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?