While Diego is busy listening at doors, Lief takes the time to examine (and hopefully identify) the magical items.
Lief determines the bow and flail are both enchanted to hit more easily, and harder . The bolts have an elf's bane enchantment upon them, and the potion will cure moderate wounds.
Lief shares what he learns about the items with the others. "Nico, you interested in a new crossbow? We should pass out these magic weapons, even if people don't want to make them their primary weapons, just in case we run into anything that's resistant to non-magical attacks. Bjorn, does Nualia have any elves working for her, besides Tsuto?"
Stepping back from the door, Diego turns to Bjorn. "Do you want an opportunity to try and reason with this man? Or would you prefer a quick and clear engagement?"
Nico checks out the crossbow, impressed that it's a certifiably magical object.
"Sure thing, I'll see what this baby can do."
"I would appreciate the chance to convince Orik of our righteousness. He was hesitant and he is in love foolishly." Bjorn says, cracking his fingers back into their humanoid shape. He shakes his head as Lief asks whether Nualia had any other elves in her employ (unless the player is totally wrong which means Bjorn will tell him the right information). Taking a breath, he would open the door into the room where Orik sharpened his weapon.
"Orik, my friend, keep your blade down." The Ulfen man said, keeping his hands up so that he could see that he had no weapon ready there. "We must speak of what had happened and what is going to happen next...as well as your choice in those matters." Bjorn waited to see what the warrior would do, his face contorted into a gentle smile but he was poised and ready to strike if he needed to.
The last thing Orik Vancaskerkin expected to see when his door suddenly opened was the man he'd seen beaten, he thought to death, a few days earlier. A man he'd seen in combat, whom he knew was a vicious, powerful foe.
The second-to-last thing Orik expected to see was the smile on his face.
He slowly, carefully, set his blade beside him on the bed and rose to his feet, hands out and empty in a gesture of placation. "Bjorn! You're...alive. And... look, I didn't want them to kill you. And I agree Nualia's bat s~#$ crazy, but you were already down, and it was Lyrie, and what was I going to do against the three of them?" He spoke rapidly, defensively, making excuses and clearly intimidated by this returned specter.
"I...forgive you. You are in love with a woman who loves another. They brought me upstairs to the goblins, left me on the hook like meat to dry, and left me to be eaten." Bjorn would lower his hands, gesturing to the group behind him. "These people are from Sandpoint, I believe. They rescued me and are here to bring an end to Nualia's madness. The bugbear is dead and most of the goblins are as well or at least broken."
Stepping closer, he would look to the blade on the bed before looking back towards the man. "You feel guilty and I understand that guilt. You know what is righteous and good. She means to harm others; innocent people and children. She has to be stopped and if you joined us Orik, it would stack the odds in our favor." It was a chance for the warrior to do the right thing this time, even if it meant standing against Lyrie. He could sense that apprehension and would speak up again.
"I know you love her Orik but what is she tolerating? Is she so blind that she would let wickedness win? Is that someone worthy of your affection?"
Diego stands patiently by, ready and willing to bring things to a violent end if the conversation goes sideways. Quietly observant, he allows Bjorn to make his plea without interruption, but watches the interaction closely.
At the mention of being left to be eaten, Orik swallowed hard, still unconvinced his former ally wasn't about to grow those strange claws and rend him asunder. But as Bjorn continued, and Orik realized there were others in the hall behind him, understanding dawned.
He was not what one might call a good man. Orik had done plenty of bad things in his life. He'd never had his brother's noble streak, and had far too much of his father in him. But this job had gotten too complicated. He'd visited Sandpoint once, on his way to Magnimar months ago, and found the place rather charming. He didn't love the idea of wiping the place out, let alone seeing the dark things Nualia was dabbling with being unleashed onto the world. He was a businessman at heart, not a demon-worshipper.
"Nualia was ruthless from the day she hired me but ever since that arm thing...she's gone off the deep end. The past couple days, since you confronted her, she's only gotten worse. She keeps talking about releasing something called 'Malfeshnekor.' I don't know who or what the hells that is, but it doesn't sound like the kind of thing I want to stick around and meet."
Lyrie. He wasn't sure it was love. More an infatuation. But he knew it wasn't reciprocated. Orik shook his head. "She's become fanatical with Nualia. I think she promised Lyrie power or something. She's in that temple right now, chanting in some language I've never heard. I went to talk to her and try and talk some sense into her, but didn't want to interrupt whatever she's doing and piss her off."
He didn't retrieve his sword, yet. This seemed a promising chance to get the hells out of here, and he wasn't sold on rushing towards a confrontation with the powerful women, when he saw no direct profit in it for himself.
After listening to the conversation, Diego chimes in. "Time is ticking Bjorn. If I may, it sounds like you are willing to kick rocks and avoid a confrontation with us while we work to eliminate Nualia. I'm assuming you also don't want to tip your hand and appear to be helping us just incase we are unsuccessful. I suggest we escort you out of here, fully intact, and you head out on an errand that keeps your attention tied up. On one hand, we fail, and you return to your current statuesque. On the other hand, we are successful, and you no longer have an obligation to Nualia. We will try and save Lyri if possible. That comes with an understanding that ultimately, we will do what we must in order to bring this situation to an end. What do you think?"
Nico hadn't planned to enter into the conversation, but...
"It's an excellent deal Orin. As things stand now, we have to cornered and vastly outnumbered. You'd be committing suicide standing by Nualia alone right here. Take the offer and find something else to do for a couple of days. If you want to come back and see where things stand afterward, fine. I'd suggest you take the couple of days to get a head start on moving on to somewhere else though. I like our chances here."
"I see. Disappointing but I do not begrudge you your survival instincts. We shall do what is right, go do whatever feels easiest on your soul." Bjorn says, looking back to his comrades and giving a nod to them. "I say take my friends' advice; leave here and do not return." Looking back at the others, he gives a nod ready to leave and head deeper in.
Alistair watches, pondering the situation.
Orik is pleased at his luck, that these folks don't seem to have any quarrel with him. "Look I'm leaving. I don't intend to return to the region if I can help it. But uh...be careful." He mainly addresses this to Bjorn, since the two were acquaintances long enough for him to have a healthy does of respect for the big man. "Women are fond of laying traps. These two are, at any rate. If you head below, I've no doubt you'll face some. Stay vigilant."
He clapped Bjorn on the shoulder, and if no one prevented his departure, he made ready to leave.
The other bedchambers are empty. Lyrie's is clean, and brightly lit by an on the nightstand. The decor is so spartan you wonder if she actually spends time in it.
Bruthazmus's bedroom has a faint musty odor. The bed is covered with matted gray and black hair, and bloodstains mar the stone floor, while a morbid stack of birds' feet lies heaped on the floor by the side of the bed. Nothing of value seems to remain.
Nualia's room is a large chamber that seems to serve a dual purpose. To the north is a fine bed with silk sheets, while to the south, a desk and chair under a hanging lantern make a comfortable-looking study. Any valuables or personal effects of hers seem to be lacking, likely kept on her person.
The final room is Bjorn's own.
Alistair reaches up and takes the everburning torch down, "No sense in leaving this behind." Once the bedrooms are checked I think it is time to move back into the lower entry room and take the west door.
Diego heads to the lower west door, searches it, and then opens it.
Lief quietly watches as Bjorn and the others talk with the mercenary. After the man leaves, he assists in the search of the bedrooms. While they work he asks nobody in particular, “do we actually have any jurisdiction out here? Like, obviously we can kill enemies of Sandpoint, but could we arrest people for conspiracy or something like that?”
He follows Diego to the stairs after the search is done.
"Jurisdiction? What are you...guards?" Bjorn first says with a laugh. Only a moment later when he realizes that no one is laughing does his face grow more serious. "Wait. You are guards. Hell, you're not being paid enough..." He muttered softly, following behind the group towards the stairs.
"I suppose we can enforce whatever we have the muscle to enforce. That said, the jurisprudence comes into play if, or when, someone makes it back to town, wherein the system will determine what happens next. At this point, I don't expect anyone to surrender. They will likely flee, fight, or die. Preferably the latter."
Nico gives Bjorn's question some serious thought and concludes they do have jurisdiction in a roundabout way.
"Well, nobody else who's local around here has jurisdiction. If anybody does it would be Magnimar. If there's ever any trouble that requires Magnimar's help, they always say they can't send anyone and it will have to be handled locally. So, practically speaking we do, we just didn't ask first. Although the Sheriff is asking more or less as we speak I guess. But I'm willing to wager I'm right about no help coming out of it."
"And by the way Bjorn, I know exactly who you can tell we need a raise to. Happy to introduce you when the chance comes."
Diego checks the door ahead and finds a small prison room, the chief's key unlocking the entrance. The southern wall of the room is a bank of cells with iron doors, six in all. The rest of the room is obviously a torture chamber; a rack sits against the far wall, an iron maiden stands to the north, and a fire pit sits cold below a spiky cage dangling from a chain in the ceiling to the east.
The cells are all empty, though one hangs open, fresh blood, still wet, leaving a trail from the cell to the northwestern door of the room. Through that door, you hear a woman chanting -- the same chanting you heard through the double doors back at this floor's main intersection.
Diego moves to that door and quickly inspects it.
After inspecting the door, Diego opens the door and quickly moves in to engage.
"Aha, a fun house and someone's has beat us here. Shall we join them?" Alistair asks, moving to the northwest door. When Diego opens the door he plans to sweep in behind the man.
When her turn comes Nico steps into the room and then immediately to the side so the entrance is clear for those behind her. She brings her crossbow up to ready.
Lief readies his shield and shortsword, and prepares to charge into the room with the others (if its size and his reaction speed allows it).
You rush into the room, just as a dark-skinned woman with braids in her hair plunges a knife down into the chest of a bound, whimpering goblin. There is a flash of light, and two horrifying canine creatures materialize into thin air, floating above the ground. She looks over as you enter, a scowl on her face. She doesn't appear surprised to see Bjorn alive. "Bjorn, you're just in time. Meet your replacements."
Nico lines up on the woman and takes a shot at her.
Nico fires off a bolt at the woman, which grazes her arm and draws a red line of blood. She hisses in pain, teeth clenched as she glares at Nico.
The summoned creatures, some sort of hellish looking hounds, fly through the air towards you all -- one coming for Alistair, the other throwing back it's head and letting loose a howl that is like nails on a chalkboard to your very soul.
The hound flying towards Alistair snaps his jaws at the man. It manages to connect, teeth sinking deeply into the swashbuckler's calf muscle. Somehow the teeth feel icy cold, like death, an evil taint that threatens to break his resolve. The creature jerks its head back and forth, trying to pull him from his feet, but Alistair's footwork is second to none, and he maintains his upright stance.
Nico is overcome by the hound's howl.
The eerie howl makes Bjorn take a step back but something inside him is instead enflamed at such a movement. Did he forget who he was? Did he think himself some common soul?
He is Bjorn F$$+ing Sornstad and no scary hound would drive him away from the battle. His knuckles crack in violent anticipation as his blood begins to boil.
Diego moves up while brining is blade into an overhead circular swing that he brings down with enormous force.
Lief and Nico feel the blood run chill in their veins, a supernatural effect of the terrifying hounds, and they were overwhelmed with a need to flee, as fast as possible.
The howl very nearly takes Bjorn and Diego as well, but they power through, and Diego ignores the hellish beast in favor of the woman. His falchion swirls around him in a display of metallic death, and he slashes across her torso from shoulder to the opposite hip, feeling the sword graze across her ribcage, cutting deep, slicing right through her magical armor. She screams in agony, stumbling a step away from the blow.
Lief and Nico feel the blood run chill in their veins, a supernatural effect of the terrifying hounds, and they were overwhelmed with a need to flee, as fast as possible.
The howl very nearly takes Bjorn and Diego as well, but they power through, and Diego ignores the hellish beast in favor of the woman. His falchion swirls around him in a display of metallic death, and he slashes across her torso from shoulder to the opposite hip, feeling the sword graze across her ribcage, cutting deep, slicing right through her magical armor. She screams in agony, stumbling a step away from the blow.
"This is your one chance. Call off the dogs, we talk, and there is a chance you survive this. Anything less, you die."
Alistair shakes off the howl and then must deal with the incoming beast.
If caught flat-footed:
The dog bites his leg sending pain and cold into his body making him recoil from the monster. Then gritting his teeth he lunges at the beast driving his rapier forward.
If non caught flat-footed:
Alistair lithely steps out of the way and drives his rapier forward into the monster attempting to bit him.
using charmed life vs howl
-2 if shaken
Nico blanches, white as a sheet, and flees the room.
Alistair's fancy footwork does indeed save him, habitually shifting the leg his weight was on and pulling back the appendage the dog had targeted. He returned the favor and struck towards the hound, stabbing into its leathery flesh and causing a yelp of rage.
Lyrie, near death from Diego's strike, sinks to her knees in surrender, clutching at her grievous wound. "You interrupted the ritual...I do not...have control. They are as likely...to kill me...as they are to kill you." She had to gasp in air midsentence, teeth clenched in pain.
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Lief’s eyes go wide and he takes off running behind Nico. Just to make sure she’s alright.
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"You would replace me with dogs? With dogs!?" Bjorn shouted with a mirthless laugh, fingers cracking as the talons of his bloodline emerged with deadly intent. His eyes turned towards Lief and Nico, watching them both run out. "Probably taking tactical positions. That's fair."
He moves in and around, moving pass the wounded caster with a sneer as he engaged the beast in the back. With his blade in his hand, he struck with a powerful swipe of his claws.
Bjorn watches Nico and Lief run back to a more advantageous position, and his claws cut into the nearest hound...but less deeply than he hoped. Their hide seems resistant to the damage he deals, and it's not hurt as badly as it should be.
The hound engaged with Alistair comes at the man again, an viciously tears into his shoulder. It tries to drag him to the ground but Alistair maintains his footing.
The other hound, engaged with Bjorn, tries to find similar success, but fails miserably, teeth snapping closed on air.
The feeling of terror fades as Nico flees. She stops as she fully realizes what has happened and turns to get back to the room.
Diego looks sternly at Lyrie. "Stay out of the fight and you will live. On my word." After making his point, he moves over to the nearest dog and engages it.
Lief also stops running and turns back towards the fight.
"Daylight and ashes!" Alistair yells as the thing bites him. Luckily, he wrenches himself away before getting dragged down. Comforted by the presence of his fellow watchmen and thankful the beast didn't mess up his hair, Alistair retaliates. Stepping past one of the columns he tries to run it through, "Take that you blasted monster from the pit."
"So you don't tear so easily? We shall SEE!" Bjorn shouts, his eyes growing into draconic slits as the ancient fury of these powerful entities rushes through his very being. As he dodges out of the way, he strikes back viciously against them. His first attack is a claw to the face, aiming to disorient the creature before he follows in with a wickedly powerful haymaker to the beast's side.