Caelius rushes in keeping his eyes pinned to the ground as he shifts around Baghotir's feet. He knows it's not the Basilisk cause well it has legs after all. He keeps moving until he notices scales on the floor and swings.
He watches as the creature's body seems to stiffen. "Is it okay to look now?" His curiosity gets the better of him as he can't help but look. Relief washes through him as he doesn't immediatly turn to stone and he tries to kill the beast. "Maybe they were wrong."
HP 55/67
AC 21 (+2 (23) w/ Shield) (14 w/o armor)
Short Rest Die 1/7
Second Wind 0/1
Action Surge 0/1
Superiority Die (D8; Disarming Attack, Sweeping Attack, Menacing Attack): 2/5
Caelius uses honed instincts, and strikes at the monster with his gaze averted... The blow is a good one, and once Alisanne cripples the creature with her magic, everyone rushes into the room and piles on, taking full advantage of their opening.
But it is Caelius who ends the monster. He takes his longsword in a two-handed grip, and the first swipe batters the incoherent snake to one side, exposing it's neck. The follow up is a downward chop from a high guard that claims the basilisk's head.
Each Adventurer earns 655 Experience Points.
The party stands in a circular room. You entered from the north, and there is a closed door exiting south. A staircase curves up the east wall, 25 feet to a trapdoor in the ceiling.
Ageg motions around the room.
"Here. The snake guarded the entrance to Keledek's lab, where he dwells when he is here in the complex."
"I've heard tell of beasts like this, but this was worse than the stories. Give me a moment." Venn takes a trophy and hands it to Caelius. He goes back and gets one for Alisanne. "If we ever cross weapons, I hope you spare me from that spell."
The pathfinder then takes a look about the room before prepping by the southern door.
Belwick sees Venn preparing himself by the southern door, then looks to Ageg. "Just to confirm, Keledek's lab is up the stairs and through that trapdoor, yes? If so, that is the direction I suggest we go."
Venn's sharp eyes spy something--under the stairs: a smaller size door, only 5' Tall, hidden in the stonework, leading west!
Each Adventurer earns 500 Experience Points!
Ageg answers, "Aye, so it seems... But Keledek's tricky. I doubt it's that easy."
"Tricky, you say? Well perhaps..."
Belwick trails off when Venn spots the hidden door. "Yes, I think that's exactly right. Perhaps we check that small door first."
Once you know it's there, the door opens easily. Inside is a 5'x5' square passage, and a few of you need to duck a little to traverse it. The passage goes about 80 feet and ends at another door. It looks similar to the one leading into the passage.
I will need a marching order if you're going to proceed, as the passage is 5' Wide.
"Venn, please lead the way. Caelius, I suggest you follow behind him. I have magical light, so I'll follow right after. Then I suggest Baghotir and Alisanne follow after. Lemunda, the Ageg and company to guard our rear."
Baghotir freshens his light, then lines up more or less as the Baron suggests - though he waits impatiently for others to get in line before him and he tries to look around them to the front...
He's ready to go!
The party makes their way into the passage and down to the door. Venn in front, opens the door into... Keledek's Laboratory!
There is a roughly square room with doors in the north and south walls. The man who can only be Keledek is hard at work at a workbench. Nearby stands a person wearing a sword and pistol. This pirate stands with glassy eyes and a slack jaw, drooling a little.
Behind the pair is a trio of humanoid statues that all look like horrified Saltmarsh citizens.
Keledek is an impressive man--he towers, standing well over 6 feet with dark skin and a bald pate. He is dressed in colorful robes, decorated with beads, arcane foci and a pouch of components.
He locks eyes with Venn as Venn opens the secret door into the lab. Keledek barks out, "Intruder! Slay him."
The pirate wordlessly draws weapons and Keledek The Unspoken begins casting a spell. The pirate lowers his flintlock at Venn and fires...
But the weapon's shot is wide. He closes on the ranger and prepares to duel.
and
Ageg uses his leadership ability to psych up his boys.
Keledek casts Mage Armor, and lightly touches a curious stone that hangs around his neck on a cord.
INITIATIVE!
ROUND 1
1. Ageg (18) LEADERSHIP, Ulzer and Bugbear have +1d4 to Saves and Attacks
2. Pirate (16) Draws Pistol and fires, Missing. Melee misses.
3. Keledek (14) Mage Armor, Transmuter Stone
4. Baghotir (12) GO
5. Venn (11) GO
6. Belwick/Elemental (10) GO
7. Alisanne (8) GO
6. Lemunda (8) GO
7. Ulzer (7) GO
8. Caelius (5) GO
9. Bugbear (4) GO
Able to see into the room and having heard Keledek speak, Belwick wastes no time to close distance and get the spellcaster into view. He speaks and arcane word and is immediately picked up in swirling mists only to appear in the room.
The nobleman points his wand at Keledek. "Enemy of Saltmarsh, know that this is your end today!" He follows these words up with a waving of the wand and more words of magic, hurling a bolt of fire at the spellcaster.
He then moves to have some further space, using the unfortunate statues as a shield.
"Hit the tall mage," Belwick commands, and the earth spirit surges forward. It only gets as far as the pirate for now.
Condition: None
- - -
Baghotir moves up to the pirate, and circles around a bit. He attacks!
He also fires up his spiritual axe, and sends it against Keledek to keep him busy.
...though it doesn't fare as well.
Baghotir scores a hit on the pirate, who doesn't even seem to be aware of his surroundings beyond fighting the opponents in front of him.
Belwick's firebolt is a hit, but he sees half of the energy being absorbed by the strange stone!