Don continues to punish the air. Etgar makes another stab sink in.
The bug attacks Agni.
Protective Luck
Agni takes 6 hp of damage.
Round 4
Agnimitra 20/26 Donovan 27/27 Etgar 22/22 Niu 16/16
Etgar, Don, Niu ✔
Bug
Agni
Niu steps closer and pulls out a dart as he cackles.
Etgar hisses in anger at this stupid bug. Agni, keep it up! Don's nearly in position!
He stabs again.
Getting the hint Donovan moves into the flank before swinging again.
Etgar pokes the bug again while Don continues to stir the air.
The bug takes a step and attacks Etgar.
Protective luck
Agni swings at the bug.
Round 5
Agnimitra 20/26 Donovan 27/27 Etgar 22/22 Niu 16/16
Etgar, Don, Niu ✔
Bug
Agni
Donovan tries to slow down and see if that helps.
Don's blow drops the bug. End initiative.
Etgar looks down at his person, wondering why the creature hadn't just torn to shreds. He sets the butt of his spear on the ground and grins at his companions. Well fought...think we're coming together a bit!
He then looks into the covered alcove under the stairs, making sure he wasn't missing something.
The purple curtain hides items stored under the spiral staircase: a few spare chairs and linen chests.
Etgar frowns at the findings, then steps back and blows a sigh as he looks up the stairs. Well...is it up then? Everyone ready?
"This place doesn't seem to care if we are ready, want me to lead?"
When you go upstairs, slide 3 is ready and your tokens are ready to be placed where you want them.
This landing at the top of the spiral staircase has sliding doors to the west, north, and east;unlike the other doors, the east door has a keyhole in it. The wall above the spiral stairs contains a large window hung with rich velvet drapes. There is an origami grasshopper on the floor.
Etgar nods and lets Don take the lead, following behind with spear ready.
Don moves up to grab the grasshopper
In very neat handwriting it reads, “The new master has taken the old. He cannot be interrupted by the likes of you. No more warnings.”
Don will read out the note. then looking back at Etgar, "Which way now?"
Etgar heads over to the single door to the west, shaking his head at the ominous warning. Wish people would just explain themselves...or am I just being obtuse? Either way, only one way to finish this.
He checks the door for traps...
...then opens it if it won't explode.
"The only question regarding the warnings is to wonder how the Sakhil is able to put these messages ahead of us without leaving the ballroom. Perhaps he is capable of teleportation?
It seems that it is aware of our presence, our intent, and our progress. We should be wary as we continue."
This dim room contains several ornate wooden chairs. The walls are adorned with framed, shadowy portraits of Kishokish. A sliding door leads out to the east, and a glass door leads to a small semicircular balcony to the west.
Etgar moves to the balcony and opens the door to look out.
Mist surrounds the manor.
Donovan waits at the landing watching the doors.
Etgar frowns and heads back through to the eastern pair of doors. He checks the doors for traps, then opens them.
This room has several armoires made of dark wood, racks with clothes hangers, and a dressmaker’s dummy. Sliding doors stand in the north, west, and south walls. An origami grasshopper is on the floor in the center of the room.
"Another note? I almost worry about reading it. We have no choice but to continue though"
Niu enters the room and picks up the grasshopper to unfold it.
Give me a perception check, please, Niu.
As Niu reads the note there is a huge explosion.
Niu's chest glows and he feels a ripping in his heart.
He drops to the floor dying. HP -5/11
Agni moves over to Niu and touches him.
Struggling back to his feet, Niu opines, "...and That is how I keep you all healthy. I think I'll just sit in this chair over here"
Unfolding the grasshopper carefully, Niu looks to see if anything is written on it.
It reads “I said no more warnings.”
Etgar rushes to Niu, but isn't nearly as quick as Agni. He gives his friend an admonishing look. Couldn't just wait for me to check, could you? Happy now?
He pauses, then looks at the grasshopper. Any idea what it means?
"Ss, Ss, Sorry. Are you doing ok? That should have been me."
Niu laughs. "What does it mean? It means our enemy has a sense of humor!"
Smiling at Etgar, he crumples the paper and throws it into a corner, then leans back in his chair. "Death comes for us all, likely more than once. I am certain that my final end will be much more gruesome than that."
Waving off the party's concern he motions about the room. "Yes, go, check the room, but the trap has already been triggered and I kept you all safe. You're welcome.
Don, your health is going to be much more important than mine before long."
Etgar gives Niu a stern look, but gives him a tap on the shoulder with closed fist before turning away. He looks into the armoires, first checking each for traps then opening them.
One of the armoires contains an attractive crimson cloak that gets Etgar's attention.
Niu, casting Detect Magic, will follow Etgar's movements.
It is a cloak of resistance +1.
Five rolls and the best you could do was 12.
Etgar looks around at the sliding doors. Any preferences?
"Yes. I prefer that you put on that cloak to protect yourself, especially if you are going to insist on continuing to trigger traps without checking for them first."
Etgar gives a wry smile as he dons the cloak. Settling into it, he tries a quick stab to make sure the garment doesn't get in the way. Seemingly satisfied, he nods and motions for everyone else to gather in the room. Ready?
He looks at the doors to the north, checking for traps.
Then, opens them.
A massive canopy bed to the east dominates this large room with a wide, ornate headboard carved with images of snails chasing cats. Hanging from the canopy are hundreds of medallions of various sizes and shapes. A roll-top desk stands against the south wall. The desk is overflowing with papers, some of which are scattered on the floor or folded into origami shapes. Glass doors lead to semicircular balconies to the west and north, while an elegant sliding double door opens to the south, next to the desk. Standing behind the desk is strange ghostly female creature that seems to writhe in the throes of fear.
Etgar looks about to his companions, then to the female. Uh...Hi.
"Uh...Bye."
"Wha' you can talk, you can hear us?"
Don gets a strange look from the creature. "I can see that my warnings did not deter your trespassing. Leave now."
She turns and walks through the southern wall.
Agni moves forward to get a look at this thing and is ready for a fight.
Niu stares at the spirit, waiting. He waits some more, as the others say a few things.
He cocks his head to the side as it starts to walk away. "It didn't attack us? That was odd." He starts patting himself, and then reaches out to pinch Donovan.
"It didn't attack, right? I think I would remember if it attacked. I mean, we did all just get out of an extended appointment with oral surgeons and I've heard that dental health can drive you mad."
Shrugging, he casts Detect Magic and begins studying the room. "This does appear to be the study, so we should finally be able to find that ninth eave. I hope it isn't in one of the grasshoppers because I don't feel like opening any of those."