Session
12:
Vermin
Plague
[JadedDM]: Agate 10th, Rockday.
It is sixteen bells on this windy day in the city of
[Eskar]: Eskar sidles up alongside
Meschior who is sitting on the front steps. The duergar is sporting some type of
dark goggles over his eyes, which makes him look very alien indeed. He nods to
Aidan when he comes to a stop then turns to Meschior. "Hello, my
friend."
[JadedDM]: Meschior blinks,
raising his head from his hands. He
looks at Eskar for a moment without recognition, and then he seems to return to
reality. "Eskar.
Oh, what are you doing here?"
[Eskar]: Eskar pats the small
shield strapped to his left arm, like his sword and belt it bears the symbol of
a wolf howling. "I am shopping, yes? And you, what is this building, the
book place?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Oh, the library. Yes, I
was just..," he pauses, choosing his words carefully.
"I was just resting a moment."
[Eskar]: The duergar raises a
filthy hand to his face and slides the goggles onto his forehead in order to
give Meschior a piercing stare.
[JadedDM]: The priest stands up,
his chain mail catching and reflecting some of the remaining sunlight.
He dusts off his red robes.
[Aidan]: Aidan, seemingly choosing
the moment to speak, lowers the hood of his cloak, letting the wind pick at it
as he brushed some of his hair from his face, gazing at the slayers. "The
library does not tend to house the resting. Perhaps you have been up to
something...?"
[Eskar]: Eskar squints and crosses
his arms, shifting his position next to Aidan and squaring his shoulders in
regards to Meschior.
[JadedDM]: Meschior's face pales
a bit and he has the look of a guilty person being caught.
"No...no, I was just happening by and decided to rest here."
[Aidan]: "Yes," Aidan
says slowly. "Happening by as Eskar was, though it would seem he has no
need of rest?" He gestured to the dwarf before calmly looking up and down
the street.
[JadedDM]: The streets are
slowly beginning to empty, as night approaches.
People are heading home for the evening, and merchants are gathering up
their wares to return to their houses.
[Eskar]: "I have lived many,
many years, Priest of Renos, enough to know when someone is... lying?" He
countenance assumes a stern and fatherly appearance.
[Aidan]: "This is quite a walk
from your shrine, I believe..." Aidan ruffles through the pockets of his
cloak before pulling out a deck of cards, shuffling them and drawing a card for
himself. "Quite a wonder that we have all 'happened by,'" he says
knowingly.
[Eskar]: Eskar pauses from giving
Meschior the 'ol stink-eye, though squinting, and turns to look at what Aidan is
doing.
[JadedDM]: Meschior appears
about to say something, but he is interrupted by a loud clatter from behind
them. It seems to have come from
within the library. A flash of light
emits from the second story window facing them, and a piercing scream erupts
from within.
[Aidan]: Aidan quickly puts the cards away and rushes up
the stairs, walking inside the building.
[JadedDM]: Meschior makes some
kind of choking noise. "Loreleii?"
He hurries after the mage, inside the building.
[Eskar]: Eskar hurriedly pops a
bit of charcoal into his mouth, crunching it loudly before following.
[JadedDM]: The library is a
small, two-story building full of the musty smell of books.
The walls are lined with bookshelves and there are a number of reading
tables and chairs scattered about. In
the center of the room is a spiral staircase leading upward to the stacks.
A desk stands before it, but it is unmanned.
In fact, the entire first floor seems empty of people.
However, the three hear sounds upstairs.
A chanting voice, the roar of flame, and a man scream in agony.
Then another scream, as well as shuffling and clattering.
[JadedDM]: Without hesitance,
Meschior hurries to the stairs and climbs up them.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks around the
ground floor of the building, checking for any signs of structural damage or
signs of danger that may be uncaught by the haste of the others.
[Aidan]: Aidan calmly pulls a piece
of copper from his pocket and mutters the incantation for a spell, moving his
hands about as he watches the priest move up the stairs.
[JadedDM]: Looking around, Eskar
can see nothing wrong, at least on this floor.
Meschior reaches the second floor and cries out Loreleii's name.
They hear the sound of steel being unsheathed.
[Eskar]: "Trouble." Eskar spares no time now,
in following after Meschior to the second story, his bastard sword sliding from
sheathe to hand.
[Aidan]: Aidan sighs softly,
following after the dwarf, though climbing the stairs slowly.
[JadedDM]: Upstairs, they find
Meschior, his sword drawn. A band of
ruffians, both human and goblinoid, are before them.
Several bookcases have been knocked over and there are signs of a
struggle. A dead goblin lies nearby,
apparently burned to death. Parts of
its clothing are still smoldering with flame.
One of the larger men has Loreleii in his arms.
She is unmoving, either unconscious or dead, although they can see no
mark on her from their vantage point. Quickly,
the thieves begin climbing out the window, down a rope dangling from it.
A rather swarthy looking goblin frowns at seeing the three.
"This ain't your business. Turn
around, walk away...and you can keep your heads."
[Eskar]: Eskar freezes, looking to
his companions for their actions.
[Aidan]: "That woman is
responsible for my pay, actually, so I'm afraid this is my business," the
mage says, keeping his arms still, but tensed.
[JadedDM]: A grim look crosses
Meschior's face. "Return her,
or else it is you who shall face the consequences."
[Eskar]: "You fight here, my
friends." Eskar turns and rushes right back down the stairs.
[Aidan]: Aidan rolls his eyes.
[JadedDM]: The thieves have
since slipped out the window, until only two remain.
The big one carrying Loreleii, who begins the descent next.
The remaining one is the goblin who spoke to them.
He whips out two knives with lightning speed and hurls them at the three.
The black hilted blades sink into the ground at their feet and quiver
like tuning forks. The goblin shakes
his head and wags his feeling. "Bad.
Stay." Then with a grin,
he literally leaps out the second story window.
[Eskar]: Eskar is of course
running to where the thieves are hitting the ground, in order to catch them
before they can make it away, and also in order to abuse their awkwardness as
they descend via rope.
[Aidan]: Aidan steps to the window
as the large man begins to disappear from view, rummaging in his component
pouches as he goes.
[JadedDM]:
(He's running downstairs to circle the building?
Or he's running to the window?)
[Aidan]: (aidan is going to the
window from the second floor, eskar is downstairs)
[Eskar]: (Well he ran down and
will take the quickest route to where he thinks they're landing. If there's a
low window he's going right through it)
[JadedDM]: Meschior and Aidan
both approach the window and look down. The
rope is dangling from the window, holding on to the still with a grappling hook.
The big thief has just reached the bottom and the goblin apparently hit
the ground in a tumble, amazingly unhurt. They
proceed to head down the alley, away from the main streets.
Meschior quickly tests the weight of the rope, and starts to climb down,
as well. Eskar, meanwhile, runs
downstairs, out the front door, around the building, and into the alley.
But due to his short legs and heavy armor, this takes a few moments to
accomplish.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks carefully at
the two thieves before cursing and thrusting some object back into a pouch and
running down the stairs.
[JadedDM]: By the time Eskar
reaches the alley, Meschior has all ready climbed down to the ground and started
running after them. Aidan follows
Eskar's path, leaving him even further behind.
But he quickly catches up with the slow moving dwarf and heavily armored
cleric.
[Eskar]: Eskar slows to a halt,
realizing the futility of his actions. He sheathes his sword again. "I am
being too slow..." He lets out a gigantic sigh, full of charcoal dust,
before turning to look at the other two. "You want find them, yes?"
[Aidan]: Aidan nods, breathless as
he stops for a moment with the group. "Where
have they gone?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Down the alley," he says, panting.
"They can't get far, it's a dead-end."
[Eskar]: Eskar takes a moment to
comprehend what Meschior said, then leaps into action, running down towards the
end of the alley.
[Aidan]: Aidan curses. "They
must have something planned if they've gotten this far." He pushes the
priest along and rushes after Eskar.
[JadedDM]: Although this
district is clean and well-maintained, the alley looks like it belongs in the
slums. It is dirty and reeks of
refuse. A homeless man, missing a
leg, sits against the wall, wrapped in ragged blankets.
The alley heads to the north and then turns a corner to the right.
[JadedDM]: "Alms for the
poor?" the man asks as they approach.
[Aidan]: Aidan notes the homeless
man, squinting his eyes suspiciously at him, then continues past him towards the
corner.
[Eskar]: Eskar, being of
tight-wallet, continues past the man, running.
[JadedDM]: The three turn the
corner, the mage easily taking the lead and the dwarf falling to the back.
However, when they reach the end of the alley they find a dead-end.
There are no windows or doors nearby, and no trace of the thieves.
Just a couple of trashcans in the corner.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks
around, confused. "But...they
must have come this way."
[Eskar]: Eskar, despite all of the
heavy running and excitement, hardly seems out of breath at all when he turns
around obviously confused. "And the man we pass?"
[Aidan]: Aidan curses loudly before
taking a few moments to catch his breath. He steps forward, eyeing the walls and
the trashcans. He mutters a spell, waving his hands towards the dead-end.
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Some kind of magic, maybe? To
vanish in thin air? I've seen that
kind of thing before."
[Aidan]: "There's
nothing," the mage says. He runs a finger across the nearest wall, scowling
at it. "I can't sense anything at all.
I hope one of you has something to offer that homeless man."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Can you not divine their presence somehow?"
[Eskar]: Eskar takes a moment to
think, then seems to take an idea from Aidan's actions. He runs his hands along
the walls of the alley, pressing his cheek up against some of them, and knocking
in certain spots as of checking for something.
[Aidan]: "Well, that is what I
just tried to do," Aidan says irritably. "I'll go see about divining
their presence from our 'witness.'" He
walks back around the corner, fishing in his pockets.
[JadedDM]: Meschior sheathes his
sword and stands there impatiently, as if somehow willing an opening to appear.
Eskar searches the walls carefully, but not even his finely-tuned dwarf
senses can find any kind of latch or opening.
Aidan returns to the homeless man, who holds up a small, clay bowl.
Inside are a handful of silver and copper pieces.
"Alms for the poor?" he asks.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks distastefully
at the bowl, slipping a couple coppers into it.
[Eskar]: Eskar slumps his
shoulders and turns to Meschior. "Nothing. We are following Aidan,
yes?"
[JadedDM]: The man looks down
into the bowl. "Thank you for
your generosity, kind sir."
[JadedDM]: Meschior stares
forward, and mutters to himself, leaving the dwarf to wonder if he was even
heard. "Why did they take her?
What do they want with her?"
[Aidan]: The diviner crouches down
so that he is at eye level with the man. "I don't suppose you saw a group
of people run past here not too long ago?"
[JadedDM]: Homeless Man:
"Maybe I did."
[Eskar]: Eskar taps Meschior a bit
hard in the gut with his palm. "This have something in common with secrets,
my friend?" He stares stonily up at the priest.
[JadedDM]: Meschior snaps out of
it and looks down at the dwarf. "What?"
[Aidan]: A smile tugs at Aidan's
lips, and he takes a long look at the man, sizing him up. "I am a fortune
teller, you know. I can already tell some interesting things are going to happen
to you soon. Perhaps I can tell you some of them if you tell me what it is you
saw."
[Eskar]: "Why are you by
the... library right before this happen?" He taps Meschior in the gut again
for good measure.
[JadedDM]: The old man scowls,
dropping his kindly facade. "There
is nothing you can tell me, boy, that I don't all ready know.
I went to war to fight, and lost my leg.
Now I must live on the streets, begging for coins from those above me.
I will most likely die of disease or exposure, if I'm lucky."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"I told you. I was just
resting. We are wasting time,"
he adds quickly. "We must find
her before they..," he trails off. "Before
they hurt her. Or worse."
[Eskar]: Eskar shrugs. "What
do you care? Can you fight by yourself?" The duergar lets his arms fall to
his sides and leans up against the wall. "Because I don't risk my life for
no reason, my friend, and not for everyone's trouble. How come you do?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Loreleii is...a friend. And she has helped us before, in our fight with Santeria. I owe her," he says, fidgeting.
[Aidan]: Aidan smiles at the man,
making small gestures in the space before him. "It seems to me you fear
your future's tell, when i think instead you'll be doing quite well."
Aidan brought his hands together to make a small frame, within which he
cast an image of the man cleaned up and lounging among several large and plump
cushions and a veritable harem of women.
[Eskar]: Eskar slowly relaxes his
stern expression. "I am seeing." He looks around. "Back to
wizard?"
[JadedDM]: The old man leans
forward, astonished. "How?
How can this future be so?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods,
frustrated. He returns to where the
homeless man was last seen.
[Eskar]: Eskar follows after
Meschior.
[Aidan]: "That is a good
question, my friend. But I'm afraid I need some information before I can divulge
any more."
[JadedDM]: The man looks up at
Aidan suspiciously, and then in turn to his two companions as they return.
He seems to struggle with the decision a moment.
"The men you are after escaped into the sewers.
There is an opening in the alley, hidden under the trash cans."
[Eskar]: Eskar hits himself on the
head with his hand. "Fool." He sighs and crunches on a few more pieces
of charcoal as consolation before rushing back to the end of the alley.
[JadedDM]: Meschior hurries
after the dwarf. Once in the alley,
he knocks the trash cans aside, revealing a manhole under one.
A series of rungs allow one to climb down inside.
[Aidan]: "Thank you, my
friend." Aidan looks dramatically up at the sky, gazing at the few stars he
can see, before grabbing for the man's hand, running a finger along the lines of
his palm. "It seems you should greatly consider the career of an
informant."
He reaches into his pockets again
as he stands, dropping five gold coins into the man's bowl before running off
after the others.
[Eskar]: Eskar blinks slowly,
considering the descent before climbing down. "Let me to go first, yes? I
can see."
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods.
"Be careful."
[Aidan]: "Try not to crunch
too loudly on that charcoal," Aidan warns as he catches up with the group,
watching as the dwarf disappears down the manhole.
[JadedDM]: Meschior kneels
beside the manhole, listening for any trouble.
[Eskar]: Eskar whispers up to the
people at the top. "Safe, come down." He looks about for any signs of
their quarry.
[Aidan]: Aidan nods to the priest,
and then quickly climbs down the hole.
[JadedDM]: Meschior follows
after Aidan. Down below, it is pitch
black. They find themselves at the
end of a tunnel leading north. The
tunnel has a flow of sewage running down the middle, about half a foot deep.
It drains into a hole near the entrance.
The sewage is greenish-brown and reeks to the high heavens.
The two humans cannot see anything beyond the entrance, however.
[Aidan]: "Thank the gods I
can't see what that smell is," Aidan says as softly as he can. "Where
to, Eskar?"
[Eskar]: Eskar moves down the
tunnel away from the entrance, to the north. "Follow, I am seeing feet
marks. Be quiet, be fast."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"It is too dark. We'll
need light. I'll ask Renos for
some."
[Aidan]: Aidan nods. "It
probably won't matter if they see the light coming if they hear us, I
suppose."
[Eskar]: Eskar hurries to put some
distance between himself and the light, acting as a forward scout.
[JadedDM]: The priest softly
prays to his god and holds his shield forward, like a torch.
It glows with a cold, white light, illuminating the slimy tunnel.
[JadedDM]: The glowing shield
only illuminates about twenty feet around them, so Eskar need only walk that far
ahead to avoid it.
[Eskar]: Eskar heads off down the
tunnel. "There are turns in front."
[Aidan]: Aidan looks around, a
disgusted look on his face, before hurrying off after Eskar. "There are
what?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods and
follows the dwarf, slowing his pace. Up
ahead, they reach the intersection Eskar mentioned.
It leads forward, to the right, and to the left.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks around for
more "feet marks."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Damn it all, further delays. There's
no telling how many twists and turns there may be."
[JadedDM]: Searching around,
Eskar spots footprints leading in all three directions.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at his group
mates, downright puzzled. "Now what?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks to
Aidan. "A divination,
perhaps?"
[Aidan]: Aidan frowns. "I can
only cast divining cantrips at the moment...." He walks around, doing his
best to examine the footprints.
[Eskar]: Eskar thinks for a
moment. "Man carrying the girl, was big. Biggest probably. Look for big
feet marks." He scratches his head, kneeling to get a better look.
[JadedDM]: Indeed, the only
large footprints seem to head in one direction--to the east.
Only the smaller ones head in the other directions.
[Eskar]: Eskar grins a bit, and
then stands back up and hurries off East to escape the light's perimeter.
[Aidan]: Aidan frowns again, moving
to the edge of the cast light, moving forward after Eskar when the priest joins
him.
[JadedDM]: The three walk down
the tunnel, eastward, for about fifty feet before Eskar spots something up
ahead. A body, lying in the muck.
[Eskar]: Eskar relays what he sees
and hurries forward to check the body out.
[JadedDM]: The body is that of a
human, a young man, close in age to Meschior.
He is dressed like the thieves they are pursuing.
The cause of death is quite clear. A
pair of black-hilted knives are embedded into his forehead and chest.
[Aidan]: "Is it Loreleii, or
the thief?" Aidan asks as he joins the dwarf.
As he moves close enough to notice the blades, Aidan says, "Or
perhaps we're still following our goblin."
[Eskar]: "Just thief."
He looks forward for any sign of further footprints.
[JadedDM]: Meschior shakes his
head. "If only we could ask him
ourselves," he says grimly. "Why
would he kill his own man?"
[Eskar]: Eskar pats down the
human's body, looking for anything useful or telling.
[Aidan]: Aidan scowls into the
darkness. "I could see for myself, but not unless we wish to remain here
long enough for me to memorize a few spells."
[Eskar]: Eskar holds something up
for the others to see: a pin shaped like a black rat. "What you think
this?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior examines the
pin. "This looks familiar.
I believe I have seen it before."
[Aidan]: Aidan steps closer to get
a better look at it. "How
unfashionable. Where have you seen it?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior shakes his
head again. "I cannot remember.
It's a gang insignia, I believe. But
I'm not sure which one."
[Eskar]: "Talk on the
move." Eskar resumes his pursuit of the tracks.
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods and
pockets the pin. He walks after the
dwarf.
[Aidan]: Aidan begins to follow,
then pauses a moment, pulling the knife from the man's chest.
[JadedDM]: The three continue
forward, eventually turning a corner and heading northward.
This goes for about eighty feet before another intersection appears.
This one only has two directions to choose from, to the north and to the
east.
[Eskar]: Eskar turns again to the
footprint method.
[JadedDM]: This time, the only
footprints seem to lead north.
[Aidan]: "Anything?"
Aidan asks the dwarf.
[Eskar]: Eskar paws at his beard.
"The marks go north." He double checks the east direction, even
stepping down it a few yards to make sure they aren't being faked out.
[JadedDM]: The east direction
seems to extend forty feet and then turns again northward.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Then we shall go north, as well."
[Eskar]: "Yes, we might
surprise by going east. I am using that trick some in old days."
[Aidan]: Aidan nods. "If you
wish to risk it, then let's take that path."
[Eskar]: "I am wanting to, it
is how you say... a gut thing?" Eskar continues down the East path.
[Aidan]: Aidan follows after him.
[JadedDM]: The three head east
then, following the path about forty feet before reaching a turn to the north.
This also goes forward forty feet...before abruptly reaching a dead-end.
The sewage is drained into a small hole at the base of the wall.
[Eskar]: Eskar, sighs. "I am
guessing, I am wrong..." He moves up to the wall and inspects it, out of
some half-hope.
[JadedDM]: Eskar can find
nothing unusual about the walls, other than they are slick with a slimy, smelly
substance.
[Eskar]: The duergar shrugs and
goes to double back to follow the actual footprints.
[Aidan]: "Hmm." Aidan
scowls at the walls before turning to follow the dwarf once more.
[JadedDM]: Meschior sighs with
frustration, and the three double back the way they came.
This time, they head north. Slowly,
the sewage trail starts to dry up. As
a result, the footprints become lighter and lighter, until they vanish
altogether. The party reaches yet
another intersection, again being forced to choose between the north, west, and
east.
[Eskar]: Eskar comes to the dry
intersection and furrows his brow. He turns to Aidan hopefully.
"Magic?"
[Aidan]: "Nothing that will be
altogether helpful, I'm afraid."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Can you see how far they go down, Eskar?"
[Eskar]: Eskar looks down each
tunnel. "The north and east
ones look like they go together. I think we go west, it gets bigger at
end." He pops a bit of charcoal into his mouth, and sucks on it.
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"Very well. We will
follow your instincts," he says.
[Eskar]: Eskar nods dubiously, and
pauses a moment before heading off west.
[Aidan]: Aidan frowns, looking down
the other two paths. "This is increasingly frustrating," he says,
walking after Eskar.
[JadedDM]: The group follows the
tunnel for about 100 feet. At this
point, it turns to the north and widens in size to about twenty feet.
They head north and eventually reach another intersection.
Both tunnels are equally wide, with one leading north and another to the
east. Before they can ponder which
way to go, however, two of the thieves--young men--run out of the east tunnel in
a hurry. "It's right behind us!
Go, go!" cries one as they turn to the north and bolt forward.
They seem to notice the party's presence, but don't react to them at all.
A moment later, a strange roar is heard from the east tunnel, and the
ground rumbles as something approaches.
[Eskar]: Eskar whispers quickly
"Put out light!" and backs up out of the intersection, pressing
himself against the previous tunnel's wall.
[Aidan]: Aidan blinks after the two
thieves. "Perhaps we should follow their lead." Upon hearing Eskar, he
nods and steps back toward the path they had come from and presses himself
against a wall.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks at
Eskar like he's mad, but complies and ends the blessing on the shield, plunging
the entire party into pure darkness. Thus,
only the dwarf is able to see the beast that emerges.
[Eskar]: Eskar stays prone,
watching the creature.
[JadedDM]: The creature pauses,
as if confused. They can hear
movement as it pivots around. Apparently
sensing the party's presence, perhaps smelling them or being able to see in the
dark, it turns toward them and roars.
[Eskar]: Eskar curses loudly.
"Don't know what, attacking. Make light if you can." The others can
hear as he whips out his sword.
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"That was my only light prayer!"
He draws his own steel.
[Aidan]: Aidan presses himself
closer to the wall as slowly as he can, blinking in shock at the roar. He curses
at the conversation he hears and feels around in his pockets, lifting a softly
glowing piece of moss and muttering a spell at the general direction of the
roar.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 1?)
[Eskar]: Eskar attacks the
creature with the weapon in his hands. He makes use of his shield as well.
[Aidan]: Aidan prepares another
spell to attack the beast.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [7] = (7)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [4] = (4)
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan finishes his spell,
a globe of light erupting in the air a few feet before him.
[JadedDM]: The light illuminates
the tunnel, revealing the creature to them.
It has a huge, bloated body, at least seven feet in diameter with a
rock-like skin that is brownish-grey in color, which is in turn covered in dung.
It stands on three thick legs that gives it slow movement but enables it
to pivot quickly. It has three eyes
on a leaf-like stalk that moves quickly from side to side, scanning the area
intently. It has a huge mouth with
very sharp teeth in the center of its mass.
It also has two tentacles with leaf-like ridges.
The tentacles are covered with rough, thorn-like projections and the
whole beast smells strongly of fecal matter and sewage.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior, now able to
see the beast, strikes at it with his blade.
Its tough, rock-like hide protects it, however.
[JadedDM]:
Monster's turn.
[JadedDM]: The beast lashes out
with its tentacles at Meschior and Eskar, but they are both able to protect
themselves with their shields. It
then bites at Meschior with its sharp teeth, catching him in the arm.
He shouts out, pained.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [16] = (16)
[Eskar]: [1d6+3] -> [5,3] = (8)
[Eskar]: Eskar's blade strikes the
opening the creature left when it bit at Meschior, causing a deep gash. He
grunts and mutters something to himself.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 2?)
[Eskar]: Eskar attacks again with
his sword, hoping to this time slay the beast.
[Aidan]: Aidan prepares to cast
Methuselah's Earthen Grasp.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [8] = (8)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [8] = (8)
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan pulls a
clay-sculpted hand from a pouch and mutters an incantation, making grabbing
motions with his hands at the creature, hoping to grasp one or two of its
tentacles.
[JadedDM]: Unfortunately, the
spell is meant for open turf, like a grassy field or dirt floor.
The stone ground of the sewers cannot be penetrated so easily.
[Aidan]: (i'm totally retarded.)
[JadedDM]:
Monster's turn.
[Eskar]: (Just one of those
sessions =/)
[JadedDM]: The beast lashes out
with its tentacles again. One
strikes Meschior in the head, his coif protecting him, but he is still knocked
aside. The other one strikes at
Eskar, but he is able to block it again. However,
he is not so lucky against the beast's bite.
It catches him in the arm, but doesn't hurt him much.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [16] = (16)
[Eskar]: [1d6+3] -> [2,3] = (5)
[Eskar]: Eskar takes advantage of
the same opening the creature leaves whenever it bites, at the cost of receiving
a bite himself. Never the less, the creature sustains another gash to its portly
body. "I hate this thing."
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks rather
pale for some reason, although his injuries are not severe.
He swings again at the beast, but his strike lacks the strength to
penetrate its hide.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [10] = (10)
[Eskar]: Eskar's swing is
deflected by one of the beast's tentacles. He takes a deep breath and coughs at
the creature's foul scent, then tries another attack with his sword.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 3?)
[Eskar]: Standard bastard sword
attack.
[Aidan]: Aidan fingers the hilt of
the knife he picked up, but prepares to cast another spell.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [3] = (3)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [2] = (2)
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan mutters an
incantation and gestures wildly, pointing a finger at the beast as two bolts of
magic erupt from the end of it.
[Aidan]: [1d4+1] => [1,1] = (2)
[Aidan]: [1d4+1] => [4,1] = (5)
[JadedDM]: The creature flails
about in pain, and then its legs give out, dropping its massive bulk to the
ground. The floor beneath you
rumbles and the creature's tentacles spasm a few moments before it goes
completely still.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks behind
himself at Aidan and gives him an approving little wave then turns to Meschior.
"Can you run?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior drops to his
knees, looking a bit green in the face.
[Aidan]: Aidan blinks at the
creature's corpse, then at the priest. "Can you...heal...yourself?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior shakes his
head. He looks down at his arm,
where the creature bit him. It's
barely a scratch, but the skin surrounding it has turned red with infection.
[Aidan]: "I don't think that
looks particularly well." Turning to Eskar, he says, "Should we
continue on or get him some proper care? I have nothing to help him."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks the priest
over, then pulls out his own arm to check it for such things. "We continue.
Must save girl." He watches Meschior's reaction to his words.
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods and
manages to stand up, attempting to ignore his condition.
"I'll be fine. We must
continue."
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks up at
the stationary light shining above their heads.
"I have a couple of torches we can use for the rest of the
way."
[Eskar]: Eskar moves up ahead out
of the light, down the way the thieves went and stares down it.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks appraisingly
at Meschior. "Very well, then. Pass me something to light one with and
we'll move on."
[JadedDM]: Meschior removes a
pair of torches from his pack, as well as some flint and steel.
[Aidan]: Aidan works at the flint
and steel for a moment before he sighs and mutters something rhythmical under
his breath twice, igniting the two torches with cantrips.
[Eskar]: Eskar hisses at them to
continue, then moves forward.
[Aidan]: The mage lifts his torch
away from his face and follows after Eskar.
[JadedDM]: The party slips
around the corpse of the beast, using their torches to light the way.
Aidan's light spell remains in place, over the corpse.
They reach an open doorway that narrows so that only one person can pass
through at a time.
[Eskar]: Eskar keeps the lead
through the door.
[Aidan]: Aidan pauses at the door,
looking back to consider the priest, then continues on as second in line.
[JadedDM]: They enter a large
room, about sixty feet across in length and width.
The goblin stands there, alone, and a rope hangs from the ceiling.
Looking up, they can see that there is an open panel in the ceiling
leading to the next floor. The
goblin grabs the rope, winks, and then is quickly pulled up.
He then pokes his head down to look at them, now fifteen feet above head.
[JadedDM]: Goblin:
"You blokes sure are persistent.
I'll give you that. Whoever
hired you is sure getting their money's worth."
[JadedDM]: Meschior enters the
room last, after Aidan.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks up. "We
just want girl."
[JadedDM]: Goblin:
"I guess this means you killed Rex?
Pity. He was a good pet.
But this is as far as you go. Nobody
messes with the Rat King, especially mercenaries hired by noble scum like
you."
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks up,
surprised. "Rat King?" he
says with a hint of recognition.
[Eskar]: Eskar just continues
staring up. "We just want girl. Don't have to kill you, my friend."
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"You sods are something else. Really.
But Rex was not the last line of our defenses."
He holds out his hand, as if reaching for something unseen.
"Let me show you why they call me...the Rat King."
[JadedDM]: Suddenly, the three
of them can hear squeaking from all directions.
Looking around, they realize that the walls have numerous mouse holes in
them.
[Aidan]: Aidan begins chanting,
making a continuous circular motion with his torch hand as he steps forward,
looking at the goblin above them.
[JadedDM]: Giant rats, about two
feet in size, begin emerging from the holes.
Their eyes glow with an unearthly red glow.
[JadedDM]: The goblin's eyes
seem drawn to the swirling motion, but he seems quite strong of will.
He blinks and shakes his head, apparently unaffected.
[Aidan]: "Wouldn't you prefer
to throw down that rope and talk to us, rather than have us play with your
pets?" Aidan asks, ignoring the squeaking rats and staring at the goblin.
[Eskar]: Eskar whips his bolas up
at the goblin.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [12] = (12)
[Eskar]: The bolas soars upwards,
but misses their target at such a long range. Eskar turns, depressively towards
the rats.
[JadedDM]: The bolas drops back
to the ground. Undisturbed, the Rat
King continues his concentration. By
this point, a horde of 30 giant rats have formed and are swarming toward the
party.
[Eskar]: "Out the door, my
friends?" He looks to see if retreat is even an option at this point.
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"We cannot abandon her!" He
draws his sword.
[Eskar]: "We can come
back."
[Aidan]: "I think, friends, we
may be cursed... perhaps he can be distracted with a loud burst?"
Aidan casts his gaze upward again, a small explosion erupting as near as
possible to the goblin's ears.
[JadedDM]: The goblin shouts in
surprise, and covers his ears. "Bloody
wankers!" he shouts, and removes himself from the hole in the ceiling.
"Move out, move out!" he shouts.
The rats are suddenly driven into chaos.
Their eyes cease glowing and they run in all directions, confused.
[Eskar]: Eskar claps Aidan on the
back. "Good work!"
[JadedDM]: Most of the rats
scurry into the holes where they came from.
The few that remain muddle around aimlessly, apparently uninterested in
the party.
[Eskar]: Eskar recollects his
bolas and looks at the others. "Any ideas my friends?"
[Aidan]: Aidan looks around,
surprised. "I...didn't really
think that would work." He
looks around the room, and up at the ceiling again.
"Perhaps we do need to retreat and find out where that hole is from
the surface?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior coughs,
shaking his head. "No time.
I know of a way." He
kneels down and takes off his backpack, bringing it in front of him.
He rummages around in it until he finds what he is looking for--a green
bottle.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at Meschior
curiously. "Alright."
[Aidan]: Aidan steps closer,
scrutinizing the bottle. "What
is it?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior grabs hold
of the cork with his teeth and rips it out.
He spits the cork aside and quickly downs the contents.
"A little something I got in the Karik Mines," he explains.
He concentrates and slowly, his body begins to float upward, like a
feather caught in an updraft. Once
he gets his bearings, he aims for the hole and flies right up into it.
[JadedDM]: A few moments later,
the rope the goblin had used is dropped back down, giving the other two a way
up.
[Eskar]: Eskar watches Meschior
approvingly, and motions for Aidan to go up first.
[Aidan]: Aidan blinks after him.
"That could have been useful a few seconds ago, too," he muttered,
moving towards the rope and making his way up it.
[JadedDM]:
(Climbing checks. That's a d100.)
[Aidan]: [1d100] => [41] = (41)
[Eskar]: Eskar follows the others.
"Help pull, please."
[Eskar]: [1d100] -> [29] = (29)
[Eskar]: Eskar makes his way up
the rope, relying on pure upper-body strength. He scrabbles onto solid ground,
and then gets his bearings.
[JadedDM]: The three, upon
reaching the upper level, find themselves in a small room, about 20 x 20 feet in
size. To the north is a hallway
leading to a door at the end.
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"That is the only way. They
must have gone through there."
[Eskar]: The duergar looks at the
others. "I can make it so I am not able to being seen. For sneak, if you
like."
[JadedDM]: Meschior's body is
shaken by another coughing fit, causing him to nearly double over.
[Aidan]: "Well, he might
notice a door being opened, either way," Aidan says, glancing at Meschior.
"And he might have heard that, so perhaps we should just move ahead."
[Eskar]: Eskar moves under
Meschior's arm to help support him, and then tries to move forward with the
priest. "Time go."
[Aidan]: Aidan thinks for a moment.
"Unless the door just leads us outside again, and we have to start
all over again... That would be rather unhelpful."
[JadedDM]: Once Meschior gets
the fit under control, he nods his thanks to Eskar and stands again under his
own power. He sheathes his blade and
holds his torch forward, peering at the door with a stoic expression.
[Aidan]: "Forward, then."
Aidan gestures to Eskar to lead on.
[Eskar]: Eskar gets moving with
Meschior.
[JadedDM]: Eskar only takes a
couple of steps down the long hallway before he seems to step on something.
A stone panel on the floor moves under his weight.
Suddenly, a gout of flame erupts from the walls on both sides, directly
upon him.
[Aidan]: "Oh my," Aidan
says, his eyes growing wide.
[Eskar]: Eskar curses mostly due
to the bright light. He seems a lot worse for the wear, and takes a deep breath.
He continues on anyway.
[JadedDM]: The gout of flame
does not cease, preventing the others from passing.
Meschior holds out his hand and mutters something, and the flames die
away.
[Aidan]: Aidan nods a thanks to the
priest, and after a moment's hesitation, takes a careful step forward into the
space the flames had occupied.
[JadedDM]: Thankfully, the
flames do not return and Aidan can pass safely.
[Eskar]: Eskar moves up to a point
and halts. He pats down a few hairs that are still sizzling and turns back.
"Another here. Move over." Eskar leaps a little foolishly over a
particular row of panels.
[Aidan]: He sighs, relieved, and
takes some more confident steps forward, though being sure to keep Eskar at a
healthy distance in front of him.
[JadedDM]: Meschior takes the
rear, carefully following Aidan's footsteps.
[Aidan]: Aidan stops before the
space Eskar had indicated, then takes a similarly awkward leap after him.
[JadedDM]: Meschior hops over
the same panel, but nearly loses his balance.
His arms flail wildly as he nearly falls backwards, but at the last
second he regains his balance.
[Eskar]: Eskar moves up to the
door and pauses a few feet in front of it, cursing slightly.
The duergar turns to look at Aidan. "Can you open door from where I
am standing, my friend? Go no further."
[Aidan]: Aidan moves to stand just
behind the dwarf, considering the door at the space before them.
[JadedDM]: Aidan is quite tall
at 6'2". If he plants his feet
where Eskar stands, he could, theoretically, let himself drop forward and catch
himself on the door. Although he
would need help standing back up.
[Eskar]: Eskar moves to behind
Aidan and grabs the man by his cloak. "I catch if you fall."
[Aidan]: Aidan looks startled at
the dwarf's suggestion, but looks forward with resolved determination. He leans
forward a bit until he falls forward, reaching out for the doorknob as he goes.
[JadedDM]: Aidan is able to
catch himself by grabbing the door knob. Unfortunately,
he discovers it is locked.
[Aidan]: "So," the mage
says, "as dignifying a position as this is, perhaps one of you has a better
solution for a locked door?"
[Eskar]: Eskar pulls the man back
onto his feet proper. "I fix."
[Aidan]: Aidan steadies himself and
steps back hurriedly.
[JadedDM]: Meschior watches this
silently, his body shaking now and again from a muffled cough.
[Eskar]: Eskar concentrates,
summoning the energies of his people. The
edges of Eskar's form blur and refocus, but now the dwarf is no longer a dwarf,
but a very large being. He backs up a little to get a running start, and runs
full force into a flying-leap at the door.
[JadedDM]:
(Open Door check. That's a d20.)
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [11] = (11)
[Eskar]: Eskar does exactly as he
planned, thankfully, and shatters the door to kindling, landing safely on the
other side of it.
[JadedDM]: On the other side,
the dwarf finds himself in a small room, illuminated by torchlight.
The goblin sits on a golden throne, patiently.
Three other thieves are present. One
has a short bow and has an arrow pointed right at the dwarf.
The other two have swords drawn, ready to strike.
There is no sign of Loreleii or any other exits, at least which can be
seen easily.
[Eskar]: Eskar, bringing himself
up to full height, looks at the goblin. "Don't want to kill you. Just give
us girl, yes?"
[JadedDM]: The goblin snorts.
"Damn Duergar. I forgot
they could make themselves bigger." He
leans back, getting comfortable. "I
have to admire your persistence, though. The
nobles must be paying you a king's ransom. I
guess that girl is even more valuable than we thought."
[Eskar]: Eskar waves for the
others to come forward. "I am not being paid, my friend. I am only coming
because my friends like that girl. So I don't want to kill."
[JadedDM]: Meschior leaps over
the trapped panel to land on the other side.
He looks even paler than before. "Where
is she? What have you done with
her?"
[JadedDM]: The Rat King's eyes
narrow. "You really expect me
to believe that? That you would risk
your life and limb, fight my pet, my rats, and evade my traps...just to help a
girl? Without payment?"
[Eskar]: Eskar shrugs. "I am
not liking it very much, but they are my friends. Why did you take girl? Do you
want money?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"They're anarchists," he says, coughing.
[Aidan]: Aidan leaps after Meschior,
being careful to stay behind Eskar. "Gods damn you, you're annoying. I work
for her at the library, and I'd like to continue being paid."
[JadedDM]: The Rat King nods.
"Anarchists...that's about right.
We are the Vermin Plague, dedicated to overthrowing the noble scum in
this city."
[Eskar]: "Well I don't care
if nobles die. Good thing if too many. We just want girl." Eskar lowers his
sword. "Don't want to die, or kill."
[Aidan]: "That's fantastic,
but it may interest you to know that most people don't actually care about books
or the library, so I've no idea what sort of ransom you would think to be
holding her for."
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"It is not ransom we seek. The
nobles would not pay money for their own mothers, much less this girl.
No, she aids them. One in
particular. She sells her services
as a magic user to Lord Sardis, the noble who runs the tournament.
So we take her to cut him off. Obviously,
he hired you to retrieve her...which is rather surprising on a number of
accounts."
[Aidan]: Aidan considers this for a
moment. "There are quite a few capable wizards in this town. You think she
is so talented that she could not be replaced in a day?"
[Eskar]: Eskar looks as if he is
going to say something, but is surprised by the sense Aidan's words make. He
looks to the Rat King for a reaction.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"What is your point?" he asks, intrigued.
[Aidan]: "My point is that you
don't seem to have planned this out very well, and perhaps you should've found a
wizard of your own to advise you. Obviously it seems the only ones that care
about the girl are the three of us, and if you are so intent to kill her, then
perhaps we will just turn around and leave, without your little kidnapping
mattering at all."
[JadedDM]: The Rat King pauses
in thought. He pulls a wineskin from
his belt and enjoys a couple of swigs, and sighs with refreshment.
He then looks intently at Aidan. "This
girl means something to you then?"
[Aidan]: "As I said before,
she's my employer, and I'd like to continue having a job."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"She is our friend," he says, and then falls into another
coughing fit.
[JadedDM]: The Rat King glances
to the two men and then chuckles. "I'll
be damned. They're telling the
truth. It is in their
thoughts."
[Eskar]: Eskar's face goes blank
with surprise. "Potion. Very sneaky!" He tucks that bit of info away
for another day.
[JadedDM]: The Rat King glances
to his wineskin and grins. "Indeed
it is. You're quite sharp...for a
dwarf. Perhaps I misjudged the lot
of you. Maybe I'm crazy, but I have
to admire your determination and ability to survive."
He reaches onto the side of his throne and fiddles with some kind of
switch. A hidden door on the right
side of the room slides open, and Loreleii falls out, onto the floor, her hands
and legs bound and a gag in her mouth. "Take
her," the goblin tells them. "You
obviously want her more than I."
[Eskar]: Eskar sheathes his sword.
"Thank you, my friend."
[JadedDM]: Meschior hurries over
to her and begins untying her.
[Aidan]: Aidan raises an eyebrow,
still being sure to stay behind the enlarged dwarf. "Just like that?"
[JadedDM]: The goblin fiddles
with another switch, and a second door, this time to the left, slides open.
"This will take you back to the streets."
He gets off his chair. "But
remember this: If you ever lend your
strength to the nobles, you will face us again.
Of that, you can be sure."
[Eskar]: Eskar starts to say
something, and then shuts his trap. "Thank you, again." He goes to
help Meschior with the girl.
[JadedDM]: Meschior could use
the help, as he quickly doubles over with another coughing fit after removing
her hand bindings.
[Aidan]: Aidan takes a long look at
the goblin and the men before moving to assist the others with Loreleii's bonds.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"Your friend doesn't look so good."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks to the Rat
King. "Your pet do it. You can fix?"
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"I've seen it before. Rex
was always swimming in diseases. I'm
afraid your friend will be dead in a few months."
[Eskar]: Eskar grits his teeth and
stands up. "You fix him, yes?"
[JadedDM]: The goblin pulls some
kind of small jar from his pouch. "This
could save him. But it ain't free.
And I've been generous enough for today."
[Aidan]: "How
unfortunate," Aidan says, continuing his work on Loreleii's bonds.
[Eskar]: Eskar bows down by
Meschior's ear and whispers to him. "Can
you buy? Must we kill?"
[Aidan]: (is loreleii conscious, by
the way?)
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks to the
dwarf, and then to the goblin. "What...what
do you want? Gold?"
[JadedDM]:
(No, she appears knocked out, but otherwise breathing normally.)
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"Gold?" He laughs.
"I'm the greatest and most skilled thief in all of Voxis.
Any gold I want I can take. No,
I'm more interested in...your services."
[Aidan]: "Depending on the
services, we may require more payment than saving his life," Aidan says
nonchalantly.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"I'll give you this, and in return, you will help me someday.
I can't say when, or what you'll be needed to do.
But it will be against the nobles. When
the day comes, when we finally overthrow their reign and the city becomes the
domain of the common people, we will need warriors as skilled as you."
He tosses the jar into the air and catches it deftly.
"So what do you say?"
[Aidan]: "And what guarantee
do we have that your little magic jar even works?"
[Eskar]: Eskar bends down to
whisper again in Meschior's ear. “It
is your move. We help nobles a lot."
[JadedDM]: Meschior:
"I will help you, but I cannot speak for my companions," he
says, looking toward them with a bit of fear in his eyes.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"Its effects are immediate. And
obviously, if it doesn't work, you are not bound to any promises.
Honor among thieves, and all that."
[Eskar]: "I think I help. If
it no work, I am killing you, my friend." Eskar straightens and rests his
hand on his sword's hilt
[Aidan]: "Well, I believe your
honor is not totally accounted for at the moment, considering we're still under
your guard and at your mercy. I'm not quite sure you're offering us all that
much."
[JadedDM]: The Rat King shrugs.
"Your choice. I should
mention, though....your friend's death will be a very long, slow, and painful
one."
[Eskar]: Eskar motions for the Rat
King to throw the 'cure' to Meschior.
[Aidan]: "Once again, how
unfortunate," Aidan says sarcastically.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"So do we have a deal, or not? If
not, then just step through that door, and never return."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks to Aidan.
[Aidan]: "I don't know.
Obviously, the plans you've come up with aren't the brightest of ideas, and I'd
prefer to not be in danger of dying stupidly for anyone else's sake."
[JadedDM]: The Rat King shrugs.
"Suit yourself then. Go.
But don't return. We'll not
be caught unprepared next time."
[JadedDM]: Meschior lowers his
head, but says nothing.
[Aidan]: (what's it look like on
the other side of the door?)
[JadedDM]: A short hallway, and
another door at the end.
[Eskar]: "Sorry, we need the
cure." Eskar moves forward, his blade singing out of its sheath into his
hand. He goes after whatever is in his way towards the Rat King.
[JadedDM]: Rat King:
"Bad move." In a
flash, he has drawn a pair of knives and his companions immediately attack.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 1?)
[Aidan]: (casting irritation on the
four of them, if they're all close enough to the goblin)
[Eskar]: Eskar attacks whatever
gets in his way to the Rat King. "Priest, get bow man."
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [6] = (6)
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [2] = (2)
[JadedDM]:
Thief 2's turn.
[JadedDM]: A hobgoblin male
thrusts his short sword at Eskar as he rushes by, but the dwarf's shield
protects him.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [20] = (20)
[Eskar]: (BOOOOOOYAH!)
[Eskar]: [4d4+2] -> [3,1,2,3,2]
= (11)
[Eskar]: Eskar's blade cuts a
slash diagonally across the chest of the Rat King, ripping into the goblin.
However, the wound does not penetrate deep enough to wound him fatally.
"Give antidote and we won't kill."
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan pulls a bit of
poison ivy from a pouch, chanting an incantation and gesturing at the group of
attackers.
[JadedDM]:
Thief 3's turn.
[JadedDM]: A young human woman,
she draws her bow to fire...but then stops abruptly, a strange look on her face.
She quickly drops her bow and begins scratching her legs furiously.
[JadedDM]:
Rat King's turn.
[JadedDM]: "Frelling wanker!"
he screams at the sight of his own blood. He
backs away, putting distance between the two, but then suddenly is forced to
stop what he is doing to scratch at his wound.
[Aidan]: (i officially love this
spell.)
[JadedDM]:
Thief 1's turn.
[JadedDM]: The big human who had
been carrying Loreleii originally, he has an eye-patch over one eye.
He comes up behind the dwarf, ready to plunge his sword into Eskar's
unprotected backside, but is suddenly overcome with a desire to scratch his nose
instead.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: "Renos, I call
upon your wrath. Fill my body with
your raging flames, so that I may incinerate those who oppose me!"
Reaching into the air, a small ball of flame appears in his palm. He
hurls it at the archer, but it misses and bursts on the stone wall behind her.
Immediately, another flame appears in his hand.
[JadedDM]:
Thief 3's turn.
[JadedDM]: The irritation of her
skin having passed, she realizes a ball of flame nearly struck her.
She turns her bow on Meschior and fires, but the arrow is deflected by
his shield.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 2?)
[Eskar]: Eskar presses his
advantage on the Rat King.
[Aidan]: Aidan pulls out the knife
he pulled from the corpse in the sewers, and looks for the nearest attacker.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [8] = (8)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [2] = (2)
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[JadedDM]: The archer is in the
back, and Eskar is blocking his way to the Rat King.
But the other two thieves (1 and 2) are nearby.
[Aidan]: Aidan goes for the second
thief.
[JadedDM]:
(Roll to attack, -5 for unfamiliar weapon.)
[Aidan]: [1d20-5] => [19,-5] =
(14)
[Eskar]: (Nice roll)
[Aidan]: [1d3] => [2] = (2)
[JadedDM]:
Thief 1's turn.
[JadedDM]: The big thief strikes
again at the enlarged dwarf, but Eskar is able to deflect the blade with his own
sword.
[JadedDM]:
Rat King's turn.
[JadedDM]: The Rat King grabs a
bottle from his belt and quickly drinks it down.
Upon doing this, some of his wounds heal up magically.
[JadedDM]:
Thief 2's turn.
[JadedDM]: The hobgoblin strikes
at Eskar, but is unable to hit him.
[JadedDM]:
Thief 3's turn.
[JadedDM]: She fires another
arrow at Meschior, but he is able to block it with his shield again.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [15] = (15)
[Eskar]: [2d4+2] -> [3,1,2] =
(6)
[Eskar]: Eskar jabs at the Rat
King, catching him in the shoulder, but nothing fatal.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior hurls
another ball of flame at the archer, but once again misses.
Another one springs forth in his hand.
[JadedDM]:
Thief 3's turn.
[JadedDM]: This time, she
strikes true. The arrow sinks into
Meschior's shoulder, nearly knocking him over with the impact.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20] -> [18] = (18)
[Eskar]: [2d4+2] -> [4,4,2] =
(10)
[Eskar]: (18, wooohoooo! Die you
dirty bast!)
[Eskar]: Eskar, with the full
weight of his size, sends his very large sword into the skull of the small
goblin. Physics happens, and the goblin's brains splatter against Eskar and the
floor. The duergar grunts as he spins to face his two attackers, blade raised
high with the blood of their leader. "It over."
[JadedDM]: The hobgoblin thief
stares blankly at his master's corpse. The
first thief lets loose a very foul swear. "Beat
it!" All three thieves run for
the left door.
[JadedDM]:
(Anyone who wants to take a free attack at them may do so.)
[Eskar]: Eskar switches the hand
his sword is in to whip his bolas at thief 2.
(His legs in particular)
[Aidan]: Aidan sighs and wipes some
sweat from his eyes as he watches the others flee.
[Eskar]: [1d20-4] -> [18,-4] =
(14)
[Eskar]: The bolas makes contact,
instantly immobilizing the legs of thief 2 who goes crashing down. Eskar moves
on over, sword pointed down at the guy. "Meschior, get your cure. And you,
don't move."
[JadedDM]: The other two thieves
flee, not looking back.
[JadedDM]: Meschior extinguishes
the flame in his hand and walks over to the dead goblin, rummaging through his
things. He finds the jar and opens
it. Taking a bit of the ointment in
his hand, he rubs it on his infection.
[Aidan]: "Does he have any
other nifty potion bottles or anything?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks
intently at his wound. Amazingly,
not only does the infection vanish, the wound itself heals entirely.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at thief 2.
"What your name, and throw sword away." He keeps the blade ready for a
plunge into the thief's vitals.
[JadedDM]: The thief drops his
sword, a look of anger flashing in his eyes.
"My name is Travik."
[Aidan]: Aidan spares a glance for
Meschior's wound. "Well, that
looks pretty handy."
[JadedDM]: Meschior closes the
jar and nods. He slinks back to the
wall and rests against it, exhausted. Loreleii
begins to come to, moaning softly.
[Eskar]: Eskar's gaze softens.
"I am not liking killing Rat King, Travik. I am not liking to kill you too.
You help us, or I have to, you see my friend?"
[Aidan]: Aidan nudges the goblin
with a foot, and then rummages through the rest of his things.
[JadedDM]: Loreleii:
"What...what happened? Where
am I?"
[JadedDM]: The hobgoblin nods.
"I have no other choice."
[Aidan]: Aidan pulls the armor off
the goblin and lays it aside, setting alongside it several knives before rolling
open a scroll and examining it. He
looks up at Loreleii. "You were kidnapped, and we're actually not sure
where exactly we are right now, but we're above the sewers."
[Eskar]: "You have treasure,
yes, gold? Where? If you help me I let you keep some and go free, my friend. You
are thinking this is good?" Eskar keeps his blade by the hobgoblin's chest,
despite his friendly conversing.
[JadedDM]: Travik:
"How do I know you won't kill me anyway?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior manages to
get up and helps the young woman to her feet.
[JadedDM]: Loreleii looks down
at the goblin's body and gasps. "You...you
killed him! You actually killed the
Rat King," she says, clearly surprised.
[Eskar]: "Because, my friend,
I am to be killing you now if you don't. Also, I don't want you dead, Travik. I
don't like to be killing. I only kill Rat King for the priest. And the treasure.
So help me find, yes?" He finally shrinks back to normal duergar size.
[JadedDM]: Travik:
"The...the throne. A
switch is on the right armrest."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at the thief,
warily. "Aidan, try doing what my friend say, please."
[Aidan]: Aidan looks up from his
looting and glances suspiciously at the throne. "I hope you'll kill him if
I burst into flames."
[Eskar]: Eskar grunts. "I
promise."
[Aidan]: Aidan stands and looks
around the armrest for the switch, pressing it once he finds it.
[JadedDM]: A third door now
opens, this time behind the throne.
[Eskar]: "Check it out, my
friend." He looks down at Travik.
[Aidan]: Aidan steps around the
throne and cautiously looks into the doorway.
[JadedDM]: Loreleii:
"He was a powerful thief...I'm surprised you were able to kill
him," she says.
[Aidan]: Aidan steps back out.
"There's a chest and such."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks down at
Travik. "Alright my friend, remove the bolas and come with us to the chest.
You open it. If it is all good, you get gold. If it not, then how you say....
boom."
[JadedDM]: Slowly, keeping his
eyes on the dwarf, he starts to unwrap the bolas from his legs.
[Aidan]: "Oh, it was quite the
surprising battle, Loreleii. So, I
didn't know you were working with Lord Sardis.
How's that been for you?" Aidan returns to setting the goblin's
things aside, examining the sparkly things for himself.
[Eskar]: Eskar makes on offensive
move against the hobgoblin.
[JadedDM]: Loreleii looks at
Aidan in shock. After all that
happened, she's surprised he can act so casual.
Gathering her bearings, she nods. "Yes.
He...has me research things for him...identify little magical trinkets he
has picked up in his travels."
[JadedDM]: Once done, Travik
stands up and slowly heads to the treasure room.
[Eskar]: Eskar follows in tow of
the thief. "What no, Travik? What for you to do?"
[JadedDM]: The hobgoblin mutters
a response, but no doubt Eskar did not hear it upon entering the treasure room.
Standing before him was an open chest, spilling over with white
coins--pure platinum. A trio of
shimmering gems, a golden necklace, and a large, well done painting of a
beautiful but unknown woman in a golden frame were also present.
[Aidan]: "That sounds like a
nice job. You've obviously gained
some attention for yourself from the position." Aidan considers a platinum
coin from the goblin's pockets.
[Eskar]: (I think what describes
Eskar's reaction best is $_$)
[JadedDM]: Loreleii nods,
absently rubbing at her wrists where her hands had been bound.
"I was assisting him with the upcoming tournament."
[Eskar]: Eskar begins to drool a
little, and then nods painfully. "Yes Travik, take some. Not too much.
Handful."
[JadedDM]: Travik grabs a couple
of handfuls of platinum and shoves them in his pockets.
[Eskar]: Eskar's face becomes
vicious, for the split second it takes for him to bark. "Enough! Get
out!"
[JadedDM]: Without another word
or thought, Travik runs out, heading for the door on the left.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks up, gazing
somewhat suspiciously at Loreleii, then moves towards the door behind the
throne, slipping the coin absentmindedly into a pocket.
[Eskar]: Eskar empties the
charcoal from his backpack and belt pouches and stuffs it full of all the
delicious, delicious platinum, voraciously. He glances over his shoulder to make
sure no one is watching and kisses a handful of it.
[JadedDM]: Loreleii blinks at
the suspicious look and takes a step back from him.
[Aidan]: Aidan steps into the
treasure room. "Eskar."
[Eskar]: Eskar his, in record
time, stuffed everything but the painting into his now-bulging backpack and
pouches. "What?" He looks over his shoulder while he tries to get the
painting out of its frame and all rolled up for easy transport.
[JadedDM]: Meschior pockets the
jar of ointment and pats Loreleii on the shoulder.
"I'm glad you're unhurt," he tells her.
[Aidan]: "I had left that in
here on the assumption we would be sharing most of it."
[Eskar]: Eskar blinks in
realization then coughs. "We split at later. Dangerous here." He eats
a piece of charcoal off of the ground, then gets up. "Anything left on Rat
King? More potion?"
[Aidan]: "You can carry the
armor." Aidan walked back into the main room and placed the rest into his
backpack, carrying it over to Meschior so that he could get a look at them.
[Eskar]: Eskar grabs the armor and
looks around. "Ready to be going, yes?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior nods.
"Yes. Those thieves may
gather reinforcements."
[Eskar]: Eskar nods and without
further action, heads for the inn which he considers home.
[Aidan]: Aidan follows after him,
if only for the sake of being sure he splits the coin.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks to
Aidan coolly, and then leads Loreleii out the door after the dwarf.
They find it leads to the inside of an abandoned building in the merchant
district.
[JadedDM]:
(And we'll end it there.)
