Knot of Thorns [IC]

[Still_I_Rise]

Zarathustra grabs a cricket and continues, "Let me see if I can deal with the guards out there... with any luck they'll go asleep without any noise, and then we can slit their throats quietly."

He hands the vial to the priest. "Is your spell still active - see any magic here?"

[Hamste]

It is for a bit. It lasts about a minute as long as I don't cast anything else and nothing breaks my concentration. Chemosh says looking at the vial and everything else drawn out so far. Assuming he can use the sack now he puts the gold in it and draws out the other weapon to examine it and hand off.

[Kish]

Spoiler: Detect Magic on the vial and daggers

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The vial has a minor aura of Conjuration, equivalent to a first-level spell. Neither dagger seems to be magical.

[Hamste]

Conjuration and a very mild aura. I would guess a cure potion. I would guess it cures very light wounds so try not to get yourself cut in half...or get hurt at all. I don't prepare cure spells so unless any of you can or get healed by negative spells, wounds are not going to be really solvable. None of the daggers are magical by the way. I wonder what the star is for or the window. Chemosh whispers.

Spoiler

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Any knowledge checks we could make on either or?

[JDL]

Michelle nods at Zarathustra, liking the sound of his plan. "Try it. If any of them fall asleep, I claim first right to throat cutting as payment for releasing you all," says Michelle, taking a dagger from Chemosh and testing the point. She quickly pulls on a set of the clothes, leaving her prison uniform inside the bag. Then she steps over to the door and uses her new tools on the lock. She stands up from the lock when it clicks open, nodding to Zarathustra and putting her hand on the door.

Spoiler

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Disable Device on door lock:

(1d20+10)[12]
(1d20+10)[12]
(1d20+10)[20]
(1d20+10)[12]
(1d20+10)[16]
(1d20+10)[19]
(1d20+10)[25]
(1d20+10)[11]
(1d20+10)[27]
(1d20+10)[28]

Move Action: Open cell door

[LuckyStrike]

Jackx had become quiet when Blossom was escorted out. He must have dozed off a bit from boredom, as he sometimes did, because when he woke up someone was fiddling with his manacles. He lazily opened just his left eye to check what was going on.. Low and behold! It was the duchess!
The grin on Jackx face nearly split his face in half.
He was pleasantly surprised because he had written the woman off on all accounts. She hadn't seemed the type to flourish in a place like this, and for a mark.. had she even something worth while to take, she seemed too sharp to fool easily. Remembering events and faces from months ago. Still.. as an ally she was worth considering. He decided to play nice, as Jacks usually did when he could get something out of it.

'Thanks my dear.' He says as he rubs his wrists to stimulate the blood flow.
'Here's hoping to be able to return the favor someday.'

Jackx wasn't sure if it was smart to unlock everybody but wisely kept his mouth shut. The last thing he needed was for one of these maniac zealots to strangle him after being set free.
Events moved fast as the items came about and when the gold fell to the floor Jacks couldn't contain a snigger.
What a day!
He scooped up just a small handful. For a rainy day.

'Now what? These people seem to be getting ready to take on the guards.'
Jacks glances back at the shackles and tries to determine just how fast he could lock himself back in them when the plan fails? To distance himself from the escape attempt. For now he decides to go with the flow, who knows? There might be a sunrise to enjoy just yet.

'This is some exciting turn of events, and you my dear, you can cut all the guards throats you like if it were up to me. go forth and quench your bloodthirst!'

[Still_I_Rise]

Zarathustra steps up quietly behind her, heading through the door as soon as it opens and towards the sounds of the guards. He does not even pause to speak before he sends his spell towards them...

Spoiler

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Casting Sleep, Will DC 15

[Mechanix]

"If you wish to kill any of the guards, make sure you don't wake them up and ruin the whole thing," Blossom says to the noblewoman in a simple, matter-of-fact tone. Having studied the dagger a little, she strikes at the air a couple of times, testing its balance and thrust. Good enough. She closes her eyes briefly, her whole body relaxing, and extends her dagger forward - then tenses again, a sharpness coming across her features.

"When we're out, let me take the lead," she says calmly. "I am hardier than you."

Spoiler

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Assuming Punishing Stance.

[momothefiddler]

Zlyak takes up the rear, gripping her chain firmly to keep it from making noise. She carefully observes the others' reactions to freedom and to loose money (and to potential murder victims).

She looks to Blossom. "I imagine you are. Feel free to lead, certainly."

[Kish]

Zarathustra fires his spell toward the barred window in the door at the end of the cell block.

Spoiler

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(1d20-1)[18]
(1d20-1)[2]

You hear the sound of a body falling, followed by a confused voice saying, "What? What's happening?"

Spoiler

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Will roll for initiative in OOC, since I can't edit in rolls. I'll usually do everyone's initiative rolls to save time.

[Kish]

Spoiler: Map and Initiative

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Map. You can place yourselves anywhere in 18A or 18. Blue text represents the sleeping guard. Note that there are mouse-over notes that you won't be able to see if you're viewing it on a phone.

>> Zarathustra: [24]
>> Blossom: [23]
>> Jackx: [16]
The guard: [15]
Zlyak: [11]
Michelle: [7]
Chemosh: [6]

Surprise round over, Zarathustra, Blossom, and Jackx can act before the guard does. If the door between you isn't locked, opening it would be a move-equivalent action.

[Still_I_Rise]

Zarathustra narrows his eyes as the guard falls. "Sounds like the one is still up. Let's see if we can get him before he has a chance to scream."

With that, he rushes towards the door in front of the guards and opens it for Blossom and the others to rush through.

Spoiler

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End turn in Z15

[Kish]

The door is not locked; Zarathustra can open it with no trouble. The still-standing guard gapes at you in alarm.

Spoiler

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Clarification: Are you standing on the sleeping guard?

I've put you in Z15 for the moment.

[LuckyStrike]

'What the hell. If this is what that stinking cheap harlot Lady Luck had to offer I might as well go with it. let's bust this joint.'

Jackx runs after Blossom and Zarathustra. His heart is pounding from excitement. This could easily spell a short and violent end but the alternative, the saltmines, make that he's got more than enough motivation to try and make it out of Brandescar. The group he found himself in seems vicious and capable enough in any case, even if a bit composed of unstable elements. It would have to do.
As Jackxs is caught up in the gang-rush of the guards he nervously looks about him looking very much out of place in a fight.

Spoiler

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Double move to AA15

[Mechanix]

The orc flashes across the corridor, the flickering light of torches dancing on her blade. She steps up to the mage as he casts his spell, willing to shield him; the magic bursts from his hand, one guard falls, and she immediately moves forward, rushing so as to occupy half the corridor; the dagger's blade, held high, slices across the air.

"En garde," she says simply, smiling a terrible grin full of tusks and gleaming eyes, inviting the man to strike.

[Kish]

With a terrified yelp, the man turns to run across the room. As Blossom's swipe misses him, he runs to AA19 and grabs a trumpet from the desk there.

Spoiler

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The guard's movement provokes an attack of opportunity from Blossom. One blow with a dagger is unlikely to drop him, so after that, everyone in the party acts before his next turn.
>>Zlyak: [11]
>>Michelle: [7]
>>Chemosh: [6]
>> Zarathustra: [24]
>> Blossom: [23]
>> Jackx: [16]
The guard: [15]

[Hamste]

Chemosh bided his time. If it looked like his allies weren't going to take the guard out he would try to shut them down but best to conserve spells particularly seeing he only had one aggressive spell that didn't need a holy symbol.

Are you a cleric of Hextor or do you just worship him and more importantly if you are cleric do you have any fear spells prepared? If they fail to take the guard down I'm going to try to scare this guy into having a heart attack or at least not using the trumpet but if he manages to resist it, another fear spell would help. Chemosh whispers to Zylak. He would have asked the other spell caster in the group but refrained as the guard would hear it.

Spoiler

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Waiting currently until right before the guard acts.

[momothefiddler]

"A cleric, yes," answers Zlyak, "And I do favor a bit of divine terror now and then. I'll see what I can do to help."

Spoiler

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Which is nothing whatsoever, this round, given movement speeds, as far as I can tell. Zlyak moves up to AB19.

[Mechanix]

"Coward! Stay here!" the orc growls, and as the man turns his back she steps forward and throws a low kick at his right ankle, trying to make him fall before he escapes them.

Spoiler

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Attack roll against touch AC:
(1d20+5)[7]
Strength check for trip:
(1d20+5)[18]

[Still_I_Rise]

Zarathustra makes an instinctive but clumsy swipe at the guard as he dashes towards the horn, attempting to bash him with the chain.

Spoiler

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(1d20-5)[-2]
(1d6-1)[1]

[Mechanix]

"Enough." The orc woman catches herself, finds her footing, makes a strange move - dropping the dagger and catching it again in a reverse grip - closes her eyes and find one moment of inner focus. Breathes in slowly. Opens her eyes.

She bursts across the room, the steel of her blade glimmering in the dim light, one arc to slash the guard's throat and kill him in one blow.

Spoiler

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Imove to Z19. Sapphire Nightmare Blade. I make one Concentration check at a DC of the guard's AC. If I succeed, he is flat-footed against my attack and I deal +1d6 damage; if not, I take -2 penalty to my attack and deal normal damage.

Concentration check:
(1d20+6)[19]
Attack roll:
(1d20+5)[16]
Damage roll:
[roll]1d4+1d6+5[/roll]
Bonus damage from SNB:
(1d6)[4]

[Kish]

Blossom's dagger slash severs a major blood vessel and the guard collapses to the floor, dropping the trumpet.

Spoiler

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Well done. That was actually very close; his standard AC was 17 and his flat-footed AC was 16.

Each of you gains 150 more XP. Both guards have chain shirts, leather clubs of the non-improvised variety, longswords, heavy steel shields, longbows, quivers of 20 arrows each, and each has a key.

There is a sleeping guard by the door and a dying guard by the desk. The noise of the fight does not seem to have attracted any further attention.

[LuckyStrike]

'Good show.' Jackx comes up behind Blossom. 'Close call though. I'll take this rusty beauty.. Don't worry, don't plan on playing it just yet.' He says with a smile as he picks up the trumpet.

[Still_I_Rise]

Zarathustra bears a feral grin at the sight of Blossom's brutality. An excellent kill... he steps forward to the dead body, grabbing the leather club and the key.

He looks back at the sleeping one. "I believe you claimed the right to that ones throat, then?" he looks at Michelle.

[Mechanix]

Blossom kneels next to the dying guard, a pool of blood forming his head. She stares grimly into his dying eyes. "You should have faced me in battle. It would have been a better death." And with these words, she pulls his chain shirt up to reveal his chest, and slips the dagger between his ribs, stabbing him through the heart.

Once her grim work is done, she quickly strips the chain shirt off him, takes his belt and the longsword hanging on it, and finally the shield.

"This feels much better," she comments approvingly.

[momothefiddler]

Zlyak blinks slowly as a blade flashes in front of her and drops the guard. A grin spreads across her face as she looks to Blossom. "Very nice. Artfully done. I should have enjoyed watching you duel." She checks the desk for anything of import (including some writing materials), then, if no-one else claims it, picks up the club off Michelle's guard.

[Hamste]

Chemosh walks up to the corpse picking up the other longsword. He chops the left hand off the corpse and carefully pries an eyeball out. If he succeeds he tosses away the longsword to who ever wants it. He carefully balances the eyeball in the hand and looks through the guard's items for something to hold the two together and possibly allow him to have a free hand with out having to hold them together constantly.


I can use either a club or a dagger but I am not good with either so everyone else should take priority on that. Chemosh says.

[JDL]

Michelle takes the longbow from Blossom's slain guard as well as the arrows. Then she stands over the sleeping guard, pulling an arrow free and aiming it at his man's heart.

"For your crimes of violating my person, I, the Duchess of Monperieu, sentence you to death."

Spoiler

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Full Round Action: Coup-de-grace with longbow vs. sleeping guard
Critical: [roll]3d8+3+1d6[/roll] (Point Blank Shot applied)

Confirming the guard is dead, she takes the additional arrows from the guard's quiver and strips him of his chain shirt and dons it.

"I'll check the rest of these cells. If there are other prisoners they may well provide us aid in escaping."

Spoiler

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Michelle checks the rest of the cells, taking the guard's keys, putting away the longbow and keeping her dagger in one hand.

[Kish]

Chemosh binds his grotesque improvised holy symbol together with the guard's belt. The other ordinary cells are all unlocked and empty. At the end of the hall that leads down the cell block is a cell which is larger, more powerfully reinforced, and

Spoiler: not empty

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.

[JDL]

"You there, do you understand Common?" says Michelle, eyeing the creature before her. "If you intend to survive this place, you would do well to ally with us."