Eberron: Rising from the Last War

"There is that.  We can steal things, but can't bring people back from the dead.  Splitting the party is very risky."

Mark will add, "We need to save the people, leave the helm. We go together." Mark will then pull out his crossbow.

"Alright, let's do this." Erix agrees happily.

Vishtai will look surprised at this, "You broke into the manor to steal the Helm, but now you're willing to sacrifice it to save a bunch of nobles? You are very strange thieves indeed." He then turns to the screen. "I should be able to control some locks from here to keep the Goblin from getting to the Dragonmarked leaders long enough for you to save Caden then get to the east side of the manor. But i'll need to stay here." 

He is of course assuming you're saving Caden first, then going for the Dragonmarked leaders. Is that the case?

Yes

Ok so I suppose there's little point hiding the map from you now seeing as how Erix has found the layout to the manor. You're currently in the treasure room just above the statue room. You can enter the ballroom by either the Entrance Hall or the Smoking Room. you also don't know whether there are any cultists still patrolling in the hallway to your west. 

How are you going to get to the Ballroom?

"Seems like the Smoking Room might be the better way to go.  What do you all think?"

Also, Elero will pull his Protector gadget back out from the Bag of Holding and give everyone, including Vishtai, 6 temporary HP, which may not be higher than the 11 we already had, but if he accepts them it may heal the cut on his face.  Or it may not.  He's new to this, and still unsure what the Protector's ability can and can't do.  After that, he'll set the walking metal shield on the ground so it can follow them into battle.

Mark will say, "I agree, we need to find a place to anchor down and take out as many people from a far. We need too look out for the child, he is the most important one." 

Are you going to send a scout ahead or sneak at all?

(Maybe Erix can shapeshift or I can scout ahead.)

Alright, Mark scouts ahead of the rest of the group as you head out into the hallway and north towards the smoking room you came through earlier. Vishtai shakes his head as you leave and his wounds heal up, "Very strange indeed."

Mark Stealth Check: 15 

Mark Perception Check: 13

Mark sneaks up to the smoking room and peers through the gap in the door. Four dark cultists stand behind the door chatting to one another, "That Zaerun, he's supposed to be Ash's assistant but really I think Cavallah doesn't trust Ash anymore, Zaerun is her minder. Cavallah called him in because she thinks Ash's loyalty has shifted." The other cultist replies, "Hasn't it? Do you even know what god we serve now? It feels like Ash keeps secrets even from her flock now." The other cultists shift uncomfortably with this assessment.

Mark will jot down this conversation in his book, then he will look around to make sure there are hostages. 

You don’t see any hostages. Just the four cultists.

Mark will signal to the others and prepare for an ambush with his crossbow 

Elero will stack up by the door, daggers in hand and Protector contraption in tow, and wait for your signal.

Erix is ready aswell and takes a ball of fur out of his bag of tricks. Which he throws in as soon as they move in (or drop if it can be done as a free action)

So I’ll roll stealth checks for you all:

Erix: 21

Elero: 16

Kit: 17

Mark: 17

While Mark is able to keep quiet, the rest of you make a lot of noise as you hasten to the door. When you open it, the cultists are ready for you, “Who on Khyber is this, more guards?” Initiative:

Group 1: Elero and Mark

Group 2: Cultists

Group 3: Kit and Erix

Elero and Mark are up, they are faced with four cultists in a room, all of them seem somewhat surprised but ready for an assault.

((Can Erix drop the readied ball of fur?^^))