Zumii notices Janizen is becoming distracted by something & Zumii begins to wonder if something is amiss.
Zumii looks to Janizen "Is everything ok my friend?"
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Zumii notices Janizen is becoming distracted by something & Zumii begins to wonder if something is amiss.
Zumii looks to Janizen "Is everything ok my friend?"
As Janizen is about to answer Zumii, there is an excited pounding at the front door. Janizen immediately takes a defensive posture and peers carefully out the window. Her eyes widen and she swiftly moves to the door, unlocks it and opens it. In stumbles and out of breath and frightened looking teenager.
"What's wrong, Morosino?", Janizen says as she helps the boy in and quickly closes and locks the door.
Morosino in a panting breath manages to get out, "They've got Arael!" With that the boy doubles over in a coughing fit brought on by his long run.
Janizen's face grows grim as she comforts the boy, "What happened?" she says.
In a moment, the lad recovers enough to spurt out, "The dottari nabbed Arael, and the Hellknights of the Rack are trying to get custody of him! There's a bunch of Hellknights on their way here now! I only just made it here; they've already surrounded us!"
As if to punctuate the boy's words, the sound of clanking armour can be heard outside advancing towards the tavern...
Zumii knew there was little time. The Hellknights were already nearly upon them.
"Janizen, is there somewhere inside here where you & the boy can hide? We will try & speak with them should they enter, & keep you both safe"
Even as Zumii said this she knew in her gut that talking was an unlikely option & that it was more likely someone would try & draw blood. She looks about the room, at those gathered around the table & wondered who it would be to strike first.
Hadrian cracks his knuckles and closes his eyes listening intently despite the quickened breaths and slight scrapping of chair legs that has already started. Hadrian remains sitting.
"Let us not assume that we can't resolve this peacefully. We are breaking no laws sitting around and having a quiet meal. If the boy is hidden perhaps we can walk away from this."
Hadrian thinks to himself, "I have a bad feeling about this."
Salm readies his morningstar. "I get the feeling that they won't care that we are innocent. We have all witnessed innocent folk being taken into custody or worse for no reason before. That's what we've been talking about remember? In fact, us talking about what we've been talking about is probably why they are here now and it's enough for us to get into trouble. I believe what Hadrian said about knowing when not to fight being a type of power is the way for us right now. Is there another way out of here? The roof maybe?"
A low guttural grow escapes Tobias' throat; the black cat that had been weaving around his feet seems to mirror the agitation with her own low groan. Janiven! Tobias exlaims in a hushed whisper, what have brought upon us? Tell me there is a quick escape here that doesn't involve the heel of the dottari? Staying here will only incriminate us, regardless of intent or action.
With that, Tobias draws his cloak around his face and holds his hand in front of him, tracing a symbol in the air.
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Dinner and drama, politics sure are much more exciting here in Westcrown! Thosys positions himself to stay out of the way of the melee fighters, while still keeping his eyes on the door. Of course, this assumes they will come thru the front door...
0: Acid Splash, Light, Presdigitaion
1: Magic Missile, Sleep
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So intent is she on the conversation that she doesn't hear the approaching Dottari until they are almost at the door. Her face goes pale, "No....." They could be here for just me. Would these people turn her in? She looks from unfamiliar face to unfamiliar face and decides it's too uncertain. Immediately springing from her seat she ignores the deliberations going on at the table. Racing toward the wall she seems to be going for one of the shuttered windows.
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As Lia checks the shuttered windows she can see a large group of heavily armed and armoured Hellknights advancing down the street. Lia counts about a half dozen Hellknights and at least a dozen armigers (new indictees into the order who serve as squires and porters). Despite this news, Janizen seems to be very calm.
"I am sorry for getting you mixed up in this, I had hoped we would have more time. Alas that is not the case. Quickly, we must hurry."
With that she along with Morosino move swiftly behind the tavern's decripit bar, where they lift up a heavy trap door in the floor. They barely get the door open when there is heavy pounding on the door.
"You are hereby ordered to come out and give yourselves up!" comes a booming voice from outside.
As the pounding on the door increases, Janizen says breathlessly, "This shaft leads down into sewers! You will not be able to talk your way out of this with the Hellknights. They have already made up their minds about whomever they find in here. We must hurry!"
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Lia does not need to be told twice, with a sudden smile for Janizen she goes through the trapdoor quicker than you can say "Hellknight". Landing somewhere below she pulls out what appears to be a broken off torch from underneath her tattered cloak. The head of it flickers with an eerie reddish flame that reminds you of the ones seen around the temples to Asmodeus.
Zumii takes in what Janizen is saying & notices Lia swoosh into the trap door opening. Zumii quickly follows. Lia may not be more than an acquaintance but she is a local to Westcrown, her local knowledge & instincts are invaluable.
Hadrian calmly stands up and holds up the trap door while the others work their way down and then follows faster than a dwarf who thought he saw gold at the bottom.
After a moment of hesitation, Salm also goes through the trap door and into the sewers. He gives a nod of respect to Hadrian as he passes him.
Tobias looks to the main door, then the trapdoor, then back at the main door. With only a moment's hesitation, he scoops up his cat, cradling it in his arm, and quickly moves to escape with the other. As he descends into the sewers, he tips his head as a "thanks" at Hadrian.
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Dropping down into the passage below the bar, the secret tunnel is rough-hewn and 20 feet long and 5 feet wide ending in a simple wooden door. After moving through the door, Janizen quickly places a bar across it hoping to slow pursuers.
Janizen takes out and snaps a sunrod to life revealing a passageway running left to right. As she is prepping the sunrod, Morosino checks the wall and points to the left, "It's this way!" he exclaims as he starts down the tunnel.
Janizen explains, "Look for this mark when you get to an intersection. The sword will always point towards the safe house."
Before starting away, Janizen moves a small rock near the entrance revealing a small alcove containing a number of potion bottles. "Good, they are still here." she says as she starts to disperse them to each of you
Once she has finished handing out the potions, she continues, "We won't have time to rest as long as the Hellknights are on our trail so these will have to do."
Starting down the passage, Janizen explains, "Arael and I made these marks a few months ago when we explored the sewers. We marked all the intersections so our people could find their way through the sewers to our hideout."
As you start to move away from Vizio's the noise made by the Hellknights dimishes. Janizen says to no one in particular, "They might take a few minutes to search the tavern but some are going to follow us down here after they grab a lantern or make torches. They might even try to get into the sewers ahead of us if they can guess our route. We need to keep moving."
Zumii casts light on a rock & throws it down the right hand passage way. Zumii whispers "Hopefully that will draw their attention."
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The instinct to run wars with the feeling of guilt she would have for leaving these people behind. In the end there really is no choice for her, her curiosity and potential of finally meeting some like minded people is too much and she stays while somewhat nervously hovering as everyone makes their way through the trapdoor. Grrr...they are so slow. Good thing the Hellknights weigh themselves down with all that armor. Her worried look brightens considerably when presented with the potions, "Thanks Janizen. Looks like you thought of everything." They disappear almost instantly somewhere beneath her ragged cloak. Heartened she glances over at Zumii who seems to be staying close to her and Janizen, "I've used the sewers to lose the Dottari and Knights more than once, we'll get rid of them easy." Taking her red flickering torch she begins to head in the direction indicated by Janizen, "Come on lets go."
Zumii nods in response to Lia whilst securing the 3 potions. She then follows Janizen & Lia's lead through the tunnel/sewer system.
Hadrian looks around the tunnel and the narrow width. It wouldn't benefit those in heavy armor with large weapons. Small blessings.
He motions for the others to follow the light holders. "I'll keep watch behind us."
"Thank you for these." Salm stores the potions.
"Hadrian, let me watch our backs. I don't need a light so it'll be easier for me to see them and harder for them to see me."
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And now drinks! What a delightful evening! OK, it's getting serious now. I have a light spell of my own, if anyone thinks we need it. I would rather save it in case we need it later. As Thosys thinks for a minute or two while hurrying he asks, How much longer until we get to our destination? After another minute of contemplation, he adds. Oh, and thank you for the potions Jeni.
"Thank you for these." Salm stores the potions.
"Hadrian, let me watch our backs. I don't need a light so it'll be easier for me to see them and harder for them to see me."
"If you wish." Hadrian moves forward as the party begins it's movement.
Thank you for the potions, Tobias offers with a smile. The potions clank against each other as he places them in his medicinal pouch.
Now, then, I believe between myself and these other fine students of magic, we shall be fine in the light department, but we must make haste...worse things than hellknights dwell in the sewers beneath Westcrown.
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With the potions dispersed and light sources preparing, the group starts down the tunnel away from the Vizio's. The shadows leap across the walls mixing with the pungent odour assailing the senses. Time seems to crawl as you race through the tunnels stopping only for a moment as Janizen and Morosino try to find symbols or decide if the symbol is actually a symbol. As they linger, the sounds of pursuit start to get louder and Janizen makes her choice and quickly heads down the tunnel.
As you move, the tunnels start to blend together and after making a turn at t-intersection, you see flickering light ahead. Janizen points back and says, "We must part ways here, my friends. Go back to the intersection and take the other direction. Morosino and I will draw them away from you. Check the next intersection for a symbol and they'll lead you to the safe house."
Not waiting for a response, Janizen rushes down the corridor drawing her sword as she moves, she quickly disappears around the corner and shouts can be heard, "There they are! After them!"
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Covering her red hued torch with her hand to mask the light Lia takes a step after Janizen. The rogue stops and shakes her head as if reluctantly coming to the conclusion that Janizen's plan is for the best before turning back to the others and whispering, "She's right to lead them off. A group this large is to easy to track, even through the sewers. She's giving us a chance to escape. Come on! Hurry! Let's not waste it." Running back past everyone the lithe woman seems intent on moving quickly. Over her shoulder she loudly whispers, "Whoever has got the best eyes better get up here in front and see if they can spot those markers quickly." Once away from where the pursuers are she uncovers her light again.
Salm pays particular attention to the marking to make sure he will be able to identify it again when he sees it. He agrees to go along with Janizen's plan.
He maintains rear guard.
"I don't think this is the time for debate. Let's move forward. Liam, with me in the front since you have light. Everyone keep your eyes open both for the signs and anything else. Don't make unnecessary noise though our pursuer's probably can't hear anything over their own stomping."
Zumii feels torn, she would not want Janizen to put herself in danger & face any harm, but for the safety of the majority splitting up would be the wisest solution.
"After you my friends. My vision is not to impaired in these tunnels so I will keep look out at the back .. should anyone try to catch up to us."
Tobias hurriedly scuffles along with the rest of the group. With a slight twinge of nervousness in his voice he mutters, Yes, I agree with Hadrian, what is important is that we keep moving.
With that, Tobias falls in-line with the others, knowing he is a bit more frail then most of the adventurers here, he mumbles a quick while anything else down here is probably distracted by Janiven's antics.
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The choice made the party turns back and takes the passage indicated by Janizen. The clanking of heavy armour can be heard behind you but does not seem to be getting closer as you make your way through the confining tunnels.
This particular tunnel stretches unbroken for almost 300 feet before opening up into another tunnel. Hadrian and Salm take a look around and finally find a symbol indicating you should turn left. You travel another for several more minutes turning right then left. At one point, you are sure you here the sounds of armour once again but they fade again so you press on. At the next junction, both Hadrian and Salm have difficulty finding the marker but finally settle on something very smudge that seems like the sword marker.
Moving quickly, you finally empty out into an cesspool area, standing on a higher ledge looking down at an area where a number of pipes empty out and collect. It is here that you see a horrific sight about 40 feet away. A three-legged amorphous blob with three large tentacles two tipped with razor barbs and the other covered with eyes moves through the cesspool, pulling out heaps of trash and other types of waste and shoving them into its large horrific maw. The creature seems to be paying no attention to you but the only other exit forward from this area is behind the creature.
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Coming to a swift halt Lia studies the creatures behavior for a moment and whispers, "Normally, I would backtrack and find a way around but I'm not sure we have that luxury. Perhaps we can distract it while we pass. Any other ideas?" She begins carefully looking about the chamber for anything of use.
Knowledge: dungeoneering to know what kind of creature this is
How likely is it to let us pass unmolested?
Tobias takes out his crossow and loads it, keeping sure to avoid aiming at the foul beastie, delaying hopefully until the group is able to bypass the creature without a battle.
Zumii tries to study the blob to see if it would appear hostile or not.
"I have no idea what this creature is but our options are limited. Perhaps we can pull it under the ledge while we pass by it."
I second the need to know how high the ledge is. Can everyone jump down this height safely enough. Do we think it can reach up here?
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Knowledge: dungeoneering to know what kind of creature this is 1d20+7
How likely is it to let us pass unmolested?
Salm has heard of these creatures before; it is an otyugh. From what he remembers they like to feast on all manner of digusting waste. If his memory serves him correctly as long as the otyugh does not feel its food supply threatened or if it is offered something tasty it usually does not attack. That is unless it is particularly starved or desperate...
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Coming to a swift halt Lia studies the creatures behavior for a moment and whispers, "Normally, I would backtrack and find a way around but I'm not sure we have that luxury. Perhaps we can distract it while we pass. Any other ideas?" She begins carefully looking about the chamber for anything of use.
1d20+7
Lia looks around the area trying to focus on anything but the digusting blob below her. At first she does not spot anything but then she spies a half-eaten chicken carcass stuck in the piping just next to the ledge she is standing on.
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"I have no idea what this creature is but our options are limited. Perhaps we can pull it under the ledge while we pass by it."
I second the need to know how high the ledge is. Can everyone jump down this height safely enough. Do we think it can reach up here?
The ledge is about 10 feet above the water/sludge level of the cesspool. Given the size of the creature and its rather large tentacles it seems likely that it could reach the ledge fairly easily if it decided to do so.
The ledge goes around the room but has sets of steps going down to almost water level height. The lower level of the ledge is about 40 feet long before ascending up the opposite set of stairs to the ledge on the far side. The exit from the room is directly opposite the entrance you are presently standing at.
(assuming everything has been shared)
"Assuming it'll stay occupied with the meat long enough to let us pass do we think just tossing it will be enough to draw it's attention or will one us need to play chicken with the chicken and draw it's attention? Or perhaps the fowl is trained enough to accomplish the task and then fly away?"
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Lia's face suddenly brightens and she takes a few careful steps to retrieve the chicken, "Aha, look at this." She doesn't seem the least bit perturbed by holding onto the partially devoured carcass. Giggling as she glances at Hadrian, "I don't think it's flying anywhere. It can play dead. Watch." At this she drops it on the floor where it lies still before picking it up again. Still smiling but a bit more serious, "I'll just get it's attention and then toss it over on that side of the room while we all run around this side. Seems simple enough."
Salm shares what he knows about otyughs with the group.
With his weapon out, Salm will begin to move across the room at rather slow pace. (moving no more than 30'/rd)
Tobias follows close to the group as the chicken carcass is tossed to the foul creature.