DrK Revisits Shackled City IC

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

As the tentacles batter at him Escher stands his ground blasting at it, trying to fend the creature back from the fallen cleric.

Spoiler: rinse, repeat

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Not-an-action: 5ft step (if required)
Full round action: eldritch glaive melee touch (10ft reach) vs carrion crawler (1d20)[20] + Action Point (1d6)[6], damage (1d6)[4] total 10 damage if crit hits

Using combat expertise for +1 AC.

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 2// Spellthief 1, Level 2, Init 4, HP 11/11, Speed 30ft
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, Fort 1, Ref 4, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 5/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +5 (1d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +1 (1d6, x2)
Hidden (Search DC15 to uncover) Sleeve Blade -1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Combat Expertise: -1 attack +1 dodge AC (not included above)
Eldritch Glaive: threatens as 10ft reach weapon until start of my next turn

[Starbin]

Alistair

The crawler quickly closed, causing the dwarf to cringe back in surprise as he batted away the nasty tentacles that draped across his arm. "Ye gods, this be disgustin'!" Kill it lads!"

Stepping to the side to hep flank the beast, Alistair swung his stick once more ...

Spoiler: OOC

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Step and swing!
Attack - (1d20+3)[11], Damage - (1d6)[4], Sneak - (1d6)[5]

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[DrK]

Even as the pincers tear into Isaak who can nothing but stand in silent agony Alistair and Escher surround the crawler. Alistair's staff bounces off the thick carapace but the shimmering eldritch glaive hacks deep into the beast.

It responds by lunging forward, tentacles reaching out to dwarf and warlock and pincers trying to spear Escher

Spoiler: crawler

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Tentacle escher (1d20+3)[5] dam 0 fort DC 13 or paralysed (2d4)[5] rounds
Tentacle Alistair (1d20+3)[13] dam 0 fort DC 13 or paralysed (2d4)[6] rounds

Bite Escher (1d20+3)[14] dam (1d6+2)[4]

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

"That's right, c'mon you son of a -" Escher goads the crawler flicking energy at it as he tries to lure it away from Isaak and blasting out when he sees an opportunity. All the while carefully sliding his footing hoping he's not about to take a tumble into the overpowering sewage floating next to him.

Spoiler: blam!

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Not-an-action: 5ft step (if required)
Full round action: eldritch glaive melee touch (10ft reach) vs carrion crawler (1d20)[20] + Action Point (1d6)[5], damage (1d6)[1] total 4 damage if crit hits

Using combat expertise for +1 AC.

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 2// Spellthief 1, Level 2, Init 4, HP 11/11, Speed 30ft
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, Fort 1, Ref 4, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 4/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +5 (1d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +1 (1d6, x2)
Hidden (Search DC15 to uncover) Sleeve Blade -1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Combat Expertise: -1 attack +1 dodge AC (not included above)
Eldritch Glaive: threatens as 10ft reach weapon until start of my next turn

[DrK]

Even as the beast tries to evisverate the warlock nearly knocking the paralysed Isaak into the river of sewage the eldritch glaive chops down mightily and shears off the creatures head! With a wet splatter of of translucent slime it collapses onto the path quite dead!

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

"Gah!" Escher kicks at the crawler corpse in anger as he hurries to Isaak to check on him, thankful that he still breathes. He calls to the dwarf "Are you okay?"

Once everyone else is confirmed okay he'll gingerly inspect and search the corpse that the maggots were tucking in to.

Spoiler: skillful checkings

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heal (1d20)[1]
search (1d20+7)[25]

[DrK]

Turning over the body the horrific decay caused by the maggots can be seen. The fragments of the body slide over the walkway. The body has a solid mace blow on the back of his skull and a heavy belt pouch on the belt that still is full of gold, plus a well made knife crafted from silver with a skull shaped pommel. The other thing on his now blood soaked belt is a key marked with the "A" of Ashmantle, a well known unsavoury merchant consortium ...

Spoiler: loot

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35gp
20sp
MW silver dagger

[J-H]

Isaak
Shaking off the paralysis, Isaak steps back. After casting some curative magic on himself, he uses his shield to try to scrape most of the gunk off of his arm and armor before joining the others at the body.

At least the stench of the sewers covers the smell of decay.

"One clean blow, but to the back of the head. He didn't expect it. That key is something we could do something with, but we should see what else is down here first. Nobody will want to talk to us until we're cleaner anyway."

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Escher bends down and wipes the items clean before pocketing anything of use. "Yep. It's anyone's guess what he was doing down here alone with those things creeping about. Doesn't look like anyone's got this area secure. Maybe that's how they like it. Let's find out."

Spoiler: Ashmantle?

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Any idea what Ashmantle specialise in? Knowledge local (1d20+4)[20]

[Starbin]

Alistair

The dwarf nodded, wiping away some of the slime from his beard. "Ah'm alright, lads. Well struck there, boyo! Les' see what we kin find ..." Alistair looked around the area as well, making sure there wasn't anything else coming up on them. He checked for the remains of anyone else that might have been a victim, and looked over the corpse along with the others.

Seeing the gold pouch and silver dagger, he frowned. "One thin' lads ... why's this one still got 'is gold? Les' 'e was onta sumthin' ..."

Spoiler: OOC

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Searching for whatever ... and any skill checks needed?

Also, anyone need a heal?

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[DrK]

Looking around Escher thinks on the sigil, his face darkening slightly as several unpleasant thoughts cross his mind. The Ashmantle consortium are rumoured to be engaged in the seamier side of business with rumours about trading with monsters from the underdark and even the slave trade though neither have been proven.

As Alistair stands pondering things his dwarven senses twitch as he notes a mismatch in the stones a few feet from the body, the scene now more looking like a body thrown from a doorway and left for the deniziens of the sewers to dispose of.

Spoiler: Ding!

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A secret door!
(and the gnome dungeon of game killing has been skipped!)

1. Do you want to recruit more?
2. DM PC?
3. Rolling cast of NPCs you can trade in/out?
(would currently be Markam the hobgoblin mercenary)

[Starbin]

Alistair

The dwarf walked over to the wall, his eyes catching sight of something on the floor. Touching the wall, he felt around for a moment before his nails found a thin crack. Smiling he turned to the others. "Wot 'ave we 'ere, eh? Looks like this poor bloke lost 'is membership ..."

Listening at the door, Alistair slowly pulled it open, eyes searching for signs of movement.

Spoiler: OOC

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Love me some secret doors. Secret curtains? Nope, but secret doors? Sure!

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

"Wait we should...oh. Next time we should check for booby-traps. These Ashmantles are known to deal in black market creatures and slaves. Who knows what they might use to protect their interests."

Escher moves up alongside the dwarf, resting his hand on Alastair's shoulder as he too peers through the doorway.

Spoiler: Detect magic

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While we're at it, he'll detect magic on the corpse, the items from the corpse and the doorway for good measure.

[DrK]

It takes but a few moments for the dwarf to find the heavy catches that release the secret door. It opens a fraction as he peers through, the darkness near total beyond the door, the view cloaked in green and black as he relies upon his natural darkvision.

You can see an octagonal room opening some 10ft ahead of your tunnel. IN the centre of the room is a 20ft wide octagonal platform that currently is level with the floor though a lever on the wall and the heavy ropes and chains suggest that the platform can be lowered to reach somewhere else. Atop the platform chatting boredly though skinbearer does hear words such as children, creepers, trade are a pair of weird beasts in armour and armed with long blades, clubs and crossbows. Alistair doesn't recognise the language aharsh one but the beasts are clearly villanious resembling 2 purple goblins squashed together with aair of wide mouths and 4 stubby arms! Both lean against the lever and atop the platform that is also wrapped in many coils of thick chain suggesting if the platform drops it may lower itself a long way...

Talking to themselves in the darkness neither appear to have noticed the door fractionally ajar

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Escher gently closes the secret door and hurriedly outlines the scenario his soldiers efficiency kicking in "Looks like we've found them. Two dolgrims about 30ft in. Crossbows and swords. There's some sort of elevator going down. We'll have to take them quickly - anybody have any bright ideas?"

Spoiler: plans

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I'm happy to charge in and blast 'em with surprise. If we can engage them in melee they may not have the opportunity to pull the lever, or might draw an AoO. Any better ideas?

[J-H]

Isaak
"I don't know what an 'elevator' is - what does a platform have to do with the sewers? But I can try to freeze one of them with my magic for a few seconds."

[Starbin]

Alistair

The dwarf moved back to whisper to the others, thinking on the two foes ... and the last battles they had gone through. Shaking his head, he was unconvinced they could handle two four-armed easily. At least not without help. "Ah dinnae know, lads. We be no great warriors ... but we do have th'advantage o' surprise. Ah might 'ave a trick 'r two up me sleeve ... ..."

Spoiler: OOC

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OK - as a player, I realize we were very unlucky. But as far as Alistair is concerned, our group could barely beat a bunch of grubs, let alone two armed, savvy looking opponents. Are we down for this? Alistair has three things going for him here - a round or two of sneak attacks (IF he can hit ), a summon monster spell (2 rounds of support), a bless spell (+1 all around) and potentially some fun with the chains. Unfortunately, Indon't have any B/C spells today ... and if we win we'll be tapped out for a bit.

Local - (1d20+8)[25] for info on double-headed goblins!

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[J-H]

Isaak
"Well, we don't know how long the kids have. I can't just walk off and leave them."

He shoulders the door open and charges.

Spoiler

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Too many days of nothing happening means I move things forward unilaterally.

I'll charge the one closest to the lever, if possible; if not, I'll charge the closest one.

Charge attack (1d20+6)[11]
Damage (1d8+2)[5] longsword plus (1d6)[4] hideous blow/frightful blast
Will DC 14 or Shaken for 1 minute.

Crits (1d20+6)[18] (1d8+2)[3] (1d6)[5] (EB isn't bonus dice and crits in any other circumstance, so it should here also).

AC temporarily 16 instead of 18.

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Escher stifles a grunt of frustration as the bold man charges in to engage the creatures. With a quick look to the dwarf he steps forward, blasting eldritch energy toward the unsuspecting things.

Spoiler: rolls

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Not-an-action: 5ft step (to give Alastair cover & hopefully draw ranged fire)
Standard action: eldritch blast ranged touch (1d20+5)[11], damage (1d6)[5] + sneak (1d6)[6] (if within 30ft) Edit: hopefully squeezing in a hit if they are flat-footed.

I've got a wand of shield. If these things are as tough as they sound then I'm using it and going melee. Would've been nice to buff us all properly beforehand, Leeroy .

Can you give us a combat map, or an idea of positioning? Will be useful since Escher is so geared toward flanking/ sneaks.

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 2// Spellthief 2, Level 2, Init 4, HP 11/11, Speed 30ft
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, Fort 1, Ref 4, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 4/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +5 (1d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +1 (1d6, x2)
Hidden (Search DC15 to uncover) Sleeve Blade -1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Spellgrace: +1 save vs spells

[Starbin]

Alistair

When Isaak mentioned the children, Alistair opened his mouth to respond .. and was rewarded with a backside view as his impatient companion rushed into the room and attacked the nearest dolgrim. He looked from Issak to Escher incredulously, wondering what had spurred the man to ignore rational planning in favor of a brash rush forward. He had half a mind to leave the stupid git ... but leaving both men in a lurch wasn't his style.

Muttering under his breath, Alistair wove a spell, hoping it might help the situation.

Spoiler: OOC

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Alright, trying to be clever - casting animate rope on the coiled chain near the far dolgrim. In hopes of coiling it around his neck and giving him something to deal with. Based on it affecting rope-like things, and the dolgrim being close enough, I think this is a valid use of the spell. If not, we'll go with good ok' bless.

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[DrK]

Much like the famed thunder guide of Storm reach named "Leroy" Isaak without warning barrels into the room sword chopping at the nearest Dolgrim, the little creature's armour the only that saves him.

Escher rushes in, a beam of bright crackling light catching the other surprised little monster that sizzles and melts slightly before collapsing dead to the ground. The gruff dwarf follows up, waving a hand as the doors around the pulley writhe around the dolgrim fighting Isaak wrapping ariund an arm, a neck and a leg entangling it.

Frustrated it lashes out with blade, club and little claws! The beast bashing and slashing Isaak painfully with claws and club!

Spoiler: Dolgrim

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-2 to hit due to entangle
Blade (1d20+2)[7] dam (1d6+2)[8]
Club (1d20+2)[20] dam (1d6+2)[8]
Claw (1d20+2)[10] dam (1d3+2)[3]
Claw (1d20+2)[17] dam (1d3+2)[4]

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

"Oh. That came apart easier than I expected". Seeing only one remaining and it hampered and in furious melee with Isaak, he blasts away again before rushing in to finish it quick.

Spoiler: blast

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Standard action: eldritch blast ranged touch (1d20+1)[12] (incl. -4 firing into melee), damage (1d6)[4]
Move action: Rush in and take the flank for Isaak, draw his punching dagger so he threatens.

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 2// Spellthief 2, Level 2, Init 4, HP 11/11, Speed 30ft
AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, Fort 1, Ref 4, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 4/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +5 (1d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +1 (1d6, x2)
Hidden (Search DC15 to uncover) Sleeve Blade -1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Spellgrace: +1 save vs spells

[J-H]

Isaak
Isaak smiles as the first one comes apart, but the other dolgaunt lands two telling blows that leave him hurting. He backs up and casts a spell.

Spoiler

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5' step back, Lesser Vigor.
With the healing from LV, Isaak is now at 2hp!

[Starbin]

Alistair

Isaak's brashness almost cost him his life, and the headstrong human was forced to step back ... which left the warlock engaged alone. Fortunately, the chains would hamper the creature few a few seconds longer, so with a sigh, Alistair limped into the room, his quarter staff at the ready.

Use th' mace th'priest gave ye!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Now that we're committed to fighting our way in, I think Alistair needs to keep at least one good spell in reserve. Advance ten feet. If he's close enough to aid another, then he'll try to add +2 AC to Escher or Isaak - whoever' closer. Aid another vs DC10 - (1d20+1)[17]

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[DrK]

The ropes surround and tug and strangle the poor dolgrim as it battle before Escher and Isaak run in. The burky human stepping back as the strange purple goblins draws (a lot of) blood. With no-one nearby it turns on Escher with barely concealed fury, ducking under the zapping eldritch blast.

Spoiler: Dolgrim

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Blade (1d20+2)[21] dam (1d6+2)[5]
Club (1d20+2)[4] dam (1d6+2)[5]
Claw (1d20+2)[10] dam (1d3+2)[5]
Claw (1d20+2)[4] dam (1d3+2)[3]

[J-H]

Isaak
With a shout, Isaak steps back in and strikes at the distracted and entangled dolgaunt.

Spoiler

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Attack (1d20+4)[16] + (1d6)[1] action point, +2 flanking, plus the enemy has a -2 ac from the -4 dexterity penalty.
Damage (1d8+3)[4]byeshk, magic + (1d6)[5] EB plus Will save DC 14 or Shaken for 1 minute

Isaak heals 1hp from Lesser Vigor.

[Ghostfoot]

Escher

Escher cries out as the surviving dolgrim turns on him, blood spraying as the blade slices a shallow gash across his chest. He leaps back, blasting out with pulses of shadowy eldritch energy as he does.

Spoiler: rolls

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The irony is that Escher has to step back in order to use his normal attack, which is a reach attack.

Not-an-action: 5ft step backwards (maintaining flank)
Full round action: eldritch glaive melee touch (10ft reach) vs dolgrim (1d20+1)[18] (incl +2 flank), damage (1d6)[3] + sneak (1d6)[5]

Escher Moyes
M CG Human Warlock 2// Spellthief 2, Level 2, Init 4, HP 6/11, Speed 30ft
AC 19, Touch 15, Flat-footed 14, Fort 1, Ref 4, Will 3, Base Attack Bonus 1, Action Points 4/9
Ranged touch Eldritch Blast +5 (1d6, x2)
Melee touch, 10ft reach Eldritch Blast +1 (1d6, x2)
Hidden (Search DC15 to uncover) Sleeve Blade -1 (1d4, 19-20/x2)
Chain shirt (+4 Armor, +4 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 12
Condition Entropic Warding: 20% concealment vs ranged
Spellgrace: +1 save vs spells
Combat Expertise: -1 attack +1 dodge AC (included above)
Eldritch Glaive: threatens as 10ft reach weapon until start of my next turn

[DrK]

Wrapped in ropes and assailed from both sides by a purple headed mace that burns the creature's flesh where it makes contact and a shimmering glaive of eldtrich energy the dolgrim is both smashed and skewered by Isaal and Escher collapsing to hang dead in the mass of ropes. The hapless little beast's life clearly ended. The room at the top of the lift shaft, whilst still dark is now silent save for the heavy breathing of the heroes as they try and catch their breath.

[Starbin]

Alistair

Once the beast had died, the chains lost their life and dropped it to the platform. Shaking a finger at Isaak, Alistair moved in to check on Escher. "Ye need ta use caution, lad ... ye almost bought yerself a plot in th'cemetery!" Seeing the Issak's wounds were already closing a bit, he focused on the warlock. "Hold still, lad ... les see what Ah kin do ..."

With a moment of focus, Alistair cast a healing spell upon the hurt man, hoping to cure the worst of the wounds. Once done, he started to look about the platform, looking for any controls, while checking the bodies for any signs of keys and the like.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spontaneously cast cure light wounds (burning magic weapon) - CLW - (1d8+4)[12] to Escher (overkill of course!)
Let me know any skill checks needed

Status
AC: 13 HPs: 9/9
F +3 R +2 W +9
Spells: 0: detect magic, read magic, create water, mending
1: magic weapon, bless, summon monster 1 / animate rope
Effects: None
Spot/Listen/Search +7

[DrK]

Searching around the doughty dwarf finds pretty nothing of value upon the two dead dolgrims. Some pretty (but worthless) rocks, a chunk of gnawed bone, a bottle of vile smelling liquor on each and their crude cheap weapons. Looking at the lift shaft it looks easy to use. A single locking pin holds it in place and you'd surmise that somewhere beneath you the double chain wraps around another pulley and you hand pull yourself up or down using the massive chain links. If a pair of dolgrim can master you can too.... The question the party have to consider is do they dare....