Having scouted no egress by which to enter the building, Kraw quietly (and invisibly) follows on padded feet. He looks for any opportunities provided by Ayeesha's histrionics to either ascend to the upper level (climbing was always an option) or slip past the Iron Maidens to penetrate the building's inner chambers.

As Ayeesha starts heading towards the back room and clearly not there just tending on one of the patients dying on a cot, the Grey Maidens stiffen and put put their hands on their swords. Around the room drifting silently among the rows of cots are four Queen's Physicians, all also keeping eyes on the new intruders.

The two Grey Maidens guarding the backroom move to block Ayeesha's path and one of them calls out loud and clear.

"You have no business here. Leave or will be forcibly removed."

Map has been updated to reflect party positions and the notable NPCs. I've kept Kraw roughly with the group as there hasn't yet been time for him to slip away, not that there is any real place for him to slip away into before now.

Kraw quietly sneaks to I-19. Kneeling, he positions a smokestick below the table there. Hidden from view, he lights it and sneaks forward to slip around the guards should they move towards the smoke to investigate.

In reply to Kraw (msg # 28):


Ayeesha adopts a pose that is non threating and conciliatory in nature while affecting as charming a smile and demeanor as possible.

"Hold up a minute sweet heart. We do have business with Doctor Davalus.  The Nurse said we could see him."

I will try a diplomacy check for expediency if nothing else.

06:33, Today: Ayeesha rolled 9 using 1d20+1 with rolls of 8.  Persuade Queen's physicians and Grey maidens.

Kyra can't help but notice the crossbows trained at them from above. Starting a fight here seems like a bad idea to her.

But I can't really think of anything else we could try. At least that smoke stick may give us some cover from the bowmen. Bow-women?

As soon as Ayeesha starts trying to talk and not comply with the Grey Maiden's command the guards draw their swords and advance.

"Intruders! Defend yourselves!"

Caught by surprise, Ayeesha has to throw herself backwards to avoid the slashing attacks from the maidens. Whether by luck or skill she dodges and evades both strikes. From overhead the archers let loose their arrows. The group scatters briefly to avoid the shots and one of the arrows misses Alpha and ends up striking one of the patients in the stomach. The poor Korvosan lets out a gurgled gasp before spasming as blood starts pouring out of of his wound and his mouth. With the crowded rows it is going to make

The Queen's Physicians weave their way through the cots, silently sealing off the obvious escape route and circling in on the party. Two of them approach, striking their clubs at Kyra and Figus. Kyra's' magical armor deflects the blow and Figus ducks the other one.

Just then Kraw's smokestick starst spewing out smoke filling a small cube around him and Figus with thick smoke. There are screams and cries of alarm from the ill and the volunteers but the sudden smoke doesn't seem to deter either the guards or the physicians.

Round 1





As always check to make sure your trackers are correct. This is the first combat since you leveled up to 6
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:03, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 31):

WTF! Ayeesha is incredulous that they just started swinging! A bunch of thoughts go through her mind in a instant. Why are they attacking?, What are they hiding?, is one of these maidens dating that blow hard nurse? Its not adding up, I mean we are just trying to help.  We are in a tight spot and Ayeesha is mad!

Free Action?: Ayeesha uses a Harrow point to acquire Damage reduction 3.

Free Action:Rage

Misc action:5' steps into the fog at H18 to acquire cover @ 20% miss chance.

Standard Action: Casting Defensively: Cast Enlarge Person DC17

09:20, Today: Ayeesha rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Casting Defensively +7.

She will enlarge into squares G & H, 18 & 19 shoving everything and one out of the way with a strength check.

Will attempt to shove Grey Maiden in G18 to H17 with Strength check allowed by Enlarge person spell.

DM Ruling: Spell says use Strength check to burst out or clear the area being enlarged into.  But it seems more like a Reposition Combat maneuver which would use CMB.

CMB:+14 from BAB+6, Strength +7, Large Size+1.

Strength Check:+11 from Strength +7, Large size +4.

I will roll and you decide the final result.

10:05, Today: Ayeesha rolled 15 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 4.  Strength Check from EP to clear area +11.

A 15 for Strength Check or 18 if CMB.

Dodging an attack from one of the physicians, Kyra steps away for a moment and looks around for where her hexes could do the most good. She focuses on one of the maidens up on the catwalks.

Step to I 17, Slumber on the bow maiden at N 25. Would the smoke cloud provide us with some cover from the other one?

Kraw climbs the wall at I-19=>>I-31, ascending to the catwalk. His silence remains as he seeks a way beyond the Maidens.



15:16, Today: Kraw rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  climb.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:06, Sat 05 Feb 2022.

Ayeesha suddenly grows in size, physically pushing the two guards out of position by the doors.

One of the archers starts to droop and then slumps over, her bow clattering to the catwalk floor.

Kraw quietly climbs up the wall.

Figus pulls out his blades and immediately unleashes on the physician creeping up behind them but the physician jumps back putting a cot and an innocent victim between the two forcing Figus to abandon his attack routine and reposition to re-engage.

Alpha engages with the other queen's physician but the man also uses the cots full of victims as a barrier and shield.

---

Round 2</hr>

The two Grey Maidens show incredible battle discipline and precision when facing a suddenly enlarged Shoanti barbarian between them. They both strike at the same time piercing Ayeesha in her leg from both sides inflicting massive damage. The two are shouting quick "hup! hah!" at one another that seems to be their signal for operating in unison even though they cannot see one another.

Both rolled potential crits, one confirmed. 18 total damage (-3 DR for 9 total)

The Queens Physicians continue to maneuver to get into position and trap the party within the room. Their attacks are hesitant, seemingly more intended on corraling them against the meat grinder that is the Grey Maidens.

The other guard on the catwalks lets loose an arrow sticking it into Ayeesha's arm. It isn't a deep wound but a hit is still a hit.
3 damage -3DR = 0 total

Round 1





As always check to make sure your trackers are correct. This is the first combat since you leveled up to 6
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:22, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 35):

Free Action: Ayeesha will use Destined Strike to gain +2 on one melee attack.

Ayeesha focuses here attention of the Grey Maidens before her and gaining insight swings with all her might at the H17? located one.

Ayeesha Eyes the  Maids with a Steely Glare and Growls Fiercely ,GRRRRRGHH! in Ancient Shoanti.

Full Round Action: DS +2,Str 24:+7,+1 GS, BAB+6,+1+=+16,+11

16:08, Today: Ayeesha rolled 26 using 1d20+16 with rolls of 10.  +1GS+PA while Rgng w DS against GM +16.

I think I can only use Destined Strike once a round so maybe -2 off the secondary attack?

16:08, Today: Ayeesha rolled 31 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 20.

16:09, Today: Ayeesha rolled 12 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 1.  Confirm Critical.

16:12, Today: Ayeesha rolled 26 using 3d6+17 with rolls of 5,1,3.  ENLARGED GS PA DMG.

16:12, Today: Ayeesha rolled 26 using 3d6+17 with rolls of 1,6,2.  ENLARGED GS PA DMG.

52 HP Damage.

Ayeesha has reach of 10' and combat reflexes so will look for the AOO.

Kraw slips through the door at F-31 and hustles downstairs to emerge at Ayeesha's feet quietly (G-18), with the intent of entering the next door to get to the elevator.


19:36, Today: Kraw rolled 36 using 1d20+35 with rolls of 1.  Stealth
This message was last edited by the player at 03:44, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Kyra ignores the physicians and focuses on the guards instead, deeming them the greater threat. She looks around for another Maiden to send to dreamland.

Slumber again. I'd rather target one of the two melee maidens, but I'm guessing Ayeesha has just skewered the one at G16, and the one at G19 looks to be behind a smoke screen, leaving only the second bow-woman on J31?

Ayeesha with her large size and fearsome strength cuts down both of the Grey maidens in two swift brutal strikes. Their fancy armor and coordinated efforts are meaningless against the raw power of an ogre-sized Shoanti barbarian.

Both guards are quite thoroughly dead.

With the chaos of the battle happening around him, Kraw finds it easy enough to slip through the door and creep down the stairs. He witnesses Ayeesha skewering both guards and he slips out of one door and enters the other one leading to the elevator. It is designed as a cargo lift with very simple controls. A lever is set with two buttons, presumably one for the main floor level and one for the upper offices. Kraw's keen eyes note that there is hole disguised as a knot in the wood where a third button or some kind of key could be inserted potentially leading to a third destination for the elevator.

Up on the catwalk the second archer succumbs to Kyra's curse and she falls to the grating snoring softly.

Figus engages with the physicians encircling them, cutting down one with a rapid series of strikes and cuts.

Alpha strikes at another, missing with his spear but biting a chunk out of the man's arm as he raises it to defend himself.

The Queen's Physician carefully step into place to begin flanking. Alpha is attacked from both sides but his animal instincts keep him safe and he dodges and drops to avoid their club swings. Another physician swings at Figus but he deflects the strike with his scimitar.



Round 2




As always check to make sure your trackers are correct. This is the first combat since you leveled up to 6

Kraw tries to 'pick the lock' to engage the third button.


15:58, Today: Kraw rolled 18 using 1d20+15 with rolls of 3.  Disable Device .

In reply to Kraw (msg # 40):

Ayeesha will strike out at I19 then J17 if she drops I19 with first strike.

13:45, Today: Ayeesha rolled 30 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 17.  Enlarged +1GS :+13 to hit .

Second swing should of been +8 for a 19 to hit.

13:45, Today: Ayeesha rolled 24 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 11.  Enlarged +1GS :+8 to hit .


Enlarged +1GS Damage.

13:46, Today: Ayeesha rolled 27 using 3d6+17 with rolls of 4,5,1.

13:46, Today: Ayeesha rolled 27 using 3d6+17 with rolls of 3,5,2.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

With all the guards down for now Kyra shifts her focus on the doctors remaining. "Anyone brought along some manacles? Those two upstairs wont be out for long."

Slumber on J15, then step to H16.

Hmm, I think the stairwell also leads upstairs to the offices, so we can take that instead of the elevator. I think. How is the elevator powered anyway?

Inside the elevator there is a click and the elevator swiftly begins to descend down into the darkness of the earth. None of the plans they had seen or any of their investigations had indicated some kind of sublevel.

Split second decision. Stay in the elevator or jump back out. DC 25 reflex to jump out cleanly. Otherwise he takes 2d6 damage from getting a talon caught as the elevator descends.

---

The enlarged barbarian continues to strike down the physicians attacking them, cutting two down swiftly with broad sweeps of her sword.

Figus and Alpha team up to take down the remaining physician in a swift and brutal execution. The room falls quiet as those who were even aware of the conflict hold their breath and stay still waiting to see what the bloody combatants do next while the rest of the sick continue to cough and wheeze as they wait for treatment or death's release.

Combat isn't over because the guards on the catwalks are short timers for their slumber.


Round 3




As always check to make sure your trackers are correct. This is the first combat since you leveled up to 6

 Figus  heard the message, and while he did not have any manacles with him, he was sure he would figure something out. With little regard for stealth, he dashed up the stairs and sheathed his scimitar.
  "On it," he simply asserted.

 He went straight to the sleeping archer. For lack of better equipment, he proceeded to unstring her own bow and use that very string to tie her wrists together behind her back, through the balustrade and to her ankles.
  From what I gather of grapple rules, that is te equivalent of being pinned/grappled with a DC of 20+CMB (ie 29 in my case) 

 The ranger was already eyeing the other sleeping archer. Seeing as they had been attacked with lethal force and without much of a warning, he did consider bludgeoning them into unconsciousness instead... but that would not be very charitable, and he dispelled the idea quickly.

 Meanwhile Alpha sniffed around to identify further threats or incoming enemies that were yet to reveal themselves.
Figus Dva rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Alpha perception.

"Rope. Damn, I wish I remembered to pack some rope, or better yet, shackles." Kyra concentrates for a moment, then rises in the air to glide over to the second archer. She removes the guard's weapons, careful not to wake her up. And if she has something to tie her to do the railing, she does that as well.

I don't suppose Ayeesha has any rope or shackles? Either way, Flight hex on, and taking care of the second archer.

In reply to Kyra (msg # 45):

Ayeesha will end her rage as a free action.

She physically slumps a little bit as she wipes her sword clean and then pulls a length of silk rope (50') out of her back pack and hands it off to Kyra.

"Yea, here you go.  I need a minute (6 rnds of Fatigue) to catch my breath." 

Ayeesha reflects on the what just occurred and recognizes the peril that they have just fallen into by fighting the Queens servants.  How did we devolve into this mess? And how do we get out of it?

She stands wearily and continues contemplating their plight while remaining vigilant of new threats as she renews her strength.

Kraw waits quietly as the elevator descends. As a precaution, he swallows the contents of a potion from his belt pouch.

Up above the party secures the remaining Queen's guards. Although there isn't a lot of time left on Kyra's hex the staircase is unguarded and it is easy enough to charge up the stairs and secure the sleeping guards long enough to tie them up. From here the group seemingly only has one option: to go further up towards the office of Dr. Davaullus.

---

The elevator descends down for quite some time. It is difficult to guess but Kraw suspects at least a hundred feet down. Finally with a loud screech and a jolt the elevator comes to rest at the bottom and the gate latches click and release allowing him to leave. He is in what looks to be a semi-natural stone cave. The space was probably mostly natural while someone has come through and cleaned it out to make it more habitable.

Someone has come in and plastered up the stone walls and then decorated them by hanging and posing actual skeletons in images that make them look like they are dancing and celebrating their own demise.

Each cardinal direction has a door:

West - A simple wooden door through which is the elevator.
North and South - simple wooden doors bearing a picture of a scythe-wielding skeleton on them.
East - A massive set of double doors painted to look like they are opening into the great pyramid foundation of Castle Korvosa. Two more scythe-wielding skeletons decorate these doors.

Kraw quietly listens at the North door and checks it for locks/traps. If he is clear, he opens it to look inside.

current effects
Invisibility
Hide from Undead

22:13, Today: Kraw rolled 29 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 16.  Perception .

22:13, Today: Kraw rolled 21 using 1d20+15 with rolls of 6.  Disable Device , if needed.

22:12, Today: Kraw rolled 40 using 1d20+35 with rolls of 5.  Stealth.

"Kraw, where are you?" Kyra asks aloud, not sure if their feathered friend is still with them or not. Maybe he went upstairs to confront the doctor?

Yeah, since Kraw was invisible this whole time, would we even know he took the elevator down? Did the rest of us at least see the elevator move?