half orc
More tea with your crumpets, Mr. Half-Orc? ;-)
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Rellios blinks a bit after the incident - giving it a measure of assessment. "Looks like we are in for mischief, friends." A slightly wicked grin comes to his face. Then, he proceeds to check the room and the corridor ahead at the corner for another trap or trigger. Along the way, he pockets the string and anything that might prove useful for a trap of his own.
Like a some rogue craftsman, Rellios goes about the work of disabling the traps and opening the locks - almost oblivious to his surroundings and Hru's anticipation in the moment. If he was human, you could almost imagine him pulling out a pair of spectacles to examine the work. "Steady, fellas...almost done here."
Before unlocking the door itself, Rellios will take 20 to check the other (left)door for traps as well.
"Looks like someone really didn't want the goblins coming through here...don't touch anything...this a briarpatch of trouble." Assessing the doorknob, Rellios attempts to eliminate the deadly material - probably with a makeshift wood wedge to act as a scrapper.
Rellios feels his feet go slightly out from under him, as if leaden weights had been added to his frame. The poison seems to make him feel very awkward. While he awaits Hru's ministration, he'll check out the next section of hallway before inspecting the doors. Once that's done he'll check the door on the right first.
Next 10' square sounds good for now. Fort Saves (1d20+2=17, 1d20+2=12, 1d20+2=8, 1d20+2=17) "Well that wasn't so bad...I think I took the worst of it...acck!"
Rellios proceeds after the conflagaration carefully looking for any further surprises as he goes (taking 10, if that's possible). Once he reaches the first two single doors...he'll check to see if he hears anything. "Let's see what we find before we get too much deeper. By the way, King Klyndak - thanks for saving me the trouble dealing with a very nasty mess, eh?"
Rellios waves farewell to the Kerrigan's Keep troop, and to Kamris he wishes well in Elven before he departs. Hopefully, he has at least armed him a little better with his new spear.
"I agree, Mas...King Klyndak. Let me examine this setup a little more thoroughly first, then I'll proceed." Rellios proceeds to give the portcullis and the pulley setup a good look - looking for ways to disable the trap first and then opening the gate. Once it looks like he has way to disconnect the trap - he'll follow Klyndak's advice and climb up to retrieve one of the flasks. Perception (1d20+9=21)
"I'm sure that you are more wise than I in matters of engineering, good dwarves...but I have taken the liberty to do some further work on our temporary bridge - hopefully it will prove useful. I'm at your disposal to do the work of crossing the span and tying links as needed."
Rellios has watched the "judgement" in silence, his counsel neither warranted nor needed, and considered the questions of innocence or guilt. While he watches Manfred's heartfelt declarations, he also glances at Hru and Klyndak - pondering their own experiences compared to Orlan and his comrades. He also considers his own status as an outlaw, and mumbles in light of Klynak's pronouncement, "Judge not, lest you be judged, eh?" He also glances at Kamris to see his reaction, and adds to him in elven:
Spoiler: "By the Arvensoar's light, you've got an interesting pair in those two. Fire and water, I'd almost say. I realize you may be her guardian, but it looks like she'll have to stand alone and deal with that one, eh? I can see her fidgeting already. " He gives him a friendly pat and grin. "Good luck with that, eh?"
Moving on...Having now seen Kamris follow in the wake of the other two and heading toward the throne room, Rellios is officially nosy about what's going on. He decides to go and quickly retrieve Orlan (and possibly Hru if he can)before heading back upstairs to see what's about.
Rellios goes about gathering the wrapped corpses after lunch for the possible ruse. Aftewards, he continues working on the temporary rope bridge to the next spire. He pauses from his work on the main floor to see Manfred and Yin pass by; the determined look on their faces piques his curiosity. When humans tend to be that focused, they have something brewing muses Rellios. He's tempted to follow, but goes back to his work for now...
"I can try working on the bridge, Master Klyndak - I'll probably need to put the extra rope to work on it." "Otherwise, with Hru's or Kamris' help, we can also go below to the forest and do some hunting to replenish our food stores. I assume we have enough wine to hold us for now." "There's also that web - if you want to clear it away. If we want to try my suggestion, I'll need to move the bodies out of the way first."
Totally off the subject - if we are looking at Spires' projects. Now that he's started making the rope bridge - until the dwarves get some proper stone for the project - Rellios will continue working on that to make something a little more stable. Otherwise, there's always the spiders' web to clear away as well - keeping the wrapped corpses for now if nothing else.
At some point, Rellios approaches Kamris and gives him the magic shortspear. "I don't know if a reward is appropriate, but you did a brave thing by me back there. There wasn't an urgent need to. I think this will be better used by you than me, in any case." In Elven, he adds:
Spoiler: "Fate be kind; luck be with you; and may death never be your mistress."
"This may be a bit shaky of a plan...but I have an idea concerning any further pursuit...there's a elven corpse wrapped in the spider web back in the second spire. It's so dessicated, you could give up it, perhaps along with proof of the spiders we have fought." "I could plant some of my identifiable gear - my rapier as proof; it's has the family marking on it - it's a bit of an heirloom. I'd hate to part with it, but it's probably the best bet to sealing the deal.
There are a number of different directions this can go in now.
As the soldiers retreat out of sight, Rellios steps out of shadows - bow still in hand and ready to shoot. "Twins? What twins?," he mutters - glancing at the group. He then approaches the Klyndak and Orlan. "I...thank you. I had never expected to impose; to have anyone stand for me in my stead." "Thanks to all of you," he adds with a sweeping gesture. "I owe you all my life..."
Curiouser and curiouser... Rellios thinks. He focuses his attention on the captain now...looking for any tell-tale hints that he reveal something. Perception (1d20+9=14)
Gods...what a mess Rellios thinks as he looks at the confusion. These good folks are willing to stand up for me...
It if it's Hru, he try to tell him quietly in Orc (who I'm hoping will be DMPC'd or something): Spoiler: Watch the eight men around Kamris, they are up to deception. The others seem merely confused.
As mentioned earlier, Rellios will stick to the shadows as best he can - keeping an eye out on the fracas below. He's looking for any overt signs that someone in the troop is up to no good - i.e. stirring up the situation, dagger in the back, etc.
Rellios turns to Yin, "Go ahead...maybe you all can sort this out before he gets himself into trouble...and I can stay out of sight to minimize the fuss." He then blends into the shadows as best he can. As they approach the balcony, he'll get as close as he can without being seen and sneak in, if possible. He'll pull his bow for now. If fight has broken out - then my plan will change.
Rellios has clearly taken a deep breath when he finishes his story - awaiting the dwarves response. When Klyndak answers, he turns offers his hand in thanks and responds,"I thank you for your support, both of you.I..." He stops and turns at Orlan's words. Suddenly, the guards word of "elflin" have a second meaning.
Spoiler: "Ushers' whorehouse! That's going to get him killed! I can't have that on my hands!"
“Well, I didn’t think I’d be hunted for this long…it’s been well over 3 months since all this began…I guess that’s what those guards were mumbling about…” he muses to himself. “Master Klyndak…I know you have no reason to believe me…but I’m innocent of whatever Korvosan authorities suspect me of…that much I can say. I’ll be happy to tell you what I know when we have a chance to rest."
Spoiler:
Rellios explains that he is a sword instructor by trade – that he has followed the trade of his adopted family; the Trevelan’s run an academy in Magnimar. “We received a letter requesting that the two sons of a Korvosan noble…Jeggare, I think…be trained at our school. It’s a bit odd, given the number of schools in Korvosa, but some folks often send their children elsewhere to ‘broaden” their knowledge – especially of a rival city like Magnimar.” Someone had to go to Korvosa and retrieve the young men on the school’s behalf; plus receive their entrance and tuition fee. “At the same time, a local blacksmith – one who has done some repair work for us in the past – asked that we transport some special items in a locked case to Korvosa. They were supposedly a pair of custom swords for some city administrator’s reward; and he was worried who might tamper or steal it if he shipped them without trusted supervision. We were told that some city official would be awaiting our arrival to take possession – a man named Gelther.” “I told the Trevelan’s I would go in their stead; and take my foster-nephew with me. He was young, but well-trained and ready for some travel to improve his own education. Truth is, I was more worried about him than that damned case or what we could expect. I don’t much care for Korvosa’s imperial attitudes – but I’d never had much experience there to worry me.” At this point, Rellios sits staring for moment. “Should’ve seen something was amiss…” he mumbles. He tone becomes grimmer. “The trip was uneventful; but when we arrived things suddenly got ugly. There was a city official awaiting us…he was a captain with the Korvosan guard…and he accused us of bringing contraband into the city…drugs, magical poisons, what-not…that threatened the city! We tried explaining that we were merely here to drop the item off for someone else; that we had come to retrieve students for our school.” “Imagine my shock when we went to the nobleman’s address, and none seem to know anything of the request. There weren’t even young men there by the names we mentioned. I realized then that we had been set up; this was a ruse to blame us for the smuggling – though what could be gained by it, I don’t know.” “Hoping to seek a proper audience with officials to clear our names, we complied with their demands to be placed in jail until the matter could be sorted out. It was then that I heard things from the jailer and guards that caused me to act how I did…they didn’t realize I could hear them talking, I suppose,” he points with slight levity at his elven ears. “The talk was that we would be executed as Magnimarian spies; that our whole story was a cover to infiltrate and poison someone – the king maybe. In any case, the guard captain was working with some men from something called the Mantis Society. They seemed to be acting as informants and were considered reliable.” “I decided then, that we wouldn’t live to see a trial or public official to clear our name. So, I decided we would get out and make our way back to Magnimar. I used my skills,” this is accompanied by him wiggling his fingers, “to get us out of the jail.” Rellios explains that they managed to sneak out of the city and into the countryside – and that all seemed fine until they reached the next town. “When we arrived, we found that there were posters with a reward for us – dead or alive. I spotted at least one bounty hunter, and some red cloaked hunters who apparently were working for the Mantis Society. None of them seemed much interesting in retrieving us ‘alive.’” “Thus, we spent the next few weeks trying to head west, but all the roads were blocked or watched; and we couldn’t find a safe haven that wasn’t being watched by someone who was chasing us on behalf of Korvosan justice. So…we kept going North and East – hoping to find someplace to cross back. Finally, we had made it to Kaer Maga.” He suddenly grows quiet again…pausing to ponder something. “The hunters managed to surprise us in the bustling streets of that city…it looked for sure that the noose was around our necks. Then, suddenly, my nephew took the initiative – fought off our pursuers and managed to start a scuffle with some locals to keep them busy. We escaped, but one of the Mantis Society fellows managed to wound him. It should have been a flesh wound; but whatever poison they used was meant to kill on the first try. Jareth didn’t last the night; I carried him as far away from that city as I could.” “I buried him and built a cairn somewhere back there,” he points westward, “in the wilds of the Cinderlands. I should’ve watched him better; he was my brother’s first son and my responsibility. Someone wanted us dead; not captured. Whatever we supposedly knew about that case is apparently too much and they needed to make sure we never made it back alive to Korvosa.” “Whatever confusion we sowed in Kaer Maga must’ve really delayed them; I managed to make it all the way the Kerrigan’s Keep without obvious pursuit. I was considering going North – into the Cinderlands or maybe Belkezen when you arrived, Master Klyndak. I’ll freely admit that I joined up initially to hide; to go somewhere where no one would find me for a couple of months. Maybe retrieve some treasure to keep me supported as I made my way back home.” “But…you and Hru; everyone really…have done alright by me. Your respect deserves my full effort here…to clean out the spires. Once that was done, I would be better prepared to get back home; maybe I’d go back to Korvosa on my own – clear my name and defend myself. Now, I’m not so sure…if they are sending troops here to retrieve me.” Rellios stands now, and gives Klyndak a hard, honest stare. “I apologize if I’ve betrayed your trust, good dwarf. I meant no harm or trouble to you or your kin. I only did what I thought was right at the time. If it helps you in your kingdom's interest, then I’ll be on my way come morning. I…thank you for your hospitality as it is; and I hope I’ve earned my keep for that much, at least.”
"You met the people at the bottom of the stairs right? Tribal, naked, carrying spears. I don't expect to sound like the cat with the canary any time soon" She gives a small shrug. "Actually, I've been hiding and watching your activities from the shadows...I assumed that we had caused enough of a stir without more of us coming out of the shadows. Given what I heard them say, and King Klyndak's words - it sounds like it was best that I did in any case." He seems concerned now, and passes rubs his chin with his hand. "Oh, I meant no ill...it's merely a turn of a phrase...it meant you were keeping secret on some mischief. Your laughter is more akin to the peal of a lovely bell, young miss," he adds with a wink and grin. Having pondered Klyndak's words, he turns somewhat grimly to answer.
Somewhat relieved by Yin's laughter, Rellios shows a puzzled grin. "Naked people doing wha? It sounds to me like I need to hear the full story, and you Miss Yin," he utters pointing a wagging finger, "sound like the cat who ate the canary on that one."
Once the murmuring of the troops passes by, Rellios quietly makes his way back up to the balcony. I wonder what that's all about he wonders given what he's heard so far, although a sudden sense of dread has started rising. Assuming that everyone's back inside the spire, he'll start to make his way there carefully. If there's still people (and by that I mean - our group, no one else) on the balcony, he'll emerge from the shadows and ask, "So, what's about with these soldiers? They sounded rather annoyed concerning Klyndak and some kind of attack."
Hearing the bugler's retort, Rellios gives a slight grin at Yin and her charming antics - but he stays put. He also realizes that he hasn't seen Hru's large frame amdist the group. He's waiting to see if Klyndak calls them out. If it looks like the troops will be moving back down the stairs and towards him, he'll make a dash as carefully as possible ahead of them for the seer's room where they emerged, and hide out.
For now, Rellios is keeping within the shadows and hidden as possible while he listens. Hoping the attention on Klyndak, Orlan, et al, will allow him to remain hidden. He's also keeping an eye on the troop to see if he notices anything amiss. Stealth (1d20+14=33)Perception (1d20+9=29)
What the duece have they gotten themselves into now? He thinks as he watches the scene play out.
As Rellios lights up the goblin vampire's remains, a sense of relief and vindication comes over him. Finally, some justice in all this...
"Alright, but cover me so I don't get brained, eh?" is Rellios' response. He approaches the coffin warily, weapon ready in case the goblin springs from the box. Once the others are keeping an eye ready, he then checks the coffin for hidden traps, latches, etc.
Rellios merely shrugs while catches his breath, still somewhat tired from the shadow's touch. "Well, we know the thing dislikes fire," reaching for the vial of Alchemist Fire, "we can always try burning the thing inside the coffin." "Maybe get Miss Yin to give it a go."
Weakened, but since there's nowhere to turn, Rellios once again strikes to keep the shadow busy so the others can get their shots in at range.
"Col-Cold..." Rellios shudders at the shadow's touch. He seems weakened by the enveloping darkness. "G-Gonna need some help here, fellas...looks like we could some of Orlan or Hru's holy light in this case."
Rellios once again stabs the inky darkness, looking to move closer to the coffin and give his comrades some room to manuever.
Rellios will stick with his dagger attack, fearing the flame might cause other problems in an enclosed space. "Klyndak, Kamris...the shadows are moving down here...give us some light!"
If that doesn't seem feasible, then he will pull his magic daggers and attempt a strike of the shadow.
Rellios pursues the creature's essence down the hole. The stench is almost unbearable, and he can only imagine what the vampire has down there - but he manages to press on.
Seeing the goblin who nearly killed him almost makes Rellios decide to strike from behind. But he holds his anger, hopes the others will be alright, and attempts to sneak into the idol's hole into the secondary room.
Yikes! Rellios gives everyone a gesture of caution and points towards the idol's mouth. He waves over Orlan and Klyndak, whispering:
He ponders grimly for a moment, and then adds, "Orlan either tries taunting him out; or the three of us (Klyndak, Kamris, and Orlan) try to go in first and see if that invisibility spell works." He shrugs a little at the latter - knowing the implied risk it bears. "Or do Kamris and I keep trying to search for a way to 'open' the idol?"
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