Tyndal turns and charges the closest rogue in the back, trying to force himself between the rogues and the casters.
2 point PA, Charge (1d20 6=9, 1d8 5=6)
Coming to to find that trio of roguish types still looming in front of him, Marius scoots backwards, viewing regaining his feet as entirely secondary to getting out of range of any further bludgeonings. Temporary as any such reprieves might be. Perhaps more usefully, he fires off a cantrip, attempting to give his assailants a moments' pause.
Eldin experiences a fleeting impression of déjà vécu. Without explanation, he knows this exact combat has played out before, and concluded with dire straights for the party. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Eldin changes his course of action. Reflexes kicking into high gear, he rushes to Marius’ prostrate form and activates the healing wand, sending a wave of positive energy into the back of the man’s bruised head and returning him to consciousness.
Ardan raises his weapon at the trainer, intent on bringin him down, but hesitates. Try as he might, he simply cannot harm the old man.
Under no such compulsion, Terin leaps upon the elder with abandon, clamping down on his throat. Frail neck bones snap and papery skin tears away as the beast steals the trainer’s remaining years in a shower of blood and air bubbles.
Crablike, the somewhat recovered Marius scuttles backwards, not bothering to regain his footing. Out of reach of the trio of rogues, he comes to rest and raises one hand, firing a quick streak of rime at the lead assailant. Hoarfrost spreads across the man’s shoulder, and the flesh beneath turns pink, then blue, then black in short order.
Charging along the tunnel towards the trio, Tyndal has to react fast to avoid the retreating mage. A short leap over Marius brings his charge to a stuttering halt, Tyndal’s body now a shield for the mage.
Seann spits the immobile trainer upon his spear “to be certain.”
The rogues leap upon Tyndal, but their saps are no match for hammered steel plate. They switch tactics, dropping the weighted weapons in favor of rapiers.
The Beast keeps an eye on the direction they were heading and braces himself to attack anything that pops into view down that way. A low beastial growl escapes his jaws at a constant rate. *Readying a charge*
Standing close to the trio of rogues, Eldin lashes out with his quarterstaff, trying to sweep the nearest thief’s legs out from under him.
He shifts positions slightly to make sure he can't be flanked.
He shifts positions slightly to make sure he can't be flanked.
Now out of immediate danger, Marius gets back to his feet and finds that he still has a crossbow clutched in a vise-like grip in his hand. Alas, it is not loaded. He sets about rectifying this disappointing turn of events.
Tyndal swings at the closest rogue, hoping to eliminate a flank on him.
2pt PA (1d20 4, 1d8 5=[16, 4], [7, 5])
Just waiting on:
Ardan
Seann
Ardan takes a few steps towards the rogues, but hesitates before trying to dash between them.
Seann is decidedly not happy about the situation.
"This'd better work. My last one."
He mutters something under his breath, and the point of his spear lengthens, transforming into a glassy, green material.
Taking aim, he raises the weapon to his shoulder, ready to let fly.
Eldin thrusts the end of his staff around Tyndal, delivering a solid and painful strike to the kneecap of the rogue on the right.
Delaying, both Ardan and Terin attempt to assess the consequences of rushing into the previous room, around his companions and through the remaining pair of rogues. Making up his mind, Terin digs his hind claws into the soft stone and waits for an opening.
Kipping up, Marius reloads his crossbow as fast as his dares, as Tyndal pummels the lead rogue to the floor.
Seann surveys the situation and deciding magical assistance is the best way to go, powers up his spear with an incantation of eldritch authority.
The Lotus Dragon duo evaluates the situation grimly, and deciding they’ll receive no quarter from this party, jab for Tyndal as one. Luck is with Tyndal on this occasion though, as both strikes skitter away from any vulnerable regions.
*Readying a charge*
My charge is readied still and I am facing the direction we haven't been to yet, in case the boss comes calling.
"Rrrrooooororrrorrrraarroroarorar!"
Aight, that would wrap us around to Eldin again, although Ardan still has an action he may take in the last round.
Eldin
Terin
Marius
Tyndal
Seann
Rogues
Ardan
Eldin takes a five foot step back away from the combat, and waits to see if any of his companions will require healing.
It seems a terrible shame not to put his newly reloaded crossbow to use, so Marius waits for a clear shot before trying to pick off one of the rogues. He isn't feeling particularly inclined towards reasonable behaviour after those cracks on the head.
Stepping over the body of the rogue he just dropped, Tyndal keeps whirling his flail at the remaining Dragons.
Marius’ bolt strikes true…into the body of the fallen rogue. With a grim expression and a little exasperation, he sets about reloading.
Tyndal plows over the pin-cushioned corpse and bashes one of the remaining rogues in the chest with his flail, caving in the rogue’s ribs and turning his face a disturbing reddish-purple before the man collapses.
Seann hurls his spear at the nearest rogue. The missile flies true, trailing a ghostly green luminescence.
Tyndal elbows the remaining rogue while returning to a ready stance. The jostle does little real damage, but serves to assist in lining up your final enemy for the kill. Seann bayonets the last Lotus Dragon with the augmented spear, ending the struggle.
The hallway goes calm; even the steady dribble of water fades into the background in the aftermath of the battle. The reprieve proves short-lived, however, as heated shouts echo down to your position from deeper within the warren of tunnels.
“We need to act fast,” says Eldin. “Anyone hurt? Alright, Terin, Marius, which way to the boss lady, or a defensible position bar that. Or do we keep making our stand here?”
“We need to act fast,” says Eldin. “Anyone hurt? Alright, Terin, Marius, which way to the boss lady, or a defensible position bar that. Or do we keep making our stand here?”
"I'm not hurt, but I've no spells left. At least, I don't think I have any spells left..."
Seann trails off, then starts again.
"We'd best keep moving, mo charad. Cut off the snake's head and all that, eh?"
He attempts to appear unconcerned, but doesn't quite make it.
"Definitely best to press on," Marius says, "If we stay here, sooner or later the whole guild's going to be beating down the door."
The Beast pads softly over to Tyndal and takes the warrior's weapon in his mouth, softly pulling him toward the unexplored hall, trying to indicate for him to lead on.
"I'm not hurt, but I've no spells left. At least, I don't think I have any spells left..."
Tyndal follows the Beast. "Ready when you are"
The voices from behind echo and bounce; it’s difficult to tell how much time remains before they set upon you again. The group sets off at a brisk jog, the path ahead making a sharp left turn past the doorway. Smoothly shaped, dry walls make up this hallway, which shows signs of attempts at whitewashing on at least one occasion. Another ninety degree turn to the right and you stand before a doorway the right-hand side. The path continues to your left, and down the hall, you can pick out a large room with white marble tiles. A husky but feminine voice purrs from the depths of the interior, “Wipe your feet, please.”
Tyndal wipes his feet and leads the way in. He waits for one of the talkers in the party to begin the negotiations. He's fairly certain that killing will follow shortly.
In sharp contrast to the portions of the guild visited so far, this chamber is downright opulent. You step forward into the deep pile of purple carpet. The walls are violet painted plaster, illuminated by well-fashioned lanterns of gilded silver, which flicker softly as you enter. An open door to the south next to a lone wooden cupboard leads into what may be a bedroom. Several shelves on the north wall hold myriad bric-a-brac: books, statuettes, stuffed animals, a crystal ball with a heart of smoky red light, a darkwood coffer, and a second iron coffer decorated with tiny, jade bats. Dominating the eastern wall is a mural of the city of Sassarine, although something isn’t quite. Looking closer, you see the heraldry of the Lotus Dragons flying from every mast in the harbor. A pair of overstuffed lavender chairs sit beside a low table heaped with cheese, fruit baskets, and bottles of fine wine.
Relaxing in one of the chairs and holding a goblet of dark burgundy wine is what can only be “The Lady of the Lotus.” While not drop-dead-gorgeous, you would probably describe her as a “handsome” woman. Trailing over her shoulders in a ponytail is a luxurious mane of red hair, offsetting brilliant green eyes. She wears a complimentary assortment of gold and jade jewelry to harmonize with a smart, military-cut outfit of black and green, coupled with maroon over the knee boots with low, block heels. The open shoulders of her blouse reveal themed tattoos spiraling down each arm from shoulder to wrist; one of a lotus flower, the other an intricate rendition of a dragon. At her side within easy reach is a masterfully wrought rapier with a golden basket hilt. Resting in contentment at her feet is a large, dangerous looking green lizard, easily the size of a Halfling.
Knowledge Nobility DC 15:
Knowledge Local DC 25:
Knowledge Nature DC 18:
The woman acknowledges you presence with a nod, and waves her hand at the table in invitation, saying “Welcome to my home away from home! You’ve come far, fast; even you, Dear Marius. So glad to see you’ve managed to pass your test; I knew there was potential hiding in there somewhere, you just needed a little nudge.”
Eldin speaks.
Eldin wipes his feet, and bows his head slightly as he enters the room and looks upon the lady – a gesture of respect, not reverence.
“My lady,” he says. “I am Eldin Farstrider, servant of Fharlanghn. My companions and I seek someone we believe to be part of your organization, one Vanthus Vanderboren. We have no particular quarrel with you or your organization. We could, of course, continue this running battle that has regrettably started between ourselves and your forces, but who is to say what would happen if we do? I have little doubt that you can account for yourself well, lady, and less doubt that even now there are thieves waiting to strike at us. I also know that my companions and I have survived worse than blades and rogues.
“It would seem to everyone’s advantage if we were to at least make an attempt to discuss our differences in a civilised manner, and come to some sort of accommodation.
“What we want, primarily, is Vanthus. What you want, I would surmise, is for your guild to survive this day, Killing us might help you accomplish that, but only if you can be sure that we do not, in the process, weaken your organization so greatly that the city watch, or one of the rival groups waiting in the shadows, cannot take advantage of that weakness and crush you. Can you be sure, my Lady?”
The Beast stands on his hindlegs an assume his humanoid form. 1d20 3=20 knowledge nature.
"A felldrake eh? How did such a goodly creature become corrupted to work in such a group? More systematic animal torture?"
Terin looks like he is trying to restrain himself from attacking, the animal treatment in this place has left him with a deep-seething rage toward the oppressors and here stands their leader.
The woman thanks Tyndal for wiping his feet with no hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“Vanthus! He brought this down on us? He’s been nothing but a thorn since we met. A handsome thorn, mind you, but this is intolerable.”
“Regardless of which of us carried the day, both sides would incur appalling losses. Having already lost Syn, I’ve no desire to test steel against you without a chance to parley. I suppose I’ll have to pay for his return, I can’t imagine what I’d tell his grandchildren at yuletide otherwise.”
“To be truthful, we want much more than to simply survive. We wish to flourish!”
“Please, be seated; relax, eat, and enjoy yourselves, for I would like to present a counteroffer to you, once you have heard my vision of Sassarine.”
"A felldrake eh? How did such a goodly creature become corrupted to work in such a group? More systematic animal torture?"
The lady claps in excitement, then regains her composure.
“Well done! Not many fathom his true intelligence until it is far too late. I assure you Gut Tugger is here of his own free will. In many ways, he might be the only ally I can trust.”
“I think you will understand if we are not foolish enough to lower our guards overmuch. Tell us of your counteroffer, but I think we will stand for now.”
"In truth, My Lady," Marius says, his manners brought to the fore by the setting, even to the extent that he wipes his feet, "I want out. I cannot help but feel that your grasp exceeds your reach. It has been but a single day since your latest and most audacious gambit, and already people are beating down the door. On an unrelated matter, true, but I doubt this will be the last such incident."
Tyndal watches verbal sparring with interest as he sits down to eat and drink.
Tyndal watches verbal sparring with interest as he sits down to eat and drink.
Although he remains standing, Ardan leisurely plucks an apple from the fruit basket, saying merely, "By all means, state your case..." before taking a large bite.