Dwarf Fortress
It is sometimes said that the Khazad have abandoned nearly as many settlements as they still maintain, places which delved into the deep places, lost to sieges or famine or the earth. Many of these deep places are lost not only to their inhabitants, but to memory as well. Remote places of little renown which have faded from the annals of history. A recent earthquake may have revealed one such location- a rift torn in a cliff face, in the mountain ranges bordering the desolation, has revealed- split open, in fact, an ancient stone hewn gateway. Intricately carved with an archaic form of Khazad, and depicting ferocious battles between the stalwart peoples and giants or trolls.
At least, this is what you are told- on a carriage ride, arranged by the guild. By an extremely excitable young historian- She's young, by Khazad standards, her honey colored hair arranged in two thick braids which join together under her chin. Bespeckled, and slighter than most of her kind, she seems a very bookish individual. Her name is Gertrude, and she represents the client that posted this listing- the Khazad Historical Census, a body of scholars intent on reclaiming the mysteries of their people's past.
"Now-" she continues her explanation of the ruins, "It's hard to date when it was constructed, or abandoned for that matter, exactly. But it was some time in the post-Kulthian era, and the turmoil that followed the collapse of that particular ancient empire. So there are likely to be... well, all manner of nasty mechanisms meant to deter would-be invaders." she informs the group, looking somewhat apologetic. The carriage- it's been a long ride, sure to tenderize the most stoic of backsides- finally rolls towards the little camp at the foot of the cliff where the Archeologists have been set up. "So, that's where you come in." she tells the assembled adventurers. "You'll be the vanguard, making safe so that we can follow behind and catalog the ruins. Please be ever so careful not to break things, if you can help it- but of course, safety is most important." she adds then. "Our initial survey seems to point out that many of the old defenses are still operational. And ontop of that, they were chased off by javelins. We can't be sure, but we think it might be Troglodytes." she adds, as the carriage rolls to a stop.
The cliff face itself is some thirty feet high, and the lowest of a series of jagged rock faces shorn free from the base of the mountain by the movement of the earth over eons. The most recent rumble has cracked the cliff face in two, seams of schist giving way to the door- an ornate affair, carved of the same stone as the surrounding cliffs, but broken by the same forces that revealed it, one of the two doors broken clean from the mechanism that housed it and laying face down, the other broken in two, leaving a yawning maw leading deeper.
Khepri rests its hands on its hips, peering up at the cliff face and the massive doors that now stand ajar. "Truly, the Harpist is the great leveler of all fortunes and empires," the golem intones. The carriage ride doesn't seem to have fazed it much, as its yellow eyes sweep the area before turning back to regard Gertrude. "Javelins can be wielded by many hands. However, it is not improbable that troglodytes might have moved into a deserted place like this."
The Executor ponders a bit, before reaching back to unsling its shield and strapping it to its left arm. "Fortunately, I believe we have the skills to handle any mechanisms or intruders."
A vague bundle of ragged cloth - correction, Crik, has been very attentive and taking notes throughout the trip. To the point that he had laid out two of his small leather bound parchment stuffed books to rapidly scribble information in. Occasionally, he raises his head, beak ajar and looks around at nothing in particular, whilst continuing to scribble away.
Hopping off the carriage, the corvid egalrin was rapidly going through his belongings - journal, bomb, compass, torch, another bomb, rope, someone's watch... - before with a tiny flutter of his cloak he steps up to the golem. "Khazad architecture can be resilient to time and careful step." He opens up his mouth again as if to say something - but instead he just keeps it there, standing still.
Seated in the carriage is one Integrity C Truefeather, esquire, the 'C' is for caver; recent escapades have sent him underground, and while he's not accustomed, he is accilmatizing. He exits, taking a small notepad out and gazing up at the immense, fractured doors.
"So, would you like traps marked as well as disabled, or simply disabled? The mechanisms might be of interest. We could even leave the very complex artifice ones active for further study."
Or if they're too difficult; must keep the bases covered.
"Wouldn't kobolds be more likely? There are a lot of underground land disputes, competing claims over mines. They're always digging into people's or people digging into theirs. Allegedly." The bluejay scans around, listening, sniffing. "I thought Troglodytes would mark their territory. Oh, well, we'll get to that if it happens. I have -lots- of paper."
Even more work so quickly? It was a dream come true!
Or at least it was until it was made apparent that they would need to travel far for the job. Which meant horse drawn carriages. The bronze figure jumped in immediately from the center back of the vehicle, and they were silently slumped against one wall of it for the entirety of the trip until they reached the destination. "Ah, right, the job. Yes, we'll be careful with everything in there, so as not to break anything." The artificer replies as they take a running jump out of the back of the vehicle the moment it stopped. "But if there are dangerous creatures in there, it may be inevitable." They continue, the mouthpiece of the helmet glowing with each word.
GAME: Crik rolls knowledge/history: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Crik says, "Yes, it exists" GAME: Jay rolls knowledge/local: (2)+11: 13
"I suppose it could be Kobolds." Gertrude agrees with Jay, scratching her cheek. "But they were rather large javelins." she adds a moment later, and points out one of her colleagues who is at present in a field cot in a tent, bandages around his burly shoulder. The offending weapon is around two yards long and crude, stone tip lashed to a tough, straight root with strands of some sort of spun cave moss. It could be the work of Kobolds, but it is a bit to large for them- unless they were using it as a lance.
"And yes, please mark any mechanisms you find- we have a couple of artificers on the team who are keen to examine the old works. It was mostly mechanical, you know. There was a deep distrust for magitech of any kind, in those days. So it's all cogs and springs." she says then. "Ah-Anyway, I understand if you do have to damage them to make them safe- that's the most important, again. But do your best." she says and offers them a smile. "You can rest up here, if you like, before heading in. We have a bunk tent just over there you're free to use. And we have plenty of provisions, if you want something to eat..." she trails off a bit, and looks towards the Two elgarin- since it seems unlikely their war golem companions would be likely to partake in cots or food.
Khepri turns to stare at the others, its beaked face regarding them. "If any of you require refreshment, please do so. I am patient and will wait for you to finish." A pause. "I have also been told that it is important to 'go to the outhouse' before leaving on a journey. If you need to do so, I recommend it."
The golem draws its khopesh, and begins inspecting the blade, checking it for any damage or flaws and making sure it is sharp.
"Troglodytes are cave-dwelling, and reptillian, and they have large javelins, so they could be here. They aren't particularly smart, allegedly, but also are ferocious and barbaric. Allegedly." Jay shares what he knows. "They're more likely than kobolds with arbelists to chuck giant spears. Like that one."
His head turns, he gazes at the tents, "Thanks! I'm good. I wouldn't want to hold up the tireless golems," he glances at Schara and Khepri, before looking at Crik.
"Are you good at scouting? We could go scouting. Schara and Khepri can follow, we'll be not too far ahead." His beak clacks at Khepri, "Better before than during, that's true, allegedly. I'm good."
"We could fly right in there. Well, those of us that can fly."
Crik was trying to puzzle the pieces of the place together, so he had an aptitude of disappearing from sight, only to appear somewhere peering over somebody's shoulder or examining the gate itself. Sometimes he was just standing there, looking at Schara's armor.
"Not Khazad," The corvid says with his deep voice around Khepri, before turning his head towards Jay. Quickly taking on a new pose, he straightens up to his full height and slides his hand on his chest. "Naturally, Cohort, esquire." The crow says with oddly different accent, "Lead the way. Time only speaks for further litigation." He bows.
GAME: Schara rolls knowledge/nature: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Khepri rolls knowledge/nature: (3)+7: 10 <OOC> Khepri icks. If I can apply monster lore, it's 13, but otherwise...
The artificer wandered out and into the small camp as the others talked, nodding slowly along to everything. "It would be unwise to go into unknown ruins without any food, We should bring a few days supplies with us just in case." The artificer suggests. "I can pay for anything if that is too much, and we'll return it if it proves unecessary, which I hope it will."
The bronze figure stops to investigate the spear, but one of the horses whickering makes it clatter to the ground, causing them to trip over it in a rapid backpedal. The artificer rubbed their back as they stood back up. "N-no, I already prepared for the journey and work, I'll be fine. Other than the food, I'm ready to go."
GAME: Jay rolls stealth+2: (20)+12+2: 34 GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (19)+10: 29
Beyond the double door, the rubble strewn ground gives way to a passage carved from the stone itself. It slopes gently down, and extends for about sixty feet uninterrupted, taking them from the surface into the cool of the earth. The floor, walls, even the vaulted ceiling- all of it is painstakingly and intricately engraved with stories of Khazad history, glyphs and runes and depictions of battles won and lost, grudges kept, masterworks crafted, the rise and fall of figures. All depicted with hammer, chisel, brawn and skill, centuries past.
The two Egalrin creep ahead, the daylight filtering in through the shattered doors quickly drops away to nothing, swallowed up by the pitch darkness of stone.
Integrity flies into the mines, vanishing in an instant as he advances. The light is normal, then it's dim, then there's none. He's as perfectly hidden as he is blind, and the light he was anticipating does not appear. His senses are worse than the golem's.
He has a light source.
"Well so much for that idea." He caws, striking up his ever burning torch. "Guess we'll use light."
Crik habitually responds to the caw with a double caw of his own before he catches himself. "Darkness lurks, a void to be explored - or waiting to swallow." He then lets out another a series of croaky sounds from his throat, beak up in the air - then he snaps back head back down. "Light feathers." A torch appears from within his cloak as well, but he simply holds it for now, content lurking behind Jay in the dark.
Meanwhile, Khepri comes trundling up, trying to be at least nominally stealthy. Its eyes pierce the gloom like nothing else, and its armor clinks softly as it stalks into the shadows, heavy blade in one hand and shield in the other. Scanning around, before waving for Schara to follow it further. When Jay lights his torch, the golem's eyes iris down before opening up again.
"Hey. Hey! There's a pressure plate here," The bluejay illuminates an area on the ground just past the edge of outside illumination. He takes out some white chalk and marks around it, "There's enough room you can step by."
He also writes, 'Active', "Leave this one for others to examine? What do you think it does?"
Schara follows in after Khepri, and something must have been switched off as their mouthpiece on the armor no longer glowed. "I do not know which is worse. Being harmed by unseen traps, or attacked by enemies who know we are here. Likely the former, as we cab at least prepare for the latter." Schara notes. "Hard to pose conjecture without seeing the mechanism, but I do not wish to stay near and risk tripping it to find out."
Crik follows on after Jay, peering down at the pressure plate. He then flicks his head up, wings flapping as he takes a brief jump upwards. "Hatch. Boil. Boulder. Spikes? Trogdolyte?" He opens up his beak, then looks back down at the plate. Then back up. Back down again. Finally, to the rest of the group. "Step around it lightly. The unknown is not the enemy, but what lies beyond the known." His tail bops up and down, and he hops on forwards.
Shortly after the passage grows dark, it grows wider too- up ahead, at the edge of their torchlight they see that it expands out into an antechamber of sorts. It's difficult to make out the far side without drawing nearer. The walls of the chamber ahead are recessed, delving back towards murderholes in the walls and barred with wrought iron bars. What lays beyond the bars cannot be glimpsed without drawing nearer, the fortifications hewn into the rock blocking lines of sight.
<OOC> Subduction says, "Map: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mq5kiygxmpa
Khepri states quietly, "If we can bypass it, we should as the archaeologists may want to examine it. No point in making their task harder." The golem tries to peer further into the passageway, yellow eyes glinting dully as the blade in its fist twitches every so often.
Jay steps back and hands his torch off to Schara, nodding at Crik as he does so. "Schara, take the light. Advance slowly. C-Man and I will stay at the edge where it's dim, check for traps, mark any we find, keep eyes out for ambushes."
"With any luck, anything rushing you we can come in behind."
The bluejay shrugs his wings, glancing at the heavily armoured pair, "Unless you both want to take point in darkness and we'll follow behind you with the light."
Crik glances at his torch, then to the other two golem-not-golems. Finally, he moves up to Khepri and hands him his unlit torch. "Return in one piece." The corvid egalrin then spreads his wings and moves to stand on the opposite wall from Jay; head turning this way and that as he agitatedly glances around him.
Well, that's a cheerful admonishment. Still, Khepri takes the unlit torch, and hangs it off its belt for the moment. Cautiously, the Executor begins to advance again, its head sweeping back and forth and upward and downward. It looks quite a bit like Crik or Jay, come to think of it, what with its plague-doctor faceplate.
"C man? I thought you were C man, mister Truefeather." Schara asks as they are left holding the torch. "I, I don't know any silent forms of communications if you want me to stop though. So just, I'm not sure, hold a hand up or wiggle your tail feathers like the black egalrin is if you want us to stop."
They do continue on at least, relatively slowly once they skirt the pressure plate.
GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (1)+0: 1 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (14)+0: 14 <OOC> Subduction says, "Give me Fort saves, Jay and Crik" GAME: Jay rolls fortitude: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Crik rolls fortitude: (13)+0: 13 <OOC> Subduction says, "Jay, you're sickened for 60 seconds (10 rounds)"
As Crik and Jay reach the mouth of the antechamber, they notice two things almost at once- beyond the carved fortifications and iron bars are side rooms, separated by those murderholes. And within those side rooms, there are creatures- slouched, pale-scaled reptillians with broad flat heads and wet, bulbous eyes. The other thing they notice is the stench- Crik manages to hold it together, but Jay finds it difficult to stifle a gag. It's somewhere between rotten fish and copper, the sort of scent that cloys and clings. The creatures do not seem to have noticed the scouting pair just yet- one of them is crunching on what appears to be a giant beetle leg, while the other is picking its teeth with a clawed forefinger.
"It's Integrity C Truefeather. The 'C' is for completeness. Also tailfeather waggling is special. Not for just anyone!" The bluejay informs, wagging his tailfeathers then sneaking on ahead. He carefully creeps right into the sickening stench that makes him want to feed nestlings. His stomach lurches, he keeps his beak closed. His tail waggles.
Crik reaches into his cloak and pulls out his hand crossbow, also waggling his tail feathers. He tilts his head off to the side, then to the other, before he looks back towards the rest of the group and waits for them to catch up.
Khepri pauses when the two egalrin ahead stop, and it takes note of Crik and Jay's motions. Deliberately, the golem advances slow and easy, an inexorable harbinger of death as it watches the two. Closing towards their position, its drawn khopesh's tip twitches ever so slightly.
<OOC> Subduction says, "Any attempt to be sneaky, Khepri?" <OOC> Khepri says, "Yeah." GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (16)+0: 16 GAME: Schara casts Shield. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
Schara stopped when Jay and Crik stopped. Wasn't tail waggling supposed to be special? They had just said so. Maybe it was something so dangerous they wanted to make it obvious? Or maybe they found something special?
The artificer wasn't taking any chances. The pull a small metal orb out of a pouch, and twist it once, which seems to project a shimmering wall in front of them before vanishing, as they too creep forward, as well as they can while holding a burning torch at least.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Subduction has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Subduction to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 22. It is now Jay's turn! Khepri is next! <OOC> Jay says, "am I at 14,36 or 16,36? I would like to draw my short bow and sneak attack 20,33 'sniping' if I can to re-establish stealth" <OOC> Subduction says, "Alright, you're sickened and you can see two Troglodytes, but it smells like there are more you can't yet see. You're the eagle head, crik is the raven" <OOC> Jay nods, "so, -2 sickened, 35' range so within first range band, do the bars add to AC or provide concealment or something? <OOC> Subduction says, "Bars are +2 AC, nullified if you're adjacent" GAME: Jay rolls weapon2-2: (15)+8+-2: 21 <OOC> Jay says, "if that hits, here's the damage" GAME: Jay rolls damage2+3d6: aliased to 1d6+1+3d6: (1)+1+(10): 12 GAME: Jay rolls stealth+2-2-20: (15)+12+2+-2+-20: 7 <OOC> Jay says, "move to 16,33" <OOC> Jay says, "also, I have 'slow reactions', so my sneak attacks prevent AOOs for 1 round" GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (11)+0: 11 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (19)+0: 19 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (8)+0: 8 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (15)+0: 15
Tail feather twitching does have a special meaning! Usually, part of a dance. In this instance, a dance of a different sort. Integrity draws his short bow, knocks and arrow and shoots into the darkness.
There's the sound of a solid impact, and a reptillian snarls. Definitely time to move.
The black, white and blue jay scoots ahead to put a wall between him and his target.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 16. It is now Khepri's turn! Crik is next! <OOC> Khepri says, "Hmmm." <OOC> Khepri says, "Khepri will cast Bless on the party (everyone gets +1 to hit, +1 to fear saves), and advance up just behind Jay. Running right down the middle of the corridor strikes me as unwise." GAME: Khepri casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14 <OOC> Khepri can get to 16,34
Khepri would curse, if it was in its nature. It's just not very quiet, what with all the clinking bits and the armor. Still... it was going to probably end this way anyways, like all things do. "Be guided by the Grey Harpist's hand. Fear no darkness." The Executor may not be very quiet, or much of a people person, but it DOES know how to cast a spell, and the benediction lands on the party gently as the golem stalks forward, the blade in its hand swinging back and forth.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 13. It is now Crik's turn! Schara is next! <OOC> Crik says, "Aight, I'd like to sneak attack/fire the crossbow at 4, and hten move to 14,36, if that's possible?" <OOC> Subduction says, "Sure, roll your attack." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (7)+5: 12 <OOC> Subduction says, "That's a wiff" <OOC> Subduction says, "And stealth roll" GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (8)+0: 8 <OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty, you're not able to re-establish stealth. Go ahead and pose it." GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order.
Crik, like his more Cunning egalrin brethren, pulls out his hand crossbow and fires a bolt off into the darkness. His aim was way off, but he quickly hops on away from the line of sight. Cloak fluttering and a restless caw joined after Khepri's prayer, he is easily spotted.
Round One - Init 9. It is now Schara's turn! Trog 1 is next! <OOC> Subduction says, "Ah no worries, You're currently at the entryway. You can't see any of the Trogs from your present position, but you can see that Crik and Jay have shot towards the murderhole to the east." <OOC> Schara says, "alright" <OOC> Subduction says, "Jay and Khepri are 20' north of your current position, the murderhole is 20' north northeast" <OOC> Subduction says, "There are also three of them to the northwest of your position, between 30' and 45' away" <OOC> Subduction says, "Three murderholes, that is." <OOC> Schara says, "I'll go to 16,35, activate titan armor and put on the deathray to shoot it" GAME: Schara activates her Titan Armor, gaining: +4 Dex <OOC> Subduction says, "From that position you can see a badly wounded Trog, and an Uninjured one. Which one are you shooting at?" <OOC> Schara says, "better safe than sorry, going to try to get rid of the wounded one" <OOC> Schara says, "or, no, the uninjured one" <OOC> Subduction says, "Alright, go ahead and roll it." GAME: Schara rolls 1d20+7+1+1: (3)+7+1+1: 12 <OOC> Subduction nods, "As a touch attack, that hits." <OOC> Subduction says, "Roll damage." GAME: Schara rolls 1d6+4+1: (3)+4+1: 8 GAME: Schara rolls 1d4: (4): 4 <OOC> Subduction says, "Alright, another one badly wounded but still up." <OOC> Schara says, "dazzled for 4 rounds from fiery death ray" <OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty, go ahead and pose it." GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order.
The artificer snuck into the room after the others, just in time to see the others shooting into the windows. The artificer pulls out a few parts from various pouches, which they attach to their left arm as the boxy cylinder beneath it folds out front, and various plates fold over it, leaving the majority of the arm exposed framework and various metal coils that begin glowing red hot. The end of the limb erupts into a flash of bright light as a gout of flame burns through the grating and the troglodyte on the other side.
"We know you threw the javelin at the people outside. Please stand down, we can talk about this." They shout, even if they should have said something before nearly incinerating one of them.
Round One - Init 7. It is now Trog 1's turn! Trog 3 is next! <OOC> Subduction says, "Since they are all clustered together, I'll handle all four at once." <OOC> Subduction says, "1 and 2 throw javelins at Jay" GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (7)+0: 7 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (3)+0: 3 <OOC> Subduction says, "And both miss." <OOC> Subduction says, "Oh, belatedly, roll fort for stink (unless you don't breathe or are immune to poison) Schara" GAME: Schara rolls fortitude: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Subduction says, "3 throws a javelin at Schara" GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (9)+0: 9 <OOC> Subduction says, "And wiffs" <OOC> Subduction says, "4 throws a javelin at Khepri" GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (8)+0: 8 <OOC> Subduction says, "And wiffs." GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 3. It is now Trog 3's turn! Trog 4 is next! GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 1. It is now Trog 4's turn! Trog 2 is next! GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round One - Init 0. It is now Trog 2's turn! Jay is next!
The skulking figures are taken by surprise by the adventurers, for the most part- turning suddenly as the light bearing, and heavily armored, Khepri and Schara advance to join their sneakier companions. They ready javelins each- but one of them is struck square in the sternum with an arrow, another scorched from clavicle to navel by sweeping ray of fire. They both still stand, but their wounds are serious. They toss their makeshift javelins, but they are ill prepared and they catch and clatter against bars or the edges of the murderholes- none find their mark on the adventurers.
GAME: NEW ROUND! Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 22. It is now Jay's turn! Khepri is next! <OOC> Jay says, "Not sure if my 7 was sufficent to re-establish stealth, I was shot at. So I'd like to shoot at #2 and move 16,31" <OOC> Subduction says, "It wasn't, no. Go ahead and roll it." GAME: Jay rolls weapon6-2+1: (20)+8+-2+1: 27 (THREAT) GAME: Jay rolls weapon6-2+1: (12)+8+-2+1: 19 <OOC> Subduction says, "That's a crit" GAME: Jay rolls damage6: aliased to 1d6+0: (1)+0: 1 GAME: Jay rolls damage6: aliased to 1d6+0: (5)+0: 5 GAME: Jay rolls damage6: aliased to 1d6+0: (2)+0: 2 <OOC> Subduction says, "Another one seriously wounded but not dropped." <OOC> Subduction says, "Alrighty, go ahead and pose it." GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order.
Flitting ahead of the light, the garishly coloured bluejay looses another arrow and moves between the murder holes. Despite being seen, despite how sick he feels, the arrow strikes a thin section of scales on the Troglodyte's shoulder. The arrowhead buries into the rotator cuff. It's painful and serious, not enough to drop the creature.
Jay attempts to take cover again once he's in a new position.
Round Two - Init 16. It is now Khepri's turn! Crik is next! <OOC> Khepri says, "OK, out of the four, which one hasn't been hit?" <OOC> Subduction says, "#1" <OOC> Khepri walks up to 16,30, points at #1, and slaps him with Hold Person. GAME: Khepri casts Hold Person. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (12)+0: 12 <OOC> Subduction says, "And Trog 1 is paralyzed" <OOC> Khepri says, "He can make a full round action to save again on his turn." <OOC> Khepri says, "And I'm done." <OOC> Khepri poses!
Khepri strides forward confidently. Radiating a kind of sheer, unrelenting menace, even as its companions tag the troglodytes with missiles. Seeing one that hasn't been injured yet, the bird-faced golem turns to look, then points at it. "The Harpist's will is absolute. You will not move." And then it clenches its fist, and the troglodyte stiffens, a funny little 'meep' coming from it.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 13. It is now Crik's turn! Schara is next! <OOC> Crik says, "I'll move to 14,34 and fire the crossbow at 4." GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Crik rolls damage2: aliased to 1d4+0: (3)+0: 3 <OOC> Subduction says, "That drops it" <OOC> Subduction says, "Pose it." GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order.
Crik hears Khepri's words, sees Schara's deathbeams and Jay just crushing through the troglodytes - but more importantly, he is not being attacked by the fiends. Lightly hopping further into the room, he lines up his small crossbow at one of the wounded beasts and fires off a bolt, finishing it off.
Round Two - Init 9. It is now Schara's turn! Trog 1 is next! <OOC> Subduction says, "Schara, you're up and sickened." <OOC> Schara says, "I'll move up to 17,32 and shoot at the one there" <OOC> Subduction says, "Roll it, -2 for sickened." GAME: Schara rolls 1d20 +7+1+1 -2: (7)+7+1+1+-2: 14 <OOC> Subduction says, "That's a hit on touch." <OOC> Subduction says, "Roll damage" GAME: Schara rolls 1d6+4+1: (2)+4+1: 7 <OOC> Subduction says, "That drops him, go ahead and pose it."
Schara is, kind of panicking. And the sudden intake of air doesn't help as they retch from the smell. "They aren't stopping, they're still attacking us, but they live here and we're kind of, I don't know what language they speak and I don't know what they're like." The artificer rambles as she stepped forward, peering into one of the walls. They bring up their arm, and the coils heat up again, sending a bolt of fire directly at one of the troglodytes. This time it stops moving. "That wasn't a slime, that was a living, breathing creature. I'm sorry, I didn't know what to do." They mumble through the helmet.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 7. It is now Trog 1's turn! Trog 3 is next! <OOC> Subduction says, "#1 attempts to escape paralysis" GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (3)+0: 3 <OOC> Subduction says, "Fails" <OOC> Subduction says, "Trog 3 is going to flee"
One drops, and then another- scorch marks and crossbow bolts ending the Trog's existence one by one. One of them gurgles and twitches, still held by Khepri's spell, unable to move a muscle as its stiff form slowly topples over, falling onto its side and staring unblinking at the wall it finds itself facing. The third decides to make a break for it- it gives up on throwing its held Javelin, and dashes north- there's the unseen bang of a door being thrown open hastily, and then it emerges from one of the side passages ahead.
It banks around the corner, and continues north- jumping onto a narrow drawbridge above a deep pit and making it halfway across it.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Two - Init 3. It is now Trog 3's turn! Jay is next! GAME: NEW ROUND! Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 22. It is now Jay's turn! Khepri is next! <OOC> Jay says, "ah hmmm." <OOC> Jay says, "well fly to 15,25 and watch or listen to see which door it goes through" <OOC> Jay says, "say some stuff" <OOC> Subduction says, "Pose it."
"I know they live here. Did you want to talk to them? They were waiting to attack us. I thought we were expecting a fight. I could have asked if they wanted to file a property posession dispute." Jay squawks. He was ducking into a spin, watching Crik expertly take out one of the wounded, readying his bow for one of the remaing when Schara raises the moral question. Should he have shot first.
"I can't exactly convince him to stop and listen now." The bluejay complains, taking wing and flying to the foot of the drawbridge. He watches the Troglodyte retreat, unwilling to shoot again.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 16. It is now Khepri's turn! Crik is next! <OOC> Khepri says, "Hmmm. Decisions, decisions." <OOC> Khepri will move to 12,29, and yell at the paralyzed trog. <OOC> Subduction says, "Attempting to Demoralize?" <OOC> Khepri says, "If I can." <OOC> Subduction says, "Sure, go ahead and roll intimidate" GAME: Khepri rolls intimidate: (18)+10: 28 GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (5)+0: 5 <OOC> Subduction says, "He's pretty dang demoralized" <OOC> Subduction says, "Shaken" <OOC> Khepri poses.
The golem Executor notes, "They attacked the explorers earlier, as well." Coolly, the golem stalks around the corner, opening the door and stopping next to the paralyzed troglodyte. The khopesh starts to rise... then stops. "...What?" Khepri says in confusion, looking at its blade. Then, after a moment, the sword is lowered again, and the construct hunkers down next to the troglodyte, making sure it can see the face of death.
"I offer you this: you will not die this day. But you -will- leave this place, and never return. The Harpist is not without mercy, but if you spurn this offer, I will send you to Her without hesitation."
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 13. It is now Crik's turn! Schara is next! <OOC> Crik says, "I am now not sure what to do either. ._.," <OOC> Crik says, "I suppose I'll move 16,31 and give Schara a morale boosting Winghug?" <OOC> Subduction says, "Heh, alright. Pose it."
Crik tilts his head as Schara begins to shake and ramble. Putting away his own crossbow - considering the combat suddenly turned very non-violent - he does his characteristic hop over and wraps a wing about the not-golem-not-construct. "It was dark and a solemn mission. Who are we to judge the shadows of the blades that cut for life?" The corvid offer helpfully. "Murder is still life." Very helpfully.
GAME: Subduction advances the initiative order. Round Three - Init 9. It is now Schara's turn! Trog 1 is next! <OOC> Schara says, "hmm" <OOC> Schara says, "one moment" <OOC> Schara says, "Take the everburning torch and go up to where Jay is in case anything tries to ambush them" <OOC> Subduction says, "Give me a perception roll, Schara" GAME: Schara rolls perception: (4)+8: 12 <OOC> Subduction has a pose after Schara GAME: Subduction rolls -1: (11)++-1: 10
"No, I didn't come in here expecting a fight. I guess I wanted to talk to them, if they were willing to talk, but everyone was shooting things and they were throwing javelins and I don't know." The artificer rambles further. They stop and shake their head, gently pushing the wing away. "I'm not a murderer, or maybe I am, I don't know, I just wish I had thought it through more." They continue while going to grab the still burning, but not hot torch and walk over to where Jay was. "I won't hurt you if you don't try to attack, so please don't try to attack, it doesn't make sense."
In their haste, they don't notice one of the stones they walk past depresses underfoot.
The pressure plate sinks an inch, and then clicks. Suddenly, the drawbridge drops, swinging down suddenly and striking the carved wall of the pit with force enough to kick dust into the air. The Troglodyte which had been crossing it makes a leap for the far side, but is not quick enough- its claws do not find the edge, and scrape along the rock face for a few feet before it falls down below. After a few seconds, its demise is heralded by the wet sound of numerous puncture wounds. With the light of the Torch, by peering over the edge, Jay and Schara are able to see that some thirty feet below the pit ends with a multitude of upright steel spears, rusted with age but still deadly enough. The Troglodyte's corpse is run through by a half dozen of them. To judge by the dusty bones and ragged scraps of ancient cloth down there, it is not the first to meet such a fate.
The bluejay visibly flinches at the sound of wet impacts. With the torchlight, he can see the other creature's demise, the broken body on the many sharp edges. Soundlessly he opens and closes his beak.
"I should mark that pressure plate." He does so with a piece of chalk.
He can't take his eyes away, continues to gaze into the pit. "There's a certain irony to that. Allegedly. I wonder if it was his trap, or the Khazadi's."
GAME: Subduction rolls 0: (20)+0: 20
The remaining Troglodyte finally breaks free of the paralysis, blinking and twitching as the numbness finally begins to fade. But its prone and unarmed after its tumble, with a War Golem bearing down on it with a Khopesh. It makes a number of guttural sounds which might be a language, it's hard to day, and then finishes it off with "Keh keh keh." a gurgling laugh. It raises its hands, and slinks slowly away from Khepri, hands open as it backs off towards the exit.
Khepri wordlessly points to the exit with its blade, those sulfurous eyes blazing at the troglodyte. Only once it has fled does the golem turn back to its companions. Casually taking a look at where the bridge fell in, the golem shrugs slightly. "It could not be helped."
Schara just stares down into the hole for a long moment after it drops.
"I'm not, that was my fault fir stepping on the pressure plate, wasn't it." Schara notes as she hurriedly steps off the stone. "I'm sorry, just, please go I'll just stay here until you're gone."
Now that the frantic pace of battle is over, the group are able to stop and take stock of the area. There is a lever on the far side of the bridge, nestled into a nook in the wall- on the other side of the twenty foot span. Two doors flank it on either side, marked with more old-Khazhadi glyphs. The bridge does not return to its original position after the pressure plate is vacated- clearly this particular trap needs to be manually reset.
The remaining Troglodyte slinks to the exit, hunched low, hands up. Only once it is into the passageway back to the surface does it lope off, picking up speed. There are shouts of surprise and alarm from above, but no sounds of battle follow it.
Jay slings his bow across his back, careful of the edge of the pit. "I think it's Khazadi. It is too old. Allegedly."
He looks around, "Well, I can examine the side rooms and the rest of the area. Crik or I could fly across. That lever looks like it resets the bridge."
He shrugs his wings, "So how do you want to advance after we've checked that? If the sounds of combat didn't carry, the others might not have been alerted."
Khepri nods its head, turning to regard Schara for a moment before turning back to Jay. "That would work best. I lack any spell or ability to reach that far, and I do not think we should chance climbing down and negotiating the pit."
Khepri moves to regard Schara again. "They chose this path when they attacked the explorers indiscriminately. Your compassion does you credit; but they would not offer you the same consideration. Remember that."
"Well, I dropped the bridge, so we can't go over that right now." Schara notes. "I know, they tried to attack us, but maybe if I could actually understand them I could have done something. If you think you can get over we still need to check over this place, I'll just, I'll stand in one place so I don't kill you or someone else in the process."
"I'll examine this area, then we can see about the bridge. I'll need my torch." The bluejay suggests, taking the light back from Schara and setting out to explore the side rooms.
He moves silently, not sneaking or skulking so much as sulking and taking the time to fully ensure there are no more surprises this side of the bridge. This involves flying up and crouching down, to get different vantage points. The west, then the east are cleared. The central room given another once over.
Returning to the group he shares an observation. "It would have been nice if the guild mandated someone who could speak to Troglodytes to come along, if they expected troglodytes. I could have asked my kobold friend for help."
"This rather limits our options. I don't like feeling like a murderer either." Integrity refolds his wings, "we can decide how to proceed, if loudly with a lot of light makes more sense." He waves at the other side of the pit, "well, after I check over there. I need to think a moment."
Which he does, staring down into the depths.