War for the Crown #3 - The Twilight Child

Game Master Kittenmancer

"But... you said he failed, and that it caused him great pain, right...? Perhaps an eternity of living in possible agony made him reconsider? Though, I admit it might be wishful thinking on my part, hoping for an easy non-violent way out..." Rose ponders, staring at the eery circles and realizing once again that her lack of magical knowledge put her in a severe disadvantage.

"Lotti... is there a chance this ghost is bound to this place by the circles, and that disturbing the figures would release the unfortunate wizard it once was?"

"Your guess is as good as mine I'm afraid," Lotti answers softly, though her eyes glow faintly as she searches for remnants of magical auras. "It might anger the spirit, or appease it. From what I've heard, ghosts are as unique as the people they once were." She grimaces. "Sorry, that was patronizing. I just don't know without more information."

"Uh, I don't like this," mutters Malphene, raising the lantern higher in an attempt to dispel the shadows clinging to the bizarrely arranged furniture and the outlines of the tiers.

The silence is unnerving; nothing reveals itself to either Konstiantina's divinely-granted senses or Lotti's magically-augmented sight. The crumbling stone and plaster walls of the lecture hall fail to manifest bloody circles, and no ghostly apparition jumps out at the group.

"We're not alone," Marius says softly, cocking his head to listen to the scratching sound. "Something or someone above us, in the stands." Adjusting his grip on his falcata, the nobleman straightens and clears his throat and addresses the auditorium.

"Greetings! We seek an audience with King Dagio, we hope his wisdom can guide us back to the city above. We have not come seeking a fight!"

Konstiantina immediately orients on the direction in which Marius speaks, narrowing her eyes as she seeks to scan the dark stands and detect something amiss.

Though the range is no doubt beyond her abilities, she attempts to use both her mystical senses and ability to pierce the very darkness.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Dark Vision and Detect Evil both have a range of 60 ft. But these die rolls are killing me! Has it been 24 hours since I last used Daylight? Don't think so, but...

It's been around 6 hours since Konstiantina last used Daylight.

From seemingly nowhere, a reedy, high-pitched voice resonates.

"King Dagio, yess, you are respectful, good. King Dagio, indeed, Hierophant of the Arc, Archduke of Tangencies, the Beginning and the End, yess, you are in my demesne now."

The voice echoes off the walls, making its origin very hard to pinpoint. "You intrude on my very important meditations, cogitations and ruminations. And why should you wish to leave, hmmm? I am not done studying you."

"I'm afraid we're a poor academic subject, Your Majesty--we're nothing special, certainly not worth interrupting your meditations or cogitations, not to mention the ruminations! By your leave, we would gladly depart with our heartfelt thanks and our apologies for having disturbed you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The words that come to Konstiantina's lips are less than diplomatic, and so she bites them back and instead gladly leaves the parlay in Marius' hands.

Instead, she continues to try and locate the source of the voice, fighting the urge to press deeper into the chamber and lamenting the loss of her ability to light up the room with the clarity of day.

"Nothing special, indeed, not even a speck compared to my greatness, but you are alive and I have had so few alive subjects recently." The voice echoes again through the lecture hall.

"No, I cannot allow you to leave. I must study, yes, the state of life, the state of death, how one slides into another and back again, the never-ending circle! No, I cannot allow you to leave - or to live!"

With that ominous proclamation, the source of the scratching sound that Marius had heard becomes apparent as dozens of sleek, furry bodies descend the steps towards the party from two different directions, their squeaks and hairless tails dead giveaways.

One of the swarms reaches Konstiantina and begins to bite frenziedly at her legs, while the other begins climbing on Marius, their little sharp claws making themselves felt through his boots and trousers. At the same time, two arcane projectiles streak towards Malphene. Their source - and likely the source of the voice - is revealed to be a rat of enormous size, clinging to the eastern wall up near the ceiling.

Rat swarm damage vs. K.: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Magic missile damage against Malphene: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

Initiative order, bold can act: Konstiantina, Lotti, Dagio, rat swarms, Rose, Marius.

Konstiantina lets out a cry of dismay as the rats swarm up her legs, clothing her in dark, silken bodies that ripple and surge over each other in their eagerness to get at her flesh. A dozen painful pricks and tears flare over her lower body, and the urge to just slap at them is overwhelming.

Instead, Konstiantina catches sight of the massive rat, and with another cry of disgust tears herself free of the swarm to race across the center of the amphitheater and then up the steps, out of the circle of light and into the darkness, only her blade casting back the occasional reflective gleam of light.

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Frustrated, furious, Konstiantina stares up at the huge rat, and then calls out, attempting to make her voice confident and beguiling, "King Dagio, your cursed form is the result of a key mistake you made in your casting; your spell circle had one critical error. Descend here so that we make speak in a civilized manner, and I shall tell you what it was."

Dagio emits several hiccups, which is perhaps how the giant rat laughs. "Mistake? No. The circle is perfect. And my form is not cursed, you ignorant human! I was small and stupid, could not even speak! But now, behold my greatness!"

With that, he begins uttering the arcane syllables of another spell.

"Wobblekins, hallway." Lotti's voice leaves no room for argument as she focuses on the swarming vermin. "Time to use that fancy toy you found, my lady. Everyone else, make space around those swarms." A bit of colored sand leaks from between the small woman's fingers as she backs away carefully.

Okay, I think this will work. With Wobblekins back by the NPC's, Lotti will move back into his vacated square and ready to cast color spray (using a reservoir point to bump the Will save to DC 16) to hit both the swarms. If the swarms don't move to new targets, Konstiantina and Marius can move out of the spell's range with 5 ft steps.

Dagio's spell completes, and a sizzling projectile sails towards Konstiantina, burning a hole in her vestments and the skin underneath. The excruciating pain lingers, threatening further damage.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

The swarm that was previously attacking the paladin shifts its attention to Rose, while the second one begins chewing on Marius.

Blue damage vs. Rose: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Orange damage vs. Marius: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Ahhh! What in all hells...?" curses Malphene as she's hit with the rat's spell. "Damn vermin!" She strides one step forward, trying to skewer a few of the rats with her sword, but she is being cautious not to hurt Rose and the creatures shift out of harm's way easily.

Attack vs. blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Apologies, damage on K. was wrong in the last post. Also forgot to roll initiative for Malphene.
Can act: Marius, Rose, Konstiantina, Lotti.

attack, AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Assuming the rat swarm is crit immune per normal swarm rules.

Rose looks down on the swarm with a look of absolute fury as the many rodents start nibbling her gala dress! "Stop that this instant ! Do - You - know - how -hard - it - was - to - make - that!?"

With each word, she thrusts out her rapier, skewering another set of oncoming rats and turning the thrusting end into a very poor man's Qadiran Kebab.

Unfortunately, that still left around 250-ish other rats, and she realizes it is futile.

Then Rose looks up to see where Konstiantina ws talking, and moves forward to where she can also see. Along the way, she drops the rapier, takes full hold of the crossbow and sees if the legendary weapon would live up to its name!

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

critical confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (8, 2) = 10

*Crosses fingers that the crossbow is magical and that Dario can be critted by it*

AoO Falcata: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Oh come on now, what do all these little bastards even eat down here?" Marius exclaims as a tide of rats rushes towards him. A sweep of his falcata slays several of the little wretches but isn't enough to keep them from overrunning him.

At Lotti's warning the nobleman steps away from the swarming rats, carefully watching their movements and waiting for a group of them to pile up.

5ft step, which I assume will let Lotti's readied spell trigger. Marius will study the nearest rat swarm and attack them again.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12

AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Konstiantina blinks as understanding clicks, and she backs away from Dagio, charging the swarms, calling out as she goes, "We're dealing with the ghost's familiar, not the ghost itself!"

Charge: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Marius and Rose kill several rats before Rose manages a very skilful shot that takes Dagio full in the chest, almost pinning the giant rat to the wall behind him.

Lotti's readied magic explodes in a cone of brilliant colours in front of her, while Konstiantina smashes into one of the swarms, crushing a few.

Will save blue: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Blinded and stunned for 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds, stunned for 1 round.
Will save orange: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Dagio shrieks in pain and fury, reaching for one of his rings and speaking an arcane command word. Another acid missile streaks forth, this time aiming for Rose. One of the rat swarms seems dazed, moving lethargically and aimlessly, but the other one moves for the closest target, which is Lotti.

Dagio ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Acid arrow damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 2) = 4
Marius acid damage: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5
Lotti swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Can act: Rose, Marius, Malphene, Konstiantina, Lotti.

Rose's elation of just scoring a mortal blow on Dagio fades as the creature sends an acid arrow straight at her face. But just then... it felt as if Dignity's Barb itself urged her to dodge, and a sideways cartwheel makes the spell barely miss.

"Was that your best? Not bad for a rodent, I suppose," she taunts as she reloads, then raises the crossbow at the mouse again! Surely the legendary weapon could make a second shot just like the first one!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Critical Confirm #2??: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Extra crit damage: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

...And sure enough, for a single, insane moment, she believes the bow is wielding her instead, the warmth coming from below the darkwood guiding her aim to shoot a second bolt aimed straight for his snout.

Those rolls :O I think Dignity's barb is either telling me to go visit a casino, or to start taking levels in Bolt Ace O_o

Gritting her teeth, Konstiantina trusts that Rose will take care of the rodent with the legendary crossbow - not that the group has much choice, given their dearth of ranged weapons, and hews once more at the rodents before her.

Attack!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

"A masterful shot Rose--and another!" While his companion skewers the royal rat bastard, Marius sets to clearing out the remaining rats swarming about his feet.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Rose is a luck vampire 0.0

Malphene steps in to try and help with the rats that evade Marius and Konstiantina, while Rose places another well-aimed bolt in Dagio's leg, although with less dramatic effect than the first.

Malphene vs. blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Lotti is up.

Fortitude vs Distraction: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Lotti can do little more than flee from the swarming rats, shaking her skirt frantically to dislodge the persistent rodents.

Nauseated for the round, so moving forward (south) 20 ft and that's all this round.

Dagio shrieks again, skittering down the wall and charging at Rose. "I will strike you down with my regal rod!"

The wand that the outsize rodent is wielding emits several sparks before it erupts into an arc of blinding energy that strikes the noble. But while the mastery of arcane forces is undoubtedly a strong point for Dagio, his physical form is bleeding heavily from the wounds inflicted by Rose.

The rat swarm that hadn't fallen under the effects of Lotti's spell begin to nibble on Marius.

Dagio melee touch attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Dagio crit confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 Damage, electricity: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9
Marius swarm damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Everyone can act.

A vial tucked into one of Lotti’s pockets starts to work it’s way out from all the shaking, but the servant is quick to catch it before it can fall and spill the sizzling green fluid contained within. She starts to put it back, then pauses. Looks at Marius and Konstiantina, then pauses again. Finally she sighs heavily.

“Make space, my ladies - I would hate to have to explain to my favorite seamstress why there are holes in the clothes she worked so hard to make.”

Acid Flask vs FF Touch AC: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Acid damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Splash damage: 1 = 1
Miss?: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Move action to draw the acid flask, standard to Ready to throw at Blue swarm once no allies remain adjacent.

"AAAAAAARHG!" Rose screams as she's rather thouroughly electrocuted.

attack, dagger, PA: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
critical confirm??: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Crit damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Her only solace was that the thrust left Dagio open, and just as he managed to hit her, her left hand had already produced the hidden dagger from her sleeve - and she simulataneously stabbed the the rat straight in his neck.

I'm assuming for a moment that Dagio is a physical being and not a ghost. If he's translucent to some degree, she instead 5ft steps backwards and fires the crossbow again. If that is the case, I'll roll damage below.

Crossbow damage in case he appears incorporeal: 1d8 ⇒ 7

A shocked expression flickers on Dagio's face as the dagger is lodged in his neck, and the rat can do nothing more than gurgle weakly and fall backwards, dead.

Rose breathes heavily as she steadies herself following the devastating impact of the spell. "Okay- *Pant* Fair is fair- *Pant* that was pretty good," she manages to the corpse of Dagio, dagger still in place.

Turning around, she surveys the battlefield behind her and tries to gauge how everyone was doing against the rat swarms...

"Lotti dear, I don't wish to sound ungrateful and that light show was lovely, but do you think you could manage a spot of fire?" Marius steps to place himself between the older gnome and the pack of rats that is already turning towards them.

Attack vs Yellow: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

"Disgusting creatures!" shouts Malphene as she takes another swing at the rat swarm that Marius targeted and sending quite a few furry bodies flying. The remaining rats, recognizing a losing battle, scatter in all directions.

Attack vs. yellow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

With the other swarm still under the sway of Lotti's spell, it only takes a few moments to disperse it under concerted attacks with acid and blade.

The others peek cautiously into the room, with Amadorian Dou already making a beeline towards the fallen Dagio, while Lord Lymere is inquiring anxiously. "What was that creature? Shouting about its titles, and casting spells... I have never heard of such a thing!" Meanwhile, Lady Zariyah is petting Wobblekins - either to calm the cat or to calm herself - and Jowuan Zubari takes a few timid steps forward. "Er, anyone hurt?"

Combat over

Konstiantina flicks a rat corpse off the tip of her blade and wipes the edge clean of blood. Sheathing her sword, she turns to frown at her companions, and moves first to Rose, who seems the most wounded.

"It was a familiar," she says loudly so that Lord Lymere can hear. "And was there when its master failed his ritual and became the ghost we're dealing with. Which means we're not out of the woods yet."

Stepping up to Rose, she gives her a tight smile. "Be still a moment, brave rat slayer, and let us see what Iomedae can do about your heroically earned wounds."

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Closing her eyes, she places a hand on Rose's shoulder and whispers quietly below her breath: "Oh brave and dauntless Iomedae, heal this worthy woman through your grace and generosity. May she know your blessings and be whole of body once more."

"Perplexing...Do all familiars become free-willed megalomaniacs when their masters die? If so I fear for all of Taldor should Lotti pass and His Grace Wobblekins decides he fancies a throne." Marius tears off a strip of cloth from his already-ruined jacket and wipes the blood and fur from his falcata before returning it to his sheathe.

Stepping over to Malphene, the nobleman nods his head towards her injuries and raises a hand. "May I?" If she acquiesces, Marius invokes a healing spell. "O Lady of Ebon Wings, your servant is wounded and weary, but my companions have bravely faced the dangers in our path. I beg Your blessing, that we may continue to serve You in this dark time."

Cure Light Wounds for Malphene: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

“I’m not aware of such a thing being a common occurrence,” Lotti answers dryly, “else Taldor would already be overrun with past familiars. Perhaps it was these circle rituals that did the trick.” Gingerly she reaches beneath her skirt and pokes at the spots where the rats’ teeth broke skin.

Only down 3, so not a large worry.

Rose sighs in relief as the swarms disperse under the combined assault of the others. She watches Senator Dou approach the rat's body, feeling weirdly out of it, but attempts to keep a half-eye on him still when the paladin follows. Even if that spell might have sizzled her brain, there was a lingering drive to be cautious and not risk someone -anyone- taking off with the key to the outside by themself.

Stepping up to Rose, she gives her a tight smile. "Be still a moment, brave rat slayer, and let us see what Iomedae can do about your heroically earned wounds."

Closing her eyes, she places a hand on Rose's shoulder and whispers quietly below her breath: "Oh brave and dauntless Iomedae, heal this worthy woman through your grace and generosity. May she know your blessings and be whole of body once more."

Not really sure how to interpret what seems like a grudging smile, she decides to err on the side of caution. "'Rat slayer'?" she lets out a wheezing chuckle through scorched airways and winces. "Think I missed my calling? Though I suppose crossbow bolts resemble overzised needles when you squint. When *pant* we're out of here, I'll fashion the bow a nice ribbon with a dead rat pattern to commemorate. I'll even *pant* make you all a copy, free of charge. Doesn't *wheeze* that sound great?"

She stops babbling when the paladin takes hold of her shoulder and proceeds to lay down the accolade smackdown. And... she had to say it felt pretty good when Iomedea herself apparently deigned it fit to repair her insides quite thouroughly. "Hm... that feels nice," she admits, slightly leaning towards the source of magical healing. "Though... if it's all the same to you, I'd rather not get hurt in general - heroically or not. It seems to suit you better, with your smoldering intensity and all."

She takes a step back when it appears the healing is finished, nods in thanks and cracks a joke about the coming reign of Sir Wobblekins the First before kneeling back down and searching Dagio with senator Dou.

Konstiantina inclines her head as Rose appears to appreciate the healing, her smile returning to its more enigmatic cast. Whether she registers the last part of what Rose said or not is impossible to tell; she simply steps back once the healing is done, curls a long lock of her metallic golden hair behind one ear, and smiles wryly.

"Then that makes two of us that prays for no more injuries."

That said, she turns to where Marius stands nonchalantly cleaning his blade as if he, too, weren't badly wounded, and steps up to his side.

"May I?" And unless he protests, she places a hand on his shoulder and whispers the same prayer to Iomedae.

Lay on Hands: 1d6 ⇒ 5

That taken care of, she begins to walk toward the western door, her blade once more in hand, to listen closely once she reaches it.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Malphene seems surprised when Marius offers her healing, but then relaxes and allows him to tend to her injuries. "Thanks," she murmurs before starting to prod aimlessly at the strewn rat bodies. The Abadaran cleric steps forward, offering his own healing to whoever might need it.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"If your friend's theory is correct, this is quite the fascinating development," observes Amadorian Dou to Rose as he bends to examine the still form of Dagio. "I think not only did he gain sentience, but also possibly immortality, or at least a very, very long lifespan."

Aside from the numerous pieces of jewellery that he is wearing, the former familiar had a large pearl that appears magical to Lotti's arcane senses, a makeshift spellbook, and a scuffed jewellery box containing a golden ring. The ring appears perfect on the outside, but the inside shows centuries of wear; a family crest adorns it, depicting olive branches encircling two crowns.

The western door looks very much like the one the group had entered through - a heavily ornamented door that appears locked.

Treasure: assorted gold jewellery worth 400 gp, spellbook (see spoiler), pearl of power (1st level), magical ring.

Marius starts slightly when he notices Konstianina at his elbow, but gives her a nod. As the healing warmth washes over him the nobleman takes a few breaths, less tight than the ones before. "I thank you," he says to the paladin with a nod and a small smile.

Where to next?

"Quite fascinating indeed," Rose responds to senator Dou, then lowers her voice for only him to hear. "Also potentially quite dangerous. If the ritual was perfected even slightly and made reliable, this could change the world itself. Many a powerful figure would kill for this knowledge. The entire nation of Thuvia might even fall apart overnight if a viable alternative to the Sun Orchard Elixir was ever found, and almost their entire export was no longer needed. I believe it's best if knowledge of this is kept private for now."

When the ring is examined and appears magical, Rose withdraws the previously found and still unidentified ring from the corpse they discovered just prior to meeting their rapidly-grown entourage. "We found this one earlier as well. Could you perhaps identity it? Or are their limits to your eye trick we should keep in mind?"

I'm fine with any door as always, I just want to check them all :) East first?

The eastern door is opened with the same key from Factor 12, opening towards a lounge of some sorts, with dust-covered couches lining some of the walls. Another door is set to the east, while a passage to the south leads back into the lecture hall through a side door, cleverly hidden in the panelling so it would be difficult to spot from inside the circular room.

Is senator Dou able to identity the two magical rings we currently have?

Noticing Konstiantina hestiate at the new lounge, Rose halts. "What is it? Is there something amiss here?"

Lotti tucks the tattered pages into her pocket with the surprising number of other books and knicknacks she's been collecting this... afternoon? Evening? What time even was it anymore? Rather than dwell on such thoughts, she instead bundles Wobblekins back up into her arms and peers at Rose and Konstiantina curiously.

This has been the most generous AP I've ever seen with spellbooks and scrolls right out of the gate! Now if only we had someone who could use those pearls of power we've been collecting... XD

On a related note, I think I've got the inventory sheet up to date. Feel free to look through it and put your name next to anything you'd like to carry or have easily available.

I'll assume Konstiantina shares the information to move forward a bit.

"I see. So there were two humanoid figures here before... meaning Dagio if he counts, and at least one other person who was probably also questionably sane and likewise malevolent? Great. Just great." Rose sighs and rests her rapier on the ground momentarily. "I suppose we'll just have to be extra alert - not that we weren't already. Let'see where this other door leads."

If I understand correctly, with the other branching path from the eastern door leading back to a room we already visited, only the western door is left?

Rose reaches towards the western door, but stops short. Something draws her gaze up. There, on top of the door frame, gleaming faintly in the lantern light, the points of a dozen or so daggers are angled towards anyone who would stand in front of the door and try to open it.

Observant eyes find the thin wire that would trigger the trap, and deft fingers cut it without setting off a deadly rain of sharp steel, and thus the party proceeds through a double set of doors into the next room - its walls lined with rusty lockers and weapon stands, a door visible in the north-western corner. Two halflings turn around sharply as the door opens, dressed in the livery of Senate servants.

"Oh, bless the gods, we are rescued!" cries one, falling to his knees. "Good masters, what joy! We are beyond grateful to you, please, you must be weary, sit. Shall I fetch you some wine, a bite to eat?"

Rose exchanges a brief look with Marius. "Get ready, everyone," she whispers over her shoulder to the others.

"Such a kind offer. I'm sure these treats of yours would be to die for," Rose states, pretending to consider, then shrugging in a helpless manner. "Alas, the two of you good servants seem much more out of it than I am, what with your oddly agitated state at seeing us unharmed, and that we just walked through a trap set to kill us, with evidence leading me to believe you set it was you who set it for us,"

She trails Dignity's barb to the closest one. "Yes. You both look oh so tired to me. You really shouldn't be standing! Please, feel free to lie down on the floor with your hands behind your heads as we search you for anything weighing you down. I insist."

The servile demeanour falls away in an instant, and the halfling who had offered wine to Rose now snarls at her, drawing a dagger.

"Then die!"

Initiative order: Marius, Konstiantina, ??? Lotti, Rose, halflings.

Marius gives Rose a tiny nod of agreement at her warning. When she demands the halfling's surrender he raises one eyebrow at her in amused surprise. When they go for knives instead the nobleman steps out to guard the crossbow-wielding Rose.

"'Then die'?" Marius lets out an exasperated sigh. "I admit my curiosity is piqued, these two must be from up above. Try not to kill them, please. We need to know what's going on." Taking advantage of his superior reach, Marius attempts to smack the strange...assassin? Spy? Over the head with the flat of his blade.

5ft step, Study the halfling man, Nonlethal attack
Nonlethal Attack vs Male Halfling: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 16 Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

"Well, that was easy... didn't think they'd give themselves away that fast," Rose thinks, as she readies herself to fight...

Botting Konstiantina.

Following Marius's example, Konstiantina whacks the pretend-servant with the flat of her blade, and the beleaguered halfling does not manage to avoid the blow.

Attack vs. male halfling, NL: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 5 - 4 = 12 Damage, NL: 1d8 ⇒ 7

A shout of surprise and pain sounds from Lord Lymere, and although it is difficult to see what has happened through the double doors, his next utterance sheds some light on that mystery.

"He stabbed me! The wretch stabbed me!"

Malphene looks over her shoulder, then back at the two murderous halflings, seemingly taking a decision as she draws her blade and charges at the female halfling, not bothering to try and spare her a potential mortal wound.

Lotti and Rose can act.

"Are we being flanked!?" Rose thinks, a stab of panic setting in as the enemy had somehow gotten behind them. A traitor...? Did she miss something? Had she failed in providing adequate leadership?

No. No time for doubts!

"Malphene, I trust you to handle this! I need to see what going on back there!" Rose shouts, then falls back and draws her rapier with one hand while holding onto Diginity's barb with the other.

Once in the other room, she tries to assess the situation, and if a clear attacker of the nobles is seen, she tries to strike him/her!

Attack if mystery attacker is obvious and within 5 feet of Rose's current map position - she has 5ft movement left when in Lord Lymyre's (?) space, PA: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Critical confirm?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
extra crit damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

If she can flank with an ally somehow, she will take the flank for +2 to hit.

Rose sees the halfling servant, Imistos Gulbend, holding a bloodied dagger, while Lord Lymere clutches at a bloodied spot in his lower back.

Okay, I think I can move through lymyre's square to the current one and attack from there. I'm not sure if moving there provokes from Imistos as I have to move through Lymyre's square, which Imistos threatens. Does Lymyre count as providing cover and cancelling the potential AoO?

"A traitor among us, indeed. Get behind me, Lord Lymyre!" Rose says, as she lunges the rapier at the halfling.