Clas turns to Ardana, the paladin, his hazel eyes gleaming with determination. Ardana, my valiant friend, he says with a warm smile, would you like some assistance? Clas stands ready and eager to assist. He pulls out one of his hand axes ready to fell the door.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Gesturing to the wolf and talking to Daisy, Nim says
“Sure is brave for such a malnourished one. How about ‘Courage’?”
He then thinks to himself…
‘Hmm, still look like this Zhentarim fella. May as well make use of the spell while it lasts.’
He then turns to those not bashing the door in and says..
”While I still appear as our foes maybe I should scout ahead. Let’s assume they won’t attack me on sight while I look this way. Any suggestions on where to go? Through the double doors?”
"Nim, don't wander off alone again. While they hammer the door, let me get in the doorway/hallway so I can keep an eye on you and well as cover your back... just in case," Tarysaa motioned to the t-section just feet away. "Sneak and peek and come right back?"
In an admirable division of labor, Ardana and Clas begin trying to destroy the door with their weapons, Tarysaa, Daisy and the wolf (for whom Daisy is searching for an appropriate name) are in position to allow them to guard both the door which is being vandalized, both the double doors to the west, Ilwhyte is presumably recovering her strength in the newly conquered room and Nim the Explorer, skilled in all C-things, such as therefore the Camouflaging, is preparing to explore beyond the double doors, while retaining Akhil's appearance.
Then, with a background of loud thuds and bangs, a well-known bald man slowly opens the double doors... and finds a corridor beyond it! A large corridor, 10' wide, which turns north after 30'.
(OOC: Is Nimblestep taking a light source with him? Or is he counting on his Darkvision?)
Nim looks despairingly into the gloom of the dark corridor with his pathetic regular eyes before backing out and closing the door behind him. He turns back to everyone and asks.
”Anyone got a torch? I don’t think my candles will cut it in there.”
If nobody offers one he will check for one in a sconce in the rooms already searched. Once he has a light source he will trot down the corridor towards the turning and once he reaches it he will prop the torch up before taking it round the corner exposing him in a bath of light, and take a quick peek around the corner to see what he can find.
If the corner also shows nothing but darkness then he will sigh, pick up the torch and very slowly and quietly make his way around the corner keeping a sharp eye out for anything of note.
Torch in hand and door in front of him Nim steels himself and thinks to himself.
’Be Akhil, embrace the bald.’
He tries the handle and if unlocked opens it sternly, putting confidence in his movements lest he Betty his disguise. Although aware of the Zhentarim wit faced so far he is ready to spring into a retreat at a moments notice should his guise fail him.
Opening the double door, Nim hears a bell ringing just above. Instinctively looking up, he notices that someone has actually fixed a bell just above the double door, so that it rings when it is opened. In case the noise wasn't enough, you can still hear in the distance the blows and thuds that the party, trying to break down the other door, is producing.
Looking down again, the disguised halfling meets the piggy eyes of a half-orc peering at him impatiently: "Well, then? What the hell is all this noise, Akhil!? Speak! Or have you lost your tongue, as well as your hair?"
Nim's mind begins to register the details. The half-orc who spoke is seated on an elegant and imposing mahogany throne, on the upper part of which there's carved a heraldry: two wolves facing each other on opposite sides of a horse with particularly elongated legs. The humanoid's heavy armor jingles as he adjusts himself slightly on his throne, sprawled, with one leg on one of the armrests. Powerfully built and of remarkable stature (easily 6' tall), his skin shows grayish tones and the scars of many battles. His prominent teeth give the impression that he's growling. A with a winged snake is coiled in its arm by him. He has a battleaxe at one hip, a whip at another, and a shield at hand.
The throne is in the center of the room, which has elegant brass candlesticks protruded from the walls, some actually with lit candles, some empty.
Scattered around the hall there are also a pallet, some blankets, a small table made from an empty cider barrel on which a fairly smooth stone slab (irregular shape, radius about 5') has been placed, a stool, a chest, four stuffed goblin heads.
On the table are two sheets of parchment still unused, an inkwell with a small residue of ink, a quill, a mug and a knife.
Nim puts a hand to his throat and gets down on one knee to pay respects to the half-orc. Feigning being out of breath and producing a raspy voice he says.
”Not my tongue sir but my throat, took a nasty elbow to it in the scuffle if you’ll excuse my voice *he coughs and spits on the floor* We lost a few but we took more of them and with our victory now at hand we even have some of them left bound and gagged for your pleasure. I’ll take you to them if you will sir. Like inspecting cattle at the market HAHAHA!”
(OOC: deception 22!)
If the brutish half Orc agrees to follow Nim will escort him back down the corridor and before turning the corner he thinks to himself…
’Oh bother I really better let them know we’re coming!’
Once more in his raspy impression of Akhil he shouts at the top of his lungs…
”HAHA the Zhentarim cannot be defeated! Bow down to your lord and pay respects for he alone holds your life and destiny in his hands!”
"No, wait! We're needing to mend th...." Daisy watches as Nim-Akhil disappears through the doors. "Why is everyone such a durned hurry to find trouble!?" She adds shaking her head.
Hearing the cries from the hallway, Daisy let's out a sigh and hurries back to the others at the closet. "Our little friend has run off to talk to their leader here. I don't think we're gonna have time for a rest."
The druid spits on the palm of her hand and rubs them together, muttering someing in the language of the druids. She then lays a hand upon each of the warriors, and flow of positive energy enters them, healing their wounds.
"This might have to wait!" she says, kicking the door with her boot.
(Cure Wounds on Clas and Ardana, 11 and 10 hp, respectively)
The half-orc is initially surprised and looks at Nim in a strange way... his fangs twist in a snarl... but what he lets out is a smug laugh (evidently, those protruding fangs give an impression of aggression even the rare times, like this one, where there is no violence expected soon)!
"Akhil, I admit that I had always considered you an idiot..." the 'king' gets up and approaches "But finally you have found the right tone and the right attitude to address me! You are the first one to do it! I am really pleased! Maybe I will make you the my second in command..."
"Let's go!" he exhorts the camouflaged halfling, already preparing his whip "Take me to these invaders! I really want to know how they found our secret base! If the Harpells were to know about it... But no, that's impossible! They would have sent much more of a small group of losers. However, I'm curious to question them".
Everyone else, before the pair turns the corner back into the room with the many double doors, hear Nim theatrically announce: ”HAHA the Zhentarim cannot be defeated! Bow down to your lord and pay respects for he alone holds your life and destiny in his hands!”
While only Nim hears the half-orc ask him: "Akhil... You haven't started using any drugs, have you? As much as I like this new spirit of yours, you know I want you all to be able to think clearly... don't you?"
(OOC: @All: hearing Nim, you have time to position yourself approximately where you want. Declare where you want to position yourself, before the two arrive...)
Ah, my heartfelt thanks for the healing, Clas says with gratitude in his voice as he receives the comforting aid.
He then reaches for his trusty shield, 'Barrel,' and with axe in hand, he heads to the entrance room. Come, my friends, let’s use whatever cover is available! Clas dashes to the north hall that leads to the room with the tipped table. He puts his back to southern most part of the west wall in that hall. He puts away the hand axe and unsheathes ‘Ale’. Then smiles at everyone he can see.
‘Alhil’ halts in his tracks upon the Half-Orc king’s question; stalling for time he turns to him and says…
”To be honest with you my king... I am. But I’ve never been so alert! One of the invaders we felled had a bag of black powder. I sniffed it out of curiosity and it sent me into a battle frenzy with such a clear mind! I was able to push through pain and strategise better than ever before. Here try some, you’d be unstoppable!”
During this hushed conversation Nim uses his signet ring to grind up against the wall behind him, crushing the brick-mortar/stone into a powder he collects in his hand and then moves his hand in and out of his pocket to make the illusion he has just produced it.
(OOC: Slight of hand Natural 1…)
Nim pulls his hand out of his pocket with a scratched signet ring, a bloody knuckle and feint residue of stone.
”On second thought… maybe it did just dull my wits some…”
"Nim, don't wander off alone again. While they hammer the door, let me get in the doorway/hallway so I can keep an eye on you and well as cover your back... just in case," Tarysaa motioned to the t-section just feet away. "Sneak and peek and come right back?"
STEALTH: 15
Tarysaa peers out the doorway of the 'sleeping room' and takes a sharp inhaled breath as she sees NOT Nim 'sneaking and peeking' but walking aside the half orc task master!
Gritting her teeth she pulls back into the doorway, prepares to fire her shortbow as both figures step into the main 'entrance' room.
To Hit: 15 Dmg: 5
As soon as the arrow flies, she ducks back into the room.
Ardana, hearing Daisy, stops hammering at the door, stows the hammer, draws her greatsword, then to the prisoners:
"Sounds like we have company, I will be back to free you, but we need to deal with the half-orc first."
I think we have left all the doors open so Ardana will dash back through the kitchen, the eating room, as far as she can get towards the main hall, but stopping short of going down the passage to the main hall, standing to the side of the door and peeking around the corner.
Daisy hurries and hides in the hallway between the dinning room and main entry. She pats the side of her thigh urging the wolf to follow.
(Stealth 12.... Rolled stealth for the wolf, 8)
As she waits for the orc boss to appear, she looks down at the animal and ponders quietly. "Courage..? Maybe. You do seem like you want to protect. Are you going to be my shield... Barakor?" She gives the wolf a rub on the side of its head then pulls out a few stones and infuses them with her magic.
Upon hearing from 'Akhil' that he has been disobeyed, the 'king' frowns visibly and cracks his whip nervously: "Akhil... You have learned how to address me... but do you unlearn that you must always obey me?! If I said that..."
However, the half-orc stops abruptly as he passes through the double doors ... because he sees in the hall the blood and corpses of several Zhentarim who perished there ... Perhaps from the story of 'Akhil' he expected the blood tribute to be minor status? Maybe he's suspicious of the fact that, instead, there aren't even one of the bodies of intruders?
We'll never know: Tarysaa, who was ready to lean in and shoot an arrow as soon as the enemy entered the room, tries to do just that... but the half-orc, already suspicious, raises his shield and miraculously deflects the arrow away at the last moment. The elf retreats back in the room, while outside...
"Rotting traitor!" the half-orc roars at the nearby 'Akhil', probably with bad intentions.
Clas turns to Ardana, the paladin, his hazel eyes gleaming with determination. Ardana, my valiant friend, he says with a warm smile, would you like some assistance? Clas stands ready and eager to assist. He pulls out one of his hand axes ready to fell the door.
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Gesturing to the wolf and talking to Daisy, Nim says
“Sure is brave for such a malnourished one. How about ‘Courage’?”
He then thinks to himself…
‘Hmm, still look like this Zhentarim fella. May as well make use of the spell while it lasts.’
He then turns to those not bashing the door in and says..
”While I still appear as our foes maybe I should scout ahead. Let’s assume they won’t attack me on sight while I look this way. Any suggestions on where to go? Through the double doors?”
"Nim, don't wander off alone again. While they hammer the door, let me get in the doorway/hallway so I can keep an eye on you and well as cover your back... just in case," Tarysaa motioned to the t-section just feet away. "Sneak and peek and come right back?"
In an admirable division of labor, Ardana and Clas begin trying to destroy the door with their weapons, Tarysaa, Daisy and the wolf (for whom Daisy is searching for an appropriate name) are in position to allow them to guard both the door which is being vandalized, both the double doors to the west, Ilwhyte is presumably recovering her strength in the newly conquered room and Nim the Explorer, skilled in all C-things, such as therefore the Camouflaging, is preparing to explore beyond the double doors, while retaining Akhil's appearance.
Then, with a background of loud thuds and bangs, a well-known bald man slowly opens the double doors... and finds a corridor beyond it! A large corridor, 10' wide, which turns north after 30'.
(OOC: Is Nimblestep taking a light source with him? Or is he counting on his Darkvision?)
Nim looks despairingly into the gloom of the dark corridor with his pathetic regular eyes before backing out and closing the door behind him.
He turns back to everyone and asks.
”Anyone got a torch? I don’t think my candles will cut it in there.”
If nobody offers one he will check for one in a sconce in the rooms already searched. Once he has a light source he will trot down the corridor towards the turning and once he reaches it he will prop the torch up before taking it round the corner exposing him in a bath of light, and take a quick peek around the corner to see what he can find.
If the corner also shows nothing but darkness then he will sigh, pick up the torch and very slowly and quietly make his way around the corner keeping a sharp eye out for anything of note.
Stealth 7
Perception 14
Nim can easily find a torch - already in the room with the improvised barrier, near the barrier itself, there were some, with a flint also.
And so... Nim the Explorer helps advance everyone's knowledge, finding another double door!
That's one small step for Akhil, one giant leap for the party...
Torch in hand and door in front of him Nim steels himself and thinks to himself.
’Be Akhil, embrace the bald.’
He tries the handle and if unlocked opens it sternly, putting confidence in his movements lest he Betty his disguise. Although aware of the Zhentarim wit faced so far he is ready to spring into a retreat at a moments notice should his guise fail him.
Opening the double door, Nim hears a bell ringing just above. Instinctively looking up, he notices that someone has actually fixed a bell just above the double door, so that it rings when it is opened. In case the noise wasn't enough, you can still hear in the distance the blows and thuds that the party, trying to break down the other door, is producing.
Looking down again, the disguised halfling meets the piggy eyes of a half-orc peering at him impatiently: "Well, then? What the hell is all this noise, Akhil!? Speak! Or have you lost your tongue, as well as your hair?"
Nim's mind begins to register the details. The half-orc who spoke is seated on an elegant and imposing mahogany throne, on the upper part of which there's carved a heraldry: two wolves facing each other on opposite sides of a horse with particularly elongated legs. The humanoid's heavy armor jingles as he adjusts himself slightly on his throne, sprawled, with one leg on one of the armrests. Powerfully built and of remarkable stature (easily 6' tall), his skin shows grayish tones and the scars of many battles. His prominent teeth give the impression that he's growling. A with a winged snake is coiled in its arm by him. He has a battleaxe at one hip, a whip at another, and a shield at hand.
The throne is in the center of the room, which has elegant brass candlesticks protruded from the walls, some actually with lit candles, some empty.
Scattered around the hall there are also a pallet, some blankets, a small table made from an empty cider barrel on which a fairly smooth stone slab (irregular shape, radius about 5') has been placed, a stool, a chest, four stuffed goblin heads.
On the table are two sheets of parchment still unused, an inkwell with a small residue of ink, a quill, a mug and a knife.
Nim puts a hand to his throat and gets down on one knee to pay respects to the half-orc. Feigning being out of breath and producing a raspy voice he says.
”Not my tongue sir but my throat, took a nasty elbow to it in the scuffle if you’ll excuse my voice *he coughs and spits on the floor* We lost a few but we took more of them and with our victory now at hand we even have some of them left bound and gagged for your pleasure. I’ll take you to them if you will sir. Like inspecting cattle at the market HAHAHA!”
(OOC: deception 22!)
If the brutish half Orc agrees to follow Nim will escort him back down the corridor and before turning the corner he thinks to himself…
’Oh bother I really better let them know we’re coming!’
Once more in his raspy impression of Akhil he shouts at the top of his lungs…
”HAHA the Zhentarim cannot be defeated! Bow down to your lord and pay respects for he alone holds your life and destiny in his hands!”
"No, wait! We're needing to mend th...." Daisy watches as Nim-Akhil disappears through the doors. "Why is everyone such a durned hurry to find trouble!?" She adds shaking her head.
Hearing the cries from the hallway, Daisy let's out a sigh and hurries back to the others at the closet. "Our little friend has run off to talk to their leader here. I don't think we're gonna have time for a rest."
The druid spits on the palm of her hand and rubs them together, muttering someing in the language of the druids. She then lays a hand upon each of the warriors, and flow of positive energy enters them, healing their wounds.
"This might have to wait!" she says, kicking the door with her boot.
(Cure Wounds on Clas and Ardana, 11 and 10 hp, respectively)
Insight: 13
The half-orc is initially surprised and looks at Nim in a strange way... his fangs twist in a snarl... but what he lets out is a smug laugh (evidently, those protruding fangs give an impression of aggression even the rare times, like this one, where there is no violence expected soon)!
"Akhil, I admit that I had always considered you an idiot..." the 'king' gets up and approaches "But finally you have found the right tone and the right attitude to address me! You are the first one to do it! I am really pleased! Maybe I will make you the my second in command..."
"Let's go!" he exhorts the camouflaged halfling, already preparing his whip "Take me to these invaders! I really want to know how they found our secret base! If the Harpells were to know about it... But no, that's impossible! They would have sent much more of a small group of losers. However, I'm curious to question them".
Everyone else, before the pair turns the corner back into the room with the many double doors, hear Nim theatrically announce: ”HAHA the Zhentarim cannot be defeated! Bow down to your lord and pay respects for he alone holds your life and destiny in his hands!”
While only Nim hears the half-orc ask him: "Akhil... You haven't started using any drugs, have you? As much as I like this new spirit of yours, you know I want you all to be able to think clearly... don't you?"
(OOC: @All: hearing Nim, you have time to position yourself approximately where you want. Declare where you want to position yourself, before the two arrive...)
Ah, my heartfelt thanks for the healing, Clas says with gratitude in his voice as he receives the comforting aid.
He then reaches for his trusty shield, 'Barrel,' and with axe in hand, he heads to the entrance room. Come, my friends, let’s use whatever cover is available!
Clas dashes to the north hall that leads to the room with the tipped table. He puts his back to southern most part of the west wall in that hall. He puts away the hand axe and unsheathes ‘Ale’. Then smiles at everyone he can see.
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
‘Alhil’ halts in his tracks upon the Half-Orc king’s question; stalling for time he turns to him and says…
”To be honest with you my king... I am. But I’ve never been so alert! One of the invaders we felled had a bag of black powder. I sniffed it out of curiosity and it sent me into a battle frenzy with such a clear mind! I was able to push through pain and strategise better than ever before. Here try some, you’d be unstoppable!”
During this hushed conversation Nim uses his signet ring to grind up against the wall behind him, crushing the brick-mortar/stone into a powder he collects in his hand and then moves his hand in and out of his pocket to make the illusion he has just produced it.
(OOC: Slight of hand Natural 1…)
Nim pulls his hand out of his pocket with a scratched signet ring, a bloody knuckle and feint residue of stone.
”On second thought… maybe it did just dull my wits some…”
STEALTH: 15
Tarysaa peers out the doorway of the 'sleeping room' and takes a sharp inhaled breath as she sees NOT Nim 'sneaking and peeking' but walking aside the half orc task master!
Gritting her teeth she pulls back into the doorway, prepares to fire her shortbow as both figures step into the main 'entrance' room.
To Hit: 15 Dmg: 5
As soon as the arrow flies, she ducks back into the room.
Ardana, hearing Daisy, stops hammering at the door, stows the hammer, draws her greatsword, then to the prisoners:
"Sounds like we have company, I will be back to free you, but we need to deal with the half-orc first."
I think we have left all the doors open so Ardana will dash back through the kitchen, the eating room, as far as she can get towards the main hall, but stopping short of going down the passage to the main hall, standing to the side of the door and peeking around the corner.
Daisy hurries and hides in the hallway between the dinning room and main entry. She pats the side of her thigh urging the wolf to follow.
(Stealth 12.... Rolled stealth for the wolf, 8)
As she waits for the orc boss to appear, she looks down at the animal and ponders quietly. "Courage..? Maybe. You do seem like you want to protect. Are you going to be my shield... Barakor?" She gives the wolf a rub on the side of its head then pulls out a few stones and infuses them with her magic.
(Dwarvish for those who protect)
Upon hearing from 'Akhil' that he has been disobeyed, the 'king' frowns visibly and cracks his whip nervously: "Akhil... You have learned how to address me... but do you unlearn that you must always obey me?! If I said that..."
However, the half-orc stops abruptly as he passes through the double doors ... because he sees in the hall the blood and corpses of several Zhentarim who perished there ... Perhaps from the story of 'Akhil' he expected the blood tribute to be minor status? Maybe he's suspicious of the fact that, instead, there aren't even one of the bodies of intruders?
We'll never know: Tarysaa, who was ready to lean in and shoot an arrow as soon as the enemy entered the room, tries to do just that... but the half-orc, already suspicious, raises his shield and miraculously deflects the arrow away at the last moment. The elf retreats back in the room, while outside...
"Rotting traitor!" the half-orc roars at the nearby 'Akhil', probably with bad intentions.
(OOC: Please roll all initiative)
Ardana: 16. (OOC: was hoping to be farther down, Ardana could become the pincushion again!)
Tarysaa > Initiative = 9
(( OOC: darn it, I had hoped to at least get in ONE unsuspecting shot... sorry, gang ))