Slavers & Sewers: explorations. 'Team Alpha'

[Rex]

Brick

Brick tries to kill another ant.

Bastard Sword [1d20+2]=18+2=20 to hit [2d4+5]=4+5=9 damage

[Howman]

Olleg, Dwarf

Olleg strikes at the next giant ant to come within his reach.

Bastard sword (1H) to hit [1d20]=18 for [1d8]=2 damage

[OGRE MAGE]

Mortar tries to wiggle his way back out of the tunnel, pulling a bag of salt from his pack as he attempts his escape.

He tosses about half the bag into the face of the oncoming threat, with no idea whatsoever if it will actually do anything to stop the creature.

Dex Check (16) [1d20]=20

Two wasted Nat 20's in a row on skill checks? You have got to be kidding me!!! Why didn't I just attack?

[Rex]

Mortar tries to wiggle his way back out of the tunnel, pulling a bag of salt from his pack as he attempts his escape.

He tosses about half the bag into the face of the oncoming threat, with no idea whatsoever if it will actually do anything to stop the creature.

Dex Check (16) [1d20]=20

Two wasted Nat 20's in a row on skill checks? You have got to be kidding me!!! Why didn't I just attack?

LOL, I rolled back to back natural 1's on 2 attacks in 2 different games last night.

[gurusql]

Vennar

Vennar whispers to Rogger, "If you speak Orc or Ogre reply, 'All good'. I only speak common."

If the Half-orcs seem like they are going to attack Vennar will cast Hold Person on them when they are in range.

[Edeldhur]

Edel

Nor particularly adept at subterfuge, Edel still tries to put to good use his mastery of the orcish language - "All is good" - he grunted in the orc's own tongue - "We are here for an inspection, but the ants are attacking us" - he frowned, clearly displeased - "This will not look good on my report" - he continued, doing his best to look arrogant.

[Scott308]

Durrant Winterflame - Human Magic User

Not speaking Orcish himself, Durrant attempts to look as unassuming and non-threatening as he can. Which, truth be told, is really not something he actually needs to put much effort into.

[Straither]

The Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Brick slices a Giant ant into halves, Olleg stabs another but the critter keeps on gnashing pincers at him, tearing splinters of wood from his prized shield as it tries to vivisect the dwarf into chunks.

The fifth ant sent after the gnome has gone back from whence it came. The 'even more giant' Giant Ant-creature that guarded the cave beyond has not appeared again.

Giant Ants: [1d20]=6[1d6]=3

Mortar has crawled headfirst into one of the Giant Ant tunnels and he throws salt at the creature to blind and harass it, wriggling backwards on all fours as quick as he can. Throwing salt can be seen as lucky, gaining the whims of Fate but even if blinded momentarily, the drone ant takes a firm grip clamping pincers each side of the Gnome's temple and tries to drag him deeper inside the tunnel. -3hp

-4 to hit, but even not modifying your AC from crawling and adjusting for Dex, the attack hits

Giant Ants: vs Mortar [1d20]=13[1d6]=3

Jacupo grabs one of his legs as a tug of war over Mortar's head and neck breaks out.

Galadria & Esther duck back on the stairs leaving Edel, Durrant, Vennar & Rogger to advance towards the orcs at the top of the right hand passage.

"All is good. We are here for an inspection, but the ants are attacking us. This will not look good on my report"

Orc reactions [1d100]=63

There is some slight hesitation as they listen to your reply then respond.

"Inspection? Oh you are buying? New merchants, yes I can see by your finery. You have come a circuitous route. We have the Slave inspections in the halls above.

Come this way, the ladder leads to their reception. The ants are bothersome only if you trespass."

The lead orc lifts his fiery torch to get a better view of you, then gestures you to come forward into the cave behind him.

Indeed a ladder is in the cave, a sturdy wooden one that leans freely against the far wall and at the top there is a heavy looking trapdoor in the ceiling. The ogre has a foot on the bottom rung to steady it firm as it is not fixed in place. He grins menacingly or smiles welcomingly in an Ogrish way.

The second Orc guard is standing by three small pits, busy rubbing his arms and exposed flesh with some perfumed green leaves. In between them is one of the 'giant Giant Ant' creatures that eyes you suspiciously also if such glints could be interpreted from a first glance into its multi-faceted bug eyes. He is armed and holds a spear in one arm/leg but with the other he opens a brown paper packet that contains grainy cubes of a white substance which it sniffs with its long proboscis.

"After you Sir please." indicating the ladder, the talkative Orc says to Edel who talks on behalf of the group.

next actions please

Health status & conditions:

Galadria: 16/17hp
Vennar: 12/19hp
Olleg: 30/33hp
Brick: 15/18hp
Mortar: 7/10hp
Durrant: 7/7hp
Edel: 11/11hp (14/14hp with Pallas the Owl:
3/3hp)
Esther: 2/3hp.
Jacupo: 7/15hp
Rogger: 10/10hp

[Rex]

Brick

Brick will try to help Olleg deal with his ant.

Bastard Sword [1d20+2]=5+2=7 to hit [2d4+5]=6+5=11 damage

[Edeldhur]

Edel

The elf hesitates for a moment, but then decides to make sure, and casts an arcane spell on the talkative orc - "Our masters are already negotiating up top - we were instructed to inspect the lower level, and then report to them. So we can be sure the products are of fine quality" - he explained - "So please either show us around, or let us continue"

Gonna cast that Charm Spell - here goes nothing

[Howman]

Olleg, Dwarf

Olleg attempts to finish off the remaining ant.

Bastard sword (1H) to hit [1d20]=2 for [1d8]=7 damage

[OGRE MAGE]

Mortar goes against all odds as he pulls out his dagger to poke at the powerful ant who is currently trying to pull his head off.

Dagger Melee Attack [1d20]=11 Dam [1d4]=4

[gurusql]

Vennar

Vennar will motion to the group to not get to separated from the rest of the group and see if the spell works before attempting anything hostile.

[Straither]

Tunnels below the Temple Ruin.

Brick & Olleg struggle to rid themselves of the relentless Giant Ant. It is nimble and quick to dodge their strikes and it runs over the edge of the dwarf's raised shield, across his arm and shoulder and pincers him in the neck. -4hp.

Mortar blindly thrusts at his nemesis, the Giant Ant gripping him firmly threatening to rip his own head from neck. As the Gnome struggles it tenses for a final pluck but fortune and favour is with Mortar and Jacupo hauls him by the ankles and out of the tunnel and free of the Giant Ant's pincers. The Gnome gets a last view of the inside of the tunnel and it doesn't look favourable since behind the first giant ant, he can make out a number of other insects that swarm the tunnel protecting it against intruders.

Galadria & Esther guard the staircase, nothing presently comes searching for you from the level above.

Giant Ant: vs Olleg [1d20]=14[1d6]=4 Giant Ants: vs Mortar [1d20]=1[1d6]=2 Orc guard: 17+ save vs Charm Person spell [1d20]=13

Rogger, Durrant & Vennar are let in on Edel's plan to Charm the talkative Orc guard.

"Our masters are already negotiating up top. We were instructed to inspect the lower level and then report to them, so we can be sure the products are of fine quality. So please, either show us around or let us continue." He asks, gesturing with rapid hand movement and a focus to trap the Orc's eyes in a mesmerising stare. His guile seems to work and he feels the Orc lose resistance to his open or implied suggestions.

"Friend, I am a man under authority too. We both know it is better to please our Masters. Let me help you to the best place for inspections.

Above is the Audience reception. Usually guests are hosted above and they can see those kept chained there. Mostly masquerading as bandits and rogues, used as galley fodder or suitable for hard labour.

More exotic or precious captives are held in the secure pens past the sewer canals. But you need your writ stamped to pass the guard post and access the viewings. It is authorised visitors only."

The Orc guard beams at Edel, explaining the basics. The Ogre still grips the bottom of the ladder to hold it secure for any who wish to access the trapdoor at the top.

The other guard takes an entirely different approach. After he has finished rubbing his flesh with the leaves, he tosses them aside, keeping his sleeves rolled up and bunching his fists like a prize fighter before the bells rings 'seconds out'.

Orc reactions [1d100]=8Orc guard: [1d20]=14

His reaction is hostile and he takes affront to Rogger in particular. Edel, Vennar & Durrant have worn sheepskin cloaks and silk garb taken from the Hobgoblin Hovel, the 'designer wear' enough to add bonus to initial impressions. But Rogger as a priest of Boash is more moderately dressed and doesn't look like a merchant. His own testimony stated previous rejections from accessing the Temple and he seems to get recognised.

The Orc guard gets physical with the priest, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him towards the wall. "This Infidel should be in chains. He pities the slaves, preaches their freedom, despises the city's laws. He cannot roam down here, he is forbidden."

The giant Giant-Ant creature looks from one group to the other. You cannot tell what it thinks or what its intent might be. It tastes the small bundle of white grains, licking around its jaw as it enjoys whatever the substance is. In a pit behind him are more leafy parcels.

Health status & conditions:

Galadria: 16/17hp
Vennar: 12/19hp
Olleg: 26/33hp
Brick: 15/18hp
Mortar: 7/10hp
Durrant: 7/7hp
Edel: 11/11hp (14/14hp with Pallas the Owl:
3/3hp)
Esther: 2/3hp.
Jacupo: 7/15hp
Rogger: 10/10hp

next actions everyone please

[Rex]

Brick

Brick tries to kill the ant on Olleg's shield.

Bastard Sword [1d20+2]=10+2=12 to hit [2d4+5]=3+5=8 damage

[Edeldhur]

Edel

Hadn't realized the four of us were all the way out here in the cave by ourselves... Risky.

"I am sure we can come to some sort of agreement." A knowing smirk played on his lips as he tapped his coin pouch. "One that allows me to please my masters - perhaps even prove myself worthy of promotion." He let the implication linger before adding, "And, of course, one where you and your friends stand to benefit as well."

His gaze flicked toward the other Orc, his tone cooling slightly. "But first, your companion needs to unhand my servant." Edel gestured toward Rogger with a casual nod. "I don’t concern myself with his beliefs - only with his obedience. If you want him, then you’ll have to pay for him."

He arched an eyebrow, waiting.

[Howman]

Olleg, Dwarf, 26/33

Surprised by how much the giant ant's bite stings, Olleg recoils and swings wildly at his attacker.

Bastard sword (1H) to hit [1d20]=3 for [1d8]=7 damage

[OGRE MAGE]

Mortar tries to get his bearings as to where each party member currently is now, but has trouble keeping track after getting his head pinched.

If he is convinced that the remaining insects wont come out of their tunnel to harass them, he moves back in the direction of the stairs to get a report form above.

"Have you two heard anything from up those steps since we came down here? After that alarm was sounded, I was certain this place would be crawling with guards in mere moments."

Once satisfied nobody is coming for them, he (and Jacupo?) cautiously sneaks back up the passage towards Edel and company, hoping they have discovered something helpful.

[Scott308]

Durrant Winterflame - Human Magic User

Seeing how successful Edel was charming the first orc, Durrant gives it a shot with the other one. Hold, friend. If you damage his property, I don't believe he will have any further interest in doing business here.

Durrant casts Charm Person on the belligerent orc.

[gurusql]

Vennar

Vennar will pause waiting to see if combat can be avoided.