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I quickly scan the area for suitable cover to conceal myself as I'm sure that whatever I meet out here is not going to be friendly. If there is cover near enough to the group to eavesdrop then I will attempt to sneak as close as I can to hear.

Hide: D20+3=5+3=8
Move Silently: D20+2=3+2=5
Listen: D20+4=3+4=7

(Something tells me this isn't going to end well.)

Arvall.

''I see... so this harpyluft has become a heaven for heretics'' I act like if I was thinking deeply ''There is no need master orc for you to worry about us, will go to merchant landing on our own.. you must have better things to do than scort commoners like us'' I give him a light smile.

''As for the goblins, you could use them for subtle things.. try using them as scouts, their small size makes them harder to spot... you could figure out what lays ahead of you therefore have a even bigger edge on your ehm.. soon to be killed enemies''

Brauer Drudoc. (brim is a weasel not a badger )

''This is to be expected'' I say as a I almost lost my balance with one of the seaweeds.

''Brim stop looking at the gem I doubt we could carry it''

''I dont like.. wet and dark places we best move on''

''Well Raz we're in luck! I for one knows much of the draconic lenguage'' I puff with pride ''let me see what this says'' I sat while walking up to the inscription and begin deciphering it.

spot: 14+1=15

@Nvlutz, sorry about not getting to Khannon. Internet died for a while (thunderstorms). Thanks for the search checks, it is what I planned.

Khannon-

"Indeed, who caused this? What madman has the capability and wherewithal to conjure one of the more terrifying demons to our plane?"


Whistler-

Attack-
Voice Box
1d20+2
20+2 = 22
Shoulder
1d20+2
16+2 = 18


Since there's no damage I need to roll but I rolled a 20 on my attack, I'll do something slightly different and leave it up to you whether you allow it. If not, simply ignore this next bit-


Whistler lunges forward straight towards his throat with pin point accuracy, backing his other blade against Kelnoz's shoulder.

Perform Sinister Coup De Grace-
1d20+5
13+5 = 18

With just one or two millimeters away from Kelnoz's wind pipe and therefore his life, whistler morphs into Ariel and then the Demon Whistler. "I have your life in the palm of my hands," I say in a soft raspy, whistler voice. "Move, you die. Flinch, you die. Protest, you die. Are we clear?"

A drow of your status knows Drow Sign. So Do I, use it, left hand only," I remove my blade from his left shoulder and use the free hand to lock the door if I can reach it. "I'm going to ask you a question I've already asked you, but now I think I can get a more honest answer.

What would you do to obtain freedom from your wretched mother, or are you actually loyal?"

Ven'atar

And end well it doesn't...

The burly orc swings around and you hear him shout, "Haha! Boyz! We gots company. Gobbos fetch me so javelins.", The orc bellows out while extending his hand. The goblin return in their crammed chariot and skid across the muddy road almost dropping the quiver of javelins on their way.
He then whispers something to the goblins and pulls back his arm. ready to throw.

Brauer & Belfore

Brauer goes up to the inscription on the statue and reads it aloud.

"The guardian of the temple yeilds only to tribute or draconic strength, all else is unworthy."

Jarrackt

While you pull off a convincing nasal goblin voice you hear the goblin mutter to himself, "I wonder who that could be?"
You waste no time getting down most of the remaining stairs before the unseen goblin yells, "Intruder!"
A switch is flipped and the stairs immediately fold from steps into one flatish surface. But by this time you are near the end of the stairs and you just slide down the remaining few. Coming to a halt before getting into the pit.
The room is a roughly hewn dome decently lit with the slope behind you and a giant spiked pit in the centre. There are three stone pathways that lead into darker parts of the cave. To the path on your right there is the goblin running off after having thrown the switch to your immediate right.
But more importantly there is an goblin with a finely crafted bow at the other end of the pit and wearing a red hat which, while of goblin make, seems to be sewn together from a much larger piece of extravagant clothing, like a nobles robe.

The goblin postures himself boldly while not letting loose of his archer stance, "I am the fearful Veerick, master of teleportation. You have entered my domain and now all your belongings are mine! If you wish to have the key to escaping the cave you'll do as I say.", the weedy goblin proclaims.


map attached.

Arvall

"Hmmm I might just do dat...", the orc says scratching his chin.
You hear a rustle in the bushes to the left and you see the orc's ear twitch.
"Haha! Boyz! We gots company. Gobbos fetch me so javelins.", The orc bellows out while extending his hand. The goblin return in their crammed chariot and skid across the muddy road almost dropping the quiver of javelins on their way.
Then he whispers to some goblins, "How 'bout 3 of you fetch our little friend as I keep 'em occupied."
The orc Grins and pulls back his javelin arm, "Let's test yur theory."

Quick as a flash I draw my sword and break cover, heading towards the orc, sword at the ready to deflect the javelin that's sure to come my way. If I get close enough to the orc I attack, determined to kill it before it can call for reinforcements

Attack: D20+6=16+6=22
Damage: D6+2=5+2=7

Arvall

I look at how the events unfold, but keep my hand resting in my shortsword and prepare myself for action should things go against me or Cernd-ar

Brauer

''Well what do you think?'' I ask the rest of the group not knowing what to do.
then as a joke to Raz ''Well you do have draconic blood.. with dont you try forcing the gate open?''

Jarrackt:

"We shall not give you our stuff!" I'll shout then proceed to say "We have agreed to help the villagers stop you from troubling them. Either lay down your bow or face my Rapier."

I will start moving around the pit to the left trying to get to the goblin. just as far as i can and I'll point to Mao-Ling to go around after the Goblin.

Belfore:

"I'm assuming by tribute it probably means like... an offering of blood or some sort.... or maybe a symbol that belonged to the temple?"

I will try to recall of any Religious temples that were out on the island. Or Draconic creatures and maybe items that they worship. I'll also check the temple to see if I can tell what or who made it.

Check Religion: 16+4=20
Check Dungeonering: 9+2=11

Khannon

"Only two I can think of...", Melkior says grimly.
"Indeed.", The female star elf nods, "It was Gathais. We were able to figure it out since his pupil Ha'Teel led the assault."
"Who the heck are these two?", Dorry the halfing asks utterly confused.
"They are inquisitors", The star elf responds calmly, "From our information we figure there is only about 20 of them in total... however some are more well known than others."
"Well why the heck did I never hear of Ga-whachama and Ha-tea?", Dorry Bigrin asks.
"You aren't considered a big enough threat by the inquisition to be hunted down. Pray that you never do...", she responds calmly which instead raises a 'hmph', from the halfling.
"If you don't mind me asking, what Inquisitors do you know about? I've never met them, but I think it'd be best to at least be able to identify a threat in advanced.", The copper knight says.
"This is true enough...", The star elf rises and pries off some of the tacked up papers and places them on the table.

The head of the inquisition is "Lazarus Von Lector, we know this much for a fact. He used to be famous arch-bishop long ago, however he became twisted and serves Har'zack now for unknown reasons. His current where-abouts and his Astirax is unknown, but it is assumed that he is not even on this realm, but rather in some fortress on a completely different plane altogether."

"The main threat of the material plain is Gladius...", The star elf shoots a glance over at Melkior who remains expressionless, "... He is one of the few inquisitors who doesn't rely completely on magic. However he is an unparalleled swordsman and he rides a white horse of death. No one has ever been able to survive an encounter with him and remain alive. Although he can be spotted as having jet black armor on a white horse."

"The next most well known Inquisitor is Gathais. He is the most powerful wizard of the entire Inquisition, perhaps even more-so than Lazarus. He is mostly a politician who keeps all of the Albion nobility on both sides under his thumb. He has black hair and a broad build, he would be in his 40's by now and he is always seen with extravagant clothing and a his astirax, a black cat.
His pupil is a man called Ha'Teel, nobody is sure where he came from but he acts as Gathais' right hand man. Ha'Teel is often sent out to hunt down mages who oppose the inquisition. His Astirax is a large bloodhound."

"The final 3 are all nobles of various houses. In the city of Overdark where the drow fight for supremacy in the courts, two of their leaders Mistress Othoran and mistress Telflammar are inquisitors, although their powers and specialties are unknown. Othoran is said to have a jackle for an Astirax and Telflammar a giant spider.
Finally, the mindflayer Ph'ank Pharaz of the Western Albion royality is an inquisitor with, oddly enough, a boar for a companion. He is the leader of the 'Veil' house, meaning he rules over all the orcs and many of the knightly orders. However we have received intelligence saying that he is now dying of old age and soon will no longer be a threat."

The star elf takes a breather, "There are other inquisitors running about but we do not have enough solid information to be truly sure. The best warning signs are to see if they have an intelligent animal, and an onyx ring. All Inquisitors tend to have these two elements in some way shape or form. Gladius seems to be the only exception having the onyx shard imbedded in his helmet."

"Holy crap...", Dorry remarks, "Information overflow. Ring and a pet equals bad, that's the abridged version. We're good to go."

Melkior looks at the star elves, "However, how did this happen..."

"That's what we'd like to know.", The star elf says sadly, "They came for the artifacts, they couldn't kill us and we managed to fend them off, and will continue to do so. However, someone helping us is a traitor... the artifacts are in danger."
"We appreciate everyone's help in trying to fight off the shadow and we're sorry to have to do this. But we'll be safeguarding the artifacts at a different undisclosed location, nobody but our own can know of the place."

She then looks at you, "But do not worry, we have not forgotten our promise, we shall help you rebuild your home when the time is right."

She then nods to the copper knight, "And, we shall still have one of our agents protect your village.", to which the knight gives thanks.

"May I ask for one final favour?", Melkior says, "Our companion Rhag'nuul has been severely drained by the sunlight. Could you find a way to cure him?"

Then one of the star-elves walks forward, "I, Halfza, shall take care of the little one back in the material realm until he makes a full natural recovery."
To which Rhag'nuul smiles.

"Well that settles that", Dorry says now picking his fingernails with a dagger, "Now down to buisness... you called us because something big was going down and you're now talking about evacuating treasure out of here, so what's the job and what's my cut?"

The star elf looks at Melkior. Melkior steps forward and produces a map from thin air which he lays overtop of the scatterred notes and the other map already on the table.

"Right here... At the city of Annarith, something big is going down. There has been a giant influx of people arriving at the town, then suddenly vanishing without a trace. From what I understand their was a new temple built in the area and Inquisitor Ph'ank Pharaz was in the area shortly before all the trouble occurred.
Something big is going down. Something risky that they've waited until they had someone suicidal to do it... but at the same time even a suicidal illithid never just takes his life. They much prefer taking out half the globe with them. I don't care if he's inquisition, an illithid is an illithid, no matter how you slice it. So when he vanished just recently... I knew it was problem."

"Cool, so the evil squid is gone, what's the fuss?", Dorry says breaking the mood, "I mean seriously, isn't that a good thing for us?"

"Perhaps, but that place would be swarming with inquisition troops, not to mention black orcs and knights if this wasn't part of their plan.", Melkior continues.

I'll end it there, you can feel free to break in to the story flow and add whatever questions or comments you wish, I'll modify it from there.
Then let me know when you wish to continue and how Khannon feels about the situation.

Whistler

You lock the door.
Kelnoz is in complete shock, "aaahaaahaa... What are you-"
He stops himself. "I can't leave, if I do they kill my sister. A drow of my status and privileges could have easily escaped this wretched castle. Sure the barrens are bad, but I'd want to return to underdark anyways. But if I go missing she dies."

Whistler (still using drow sign)-

"Oh, which sister? The quiet and obedient one I was impersonating, the one who abandoned this place, or the obnoxious one I plan on killing myself anyways?

Keep in mind the only reason you are not dead is because you are not an immediate threat or person on the list of people I hate...politicians, nobles, wealthy squanderers, etc. I am a shapeshifter, assuming your form, after interacting with you so much in these past few days, would be effortless," I say shifting into his form, then back into Whistler. "So I'd think it's in your best interest to be completely honest."

"My first target is the blind chick from one of the other clans but make no mistake, after the wound she gave me, Syphile will die by my hands."

Khannon-

Will add as soon as I get the chance to read all of that (probably later tonight), so I'll just edit this post.

Ven'atar

With blinding speed you charge at the orc he is unable to release the javelin quick enough before you jump over the ditch onto the road and slice the orc's head clean off.

Meanwhile, a chariot loaded with about 50 goblins carts it's way towards you. The feral steed the orc was on, flips it's lid and begins rampaging squeeling and woofing as it tries to fling off the decapitated rider off of it's back.

One of the cloaked passangers, a half-elf with piecing light blue eyes seems to have his sword hand at the ready on a sword hidden in his cloak.

Brauer & Belfore

Belfore knows that the ancient people that used to inhabit this jungle island used to perform sacrifices to their ancient feather serpent god. They would either spill the blood of their own kind or offer the most beautiful of feathers to the god in hopes that it would be accepted into the dragon god's mane.

Belfore then examines the temple, from what you can tell, the temple itself was built out of brute strength labor. The giant gemstone and the temples sinking and rising nature though... you're not quite sure of.

Raz goes to wedge to bizzarre door open when he stops, "HEY MAGIC MAN... WHAT IS THIS RUNE ALL ABOUT?", the furyian says indicating a glowing glyph on the palm of the lizard statue.

Jarrackt

The goblin wastes no time letting his arrow fly at you.

16+3=19

1d4=3 damage!

You are struck in the chest by and arrow shot by the goblin. He then scampers off into the dark tunnel shouting, "Ve-a-leeth."
You waste no time jumping onto your tiger and ushering him forth around the pit on the left hand side.


Where did you want Mao-ling to go exactly?

Arvall

Within the blink of an eye a tall cloaked and masked figure leaps through the fields and decapitates the orc. Which makes his steed go simply ballistic in the meantime, the goblins crammed in their chariot race towards the masked figure.

Jarrackt:

I wanted him to go the opposite side as me to kinda sandwhich the goblin.

When we go down the tunnel the goblin went i want to go slow. as to not get completely caught off gaurd.

Arvall

I keep my hand on the shortsword as I see a man cut down the orc, then
i whisper to cernd ar ''Keep your weopon ready, if anyone tries to attack us we'll kill them...''

I keep watching the event unfold

Brauer.

''My oh my! a rune'' I ignore everything and everyone while I study the rune

Knowledge arcana: 8+10=18

I attempt to pull the corpse off the beast's back and quickly mount it, using whatever methods I can to stay on its back and calm it.
Grapple: D20+3=12+3=15
Handle Animal: D20+3=17+3=20

If I manage to stay mounted I'll turn to the half-elf

"I don't know why were talking to that orc, half-elf, but if those goblins get here they're as likely to try and kill you as they are me. So if I were you, I'd draw that pretty sword of yours and make some use of it when they arrive."

Turning back to face the fast approaching goblins, I shout out to them
"Stay where you are! I have slain your master and now ride his beast. Flee this place if you do not wish to meet the same end as the orc you so recently served."
Intimidate: D20+5=13+5=18

Ven'atar

You shout your warning to the half-elf who stands defensively in front of the other robed figure.
You holster your sword, slide gracefully under the rampaging beast grapple your arms around it's waist pommel horse around and kick the dead rider off of his mount and assume his position. You've handled far worse beasts than a crude orc steed in your underworld homeland and you consider how to keep the beast in control. You consider how an orc would tame a beast and come up with an idea.

You smash your fist into the side of the monsters face. It's dazed momentarily and after stumbling for a bit it's under your limited control. You try to not act completely surprised that it worked. As you draw your sword once more and shout at the goblins.
"Stay where you are! I have slain your master and now ride his beast. Flee this place if you do not wish to meet the same end as the orc you so recently served."

The goblins seem shaken but still they manage to open the side of their chariot to reveal 10 of the 50 goblins are armed with shortbows. The hold them in trembling hands as there leader tries to make out in trembling lips... "He's only one man, we can do this..."
You can easily ride off the road, out of the bow sights, and off of the road. You figure their crude chariot can't get past the ditch on the sides of the road without getting stuck.

Whistler

Kelnoz continues in drow sign "Mel'arnach, the missing sister isn't fully gone. For reasons unknown she failed the test and was turned into a terrible monster that is held in the basement. Also I believe we can be mutually beneficial to each other. The sister you were impersonating, Ariel, didn't wish to be part of her mother's empire and it was I who engineered her escape. As long as you remain here for the time being mother will not know of continued Ariel's disappearance."

Kelnoz stops then continues, "I'll be quiet for now and play along, but if any harm comes along to my sub-ordinates or if you risk putting my sister in danger I'll deal with you myself."

Jarrackt

You gesture to Mao-ling to move along the right hand side and converge at the other end of the pit.
The goblin disappears into the darkness and you try to follow him using your darkvision to pick him up from the stone walls. You and Mao-ling proceed cautiously moving away from the pit to avoid being pushed in.

+2 AC, -2 Attack for defensive stances as you advance forward slowly.

You think you might be able to make out where the goblin is when...

Listen: 5-1=4
11+3=14

An arrow suddenly hits you from behind. Thankfully it just ricochets harmlessly off your armor, but you are surprised by how quickly the goblin got behind you... yes the exact same goblin! You can tell since he has the same bizarre hat and bow.
The goblin gloats for abit, "You can't beat the mighty Veerik master of teleportation fool!"
The goblin has stood himself be the entrance on your NOW right, previously left, entrance. He's positioned himself to be right out of your path of a direct charge. An if you took the time to carefully maneuver into place to be able to attack him he'd just run off you imagine.

Arvall

The cloaked warrior suddenly turns to you and says, "I don't know why were talking to that orc, half-elf, but if those goblins get here they're as likely to try and kill you as they are me. So if I were you, I'd draw that pretty sword of yours and make some use of it when they arrive."

How was he able to tell your precise mixed heritage in this lighting? It's almost pitch black and you are mostly hidden in robes... Before you can question him the highwayman does some strange acrobatics and manages to kick off the dead orc rider and strap himself into the saddle of the beast and calm it down to a reasonable level.

He then shouts at the approaching goblin wagon, "Stay where you are! I have slain your master and now ride his beast. Flee this place if you do not wish to meet the same end as the orc you so recently served."

You are surprised by the road warrior's skill, stupidity and luck but are even more shocked that the goblins actually seem to be worried. But either way the goblins slide their chariot skidding it along it's side and the side panel falls off as 10 goblin pull out crudely fashioned bows.
"He's only one man, we can do this..." The squeeky goblin says. You realize if the rogue were to jump out of the way, the arrows would all be heading your way.

Brauer

You study the glowing glyph and recognize it to be complex junction of two spells the "animate object" spell and "Permanency" spell. You are not sure of the exact power of the spell or who cast it initially, but it's safe to say that it was probably built in the past back when far greater wizards than even yourself were around.
The only other thing you can tell is that it's activated once flesh, scales, or other medium to high carbon matter makes contact with the glyph.

Forgot the battlemap for Jarrackt.

Jarrackt:

I will charge the goblin. I will point to the other tunnels Mao-Ling is standing by to try and get ready for if he try's to teleport again.

attack roll= 16+2=18

damage= 4

Belfore:

"What does the rune do Brauer? Do you think it will open the temple?"

Realizing their fear, I wheel my mount to face them and charge, beating its flanks to force it to obey. In a final attempt to break them I cry out in Drow, hoping the cruelty of the language and its promise of torment will cow them.

"Doer lu'el, Gol srow. L'da're d'Vhaeraun laren dos ulu dosst haruk."
(Come and die, goblin scum. The arm of Vhaeraun calls you to oblivion.)

If they have not run away before I reach them, I commit myself to the attack, knowing that if they don't break quickly I will be overwhelmed

Attack: D20+6=15+6=21
Damage: D6+2=5+2=7

Khannon-

Khannon takes a while and digests the information given to him, and only responds at this point-

She then looks at you, "But do not worry, we have not forgotten our promise, we shall help you rebuild your home when the time is right."

"Don't worry yourself. The life of any creature is worth more than a few pounds of stone and ceramic."

"Cool, so the evil squid is gone, what's the fuss?", Dorry says breaking the mood, "I mean seriously, isn't that a good thing for us?"

"I've only ever heard stories of illithids and don't pretend to know what they even look like let alone what they're capable of, but from what I gather, they are a sentient race with a near godlike intelligence.

Someone capable of understanding the fundamentals of our world and the universe, it's at the very least suspicious if he suddenly just takes his own life. I highly doubt said illithid is actually dead."

I let them contnue.


Whistler-

I remove my blade from his throat but only to a distance of a couple of millimeters from his flesh, "See...now a ridiculous story like that makes it hard to trust you, but it can also make it undeniably easy; who could make up a story like that? A crazed man, a madman? You Kelnoz, I am not entirely convinced of your sanity after seeing what you would have to endure in a place like this.

Heh...but then again, you have some amazing balls to threaten me considering I had a blade inside your flesh just decimeters from taking your life. Alright, I'll play too," I say, shifting back into the servant and then invent a facade for Kelnoz to use. "My name is Tamar Krizotto, you hired me a few days ago to help keep the place tidy while the ceremonies take place. My position is only temporary, and my pay is inconsequential of course.

Prove to me I can trust you, prove to me you care more about the welfare of people, your sister, and not societal standards and politics. I know I'm going to hell when I die, but my reasons for killing are justified; so do not make me regret sparing you," I say, retracting the blades. I straighten my uniform, my hair, and bow to Kelnoz walking past him in a new voice, "It is an honor, sire!" And head to Syphile's room.

Arvall.

I get the urge to stick my blade in the stranger gut while he speaks to me...''such misfortune'' I whisper to myself.

''Fine I wanted to avoid a fight here.. but it seems we have no choice priest. Use your magic to shaken their will'' I tell Cernd ar... while I draw my shortsword. ''Sorry guardian but this filth is not worthy of your blade'' it's all I think while I draw the shortsword and leave the divine guardian resting in it's sheet.

I quickly dash forward leaving the priest to his magic, while I charge the goblins who are being attacked by the stranger and his new mount.

I shout to the goblins using their foul lenguage ''Flee you weaklings you have no hope of victory here!''

Intimidate 14+5=19

Regardless of their reaction I cut down which ever goblin gets in my range.
to hit: 1d20+7= 15+8=23
damage: 1d6+3= 4+3=7

Brauer Drudoc

''Dragons....dragons...dragons'' I walk around in circles thinking.

''oh yes!'' without Raz permision I grab his hand and pass it throught the magical glyph and look around if it had any effect.

Arvall.

I get the urge to stick my blade in the stranger gut while he speaks to me...''such misfortune'' I whisper to myself.

''Fine I wanted to avoid a fight here.. but it seems we have no choice priest. Use your magic to shaken their will'' I tell Cernd ar... while I draw my shortsword. ''Sorry guardian but this filth is not worthy of your blade'' it's all I think while I draw the shortsword and leave the divine guardian resting in it's sheet.

I quickly dash forward leaving the priest to his magic, while I charge the goblins who are being attacked by the stranger and his new mount.

I shout to the goblins using their foul lenguage ''Flee you weaklings you have no hope of victory here!''

Intimidate 14+5=19

Regardless of their reaction I cut down which ever goblin gets in my range.
to hit: 1d20+7= 15+8=23
damage: 1d6+3= 4+3=7

Brauer Drudoc

''Dragons....dragons...dragons'' I walk around in circles thinking.

''oh yes!'' without Raz permision I grab his hand and pass it throught the magical glyph and look around if it had any effect.