[Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash — Legacy Forums

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#41

Helgkhor stares at the forlorn edifice, his eyes taking in all of the doorways, windows, ledges, and contours. "No doubt there will be more shadow-sorcery to deal with in there" he opines.

"I can climb up there if need be..." he offers gesturing toward the tower.

He nods solemnly at his companions suggestions, then states plainly "Dwarves know the best ways, when it comes to buildings. They can speak with the stone. What say you Korchel?" He glances at the dwarf.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#42

(ooc: perception check for Atacuso, success!)

The half elf's keen eyes scan over the building as the half elf paces back and forth, taking in as many details as possible. It appeared that the chapel held three stories: the ground floor had three windows with glazed glass visible, although bars were securely fastened into the masonry, restricting access through them. There was light inside but no movement could be seen. The second floors windows were un-barred however. The glazed glass restricted any clear view of the inside, but the half elf could spot shadows moving in front of firelight: someone was on the second floor. The third floor held a small tower and a ledge in open air. From this vantage, Atacuso could see that the doorway from the ledge into that tower was open. There were no lights in the turret; it was dark and still.

In a moment of inspiration, the hardy swamp elf decided to take a closer look at the wall of the chapel which touched the water. There was no windows on the side, but... There! Down at the base, half hidden by overgrown hanging vines along the stones was an old stone archway, the entrance half submerged by the sea water. It appeared to be an old aqueduct or drainage tunnel, and although anyone trying to access it would have to wade through waist deep, muddy water, it was easily large enough for even Helgkhor to comfortably stand in.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#43

Atacuso quietly clicked his tongue at the glazed glass. "Too much noise going in dat way," he muttered. He considered the climb up to the third story. "Dat top tower'll be a pain to climb, but she's quiet, at least." When he spied the half-sunken archway, his eyes lit up.

"Look dere!" he whispered, pointing. "Bet dat's the backdoor you said of, eh?" He scratched a biting gnat from his forehead, looking at the potential entryways. "So which way we go den, eh? Dat pipeway, de top turret, or we jus' wanna knock an' hope dey like our faces?"

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#44

And so the plan was quickly hashed out.

Helgkhor watches stoically, as Korchel and Aredhel approach the main door of the manse, while next to him, Atacuso prepares to toss his grappling hook from the shadows. The albino giant stretches his muscles silently and waits. He is ready.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#45

Atacuso gauged the height of the tower and pulled a length of rope out. The tower was tall, but he had a fair arm for this sort of thing. With a steady swing, he spun the grapnel from its rope. The tool hummed rhytmically through the damp night air before he released it, sending it flying up toward the tower window. He tugged the rope down at the last minute, hoping to catch the sill firmly - and quietly.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#46

Atacuso's grapple flew upwards to the top ledge of the roof. It landed with a muffled 'thunk', and as he tugged it, the group held their breath. the half-elf exhaled as he felt the grapple catch hold of the edge, and the rest of the group released a breath a second later when they heard no sounds of alarm. "Dat went well, hunh?" The swynnish man smiled and gave the rope one last strong tug as a precaution - it held firmly.

"Let's start climbing then!" Helgkhor wanted to get moving, and he waved a hand to Korchel and Aredhel, signalling them to start their distractions. "Alright, lad," korchel nodded grimly to Aredhel, "We be two souls just arrived in Soglash. We're lost and need directions." the dwarf repeated the afore worked out plan to Aredhel.
"An elf and a dwarf travelling to Soglash together. Nothing odd about that, no sir." Aredhel uttered sarcastically. Nevertheless, he supposed there were worse plans; the place still looked like a church or chapel, and it would be reasonable to assume that people would seek help from holy men.
The two spellcasters walked up to the door - Korchel's eyes were keen for potential traps or tripwires but the pathway ahead was clear and the door itself seemed plain. The dwarf raised his voice to a near yell and pulled up his axe to knock away at the door loudly with it, "I SAY, HELLO!? CAN YE HELP US er..." Korchel's shouting paused, as his first heavy hammering on the door caused it to swing inwards with a faint 'Creaaaak...!' revealing a very short stone corridoor of four meters leading into a large main chamber - perhaps a prayer room? There were no signs on movement inside. Korchel and Aredhel peered inside for a moment without entering, then looked at each other. Nobody came to check on the sound. In fact, no sound could be heard at all in the chapel.

"Change of plan!" Korchel spoke quietly to Aredhel, "You know Soglash a bit? What's a good Thieves guild or something we can be?" The elven Wizard thought for a moment, then nodded, "I see where you're going. 'Holgett's Mask' would be a good one; it's a Pirate clan around here; fairly large so nobody would know all the members, and also quite feared, I believe! Holgett is very ruthless and territorial and this chapel lays just outside his territory!"
"ARRGH!" Korchel suddenly yelled hoarsely, back in character - actually causing The elf to take a half-step back, "WE KNOW YE BE UP THERE, LADS! HOLGETT HAS SENT US TO TALK TO YEH! COME DOWN OR SUFFER HIS FURY!!"

Aredhel took one hand to his forehead and shook his head, grimacing.

__________________________________________________________________
(Low-DC climbing rolls: Both passed with flying colours.)
Atacuso and Helgkhor had both climbed onto the rope half a minute ago and were just below the second floor height. They were waiting for the sound of the distraction to go any further, in case the noise they made climbing roused those on the second floor.
"ARRGH! WE KNOW YE BE UP THERE!!"
Atacuso, highest on the rope, looked back down to Helgkhor with a quizzical if bemused look on his face. Helgkhor was grinning like a lunatic, trying his best not to burst out into laughter at the sound of the dwarf's exclaimations. Now was the time to climb!
Quietly but swiftly, the two intruders ascended between two of the windows. As they passed they heard muffled voices within.
(Listen Check rolls. Atacuso failed. Korchel Passed!)
The swamp elf pricked his ears, but he was simply too far up already to hear what was being said inside. However Korchel leaned his head close to the wall and closed his eyes, concentrating. There were two voices. One female, one deep-set male.

"...e go down there, master? They say they're from Holgett's Mask!"
"Aah, you are too easily fooled, young Lutha. Do you not remember the Shade?"
"What, you think it's the barbarian? But there's two of them!"
"You must think rationally, child. Marduc warned us of the tribal man getting loose, yes, but the two of them should have been able to overwhelm the oaf. When Marduc's Shade disappeared it suggested to me that Marduc's life was cut short. It is more likely than not that our captive got some help."
"So, we are to ignore them?"
"Yes. If they enter, Pig and Bubble will hear them."
"Oh, oka..."

The voices trailed off as the two speakers walked to the far side of the room together. Korchel and Atacuso continued up the rest of the rope and with a quiet sigh of relief, they both found themselves standing on the roof-top ledge. The ledge itself was empty, but the door to the tower-room lay open and moonlight filtered into it. From this point, Helgkhor could not see anything inside the room, but Atacuso's vision - enhanced by his Elven mother - could spot the faint outlines of two double-beds, a desk and a simple wardrobe inside the door. It looked like the tower was acting as living quarters!

______________________________________________________________
Back downstairs, Korchel and Aredhel stood in the doorway. The Elf had yelled one or two words, but was feeling far more uncomfortable than the dwarf at doing this.
"Come on, lad; show them you mean business!" Korchel whispered, nudging the Elf.
"Good Korchel, you may be keen to make a fool of yourself, but I have some dignity to salvage."
"Aaah, come now! Ye're embarrased!?"
"How about I be the silent, dangerous one, and you can be the... the madman?"
The two spellcasters remained there, reluctant to actually enter, but both continuing to yell expletives and threats upstairs (more-so Korchel), but for all the sound they made, there was zero reaction.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#47

"We should have kept with the 'clueless clergymen' ruse. They're more likely to stumble blithely in, and less likely to get stabbed outright, even if only for the hope of ransom or fear of divine retribution. Well then."
Aredhel picked a small mirror from his pack, and levitated it ahead to look around - Korchel's gaze would be unaffected by the dark, so would his elf eyes. The men within might fail to notice.

"Please keep yelling, Korchel. Helgkhor and Atacuso need more cover."
"You, Carus, please take a look from above, perhaps poke your head through a window, and come back to tell me what you saw."
"Yes boss"
"And no chasing rats, yes?"
"Yes boss" the raven replied smugly.
"Nor any other kind of rodent or other kind of mobile treat."
"*sigh* yes boss."
The raven flew off.
roll all the needed perception rolls you need

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#48

Atacuso gestured and mouthed to Helgkhor, "Two, beds, down there." He maneuvered himself into the window sill, drawing the long hunting knife from his alligator sheath in case there were any surprises he didn't spot. With a quick glance down to check his landing, he dropped down, aiming to land on his backside onto the nearest bed.

(OOC: Do I need to roll a Stealth check or anything?)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#49

The mirror which Aredhel sent into the room revealed some small hints as to the makeup of the room. Through it, he could see three lit torches against the far wall. There were several rounded pews of obvious disuse placed in a semi-circular arrangement around what appeared to be a half circle well or perhaps fountain against one wall. The well held water and was fed by a reasonably sized stone tunnel which Aredhel could only assume led to the aqueduct outside. Nothing else could be seen in the small mirror. All appeared still inside, though.

(ooc: perception roll succeeded)
Carus fluttered up from Aredhels shoulder dutifully and soon found a hole where two bricks were missing on the second floor. He couldn't get in to the room, but with some difficulty, he could catch a glance inside. In the room, he spotted a man seated at a desk, writing diligently in a tome open before him. At his side, a woman stood, arm on his shoulder. She leaned over close to him and they were speaking softly to one another. At the womans side a rapier hung in a scabbard. Both wore plain black garments akin to what Balic and Marduc wore. Carus pulled away from his vantage point, but not before noticing one more detail on the desk.

Alighting back on Aredhels shoulder, carus relayed this information to him. "Oh, and I saw some books on the mans desk too! Books like the ones you like to read. Of magic!"

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#50

Helgkhor doesn't bother unsheathing his greatsword, no room. Instead, he watches (and listens) as the nimble Atacuso slides through the window and drops down, then squeezing his massive frame as best he can, follows the half-elf into the room, hoping his own landing does not alert the inhabitants (and everyone else in a square-mile radius.)

As soon as he thuds down, Helgkhor rushes over to Atacuso, and quickly and quietly relates what he heard as they climbed.

"They know we are here" he summarizes after trying to relate what he heard word-for-word first. "And there is a bubbling pig here somewhere. I know not what that means" he shrugs, and lets his eyes adjust to the dark room.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#51

"Perhaps these folk be wiser than their pawns, since they do not come to taste the bait. Let me raise the stakes a bit, then we should follow the others," whispered Korchel. Pulling a ragged hanging from the wall, he dropped it on the stone floor and doused it with oil. Setting it alight, he resumed his 'piratical' ranting. "DON'T BE SAYING YOU WEREN'T WARNED, err... MATEYS! HOLGETT WILL SURE KEELHAUL THE LOT OF YE! ARRR!"

As he shouted and ranted, the augur seemed distracted by the smoke rising from his small fire. It seemed... forlorn, yearning for companions. Korchel wondered whether this impression was a warning, or merely the flame's hungry longing to be part of a greater conflagration. Turning to Aradhel, he gestured toward the tower. "Let us ascend to join the warriors. This fire should soon draw our foes' attention."

As he stepped back into the light, the dwarf pulled the portal closed. His small fire was left alone.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#52

"Den we better get moving," Atacuso replied in a whisper, standing up from the his landing bed. Seeing no immediate opposition, he sheathed his dagger and pulled the longbow from around his shoulder, nocking an arrow. "Let's find de stairs. We give dem a good surprise, eh?" He grinned wickedly before slowly stepping forward in the room, looking about for an exit with his weapon at the ready.

(OOC: Quick Perception check around the room to look for any details, and to look for a stairwell: Dozus rolls 1d20 and gets 8.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#53

"I guess the dice are cast?" Aredhel noted, and began to move ahead, scanning with the keen wizard senses for magic ahead I'm turning on the scanner sweep, eh, Detect Magic up in this biitch
Crossbow at the ready, he proceeded warily. It was more of a trick, actually - most adversaries would rather get a blast of acid in the face, especially if they were armored.

Their foes knew they were coming, and the pretense was wearing thin.
"I am certain Holgett will not be delighted in the least at the lack of a welcome for his... rapscallion crew of ribald reavers!" Aredhel added to Korchel's hollering. While it was ridiculous and incredibly unlikely to work, at least it had to be done properly. And two shouting pirates were better than none - or not?

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#54

"Not that way!" hissed Korchel. "Let us follow the warriors!"

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#55

Helgkhor nods. He now extracts his giant blade from its scabbard. "Be my eyes" he whispers to Atacuso, and follows.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#56

Atacuso spotted the trap door below. Loosing the tension on the arrow, he raised a finger to his lips at Helgkhor, then slowly knelt to the floor. Tilting his hat to one side, he lowered an arched ear to the door, listening for the voices that the barbarian had heard on their ascent.

(OOC: Perception roll: Dozus rolls 1d20 and gets 5.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#57

Helgkhor still unsure of what he heard before about bubbles and pigs, leans down as well out of curiosity, and puts his huge ear on the trapdoor, next to Atacuso's.
(15:37:47) OOC: perception check. ChatBot: Murometz rolls 1d20 and gets 13.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#58

Hearing nothing, he grunts, and gestures for Atacuso to move back. He runs his huge hand along the wood, then stands up. Helgkhor raises his foot from the floor, then stomps it back down on the trap-door, sending splinters flying with a loud crack, as it gives way to his weight and shatters downward, exposing the room below. He quickly peers down into the hole.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#59

Atacuso nodded and quickly stepped back, drawing the arrow back again and training it on the door below as Helgkhor brought up his powerful leg.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#60

Aredhel finally understood the words coming from within that beard, and they made sense. "Lead the way, brother pirate!"

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#61

(ooc: quick info post from phone so I can have some ideas about what needs to be posted tonight: Aredhel and Korchel reach the base of the rope when a huge smash is heard Upstairs, followed by shouting and commotion from the roof and the 2nd floor. Do they try and climb the rope to give support to their allies (1 full round to climb up) or do they choose to go back to the front entrance and enter that way? Make your choices and I'll post the reactions tonight! :) )

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#62

This happened right before Helgkhor smashed the trap-door...

Surveying the room as best he can in the dark, Helgkhor finally notices the dagger and book on the desk. He leaves the dagger alone. If it was valuable, it would not have been left stuck in the desk, the barbarian reasons. He picks up the book gingerly and shows it to Atacuso. "Book" he says, the same way someone would say "scorpion" while holding one by its tail. "We should not open it, but maybe it is important. We can let the elf or dwarf read the words, aye?" He can not see Atacuso's reaction in the dark, so he shrugs, puts the book in his hip-sack, and follows the half-elf to the trapdoor in the floor.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#63

"Climb up into the tower, quickly!" Korchel urged his elvish associate. He followed quickly behind, but paused half-way up. Some sort of brawl was already underway within, so what if he instead came smashing through the window?

With a hearty battle cry, he put his thought into action!

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#64

In his architectonic designs, ladders were usually made to admit people, and windows to admit light. Aredhel therefore chose the former to admit himself to the upper floor. Once there, he'd be able to see what targets were engaged, and where his subtle support would be most useful.
climb the ladder, roll 1d20+7 for initiative once up there

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#65

*CRASH!*
Helgkhor's boot came down hard on the trapdoor, splintering it into bits which fell into the room below. A surprised exclaimation of not two, but three people sounded, and peering down below, Atacuso could see a previously undetected third man rise up from a chair in a corner, dropping a book he was reading unceremoniously to the floor.

"Gods, they're in the tower!" The man seated at the desk who could only be Athos exclaimed, rising from his seat and picking up the book he was writing in. "Vanth, hold them off! Lutha, grab the map and rod, and with me!"

Vanth was the one Atacuso trained his bow upon; a massive man, almost Helgkhor's size. Exhaling, the half-elf released the string with a reverberant 'twang!'
(Rolling for attack...)
*Thwock!* The man recoiled, screaming as Atacuso's arrow sunk deep into the flesh of his belly and stuck there. Blood spurted from the wound and for a moment it looked like the cutthroat was down for the count, but no, he rose once more with a grimace and screamed again, his face red, "DEMONS TAKE YOU!" Vanth pulled a servicable handaxe from his belt and took a couple of steps towards the ladder up to the tower.

But now it was Helgkhor's time to shine! With a fearsome roar he lept down to the second floor in front of Vanth, not bothering to use the ladder. Another growl burst from his gnarled lips as he swung his massive greatsword violently at the scoundrel before him!
(Rolling for attack...)
The sword hummed through the air as the giant man swung it with both hands, and a sickening crunch could be heard as it collided with Vanth, not just ending his life, but gliding through muscle, flesh and bone like the man was made out of paper. Vanth's face whitened , and the man fell - his top half forward and his bottom half backwards, blood spurting in all directions. Helgkhor had split the cutthroat in two!

Athos ran for the stairs down while Lutha ran towards the table next to the window - the table held an unrolled map of Decathros, some writing implements and a curious metallic rod - but just as she reached the table blackness filled the middle window...
(Saving roll for Korchel against damage...)
The Flame Augur burst through the thick, glazed glass of the middle window, rolling across the very table Lutha was running towards. In his roll, a shard of glass managed to get stuck under his arm and punctured his skin. Little more than a scratch, the dwarf hardly even felt it at the moment.
Lutha shrieked as the stocky dwarf came rolling in the window and leapt back, abandoning the items on the table and instead running to the stairwell with Athos.

Aredhel, meanwhile, had made it to the roof and ran up behind Atacuso, "Quickly, Swynman! Down to the fray!" Carus, on the Wizard's shoulder gave a shriek in agreement as he nudged the ranger's back. Complying with the wizard, Atacuso slid down the ladder and alighted on the ground, Aredhel just seconds behind.

Athos and Lutha had reached the entrance to the stairwell, and the leader thrust the book he was holding into the woman's hands, "Quickly now, child! Take this to the others! Stop for NOTHING!" Lutha nodded and continued down the stairs without looking back. Athos glanced back however, narrowing his eyes at the four companions, "Tricky little spiders, climbing my home... Vamosi!" The man gestured gently with his hand and then simply seemed to... fade away, leaving empty air in his place. Footsteps could be heard descending the stairs.

OOC: Aredhel recognises the spell not as Invisibility, but it's less potent counterpart: Vanish. The dwarf is too busy picking himself up to have noticed much about what happened! Rough maps are in the OOC thread as a visual aid to the rooms, if you need them.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#66

Helgkhor was effective at leaving foemen in two? As expected. Splendid!
Atacuso hit spot on with his bow? As expected. Splendid!
Korchel was effective at being a wrecking ball and at rolling. As expected... splendid.

Quick footsteps? Stairs? What fortunate coincidence!
Fleet of foot, the elf stepped forward, not to attack, but to call "Silgelati!" and conjure the frictionless northern rime upon the place where the leader had stood and a large portion of the descending stairs. Anyone running across that surface was in for a bad time, invisible or not!
"Grease" especially on the stairs, trying to catch both - Reflex save or fall down the stairs. Also, they *could* get a penalty for running (wink wink)

Aredhel readied himself to cancel the spell as soon as he would hear surprised shouts, or anybody falling down the stairwell, so that his fellows could pursue.
"Oh, and mind you, the leader may be ever so slightly invisible! Do not step on him!"

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#67

Atacuso ran forward, stepping over half of Vanth even as he drew and nocked a second arrow. Ignoring the now-invisible Athos, he advanced to the top of the stair and aimed down, hoping to catch the escaping woman before she disappeared.

(OOC: Move to the top of the steps, just in front of the greasy bit. If Atacuso can see Lutha, he'll fire.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#68

"The smoke below will reveal his movements!" shouted the dwarf as he turned back toward the window. If he could reach the rope and quickly get to the ground, he might be able to block the cultists' exit!

OOC: (08:05:31) ChatBot: Wulfhere rolls 1d20 and gets 18.
(If I spot the woman within 30 feet, I'll hit her with daze. I do have a 10% spell failure chance with that one.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#69

There was little hesitation between the moment Helgkhor cleaves Vanth in half, and his next action. He surveys the scene as best he can, then makes a move toward Athos, but the moment the blackguard vanishes from sight, Helgkhor curses (pox on you wizard!), turns in stride, and follows Korchel out the window and down the rope.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#70

The stairwell circled around on itself, so even though Atacuso was nimble and fast with his actions, the woman was already out of sight.
(rolling reflex save for Athos)
The rime summoned by Aredhel coated half the flight of stairs in a translucent layer, sparkling ever so slightly in the firelight. A sound of surprise echoed down the flight, followed by a tumbling and a sickening *crunch*! Down the stairs a faint moan could be heard, followed by a scrambling of someone getting back on their feet.
With a wave of his hand, Aredhel dismissed the slippery surface. He just loved it when things went to plan...
The dwarf, thinking ahead ran back to the window he just crashed through and with reckless abandon climbed back out, making a grab for the rope
(Rolls...)
With expert aim, Korchel snagged the rope in his hands and slid down theatrically to the ground as though he were an acrobat, not a sorcerer!

Helgkhor, seeing the dwarf make this move decided that he would follow suit. With fierce determination he too swung out the window...
(rolling...)
The barbarian's heart lept as his fingertips brushed the rope and then grasped air. Helgkhor scrabbled against the wall of the building as he plummeted down. In a last ditch effort the hulking man made another grab for the rope and just managed to latch onto it as he struck the ground, turning what would have been a limb breaking fall into an ankle spraining collision. Helgkhor grunted in pain as he felt his bones creak, but now was not the time to worry about something so trivial as pain! He stood up and made for the door with a slight limp.

Korchel arrived on the ground a second after Helgkhor, since the barbarian took a painful shortcut, and he paused near the entrance, a spell on his lips, awaiting Lutha's exit. And wait he did, but in vain... Nobody exited through the door! Either the woman was still inside or she was making her escape somehow else - or she was a spellweaver like her master and was able to vanish from sight.
grease spell was a success, causing Athos to tumble down and dealing him damage. Atacuso could not spot the woman on the stairs, she made it to the first floor. Korchel made the trip down the rope succesfully but Helgkhor fell, dealing 3 damage to himself.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#71

(ooc: ok, Korchel and me at doorway...what do we see at entrance and stairs? Mainly, does the smoke from Korchel's earlier dungbomb "illuminate" Athos in any way? Lutha? Enough to attack him? If not visible somehow, quick perception rolls for both of us...ChatBot: Murometz rolls 1d20 and gets 8. ChatBot: Murometz rolls 1d20 and gets 9.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#72

"My foot!" Atacuso cursed. Seeing the steps now cleared of grease, he rushed down with bow in hand. Figuring even an invisible man would leave a trail, he searched for any sign Athos may have left. His trained eye spotted a boot scuff and a loosened stone halfway down - here the foe fell. Heartened, he continued down and searched for any further sign of his quarry.

(OOC: Atacuso runs to the 1st floor. What's he see from the stairwell?)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#73

"Vile sorcery and cowardly foes!" Helgkhor shouts looking around everywhere for something to attack.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#74

As Atacuso arrived on the first floor, he stepped out from the stairs onto a raised stage and took a look at his surroundings. It looked like a prayer room and sermon area. He stood on a raised stage with a lectern fixed to the middle of it. Three rows of curved pews sat in front of a well. The room seemed in heavy disrepair, with rubble and broken bricks strewn about the area. There was a thin haze of smoke in the room from Korchel's vandalism. The semi-circle well held a large opening which fed it sea water , presumably through a tunnel which connected to the outdoor tunnel Atacuso spotted earlier.

It was through this tunnel that the half elf saw the woman run, splashing knee deep in the water and out of sight. He was about to take up chase when he heard Athos scream "WAKE THEM!" Atscuso looked around to see if he could spot the shape of the cultist in the haze but he didn't have to look for long. Athos's voice echoed once more, "bulvirk!" on the far side of the stage the man materialized out of thin air, his arcane actions dispelling his vanish spell. The man had a massive splotchy bruise on his head from where he had struck it on his fall. A faint shimmer surrounded Athos's body before disappearing.
" Swynfolk! And of kaanarite blood too, unless I miss my guess! You play with things above your understanding, child!"

From the tunnel behind the well, a large commotion of splashing could be heard, as though something very large was making its way up the hole.

It was at this point that Korchel and Helgkhor breached the front entrance of the chapel, searching carefully for signs of foes. The barbarian and sorcerer were just in time to witness to the the horror which arrived via the well.

The creatures were preceded by a miniature tidal wave which splashed up and over the rim of the well. Then they arrived; one first, then the other as they were too large to fit side by side. They were a mass of shining fur and blubber, with obvious muscle rippling beneath that, and standing on their two front flippers they reached nearly the height of helgkhor! A massive, powerful tail followed them; indeed they looked similar to monstrously sized sea-lions, except the trademark colourful coral-like bone formations along their back pegged them as their more vicious cousins: Baymares.

There were differences between the two baymares. One of them - pig - was a foot shorter than Bubbles, and the bony protrusions along its back was more colourful with shades of red and yellow, denoting him as male while bubble's was a plainer tanned brown colour; the female or the species.

Helgkhor blanched; he could fully appreciate the danger of these creatures. He had often contended against seals along home town in the frozen wastes while fishing, and on occasion a baymare strayed north to the colder waters; when one was around the town usually rallied with half a dozen hunters to take them down, as they are vicious and can be hazardous to fishermen.

Aredhel can make a move downstairs and another movement and attack in one post if you like Echo, since you didn't get a chance to have another post here! Let the 'boss battle'... Begin!!! :p

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#75

The sight of the baymares brought a small snarl to Atacuso's lip. He'd never seen anything quite like them - heavier than most gatorfolk, though not taller, and considerably furrier. Probably tasted better, at that.

But the animals weren't his main concern at the moment. There was the matter of their master. "Had enougha you," he growled viciously at Athos. The ranger dropped his bow and pulled the halberd from his pack with both hands. Advancing on the cultist, he swung the polearm in a vicious chop at Athos' head.

(OOC: Attacking Athos: Dozus rolls 1d20 and gets 14.)

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#76

Aredhel did not bother with banter - or, perhaps a little banter would be in place to distract that fool of a cultist.
But... he knew more distracting things, such as personal injury.
"You are certain your comments are caustic? I will show you a thorough treatise on caustic!"

He ran up to the stairwell as the cultist fell, seeing his place of impact clearly. "Introduction: on the nature of acid projected at immobile targets!"
Usually, he used it to etch or clean metal, but now Aredhel directed a spray of acid at Athos' point of impact.

He hurried down the stairs as the cultist scampered to his feet.
"Methodology: hit them while they are down!" he sprayed the shimmering figure again.

The cult leader ran off to shield himself - what pity that armor conferred exactly zero protection against streams of acid! You have not made your homework, cultist fool!
"Goals of the exercise: melt their face!" he gave him one more shower.

Atacuso swung at the leader - to no avail; the cultist began gloating, how convenient.
The blubbering monstrosities gave Aredhel a pause, though. "How is the progress upstairs?" he called to the rest of their merry band. "We would welcome your company!"

For each action he took, I give him a conjurer's acid bolt. 3x. Ranged touch attack, thus no armor, not even Mage Armor or Shield, +3 to hit, 1d6 damage. Also, let him roll that concentration check when he's casting that shield, it's so easy to be distracted when your face is melting.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#77

Helgkhor's red eyes widen as the wave of water washes over and the monstrosities emerge.

"Shaagar's Icy balls!" he bellows, remembering his few blood-soaked encounters on the ice-flows with these vicious, determined predators..."Watch their necks, their reach is long! Ware' their tails, they use them to sweep!"

Even Korchel hesitates but only for a second. The dwarf is quicker to survey the scene and shouts something at Helgkhor then tosses an oil flask at the monsters, and lets out a cone of fire from his outstretched hands at the two leviathans. Even as he does, he begins chanting again in his own dour dwarven tongue, and huge claws begin to stretch from his hands...

Aredhel and Atacuso would have to deal with the cultist-wizard...

As Korchel casts his burning hands ("Taste ye now the Dragon's breath!"), the monsters make sickly noises, half growls-half screeches...Helgkhor rushes in, keeping his own huge body between the baymares and the elf and half-elf as much as possible.

He cannot help but rage again, as blood-lust takes over. Choosing the larger male, Helgkhor cleaves with his mighty sword...

(OOC: Korchel throws oil flask at baymares and casts Burning Hands on both. Helgkhor attacks Pig. Immediately after his burning hands, Korchel casts "Dragon's Claws" and wages in to battle Bubbles. Helgkhor will chop at Pig until either Pig or Helgkhor dies.) (12:10:33) ChatBot: Murometz rolls 1d20 and gets 20.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#78

Atacuso's halberd bounced off Athos' flesh silently and with a strange reverberation. "Red medicine!" he cursed. Figuring the ensorcelment must have its limits, he pulled the polearm back and brought it in for a thrust into the cultist's gut.

(OOC: Attack roll: Dozus rolls 1d20 and gets 2. :x )

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#79

(rolls)
Athos's eyes shone with fury; thrice he had been splashed with the nasty elf's conjured acid and theice his skim had burned. The first two were but light sizzles, dampened by his clothing, but the third managed to catch him on the lower face and neck, bubbling at his skin and searing him. Nevertheless the man managed to hold it together enough to bring his shield spell in effect, and just as well; Atacuso's blade will have pierced through him if not for the magic. The ranger's second strike was less effective, swinging wide of the cultist altogether. Athos scrambled back several paces to just above the stairs leading to the bottom floor. His anger towards the wizard overgrew his worry about the closer foe - besides, the swynman had so far been unable to touch him!
With a flourish of his hand, Athos unleashed a bolt of pure magical energy, which shimmered in the air as it streaked towards Aredhel.
(rolls)
The missile collided with Aredhel's shoulder, the force of the blow causing the wizard to twist back. The magical energy seared theough his shoulder, both hot and cold at the same time, and Aredhel felt pain. Fortunately, the collision looked worse than it was, and Aredhel recollected himself.
____________
(rolls)
Meanwhile, Korchel and Helgkhor faced a different foe. The flame auger wasted no time, thrusting a jar of oil at the beasts which shattered, spilling over the floor and baymares alike. With an arcane word and a motion of his hands, Korchel then burst a cone of licking flames outwards at the animals.
The baymares shrieked and barked ferociously at the pain of the fire, and Helgkhor now stepped in, running into the room - a stone just inside the entrance gave way as he stepped on it. A trap! Bit the only thing the trigger plate did was cause an echoing 'ding!' within the tunnel; obviously simply a trap meant to wake the already emerged baymares! - Helgkhor screamed furiously and swung his massive greatsword at Bubbles.
the sword hit the creature just above the flipper and the barbarian clenched his teeth as he felt the resistance: for a moment it seemed his weapon was not going to penetrate the thick fur and skin, but then a satisfying release of pressure indicated his weapon had made it through, and Bubbles shrieked, its flesh slashed deeply.

The combination of fire and sword would have been enough to fell most human, but Bubbles seemed to still be going strong. With a barking yelp, lunged at Helgkhor with her teeth.
(rolls)
The baymare struck home! Sinking her teeth into the barbarians forearm she wenched a chunk of flesh off Helgkhor, who screamed in agony!

Pig's eyes were set on the small man who used that nasty fire, however, and he propelled himself forward at the dwarf using his flippers.
(rolls)
Pig also struck home, the mass of blubber and muscle shoulder-ramming the dwarf, who went flying back. Luckily he landed in a roll, suffering only cuts and bruises, and pushed himself back up.

ooc: Atacuso missed with his attack, Aredhel struck with all three of his acid bolts (over the last couple rounds). Athos has countered with a magic missile at Aredhel, which struck. Bubble and pig were both struck with burning hands and they ignited, as well as the floor where they were. This fire will deal damage next round to them as well. Helgkhor struck with a natural 20, but failed his second roll for a chance at a grit, so he did normal damage to Bubble. Bubble has bitten Helgkhor succesfully, and pig succeeded in shoulder slamming Korchel.

Re: [Decathros] Chapter 1: Sinking in Soglash

#80

Heartened by the success of Aredhel's spell, Atacuso brought the head of his halberd around for another chop.

(OOC: Attack roll - Dozus rolls 1d20 and gets 10.)