Caius undelays! He grasps the sap and closes with Verilich, aiming a (not) crippling blow for his spikey head. "Enough with this juvenile jostling for dominance. I would think a dragon kin above such human petulance - but then again, hording treasure is in your nature... You must acquire better taste in treasure, winged one!"
x2, B
That attack will miss.
Before Verilich goes, let's pause and make sure Ghaernan didn't have more to do with his remaining Standard action.
Ghaernan is highly troubled at the turn of events, and the perceived need to resort to violence, but reflecting upon how monstrous Natalya had become, he reluctantly understands...
"Be as easy with Verilich as possible, friends; we know that the version of Natalya who allied with goblins and attacked us was not in her own mind...so it seems with him..."
From his stabilized position just within the dilapidated door frame, Ghaernan reaches two fingers into his spell component pouch, withdrawing them with a sheen upon them that he runs along his thumb before reaching out with the hand amidst a flurry of arcane whispers and almost dance-like gestures...
Grease, DC 15 Reflex Save in the affected area to avoid falling prone, wings or not, and if successful still a subsequent DC 10 Acrobatics check to be able to move within the Grease, to include trying to take off in flight.
” What is this mutinous behavior? Are Pathfinder agents rewarded for turning on one another? Or perhaps you have succumbed to some sort of mental issue. Gundar and Khalid prepare yourselves. We need to restrain these members and take them to the authorities.”
Verilich uses the withdrawal action and flies up into the rafters then flies a double move through the rafters back to the entrance.
I do not like this situation. How can I strike an ally? How can I let him escape into probably bigger harm? Oh Verilich, I hope you forgive me!
Khalid sighs and says, "Verilich, sorry, this will hurt. Our friends think you are influenced by dark magic like that sad woman you rescued. I will make it up to you!". He tries to slow Verilich down with a soft non-lethal blow from his horsechopper before he can escape.
That may be for the best.
Initiative
Ghaernan
Caius
Verilich
Khalid
Gundar <== Rnd 1
Do I need to make a climb check? Can I use Caius's rope?
Gundar is also confused by the turn of events. What in the name of Torag's hairy arse is going on here?
Khalid will move gingerly along the ledge.
But not gingerly enough. He will then slog through the muck and grab the rope Caius left behind.
Initiative
Ghaernan <== Rnd 1
Caius
Verilich
Khalid
Gundar
Ghaernan carefully reflects upon the tumultuous chaos of the last moments, realizing that further pursuit of Verilich at this point will entail only lethal options, and elects to attempt reasoning with all parties...
"Companions, let's collectively assess the circumstances - Verilich, you as well, if you can still be reasoned with at this point. Based upon the overwhelming power and nature of the horacalcum arrowhead our chaotic wyvaran picked up, it appears he's under its corrupting influence in precisely the same manner as Natalya, which clearly entails aspects of both false pride and illusion. Gundar, you should be able to confirm the nature of the magics, at least, if Torag happens to have granted you detect magic capabilities."
"The actual 'leader' of this endeavor is Venture Captain Heidmarch, Verilich, not any of us. Whatever your sudden obsession with leadership, I'm not sure how you had settled upon me - aside from my admitted talents in relating well to many people, I'm not certain you had actually done anything quite as I'd requested even before impulsively grasping the arrowhead - again, against my suggestion. This 'group' actually exists to deliver the arrowhead and Natalya, if possible, back to the Venture Captain - not the "authorities" you referenced, who were not seeking her for any reward."
"So...if you're - not - in fact under the arrowhead's corruption as you just witnessed it in Natalya, you should be quite pleased to 'lead' us all back to Venture Captain Heidmarch and hand her the arrowhead itself, as we were commissioned. Otherwise, I'd think that we would be the ones returning to her without you, explaining that you're on your way to becoming as monstrous as poor Natalya had become. You might similarly gather a ragtag mob of followers as she did, perhaps of kobolds and lizards this time, but I fear it would be the Pathfinders themselves you would next face, as well as any others looking for the arrowhead who are aware of its power."
"Thoughts? I hope that lays out the matter at-hand. We can all head that direction, if you'd like to keep your distance from us, understanding that we'd prefer to peacefully subdue you, rather than escalate to actual, damaging conflict - which I'm not sure that either Caius nor Khalid are up to, at the moment."
The Bard smiles at them both with his last jest, in an effort to mitigate the tension, and then moves to check on Natalya's battered condition...
Natalya's condition is pretty good actually. At least compared to what it had been. She benefited from the heals put out by Gundar.
Initiative
Ghaernan
Caius <== Rnd 1
Verilich
Khalid
Gundar
Caius will move over the sword he dropped on the ground and ready to strike Verilich with the sap should he venture close enough, keeping him in view through the door.
Verilich is up.
Initiative
Ghaernan
Caius
Verilich <== Rnd 1
Khalid
Gundar
"Why do you assume that I am the one under some sort of mental spell when it is in fact you three who attacked me unprovoked? I was not behaving as some murderous thug needing to be put down. Perhaps you all have lost your faculties and now regard friend as foe? hmmmmmm. But you do have one good point and that is your precious Venture Captain Heidmarch should be made aware of your transgressions on this day, and I shall see that she does."
Verilich flies down out of the rafters and through the front door out into the night.
The imbecile's idea of a clan of kobolds following me had crossed my mind. Ahhhh...perhaps after these missions are completed.
Ok, we can drop out of initiative now, unless the 4 of you are going to smoke one another?
Once assured that Natalya is at least stable, Ghaernan will leave her secured for the moment within the Grease spell area of effect. He sighs and shakes his head with Verilich's departure, then turns to his remaining companions...
"Well...that turned out differently than hoped. Still, I'm heartened that he did seize upon a return to Venture Captain Heidmarch, whom will hopefully connect his state of mind with the horacalcum arrowhead, and prove capable of acting effectively where we collectively could not. Shall we thoroughly search this dilapidated hideout, and then attempt to learn from Natalya herself what happened to her? That could in-turn help us to understand what's happening to Verilich's mind..."
"You also have my word, friends; Prestidigitation Spells focused upon a thorough cleaning for all, once we're clear of this foul place..."
Ghaernan turns with deliberate intent to a thorough search of the spaces...
Take 20 Perception = DC24
With a nod and grimace, Caius continues his search of the environs and will search Natalya as well. He also collects the "mithral" blade and tucks it in his belt.
Natalya is currently at negative HPs, and has some NL damage also, but she is stable and breathing. She is also trussed up.
Natalya had the following: scrolls (2), wand (1), smokestick, tanglefoot bag, glowing masterwork mithral short sword, boots (picture), climbers’ kit, secondstory harness (picture), masterwork thieves’ tools, 55 gp
Some of those are the things you tried identifying earlier Ghaernan.
Crossbow goblins (x2): leather armor, light wooden shield, short sword, Medium Heavy Crossbow with 10 arrows
I already gave you the loot from the other crossbow goblins, and the mud slinging goblins. Although, the loot sheet records that Verilich is carrying that stuff!
The sewer goblin lair (out through the cess pool in the first room you came into): Stuffed in a dried and half-eaten dire rat carcass are 13 cp and a small topaz worth 15 gp.
Ghaernan puts on the magical boots he successfully identified, and takes the masterwork thieves' tools, smokestick, tanglefoot bag, and second-story harness, unless others have interests in them.
"Interesting; this gear speaks much to my own professional skills, beyond my aspirations in mastering the Word and the Way. Other than a Scroll of Shield, I can't presently make effective sense of the other magics here, beyond their auras. If Natalya is unconscious and secured, I suggest we further roll her up, perhaps in my cloak, to avoid certain inevitable inquiries in carrying her back to Heidmarch Manor for safe questioning, and hopefully an understanding of what's happening to Verilich's mind. From a tactical perspective, I'd also take and arm those heavy crossbows, friends, to have something immediately at-hand that's threatening at range."
The Bard gestures to his own two light crossbows, one in-hand and one hanging point-down from his weapons harness, in reference...
"No qualms here." I noted those items in his possession on the loot sheet.
"I will carry the Lady. Should we burn this building down so people will notice the standing sewage and do something about it? Seems like a health hazard to me."
You can identify its school with K(Arcana), and its abilities with Spellcraft. Ghaernan has determined its school already, I'm unsure if he shared that info.
Caius will arm a crossbow and sling it while carrying his greatsword. "Ready to move out!"
Emerging from the dim confines of Natalya's hideout, Caius, Ghaernan, Khalid, and Gundar step into the cool air, the weight of their recent battle, and subsequent betrayal by Verilich, hanging heavily around them. Khalid cradles Natalya, her unconscious form draped over his shoulder, while the others scan their surroundings.
As they approach the shed where they had left the two Varisian thugs tied up, a sense of unease settles in. With a shared glance, they open the door, revealing a grim sight: both thugs lie motionless on the ground, their throats slit, pooling blood darkening the floor. The stench of death fills the air, and the reality of their situation deepens—a stark reminder that danger lurks around every corner.
Khalid scans the bodies. "Doesn't look like Verlich did this. Poor thugs deserved better."
"I find tracks of four humanoids here," Caius remarks placidly, seeming unperturbed by the discovery.
Can I determine where these four entered and to whence they departed? Seems strange that they could have emerged from the building we just vacated without us noticing...
They didn't come out of where you were. They had come from the shed.
Caius will take 20 searching the shed
Just the evidence one might expect of a couple guys pulling guard duty there, the fight with you, and now their having been finished off.
Confounded at the realization he missed out on killing four more goblins, he consoles himself that phantoms are easy to miss.
Ghaernan concurs with Khalid’s suggestion on the marching order, and initiates both Prestidigitation and Message spells with all three of his present companions for cleaning and comms, respectively…
Gundar bends over the bodies and notices the blood congealing. Bah! They been dead fer no more than 30 minutes! They might be close by.
Caius, Ghaernan, Khalid, and Gundar weave through the bustling streets of Magnimar, the weight of their recent encounter still fresh in their minds. Khalid carries the unconscious Natalya, his expression set with determination as they navigate the throng.
Suddenly, a palpable change ripples through the crowd—a collective sense of unease settles in, and the jostling figures begin to thin, parting as if sensing violence on the horizon. From the crowd, four figures emerge, their intentions clear.
Three are Varisian thugs, brandishing morningstars that glint menacingly in the light. The fourth is a woman, her demeanor poised and dangerous. A hand crossbow is aimed directly at the group, while a whip coils in her off hand, and a sword rests at her hip. The tension in the air thickens, and the once-bustling street now feels like a powder keg, ready to ignite.
"Get 'em boys," you hear.
Stealth
Perception
Initiative
Initiative:
Caius <== Up
Khalid <== Up
Terisha
Thug (Orange)
Thug (Green)
Ghaernan
Thug (Purple)
Gundar
Caius will take a 10 foot step forward and behead the thug on his left (orange).
19-20/x2, S
Caius advances with determination, his eyes fixed on the thug wearing the orange brocaded shirt. He swings his great sword with all his might, aiming to deliver a decisive blow. However, Caius's swing misses wildly. The blade slices through the air, narrowly avoiding contact and leaving Caius momentarily off balance as he recovers from the miscalculated strike. The tension in the air thickens, and the confrontation escalates.
Khalid will take a 5' step, lower his burden gently to the ground, and strike purple.
Khalid's attack against the man in the purple boots goes wide.
The tall female assailant narrows her eyes as she takes aim at Natalya's unconscious body, her hand crossbow steady in her grip. With a quick pull of the trigger, she fires a bolt, but it sails wide, clattering harmlessly against the wall. Undeterred, she shifts to her left to reload the weapon, her focus unwavering.
Meanwhile, the thug in the orange brocaded shirt retaliates against Caius, swinging his morningstar with brutal intent. The weapon connects with a satisfying thud, striking Caius and sending a jolt of pain through him. Not to be outdone, the thug wearing a green hat follows suit, swinging his morningstar at Caius as well, but this time his aim falters, and he misses completely. He moves closer to his companion.
Miss
Initiative:
Caius (injured)
Khalid
Terisha
Thug (Orange)
Thug (Green)
Ghaernan <== Up
Thug (Purple)
Gundar