Lyra hears the voice calling out a threat to a halfling. "Be ready, sounds like a fight ahead," she tells the others, readying her bow, and opening the door from the garden, prepared to shoot if anything hostile is on the other side.
If it's clear, she will enter and try to determine where the voices are coming from.
At seeing the human female jam arrows into her eyes and killing herself, Brightberry's own eyes widen.
She just ended her own life! And by all accounts, she only gets one....wow. what is this group?
I don't remember seeing a halfling assassin. Wait,
"It sounds like some bad person is hunting for Linzi! We should go help."
By that, he means someone else should charge ahead and he will follow.
Tibold retrieves and reloads the crossbow, and he stashes one of the healing potions.
After their break and dispassionately observing the assassin commit suicide rather than be captured, Tibold cocks his head when the bellowing starts. Seeing Brightberry’s reaction, Tibold nods and puts a finger to his lips to encourage the rest of them to try to be quiet.
Then he positions himself near the door with the crossbow raised to fire waiting for the half-elf champion to throw it open, so they can charge in to save whichever halflings are about to lose their eyes.
Dang do I ever hate doorways... especially when I know something is not pleasant behind one.
Edoom refocuses his magic, draws forth his bow, and awaits a target.
As Iradyiel looks at the face of the female assassin his face drains of color. ”Not her…I got to go.” He runs to the far east and the sounds of him trying to force the barred portcullis can be heard. It will take him many minutes to get out.
Opening the west door you are in a hallway. Six guards lie dead along with three black cloaked assassins. Behind the immediate door right is the bellowing voice. ”Since you’re not making this easy, it won’t be quick!!”
Lyra checks back once to make sure all are ready, grimaces slightly at the runaway champion, and then opens the door from which the noise is emanating. She will stay in the doorway if possible to scope the room before deciding to enter in. She still has bow in hand with an arrow nocked.
?
"Wait Lyra. Let me... You're injured".
Edoom takes a deep breath and pulls forth the oilskin wrapped bundle cinched over his shoulder. He pulls forth a gleaming curved metal sword and readies his shield.
He then slings the door open, stepping to the side just in case any ranged attacks are waiting before charging in.
Before opening door.
◆ Recharge Spellstrike
◆ Pull forth Sword
◆ Open door
Daily update
Initiative
As the party enters the room, Linzi is hiding in the NW corner from an ogre with a cut that is bleeding into his eyes. Linzi inspires everyone with courage as an ogre in stinking armor is trying to find her.
Edoom and Bb to act
"Hey you big Lout... Pick on someone your own size... or at least closer".
◆ Move
◆◆ Spellstrike
Katana Attack (+1 if wearing metal armor).
Hero Point
Katana slicing damage.
Shocking grasp damage. (Electricity).
Total of 20 (With inspiration)
Persistent damage if metal armor.
Plus deadly damage if critical.
Edoom slices the ogre from right shoulder to waist with a huge jolt of electricity. Although not wearing much metal, the ogre drops dead instantly.
Linzi gives Edoom a hug around his waist.
Lyra and Brightberry notice a secret door in the room by where Linzi was hiding.
Combat Over
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Nice slice, Edoom! Shocking."
Tearing his eyes away from the large stinky humanoid,
"Linzi, What happened? We woke up to fighting outside our door and found assassins. Were's the rest of your group? Through that hidden door?" He asks, pointing out the secrete door.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Tibold isn't certain what shocked him more: the sight of a blinded ogre fumbling around the room, or a blinded ogre almost sliced in half with an electric blade. He begins to wonder if the electricity on the edge actually assisted in the cutting...he shook his head to re-organize his thoughts before he could start planning the experiment. This is no time for that. There are ogres and assassins everywhere!
The alchemist gives Edoom a thorough look. "Edoom, dear chap, you look different."
He glances at the halfling attached to his waist. "Ah, I'm betting you're what all that hollering was about."
Lyra prods the dead ogre with her foot, looking at Edoom with some new-found admiration. "I am almost certain this fellow was not invited to dinner. Wonder how he got here?"
She looks around the corpse of the electrocuted ogre for any sign of the Black Tears, or any other loot that it might be carrying. Once done with that, she helps the leshy find a secret door. "Wonder where this goes, but secret ways are the best ways, aren't they?"
If everyone is ready, she will investigate what the secret door leads into, listening first and then carefully stepping inside.
Edoom accepts the hug from Linzi somewhat awkwardly as he is not used to being touched.
"You gratitude is acknowledged and appreciated, but unnecessary. That creature needed to be eradicated. Now let's move on and see what is happening here".
Wow I didn't expect that. In theory that's the way this whole thing should work, but in practice it's even more... fascinating.
"Be careful opening that. Sometimes secret things are protected by traps as well".
Edoom stands clear of the opening, but ready to jump in if something presents itself.
daily update
Linzi catches her breath. ”We got separated—Amiri, Valerie and Harrim are out there. Assassins everywhere and they are fanatical!! I managed to blind that ogre with a strike over his eyes, but he was zeroing in on me!!”
Four of the five guards have minor healing potions—all have long sword, dagger, light crossbow and chain mail. All assassins have 5sp in pouch, hand Xbow, dagger and studded leather. The ogre is a walking vermin infestation of lice, ticks and more. You consider the value of fully searching him.
Linzi helps loot the guards and assassins. The secret door appears untrapped.
"This is where that arcane magic hand Tertuccio was showing off would come in useful," Tibold says drily while eyeing the ogre. The sheer amount of vermin on the creature fascinates him, and he wonders what kind of results tests performed on ogre-fed parasites would yield. He reluctantly tears himself away since Lyra and Edoom are all business while threats are lurking.
Tibold offers to assist Linzi if she needs to don any armor and arm herself for fighting. Afterwards, he hefts his crossbow to a ready position and follows Lyra through the door of sekrits.
"Brightest Berry, you and Lil' Linzi certainly give me comfort by being here. Lyra and Edoom may be murder machines, and that's great and all, but there's something nice about people with warm fuzzy magics that always keeps my heart rate low."
Tibold could just be talking to himself for all anyone can tell. Despite addressing people by name, he appears to just be muttering under his breath as he scans he environment.
Lyra piles all the looted weapons in a corner of the room, and when she sees the vermin on the ogre, and experiences its smell, she chooses to pay more attention to the secret door. Hearing it is not trapped, she opens the door, ready to spread her death machine....
A single locked large trunk is in the secret room with a house crest. Doors out are easily visible now. The trunk has a medium grade lock. Linzi rummages through her pack for a kit with many lockpicking tools. ”I can share if you want.”
Lyra does not have any lockpicks, but she has some idea how to use them. If Linzi offers them up, she nods her thanks, and sets to work on the lock, trying her best to make quick work of things.
"Okay, we see what's in here and then find the other members of your group. Then we pull the rest of the assassins out by the roots. I wonder if they also went after Lady Jumanji."
Brightberry rubs at what would equate to a chin as he thinks.
Edoom walks to the door of this room and keeps watch for any sign of danger.
"Hurry it up. I'll keep an eye out, but we need to find the others as quickly as we can. Linzi did you see anything other than more assassins during the action"?
Lyra attempts to open the lock, and the picks break. Linzi offers Lyra a set of replacements that break in the lock again.
”There is another giant of some kind and lots of assassins. I have one last set of picks if you think to try again?? They say third time is a charm right??”
"Someone must really not want us to see what's inside," says Lyra with a furrowed brow. "Sorry about your pick Linzi, are you any better at opening these than I am?"
She offers the chest to the halfling, if she wants to try. If she doesn't, Lyra will try one more time before just securing the chest and all the gear back in the secret room, so they can move on, and see what's happening elsewhere in the manor.
With the last pick the huge trunk opens on the second try. In the trunk are a light mace and long sword Linzi tells you is magic. Eight bags with 100gp each. Two minor healing potions. And a ledger titled Payrolls with a list of names, their positions (maid, cook, guard) and their salary.
Lyra lets out a low whistle at the loot included in the chest. "Seems like it was worth a few lockpicks, eh Linzi? Think our host will miss these things? Seems a little like stealing, but we should keep them safe for now, don't you think guys?" She hefts the longsword and if no one objects, belts it in place of her older, more worn version.
She offers the potions and the magical mace to the others. "Anyone want this payroll book? Not sure its a page-turner..."
She still shoves the chest, and any other gear from the dead soldiers and bandits into the secret room closing it behind.
I don't feel comfortable taking this from my host. This money is to pay the help, and for upkeep. I could see "borrowing the weapons and potions to help liberate the place but will not be party to taking the gold".
Edoom helps move the bodies from the hallway into the room, but will not take anything from the treasury.
"Perhaps we shall yield some reward from liberating this estate, but I don't want payment in advance".
Edoom will not stop the others from taking what they want, but he won't do so himself.
"I agree with Edoom-and-Gloom about taking the money. A few assassins doesn't really give us the right to steal from the mansion staff. Even if they may no longer need it themselves." Tibold nudges one of the guard's corpses with his boot's toe.
"One does have to wonder why it's here in this room if this is one of the adventurer bunking areas..."
Brightberry watches the interesting interaction between his companions concerning the right and wrong of taking the gold from the hidden place.
"It would not be right to take from our host. Having it hidden makes it seem stolen already. We'll keep it hidden until we can sort it out. On to the next giant!"
That is a lot of gold, though...
The longsword and mace have the same family crest as the ledger but are of top quality.
Linzi agrees with Edoom
”This secret room is off the library I was hiding in. Probably not easy for house guests to find and then there is the house crests. I don’t know if taking the time to figure out the detailed nature of the magic weapons is worth the time. Are there other reasons to delay the search for my roommates??”
Tibold nods along with Linzi's words regarding the chest's location. "Hopefully they'll be forgiving as we borrow some of the estate's impressive weaponry."
"Lil Linzi here is probably right though. Time isn't really on our side if we want to keep as many non-assassins alive as possible."
Lyra agrees to stow the cash, and come back for it if the owner consents. Once the chest full of gold and the other materials are stowed, Lyra is ready to resume the search for the assassins, the others from the gather, and the presumably the hostess herself.
"Where to Linzi? Any idea where they went?"
If Linzi has an idea, Lyra will head that way, if she doesn't express an opinion, she will start with the room across the hall (A9). She will of course let the bulky magus take the point, if he wishes.
** spoiler omitted **
Tibold
After having the mutagen explained to him, Edoom clasps his shoulder and utters a word of thanks.
Once Linzi points out the direction, or we enter (A9) Edoom shares his thoughts with the group.
"I don't mind entering first but would prefer to have my shield in hand. If someone else could throw open the door, then step aside I'll be happy to lead the way".
When they get to the door... or if he hears any action from elsewhere Edoom prepares to enter.
Perception
Once the door is open
◆ Refocus Spellstrike
◆ Move
◆ Raise Shield
Daily Update
You leave the windowless room with all but the gold bags and ledger. You search the remaining three rooms in the area: a storage room with the tools and things needed to run an estate {a6}, a room for servants with plain beds and murdered servants (a9) and a head cook’s room(a10).
The storage room has two repair kits and over 100 candles and torches. Linzi finds a silver pendant in a servant’s boot in the servants room. Lyra finds a pouch underneath some spices with 6gp 23sp. You prepare to move to the next area or search this area more carefully as you have been giving it a ‘once over’. A cursory check of the pendant leaves all uncertain of its value.
Let's keep moving. The others may still be in danger".
Edoom is obviously anxious to rescue more people.
"This seems to be the servants wing, perhaps we should head to the other side".
"Even so, servants are worthy of life, aren't they? Who else will serve our meals once we're all emperors?" the alchemist asks wryly. "We should make sure no more dirty ogres are trying to eat anyone who remains, but I will agree we should move quicker. Searching should only be limited to supplies we will need for these fights and signs of anyone hiding who may need our assistance. They may even be able to contribute."
Tibold tries to perceive any sounds or smells which would indicate a more pressing location to which the impromptu team should relocate.
Lyra will pocket the coins found for later distribution, and the locket goes in her belt pouch (she will return if the owner is found alive). Otherwise, the group moves through these mainly empty rooms rather quickly, focusing on finding more assassins, and perhaps a giant, per Linzi.
Eventually they get to the door at the end of this section, and after Tibold listens, she is ready to open the door for Edoom following their ad hoc door tactics.
Daily update
Initiative
Linzi inspires her allies and Tibold has the jump on the giant in furs as Amiri, Harrim and Valerie are unconscious at the giant’s feet. The large giant staggered to his feet as the door is opened.
Order
Linzi - inspire courage
Tibold
Giant
The giant is riddled with crossbow bolts and has suffered a severe wound to his left arm from Amiri’s large bastard sword lying on the ground. In the room are well over ten corpses of guards and other household servants. He is unarmed at the moment and was prone or sitting recently.
Tibold boggles for a moment as he looks at an even larger humanoid than the one felled by Edoom.
"How did you even get in here?!" he blurts out at the massive figure. Probably due to nerves or surprise, Tibold squeezes the trigger on his crossbow in the giant's general direction.
P
Lyra is a bit taken aback by the giant. She had heard stories of course, but she was not prepared for the enormity of the thing. And if it had taken down a fierce warrior like Amiri, and the others, she was suddenly quite worried that they have bitten off more than they could chew.
Daily update
Entering the room the heroes faced a giant creature heavily wounded among a sea of bodies.
Linzi inspired courage from the back of the room as Tibold fired a crossbow deflected by a battered breastplate.
The giant stepped forward next to Edoom and exhaled a blast of cold hitting Edoom, Lyra, the prone Harrim, and Tibold.
Then the giant swung a massive fist at Lyra and connects hitting bone.
Heroes up
"Dammit. Spread out so he can't catch us all in his frosty breath".
Reflex Save
◆ Move (Close to combat)
◆ Move to flanking position
◆ Shielding Strike. (Allows shield to be raised as part of the attack).
Katana
Slashing damage
Brightberry leans his twiggy neck back to get a full look at this giant.
He's bloody, breaths cold air, and felled all of these other heroes. Time for reinforcements!
◆◆◆Summon Plant or fungus
PLUM LESHY
CREATURE -1
CE
SMALL
LESHY
PLANT
Perception +5; Low-Light Vision
Languages Abyssal; speak with plants (trees only)
Skills Acrobatics +5, Athletics +4, Stealth +5
Str –1, Dex +3, Con +2, Int –2, Wis +2, Cha +0
Source #1-15: The Blooming Catastrophe, 20
AC 15; Fort +2, Ref +8, Will +5
HP 10
Virulent Burst When a polluted leshy dies, they release a burst of toxic natural energy. Each living non-plant creature within 30 feet takes 1d6 poison damage (DC 15 basic Fortitude save).
Speed 25 feet
Melee claws +4 (agile, finesse), Damage 1d4 slashing
Ranged rotten fruit +8 (range 60 feet), Damage 1d6 bludgeoning plus bitter harvest
Bitter Harvest When a plum leshy hits with their rotten fruit Strike, the target must attempt a DC 15 Fortitude save.
Critical Success The target is unaffected and becomes temporarily immune to all plum leshys’ bitter harvest for 1 hour.
Success The target is unaffected.
Failure The target is sickened 1. Once it succeeds at its save to recover from the sickened condition, it is immune to all plum leshys’ bitter harvest for 1 hour.
Critical Failure As failure, plus the target also takes a –1 penalty on all saves to recover from the sickened condition for 1 hour.
The giant is able to reach ten feet to attack Lyra. He is hit by a piece of fruit.
Failure The target is sickened 1. Once it succeeds at its save to recover from the sickened condition, it is immune to all plum leshys’ bitter harvest for 1 hour.
Critical Failure As failure, plus the target also takes a –1 penalty on all saves to recover from the sickened condition for 1 hour.
The giant is able to reach ten feet to attack Lyra.
Tibold drops the crossbow as he dives forward to avoid the frosty breath. As he stands, Tibold draws his trusty machete hoping the enormous humanoid doesn't have the speed to react.
Tibold tries to assist the magus with the mighty attempt to hew down the massive figure by moving forward and making a cut with his blade.