You spend the rest of the day selling off your loot and making your new purchases. In the evening, you gather at the Murdered Manticore to celebrate your victory in the catacombs over a drink and a smoke, and discuss your plans for the future. Will you follow Samir's map into the jungle to find the lost tomb he discovered, and will that lead you to the culprit behind the immolations which seem to be continuing? And what exactly is the purpose of the golden amulet that Samir found, the serpent Queen with Burning Eyes stole, and the mysterious man Tanish claims as his own?
There's nothing for it but to press on, so you eventually leave the Murdered Manticore and head back to Bedu's barbershop to rest, and prepare for your upcoming trek into the Viridian Jungle. On your way back through a narrow alley, you are greeted by a group of people who block your path. Standing beside Tanish, the man who was looking for the amulet, is a tall, thin woman wrapped in a cloak that seems made of pure shadow. The upside-down pentacle of Asmodeus on her breast, her sky-blue robes, and mask mark her as a member of the Cerulean Sisterhood. Flanking them are three hobgoblins in the red-and-black armor of the Crimson Legion, three skeletal warriors, two decaying but animate bodies, and what looks like the animated skeleton of a wolf.
“We’re here for the amulet,” Tanish says. “Hand it over.”
“In the name of Rani Sephrilara and the Cerulean Sisterhood, I demand you turn it over to me,” the woman says, her voice hollow behind her mask. She shrugs apologetically. “Sorry to make such a fuss over this, but I really must have it. It unlocks a door I simply must open.”
Bedu shrugs and smiles at the Sister.
"The amulet is safe for now and I was commissioned to retrieve it for that man for 200 ranis. Where is my money Tanish? We had a deal."
He smiles and shrugs again.
Hold action
Init=18.
"I'm afraid you misunderstand," the woman tells Bedu. "The deal has changed. The Rani wants the amulet, and you will give it to the Cerulean Sisterhood. If you want payment, I offer this: In exchange for the amulet, my legionnaires won't ask to see your papers, and you can go about your business. Unless you're quite sure there are no unregistered magi among you."
Tanish shrugs and grins, and the three Crimson Legionnaires step forward menacingly.
"The amulet, if you please," the Sister asks. "I won't ask again."
"The problem is my mother. You see."
Bedu shakes his head as he talks and pats down his pockets until he finds the amulet.
"My mother raised all her sons to be careful in business and make sure that you always get fair value for your work. Plus I am a dwarf and we value gold just below family and honour, unlike Tanish here. As to your threats they mean little to me I am a licensed magi and am free to work in the city. I am prepared to face a court and show my papers if need be."
Then the dwarf palms out the amulet and drops it on the floor. Putting one heavy heel on the amulet.
"My mother also was a very fine cook. Her pies were too good to be true. You can see I have eaten many of them. Unfortunately it means I am not very graceful and some would even say fat, though not to my face."
Bedu leans a little forwards and nods to all his companions, "Now I am owed 200 ranis, that is a lot of pies. Either pay me now, which I am sure you can, Tanish, you lying son of a motherless goat or no door will ever be opened. One more step from your goons and you can have your amulet............in pieces. Now where is my gold! "
As usual, Lotus is slow on the uptake. She nearly stumbles into Indo when the Cerulean Sister starts to talk. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.... What do they want? Now it's all over... they won't give me another chance. She literally ducks away behind the broadshouldered warrior and falls back to make sure she can escape if things go pear-shaped.
"Fool! You have no idea of the forces you are toying with!" She almost lunges forward, but stops herself. When she speaks again, her voice is calm and icy. "Very well. Bring me the amulet - you alone - and you shall get your payment, as Tanish promised." The woman extends her hand to Bedu.
Hammurabi watches the sister with growing suscpision, his hatred towards her and her kind is barely contained, with the outwards stretching of her hand, his sucpisions increase, Is this witch casting
Know arcana: 15; Spellcraft 21.
Bedu claps and laughs, "the wise man does not fall for the same trick twice, but the fool falls every time."
"Give us our gold first."
There is a faint squeak of strained metal at the dwarf shifts his weight a little.
Then he smiles around at his friends , "such a lovely day and we will receive the blessing of the Rani for this gift. Surely the Rani has servants of true loyalty because of his strength and honour."
Seeing things proceed poorly, Indo considers that backing down from the Sister would only raise interest in their party. He sways slowly behind Bedu, choosing his path mentally as he prepares to charges if arms are raised.
Lotus can't believe how audacious Bedu is being. She herself is scared out of her mind of the Sister; it even makes her shake a little. She slinks to hide behind the back of the big Indo. There the small Lotus slowly but surely takes out her new crossbow and loads it with a bolt. All the while thinking: Please don't fight, please don't fight.
Hammurabi watches the sister with growing suscpision, his hatred towards her and her kind is barely contained, with the outwards stretching of her hand, his sucpisions increase, Is this witch casting
Know arcana: 15; Spellcraft 21.
Hammurabi:
Lotus can't believe how audacious Bedu is being. She herself is scared out of her mind of the Sister; it even makes her shake a little. She slinks to hide behind the back of the big Indo. There the small Lotus slowly but surely takes out her new crossbow and loads it with a bolt. All the while thinking: Please don't fight, please don't fight.
Lotus can't believe how audacious Bedu is being. She herself is scared out of her mind of the Sister; it even makes her shake a little. She slinks to hide behind the back of the big Indo. There the small Lotus slowly but surely takes out her new crossbow and loads it with a bolt. All the while thinking: Please don't fight, please don't fight.
Sleight of Hand +11 (+5 (2 ranks), +2 (deft hands), +4 (dex)) (1d20+11=22)
"You are mistaken, dwarf," the Sister hisses. "You will receive nothing but destruction this day. You may claim your reward from Asmodeus himself in Hell! Take them, and bring the amulet to me!"
Initiative order (so far):
Wolf skeleton
Skeletons
Hammurabi
Skittle
Bedu
Liet
Indo
Lotus
The wolf skeleton charges Indo, sinking its fangs into the warrior's leg.
The skeletal warriors lurch forward as well, one towards Indo, the other two towards Skittle. The first swings its rusty scimitar at Indo, slicing him across the chest. The next attacks Skittle, cutting through the gnome's armor. The second clambers atop some old crates and brings its blade down towards Skittle, but the gnome avoids the blow.
Oh crap!!! By the gods, aid us now against this wicked Cerulean Sister. She hurries through her crossbow loading and fires at the closest Crimson Legionair. Do we stay or flee? she asks her companions while she starts to reload her weapon.
Bedu steps forwards and gently touches the savaged (and savage) Indo. Touch of the Barber=10pts of healing
"Liet hit these undead with your holy magic, we need to get to that woman before she does anything silly. Lotus aim for the Sister and stop her casting spells everyone."
He then pulls out his shortbow and trains it on the Sister.
Grateful for the assistance, Indo swings down mightily into the skeleton on his right, hitting solidly. He does not turn to his companions, but speaks.
By my father's will, we do not run from these tyrants.
If the skeleton goes down, Indo steps into the fallen skeleton's square and prepares to stand for his tribe.
Hammurabi jabs at the skeleton atop the crates with his glaive, but fails to injure it. Likewise, Skittle slashes at the skeleton in front of him with his sword and kukri, but is unsuccessful as well. Bedu lays his hands on Indo, healing the savage warrior's wounds with his barber's touch.
The Crimson Legionnaires move forward, taking cover behind barrels, and launch crossbow bolts into the melee. Two crossbow bolts fly harmlessly past Indo and Skittle, but the third connects with Indo. Tanish runs to the side and disappears behind the alley's corner, while the two zombies lurch slowly forward.
Liet raises his holy symbol and intones a prayer: "Let the learned light of Iskandria's true rulers banish you back to the darkness from whence you came!" A burst of golden energy expands from the cleric's body, washing over friend and foe alike.
The wolf skeleton, both zombies, and one of the skeletons turn and flee, but two of the skeletons remain, mostly unaffected by the positive energy.
Indo brings down his blade on the fleeing skeleton, shattering it into pieces. He steps forward to make a stand. Lotus levels her crossbow at the nearest Crimson Legionnaire, but the bolt thuds into the barrels he's hiding behind.
The Sister retreats backwards, then raises her own unholy symbol, the upside-down pentagram of Asmodeus. "Return, minions! Let the dark fires of Asmodeus lick your heels!" A wave of crackling black energy bursts from her body. The hobgoblins grunt with pain as the negative energy engulfs them, but the fleeing zombies and wolf skeleton halt their flight and turn around to face you again.
Full initiative order:
Wolf skeleton
Skeletons
Hammurabi
Skittle
Bedu
Crimson Legionnaires
Tanish
Zombies
Liet
Indo
Lotus
Cerulean Sister
You got it Bedu! the young rogue replies to the orders given by the dwarf. She reloads her crossbow and takes aim for the Cerulean Sister. Actually trying to shoot someone so elite makes her shake a bit as she pulls the trigger and her bolt doesn't go exactly where she wanted it to go. Why now?!?! Calm down for gods sake.
5 foot to the side E 4 and atack the skeleton with reach at E 6 can someone roll for me as I am at work....(Uses a Glaive)
In a mad burst of activity, Skittle breaks off combat with the skeletons before him, and dives behind Indo. Without breaking his stride, he heads around him and along the alley wall towards the archer on the right. As he comes around the barrels, he lets his momentum carry him into his target, both blades slicing.
Acrobatics 1d20+7=10
Attack 1d20+2=22, Damage 1d6+1=7
Attack 1d20+2=20, Damage 1d4+1=2
Confirm crits:
Attack 1d20+2=17, Damage 1d6+1=7,
Attack 1d20+2=6, 1d4+1=3
Bedu scoops up the amulet from the floor and shouts to his comrades, "the Prophets speak of the evils of corrupt power, this Sister is one such evil. She never meant us to live. She values a piece of metal over our lives. We must fight together, and win together."
Bedu waves the amulet towards the Cerulean Sister.
In a mad burst of activity, Skittle breaks off combat with the skeletons before him, and dives behind Indo. Without breaking his stride, he heads around him and along the alley wall towards the archer on the right. As he comes around the barrels, he lets his momentum carry him into his target, both blades slicing.
In a mad burst of activity, Skittle breaks off combat with the skeletons before him, and dives behind Indo. Without breaking his stride, he heads around him and along the alley wall towards the archer on the right. As he comes around the barrels, he lets his momentum carry him into his target, both blades slicing.
Indo sidesteps the crumbling bones of the skeletons, stepping in front of one of the human soldiers and throwing colored sand in his face. Subtle words of magic give away his talents to his enemies, and hopefully buy time for his allies to advance.
He looks past his adversary to the Sister beyond, committed to eliminaing the threat she poses.
|
Indo sidesteps the crumbling bones of the skeletons, stepping in front of one of the human soldiers and throwing colored sand in his face. Subtle words of magic give away his talents to his enemies, and hopefully buy time for his allies to advance.
He looks past his adversary to the Sister beyond, committed to eliminaing the threat she poses.
Round 2 (in progress):
The skeletal wolf runs up to Indo again, teeth snapping, but Indo is able to deflect its bite with his dastana. The first skeleton swings its scimitar at Indo, but the blade goes wide. The skeleton atop the crates is more successful against Skittle however, bringing its scimitar down on tthe gnome's shoulder.
Hammurabi tries to topple the skeleton with his glaive, but misses. Skittle attempts to dive past the wolf skeleton in front of him, but he is unable to get past and comes up short. Both skeletons and the wolf attempt to attack him while his defenses are down, but all are fortunately unsuccessful. Bedu scoops up the amulet and exhorts you all to work together.
Two of the crimson Legionnaires reload their crossbows and fire again, but the skeletons block their line of fire and their shots miss. The third Legionnaire runs up behind the storm cellar and takes cover as he reloads. The two zombies also make their way forward once again, one of them clambering on top of the storm cellar.
Indo
Lotus
Sister
Liet (delayed)
Updated map here.
Skittle attempts to dive past the wolf skeleton in front of him, but he is unable to get past and comes up short. Both skeletons and the wolf attempt to attack him while his defenses are down, but all are fortunately unsuccessful.
[ooc] Crap. Can I at least keep my combat rolls? I'd hate to waste a confirmed crit with max damage.
Bedu cries out, "slice the zombies, hammer the skeletons!"
Hammurabi eyes the positions of the enemies, and quickly realizes we are bunched up for the sister to to take full advantage of us, "Put some space between us friends, we need to harass that sister!.
Tanish runs to the side and disappears behind the alley's corner...
Round 2 (continued):
Indo holds his attack, waiting for Liet to act. Lotus fires her crossbow at the Sister, but the bolt goes wide. Unperturbed, the Cerulean Sister casts a spell and vanishes from sight.
Liet once again brandishes his holy symbol and calls upon the power of God-Kings to banish the undead with anaother wave of positive energy. Unfortunately, it seems to have little effect on the undead facing you. Unable to get through the undead to the Crimson Legionnaires, Indo swings at the skeletal wolf, bringing down his blade with bone-shattering force.
Updated Initiative order:
Wolf skeleton
Skeletons
Hammurabi
Skittle
Bedu
Crimson Legionnaires
Zombies
Lotus
Liet (delayed)
Indo (delayed)