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Elric nods grimly as Pava ends the life of the sadistic bastard. "Looks like we found our way down. Let's finish examining these papers quickly, then move below. I suspect we'll find the higher ranking members of this dirty outfit down there"
Elric looks skeptical, but holds his fire fore now. He continues to aim at the doctor's abdomen, though.
Elric raises his bow and draws, carefully aiming his arrow at the doctor's midsection. "You heard him. Surrender and start talking. Otherwise, you and the Queen will meet an end as painful and cruel as those poor bastards dying below us."
I was just about to have Elric put an arrow in the gut of this arrogant SOB as a conversation opener, so we’re very much on the same page here. The “doctor” is about to have a very unpleasant consultation.
Travel safely and have a great time, Elric! You and Kandru are currently up in this fight, I believe. Can someone bot Elric for a couple of turns? Roll20 and his full attack routine is a pain to manage over the phone and the wifi at the hotel is shifty.
We're leaving for a brief vacation to Germany today. I should still be able to play on my phone, but often a bit slow. We're back Friday. Handwaved fights are fine by me
Leaving the very capable bluffwork to Pava and Shrike, Elric falls back and hovers close to the door, glancing around for some way to block it if a fight breaks out.
I'm good with that plan as well. Elric has a healing kit, so no need to use the weapon rag as a bandage.
While Shrike attempts to jam the controls, Elric looks at the (hopefully disabled) elevator. Perhaps he can climb the shaft and gain access to the walkways above? "Lot of innocent and very sick people out there. And we don't want any of them to get caught in the scuffle." He thinks for a moment, then presents an idea. "There's one room we have not checked for the button yet, the one next to this one. Odds are it's either in there on carried by someone in charge. What we need is a distraction, preferably one that won't endanger the patients." Turning to Shane, he continues. "Nothing clears a building faster than fire. Can you use your magic to create the illusion of smoke and roaring flames? Would be great if we had some way to create real smoke too. We'll order everyone to evacuate while we stay behind and fight the "flames". The chaos should give us time and cover to slip into the last room and search for the missing control button."
Elric examines the elevator, the says quietly: ”There is an additional set of controls, but they seem to be missing the button to operate it. I don’t see anything in here that fits, so my best guess is that someone has it on them.”
It just occurred to me: What did we do with the plague doctors and Grey Maidens we ambushed, now that we made such an effort to keep them alive. We can't just leave them in the street, otherwise they will raise the alarm and everyone will be on the lookout for imposters wearing their clothes. I suggest that we tied and gagged them, then piled them all up in a cart and covered them with a tarp to make it look like a corpse cart, then deposited them in an empty building - possibly the toyshop where we fought the vampires or the mansion. we've also missed the chance to interrogate them and get some advance knowledge about the hospice layout and staff, but I think that ship has sailed. I don't think we should retcon too much now that we're already inside.
Looks like we found a way up unto those walkways. Should we try the lift or take a quick look around inhere to see if we find anything interesting. Elric whispers, his voice muffled by the mask.
Moving carefully to keep his weapons and armor concealed, Elric glances upward, taking stock of the archers above. He makes a mental note to take out those enemies first if fighting breaks out. Following Shrike's lead, he walks towards the back room.
Alright. Let go with Elric in a doctors mask and Shane using Disguise Self. Elric has some spare antiplague that can help with the save.
Looks like there is a Grey Maiden armor left for Elric. He can use that and do his best to appear feminine, but the non-proficiency penalties are going to be significant if (or more likely when) we get in a fight. Alternatively, he can try to stealth in or provide sniper cover from the roof or outside. If so, we should have some way to communicate, likemessage. Thoughts?
So, now that we have a selection of Grey Maiden armor and these masks, the plan is to dress up and try to infiltrate the hospice, right. Who wants to wear what?
I'm still here and not going anywhere. Just keeping all of my PbP games at a very low burn at the moment, but don't worry, I'll get back to a faster pace in due time.
Elric joins Shrike in the ambush, feeling no remorse at attacking either group. When the vigilante makes her leaping attack, he follows, letting his enchanted ring carry him slowly to the ground. In position, he uses his lucerne hammer to bash the armored escort.
I say we approach it like we did with the Spider King's floating gambling den: First a bit of time spent on covert observation to learn more about the location, guards, who's coming and going etc. Combo of classic surveillance aided by magic and perhaps Majenko. Based on what we observe, we can discuss the best approach for breaking in.
Level 7 is going to be a bit of a filler level for Elric. Some minor stat bumps and picking up Monstrous Mount Mastery so he can fly on the back of Galewing from next level.
Check if any of the Grey Maidens have been by? If the Queens Physicians are involved, odds are the Maidens are too.
With Kandru and Shrike talking to the unstable elf, Elric does not want to add to the confusion by joining the interogation directly. Instead, he waits for an opening to slip in a quiet remark. See if you can get her talking about what happened here. She did not do this alone and I doubt the victims were randomly chosen.” Keenly aware that there might be more to the massacre than meets the eye, he slips out and joins Audria, not wanting her to be alone with Carowyn.
Your portrayal of Josie is absolutely fantastic, GM :-D I'm getting serious Harley Quinn vibes, which I suspect is not a coincidence.
"Don't be so coy. This just means that we'll leave you in your little stone coffin and try again tomorrow. At some point, you'll start to see the wisdom of cooperating. I suspect the fact that this marble contraption does not have a built-in chamber pot will accelerate that process." Elric says dryly.
"Heh, try and wiggle your way out of that. I'd be careful about insulting the Justicar, though. Right now, she's about the only thing that prevents us from leaving you here to rot." Elric adds, rather pleased to see the insane elf entombed in the marble.
At the sound of combat, Elric rushes towards the cellar. Seeing the elf sprawled on the floor, he relaxes a bit, but still keeps a hand on the haft of his hammer. "Slippery, this one. Another reason why we can't just stick her in a regular jail cell. I guess we'll have to keep her under direct observation until we're done with her." He bends to check her vital signs, to make sure Shrike has not critically wounded her.
I’ve been a bit preoccupied the past few days. I’ll get a post in soon.
This AP has some very interesting moral and ethical dilemmas, especially for LG characters. How does a good person react when the system they are committed to uphold is corrupted from within? And how much proof is needed before they lose faith in the tyrannical ruler. Elric is less worried about upholding the law, but he’s not motivated by a desire for revenge. He just wants Korvosa as safe as possible. If that can be accomplished without killing, that’s his preference, but he’s more that willing to kill threats that can’t be neutralized by other means.
So, by now we have Audria snarling at a Justicar, and Elric and Shrike playing Bad Cop/Worse Cop. Yup, this is good stuff.
"No...I wouldn't. But when dealing with a prisoner you need to interrogate, it's best to keep them on edge." Elric says softly to Audria. Back with the others, he addresses Kandru's objections. "I would prefer to do things by the book as well, Kandru. But the problem is that we can't trust the proper authorities to do the right thing at the moment. First, the Guard and Sable Company are stretched beyond their breaking point. I've seen it, and I think you have too. Second, there is a risk that there is corruption within the ranks. The guard was specifically instructed to ignore this site, despite strong indications of a crime." He turns to face the rest of the group. "I won't contribute to outright torture, but I agree that some measure of intimidation may be needed to get her to talk. Perhaps making her think that we really would lock her up and throw away the key. Or convince her that Rolth has given her up. She reacted when Shrike mentioned him. "
Elric hesitates as he considers the objections. He sighs and hoists the elf to a standing position. ”I see your point. There’s a reason we’re here and not a guard patrol. We can put her in the cellar strongroom where we found Carowyn. That should do for now, while we figure out how to proceed.” Unless anyone objects, Elric leads the prisoner to the cellar. Once there, he ensures that she is both bound, gagged and blindfolded. Then he enlists the aid of the rest of the group to clear the room of anything that can be used as a weapon or tool to escape. After making sure the door can’t be locked from the inside, he leaves the captive with a bit of advice. ”If I were you, I’d do some hard thinking about what you can say to keep our masked friend from killing you outright. Personally, I’m tempted to just pile all those dead in here with you and leave. Then you can see what gets you first - starvation or the Blood Veil.” Back with the rest of the group and out of earshot, he asks Alright. What do we do now?”
Very valid points, Shrike. They should be brought up IC. I imagine the vigilante, the justicar, the paladin and the marine are going to have a lot of different opinions regarding the treatment, questioning and disposal of prisoners. I suspect some tense roleplay incoming. For my part, Elric won’t need a lot of persuasion to side with Shrike on this. Some, but not a lot.
"We need to take her somewhere secure. Let's bring her back to the Citadel, report this massacre to Kroft and request the use of a secluded cell. She has valuable information that might help us find Ruan, but I doubt she'll tell us anything willingly. Kandru and Shane, do you have any magic that might compel her to talk to use - and tell the truth?" Elric says. He helps Shrike check the elf's bindings, then hoists her across Galewing's back and ties her to the saddle.
Satisfied that the cellar contains no threats, Elric quietly slips back up the stairs to join Galewing in guarding their prisoner.
"He does. He's smarter than an average hippogriff and well trained. He'll make sure she stays put."
Moving outside, he takes out his signal whistle and plays a sharp note. Within seconds, the massive hippogriff descends from its patrol orbit and lands, giving Elric an inquisitive look. He motions for Shrike to place "Josie" on the ground. "Galewing, I need you to guard this prisoner. Keep her here and alive. If she moves or anyone else comes, sound off as loud as you can, and we'll come running. Do you understand - alive and well guarded?" Galewing stands silently for a moment as if processing the instructions Elric has just given. The he inclines his beaked head and raises a massive claw, laying it down carefully over the motionless elf. A single talon rests on her chest while the rest dig into the soil, effectively pinning her down. "Satisfied?" Elric asks Shrike before moving back inside.
"I'm alright. The bolt struck a vulnerable point where my armor was weak, a shot I'd have difficulty to master myself. This elf is as dangerous as she is deranged. We've done Korvosa a service to bring her down." he says before picking up his bow to assist in clearing out the remaining zombies. As Shrike begins to carry the unconscious prisoner towards the basement, Elric suggest an alternative. "We should certainly check the cellars, but carrying a captive could hinder us if we run into more hostile surprises. If you bring her outside instead, I'll call Galewing down to guard her. First sign of trouble, he'll raise an alarm and if she tries to flee, it won't go well for her."
His head cleared, Elric moves up and helps Audria administer first aid.
”Mighty and merciful. Shelyn chooses her champions well,” he says with a smile, laying his hand on hers as he applies pressure until she can bandage the bleeding wound. Unfortunately, even their combined efforts is not enough to staunch the flow of blood. ”We need a bit more help here. We want her to live to answer questions and face justice.”
GM, if you wouldn't mind sending me your email via PM, I can just email my profile to you. Same, or drop it via Discord
A searing beam of white fire shoots from the wand, striking Shane fully in the chest.
Relief flows through Elric as the positive energy knits most of his wounds. The crossbow bolt drops to the floor with a clatter as it is pushed out by his healing flesh. With a wet cough, he clears his throat, wiping away a bit of bright pink foam from his mouth. That was in my lung. If Kandru hadn't healed me, I could have bled out in minutes. Better be more careful. he thinks to himself as he nocks another balm-coated arrow. "Thank you, Justicar. Remind me to make a suitable donation to the coffers of your temple when this is over." His senses and balance still affected, he shuffles forward and scans the room for threats, just in time to see Pava, Audria and Shrike dispatch the agile elf in a awe-inspiring display of acrobatics and martial skill.
"Nice work. Stay alert, we have not yet dispatched all the zombies that Audria detected. Doubt this one will give us any more trouble. Might need a bandage to keep her from bleeding out. That was a very impressive slash, Audria."
"Ugh...I'm hit...Bad...Should have take your advice, Kandru....I'm...that was no ordinary bolt." Elric mutters, as he stumbles backwards, obviously injured and in distress. In a daze, he examines the bolt sticking out of his armor, just below the armpit. The shot slipped under his raised bow arm, and he can feel the shaft vibrate in time with his heartbeat. This is indeed bad. He barely registers Shrike's outburst as the masked vigilante springs forward. "Friend of yours, Shrike?" he mutters, as he tries to stop the room from spinning.
As soon as he spots the zombies, Elric unleashes another flurry of arrows. Each shot finds its mark with deadly accuracy, slamming into the head of the undead dancers. While the arrows themselves inflict less damage than they would have against living targets, the holy balm coating their tips sizzle and issue a sickly odor of incense and embalming fluids as it burns the necrotic flesh.
Elric moves as well, staying in a position to cover whomever opens a door.
"Ready to move. The holy balm on my arrows won't last long." Elric says softly and takes position to cover the northern doors.
What I love about this build is that he can be both a full-auto squad assault weapon or a sniper rifle, depending on what the tactical situation calls for. And in a couple of levels, when he can fly on Galewing, he’ll basically be a Spectre Gunship or an A10. Air support goes BRRRRRRRT :-)
Ready and with a clear line of fire, Elric sends the first volley of arrows towards the two undead before the door has swung fully open.
”Point taken, Justicar. I’ll keep an eye out for ranged attackers.” Elric nods, seeing the wisdom of Kandru’s insights.
"Stay alert and keep moving! From what Audria sensed, there are plenty more of those in here - plus possibly whomever animated them. Secure the site first, investigate later." Elric says as he enters after the rest of the team, arrow drawn and ready. He briefly scans the room, then takes position to cover Audria as she prepares to enter the next door.
Just before Shrike opens the door, Elric coats 10 arrows in holy weapon balm. |
