"The Bhaalist have batrayed" Khessa quickly recaps, vaguely gestuting with her hand in direction of the wounded brute and the fallen corpses. "Family affairs, it seems..." she looks at the man she already asked more details "Anywsy, there is one survivor who escaped. We'll go together to reap his soul once and for all. Against all of us together, the assassin will not stand a chance".
While the 'new Myrkul faithfuls' arrive, 'Flennis' approaches and replies: "Perhaps you will soon have a chance to repay me. Do you know of any special reason why your brothers finally decided to rid themselves of you?"
"My brothers have always hated me. I guess they were finally taking their opportunity with the Bhaalist as allies,"the injured hulking brute says. "As to Vaaz, the only way out is through here and I need a breather before we try and confront him."
When others arrive that are clearly not known, the injured hulking brute looks at KHESSA Flennis, "I may not be as smart as Thurstwell or as clever as Amrik, but I could tell that you jingled like the sound of chainmail and not like Flennis' robes. If you could call those robes. Who are you? And why are you here?"
Khessa changes to a more serious tone, ready to fight if needed: "I'm Khessa, of the Flaming Fist. We are here to put an end of this den of terror - and we are pretty much almost finished with the task. You have already proven yourself smart enough to detect my deception - so I guess you also realize that's not a good time to do something stupid".
"We still saved your life" the blonde arcane warrior goes on. "While your brothers probably will keep trying killing you, now that they started. It is in your best interest to help us. This will allow you to find mercy. And to get rid of your murderous brothers".
"Now, if the assassin is in a dead end," the tall adventuress assesses "we might all take a breather - and then finish him. In the meantime, you can explain us who you and your brothers are, what's the point of this den of evil and what's your part in it. And don't lie. Remember I am a magic-uset - and I'm nor the only one. I told you already that active collaboration will earn you mercy. We are allies, now. Behave as such, and it will end well for all of us".
"Flaming Fist. Huh. I am actually surprised. My mother thought you would be too distracted by the refugees from Elturel to be able to deal with the Dead Three. She saw this as a chance to rid the city of the Flaming Fist by turning the population against them. I guess my mother was wrong about that. As to who I am, my name is Mortlock Vanthampur, son of Duke Thalamra Vanthampur. All this was my mother's idea, along with Amrik and Thurstwell, to sow enough discord in the city that the population would beg her to take control with Grand Duke Ravengard gone," Mortlock pauses.
"Since you made it this far, you are obviously capable. OK. I will help you fight off Vaaz, and you let me leave Baldur's Gate. I promise never to return. I have nothing left to hold me here," he says.
Khessa gasps at the atrocities the Vanthampur had planned out of sheer power. How many kidnappings? How many tortures? How many deaths? How many would it take before their plans were completed? "Deal, Mortlock," she holds out her hand. "Your family wanting you dead is a credit to you, so I am happy to offer you this escape. The only thing I ask," she pulls out a sheet of paper and readies her writing materials "is that you sign the confession you just made - my superiors might believe me anyway, but I'd rather have one more proof than one less in this case".
After the other signs the document, the blonde arcane warrior puts it away and moves on to more practical considerations: "Would you rather stay here to take your breather? It's not the most comfortable place in the world, but the water should prevent Vaaz from escaping... Even if he could make himself invisible, we could see (and hear) the water moving. Or do you have in mind a more comfortable place that would still allow us to be sure he doesn't escape?"
"Then let us rest, Mortlock..." Khessa agrees, sitting down next to the valiant colossus "My undead have no need of it and will stand guard for us".
[[ OOC: Assuming Mortlock is taking a Short Rest, Khessa uses her Second Wind to get herself fully healed (she recovers 1d10+1 HP and has just 2 damage left to heal...) then she takes the Short Rest as well (regaining her Second Wind) ]]
Mistynip runs into the chamber and looks around. Was there someone else?
Elias runs into the room, you called?
"The Bhaalist have batrayed" Khessa quickly recaps, vaguely gestuting with her hand in direction of the wounded brute and the fallen corpses. "Family affairs, it seems..." she looks at the man she already asked more details "Anywsy, there is one survivor who escaped. We'll go together to reap his soul once and for all. Against all of us together, the assassin will not stand a chance".
"My brothers have always hated me. I guess they were finally taking their opportunity with the Bhaalist as allies," the injured hulking brute says. "As to Vaaz, the only way out is through here and I need a breather before we try and confront him."
When others arrive that are clearly not known, the injured hulking brute looks at KHESSA Flennis, "I may not be as smart as Thurstwell or as clever as Amrik, but I could tell that you jingled like the sound of chainmail and not like Flennis' robes. If you could call those robes. Who are you? And why are you here?"
Khessa changes to a more serious tone, ready to fight if needed: "I'm Khessa, of the Flaming Fist. We are here to put an end of this den of terror - and we are pretty much almost finished with the task. You have already proven yourself smart enough to detect my deception - so I guess you also realize that's not a good time to do something stupid".
"We still saved your life" the blonde arcane warrior goes on. "While your brothers probably will keep trying killing you, now that they started. It is in your best interest to help us. This will allow you to find mercy. And to get rid of your murderous brothers".
"Now, if the assassin is in a dead end," the tall adventuress assesses "we might all take a breather - and then finish him. In the meantime, you can explain us who you and your brothers are, what's the point of this den of evil and what's your part in it. And don't lie. Remember I am a magic-uset - and I'm nor the only one. I told you already that active collaboration will earn you mercy. We are allies, now. Behave as such, and it will end well for all of us".
"Flaming Fist. Huh. I am actually surprised. My mother thought you would be too distracted by the refugees from Elturel to be able to deal with the Dead Three. She saw this as a chance to rid the city of the Flaming Fist by turning the population against them. I guess my mother was wrong about that. As to who I am, my name is Mortlock Vanthampur, son of Duke Thalamra Vanthampur. All this was my mother's idea, along with Amrik and Thurstwell, to sow enough discord in the city that the population would beg her to take control with Grand Duke Ravengard gone," Mortlock pauses.
"Since you made it this far, you are obviously capable. OK. I will help you fight off Vaaz, and you let me leave Baldur's Gate. I promise never to return. I have nothing left to hold me here," he says.
REYA with ROSEBUD peek around the corner to see what is going on.
Khessa gasps at the atrocities the Vanthampur had planned out of sheer power. How many kidnappings? How many tortures? How many deaths? How many would it take before their plans were completed? "Deal, Mortlock," she holds out her hand. "Your family wanting you dead is a credit to you, so I am happy to offer you this escape. The only thing I ask," she pulls out a sheet of paper and readies her writing materials "is that you sign the confession you just made - my superiors might believe me anyway, but I'd rather have one more proof than one less in this case".
After the other signs the document, the blonde arcane warrior puts it away and moves on to more practical considerations: "Would you rather stay here to take your breather? It's not the most comfortable place in the world, but the water should prevent Vaaz from escaping... Even if he could make himself invisible, we could see (and hear) the water moving. Or do you have in mind a more comfortable place that would still allow us to be sure he doesn't escape?"
“Here is fine. A short rest is all I need, then we will go,” Mortlock says.
"Then let us rest, Mortlock..." Khessa agrees, sitting down next to the valiant colossus "My undead have no need of it and will stand guard for us".
[[ OOC: Assuming Mortlock is taking a Short Rest, Khessa uses her Second Wind to get herself fully healed (she recovers 1d10+1 HP and has just 2 damage left to heal...) then she takes the Short Rest as well (regaining her Second Wind) ]]
(Moving along!)
But before the party is able to rest, the skull-faced man appears at the top of the step to the northernmost room.
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE
Map Updated!
(DM NOTE: I moved the rest of the party into the area with Mortlock.)
SKULL-FACED MAN INITIATIVE 18
REYA INITIATIVE 8
MORTLOCK INITIATIVE 7
Rosaline Initiative: 4
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Lannis (Khessa)'s Initiative: 13
Army of Darkness' Initiative: 16
Elias initiative roll 3
Bix initiative 15
(Did we lose Rosebud?)
MORTLOCK SAVE 6
ROSEBUD ? SKULL-FACED DUDE 18 MORTLOCK 17 ARMY OF DARKNESS 16 MISTYNIP 15 KHESSA 13 REYA 8 ROSALINE 4 ELIAS 3
ROUND ONE
The SKULL-FACED DUDE readies an action.
MORTLOCK starts with his Heavy Crossbow in hand. He moves to the end of the island to get a clean shot.
Suddenly the SKULL-FACED DUDE turns his gaze upon MORTLOCK. A deep purple light can be seen within the Skull’s eyes.
MORTLOCK resists the effect and fires a heavy bolt at the DUDE.
(Actions could be altered if Rosebud rolls a higher initiative and does something to prevent this. Otherwise, it is everyone’s actions in Round One.)