(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

[Hriston]

Spoiler: Terrin - Team Lakefiltrusion

Terrin AC:15* HP:30/31(36) HD:1/4 PP:14 SSdc14 1/4 2/3 CD:2/2 Slp:0/1

Terrin approaches Bjorn in his frog form on the cliff overlooking the water.

"This cursed serpent knows not my Lady's rest," he says, indicating the pool where the hydra lurks, "but draws its regenerative power from the virulence of its own blood."

He declaims a short guttural phrase in a harsh sounding language as he makes a sign in the air with his hand before placing it on Bjorn's frog head.

"May her gentleness envelop your movements and leave undisturbed what semblance of repose the beast possesses."

OOC: Terrin casts guidance on Bjorn, choosing Stealth.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Merrick- Team CAVES!

Merrick Thorburn Race: Human	HP: 17/53 AC: 15/17(with shield)	Buffs: Slowed (-2 AC, 1/2) Raging (+2 damage, adv: Str ) Inspiration: 1
Rage: 1/3	Inner Healing:1/4	HD: 1/4
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 16+3(+5) DEX: 14+1(+2) CON: 16+3(+5) INT: 8-1(+-1) WIS: 10+0(+0) CHA:11 +0(+0)	Spoiler: Skills Athletics+5 Intimidate: 2/5 Perception: 2 Performance 2 Stealth: 4 Survival: 2	Spoiler: Spells Daily: JUMP: 1/1 At will Thaumaturgy Message

---

Merric isn't sure what to say about these prisoners and spends a moment thinking about what he will say next. He makes sure the unconscious prisoner is stable.

 

[MetaVoid]

After careful deliberation Torhak fingers his knife.
"We don't really have the means to keep them. So, you two can choose, either kobolds will keep you or I kill you right here. Sorry lady, I don't have anything against The Brotherhood, but its policies occasionally get one in trouble."

He looks at others "If you're squeemish, we can just let the lady go. She can try to survive while at the same time getting them out of our beards. The Beast...how did you join them?" he asks the mercenary

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Merrick- Team CAVES!

Merrick Thorburn Race: Human	HP: 17/53 AC: 15/17(with shield)	Buffs: Slowed (-2 AC, 1/2) Raging (+2 damage, adv: Str ) Inspiration: 1
Rage: 1/3	Inner Healing:1/4	HD: 1/4
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 16+3(+5) DEX: 14+1(+2) CON: 16+3(+5) INT: 8-1(+-1) WIS: 10+0(+0) CHA:11 +0(+0)	Spoiler: Skills Athletics+5 Intimidate: 2/5 Perception: 2 Performance 2 Stealth: 4 Survival: 2	Spoiler: Spells Daily: JUMP: 1/1 At will Thaumaturgy Message

---

Squeamish? Merrick isn't happy about the easy way his companions are willing to throw people's lives away. He, himself, was a professional mercenary and didn't always expect to have to fight to the death. At the least, he expected that, if he surrendered, it wasn't an automatic death sentence. It's part of why he fought against the cult of the dragon: they were fanatics.

That being said, The Beast Boys were the worst kind people. But should they stoop to their level? Merrick knew nothing of The Arcane Brotherhood or their motives. Merrick thinks if he can give them just enough incentive to cooperate, along with the threats that have been already offered.

Valendra sighed and said, "The Arcane Brotherhood seeks knowledge above all else. It is true that sometimes we must ally ourselves with... less than savory organizations. I know very little about the Wyrmspeaker and his 'pet', but I have heard tantalizing rumours that they are near to unlocking some great secret of the Uvarenni Lorekeepers. They have promised to share some tidbits, and I had hoped to gain their favour to learn more."

"You're in a bad situation so you aren't about to get the tidbits you wanted. I'm surprised you'd even believe they'd share anything. But you put yourself in bad company, bad things are going to happen. On the other hand, we know a few things. Work with us and maybe we can give you a few tidbits. But, It will have to wait until we're done here.

"Where were you staying? We might be able to retrieve your belongings. We want any keys you have and any passwords or bypasses for any of the traps. We have other allies besides the kobolds that you'll stay with," he was talking about the Lizardfolk. He'd heard of the other group's alliance with them - maybe they'd help.

"Once we're done with the cult, you'll be free to stay or go as you please but we need to know how the teleporter works."

She paused for a moment, hoping that this had satisfied her captors, but when they pressed for more, she continued, "While I wait for news of their discovery, they have tasked me with learning more about the mystery of this ship. So far, I know little, other than that I take it to be some ancient attempt at Astral Travel. I am uncertain as to if the crystals were some sort of fuel, or a cargo, but they are unlike anything that I have seen."

She went over some specifics that were very technical and mostly meaningless for the purposes of Imani's Agents, but explained how the crystals absorbed ambient localized magic.

"Unfortunately, they have been corrupted by time, or by exposure to this place." she gestured generally around her and sneered, as if uncomfortable with the very nature of her surroundings, "At any rate, they are volatile, and will explode if exposed, for too long, to nearby manipulations of the Weave."

"How volatile are those rocks? How much exposure does it take and how big is the explosion?"

He was thinking about how he could DEFINITELY ruin a powerful ritual if the cult was truly trying to bring back the dragon.

For his part, the mercenary added, "I, uh... hold torches and look out for trouble. For money, but that is hardly a crime."

"No, not a crime, but you knew what you knew the risks when you became a mercenary. Especially a Beast Boy. There's warrants on half a dozen of that gang."

He gives a nod in Torhaks direction, "I have a mind to give you over to that guy."

The threat was real. Merrick wasn't sure he'd be able to convince the others to let them go.

"Unless you cooperate."

 

[MetaVoid]

"We give them to kobolds. If they were good masters, they will live. If they negotiate they will live. If not, not our problem. We have dragon to slay. Just decide. Stop talking."
Torhak shrugs, getting impatient.
"Or let me kill them. You don't have to watch. They transgressed. No one will cry."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Caves

Valendra sneered, "With your deplorable violence toward the Houndmaster, I had thought you Bhaalites, come to retake your temple. I surrendered when I realized that you were Adventurers, but I see that makes you little better. I should have known."

She considered her slim options and said, "I don't know how the teleporter works well enough to want to use it myself. I don't trust it. Nor do I trust your 'allies' - the kobolds are ruled by a petty tyrant who is obsessed with his own importance. He is a weak leader who will have us killed for his own entertainment. I don't suppose you could escort us out or leave us here, and trust my word that we will not interfere with your mission."

On the subject of the crystals, she said, "I have not been foolish enough to blow them up in this uncontrolled environment. An assistant of mine was injured in a small accident with only one or two of them. I made the decision to be more careful. I expect the explosion would be larger with more, yes, but they are not blackpowder. They will do stranger things than just explode. I caution against it."

The mercenary looked at Torhak with wide eyes and said, "The offered pay was better than being a gate guard! I didn't know their reputation or who I would work with nor for! Most of us 'Boys didn't!"

 

[MetaVoid]

"Since my companions seem to not want you dead, I'm willing to let you go. You will have to cooperate, you need her for light, she needs you for protection. Kobolds may be bad chance, but my sword is much closer and much more definitive."
He turns to wizardess
"Why do you call us Bhaalites? I've noticed that already, but didn't want to interrupt you." Torhak is puzzled by the name
"What temple are you talking about?"