JbeJ275
The four of you, Dark Lord and his truest council stand atop the forecastle of your flagship, as it sails on through the plunging waves and churning waters you turn to see the two caravels accompanying you flanking you from the left and right. While normally in this formation you'd be able to see each man working on their decks the spray thrown up by churning ships prevents you from making out more detail than the masses of sailcloth whipping in the wind, as you near your destination.

Every sea chart worthy of the name shows this route now, so it was little trouble to find. The Horsehead bay route connects the Eastern Reaches of Marcelia and their beastclan borders with the river mouth that leads up to the capital. Most of the way, lighthouses and watchtowers sit at every natural feature that could give any trace of harbor making the route safe, but the Smith's eye lighthouse was destroyed as one of the countless fires of war engaged it. This has left the ships vulnerable for longer than they'd usually be.

The trading fleet ahead of you was chosen for a reason. Various factors ensure it is more valuable than usual. Rumors have came in that in his desperation for military allies and famine relief Emperor Marcellian is attempting to form a marriage alliance with one wealthy lady or another. Highsong and Vanduim social circles are both abuzz with this news but Cypher's information network suggests that Lady Aeronwen of Clan Gwastatir has sought out prestige and renown by tying her name to that of an Emperor. Her family is selling horses to the emperor so he can rebuild his cavalry, and is now sending food relief and gifts of precious metals, artworks and coin.

 

It's around 6 in the morning. Perhaps you woke early, perhaps you have been awake for hours preparing for this.  There are a few ships and boats that can be glimpsed in the distance as the sun begins to creep over the horizon. Above the ships, catching the early morning light are a squad of well trained four Pegasus knights, light beginning to glint off of their shining plate amour. They're the outer guards of this convoy, meant to prevent any raiders from even reaching the ships, slashing at sails or starting fires to disable them early. You'll have to take them out first. The ships themselves carry several well trained Marcelian marines, while your crew will be able to handle many of them they'll no doubt need your help if they're to take the ships before any reinforcements can arrive, much less if they're to have enough men fit to sail to take your spoils back home, and it presents plenty of opportunities to impress the men as well.

And that, of course, is the other reason you're here, the leader of your retained pirates, Captain Zukkad is even know watching you carefully from his position at the ship's wheel. Cypher has long known the man has ties to powerbrokers among the corsair coalitions, and while there are no signs he means to leave without your release it's likely he'll be seeking to return to those courts in the near future. His opinion of your competence, ruthlessness and fair dealings will be further shaped by what happens today, and will significantly influence your chances of getting a good relationship with the coral corsairs set up.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 Link  to the OOC Thread
 
Darius Vibrtrar
 Sharkan stands along side his Darklord, hands folded behind his back, wearing the attire of a manservant. The Translucent stripped tabby on his shoulder perched to deflect attacks.  

"My lorrrrd"  There is a gentle purr as he speaks the word lord. 

"Should the you wish me to soften the cavalry before they arrive, we may feast upon flying horse flesh before the sun sets, a good flash fry to the exterior can cook the interior to a juicy texture"

 His eyes stay affixed to the skies, with a fireball in his intent.   
Waistcoatwill
Cypher finishes his scrying and smartly turns to Lamorak to issue his report, ensuring that he will be well heard by that sea rat Zukkad.
 
My Lord Protector, the flag ship hosts a caster, most likely a court druid. I see no animal companion on decks, so they may be below decks or in the water. The lady is apparently not in residence. I believe her clan focuses on equine creatures, hence the pegasi. I see no more of them on the flagship at least. They may have beasts in the sea if these ships belong to a different clan. The contingent of marines has an armored commander with a axe.

The druid and pegasus knights are both able to disrupt our ships and the druid furthermore may facilitate escape attempts. Both should be priority targets. I could give two of us flight to aid yourself in tackling the knights. Once we are within 700ft I can teleport myself and two other sover to deal with the druid.

The presence of those marine oafs make it difficult to send a single assassin without great risk. I could mitigate that to an extent by giving then invisibility to cover their approach. The latter I only suggest if the druid causes significant difficulties before the pegasi are eliminated.

I have some capacity to interfere with attacks from aquatic beasts, assuming the Captain stays close by once the boarding action has begun...
 
The last he says with a subtle glance to the Captain, to make sure he knows not to abandon the field without them.

 We must seize control of their flagship quickly lest they receive reinforcements from other vessels. Should we have to abandon it then I can carry a considerable mass of  valuables in an extra-dimensional space, assuming that each is small in size.

Now if you will excuse me, I will ensure that we all survive any unexpected trips below the waves. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
On waking he had cast mage armor and familiar pocket, which his rat familiar promptly crawled inside.

After this speech he casts water breathing, giving us four 4 hours of breathing time underwater each.

It goes without saying (to the characters) that he will cast haste on you when the fighting starts, including the dragon mount and one two lucky pirates.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel listens silently to the reports of the other two members of Lord Lamorak's inner circle, hands on the hilts of her sheathed blades. Her face was unreadable behind her mask, but even if the mask were to be removed one would find no expression upon her face. Even so, she felt the slightest touch of trepidation at the coming battle. The stakes weren't as high as the previous time she had taken to the battlefield, but this would still be an important battle for her lord and his fledgling army.

Once Cypher had finished speaking, Maiabel took her turn.  "Master, my magical abilities may be minor, but I also have help I can provide. Before you take to battle, I can apply a protective shield to you, courtesy of the God-King. I can also slightly bolster the combat prowess of  all  of us. I plan to cast that spell the moment before we storm the enemy vessel." 
 
 Spoiler 
My buffs only last four minutes, so I'm going to wait until the last possible moment to cast them. For Lamorak, I have Shield of Faith. For our army, I have Bless. Also, I'm going to shift into the Child of Shadow stance.
 
MrAbdiel
He is a figure of singular menace, standing on the aftcastle of the stolen ship amidst the council of his Inner Circle.  To the sailors observing the interaction, it may seem he is ignoring them; but to these three who know him better, his senses are simply divided - ears to his advisors, eyes to the enemy ahead on their winged steeds.  The malice he feels for them comes off him in palpable waves; they seem to issue from the shadows of his slabby, spiked plate armor.  Typho, the dark red scaled drakkensteed, rumbles lazilly beside him on the deck; as absolutely indifferent as his master is intensely focused.  His voice in such moments is a humorless, flattened tone of a man who is deeply woven into an imagination of what the coming violence will be like, and how he intends to navigate it.

 "I am not too proud to accept all these boons.  The pegasi are a problem; such beasts are fast enough to outmanoeuvre Typho and I.  But if they're smart, they won't fly past me, or I'll have them when they're going after the sails.  Sharkan - do not hesitate to use your flames if they crowd me, in the air.  Typho and I can slip the worst of such a blast.  Cypher - you have the right assessment.  If the druid causes consternation, wait for Maiabel to dispense her blessing to our crew, then take her with you to teleport-strike the druid.  I should like to take such an enemy prisoner, but there will always be more druids.  Maiabel - if that scenario manifests, I expect you to weave the web of steel against the bulk of the enemy to permit Cypher to operate most freely.  Beyond these directives, I trust your capacities to conduct your own dispensations of wrath.  I..."  He begins, taking the horned helm from the saddlehorn on Typho and settling it over his head, vanishing the fallen prince entirely into the bleak and terrible guise of the Murderer.  "...Will engage the knights directly once they are within range for Sharkan's bombardment.  There's no reason this should not be over and dealt very swiftly indeed." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions! 
It's time to d-d-d-d-d-duel!  Specifically, Lamorak is going to brood on deck with Typho, while his allies slather him with helpful magics, and he'll take wing when Sharkan flings a fireball at the enemy.
   
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher stares up at the pegasi for a short while, making mental calculations.

 Estimating the airspeed velocity of a fully laden pagasus at approximately fifty miles per hour; once they start moving, we will have considerably less than a minute before those glorified ponies reach us. If you have any further medium term augmentation  perform them now. 

Cypher begins a series of incantations and hand gestures, touching himself twice, then Maiabel, then himself again,  racing the approaching knights.

 
 Spoiler: OOC  
Cypher begins his buff routine. Obviously I'm happy to edit it to whatever he manages before initiative is rolled.

Rounds
1. Heroics (self) - Improved trip - 70 mins duration.
2. Heroics (self) - Improved Disarm - 70 mins duration.
3. Fly (Maiabel) - 7 mins duration
4. Fly (self) - 7 mins duration.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan begins making calculations, his max range for ranged baking was 720ft with an additional 20ft blast radius, but he would rather hit 3+ riders with his attack. His eyes narrowing and calculating, aiming for an optimal explosive point to hit the most amount of riders.

 
 Spoiler: ready action 
when the riders enter fireball range cast empowered fireball to hit as many as possible in a 40ft diameter. Empowered will come from the 3/day ability from praying to Ravanna.
 
JbeJ275
You wait and watch the horizon as the ship beneath your feet plunges through the next wave, the crew growing eager and confident as their target grows steadily nearer. Soon though, your targets begin to respond, the armored forms above the enemy ship begin to move as if they've spotted you, first flitting down to the other ships in the fleet then forming up into a loose vertical diamond formation above the main ship. Something happens there with a brief flash of radiant light. This leads to some response from the ships below, but a more immediately problematic one from the riders as they move swiftly towards you.

The formation widens further as they approach, with the front most rider level with the deck of your ship, the rearmost 100ft above him and two others 50ft to the left and right and halfway between the other two riders. This fierce gallop continues, unabated until the frontmost rider is raked by a blast of sorcerous fire.

 
 Spoiler: Roll 

Dex Saves:  (1d20+5)[ 15 ]   (1d20+6)[ 8 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Skarkan gathera fire in his claws before a small bout of flame in the shape of a kitten forms.

"Go get them" he whispers to the kitten as if speeds toward the lead pegasai and then explodes not in the shape of a ball, rather the shape of a giant cats head with long whiskers.

 
 Spoiler: dice rolls 
 (8d6)[ 27 ]  DC 18 for half
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel takes this as her cue to cast her spell on her master. After a grateful nod towards Cypher, she mutters a short incantation -  "May glory shield this one's form"  - and touches a hand to Lamorak. With that done, she prepares to head towards the sky for an aerial battle.

 
 Spoiler 
A simple Shield of Faith, a +2 Deflection bonus for the next four minutes.
 
JbeJ275
Both shining knight and snow white steed plunge through the fiery maw of the cat, emerging wounded but alive. You see the lowest pegasus rider hold his course but slow his pace, his hand resting on his mounts back as a small spot of light flares up and the mount seems somewhat healed. The res push on at full speed though leaving you three foes 320ft out and verticall above you, and another 440ft out, wounded and level with you.
Darius Vibrtrar
Skarkan smiles seeing the pair slow down and work to get themselves back into fighting form. Looking up at the flock, then back to the already injured. He judged weither he could hit a pair up above, if her could not hit more than one, he would focus fire and hit the injured paladin again.

Sharkan gathers his fire again as another firey kitten appears.

"Give them the hot treatment"  the kitten flies off before exploding into a.giant firey cat head.

 
 Spoiler: dice rolls 
 (8d6)[ 34 ]  DC 18 reflex
 
MrAbdiel
Fortified by the magic of his confidante and tempered by hate, Lamorak spurs Typho into action.  Sluggish at first, then with an appetite for violence, the drakkensteed takes two loping steps then beats heavy wings, carrying its master into the air.  The creature is powerful, and swift; but pegasi were the princes of the air, in terms of direct speed; quicksilver slick, and uncorruptable to boot.  But Typho, the tyrant knew, could corner with the best; and perhaps that would be enough.  Unlimbering the  bladed lance from the lugs at Typho's side, he carries the lance upright as they soar up toward the incoming trio - but then bank away, as if thinking better of charging three opponents.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions! 
Lamorak is going to gain altitude toward the cluster of three.  Seventy feet should take him to 250ft away from the enemy, starting to turn away.  Then he's going to ready an action, when the enemy is closing on him with a charge, to move at the last moment and hook off with another move action to the side 70ft.  If all goes well, since you must move in a direct line in a charge, that will foul their first effort, and set Lamorak up to wingover and charge back at them next round.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher grits his teeth and unsheathes his odd blade

 We still won't match them for speed in the air, but at least the disparity will be smaller. Maiabel and I will also have the edge in maneuverability.
 
A thrum echoes out from the dark librarian, his form now blurred with motion, spreading our to those around him. He lifts off into the sky, veering off to port slightly, and raises his blade in challenge to the rider off to that side.

A pearlescent shield of force manifests in front of him, trying to interposed itself between him and the rider. As he waits, attack patterns run through his head, identifying the most likely attacks from the knight.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action: Haste (sudden casting). We four, Typho, Zukkad, and a random pirate with a bow nearby are hasted for 7 rounds. (+30 ft movement, +1 Dodge bonus to AC, +1 to hit, +1 Reflex saves).

This grants Cypher a 30% miss chance from blurred alacrity.

Move: He flies 90 feet up and off to port.

Action: Shield - +4 shield bonus to AC - duration  7 mins.

Free actions: Declares Dodge on the rider off to the port side of the ship. He also activates Cunning Defence using 1 Inspiration Point (adding a further +6 Dodge bonus to AC against him for 1 round).

When a Knight charges him he will cast Treacherous Weapon as an immediate action range 40ft, Will save DC 17, -4 to attack and damage for 1 round.

AC now 22 general, 29 vs the port side knight.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods swiftly, before taking off into the air on the ship's starboard side, similar to Cypher's position. Once there, shadows start to curl around her hand as she prepares a supernatural maneuver against the next foe to come too close...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Moving up and to starboard, but keeping the ship within 60 feet. Readying an action to use Shadow Garrote on any rider that closes within 60 feet of me.
 
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Dex Saves:  (1d20+5)[ 13 ]   (1d20+6)[ 19 ] 

Attack on DL from Knight:  (1d20+14)[ 15 ]  for  (3d8+12)[ 26 ] 
Attack on DS from Pegasus:  (1d20+9)[ 13 ]  for  (1d6+4)[ 9 ] 
 


The second bite of the flaming feline's jaws weakens both rider and mount, but the mount seems to remain conscious. With the rider on it's back slumped and bleeding it turns in a circle, the magical beast fleeing back to the other ships.

The first rider plunges towards Lamorak in a headlong charge, only for the dark lord to swing his steed well out of the way. He wheels back around, and nearly catches a blow from the starboard rider, only for the knight to miss entirely, the beat of the Pegasus' wings throwing him off. The Pegasus itself also makes a spirited effort to kick at the Drakkensteed, but the reptilian mount backs neatly out of the way. The Second rider is left close enough to Maiabel for her Shadow Garotte to shoot towards them.

The third rider brings his steed towards Cipher, but doesn't make it the full distance towards the ex-archivist, instead readying his lance at the man while making it to 80 feet away.
Dusk Raven
A thin stream of shadows shoots out from Maiabel's outstretched hand towards the rider, wrapping around his neck and threatening to throttle him.

 
 Spoiler: Effect 
 (1d20+12)[ 19 ]  Ranged touch attack versus the rider.
If it hits, deals  (5d6)[ 20 ]  damage and the rider must make a Fortitude save, DC 16. On a failure, the rider is flat-footed until the start of his next turn.

What Maiabel does next depends on whether the save was successful or not.
 
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: Roll 

 (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  VS 16
 


The Shadow cuts deep into the rider's shoulders, but fails to constrain his movement effectively.
MrAbdiel
At the end of the feint move, Typho's sleek reptilian shape sharply banks, rolls, and tumbles over itself, turning to face the pegasus rider who blew past on the initial failed charge.  With a throaty, barking roar, the drakkensteed bursts towards the now outmaneuvered, faster knight.  The charge provokes a strike from their immediate opponents - but without the momentum of a charge of their own, the attacks do not seem to dissuade rider or beast.  Both commit their efforts as expected - steed to steed, rider to rider, Lamorak making a lunging stab with his lance as they close, its point flashing with grim red fury.

 
 Spoiler: Attacks! 
Provoking attacks of opportunity from adjacent enemies.  Charging Pegasus Rider 1.  Smiting Good!

 (1d20+19)[ 35 ] , tripled damage for a lance charge with smite good, for a whopping  (3d8)[ 13 ] + (6d6)[ 9 ] +36 Damage, presuming the rider is a good aligned target as I've guessed!  Total  58 !

  TyphoForGoodMeasureOnPegasus  - (1d20+19)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+7)[ 15 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher leans forwards and loops through the sky towards his mounted opponent. Staying just within reach of his ancient blade he lashes out as he draws level with the warrior, striking at the lance. His loop continues past the knight, behind his right shoulder, staying just close enough to menace both.

 Oh, didn't you need that? What a pity.
 
 
 Spoiler: Actions  

Cypher uses his 90ft fly speed and spring attack to attempt to disarm the knight of his lance as he goes past, then end up behind him. Hopefully he'll be able to stay out of range of the pegasus the while time.

 (1d20+27)[ 37 ]  Opposed by a normal attack roll from the knight (+4 if he has been holding his lance in 2 hands).

Cypher keeps his Dodge on the knight but won't use Cunning Defence after all.

AC vs knight 23, vs pegasus 22. 30% miss chance.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan begins casting as the pegasi rider nearing cypher can see a kitty paw the size of his torso appears next to him, before it attempts to push him off the pegusus much like a bottle off a shelf.

 
 Spoiler: Dice Rolls 
Bigby's Striking Fist.
 (1d20+15)[ 29 ]  Attack roll vs rider.
 (4d6)[ 16 ]  damage if it hits.
If it hits bull rush attempt to push him off the flying horse.
DC 17 Reflex save to avoid the bull Rush
 (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Bull Rush Attempt
 


"you dont belong up there. you belong in the water"
Dusk Raven
Behind her mask, Maiabel frowns. Despite her earlier stunt with the boarding of an enemy vessel during the  last  battle she was in, she actually wasn't suited to fighting solo. She did better with someone nearby to distract the enemy. She glances towards Lamorak, then Cypher, then back to the knight she attacked. Making a quick decision, she races towards the latter, shadows beginning to cloak her as she goes. She focuses her mind on her target, waiting for just the right moment to strike...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Moving towards the knight I attacked. Since I've moved at least 20 feet, I gain concealment thanks to Child of Shadow.
Standard action: Sapphire Nightmare Blade. I first make a Concentration check, with the DC being the rider's AC.  (1d20+12)[ 21 ] 
If that succeeds, my attack gains an additional 1d6 damage and the target is flat-footed, which also procs 2d6 sneak attack damage. If it fails, my attack is at a -2 and is otherwise conducted as normal.
Attack roll:  (1d20+14)[ 20 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 12 ] 
SNB damage:  (1d6)[ 2 ]  Sneak attack damage:  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
 
JbeJ275
As the fight in the skies continues, the ship keeps its steady course, arriving now only a few feet behind the mass of the flying duels, those with a mind to catch impressed and frightened stares from your sailors and marines alike, though most have shed blood before they have not seen a martial display like this.

As Lamorak makes his charge towards the knight in the center, the rider by his side makes a desperate thrust with his lance, bringing the blow up from where it missed before and scouring the dark lord along his side. Neither this, nor the ineffective kicking of that riders mount threw Typho from his course. He carried his rider to the side of the central knight, and viscously gores the steed while Lamorak's lance pierces the knight's amour in the stomach, piercing deep into the man's gut. The man makes some final desperate effort to swing at the dark lord, but only succeeds in ensuring he topples out of the saddle as his eyes close and he plunges into the water below. The Pegasus, now lacking a rider, withdraws from the fight.

Cypher makes a flying attack run against the portside rider, but coming so close also brings him within range of that knights lance, which had been readied against any attacker. The point of the lance punches towards Cypher's arm, leaving him dependent on the magically granted speed to try and avoid the strike. The returned strike though was successful in tearing the lance from the rider's hand, and it soon joined the fallen knight in the seas below. The lack of his weapon doesn't seem to have shaken him too greatly though, as he dodges around Sharkan's paw of force and draws a sword from a scabbard at his side. Now past Cypher, he lets out a war cry, leveling his blade at the sorcerer on the deck below and charging towards him, swiping at Sharkan's shoulder then continuing on past him to stop 30ft off the starboard bow. This attracts some attention from the crew, but only a few are ready to take shots, and only one strikes the rider.

The final rider takes a swipe with his Lance at Maiabel, while his mount withdraws to line up another charge. While the man will soon be out of your reach you have a chance to throw a quick swipe in as he backs off. The hit punches at your leg, wounding you lightly as the rider shoots 100ft away far off the starboard bow.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls and Consequences therof 

 (1d20+15)[ 19 ]  for  (2d8+20)[ 29 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 8 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 5 ]  for  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 6 ]  for  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 18 ]  for  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] 

Lamorak takes 11 damage, Cypher rolls for his miss chance, anything less than 71 on a d100 means he takes 11 damage Maiabel takes six damage and gets an attack of oppurtunity.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak feels a flash of pain from where one warrior struck him; but emits no sound but a sucking of breath that might be thrill, more than suffering.  Tracking the remaining two pegasus knights over his shoulder, the Lord Protector pulls Typho into another wing-over maneuver, sharply about facing in the air before beating another furious charge towards rider who blew past Maiabel; the shadow of the drakkensteed racing overhead as the bladed lance lunges towards the only other lance-wielder remaining.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions! 
This might be a little out of sequence - but I'm about to head to bed, so I figured I'd line up my next attack!  Lamorak is charging the last lancer, and will decline to blow past, preferring instead to leave his enemy in his threatened area.

  LamorakVsRider  - (1d20+17)[ 26 ]  (13 Base, +2 Charging, +1 For attacking from above, +1 Haste) for potentially  (3d8+12)[ 23 ]  +  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
  TyphoVsPegasus  - (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  for [ROLL]1d8+7[ROLL]!

No smites this time; just gumption.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher's smugness at dodging the knight's blow and disarming him becomes a cry of frustration as he is ignored in favour of attacking Sharkan.

 But I challenged you, aren't you meant to have some stupid honour code? Maybe I should focus on your stinking pet instead! 

Cypher flies in pursuit, pulling out a Tanglefoot bag as he goes and lobbing it after the speeding Pegasus.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Fly 90 ft, assuming the Pegasus can fly 120ft I should be 40ft away. Throwing the bag and using Cunning Insight for 1IP for +6 to hit to mitigate the -8 range increment a bit.

Ranged touch attack  (1d20+12)[ 16 ]  if it hits then DC 15 Reflex save or be unable to fly. Automatic 1/2 movement and -2 attack, -4 dex penalty.

Keeping his Dodge on the knight he's pursuing. Will attempt to trip him off the pegasus as an opportunity attack (when he moves within my 10ft reach) if he does turn around and attack.

If the other knight charges him then he'll cast Treacherous Weapon as an immediateaction, Will save DC 17, -4 to attack and damage for 1 round

AC 22 general, 23 vs sword knight. 30% miss chance.
 
JbeJ275
With these two last powerful blows, you make to settle this clash of blades. Lamorak descends from on high and plunges the tip of his weapon through the brain of the last knight, the deep cuts made by Maiabel moments before slowing the knight sufficiently to prevent any attempt to force a lesser stike. Though his beast still makes to flee only one knight remains in any fit condition to fight you.

That knight though is quickly slowed and made vulnerable as goo spreads over his steed, slowing it dramatically. Though desperate wingbeats keep the equine in the air it's now a much more vulnerable target, and is the only foe remaining on the field in front of you. In one last act of defiance he shouts back at the archivist mockery.

 "Goodness does not render me a fool you traitor. It only calls that I serve to save others, rather than acting out every sick creulty going on within your heart." 
Dusk Raven
  "Opposing us is foolish enough."   Maiabel's words are likely lost to the wind, but she utters them all the same. She sets her sight on the last rider, then flips her weapon into a reverse grip, moving rapidly towards her foe shortsword poised to strike. If the rider expects this to make her vulnerable, he's sorely mistaken, as Maiabel remains mobile throughout the maneuver, not letting her desire to kill weaken her defenses.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Using Bounding Assault, letting me take a double move and then attack with a +2 bonus, along with a +3 bonus to damage thanks due to being a Diamond Mind strike. Moving up to the last rider and attacking.
Attack roll:  (1d20+16)[ 25 ] 
Damage: [roll]1d6+9[/roll
 
Darius Vibrtrar
"Its a pity, how being so bitter would befoul the taste of your flesh"

Sharkan begins to cast as 4 spiritual Norwegian Forest Cats appear above him, he then thrusts his finger at the mouthy knight as the cats sprint toward the knight like it was 3 am, impacting his center of mass.

 
 Spoiler: dice rolls 

Magic missile
 (4d4+4)[ 12 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
With his three most vicious and competent companion-subordinates falling upon the lone survivor of the doomed pegasus knights, Lamorak coasts back to the deck on Typho's back.  The beast is still restlessly licking its own snout, resentful to not be tearing pieces of prize even at that moment.  From within the helmet, his voice emerges to the nearby Captain Zukkad - his tones seeming to ring with unsettling, profane resonance.

 "Bring us in, Captain. Everything proceeds apace." 
Waistcoatwill
 I don't know if you are more naive or arrogant. Those 'ideals' are lies the powerful use to wield you as a weapon. But why waste my breath, you were blind but soon you will be dead, and you will have served no purpose but to hone our blades. 
JbeJ275
The combination of sharpened blades and seeking magics serves as enough to shed the life's blood of the final knight, brutally ripping his torso apart into chunks of bloody viscera. This pegasus, coated with both blood and a slowly diminishing mass of resin is the final one to retreat, heading at a reduced but still significant speed away towards shore. The outriders of the fleet broken upon your might.

Nodding, with a tinge of respect covering his usual snarl Captain Zukkad answers and proceeds to bring order to his men.

 "You heard him you rats! Hold the guide ropes taut! Find that gale line and lets find our way to that ship and take our damned treasure!" 

With that you pull back up to the ship's full sailing speed as men put away their bows and return to the work of getting every last inch of sail out of the ship. No longer keeping on deck for fear of being lanced your men speed the ship on impressively, bringing it up to a speed of 75ft, the enemy flagship and your target reaches a pace of 60ft, unable to hold the line with the shore limiting it's movement and with less sail than your ship possesses. The lighter Caravels of each fleet can both reach higher speeds, and some of the enemy caravels begin heading for shore at their fastest pace, while others remain pulling in alongside their flagship. With each passing second you draw closer, to attack now is to strike against the entire force of the flagship's marine complement without support. But you can see the druid has had a scroll brought up from below, and will soon begin to speak unless you can close with them. Worse still, while this stretch of the journey is vulnerable it is only a short moment of opportunity. If the ship reaches too close to shore reinforcements from the land could contest your attack.
Darius Vibrtrar
With his arms folded behind his back Sharkan takes a stance flanking his lord, standing at attention.

"My Lorrrrrd" Again he purrs the word lord out.

"Should we have someone swift enough, or able to get there quickly, I can grant an individual or two the ability to become invisible, and remain so through battle for nearly an entire minute, with such an advantage, someone could counter the druid, or keep the ships from reaching the shore to get reinforcements. "
MrAbdiel
Lamorak nods in immediate concurrance.   "Cypher is capable of vanishing himself, when the circumstance warrants it.  You and Maiabel are likely the best recipients of such a boon.  Prepare yourselves."   Still in the saddle of the grumbling dragonoid, a plated hand reaches to take a trinket from his belt - a human jawbone, which he grips in the hook of his middle and ring fingers, forking the back ends of the bone forward.  His shadowed gaze passes over Maiabel, and he gestures at her with the grim talisman; loosing some of the stored healing energy within it for her benefit.

 "The three of you will precede me to the enemy vessel, as I will precede our ship.  Once we've forced them to strike their colors, the caravels will break off, and the day will be ours.  None of you have ever given me reason to doubt your power.  I expect none forthcoming." 
 
 Spoiler: Actions! 
Standard action to cast a cure minor wounds from the wand, onto Maiabel.  After that, operation Teleport Attack can wait for the enemy to come into range.  In the meantime, Lamorak is going to gain altitude so that the enemy won't shoot arrows or cannons at him coming in!  And while he's airborne and gettin' high, he can use the wand on himself.

I know Maiabel has some healing spells, but I liked the visual of this sort of 'anointing for purpose'.

Healing on Maiabel:  (1d8+1)[ 9 ] 
Healing on Lamorak:  (1d8+1)[ 6 ] 

48/50 charges remaining.
 
Waistcoatwill
As the enemy ship approaches dimension door range Cypher nods to the Lore Protector and looks at the others.
 
We'll prepare the way for you my Lord. Here is a top up to speed you on your way.
 
A ripple of kinetic energy spreads out once again from the librarian. Shortly after, his features twist into a lupine aspect, his teeth sharpening and his hair going wild.

 Undertake your final preparations, it is time to show those oafs and bumpkin hedgemage what the Lord Protector's commanders can do. 

...

Once his colleagues are in position he looks towards the other ship. Fixing his mind on the position of the druid, and running through attack patterns thr brute with the axe might employ. When he feels a ready hand on either shoulder he begins the incantation, and with a dark shearing pf space that leaves him momentarily breathless, the three commanders stabd on the enemy deck. They half surround the court druid, Cypher between the caster an the greatest concentration of marines.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Prep round
Swift action - recast Haste on everyone -7 rounds durations.

Action - Cast Bite of the werewolf on himself - 7 rounds duration. (+2 strength, +4 Dex, +4 Con, +4 Natural Armor)

Departure round
Free actions
Dodge vs the marine commander.
Cunning Defence vs marine commander - 1 IP, +6 Dodge bonus for 1 round.

Action - Cast dimension door to bring himself Sharkan  and Maiabel onto the enemy deck so all are within 5' of the druid (unless Sharkan doesn't want to be adjacent to the druid).
Unable to take any immediate actions until next turn.

General AC 28, AC vs marine commander 35

Knowledge Devotion check vs humanoids (local) +8 from Cunning Insight for 1 IP (3/5 left).
 (1d20+24)[ 30 ]  That's +3 to attack and damage
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods and turns to Maiabel, he strings magical threads together until a spectral cloak appears in his hands, bearing a hood with large cat ears. He swings the cloak around to don it upon Maiabel as she dissappears from sight.

"Stay from harm as we enter the fray"

He casts once again as spectral cats appear over his claws

He turns back to Cypher as he duplicates the spell for himself, placing a hand on cypher to let him know he is ready to go to their enemy.

"Unto the breech once more"

 
 Spoiler: Spells cast 

Cast Greater Invisibility on Maiabel and Sharkan
Cast Blood Wind on Sharkan
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods while she's still visible. She has little to do in terms of preparation, not compared to the magical abilities of her... companions? No, that's not quite the right word. The point remains though that she is primarily a student of the blade, not of magic. She needs only adopt the proper form before going into battle. And, perhaps, say a little prayer to whatever power is currently granting her spells.  "May our battle bring us glory." 
 
 Spoiler: Prep 
Getting maneuvers back, plus using a swift action to shift into Island of Blades stance, essentially making it so that allies only need to be adjacent to a foe to gain a flanking bonus.
 
JbeJ275
With a single step you remove yourself from your own deck, briefly phase through some nameless space between the stars, and emerge once more onto the deck of the enemy flagship. Unseen by all those around them and now surrounding the figure in worn robes they do not hesitate before striking. Shrkan putting a powerful fist to the man's temple seems him fall to the floor, stunned and lying prone before you. This is swiftly followed by Maiabell moving forward to try and put a shortsword through the man's heart.

However, Cypher is swift of thought indeed, and though still to preoccupied with closing the rift to inform his comrades, he almost immedietly notices that the man before them is not the same man he saw through his clairvoyant viewings of the scene before the skirmish with the pegasus riders. And the sight of metal glinting rings beneath his now fallen open robes it's quickly confirmed for the others that this is no court druid like they've ever seen.

Such things are enough to let them turn in time to see a man standing by the ship's wheel turn to face them, a mote quicker in his actions than those around them, as though with further years of expierience. He shouts something in a tongue foreign to each of you and the sailors between you and him throw themselves flat on the deck as the sea spray thrown up by the prow of the ship rises swiftly into the air, in front of the druid, saltwater freezing to ice before him and taking on the forms of horses. These beasts of ice, saltwater and slush stampede towards you, breaking apart just before making contact but cutting at your skin and eyes with sudden freezing temperatures, and forcing you back step by step as the mass of their forms collides with you.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Everyone roll a DC 17 Fortitude Save, On a fail take  (7d4)[ 19 ]  cold damage and be propelled 21ft east.

It's now Maiabell's turn.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
With fortitude unexpected from such a thin build, Sharkan resists the ice and frowns, looking down at his now.... chilled attire.
Waistcoatwill
The druid's ruse was ovbious from the moment he brought them out of the rift. Even still, the old nag was fast enough that Cypher could only jusy shield his exposed face with a raised hand and the closing rift.

The battering of the arboreal horses still threaten to knock him off his feet, but his positioning deflects most of the blast. As the blast abates he shivers, sending sheets of ice cracking and falling off his cloak, barely saved from the chill.

 You have some base cunning, I'll grant you that you old donkey, but it shan't save you from the knackers yard. 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel instinctively raises her arms to try and block the wave of water, but this paltry reaction isn't enough to stop the petite woman from being swept away and overboard.   Of course, a decoy,   she thinks, right before the horses slam into her.

Fortunately, with the  fly  spell still active, this is merely a minor inconvenience for her, and she didn't even fall after being pushed over the edge. Gathering her energy, she uses one of her maneuvers, rapidly moving up into the air, past the reach of any of her foes, before speeding off towards the  real  Druid, stabbing at him with her shortsword in the process.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Using Bounding Assault to take a double move, moving 10 feet up to avoid AoOs, then moving straight across towards the real Druid and attacking with a +2 bonus as though I were charging (but no penalty to AC).
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel's flight takes her over the thundering steeds and around to the other side of her adversary, where she takes brutal advantage of his focus on the figures on the other end of the deck to cut into him with a brutal sword strike, his eyes widen in surprise and pain as the sword is plunged deep into him but he remains standing.

On the other side of the ship the marine commander lashes out, cutting into where Cypher's legs invisibly lie, but with Cypher's focus on evading attacks from such a figure his attempts are doomed even without the added veil of invisibility. He responds to the attempted axe chop by briefly bounding above the blade in a nimble dodge, then returning to make his own strikes.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Marine Commander misses his attack, Cypher's go then Sharkan's but if Sharkan gets to it first that's fine as well.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Deciding to assist Cypher initially, He summons a pair of firey red cats, he tosses them at the marine commander as they explode in flame against his chest. [28 fire damage]

"Burn you welp"

He then moved 30 west under cover of invisibility

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Alright, so that was a Scorching Ray at the marine commander, then move 30 feet west.
 
MrAbdiel
Rushing upon the wing, Lamorak condinues to lose the distance; eyes tracking the movement of combat from the initial target to a secondary one; piecing together the disruption en route...

 
 Spoiler: OOC Action! 
Continuing towards the action at top speed, ascending at 15 degrees to clear the traverse of ship weapons!
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher smirks at the heavily armored marine captain, casually slipping just out of his reach whilst remaining within slashing distance with his bladewhip. He calls out to the crew of the ship.

 Neither your druid nor captain can harm me, what can you hope to achieve against the Lord Protector?
 
His focus returns fully to the big man in front of him.

 That armor seems a little counter productive on a moving ship, not that it'llbe of any use to you, and do watch your step on that Ice. 

With a flick of his wrist the blade appears to partially fade from reality, half-shifting into the ethereal plane.

The blade lashes out, first wrapping around the big marine's foot, pulling him off his feet. Then the blade swings down hard, in strikes calculated to rend the big man down to his bones. He finishes up with a salute to the crew, flicking the dead man's blood off his blade.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5ft step to get out of the marine's range, staying within Cypher's 10ft threat rage.

Swift action - Wraithstrike - all attacks are touch attacks for 1 round.

Full Attack with haste. Attempting to trip on the first hit (and second if the first fails). Getting a free attack on a successful trip attempt.
 
JbeJ275
Between the burns Sharkan swiftly inflicted and the brutal work Cypher does with his chain, the marine commander is thrown from his feet and collapses against the side of the ship. Some attempted rebuke to Cypher's words is lost amid the blood and bile that spills forth from what was once his lungs, his axe clattering to the floor as the man is rendered into pulp.

His death, as quick and bloody as it was causes many in the crew to take flight, scrambling over the side into the waters below and swimming for other ships in the fleet, but others look to the druid, still in the fight and still a worthy figure to rally to.

 "Nature itself is not immune to being changed young fool."  Shouts the druid back at Cypher.  "And certainly someone will be able to put you down like a rabid dog." 

With those words the next flumes of sea spray are once again directed into a frozen charge, still targeting Cypher and invisibly catching Sharkan with the shoulder of an icy stallion. Then with his other hand he defensively raises some token from within his sleeve and the winds seem to suddenly carry countless glowing shards with it, which wrap around the druid and catch Maiabell, suddenly revealing her invisible form with a glowing outline. This prompts the crew to advance on her as well, bottling her in and surrounding her as they chop at the form with hand axes and shortswords, yet none make the strike land as she weaves, ducks takes hits on her hardest amour or blocks two-shortsword blades with one of her own. The marines shooting at the now isolated Cypher do seem to have some more luck on their side through, as an arrow flies true for a weakly defended part of his form. Other marines fire the starboard Ballista at the incoming form of the Dark Lord himself, but some horrible grinding noise occurs within the siege weapon, with the bolt sliding out lamely and just falling into the sea.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Cypher and Sharkan to repeat the DC 17 Fortitude Save or take  (7d4)[ 15 ]  damage. Cypher takes an attack for 6 damage subject to any miss chance currently present on him.

Now it's all your guys turns at once.
 
Dusk Raven
Adrenaline starts to slow down Maiabel's perceptions as she deflects and dodges the attacks sent her way. Shifting into a more defensive stance, she eschews her more fancy martial techniques in order to unleash a flurry of strikes on the druid...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Making a full attack on the druid. At the same time, I use Combat Expertise with a -2/+2. If my attacks are enough to drop the druid, I'll start attacking the marines around me in a clockwise pattern.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan inhales deeply and goes over his meditations, remembering his needed teachings to allow him to empower his magical might. He magically creates two cats, 50% chunkier than the last pair and lobs them toward the druid.

 
 Spoiler: dice rolls 

Empowered, 1/3 per day from meditation, scorching rat.

 (1d20+12)[ 13 ]  vs FF and touch. So... ac 10+ deflection
 (4d6)[ 18 ]  +50%  haha nat 1 so nothing

 (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  vs FF and touch. So... ac 10+ deflection
 (4d6)[ 13 ]  +50%  19 fire damage
 


Sharkan then moves 5 ft west
Waistcoatwill
Cypher flies around to the other side of the mass of grunts attacking Maiabel. With some muttered phrases and sharp hand signals he reaches through the aether to switch places with her in an almost dance-like motion. Now next to the the druid, he looks him dead in the eye.

 Try it then, you wind bag! 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move as described to the X on the map.

Action - Cast benign transposition with Maiabel.

Dodge on the druid.

General AC 28, 29 vs druid.
 
JbeJ275
Maiabell missed with most of her relentless flurry, but one the one strike that struck true struck deep indeed, nearly killing off the druid who was martialling the last real resistance. Though Sharkan perhaps hoped to end him entirely with one of his seeking gouts of flame the feline fireballs came into contact with the druid only for an icy equine to emerge spectrally between them, turning the feline into a cloud of vapour as the other flew high, catching the bottom of the mainsail.  With such little vigour remaining in him he lets out a hourse cry.

 "Retreat! To the care of the herd! See that this vessel is scuttled from below! They must not take the crown" 

Though the marines had already, struck their blows, with one being fortunate enough to pierce through Cypher's armour, and for this moment at least the charge of the boreal steeds had not diminished the general will of the marines seems to have been broken with most of them fleeing for the sides of the ship and making the plunge into the waters below. Lamorak if no other can now see a herd of Hippocampi, once riding among the mass of the fleet seemingly being trained to pick up the fleeing sailors and carry them to some refuge on other ships.

More pressingly though the druid himself made for the side, withdrawing from Cypher's blows and pitching at good speed into the waters below. At the call of his blood though, or else some tie between beast and those who speak their tongue his descent had been met with the rise of two more creatures, each but large vague outlines under the surface for the moment, they were still submerged by perhaps 10 feet and were pondorously turning towards the vessel on which the Dark lord's council stood.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Sharkan to repeat the DC 17 Fortitude Save or take  (7d4)[ 18 ]  damage. Cypher takes an attack for 2 damage subject to any miss chance currently present on him.

It seems like the marines and druid are all fleeing, though you're welcome to cut them down if you want to. The final pressing threat towards a fait accompli regarding the ship and it's cargo are two beasts rising from the deep seemingly attempting to scuttle the ship.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Seeing them all flee, and the call for a skuttle, Sharkan moves to the edge of the ship to look down and see the creatures underwater. With a thought a smile creeps to his face. He begins casting as a small firey kitten appears in his hands. He holds up the firey feline and looks towards the underwater creatures.

"You see them kitten? dive underwater and boil them alive."

With a jump the creature leaps towards the underwater creatures moving to attempt to skuttle the ship.

 
 Spoiler: Dice Rolls 


Fireball underwater. 3rd level spell requires DC 23 spellcraft to cast it successfully underwater. The spell turns into boiling steam to deal the same amount of damage as per underwater combat rules.

 (8d6)[ 30 ]  Damage
DC 18 Reflex for half
 
Waistcoatwill
Another thrum of kinetic energy extends out from cypher, renewing the acceleration affecting the commanders. He rolls his eyes at the fleeing druid, preparing to follow and strike him down, pulling up short at the sight of the dark shapes.
 
Rot and ruin! If we can't hold them off then search the ship,  we want that damned crown!
 
He makes a slicing motion with his hand and three glowing porpoises appear from the planar breach. He calls to them in celestial.

 Danger below you, slay it! 

He sheaths his blade and leaps into the water on the opposite side, heedless of the marines still around him. He swims down to the great shape, bearing his lupine fangs.

 
 Spoiler: Actions  
Swift action haste again (last one) in case it helps us search the ship whilst it sinks. 3 rounds letf for Lamorak (after this one),  back up to 7 rounds for the commanders.

Action- use last IP to caste Summon monster II. 3 celestial porpoises appear above the shape on Lamorak's side of the ship and charge the thing. Hopefully they'll stall it long enough for a mighty charge from the boss.

Move - jump over the opposite side of the deck and Swim down next to the other beast. Sheathing his sword to switch to his teeth from Bite of the werewolf (3 rounds left after this).

Dodge on water beast, AC vs beast 29,general AC 28, AC vs AoO from moving 32.

Will try to ID the beast and roll for knowledge devotion next turn when I see what it is.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel thinks for a moment over whether to search the ship as Cypher commands, or to simply help deal with the beasts. Moving up to the port edge of the ship and peering into the waters, she makes her decision. She gathers shadows in her hand and around her blade, before flicking them out like a whip towards the unknown target in the depths, seeking out its throat in order to choke and render it vulnerable so the summoned porpoises can better attack it.
JbeJ275
As the last few straggling marines make their way off of the ship your collective attention turns onto the drifting shapes below. Sharkan's first blast of fire rends the hide of one with an eruption of boiling water scalding it while Maiabel's shadowy whip cuts into the creature's hide but does not impede it's movement.

Cypher take's a long moment to conjure three glowing porpoises, eyes brimming with angelic fire. They plunge down into the waters to surround one of these dark forms, getting ready to strike at the large forms.

Then from below, you begin to hear the sounds of heavy impacts and straining wood as the beasts smash into a point underneath the vessel. Though the ship holds for now it begins to toss and shake more than before as the beasts smash charge into that section of the hull. Partially it seems to deny any of you an easy angle from which to rain down further punishment upon them and partially to hole the ship from beneath, likely in an attempt to deny you the treasures on board.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

OK so Boreal Winds technically is still going but the effect will likely be minimal.
 (7d4-5)[ 11 ] /4=3
 
Darius Vibrtrar
sharkan sighs seeing the mess they are in

"I will tend to our main mission, if you two will.... defend the underside of the ship, I dont.... like getting wet."

Sharkan turns to head below deck to find the treasures beneath, as he walks he casts and a 3 foot tall translucent bipedal cat in coat and tails with a bow tie stands before him.

"Go beneath the decks of this ship and bring unto me anything of value."

With that the two of them descend beneath.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

Cast unseen servant with task to seek out andbring valuables to sharkan, doubling our search speed, with intent to cast unseen servant two more times so there will be four of us searching
 
Waistcoatwill
Glowing porpoises summoned, Cypher stows his sword and dashes across the now empty deck. He leaps into the water with fangs bared. After digging them into the hide of the first beast he uses his momentum to propel himself further under the ship. He braces himself against the ship's Hull, almost directly between the two creatures.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Porpoises appear and charge the North beast.

Spring attack to leap onto the first beast, bite it, then scuttle along the underside of the ship to get within 5ft reach of both beasts.

Declaring Dodge against the South beast.

South AC 29 (33 if movement related AoO), North AC 28. 2 more turns of Bite of the werewolf left. 6 more turns of haste.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods in Sharkan's direction, before stepping off the ship and into the water. Finding herself within range of one of the creatures attacking the ship, she flips her shortswords around in her hands into reverse grips, then starts gouging away at the creature, hoping to kill it or at least get it to stop attacking the ship, and attack her instead.
MrAbdiel
Finally closing the distance, Typho’s claws slam into the main mast, and his rider leans up with the bladed tip of his lance to slice free the enemy colors.  Hopefully, the enemy ships would see the struck colors, interpret surrender and failure, and turn off - or atleast hesitate in their reinforcement.  Beast and master dropped to the empty deck with a powerful thump, surveying the carnage and fleeing for with disdain.  They give up too quickly - why?

 
 Spoiler 
Call that a charge attack to destroy the enemy flag, then fly-by to land on the port side.  I’m still hesitant to commit to water combat before knowing what we’re dealing with in there - it’s be a shame to get got in the intro mission!
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel and Cypher both descended to the hull to fight the creatures there, bracing themselves against barnacle encrusted wood and violently kicking their way through the water as they stabbed and bit. at the creatures. Both of them drawing blood and collectively leaving one of the creates spewing bouts of blood but bringing neither creature down. They also get the best look so far at such creatures, two massive fish each easily nine-feet long, their bodies covered with thick silver scales but bearing no marking as impressive as their massive horns, which had been smashing brutally into and around the hull of the ship as you arrived. They now turn to regard you, with bull black eyes regarding you from under their massive horns, not intelligent enough for true malice but filled with a will to break you apart still.

Sharkan and his conjured companion descend below decks to begin the search, quickly flipping over one of the ten storerooms below decks but finding nothing more than large barrels of freshwater and a few cowering sailors who were too slow to initially evacuate.

Lamorak cuts the flag down, robbing the flagship of that illustrious title and sending a message to the rest of the fleet. This message is perhaps unfortunately answered by a storm of ballista shot from three smaller ships firing upon the ship you so recently took, thundering into the already weakened stretches of hull by the waterline. Fortunately some combination of Lamorak's sent message and the steady approach of your own flagship seems to be scattering the enemy fleet. The fast scout ships now giving their flagship up for lost and attempting to ensure the ponderous merchant vessels that carry a smaller amount of the supplies needed for the capital can at least make it to shore.

Underwater, the Ramfish turn from the fight, withdrawing perhaps 80ft into the Ocean depths below and being followed by the druid and his companion in short order, until you can no longer easily make them out amidst the depths. However some fighting instinct in Cypher and Maiabell alike keeps you on your toes. Sure that they're not giving this fight up quite yet.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan looks over the sailors who have been now trapped below deck.

"I am a reasonable Man. Any of you who assist me in finding the cargo I seek, will live to see tomorrows sunrise. All others, will perish. Choose now."

He gives them a moment to decide, the first to hesitate gets a pair of Flamming Cats [Scorching Ray] to the chest.

"Choose now."

Sharkan would repeat the process until he recieved assistance in finding the cargo he sought, with his conjured companion assisting.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher calls out to the porpoises once more in Celestial, pointing at each as he gives his orders. His irritated tone is audible even in that mellifluous tongue.

  Don't let them escape. You, get the left one. You, get the right. You, get the human. 

I don't much fancy getting rammed by one of those fish, but these planks aren't in great shape. 

He edges slightly closer to Maiabel, scanning the surrounding depths. His muscles tense, ready to strike any overgrown fish that emerge.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move slightly closer to Maiabel so hopefully he can help her flank next round.

Send the porpoises after the Ramfish and druid.

Readied action to strike the first enemy that comes into range.

AC 29 vs prev South fish, 28 otherwise.
1 round of werewolf left.
 
Dusk Raven
Try as she might, Maiabel simply can't see deep enough into the water to see her foes. Still on guard, she takes a moment to ready herself, refreshing her mind and body to use one of her maneuvers again. She also turns to Cypher and asks,   "You wouldn't happen to have some water-breathing magic ready, would you? Or something else to deal with this situation?"   Other than that, until the enemy shows itself again, she simply treads water and waits.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Taking a full-round action to refresh Bounding Assault.
 
Waistcoatwill
 We should each have well over three hours of water breathing left from just before the assault began. I'm otherwise out of useful spells for fighting underwater I'm afraid. Wraithstrike will still help me get through their hide if they stay still for long enough to make it count though.

If the ship does sink, I could search the wreckage as it sinks for just over an hour before my light spell would fade, but that relies on the sea floor being shallow enough to swim back from. Up to 170ft I could at least communicate with the surface. Let us hope it doesn't come to that.
 
With grim determination Cypher pulls out a dagger as his lupine fangs retract once more.

 
 Spoiler: AC 
AC South fish 23, otherwise 22
 
.
MrAbdiel
With a frown concealed by his helmet, Lamorak's eyes strain to track the movements beneath the water.  The enemy seems to be disengaging up here; but if the ship is sunk they'll be robbed of their greater prize - a loss they can hardly afford so early in the rise of this new power.  With Typho perched on the edge of the ship trying to spy the swimming creatures too, Lamorak rises in the saddle, tosses his lance to the deck, steps forth, and drops toward the water.

As he falls, his descent is mystically arrested by some subtle spell on his part, so that instead of smashing into the water and sinking like a stone, his fall slows until his body hits the surface, and his now free hand grasps a curl of the ship's ornamented side work.  He dips his head beneath the surface, fruitlessly peering about for a moment, then raises it above again.

This would require intense precision and co-ordination - and a little luck.

 
 Spoiler: JBE - Lamorak's super secret plan. 
Lamorak is counting on the hubris of the druid and his minions, seeing the armored dark lord in the water, and finding that too good of a target to ignore.
 He expects to be charged by one, or both, of the giant attacking creatures that are the real threat to the ship.

Lamorak dropped his lance as a free action, moved off the side of the ship as a move, used Featherfall as an immediate.  I made the assumption that there's something on the ship's side to grab on to because this is a super fancy flag ship, and there's often ornamentation, or carved lugs, or whatnot to grasp on the exterior.  If not, he should still have a turn before I start making swim checks to see if I sink.

With the remaining half-action, Lamorak is Readying an action to cast True Strike once Typho comes into range to benefit from it.

Typho, on the deck, is taking the Ready Action to charge the first enemy that moves up to his lord, close
 enough to the surface to attack him.  Note that there's some dissent on whether you can prepare an action for a 'partial' charge, since the rules let you use a partial charge when you have a confined action but technically that's not your turn... The internet seems split.  If you decide you can ready an action to make a partial charge, then Typho is readying his action to charge.  If you decide otherwise, he's readying an action to make an attack (specifically a grapple), and as part of that he'll take a 5 foot step and fall off the boat into the water just infront of, or beside Lamorak who is against the boat's hull right now.

The basic premise of the gambit is  Ramfish charges Lamorak.  Typho interrupts Ramfish, charging/stepping into the water.  Lamorak interrupts Typho, casting True Strike, effecting himself and Typho.  Typho resumes his interrupted readied action, making a grapple attack on the Ramfish.  It's almost certainly going to be successful because of True Strike.  If he was not able to charge, then the Ramrish resumes its turn, possibly making an attack on Lamorak (Them's the breaks).  If the Partial Charge is allowed, then Typho can actually wing over, and start flying up, carrying the Ramfish out of the water.  Since the internet tells me a shark the size of Ramfish weighs about 800-900 lbs, that's within Typho's Medium carry, and he should be able to haul that thing into the air and, next turn, dump it to die on the deck of the ship.

That's the plan! 
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Darius Vibrtrar 
 Sharkan looks over the sailors who have been now trapped below deck.

"I am a reasonable Man. Any of you who assist me in finding the cargo I seek, will live to see tomorrows sunrise. All others, will perish. Choose now."

He gives them a moment to decide, the first to hesitate gets a pair of Flamming Cats [Scorching Ray] to the chest.

"Choose now."

Sharkan would repeat the process until he recieved assistance in finding the cargo he sought, with his conjured companion assisting. 
 

One of the Sailors, a weather worm looking woman manages to stammer out a reply while the others are struck silent.

“What in hells are you even looking for here?”
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan smiles to the woman, drawing nearer.

"Your treasures... artwork, precious metals, coin, the gifts for the emperor. "

He eyes the ones who have not yet spoken.

"If you wish to live longer, I suggest you aid in our search of your vessel, even if you do not yet know where the treasures are."
JbeJ275
Within the hold, chaos continued to largely reign with Sharkan seemingly being the only one to contest it's throne, and the sound of further impacts outside only reinforcing chaos' legitimacy. The ones who have not yet spoken are spurred into action, running for the door Sharkan came down through with shouted and hurried deference. Some run to other rooms along the same central corridor while others make their way above decks. The woman, meanwhile, returns Sharkan's smile as the others run before them.

 "Well, I'm sure I don't know about any artwork or anything like that. But if it's the imperial gift you're looking for it's going to be in one of the four rooms at the end of the corridor." 

With that said, she steps past Cypher and makes her way towards the end of the corridor and the rooms she marked out, the sound of fighting drawing closer as she does so.

On the other side of the ship's hull things are rather more confusing, the far off sound of thrashing goring and biting slowly fading in the depths below, as long seconds pass and your eyes scan the lightless depths. Then they rebound back up at you, positioned swapped between north and south as the more weakened beast opportunistically strikes at the partially exposed dark lord and the less hurt one charges up at the Dark Lord. The druid seems to have made himself scarce, but his Hippocampi remains beneath the water, seemingly waiting for something, it's bond with the druid giving it far more tactical consideration than the angry beast you're engaged with.

Those beasts are not easily dismissed though, as both of their blows land. One smashing bank into the weakened section of hull, causing it to strain and spring a multitude of small leaks as the battered wood rapidly approaches its breaking point. The other makes contact with Lamorak, and while the Dark lord manages to turn enough to take the blow on his armour the sheer momentum of the beast still sends him hurling into a hard collision with the hull, leaving him bruised and nearly breaking ribs. However, in their enthusiasm the Ramfish have left themselves exposed for your gambits and counter attacks.
MrAbdiel
 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions, Rolls First Then Decription! 
Lamorak Aid Another: [ROLL=VsDC10]1d20+11.[/ROLL]
Typho Touch-Attack Charge  (1d20+11)[ 27 ]  to hit touch AC on the Ramfish.
Opposed Grapple:  (1d20+17)[ 20 ] , +2 if the Aid Another was successful.  If the grapple succeeds, Typho deals  (1d8+7)[ 10 ]  Damage.
 


Hammered back into the hull, Lamorak's roar of pain - or perhaps satisfaction, somehow? - comes out in a cloud of red-tinted bubbles; his armor spikes raking and scoring the vehicle's hull behind him.  But as the fish slams into him, his grip struggles for its horns to lever them upward as Typho above smashes his claws through the water's surface, seeking to grapple the piscean monstrosity.
JbeJ275
Despite all of Lamorak's and Typho's combined fury they lack enough leverage to effectively wrangle the immense fish, Typho's claws making contact with the slippery scales but failing to wrench the thrashing fish into its grasp.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher lashes out again and again with his tiny dagger, unable to get quite the power behind it he would like. If he and Maiabel could at least butcher this one they'd have a chance of saving the ship.
 
Nice work Maiabel, at the very least we might be able to feed the troops fir a while on this. Beware that Druid's creature over there, I don't like the way it's watching us! 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Readied action stab if applicable, 5ft foot step to get within 5ft again, swift action Wraithstrike to make sure things hit, then full attack with the dagger.

Dodge now on this beast.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel descends underwater, just enough to be within stabbing range of the nearest ramfish. Forgoing the use of her martial maneuvers, she opts for a flurry of strikes instead. Unfortunately, her wild stabbing fails to pierce the ramfish's scales, and she lets out a grunt of what might almost be frustration.
MrAbdiel
The gambit has failed; but the fight is still on.  Typho, now in the water, bites and thrashes at enemy, instinctively heeding his master's intuitive command.  Lamorak, for his part, begins to sink; kicking to keep himself from plunging too far, but descending all the same.  But with Typho on one side, the vector for a more precision attack is opened; and with the spikes mounted on the bracer of his armor, the prince who would be Emperor strikes with wicked, murderous precision.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions: Or atleast he tries! 
Typho bites!

  TyphoBite1  - (1d20+11)[ 30 ]  for  (1d8+7)[ 12 ] 
  TyphoBite2  - (1d20+6)[ 24 ]  for  (1d8+7)[ 13 ] 
  LamorakArmorSpike1  - (1d20+13)[ 30 ]  for  (1d6+3)[ 9 ]  piercing, plus  (5d6)[ 17 ]  sneak.
  LamorakArmorSpike2  - (1d20+8)[ 19 ]  for  (1d6+3)[ 9 ]  piercing, plus  (5d6)[ 19 ]  sneak.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan takes a moment to take a weight of her words and stance. He quietly follows.

"It seems you are the only one to wish for your continued life."

Sharkan continues to direct his unseen servants to search the rooms for wealth as he moves along.

"Open the door."  He says to the woman.
JbeJ275
Under the water the Ramfish that had pinned to Lamorak thrases mightily as the drakkensteed wrestles with it, but falls still as the Dark lord's careful movements guide a spike on his arm to the beast's throat. Cutting some immense vein and holding the beast still as it weakens, immense clouds of sanguine fluid filling the surrounding waters until the tail ceases' it's desperate thrashing and unconsciousness claims the mighty creature.

On the other side the dark lord's council strike with similar fury, but Maibel's strike fail to connect and Cypher's daggers cannot inflict the deep and jagged wounds of his prefered weapons. Thus the beast survives to make a desperate thrust against the hull, and this strike is one too many for the hull to hold out against. With a crash of water breaking through battered timbers seawater floods into the space beyond, the neighbouring areas of hull shudder shake and begin to shear, robbing those underwater of handholds as the ship suddenly begins to descend. The Ramfish being used to strong currents holds itself in place, but it's a difficult thing for you to manage as your fingers pry for handholds that disintegrate as you grasp for them.

As you see the ship begin to ponderously descend you recall that there are any number of manoeuvres a trained captain can take to prevent a ship sinking under such circumstances. Tragically you also remember that any trained captain this ship once held long since lept overboard. This nearly steals your focus as a razor quick streak of blue-green horseflesh whips past you, stealing into the newly opened gap in the hull and surging back out with a length of chain in its mouth, trailing back into the gap behind it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Cypher and Maiabell make a DC 16 Swim check to avoid being swept by the water. If you are swept up you become pinned for one turn and must make a DC 21 Fortitude Save to avoid being slammed into the hole in the hull, moving 10ft inside the hull and taking  (1d10)[ 1 ]  bludgeoning damage. Lamorak makes the same checks with Swim DC 12 and Save DC 17.
 


Sharkan, as you follow the woman's rapid footsteps they lead with some confidence towards the sound of increasingly violent clashes until the floor beneath your feet shudders and shakes as she opens the door before you. When the door opens you see an ornate lockbox being dragged by a chain, along the floor towards a massive gash in the ship from which saltwater billows forth, flooding the room ahead of you.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan frowns and begins casting. A large cats paw appears and strikes the back of the box to push it back towards sharkan and away from the hole in floor.

 (1d20+15)[ 20 ]  to hit the box
 (4d6)[ 20 ]  non lethal damage to the box
 (1d20+8)[ 17 ]  bull rush the box back to me

"Attendants bring to me what is in that box."

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
bigbys striking hand
 
MrAbdiel
Beneath the water, through a haze of blood and salt, Lamorak's enemy falls limply away, but the sound of the hull buckling echos bitterly in his ears.  Typo swims beneath him, and he settles gently into the saddle, spurring the drakkensteed on and up to break the surface and begin scrabbling against the side of the ship for enough purchase to take flight again.  As he does so, he focuses his bitterness into a lens through which he can view the world and sweeps is over the ships hull and beyond to get a sense of his enemy's proximity.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions for this turn! 
Typho swims under Lamorak, and prepares an action to surface so next turn he can start flying again.  Lamorak uses his move to get back into the saddle, and his action to use his Detect Good through to the other side of the ship and down, to the region the hull is breached, to better plan his next turn's actions.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher is startled to feel a great rush of wather and completely unable to resist the pull of gallons and gallons of seawater rushing into the ship. He prangs his shoulder painfully on the sharp cracked planks around the hole and if he couldn't breath water might have panicked, pinned down as he was against crates within the hold.

Finally the pressure eases off slightly and he looks around dazedly. He finally spots the glowing cat's paw and it's controller. He gives a weak wave, all he can manage currently.

 Sharkan, nice to see you. Not going so well out there. Is that the gift for the Emperor, found anything else? 
 
 Spoiler: Action 
Action - flop around like a wet fish.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
"I suppose it is. What pray tell, is the situation beneath the boat. You seem to be having difficulty"

Sharkan speaks with slow purpose driven words as he concentrates on his spell

"There are still crewmen beneath the decks,  one currently has secured thier livelihood for the future with me, the rest might as well have placed themselves on the menu."
Dusk Raven
Maiabel is swept up in the current of water as well, though she manages to avoid being swept into the ship itself. This helps her little, however, as she's left floundering in the open water with the ramfish still around.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
I forget what exactly being pinned does, but I'm going to assume I'm not doing much of anything this turn.
 
JbeJ275
The conjured paw immediately halts the movement of the box, the chain suddenly going taunt and movement temporarily ceasing. The metal of the box itself deforms slightly with an audible groan as the box is steadily dragged ten feet further from the hole, now sitting around fifteen feet from the opening of the gap, and holding steadily there for a few seconds until another almighty heave comes from the other end of the rope, trying to pull it back out into the waters. Sharkans constructs approach it, but the box is securely locked and while you could no doubt pry it open in time there's no obvious way to extract amid the ongoing struggle. The woman who guided you here looks at the battle between strength and sorcery and grins expectantly at Sharkan, grasping her hands together as she sees the scene in front of her.

The rest of you, previously left struggling against the onrushing water are relieved as the pressure begins to equalise, while water is still churning in quickly it lacks the immediate force of before. It remains difficult to swim in the water immediately around the gap in the hull, but no longer does the water threated to press you against any nearby surface with the sheer weight of onrushing water. Unfortunately the remaining fish seems more than eager to continue the fight while you were pinned, and resisted the onrushing water with a small amount of effort but without being swept away. It takes an opportunistic swipe at Cypher as he's swept past, then turns to savage Maiabell. The creature's attacks connect brutally, with Cypher's whirlwind dodging becoming impossible as he loses control of his motion and Maiabell suffering a bite on the shoulder, her chain shirt flaring up the in the water being the only thing that stops the beast finding purchase around her neck.

Above water the Dark lord takes flight once more, though he is perhaps annoyed that his spell to detect goodness finds little use on the waters below them. It's hard to tell whether the druid has fully fled, or was simply a man made loyal by oaths rather than his own inherent virtues, and the beasts your underlings are clashing with bear no greater driver than that of nature and training. Your altitude gives you leave to see your own flagship rapidly approaching though, having closed the distance much faster now that this ship is drifting to a halt, and perhaps only twenty seconds from pulling alongside the other craft.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

You are no longer Pinned but Swim checks to move about will be at DC16 to move about freely for the next few turns. Sharkan, have your hand roll to resist a pull at DC 28. After miss chances Cypher takes  13 Damage  from an attack and Maiabell takes  11 Damage from one and 5 Damage from another.

Sharkan, make a Sense Motive Check, DC 15. 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
As the first paw dissipates sharkan once again casts as a paw appears and attempts to push the box out of the room and through the doorway.

 (1d20+15)[ 23 ]  to hit the box
 (4d6)[ 15 ]  nonlethal damage to the box
 (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  bull rush the box away from the gap.

"Woman. Do you know where the key is for this lock box?"
MrAbdiel
They emerge from the surf, Typho's breath heaving and misting with effort as the creature rises our of the water and into an ascending flight alongside the ship, curling around the foremast and swooping back along the other side of the ship towards the churn and swell of aquatic combat.  As they dive toward the water's surface, Lamorak extends a hand and releases a single, terrible syllable of power just before the water steals his capacity to speak. A smoking black duplicate of the dark lord appears in a flanking position beyond the remaining Ramfish; shadowy and blurred but still lethally threatening.  The betrayer prince himself smashes into the water, steed and man joining the combat in a cloud of roaring bubbles and a halo of dissipating blood like some bleak and jagged angel.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions for this turn! 
It'll take Typho a full double move to gain the altitude he needs to get over the ship and to the other side, but it's still faster than swimming under it.  So Typho's action is to double move, and then plunge down a little to get just below Maiabel and Cypher, in contact with the Ram fish to attack next turn.  Lamorak's action is to prepare to cast Shadow Double once there's a blurry silhuoette of the Ramfish in view.  That should allow him to cast it before Typho takes him into the water where he can't use verbal components!

The Shadow Duplicate threatens and can attack, but can't attack till next turn.  And when it does, the Ramfish gets a chance to disbelieve.  But until then, flank established!
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher grunts in pain, finally noticing his blood staining tbr water in the hold. The pain gives him the strength to pull away from the crates he was pinned to by the flowing water. He disdainfully drops his dagger an unsheathes his whip-blade again. Swimming to the gaping hole in the hull, he calls over his shoulder to Sharkan

 There's at least one big fish left. If can we limit any further damage our ships can still tow this ship home. If not, I can ride it down and let you know when I'm done searching the vessel.

Let's see if I can assist you with that box first. 

With a resigned shrug Cypher powers towards open water,
hoping his speed will safely circumnavigate the damned Ramfish. When he closes,  Cypher's blade strikes towards the mouth of the hippocampus, attempting to displace the chain.

 Drop it, bad fish! 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Free action - drop the dagger.

Move - Edge only far enough to get within 10ft reach of the hippocampus and draw his blade, ideally staying within the ship but going into open water if necessary.

Action - Diasrm attempt (+10 Normal attack +1 haste, +4 knowledge devotion, +2 Spiked chain, +4 Improved disarm, +4 two-handed weapon, -2 slashing weapon under water)
 (1d20+23)[ 37 ]  Opposed by a normal attack roll from the hippocampus (-4 if the chain counts as a light weapon).

He is hoping that either the chain will get pulled back inside the ship if released, or sink down a bit out of its reach so he can get an AoO if the hippocampus wants to pick up the chain again.
 
Dusk Raven
Once again, Maiabel opts for speed over fancy maneuvers, and does her best to zone the beast out and maintain a defensive stance. The presence of her master, as well as her mounting wounds, give her strikes an added desperation. This time, most of her strikes find purchase, and she digs heavily into the monstrous fish with her blades.
JbeJ275
 "No. No I do not."  Remarks the woman, seeming surprisingly casual and almost frustrated with Sharkan, as the chain and box both continue to strain now being steadily pulled back out of the hole. For a second some slack is introduced to the chain as something happens on the other end, but with you being forced to reshape and reform the fist providing force on your side this doesn't actually provide much of an opportunity as it's already overcome the fist's initial force.  Steadily it's dragged back to being just five feet from the hole, with some almighty yank coming from the other end as you're forced to recast your fist yet again.

Lamorak and Maiabell, slash and crash into the Ramfish, now surrounding it with foes both real and illusionary. Maiabell's deep cuts almost open this being up entirely, and her presence combined with the threat of now being surrounded cause the Ramfish to flee back into the depths barely still conscious. It seems unlikely that beast will be returning any time soon.

Cypher's strike drags the chain momentarily from the Hippocampi' mouth, but Sharkan is only providing a series of striking impacts on the chain, not the steady force needed to take advantage of this momentary lapse. Soon the beast as the chain back in it's mouth and is once again swimming downwards with all of its strength, attempting to withdraw and take the box with it. With Both Lamorak and Maiabell struggling through the water some distance away it seems unlike you'll be soon to receive any reinforcements to kill this beast, but the chain is being held taunt between it and the boat as Sharkan next pulls on it, so denying it its prize may be more easier.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Hippocampus got a 26 on it's pulling check this turn. The Ramfish has retreated and the Hippocampus looks to be doing the same. The only question now is whether it will do so with or without the crown.
 
MrAbdiel
As the ramfish withdraws with its trail of clouding blood, Lamorak casts a baleful look after it before refocusing on the situation at hand.  Typho closes the gap to the breach in the hull and, gripping it with his foreclaws, leans his serpentine neck up, out of the water, and chomps savagely down on the chain with a mouth full of powerful, crushing teeth.

 
 Spoiler: Typhobite! 
Presuming it's a normal chain - Hardness 10, 5HP.  Typho almost can't miss it, but still  (1d20+9)[ 25 ]  versus its AC.  I'm going to assume hitting the same area of the chain repeatedly to break it is considered the smallest possible target, so +8 AC; -5 for its dex of 0, -2 for being inanimate and therefore unaware of the attack incoming as per the sunder rules, for an  AC of 11.   If Typho hits,  (1d8+7)[ 9 ] .  It's possible he could break it in one bite, but I'll continue this post with the assumption that he won't, and edit if it turns out I was wrong.
 


Lamorak, now close enough to climb from the saddle to wade into the slowly filling bilge of the ship, emerges sodden but focused; drawing his sword as he goes, and hacking roughly down at the chain links where Typho has left his mark.

 
 Spoiler: LamorakChainSunder! 
 (1d20+12)[ 14 ]  to hit AC 11;  (1d8+4)[ 11 ]  damage.  I'm guessing sneak attack doesn't apply to straight up inanimate objects, even with the alternate class feature!

EDIT: a total of 1 damage out of the chain's 5 HP from Lamorak.  Blah!  Dammit, Typho.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Seeing the lax and the pull sharkan has an idea.

"Attendents, push the box away from the hole."

He knows they are not strong enough to beat what ever is pulling the chain,  but should there be a moment of lax again, they will be able to take advantage of it. He once again casts his magical paw to push the chest away from the hole

 (1d20+15)[ 19 ]  to hit the box
 (4d6)[ 11 ]  nonlethal damage
 (1d20+8)[ 13 ]  bull rush the box away from the hole

"Well then woman. Whats your name."
Waistcoatwill
Cypher grows increasingly desperate as he feels his usual blistering speed begin to fade. As the druid's pet grabs the chain once more and turns to flee he flails madly with his whip-blade. The blade snakes out with less than his usual finess as he tries to keep pace, hoping that the the strai  of the situation weighs just as heavily on the hippocampus.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
For consolidation:
AoO disarm attempt was 25 opposed by a normal attack roll from the hippocampus.

Swim check result was 24 to catch back up.

Assuming the hippocampus wasn't disarmed during the AoO Cypher tries to disarm again but rolled a Nat 1.

Haste ends for everyone.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel swims the short distance to the chain, then begins to dig at it with her blades, hoping enchanted swordswords will win out over heavy chain links. She uses precision more than brute strength, picking at wherever the chains seem weakest - primarily, the spots she and her allies have already struck.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Five-foot  step  swim, followed by a full attack on the chain. Using Combat Expertise for the damage bonus, as usual.
 
JbeJ275
While the dark lord's beast and Dark Lord's blade alike are near entirely rebuffed by the solidly worked iron, but his blows combined with the pulling of the conjured helpers keep it taunt and in place well enough. It seems like it's not going to be enough until at last the force on the chain from the other end suddenly evaporates. Leaving those you you above the water holding a dented and warped box, wrapped in chains and likely no longer so vulnerable to keys but not something that a few minutes of effort won't serve to open.

As for the others below deck, they would have seen that while the Hippocampi nearly got away, stubbornly refusing to give up the chain it held, that ceased to matter as Maiabell's shortswords eventually managed to break a single link on the chain, prying it open with precise strikes where it was under its greatest tension. The Hippocampi gives Cypher one last indecipherable look on it's equine face before heading off into the depths below.

Over the course of a few more moments, those of you below the waters are able to return, and leave the slowly flooding corridors in your wake. As you get out of the immediate flooding you note those few sailors that remained have all taken this last opportunity to flee the ship. A few of whom were shot down above decks by some of Zukad's men with bows but the majority of which made it over the side and are now the ocean's problem. Zukad himself has seen your flagship draw up alongside this craft and is ordering some sailors and carpenters to join the marines now checking the deck of the ship, with many of them bearing large watertight sheets and lengths of timber that seem to be tools for patching up hulls. The pirates lining your flagship, look greedily at this one, trying to gauge what they'll receive for their service.

The woman, whose face broke out in a grin as you Sharkan lifted up the warped box has continued to accompany Sharkan, giving her name to be Aulani, she initially seems glad, but as she continues to talk to Sharkan grows slowly frustrated.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

OK, Congrats guys. This first little in Media Res Combat scene is over and you've won a great victory. We're back to OOC time and are probably just going to take care of a few minor things before we cut back to the keep and he Dark Lord reveals any dastardly plans he may have plotted IC.

Notably, in everyone's favorite part of an encounter XP is handed out. Today between the various challenge's you've overcome you each get 3600 XP. Loot will be distributed later.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher breaths a sub-aquan sigh of relief as the chain goes slack and starts to fall past him. As the hippocampus stares at him and turns away he is overcome by one great feeling, which only builds as he slowly kicks back to the surface.

  I. HATE. THAT. HORSE.  
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is lining up another blow before Maiabel succeeds in the severance; and having denied the enemy their spiteful act, the Lord Protector and his advisors have accomplished all they can.  With the sound of the pirate's hooks clattering on to the upper deck to pull the flagship alongside, the conflict is over; and Typho picks up the battered chest with a delicate application of his jaws as his master gives a loose handsignal to return to the flagship's forecastle.

* * * * *

The battered chest lies on the deck between them; with the prisoner below deck and the pirates scuttling about making their temporary repair effort keeping them occupied enough that even in the open air of the forecastle the retinue has a few moments of privacy.

 "The ship is badly damaged.  Several of the enemy escaped.  But when your advanced assault on the vessel yielded new battlefield factors, you adapted autonomously and repelled them.  Even denied them a single act of spite."   He gives the chest a little kick, and removes the horned helm covering his face to permit the sea air to start drying his sea-soaked countenance.   "I'm pleased.  I'm not sure the outcome could have been any better." 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan stands at attention for his lord, standing to present the chest as a prize.

"My lord, with great effort, and the... assistance of a sole member of this ships previous crew. We present to you, your bounty"

He gives a bow.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher's shoulders sag slightly as he stands dripping on the deck. Even still he speaks loudly and with gusto, ensuring that the crew can hear.

 My Lord Protector, congratulations on your great victory today. The resources we have intercepted will weaken our enemy even as they multiply our strength. I am confident that given time and resources, this ship will be a fine addition to our fleet. 

His voice drops, keeping the end of his report to the assembled commanders. His hands tighten into fists at his side.

 My intelligence reports failed to account for the horse clan having so many resources at sea. I also underestimated the threat mere beasts could pose. You will not find my preparations so lacking again.

 
Dusk Raven
In comparison to her fellow "advisors," Maiabel had little to say. This was a small victory, but a victory all the same.  "I am pleased that this battle went well, my lord."  She hesitated a moment before speaking again.  "If I may - I still have some magic available to me. I would use it to treat our wounds."  Maiabel herself was the most badly wounded, but she tried her best not to let that affect her stance or speaking.
MrAbdiel
 "Do it."   He offers promptly to Maiabel; his posture indicating an assumption that his wound - minor as it happens to be - is to be addressed first.  The horn of the ramfish has cut beneath the cuirass and torn chain and skin beneath; a fleshwound only.  But it was  his  wound; and therefore more severe in  nature  to anyone else's.  Within that ostensibly selfish act was an acknowledgement of the weird, lopsided symbiosis between master and servant; in the dark logic of their heirarchy, it was good, even noble, for him to permit her to endure her own pains for his comfort.

 "Don't flog yourself, Cypher.  If we had known, we would have done  too well.   Our primary goal here was not victory in itself, but to secure our relationship with Zukad and his scoundrels.  We needed to project strength, without casting the enemy as weak.  Now the pirates know that there are enemies drawn to their waters that come not just with boarding hooks and ballistae; but druid-tricks and leviathans against which they are largely powerless.  Zukad came out here wondering if I was a partner worth retaining in coalition.  He'll leave with the suspicion that in due time, he will be coming to  me  for protection from horned-fish and the ravages of an unfriendly sea like he has not known.  So bloodied and victorious with a mauled ship as prize - that, I think, is the best outcome we could have wanted.  But you are right in that we did not know what we ought might now, about the Horse Clan.  And we have invited their wrath, now.  Make them, and any clans that specifically oppose them, your priority ahead." 

Finally, he turns his eyes to the chest again, and gives Sharkan a nod of approval.   "She is your prisoner, then; make of her what you will.  If you discover any useful information or skill out of her, I expect to know.  Did you find a manifest for the ship at all, or set eyes on the rest of the cargo?  This - whatever it is - may be impressive, but is hardly worth a whole ship's worth of carry.  Cypher - spring the lock on it.  Let us see what our blood has bought, and for what such  good men  would die so valorously." 
Darius Vibrtrar
"I will inform you as soon as I have evaluated her. I asked where  The Gift  was and she took me to this chest. I prioritized this chest, and they did seem keen on getting it off the ship before you could arrive. As we were able to save the ship, the remaining Cargo should still be within your command."

He paused.

"Are you hungry my lorrrrd, would you like me to prepare something for you? Would you rather I draw a bath, get the salt water off your armor?"

There is a purring as he says Lord.
JbeJ275
After a long struggle, first with the lock coming undone and then with a somewhat undignified period of prying to have the metal of the upper and lower sections of the box come apart the warped metal opens to reveal a simple circlet of iron and bronze. A crown, though not one that is outwardly particularly impressive, bearing eight outward metal spikes with spaces for jewels to be embeded and a final one in the centre, only three of which actually still bear jewels. The inside of the crown bears writing in many langagues, and for all the langagues there you can read the message is the same.

"Let this crown adorn the brow of that ruler whose realm shall last forever.'

Despite the simple construction, and metals which seem more likely found in the forge of a common village blacksmith than a crown, it bears no scuffs, stains tarnishes or scratches, apart from one faint impression of being grasped by powerful fingers in the fron right of the inside of the crown. Those gems that remain are a Dark Green Cystal of Star Diopside, A Dark Crimson Bllodstone and a Deep Blue Saphire.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

History or Arcana Checks to know more about the nature and History of the Crown
 


As for the other supplies on the ship, it's carrying an immense load of grain and many casks of fairly weak beer, seemingly to be distributed to the city when it arrives but also a substantial weight of more significant treasures. Though the pirates claim some tresures as their own for their services despite the lack of fighting you retain your claim to the majority of the haul, an series of chests containing 4,000 Gold Pieces, 150 Platinum pieces and 20,000 silver coins, all neatly stacked and sorted with immense tresure chests. Further the court druid's quarters hold a fair quantity of potions, which you eventually identify as three potions of lesser restoration, two potions of cure serious wounds, 20 small vials each holding a potion of cure light wounds and two potions of water walk.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan looks at the crown with interest, but has no intention of attempting to take the Lords rightful claim.

 (1d20+2)[ 16 ]  Knowlegde arcana to look at the crown.

He glances to Aulani afterward.

"Aulina, tell me of your skills, speak to impress."
Waistcoatwill
Cypher nods at the Lamorak's sage assessment of thr situation and soon becomes all-consumed in opening the box.

Careful and methodical application of his tools quickly results in a satisfying click. Unfortunately he is visibly sweating by the time he prises the battered metalwork apart to present the crown to his Lord.

 Lord Protector, may I have a closer look if it pleases you? 

Cypher concentrates on the item, passing his hands over it with a few arcane signs.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting detect magic.

History check using 1IP for +8
 (1d20+20)[ 40 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods wordlessly, stepping forward and reaching out her hand to deliver a touch of healing.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting Cure Moderate Wounds first.  (2d8+6)[ 13 ] 
If Lamorak is still missing any HP after that, Maiabel will use a Lesser Vigor on him, which will slowly heal 15 HP. Then, the remaining Lesser Vigor(s) goes on herself.
 
JbeJ275
 "Why, such a thing would take far to long good sir. I'll head below and make sure these pirates don't miss anything to obvious. I'll speak with you later my lord." 

With that, she goes to descend back below decks.

Meanwhile, Cypher is looking over the crown, and begins to recall and explain it's history.

Marcelia as with many other nations on the continent claims the legacy of an ancient empire, one that covered almost all of the continent at times, though it's own might as well as a series of vassals, marches, tributaries and dependent allies. The empire's history is long and complex, and it's rise was so long ago and in such a time of chaos that very few records survive. One of those records though, testimony given by a soul that had been bound up in a ritual before it was freed made its way to the Marcelian archive though, and from there into Cypher's memory.

This testimony tells of a warrior who went and sought out promises from every facet of nature, dealing with both angels and devils, fey, elemental lord and construct then making some form of vow, oath or deal. Each nation tells differently who this covenant was made with, in Marcelia it was always taught that he struck this deal with the highest and holiest of angels. This matches countless folk tales but the testimony tells more. That this man had his oath bound into solid form, lacking at this time any kingdom it was not a fine crown but an old and plain one, lacking any ornamentation, writing or gems. That he then journeyed around the world, and each people that joined his empire carved their support of him into the crown in their own tongue. That he learned powerful magic, some arcane, some divine, some natural, and that the masters of each school of magic bent to his throne and each of them provided a jewel to put him beyond their power.

This throne was worn for many generations, only for the first king's successors to forget the importance of his earliest oaths and promises, letting others steer them without considering the worthiness of their advisors. Arbitrarily heaping rewards on the common people of one city, while tearing down another. They commissioned a new crown, bedecked in platinum and diamonds. And the empire still lasted, with the momentum of institutions carrying it onwards for generations and generations but never held such a solid grasp. And then the empire crumbled, and the capital was cast into the sea amid an immense civil war where the mages and druids chose opposite sides. The remaining royals scattered, with many of them carrying what treasures they could away by ship or caravan only for mounted raiders to overrun most of them and claim many prizes. This ancient crown, without any obvious sign of wealth to it and seemingly having lost some of its magic outside the hands of a devoted ruler, was thought a trinket and from then lost to all history.

As for Cypher's sense of magic, in radiates subtle but powerful abjuration magic, with magic of all other schools there somewhere but locked away far beneath the surface. In particular there's some powerful but buried transformation magic on the crown's inside.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher is stunned at this discovery and can't take his eyes off the crown even as he passes it back to Lamorak.
He leans closer to speak in hushed tones.

 Lord Protector, this crown is a true legend. The Archive would have gladly burned half their scrolls just to confirm it had not been lost for eternity.

I would need a pearl of rare size to confirm my suspicions, but I believe much of the mythic power bestowed on the so-called Imperatus Primus still lies within, but dormant. Should it be restored, reconquering your kingdom would be the smallest iota of what you could achieve. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan raised an eyebrow, but did not comment further, allowing his new attendant the freedom to go below deck. He redirected his attention back to his lord to see if he needed sustenance.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak has become somewhat laconic in the battle's aftermath; shifting one arm slightly to permit Maiabel access to his wound; his senses absorbing the activity of Cypher examining the crown and Sharkan's interlocution with his captive.  When Cypher's quiet pronouncement of the crowns great power and history reaches his ear, he turns his dark gaze to the circlet, takes it as offered in his grip, and steps once, twice, to the railing of the ship.  Holding the crown up at eye level at the extension of his arm, he almost seems to be seeing a kind of perfunctory eye contact with the gems remaining in their settings.  For an insane moment, it looks like he might fling the crown into the sea, as if resentful of its storied power, or fearful that it may elevate some alternative lord to challenge him.  But whatever is happening between his dark lordship and the artifact, there emerges a peace between them; and he turns to press the circlet back into Cypher's hands - considerably less reverantly than the opposite operation had been performed.

 "You'll have your pearl.  For now, this prize is in your care, Cypher.  I would know in detail what it is, before it is placed on my head.  For now, we split the spoils with the pirates and return to the castle.  This may change our next move... considerably." 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher's eyes widened in fleeting alarm as Lamorak fleetingly appeared ready to discard their hard one artefact. Breathing an inaudible sigh of relief he carefully takes the crown and squirrels it away in his handy Haversack.

 Any who wish to take it will have to go through me, Lord Protector !

***

When dismissed Cypher retreats from the deck, first quietly checking to see if the others can tend to their own injuries. He then finds a cabin to occupy and bars the door against intrusion. With the crown safe for now, he finally heals himself with his own facsimile of divine power. The rest of the journey is spent selecting ways to screen the newcomer for any potential threat she might pose.

That night, in his private quarters, he attempts to copy an almost lost magic of the drakes of yore, distending his jaw unnaturally to eat the crown and store it safely withi  him for his 8 hours of rest in a bed that looks like it is almost never actually slept in.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Opportunistic Piety - 1IP to heal himself for 22hp, he can do that twice more today if any of the others need a top up.

Arcane Dilettante-  1IP to cast hoard gullet and store the crown over night.

Selecting Enduring Scrutiny, Insidious Insight, and Rope trick for Arcane Dilettante the next day, and prepping Identify and Detect thoughts as part of his normal spell selection.
 
JbeJ275
With your mission now complete, with food and wealth denied to your foes and taken within your own grasp and with a powerful relic intended to empower your foes now under your control you turn the ships about and set sail for your base with all due speed. Somewhat slowed by reduced pace of the holed ship and the need to escort it back but otherwise making good pace and soon returning to your island base.

A few pieces of information become apparent during the journey, most notably the total disappearance of Aulani, her never being seen again after disappearing below decks. There was no sign of further sabotage done to the ship as she left, but equally there was no obvious pathway by which she could have made her exit. There is no sign of any further struggle below decks or of any thefts, and careful investigation shows she went down to one of lowest remaining watertight areas in the ship and from there onwards there is no sign of her.

That mystery is perhaps the greatest source of uncertainty, and lasts well after your ship is brought into dock. The pirates it seems are split on entering your service or pulling back for other objectives, Zukad has one of his men, his goblin third mate Chuil, pass on a letter of departure from service, with intentions for another vessel to pick up him and many of his more bloodthirsty marines, returning them to the corsair haven they initially hailed from. While he takes the marines, and those men bloodthirsty or desperate enough to seek brutal ship to ship combat for ever greater prizes, many, Chuil included, who were looking for a living as sailors after being cast out of their home nations for various crimes are happy to enjoy this more risk averse style of piracy. Zukkad offers to ensure the message is passed around, so others of that type can find their way here to man your newly captured prize as well. Lacking the marines will be less than ideal if you ever need to escort troops or fight a pitched battle at sea, but so far you've had little call for them since Maiabell bought them to victory during the Miracle.

With that resolved though you are returned to your chambers, the most comfortable ones that exist amid the largely ruined castle and with greater reserves of food and wealth will now have more time to plan your next moves, and convince the dark lord of your preferred path.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan will scan the area to see if she left behind any magical auras to give a clue to her escape.

"Cypher.... you saw Aulani. Did she look recognizable to you? perhaps someone of note, passing as a shiphand?"
MrAbdiel
Back on the island that constitutes his kingdom, Lamorak stands at the rocky shore side of the docks that have been roughly hammered into place to accommodate the beginnings of his fleet.  With Zukkad's vessel shrinking toward the horizon, the dark prince grips the letter in one hand, while holding the other arm up so that Maiabel might undo its straps and buckles, and spirit away its components to see them cleared of sea-water and fish blood.  Lamorak himself may not know whether Maiabel does this herself, or bullies a lesser servant into doing so.  To him, these are the same thing.

 Tools and obstacles. 

He grips Zukkad's letter, crumpling, into his fist.   "The coward didn't have the honor to look me in the eye before slinking off into the sea.  Afraid, maybe, or what might have resulted."   The fact that this is not at all an unfounded fear, and Lamorak might have reached out and snatched the life out of the man for spurning the opportunity to serve does not mitigate the Lord Protector's gloom.  His eyes track down to the goblin before him.  A small creature - ugly things, goblins -  but apparently capable enough as a sailor.  And, with the departure of Zukkad, Chuil was the best  tool  within his grip, for the seaward ambitions of his empire.

 "Congratulations,  Commodore  Chuil.  You arrive here at the dawn of a new age, borne on wings of good fortune.  You possess good judgement that your superiors did not; and so you are here, catapulted in authority from third mate, past second, over the captaincy of one vessel and upward to the command of  two .  Serve me well, and your rewards will be great."   The corollary threat is not put into words.  It coils listlessly in potentia, like a brumating viper.   "You are the first member of my Outer Circle.  There will be more to come.  In authority, you answer directly to Maiabel; indirectly to Sharkan, and Cypher; and ultimately, to me."   This decision, to make Maiabel ultimately responsible for the naval assets of the empire, is born not of a demonstrated expertise as a sailor or captain, but as an oblique, final recognition of the  maid's  actions during the Dark Miracle.  She saved the fledgling empire from destruction at sea; she had, by Lamorak's logic,  won  authority in that arena; come what may.

Further away, the tyrant's eyes watch the silhouettes of Cypher and Sharkan conferring on the now grounded and in-repair hull of their new acquisition.  Their postures told him that the woman, their 'captive', had not been found.  Who was she?  And what part had she played in this?  These questions, unanswered, vexed him.  He dropped the remnant of the letter into Maiabel's keeping, and raised the other arm so she could complete the dissolution of his panoply.

 "Tell me, Commodore Chuil.  If I were to give you ultimate freedom to lash the sea from my haven, what would you elect to do?  Would you raid merchants, or coastal towns?  What, I ask, do you think you are  best at? " 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel wordlessly helps her lord doff his armor, setting the pieces aside for the moment - while listening to Lamorak's speech. She feels a small swelling of pride and being put in charge of her lord's navy -- though she does attempt to suppress it. After all, for a maid, pride should come from a job well-done, and not from being assigned the job in the first place. And she has a more immediate job to take care of.

Once the armor has been completely doffed, she calls for a ship hand to help her carry all the pieces to her quarters in one trip. Once there, she dismisses the hand, and sets to work doing the cleaning herself. Some might consider it demeaning work, but that's a concept long gone for Maiabel. The former noble might once have balked at this, but she had lost -- or purged -- any trace of that personality. Or at least, she had tried. Some part of her wished she could be doing grander work, but that was just an annoying voice in her mind, one she silenced at once. That was not a fitting thought for a maid.

Besides, the time would come for other work, like fighting. For now, however, there was nothing to do but take a cloth, douse it in rubbing alcohol, and scrub the armor until it was clean... and also, find a place for that letter.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I don't actually know the particulars of how one would clean armor, but I'm hoping I'm at least in the ballpark.
 
Waistcoatwill
The escape has clearly rattled Cypher and a mixture or fury and embarrassment fuels his spiteful response.

 Why of course Sharkan, I had nothing better to do whilst ascertaining the provenance of a mythic artefact than ogle your new pet.

For all of their inadequacies my questioners could at least secure prisoners with some degree of competence. You're almost making me regret expending them to route the College mages. I clearly shall have to write up a protocol for future occasions when I am indisposed.

Obviously I did a cursory inspection though, let me think... 
 
 Spoiler: Action 
Gather information (11 ranks, +2 synergy bonus, +6 Int, +8 cunning knowledge for 1IP)

 (1d20+27)[ 44 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Chuil looks up and down nervously at Maiabel and Lamorak, his manner bringing to Lamorak's mind that of a small animal faced with a snake or a hawk and trapped without escape, choosing whether to flee when such was impossible or hold their ground and hope they'd be passed over for more fitting prey. Fortunately for the goblin, unlike most of the stolen pets Lamorak has seen this tested on he better holds his nerve. He ducks his head low in an odd sort of bow then answers.

 "Obviously my lord I would first ask Madam Maiabel, who is and is not to be struck at, who you wish to invite conflict with and who you wish to stay the hand of, ensure I do not bring issue onto you without your noble majesty being forewarned. With your permission I'd contiue to strike at your brother's kingdom's shipping. They are for the moment without a strong enough navy to contest us outside of their own waters, and much of their coastal infrastructure is still being repaired. Other private venture's I'd make to attack opportunistically as well.

Lighter and smaller vessels used for private trade are good targets sir, as there are fewer faster sailors than those under my command and they'll have little chance to fight. As for coastal towns sir few of those in this bay have much wealth worth the risk of foe's armies. Beastclan herds will eat your face before you can take them as plunder and they've little else worth taking besides food. Marcelia has most of their army still camped on the southern coast, and Odrana sets golems to protect anything of value. Outside of the city the only wealth they have is in the Mines and the Slaveports anyway."  

All his comes out at a quick clip, half enthusiastic half fearful as the goblin rocks back and forth on his heels and nervously awaits your judgement.

While Lamorak is interrogating his new Commodore, and as Maiabel cleans the last scrap of gore off the Dark Lord's breastplate, noting a half dozen small dents or scuffs in the enchanted metal in need of further care Sharkan and Cypher were busy with their own discussions.

 
 Spoiler: Cypher 

Aulani did not match the face or mannerisms of any figures previously well known enough for you to have covered them in your files. That said, her appearance does provide some minor clues. Firstly, she moved oddly, as if this was not a new or unfamiliar form but she was not quite as at home in her body as you might expect. Secondly, her accent carried traces of a foreign dialect to it, long written over by a Beastclan accent but from elsewhere originally. Thirdly, you noted that while most humans of the fishclans that provide the Beastclan lesser sailors are bronze-skinned by birth, she carried subtle signs of being paler and then tanned over the course of years, as some-one from thee north of the continent or else recent immigrants from somewhere up there.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan does not seemed phased by cyphers tone and response. He listens as he pulls out an unidentified bit of Jerky to chew on while cypher thinks things over.

"She was behaving.... odd, for a random commoner. Perhaps someone in disguise?"
Waistcoatwill
Cypher appears to ponder their ex-captive for a while, eyes lidded on thought. When he looks up his eyes lock with Sharkan's, barely even blinking as he conveys his thoughts.

 In disguise, certainly, but perhaps only in a manner of speaking. They have the accent of the clans, but their "A"s have a whiff of the North about them; they have skin tanned by a life on the waves,  but are paler in base skin tone than the others; they are clearly long accustomed to this role and aspect, yet are uncomfortable in their skin.

These point to a foreigner, long settled with the clans, and quite likely a shapeshifter of some stripe. Your former nation is in the North. Tell me, do therianthropes feel more comfortable in one of their forms? You certainly seem to favour this one. Are you aware of any others of your kin down South? What would drive one of your kin so far from home, I wonder? 

He tilts his head ever so slightly in question at Sharkan before carrying on.

 Certainly there are other beings with the power to change their skin. If we are lucky then they left the ship, but there is no reason to assume that our fortunes have turned so suddenly. They certainly appear to have some magical ability, whatever the source, and we must assume they are still here for the immediate future. We should circulate her description lest she returns to her previous form. Let all know to avoid conflict and seek us even if Inner Circle sits in council. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'm not actually going to use Insight on Sharkan as he's a PC, just needling at him a bit
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak listens to Chuil's explanation - a kind of high-stakes job interview, in effect - and is genuinely impressed at the goblin's articulation and insight.

 "So be it, Commodore.  You have wisdom in you, I am surprised - and pleased - to discover.  Confine your activities to the enemies we have already made, and those too powerless to become new factors.  In time, I will deliver you a sea whose every corner is yours to plunder." 

He reaches out, and places a hand on the top of the goblin's head.  For many, this has been the immediate sensation that precedes the feeling of having one's life force yanked upward and outward from their suddenly cold, dead body.  Now, it is a conferral of blessing.  The fact that death does not result is the badge of favor; and Typho roars, calling eyes to the scene to witness the bestowal.

 So this was the first , Lamorak thinks to himself.   Chuil, Master of Ships.  Long may he serve. 

* * * * *

The throneroom is, to be frank, unimpressive.  Being at the centre of the castle, it is part of the most structurally stable elements of the groaning, slowly dying edifice; but the floor is still pitched at a five degree tilt slowing down toward the east, and everything feels a little off-centre.  If there was an actual throne here, it has been long looted; and a makeshift alternative has been assembled from blocks of stone, with a drape of the least moth-eaten scarlet fabric that could be found in the building.  To salvage some menace for the seat, some enterprising decorator has had seventeen spears bracketed to the back of the stone; one pointing straight up, and eight to the left and right radiating like a semi-circular sunburst of malice behind him.

Like many throne rooms, it's large enough to accomodate an enormous crowd for a coronation; but it's doubtful this room, with its cracking columns, a groaning floorboards stripped of their rotten carpet, and guttering, winking everburning torches one by one seeming to give up and betray their names, will ever host a ceremony of that opulence again.  For now, it hosts only four; the Lord Protector and his inner circle.  And, occasionally, one of the numerous, irritating ghosts shackles to the stones of the castle will remind everyone they exist by imbuing a piece of debris with enough momentum to skip it eerilly across the ground.  At this stage, everyone has silently agreed to ignore such intrusions.

The stolen crown sits on an unremarkable wooden pedestal at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne; surrounded there by the Lord Protector's three confidants; the man himself slouching forward on the throne, thoughtfully; content to leave that crown to last, after they've settled on the next step for his burgeoning hegemony.

 "The sea is where we are weakest; but we have taken the measures we can to begin shoring up that deficiency.  If Chuil is successful, he will be stripping wealth from my brother's coffers and putting it into mine.  A little gold will mean we can call on Zukkad's fleet and peers again when needed.  A little more, and we can begin raising our own ships in earnest.  The goblin must have time to prove himself." 

Lamorak tiredly rubs thumb and forefinger beneath his eyes for a moment, marshalling his thoughts as he does.

 "Now, I think, it behoves us to extend our influence outward into other kingdoms.  While we are weak, and we do not feature in the senses of kings and queens, we have an opportunity to move undetected by them.  I think, perhaps, Odrana is a fair target - we have nothing to gain from war with them, but perhaps we have something to offer a dissatisfied noble house, which may open the way to mystical resources for us..."
 
He trails off, opening the floor to commentary, or suggestions, or requests for specific consideration.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
 a Take 10 for 19 on Knowledge: Nobility and Royalty to perhaps know a little about, particularly, House Miridia in Odrana.  But also for any other 'rival factions' in other nations whom Lamorak And Friends could support, perhaps by making a deniable, 4 person assault or seizure of an item or whatnot, in return for later or immediate support for Lamorak's Rebellion.  He's decided that the best thing he can do to keep the wolves from the door is help other troublemakers.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan stands there as he rips the flesh from itself, the strands of sinew and muscle ripping and tearing under his teeth. The speed in which he eats and chews would indicate he is savoring not only the process of eating, but the flavor of the flesh he is currently chewing.

"Interesting, this tells us many things. One; It is likely that the Clans accent is not their only accent, If we are presuming they are faking the accent as part of a disguise, it is likely the accent is a cover, and their Northern Accent was slipping through. Perhaps a Southerner pretending to be a Northerner. Two, their skin tone did not match their fellow servants, which if it was a disguise, would show that their disguise was incomplete. Three, they are uncomfortable in that disguise, That tells us that they are not a Were-creature. Were-Folk are often born into their forms, and if they are not, their human forms are their base forms, It would make no sense that her bipedal form wouldnt be as natural as breathing. I strongly doubt they area Were-Folk, Unless.... they were a rare Were-Folk, like a Jackal-Were, or a Wolf-Were, being an Animal that has learned to take the shape of man. That would in fact explain alot.... I am not saying that is what she was, but It fits alot of the clues you have revealed. Her motives, I cannot fathom.... She was indeed acting odd. She leapt at the chance to serve when offered survival, all the other crewmen fled like sheep. She grinned and smiled during the entire encounter.... which would lend to a Jackal-were....But she became annoyed when I was having trouble getting the chest. Unreasonably annoyed, as if her loyalties were too quickly shifted.... which could also lend to a Jackal-Were."

Sharkan lets a particularly seasoned peice of flesh sit on his tounge while he ponders.

"If we had someone would could.... sniff them out. Unfornately my nose isnt sensative enough to work like a hounds.... do we have access to hounds?"
Waistcoatwill
 I will consult my notes and see if I can shed any further light in the creature tonight, along with several other matters. Tomorrow I can have a small pack of celestial hounds, but without an item of the woman's tracking will be difficult. Fortunately, that is not our only tool to find potential infiltrators. 

*****

In the mouldering throne room Cypher nods through the discussion of the navy. A vital line of defence and means to project power, but neither his area of interest nor his concern.

 I can interview the Commadore at some juncture to ascertain his true loyalties, Lord Protector. Fully probing the abilities of the crown and ensuring that Sharkan's woman has truly left us are my main priorities for the moment.

As to the future, your strategy is an excellent one. It may take time, but I shall attempt to identify voices of dissent and discord amongst the other nations. As directed, I will first attempt to identify enemies of the horse clan, for we can certainly expect some response from them after our victory today.

Raids upon Odrana could secure us serfs at the very least. With some training we could return a few to improve my contacts in the region and help us identify potential allies. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knowledge check try and narrow down what the woman might be a little further (in case that's possible). It'll be +12 or +16 depending on which is most relevant.
 (1d20)[ 8 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: LAMORAK 

House Miridia in particular is an odd one by Ordanan standards, prefering to play a minature game of politics for control of the various academies with the city rather than invest and rik resources vying for control of the city itself. Like all Ordanan noble's they're thoroughly dismissive of any non elves, so unlikely to respect any allaiance where they have to consider themselvess beholden to you meaningfully. Also if you're hoping for seriosu help that means dealing with Vanarielle directly, who is known to engage in wanton acts of creulty if she believes she's not being properly deferred to.

As for other local troublemakers, the beastclans are not really one nation in the same way your own homeland is. While High King Vantrax is considered in charge, that really only means he's first in like to rally against any outside threat seeking to attack them all, they still raid each other periodically. Last you heard, Clan Gwastatir your recent enemies are engaging in a drawn out series of low intensity conflicts with Clan Anghywir, who focus on either colourful or colour changing creatures and have a long term fued with Clan Dyfnderoedd, or the shark clan, which is rooted in politics about the newest and largestt clan against one of the oldest aand most reclusive. This also relates to those fish clans that formed oppurtunistic alliances with the Horse clan after being stifled by the shark clan. The deeper politics eludes you though.

Further east, there are ongoing conflicts between various goblin and kobold clans against a small aliiance of independent dwarf holds. With the dwarfs benefitting from some recent technological and ecenomic changes and better equiping themselves. The less organised groups in the region are now being pushed back, but both conflict and displacement are good potential sources of trouble.

There are likely more conflicts happening further affield, but you know little of them. And annoyingly the work of your father can be seen in dousing many of the potential embers you could have stoked. No doubt more groups that could work with you do remain, it's just relitively few of them are less known these days lest they attract attention of their own.
 

 
 Spoiler: CYPHER 

Unfortunately she didn't give you much more than you've already examined. If you want to specify a route of examination or a specific detail there might be something there but nothing jumps out at you. There are many creatures that change forms, including lycanthropes and those few true dragons that remain as well. It does strike you as odd that the woman would initially make deliberate efforts to introduce herself to Sharkan and be in his presence, only to so quickly turn on him though. If she was capable of hiding on the ship for the full voyage hope there's little reason she couldn't have done so during your capture of the vessel.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Displeased with the state of the throne room, Sharkan sets to task an unseen servant to clean the area.

"Ill have this place sorted soon my lorrrrrd"

Sharkans concern and interest seems to be on lodging rather than world domination, that this place might be mold ridden disturbs him
MrAbdiel
Lamorak falls silent for a moment.  Many ideas; few courses.  Finally, he rises from his 'throne', and stalks toward the pedestal at the centre of the group.  The tyrant takes up the crown in his fingertips, and locks 'eyes' with it once more time.

"...Victory comes in this conflict through many risks, judiciously taken.  Therefore I choose to delay no longer in using... this.  Let us see, then, what power the ancient dynasties feared and most covered."

He glances sidelong to Maiabel.

 "Maiabel.  Receive this burden: I place this crown on my head, now.  If you should find my demeanor, or personality substantially changes as a result.. I am charging you now, within my right mind, that it is your duty to see it removed from my head so I may regain my senses.  Is that clear?" 

And with that... Lamorak, heedless of the lack of totally complete identification processes, places the crown upon his own brow.

 
 Spoiler: Unlimited Pooooower!  OOC: 
Mostly because, as a DM, I get sad when the players carefully magically discern things that might be more fun to learn by trial.  What's a little cursed crown between friends?  Hit me, DM.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher is so busy planning out his exhaustive, lesser minds might say paranoid, search for the likely long departed Aulani that he is almost completely taken aback by Lamorak's dynamism.

 B...b...but... 

His protestations quickly tail off into a quiet sigh. He might disapprove of incautious spontaneity, but that was why Lamorak was the Lord Protector and Cypher's only path to vengeance.

 The crown is a powerful artefact but there is a chance I can assist Maiabel should the need arise. 

He begins an arcane working, holding it ready should the need arise.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Cypher readies an action to cast dispel magic on the crown should Maiabel give the nod.

Is an extra roll requiredto focus in on Aulani's name?
 
Dusk Raven
Behind her mask, Maiabel's eyes widen.  "Of-of course, my lord,"  she says. She considers drawing her blades, but elects not to, preferring a pair of free hands in order to potentially wrest the crown from her lord's head.

What else could be done?
JbeJ275
With a steady hand, the crown is lowered onto Lamork's brow. For a second, the room is left quite as nothing occurs, then Lamorak feels an intense pain in his temples as dozens of voices voices rip into his awareness.

  "...better to be laid on the head of his bro... nothing of worth here, the poor deluded f.... haps, to see the third basti...... Yesss!.... another chance to pl.... not even one of them sworn to .... an this time, blood touched by angels, soul touched b... ow that one is clearly lying about th.... ition, that's all that really matters... ool should know you can't rule from the s... art on the councils, but two are no beter tha..."
  

Then, over the course of a few quick seconds they quiet, almost immedietly to the point of unheard murmurs, then to apparent silence. With that the pain fades as well and Lamorak is left with a distinct awareness of the crown's weight. Seeming far heavier on his brow than it ever did in his hands. So to does he have some awareness of the magic of the crown. He can further tell it's still incomplete, that finding those scattered gems would empower it further and that it can confer other blessings to a ruler of sufficient quality.

As of now, the Crown confers a constant magical effect, equivilent to either a  Crown of Protection  spell or a  Crown of Might  with three charges of their discharge effect daily. Further each of the gems carries their own magical effect and bestows it onto you, one spell of  Nondetection  one spell of  True Seeing  and one Spell of Death Ward. Each time the crown channels the power through a gem it cannot cast another spell from any of the gems for 24 hours.

Further the crown contains a warning, put it aside eternally or relenquish your kingship and it will bring great judgement upon you. For now, if you should put it aside and don it never again it shall weaken you but leave you alive. Should you wield its powers, then turn away from it that shall be the last motion you will ever live to make. Further, should you ever willingly submit to another, when they know who you are or with honest intention to stay their loyal mongrel, the crown will shun you in turn.
MrAbdiel
 
 Spoiler: Welcome to Crown Town, OOC 
Cool!  Let me make sure I understand:

I choose at... the start of the day, perhaps, whether it's projecting a lingering effect as a  Crown of Protection  or a  Crown of Might  spell.  Whichever is chosen, I have three uses of the active flex of that power per day.

There are also three gems, each with their corresponding spell.  Once per 24 hours, I can cast one of those spells.  Is that about right?
 


Lamorak's eyes squeeze shut; his eyes moving rapidly beneath the lids.  After six long seconds, his eyes blink open again, and he seems - unchanged.  He looks breifly to Maiabel's mask, perhaps to reassure her that her service is not, at least immediately, required; and the impact of that hypothetical burden can remain untested.

 "...There's power in it; there is no lie.  I suppose we'll see the fullness of it, in time.  But for now..." 

Moving back to the throne, with its radiating spears haloing him, the Lord Protector settles onto the seat.  "Nothing we do will mean anything if the forces, and our people, are faced with starvation and destitution.  A strong heel will control a rambunctious population for a time; but eventually, they'll eat the boot right off your foot.  We need some land-wealth that attracts taxable colonists and produces sustainable industry.  We need druids, or geomancers, to change the quality of the island to something better.  Before crisis strikes; before our enemies have the strength to hem us in.  Here are my orders."

His eyes look first to Cypher; the Lord Protector's mind apparently clear on what must be done.   "Cypher.  Walk among the people, soldiers and support alike, and sift them for skills.  We have demanded steel and courage of them; but now we need more.  As you go, tell them this: ' Each man and woman who demonstrates and practices a skill that brings value to the Protectorate will be called Citizen of the Protectorate.  All who are called citizen have the right to please a case of offense to me; and I will visit my punishment on those who violate the interests of my citizens. '  Make a group of hunters and landsmen, and send them to Sharkan.  A small group of those who can write and have the means to do so, send to Maiabel for a time; after which they will return to your service.  For yourself, men capable with measures who will be able to assist you in making a comprehensive survey of the island.  Any sliver of hidden wealth, you must find.  Every narrow pass or marshy land that can be used to defend this place when the wolves come, you must detect.  We must master this domain, to rule from it."
 
He looks to the Rakshasa-blooded tyrant-culinary.   "Sharkan.  The resident forces have settled in to the area around the castle; but without farms up and running at a sustainable scale, we deflect famine before it reaches our door.  Take the men Cypher sends to you, and go about the island discovering each plant and creature that can be gathered and prepared when our stores run out.  In time, people will come to you and say 'there is nothing to eat'.  You must be ready to tell them the way in which they are wrong.  Those who demonstrate the capacity to draw sustenance from this land will be called  Citizen. " 

Finally, his eyes turn to Maiabel.   "Maiabel.  Have the writers that Cypher sends you compose scrolls giving offers of land and opportunity to men and women of any nation who bring ships, and crew, to the protectorate.  Any who works a fishing vessel here for six months will be called Citizen.  Speak to the Master of Ships, and have him deliver such scrolls to the hulls of foreign fishing vessels by way of his best archer's bow.  Then return to me.  While Cypher and Sharkan discover the island's secrets and bounty, you and I will take survey of the castle.  One day, we will fight for our lives here again.  We must be well situated to do so; we cannot rely on another miracle." 

With this, he falls silent. International allies. Raids for serfs, or resources... All important.  All, for now, must wait.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher lets his prepared dispel attempt dissipate with no small amount if relief. As Lamorak speaks to their new purpose, Cypher casts his mind's eye over his existing files on the populace. The prospect of further tabulation and cross referencing is as familiar and comfortable as a favourite blanket.

 It shall be done Lord Protector. We shall utilise or resources to their utmost extent. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
I assume it will take days to weeks to do this? He should have 3 IP left after using his Arcane Dilettante Spells at any rate.

Profession: Spymaster to get the lowdown on their peons skills plus Cunning Knowledge for 1IP.
 (1d20+25)[ 38 ] 

Knowledge Geography in case that is relevant to surveying the island, also plus Cunning Knowledge for 1 IP.
 (1d20+20)[ 29 ] 

He'll use whatever spare time he has each day to start deciphering and transcribing some of his scrolls into his spellbook. He passes the spellcraft check for level 1 and 2 spells on a 1. 8 hours to understand a scroll, plus 24 hours to transcribe it into his spellbook. He'll start with Karmic Aura.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
*Sharkan gives a low bow*

"Of course my liege, your plans are Purrrfectly exquisite."

 
 Spoiler: Spoiler Actions 

Sharkan will go about the island as told.

Gather Information  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Handle Animal  (1d20+6)[ 13 ] 
Knowledge Local  (1d20+2)[ 4 ] 
Profession Cook  (1d20+10)[ 18 ] 
Search  (1d20+2)[ 21 ] 
Spot  (1d20+3)[ 17 ] 
Survival  (1d20+2)[ 16 ] 
 
JbeJ275
What follows is two weeks of constant activity, always pushed just to the edge of frantic activity by the memory that this could be what sets you up to turn the tide of this war, even when the activities themselves seem so calm and mundane.

Sharkan, as the newest of your council to this region, and with little knowledge of the natural world struggles in his task. As far as you can tell the few flat open areas not already built on that may be suitable for farming tend to be close to the ocean, where the only water that feeds them is brackish and saline, unsuitable for growing grains. The few locals grow a crop here called Samphire, which despite its unusual taste you manage to ensure is somewhat more palatable, and several of those Cypher gathers aid in an expansion of this crop, but it will at most slow the effects of hunger that begin to set in. You have more fortune looking not to the island but to the surrounding seas, seals are known to winter here en mass, and some are to be found here every season, while hunting enough to contribute meaningfully to the food stores would diminish the population all to quickly, it's another tool to keep hunger at bay that much longer. You are also told of shellfish being plentiful in the seas around the island, but that they are too deep in water too tumultuous for any but those that settle on the safest fringes to be harvested safely.

Cypher is met with a less ambiguous success, while you hardly had the opportunity to pick out the most skilled supporters during Lamorak's first bid for power, and lost more in the retreat and the brutal battles preceding the miracle that same core of the ambitious, the desperate and the devoted shares an expansive skill set among them. Much of the surviving heavy cavalry was the third or fourth sons of nobles, and retain knowledge of keeping books or surveying land, and you split them between yourselves and Maiabell. As for Sharkan, while there are few successful farmers who followed you this far, many always got by in part by scavenging, and perfected their art during the war and the following retreat, and can be trusted not to overlook sources of food.

As for your own survey, the land is poor in metals but the salts that hinder farming could be extracted and then turned to wealth with the right trading partner. Further there are deposits in the swamps and caves of some strange salt which would easily be overlooked, but you identify as saltpetre. It's a fertiliser that would be useful if you had any land in which to use it, and both the Dwarf Holds on the Eastern Coast and the Stormkeep would seek to buy immense amounts of it as well, for some service in the immense alchemical workshops that equipped their armies. Defensively the island itself is rather ideal, covered in brackish swamps and barren hills, with vast hills and cave networks in the centre, some of which could not have been better shaped to serve as defensive terrain against any attacker from below. The issue being that the castle itself was made to guard the useful land, and in one direction there's more or less a straight approach from the best landing ground on the island towards the castle walls without any obvious defences there. Enveloping the castle entirely would be much more difficult, and if you were forced to disperse into the wilds of this island you could force a great cost on any attackers, but going that far would at the moment do nothing more than sentence you to starvation.

Maiabel dutifully carries out her orders, but sees little in the way of immediate results. It takes a great deal of time patrolling the water to find fishing boats, but your fleet is dispersed and set to the task. The most interesting reports to far are only those that watch them, who lets them in and who challenges their arrival.

Your expeditions deeper into the castle are comparatively far more interesting, while the outer rooms have been picked over by your soldiers for anything not nailed down already, the underground centre of the castle has been relatively untouched up until this point. While Maiabell misses it in her focus on guarding you, you find a passageway deeper into rooms below the castle, behind a pile of collapsed rock and stonework. The passageway is lined by what once might have been magical lights, a rare feature in modern castles though the effect here seems to have worn off. Exploring the rest, with torch in hand is slow going, and many doorways here have collapsed and will need to be excavated before you can explore fully, but even what you've found already could be used either as a final rebout in case the castle falls under attack or else for storage of more secretive or sensitive projects.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

OK, that's your actions resolved. Ask any questions and specify any actions you want to and I'll roll the rest of the world forward and see if any of that catches up with you.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak has a measured disappointment that no one turns up an immediate remedy to the oncoming suffering, but is mostly satisfied. They have done, and are doing, the most they can to prepare for the invader, Famine.

The saltpetre is the biggest game changer; and pushes him into consideration, and then action again.

 "This will be our best source of wealth, at least for a long time; and we cannot afford the wait to slowly master it.  Prepare yourselves for a clandestine mission - our next step is before us.  We will abduct and cage someone who has already done that labor." 
 
 Spoiler: New Objective! 
We're not doing much with that saltpetre without excellent alchemists.
 And the quickest way to get those is to stuff them into a sack and run off.  Also I figure an infiltrate and extract mission might be a fun challenge for us!  I'll let Cypher make the roll to decide if, and where, this is most possible.  But it's only the Vanadians who have cannons, I think; or in large supply. But the Ordranans have some mad good alchemists...
 
JbeJ275
You depart the following day, a swift westward wind carrying you towards those foreign shores, the decks are much emptier than the start of your last expedition, the massed marines are absent but this is a very different sort of mission and they are less necessary even than they were when you last deployed them. Instead three men armed with blades lower a smaller boat into the water, ready to take you to shore, prepared to guard the craft until you return. Some ways up the coast is a cove, capable of letting your ship close enough to shore to allow you to directly access the ship, but having the flagship sail there would definitely give away your entrance. Down the coast lies the undercity, a series of immense forges, mines, sweatshops and slums that feed the great city beyond.

You know the land between you and the undercity isn't really guarded, but the mistakes of elven arcanists living lives of hubris and plenty ensure it remains plenty dangerous on its own. The undercity itself is patrolled by golems, and those elves who are young and seek to prove themselves, or who have been assigned there after a misstep in the intricate games of politics. They ensure order, and that no-one will steal or destroy those Ordanan resources, especially the landsmen.

Besides that little is known, except that your kingdom is a much worthier commander of those resources. And so you make your way towards shore, the first light of dawn just catching the retreating form of your flagship as you push forward almost alone.
Waistcoatwill
Prior to the voyage, Cypher sets us a small workshop for getting the saltpetre production planning underway. He sets to work, with unseen hands quickly taking over his task. His attendees seem slightly perturbed at following the instructions and diagrams of an invisible spirit, but know well enough by now to keep any objections quiet.

Cypher then turns his thoughts to what intel he has on the decadent realm of Odran, to identify the weaknesses of their construct guardians, as well as any help guide them to whom they seek in the undercity.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Taking 10 on the Craft alchemy check plus Cunning Knowledge for a total of 25.
Casting Unseen Crafte as an arcane dilettante, which can take 10 for a 17 on Craft Alchemy to continue setting things up for saltpetre production.

Profession Spymaster to gain intel on the undercity (plus Cunning Knowledge):  (1d20+25)[ 30 ] 

Knowledge Arcana to help them pre-empt some general strengths/weaknesses of golems they might encounter (using his 4th IP for Cunning Knowledge):  (1d20+24)[ 37 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan is most displeased to be pushing to the shore, but accepts it as his duty. He has prepared himself, steeling his mind to his task before him. There was no confort ahead, there was only hard work. He would have to find himself pleasure and comfort for himself and for this lord he had chosen. He quietly toiled during the journey.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak stalks forward onto the quiet shore; bright eyes flashing with hazardous haste.  He distinctly feels the absence of Typho, and the power beneath him; the drakkensteed displeased but compliant to wait on the little ship.  It would be hard enough to stalk through the elven undercity foreigners as they were - no need to complicate matters with such an alarming beast.  He would rely here more on his subordinates of the two legged variety; but those had proven perfectly capable.

 "Go a little ahead, Maiabel; you are our eyes and ears, now.  From here, we make our way to the undercity.  Once within, we get a sense of the place, and determine our sequence of operation." 

Trusting Maiabel's senses beyond his own, he follows the scout at a distance, matching the pace of her advance.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Keen to proceed, though I must admit I'm a little foggy on the specific layout of this area we're passing though.  Cruddy abandoned coasty beach, yeah?  Good.  Also, isolated as we are on our island, how is our capacity to find and purchase magic items and things?  Do we have seaborne peddlars from other places who form a general market base for things?  Specifically, if I wanted some potions of things like Iron Silence and Disguise Self, how hard would those be to get?  Not to mention those Golem Bane Scarabs!
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods, and hustles in order to put a little distance between herself and the rest of the party. She keeps her eyes and ears alert and watchful, hands resting near the hilts of her blades. Truth be told, going into an undercity is something of a new experience for her, but she is determined not to let her master down. It is up to her to either detect danger, or be the first to fall victim to it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I don't know if you want me to roll now, roll later, or if you want to roll yourself, but either way Maiabel and I are up to the task of scouting.
 
JbeJ275
Those of you at the front of the part are greeted by the smell of the undercity before you see it, but you soon crest a hill and catch direct sight of your target. The undercity begins outside Ordana's great gleaming walls with a primitive moat and a wall of wooden stakes and packed earth behind it. The moat seems likely to be one of the few sources of semi-flowing water around the city, though it's not potable as huge amounts of waste and refuse are dumped there, from the mundane presence of offal and excrement produced by any large city to the more exotic magical and alchemical compoments left of sit in the slow moving river until they're eventually washed out to sea. Runic arrays on the wallss behind the undercity seem to maintain a permenant breeze, keeping the smell from seeping into the glittering city behind it.

Maiabel will note the main way forward is a repeating series of bridges over the stinking moat that line up to gates in the wall behind. Each of these has a strange being made of what looks like translucent purple crystal standing still atop the gate, and those gates, about one in eight which are large enough to let wagons and other cargo through boast the presence of large fleshy humanoid forms, eight feet tall with mismatched body parts and a strange metal apparatus rammed into the back of their head, as well as a bored looking elf or two usually very young or showing scarring somewhere about their person. There are about forty of these gates spread across the outside land border of the undercity, and right now at least none seem to be in use.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher peers ahead at the crystalline and flesh constructs that Maiabel indicates, sifting through the various tomes and beastiaries he has read in order to identify their weaknesses.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Spot  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 

Knowledge Arcana  (1d20+16)[ 24 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan remains quiet, out of his element he just listens and keep an eye out. He weaves magical threads to ensure his mage armor is present for what dangers may come

 
 Spoiler: rolls 

Spot  (1d20+3)[ 17 ] 
Listen  (1d20+3)[ 10 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Cypher knows that the translucent purple crystalline goop that the smaller more common constructs are made out of is solidified ectoplasm, a key building material for astral constructs. Usually summoned for short periods of time they're likely reliant on some local infrastructure to keep them empowered and directed long term and without a caster managing them directly. The infrastructure is no doubt on the other side of the wall though. Otherwise, they have few weaknesses, being immune to poisons, most spells that afflict the living and the vast majority of mind-affecting effects.

The fleshy golem is going to be unaffected by most direct magical attacks, but weak to fire or cold of a magical nature though these are hard things to do subtly. You know electricity is rarely a wise choice to bring against it. Further, you know that if engaged over a long time period they can go berserk, though this would also give the elves on the walls plenty of time to activate other defences, call reinforcements or cast magic down on you.

As you wait, you see a cart drawn by oxen approaching the walls. The back of the cart is seemingly covered with a metallic looking material and there's a set of two humanoids steering the vehicle.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher eyes up the not impregnable but certainly irritating defences. The cover of darkness might help their ingress, but the longer they lingered here, the higher their chance if discovery.

 My Lord Protector, please follow me. I have prepared just the tool for this eventuality. Stay within ten feet of me and we shall all remain invisible for eight minutes. That should give us more than enough time to slip in with the cart. Potentially even time to evaluate the occupants and assume their identities, should they prove useful.

The standard limitations of invisibility apply, no direct offensive action unless unavoidable, understood? If you please, follow me. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Cypher casts Invisibility Sphere using Arcane Dilettante for 1 IP (4/5 remaining).

They move over to the cart.

Listen to try and suss out the cart occupants  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 

Move Silently to avoid detection  (1d20+14)[ 21 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan does his very best to remain quiet, keeping in line with the group. He pushs up his sleeves in order to prevent them from getting caught in the manuever.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Move Silently  (1d20+5)[ 22 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel considers this a good time to use that spell she learned of from Cypher. With a soft incantation and a touch of her hand, she applies the spell to Lamorak's armor, thus allowing him to be more stealthy, at least for the next four hours. With that, she attempts to climb onto the cart undetected...

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Listen for the cart's occupants, because why not:  (1d20+18)[ 22 ] 
Move Silently:  (1d20+16)[ 35 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Invisible, he is unable to offer a laconic nod of appreciation to Maiabel for the spell; but as she begins casting, she can feel his firm, familiar grip on her shoulder to receive the casting - and, perhaps in some unspoken way, blessing her for the effort of it.

With that, the tyrant-king's youthful curriculum is free to come into play, and he stalks quietly in the shadow of the cart, close enough that the sound of the cart's wheels might obscure what little noise he still makes.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls! 
That's a hot  (1d20+10)[ 19 ]  for move silently!  And then we begin our secret, EVIL infiltration...
 
JbeJ275
With scarcely a noise between the four of you, you swiftly approach the cart and climb on board. The cart's pilots never noticed a sound and continued forward, steadily drawing closer to the walls. You tense up as you move towards the gate, but with the sound of straining chains and hinges the door opens up before you.

As the elven guard looks down at the cart's contents making dismissive grunts at the pilots' claim to trustworthiness your set all the stiller, knowing one untimely noise from a wrong placed foot or shifted weight could blow your cover, but you hold your nerve over the course of the inspection and are eventually waved through, passing through the channel of the gate and into the winding streets of the city beyond.

The cart seems to be heading towards the inner wall of the higher city, where magical cranes await on the wall to take up it's cargo of basic metal worked goods and crates of vegetables. You are left in a chaotic mess of a slum, while the outer and inner walls clearly define the boundaries of the undercity, and there are semi-regular cleared streets leading to the outer gates from the inner bastions; everything else is chaotically strewn about and haphazardly put together. Abattoirs seem to dominate the section to your left, while the section to your right is full of furnaces with ash and sand being poured into them as some labourers are starting up production earlier. As you look around you see the occasional campfire with a stewpot basically permanently affixed above it, many shacks put together competently but with subpar or reused materials and countless dirty human faces heading from one part of the immense manufactory of the the undercity to another.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher is eternally glad that this facsimile spell renders his colleagues and Lord merely transparent to each other, rather than fully invisible. After an only moderately difficult to interpret exchange of hand signals, he begins to lead the band to a likely looking dwelling.

He carefully listens at the door to confirm that the occupants have vacated the place, and deftly sets to with his array of lock picks. Waiting for that satisfying click, he then gestures for Maiabel to careful scout the dwelling, making sure to not to stray too far.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Listen  (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 

Open lock  (1d20+15)[ 17 ] 
 
JbeJ275
A breif listen reveals no immediete sign of life or movement from within the house, but to Cypher's immense frustration despite the very simple nature of the lock it refuses to budge, and when he attempts to further work it round a horrible noise of metal straining against other metal and wood comes from within, threatening to be easily overheard if he pushes it much further.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher pauses, going completely motionless as he tries to think of a new stratagem for unlocking the door. The silence stretches out as no alternative strategy, let alone reasonable excuse for failing to open the lock on a hovel  presents itself.
MrAbdiel
With little alternative except to break the current obstacle and contest the consequences directly, Lamorak pushes past Cypher (authoritatively, but gently enough not to damage him on his armor spikes!),  puts a shoulder to the door, and attempts with slow, ramping pressure to crack the door open.  He'll resort to sharper, louder blows as necessary - but they're getting inside, one way or another!

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions! 
I'm guessing a 14 'take 10' strength check won't do it, so here's a series of strength checks, JBE.  You can interpret them however you like; but presumably, it'll be something like "oh, it took you 3 tries to get the number -that's three rounds of loud banging to alarm the neighbours..."

  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 12 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 16 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 12 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 19 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 10 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 16 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 22 ] 
  STRcheck  - (1d20+4)[ 23 ] 

That's a minute's worth of door kicking.

EDIT: Oh, the SRD has a kick-in-door DC for simple wooden doors at 13!  And 'good' wooden doors at 19.  This is a shack, right?  Might be simple after all.
 
JbeJ275
The door holds at first, but after a few more shoulder checks at the top hinge and a powerful kick at the lower the door is shifted from it's jamb and pried open enough for you to enter, though over the fifteen or so seconds before you enter the door you become aware of the noise carrying to the crowd outside and while some hurry to go about their work, the news or the noise of it seems to be carrying to the guards.

For the moment though, you're inside the shack, and soon spy a set of crude wooden boxes holding what look to be the regular clothes of the inhabitants, set to function as disguises of one sort or another. There's also other furniture, some simple shelving an empty firepit in the centre of the room, a low table and some stools, a spinning wheel and a bed, raised no more than six inches off the dirty floor beneath it and most concerningly occupied by a bruised looking slender woman who is currently huddled back in fright, gaping wordlessly. This is presumably related to the breaking down of her door by invisible forces.
MrAbdiel
Like a pack of ghosts, the invisible king and retinue slink into the hovel; setting the now partly busted door back in place as they go.

At once Lamorak's eyes are on the woman - pathetic in her fear and weakness, desperately trying to comprehend the supernatural event she is perceiving.  A woman like this was precisely the kind of citizen that the new kingdom needed to harvest to fill out its own serfdom deficit; but before that, she had a more immediate roll to play.

He moves up beside her, his armor silent, the scuffs of his feet on the floor light but mildly audible, and he comes alongside her - close enough to whisper:

 "Listen to me.  When the guards come, you will tell them that your door was stuck, and you pulled very hard on it, and the hinges gave way, giving you quite a fright.  Do this, and you will be alright. Do not do this... and I will  snatch the life right out of you. " 
 
 Spoiler: Rollies! 
I'm gonna try to intimidate this poor woman into compliance!  Plus whatever bonuses come from being invisible, and the scary break and enter, etc.

  Intimidate  - (1d20+15)[ 30 ] 
 
JbeJ275
The woman's fright seems to almost lift for a half second, as you reveal you're not in fact an agent of the guard here. Only to set in once more when you make your own threats. She immedietly makes for the chest of clothes, pulling on a top with an attatched headress that covers her hair, chin and ears, then steps towards the door. While doing so, she hurriedly speaks a warning to you.

" The guards here, they have Golhunds to search for those stealing alchemicals, and must not know to spend the magic on breaking your own spells. Can you hide your scent?" 

Then she finishes adjusting her headress, and makes it to the door. An astral construct can be seen taking position at the entrance to the alley, and you think any guards are likely not far behind.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan moves along with the group as quietly as he can, he does not possess the skills required at the time, so he bides his time. He smiles at the orders given, a wise move for the moment. This could continue to go smoothly.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is surprised, but then amused by how ready the woman is to bend to his menace and betray her local authorities.  His voice loses some of its edge with her; subtly  including  her on their conjectured side of what is about to go down.

 "Hide it...?  No.  But perhaps we can baffle them, some."
 
The wicked prince who would be king leans on his cunning instead of his power, for the moment; producing a long smoking pipe, lighting it, drawing a single fierce pull from its narrow end, and exhaling a plume of smoke that curls and settles into a haze just inside the doorway.  He empties the contents, immediately spent to wisping ashes, into whatever cracked clay cup or pot is near and could be dismissed as an impromptu ashtray.  Smoking tobacco is a vice of the poor - atleast, where Lamorak grew up - and the presense of that smell and lingering haze seems unlikely to be hard to explain, even if the woman is required to suggest she just smoked it herself.  It would take an unusual leap of intuition for someone to demand to see the pipe that smoked it, but in such a case, he can discreetly attempt to leave the pipe somewhere visible if that gambit becomes necessary.  Most importantly, the whole house instantly suffers the harsh, acquired scent of smoked tobacco - and those guards and hounds who might come pouring through that doorway might find their capacity to do their jobs subtly sapped from them.

 
 Spoiler: Pipe of Grief 
From the Book of Vile Darkness:

  Pipe of Grief:  This long smoking pipe, when filled with
tobacco and lighted, can create a single 5-foot-radius cloud
that remains for 3d8 minutes, once per day. The cloud stays
in place for the duration unless acted on by a magical force
such as a gust of wind. Anyone within the cloud except the
user must succeed at a Will save (DC 17) or take a –4 morale
penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability
checks for 10 rounds. 

Assuming the house is at least slightly more than 10ft on each side, we can squeeze into the back of it, and only the invaders will have to pass through the cloud.
 
JbeJ275
The seconds pass slowly, as you stand quietly in the corner of the room, until two elves come stepping into the room, leading amalgamations of dogflesh in the general shape or a wolf, with first sized bulges around their snouts that they seem to be following. These are apparently the Golhunds the woman spoke of. Then seem to go about the room mindlessly, both passing through the cloud, worryingly the creatures seem unaffected by the smoke, the foul energy collecting around them but having little effect on the masses of stitched together flesh.

The two elves step into the room, and the disgust already on their faces intensifies as they come to smell the pipe smoke, one shoots a dirty look at the other and then steps outside leaving the other to talk to the woman.

 "Woman, what harm has been done to our structures, you know that while we allow you to dwell here such harm will see you cast to the hunter's mercies. Is that what you want?  And to foul the place with odours so, you'll see your family sent out for this." 
 "No, please sir. It was... stuck and I pulled to hard, that's all there was to this. My husband works even now in the forges, we'll trade for what we must and repair the door, ensure it's fitting again." 
 "And this ghastly smoke, what of that?" 
 "My children sir, they work in alchemicals..." 

At that point, your attention is drawn by one of the Golhunds. The fleshy construct now drawing closer to Sharkan and seems to be readying a cry out to its masters. You perhaps have a second or so to act before it barks but no more.
MrAbdiel
Alas; subtlety can only take one so far.  As the stitched hounds seem to be cutting through the haze toward them, there remains no more time to hope they will be carried through without base level dominance.

Fortunately, he was good at that.

Invisible, Lamorak strides through the centre of the room, the soft echoes of his footsteps perhaps drawing confusion from the elves.  Then he drives out one bare hand toward the most senior looking operativeÂ’s face, curls his fingers abruptly in the space before his nose, and pulls back abruptly.

 
 Spoiler: Ooc 
ItÂ’s assassinatinÂ’ time!

 (1d20+11)[ 28 ]  to hit with a flat footed touch attack, from Deadly Touch.

If that hits, the first thing is a DC 14 fort save or die.  If he passes, he can also make a DC 18 will save to take half of the 15 +  (5d6)[ 19 ]  negative energy damage.

Also, he has atleast a -2 to saves from my aura of despair; and hopefully a -4 from the pipe of grief!
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan stood there watching the elves and hounds. Stealth had indeed only taken them so far. But the hound had picked up on Sharkans scent, he could not yet hide that, but give him time. He reached down within himself, pulled upon that great desire to subjugate and enforce his will upon others and pushed it into his hand, reaching out to the hound that was pushing toward him.

 
 Spoiler 

Deadly Touch
 (1d20+10)[ 28 ]  Touch Attack vs hound
21 Points of damage
DC 18 Will Save to half that damage
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher quietly unsheathes his blade as the Lord Protector and Sharkan select their targets. He situates himself close to the final Golhound, running through his general knowledge of comstruct weaknesses. He tenses, waiting to strike with maximum efficiency when the others make their move.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Delaying his turn until the others act.
Knowledge devotion Arcana  (1d20+16)[ 17 ] 
Knowledge Devotion Local (Elves)  (1d20+16)[ 23 ] 
Swift action wraithstrike for flat-footed touch attacks
Full Attack with full power attack
roll]1d20+6[/roll] for  (2d4+16)[ 19 ]  damage
 (1d20+1)[ 2 ]  for  (2d4+16)[ 19 ]  damage
Plus 2 to hit and wound from knowledge devotion.
 
Dusk Raven
Not to be outdone, Maiabel maneuvers into position next to the other elf sentry. Though her ability to deliver damage from hiding isn't as refined as her master's, she does her best to put her blade through the elf's vitals.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Assuming I only get a standard action and thus only one attack, what with having to move into position and all.
Attack:  (1d20+15)[ 35 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 12 ]  plus Sneak Attack:  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
 
JbeJ275
The leading elf's eyes flash in realisation, lasting perhaps half a second before he bursts out in a fit of coughing, blood staining his lips as powerful necromatic energies kill off his insides, within seconds he collapses to the fllor, his heart no longer beating. These seconds are enough for the rest of you to act though, Maiabell makes it to the other elf before he leaaves the building, pinning a blade through his chest and into his heart. With a single gasp he collapses to the floor, rapidly losing blood and too weak to speak.

Unfortunately your actions against the contructs are less succesful, the leathery outer skin of one Golhund shrugs off Cypher's blade and while Sharkan has little trouble grabbing hold of the beast, the negative energy seems to have minimal effects on the creature, turning parts of its flesh black but not truly affecting whatever force is animating it.

With their masters defeated, and no-one to give them orders the golhunds pause for half a second. Then they start yipping and bolt out the door of the structure, making it into the alleyway beyond with a strange hoarse growl. The astral construct you saw there remains as well, and the hounds have made their way behind it. The astral construct seems to be making efforts to block your way out of the alley, but is not itself calling for help.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher curses his luck, small hotels were clearly not the ideal place to wield a refined and elegant blade such as his. He turns towards the woman.

 Will the astral construct summon more guards or merely prevent our egress? Quickly now, before those hounds alert the whole metropolis! 

A pulse extends out from Cypher's form, lemdimg his allies and the woman an echo of his own speed. Waiting only to hear a reply that will let him select a target  Cyoher dashes into the alleyway after the constructs.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift action haste, gains 20% miss chance.
Move to within 10ft of the constructs.
If the woman says that the astral one will just block them hill strike at the noisy hounds, otherwise he'll go for the astral construct.

Power attack for -4  (1d20+10)[ 12 ]  (2d4+12)[ 19 ] 
 
JbeJ275
You turn and see the woman going for something hidden under her bed. Hearing your question she calls back at you.

“The construct will just attack anyone trying to leave, the hounds are the ones actually trying to get the other guards”.
MrAbdiel
 "Then we have no choice.  Put the hounds down, at all costs; that buys us all the time available!" 

Without time to attend what their suspiciously compliant captive is doing, Lamorak - now visible, in all his spiked and violent glory - storms out through the door into the alley, producing the ring of steel as the sleek, dark steel of the Hollow Blade exits its sheathe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC Actions! 
Move while drawing weapon; move to adjacent with hounds.  Ideally, he'll place himself opposite a hound from Cypher or anyone else keeping up with him (in order to get a sneak attack in as an AOO); but given that the dawgs have a headstart, he'll take what he can get.
  As the user of the Pipe of Grief, he's immune to the smoke; but everyone else should hold their breath when they go through the door!
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Upon hearing orders to stop the hounds, sharkan peels out following the hounds to see if he can get line of sight on the fleeing hound. Should he still see them he will lift up his arms as 4 bursts of energy form between his paws and take the form of 4 cats that spring forth to unerringly strike the hound he can see.

 (4d4+4)[ 9 ]  ((magic missile on hound i touched preference, but if not possible,  the next closest hound.))
Dusk Raven
Tensing for a moment, Maiabel rushes after the hounds, moving with more speed than would seem possible for the young woman, manuevering to the other side of one of the hounds before approaching and stabbing.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Using the Bounding Assault maneuver, allowing me to make a double move and then attack with a +2 bonus. Combined with the haste, I'll use that movement to skirt past the astral construct, out of its reach, and circle around one of the hounds before moving into range to attack.
Attack:  (1d20+16)[ 32 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 12 ] 

EDIT: +3 Damage for Insightful Strike, since it's a Diamond Mind maneuver.
 
JbeJ275
Cypher leads the chase, his elegant blade once more failing to pierce the toughened outer layer of the lupine constructs, but he and his dark lord do manage to surround the slower of the two fleeing foes. Sharkan's cats collide with the creature, but don't hit directly enough to bring it down properly.

Then Maiabel comes roraring from behind, bounding up the walls of the alley and leaping over her companions and the astral construct alike to get ahead of the fleeing constructs. With a single swing of her short sword she lodges it deep in the shoulder of one of the fleeing hounds, causing it to fall apart into a pile of loosely stitched dogflesh.

However, the other Golhund, still unwounded now withdraws from the alley entirely, yipping all the way. It's now 100ft away, among the crowd in the street beyond the alleyway, the local people giving it a wide berth but clearly making note of it and rapidly heading towards the nearest watchhouse.

The astral construct though has seemingly programmed to be ready for anyone attempting to flee the alleyway, and to prevent them doing so through violent means. It's the dark lord Lamorak who first moves close to it as needed to flank the Golems, and so he recieves both the first blow and a follow up strike. The first he catches with his shield, but the second swings around and catches him in the side, where his armour can't effectively block the full force of the strike.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

One Golhund dead, the other 105 feet away from most of you and 95ft from Maiabell. The Astral construct is unwounded.
 
Lamorak takes 16 damage.  
 
Dusk Raven
With a sudden leap, Maiabel moves towards the astral construct to flank it with the aid of her master. Once in position, she makes a flurry of strikes at the construct, aiming to dissipate it as fast as possible. Aided by Cypher's magic, she seems to be a blur as she stabs again and again.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift Action: using the Sudden Leap maneuver. I make a Jump check and move the indicated amount. Presumably, I don't count as having a running start, so this'll be tricky. Good thing having 60 movement speed thanks to Haste gives me a +12 bonus!

 (1d20+25)[ 27 ] 

That should be enough to beat a DC 20 jump check for a 10-foot jump.

Full-Round Action: Full Attack, with a -2/+2 modifier for Combat Expertise.

Main Hand 1:  (1d20+12)[ 19 ]  (+13 Base, -2 TWF, -2 Combat Expertise, +1 Haste, +2 Flanking)
Damage:  (3d6+6)[ 17 ]  (1d6+6 Base, plus 1d6 Sneak Attack and 1d6 Deadly Defense)
Off Hand 1:  (1d20+12)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (3d6+6)[ 19 ] 
Haste Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (3d6+6)[ 22 ] 
Main Hand 2:  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (3d6+6)[ 21 ] 
Off Hand 2:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] 
Damage:  (3d6+6)[ 21 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
With a hiss of annoyance sharkan drops to his knees, lowering his center of gravity. He sits back rather than standing on his knees. He begins casting, but takes even more time to empower his magical might. 4 bolts pf arcane light,  looking like cats at 3am with a bad case of the zoomies race along the ground to strike at the constructs.

Empowered magic missile
 (4d4+4)[ 13 ]  +50% [19 damage total]
JbeJ275
Of Maiabel's many rapid and fearsome swings only one managed to pierce the strange outer shell of the astral construct, however that one stab proved powerful, with the internal resevoirs now flowing freely and the creature seemingly sunstantially wounded.

Meanwhile the fleeing Golhund takes significant damamge from the array of magic missiles ripping into its side, the magical cat claws opening up patches in its side, but does not immedietly succumb to the force of those magical bolts.
MrAbdiel
As the construct wheels back from Maiabel's blows, Lamorak lays in with his own; fewer, but similarly possessed of an instinctive wisdom for shearing at joints, and narrow points even in a creature with no explicit organs to pierce!

 
 Spoiler: OOC! 
Attack 1:  (1d20+15)[ 33 ] , for  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] + (1d6)[ 3 ] .

Attack 2:  (1d20+10)[ 17 ] , for  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] + (1d6)[ 6 ] .

Haste Attack 1:  (1d20+15)[ 26 ] , for  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] + (1d6)[ 1 ] .
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher dismissively looks over at the construct, noting it's provable reach and reaction speeds. It was unlikely to pose a significant impediment. His blurred form streaks past the larger construct, deftly taking him within striking range of its noisome companion.

As the ancient blade snakes out, Cypher's eyes seek anatomical weak points. Finesse would succeed where crude brute force had failed him.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Dodge plus Cunning Defence on the astral construct, with mobility AC is 28 against AoO from it. 20% miss chance.

Charge vs Golhund. Using Cunning Insight for damage (2/5 IP remaining).

 (1d20+16)[ 23 ]  for  (2d4+12)[ 15 ]  damage.
 
JbeJ275
Lamorak's blows also rain down on the astral construct, further splintering its surface and opening cracks but failing to put down the mindless construct. In contrast, cypher's mad dash just manages to catch the Golhund centrally enough that it breaks apart when it tries to continue running. That said, as he's now among the crowd he can see the panic building there as many back away from the fighting, and others turn and run, drawing further attention to the side street.

Back in the alley, while the Astral construct missed its chance on Cypher it continues fighting, now apparently identifying Maiabell as it's new target, it lashes out at her with brutal effectiveness, slamming a hard blow into her stomach.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Golhund is dead but a lot of civiliians saw you, astral construct is cracked and weakening bt not quite out yet.  Maiabell takes 16 damage. 
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher scans the street around him, noticing the mounting agitation in the populace. They would surely lead the next cadre of guards straight to the Lord Protector if not given a suitable distraction.

He gives his blade a flourish to remove any remaining gore before sheathing it, to ensure that it is clean and to focus attention more keenly on him. Then the spymasters sprints away from the scene, taking a course.away from his group and towards a gate out of the city.

At a suitable point he dips out of line of sight and vanishes from any pursuers, leaving them to chase shadows.

With pursuit evaded  he makes his way back towards his comrades.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
No stealthyness initially, just running about at top speed for a bit. Then selecting a place to disappear and losing anyone following. After this he'll return to the group.

Spot  (1d20+7)[ 20 ]  to find a place to break line of sight.
Cast invisibility.
Move silently  (1d20+14)[ 19 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel grits her teeth behind her mask, and continues her assault, doing her best to bring the construct down. This time, rather than the flurry of strikes she'd done previously, she makes a single, calculated stab, piercing through the construct's armored defenses.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
This time, I'm going to use the Emerald Razor maneuver, which is a touch attack.
Attack:  (1d20+16)[ 30 ]  (normal BAB plus flanking plus Haste)
Damage: [roll]2d6+9/roll] (normal damage plus sneak attack plus Insightful Strike)

If that brings down the construct, Maiabel will... use her move action to regroup with Lamorak.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak makes an unnecessary, spiteful hack at the construct as it goes down to Maiabel's blow, glancing up as Cypher hares off down the lane to put down the flesh-dog.  He radiates contentment at their performance - the discovery being no one's fault, and the mission having been at risk of early detection anyway.   "We may have a moment or two.  We must move; Cypher will find his way back to us." 

At once, he stalks back to the hovel at the woman there - their prisoner, who would perhaps become accomplice.   "Woman: you gave warning where...  you might have given none.  You have earned my consideration.  Your husband works with the chemicals of this place?  Where does he work?  How far would we need to, to find and extricate him - and spirit both of you off to a new kingdom where your skills and loyalty will be rewarded, instead of abused and forsaken? " 

...He trails off - the woman, it seems, has snuck away.
JbeJ275
 Lamorak, Sharkan and Maiabell 

When you come into the house, leaving a pool of ectoplasm and two broken fleshy constructs behind you and moving your sight over the elven corpses at your feet you see that the sheets have been thrown off the bed and the bed itself has been slightly shifted, the chest has been thrown open with some stuff seemingly grabbed from it and the woman herself cannot immedietly be seen, despite having all of twenty seconds to do so she seems to have made herself scarce somehow.

 Cypher 

After perhaps two minutes at a run through the undercity you're starting to draw too close to the walls and so look to make good your evasion, you're aware that you've drawn pursuit, and that the walls are manned so it comes as little suprise when the elven guard forces draw close to your position, from some distance you see one speking in elvish while making sweeping gestures with their hands and the two accompanying this elf turning to look at them for a moment. You take the chance to advance towards the group, hoping to slip through their loose screen with little issue, unfortunately one of the three on patrol cries out in Elvish.  "Someone here is invisible and moving. If it won't come out we will take it down!"  What do you do?

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

OK so Cypher drawing off the others was good for them, but invisibility isn't foolproof if your foes have their own mages and you have nothing but an alley to put space between you and them. Still very much a workable situation though. Please roll initiative, if you get a 12 or more you can go right away, I quickly mapped this up in the roll 20 as well. Also give me a will saving throw.

Everyone else, you seem to have a few minutes but no clear hostage, still might be an oppurtunity here though.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher silently throws his hands up in frustration. The guards of the Marcellian Kingdom were never this vexing.

Before this trio has a chance to act he gestures and steps to the side, almost 680ft to the side. He rematerialises in one of the side streets He had passed earlier as close to his point of origin as he can manage.

The still invisible spymaster then moves cautiously onwards. If the elves could somehow track his dimension door he had best make himself scarce once again.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Action - Dimension Door. Would some kind of intelligence check be required to target a suitable alleyway he'd previously passed? If so  (1d20+6)[ 8 ] 

Movement - moving silently once again to relocate 15ft unnoticed as he is no longer hasted.
 (1d20+14)[ 23 ] 
 


Edit for poor typing on phone as usual.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher looks around at the unfamiliar alleyway, he could barely think before with thise bothersome guards. But the longer he left them without his counsel the more likely they were to run into trouble.

He pauses briefly to triangulate the various watch towers, smoke Stacks  and visible "landmarks" of the undercity. Sure of his bearings, Cypher's invisible form strides confidently through the streets once more.

 
 Spoiler: Roll 
Knowledge Geography plus Cunning Knowledge (1/5 IP remaining).
 (1d20+20)[ 38 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel frowns, not that anyone else can see anything but her mask's stoic exterior. With only a moment's hesitation, she goes to the bed, examining it and the floor around it for some sort of hidden mechanism or secret door.

 (1d20+2)[ 18 ] 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan auidble purrs as he stalks through the room. He calls upon his Paladin Powers to sense for anyone of a goodly nature, and his nose to keenly seek out bodies in the room, or toward hints of where people may have gone.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Detect Good as a Paladin of Tyranny
Scent

Search  (1d20+2)[ 11 ] 
Survival  (1d20+2)[ 7 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Maiabell spends a few seconds, checking the lining where the frame of the bed contacts the floor for any mechanisms and finds none, however the bed itself is far lighter than expected and so she lifts it up entirely in an attempt to get a better view on the area she's examining. In doing so, she spots a tunnel carved into the earth from beneath the centre of the bed, that seem to drop about twelve feet vertically down, with only a tiny crawl space leading on from there.

Sharkan's detection magic returns little useful information, and his attention is soon pulled from the rest of the room by Maiabel's discovery.
MrAbdiel
 "Follow her." 

The command comes instantly from the Lord Protector's mouth, as the red points of his eyes glowing behind the helm turn to Maiabel expectantly.  Lamorak himself may yet need to crawl through that tunnel - but he doesn't relish the prospect of trying to do so in spiked full plate; and Sharkan, for his various strengths, is not the stealthy hunter-killer that Maiabel is.

 "The enemy has detected us here, but the slave-woman is doomed by association with us, now.  She will leap upon an offer of expatriation; we must hope her husband is skilled enough to make this expedition worthwhile.  If you are not back, faithful Maiabel, before Cypher rejoins us, we will pursue you." 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods, and goes down into the tunnel with all haste, mentally rehearsing what she's going to say to the woman. She tries to think about what her master would say in her place. Though she's not used to being the one doing the talking, she'll do so for Lamorak's sake.
JbeJ275
 In the Tunnels 

Soon after the initial drop Maiabell feels around beneath herself, but soon aligns herself with the tunnel going forward. She notes that the crawl space moving forward follows a large ceramic pipe on the left side and seems to have been made taking advantage of that support. Still, the crawl space is very small and so she struggles to move quickly through the narrow area. After perhaps twenty feet of crawling forward, there's another sudden drop but Maiabell's manages to twist around in the tunnel and secure a safe way down. She sees a charred mass beneath her, some black substance on the fllor that seems to be flammable and the charred remains of three Golhunds, too small to get back into any of the higher tunnels and destroyed by the fire. The smell is terrible, all charred flesh and half rotten leather.

The other side of the wall reveals another path going forward and she quickly finds her way in. Some distance later she sees a light at the end of this tunnel, revealing a chamber lit by some dim magical illumination. In the chamber she can hear murmured discussion and manages to spot the woman from earlier, now covered in mud talking to a small woman in long flowing robes, stained through with grime. Around her neck, you can see a large amulet, of twisting lines attatching to two leaves made in metal, you also notice a slight pointedness to her ears, demonstrating some amount of elven ancestry. Two others stand in the chamber, and there are stacks of small crates piled about, with other tunnels like the ones you are currently lying in dotting the opposite wall and a larger walkable passageway to the side leading into another small cavern. The others have weapons at their sides, blacksmith hammers re-headed to turn them into simple weapons. What do you do?

 Above 

While you nervously wait for Maiabell below, Cypher, your other errant companion arrives back in the house once more. Outside, the initial cries of panic have diminished and Cypher's false retreat has prevented the guards following a straight line to you here. However the ectoplasm has not yet entirely faded, and the trampled corpse of the Golhund has now been turned into a stain on the street by dozens of trampling boots, so it seems inevitable the guards will track this position down at some point. What do you do?
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan acknowledges that he is.... less than eager to crawl beneath the streets in the dark and filth that could be there. He is thankful that he was not commanded to seek out the woman. He stands at attention by his lord, looking him over to see if there is anything that needs to be cleaned off him, any marks or filth upon his person so that when he chooses to reveal himself he would look his best and most imposing.
MrAbdiel
Their options, Lamorak observes, are quite limited.  They cannot crawl through the way Maiabel has gone - or at least, that is a prospect of extreme difficulty and possibly embarrassing capture or death, for less agile individuals.  Their hopes lay on Maiabel finding and negotiating some manner of bargain with the woman, and her theoretically skilled husband.

For now, Lamorak crosses the floor to the door he kicked open to break the lock... and begins barricading it.  In the minutes to come, that may buy them needed seconds.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher nids a greeting to Lamorak on his return.

 Lord Protector, if I may, I will see if these busy bodies can provide us with some assistance even now. 

Cypher quickly checks the bodies of the Elf guards.

 Sharkan, perhaps you could strip the armor off that one? If we have time before more guards arrive I might be able to assume their form and throw off the search further.  
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Search  (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan gets to work stripping the other guard, setting the gear into organized piles as he goes, he speaks to himself as he goes.

"Elf calves, strong muscle, low fat content. Elf Ears, lots of cartilage, but a strong flavor. Elf fingers, good grilled with an acidic fruit sauce...."

Once done stripping the guard he stands to the side, waiting for further instructions.

"Is there a cut my lord would like?"  Sharkan purred as he said 'my lord'
MrAbdiel
 "No." 

The answer is blunt.  Then, whether he is concerned that Sharkan will be wounded in feeling, or that his companions will mistake him for squeamish, he clarifies.

 "I will not eat the flesh of people I intend some day to rule - or at least, to expect to behave as pliable neighbours.  But does your butcher's eye detect what the flesh-wrights of this place are using to make these hounds, and golems?  Humans?  Or meats more exotic?" 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan doesn't look phased by the blunt answer.

"An astutely asked question my lord"

He purrs as he says my lord.

"While my focus is usually intended for ones pallet, there are indeed several components here that would be fine if one were inclined to make golems or constructs. The arms and legs of elves are particularly sinuous for fine motor control, the heart is an excellent muscle for their kind, and the brain is well aged. Ill make note that your tasks are far more exotic than such common fares."
Dusk Raven
Maiabel spends a long moment pondering her best move. She thinks about sneaking up to hear the conversation better, but decides against it. She's here to deliver a message, and to communicate, and communicate she shall. So, she takes her blade and raps the side of the chamber she's in to make noise and announce her presence, before stepping into view of the others, sheathing her blades.   "I'm not here to fight,"   she says simply, before waiting for the other people in the room to make the next move.
JbeJ275
 Above 

Cypher's search reveals plenty of interest. Both carry spellbooks, in packs that lie around the hip, as well as packs of materil compoments commonly used in arcane casting. The senior guard had a set of  +1 Bracers of Armour , made in silver with lunar imageragy repeated across its surface. They further both had small squares of card with black and white images of them upon, also giving their name and rank. One was Guardsman Rathal, the other Guard Captin Marikoth, there are further arcane arrangements below that would seem to be another identifier in some way. They also carry four lightweight sets of manacles and a length of chain each, as well as a ring of keys. They each have a needlessly ornate wooden club at their sides, but thier uniforms would provide minimal actual armour. Finally Rathal was carrying a scroll of Detect Thoughts.

Outside, you can hear further shouting, but none seem to be heading down your particuar alley quite yet.

 Below 

The small woman in robes turns quickly to face you, clutching her amulet. The woman you first ran into turns to you with nought but suprise while the other two put their hands to their weapons but don't draw or ready them quite yet.
 
"Hmm,"  The robed figure begins.  "Why are you here then? When so capable as to cut down the wizards above and their golems. Even as it seems you must not serve them I would have heard if the network were sending one such as yourself. What cause do you have to chase us down here?" 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel takes just a moment to ponder before answering.   "I come on behalf of Lamorak, he who would be king of the Marcellian Empire. Quite simply, we have come here in search of subjects, people dissatisfied with life under the elves, who might come and work for Lord Lamorak. And I have come down into this tunnel because she-"   Maiabel turns to the woman the group met above,   "-Helped us when she need not have. That has caught my lord's attention."   She pauses for a moment before adding,   "As will this underground network you seem to have. This is much more than we could have hoped for."  
JbeJ275
 "Better than I'd feared at least, but it seems that you coming down here has brought a great danger with you. We'd hoped to seal the tunnel off and crack it into the sewer pipe, then abandon this whole place to collapse but maybe we won't need to. Tell me, your Lamorak, and these others Beyla told me of, can they fight? Not the many elves of this city but a few powerful golems? Or else do you have a way of bringing four others along with you in your flight, Belya her husband and her children? They'll be here soon, and you've seen to it that their home is no longer safe for them." 

The small women says all this quickly and urgently, before taking a breath and adding.

 "That said, if you help people out of here I must commend that at least. Is your lord Lamorak the same one who sent those ships bearing scrolls into the elven waters? Many have heard of this but most think it's a false front, a plot of some sort. to kill off the disloyal."  
Waistcoatwill
Cypher blurs as he fills himself with kinetic energy once again. The uniform and equipment of the guard captain almost leaps onto him with his enhanced speed. As the dust begins to settle his form ripples into that of an elf. It might not fool close acquaintances of the former captain but might fool subordinates at a distance.

He tosses a set of manacles to Sharkan and gives a short bow to Lamorak before presenting him with a second.

 We have a possible exit strategy, but I am loath to use it. I can pretend to have taken you prisoner, Lord Protector and  potentially escort us out of the undercity. I am open to any alternate strategems but we may have limited time to enact them before Maiabel returns or more guards come. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift action haste to hopefully speed up donning the captain's uniform.
Last IP to cast alter self into an elf.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan Joins cypher and dons on a uniform, but uses his own Clothes to pull a hood over his Feline head. He takes the manacles from Cypher and adorns them on his attire.

"I believe, dressing in the fashion of the locals will be an asset, if only for a few moments deception."

He takes up one of the needlessly fancy clubs and muses hitting someone with it, a toothy grin coming to his lips.

"What an opulant thing.... I think I shall keep it."
MrAbdiel
The cold second hangs in the air for what seems like much longer than the actual duration, where Lamorak's regard for the ruse and its suggestions remains ambiguous; but he comes out on the side of amusement.

 "Cunning enough.  I trust you, Cypher; let us see if our enemies do also." 

He submits Malakharn, the Hollow Blade, to Cypher as a token of disarmament, and the spiked shield to Sharkan; and permits himself to be shackled at the wrists.  There is no shortage of weapon on his person potentially, still - his army is still covered in jagged edged and spines, and he is capable of killing with a touch - but the lie of capturing an enemy without the time to strip him of his tertiary armament, when it involves doffing his armor, seems plausible enough.

Then he takes a knee, and slouches against the wall; adopting the posture of one who has been laid low by some disorienting enchantment.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan takes the sheild and slings it to his back. He looks over his lord and shakes his head.

"Unconvincing at a glance my lord. Allow me."

He purrs as he says my lord, he uses a price of blood from his own finger, and dirt from the floor to craft a dirtied and blooded appearance of the lord so he would appear... beaten and taken physically.

((Take 10 on disguise check for a 19))
Dusk Raven
  "We can certainly fight, though without knowing the odds, I can't say whether we'll be successful. If the foe is anything like the constructs we fought already, we'll manage."   Maiabel puts a hand to her chin.   "Though, Lamorak and the others may have other suggestions. Either way, we'll do what we can. And to answer your last question, it was indeed under Lamorak's order that those messages were sent. As I said, we are in need of subjects, and we'll help you out if that's what it takes."  
Waistcoatwill
 Of course, Lord Protector, this is merely a ruse. I would not  risk your security with functional restraints. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
I'd previously forgotten to take 10 on disguise for 20.
Disable device to stop the manacles actually locking  (1d20+15)[ 25 ] 
Sleight of Hand if that'smore appropriate  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 Above 

As you make your preparations, you hear the elven forces move onto this street, shouting in elven for people to come out of their homes and sending constructs in to drag them away at any hesitation. Soon one spies the constructs where you dropped them and calls a squad over, then yells down the alley.

 
 Spoiler: Elvish 

"Out of the house! Out! Out! We will not hesitate to cast!"
 


In total there seem to be six elves and two Astral constructs taking cover at the end of the alley, possibly with more in the street beyond.

 Below 
 "Then I leave it to your wisdom, these golems are larger and more powerful than the normal constructs, but they're not the worst in this city. If you feel you can face them now, I can help you bring your friends down here. Else if you can but leave the city with Beyla and her family I'll spread the word that the ships bear true messages, and work out a way to bring some message to you when  you should feel ready to face down these greater creatures. 
Waistcoatwill
Seeing no evidence of his peers understanding the elven shouts, Cypher takes a breath and prepares to attempt some subterfuge. It had been nice when he still had some surviving operatives for this kind of work. His knowledge of the elven tongue is excellent, he hoped that and an appropriate air of arrogance would cover any issues with the local accent.

 Stand down!  He yells through the door before dragging the remains aside and stepping through. He stays partially turned towards the hut as though continuing to watch the hulking form slumped against the wall in chains.

Half yelling over his shoulder he continues.  We have secured this brute. Where are the two that left?  after the tiniest of pauses so that they can't reply he jerks his head in exasperation and continues.  Hasted male human arcanist and female martial adept. They went that way and that way.  He gestures in the direction of his original flight and an approximation of the cardinal direction the tunnel in the hut seemed to follow.

 Get after them or they'll be long gone! We can't be humiliated by filthy humans. Now stop interrupting my interrogation! 

He stalks back into the hut, seemingly focused entirely on Lamorak.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
He tried to keep as much of that a dragon's truth as possible but here's a Bluff roll  (1d20-1)[ 18 ] 

Hopefully Sharken and Lamorak can give that a boost with Aid actions and any circumstantial bonuses apply.
 
Dusk Raven
  "Very well. I'll bring this news to Lamorak -- he'll decide what to do."   Maiabel turns back to the tunnel she came through, but then looks back over her shoulder at the others.   "We may have some other problems to deal with at the moment. I'll return here with the others to discuss matters more, once the immediate threat of detection is gone."  

With that, she goes back along the tunnel, pausing at the entrance, just out of sight, listening to make sure the coast is clear before she exits the hidden passageway.

 
 Spoiler 
Hide check:  (1d20+16)[ 21 ] 
Listen check:  (1d20+18)[ 29 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan moves to stand behind his Lord, a hand on his shoulder to give the impression he has some sort of physical handle on the  manacled brute 

He keeps his face hidden beneath his deep hood, and stands tall in the elven uniform, his other hand firmly holding the police Cudgel, as if to strike the  manacled brute  should he misbehave.
JbeJ275
 Above 

The captain relays Cypher's message to his crew.

 "You heard him! After them, Malnurn your squad that way and Quorith take yours to track the female, I'll ensure this man gets to the pits." 

As four of the elves and both the constructs dash off two of the figures comes towards you, the one talking is of aristocratic bearing and has a lightly armoured uniform and a staff. The other wields a spear and a large shield with slightly heavier armour. Both look to be hurrying.

 "Why are you interrogating this wastrel here, either get a diviner or send him to the pits. I swear, the blood weakens with each season of recruits. Hurry up! At least you managed to catch the fool, how did this fool of a man ever hope to get away with hiding such weapons in here." 

The other elf is silent, content to look down at Lamorak as the others berate you. They both seem to be expecting you to move with them though, and the other elven guards are still fairly close.

 Below 

Miabell quickly squirms through the tunnel, quicker now she's more familiar with the twists and turns, you get back quickly enough to hear all of this and as far as you can tell are unobserved at this point.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher quickly picks up on the newcomers' apparently elevated station and nods respectfully, but sighs when asked why his interrogation has not moved to better surroundings. He gestures to the strapping noble form of the Lord Protector as if he is a very large and stubborn mule before switching to common.

 No more of your malingering, human. If you don't get back on your feet Guardsman Rathal here will have to drag you through the muck . He gestures towards Sharkan.  Make no mistake  forcing such an indignation upon an elf will not make things go better for you when we've transported you to the pits. 
Darius Vibrtrar
following Cyphers que he nods silently from beneath the hood and physically guides his lord toward moving in the direction Cypher motioned. He didnt dare speak, he knew his accent would come through for anyone with a keen ear.
Dusk Raven
Maiabel's first thought as she listens is that the others have been captured - but she relaxes a little on hearing Cypher's voice.   They must be performing some kind of ruse,   she thinks.   Best not to interfere.   While she waits, she gathers her energy, restoring her expended maneuvers to her mind.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Just going to hang tight here for a bit, and spend a few full-round actions recovering maneuvers.
 
MrAbdiel
The  malingerer , under such compulsion, ceases to malinger.  He grumbles with faux resentment, in a wicked tongue...



 
 Spoiler: Infernal Bluff! 
 "Damn your eyes, wretches.  When the Mistress discovers this, you will suffer in measure to your presumption..." 

He has, of course, no such mistress; but there's no harm in sowing seeds of confusion in case either of these escorting elves escapes the coming wrath; and in case either of them knew the devil-tongue.  Perhaps they'll wonder if this operation was the brainchild of one of their own rotten elven houses.  Perhaps, further afield.

  BluffIfItMatters  - (1d20+15)[ 20 ] 

Besides this, he is studying the armored elf escoring them, planning a death attack in a few rounds.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
As his lord mvoes forward, sharkan only moves him closer to the door to enhance the performance, as the sounds the master made would certainly move with him and change in pitch and density as they carried out to the other guards, they would have no reason to suspect delay. He would stop his master before he came into sight, waiting for more queues from the Mage or his Lord.
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: Elven 
 "Useless, this is how you do it." 
 


 Says the elevn mage, moving towards Lamorak and shouting at him in clumsy infernal.

 
 Spoiler: Infernal 

 "You best worry less about what you mistress would do to me, and more what they'd do to you when we pull her knowledge from your mind, now get moving, we don't need you with all your limbs to interrogate you." 
 


With that he begins casting a spell behind Lamorak, and seems to slow the final movement needed for casting it watching if lamorak means to continue resisting or will follow his direction out of the alley.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher steps in close in an apparent effort to help th caster. Instead he attempts to divine the nature of this held spell as well as ensuring Lamorak's blade is close at hand.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Close in on the Wizard.
Spellcraft to ID the spell  (1d20+14)[ 15 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
The  brute  permits himself to be driven by his  captors , offering no more direct opposition to the leading.  It's undignified, of course; but a part of him enjoys the subterfuge.  He could never do such a thing in a land where he claimed domain - the strictures of the  Way Of The Manifold Grip  were the steel in his spine, and he could not feign submission to authority that  he  had authority over.  But this was a foreign place; a nation he had not yet claimed as domain.  They did not owe him fealty.  He did not owe them honesty.  And the  lie  of weakness was a sweet savour, in anticipation of the retribution to come.

These elves, who lived for centuries and thought themselves masters of magic and science, did not know the truth of themselves.  They were overripe fruit, rotting on the vine of Empires and Kingdoms.  In time, the vintner would come; and such idle, wasted fruit would be cut away.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher  deferentially falls back in the procession slightly, allowing the elven mage to direct the prisoner towards the pit.
Dusk Raven
As the procession begins to leave, Maiabel emerges from her hiding spot and begins to discreetly pursue after... only to notice the bodies of the elf guards that the group had killed earlier. Making a snap decision, she does her best to drag the bodies into the hole in the floor, depositing them there before continuing on her discreet pursuit.

 
 Spoiler 
Hide check:  (1d20+16)[ 27 ] 
Move Silently check:  (1d20+16)[ 29 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan continues to move with a hand on his lord. He allows the procession to be led to the pits.
JbeJ275
You all emerge from the house into the streets of the city once more, Cypher and Sharkan playing the part of elven guards, Lamorak being led forth looking as though he’s been manacled and Maiabell following from rooftops and side streets, having slipped up and out of a window mere seconds before elves burst into the room she’s just left. Of all of you it’s Maiabell who has the best chance to see what’s going on as a whole. The initial patrol meets with another consisting of further elves, golhunds and astral constructs. A hood is brought out and placed over Lamorak’s head as they continue in deeper into the city and his shield, pipe and javelins are taken with another reaching to take Mala’kharn from Sharkan.

The head towards the walls that separate the inner city from the undercity, and for a second you think you’re headed up, to the heights of the central city which would put another set of even more formidable walls between you and freedom. Instead they reach the base of these walls and head inside them.

Here Miabell realises she can’t realistically continue following them any further in her current manner. The entryway has no possible cover to hide behind while she sneaks through, leaving her stuck on an exterior rooftop to make her plan.

Inside the floor is tiled stone covered with intricate abstract patterns in red, rather than the hard packed dirt of the under-city. Soon you pass through a checkpoint where Lamorak’s weapon and shield is taken in some other direction. Cypher is told his house will receive gold matching the price form such weapons, minus the cost to replace Golhunds, with them looking particularly excited about Mala’kharn. They also remove Lamorak’s a hackles and remind him with similar ones, though these boat and extra large link halfway between the hands which has some runic symbol on it.

Here most of the guards following Lamorak return to other duties, tracking the other ‘killers loose in the city’ but the initial two stay with you. You’re taken to a chamber, empty besides a platform, with a single iron rod sticking up through the middle attaching it to a similarly sized platform above. That second platform is being held by what initially looks like a set of chains, overlapping and wrapping around each other rather than clearly being a single sequence of links. However when it starts moving you can clearly see it’s a group of chain golems, holding each other. They remove Lamorak’s hood and lower him down, first to a semi circular chamber of white stone, with lead lining all the walls apart from some small apertures, and a runic circle filling much of the semicircle. Then the platform continues being lowered to a dark room below, lit only by a single flickering magical light entirely insufficient to fill what soon is revealed to be a very large cave. Perhaps one or two dozen men and half elves are down there, mostly staying still on the ground far below. After perhaps two minutes of lowering you the platform stops, and starts tilting sideways until you either step out or are unceremoniously poured out.

Cypher and Sharkan are lead elsewhere, and the guards you initially met with finally depart with you being taken aside and interviewed about your encounter with the criminals, and told you’ll receive your fee for his armour and other items once he’s been. “Asked and told” they say this as if it’s obvious and well known what it means. In a circumstance that seems beneficial to your ruse they seem unsurprised by Sharkan ensuring his head is always covered, and several elves with similar covering can be seen making their way through the base.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak permits the weapons and armor to be taken from him.  His reluctant mentor's lessons echo quietly in the recesses of his blackened mind:  when you become the weapon, no man can deny you your weapon.   In a plain grey gambeson, denuded of obvious spikes, the ropey strength of Lamorak is plain to onlookers; pale skin and short hair cut in a utilitarian style that might be best described as  resentful chic.   His eyes sweep over his fellow inmates.  These are his tools, now; the golems, and the jailers, his obstacles.  Stepping off the tilting stone, he tests a theory, and attempts to arrest the speed of the short descend with a  Featherfall  spell.  Regardless of whether it's a hard step or a soft one, he will immediately look over the other incarceratees.

 "My time here is short.  Which of you intends to lay down and die in this place; and which of you would give anything to walk free another day?" 
 
 Spoiler: I'm not trapped in here with you... You're trapped in here with me. 
The  Featherfall  is to test if the new shackles are magic cancelling, or just... shock cuffs, or something.
 
Dusk Raven
Well, that was that. Maiabel has little hope of sneaking or bluffing her way past the guards at this point, so there's little to do except hope that Sharkan and Cypher have things well in hand for her master.

Well, there  is  one thing she can do. Careful to avoid patrols on the way, she makes her way back to the hut where their troubles began, and to the passageway underneath it. She'll travel along it until she meets someone, hopefully someone familiar - and hopefully they haven't enacted their plan to collapse the tunnel yet.
JbeJ275
 In the Pit 

The featherfall kicks in normally ensuring Lamorak glides smoothly to the ground before making his pronouncement. The pronouncement itself though is underwhelming.

An older human speaks up saying.  "I give you four points for presentation, three points for eagerness and another for smoothness. But no points for originality leaves you stuck at eight out of ten." 

A half elf next to him speaks up as well.  "Rare to see new blood end up in here. Can't imagine you'll be joining me, Alick and the crew as long termers, but if your sponsors buying anyone who asks for it they're welcome to get me out of here. Doesn't mean I'll plan on staying long with her either though." 

Another form, this one further from the light speaks up as well.  "What did you do to end up down here anyway?" 
 At the Hut 

After retracing her steps, Maiabell emerges once more around the back of the house, after slinking through a nearby alleyway and breaking into an empty building that backs onto the same alleyway that they were previously fighting in Maiabell takes in the sight of two elven guards with dogs watching the building again, with another elven form moving about inside. That elf has seemingly having discovered the hole going down from the bed but is not yet raising the alarm for whatever reason.

Across the alley and a few buildings down another building is occupied, apparently by a pair of humans, they're not watching through the window but instead seem to have taken to watching the elven guards there with a small spyglass protruding through a gap in the flimsy walls of the building they dwell in. You watch as one hands the spyglass to another and spot they both have a tin charm on a piece of leather tied around the wrist. It's the same symbol the woman in the underground chamber wore as an amulet.

Then as you go to make your way forward, and leave this building to descend into a covered area across they alley from where you are now, the force of your jump requires a slight readjustment at the last minute. That sends your chain shirt just catching onto the windowsill for a half second, long enough to make it shake just enough for both the humans and the elven guards to turn and focus their attention towards it.
MrAbdiel
 "What I  did , was that I killed a patrol of guards, and their hounds.  They came snooping and threatening at a moment that displeased me; now they are dead.  But I am  here  because I elected to come and see this 'pit' rather than kill the second batch of guards.  It occurs to me that incompetent rulers often incarcerate men and women who they can imagine have no uses except to be contained.  I wanted to see what kind of people these vaunted elven masters fear, and despise." 

He cranes his gaze across the prisoners, lingering on the elder, the half elf, and the shadowed one who have spoken to him.

 "You are right to say I will not be a  long termer .  But listen now - aid me, and I will remember you.  Is this a slave pen, or a place for storing hostages before they are recovered at price?  And what is the purpose of these?"   He raises his manacles, which, it turns out, do not block his limited magics.
JbeJ275
The shadowed figure gives a low chuckle, at your claim to have killed several of the guards, though the rest of the men give appraising looks, trying to check you over for the possibility of deceit. They seem to have not yet decided whether or not they believe you.

The older human is the first to answer your question.  "It's both buddy, the guards here don't much care why someone wants to buy you out of here, just that they're willing to dump enough gold in to buy you out. Suppose you'll be pricey though, anyone show up one of their guards in an open fight, rather than slitting their throat or setting fire to their bed, and they most often just kill you. Elvenfolk can't lose a fair fight you see, that going round would get them scared. As is it's gonna be a high price to get you out if anyone wants you, and a long time before it makes sense for the showmen to buy your contract. Gets cheaper as you stay down here longer, and as you give up more secrets or lose track of the outside. When in the day was it you got down here anyway? I like to try and follow it. 

He never gets to the second part of your question, prompting the half elf to pick up the slack.  "The Manacles aren't nothing too special magically, though they're tougher to pick than the guards normal ones, even if you got tools, they ain't gonna kill you by themselves. The chain golems they got in the roof are programmed to grab them, and they'll get pulled right back towards the chains, makes it easy for the beasts to grab on and stops you fending them off. Old Sagan here will talk your ear off about how it all works when he's in a mood to.  He says with a nod towards the elder figure.  "They do something with the shaft on the platform as well, get it to break in two and reform around it, keep you in place for interrogation or auction. 
MrAbdiel
 "Who says elves cannot be overcome in a fair fight?  Elves, I suspect; and they are the ones who provide the definition of fair.  Perhaps it's only fair if both participants are permitted to study the art of the sword uninterrupted for a hundred years?  The world belongs to those who see opportunity and seize it; who overcome and adapt quickly.  The day will come when the last elven kingdoms exist in terrariums, as a source of historical curiosity.  And... it was coming towards noon, as I recall." 

Condescending to answer such a trivial question is, as far as he is concerned, the height of magnanimity.  He regards the half-elf briefly as he details the manacles.  Not magic binders as much as a marked token for the golems, then.  Interesting.   "Now I know that some of you remain here a very long time.  How quickly do they process new arrivals?  And, for that matter, how many are down here?  The security seems.. overwrought."

 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher attempts to identify any possible locations within the guard complex to lay low or steal further uniforms before they leave.

His trained eyes assess each member of the guard with an obscured face, attempting to discern if there anyone of his assumed rank is similarly covered.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Spot for hiding place finding  (1d20+11)[ 21 ] 
Sense motive to see if he could get away with covering his face with a captain's uniform  (1d20+11)[ 21 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Thinking quickly, Maiabel looks around for a spot to hide. She quickly comes up with a plan - hide, then ambush the guards when they approach.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls and Actions 
Hide:  (1d20+16)[ 31 ] 
Move Silently:  (1d20+16)[ 33 ] 

Going to try and find a good spot to hide, say around a corner that the guards might approach. Then, I'll wait until the guards get close, then strike.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Out of his element. Cypher remains silent and sticks with Cypher, following his lead.
JbeJ275
 The Pit 
 "You get twenty one of us who're in the landing cave,  then in the other passageway areas another forty-six. So yeah, Sixty eight of us here now, counting yourself. New arrivals are sat in here to stew for twenty four hours at first, gives the richest of the sponsors time to buy you out, or pay your death price and get your skull out of here, if you got secrets someone rich enough doesn't want shared.  The human comes out with this, giving you a dark look at the words death price.  "But I'm guessing you're not planning on waiting that long. Else they'll take you upstairs and a whole bunch of them all stare into your mind at once, try and pluck out every thought and prompt you to reveal who you work for. Whether you'll be fodder for the shows, useful kept by them or a worthy fella to sell elsewhere." 

The Half elf then picks up after this.  "As for this whole place being over-wrought put that down to how old it is. This city has been here a long time, and very complicated things were built that fell apart and required re-placing with less intricate things. Or that slight damage led the whole system to degrade just enough they could no longer use it properly but not enough that they wanted to change it entirely. We think that's what happened here, was some inassimilable hidden fortress, or cleverly designed prison with intricate safeguards. Now it's an overwrought pit to throw people into." 

The shadowy figure eventually speaks to you, in a low rasping voice.  "Who are you to come down and ask this anyway? No landsman here was fed like you were. You some Beastclan prince who tried to be a little too clever or what?" 
 The Watchhouse 

There are, areas where uniforms and weapons seem to be put aside. As well as toilets, or backrooms that seem disused or used only for maintenance you spy that might be acceptable locations to hide in. The issue is you're catching this only as you're on your way to the interrogation room, and in there they seem to want a full recounting of the events that led to this.

Cypher and Sharkan find them both being looked at expectedly as they're asked several questions.

 
 Spoiler: Elven 

 "So, Captin Marikoth if you could give in your own words an explanation as to what led to the Golhunds you'd been equipped with departing the point of contact at speed an unaccompanied. Most observers, believed they were in acting in recall mode and that another figure then chased them down out of the alley, seemingly uninjured and unpursued by you. Do you have any details on these escapees that might better explain what occurred there?" 
 


Cypher does notice there are several elven forms with their faces covered, some of which seem to be intensely respected but none of which are in positions of direct command as a guard captain would be.

 Above the Alley 

You're hidden for perhaps three minutes in the rafters as the guards assemble a team to head into this building. Eventually you see the door breached by another astral construct, looking very similar to the one from earlier, with a single elven guard following behind it and looing back and forth through the room, a delicate looking elven whistle held by his mouth as his other hand plays over a wand. They're delaying for a few seconds before the elf begins casting a spell, remaining in a narrow corridor and behind the astral construct as he does so.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher pauses a moment to get the measure of the officers debriefing them and replies in Elven.

  A dreadful rackets and foul miasma alerted us to a disturbance at the dwelling. Inside were the brute and his accomplices. It was not immediately clear what their purpose was, but the brute was clearly the greatest threat. He openly tried to assault us and we couldn't let that stand. I am loath to say that he was formidable and took all of our combined skill to contain.

The cowardly accomplices were clearly trying to flee the scene. We deemed them no great threat to the city, but I sent the Golhunds to block ant potential escape. How like the humans to fail to understand an outflanking manoeuvre when they see it.

As stated, we were containing the greater threat and did not witness the escape of the lesser miscreants. We had trusted our colleagues to be able to contain them, regrettably they failed where we succeeded.

The noxious smoke may be the key. An incompetent attempt to set fires and deprive is of workers perhaps? Whatever it was, we interceded in time to disrupt it. With the speed the male human fled I'm sure the cowards are slinking back to their own hovels as fast as they are able.
  
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Sense motive to try and tailor the answer to something that will prevent he and Sharkan getting reprimanded but not draw attention to those of the group not in custody.
 (1d20+11)[ 17 ] 

Bluff boosted with cunning Insight (4/5 IP remaining).
 (1d20+7)[ 22 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak nods, at this information divulged at his command.  The men here were spirit-broken; and there were endless uses for such.  The lurker in the shadows was know - who might he be, if a prisoner, really, at all?  The Lord Protector took a note that all his prisons, as they bloat in the future, should include spies... even if this one does not.

 "Who am I?  I am an agent of a greater throne than those occupied by the jousting houses of this realm.  One that is destined to swallow them all up, in its sprawling shadow; whose chains do not fall arbitrarily, but on the traitor and the maniac alone.  I have come here seeking one who might be of use to my house; one that knows the secrets of chemicals and fire.  But if I do not find such a chemist who will offer loyalty in exchange for freedom, I will find one elsewhere.  And one day, when I return to this place, I will draw from this pit all who have been unjustly cast down; and cast down all those who once did such casting." 

Twenty four hours, they said.

Well.  He shouldn't need more than half of that.  With a final imperious glance over his varied interlocutors, he makes his way away from the central mechanism, settles cross legged on the ground with the shackles in his lap, and with the posture of a carved bodhisattva, he closes his eyes and marshalls his power.

 "If any of you should like to beg favor, now is the time that most may most profit." 
JbeJ275
 The Watchhouse 

After some further questions, asking for clarification which you seamlessly and swiftly provide, the interrogators release you from interview and show you to a small room, with a few carefully carved wooden chairs, and a small plate of slightly stale pastries. They instruct you to stay there until they've talked to the other responders and conducted a more thorough search of the scene but do not set a guard to watch you, it is in many ways a welcome relief, as Sharkan's hastily applied disguise was on the verge of slipping, and you now have some chance to communicate with each other. You think you're less deep in the facility than the interrogation room was, but do not have much of a sense for its overall layout quite yet.

 The Pit 
 "Heh, you might just be the real deal huh. Well I tell you what."  Replies the older human.  "One of the kids in here, they had him working on mixing up the alchemicals for the Golhunds and the Gravies, dirty work there, preserving flesh enough to stop it rotting but let it still fight, damn fine was this kid too, he saw beyond the instructions and figured out how it worked. Hell, I got wind of that and helped him use his best talents, mess up the flesh to include alchemical that degraded the controls, tripled the chances of one of them going on a rampage. Even rigged a bunch of Golhunds to rampage in a warehouse once, they tore the damn thing down before anyone could stop them from what I hear. Now the kid doesn't talk much, but I could persuade him to go out with you if you like, kid's got no stimulation down here, he's gonna go mad. So  I can pick him out and send him with you, and you'll just owe me a favour huh how about that? Course if you got a ticket our of here without magic being slung every which way I'll cash that favour in right now, but I can't exactly sprint for the exits these days." 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, now out from under the constant gaze turns to Cypher.

"I cannot understand these....elves."

The Word elves is said with warrented disgust.

"If we can assertain where the Lords equipment was taken, we can loot the entire fortress of its wealth and take its lavishness for ourselves."
Waistcoatwill
Cypher's face begins to remould back to his human  features as alter self comes to an end. He faces away from the door just in case.

 I have been unable to find a suitable ruse to continue using common. However, I may be able to locate the Lord Protector's panoply if they haven't yet warded it from divination. I may also need to acquire the uniforms of three lower ranking guards. None of the captains seem to hide their faces the way some lower ranks do. 

He pulls out a forked twig and begins to focus.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
Arcane Dilettante - Locate Object, focusing on Lamorak's mighty blade. 3/5 IP remaining.
 
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: Cypher 


You feel it mostly to what was the right of the base as you entered it and slightly deeper into the base and below you.
 
Waistcoatwill
 I feel it, not far from here but deeper into the base. I will need to turn invisible from this point forwards but can either lead you or report back with the exact location before recovering the items. What say you? 

Cypher waits very briefly fir a response before turning invisible and sneaking out of the door.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move Silently  (1d20+14)[ 19 ] 
Search  (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
Spot  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 

As well as looking for Lamorak's gear, Cypher is looking for a stash of uniforms to raid.

Edit - Forgot to say casts invisibility as a standard action,  also bonus action haste if Sharkan isn't coming.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan regards what is said.

"While having one stay behind for when they return.... would be wise. I dont speak Elven, and the ruse will drop the moment they return. If they return and we are not here, the ruse will become endangered rather than drop, we can come up with a reason for leaving. I will join you."

Sharkan accepts the invisibility if Cypher is casting, otherwise casts his own invisiblity to go along with Cypher.
MrAbdiel
 
 Spoiler: Previous: A Bid For Favor 

 
 Originally Posted by JbeJ275 
  The Pit 
 "Heh, you might just be the real deal huh. Well I tell you what."  Replies the older human.  "One of the kids in here, they had him working on mixing up the alchemicals for the Golhunds and the Gravies, dirty work there, preserving flesh enough to stop it rotting but let it still fight, damn fine was this kid too, he saw beyond the instructions and figured out how it worked. Hell, I got wind of that and helped him use his best talents, mess up the flesh to include alchemicals that degraded the controls, tripled the chances of one of them going on a rampage. Even rigged a bunch of Golhunds to rampage in a warehouse once, they tore the damn thing down before anyone could stop them from what I hear. Now the kid doesn't talk much, but I could persuede him to go out with you if you like, kid's got no stimulation down here, he's gonna go mad. So  I can pick him out and send him with you, and you'll just owe me a favour huh how about that? Course if you got a tciket our of here without magic being slung every which way I'll cash that favour in right now, but I can't exactly sprint for the exits these days."  
 
 


A long pause.

Then Lamorak opens one eye, to gaze at the older man making his proposition.

 "...Very well.  Bring the kid here, to the main chamber.  When I leave this place, I will take him with me.  When I return, I empty all who are in this pit out of it; but your aid now, I shall remember.  What is your name?" 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel has few options at this point. She assumes they're casting some sort of detection spell, and so she moves... out of the building entirely, using her special abilities to cling to the wall as she leaves, so-as to not drop down the 20 feet to the bottom. Then, she races for the entrance to the building with the secret passage, drawing a blade as she does so.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift Action: switch to Dance of the Spider stance, allowing me to walk on walls so long as I have a hand free.
Double move action: Move right up to the aforementioned building and its guard.
 
JbeJ275
 The Watchhouse 

Sharkan and Cypher proceed unseen throughout the base. They first happen upon a set of sleeping quarters on the same floor, and going through the lockers assemble a small pile of uniforms, they've to small a selection to have any that aren't ill fitting but they'll pass in a pinch.

As for the greater object of their search, they soon come to a staircase, which they follow down, and a passageway from there that brings them to a closed door, Cypher can read the label on it as "Place of Secondary Observation of Mystic and Cultural Rarities in Reclaimed Treasures". The door is one of many in a long corridor, and you can hear footsteps and faint speech in elvish beyond it. The door is locked, and is made of ironwood, with some metal security fixtures added.

 The Pit 
 "Alright, I'll get Nichi. As for me, you can call me Davor." 

With that Davor departs, leaving you alone with just more distant muttering from others to contend with. It's a brief quite, before Davor arrives once again, a slight and androgenous human accompanying him. He's likely not left his teens behind, and his hands seem to never stop fiddling in one way or another but he approaches you, taking the last few steps to you alone when Davor stops.

 "So, you're going to get me out of here then I hear... and then I can work at Alchemy for you?" 

The innocent hope and relief is something Lamorak has not heard in a long time, but seems entirely genuine from Nichi.

 The Alley 

The elven guard turns as Maiabell charges, going swiftly to strike and call out a spell. But will he be swift enough?

OOC: Roll initiative. On a 17 or higher you go first.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher

Cypher casts an eye over the door to see if it is obviously trapped or locked. He then expertly cups his ear to the part of the wood most likely to clearly transmit the vibrations from within.

 
 Spoiler: Actions  
Search
 (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
Listen plus Cunning Knowledge 2/5IP remaining. (1d20+15)[ 33 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak's eye had closed when Nichi departed, then opened again at Davon's question.  He opens both then, giving the boy a visual once over with his gunmetal gaze.

 "I will, yes.  I suggest you loiter closer to the main chamber.  Tomorrow, I will leave this place.  And if you do precisely as I tell you... you may also.  We will see, in time, if your talent for chemicals merits the boon.  But now is the time of patience; and waiting.  Patience, boy."   A closure of the eyes again, as the Lord Protector slips into grim rumination once more.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sorry for the slow response here.  I somehow lost track of the fact I was due to respond!
 
Dusk Raven
Moving as fast as she can, Maiabel closes the distance between her and the guard. As she moves, her form seems to become enveloped in shadows, cloaking her exact position. As she closes within range, she scans her opponent's defenses before lashing out at - hopefully - just the right moment.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift Action: Enter Child of Shadow stance, granting me concealment against all melee and ranged attacks as long as I move at least 10 feet.
Move action: Move up to the guard.
Standard Action: Use Sapphire Nightmare Blade, which first requires a concentration check with the target's AC as the DC.  (1d20+12)[ 29 ] 
If the check succeeds, the target is flat-footed against my attack, and also takes an extra 1d6 points of damage. If the check fails, my attack is made with a -2 penalty and deals normal damage.
Attack Roll:  (1d20+13)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+9)[ 10 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 9 ]  if the Concentration check was successful (sneak attack for being flat-footed plus maneuver bonus damage)
 
JbeJ275
 Cypher and Sharkan 

The door doesn't seem to be trapped, but is locked. As you put your ear close to the door you hear a few faint words in elvish make their way through the thick.

  ".... it's an ill match for mercenaries to bring with them to the city, and mercenary smart enough to hold such an artifact would know it's better sold and retired on then taken into a dangerous mission like this, perhaps it better fits a gift to a catspaw from a noble, but is a damn expensive one for a catspaw you don't trust absolutely, and there have still been no offers to reclaim or end them. Still, this blade bears no mark of authority to fit a noble blade from the Firstrule period, but the shape matches exactly and the runework is wondrously precise if no one bids too high I may... what of it then? It's well within my rights to describe it such... Oh please that would cost you more than I. Making note of the degradation on the hilt's runework is practically my civic duty."

"So I understand then it'll be filed as a relic? Not a weapon of magical provenance?"

"Indeed, and bring me the book.  Magister Calivern's Studies of lost relics of the Firstrule , this may match some treasure within."  
 Lamorak 

The other prisoners give suspicious looks at your promise, but proceed to leave you alone. It seems you'll be judged fiercely if you're breakout isn't immanent, and that's a poor situation to be in when imprisoned. For now though, you can only ruminate.

 Maiabel 

The guard sees heavily heavily wounded, but just hangs on to his focus and remains awake. He says words of necromantic power and lunges back towards you, his hands aglow with the effects of  Vampiric Touch. 
 (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  for  (3d6)[ 15 ] 

Though not blessed with too much quickness the elven guard still managaes to brush Maiabell's hand, the lightest touch drawing strength from her and into the mage.
 Maiabell takes 15 damage.  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Sorry for the delays everyone, IRL got really busy for a while there so I didn't have the energy for this. That said, IRL stuff is a little more under control now. :)
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher squeezes Sharkan's arm, leans in and whispers.

 Two individuals, may recognise the Hollow Blade. Take them down quickly when I open the door. 

Were he not already invisible, Cypher's form would begin to blur. The thrum of energy leaps to his feline companion as he begins to work on the door with his ornate selection of tools.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Assuming that it takes an action, let me know if its linger than that.

Open lock plus Cunning Knowledge (1/5 IP remaining)
 (1d20+23)[ 29 ] 
Move Silently if necessary
 (1d20+14)[ 30 ] 
Forgot to include MW Thieves tools for an extra +2 on open lock.
Bonus action haste on Cypher and Sharkan, lasting for 7 rounds, 1/4 remaining.
If possible he'll open the door and move into the room when the door unlocks, or at the very least allow sharkan past.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan takes note of what was said and prepares himself to move into the room and stun the closest foe with a stunning fist.

 
 Spoiler: possible roles  

 (1d20+10)[ 19 ]  plus benefits of invisible
 (1d10-1)[ 9 ]  unarmed damage
DC 17 Fort save vs Stun for 1 round
 
JbeJ275
 Sharkan and Cypher 

As the door opens it gives a distinct chime, not a true alarm but enough to alert the elves within the room that something is quite drastically amiss before Sharkan can move in. The elves consist of one expert and his assistant, presumably spellcasters of some kind though they seem ill readied for combat and are not holding their spellcasting foci, as well as a guard further behind them who was presumably entrusted with the transport of the weapons.

More concerningly, the examination table they're leaning over as well as three small stands for books, a small stand holding the sword and a meduim stand that looks as if it's used to support chests of armour all whirl with the leading expert revealing them to be animated objects.

The experts and their objects stand twenty five feet away and fifteen feet beyond them is the guard scrambling to bring up a bow from his belt. The animmated objects also start to lurch into more agressive action.

The door will take a move action to close, and if you fight with it left open soundds will no doubt carry to the rest of the facility.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Guard;  (1d20+2)[ 10 ] 
Experts:  (1d20+1)[ 12 ] 
Objects:  (1d20)[ 13 ] 

Roll Your initiative, you can go immedietly if you roll a 13 or greater.
 
Dusk Raven
Undeterred by her newfound injuries, Maiabel continues her attack, trading technique for speed as she launches a flurry of attacks at the guard.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Full Round Action: Full attack.
Attack 1:  (1d20+11)[ 14 ]  Damage:  (1d20+6)[ 12 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  Damage:  (1d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Off-Hand Attack 1:  (1d20+11)[ 31 ]  Damage:  (1d20+6)[ 10 ] 
Off-Hand Attack 2:  (1d20+6)[ 11 ]  Damage:  (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 
If that full attack kills the guard, Maiabel will take a five-foot step inside the building.
 
Dusk Raven
(Messed up all the damage rolls. I'll also use this opportunity to confirm the crit that Off-Hand Attack 1 threatened. Pretty sure that's the only one that actually hit, but I'll re-roll the damage for all the others just in case.)
 
 Spoiler 
Damage 1: [roll]1d6+6][/roll]
Damage 2: [roll]1d6+6][/roll]
Damage Off-Hand 1: [roll]1d6+6][/roll]
Damage Off-Hand 2: [roll]1d6+6][/roll]
Crit Confirmation for Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 

With fresh energy pulled from Maiabel's form the guarding wizard dodges a flurry of initial strikes, whenever Maiabel's first blade dances too close to him green ghostly faces solidify into strange armour and force her blade back. With her other blade she manages a strike, pushing away the fell energies and pluging the blade in not far from the elves heart. Yet he steps backward off the blade, leaving it stained black as the wound seems to dry up and almost mummify rather than bleeding freely.

As he steps back he lifts up his other hand revealing a ring in the shape of a silver skull, from its mouth a fell ray of black sparking energy shoots towards you. Then he slams the door of the hovel you were trying to get into in your face, trying to hold it shut as you move towards it and he starts to cry out for reinforcements.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

To Hit (Touch AC):  (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+3)[ 4 ] 
Concealment:  (1d100)[ 7 ] 
 


She at least has the good fortune to see the ray pitch massively wide by the retreating form, diminishing harmlessly against the dirt of the alley.

 Sharkan and Cypher 

Though the occupants of the room cannot see you, the alarm and the presence of the opening door do seem to alarm them that something is going on and the move to protect themselves quickly. While the younger expert runs the sword over to the guard. There's a box there, lied open with an undone runic lock, something the guard may have used to transport the sword to this place and the expert places the sword within it and begins closing up the locks. The older expert grabs an arcane focus from the table and begins conjuring some divinatory magic, while the contructs in front of him form a barricade, blocking you from moving forward and surging about eratiically to prevent them from being easily destroyed. The guard knocks an arrow and yells.

 "Reveal yourselves tresspassers!" 

He's seemingly scanning the forward row of contructs as well as the space you're in looking to fire the moment he sees you.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan moves to catch up to the expert, as part of his movement he attempts to draw the sword back out of the box before he attacks the expert. He strikes him along his neck to stun him, to prevent him from closing the box, should there be more within.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

 (1d20+10)[ 30 ]  unarmed strike
 (1d10-1)[ 4 ]  damage
DC 17 Fort Save vs Stunning Fist
 


If he fails to roll past the constructs, he casts bloodwind as a swift action to stun the apprentice
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster neatly closes the door behind them  inwardly cursing the elves' adequate alarm measures.

He readjusts to his left, aiming for an opening at the edge of the animated barricade. He times his leap carefully and deliberately, the movement of the constructs ight seek disordered, but they are eminently predictable to a mind such as his.

Now unimpeded, Cypher pushes further into the room and unsheathes his blade. He circles close to the elder expert  ready to strike when the spell is released.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Movement action - shut the door.
Movement - 60ft speed, scoot 10 ft to the side for a tumble check, then move to into the room to threaten the elder caster with his 10ft reach. He'll try to put some cover between himself and yhe archer if possible, declaring Dodge on the archer.
6 rounds of haste left.

Tumble plus Cunning Knowledge (0/5 IP remaining, hopefully they refresh after thus fight).
 (1d20+22)[ 40 ] 

Knowledge devotion. Collector of stories skill trick on Knowledge local.
Knowledge local (the elves)  (1d20+21)[ 36 ] 
Knowledge Arcana (the constructs)  (1d20+16)[ 28 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Deprived of her target in a most frustrating fashion, Maiabel simply rams herself against the door in an attempt to open it. With heroic effort, she slams into the door - hopefully enough to overpower the elf on the other side.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Standard Action? Full Action? It doesn't matter, this is what I'm doing with my turn. Strength check:  (1d20)[ 19 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 

The door to the old hovel, not a well maintained thing at the best of times was reduced to shards of broken timber as Maiabel simply stepped through it, sending a cloud of so much dust up around her. The guard stumbled back a few paces, shocked by the force of her entrance. Panic quickly filling his eyes he fell back on his earliest training, casting a spell most war wizards learned early and sending darts of silver force unerrignly towards Maiabel.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Magic Missile Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 6 ] 
 


As the darts make contact Maiabel takes  6  damage.

Looking beyond the enemy mage Maiabel can see that the hovel has been totally flipped from how it was earlier in the day, with the furniture all cast about and either removed or destroyed. The hole leading to the base beneath is still there, and a smell of burnt flesh oozes out from it.

 Sharkan and Cypher 

The elder of the two experts seems to realise that Cypher has moved, but has been unable to pinpoint his actual location, thus he focuses on retreating desperately, focusing on being ready for any attack and leaving no openings for Cypher to striek at, he runs into the corner of the room and calls out in elvish, demmanding the guard protect him. Meanwhile, the animated objects felt Sharkans attempts to get over him, and so found where he was, his invisibility aids him in trying to dodge the swarm of contructs, but there are many of them, bearing down on his from every angle. The larger contructs try to bear down on him, holding him in place while the others strike blindly at roughly where he is.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Invisiblity Miss chance is gonna be 1=Miss 2=Hit
AoO:  (1d20+7)[ 12 ]   (1d2)[ 2 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 (1d20+1)[ 12 ] 

Grappkes:
 (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  (1d2)[ 1 ]  (1d20+2)[ 18 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 17 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d20+2)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+7)[ 27 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d20+10)[ 14 ] 
(Giving it a bonus for a nat 20)

Attacks:
 (1d20+3)[ 8 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 12 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 22 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 14 ]  (1d2)[ 1 ]  (1d4)[ 1 ] 
 


The guard obeys the calls of the elder expert, running to cover him in the corner and keeping his bow ready to fire at you once he first identifies a target.

The younger expert drops to the floor, coughing and spluttering from Sharkan's succesful strike.

 Sharkan can take one attack of oppurtunity, but then must roll a grapple check against a 18 or be grappled, and further take 3 damage. 
Darius Vibrtrar
As Sharkan is Grabbed at he lashes out to attempt to prevent the fingers from finding a grip upon him.

 (1d20+12)[ 20 ]  AoO
 (1d10-1)[ 5 ]  Damage
Dusk Raven
The damage from the guard's spell is minor, but it adds to a growing set of wounds that Maiabel has suffered. Briefly, the thought crosses her mind that she should probably use some of that healing magic on herself. Once she gets the chance.

For now, she takes a few short steps towards the guard, closing into range before delivering her signature flurry of attacks. This time, she takes a more defensive stance, waiting for just the right moment before delivering each strike.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Free action: Five-foot step towards the foe.
Full action: Full attack, using Combat Expertise for a -2/+2.
Attack 1:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+6)[ 13 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+6)[ 10 ] 
Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+6)[ 10 ] 
Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+6)[ 13 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
Pleased to have shepherded the other elves away from his prize, Cypher sets his sights on his Lord's ignoble weapon.

Gingerly picking on his way across the room, Cyoher steps over the convulsing form of the young scribe and begins undoing his work. The half-closed chest gives up its contents with ease. The profane blade winking out of existence as Cypher lifts it out.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move Silently  (1d20+14)[ 27 ] 
Slight of hand  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Cypher will move over and try to open the chest and pick up the sword unnoticed by the alarmed elves. If he can get the blade in his handy Haversack then he will. Otherwise he'll simple hold on to it.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Now visible from his attack on the apprentice, standing with his hood down, features hidden his shadow he smiles. Sharkan takes a 5 foot step back to remove him from the immediate grabbing range of the automitons.

 
 Spoiler: Infernal 
"Dont mind me, Im just a figment of an overactive imagination."
 


He weaves his hands together before a spectral cat appears on his shoulder. The Cat paws at the air until a fold of invisible fabric is pulled over Sharkan, removing him from sight

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting Improved Invisiblilty
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 

It's a closer thing than she'd like, but Maiabel eventually cuts down the mage opposing her, leaving the elf dead behind her. However, even this futile delaying action had imposed significant costs on Maiabel as reinforcements were closing in on her position. The tunnel she'd followed before seemed largely unchanged, but the elves had clearly flipped the place above and could easily have sent forces down into that web of tunnels, time was short and one clear choice was ahead of her. To retreat? Or to advance?

 Sharkan and Cypher 

Cypher takes up the ignoble weapon, the ancient blade once more returned to you and ready to do its bloody work, coming free easily from it's case. At the same Sharkan moves swiftly, stepping between the objects surrounding him and lashing out to cause damage to the large table but not breaking it, while cloaking himself in yet more powerful illusions.


You are however given cause for concern the when the elder expert casts a spell on himself, and looks back up now seeming able to percieve you directly. He shouts for the guard to fire, but it seems he has not been able to pass this ability on and so both the guard and the animated objects levy uncertian attacks once more, unable to pinpoint your exact location.


 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Invisiblity Miss chance is gonna be 1=Miss 2=Hit

Guard Attacks Cypher:
 (1d20+7)[ 25 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d8+8)[ 9 ] 
 (1d20+7)[ 18 ]  (1d2)[ 1 ]  (1d8+8)[ 11 ] 

Object Attacks of Sharkan:

Large:
 (1d20+7)[ 15 ]  (1d2)[ 1 ]  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 

Meduim:
 (1d20+4)[ 6 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 14 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 

Small:
 (1d20+3)[ 5 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 11 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 16 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 23 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 3 ] 
 


Though Sharkan remains as defensively capable as ever, sheer chance sees one of the book stands jab him hard in the back of the knee, while Cypher is unfortunate enough to have one arrow intersect with the space he's actually standing and punch into his shoulder, the barbs carved into the arrowheads carving into his human flesh.

 Sharkan takes 3 damage, Cypher takes 9 damage. 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel did indeed have a difficult choice to make. Going down into the tunnels could be dangerous, but so would remaining above ground. Besides, Maiabel felt she owed it to the resistance members to help them, seeing as how her group had exposed one of their access tunnels. Her choice was clear. She hurries down into the tunnel - casting a healing spell on herself along the way.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
Movement, plus a standard action to cast Lesser Vigor, which will heal 14 HP over as many rounds.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher had essentially dismissed the guard as beneath his notice in the company of two spell casters. The arrow slamming into his shoulder and tearing through a chunk of his deltoid changed that. Momentarily overcome with rage, he flashes towards the impertinent wretch.

 How DARE you! 

His lunges towards the guard and lashes out at the offending bow with outrage fuelled strength. His form drops partially back into sight, blurred by his greatbspeed. Anger rapidly abating, he takes assesses targets and redeploys to menace the older sage once more.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Finish off stowing Llamoral's blade as part of move action.
Spring attack including a sunder attempt on the bow of the guard from 10ft range. Then moving within 10ft reach of the old caster.

No AoO due to 10ft range and bow not threatening melee.
+5 Power attack cancelling out +5 from knowledge devotion.
 (1d20+15)[ 22 ]  Opposed by melee attack roll from the guard as if using the bow.
 (2d4+19)[ 25 ]  damage if successful.

HP 34. AC 23 (24 vs guard still)
 
Darius Vibrtrar
With a purr from his invisible location, Sharkan casts a swift spell as his fists, if seen are surrounded in a feline aura.

 
 Spoiler: Cast a swift spell 
Casting Bloodwind
 


Sharkan then unleashs a flurry of blows at the elder to his North East, hoping to stun him if even one of his flurry hits. Three felines launch from his location, each glowing with magical energy as they attempt to.... "punch" the Elder.

 
 Spoiler: Attacks 

 (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  at -2 in calculation for target being more than 20 ft away
 (1d10-1)[ 5 ]  Damage
DC17 Fort vs Stun

 (1d20+8)[ 28 ]  at -2 in calculation for target being more than 20 ft away
 (1d10-1)[ 6 ]  Damage
DC17 Fort vs Stun

 (1d20+3)[ 15 ]  at -2 in calculation for target being more than 20 ft away
 (1d10-1)[ 5 ]  Damage
DC17 Fort vs Stun
 


After the flurry he steps, still invisible, 5 ft to the west, to not give away his position
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 

After perhaps a minute of squirming through the tunnels you realise the resistance members clearly had some way to block off this entrance, with the tunnel being partially collapsed in places and requiring even greater strength to force your way through. You pass regardless though at least until you come to what was clearly the body of four Golhunds, no doubt sent down this tunnel to flush the resistance out. They seem to have filled the small chamber in the middle of the tunnel where the floor suddenly lowers and had been ready to reach up to the other side before some they were somehow all set alight. The fire is now gone, but making it through to the meeting place will require crawling over red hot embers embedded in their leathery coats, a dangerous proposition indeed without some way to bypass it. Of course you could just wait here, the deeper part of the tunnel even giving you room to move into a crouch, but you know the elves above were likely close behind you.

 Sharkan and Cypher 

Sharkan's punches fly out with great speed, and while the first impact slams only into the wall behind the elder the other two land, the first one an immensely telling blow to the lungs that likely fractured a rib or two while the second a shot to the side of the head, with less force but more able to daze the elder. Sharkan meanwhile breaks the bow into so many shards of wood, whipping it cleanly apart in the guards hands. The guard drops the shattered remnants and draws two daggers from his belt, but looks notable less comfortable with this weapon.

Sharkan's movement forces the swirl of objects to waste much of their energy striking around him and trying to confirm his location before they can strike, with only half of them following his movement as the over half continue striking at empty air, while the guard throws a dagger at the now visible but blurred form of Cypher.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

1 is a Miss. Anything else a hit.

 (1d20+7)[ 27 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 5 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d6+1)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 11 ]  (1d2)[ 1 ]  (1d4)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 6 ]  (1d2)[ 2 ]  (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+6)[ 25 ]  (1d5)[ 3 ]  (1d4+7)[ 9 ] 
 


Unfortunately, the fickle whims of fate chose this moment to favour the elven security operations. Sharkan found himself smashed into by the great bulk of the examination table, which slammed into his pelvis as it rotated through the space, and that hurriedly thrown dagger from the guard seemed at first like it was sure to miss Cyphers head by inches as Cypher made to dodge, only for the blade to wobble in the air ever so slightly, and cut Cypher close to the carotid artery, a worrying amount of blood spilling forth from the long slice it left.

 Sharkan takes 8 damage, Cypher takes 17 damage. 

The gurd then passed his offhand dagger back into his main hand and sneered at the human ahead of him mocking him in elvish.

  "Not a bad trick, you did there, but I've spent your lifetimes putting uppity humans in the dirt, will you be hunted and cut down, or die on my blade today."  
Darius Vibrtrar
Hissing in pain from the injury, Sharkan Calls out to Cypher three times, hoping to communicate swiftly without alerting their foes.

 
 Spoiler: Infernal 
"Get away from Entrance. Fire incoming."
 

 
 Spoiler: Sylvan 
"Get away from Entrance. Fire incoming."
 

 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"Get away from Entrance. Fire incoming."
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher clamps a hand to his neck, stemming the flow for now. Breathing heavily he glares at the condescending guard.

 That was dumb luck you jumped up buffoon! You'll find me a superior specimen to the downtrodden wretches you normally torment. You've been merely been wasting my lifetimes, but no longer. 

Sliding into range, Cypher extends his egant blade. His fury is barely controlled as he lashes at the smug elf before him.

Briefly torn from sating his damaged pride, Sharkan's calls finally intrude into his consciousness. He replies in scathing infernal.

 Do you know how many arcanists speak draconic? Stick to infernal and try not to set yourself on fire! 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5ft step into range, statong as far away from the doorway as possible.
Full Attack with an extra from Haste, power attack for 5 cancelling the to hit bonus from knowledge devotion.
 (1d20+11)[ 24 ]  for  (2d4+19)[ 21 ]  damage
 (1d20+11)[ 28 ]  for  (2d4+19)[ 24 ]  damage
 (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  for  (2d4+19)[ 26 ]  damage

HP 17. AC 23 (24 vs guard still) 30% miss chance
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Taking 5 foot step back to his position 6 seconds prior, whilst still under the protections of improved invisibility, Sharkan calls out in infernal.

 
 Spoiler: Infernal 
Affirmative
 


Carefully weaving arcane magic in his hands a kitten made of flame appears in his hand. He allows the kitten to leap from his hand to the square he was just in. The kitten looks up to Sharkan,  tilting its head in confusion as if hmthe kitten was unsure. Sharkan nodded as he stayed on the balls of his feet to evade.

With that the kitten of flame explodes .

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft  

Sharkan Defensively casts fireball DC 18 Reflex
Sharkan reflex save:  (1d20+16)[ 30 ]  Improved Evasion. Don't roll a 1 to take no damage.
 (8d6)[ 23 ]  fire damage.
 
JbeJ275
 Sharkan and Cypher 

Sharkan's flames leave him unscathed, but incinerate three of the smaller objects circling him, and burn away at both the table and the chairs, none of them likely to withstand another blast of that power. Sharkan meanwhile mercilessly cuts down the knife weilding guard who had stood against him, the final strike puncturing directly through the elf's torso and emerging out of his back.

The elves left in the room, now devoid of anyone with combat training now lose heart. The elder chants a few words of ancient high elven, and disappears from the room, directing the objects to turn from Sharkan to Cypher as he does. The younger elf, is left to try and run for it, trying to sprint through the door and into the corrridor beyond, making to slam the door after he passes.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Miss on 1 2 or 3 I guess.

All but the small object charge, that one was directed to flank and so couldn't move straight. Cypher might get an AoO here

 (1d20+3)[ 7 ]  (1d10)[ 7 ]  (1d4)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+6)[ 14 ]  (1d10)[ 1 ]  (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
 (1d20+6)[ 24 ]  (1d10)[ 9 ]  (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 
 (1d20+9)[ 11 ]  (1d10)[ 5 ]  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] 
 

And while Cypher manages to fend most of them off, one of the objects leaves the ground over the course of the charge, and his wounded Deltoid leaves Cypher a second too slow to shift out of the way, a wooden limb cracking him across the side of the head.   Cypher takes 7 damage.

Sharkan gets an AoO on either one animated object or the younger elf 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan sees the elf running past, leaving himself vulnerable to attack. With a quick spin he lashes out to strike the base of his skull for a stunning strike.

 
 Spoiler: Dice rolls 

 (1d20+10)[ 15 ] 
 (1d10-1)[ 1 ] 
DC17 Fort save vs stun if hits
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Rocked by the lunging furniture,  Cypher makes a tactical readjustment. Panting,the he yells once more in infernal.

 The old sot went invisible! I can light him up if I can spot the cretin! 

Unable to spare any more thought to anything beyond survival, Cypher focuses on dismantling the  furniture with minimal risk. With carefully heavy strikes, Cypher singles out the largest construct to deconstruct.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5 ft step to get out of reach of as many of them as possible.
Full Attack, -3 power attack, -2 combat expertise, +3 knowledge devotion. Attacking the largest co struct first then downsizing progressively if any of them fall.
 (1d20+10)[ 12 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 25 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 17 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 15 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Well, turning back is a losing proposition, as the elves are doubtless not far behind Maiabel. Crawling forward is the only option - and she'd gladly climb through embers for her lord. After taking a moment to cast another healing spell on herself, she starts to move forward through the flames.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting another Lesser Vigor on myself before moving forward.
 
JbeJ275
 Cypher and Sharkan 

Sharkan's rapid blow to the side of the head dazes the running elf, leaving him stunned and dizzy leaning against the wall of the room, trying to regather his focus and continue his escape.

Cyphers swift blows disable the largest of the remaining constructs, but the relitively clumsy nature of his first strike ensures he doesn't have time to turn to any of the others, and though they both listen neither of them can hear the elder of the elves above the sound of groaning wooden constructs and great strikes with their fists and weapons.

 Maiabel 

Though the tunnel is filled with fire and smoke, and there's no choice but to lay her limbs directly into the flames and crawl arm over arm through it, Maiabel still does so, pushing through, relying on her devotion and her remaining healing magic to make it through the other side.

 Maiabel takes 16 points of damage. 

Nonethless, she pushes through returning to the chamber beyond. The place is clearly in the middle of a huried investigation with men and women in the room rapidly emerging from entryways on one side of the room and hurrying them to the other. In the middle of the chaos, and providing it the most obvious sort of order are the lady with the amulet and the two guards, initially focused on the other humans here until the lady catches sight of you and hurries towards the tunnel you're soon to emerge from.
Dusk Raven
Maiabel is not in good condition by the time she emerges on the other side of the tunnel. Despite this, she does her best to stand up straight, letting the healing magic she cast on herself do its work.

  "There have been complications,"   she says to the amulet-bearing woman.   "And I don't just mean the discovery of these tunnels."   Behind her mask, she bites her lip, uncertain how much to reveal, but decides full disclosure is the best policy.   "Lord Lamorak has been captured. My other companions are working on freeing him, but in the meantime, I think the best way I can help is to be down here. Especially since it's probably our fault these tunnels were discovered."  
Darius Vibrtrar
After taking his attack of opportunity and seeing its effectiveness. Sharkan unleashed a flurry of attacks on the Stunned Elf.

 
 Spoiler: Dice Rolls 

 (1d20+10)[ 16 ] 
 (1d10-1)[ 6 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 
 (1d10-1)[ 9 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
 (1d10-1)[ 8 ] 
 


Sharkan then takes a 5 foot step towards the doorway in order to prevent further running in and out of the room.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher's breathing remains ragged as he slowly thins out the numbers of constructs arrayed against him. He lashes out at one as they futility close with him, before stepping outside of their reach once more. Another barrage of well-placed blows rains down on the wayward furniture

Still distracted, Cypher scans the room for the elder Elf, preparing to call out to Sharkan in infernal should he narrow down his location.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
AoO on a random one of the medium constructs as they move within his reach to attack Cypher. Maintaining the same power attack/combat expertise for AoO and the normal turn.
 (1d20+10)[ 12 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 18 ]  damage.

5ft step away from them both.
Full Attack
 (1d20+10)[ 19 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 18 ]  damage
 (1d20+10)[ 11 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 16 ]  damage
 (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  for  (2d4+13)[ 19 ]  damage

Swift action Listen to try and track he older elf.
 (1d20+7)[ 11 ] 

Free action yell to Sharkan (Ha! Not happening after that display of rolling!)

Haste fades at the start of Cypher's next round.
AC still 25 (26 versus least damaged constructs. Still 30% miss chance.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan smiles beneath his hood, knowing that close enough works in games of fireball he summons a small kitten of flame and directs it in the direction he hears the invisible elf in. The kitten scrambles and flops and fumbles across the floor until it explodes in a 20ft radius in the Northern part of the room, far enough from Cypher and Himself.

 
 Spoiler: Dice Rolls 

 (8d6)[ 25 ] 
REFLEX SAVE DC 18 FOR HALF
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 
 "Damnation."  Says the woman as she helps you get up.  "They had known of the tunnels already, but not this household's involvement, and if they know of us aiding you they'll no doubt crack down all the harder. Come with us for now, you're right that there's some good you can do here, as we need to move up the timetable for relocating, and while the household's children have made their way down here we're still waiting on the husband. For now help us empty this place, we must collapse this chaber with bodies of our dead and hope they believe this sector is cut. Do you know how we might contact your allies or your lord?" 

As she's saying this she restarts efforts to ensure the evacuation continues apace, directing you to help take some of the storage crates as she questions you.

 Sharkan and Cypher 

While Cypher's steady bleeding has at this point sapped him of much of his strength, leaving him unable to land a direct strike on more than a single construct he at least sees it shatter beneath his blows.

Sharkan's spell on the other hand washes the northern half of the room in fire for a moment, but it doesn't last long. When the fire recedes a voice speaks up from within.

 "Fine you mangy cat, you've more magic than I expected but this ought to end now. Step away from the door and stop your casting or I'll wipe away your friend there. If you let me go and start running now you might just make it away before any others arrive." 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan Purrs as the offer is made.

"An offerrrrrr?"

Sharkan glances between Cypher and the Northern portion of the room.

"Tell me. Elf. You are an elder. Quite old. How many decades do you have left? If you kill him, your days end here,  and I will consume your flesh with alot of seasoning,  as older flesh gets bland but. Counter offer."

Sharkan holds up his paw.

"Surrender. You will be detained, and left behind to be found by others. I will even treat you as an honored foe to be respected, but you will need to dismiss your animated defenders. We have more than enough magic to accomplish our mission and successfully escape, your survival depends on you now."
Dusk Raven
Maiabel isn't the strongest of individuals, but she does her part to move storage crates as directed.   "Not really, we didn't exactly have the chance to coordinate before my allies went on their rescue mission. They're resourceful though, they might just find a way to contact  us.  The only other alternative I can think of observing the prison complex and waiting for the inevitable breakout, but I know that's not much of a solution.  
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Now wary, Cypher backs away from the last construct slightly. Using this movement as a distraction, he fishes a small vial from his Haversack. Cradled close to he aide, he prepares to launch it towards where the voice was coming from if the older Elf didnt back down. He keeps quiet, begrudgingly knowing the weretiger to be the more skilled negotiator.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5ft step back plus remove a vial of Torchbug Paste (alchemical faerie fire) from the Haversack.
Sleight of hand  (1d20+9)[ 25 ] 

Readied action to throw the splash weapon at the grid intersection at the centre if that 10 x 10' space if the Elf doesn't back down in response to Sharkan.
Attack roll vs AC 5, -6 for range increments I think.
 (1d20+3)[ 7 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 
 "Well, where did you see them last? And do you know which your lord was sequestered to? I hate to say it but I doubt you alone will be enough to do what we need to do here."  Says the amuleted woman as she hurries alongside you, also bearing a crate and directing you through a series of narrow and winding tunnels at the rear of a great column.

Passing out you see many humans working to ready this part of tunnel for collapse, all of them with stained faces and tired haunted looks. Many regard you caustiously noting your well built armour and weapons but all shift to the side to let you pass.

 Sharkan and Cypher 
 ".... Very well"  Speaks the elder elf, tossing a short metal rod at Sharkan. At the same time, the animated object withdraws to the north side of the room.  "Take what you will and place that in the seal to lock the door behind you, I will not be released for another hour or so when  they come to regather the artefacts, the remainder of your lords magical supplies are within that desk, apart from his plate armour which you'll find sealed in an empty room at the end of this corridor. And take the bodies with you if you don't much mind, you can put them in the room up the corridor. I'd hate to sit in the smell." 

The elder elf clearly remains distrustful, and is probably still ready to cast. But doesn't seem to have anything to gain going against this bargin and a great deal indeed that he might lose.
Darius Vibrtrar
"Excellent choice."

 
 Spoiler: infernal 
"Cypher, ill watch our guest if you wish to gather our lorrrrrds belongings."
 


Sharkan holds the rod ready to use it.

"Oh, I apologize, the bodies will have to remain inside for the duration. I'll move them to the corner for your comfort, but I will not put up a display to show something is a miss."

Sharkan waves a hand as a group of unseen cats begin to pull the bodies to the southwestern corner.

 
 Spoiler: spell 
Cast unseen servant
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

With a sigh of relief, Cypher nods and stows his vial and blade. He runs through a few quick calculations and appears to fiddle around with odds and ends to make an impromptu symbol of Emeris. With a gasp he stands rigid for a second, then many of his wounds are gone.

He gives an over exaggerated bow to Sharkan and sets about reclaiming the Lord Protector's belongings and stowing them in his Haversack. Paranoia stops him before he touches the desk.

 Will I find any unpleasant surprises in here or the room down the hall. Locks or wards to pass? Also, putrefaction won't occur for at least 24 hours. The scent of blood I'm sure you can prestidigitate away yourself, after which we'll need your component pouch. 

To Sharkan he says in infernal.

 Are you staying here or helping me collect the armour and lance? I dont trust the elf but extra hands would be helpful and I cant risk using another haste unless absolutely necessary. 

He takes anything else immediately of value and stows them before approaching the door to the corridor. A casting of heroics sees him ready for action. Just before exiting he listens to check if the corridor is empty.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Use last IP for Opportunistic Piety to heal 22HP.
Heroics gives him Martial Study for 70 mins. He chooses Mountain Hammer as his manoeuvre.
Search  (1d20+11)[ 27 ]  (Search is to make sure he doesn't miss any of the Lord Protector's things)
Listen  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods to Cypher.

"Honored prisoner, you will be tied up for the time being."

With a bit of rope, sharkan has his unseen servant waiting for the elf to appear.

"Pleasr reveal yourself, no harm is to befall you as you are cooperating, If they are too tight, let us know. Comfort is important."

Once secure, Sharkan joins Cypher to regain the lords property, and loot what ever taken goods the elves are hording.
Dusk Raven
  "Hmm... I believe I saw them heading for some sort of prison redoubt. Beyond that, I can't say for sure."   Maiabel wishes she could be more specific, but hopefully this tidbit is enough.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher briefly pauses in his work.

 At the risk of sounding cliche, it would be best to do as my colleague suggests. I am markedly less cordial and at this stage your continued invisibility is a mark of my professional courtesy to him rather than any actual protection for you. 
JbeJ275
 Sharkan and Cypher 

After a long and tense moment the invisbile voice replies.

 "The cages down the hall will be locked, I don't have the key for that myself but they should be on te body of the guard who brought the current equipment here, and they're not trapped while they're in the building. As for revealing myself, I can't help but note that such a thing doesn't make it any easier for you to leave the room with me inside it and lock me in behind you, but does make it rather easy for you to break your side of this bargin and slit my throat, the same could likely be said for prematurely divesting myself of the ability to take any retribution against you breaking your side of the deal before you leave."  

Cypher retrieves much of Lamorak's equipment, and hears no-one in the corridor beyond. He also remember the sound the door makes upon its opening but finds it trivial to disable such a mechanism.

 Maiabel 
 "That will have to do then, I'll tell the council to set their men to observe the entrances and exits of such places, hopefully they should be able to remake contact." 

With that, she continues in silence. Which mostly lasts until they follow the tunnel through various twists and turns eventually coming to a larger underground chamber, deeper below the earth and with grey moss growing over earthy walls, and glowing with a pallid yellow light.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan slowly nods.

"Good counter offer."

Sharkan looks to cypher,

 "If you'd rather stay and ensure he doesn't misbehave, I won't fault you and I'll go looting,  but of youd rather I stay, I am content to stay here and guard against further.... intrusions."
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster would dearly like to throttle this Elf with his bare hands, but the mission must come first. He frisks the guard and takes the key from the body.

Just before he gets to the door, he hands a vial of Torchbug Paste to Sharkan and mutters in Infernal.

 No, I'll do it in case the key is a bluff. If he gives you trouble throw this next to him. I will open the door when after giving this knock... 

After demonstrating a short rhythm, he slips out of the door and heads towards the specified location of the armour. Hopefully able to close the door to prying eyes as he fills up the haversack with armour. The lance is unlikely to fit and is carried as best it can be back to the first room, where Cypher executes his signal before entering.

OOC: Let me know what rolls are required. He'll keep the noise on the door deactivated whilst he's out.
Waistcoatwill
Returning successfully, Cypher readies himself once more. He speaks to Sharkan in infernal once again.

 Now, help me with this trooper disguise. I will put an illusion of the Captain we slew over the top of it so that we can enter the Pit once more, but it will only last ten minutes and we will still need to escape after that. 

Before leaving, he pulls out a scroll and adds further layers to his disguise. Then he hurries out of the door, locking it behind him. He uses his prodigious memory to navigate navigate to he Pit with great speed.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
He's going to try to aid Sharkan in disguising them both mundane as troopers with covered faces, then use his disguise self scroll to make himself look like a captain on top of that. (The big assumption is that grunts can leave a military complex but can't just wander around where they please). The spell should last 10 mins.

Aid other  (1d20+0)[ 12 ] 
Disguise with disguise self cast  (1d20+10)[ 22 ] 
Knowledge Geography/Architecture to help navigate back through the building before his captain disguise fails.
[roll]1d20+12[/roll
 
]
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan assists with disguising

 (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 

Sharkan adjusts his disguise to one of the guards from this room but keeps his hood up. He changes out clothes and insignia as needed following.

He looks toward the elder.

"I will remember your agreeable temperament. Live long, and never forget."

He makes sure to lock the elf in the room with the key and keeps it in hand for if they need it for the pits to be opened.
JbeJ275
 Sharkan and Cypher 

With your disguises now in place, you move swiftly in the direction of the pits where Lord Lamorak was entombed earlier this same day. The disguises allow you access through many of the corridors mostly unchalleneged as you emerge back into more active parts of this complex. There still seems to be some apprehension and concern beyond the normal, but that in turn has led to most high ranking personel being confined to rooms for discussion rather than in the corridor where they might stop or redirect you.

After six minutes of walking, you find your way to the entrance of the pit part of the facility, but a door that was opened ahead of your procession the first time is now closed, and when you move to approach it the elven woman set with guarding it turns to regard you as you try and move through the next doorway.

 "Hello Sir. I'll just need to see your paperwork before you can go about your buissness within the containment and information extraction blocks today." 

The doorway she's sitting close to is turning off from a relitively open hall, with a number of other guards also moving through or manning their own stations inside.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The 'Captain' swaggers forwards wearing a bored expression. He is clearly disdainful of this process but graciously complying. Standing perhaps overly close, he casually pulls out the identification documents belonging to the slain captain. With a flick of his wrist he flaps it open and hands it to the guard. His bored gaze wanders as he waits for her to approve the document.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
He presents the ID for the dead captain he used disguise self to emulate.

All the while, he is frantically looking around to see if there are any documents lying around or on the guard's person. In particular he is looking for insignia, handwriting etc in case he'll have to quickly forge a document ordering him to undertake duties in  the information extraction block.

Spot plus Cunning Knowledge (4/5 IP remaining)
 (1d20+15)[ 34 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkans weight shifts to one hip in annoyance. His fingers twirl the ill-gotten keys as he waits without speaking.
JbeJ275
 "Ah, Captin Marikoth, I assume this is related to the prisoner captured earlier, I'll have this on file then." 

The guard then makes a few notes on a small formbook she produces, before passing the ID back to you. She requests a reason for your visit and a set of papers for Sharkan before allowing you to pass by.

 
 Spoiler: Spot 

The guard has little paperwork visibly on her person besies the afermentioned logbook and an ID similiar to the one the non captain guards bore, identifying her as a "Exterior Warden of the Places of Confinement" and her name as Private Folwin.

The other stations in the hall behind you do host several desks though, some of which have relevant paperwork and missives from elves with names you don't recognise but that beaar more senior ranks, such as Major Venali and Colonel Haemir. You do spot one form filled out but not yet fully filed concerned with the presence of Lamorak's equipments and another that can be filled out to expedite the process of bringing him for mental interrogation. There's also paperwork requesting permission to transfer between parts of the operation here or requesting the chance to access certain areas but no forms ordering low officers to perform specific duties signed by someone senior.
 


Once beyond the doors you see the corridor leading straight forward to the area where Lamorak was first sealed in the pit, which is absent any guards as well as a staircase leading down to a set of ornate double doors, with glass windows set within those doors. through there you can see a number of what look like clerks sitting at control panels, or up several floors to a door only very slightly ajar from which you can hear elves discussing some trivial matter and retelling stories of their time on the circuit.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan flashes the paperwork from his own guard to the woman before continuing with Cypher. He keeps looking around, keeping an eye out for their lord, Mabel, or even trouble coming.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Spot
 (1d20+3)[ 8 ] 

Sense Motive
 (1d20+3)[ 10 ] 

Search
 (1d20+2)[ 22 ] 

Use Paladins Detect Good
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel takes in the large chamber, eyebrows rising behind her mask.   "Quite a place you have. How long has this network been in service, so to speak?"  
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster adjusts his position so that Sharkan is between him and the glass doors. He fishes out some of his elegant "calligraphy" kit and specially prepared paper before leaning on the adjacent wall and crafting a short order. His deft hands attempt to ape the style of the paperwork he had just seen.

 Stay where you are and don't look at the clerks through the  glass door. I expect they'll come to question us eventually but I only need a couple if moments for this ruse.

 I hereby reassign Captain Marikoth to interview the human prisoner prior to formal mental interrogation so as to expedite assessment and processing of the barbarian's infernal blade.

Signed Colonel Haemir 
 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Using an IP for Cunning Knowledge on forgery, plus MW Forgers kit and Forgers paper.
 (1d20+19)[ 25 ] 
The order above is just the gist, opting the style of the orders he has seen.
 
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 
 "We don't know exactly when it got started, we try not to write things down, we try to prevent anyone in the network knowing all the details, always make at least three backup plans and never tell the members of one unit more than two. It stops the elves making a decisive strike. Still, we've been operating under the city for at least a hundred and thirty years, smuggling people out of the city or hiding peopel underground when they're too valuble. There are old empty lead lined vaults in the very deepest levels here, there's safety of a sort there, albiet not a very comfortable one." 
 Sharkan and Cypher 

Sharkan's eyes pour over the room, but the corridors are sparse, all white stone and tile with little information or loose items to be found. He can see no sign of Maiabel or that Lamorak is anywhere other than in the pit. Trouble at this moment seems absent.

When you enter the room with the clerks, to see a long corridor to the left which turns to the left at the end, without any doors branching off of it. To the right there's a shorter corridor that has a number of doors, all but one on the left side of its corridor.

Cypher's dramatic slam of forged paperwork is met initially with just an unimpressed look at his dramatics. He turns to one of the other clerks, and says.

 "Hunedor, go ensure this is filed. I don't want any of the iregularities here getting any of  us  in trouble." 

He passes the paperwork over to the other clerk who spends, two minutes taking down the details before walking out of the room to the left, then he turns to his desk and activates a sequence of runic controls.

 "Very well, please enter reading chamber four, we'll send a technician in there in just on minute while we wait for the prisoner to be lifted. 
 Lamorak 

A droll toneless voice begins emerging from above, speaking first a message in Elvish then repeating it in common and a series of other langagues, before starting again with elvish and common.

 "The Most Newly Admitted Prisoner Will Return To The Entrance Pad Promptly" 

At the same time, the chains from above begin to rememerge, carrying a platform once more. only spare trailing links of chain and their occasioanlly irrgular and jerky movements betrays their nature as being partially golems.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher merely shrugs in a world-weary fashion at this exchange. His eyes track round the monitors he can see whilst proceeding to the indicated room. Once inside he whispers to Sharkan in infernal.

 My disguise as the captain is about to drop. I suggest we stay silent until the Lord Protector is brought to us. If the technician cannot be dismissed then please stun them. Avoiding open conflict is our best chance of a clean escape. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Cypher tries to understand the system being used around him/how to operate it as much as possible as he goes past. Please use whichever roll is appropriate.
Spot  (1d20+7)[ 24 ] 
Knowledge Arcana  (1d20+14)[ 32 ] 
Spellcraft  (1d20+16)[ 22 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
The Lord Protector's eyes snap open.

 Unexpected.  A change in the schedule.  Has some elven party taken interest in me as a purchasable commodity?  How fine it will be to denude them of that presumption... 

He rises, looks once at his shackled wrists.. and decides that he has no reason to contradict the directive offered.  Back toward the entry pad, then; to see who, in this city of doomed elves, makes such moves.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan speaks under his breath when no one is close as they head to the room.

"Then put up your hood so they won't see your face."
Waistcoatwill
Cypher adjusts his face covering to ensure his features are covered as his glamour fades.
JbeJ275
As Lamorak steps back onto the pad, a chain descends attaching his shackles to the roof, then the platform begins to rise again depositing him in the chamber he saw on the way down, a circular room of white stone with several circular small windows blocked by a grey material. The chain slackens slightly, but still not enough to let you approach the windows.

On the other side of one of these windows, Sharkan and Cypher lie in wait. The room is a simple affair, long and narrow and following the curve of a circle, with a series of desks lining one wall, with three circular windows facing on your left, though they're all currently blocked by sheets of lead. On the desks there's a panel with a series of arcane glyphs on it, and you can here the quiet sound of chains moving beyond the circular windows.

Based on Cypher's knowledge of spellcraft, he's identified the sequence to lift the elevator from the pits to this viewing room, and to unlock the seal between them. He can further extrapolate the location of the sequence to raise the elevator to the entry room a floor above you, as well as a prominent button to send an alarm to the rest of the base, or to lock down the whole system, there are several other sequences on the panel he hasn't yet had the chance to figure out though.

After a minute, an bored looking elven technician proceeds into the room, approaching the control panel with hardly a look towards you, entering a command that causes the lead barrier to begin to lower before he turns back to you and gestures for you to take a set in front of the viewing portal.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher leans over to Sharkan and mutters in barely audible elvish as he takes up a seat.

 I cant believe we have to bail them out like this. The brute can't speak a word of elvish, barely speaks common, but seems fluent in infernal. Let's make this as quick as possible. 

As the lead barrier lowers he feels a thrill of excitement, they are so much closer to releasing the Lord Protector. He still attempts to continue the ruse as he starts speaking in infernal.

 Human, your blade has been found to show signs of demonic possession... 

He pauses briefly, trying to gauge if the technician has any grasp of infernal before ploughing on.

 Greetings Lord Protector, we hope you are well. Apologies for the delay. We have secured your panoply and have some disguises to aid egress from this bastion. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sense motive to see if the Elf seems to understand anything before Cypher starts incriminating them in infernal.
 (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak follows the obvious indications of the room and it's occupants, tilting his head in amused recognition of these two stalward members of his retinue.  He feigns disgust as his confidants speak to him, and replies in infernal - the language of his expression and demeanor hostile and curt, easilly simulated in that language, while the content of his words is more plain.

 "It is good to see you both persist.  What of Maiabel?  And what of the slave woman, and her husband?  He remains a promising hope for out purposes.  I have secured a second alchemist - a young man in here, whom I have taken into a vow to extract.  We will take him when we leave." 

He glances around, as if impatiently looking for an alternative to talking to these  elves , then back at them.

 "The inmates here told me the elves incarcerate for twenty four hours to permit the handlers of spies to pay a premium to have their captured agents killed; or for hostages to be recovered.  We have that long until they attempt to use their mind-reaving magics on me.  They will not get the chance.  But if you have been taxed, and need a chance to prepare your magics before we leave or time to discover the location of the slave woman's husband, then you are welcome to find a save place and rest.  We might as well leave in 10 hours, in the dead of night, rather than in the bright of day.  We are likely to need your spells to hide our egress, just as our entrance.  The only thing that gives me pause here is the chain golems, build into the ceiling of this prison - they are not without the power to interrupt a clumsy escape attempt.  They may have some manner of control item, however." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The questions about Maiabel's whereabouts and the statuses of the rebels gall cypher. What kind of a spymaster is he when he has no information? It is all too easy to let that embarrassment fuel an angry tone in his voice.

 We have not made contact with your squire my Lord. Security and beurocracy here are tight, limiting our movements.

We discovered that there was a limited window of opportunity to retrieve your blade and armour. We likely have just under an hour before that recovery is discovered. Security is likely to be much tighter should we delay.
 

He pauses, wishing to be somewhat delicate about the next topic.

 A second alchemist would aid us greatly. Extraction of another is possible but may impact our chances of success, but we will do as you command. We have uniforms for four of us. I can likely operate the platform from here to retrieve them.

We can bring you both to the level above or try to leave through the control centre on this level. Once the manacles are removed I hope the golems will be limited in their ability to target you or the alchemist. That console may provide me further opportunities, should I have time to study it. 
MrAbdiel
 "Your  hope  will be more valuable when it is transmuted into results, Spymaster.  But I trust you, and the profoundly skilled Majordomo Sharkan, to perform that miracle.  These elves are hardly the superior empire they pretend to be; they are vermin, nourished off the hulk of the dragon in whose carcass they nest.  When we come here in force, Cypher, all of the secrets they have failed to grasp about these ancient places,  you  will extract with success." 

 A sideways glance; a moment's consideration.

 "Too dangerous to linger and fiddle with the console.  You must find Maiabel, and combine your discoveries with hers.  Replenish yourselves.  Tomorrow, at the sixth bell, I need you all here, ready to extract myself, and the alchemist, along with any additional, useful allies or prizes you have found.  The ship waits off shore, and we can take many escaped slaves away with us, if they can get to the beach.  But just our retinue and a few others can get to the ship on Typho's wings; he has the power, if you have the concealing magics.  With  hope  we will not need to contend with the chains; but be prepared to contend with them, all the same." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher stifles a flinch at the order to return later, instead clenches his fist and pumps it in a gestures that could as easily be success or frustration. He replies in a haughty tone.

 It shall be as you command, come Sharkan. 

He switches back to elvish, calling over his shoulder.

 Send it back to the Pit, we have been successful. 

Standing once more, he moves towards the door, intending to make haste out of the tower.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods as if to himself during the conversation, he takes assessment of what they will have to do.

"6 bells then it is"

He mutters in infernal as he rises and follows Cypher.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher's route to the door takes him as close to the console as possible before he pauses and continues to gloat at "the prisoner" in Infernal.

 Apologies, Lord Protector, we are about to be discovered. Sharkan, please neutralise the technician whilst I open that aperture. 

As Cypher reaches the door he slides the bolt closed rather than opening the door. This done he dashes to the console to open the viewing window.

Edit, changed post to reflect the bolt on the door and removed the unnecessary roll, now there's a funny warning about post counts, oops!
Darius Vibrtrar
With a quick lunge forward Sharkans fists fly out from beneath his robes, striking at the attendent to hopefully stun him long enough to be taken down.

 (1d20+10)[ 30 ]  To attack
 (1d10-1)[ 3 ]  Damage
DC 17 Fort save vs Stun for 1 round.

"Anything else I should know?" Sharkan mutters in Infernal
JbeJ275
The elf is sent to the floor, knocked out by a single blow from Sharkan, the technician seemingly completely unfamiliar with martial affairs. Inside the room Sharkan's adjustments ensures the lead shielding was removed from the aperture, but it remained too small for a humanoid of your size to simply try and squeeze through.

Outside, the volume has risen, the sound of a body falling to the floor seemingly raising their nerve. From just outside a voice comes loud and demanding, accompanied by the footsteps of quite a few humanoid beings.

 "Captain Marikoth, you're under investigation under section 8 of the directive against the spread of improper information. Please leave the room with any of your subordinates and we'll endevour to conclude this quickly." 

From what you can deduce about their motive, their unlikely to let this sit without an agreement to surrender for more than a single digit number of seconds.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher nods respectfully in response to Sharkan's efficiency. With a note of apology he then signals for his Lord to push his manacled hands through the aperture. He calls out to the ingrates on the other side of the door in elvish, hoping to buy them a little time. He gives a mewling  weep as he quietly crosses the room.

 Ugh, I was too ambitious. Even worse, the brute smacked me through the aperture. Please, let me straighten myself out and I shall come out presently.

Trooper, how much bruising is there, tell me! 

The last frantic whisper should hopefully carry through the door whilst Cypher deftly sets his tools against the manacles cruelly binding his Lord.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Used Cunning Knowledge on these previously so we'll just have to trust the dice!

Bluff  (1d20-1)[ 8 ] 
Open Lock  (1d20+15)[ 21 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan sighes in frustration at their situation. with a flick of his wrist a spectral cat appears on his shoulder, its paw upheld to bat away any incoming attacks

 
 Spoiler: Spellcasting 
Casts Sheild on self
 


Sharkan moves to the exit door, waiting for what may come.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak growls.  It's ambiguous which direction this quiet wrath is directed; perhaps at his operatives, for getting caught; perhaps at the elves, for catching them.    He slides his wrists through to Cypher for the unlocking, but takes the opened shackles back in hand.  These, he imagines, might be useful soon.

 "This... will be testing, of us all." 
JbeJ275
 "Nice try, but you seem valuable. I'll tell you what, you have until this door breaks to throw down your weapons and surrender and we'll make use of you rather than killing you outright. If you've still got weapons when it goes down, we'll send you back to the pit, once we've beaten you black and blue, and there won't be a platform this time." 

Comes a challenge in Elvish from beyond the door, at the same time a heavy form seems to be approaching the door, though the footsteps aren't accompanied by any breathing.

Sharkan and Cypher find time to take further action, while Lamorak is still too occupied removing the links in his shackles.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan attempts to calm down and exhales as he begins weaving his hands in arcane movements.

A large incorporeal cats paw appears before him and the door.

 
 Spoiler: Spell casting 
Sharkan Casts Bigbys Striking Fist
 


The Cats paw violently strikes out against the door.

 
 Spoiler: Dice Rolls 
 (1d20+15)[ 23 ]  To attack the Door
 (4d6)[ 14 ]  nonlethal damage
 (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  Bull rush attempt
 


"I dont like closed doors. Open the door now please."
Sharkan speaks in a more calm, yet slightly irritated voice.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher draws his blade and focuses on the stonework around the aperture.

 Apologies Lord Protector, please shield your face a moment. 

Adopting a stance he'd only read about in an ancient dwarves tome, the spymaster strikes at the stonework, segmented blade biting into the masonry with unexpected ease.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift action - wraithstrike (assuming a touch attacks would help with hitting an object, if not he'll cast haste instead.
Action - Mountain Hammer Strike on the stonework around the aperture to make an opening we could all fit through.
Full -6 for power attack  (1d20+5)[ 22 ] 
If it hits he'll expend 1 IP for +6 to damage for [roll]2d4+2d6+22[/roll] ignoring hardness.
He'll then draw Lamorak's blade from the Haversack  so that the Lord Protector can meet the foe with steel in hand.
 
JbeJ275
The door is blasted off its hinges by Sharkan's spell, flying back a foot an a half before being caught by a humanoid shape formed of ectoplasm, not unsimiliar to that form you fought in the alleyway earlier, it's next to another of basically the same size and behind them lumbers a much larger version of the same creature, too large to fit inside the door and so content to focus on penning you in while enemy reinforcements were presumably on their way.

While they made ready to enter Cypher took his oppurtunity to cut a wider gap into the stone wall around the gap Laorak would have to try and exist from, after a few seconds of supernaturally guided bladework the gap is widened, still not enough for Lamorak to e able to step through easily but just enough that he might potentially be able to squeeze through.

Those seconds will seemingly be their ast ones going unharassed though, as the constructs push through the door and begin slamming at Sharkan, trying to pin down the mage or push him over.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

One Construct is gonna atack Sharkan, the other is gonna stand in the doorway and take full defense to try and stop people moving past it.

 (1d20+6)[ 21 ]  for  (1d6+4)[ 10 ] 

But I think it only hits on a crit at this point. Lamorak's go, then the elven mage. It's gonna be an escape artist check to squeeze through the gap rn unless you have some other shennanagins.
 
MrAbdiel
Lacking shenanigans, and lacking time to wait for a better egress, Lamorak seizes the sides of the gap, warding himself from the worst of their gouging with care, and attempts to pull himself through the space to the other side; relying on Cypher and Sharkan to handle the enemies as he does so!

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
I guess that's a whole round spend trying Escape Artistry!  Not likely, but hey, a D20 is a D20!

  Escape Artist  - (1d20)[ 9 ] 

Edit: Ehehe.. Not this turn.
 
JbeJ275
While Lamorak makes it to the hole in the wall, he's unable to make any immediate progress, but that also means he wasn't far enough in to be stuck when the elven mage standing behind the golems takes aim with a finger, and summons a glowing red ember that shoots forth into a blast of fire. It fills the room, catching all three of you inside the blast, but also

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

DC 15 Reflex Save against  (6d6)[ 22 ]  fire damage

Golem:  (1d20+2)[ 7 ] 

To construct is battered but standing
 


After the blast it's Sharkan and Cypher's turn to try and strike back.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, seeing the skill of the golems, moves 10 feet east, then 5 foot south, granting the golem an AoO. He then casts his own fire spell, a red kitten running from his hands, sending it west to pounce against the wall opposing the door the mage was standing in, exploding in a 20ft burst hitting all three of thier foes.

 
 Spoiler: Spell 


DC 18 Reflex save for half

 (8d6)[ 21 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher attempts to drop Lamorak's blade near the entrance to the hole so that he can focus on literally more 0pessing matter of the golems at the door. He lengthens his snake-like blade once more and steps in close to the battered one, a haze of barely restrained energy extending out from him to his comrades.

Inspecting the ectoplasm forms, Cypher lashes our at the battered golem first, attempting to carve through it then the one behind. A clear path would make dealing with that damned mage rather less complicated!

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift action haste.
5 ft step to be within 5ft of the golem in the door and still reaching the golem behind it.
Full Attack with haste. Full power attack for -6 to hit countering to hit bonuses from knowledge devotion and haste.
 (1d20+11)[ 26 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 23 ]  damage
 (1d20+11)[ 13 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 25 ]  damage
 (1d20+6)[ 18 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 24 ]  damage

2 IP remaining.

AC is 19 (dodge vs mage for 20). 30% miss chance.
 
JbeJ275
Sharkan and Cypher both go to work, their combined attacks smashing through the first two golems, and Cypher's blade biting into the third larger one, but that one at least endured and stepped towards the door, a massive limb of astral substance reaching through the doorframe and lashing out, Cypher being the one with the misfortune of remaining within it's reach. The timbers of the door began to groan as the mindless construct reached for its prey beyond.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

 (1d20+15)[ 19 ]  for  (1d8+11)[ 18 ]  unless  (1d20)[ 4 ]  is an eight or over.

 (1d20+15)[ 19 ]  for  (1d8+11)[ 16 ]  unless  (1d20)[ 17 ]  is an eight or over.


(Miss chance redone in Roll 20, both were made into misses.
 


While it seemed as though the massive construct was about to squash Cypher flat, the blinding speed provided to him by his own magics allowed him stay half a second ahead of each monstrous swing, keeping him alive moments longer while Lamorak seized the chance to act again.
MrAbdiel
The detonating blast of flame rips past, and the Lord Protector is not quite fast enough to avoid its scorching passage.  Smoking burns blister and darken the skin on his upper right arm and pectoral; but self reproach stings more than the pain.   Slow.  Foolish.  One afternoon of confinement, and you have become sluggish. 

He leans down to snatch Malakharn, the Hollow Blade. Fingers tightening around the grip do so anticipating a flush of connection and power, as once existed there - but no.  Only the echo of the empty magic shell, which once caged his... mentor.  With the blade held behind him, he keeps his eyes across the gap on the elven mage who has done such damage... and marshalls his wrath, anticipating another assault before he is willing to devote himself to carving open this gap.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Move-action to pick up the sword.  Standard action to Ready a use of Divine Counterspell.
 
JbeJ275
The mage sees you tear through his conjured protectors, and grits his teeth. He begins to cast another spell, drawing a paper package of black and green leaves out of a pouch and sending a cloud of stinking choking fumes across the field towards you.

Lamorak attempts to muster his focus to quell the growing magic, but elven arcana overcomes Lamorak’s will and dedication, allowing choking fumes to fill the room and bite at each of your mouths and eyes.

With this spell cast, the mage turns and retreats up the hallway, crying out words of alarm in elvish, soon becoming indistinguishable past the rolling yellow green fog.

 
 Spoiler 
Anything in the room you’re in has concealment if within 5ft and total concealment otherwise, in addition make a DC16 fort save or be nauseated.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher analyses the situation quickly, able to hold his breath before the noxious gas could choke him. Working quickly, he attempts to unravel the arcane structure of the elf mage's spell and spare the Lord Protector further indignity.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Action - cast dispel magic.
Caster level check  (1d20+7)[ 17 ] 
Will do a follow-up post depending on how this goes as he might try to flee past the construct if it doesn't get dispelled.
 


Success in his efforts, Cypher steps five feet back from the doorway. He breathes a sigh of relief st being spared an undignified scramble to escape the gas.

 I fear we have little time before the alarm is raised. We may have to...revisit...the extraction of your alchemist, Lord Protector. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan does his best to resist the poisonous cloud for the few moments it is present.

 (1d20+13)[ 26 ] 


Sharkan twists his face in disgust over the smell, but weaves magic with his paws as a pair of cats shoots out to pounce on the remaining guardian.
 
 Spoiler: Spell and dice rolls 

Scorching Ray
 (1d20+10)[ 19 ]  to hit Touch AC
 (4d6)[ 17 ]  Fire Damage

 (1d20+10)[ 22 ]  to hit Touch AC
 (4d6)[ 16 ]  Fire Damage
 


"My Lorrrrd, do you require assistance?"
MrAbdiel
Lamorak lets out a hacking cough as the choking cloud washes through; the scintillation of magic-breaking power vanishing from his palms as the convulsion moves through him.  But then Cypher has cleared the spell, and he regains himself; taking up his sword again and striking at the weakened wall, trying to open a larger hole for his escape; answering both his subordinates with an oblique, frustrated sneer.

  "Chains, or walls - our escapades delay us each time with such mundane opponents.  Remind me to secure an adamantine hatchet, once we are free of this damnable place." 
 
 
 Spoiler: Chop chop! 
Hacking at the gap!    Attack 1  - (1d20+12)[ 28 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 8 ] ;   Attack 2  - (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 12 ] .  If this manages top open the way wide enough, he'll end his turn 5ft Stepping through.
 
JbeJ275
Both of Sharkan's cats of fire bounce off of the toughened outer shell of the construct's form as it continues to remain in place, having been given no other instruction that could guide it in combat it defaults to basic instructions, remaining in the doorway and seeking to block any attempts to move or to harm it but ceasing it's attacks given the lack of targets in range. Though the sight of it seizing the heads of both elemental cats and crushing them to ash implies some deep level of thought when into guiding its combat actions.

Lamorak's first blow against the wall is repelled entirely, but his second sinks in deep, removing some of the stony surface. It's not nearly as dramatic as Lamorak's earlier work on the wall, but strategically targeted at the remaining shards that bar your way it proves enough to let Lamorak step through.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Seeing his master finally freed, Cypher breathed a sigh of relief.

 This way Lord Protector, allow me to hold the door for you. 

Cypher steps towards the hulking form in the doorway. Calculating the most fertile angles of attack. He whirls like an ink-stained hurricane, lashing out at the offending construct. Finally falling still, he pants heavily, carefully watching for retaliation.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5ft step to the door.
Swift action, final wraithstrike for all touch attacks.
Full Attack with full -6 power attack.
 (1d20+11)[ 15 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 26 ]  damage
 (1d20+11)[ 13 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 26 ]  damage
 (1d20+6)[ 12 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 28 ]  damage

If the construct is still up after his attack he'll use an IP for Cunning Defence to up his AC against it by 6. He'll also declare his Dodge against it.

AC 26 vs the construct, 19 otherwise.
 
MrAbdiel
Sword taken in a double grip, Lamorak surges towards the remaining construct alongside his loyal rescuers.  Without his armor donned, he is more vulnerable than ever; but while the thing is idle and defensive is the time to strike.

 
 Spoiler: Attack! 
 (1d20+12)[ 17 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 8 ] .
 (1d20+7)[ 26 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 8 ] .
 
JbeJ275
With it's arms raised and it's focus on the defensive, the construct manages to repel every blow bound for it, deflecting them with a strange force originating within the construct's unearthly chassis. Behind and beyond it there are pounding footsteps, as reinforcements begin to pool ready to reinforce this golemic bulwark.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan weaves arcane magic as a Cat paw appears infront of the Golems face and BAPS it with a solid slap to the head.

 
 Spoiler: Spell Craft 
Bigby's Slapping Hand
 

 
 Spoiler: Infernal 
Quickly! while its distracted! hit it!
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Golem Provokes AoO for all adjacent foes, No save!
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Inspired by Sharkan's tactical manoeuvre Cypher leaps once more at the golem, fading magic still wreathing his elegant blade.

 
 Spoiler: Attack! 
Wraistrike last for a round so another touch attack and I think he's stuck doing full power attack anyway. (1d20+11)[ 18 ]  for  (2d4+21)[ 28 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
A growl like thunder rising in his throat, Lamorak  bashes  away with his blade more than elegantly cuts; the resilient foe proving next to indestructible!

 
 Spoiler: Attack of Opportunity Rolls! 
 (1d20+12)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Seeing the construct's defensive posture, the spymaster changes approach. The limitations of an inorganic form present some openings that may allow finesse to succeed where brute force was failing.

 
 Spoiler: Attacks 
Continuing to hack away, no power attack this time but hopefully knowledge devotion will help cypher get through the AC.
Full attack
 (1d20+16)[ 22 ]  for  (2d4+9)[ 15 ] 
 (1d20+16)[ 31 ]  for  (2d4+9)[ 13 ] 
 (1d20+11)[ 22 ]  for  (2d4+9)[ 12 ] 

Cunning Insight: Another +6 damage on that second attack. 1/5 IP remaining.
 


Cypher breathes a sigh of relief whilst trying to give the appearance of nonchalantly flucking golem fragments out of the links in his blade. He gestures to the now somewhat more open doorway.

 After you, Lord Protector. 
JbeJ275
On Cypher's strike, the trickle of ectoplasm becomes a flood and the vast construct collapses to the floor leaving the three warriors alone in the room, but the building around them is bustling with activity. Elven reinforcements must be arriving soon, the question now is what route them take in their flight and any final actions they might make here before the next wave can arrive.
MrAbdiel
 "Excellent."   He steps over the massacred construct, careful not to track ectoplasm everywhere, and skulks into the corridor beyond; holding his blade behind him so its shine does not give him away; seeking cover where it might be found and implicitly expecting his allies to do the same.  With a little luck, the reinforcement wave would roll right past them and they could escape.  If not, they would simply have to fight the next ones, too.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Hide Check:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] .

Desperately looking for escape routes; but not willing to slow down and waste time to find them.
 Primary task is not to be spotted.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
"My lorrrrd"  Sharkan rolls his tongue as he speaks.

"Are we extracting the alchemist now? It would seem the prime opportunity"
JbeJ275
With nowhere to hide down here, you're forced to to race up a level of the stairs and hide in office space there, making enough turns that you have some moments to think, then wedging yourselves in a crack between the dark stone of the pit and white brick of much of the building. A floor below you can hear several elves and what seems to be a number of Golhunds, but you have time. Your best option for escape would be to stay on this level as it seems to have been emptied or have had people return to better defended rooms during the chaos, but that relies on you moving silently through this level to not alert those below you, and it only gets you to a set of large windows overlooking the rest of the low city with all exits to ground level being on the lower floor.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Extrapolating from their earlier views of the tower exterior, Cypher infers a route that will take them to a set of windows. He signals to the others to quietly follow his lead.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move Silently  (1d20+14)[ 34 ] 

If applicable he'll use aid another to help the others be sneaky too.
 (1d20+14)[ 19 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan follows Cyphers prompts and sneaks along with him.

 (1d20+5)[ 9 ]  Move Silently
 (1d20+5)[ 18 ]  Hide
MrAbdiel
Lamorak growls lowly, looking toward the floor, then shakes his head.   "No extraction today.  We will keep my word, but not in the immediate sequence I had hoped."   Like Sharkan, he follows in Cypher's skillful wake towards their potential point of escape...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: Move Silently! 
I can do this one.  Maybe.   (1d20+10)[ 24 ] .
 
JbeJ275
You make your way swiftly through the raised corridors, and though one of you avoiding making all noise prevents them hearing you quickly enough to intercept you and another succeeding ensures it's only a side patrol that initially finds you a small group of them catch up with you as you make your way to these large windows that overllok the city, two of the small golems and two elves are directly on your tail and it seems like the next group is no more than 12 seconds behind. You have minimal time to act here before you're overwhelmed, and your only way out is through a window, currently closed but openable with a simple latch and jutting enough forward from the base of the wall that they're unlikely to track anyone who jumps, but at the same time you're nearly at the top of the 100ft high walls, and a fall here would be 80ft onto the roofs below or 90ft onto the street.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

One last initiative roll, anyone above a 12 can go immediately otherwise you'll have to endure some final attempts at spellcasting.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Prepared to Jump or Fight, Sharkan stands by the window ready to go along with his lord and Cyphus.

"Are we going to jump in a most magnificent fashion?"
MrAbdiel
Lamorak shuffles back a step, his heel against the open window; and focusing his eyes forward as the sounds of their pursers storming their way grows.

 "A step, more than a jump.  Have a little faith.  On my mark..." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
This turn, Lamorak is preparing an action to attempt to divine counterspell the first hostile-seeming spell action taking against them.  It's  (1d20+5)[ 24 ]  vs 11+the caster level of the spell cast at them.

We're going to have to cop a round of enemy spells anyway so we might as well brace a little.  But  it's important that by initiative 14 next turn, you guys are preparing actions to step out of the window.   I figure grabbing on to Typho is a free action.  It's a little dynamic cinematically, but strictly speaking he's not summoned going at any speed; so next turn I'll summon him as a full round action outside the window and 5ft step out and latch onto/fastmount Typho; and Sharkan and Cypher can step out and grab him too.  His strength is sufficient that he is not burdened by the three of us; I ran the numbers when trying to imagine how many slaves I could fly out of the hole with!
 
JbeJ275
 Lamorak, Cypher and Sharkan 

As each of you three press towards the window one of the elven mages begins casting a spell of  Web  tat could have massively delayed your escape only to be easily swatted away by Lamorak's divine magic, the other launches a black ray at Sharkan which the Sorcerer neatly sidesteps, the golems sprint towards you, and are pressing up against you but are unable to strike you at this moment. Behind more feet clatter, doubtless attempting to bring you down and either end your life, or have the rest of it in elven chains. But it would seem they are a moment too slow.

A single forceful step for each of you is all it takes, suddenly you're falling weightlessly through the sky. For a split second you see the undercity beneath you, the plains beyond it, the fields and mines and manufactories beyond that. All of the labouring for the glory of old and fearful elves, you will give them a worthier purpose, at least if the ground stops rushing up before it smashes into you.

Then with a sudden jolt, Typho, one of the first prizes for Lamorak's sacrifices to the fell powers in there and your drop levels out into an even glide. A few lone arrows fly from the elven bastion but them all fly wide or fall short as you glide off into the night. The remaining question then is where now?

 Maiabel 

After perhaps an hour underground, helping these rebels organise their base a runner comes down, he's more tanned than the mostly pale faced humans here, with a handsome face, dark hair and a full moustache, we wears a stained leather coat. Heads immediately turn towards him as he enters the room but he makes his way over to you.

 "Hi, I'm Maldin. I think one of my men above has seen your friends, they were seen above the city and heading out. The council has sent me to pick you up, and with my team to take you back to them and co-ordinate from there." 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel nods.   "That's excellent news. I knew it would be a matter of time before they broke out of the prison."   She moves to walk with Maldin. "  "Hopefully we can meet up with them quickly."  

At some point previously, Maiabel had cast her last Lesser Vigor on herself, to make herself a bit more presentable, to be in better condition to aid the underground rebels, and to not bleed all over their base. She still needs rest, but she's not in any medical danger.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Leaping from great heights onto draconic beasts seldom happens when sat behind a stack of dispatches and the spymaster is rather glad that it's been so long since he last ate. Gripping the scaled hide perhaps slightly harder than necessary brings double comfort as his body slows down to a pedestrian pace once again.

After a few moments to settle, he realises their predicament and scans the great walls and undercity. Based on the architectural style and organisational pattern if the city there may be drains or culverts where they can set down unseen by guards, but where?

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Knowledge architecture and engineering  (1d20+12)[ 15 ] 
Spot  (1d20+9)[ 26 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 Cypher 

Most of your travel throughout the air above the city would be obvious to guards in their own elevated positions, there is only one area you spot that seems fit for purpose. A group of large buildings near the outer wall are sending up great clouds of grey smoke, and seem to be located next to a large drain that takes black, contaminated water out from inside the structure - maybe a bloomery or furnace? - and channels it outwards.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan does not look pleased at the choices for landing.

"If we do not land carefully. I will be cleaning myself and the lorrrrd for weeks to make us presentable again."

Sharkan holds on.... extra tight, much like a cat being held at great heights.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher sighs slightly at Sharkan's response.

 Naturally I will do my best to calculate the optimal timing for us to jump from Typho and hide our descent in the smoke.

However, even with a smooth landing we may yet need to enter the outflow of that structure or even the sewers if we wish to remain undetected and reconvene with Maiabel. Anything you do not wish to be tarnished can be stored in my Haversack if necessary.

Shall we proceed, Lord Protector? 
MrAbdiel
 "We will subject ourselves to filth with the knowledge that those who have driven us to this inconvenience will be subjected to much worse.  At your call, Cypher." 

He readies himself to jump, and scurry into cover.  Rest, however uncomfortable, was their only option now; and they need trust Maiabel's instinct that he would not abandon her so simply.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Sorry about the delay!  But I'm back!
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster calculates their airspeed and their likely arc of descent. He tries to call out clearly above the rushing wind.

 Lord Protector, if I may, I can help time our jump. Then please cast fearherfall at your leisure.
On my mark: Three, Two, One, JUMP! 


He leaps just as they enter the noxious cloud, desperatelyhoping that Lamorak can arrest their momentumbefore they hit the ground. The next few seconds of their descent are unpleasant but finally the reassuring lurch kicks un as their descent begins to slow..

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Action - Be bossy!
Movement -  jump off!
Immediate action - hope the boss casts featherfall!

Rolls if helpful
Flat intelligence  (1d20+6)[ 23 ] 
Jump  (1d20+10)[ 14 ] 
Hide  (1d20+14)[ 23 ] 
 


Edit: messed up the text colour
JbeJ275
 Maiabel 

Maldin gives a grin at your assurances, and escorts you out of the tunnels. He takes a pistol crossbow off a subordinate as he exits the room, and bring you to a unit of men and women, each wearing long dark brown cloaks and hoods and wielding compact crossbows.

 "Squad, this is our contact with the insertion team, we don't know their full details quite yet but it's another extraction oppurtunity so don't **** it up. They went down by the outer wall, after partial extraction with a flying mount, and reports from the station indicate substantial golem damage and a couple elven deaths. If this a fake, it took more resources than they'll get from us, so stay alert and stay quiet but don't get itchy." 

After the other nine figures nod, and briefly respond, they steer you towards a series of narrow winding tunnels, you're shown to a place third from the front, and shown to a vertical shaft, where you drag yourself up through a chain, until you're above ground level, emerging from what looks like a partially collapsed industrial chimney. From there you're shown out of the building and across the street until you make it to an alleyway, overlooking a small culvert, where three familiar figures are standing in ankle deep water.

 Cypher, Sharkan and Lymorak 

As you pass through the black fumes of chimney exhaust you force the screaming voice in the back of your brains to quiet as you willingly plummet towards hard earth below. Only just being slowed by magic before the impact tries to force your legs into your torso, you instead merely jar your ankles as you land. It seems your flight was enough to prevent any direct opposition, but a simple look back towards the distant point on the wall you fled from shows some spellcasting going on there, and it can't be long before they dispatch fliers to case after you.

The only initial point to hide is in the cover provided by the culvert, for all the issues it poses. And for a few minutes you wait there, listening for any sign of pursuit and discussion where to move next until eleven forms emerge over the ridge above you, one of them recognisable as your lost companion Maiabel.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkans ears turned toward maibel and he visually looks pleased and excited.

"yesssss. No sewers today!"
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher restlessly looks about the culvert again and again, drawing a blank on the next place to hide or how to move on unseen. Hands twitching in frustration, he doesn't notice the approach of Maiabel until she and her new minions are looking down on them.

Taken unawares, he nearly casts one of his last few spells and leaps into combat. Realisation dawns fast enough for him to attempt to pass off his hand gestures as a flourish to present the new company to Lamorak. Even the new.company are unlikely to be convinced though.
Dusk Raven
Maiabel, picking up on the tense situation, interjects with an introduction of her own. Turning to her new allies, she says,  "Maldin, assorted resistance members... may I present Lord Protector Lamorak, he who would be Emperor of the Marcellian Empire, as well as his squire and servant Sharkan, and Commandant Cypher."  She takes a step forward, turning her attention to her master and the rest of the members of his Inner Circle.  "Lord Protector, Sharkan, Cypher. This is Maldin, one of the agents of the underground resistance here. We heard news of individuals making their escape from the prison by flying steed, and came to find you." 
MrAbdiel
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Before I forget again, Lamorak activates the crown's Non Detection gem before they jump - or else as immediately after that as you are willing to accept it to happen, JBE!
 


Strictly speaking, it would be more menacing and authoritive to immediately address this resistance and begin assuming command as if they had given it, waiting someone to challenge him and be kicked apart for their trouble.  His acolytes should swarm into the shadow of such a grand assumption; but that is not what the Lord Protector does, after Maiabel gives her introduction.

Instead, he does not even follow her gesture to Maldin; not right away.  He crosses the space, sloshing in the ankle deep water in a few strides, and reaches to place a gripping hand on each of her shoulders; holding her at the extension of his arms.

It is a strange gesture.  As a physical expression, it seems to be some sort of austere cousin to the shoulder-slap of approval, or face-cupping grandfatherly blessing.  But it is different; it speaks of a kind of relief to see her alive that cannot be expressed directly.  That would be too intimate; it would approach a dangerous bridging of the gulf between master and servant.  It would be an open display of warmth, and warmth is kindred to weakness, and he is -not- weak.  The weak serve the strong, and the only one he serves is the King, the Emperor, he intends to become.

But Maiabel and his other companions know him well enough to interpret the gesture, even if the rebels here would find it puzzling.  In another world, he might have hugged her and told her he had worried she had died.  But in this world, he gripped her shoulders, and gazed upon her countenance with stern approval, and then released her.  Only then did he look to Maldin.

 "Maldin, then.  I am gratified to learn there is a structured resistance, here - I had not expected it to be so, given how overwhelming the presense of guards and constructs happens to be.  We came here for certain purposes, but those purposes are expanded; and we may yet find a profitable braiding of your goals to mine.  Where can we go for a night's shelter and rest, to plan another move?" 
JbeJ275
 "Yeah, we don't like to be above ground for the constructs and guards, but there are simply too many humans here for them to find us among them. Easier to go unremarked on than unseen. We have a series of nests buried under the city's pipes. I'll be taking you to Galena chamber, it's the only place you might have a chance in hell of dodging their divinations, and the Maiden wants to talk to you there, follow on my mark and keep up the pace. Might not have the accommodations for a Lord Protector but it's the safest bed in the city for you lot right now." 

With that the figures fan out to suffuse the area around you, some checking corners while others go ahead and Maldin stays close to you in the middle. The direct you over a street into a building and down a narrow chimney, then through another sequence of winding curves. The tunnels are so dark and the figures blocking so much of your vision that it's hard to tell how far or in which direction you've gone, but eventually you emerge into a chamber carved of a dark grey rock, with silvery grey crystalline protrusions growing out of the celling and upper walls. Maldin sends a two runners off from here back into the upper tunnels, one of whom returns with four bowls of a thin stew. He also points out a pool in the corner full of what seems to be clean water, through it has a powerfully metallic taste. The light here is dim, coming from patches in the floor that seem to glow irregularly, often flittering out for a few seconds at a time, but it's a chance to rest while Maldin's men fetch this Maiden figure.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher's head is on a swive the entire way through the tunnels, struggling not to get completely lost.

Entering their new "sanctuary", the spymaster continues his examination. He aims to identify any exits and assess the defences of the room against divination.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Intelligence check to memorise the route l, in case that's possible.  (1d20+6)[ 10 ] 
Search  (1d20+11)[ 23 ] 
Arcane  (1d20+16)[ 36 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, when they are finally out of the muck and filth weaves a spell as kittens made of light appear and give the Lord and Each of them a quick tongue bath, cleaning them of the undesirable mess upon them.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 
Cast Prestidigitation
 


"My Lorrrrd, how long must we... stay in these accomodations?"
Dusk Raven
Maiabel, truth be told, is a little caught off-guard by the gesture. Even so, she is a good enough judge of people's characters to understand the intent behind it, and she inclines her head slightly in acknowledgement. The gesture is more than she expected of her lord - or perhaps, more than she deserved, but she is glad to receive it all the same.

Shortly thereafter, as the group finds itself underground, Maiabel stands and turns to Lamorak once more.  "I believe I should report on what happened after I went into the tunnel."  After a moment's pause, she continues.  "The tunnel eventually opened up into a chamber where the woman whose house we barged into was with several others, including a woman with a strange amulet who may be the 'Maiden' that Maldin spoke of. I was able to make peaceful contact, and the woman in charge made an offer - seeing as how the house we invaded was compromised, if we could get the family who lived there out of the city, then the resistance would spread word that those messages we've been sending abroad, the ones offering citizenship to people who come work for us, are genuine. I then went back through the tunnels to reconnect with you all. However, I overheard Cypher staging your capture, and elected to remain hidden and follow in the shadows. I followed you all as far as the prison, but further pursuit was infeasible. I then thought it would be better to reconnect with the underground resistance and provide whatever aid I could, since that would probably make them more amenable to working with us. There were some guards watching the house, but I was able to deal with them and reunite with the resistance. The rest of my time has been spent doing menial labor, helping the resistance relocate, since they had to collapse part of the tunnel network to deal with the discovery of the tunnel underneath the house."  That all said, she gives a short bow.  "I am pleased the three of you were able to safely escape. I find myself curious about what exactly happened, however."  She leaves off with the unstated question.
MrAbdiel
 "At least a night; a few more as necessary.  You must, for a little while longer, restrain your standard, Sharkan."   Lamorak has learned to tolerate Sharkan's feline eccentricities.    He maintains the aura of menace as much as he can as gleaming spectral kittens dust away the scuffs and dirt from his person; and exerts it more forcefully when they are done to compensate.  In truth, the gloom of the underground works for his aspect; the bags under his eyes, the pale skin, his whole affect producing an almost spectral visage.

He looks over Maldin for a long moment but decides the presence of this assisting stranger is not a hazard - Maiabel trusts this rebellion, after all, and they need allies here - and he listens to her recollection of events with typical, cool focus.

 "After you followed my command to woman, we contended with the possibility of escalating resistance; we can kill these elves and their creations, but not so swiftly that they cannot cry out when they arrive in force.  Cypher suggested a ruse in which I would feign capture and he and Sharkan would play captors; we carried it out with the expectation that we would find a moment to eliminate any elven handlers with us and escape; but the moment never manifested in a way that would have made our effort to escape smoother.  So I permitted them to take me to the pit, anticipating that Sharkan and Cypher would find a way to arrange my extraction, perhaps after a night's wait given that the elves seem to have a period of political delay before they interrogate prisoners.  While incarcerated, I gave my word to a young alchemical worker who had caused some manner if sabotage that we would extract him, also - a word I intend to honor.  But it was not possible, when they came for me; we bluffed out way halfway out, and then fought the rest of the way until we could reach open air where Typho could carry is.  I consider it a vindication of my faith in my inner circle - though I wonder what struggles Cypher and Sharkan were forced to overcome to gain even that opportunity."
 

He looks to his spymaster and butler; interested for them to fill in the blank so the whole group has a working knowledge of their scattered adventures.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher breaks away from his examination of the chamber to give a crisp bow to Lamorak.

 Lord Protector, after we left you to your most capable devi es we were escorted to a chamber where we were to await debriefing about the incident. My assessment was that our subterfuge would not withstand close interrogation and we vacated the chamber unseen.

Your panoply had been removed for analysis before being potentially sold or distributed amongst the elven degenerates. I was able to discern the location of your blade, which was being analysed by two arcanists accompanied by a guard and numerous constructs. By necessity we made an arrangement with the senior arcanist, allowing us to recover your other items from a separate location. The others were...dealt with.

During the course of this, activation of one alarm was unavoidable, but we were able to re-enter the tower before a response was mounted. Facsimile orders allowed us to extract you from the Pit for questioning. This was successful, however, it seems the elves have little to do other than agonise over the minutiae of beurocracy. Interrogation outwith the usual protocol was deemed irregular and one assumes that a connection was made with the retrieval of your possessions.

With greater intel I am sure we could have enacted a more elegant exit, but there were too many unknown variables to risk delaying your extraction. 

Throughout his report Cypher keeps his voice low, so as not to carry far from their group. It is clear to the others that he is being slightly vague about some aspects in order to avoid revealing the exact scope of their abilities to any listening rebels.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods at Cyphers recount.

"Their arcanists are below our level of magic, thier golems are likely left over from the makings of elves or craftsmen of greater talents that are not among their ranks. They can be bought and reasoned with if they believe their lives are forfeit. These elves value their lives over their principles. Their fighters are.... equivalent to my own prowess, which should be an insult."

Sharkan continues to preen and make adjustments to his appearance.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster initially nods agreement with Sharkan's assessment, careful not to roll his eyes at the were-beast's preening whilst they are in mixed company. Self-deprecation, however, was something he could not let stand in the presence of new allies.

 Sharkan's prowess clearly proved superior to the elven fighters we encountered, as demonstrated by our success. I would add, Lord Protector, that we are unlikely to have encountered their most proficient arcanists or warrior's at this juncture. 
JbeJ275
 Cypher 

As far as you can tell, the room only has one exist, leading back into a long this room that connects to a large number of other junctions. The room seems to be protected against divination primarily by a natural high occurrence of lead ore in the surrounding stone, that through work and magic has been refined to give the entire chamber the equivalent of a thin sheet of lead to block divinations in addition to the amount of stone, with the lead crystals seemingly having been grown artificially to have the leaden effect spread through the air itself, functioning as nodes in an anti-divination net.

 All 

After some further discussion another figure emerges from the tunnel. It's an aged looking woman, skin startlingly pale and with a withered left arm. She's clearly a different woman to the one Maiabel spoke with earlier, but wears a pendant with the same symbol around her neck. Slowly she walks up to you, and you see milky white unfocused eyes. Yet her blindness doesn't seem to stop her moving around in the dim light. She waits a moment to let you stop talking, then steps up.

 "Hello, I hope you've found our space here sufficient, we're not in the habit of hosting kings and courtiers. Ask if you need anything further, and we will provide. We hold little of real value, in fact the only thing here with real value is information, and I come to see it traded openly and honestly. We have a ritual for this, and if you'll allow me I'll ensure all here speak the truth, then we will trade, a truth for a truth. Are you willing to make such a bargain?" 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak's eyes scrutinize the arrival; suspicion rising in them sufficient to match their present, somewhat desperate scenario.  But what the unseeing-seer asks for is not something outrageous - Lamorak had no plan to deceive them.  Presuming is magically gifted confidants were capable of determining if the ritual to be cast were somehow untoward, he gives a speculative nod.

 "The facilities are sufficient, given the nature of your people's hunted existence.  I have not come this way and risked this much to enact some fragile lie, easilly penetrated.  This is acceptable.  Array your casting, and we will speak within your established terms." 
JbeJ275
Nodding her approval she walks into the centre of the room and briefly vocalises, the lights all flashing off and then on as she produces a ten foot circle of soft blue light, you can feel it attempting to enforce the truth on you, but can resist if you so choose to.

When it's settled, she turns to face the four of you and says.

 "I shall speak first then, and answer questions in turn. For what purpose have you come to this city?" 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak folds his hands mildly infront of himself; looking about as meek and restrained as he ever has... which isn't saying much.

 "I am establishing an island city-state for my government-in-exile.  Initially it will serve both as a military redoubt, but even after the reconquest of my rightful thronelands, it will be a bastion upon the sea.  I am seeking immigrants who are willing to take opportunity and turn it into a life for themselves in a new place, full of potential.  Specifically, my advisors suggested this city because we are in particularly need of one or more specialists in the alchemical arts." 

There's more to it, now; since they've arrived, the idea that they might start shearing off large numbers of slaves to emancipate them into glorious serfdom under his own rule is rising.  But that's not the answer to her question; so he does not burden his answer with extra information.

 "Now, then, I shall ask: what is the nature of your operation here?  Is this an effort to protect the slaves from the worst excesses of the elven dynasties, or is there some fledgeling hope of starting a true rebellion here?" 
JbeJ275
 "Heh, not a revolution. Only a few have ever seen the wonders and horrors in the upper city and survived, but if they were to release them all they could turn the lower city to ash in a moment. But some of us have made plans for more than hiding, plans to launch an exodus of most every human in this nation and leave the elves behind us to starve in their palaces. It's a slow hope though, and for now we are limited to hiding the innocent, and occasionally weakening the elves or helping one or two slip away beyond the city." 

It's clear that she's aware the answer is appealing to you, and may have deliberately shaped it to be so, but equally obvious that no word of it is a lie. She smiles in her response then takes a long beat as she shapes her next question.

 "At this time, by what route or method do you mean to exit the city?" 
MrAbdiel
He crooks a bow and glances briefly to his comrades; though he doesn't need to voice his obvious first thought.  A wealth of grateful escapees is exactly what they need - but having the entire slave population of a city vanish and reappear at their scrappy little holdout seems like a good way to immediately draw elven warships to their shores - though perhaps the bickering of the elven houses will prevent such extension.

 "Leaving the city is simple enough; on foot, or with magic to fly, as long as we take efforts to conceal ourselves.  But the spirit of your question is beyond that - we have a ship presently beyond the shore a few miles down the coast from here.  That is our means of escaping this realm more totally than just the city's bounds." 

Before conjuring a new question of his own, he looks to his companions again - obviously soliciting suggestions from their trusted minds.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The spymaster leans in close to Lamorak, bowing his head respectfully.

 As your spymaster, Lord Protector, I would counsel you to enquire about their own methods for smuggling people and information out of the city. I am also interested in the nature of any intelligence assets they have embedded within the elven infrastructure. 

He pauses briefly, if choosing his words carefully.

 Should you wish, we could ask for assistance in emancipating the alchemist you encountered in the Pit. Our previous method of ingress is likely to be substantially more risky at this juncture. 

Having said his piece, Cypher steps back respectfully.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak takes this under advisement, naturally.

 "Tell me - is this operation entirely run by human slaves and escapees, or do you have embedded assets within the elven heirarchy?  Sympathizers?" 
JbeJ275
 "Hmm.. no not as of such. There is the feeling that many of the high elves of the upper city know of our presence, and being more concerned with politics than anything else may act to enable us. Leaking information to let us escape or attack their rivals. We have no contacts there though. We do have a number of half elves as well, frequently from mothers that were victims of the child's father. But half elves in the upper city are conscripted as enforcers or military agents to keep them clear of any chance to gain power in the city, so while they help move the rescued from this city they do not operate within its walls. They elves raised in the inner city are kept far away from humans until their hearts have irreparably hardened."

"You said you saw the pit itself? Did you get a full accounting of the prisoners there? How many are contained within?" 
MrAbdiel
 "I did." 

This answer seems to suffice for the first question; and he lets it hang in the air for a moment until it seems he might, obnoxiously, act inflexibly on the letter of their agreement and refuse to offer answers to the second and third questions.  But he elects to be generous enough, with his answer that is ultimately forthcoming.

 "I did not examine the place thoroughly, though I spoke to several long-term prisoners there who had taken on a kind of shepherd role between them, I think.  Some names were mentioned, though I did not give them mine nor ask much, for fear of spies in the prison.  Davor.  Old Sagan.  A lad named Nichi, whom I intend still to see extricated at a minimum.  My arrival made a total if  sixty eight  occupants.  Tell me, then - why so much interest, in that prison?  Does it contain a wealth of your co-conspirators?"  
JbeJ275
 "I am afraid that question is one I cannot answer. Whenever a cell us uprooted it often remains a mystery to us whether the people there were sent to the pit, die where they stand or to one of the labratories. We have long suspected some for each, and there are many who were key figures among our movement that we still do not know the fate of. Sixty eight still in this world is more than we feared, as he accounting they use to decide who should live and who should die is inscrutable. Yet you said you mean to extradict those imprissoned there. How do you mean to mke good on this promise?" 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The soymaster leans in close to his Lord to whisper on his ear.

 Lord Protector, more subtle options for extraction involve the use of tunnelling or teleportation. These depend on how close we can get to The Pit unobserved and ideally underground. I believe we can retrieve at most two prisoners via teleportation. The whole prison could be emptied via tunnelling, but this would expose the rebels tunnel network when inevitably discovered.
 
MrAbdiel
The Lord Protector listens, first to the interlocuter, then to his spymaster.  Fortunately, this answer is easy to give.

 "I have not decided.  Though I am now partial to the thought of smashing in the front door and killing every golem and elf in that place, the priority is extracting the valuable prisoners.  Elves, and golems, live long lives; vengeance against them will preserve well." 

Cypher's words do create visions of options, however.

 "Do you have tunnels that get anywhere near the prison? Perhaps, that might be collapsed if we burst in from beneath and extract those within?" 
JbeJ275
 "We have tunnels that we believe are within 250ft on the pit, but it sits under the elven city, and so none draw any closer than that. It should also be said, that the pit itself is carved of what we once called Lock-Rock. It inhibits teleportation, without preventing other magic and the rock itself would be too heavy to tunnel through without a great amount of blasting power. Something that's likely to attract attention from above, and probably trigger the purge enchantments they've woven in."

"I will let you think of the mechanisms on your own, and instead concern myself with the fate of the extracted. If your mission here is successful, and you escape with your colonists or alchemists. If they put in service for you, and work on your island, then find a desire leading them elsewhere. Would they be bound by your laws to your islands afterwards? Or would they become truly free men?" 
MrAbdiel
The technical limitations of the plan are troubling; but those are for Cypher to worry about.  It's the seer's follow up question, about exactly how  free  his citizens would be, that catches him off guard.  His expression darkens some.  In truth, he did not fancy the idea that his acquired citizens would be departing with their skills to new vistas at all.  But he could hardly try to form a new nation as a  haven for the afflicted  if he would be caught now, in this truth spell, revealing the portcullis waiting to fall behind them.  So his delay, before speaking, is somewhat telling.

But did he intend to hunt down serfs who fled his lands?  Not... under most circumstances.  Was his desire to offer good cirumstance and comfort to specialists nothing more than a comfortable set of shackles? ...Only in the most reductive light.  Such things required careful phraseology.

 "...I do not intend to be as onerous a ruler as these elves, who uses death and compulsion to extract labor from their chattel; but I am not such an idealist to think it is possible to run a kingdom of on a presumption of no authority at all.  All kingdoms that wish to survive, in desperate times, will press their occupants for more service, and consider flight to be a kind of treachery.  And a man who works on the interiors of my castle, having come to know its ways in and out and weaknesses and strengths, can hardly be easilly permitted to wander off into the grip of someone who means my people and my land harm.  If you are asking  are there any circumstances under which I might use power over such rescued peoples, such that they feel they have exchanged one harsh taskmaster for another...  I cannot say there are no such circumstances possible.  If you are asking  would such direct and forceful lordship be the rule under which I operate, rather than the exception,  then the answer is no.  A freeman, having come to my island and drew in fish for the market and then chooses to try his fortunes on some other horizon... this man I will not harass.  To do so would only invite..."   He gestures loosely around the darkness in which they stand.   "...Opposition from within." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Dark eyes scan this "Maiden", seeking to unearth microexpressions that would give away her disposition to their plans.

Cypher then assumes an expectant demeaner but pauses for permission to speak from the Lord Commander before aksing a question of his own.

 I am Cypher, spymaster to Lord Protector Lamorak. If I may be so bold, I will ask an unseemly question on his Lordship's behalf.

The elves here demonstrate pervasive skill in the arcane arts and extensive access to magical devices. What magical resources does your movement have that you would be willing to trade with the Lord Protector's domain at present or in response to continuing mutual cooperation? 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sense motive, using 1IP for Cunning Insight. Assuming we're in a new encounter that's 4/5 remaining.
 (1d20+18)[ 26 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Cypher is able to read the Maiden's minute glances and find an answer in them. This is less than she hoped for, and there is a certain movement to raise her guard again, for a few moments she weighs something, likely the value in risking her people's lives for Lamorak's stated conditions, and the words of advice she must dispense to any of her own intended to leave with you. However you can see that after a few long moments she relinquishes her guard again, and finds the bargain to be worth taking even if it's not the chance for straightforward freedom she may have hoped for. Nonetheless, she collects herself in short order before answering the next question.

 "Well, that we have many forms of. Me and my sisters have some ability to call on the remembered gods and draw on their magic, further there are our prizes from the elves themselves, we have many of our number in the arcforges, and though the elves retain the greatest enchantments in the high cities we can weave any first, second and third order enchantments with our own members skills with the right resources for bribes and funding the movement ourselves. We can siphon off a great variety of potions, and supply them to you if the correct price is paid and have some scattering of hidden spellbooks or stolen scrolls we could potentially part with. Those are an irregular collection, and many of the most powerful are kept closely but we could allow you to copy from them for a modest donation. Other resources may pass through our hands, wondrous items and the like, but they are irregular in supply and I'd have to send word to other cells for a correct inventory. We may be able to accept payments in service or silver though.


And so spymaster as you asked so must you answer, in truth with your vastly greater insight into the operations of your lord than any people of mine. You have your own ties bringing you into your lords surface, would you recommend with honest heart than an innocent man, free of obligation and with the same desires of home, health and happiness as any other would be served well by entering service to the lord protector?" 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

As a former libraria n the promise of hidden and safeguarded knowledge fires his interest. He nods thanks to the Maiden's detailed response.

 I am personally interested in copying spells, and am hopefully that we can mutually benefit each other with sharing of knowledge and expertise. 

He pauses for a moment, considering her question.

 My home and happiness were stolen by the ignorant and foolish, imposing their own religious and  philosophical   this word drips with scorn  dodgma upon their populace. The Lord Protector is no such fool or fanatic. Any who are willing to serve and contribute are accepted.

I have found purpose in His service, where once I had just despair. We are building something great. There is yet much hard work to be done and little time for luxury or leisure. But for those that add the strength of their back,
 sweat from their brow, and skill to our own will have our protection. My hard work, ingenuity, and loyalty have been aknowledged and rewarded and I would expect similar for those that join us.

The world is harsh and nothing can be guaranteed except that the Lord Protector will be true to his word. However,
I believe that those who work hard and stay loyal will have sanctuary and the opportunity to build literal and metaphysical home. I cannot speak directly to happiness, it is no longer in my nature, but imagine that with just treatment, oppprtunitu for advancement, shared purpose, and camaraderie that it will be more possible in service to the Lord Protector than in service to the elves of this realm. 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is somewhat moved by Cypher's vote of confidence.  In truth, the Lord Protector knows Cypher's attachment to his cause is the most pragmatic and least fanatical of his inner court.  Either Maiabel or Sharkan could have given a full throated endorsement of his right rule without fear of infringing the truth spell.  But Cypher manages it, and not with cringing half truths, but with a genuine sense of attachment to work, and reward.  His face is too impassive to show the mild surprise at the Spymaster's totality of encouragement, but it's there.  Lamorak adds:

 "Here - permit this, if you fear some trick or treachery, Maiden.  Any of your folk who come to my realm, who announce themselves upon arrival, may take a season of time before I will count on their full loyalty.  They may ask the existing citizenry their experience; they may work and live as normal.  If, come season's end, they determine they cannot profess loyalty to my cause and country, they are free to find their way elsewhere.  If not, their season will be counted fully towards their efforts to attain full citizenship.  Perhaps we will devote a small portion of the island to a kind of... waystation, for former slaves.  They might use it to chart their escape into the world one way or the other - though I shall expect many will find the opportunity immediately before them as welcoming as the Spymaster has described it." 
JbeJ275
 ”Very well, if you will swear such accommodations open to my people then we are of an accord. I know what I need to know such that I can tell my people if their onward journey. I will answer any questions more you have, and offer you any advice you would take from me for the operations you have in this city. I need no further questions of my own.” 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Once again waiting for approval before stepping forward to speak, Cypher addresses the Maiden.

 I am sure you will provide an escort to your tunnels closest to The Pit, but any maps of the tunnels in that region and the city above would be helpful in calculating the exact position relative to the tunnels. 
JbeJ275
 "This can be managed, I have named the difference already. For what it's worth, in the unlikely event they manage to find this place before morning and you have cause to move through the tunnels look for flecks of stone dyed blue. The elves navigating this place in darkness know not their colour, while ghulhounds don't see that colour different from a brown and so are often prey to even simple traps once their divinations run dry, but it's a key sign to any with a source of light. I will send for Maldin with the maps at once, and what we ave recorded of the pit." 

With that she steps out the room, giving you a brief chance to talk to each other before you return.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Given some privacy, Cypher huddles in close to the others.

 Lord Protector, I believe I have a way to penetrate the Lock-Rock, if it pleases you. I have read of a variety of elemental worm that can melt tunnels through stone. I am not sure if they will understand common.  He turns to the servant.  Maiabel, I won't be able to summon the creature and cast tongues concurrently, please lend me some assistance.

If the boring of the worm doesn't alert the elves, I would take two days to make a larger tunnel. A more emergent evacuation could be possible, but the tunnel will be a tight squeeze and liable to remain hot for some time. Any methods to cool the stone would be beneficial. 
MrAbdiel
 "I do not think our egress is so urgent as to not permit this short delay - our only timer is how swiftly, if at all, the elves will track us.  And if their capacity to find these tunnels was strong, they certainly would have found them already.  Furthermore, if they are scrying, they are scrying to me - and the crown has a masking feature which will render me unseen to scrying eyes.  If your collaborative effort to use this worm succeeds... I see many future applications of the same activity." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 I am sure you are correct, Lord Protector. Once we have breeched the Pit, however, there is a far greater chance that they will detect out gambit and take action to intervene. There is a chance that your alchemist will have to crawl through a narrow tunnel of blisteringly hot rock. Not to mention the other prisoners who could also swell our population.

A method of dragging or pushing one or two prisoners through a tunnel at speed may lessen the damage done by the tunnel walls, but we should be prepared to provide some healing. If that extends to the whole population of the Pit then I am concerned that we will be overstretched.

We could ask for help from the Maiden and her sisters in providing healing or even magics to cool the rock instead? The loss of face may be less than if the prisoners are immolated whilst trying to escape. 
Darius Vibrtrar
"My Lorrrrd"

Sharkan purrs as he speaks to their master.

"I believe I would be best put to use securing the pit against any guards that may try to enter to stop escape, based on what we faced today, I should be able to hold them off long enough for everyone to escape through the tunnel."
MrAbdiel
 "You are correct, Sharkan; you and Maiabel both are best leveraged directly against the enemy forces that will rise to oppose us; though if Cypher's scheme can profit from your sorcery, I expect it supplied."   The Lord Protector grimaces a little.   "These tight confines are not my theatre of war of preference.  When we are jousting pegusus in the sky, my lance is my weapon; here, in these deep and tight locales, it is this court of three, slaying in my name.  If we succeed here, then on the day we impose my rule over these wretched elves, we will have them build a monument to each of your valor." 
JbeJ275
As Lamorak finishes you hear the distant footsteps of the Maiden returning, and another set you quickly realise is Maldin accompanying her. Maldin is brining an armful of scrolled paper documents and maps with him, alongside a large oil lantern to let you read clearly. He rolls out one of these scrolls and weighs it out in front of you as the Maiden begins to speak.

 "This point here."  She says.  "Is the very closest we pass to the pit, it is reckoned to be 212ft away from the surface of the Lockrocks, though we don't know how thick that is. As for the pits other defences, when breached there are parts of the pit keyed to release an arcane mixture of choking gas should a large breach occur, but to our best estimations it will take time to fill the pit. If the occupants know to be ready in advance they may evacuate out before the gas claims them, but it gives little time for organisation. The other risk is the constructs of chain that rest eternally above the pit. We believe they are programmed carefully enough to move to block a whole that forms at the bottom of the pit while reinforcements are sent, if we want to get them through without being cut to pieces by chains or choked out on the gas we'll need you to either defeat the golems, disable them for the minute any such evacuation would take or engage them in combat before they reach the breaching place."


"The next great concern comes at evacuation, these tunnels are mysterious enough to the elves that only performative efforts are made to breach them, but this would change that. After that an exodus of all civilians from these tunnels would need to occur, leaving only my sisters and those trained to defend the tunnels. But the manacles they wear in the pit contain trackers, and will take some time to remove so fleeing before the elves are ready is hardly an option, nor is trying their patience out below the surface. Instead we have one way out we know of, a path too isolated to be quickly reinforced or closely monitored, but with two unique and powerful golems guarding it, the alchemical works disposal lines. Beware though, the tinctures soaked into that place will make any fight there a maddeningly chaotic endeavour." 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher nods thoughtfully at the Maiden's report.

 If we do not breach the Lock-Rock will we alert their defences? If I bore only through the normal rock tomorrow it will give me a chance to attempt contact with a whispering wind. When we do breach the pit I will prepare gust of wind in case that buys us a short respite from the gas.

Have the golems exhibited any susceptibility to dispel magic? The manacles themselves are not too difficult to unlock. If you have any members skilled in the use of fine tools I may be able to draw up a primer to assist them. I feel any increase in efficiency will be helpful at this juncture.

Are the disposal lines a confined space or would there be room for a flying creature? 
JbeJ275
 "I can't say for sure, but believe that as long as the Lock-Rock itself is undamaged no alert should be given. As for the golems, they are magical yes, and dispelling them will usually cause they to pause for ten seconds or so, but many of them have their final enchantments woven by dedicated spellcasters from the upper city after most of the body is already formed. Unless you're targeting mere Golhunds you'd need powerfully directed magic to disrupt the arcane sigils."

"As for the disposal lines, they are set to guard the entry point of a fairly narrow tunnel, with no room for flying creatures. But it's only offset by a short distance from the central settling chamber, if you could lure them out or drag them from the tunnel they might be vulnerable to being engaged from the air, provided any such creatures are skilled in controlling their flight inside of structures. 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak shakes his head, and grimaces.

 "Typho is a warrior, but he cannot manoeuvre that way.  He will not be useful to us until we are well clear.  Still... my Inner Court have between them the gifts to execute this emancipation."   He turns his eyes to the Maiden, as the lengthy speculation begins to take shape.

 "I will tell you what we need, and also what will help - help in such a way that likely saves lives of your people."

"We  need , perhaps, four iterations of the grease spell, or something similar, to slick the tunnel.  It will be no good having a long line of prisoners crawling, shuffling, getting stuck, panicking in the dark, trying to turn around.  And if they delay in that tunnel, all it will require is a single elven mage with a lightning bolt prepared to kill them all.  It's a simple spell; petty castings from minor magical talents, or alchemical concoctions or scrolls to approximate the effect, with suit."

"Furthermore, we  need  a brave volunteer from among your people - one with an excellent internal sense of the passage of time.  We need someone to make a serious enough fuss to be arrested, but not so series they are apprehended with lethal force, and be incarcerated in the pit.  The elves have rules of engagement regarding each other's spies that forbid them to use mystical interrogation on a prisoner until twenty four hours have passed in which their 'owner' might have a chance to buy them free at an pricey ransom; so they will not learn our plan from this prisoner.  His or her job will be to get arrested about an hour before we intend to penetrate the Lock-Rock and finish the tunnel, and have warned the prisoners to be prepared to escape at the point of the tunnel's emergence with minimal delay.  My people will emerge to guard the area where the prisoners are escaping into the chute.  Once everyone is out, we will escape through the chute also, and Cypher will order the elemental creature to counter-bore and collapse the tunnel behind us."

"As for what  what will help ...  A potion, or casting, of the  Tongues  spell.  A scroll, or casting, of a cold spell to quickly settle the area of lock-rock that will be scalding hot immediately after we breach it..  The  Chilling Chamber  spell is ideal, but any cold spell that does not make it harder to escape through that short run of tunnel while cooling it down will work.  At a long shot, a casting or scroll of  Wall of Stone  to plug the chute after we have left it.  And as for dealing with the constructs and golems... Adamantine weapons, Golembane Scarabs, Potions of Golemstrike... any you have available will be worth our attention, and perhaps compensation." 

He glances once more to their companions, to see if they have any final requests to append.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan wiggles his fingers as his lord begins mentioning special materials.

"You know..... a pair of brass knuckles made with adamantine studs would go far in me being able to... deconstruct the constructs..."
Waistcoatwill
Cypher nods appreciatively to the Maiden's response and Lamorak's assessment.

 I have no final requests, Lord Protector. 
JbeJ275
 "The spells for the tunnel, we can provide, alchemical grease is common enough that we've built a stockpile and enough moves that we can replenish it swiftly. As for a volunteer, Maldin is among the few we know is destined for the pit, they execute all those they know are working for an organised branch among us with no contacts in the upper houses or foreign realms. He though has the changing gift, and so can ensure he will not be recognised, and his mind is sharp enough on the count.

The rest, will be more costly to us, though some of those costs we can bear. A trapsmith in the city is known to us and overseas another sector, we can secure his aid and the unforbidden gods can bring the cold through me as they give many gifts. Magic for fighting constructs though has grown rare in the lower city, as it was always a priority target for us rebels to secure so now it is restricted to the upper city and our stores ran dry over years worth of emergencies. Adamantine though, that allow requires too many hours of work for the higher elves to not have some labour done by another race. Adamantine weapons with enchantments of the first or second circles woven into them, those we can procure for you, but would need resources in exchange if we're to do so. They're in places where any access we can make is expensive and irregular. This would include studs, though if unenchanted studs are all you require the costs to lay our hands on them woul be less prohibitive."
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher looks to his compatriots and the Maiden.

 I have some captured equipment from the elven guards we slew earlier. Perhaps these may be out towards the cost of adamantine studs. Please alow me a short while to peruse the spellbooks. 
 
 Spoiler: Action 
Cypher casts read magic and goes through the two spell books they captured earlier. That should take one much ute oer page to see qhat spells are in them.
 
MrAbdiel
 "Enchantments are very good, but perhaps not necessary. The metal is sufficiently weaponizable in itself - and we would not need to take these weapons with us, when we leave.  Indeed, since they are about to be used in the first of the great acts of Liberty for your people, they might be considered... relics, for later generations.  Any single handed melee weapon will do for me, that is not too exotic." 
JbeJ275
 "You're bold indeed to claim this as the first great act of liberty, what we have hear may seem humble to a high lord but it took the labour and sacrifice of many over many years, and has seen many make it beyond the city in small bands, though I will admit this is perhaps the largest we will have yet seen. But very well, I should be able to ensure you are lent a set of four heavy maces forged of that alloy should that be what you require." 
 
 Spoiler: Cypher 

The Books seem to be fairly standard issue, retranslated by the mage from a standard syllabus and so have every Evocation, Enchantment, Divination, Conjuration and necromancy spell of 1st, 2nd or 3rd level from the PHb in them.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak tilts his head left and right in mild concession, and raises his hands in loose diplomatic 'surrender'.

 "I did not mean to suppose that you have floundered around in idleness until our arrival.  Indeed, my retinue and I owe you a debt for your assistance and competence already.  I mean only that, I expect and desire, that our involvement might mark a new era for your movement - one that will be looked back on fondly." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Nodding appreciatively at the mention of the adamantine maces, Cypher puts the looted spell book away and turns to the assembled group.

 We may have some trade to do in the future, but I must rest and prepare spells ifnwe are to achieve this breakout. Thank you for the loan or the maces. I bid you all a good night. 

He sets up a bedroll in a corner of the room and gets resting.
JbeJ275
 The Ordanan Underground, Several Days Later 

It's dirty cramped and unpleasant work as you, three maidens and several more human rebels advance towards the bottom of the pit, the human rebels are moving forward with long handled shovels, scraping away the ash and sediment left behind as the Thoqqua surges forward, the haste imbued into it allowing it wove quickly in repeating circles. Eventually, you hear the distinctive clicking of the tip of the Thoqqua against solid rock, and a nod from the maiden reveals that this is the Lock-Rock you've been tunnelling towards. A moments delay is had, as the pails of water that have been brought forth to cool the rock are refilled, and the large spades used to clear away the rubble are re-emptied.

 "It won't be long now."  The Maiden says.  "We're still on the correct timetable, Maldin was taken last night, and we're still working to the time-table drawn up then. Me and the maidens have made our devotions to the old gods of winter and woe. I would advise you take this moment to cast any last spells you need for this fight, you'll need to get out of the entryway to allow these men back inside, and hold the line until they're out of the Thoqqua tunnel. Stand true and we'll make sure your island gets its alchemists." 

At that, the man make ready and the elemental springs into action once more, moving swiftly back and forth across the wall to create a passage, until you can hear the sounds of alarm and the hiss of escaping gas in the chamber the other side of the wall. Then the Thoqqua breaks through, and you can see through the crack into the passageway beyond. The sturdiest of the rebels doused head to to in cold water rush through the heated passageway and bring down heavy sledgehammers, opening a larger passageway into the pits, and the other rebels through down bales of thatch soaked with tar. The maidens say a prayer, and the bales that have lit on the heated rock instead seem to burn with frozen fire, sucking in the heat from the rest of the stone, then other men run forward with casks of dark alchemical grease.

At this, you push through the collapsing wall, and past the crowded prisoners in the chamber, time is too short for a headcount but Lamorak can recognise the prisoners he spoke to during his brief incarceration here, and all of you can recognise Maldin who is directing the now jubilant prisoners to get other their surprise at his plan bearing fruit and rush into the tunnels, yet from the next cavern over you can hear the sound of metal crashing the floor as those chain golems from above fall, and more distantly the sound of alarm from above the pits themselves. As you stumble into the pit itself and see the first few prisoners begin to rush towards the opening and into the cramped tunnel beyond the first of these chain golems rounds the corner, with two more directly in sight and sound indicating more moving behind it.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Here we are, your plan has paid off for the most part, now it's time to roll initiative and protect the evacuation. Please mark off the summoning and haste spell used already and feel free to ask any questions you have about what's going on.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

After days of preparation the spymaster is both hungry to finally test the feasibility of his plan. Would they embarrass the elves, doom the resistance, or bring shame and incarceration to Lamorak? The next few moments would tell. A nod of thanks is all he can spare the Maiden, so focused is he on preparing for the upcoming fight.

Layers of arcane armour coat him and his features take on a lupine appearance as he steps from the tunnel into the Pit. He hefts the unfamiliar weight of his borrowed adamantine weapon and whispers to his comrades.

 The longer we can keep them out of this cavern the better. A web may slow them down. As a last resort I will conjure fog, it should be easier for us to escape blind than for their grasping chains to find us or the prisoners...I hope. 
 
 Spoiler: Buffs 
Buffs!
Mage armour
Shield
Familiar pocket
Heroics - martial study to get Mountain Hammer
Bite of the werewolf

Also firing off a nerveskitter with initiative.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan has layered his defenses as he exits, an unpracticed adamantine mace in his off hand he directs the prisoners to the hole.

"I believe, our prisoners need cover. "

Weaving a spell he begins to hack and cough until a ball of hair comes from his mouth. He tosses it up as it expands, covers and hides the prisoners escape. a 20 foot radius dome has appeared, looking to be the texture of a hairball, gives total concealment to everyone beneath it, but those within are able to look outward without issue.

 
 Spoiler: Spells 


Cast Mage Armor and Sheild on Self

Cast Tiny Hut to give all of us and Prisoners total concealment against the elves and approaching golems
 
Dusk Raven
As the prisoners begin to make their way past the rebels and Lamorak's team, Maiabel releases a wave of divine energy, giving as many of them as possible a slight boost in courage. With this done, she touches her hand to Lamorak, granting him a protective barrier. Finally, she tends to herself, using one last spell to boost her strength, something that will no doubt come in handy against the chain golems. With her spellcasting done, she puts away her divine focus and pulls out her second shortsword, getting into a proper fighting stance and preparing for the incoming foe.

 
 Spoiler: Preparation 

Cast Bless, preferably to catch as many people in the 50-feet radius burst as possible, giving everyone a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and saving throw against fear.
Cast Shield of Faith on Lamorak, giving him a +2 deflection bonus to AC,
And if I have time, Bull's Strength on myself, giving a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength. All of these buffs last for four minutes.
And of course, swift action adopt Island of Blades stance. I and another ally need only be adjacent to a foe to flank them.

Initiative:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak sucks in a breath though his nose; a response to the thrill of layered defensive magics falling on his person, at Maiabel's touch.  He gives her an appreciative glance, and notices  the shift in her posture - she has made herself deadlier to enemies who have even the smallest distraction, and he notes to himself to leverage her violence against the enemy.  Sharkan's protective 'hairball' veils most of the prisoners as they begin making their escape - but the Lord Protector notices the handful outside the obstruction, and the oncoming enemy.  In an action that could be mistaken for selflessness, he moves to expose himself from behind the veil - shield on one arm, black adamantine mace in the other - and looses a wordless, demanding shout, daring the golems' wrath.
JbeJ275
As you all push through the crowd of fleeing prisoners you get a better look at this first cohort of enemies to oppose you, when the golems had been moving in steady forward lurches they now slow to a forward crawl, withdrawing the mass of chains from their lower body and instead whirling them about with tremendous speed, forming a hail of biting stinging steel, the masses of ordinary chains concealing the heads of flails or brutal meat hooks  ready to dig into their enemies. The first one to get up to speed moves into the rear of a small crowd, catching one of the men inside this sphere of whirling blades, and you watch as a meat hook digs deep into his shoulder dragging him backwards into this shredding mass he screams for but a moment until a heavy bead of iron on the end of one chain removes the rear third of his skull, sending the contents spraying across the room.

Yet you are now ready to cover this escape, swiftly surging forward. Sharkan's effort to cast after the wall comes down delays him a moment, but the rest of you can now surge forward at the apparent enemies.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Grunting with frustration at being slower to act than a mere construct, Cypher surges into motion. He flings a matrix of arcane energy down the tunnel the chain golems emerged from, watching it transform into sticky web.

With half a sigh at his Lord's impetuousness, he too steps out of their protective barrier, keeping 5ft between him and the nearest golem. He takes a moment to study it, looking for a weakness.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Use 1IP to cast web (3/5 remaining). Aiming to just catch the golem nearest Sharkan's barrier in it.
Walks out of the barrier to present another option so Lamorak and the other prisoners arent ganged up on but stays out of B2B contact.

Collector of stories/knowledge devotion vs constructs.
Hoping to identify what weaknesses they have.
 (1d20+21)[ 35 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak audibly snarls as the infernal construct partially decapitates one desperate, fleeing prisoner.  Every civilian death in this endeavour undermined his authority, in that he had pledged to deliver these people.  Attacking them was an attempt to  shame  him; and the Lord Protector would brook no shame.

Accelerated by the power of Cypher's magics, he lunges forward a step and begins laying down a hail of blows on the offending construct.  His best efforts will not find purchase until Maiabel and he can work in concert - but in a grander scale of efforts, she was the weapon he wielded in such conflicts, and he brought himself close to provide her a window to strike most effectively.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 5ft Step and full attack! 
Die, Golem!

 (1d20+14)[ 34 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 10 ]  Magic Adamantine Damage
 (1d20+14)[ 26 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 7 ]  Magic Adamantine Damage
 (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 9 ]  Magic Adamantine Damage
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel notes her lord's change in position. She also notes a spot where she would be ideally placed to both give him flanking support and shield him from the attacks of the chain golems. But if she were to move there, she wouldn't be able to launch her traditional flurry of attacks.

Fortunately, her martial training had given her a solution to this. She tensed her legs, before making a mighty leap past Cypher towards a spot adjacent to her and between two of the chain golems, performing a flip midair to avoid strikes from the golems. Her maneuver completed, she readies her blades and strikes at the golem next to her lord. Her true intent is not to damage, however - it's to put up a strong defense, fully expecting the chain golems to all go for her.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
All right, a lot's going to happen here.

First off, Swift Action: Sudden Leap maneuver. I make a Jump check and move the distance specified by the result. The movement provokes AoOs as normal, but I can use Tumble while making the leap. I don't know if I get the penalty for needing a running start for this maneuver, but in this case it doesn't matter - thanks to the speed bonus from haste, I actually can't fail this. I'm only trying to go 10 feet, so the DC is 10/20.
Jump check:  (1d20+27)[ 30 ] 
Next, I'll make a check for Tumble for the one square I move through that the golems threaten... assuming they can't see me through the hut/only have a 5 foot reach.
Tumble check:  (1d20+18)[ 28 ] 
Now, I aim to be in the square just north of Lamorak. Time for my full attack! All attacks are going against the golem to the SW of me. I'll be using Combat Expertise with a full -5/+5, so my AC will be 29 until my next turn.
Attack 1:  (1d20+10)[ 13 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+8)[ 9 ]  plus Deadly Defense  (1d6)[ 3 ]  plus Penetrating Strike  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
Attack Haste:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+8)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+10)[ 16 ] 
Damage Off-Hand 1:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+5)[ 12 ] 
Damage 2:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+8)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ] 

That's all for this turn!
 
JbeJ275
Cypher's first strike, surrounding the golems with thick strands of web succeeds in entangling them, but the chains and blades move so fast and have such a narrow profile when directed that they do little to slow their forward motion. Further, he confirms some of what he was attempting to put together in terms of research against their foes. These creatures are highly resistant to magic, their literally helforged armour casting ignoring most effects, but retaining a vulnerability to slowing in the face of electrical magic. Sadly, his knowledge of their fighting style doesn't come to mind until a moment to late.

 As Lamorak and Maiabel step in to close the distance they find that eviscerating the prisoner did little to sap the momentum of the spinning golem, and they're both forced to devote great attention to dodging, knowing any failure of their reflexes could leave them open to brutal punishment. However under the combined weight of all of their blows the golem does eventually stop it's movement, slumping into a pile of broken metal links.

This provides only a moments escape though as the next golem begins to create this whirling effect around itself as well, it seems to try to move forward to catch all of you in the hail of steel, but Cypher's web holds it back for the moment it takes him and Lamorak to evade it. Over the clashing of steel you also hear a voice cry out in elven.

 
 Spoiler: Elven 

 "They've broken through something down there, it must be the same ones from before! Supress the lighting in there now and get the broilers ready!" 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak and Maiabel, make a DC 17 Reflex saving throw or take 24 damage, Sharkan and Maiabel make a DC 17 Reflex Saving throw or take 19 damage.

It is now Sharkan's turn.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Suprised they are able to strike at him despite being unable to see him Sharkan bends as a leave on the wind to avoid the attack.

"keep it going guys, evacuate now."

Sharkan verbally rushes the prisoners.
JbeJ275
While Sharkan escorts the fleeing prisoners through the tunnel, seeing six of them push their way into the narrow crawlspace the chain golems are not idle, two of them lurch forward, to distant to trap any of you inside the whirling dervish of chains but quite capable of striking at you with single long chains deployed from a distance. The first is no challenge whatsoever to Maiabel, who expertly parries the blow, but another sees her move at just the wrong moment leaving a cut that's long and shallow but bleeding readily.

And as you fight you hear a steady hissing in the distance that was quiet suddenly grow louder, yellow green fog swelling to fill the dungeon. It's not yet reached the chamber you're fighting in, but you know it's only a matter of time before it gets there.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Maiabel takes 5 damage, it's now her, Cyper's and Lamorak's go.
 
MrAbdiel
Now his blood is up.  This whole expedition was very nearly a dismal failure; Lamorak had tasted enough failure for a lifetime, but this plan was finally shaping into a success.  The gas in the distance was a trouble to consider soon - but for now, he was more than happy to vent his frustration on the constructs before him, stepping in beside Maiabel and laying about with heavy, crashing blows with the ensorcelled mace.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 

5ft step, then whackwhackwhack.  All magic and adamantine bludgeoning damage.

Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 28 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 9 ] , and  (2d6)[ 6 ]  penetrating strike.
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 25 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 12 ] , and  (2d6)[ 7 ]  penetrating strike.
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 28 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] , and  (2d6)[ 4 ]  penetrating strike.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Alarmed by the rapid ingress of gas, Cypher stows his mace and attempts to unweave the magic producing it.

 My Lord Protector, apologies for me lack of assistance. This gas is rising alarmingly fast. The elves may also remove any illumination from the chamber. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Focused dispel on the gas.
 (1d20+7)[ 21 ]  vs DC 11+spell level
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel weighed her options for a moment, before continuing on with the same frenzy of attacks she had been doing before. She no longer takes quite as much of a defensive stance, some part of her hoping that the golems will target her more durable - or at least less wounded - comrades.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Full attack time, against the only chain golem in my reach! Combat Expertise again, but only taking a -2/+2, so my AC will be 26.

Attack 1:  (1d20+13)[ 32 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus Deadly Defense  (1d6)[ 1 ]  plus Penetrating Strike  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
Attack Haste:  (1d20+13)[ 23 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+8)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+13)[ 17 ] 
Damage Off-Hand 1:  (1d6+7)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+7)[ 21 ] 
Damage 2:  (1d6+8)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+7)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Lamorak and Maiabel both press forward, each dispatching one of the advancing chain golems with brutal efficiency, more stream forward from behind but by the sounds of rattling chains in the other room quieting you realise you've cleared your way through most of them, though no doubt something else will follow. Meanwhile Cypher's spell stops the gas in place, it's no longer moving forward with the magic pushing the gas towards you being thoroughly supressed, but it seems the gas itself was alchemical rather than magical and so remains in place.

This is also the moment when the illumination in the chamber suddenly ceases only the tunnel you took in still lit by spluttering torchlight. But the masses of prisoners fleeing into that tunnel are breaking up the light and making it useless for fighting by, with the sounds of whirling clinking and colliding with stone being your only cue for where the next blow is coming from. Indeed Lamorak and Maiabel are tested in this manner in short order, as the next golem whirls forward.

From above, you hear something heavy moving then another weighty step coming this time from another chamber on your level.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Anyone without an ability to see in the dark is now blinded, the -4 to dexterity based checks is also going to apply to reflex saves against anything that doesn't itself give off light.

Lamorak and Maiabel make a DC 17 reflex save or take 24 damage.

It is now Sharkan's go.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan curses under his breath, his magic had been cast with the intent to deny their foes vision,  and now he could not see. He possessed no spells of light, aside from spells of fire, but thinking quickly he extended his palm to the square between him and the exit hole.

"Cute Cat Candle...."

 
 Spoiler: spell 

Casting Prestidigitation to summona crude lit candle
 


A small, crudly made candle that vaguely looks like a cat, appears lit behind him, giving just a hint of light for his benefit.

 
 Spoiler: ooc. 
done, that's what I got for now
 
JbeJ275
The light of the small and lumpy candle fills an area within five feet of Sharkan with a dim flickering light, but the flames are quickly swallowed up in the gloom that continues to dominate the rest of the cavern. While Maiabel's mask lets her see what's coming through the rest of the cavern, none of the others can catch more than sudden glints of metal and stone coming from the inky blackness, at least not until something plunges out of the darkness to where the candlelight illuminates Lamorak's armour, and momentarily wraps around his knee, leaving a deep and jagged cut in the joint as the chain whips back into the darkness. The cut already inflicted on Maiabel seems to be similiarly jagged, and is freely bleeding at quite a rate.

Behind you you can hear more prisoners escape into the tunnel beyond, but there are still more crowding around the gap.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak take  11 damage , Maiabel take  2 damage  from a bleeding effect. The yellow cirlce on roll 20 is illumination from the candle.

It is now Lamorak, Cypher and Maiabel's go.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher

The spymaster reaches I to his haversack and pulls out an iron rod tipped with gold. Striking it against his blade to activate its harsh white illumination, he tosses it next to Lamorak's feet.

 
 Spoiler: Let ther be light! 
(within a 30 ft radies and shadows for another 30!)
Move equivalent - draw sunrod.
Standard - activate it then drop it just in front of him.
 
MrAbdiel
The pain is almost thrilling - the time spent in subterfuge, in idleness and planning, has compressed the violence within him; and the exchange of blows and the smell of blood - his, Maiabel's, the prisoner's - pulls the malice up to his heart, where he can channel it into his arm.  The darkness is an impediment - but he need only wait a moment before Cypher removes that obstacle, and he is freed to visit his fury on his attacker at once.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 20 ]  for [ROLL]1d8+5, and  (2d6)[ 9 ]  penetrating strike.
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 26 ]  for [ROLL]1d8+5, and  (2d6)[ 7 ]  penetrating strike.
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 25 ]  for [ROLL]1d8+5, and  (2d6)[ 12 ]  penetrating strike.

Been adding +4 to damage instead of +5, derp.

Hmm - JBE, is that white circle a visible effect?
If my attacks perchance drop this chainboy, and that isn't a big zone of obvious death, Lamorak will 5ft step forward. Otherwise he'll remain where he is.
 
Dusk Raven
Stab. Stab. Stab. Maiabel's routine varies little, for there is nothing else to do but stand beside her lord and strike at the chain golems they face. Fortunately, it's something she's good at.

For a brief moment, as darkness envelopes the group, Maiabel is grateful that her mask isn't just for show. And then Cypher lights a sunrod, and the moment passes. Still, she's ready to be the group's eyes again if need be.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Once again, full attack. Also once again, Combat Expertise is at a -2/+2, so AC is 26.

All attacks are directed against the chain golem in front of Maiabel.

Attack 1:  (1d20+13)[ 15 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus Deadly Defense  (1d6)[ 4 ]  plus Penetrating Strike  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack Haste:  (1d20+13)[ 21 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+13)[ 14 ] 
Damage Off-Hand 1:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ] 
Damage 2:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
Attack Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 
Damage Haste:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
 
JbeJ275
With the new light provided by the sunrod Lamorak and Cypher take down another whirling golem, leaving only two of them left. But then around the corner comes an elvish chant and a bead of bright red light, slamming into the cavern wall and filling it with fire. Emptying out the mass of spiderwebs Cypher conjured there not long ago, and ripping around the golems there, seemingly leaving them untouched, the parts of metal that melt shifting back into even better fits. The wave of heat even manages to reach Lamorak and Maiabel's positions.

At the same time, one of the chain golems, now free from the slowing effect of the webs lurches forward, throwing two lengths of chain at the advancing lord protector. One of which managed to land in another deep and freely bleeding cut. The metal footsteps from behind them are now audible again, as a large form seems to be heading around the corner.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak takes  9 damage . Then Lamorak and Maiabel make a DC18 Reflex Save and  take 24 damage on a fail or 12 on an un-evasioned success 

It's now Sharkan's go.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan cannot see from where that ball of fire came from so he growls low under his breath. Instead he raises his off hand as a Cats Paw made of force appears before the Golem closest to Lamorak. Suddenly it BAP BAP BAP, slapping the chain golem in the face.

 
 Spoiler: Spell 

Bigby's Slapping Hand, Concentration DC 20 to avoid provoking an Attack of Opportunity from Lamorak
 


"Hit it again my lorrrrd!"
JbeJ275
After Sharkan completes his spell and Lamorak completes his lunge new words cry out in rushed elvish, seemingly giving new instructions to the golems. The chain golems cease their easily dodged whirling, with the one Lamorak struck making deliberate strikes at Maiabael rather than lashing out in every direction. Then, the form from around the corner becomes clearly visible, a 9ft tall metal humanoid made of polished plates of steel rounds the corner, it moves forwards with accelerated steps, a strange force seeming to push the rock around it forward as it moves towards the group. Yet it seems to be forced to stop by the tight confines of the tunnel, stopping short of you, then slamming an extended limb into Lamorak.

Behind you, yet more of the refugees stream into the tunnel, with a majority of the cavern's inhabitants now have made it clear.


 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak and Maiabel both take 13 damage from the chain golem and shield guardian. They also both take 2 further damage from bleed effects.

It is now Lamorak, Cypher and Maiabel's go.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak shifts on his feet out of the scything path of chains and magical blasts; but despite his admirable agility even plated, he cannot avoid all harm.  Hissing as he feels blood splashing from a rent in his armor, he persists in his assault, smashing the borrowed mace into the mess of chain and infernal construction in effort to clear it before the guardian behind it was able to creep forward... and before the gas drifted in, at its now lessened urgency.

 "Wretched elves!  Come risk your own blood, you boneless fae mongrels!" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Attack!

  Attack1  - (1d20+14)[ 26 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 11 ]  and  (2d6)[ 9 ] .
  Attack2  - (1d20+9)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 8 ]  and  (2d6)[ 3 ] .
  AttackHaste  - (1d20+14)[ 26 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 10 ]  and  (2d6)[ 8 ] .

5ft step to fall back parallel to Maiabel, whose ability to 'flank' while just being adjacent is absolute gold.
 
Dusk Raven
The fireball, along with the hits the chain golems are starting to inflict, are finally taking their toll on Maiabel. It's a small miracle that she can even still stand at this point. Her will may be strong, but her body is beginning to fail her. And, while she'd normally pride herself on selflessly serving her master... a servant is no good dead. Not unless her death serves some purpose - and it would not, at this juncture.

Carefully, she backs away from the chain golem, just enough to get some breathing room, before sheathing her left shortsword so that she has a free hand to make the required gestures for the healing spell she uses on herself.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Five-foot step south.
Move action - Sheathe my off-hand shortsword.
Standard action: Cast Cure Moderate Wounds on myself.  (2d8+4)[ 19 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Looking at the new construct which is apparently to large to move closer, the spymaster begins to hope that they can limit further attrition of their resources.

 Lord Protector, it might be te to retreat into Sharkan's sphere. We can hope this new construct has only limited reach. Allow me to remove the last obstacle.

His flickering form lashes out at the last  chain golem adjacent to Lamorak before he steps within the limits of the hairball.
 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Full Attack with power attack -5 and +4 attack/damage from knowledge devotion.
Attack 1 (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 23 ] 
Attack 2  (1d20+7)[ 19 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 22 ] 
Haste attack  (1d20+12)[ 23 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 21 ] 
Followed by 5ft step south east.

Dodge vs big golem AC 29 vs it  28 otherwise
 
JbeJ275
This wizard at least seems to speak common, for he responds to Lamorak's taunts.

 "You are foolish, our spirit is of the divines. I at least am too wise to spend it, unlike whichever fools you may have met earlier. I have been shown the path to deliver you death through simple control of others." 

As he's decrying you, your swings manage at last to tear apart the chain golem, leaving only one still visible behind the heft of the shield guardian. However, the same figure that likely blasted you with a fireball now steps out from around the corner, and casts something targeted at the very edge of Sharkan's conjoured barrier. Suddenly from the stalagtites above your head and the uneven rocks beneath your feet a great mass of black muscles and chain reaches out, attempting to envelop your legs and necks, and prevent your retreat. The field even reaches as far as the mouth of the cavern, and while those who have already fled are safe, those prisoners still fleeing prove vulnerable to the strength of these grasping tentacles.

At the same moment, Maiabel's freely bleeding wound closes, while Lamoraks continues to exhaust yet more of his strength onto the cavern floor.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Evard's Black Tentacles Time!

Everyone needs to make a Grapple check against the following DCs, on a failure, you are grappled.

Lamorak: 35
Maiabel: 27
Cypher: 28
Sharkan:32

Wow, that was a hot set of dice.

Also Lamorak takes a further 2 damage from ongoing bleed.

It's now Sharkan's go
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Unsuspecting, Sharkan is snatched up by the tentacles.

"What the Nurrrrrgal?"

He struggles and twists and turns, trying to free himself.

 
 Spoiler: dice rolls 

 (1d20+5)[ 24 ]  grapple challenge vs tentacles
 


Sharkan barely escapes and looks around, trying to spot that caster for targeting
JbeJ275
The caster is visible not quite visible from where Sharkan currently stands, but from the sound of his voice and direction of his spellcasting he must be behind the great shield guardian and through that narrow passageway to the next chamber.

Speaking of said guardian, it slows it's approach to push through the narrowest point of the cavern walls, but with a great noise of grinding metal on stone manages to push through. It's great bulk is now in the chamber with all of you, and while the mindless tentacles reach for it as well, it seems far stronger than them. It moves up and slams into the form of Lamorak, dealing another powerful blow to the bleeding Lord Protector.

At the same moment, a hiss resumes from a distant point in the cavern, and yellow fog begins advancign once again, now spilling out from around the corners it has previosuly reached and billowing towards you. The Elven mage, from all that you can see, seems to have taken some precaution against these poisonous vapours, likely expecting the possibility of a fight under these conditions, or at least descending under such conditions to clean human corpses from the pit.

 
 Spoiler: Roll 

Lamorak takes 16 slamming damage and 2 bleeding damage.

It is now Lamorak's Maiabel's and Cypher's turns.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 Lord Protector, if we might change places for a moment?
 

Cypher speaks an arcane word, struggling to keep strain out of his voice as he does so.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Concentration vs DC 21 to cast benign transposition whilst grappled.
 (1d20+13)[ 21 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Breathing a sigh of relief, Cypher extends his whip blade. Incanting to himself he starts to become semi transparent and lashes out at both the snaring tentacles and construct. As his blade connects with the tentacles a flash emits, as his stored magics seek to unbind the elven mage's workings.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Cast wraithstrike defensively.
Concentration  (1d20+13)[ 31 ]  vs DC 17

Full attack with 5 power attack vs touch AC if the spell worls, once he hits the tentacles he unleashes a targeted dispel magic.

Left over hits are against the guarduan with an extra +4 to hit and damage per hit.

Attack 1  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 22 ] 
Artack 2  (1d20+3)[ 7 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 19 ] 
Haste attack  (1d20+8)[ 15 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 22 ] 

Dispel check  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 
 
JbeJ275
While Cypher's weapons do no damage to the tentacle themselves, the same cannot be said of his attempts to unbind them. Indeed after a tense few seconds the tentacles seem to fade to mist, with the rocky surface beneath them returning to normal and dropping you and the other captives once again. This succesful strike is followed up by one that seems to be rebuffed by the air in front of the construct, and another that pierces through and puts a long scratch on the construct.
Dusk Raven
Now that Maiabel no longer has to worry about tentacles keeping her restrained, she takes stock of the situation. Her wounds have been managed for the most part, but her master's are continuing to bleed freely. Since she still has a hand free - and drawing her weapon again would expose her to the larger construct's attacks - her choice is clear. Keeping her guard up, she intones a brief prayer and touches her hand to her master, hoping she doesn't mess the spell up in her attempt to avoid exposing herself to an attack.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Standard action: Cast Lesser Vigor on Lamorak. Casting defensively, so I need to make a DC 16 Concentration check:  (1d20+12)[ 23 ]  If successful, Lamorak gains Fast Healing 1 for the next 14 rounds.
 
MrAbdiel
Bertelis rocks with the blows, each impact from the machine throwing up sparks where his spiked armour scrapes and heaves under the impact.  This time, he does not strike back - he focuses on the shadowed form of the wizard behind his golems, bracing for a recast; striving to hold together long enough for their escapees to make good their departure.  His wounds sealing after Maibelle's spell, and the cessation of the monstrous tendril zone, help this considerably.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Fast Heals 1 HP.  Readies an action to use Divine Counterspell.
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel and Lamorak's shift to defensive actions is perhaps prudent, as they seek to be ready to disengage with the last of the prisoners making ready to leave behind them. maiabel's magic successfully stems the bleeding, but neither are in a good position to whether the following flurry of attacks. With a speed equal to your own, the guardian reigns down blows on Cypher, Maiabel and Lamorak, and while Lamorak is able to deflect his it leaves him open to another swipe from the chain catching him in his side and opening up another nasty wound. Against the other two, blows land firm, Cypher' speed proving insufficient to let him dodge, even as its blows rain down, the scratches Cypher laid into the guardian seem to steadily be knitting back together.



 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Maiabel takes a hit for 13 damage, Cypher for 15, Lamorak for 8, and his two old sets of wounding are cleared but then a new set of wounding begins.

Sharkan's turn.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan moves south 15ft, peeking and moving until he thinks he can partially see the enemy elf, still hidden behind his hairball, he weaves a spell as a small kitten of flame appears at his feet. He whispers to the kitten before it sprints across the cavern, between the guardians feet, back to the elf. The kitten looks up to the elf before letting out a loud tiny "meoooooow" before exploding in a 20ft radius ball of flame.


 
 Spoiler: mechanics 
Fireball
Reflex save dc 18
(8d6)[17]
 
JbeJ275
Sharkan's initial movement is punished, as the guardian lashes out at Sharkan's retreating form and manages to clip him in his side, but the fireball proceeds apace, and the mage is unable to dodge out of the way nearly quickly enough. That said, the elf seems less hurt by the blow than any of you might normally expect.

He goes to cast another spell in return, and conjuration magic flares once more, though subtler this time. With a mass of webs appearing to slow you rather than tentacles to seize you, then he moves back out of your line of sight, stepping around the corner of the chamber, though whether this magic has any effect remains an open question as Lamorak is ready to try and sunder it through his force of will.

And as you fight, the yellow gas surges forward from ahead of you, and the prisoners empty out from the tunnel behind. Only a few of them still remain, with the young alchemist now among the evacuated.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 

If Lamorak can make a DC 18 level check-3, then you're unbothered. Otherwise, you're entangled as per the web spell and it's a DC 17 reflex save or you can't move.

Sharkan takes 9 damage from an AoO.

It’s now Lamorak’s, Cypher’s and Maiabel’s go.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Disgusted at the Elf mage's behaviour, Cypher yells after him in elvish.

 A web? Your lack of originality bores me, as does your toy.

 

Attempting to partially fade from reality once more, Cypher lays into the guardian in a blur of strikes.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting wraithstrike defensively  (1d20+13)[ 16 ]  vs DC 17.

Full Attack with power attack for 5.
Attack 1 (1d20+12)[ 30 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 25 ] 
Attack 2 (1d20+7)[ 24 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 24 ] 
Haste attack (1d20+12)[ 14 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 25 ] 
Then attempting to 5ft step south east if web allows that.
 
MrAbdiel
Another blow taken; another increment of healing from Maiabel's magic assisting; the Lord Protector roars in frustration as the keen elven magics overcome his simple effort to break them.

 Damn you, Malakharn!  Damn you for departing me before teaching me all your secrets!  I shall find them for myself, in time - would that you had saved me the effort! 

The crown worked into his helm thrums with old magic as extra strength floods his arms; and with a mighty effort he strives to cave in more of the Shield Guardian's chassis, web or no web!

 
 Spoiler: OOC: Attacks! 
Immediate action to activate the  Crown of Might  active spell to gain an extra 6 strength for this round.  After this round, he will lose both this bonus and the +2 for the active spell, back down to his base.  So an extra +3 to hit and +3 damage; and a -2 to hit for the entangle.  Also I have been forgetting the flanking +2 to hit.  Boo.

Full round attack.

  Attack1  - (1d20+17)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8+9)[ 15 ]  and  (2d6)[ 4 ] 
  Attack2  - (1d20+12)[ 17 ]  for  (1d8+9)[ 14 ]  and  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
  AttackHaste  - (1d20+17)[ 33 ]  for  (1d8+9)[ 12 ]  and  (2d6)[ 3 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Their situation grows worse. The web is a particular hindrance for Maiabel, who relies so heavily on agility. She briefly considers trying to strike at the construct in front of her, but doubts she'll be able to do sufficient damage to destroy it. Not with only one blade.

Fortunately, it's left itself unable to take advantage of the openings she's about to provide, or so she hopes. So, she casts her final spell on herself, imbuing her with some healing magic. It will likely work too slowly to have an effect... but it's somewhat she wants all the same. Then, she draws her second blade. No more spells - she will live or die by martial might alone at this point.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Standard Action: Cast Lesser Vigor on myself.
Move action: Draw my off-hand shortsword again.
Free action: Hope and pray.
 
JbeJ275
As each of you press hard against the creature with your attacks it shows just how resilient it is, clearly imbued with careful spell work prior to the start of this fight, only a few blows make it past its shifting speed and its magical shield network, it seems to be starting to slow, perhaps halfway destroyed, but not much more than that. Taking advantage of your poor fortune, and the momentary delays introduced by the silk strands grabbing at your limbs, it focuses it's attention on Cypher in return and lands two hefty blows on the spymaster. The remaining chain construct swipes for the Lord protector, but there at least you have some good fortune, as both of it's blows are soundly deflected by Lamorak's armour. Yet the most recently inflicted of his wounds is still bleeding, and the wizard will surely soon begin unleashing his next volley.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Cypher, takes 29 damage between two powerful hits. Lamorak bleeds for 2 HP, it's Sharkan's turn.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, sure that his magic will have little effect on the guardian, decides his best bet is to give his allies the opportunity to damage it further.  Weaving his magic, a cats paw appears before the guardians face and bap bap bap, smacks it in the face, distracting it from its current situation.

"My Lorrrd, Compatriots. Attack now!"

 
 Spoiler: Spell Mechanics 

Bigbys slapping hand

Everyone else gets an AoO on the Guardian
 
MrAbdiel
With the last ounces of magical strength ebbing away, Lamorak uses the opportunity Sharkan has created to swing...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
AoO:  (1d20+17)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+9)[ 12 ]  and  (2d6)[ 5 ] , against the Shield Guardian.

Edit:...Dagnabbit, friggen web...  Unless the construct's toe is caught in the same web, I think I miss.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Aggressive posture and ensorcelled blade persisting despite heavy bleeing, Cypher strikes at the opening created by Sharkan.

 
 Spoiler: AoO 
Touch attack  (1d20+12)[ 15 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 23 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
A single strike isn't much coming from Maiabel, but she makes the attempt all the same.

 
 Spoiler: AoO 
Attack:  (1d20+13)[ 14 ]  Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  Penetrating Strike.
 
JbeJ275
Despite the efforts and brimming hatred of the lord protector and his spymaster, the intangible shield and accelerated movement, combined with it's sheer toughness allow it to shrug off the worst of these attacks.

Taking a second to look towards Cypher, the Wizard speaks back in elvish.

 "Bored are you? Perhaps your compatriots will find this more exciting." 

Then he turns and unleashes another ball of fire, sweeping mercilessly through the chamber in an immense blast. The chain golem is completely unaffected, and the shield guardian takes only a superficial impact from the wave of fire. The two prisoners caught in the edge of the blast do surprisingly well, and though they seem severely burned neither goes down, and the third pushes the last few feet through the webs unburned, with them all using the newfound freedom from the webbing to sprint down the tunnel to the waiting maidens. You though may not be so lucky, as the wounds you've already taken, combined with the raging fire, and now burning spider silk sticking to your skin threatens to push you past the edge of what you could bear.

At the same time, the Tiny hut is shattered by the force of the fire, and the choking gas continues its merciless advance.

 
 Spoiler: Roll 

Okay, last big spell this guy has in the tank. It's make it or break it time. Everyone make a DC 18 reflex save. On a fail, 20 damage, half that on a success. Additionally, everyone takes 2d4 damage straight up. It's Lamorak, Cypher and Maiabel's go.

Lamorak: (2d4)[ 3 ] 
Sharkan:  (2d4)[ 5 ] 
Maiabel:  (2d4)[ 6 ] 
Cypher:  (2d4)[ 4 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan evades the flames of the spell, but the web burned his clothing, the first bit of injury since he arrived, he looked very displeased.

"My lorrrrd, I believe it is time for a dignified withdrawl, I will hold the line for but a moment so you three can exit safely. We have much to do, and falling in such an undignified location is beneath you."

Sharkan pleads for a withdrawl with a note of irritation, the situation, though successful, was not optimal
Dusk Raven
If Maiabel had been more adeptly trained in the art of evading magical explosions, she might be in a better position. But as it stands, she can only avoid enough of the blast to avoid dying outright - not enough to keep standing. The fact that the webs around her burn away is small consolation, given that she's already unconscious by that point. The magic she's cast on herself will eventually heal her to the point that she might stand back up... if the gas doesn't get her first.

Still, she did as much as she could. She's not presently capable of having regrets, but even if she were, she would have none.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak roars.  His last blow with the mace is not only unable to down the construct, but his feet are snarled in web, give him no mobility at all.  But the web is as much obstruction to the mage as it is obstacle to Lamorak.  As the flames detonate on the outerweb and race through the interior, he thrashes the mace in circle, gathering the burning and untethered strands up and casting them to one side with a minimum of burn to his person.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Edited Re: OOC stuff.  Lamorak avoids the blast; but takes the 3 fire damage from the burning web, reducing him to 7HP.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Barely standing and inches from death, Cypher curses the Marcellian God-King, all elves and himself for failing to calculate a better strategy.

Adjusting his position slightly to the South East, he reaches into his pouch for the largest healing potion he has.

Infernal  Lord Protector, please grab Maiabel and step closer to me. Sharkan, please feed he this if you can.
 

Elvish 
Your desperate clinging to the might of your ancestors gas made you weak! All you have achieved is singeing us and killing a single prisoner. How much longer will this sham nation last? 

He waits for Lamorak to get within range and cooly begins the incantation that will teleport them down the tunnel, deftly leaving no opening for the construct to interrupt.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

5ft step to the square with an X.

Move action, draw a potion of cure serious wounds from the handy Haversack so that someone can easily get it.

Ready action to dimension door when Lamorak fills the gap.

Defensive casting of Dimension Door to take them down the tunnel as far as possible (no idea if the shield guardian has used an AoO this turn but it is probably still within reach.
Concentration  (1d20+13)[ 19 ]  DC 19 to avoid AoO.

Current AC 29 vs shield guardian with 30% miss chance.

Haste and bite of the werewolf end at the start of his next turn and he drops to -14 without the potion
 
MrAbdiel
No time to argue; the margin of victory was razor thin.  Lamorak hurled the mace with frustration and contempt at the guardian, triggering its intuition to raise an arm to defend while he shuffled back a quick step.  Sliding to his knee, he  felt the crown flash and fill him with more titantic strength, and he gathered fallen, faithful Maiabel under his shield arm as easilly as one might pick up a toy.  She lay next to the body of the fallen prisoner; the back of his skull split open and much of the gore emptied from within.  And in a moment of boiling spite, he snatched that body up too, in his free hand; hauling the dead man under his other arm while his eyes tracked the construct towering up, and ready to crush them all.
JbeJ275
The shield guardian deflects the mace into the celing with a single swift movement, then continues it's movement, transitioning the parry into a quick strike that seems destined to crush the torso of one of the inner council. Indeed Lamorak can feel the wind in front of his face move in the split second before the guardian is replaced with the near pitch blackness of the tunnel you emerged from. Only the flickering light of the coldfire conjured by the resistance and now being hurriedly extinguished illuminates Maiabel's wounds, which are closing only the merest fraction faster than they're worsening. Cypher's magically imbued toughness quickly begins to flee as well, while the ragged bleeding wound the golem carved into Lamorak continues to paint the floor below a dirty shade of crimson. Sharkan, shielded by the others engaging the bulk of the golems is for the most part unhurt, though the burns carried by the web still paint a nasty pattern down the Spell-hide's back.

At the other end of the tunnel, the resistance seems to be making good their escape. One of the maiden gives out a cry to the earthfather, and a mass of the tunnel's roof turns to clay, blocking a small area around the entrance and burying the chain golem that was making an effort to give chase. Closer, you can see the grease-soaked prisoners and hardy resistance workmen scrambling on hands and knees through the collapsing tunnel, the area you sit in now is not in the area that was set to collapse to cover your retreat, but it's closer than is comfortable, and few of the rebels who get to your position stop their running, though all of them seem to be breathing deeply and gladly, the musty greasy and smoky air filling the tunnel the best tase of freedom any of these men have had in a long time.

While most are too panicked or giddy to pay you much mind, Maldin, now lacking his armour and weapons notes your appearance and rushes to your side. Ready to take some of Maiabel's weight and calling for a medic. He seemed to be one of the first to have his shackles removed, but many others still seem to have lacked the chance to remove them.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Good job team! We're still gonna be "in initiative" until no-one is bleeding to death but given the lack of present enemies feel free to act as you will. Also, Lamorak takes 2 more points of bleeding damage.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkans eyes go red for a moment, thinking the spell of flame had nearly wiped out his lord and compatriots. He bares his fangs, preparing for a more fierce response, but Cypher was able to pull some magical shenanigans to steal the victory from the elves. Now squatting in the tunnel he released his baited breath, taking the potion from Cypher and forced the liquid down the mages throat.

"Be healed, your efforts have saved us from certain defeat."

He takes a quick manifest of the situation and looks to the freedom fighters.

"Are there any of you that can offer some minor healing to her so that we don't have to drag her the entire way? Well be able to exit more quickly. My lord apologies for the loss  of one of the prisoners,  we shall see if we can access an option to reverse that."
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

A look of equal parts panic and appreciation enter Cypher's eyes as his lupine features shift back to his human ones. Huge bruises spread out from his wounds, no longer damped by arcane physiology, only to fade in their centres as the healing potion does its work.

He almosy collapses, driven to stoop, bracing his hands on his thighs and panting. For a moment it is all he can do to reacg out and clutch Sharkan's arm in thanks.

After a few seconds to recover his wits he reaches into his Haversack once more.

He rasps,  I have five minor healing potions for the Lord Protector and his squire. 

He draws two, holding one out to Lamorak and the other to Sharkan ro repeat his favour for Maiabel.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Draw two potions of cure minor wounds to try and get everyone away from "actively bleeding to death" ASAP.
 
MrAbdiel
 "Save the tonics - they are more simple to desperately deploy, as you've just proved."
 
Lamorak glances back up the tunnel for just a moment.  It's sealed... for now.  So they have a breath of space to operate.  He lowers the body of the slain man quickly to the ground (that one needs no comfort, now); and more carefully sets down Maiabel to the stone floor.  As once before,  a he produces a trinket from his belt - a human jawbone, which he grips in the hook of his middle and ring fingers, forking the back ends of the bone forward and touching them lightly to Maiabel's collar bone; and after she has drank of its energy, some to his own.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Well, since we're sort of out of initiative (no one is going to die from mismanaged time), I think we're clear to throw around a couple of turns of healing.

 (1d8+1)[ 2 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 8 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 

Wand of Cure Light Wounds is down to 43/50 Charges.

The first two (atleast) are into Maiabel.  Hopefully that brings her back up to positive numbers.  Along with her fast healing. He'll tap her with the third if he has to, but otherwise he'll take the next two.  I think that means two or three more turns of bleeding for 2 for Lamorak, but I assume the healing spell will clear that bleed entirely...?

Also, JBE - the dead man... does Lamorak recognize him from the pit?  One of the men he spoke to, or one of the faceless crowd?
 
JbeJ275
 "You've no need to apologise. The death of any of these men is regrettable, but freedom in the struggle is better than a life in those chains. He'll be laid to rest as a martyr, and remembered by those who fight. As for healers, any of the maidens can, but they're waiting where we're going or tending to those now retreating. They can see to you in a few moments."  Maldin replies, looking on with relief as Lamorak's wand ensures you'll each be able to make it to where healing awaits. The other freed prisoners are looking at the group of you with some awe, as are the maidens who bring up the rear of the retreat, leaving the tunnel filled with broken rubble behind them. You see the tunnel has now closed solid, and the light rain of dirt on your position has stopped.

The group of you are left there for a moment, as even Maldin stops to address the body, lifting him up with a great deal of gentleness. Lamorak is the only one of you who recognises the man, one of the smaller group that spent most of their time in the entrance hall, you’re sure you heard his name at one point in your quiet hours there... Keften or Kessen or something like that, one of the younger men, less excited to speak up about what got him here than most. Either way, Maldin and one of the priestesses are now carrying him away, waiting a few paces ahead of you and waiting for you to follow, but clearly unwilling to leave the pour soul or the floor.

As for your group, Maiabel opens her eyes after the healing is administered, now stable if not free from the pain of many burns, and turning forward down the tunnel you catch awe in the eyes of the freed prisoners, and a strange mixture of awe and dread from the maidens and resistance members. You've delivered them one miracle, but it nearly killed you to do it, and yet the chances of most of them living to the weeks end seem remote if you're not able to perform another in short order.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Whoop, we're now all the way out of initiative as you have all pulled through. Lamorak does get 2 more turns of bleeding but the heal spell does remove that entirely. Good job on a very high stakes jailbreak.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak takes particular note of Maldin - the one who had been arrested to make this plan work, showing an incredible amount of trust and courage.  One to watch - perhaps, a regional commander in some future regime.  But he tracks his gaze to the body of the dead young man as it it carried, and tells the maiden:

 "...I would ask you enshroud him, but do not bury or burn him.  After we cross the sea, I will strive to find a miracle worker to draw him back - I would deny the elves even the satisfaction of one slain prisoner, if I can." 

Deciding their resources will be of no use if they die with them, he becomes a little more liberal with the jawbone...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: You Only Live Twice 
Little more healing from the wand.

 (3d8+3)[ 11 ]  for Cypher
 (3d8+3)[ 12 ]  for Maiabel
 (3d8+3)[ 17 ]  for Lamorak.

9 more charges takes it down to 35/50.

Lamorak's HP is at 32.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher breathes more evenly after Lamorak's ministrations with the jawbone.

 Thank you, Lord Protector. I can offer some more robust healing, but emulating divine magic in such a way is taxing. With your leave, if the Maiden's comrades can minister to our wounds further I will refrain from exerting myself so. I had hoped to retainthenuse of dimension door and the dispel magic within my blade for the sewer golems, my combat magic is otherwise not significantly diminished. 

He then turns to Sharkan, speaking to him quietly now that he is more recovered.  Sharkan Kajeem Tyger, you saved my life and so I an indebted to you.
 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Cypher is now at 18/43 hp.

He can heal 22hp three times, but if he needs to do that before the next fight he'll only have 2 IP left
 
Dusk Raven
After the second touch from the bone which functions as a wand, Maiabel awakens. She takes a deep breath, opens her eyes, and glances around - but it doesn't take her long to realize that she is surrounded by allies. Slowly, she gets to her feet, noting that the gradual healing spell she had cast on herself is still active. So, she hasn't missed much. She says nothing, letting the fact that she's on her feet again do all the speaking for her. For the moment, she focuses herself, preparing herself to reuse the maneuver she pulled during the previous fight. They may yet need it again.

 
 Spoiler 
Back on my feet, with 14 HP and climbing. I don't know exactly how many rounds it's been, but Bless, Shield of Faith, and Bull's Strength are all measured in minutes per caster level, so those should still be up.

Also, going to take a full-round action to get Sudden Leap back.
 
JbeJ275
Maldin regards Lamorak warily at his declaration, seemingly so primed to expect betrayal he still expects it here and now, then after a moment getting over this initial distrust and giving a nod.  "We'll be sure to, if you think it might yet be done. Kesten was one of our own before this pit claimed him, and a bright lad indeed, we'd all be thankful to deny the bastards this. You've proved yourself worthier than we could ever have thought. Now I'm afraid I must ask you to press on, the manacles are being broken and we have little time to tarry." 

As Maldin leads you through the tunnels of the network he stops only briefly to pick up a large lantern and a snake of some kind, which comes to meet him through a side chamber. You see the caverns around you set to purpose, men working with careful hands to disassemble the prisoners shackles, and cast the different pieces in various bins which are then scattered about rushed around you as you press on. You proceed to a medical chamber, where the maidens have seemingly been addressing the wounded and rescued, but most need little more than the hope you've provided them and a warm bowl of broth in order to be ready to press on, the only exception being those caught in the edge of that final fireball, though they also seem to have recovered somewhat.

Seeing you enter, the half dozen Maidens turn to take you in, and seeing your remaining wounds offer you some healing. Their mastery of these divine magics is limited, but between the six of them they seem capable of doing some decent amount to help, two taking the lead and the other four following in their wake.

 
 Spoiler: Healing Rolls 

It's your call who receives this healing and in what order, but this is what they have prepared for healing after helping with the magic rescue and healing some of their own


  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 
 (1d8+4)[ 5 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 2 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 


Once that's done, Maldin and the Maiden who initially arranged this with you find a moment to organise then come over and speak once again. The operation thus far has been done quickly, and seemingly very capably and carefully organised. It's only a few minutes since you broke contact with the golems, most of which was claimed simply running through the tunnels.


 "I don't mean to deny you time to rest if you need it, but we have the men in position to divert the flow of the disposal lines. As soon as would please you I can guard you to the exit chamber, where the last two golems are all that stands between us and a way out of here." 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan is visibly disgusted to be in the sewers again. He would very much rather be fighting for his life in a clean cell, then have to walk  safely  through filth. But he presses on. He purrs in pleasure seeing his lord being healed up, the mans wounds healing up. He nods to Maiabel and Cypher as they are getting back on thier feet.

"All the better to serve our lord, Mantrrrrrrik Cypher."

Sharkan offers a rare bow to cypher before returning his attention back to the others.

"Two more Golems? A small feat for my Lorrrrd and his company. Let us set to the task"
JbeJ275
Maldin gives a nod, waits a few moments as you finish your healing then presses on. The worked stone of this tunnel turns to metal piping, then to a seemingly natural cavern, then to metal piping again as you make your way through, until eventually Maldin makes his way through a crumbling wall into a large structure made of carved stone brick. The structure he opens into is large, and doesn't seem to have been fully abadoned but shows no signs of recent use. Some pipes lead to large sealed vats or furnaces and what look like huge strangely designed pumps sit on top of them. A few places have clear viewing slits into the tanks, allowing you to see the dimly glowing liquid within.

 "Right, this is where we part. The other cells report the golems being not far from here, though they're iffy on just what abilities they have. I need to go co-ordinate with the local cells, take on the folk who are leaving among them and operate the controls that stop the alchemical spray. You just need to probe this place, there should be a bridge up ahead. Take and hold that and we'll be able to get people out. And watch out for the spray, we don't know exactly what it can do but literally hundreds of potions and poisons are being vapourised and sprayed up around here." 

With that he leaves you, all of you can see a lake of this toxic goo ahead of you, providing subtle shadowy illumination in the surrounding area. There seems to be a central platform sticking up out of it and a bridge meant to connect a solid path across it but it's broken on the far side, and raised only perhaps five feet out of the goo. Maiabel can see into the dark areas around you with her moonstone mask, but that seems to be dominated by more storage space, though her more full vision of the bridge lets her identify a barricade on your side of the bridge. The ceiling is high, out of her limited dark vision range.

In these first few moments you can feel a spray build up from the pool, and let loose a fine mist of alchemical over much of your half of the room.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

No Initiative just yet, but a new encounter at least.

Now for the mechanic I hinted at about the alchemical making this somewhat unpredictable, can everyone roll me a d200 for the start of this round please? And if there are any spells you'd have cast upon reaching this area feel free to mention them.
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Having restored his shield of force, Cypher surveys the area.

 Lord Protector, I suggest we increase the illumination. I can cast light on some debris and cast it ahead of us, unless Sharkan can propel one of my sunrods with more accuracy?

I have prepared clairvoyance for further scouting if necessary. Should I target the pool or area beyond the broken bridge? 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan looks about with skepticism, having expected to run through a blockade, now discovering he now is the blockade to stop golems. His refreshed magical force sheild would help bolster him, but he was very unsure of the terrain.

"Actually.... I have two spells that could carry out the sun rod, but only about 45 ft from myself. I would suspect our lords throwing arm to be at least as good as that if not better. "

Sharkan unhooks the adamantine mace from his belt and offers it to Lamorak.

"My lord, so you might better be served."
MrAbdiel
Lamorak gives Maldin a last look as he heads away -  a resourceful man is a resource in himself , he thinks - before listening to the assessment of his advisors.  He takes both Maiabel's and Sharkan's offered weapons, hooking  both to inclined loops at his hip beside Malakharn's sheath.  Hopefully, they would not turn out to have needed them - but if they did, it was true that both Sharkan and Maiabel were finesse warriors, and it was embarrassing to watch them heave the maces about.  Better free them to do their best efforts in other ways.

Squinting into the dark, he can see just about nothing.

 "I dare not whip such a rod into the dark for fear of losing it to some puddle or pit - the last one proved critical.  Cypher, level your scrying on the area beyond the broken bridge - we will have to make our way across and over to defend it, after all." 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Cypher gives a shallow bow in response to Lamorak's order. He imbues a small piece of debris to glow a pulls out his sling, offering both to Sharkan and Maiabel.

 If one of you.could cast this beyond the bridges it will aid my scrying significantly. 
JbeJ275
The faint mist that washes over you seems mostly harmless and if anything beneficial, at least in this iteration. Sharkan and Maiabel both feel the minor pains left after the healing, or created by scrabbling through rough hewn tunnels evaporate, as though filled with excess healing energy. Cypher being somewhat experienced as an alchemist recognises the spray of a concoction that settles on him, it has some function related to slowing the metabolism of whoever should imbibe it, preventing them from digesting and slowing the heartbeat while keeping the body operational. Lamorak's alone has a visible effect, clinging to his outer armour and sending off a thin cloud of smoke, though Maiabel is the only one equipped to see it clearly. The smoke is nearly scentless, and a pale grey in colour with no obvious effect apart from filling the air, making seeing too far difficult for anyone facing the cloud, even with Maiabel's mask.

Apart from these minor distractions though, nothing seems to pose much of a danger and so you efficiently move on to divining your next target. Cypher's spell lets him see into the dim shaded areas on the other side of the bridge, there he makes out his target. What he at first thought was a mere shape of rubble in the distance this closer perspective makes it clear is one of the two guardians. The construct seems to be made from clay, but is far more fluidly carved than others like it, lacking much of the weight they normally carry for strength but allowing it's limbs to take on a fluid almost graceful appearance instead. Further, as well as the large arms normally seen on a humanoid construct, there are two large crossbows slung under where its arms sit. It's motionless right now, but they seem to have mechanisms that you'd have to guess function to automatically reload the weapons once they're fired.

Of course there still exists the second golem reported to be here, of which you presently have no sign.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 A strangely lithe clay golem with significant ranged abilities lies in cover beyond the broken bridge. I recommend Sharkan's defence from before or a conjured fog cloud to force it to close with us or limit its offence.

Location of the second unknown. Worst case scenario in the pool beneath the bridges. 
Darius Vibrtrar
"I can put up another hut, and give us full cover from attacks from that golem, but we will not be able to close in on it, are we in position to proceed in ranged combat?"

Sharkan looks to Cypher and the others, looking for feedback.

"Also, where would you like my Hut set up?"
MrAbdiel
Lamorak shakes his head.   "Ranged assault is not our forté - and importantly, melee doesn't sound to be the golem's.  The use of an obstructing hut to close the distance would be good - but ultimately, we will have to get to it and overwhelm it with strikes.  I think we can reasonably expect its companion to be more close oriented - a snaring, delaying construct to permit this one to perform its ranged attacks.  But we cannot wait and speculate - we must make haste." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
How broad is the gap in the bridge from one side to the other?
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Too paranoid to act with their limited visibility, Cypher pulls out a sunrod and activates it. He holds it out to Sharkan with a nod of the head.

 If you would he so kind to help me shed light on the situation? 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
30ft bright light, 60ft dim
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel is the only one that hears it, the constant tapping of metal on stone. Only small scratching sounds, no large impacts but a lot of them, like a hundred tiny needles gliding across uneven stone, hooking on or scraping in.

Then, at last she places it, not in the pool as she first thought, but above them. Hidden among the shadows on the ceding outside the range of her dark-vision. The sudden light let’s her see it directly, a twenty-five foot long bronze construct modelled after a centipede, it’s as wide around as a horse and covered in thick armour plating all across it. That moment of warning is all she gets before alerted by the sudden light the creature extends the links between its segments and reaches down towards the group, mandibles glowing with a sickly negative energy.

 
 Spoiler 
Okay, everyone roll initiative. This first one is going to be a surprise round where only Maiabel and the Bronze Centipede may act. Good look guys.

Also, it’s now been three rounds so I need another random spray result from everyone.
 
JbeJ275
As the spray continues to wash over you Sharkan and Maiabel continue to feel nothing more than a refreshing salve of seady mist, on the other hand Cypher sees the flecks gather on the blade of his chain and Lamorak holds up his hand to shield him against a sheet of spray that seems to shimmer with impossible colours before fading totally from view. The sudden apparent absence of the lord protector distracs you for a critical second, ans through the sphere of shady illumination that's still present the construct lunges down, grabbing the suprised Sharkan inside its mighty mandibles. Not only do these immense fangs pierce he spellhides side, they seem to pour powerful negative energy into the sorceror further withering his form, and they remain locked inside. Slowly pulling the spellcaster back upwards as it made ready to lift him back up onto the roof and likely tear him apart there.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak is now invisible for the next minute, Sharkan's weapons recieve a +1 increase to enchancement bonus for the next minute. Sharkan takes 11 piercing damage, 22 negative energy damage and is now grappled by a giant bronze centipede.

Maiabel's turn now, best of luck.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel has never been the grappling type, and despite the magical boost to her strength, she's not about to start now. The best way to free Sharkan, she instinctively senses, is to destroy the creature holding him. She just hopes she and the others can do so in time.

Fortunately, she doesn't need to move far to position herself alongside the giant centipede. Having done so, she before repeatedly stabs at the construct. She fights somewhat defensively, not because she actually anticipates any retaliatory attacks, but because that's just the way her stabs hit hardest.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Five-foot step to the west.

Assuming I can actually reach it from here: Full attack! Combat Expertise: -2/+2

Attack 1:  (1d20+12)[ 17 ]  Damage:  (2d6+8)[ 15 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  Sneak Attack.
Off-Hand Attack 1:  (1d20+12)[ 20 ]  Damage:  (2d6+7)[ 15 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+7)[ 8 ]  Damage:  (2d6+8)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
Off-Hand Attack 2:  (1d20+7)[ 22 ]  Damage:  (2d6+7)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 

If I  can't  reach it from here, I'll have to use Death From Above. Let me know if that's the case.
 
JbeJ275
Unfortunately for Maiabel, her cautious stabs prove insuffieicient to pierce the tough metallic armour of the fast moving centipede, however they do seem to unsettle the construct enough that it refuses to maintain its current position while tearing Cypher apart. Instead it retreats at speed back into the darkness along the northern cavern wall, dragging the spellcaster along with it. It throws Sharkan from its mandibles to a secondary pair of legs as it does so, but this does substantially weaken its grip.


 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 Sharkan make a grapple check, DC 8 or take 21 damage.  (Ignore this, it took a full round action). You are also blind in the dark.

It's now Sharkan's go, then Maiabel's and Cypher’s on the same initiative.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
From the Darkness Sharkan considers his position. Grabbed, unable to flee, likely unable to escape this creatures grasp. He has only one trick, being unable to even see the creature holding him. He calls upon his meditations to Ravanna, particularly Ravanna's Veil. He is very still, motionless, .... and nothing happens. Sharkan Winces.

"My Apologies My Lord, I have failed you."
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

A thrum of power rushes out from Cypher as he leaps forwards. He drops his sun rod a significant distance further into the cavern, hoping to reveal Sharkan's location as he does so. He then turns, skidding close to Lamorak once again.

His hair stands on end briefly as he channels a spell and holds it in his hand, ready to impart.

 Lord Protector, I can grant your steed or yourself arcane flight to rescue Sharkan. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift action haste, targeting Cypher and Maiabel and Lamorak if possible (?50% miss chance).

Run over to drop the sun rod at the pink Cross then back to near Lamorak.

Ready action to cast Fly on whoever touches his outstretched hand first, be they Dark Lord or Drakkensteed
 
Dusk Raven
Now feeling the rush of Cypher's magic, Maiabel rushes after the centipede, determined not to let it get away. With her newfound speed, she catches up to it, and attacks not with a series of rapid strikes, but one precise stab that the construct would be hard-pressed to resist. Armor, after all, is of no help against this technique.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move Action: Move 60 feet towards the foe.
Standard Action: Emerald Razor, which is a touch attack.
Attack:  (1d20+15)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus 3 (Insightful Strike) plus Sneak Attack  (1d6)[ 1 ] 

Now, if the centipede is on a ceiling or I otherwise have to climb to reach it, before any of the above I'll Swift Action: switch to Dance of the Spider stance, which allows me to climb walls like Spider Climb so long as I have a hand free, so I'll also drop my shortsword at my starting position. Since I won't have Island of Blades up, I won't have the Sneak Attack damage above.

If whatever movement the Centipede has taken means I can't reach it with 60 feet of movement, I can  still  reach it, but instead of standard move plus Emerald Razor, I'll have to use Bounding Assault instead (giving me 120 feet of movement), so my attack won't be a touch attack but it  will  have an additional +2 to hit.
 
JbeJ275
The speed granted to Maiabel allowed a blistering pace of run, her feet skimming easily over the stones and launchign her right at the skittering construct. She sees it gripping onto the side of the wall, off the floor but within reach and launches a strike into its side. Bypssing its armour allows the strike to land despite the creature's great speed, and as her blade savages gears and interior mechanisms she can tell the creature could be destroyed quite quickly if enough blows reach its interior.

However, in the distance beyonf the extent of her darkvision where she's seeing only by lanternlight she sees the crossbow golem pivot on the spot, tracking her by the light of the cast off sunrod and firing two bolts. One flies cleanly through the darkness, smashing into the rock wall behinf Maiabel as she steps neatly out the way, but the other lands on target and pushes through the Mithril chain, landing dangerously close to her heart, as the bolt pierces your torso you feel the mixture of alchemical abulations that have been infused into the bolts stored here for such a long time, and realise that something else is wrong with the wound, it's no normal poison, not weakening you right now, but seems in to threaten your ability to restore the blood gushing from the open wound.

Sharkan continues to struggle inside the consruct's coils as it prepares to squeeze once more, but first the lord protector seizes a moment to act.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Good solid strike on the centipede construct, but the other golem lands a critical hit in return.  Maiabel takes 16 damage  and they are  cursed wounds. 
 
MrAbdiel
Cypher feels Lamorak's mailed hand grip his wrist to receive his spells - and then he bursts through the air.  He is invisible, right now; but with the haste and flight spells imbued to him, his passage is visible as a curing of the alchemical vapors in his slipstream.  Thus, the Lord Protector closes with the machine inflicting such injury on his butler and companion; and he does so as a disembodied, hateful roar that blitzes through the air as if Cypher had launched from his palm a furious wraith...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Flight gives me 40ft of movement due to my load, plus 30ft from haste gets me just to the opposite side of the construct.  +2 to hit from being invisible, another +1 from haste.  Another +2 from flanking!

 (1d20+17)[ 25 ]  vs Flatfoot, 'cuz he can't seem me.  (1d8+4)[ 10 ]  and  (2d6)[ 8 ]  adamantine bludgeoning damage.
 
JbeJ275
The blow Lamorak delivers rocks the cetipede back, the simple weapon still crushing parts of the intricate contruct through the sheer force of the swing as it can't move with them, however as he strikes the blow he fades swiftly back into visibility, the strange liquid coating him shaken loose by the actions of combat. The centpiede thus wheels about turning and snapping as he passes, but by the thinnest of margins Lamorak's speed manages to avoid the creature's extended fangs and the negative energy embeded onto them, this however does wittle to help Sharkan, as with the combat ranging around him the simple movement of the construct proves enough to put immense pressure on his form, the legs cutting into his side as it retreats five feet further up the wall.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak manages to avoid the attack but Sharkan needs to make a DC 19 grapple check or take 18 slashing damage.

Sharkan, Cypher's and Maiabel's turns now.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Constrained as he is, Sharkan is able to thwart the crushing legs to avoid damage,  Knowing he cannot cast a spell without a miracle he attempts to damage the centepede. He reaches deep within himself, calling upon the hate and tyranny granted to him from Ravanna.

"Fall.... Fall... FALL!"

 (1d20+10)[ 11 ]  vs Centapede Touch AC

21 Deadly Touch Damage [untyped] DC 18 Will save to Half Damage
Dusk Raven
Now this is more Maiabel's speed - in the thick of it with her allies, or at least her master. Now, she might just be able to keep from losing one of said allies. Forgoing her usual attempt at defense, she strikes at the construct's weak points as best she can, hoping her blades are enough to bring the thing down.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift Action: Resume Island of Blades stance.
Full action: full attack on the centipede. No Combat Expertise this time.
Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 19 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 9 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  Penetrating Strike.
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 32 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+14)[ 15 ]  Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 8 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+9)[ 21 ]  Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Blitzing into action after the shocking ability of the construct to evade his colleagues' strikes, Cypher's blade takes on a ghostly hue once more. Attempting to blend brute force with calculated precision, he aims to sever the wretched thing's mandibles.

As he faces the foe, the hairs on the back of his neck itch, uncomfortably aware as he is of the second construct aiming at their backs.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Cunning Insight for +6 to hit (1IP, 3/5 remaining). Power attacking for 6.
Swift action wraithstrike.
Move up to join the others.
Touch Attack  (1d20+18)[ 26 ]  for  (2d4+17)[ 25 ] 
Dodge versus the crossbow one.
 
JbeJ275
The champions charge the construct, only managing to occasionally make contact against it's substantial defenses but caving through chunks of it on the occasions they made contact. It was not defeaated yet but seemed unlikely to stand for long. In the mentime, the other golem continued and even accelerated its pace of fire, catching Lamorak in the back with a bolt when his focu was forward.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Lamorak takes 10 cursed wound damage, Lamorak's turn.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak barely feels the massive bolt slam into his back, crunching against his armor; so monomaniacly intent is he to destroy the offending machine for the  temerity  it displayed in attempting to rob him of his butler!  He thrashes at it with furious abandon, each blow invested with both monumental hate, and killer's precision.

 
 Spoiler: Full attack! 
5ft Adjust to flank again.

+2 Flanking, +1 Haste, +1 Master Crafted!

  Attack1  - (1d20+16)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 10 ]  and [ROLL]2d6[ROLL]. ( 5  in the OOC)
  Attack2  - (1d20+11)[ 24 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 5 ]  and [ROLL]2d6[ROLL]. ( 7  in the OOC)

The final attack, the free one from haste, is where we'll get tricky.  I'm not sure where we landed on how kosher Deadly Touch is; whether or not it is, in fact, limited the same way that Negative Energy does, or if the typeless damage hurts constructs normally.  I think Lamorak would know, by now.  But... If it's Negative Energy, and therefire not useful against constructs, use this attack roll:

  Attack1  - (1d20+16)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 10 ]  and [ROLL]2d6[ROLL]. ( 5  in the OOC)

On the other hand, if you in your GM wisdom deem it to be typeless and perfectly applicable to constructs, then he'll do one of those, delivered by headbutt.

  Attack1  - (1d20+15)[ 19 ]  touch attack.  On hit,  30  typeless damage plus  (2d6)[ 7 ] .  The enemy is entitled to a DC 18 Will Save to take half of that, instead.


Incidentally, after that hit, he's down to 54/64HP, with those lost 10 cursed.
 
JbeJ275
Lamorak's heavy blows rain against the back of the centipede, but fail to mke substantial impacts into its armour. Pounding loudly against the centipede doesn't even seem to significanly bother it, instead it lashes out and grabs hold of Cypher, it's massive fanged maw still dripping with negative energy. But with his immense speed he side steps the movement, however the flexing continues to exert terrible pressure on Sharkan where he's trapped, legs pushing down on him with increasing force.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Everyone roll another 1d100 for random mist spray effects. Sharkan needs to make a DC 20 grapple check or take 14 damage.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Somehow Sharkan is able to wiggle and manuever to stay out of range of the deadly claws of the centipede while he was still in his grasp. He recalled to his youth when mother attempted to bathe him, and he would struggle so, defying her commands, though in her grasp, he would not be held down. He claws and Pounds against the metal, perhaps he would find its soft copper underbelly and use his rear paws to gut the construct.

 (1d20+12)[ 18 ]   To hit.  +2 more if I have flanking

 (1d10-1)[ 3 ]  Damage

 (1d6)[ 3 ]  If I have flanking somehow
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Keenly aware that Sharkan's mighty efforts can only be successful against a tireless killing machine for so long, Cypher ploughs into the centipede with a fullisade of slashes.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift action Wraithstrike
Full Attack, power attack for 3
 (1d20+15)[ 27 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 18 ] 
 (1d20+10)[ 11 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 19 ] 
 (1d20+15)[ 27 ]  for  (2d4+14)[ 19 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel feels a bit of a surge of confidence - with her allies at hand, she is sure of being able to destroy this thing before it does the same to her allies. And so she does her best to find a weak point in the thing's defenses and gouge out whatever amounts to mechanical vitals.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Sharkan does, in fact, have flanking thanks to Island of Blades.

Full-round action: Full attack.
Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 23 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 25 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 9 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ] 
Off-Hand Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 20 ]  Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
Off-Hand Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 20 ]  Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 12 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Between their united efforts, the team manages to put enough blows into the construct that it can stand no longer, three legs being ripped off first then a blade plunged into its underbelly breaking some critical part of the machinery. Its mad skitters along the surface of the wall end with it losing its grip on the wall and landing still, Sharkan being fortunate enough to land on top of it, and so take only minor injuries from the 10 foot fall.

You have exceeding little time to celebrate this victory though, as crossbow bolts from on top of the other golem continue to rain down on your current position, though two fly wide another catches Maiabel as the bolts fly across the group, causing another cursed wound, nd while it only just manages to pierce the armour it does so in a particularly vulnerable point, seeingingly enhanced by whatever alchemical mixture mosst recently prayed at the golem. Further, the alchemical mist is settlign in once more, dissolving the magical effects off of some of you and applying new sources to others.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Potion Effects: Maiabel recieves a +4 enchantment bonus to charisma for the next minute
Lamorak and Cypher both end all current potion effects on them for the next minute
Sharkan is now hidden from any and all undead.


Sharkan takes 3 falling damage, Maiabel takes 20 cursed damage from a crossbow shot.

Everyone may now take their turns.
 
MrAbdiel
 "Sharkan!"   Lamorak calls as the machine falls; a cry that might be mistaken for concern for a friend in peril.  Once the felinoid butler stirs painfully where he has fallen, however, the Lord Protector follows up the call with reprimand.   "Do not permit yourself to be thus seized again!" 

But an instant later, a fusilade of bolts rips by, one striking Maiabel.  Whether his butler or his maid, the horrid machines continue to make war on his house staff.

Spritz with more potion spray, Lamorak is fortunate - all the magic upon him is born of Cypher's enchantments, not potions; and he is free to streak through the air like the lightning of a vengeful god and strike his first blow at the ballista-golem!

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Attack! Charge! -  (1d20+16)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+4)[ 5 ]  and, if the golem is immobile for some reason or otherwise denied its Dex to defend, [ROLL]2d6[ROLL] sneak.

EDIT: Screwed the sneak damage, but it probably doesn't apply anyway!
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan grunts as he lands, patting himself, almost grooming.

"My apologies my Lorrrrd, I shant let it happen again."


Sharkan weaves magic as a flame kitten appears before him. He points across the room as the Fire Kitten commits 3am Zoomies across the room and Explodes beyond the Construct so that His lord is untouched by the flames.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Fireball
DC 18 Reflex Save
 (8d6)[ 31 ]  Fire Damage
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

His blade smash into the twisted wreckage once more, venting some of his frustration from this endeavor. As Lamorak pulls away into the next combat the spymaster almost calls out to caution his Lord, but merely sighs at the futility of it.

He looks at his fellow servants.  I can heal you, but we need to stop that thing wreaking any more havoc first!  With that he steps over the railing and sprints towards the glowing river between him and the next platform. A calculation of angles and momentum runs through his head, but as always, speed would be the key.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Double move to take a running jump and try to jump the river of alchemical run-off. If he makes it he continues on to run around and flank the cross-bow construct.
Jump check +12 from speed of 60ft.
Jump  (1d20+22)[ 23 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
The foe nearest Maiabel goes down, leaving only a more distant one. Fortunately, Maiabel is good at traveling distances. She moves to the river, and leaps across it with the aid of her martial training, before continuing on to her foe. As she reaches it, she takes advantage of her momentum to leap over it, giving it a good strike as she goes, before landing on the other side, not even taking a moment to revel in the spectacle of what she's just done.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
First, we move about 20 feet towards the nearest river, then:
Swift Action: Sudden Leap. I've definitely got a running start this time, and thanks to Haste I don't think I can fail. Jump check:  (1d20+27)[ 30 ]  I don't know the DC for making a long jump across the river, but I'm sure I make it.
Then, I spend the rest of my movement getting to the construct, before:
Standard Action: Death From Above! For this maneuver, I make a DC 20 Jump check, and if it succeeds, I make an attack against the foe, which is flat-footed for this attack, and the strike deals an extra 4d6. Also, I jump over it and land on the other side. This does not provoke AoOs.
Jump check:  (1d20+27)[ 30 ] 
Attack roll:  (1d20+14)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 13 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 15 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ] 
What a turn!
 
JbeJ275
While the magical fire washes cleanly off of the construct, the rest of the groups leaps, vaults and fflights bring them swiftly in range of the golem, with Lamorak striking a light blow and Maiabel a far more telling one that seems for a moment to be enough to sunder the creature fully. However it does not cease it's movement, instead unfolding it's crossbows into spiked fists and making every attempt to drive them into those now surround it. While Lamorak cleanly delects the bblow to come at him, both Lamorak and Maiabel find their side pierced by these spikes.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Maiabel and Cypher both take 15 damage (miss chance already rolled) and both these wounds are cursed.

Everyone may act again.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan weaves his magic as 4 cats appear around him, hovering and spectral. Sharkan points to the Golem as the four of them streak unerringly to the Construct.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Magic Missile
 (4d4+4)[ 12 ] 
 


"Sufferrrrrr as I have sufferrrrrred"

His tongue rolls in a purr.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Seeing the strange arcane wounds on all of his group, Cypher focuses on keeping with colleagues alive.

Maiabel is both standing adjacent to him and swaying slightly, clearly drawing deeply on her reserves of strength. Letting go of his.blade with one hand, grabbing a tiny flask from a bandolier on his chest and cracking rhe fragile orb on her shoulder. A spark of will activates the odd mix of holy water, powdered silver, and wax from an altar candle, and a small wave of positive energy sweeps across Maiabel.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
Use 1IP for opportunistic Piety. Heal 22hp as a standard action by infusing positive energy (Su). 2/5 IP remaining..
 
MrAbdiel
There is little to do now but race - the destructive powers of his court upon the machine, versus the machine's upon them.  The mace smashes down again and again, focusing on those places where Maiabel's precision strikes have made advances.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Now that we're flanking, the +2 from charging holds over as +2 from flanking.

  1st  - (1d20+16)[ 23 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 10 ]  and  (2d6)[ 6 ]  sneak.
  Haste  - (1d20+16)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 9 ]  and  (2d6)[ 9 ]  sneak.
  2nd  - (1d20+11)[ 21 ]  for  (1d8+5)[ 12 ]  and  (2d6)[ 11 ]  sneak.
 
Dusk Raven
Now that she's closed in with the construct, Maiabel settles back into the familiar routine of swift strikes. After only the faintest nod of thanks to Cypher, she strikes, taking care to devote attention to defense, only striking when an opportunity presents itself.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
You know the routine!

Full attack, taking a -2/+2 modifier for Combat Expertise.
Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 24 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  Deadly Defense plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  Sneak Attack.
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 30 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 9 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ] .
Off-Hand Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 30 ]  Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ] .
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 11 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 1 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 6 ] .
Off-Hand Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 23 ]  Damage:  (1d6+8)[ 14 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 2 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 5 ] .
 
JbeJ275
 All:   With the mace strikes cutting through any supernatural toughness and the team bringing blow after blow down even its resistance to hostile magics was not enough to prevent the construct from crumbling under the repeated strikes. Eventually one arm turned to powder, then is head then the rest of it fragmented into small ceramic chunks and your group won a relief from the constant need to fight and scrambled through the tunnels, after another few seconds the level of ooze in the chamber began to slowly recede with the distant rumbling of machinery accompanying it. You have then a brief chance to talk before a column of refugees enters the chamber, Maldin at their head. He makes a brief diversion sending some of the fitter ones to fetch long sturdy boards to cover the broken bridge before the column makes its way out, continuing through the chamber to a staircase you’ve been told emerges some way outside the city on a beach overlooking the sea, with cliffs to hide the column from the sight of the city and allow them to meet your ship.

 Lamorak:  

While the column limps past, men women and even emaciated children in tow ready to serve as your new subjects, the line is haggard and disorganised. The best trained fighters are staying behind to continue the battle, and these men have been maltreated often with scars and wounds common among them. Yet they still walk with their heads held high, and your hopes are high that they’ll make grateful and dependable workers helping to feed and equip your forces, as well as acting as the alchemists you were interested in. From the rear of the line, some of the younger ones, likely between fourteen and eighteen, let up a cry. “Long live Lamorak the liberator! Long live the breakout Lord!” Many of the elder folk look warily and cautiously at them and you, but none seek to chastise them despite the noise they make.
 
Cypher: 

As the group proceeds past, one of the maidens breaks off to approach you.

“Sir, I apologise for the directness of my approach but I must ask. When we talked of the departure of our own, we were concerned for their ability to travel freely, but talked not of freedom of worship. I am one of the few cloistered among my sisters, members of an order long forced to pray only in seclusion. I ask now only if I would be allowed to accompany my folk out of here, attend to their spiritual needs now without the need for cults of hidden mystery and to see perhaps if any of the folk in your lands can find guidance in our teachings.”

 Maiabel:  

While the others are all hailed by some of the evacuating humans you remain on watch, your mask presenting no emotion to the crowd. This detachment does have some reward though, as you spot a number of small shapes emerging in the Ooze, some seemingly loose items and some in crates or boxes. The remaining Ooze at the bottom seems more concentrated and toxic, but if you could extract some of these it seems like it could be quite rewarding.

 Sharkan: 

Maldin approaches you.

“So, your crew made it. I must admit I doubted at times, but it seems you're made of tougher stuff than I thought. Still, I must ask. How did a eversplit like you end up in a group like this?”

He talks quietly, as though concerned about being overheard.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Despite his natural, entirely sensible, mistrust of everyone he encounters, his own experience of religious persecution sways the tattered shreds of his empathy.

 The Lord Protector enforces no state religion and has welcomed worshippers of a variety of faiths or none into his service. Worship of Emeris was persecuted in our former Kingdom, but I am now free to worship as I choose. 

The crack in his emotional armour begins to close and he narrows his eyes at the maiden before him.

 Open worship and evangelism in good faith will be permitted. However, one facet of my duties is to understand the populace of our realm, in order to better protect it and them. As such, I would appreciate some education as to the nature of the deities worshipped by your people. 
Darius Vibrtrar
The term eversplit causes sharkans ear to twitch in annoyance. Sharkan shifts his stance to turn toward Maldin.

"My Lorrrrd Lamorrrrrak, I am his squire, he has trained me in his knightly ways, it was through his instruction that I came here. It was his instruction and due diligence in my training that allowed us to prosper through the most rigorous of troubles. He found me whilst I journeyed out to find my own path, but I found his path instead, and it appealed to me."
MrAbdiel
Lamorak raises his weapon in recognition of the chanting behind.  They are right to praise him; he has, after all, liberated them.

For a given value of liberty, anyway.

The older ones knew they were trading one tyranny for another - but the elves were accomplishing industrial wonders with these people working against their will. If he can finesse their interests so that they work willingly, how much more productive might they be?  And furthermore, how formative and contagious might their zeal to serve their  saviour  be, to other arrivals? He must be cautious not to stifle this opportunity.  These emancipated slaves will form the community substance to which others trickle in, over the coming months and years.

And when a wandering prince from some other land winds up in  his  oubliette, Lamorak would very much prefer if they found no ready-formed rebellion to be exploited against him.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Staring hard at Maiabel's wounde as they knitted together, Cypher smiled in satisfaction. He hovered at Lamorak's left hand, waiting for the Lord Protector's attention.

 Lord Protector, please let me attend to you wounds. The second constructs bolts were imbued with something that resists healing magic. I have devised a way to bypass that, but...that kind of improvisation is taxing...by my estimation it will require at least another day to eradicate.
 

He administers to Lamorak and Sharkan before continuing his duties.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Maiabel, Sharkan, and Lamorak are healed 22hp each, which works against cursed hp damage.
Cypher uses his last 3 IP and all 3 of his daily Opportunistic Piety.
 
Dusk Raven
For a moment, Maiabel doesn't seem to react to Maldin's question, even as it becomes obvious that it's her turn to speak. Even when she does, she doesn't look at him, or at anything but the things she spots in the ooze, and she sounds distinctly distracted.   "My... my family, my noble house, was lost in the recent civil war and Lord Lamorak took me in... but that doesn't matter now."   As she reaches the edge of the pools of chemicals, she leans over a bit to peer into the slime and spot anything worth grabbing.   "My lord, there may be something of value in this...  material.  If you feel it worth the time, I could attempt to retrieve something."  
MrAbdiel
Lamorak permits Cypher the priveledge of attending his wounds with burgled divine soothing, but Maiabel's question draws his interest.  He gives the go-ahead, while the curse is flushed from his bleeding side.

 "Do so, if you are confident you will not pay for it with your own life. Your skills are more valuable to me than the discarded tools of the elves - but I would prefer to have all these things." 
JbeJ275
 Cypher 
 "Ah, well it's difficult to explain quickly. It is called the Vornar faith by the elven scholars and simply as the oath by us. At it's core it is a faith of promises, of remembering the promises made by your ancestors that still bind you to the world and the rituals to forsake an promise made by others. Of remembering what the gods have promised to exchange for what, what acts of devotion or sacrifice they have promised to exchange for what blessing, whether overt or subtle. Of which gods accept promises when, and how to tell if they accepted the compact. All of our faith know of the creator and his promises, the promises made in the first winter. Others come to us to learn the names of other gods who can offer them the things they desire for a price they may be willing to give. I'm afraid I should not discuss further details though, some old stories of broken oaths and the like. I will say this, we will remember the first time a promise is broken wilfully, for only by trusting each other without proof or demands of anything back could we survive down there." 

She says this as though explaining something fundamental. Her faith quite certain, though she's careful not to chastise you for you observance of another calling. It's not the most exciting or moving faith you've ever heard of, but it makes sense that it prospered among a culture looking for certainty in the face of arbitrary overlords. She looks on as you heal Lord Lamorak and Maiabel, but remains still. Her hood and long robe giving a somewhat eerie impression.

 All 

Maldin nods with satisfaction and moves on having a few answers and not wanting to push for more. Instead moving to monitor the people moving out and maintain some order among them. More directly, you can now al see what Maiabel was referring to the ooze almost finishing draining and letting several shapes emerge from it clearly. The rocky walls nearby are still wet, but could potentially see you climb close enough to grab them from above, through with risk of slipping into the deeper parts of the ooze. Or you could step into the shallows of the Ooze and jus rely on your natural toughness to endure any momentary consequences.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

He follows the Maiden's description carefully, Nodding solemnly to show his respect.

 We engineered this escape in large part because of a promise made by the Lord Protector to those he encountered in the Pit. His word.is his bond and it is of the utmost importance to him. I will brief him on your movement, but I think he will be pleased to know your faith aligns so closely with his own philosophy. 
Dusk Raven
After a moment's hesitation, Maiabel sheathes her blades and heads for the walls. Fortunately, her martial training her has given her a means to climb walls - though it's not perfect, and she makes sure both hands are free, cautiously moving towards the slime, wary for any possible slip...

 
 Spoiler 
Going to use the Dance of the Spider stance, which is essentially Spider Climb, though I do need to keep a hand free.
 
Waistcoatwill
Cypher see Maiabel head for over the side, wounds barely starting to knit together. He looks worriedly at Sharkan and nods towards Maiabel and the detritus-filled channel.

 Shall we? 

Cypher's form ripples as he reinforces his physiology with lupine vigor and climbs down a rope into the shallow ooze to help Sharkan push the larger closer to where Maiabel could extract them.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan puts a paw on Maiabels shoulder before she dives in.

"Let me try a few lazy methods before we sacrifice you."

Sharkan casts a minor spell first as a spectral cats paw reaches out to pull smaller things towards them.

Once items are near the edge,  sharkan casts another spell where an invisible bipedal cat butler reachs in, picked up the objects and carried them to us.

For the much larger parts he summons a large cats paw and bats the largest bits to the edge
 
 Spoiler: ooc  

Mage Hand and Unseen Servant
Then bigbys striking fist
 
JbeJ275
After a few minutes work you begin to pull crates out of the stinking mixture. It seems that the potent brew was enough to dissolve most materials not made of very unreactive precious metals or kept secure by internal reservoirs of magic. This does mean you pull some half rotten boxes out of the mixture full only of slime and shreds of paper but also means most of what did survive was valuable, caches flushed or magic items lost in the city above by their elven owners and not yet swept up by whatever group most recently cleaned through the area.

In total the notable values include:

A Brass Censer engraved with Ancient Elven Runes (500 gp)
A Fine Scale Coinpurse sewn with Gold decoration (200 gp)
A Golden Ring with an arrangement of fine gems (600 gp)
A Porcelain Tile painted with Pastoral Imagery (100 gp)
A Silver Coffer etched with Arcane Runes (900 gp)
An Alchemically sealed scroll case with scrolls of Acid Arrow, Levitate and Resist Energy
A Finely Crafted Scabbard of Mithril chains and Blessed Leather Bracing (1400GP) holding a +2 Mithril Short Sword
A Platinum Ring set with a single flawless Diamond (1600GP)
Onyx Scepter engraved with Elven Runes (2100GP)

As well as 5,200 GP worth of loose coinage and smaller pieces of discarded jewelry.

This has created a small delay though, and now all but a few of the humans have crossed the bridge. Lamorak is still standing firm maintaining order among them but you feel they could use your direction out the final part of this cave system and back to your vessel.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan watches with wide eyes as treasures come out of the slime and muck.

"My... my my....we have come across a windfall of fortune.... such treasures."

Sharkan inhales air through his teeth, whistling gently. His love of Lavish things, of expensive finery really shows through. He flits his fingers as tiny kittens lick the slime from the treasury.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Prestidigitation to clean off the goods
 


"Oh they all look so collectable...."

His fingers ache with a desire to pluck them all up, but resists.

"Maiabel.... Ill trust you to hold our new treasures until our lord has had a chance to see."

Sharkan moves away to go with the humans and attend his Lord.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher is pleased when Sharkan spares him a wade in the sludge. He is almost grinning when they inspect their bounty. The censor catches his eye in particular, a fine memento and a much more elegant way to burn his most sensitive documents than chucking them into the fireplace. If he could find some incense he might even drive the faint odour of damp that still pervaded his chamber. He pats his fellow servants on their arms as he turns to joint the column of humanity.

 Well, done both. Maiabel, please make use of my Haversack if you require. The Lord Protector will be delighted with you when you tally his new material assets for him. 

With that he also turned to make his way down the column, listening carefully to their new citizens.   It's never too soon to look for treachery or potential assets.  
 
 Spoiler: Eavesdropping  
Not expecting anything from it, it's mostly just force of habit for Cypher.
Listen  (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 
Sense motive  (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
 "I'm amazed that this much valuable loot ended up in the slime like that,"  Maiabel says, in a rare moment of offering her unsolicited opinion. She then nods, preparing to stuff the objects in the offered Haversack.  "I won't be able to carry much on my person, so I'll have to accept that offer, Cypher."  She holds onto the shortsword for a moment. Even if she can't recognize its exact magical quality, she can tell that the  material  is a cut above what she's currently using.  "This blade, though... that I could carry, and make use of. With our lord's permission, of course." 
JbeJ275
With your hoard counted, compiled and cleaned the group begins their march to the surface. Lamorak and Cypher are in among the throng, mentally tallying the ratios of tanners, fieldsmen, smiths, alchemists and other sources of expertise among them while Maiabel and Sharkan bring up the rear carrying their treasure, including the lade Maiabel is swiftly given her lord's blessing in adding to her arsenal.

The trek to the ship remains tense, but is free of any attack or rebellion and the men are swiftly piling into the quarters, straining the room set aside for the marine complement beyond its capacity and setting out spots in half full storage rooms, these minor hardships paling in comparison to those they left behind. The council are then left to a few short days of quiet on the high seas, as the sailors perform more of the vital works and they are left to catch up with other business and make ready for their return to the island.

When the island does eventually pull into into sight, the maidens lead the freed landsmen population in rounds of giving thanks, speaking of the erosion of doubts and old disputes settled between the people and the keepers of their vows. You are more distracted though by the presence of a number of new ships sitting in harbour, with blank or unfamiliar markings on their sails.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Categorising their new subjects is enough distraction to calm Cypher's nerves on that final leg. His natural paranoia redirected from waiting for the other shoe (or ridiculously over the top elven slipper) to drop in such tight confines for the remainder of the journey limits council discussions, so instead he indulges himself by adding a spell to his spell book. The Lord Protector had saved them from injury when leaping from Typho, but that was he type of contingency that deserved a little redundancy.

Back on the island the Spymaster-s mind is thrown into action at the sight of unfamiliar vessels. He leaps into action, interrogating Dock workers and his own records to gleam what he can about them.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Decipher his scroll of feather fall and add to spell book. Auto-succeeds DC 16. Costs 100gp.

Profession Spymaster and knowledge Geography checks to glean info on ships. Using 1IP each for Cunning Knowledge.

Knowledge Geography 21 as per OOC thread
Spymaster
 (1d20+25)[ 31 ] 
 
JbeJ275
The blank flags are discarded, and those left marked swiftly focused on by Cypher's research. The heraldry and markings are unfamiliar though the design is closer to reports from the shipyards of the elves than any other. Further reading through reports confirms your fears, the emblems are those of rural elven families from Odrana, and the sailors report a dispute on the docks between the sailors of five ships that came to take up the offer sent out to local craft and two ships that followed them demanding the other sailor's return, and compensation for the time they spent away from their labour.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan spent most of the voyage cleaning the jewelry from the ooze, preparing it for the group. Once back, sharkan begins looking at the heraldry trying to determine the sources. He then prepares some treats, fresh Naan, filled with spiced meat and veggies as bribes to find out more about the ships and their crew.

 
 Spoiler: ooc 

 (1d20+2)[ 16 ]  k.nobility
 (1d20+10)[ 25 ] profession Cook
 (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  gather information
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 Mixed tidings, Lord Protector. Some of the ships appear to be Odranan elves from rural provinces that have come to take up your generous offer of citizenship. However, two ships have seemingly come to attempt to force them to return.

I think itnis unlikely that we will sway them to copy their fellows. We could act graciously, politely escorting these "enforcers" from our seas. The alternative is seizing their ships for the insult of interference in our affairs. Of course the fate of the sailors would be left up to your good judgement. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan purrs.

"My Lorrrrrd"

He gestures towards the two ships.

"They have brought a series of meals with them. I am of the opinion the lord would be pleased if we cleansed those two ships of their crunchy innards in his name."
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 I quite agree, Sharkan. We should approach the docks and try to parley with the captains of both vessels at once. If you would take the lead on initial diplomatic overtures, I will be the splash of cold water to your catnip. If things go poorly we might need to divide ourselves between the ships to prevent them from escaping. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods, taking the lead with Cypher and Maiabel to back him up. Heading down to the docks he looks to appraise the situation before he speaks up, looking for the ships and appropriate captains.

 (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  Gather information
 (1d20+3)[ 6 ]  Spot
Waistcoatwill
As they set off, Cypher calls forth his basic arcane wards.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Mage armour
Heroics - Improved trip
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is frequently given occasion to brood. Dark princes, exiled nobles, fallen knights and all kinds are afflicted the same. But on the voyage home, the Lord Protector is especially withdrawn. Their victory manifested - but not easily. Not without coming, several times, very close to failure and the death of those he wielded. In those moments, he knew to let the fury flood his limbs and increase his mastery of the situation; but he was not without moments of doubt. They settled on the surface of his thoughts like rust flecks unoiled steel; harmless, perhaps... but not fit for a knight. Not for a king. He needed time to reach into the well of himself and draw up the thing that drove him to this venture in the first place; the source of all his desire to rule and conquer:

 Spite .

 "Attend to them. I need...a moment more." 

This vague direction was offered to his inner court when the problem of the unfamiliar ships manifested itself; trusting them to deal with the affair a little longer as he hunkered in the lower deck of the ship, convinced that  rust , that  weakness , would be visible if he emerged without scouring it from himself; stewing in the dark like a paranoid devil in his corner of hell.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
I'm back, but also, Cypher and Sharkhan just did a whole thing dividing responsibility making decisions. I'm not gonna spike that! :D Lamorak will join in a little bit, but I'm gonna let this play out first. If it goes bad, Lamorak and Maiabel can explode from concealment together.
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Darius Vibrtrar 
 Sharkan nods, taking the lead with Cypher and Maiabel to back him up. Heading down to the docks he looks to appraise the situation before he speaks up, looking for the ships and appropriate captains.

[roll0] Gather information
[roll1] Spot 
 

The two ships are smaller than most warships from your homeland, displaying the Ordanan preference for arcane firepower and golem warriors over cannonshot and skilled marines. Indeed you hardly need look up from the pier to see the leader of this expedition, an elf with long white hair and a finely made uniform looking down at you both.

 "Are you the ones in charge here then."  He shouts impatiently, having recognised the greater quality of your dress and more confident bearing.  "I am Calsindur Hasdrat, and must ask for your legal and correct aid in returning this absent property now found here to it's due and rightful owners." 

A fair ways down the pier, separated by a small group of Lamorak's palace guard there sit five more ships in much worse repair. Less focused on speed and maintaining a narrow profile like the two now drawing up, and more on being simple to manufacture, and able to transport large amounts of catch, while still giving the nets ample access to the sea.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan in his regal manner strides forward and from the peir to the elf with long white hair.

"You may refer to me, as Sharkan Kajeem Tyger, I am the Majordomo of my Lorrrrrd, who rules these lands with grace and wisdom. Lord Lamorak can see that the captains of a few vessels have chosen to dock with our hospitality in mind. Our Lord would speak with the individuals who have arrived first, before passing any Legal and Rightful Judgement, as any proper judge should recieve all pertenent evidence before making any decisions."

Sharkan turns to look between the two Warships, Idley.

"As I am sure your own lords would agree, hasty descisions often lead to ruin, yes?"
Dusk Raven
For a moment, Maiabel thought about whether to following her lord - albeit at a respectful distance - or back up Sharkan and Cypher. It takes a bit of time, but she ultimately decides on the former. Sharkan is better at speaking to people, and while Maiabel is reasonably competent at  reading  people, Cypher has her beat in that area. She still could stay nearby, to provide backup in case things turn violent... but in the end, she decides to be near to her master. Not too near, of course - when he goes below deck, she stays above deck, leaning against a mast and closing her eyes, allowing herself a moment of peace - and listening for any sign that she might be needed, either from her fellow servants dealing with the elves, or the sound of her lord emerging from his solitude.
Waistcoatwill
Cypher remains silent, sizing up the elven Captin and the ship to gauge the strength of the forces arrayed against them.

All the whole he reflects on maritime law to assess whether or not the elves have the jurisdiction they claim.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knoedge Arcana  (1d20+16)[ 28 ] 
Sense motive  (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
Spellcraft  (1d20+14)[ 20 ] 
Spot  (1d20+7)[ 26 ] 
Knowledge History for the law thing?  (1d20+12)[ 20 ]  Most of his lesser knowledges have the same bonus
 
JbeJ275
 Sharkan 

Calsindur Hasdrat looks down at Sharkan with a dismissive eye before before replying.  "None of those individuals are of rank or status to be given free reign to speak with people of noble bearing. More to the point, they have pledged oaths to serve a term of labour, oaths they now seek to break. Bear that, and the consequences of siding with those outside the law, in mind when you give your response. I hope we may resolve this swiftly, lest any issue become more... difficult." 

The others on board the ship are careful to avoid looking at you, many of the sailors there staring directly to the deck, while others look at the other ships with brief snatches glances, something they seemed afraid to do before the elf had fully engaged with you.

 Maiabel 

The bottom of the ship is again filled with the tension that often precedes combat, though something in the lapping of the waves and shaking at the bottom of the boat seems... off this time.

Make a listen check.

 Cypher 

The elven captain himself seems likely to be a spellcaster of some skill, though likely not among the most powerful. There also seem to be a number of elven marines on the ships, one of the other ship a likely caster with the rest seem to be lower status. Likely warriors, the ships are known for sidewands that can be devastating to other ships at close range, and that the marines likely operate skilfully.

You also spot something that hints at one of the Odranan fleet's most powerful compliance weapons, strange brilliantly coloured coral on the bottom of the ship, indicating the presence of a powerful coral golem, creatures that are known to disable whole crews by themselves when attacking some enemy ships. The deckhands also seem compliant, with occasional chains marking them as well. Their behaviour could be unpredictable if a fight starts.

As for the law, it is complex. The Ordanan's definitely have this correct under their law, and accepting the other ships would be grand theft of the security forces from the high houses of Odrana, a crime that they've burned towns over in the past. However the beastclans don't recognise their laws at all and engage in repeated pirate actions against them, the corsairs are inherently unwilling to follow such laws and while the land of your birth was technically obliged to respect their laws as part of a very old treaty, this has only been enforced in times when the fear of the Odranan military was direct and present. No international treaties ever formally established rules of the sea, and the rules of this island are in theory whatever Lamorak says they are.
Darius Vibrtrar
There is an audible rumbling from Sharkan's throat at the elves response. He closes his eyes and inhales and slowly exhales, as he opens his eyes again he gives the elven captain a toothy grin.

"They may not have the privilage to request such a blessing from my lord, but he would deem to grant it for his own benefit, which they lack the ability to deny,  as would you. "

He looks among the crew on deck.

"Your escaped slaves, seem to have an effect on your current slaves. It would be in your best interest to follow the rules and laws of the land you are currently in, rather than impose your own laws upon us. I would love to solve this favorably for both of us, as long as we can both be ammicable. Come with me, we will see you have a comfortable seat while you wait for our proceedings to come to a close before you are made aware of our Lorrrrrrds final decisions."
Dusk Raven
With her eyes closed, Maiabel's sense of hearing seems keen as ever. It's not that one's hearing really gets better without sight - it's that, without the distraction of visual information, one can better listen to what one hears. And so, Maiabel practices some of the techniques she's been practicing - martial techniques she knew were doable, but didn't really have the training to perform... for a while, anyway. Now, however... hmm, what's this?

 
 Spoiler: Hey! Listen! 
 (1d20+23)[ 40 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher [

There are currently no treaties, formal or otherwise, between our nations. As such we are not obliged to acquiesce to your request. As my colleague says, the final decision will rest with the Lord Protector. They does not mean that our dealings lack formality, and  the drawing up of appropriate legal documentation may be necessitated.

In the meantime, disturbance of the peace by your crew will not be tolerated. Further more, any attempt by your coral golems to leave your ships will be seen as an act of aggression. You can see that this would be unlikely to convince the Lord Protector to look kindly on your request. 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak opens his eyes.

A narrow victory. A calculated risk that paid off, this time. Without Malakharn's counsel, he was prone to rashness - but this, after all, was why he had assembled the inner court. Yes; he would let their service abrade the rust from his soul, and he would be steel pure again.

Slowly, after his meditation was complete, the Lord protector emerged from the guts of the ship.  Unhurried, he approaches the discussion in progress; permitting ample time for his advisors to sound the call for attack, or else to signal to him that things were in hand, before he arrived within distance for address.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Ready to join the party. Approaching slowly, so I can spend 3 rounds of approach studying the leader of the elves who is doing all the talking, for the purpose of death attack. Then we'll see if he's earned it.
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Darius Vibrtrar 
 There is an audible rumbling from Sharkan's throat at the elves response. He closes his eyes and inhales and slowly exhales, as he opens his eyes again he gives the elven captain a toothy grin.

"They may not have the privilage to request such a blessing from my lord, but he would deem to grant it for his own benefit, which they lack the ability to deny,  as would you. "

He looks among the crew on deck.

"Your escaped slaves, seem to have an effect on your current slaves. It would be in your best interest to follow the rules and laws of the land you are currently in, rather than impose your own laws upon us. I would love to solve this favorably for both of us, as long as we can both be ammicable. Come with me, we will see you have a comfortable seat while you wait for our proceedings to come to a close before you are made aware of our Lorrrrrrds final decisions." 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Waistcoatwill 
   Cypher [

There are currently no treaties, formal or otherwise, between our nations. As such we are not obliged to acquiesce to your request. As my colleague says, the final decision will rest with the Lord Protector. They does not mean that our dealings lack formality, and  the drawing up of appropriate legal documentation may be necessitated.

In the meantime, disturbance of the peace by your crew will not be tolerated. Further more, any attempt by your coral golems to leave your ships will be seen as an act of aggression. You can see that this would be unlikely to convince the Lord Protector to look kindly on your request.  
 

 "Well... given the disparity between our presence in these waters and yours, I think establishing that each other's ships and crews may be stolen at will would be a dangerous precedent for your nation to set. We'll have to see how willing your lord is to entertain that particular risk when he arrives." 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Raven 
 With her eyes closed, Maiabel's sense of hearing seems keen as ever. It's not that one's hearing really gets better without sight - it's that, without the distraction of visual information, one can better listen to what one hears. And so, Maiabel practices some of the techniques she's been practicing - martial techniques she knew were doable, but didn't really have the training to perform... for a while, anyway. Now, however... hmm, what's this?

 
 Spoiler: Hey! Listen! 
[roll0]
 
 
 

As Maiabel listens, she can hear some things quite clearly. The clinking of chains, and of coral against metal moving unnaturally, perhaps a signs of the Coral Golem's true location. But also, other movements. Most large marine life has long since fled these waters with your crews now hunting for them, yet there is an odd cry from the water outside this ship that seems to come from some such beast. A sea lion or a seal or something like it, moving with unusual deliberateness.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Trying his hardest to avoid snarking at the arrogant elf, Cypher wracks his brains about the golems, wondering if they are likely to be controlled by the ship's captain and how.

 
 Spoiler: Arcana roll 
Knowledge Arcana  (1d20+16)[ 32 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
As Lamorak leaves his self-imposed seclusion, Maiabel follows after. But rather than simply taking her place a few paces behind him, she hurries her stride slightly, enough that he can hear her speak softly.  "My Lord. I can hear abnormal sounds coming from the water. I believe the elves' agents - be they golem or seabeast - are moving against us as we speak." 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak listens to Maiabel's report. It's alarming enough - the golems they have had to brawl through have been instructively troublesome, and he has no doubts how devastating they might be in nautical warfare. Something to about working on counter-measures for, in future. He confers with her quietly, as they approach.

  "Then we must be prepared to destroy the elves quickly, so we can turn out efforts on their hidden weapons. This does not end with a violation of my word of sanctuary dispatched to these sailors - I will not be undermined by these slim-fisted leash snappers. This time, at least, we are not caught underground."  

As he closes to the conversational boundary, he interjects himself at the moment of maximum drama - pretending to have not heard it all, to force the elves to second guess. He stops within ten feet of the elf in authority.

 "How willing I am to entertain  what  particular risk, captain? It strains credibility to imagine a risk any more valid than conducting yourselves with such casual knavery within my domain, while so far from yours. What type of incident are you trying to provoke - a violent one, or merely a diplomatic one? Which do you have authority to pursue, and will be easier to explain to your masters?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Close to 10 feet of Captain Jerkbutt, just so he's getting licked by my Aura of Despair. The -2 is only to saves, but I want him to feel bad because I hate him.

If it's relevant, Intimidate:  (1d20+16)[ 26 ]  (+2 for skill synergy!)
 
JbeJ275
The elf gulps as the Lord at last approaches, the sky seeming to dark a fration as they he makes to reply.  "Well of course, I'm merely a diplomat. While here it is my duty only to hear your words and take them home, I speak only of other.. other umm back who might be offended should you not agree to deal with them openly on this issue. Of course, any such choice to make their is your own... just they well..."  Here the speech cuts of into stammering, as he eems incapable of holding himself together fully in the face of Lamorak's press.

Further back, Cypher comes to his own conclusions. The golems of Ordana are not capable of any great tactical creativity, but can be programmed to respond to specific events they percieve. For instance, if someone attacks the ship or crew they would likely be instructed to strike back against them. Further, they are capable of understanding verbal orders and would likely obey elven officers of the fleet. Some do have specific magic items to allow control og golems, but they're unlikely to be present here. There's also the very strong possibility some ability to signal to the creature while it's underwater exists, though you're unsure how exactly that would function.
MrAbdiel
With the previously bombastic elven interlocuter cowed - a gratifying feeling for the Lord Protector, whose recent experiences with elves have been poor - he rakes his gaze across the two slave-catcher ships, and draws in a narrow, somewhat performative breath.

 "Very well. Hear my words, then, and take them home:  Novasanctus  will take all who come here for refuge and who submit to the peace and responsibility of this Protectorate. Their prior obligations in other lands do not concern me. Your masters may finds this offensive, but I invite them to consider what became of the offenses of the last fleet that sailed unwelcome where your ships now rest. You, however..." 

Another look to the speaker, over the ships and the over elves; and the Lord Protector allows his posture to slacken slightly, as if releasing after hard decision some more active alternative action.

 "You are free to leave. You may send your men ashore and replenish your fresh water; then you will leave. I demand no tribute or gift for your intrusion, on account of your ignorance. This will not avail you twice. If you have no business in my waters, I ask you respect them."  He gives a beatifically dismissive gesture.  "This is my judgement. Go in peace." 

He remains ready in case of a last minute betrayal by the elves; but however confident he is in the ability of his Inner Circle to overcome them, the damage that might be done to the flagship in process, the loss of life of the new arrivals, the damage to the claim of sanctuary in the realm, was less that preferable. The elven slave-catchers did not want to die; Lamorak did not want to sustain the damage inevitable with killing them. He let them sit in a moment where both could have what they most want.

 Novasanctus , he thought with amusement. The last time they were here, the settlement was so nascent it barely warranted a name - the Realm of Lamorak, merely. But now the word was going out, and the world was taking notice; and the name suited. To most hearers, the name was clear enough; the word seeming to emerge to suggest a new place of sanctuary. Canny hearers would connect  sanctus  to  sancre , a word in both Infernal and Celestial meaning  the place to which runs when there is nowhere else to run. 

Of course, the Celestial suggestion was one of safety and refuge for those with no other place to run. The Infernal leant on the implication of the runner having no other options, and the leverage available over a man who has no options left.
MrAbdiel
After the elven ships are sent sheepishly back into the dividing sea, Lamorak briefly addresses the no doubt frightened arrivals who have taken his offer; the first, he hopes, of man. Typho understands the moment, and instinctively swims from astral smoke to his side so he may stand in the saddle like the king he claims to be and address the arrivals in a booming voice.

 "Hear me, sailors; hear my voice, and be glad. You risked your lives to come here in pursuit of a dream that leapt from my open hand, and I have not failed to cover you in the shadow of my cloak. My name is Lamorak, Lord Protector of Novasanctus and True King of Marcelia. My word is true: you may make homes for yourselves here, and live in peace. Any among you who can demonstrate a skill or profession that benefits this Protectorate, I shall call Citizen. Any who bend their backs instead to honest labor in the ways you know, drawing fish from the sea, for a period of six months, I will also call citizen. Whatever you have to offer, I call you now free men and women. You will find a number of your countrymen recently arrived also; perhaps, with them, you may find comrades for the path ahead. Come ashore, and rest. Soon, there will be celebration, and you ought partake." 

His stentorian promises made, he steps down from Typho's saddle, and the drakkensteed bounds, and then soars, releasing its distinctive roar as it gets about its own business. Then comes conference with the Inner Circle, once they are settled in the dilapidated (if well swept) throneroom.

 "This will not be the last of our conflict with the elves. If we are fortunate, the embarrassment of our theft of their slaves will be enough to choke their formal reprisal with bickering between their houses. If we are not fortunate, we should expect ships, elven marines, and golems within a matter of short weeks."  He slouches on the 'throne' (of stone bricks and draped fabric in place of a genuine throne, that is) leftward, elbow on the armrest, chin on his fist.  "This means we will likely need to call on Zukkad again. I will speak soon with the master of ships about making contact with his old captain, and establishing a new contract - the pirates profited last time, and may do so again." 

He looks to the Spymaster.  "Cypher. We have our alchemist, now, after our great labors. See that he is situated and resourced as thoroughly as we can manage. We can begin mining the saltpetre soon, but we will need whatever else is required to make..."  Lamorak here reaches the end of his grasp of the alchemical sciences. He offers a loose wave of the hand.  "Weapons. If this requires another excursion from ourselves, we will have to budget our time very carefully. Consider also that this young alchemist was incarcerated because of his sabotage actions against some of the elf constructs - perhaps he may bear some secrets we can leverage against their constructs before we are contending with them punching holes in the bottom of our flagship." 

Next he turns his gaze to his butler, squire and most immediately relevant, chef.

 "Sharkan. Our new arrivals have suffered greatly and now is the time to engender good will in them. Their priestesses remain suspicious, and we must give their people enough reason to ignore those suspicions. I think an inaugural feast to celebrate their liberation is in order - see what you can supply. All those who arrive after them will be coming to them and taking their cues and expectation from them; we must ensure it to be a good word. But also... I require you to begin familiarizing yourself with the politics of the beastman tribes. The time will likely come where we need to liaise with their high king or a challenger, and you are a natural choice for diplomat to them."  He gestures to the tiger-man, racistly.  "Cypher, I expect, has a primer on their politics squirreled away on one of his shelves." 

Finally he looks to his maid, and foremost sword.

 "Maiabel - assume we will be defending this island within short weeks from elven invaders. Take stock of the ground forces we have. The knights that served in the Dark Miracle have rested long enough, and built up their households here now; press them to start drilling volunteers. No doubt there will be those recently arrived who crave a chance to inflict revenge on the elves. Those we have sent back now will take a report that the island is defended only by a handful of warriors and a shivering batch of escaped slaves. We must make sure, by they time they respond, that they are wrong. Additionally... I charge you to keep your ear on the priestesses of the freed slaves. No doubt their first task will be to create a place of worship, and that is well enough; but if they prove too sceptical of my command or troublesome, I will require you to kill them. But not yet, and ideally not at all. Better they settle, but either way I must know." 

With that, he falls silent; and the traditional opportunity for those in this Inner Circle to raise matters or suggest items of action comes to the moment.

 * * * * * 
Elsewhere, about that time, a new arrival to peculiar island makes her way down one of the rickety wharf from which some of the locals venture along the pebbly beach in search of fish in the shallows to net. She is radically out of place; a noble countenance framed in dark curls and modest turquoise jewellery, in robes of tan and sea green that suggest elegance short of opulence. In one arm she carries a lyre; with the other, she lifts a hand to touch her lips as if checking in with the smile of gleeful fascination that manifests there.

The fishermen watch her with wary interest. They are not rubes, but they cannot understand how she got here.

 "Have you caught many fish, men of the sea?"  she asks, in a lilting tone with a rounded quality that comes to those who are trying, barely, to hold in some fabulous secret or joke.

 "Not today,"  one answers, holding up his empty net with a longsuffering smile.  "When the ships come and go, the ones by the shore scatter. But it's not safe to go far from the docks, and cast elsewhere; so we wait." 
 "Cast, perhaps, on the other side of the wharf; over here, you see? Stand between your master's castle on the far rise, and the sun on the other side, and cast again."  She gestures to where she means with one hand as she steps from the wood to the sand, and carries on towards the scrubby grass that leads to the islands interior.

A strange suggestion, and she offers no justification as she smiles over her shoulder and carries on her way. Fishermen being superstitious as they are, the young fellow and his friend take their net, get their ankles wet, and look for anything moving to cast it at.

She whispers something, then - too far now from them to be heard. But something hears.

Not one fish or two, but a great swarm of them come racing through the shallows and fling themselves with idiot devotion toward the net the lads still hold. Stunned, they drop it as the weight of the fish drags it from their hands, and they stumble back as easily a hundred decent sized fish toss themselves wildly on to the shore. The fishermen whoop and howl as their fellows close in to marvel. Only one of those, arriving late, considers for a moment that he swears he can see an expression of outrage and hate in the eyes of one of the fish; but that's silly to imagine, more so when he hits it with an oar and that's that.

Neither do any of them see the woman, now out of sight, shiver as the vitality and life of her body thins and her skin pales and tightens toward her bones; just until she looses another mystical syllable and is flush again with health.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: Action 
This is Aiyenaira, who will become my Cohort.

She just used Dark Speech (book of vile darkness) to create a hive mind of fish, and then manifest it with the command 'Approach', causing them to beach themselves. Since they have no attacks to speak of, I don't have to worry about them biting off anyone's fingers in their helpless state.

This use of Dark Speech causes her  (1d4)[ 4 ]  Constitution damage.
She casts Lesser Restoration to regain  (1d4)[ 3 ]  of it immediately.
 


And on she goes, towards the hubbub of recent arrivals, and the excited buzz of free people deciding how, and where now, to live.
MrAbdiel
On the island's interior, in the shadow of the crumbling castle on the highest rise, a small community of freed slaves try to make a start on their new lives.

 "There must be more lumber than this,"  Achia murmured to her husband. A stack of rough-sawn planks slouched near the chosen site, allotted for construction of housing in prior days but abandoned due to a shortage of skilled labour as many citizens turned to living in caves and the ruined old brick houses crowded to the edges of the cliff atop which sat the castle. Lars wish he could give his wife a better report. They were not good planks; uneven, bent from humidity. Like the stones nearby, they were harvested from the rubble of whatever precursor once dwelled on this island; the serfs answering to whatever lord previously dwelled in the now ruined and haunted castle.

 "Achia, they don't have a proper saw mill, let alone a golem to work it. It's all salvage wood, or the planks cut by two brothers who have the only greatsaw on the island. And the best wood gets snatched up to the docks where they're trying to repair the wrecks left by the quay. We'll just have to make do. At least here, we're free."  Lars believed the words, but it was hard not to be disappointed. Surviving the escape from slavery felt like the ultimate challenge which should be followed by peace - but here they were, staring down a future of additional labour and destitute conditions while they found their feet. Still they would endure, if they had to.

Fortunately, they wouldn't have to.

 "Hey!" 

If was Keff; not quite the youngest, but the shortest of the escapees. He was cutting a fast line from the greater crowd to Achia and Lars. He flapped his cloth cap back and forth in his hands, desperate for their attention. "Hey! Come on, come on! You've got to see this!"

 * * * * * 
Chords trilled off the lyre in warm, woven sequences; a song the Ordranans had never heard, indeed outside the musical theory of their land, but remarkable by some ultimate musical quality. The lyrist stepped delicately down the line, checking in briefly with the settlers as she passed them.  "How is this? Is this big enough? Are there more in your family, or just these?"  On the other side, the music did its work. Most of it was digging. Some of it was more complex than that. But all of it came together with precision in execution, as though the music, or the musician, knew a thing or two about the task. Great heaps of earth were gouging smoothly from the ground as though worked by the shovels of hundreds of invisible workers. Planks and beams flew into place where support was needed; earthen floors smoothed and packed themselves down. Old copper nails embedded in the salvage planks yanked themselves free, straightened out, and then swam through the air to drive themselves into whatever post of pailing at which they were most needed. With even these limited resources, a long row of comfortably sized dug-out houses pulled themselves together at a speed that must be called miraculous.

Lars felt a sharp pain in his bicep. It was Achia - her nails gripping him with thoughtless wonder, impelling him to speak up.

 "Ah... Can- ...Can we also..?"  He piped up, trailing off. The woman turned her dark eyes to him, and smiled. Her fingers never ceased to play; the unseen army of forces erecting the new village of freed men and women did not stop with her distraction.

 "Of course, of course. For the two of you? Later, when there is more wood and brick, we will make a better thing; but for now, it will keep you warm. At the end of the row; we keep them together, so we can trench the runoff rain into a cistern instead of into your bedroom." 

They watched as, at the end of the row,  their house  began to define itself by expelling its earth and squaring up with a doorframe soon arched in stones that obligingly stacked themselves. Achia and Lars, once slaves, watched in unfamiliar helplessness as someone else performed labor for them. Lars found his voice again: "Is there anything we can do to help?"

 "Certainly. Gather every bucket, bowl and waterskin you can and go fill them up from the sea. I cannot make you a well, here - there is no water beneath the ground here so close to the sea. But bring me those vessels, and I'll purify the water you have, for now." 

At once, they began gathering their petty possessions that could hold water and made for the quay, where baffled fishermen still talked about their catch. "Thank you!" Lars called as he set off, dreading now to appear ungrateful for such charity.

The woman called back.  "Thank instead our Lord Protector Lamorak, who gives so much to those he shelters!" 

A house to call his own, and the right to sleep until well after the sun had risen? Lars would name his  children  after the man, even though he had not spoken one word to him.

As it happened, neither had the lyrist herself.
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by MrAbdiel 
 With the previously bombastic elven interlocuter cowed - a gratifying feeling for the Lord Protector, whose recent experiences with elves have been poor - he rakes his gaze across the two slave-catcher ships, and draws in a narrow, somewhat performative breath.

 "Very well. Hear my words, then, and take them home:  Novasanctus  will take all who come here for refuge and who submit to the peace and responsibility of this Protectorate. Their prior obligations in other lands do not concern me. Your masters may finds this offensive, but I invite them to consider what became of the offenses of the last fleet that sailed unwelcome where your ships now rest. You, however..." 

Another look to the speaker, over the ships and the over elves; and the Lord Protector allows his posture to slacken slightly, as if releasing after hard decision some more active alternative action.

 "You are free to leave. You may send your men ashore and replenish your fresh water; then you will leave. I demand no tribute or gift for your intrusion, on account of your ignorance. This will not avail you twice. If you have no business in my waters, I ask you respect them."  He gives a beatifically dismissive gesture.  "This is my judgement. Go in peace." 

He remains ready in case of a last minute betrayal by the elves; but however confident he is in the ability of his Inner Circle to overcome them, the damage that might be done to the flagship in process, the loss of life of the new arrivals, the damage to the claim of sanctuary in the realm, was less that preferable. The elven slave-catchers did not want to die; Lamorak did not want to sustain the damage inevitable with killing them. He let them sit in a moment where both could have what they most want.

 Novasanctus , he thought with amusement. The last time they were here, the settlement was so nascent it barely warranted a name - the Realm of Lamorak, merely. But now the word was going out, and the world was taking notice; and the name suited. To most hearers, the name was clear enough; the word seeming to emerge to suggest a new place of sanctuary. Canny hearers would connect  sanctus  to  sancre , a word in both Infernal and Celestial meaning  the place to which runs when there is nowhere else to run. 

Of course, the Celestial suggestion was one of safety and refuge for those with no other place to run. The Infernal leant on the implication of the runner having no other options, and the leverage available over a man who has no options left. 
 


The captain stammers at this, knowledge of his superiors outrage warring with fear over the clear threat you present. Eventually he makes his decision, the elders will still have a use for him and aren't in the habit of executing those of pure blood who haven't opposed them, they have no such garuntee for you. He sends word and one marine goes ashore without his weapons to retrieve fresh water, while others go below and issue orders to the rowers, who shortly see the ship pulling out of the harbour and over the horizon. You have prevented this conflict coming today, you cannot say how much longer such an act will safeguard you, but the Ordanan's quarrel with each other always. To act hastily would leave one house open to another's attack, thus they will be forced to wait before attempting an further interference in your affairs.



 
 Originally Posted by MrAbdiel 
 After the elven ships are sent sheepishly back into the dividing sea, Lamorak briefly addresses the no doubt frightened arrivals who have taken his offer; the first, he hopes, of man. Typho understands the moment, and instinctively swims from astral smoke to his side so he may stand in the saddle like the king he claims to be and address the arrivals in a booming voice.

 "Hear me, sailors; hear my voice, and be glad. You risked your lives to come here in pursuit of a dream that leapt from my open hand, and I have not failed to cover you in the shadow of my cloak. My name is Lamorak, Lord Protector of Novasanctus and True King of Marcelia. My word is true: you may make homes for yourselves here, and live in peace. Any among you who can demonstrate a skill or profession that benefits this Protectorate, I shall call Citizen. Any who bend their backs instead to honest labor in the ways you know, drawing fish from the sea, for a period of six months, I will also call citizen. Whatever you have to offer, I call you now free men and women. You will find a number of your countrymen recently arrived also; perhaps, with them, you may find comrades for the path ahead. Come ashore, and rest. Soon, there will be celebration, and you ought partake." 

His stentorian promises made, he steps down from Typho's saddle, and the drakkensteed bounds, and then soars, releasing its distinctive roar as it gets about its own business. Then comes conference with the Inner Circle, once they are settled in the dilapidated (if well swept) throneroom.

 "This will not be the last of our conflict with the elves. If we are fortunate, the embarrassment of our theft of their slaves will be enough to choke their formal reprisal with bickering between their houses. If we are not fortunate, we should expect ships, elven marines, and golems within a matter of short weeks."  He slouches on the 'throne' (of stone bricks and draped fabric in place of a genuine throne, that is) leftward, elbow on the armrest, chin on his fist.  "This means we will likely need to call on Zukkad again. I will speak soon with the master of ships about making contact with his old captain, and establishing a new contract - the pirates profited last time, and may do so again." 

He looks to the Spymaster.  "Cypher. We have our alchemist, now, after our great labors. See that he is situated and resourced as thoroughly as we can manage. We can begin mining the saltpetre soon, but we will need whatever else is required to make..."  Lamorak here reaches the end of his grasp of the alchemical sciences. He offers a loose wave of the hand.  "Weapons. If this requires another excursion from ourselves, we will have to budget our time very carefully. Consider also that this young alchemist was incarcerated because of his sabotage actions against some of the elf constructs - perhaps he may bear some secrets we can leverage against their constructs before we are contending with them punching holes in the bottom of our flagship." 

Next he turns his gaze to his butler, squire and most immediately relevant, chef.

 "Sharkan. Our new arrivals have suffered greatly and now is the time to engender good will in them. Their priestesses remain suspicious, and we must give their people enough reason to ignore those suspicions. I think an inaugural feast to celebrate their liberation is in order - see what you can supply. All those who arrive after them will be coming to them and taking their cues and expectation from them; we must ensure it to be a good word. But also... I require you to begin familiarizing yourself with the politics of the beastman tribes. The time will likely come where we need to liaise with their high king or a challenger, and you are a natural choice for diplomat to them."  He gestures to the tiger-man, racistly.  "Cypher, I expect, has a primer on their politics squirreled away on one of his shelves." 

Finally he looks to his maid, and foremost sword.

 "Maiabel - assume we will be defending this island within short weeks from elven invaders. Take stock of the ground forces we have. The knights that served in the Dark Miracle have rested long enough, and built up their households here now; press them to start drilling volunteers. No doubt there will be those recently arrived who crave a chance to inflict revenge on the elves. Those we have sent back now will take a report that the island is defended only by a handful of warriors and a shivering batch of escaped slaves. We must make sure, by they time they respond, that they are wrong. Additionally... I charge you to keep your ear on the priestesses of the freed slaves. No doubt their first task will be to create a place of worship, and that is well enough; but if they prove too sceptical of my command or troublesome, I will require you to kill them. But not yet, and ideally not at all. Better they settle, but either way I must know." 

With that, he falls silent; and the traditional opportunity for those in this Inner Circle to raise matters or suggest items of action comes to the moment. 
 

Though some time to respond does arrive, it's not long until a murmur reaches around the chambers, with your usual chancellors and heralds occupied with the new arrivals there seems to be some uncertainty as to who should risk going inside, leaving it as a background murmur for now. But those of you with the most accute hearing will start to hear whipers of.   "The Lord must know who she is, but none of the garrison officers were told. Perhaps she simply couldn't communicate her arrival?"   Other such vague but suspicious comments seem to refer to the unexpected arrival of a remarkable woman, but one who seems to have flaunted sense in going about the minor clifftop hamlets rather than making her way to the central castle.


 
 Originally Posted by MrAbdiel 
 Elsewhere, about that time, a new arrival to peculiar island makes her way down one of the rickety wharf from which some of the locals venture along the pebbly beach in search of fish in the shallows to net. She is radically out of place; a noble countenance framed in dark curls and modest turquoise jewellery, in robes of tan and sea green that suggest elegance short of opulence. In one arm she carries a lyre; with the other, she lifts a hand to touch her lips as if checking in with the smile of gleeful fascination that manifests there.

The fishermen watch her with wary interest. They are not rubes, but they cannot understand how she got here.

 "Have you caught many fish, men of the sea?"  she asks, in a lilting tone with a rounded quality that comes to those who are trying, barely, to hold in some fabulous secret or joke.

 "Not today,"  one answers, holding up his empty net with a longsuffering smile.  "When the ships come and go, the ones by the shore scatter. But it's not safe to go far from the docks, and cast elsewhere; so we wait." 
 "Cast, perhaps, on the other side of the wharf; over here, you see? Stand between your master's castle on the far rise, and the sun on the other side, and cast again."  She gestures to where she means with one hand as she steps from the wood to the sand, and carries on towards the scrubby grass that leads to the islands interior.

A strange suggestion, and she offers no justification as she smiles over her shoulder and carries on her way. Fishermen being superstitious as they are, the young fellow and his friend take their net, get their ankles wet, and look for anything moving to cast it at.

She whispers something, then - too far now from them to be heard. But something hears.

Not one fish or two, but a great swarm of them come racing through the shallows and fling themselves with idiot devotion toward the net the lads still hold. Stunned, they drop it as the weight of the fish drags it from their hands, and they stumble back as easily a hundred decent sized fish toss themselves wildly on to the shore. The fishermen whoop and howl as their fellows close in to marvel. Only one of those, arriving late, considers for a moment that he swears he can see an expression of outrage and hate in the eyes of one of the fish; but that's silly to imagine, more so when he hits it with an oar and that's that.

Neither do any of them see the woman, now out of sight, shiver as the vitality and life of her body thins and her skin pales and tightens toward her bones; just until she looses another mystical syllable and is flush again with health.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: Action 
This is Aiyenaira, who will become my Cohort.

She just used Dark Speech (book of vile darkness) to create a hive mind of fish, and then manifest it with the command 'Approach', causing them to beach themselves. Since they have no attacks to speak of, I don't have to worry about them biting off anyone's fingers in their helpless state.

This use of Dark Speech causes her [roll0] Constitution damage.
She casts Lesser Restoration to regain [roll1] of it immediately.
 


And on she goes, towards the hubbub of recent arrivals, and the excited buzz of free people deciding how, and where now, to live.

On the island's interior, in the shadow of the crumbling castle on the highest rise, a small community of freed slaves try to make a start on their new lives.

 "There must be more lumber than this,"  Achia murmured to her husband. A stack of rough-sawn planks slouched near the chosen site, allotted for construction of housing in prior days but abandoned due to a shortage of skilled labour as many citizens turned to living in caves and the ruined old brick houses crowded to the edges of the cliff atop which sat the castle. Lars wish he could give his wife a better report. They were not good planks; uneven, bent from humidity. Like the stones nearby, they were harvested from the rubble of whatever precursor once dwelled on this island; the serfs answering to whatever lord previously dwelled in the now ruined and haunted castle.

 "Achia, they don't have a proper saw mill, let alone a golem to work it. It's all salvage wood, or the planks cut by two brothers who have the only greatsaw on the island. And the best wood gets snatched up to the docks where they're trying to repair the wrecks left by the quay. We'll just have to make do. At least here, we're free."  Lars believed the words, but it was hard not to be disappointed. Surviving the escape from slavery felt like the ultimate challenge which should be followed by peace - but here they were, staring down a future of additional labour and destitute conditions while they found their feet. Still they would endure, if they had to.

Fortunately, they wouldn't have to.

 "Hey!" 

If was Keff; not quite the youngest, but the shortest of the escapees. He was cutting a fast line from the greater crowd to Achia and Lars. He flapped his cloth cap back and forth in his hands, desperate for their attention. "Hey! Come on, come on! You've got to see this!"

 * * * * * 
Chords trilled off the lyre in warm, woven sequences; a song the Ordranans had never heard, indeed outside the musical theory of their land, but remarkable by some ultimate musical quality. The lyrist stepped delicately down the line, checking in briefly with the settlers as she passed them.  "How is this? Is this big enough? Are there more in your family, or just these?"  On the other side, the music did its work. Most of it was digging. Some of it was more complex than that. But all of it came together with precision in execution, as though the music, or the musician, knew a thing or two about the task. Great heaps of earth were gouging smoothly from the ground as though worked by the shovels of hundreds of invisible workers. Planks and beams flew into place where support was needed; earthen floors smoothed and packed themselves down. Old copper nails embedded in the salvage planks yanked themselves free, straightened out, and then swam through the air to drive themselves into whatever post of pailing at which they were most needed. With even these limited resources, a long row of comfortably sized dug-out houses pulled themselves together at a speed that must be called miraculous.

Lars felt a sharp pain in his bicep. It was Achia - her nails gripping him with thoughtless wonder, impelling him to speak up.

 "Ah... Can- ...Can we also..?"  He piped up, trailing off. The woman turned her dark eyes to him, and smiled. Her fingers never ceased to play; the unseen army of forces erecting the new village of freed men and women did not stop with her distraction.

 "Of course, of course. For the two of you? Later, when there is more wood and brick, we will make a better thing; but for now, it will keep you warm. At the end of the row; we keep them together, so we can trench the runoff rain into a cistern instead of into your bedroom." 

They watched as, at the end of the row,  their house  began to define itself by expelling its earth and squaring up with a doorframe soon arched in stones that obligingly stacked themselves. Achia and Lars, once slaves, watched in unfamiliar helplessness as someone else performed labor for them. Lars found his voice again: "Is there anything we can do to help?"

 "Certainly. Gather every bucket, bowl and waterskin you can and go fill them up from the sea. I cannot make you a well, here - there is no water beneath the ground here so close to the sea. But bring me those vessels, and I'll purify the water you have, for now." 

At once, they began gathering their petty possessions that could hold water and made for the quay, where baffled fishermen still talked about their catch. "Thank you!" Lars called as he set off, dreading now to appear ungrateful for such charity.

The woman called back.  "Thank instead our Lord Protector Lamorak, who gives so much to those he shelters!" 

A house to call his own, and the right to sleep until well after the sun had risen? Lars would name his  children  after the man, even though he had not spoken one word to him.

As it happened, neither had the lyrist herself. 
 

While the Ordanan Landsmen's expierience with this island led them to be grateful to the gifts provided by Aiyenaira, those born of Marcellian cities were often recruited by stoking paranoia and jelousy, a flame that had proved pard to put out. While living here was enough of a struggle that more freemen were soon looked on as more use than they were trouble, a lady of such power walking now among them could prove an issue, they were the first sons of this place and in particular the cavalry officers believed that they should be considered it's true nobility. Thus, Ser Danlin Varnwood approached the lady boldly, three more horsemen at his back and as Lars moved to make himself useful, Danlin spoke.

 "To speak of thoe Lord's will, he had not told one member of the garrison about the arrival of someone like you, and we can't have strange arrivals doing such things without his permission. How about we take you somewhere he can find you to talk to more easily huh?" 

The grin on Danlin's face was no doubt meant to intimidate, as was the hand resting on his sword's hilt. However the whole effect seemed... insufficient... to Aiyenaira, more likely to frighten a plausible victim for some unresisted bullying, than to actually make a competent agent of any serious power back off or surrender.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan nods as his is given an order and begins thinking over the supplies they have available for what sort of food can be prepared.

"lets see.... large groups, something warm? I can have large amounts of stew prepared within the hour, Ill need some help to make some biscuits from the flour we have. If we had some bears, Id have them out looking for honey for the biscuits, but rather, the buiscuts will go good with the Stew. We have plenty of veggitables. Some tubbers will go a long way to filling their mouths."

He looks to Cypher.

"Books on the Shifters eh? Id be more than willing to sit down and read what has been said of the people."

He doesnt seem to take offense at the racial comment as he moves to busy himself with the tasks that have been set before him, cooking and research.

"Novasanctus eh? the new safe place? the Solitude?, we will need to send envoys to the leaders of the wilds. Especially if we wish to stand against the elves on the seas"
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  
 I shall ensure he is settled in and provisiondd adequately at once, Lord Protector. It is possible we may be able to produce our own weapons with the alchemist substances we can produce, however, in the short term it is most likely to serve as valuable commodity for trade.

As always, I shall also endeavour to extract any further useful knowledge that he can provide. Doing so in a congenial manner will be a...novelty.
 

He turns to Sharkan.

 "The Beastclans" is the colloquial term foe the Creadurynasllawerofnadwy. The savages with the uncomfortably close bonds with their animals. Especially that, wretch of a druid that escaped us! I shall provide you with all of the information I have.

As yo your homelands, I am sure I don't need to share what little information I have. I fear they are too remote to provide useful allies, certainly at this juncture. 

***

Sitting in the alchemical laboratory they had set up, Cypher pours tea for himself and the young alchemist. Again I must apologise for the basic nature of our facilities, but expansion and refinement will be priories for the Lord Protector. Do let me know what I can do to help with the work or to make your quarters more comfortable.

 When you are done for the day  we can share a drink. I have many questions for you about the Elves and their golems. But please don't let me distract you now. 

Taking 10 on Craft alchemy and using Cunning Knowledge for 1IP to help get things set up, for a score of 26.

Please let me know if any other rolls are required.
MrAbdiel
 
 Originally Posted by JbeJ275 
  "To speak of thoe Lord's will, he had not told one member of the garrison about the arrival of someone like you, and we can't have strange arrivals doing such things without his permission. How about we take you somewhere he can find you to talk to more easily huh?"  
 

The freemen housed and the water cleaned, a cistern dug and not yet lined, the woman turns to the knight as her fingers finally slow and cease on the lyre's strings. She glances ones at her calloused fingertips, blows on them, and slings the lyre behind her on its strap.

 "Of course, he could not know I was coming - but that does not mean I am not, indeed, in his service. I am a gift, you see? But here, good knight, I will not say your concern is unfounded. It is time he made his judgement, yes? Take me to our Lord, then."  She gestures up toward the castle, smiling at the cracked structure.  "Let him discern right from wrong here. Whether he calls me friend or foe, you will surely be given favor for bringing me to his feet."
 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Diplomacy, if it helps!  (1d20+15)[ 30 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Waistcoatwill 
   Cypher  

Sitting in the alchemical laboratory they had set up, Cypher pours tea for himself and the young alchemist.  "Again I must apologise for the basic nature of our facilities, but expansion and refinement will be priories for the Lord Protector. Do let me know what I can do to help with the work or to make your quarters more comfortable.

When you are done for the day  we can share a drink. I have many questions for you about the Elves and their golems. But please don't let me distract you now." 

Taking 10 on Craft alchemy and using Cunning Knowledge for 1IP to help get things set up, for a score of 26.

Please let me know if any other rolls are required. 
 

The Alchemist is a small fellow, who looks very young for one with the expierience he seemingly holds, though malnutrition seems the most likely explenation for that. He's also clearly thrown by being talked to like this, uncomfortable with the the attention of a figure of status talking to him, as among the elves such attentions would have likely preceded interrogation and one certainly did precede his arrest. Nonetheless, in a too-quiet voice he thanks you for your kindness, while turning almost all his focus on the alchemical apparatus in front of him. He seems to have wood burning to ash on a carefully controlled fire, and a large ceramic pot filled with the salts which he's slowly adding water to. You know ashes are a somewhat common compound used to seperate salts in water, and the boiling of the salts is normal and deliberate enough to reassure you he seems to know what he's doing. He struggles briefly with constructing some other glassware and pewter dishes to the right shape, but you're able to direct him in recreating the elven devices used to refine such compounds, and you leave him busily but determindely working on a test extraction.


 
 Originally Posted by MrAbdiel 
 The freemen housed and the water cleaned, a cistern dug and not yet lined, the woman turns to the knight as her fingers finally slow and cease on the lyre's strings. She glances ones at her calloused fingertips, blows on them, and slings the lyre behind her on its strap.

 "Of course, he could not know I was coming - but that does not mean I am not, indeed, in his service. I am a gift, you see? But here, good knight, I will not say your concern is unfounded. It is time he made his judgement, yes? Take me to our Lord, then."  She gestures up toward the castle, smiling at the cracked structure.  "Let him discern right from wrong here. Whether he calls me friend or foe, you will surely be given favor for bringing me to his feet."
 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Diplomacy, if it helps! [roll0]
 
 
 

The knight, initially seems ready to jump to easy violence after his target admitted her status as intruder seems to have enough sense that either recognition from the Lord Protector or official instruction to punish this woman are both more tempting and look less bad to his men then picking a fight with a strange lady who shows no fear at his approach. Thus he looks down at you and speaks.  "Alright, you'll try his judgement then. My advice is lead with how you can be useful, I don't know what you've heard but we've little time for those who can't carry their weight right on this island. Your little display of magic there should be plenty impressive though, as long as you don't set any of his council off." 

With that, he deputises one of his men to make sure the new citizens move into these buildings in as deliberate and organised a way as they can, then bids you to mount the now spare horse and leads it back towards the fort, where the group dismounts and makes to approach the entrance hall of the castle which sends the herald their to end their deliberations and announce these new arrivals to the throne room.
MrAbdiel
 Later 
 "She said what?" 

Lamorak listened to Ser Danlin's report of the woman. He glances at her through the threshold, where she was being held at a safe distance by two castle guards. A woman, a charming one at that, appearing from nowhere, exhibiting fantastical magic powers and promising herself as a  gift ?

 "Incarcerate her. Magecuffs on her hands, and gagged. I will let my Inner Circle determine if she is a 'gift' or not." 

They had a short, bad history with witchy women from the sea.

And so Aiyenaira would wait, chained to a wall in the dungeon with her possessions in a locker in the room next over, with finger-shaped metal sleeves on her digits to prevent somatic casting and a leather bit in her mouth to foil spoken components. There she waited, in meditative patience, to be vetted.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Well, I could just have had Lamorak recognize her and put her on the team, but it's more fun to be a paranoid weirdo than immediately capitulate to what must look like a honeypot trap.

And it seems like fun to RP, even if for a couple of posts. If Maiabel, Cypher, and Sharkan interrogate her and decide to their satisfaction that she is on the level, he'll let her out and her formal career as a cohort will begin!

If you would do the honors, Inner Circle.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
With a startled 'prrow?' Sharkan looks up from his work. He was being told there was a prisoner to interrogate. A Wicked smile came to his face as he set his belongings down and  changed his attire. He had attained a suit of looser fitting baggy clothing, Its folds could easily hide any number of belongings, or should he increase in size, would avoid tearing and ripping. Once changed he proceeded to the holding cell to gaze upon the prisoner first.

"Interrrrresting, Interrrresting."

He purred gently into the room.

"To what do we owe the pleasurrrrrre, of such a well dressed visitorrrrrr?"
Dusk Raven
 
 Originally Posted by MrAbdiel 
  "Maiabel - assume we will be defending this island within short weeks from elven invaders. Take stock of the ground forces we have. The knights that served in the Dark Miracle have rested long enough, and built up their households here now; press them to start drilling volunteers. No doubt there will be those recently arrived who crave a chance to inflict revenge on the elves. Those we have sent back now will take a report that the island is defended only by a handful of warriors and a shivering batch of escaped slaves. We must make sure, by they time they respond, that they are wrong. Additionally... I charge you to keep your ear on the priestesses of the freed slaves. No doubt their first task will be to create a place of worship, and that is well enough; but if they prove too sceptical of my command or troublesome, I will require you to kill them. But not yet, and ideally not at all. Better they settle, but either way I must know." 

With that, he falls silent; and the traditional opportunity for those in this Inner Circle to raise matters or suggest items of action comes to the moment. 
 

As usual, Maiabel has little to offer. She was far from the firstborn child, or even firstborn daughter, of her house, and she was trained primarily in martial prowess and not actually managing the circumstances by which martial prowess was to be applied. But, she is to be the hand of her lord in any fashion required of her, and she is more than willing to take stock of the forces that might fight under her lord's command when the time comes.

And so, after the meaning, she does just what lord Lamorak has commanded of her, going to the various captains, commanders, and knights and taking stock of their respective troop counts. To the knights in particular, she gives some variation of,  "With the recent influx of refugees, we have gained both subjects and enemies. Our lord Lamorak has commanded us to marshal what volunteers we can, so that we can repel the latter. I will work on a system by which we may train what volunteers we can en masse, before doling them out to our knights and commanders."  And as she does so, she starts to come up with a system to do just that. She has little experience in training an army, but she knows what it's like to  be  trained. Her first instinct is to train in a group whatever small amount of new volunteers they can scrounge up, then assign them to knights as needed or as earned. And she also gets an idea to find the most capable of them and training them in more  technical  forms of combat like she herself has been trained.

She will, of course, need to run both plans by Lamorak first. The latter can wait until such promising recruits actually present themselves. The former... well, Maiabel will just have to figure out a way of asking for that without seeming to be presumptuous, of overstepping her bounds.

Speaking of bounds, she makes sure to keep an ear on the priestesses, as expected. With her newly enhanced hearing, she contents herself with remaining out of sight - after all, remaining hidden is easy when you have a wall or door blocking line of sight.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls, if Necessary 

Hide:  (1d20+17)[ 25 ] 
Move Silently:  (1d20+17)[ 25 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+23)[ 24 ] 
 


As for the new prisoner... well, Maiabel has  some  ability to read people, as necessitated by her training, but beyond this, she has been content to leaving the insight to Cypher. Still, she is fine with sitting in on the interrogation, having a hard time reading others but being hard to read in turn...

Before then, however, there is one method in which she can contribute. On the way to the prisoner's chambers, following Cypher, she reveals,  "I do have an ability to examine the magical properties of certain items... but only weapons and armor, the same tools of martial warfare that I myself might use. Beyond that... given time, I could probably acquire a divine spell that could help us, but its power would not be great." 
MrAbdiel
The stranger sits on the floor of her cell, looking up at the rakshasa with serenity in her posture, and countenance. Her hands are locked together in an apparatus of metal sleeves and wires that isolate and immobilize her fingers; the gag, presumably removed by Sharkan for this conversation,  rests idly beneath her chin. The accoutrements of incarceration are a contrast to her finery.

 "I have come to meet a King - what better occasion?" 

A warm and winning smile - the kind that is available only to the deeply genuine, or comfortably dishonest.

 "My name is  Most Devoted Aiyenaira , and I have come a very long way to serve out master. He has enemies, and will have more - so I do not begrudge this caution. But I was  summoned  here, do you see? Swept up from obscurity on a tide of ripe fortune, to give service here. Ask your questions, noble interlocutor; I will hide nothing from our master." 

The woman's items are laid out in the room beyond, free for Cypher and Maiabel's examination. Both of them.

A pendant, which seems to be a tiny mummified hand encased in murky amber, is the only magical element of her now confiscated plentiful jewellery; a  Hand of the Mage , simple enough, useful for minor telekinetic tricks. The lyre is more potent - almost  fragrant  in magical senses with constructive magical power, already demonstrated beyond the castle walls according to the testimony of the arresting knights.

Maiabel, with her talent for disguise and mimicry, might recognize the guards have missed another magic item - something very subtle about the way the light in the cell hits the fabric of the prisoner's garb suggests it is a conjured structure; some kind of style-shifting clothing to permit one to blend in, or stand out. A minor thing; but embarrassing for a guard to have missed it, arresting her. What if there had been some more menacing enchantment imbedded in the cloth?
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

The spymaster had remained silent through the proceedings so far, sat out of the interloper's line of sight. When his colleagues were close enough for their auras to affect her, he began the first stage of his assessment  an obscure arcane working crearing by a lost and highly paranoid society of gnomes. Focusing on the interloper, the weaves of magic attempt to draw out the slightest details of her disposition, making her easier to read and influence. Next he opened up his mind to read her surface thoughts. These basic necessities taken care of  he could begin.

 Do you understand your predicament? You are entirely within our power here. Your efforts with the populace have saved you from more...invasive questioning. For now. Any attempts to deceive, dissemble, or lie by omission and you will lose that privilege. You will regret that. Do you understand? 

Remaining out of sight, he lets the silence stretch out until it's uncomfortable before continuing.

Where are you from originally? What was your station and upbringing? You were summoned? Explain...

You have some knowledge of the Lord Protector, how did you come by this? And your equipment?

He gives her time to talk, enough rope to hang herself with an betray an inconsistency. He pushes for precise answers, not put off by attempts to evade or gloss over information.

 How did you arrive at Novasanctus? What do you hope to achieve here? What skills and abilities can you offer the Lord Protector? What are you prepared to do to serve him? To protect him? 

The questioning is sustained and exhausting. Cypher is used to the others becoming bored and eventually leaving him to his work. He remains polite,  but drops promises of barely restrained malevolence with each word.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Cypher makes use to the paladin aura that redices saves.
He casts Insidious Insight DC 18 Will Save, if failed cypher gains +10 to social skills and sense motive against her for 8 days.
Detect thoughts, attempting to readnsurgave thoughts. DC 18 Will save.
Then he relies on a mixture of diplomacy and intimidation to eat out as many details from her as he can.

Happy to roll some skills if you want.
 
MrAbdiel
  In The Dungeon...  
 How long will they keep me here? As long as it takes. As long as it takes. You knew this would happen; this is why you are here. This is why you are here. Only the unworthy have to fear a proving. The way is prepared; here, in chains, you walk it. This is the way to go; this is the way to the master. 
 Aiyenaira Most Devoted 's surface thoughts are the run-on self assurances of a zealot who sees her incarceration as proof of her faith. She expected this; she expects to see the other side of this. She wants to meet Lamorak very badly; having never seen him, her thoughts are filled with wild and roiling imaginings of what he might look, and sound, and act like. Dipping into her surface thoughts is like listening to the murmured self-conversation of a religious ecstatic cultist who is at the same time lovestruck, and whose intuitions cannot untangle those braided obsessions.

So much so that it is extremely difficult for Cypher, even as sharp as he is, to penetrate more deeply into her thoughts. Her cool, curated demeanour hides a thunderous whirlwind of deafening neuroses. Hidden within that whirlwind are the barely heard edges of words that seem too wicked to be real; trying to pick them out from the rest of the noise causes a strobing, angry pain behind the Cypher's eyes.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Seems like a fair description of reading the surface thoughts of someone who knows  Dark Speech , right?
 


She answers Sharkan's initial questions simply, and with a comfortable presentation of patience. She is  Aiyenaira Most Devoted.  She has come a long way to meet and serve the Lord Protector. She intends to offer herself, all of her life and service, as gift; the purchase price for the privilege of itself. She has skill in courtly manners, music, and a classical education - but also engineering, spellcraft, and mysticisms divine, arcane ... and deeply profane.

From time to time, Sharkan can see her eyes move as if she is waiting for someone to come around the corner - but it ceases when Cypher does so. If she knows Maiabel is nearby, she gives no sign.


 
 Originally Posted by Cypher 
  "Do you understand your predicament? You are entirely within our power here. Your efforts with the populace have saved you from more...invasive questioning. For now. Any attempts to deceive, dissemble, or lie by omission and you will lose that privilege. You will regret that. Do you understand?"  
 

The woman's dark eyes - which Cypher might consider large and beautiful, if he was not also perceiving the surface of the fanatic interior - scour the spymaster's face, and after a moment of weighing his words, she offers an companionly smile.

 "What you call a predicament, I call a proving, noble interlocuter. Be as invasive as your conviction requires you to be. In later days, you and I will be colleagues; and I would have you know that when that time comes, the only resentment I will have held for you is any sloppy half-handedness when it comes to serving our master." 

Then she answers his questions, as the come. She is able to answer all of them, except one. Sharkan, Cypher, and Maiabel may all bend their suspicious ears to the answers, and none will detect a lie.

Aiyenaira paints a picture of a moderately sized kingdom, one of the hundreds of signatories to the charter of the Federated Courts of Highsong. A tall, old castle build in a spiral around an older wizard's tower in a wealthy and comfortable river delta that shatters the gold of a sandy desert with a riot of green floodplains. A precociously talented girl grows up in the surrounds of petty royalty. She received no childhood education in magic, yet all the same she was caught diving in the rivers and the shallow surf with impossible comfort and speed, especially considering she had been given no swimming instruction at all. With reluctance, her parents saw burgeoning magical talent and sent her to be educated in Sha'ir madrassa to have her affinity for water and mystical things sensibly grounded. Yet the opportunity only whet her appetite, and by the time she was a young woman, she had a mastery over elemental magics that was the source of bitter envy from her colleagues and even some instructors. Her loyal  gen  spirit slaved at her requirement to fetch new spells from the elemental planes... one day, it brought back something else. Something much, much darker.

 "It was a fragment of a devil, banished from the world and sent spinning back into the hells. As it passed through the realms between, it imparted to my  gen  the terms of a bargain - I would give up my wasted life in the madrassa, in exchange for a superior one of service to a worthy king. The price was my name, and I paid it. The devil's name was Malakharn, and he called a foreign king his son, in whom he was pleased. From that day, I have sought our lord Lamorak out to offer myself, the lesser child of Malakharn to the greater. I have journeyed since the war in Marcelia sent Malakharn from our realm, and I carry a message - that our Lord Lamorak should not think himself defeated for having been driven back. This, too, is meant to pass. His name - and our names, with his - will be burned upon the face of the world for all ages to come..." 

She seems unaware of the tears that run down her face, at this breathless confession; her countenance lit with the fire of a lunatic devotee. But the one question she cannot answer is about her  real  name.

 "I cannot tell you; I have it no longer. I gave it up, and it has been taken from me; and I do not miss it." 

If she is to be believed, then  Aiyenaira Most Devoted  is a name she gave herself; her original name, and a loose miasma of memory information like the name of her home kingdom, her parents, and her madrassa, have been twisted away from her mind for Malakharn's inscrutable purposes, on the way to hell.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan let's her talk. More than he asks. He watches intently, looking for body language more than what she's actually saying. Cypher was the one for mental interrogations. Sharkan was for the flesh. The truth that comes from flesh could not be faked, the truth that comes from the hide was pure.

Sharkan exhales.

"I think you are a rare treat. To be enjoyed in a smokehouse, with a fine drink. But, you are no liar."

He looks to his allies.

"I've made my judgements."
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Infuriated by her resistance to his mental attacks, Cypher tries to remain calm and salvage his digniy at least. He grudgingly nods to the others.

 I can detect no mendacity in her report.  He rounds on her once more.  But I am vigilant and you are not free of my scrutiny. Should you contemplate and future treachery I shall.end you.  
JbeJ275
As the new arrival is allowed to go and serve freely, the rest of the island breaks into new life. The freed landsmen prove hardy, making good on this new oppurtunity. The alchemical workshops slowly start spinning up, drawing out the exotic salts that permeate some of the inland waters. Some of the other products even have roles in food production, stabilising the agriculture of the island and allowing your soldiers more time at the barracks and less at the homesteads. However, your newfound economy is a small thing, a valuble source of weapons and men to wield them but nothing that can compete the ordinary potential of your homeland. To rise to that challenge it will need some infusions, Your first oppurtunity for that comes perhaps a week later, when Commodore Chuil comes racing to the metting rooms of the Lord Protector's Council.

 "My Lords."  He says with a bow, breathing heavily as though having sprinted the whole way here.  "I have news, one of the elder citadels, it has emerged and one of our crews saw it. The landsfolk may have seen it to but it lies closer to our island. Would you have me deny it to them? I cannot say how long it will linger but I am sure if I gather the fleet I can deny them the many treaures they might seek there." 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is slouching on his ramshackle 'throne' with his inner council gathered around while Aiyenaira Most Devoted explains her engineering intentions - building out the docks to a defensible quay, arraying inland silos in the shadow of the castle, and dramatically renovating the castle itself. The last will wait until she is permitted to survey it, which Lamorak has been hesitant to do. She has proven skilled, but not close enough to trust, yet. So skilled she may easily become indispensable if he leans on her.. and then a liability, if eliminated.

 "Additionally, if my wise and noble Lord accepts my council, I should like to make expansions upon the dungeons in which I was recently confined. They are somewhat adequate, but not at all to the standards you will require for the calibre of captives you will one day be inclined to take. We shall need warded chambers, and teleport-proof cells for special guests. And, if I may be so bold, deep beneath the castle is the idea location where I might offer an easy and profitable disposal for prisoners - there is a certain currency in-" 

But then the goblin commodore breaks in, and Lamorak receives the news with barely suppressed glee. He is a rebel king, and a paladin of the closed fist, yes - but at some level, he is also as base and violent a warrior as any, and the possibility of delving into a strange dungeon to fight forgotten creatures and steal their treasures holds its typical appeal.

 "Excellent. We will leave immediately. My council and I will make exploration and seize what is best and most prized. If we are swift indeed, we might be gone before anyone is there to compete with us. You have done well, Commodore. Make ready the flagship to depart, and the fleet for the holding action." 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan grumbles at the news.

"Are we looking at possible underwater salvage, or are these ruins completely above water now?"

He gives a purposeful purr with the r in ruin, but turns to the lord,  rolling his R within Lord.

"My Lorrrrd, what shall we prioritize in our search? Coin? Artifact? Jewelry? Art?"
MrAbdiel
 "Value; and artefacts retaining any magical potency each of you can detect. I will not forget the lesson the the Dark Miracle; the rallied men and women of the nation are the shield, but  you , my trusted ones, are the weapon that slips between the enemy's plates and bites at their heart. We must empower this retinue as well as reimbursing our war chest for what is to come." 

With that strict pronouncement, he steps down away from the ramshackle throne and holds his arms loosely away from hits sides. This is a familiar ritual, for both Maiabel and Sharkan; both maid and butler at times tasked with encasing the Lord Protector in his hazardously spiked plate panoply currently at rest on a dais beside the throne. Neither is it the first time he has neglected to specify which of them should take up that duty. An uncharitable mind might guess he intentionally leaves this ambiguous, to foster competition to please him.
JbeJ275
What follows is a sudden rush of activity as ships are loaded, those troops of yours training as marines are called to form units, deputies are notified of the council's absense and supplies are pulled up to the ships. Each of you are familiar with this sort of activites, ruin runs are a rare but important event for the economies of all cities in the surrounding seas. Usually bands of at least a dozen elites are pulled together before making an attempt, your small size will buy you speed but cost you safety.

These ruined citadels that shift with the tide are almost always those that still retain some airsealed spaces to give the otherwordly structures boyancy, but there will be other passages that have long since flooded, few can say for sure what rests inside but noble houses have risen from nothing based on the proceeds from runs that went well, and border kingdoms have surrenderred their independence after losing their great champions on runs that went poorly. You will have no time to rest once there, so must make your choices well in advance. Chuil reports that the crew found three enterances, one on a high and isolated spire, possibly some form of observatory or mage tower from ancient days. One large ringed ruin that shows a pathway inside, though a strange aquamarine glow hovers over the pathway you meant to walk, and one half drowned gatway, dry inside but seemingly unable to handle the mixture of air and water as they reported it quickly flooding. There are no doubt other entrances, but they must be covered by overgrown sea life and you have precious few oppurtunities to spend time poking around them. Which entrance would you direct your captains to approach?
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan purrs at the choices.

"I'm sure, Cypher and myself would choose to investigate the mages tower. Do we feel confident to seperate to increase our wealth?"

Sharkan stretches his claws out, with adjusted clothes, grows to a large size as his hide stretches and bones pop in the process.
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Cypher's eyes go wide and this news and he is almost drooling with anticipation of the ancient knowledge and artefacts they might encounter.

 Commodore, does your intelligence include any features of the Citadel? I may be able to identify it give us at least a limited estimation of what we might find there? 
 He nods to Sharkan. I shall prepare some spells to aid us in such an eventuality. At the very least we might need to effect a rapid exit in the evebt that it plunges beneath the waves.

Naturally I agree, the tower is the most attractive prospect. Not to mention the most likely to keep your oaws dry! I would be loath to split us up, the incidents with the elves proved that to be most tiresome  
MrAbdiel
Lamorak consider's Chuil's survey. Quietly, he shares some of Sharkan's daring - extracting a great horde or wealth of artifacts from this place by splitting up had immense appeal. But Cypher's caution felt correct, given how unknown everything was.

 "Together. There may be other expeditions like this in future. We will claim what we can, but consider this reconnaissance as well; if the guardians and hazards of this place prove manageable, then next time we may be more cavalier. For now... We restrain ourselves. The mage tower first - then we see what is left for us, after the fact." 

Aiyenaira Most Devoted flits about the flagship in sumptuous teal gown whose frills and gauzy veils seem more nautically themed than nautically appropriate.  "I will certainly remain with the Commodore, Lord Protector. May the depths yield all their treasures to you, and your boon companions..." 

When they're ready to leave the boats, the mysterious major-domo dispenses a whisking of aquatic magic upon the inner court, to ward against a waterlogged fate...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Aiyenaira will cast  Water Breathing  on the four PC's. That nets out to  3 Hours Each ; unless it looks like the trip overland to the tower will be multiple hours, in which case she'll cast twice for 6 hours on them each.

On her Sha'ir side, she'll have her Gen fetch Deep Breath, Wings of the Sea and Swim. Outside of a time sensitive situation, she can't fail any of these retrievals meaningfully so she'll have those queued up for 6 hours on the ship.
 
JbeJ275
The commodore is quick to reply to the questions directed to them, clearly sitting at an ideal point of greed and fear remaining in a happy balance.

 "We've not been able to identify the origins of this citadel, nor which city it once was part of. The corridors are sized for humans, so the equipment recovered will probably mostly be the same. The spires seem to be magewrought, so wizard's might have old stores there, but we've not sent anyone abroad to check, all hands needed if others should others draw close." 

With that said, you depart onto the surface of this citadel. It's a strange and alien landscape, well-worked stone covered in layers of dark seaweed, silt and occasional colourful corals the white brings only occasioanally pushing through. It's perhaps a 30 minute overland trek to the point of egress,  a spire sticking up one hundred and fifty feet out of what otherwise seemed an unusually flat part of this landscape with wide doors open at this room at the top, while think coral and white stone greet you below. The growth on the spire seems to have been changed by the wild magics running free after the tower was left to idle, the corals fusing with jelleyfish and leaving bardened rocks hugging the bottom of the large room atop the spire, tendrils reaching some sixty feet from there. Inside, great risk and great wealth, though you know not what form they will take.

How do you proceed?
MrAbdiel
Lamorak speculates aloud.

 "Typho could ferry us to the top and attempt to breach the structure, circumventing the interior spiral entirely. But in my experience, magi reserve their most hostile magics to defend the top of the spire from drakes, catapults, and enemy spells. We cannot guess what kind of protections the tower has up there without exposing outselves to them; but we know that this tower, like all towers, is designed to under many circumstances permit transition from bottom to top from the interior. Traditional ascent, I think, is our wisest approach - unless my esteemed advisors have a superior notion. Search by sections. Sharkan, you assist Commandant Cypher; Maiabel, you will aid me." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
None of us are a *Rogue's* rogue, but we're all a little roguey; with Lamorak and Cypher invested in search, it makes sense for us to be the ones rolling while Maiabel and Sharkan do their best throwing assists.

I'm making the assumption there's some kind of spiral staircase in the interior, or to the next floor, or some kind of traditional ascent system, but if it's a hollow vessel with just those dangling tendrils because whoever lived here didn't need stairs, let me know!
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  
 I concur, Lord Protector. We can always adjust for greater expediency as we gain more intelligence about thr site.

 
JbeJ275
 All 

You push through the heavy mats of kelp and coral that block off part of the entryway, and make your way into the chamber beyond. The walls are rough here, pitten by countless years at the seabed and whatever dwells within, but the room seems empty, both dangers and treasures washed out as it rose to the surface. If you are to find more of them, you must press into the better protected areas. The celing here is ten feet high and has worn the years better than the walls. Some gaps in the side indicate where fittings once stood but the only feature still recognisable in a worn down relief of an inhuman face with an open mouth, four lines of text etched above it in some ancient long forgotten tongue, the wear has covered some of the markings but there might be enough to reconsitute the meaning of the sentance.

Also as you enter the tower, there is an immediate taste in the air, where the arcane has had greater time to warp under the containment pressure of this place, though the nature of this warping is for the moment uncertain.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Right, we start with puzzles. We're in adventuring time here but that time is limited, so everyone thig what actions you can take. Spellcraft for the nature of the arcane warping or decipher script for the ancient text would both be highly appropriate. If deciphering the text please specify the line.
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan raises his oversized large paws to the air as he casts detect magic, and observes the arcane movements of the room.

 (1d20+9)[ 12 ]  Spellcraft
 (1d20+2)[ 15 ]  k.arcane

"I do have a minor training in deciphering, but with a name like Cypher, I would assume youd want to take lead in that."
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Cypher is entranced by the puzzle ahead of him, so much so that he barely notices Sharkan's query. He smiles,  I normally like to take my time with cryptography, but I'll see what I can do on the fly. I'm embarrassed to say I did not prepare my research suite of spells on the journey. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Cypher starts with the line that appears most intact, hoping that it will make the meaning clearer. If the degradation is similar between them he'll just start with the first.

Decipher script  (1d20+7)[ 27 ] 

He'll be tempted just to look at all of them but in the interests of in game time he'll go one by one sequentially (I apologise that this takes much more OOC time/effort).
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Waistcoatwill 
   Cypher  

Cypher is entranced by the puzzle ahead of him, so much so that he barely notices Sharkan's query. He smiles,  I normally like to take my time with cryptography, but I'll see what I can do on the fly. I'm embarrassed to say I did not prepare my research suite of spells on the journey. 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Cypher starts with the line that appears most intact, hoping that it will make the meaning clearer. If the degradation is similar between them he'll just start with the first.

Decipher script [roll0]

He'll be tempted just to look at all of them but in the interests of in game time he'll go one by one sequentially (I apologise that this takes much more OOC time/effort).
 
 
 

The first line is also the clearest, it says.  “That which flows in cycle near unending, unless one time it should flow too free.” 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Cypher ponders and translates the script to his colleagues.  Hmm...Time, the cycle of evaporation and precipitation, the blood war? I need more information. 

Cypher continues to pour over the next line.

 
 Spoiler: Roll 
Decipher script  (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak listens to Cypher pondering. He looks over the script, indecipherable as it is to him, and ponders. When the spymaster mentions the war of devils and demons, however, that clinches it.

 "Not the Blood War, Commandant. Just Blood. Blood flows in a cycle near unending, unless it should one time run too free. Will this place demand a blood sacrifice, I wonder...?" 
JbeJ275
At Lamorak's utterance, despite the changes in time and langagues the relief of the face by the ridde carving has it's mouth slowly widen, revealing prominent fangs in the design.
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, without hesitation, places his left paw in the mouth, piercing his flesh on the fang to allow blood to flow in the mouth.

"For my lorrrrrd"
Dusk Raven
Maiabel chastises herself at not being faster to offer her own blood. Still, if whatever Sharkan had to offer was insufficient, she would be ready.
JbeJ275
The fang pierces Sharkan's skin, and moments later crimson appears to stain the tooth. A few steady moments pass and then suddenly more and more blood is flowing with an unnatural speed and ferocity. Then, the flow stops, though Sharkan feels light headed and dizzy, able to tell from even a routine understanding of magic that something more than mere blood loss occured here. Then, the door above swings open and a braided ladder descends.

At the same time Cypher finishes deciphering the second line.

 Drunk by those who set their sights on their mortality rending, and drunk changed by those who've not yet the mind to see.  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

As the blood is drawn out, Cypher's Temp HP and Max HP are both reduced by 20.
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Cypher is puzzling out the next line only to see Sharkan impale himself on a fang. He sighs as the door above opens.

 That may have effectively opened up a route into the tower, but you could have been fully exsanguinated for all you knew!  

He throws up his hands in despair.  A modicum of caution is all I ask! The only utility you'll provide the Lord Protector is as an ornamental rug if you wantonly leap into every potential trap we come across!

The undead clearly have some role here, and it may extend beyond this locking mechanism. I could translate some more, but why spoil the surprise! 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak must notice what is going on, with his court; he has known all them long enough that their emotional displays subtle and plain must register to him. Cypher's scholarly exasperation; Sharkan's heedless devotion; Maiabel's bristling jealousy, and not taken the opportunity first. He must see all these things, even if he does not react to them directly.

Instead, he laughs. It's not an obnoxious laugh, and it's not clear if it's amusement at Sharkan's suffering, or the air of competition between the maid and the butler, or Cypher's frustration, or some blend of them as a heady cocktail of malefic glee at the strife of his underlings. But most likely, it's an avaricious laugh at the path to riches opening up before them.

Most likely.

  "Come, then. Let us see what secrets we have just purchased..."  

He tests the ladder - surprised to find it in tact, after all this time - and ascends.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: C'mon riches... 
Up we go! At a leisurely pace, to allow Cypher another crack at translating another line. And to check the ladder on the way for traps.

  Search  - (1d20+10)[ 18 ]  for traps on the way up.
  Spot  - (1d20+1)[ 16 ]  and
  Listen  - (1d20+1)[ 16 ]  in case that matters.

Given the  doomed vampiric empire  feeling of this tower, I doubt it'll be relevent; but I'll do the ol' evil paladin  Detect Good  on the way up too.
 
JbeJ275
Detect Good returns nothing, and it seems at least the strange aquamarine silk this ladder is woven of does not contain any traps, you notice no movement up above but by examining the grooves of the trapdoor you move up into you can tell it has been accessed before, though it bears few signs of flooding. The air is still damp though, indicating at least some water made its way through.

The room you move up into is dominated on two sides of the rooms by crates laid in large broad rows and of varying sizes, they are formed of a strange material that seems metallic in texture but a strange colour, a deeper redder brass than any you've seen before, and block off sight of some areas at the back of the room. The other side of the room seems to contain some strange apparatus, a chamber built of crystal glass with a door to allow access to it. Inside the chamber is a table, with two rings, a large bowl made of silvery metal and a single metal armband. Just outside the chamber is a desk, though the progression of time has long since rendered whatever may have one been written there illegiable to all but the very best detectives.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak stands before the apparatus. All his creativity cannot conjure up a reason for it to exist; its function. But he is more reluctant, at a gut level, to encourage his companions to expose themselves to its operation on a whim.

Before that, though...

 "...Check the room for something lurking and watching - then these crates. Perhaps this will be our first source of worth from this place." 
JbeJ275
As the Lord Ruler says this, and his retinue clambers up into the room eyes cast in that direction reveal the prudence of what he said. The first crate oppened sees a pile of small cylnders, each seemingly made of layers of electrum and copper. While their function can't be devised the value of the electrum here alone is already considerable. Before you can get further into looting though, ears catch the sound of sudden movement of strange shells and chitinous claws, as some strange abomination spills out from the rear of the crates, and is upon you intruders in a moment. It's hard in these first moments to sense any more than the size of these creatures, seven feet long apiece with long clawed limbs and cobalt blue tentacles spilling out of a great over sized lobster shell.

 Everyone Roll Initiative! 
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

 (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 
 (1d20+7)[ 13 ] 
 (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Cypher is the last up the rope, having paused to read the second line. Reflexes no less sharp, he lunges into action almost before the strange creature starts moving. The familiar thrum of of movement spreads out from him, the sonorous hum ringing in the ears of his allies.

 'Ware ambush!   is all he has time to blurt out as he frees his whipblade and streaks towards the first creature, testing its defences.

Even before the blade finishes lashing out, he pulls away, appearing next to Lamorak in a blur.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Swift action cast haste on the group.

Spring attack on the lead creature from 10ft away. Power attacking for 2.
 (1d20+12)[ 22 ]  for  (2d4+10)[ 16 ]  plus  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
No AoO generated by the creature thanks to spring attack.

Finish movement next to Lamorak.

Dodge vs lead creature AC 19 vs it, 18 otherwise.
40% miss chance.
 
MrAbdiel
With the familiar flash of power from Cypher's magic burns through the Lord Protector's limbs, and he surges into action, crossing the Spymaster's path as he withdraws toward the target to strike at the same.  The Hollow Blade  sings from its sheath and hunts for the vitals of the crustacean defender...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Move Action combined with drawing the Longsword, then an attack. Preceding
 means this is my chance to sneak attack most easilly (if only I had three turns to study for death attack!).

  Attack  - (1d20+15)[ 27 ]  Vs their flatfoot, for  (1d8+4)[ 5 ]  +  (5d6)[ 21 ]  Sneak attack.

Lamorak will have to draw his shield next round. For now, He's at 19 AC.
 
JbeJ275
The creatures lurch upward, spilling shelves and supplies as they turn towards you, though your attacks produce a wave of flourescent blue blood none of the creatures are brought down quickly enough. One snaps at Lamorak, attempting to repay the injuries he inflicted on it, while another attempts to reach around Sharkan's limbs and pull him in to be crushed.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Aberration 1:
 (1d20+12)[ 23 ]  for  (2d6+5)[ 15 ]  and a grapple check  (1d20+17)[ 26 ]  on a successful hit.
 (1d20+12)[ 22 ]  for  (2d6+5)[ 9 ]  and a grapple check  (1d20+17)[ 31 ]  on a successful hit.

Aberration 2:
 (1d20+12)[ 24 ]  for  (2d6+5)[ 13 ]  and a grapple check  (1d20+17)[ 32 ]  on a successful hit.
 (1d20+12)[ 27 ]  for  (2d6+5)[ 14 ]  and a grapple check  (1d20+17)[ 18 ]  on a successful hit.
 


In this sudden blur of movement the sudden and cramped nature of the fighting prevents you from fully defending yourselves, both Lamorak and Sharkan find huge chitinous claws laying in to the limbs and shoulders, tearing skin and piercing flesh as they establish a hold. Lamorak takes  24 damage and must make an opposed grapple check against a 26 and a 31.  Sharkan takes  27 damage and must succeed on grapple checks against a 32 and an 18. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan, having been grabbed, has no hope of breaking the creatures grip, so he would try to break the creatures mind. Gripping the claw that held him he reaches out with his now large arm and attempts to back hand the crab with a stunning strike.

 (1d20+10)[ 20 ]  to hit
 (1d10)[ 2 ]  DC18 fort save vs stun
JbeJ275
Sharkan's hand thuds into the thick chitin armour of the attacking creature but seems to fail to push so deep as to lock up the abberations nerves. With it continueing to hold on, the creature wrenches his head hard to the side, and pointing his once more at the sealed chamber across the room. On the wall of the chamber a crimson figure has formed. Skinless and liquid but in the shape of a humanoid.

 "You have it!"  It screams with a femenine voice.  "You have what was taken from me! Give it back!" 
 It is now Maiabel's turn. 
Dusk Raven
Filled with protective instinct, Maiabel rushes into position to help fight off her lord's attackers. After a moment's altered stance, she leaps into the air, delivering a precise slash at her foe before landing on the ground on the opposite side, better able to flank her target.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Swift Action: Switch to Assasin's Stance, giving me an extra 2d6 sneak attack damage.
Move action: Move up to the aberration attacking Lamorak, ideally without AoOs.
Standard Action: Death From Above! I make a DC 20 Jump check, and if it succeeds, I make an attack that deals an extra 4d6 and they're considered flat-footed, then land in a space adjacent to the foe (in this case, behind it so I can flank it properly and keep using Assassin's Stance). If it fails... I just get the attack. But that won't happen, thanks to Haste I can't fail this.
Jump Check:  (1d20+26)[ 27 ] 
Attack Roll:  (1d20+16)[ 33 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 9 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 13 ]  Sneak Attack plus  (4d6)[ 13 ]  for DFA
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Adjusting his footing, Cypher appears to fade slightly as his whirling blade strikes the monstrosities attacking his allies. As duty demands, he goes to Lamorak's aid first, switching targets then the creature is down.

 
 Spoiler: Actions  
5ft step if required to be in range of both creatures holding hus pals.

Swift actionwraithstrike for touch attacks.

Full Attack with power attack -6 (potential flanking bonus from Maiabel not included)
Attack 1  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 21 ] 

Attack 2  (1d20+8)[ 15 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 22 ] 

Attack 3  (1d20+3)[ 9 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 26 ] 
 
JbeJ275
The creature begins shedding stores of bright blue blood, and looks to be swiftly weakening. However the creature's size belies an impressive speed and a hum of crackling blood force embedded within its shell pushing away jut enough strikes to keep it alive as it continues to bear down on Lamorak.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak can hear the spectral figure making its demands at the far end of the room, but he can afford no attention for it. Near to him, Sharkan snarled and fought for his life in the grip of one shelled creature like the same that seized upon him. Maiabel's and Cypher's attacks crashed and pierced his opponent, but it refused to fall. The thing had a tremendous clawed snapped shut around his right forearm and another on his waist. Try as he might, he could not bring the Hollow Blade to bear against a foe this close, and its grip was too mighty to break in short order - neither where his assassin tricks any use against an enemy is such a direct confrontation.

In short, the situation was poor; and his mind briefly filled with cold outrage as he pictured the flagship sailing away without them, when they failed to return and their cloven and chewed bodies remained here for the creatures.

That outrage filled him with strength. With an inarticulate growl, he surged against the crustacean's strength with all his power and snarked the fingers of his free hand around the salt crusted rim of it's headplate. The Lord Protector's armor was festooned with menacing protrusions and ridges, one such down the centre of the helm from the back of his head to the bridge of his nose. When the crown had fused itself into his helm, it did not sacrifice this wicked ridge; and in sympathetic malice, the spines and ridges of his armor began to seeth sizzling, causting blood.

   "NNrrrAAAAAGH!"   

He smashed his helm into the creature's face, leveraging against the pull of his arm and using the helm like the wedge of a blocksplitter; again, and again...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Okay, here we go. I'll edit in the rest of the post description, but in summary, if the creature drops, he'll redirect any remaining attacks at the one grappling Sharkan.

 Immediate Action:  Activate  Crown of Might  for an additional +6 strength this turn, at the expense of deactivating its +2 strength for the rest of the day.

 Swift Action:  Cast  Blade of Blood , targeting Lamorak's Mastercrafted Armorspikes.

Full Attack: This is going to be a little chunky in PbB, but basically: spending 5HP to discharge blade of blood for its full 3d6 Damage on the first successful attack. If that's the first hit and it kills the crab, the second attack will be with the sword against Sharkan's crab, otherwise the second is with the armor spikes again vs firstcrab. The third attack (the one with the secondary attack BAB) is a touch attack to attempt to deliver 40 points of negative energy damage from  Deadly Touch , with a DC18 Will save for half. That's against whichever crab it can hit - obviously prioritizing Lamorak's grappler first.

Haste Attack:  (1d20+18)[ 38 ]  for  (1d6+7)[ 12 ]  damage. Crit confirmed in OOC for another  12 .
Primary Attack:  (1d20+18)[ 36 ]  for  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  damage.
 Blade of Blood  discharged on the first of those that hit, costing Lamorak 5HP for  (3d6)[ 9 ]  additional damage.
Secondary Touch Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 25 ]  for  40 NegEnergy Damage , DC18 for half.
 
JbeJ275
The impact of Lamorak's spikes into the creature's face was a messy one, for a second pink tentacles spilled out of its mouth and seemed to be dragging the Lord Protector's head inwards to be consumed. Then the pink turned to crimson as the spikes on Lamorak's helm started to shudder, punching between the edges of the chitin plates and tearing the creature apart until it slumped, a dead and meaty mass on the floor spilling vile humours from where it's head once was.

From there the lord protector managed to avoid stumbling as he was dropped and instead kicked off the mostly intact chest to send him flying at the creature attacking Sharkan, sword rending and touch sapping strength, though not swiftly enough to end the creature immediately.


 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

 (1d20+9)[ 23 ] 
 (1d20+12)[ 24 ]  for  (2d6+5)[ 7 ]  and a grapple check  (1d20+17)[ 19 ]  on a successful hit.

 (1d8+2)[ 6 ] 
 


In response, the creature uses one claw to shift Sharkan closer to it's mouth, the same tentecled mass tearing him forward as it does so. The other claw lashes out at Lamorak, trying to lift him back into the air as Maiabel and Cypher begin their advance towards it.

Sharkan takes  6 damage  and must make a  DC19 Fortitude saving throw or be paralyzed. 

Lamorak takes  7 damage  and  must make an opposed grapple check against a 19. 
Darius Vibrtrar
Able to resist the paralysis, Sharkan gives a roar as he gives a flurry of attacks.

 (1d20+10)[ 20 ] 
 (1d10)[ 4 ] 
Dc 18 fort vs stun

 (1d20+10)[ 18 ] 
 (1d10)[ 6 ] 
DC 18 Fort vs stun

 (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
 (1d10)[ 3 ] 
Dc 18 fort vs stun

"Go down you crrrrustation"
JbeJ275
While the huge creature grabbing you snaps its head backwards, slowed for a moment but not yet defeated the strange entity keeps screaming.

 Damn you! I’ll just take it then! Then you’ll be sorry. 
 Cypher make a DC 20 Will saving throw .
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Hearing the unknown voice scream more nonsense, Cypher feels his mind assaulted. He reflexively begins to think in a complex twisting cypher, using his cryptographic training to try and slip out of the mental pressure. Being put upon him

 
 Spoiler: Will Save 

Using 1 IP for +6 (4/5 remaining)
 (1d20+14)[ 34 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Gritting her teeth behind her mask, Maiabel switches tactics, going for rate of attack over technique. First things first, she strikes at the creature next to her, the one she still flanks, continuing until it's dead and not even bothering for her usual defensive tactic, before turning her eyes to the next one in line and leaping towards it.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Full action: Full attack! If necessary, I'll 5-foot step so I can keep flanking with... whoever. Assassin's stance is still up, so 4d6 sneak attack.

Attack 1:  (1d20+14)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 9 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 11 ]  Sneak Attack.
Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 29 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 9 ] 
Haste Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 30 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 11 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 11 ] 
Off-Hand 1:  (1d20+13)[ 24 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 8 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 19 ] 
Off-Hand 2:  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 9 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 15 ] 

Assuming that destroys it, I'm going to use Sudden Leap to get into a flanking position with the next foe, at least as close of one as this standing Jump check will let me reach.
 (1d20+26)[ 36 ] 

EDIT: That's 15 feet.

EDIT2: If she  doesn't  kill it, she'll switch stance to Island of Blades instead of leaping, to make it easier for Cypher to flank.
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  
 Quickly, we have to end these dumb beasts so we can deal with the real foe! 

Adjusting his footing, his blade become tra student once more as he lashing at the creatures.


 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Using wraithstrike and full attacking again with full power attack. Aiming to keep flanking with Maiabel. 5ft stepping to manage that if necessary.

Attack 1  (1d20+10)[ 30 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 20 ] 

Attack 2  (1d20+10)[ 30 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 24 ] 

Attack 3  (1d20+5)[ 20 ]  for  (2d4+18)[ 26 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel's strikes almost brought the creature down, but in the end it took Cipher's intervention to send the abomination collapsing to the floor and give the Lord Protector's crew valuble moments of breathing space. However, as their blood began to pool the crimson and bright blue liquids mixed, and ran against the gravity up towards the door of the sealed chamber. The strange form inside yells more mad demmands at you as the blood flows towards it, but doesn't yet seem ready to bring further harm onto you giving Lamorak and Sharkan a chance to act.
MrAbdiel
Lamorak snarls. His first instinct, now that he has a moment to have one about the apparition, is that it's about the crown. Was this ruin the place from which the aquatic beast tribes fished up the relic, only to have it stolen away? Is this the ghost of some bereft monarch moaning to have their lost authority back? But the crawling blood on the floor suggests something simpler, and more in line with the tower's open obsession: blood. The  thing  craves blood, whether out of pure hunger or to reconstitute itself. Now the blood of the crustaceans was flowing - this must have been insufficient for the spectre's purposes.

Now that he could understand that, perhaps there was room to bargain.

  "Burn the blood,"   he murmurs to Sharkan, before drawing his voice up, full and demanding.

 
"You crave blood? And what will you give for it, that we cannot take with impunity?" 
JbeJ275
 "Fool among fools! I want the wine not the cup! That they have drunk to deep from me already!" 

As it says this it continues slamming against the glass. The edges of it's form now seem to have turned almost translucent, blurring with the edge of the containment but they still seem unable to break through.
Darius Vibrtrar
"As you Command my Lorrrrrd" he purrs under his breath. without the slightest flick of the wrist, two cats of fire leap from his back and lunge into the gathering pools of blood.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 

Still Spell + Scorching Ray.

 (1d20+10)[ 13 ]  Ranged Touch
 (4d6)[ 9 ]  Fire damage

 (1d20+10)[ 23 ]  Ranged Touch
 (4d6)[ 16 ]  Fire damage
 
JbeJ275
The bloody form screams in frustration, before parts of it's form begin boiling. It spits out three missiles of boiling blood which slam into the door melting a small hole through the entre of it. The form lurches forward, getting ready to flow through the open gap in the door.
Dusk Raven
Creatures of blood are not Maiabel's strong suit, so instead of attacking, she moves over to her lord and, after dropping her offhand blade, pulls out her holy symbol and casts a spell of protection on the Dark Lord. She isn't sure if its protection will help against whatever this  thing  has in store, but at least the spell will last a little while.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Move Action: Go over to Lamorak.
Free Action: Drop her off-hand.
Standard Action: Cast Shield of Faith on Lamorak, giving him a +3 Deflection bonus to AC. This will last 6 minutes.
 
MrAbdiel
Cypher cycles through a chain of holy symbols, selects a particularly obscure one, and presents it with determination and something approximating conviction...

 
 Spoiler: Turn Undead! 
Being Waistcoatwill's Turnsman for the moment. He can turn 2d6+Cha+Factotum level undead, so that's 2d6-1+9.

 (2d6+8)[ 17 ] . Level 4 undead or lower are destroyed instead of turned.

EDIT: Okay, wait, I've screwed this up a bit. That's turning damage. The turning check is just a charisma roll with +2 from knowledge religion. That roll was a 6, +2 for the knowledge, so 8. Which means he can turn an 8HD undead at most.

 Cypher cannot with this effect turn something with 9 or more HD. He can turn up to 17 HD of undead, but it's probably just the one, if it's any at all. 
 
JbeJ275
The creature seems almost relieved as Cypher raises his holy symbols towards the creature, only to mutter dejectedly and surge forward once more after his prayer fizzles out to nothing. Now Lamorak is one of the few with a chance to stop the creature.
MrAbdiel
Unwilling to drive out ahead of his retinue and perhaps to get snared in a trap of some kind, Lamorak instead prepares; drawing up his shield finally, and squeezing the grip of his sword in anticipation…

 
 Spoiler: Actions! 
Move action don shield; Action to prepare Divine Counterspell on the gut instinct this thing is going to sluice into the room and cast something…
 
Darius Vibrtrar
In hopes that he can damage the ghost before anything else happens, Sharkan opens his fist as 4 spectral cats fly across the room to slam into the ghost.

 (4d4+4)[ 15 ]  Force Damage

 
 Spoiler: ooc 
Magic Missile
 


"You stop that right Meow!"
JbeJ275
The bubbling figure splashes and reforms as waves of cats tear into it, but the blood seemingly wraps around the cats and begins to drown them even as they naturally discorpoate giving off waves of forceful energy. The bubbling boiling mass of blood continues surging back and forth, but Lamorak's will, backed the stain of something not so far removed from fell divinity still whatever effect the bubbling blood is meant to produce before it can emerge. Instead it simply surges towards Lamorak, lacking anything that resembles a mouth but still screaming.

 "Why??? It's been so long why must you still bar me from this???" 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel watches as the cats strike, uncertain whether or not her own blade will do much good. Still, she has to try. Taking up her usual flanking stance, she moves forward at rapid speed, circling around the...  stuff  before stabbing at it with her blade.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Should still have Island of Blades up, but if not, swift action to make it so.
Full-Round Action: Bounding Assault. Aka, double move plus attack at +2. Going to move around and behind it.
Attack roll:  (1d20+18)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+10)[ 15 ]  (includes +3 bonus for using a Diamond Mind strike)
 
MrAbdiel
 "You invited your own destruction when you attacked, you foolish whelp of forsaken sorcery! If you have a bargain to propose, you had best spit it out - before I send you spinning into a dry and bloodless hell!" 

Lamorak steps in then, flanking with faithful Maiabel and aided by the flashing strikes of Cypher's chain past his shoulders, seeking to drive his blade in and do... something like damage, where Sharkan and Maiabel have struck first.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: Attacks! 
Two attacks, and a hasted one. Lamorak has lost the +2 Strength from the crown because of his breakout action early, but he's still got some juice.

 (1d20+16)[ 30 ]  for  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  and  (2d6)[ 6 ]  Penetrating Strike.
 (1d20+16)[ 18 ]  for  (1d8+3)[ 6 ]  and  (2d6)[ 11 ]  Penetrating Strike.
 (1d20+11)[ 13 ]  for  (1d8+3)[ 6 ]  and  (2d6)[ 2 ]  Penetrating Strike.

Cypher is also attacking, and his attacks are in the OOC. Then it's Sharkan's turn to pile on!
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan opens his fist as 4 spectral cats fly across the room to slam into the ghost.

"Now would be a purrrrfect time forrrr you to stay dead."

 (4d4+4)[ 16 ]  Force Damage
JbeJ275
With the cruel strikes dealt with singing blade, the strange creature's form begins to diminish, blasts of magic further pounding it to fine, it seems weakening, though determined to bring a cost with it as the blood darkens and begins to boil far more intensely than Sharkan's cats could have ever caused... Lamorak's words though give it a mere moment's hesitation, it still seems ready to rend itself and the room asunder but speaks the first sane seemings words you've heard from the creature so far.

 "Ha! Forsaken sorcery indeed. All I am now and I'd rather be forsaken entire. Than stripped of the very magic that sung in my blood, have it be poured to another and I left other hungry because his family had the right titles and because 'the gifts follow the titles' in inheritence. Still, When you deliver my destruction you'll find I have that at least left to give!" 

There is not enough time to bring swords to bear as the built up boiling force seeks release, but perhaps something quicker than hefted blades?
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Mind racing, Cypher estimates the extent of destructive power about to be unleashed. He barely has time to yell  My Lord  and stretch out his hands before the spiteful being erupts. One hand shoots out to grasp Lamorak's wrist, the other grabs Sharkan by the scruff of the neck.

With a ripple of power they stumble backwards a step, once more standing next to the glowering face on the floor below.  Apologies, Lord Protector, there was no time. I estimate... 
 
 Spoiler: Action! 
Free action Cunning Surge 1/5IP remaining.
Using action to cast dimension door back down to thr level below.
 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak is bringing his shield up, however little it might do, when Cypher wrenches their coterie out of space and back in again. He stumbles as he regains his balance and reorients himself, and quickly notes that Maiabel is not with them. Whatever the spirit is doing, he can only trust that she has managed her own survival. Forestalling congratulations of quick thinking for the moment, he rushes back to the ladder leading to the previous chamber...

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
...And then hears a wet explosion? WHAT IS THIS BLOOD LADY
 
JbeJ275
Maiabel is the only one left to see the eruption of boiling blood spread, but she is just fast enough to throw herself over the wall of cabinets before at last the pressure is released, the blood itself does not seem to merely explode but instead takes on the force of a storm, ripping apart the centre of the room with hurricane level force, gouging trouphs in the floor and celing with the force. The smell of Ozone rises through the air with an evil hiss, and electricity spikes through the room sending all of Maiabel's hairs standing on end before at last the blood collapses, sitting as an inanimate crimson puddle on the floor.

As Lamorak climbs up, he can feel the blood before him, clearly still in some way magically empowered though robbed of intelligence or direction. It seems to be reaching towards his shield, though it would be easy to step away before it makes contact.
MrAbdiel
At the top of the ladder, where Maiabel's swift evasion is apparent and it is clear that they have overcome a potentially disastrous encounter without catastrophe, he permits himself a hash, short laugh.

 "Not our cleanest victory... not as messy as the prison-break. I do not know what manner of creature this was - but I should like to be better prepared, if they are common in these islands and we get another opportunity. We must take samples of its residue, if we can make safe containers. But more importantly - now we justify our conquest with plunder..." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
And then plundering begins!
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan follows his lord up the ladder, seeing the blood pool moving, he is quite interested and gathers as much as he can into vials, doing his best to not touch the blood without further research.

"now now.... I have some purrrfectly good recipes that you could be added to."

He assists in the looting afterwards, seeking anything of magical or mundane value.
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

Breathing a sigh of relief for escaping the blast and avoiding the ire of his leige, Cypher follows back up to the floor above.

He carefully examines the blood before extending his magical senses to help them detect items of power.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Knowledge arcana on possible properties of the blood  (1d20+16)[ 29 ] 
Detect magic to assist in looking for loot. I'll do a search check but I don't want to get ahead of myself if we aren't out of combat time yet.
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel may have been left behind by Cypher, but she had the means of escape - another one of her martial techniques, if one could call olympic leaping a technique. Still, it had propelled her away from the blast and into cover. Maiabel hadn't expected to ever use this manuever that way, but she was glad it could be used as such.

Seemingly none the worse for wear for her brush with bloody explosions, she follows the rest of the group, ready to assist in carrying loot - and wishing she'd planned ahead and prepared a spell to increase one's strength. First though, she takes out her holy symbol and gravitates towards whoever's the most wounded. If she feels irked at all at being left behind momentarily, it does not show behind her mask.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcasting 
Going to cast a Lesser Vigor on whoever's the most wounded. It'll heal 15 HP over as many rounds.
 
JbeJ275
As the group searches the room, they find a lot of the intracate instruments were corroded suddenly after the wave of blood, however sealed away in boxes in the back of the room there are several interesting items. There is a heavy silver intrument beset with many small pearls (1,250 GP), a drawer full of small chips of diamond along with a mass of diamond dust (2,200 GP) and an ancient mirror, gold plated with a large ruby embossed in the handle (900 GP). Most uniquely though, there is a stack of eight blocks of red crystal. Each around twelve inches by six inches and one inch thick, and powerfully magical. With them both put together Cypher can decode more about the nature of the blood.

 
 Spoiler: Arcana 

The crystal you see here is created by consolidating magic in the blood of enslaved or captured sorcerors and continuously drained from the body to be stored in crystalline form. It's a long forgotten practice, carried out only occasioanally in the elder empire. Usually, the subjects were neatly executed and then excorcised, but clearly here the process was interrupted, creating the maically animated blood being you previously encoutered.
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

The spymaster carefully loads their findings into his haversack. He smiles with a mix of fascination and glee as he stores the blood crystals.  Lord Protector, I think these crystals are valuable indeed, repositories of magic residing within the blood of sorcerers. I will need to study them further, but they may be of use enchanting items for us. I'm not sure what they would do if we tried to transfer the power into an organic subject, but I imagine it would be fascinating! 

Their loot stowed, Cypher tries to assess the building they are in, hoping to gain some estimate of how long it might stay above the waves.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge roll 
Knowledge architecture and engineering  (1d20+12)[ 23 ] 
 
MrAbdiel
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Lamorak is on 47/76HP right now, but I think Sharkan is more badly beat up. That poor cat gets badly wallowed when he is grabbed, and that's for damn sure. So Sharkan can absorb Maiabel's kindly offered 15HP.
 

 "Excellent, Commandant. Our circle will prove to be our strongest asset in the days ahead as it was during the Dark Miracle - if the magic ripped from such ancient sacrifices can serve our purposes now, it is right that it does so." 

Lamorak does a little looting himself, just casually; running his hand through the diamond dust, scooping it meticulously into a bag...

He glances across to Sharkan, gathering the bloody remnants for his culinary excursions. "We shall need to see about furnishing you, Sharkan, with some device that permits cunning escape. This is twice that some monstrous insect has taken offense to you, and nearly robbed me of your service. Remind me of this urgent matter, when we return to the keep."

Finishing his rounds in the looting sequence, he comes alongside Maiabel, and enlists her with silent gestures to help him haul aside a toppled bookshelf, and to aid him scouring those shelves for texts worth stealing - though they are all ruined by time and water, of course. But he does spend that time in her vicinity, watching her with cold but not disinterested eyes - perhaps the closest to asking  are you alright  he can come, without putting the gesture to voice and so enabling weakness of compassion in himself. He does not ask this question; but he does haunt the periphery of it, giving fodder to the speculation that it would have mattered to him if, in that desperate moment Cypher had teleported most of them away, she had not been able to save herself.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
If Cypher's assessment is that we have time to keep looking, we ought to keep looking - but this is not a bad haul of things, especially if these blood tablets turn out to be item-enchantment currency. My lovely Cohort, Aiyenaira Most Devoted, has Create Wonderous Item and the requisite profane knowledges to commit human sacrifice to subsidize the experience costs!
 
JbeJ275
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Forgot the most important part, 1050 XP for everyone.
 


With a brief moment to check the shifting elevation Cypher determines that there is time to press on, there should be a hatchway further up to another room above this one in the tower, but the combination of sealife and blood has long since covered over any visible hatchway. Resting for a great deal of time or marching to another site on the city is likely out of the question though.
Darius Vibrtrar
After collecting some ingredients for blood pudding later sharkan looks around the room, perhaps for a other latch to further explore.

 (1d20+2)[ 4 ]  search

With a brass key in hand he points at several "suspicious" spots, as a spectral kitty floats over and paws at edges and latches to hopefully paw open a hidden door.

 
 Spoiler: mechanics 
casting open/close to possibly stumble on a hidden door by luck
 
Waistcoatwill
  Cypher  

The Commandant joins Sharkan in inspecting the ceiling.

 
 Spoiler: Search 
 (1d20+11)[ 17 ] 
 
Dusk Raven
Maiabel hadn't questioned why her lord had asked her assistance to investigate a bunch of bookshelves. Sure, cypher would have been the better pick when it came to ancient texts, and he also would have been quick to say it was a waste of time - while it had taken her a moment to realize that, yeah,  of course  seawater wasn't going to be kind to books, Cypher wouldn't have needed to even look.

But, she does feel his gaze on her. She flashes back to another, similar display of almost-concern, after she had been separated from the others during their foray into elven lands. This time, her reaction is a little more notable - she reaches up to her mask. But then she stops. She  had  almost went as far as removing her mask, before remembering that Cypher and Sharkan were still present. And  then  it occurred to her that the restrained nature of her lord's  communication  was not due to the presence of others. It was entirely due to his own nature. Men of power often had to project a certain image, but Lamorak, so far as she could tell, really was as cold and imperious a person as he presented himself. The fact that he did seem to have some sort of concern for her was reassuring, but it was best not to mistake that for warmth, or even  common humanity. 

Maiabel, for her part, was not so different. She too suppressed her humanity. Not because of a devil telling her that such feelings were  weak,  but because they were... unimportant. Unnecessary. At worst, distractions to her true purpose of service. The featureless mask she wore was supposed to be a reflection of that, as well as a statement that her true identity did not matter. But... perhaps the fact that it concealed her microexpressions, the occasional twitch of her mouth or her eyebrows, was also a part of its purpose. Even if she were to show traces of humanity, no one else would see it.

Unless... she tilted her mask just right, such that for a moment the lighting of the area allowed the darkness of the mask's eyeholes were to be cleared, enough for Lamorak to see her eyes for a brief moment. In that moment, her eyes revealed nothing... except that she was, underneath it all, still human.

The moment passed. But she did not turn away from Lamorak. She remained his servant, awaiting further orders.
MrAbdiel
That slice of humanity visible to Lamorak is enough. The constrained nature of this discussion - of concern carefully not announced, and reassurance elegantly not offered - seems to sooth whatever disjointed feature of his soul had been put off kilter by the previous encounter. Maiabel proving reliable as ever, they make short work of the non-task of searching the shelves, and the Lord Protector sets about searching for the way into this next chamber just like his coterie.

 "If we do not find a mechanism, I shall have to summon Typho and seek a way in from outside - though I do not care to dare a sorcerer-tower's defenses against such an approach if I do not need to." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
Search!  (1d20+10)[ 25 ] 
 
JbeJ275
Lamork finds a point where what was once a handle in the celling has worn down to two coral encrusted nubs. Still there is just enough purchase to make your way up  through the trapdoor and into the room beyond.

As the four of you climb up you see a room seemingly full of people, all either armed or well equipped with spellcasting gear. They cluster around the exterior windows of the building, portals which have long since grown over with coral, muck and other aquatic life. After a moment more of looking you see that the flesh has turned to a very slightly translucent bronze, with bright rub red lines running through it. In the roof of the room you see a still shimmering barrier of force connected to several strange arcane devices. The barrier blocks a porthole that would usually provide entry further in. There are many other fixings on the wall as well as several pieces of furniture or discarded belongings, but each has suffered the same transmutation into this translucent Bronze material.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

Thr Commandant warily paces the room, examining the the curiously transfigured contents, as well as gauging the  workings of the arcane machinery.

 There may be little in this room that hasn't been transfigured, but, Lord Protector, I would rather be cautious regarding pressing on. We do not want to share their fate. 
 
 Spoiler: Arcana 
Knowledge Arcana use 1 IP (4/5 remaining).
 (1d20+25)[ 45 ] 

Spellcraft  (1d20+14)[ 15 ] 
 
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Waistcoatwill 
  Cypher 

Thr Commandant warily paces the room, examining the the curiously transfigured contents, as well as gauging the  workings of the arcane machinery.

 There may be little in this room that hasn't been transfigured, but, Lord Protector, I would rather be cautious regarding pressing on. We do not want to share their fate. 
 
 Spoiler: Arcana 
Knowledge Arcana use 1 IP (4/5 remaining).
[roll0]

Spellcraft [roll1]
 
 
 

 While Cypher has no idea what may have caused this... whether a spell a creature's innate ability or some random fluctuation of overflowing wild magic. The Magical nature is quite clear. Enough transumation magic was running through the room to transute flesh to this strange, smooth crystal so quickly that the blood was still being pumped through their veins when they died. The fact that their blood has been crystalised since indicates that the magic was held to this room, though the lack of any of you having turned to crystal seems to indicate that it has dropped below a safer level by this point. 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 This transformation is most intriguing. Thankfully the arcane device doesn't seem to have been transfigured. Wqorking from base principles it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to operate it...  His voice trails off as he starts tinkering with the machine, all else forgotten as his curiosity is peaked.

 
 Spoiler: Action 

Use magical device (plus cunning knowledge 3/5 IP
remaining)
 (1d20+19)[ 32 ] 
 
Darius Vibrtrar
Sharkan licks his lips as he looks around.

"do you think they will float if we toss them out in the water? Because they looked aged to perfection...."

Sharkan begins inspecting all the people, seeing if their gear is magical [Detect Magic], and if it is possible to be removed from the bodies.
MrAbdiel
 "I suspect, Sharkan, that you will need diners with stronger teeth for such a meal."  He eyes the bronze-crystal flesh of the petrificationees.

He gives Cypher room to operate on the machinery, keeping his own senses ranging and active. He wanted to leave this forsaken place - a waterlogged edifice to failed ambition. But they needed things. Wealth. Artifacts. Power. Things to make the difference, in the conflict to come. So he bided, and waited, to see if Cypher could find any such treasures in his tinkering.
JbeJ275
 
 Originally Posted by Waistcoatwill 
  Cypher 
 This transformation is most intriguing. Thankfully the arcane device doesn't seem to have been transfigured. Wqorking from base principles it shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to operate it...  His voice trails off as he starts tinkering with the machine, all else forgotten as his curiosity is peaked.

 
 Spoiler: Action 

Use magical device (plus cunning knowledge 3/5 IP
remaining)
[roll0]
 
 
 

Sharkan's search turns up a  +1 Dagger,   a  +1 Greataxe  and a shortsword of very strange make, though not one that exudes magic. All are crystal for the moment though and might suffer damage if removed carelessly. Two of them are also wearing identical amulets, both worked with runes though neither is currently detectable as magic. Two others show signs of minor damage around the edge of the neck, as though similar amulets had been pulled off in a hurry.

Cypher's extremely skilled examinations cause him to recall a very obscure tome he once examined in his earlier life as an academic. It spoke of ancient mages using shields made of a spectral solid summoned by magic, then saturated it with more arcane energy, rendering it almost unpierceable. Creating such barriers was always dangerous though, as if any magic foreign to the device were introduced it could be massively reinforced, causing the magic to blast out. There is a sequence that would seem to reverse the charges and dismiss the barrier, but messing with this kind of arcana was always very dangerous.
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 

The flash of memory from his youth almost threatens to dredge up less helpful memories, family, love, peace...he brushed them aside and focused on the task at hand
 There was only vengeance now, and for that there was only Lamorak.

 Lord Protector, I believe I can reverse this process. The incumbents sought to create an impenetrable barrier. Some sort of contaminant created a feedback loop and the results are clearly evident. Attempting to reverse the process could have similarly unexpected consequences. The possibility that some of these figures could survive the process is a further risk. They could just as easily be foes as new recruits. How do you wish to proceed? 
MrAbdiel
Lamorak considers Cypher's assessment for a moment. Just a moment, though.

 "We did not come into this place to make timid decisions. Reverse it if you can. And prepare for battle, in case they are hostile." 

He steps back a little, dispenses a few charges from the jawbone at his waist to heal himself, and waits, with Sharkan at his left side, and Maiabel at his right.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: 
I'm currently 29 HP down. I'll pop four charges from my wand of cure light wounds, reducing it to 16/50 charges.

 (4d8+4)[ 29 ] . Charges available for anyone else who needs them, also. How's Sharkan lookin? He got pretty crimped, right?
 
Waistcoatwill
 Cypher 
 As you command, Lord Protector!  Cypher begins his attempt to reverse the device's operation. Wary of the mishap that befell the previous incumbents of this room, he waits until all healing magic has ceased before activating the device.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If he thinks any active magic will interfere, he will instead instruct all party members to terminate any active magical effects on them.
 