DeepBlue's Vagabond - Act 1

[Deepblue706]

"Good god!"

Titus runs over to Drahlo, but hesitates to grab hold of him. Len quickly uses the haft of her weapon to knock it away before Shimar moves in, sending the book into the fireplace (although no flame is lit). Drahlo suffers no further harm, although his entire body is sore, and he now has a splitting headache. He is currently staggered.

Spoiler

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Listen checks, please

[Ya Ta Hey!]

Spoiler

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Listen (1d20)[10]

Len uselessly shakes the orc in a near-panic, as if trying to duplicate the divine miracle of laying-on hands before finally handing him over to Titus.

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold lifts his eyebrows briefly, then resumes looking at the portraits
Listen - (1d20)[7]

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo's breathing is heavy, and his expression is confused. He looks to the book in the fireplace and shakes his head. "A trap on knowledge... I like this man less as I learn more of him."

He quickly casts Lesser Vigor on himself, and kneels on the floor to give it time to work. ((+12 HP, putting me up to 13. I've got one more casting left for today.))

Listen: (1d20+7=24)

[Deepblue706]

"If you need me to treat you further, I shall." Titus offers to Drahlo.

In his slight daze, or what might be delirium, the druid begins to hear noises out beyond the unchecked door ahead. A low grunt, and a scuffle of feet upon a stone surface.

The remainder of the party hears nothing.

[amanodel]

Shimar

The barbarian puts his newly acquired book into his pack, and turns around when it seems that Drahlo is okay for now.

Listen - (1d20+1)[18]

[Deepblue706]

Spoiler

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Even with the 18, Shimar hears nothing.

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo nods to Titus's offer. "I'll live without it, but a bit of healing would be good..."

Then he stops as he hears the noise. He points to the door and says, "In there... I hear something... Something moves. Or... am I hearing things not real?"

[Ya Ta Hey!]

Now Len raises an eyebrow, nothing in particular disrupting the dead air as far as she's concerned. However, in her current unease, she tightens her grip on the glaive and glares over her shoulder.

Spoiler

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Ready Action: Power Attack (1d20+3)[7]
Damage: (1d10+8)[14]

If something ugly comes out of the closet. Besides Richard Simmons.

[amanodel]

Shimar

The barbarian calls Whisper by his side, and stands idly. He didn't hear anything, so there's nothing, only the orc is hallucinating, from the effect of the wicked book. He's maybe even enchanted, one could never be sure with these books...

[Deepblue706]

Titus lays his hands upon the orc, fully revitalizing him with the power of the divine.

"I hear nothing. But, we must keep moving forward, unless you want to try that book again." Titus says, moving closer to the door. He slowly creeps it open, peeking through the tiny opening. "A hall. I see nothing, but I think we may be nearing the master's quarters." He glances back to you. "Ready?"

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo nods appreciatively as Titus heals the remainder of his wounds. In responce to Titus's query, he shifts to wolf form and nods.

[Deepblue706]

You enter a long and eerie corridor, with walls covered in an eldritch blue, run with many intersecting lines of gold. There is a carpet beneath your feet, which stretches down the hall to your left, and up the stairs to your right. There are paintings of landscapes and busts of former lords about, furnishing the odd corridor. You cannot help but feel as if there are unseen eyes about this room, gazing upon you from every angle.

Down the length of the hall is a door, open very slightly, with light creeping out from within. It eclipses for a moment, and then returns. You hear distance sounds. There is certainly movement inside.

Nearer, the hall turns down another path, but from here you spot very little.

Despite being clad in armor, Titus slowly progresses down the hall, making little sound underfoot. He comes to the point where the hall turns to form another way, and glances down it.

His sight turns back towards the open door, although steps no further. Instead, he begins making a motion back to you, that beckons you to come.

[Proven_Paradox]

Having had enough near-fatal encounters for a few days, Drahlo creeps up behind Titus slowly, allowing others to move in front of him. It's difficult to tell in his lupine form, but it seems he has no preference on which way the group goes.

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
content that this aspect of the fight will probably entail violence, Harold saunters along behind, content to follow the knight's lead.

[amanodel]

Shimar

The barbarian is quick to follow Titus. He tries to be in the first line, so he wouldn't be held back by his companions, should it come to a fight.

[Deepblue706]

Flare and Len follow from behind, watching the other doors to make sure nobody sneaks up onto the party. They remain silent, but occasionally make eye-contact as they await the rest of you to progress forward.

Titus glances to each of your group, before readying his sword and shield and advancing towards the door. He makes no effort to hide his location, and the chains in his armor clink with each step. He stands before the door, forces it wide open, and holds his sword high. "Destroy the abominations!" He charges inward.

The rest of you hurry to keep pace with the knight, now standing at the doorway of the room. Inside appears to be a kitchen - a well-lit room with windows and a fire. Titus stands a few feet away from a tall, pale-skinned man wearing a blood-stained apron, with a cleaver in his hand. Beside him, on the counter, is some mess of what was once living thing - what it was, however, it a mystery.

A nearby door inside this room opens, and from what seems to be a pantry comes another pale man. He wears a chef's hat, and holds a long carving knife.

Spoiler

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Shimar's dog seems afraid to enter the room. He's currently sharing the same space as bad S himself. Brown rectangle is the counter. Brown circle is a table. Brown box with a red box is an oven.

Initiative, por favor.

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold smiles.
Just a few servants.
The minstrel steps forwards, raising his hand.
"Hey there! Mind if I ask you folks a few questions?"

[Deepblue706]

The one holding a butchering knife stares at Harold blankly. "Uhhhhhhhhnng." he moans, as he remains stationary. A glance to the other reveals he is still as well.

Titus glances over his shoulder towards the bard. "What the hell are you doing?!"

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold gives Titus an odd look.
"Trying to get some information, of course. Maybe they're not in any condition to be talking much, but that alone tells us a lot, right? Facts," Harold says, with some austerity, "Will get us to the conclusions we need to make our case. For example, we see these two are obviously in ill health, and nearly comatose.If they can't tell us anything, we should move on and try and find the master of this keep himself. He can answer questions, I'll wager."
He shrugs. "It's your mission, but these men aren't doing us any harm. Besides, who knows if it's contagious?"
He makes a face.
"I mean, look at that botched butchery; the man's even lost focus on his craft."

[Deepblue706]

I need spot checks.

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo, still in wolf form, remains in the outside hallway, looking around and trying to remain alert.

Spoiler

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Spot: (1d20+7=10) (Dammit!)

[Deepblue706]

As Harold continues to talk, Titus listens in a slight horror. "Wha...what the devil are you..." He is completely baffled, although he drops his guard as Harold suggests they are no threat.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Harold spots a third man appear, earlier concealed by the door itself. But, it's too late.

"AHm AHm AHM!"

It chomps the air, and lunges towards Titus. It bites down hard into the knight's right cheek, who screams in pain as blood runs down his face. Desperately pushing the pale man off, Titus retreats back into the doorway, trying to push Harold outside.

Len yells as she pushes forward, "What's going on?" Upon seeing the creatures advancing toward your position, she glances around for Flare. "Can't you blast these suckers, ace?" He's nowhere in sight.

"Ace?"



Round 1 (cont.)

Battle Order:
Zed1
Zed2
Harold
Zed3
Titus
Len
Shimar
Drahlo

[Deepblue706]

Message deleted, as amanodel has posted.

[amanodel]

(Barely able to post)

Shimar

The barbairan tries to get between the attackers and the rest of the party, and if there's no place to do that, he will make some space with his weapon.

[Proven_Paradox]

Drahlo shifts back into orc form and says, "We can do nothing in such narrow spaces! Try bringing them into the hallway!"

[The Great Skenardo]

Harold Betruger
Harold's mouth hangs open as the pale man bites the knight.
"Oi!" he cries, drawing his rather gilded rapier, "Get off him!"
He blanches a little as the pale man with the knife lurches forward, and Harold quickly brings his blade to bear, trying to deflect the half-hearted hacking of the chef away from the knight.

Spoiler

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Trying to Aid Another to give +2 AC to the cleaver-man's target.
Attack - (1d20+0)[9]

[Deepblue706]

Round 2

Two of the men swing their blades at the knight, their attacks uncoordinated, clumsy. Harold helps cover the knight with use of his sword, although it seems fairly needless as the man in armor is able enough to deflect any attacks on his own. However, as the men close in on him, Titus grows nervous, and fails to put enough force behind any attacks he makes to halt his assailants. He retreats from the room, ducking back into the corridor. His face continues to bleed badly, although he pays it little attention.

Len stands ready with her sword, awaiting for the creatures to encroach upon your party. They slowly shamble towards you, with their milky-white eyes staring deep into yours. Their haunting image seems to taint your very soul.

(will saves, please)



Battle Order:
Zed1
Zed2
Harold
Zed3
Titus
Len
Shimar
Drahlo

[amanodel]

Shimar

WillSave - (1d20-1)[9]

Shimar curses that he's agian at the rear line, but attacks the monster if it steps into the reach of his weapon.

Get outta my way, damnit! - he yells to the others, mainly the ones in the doorway.

If he's mind is not blown, he will attack. attack - (1d20+5)[13], damage - (1d10+4)[8]

[Proven_Paradox]

Will Save: (1d20+6=17)

Drahlo sees no options for him at the time--at least, no options that don't involve getting attacked by all three creatures at once. As such, he simply waits, looking for an opening to reach one of them.