Joey heads over to the mouth of the hole, throws his sword into the ground at his feet, takes out his javelin, and throws it down the hole.  Fortunately, his allies can't see just how poor his aim was.

---

Move to H6.  Free: Drop sword.  Minor: draw javelin.  Standard: roled a 1 on basic ranged attack.

  Peter advances to the edge of the small pit, and prepares to convince something to get closer if there are any last minute pop-ups to mock them or something...  Yeah, that's probably not going to happen (even without the fact Peter's pre-roll is a failure).

---

Move: D13 to F8
Standard: Readied action; Dark Beckoning to visible enemies (such as if Seth pulls off dragging them out of the hole).  Rolled. A. 3.  Goddamnit that's Six five-or-less rolls out of eight lately (At least the 5 hit something).

  On the bright side, at least the one attack peter hit with, gave him temp HP

Durtendin quickly dismisses his zone of Nature's growth when it no longer is useful and the vegetation returns to normal. Durtendin and Thorn then move up to the pit and both notice the rope ladder as Durtendin stays up top as he says, “Get him Thorn.” as Thorn charges down after S2 quickly climbing down the ladder and bitting S2 to get his attention before teleporting down beneath S2, blocking the Kobold's escape route.

[OOC: Minor: Dismiss Nature's Growth
Move Action: Move Both Durtendin and Thorn will move up. Durtendin will move to G5, Thorn will move to I6 so he is 2 squares from S2 setting up for a charge.
Standard Action: Thorn Charges (only covers 2 squares but has to spend 4 move due to the extra movement taken up by climbing and passes climb check) bites S2 (successfully for 4 dmg, leaving S2 with 7hp already checked, and S2 succeeds on his climb check to avoid falling due to taking damage), and then Thorn teleports 2 squares (which will put him on the ladder below S2. (Thus blocking off the path unless S2 can reduce Thorn to 0hp.)]

Michael moves towards the pit and uses his power of Hypnotism on Slinger 2 as he says in Dragonic, “Get back up here!” and Slinger 2 is slid back up the ladder and left adjacent to Joey before Slinger 2 realizes what has happened.

[OOC: Move action: Move up so that Michael'll be adjacent to Joe and Durtendin (G6)
Standard Action: Hypnotism (hits. Thus S2 will be slide back up the ladder to I6.
Minor Action: Unused.]

Slinger 2 considers a ritual suicide out of spite. But he knows he's dead either way and figures he would cause more annoyance by injuring someone. Which he doesn't manage to do.

---

Slinger 2 rolls a 4, not hitting anyone regardless of what his attack is.

Emerald heads over to be next to Joey and Michael, then smacks the kobold silly with the flat of her blade. He collapses in an unconscious heap. Emerald says, "That's some impressive power, Michael..."

---

Move: H11 to H7
Standard: Guiding Strike. Hit(19)!
 dmg: 8

S2 HP: 7 - 8 = KO

Joey kneels down to see if the foe is still breathing.  When he finds it's still alive, he makes sure it no longer has any sharp objects handy and ties it up.

"I agree with Emerald," he says, "And dead foes tell no tales of hazards.  We can leave it to the locals to try those of our foes whom we capture alive."

He makes sure the one who surrendered is marked as such and makes sure all who survived are bound and stripped of sharps.  He then wakes one and questions it.

"Tell us what to expect in the mine.  What sorts of traps have you prepared?"

Kobolds respect dragons.  Dragons have sharp teeth and piercing eyes.  So does Joey.

---

Joey intimidate

1d20 +11
20 + 11 = 31!  Sheesh.

This post includes Joey's 5 minute rest.  Tieing up kobolds isn't that strenuous.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:26, Mon 02 Jan 2012.

The kobold answers, "Traps?! I don't know! I only know I'm supposed to be here, guarding the entrance! But you can expect to meet resistance in the mine. The wyrmpriest knows magic and he's scary! And there is a dragon in there! Don't go in or you'll be sorry!"

  "How did you even get the dragon in there?  Is there a second, larger entrance?  Or did you hatch a dragon egg down there before realizing you couldn't get them out?"  The important questions like 'what will try to kill us, specifically' were a bust, but more nonsensical ones had a chance, maybe.

Michael comments, “Either it is a newly hatched egg or an relatively young dragon if it can fit through this hole. There is also the possibility that the dragon is fake and just a lizard with a harness and fake wings or something the kobolds are using to intimidate people with. For all we know it could be a demon masquerading as a dragon for laughs so we can't ignore it whatever it is, shape-shifting would be one method to get a larger creature through a smaller passage. In any case, it may still be dangerous, so don't drop your guard...” Michael grins as he continues, “If it is a dragon, I call dibs on getting a pair of dragon-skin boots. Although I'd prefer a dragon-leather vest but I doubt there is enough leather for that.” The human wizard considers the 'warning' about the wyrmpriest and figures that kobold is probably going to be a pest but will have to be dealt with harshly.

Durtendin looks at Michael as Thorn climbs back up the ladder and says, “Don't count your eggs before they have hatched, even if there is a dragon, by the time we are done, we won't know if there is enough of it left to do anything, or worse what if the dragon is some horrid shade of pink? Do you really want pink boots or a pink vest?”

Michael blinks for a moment before answering, “No. Okay I get your point.”

Durtendin sighs a bit as he doesn't even want know if Michael is being sarcastic, or if he really wants to make trophies of his enemies to keep.

Emerald says, "We'll deal with loot once we're done. Until then, we should focus on winning while staying alive. I doubt these kobolds we just defeated are the elite that are likely waiting for us inside."

Joey nods.

"They now know we're coming," he reminds, "Let's at least not give them enough time to plot a proper defense."

He descends the rope into the mine below.

  "Yes, people tend not to get paid for failure.  And that's assuming they survive said failure."  The heavily armored Paladin going first?  Peter has no problems with this.  Though he follows closely after considering in theory Peter is the second most melee oriented party member.

OOC Style: Peter Initiative: 21

Michael sighs and says, “Joey, don't rush in hastily. We have to make sure the surviving kobolds are properly restrained, so they don't try to ambush us from behind during the battle. And odds are that the Wyrmpriest is already prepared for us due to traps that have already placed, Kobolds are known for placing traps, and they wouldn't wait for the last minute to place them now would they? Plus they probably heard the fight, let us plan what we are going to do, just rushing in after them is going to result in us blundering into a trap. Besides, I don't believe we have been properly introduced,” as Michael turns to Durtendin and briefly introduces himself, “I am Michael, what brings you to this parts anyways? I know it was my ghost sound that probably drew you into the fight against the kobolds since it revealed what the kobolds' intentions are.”

Michael then proceeds to assist whoever is tieing up the surviving Kobolds and making sure that they won't be able to break free of their bonds so that they can be taken to the town both as proof of what has transpired, but also so they can face the town's judgement for their crimes. While Michael likes loot and profit, he does not ignore justice...unless it is standing in the way of his personal goals, but he doesn't feel anyone present needs to know that just yet.

[OOC: While Michael has only used at will powers, Durtendin has used 2 encounter powers, plus the group hasn't been properly introduced to Durtenden yet, so it would be prudent to learn a bit about him right?]

Durtendin nods and says “You may call us Durtendin,” as Durtendin points to himself, “and Thorn,” as Durtendin points to his Blink Dog companion. “We have been together since we were both young. We were in these parts as we have noticed indicating that something is out of balance in the area. Possibly due to these kobolds and their dragon if it exists overhunting the wildlife in the area.”

Durtendin assists in restraining the surviving Kobolds and then proceeds to rest a bit as he says, “Given how we have been on the move for some time prior to fighting the Kobolds, it would be good to rest for a short while,”

[OOC: Durtendin needs a short rest as he's used up his encounter powers.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Thu 02 Feb 2012.

Emerald gives a nod to Durtendin. "It's a relief to have you with us. We'll be facing odds that you are leveling out for us."

Once tying and such is done, Emmy peeks down the hole. "They know we're coming. We'll need to proceed with caution. Maybe one of Michael's illusions down the hole first to make sure we won't get attacked immediately."

"An honor to meet you and your companion, sir," Joey says with a slight bow, "I apologize for overlooking introductions, I'm just feeling the urgency of our mission.  The captives may only have moments to live.  As Emerald said, your clearly capable aid is most welcome."

He then nods to Emerald.

"A good plan.  If we're all ready, I'll wait half way down the mine shaft for Michale's illusion.  There I'll be poised to charge the enemy should they fall for the ruse."

If given the go-ahead, he heads down the hole.

  "I can't think of anything offhand that would keep them from attacking, but almost anything at this point would probably be an illusion that could get attacked first.  Well, aside from setting off traps or something."  Hmm, note to self.  Live captives means he could probably kick them when they were down if he needed a pick-me-up after a fight.

  Give a Vampire enough five minute breaks with a captive, and you'll give a vampire kill free hitpoint maxing.

Michael looks at Emerald and says “Peter is right, my illusions could only prevent an attack on us if it could trick them into unleashing a trap prematurely and frankly I doubt we'll be able to do that since I need line of sight to the illusion, so I wouldn't be able to do anything beyond the bottom of the opening. And if the trap is triggered by weight we'd have more chance to trigger it by tossing down a tied up prisoner, but I think there are those here who would disapprove of that. But that is the only thing we can throw down there that would draw a response from any enemies other than attacking, since if they go to help their ally, we can ambush them from above.” By the tone in Michael's voice he makes it clear that he doesn't disapprove of it, but doesn't think it would work either.

[OOC: Spending a healing surge during the short rest to recover lost hit points.]

Durtendin nods to Emerald and Joey before saying “Well now that introductions our of the way, we should decide what to do with the prisoners quickly before moving on, and I don't think throwing them down a pit would be productive... after all if there were traps based on weight at the bottom of the pit they would set them off when they went to run away from us.”

Micheal shrugs and retorts, “Not if they only armed the trap after they were all clear of the area.”

Durtendin opens his mouth and then closes before waiting a second as he thinks up a response by saying, “Then wouldn't a simple rock be sufficient. Why waste a prisoner on something that sadistic?”

Micheal shrugs and retorts, “Like I said, I know people would disapprove, but that doesn't mean it still isn't an option.. Never said it was a 'good' option now did I?”

[OOC: Healing surge spent to recover lost hp during short rest.]

While Michael argues with Durtendin, Emerald grabs a nearby rock that's heavy and raises it over her head before hefting it downward with as much force as she can. The rock slams into the ground in the pit, making the sound of rock on stone. But no traps are set off. "There. Let's get going." She looks at Joey. "Big, mighty paladin first?"

Durtendin notices what Emerald does and smiles before saying, “Thank you,” as now there is no reason to continue discussing about throwing a tied up kobold down a pit.

[OOC: Rolled Initiatives and Michael ends up at Initiative 5 and Durtendin at Initiative 4.]

"Unless there's any doubts that the ropes will hold, we should just leave the prisoners here," Joey says before looking over at Michael, "I for one would not argue that these foul villains are undeserving of such treatment.  Thank you for not limiting your tactical suggestions on my account."

Then to Emerald he says, "And thanks for your practical initiative."

Once everyone's ready, he'll head down the shaft.

  In a case of meta Dejavu, Peter opts to follow directly after the Paladin.  "While it's always good to put some thought into things-" Said the 9 WIS guy... "An hour of preparation on our end is the same amount of time for them to build traps from scratch.  And we have a whole lot less to work with."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:27, Sat 04 Feb 2012.