Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Then let's move. As long as this path from above doesn't lead to a deadly fall, it sounds like a good way to approach.

"As far as what to do when we get in there, I suggest Mauve and every archer focus on the witch. Fighters spread out so it's one fighter to an elf. Every enemy must be engaged so the darkness is not cast. Tarlack, I don't know how fast your people will act when you surprise them, but they'll need to engage any elf that our fighters can't reach. If there are eight of them, maybe they can take on two or three elves."

I see that Nissa has beheaded my kill. Her little arms may have had no trouble after I softened the neck. I carry the eyeless head. "Maybe I can cause a brief panic among the enemy with this.

"Oh... and one more thing." I hold up the card of the spider-lady. "Any chance the witch can change her form? If we have enough fighters for the elves, I might want to rush the witch and do to her what I did to this guy." I raise the decapitated head again. "She's not a weakling like him, so my ability to succeed depends if my knock-out blow hits her right."



Nissa

"I tell the others, if anyone would kindly give me a torch and an oil bottle, I can drop fire on the enemy. Of course, the torch would not be lit until the battle has begun." I tell Tarlack, "If you would like, we could have Skivver and his friend carry the torch and oil bottles for me. They wouldn't need to face the elves--just stay in the tunnels where I can fly for the next bottle."

I turn to the group.

"So... who has oil bottles? Who has a torch?"

 

[Keitsumah]

Keit

I glance over at the challices and grimace. "Whatever is in this wine might act as some sort of stimulant, maybe so they weren't hindered by the alcohol, but clearly that didn't help them. I wound't advise drinking it, just as Masama said but also because we do not know whether or not this is poisonous to all creatures but the drow."

I glance over at Nissa when she asks for oil and a torch. "However, alcohol is flammable. If there is no oil around we may have to try using this."

Batos

I accept the blood-paint and close my eyes before stepping forward to give Baldhart permission. Once the blood is applied I take a step closer to Skivver and the other kobold, and if they don't run, I sniff at them so I can make sure not to mix them up with an enemy. Then I turn away and stand next to Keitsumah, but closer to Baldhart as well. Keit notices the action and reaches one hand up to scratch an ear before I pad over to Baldhart, knowing I need to be closer to the front lines when we attack.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
(while Baldhart does the ritual)
Walks over and cuts a large piece of fabric from one elfs shirt(preferably less bloody section).
He transfers the poison from 5 bolts to 5 arrows, laying the used bolts to one side.
Wrapping the cloth around the tips he carefully slips the 5 arrows into the quiver, but not all the way down so he knows which ones are poisoned.
He takes the 5 bolts and moves to the table, uses the tainted wine in the goblets to clean the bolts tips, careful not to get any wine on his hands or clothes.
Giving the 5 wine cleaned bolts to Bressel to use in his crossbow.
Pulls his last oil flask out and offers it up.
(Moving on)
Aliron opens the door and moves quietly into hallway. Then waits for the kolbolds to show the way.

Bressel
Bressel loads the crossbow, (was there container for the bolts?) if not Bressel will store the extra bolts in his pack, wrapped to keep from being poked or cut if he goes in the pack for something else. (He plans on shooting one shot in battle while monks run in, then he will follow them.) (He probably couldn't use the quiver, since it would be covered in poison and recoat the bolts.)

Bressel offers his only oil flask.

He follows behind the group, covering the rear, so his armor won't give the group away.

((for specs and for rolls, which size crossbow is it?)

 

[SeverinR]

Did anyone check the chain shirts or leather pants?

 

[Steerpike]

Tarlack considers the card with the spider woman on it, then exchanges a few words in kobold with Skivver and the other kobold. After they talk, he turns to Baldhart. "Witch has not changed form. If she can do it, we not know. No one see it. Witch have stick with same spider woman on it. Not know much about black elfs or what they do." He shrugs and Skivver looks on, nodding.

Skivver and the other kobold are happy to carry to oil and torches, being careful not to drop the oil flasks as they are handed over. Skivver looks determined, and Tarlack is still glowing with the privilege of the blood ceremony. The other kobold looks more nervous, but he does not step away from the group and he accepts the oil confidently. Even when Batos sniffs at the kobolds, they only hold their breaths for a split second, tensing up momentarily. They do not stop away as they would have done before.

Transferring the poison from the bolts to the arrows is easily accomplished if the task is handled with care. The poison is sticky, and carelessness would spread it to clothing, hands, or other undesirable areas. Aliron is agile enough to accomplish the task without risk to himself, and he soon has poison-coated arrows stored away for later use.

Searching the drow further, Bressel finds a hard leather container of the appropriate length to carry the bolts. There are two additional bolts inside, and the interior of the container is smeared with poison that has rubbed off from the tips of the bolts. The drow do not appear to have been as careful in their handling of the substance.

When the door is opened, Skivver and the smaller kobold set out ahead, guiding the group through further hallways. At times, there are branching corridors that disappear into the darkness, but the two kobolds hold to a straight path until, finally, they arrive at a set of double doors that look to have once been ornately carved, but are now worn with time. There are holes in the doors that might once have held metal rings, but the rings are gone and pieces of wood have been shoved through the holes. Skivver and the small kobold both tug at the same bit of wood, and the manage to pull the door open just enough to slip through. Even though the doors are old, they swing silently.

Beyond the double doors is a tremendous ampitheater, with rows of stone benches stretching out in either direction to define the diameter of the round room. There are other doors leading out at the four corners of the compass. The area with the benches slopes downward toward the center of the room, but end at a wall that forms a ring around the central area. Stairs descend to ground level from there.

In the center of the room is a crude stone slab, raised on other blocks of stone. A wooden cage sits beside the slab, and there are two small forms - possibly children - within the cage. Another child, unmoving, lays on the slab. He chest has been torn open and pulled aside, exposing the chest cavity, though you can't make out the details from where you are. One the slab next to the girl is a lump of red flesh about the size of a large apple.

A tall female drow in a flowing crimson gown stands next to the slab. She is speaking to three male drow who are gathered around her, watching her intently, their backs to the double doors the group is peering through. The female drow is speaking to the others in a strange language none of you understand. As she speaks, she slices a bit of the flesh from the mound on the table, pausing here and there in her speech to pop a piece of the raw flesh into her mouth and chew it. In her hand, a long, dangerous blade, almost too long to be called a dagger but too short for a sword, rests easily, and this is what she uses to carve the flesh.

The room is lit by torches, and spans some two hundred feet across. Even at this distance, the acoustics of the room are such that the female drow's voice carries easily.

 

[Steerpike]

((OK, guys, there's no way I can create this entire room on a map that the web site will allow me to post if I stick to normal scale. It's just too big. So I have a map of the room, below, and I'll have some notes to go with it. When the fighting starts I'll have maps that are zoomed-in to the relevant areas. Also, this amphitheater room taxed my poor map-making skills. Haha)).

((The party is coming in from the bottom of the map. The area that you see at the top with the red arrows shows where there are stairs to get from the audience level to the floor. It's about fifteen feet down to ground level from the lowest row of where the audience sits. The stone slab and cage are a bit larger than the scale calls for, but I wanted you to be able to see them. The ceiling is domed and high. All four doorways look the same, and all have an aisle leading from the doorway to identical sets of stairs that go down to the floor.

Here are what your enemies look like, since you can't see them from the map)):

((I expect you'll have questions about the room and its contents, so if you want to ask them go ahead and do so (preferably in the welcome forum, where we chat), and then once everyone has a good idea of what the area is like we can go ahead)).

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I signal the two kobolds back to the hall, and hold up the decapitated head. Attempting a quick plan, I trace two circles around the head. “This is the room.”

I trace lines from the nose, ears, and the part in the dead elf’s hair to represent “doors and stairs.” I press three fingers and my thumb on the forehead to show the position of “enemies.”

((Red dot = caster; green dots = male elves.
Colored names indicate which side of the room Baldy suggests you're on.
Baldhart doesn’t bother mentioning the location of the kids, but the two boxes are the positions of the slab and cage.))


“Quick plan; little time:

“Monks and shooters, attack from right balcony. Shoot lady in red. I’ll charge her just in case. Masama, charge the nearest male elf. Knock-out blow.

“Fighters, charge from this side—start from bottom of stairs, or the drop-off from the balcony—whatever works. Make sure all male elves are engaged. Tarlack, make sure kobolds know we’re together.

“Alin, sneak around left, far side balcony. Fire Heartseeker at caster when we’re in position—or sooner, if the enemy’s wise to us or about to move out of current positions.

“Alin’s shot is the signal. As soon as the glowing arrow flies, act immediately. Silence before Alin shoots. Once he fires, make noise if you want to.

"Sound good?”


((Note: I wrote names based on who Baldhart THINKS is a shooter and who’s a fighter, but technically, she didn’t specify names. Names in green/purple are who Baldhart may appear to address when referring to “shooters” and “fighters.”

Also, she only specified positions for Aliron, Masama and herself. For everyone else, she just specified which side of the room to attack from. She’s trusting everyone else to figure the best way to reach the intended targets.

Worth noting: it takes almost 30 seconds just to communicate this! Probably a full minute if we agree and move.

My thought on keeping silence is that Alin and Ankari can roll "move silent" to get into positions ASAP, but the rest of us move slowly, with Alin ready to fire anytime in case elves are alerted or changing position. Baldhart will time her movement to the lady's echoing voice, as long as she's talking.

Hopefully, the heart-eating ritual takes a while so we can get to our places before they catch on or move. 40 chews, evil elves. Count to 3 after swallowing before you take the next bite. You're evil, so talking with your mouth full and talking over each other is allowed and encouraged.))

 

[Philster401]

(A tall, blue eyed, dark brown haired, Paladin walked out from the shadows.)

I move towards the group, and after hearing the groups plan and whispered, "Sounds great, don't scream I here to help, I'm glad I don't have to face this guys by myself this most definitely could have been a hard battle, by the way my name is Zoran Alaster. I came after hearing from the towns people that orphans had been kidnapped and came to free them. So, how can I help? I'm good with a bow and with swords. I could help Aliron but, I think you should make the decision, it's your plan."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

((The woman carrying the eye-less head is almost seven feet tall. Maybe she is, counting the hair. Her muscular limbs are covered in woad paint, and there is woad on her face worn like make-up—on her cheeks and lips!

As Zoran speaks, the large woman hands her only sword, a scimitar, to a tiny winged blonde—only one third her height. Her only other weapon is a boot knife. She wears a bearskin cloak and a torn and bloody white dress. No armor.))

Who the—? No time for trust issues.

"Baldhart Eisenberg. We can exchange name meanings and such later. For now, you heard right, but…"

I point to the closed doors.

"…three orphans are beyond these doors. One is dead.

"Only Alin's bow can shoot someone two hundred feet away." I was shot from four hundred. "If you can shoot straight, come with me. That is…"

I turn to Aliron. "…if you agree to the plan, Alin."


Nissa

((The tiny winged blonde is wearing a cute outfit… but no armor. The wings have bright white feathers. She is a little smaller than the average halfling, and she looks much more attractive than a halfling woman. Her features aren't stocky like most halflings, and she has small feet and a petite figure. She looks less like a halfling and more like a very small human girl, likely in her late teens or early twenties.))

As Baldhart awaits Alin's resonse, I tell the new guy, "Her plan, but… his bow."

 

[Philster401]

"Also are any of you hurt, I don't want to enter a battle with injured people, I would be willing to heal them if need be," Zoran said.

(That is if someone could give me help on how to heal people.)

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I turn and look down at the newcomer to introduce myself. "I am Cadell Dwarf-friend. Everyone is well and whole, but thank you for the offer. I'm sure our healers could use the reprieve, if healing is needed soon."

((Cadell is an elf only a few inches shorter than Baldhart, with fair skin, grey eyes and long ash-blond hair that he wears loose. In place of his left hand he wears a metal gauntlet that has been reworked so it can clamp onto the weapons he uses, with a bit of help from his remaining hand. Also of note is a dwarfish amulet around his neck.))

 

[SeverinR]

Baldhart

((The woman carrying the eye-less head is almost seven feet tall. Maybe she is, counting the hair. Her muscular limbs are covered in woad paint, and there is woad on her face worn like make-up—on her cheeks and lips!

As Zoran speaks, the large woman hands her only sword, a scimitar, to a tiny winged blonde—only one third her height. Her only other weapon is a boot knife. She wears a bearskin cloak and a torn and bloody white dress. No armor.))

Who the—? No time for trust issues.

"Baldhart Eisenberg. We can exchange name meanings and such later. For now, you heard right, but…"

I point to the closed doors.

"…three orphans are beyond these doors. One is dead.

"Only Alin's bow can shoot someone two hundred feet away." I was shot from four hundred. "If you can shoot straight, come with me. That is…"

I turn to Aliron. "…if you agree to the plan, Alin."


Nissa

((The tiny winged blonde is wearing a cute outfit… but no armor. The wings have bright white feathers. She is a little smaller than the average halfling, and she looks much more attractive than a halfling woman. Her features aren't stocky like most halflings, and she has small feet and a petite figure. She looks less like a halfling and more like a very small human girl, likely in her late teens or early twenties.))

As Baldhart awaits Alin's resonse, I tell the new guy, "Her plan, but… his bow."

Aliron
"I am quiet and stealthy, I work best alone and without noisy armor. I like having everyone on the opposite side so I can move in close when they forget about me."
To the new comer:
" Do not take offense, but I trust no one, it has kept me alive many times. Also he looks like the sort of person that might judge my actions as inappropriate, so best we stay apart for a while."
To the group:
"Have all the metal bangers on one side to keep their attention. We need to hit hard and disorient them, do not bunch up, spell casters love a group.
I hope everyone sees their dinner and it should go without saying no quarter, no prisoners."
Aliron glares at the new comer,
"I do not have time to explain the rules, we need to save the children, but know this, if I see any sign you harming any member in our group, I will hit you with an arrow before you can even blink, as Baldhart said, I can hit a target at quite a distance."
Without response, Aliron moves slowly into the room. (does Aliron need a roll? He is moving slow and deliberate.)
Aliron slips a coated arrow from the isolated ones, nochs it. And watches for the others to move into place.

Bressel
Bressel gives a big grin and a left handed wave, his right holds his sword and speaks softly:
"Don't take offense, he does trust very few. That is Aliron, I am Bressel. We save the children, hinder us and I will cleave you in two, and we'll see if Aliron's arrow or my sword hits you first. We do welcome your assistance though."
To the group,
"I can't move quietly, so I will charge all the way down.(all sections have the stairs, is the way I understand it) I will engage as quickly as possible. I could shoot the crossbow, but it would slow me down. So I think it best to engage. I will run straight up from here. Can the new comer enter quietly? If not he should remain with me and charge in. Metal armor will give us away."
Bressel watches Aliron move away.
"He also doesn't like alot of idle talk." Bressel smiles. "Shall we cut up some Drow?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Good point about armor. I'm not so light on my feet, so maybe the shooters and I should run through the hall and come in the other door. Bressel, I think Nissa, Keit and Batos will reach their targets first, so I guess you just see who needs the most help. If for any reason you see fit to smash the wooden cage before you fight... well, I trust your judgment."

Before I set off, I tell Alin, "When you see me slip into the far door, give me only a few seconds to get on the stairs, then shoot your glowing arrow. I'm afraid if I'm in the room too long, an elf will see me."



Nissa

I tell Baldhart, "I'll shout out when the heart-seeker's in flight--when I'm in flight. Stay high enough on the steps that you see your target from the waist down. That should keep you high enough that they won't see you."

I say to the armored archers, "Stay close to the back wall, and close to the door you come in. Bressel's right that armor can give you away. The element of surprise is our best chance at keeping those two kids alive."

Before I go in, I add for the paladin's sake, "Be merciless and kill the dark elves quickly. I assure you we're doing right by Brynhild, among other goddesses and gods."

Once I see we're all ready to keep silence, I move into the door, and slowly work my way to the front-and-center seat of the right-side balcony.

((Destination: between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock position on map so that Nissa's closest to the middle male drow. She heads to front row ASAP in case she needs to move early. No oil. She's using the sword.))


Baldhart

I slip a ring on Keit's finger, then say, "We'll talk later. Best we become silent killers for now. Brynhild be with you, Sister."

I signal the paladin to stick with me, as well as other shooters and Masama. I speed my pace to a jog.

When I get in from the door on the right, I'll go in first with Masama. I'll tiptoe as the others file in, and before the door is open, I'll suggest non-armored shooters enter first.

((Destination: 3 o'clock position stairs, partially down so she can see the target's legs. That should get Baldhart in a position where she can charge in one turn--meaning, she doesn't need to jump down a wall, but run in a straight line.))


Nissa and Baldhart (praying silently)

Brynhild, keep our blades true...

...guide the archers' arrows...
​

...watch over the innocent children...

...and forgive those of us who enjoy tearing these child-killers apart more than we're supposed to.
​

This is our most evil enemy yet. Those who would use the souls of innocents...

The one I failed to save... her soul is free now, isn't it, Brynhild?
​

A mortal can't take an innocent soul and use it. Even gods don't do that! It's impossible!

Death by a knife... it's like death in battle, so a valkyrie may have reached the girl, right?​

​

If one is guiding this poor girl, forgive my asking, but is there a chance that valkyrie could contact me?

How many innocents died by this ritual? The valkyries must be very busy...
​

And if I need to be reassigned to escort these souls, I'll do it.

 

[Philster401]

I sneak as slowly and as silently as I possibly can with Baldhart in the lead. While I wait for her signal to enter I go over her plan and think about if there is anything she didn't think about. I thought of no unseen circumstances but that doesn't mean there are none.

One problem I did have is killing the enemy but this is her plan and I shall follow it unless enemies plea for mercy then I shall try and reason with her to bring them back to town the children came from and leave their fate to the towns people. Although it is unlikely that they shall ask for mercy and I shouldn't be held back by that. They are good as dead anyway if they are brought back to town.

God why do I have to be follow reason even if it means giving mercy to child killers. So if time after ambush I shall ask if they surrender if not I will try to personally kill at least one of them.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel nods, realizing he is the slowest in his section.


So Nissa makes the noise so the enemy turns away from Aliron. Aliron will try to conceal his position just in case one of them looks for him. But more then likely they will be to distracted to realize the arrow came from behind.(accept for his target, the hole in her back would be a pretty good sign there is enemy behind.

But a two large screaming monks and all the others charging at them might keep their attention off Aliron.
While Aliron is waiting for the others he is plotting the positions in his mind in case the lights go out.

He lays out a second poisoned arrow, prays over both; "strike true and kill or cause severe pain and damage to the woman that kills and eats childrens souls."

planned actions; Aliron will send heartbow, then if the targets are distracted he will move up and shoot again.
If the Drow flee (north) he will move around the top to block their path. If they run towards him, he will shoot arrows at female first, then the lead male. (Don't know if they will have time to flee, with the quick monks.) for seeing all possiblities.
Aliron will also try to keep track of the new person(tried to get his name, but can't open a second window in MS today.)
Once all drow are engaged in melee, Aliron will switch to blades, he will have both blades out Scimitar in right, lg sword in left.
Until Baldhart has the female in a bearhug, she is Aliron's target, after that the closest drow is.

If the Drow flee Bressel will attempt to free the children while the others chase the drow.

 

[Philster401]

(It's Zoran Alaster.)

 

[Steerpike]

((Here is an updated map to show the location of new enemies/allies that the group sees as it moves into position. Description to follow. Baldhart, Zoran, and the small kobold are over by the door to the right at this point, though it takes them a little whlle to get over there backtracking through the corridors)).

 

[Philster401]

Silently I signal for Baldhart then whisper worried, "Uh, Baldhart is there a plan for if there are more enemies because I think there are at least five enemies? Do we have any way to let the rest of the group know before they charge, you told me not to injure the kobold but your group doesn't seem to have noticed them they so they might injure the kobolds?"

 

[Steerpike]

The smallest kobold gives a start when Zoran shows up, and Tarlack swings Batos around to get a look at the newcomer. He looks prepared to charge, but stands down once the conversation between Zoran and the others begins. The kobolds have an exchange in their reptilian tongue, with Skivver gesturing at Zoran and asking Tarlack something. Tarlack responds with a few quick words, and Skivver looks doubtful but nevertheless turns back toward the door to the amphitheater.

((Normally, Zoran wouldn't be able to walk up like that without at least the elves, and probably Masama and the kobolds, hearing him coming some distance away (or at least getting a roll). For the sake of expediency we'll take some dramatic license and assume he was able to sneak up before walking in, since the party was distracted by battle plans, severed heads hoisted up in front of the group, etc.)).

With a plan in place, Aliron sneaks into the room. The conversation between the dark elves continues, below, with the female drow continuing to consume the flesh on the table as she speaks. Aliron has no difficulty sneaking into position, because the height of the seating area with respect to the drow make it easy to duck and move, and it appears that the acoustics are such that sound from the center of the room carries easily, but quiet sounds from the seating area are not amplified.

As Aliron moves into position, however, he sees the "missing" kobolds, as well as an additional drow warrior that the party had not previously seen. The kobolds, six of them, are sitting along the southern wall, eating. The drow warrior stands over them impassively, his head cocked toward the female drow who is speaking in the center of the room. This drow and the kobolds are close enough to the southern wall that they were not visible when the party initially glanced into the room.

Baldhart sets off through the hallways, seeking the eastern door. Zoran and Masama follow. When Baldhart announces her plan, Tarlack send the smallest kobold to accompany her. "Make sure you not lost in tunnels," he says. Indeed, the path to the eastern door is a bit roundabout, with the small kobold leading Baldhart and Zoran on a path that backtracks through hallways they've already been through. THe kobold takes a sudden left down a side passage, winds his way quickly through a couple of more branching corridors, then eventually veers back around toward the amphitheater. The small group ends up at another double door identical to the southern one, and this one also opens noiselessly.

By this time, the female drow has consumed most of the flesh on the table, with only a few bits left that she seems to be ignoring for the time being. She is holding the long dagger up and saying something to the male drow, her staff cradled against her body by her other arm, and she has shifted her weight to lean on it.

When Baldhart peers through the eastern door, she, too, makes out the additional group - one drow and six kobolds - by the southern wall.

The other members of the group remain at the southern wall, along with Tarlack and Skivver, waiting for the signal to launch the attack. Those members of the group at the southern door are not aware of the kobolds or the additional drow.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I put a finger to my lips to signal silence, then enter first.

I move very slowly, crouching low as I move, until I see feet and legs. I should be close enough for a full charge. I trust the archers will stay along the back wall and be silent enough. I await Alin's arrow.


((10 feet from door is charge distance, so... that's far enough!))