The Old Fishery
The light from outside barely illuminates a single desk that sits in the middle of this room, and a moldy chair pushed up against the far side. A small pile of ratty furs and straw is heaped under the table.
Single closed, doors occupy the east and west walls while two separate single, closed doors occupy the north wall.
"Kind of assumed they'd have light, think this was a bad tip?" whispers Kendrick to the others. He softly chants and focuses his magic through a hand gesture to conjure four softly glowing balls of light that hover in the doorway.
The sudden appearance of Kendrick’s light magic causes Nuriel to blink and turn away as she had been staring into the darkened room, straining to see anything with her Low light vision.
She then refocuses, giving the threshold and room a quick once over.
If she sees no hindrances, she will step into the room. Shield at the ready and hand prepared to draw her sword.
”I had the same thought. But we’re here, might as well look around.”
The room lights up from Kendrick's spell, further highlighting the four doors in the room.
Nuriel can hear faint noise now and then, but can't determine what it is or which direction it is coming from.
Clutching his sword tight and bringing his breathing under control Kendrick tells Nuriel, "Pick one." He shrugs and raises his eyebrows.
Stepping into the room, Nuriel heads to the door on the west wall opposite the chair.
”There is a sound coming from somewhere in the building. So someone or something is here.”
She reaches for the door handle, then suddenly draws back her hand.
”Tax assessment Inspection.”
Glancing at the others.
”I have to announce, don’t I ?’
She says with a smirk.
Looking at Dax she motions to the door with her head. Then grabs the hilt of her sword and prepares to draw it.
Daxori flings the door open and jumps back. Holding her halberd at the ready. She takes a quick look at what is inside.
The Old Fishery
The stink in this room, a mixture of fish and sweat, is enough to make the eyes water. To the east, a large wooden trough holds a hideous mound of half-rancid fish, seaweed, and brine. Filthy seawater and fish blood stain the floor around this trough. A pair of wooden chutes lead from this trough through holes in the northern wall. A door in the north wall sits slightly ajar. To the west, a desk and chair sit in one corner while a tall cabinet sits in the other. A simple lantern rests on the table and fills most of the room with normal light.
Four young children are working around the trough. Two are shoveling fish into the chutes in the northern wall while another mops up around the trough. The last stands nearest the northern door overseeing the others. They are all in complete surprise at your intrusion, most of them with their mouths hanging open.
The boy nearest the door is really a gnome, and visible through his rags in different places looks to be studded leather armor.
She was ready for anything confrontational, but the sight of the children gave her pause. Releasing the grip on her sword and dropping her raised shield arm to her side.
”Don’t be afraid. We are here to help.”
Daxori seethes in anger upon seeing children being used as cheap labor.
"Let's go, you all need to leave."Daxori exclaims while gesturing towards the door.
"Yeah, make a break for it." Kendrick points at the 'boy' nearest the door. "But not the gnome. You, sir, can surrender instead!"
He chants softly and grips his sword after performing a few motions with his hand. The blade immediately appears perfectly polished and catches the light of the glowing balls in a kaleidoscope of color.
The gnome's eyes go wide as he realizes his disguise has failed him. The children look from each other to the gnome and back to the heroes, still somewhat frozen in shock.
Sensing an opportunity to act quickly while the gnome is trying to regain some measure of composure, Kendrick lurches forward and hacks at his armor, trying to sheer it off at the shoulder.
He then wills the light on his blade to be focused into a burst in front of the gnome's eyes.
Caught a little off guard by the revelations of one of the children actually being a Gnome, Daxori jumps into action. The children being her first priority, she moves into the room. No longer asking, she demands the children leave while brandishing her halberd.
"RUN, RUN NOW!!!"Daxori shouts while attempting to escort the children out.
As Kendrick approaches the gnome, he realizes the slurry, blood, and fish guts spilling out of the trough have made the floor particularly slippery around the trough as he slips and falls. It doesn't stop his blade from cleaving through the gnome's armor as it lands on the floor next to Kendrick. Kendrick's blade flashes in a blinding light, but the gnome manages to turn his head and avoid most of the flash.
Daxori heads into the room and begins issuing orders to the children. They still seem unsure of what to do but slowly begin moving towards the exit.
"Kill them, kill them all or be fed to Boo!" the gnome shouts. He then steps towards the northern door, opens it, and shouts into the next room "BOO! ATTACK!!'
The children, at first unsure about what to do, finally relent as they hear Boo's name and raise their pitchforks. One takes a stab at Kendrick while he's down, but only punctures the floor boards. The other two trudge through the trough and climb out, threatening Daxori and Nuriel.
”Gnome? What Gno..oh that one.”
Taking a step into the room she raises her shield, draws her sword. Then looking at the Gnome
”DON’T MOVE! Casting Forbid Action DC 15 Will (Enchantment)
Very disappointed at the action of the "Little Lambs" Daxori attempts to disarm Little Lamb 1.
"What the hell, drop that before you hurt yourself!"
The gnome suddenly feels stuck in place, his eyes going wide in panic. The lamb, too stunned to make a serious effort, takes a stab at Daxori but the pitchfork doesn't even come close to the tiefling.
"Whoa!" Kendrick exclaims involuntarily as he slips. He looks over and sees that at least the gnome's armor is also on the ground then snaps his head forward again in time to see a pitchfork narrowly miss him.
"Whoa!" He repeats before adding, "Hey, kid, we ain't the bad guys here!" Kendrick swings for the haft of the tool, hoping to break it and discourage the abused child.
Unfortunately, his position makes it tough to hit the weapon without putting the child at risk. "Seriously? This started out so well, too."
With some effort Kendrick pulls himself to his feet. "Ugh, this smell is never coming out!"
"I said leave it NOW!!!! Daxori screams at Lamb 2
Kendrick fails to strike the discarded pitchfork, but does find his footing again. The gnome, his eyes wide and glaring at Nuriel, draws his kukri and shouts "Kill them all, and we can eat their eyes and add their corpses to the slurry!" As the gnome finishes his tirade, the northern door is pushed open as a mangy dog enters. He stalks past the gnome, drooling and snarling.
One lamb, surrounded by Kendrick and Daxori, sees no alternative and draws his dagger and tries to stab Daxori. It's obvious he's scared as the dagger misses it's mark. The lamb next to him follows the first and tries to stab Daxori with his pitchfork, but he's shaking so badly that he can barely manage to hold the pitchfork. The last lamb takes a stab at Nuriel, hitting nothing but air.
Daxori, ignoring the shaking pitchfork, screams at the boy but with nowhere to go and his cruel master still in the fight, holds his ground.
Every few seconds, the lambs look back at the gnome. It's almost as if they're too scared to run. Once the dog enters the room, they're terrified.
Maybe it was the Gnome’s sudden violent outburst, the appearance of the dog, the terrified look in the children’s eyes or a combination of all three Nuriell suddenly feels much less confident.
She steps away from the door. Both to distance herself from the kids, and to clear the doorway for their escape.
Falling back on her training she does what comes naturally. Locking eyes with the Gnome.
”Operation of unlicensed business, Fine. Unregistered animal, Fine. Undocumented workers, Fine. Underage workers, Fine. Resististing collection of taxes, Fine.”
"A dog, now?"
"Enough nonsense! Where is Lamm?" Kendrick shouts at the gnome as he brings his sword down as hard as possible on the dog.
Nuriel's threats of fines is enough to make the gnome nervous. Kendrick's heavy blade easily cleaves the dog in two, blood and guts adding to the slippery slurry spilling across the floor. Two of the lambs take advantage of the moment and make a run for it. The last boy drops his dagger and falls to his knees, mumbling apologies and pleading for his life. With the attention elsewhere, the gnome slips through the northern door and quickly shuts it. You can hear shouting from the other side.
The dog’s spectacular destruction and the escape of some of the children makes Nuriel feel better. However,the fleeing Gnome pisses her off.
”I’LL CUT HIM OFF! She shouts
Moving out the door she kicks at the leftmost northern door in the adjacent room.
Nuriel's kick splinters the door frame around the lock and the door swings open freely to reveal a 10-foot long hallway, blocked by another door.
"Wait, Nuriel! We should stay together!" Kendrick calls out. The sound of a door being practically kicked off it's hinges is Nuriel's reply. Better catch up to her.
Kendrick moves carefully to the door the gnome went through and tries the handle.
[Ooc]Moving to the door I'm beside on map. I'm guessing he didn't have time to lock it behind him, but you never know. If the door is locked or barred he will spend his move action to pull his crowbar out, if not he opens the door./ooc]
"It not safe for you here!" Daxori screams at the boy, while pulling him to his feet and shoving him toward the eastern door. Then she moves into position behind Kendrick, halberd at the ready.
Kendrick finds the gnome did not lock the door behind him and flings it open. Daxori pushes the kid towards the exit and the boy wastes no more time finding the exit and scurrying away.
Beyond the door the floor is slick with river water, bits of seaweed, and fish blood, and the air is thick with the accompanying scents. Wooden catwalks to the north and south allow access between the western part of the fishery and the floor of the room, which is ten feet lower. A wide opening in the floor to the south allows direct access to the sloppy, muddy water of the Jeggare River, a further three feet down, while to the northwest stands an immense eight-foot-tall wooden vat, its sides caked and waterproofed with tar. Inside is a foul-looking mixture of chum, river water, and who knows what else. To the east are stacked many barrels and crates, each with a fish painted on it. Over a dozen small hammocks hang from under the catwalks, each with its own ratty blanket and pillow.
Just inside the door is the gnome, a maniacal grin on his face and kukri in hand as he slashes Kendrick across the arm.
At the bottom of the catwalk ramp is a giggling half-orc with a composite longbow and an arrow nocked. He smirks as the arrow embeds itself in the wall, not inches from Kendrick's head.
Standing across the room on the other catwalk is a human male with a crossbow. He lets the bolt fly but it bounces off the wall and lands in the wooden vat.
Five more of Lamm's lambs occupy the fishery floor, all with daggers drawn.
Hearing Kendrick's engagement, Nuriel moves to the door at the end of the hall.
And opens the door, if it is unlocked.
If it is locked she will ready to kick it in next turn.
Either way. she shouts.
"TAX COLLECTOR!"
Kendrick hisses with pain as the gnome opens up a nasty gash on his arm. He steps into the room and tries to stab the creep, but the blood from his wound causes him to lose his grip.
Watching Kendrick get his arm sliced upon opening the door as well as seeing an arrow narrowly missing him, Daxori cast Mage Armor to further protect herself from the new threats while waiting for Kendrick to push forward.
Nuriel finds the door unlocked and pushes it open, drawing the attention of the human man. He discards his crossbow, drawing a wand as he makes his way towards her on the catwalk. He quickly takes aim, but when nothing happens, he begins to curse his own misfortune. The gnome, emboldened at the blood running down Kendrick's arm, strikes again, but misses. His eyes go wide in fear and he steps away. Daxori summons her mage armor as the half-orc draws another arrow and let's loose. Another arrow embeds itself in the wall near Kendrick as the half-orc continues to chuckle to himself. The children, unsure of what to do, mill about the fishery floor, daggers in hand, until the half-orc shouts orders. They split off into two groups, a few heading towards the human man, the rest moving to stand in front of the half-orc.
Kendrick decides he wants the gnome out of his way. "I have had just about enough of you!" He lashes out with his foot trying to shove the creep down the stairs.
Moving along the catwalk Nuriel engages the wand wielding man.
”Pursuant to Tax code section 2. Resisting a collection Will result in additional fines and penalties.”
Nuriel's swing forces the man to duck as a scowl crosses his face.
The gnome, in a sudden moment of realization, takes a panicked swipe at Kendrick, but only gouges the railing before he's shoved tumbling down the stairs. He falls head over heals, knocking down one of the lambs as they both collapse into a pile on the floor. The half-orc can't help but to laugh hysterically.
Watching the Gnome being kicked down the stairs, Daxori moves into position and attacks the Gnome.
Daxori's halberd nearly ends the gnome. He takes a panicked swing at Daxori's feet, nearly taking a toe off, but the blade thwack's harmlessly into the wooden floor. The lamb on the floor with the gnome, takes advantage of the distraction and tries to stab the gnome with his dagger. He misses, but the half-orc does not as he kicks the boy square in the face, nearly breaking his jaw and more blood pools on the floor. He then retreats to behind the boys, nocking an arrow as he moves across the fishery floor, laughing as he goes. The human man retreats back down the stairs, away from Nuriel and orders the boys up to the catwalk to cut her off.
Nuriel, leading with her shield, moves to the closest ‘lamb’ and pushes him back.
The target has -1 CMD if small
You can make a bull rush as a standard action or as part of a charge, in place of the melee attack. You can only bull rush an opponent who is no more than one size category larger than you. A bull rush attempts to push an opponent straight back without doing any harm. If you do not have the Improved Bull Rush feat, or a similar ability, initiating a bull rush provokes an attack of opportunity from the target of your maneuver.
If your attack is successful, your target is pushed back 5 feet. For every 5 by which your attack exceeds your opponent’s CMD you can push the target back an additional 5 feet. You can move with the target if you wish but you must have the available movement to do so. If your attack fails, your movement ends in front of the target.
An enemy being moved by a bull rush does not provoke an attack of opportunity because of the movement unless you possess the Greater Bull Rush feat. You cannot bull rush a creature into a square that is occupied by a solid object or obstacle. If there is another creature in the way of your bull rush, you must immediately make a combat maneuver check to bull rush that creature. You take a –4 penalty on this check for each creature being pushed beyond the first. If you are successful, you can continue to push the creatures a distance equal to the lesser result. For example, if a fighter bull rushes a goblin for a total of 15 feet, but there is another goblin 5 feet behind the first, he must make another combat maneuver check against the second goblin after having pushed the first 5 feet. If his check reveals that he can push the second goblin a total of 20 feet, he can continue to push both goblins another 10 feet (since the first goblin will have moved a total of 15 feet).
If she is successful, she will bull rush the second and third ‘Lambs’ as well. (Intending to push them back down the stairs)
”Make way, Tax Officer!"
"Oh, you're going to pay for that one, laughing boy!" Kendrick shouts at the half-orc and points the sword tip him.
He moves down the stairs and hops over the railing at the last few steps to confront the half-orc directly.
"Nuriel, they're KIDS! Be careful!
Her shield raised, Nuriel presses forward, shoving the kids backwards. The first lamb in line holds his dagger up in defense, not even looking at the encroaching woman. Nuriel's momentum, more than the boy's aim, causes the dagger to poke into her belly, striking true but not able to penetrate her armor.
The half-orc guffaws in response to Kendrick, but goes quiet as the man leaps over the railing and ends up next to him.
Narrowly avoiding the kukri blade of the Gnome, Daxori retaliates and attempts finish the Gnome off.
The gnome tries to scurry away from the tiefling before she ends him. The lamb on the ground next to him simply lays there on the floor, his arms wrapped around his head, his dagger discarded on the floor.
The half-orc smiles at Kendrick as he drops his bow and grabs his flail. The swing goes wide, smashing into the stair railing and sending splinters all over the gnome, the prone lamb, and Daxori, and all the while the half-orc continues to laugh.
The human man tries his wand again, this time hurling a glob of acid at Kendrick. It strikes him in the shoulder, burning and hissing.
The lamb nearest Nuriel takes a feigned swipe at her, the dagger clanging against her armor. The rest of the lambs huddle together, nearly in tears.
Backing into the corner and flattening herself as best she can against the wall. Trying to make as clear a path as possible. Then looking at the lambs.
”Run! That way!” Pointing to the open door at the top of the catwalk with her sword.
Kendrick twists away from the flail comes his way and spins his sword for a roundhouse attack and channels latent arcane energy in the process.
Daxori takes a swing at the Gnome before he escapes.