Chapter 2: Rites of Passage

[Joe]

Streko reaches behind him with his sickle and whispers to Pel..."Take it!"

He hands the sickle to his changeling companion and steps into the room, stopping directly next to Taymra and opening his hands to show that there are no hidden weapons to be seen.

"Hoy! I am weaponless, my Lord. I merely seek to discover how it is that we might be able to amicably resolve these issues. I am not a d'Deneith soldier...or a d'Deneith anything for that matter. They do tend to be blustery and cocksure when they have no right to be. In any event, I wish no bloodshed, only the possibility of increasing my contacts across the world...and the coins in my purse. What you hold before you, my Lord, can be quite valuable to the right people. Might I propose a trade?"
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Streko is attempting diplomacy. Any search or spot checks that might assist him would be welcomed. Finally, if Streko feels as if the boy is going to die regardless, he will cast COMMAND on the soldier with the boy and order the soldier to SLEEP! I am hoping the spell is line of site and can get between the two soldiers standing between him and his target. He will then prepare his next spell and scream for Pel's assistance (and his sickle!).

[Josh]

In Phorem's Tower

"Think they'll pick something up for us, something...stiff? I could go for some Nightwood Ale right about now."

"Something tells me that bringing us snacks will be the last thing on their mind. They're certainly a capable group, but I wouldn't expect spontaneous acts of kindness."

Grafth takes the shard back from Phorem and returns it to his pack. He agrees with Dhaz, "Some Nightwood Ale would be quite nice... but I hesitate to go anywhere while the book is still open and unprotected. If something else were to happen, Phorem would be defenseless."

[Jeff]

In Phorem's Tower

"A solution is on its way for you as we speak, my young friends," Phorem says. "That is, pertaining to the book and keeping it safe...should you decide not to destroy it. I believe it is susceptible to destruction, despite some enchantments that have been placed on it to shield it from harm. But the book is your only lead, no? Your only means to say 'look, this is what someone is up to.' Perhaps you should bring it to someone with greater influence than I. Someone like a monarch or a high priest. Someone other than a wizard of skin and bones who can do little better than send messages.

"I could, perhaps, give you a letter of recommendation to take to someone else, though. But who would you trust to take this matter out of your hands? The Queen? The House Orien baron?"

[Josh]

In Phorem's Tower

"I could, perhaps, give you a letter of recommendation to take to someone else, though. But who would you trust to take this matter out of your hands? The Queen? The House Orien baron?"

Hmm... Well, I'm fairly certain we could trust someone who has everything to lose from a destabilization of power. Someone who gains more from the stability of their nation than from chaos. The note I received said that whatever was going to happen would "start" in Fairhaven...

"Perhaps meeting this man from Lyrander can help us identify the true nature of the enemy, thereby shedding light on our allies. From what I gather, the Silver Flame could be the ones on our side... but there's no way to be sure at the moment."

The shifter smiles grimly, "And then of course, even if we know who to side with, the question is, will we all agree?"

[Darren]

Kalarian grumbles at the situation placed before him. He looks over at Amal and says, "Stay up here. Gather Enan and the woman close together, and guard these stairs." Glaring at the brewer, he adds, "And keep an eye on him. If he tries to leave, feel free to run him through." To the brewer he says, "You and I will have words later."

Moving stiffly, Kalarian makes his way towards the stairs.

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If Kal hears the conversation from below well enough before he comes into sight of anyone down there, he will stop near the top of the stairs and out of view.

[Jeff]

"With pleasure, my lord," Amal says, eyeing the brewer dangerously.

"Just give me a single word of protest, rat, and I'll hack off the first limb!" Amal stands tall and grips his sword with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. He plays this part well.

Coron stays where he is.

Kal approaches the stairs. He doesn't hear the conversation below yet, but he sees the posture of Goran and Pel on the cellar stairs, gauging that there is a tense situation that a sudden intrusion might upset. Tangat growls low and quiet, nudging against Kal's leg at the same time, seeming happy to see him up again.

[Darren]

Staying near the top of the stairs, Kalarian gives a silent command to Tangat to go downstairs, carefully, drawing as little attention as possible, and to try to get as close as he can to the boy without causing any trouble.

[Lara]

Standing behind Streko, Pel grasps the sickle when it is handed to her. She holds it flat against her side, following Streko's lead to keep the weapon hidden. As the cleric speaks, she watches his audience, trying to judge how each will respond, with particular attention on the man holding the boy at knifepoint.

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Waiting for reaction from the bad guys... If fighting starts, Pel will most likely drop the sickle, with apologies to Streko later, in order to have her hands free to cast a spell.

[Jeff]

Once Streko reaches the floor beside Taymra, the Emerald Claw soldier in the back calls out: "You would test me, little man?" The soldier lowers his blade and draws it slowly across the boy's chest, splitting the simple cloth and drawing a line of blood. The boy struggles and starts to cry. "I said, not another step."

"Stop!" the Sentinel Marshal, Velhan, cries out. "Or I'll send you to Dolurrh myself!"

"But," the soldier says, "I assure you, your boy here will precede me."

At Streko's words, the soldier continues. "The trade has already been offered. You will hand over the book—you know the one that I speak of, so don't play dumb—and we will let this boy go. After you have departed. There is no offer of gold or payment."

Pel watches the man carefully. She's pretty sure he's willing to do anything, including killing the boy, to get what he needs. But his eyes flick to the ceiling nervously, perhaps wondering what became of his undead comrade who went above.

Tangat slowly creeps down the stairs, but everyone can see him. He stops on the landing just beside Pel, looking down into the cellar, his tail lowered, his ears straight up.

"If you try to negotiate anything besides what I'm telling you," the soldier says, "This boy will die. This whole scenario will turn ugly fast in any number of ways. So let's just cooperate, eh?"

[Darren]

Kal urges Tangat on. "Unless someone threatens to do something unless you stop, keep moving. Slowly..."

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Jeff, I don't suppose Kal's Message spell to Pel is still active, is it?

[Jeff]

It's still active, Darren. The spell will last 20 minutes and it hasn't even been 10 yet. He need only point and whisper to her.

[Darren]

Kalarian points his fingers towards Pellorien and Goran. "Answer no louder than a whisper, Pel. Do you think you can put the scum holding the boy down with your Sleep spell? If we can get the boy out of harm's way, and get a weapon to the Marshal, I promise you he will fight like all the devils of Khyber below combined."

[Joe]

Streko feels his stomach lurch with a depth of hatred he has rarely felt before.

"Let me make one thing very clear to you, so that there will be no misunderstanding. Your ghoul has been destroyed outright. You have no one left to come to your aid. My companions consist of not only of guards and members from House Deneith, but from House Orien and House Jorasco as well. If you harm the boy, you will die, personally, by my hands and your body will be burned to powder. Release the boy, allow him safe passge, unharmed, away from this cellar and surrender so that you might live."

Streko looks around the room. He glances at his companions, at the soldier whose son is in the bastard's hands. He slowly steps toward the man, his eyes on the enemy holding the boy.

"There is NO escape from this place. You can choose to live or die, but I promise you this. If you harm the boy any further, then by the Host I will personally ensure that you suffer for it. Allow the boy to go and we will talk as men, or fight as men as you see fit. That is the first decision to be made here."

Streko looks to the father's back and speaks to him directly as he approaches the man. He stops at the man's side, all the while his hands at his own sides unthreatening.

He glances down at the man and speaks directly to him.

"Be calm and let's work on saving your son's life. I will do everything in my power to ensure that he survives, but I can't do it alone. Do you understand?"

He looks back up at the enemy, taking all three soldier's measure. He catches the leader's eye and stares up at him without fear, just hatred meeting hatred.

"So, whoever you are, release the boy and we will talk."
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If the bastard makes another move on the boy, let me know if Streko has a shot at his COMMAND spell in terms of location and distance and such. If Pel's sleep spell works, Streko will race to get the boy out of harm's way. Otherwise, his primary objective will be to ensure that he has the ability to reach the boy and heal him of any wounds suffered first and dispense with justice second.

[Lara]

"I don't like the risk, but I'll try," Pel whispers in reply.

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I count 70 feet to the guy holding the boy, if I got the diagonals figured correctly. The spell is medium range (100 ft + extra per level). Pel's got to let go of Streko's sickle. I read the situation as too urgent to take a round to try Sleight of Hand to get rid of it and cast the spell the next round. And similar time constraints don't allow for tossing the sickle the marshal's way and then casting the spell. *sigh* OK, she'll have to drop the sickle towards the marshal (for whatever counts as towards) and cast the spell. If the guy responds to Streko's movement by harming the boy any further, she casts the spell immediately. He, um, doesn't look elven in any way, does he?

[Darren]

"Good, Pel. Follow the halfling's lead." Kalarian actually chuckles a bit. It's clear that he likes Streko more the more he gets to know him. "Goran, can you get a weapon to the Marshal as you go past? I will move down the stairs and support you with magic when the moment comes."

Silently, Kalarian again urges Tangat to move as close to the boy as he can without getting himself hurt.

[Jeff]

"Let me make one thing very clear to you, so that there will be no misunderstanding. Your ghoul has been destroyed outright. You have no one left to come to your aid. My companions consist of not only of guards and members from House Deneith, but from House Orien and House Jorasco as well. If you harm the boy, you will die, personally, by my hands and—"

This is as far as Streko gets, as the Emerald Claw commander's eyes grow cold as he looks back at the halfling, especially as Streko takes a step forward toward the Sentinel Marshal. He doesn't seem to notice Pel ready herself to cast a spell, but he's had enough...

"Defy the true sons of Karrnath, dog, and you suffer dearly for it! I have no interest trading words with Brelish slime and their wagging tongues any longer."

The soldier pulls the boy with him—still with a blade to his throat—as he steps back toward the space behind the row of stacked barrels beside him. "Kill them, lieutenant!" he shouts, presumably to one of his men.

The Emerald Claw soldiers burst into motion!

_____________________________

Combat has begun again! Joe, Streko's actions and spellwork, like everyone else's, will depend on initiative. This is the new initiative order:

21 = Kal
20 = Enemies
16 = Tangat
13 = Pel
7 = Streko / Goran
4 = Allies

Given that, go ahead and post your actions now. If you wish to delay until after another person's initiative count, that's fine. It'll just lower where you are in the order. Just say something like, "So-and-so will wait until Pel moves, then attack so-and-so."

Joe, the Command spell requires Streko be within 30 ft. of the target. See the spot directly in front of Velhan, the Sentinel Marshal (Ve)? He'd need to get to there, or closer, to target the Emerald Claw commander, which Streko can do on his turn, provided no one else gets in his way first and provided the commander doesn't move further away. It's a tough one, for sure.

Lara, Sleep is easily within range for Pel and she can definitely cast target the EC commander in this coming round now that caution has been thrown to the wind. Just let me know if she's moving anywhere as well.

[Jeff]

In Phorem's Tower

If something else were to happen, Phorem would be defenseless."

"Now see here, Graft," Phorem says with a grown-up's tone of voice. "I'm quite capable of protecting myself. I'm not half as young as you, but when I'm ready, I can throw spells that would make short work of devilspawn such as those lemures. I was doing spellwork for House Orien before you could lift a child's axe. Don't you worry on my account. But all the same, I'm happy to have company in this musty old tower."

Dhaz stares out one of the windows. "I'm feeling...anxious. Don't know how long they're gonna be. Maybe I should go see...."

His words trails off.

[Josh]

In Phorem's Tower

Looking flustered, Grafth explains, "Oh, I certainly have no doubt of your skills, nor of your knowledge. I merely was suggesting that should there be another surprise like the one before, three of us are better than one. Let's hope such things will not happen again."

"I'm feeling...anxious. Don't know how long they're gonna be. Maybe I should go see...."

"I agree, this waiting has me a bit on edge as well. I'm wondering if they'll return straight to the tower after dealing with Kalarian's lead, or if they'll instantly head off on another chase. Phorem, do you know when Matheu might return?"

"Ah, what to do... Dhaz, if you're feeling restless, perhaps you should make a quick sortie- to check up on our friends, and maybe to bring back lunch to the tower?"

[Jeremy]

Goran's gonna pull a "Legolas" here...

---

The Half-Elf whips an arrow from his quiver and in one motion slings it onto his bowstring, stretching it back and aiming at the soldier's arm which holds the knife (to the boy's throat, and of course in such a way that it would not pierce the boy if it hits the arm. He will err to the outside, preferring to miss his target entirely rather than hit the boy).

He growls, confident but not sneering,

"Your blade will fall from your hand before you can make the slightest move! And there are places I can hit you which are a lot worse than simply being slain..."


Goran WILL shoot, but only if absolutely necessary, in an effort to save the boy's life. Failing that, he will shoot to kill any of the E.C. bastards!

[Lara]

As the tension in the room increases, Pel waits no longer to cast a spell that she hopes will calm the source of the stress. She pitches the sickle on the floor in the marshal's direction, then a pinch of sand, a few quick gestures, and an arcane utterance are all it takes to make her magic work. After casting, she moves forward a few feet to put herself in a better position to gauge the effects of her spell and to react to the action that follows.
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If Pel gets a 5' step after casting, I'd like to move forward.

[Darren]

Muttering a curse, Kalarian yells to Amal. "Stay on guard!" Then he dashes down the stairs, removing his longsword from its sheath as he moves towards Velhan. "On your feet, Marshal! Fight for your boy!" As he gets next to the man, he hands the Marshal the longsword and prepares his sharrash for combat.

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Not sure what the gameplay actions are here. I know I can probably move that far, and taking out and handing off the longsword, I assume, are free actions. Can I do anything else? If so, I'll cast Magic Missle on the soldier holding the boy. If not, can I assume a defensive posture so that I'm more able to react if someone attacks me?

[Lara]

Do we need to review the rules on holding and readying your action?

[Jeff]

Sure, if you'd like:

Delaying
Readying An Action

But to ready an action, you still have to begin when your turn comes up in the round. And you cannot ready an action until combat has actually begun. Which it has starting with this round.

[Joe]

Streko points his left index finger at the nearest soldier, utters a prayer of gratitude to Olladra and speaks a single word loudly and clearly:

"FALL!"

In his right hand Streko holds his dagger ready to defend himself and fight.
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Contingencies: Streko will automatically defend himself in case of attack. If Pel's SLEEP spell works on the boy and the main guard, Streko's initial COMMAND spell will still apply to the closer guard to him, with the hopes that the Sentinel Marsahll will engage the other guard standing there (If he, too, isn't already asleep).

Streko's main concern, at this time, is rescuing the boy. That will be his primary goal. Once the boy is safe...well...once he is safe, the would be child-killer is his!! MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!

But seriously, once the boy is safe, Streko will assess the situation anew and take the appropriate actions at that time.

[Jeff]

ROUND 1

21 = Kal
20 = Enemies
16 = Tangat
13 = Pel
7 = Streko / Goran
4 = Allies
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Kal tears down the stairs as he shouts, rushing past Goran and Pel. He stops just before Velhan, tossing his longsword to the ground before the Sentinel Marshal (else he’ll have no hand free for a spell) even as he rattles off an offensive spell. The glowing dart of force arcs into the air, veers toward the far end, and slams into the Emerald Claw commander!

The man grunts under the impact, but seems far from injured. “Fool Deneith!” he retaliates, raising his blade and slamming the boy on the head with the hilt. The boy’s head lolls, his body slackens, and the commander drags him back out of sight behind the wall of stacked barrels.

The other soldiers jump into action. The one who’s stands with Taymra’s rapier at his throat (#1) turns to swipe her blade away with his arm, but she’s faster. Thrusting the blade at him, the tip scrapes along his neck and draws a line of blood. The man curses and turns away from her instead, running toward his fellows.

As the man passed Velhan, the paladin, still on his knees, reaches out with one arm and grabs the man’s leg with an angry shout. The Emerald Claw soldier crashes to the ground.

The remaining soldiers (#2 and #3) dash forward to engage the Sentinel Marshal and help their fellow. One man stabs out with his longsword, but the blade glances off Velhan’s armor-plated shoulder. The other pulls out a flask of red liquid. “For Karrnath!” he shouts, then hurls the glass container at one of the mixing vats. As soon as the glass shatters, there’s a strange, alchemical hissing sound and fire flares up, erupting along the vat and quickly catching on the adjacent vat. The scent of fermented liquid is joined by that of burnt wood.

Tangat bounds to the floor and races past Streko and Kal, intent upon the far side of the room, keeping away from the sudden flame. But the flashing blades of the Emerald Claw soldiers forces him to stop and avoid being skewered. In retaliation, he snarls and snaps at the nearest man (#3), but the dog’s teeth fail to penetrate the chain mail he wears.

With the commander beyond her sight, Pel dashes down the remaining steps and into the room in an attempt to get a better angle, but there is too much confusion at the center of the room blocking her path. She unleashes the spell, targeting the space just behind the soldiers to catch them in its grasp.

The furthest soldier (#2) grimaces against the sleep effect, but his comrade beside him (#3) drops like a sack full of flour, completely taken off guard by the changeling’s magic. He crumbles to the floor, fast asleep and quite helpless. You have seen Pel’s spell used now, and know that actually striking a sleeping victim will awaken him again.

Goran is unable to site down his intended target, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t sink an arrow into one of these men. He aims for the nearest man, who has no barriers in his way. With a loud twang, the arrow flashes thirty feet and drives clear through the chain mail covering his torso, sinking nearly the feather in his lower back. The Emerald Claw soldier, already half laying upon the ground, slackens and drops into unconsciousness.

With two soldiers down, only the remaining soldier—his smug look falters now—and the growing fire remains an obstacle in the room. Streko is able to run past the sleeping soldier to get closer to where the Emerald Claw commander disappeared. He gets just past the man before calling upon his goddess to deal with the remaining soldier. “Fall!” he shouts, and the man is magically compelled to obey. He drops to the ground, almost as though stricken with a sleep spell, but remains wide awake, prone on the floor.

Taymra’s dragonmark flares up a second time as she looks to the far end of the room, grips her rapier, and vanishes….nly to reappear over near the corner. Beside where she stood, Velhan grasps Kal’s longsword, leaps to his feet with a grunt, hurtles the prone forms of the Emerald Claw soldiers. He reaches the spot where Taymra has teleported to, turning to face what lies behind the wall of barrels. The Sentinel Marshal’s face is a mask of anger and despair.

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• Kal’s magic missile = 2 damage
  
• Commander’s attack: 10 (hit, 4 nonlethal damage)
  
• Taymra’s attack of opportunity = 16 (4 damage)
  
• Velhan’s attack of opportunity = 21 / Strength check 19 vs. soldier’s 9 (success) / soldier #1 falls prone
  
• Soldier #3’s attack: 10 (miss)
  
• Soldier #2’s attack: 10 (hit)
  
• Tangat’s attack: 12 + 2 = 14 (miss)
  
• Pel casts sleep, Will saves = soldier #2 (17, success), soldier #3 (1, failure, asleep!)
  
• Goran’s attack: 15 + 6 +4 (target is prone) +1 (within 30’) = 25 / damage is 8 + 2 = 10
  
• Streko casts command, Will save = soldier #3 (3, failures, falls prone for 1 round)
  

Note: I showed in the area of effect of Pel’s sleep spell in the map above, but the effect was instantaneous; it’s safe to pass through that area now that’s it’s cast.

[Darren]

Indicating the pile of soldiers on the ground, Kalarian says to Goran, "Watch them. Incapcitate them further if you can." Calling up the stairs, Kalarian shouts, "Amal! There is a fire down here. Tell the brewer that if he wants his building saved, he'd better get some water or some other way to stop these flames!" Then he moves forward towards Taymra and Velhan. Turning to Streko and Pel he says, "Only the commander matters right now. Let's go." When he reaches Velhan, he asks, "What is it, Marshal? What have they done?"

[Joe]

Streko looks at Tangat and smiles. He speaks, in halfling:

"Good boy, Tangat. Guard." He points to the soldier he has commanded to fall and speaks to Goran, Kal and Pel. "This guard will be free of my restraint very quickly. He needs to be incapacitated or at least guarded while we handle the commander."

With that, Streko goes BACK to get his sickle, making sure to replace his dagger into the haversack.

To Pel, he says:

"No need to give them the opportunity to have another weapon, is there?"

Streko takes his sickle and makes his way to the group about to confront the commander.

[Jeff]

Just a note, Darren and Joe. We're still in combat mode, so you probably won't accomplish all of what you posted.

[Joe]

Understood. Instead, Streko reaches back into his sack and removes his last TANGLEFOOT BAG and tosses it at the fallen soldier.

He will THEN proceed toward the back with his dagger in hand and congregate with Taymra and the Sentinel Marshall (and whoever heads that way) for the inevitable confrontation with the Emerald Claw Commander. Does that work for all?

"Goran, my friend? These Claw soldiers are all yours!"

[Darren]

Most of what Kal was doing was talking and then moving, so I figured it'd be okay. He's not moving towards the stairs to yell up to Amal, he's just yelling.