spectralphoenix
The party has spent the last few days traveling. The large farms of Cormyr gave way to the small farms of Shadowdale which gave way to the woodlands of Daggerdale. The road traffic has similarly decreased, and you haven't passed another soul on the road to Dagger Falls for hours.

When you are about 20 miles away, you come to a clearing before a stone bridge across a small stream. Six rough-looking men wearing distinctive black armor block your path. Four of them are armed with swords and shields, one has a bow and the last bears a mace and the trappings of a priest of Cyric. They're obviously Zhentarim - thuggish soldiers of Zhentil Keep.

Their leader calls out to you with a menacing grin.

 "Well isn't this a surprise! Here we are looking for the rebel Morn, and we find six vagabonds ripe for a tax collection instead! Throw down your weapons and any magic on your persons. We don't want to hurt you any more than we have to." 
 "Not much more, anyway."  responds another.

The swordsmen are about 30 feet away from you, and the cleric and archer are 15 feet behind them.
BelGareth
As was his norm, Jericho the 'Wolf of Tesh', was out about wolfing. He loped long strides, he would cross over the pass several times, back and forth, going wide and then back again, often he would be up front, and then, he would appear behind everyone, following them on the trail. Such were his ways the group was used to his traveling manner, when he was wolfing, he behaved like a wolf. Good or bad.

As they were stopped by the brigands on the bridge, he was on the left flank, and came to a halt, sitting down on his haunches he canted his head to the side regarding them through his wolf eyes. His tongue rolled out in a display that the group only knows as humor.

 
 Spoiler 

2 move actions to grow two claw attacks using Morphic weapons.

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1]
 
dantiesilva
During the past few days of travel Delmuth and Chewy, his loyal Beagle he had for the past five years, had spent a great deal of time with Jericho trying to coordinate their movements so as to best not get in each others way when the three of them were scouting ahead, or behind the group as Jericho often seemed to do. He found the half-orc an honorable ally in this endeavor unlike some of his kin may have, and had spent a few successful hunts since the group sent out with "the wolf".  And so as the group came across the group of Zhentarim he quickly scanned the area around them as he let his fist lie at his side, balled in a fist, signaling to the others that he saw no other enemies besides those before them. Besides this however he remains silent, knowing should he speak no doubt it would lead to bloodshed, and unlike animals or beasts, these were people before him. Some among them may have qualms with that, and so he remained silent, ready should a fight break out to jump into cover at a moments notice, however allowing the rest a chance to speak should they choose to speak to these highwaymen.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ready action to move into cover should a fight break out
 
Auranghzeb
Animals, these people smelled like animals was all Udro thought of his new companions. Sure, they were good fighters, and the manimal called Jerico and the stenching mound Ganzaya was also a good old meat shield. But by all the gods of Mulhorand, they stank! Only the sorcerer and the dog had some Hygiene.

However, he had seen them in battle and simply chuckled at the threats from the Zhentarim.


In ancient Mulhorand he said outloud.

  Reh' sha Maud Bahesh!   

He then repeated in Common

  Your words are ash in the wind  


He moved a step behind and showed the Zhentarim his open hands.

  I can  drop  my magic, if that's what you want  
Cygnia
   "Ho, friends!  You make mistake, yes?"    Ganzaya began with a grin, as if blissfully clueless to the danger the Zhents posed to them.    "What good are tacks to you?  Nails are stronger, yes?"   

Drawing his greatsword, the Rashemi chuckled at his cunning wit!

 
 Spoiler: Statblock 

   Ganzaya   
M CG Human (Rashemi) Ranger 3/Barb 2/Ftr1,  Level  6,  Init  2,  HP  51/51,  Speed  30
 AC  18,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16,  Fort  8,  Ref  5,  Will  5,  Base Attack Bonus  6/1
 2handed, Lesser Crystal of Energy Assault (Fire) Greatsword+1   +11/+6 (2d6+7, 1d6(fire), 19-20/x2)
   Composite Longbow (40 arrows)   +8/+3 (1d8+4, x3)
   Mithral Shirt +1  (+5 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
 Abilities  Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6
 Condition 
 
spectralphoenix
 "Yeah? When I'm done with you, you'll wish you had  bolted !" 
 "Stuff it, Williams. If this lot doesn't want to pay taxes, that would make them rebels. And if they're rebels, it would be our solemn duty to take their heads back to the Constable instead of camping out here waiting to be ambushed by Morn's Freedom Riders." 

The Zhents draw their own swords and spread out slightly, while the archer steps to take cover behind a nearby tree.

The Zhentarim leader asks, with the air of someone who already knows what comes next,  "So which is it going to be?" 
Auranghzeb
Udro smiles and eying the archer trying to get to better position whispers to Jericho

  Wolfie, get ready for some archer meat  
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I guess we can't ready actions right? If we can, then I'm readying Dimension Step to use it on me and Jericho to teleport next to their archer.
 
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il just stood with her arms folded across her chest while the bandits puffed theirs out, and her companions stood their ground.  Her eyes darted from black-clad figure to figure, trying to size up the best thing to do in such a situation.

  "I'm sorry, would you mind repeating the question?  I couldn't hear you over all the  overcompensation  going on just a second ago." 
rax
 "It seems you've already made up your minds, eh?"  Faurgar calls out to the Zhentarim leader.  "You really should reconsider, though. If you raise your hands against us, it should be obvious that we can't let any of you live to report back to your Constable." 

As he speaks, a night black figment in the shape of a panther appears at his side.
BelGareth
'Wolfie' nodded in anticipation, his tongue lolling out his mouth.

 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1]
 
dantiesilva
As the enemies began to spread out Delmuth did the same, making his way to cover as he readies his bow, an owl bear feathered arrow at the ready as he says in a voice that has a slight hint of annoyance and boredom.  "You demand things like a bandit, from those who simply travel the road. You call random strangers rebels because they do not recognize your authority as you have shown no proof besides words. Words of a Zhent are often misleading. So either prove you are the local authorities or prepare to meet the hood."  he says casually tilting his head enough for the hood of his greenish brown cloak to cover his head, hiding his face in shadows.
spectralphoenix
 "ENOUGH! The Zhentarim are the law in Daggerdale, and we'll prove it when we put you and your hood in a shallow grave!" 

Dropping any pretense of a peaceful resolution, the Zhentarim let out a roar and charge!
dantiesilva
As the leader begins speaking the "Hood" is already on the move, dashing in the foiling keeping the leader within close range of him as he lets fly two arrows in quick succession, aiming for the mans left hand, and right shoulder.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Move 10ft. to activate skirmish, trying to stay within 30ft. of the enemy for PBS to stay in effect as well while also staying in cover if at all possible. Behind a tree is enough for him

Standard Action Attack  (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  Damage  (1d6+10)[ 14 ]  +  (2d6)[ 8 ]  Skirmish Damage (+2 Str,+1 Magic bow, +1 PBS, +4 Favored enemy, +2 Skirmisher boots)
Swift Action Activate Skirmisher boots to take 1 extra attack at full BAB  (1d20+12)[ 28 ]  Damage  (1d6+10)[ 11 ]  +  (2d6)[ 7 ]  Skirmish Damage
 
SCARY WIZARD
 " I'LL  be the judge of that!"  As the Zhents charge at the adventurers, Nanes-Il gestures and intones briefly, summons up magical energies with a ghastly bit of bone she's ripped from her pouch as the focus, and then extends her hands at the last  known  location of the Zhentish archer, and the priest.

 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 Casting  scare  with the intention of frfrightening the priest and archer.  ...then, stepping back about fifteen feet because she ain't no fool.  It's a DC 17.
I don't know how many HD these dudes've got, so I-I-I-I-I am going for broke, here.   :'3
 
Auranghzeb
A frontal charge, it would be so easy to make them look silly with some greasy ground, but what fun would that be for Udro's smelly companions. Instead Udro teleports himself and Jericho next to the archer and the cleric.

  Gone  
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Standard + Movement: Cast Dimension step to take me and Jericho next to the archer and the cleric. Udro comes within melee range of the cleric, and leaves Jericho to deal with the archer.
 
rax
Faurgar is on the move before the Zhentarim leader finishes speaking. Unleashing a wordless roar, he charges straight at the centre of their formation. The pantherish figment races ahead, squeezing between the two soldiers in the middle moments before Faurgar is upon them, flail swinging in a mighty arc.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Dark companion moves so that it ends up adjacent to the two soldiers in the centre. (-2 penalty to their AC and saves)

 Full-round action:  Charge and attack the Zhentarim on Faurgar's right using Power Attack (-2 penalty to attack roll, +4 damage) and Brutal Strike (if target takes damage, he must pass a DC 14 Fort save or become  sickened  for 1 round).
 Attack:   (1d20+10)[ 21 ] 
 Bludgeoning damage:   (1d10+9)[ 16 ] 

Charge attack also activates Frightful Presence. All opponents within 30 feet with fewer HD or levels are  shaken  for  (1d6+3)[ 9 ]  rounds unless they pass a DC 16 Will save.

 Possible inflicted conditions: 
 Dark companion:  -2 penalty to AC and saves.
 Shaken:  -2 penalty on attacks, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
 Sickened:  -2 penalty on attacks, weapon damage, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
 
spectralphoenix
The taunts and overconfidence of the mercenaries costs them as they are too slow to react to the party's strikes. Both of the Hood's arrows find gaps in the lead fighter's armor, and he drops like a stone before his third step. Nanes-il casts her spell, and a wave of necromantic energy causes a sudden darkness to envelope the backline. The cleric grits his teeth and mutters a prayer to his god, while the archer's eyes widen in terror. He stumbles backwards, terrified of something only he can see.

Further confusion ensues when Udro and Jericho teleport into their ranks while Faurgar crashes into the frontline, wounding but not killing another Zhent. The mystic power of his charge shakes his target and another swordsman, while the remaining sword and the cleric are able to resist. Faurgar's opponent shakes off the sickening effects of his magic while preparing a counterattack.
SCARY WIZARD
Seeing that her spellwork was effective enough, Nanes-Il steps forward and sets her sights on the nearest and healthiest of the bandits.  Exhibiting some preternatural control over the element of electricity, the Magician fires a bolt of lightning their way...

 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 I wanna throw a  storm bolt  at the least-wounded of the Zhentarim.  I'd li~i~ike to fire it in such a way that no companions get hurt, though!  20-foot line.

 Nanes-Il - Storm Bolt Attack (?) - Zhentarim Warrior:   (1d20+5)[ 16 ] 
 Nanes-Il - Storm Bolt Damage - Zhentarim Warrior:   (3d6)[ 13 ] 

Ranged Attack roll is there as a courtesy; while I saw nothing  about  them, I could be wrong...
 
[/QUOTE]
Cygnia
Ganzaya's companions were quick -- that much was certain.

Joyously, he charged into the fray himself, going after whichever unfortunate Zhent didn't have a dance partner yet.     "Udro, I am bathing now, yes?  Bathing in  blood !"    he cried out as he swung his greatsword.

Now, Ganzaya actually  did  have soap in his supplies and knew how to use it, but needling the fussy spellcaster was more fun.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Whoever's still alive/not attack, Ganzaya is attacking. Ganzaya's AC afterward will be 11

Spirit Lion Totem Pounce w/Heedless Charge Power Attack (the penalty from PA applies to AC due to Heedless Charge)
Pounce Charge to hit  (1d20+13)[ 19 ] 
Dmg  (2d6+19)[ 29 ]  (+10 from 2H PA, +2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 3 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)

Full attack after Pounce
 (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
Dmg  (2d6+19)[ 24 ]  (+10 from 2H PA, +2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 6 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)

 (1d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Dmg  (2d6+19)[ 26 ]  (+10 from 2H PA, +2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 6 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)
 

 
 Spoiler: Statblock 

   Ganzaya   
M CG Human (Rashemi) Ranger 3/Barb 2/Ftr1,  Level  6,  Init  2,  HP  51/51,  Speed  30
 AC  18,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16,  Fort  8,  Ref  5,  Will  5,  Base Attack Bonus  6/1
 2handed, Lesser Crystal of Energy Assault (Fire) Greatsword+1   +11/+6 (2d6+7, 1d6(fire), 19-20/x2)
   Composite Longbow (40 arrows)   +8/+3 (1d8+4, x3)
   Mithral Shirt +1  (+5 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
 Abilities  Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6
 Condition 
 
BelGareth
Having been teleported, Jericho struck at the archer as Udro ported them near their targets.

 
 Spoiler 

  Bite Attack  - (1d20+11)[ 21 ] 
  Bite Damage  - (1d6+10)[ 16 ]  [Magic]

  Claw Attack 1  - (1d20+6)[ 20 ] 
  Claw Damage 1  - (1d6+7)[ 11 ]  [Magic]

  Claw Attack 2  - (1d20+6)[ 18 ] 
  Claw Damage 2  - (1d4+7)[ 10 ]  [Magic]

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1]
 
spectralphoenix
The party's assault continues, devastating the unprepared enemy. Jericho tears the terrified archer to pieces with his magical claws, while Ganzaya's opponent barely blocks his initial rush with his shield before taking a vicious wound from the backswing.

The cleric's prayers reach a crescendo. He cries out to Cyric and his shout is punctuated by an enormous boom, blasting Faurgar and Delmuth with a near-solid wave of sound. The remaining swords take advantage of the distraction and fight back. Williams, too injured to respond to Ganzaya's quips, nonetheless takes advantage of the opening left by his charge to deal an injury of his own. Faurgar easily fends off his opponent, while the last Zhent turns around to flank Udro with the cleric, drawing blood with a dishonorable attack from behind.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Faurgar takes 6 sonic damage and must make a DC 15 Fort save or be stunned for 1 round
Delmuth takes 6 sonic damage and must make a DC 15 Fort save or be stunned for 1 round
Ganzaya takes 6 damage
Udro takes 9 damage
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth knew the power of magic, and as he heard the cleric chanting, he realized the small error they had made leaving it unoccupied as a loud boom was heard, slamming into him. Snarling from the pain under his hood, Delmuth takes flight once more, moving through the brush until he has a shot at the cleric. Taking out another owlbear feathered arrow, he lets the arrow fly aiming for the priest's eyes. Hoping to blind the enemy to give his allies the advantage.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Move Action moving, trying to stay in cover, to be within 30ft. of the priest
Standard action to take a shot  (1d20+12)[ 20 ]  Damage  (1d6+10)[ 11 ]  +  (2d6)[ 5 ]  Skirmish Damage
 
BelGareth
Having torn apart the archer in a sudden display of gore and viscera, Jericho blinked.
 
Why were the others not cowering in fear from him?  he thought.

He would need to fix that.

 
 Spoiler 

Move closest to cleric and attack

  Bite Attack  - (1d20+11)[ 25 ] 
  Bite Damage  - (1d6+10)[ 14 ]  [Magic]

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
Auranghzeb
Oh the flame of the south did not fall easily!

Udro stepped five feet opposite to Jericho, flanking the Cryic follower and called the power of his heritage and but with a gentle touch brought fiery salvation to this infidel who did not follow the gods of Mulhorad!

  Let's see what power does Cyric gives you!  
 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
5' step to flank
 Standard  Combust! rejecting 1d6 damage from SA to steal a spell.

 (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  vs Touch AC  (9d8)[ 39 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ]  SA
 
Cygnia
   "'Tis a shame I will have to kill you,"    sighed Ganzaya with some regret.  And pain.  But there was regret, no doubt.  He would have to remember that "bolt" joke.  Of course, he did not wield a crossbow, so he doubted it would get the point across.

...

...

   ...ooh, that's funny too!   

Again, another gleeful grin crossed the barbarian's face.  No sense in wasting his rage here -- after all, they were merely Zhents.  A brief wince of pain across his face marred the grin for a moment as he hefted his greatsword over head, then came down in heavy arcs on the hapless thug.

 
 Spoiler: Action 

Full attack, no PA this time.  AC back to 18

Attack 1  (1d20+11)[ 18 ] 
Dmg if hit  (2d6+9)[ 14 ]  (+2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 4 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)

Attack 2  (1d20+6)[ 7 ] 
Dmg if hit  (2d6+9)[ 19 ]  (+2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 2 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)
 

 
 Spoiler: Statblock 

   Ganzaya   
M CG Human (Rashemi) Ranger 3/Barb 2/Ftr1,  Level  6,  Init  2,  HP  45/51,  Speed  30
 AC  18,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16,  Fort  8,  Ref  5,  Will  5,  Base Attack Bonus  6/1
 2handed, Lesser Crystal of Energy Assault (Fire) Greatsword+1   +11/+6 (2d6+7, 1d6(fire), 19-20/x2)
   Composite Longbow (40 arrows)   +8/+3 (1d8+4, x3)
   Mithral Shirt +1  (+5 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
 Abilities  Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6
 Condition 
 
rax
Faurgar doesn't deign to join in the bravado banter of his companions. Instead, he batters away at the Zhent with silent determination, though he manages only a glancing blow.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full-round action:  Full attack against the same Zhent as before, no Power Attack or Brutal Strike.
 Attacks:   (1d20+10)[ 20 ] ,  (1d20+5)[ 6 ] 
 Bludgeoning damage:   (1d10+5)[ 15 ] ,  (1d10+5)[ 12 ] 

Target is affected by:
Dark companion: -2 penalty to AC and saves.
Shaken: -2 penalty on attacks, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
 
spectralphoenix
The cleric's spell is answered in turn by arrows, claws and flame, killing him instantly. Faurgar strikes another blow against his foe who stumbles but does not fall. The sun gets in Ganzaya's eyes and he fails to connect through sheer bad luck, while Nanes-Il moves forward and blasts the last Zhentarim with lightning.

Desperate now, the remaining fighters counterattack. Ganzaya's and Faurgar's opponents both score hits. Udro slips out of the third Zhent's reach as he is blasted by Nanes-Il's lightning - he wheels around and charges, delivering a vicious blow!

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

 Faurgar  takes  11  damage
 Ganzaya  takes  8  damage
 Nanes-Il  takes  11  damage
 
Cygnia
With the misses (and the fighter cutting into him AGAIN), Ganzaya was soon losing his cheerful, cherub-like demeanor.  He felt his temples throb as the rage wanted to come out.  But there were only three of these goons left.  More importantly, they had lost their archer AND their whiny godbody leader.  Surely, the rest of these accursed Zhents would fall to the might of GANZAYA~!

   "Rrrr...you do not want to see me angry, friend!"     Once more, the Rashemi swung his blade towards his foe...

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

Full attack, no PA. AC 18
Attack 1  (1d20+11)[ 18 ] 
Dmg if hit  (2d6+9)[ 14 ]  (+2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 4 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)
Attack 2  (1d20+6)[ 17 ] 
Dmg if hit  (2d6+9)[ 15 ]  (+2 for Favored Enemy: humans)
Dmg (fire)  (1d6)[ 1 ]  (from Lesser Energy Assault Crystal)
 

 
 Spoiler: Statblock 

   Ganzaya   
M CG Human (Rashemi) Ranger 3/Barb 2/Ftr1,  Level  6,  Init  2,  HP  37/51,  Speed  30
 AC  18,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16,  Fort  8,  Ref  5,  Will  5,  Base Attack Bonus  6/1
 2handed, Lesser Crystal of Energy Assault (Fire) Greatsword+1   +11/+6 (2d6+7, 1d6(fire), 19-20/x2)
   Composite Longbow (40 arrows)   +8/+3 (1d8+4, x3)
   Mithral Shirt +1  (+5 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 Deflect)
 Abilities  Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 6
 Condition 
 
Auranghzeb
 Dont' you turn your back to me! 

Udro screams as the warrior next to him charges his companions.

His hands make a gesture and a Fiery Burst explodes right behind the enemies attacking  Nanes-Il 
 
 Spoiler: Fiery Burst 
Reflex save DC 15  (2d6)[ 3 ]  fire damage
 
rax
Faurgar keeps up the assault on his foe, smashing him with a hard blow to the side of the head. The Zhent lurches back from the hit, just enough for Faurgar's follow up attack to go wide.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Full-round action:  Full attack against the same Zhent as before, no Power Attack or Brutal Strike.
If the Zhent drops, Faurgar's second attack will be against another soldier, assuming he can reach him with a 5-foot step. In that case, he will also direct his Dark Companion to cosy up to the target.
 Attacks:   (1d20+10)[ 30 ] ,  (1d20+5)[ 15 ] 
 Bludgeoning damage:   (1d10+5)[ 10 ] ,  (1d10+5)[ 7 ] 
 Target is affected by: 
Dark companion: -2 penalty to AC and saves.
Shaken: -2 penalty on attacks, saves, ability checks and skill checks.
 
dantiesilva
As the silent hunter watches the battle unfold he determine where he is now would no doubt best help his allies and unleashes two arrows in quick succession, one at the enemy facing Faurgar and the other at the enemy engaged with Nanes-Il.

 
 Spoiler: Rapid Shot 
 Full Attack no movement
Attack vs Nanes-Il's enemy  (1d20+10)[ 20 ]  Damage  (1d6+10)[ 13 ] 
Attack vs Faurgar's enemy  (1d20+8)[ 20 ]  Damage  (1d6+10)[ 11 ] 

I figured it would be best to try and weaken/finish off two enemies vs trying to take out one with slightly more damage.
 
BelGareth
The fact these people were still standing was a testimony to their resiliency, but maybe his allies had decided to go light on them, yes, he couldn’t smell the large one frothing yet, so they must be.

He smirked
 Why would they do that  he thought.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack everything!

  Bite Attack  - (1d20+11)[ 13 ] 
   Bite Damage  - (1d6+10)[ 12 ]  [Magic]

   Claw Attack 1  - (1d20+6)[ 26 ] 
   Claw Damage 1  - (1d6+7)[ 11 ]  [Magic]

   Claw Attack 2  - (1d20+6)[ 12 ] 
   Claw Damage 2  - (1d4+7)[ 11 ]  [Magic]

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
spectralphoenix
Delmuth rapidly fires off arrows, taking down the Zhent fighting Faurgar and his shadowy panther while further injuring Nanes-Il's assailant. Faurgar is freed up to double team Ganzaya's opponent, who falls with a sickening crunch as the flail impacts his helmet. Jericho comes up behind the last fighter and takes him down with his vicious supernatural claws.

As the battle falls silent, you recognize the sound of hoofbeats approaching. A dozen riders, likely drawn by the clash of swords, approach from the narrow forest path. Rather than the black armored Zhentarim, these men are clad in the worn leathers and muted colors of the True Dalesmen, the resistance against the Zhent occupation. They seem impressed by the results of your bloody encounter with their enemies. Their leader moves forward, removes his helmet, and addresses you -

 "Well met, travelers. I am Lord Randal Morn, and any enemy of the Zhentarim is a friend of mine.

A strange fever is stalking Daggerdale by night, catching the good Dalefolk asleep and leaving them trapped in their slumber. The Dream Fever magic comes from Dagger Falls where the usurper Constable Tren rules. Any man who can put an end to the fever will have earned my thanks and my gold.

But beware the Constable. Tren is a lackey of the Zhentarim, but he is also a powerful former adventurer and not a man to be crossed lightly." 

He leans back and waits for your reply, while his companions watch the road, ready for anything.
dantiesilva
As the battle draws to a close Delmuth begins to take off his hood when the sound of hooves can be heard coming their way.  " We cannot outrun horses, our options are to hide, or hope its not more Zhents."  he says calmly, though already making his way into cover as he readies an arrow in case it was indeed more Zhentarim soldiers. Sadly he doesn't have time to get into full cover as the riders approach, thankfully however they appear to be people of the Dale and Delmuth seems to relax slightly, aiming his bow towards the ground, however not putting it away just yet. He was not foolish enough to believe the Zhentarim could not have spies in normal clothing.

When the leader approaches removing his helmet and stating his name he looks to Jericho as if to say  How convenient they come after the battle is over. , however the hunter remains silent and doesn't voice out loud this sentiment as he turns to look at the others in the party to see if they wished to adress this figure who seemed to openly tell them the plights of the land just by hearing fighting and seeing dead bodies in armor that belonged to Zhent's.   One could easily infiltrate their ranks if they simply dressed the dead rebels as Zhent's and the Zhent's dressed as travelers. It's no wonder the Dales are already under enemy control. Though this constable does sound like a problem, as does this sleeping spell as so long as we are in Daggerdale in theory we could fall victim to it. Then again it could be some kind of poison in the water, the Zhent's would need a steady source of clean water though, and the chances of a priest not thinking of something along these lines as well seems unlikely.   he thinks to himself, if asked a direct question Delmuth would answer, however he didn't know these people who trusted to easily, and it was better to allow his allies who were more skilled at dealing with other people do so, he tried, however to appear friendly.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
All I can picture is seeing a bunch of dead people with arrows in them, this archer not saying anything in normal ranger gear just casually holding his bow and standing near cover refusing to speak yet looking at a wolf (that they don't know is a person) and "talking to it" in their silent looks and nods lol
 
Auranghzeb
Udro crings everytime Jericho tries to bite an enemy!  why would someone do that? 


Violence is over now and Udro uses some of his healing resources before checking on the others. Nobody seems seriously hurt. These vaunted Zhents were a pushover!

Horseshoes approach and Udro prepares to cast a spell to prevent a cavalry charge, when he realizes these are not foes.


Despite his ragged clothes and aspect, there's a certain air of leadership to this Randal Morn that Udro can appreciate. He listens to the rebel leader and bows.  But then balks at Delmuth's suggestion of  wearing a dead man's clothes? Don't these savages have taboos?   
  Udro, the Flame of the South is glad to make your acquaintance, sir Randal. We are on a mission to find a certain merchant by the name of Redwood, Ian Redwood. But having seen these Zentarim I grow concerned. Do you know the whereabouts of this Master Redwood?

We are open to help you, I suffered the tyranny of the Pashas of my land, and will not tolerate others to suffer the same fate. But it is only noble of us to first locate this Ian Redwood.   
BelGareth
Jericho looked at Delmuth, he was much faster than most horses, but he was correct, the  others  could not outrun horses.

He transformed back and looked at Delmuth and then to Udro with a wide toothy grin that had blood dripping. Making quite the site, he wiped the viscera from his face and hands with some water. he looks the newcomers up and down, walking around their horses as if inspecting them all. He wasn't impressed.

  "Nice of you to show up"   he says simply,   "How is it you lot have managed to avoid this sleeping curse?"  
 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
spectralphoenix
Most of Morn's troops are rather shocked by Jericho's transformation, rearing back and steadying their horses. Morn himself is unfazed. So is his second in command, a short, greying man wearing a holy symbol of Tymora. The lord addresses your questions while the priest contents himself with studying the party from atop his horse.

 "...Redwood... he runs a brewery in Dagger Falls, I believe. If you haven't been able to contact him, he may have fallen victim to the Dream Fever himself. About eighty Dalesmen and as many of the invader's troops have been brought low by the disease. If Redwood is one of them, the two missions may be one and the same. 
 The Dream Fever thus far has been confined to Dagger Falls and its environs.  It is the seat of the Constable's rule, and my men and I are not welcome there. However, the people of Daggerdale are under my protection. If I cannot ride to their aid myself, I will at least offer a bounty to those who can." 
rax
 "A bounty, you say? How much?"  Faurgar interjects.  "And if the fever is taking Zhents as well as townsfolk, why not wait for more of their men to fall ill and then take the town for yourself? Sounds like you believe the source of the sickness is in Dagger Falls, so it'd be easier to stop it if you're there, aye?" 
Cygnia
Ganzaya stroked his moustache, frowning.

   "If the Lord appears, these Zhents may try to blame this sickness on  him , yes?  Sow dissent and chaos even while their own men fall.  Besides, if we wait too long, then Redwood may not survive this fever!"   
Auranghzeb
Ganzaya was right.

 Maese Morn. I'm bound to find Maese Redwood anyway, so I might as well see about this illness issue. But how shall we make contact with you? I'd guess your dwelling are well hidden if you are on the run from the Zehnts  
BelGareth
  "Oh, don't worry, I'm sure they will come riding like thunder to assist once everything has been done."   he says sardonically side eyeing the leader

 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
rax
 
 Originally Posted by Cygnia 
 Ganzaya stroked his moustache, frowning.

   "If the Lord appears, these Zhents may try to blame this sickness on  him , yes?  Sow dissent and chaos even while their own men fall.  Besides, if we wait too long, then Redwood may not survive this fever!"    
 

  "If the people are so easily swayed, then I reckon Master Morn will be waiting a long time to call himself Lord again,"  Faurgar answers with a shrug.  "However, you do bring up an interesting point concerning the sickness. Has the Dream Fever killed anyone yet, or are they all just sleeping deeply?"  he asks Randal Morn.
dantiesilva
Delmuth considers the information given so far and what his allies have said and ponders his words carefully before at last speaking.  "Are any that are effected in Daggerdale Elves? We are naturally immune to magical forms of sleep and this may help us determine what is causing this affliction upon your people. It being tied to the Zhents however are unlikely, though not impossible, if they are also being effected by this Dream Fever. If they didn't want the people to know their own troops were under the effects of this Dream Fever they would have doubled patrols, and made their presence seem bigger, as if they were everywhere. And if they were affected truly they would be looking for a cure and keeping their own with the people to prove that they were not the cause of this Dream Fever or else risk the people revolting. So either they have a cure or the more likely option they are not the cause of this Fever."  he says as if it was a simple deduction, as in his eyes Zhents were an apex predator, and the townsfolk were prey. They gained little from lying to their prey with the information they knew, meaning more likely something else was the true culprit here preying on all of Daggerdale.
spectralphoenix
The lord's men bristle at the implied insult. Morn remains diplomatic, but his enthusiasm seems to flag a bit.

 "I won't let the Dream Fever continue unabated in hopes that it  might  hurt my enemy more than it hurts my own people. There have been several deaths already, and who knows what could happen if the Zhentarim priests and mages are able to find a cure and keep it to themselves, or even learn to control it?

Four thousand pieces of gold if you can stop the sickness, and another two thousand if you can wake the sleepers or come up with a cure. As for contacting me, the Zhentarim's control only extends so far into the woods. I move around to avoid open battle or assassination, but ask around in any hamlet more than a day's ride from the town and I will find you. Failing that, return to Shadowdale and Lhaeo, Elminster's scribe, will cover the debt.

To answer your question about the elves, not many of the Fair Folk live in Dagger Falls.  I haven't heard of any being afflicted, but I couldn't swear to it.

Now then, I have an insurgency I simply  must  be getting back to. Fighting a decades-long war against a well-supplied and magically supported foe is not as easy as some might think." 

Deciding that the audience is over, Morn signals his troops and they ride off.
dantiesilva
 "Was it something we said?"  Delmuth asks confused as the leader of the rebellion seems to ride off and leave. The gold was a nice incentive on top of what the favor he was already doing by taking this job so he saw no harm in doing it. Plus they were already going to said location anyways, it didn't hurt to look around.
rax
 "These western lords seem a prickly lot. Overly proud of their pedigrees and possessive of their lands. I had heard things were different in the Dales, but it seems not,"  Faurgar comments after the Dalesmen have ridden off.  "Six thousand gold is a princely sum, though, so at least Randal Morn knows to pay well for dangerous work." 
 "We should search the Zhents for anything of value or which might prove useful once we get to Dagger Falls, then dispose of the bodies,"  he adds as he turns his attention to the fallen.
spectralphoenix
The party sets to work searching the dead. In addition to various mundane supplies, the cleric bears a magic cloak and wand, while the sergeant has a case holding ten small gold trade bars, doubtless the result of a previous "taxation." It is quick work to identify everything that would be more useful to you than the ravens.

 
 Spoiler 

Cloak of Resistance +1
500 gp total in gold ingots
Wand of Cure Light Wounds with 25 charges
5 masterwork longswords, 1 masterwork longbow, 1 masterwork heavy mace
5 suits of full plate and 1 chain shirt (distinctive Zhentarim make, as described before)
4 heavy shields, 1 light shield
 
Cygnia
The injured Ganzaya's eyes lit up when one of the items revealed was a wand of cure light wounds.  Not that he could  use  it himself, but...

   "A healing stick!  Ahhh magic friends, could one of you be able to then  stick  it to me perhaps?"   
dantiesilva
As the group searches the bodies for any loot of use, Delmuth keeps watch, making sure no one sneaks up on the party.

 
 Spoiler: Checks 

Hide  (1d20+14)[ 15 ] 
Spot  (1d20+13)[ 20 ] 

Just in case
 


When all the stuff of use is taken but before the armor is removed Delmuth calls out from his hiding spot.  " Taking the armor would cause more hassle for us in the long term. Any village under Zhent rule will immediately attack us no doubt, or at least the less human of us, if we show up carrying or wearing the armor. And if we try to sell it in any town nearby no one will buy it, meaning we would be lugging it around and tiring ourselves for little to no gain. I say we bury them with their armor and keep the rest."  Delmuth says waiting to hear what the rest of the party thought on the matter.

At Ganzaya's question Delmuth looks to the others who could use magic, he had been practicing simple cantrips, however was not able yet to form the most basic of spells work for himself, though he knew he was close to figuring it out.  " I am not able to as of this moment Ganzaya, though perhaps with practice and working with the others I may finally be able to get over the last hurdle stopping me from being able to cast simple spells." 
Auranghzeb
 Healing magic is not in my repertoire, sadly. I was never the kind to touch open wounds or call the god's assistance.

  

Udro is mildly disgusted by these folks moving and looting the bodies. That was a scavenger part of adventuring he had a hard time dealing with.
rax
 "We should not be carrying  anything  openly that could be traced to this band of thugs,"  Faurgar agrees.  "Fortunately, both Ganzaya and Nanes-Il have packs with extradimensional storage space. The weapons should fit easily enough, and as for the Zhents' armour, I would prefer to bury that separately, in case the opportunity arises to return and sell it all later. Removing armour from a rotting corpse is even less pleasant than taking it from the recently slain,"  he notes matter-of-factly.
BelGareth
Shaking his slowly as he watches the riders depart, he turns and regards the others searching the bodies, he was trying to decide if the grumbling in his stomach would be best sated with a quick meal, or something more planned out.

As Ganzaya finds a wand he looks at the mighty man   "Of course Great Ganzaya, let me help you"  

Then he turns to the others   "We don't have time to mess around with selling trinkets. Where is this town we need to get to?"  
 
 Spoiler 

Assuming the wand is 1st level:
 (1d8+1)[ 8 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 5 ]  

23/25 charges remaining (will edit used charges)

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
spectralphoenix
The party disposes of the bodies and continues on their journey.

The next day, you arrive at Dagger Falls around noon. The Zhentarim consider this a frontier town - black armored patrols keep order in the streets while work crews load timber, crops, and livestock looted from the dale into caravans bound east. The native Dalesfolk are sullen and guarded. Most of them see their "ruler" as an occupier to be resisted, though some few have grown wealthy trading with the invaders and regard the Constable as the future of land.

The city itself is in sorry shape. The only inn open for business is the vastly overpriced Teshford Arms. No temple stands in Dagger Falls after the temple of Lathander burned down under mysterious circumstances. The Cyricist priests among the Zhentarim have made some move towards building a new temple to their god on the site, but haven't made much progress. Various shops are open for business, and innumerable shoddy taverns serve rough ale to rough men. On the north side of town lie the Constable's tower and the garrison, containing several hundred Zhentarim soldiers, mercenaries, and Dalish auxiliaries.

The gate guards eye you warily as you enter, but offer no challenge.
Auranghzeb
Udro walks into the ill-looking city with one aim in mind: Finding Ian Redwood.

He ignored the guards and just wished his companions didn't ruffle any feathers.

 Where would mr. Redwood's business be? 
 I'm going to try and find Redwood, he may have some internal information on what's going on here. 

He told the others.
Cygnia
   "Do you wish to have one of us accompany you to have your back?"    Ganzaya's tone was, for a change, on the serious side.  And the fact that he didn't automatically volunteer himself to annoy Udro was noticeable.     "Maybe he does business with the taverns here...maybe they know where he lives or where is his brewery..."   
BelGareth
Happy to stretch his legs once again, he ran by the side of the pack as they advanced to the town of Daggerdale, perhaps the pack would be ok if he stayed in his wolf-form? They still needed to choose an alpha, but he kept feeling like they would never do so, old gray lone wolves these, no leaders....or followers among them, this was a ragtag pack at the best. Perhaps one day they would be.

Near the gates, behind a bush he transformed back into his human-form and walked the rest of the way.

 "Great Ganzaya, how do you feel? better?"  he asks

And as Udro states his intention to find Redwood  "I will also go." 
 
 Spoiler 

Ganzaya you are fully healed from the wand

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
 
 Spoiler: Previous night 
That night went by relatively easy, as Delmuth secured a safe area to camp for the night that was more then defensible enough for a single night. Looking to Jericho he asked  "Shall we go hunt for dinner?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Delmuth will always suggest stopping an hour before sunset to give the group time to find a secure campground and time for the group to hunt, even if he is not on the hunting party.
 

 


The next day as the group arrived in Daggerdale Delmuth simply walked with the others, doing his best not to draw attention to the group as it would make their job that much harder. Instead he observed the guards and people, trying to determine some sort of pattern to the guards and if the people kept a wide berth from them or not.

 
 Spoiler: Spot  
 (1d20+13)[ 14 ] 
 

 "If it is alright with the rest of you I would like to observer the people of this town, it would be best if we understood the terrain we are walking in before we try to move forward to far."  Delmuth explains as he looks around for a good place to simply sit down and observer, somewhere high, but open, with food if possible so it would not draw suspicion if he were to sit there for a long time.
rax
Faurgar has nothing to say and so keeps his peace. Searching for Redwood by way of the taverns seems like it has a fair chance of success.
spectralphoenix
The Zhentarim are not subtle. Armed patrols wander the streets. The basic squad seems to be a five soldiers, often with a minor wizard or priest attached. These hard men and women seem cut from much the same cloth as the squad you met the previous day. They don't resort to open robbery in the streets of Dagger Falls - presumably that level of lawlessness would inconvenience their superiors - but even the sympathizers among the local Dalesfolk don't get too close. Given even more room are the nonhumans - orcish mercenaries and the occasional black armored ogre.

The law is similarly not subtle. The tense atmosphere of the city occasionally boils over into brawls between the caravanners, visiting rural folk, and the locals. The Zhent response is always the same, rushing in with truncheons and beating everyone involved, without bothering to make arrests or an investigation. More serious punishments are evidenced by the pillory and whipping post prominently displayed in the mostly-empty market, as well as the gallows you passed on the way into town. For the most part, however, the Constable seems interested in administering justice only insofar as it prevents public disorder from interfering with the looting of the Dale.

---

In the midst of this, you find your way to Redwood's Private Reserve, the brewery owned by Ian Redwood. Like most of the town, the building has seen better days. You enter to find a listless-seeming woman occupying the front desk. She introduces herself as Tress.

 You came to see the boss? You're out of luck, the boss isn't seeing anyone. He came down with the dream fever a while back. Or the curse, or whatever you think it is. He's laid out in the office upstairs, sleeping like the dead. 
dantiesilva
Delmuth takes note of the Zhentarim's patrols and how they were organized, determining after a while that they were similar to the one they had fought in the woods. If the group was in trouble they could probably take out two before it became an issue he determined, however that would put them more on edge and no doubt make the challenge of the patrols harder to deal with. Perhaps getting a message out to this resistance for them to harasses the Zhents on the outskirts with hit and run tactics to minimize their own losses would make the amount of patrols in town easier to move around or perhaps even eliminate. The mercenaries provided a unique opportunity, for if one had more gold and could find a weak link they could perhaps persuade a few into helping the group instead of the Zhents, this would have to be a very careful course of action if taken however.

How they seemed to put down any form of disorder also showed that they mostly ruled through fear and brute strength. Remove one or the other and their control would slip. Something no doubt this Dream Fever was already doing to some extent.

When the group arrives at the residence of Ian Redwood Delmuth listens to what the woman says and nods his head in understanding. He was no good with healing magic and even less help with the mundane forms of healing so he had to simply accept what the woman said. Perhaps one of the others would be able to identify stuff of that nature however he would not.  "Could you tell us how long ago he fell under the effects of this sleep? Did something happen leading up to this that was unusual or did he perhaps get into a fight with someone before the sleeping spell?" 
rax
 "I would hasten to add that we are here on behalf of Master Redwood's sister Brie in Cormyr,"  Faurgar adds.  "She hasn't heard from your boss for more than two months and is understandably concerned. She has asked us check up on him and to assist him if he's in some sort of trouble, which seems to the case,"  he says with a sympathetic smile.
Cygnia
Ganzaya nodded his thanks to Jericho for skillfully handling that wand.

****

   "Perhaps bad food or drink?"    Ganzaya offered.     "Have any healers or priests in town made any comments on the nature of this fever?  Ooh, or were they affected too?!"   

He resisted the urge to suggest tickling the poor afflicted man as a way to wake him up.  This was a serious mission!
Auranghzeb
 Ah! the dreaded fever has struck him. Do you know more about it, it seems to be a plague. We would very much like to help! 
BelGareth
Jerciho follows the group to the Brewery, which with it's rich smells and odors, he enjoys far more than the dirty town they entered.

After listening to the dour Tress he frowns, Ians sister would not be happy to hear her brother has fallen to the sickness.

He nods at the others suggesting we help, it was the only course of action to assist Ian upstairs.

  "Agreed, it's the only way to help Mast Redwood."   he turns to Tress   "Tress, do you recall the first time you heard of the sleeping sickness?"  
 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
spectralphoenix
 Hmm... he succumbed about six weeks ago. He was one of the first. Ian wasn't the sort to get into fights or strangeness - he just woke up one morning with a fever, lingered for a few days, then fell to sleep and hasn't woken up. A local healer has been making the rounds and tending to the victims, but she's not a real cleric. Clerics of Lathander have been in short supply since their temple burned down a few years back. I suppose the Zhentarim have clerics, but  if they know anything, they aren't telling.

I've heard some say it's a curse - that dark dwarves roam the knight and steal people's souls. There was a clan of dwarves in the Dale a hundred years ago, and one of the old lords drove them out. 
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il remained quiet during much of the interactions with Lord Morn, but volunteered space in her bags once it came to looting...

 
 Nanes-Il accompanies those heading to Redwood's residence.    " Hrast... "   She murmurs, as she hears of what has befallen Ian.  She nods in agreement as Ganzaya speaks, and then Urdo.    "While I am no healer, I can at least investigate Master Redwood with what magics I possess, if you are alright with that, Miss Tress."   Then, she pauses.   "And... say... do you know where these dwarves were driven to from here?" 
dantiesilva
 
 Originally Posted by spectralphoenix 
  Hmm... he succumbed about six weeks ago. He was one of the first. Ian wasn't the sort to get into fights or strangeness - he just woke up one morning with a fever, lingered for a few days, then fell to sleep and hasn't woken up. A local healer has been making the rounds and tending to the victims, but she's not a real cleric. Clerics of Lathander have been in short supply since their temple burned down a few years back. I suppose the Zhentarim have clerics, but  if they know anything, they aren't telling.

I've heard some say it's a curse - that dark dwarves roam the knight and steal people's souls. There was a clan of dwarves in the Dale a hundred years ago, and one of the old lords drove them out.  
 

Delmuth listens to what the young woman has to say about Ian and mentally begins removing possible reasons for the man to have been targeted. The fact their was no local cleric didn't exactly help either. As much as he didn't like the idea he thought that perhaps he should at least suggest speaking with a representatives of the Zhentarim to see what their clerics had learned as well as let them know that they were chasing down leads to stop this curse if all things seemed like the Zhentarim were not behind it.

 "Dark dwarves, that is not something I would think of when I think curses, but not impossible either. Tell me is there anyone in town, or near town that is still awake who knows the history of the Dale back to this time? It may be useful to know this form of knowledge as it may help us solve this mystery."  Delmuth explains to the Ms. Tress.
rax
 "In dark times people are wont to seek a clear culprit for their ills. This rumour of dark dwarves sounds much like that, but in my land we are well acquainted with the power of spirits, both good and evil, so I agree we should at least look into it,"  Faurgar says to Delmuth.

 "Those who speak of these dark dwarves. Are there any who've actually seen them?"  he asks Tress.
spectralphoenix
Tress seems a bit uncertain at this.

 ...I couldn't name anyone who's actually seen them. Only rumors and friends of friends. The dwarves used to live in a place called Eagle's Eyrie, not too far from here. I suppose you could investigate there if you wanted to find out more. 
BelGareth
Jericho was getting annoyed, yes, Tress was being barraged with questions, which would put anyone on the back foot, but it was like squeezing acid from an earth elemental, too damn hard for what it's worth. But finally, after some coaxing she managed to give them some actionable intel. Perhaps she was this way due to the local 'law enforcement', he frowned thinking about that, this would go towards clearing those bastards from this place, and maybe the good citizens would be more amenable.

Maybes and wants are like wishes and wind, can't hold either and neither does any good.

he grunts   "Well then, seems like we have a location. We thank you Tress, hopefully we can get this whole thing sorted out. Which way is it?"   he nods to her with a smile and then moves outside, not wanting to be inside any longer.

 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
 
 Originally Posted by BelGareth 
    "Well then, seems like we have a location. We thank you Tress, hopefully we can get this whole thing sorted out. Which way is it?"   he nods to her with a smile and then moves outside, not wanting to be inside any longer. 
 

Delmuth was well aware that the woman wouldn't have answers to all their questions but the few she had were not even facts. Bowing his head in thanks he follows Jericho out the door.

As the group gathers outside he says to them in a more hushed tone,  "Before we leave town I believe it may help us to speak with this constable, even if he is a zhentrim, it would benefit them as well for this curse to end if it effecting their own. Getting whatever information we can from him, perhaps what their clerics have learned may give us a more direct path then the wild goose chase we have at the moment."  the elf says, not liking the option however seeing it as the most viable for them to succeed.
Auranghzeb
 I don't disagree with your idea, Delmuth, but we must be careful, if que act too curious, we may draw attention on ourselves, and by now, news about the missing patrol may already reached town.  
BelGareth
Jericho pauses and listens to the discussion, he shrugs   "Maybe we talk to him, and if they cause trouble, they chase us out of town in direction we need to go?"  
 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
 "We are strangers sent to check in on a relative and asking the local law about the affliction we were told said individual has and offering aid in curing this aliment if we are able. It's the truth and gives us a reason to be running around a lot where we are less likely to be looked at oddly for all our comings and goings. If we didn't speak to him I feel we would be under more suspicion as it would look like we had more to hide then we do."  Delmuth says not remarking on the patrol as who knew who was listening to their conversation. Add in as even Jericho put it, what was the worst they could do, chase them out of town? The group already planned on leaving to look for what was causing this sickness so they would lose nothing from being chased out of town in all honesty.  "If we want we can let someone more eloquent speak to the constable for our group, I would not be opposed to this. 
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il speaks up.    "While elocution isn't my strong suit... I  do  wield powers of persuasion, but those carry their own risks.  Especially when being used against..."   She winces.    " Zhentish packleaders. "  
Auranghzeb
At the mention of "owers of persuation" Udro shrugs with disdain.

 Ah, the parlor tricks of the enchanter are the same used to bend the wills of slaves. I don't approve. 
rax
 "Using enchantments at this stage is an unnecessary risk. Simply speaking to the Constable should be enough to bring clarity to the situation - can we investigate with his backing or not? If the answer is yes, I expect he will be forthcoming with whatever information he has that could assist the investigation. If the the answer is no, I expect we will investigate anyway, though we will have to be more discreet about it,"  Faurgar notes.
dantiesilva
Seeing no one disagreeing with his suggestion, but instead simply stating ways they "could" approach the situation Delmuth begins making his way towards a group of Zhentarim, his arms raised high so they can see he means no harm. About 20ft. away from them, giving them their space he calls out.  "Greetings local law enforcement. Would it be possible for one to speak with the constable?"  he asks them, no hint of any hidden motive in his voice or actions.  "I am hoping that I could lend my aid to this town."  he explains before they respond expecting them to ask for what reason.
BelGareth
Jericho follows the ranger while smiling from ear to ear. He had forgotten how blunt his hunting companion could be.

 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
SCARY WIZARD
Amid her rolling her eyes at her softer companion's opinion on her proposed methods, Nanes-Il barely notices the more direct of them taking a very direct approach to things!  She can't help but quirk up her lip in a smile.

   "Huh."   She pokes the inside of her mouth with her tongue.  Then, she quietly says,    "Well, the fastest route between two points  is  a straight line!"     She does not go out of her way to join him, but does stand in such a way that the Zhents can see her.
spectralphoenix
The sergeant of the Zhentarim eyes the party suspiciously.

 "Lend your aid, is it?"  he drawls. He seems about to tell the group to get lost, but suddenly reconsiders.  "I suppose the constable might have a word with you. He has a job that needs doing. We'll take you to the tower. But you'll be leaving your weapons at the entrance, and keeping your hands where I can see them." 

The Zhentarim squad, perhaps wiser than their comrades in the forest, seem not to be taking your party lightly.
dantiesilva
 "An understandable precaution, I agree to these terms to speak with the constable."  Delmuth says, nodding to Jericho knowing that even without their "weapons" they were far from unarmed should things turn for the worst fast. With that he willingly follows the Zhentarim guards wherever it is they lead him, keeping his eyes on alert at all times for anything seeming amiss.

 
 Spoiler: Skills 

Spot  (1d20+13)[ 17 ] 
Sense Motives  (1d20+2)[ 18 ] 
 
Auranghzeb
Udro scoffed at the demand of leaving their weapons but said nothing.

 Shall I leave my intellect behind? 

Then he followed sue.
rax
Faurgar merely nods along with the soldiers' instructions and follows Delmuth and the others to the tower.
Cygnia
Perhaps not trusting his mouth (for once), Ganzaya chose to wait outside the tower.  No sense in all of them walking in that tower -- unarmed.

And surrounded by Zhents.
spectralphoenix
The party members who choose to go are disarmed and escorted into the Constable's tower and up to one of the upper floors, where the walls are hung with bright tapestries and the floor is littered with dirty rushes. Constable Tren, a tall blond man with grey eyes and a powerful build, is sitting at a heavy oaken table, listlessly toying with some papers. He rises and smiles tightly when you enter.  "So, you are mercenaries, yes? I have work for you here, if you will take it. That rebellious dog, Randal Morn, has some sorcerer working for him, killing innocent women and children with some foul disease. He's trying to. . ."  He hesitates, then continues.

 "Well, really, the politics of it are surely beyond you, but it is worth a thousand gold to each of you if you go to the temple of Lathander and rid me—and the town of Dagger Falls, of course—of the things in that foul crypt. Oh, and if you know of any of Randal's men, there's a bonus for each one you capture. Unless you have questions, Marrakt will see you out." 
Auranghzeb
Udro didn't like the constable, his nails were dirty and his office unkept, he couldn't respect a leader who didn't take care of his space. He avoided contact with the filthy walls, and the tapestries, surely infested with lice and what not.
He didn't even want to set foot on that room that looked like a barn. He had seem camel stables with more dignity.


 So, Lathlander. An interesting choice. We will take care of it. 

He says, looking into his eyes.

Sense motive (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
BelGareth
Jericho follows everyone up to the room, he was wandering how stupid these zhents literally were, letting him in like this. He had  nothing  else on his body, they must have dealt with something like him before, perhaps one of the fabled Monks from the Citadel of the White Worm? surely they have heard of the Shar worshiping practitioners from the Dark Moon Monastery? Surely they are not  actually  this stupid?

He shrugged his shoulders and kept on walking.

Listening to the constable, whatever the Nine that was, he kept quiet, he was ready to leave, he had no desire to stay inside this room, let alone building but squared up as Udro spoke.

 
 Spoiler 

   Jericho   
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth and his tribe lived outdoors, sleeping in hammocks up in the trees so while he was unused to seeing buildings so messy it didn't persay bother him. Disorganized yes, but was it done so on purpose so spies could not find stuff, or as it appeared was a question for someone far more intelligent than himself. Listening to what the constable said Delmuth nods his head,  "If you are referring to the sleep that people don't seem to wake up from here I was told it may be an old dwarf curse of some sort. I have no problem investigating your more credible option however. I just didn't wish to go into someone elses backyard and start moving things without speaking to them first, and I did intend to go investigate this dwarf area as well."  Delmuth says, accepting the mission the constable had given to them to investigate the crypts and rid them of anything that may be cursing the inhabitants. If the constable doesn't seem to object to any of this he follows Marrakt out of the tower with the others.

 
 Spoiler: Basic intelligence check to see what he knows about the church of Lathander 
  (1d20)[ 16 ]  Please be above a 10 otherwise this is going to be kinda funny
 
spectralphoenix
 Dwarves? Hasn't been any significant Dwaven presence in this area for generations. Not since old Colderan Morn drove them out. Whatever we're dealing with is in the here and now. 

Tren seems to weigh his next words before speaking.

 The temple burned down a few years ago. Who knows what could be in those crypts? Not everyone they buried down there was a saint, after all. 
 
 Spoiler 

With a basic intelligence check you know that Lathander is a NG sun god also known as the Morninglord. His temples do good works and sponsor a powerful paladin order, but can spend a lot of money on gaudy decorations and such as well. Basically the FRCS writeup.
 
Auranghzeb
Udro storms out of the building and relates the quest to Ganzaya.

 It seems we will be exploring some crypts before leaving town. 
Cygnia
   "They wish us to roll the bones then, yes?"    Ganzaya flashed a quick grin, but it faded fast in sensing Udro's mood. More seriously, he asked    "They think the source of this fever is in these crypts?  Do they have proof?"   
Auranghzeb
Udro grinned as he moved with Ganzaya far from unwanted ears while waiting for the others.

  Ah! Ganzaya. Smart. No, I don't think they really believe this crypt to be the origin of the plague. I wonder what they really want out of that crypt. We must be as wary in the way out as going in.  
Cygnia
   "Aye, friend.  They either want us to do the grave robbing for them, taking all the risks from angry spirits and gods.  Or we are cleaning up a mess  they  made -- and may not want us alive to tell anyone about afterwards."     Ganzaya scowled.    "Neither is a pleasant thought."   
BelGareth
  "I'm guessing both, but definitely the latter."   he says to  Ganzaya.   "Either way, lets go find out."   he says with a grin, while walking in the direction of the crypt.

 
 Spoiler 

 Jericho 
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
 Dwarves? Hasn't been any significant Dwaven presence in this area for generations. Not since old Colderan Morn drove them out. Whatever we're dealing with is in the here and now. 

Delmuth takes a deep breath in as the man, clearly thinking very high of himself blows off the memory of a long lived race. "So we are in agreement then, that dwarves were once a part of this area. I am glad to hear. And once we are done investigating and possibly solving the problem in the crypts I assume if the people have not awoken we are allowed to travel these lands looking for any other clues we may come across to help you awaken the good people under your care, and of course report back to you with our findings."  Delmuth adds, the last bit as almost an afterthought.

Once outside with the others Delmuth shakes himself, as if trying to shake off a bad feeling before retrieving his weapons and walking with the others.  "The sooner we go in the sooner we can find out, if its a trap the less time they have the better we will be able to escape it, best not to stray."  he says slowly moving in the direction of the crypts.
spectralphoenix
The guards return your weapons as you leave and a runner escorts you to the site of the burned temple. There are a few Zhentarim guards outside, smoking pipes and playing cards. They don't seem keen to poke around in the ruins themselves, but wave you by at a signal from the runner.

With the formalities out of the way, you are free to explore the site. At first you see nothing of interest - burned wreckage exposed to eight years of weather. After a bit of looking around however, you find a stairway leading underground that appears to have been recently excavated. Descending, you come to a small cellar with stocked with casks of wine, which leads to a dark hallway and finally the crypt itself.

The crypt itself consists of a rectangular passageway lined with alcoves on either side. Thirty-two of them are occupied, closed with a stone slab and a bronze plaque listing the deeds and titles of priests and holy warriors of Lathander. At the far side of the rectangle, you make a grisly discovery. Two dead Zhentarim guards, as well as the body of some sort of horrid insectile monster. The corpses seem about a week old. There is a hole in the nearby wall. The perfectly smooth outline indicates it was bored by magic, though beyond appears to be a natural cavern that leads off into the darkness.
BelGareth
Following the runner, and seeing the guards lazily guarding the ruins of the former Lathanderite temple was cause for concern, but it got worse as they investigated the ruins, finding the cellar, and what was obviously the first members of a looting party being killed by whatever this monster was. He frowned, he wasn't in the mood to inspect a dead creature, but nodded to it with respect, two Zhents, nice.

He muttered a few words while touching everyone, he wasn't happy to be inside, and less so to investigate the tomb underneath a Lathander temple, so they would all respect it's solemnity, and he would help.

After that he transformed into his wolf form, growing tentacles out of his shoulders like a feral displacer beast, readying for action.

 
 Spoiler 

Cast  Pass with out trace  (lasts 4 hours)
Transform into Predator form, and use Morphic weapons to grow two tentacles, using a standard action each to grow.

 Jericho 
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
As the group makes their way down the stairs Delmuth calls out as his vision starts to fail him due to the darkness.  "Anyone mind making a light, I doubt we want to light a fire down here."  Once the light is lit Delmuth begins looking around the area, keeping an eye out for any forms of movement. The place remains dead however as they come across two dead Zhents and some dead bug.  "We should try to determine what this is."  he says ignoring the Zhents and instead focusing on the bug.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge checks 

Dungeon  (1d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Nature  (1d20+2)[ 5 ] 
 

 "From what I know about those who worshipped at this temple I doubt they had anything to do with this creature, more so being the proof of the natural cave, it was as likely to get them as it was the Zhents."  he says as he takes out a plain arrow and tries to puncture the creatures hide to see how difficult it would be.

 
 Spoiler: Attack vs dead creatures exoskeleton 
 (1d20+7)[ 21 ]  Also a spot check near the hole just to be sure they are not being watched  (1d20+13)[ 33 ]  Lastly a search check of the room  (1d20+11)[ 22 ] 
 
Cygnia
   "Guess something  bugged  them..."     The joke was low-hanging fruit, but Ganzaya eagerly plucked it.  Still, Ganzaya looked down at the corpse of the strange insect carefully.  This potential threat shouldn't be taken likely -- even if those slain were merely Zhents.  He sighed sadly anyways, jerking his head towards the dead men.     "Not even brave enough to take the corpses out and give their own men a burial. Should we worry about them becoming undead?"   
 
 Spoiler: Actions 

 (1d20+7)[ 8 ]  Know: Nature on the dead bug
 (1d20+7)[ 18 ]  Survival (Track) attempt
 
Auranghzeb
 I don't know much about undead, but these smell like they are beyond the turning into zombie thinks point. 

Says Udro, covering his mouth and nose with his scarf and clearly disgusted at the stench.

As the ranger pokes around the insect, Udro almost loses it, the nausea a bit too much. He composes himself.

 Let me look for traps. And be ready. 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Casting Ebon Eyes on himself to see in darkness and magical darkness. Duration 10min/level so 60 minutes. And then search  (1d20+12)[ 17 ] 
 
spectralphoenix
The chitinous monster is a Hook Horror, an aberration of nature that hunts underground. It's about nine feet tall and has arms that end in wicked hooks, beyond that you don't know much about it. A search of the area reveals no traps, though Ganzaya thinks there was a larger fight here. It appears that several other bodies were dragged off, implying more live Hook Horrors and more dead Zhents.
dantiesilva
 "Odd"  Delmuth says out loud to the others as he looks over the creature.  "This is a hooked horror, I have only heard about them before and from what I have been told they only hunt underground. This one being so high up, close to the sky seems very odd, as if something drove it here."  he explains to the others  "What is more odd is that the Zhents killed it and haven't come back down. Surly there cannot be more right?"  he says not seeing what Ganzaya did due to him studying the hook horror.
rax
 "Not so strange if there was a larger fight and the Zhents were, in fact, sent running. And now the constable wants to see if we can solve his monster issue without losing more men. It would not surprise me in the least if this is in aid of allowing him to loot whatever treasures may be hidden beneath the ruins,"  Faurgar pipes up.  "In any case, this beast seems unlikely to be the direct cause of the sleeping sickness." 
BelGareth
With his darkvision, Jericho was at home, and he got annoyed when the others bough out some light, he slinked to the edges of the light. Hearing the conversation, he growls low and begins to head into the cave structure.

 
 Spoiler 

 Jericho 
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits, Pass with out trace
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth accepts Faurgar's assessment as it wasn't like he knew much about these creatures. However before he could reply he heard Jericho give a low growl and make his way into the car complex.  "Well if that is the case seems we are about to go find out."  he says making his way to follow Jericho, trying to stay somewhere in the middle of the group. These creatures hunted underground and thus would be able to see in the dark better than he. It would thus be wise for him to stay with the group.
Auranghzeb
Udro shared Jericho's impatience, but he didn't growl, instead he spoke openly, as he was bound to do.


 Let Jericho and myself go slightly ahead, we can see in the darkness and won't draw as much attention as that torch will, at least for as long as my spell last. Then I'll be as useless in the dark as a bright colored feather hat. 



He moved next to jericho and ahead into the darkness. Matta, his weasel familiar reared its head from Udro's bag, sharing his Ebon Eyes and sniffing the air.
spectralphoenix
The air grows moist and cold as the party proceeds down the tunnel. After a few twists and turns, the cavern widens out and you find a circle of enormous mushrooms. Many of them seem odd and somehow undefinably corrupted.

Before you can properly investigate, however, squat shapes come charging out of the shadows! You are attacked by four dwarves, but they look and act like no dwarves you've ever seen. They dress in filthy kilts made of vines and are armed with crude bronze scimitars, while their maddened eyes and silent attack leaves no room for parley.

 
 Spoiler 

Roll Initiative and Spot checks! DC 24 to avoid being surprised - Jerico and Udro get +8 bonuses because they are scouting ahead without light.
 
dantiesilva
As the group walks down the tunnel Delmuth finds it odd that it grows colder, from what he knew the deeper you went underground the more the temperature stayed the same with very little fluctuation.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge (Nature)/Geography 
 Not sure which it would fall under for the temperature and if this would be considered odd. But also fishing to see if this would be a good place for mold to grow  (1d20+2)[ 8 ] 
 


As the cavern widens out Delmuth notes the odd mushrooms and says out loud to the others  "I have never seen mushrooms like this before they look corrupted compared to anything I have seen."  he says getting ready to examine them when he notices something moving out of the corner of his eyes, sadly these dwarves, for thats what he saw when they came charging, didn't give time for him to call out a warning as he had to get ready to defend himself from the coming warriors and their strange attire and weapons.
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il seemed to "hemm and haww" over whether or not her magical lights would be of any use.  Then, she said,   "Hmm... If you'd like to save that torch, I can produce magical lights for you to hold on it instead.  In fact, I'd prefer that.  Natural gases can seep into places like this, and once those come into contact with a flame, we're as good as dead from the explosion.  If the gas doesn't kill us first.  My lights last around  an hour ."    IF  the lights are accepted, she will create one.  Otherwise, she will hold her spell and move near to the torch-bearer.

  "And,"  She continued,  "While I am loath to use them in such a place for I doubt any malice comes from here that the Zhents didn't...  provoke ... I've spells on scrolls to open locked most locked doors and lock doors we want that way."  She seemed disgusted and uncomfortable at the prospect.

 
 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 The above was catch-up... I don't think Nanes-Il can do much outside of gasp, here...
 
Cygnia
   "BWHAH?!  Khelliara's eyes, what manner of men are these?!"    Shocked by the arrival of the strange dwarves and the threat they held, Ganzaya came up short for any sort of pun towards the situation.  His player, however, regrets nothing about the "short" joke.  😉
BelGareth
Jericho leaps at the lead dwarf, attacking with a bite.

 
 Spoiler 

  Bite  - (1d20+11)[ 28 ] 
  Damage  - (1d6+10)[ 11 ]  (P, S, &amp; B|Magical)

 Jericho 
M NG Half-Orc, the Dalelands Barbarian 1/Druid 4/Warhsaper 1
 Level  6,  Init  9,  HP  49/49,  Speed  40, 60 (in predator form)
 AC  19,  Touch  13,  Flat-footed  16
 Fort  7,  Ref  5,  Will  6
 Stats  Str 18, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 6
 Condition  Immune to stunning &amp; critical hits, Pass with out trace
 Abilities  Animal Devotion [1/1], belt of healing [3/3], anklets of translocation [2/2]
 
spectralphoenix
Jericho bites down on the first attacker and instantly discovers something is very wrong. Instead of flesh, the being is made of tough plantlike fibers which bleed a saplike substance that stings and numbs his mouth. He holds on and savages his opponent, who seems to think nothing of having his flesh torn by a monster wolf. Their charge disrupted, the two not-dwarves on the left attack him with their blades, with one scoring a hit. The other two charge Udro and Ganzaya - Udro is caught off guard and takes a painful wound on the side, while Ganzaya's reflexes allow him to avoid the worst of the attack but he still gets a smaller cut.

Whatever these things are, both their bodies and their blades are poisonous! Ganzaya can tough it out, but both Jericho and Udro feel their veins burn as the toxins follow up the initial assault.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Jericho takes a total of  13  damage
Udro takes  20  damage
Ganzaya takes  9  damage
One enemy is damaged but still seems functional.
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth watches as Jericho bites into one of the attacking dwarves and looks perplexed as his ally strikes true however blood doesn't come out as expected, but instead some sap like substance. The fact the dwarf didn't seem to react like a typical humanoid would from being attacked by something hiding in the dark showed the group something was very wrong here. However before he could warn the others to used ranged weapons to deal with these foes and not go into the strange mushroom area with open wounds the fighting had already begun as Udro and Ganzaya are struck by the strange creatures.

Unlike in the previous fights the group had been in before Delmuth wasted no time in using his normal arrows as he instead reached for the one with arrowhawk feather's for fletching. Those who knew the archer knew these were his adamantine arrows. And with that he fired off two arrows in quick succession at the foe facing Udro trying to distract it from his ally.

 
 Spoiler: Rapid shot 
Adamantine arrows
 (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 4 ] 
Attack 2  (1d20+9)[ 17 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 6 ] 
 
Auranghzeb
Udro felt the pangs of a critical wound, these plant-dwarves were not joking. He tried to identify whatevere they were while at the same time rolling back with an acrobatic tumble to safety and fired two scorching rays of flame that illuminated the dark passage.


 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Knowledge check: K.Arcana  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 
Tumble 15'  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] 

SCORCHING RAY! One ray vs my attacker, one ray to the closest enemy

 (1d20+6)[ 26 ]  vs touch AC  (4d6)[ 10 ]  fire

 (1d20+6)[ 13 ]  vs touch AC  (4d6)[ 10 ]  fire
 
spectralphoenix
Delmuth's arrows embed themselves in the plant-thing's flesh, then Udro's follow-up ignites it. It seems particularly vulnerable to the fire and collapses, burning and flailing.

Udro manages to put a name to the monstrosities as well. The strange beings are called nightshades or 'wood woses', and are elemental spirits of poisonous plants summoned to this plane in plantlike bodies. True knowledge of them would be in the realm of druids, though you have heard that some wizards can summon them using strange rituals.

All of this is academic for now, though, as the nightshades renew their attack. One rushes Faurgar but misses, while Ganzaya's opponent is joined by the other. Ganzya's foes find their marks, dealing a pair of poisonous blows to the beleaguered barbarian.

 
 Spoiler 

Faurgar takes no damage, Ganzaya takes two hits and fails one save for a total of  24  damage.
 
Auranghzeb
Udro vaguely remembers these creatures. As he suspected, fire is unsurprisingly effective, and that means he can inflict pain!


 Burn them! They will roast as bad weed 

He finds an angle to produce a  burst of flame behind two of the creatures attacking his allies.


 
 Spoiler: actions 

if possible, Udro will use Fiery Burst to catch two of the nightshades, if not possible he will affect only one.
 (2d6)[ 8 ]  fire damage in a 5' burst ref halves DC 15
 
Cygnia
Ganzaya roared in pain as whatever venom these weedwarves possessed hit his bloodstream.  Yet in his roar was an edge of anger that his allies knew was his rage fully activated.  The time for joking was over.  Now was the time for gratuitous violence.  Spittle now flying from his snarling mouth, the barbarian slashed his sap-ridden enemies...

 
 Spoiler: Action 

Free: activate RAGE (+4 to Str &amp; Con, +2 morale bonus to will saves, -2 to AC for 9 rounds)
Full attack on the wood wose who hit him.
Attack 1
 (1d20+13)[ 28 ] 
Dmg (if hit, slashing)
 (2d6+10)[ 12 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ]  (fire dmg from lesser energy assault crystal)
Attack 2
 (1d20+8)[ 20 ] 
Dmg (if hit, slashing)
 (2d6+10)[ 19 ] 
 (1d6)[ 4 ]  (fire from lesser energy assault crystal)
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth hears udro call out to burn the creatures and saw how successful such a tactic was however fire was not something he carried in his arsenal, at least not quickly as he did have oil for his lamp. Making a series of clicking sounds with his tongue his pet beagle stayed close to him, staying in between his legs instead of going on the attack as Delmuth activated one of his magical items. A ghostly white aura seemed to surround him for an instant as he was in one place one moment and in the next he was somewhere else, that same aura gone. Next he took his time, lined up his shoots, and fired two arrows in quick succession trying to take out the enemies facing Ganzaya now that he had put some distance between them and him.


 
 Spoiler: Rapid shot 
 Using my swift action to activate the Chronocharm of the Horizon walker moving half of my speed away from the enemies, the dog is doing the same. Followed up by a rapid shot attack

 (1d20+9)[ 21 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 4 ]  +  (2d6+2)[ 12 ]  Skirmish damage

Attack 2  (1d20+9)[ 21 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 6 ]  +  (2d6+2)[ 7 ] 

The +2 in skirmish damage comes from the boots every time he applies skirmish damage
 
rax
Twisting away from the plant dwarf's attack, Faurgar retaliates with a bone-crushing blow to the creature's head, even as his dark companion glides to the other side of his opponent and the energy from his eldritch curse seeks purchase on its mind and body.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
 Free action:  Direct dark companion so that it's adjacent to the nightshade attacking Faurgar (nightshade takes -2 penalty to AC and saves)

 Swift action:  Use hexblade's curse on the same nightshade (-2 penalty to attacks, damage, saves, ability and skill checks; Will DC 15 negates the effect)

 Full attack w/ +1 heavy flail:   (1d20+10)[ 29 ] ; damage  (1d10+5)[ 15 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 9 ] ; damage  (1d10+5)[ 8 ] 
 
SCARY WIZARD
With a look of contempt, Nanes-Il outstretches a hand and readies to discharge magical energy at the foes...

 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 Casting  magic missile  at the wood wose.

 Nanes-Il - Magic Missile - Fae Creature:   (3d4+3)[ 9 ] 
 
spectralphoenix
The party recovers from the initial shock of the attack and responds in kind. The enraged Ganzaya chops down one of his assailants, while Udro's fire, Delmuth's arrows, and Il-Nanes' magic accounts for the other. Faurgar trades vicious blows with his assailant, but the odd plantlike fibers of his opponent are less vulnerable than a human foe.

Only one nightshade remains, but it fights on madly.
 
 Spoiler 

Fuargar takes a total of  12  damage
 
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il positions herself as carefully as she can, and, if she is able, discharges a line of electrical magic at the Wood Wose.

 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 Discharging a  storm bolt  at the wood wose.  ONLY IF I DON'T HARM ALLIES, HOWEVER!  No friendly fire from us!

 Nanes-Il - Storm Bolt - Fae Creature:   (3d6)[ 11 ] 
 
Auranghzeb
Udro did a standing sommersault to the side, showing up his acrobatic abilities before unleashing Kelgore's Fire Bolt at the plant creature!


 
 Spoiler: [spoiler=Actions 
Swift activate Circlet of Mages (1 charge) to retain Kelgrore's Fire Bolt. Tumble  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Kelgore's Fire Bolt  (5d6)[ 13 ]  Ref DC 14/half
 
rax
Faurgar hisses in pain as the poison bites, but remains on his feet and strikes again at the creature.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Dark companion remains in place, inflicting -2 penalty to AC and saves.

 Full attack w/ +1 heavy flail:   (1d20+10)[ 18 ] ; damage  (1d10+5)[ 12 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 12 ] ; damage  (1d10+5)[ 11 ] 
 
Cygnia
   "RRRRRAAARRRGH! GANZAYA MULCHES  YOU , WEED!"     Twice more did the enraged barbarian's blade came down upon the bizarre plant-dwarf.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 

RAGE (+4 to Str &amp; Con, +2 morale bonus to will saves, -2 to AC for 8 rounds)
Attack 1
 (1d20+13)[ 24 ] 
Dmg (if hit, slashing)
 (2d6+10)[ 15 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ] (fire dmg from lesser energy assault crystal)

Attack 2
 (1d20+8)[ 18 ] 
Dmg (if hit, slashing)
 (2d6+10)[ 19 ] 
 (1d6)[ 5 ] (fire dmg from lesser energy assault crystal)
 
dantiesilva
Delmuth onces more fires off two arrows in quick succession knowing that his ability to pinpoint weak spots in an enemy would not help against his kind of enemy so dealing the most amount of damage he could to his enemies was the quickest way he could get his allies out of danger.

 
 Spoiler: Rapid shot 

Attack 1  (1d20+9)[ 17 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 7 ] 
Attack 2  (1d20+9)[ 25 ]  Damage  (1d6+2)[ 8 ] 
 
spectralphoenix
The last nightshade is brought low by the party's combined fury. The bodies decay before your eyes into a disgusting sludge, leaving nothing of value. The weird mushroom cavern continues into another passage. You can hear running water off in the distance.
dantiesilva
As the bodies decay in front of them Delmuth looks to the others worried, some of them had been hurt a lot more then others.  "Do you think you can keep going or should we stop and rest?"  he asked the others.
rax
 "My wounds are not so bad, but it looks like Ganzaya bore the worst of the assault. Unless someone here has access to magical healing, we run a serious risk of losing someone if we continue now,"  Faurgar offers his opinion.
SCARY WIZARD
   "I've got some potions to spare,"   Nanes-Il offers.  She looks down the passageway from her attending point as she teaches for the aid in her bag...    "Moderate healing, mostly.  While it won't regrow limbs, it will replace lost blood and keep it in place."  
Cygnia
   "RRRR...GANZAYA IS FINE!"   

Ganzaya was very much NOT fine.  One might argue he was never fine in normal situations.  But once his rage dropped, he would be feeling whatever wounds the wood woses had wought upon him.

   "GANZAYA WILL NOT TURN DOWN A DRINK OF HEALY-ADE. GANZAYA WILL NOT BE RUDE."   
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il gapes in amusement and awe, reaches into her backpack, gives Ganzaya a potion containing a red liquid with silvery flecks in it, and nods.    "It helps if you imagine you're testing a cup of Berduskan Black Brew, before adding the sugar...  Gods, I could use some of that, right now. "  
 Out of Character: Actions 
 
 Spoiler 
 Giving potion of cure moderate wounds  to Ganzaya.
 
Cygnia
 *CHUG!* 
 *CHUG!* 
 *CHUG!* 
   "BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPP!!!!"   

Ganzaya had no idea what Berduskan Black Brew was.  Then again, his people drank fermented mare's milk, so he wasn't one to talk about odd beverages.  Some, though not all, of his wounds closed over.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Made the roll in the OOC thread.  Healed for 12 HP.  Still down 15-19 HP depending on when the rage wears off.
 
SCARY WIZARD
Nanes-Il puts a hand on her hip and looks at her companion with an upraised eyebrow, much like a parent asking a boisterous child if they are quite through.