In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 768):

Tealon swoops around the building, gaining a little height and then down with speed to knock those still awake over to the gas or over the roof's edge, he knew it was risky but it meant keeping the roof door unbarred and accessible.

He had more than 2 bombs, so tried to aim one at any groups below. If he needed one more for the roof, that was his priority.

Korkas was the first to grab the rope, giving it a stiff pull to ensure it was snug, before he began to pull himself up the rope at the fastest pace he could manage.

---

OOC: Climb of 18.

11:28, Today: Korkas rolled 18 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 7.  Climb.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Sun 16 Jan 2022.

On her side of the wall, Dany was the first to climb up the rope. It wasn't that she didn't trust either Ioelenna or Khuno... she just didn't know how well they could climb.

01:08, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 19 using 1d20+5 ((14)).

With the several knots tbey'd put in the rope, plus the wall to brace against, the climb was reasonably easy... only a slight problem because of the height. At the top, she quickly scrambled over the parapet with gun in hand, ready to defend the rope from any defenders who might try to cut it... or attack her.

Korkas was already up there.

The sleep gas had done its job, though, and half a dozen guards were asleep on the roof. She turned back to assist the next person up.

It was all Katrin could do to climb the rope up that high! If it hadn't been for the knots and the wall, she'd never have made it!

01:17, Today: Katrin Eason rolled 10 using 1d20+5 ((5)).

She scrambled over the edge with gasping breath. And climbing up had been her idea! What was she thinking?

She turned back to the rope to help Jheridan... if he needed it.

01:22, Today: Jheridan rolled 11 using 1d20+6 ((5)). Climbing check.

Must have been climbing in the dark that was making it so hard. He fared only slightly better than Katrin as he negotiated the rope and got up to the parapet. He was grateful for Katrin's assist over the top, though.

Fortunately, they weren't being attacked. It was time for Korkas to open the door to down below. Jheridan cast his Silence spell on the door so that the sound of Korkas's efforts wouldn't be heard by those inside.

While Korkas did that, he stood guard with Katrin, and relieved the sleeping guards of their weapons. However, after that, he could decide what to do with them. It was a shame to break such weapons, and just throwing them over the edge wouldn't really get rid of them. They probably wouldn't break, and the Proconsul would likely find them and use them again. On the other hand, they couldn't really take them all with them.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:10, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

She'd been climbing ropes and vines and trees and walls since she was 5 years old, so scrambling up the rope even in the dark was practically child's play for Khuno.

01:32, Today: Khuno Manco rolled 30 using 1d20+10 ((20)). Climbing check.

She wasn't trying to show off... not that anyone would have seen her in the dark, but it was like the excitement gave her wings as she nearly flew up the rope. She slipped over the parapet, glanced around for any threat, and then turned back to help Ioelenna if she needed it.

"I hope the rest of the plan goes as easy as that!" she whispered with barely contained excitement.

In reply to Khuno Manco (msg # 774):

Having landed once all guards were asleep, Tealon watched the doorway and listened to each of his companions as they gave the last heave over the crenulations.  This way he said barely over a whisper as he beckoned the others to the doorway. This leads down inside.

Korkas whispered a prayer to his God, as his slow low chant closed to end he grew in size already standing more than a head taller then the others, he now towered over all of them as he began towards the door.

---

Cast Enlarge Person on self.  Lasts 1 min (10 Rounds)

This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one. The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a -2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a -1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size

Effective Str: 25 (+7)
Effective Dex: 15 (+2)
Fist Damage: 1d8
This message was last edited by the player at 07:26, Mon 17 Jan 2022.

Ioelenna attempts to follow up the rope as well.

10:08, Today: Ioelenna Winterspire rolled 22 using 1d20+7 ((15)).

Perhaps not as adept at climbing as Khuno, Ioelenna easily scurried up the rope to the rooftop.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:09, Mon 14 Mar 2022.

There were still four guards awake on the roof, and even though Tealon tossed another sleep gas bomb at two of them, they had enough sense to hold their breath and so weren't affected.

Two of those guards were rushing over to the door to below, and soon realized that attackers were coming over the wall near the door, but they didn't slow down when Korkas suddenly grew to large size.

While Korkas dealt with the door, Katrin and Jheridan, who were on guard, dealt with the on-rushing fortress guards.


Down below, Viktor and Fluffy were making all sorts of noise while Nicollo kept a sharp eye out for any ranged attackers. Fortunately, Tealon's sleep bombs had dealt with those on the roof. The only threat now was if they opened the door to deal with this threat. Apparently, they were smarter than that. The door remained closed.

Still within the radius of his Silence spell, Jheridan had no hesitation in firing his pistol at the on-rushing guard on the left. It also meant that if he heard the gunshot then his spell wasn't working for some reason.

10:13, Today: Jheridan rolled 17,13 using 1d20+11,2d6+6 ((6,1,6)).

Probably a hit. Don't know what armor the roof guards are wearing, but we'll find out!

Except for Nicollo, Viktor and Fluffy, who'd hopefully enter through the front door, Danyka was the last to climb up the ropes.

10:26, Today: Danyka Ydrasyl rolled 18 using 1d20+5 ((13)).

That went better than expected, though the knots in the rope made it easier. By the time she got to the top, it seemed like there was an eerie silence on the roof. It took her a moment to realize that Jheridan's silence spell had been cast, so she had no idea what was going on as she climbed between the crenelations.

She decided it was her job to pull up the ropes as she was last over the top, but she didn't untie them in case things went seriously awry and they had to use the ropes to escape.

Korkas walks over to the door and grabs it with both his hands, a strain of his muscles his he pulls on the door trying to rip it open.

---

OOC: Spend 1 Grit point. Total Strength check of 35.


11:54, Today: Korkas rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Strength check to rip door open.

Grabbing the door isn't exactly possible since it's set flush with the frame, but Korkas can awkwardly grab the door frame itself. It's set into the stone and mortar hut over the stairwell. Clearly, the door was thought to be the weak point, so no doubt the walls and slanted ceiling of the hut are reinforced. Korkas could probably still rip the whole thing off if he had to. He's pretty sure no one down here on the Land of Zu ever imagined someone like Korkas up on the roof!

At first, he struggles to get a good grip on the door frame, but, fortunately, it's not inset into the walls but set over the outside. It starts to give a little, and the more it gives, the better his grip gets until finally with one last surge, the whole door frame with door is ripped right off the hut. All in silence.

For a moment, despite knowing the plan, Korkas isn't sure he succeeded until he realizes he's holding the door/door frame still.

She supposed it was too much to expect for all the rooftop guards to have succumbed to the sleep gas from Tealon's bombs, so as Jheridan targeted on the still-conscious ones that were rushing to the door, she targeted the other one.

She wasn't sure if she was withing the zone of silence, but she wasn't sure it mattered.

14:36, Today: Katrin Eason rolled 20,9 using 1d20+7,2d6 ((13,5,4)).

That should be a hit. The dice roller seems to like us today.

Even if Katrin wasn't in the area of silence, it's not likely that the gunshot would have been heard through the rough of the fortress, and even if it had, it would have been so dull and distorted that it wouldn't have been recognizable for what it was.

However, it turns out that she was as she doesn't hear the gunshot from her gun.


Both the guard that Jheridan shoots and the one Katrin shoots fall down.


As Korkas sets the eerily silent door+frame down, Danyka and Khuno rush down the stairs. Surprisingly, they don't encounter any one. The attack on the roof was totally silent, so no alarm has been sounded below. No one on this level can hear the commotion at the front door.

Tealon holds off throwing the last couple of sleep bombs that were destined for the stairs, until he can see people to use them against. So he follows Danyka and Khuno down the stairs, if an open area, leaping over to glide down thus opening the stairs up for those following.

Korkas had considered tossing the door and its frame at the guards on the roof but the others handled them quickly, so he placed it down and follow the pair down the stairs.

---

Active Spell: Enlarge Person on self.  Lasts 1 min (9/10 Rounds) (8?)

This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one. The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a -2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a -1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size

Effective Str: 25 (+7)
Effective Dex: 15 (+2)
Fist Damage: 1d8

In reply to Korkas (msg # 786):

Ioelenna continues behind everyone showing herself a pretty decent climber. She was expecting a fight. After all, that is what they planned for. She notices as everyone else the empty room. "What?"

The room at the bottom of the stairs if rather long and narrow. It seems to be set up as a dining room plus lounge area as there is a long table (with chairs) down the middle and there is a sofa and and plush arm chairs down at the far corner.

The stairs go down a level to a landing before continuing down farther. The landing has a door that opens into the room. The stairs go down another half flight to another landing and then turn left.

There are doors at either end of the room and three against the right hand wall.

No sign of anyone in the room. There aren't any immediate sounds coming from farther down the stairs, but you also can't hear any sounds from the roof.

It's all Korkas can do to squeeze down the stairwell. Fortunately, it's a bit wider than normal as it's meant to accommodate soldiers running up to the roof.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Sun 08 May 2022.

She really had no expectations on what they'd find once inside the fortress, especially at this level, but it definitely wasn't this. Then again, considering the painting on the wall as if it was a window looking out over the entrance, this was probably the Promaxim's private quarters.

Danyka knew Khuno was a competent and skilled guide and scout, but she still wasn't sure how well she'd do in combat. In any case, she didn't want to risk their guide.

She pointed to the stairs down and the corner, and was inwardly happy that Khuno knew what she meant and agreed.

"Korkas," she whispered to the big man, "check out that door down here on the left."

"Ioelenna, want to try those doors over on the right-hand wall?"

"I'll check out the door on the far wall. I suspect it'll be the Promaxim's quarters, so that leaves  you, Tealon, to cover everyone's back. That work for you?"

She tried to deploy her small team in a way that would clear this floor as quickly as possible. She wasn't sure if Jheridan and Katrin would follow them once they took care of all the guards on the roof or if they'd stay there and keep an eye out.

If they made it down two more levels, they could probably open the front doors and let Nicollo, Viktor and Fluffy in. They knew the dungeon was the level below ground level, and she was wondering what they'd find there.

In reply to Danyka Ydrasyl (msg # 789):

Tealon nods to keep the noise down and folds the wings in, allowing him to get a good view of everything on and leading from the landing.

Taking stock of his inventory, Tealon reassures himself about his waistcoat of many things, his bandoleer and collapsible weapons.  The sleep bombs in his hands, he adjusts a covering over his mouth and nose.

Korkas nodded at Danyka and all but crawled to the door on the left, leaning against it to listen before he tried the handle to see if it would open.

---

Active Spell: Enlarge Person on self.  Lasts 1 min (7/10 Rounds) (6?)

This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one. The target gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, a -2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a -1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to its increased size

Effective Str: 25 (+7)
Effective Dex: 15 (+2)
Fist Damage: 1d8

Khuno moved silently down the stairs to the corner and listened for a minute or so before she dared peek around the corner. Starting with just a quick glance and seeing nothing, she then dared longer look.

There was still three more levels... the 2nd floor, the ground floor and the basement... that she knew of. There could have been more below that, of course.

She still couldn't hear any sounds, concluding that most of the soldiers were either down on the ground floor at the door where Viktor and Nicollo were making noise that wasn't penetrating this deep into the fortress or up on the roof. Of course, about half of them had ridden out with the Promaxim. At least, that was her estimate.

She was tempted to go down the stairs to the next level, but realized she'd be an open target while on the stairs if anyone started to come up. Better to wait until she had a bit of back-up.

Instead, she sat on a step just around the corner and concentrated on listening.

While not the best combatant, Ioelenna saw the wisdom of dispatching her to the investigate those side doors as it didn't seem likely that there'd be any troops hiding there. She already suspected what she'd find, but cautiously listened at each door before opening it to see what was behind it.