Chapter 10: Eye of the Storm

[Joe]

Streko wastes no time in deciding to do three things in consecutive order.

First, as his arm is already aimed at the ettin, he calls Olladra's name, and, as before, his Holy Symbol pulses. This time, however, a bright beam of light lashes out from the outstretched hand directly toward the two-headed giant.

Second, he calls out to Olladra and points Therendor at Condign. The Domino pulses again and sends a thin beam of flame at his comrade. It strikes the Tiefling and flows down into his blade, coating it in holy fire. However, a second beam lances out from Streko's Holy Symbol, stretching out and over Kalarian to engulf his dagger as well.

Third, Streko says, "Kalarian, when you have time. We are being watched by a cloaked individual at the 11th bell above."

____________________________________________________

STANDARD ACTION: Streko casts LANCE OF FAITH.

ATTACK: Roll(1d20)+7: 8,+7 Total:15
HIT: Roll(1d8)+4: 4,+4 Total:8
Condign gains +2 power bonus to his next roll against the Ettin.

MINOR ACTION: Streko casts BLADES OF HOLY FIRE.

The next time Kal and Condign hit before the end of the ENCOUNTER, that attack deals 1d6 extra fire and radiant damage.

FREE ACTION: Streko speaks in Halfling.

Rolled the WoTC dice roller as Invisible Castle is still down. Can't save it or such, as far as I know. If you would rather roll it on your own Jeff, that's fine. Mine was probably a miss anyway.

[Brian]

Team K

Condign watches as the innocent woman is crushed to death by the ettin. Bits of blood and flesh splatter his shield and legs. The screams of the other bystanders fills his ears, but his focus is on the ettin. Not only is it huge, it's stench. . . Condign is briefly reminded of his encounter with the otyugh.

"Why do all these creatures smell bad," he mutters. Then he brings his shield high, feinting a bash high into the monsters gut. He quickly bends his knees, dropping lower, and angles his blade up toward the creatures groin--if it even has one. He throws his right shoulder forward, building momentum, then thrusts his arm up as hard as he can manage. The blade slides deep into the crux of his legs, and the metal bracers on his wrists flare, sending fire down the blade and into the giant.

__________________________

Movement Action: none
Minor Action: Use Flame Bracers against the ettin
Standard Action: Use Bastion of Defense against ettin.

Attack Roll vs AC: Roll(1d20)+11: 11,+11 Total:22 +2 from Streko for 24
Damage Roll: Roll(3d10)+5: 3,10,2,+5 Total:20
Fire Bracer Damage: Roll(1d6)+0:1,+0 Total:1

Allies within 5 squares get 8 temp hp and +1 to defense rolls until the end of the encounter.

Same deal. Had the use the WotC dice roller.

[Darren]

Kal finds that unlike many of his past battles, he is not enjoying himself. No grin comes to his face. This battle is not a contest between warriors. It is a mad scramble for survival in the presence of innocent lives.

In Kal's mind, he sees small forms, Halflings, scattered about as their homes burn. Non-combatants caught up in the tide of war. He closes his eyes briefly to drive away the image....

When he opens them, he focuses that anger into energy that he sends hurtling through Skyfang and towards the ettin. A loud clap of thunder can be heard, despite the fact that it is a clear day.

________________
Kal will use Thunder Slam on the ettin. It's 1d20+8 vs. Fortitude. If it hits, it'll be 2d10+5 thunder damage and the ettin will be pushed three squares away from Kal (toward the wall).

If Kal gets his opportunity attack from Condign's actions last round, he will use Lightning Orb for his attack.

If the ettin decides to come after him and hits him, he'll use Dragonflame Mantle.

The effects from Streko's spell won't apply until next round since Kal goes first.

[Jeff]

Team B

The dwarven bodyguard eyes Shorak and his expression is grim and flat. But there's a hint of judgement there: We're not the same, drow, is how Shorak would interpret it, but that could be his own Stormreacher cynicism at work.

"Well, of course I know your name," says Belarin, speaking as Nerrin with a slightly exasperated tone. "As I said, I was recommended to your shop. 'Sorenn's shop' ... one person inside ... must be Sorenn, yes? Yes.

Sorenn shrugs. "I don't know the name of the local baker, and I've been going there for thirty years."

"Now then, two galifars. That includes the clothing for my 'forged, yes? If so, reasonable."

"No, you misremember. Seven. Five galifars for the warforged's surcoat, two for your selection." He says this without avarice, just simple math.

"I would like to conclude this transaction quickly and move along, in case that rumor about the Karrnathi psychopaths is true."

Sorenn waits for payment, having no reaction to Belarin's words. But Belarin does feel the dwarf bodyguard's gaze swivel over to him.

The dwarf woman hums to herself as she browses. Her conversation seems to have ended, or at least stalled.

[Dave B.]

Dec 29, 2011 12:30:21 GMT -4 Jeff said:

Team B

The dwarven bodyguard eyes Shorak and his expression is grim and flat. But there's a hint of judgement there: We're not the same, drow, is how Shorak would interpret it, but that could be his own Stormreacher cynicism at work.

Team B

Shorak just shrugs and smiles wryly to himself. He turns his attention towards Nerrin/Belarin and the shopkeeper, waiting for them to finish their transaction.

[Jeff]

Team K / Round 2

18 = Rinti
17 = Kal / Tangat
16 = Ettin's left side
15 = Streko
13 = Ettin's right side
9 = Condign

_________________

Rinti scrambles to the walkway above and makes her way cautiously north along the edge of the fight. But she's wary of continuing on; the size and speed of the ettin can bring it close very quickly.

Kal sends a magic shockwave roaring through the air but it seems to dissolve in a woosh when it hits the mighty ettin. Tangat continues to drag the armored woman back, out of the giant's reach.

Condign holds his shield ready, ready for a chop of the giant's club...but first the giant's nearest leg kicks out and hits him full-on. He isn't ready for that. The force of the ettin's kick sends him stumbling back, though he never loses his feet, and his back crashes against the nearest tent pole, snapping it. Whatever merchant once occupied this tent has already fled, and most of his wares have spilled to the ground anyway.

The tiefling looks back to see the etting rushing forward, keeping pace with him....and now the massive cudgel comes whistling down at him! Fortunately, it only clips him at the shoulder but it almost sends him to his knees. The rest of the club takes away another chunk of the vendor's tent.

Streko's next prayer sends a bolt of radiant light slashing towards the ettin, but it narrowly misses and vanishes in the air only a few feet past it. But with a follow-up gesture, Condign's sword and Kal's dagger suddenly blaze with white-hot, consecrated fire.

• Kal's attack (thunder slam) vs. ettin's Fortitude: 14 (miss)
• Ettin's left kicks (move action) at Condign; kick vs. Condign's Fortitude: 22 (hit) / Condign is pushed 1 square
• Ettin's left half's attack vs. Condign's AC: 28 (hit) / 9 damage to Condign
• Streko's attack (lance of faith) vs. ettin's Reflex defense: 15 (miss)
• Streko casts Blades of Holy Fire. The next time Condign and Kal hit before the end of the encounter, that attack deals 1d6 extra fire and radiant damage.

[/blockquote]The ettin's right head only now seems to come aware of Condign! Having been moved closer to him, it glares at him stupidly, then mumbles and swings the chunk of rock at his head. The tiefling sees it coming and raises his shield just in time. The rock impacts the steel shield with a painfully loud BANG! and sends agonizing vibrations through Condign's body. But the tiefling is far from bested.

He sinks his broadsword into the ettin's thigh, sending fire—red, worldly fire as well as white divine fire—chasing into the wound. The giant roars as its blood streams down the tiefling's right arm.

• The ettin's right half's attack vs. Condign's AC: 30 (hit) / 5 damage to Condign
• Condign's attack (bastion of defense) vs. ettin's AC: 22 +2 (combat advantage) = 24 (hit) / 20 damage to ettin and 1 fire damage and 5 fire/radiant damage.
• The ettin is bloodied.
• Allies within 5 squares get 8 temp hp and +1 to defense rolls until the end of the encounter.

The surviving Stormreach Guard takes advantage of your intervention and starts running!

"Coward!" Rinti dares to yell out after him.

[Ken]

Team B

Dec 29, 2011 12:30:21 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"No, you misremember. Seven. Five galifars for the warforged's surcoat, two for your selection." He says this without avarice, just simple math.

"Five for the surcoat?" Belarin says with wide eyes. "Four, surely. Else I might be more inclined to dress him in a burlap sack and save my money. I counter a total of six gold for the two items, Good Tailor."

Belarin is hoping to stretch the purchase for another minute, now that his bait has lured the bodyguard. As Sorenn ponders his counteroffer, he beckons to Shorak. When the drow approaches, he says in a nervous tone, "Shorak, your contacts have confirmed the Karrnathi ship's approach, yes? I want to be off the streets well before it docks."

[Darren]

Kal spares a quick glance up to the walkway. "Get moving, Rinti!" he yells admonishingly. Then he sees the ettin stumbling and now he grins. He flicks Skyfang almost casually towards the monster, letting another electrical orb fly towards it.

______________
Shouldn't Kal have gotten and Opportunity Attack from Condign's power when the ettin moved? I guess I don't understand that power....

Anyway, dice roller is still down, so Kal is using Lightning Orb on the ettin. 1d20+8 vs. Reflex. 1d10+7 electricity damage if it hits.

EDIT: +damage from Streko's spell

[Jeff]

Team B

"I am in no hurry to be rid of those garments," the old tailor says with a frown. "When you are ready to pay the correct amount, see me at my desk." He indicates a counter in the corner and turns to go there. Evidently, Sorenn is not the haggling type.

________________________

Darren, see the Q&A thread.

[Dave B.]

Dec 30, 2011 0:58:17 GMT -4 Ken said:

Team B

Belarin is hoping to stretch the purchase for another minute, now that his bait has lured the bodyguard. As Sorenn ponders his counteroffer, he beckons to Shorak. When the drow approaches, he says in a nervous tone, "Shorak, your contacts have confirmed the Karrnathi ship's approach, yes? I want to be off the streets well before it docks."

Team B

The half-drow moves towards Nerrin/Belarin. "Yes, Master Nerrin. The ship will be docking by nightfall, if not sooner."

[Brian]

Team K

Surprised, Condign grunts from the ettin's kick and tries to tuck into his landing, but brassy shards of pain still wrack his body when he collides with the stall. He hastily gains he feet--just in time to deflect most of the beast's second attack.

But he sees the blood flowing from the giant's wounds, and burns along the surface of its skin. It is surely weakening. Hopefully he can kill it before it kills him.

After a brief tiefling war cry, Condign lashes out at the ettin, striking high with his blade. Then with astonishing speed, he spins, dragging his broadsword behind him, and allowing the momentum to slice across the giant's chest. He finishes by bashing the monster with his shield, hoping to send to flying back.

_____________________

Minor Action: Inspiring Word on himself.
Standard Action: Viper's Strike on the ettin. Kal gets the opportunity attack if it shifts.

The attack roll is 1d20+12 vs AC
The damage roll is 1d10+5

Condign uses a healing surge and gets and additional 2d6 points of healing.

Action Point:
Standard Action: use Hold the Line on the ettin
Free Action: (if the last attack is a hit) use Bashing Shield on ettin

The attack roll is 1d20+12 vs AC
The damage roll is 1d10+5
If the shield bash is triggered, the ettin is pushed 1d4 squares back.

[Joe]

Streko growls low. "Kalarian, you are sending Rinti closer to the stranger above us. Be careful."

He then turns his full focus onto the Ettin. "May Olladra's wrath burn your twisted heart, foul creature!" He aims Therendor at the beats and feels Olladra's fury envelope him and leap out from the blade toward their enemy.
____________________________________________________

Streko casts LANCE OF FAITH. 1d20+7 to attackattack, 1d8+4 radiant damage if hit plus Condign gains +2 power bonus to his or her next attack against the Ettin.

[Dave W.]

Team B
At the burlap comment Redoubt shakes his head, lays his shield back down and starts removing the surcoat.

Dec 30, 2011 11:16:14 GMT -4 Dave B. said:

The half-drow moves towards Nerrin/Belarin. "Yes, Master Nerrin. The ship will be docking by nightfall, if not sooner."

"Ah, yes, the vampire's ship. I do strongly recommend we get off the streets before dark Master Nerrin. The creature may be hungry the first few nights after a lengthy journey with nothing but seamen to feed on."

[Ken]

Team B

Nerrin/Belarin nods curtly at Shorak's comment and then moves to re-engage the retreating Sorenn...

Dec 31, 2011 0:01:22 GMT -4 Dave W. said:

"Ah, yes, the vampire's ship. I do strongly recommend we get off the streets before dark, Master Nerrin. The creature may be hungry the first few nights after a lengthy journey with nothing but seamen to feed on."

Nerrin/Belarin glares at "Redoubt" and says, "Don't repeat that superstitious claptrap!" He glances almost embarrassingly at the newly arrived customers and mutters, "My apologies." He continues speaking to Adamant in chastising tones, "I've told you before! It's likely a cult -- gruesomely murderous by all accounts, no doubt -- but I won't waste more time correcting you, certainly not in public. Keep that expensive tabard you've chosen, Redoubt... we're leaving."

He hurriedly limps back toward Sorenn and says, "Fine. Seven gold total for the suit and tabard." He reaches into a belt pouch and lays the correct amount of coins on the counter. "Fine craftsmanship," he says quickly. He takes the suit and, beckoning Shorak and Adamant to follow, turns to leave the shop, though not so quickly that he couldn't be stopped by another person's question.

...and it takes nearly all of Belarin's talent for deception to avoid breaking into a grin.

[Jeff]

Team K / Round 3

18 = Rinti
17 = Kal / Tangat
16 = Ettin's left side
15 = Streko
13 = Ettin's right side
9 = Condign

_________________

Rinti sprints hard across the walkway, obviously terrified the ettin will smash away her path out from under her while she's high up. Meanwhile, Kal flicks another spell of lightning without moving a step. As it crackles through the air, the white-blue orb flares with white and yellow flames—courtesy of Streko's faith. The spell roars into the ettin, making it stagger and bellow further.

The ettin repositions himself around Condign, then kicks out again, and Condign spins away from the blow, avoiding it altogether....but he barely hears the giant's club as it whistles down at him and takes him full in the back. His breath is blasted out of him but he keeps his feet.

Streko throws another bolt of radiant light but misses again!

• Kal's attack (lightning orb) vs. ettin's Reflex: 21 (hit) / 13 electricity damage + 6 fire and radiant damage to ettin
• Ettin's left kicks (move action) at Condign; kick vs. Condign's Fortitude: 11 (miss)
• Ettin's left half's attack vs. Condign's AC: 21 (hit) / 14 damage to Condign
• Streko's attack (lance of faith) vs. ettin's Reflex defense: 13 (miss)

[/blockquote] The ettin's other half is fixed on Condign as well. He throws a glance up at Rinti running overhead, but doesn't seem to care—he kicks out with a grunt, perfectly coordinated only a second after his left leg tried to kick him. The foot catches Condign full-on and sends him stumbling back again. The ettin grunts again and follows, trying to smash him with the rock. "SMOOSH!" both heads roar in unison, this time actually forming a word in the Common tongue. But Condign throws his shield up in time and again keeps the rock from taking his head off.

The injured woman looks up from where Tangat has pulled her back. One arm still hangs, useless and painful-looking, but her other still cutches her battle axe and she props herself up with it. She looks with wonder up at Condign for his obvious valor—her eyes alight with admiration and gratitude, and very little fear. She almost gets to her feet.

Condign can also see now that she's a half-orc. Lower canines protrude slightly from her lips like tiny tusks, but her face is rather attractive. Condign has spent years living among orcs and half-orcs—almost as much as the humans of the Carrion Tribes. But he can still see the pain of her injuries haunting her expression.

Still, her look is encouraging, and Condign stands tall and sweeps his blade high. The tip of the broadsword reaches across the giant's chest, slicing deeper through its arc, until it sinks in toward its heart. The ettin screams with both heads and clutches at the wound...then lurches backward and topples hard and heavy to the ground!

• Ettin's right half kicks (move action) at Condign; kick vs. Condign's Fortitude: 22 (hit) / Condign is pushed 2 squares and the ettin moves 2 squares to follow
• Ettin's right half's attack vs. Condign's AC: 20 (miss)
• Condign uses inspiring word on himself. He heals 18 hit points.
• Condign's attack (viper's strike) vs. ettin's AC: 26 (hit) / 7 damage to ettin
• Condign spends an action point.
• Condign's attack (hold the line) vs. ettin's AC: 22 (hit) / 13 damage to ettin, and until the end of his next turn, allies adjacent to him gain a +2 power bonus to AC and cannot be pulled, pushed, or slid.
• The ettin is dying.

With the ettin toppled—thrashing, and blood now spurting out of the devastating wound Condign dealt it—everything else seems mostly still now and a hush falls over the remaining bystanders, who have already retreated to the corners of this area.

Your eyes are drawn up to the shape of Rinti, who has reached the edge of a building roof. She turns just in time to see the ettin fall. She grins, finally stopping as she realizes no further help will be needed—

And then she is grabbed by the figure in the brown cloak and pulled just out of sight beyond the sloping roof.

______________________

The battle is, for the moment, ended. Although you can't see Rinti, I've left her icon on the map so you can see where she and the cloaked figure where.

[Jeff]

Team B

When Belarin-as-Nerrin lays the gold coins down on the counter, Sorenn offers a professional but not unfriendly smile. "Thank you, good sir. I hope you come again."

When Belarin approaches the door, the dwarf bodyguard steps aside but watches him carefully. But the elderly dwarf, who stands nearby, meets the human's eye.

"What is this Karrnathi ship you speak of?" he asks with some interest.

The dwarf woman pauses in her gown perusal, seeming more curious that her uncle spoke to Belarin than the subject at hand.

_____________________

Belarin's out 7 gp, but his and Adamant's new clothes have been added to their inventories.

[Darren]

Kal smiles as the ettin falls, but his look quickly turns to fury as Rinti disappears. "Dammit to all the hells," he mutters as he steps casually forward....

...and with a loud boom of thunder he launches himself into the air, only to land on the rooftop where Rinti disappeared.

____________
Kal will use Thunder Leap to get to the new location.

If something sneak attacks him on the other end, he will use Dragonflame Mantle.

[Dave W.]

Team B
Redoubt stands still under Nerrin's verbal lashing. he turns to the dwarves, "I am sorry, I appear to be having an awkward day."

When coins are transferred, the warforged again shakes his head slowly. For the third time he sets down the heavy shield and light pack. He takes the grey surcoat up and again puts it on. 

[Dave B.]

Team B

Shorak was about to lead the way out of the shop, but upon hearing the older dwarf's question to Belarin/Nerrin, he stops.

He knows that Belarin/Nerrin will be reeling this fish in carefully, now that they've gotten a nibble at the bait.

[Joe]

Streko moves quickly to the injured warrior. "Is there anything you would have me do? Assist the giant? Save the Ettin before it is too late? I know not your ways, but am willing to help."

And then Kal disappears with a thump of displaced fury.

"By all the Holy Host, what now?" He glances up to the roof to see that the stranger is gone...as is their guide.

"Ah, Kalarian...you damn noble fool..." He looks for the other "guard" in their group.

"Condign! Are you well enough to climb and drag Kalarian back from the precipe? There are wounded and dying here. I feel, Olldra forgive me, conflicted."

[Ken]

Team B

Dec 31, 2011 17:28:46 GMT -4 Jeff said:

When Belarin approaches the door, the dwarf bodyguard steps aside but watches him carefully. But the elderly dwarf, who stands nearby, meets the human's eye.

"What is this Karrnathi ship you speak of?" he asks with some interest.

The dwarf woman pauses in her gown perusal, seeming more curious that her uncle spoke to Belarin than the subject at hand.

Belarin stops and gives the dwarf a startled look, as though Nerrin can't believe that someone is actually speaking to him. His posture becomes a little more guarded -- not in a suspicious sense, but in the manner of someone who is used to having to defend himself from strangers.

Seemingly assured by the dwarf's appearance that the fellow is a dwarf of good social standing, Belarin sighs and says in a soft, slightly hurried voice, "Before I left Sharn, there were several grisly murders -- the victims' throats were..." He glances at the female dwarf, nods courteously, and apparently decides to use more genteel language. "They bore the marks of a savage vampire attack, or so I was told. I assumed that claims of the undead being responsible were overblown -- my first source was a writer for the Inquisitive, after all -- but the gruesome details of the deaths were not. The authorities tracked the killers to a Karrnathi ship, yet not before the vessel left port. The next day, my transport left Sharn, and halfway here we spotted a Karrnathi ship behind us, matching the description of the killers' ship."

He looks around nervously before continuing. "I know not their numbers or their purpose in Stormreach, sir. I cannot be even absolutely sure that this Karrnathi ship IS the same one carrying the criminals. But I do know enough to be nervous about its approach, whether it carries cultists, psychopaths, or bah, vampires."

_____________________
If a Bluff check is warranted, Belarin will make it and add the +5 bonus from his beguiling tongue utility power.

[Brian]

Team K

Streko:

"Condign! Are you well enough to climb and drag Kalarian back from the precipe? There are wounded and dying here. I feel, Olldra forgive me, conflicted."

Panting, pain flaring though his body, Condign looks up--and sees Kal appear near the edge of the roof.

He shakes his head, gives a weary wave to the halfling, and then sprints a fast as he can after Kal.

_________________________

If he can, Big Red will try climbing up that wagon and onto the walkway above him. Then he'll run after Kal and Rinta.

If he needs an Athletics check, it's 1d20+6.

[Jeff]

Team K

Kal looks up considers one spell, then dismisses it for another. He moves clear of any innocents, then with a clap of thunder is launched gracefully into the air! The nearest bystanders gasp and fall back, and Kal feels the thrill of being a spectacle surge through him. Tangat barks out, but knowing he cannot follow his master, chooses to stay near Streko.

When Kallands again more than twenty feet higher than the ground, his boots clapping down on the smooth marble of the column, he finds that he's interrupting what would have been a brief interrogation. Possibly even an abduction.

The cloaked figure in brown is standing upon the shingles of a slanted rooftop. He has seized Rinti with one arm, and a knife blade is held up to her throat. Rinti's own knife is no longer at her belt, and he hands are empty. She's been disarmed.

"Who are they—?!" the man was demanding of her, but he stops abruptly. His voice sounds young, strong, but he's speaking intentionally with a raspy tone. Then he looks up, startled to see Kal almost upon them. Kal sees that a cloth has been drawn over most of his face to conceal his identity, but his eyes are exposed. Cold dark eyes study Kal, very obviously taking him seriously, as Kal has demonstrated a measure of his sorcerous power.

Rinti squeals as the man—who is clearly human, lean and strong—twirls her body around and then presses the edge of his very sharp-looking dagger up to the girl's throat. "This is very simple," the man says to Kal calmly, clearly reassessing the situation. "If you make any movement toward me, I will open this girl's throat. It will be..." Kal can't see it, but can almost hear the man's smile. "...messy."

Kal has faced enough enemies to know when he's looking at a professional soldier—as opposed to a professional killer.

Rinti's eyes are wide with terror, but she doesn't wimper, doesn't make a sound. She just looks up at Kal, as if wondering what he'll do, and if she's about to die.

Meanwhile, Condign has climbed up onto the nearest vendor's stall. Even hindered by his shield, he finds the climb managable, and then jumps up and pulls himself up to the walkway of rope and wood. It sways under his weight, but it seems quite strong. He reaches the first piece of column, now twenty feet above the street, and sees Kal halting a good ten feet away from Rinti, and the brown-cloaked man who's grabbed her and now holds her at knifepoint.

Streko:

"Is there anything you would have me do? Assist the giant? Save the Ettin before it is too late? I know not your ways, but am willing to help."

The half-woman seems unsteady on her feet, but her pride is clearly warring with her broken arm and she continues to prop herself upright with her battle axe. Her eyes widen when Kal soars into the air with the force of a thunder clap, then swivels her head to follow Condign when he races off to try and join his comrade. She looks back to Streko.

"No, the...." She looks to the dying etting, and tries feebly to point toward the hill giant who lies facedown across the street. "The hill giant...the ettin was his prisoner, or...something. I don't think he meant it to break loose." She makes a motion towards the long green rope which still lies strewn on the ground. "You're...a healer? If you can, save the giant. The one-headed one."

______________________________

• Kal uses Thunder Leap.
• Condign's Athletics check: 25 (success)

Note, Brian, that Condign didn't end up needing/using the bashing power of his shield yet. Just FYI.

[Jeff]

Team B

The old dwarf frowns at Belarin's words, which looks a lot like his normal expression. "Karrns," he says, then turns to face his niece and gives her a knowing look. She hasn't budged from where she is halfway across the shop, but she shrugs.

"A common Karrnathi stereotype," she says, clearly growing disinterested. "Vampires, ghouls...usually fiction."

"Aye," the old dwarf replies. "But the Karrns would definitely send someone. They're the last to arrive. But vampires...surely not. The question is, do these Karrns serve their king or their country's foul religions?"

Sorenn looks like he couldn't care less about any of this.

The female dwarf focuses more on her browsing than what her uncle is saying. She speaks quietly to herself. "I need something...sunny. The old matrons will be in somber colors..." She drifts over to a rack of golds, reds, and pinks. "Why not the colors of dawn? No, too stirring."

Something about what the dwarves what they were saying when they came in, what Belarin has triggered, and the fact that the dwarf woman seems inclined towards colors often associated with Dol Arrah catches Adamant's nondescript attention. He gets the very strong feeling that these dwarves may know a fair amount about recent arrivals, and he wonders if his goddess means for him to cross their path. By their very nature, travelers of varying nationalities from the Five Nations will be in competition with one another about...almost anything.

______________________

No Bluff needed for that, Ken. Yet. That was mostly truth, anyway.

I rolled some Insight checks, and Adamant's was fruitful.

[Darren]

Team K

Kal holds up his hands in front of him. One holds Skyfang, the other his sharrash. His hands are as open as possible while still holding the weapons, and he takes a slow step forward. "Don't do anything rash, my friend," he says calmly. With a nod towards the dying ettin, Kal takes another slow step forward. "You've seen what I'm capable of, and I don't even need to look back to know that my friends are headed this way right now. I wonder..." a small crackle of electricity dances up Skyfang's blade, "which one of us is quicker, do you think?"

Kal grins, but he lowers the hand holding the dagger. "No matter. I do not wish, nor do I intend to fight you. Release the girl, and then you are free to leave. Trust me, this is the best offer you are going to receive today. Be smart, soldier. You are outnumbered and outmatched."

________________

Beginning Intimidate or Diplomacy, whichever you think is more appropriate.

[Joe]

TEAM K

"No, the...." She looks to the dying etting, and tries feebly to point toward the hill giant who lies facedown across the street. "The hill giant...the ettin was his prisoner, or...something. I don't think he meant it to break loose." She makes a motion towards the long green rope which still lies strewn on the ground. "You're...a healer? If you can, save the giant. The one-headed one."

"As you wish, my lady." With that, Streko races to the side of the fallen giant. The one-headed one. He begins to treat his wounds and, at the very least, to stabilize him.

[Brian]

Team K

While Kal is talking with the man holding Rinti, Condign, as casually as he can, shifts his sword to his shield hand and pulls the twisted black rod from his belt. Then he prepares to use it on the man if Kal's efforts prove in vain.

[Dave W.]

Team B

Jan 1, 2012 19:17:13 GMT -4 Jeff said:

 " [dwarf woman] says, clearly growing disinterested. "Vampires, ghouls...usually fiction."

"i do not wish to annoy Master Nerris further but whether the ship  carries Karrnathi vampires or Karrnathi cultists who act like to be vampires, having ones throat torn out is never a pleasant end to the day."

The female dwarf focuses more on her browsing than what her uncle is saying. She speaks quietly to herself. "I need something...sunny. The old matrons will be in somber colors..."  She drifts over to a rack of golds, reds, and pinks. "Why not the colors of dawn? No, too stirring."

Adamant hears a faint echo of the Goddess in the dwarf's voice and turns towards her. He tries to work out what Dol Arrah wants him to do. He wishes his maker had given him Kal's skill with words.

Turning back to the elder dwarf, Adamant trusts the feeling of rightness, If I am meant to meet these people the words will be right. "I apologize but you say the Karrns  are the last to arrive. If I may, the last for what? We are here to find an opportunity, perhaps it is more than coincidence that we meet here?"

[Jeff]

Team B

"i do not wish to annoy Master Nerris further but whether the ship carries Karrnathi vampires or Karrnathi cultists who act like to be vampires, having ones throat torn out is never a pleasant end to the day.

"I apologize but you say the Karrns are the last to arrive. If I may, the last for what? We are here to find an opportunity, perhaps it is more than coincidence that we meet here?"

The dwarf woman smirks at Adamant. "There is plenty of opportunity in this city, but the best opportunities aren't for just anyone."

Her uncle looks only briefly at Adamant, then lowers his gaze, obviously a little uncomfortable discussing this topic right here and right now. Looking to Belarin, he says, "If you wish to avoid the dangers posed by this...err, ship, then stay close to your guards. Anything as vile as...well, vampires would probably keep with their own, surely. Southwatch is where Karrns tend to congregate. So just don't go there, eh?"

All in all, the Kundarak dwarves are clearly tight-lipped about this. But they know something, even Belarin and Shorak can sense that now.

The dwarven bodyguard now eyes the three of you even more carefully, now that you're speaking with his employers. There is warning in his glare.

_________________________

If you want to learn more, this is going to work a bit like a skill challenge. In essence, make a post based around a particular skill you want to try to use. Tell me what the skill is you'd like to use and try to back it up with enough dialogue to warrant the skill check. If you can get 4 successes before you get 2 failures, you'll succeed.

[Jeff]

Team K

Streko feels very small indeed when he approaches the fallen hill giant. It's probably over ten feet tall, and is more toned than an ogre, but even lying unconscious the halfling can't help but feel a little nervous. Old stories are full of giants, and they usually eat people. But he knows that's unlikely here...

He easily finds the wound that brought it low: a small crossbow bolt lodged into the jugular. Blood has pulled a little bit, but most likely it's poison which brought the giant down. He is reminded of the wyvern-riding sniper that nearly killed Captain Morsha.

It takes but a moment to remove the bolt, stem the flow, and apply a bandage. He begins to check on its other vitals. Tangat stays at Streko's side and whines, constantly looking in vain up toward the rooftops where Kal has gone.

• Streko's Heal check (1d20+14=24) (success)

Condign now has the rod in his grasp. He can think of better places to have three items—shield, sword, rod—in hand. Twenty feet off the ground on a rickety-looking wood-and-rope walkway isn't one of them. One again, he longs for a scabbard for his new broadsword.

The cloaked man's eyes narrow when Kal takes a step forward. When he takes a second step, the man's eyebrows go up. "Really? Let's talk, then." He straightens, slowly removes the blade from her throat, and shrugs.

He thrusts her forward as if to give her up to Kal, but at the last moment tightens his grip on her collar and swings her around him, using the momentum to launch himself in the opposite direction. The stranger is turning to run across the slanted roof, but Rinti is also stumbling towards the edge—and the twenty-foot drop into the alley below. She pinwheels her arms and cries out.

In that split second, Kal faces a choice: grab at Rinti to keep her falling (make a Dexterity check) or immediately give chase. Either way, the stranger clearly doesn't wish to stick around.

__________________________

Invisible Castle seems to be back up. For now.