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Message: <blockquote data-quote="H.M.Gimlord" data-source="post: 5951036" data-attributes="member: 79440">Seraphine finds it difficult, but not impossible to escape the bodyguard on her way to dispatch the thug next to Draglin. The bodyguard catches her from behind, leaving a scar on her leg. "What kind of.." Vythdar, surprised by Haruka's shadow grows frustrated. He moves toward the warlock, "How did you...!?" again at a loss for words, Vythdar seethes as he is wrapped in a cold, constraining shroud. After struggling against Haruka's magic, the handsome adversary simply relaxes and shoots a sinister smile at Haruka. As if the relaxation made him more supple, Vythdar slips from his freezing bonds to arive in front of Haruka.  The warlock cannot believe her eyes. The magic should have held him. And, as though this revelation were not surprising enough, it doesn't compare to the surprise that she feels when Vythdar's sword pierces her FROM BEHIND. Vythdar's image disappears before Haruka's eyes, and she realizes, too late, that she has been fooled. Vythdar leans over her shoulder, cold, and breathing hard, "We all have our surprises my lady." A second time the sword comes at the warlock. This time, the flat of the blade sends her sprawling across the street.  Looking back, Haruka sees that the magic did work, and she takes comfort that Vythdar is still tense, and unable to pursue her. "And you, stay down fellah."  "Yeah"  The bodyguards taunt Max as they pummel the warlord on the helm once more, blacking him out and sending him to the turf, yet again. "Alright Girlie" one bodyguard jeers, "You're next. Be a good girl and go down easy." he smiles wryly. [sblock=Enemy Actions]Archer 1: Standard: Bullseye BoltTarget: MaxAttack: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572361/" target="_blank">1d20+21-2(Range)=21 vs. AC</a> MissBullseye Bolt does not recharge on Archer's next turn (<a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572361/" target="_blank">1d6=2</a>)  Archer 2:Standard: CrossbowTarget: MaxAttack: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572361/" target="_blank">1d20+21-2(Range)=26 vs. AC</a> MissBullseye Bolt recharges on Archer's next turn (<a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572361/" target="_blank">1d6=6</a>)  Bodyguard 1:Standard: GreatswordTarget: MaxAttack: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572388/" target="_blank">1d20+23=34 vs. AC for 2d10+13=24 damage</a>  Vythdar Astrix:Move: to Q3 Haruka's II: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3578720/" target="_blank">1d20+19=33 vs. Reflex for 10 Cold damage</a> and Vythdar Astrix is immobilized and remains at S4Max's OA: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3578732/" target="_blank">1d20+17=18</a> Miss (Sorry dimsdale <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/cry.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":.-(" title="Cry    :.-(" data-shortname=":.-(" />) Minor: Illusory DoubleIllusion moves to Q3Bluff: 1d20+22=36 vs. Perception Haruka, and, well... just about anyone elseThe illusion works. Standard: Double Attack, appearing at Q5Target 1: HarukaAttack 1: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572397/" target="_blank">1d20+23+2(CA)=45 Crit for 36 damage</a> and ongoing 15 Force damage (Save Ends)(Yeah. For some reason, I added 24+12 and got 45 last time <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" />. Never drink and post!)Push waivedTarget 2:Attack 2: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3578726/" target="_blank">1d20+23+2(CA)-2(Concealed)=25 vs. </a>Miss and Haruka is pushed to N2 Bodyguard 2:Move: to P5 (avoiding Draglin) Standard: Stick & ShiftTarget: MaxAttack: <a href="http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3572412/" target="_blank">1d20+23=41 vs. AC for 21 damage</a> and Max falls unconscious (again).Granted Shift: to P6[/sblock][sblock=Status]Gloom: S3 -38/81HP 11/11HS 1AP, Unconscious, 0 Failed Death Saves, Marked by Bodyguard 2Haruka: N2 48(43)/82HP 8/8HP DR 10 All, 1AP +2 to Defenses (Concealed), 15 Ongoing Force Damage (Save Ends)Max: Q4 -1/85HP 6/9HS 0AP, Unconscious, Marked by Bodyguard 1Draglin: O7 82/93HP 10/10HS 1APSeraphine: M6 83/97HP 13/13HS 1AP, +2 Defenses, +2 Saves, Enemies have -2 to attack Seraphine TENT Seraphine Virgil: N6 46/46HP Serras: L6 48/48HP Shadow S5 Blademaster 2: <s>N6 -18/256HP Dead</s>Blademaster 3: <s>M7 -2/256HP Dead</s> Archer 1: M23 108/108HPArcher 2: X20 108/108HP Bodyguard 1: R4 126/156HP BodyGuard 2: P6 156/156HP Vythdar Astrix: Q5 297/346HP 0AP Lawbreaker's Doom, Cursed by Haruka, Immobilized TENT Vythdar Astrix, Invisible TENT Vythdar Astrix[/sblock][sblock=Map]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/ApothecaryRound8-5.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Bodyguard] <img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Bodyguard.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Archer] <img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Archer.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Vythdar Astrix] <img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/VythdarAstrixH.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Synopsis of story to this point (A.K.A.: A cure for insomnia)] You are currently located just outside of a cliffside port city named Rioc Alair. The cellar in which they are now belongs to a harbor-side tavern and inn called The Crystal Mug. Your original party was employed by a gentleman named Jahred who is the leader of the primary constabulary group of Rioc Alair called The Night Watch, to determine the whereabouts of "Professor Aramista" who has gone missing now for several weeks. Your group have inspected the professors office and found the following documents and curiosities (see clues below) In their investigation, the group has also discovered that a previous group of adventurers were instrumental in ratting out a den of thieves being given sanctuary in this cellar hideout. The proprietor of this establishment at the time, a man named Blagarm Barblacken, was arrested and exiled, while all but one of the tieves were hunted down and executed (most of them as a result of the skirmish the aftermath of which you see here). The band of thieves was evidently led by a well-to-do member of society named Lars Hallmaster who left town with the city's Master Armorer, a dwarf named Hankel Mast, some time before the hideout was exposed. The preivous group of adventurers that dispatched the thieves continued to pursue Lord Hallmaster in hopes of rescuing Hankel, believing him to be a lost heir to some kind of fortune. Upon learning of the hideout from Jahred, your party expressed a desire to investigate, and were given a document signed by the Governor of Rioc Alair, Lord Ekton, giving you privilege to use whatever means necessary to complete your mission. While talking with Jahred, they also met a man named Vythdar Astrix, a representative of the people of Rioc Alair to Lord Ekton's court. He, too, expressed an interest in seeing the professor found, and returned to Rioc Alair. Upon arriving at The Crystal Mug, the group was set upon by a band of rough thugs. As the battle wound down, the last of the thugs made a dash for the cellar, in which Dante was killed in a trap, most likely a remnant of the thieves' devices. The poor thug, however executed poor judgement in his escape attempt, by attempting to flee through a locked cellar door. Cornered by Gloom and Draglin, the fellow fell hard. Upon the thug's chest (as well as others as some of you remember), is an ensignia of polished, gray leather in the shape of a dragon. Aaron, evidently a junior member of the original gang of thieves who resided under the Crystal mug, shows up having returned from a quest to drum up help in the form of Seraphine and Haruka.  When he returns, he is surprised to find his comrades dead, and his mentor and leader (Lars Hallmaster) missing. He relates the following information: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The thugs that Max, Mab, Dante, Draglin, and Gloom were fighting belonged to a ring of organized crime being led by Vythdar Astrix. He points out that the gray, leather dragon insignia represents Vythdar's mob. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lars Hallmaster is obsessed with finding the origins of a magic knife that channels the power of lightning and storms. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Professor Aramista encouraged (and perhaps even directed) Lars' research into the knife's origin so much that he sent Lars to a far-off land, called Erkemhest, to study the history of their continent. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Lars suspected Rioc Alair's Master Armorer, Hankel, of having information in this regard. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hankel's father, Bard, was killed in a burglary carried out by the former leader of the thieves (a man named Bradon) in order to find more information about the magic weapon. Bradon panicked when he was discovered, and slew Bard. Hankel then slew Bradon.</li> </ul>Clues from the professor's office: [sblock=Documents left spread out on the professor's bed][sblock=A letter]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Schematics-2.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock]This is a map that you recognized as the same map that Jahred showed you back at the Hanged Man in Daunton.[sblock=Map]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/AvenrocandErkemhestcopy-2.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock]The letter appears to be a draft that was not completed. It is not clear if a completed copy was sent or if Professor Aramista left before he had the chance.[/sblock][sblock=Items on the desk]Several codices are open to pages depicting machinery for smelting metals:<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/ForgeSchematics2-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" /><img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/ForgeSchematics1-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />One document lies next to these codices written in a strange script<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/History-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[sblock=History DC 25]It is a form of dwarven script. If you can read dwarven you can ask the DM for a translation.[/sblock][/sblock][sblock= Documents found on the professor's reading table]Three maps:[sblock=Map 1]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/ThemouthoftheFluss.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Map 2]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/Aleinheist-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Map 3]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/TheDeadSwampUntranslated.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][/sblock]*NEW*[sblock=Letters found by Haruka in the thieves' den under The Crystal Mug][sblock=Letter 1]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/DiscussionontheKnife3-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Letter 2]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/DiscussionontheKnife-2.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Letter 3]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/DiscussionontheKnife2-2.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Letter 4]<img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/DiscussionontheBox-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />    <img src="http://i571.photobucket.com/albums/ss151/HMGimlord/DiscussionontheBox2-1.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />[/sblock][sblock=Seraphine]The inscription on the bottom of the box is written in Draconic. It reads, "ihk sia deevdru Hankel", which, when translated, reads, "For my son, Hankel"[/sblock][sblock=Letter 5][/sblock][/sblock] It appears that Vythdar Astrix is running some kind of protection racket. While attempting to purchase magic items from a smuggler, the party is attacked by Vythdar and his powerful henchmen. The apothecary, serving as a front for the illicit magic item shop, burns to the ground, taking the life of its proprietor, but not until after the group stocks up.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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