Legends of Arhade IC

[RoyaleWithCheez]

Staring at the awaiting throng of goblins within the fortress, Tarnus sees his opportunity to appeal further to the crowd. Crossing the bridge, he again slices right through a goblin and into its companion.

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Cleave goblin at Q13 (d20+5)[20]
Damage to Q13 (d12+4)[16], 3 to goblin at Q14 (if not already dead)

[Boggs]

Ardek

Shedding the hit from the rock, Ardek roars furiously (Bloodied). He moves to the closest Goblin plunging his spear into it's torso.

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I suppose the Goblin would be Q13-15 depending on who dies or not.
Shielding Smite
Attack - (1d20+8)[13]
Damage - (2d10+3)[11]
Zophiel receives a +2 shield until the end of my next turn.

I think I　forgot the +1 for being bloodied, that should be a 14.

[Silverkiss]

Zophiel

Zophiel moves slighty towards the gates, while looking to the walls above.

"Damn, we should take care of those slingers..."

WIth a quick hand movement, a bolt of arcane energy is summoned forth to strike the goblin atop the walls.

Spoiler

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(1d20+4)[20] - Magic Missile attack, against the goblin on V-13
(2d4+4)[9] - Magic Missile damage, against the same goblin

Zophiel will also move to R-15.

[fendrin]

Theren (Round 5)

Theren fires off two more arrows at the approaching goblins, then runs back along the wall.

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Minor Action: Mark goblin at O12 (O13 is marked from last round)

Standard Action: Twin Strike
First Attack (vs. O13)
Attack - (1d20+6)[26] vs. AC
Damage - (1d10)[3]
Hunter's Quarry Damage - (1d6)[5]
Edit: CRIT! Damage: 16

Second Attack (vs. O13 if still up, otherwise O12)
Attack - (1d20+6)[12] vs. AC
Damage - (1d10)[8]
Hunter's Quarry Damage - (1d6)[1] (both targets marked)

Move Action: Move to J6

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

Grudok crouches low to the ground, his twin blades held out in front of him to keep any foe at bay. He slowly circles his enemy. And then, lightning quick, lashes out with one of his daggers, letting out a mighty roar as he thrust the blade at his opponent's face.

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Move to flank an opponent if I can without drawing any AoO.

Reposte Strike
Dex vs. AC - (1d20+7)[12]
Damage - (1d6+4)[6]
Sneak Attack if possible - (2d6)[12]

If the target attacks me before my next turn, I make a second attack as an interrupt.
Str vs. AC - (1d20+6)[15]
Damage - (1d6+3)[6]

If there aren't any goblins left living in sight, I will climb the wall instead.
Athletics: Climb - (1d20+3)[16]

[RoyaleWithCheez]

Killing the goblin, Tarnus rushes into the fortress, retrieving his fallen javelin. From the inside he targets the back of one of the goblins standing on the wall, and flings his javelin at it.

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Attack(d20+4)[11]
Damage(d6+3)[8]

[TwoBitWriter]

Init Order:

1)Tarnus
2)Zophiel
3)Goblins
4)Theren (Has higher Init Bonus than Grudok)
5)Grudok
6)Ardek
7)Morthos

Results
1) Tarnus moves inside, retrieves his javelin, and throws it at the goblins now swarming the walls. Unfortunately, his aim is off and he misses.
2) Zophiel approaches the gate, flinging another Magic Missile at the last slinger goblin. Her aim strikes true and the disgusting creature falls forward off the wall with a squeel. The crowd sends another roar of approval.
3)The Goblins make more moves. One charges Theren, swinging and connecting with his rusty blade (4 damage.) Another attacks Tarnus and strikes the muscled warrior (4 damage.)
Morthos is attacked as the three goblins approach him on the wall, the lead goblin attacks and hits the Tiefling (4 damage.)
Grudok finds himself accosted by two goblins, who jump at him swinging. Only one's blow manages to connect though (4 damage.)
4) After easily avoiding the goblin's opportunity attack, Theren sticks an arrow point blank in the creature's chest. his second attack misses, however.
5) Grudok, incensed at taking another hit, does a quick attack with both of his daggers. He misses but has positioned himself in a ready stance, prepared to strike one of his attackers before they can attack him again.
6) Ardek reaches the gate, standing beside Grudok, while making sure that the Zophiel is covered, he attacks, but the goblin is able to avoid his blow.
7) Morthos (Need your latest action please)

(Updated map in OOC)

[Silverkiss]

Zophiel

Zophiel looks to her allies, she can see that the battle is nearing to an end. She focuses her mind on the goblins still alive, especially those on the walls. With quick words of power, a bright greenish glow appears in Zophiels right hand. With a quick strike, the green bolt flies to the goblins atop the walls.

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Casting Acid Arrow on the Goblin at S13

(1d20+4)[14] - attack against S13 goblin, if it hits, secondary attacks bellow, if it misses, half damage to S13 and no secondary attacks.
(2d8+4)[13] - acid damage against S13, ongoing 5 damage.

Secondary attacks:

(1d20+4)[8] - Attack against T13
(1d8+4)[7] - acid damage against T13, ongoing 5 damage.

(1d20+4)[24] - Attack against R13
(1d8+4)[8] - acid damage against R13, ongoing 5 damage.

(1d20+4)[17] - Attack against S12
(1d8+4)[11] - acid damage against S12, ongoing 5 damage.

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

Growls at the goblin as it dodges out of the way of his attack but quickly continues his assault, slashing with his off hand blade.

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Reposte Strike
Dex vs. AC - (1d20+8)[20]
Damage - (1d6+4)[9]

If the target attacks me before my next turn, I make a second attack as an interrupt.
Str vs. AC - (1d20+7)[18]
Damage - (1d6+3)[9]

[TwoBitWriter]

Order posted:

1) Tarnus swings his axe, slicing the pathetic goblin in front of him in half. He runs up the nearby ramp to assist Morthos on the wall.
2) Zophiel's acid arrow completely covers her target, melting the goblins flesh as it dies in agony. The spray covers two more goblins, who die in a similarly horrendous fashion. Three total melt into a pool of blood, acid, bone, and flesh. The remaining acid seeps through and melts away some of the wooden fort's surface.
3) The remaining three goblins, seeing the horrendous death of their companions, immediately throw down their arms, falling to their knees and begging for mercy. The crowd roars for their death. You turn to the Emperor, who stands, opening his arms to the crowd before turning to face you with eyes burning with a cold intensity. He forms a fist with his right hand, sticks his thumb out to one side, then turns it to point downward. The crowd begins to chant "Blood for the Emperor! Blood for the Emperor!"

[fendrin]

Theren

Theren briefly considers firing off a couple of shots at the Emperor, but decides it wouldn't work.
Even if I kill him, they'll probably just bring him back and call it proof of his Godhood.

He looks at the Goblin cowering before him.

I've taunted the Emperor too much already. If I don't do this, he'll have me killed for sure. I have to live to escape. I have to live to rescue the princess.

Theren whispers to the goblin.
"If you want to live, play along. Hide with the corpses then try to escape."

Tossing his bow off the wall, he picks up the goblin's blade. Pulling the goblin to it's feet and positioning it between the Emperor and himself, he as subtly as possible smears the dagger with blood from his own wounds. Then, he jabs the dagger into the back of the goblin, but at the last moment, turns it aside so he merely punches the goblin in the back. He then pushes the goblin down and holds the bloody dagger high in the air before tossing it aside.

I Just hope that the distance is sufficient to fool them.

He hops down off the wall, recovers his bow, and walks back towards the Gladiator's entrance.

[Silverkiss]

Zophiel

When will this senseless slaughter end ?

Turning aside, Zophiel slowly walks to the entrance with Theren. She does not look to the emperor or to the crowd; she is too sick of them.

[RoyaleWithCheez]

This was getting old. He had done this many, many times, and each time, the part where he surrendered his freedom to the will of the emperor had always been his least favorite.

Thumb down, thumb up. It was all a joke. The thumb never went up. Time to go to work.

He swung his axe at the first goblin, beheading it with ease. Its blood sprayed all over him; he wiped off his face and stood triumphant for the roaring crowd.

Moving on to the second goblin, he again pulled back his greataxe. The goblin looked back at him with fearful eyes. They had already gone lifeless. In that moment, Tarnus saw his opportunity to rebel. He put away his greataxe and picked up the goblin by the back of his neck and threw him a few feet forward. It's impact sent up a cloud of sand.

By the time the sand settled once again upon the trembling goblin, Tarnus had already exited the arena.

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

Grudok quickly grabs the goblin standing before, winding one massive, clawed hand about the creatures neck. His other hand strikes quickly, opening the pathetic creatures jugular with blade of his knife. One for the road...

Tossing the limp corpse aside, Grudok walks casually back towards the gate, tossing a snide remark to his allies along the way, "I'm afraid we may have embarrassed the poor Emperor, beating his elite troops' time and all. If he'd had warriors half as good as us, he'd have the whole world under his thumb. Let us thank the gods hes decided to through us in this pit instead, hah."

[TwoBitWriter]

The battle is over, and you are all tired. You reach the end of the bloody tunnel and enter the pits beneath the Mosium Theater's floor. The cheering of the crowd fades to a dull roar as you descend deeper under the earth.

The tunnel is lined with more Theater guards than before when you went up, curious. They look at you with admiration mixed with fear, and they nervously grip their halberds. These private soldiers are not nearly as well-trained or equipped as their Dunhardown army regular counterparts.

You enter the lower levels, and six guards escort you first to the armory, where you drop off your equipment amongst the rest of the shoddy gear they force on the gladiators. You then march back to your cells. The six of you share the same room, a mere twenty foot square, with six piles of straw for bedding and a chamberpot in the corner, which Zophiel had put a blanket up to curtain it off from the rest of the cell.

After you rest and the Theater's healer tends to your wounds (Use how many healing surges are necessary to fully restore your health) you are left alone. Soon enough, a guard shoves six bowls of what you have termed "Victory Gruel" through the feeding slot of your cell door. It is actually better than what you are usually fed, as they only feed it to groups and individuals who have won fights. It is hot, and you lounge around and chat for most of the day. Grudok pulls out a deck of cards that he pilfered from a guard the month before and quickly a card game emerges. Soon, you can only guess that it is night when the guards begin extinguishing the lanterns. It has been so long since you have seen the night sky (as you only fight during the day) that you have almost forgotten how the stars look draped around the moon.

You eventually retire for sleep. You sleep lightly, your time in this setting having taught you the benefits of that. The night passes uneventfully.

A guard banging his halberd on your cell door awakens you the next morning. "Up and at 'em, you filthy beggars. Breakfast time!" The boorish man calls out, tossing in six plates of "food."
"Eat hearty, lads. Today you got another fight. One of you'se seemed to anger the Emperor real bad, because I 'eard they got you fightin' a bloody dragon this time!"

He walks away, his laughter booming and echoing through the halls. His laughter is interupted by a loud incantation, a burst of light, and a scream.
The door to your cell is blasted open by a burst of arcane light. A human male enters, shirtless, and with a blazing Gold Dragon tatooed on his chest.

"Time to go, lords and ladies. Prince Alain de Warbeck frees you! If you wish to survive, make for the sewers, find the Black Bazaar. From there, if you wish to know your benefactor, go to the Larova Wood. Tell Prince Warbeck that Hector sent you!" He says with a bow. He rushes off, shooting off more arcane energy and freeing more prisoners from their cells. Before you know it, there is a full scale riot going on.

This is the only opportunity of escape that has ever befallen you. You have long dreamed of this moment. But you are currently defenseless... The armory is nearby, and the entrance to the sewers is well known to you. There may be a fight with the guards, but if you hurry, you may be able to make it out before reinforcements arrive...

[fendrin]

Theren

Rolling to his feet, Theren stands at the door waiting for the others.
"Come on, we've talked about this often enough. It's time to get out and..."
He hesitates, aware that his particular goals may not motivate the others.
"...and pay back the emperor for what he's done."

[Silverkiss]

Zophiel

Zophiel smiles at Theren's words, and completes with her own thoughts:

"Among other things, of couse. Let's hurry, I bet you guys will need weapons."

Jumping to her feet, Zophiel also moves to the door, ready to leave the damned cell she lived on for so long.

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

Ahhhrwahah, Grudok lets out a massive yawn and rubs his eyes with his clawed hands. His monstrous face almost adorable when half asleep, all squinted eyes and tussled fur. "Your lucky, Theren. I was going to have flense your skin from your body and forcing the Emperor to wake us up so early. But it looks like I would be getting up early today anyways".

Slowly Grudok rolls out of bed, stretching his massive arms and yawning once more. "I'll scout out the way to the armory. See if anyone is still guarding it". He slips out of the blasted doorway and into the dark corder...

Spoiler

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Stealth - (1d20+9)[21]
That should actually be a 23, forgot that I get a +2 bonus for being a bugbear.

[TwoBitWriter]

Grudok:

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Despite towering over many of the escaped prisoners, you are able to remain unnoticed by the guards desperately trying to fight them off. The pits are in chaos, and the morning-shift guards seem on the verge of being overwhelmed by vengeful fighters. The gladiators are working together quite well despite having fought one another numerous times, and have taken the armory. One man in particular, an ex-officer of the Dunhardown Army who everyone calls "Captain," is in the armory, distributing weapons to all the prisoners.
"Hoi, Grudok, right? Whats your pleasure? Daggers I wager..."

[Boggs]

Ardek

Rising to his feet, Ardek hastily moves to the armory with the group. At the armory he looks to the Captain, "Goodday, Captain. I'll take what can be spared."

After grabbing his equipment, he waits for the others near the hallway to the sewers. He looks over the area carefully, to build the confidence of a clean escape.

Spoiler

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Perception - (1d20+2)[18]
After everyone is ready, he will discuss strategy. In movement he will take either the rear to fend off any encroaching threats.

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

"Daggers are good, but I need to pick up a few more my teammates as well. Lets see... a spear, a bow, some arrows, a great ax, a warhammer, couple of shields, some hide armor, couple sets of leather, suit of chain and some scale mail". Grudok looks for about room for such items and gathering all that he can find and carry to bring back with him to his allies.

[RoyaleWithCheez]

Tarnus

I must look ridiculous.

Tarnus guards the entrance to the sewers, repelling the stream of guards and soldiers with whatever makeshift weapons he can find. He uses 4 of the 6 breakfast plates as projectile weapons, managing to do a surprising amount of damage. Getting impatient (and running low on dishes), he calls down the hall to Grudok.

"Would you hurry up? They'll be here any minute!

[TwoBitWriter]

You flee together, toward the sewer entrance which is guarded by Ardek and Tarnus.

You take turns equipping and arming yourself and holding back any guards that come your way. Fortunately, they have mostly retreated to await reinforcements and no real combat erupts.

When Tarnus and Theren are finally able to throw on and buckle their armor, Ardek kicks down the sewer entrance hatch and drops down. You go down one by one, until finally Tarnus descends, closing the door above him.

You know that it won't be long before armed Dunhardown soldiers begin to scour the sewers for escapees. You must find this black bazaar fast... The sewers are in a poor state of disrepair, and it requires a good deal of climbs, jumps, and squeezing to avoid falling into the rushing sewage below. The fall itself would not be fatal, its only about 10 feet down, but it would be extremely unpleasant. Not to mention there is no telling what sort of foul creatures live in that filthy river...

OOC:

Spoiler

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Make one of each of the following rolls:
1) Streetwise
2) Stealth
3) Athletics
4) Acrobatics
5) Perception

[fendrin]

Theren

Strapping on his newly acquired armor and stringing his bow, Theren looks back at the others.
"I was trained as a scout, so I'll take lead. There will likely be pursuit, so lets keep up a good rear guard. Zophiel, stick to the middle. But I didn't really need to tell you that, did I?"

With A wry smile he drops into the sewer, which smells only slightly worse than the cell they had so recently departed.

[Boggs]

Ardek

Donning the shoddy leather armor, Ardek takes two spears and a shield. He looks to Theren, "You lead us safely through these murky waters and I'll make sure no one attacks from the rear." Assuming the sewers are narrow, Ardek keeps a wide stance to avoid the guards view on the other party members.

[TwoBitWriter]

You move rapidly through the sewers.

Grudok, Theren, and Zophiel have a pretty good idea where the Black Bazaar is located. It tends to move rapidly, but they always form in hollowed-out areas seperated by a false brick wall.

You all manage to evade any guards, and none of you feel as if you had been followed. Zophiel slips and falls into the disgusting muck below, but you are able to quickly pull her out before attracting any unsavory creatures. Zophiel is able to use Prestidigitation to clean herself but the stench is quite overpowering for a few minutes.

Grudok is the first to find the bazaar entrance. With a short rasp on the false bricks with his massive hand, the door slides open and two men in dark cloaks quickly usher you inside.

One of them removes his hood, a dust-colored tiefling. "Welcome, friends, to the Black Bazaar. Here, no one cares what your name is and what your crimes are... As long as you have gold... You do have gold don't you?"

Before you can respond a slender human female, also cloaked, approaches you. "These people are contacts of mine," she says with a wink toward you. "And they do have plenty of gold..."

She tosses each of you a belt pouch filled with gold coins! (500 gp each...)
"These are from Prince Alain... he wishes to meet with you in Larova Wood. The town of Pova will be likely be the easiest way to avoid too much trouble. But you will have to get past the Imperial foresters on your own... I must go, equip yourselves, and good luck!"
As silently as the woman appeared, she disappears. You are amazed that someone can disappear before your own eyes. You suspect possible magic...
You are even more amazed that you have suddenly acquired so much wealth... After all the time you have lived in squallor, it seems like your luck has changed.

The bazaar is actually quite large. Most armor and weapon are illegal to carry or wear in public in Dunhardown, but the shopkeepers here give forged weapons/armor adventuring permits with each sale. Normally you have to pay a hefty fee and swear personal allegiance to the Emperor to get one.
There are people selling anything you can imagine needing. Weapons, armor, adventuring gear, even the odd magic item or arcane implement...

(Purchase 500 gp of gear for your character, mundane items have a 10% markup on price. You can purchase any Level 1 Magic item that you wish, using standard market value. Please post your purchased item list in the OOC Thread. Naturally you keep the gold you don't spend.)

[Silverkiss]

Zophiel

Zophiel curses when she falls, but doesn't complain about it. It was her own fault, after all. After the meeting with the strange woman who dissappeared in thin air, Zophiel starts to think that everything is suspicious... But they are free at least, and that is what matters.

Spoiler

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Bought a Magic Staff+1, 70gp worth of Alchemichal Reagents and some mundade itens, tottaling 459gp.

[Boggs]

Ardek

Ardek sighs with relief when they reach the Black Bazaar safely; yet he is still hesitant to negotiate with the lot of folks a place like this would attract. Ardek grudgingly buys his euipment without haggling, all in an effort to avoid unwanted attention. After he has acquired his goods, he will return to his companions, "I've purchased my necessities and set some aside for another day. However, I still have a bit of coin remaining (130 GP). Perhaps one of you may find a better use for it now... please, do not hesitate to ask for it."

After saying his piece, Ardek will sit quietly near his companions. Discreetly, he will use his dagger to engrave Bahamut's Symbol on the inside of his shield.

[darkzucchini]

Grudok

Grudok passes through the market stalls silently, testing out the strength of the rope and looking over the heaviest knives that he can find. He picks out a bandoleer of heavy throwing daggers before spotting a large, curved knife, with an ivory pummel and engraved with a stylized serpent. It sports a hefty price tag but most good things do. Grudok forks over the gold to merchant and straps the blade around his waist.

Having gathered together all that he will need to survive in the wilds, Grudok begins to wind his way out of the bazaar when he a spots a merchant selling fenced clothing. Grudok quickly grabs a hooded brown robe and a faded black scarf, plus the larges leather gloves and boots that he can find. "I'll take these," Grudok growls, shoving a piece of gold under the nose of the old man watching the stall. He pulls on the book and the gloves, a tight fit but they will do, and wraps the scarf around his head before throwing the robe and hood over himself, covering his inhumanity.

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Bought Adventuring Kit, Tent, Thieves' Tools, Leather Armor, 5 Large Daggers, 1 Large +1 Magic Dagger

[TwoBitWriter]

With your purchases completed, you see no further reason to remain behind. You all mentally resolve to remember this place, though you know it will likely move before you ever come back.

It isn't long before you are climbing up a ladder and emerging from the sewers to find yourself in a dark alley off the Token's Way, a major street that runs from North Gate to the city core, where the Emperor's Palace is located.

It is now night, and you can't believe that you spent the whole day in the sewers and the Black Bazaar. But Tik' Terar is a city that never truly sleeps and the streets are well lit and frequented by guards and various commoners/merchants/mercenaries on their way to their homes and inns for the night.

You peer out of the alley and look down both ways of the road. To your left, a few blocks down, is North Gate. You also notice a piece of paper hammered to the wooden building to your right. It posts a reward of 20 gold pieces for information leading to the capture of an escaped Pit Slave. It offers 50 gold pieces for bringing them in yourself, Dead or Alive.

One thing is clear, you can't remain in this city for long.

Normally, leaving the city at night requires a special gate pass. But that requires a visit to a local district's guard office and speaking to the Magistrate on duty. You have forged adventurer's licenses now, and that could possibly work, but it would also be expensive, costing about 10 gp per person, per pass.

Of Course, thats just the legal way. You know that most guards are willing to accept a few gold coins "under the table" to allow people to leave. That could potentially cost less than a pass itself if you are able to convince them. You could also attempt to scale the city walls and try to sneak past the guards. That would be free, but the consequences of getting caught would be unpleasant.

Waiting until morning will allow you to pass the gates freely, but that itself holds many risks. Even if you can convince an innkeeper to put you up for the night, theres no telling how many of the inn's patrons will recognize you as escaped slaves. You did put on a show in front of thousands of citizens the day before...

You slink back into the alley, and the five of you mull over your options...