As the last zombie falls, a pale man dressed in a fancy suit comes running up the stairs from AREA 2, into AREA 1.
"What is the meaning of t- Awww." he says looking around at the carnage. He sighs. "Well, then. Poor Eldrath. There goes another trainee. Oh well, she didn't do very well on her last review anyways." he clears his throat. "I am Issem, Lord of the Arena. State your business."
From hiding, Kit silently lays another arrow to the string, watching the pale man and ready to attack whenever he did.
Using Insightful Manipulator:
Starting at 9th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities compared to your own. The DM tells you if the creature is your equal, superior, or inferior in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:
Intelligence score
Wisdom score
Charisma score
Class levels (if any)
At the DM’s option, you might also realize you know a piece of the creature’s history or one of its personality traits, if it has any.
Issem rolls his eyes. "Yes, how impressive. You've managed to kill one of my worst employees and a few zombies. There is no need for further violence, and surely, I don't wish to lose my staff. Please leave, if you don't mind? I have an arena to run." He makes a shooing motion with his hand.
Mongo puffs up his chest, and strolls to the front of the group..."What sorta arena are you runnin' here? I just might be interested 'n giving a good show."
"Yeah, sure." he says, completely not believing you. "Fine. Come." he says, gesturing to the pit. "Let me show you."
This area might once have been a columned temple. Its rotting tapestries show foul creatures tormenting humanoids in scenes of slaughter and sacrifice. At the center of this vast space, the stone floor has been hewn to create a pit. This pit is covered with the gory remains of past bloodshed.
FEATURES IN THE AREA: Fighting Pit. This rough-hewn arena is 15 feet lower than the floor around it. Pit Battle. In the pit, a vrock is fighting ten prisoners, nine of whom are human commoners. The tenth is a female gold elf knight. The vrock appears wounded, but is making short work of the commoners. The only one who is putting up a decent fight is the gold elf knight.
Rosamia allows Mongo to be Mongo and instead pulls everyone's attention towards the elf knight. "If we jump in there and save that knight, she might help us on our mission. And I guess that if we do it fast enough, we might save some of those citizens before they get eaten by the vrock."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Issem, overhearing you, says, "While enjoyable to watch, I am trapped her by the Thayans by an ancient curse. I have no love for them, or the demons, or the prisoners. That one.." he points to the gold elf, "..believe it or not, was one of the adventurers who assaulted Bloodgate Keep. She was obviously captured. My job.." he groans, remembering it, and obviously not fond of it, "..is to train prisoners to fight the demons we cage here on this level."
"I have no love for the Thayans, especially since I am magically bound to this area. I can, however, give you the key to access the next area, but you are not allowed in my personal chamber (AREA 3). You can even take the woman and the prisoners." His face scrunches into a diabolical grin. "That'll show em.." he mumbles.
"However, there is a catch." he mentioned. "I will hand over the key, IF I can have the taste of fresh blood from one of you. It has been so long.." he admits, nearly drooling in anticipation. "No tricks. Just a delicious drink. What say you?"
He appears to be telling the truth. He will not drink one of you dry if you accept - and, he will only drink from one of you. He's thirsty, but not interested in fighting since he's clearly outnumbered, and he's more interested in ******* over the Thayans, anyway.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Fantastic." Issem moans, pleased. "First my drink, then the key. Just a bite. Hhh..." He grabs you by the back of the neck, pulls you in and bites down upon the flesh, causing 17 damage. You feel a bit light headed, and just when you want him to stop, he lets go, letting you trip and stumble trying to keep your balance.
Taeli catches you, trying to steady you and have you sit down for a moment while giving Issem a defensive look. "Take it easy. Here, let me look at it.."she offers to Kit. She turns back to Issem for a moment. "There. You got what you wanted. Give us the key."
Issem reaches into a coat pocket producing a small card key - he tosses it to the floor. "This will deactivate the ward allowing you to continue on. Take whom you wish and begone." he shoos you all away again, returning to the pit to watch.
Kit shakes her head to clear the dizziness and stands, letting Taeli take a look at the bite before saying sharply to Mongo "No. She's a person, and we're hoping she can help us. Come on." Once Taeli has satisfactorily examined the bite, Kit picks up the card and leads the group down to get the elf.
Taeli took out a clean rag and tended to the Commander's bite. When it had stopped bleeding, she placed her hand on Kit's neck, muttered a prayer, and healed her for 19 damage.
In the pit, the gold elf knight seems to be successfully fending off a hurt vrock. The commoners are not faring so well. None of them are paying attention to your group.
John Lee stiffens at seeing the common folk being slaughtered. To the pale man, he asks with distaste dripping from his words, "So do we kill yah pet to get the people or do yah call it off?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Kit thanks Taeli for the healing before turning her attention to the pit. At Issem's comment, she rolls her eyes, nocks an arrow to the string, and fires it at the vrock cooly.
Attack: 13 Damage: 22
Dunno if the fact that it's not paying attention to us means we get adv. If so, here's the second roll: 11
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
John Lee smirks, walks to the edge of the pit and point at the vrock. "Piss off, ya ****!," he yells out, drawing arcane images in the air and pushing them towards the fiend.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Oh!" Issem remarks to Kit as you miss, "Nice shot!"
DC16 CON save: 18
The vrock get blanketed in necrotic energy, damaging it badly. It's still up and in it's rage, eats another commoner.
"Great Pelor, those poor people!"Taeli remarks, saddened. She joins in on the action. Raising her hammer, she thrusts it at the vrock, a focused beam of light coming from it.
Guiding Bolt Attack: 25 Damage: 9
"Whoops!"Taeli said as she missed. Issem golf clapped.
As the last zombie falls, a pale man dressed in a fancy suit comes running up the stairs from AREA 2, into AREA 1.
"What is the meaning of t- Awww." he says looking around at the carnage. He sighs. "Well, then. Poor Eldrath. There goes another trainee. Oh well, she didn't do very well on her last review anyways." he clears his throat. "I am Issem, Lord of the Arena. State your business."
"We're in the business of killing undead. And business is booming."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
From hiding, Kit silently lays another arrow to the string, watching the pale man and ready to attack whenever he did.
Using Insightful Manipulator:
Starting at 9th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities compared to your own. The DM tells you if the creature is your equal, superior, or inferior in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:
At the DM’s option, you might also realize you know a piece of the creature’s history or one of its personality traits, if it has any.
Ready action to shoot him if he attacks.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Issem rolls his eyes. "Yes, how impressive. You've managed to kill one of my worst employees and a few zombies. There is no need for further violence, and surely, I don't wish to lose my staff. Please leave, if you don't mind? I have an arena to run." He makes a shooing motion with his hand.
Issem is a full fledged vampire.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/vampire
Mongo puffs up his chest, and strolls to the front of the group..."What sorta arena are you runnin' here? I just might be interested 'n giving a good show."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Yeah, sure." he says, completely not believing you. "Fine. Come." he says, gesturing to the pit. "Let me show you."
This area might once have been a columned temple. Its rotting tapestries show foul creatures tormenting humanoids in scenes of slaughter and sacrifice. At the center of this vast space, the stone floor has been hewn to create a pit. This pit is covered with the gory remains of past bloodshed.
FEATURES IN THE AREA:
Fighting Pit. This rough-hewn arena is 15 feet lower than the floor around it.
Pit Battle. In the pit, a vrock is fighting ten prisoners, nine of whom are human commoners. The tenth is a female gold elf knight. The vrock appears wounded, but is making short work of the commoners. The only one who is putting up a decent fight is the gold elf knight.
Rosamia allows Mongo to be Mongo and instead pulls everyone's attention towards the elf knight. "If we jump in there and save that knight, she might help us on our mission. And I guess that if we do it fast enough, we might save some of those citizens before they get eaten by the vrock."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Issem, overhearing you, says, "While enjoyable to watch, I am trapped her by the Thayans by an ancient curse. I have no love for them, or the demons, or the prisoners. That one.." he points to the gold elf, "..believe it or not, was one of the adventurers who assaulted Bloodgate Keep. She was obviously captured. My job.." he groans, remembering it, and obviously not fond of it, "..is to train prisoners to fight the demons we cage here on this level."
"I have no love for the Thayans, especially since I am magically bound to this area. I can, however, give you the key to access the next area, but you are not allowed in my personal chamber (AREA 3). You can even take the woman and the prisoners." His face scrunches into a diabolical grin. "That'll show em.." he mumbles.
"However, there is a catch." he mentioned. "I will hand over the key, IF I can have the taste of fresh blood from one of you. It has been so long.." he admits, nearly drooling in anticipation. "No tricks. Just a delicious drink. What say you?"
His key can unlock the barrier in green:
The spirit of Rosamia's dad gives the Dad look at Issem, sussing out if this vampire is full of shit or not.
Insight: 19
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
He appears to be telling the truth. He will not drink one of you dry if you accept - and, he will only drink from one of you. He's thirsty, but not interested in fighting since he's clearly outnumbered, and he's more interested in ******* over the Thayans, anyway.
Kit crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at the vampire, also trying to ascertain if he's really telling the truth about no tricks.
Insight: 13
She nods grimly. "Fine. You can drink from me."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Fantastic." Issem moans, pleased. "First my drink, then the key. Just a bite. Hhh..." He grabs you by the back of the neck, pulls you in and bites down upon the flesh, causing 17 damage. You feel a bit light headed, and just when you want him to stop, he lets go, letting you trip and stumble trying to keep your balance.
Taeli catches you, trying to steady you and have you sit down for a moment while giving Issem a defensive look. "Take it easy. Here, let me look at it.." she offers to Kit. She turns back to Issem for a moment. "There. You got what you wanted. Give us the key."
Issem reaches into a coat pocket producing a small card key - he tosses it to the floor. "This will deactivate the ward allowing you to continue on. Take whom you wish and begone." he shoos you all away again, returning to the pit to watch.
Mongo points to the shiny Gold Elf, and mumbles "Mongo wants that shiny one..."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Kit shakes her head to clear the dizziness and stands, letting Taeli take a look at the bite before saying sharply to Mongo "No. She's a person, and we're hoping she can help us. Come on." Once Taeli has satisfactorily examined the bite, Kit picks up the card and leads the group down to get the elf.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taeli took out a clean rag and tended to the Commander's bite. When it had stopped bleeding, she placed her hand on Kit's neck, muttered a prayer, and healed her for 19 damage.
In the pit, the gold elf knight seems to be successfully fending off a hurt vrock. The commoners are not faring so well. None of them are paying attention to your group.
John Lee stiffens at seeing the common folk being slaughtered. To the pale man, he asks with distaste dripping from his words, "So do we kill yah pet to get the people or do yah call it off?"
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
"Excellent question!" Issem admits. "It won't listen to me. Good luck reasoning with it." he laughs, and continues watching.
Kit thanks Taeli for the healing before turning her attention to the pit. At Issem's comment, she rolls her eyes, nocks an arrow to the string, and fires it at the vrock cooly.
Attack: 13 Damage: 22
Dunno if the fact that it's not paying attention to us means we get adv. If so, here's the second roll: 11
OOC: **** you, dice roller
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
John Lee smirks, walks to the edge of the pit and point at the vrock. "Piss off, ya ****!," he yells out, drawing arcane images in the air and pushing them towards the fiend.
blight DC 16 CON save or 28 necrotic damage.
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
"Oh!" Issem remarks to Kit as you miss, "Nice shot!"
DC16 CON save: 18
The vrock get blanketed in necrotic energy, damaging it badly. It's still up and in it's rage, eats another commoner.
"Great Pelor, those poor people!" Taeli remarks, saddened. She joins in on the action. Raising her hammer, she thrusts it at the vrock, a focused beam of light coming from it.
Guiding Bolt Attack: 25 Damage: 9
"Whoops!" Taeli said as she missed. Issem golf clapped.