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"Ok. Ye take cover 'ere," I motion Akallabeth and Aerianna into the shadow of the stairs. Rom and I walk towards the gatepost. He is in front with his hands behind his back. I am a pace behind with my hand on my sword. Once within about 20 feet, I hail the guards. "Ho there, good man! I 'ave 'ere a prisoner who I took in a plot ta murder the Kag..." In a flash, my sword is in Rom's hand and I am on the ground pretending to nurse a broken nose. "Don't jus' stand 'ere! After 'im!"
"Akallabeth, ye an' Aerianna hide behind th' stairs 'ere. Rom and me approach. I will pretend ta be some Authority figure who 'as captured Rom. Rom escapes an' runs back 'ere. I yell at 'em ta chase. They chase. Once they back 'ere, ye an' Aerianna take 'em out. If any come back at me - well, I was aimin' for Rom, as they say." I pat my bow and quiver as I conclude.
I report these fact to the others and offer the following: "Arienna an' me could take these 'ere. But that leaves us no way in. I doubt they can open th' gate from outside, anyway. What we need ta do is take out th' guards an' act in their places 'til the shift change. Then we make our way inside an' none are th' wiser. Though we 'ave ta draw th' guards away from the gate ta take 'em; else," I motion to windows overlooking the court, "th' ruse is up 'fore it's begun. There bein' more o' us than them - we 'ave some of us go in as prisoners, p'rhaps."
I lead the group up to the guardpost that looks like a little castle. Staying some distance away, we scope the place out.
"Indeed, these arrows shall not taste meat in me quiver. Let us ascend th' tower and begin th' work of this prophecy."
"I don't know who it be. But she 'as Lucienne's body. Are ye fit ta travel? If not, I think ye can stay 'ere." After waiting for most of the procession to disappear from sight, I follow, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. I figure with the amount of noise they are making it should not be hard to keep tabs on them from a distance.
Watching from the backroom.
"No, they are not. Lucienne be dead. Akalabeth and Aerianna be restin'. Maddock, I don't know. I think he be dead, too. We be back in the bar. Yon barman has given us some curative that has revieved ye and th' others. But for what purpose, I know not." Hearing the trumpets, I move away from the injured and stand in the middle of the room, facing the door.
I eye the barman suspiciously, but it seems I have no choice. I give a potion each to Akallabeth and Aerianna. 2 clws (1d8 1=2, 1d8 1=4) As gently as possible, I drag them both into the tavern. Then, after catching my breath, I carry in Lucienne's remains and (with tremendous effort, no doubt) haul whatever is left of Maddock into the bar as well. Once I have everyone as comfortable as possible, I take the liberty of a little inventory. If I find any more healing potions, I administer them to try to revive someone.
I survey the ruin that has become my former companions. The girl appears dead. Likely "Rags" is on his way out, too. I am badly wounded, but thanks to my unnatural state, still alive. I drink both my healing potions.
Then I make my way to Romulus and see if I can staunch his bleeding or at least ease his suffering. His condition in check, I rifle his belongings looking for his healing potions. Once I find them, I adminster them. "Sorry, Rom, but ye ain't dead yet! Let's see 'bout th' others!"
As the others converse with the Dandy, I circle him idly.
As the others talk to the Dandy, I make my way around the battlefield collecting shot arrows from the corpses of the less fortunate. Making my way back to the group, I stop short and eye the Dandy appraisingly. "It seems ye 'ave something of mine an' I'd like it back," I say while absently spinning an arrow on my fingertip before sliding it into my quiver. "This may sting a little." I move to yank the arrows out of his gut causing a look of panic to cross his face as he tries to edge away, a thin stream of blood marking his path on the ground. "Well if ye wants ta keep 'em, I can let ye 'ave 'em for a price, I suppose. What say ye answer our questions an' be quick about it."
The Dandy surges forward at Kegi, striking out like a snake at not kegi but his footing, ( Make an attack against dc 17 or be prone ) The Dandy swings at my legs as I leap back to keep some separation beteen us. Try to remain standing (DC 17) (1d20+10=17)OK! "Nice of ye ta come out an' play with us, pretty boy. I shoulda shot you earlier, but it makes no matter ta me."
As the rabble closes in around me, I look one way, then the other, keeping my eyes on the two thugs. As they close, they score a lucky hit on my outstretched arm. Nevertheless, I draw them in, waiting until they think they have me surrounded. Then suddenly, I let loose, shifting and rolling away in one fluid motion Springing to my feet, I fire a pair of arrows, one at each thug. Kegi arrow attack
[i]Now it comes time to finish what we started...[i] I look around feigning casual disinterest as I unsling my bow and ready an arrow. I look as though I could care less about the fat man's threats or the thugs set to bear down on us. Then as the order to attack is given, I quickly roll to the side and let fly with a pair of arrows targeting the nearest opponent. Kegi, two attacks w/ rapid shot (1d20+10=12, 1d6+2=5, 1d20+10=23, 1d6+2=4, 1d6=4)
While the others are occupied with the boy, I browse the shelves for anything of interest pertaining to this Castle Stratos (history, geography, etc.)
"Ain't got no quarrel wit' ye either, boy. Hell, I don't e'en know how to use this.", I say through a toothy grin while grinding my palm on the pommel of my sword in a circular motion. I edge away from the counter and busy myself looking a the books or the chair or anything else.
I push the paper back at the Magic Item Inspector with disdain. More fat bellied big-mouthed bureaucrats. Bah. Get this eyesore outta my face and get outta here. "We be havin' no need o' that on account o' our bein' visitors to yer realm. Now just be directin' us out o' this 'ere Castle and we be on our way - peaceful like." If he doesn't like that, I put my hand on my sword and say, "Ain't magic, but it'll slice ye right up jus' th' same."
"Let's try the Inn - less 'official' sounding." I head in that direction.
"So ye'r sayin' we should kill 'im slowly instead of quickly?" I say in a voice just loud enough to be sure the barkeep can hear me but most other patrons cannot.
A whistle! Trouble! I run from my hiding place and fling open the back door, nearly ripping it from its decaying hinges. Shoving my way past the unruly kitchen help, I burst into the main room sword drawn and teeth bared - only to see Lucienne and Akalabeth sitting at the bar while the dandy dangles helplessly from the barkeep's tree trunk of an arm. Recovering, I sheathe my sword and dance nimbly around to the front of the bar pulling up a stool and snatching a drink. I fling it contemptously in the Dandy's face and tip the glass upside down on the bar. "Drink up, boy - all that runnin' and hidin's left ya thirsty!"
I'll go around to the other side of the building and find cover where I can see the back door. If Romulus and Maddock can't jump the guy, I'll be in position to shoot him.
I move quickly to flank the door of the freehouse attempting to gain a glimpse through any window or other opening.
Well, no sense in keeping the man waiting... Before any of the knaves or even my own companions can react, I have my bow in hand and loose a pair of arrows at the nearest thug within clean line of sight. Kegi attack w/ Rapid Shot (1d20+9=25, 1d6+2=3, 1d20+9=26, 1d6+2=4) "Ye be likin' yer payment - 'cause we got more of it? Now answer the lady's question."
Init using Sense Motive (1d20+7=24) I wouldn't be so unwise as to attempt bargaining with knaves such as these. But if she wants to try...
"Aye, anywhere but here. If we be hunted, best to be on th' move."
Acting as if I haven't heard what's been said, I remain distant from the group and continue looking around acting very much like a tourist or other person who is supposed to be here, but doesn't know where "here" is. After a couple of minutes of this, I approach within about 15 feet of the two gentlemen and motion towards an archway, "Excuse me, Fair Sir, be that th' road to th' Knights - or to th' Knaves?"
Hoping the two conversationalists are distracted momentarily, I conduct a hasty (and probably ineffective) search of the environs.
Checking myself over as if not entirely convinced that I'm still all there, I pull myself into a low crouch and wait. "Where are we?" Turning to glance at Aerianna, I say with all seriousness, "No idea. Perhaps we ask yonder Clown?"
Sliding an arrow from my quiver, I follow the others onto the balcony, sprint to the base of the stairs and scan above for signs of where Shadow wise has gone.
"Do you vanna follow em Ja?" I vault into the skycoach, looking at Aerianna. "Ye comin' with us?"
"Good shot, Fireball! Get ta th' prisoners and fall back everyone. Lucienne, can ye spare o' yer healin' wand ta keep a brother in th' fight?" I interpose myself between my allies and the onrushing guards, drawing a bead on the nearest.
Everyone has panicked. My work here is done. Now to get outta the way. "Hey, watch where yer goin' ya blood-crazed freak." I elbow, smash, and hip check my way through the crowd trying to put a few bodies between the greenshirts and myself. I feel my legs grow leaner and stronger as I shift, pushing, dodging and spinning through the crowd until I reach the stage. I look around frantically until I see my comrades through the ravaging mob. Sure enough, they are wrestling with the cages and trying to free the prisoners. A few green shirts are pushing towards them. Too close for the bow, I shoulder it and try to blend with the mob as I edge close to a guard. Kegi's Hide check. (1d20+10=22)
Logos: Spoiler: I did not understand the spoiler; was the 11 a to-hit roll?
Approaching the stage on the final leg of our attack, I concentrate briefly on my dragonmark. The runes glow faintly, causing a tingling sensation. [ooc]Activated shield.[ooc] The others take to the stage drawing the attention of the hollow man and guards, who begin to move towards them. Spying an opening in the panicking crowd, I dodge between two onlookers and fire an arrow at one of the guards. Spoiler:
Since I'm travelling, I will not be able to update stats until Jan 2nd or so. I plan to take my next level in Ranger again, so I'm going to fake in the combat stuff and figure out the skills later. Kegi attack and damage (incl. Skirmish) (1d20+11=30, 2d6+2=14)
I run alongside the others, easily keeping pace with them. "I can hit th' wire, but the arrow ain't cuttin' it. Too small. I'd do better maybe ta shoot th' prisoners." Not that I would, but it would likely be better for both us and them than the alternative... As we sprint towards the cage, my eyes wander from the wires and torture tree to the two "champions" at the Hollow Man's side. Those two are more likely my target. Let the wizards undo the eldritch machine. I'll handle the rainbow brigade. "Th' rest of ye, 'cept maybe Maddock can go for the cables. Th' orc an' I can try to hold back the guards an' buy ye time ta act." Cables, I don't know about, but guards, I do. I ready my bow and draw an arrow as we reach the plaza level (where the ceremony is taking place).
I take no notice when Lucienne steps out, but upon her return ready for combat, I hop off the table and ready my bow. Not quite understanding her motive, I assume she has encountered something in the other room. "Be we under attack? Be they the same thugs as earlier?" In the process of readying myself, I have quite unintentionally interposed myself between Lucienne and Loo.
I follow the others down the stairs after the zombie-girl. I try to stay near the back of the group so I can move and fight if I need to. Once arrived and as Loo explains Pennywise's research endeavors and the events that lead to our present circumstances, I begin to glaze over a little. A talking zombie is strange enough, to think the gnome was involved in all this? Time travel? Necro-whatis? It's good we have a Gatekeeper and a bunch of wizards to help sort all this out. Loo continues, and I struggle to stay on top of what she is saying. At least we have use of this place - for what it's worth. And if the Hollow Man is only the Skald and not the Lord himself, that can't be too bad, right? My head begins to spin when she talks about a person from the present causing the mourning. I look for a place to sit down, but see only skeletons reclining in the chairs. Maybe I can get one to move... I settle for an endtable and try to gauge the rest of the groups reaction to this revelation.
Kegi looks inside, ** spoiler omitted ** Turning to the group: "Looks empty. Nothing moving, at least that I can see." I jump off the crate and, if anyone else wants to look, offer to help them up. To Lucienne: "Looks like we 'ave time for ye to meditate, if ye wish." To all: "Meantime, we'd make less of a scene going in th' side door than through th' front. Let us see how it be defended, if at all." Logos:
Spoiler:
Akalabeth interupts me just before I pry away one of the boards covering the windows. The others arrive a couple minutes later. I regard each in turn quietly as options are considered and the group resolves to investigate the Oaks. I'm fine with that. No point in running all the way over here and *not* doing something. "Just as well that we see what is goin' on 'ere, methinks. If we know tha' the Hollow Man be elsewhere, all the better time ta do this, eh?" I work the edge of my shortsword behind one of the smaller planks at the bottom of the window and pry it away gently, holding it with my free hand as I do so. Turning the plank, I open a narrow gap - about 2 inches wide - through which the red light radiates like a fresh wound in the side of the building. Carefully I edge up to look inside. Spoiler:
Upon arriving at the Oaks I note that it appears deserted. The doorway is boarded up and the front windows are dark. I continue past the front entrance and down a narrow alleyway to the side of the building - I am looking for the service entrance. As I pass a side window, also boarded over, I notice a reddish glow from between the boards. Looking around one last time, I find the remanants of a crate and, standing on it, pry away one of the boards so that I can look in the window.
Stumbling to my feet, I lurch into the shadows away from the everburning lanterns that even here cast a palish orange light over the broken street cobbles. The alley is otherwise deserted. I retrieve a healing potion from my bag only one left, better make this worth it and tear off the House Jorasco seal with my teeth before downing the draught. (Kegi's clw potion (1d8+1=7); My wound stops bleeding and the sharp pain is reduced to a numb ache. I can walk normally now and subconciously end my shifting, reverting to my usual form. Pulling my light cloak about me, I find my way to the end of the alley and turn in a direction that I hope will take me to the Oaks. I am less familiar with this part of town and know only that I need to go up two levels and over to a squarish tower east of here. The street is surprisingly crowded. The destitute are pressed close together, huddled for warmth and safety. I weave between drunkards and prostitutes, careful to keep one hand on my beltpouch and the other on my sword hilt. The people are not fools, however; they know I am not to be triffled with and give me way. Keeping to the shadows, I do my best to blend in. I'm just another piss broke addict lurching my way to knowwhere in particular. Ain't goin' nowhere in particular...
Clutching the wound in my side, I stagger to my feet. I am in a narrow service alley running alongside the tower/building housing the apartment complex. I can hear the voices and jack-booted footsteps of soldiers from around the corner. Hurridly I scramble across the alley and look from side to side. Ahh, but this is Sharn! Looking down, I see another alley - or maybe a branch of the same one - running perpendicular to this one about 20 feet below. Again glancing towards the front of the building, I vault over the safety rail and, lowering myself as much as I am able, let go and hope for the best.
I'm not sure why these guys are here, but I don't intend to hang around and find out. Still, the bola is a problem. I stand up, shrugging off the bola and run towards the secret panel, twisting and gyrating around, over, and under my attackers.
Georgios was a good man. A family man. Didn't deserve to go like that. This fella, on the other hand - he's got something coming to him. I shift, relenting to the primal beast within, gathering it and bringing it to the surface. As adrenaline courses through my body and the hairs on my neck stand on end, I allow the beast-instinct to take control. Once prepared to run, I steel myself towards a different course of action. The secret panel that Georgios indicated is across the room - 15 feet away. My enemy is just inside the door - 10 feet away and to the side of the panel. I stutter as if following Georgios, then dodge to my left, rolling behind a low table and coming up firing. Kegi shooting big guy; includes skirmish damage (1d20+11=25, 1d6+2+1d6=10) "This be for George, ya bloody freak!"
Tell me Who's flop house you are at and What you are doing
I awake to the peculiar sound and my military instincts take over. In a smooth motion, I am up grabbing my bow, slinging my quiver over my shoulder, and strapping my sword and pouch to my belt. By the dim light of a candle I see I'm the only one in this room but there are probably others in the apartment. Fighting back the instinct to shift and run as fast as I can, I slowly approach the door and swing it open with my foot. The door at the end of the hallway leading into the apartment's common area is closed and latched. I sprint towards it, heedless of my feet clomping on the wooden floor, knowing the only way out of this deathtrap is through the front door.
Kegi: Wisdom check at +4 (1d20+4=22) Startled by the strange, yet familiar voice, I pause my ransacking momentarily and look at Lucienne. Him, again! How can this be ... how can any of this be ... "Take what ye can, we need t'be gettin' out of here! Now!" I grab the book and scrolls, and toss them to Lucienne. Picking up a small end table, I smash it to bits and use one of the legs to bash out a window. Then I grab any sheets or linens I can find. "Quick - tie a rope outta this. I'll go up and anchor it so ye can climb after me."
"I 'ave no idea what ta look for. But I be a an e'en worse liar." With that I kick in the door to the gnome's study - presumably the area where interviews were being held? - and toss the place as best and as quickly as I can. I focus at first on the furniture and walls - looking for secret compartments or the like. Failing that, I pull books out of shelves, empty drawers, and generally ransack the place. Quickly ... anything of value ... anything of interest ... gems, books, some idea who this gnome was ... anything
"They be nearly upon us. Romulus, fall back! Incomming." I try to warn him before I fire, but I'm not waiting to see if he hears. Moving to the side, trying to avoid giving them cover, I fire on the zombie threating Romulus.
My arrow finds the chest of a nearby zombie, sending it reeling under the force of the impact. I only have so many arrows and there's a lot more of them "Lucienne, any progress on gettin' us outta here?"
The mistletoe in my arms springs suddenly to life, the vines grasping and tearing at my skin. I drop the foul enchanted weed, only to have more spring up about my legs. Dancing to the side, away from the perversion of nature, I see that my companions are similarly afflicted and the hollow man is moving away. Romulus, Akallabeth, and Maddock cast spells. I use my bow. No sense in tackling him now, I'd have to deal with that centipede, too!
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