RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Rise of the Runelords - Pathfinder

02:28, 27th April 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies.

Posted by The RaconteurFor group 0
The Raconteur
GM, 1837 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Thu 12 Feb 2015
at 22:42
  • msg #532

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies




Pisca carefully opened the door to find a ten-foot-by-ten foot room filled with the finest works goblin artists could muster—the lower four feet of its walls were covered with drawings by goblins working in the media of mud, blood, and paint.  The illustrations evidenced a wide range of skill; some of them were akin to a child’s finger-painting, but others looked to be the work of at least one accomplished goblin artist.

A few of the drawings showed goblins engaged in some sort of violence against humans, horses, and/or dogs, but most of them showed them in various states of victory over other tribes.  In one larger drawing, a remarkable likeness of Ripnugget stood with one foot atop the fallen form of a gigantic goblin crowned with what looked to be a circlet of moss.

One picture on the north wall was at least three times the size and complexity of the others.  The image showed Thistletop in profile, with the goblin stockade perched atop its pinnacle.  A cave was drawn into the center of the image, and looming inside was what appeared to be an immense, muscular goblin, with snakelike eyes and a dogslicer in each taloned hand.   If the scale compared to the rest of the drawing was to be believed, this goblin depicted must be at least thirty feet tall.

“Wow,” said Kerr quietly, drinking in the astonishing and unsettling contents of the room.  He stretched his arm out towards the large picture, not quite touching it.  “What do you think this all means?  And what is that?”

While the rest of the group took in this demonstration of goblin artistry, Pisca moved quietly towards the door to the northwest and placed her ear against it.  Try as she might, listen as closely as she could, she could hear nothing from the other side.  She opened the door, finding nothing on the other side but another 10 feet of undifferentiated corridor sealed by yet another solid-looking closed door.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+-xxx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  | x| xx  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--xx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  D  |  S13|  |  |x |  | xxx |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+11+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  x 12  D  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |x |  |  |  |  xx |  |  xxx| x|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+-x+--6--+--x--+-xxx-+xxx--xx xxx+--+--+
4 |  |  | 14  |  x  |  |  D P|  D  |R x  |  x  |  | xx  |  |xxxx |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-10--x--+--xxx+--xx-+xxxx-+x-+--+--+--+--x--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  xxxx  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |xx|  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--+--+--+--+-x+--x--+--+--+--+--+-C+--+
6 |  |  | x|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |x | x|  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--+--+--+--+--x--+-x+--+--+--6--+--+-C+--+
7 |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  xK x  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx+--+--+x-x--+--+--+--+-C+--+
8 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |C |L |  |  |  D  |  |  | x|x |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--x--+--+--+--9--+--+--+--+--D--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+xxx--+-x+--+--+--+x-+--+
9 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xx  |xxx  |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+-xx--+--+
10|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |x |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--x--x--x--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+
11|  |  | x|  |  x  |  x  D  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--x--x--8--x--x--x--xSSx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  x  x  |  x  x  |  x  x  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  | xxx |xxx  |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxxxx14xxxxxxx--xDDxxxxxxxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xx+xxxx-xxx+--+--+
13|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  x  |  |  | x|  |  |
  +--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+xx+--+--+
14|  |  x  |  |  7  |  |  D  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  D  |  |  xx |  |  |
  +--+--xDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--5--xx-+--+--+
15|  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  xx |  |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxDDxDDxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xxxx-+-xxx-+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xxxx|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--x--x--3--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--x--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  x  4  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
20|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
23|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
24|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
25|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
26|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

1 = Dining Hall                           8 = Gabriel's Chambers (Rescue!)

2 = Wives' Quarters                       9 = Lamashtu Chapel (Dangerous!!!!!)

3 = Nursery                              10 = Gallery

4 = Bedchambers                          11 = War Room

5 = Storage                              12 = Research Room

6 = Cave of Death (Keep Out!!!!!)        13 = Stairs Down (Nualia - Dangerous!!!)

7 = Prison                               14 = Secret Door!

SS = Stairway                            CC = Cliff View to Ocean




Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 964 posts
Former Red Shirt
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 13:18
  • msg #533

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"Whoah" Kellan exclaimed as he stepped into the small room, his expression a mix of wonder and confusion. "Do you think the goblins did all this?" he asked nobody in particular as he moved right up to ot and ran his gloved hand across one of the drawings.

It was hard to imagine goblins having the inclination to paint, much less them going through the trouble of finding pigments, mixing colors or deftly moving a brush in the manner needed to make these things. It was like finding out rats built shrines when nobody was looking.

"Think this is some kind of...history? A way to teach what the tribe has been through?" he mused as he moved to another depiction. "That seems...a bit complicated for the goblins we have seen...Ripnugget maybe, sure...but the others?"

"And this big one...maybe a goblin deity of some kind?" He suggested as he pointed to the center of the island.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2069 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 14:32
  • msg #534

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"Definitely."  The single word came down the gnome's Whisper Magic with a decided sense of urgency.  "There is definitely something behind this door," she added "There's a definite somethingness behind this door."

"What do you think?"  With her ear still pressed to the door to catch any change in the nature of the somethingness from beyond, Pisca consulted the others in hopes of identifying the option that would be lucky.  "Do I open the door quietly and take a peek?  That would risk alerting the something on the other side.  Or, do we just burst through and rain down stern condemnation on who or whatever might be in the ... um ... the War Room?"

Maybe ... open door for a peek.

Stealth and Perception checks, please.

Position: I4

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.), Disguise Self 40m

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

Kerr Mollin
NPC, 123 posts
Acolyte of Desna
Chosen of Iomedae
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 21:52
  • msg #535

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies




Kerr glanced down the hallway to where Pisca stood.  Right.  Goblin artwork appreciation could come later.  "I don't know, Pisca," he whispered back.  "How quietly do you think you can open the door?  And do we think Tsuto's on the other side?  If so, bursting in on him might cause a bad reaction.  On the other hand, he might not want to hear what we have to say anyway, and it may not even be him."  A thought struck the young paladin.  "Could you impersonate a goblin again?  It might not work, but then again it might be the best way to get the drop on whoever or whatever is in there."

OOC:  I'm pretty sure it's been 40 minutes since Pisca cast Disguise Self, so I believe that spell has expired. 




Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 934 posts
Quarterstaff Expert
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 01:41
  • msg #536

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Cato advanced into the goblin gallery behind Kellan, staring in awe at the paintings, both at the vast disparity in skill and the drawing of the enormous goblin.  "It makes me think something is in the bowels of this place.  Brodert said this place was ancient.  And Nualia does have Lyrie here.  I wonder if there's something ancient, trapped in the bowels of this place.  Something akin to that Quasit we defeated, perhaps?"

Cato listened to Pisca and Kerr, and nodded.  "Hmm, that's not a bad idea.  Certainly any fights we can avoid are good.  A goblin might be a good way to approach who or whatever is behind that door.  At least they'd be expecting it."

Move into gallery room.  L5, depending on Kerr and Kellan's position.

Active Effects:
Protection from Arrows (Kellan)
Mage Armor (Cato)

Combat Stats:
AC 16
BAB: +2, 1d6 damage

Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 965 posts
Former Red Shirt
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 05:25
  • msg #537

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"That works for me, be careful Pisca, we'll be right behind you" Kellan encouraged as he continued to limber up and occasionally sneak a glance towards the paintings.

"Maybe that's what Nualias after? She serves the goddess of monsters right? Wouldn't goblin Giants or any kind of ancient beast be kind of her specialty?" He idly mused as he stood ready to Rush in should their ruse fail.
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1929 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 23:01
  • msg #538

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Lingering near the Cave of Death and Lamashtu's chapel was low on the list of things that made Liseth feel comfortable.  So the moment that she heard through Pisca's Whisper Magic that the way was clear, the girl was off.  One final glance at the door leading into the Cave of Death and the liquid coming from underneath it (which did not at all look like pee), and Liseth was already turning to follow into the goblin gallery.

She was sure that there was nothing coming out of there after them!

The goblin gallery was at the same time interesting and disturbing.  Much of the art looked to have been created by children, but Liseth knew better.  Although it did explain to her a lot about the average goblin.  Especially some of the themes; the young girl's eyes were drawn to a particular image of goblins slaying a horse.  It was odd, the horse was depicted as some kind of rampaging monster; and the goblins killing it almost seemed like heroes.

"Why do goblins hate horses so much?"  Liseth asked quietly, thinking out loud.  It made her think about Heily; how could anybody hate such a kind, gentle, sweet, and beautiful creature?

Kerr, rightly so, redirected Liseth's attention to the more important image which showed Thistletop; with a giant demon goblin inside of it.  "Do you think that's Malfesknor?  Maybe that's the creature that Nualia is trying to bargain with?"  If it was really as big as shown in the picture, that could be very bad.  "They...probably made it look so big just because it's...important.  Maybe it's no worse than that mutant goblin we had to fight under the Glassworks?  The one who had been working with the Quasit Demon?"

Even to her, those words sounded hopeful.  If anything, the Quasit Demon was a servant to that monster!

"Do you think that's a good idea, though?"  Liseth joined the conversation about how to enter the next room; who knew who might be occupying it?  "Tsuto was raised at a monastery, right?  And we were told that he trained with warrior monks."  An idle hand crept to her side, "That would explain why he knows how to kick so hard..."

"But what I mean is that those warrior-monks would have trained him to see through magic.  If Tsuto is in there, and sees through Pisca's disguise, it could put us in an even worse position than we might have been otherwise."  The acolyte glanced around at the others, who all approved of having Pisca disguise herself with magic.  "Right?"

Liseth was getting anxious again; it wasn't like she had any better ideas!  If anyone but Tsuto was through that door, barging in was the best answer.  But..."I think you know best Pisca.  We'll follow your lead."

Position: K 5

Active Effects:
Light

Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2076 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Mon 16 Feb 2015
at 19:43
  • msg #539

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

The gnome pooched her lip in an expression that admitted to being grudgingly impressed.  "Lysa, the boyfriend ... "  The gnome pitched a slow soft-ball comment into the currents of her Whisper Magic.  " ... keep him."

However, just as she was about to return down the short corridor, Pisca had another idea.  "I'm going to try to get a response from the other side," she warned the others.  "Be ready for anything."

*Knock*knock*knock*

With her small white hand, the gnome rapped on the wood of the door.  Then using the voice of the boldest of the goblin wives, the one who had tried, at first, to convince the others to make a run for it, she said, [Language unknown: "Urmeiv intand?  Ouromehis ie a allerenot.  To p Melaurnoil."]

Disguise check please.

Position: I4

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.), Disguise Self 40m

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Mon 16 Feb 2015.
The Raconteur
GM, 1841 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Mon 16 Feb 2015
at 23:12
  • msg #540

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies




"Whatever it is," Kerr looked at Cato, then back at the representation of the giant goblin, "I think we need to be careful."  He shook his head.  "No reason to run afoul of something like that if we don't have to."  The young archer gave Liseth a quick hug.  "I think they hate horses because they're scared of them, Lise."  He shrugged, looking over at the picture of equine destruction.  "Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to hate.  And hate leads to . . . suffering."

Kerr blushed at Pisca's appreciation as the gnome knocked on the door to the next room.  Her solid raps were followed by a brief silence.  Then there a sound like wood scraping on stone, and a muffled male voice responded, sounding clearly annoyed.  "[Language unknown: Nges wilecteen . . . art, foreenest est.  K beev o Ince-wall it nintes utarou ac pranti ulss pr.  Poto ad ha rothsi.]"

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+-xxx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  | x| xx  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--xx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  D  |  S13|  |  |x |  | xxx |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+11+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  x 12  D  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |x |  |  |  |  xx |  |  xxx| x|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+-x+--6--+--x--+-xxx-+xxx--xx xxx+--+--+
4 |  |  | 14  |  x  |  |  D P|  D K|R x  |  x  |  | xx  |  |xxxx |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-10--x--+--xxx+--xx-+xxxx-+x-+--+--+--+--x--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x L|C x  |  |  xxxx  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |xx|  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--+--+--+--+-x+--x--+--+--+--+--+-C+--+
6 |  |  | x|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |x | x|  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--+--+--+--+--x--+-x+--+--+--6--+--+-C+--+
7 |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx+--+--+x-x--+--+--+--+-C+--+
8 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  | x|x |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--x--+--+--+--9--+--+--+--+--D--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+xxx--+-x+--+--+--+x-+--+
9 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xx  |xxx  |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+-xx--+--+
10|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |x |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--x--x--x--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+
11|  |  | x|  |  x  |  x  D  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--x--x--8--x--x--x--xSSx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  x  x  |  x  x  |  x  x  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  | xxx |xxx  |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxxxx14xxxxxxx--xDDxxxxxxxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xx+xxxx-xxx+--+--+
13|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  x  |  |  | x|  |  |
  +--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+xx+--+--+
14|  |  x  |  |  7  |  |  D  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  D  |  |  xx |  |  |
  +--+--xDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--5--xx-+--+--+
15|  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  xx |  |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxDDxDDxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xxxx-+-xxx-+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xxxx|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--x--x--3--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--x--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  x  4  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
20|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
23|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
24|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
25|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
26|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

1 = Dining Hall                           8 = Gabriel's Chambers (Rescue!)

2 = Wives' Quarters                       9 = Lamashtu Chapel (Dangerous!!!!!)

3 = Nursery                              10 = Gallery

4 = Bedchambers                          11 = War Room

5 = Storage                              12 = Research Room

6 = Cave of Death (Keep Out!!!!!)        13 = Stairs Down (Nualia - Dangerous!!!)

7 = Prison                               14 = Secret Door!

SS = Stairway                            CC = Cliff View to Ocean




This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Mon 16 Feb 2015.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2078 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Mon 16 Feb 2015
at 23:43
  • msg #541

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Pisca put a hand over her mouth and hehe'd into her palm.  It had worked.  "Yeah.  The problem is he's dead," she chuckled, a grim joke for a grim and terrible place.

"At least two," the gnome whispered back to her friends.  "Tsuto.  I'm almost sure that was him.  It would have to be.  And Lyrie.  Or maybe even Lyrie and Nucretia."

"There are two doors from the next room.  One that leads down.  The other that leads to the Research Room.  We should block both so that whoever's in the next room can't escape downstairs to warn either Noo-noo or the Giant Goblin Thing in the picture there."

"So, first block the doors. Right. Second, subdue the inhabitants," said Pisca the Tactical Gnome.  "Does that sound good?  I'll take the Research Room."

"Everyone get into position.  When you're ready, I'll throw open the door and we'll go."

When everyone's ready, throw the door open and Move.

Position: I4 to F3?

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.)

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1935 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 04:01
  • msg #542

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

A hug was always welcome, "I suppose I might be scared of horses too if the only ones I ever saw were ridden by people attacking me."  Goblins were in a peculiar situation, Liseth thought.  They were small and generally cowardly; but instead of trying to be friendly and live with other people, they were always fighting with them.  It didn't make much sense to her.

But this wasn't the time for philosophizing.  Although the girl did manage a smile when Pisca mentioned that she should keep Kerr.  Liseth took hold of her boyfriend's hand, "Alright Pisca.  I think I will."

The the time came for silence.  The acolyte continued to hold the paladin's hand as Pisca spoke in the awful-sounding goblin language.  Followed by more silence as they listened to the response; again in the goblin language.  Though the voice didn't sound like a goblin.  It must be Tsuto speaking!

"What did he say?"  Liseth Whispered, a little confusion showing when Pisca mentioned how someone was dead.  Then, "Two?  Lyrie might be in there too?"  The blonde frowned; that would complicate things.

"Wait...wait."  The smile from a minute ago had been replaced with a frown.  "We can't just barge in and fight them.  It would only help Tsuto to justify his anger against Sandpoint; even if we captured him.  He has to realize that the people aren't as bad and cruel as he imagines them to be."

She licked her lips uncomfortably, a knot forming in Liseth's stomach.  "Let me go in there.  They won't feel threatened by me; that might give me the chance I need to talk to Tsuto.  To convince him that he doesn't need to go through with this evil plan; and that his sister misses him."  It was something that she had to do; Liseth felt that this was what Sarenrae wanted from her.  Even if the idea was terrifying to her.

The girl found that she had moved up behind Pisca.  "I have to do this.  Even if we do have to fight...at least they'll know we tried."

Position: J 4

Active Effects:
Light

Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 967 posts
Former Red Shirt
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 09:25
  • msg #543

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"What?!" Kellan hissed "Are you mad? You could end up like Pisca with Ripnugget, and lose everything we've accomplished...if you get taken or killed our chances of ending this at all are that much weaker...I've agreed that we should talk, but I say we do it behind the safety of a blade just in case"
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2079 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 14:19
  • msg #544

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Humans!

"Ssssshhhhh!"  Pisca quelled the urge to roll her eyes and shushed her human friends to greater quiet.

"I'm sorry, Lys, I love Ameiko too," the gnome began.  And despite the regret in her voice, there was a firm and decisive quality as well.  "She's been so very nice to us, taken us in, and treated us so well.  But I'm with Stomper on this one.  We have to gain the upper hand before any attempt to talk Tsuto into changing sides.  As much as we'd like to end this happily for Ameiko, we also have to think of all of Sandpoint too.  Sending you in first is too big a risk for something that's too important."

"And ... and I think Ameiko would agree.  How about this, we rush in, block the doors, and we show them we're in charge.  Then, if, at any point, you think there's a good chance to talk to Tsuto, you just say so and we'll stop fighting.  There are few better incentives than a chance to come out alive when you're losing.  And there are few better offers of good will than mercy when you're winning."

"And ... if we're horribly outmatched and get ourselves killed ... well ... then it won't matter much, now, will it?  What do you say?"

When everyone's ready, throw the door open and Move.

Position: I4 to F3?

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.)

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1936 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 17:27
  • msg #545

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Her friends clearly were not going to let Liseth do what she said.  And there was no time for a lengthy discussion either.  Even if she did step inside and try to talk, there wouldn't be anything that the acolyte could do to keep the others from following right behind.

Maybe it was for the best...they momentarily had surprise on their side.  And the importance of their mission outweighed everything else.  "Al...alright."  Liseth sighed quietly and moved back out of the way.  "Just...try to not kill Tsuto..."

These stakes were too high; swift offense would help them win the battle to defeat Nualia.  Liseth just hoped that the aggression wouldn't sour any chance they had at Tsuto's salvation.  If it were even possible.

"Sarenrae, guide me."  The acolyte held Sarenrae's symbol and waited for the moment when her friends' ambush would be sprung.

Position: K 5

Cast Guidance on myself

Active Effects
Light
Guidance on myself (10/10)

Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 935 posts
Quarterstaff Expert
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 01:59
  • msg #546

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Cato nodded, and sent out over sending: "Okay, that sounds good.  Ready here."  Remembering his last encounter with Tsuto, Cato involuntarily ran his fingers through the motions for the Acid Splash spell.  Maybe if Tsuto wouldn't respect force, he'd at least want to avoid further burns.

Active Effects:
Protection from Arrows (Kellan)
Mage Armor (Cato)

Combat Stats:
AC 16
BAB: +2, 1d6 damage

Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 968 posts
Former Red Shirt
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 11:20
  • msg #547

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Kellan approached the door, and with a look around to the others to make sure they were prepared, he threw open the door. He just hoped that it would only be the two possible combatants inside.
The Raconteur
GM, 1844 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 21:28
  • msg #548

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies




Kerr put a hand on Kellan's back, offering up a brief, inaudible prayer.  Kellan felt a small portion of divine energy flow into him, as if the gods would--in some small way--smile upon his next decision.

Pisca flung open the door.

A well-dressed, dark-skinned woman stood in the back of the room, standing behind a table of rich oak surrounded by six chairs.  A large map of the area covered the table-the various miniatures made it seem as if the chamber's occupants were playing some sort of game.  The woman was standing next to an immaculately-attired half-elf everyone recognized as Tusto Kaijitsu.  Yet there was a marked difference in Tsuto's appearance from the last time they had met--the side of his face was seared with acid burns.

For her part, the woman wore black leggings, dark boots, and a blue-and-gold-trimmed white garment that quite scandalously exposed her stomach and a generous amount of her impressive cleavage, in which nestled a golden medallion.  The garment was paired with a trimmed white cloak of similar design.  The hood was thrown back to expose a good length of lustrous black hair, restrained only by a thin golden circlet.  Several books lay open before her, and she held a small wooden object in her hand which she had apparently been using to point out various places in the books or on the map.

Both Tsuto and his scholarly ladyfriend were looking directly at the door as Pisca threw it open.  The only question was who would respond to this new situation with greater alacrity.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+-xxx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  x  |M |  x  |  |  |  |  | x| xx  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--xx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  x  |  x T|OO|  D  |  S13|  |  |x |  | xxx |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+11+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  x 12  D  |OO|  x  |  |  |  |  |x |  |  |  |  xx |  |  xxx| x|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+-x+--6--+--x--+-xxx-+xxx--xx xxx+--+--+
4 |  |  | 14  |  x  |  |  D P| KDC |R x  |  x  |  | xx  |  |xxxx |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-10--x--+--xxx+--xx-+xxxx-+x-+--+--+--+--x--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x L|  x  |  |  xxxx  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |xx|  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--+--+--+--+-x+--x--+--+--+--+--+-C+--+
6 |  |  | x|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |x | x|  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--+--+--+--+--x--+-x+--+--+--6--+--+-C+--+
7 |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx+--+--+x-x--+--+--+--+-C+--+
8 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  | x|x |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--x--+--+--+--9--+--+--+--+--D--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+xxx--+-x+--+--+--+x-+--+
9 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xx  |xxx  |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+-xx--+--+
10|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |x |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--x--x--x--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+
11|  |  | x|  |  x  |  x  D  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--x--x--8--x--x--x--xSSx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  x  x  |  x  x  |  x  x  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  | xxx |xxx  |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxxxx14xxxxxxx--xDDxxxxxxxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xx+xxxx-xxx+--+--+
13|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  x  |  |  | x|  |  |
  +--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+xx+--+--+
14|  |  x  |  |  7  |  |  D  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  D  |  |  xx |  |  |
  +--+--xDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--5--xx-+--+--+
15|  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  xx |  |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxDDxDDxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xxxx-+-xxx-+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xxxx|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--x--x--3--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--x--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  x  4  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
20|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
23|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
24|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
25|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
26|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

1 = Dining Hall                           8 = Gabriel's Chambers (Rescue!)

2 = Wives' Quarters                       9 = Lamashtu Chapel (Dangerous!!!!!)

3 = Nursery                              10 = Gallery

4 = Bedchambers                          11 = War Room

5 = Storage                              12 = Research Room

6 = Cave of Death (Keep Out!!!!!)        13 = Stairs Down (Nualia - Dangerous!!!)

7 = Prison                               14 = Secret Door!

SS = Stairway                            CC = Cliff View to Ocean

T = Tsuto                                 M = Mage

O = Oak Table

OOC:

Pre-Battle:  Kerr casts Guidance on Kellan.  Kellan, you have a +1 to a d20 roll sometime in the next 10 turns.

- INITIATIVE -

Roll for Initiative.  If you beat a 21, you may act.  Pisca, I'm granting you a +4 initiative bonus since you are already in motion.

13:05, Today: The Raconteur, for the NPC Tsuto Kaijitsu, rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Initiative.
13:04, Today: The Raconteur, for the NPC Scholar, rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Scholar Initiative.






This message was last edited by the GM at 22:34, Wed 18 Feb 2015.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2083 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 22:17
  • msg #549

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"Tsuto!"  The gnome launched herself through the door.  "Ameiko sent us to rescue you," she said.  Which was, strictly speaking, not a lie.

Pisca barreled around the corner of the table to come face to face with the scion of House Kaijitsu.  Dancing on the balls of her feet, the gnome stood ready to dodge any physical manifestations of the young Tian's repudiation.  "We read your journal," she whispered.  "We know you want to go."

"And you," Pisca turned her attention briefly to the other occupant of the room, "you must be Lyrie.  I knew the other one wasn't."

Move / Total Defense

13:44, Today: Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 25 using 1d20+8. Initiative.

Question: Can Pisca get an AC bonus from the chairs that you mentioned being around the table?

Position: F3

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.)

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 937 posts
Quarterstaff Expert
Thu 19 Feb 2015
at 01:53
  • msg #550

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Prepared as he was, Cato hesitated, waiting for the reaction to Pisca's entry before springing into action.

20:52, Today: Cato Crispin rolled 18 using 1d20+6. Initiative.
Active Effects:
Protection from Arrows (Kellan)
Mage Armor (Cato)

Combat Stats:
AC 16
BAB: +2, 1d6 damage

Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 970 posts
Former Red Shirt
Thu 19 Feb 2015
at 19:04
  • msg #551

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Kellan followed directly behind Pisca, marching in possessed of what he hoped what the enemy would see as a professional demeanor. He held his weapon point up with the butt resting upon the ground and stood in such a way that allowed them to get a good look at Bruthazmus's bow strapped to his pack. He looked between the two and watched carefully for any sudden movements.

The day might very well hinge on the next few moments, and he wanted to be ready.

Location: H2
11:12, Today: Kellan Storval rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Initiative.


This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Thu 19 Feb 2015.
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1942 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Fri 20 Feb 2015
at 03:44
  • msg #552

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

The door slammed open somewhere behind her and Liseth knew that it had started again.  She couldn't imagine anything other than a fight in the next moments, "Tsuto has to listen; we'll make him listen..."  The whisper escaped her as she held tightly onto Sarenrae's Symbol.

19:35, Today: Liseth Thoradin rolled 19 using 1d20+1. Initiative.

Position: K 5

Active Effects:
Light
Guidance on Self (10/10)

This message was last edited by the player at 03:45, Fri 20 Feb 2015.
The Raconteur
GM, 1854 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Wed 25 Feb 2015
at 20:26
  • msg #553

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies




"Tsuto?"  The dark-skinned woman's voice was husky, yet somehow smooth.  Although it contained a slight note of panic.  "Who are these people?  Do you know them?"  She stepped hesitantly towards the room's closed eastern door and opened it, then raised her hands and muttered what seemed to be arcane words.

Tsuto did not respond to his companion; his attention was focused on Pisca.  His mouth twisted.  "Rescue me?"  He pointed to the damaged side of his face.  "You've RUINED me!"  He yelled, the three staccato words fueled by years of pain, frustration, and resentment.

Kerr stepped through the open door, trying to look as reasonable as possible.  "Tsuto, listen to me.  It doesn't have to be this way."  He spread the fingers of his free hand, palm toward the floor.  "There are people who care about you.  Who love you.  Your sister . . . ."

"What do you know?!?  Any of you?!?"  The half-Tian, half-elf's eyes were wide, whites clearly visible.  "You just want to USE me."  His fists clenched, his voice dropping to a near whisper.  "That's all anyone's ever wanted."

With that, Tsuto sprung into action, dropping into a crouching, defensive-looking fighting style before sweeping a leg towards Pisca.  The gnome easily dodged the blow, but Tsuto was already gone, heading towards Kerr and the door.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+-xxx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  | x| xx  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--xx-+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  x  |  x  |OO|M D  |  S13|  |  |x |  | xxx |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+11+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+x-+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  x 12  D P|OO|T x  |  |  |  |  |x |  |  |  |  xx |  |  xxx| x|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--x--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+-x+--6--+--x--+-xxx-+xxx--xx xxx+--+--+
4 |  |  | 14  |  x  |  |R D  | KDC |  x  |  x  |  | xx  |  |xxxx |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-10--x--+--xxx+--xx-+xxxx-+x-+--+--+--+--x--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x L|  x  |  |  xxxx  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |xx|  |
  +--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--+--+--+--+-x+--x--+--+--+--+--+-C+--+
6 |  |  | x|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |x | x|  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--+--+--+--+--x--+-x+--+--+--6--+--+-C+--+
7 |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx+--+--+x-x--+--+--+--+-C+--+
8 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  | x|x |  |  |  | C|  |
  +--x--+--+--+--9--+--+--+--+--D--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+xxx--+-x+--+--+--+x-+--+
9 |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xx  |xxx  |  |  |  x  |  |
  +--+xxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxDDx--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+-xx--+--+
10|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  x  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |x |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--+x-+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--x--x--x--x--x--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxxx--+--+--+
11|  |  | x|  |  x  |  x  D  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--xxxxDDx--+--x--x--8--x--x--x--xSSx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  x  x  |  x  x  |  x  x  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  | xxx |xxx  |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxxxx14xxxxxxx--xDDxxxxxxxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xx+xxxx-xxx+--+--+
13|  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  x  |  |  | x|  |  |
  +--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+xx+--+--+
14|  |  x  |  |  7  |  |  D  |  |  D  |  |  |  |  D  |  |  |  D  |  |  xx |  |  |
  +--+--xDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--5--xx-+--+--+
15|  |  x  x  x  x  x  x  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  xx |  |  |x |  |  |
  +--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--xxxxDDxDDxDDxxxx--+--+--+--+xxxx-+-xxx-+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  | xxxx|  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--x--x--3--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--x--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxx--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  x  4  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxxDDxxxxDDxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
20|  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--4--x--4--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
23|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
24|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
25|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
26|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

1 = Dining Hall                           8 = Gabriel's Chambers (Rescue!)

2 = Wives' Quarters                       9 = Lamashtu Chapel (Dangerous!!!!!)

3 = Nursery                              10 = Gallery

4 = Bedchambers                          11 = War Room

5 = Storage                              12 = Research Room

6 = Cave of Death (Keep Out!!!!!)        13 = Stairs Down (Nualia - Dangerous!!!)

7 = Prison                               14 = Secret Door!

SS = Stairway                            CC = Cliff View to Ocean

T = Tsuto                                 M = Mage

O = Oak Table

OOC:

PARTY TURN

Kerr Mollin

11:31, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 21 using 1d20+5. Initiative.

Move Action:  To H4

Standard Action:  Influence Attitude v. Tsuto.

11:58, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 15 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy - Influence Attitude (DC 24).

Result:  None.

OPPONENT TURN

Lyrie

Free Action:  5-foot-step to H2.

Move Action:  Open door.

Standard Action:  Cast Spell.

Tsuto

Swift Action - Assume Fighting Style

Standard Action - Stunning Fist Unarmed Strike v. Pisca (Fighting Defensively)

12:08, Today: The Raconteur, for the NPC Tsuto Kaijitsu, rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Stunning Fist Unarmed Strike v. Pisca (Fighting Defensively).

Move Action - To H3.

Result:  None.

COMBAT ROUNDS HAVE COMMENCED:  ALL PARTY MEMBERS MAY TAKE THEIR COMBAT ACTIONS.







This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Wed 25 Feb 2015.
Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 976 posts
Former Red Shirt
Wed 25 Feb 2015
at 21:40
  • msg #554

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Kellan barreled in right behind Kerr, and as he saw Tsuto barreling towards the door, his gaze caught sight of the woman behind him. The mage from Magnimar.

Between the Quasit and those damned gobline war chanters, Kellan was developing a healthy fear and a marked distaste for the more dubious practitioners of the arcane arts.

As much as he would have loved to try and stop Tsuto in his tracks, the groups safety and his own would have to come first.

As he pivoted to face the pair he flipped his pole axe with an uncharacteristic twirl, the haft "whooshing" audibly as he brought the blunt end around then out towards the womans knees in an attempt to take her legs out from under her.

"Hey! Knock it off!" Kellan shouted as he brought the long shaft around.

HP: 48/48
AC: 18
Move: to G4
Standard: Trip attempt: Mage
AoO Preference:
Mage (Power Attack, Non Lethal 1d20+7, 2d4+11)
Tsuto (Trip, 1d20+11)

13:26, Today: Kellan Storval rolled 26 using 1d20+14. Trip Mage, Abadars Blessing +2, Guidance +1.

Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 2099 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Wed 25 Feb 2015
at 21:44
  • msg #555

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

"But ... but ... "  Pisca paused in her excuse building to step out of the way of the foot at the end of the swinging leg, but only for that brief moment.  "But every one uses everyone.  That's ... that's how things work."  Humans seemed so woefully ill-educated in the simple realities of life.  Did she have time to explain the idea of Mutual Benefit?  The gnome heaved an inward sigh.

"Tsuto, listen to me."  The gnome pitched her voice in such a way to penetrate the cocoon of hate and fear that the young Tian had woven about himself.  "Yes, we stand to gain something by talking you from this path of Lamashtu-ness that you've set your feet on.  We could gain the same thing from killing you, but you don't see us trying that, do you?  Think about it."

"And no, you're right.  We're not doing this for you.  It's not completely selfless.  To tell you the truth, we're doing this for your sister.  She's our friend.  But ask yourself this question: Can you get something out of this too?  Can you use us to get something you want, as well?"

"What do you think?"

"A little help here, Lys," said the gnome through her Whisper Magic.

All the while, Pisca kept half an eye on the woman who she was convinced must be Lyrie this time.  She'd seen the spell earlier, and she kept a special magic for people like that.  While Tsuto considered the absurdity of his previous words, and Stomper's big blade sliced through the air, Pisca stood ready to also counter any mischief that Yes I Am Lyrie might have in mind.

Diplomacy check to influence Tsuto's attitude. / Ready Action: If M begins another spell, then Cast Flare at M (Fortitude Save vs DC14 or be Dazzled for 1 minute.)  Must make Concentration Check vs 14+Spell Level or lose the spell.

Diplomacy Check, please.

Position: F3

Active Effects:  Message 40m (On All in party.)

Lvl 0 - At Will
Lvl 1 - (1/4)
Lvl 2 - (1/2)
AL: 4/8

HP 30/30
Befuddlers 1/2
Potion CMW 1/1

Abadar's Blessing +2 Morale / Used

In Hand: ARD
Melee +3Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1MagicDagger
Ranged +6Base +1RacialvsGoblins +1PointBlankShot +1MagicDagger
AC15
CMD13 or ...
AC21 w/Total Defense
CMD 19 w/Total Defense

This message was last edited by the player at 23:00, Wed 25 Feb 2015.
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1952 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Thu 26 Feb 2015
at 09:01
  • msg #556

Re: Chapter #8:  The Stronghold of Mine Enemies

Tsuto's furious shouting at Pisca and Kerr didn't fill Liseth with confidence.  He sounded angry and unreasonable; trying to reach him would prove difficult.  She just hoped that she was up to the task.

The small blonde carefully walked behind Kerr while Pisca tried to calm Tsuto.  This situation was much different than the last time they had encountered Tsuto; now they had him surrounded, and the advantage of surprise.  He had to know that there was no way he could win at fighting them all.  But she still wanted to minimize any chance of being on the wrong end of a kick.

"We know more than you think."  Liseth started by answering Tsuto.  "Your sister told us; she misses you a lot."  She tried to make eye contact with him, even as Tsuto seemed to be getting ready to strike at Kerr.  "Please Tsuto, we don't want to fight you."

"Pisca is right; Ms Kaijitsu, Ameiko, your sister, is our friend.  And she is hurting right now.  Don't you see?  After her father was killed, you became the only family that she has left.  It hurts her so much to know that you're here, in this place; helping Lamashtu's plan to kill her friends and destroy her home."

"We told her that we would bring you back, that we would save you from Lamashtu and all of the hatred and lies that she has filled you with.  That's what we intend to do...let you go back to be with your sister.  Isn't that what you want?"

Move: From K 5 to I 4
Standard: Diplomacy: Influence Attitude vs Tsuto

Active Effects:
Light

OOC: Please apply the +2 from Abadar's Blessing and +1 from Guidance to my Diplomacy roll.  That should increase it from +14 to +17.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:29, Thu 26 Feb 2015.
Sign In