"Friends, we are near the top of this fortress. Shall we see what lies behind this door, or would you like to examine the roof, first?" Lycia smiles grimly, holding each of their gazes for several seconds. "We near the end, I think, for good or for ill. Whatever happens, know this: I have enjoyed having you by my side."
Delphey looks appreciative of Lycia's thoughtful words, but then speaks in an irritated tone. "Hold it together. No one is going to die here." She nods further up the stairs. "This whole place is falling apart. We should go further up, and see if this room has a roof still or windows." Delphey takes a dagger in each hand, and continues up the stairs.
Lycia laughs and blushes. "I suppose I am being prematurely dramatic! Lead the way, Delphey!" She carries her crossbow at the ready.
Delphey pokes her head out the top of the stairs. She sees that the four wings of this level are completely open, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest. To the west, a large troglodyte stands on a balcony. It seems to be watching the scenery. Behind it is an alligator. Neither has yet noticed Delphey.
Delphey quietly heads back down the stairs to inform her cohorts of what she saw, and to formulate a further plan.
Delphey reports what she saw, including the layout, the throne like chair, and the alligator.
"Think we should see what is behind the last door, or deal with the big chief up there? The Trog is standing on a balcony with it's back to us. Maybe we can send it over the edge. Oh but the alligator is right there too. Do you have any spells that might be potent Lycia?"
Delphey reports what she saw, including the layout, the throne like chair, and the alligator.
"Think we should see what is behind the last door, or deal with the big chief up there? The Trog is standing on a balcony with it's back to us. Maybe we can send it over the edge. Oh but the alligator is right there too. Do you have any spells that might be potent Lycia?"
"I have a spell that may be able to give us an advantage. Remember the spell I used on the dogs? That could easily hinder the troglodyte and his reptile, if they are not somehow immune. If it does not strike them unconscious, it can--at the very least--stun or blind them."
Lycia chews on her lower lip, thinking. "This would be, however, my last spell for the day; I have expended nearly all my arcane energies."
"If we decide to do this, we must be quick. I must get fairly close for the spell to affect them. We could all try to sneak up upon them, I could cast the spell, and then Kol could push the troglodyte over. Depending on the spell's effect, or if we are unlucky, we may have to enter combat with one or both of them."
"That sounds like a plan to me. If the spell works Kel should try and charge the Trog and oust him off the balcony. I'll try and distract the lizard as needed. Hopefully they will both fall under the enchantment. What do you think Kel?"
Speaking soft and hastily Delphey immediately turns to Lycia. "Do you suppose something like an alligator would be afraid of fire? Perhaps we can use a few torches to make some kind of screen."
Kol listens to the planning and weighs his options. "It sounds like a solid plan, as long as nothing gets in the way of my charge."
"Yes, it could be a solid plan. However, I would have to sneak up to them, cast my spell, and somehow be quick enough to leap out of Kol's way when he comes charging! I think it can be done, but we also have to realize that I might be walking into a very lethal situation."
Lycia takes a deep breath, having made such a long speech, then continues. "I am willing to try it . . . but you must be ready to assist should anything go wrong!" She smiles nervously, biting her lower lip again.
Lycia smirks as a different sort of plan comes to mind. "On second thought . . . I think I may have an alternative to this tactic. It is likely just as dangerous, but perhaps not overwhelmingly so."
She dismisses her light spell, and continues. "Delphey, you and Kol could sneak up the stairs and each covertly steal to the north and south wings of this upper level. Delphey, north, and Kol, south. You would then wait, in hiding, some ways--perhaps fifteen feet deep--into your respective positions, against the westward walls. I know Delphey can sneak around with no problem; I trust you may be able to, as well, Kol?"
She leans forward, excitement dancing in her eyes. "I will create an illusion from near the top of the stairs, unseen; an illusion of a troglodyte. You both will see it, but fear not: it will just be a figment, not real. This illusion will be a distraction; from what I know of these creatures, they speak Draconic, a language I am quite familiar with. The illusion will 'speak' to the larger troglodyte--using my voice, of course--to create a distraction. Hopefully, this will draw out the troglodyte; when he gets close enough, the two of you can rush over in a pincer attack, flanking him. With this initial attack, we may best use the element of surprise: you may both kill him where he stands, or at least wound him terribly, while I arise and loose some bolts at him. If he sends the crocodile instead, well . . . I suppose we will have to deal with that beast in his place."
Lycia catches her breath, smiling. "What say you?"
Kol smiles amused, "I am not often one for such trickery but It does sound exciting."
"Whatever we do we must do it soon before we are discovered"
"Okay" Delphey gets into position and hides.
Kol goes ahead with the plan.
Standing near the top of the stairs, Lycia casts a silent image of a troglodyte after the others have gotten into position. She concentrates on the image walking to the top of the stairs and having it "speak" as she calls out in Draconic (trying to adopt as masculine a voice as she can muster): "Come quickly! Soft-skins have entered the stronghold; they've killed one of us already, downstairs!"
The large troglodyte ducks into the hall, leaping over the crocodile.
"HUMANS? AGAIN? Have they no understanding of private property!? This time you'll get to eat them whole, Snapjaw!"
It casts a spell on the croc, then dashes right into your trap.
Lycia rises fully, launching a bolt at the troglodyte.
Delphey steps up and chooses to unleash a sling shot at the Trog.
Kol charges the trog in a fury and swings his great sword, taking advantage of the momentum.
Rolling Initiative for Kol
Troglodyte
Croc
Lycia and Delphey unleash their salvo. Though their shots are close, the master troglodyte manages to dodge both.
With a ear-splitting roar Kol charges and brings his heavy blade down on the reptillian, who fails to escape injury this time.
Suprise round ends. Round 1 begins!
Lycia backpedals several paces and invokes a dazing cantrip at the master troglodyte.
Kol grits his teeth and growls violently, "HAVE ANOTHER YOU FILTHY LIZARD!"
Delphey moves ten feet to the south and targets the croc to a try and gain it's attention.
Sorry, I'm not feeling well. I'll update tonight.
Sorry, I'm not feeling well. I'll update tonight.
Sorry, still sick.
feel better JZ!
I'll be attending Gencon this week and I'll be gone Friday and won't have a means to post until I'm home sometime late Sunday.
I'm back and 100% again. Tremendous apologies for the delay, folks.
I'm back and 100% again. Tremendous apologies for the delay, folks.
Lycia bounds out of the stairwell and away from the troglodyte and weaves a spell ...
Trog lord will save - FAIL
Kol swings at the reptile-man, missing closely.
Delphey moves closer to the action, throws at the crocodile, but misses.
Dazed, the troglodyte does not attack.
The crocodile moves up and snaps at Kol ...
Attack - HIT
Damage
Kol falls to the floor, unconscious ...
Round 2 begins
"" Lycia rushes over to where Kol has fallen and pulls her curing potion from her pack.