversations about freeing the Manticores. Nyym suddenly wonders if the voices have arrived enough to draw the attention of others. With that in mind, Nyym moves back close to the double doors and listens for the arrival of other unwanted guests..
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
As the half-drow is about to open the upstairs door, he hears (and sees) it move on its own. Standing in the doorway is the all too familiar form of Kelseph, general of the hill giant chieftain herself. In her hands she grips the chain "leashes" of two immense black wolves, who are straining against the leads in an attempt to race down the stairs. That the orc isn't being dragged away by the effort of these horse-sized canids is testament to her strength.
Nyym can also just catches a glimpse of Grenseldek as well, seated on the floor and staring off at something that he can't see before the door closes and the general begins heading down the staircase.
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As soon as the doors swing open. Seeing Kelseph, Nyym s blood went ice cold as he briefly panicked realizing he was in a really bad position. After a quick glimpse past and being close to being run over. Nyym becomes as one with the wall as possible to allow them to pass.
Nyym, my boy. Ur starting to cut things waaaay to close.
Though he knows that they can't smell his scent or hear him. Out of reflex, Nyym finds himself holding his breath and trying to make himself even skinnier then already is.
I am one with the wall and the wall is with me....
These among other thoughts passed through his head as he watched them pass by.
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As Kyt maneuvers to the chain, Liesel-Marie checks the straps on the shield on her back and makes sure that her other weaponry is secure before taking IcingFlame in hand in a defensive hold.
"Go where you will, hunt what you will, but harm one of my friends and you will be looking over your shoulder until the day one of us finds you. That is the deal we offer."
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As Kyt maneuvers to the chain, Liesel-Marie checks the straps on the shield on her back and makes sure that her other weaponry is secure before taking IcingFlame in hand in a defensive hold.
"Go where you will, hunt what you will, but harm one of my friends and you will be looking over your shoulder until the day one of us finds you. That is the deal we offer."
Colt, with his burning quirley hanging from the corner of his mouth, nods in agreement with the Erutaki's words, even as he levels his rifle, Excutioner, in the direction of the mated pair of manticores.
Charlotte stands at the ready, her eyes locked on the two creatures as she hopes they don't repay the forthcoming act of kindness with betrayal.
Alright, says Kyt. Here we go.
And with those words, the elf warrior-monk begins pulling on the rope to raise up the heavy cage.
Even with the ki surging through her limbs to reinforce the power they already possess, Kyt struggles to lift the metal prison but in time manages to get it 5 feet off the floor.
The monstrous pair glance at one another nervously as the elf works for their freedom.
If you're going to do something, grunts Kyt as she strains to maintain her grip on the rope holding the cage, then by all means do it.
The male manticore casts its gaze about the room before making its move...
As soon as the doors swing open. Seeing Kelseph, Nyym s blood went ice cold as he briefly panicked realizing he was in a really bad position. After a quick glimpse past and being close to being run over. Nyym becomes as one with the wall as possible to allow them to pass.
Nyym, my boy. Ur starting to cut things waaaay to close.
Though he knows that they can't smell his scent or hear him. Out of reflex, Nyym finds himself holding his breath and trying to make himself even skinnier then already is.
I am one with the wall and the wall is with me....
These among other thoughts passed through his head as he watched them pass by.
The male lowers its head and bares its fangs, as does the female, both of their spiked tails twitching frantically.
The foul one comes, and she's not alone. The giant's pets accompany her.
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Liesel-Marie hustles across the room and grabs the rope. She hisses at the manticores, ”Get out of the cage! Ready yourselves!” To Kyt, she whispers, ”We have company and little time to prepare. Let me know when to drop the cage…”
Before she takes the weight off of Kyt, the change is visible as her rage initiates and she enters her strength stance to brace herself.
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Nyym sees an opportunity and right after Kelseph passes his position. Instead of listening to the voice in his head that says strike now. He instead slips in behind her matching her movements so that he can be in a good position to strike. He knows he will only get one chance so he knows he has to make it count. But in this small enclosed area is definitely not the right time.
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Nyym sees an opportunity and right after Kelseph passes his position. Instead of listening to the voice in his head that says strike now. He instead slips in behind her matching her movements so that he can be in a good position to strike. He knows he will only get one chance so he knows he has to make it count. But in this small enclosed area is definitely not the right time.
Nyym watches as Kelseph lets go of the chains attached to the collars of the massive wolves, who in turn eagerly rush down the stairs...
Liesel-Marie hustles across the room and grabs the rope. She hisses at the manticores, ”Get out of the cage! Ready yourselves!” To Kyt, she whispers, ”We have company and little time to prepare. Let me know when to drop the cage…”
Before she takes the weight off of Kyt, the change is visible as her rage initiates and she enters her strength stance to brace herself.
Strength check: 1d20 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 8 = 13
Seeing her Erutaki companion struggle under the weight of the massive cage, Kyt lowers both her stance and center of gravity, in much the same manner that was done months ago during the tug-o'-war competition back in Trunau.
The effort put forth by the elven warrior-monk enables Liesel-Marie to readjust enough to fulfill her intent of taking the burden away from Kyt and put onto herself.
There isn't much time, the elf calls out to the mated pair manticore. Take your leave or assist us in the coming fight.
The monstrous duo glance at one another, then back to Kyt before they both bound out of the room.
Mere moments later, a pair of wolves, much like the pet of the vampire Mardut, dashed past the two women and into the chamber from the stairs.
Skidding to a stop underneath the cage.
Now sister, yells Kyt as she releases her grip on the chain. Let go now!
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Tsadok watches as the cage falls to entrap the Dire wolves. He quickly gets his feet shoulder with apart and bends at the knees. And with his knees bent would allow him to take the force of the cage hitting the floor.
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The elven warrior-monk looks around the room, making sure that everyone else is okay.
With her attention focused on her friends, Kyt is unaware of the threat that still remains on the stairs behind her... but the pair of manticore suffer from no such distractions.
With a flick of their tails, two volleys, each comprising four spikes, sail into the room to both pass through the bars of the cage as well as between Kyt and Liesel-Marie to strike a surprised General Kelseph square in the chest.
Our debt to you has been repaid, calls out the male manticore from the hallway.
Meanwhile, in Thrushmoor...
Aodhán wasn't smiling now as he delivers a jab with his left hand straight to his opponent's face, quickly followed by a right cross, a left hook, and another right cross to the body that sends the shocked Mesa scrambling back towards the standing mirror in the room.
I don't know who or what you are, but you sure as hell aren't Mesa, says Aodhán as the Chelish ex-bouncer brings his hands back so that the left is in front of his face and the right by his chin. Aodhán's stance, which includes his feet shoulder-width apart from each other, knees being slightly bent, with his chest slightly turned toward the enemy, is unbroken as his purple eyes flash in anger.
How did you know? As she speaks, Mesa's appearance wavers to reveal a smooth-featured humanoid creature whose skin is made entirely of mirrored glass before resuming the Minkan's aspect once again.
You look as though you stepped out of a mirror, comes Aodhán's response before dashing forward to deliver another series of strikes.
Despite the quickness of his step, however, the false Mesa (whose actual name is Tilsitari) proves quicker still as she takes advantage of the separation between them to call upon her innate magic that results in the imposter becoming four.
She needed to give the purple-eyed human something else to hit at other than her actual self, so Tilsitari produced three replicas of herself to deal with. The moment he hit one of them, she would leap back through the mirror to make good her escape.
This isn't the first time that Aodhán has seen something like this. Indeed, during his time as head bouncer at Trunau's rough and tumble bar called The Killin' Ground, this tactic proved to be a uncommon one used by low-tier arcanists wishing to skate on their bills.
The creature's inverted appearance of Mesa, coupled with this tactic, gives him an idea.
So rather than falling prey to the illusion put forth by his foe, Aodhán decides to go after something else.
The standing mirror.
All four of the Tilsitari's expressions are those of anger as the short human shatters her fastest means of escape from the reading room.
The sound of breaking glass causes the room's western door to open, revealing Vegazi the Devil-Sword framed within, longsword and short sword in hand.
I'd advise you to surrender, says Aodhán with a knowing smirk. The appearance you've assumed won't spare you from the wrath of her blades.
The half-orc had been just about to ask what Mesa had done to warrant such violence, but the ex-bouncer's words tells Vegazi everything she needs to know.
Tilsitari knew when these adventurers intially came to Fort Hailcourse that the last thing she wanted was a violent encounter with them, and so did her best to send them on their way. However those efforts proved to not be as successful as she thought they'd been, for they had somehow infiltrated the fortification without her knowledge.
We're just looking for information. We don't care about your mission here, so if you can tell us what we want to know, then we'll be on our way. While Aodhán hopes that the Mesa impostor will talk, his stance leaves little doubt that he's prepared to fight if necessary.
What do you want to know? Tilsitari asks with an exasperated sigh.
Where is Count Lowls?
You try Iris Hill? That's where all your aristocrats reside.
Keldrin Mon, a stevedore Thrushmoor's fishing docks, said something similar to Aodhán while they were at a taphouse called The Stain. The man claimed to be the ex-bouncer's drinking buddy and that they would even get together once a week for a game of cards.
Aodhán prepares to ask the impostor one last question when Vegazi spins about in the doorway, the flat of her shortsword knocking aside a dart that had been launched her way.
I've got this one here, calls out the half-orc as she rushes to meet the newest attacker. She's got the greenest eyes I've ever seen.
Tilsitari swears under her breath. Whoever these people are, they had attracted trouble in the form of Risi Nairgon, an assassin. Which meant that the count's assistant had dispatched her to deal with them, just like the shapeshifter had been to keep the garrison under control.
I can't allow myself to be caught under these circumstances. Not by her. And with that thought in mind, Tilsitari unsheathes her own weapons, a pair of shortswords, and initiates an attack upon a now distracted Aodhán...
Thrushmoor, atop the battlements of Fort Hailcourse...
Unaware of the trouble Aodhán and Vegazi had gotten themselves into below, Mesa, Boo, and Nogusta find themselves caught up in their own conflict. They had just dealt with a trio of mercenaries that turned out to be undead when a seemingly mundane patch of moist stone suddenly revealed itself to be more as a terrible pseudopod lashes out them.Bloody hell! yells the Minkan minstrel as dives to one aside to avoid the unexpected attack.
The golden headed cockerel clucked in agreement with Mesa's declaration.
The bald Mwangi priest is unnerved by this newest obstacle, having never seen anything like it before. What is this creature?
Mesa shrugs, not exactly sure about what it is they're now dealing with.
Nogusta chuckles as he unsheathes his scimitar. Well, this is a first. Looks like there are some things in this world that even you don't know about.
Mesa's face twisted as she silently mocked the dawn priest's words, then made a quick gesture at the ooze-like creature.
Out of the doorway the bullets rip, to the sound of the beat.
A trio of glowing darts of force leap from the Minkai minstrel's fingertips and strike the amorphous foe squarely, an act which received an appreciative cluck from Boo, who is gripped by a pseudopod above the spur on the shank of his leg.
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The general staggers back, her vision growing blurry even as her blood burned as though on fire. She looks down at vicious barbs protruding from her torso, noting the purplish viscous fluid coating them.
Kelseph had forgotten the reason why the giant chieftain wanted the mated pair of manticore in the first place. They were a rare poisonous breed. Many orcs, and more than a few ogres and giants as well, had paid with their lives to bring them in alive. Her eagerness to bring down the champions of the hated Manhome has put her own existence in jeopardy.
Her anger grew at the misstep. Kelseph knows all too well the price she will pay should her life come to an end.
She tries to laugh, but it comes out as a gagging sound as Kelseph chokes on the blood in her throat. If she was going to die this day, then she wasn't going to be alone when it happens.
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Nyym grinned as he had successfully slipped in behind the Orc General.
So this was the General. This was Kelseph....
Nyym stalked her as she released the dire wolves. He knew combat was near. He was about to face her with the rest of Team Ruby. She had caused so much harm to his home and to his team... His family..
His eyes widened as the General was suddenly flung back. Side stepping her.. Nyyms grin became feral as he saw the spikes. The Manticores had struck a solid blow to her. Now he would continue what they had started...
Nyym struck fas and without warninggas she bounced off the wall.. right into his first blade as he unleashed his fury apon her..
With his last attack, Nyyms feral grin vanishes with him back into nonexistence as he preforms another vanish trick. Nyym moves in such a way as to stay in close, but out of the way of what he was sure would be coming through that door next..
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Nyym grinned as he had successfully slipped in behind the Orc General.
So this was the General. This was Kelseph....
Nyym stalked her as she released the dire wolves. He knew combat was near. He was about to face her with the rest of Team Ruby. She had caused so much harm to his home and to his team... His family..
His eyes widened as the General was suddenly flung back. Side stepping her.. Nyyms grin became feral as he saw the spikes. The Manticores had struck a solid blow to her. Now he would continue what they had started...
Nyym struck fast and without warning as she bounced off the wall.. right into his first blade as he unleashed his fury upon her..
kinetic blade one: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
damage: 3d8 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 7, 3) + (5, 1) = 21
kinetic blade 2: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
damage: 3d8 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + (6, 5) = 21
kinetic blade 3: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
critical: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
damage: 3d8 + 2d6 + 8 ⇒ (4, 7, 3) + (1, 1) + 8 = 24
kinetic blde 4: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 3d8 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 4, 4) + (1, 6) = 22
With his last attack, Nyym's feral grin vanishes with him back into nonexistence as he preforms another vanish trick. Nyym moves in such a way as to stay in close, but out of the way of what he was sure would be coming through that door next..
stealth: 1d20 + 17 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 20 = 48
Still reeling from the unexpected barrage from the pair of manticores, Kelseph was unaware of the half-drow's presence, despite the crackle of his lightning blades manifesting and the sudden smell of ozone that accompanied them. Only when she noticed his eyes, flaring red in the shadows of the stairwell, appear close to her did the orc general realize her awful predicament.
The first of his strikes caused her ears to bleed, and with it, came the realization that she couldn't hear anything. But before she could adapt to this new circumstance, Kelseph was hit once more, then again after that. And again after that. Each blow from those lightning blades sapped more and more of her strength until she slumped down against the wall, limbs trembling involuntarily when the ambush was done.
Nyym watched as the general withered under his brutal attack, taking pleasure in the fact this once fearsome foe was now all but helpless before him. With a cruel smile, the half-drow lingered only for a moment before disappearing back into shadows once again...
Liesel-Marie hears the familiar sound of her companion's weapons and can make out not only flashes of light coming from the stairwell, but the scent of charred flesh and a cloying sweet pungent odor. A moment later, the flickering ceases and there's silence.