(Osso, thanks for role playing along with what the dice say. 50XP for nice role play.)

Chikra recalls:

Other races still tend to view most asaatthi with varying degrees of apprehension, although that sentiment has softened somewhat in recent decades. Relations with the other Redeemed races may have aided the serpentfolks’ efforts, for the asaatthi were able to test their diplomatic acumen on less entrenched races, such as the slitherin and the ironbred. Of particular interest to the asaatthi are the ironbred, whom the snakefolk view as a fascinating breed of disorderly rebels waiting to be tamed

For millennia, the asaatthi worshiped Mormo to the exclusion of every other deity. But Mormo is silent now, a fact that has caused no few crises in faith for serpentfolk. Since ancestor worship was always prevalent among them, most Redeemed asaatthi have turned to this spirituality as their personal form of worship. Others have come to follow Chardun, the son of Mormo, or else Denev, the last remaining titan. And some remain intent on finding Mormo and piecing her back together, viewing Denev as a hated traitor and the gods her fawning lapdogs.

Chikra will quietly point out the slaves to the others. "Be careful," she whispers. "We don't know their motives."

"Best wes stay out o' doors t' figur' oot wha' theys bes wantin', no." Vor lays a cautionary hand on Osso.  "Patience moi friend."  He whispers sotto voce, "Som'thin' bes fishy 'ere, don' knows what yet."

Looking at the Asaatthi he says, politely but firmly, "What bes this place and who 're ye?"

Hallanann stays to the back trying to pay attention to the snakefolk's body language and tone of voice to see if he can determine the Asaatthi's true intent.

Osso

Feeling a hand on his shoulder Osso stops. He looks back to see his roguish companion not moving. "What wrong? We not go to snake mans fortress?" His face contorted with confusion. "I thinked we came through desert to find fortress. There it is. But now we not go." A shake of the head and dropping of shoulders emphasises the look of confusion on his face. "Ok, where we go now?"

Insight: 9 (passive is 14)

 “I mean, they seem okay, but there might be something wrong,” Krusk whispers to Chikra. “We best keep our guards up as much as possible.”

Chikra nods. "Yes, we still need to find what we came for -- I'm just not hopeful that we're first."

I'm still finishing setting up a map, but in the mean time, how about everyone rolls initiative.  Also, where would you imagine yourself positioned?

Initiative  6

Vor would, naturally, be off to the side a bit, in echelon as it were, so as not to have any party members in the line of fire.  Since he is left-handed that would preferentially be to the left of most of the party.

OCC OOOOH! Goody, he is a bit SCREWED!

Initiative: 20

Krusk will be on the far right side of the party, probably next to a Chikra since he was just talking to her

Initiative: 17

Chikra's probably near the front, except for probably Osso, since she's trying to keep people back from the gates just yet.

Lia initiative: 13

I would imagine Lia is towards the back, she would never be leading the way into a strange complex, which is also why I had her hesitate when the others noticed something she did not.

Osso

Being the trusting naive dwarf he is, he would be up front. Having almost walked towards the fortress had it not been for Vor's hand on his shoulder.

Initiative 18

Initiative order

A1 23

H3 20

A3 19

Osso 18

Chikra 17

H2 15

Lia 13

A2 8

Vor 6

Krusk 5

A1 Asaath Witchblade casts Hypnotic Pattern in the area containing Osso, Vor, Chikra, Krusk and Hallanann. (Must make a wisdom save or be charmed)

H3 Scout Attacks Osso with a longbow Attack: 6 Damage: 7 vs AC 16

A3 Asaath Blade uses Mutiattack to Bite and use a Scimitar on Osso Bite: 16 Damage: 4 vs AC 16 Scimitar : 13 Damage: 7 vs AC 16

Osso takes 4 damage and is now at 41HP.

Osso and Chikra, your actions.

Osso is in close range combat with A3

Vor is right behind Osso

Chikra is 10 feet away from A1 and Osso

Krusk is 15 feet east of Chikra 

Hallanann is 15 feet south of Chikra

Lia is 15 feet south east of Hallanann.

A1, A2, A3, H2, and H3 are in a group to the north west of the party.

H1 was hiding, and is now behind the party to the south, and is 25 feet south of Lia.

There are stables to the east, and the main entrance to the fortress to the west.

RD 1

WIS  12  (Whew!)

On his turn, Vor will move to I8->H8 and attack the Witchblade with his rapier.

Sneak Attack   Attack: 11 Damage: 19

(Whoa! What a lot of cow dung that was!)

Wisdom save: 6. Chikra is charmed, and does nothing (I assume).

((Dang! Sorry, I missed the initiative roll. 16))

Osso

Wisdom 15

If successful: The unprovoked attack throws the tattooed dwarf into a reckless rage. In an obviously rehearsed maneuver he draws his Greataxe and swings at A3

Attack: 14 Damage: 18

If not: Duh, pretty colours...

((Just reread the [effect]charmed[/effect]. By failing the save, does it mean I can't attack A3 but can still attack someone else, or I can't attack at all? I think I read the former but I'm not sure.))