Thalasou trails behind the group hoping that one of them knows where they should go. He looks from side to side and behind himself frequently, nervous that someone may spot them.
Sara slips ahead of Bimble, still disguised as a maid (with a rapier) thanks to her magical hat. "At least they won't immediately scream BAD GUYS if they see me."
Capricia creeps along quietly, falcata out. She's ready to swoop in to help Sara as quick as possible.
This plush space is another place for visitors to mill about, especially those hoping for an audience with the grand prince when his highness is in residence. Now it serves as a hangout for the palace’s lower class of visitor.
Three men here look up at you and smile. "Finally, something to do!" the middle one exclaims, clearly a Lotheed by blood, given his features. The other two alos stand and brandish their swords.
They each seem to have Aldori dueling swords.
Sara gives a disappointed smirk "You lot don't buy that I'm a fluff of nothing maid, do you? Going straight for your swords as you are. Or are you simply Sooo bored you don't care?" she sighed, before drawing her rapier. "Either way, I guess we can get down to it." she gets into a defensive stance and hopes the others are not that far behind her.
Capricia closes with Sara, falcata at the ready!
Aerith calmly waited to see who wasn’t blinded, ready to use her magic to put the unfortunate to sleep.
Hargus moves forward alongside Capricia, falcata at the ready with her.
The two wielding swords are both blinded! The lady starts casting a spell.
The two blinded ones seem to be well trained, and so they move into a readied, defensive mode.
Seeing that the guards were blinded, but that the woman was casting a spell, Aerith turned her powers upon the clearest threat.
Capricia closes on the nearest foe and hacks away with her falcata.
for
Sara hurries to the other side of her favorite flanking partner and tries to help her put the blinded Lotheed down.
Thalasou scans the situation and sees that the lady is casting a spell. He quickly casts a spell of deafness on her.
Hargus charges forwards and joins in on the attack on Lotheed-Casava.
But he might as well be the blind one the way he whiffs.
While the main protagonist stays standing, the other two fall into a deep sleep. Then taking a few blasts of magic to the chest, the Lotheed yields. He drops his sword, but stands still defiant.
"I seem to be at a disadvantage. Who are you people?"
"Freedom fighters, we are!" Sara eases around him to gather up all the weapons, while hopefully someone stronger ties him and the others up.
If someone provides the rope, Capricia will try her best to tie up the prisoners.
"We've done our part to minimize the bloodshed," she says to the Lotheed scion. "Now it's your turn. Where is the magical teleporter? The quicker we find it, the less likely we'll have to dispatch more guards while we search."
Hargus shrugs. "Like they said, we're here to serve the eviction notice. We're perfectly happy to let you live - so long as you don't try to escape. Now, answer the nice lady's question about where the teleportation circle is." Hargus gestures at the still tied up count they've been carrying around. "After all, if we let him live, you have to figure your odds of survival are pretty good - so long as you cooperate."
Aerith stayed in the back and kept quiet. Best to be unseen for her family’s sake if things went south. So long as they succeeded she could take proper credit then.
Seeing Capricia wrestling the sleeping bodies, Thalasou moves in to help. He finds the remaining portion of his cut rope in his bag and hands it over. "Here is something we can use to tie these guys up."
"No need to tie anyone up. I am Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava, and you have my word we have submitted."
He leads you into the next room, and says loudly "These people have my permission to enter."
It seems like a strange thing to say out loud to no one in the room.
This overstuffed, roughly triangular-shaped office is fit for a king, with every surface an example of expert artistry and all but dripping with gold leaf. A large desk of dark, fragrant wood decorated with golden candelabras fills most of the office, while carved cherubs dance among storm clouds all through the molding above.
Alternating bookshelves and paintings line the walls in this large, warm space. Warm colors, plush carpeting, and overstuffed furniture all combine to give the illusion of warmth, while the scent of tobacco hangs faintly in the air. A large portrait of Veleto Lotheed stares down from one wall.
You are pretty sure she smiles at you.
Alternating bookshelves and paintings line the walls in this large, warm space. Warm colors, plush carpeting, and overstuffed furniture all combine to give the illusion of warmth, while the scent of tobacco hangs faintly in the air. A large portrait of Veleto Lotheed stares down from
one wall.
A towering, domed ceiling that curves overhead in this room depicts the shimmering summer stars, with major constellations outlined in gold leaf. A massive bed trimmed with silk sheets and a darkwood vanity fill much of the space, while expensive bric-a-brac covers the waist-high shelf circling the room.
Plush, red carpeting has been cut away from the center of the floor here, and what remains is badly stained. Desks line the walls, covered in bones, brass instruments, glassware, and jars filled with bizarre collections. The stink of old peat and insect activity is rampant.
You then here a voice. "Offspring of Lotheed, why have you brought these intruders here? They do not belong."
The young man seems taken aback, but stammers "The palace has fallen, Ehlers, and we are being removed."
"This is unacceptable. Perhaps I shall punish you for allowing them this far? Ah, alas, you know that I cannot. But I am under no obli=gation to show these others any leniency!"
This monstrosity looks like a massive cockroach made from putrid hair. A humanoid face leers in place of an insectile head.
Capricia immediately takes the fight to the abomination!
for
Sara opens her mouth, closes it, looks at the stammering Lotheed, tries again with the opening and closes, then sighs and points out "That thing is gross" she moves quickly to help flank for Capricia.
”Eeew! Gross! Gross!” The elf yelled out, as she pointed a finger at the “thing.” A burning globe of fire rolled out from her finger and towards the monstrosity.
Bimble starts shouting out text book theories of the creature in front of you.
Ichkoh
NE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar, sahkil)
DR 10/good; Immune death effects, disease, fear effects, poison; Resist cold 10, electricity 10, sonic 10; SR 18
Special Abilities
Fall Apart (Su) As a standard action once every 1d4 rounds, an ichkoh can cause all creatures within 30 feet of it to feel as if their bodies were falling apart unless they succeed at a DC 19 Will save. Those affected by this ability take 1d3 points of Constitution damage. In addition, they take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, damage rolls, and skill checks for 1d6 rounds. This is a mind-affecting effect. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Look of Fear (Su) A creature affected by an ichkoh’s gaze is shaken for 1d4 rounds.
Capricia does some damage, but it looks like about half of it heals immediately. (DR 10/good)
The creature dodges the flaming sphere, and mentally assaults all of you.
Thalasou shudders as the creature's mental assault threatens to overwhelm him. But he closes his eyes and raises his arms and connecting with his spiritual guide. He pauses for a second speaks out in a loud voice. A wave of magical energy radiates from him. His companions feel more courageous.
”Slumber, damn your eyes, slumber!” She called out, pointing at the thing with a hint of panic in her voice.
Barely keeping herself together, she still manages to insult the thing though (for inspiration) "Gods, just being around you makes everyone feel like crap."
Capricia's knees buckle as the monster's strange power overtakes her. Still, the effects of Sara's inspiration and Bimble's haste spell help to counteract the effect, and the plucky redhead engages the sahkil with both aplomb and savagery, slashing three times with her falcata and somehow positioning the weapon to defend against the inevitable counterattack.
If I'm to fall apart by your hands, I'm taking you with me, beast!
for
for
for
for
While the fighters of the group start to seriously doubt themselves, the spellcasters keep it together, giving the party haste and bless benefits.
Aerith puts the creature to sleep!
"How long will it be asleep?" Capricia asks Aerith.
Still shaking, Aerith quickly said ”It will sleep so long as I chant.” She then went about doing just that, chanting softly in elven so as to keep the enchantment upon it’s mind. Unfortunately this meant that she was unable to take part in any planning.
"Oh good work" Sara congratulates Aetith through panting ickiness, bending over, hands on her knees like she wants to throw up repeatedly but has no idea if it would help so is just being ready in case her body makes up its mind.
Capricia waits until she feels slightly better, steps up to the fallen and sleeping monster, gives Sara (and Eregos, if he's game) a quick nod, and brings her falcata down on its neck...hard!
These are not immune to critical hits, so the coup de grace is legit. However, the DR still applies, so only 44 damage applies. That isn't enough to kill it, but does make it need to roll a Fort save DC 54!
Capricia stabs the creature through the eye, killing it instantly.
You search around and find a closet.
This walk-in closet features dozens of suits and dresses a
few centuries out of fashion.
Pushing the gruesome spectacle out of mind, the elf gave the clothes a glance. They reminded her of her mother’s wardrobe, for she recognized some of the styles. Glad that the fashions were still in style, she moved on from it. ”Well done, that thing was unpleasant. Let’s end this, yes? I think that we will all have earned some relaxation when this is done.”
"Where to next Lord Titus?"
"Honestly, I have never been up here, so I don't really know what you are looking for or where to find it. If it isn't here, then maybe you have bad information."
"There seems to be a section of the tower we can't access...maybe there's a secret door," Capricia points out, gesturing to the area to the west. Leaving that area for her friends to examine, the swashbuckler moves into the small room to the northwest and begins to check its south walls for a secret door.
"Really? You've never been up here?" Thalasou cocks his head to the side with a curious look. "Why not? And that creature seemed to know you. How would it know you if you hadn't been up here?"