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Rescue Shaleen
The rogue continues to grin and takes another drink while looking the speaker of the guards in the eye,
"You're asking questions but not the right ones...What you should be asking is why would a random rogue be setting fires and stealing wine from the likes of Thurstwell Vanthampur and hanging about in the parlor offering you a drink and advice? If we're downstairs; is nobody upstairs?"
The rogue turns his attention to look each of the group in the eye,
"No doubt we've all heard of Sir Walter Bullsbane of the Riders of Elturel? No? Well, that burly cock o' the walk and five of his friends hired this nobody to get them into this very villa and what they're up to now can't be known."
Takes another drink and looks back to the speaker,
"But what we do know is that it's awfully quite up there and there's no angry Vanthampur tearing guards new arse-holes down here... Nobody asked but that tells us that those big clanking Riders have seen to business and we folk down here might as well have a drink and think about going to find a place to wet the whistles and willies...and, so you can't say nobody didn't ask twice...you gents fancy a drink?"
Once again takes a swig from the bottle and offers it to the nearest guard. (Deception rolled d20=17+4=21)
The Guards, look at each other as they ponder the rogue cryptic words.
"Maybe he is telling the truth. Something doesn't seem right. And the group that brought Mortlock disappeared from the courtyard during the fire", Looking back at Jules.
"So what then? Has Thurstwell been slain by his brother then?"
Another guard chimes in,
"Perhaps ol' Thurstwell got what was coming too him. Maybe this rogue is right, maybe Mortlock exacted his revenge"
Another guard responds, "We need to verify this knave's story"
Looking back at the rogue, the guard holds his hand out to take the bottle and tells his men to lower their swords.
"Even if you are correct and Thurstwell has been slain, his brother Amrik and his mother will have you all sunk in the harbor for your betrayal. "
Another guard chimes in,
"The Vanthampurs don't just let you leave their employ that easily. Our families will be in danger if we betray them. Lets have a walk upstairs and get to the bottom of this."
The guards nod at the rogue and point their swords toward the stairs to indicate they want the Rogue to lead the way.
(This part occurs after the post below about upstairs)
Just as they start out - Mortlock comes down the stairs and the guards draw swords again. Mortlock raises his club and looks at them in the eye.
"You know who i am, yes? Leave this property immediately. I am the new boss."
The guards frantically look around at the Rogue, and to Mortlock and all run out the front door.
***(The Rogue gains XP)***
Meanwhile upstairs:
Bruno turns over the contents of the locked chest and grunts in frustration when the artifact box isn’t inside. Turning roughly towards Thurstwell, Bruno scowls at him.
“I agree with Mortlock. He cannot be trusted. What else will we find in the basement? What traps, guards, imps, or other devils wait for us below?”
Bruno turns his attention back to the group with weary eyes. Shooting a glance at Thurstwell, he lowers his voice so only the group can hear.
“I’m not sure how much I have left if there’s much opposition down there. We’ve all taken some scrapes and could do with a bit of a long rest. Mortlock, would there be a safe place for us to bind our wounds and rest up in here?”
***(The Wizard gains XP)***
Mortlock grabs his brother by the throat, and begins to choke.
"May you never find peace, brother, for your crimes."
There is a snap as Thurstwells neck breaks and then Mortlock throws his body out the window.
"IF I were you, I would leave this city while you can. My mother will destroy you all, including me when she learns her favorite sons are gone. I am leaving the city. I hope you find what you are looking for. "
Mortlock leaves and heads downstairs to leave the villa.
Reya screams, "Nooo, You fool! Now how will we find Thavius?!"
She draws her sword to attack mortlock but after a second she lowers it and sighs heavily.
"We need to get moving -- if you must rest, lets go lay low and regroup at the inn. We will return for the Duke once we have regained our strength and formed a new plan"
Reya looks at the group, waiting for a response.
10 minutes pass
Time: 2:00 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
The Search of the Villa
Bruno takes a step back in surprise and raises his hand defensively as Mortlock pick up Thurstwell and snaps his neck. He looks nervously between Mortlock, Reya and the rest of the group for a moment before lowering his hand as no further violence looks imminent. He says nothing as Mortlock marches out the door and heads down the stairs. He stares for a moment without pity at Thurstwell’s now twice dead body before facing Reya.
“I think we better rest and regroup. We’re scattered, scraped, and almost spent. I’m not sure what’s in this cellar of theirs, but if the last few days are any clue, it’s nothing good.” Bruno places a hand on Desmund’s shoulder and tries to smile warmly.
“You lived up to your end of the bargain back at the Low Lantern. Now that you’re between jobs, would you be willing to continue on with us and get paid? Look at this place. Whatever you can grab on your way out is yours. I can guarantee we can make it worth your while.”
"My debt is paid. I never liked the Vanthampurs anyway... the coin was good. The Duke is still going to gut you all and hang your corpses in the streets. My advice? Flee this city and never return. If it's to have the same fate as Elturel, then get as far away as you can. As much as I like you all, you are crazy if you are going to try and overthrow lady Vanthampur."
The pirate tucks his swords into his belt and prepares to depart from the group.
Dartan hears the snap of Thurstwell's neck and is drawn out of his pensive state.
"May you find absolution in your brothers' demise. Before you leave, come with us to the basement. You know the way she we could use your help. I fear if we leave now, returning to this place will be nigh impossible. I know we're all spent, but if this device you seek is a key to understanding what's happening, we need to secure it while we can."
Then turning toward Desmund,
"As for you, Coin, I owe you my life. Thank you. I cannot repay you, but I hopes this helps," as he presses two platinum pieces into the pirate's hand.
"Now where'd that rogue go?"
Desmund takes the coins and winks.
"You are honorable men and women.... Not the type I usually find in my company. Now I need a nap" *yawn*
Desmund adjusts his blades and heads off down the stairs, pocketing a vase he sees on his way out.
Reya watches the pirate as he heads downstairs. There is a loud crack of thunder as he departs.
"Ok, now as for our next steps. If the Duke is on the premises, I agree with him (gesturing to Dartan). We are already inside, and the Duke will likely have this place guarded to the teeth if we leave and try and return. As weak as we are, this may be our best chance to finish her off. Her men have fled, her sons are dead - she won't even be aware of what has transpired yet so we have the element of surprise. Let's take an hour or so and do a thorough search of the villa and then go to the cellar after we've recovered a bit. We can do this, we are so close!"
SHORT REST:
The party spends about an hour doing a quick search of the upstairs rooms. (short rest activated, all spell casters can recover 1 spell slot, and everyone can roll hit dice if needed)
1. Thurstwell's Room was already searched.
2. Mortlock's room is across the hall to the right - and contains a bed, a wooden chest with clawed feet, and a night table. The chest weighs about 25 pounds and contains a few drab garments made for a man of Mortlock's size, a few worthless personal effects, and a stuffed troll doll from Mortlock's childhood
3. Amrik's room is across the hall to the left. This tastefully appointed room contains a bed, a side table, a claw-footed iron bathtub, a fireplace, and a Locked iron-banded wooden chest. A three-foot-wide, six-foot-tall mirror is mounted to the east wall opposite the fireplace. The mirror's varnished wooden frame is carved with images of rats, ravens, and spiders.
4. The Duke's Powder Room - This room contains a vanity topped with a framed oval mirror, bottles of perfume, brushes, cosmetics, needles, and spools of thread. Other furnishings in the room include a folding wooden partition adorned with a bird of prey rendered in gold leaf, a tall black wardrobe filled with corsets and fine clothes, and a decorative gold rug laid out in front of three unlocked wooden chests. One chest is full of shoes, another contains three old bridal gowns, and the third contains seasonal hats.
5. The Dukes Bedroom - features of the room include a canopied bed with a gossamer shroud for keeping insects at bay, a freestanding wooden privacy screen, a cast-iron bathtub with clawed feet, a fireplace, and a padlocked iron chest. The padlock is cast in the shape of a horned devil's scowling visage.
6. The Dukes Study - An oak writing desk angled to face the middle of the room has a matching chair behind it and two black candlesticks atop it. Other furnishings include three bookcases and a freestanding suit of black plate armor topped with a bucket helm and equipped with a longsword and a shield. A wrought-iron spiral staircase leads up to the tower. The Armor, Longsword and Shield are real, and in pristine condition.
7. Balcony - A crenelated stone battlement encloses this balcony overlooking the front yard. It's a 15-foot drop from the balcony to the ground.
Meanwhile - downstairs
The rogue chuckles quietly to himself and looks from the ugly man-giant and to the hastily retreating guards and mumbles, “nobody puts the fear of the gods in ‘em like Sir Walter.” The rogue shrugs and lets the open bottle fall to the floor, uncorks the other, takes a pull and looks thoughtfully at the label and wanders to the other side of the house. “Nobody’s looked in here yet…” and resumes the search for valuables.
The rogue searches downstairs.
1. The Gallery - This gallery contains an eclectic collection of tapestries, paintings, and alabaster busts on pedestals meant to impress guests.
A 6-foot-tall wax statue in one corner depicts Duke Thalamra cradling the family pet, Slobberchops, in her arms. The Cat has a wax rat in its mouth.
2. The Parlor has high-backed chair facing a pair of padded couches and a coffee table. A tapestry hanging on the north wall depicts burning angels falling from the sky into a pit of fire.
3. The Dining Room - the rogue already somewhat searched this room, containing An iron-wrought chandelier hangs above a black oak dining table surrounded by eight high-backed chairs carved to look like devils. A fireplace dominates one wall, flanked by red-curtained windows. A handsome, glass-doored wine cabinet stands against one wall. Wine is spilled all over the table per the rogue earlier.
4. The Foyer, The vases, rug, and tapestries are valuable art objects, though they don't go well together. Each of the sixteen vases weighs 2 pounds and look valuable.
5. Servants Quarters - This undecorated room contains four single beds and a dining table for the manor's servants. The servants keep spare uniforms and other personal belongings in drawers under their beds. Nothing of value is kept here.
6. The Kitchen - Pots, pans, and cooking utensils dangle above three wooden preparation tables in the middle of the room, and shelves are lined with bowls, platters, herbs, spices, and dried goods. A dumbwaiter with a manually operated rope-and-pulley system allows meals to be delivered to Duke Vanthampur's bedroom upstairs.
Slobberchops the family cat prowls the kitchen. As the rogue enters the kitchen, the cat just purrs and rubs against his leg.
7. Pantry - Food and drink is stored on shelves in this musty room.
8. Stairs to cellar - This room contains a barrel of fresh water and a brick-walled staircase that descends
After the Rogue does his initial scouting of the downstairs, the party finishes their scouting of the upstairs.
Actions:
1. Please let me know if you want a closer look at anything in any of the rooms
70 minutes pass
Time: 3:10 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Looting the Villa
The rogue reaches down and strokes the cat's ears and tries to pick up the kitty, but Slobberchops bolts away from him as soon as he tries to pick it up. The magical cat spreads his wings and flies up to the top of the Kitchen and lands on a high ledge and watches the Rogue.
The Rogue leaves the kitty and walk upstairs. Strolling around the rooms where the rest of the party is, and he notices the closed chests. With that the rogue turns and on his heel and approaches the chest with the padlock in the Dukes bedroom first. (Investigation rolled)
The Rogue does not detect any traps on this chest, and attemps to pick the lock. (Sleight of hand rolled by DM: Result 7) but the lock does not give way.
Bruno reluctantly nods at Dartan and Reya. Holding up his hands, he chuckles weakly.
"All right. If this box is that important, we'll head down now. After all, what's the worst that could happen?"
Taking a deep breath, he looks slowly around the room for a moment before taking out his spell book and flipping to specific page almost by reflex. Scanning the arcane runes, he nods to himself before starting to ritually cast Detect Magic.
Hi incantation complete, he walks around the villa looking for anything that gives off a magic aura. He doesn't touch anything, but makes note of anything that radiates magic.
The first thing he takes note of is that the Suit of armor, shield and Longsword all glow green indicating a magical enchantment is present.
As he walks room to room for a few minutes, nothing else stands out as "magical". (this doesn't mean that concealed items are not present with magical properties, but the spell only outlines items Bruno can see)
Bartok watches the pirate depart in quiet approval, thinking that finding companions on this journey full of demons and death may be possible after all. Hearing Bruno say "what's the worst that could happen" Bartok's eyes widen in alarm!
"Bruno! Last time ye said that we woke up in the pig stable, and I was spooning with a hog named Sheila, smellin like whiskey and buttered corn for some reason!" Bartok chuckles at the memory. "I've caught me wind back though Lass, and I'm willing to go with ya on the explorin. Anything that could cause that much death and destruction needs to be found and destroyed for sure. We've earned a bit of gold if nothin else, but I'm with you on keepin it quick. Let's see if we can find what we need and get out. No need to bring the city down on our ears." BArtok sees Bruno cast his familiar detect magic spell and follows him as he leaves the area looking around. "I'll watch yer back Bruno. Let me know if anythin sticks out to ya."
Bartok picks up a couple of valuable looking vases.
Bruno graps a snack in the pantry, as there is a lot of good food, fruits, veggies, and salted meats. (Hunger and Thirst is recovered)
Dartan steps behind the partition in the master bedroom and changes into the armor. As he does, he spots Hippee peeking through a crack in the partition, watching him change.
Dartan uses his ability to detect fiends and devils as he searches the villa, but no invisible imps or any evils are detected on the ground or second floors of the villa. He takes a minute to search the book cases in the dukes study. There are over 200 books here -- it will take at least an hour to sift through them to find anything useful. (let me know how much time you want to spend looking through books, but in the time the rest of the party searches, you find 1 rare and valuable book.
As the party continues to search, Slobberchops enters the rooms they search and watches them from a distance, staying up high and out of grabbing range.
Here is a summary of things that you have yet to open or visit:
Upstairs - Locked Padlocked chest in the master bedroom (rogue failed to pick lock)
Upstairs - Locked Iron Banded Wood Chest in Amrik's Bedroom (not yet investigated)
Upstairs - Dukes Vanity - bottles of perfume, and other effects (If you wish to search the vanity, tell me how much time you want to spend)
Downstairs - Parlor - High back chair and coffee table and a valuable looking tapestry.
Many of the vases and artwork are likely valuable but you need to specify if you want to pick things up - I will add things to the treasure horde if you tell me what you're picking up.
30 minutes pass
Time: 3:40 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Continuing the Search
The rogue curses quietly with irritation at the padlocked chest and calls out for the paladin,
“Lord Bullsbane, this one requires your special touch. Nobody’s found anything dangerous.” The offhandedly to the rest of the party, “keys, wasn’t there some keys floating around that damnable sewer?” The rogue moves to the iron banded chest and investigates and will attempt to disarm any traps and unlock the chest. (Investigation rolled)
As an afterthought, the rogue fishes the key ring from his pack and looks to see if any might fit the padlock or the iron banded chest. He tossed the keys to the paladin, “We could try one of these?”
After trying all the keys in the parties possession, they realize none fit the locks on these chests.
"Oi! Bruno, this book looks important. Why don't you come over here and look to see if there is anything you could use or might have useful information. Jules, go look at the chest in Amrik's room. I'll see about getting this other open." (Athletics check to bash open the chest?) Before going to open the chest, Dartan cuts a tassle off the Duke's curtains and tries to use it to get the cat to come down by playing with it.
The cat just watches curiously but does not come down. Dartan smashes at the lock on the Padlocked chest in the Dukes bedroom, (Athletics Roll: 9) But the thick iron padlock doesn't easily give way and neither does the box itself. After a few minutes, he stops as the box is just too strong for brute force. The chest is reinforced with Iron plate and so cannot be smashed without much more force.
Bruno finishes his walk around the villa looking for items giving off a magic aura. His scan complete, he gestures towards the last place he saw the rogue and casts Message.
"Jules - the only magic items I could see are the armor, long sword and shield. Nothing else came up. You may reply to this message."
Bruno motions towards the armor Dartan is wearing, and the shield and longsword. "The armor, sword and shield are enchanted, but what the enchantment is, I can't say. Give me time with them and I can find out."
Bruno's ears perk up at the sound of Dartan mentioning an important looking book. "Important book, you say?" Bruno's eye's glitter as he scans the titles on the bookshelf.
The book is a rare and valuable book, probably worth around 25 gold, which for a book, is considered really good. The Dukes bookshelf may contain several books like this but it would take time to sift through them all.
"As much as I would like to spend time looking through this devilspawn's library, we should get moving. My protective wards won't last forever."
Jules checks the locked iron banded chest and determines there are no traps, and then with a few clicks of his thieves tools, unlocks the lock and opens the chest.
The Iron Banded Chest contains: A Alchemists Kit and a Platinum ring with the motto: "Stone Hearts Never Bleed" carved on the band. The ring immediately glows Orange and Blue, indicating evocation magic is present.
"We can come back an loot the villa after we deal with Thalamra, we should move to the cellar before she starts to realize something is up. We've lingered long enough"
Reya prepares to move and heads to the stairs on the ground floor next to the kitchen.
Here is a summary of things that you have yet to open or visit:
Upstairs - Locked Padlocked chest in the master bedroom (rogue failed to pick lock, Dartan cannot smash it)
Upstairs - Locked Iron Banded Wood Chest in Amrik's Bedroom (Opened and looted - Ring and Alchemist kit)
Upstairs - Dukes Vanity - bottles of perfume, and other effects (If you wish to search the vanity, tell me how much time you want to spend)
Downstairs - Parlor - High back chair and coffee table and a valuable looking tapestry.
What does the party do?
10 minutes pass
Time: 3:50 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
The Tower
As the chest is opened, Bruno's eyes immediately pick up the ring as it begins to radiate a magic aura.
"There. The ring holds an enchantment." *squinting to look at the ring a little closer* "Looks to be evocation-based."
Bruno pulls out his spellbook and flips a newer page, not as worn as the ones toward the front of his book. Taking a seat near the ring, Bruno clears his throat and glances up at the group.
"Let's see what we have here. This should just take 10 minutes or so."
*Bruno begins to ritually cast Identify on the ring*
As he is casting Identify, Dartan speaks.
"Agree. One last thing before the cellar." Dartan heads up the turret, but due to being overloaded, has to leave a lot of his equipment on floor in the second room.
The spiral staircase climbs fifteen feet to a square room with crisscrossing rafters ten feet overhead and a peaked roof above that. An empty bookcase dominates the west wall, and two filthy padlocked cages stand on the floor. Each cage holds a human prisoner and a chamberpot.
One prisoner is a female, and the other is male. When you enter the room they look at you with fright. Dartan's divine sense allows him to see two hidden imps sitting on top of each prisoners cage. The imps just watch silently as Dartan enters the tower.
** ONLY DARTAN IS IN THE TOWER**
"wh....wh...who are you? Please don't hurt me anymore!"
She begins to whimper weakly. She has cuts and bruises all over her body and face.
The man, sees you and has a look of fear on his face. "Please, let me go. I promise not to bother you ever again"
As Bruno continues to cast identify on the ring,
Hippee searches the Dukes Vanity for a few minutes, mumbling to himself and spraying the perfumes on his wrist and sniffing deeply.
In the 10 minutes that pass while Bruno is casting identify, Hippee discovers The vanity holds six bottles of fine perfume, a silver hairbrush inlaid with lapis lazuli , and a wooden jewelry box holding a pearl necklace, a platinum figure of a winged cat that resembles Slobberchops , and two potions of healing. (all these items added to the treasure horde)
Finally - bruno finishes his spell and identifies the ring as a Master Ring of Wizardry +2.
The rings magic is very powerful, and has ties to the underworld but Bruno cannot really say how powerful it is.
It appears that the wearer of the ring can cast any spell with it - but Bruno is unable to determine the number of charges the ring possesses. The ring also seems to have a passive power that increases the wearer's armor class by +2 while it's being worn. Bruno gets a sense of uneasiness as the identify magic permeates the magic of the ring.
Bartok watches as Bruno identifies the ring. Jules stands in the corner watching Slobberchops.
What does the party do?
10 minutes pass
Time: 4:00 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Leave the Prisoners.
Bruno frowns as his spell fails to fully penetrate the fogged veil surrounding the ring. He turns the ring over in his palm, trying to puzzle out exactly who, or what, was responsible for its creation. After several moments, he shakes his head and sighs.
"This ring is ... incredibly powerful. More powerful than anything I've ever seen before. But there's ... something about it that makes me uneasy."
Bruno continues to turn the ring over in his hand, his eyes fixed on the small, metallic band.
"There's no doubt this ring is imbued with powerful magic. Its creators must have been incredibly powerful themselves. But it's unclear what the cost would be, if any, to use it. Often those with the power to create an item such as this loathe to share their power or seek to corrupt that would use it...or both."
Bruno sighs and shakes his head.
"Too many questions, too many puzzles to think about now." Bruno stands up and puts his spellbook away. "It will have to wait. We should get moving. Where's Dartan?"
Bartok notices Bruno's facination with the ring,
"That's a nice ring there Bruno... it seems to really fit you! Is it.... precious.... to you?" Shouldering his quarterstaff, sword, and shield Bartok groans under the weight. "Feeling a bit like a pack mule here! We about done? I'd like to be heading out before too much company comes to join the party." Gazing after Reya, Bartok starts to make his way toward the cellar stairs as well.
Reya stands waiting for the party to follow her to the cellar, but notices Bruno Fidgeting with the newly found ring. She walks over and has a look.
"Be careful with that, wizard. Rings that shroud themselves from magic are not trinkets you want to take lightly. I don't need to tell you I'm sure, but the Vanthampurs are deeply involved with Devils of the nine hells, that is one thing for certain and this ring here could have been forged by some infernal source." She pauses for a minute then shakes her head, "We are wasting time. We must go!"
Meanwhile - up in the tower:
Dartan drops two suits of ring mail on the ground in front of the cages. Then speaking to the male prisoner,
"You are right about one thing. You will definitely not bother me."
He calls down the staircase,
"Bruno, send Walter up here, please. We need to have a conversation about these prisoners."
Reya hears Dartan and protests,
"We don't have time for this! Leave the prisoners be, and lets get downstairs. If the Duke is in the cellar, it's only a matter of time before she learns of what has happened here - and if she isn't down there, we need to get that box before someone else does. The prisoners will be here when we return."
Reya heads downstairs -
Jules suits up and draws his swords as he follows her to the cellar stairs.
"Lead the way, Hellrider"
Please let me know:
Who is staying upstairs and who is following Reya into the cellar.
What does the party do?
10 minutes pass
Time: 4:10 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
What of the Imps?
Bruno turns the ring over in his hands a few more times, his eyes lingering.
“This ring is certainly something to behold. A precious thing capable of incredible power…” Reya startles Bruno out of his gazing at the ring with her warning. Nodding, Bruno sighs and tucks the ring into one of his pockets. “All magic items have the power to do great and terrible things. They have the potential to turn us into monsters just as easily as we would use them on the monsters we face. It would be wise to be cautious about using any of them.” Bruno adjusts his gear and prepares to follow Reya. Gesturing quickly towards the tower stairs, Bruno casts Message. “Dartan, come back down. We’re heading down to the basement with Reya. We will come back for the prisoners once we have that box. There are more lives at stake than however many are locked in that tower. You may reply to this message.”
Dartan replies to Bruno.
"Two imps up here. They don't know i can see them. They will likely attack us from behind as soon as they are able. Or worse, send warnings."
Hippee, now the finest smelling Gnome in all the land, follows Reya to the cellar
Jules also follows Reya.
Bartok also was following Reya
The Four descend the stairs down into the cellar.
Bartok? are you following Reya, Jules and Hippee or waiting with Bruno and Dartan in the tower? Last I heard you were following Reya so I am assuming that is where you still are headed.
2 minutes pass
Time: 4:12 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Freeing the Prisoners
Bruno stops mid step and looks to the tower stairs as Dartan’s reply reaches him. As the rest of the group walks away, he calls after them.
“Dartan discovered some invisible imps up in the tower. I will stay back with Dartan to make sure they don’t cause us any problems. We will be right behind you.” Gesturing quickly up the tower stairs, Bruno casts Message at Dartan. “There’s little we can do to stop them from sending word now. They may be even more inclined to send off a warning if we start letting prisoners go. Head back down the stairs and see if they try to follow you. I’ll wait for you here. You may reply to this message.”
Dartan replies to Bruno,
"I cant leave these poor people here. I have an idea." To the male prisoner Dartan says, "the Duke has offered you trial by combat. You may use this armor and this sword." Dartan drops a standard longsword and gets the keys out to open the cell and whispers to the man, "Trust me"
The man responds,
"er...uh....ok, so I just have to battle you?"
The man looks puzzled as Dartan begins opening the cage. But as soon as he gets the keys from the wall and walks toward the cell, the imp climbs through the bars into the cage with the man, and begins to ruthlessly sting the poor prisoner. (becoming visible as he does) Dartan struggles to open the cage quickly but there are several keys and he tries a couple before he finds the one that fits. By the time he gets the right key and opens the cage, it's too late - the man, already in bad shape, falls dead in the cage from multiple poison stings.
The imp laughs and climbs back up to the top of the cage and starts peeing on Dartan.
The other imp stays invisible and quiet and on top of the womans cage, trying not to laugh.
the woman in the other cage begins to cry as she witnesses the prisoner murdered by the imp.
2 minutes pass
Time: 4:14 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Killing the Imp
Bruno hears the screams of the man, and charges up the stairs, and reaches the top of the iron spiral stair just as Dartan pulls a dagger.
Seeing the imp kill the man, Dartan goes into a fit of rage.
"You fucking cunt! Both of you must die!"
Dartan throws his dagger at the imp on top of the womans cage, (Attack roll: 20+3 = 23) Scoring a critical hit!
The dagger plants itself in the imps brain, dealing 12 points of damage, killing it!
The imp becomes visible and it's lifeless corpse falls to the ground
The first imp that killed the man, stops laughing immediately and flies out the window directly behind the cage into the stormy skies.
the woman, screams as Dartan goes into his fit of rage and begins to cry
"Please don't hurt me! I promise to do whatever you say!"
The woman curls up into a ball and sobs.
What do you do next?
Time: 4:14 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Rescuing Shaleen
Bruno reaches the top of the stairs, breathing heavily and with his arm outstretched. Quickly looking about the tower, he sees the dead prisoner an impaled imp before the heaving form of Dartan.
Dartan tries to grab the imp as it tries to fly out the window and curses it at las it flies out the door.
A flash of motion in his periphery near the window catches his attention. Bruno spins towards the motion and looses 4 swirling green bolts of force at the retreating imp.
The four bolts strike the imp with a crackling thud.
He relaxes slightly as the bolts strike home (13 damage) as the imp tumbles lifeless from the sky. Maintaining his defensive stance, he glances nervously to the top of the tower.
“Is that all of them?! Did any get away?!”
Dartan nods at Bruno, He takes a deep breath and walks over to the woman's cage and opens it.
"Apologies my lady. I hate those things. They almost killed me once this night already. I was hoping your friend could help me kill them. I'm sorry for your loss. Please, tell me what happened and why you're up here in a cage.' He helps her up and retrieves his dagger from the imp corpse.
"I am Shaleen Zoraz. You are not with the Duke, are you? are you here to free me?"
the woman tells you that she is being punished by Lady Vanthampur, because she was hired to work on renovating the sewers where the Cult of the Dead three reside, and the Duke is displeased with her results. She tells you that if you free her she plans to leave Baldur's gate, and never return.
5 minutes pass
Time: 4:19 PM
Date: Fourthday , 24 , Tarsakh
Bruno relaxes and shakes out his spell casting hand. He looks from Shaleen to Dartan with a mostly suppressed look of annoyance but says nothing as they guide her down the stairs to the back door. As they pass a particularly tacky and valuable looking vase, Bruno takes it off its pedestal and presses it into Shaleen’s hands. “Take this and sell it to help you get out of this city. The Fist will probably let you out if you slip them enough coin. Make sure you try and get out as soon as possible. Now go!” As Bruno watches her go, he takes a moment to pull his cards from a pocket and draws 2 at random. (1d12 - 10…
"Well. You could say that we have renovated the sewers. Tell us of your friend as we escort you to the door. There shouldn't be any issues, but you never know what lurks in the shadows. Take some of this armor. It might not fit well, but it will protect you until you can sell it. Quickly now, before the Duke gets word of us." Dartan and Bruno escort Shaleen to the back door.
Bruno reaches the top of the stairs, breathing heavily and with his arm outstretched. Quickly looking about the tower, he sees the dead prisoner an impaled imp before the heaving form of Dartan. A flash of motion in his periphery near the window catches his attention. Bruno spins towards the motion and looses 4 swirling green bolts of force at the retreating imp. He relaxes slightly as the bolts strike home as the imp tumbles lifeless from the sky. Maintaining his defensive stance, he glances nervously to the top of the tower. “Is that all of them?! Did any get away?!”
Dartan tries to grab the imp as it tries to fly out the window and curses it at las it flies out the door. He takes a deep breath and walks over to the woman's cage and opens it. "Apologies my lady. I hate those things. They almost killed me once this night already. I was hoping your friend could help me kill them. I'm sorry for your loss. Please, tell me what happened and why you're up here in a cage.' He helps her up and retrieves his dagger from the imp corpse.
Seeing the imp kill the man Dartan goes into a fit of rage. "YOU FUCKING CUNT! BOTH OF YOU MUST DIE" Dartan draws his dagger and throws it at the imp on top of the woman's cage (inspiration used plz)