Tracks In The Desert

[The_Wanderer]

Cyril idly straps his quarterstaff to his back and loads his sling. "I agree to avoiding these doors. With the decrepit state of this fortress, I can't believe there is no other way in. Which among us is the sneakiest? Is that you Drest? We need to know what awaits us inside."

[Rex]

Drest

"Probably me, I will check it out first."

[Bluetongue]

Valkrina

Someone cooking someone else? While they are focused on stirring the pot, we should sneak in. Others are going to be more expert in this area than her, so she waits for any signal to come this way or that.

[shaidar]

Xenos keeps an eye on Drest as the scout approaches the fortress.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ruined Palace

Drest and Akhilleus move closer to the open area spotted through the roof. They need to climb up the sand dune along the outer wall to get to the top, where they find a massive area of stony rubble from the caved-in second story. They periodically hear mummering voices in this area, and the smell of human waste is obviously strong here as well.

The opening through the roof seems to lead into an inner hallway, with an open air courtyard beyond, but the duo will need to climb over and around a lot of debris in order to access the inner portion of the complex. I will need a Test of Dex to see how well you make it inside, if you choose to try that.

The others watch on with great interest, apparently keeping their distance from any danger.


Actions?

wapa.jpeg (139.37 KiB) Viewed 560 times

Xenos AC:6 11/12 1st:2/2
Akhilleus AC:4 32/32
Drest AC:7 16/16
Cyril AC:8 5/5 1st:1/3
Snorri AC:4 11/11
Valkrina AC:7 13/16 1st: 2/2

[Rex]

Drest

Drest tries to work his way in.

Test of Dex (3:6) [1d6]=3

[The_Wanderer]

Cyril leans over to Snorri as he watches the two infiltrate the citadel from afar and says, "You don't suppose whoever lives here will be friendly do you? There is no way to know whether that smoke is from burning human flesh until we get much closer..."

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus follows the Pict.

Dexterity Test (3:6) - [1d6]=1

[shaidar]

Xenos

Realising how long it will take to reach Drest and Akhilleus if they get into trouble, the Ixian starts to make his way around and over the sand towards the two, but does not follow them inside.

[Tamerlaine]

Cyril leans over to Snorri as he watches the two infiltrate the citadel from afar and says, "You don't suppose whoever lives here will be friendly do you? There is no way to know whether that smoke is from burning human flesh until we get much closer..."

“Friendly? Doubtful, unless perhaps you come as food,” Snorri replies. The Viking then lifts the huge axe and leaves to follow Drest and the others.

[The_Wanderer]

Cyril laughs. "I would prefer not to be food. I guess that means we should also be wary of any food these kind folk offer us." He tails behind the Viking, doubtless wanting to take advantage of the man's presence as a bodyguard.

[Bluetongue]

Valkrina

Will follow those sneaking inside. Better than being caught in the open.

Valkrina Dex check vs 1-3 [1d6]=2 vs 8% [1d100]=31

[OGRE MAGE]

The Ruined Warlords Palace

When Drest and Akhilleus disappear over the sandy ruins of the second story, the others in the party decide they better get closer to the scouts in case they run into any trouble inside. Valkrina is the first to hear the screaming from a distance as she closes in on them before the others do.

Rubble cascades down the dune as the front pair carefully make their way inside the building. Neither of them fall or hurt themselves, but when they reach the bottom, they discover quite a surprise. Their noise has alerted a group of about 20 or so members of the Xambaala slave caste, probably hiding in this place by the looks of the horrible conditions. (area 3/4 on the map) There are filthy mats and piles of dried vegetation scattered about that must serve as sleeping areas, with pots and urns overflowing with stinking human waste tossed into one rubble filled corner.

Dusky skinned Esquimaux-Ixian women and children shriek and scream at the sudden invasion into their home, causing several men to stand in an attempt to defend their kin. These people don't rush in to attack immediately, but their noise alerts others nearby who do rush into battle with the invaders. These 6 slaves wear shackles and neck irons, an indication of their penchant for fleeing their masters in the past. Two of them stop and aim long tubes in your direction, forcefully blowing darts through the tubes, one of them sticking into the neck of Drest as he regains his footing at the bottom of the sandy hole. 2 dam/Can I get a Save vs. Poison, please?

4 more of these enraged slaves charge into attack with clubs and hand axes, clearly intent on killing the intruders before any more trouble arrives.

Actions!

DBC05506-3B6D-4865-BC12-D9133AE08B04.jpeg (41.02 KiB) Viewed 510 times

Xenos AC:6 11/12 1st:2/2
Akhilleus AC:4 32/32
Drest AC:7 14/16
Cyril AC:8 5/5 1st:1/3
Snorri AC:4 11/11
Valkrina AC:7 13/16 1st: 2/2

[Rex]

Drest

Poison save (Death 15, +1 if Con applies) [1d20]=16

He moves to attack the closest attacker.

Short Sword [1d20]=3 to hit [1d6+1]=4+1=5 damage

Classic

[shaidar]

Xenos

Once the Ixian hears the commotion inside he hurries to join those inside, slowing and becoming more cautious once the has to make his way over the rubble.

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus wanted to talk to the slaves at first but, since they didn't ask but attacked from the beginning, he's not gonna watch while they're darted.

He swirls his sword and attacks the six slaves that are acting hostile, his purpose reaching the ones with the dart tubes, in order to avoid being hit like Drest.

Broad sword (one-handed) - To hit: [1d20+2]=9+2=11; Dmg: [1d8+3]=2+3=5

Broad sword (one-handed) - To hit: [1d20+2]=19+2=21; Dmg: [1d8+3]=6+3=9

And assuming these are level 1:

Broad sword (one-handed) - To hit: [1d20+2]=15+2=17; Dmg: [1d8+3]=6+3=9

He concentrates his effort in hurting as many and killing as few hostiles as he can.

"Stop attacking and we won't attack! We didn't even know who was here!!"

[OGRE MAGE]

Xenos

Once the Ixian hears the commotion inside he hurries to join those inside, slowing and becoming more cautious once the has to make his way over the rubble.

I would take a Test of Dexterity roll from anyone wishing to climb over and through the rubble to get down to the others inside. (Valkrina already passed and will be inside after this round.

[shaidar]

Xenos

Test of DEX (1-2): [1d6]=2

[The_Wanderer]

Can I see a target well enough to fire a sling from on top of the rubble to avoid climbing down?

Also this feels like literal murder-hobo territory.

[OGRE MAGE]

Can I see a target well enough to fire a sling from on top of the rubble to avoid climbing down?

Also this feels like literal murder-hobo territory.

That is funny.

Not enough room through the hole to target anything from above. Especially with friendlies moving through it.