Into the Lair

[rredmond]

The swamp man turns his grief filled face up to Ankhar. He stares at Ankhar for a few moments. Just above a whisper he says "You killed everyone, they are all dead. Everyone. The goddess will be angry and you will pay. All of you will pay for this." As he says these last words he looks towards the others in the room. He then continues mourning, indifferent to the party.

"Um," whispers Nuonne uncertainly to Ankhar, lowering the bow a bit, "should we tie him up or something? Not sure if we can get any useful information from him..."

[dramaman]

Hearing the swamp man's words, Etruna kneels before him and softly speaks trying to be deferential, "The strength of your faith and love for your goddess touches my heart. We acted to protect ourselves, but if we have angered your goddess, it is because we do not know her. Please teach us of her and perhaps we might seek her pardon and worship her." To the others she announces, "Let us not harm this man. If we have done wrong, we must listen to him and seek the forgiveness of his goddess."

[Argennian]

"Calm down Kraden, I have seen men survive worse. besides you still must introduce me to your mentor I have some questions for him so I forbid you to die.

We have to be weary of reinforcements I am going up top to see what I can do about setting up a few surprises for anyone else coming down this way."

Kraden is at first awestruck at the half-orc's comments then seems to calm down and control his breathing better. He clears his throat and holds his chin up a bit higher. "You are right, of course, Rondar. I will despair no longer. If I still draw breath, can I not cover this intersection while you go above? I will listen for your call here at the bottom of the stair if you are waylaid."

Rondar heads topside to look at setting traps around the stairs entrance way.

Kraden crawls over to the bottom of the stair and listens for any signal from Rondar above. He will make sure to keep an eye out at the intersection and call out if he sees anyone or anything approach.

[wolfpack]

Rondar will string some rope across the entry way like a trip wire and connect it to some rocks along the top of the structure, with th ehopes of anyone entering will trip it an dhave the rocks topple over on them knocking them down the slick stairs.

[Solinor]

Hearing the swamp man's words, Etruna kneels before him and softly speaks trying to be deferential, "The strength of your faith and love for your goddess touches my heart. We acted to protect ourselves, but if we have angered your goddess, it is because we do not know her. Please teach us of her and perhaps we might seek her pardon and worship her." To the others she announces, "Let us not harm this man. If we have done wrong, we must listen to him and seek the forgiveness of his goddess."

He looks intently into Etruna's face as she speaks to him,l seeming somewhat captivated. When she finishes speaking he looks at Ankhar and Nuonne and seems to be trying to gauge what they are thinking. He lays the priests body away from him and begins to rise, looking around to see if anyone is taking exception to his movements. His grief seeming to be forgotten by Etruna's offer. He speaks "We can let the goddess decide... yes... yes... the goddess will decide. You must be willing to make an offering... do you have an offering? do you?" He looks around at Etruna, Ankhar, and Nuonne.

[Solinor]

Rondar will string some rope across the entry way like a trip wire and connect it to some rocks along the top of the structure, with th ehopes of anyone entering will trip it an dhave the rocks topple over on them knocking them down the slick stairs.

You feel like this may be one of the best traps you ever laid. You step back to review your work and think the rope looks concealed.

[Solinor]

Halmod, Kraden, and Viscata are in room #2.
Rondar is in the middle of the dike at the entrance to the lair.
Etruna, Ankhar, and Nuonne are in room #13 at the north side of the water.

[zebediah]

Ankhar eyes the swampman with suspicion.

edited to reflect the result of the exchange between the swampman and Viscata.

[rredmond]

Nuonne lowers his bow to show the swampman that he means no harm. But he stays quiet, giving Etruna pained glance... he can't betray Dyleus by making an "offer" to this swamp goddess. So he'll wisely keep his tongue to let others play this out. Though he will stay near to help, and won't destroy the evil priests holy symbol... yet.

OOC: have we successfully looted anything of worth from the other swampmen? I think we did, we just haven't had a chance to get to Padre Swampy yet...

[Caspur]

Viscata searches the bodies of the sneaky bad guys, if they have not been searched already. She then walks over to were the dead priest lies, and begins searching the room.

[Solinor]

Going to wait for Dramaman's response to the swampman and then we will continue with that part.

Viscata begins inspecting a short sword of her slain foe. It appears of fantasic make with a a razor sharp edge. Engraving similiar to the scales of a snake run the length of the blade ending in a reptilian head that bites into the crosspiece of the pommel.

[wolfpack]

rondar will head back down to join the others. he will lift kraden up and help him to the rest of the group. he will not mention the traps while swampman is around

"Come Kraden I will help you to the others for now"

[Argennian]

rondar will head back down to join the others. he will lift kraden up and help him to the rest of the group. he will not mention the traps while swampman is around

"Come Kraden I will help you to the others for now"

"Thank you for your help and words of encouragement, Rondar. To feel my pride has been injured would be folly. I will despair no longer. We must save Orlane and we will visit Alan Clayborn again on your errand..." Kraden is suddenly very aware and thankful of the half-orc and his other companion's friendship and support.

[dramaman]

He looks intently into Etruna's face as she speaks to him,l seeming somewhat captivated. When she finishes speaking he looks at Ankhar and Nuonne and seems to be trying to gauge what they are thinking. He lays the priests body away from him and begins to rise, looking around to see if anyone is taking exception to his movements. His grief seeming to be forgotten by Etruna's offer. He speaks "We can let the goddess decide... yes... yes... the goddess will decide. You must be willing to make an offering... do you have an offering? do you?" He looks around at Etruna, Ankhar, and Nuonne.

Etruna tries to appear earnestly confused, "Offering? Yes, I can see that would be necessary. But I know so little about the goddess. What kind of offering would the goddess desire? Where would we need to take this offering?"

[Solinor]

To Etruna the swampman says "Gold and slaves, gold and slaves and um... gems and things." he begins to make his way around the pond. "Come, come." he says and signals you to follow. The swampman seems eager.

OOC: Halmod, Viscata, Rondar, and Kraden will now be making their way to room #13 where Etruna, Nuonne, and Ankhar are.
There was nothing else of real value on the two assassins aside from the sword that was found by Viscata.

[zebediah]

OOC: I edited my previous post to be in line with the current action.

Ankhar will follow the man, but will keep on his guard with shield and sword.

[wolfpack]

Rondar whispers to Nuonne about the trap he laid at the entrance.

"If the evil fighter returns it should injure him, and at the very least alert us to his presence as the sound of the fallings loggs and rocks should echo in the halls."

he then asks Nuonne to inform the others and not let the swampman hear as he helps Kraden along.

"Kraden if we engage in combat I am afraid I will have to let you fall as I fight."

[dramaman]

To Etruna the swampman says "Gold and slaves, gold and slaves and um... gems and things." he begins to make his way around the pond. "Come, come." he says and signals you to follow. The swampman seems eager.

Etruna catches up with the swampman and takes him aside quietly, "I want so much to see the goddess, to give her an offering, but I don't have much gold for her." She takes a moment to appear thoughtful, and then as if she has an idea, "Perhaps I do have some slaves for her," she smiles and tilts her head referring to some of the other members of her team.

She then scowls, "But some will not want to come. I fear they will fight. You've seen what they can do." Etruna quickly follows up with another smile, "I know! We can trick them! They must think you are their prisoner. Maybe you can tell them about this area. Once they trust you, we will be able to lead them easily to our goddess and give them to her as our offering of slaves. The goddess will be very pleased with us, very pleased with you. Do you have the courage and faith to do this?"

[Argennian]

Rondar whispers to Nuonne about the trap he laid at the entrance.

"If the evil fighter returns it should injure him, and at the very least alert us to his presence as the sound of the fallings loggs and rocks should echo in the halls."

he then asks Nuonne to inform the others and not let the swampman hear as he helps Kraden along.

"Kraden if we engage in combat I am afraid I will have to let you fall as I fight."

As quietly as he can, the wounded ranger responds to his compatriot. "Understood, my friend,", he replies, "I think I could use my hand axe if it was absolutely necessary, but I have not the strength to wield my sword and shield. Perhaps now that we have slain the evil priest, and look to now have one of his minions in, err custody," (Kraden nods toward the swampman parleying with Etruna) "mayhap we will see this evil undone!"

[rredmond]

...
he then asks Nuonne to inform the others and not let the swampman hear as he helps Kraden along.

"Kraden if we engage in combat I am afraid I will have to let you fall as I fight."

Nuonne quietly let's everyone (but Etruna who is too close to the swampman) know about the trap as he moves to the front. If Nuonne can remain near the front he'll attempt to keep an arrow nocked... if he can't for one reason or another, he'll put bow and arrows away and take out his mace.