Re: Chapter One

[Custer Thickett]

Custer uses his sleeve to wipe at his face, and then turns back to the scene as the Grol approaches.  Custer is first impressed by the laughing skull mask, and then puzzled by the presence of the human wearing it.  Custer tilts his head slightly as he looks at the human.  A human abreast the Orc chieftain as an equal?  Interesting...  Custer was not sure if this was a good sign, but he did feel somewhat more relaxed now than when he was awaiting this audience.  

[Roll 1 for intelligence to recall ever hearing of or seeing this man, or the symbol on his mask.]
2

When the large Orc looks at each party member in turn, Custer makes sure to meet his gaze with a blank stare and shallow nod so as to show no emotion of fear, or eagerness for violence.  

[Roll 2 insight to get a feel for Grol intentions.  If he is speaking common, Cuss would be puzzled by "spill your blood before it to honour his name and then we feast."]
7+1=8

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 2

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#2 'D20' : 7

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl pays little heed to the orc chieftain or the others in his party. Instead, his gaze settles on the masked human walking beside Grol. He inadvertently boils with arcane energy, the hairs on the back of his neck and arms standing on end. He searches the man's mask, robes, stance, even his magical signature, attempting to discern what he is. Shorjahl pushes the flash of his master's necromancy aside, he must remain focused.

This situation may have grown far more dire...

--------------

Rolling Arcana: 10 = 5 +5
Rolling Investigation: 12 = 7 + 5

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 5

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#2 'D20' : 7

[Kellar]

Easy there Orbaugh, your wings are not fully healed yet. The Master Dwarf will assist us again in a while when we have some time to tend to them. Have another bite of this, need to eat to rebuild your strength, Kellar raises another part of a ration to Orbaugh.

Kellar looks back to the group that approaches. He sees a larger than average orc, must be Grol. He dismisses the others in the orc's entourage, other than the lanky human nearby.

Orbaugh, do you recognize the human with the mask near that large orc? You mentioned they were cutting near your roost, has that one been with them? Kellar stares at the lanky human in the mask a bit longer than intended, and then looks to the others in that group. Perception Roll= 14+1= 15

When Grol looks toward Kellar, he was feeding Orbaugh, and appeared to be dismissive of Grol and his group (somewhat intentionally). Intimidation Roll= 2+1= 3

Kellar notices the little one in the group go a bit rigid when Grol looks over him. Interesting, he's given him a small nod. Trying not to be rude I guess.

------------------------
OOC- Kellar continues to care for Orbaugh and also appear somewhat disinterested in the orcs as they approach. His curiosity landed on the human in the mask alongside Grol. Kellar does not understand Orc-tongue so it's all gibberish to him.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 14

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#2 'D20' : 2

[Forgeless Kilik]

The sight of Grol made Kilik's blood begin to pound in his head.

Smiling.

Laughing.

Arrogant. Secure in his camp, among his men.

“Then, we will feast.”

Feast? With orcs? Not by Moradin's holy balls will I break bread with their kind... Toast the health an' hospitality of savages and butchers? Thank ye, no, I'll gladly starve in all nine o' the Hells first.

An' who is this, skulkin' behind the mask? Kilik stared hard and openly at the man, trying to identify the symbol he wore. [Intelligence+Guidance:16]

I like it not. Best to find out what we're dealin' with, then. He squared his shoulders to the masked man, I be Kilik, volamtar priest of Marthammor Duin. It was a declaration, not a greeting. An' who might you be, if I ask? Forgive an old dwarf his outmoded customs, but among my people a silent stranger with a masked face o' the night gets a steely reception. He shifted the weight of the hammer on his shoulder meaningfully.

He made no particular effort to dampen the sarcasm in his voice as he fixed his eye back on Grol. An' I'd never wish to give offense to our most "civilized" and "peaceable" hosts.

[Custer Thickett]

Custer turns to look at Kilik as he is speaking, and then turns slowly back to Grol when he finishes. Custer struggles to keep a blank face, but his eyes dart from Grol, to Anna, and back to Grol. Oddly, Cuss finds his thoughts suddenly turn to his sister, Rosalynn. I wonder if she is doing ok at home without me there.

[Osvald Hale]

Osvald took another sip from his flask before stowing it back in his hip pouch. He stared of into the darkness away from the camp, his expression dour... How many times had he and his kin narrowly escaped camps like this? Now he was walking in the front door. He couldn't shake a sense of ill omen.

At the Chieftans booming voice he turned back to face the crude gate. The Orc was big... Not quite as hulking as a few he'd seen... But damn close. More impressive than his skull crushing size was his aura. He demeanor was confident, in control. A leader.
The Orcs under him would be all the more ferocious--dangerous--at his command.

Osvald wondered how long before this warband would take to raiding. How many innocents they might slay... His thoughts flicked briefly to the wild notion of charging this Warlord now, rammin' his shiny new boot knife into a pale green throat... maybe gaining the surrounding lands a few months of relative peace... But it quickly faded when his eyes caught the cruelly hooked axes in his guards hands.

No, Osvald had narrowly escaped from these ilk more then a half dozen times before, and he wasn't about to throw those damn good tales away on foolish heroics when he might survive to be a thorn in their side a few more years...

He takes a few steps closer to the others, but does not speak.

[Kellar]

Kellar tries to hide his grimace and mutters, subtle, Master Dwarf.

He looks to the ground and reaches behind his head toward his lance, resting his hand behind his head, pretending to care for the pseudo-dragon on his shoulder.

Kellar notices Osvald move in closer to the group.

[Ao]

Moonlight filters through the trees as the adventurers stand face to face with Grol and his entourage. The masked man shifts slightly, mud squishing beneath his boots.

--------[Custer, Intelligence check on strange man]: The man's garb and demeanor are entirely foreign to Custer. At no point has he ever seen such an...unnerving mask.

--------[Custer, Insight on Grol]: Grol is intimidating, and Custer finds him hard to read. The orc seems entirely relaxed, and reasonable. But of course, he is amidst the safety of his den.

--------[Shorjahl, Arcana on strange man]: Shorjahl reaches out, searching the weave for the magical energies that were certainly upon this bizarre skull-masked man. But the call of the arcane is not upon him. He is not a wizard, but a talisman of significant reverberation and  power hangs about his neck. A holy talisman, no doubt...to some dark deity.

--------[Shorjahl, investigation on strange man.] The man is hard to read, especially here in the moonlight. But of the skin beneath the mask, Shorjahl can see a grizzly scar riding his right cheek down upon his neck. Its possible that the mask is made to cover such a wound.

Orbaugh shifts comfortably on Kellar's shoulder, as the dragoon make his inquiries about the strange man.

"Orbaugh has never seen strange, masked man along with the Kobolds down in the Knuckles. Kobolds dig lonesome, or with an orc. But never come with human.."

--------[Kellar, Perception]: Of the masked man, Kellar can perceive that he is human. The mask is finely crafted, likely by a very talented artisan. Also likely, that it signifies rank or privilege; it is bejewelled by shining topaz at the bottom of the jawline. Kellar is sure that the man does not fear Grol, by the way he stands. Indeed, the way that Grol moves around him is respectful, and almost reverent.

The masked man seems unconcerned as Kilik addresses him. He listens plainly to the dwarf's inquest, and though Grol's eyebrow raises slightly, the human seems not at all bristled by the hostility.

When he responds, it is in a cold and measured voice. The voice is level and confident.

"Why, I am Keisan. Advisor to the great warchief, and clerical consul. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, master dwarf. Please, indulge our hospitalities this night."

--------[kilik, intelligence roll (allowing proficient, for skill In 'divine')]: The dwarf searches his mind, bringing to recollection the mask that Keisan wears. It is a mask of intrigue, worn by some sects of the clergy of Cyric. This man is a 3rd degree priest of Cyric, the leader of no less than a dozen disciples. To be settled with an Orc clan would be...unconventional, at best. ]

Grol looks upward, bringing his hand to his face. He grimaces quickly, wiping away a raindrop.

"Bah. Enough of the formalities. This night turns to rain. Come, follow."

With that, the orc chief turns about and begins his short foray back to the cave, followed by his entourage. He looks over his shoulder. expecting you to come.

===============

Ok lads amazing posts last rotation
!

Exp+20 ea

[Custer Thickett]

Custer grabs his pack and tries to lift it.  He feels it pull him to the ground, as if it had grown strong arms and had a will not to move.  Custer lets go of the pack and turns to Kellar before he leaves to follow.  "Blue... ehm, Kellar, do you mind lifting this while I strap it on?  I'm too tired and wet to lift it meself."  Once strapped up, Custer leans forward slightly to better get his legs under the weight.  

Custer looks to Anna, and then turns to Kilik, "Master Dwarf, having not known Thar, do you think it would be disrespectful of us to accompany Anna to his tomb?  It seems that would be a time best spent alone, but I have already demonstrated just how little I know about tribal customs."

----
[action: Custer is currently strapping his pack to move to the cave, but is awaiting the group's action before moving.]

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl shares a look with his companions, a final farewell in his eyes to Anna. He nods knowingly, accepting his fate and the path that has been laid before him. He hitches up his small backpack, tightens the straps, and wrings the muddy moisture from his clothes and hair once more with the use of subtle arcane energies.

He follows behind Grol and the human priest, still cautiously preparing to lash out with a blast of energy should the need arise. Grol seems agreeable enough, arguably one of the most eloquent orcs he's ever encountered. He exhales sharply in a quiet laugh, the few orcs he's encountered he's promptly run from in the past, or seen destroyed by his company. Perhaps they were all excellent linguists.

----------

[Heading into the cave, not actually using a prepared action, but mentally aware/ on edge to cast a spell should the need arise.]

[Forgeless Kilik]

I said we shouldna gone...I said we shoud keep to our task and leave off tromping through the night to see some dead orc's pile of mud... And now, a senior priest of the insane god of lies and murder? We've gone an' put ourselves in the fire now, no doubting.

He kept his grumbling to himself, his eyes never leaving Keisan. Speaking low and close to Custer, he said, I know little and care less o' the customs of their kind, but Anna has been right by us, and I'd not leave her alone with the likes of these. But it is her path to choose, and ours to honor the choosing. He put a hand on the halfling's shoulder and pulled him close, whispering urgently, When it starts - and, mark me, it will start - look to our friend in the mask. He clapped Custer roughly on the shoulder and follows Shorjahl into the cave.

-------------------------------------------------
Actions:
Using Darkvision and Stonecunning, I want to pay careful attention make sure I can always find our way back out of this cave. Intelligence: 13

I've no intention of getting lost in some filthy orc warren; me ancestors would never let me hear the end of it.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Forgeless Kilik' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 8

[Kellar]

Kellar lowers his hand from behind his head and helps Custer with his pack.

No problem little one, as Kellar held the pack just so, for Custer to get the pack adjusted on his back again.

There you go, I guess we follow them in, out of the rain, be ready, muttered Kellar.

Orbaugh, do you happen to see well in the dark? We may yet have to leave this place in the middle of the night. Also, beware the man in the mask, he's some sort of leader, but I'm not sure what kind.

Kellar offers another part of a ration to Orbaugh and begins to walk forward with the group.

Actions
*Kellar takes the time to mark different areas as they travel, noting how many strong there might be if they have to fight their way out.
Perception Roll= 5+1= 6

*Kellar also is subtly adjusting his position within the group to potentially flank their enemy.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 5

[AnnaMaul]

Anna walks into the cave without a second thought.  If Grol were to attack her and the party now, there would be a massive backlash from the rest of the clan, and not even with his dark magics would he be likely to make it out alive.  She pauses next to Killik and hesitates, not sure what to say and if it would be taken the wrong way if she said anything at all.  So she decided to stick to the basics.

Thank you, Dwarf.

----

[Just going into the cave]

[Custer Thickett]

Custer has to pivot slightly and put a food down hard to keep from losing his balance when Kilik claps his shoulder.  The leg attached to the foot seems to groan in protest, and Custer grimaces.  Oiy, he doesn't know his own strength.  Mayhaps I'm just too tired to stand much longer.

Once sure of his balance again, Custer looks to Kilik and Anna to reply, but finds they are already walking away from him toward the rise.  Cuss looks around at the rest of the group to see them following, all save Osvald.  Custer shuffles to the human and looks up at him.  "I feel like I've been rode hard and hung up dry, but I'm soaked up to my nipples," Custer smiles and draws a line across his chest with a finger.  "Yet Orcs lament when the gods threaten rain.  Why were you silent when I told you about the tea? "

----

[action: Custer will walk with Osvald to the cave, or otherwise try to catch up with the others.]

[Osvald Hale]

With a sigh Osvald falls into step behind the others, walking beside Cuss. He leans downward slightly towards the halfling;

"Don't worry, I've done this before." He chuckles with a wide, wry grin. "Miserable miles on weary legs, a bit 'o spilt blood, and imminent death on Orc knives... Yes, it's just another evening in the Small Teeth--Good to be home." He says with a wink, his smile broadening.

"...and Cuss--Orcs don't drink tea."

As they cross the threshold of the camp, Osvald will inspect it to see if it differs in formation from those he's seen, estimating the number and armament of the orcs within, as well as any signs of any mounts within the encampment, tracks or otherwise. As they move toward the cave he'll determine the best possible route of escape, making a note of posted guards and areas of shadow. (Perception, twice for potential 'advantage' from Pref. Enemy: Orcs)

Either 5+2 =7, or 20+2=22 depending on advantage.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 5, 20

[Ao]

The party starts after Grol, the orc and his guardsmen walking quickly through the camp. Mud squishes beneath their boots, as the rain begins to pick up. Within seconds, they are soaked.

———————[Kellar, Perception results]: The dragoon looks about the camp, but the rain makes it difficult for him to discern details. He sees perhaps 8 tents, and several orcs walking between them with torches.

[…]

As they reach atop the hill, the cave opens beneath them. It is a gaping hole, with tall braziers lighting the way. It smells acrid, like vinegar, and it is damp and cold.

They follow Grol through a long tunnel into an antechamber that branches away in all directions, like a rabbits warren. Hide skins and filthy banners bearing the holy symbol of Cyric hang upon the walls between iron sconces, flickering torchlight lighting the dark halls.

Now and then, an orc passes them in the cavern. Anna does not recognize any of them; they are all new faces to Grol’s Clan Maul.

———————[Kilik, Perception results (darkvision/stonecunning)]: Kilik is confident in his orientation, as the Orc Chief leads them through the caverns. Even while keeping his eyes on Keisan, the dwarf could find his way out of this twisting warren in his sleep. Orcs build their caves twisting and turning for the deception of their enemies, but dwarves use trick stonework that would confuse the most able-minded scholar of Candlekeep.

———————[Osvald, Perception results]: Osvald’s experience with orcs and their encampments is vast, and this cave is no exception. He counts thirteen visually, but given the layout of the encampment he estimates that the total number is closer to 25. They are individually armed, as most orcs are, favouring battle-won weapons rather than a clan-wide plan of armament. The caves are rife with shadowy spots, though of course, orcs have darkvision. He can see that many of the caverns are built with double-back points, to confuse non-Clan. Grol walks them along these false paths, but Osvald is not fooled. There is a central path that leads through this warren, and undoubtedly, as most Orc caves do, the central path leads to multiple retreat exits. The woodsman is confident in his ability to outmaneuver in this space, almost more familiar to him than the cities of men.

[…]

Grol leads them up a small incline to a set of rotted, wooden double doors. He pushes them open, exposing a large chamber featuring a long wooden great-table. Tapestries adorn the walls, religious depictions of Cyric and the conquests of his domain. Trickery, lies, murder. It is a sickening sight.

The ceiling of this cavernous great-hall cannot be seen, it rises so high. Smoke from the torches disappears into its lofty heights.

———————[Osvald, Perception results]: Osvald can see that this cavern harbours only one exit; the doors that they came through. Grol’s three orcs stop at the threshold, leaving just Grol, Keisan, and the party in the room.

The clan chief points up at the wall, where a massive battle axe hangs upon two iron spikes.

The axe of Anna’s father.

“Pay your respects, Anna”. Says Grol. “I will return in a moment, with meat and ale. Your return was unexpected. It will be celebrated.”

Grol turns to the doors, walking out with he and his guardsmen, and shutting them behind him.

Keisan remains, standing near the axe. He speaks in his cold, measured voice.

“Touching, lady Anna. To return after all this time, to honour your father’s memory. Your clan is an honourable one.”

Keisan folds his arms, watching the adventurers.

================

OK guys, Grol has left you be in the great chamber. Its approximately eighty feet in length, and thirty feet in width. The axe hangs midway down the room, aside the great-table.

Keisan is the only other in the room with you.

EXP: +20 each

[AnnaMaul]

Anna shoots Keisan a glare just short of icy. The religious material on the walls the whole way in, as well as the tapestries adorning what is supposed to be the resting place of her father's weapon are nothing short of sickening in her mind. She hasn't recognized a single member of the clan aside from Shuul initially, and is beginning to become unsettled after hearing of the sect leaders that died from disease or sickness.

My father was a great warrior. His death was too early, in my opinion. He could have reigned over this clan another decade or two easily. To hear he had died was very sad. Something I was wondering, human. How did my father die? No one has told me yet. I had assumed it was in battle, but hearing about the... Misfortunes... That have happened to some of the other leaders has me worried that his death had not been as glorious as he had anticipated.

She walks over to his axe, the weapon he had used to win countless battles in his life. She could still see stains of blood along the blade and shaft. Kilik would be enraged if he knew how many people had met their end to this weapon. But he was of a whole other culture, an entirely different style of life. What Kilik saw as innocents, Anna and her clan had seen as trespassers. And even then it only went to battle if the trespassers didn't cooperate. Just because her clan wasn't "civilized" the way the dwarves, humans and elves may have been didn't make their claim to the land any less valid. The thought of the way her family had been no less than persecuted for not being "civilized" began to boil up inside of her. She punches the wall near her, leaving her fist connected to the stone. A small amount of blood wells up around the edges, not doing near as much to calm her down as she was hoping it might. Her more natural instincts taking over, she begins speaking in Orc.

You think my return touching, human. But for everything he did for me in my life, he deserves my respects. Even the dwarf over there would have called him honorable, or close enough to it. I don't know what you've done with my clan, but I can say it isn't what he would have wanted. Where is his body, so I can speak to his spirit one last time? I don't want him thinking I hate him the way I did when I left.

Her eyes turn towards Thar's axe, and she contemplates taking it and killing every last person in this camp that tries to stop her.

-----

Anna is standing near Thar's axe, staring at it intently. The rest of the party may or may not be unsettled by what's going on.

[Custer Thickett]

As they enter the cave, Custer carefully reaches in his belt pouch and fetches a piece of chalk he had moved there when checking his items.  Each time the party approaches an intersection, Custer leans against the wall and coughs as he marks a tiny arrow pointing the direction he had came from.  "Uh, Sorry, it must be the moist air given me fits."

[Rolling sleight of hand] 19 = 14+5

Trudging behind Osvald, Custer breaks the sound of wet footsteps with a comment in attempt to calm his nerves, "Oiy, I don't know if it is you or this cave, but something smells so bad it'd knock a buzzard off the gut wagon."  Custer sniffs the air loudly, then chuckles nervously. "Aye, it is you.  Do you think this palace has a basin for washing?"

....

In the great hall, Custer is taken aback by the tapestries on the walls.  He pays close attention to one that appears to depict a party of adventures ascending a flight of stairs made of light.  The party has a stunning human female wizard adorned in a cloak decorated with the likeness of red mist and stars, and a Halfling that appears on nearly all the other tapestries.  Who is that?  Above them on the stairs there appears to be another female wizard battling a great warrior, but before Custer can gather much more detail, he is startled as the doors to the great hall close and he finds himself in the room with his companions and only the masked human.  Oh, no, what did I miss?

When Anna punches the wall and begins what appears to be threatening the masked human with Orc sounds, Custer backs up to the table and rest his pack on it as he loosens the straps and lets it tumble off his back, unfortunately with a fairly loud clatter of tools that seems to echo off the high walls as much as Anna's barking.  Custer winces and shrugs at anybody looking his way.  Custer hops up to sit on the table next to his pack, and rest his right hand on the hilt of his rapier.  Despite the tense situation, Custer lets out an audible sigh of pleasure as he leans back and stretches.  His feet felt great no longer having any weight on them.  Custer wanted nothing more than to remove his boots, eat, and fall asleep.

[action: Custer is trying to appear as if Anna's antics are of little concern, but also be ready to draw should he need to.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 14

[Osvald Hale]

When lead into the hall, Osvald squints briefly against the illumination after the darkness of the tunnels. His brow furrows as his eyes drift over the macabre tapestries... 'What hell have we walked into...'

The heavy clatter of the doors shutting behind them snaps his attention back. The Cheiftan was gone.... Just them and this masked human... He went cold and felt hot at the same time. He imagined the jaws of a situation whose full scope he didn't quite comprehend closing around him and his new friends...

His innate sense of doom begins flooding his senses, sweats beads on his forehead as he takes in the entirety of the chamber.

"I never trust a cave with no ceiling..."He says, gazing into the inky blackness above.

Anna's fist cracks brutally against the wall.

"Anna..." He gulps out..."Maybe... Perhaps we should..." Osvalds cuts himself short when he sees Cuss's clamber to the table, the halflings hand drift down to his diminutive rapier--suddenly conscious of his own hand on the hilt of his dagger at his side.

Time seemed to slow, the moment spinning precariously on the edge of tooth.....

He looks to Kellar and Kilik. 'Hopefully the dwarf is ready for a fight in a cave.'

"Dragoon, Master Dwarf," he says, turning to face them and Shorjahl--desperately hoping they catch the look in his eye, the intensity in his voice--"...This room only has one door."

=====

Osvald will quickly look over the tapestries in the room in case he recognizes any of the imagery (intelligence) and then turn partially toward the group, picking up on (and agreeing with!) Cuss's interpretation of the situation to subtlety make ready for combat.

3+1= 4

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Osvald Hale' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 3

[Shorjahl]

Shorjahl takes several meaningful steps closer to the priest and away from the door. His heavy brows drop into an ominous glower. He subtly nods to the other warriors in the room, they must be swift to not end up in the maggot infested midden heap by the morning. He had no intention of dying in a stinking Orc tavern adorned with grotesque tapestries. But if he was going to die anyway, he would take this malevolent priest and as many of them with him as possible.

He was surprised at his own thoughts, he has always been somewhat of a coward, motivated by self preservation and the excitement of discovery. But he was overcome with purpose. He wasn't prone to belief in destiny, but every action brought him closer with these companions and this destination. He wasn't afraid at all. Again, to his surprise.

The room began to fill with a gentle chime, resonating and building with each step as he got closer to the priest. He made eye contact with Anna, assessing her thoughts as best as he could.

---------

Actions: if I detect even a glimmer of hostility or the feeling of a trap, I will initiate combat. I'm waiting to see what the priest's response is to Anna and how the rest of the party reacts. The chime is gentle and ambient, and may mot even be perceptible to the priest.

[Kellar]

Orbaugh, be ready. This may not prove well for us both.

Anna's fist hits the wall.

Clearly upset, not that I blame her at all.

Kellar turns to Osvald's voice, yes, I see that there's only one way out of here, he then grabs at his bracers and pulls them tighter against his forearms.

Kellar positions Orbaugh on his left shoulder and nods to him. Hang on Orbaugh, no matter what happens.

He then slowly crouches into a ball and grabs at his Lance.
Athletics Roll= 17

__________________________

Action:
*Kellar subtly readies to leap into the air while grabbing his Lance to attack the lanky human. Athletics Check! (17) If needed, not sure if the lanky human will try to attack us, if he should, that's what Kellar does.
*Kellar will otherwise pretend to tie his boots if there is no threat detected by the group.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 17

[Ao]

—————[Osvald, Intelligence results] Osvald looks over the tapestries, grizzly scenes of cunning and murder playing out. A young woman drinking a cup of poison. A dead king, and a scheming advisor. Two warring nations, under the puppeteer’s strings of a smiling messenger. He recognizes none of it, but it is blasphemous and dishonourable.

The flickering light of the braziers dances across the great-chamber, shining along the edge of the wall-mounted battle-axe. Anna’s blood glistens as it drips from her fist.

Keisan is unperturbed, and he responds levelly.

“Your father died of disease, lady Anna. It was a merciless fever that claimed him, after two weeks of chills and hysteria. A deadly illness, that claimed the lives of two of his closest lieutenants. Orlaz, and…Emerdim? Ezmegrin?”

Anna knew both of these orcs. Orlaz and Ezergrim. Trusted friends to her father.

Keisan uncrosses his arms, and speaks again.

“It is rather fortunate that you’ve returned, Anna. Grol, and Clan Maul, are destined for great things.
Your father was a glorious warrior, but it is a new age for your clan. Grol will lead these orcs to victories and riches untold. In Cyric’s name, of course.”

Now, Keisan walks casually towards the double doors.

“It’s a shame about your friends though. I’m not certain they can be trusted. But Grol’s plans for you, lady Anna, will be worthy of their sacrifice.”

With one swift motion, Keisan withdraws a vial from his cloak, throwing it deftly towards the party. He moves quickly towards the doors.

Thick, milky streams of smoke billow up from the exploding vial, swirling around in a whirlwind. A thin hissing sound accompanies the smell of burning garlic.

You immediately feel your muscles tense, and your breathing become laboured. The room swirls before your eyes…
=====================

Ok guys. Keisan is almost at the doors, and threw a vial of some unknown immobilizing swirling gas or poison at you. I know that most of you were ready to draw steel, but he was walking away from the lot of you, and so I can’t imagine that you would have perceived that to be a threatening action.

However, Shorjahl specified the “feeling of a trap” or a “glimmer of hostility”, and he had a magic missile at the ready convincingly. So, here’s what I will provide.

Keisan simply threw a vial at you guys, no real aim required, so I’m counting it as a free action.

Because you were watching Keisan so closely, Shorjahl, and youre the only one with a ranged attack readied, I’ll give you an opportunity to disrupt his throw.

I need you to roll an opposed DEX check vs. Keisan, and his result was a…. “1”. Damn, critical fumble.

Ok, so as long as you don’t also roll a “1” you will be able to get a magic missile off as he is throwing the vial, causing him to mis-throw. In other words, the vial will shatter close to him, having fallen out of his hands, instead of right at you guys.

The poison is very potent, and if somehow Shorjahl rolls a “1” on his DEX check, then I need all of you to roll a DC 15 CON check or else become completely paralyzed.

However, if Shorjahl succeeds at his DEX check(as long as he doesn’t roll a 1) and gets off a magic missile, then the DC for the CON check you all need to make will be DC 8 instead, as the gas is much farther away, and it dissipates quickly.

Regardless of the result, Keisan will make it out the door (he appears to be immune to the poison). If Shorjahl manages to win the DEX check, then he will be hurried and will simply slam the door shut. If shorjahl fails the DEX check (which I suspect he won’t), then the door will be barred also (locked from the outside)

EXP: +20 Osvald, Kellar, Anna, Shorjahl, Custer

[Forgeless Kilik]

You should have followed your instincts, you old fool...it smelled wrong and it WAS wrong. TRAP!

The vial arcing through the air made Kilik's eyes go wide. Seeing Keisan's exit, he took a deep breath and made straight for the door, trying to force it open before it could be too tightly secured.

------------------------

CON save (advatage from Dwarven Resiliance): 16

STR check to force open the door: 14

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Forgeless Kilik' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 11, 12

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 11

[Shorjahl]

"...worthy of their sacrifice"

Shorjahl saw the evil priest remove the vial from his cloak-

He summoned his arcane focus, the chime growing immensely loud-

The vial left his enemy's grasp, headed toward his companions-

Every muscle in his body tensed, his hairs stood on end, he crouched his weary legs and outstretched his bracered hand, the tendons and veins in his fingers bulging beneath his skin-

"KELLAR NOW!"

Shorjahl's eyes, and the entirety of his arcane skill, trailed the vial before it tipped and spilled its contents. This man was nefarious, a priest who dedicated his life to murder and treachery. Shorjahl would never doubt his instincts again- certainly the vial contained something equally tainted as this man's soul.

He projected his arcane energy to the vial, bringing his telekinetic grip around its slender frame, righting it so that it does not spill. Nothing else matters, his eyes going bloodshot, the hair on his head blowing back as if from some unseen wind, his bracer glowing with cold light and the ear-splitting chime filling the room.

------------

Rolling Arcane attack to pull off Mage Hand as discussed: 8 = 3 + 5 (arcane attack with Mage Hand)

[Dangit dab dibbity dangit!]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 3

[Kellar]

--LAR NOW! is all he heard, and with his crouched position, he pushes the force through his legs and leaps toward the vial! Kellar leaves two large gouges in the floor where he jumped from. Athletics Roll= 17 (Previous post)

Hang on!

Kellar stretches out both hands to catch the vial Dexterity Roll=3+3= 6 !

No! I missed it, Kellar shouts as he crashes to the floor.

-----------------------------------
Actions
*Kellar attempted to catch the vial that was juggled by Shorjahl, on failure he crashed to the floor CON Roll= 12+2= 14
*Kellar will attempt to get back to his feet after he crash lands, unless paralyzed.

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Kellar' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 12

[AnnaMaul]

Anna sees the action taking place and snaps out of her self-imposed distraction.  She curses herself for losing control of her emotions and begins to make her way towards the door in an attempt to help Kilik bust through the door. As she passes through the gas she collapses to the ground, seemingly passed out.

-----

First roll is Con Check, second roll is Str Check assuming I pass the Con check.

Con roll - 3+2 = 5

Str roll - Didn't matter

[DiceMaster]

The member 'AnnaMaul' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 3

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 19

[Custer Thickett]

Cuss watches the human walk away as he speaks.  When Keisan says "sacrifice" and flings a vial in the party's direction, Cuss's eyes widen as he throws his weight behind him in an attempt to twist and roll backwards on the table, bring his feet beneath him pointed in the direction of the door, and then lunge in a full sprint towards the human.  He could hear the dwarf's previous words echo in his ear, 'look to our friend in the mask.'

Roll 1 is Acrobatics. +3  17

Roll 2 is the CON save.  +1  18

[action: Cuss is going to try to catch the human before he reaches the door and dive at him.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

#1 'D20' : 14

--------------------------------

#2 'D20' : 17

[Shorjahl]

[Rolling for Con Check]

Con Check: 10 = 8 +2

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Shorjahl' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 8

[Ao]

The noxious fumes spread quickly about the room, a hazy fog of toxins burning through the noses of the adventurers.

Glass crunches beneath Custer's feet as he lunges for the door, his companions falling immobilized on the floor about him.

[Kilik, Custer CON save success]
[Anna, Shorjahl, Kellar, Osvald CON save failed]

An immeasurable pain spasms through the lungs and limbs of the adventurers, all but Kilik and Custer crumpled in a heap upon the floor.

The halfling and the dwarf charge toward the dark cleric, gleaning one last look at Keisan's skull-clad face as he slams the wooden doors shut.

[Kilik, STR check results:]
Kilik collides with the doors with a heavy THUD, the heavy oak exploding off its hinges, splinters flying in all directions. As they blast open, Kilik watches three orcs caught by surprise as the rugged wooden doors crash into them, sending them sprawling backward.

Four more orcs clamber over their battered bodies from the tunnel, bearing axes and spitting in rage.

"Charge the dwarf!" Kilik hears them scream in Orcish, moving frantically over their fallen companions, up the incline toward the great hall.

==============

Ok guys, anna, shorjahl, kellar and osvald are all immobilized by the toxin. They are on the floor, generally around Thar's axe in the great hall, approximately 40 feet from the doors.

Because Shorjahl was focused on trying to get the vial, Keisan slipped away without being damaged. Despite Kilik and Custer's efforts they were too far from Keisan to catch him before he slipped out the door and past a gaggle of orcs.

As an aside, I know you dont normally have to roll for mage hand shor, but given the fact that it was a hurled projectile, its a much different story/level of focus than simply lifting a stationery object. I hope you understand.

Kilik made quite a charge at the door, and knocked 3 orcs flat on their backs as a result of his roll. They will be prone for the next round. Also, i ruled that the 3 fallen orcs were difficult terrain, and so the remaining four orcs can only make it just inside the door this round.

Custer, due to your fantastic acrobatics check ill allow you to retreat away from the door for free, and give you advantage on a ranged attack due to your nimble positioning. It was a great roll, and i dont want to rob you of its benefit. It simply wasnt plausible for you to reach keisan, despite the roll, so i hope this is consolation.

Kilik, you may either brace yourself for the charge of those four orcs, or backpedal yourself also. Again, thanks to your door ramming skills your retreat will not provoke an attack of opportunity.

All of you immobilized by the toxin : You must make a DC 13 CON check or remain paralyzed this round. If you succeed, you may make an attack as long as it does not require you to move. If you roll a modified 18 or more, you may move and attack as normal.

Exp: +20 to anna, shor, cuss, kilik, and kell

[Custer Thickett]

Custer skids and skips to a stop atop the table as the doors slam shut.  Bugger, too damned slow...  Custer watches Kilik sprint past him, and jumps slightly as the door crumbles when Kilik makes impact with it.  Custer whoops when he sees the Orcs behind the door tumble in a shower of lumber.  When he sees the other four Orcs appear beyond the door and yell to 'charge the dwarf,' Custer yells "Fall back, Dwarf!  Our companions have fallen!"

Custer looks to the party crumpled on the floor behind and below him.  'Hmm.  Grol's plans for you...  Custer draws his rapier, runs and jumps down from the table just over Anna's crumpled body.  He hold the point of his rapier just over her ear, and says to her just loud enough for those right around him to hear, "Don't move, Anna, I won't hurt you.  You can still save us."  Custer looks up to Kilik and the Orcs approaching the door.  "Kilik, let them see me!  Orcs!  Orcs, look at me!  Stand down, lest you'll be explaining to Grol how you got his betrothed, Anna Maul, daughter of Thar, slain this night!  Stand down, or daughter of Thar dies!"

(Rolling Bluff.  Deception seems the most fitting 5e version.  +4  Persuasion might also fit.  +6  You'll need to pick the total roll with the modifier that best fits my action.)
Deception   18+4= 22
Persuasion  18+6= 24

------

[action: Custer is attempting to bluff the Orcs that he will kill Anna if they attack. He is trying to get them a ticket out, buy some time for better odds, or get a chance to argue a deal with Grol.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'Custer Thickett' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 18

[Ao]

The orcs halt their advance immediately, standing in the doorway before Kilik.

"Unhand her, halfling. And we will offer you a merciful death." Snarls the biggest one.

==========

Good thinking, Cuss.

+10 exp to all for custers quick, combat halting actions

[AnnaMaul]

Going to make my roll and then determine what Anna does from that.

Edit - Why couldn't I roll like that the first time!
-----

Anna feels the blood flowing back to her limbs.  Having heard Cuss's warning, and having control over her emotions after her outburst earlier, she lets her body hang limp but shouts at the orcs in the doorway.

It was Keisan!  He did something that poisoned our bodies!  Look at the rest of my friends lying on the ground over there, you think a halfling could have done this himself?  Against a warrior of the Maul Clan?!  If you do then you must have very little respect for my honor indeed.  Find the human before he can escape!

-----
Con Check 17 + 2 = 19

[Action: Hanging limp in Cuss's arms with a rapier at her throat trying to get the orcs in the door to go after Keisan.]

[DiceMaster]

The member 'AnnaMaul' has done the following action : Dice Roller

'D20' : 17

[Custer Thickett]

Custer smiles at the Orcs, "Why, thank you, big fella. The hospitality of your kind continues to surprise me." Custer looks about the group around him, Come on, now. Get up. Get up. When Anna starts speaking, Custer relaxes somewhat but does not move his rapier from her ear.

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