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Slid hears the instructions and thinks Not so powerful after all, are you Tiadora.... Still, he is worried about these seal breakers knights. He gladly enters the drain pipe first, saying "I'll scout ahead.", glad to be stepping in the dark. After he verifies the coast is clear, he calls the others. On their way in, Slid casually asks "Did we remember to bring the fake shards? I don't have them."
I picked up the shards with my share of the gold. Stanislav explains. Let me look at the tracks before you enter Slid. Stanislav moves closer and examines the comings and goings of the tunnel. There seems to be a lot of traffic for a secret way into a major city of our enemy. he notes, concern in his voice. Watch for traps and ambushes.
oh I doubt its secret, at least to those in the proper circles. I'm sure its secret enough from the more hardline authorities though. Also, what do you all make of the seal breakers? I wonder if they could be useful? Perhaps if nothing else a scapegoat? Though I'd rather not have to do that, always good to be thinking ahead. Last time I didn't take proper precautions I ended up in prison. Rather not have that happen again.
"We should be cautious of them," Cori replies. "I don't doubt that as soon as they become aware of us, they'll be thinking along the same lines. I would suggest we get our hooks into them, so that they can't betray or undermine us without doing the same to themselves. Self-interest will command their loyalty and support."
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Slid likes Coriandrinne's thinking. He says "Yes, but it's too early to tell. We should get a grip of the situation first. Tiadora didn't share much of what's coming, but I'm sure that's part of the test too. Anyway, I have a disguise kit which I can share. I'm fairly good at it, even without magic."
Once inside the tunnel, Slid looks for signs of secret markings. It is common that thieves' guilds put some in to help navigation.
I like how you think Cori. I say we try to avoid these Seal Breakers for now while learning what we can about them. I don't think they are important for this mission and could complicate things.
I wonder if there would be any public information on them... doubtful. The nation here so likes to censor knowledge and secret it away. It is true, the more people we deal with the greater the complexity of our mission becomes. And the more likely something breaks. Best to only plan for what you can, It is possible we will end up in a confrontation with them of some sort. I would rather be prepared. But, I agree that is all secondary. Sooner we do the job, sooner we can leave. He says as he follows a little ways behind slid as he searches for proper signs.
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Slid adds to Vinnick's thought "What we should do is get our story with the white ravens straight. As far as we know, Tiadora only got in contact with them, but we don't know how much she shared. So, they'll help us get access to the Shattered Shield of Arnisant. How much are we willing to share to get their cooperation? I mean, we already pledged 5 thousand gold, but we're at their hands. We should hold back paying them as much as we can, to make sure they cooperate and share nothing of what we intend to do."
"We will probably need to pay them a retainer up front, say a thousand of the five, but what happens after that will depend on how useful they prove to be. If they end up being disposable, we can reclaim the payment from their corpses," Cori says.
When Cori asks her what they can do, she turns her head away from the group, and lets out a roar of flame from her mouth, scorching the wall a wee bit, Does that answer your question? As for Ajikissho, she does acid blobs.
She looks at them in turn, Well, we have scales, not a very human feature. So what ever disguise and story you lot want to come up will need to cleverly include us not so human looking ones.
At the sewer exit, A good reason to destroy the city. Polluting mother nature.. Hearing of payment to the white ravens, I agree, not the full payment until we are done. Though no problem in getting rid of expendables.
She and Ajikisshochraos, steps in behind Vinnick and his new skeleton. She speaks softly in draconic to Ajikisshochraos, explaining what the others are planning, and discussing how they can help, and of course getting more treasure.
You proceed carefully and come to and intersection were the path goes left or right, you check for tracts and notice that the fast majority went right but a handful went left.
Best not to leave trouble behind you. I say left, for now. It could be valuable to know the layout of these tunnels completely.
it would also likely be the best time to look around, our presence as yet is still not known. Perhaps we could even stumble across a useful, if foul smelling, secret.
By now, vinnick has wrapped a scarf around his mouth and nose to help keep the smell out of both.
"Going left could also be looking for trouble," Cori suggests. "It could be an encampment of people who aren't welcome in the undercity, and who consequently have no love for anyone doing business there. I don't mind killing someone, but it could a lot of extra work if it's not pertinent to our mission."
We know fewer people go this way. Less eyes to see us. Perhaps we will have to fight but we may gain tools or information we need this way. And it may be the way we must go. I say the path less traveled is the better choice. But someone must choose. Stanislav grows impatient.
"Here. Let's make this easy," Cori says, pulling a copper piece from her belt pouch. "Heads we go right, Tails we go left."
She tosses the coin, catches it, and slaps it on the back of her tattooed hand.
"There. It is the Will of Calistria, Fate, or substandard minting work that declares we should go to the left. If we are voting, that is mine."
Hmm, if it be fate, then it likely is of Pharasma. Not someone to be our ally. Though, fate is tricky, and often times several fates await you. Let us go left, what is life without a little adventure.
You decide to take the path less travelled and come to a large circular area with a big reservoir in the center.
map
What you marching order and roll some perceptions.
She walks behind Vinnick.
Cori walks just behind Slid and Stan, hand on her sword hilt, and ready to draw.
Vinnick and Reginald 2.0 take up the rear then.
There is little to no warning before there is a sudden splash and a large crocodile comes bursting out of the water and snapping it's Jaw at Stannis.
on a successful bite he gets a free grapple.
Surprise round ends.
Even surprised Stanislav manages to get off an attack as the creature closes on him, but the rush of the creature and the splashing of the water causes his aim to be off.
Dropping his glaive, Stanislav pulls his enchanted long sword and tries to defend himself.
Cori draws her sword and surges forward, bringing the blade down at the thrashing reptile in a two-handed chop.
Here is the map at start of combat
So Slid cant really flank, but the croc is flat footed against you first attack since you beat him on init.
As for Cori she would need to step up to reach the croc but she can trade places with slid (normally this would provoke an attack but he cant take it right now)
Attack roll would be a total of 24, but a nat 19 doesn't crit.
Reginald steps up and swings at the croc, unafraid.
Reginald moves up to stan and uses the wand.
Try to keep in mind the limited space.
Unbothered by the water Reginald steps off the ledge going waist deep into the sewer water to reach the crocodile. He flow of water throws off his aim and he fails to land a blow.
Squeezing in next to Cori (Both vinnick and Cori get -4 on attack and ac until one of you leaves the space) Vinnick managed to reach Stannis to hit him with the wand of healing.
The crocodile does his signature death roll on stannis trying to pull him down to drag him under.
your go again.
Seeing the sudden appearance of the crocodile from the water and grabbing Stanislav, she speaks in draconic, Let us get to the tail side of this beast.
Both her and Ajikisshochraos, move through the group, either on side, or being legs, to get pass the position where Stanislav was before being pulled into the water.
Sword in hand, Stanislav continues to fight.
Vinnick will back away to give cori room. And Reginald will strike again.
Cori steps forward to press the attack. She brings a two-handed strike down at the crocodile.
@Stannis My bad I thought both had missed but even with that hit added he wouldn't have been dead before the death roll old leatherback here is a bit tougher than the average croc.
Still these last couple attacks all hit and the croc is down for the count.
You notice something sticking out of the crocs back after you defeated it. It looks like half a broken spear.
Soaked and bleeding Stanislav separates himself from the large croc, cleans and sheathes his longsword, and reclaims his glaive. All the while his woulds continue to close from Reginald's magic. That was less fun than it looked, but you lot had my back. I thank you for that. Seems we are coming together as a team. He looks to Cori specifically and adds That was a mighty blow you dealt that reptile on my behalf. Well struck. You are as deadly as you are lovely.
Examining the beast he notes Ours were not the first weapons to strike this creature. There is a broken spear here in its flesh. Stanislav will examine it, looking for distinguishing marks or anything special about the weapon. Whoever this belonged to might be glad to know we finished this beast. he adds.
Cori gives a crooked smile at Stan's compliment. "And you've shown the ability to survive an aggressive tumble with a real man-eater. Rest assured that has not escaped my notice."
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Slid straightens his hair and sheathes his weapons. He says "Maybe this is why this is the less traveled path?". He doesn't seem phased that Stanislav nearly got dragged into the water. Finally he asks "You all right there big man?" Slid actually appreciates the fact that Stan is not so different to him in his non-humanity.
He also asks "Could anyone take that spear over there?" Slid examines the spear.
Vinnick pauses.
if there are more, I could potentially put these corpses to use. If you give me time enough to prepare the spell.
The broken spear doesn't have any distinct markings on it but it seems to have been made of good quality material even broken it can be used as a masterwork shortspear thought with the broken condition. It can be sold for ~100 gold or repaired into a shortspear for ~75 gold. It could also be remade into a spear or longspear for a bit of extra coin.
STanislav flashes Cori a smile with layers of meaning. Certainly gratitude and appreciation but perhaps also anticipation of a later time.
I don't know. It makes a good trophy. Let take it and maybe trade or sell it if no one wants to use it.
Stanislav is still wounded as he takes his place at the front. Vinnick, I could use another tap of that wand. he states, not really asking and leaving the choice of when to use the wand to the wizard.