Kisaiya nods as Mukluk gives his theory. ”I agree with Mukluk. Yamabushi tengu are tricksters. I would expect a trap as well. They prefer the indoors and dark places, especially if they have had time to set up a nest, so wherever he went, it will be somewhere inside the building.”
No traps or locks so, after a few rounds, the group moves to the secret door and flings it open to reveal a bedroom. Well, drags it open as the door does stick a little, but opens without undue noise.
Several ruined beds lie in various states of disrepair in this room, their moldy mattresses piled into a filthy heap against the northern wall. Sleeping on the twenty-four year old mattresses, are a pair of fleshy fish creatures.
This humanoid’s scaly hide is dull gray. Its frame resembles that of a cave lizard, with a long tail and crests on its head and back.
The troglodyte is a feral, savage cave dweller. They are among the most populous denizens of the upper reaches of the endless caverns of the underworld, equally at home raiding the settlements of those who dwell above or below ground, yet for all their race’s fecundity and sprawl, as a whole they represent only a minor threat. At times, great leaders can draw legions of troglodytes to their command to create vast and deadly armies, but left to their own devices, troglodyte tribes are content to keep each other under control with numerous feuds, cannibalistic raids, and bitter civil wars.
- - -
We’re still in initiative and the party is up. I am sound asleep.
Mukluk waits to see what happens, fluffing up a beard that he does not have.
Durgan does not know what the strange creatures are.
Kisaiya sighs as she sees the two sleeping creatures. She might be able to *assume* they are enemies given the circumstances, she does not *know*. She knows that expedience would say to just kill them and not take chances, but she hates expedience. Her mother always said that it’s more important to do a job right than do a job fast. And Kisaiya has always believed that as one does one thing, one does all things.
Kisaiya pauses. She looks at the door in the secret room, then looks down the hallway towards the door down the hallway. Guessing they both lead to the same place, she makes a judgment call. She holds up a finger to her mouth and closes the secret door, drawing upon dozen of times closing doors quietly to not wake her father. She then heads down the hall towards the other door.
As he is not a member of the goon squad and he is not willing to go take on two trogs on his own, he does not trundle into the room to offer sweet death to the sleeping foes. He shrugs and follows along to the next area.
Still in initiative as the party moves away from the trogs and to the next room. As you do so, Kisaiya notices a door to the south opening, and a female ogrekin, with large milky eyes and three joints in her legs like a dogs, steps through. She wields a flail and a spiked gauntlet.
”Whar are my sons!?” she bellows, getting everyone’s attention.
You see an old friend behind her, grinning.
Durgan moves to join the rest of the party and assumes a defensive posture.
Round 10
Mukluk moves up and takes total defense. He hopes his out of sight.
Kisaiya moves forward and prepares herself to strike.
HP: 31/31
AC: 21/12/19
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 1/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Kisaiya readies an attack, though it’s a miss. Durgan moves up and takes a defensive posture. Mukluk does the same. Rory readies an attack which does not take place..
The ogrekin steps up and attacks Kisaiya!
The angry woman connects with her flail - which smashes into Kisaiya's forearm.
The oni laughs and spurs her on, ”Go get them Muthildah! Go get them!” he sheds the last of the mule spit and preens his feathers taking to the air a bit (just a few feet off the ground).
Durgan moves up past the ogrekin (provoking an AOO from it, but at AC 24 vs giants) and strikes at it.
Kisaiya pats herself with a heal, curing most of the damage dealt by the ogrekin mother.
She swings again, nodding in thanks towards Durgan.
HP: 30/31
AC: 21/12/19
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 2/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Round 11
Mukluk moves up and tries to offer some steaming divine piss at Mommy Growl.
touch to hit; (-combat)
divine fire
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Divine Mule Piss]1d20+3+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d4+1[/dice] divine fire
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +2/+3/+7
HP: 17/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
Kisaiya swings and misses though she at least heals a fair bit. Durgan slides into position, provoking, and smacks the ogrekin in the ass with flank! Mukluk misses with his attack against a foe who seems more coordinated than she should. Must be the dog legs. Rory manages a hit, though Storm does not - she was too focused on the trip!
The ogrekin steps out of flank, but presses Durgan with a flank of her own.
The woman seems quite frustrated at her failures!
The oni doesn’t seem terribly interested in the fight, but engages anyway, attacking Durgan with flank.
He laughs, a high pitched cackling thing, as his first swing connects, deeply gouging Durgan. He's laughing so hard his back swing tangle the chain a bit, missing, and he has to free it.
Round 12
Mukluk double moves to safely get around to a position to attack next round.
Durgan will close the door on the Oni (a move action that does not provoke an AOO) and then 5' step into a flank and strike at the ogrekin.
The Oni can open the door on his turn of course, but since that takes a move action it should prevent the Oni from getting a full attack again.
Kisaiya steps forward and slashes again at the ogrekin, smiling ever-so-slightly at Durgan closing the door to hamper the yamabushi.
HP: 30/31
AC: 21/12/19
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 2/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Kisaiya steps in and slashes! Durgan slams the door in the oni's feathers, but the distraction causes his swing to go wide (just missed!) on the ogrekin. Mukluk moves into position to do something next round. Rory piles on the damage, and Storm gets a trip! He doesn’t, quite end the threat however.
The ogrekin hollers, ”Hey, not fair!” and attacks Storm from the ground.
The oni, laughing, does indeed open the door, and attack Durgan again. ”Good one!” he shrills.
The hostiles have a poor round, though the oni is still grinning as he heals a bit further.
Kisaiya sees that the ogrekin is surrounded, heavily injured, and prone and decides to go after yamabushi.
She does not close the door this time, speculating that the yamabushi might try running again once his ally drops.
HP: 30/31
AC: 21/12/19
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 2/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Round 7
Mukluk moves up and tries to strike at Mommy Growl.
to hit;
cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Divine Mule Piss]1d20+3+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d4+1[/dice] divine fire
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +2/+3/+7
HP: 17/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
"May Abadar protect us."
Durgan activates his Deflection Aura ability. 20' radius centered on him, 3 rounds, allies get +2 deflection bonus to AC and CMD.
It is a (Su) ability so does not provoke AOOs (but he has cover against the Oni anyway).
Kisaiya attacks, but can’t quite land a blow though she tries to occupy the oni. Durgan envelopes the party in an additional layer of protection. Mukluk steps into melee and slams the ogrekin hard! Alas, she does not break. Rory and Storm however, pound on her with a couple crits and the AoOs kill her outright...
”That wasn’t nice… I love it!” shouts the Oni as he lashes out at Kisaiya.
He's too busy giggling to make an effective attack on the woman. But there's a rustling from the north behind the northwest door.
Durgan casts Guidance on Kisaiya.
"May you strike true."
Round 14
Mukluk moves to aid Kisaiya's next attack.
vs. DC 10 to aid
"Kiss'ya? Did you want to drop that wand? Maybe Durgan can use it to get healt up while you bottle this beast in the doorway," Mukluk suggests.
”It’s on my belt for him to take if he wants it.”
With how wily this tengu has been, Kisaiya is considering trying to call upon the Empress of Heaven’s power, but such a display would likely just send him running again. She needs to save it for when she has the bastard fully cornered.
HP: 30/31
AC: 21/12/19
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 2/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
"Won't work. I can explain later. We should fall back."
Kisaiya misses, though the bonuses haven’t applied yet (so please +3 on your next attack). Durgan guides Kisaiya’s attack. Mukluk aids Kisaiya as well, helping her next attack. Rory stands guard by the door, which opens, and he very nearly cuts a trog in half as it tries to step though. Gamely, it survives!
The northwest door opens, and two of the troglodytes exit! Though they all look the same to you, you’re pretty sure they are not the two that were sleeping.
The one who opened the door, and paid for his crimes, crawls back (provoking an AoO). The other steps forward and attacks!
Its fishy face breaks into a grin as its first swing digs deep into Rory's flank.
The Tengu attacks Kisaiya and steps back into the hall a bit.
He screeches with pleasure as his follow up swing connects (AC 23 I think with Durgan's boost).
Durgan moves to Rory and strikes at the Troglodyte attacking the halfling.
It is a powerful swing but, like many of his strikes, inaccurate.
Kisaiya steps after the yamabushi. Her temper is rising as she grows sick of this bastard’s antics and crowing. She finally has had enough and calls upon the Empress of Heaven’s golden radiance to empower her blade and protect her body.
Alas, her anger causes her slash to hit the yamabushi’s blurry image and not flesh.
HP: 23/31
AC: 21/12/19 (+4 to all vs tengu)
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 0/1
Lay on Hands Used: 2/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style, Smite Evil
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Round 16
Mukluk keeps up with Kisaiya, unwilling to leave her alone against such a fearsome foe. He puts away his pick, and draws a potion of CLW.
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Divine Mule Piss]1d20+3+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d4+1[/dice] divine fire
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +2/+3/+7
HP: 17/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
Kisaiya swings at the air, her well placed shot marred by the blurry outline of he yamabushi. Durgan shifts targets and tries his hand at a troglodyte, but cannot quite connect. Mukluk preps some healing. Rory hits the prone trog twice and it crawls no further as it starts to bleed out. He then finished up by hitting the fresh one twice, and Storm trips it!
The trog, sweating with panic - which makes a fine sheen on its scaly skin - tries to end Rory before it dies from the ground. It calls out in a garbled, throaty warble, trying to wake the pair in the next room. But is it enough to do so?
The trog warbles with joy as it hits again though Rory doesn't drop either...
”It’s you and me woman.” the Oni screeches as he swings again.
Amazed that his skill doesn't land a blow (Durgan's boost + Kisaiya's holy aura for the win!) the oni begins to grow angry with himself.
Round 17
”It’s you and me woman.”
"Now that ain't a lick of being true. I'm right here and you're just lucky she's between you and me, and also that Moose isn't here...because we'd give you the whatfor! Not only that, she'll do you in and make you murdert, I'll bet you, I will," Mukluk stays, still having Kisaiya's back and ready with both flame and potion should either be necessary.
[ dice=Trepanator]1d20+1[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=]1d6[/dice] cold iron piercing damage
[ dice=MuleBite]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Divine]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=MuleKicks]1d20+2[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice=Force]1d4[/dice] damage
[ dice=Divine Mule Piss]1d20+3+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d4+1[/dice] divine fire
AC: 12/12/10 + 1 w/shield
Fort/Ref/Will: +2/+3/+7
HP: 17/17
Focus: 0/3
Hero Points: 0/3
Speed: 20'
Luck? 0/1 used
Mule bites: 0/7 used
Durgan calls to Mukluk and Kisaiya, "That bottleneck is working against us. We should fall back."
He attacks the Troglodyte with a heavy overhand swing.
Edit: I realize Durgan never took a Knowledge check for the Oni.
Second edit: Durgan's aura doesn't stack with Kisaiya's Smite AC bonus, as both are Deflection. But, looks like Kisaiya is AC 25 vs the Oni with Smite alone, so she is safe this round!
Durgan takes out the remaining trog freeing up that front.
- - -
”You are not the only one who can heal, oni.” Empowered by the Empress of Heaven’s golden glow, she slashes again at the yamabushi.
She then steps back, hoping to draw him back out from the hallway.
HP: 28/31
AC: 21/12/19 (+4 vs the oni)
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 1/1
Lay on Hands Used: 3/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style, Smite Evil
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Kisaiya taunts the oni as she swings and steps back. Durgan takes out the remaining trog with a heavy blow. Mukluk, the two fisted fury, awaits developments with fire and balm. Rory’s ready goes off, and though he hits every time, naturally he does not trip the flying foe.
Don’t forget the blur Rory.
The yamabushi laughs at Kisaiya, ”You claim power, but require your allies to survive. You are nothing!" He steps up to swing on her further, and is surprised by the success of Rory and Storm. Still, he counts it as luck and focuses on Kisaiya once again.
He is again frustrated by Desna's gaze upon his evil. You wonder about your connection to the shrine in the graveyard, and its power.
Kisaiya holds steadfast. ”And you will die alone, unloved and unmourned. You will resort to every trick and deception and still fail. And then as you close your eyes for the last time, there will be nothing left of you to hold pride in, for you will have gambled it all away for little bit better chance of winning. You will be nothing but a loser.”
She slashes again, then steps back once more.
HP: 28/31
AC: 21/12/19 (+4 vs the oni)
Saves: F5/R3/W5
Hero Points: 2
Smite Evil Used: 1/1
Lay on Hands Used: 3/3
Second Chance
Spells/Effects Active: Shield Gauntlet Style, Smite Evil
[ dice]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6+3[/dice] damage.
Still a bottleneck, but it's not going to be dumb enough to step out into the open. Is it?
Durgan moves up to the corner of the doorway and strikes at the Tengu.
I thought we were trying to get him out of the hallway where we might gang up on him...and it was his idea, Mukluk muses as he watches Durgan get up close and personal.
He shrugs, clearly not understanding advanced tactics or anything beyond the best nights for milking buttersloths for nectar.
He takes total defense, daring the oni to come get some.