First watch<br/>At the gnome's offer of assistance, Lune shot him a hooded gaze momentarily as she seemed to weigh her options.  An irritated huff was given by the half-elf a moment later; while she was well-versed in the intricate workings of mechanical traps of various sorts, the same couldn't be said of a simple lock.  A problem she intended to correct in the future...assuming she still had a future outside of being a sacrifice to a kinky, disturbed breeding ritual.<strong>"Bane's Black Blood..."</strong>she murmured under her breath, once again cursing at how poorly things had turned out for her.<br/><br/>In this case, she had little choice but to accept help from a stranger.  Admittedly, there was almost no risk in her decision - the gnome wouldn't be able to get very far on his own so he would need her help to make it out of the cavern.  Still, her own helplessness in the situation seemed to grate on the half-elf's nerves.  However, it did not seem to overly affect Lune's decision-making ability.  Instead, the half-elf leaned in and spoke in low, hushed murmur to avoid being heard.<strong>"Okay, listen - this is my plan.  I was traveling with a party of adventurers; we were investigating the remains of a caravan we found on the road - a caravan I'm guessing you were a part of.  I was attempting to see if there were any survivors before I got caught.  The rest of the party should be setting out in my general direction once I don't return this morning so I'm hoping they reach us before noon.  So I'm passing the lockpick to you.  Get yourself free first, then work on my chains."</strong><br/><br/>With an air of reluctance, Lune dropped the lockpick in front of the gnome with a practiced flick of her wrist.  Her eyes sharply flitted around to make sure the lizardmen weren't watching them too closely.<strong>"But we'll pretend to still be chained down.  I doubt we'd get very far even if we were free and we'll only get one chance at this.  I'm guessing our moment to make our move is when the rest of my party arrives and provides the distraction we need to escape.  In the meantime, we'll both try and see if we can't figure out or spot where any of your or my gear might be.  Anything that might help in our chances when all the fighting breaks out. "</strong><br/>She then paused for a wry smile given at the one-legged gnome.<strong>"Or with how poor my luck has been, they'll end up getting lost and never make it here.  If that's the case, we'll make our move before the ritual is to start.  I've no desire to be a bridal sacrifice to their so-called god and I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy being a 'snack' very much either."</strong><br/><br/><strong> "I'm Lune, by the way.  What should I call you?"</strong><br/><br/><hr/>Tension was high in the camp as the party prepared for battle.  Breakfast had been a simple affair, cold rations eaten with little fanfare; Beatrice openly pouted about this 'barbarism'  as she termed it until Deon took it upon himself to feed the tiefling witch a few scraps by his own hand.  That seemed to please the witch immensely, who took it upon herself to seductively lick the cleric's fingers off one by one as a way of thanks while Elora looked on with a stern expression of disapproval for the witch and a pleading look at the Deon to rein in the harlot.<br/><br/>When her silent request was ignored, the elven paladin gave an angry huff and stamped off her right foot delicately and went off to don her full plate, her back stiff and straight with an air of offended pride.  Of course, that little outburst earned her the cleric's attention and Elora could feel the Deon's weighing gaze settle on her.  The sensation made her squirm a little before she resolutely vowed not to let the cleric's approval or disapproval determine her own feelings!  Of course, her determination didn't last long; it never seemed to when it came to things concerning Deon.<br/><br/>Soon enough, her anger faded at the cleric, leaving only a sense of vague shame at her  childish behavior.  Sneaking a sideways glance at the cleric, Elora fumbled with a leather strap of her full plate when she saw him staring directly at her with a strong set to his jaw, indicating his disapproval.  While she wanted to quickly look away, his brown eyes caught hers and held her in trembling breathlessness as Elora's chest tightened painfully.  Slowly, his gaze drifted from her eyes down to the little, leather-bound journal that sat by her side - one which he had provided this morning.  Then, his gaze bored into hers again as the elven paladin found she couldn't meet his gaze, her face flushing as she dropped her eyes down at the ground awkwardly.<br/><br/><em>"I won't!  I won't do what he wants!"</em>Elora rebelliously thought...but only for a moment or two.  She was no match for the cleric's newfound will.  Was it really only three months ago that she had been the one giving Deon orders?  Such a thought was almost an anathema to her now.<br/><br/>Shamefully, the elven paladin reluctantly paused in her preparation to pick up the little book with trembling fingers.  Silently, she opened the cover to the book and traced out the words 'Discipline Journal, Elora Androssi' on the first page.  Then, she reluctantly rose to her foot and dragged herself over to where the cleric was waiting expectantly.<strong>"S-sir...</strong>" Elora's voice was meek, her face flushed with embarrassment as she looked down at the ground.<strong>"May I please have the feather and ink?"</strong><br/><br/>Months ago, Deon had condensed all the writing supplies of the party's into his pack saying it made things simpler for the party if only one person were responsible.  No one, outside of Lune, had really protested at the time.  After all, Misty didn't know how to read or write and therefore didn't care and it seemed like a good idea at the time to Elora to listen to Deon's suggestion - especially since he gently smiled at her.  But now, red-faced and trembling, the elven paladin was regretting her earlier decision.  It was shaming enough to have to write in this book provided by the cleric, but to also need to beg for the writing implements to do so?  Elora's face felt as if it was on fire as Deon retrieved a quill and ink for her and placed them in her trembling hands.<br/><br/>And in a delicate cursive, Elora detailed her first failure for the day - her ears flushing a deeper and deeper pink as she wrote.<br/><br/><em> "1483 DR, 13th of Summertide (Morning): Behaving childishly, stamping foot and displaying temper."</em><br/><br/><strong>"Good girl,"</strong>Deon's approval made Elora's knees weak even as she felt him stroke at the tip of her left ear intimately, causing a gasp to escape from her lips, as she fidgeted her hips back and forth.  Raising her head, she looked in the cleric's face and seeing him smile again made the elven paladin tingle in her belly as she curled her toes in her boots as he expertly rubbed her ear, bringing up another breathless shudder from the elf and a fresh rubbing of her thighs.  The feather and ink were taken back silently as she quietly presented them to the cleric.<strong>"I'm glad you're setting such a good example for the other girls to follow, Elora.  Just as you will set another one later tonight."</strong>A brief kiss was given to her forehead as the elven paladin squirmed even more, her loins positively dripping, much to her shame, before she was given a pat on the head and a more firm pat to her bottom to send her along back to her preparations.<br/><br/>With her head whirling, Elora made her way back to her full plate.  She still felt conflicted, but there was now a warm glow in her stomach mixed with a tight, clenching anxiousness in the center of her chest.  She ignored both the snort of contempt from Misty, the female barbarian acting disinterested in the little book since she couldn't read or write, and the look of sharp inquisitiveness from Beatrice, the witch looking pointedly at the small book Elora  had clutched in her hands before looking back at Deon thoughtfully, obviously wondering what was contained within.<br/><br/>Elora, of course, pointedly ignored both of them.<br/><br/>After all, she liked being a good girl.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Traveling quickly from the trail back to the edge of the swamp, the party dismounted and secured their mounts nearby.  Hopefully, they would still be there when they returned.  Of course, Deon was correct in his assessment, their horses were only a hindrance in the marsh.  It was also the cleric's suggestion that Misty take point since her heavier weight would be a good test to ensure the marshy ground was also safe for Elora in her full plate to trod upon.  They did not want an earlier repeat of what happened when they had been ambushed by the lizardmen.<br/><br/>The tracks Lune used were easy enough to find and follow, Misty moving ahead of the party about the length of a shortbow's shot.  The female barbarian navigated the marsh adeptly, her greataxe out and at ready, her eyes alert and bright as she seemed eager for battle.  The next person in the party was Elora, 'Mehgen' and her shield at ready, making sure that she was covering Deon at all times...and when it was appropriate, also providing cover for Beatrice in a begrudging fashion.  The tiefling witch was next in line, bound and secured by the hated sorceress' collar, looking very much like a prisoner with her hands bound behind her back and a gag clenched between her teeth.  However, the restraints did little to stop her from swaying her hips back and forth seductively at the cleric, her tail raising the hem of her tattered skirt to give Deon a unhindered view of her bare hindquarters which flexed and clenched, almost to "smile" at him seductively.  Thankfully, none of the other girls noticed this or another heated argument would have broken out on who should be the closest to Deon in the party.<br/><br/>[spoilers=OOC:]Misty's Spot: 12+4 = 16[/spoilers]<br/><br/>Suddenly, Misty stiffened and held up a hand for the party to halt.  Then, she raised two fingers to signal there were two lizardmen nearby.  Then, instead of waiting for orders or instruction, the female barbarian gave a savage grin, tightening her grip on the greataxe, before giving a battlecry and plunging forward onto the pair of unsuspecting lizardmen.  With a large swing, she cut one savagely down as the second lizardman fumbled for his weapon, caught by surprise.  Her following swing missed, though her axe tore out a sizable chunk of the trunk of a tree besides the lizardman, who decided to flee rather than face the laughing barbarian as Misty gave him chase.<br/><br/><strong>"Torm's...!"</strong>Elora bit off her curse midway at the female barbarian's foolishness even as she prepared to follow Misty's reckless charge.  No sense in recording another failure in her little book.  Though she certainly planned on confronting Misty once this battle was over.  Her belligerent attitude was going to get the entire party killed, one way or another, and as the leader, Elora couldn't allow that!<strong>"Sir!  Please prepare for battle!"</strong>The elven paladin shouted even as she stormed ahead, making sure to still provide cover for both Deon and Beatrice with her shield.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Misty chased the lizardman back to the entrance of the cave before cutting him down with a strike from her greataxe.<em>"Coward!"</em>was her only disgusted thought at her opponent.  The lizardman had never even turned to face her, too busy fleeing for its life before being struck down from behind.  Certainly not the way that Misty planned on facing her end!   Laughing uproariously as she shook the edge of the gleaming blade free of excess blood, the female barbarian raised the greataxe above her head and bellowed out her challenge into the cave.<strong>"Send your strongest to fight me!  I'll send his head up to Tempus as an offering!!"</strong>Another loud laugh rumbled from the barbarian as she stood before the entrance of the cavern.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC: Character Advancement</div><div class="spoiler_body"> Elora - gained +3 on her Arousal Slider for 'Submission'.  Spent 2500 XP to gain the Feat: Submit to Correction.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC: Party's Intent and Actions</div><div class="spoiler_body">  Misty will wait at the entrance of the cave for 1 round.  Afterward, she will enter the cavern deeper, using her move action, still shouting her challenge, until she encounter lizardmen.  Upon seeing lizardmen, she will use rage and target the nearest one provided any will face her. [+9 Attack/ 1d12+9 damage]<br/>     <br/>     Elora will preserve the party formation, making sure she is in front of Deon to provide partial cover for ranged attacks [20% miss chance for Deon].  When/if the party catches up with Misty [within 30 ft], she will activate her Law and Protection devotions as free actions [+11 Attack Bonus/1d8+3 damage] for Elora, +3 sacred AC bonus for the entire party.<br/>     <br/>    Lune will have used either her Spot (+7) to see if she can see her equipment (her shortbow primarily).  Or if they aren't visible, she would converse with the gnome to logically puzzle out the location of their equipment.  Intelligence Check (+3 + any bonus from gnome).  She will make her move during the ruckus Misty is causing to get her equipment and help the gnome (assuming the lock-picking worked)<br/>    <br/>    Beatrice will cast these following spells depending on the circumstance: <br/>    1) Kelgore's Grave Mist - 20 ft by 20 ft mist.  Any in the mist take 1d6 cold damage plus are fatigued (-2 Str/-2 Dex, cannot charge/run). 1 round/level (4 rounds) No save.  [Beatrice will use this as crowd control against the ranged skirmishers they faced last time.]<br/>    2) Power Word: Pain - 1d6 damage per round.  No save.  Duration depends on hit points of the enemy.  Less than 50 hp, 4d4 rounds, 50-75 hp, 2d4 rounds, 76-100 hp, 1d4 rounds. [Beatrice will use this against enemy spellcasters to bring them down plus force them to make Concentration checks. Or once the spellcasters are down, she will use this against 'leader' enemies]<br/>    3) Sleep, Will Save DC: 15, 10 ft radius burst.  Affects 4 HD worth of creatures, starting with the weakest first.  [Beatrice will use this as further crowd control/mop-up if needed in this particular battle.<br/>    <br/>    Spells Prepared:<br/>    0-Level: Read Magic, Arcane Mark, Detect Magic, Prestigitation<br/>    1-Level: Power Word Pain (NS)x2, Sleep (Will: 15)x2 <br/>    2-Level: Escalating Enfeeblement (NS), Kelgore's Grave Mist (NS)x2<br/>Domain:<br/>0-Level: Daze (Will: 14), 1-Level: Charm Person (Will: 15), 2-Level: Tasha's Hideous Laughter (Will: 16)<br/>   </div></div><br/><br/><br/><br/><strong> "I'm Lune, by the way.  What should I call you?"</strong><br/><br/>“I’m Kayvos, Kayvos Keystone. Craftsman of fine goods. Usually, I would spend more time chatting to a lovely lady like yourself...” The gnome gestured at Lune’s dress – or lack thereof – before continuing on. “…but I’m afraid this is neither the time nor the place. I hope your friends like to make a dramatic entrance. Because our time is running out: noon is coming.” He said and looked up at the sky through the narrow opening in the ceiling.<br/><br/>The lizardmen seemed to be occupied with the preparations for their ritual – and meal – and paid their captives little attention. “Hey, do you know where they stashed my bow and clothes?” Lune whispered. The gear was nowhere to be seen.<br/><br/>[OOC]Lockpicking 3+10 < DC20, lockpicking failed. [/OOC]<br/><br/>“Just a moment...” Kayvos said as he worked Lune’s lockpick around in the simple lock that kept him chained to the sacrificial stone. “Beshaba’s Buttocks!” He cursed under his breath when he slipped and the pin he had pushed aside clicked back. “Stop distracting me! This is a simple lock. Just two pins, no guard. I could open this easily if you would just stop pestering me. If you must know, I last saw your stuff in the room with the cage. I have no idea where they took it, but I know that this cave isn’t<em>that</em>big.”<br/><br/>A pair of lizardman came by, draping more leaves and flowers around the sacrificial stone and Kayvos quickly hid the lockpick in his sleeve. When they were done, a small procession arrived: The lizardmen shaman, flanked by a pair of assistants – Lune recognized them as the ones who had dressed and painted her body – followed by a few of the smaller lizards who immediately busied themselves cleaning the ceremonial chamber. The priest carried an earthen bowl between his scaly fingers. He spoke a few words in prayer to Semuanya, their hermaphroditic deity, and asked him – or her – to grant them fertility and swell their numbers. The shaman made a gesture and the assistants seized Lune. Bound as she was, there was little she could do to resist them… though she tried her best to keep her mouth clenched shut as they tried to force it open. The contents of the bowl looked… weird… to say the least. It was a colorful brew, and the colors<em>swirled</em>before Lune’s eyes.<br/><br/>[OOC] Lune, strength 11+0<br/>Lizardman, 16+1+2(assistance)<br/>->They successfully make her drink.<br/>[/OOC]<br/><br/>Lune coughed and gasped for air when the lizardmen finally let off and she slumped back into her chains. She felt horribly helpless without her freedom, her bow or, hard as it was to admit it: her<em>friends</em>. The lizardmen brew warmed her stomach and Lune’s tongue felt on fire. Whatever else it was, it sure was<em>spicy</em>.<br/><br/>As the shaman and his entourage turned to leave, a pitiful wail carried down the cavern, a lizardman’s death rattle followed by a bestial roar and a crude challenge. The lizardmen looked worried and skittered this way and that before the shaman managed to restore a semblance of order. A decorated warrior rushed into the ceremonial chamber and escorted the priest and his entourage from the ceremonial cavern.<br/><br/>“Yeah, hide behind your shields and your warriors. It won’t help you. Misty is going to kick your scaly asses.” Lune said with a satisfied grin forming on her lips.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The Lizardmen didn’t seem keen on answering Misty’s challenge. The cave entrance stood empty and silent, though there were some noises coming from deeper down. After waiting just long enough to catch her breath from the chase, Misty advanced, axe in hand.<br/><br/>Turn 1<br/>Misty spot 3+4 ->nothing<br/>Misty  reflex save 1+3=4<DC15<br/>Misty is<em>entangled</em>in the large net trap the lizardmen have put into place.<br/><br/>Turn 2<br/>Lizardman skirmisher ↗ Misty = 3dam<br/>Lizardman skirmisher ↗ Misty = 1dam<br/>Lizardman skirmisher ↗ Misty = miss<br/>Lizardman skirmisher ↗ Misty = miss<br/>Lizardman skirmisher ↗ Misty = miss<br/>(free) Misty rage<br/>Misty strength 16+6>DC20  -> Misty rips through the net.<br/><br/>Turn 3<br/>Misty ⚔ Lizardman skirmisher = ☠  (Charge 3 +9 +2 ->hit, 3+9=12 dam)<br/>Lizardman skirmisher = run<br/>(opportunity) Misty ⚔ Lizardman skirmisher = ☠  (12 +9 +2 ->hit, 2+9=11 dam)<br/>Lizardman skirmisher = run<br/>Lizardman skirmisher = run<br/>Lizardman skirmisher = run<br/><br/>As Misty entered the main cavern, a large net dropped down on her from the ceiling. It wasn’t the most sophisticated trap but then again, it wasn’t the most sophisticated prey, either. The barbarian roared as the lizardmen used the opportunity to pelt her with darts from a safe distance… but their glee was short lived as Misty simply<em>tore</em>through the crude ropes that formed the net. Shortly, she had reached the first of the skirmishers and her axe came down in a thundering arc, splitting the shield that was raised for defence – and the lizarfolk hiding behind it – in two. Seeing the hopelessness of their situation, the skirmishers broke and ran but Misty managed to crush another one against the wall just as it ran past her.<br/><hr/><br/>Elora caught up just as the barbarian stormed deeper into the cave. The remains of a large net covered the floor along with the remains of two unfortunate lizardfolk. Beatrice stumbled on the uneven footing as Deon pushed her along in front of him. “We still have the surprise.” He told Elora. “Drive through them! We have to get to Lune before they realize what is happening. Otherwise, they could use her as a hostage.”<br/><br/>“<em>If</em>she is alive…” Beatrice added and her tone made it clear that she wouldn’t be too sad if that wasn’t the case. Deon had removed her gag to make her ready for spellcasting, though her hands were still restrained. The witch had cast her spells this morning, and was brimming with dark energy. All that was needed was the final word, the final gesture, and their power would be released. She was dangerous, and he handled her like a weapon.<br/><br/>Ahead of them, the lizardmen seemed to try and make a stand in the narrow corridor. Slow them down, at least, until the tribe could be rallied. Crude spears pointed outwards from the group of perhaps a dozen lizardmen standing three ranks deep and blocking the corridor completely.<br/><br/>“Spears! We will smoke them out! Hold it!” Deon instructed. A key clacked in Beatrice shackles and he turned the witch towards the enemy. “Do it!” He told her. The air danced to Beatrice’s words and gestures as Kelgore’s Grave Mist rose from the cracks, seeping into the pores of every living thing and<em>quenching</em>its flame of life.<br/><br/>Heedless of the danger, Misty laughed a mad laugh and raised her axe for the charge.<br/><br/>“Hold it! They have good positions and the death mist is coming. Hold it!” The priest repeated more agitated but it was to no avail. Deon turned to Elora. “Hold<em>her</em>!” he ordered.<br/>