Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Keitsumah]

Batos

I growl, trying to hold onto the drow's cloak and use it to find his flesh with my teeth:

My jaws close on nothing but air and I crouch down, trying to give Tarlack a clearer shot while making sure a blow from the drow won't hit me. Hopefully Tarlack will do the same.

Keitsumah

I grope for the door and crouch next to it. "Children, here I am." I whisper. "You will be okay. I promise." I thumb at the necklace against my throat and consider making its glow stronger so she children can see something, but it might make me a more visible target.

Instead, I pull the small carving knife i have in my knapsack out and begin to fiddle with the lock. "I don't want to make us a target, so I will not use my magic to try and make some light." I tell the children. "But I am trying to pick this lock. I've never tried before, but I have to your your sakes. Keep your hands away from mine so you do not cut them on the blade."

I keep an ear tilted in the direction of the darkness to listen for anyone who approaches, my staff safe in the crook of my elbow.

(thats for the lock-pick)

 

[Philster401]

"Drows this is your only chance surrender, I promise I will not try to harm you," said Zoran but he thought all I really hope for is that they say that they refuse to surrender so I or another can gut them, again, shoot, my old self poking up again hoping to kill magic users mercilessly why is it so hard to change those horrible opinions. Although against enemies like this I can see why they would want to kill magic users though .

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Unable to make out any target, Aliron waits, poisoned (blessed) arrow ready.
readied action:
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 1+6 = 7 ;damage[1d8] = 8
So much for his blessed arrow.

Bressel
Bressel swings again from memory trying to guess where the drow had dodged.
:2 hand sword to hit[1d20+4] = 5+4 = 9 damage[2d6+3] = 11+3 = 14
Ineffective, but maybe he can tap the drows armor.He remains quiet listening for some target to swing at.

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart keeps her grapple going on the sorceress, who at least initially isn't make a vigorous attempt to resist the grapple. As the next few seconds pass, however, Baldhart notices that the supple skin of the sorceress beneath her arm grows firm, almost hard, and at the same moment an incredible weight settles onto Baldhart, as though she has gone from holding a thin female drow to a bear (though if it were a bear, it would have to be a furless one). The weight presses Baldhart against the stones. The sorceress tries to turn over, so that she is righted instead of being held on her back by Baldhart, using the force of the movement to try to dislodge the large woman:


Opposing grapple [1d20+9] = 12+9 = 21


The monk's iron grip is still too strong for the sorceress. Baldhart clings to her in the darkness, even though the weight of the sorceress rests heavily on her.


Nissa emerges from the darkness into the light high above the battle in the amphitheatre. Those outside the darkness see her rise. When she calls out to Skivver and the other kobold, they both set off toward higher ground, moving into the seating section in the southeast section of the amphitheatre.


The kobolds around the edge of the darkness start calling out in their language, directing their shouts into the darkness where their leader disappeared atop Batos. They seem to be shouting encouragement, though none seems inclined to move into the dark after their leader.


Inside the darkness, Bressel swings again but hits nothing. Drow voices can be heard, but they are moving away from Bressel and hissing quietly back and forth as they go. He can make out their general direction, but finding one of them in the darkness will take as much luck as skill. Behind him some small distance, he hears Batos' growl and Tarlack's yelling.


Zoran calls for the surrender of the drow, and his voice is loud even in the chaos of battle. Though they must have heard, the drow give no indication of surrender. They do not answer and remain in the darkness, except:


One drow emerges into the light just at the northeast edge of the darkness holding a small, one-handed crossbow. Arrows from Aliron, Cadell, and Liadan flash out immediately. The drow looks surprised to have reached the edge of the darkness and is not prepared for the barrage ((I'm taking away the Drow's DEX bonus for this round)).


Aliron and Cadell both miss, the drow crying out as he scans the area for the source of the missiles. Liadan's attack strikes a glancing blow on the drow's torso, but there is a thud and the missle spins away, turned by the drow's chainmail. Grim-faced, the drow spots the source of the attack that struck his armor and fires a shot back with the hand-held crossbow.


[1d20+3] = 15+3 = 18
((Liadan has a +4 bonus to her AC for partial concealment)).


Though somewhat shielded by the stone wall encircling the amphitheatre, the drow is a skilled marksman and a small crossbow bolt finds Liadan.


[1d4] = 1


The attack is not much more than a graze along her arm, but Liadan's eyes feel momentarily heavy, and a thick substance is smeared along the tear in her clothing and the wound beneath. ((Liadan takes 1 HP and must make a CON save)).


In the darkness, Batos tries again to bite the drow he knows is close. His bite misses, but he positions himself to allow Tarlack to strike. Batos feels movement on his back as the kobold chieftain lashes out.


[1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21


Beyond all reason, Tarlack's spear strikes something that the kobold leader fervently hopes is a drow.


[1d6+1] = 6+1 = 7


A cry and a curse emanate from just beside Batos, both words in the drow tongue, and now Batos smells the pungent smell of thick blood in addition to the usual scent of drow.

There is a woosh of air as some sort of counter attack is launched by the drow:

Attack Tarlack [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8

But the attack lands nowhere near either Batos or Tarlack.


At the cage, the children have quieted somewhat, allowing themselves to be calmed by Keitsumah's voice. Keitsumah works at the lock, the darkness being little hinderance to her attempt to pick it, since the action relies primarily on feel. She thinks she is close for a moment, but then the workings of the lock click back into place and it does not open.

Aliron spots Masama as he moves out of the darkness to the west. The sphere of darkness prevents Cadell and Liadan from seeing him, but the large man see Aliron, offers a curt nod, and then turns back toward the darkness, contemplating an action.

 

[Ireth]

Liadan

I scowl in disappointment as the drow's chain mail deflects my arrow. When his answering bolt grazes my arm, I look down and glimpse a thick substance staining my sleeve and the skin around the wound, just before my eyes fall shut.

Cadell

At the sight of Liadan's poisoned wound, I snarl aloud and nock another arrow, aiming it at the drow who wounded her. He will pay for that!

My arrow flies true. I hope it hurts!

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

Oh, what are you, sorceress? Now we're having some fun!

But I am stronger than you and your magic tricks!

I tighten my grip on the neck. Brynhild, grant me the strength to finish this child-eating thing. She has no place in this world.

She's getting heavy. Without losing my grip on the neck, I do a sit-up to scrunch myself forward—and my opponent as well. If I just lie here, maybe she'll have the advantage. But if I reposition myself, perhaps I'll have some leverage that's to my advantage!

((STR Check))

Nissa

I call out, "Skivver, have one of your guys grab a torch and bring it up to you. I'll pick it up later."

For now, I fight! I swoop down and attack the brazen drow from above.

((16 - forgot the scimitar's +1))

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

I grit my teeth and resist the urge to whirl when i hear the fight still going on. But i keep my focus on the lock, aiming to open it once again:

But the lock clicks back in place. I mentally curse and consider my options. "Do any of you have a twig or something small and long? This knife may be too big for it to be effective."

Batos

My lips pull back in a victorious snarl as I scent the drow's blood. He will pay for harming children. He will pay for his life of darkness. Thunder pulses in my veins and red begins to cloud my vision even in this black shadow. I do not resist the madness, and lash out with beserker's fangs and claws:

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
His shot was too quick, he pulls another poisoned arrow and fires quickly at the drow that stepped out;
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 18+6 = 24 ;damage[1d8] = 2

Bressel:
Hearing the drow scream, bringing the sword over his head he chops down on the sound of the drow, so he is less likely to hit someone else.2 hand sword to hit[1d20+4] = 16+4 = 20 damage[2d6+3] = 10+3 = 13

 

[Steerpike]

((New Map. Let me know if you have trouble making anything out. The scale is a bit limiting))

((Also, new (or at least transformed) enemy on the map. Here's a better view)):

 

[Steerpike]

Baldhart still has the sorceress around the neck, though the drow's skin has toughened under her arm. As Baldhart clings, the sorcerss makes an attempt to jerk free:

[1d20+9] = 17+9 = 26

Though strong, the drow is not strong enough to break the big woman's grip. As she hangs on, Baldhart feels the weight of the drow, or whatever she has become, suddenly lift off of her, and the next thing she knows she is rising slowly into the air, still clinging to the neck of the drow, the darkness still robbing her of any vision.

Meanwhile, in the seating section overlooking the amphitheater floor, Liadan has slumped into a gentle slumber. Her body rests behind the stone wall of the upper section, effectively shielding her from view of any of those below.

Next to Liadan, Cadell takes aim at the drow who shot the poisoned bolt. Cadell's arrow strikes home, catching the drow in the shoulder and punching through chainmail and into the soft flesh beyond. The drow cries out in pain. At almost the same moment, Nissa swoops in from above, also landing a blow against the drow, and as the dark elf twists and turns in his attempt to deal with the attacks, Aliron's arrow slices across his thigh. The drow staggers a moment, one hand going to the wound from Aliron's arrow.

CON Save [1d20+5] = 4+5 = 9

A frown creases the drow's lips as he sinks to the stone floor in slumber.

By the cage, Keitsumah is still unable to open the lock. The children remain mostly quiet, but there are soft sounds, as though they're not trying to cry out loud.

Back in the darkness, Batos again lashes out at the drow near him. The wolf finds flesh and bites heartily into it, hearing the cry of the drow as he does so.

From atop Batos' back, Tarlack stabs at the drow again:

[1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14

This time the kobold's attack is turned by the drow's chainmail. That same chainmail, however, is not able to withstand the ferocity of Bressel's two-handed sword. Both Tarlack and Batos feel the whoosh of air as Bressel swings, and hear the rending of flesh and jarring crack of bone as Bressel's sword connects...

...and then the lights come on.

Masama barks something in his native tongue when the darkness disappears, and starts toward Bressel and Batos. But the drow sways in place for only a moment, then crumples, Bressel's sword embedded in his skull. Seeing this, Masama changes course, heading for Baldhart. Passing near Keitsumah, he says "Continue with the lock. I will aid Baldhart."

He says it casually, but his eyes have gone wide, because where the drow sorceress once stood is not a tremendous spider with the upper body of the female drow extending from its abdomen. The drow spider-thing is floating slowly upward, it's body inverted and with Baldhart hanging from the creature's neck. They rise about five feet from the ground (measured by the bottom of Baldhart's feet) and continue to move upward.

Of the two drow still standing, both armed with crossbows, one takes Baldhart into its sights and raises its crossbow, but the drow does not fire, taking time instead to steady the bow so as not to hit the sorceress-spider, or perhaps reconsidering the wisdom of taking a shot.

The second of the two drow warriors has no such qualms about taking a shot. The drow gets Bressel into his sights, having caught the tail end of the devastating blow the man struck against the other drow, and lets loose a bolt.

Attack [1d20+3] = 14+3 = 17

((Severin: Do you have the most recent updates to Bressel and Aliron? I believe that hits, and if so Bressel needs a CON save)).

The six kobolds that were outside the darkness surge forward to rally around Tarlack, and the kobold leader starts calling out commands to them in the kobold tongue.

Skivver and his companion watch the drow spider-thing in astonishment, momentarily forgetting themselves as they gape at Baldhart clinging to the rising creature's neck.

The strange knife the drow sorceress was using in her ritual lies on the stone floor about five feet north of where Baldhart and the spider-thing rise from the ground.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

The light distracts me...

...or maybe it's the long, hairy legs and the spidery butt.

"Dammit, I knew you were a spider!"

I change my position to her side, so should she fall back down, she won't land on me.

"See your men drop like flies, spider. You'll join them soon." [INTIMIDATE]

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Liadan lies slumped against the stone beside me. Her breathing is slow, but steady; she appears to be no more than asleep. I sigh in relief -- all in all, this could be far worse.

When the darkness gives way to light, I look back on the scene below. Two drow are still standing, and -- what is that thing Baldhart is clinging onto? I don't dare try to shoot it for fear of hurting my friend, whether by arrow or the force of a fall. I aim instead at the nearer of the two male drow, who is turned aside from me.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

My guy's asleep. I'll kill him later. For now, Baldy's in trouble. I watch the shooter taking aim at her. I swoop in silently, aiming for his back!

((15 if Nissa gets the +2 for coming from behind. She's getting the guy aiming at Baldhart, and also backstabbing to keep an enemy between her and the caster, in case Spider Woman is a web-slinger.))

As I land my attack, I call out to the kobolds,

"Tarlack! Call your people to swarm the men so we can deal with the lady!
Skivver, have oil and a torch ready for me!"

Gotta love the acoustics here!

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
(its pretty close if not, Bressel has a bronze breast plate +5 armor, I believe 17 is what he needed to hit.)
Prime ability check [1d20] = 12 prime abilities Str,Dex,con +1 con modifier, so 13. (+4 primal instinct? con)
***need damage if it did hit Bressel.***
Bressel charges for the one who shot him. (uncertain if he can attack him this round, I think I can so I will roll. If he failed the save, the attack is wasted, if he can't reach he will use it for the next round.)
No longer needing to be silent, he bellows an intimidating battle cry echos in the chamber. (attempt Intimidation)
2 hand sword to hit[1d20+4] = 18+4 = 22 damage[2d6+3] = 6+3 = 9

Aliron
Two drow are moving away from the melee, Baldhart is hugging a spider person. Two drow are down.
He aims and fires a poisoned arrow at the drow aiming at Baldhart.
normal to hit day arrow [1d20+6] = 13+6 = 19 ;damage[1d8] = 4 The arrow seems to strike true.
"Stop them!" Aliron yells after Bressel's battle cry, then charges toward the spider.
Switching from bow to a lone schimitar. (unless the spider will be out of reach before he can get to her, then he will keep the bow.)
1 poisoned arrow left.

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

"Brynhild, if you have any mercy you will help me open this cage!" i curse under my breath and try again, fingers shaking. I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder when the darkness had fallen and seen Baldhart rising along with the giant spider-drow.

I wish i could turn into something that could fly -maybe big enough to help Baldhart. But i am next to useless in battle, unless... I pause, considering something, then pick at the lock again:

"Damn." I curse again and glance at the roof. Then towards Bressel and Batos. Of the two, only Batos pauses before attacking. I press my fingers to my lips and send out a shrill whistle to catch his attention.

"Tarlack! Have some of your kobolds help me open this cage! Maybe with our combined strength we can crack it."

I do not tell Tarlack and Batos explicitly to help, and Batos knows that. He only pauses long enough for Tarlack to give orders, then moves on toward the drow.

I consider the roof again. How high? How low beneath the ground?

Do any roots reach this deep?

Batos

I growl in frustration as i see Keitsumah struggling with the lock, but I know my job in this fight. Glancing up at Baldhart momentarilly, i wish the barbarian luck and a strong grip. But for now, my target are the drow.

Leaping over the body of the fallen one, I bolt in the direction of the three drow near Nissa. And let out a howl:

(intimidate)

 

[Philster401]

I charge the closest Drow,

(Add one for STR)
If the move hits I attack the Drow,

(Add one for STR)
"The time for mercy is over, I gave you a chance to end this without bloodshed but, you refused now it's time for your death," I state ready for battle.
(Sorry about forgetting STR)

 

[Steerpike]

((OK, I think we've got everyone in position here. Update to follow!)).

 

[Steerpike]

The spider-sorceress continues to rise slowly, her body twisting to right itself as she moves upward. Baldhart struggles to keep her grapple on the strange creature. Using her human-like arms and one of her legs as leverage, the sorceress tries to break free of Baldhart's grasp:

Break Grapple [1d20+9] = 14+9 = 23

The sorceress lets out a hiss of delight as she finally breaks the grip of the large, mad woman who has been trying to strangle her. No longer having hold of the spider-thing, Baldhart tumbles toward the ground. Although the fall might cause minor damage to some, Baldhart is skilled enough to roll into the fall and pop up in a crouch a few feet away. She fixes her eyes back on the spider woman just in time to see one of the sorceress' palms upturned in her direction. A brown ray flashes out from the sorceress' hand, undulating like a snake and striking out at Baldhart like a whip. Brown-black energy streams off of the ray like an evaporating mist. Try as she might, Baldhart cannot avoid the ray. It settles on her like freezing air, and Baldhart feels the connection trying to leach strength from her body.

((No damage to Baldhart, but need a CON save)).

Standing beside Liadan, Cadell fires another arrow into the battle below. His aim is true, and he strikes the drow closest to himself, the same one Zoran come charging toward from out of the stairwell. Cadell's arrow hits the drow in the side, finding a way through the dark elf's armor.

The drow turns to fix his gaze on Cadell, but only seconds later has to contend with the charging Zoran. The drow tries to parry the Paladin's strike, but it is no use. The drow takes Zoran's blow across the shoulder and hisses in pain.

Nissa attacks a drow from behind, her strike landing true on the dark elf. The drow starts to turn toward the small valkyrie, and as he does so Aliron's arrow strikes him in the shoulder, causing him to curse in his tongue:

CON Save [1d20+5] = 18+5 = 23

The drow curls his lip at the poison mingled with the blood from his wound, but he does not fall.

Bressel feels a momentary wave of vertigo as the poison insinuates itself into his bloodstream. Sleep tugs at the corners of his brain, but he steadies himself and fights through it with primal determination. Once the effect has passed, he charges toward the drow Zoran just attacked.

Batos is just ahead of Bressel, committed to the fight though conscious of Keitsumah struggling with the cage nearby. The wolf also bounds toward the drow engaged with Zoran. Batos lets out a howl as he rushes, but perhaps the drow are familiar with such animal cries, for it does not appear to disturb them.

Tarlack raises his spear as he rides Batos. He struggles to process the chaos of sound around him, including multiple parties who are calling out to him. He sees Keitsumah as he passes near the cage, and turns to call something to the group of kobolds huddled away from the battle. Then, hearing Nissa's call, Tarlack calls out to the kobolds again even as he bounces away from them on Batos' back.

Two of the six kobolds break off from the group and rush to Keitsumah's side. The other four dash toward the drow, though they've supplied their own interpretation of Tarlack's commands and are taking roundabout courses toward their targets, not appearing to have great heights of confidence. Two of them trail Masama, two dash around the perimeter of the arena to get behind Zoran.

Masama has run past the cage and in rounding toward the sorceress. He frowns grimly as he nears, for the spider-sorceress is rising higher and well out of melee reach. Continuing to dash toward her, Masama grasps at the axe he keeps strapped to his back.

One of the kobolds at Keitsumah's side squats beside her. He wears little more than a tattered belt with strips of cloth hanging from it. The kobold reaches to the belt and pulls a small lock pick from its fabric. The device is battered and worn, but it is nonetheless a lock pick. The kobold shoves the end of it into the padlock and begins jiggling it:

Lock Pick [1d20+1] = 13+1 = 14

After a moment, there is a click. From the sound, Keitsumah judges the lock is open. The kobold steps away from it.

The drow struck by Nissa steps to the side, putting a few feet between himself and the valkyrie and then loses his crossbow bolt:

Attack [1d20+3] = 16+3 = 19

Damage [1d4] = 2

The bolt tears across Nissa's thigh. The wound is minor, but the drow's vile poison seeps into the wound. The drow starts to reload.

((Need a CON save from Nissa)).

Like the drow attacking Nissa, the one nearest Zoran also takes a sideways step and fires off a quick shot at the Paladin:

Attack [1d20+3] = 5+3 = 8

Too quick, it seems, for the shot goes wide, disappearing over Cadell's head in the audience section of the amphitheater. Instead of reloading, this drow drops his crossbow, which clatters on the ground, and his hand goes to the hilt of his dagger.

Also in the audience section of the amphitheater, Skivver sets his allotment of oil along the top of the stone wall the overlooks the lower section of the chamber. The small kobold with Skivver is up on the wall, edging his body toward a scone that holds a flickering torch.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I duck as an arrow zips over my head, and take one of my own from my quiver. I coat the head with the sticky substance on Liadan's sleeve, then send the shaft speeding down toward the drow who has a crossbow aimed at Nissa.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

((I'm pretty sure that's a fail.))

As I feel the drowsiness of the poison, I pray to Brynhild:

Grant me the strength to stay in the battle. And if my body is too weak, for the sake of the children, please lend your might to those still standing…




Baldhart

((I'm pretty sure that's a success.))

Spider girl is out of my reach. Dammit! It's up to our archers now, and Nissa…

Only when I look back, there's little Nissa struggling to fly. I get behind the guy who shot her.

What's with me all of a sudden? Do I fight better in the dark?

Well, now that I've got his attention, I say to the man:

"I'm going to split your skull using my boot and the stone steps. Picture your corpse as you try to stop me." [Intimidate]