With one final look towards the hills, I start off in the other direction, moving quickly but not running.
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The paths into the foothills could be made by Vendis or they could be made by the orcs that teamed up with his men ().
I follow Cog's direction and walk to the exit. I peer out into the gloom, looking closely just outside of the open doorway to see if I can figure out which way Vendis might have gone.
I turn and look at Cog, shaking my head and shrugging. He obviously wanted a few moments to cover his tracks and he got them.
Someone will need to stop me if they don't want the door unlocked. I am not about to let some fancy lock keep us from finding that filthy rat. I pull the tools from my pack, try to memorize Cog's directions and get to work... Thievery Check
I wait for Cog to gather everything into his pack and the general pause in the group as everyone finishes their tasks. As soon as it seems like everyone is ready, I would head up the stairs...moving quickly.
With one arm pressed against my side, I push over the slumped corpse of the orc and look closely at Rive and then Aurr, awkwardly patting each one on the arm before moving off behind one of the broken pillars to attend to my wounds. I would poke around the corpse(s) by the stairs looking for anything useful and then do a careful search of the stairs to determine whether or not I think someone went that way.
Status/Used: HP: 24/24, Surges: 6/8, AP: 0/1
I shift quietly closer to the Orc, knowing that another well-placed slice could be the difference for the team. I say nothing. My lack of expression never changes, but there is a determination in my movements as I ready...and then a lot of things happen all at once. I watch for the previous opening I made in his armor and this time when I gesture it is at my blade. As it sinks into his side, the shadow haze sucks into the wound turning the spilled blood into a black ooze. If he is still standing it will not be for long. Shroud, Shadow Storm, Dark Reaping and Shroud dissolution
I make several gestures at Atreos (pointing down the hall) and then turn my attention back to the enemy. I growl at the sight of Rive crumpled and bleeding. I darken and reappear on the other side of the Orc, trying to use Cog's distraction to my advantage. It works. With swift movements I am able to slice into the Orc's side before he can defend. Shadow Step to D4 and Shadow Storm on the Orc
I look directly at the thug near the stairs and tighten my open fist...the shadows grow darker. (Shroud) Atreos: By now you've probably picked up some of my signals and can guess that I am asking if T and K are close. I cannot even stabalize Rive.
I smile wickedly at the Orc (which probably looks worse coming from me), looking pointedly at some of the holes I made in its armor. I signal to Cog and Rive before disappearing and popping up behind the Goblin. (E6) Shadow Storm on the Goblin
I flick my blade at the Thug in front of Rive, little droplets of goblin blood arcing through the air as the shadows darken around him. Status/Used: HP: 24/24, Surges: 8/8, AP: 0/1
I look quickly between Rive and Cog before making eye contact with the Thug near the stairwell. With a gesture, shadows begin pooling at his feet and creeping up his legs (assassin's shroud on T2). You are next. Shadow Storm on Orc2
The Orc's mighty swing almost catches me at a bad moment but I drop my attack in time to dodge the blow and we circle each other again.
I nod at Cog as he moves on the Goblin and take the opportunity to close on Orc2. (Shadow Step to A4) As I rise from my crouch, I begin whispering and it is when the Orc turns to look at me that I push both my blade and the deepening shadows between his ribs.
Status/Used: HP: 24/24, Surges: 8/8, AP: 1/1
I assess the situation quickly, intensifying the shadows crawling over O2 before growing dark and vanishing. I reappear next to Goblin2 (E6) and make a stab for his kidneys. Assassin's Shroud on O2 (now 3), ShadowStep to E6 Shadow Storm on G2
Status/Used: HP: 24/24, Surges: 8/8, AP: 1/1
I stare back at the goblins with my fiery-pupiled, bottomless black eyes before signaling to Atreos and then stepping behind him (5H). The darkness intensifies around Orc2 as I crouch low and try to slice my khopesh through Orc1's groin. Assassin's Shroud O2 and Shadow Storm on O1
He shifts and my blade glances off of his axe. I meet his raging bloodlust with a hollow calm, settling into a guarded stance until my next opening.
I move quickly, vanishing from behind Aurr and Cog and reappear next to one of the traitors. (Shadow Step to G4)
Shadowstorm on T1
I wrench my khopesh from his gut and raise my eyes over his shoulder, watching the Orc across the room. Shadows from the rubble crawl up the Orc's feet and legs. Assassin's Shroud on O2 Perception Check
Status/Used: HP: 24/24, Surges: 8/8, AP: 1/1
Initiative
I study the door over the group's shoulders and slip in while they are all discussing it quietly. I take the lockpicks and try a few things before shrugging and turning back to the group.
It must be magically protected. Did anyone check? I turn and walk back to the door...pressing my ear and listening for continuing noise or an obvious silence.
I would appreciate your input. Would you point out again the place where the hitch was? I will see if I can wedge it better this time.
My thanks, Cog. We've got this one safely disabled. Atreos, do you see anything else to avoid or can we keep moving?
Stealth Perception
I finish packing my gear, tell Kartus that we're off and head out the east doors.
DM:
Kartus said that we should bring back Martush's journal...that is the book we found earlier and not the artifer book right? At Kartus' direction I leave the door and return to our camp to put my remaining things into my pack. As I adjust my pack, I look at my new leathers and mumble to myself. It will be nice to get these properly fitted. I feel like I am wearing my brother's hand-me-downs. For a moment I pause and blink a few times but then like a shrug, I finish packing and sling the pack onto my shoulders. Shall we go? Payment awaits.
Hmph. I know this work. Pointing to the injury on the dead man. Any one of my Thuranni brethren could have done work this neat. This was no argument gone wrong. This man was a danger to Vendis' group. They are hiding something. I flop the corpse back onto his face. We are not being paid to care about this man. Nor would it help him. Two questions for us...do we care that the book and the other men are gone? And if we do...is it more likely that they returned down their original path or went back through ours?
I take a bit of a closer look at the dead guy. How was he made dead? Does he look like one of the boss' men or just another merc? Aurr, did you get a good look at that artificing book? Was there anything in it that looked...especially valuable? Worth killing a friendly for? It seems that some of the mercs wanted a jump start on the rest of us, which I can understand, but I wouldn't normally belly-up a friendly without good reason.
I walk over to the area where Vendis' group used to be. Does it look like they left with a fight or unexpectedly or is all of their stuff absent? Regardless, I then go to the last sleeping man of Vendis' group and give him a swift kick (enough to wake him up, not break his bones). Up, Leg.
I am going to check out the big double doors first. Closed does not mean locked. If someone opened all the doors to make us wonder which way they went, it seems like they would just as easily try to distract us from the right doors with a bunch of wrong ones. So, I try the doors. Any luck?
GROUP LOOT
Scrolls
Rituals
Further Descriptions: Ring: The ring is clearly a signet ring of House Cannith (you easily make out the metal gorgon's head). Generally worn by someone of importance. But the design and styling is odd/off... You would guess that this particular design is several hundred years old (not used anymore), but the ring itself doesn't appear to be that old (based on the wear and tear of the the object, you'd guess it no more than a few decades at most) -- (PS. it is non-magical and could be sold for some coin if you wish.) Papers: The papers are pages from someone's ritual book (you can tell from the quality of the paper and ink). It appears that the book also had some journal entries (which means they must be important if the author would waste space in a valuable ritual book). The journal entries will take some time to decipher -- they're in some shorthand and sloppy penmanship (during your next extended rest, you'll be able to make an intelligence check).
Before we crash for a bit I wander the groups, spending a little time near the leaders and seeing what they think about what happened here. (The casting and the strange names.) It means nothing to me but that doesn't mean much considering what I remember from my past. It feels important. Although I can lie and misdirect when needed, I will go about this in a much more up front kind of way...like a strike team getting a sit rep.
Diplomacy for the leaders who need a little ego stroking
Figuring that most of my group is already sleeping, I will choose someplace with my back to a wall and grab some z's.
This is my suggestion for assigning gear and if everyone agrees we can divvy and get back to the game: Aurr -
Cog -
Rive -
I already took +1 Leather and will snag the +1 Ki Focus. Anyone can take the sandals (I will take it if noone wants them - they save you when falling) and I think that only Cog and Aurr use rituals so you should decide who gets the scrolls, residuum and schema as well as reading the rules above about using the books. If you all agree, "take" your items and I will condence the party list down to something more manageable. I can also stack all of the ritual stuff to be divided later if you'd like.
Been a long time, just wanted to make sure everything was okay with everyone. Would be great to game again. Cog! You are right. We must get the band back together. I will send out an email to bring everyone back online (hopefully).
We do look like we've seen the underside of a boot, but we're still here which says much about the other fella, kels? They were shiny at the start, but they're no worse for it and the legs are starting to move like a Talenta centipede. Glad we stepped in when we did as well. What's a little more blood, kels? We've got some things to clean up about a length and a half back where we came but I will be glad to burn and zee here while the skirts check out the door.
Cog, good idea.
I already took leather from the first fight so I am set.
Current Group Loot - only sharing within our little band
Several partial rituals, we can try to study them for fun, or if we had a full library at our disposal we may be able to reproduce them... they're worth keeping for a future time. Ring:
The ring is clearly a signet ring of House Cannith (we easily make out the metal gorgon's head). Generally worn by someone of importance. But the design and styling is odd/off... You would guess that this particular design is several hundred years old (not used anymore), but the ring itself doesn't appear to be that old (based on the wear and tear of the the object, you'd guess it no more than a few decades at most) -- (PS. it is non-magical and could be sold for some coin if we wish.) Papers: The papers are pages from someone's ritual book (you can tell from the quality of the paper and ink). It appears that the book also had some journal entries (which means they must be important if the author would waste space in a valuable ritual book). The journal entries will take some time to decipher -- they're in some shorthand and sloppy penmanship (during your next extended rest, you'll be able to make an intelligence check).
Streetwise Name Check Those are weird names. Perception Checks
Training would take over. After assessing that I am not currently bleeding out, I would take the time to walk the room looking for any sign of movement in the enemy (emptying their pockets, etc) and closing all open doors (except the one we entered) until we can assess what we have.
It isn't clear clear how much of the blood dripping down my khopesh is mine or the artifcer's. I bare my teeth, spit blood on the floor and advance. Do you think that will stop me, Toy-maker? Shift to B3, Assassin's shroud & Shadowstorm (invoke) on A1
Status/Used: HP: 3/24, Surges: 0/8, AP: 0/1
Damage
Withstanding the latest blast and seeing that others are also still standing leaves me with a renewed sense of vigor and I turn from the Warrior to face the Artificer. I have already been made to bow to the Keeper and yet here I am. Perhaps he sent me back to find you. Assassin's Shroud on A1, Shadow Step to C3 and Shadow Storm on A1
I try to ignore the gristled enemy over my shoulder and focus on the wounded foe in front of me.
The hovering warrior's shadow moves and I flinch just enough to miss my intended target. I curse under my breath and send an apologetic look at Thorren. I motion at the artificer near the corner (A1), darkening the shadows further and settle in for whatever the enemy brings.
Status/Used: HP: 13/24 +7Temp, Surges: 0/8, AP: 0/1
With grim determination I close my eyes, whisper something to my blade and vanish...reappearing on the other side of Thorren. With a mindful eye to my back, I motion at Artificer I briefly before focusing on Warrior 2. Shadow Step to E4, Assassin's Shroud on A1, Shadow Storm on W4
I take one more look at the Leg near my feet before moving.
I can clearly see the Head Artificer at the top of the steps and know I cannot get to him yet....but I want him to know that we're coming. I call shadows from the stairs, pulling them up his feet, crawling up his legs as I step neatly behind the pillar and attack Warrior 2.
I signal to Ally B.
DM: Not sure if he would get it but trying to tell him that we're coming and they need to start moving up the dias.
Free Heal Check on Ally I I sense the tension being exuded by Vendis and something about it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I try to convey a sense of understanding. bluff check I look at Rive and shake my head decisively before glancing back at Vendis. I try to refocus, settling on the skirmisher in front of me and striking quickly. Assassin's Shroud, expend and Shadow Storm on Skirmisher 3
I make eye contact with Rive and Vendis briefly before making several hand gestures that involve the skirmisher I have wounded and the larger group. I pause, flick my fingers and the shadows settle over skirmisher3. I watch skirmisher 1's eyes and lunge. Assassin's Shroud on 3 and Shadow Storm on 1
The rush of air continues as I appear to continue through her and reappear in H4.
Status/Used: HP: 13/24 +7Temp, Surges: 0/8, AP: 0/1
I darken the shadows over the skirmisher before spinning and arcing towards her ribs with my khopesh.
Status/Used: HP: 13/24 +7Temp, Surges: 0/8, AP: 0/1
With the thud of the shot, I turn and look at the Skirmisher to my left, pointing and smiling as the shadow stretches over (her?) limbs. And then I am upon her, pushing off the pillar to jab at her unprotected side, more to scare her than to do any damage. Wanted me to stay put, did you? Assassin's Shroud S1, Shadow Step to K5, Leaping Shade on S1
I look distractedly at Vendis but try to stay focused. I shake my head and keep moving. I call shadows from floor up the body of Warrior 3 as I run quickly behind the pillar and into the pack of ally in the middle of the room (K8). I do a quick assessment of the Leg on the floor before attempting to finish off the Warrior. Free Heal Check
Assassin's Shroud, expel and Shadow Storm on warrior 3
I look over my right shoulder at Vendis again, frustrated at my own distraction. |