A bored looking guard is the only obvious sentry at the street gate. He cocks an eyebrow at your appearance and then shrugs. "Are you here for the birthday party?"

Birthday party?

Zuni, probably looking the least threatening of the group, walks forward and gives the guard a dramatic curtsey.  "We are indeed the entertainment for the birthday party." she says with a smile.  "Perchance, could you direct us to where we might set ourselves up for our performances?"

He nods. "Head up to the main house then. Stay on the path." He reaches into his cloak and pulse out a small silver bell. He rings it. Nothing seems to happen. He puts it away and continues. "When ya get to the main house, go winders Hinsdale around it until you come to the kitchen outbuilding. Don't go to the front door of the house. At the kitchen ask for Desek."

You walk up the path. The woods on each side seem dense. Almost like you are in the wild instead of in Korvosa. Several birds alight on the various branches of trees, many are kinds you have never seen before. Most are very brightly colored and exotic looking. The word parrot floats through your mind. If so, these birds are further north than your usual haunts.

The path winds past the tower Belgar saw before. A group of guards are gathered around a campfire in front of it. They eye you as you pass but say nothing. You notice the guards armor seems to be of good quality. The Arkonas seem not to skimp on such expenses.

As you continue up the trail, you hear a loud crash in the underbrush ahead. A deer bolts across the path ahead, rushing into the wood on the other side of the trail. It has several large gashes in it's haunches. It is moving too quickly to see much but something has been after it. It is gone in a moment. Nothing else comes barreling out of the underbrush. You can see the Manor ahead.

Moving us on. However, please feel free to make whatever kind of roll you wish concerning the deer. If you wish to chase after it let me know.

The wall around the Manor itself is low. You can see what must be the kitchen outbuilding not far from the eastern side of the manor. A couple of servants are rushing between the kitchen and the Manor house, carrying trays of food.

Heading for the kitchen or the main door or elsewhere?

Selvin was a bit uncomfortable being without his nearly-constant companion surrounding him. He felt naked and vulnerable. He did his best to smile as Zuni did the talking. He wondered why Tarrov wasn't the one doing the talking, but Zuni seemed to handle it just fine.

He idly wondered who's birthday it was.

He smiled slightly at the birds they saw. Pretty but not from around here. The tower was interesting, and he wondered if they would be heading there. The guards he didn't stare at, just a quick glance and then look away, taking care not to change his stance or anything as he did so.

The deer startled him and he stopped when it burst past. He blinked a few times. He opened his mouth but then closed it again. They had a job to do.

OOC: I vote for the kitchen to 'establish our cover' first.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 4):

Kitchen it is then

The kitchen seems to have more people and food than it can hold. The aroma of roasting meat, sautéing vegetables, and baking pies rolls over you at the doorway with the subtlety of an invading army. A halfling woman with a scar across her face and hair the color of iron wipes her hands on her bloody apron and nods at you. "Yeah. I'mean Desek. You're  what? A circus? Calendar send you? Ever since the riots I hadn'the heard a word from 'er. I figured she got wasted. Well. Even if not you'really timin' is good. Was afraid I'don't have taken tell the Family there was no entertainment. You don' have any dog acts do ya? Tha's fine then."

She motions for you to follow and leads you towards the main house. She leads you to a gate and inside a rather lush and surprisingly tropical garden. Exotic looking butterflies of dark blues, crimson and purples float admit orchids and irises. You see what appears to a spiky oblong fruit you've never seen before growing on an odd looking tree. Towering over everything is a statue of a woman with three heads and six arms. The woman in the statue snarls at you and seems unhappy to be here.

Desek heads for a side door and opens it, ushering you all inside. It looks like a small room used for storage. "You can wait here. I'll have some bread and wine sent over. Get comfy. Party won'the start for another few hours. Questions?"

Tarrov raised his hand.  "Is there a privy we can use?"  He smiled.  "I mean, if we're going to be here for a few hours.  Also, would it be possible for us to get a look at the area where we'll be performing?  Our show will be much-more entertaining if we can use the space we have to its full advantage."

OOC:  I'd like to make a knowledge: religion check for the many-armed statue.

13:46, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 19 using 1d20+11.  Knowledge (Religion) Check.

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 6):

It ain't pretty but we got a map. Group 0. D5 is the storage room Desek is sticking you in. D4 is of course the garden. D11 is the room we will discuss in a mo. That bit of building to in the lower left corner is the kitchen.

The statue is unfamiliar Tarrov. It looks Vudran in origin. But you aren'the overly familiar with all of the various deities. And it does appear to be some sort of goddess.

Desek Jenks her head, indicating you should follow her back into the garden. "You can take a dumb in the outhouse behind the kitchen. As for the party...it may be out here or it may..." she leads yo u across the garden to a set of finely wrought double doors. They lead into a dining room. A large, long table of beautifully polished black mahogany inlaid with mother-of-pearl and silver takes up most of the room. The chairs surrounding it are just as ornate. The furniture in this room alone costs more than most Korvosa answer make in a lifetime. "The Masters are capricious. They may have ya entertain in here. I'm assumin' such uncertainty a' venue w9n'the be a problem, eh? Now then. Let'stand head back to tha store room. Like I said, I'Lloyd send along some food an' drink. You lot can rest and relax 'til showtime."

She begins to show you back to the storeroom.

Zuni looked back towards the kitchen and all of the wonderful foods that were cooking in there.  She could feel her mouth watering as they walked through there before.  She wanted to ask about the food, if they could perhaps have some, but stayed quiet.  They were playing the roles of entertainers after all and it wouldn't help the act none if she asked about the food like a beggar.

"Are there any sort of performances that the Masters prefer?  We'd like to make sure to include such things in our performance." she asked Desek.

Selvin made mental notes and kept a running map in his head of what they were shown of the manor grounds. He didn't want to get turned if they had to run at some point later. He didn't have to pretend or act as he inspected the areas they were shown with a critical eye....he just wasn't looking at with an eye for entertainment, more for combat.

He gave a nod to the one showing them around, but kept his mouth shut until they were all alone again.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 8):

Desek smiles in a vague sort of manner. "They like danger. If you can work that in that'd be good. Especially knives." She puts a hand on the door. <Rex>"Alright. I have to get back ta work. I'll send a snack over."</Red>

And with that she's gone. A quarter of an hour later a hunchbacked dwarf brings by a basket of bread stuffed with meat, vegetables, and a very spicy red sauce as well as a couple of bottles of wine. He just shrugs at any questions, pointing at his ears and shaking his head. He leaves the room quickly


Whatcha wanna do?

"Is anyone else getting a distinctly creepy vibe about these Arkonas?"  Tarrov asked as the door closed behind Desek.  "Because I'm getting a distinctly creepy vibe about these Arkonas.  Something about this place and these people is just wrong."  He gave the four walls of their room a searching look, as if they might provide a clue regarding what was going on.

He sighed.  "We're here for Seneschal Neolandus.  I don't think the Arkonas are just going to produce him for us if we ask nicely.  It seems like we need to find him and see what he thinks about what is going on in Korvosa, and try to convince him--if possible--to declare the Queen unfit to rule.  He's the only one with the authority to do it."

Tarrov ran a frustrated hand through his silver hair.  "Although with the way things are going, I'm not so sure how much sway the rule of law has in this city any longer.  I've never been one to toe the line on every regulation, but it sure is nice when at least the leaders follow the rules."

He looked at each of his companions.  "So, shall we scout about for Neolandus?  Or does one of you have a better idea?"

"Should we split up and use lost on the way to the little entertainer's room or are we going to try and stick together. The latter might be harder to explain away, but I'm not sure I want to be alone by some danger and knife loving Arkonas."  The disguised half orc fortune teller took in their surroundings a bit, but he doubted they were in immediate danger now.

Selvin pursed his lips for a moment. He nodded to Tarrov. "Oh, no, definitely agreed, but then everything in this city right now feels wrong. It's a bit disheartening actually."

He straightened a bit and pushed those thoughts away. "Well. I can cast Invisibility, but it wouldn't be good t'rely solely on that as there're ways around that. But I think at least one person should scout, an' while I'm loathe t'split up, I don't think we could easily explain away how ALL of us're roamin' around if we got caught."

He shrugged. "I'm not that much of a performer, but I'm also not the sneakiest. I can summon up my ally for the performance, or I can summon up various animals or monsters if we prefer."

Chandanar has been standing by the door, keeping it open just a crack and keeping a watch. He suddenly makes a Tch sound and waves at the rest of you. There are apparently doings in the garden.

A small crew of workmen are erecting a small platform stage under the arms of the demon-goddess-thing statue. Actually it's surprising how much they have gotten done and how you didn'the notice it. With all the hammering and sawing you wounderstand have thought they'd  be making a racket.

Desek is standing not far from them talking to a woman who must be an Arkonan. 'Must be' because she looks too good to be anything but pure evil. Long, thick Auburn hair hangs over her slim pale shoulders like blood on fresh snow. Her dress is tight enough to qualify for the term 'second skin' and manages the neat trick of being too bondage to be vampy  and too vampy to be bondage. She's like ripe nightshade berries in a starving man's hands. Sure it's a mistake. But that moment before the cramping starts will be the sweetest taste ever.

Desek days something to her and gestures in the direction of the door you're peeking through. The woman glances coyly in your direction and brushes a strand of hair off her perfect ear. She smiles and says something to Desek. She then turns and walks towards a door in the east.

Desek says something to the workmen ando heads in the direction of the kitchen. The workmen start finishing the stage and gathering their tools.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:27, Thu 04 Feb 2016.

For being dressed up as a clown, Belgar has the same drab expression he always has.  It's a curious juxtaposition.  Axes in hand he bares down on their grips as he see's the red headed woman, generating the familiar popping leather sound.  It's not easy to tell how seriously he's taking the performance charade.  He could just as easily plant an axe in the nearest Arkona as a show target...

Zuni helped herself to some of the food and was nibbling on a small bun when Chandanar drew their attention outside.  The woman catches her eye immediately and Zuni sized her up visually.

"That woman is trouble.  Wonder who she is..." Zuni said softly before turning away from the door to face her companions.  "I'm a fair hand at sneaking around.  Did a lot of it in my younger days, that and pick locks.  I'm not too shabby with a knife either, and that Desek did say that the Arkonas did enjoy dangerous acts and knives.  We're not going to find Neolandus acting the part of performers in front of a crowd.  Unless, Tarrov can talk the information out of them."

She paused for a moment.  "Maybe we can do both.  Try getting the information out of the crowd during the performance and then we can sneak away afterwards.  It would be helpful if we had some way to focus our search."

So wacting for the performance or trying to sneak a out now?

"There's always the chance..."  Belgar grumbles, "they put two and two together and we lose the initiative.." With an axe in each hand, he stretches his arms and rolls his neck. "I'm quiet enough. Even with my armor. I say we slip in now." He intentionally avoids eating or drinking anything offered.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:32, Sat 06 Feb 2016.

Tarrov grinned.  "I'm very good at talking, if I do say so myself.  But somehow I don't think a woman like that," he gestured to the auburn Arkona, "is going to be taken in by sweet words.  And waiting for the performance might not be the best idea."  He gave the courtyard a troubled look.  "I'm starting to think that the entertainment we're intended to provide might not be as voluntary as we'd prefer."

"So I vote we try and find Neolandus now.  I'm pretty good at sneaking around and if I'm caught I can probably talk myself out of whatever bind I'm in."  He smiled again.  "It's always worked for me before.  But I think what we might want to do is try and get some of the Arkona staff alone and try to get some information that way."  He frittered his hand through the air, somehow indicating privileged nobility.  "When you're dealing with high and mighty types like this, the servants always seem to know a lot more than you'd think.  And if they're hiding Neolandus here he needs to be fed.  So maybe the someone who works in the kitchens would be a good place to start?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:34, Sat 06 Feb 2016.

Belgar nods and immediately commences putting his armor back on.

"Alright then.  Let's do it." Zuni agrees and starts to change out of her performing dress and slip on her chain shirt back on.

The workmen are leaving out the garden gate to the kitchen...

Alright. I uploaded a better copy of the map to Group 1. As you can see you have a lot of doors to choose from. You are in D5. Gowing clockwise from there, the double doors to the east of D5's door is Door #1. Then continuing clockwise door 2, 3, 4 etc which gives us a total of nine doors including the one to D5 which lead out of the garden/area D4.

Door 3 leads to the dining hall Desek showed you earlier.

Door 4 is the garden gate to the kitchen.

The woman from earlier went into door 6.

So? Where to?

"I think heading to the kitchen is the most believable thing we can do," Tarrov said, pointing after the workers.  "I don't think anyone is going to think twice at the members of a traveling entertainment company going to the kitchen in an attempt to get more/better food.  In fact, that's exactly the kind of thing a real company would do."


Do we see any reason to believe that we would be noted by anyone aside from workers if we went through the garden gate to the kitchen?

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 23):

There were a lot of servants in the kitchen earlier. So assuming they are still there, the odds seem high you would be spotted. The privy is a small building beyond the kitchen. So you could use that as an excuse of you are.

I'm not worried about servants.  We want to--or I want to, at least--kind of hobnob with the servants and workers while we're waiting, getting the best gossip, sharing tales, etc.  That's a regular occurrence almost everywhere, so it probably wouldn't raise any eyebrows if we did it.  The worst they will do, most likely, is shoo us back to our room.  I'm only really worried about upper management, like Arkonas.

Alright in then. Garden gate it is...

The kitchen is still a hubbub of activity. The staff have the doors open to vent the heat. Smells of garlic, roasting pork, and baking bread wash out of the small cottage. Inside you can see three older women and two men at work preparing dishes for the party. A younger girl is seated on a stoop outside, peeling carrots. A small path to the privy runs to the west. The path to the front of the house runs north and south.

The girl doesn'the seem to notice you. She seems intent on her carrots.

Tarrov ran a hand through his silver hair, took a deep breath, then walked over to sit next to the younger girl, giving her his most-genuine smile.

"Hey there," he said, drawing his knees up and putting his arms around them.  "I'm with the entertainment troupe.  We thought we might find the kitchen and see if there's any food available before our show starts."  He looked over his shoulder toward the kitchen, then back at the girl.  "What do you think?  Would that be all right?  We're," he gestured to the rest of the party, "new here."

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 27):

She looks up, a little surprised and looks around at everyone, her eyes lingering on Belgar for a bit. Oh...Uhmmm...Are you....ehrm...

She glances once more at the dwarf and looks away quickly, a blush coming to her cheek. Well...I guess I could get you some bread...and there'should some soup left from lunch...

Ezela! Desek shouts from inside the building. Where are those carrots?!

The girl calls back Oh...Ah...Comin' now! I...uh... She picks up the large basket of peeled carrots and looks back at you all. Well. Mostly Belgar . I'll bring you some vittles. Wait jus' a second.

She then disappears inside. Waiting on her to return? It does seem you have a moment here where no one is looking

Let's move forward

The young woman...Ezela apparently...comes back with a basket full of bread loaves and turnips. She passes this to you all. So...are you all performers? She says while glancing at Belgar . You must all be very skilled. Have you ever performed for the Masters before? I understand they like knife acts. But no dogs. They hate dogs.

"We've never performed for the Masters before, but fortunately we don't have any dogs," Tarrov reassures her.  "And a few of us have some skill with knives.  Though I myself," he patted the weapon spooled on his waist, "prefer the whip."  He briefly wondered if that would interest the auburn-haired Arkona, then immediately concluded that he didn't want to find out.

"So why do you call them the masters?"  He asked casually, taking a loaf from the basket and tearing it open.  "Thank you."  He raised a piece of bread in appreciation, then looked around the area in which they sat.  "How is it working here?"  His questions were posed in an offhand tone.  "Do you have many visitors now, with all the hubbub in the city?"

Belgar folds his arms and does what he can to avoid eye contact with the girl. His nose twitches uncomfortably an he rubs it before turning to face away from her.

Selvin took the time to look around and start scouting visually without moving to see where they would likely want to head next, as well to see if there was anything interesting or out of place. He stayed silent but gave the servant a small smile when she looked his way.

Zuni was the last of the group to enter the kitchen.  She had taken a minute before leaving the 'dressing room' to gather up the bottles of wine and some of the meat and bread and stuff them into her backpack.  Why pass up the opportunity, she figured.

She held back by the kitchen door, keeping an eye open on the courtyard beyond and the door that the mysterious woman had gone through.

Zuni, give me checks for perception and sense motive please. Belgar, you as well.

Hmm? Ezela takes her eyes off Belgar to address Tarrov's questions. Oh. I was born into the household. So the Family has always been the Masters. I don't wander off the grounds much. You hear things about what's going on in the city. But have more than enough to do here. There aren't as many visitors these days. And today is the first time in a month we've had any kind of celebration. Usually the Masters like to hold a little To Do of some sorts each week. But this being Young Master Pol's birthday and such they wanted to do womethin' special. Lany Arkona really does dote on that boy. I'm so glad they found him.

While she prattle on Selvin you look over the house. Or what you can see of it. The nearest entrances are some double doors into the dining room you were shown earlier. Otherwise, the closest entrance is back into the garden. You look up at the second story of the house. In the window of an upstairs room is a young boy of about twelve years. He is looking down at you all with wide, nervous eyes. He sees you looking up at him and points at you. Well. Maybe not you. He points at his chin and rubs his hand along it, as if telling you you need a shave. He then points again.

"They . . . found him?"  Tarrov inquired.  "You mean . . . they adopted him?  That's . . . sweet, isn't it.  Where did they find him?"  He rubbed the back of his neck.  "Well, I can tell you that things are pretty bad out there.  The Queen is . . . well, the less said about the Queen the better, I guess."  He shook his head sadly.

"So, you said there aren't as many visitors these days.  Does that mean you have some now?  Will they be attending the entertainment?  Do you know their tastes?  We like to please everyone, to the extent that we can."

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 35):

Oh I don't know much about such things. Theyou say Young Master Pol was rescued from some orphanage. The Ladies want to give him a good Learning. They brought in a man from their hometown to do so. Master Some. But I wouldn' know anything about his likes.

Selvin stopped himself from frowning at the boy's gesture and instead smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way. He then tapped Tarrov on the shoulder and whisperedly told the man what he'd just seen to see if Tarrov knew if maybe the gesture meant something specific.

Hearing the name of the boy being thrown about in such a way has filled Belgar with mixed emotions.  The boy is alive, but could that be worse?  He turns back to the girl with an intensity that he cannot hide.  "P..  P..  Pol?"  he studders...  "I mean..."  He cups his mouth and coughs, turning his face down, but looking up through his bushy eyebrows against his own will.

18:16, Today: Belgar Ironclad rolled 18 using 1d20+6.  Sense Motive vs. Humans

18:16, Today: Belgar Ironclad rolled 37 using 1d20+17.  Perception vs. Humans
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Tue 16 Feb 2016.

"Any other visitors?"  Tarrov asked while trying to remember if he knew anything about the gesture Selvin had just informed him about.  "We heard that there might be someone of importance here, but," he looked around and lowered his voice, "it was all very mysterious.  And I'm sure you can understand not wanting to do anything that might offend people of importance, because for folks like us," he moved his hand quickly back-and-forth between them, "that can be bad news, you know?"

Zuni turns away from the outside door at hearing Belgar stutter.  Was that the boy that the Dwarf had come to rescue?  Keeping an ear out on the conversation that Tarrov was having, she turned to look back out into the courtyard.

OOC:
Perception -> 9
Sense Motive -> 17

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 40):

Well I guess I can understand that, the girl says while slowly nodding. No one would wanna see a show that'd make them mad. But I don't know what would or wouldn't make the Masters angry. 'Cent Dogs. They hate dogs. I don't know of any other guests.

Zuni, It occurs to you you haven't seen a guard for a while. There doesn't seem to be any activity from inside the house either. Which seems odd.

Belgar, the mood  in the kitchen is tense. Very tense. No one in the kitchen is far away from a large knife or heavy skillet. Everyone is listening in to the conversation at the doorway between Ezela and Tarrov .

Zuni and Belgar you both get the distinct impression these people with the exception of Ezela are expecting violence to break out at any moment. But they aren't just waiting to see what you do. They are keeping an eye towards the woods. To put it bluntly, these people seem to be waiting for the hatchet to fall. They just aren't sure who's going to be swinging it.

None of them strikes you as a seasoned fighter.

Belgar has trifled with humans much over his years in Korvosa, and he could smell fear on men like smoke on a fire and fearful humans are dangerous.  Instinct begins to set in and the party begins to hear that familiar popping sound...  "I suggest we be movin' on."  He turns wide eyed and glances to the woods.  "The show is about to start."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Wed 17 Feb 2016.

Tarrov sighed internally.  This was not going the way he had hoped.  Ideally the girl would have said "oh my, you dashing silver-hair rogue, we certainly do have a middle-aged human visitor!  He's got an unsightly mole on his nose!  I'm actually taking him his food now, would you like to come with me?"

Too much to hope for, I guess.  It was apparently also too much to hope that she would have any clue to Neolandus' whereabouts at all.  As it was, she seemed to have no clue, which meant one of the following three things:  1)  Neolandus wasn't at the Arkona's estate, which would be disappointing; 2) the Arkonas where keeping him well-hidden, even from their kitchen staff, which wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility, or 3) the girl was lying.

Tarrov didn't get the sense that the girl was lying, but he did get the sense that the situation in the area was deteriorating.  He had hoped that his conversation with the girl would be private, considering that she was sitting outside, but apparently the entire kitchen staff had been eavesdropping upon them.

"Thank you so much," Tarrov said, getting up.  "You've been more than helpful."  A lie, but a social one.  He turned back to the group, nodding at Belgar.  "We should get out of here," he agreed.  "I don't know what's going on, but I'm thinking this particular place isn't that safe for us right now, and it's getting less safe by the minute."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Thu 18 Feb 2016.

Zuni noticed the odd looks that the staff were giving towards the woods.  The quiet of the manor was also disconcerting.  Where were the guards?  An important family such as this should have guards around.

She stepped back from the door and placed a hand on Selvins shoulder.  Speaking softly, she said "It's too quiet here.  For a place that's supposed to be getting ready for a party, it's too calm.  I'm with Belgar on this, the air is heavy with anticipation.  Something is about to happen."

"The question's what...and should we be more worried for ourself, the servants, or the masters?" Izzick asked - everything seemed wrong here, but then again, the strangeness of "They like knives and hate dogs" was enough to scream something was off. With Korvosa descending into madness however, nothing would surprise him anymore...at least he assumed.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 45):

The servants relax slightly once they seem to realize you are departing.

Alrightie. Obvious directions are back into the garden, head north along the outside of the house, South along the outside of the house, into the woods, or through some double doors to your east which lead into that dining room you were shown earlier

The dining room is dominated by a long mahogany table set with an expensive looking service. Set next to each place set are five gold coins.

Doors leading back to the garden are in the north wall. A set of double doors in the south eall next to the ones you entered seem to lead into a large room decorated by four large statues.

A door to the east leads out into a narrow hallway. The hall heads east and ends in a door. You would guess that door opens onto the front hall of the house. Two other doors open off this narrow hall. One to the north and one to the south.

Updating map. You are in D11

Zuni's first thought was to take the gold coins scattered about the place settings, but she hesitated.  She had left the thieving street urchin part of her past behind her, and that was not what Halfdan Rumsong would have done.  Still, it was odd to see coins placed like that.

"Anyone know why they've placed gold coins like that on the table?"

"My guess they get turned into ghouls and dumped on the shore after dinner."

Tarrov glanced at the table, racking his brain to try and remember if he'd heard of any sort of tradition or reason for five gold coins at the table.  In the meantime, he pointed at the door to the east.

"My first guess is that the Arkonas are crazy, and not in a good way.  I say we take that door."  He grimaced.  "We may have to fight through the entire Arkona family, and if we do I'd rather do it one at a time than face them all together."


OOC:  Knowledge (Local)--or whatever--check to determine the purpose of the gold coins.

Taking 10 -- Result of 20.

Selvin paused after they were out of the kitchen. "Tarrov, if we are getting ready for a fight, I need a minute to summon my friend. I'm nowhere near as effective without him." He wasn't being facetious. "But if we are sneaking, having him around makes me stand out quite a bit unless I'm invisible. So what's the call?"

"We're still not even sure who's going to kill who. If you can fight without him, it might be the time to keep him under wraps," the half-orc said, but at the same time, the whole place seemed as crazy as the rest of the city, "Then again, it's not a dog and that seems to be the one thing they hate."

Tarrov, other than the obvious couns-for-the-ferryman, nothing about the coins springs to mind. You do recall however that not all the ghouls had five coins. Some had four. Some three. Why some were short coins is also not obvious.

Since I heard one vote statue room and one the eastern hall, I'm assuming you studied the statue room and then doubled back to the eastern hall. And so...

The statues in the room below depict four warriors, exotic in their dress and weaponry. The swords are curved like scimitars. One statue holds a folding fan like a shield. None have proper armor but instead seem to be dressed in silks with scarves wrapped about their heads. None of the statues seem to have any kind of religious significance

Moving into the hall, you listen at each door leading off it. Silence. A quick peek inside shows:

See map for Group 1

D7 A library.Two foor-to-ceiling bookshelves decorate the south and west walls of this chamber, facing a curved north wall on which hang a half-dozen grotesque paintings depicting torture, murder, cannibalism, and even necrophilia. Two glittering chandeliers hang from the ceiling, providing more than enough lighting for anyone sprawled on the dozens of cushions strewn about the room to read by.

D8 Some kind of lounge. A long couch and two stufed chairs sit around an elegant rug on the foor of this room, the walls of which are carved in depictions of air spirits cavorting in the clouds. The scent of strange and exotic smoke lingers in the air, and four bejeweled hookahs sit in the room, two at either end of the couch, and one next to each chair. A fight of stairs leads up to the foor above, and a glass case built into the underside of these stairs displays a wide collection of cigars, pottery jars, and bundles of dried leaves in a range of colors.

D9 A trophy room. Glass cases line the north and south walls of this hallway. To the north is displayed a wide collection of exotic weapons, many of which resemble swords, spears, or starknives, hanging on the wall around a suit of bright blue leather and ivory armor. To the south is a somewhat gruesome display of a stufed tiger feeding upon a very realistic sculpture of a dead Vudran man.

The end of the hall seems to open on the front hall. Other than the luxurious red carpet, you can't see much of it through just a peek.

Questions?

"This," opined Tarrov, looking critically at the artwork in the library, "does not bode well.  Cannibalism.  Brrr."  He shivered.  "I guess at least they're well-read psychopaths."

After they looked at the trophy room, Tarrov pointed back towards the lounge.  "The stairs up," he guessed, "have a better chance of leading us to Neolandus, if he truly is here."  He glanced at Selvin.  "I think the chances are getting pretty good that we're going to need your friend.  Why don't you summon him here, then I'll cast an invisibility spell on you?"

OOC:  Tarrov has been casting Detect Magic in all the rooms to see if there are any magical items/books/traps.

Selvin shuddered slightly at the sights they were starting to see. It was beginning to look more and more like their suspicions (everyone's suspicions really about the family here were true. He didn't like this one bit.

He nodded at Tarrov's word. "Couldn't agree more. The only entertainin' I'd want t'do with these crazies will be finalizin'."

With that he sat down cross-legged on the floor and began chanting quietly, occasionally making arcane gestures with his hands, calling to his friend across the planar boundaries.

Belgar winces with twinge of horror at the sight of the painted images. "Argh... I never imagined the depravity.." he groans, "This place needs to be ash before mornin'... Let's find these monsters. "
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Wed 24 Feb 2016.

Zuni shared the same ill thoughts at the artwork in the library.  "This family must be very confident in their own abilities to brazenly display such images, if that is what they like to do to their guests."

The trophy room was just as disturbing with the stuffed tiger feeding on the man.  Zuni didn't feel so bad about taking those bottles of wine from before.  "can we use any of these?  A few more throwing knives wouldn't a bad idea." Zuni mused, looking over the collection of knives and armor.  Such a display was bound to have some sort of protection, so Zuni began to take a closer examination to see.

OOC:
Disable Device->24

Izzick gagged in the back of his throat, holding down bile in the worst of the rooms, near welcoming the lingering smoke just to replace the taste in his mouth. Exactly who had painted such things was nearly as disturbing a question as to why the Arkonas wanted them in the first place. "It seems like the whole party is missing. I'm wondering who else we're going to find upstairs."

The paintings are all signed by your friend,Salvatore Scream. These seem to be some of his 'better' works. They certainly leave an impression if nothing else.

Selvin, with a whoosh you once again become enveloped by Zac.


Tarrov, After casting Invisibly on the Elf/Manticore/Thing/Guy, you busy yourself detecting for magic. There is some kind of spell on the display case in the smoking lounge. Two of the items in the armory cases also set your Murder Hobo senses tingling. A suit of leather armor and a katana to be specific.

Zuni, all of the weapons seem to be of fine make. You pop the lock on one of the cases, containing the leather armor, six punching daggers, two sais, two sianghams, and a dozen daggers. The other case contains the tingly katana, a falchion, and two spears. All the weapons are masterwork. The armor is +2 fortification studded leather. Gimme a Disable device check vs DC20 to get at the katana and spears please. Thanks.

The weapons in the display case held Zuni's attention such that she barely noticed Selvin complete his summon.  She gave a low whistle at the quality of the daggers as she pulled them from the display case.  "These are all fine knives.  Well balanced and sharp.  It would be a shame to leave them here to further evil ends.  Anyone else need a dagger?"  The daggers were quickly shoved into her belt.

The once-again Thief moved over to the second case and peered at the Katana and spears.  If they were as finely crafted as the daggers, could she pass them up?  "I think that I want a closer look at that Katana."  Zuni's deft fingers began to check the case for any alarms  or traps.

OOC:
Disable Device -> 26

"Yea I'll take a couple a them daggers." he grunts as he keeps an eye out for trouble.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Thu 25 Feb 2016.

Zuni, the rapier is a ghost touch +1 weapon

The stairs wind up and back, coming out onto a veranda that runs the perimeter of the garden wall. The deck winds around to the east and then south. Numerous doors open off it. See map uploaded to Group 0

Selvin's friend came through the small portal and enveloped the half-elf. Selvin smiled and stretched. "Ahhhhhh! Much better!" He chuckled. "NOW I'm ready t'go kill some evil bastards."

He turned and watched what Zuni was doing.

Zuni handed some of the daggers to Belgar and then turned her attention to the rapier.  Gingerly, she lifted it up from the display case and ran a finger lightly along the blade.  It was a finely crafted blade, perhaps even rivaling her own Aldori sword.  She gave the blade a quick flourish, spinning it about in the air before her.

Zuni grinned as she admired the rapier..  "Oh yes.  This is coming with us."  It was then that she noticed Selvin complete his summoning.  She always found his enveloping companion to be fascinating, and she gave Selvin a curious look before turning back to the rapier.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Tue 01 Mar 2016.

"Let's check out that one," Tarrov suggested, pointing to the door on their left a few feet ahead of them.  "We don't know the layout here, so Neolandus could be anywhere.  And I don't particularly enjoy the idea of someone from a room we hadn't searched coming up behind us."

Zuni offered the rapier to Belgar.  "Can you use this?" she asked him.  "If not, then I can hold on to it until we can find it a suitable owner.  Can't leave such a fine weapon here where anyone can take it."  After giving a knowing wink to the Dwarf, Zuni turned towards the door that Tarrov had pointed out.

As much as she thought that she'd left her thieving ways behind her, a part of zuni was excited at the prospect of more valuables that they might find, and perhaps pilfer, in the mansion.  "Do we want to check the door for any alarms?"

Selvin listened to Tarrov's logic and gave a nod of his head along with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "That sounds reasonable." Of course, he was a bit worried that if they opened a door and someone there started yelling...

He nodded to Zuni. "Always a good idea when we have the time."

OOC: Tarrov did you cast Invisibility on Selvin? If so, he will stop talking so damn much lol.

"Checking for traps never hurts," Tarrov agreed before looking at Selvin as if seeing him for the first time.  "Oh, I forgot . . ."  He muttered some words and reached a hand out towards his companion.

OOC:  I didn't but I intended to.

Standard Action - Cast invisibility on Selvin.

The door is clean Zuni. From inside you can hear what sounds like faint snoring and the rustling of paper. Also a steady creak in the floorboard. As if someone were in a rocking chair. An odd odor wafts from under the doorway. It is a mixture of a sort of sickly sweet incense that seems to be trying to cover a sort of musky smell.

"What's this?"  Belgar examines the rapier being held out to him by Zuni.  "Lemme see that pretty little thing."  He takes it and steps back.  He holds it out at arms length.  "I've seen these used, but never swung one myself.  It's like there's nothin' there.. compared to dwarven axes.  Not bad though, we'll see if this pig sticker does any damage!"

He buckles it to his belt, along with the daggers.  Belgar then creeps low to the ground towards the door, moving quite silently for a dwarf in armor and shield...

07:19, Today: Belgar Ironclad rolled 28 using 1d20+11.  Stealth (w/ +4 fav terrain, -3 breastplate).

"Let me know if you need some pointers on the Rapier, Belgar.  Remember, the pointy end is sharp." Zuni couldn't resist making a teasing comment to Belgar.

Zuni pressed her ear against the door and listened.  She looked back at Tarrov and the others.  "Doors clean.  There's someone on the other side of the door.  It sounds like they might be sleeping.  we'll need to be quiet." she said under her breath.  Putting a finger to her lips, Zuni slowly opened the door.

OOC:
Stealth ->11  (Heh, so much for moving quietly)

Selvin lifted in to the air a bit since he was a bit quieter when not tromping around on four legs. He waited patiently as Zuni checked the door, and he kept an eye and ear out for anyone coming towards them, just in case.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 72):

The door swings open...

What appears to be some kind of small barracks. A thick carpet covers the floor, which is in turn strewn with throw pillows and the odd boot. Two sets of bunk beds are jammed against the wall. A man with the head of a boar is laying in one of the beds, snoring quietly. A rocking chair is set under a window and seated in it is another boar headed man, reading what appears to be a copy of Wesitez's famous treatises on the nature of dragons. A third boar man, smaller than the other two, lays on the floor examining a picture book which seems to be a treatises on large breasted halfling women.

Reader Pig and Dirty Pig look up at you. Snoozy Pig mutters something about five more minutes, blows a bubble from one of his snout nostrils, and turns over.

Belgar's jaw drops.  His eyes glaze over a moment at this sight.  He quickly appraises the situation and he lowers his new rapier, but keeps his shield up at the defense.  "Um..." he mutters as he glances at Tarrov, then back to the pigmen.  "Is that a...  is that the one with Hippa Roundbottom?" he asks the dirty pig with a sleazy wink.  Looking back to the others he shrugs, "What??"

Selvin stayed quiet and moved to where he could flying charge in to the room and attack one or more of the pigs if things went sour...but for the moment he held off to see how things went, just staying ready.

Izzick was perplexed. Firebreathing cats spawned by an imp and now pigs that looked like men. "I truly do see everything traveling with you all." Of course, with Selvin transformed, there was little to their charade. But there was also little way to take their reading material as hostilities just yet. "Are you folks our lovely party hosts?"

Snort...Hippa hadn' been hot since she shaved her pits... snorts Dirty Pig, thereby sealing the fact that yes indeedy. This is Dirty Pig.

Reader sighs and sets his book down on his knee. Well. Now that the cultural part of our program is over... He snorts as well, albeit in a more refined manner. At least none of you have asked which one of us built our house from bricks. No. We are not the Arkonas. I am assuming you are the evening's entertainment. I don't suppose I could ask you simply to retire to your room until this evening?

Zuni had been trying hard not to stare but it was difficult.  It wasn't every day that you saw people with the heads of boars.  She also noticed the book that one of them was reading.  Large breasted Halflings? Zuni gave a disgusted groan and felt the urge to make sure that the buttons on he blouse were done up.  Perhaps that ones head matched his personality.

"You could ask and we'd listen."  She replied to the Reader, the one with the refined manner.  Zuni stood up straighter and assumed a refined tone of her own.  "Your assumption is correct, and we are indeed the evenings entertainment.  Perhaps you could introduce yourselves, as you have us at a disadvantage."

He cocks his head astart if considering the request and shrugs his shoulders. I suppose that's a reasonable request. He reaches into a pocket in his trousers and pulls out a small flask. Pardon. I have a tickle in my throat. He sips from the flask ando gestures to the bed. That is Sleep No Evil.. He gestures to Dirty Pig. Read No Evil. He takes another swig and burps. He raises a hand to his jowls and puffs out his cheeks. Gracious. My apologies, he mumbles.

And I am Breathe No Evil. How do you do? He restorers the flask and slides it back into his pocket. Now then. Would you be so kind as to return to your room?

Selvin watched things, staying as quiet as he could. The pig-heads were very interesting. Their names were....very odd. Stage names? Or were they created creatures? And were the names more symbolic or something? Were they evil? He didn't want to make the first move, so he let his party members do the talking and deciding.

Zuni noted the flask that Breathe No Evil had pocketed and thought about the bottles that she had liberated from their change room.  "Nice to meet you all.  If you don't mind my being so abrupt, my friends and I have not seen any of your kind before." she said as she set down her pack and pulled out one of the bottles of liquor.  Zuni was a little hesitant to use her recently acquired stock but she still had a few more bottles and these boar men did not seem hostile.  Perhaps a little drink could loosen up some tongues that might freely give some information to her and her companions.

Holding the bottle out, she gave it a little jiggle to catch the boar mans attention.  "We were going to have a little drink before the performance, it's one of our little rituals, and I was thinking that perhaps you might want to join us.  We can chat for a bit before our performance.  You sound as though you might know something about the Arkonas family that we might be able to use to tailor our performance to their liking.  Are you going to the performance?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 81):

So ta speak... chortles Read No Evil in a sort of I-know-something-you-don't-know manner. Breathe No Evil simply sighs and waves him off.

Ignore the fool. We are not guests no, but retainers. We will probably be attending as guards. Would you like some cups?<Yellow> He points to a small cupboard at the foot of the bed. <Yellow>You may take them back to your room so you can enact your ritual of libation so to speak. As to your performance...you don't have any dogs in your act do you? The Family loathes dogs.

Let's move things along

Sleep makes a cougoing sound and then rises into a sitting position. He smacks his lips...jowls...whatever...and yawns widely. He glances your way while blinking profuwely. He looks back at Breathe. What's that meat doin' outta tha pantry?

Read shrugs. I think we have a free range type of situation. He looks back at you all. Sorry. But did that really come as much of a shock? You will be given a sporting chance this evening. But if you wish to start things now, we can oblige.

"Oh please do."  Belgar grunts and draws his rapier.  "This look familiar?"  He chuckles.

Meat?  The Arkonas were planning to feed them to these boar men?

"Actually, that does come as a surprise."  Zuni replied softly.  She had not been expecting to be put on a menu.  What kind of people were these Arkonas?  If they weren't killing folks and tossing them into the sea then they were feeding them to their retainers.

Zuni put the bottle down and drew out her own sword.  She raised the blade up in salute.  "Ah, well.  I guess it was asking too much for this to be a friendly encounter."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 85):

Read shrugs. It was going to be this way sooner or later. Here or down in the basement.

You all look at each other.

Dirty says, Uhh...we should...

Yeah. We should

Okay. Jus' checking.

I'very got an initial on 15. Roll'em and give me your actions please.

20:20, Today: Belgar Ironclad rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.

Belgar charges into the room confronting the nearest pigman.  As he slams into the creature, he resists the urge to roar... biting his lip to control himself in an effort to fight silently.

Primary Rapier Attack 23
Primary Rapier Damage 6

Shield Bash Attack 30
Shield Bash Damage 4
Free Bull Rush 27 (From new shield slam feat)

Secondary Rapier Attack 20
Secondary Rapier Damage 5

The bull rush only goes off if I hit with my shield bash.  In these tight quarters, Belgar would choose to knock his target into a wall or something instead of moving him back.  This would cause him to fall prone.

Selvin suddenly appeared in mid-air, becoming visible as he slammed in to Read-No-Evil, unleashing a flurry of fangs, claws and a tail stinger. "Creepy damn bastards! I ain't food!"

So that was the plan? Maybe it was a night the servants knew all to well, maybe it was some kind of curse. Izzick knew one thing, he certainly wasn't going to be eaten. Not tonight (though hopefully not ever). He makes a gesture and arcane words and sends two rays of flame at Breath no Evil.

01:18, Today: Izzick rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.

01:20, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+6. CRIT!
01:21, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Confirm.
01:22, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 4d6+1.  Damage. (Lackluster damage of course)

And 2nd ray
01:23, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Ray2.
01:23, Today: Izzick rolled 21 using 4d6+1.  damage 2.
(21 damage but that one can't crit, nooooooo!)

Zuni, seeing that Breath and Read have been engaged, decides that she'd rather not leave Sleep unattended.  Best to engage him if only to keep him tied up and unable to help the other boar men.  She levels the point of her sword at sleep and races forward.

OOC:
I'm going to assume that Sleep is farther than a 5 foot step.
Initiative: 12
Attack: 23
Damage: 21

Chandanar begins chanting as Tarrov begins his song Remember to give yourselves bonuses starting next rounder for Tarrov's performance please

Belgar slams into Read as the wiley little boar man races forward...right into the dwarf's shield. The hit is a solid but jarring one Belgar. It was like slamming into a mountainside. Read stumbles backwards, pinwheel ingredients his arms in a failed effort to stay up.

Breathe puffs out his chest and then bellows. Fire. He bellows fire. A small but wide arc which is surprisingly intense. Reflex save DC 15 for half. 10 dam in full. And then Selvin and Izzick's beams of hot half orc magic come upon him. He does more than grunt as he is pummeled and incenerated. But... Selvin it's like slashing/stabbing an oak tree. This guy seems to be magicked up defense wise.

Damn Woman! yawns Sleep to Zuni . Why ya gettin' all stabby this early in the morn? He flips upwards in a surprisingly acrobatic manner despite the solid hit and curls his huge hammer like hands into fists. He sends a swing your way Zuni. It manages to connect with your shoulder. You dig your feet in and go with the blow. But Damn that was solid. Keep on your toes. 11 pts dam Zuni.

Okay. I have Selvin on Breathe, Zuni 9n Sleep, and everyone's favorite dwarf toe to toe with Read/Dirty. Izzy is flinging spells. Yes they all have stone skin on them. Yes, Sleep is a monk. Next round. Keep the same init and just give me actions. Thanks

OOC: I assume the fire was directed at me, if not I'll edit.

Selvin was flying right at Breathe-No-Evil and so had no chance to dodge the fire breath burst that came his way. He'd been invisible, but figured it was more an area attack rather than directed at him specifically. He grit his teeth against the pain.

Then his attacks seemed to do absolutely no damage to the creature! Frustration mixed with pain. Selvin pulled back on the ferocity of his attacks a bit but still had trouble connecting.

23:48, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14 using 1d20+7.  Not sure if Breathes is hitting me, but Reflex save in case.
23:49, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15,27,13,17,22 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+5.  Attacking BreathesNoEvil again, no power attack.
23:50, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 9,6,6,5,7,2 using 1d6+4,1d6,1d6+4,1d6,1d6+4,1d6.  Damage on Breathes assuming the 15 and 13 missed.

Izzick, seeing the surprising dexterity of the hodman that dueled with Zuni brought his hands into a different arcane gesture, calling upon his cursed bloodline to weaken the pig-man. He'd make sure the yawning pig was sleepy enough, only to watch the nimble man dodge his ray as well.

Man do I wish I had dispel magic!
Firing Ray of Exhaustion at the surprisingly nimble Sleep instead.

03:27, Today: Izzick rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Ray of Exhaustion.

It's vs Touch, but given he's a monk - that stinks!

The Boar man was sprier than Zuni had expected, and much faster.  She'd not underestimate him again.  "I'm no ones meal, pig." She snarled.

Spinning with the force of the blow, Zuni twisted and brought her sword upwards in a slashing motion and then dropped the tip of her blade to stab downwards.

OOC:
First attack: 32 (potential Crit)
Crit confirm: 22
Damage: 20 (40 if crit confirmed)

Second Attack: 13
Damage: 14

The ping of steel against their hide didn't sound right...  No time to worry about it, these things obviously have many tricks up their sleeves.  Enjoying the quickness of his new blade, Belgar rips into Read with another flurry.

OOC:
Primary Rapier Attack: 30
Primary Rapier Crit Check: 23
Primary Rapier Damage: 9 (18 if crit confirmed)

Shield Bash Attack: 13
Shield Bash Damage: 5
Free Bull Rush: 10

Secondary Rapier Attack: 22
Secondary Rapier Damage: 8

It was area of effect Selvin. Did you want to edit? If so go ahead and do so. If not, I'll just use this rounds damage. Thanks.

Zuni manages a fine blow against sleep. The tired piggy hits the wall, a fine spray of blood erupting from where his snout used to sit. Unfortunately it also shoots him out of the way of Izzick's beam. Ohd! Dude er zo dead dude...dumon dude! Well. He is a pig.

Belgar also pulls off a fine blow as Read tries to stand. Read mumbles something which sounds like Stupid beard

Breathe grabs a small flask from his pocket and begins to play with it...

I missed on attacks. Keep 'em coming folks.

Selvin kept up the attacks on Breathe, trying to get through the stoneskin spell's effects on the pigman. He lashed out with all of his attacks once more.

23:26, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,19,18,14,20 using d20+8,d20+8,d20+8,d20+8,d20+3.  Attacking BreathesNoEvil again with power attack.
23:27, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,16,12 using 2d6+8,2d6+8,2d6+8 with rolls of 1,5,3,5,1,3.  Damage for the 19, 18, and 20 hits (2nd d6 in each set is electrical).

Oddly enough, removing the pig mans nose actually made the creature uglier, Zuni thought.  She brought her blade back and then thrust it forward.

OOC:
Attacking Sleepy Piggy

Attack 1 -> 28
Damage -> 20

Attack 2 -> 16
Damage -> 16

Reflex for half damage from breath:
22:13, Today: Izzick rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Reflex.
So only 5 damage

Izzick decided to try for a weaker spell - less potent but less draining, as he conjured forth the magic for his next attack.

Casting Ray of Enfeeblement at Sleep
22:15, Today: Izzick rolled 16 using 1d20+6.  Ray of Enfeeblement.
16 vs Touch on the monkpig

22:17, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 1d6+4.  Strength Penalty.
He loses 7 strength

DC 17 Fortitude to only lose 3 strength.

"Stupid beard is it?  This comin' from a fella with a pig face?"  Belgar spins into the pigman with another flurry of blows.

OOC:
Primary Rapier Attack: 22
Primary Rapier Damage: 8

Shield Bash Attack: 29
Shield Bash Damage: 5
Free Bull Rush: 26

Secondary Rapier Attack: 22
Secondary Rapier Crit Check: 16
Secondary Rapier Damage: 9 (18 if crit confirmed)

Your last hit draws blood Selvin. Breathe manages to drop his flask under your onslaught and turns to flee backwards.

Your strike also seems to pierce through Belgar. A fine deep slash sprouts from Read. However, he manages a wild swing and lands a solid right to the side of your neck before you bash him down again. That. Hurt. 8 pts dam

Mink Pig delivers a flurry of blows to you Zuni. Though they aren't as impressive as you would have thought. Probably due to that ray  Izzy hit him with. Still. You are going to have some bruises. 16 pts total dam Your attacks back leave him feeling the smarts as well.

Alrightie. Next round. State your actions and roll them dice. Thanks.

"Oh not so confident now, are we? Little pig, little pig, let ME IN, you sick bastard!" He unleashed another torrent of attacks on the boar-headed man.

OOC: Hit AC 22 for 12 damage, AC 18 for 14 damage, AC 16 for 13 damage, AC 17 for 18 damage.

11:25, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 22,11,18,16,17 using d20+8,d20+8,d20+8,d20+8,d20+3.  Attacking BreathesNoEvil again with power attack.
11:26, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 12,14,13,18 using 2d6+8,2d6+8,2d6+8,2d6+8.  Damage (2nd d6 in each set is electrical).

"Ow!" Belgar grunts and then laughs, but is thrown a bit off balance causing his next flurry of attacks to be sloppy.

OOC:
Primary Rapier Attack: 15
Primary Rapier Damage: 6

Shield Bash Attack: 13
Shield Bash Damage: 7
Free Bull Rush: 10

Secondary Rapier Attack: 11
Secondary Rapier Crit Check: 8

Sleepy the monk would soon have another spell flying at him, rays of flame bursting from Izzicks finger tips to make smoked ham out of the pig man.

Sorching Ray on Sleep-No-Evil
19:27, Today: Izzick rolled 19 using 1d20+6.  Scorching Ray 2.
19:27, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Scorching Ray 1.

19 vs touch for ray 2, so damage
19:28, Today: Izzick rolled 13 using 4d6+1.  Damage.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 102):

Let you in? In to what? The joke? Well see...   But alas Selvin, you dislocate his jaw and shred open one of his lungs before he can tell you. You will now never be in on the joke. And you only have yourself to blame. A moment of silence for poor Read please. Yes that means he is dead.

Sleep yelps as Izzick burns his backside. He glares at the half orc while he hops over  Zuni's  next thrust.

Read manages to get on both feet. Roaring like a stuck pig, he launches himself at Belgar. And simply manages to embarrass himself as he claws at the empty air a foot from the dwarf's left side.

Before anyone can quip though, there are doings from the doorway. Izzick, you feel that sick thudding sensation like being beamed in the back by a slush ball flung by an orge. Chandanar and Tarrov both grunt as well. 8 pts dam Izzy

Standing out in the hallway are two women. One is a Elf wearing a silk robe and veil over her lower face. She holds a scimitar in one hand and, for some odd reason, a tambourine in the other. The woman beside her is more the conversation piece of the pair though. She would probably be beautiful were it not for the spotted yellow fur and head of a puma. Puma lady wears a familiar seeming dress. It was the same one worn by that woman you saw in the courtyard. Puma lowers the wand she just used to blast the doorway and says Aardvark, After which the air around her shimmers and there are suddenly five of her standing there.

Selvin charges in towards Sleep's back, to flank him opposite Zuni. He muttered almost to himself, "This is goin' bad. We're gonna bring the whole house in on us." Nevertheless, he let loose his

OOC: I assume there isn't enough room to charge, but that he might be close enough for a 5ft step to flanking with Zuni? I can adjust the hits if needs be. I did roll a natural 1 on one of his attacks, not sure how you run fumbles or if it just misses auto.

09:16, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 22,11,27,23,17 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+5.  Power Attack on Sleep, flanking with Zuni.
09:17, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 16,18,14,14 using 2d6+8,2d6+8,2d6+8,2d6+8.  Damage (2nd d6 in each set is electrical).

Anyone else want to post an action before I move on? Thanks.

Zuni had to take a moment to catch her breath.  The Sleepy pig man was hitting harder than she had expected, and she doubted that she could take another hit from him.  The man...pig...thing had fists like boulders.  Nothing felt broken yet but she'd be a mottled purple color come the morning.

Zuni's first instinct was to disengage from Sleepy and regroup.  The two additional women had appeared at an inopportune time and even worse, they were spell casters.  She couldn't leave Selvin to fight Sleepy alone though.

Shifting into a more defensive stance, Zuni strikes out at Sleepy.

OOC:
Fighting Defensively (-4 to attack, +2 AC)

Attack 1: 11  (assuming that it missed)

Attack 2: 23
Damage 2: 20 (Including sneak attack damage)

This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Thu 31 Mar 2016.

Izzick began chanting, one spell to the next. He varied up the intensity of the spells he cast, trying to conserve the inner pool he drew from while also making sure that he was efficient in the fight. If the enemy had back up, they needed it too and he began chanting his conjuration spell.

Casting Summon Monster II to summon a Celestial Wolf. It appears at start of my next turn, between us and the two women.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:00, Wed 30 Mar 2016.

Belgar turns and looks over his shoulder at the newcomers to the fray.  His face curls with anger as he takes a slight step back before bowing up and howling into the air.

OOC-
Casting Hunter's Howl.  Will save DC 13.  Range 20ft.  All who fail count as a favored enemy.

Holding move action to determine if any enemies fail their save.

If any do, I will hunter's bond my companions against that creature, granting them my favored enemy bonus.  +4 bonus on attack, damage, Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival skills.

In reply to Belgar Ironclad (msg # 110):

I'might not running fumbles this game Selvin. Just a miss. And yes the room is small enough and you are large enough for the flanking

Sleep and Dirty seem surprised at Belgar's sudden use of primal Scream therapy. Sleep pays for letting his guard down as  Zuni's blade and  Selvin'svarious appendages send him to nappy nap land for once and all.

 Izzick, the air in the hallway sort of solidifies and forms up. Your wolf stretches and smacks it's jaws.

Belgar, Dirty and Scimitar woman failed the save. Puma shrugged it off.

Ya'lls go

OOC - (in completion of last round)
I hunter's bond the Scimitar woman.  Everyone gains +4 bonus on attack, damage, Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival skills against her.
Hunter's Bond only lasts for 2 rounds!  However I can repeat it over and over with a move action.

Belgar points to the scimitar woman "Take her down quick!  I'll finish this dirty pig here!"

OOC:
Primary Rapier Attack: 29
Primary Rapier Damage: 9

Shield Bash Attack: 28
Shield Bash Damage: 10
Free Bull Rush: 25

Secondary Rapier Attack: 17
Secondary Rapier Damage: 9

The wolf seems to take the orders as well as others, striking at the elf woman.

14:42, Today: Izzick rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Wolf Bite.
14:43, Today: Izzick rolled 6 using 1d6+5.  Damage.
14:44, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Automatic Trip attempt.
<orange>

Meanwhile, the half-orc chose to focus his spells on Sleep, casting a barrage of arcane missiles from his fingers.

<orange>Magic missile on Sleep No Evil
14:46, Today: Izzick rolled 20 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missiles.
20 damage!

Selvin attempted to get out of the room without getting too close to the last pig-man. Then he flew up and around to get behind the woman still up. He took an almost lazy bite at her as he flew to her.


OOC: Will flank with the wolf. Hit AC 28 for 17 damage and 2 electrical.
He will glance down the hallway to see if anyone else appears to be coming.

12:58, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 28,17,2 using d20+10,d6+12,d6.  Power Attack on Scimitar Girl.

Zuni let out a breath as Sleepy fell to the floor.  Upon hearing Belgars words, Zuni raced across the room, trying to keep out of Read no Evils reach, and charged blade first at the woman with the Scimitar.

OOC:
Assuming move is more than 5 ft step
Acrobatics to avoid any AOO: 13
Attack: 30
Damage: 25

Izzy, since Sleep went down last round, I am switching your target to Read. Thanks

Balls of eldritch energy whiz past your head Belgar as    Izzick's spell strikes Read a second before you do. The Dirty Pig goes Oom0h And then Grnut as he is struck. Suprisingly, he is still standing. It's like he's some kind of brick wall of filthy pork.

Out in the hall, Scimitar manages a slash across Zac's bow before becoming everyone's favorite dance partner. She manages to stay on her feet. You would guess her skin has been ensorcelled just like the pig men's had been.

The Puma Women begin making odd gestures and saying odd words. Looks like the genuine one among them knows some spell tossing and is planning to serve up some kind of magicky goodness.

Selvin, 8 pts dam. Read No Evil is on his last legs, but still up.

Selvin let out a quiet growl as his ally was damaged a bit more. He unleashed his anger in a flurry of natural attacks from the otherworldly symbiote on the scimitar-wielding woman once more.

OOC: Hit AC 23 for 15 dmg and 5 Electrical, AC 18 for 14 dmg and 6 Electrical, AC 20 for 18 dmg and 6 electrical.

11:26, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14,23,18,29,8 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+5.  Flanking Power Attack, Full Attack on Puma. - I meant Scimitar Girl
11:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 20,20,24 using 2d6+12,2d6+12,2d6+12.  Damage on Scimitar Girl.

Zuni decided to split her attacks between the two women as well, making her first slash against the Puma headed one

OOC:
Attack against Puma woman: 32
Damage: 26

Attack against Scimitar woman: 24
Damage: 28

Belgar growls some dwarven slur as he tears into the pig man once more.

OOC-
Primary Rapier Attack: 36
Primary Rapier Crit Check: 34
Primary Rapier Crit Damage: 24

Shield Bash Attack: 31
Shield Bash Damage: 12
Free Bull Rush: 28

Secondary Rapier Attack: 13
Secondary Rapier Damage: 13

The wolf lashed once more for the elf wielding the scimitar (if she's still up, if not he'll go after a Puma Woman)


20:18, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Bite
20:19, Today: Izzick rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Crit confirm!
20:19, Today: Izzick rolled 11 using 1d6+5.  Damage.
20:22, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+2.  Trip attempt.


Izzick, hardly one to be outdone, began to chant as well. With the spell giving her some cover, he knew that no ordinary magic would be as effective as the tried and true. Bolts once more shot from his finger tips, aiming straight for the Puma Woman.

Magic missile on Puma Woman
20:26, Today: Izzick rolled 18 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missiles.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 120):

You know I've been playing D&D/PF for over twenty years, and I have never had the situation where someone fires a magic missile on a target with mirror image before. The rules are plain on it. It hits and no dupes get lost. But it's just never come up in one of my games before which surprises me when I think about it. Weird.

Uhhhh..little help here... Scimitar Girl directs to Puma Woman as Izzik's wolf and Selvin's Zac poke her with teeth and various ethereal sharp looking electrical things. Then Zuni's blade slips into her neck and Scimitar Girl is suddenly beyond help.

Zuni gracefully pivots and slashes at one of the Pumas. The woman wavers and turns into empty air, leaving four of them. The Pumas finish waving their hands and a greenish, vaguely arrow shaped things flies from the air before them and strike Selvin/Zac Acid Arrow brother. 5 pts dam this Rd and the next two rds

Then a glowing ball of energy strikes the second one from the left. Wha' the bloody all of the Pumas say, stumbling backwards from the surprise.

Dirty plants his feet and charges as you charge Belgar. The two of you meet like a tornado meets an earthquake. You grunt from the impact, your bones taking a quick vote as to whether to leave your body or not. But the world stops shaking a moment later. 18 pts Belgar. Got a crit on you Dirty is falling backwards, eyes rolled up into the orbs, head rolling at an awkward angle on his neck.

Dirty Pig has fallen. He will pervert no more.

"OW!" The half-elf and eidolon let out a small howl of pain as the acidic arrow splatted them.

Selvin let out a growl and charged in on the multiple Puma women things, lashing out at as many as he could to try and find the real one or get rid of the fake ones if he could.

OOC: I assumed no charge or flanking on her, so if that's possible the numbers go up, but with Mirror Image on her who knows if it will matter. I'll leave the random rolls to you on whether I hit her or an image.

Hit AC 20 for 14 dmg and 1 electric.
Hit AC 18 for 12 dmg and 2 electric.
Hit AC 20 for 18 dmg and 1 electric.
Hit AC 24 for 12 dmg and 1 electric.
Potential Critical: Hit AC 31 for 16 dmg and 2 electric, and if AC 22 is a hit then for 16 more dmg.

"Let's see if we cannot find the real you." Zuni said as she slashed her blade at the multiple puma headed women.

OOC:
First Attack: 18 (Rolled a natural one so missed)

Second attack: 28
Damage: 22

Selvin tears into two images, taking them apart. Zuni's stab however meets resistance. Some of the rock hard type of resistance. But resistance nonetheless...

We are down to two Pumas now. But Zuni found the real one. Ya'lls move. Thanks

Selvin stepped to the side slightly to try and line up with Zuni so they could both benefit from harrying the woman on either side. He then unleashed all this animalistic natural attacks once more in a flurry.

AC 30 for 13 dmg and 2 electric.
AC 29 for 17 dmg and 1 electric.
AC 26 for 14 dmg and 3 electric.
AC 18 for 17 dmg and 3 electric.
AC 14 for 17 dmg and 5 electric.


This message was last edited by the player at 02:41, Wed 06 Apr 2016.

When the bells stop ringing in his head, Belgar turns to the cat woman. He slides into the fray, trying to find an angle on her.

OOC -
Primary Rapier Attack (flanking): 28
Primary Rapier Damage: 13

Shield Bash Attack (flanking): 33
Shield Bash Crit Check (flanking): 28
Shield Bash Crit Damage: 18
Free Bull Rush (flanking): 30

Secondary Rapier Attack (flanking): 17
Secondary Rapier Damage: 9

Izzick continued, calling out the words of the same spell once more, the torrent of magical bullets always finding their mark.

12:51, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missiles.


As one woman falls, the celestial wolf decides to go for the cat, lunging with fangs ready for a bite.

12:50, Today: Izzick rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  damage.
12:50, Today: Izzick rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Wolf attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Tue 05 Apr 2016.

Zuni continued her assault on the Puma woman.

OOC:
Attack 1: 28
Damage: 18

Attack 2: 15
Damage: 23

It is hard to describe exactly what happens. To put it concisely, Puma suddenly becomes a bouncing ball between lots of pointy, glowy, bashy bits. If any of you were concerned you were not getting a piece of her, no worries. There are plenty of parts left over to keep as a commerative souvenir.

As your contemplate the once-were-animal-headed-people-but-are-now-hard-to-clean-spots-on-the-expensive-carpet, you can hear activity from downstairs. Doors shutting. Locks being thrown. And then a silence.

Maybe they all ran away?

Belgar begins to make a quick search of the bodies and the pigs room.

Drink has numerous small vials on him. Most seem useless though there is the flask he was driving from. It has a sort of silvery looking liquid inside.

Dirty is wearing a rather expensive looking necklace of silver and emerald under his filthy tattered shirt. 1200 gp

Scimitar Lady has some nice golden hoop earrings 225 gp . Puma has the wand she pointed at you to start with, a ring that reads as magic, and a tin, engraved vial with some more of that silvery looking liquid.

<Ornge>Between the two flasks, there are 4 hits of the silvery potion. Anyone want to take a sip? </Orange>

Selvin let Belgar and any others take care of the looting and searching. He instead kept a vigil as lookout in the hallway to see who else was coming. He thought he'd heard noises from downstairs or other parts of the house. He was pretty sure that the house in general was aware of the fighting and commotion so more might be coming.

Belgar swirls one of the silver potions up by the light as he examines the flask. "Hey Izzick, ya think these are stone skin? If so, how long would it last?"

Izzick quickly cast a spell, coating his eyes in a magic divining aura as he took a look himself, studying the vials for a few quick moments. "It's hard to tell. Not sure I've actually seen a stone skin potion before."

Detect Magic + Spellcraft
21:25, Today: Izzick rolled 16 using 1d20+11.  Spellcraft.


WELP! Unless they're level 1 items, Izzick isn't sure

Izzick is indeed unsure. The liquid is alteration magic. But that is as much as he can say.

Selvin, as you stand watch you hear nothing on this floor. If anyone else is up here, they are being very very quiet. It sounds like the house below has locked itself up. From what you heard before, latches were being drawn and bars being put into place. They seem to be locking you all in. Which seems foolish. But there it is.

You do hear footsteps below. They seem to be coming from the bottom of the staircase. As you listen you hear them stop at the foot of the stairs and then CLINK! Something that sounds like a bag of coins hits the landing. Which isn't all that odd as a small sack of coins appears to have been tossed up to the landing from below.

Everything goes quiet again.

Selvin tilted his head and had a look of confusion on his face as he listened to the noises and then saw the bag of coins appear. One eyebrow quirked upwards. He muttered back over his shoulder to the group. "Hey gang. Someone just threw what appears t'be a bag o'something that sounded like coins up t'the first landin'. An' everythin' below seems like we're locked in here. This is weird."

He cast a pair of healing spells on his eidolon while he waited for the others to finish up.

19:05, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 8 using 1d10+5.  Rejuvenate Eidolon (Lesser).
19:05, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14 using 1d10+5.  Rejuvenate Eidolon (Lesser) #2.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:05, Sun 10 Apr 2016.

Zuni took a few moments to search through the newly dead, looking for anything that might facilitate healing.  Sleepy had worked her over pretty well and a healing potion or three would be welcomed, and not just for her.  It would be foolish to try the silver liquid that they had found.  For all that they knew, it could give them boar heads as well.

The earrings looked nice though, nice and expensive.

"Why would they want to lock us in the house?" she asked.  "Unless they were expecting the piggies and the kitties to hunt and kill us.  I can't help but think of those bodies that we saw at the pier.  Could this be part of that ritual?  Trap the victims in the house and them hunt them, disposing of the bodies into the water."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 137):

Chandanar steps over to Zuni , cracking his knuckles. Here. Lemme take a crack-er-heal at ya . He waves his hands 17 pts healed Zuni

He looks at everyone. Anyone else?

"Yea."  Belgar nods and waves Chandanar over as he hands the flask to him. "Thanks.. Here. Maybe you'll have better luck with this."

Izzick calls Chandanar over as well, the few wounds he received being quite painful. But as he stares at the bag, he's quick to ask, "So who wants to take a look at those and hope for an explanation." As things got stranger and stranger, he expected more questions than answers, but curiosity gnawed at him.

Selvin will peek down the stairs a bit and attempt to use Mage Hand to get the bag up to them without going down. He will also see if he sees anyone down there.

08:54, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 28 using 1d20+12.  Perception if needed.

Chandanar takes the flasks after waving his hands about again. Belgar feels better. 14 pts Belgar . He studies the flasks. Afraid I can't say much more. Want me to drink some?

The pouch winds it's way up the stairs to your awaiting paw...er. Hand...Selvin . Inside are thirty pieces of gold. The coins are oddly stamped. A tiger on one side. A Scimitar on the other.

Below looks darker. Not pitch black. There is still enough to see by. But it looks like they might be shuttering the windows from outside as well.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 142):

Going down?

"Thanks Chandanar."  Zuni said and then put a hand on his to stop him from drinking the flask.  "Better not.  We don't know what they would do and we shouldn't risk any ill effects in this place."

Looking at the bag of gold in Selvins hand, Zuni lightly plucked one from the bag and examined it.  "These Arkonas are very strange people.  These coins look like they might represent the two puma headed elves that we just fought.  But why?"

Looking back downtime stairs into the growing darkness, she continued.  "Are we done up here?  I don't think that we'll want to be boxed in here, unless there is another exit up here."  She went through some of the rooms looking for a window to look out of and try to see what was going on.

Selvin backed up but kept an eye on the stairs. "So gang, what's the plan? We gonna search around up here more, or head downstairs or what? We know they're ready for us if they're gonna jump us." He sounded ready.

OOC: DM, are there rooms up here we haven't look at yet, or any other stairs/exits?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Thu 14 Apr 2016.

Yes Selvin. See game map 0. But as Zuni is looking through them we can speed things up

Zuni moves to the double doors to the northwest. The doors are slightly ajar and you guess that may be where Puma came from. Inside is a rather opulent looking bedroom. A huge bed occupies most of it, draped with rich silks and satin sheets. A writing desk occupies one wall. On it are various letters written by the Arkonas. A quick perusal shows they are writing to various factions in the city, attempting to gain support and intel against the Queen. You learn that the Queen has consolidated power against most of the major nobility. But there seems to be resistance to her organizing amongst the lower nobility and guilds. One letter confirms the Arkonas had the senschal. He is well secured and will be ready to use when the time is right one of the letters says. But the letter lacks more details. Disturbingly, a set of manages are driven into the wall next to the writing desk. The cuffs are stained with dried blood. On the floor is the head of a small stuffed bear. Belgar, you know who the bear. It is-was-your charges favorite toy.

There are a few small gold statues Worth 1250 gp collectivelg But everything else of value in the chamber is too bulky to easily transport. The large Bay window on one side looks out onto the back of the estate and the river beyond. Servants are placing shutters over the ground floor windows from the outside. Otherwise they are doing nothing.

To the north are another bedroom and a bath. The bed room is strewn with thick cushions and a hookah sits under a small window. A shelf full of books extends along one wall. One of the books appears to be an alchemist's recipient book. Another book contains a scroll. Chandanar examines the scroll and places it in his pocket. That one is for me. Some healing spells The window is too small to fit through and the view shows all the ground floor windows this side of the house have been shuttered.

The bathroom has a large tub. There are many bottles of expensive perfumes littered about Total of 2250 gp As well as an odd wooden carving of a duck. There is no window in here.

So out a window or down the stairs?

Selvin looked over his team. "So. We ready t'head downstairs? I mean, I assume we're all on board for stoppin' these crazy sick whackjobs, right? I guess we could out the window an' like circle around, but they locked up downstairs so we'd have t'break in."

He nodded at his logic and headed for the stairs unless there were strenuous objections.

Aside from the shutters on the windows, the only other change to the downstairs are the rose petals. A path of rose petals begins at the foot of the stairs you are descending and out into the main foyer. The foyer is silent and dim due to the shutters. A suit of armor stands next to the large main doors...which are locked. The rose petals continue to the south and another door. The door is standing open and reveals a set of stairs that descend into the earth. The stairs continue down about thirty feet than begin to curve into a spiral staircase headed downwards.

Accepting the invitation and going down? There are a few rooms upstairs which I will condense down here: a well appointed lounge the family must use to entertain guests they don't plan on killing. It doesn't look like it's used much. And a statue of a tiger headed woman with four arms holding two spears. The statue's eyes are rubies worth 250 gp a piece. The lounge is devoid of goods.

From the stairs below, those of you with sharper ears can hear the sounds of running water. And those with good noses catch the scent of the sea. Assuming you do go down, give me a marching order please. The stairs are only wide enough for single file. Selvin, you can fit down by flying sideways if you have Zac up
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:19, Thu 21 Apr 2016.

"Downstairs."  Zuni said softly, her eyes peering down the stairs and into the dim light.  The sound of water was...curious.  Were they planning on drowning them in the house?  "I'd take the lead but I'm afraid that I won't see as well in the dark as some others might.  Some one want to go ahead of me?"

Izzick took a moment to steady his mind once they'd finished searching, "Let's head down then." The moment any fighting broke out, he'd be ready for them as well, focusing his mind on the spell he wanted to cast.

I'm going to ready if I can to caste Haste as soon as fighting breaks out when the door opens

Selvin hovered up in the air and flew down with the group, staying back a bit if needs be to give them room to descend before he flew out.

The stairs become sircular, descending. And then:

The air in this vast grotto is cool. An iron-framed fight of spiral stairs winds up through a hole in the ceiling in the northwest section of the room from the top of a semicircular ledge. The ledge winds down along the cavern’s inner wall to a series of rope bridges that descend even lower from ledge to ledge. The upper ledge, before it reaches the ropes, is a strangely breathtaking beauty—a garden of all manner of strangely colored fungi, lichens, and molds. The fungi have been cultivated, shaped into all manner of symmetrical patterns normally not seen in nature, transforming the ledge into a sort of underground fungal garden. Here and there, fickering torches burn in sconces above the fungi, while from somewhere in the darkness below comes the sof splash of water against an unseen shore.

Uploaded map to Group 0. You are in the circular stairs in the northwest corner.

It is hard to tell from the map, but the southern most rope bridge slopes downward to a ledge below. Questions?

Selvin flies up above the group a little bit, but heads in to the room to see what can be seen and looks around.

OOC:
10:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 29 using 1d20+12.  Perception check.

Moving like 10ft east of the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Sun 24 Apr 2016.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 154):

The cavern is filled with the odd smell of fungus and sea water. Not unpleasant. Just not quite something you whiff everyday. In an odd way the fungi are beautiful. The various caps and growths shimmer slightly from an internal glow and come in a variety of colors, from muted pastels of blue and pink to sharp deep purples and blood red. You can't see must down the shaft in the middle of the room from here. Nothing seems out of the ordinary...but then again, what about this situation or your lifestyle is ordinary?

Since you mention it, sure. Perception checks please.

Izzick entered cautious, relying on his darkvision to pick out details here and there that shadows obscured. This was hardly what he expected underneath the manor and he kept his eyes peeled as he entered. Though he saw little.

22:07, Today: Izzick rolled 3 using 1d20-1.  Perception.

Zuni descended the stairs behind Belgar, one hand on the Dwarf's shoulder.  He could see better in the dark than she could so she had relied upon him as a guide until they came out into the grotto.  Luckily, the faint torchlight let her see somewhat in the cavern.

Quietly, she stepped to the edge and peered at the rope bridges.  It looked like they slowly descended further into the cavern, and maybe someplace leading to the outside.  Hopefully they were sturdy enough.  Not everyone could fly like Selvin.

"Anyone see anything?" she asked softly.

OOC:
Perception -> 18

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 157):

Zuni, you notice two things. First, thereviewing seems to be a guy laying under the fungi in the garden. Second, the air seems to be filled with small bits of fine dust around the entry to the first rope bridge.

Selvin you see three men..for lack of a better term...hidden amongst the flora in the fungi patch. The fungi has grown up through them. Zombies perhaps? There is no telling. Also, there are some odd stains on the platform of the first rope bridge. You would guess traces of dried blood and gore. But it is too evenly smeared across the platform just to be someone having gotten killed there. It is like someone was pressed flat, extruding all their fluids and innards under pressure. And then the whole mess was just pushed off into the shaft.

Then again, you might be imagining that. You have been under a lot of stress lately.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:54, Wed 27 Apr 2016.

Selvin paused in mid-air, wings flapping as he looked around slowly. He relayed what he saw quietly to the group, and then added, "Not sure if the mushroom men are mobile or not, so we'll wanna be careful. An'...I think....maybe there's a trap on that first platform or somethin'? Looks like someone got crushed there..."

He gave a shrug and looked at his allies.

Izzick took the warning seriously, reaching into his pouch and grabbing three things. First, he took out a potion, downing a liquid to recover from the blows the animal people had managed on him. Then he pulled out a scroll and quickly read off of it, surrounding himself in a magic field. The third scroll he kept in his hand - he'd spent enough of his spell reserves today. It was time to rely on something else.

Going to drink a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, then use a Scroll of Shield and pull out a Scroll of Scorching Ray for later.

Womp womp: 12:42, Today: Izzick rolled 2 using 1d8+1 ((1)).

This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Tue 26 Apr 2016.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 160):

Remember Izzy ya'll have Chandanar around. And since he is now an NPC, I loaded him with healing spells. Feel free to ask him to heal youl

Everyone can now make out the shapes of the mushroom men. Three...maybe four of them total. They don'the seem to be moving.

Selvin went ahead and moved forward, flying, to get a little bit closer to the mushroom things...and see if anything happened. He'd rather take some damage than some of his squishier friends.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 162):

Some planet must be in some house. Because your wish is suddenly granted.

The mushroom men lumber into sitting positions. Two of them puff out their mushroom covered cheeks and blow. A cloud of glittery spores rises into the air.

Selvin, Fort save DC 18 please

There are three of them. One of them is huge. If you had to guess you would say they are some sort of undead, probably created with the bodies of two humans and an ogre.

I have init on 8. These things are a 17 to hit. Roll 'em folks

Selvin gave a nod to himself as the mushroom men started to move. "Like I thought, they aren't immo-" He flinched as they 'fired' something at him, like spores.

20:54, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  Fortitude Save, DC 18.

20:55, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.

Knowledge Arcana to see if  Iknow anything, but unlikely it seems (bad rolls all around on Izzick's part)
22:53, Today: Izzick rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  Knowledge Arcana.

The sorcerer took a moment to look over the zombified corpses, but he could only tell that they were not the normal works of necromancy. Still, he read from his scroll, conjuring forth a searing ray of fire towards the ogre.

22:57, Today: Izzick rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.

Casting my scroll of Scorching Ray
22:56, Today: Izzick rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Scorching Ray.
22:56, Today: Izzick rolled 11 using 4d6.

Zuni positions herself in front of Izzick to protect the sorcerer from the undead mushroom things should they decide to close the distance.  In the dim light she wasn't sure just what they were but she did know that getting close to them when they could spew out whatever that glittery stuff happened to be was probably not the best idea.

"Selvin!  You okay?"  Sword at the ready, Zuni slips into a combat crouch.  "What are those things?"

OOC:
Initiative -> 23
Readied attack -> 33 (Potential Crit that doesn't confirm on a 14)
Damage -> 18

You begin to cough Selvin. Cumulative -1 each round to all rolls Selvin. Minus 1 this rd, minus 2 next rd, etc. You may make another Fort save but it is at DC20. No damage...yet

The bright red beam laces across the large one Izzick. The smell of burning cabbage fills the air. Mushroom Ogre coughs and a thick greenish-Brown good issues from it's mouth. The good slides over the front of it and covers most of the area on it's chest which was smoldering.

The other two begin to charge across the space at you Zuni. You slash quickly, chopping into one. It feels like you are cleaving into a large mound of wet paper. Brownish green goo splashes out from it's wound. Small droplets land on your sleeves. They smell awful. Fort save DC 12 Zuni. Fail and you are nauseated one turn

Belgar moves to block the other one while Tarrov begins cracking his whip. I don't  think these are undead, the bard speaks quickly as he tries to trip the enemy the dwarf is engaging. I think they are just...corpse shells for the fungus

Zuni, you hear this just as the one you are on manages to backhand you. 5 pts damage

Your guys turn. Thanks

"Was that meant to be informative or just comforting?" he asked, a bit more sickened by the idea. He drew upon a weaker spell, trying to conserve his strength for later and still exhausted from their previous fight.

Acid Splash one of the zombie-things
19:19, Today: Izzick rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Touch Attack.
19:20, Today: Izzick rolled 2 using 1d3.  Acid Damage.

Selvin gagged a bit and grimaced as he felt funky. "I...don't know. Ugh. I don't feel well."

He charged at the largest mushroom, flying in and trying to unleash his natural attack on it.

OOC: Hit AC 21 for 13 damage (5 electrical).
Hit AC 26 for 9 damage (3 electrical).
Hit AC 19 for 7 damage (2 electrical).

18:59, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10 using 1d20+6.  Fort save vs DC 20.

19:16, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15,21,26,19,9 using d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+10,d20+5.  Charging Mushroom Ogre.
19:18, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 13,9,7 using 2d6+4,2d6+4,2d6+4 with rolls of 4,5,2,3,1,2.  Damage (each 2nd d6 is electricity).

Zuni managed a glance at Selvin, looking concerned at his mention of not feeling well.  Her own opponent smelled really bad but the smell did not affect her.  Hopefully that would still be the case as she slashed at the creature two more times.

OOC:
Fort Save -> 15
Attack 1 -> 25
Damage -> 20

Attack 2 -> 12
Damage -> 18

The acid seems to do a better job than the fire Izzick. You hit the one Belgar is hacking on. The monster seems surprised by the acid and hesitates, allowing Tarrovto trip him and the dwarf to land a powerful blow. The thing is still moving though.

You cleave the nasty beastie Zuni, Though the foul thing still manages a blow into your gut. 9 pts dam please

Selvin, you shred into the ogre, hacking and wheezing as you do. The smell of burning fungus both does and doesn't help. You tear achunk off it's shoulder. But you are slowed a bit by a coughing fit. The ogre slams it'seems arm down on you and Zac's back. Whether it is you or Zac's spine, the pain is intense enough to let you know you came close to having something snap that shouldn't snap. In other words I failed to confirm the crit. However, that did 16 pts damage

You guys go.

Selvin let out a cry of pain, mingled with that screeching howl of his eidolon at the same time, giving it an unearthly harmony. He let out another coughing sneeze and tried to attack the creature once more. He needed to finish this fight quickly and lick his wounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Tue 03 May 2016.

Izzick drew forth on his inner reserves as his ally was struck, drawing out a Scorching Ray spell, and letting the searing flames hit the ogre.

16:36, Today: Izzick rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Ray 1.
16:38, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 4d6+1.  Ray 1 damage.

16:36, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Ray 2.
16:37, Today: Izzick rolled 26 using 1d20+6.  Crit confirm!
OMG, double crits, what is this!

16:39, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 4d6+1.  Crit damage x2.

OMG

So 17 + 17 + 16 (+1 doesn't double) = 50 fire damage to the ogre!!!!!!

Selvin, the former actually. You may reroll vs DC 20 until we reach -5. Then...well...

The Ogre goes down in a flurry of burning fiery lettuce like pieces.

Zuni faces off against her opponent. The Dwarf and Bard step back as their opponent rallies.

This was turning out to be a helluva day, Zuni thought as she struggled to catch the breath that had been knocked from her by the fungus creatures fist meeting her gut.  She heard Selvin cry out in pain and risked a look.  She had her hands full at the moment though but if she could just finish this thing off...

OOC:
Attack 1 -> 29
Damage -> 18

Attack 2 ->12
Damage -> 19

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 175):

Zuni manages to slice through her opponent, cutting him in half. The top half slides off and lands on the floor like a sack of wet kelp. It even manages to make the most nauseating PLOP sound as it lands.

Worst. Zombies. Ever.

Only one is left. It reaches for the Dwarf who nimbly dodges it.

Selvin was really beginning to feel like crap. He was starting to wonder if this was what it felt like when you were dying. The slow decay and fade out. He grit his teeth and charged the last zombie, letting loose with his claws, teeth and tail as if it were the last time he'd get to do so.


OOC: Failed Fort save again for the next round.
Hit AC 19 for 6 dmg, AC 17 for 12 dmg, AC 28 for 10 dmg, and AC 22 for 10 dmg.

22:06, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Fortitude Save, DC 20.

22:03, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 19,17,28,22,15 using d20+9,d20+9,d20+9,d20+9,d20+4.  Charging pounce on the last zombie.
22:05, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6,12,10,10 using 2d6+1,2d6+1,2d6+1,2d6+1.  Damage if they hit.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 177):

Between Belgar's axe and Selvin's coughing rampage, the last one goes down.

All is quiet for the moment. Other than Selvin's hacking.

"<darkgreen>Selvin, you ok?</dargreen>" Izzzick asked as he let the corpses burn a little bit longer before approaching, hoping the summoner could get it out of his system before it turned worse. He held his nose a few seconds while he looked at the corpses on the ground.

Zuni did her best to clean the remnants of her opponent from her blade as she looked over at Selvin, waiting to hear the answer to Izzicks inquiry.  He was still fighting at least, though Zuni did not like the sound of his coughing.

"How about everyone else?" She asked, her eyes not leaving Selvin.  "I took a few knocks, and wouldn't say no to another Chandanar special, but I'm good to move on."

Chandanar digs in his bag and comes up with a scroll before moving around the circle.

Cure disease and 14 pts healing Selvin. You no longer suffering aNY penalties. 12 pts healing Zuni

The bodies are devoid of accoutrements. The ogre is wearing a copper earring through which has an odd couple of glyphs on it. Yes. It does radiate magic.

Anyone willing to put it on?

OOC: Sorry I was waiting for GM response but Chandanar is handling it heh.

Selvin coughs several times and looks thoroughly miserable in answer to Izzick. He starts to look better after Chandanar casts a couple of spells. After a moment, Selvin stops coughing finally and nods to Chandanar. "Thank you."

He looks at the ring and shakes his head. "Considering the crap these things were spewing, I wouldn't chance putting that on until we know what it does."

He examines the ring for a long moment, after casting Detect Magic.

OOC: Attempting to identify the ring with Detect Magic and a Spellcraft roll, which is apparently how it works in Pathfinder. Heh, Caster Level 13 or less.

22:44, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Spellcraft on Ring.

The earring seems to have magics related to plants laid on it. Allows the use of a Speak with Plants spell three times a day. Caster level 12. Thanks.

Zuni thanked Chandanar for the healing, adding another mark to the tally of drinks that she owed him when this was all over.  Her eyes couldn't help but fall upon the earring that that they had found on the Ogre.  Old thieving eyes that were attracted to sparkly things were hard to outgrow.

"Looks like we still have a ways to go to get out of here.  I wonder if we can just climb down to the next ledge instead of going around and over those bridges?  I'd rather not run into any more fungus folk, especially since killing them isn't too profitable."

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 184):

The climb down is andoing isn't feasible. Climbing all the way down...well. The sides of the shaft seem a bit too slick and the shaft too deep. Now climbing down to the next ledge...that looks possible. About forty feet down to the second ledge. DC will depend on the preparations you make. Thanks

Selvin nodded, feeling better. He gave his symbiote's wings a couple of test flaps. Everything seemed to be back in working order and no sign of the cough or ickiness from before. "You all get ready for climbing. I'll scout and run overwatch for you."

He waited until they were ready before going airborne once more and keeping an eye out and scouting a bit.

Izzick would wait for any others to go down, not exactly expecting himself to make it all the way down anyway. He never was great with climbing.

22:06, Today: Izzick rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Climb check.

Descent down to the first ledge is fairly easy. From there you can see the next two rope bridges descends deeper. They appear to be safe.

The shaft bottoms out on a small underground cove. See Group Map 1

The first rope bridge ends on a small shelf of rock. D20 on the map. Against the far wall is a shut door made of fairly cheap looking wood.

From the other side of this shelf, the second bridge connects to another shelf. D22 on the map Selvin, you can see a small alcove at the back of this ledge. In the alcove sits a small pouch and what looks to be a slotted box.

The last bridge descends from the alcove-shelf to the stony ledge which descends to a Rocklin shore. A pier, D22 on the map juts out into the water from here. The water smells like the river. It seems to flow in from the northwest. You can see daylight across the water, coming from that direction.

A set of double doors, intricately carved, are set to the south of the pier.

Zuni had packed some rope and she used it to help climb down to the first ledge.

OOC:
Climb check -> 15  (I think that's enough for a climb with rope) 

Once the others were down, she gathered up her rope and stuffed it back into her pack.  This done, she takes a few tentative steps on the nearest rope bridge, testing to see if it would support the weight of those crossing it.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 189):

You are now at D20 I believe.

The next rope bridge seems sturdy.

Behind you, set into the wall of the shaft, is a wooden door. The wood seems flimsy and the boards do not extend all the way to the floor. Under the gap you can see a soft, sort of rose colored light. The scent of bougainvillea wafts out from the space behind the door.

Next ledge or door?

Selvin fleew closer to the group and reported what he's seen. He remarked that "The pouch an' box seem t'scream trap at me, but I could be wrong."

He looked around, then at Zuni and Izzick. "So down or door?"

Zuni looked at the door as if she had not noticed it before.  "I have to admit that I'm really curious about what's behind the door but yeah...it's probably a trap."  She looked over at Selvin and gave him a sly look.  "Of course there could be some interesting stuff behind that door that we could liberate."

Zuni examined the door, just in case they wanted to go through it.

OOC:
Perception -> 17
Disable Device -> 13

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 192):

The door is not locked nor suprisingly trapped. The hinges are a bit rusty so it does swing open with ano eerie squeak.

The light comes from a lantern of sorts. A stone, probably magicked to emit a soft light, is housed inside a soft rose colored glass stand. Shades along the side are drawn, though they could be pulled to cast the room into darkness.

A bed carved of rosewood sits against one wall. The frame is finely wrought and must be worth more than the rest of the furniture in the house. TOsseo on top of it is an old horse blanket and even older down pillow. A scent like a feral cat hangs on the lumpy, cheap mattress. And there are stains on the fabric which you probably don't want to consider the origin of.

A small table sits in the other side of the room. Several lumps of wood are stacked neatly  on top of the table and a small carving knife lays beside them. Shelves are attached over the table. Lined up on the shelves are small carved wooden figures. Most appear to be men or women, but all have the heads of beasts. Wolves. Boars. Cats. Bears. Carnivores and dangerous beasts. The dolls are well made. Whoever crafted them is where skilled.

From behind Zuni, Selvin hovered, wings flapping a bit, but back from her so as to not hamper her looking for traps or anything. Once the door was opened he peered in from behind her, and then uttered a few strange words and made a gesture with one hand. He searched for anything magical in the room.

OOC: Cast Detect Magic.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 194):

Other than the lamp, which seems to be a run of the mill perpetual light device, nothing here is magic.

Having met so many men and women with the heads of beast that night, the table drew Izzick's eye and the sorcerer began to look over each of the figures. They'd seen boars and pumas, what might come next might be hinted at...or maybe why in every layer of hell everyone had the head of an animal here.

00:04, Today: Izzick rolled 0 using 1d20-1.  Perception.
RIP the dream

In reply to Izzick (msg # 196):

It's a good idea. So I will award some knowledge just for coming up with it

The spectrum is fairly limited. Aside from one shark head, most are boars, wolves, bears and tigers. You notice that there does seem to be a hierarchy amongst them though. The wolves are crudely cut and wear little in the way of clothing. The boars are dressed in plain clothes or armor. The bears are naked but have quite a bit of attention to detail paid to them. One of them is clothed but in monastic robes.

The Tigers are all intricately carved and detailed. They all bear weapons, usually swords though one woman has a rather wicked looking crossbow. One male tiger is the most detailed. He looks powerful, equipped with a Scimitar and holding a rod in the other hand. On the bottom of the carving a word is written in paint. Kabesh

Zuni starts to slowly walk around the room, looking at it's contents curiously.  "What do we figure this place is?  A secret love nest?" she said as she drew a finger along the frame of the bed.  She'd noticed the stains on the bed and had already come up with a source and it was a less than pleasant thought.  Or maybe it was less than pleasant because she hadn't been involved.  With all of the stuff going on in the city, it had been some time since Zuni had been intimate with someone, but that was a thought for another time.  "...place could use some airing out...and some clean sheets..."

"You find anything interesting with those figures, Izzick?"

OOC:
Searching the room.
Perception ->21

"Does Kabesh mean anything to anyone?" the half orc asks as he goes over each of the figurines. He still wasn't entirely sure what they'd been fighting but the strange creatures were replicated in the miniature and he made mention outloud, "Someone's been carving all of the Arkonas' guests."

You sniff at the stains on the mattress  Zuni. These aremails bodily fluids but not the happy kind. Blood. Bile. Vomit. Others.

You also notice there is a lot of hair...no. Fur...shed all over. The hair is jet black.

Lastly, you find a box shoved under the bed. Inside is a change of man's clothes. A nice set. Silk shirt. Elegant trousers. And a finely embroidered robe. The robe has the Arkonas   'A' stitched on the breast. Under it is a small emblem. What looks like two Panthers and a  fox. Did I mention this was a fine set of clothing? 350 GP kind of nice

Zuni held up the silk shirt, admiring it.  Whomever it was that had bought this certainly had money.  "Right.  This is coming with us." she said, carefully folding up the shirt and the rest of the clothes and putting them back into the box that she found them in.  If the clothes were no good as a disguise, they could always try and sell them.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 201):

As you pack away the clothes, Tarrov scratches his chin. Once I sang in the opera The Dervish's Black Nails. An awful piece. Written by a Chelaxion hack who read some poem from the eastern kingdoms and fancied himself an expert on their culture. Anyway. My part was minor. The footman for the pompous wife to the mayor. I had tone fight off her advances as I sang to her about marital loyalty. Then I got killed by a devil who was in love with her twin. Like I said. Chelaxion. But I recall one of the arias sang by the female lead. The character was summoning...an eastern devil. I can't recall the specifics. I don't think the script was too specific itself. But I believe that word... He gestures at Kabesh. <Goldenod>...was one of the words used in the incantation. So. Maybe something to do with summoning?</Goldenrod>

<Purple>Selvin, </Purple if it is, it'seems not a term you've ever heard.

Selvin thought about it for a long moment. Finally, he gave a shrug. "Sorry. I got nothin'. Haven't heard the word before." He waited til everyone had grabbed whatever they were going to grab but only just. "We should keep moving, yah?"

The next ledge down contains a small alcove at the back of it. A small shelf of rock juts out from the wall. On the shelf are a small pouch and next to it a box with a coin sized slot in it.

The rope bridges continue to descend past this shelf to the pier and shore at the bottom of the shaft. The odd pair of double doors you noted earlier are beyond the pier.

Where to next?

Zuni nodded and finished stuffing the box with the expensive clothes into her pack.  Gingerly, she made her way across the rope bridge to the next area, making note of the small alcove.

"Hey, check out this little shelf."  Once more, she began to check for any traps.

OOC:
Perception -> 16

Selvin took to the air once more and looked for any potential enemies or traps as Zuni made her way across the rope bridge. He stayed up for a bit to give time for everyone to cross. He glanced down at Zuni at least once.

10:04, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14 using 1d20+12.  Perception if needed.

The half-orc let the much more dexterous girl go after what she'd found as he held back just a bit on the bridge, neither wanting to go headfirst ahead nor risk trying to get to where she was without a better way back. "What did you find?"

The small sack contains a single coin. It is the same make as the ones you found on the Shipyard corpses and the ones from upstairs.

The box is actually built into the rock itself. You would guess that someone fit the wood into and over a hole that extends into the shelf itself. The slit on the box top is thin. Thin enough that only a coin could be slipped into it, much like the slot on the top of a child's pig shaped toy-bank. You can make out some kind of mechanics inside the box. But there's not enough room to see what kind of mechanics they are.

It appears you put a coin into the box and something happens. But what that something would be, you aren't too sure.

Zuni took the coin from the sack and held it up to the light to get a better look at it.

"There's a coin."  She said, examining it.  "And a box built into the wall here. I'd almost guess that this coin fits into a slot in the box.  I'm not sure what would happen though."

Zuni looked back at the others, who had apparently put some space between them and this newest ledge.  Smart idea.  "What do you guys think?  Should I try it?"

Before she can, Izzick attempts to detect the magic of the box if any. "Make sure it's not trapped first," he says, getting just close enough to take a look.

Cast Detect Magic on it! Last thing we need is a Fireball exploding out of it - or worse

In reply to Izzick (msg # 210):

There seems to be no overt magic. There is some residue from low level stuff. Probably can trips used to keep the mechanics rust free. Nothing dangerous, at least magic-wise.

Anyone?

Zuni peered into the slot in the box.  "Well, there's some sort of mechanism in there but I cannot see what it does.  It might be harmless..."  She stepped back to consider the possible trap.  Sheathing her blade, Zuni pulled out a set of fine tools and approached the slot once more.  "...let's play it safe and see if we can't disable this.  Everyone step back just in case...and get ready to pull me out of here."

OOC:
Disable Device -> 27

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 213):

You slide the blade of a knife into the slot. Not the most subtle tool, but if you can trip the switch without letting it click into place...

You hear a dull thud and feel a pressure on the knife. There's a click.

The wall suddenly slumps backwards a few inches to one side. It seems it is not a trap but a secret door.

Beyond it, a passage way winds back into the rock to the east.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Tue 31 May 2016.

"Well...that's...better than expected," Izzick said as he started to walk closer now, following behind the others still as the new door opened. "Selvin first?"

In reply to Izzick (msg # 215):

The corridor slopes downwards and eastwards. It goes further back than you expected. At odd intervals, lanterns hang from hooks on the walls. The lanterns are dark when you see them, but suddenly light up as you approach. They wink back off after you have passed them, leaving the tunnel behind you dark.

After about energy minutes or so, the tunnel turns sharply to the north and ends at a pair of bronze dors. Each door is decorated with a relief showing a tiger, chasing a bear, who chases a boar who is after a wolf who follows a fox.

Zuni stepped aside to allow Selvin to go ahead of her, gesturing towards the door like a doorman.  It was dark and being human her dark vision was limited to torches.  That was before she saw the torches on the wall light up at their approach.  Motion detecting enchantments.  That was interesting.

"Another door.  Let me take a look."  She said, squeezing past Selvin to make her way towards the door.  She couldn't help but let her fingers brush against the otherworldly creature surrounding the Half-Elf as she passed him.  It's presence Zuni still found intriguing.

Zuni began to run her fingers along the edge of the door, looking for any mechanisms or possible traps.

OOC:
Perception -> 26

Selvin took the lead once the secret door was found and opened, nodding to Izzick's suggestion. He paused when they found another door and moved aside to let Zuni work. He kept an eye out. "This place....I can't wait til we're done an' can leave. An' we still gotta find that kid."

The doors are 'normal'...or at least have no discernable concerns. They are heavy but there is no latch or lock. They swing open easily enough.

Beyond is a small foyer opening in to a roughly triangular room.

The foyer is only about ten feet wide, however there are two alcoves, 9ne on each side of the door you would be coming through. Each alcove holds an identification statue of a lion-headed man with four arms holding two scimitars.

The room beyond is not much larger. It extend back perhaps fifteen feet, narrowing to a rounded point at the end. A lever sticks out of the wall on the west.

I know players just love it when a DM asks them to roll dice without explaining why. The good news is you get to do that three times! I need each of you to roll a 1d10  three times and post the results in your next reply. Please do not add them together. I need the results of each roll seperate. Thanks.

Izzick let Zuni go to work on the doors - they'd seen enough to know their knife-fanatic Arkonas friends weren't throwing any normal parties, especially not down here. Even as she did though, he gazed around the chambers, unsure what else was around.

<orange>00:29, Today: Izzick rolled 4,8,7 using 3d10.

Selvin watched over Zuni, hovering near her protectively as she worked, keeping an eye out for dangers. He liked her well enough so far, though she seemed fascinated by him and he wasn't sure about that. Regardless, she was very skilled and doing a great job getting them through the doors so he wanted to keep her alive and well!

He looked at the alcoves curiously but didn't approach them yet.

OOC: 23:12, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 10,4,2 using d10,d10,d10.  3 Dice of 10 rolled without explanation proper!

Zuni stepped warily in to the foyer beyond the door.  She paused inside the foyer and looked at each of the statues.  As before, she began to check the room out for any traps.  This foyer just smelled of a trap.

"I'm noticing a pattern here, with people with animal heads."  Zuni said wryly as she worked.

OOC:
Dice rolls -> 6,6,3
Perception -> 17
Disable Device -> 12

The statues suddenly...do nothing. Well. At least the Arkonas aren't cliché about this.

The room seems solid enough. No obvious pressure plates in the tiles. No indications of hidden projectiles in the walls. No scratches marks to indicate the ceiling lowers down.

The only odd thing is another slot by the lever. Just wide enough for a coin. From what you can tell, the lever won't move unless a coin is inserted in the slot.

Selvin looked at Zuni and raised an eyebrow from inside his symbiote ally. "Well, sure, they're crazy but they have a theme at least, right?" He let out a small chuckle for the small joke.

"So. Do we want to use one of the coins they gave us to try this?"

Zuni favored Selvin with a smirk at his comment.  She flipped the coin in the air and considered the option before them.  "I guess there's not much more than to give it a go."  she said.  Catching the flipped coin, Zuni paused as she was just about o drop the coin into the slot.  "Everybody ready?"

The air goes all wavy...

If I have done this right, Zuni and Izzy should see one thread named Don't Move and Selvin should see one called Gurgle. Let me know if you can not access the correct thread. Thanks.

I can see the correct thread