Given that, Noala will try and treat poison - Nuktik you'll get a save again after 1 hour.
Seeing her fail, Tolgy attempts to help.
Kuntaxl makes his way to the Sheriff's office, and finds Rolth at his desk, seemingly making an attempt at looking busy. When Kuntaxl enters, he hears a small voice from the back.
Hello Kuntaxl! Phinnick sorry!
The sheriff frowns and shakes his head. He gave up talkin' to me, thank the Lady of Graves. I thought I was goin' ta' have to gag him.
Kuntaxl salutes the Sheriff, and nods to Phinnick. "We know you were under duress, Phinnick. Hopefully your cooperation will gain you leniency."
Addressing the Sheriff, he pulls out the documents and displays them. "Hallod's house was a front and a death trap. There are traps, a hidden tunnel complex, and it was guarded by dogs and some giant cave snake.
We had to retreat to recuperate, but we were able to retrieve a strongbox that contained these ledgers. Hallod's own ledgers match transactions that we found here, in Bort's ledger. Note the difference in value in the two books. I have been told this indicates that Hallod was 'skimming'.
I don't think it is a full motive yet, but it is suspicious. If Bort found out about this 'skimming' it might have been enough reason for Hallod to want him dead.
We plan to return once we are healed."
Seeing the others unable to help Nuktik, Aurumvorak tries some hobgoblin-physiology conversant healing techniques...
"I'm not *ACK* keen on waiting too lon *COUGH* ong. We can't allow him to regroup. We can't allow him to get aw *ACK* way."
Taking a few ragged breaths, he grimaces. "I hate this town."
Another hour passes; Vorak is able to properly identify this and help stabilize Nuktik's body to fight this...Cladis poison. Though a really tough one to fight, it should only last another hour after this...give or take.
The sheriff kicks back his chair at this, his eyes wide. A giant snake! What is going on in this town? Well...as you can see... He motions with his hands to indicate his office. I'm not really equipped for that...if you can help again, well...I'd appreciate it. What can I do?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Kuntaxl grits he teeth, his lips pulling back in a snarl that eerily resembles the smiles he usually provides.
Flaring his nostrils and taking a deep breath, he steadies himself. "Sir. We need to know more about who Hallod has been selling things to, and what those sales might entail.
Perhaps you could " " ask around town to locate who his business partners might be? We will continue tracking the miscreant down."
Barely waiting for a response, Kuntaxl pivots on his foot and stalks back to the rest of the party.
Um...oh, okay! I'll look through the files...I'm sure I have something here somewhere. I...oh geez, that one's old. Naw, that guy got away... He continues to look through his files and mumble to himself as you walk out the door.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lashing his tail angrily Kuntaxl returns and watches the assistance the others are attempting to provide to Nuktik.
He sits down to pray to Apsu for Nuktik's recovery.
Kuntaxl sees to Nuktik's wounds, keeping him alive as best as he can. The hobgoblin still seems less potent than he once was, his skin thin and eyes sunken.
Noala watches with concern through the minutes of healing and Nuktik's troubles.
The character loses the fatigued condition.
The character reduces the severity of the doomed and drained conditions by 1.
Most spellcasters need to rest before they regain their spells for the day.
You take the time to rest and treat your various injuries. With the help of healer's tools and Kuntaxl's glowing hands, you easily get back to tip top shape...though Nuktik still seems to be under the weather.
Noala watches on in concern, though maybe mostly for her own troubles than for Nuktik directly. She seems impatient, and is quite early to meet you the next morning. Right...like I said, not sure how well I can help, but I'm here. Let's get this done.
You head back into the dungeon below Hallod's house, knowing the locations of all of the various dangers now. And, by late morning, you are back in the cavern with the serpent.
”Whuff!!!”.
[wags tail excitedly, whines happily]
Jace squats down and offers Flense a piece of beef jerky from his personal traveling snacks.
The tunnel you have been traversing opens into a cave, and you can see a forest beyond the cave’s mouth. The roots of a large tree block the middle of this entrance, as if the tree had grown into a hillside that has since eroded away. Beyond the tree is a large pond; a path around the water begins to one side beneath a curtain of moss hanging from the tree. The cave itself is piled high with two rows of neatly stacked crates and boxes.
Hallod is a rough-looking man, bald and with a prominent scar running down his face. He is wearing filthy leather armor and wields a nasty kukri. When you enter the room, he hops up on a berm formed by the tree roots, aims his crossbow at you, says, I wondered when Bort’s lackeys would arrive. Too bad my pets didn't make you a snack...but more fun for me!
"You're not a very well-liked person, Hallod. And now I see why. Whatever nonsense you were up to is over now. Why did you murder Bort?"
Jace begins to play a song on his fiddle, singing along, carving out a tune furiously with his bow that is upbeat and somewhat pop:
Had to have high, high hopes for a living /
Didn't know how but I always had a feeling /
We were gonna be that one in a million /
Had to have high, high hopes
Jace lobs off a ray of frost while he's at it.
cold damage
Jace fires out with his ray of frost, but it misses its mark. Hallod grins and chuckles as he pulls and drinks a vial from his bandolier. Stupid dwarf got too nosy, just like you! Maybe you can share a grave! He then levels his exceedingly large at Jace and fires!
Nuktik seemingly way out of it as he simple grunts a few times during their travels, watches the bard drop like a bag of turnips.
Stepping behind the man, he mixes up a vile-smelling concoction and shoves it down the mans throat. "Quit sleeping on the job. It's my turn for that!"
"So, you're the one that likes poisons, eh? If it weren't for your actions trapping us in this blasted town, I'd wish to share notes!"
Step, Quick Alchemy, Force Feed Jace
Jace slowly rouses, coughing up a little blood onto his nice shirt.
"You have to stop him ... Mr. Nuktik ..."
(yeah sorry I just realized that by re-reading the rules)
Aurumvorak makes a samll kissing sound with his teeth and lips to send Flenser toward Hallod, then makes a wave motion with two outstretched hands toward the criminal sending a torrent of aquatic force...
Flenser rushes Hallod, barking madly...
Kuntaxl roars with victory at having solved the mystery and then louder with anger as the horrible man attacks Jace.
Rushing forward with his frill snapped fully out, Kuntaxl lunges in to bite the man.
Flenser leads the way in! As you watch the perceptive wolf, you see him hop over something in two different areas...looking closer, you see tripwires strung in between the boxes! Flenser deftly leaps over both, then rushes up the hill to bite at Hallod. Unfortunately, he's off target and only nips the air.
Vorak's watery blast flies out, but the quick Hallod ducks under the strike.
Noala moves in, drawing her bow, and takes a shot, but her bum hand obviously affects her attack, and it flies wide.
Tolgy looks down at Jace. I gotcha' buddy...just keep those prayers to Cayden Caillean in mind!
He then moves to the side to get a better look.
Kuntaxl strides in and takes a bite of Hallod, who roars - though more in anger than pain. His eyes flash with rage.
Stopping short of finishing the concoction, he narrows his eyes at Tolgy. "Right...I should let you handle your job..."
Mid creation, he switches the batch, adding a few...more volatile chemicals. Dumping the contents over his gauntlet, he grins.
"It'll be my turn soon."
Making Centipede poison instead and applying it to my gauntlet
Jace thanks Tolgy quietly for his timely aid. "Cayden be praised, always."
Wincing as he pulls the crossbow bolt out of his side, the barkeep forgoes the fiddle and begins to sing loudly and confidently, because that is the only way you inspire courage in anyone:
Cayden said /
It's uphill for oddities /
Stranger adventurers /
Ain't ever wannabes /
The weird and the novelties /
Don't ever change /
We wanted everything, wanted everything /
Pointing over at Nuktik with his finger, the barkeep casts spirit link as his remaining actions, remaining prone for now.
Hallod snarls at Kuntaxl, seeing the larger lizardman being the more dangerous opponent for right now. He drops his crossbow, which clatters to the ground at his feet, then draws the massive Kukri at his side. He then slashes across at Kuntaxl!
He misses with the slash, then steps back to give himself some room from the two combatants.
Making his way across the field, he cautiously steps over the trip wires. "So, you feel confident with your current situation, then? We came in mass. You came alone. If you wish to survive this, I recommend you drop your weapons and surrender."
Without waiting for an answer, the hobgoblin swings at the man twice.
for
for
Saving Throw DC 17 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 poison damage (1 round); Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and flat-footed (1 round); Stage 3 1d12 poison damage, clumsy 1, and flat-footed (1 round)
Kuntaxl raises his shield defensively and moves behind Hallod, cutting off his escape routes and opening up a flanking opportunity for Flenser.
He make a quick Bite attack.
Sensing a kill, Flenser bites again and again..
Aurumvorak proceeds to shoot an icy beam at Hallod...then begins moving to Jace’s position.
Since he's now singing and not playing the fiddle, Jace stands up and draws his rapier, preparing himself just in case Hallod comes his way.
He continues to inspire the party w/ inspire courage:
Stay up on that guy /
keep hitting that guy /
and never back down
Stay up on that guy /
keep hitting that guy /
'cause he is a clown
Vorak's ray of frost fires, but just misses Hallod.
Hallod roars in anger at Flenser's bite, though the big man doesn't back down. In fact, even with Flenser clamped onto him, he turns and slashes at Kuntaxl as the big fellow moves around him.
He misses, and takes the bite back from Kuntaxl, blood freely flowing down several places on his body.
Tolgy draws and loads his little crossbow and moves over the tripwires and towards the fight. Noala moves in and fires two quick shots at Hallod.
Both attacks miss their mark! Then, Nuktik moves in and misses as well!
Hallod turns towards Kuntaxl and attacks, sweeping in with a vicious one-two combination of Kukri and fist.
He then takes a step back, working his way around the tree.
Blood dripping from his teeth, Kuntaxl smiles wickedly. "You humans always think you are so superior, yet always the ancestral fear of snakes and lizards lives in your memory. It is time you recall why the Iruxi instill such fear!"
Opting for all-out attack, Kuntaxl attempts to take advantage of situation.
Moving around the big lizard, Nuktik swings again. "Ah...gotcha!" he shrieks. "You'll be perishing now in no time!"
for
for
[ooc]Fort DC 17 on a hit for the following spoiler]
Saving Throw DC 17 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 1d6 poison damage (1 round); Stage 2 1d8 poison damage and flat-footed (1 round); Stage 3 1d12 poison damage, clumsy 1, and flat-footed (1 round)
”Get him Flens!” yells Aurumvorak, moving to get a clear shot and starting to load his heavy crossbow.
”Brnggnnnrrrgriiiiip!!!!!” sgnarls Flenser, enjoying himself immensely. He follows Hallod, biting mercilessly.