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The man snorts derisively. "Heh! What will I do? Find a job that won't get me killed. Drown my sorrows in a mug o' ale. This was supposed to be easy - I didn't sign up for the third degree. And what can ya turn me in for? Breaking into a barber shop? He-" -he points to the dead man by the door- "-hurt your friend, not me. I didn't touch any of youse, and I got no hard feelings toward any of youse either. I'll tell ya what I know about the man who hired me, but then I'm gone."
Bedu moves over to sit next to Liet, and smiles encouraging the thug.
He picks at imaginary twists and fluff in his small cloak. "Indo I suppose it is up to you as to whether we trust this careless thug. I for one feel he hasn't earnt his life yet."
"I am Bedu and this is my barber shop."
Indo looks up from his scraps of leather and shakes his head disapprovingly.
You do not think clearly, my friend. We have enough money to purchase approved magic from the authorites. They will question your friend, and hang you at best when he identifies you. You broke in with intent to harm.
I recommend you give every ounce of information you can muster about your employer. If you do this to master Bedu's satisfaction, we will let you go and turn our ire your employer.
Turning to Bedu, Indo narrows his eyes. I have spared his life and given him my food. He is still an ingrate, and does not even apologize to you. My people would feed him to the jungle tiger flower so as to enlarge the fruits they bear. As this is your home and not mine, I leave his fate to you.
At Indo's gesture, Pindara reluctantly steps away from her vantage point. She crosses the floor toward Bedu and Indo, eyeing the interloper with open hostility as she does so.
Did the send someone to my shop as well, she wonders to herself. Should I go to check?
She seems about to speak out when Indo mentions turning him over to the authorities, but at the last second decides to hold her tongue.
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"Okay, okay, I’m sorry I broke into your barber shop. I’m sorry I attacked youse, but we was just supposed to knock youse all out. But ya can’t blame a fella for trying to cut a good deal, can ya?" The man gives an ingratiating smile. "I can tell youse are clever folks. You ain’t gonna be hoodwinked by the likes of me. I’ll tell ya what I know, which ain’t much, but it’s what I got."
"So, the guy who’s hired us was real fancy, like I said before. Kinda oily, but obviously high class. Average size, but thin. Swarthy skin, dark eyes. Had a short beard, just around the chin, and he shaved his head. Wore real fancy clothes, too – high class, like I said – under a green cloak. But he had some kinda weird armor too – like a full suit, all made out o’ snakeskin. I guess if you’re rich enough, ya can wear whatever ya like."
"That’s what I saw, that’s what I know. So how ‘bout we call it square, and I just disappear into the morning mists, hey? We never need to see each others again."
Indo crosses to the door of Bedu's parlor and opens it wide. Today is a new day. If you have learned that poverty and survival are better than crime, it is worth the loss of your friends. Begin anew. If I encounter you on the wrong side of things again, you will not walk away.
After he watches the brigand go, he turns back to his companions. Do we believe he will not report this to his rich man in green?
Sitting against against his wall, he places the strips across his sword again. Before lapsing into conentration, he looks over at the two bodies still on the floor. Would it be best to allow his employer to believe we are captured? We have two bodies, and perhaps master Bedu and I could lie as decoys. The rest could dress as brigands and await this rich man.
Pindara looks skeptical. "Do you think Lotus or I could pass for brigands?" She arches an eyebrow, considering the possibility. Nonetheless, she doesn't seem ready to volunteer to play the captive.
"We know where they were supposed to return us. If he is coming here to retrieve his captives, perhaps we would be better served to hurry to the warehouse. If we find it empty, we can ambush him when he returns."
She shrugs, her shoulders tight with the past day's tension. "If not... Then posing as captives was doomed to failure already, was it not? We can hardly trust the likes of these to act as our accomplices."
"What? You just let him go? You buy that nonsense about just 'knocking us out'? Are you kidding?" Skittle yells with exasperation. "I'm gonna follow him, I'll catch up with you later."
With that, Skittle collects his weapons and makes ready to head out the door.
Indo stretches out his hand.
Patience my friend. We have killed one, and taken one prisoner. The last one can do us no harm. He gestures at the broken form lying on the floor. I will kill to defend myself, and I will kill to defend any of you, but I will not kill another human if I do not have to. The wilds are full of dangerous predators, but we do not hunt them without cause, yes?
Turning to Pindara, he smiles, You are correct, of course. We must travel to this place immediately, where we can determine whether master Bedu and I should lie in wait for them, alongside these bodies. If we agree the answers can be found there, the rest of you can wait in ambush.
[ooc]Not that I prepare spells.[/b]
Lotus simply waits while the others discuss what the next move should be. When Indo lets the thug leave her first instinct is the same as Skettle, follow him to make sure he doesn't warn the man in green.
Seeing the plan reaching its conclusion she readies herself for an ambush at the warehouse.
"This affair is getting weirder by the hour." Liet mutters to himself as he considers what has happened thus far.
"So what's the plan, Bedu?"
"I have a hobgoblin who may begin bleeding all over by rush mats again. Let us make him comfortable. He may take days to recover."
Bedu pats the ugly thug on the cheek. "I would not wish him to die because he is the first person I have ever helped live. Life is but a breath for such as him."
The dwarf listens to the ideas of the others. "I am not sure that we can pull off a grand trick as the thugs, but I am willing to try. Let us travel to the warehouse and see how the land lies."
"Now Liet how does that sound? Anyone have a better idea speak now. I am a dwarf and sometimes can be a little like an onager, stubborn and with one thought in mind."
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Making your way again through the maze of Muiu Thral’s twisted alleys (once more with the help of Samir’s map) you go back to the industrial district and the alley between the two lumberyards. A quick inspection of the hole in the wall at the end of the alley reveals that no one is waiting within. Inside, you are once more confronted by the interior of the disused warehouse. It looks just as abandoned as before, and a thorough search finds no hidden surprises. Indeed, there is little in the large open space to provide cover to any ambushers. All you find are the flimsy wooden stairs that will take you once more into the darkness of the catacombs beneath.
"Could someone or someones scout ahead carefully? I would not necessarily expect an ambush but perhaps we should be ready."
Bedu has taken some point to trim his bread and clean up properly. Time spent humming and recounting various tales that unlock his magical powers.
"I do not think we should retreat to my shop if we tire. They will not send idiots and fools to capture us tonight." He throws that comment out to everyone.
At Bedu's request of a scout to volunteer, Lotus quickly dismisses herself as an option. I can't see in the dark anyway. She simply unsheathes her short sword and a dagger to boot.
Our attackers will come here soon. If we go below, they may follow us down, which means we could be caught between enemies.
Indo looks at the empty warehouse and scans the ceiling. Then again, this place makes for a poor trap. He hoists the body of the hobgoblin, wrapped in a blanket, to his other shoulder. Perhaps we could just leave these two here as a warning, and continue below?
"I'll take a look below," Skittle volunteers. With a nod, he draws his short sword and descends the steps, being careful to move as quietly as possible. He carries no light, relying instead on his vision.
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Skittle finds no signs of anyone else on the level below. Indo leaves the bodies behind, and as a group you descend, carefully scouting ahead but finding nothing. Through the warehouse’s sub-basements, down the spiral ramp, through the rough-brick tunnel and its farther ornamented passages brings you back to the chamber above the excavation site where you first met the goblins, whose bodies have apparently been removed. A quick glance through the hole in the floor shows that the bodies of the asp-men are gone as well. From this vantage, you detect no sounds or signs of movement.
Indo peers through the hole in the floor and looks up. I will take some light and go in first. If we are assailed, I will take the front until you have descended. Do we agree?
"Agreed. Which item you want lit?"
Agreed, let's take it to them. Lotus responds eagerly.
Reluctantly Bedu speaks, "perhaps with my vision, your humble servant should drop down first in darkness. I would not wish to put myself in harms way but neither do I wish to see Indo hurt by signalling with a light."
Bedu shakes his head and prepares to sheath his sword. "Or I could just light a stone and drop it into the hole?"
The dwarf looks down at his portly waist as if for the last time.
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With Bedu's darkvision and Liet's light, it is determined that the room below is also empty, though like the goblins, the bodies of the asp-men have also been removed. Clambering down a rope you find yourselves once again in a chamber that seems to be an even older level of ruins than the one above. Rubble chokes the floor of this wide chamber and the mouths of the four tunnels leading off from it (west, south, and two to the east). Two hideous statues face you from opposite ends of the room (north and south, marked 'S' on the map), each representing a large worm-like creature with humanoid arms and a goblinoid face surrounded by four tentacles.
Old map is here.
Skittle will try to stay a bit ahead of the others, out of the light as best he can. If he comes to a new room, he will simply move inside, around the corner and along the wall until the group catches up.
"Being underground is a new experience for me, so I'll let one of you big 'uns decide which way to go. Of course, we could always pick up where we left off . . . " Skittle trails off as he points toward the western tunnel.
Sure let's head into that western tunnel again. Lotus replies without hesitation. What do you think bullse.. uhm... Liet?
Did I say that out loud? Oops. Anyway the western tunnel is just the same as the other tunnels. The choice of tunnels is irrelevant to the amount of danger that we'll face.
"Yes west is fine by me, but make sure there are no traps. I doubt I would have left the entrance unguarded."
Pindara scowls, nodding her agreement. "I imagine they'll be more ready for us this time," she mutters. "Be careful, Skittle."
She takes her place in the line, dagger held awkwardly in her left hand. Not for the first time, she wonders if the risk is worth the potential payoff.
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Once again you head west, Skittle stealthily taking the lead. The corridor goes west for about 15 feet, then turns south for another 10 feet before opening into a room. This room seems vaguely X-shaped. The darkness seems to gather menacingly in the corners of the walls, aided perhaps by the fact that the walls do not seem to run straight for any significant distance anywhere in the room. A noticeable chill in the air amplifies the sense of menace.
Perception check DC 15 (DC 11 for Skittle):
If you're reading this, it should mean you made your Perception check, so please roll initiative too!
A map of the room can be found here.
Skittle will hold his position (spot on the map) until the party catches up. When Indo is within arm's reach, Skittle whispers, "I think we should get some light in the corners before we do anything else."
Bedu moves up and murmurs for everyone, "remember the fungi here can be dangerous."
As usual Lotus is oblivious to the dangers ahead. She simply follows the lead of Skittle and Indo. When Bedu warns her about fungi, she shrugs and dismisses the warning. What could fungi do? They are food? She does however keep both a dagger and her sword at the ready.
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You file into the room, stopping as Skittle raises his hand and calls for more light. Liet casts another light spell on a pebble, and tosses it into the center of the room, revealing its concealed corners. The horrible creature you faced yesterday is lurking in the southeastern portion of the room, a glistening, wormlike monster with a body as long as a man is tall, dark orange with a pale underbelly, with four tentacles a little longer than human forearms on either side of its hairy goblinoid face. It has feral yellow eyes, a flat blue nose, and yellow teeth. The tentacles are segmented, as is the body itself, but two strong humanoid arms also stick out from the snake-like body. It wears blood-red leather armor over its torso and carries a sword and shield in its humanoid arms. Though it was depicted by the statues you saw in the last room, you again notice that much of the horrifying details of its anatomy were not apparent in the carvings.
As the light shines fully upon it, it squelches forward with eerie grace, sword raised menacingly and tentacles writhing in the chill air.
Updated map is here.
Lotus is slow to act to the sudden danger. Fortunately she has the wits to start moving into a good attacking position. Lotus uses her acrobatic abilities to move into flanking position. (1d20+8=16) It's not the best in her repertoir however, so she hopes it's enough to confuse the monster they face.
Indo moves straight across the hall (to M-4) to set up a flank should the monster close with the party. In the confusion and shadows, he casts mage armor.
If it goes early:
Kill it first, ask questions later. (1d20+3=7, 1d10+3=10)
Let's hope it's slow.
Despite suspecting the monster's presence, Pindara is unsettle by its appearance. Taking a moment to recover from the shock of its presence, she is slow to act. Once she snaps out of her mental fog, she is quick to move to the furthest position from where she can see the monster, letting fly another shimmering bolt of force at the creature.
The dwarf takes a moment to look carefully into the all the dark corners for danger.
If he sees anything he warns the party and then goes full defense with sword and shield. Weaving and preapring for his anticipated ambush. He takes a five foot step nearer a wall (if possible).
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Initiative order:
Creature
Bedu
Indo
Skittle Initiative (1d20+7=9)
Liet
Lotus
Pindara
The creature slithers forward and swings its sword at Skittle. The blade whistles over his head, but the monster's lashing tentacles reach out towards the gnome...
Bedu looks around the room as he prepares for combat, side-stepping to place his back against a wall.
Indo draws his sword and swings, stepping closer to the creature, but misses.
Skittle draws his short sword and stabs at the beast's serpentine body, but is unable to penetrate its armor.
Liet intones, "The God-Kings are watching! Strike in Their Name!" and you feel bolstered with holy courage.
Although slow to initially react, Lotus finally springs into action, leaping and tumbling past everyone to place herself behind the creature, directly opposite Skittle.
Finally, Pindara steps farther back into the corridor and lets fly a bolt of magical energy. The shimmering bolt unerringly strikes, and the creatures hisses in pain, tentacles lashing, as first blood is drawn.
It raises its arm and points right at Pindara. "I'm leaving you for lassst, b&@~!," it growls. "And it'sss gonna take a nice long time before you die."
Tumbling behind the hissing creature Lotus comes up with her sword ready and pushes it through the defenses.
Round 1: attack, damage, sneak attack damage (1d20+2=17, 1d6+2=5, 1d6=3)
Rob:
Still behind the foul creature Lotus makes another attempt to pierce through its armor. Must find the weak link in that armor.
Round 2: flanking attack, damage, sneak attack damage (1d20+4=20, 1d6+2=5, 1d6=6)
Bedu moves up to the beast (next to Indo) and attacks.
Attack roll (1d20-2=18)Damage (1d6+2=5)
Confirm threat=0, perhaps not.
Bedu stabs upwards under the armoured torso.
Liet casts light on a stone and hurls it to the other side of the room, hopefully distracting the creature.
The big tribal man steps to the side to make more room for his dwarven companion. Weavingback and forth to avoid the writhing tentacles, he chooses his moment and strikes.
If the creature still stands, Indo shifts back on his heels after the strike and readies his blade, So you speak. Tell us about this place while you still live!
"Enough talk," Skittle growls as he slashes backhand across the creatures midsection.
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Round 2:
The monster side-steps and lashes out in a blinding blur of blade, tentacles, and teeth. Swinging its sword in wide arc, it slashes deeply into Lotus's stomach, almost disemboweling her. Before Skittle can react, it turns towards the gnome, wrapping three of its slimy tentacles around his head. The monster shakes the gnome like a rag doll before releasing him, and Skittle slumps to the floor.
Bedu moves up, stabbing upwards beneath the creature's armor. Indo is right beside him, slashing and hewing with his own blade. As Liet throws a stone of light across the room in an attempt to distract the thing, Lotus once again lines up her blade, striking for its vitals.
Unfortunately, though all your strikes were well-placed, your weapons seem unable to penetrate the monster's thick rubbery skin, leaving it unharmed.
Only Pindara, appalled by what she has just witnessed, manages to wound the monster with another bolt of magical force from her shaking hands.
"So you speak. Tell us about this place while you still live!" Indo barks, his blade at the guard position, but his bluff rings hollow in your ears after the destruction wreaked upon your band by the creature.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" the beast responds with a deep, gloating laugh, and gestures at your wounded companions: Lotus, barely able to stand, holding in her entrails with one hand, and Skittle, lying motionless and dying on the floor. "It isss not I who will die in thisss place, thin-sskin!"
Round 3:
The creature swings its blade again at Lotus, but she just manages to duck out of the way. Turning its attention to its others attackers, it lashes Bedu and Indo with its tentacles. It tries to bite Bedu with its gnashing teeth, but the dwarf staggers out of the way. The monster side-steps again, putting its back to the corner, and waves its sword and tentacles menacingly.