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Straither wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:04 pm Sneaking in Highport.

As Mortar Whizzbang watches the scene unfold, the third man in the cage stretches out his hand through the cage bars, clutching a wooden goblet and suddenly looking straight at the unseen gnome, implores him for water from a nearby barrel. The labourers, foreman, guards and robed priest have no such detection of the gnome. "I thirst for water and my freedom."

Actions for Mortar

Unwilling to let this poor (and obviously significant) bastard die of thirst before he is brutally sacrificed to whatever horrible gods these monsters worship, Mortar sneaks up closer. Pouring him some water from his own skin instead of unnecessarily moving to the barrel, the little Gnome looks the man over closely, whispering as quietly as possible, hoping the others won't hear it over the din of the nearby work starting up and ax being sharpened.

"Stop looking directly at me, please. How is it that you can see me while under this stealthy dweomer?"

Hoping this man has information vital to their mission, Mortar pulls a single caltrop from his gear, looking around cautiously and sprinting away at the first indication that he has been noticed.

"Who are you and how did you come to be in such a precarious situation. Speak clearly.....and quickly."

Vennar

Vennar will move forward with Brick and also attack the nearest Hobogoblin

Morning Star: [1d20+1]=6+1=7 Dmg SM:[_2d4+1]=(2+2)=4+1=5 L:[1d6+2]=4+2=6

[Olleg, Dwarf, 33/33]

Following Brick and Vennar into the hovel and thinking they should have the first hobgoblin handled, Olleg puts his shield up and charges into the next closest hobgoblin to the door, attempting to throw him off balance. Hoping to take advantage of a staggered opponent, Olleg follows up with a thrust from his bastard sword.

Sneaking around Highport:

Derelict Watchtower:

Mortar Whizzbang:

Approaching closer you can pour water into the man's goblet and he quickly withdraws his hand to glug greedily the refreshing draft.

"A man thanks a cupbearer.". You get to view him in more detail. The man has long straggly hair, half of which is peppered grey and white and the other half a rusty brown hue. It contrasts with his eyes which show a complete heterochromia between them, a green eye and a brown one.

"There is none so blind as him who has eyes yet cannot see." he says, answering Mortar's question as to how the man sees him despite him being in invisible form. The implication is the man has some magic of his own, a permanent enchantment in one of his odd coloured eyes that enable him to 'detect invisible', maybe even stretching as far as having Truesight

The prisoner leans forward to whisper, claiming, "A man is called to be a 'Boash'i'," (or one of the priests dedicated to Boash, the 'Blind God'). A holy symbol dangles from his neck confirming his vocation; two rings with an inset template of balance scales within one and a held sword in the other.

It reminds you of Liberty and the determination of law, justice, truth, mercy. This lesser cult has a base theology that all life is sacred and eternal, believing that all on earth were equal creatures of god; men and women, lords and peasants, rich and poor, slave and master, even man and beast.

"Who are you and how did you come to be in such a precarious situation. Speak clearly.....and quickly."

"We came in year's past to preach of justice and mercy to all. Becoming all things to all men, we laboured among the lowest, serving wherever needs were found. Many heard our message spoken as seeds sown in good soil but to others less lowly of heart, our words fell upon deaf ears. We were taken and are now deemed worthy for other service."

He looks over his shoulder to the axe sharpening executioner and back. These three captive evangelists look to have indentured themselves to some missionary endeavour, knowing martyrdom a very likely outcome. One which indeed draws closer for as you speak in hushed tones, two guards come to the rear gate of the cage, prodding their spears through the bars to dissuade any rushing charge, unlocking the security padlock and roughly grabbing the nearest Boash'i acolyte and dragging him out. The gate gets relocked, the key pocketed. Barefoot and forlorn, the man shuffles to the prepared altar stone and kneels in place. Resistance seems futile and he accepts his fate, a prayer of committal upon his lips just as the Orc priest intones his own petition and the Gnoll executioner stands ready, axe raised high above his head, waiting for the final "Amen" signal to lop off the captive's head. The labourers down tools, standing to attention on the scaffold or in the foundation trench, doffing helmets and cloth caps in deference as the first sacrificial ritual is underway. The guards ring the stone or shoo away intrigued citizens who look too closely from the sidelines.

While this activity unfolds, the captive priest looks again at Mortar. "Can a man deliver mercy as swiftly?" he asks, wanting to know if you will attempt to rescue him from being beheaded.



Actions for Mortar Whizzbang.

Durrant Winterflame - Human Magic User

The mage will drink from the standpipe before wetting his sleeve in the water and trying to clean up the carving of the Green Man.

Galadria rushes in and attacks Dicey the hobgoblin.

Sneaking in Highport:

Hobgoblins hovel:

Outside yard
Goran dodges around the rubble strewn yard, slashing the Hobgoblin through his other butt cheek, -3hp

"Come here, you little maggot." the Hobgoblin curses, he stabs out at the Halfling, missing him completely.

Dumpster hobgoblin: dagger attack: [1d20]=2 [1d4]=1

Fawkes steps into the yard, silhouetted by the moonlight in the frame of the gate. He looses his crossbow shaft that strikes the Hobgoblin in the spine, -6hp, he falls lifeless into the latrine gutter. As the Half-orc decides to reload his heavy weapon, a second Hobgoblin rattles the back door. Just enough warning for Goran to meld into shadows. The newcomer steps into the yard, his eyes surveying the brutality inflicted upon Dumpster, the shaft impaled in his back and the murderous assassin standing in the back alleyway. He throws his hand axe at Fawkes but it bounces off the wall by his head.

Yard hobgoblin: thrown axe: [1d20]=8 [1d6]=1

Inside hovel
Brick forcefully kicks the door open and barging in, swings his sword which takes a Hobgoblin's head clean off in one fell sweep. -10hp. Vennar enters, determined to bloody his blessed Morningstar but he swings to no avail. A scarred faced Hobgoblin swings an arm back to fend him away, missing also. He then gets bludgeoned by the bull-charging dwarf Olleg who batters him with his shield, staggering him backwards into the gaming table where he stabs him further, -3hp. The slave maiden tries to bash him with a chair but after throwing one she gets head-locked by a female Hobgoblin who threateningly puts a dagger to her neck and tries to use her as a human shield.

Scarface hobgoblin: dagger attack: [1d20]=12 [1d4]=3Slave maiden: improvised attack [1d20]=7

Galadria is the last of the attacking quartet to enter the hovel, facing off with 'Dicey, striking the hulking oaf, -2hp.

Edel resists the urge to violence, whistling Pallas to come to him. The mage keeping observant for any militia patrols coming into the alley or local residents awakened by the disturbance.

Durrant takes the opportunity to drink from the standpipe and refill his water skin. The mage has little time to do more than just give thanks and a minor veneration by cleaning the grit and grime off the bas-relief image in the alcove. The water tastes clean, filtered of bring sediments and minute grubs. Clean and purified water is such a blessing for the cramped and unclean city confines. The half-defaced 'Green Man' image in the alcove does not animate in any way but you do feel the effect from your action will garner some divine favour.

Dicey Hobgoblin squares off against two opponents, using a last throw of the dice to try and summon up some extra prowess against the sudden onslaught, targeting Brick as he decapitates his kinsman. A wild slash of his sword only cuts thin air not bone though.

Dicey hobgoblin: scimitar attack: vs Brick [1d20]=6 [1d8]=4

As far as a physical description of the hovel is concerned, the derelict warehouse is a single storeroom about twenty feet across and twice that deep. Either side of the busted door are boarded up windows, the ceiling is none existent with an upper floor having been destroyed by fire. At the rear of the main room is a smaller room with the back door to the yard. Around the room are old crates and boxes with trinkets and rags in, the game table in the room centre with a few rickety chairs set around. A hearth sill glows with a few lit candles stubs.


Actions everyone.

Fawkes

I will grab my Macuahuitl club and try and bash the Hobgoblin.

"You want some? Try this!" I speak Hobgoblin, so I will add some racial taunt about his smell and redskin.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=11+1=12 [2d4+1]=4+1=5

Vennar

Vennar attempts to attack again, with little effectiveness.

Morning Star: [1d20+1]=3+1=4 Dmg SM:[_2d4+1]=(4+2)=6+1=7 L:[1d6+2]=1+2=3

[Olleg, Dwarf, 33/33]

Olleg throws his weight behind his shield and rams into the scar faced hobgoblin in front of him, continuing his previous assault. Following up with a slash from his sword, he then attempts to finish his wounded foe.

Goran, Halfling, 16/16

Goran backstabs from the shadows!

Durrant Winterflame - Human Magic User

Confident that the martially inclined members of the party have things well in-hand- and unwilling to enter when there is a distinct possibility of his own death- Durrant stays outside, keeping an eye out for anyone who may take an interest in the goings-on.

Edel

The Elf remains on watch, trusting the group has things well under control.

Brick

Brick attacks the closest hobgoblin.

Bastard Sword [1d20+2]=9+2=11 to hit [2d4+5]=8+5=13 damage

Straither wrote: ↑Sat Nov 16, 2024 2:37 pm Sneaking around Highport:

"We came in year's past to preach of justice and mercy to all. Becoming all things to all men, we laboured among the lowest, serving wherever needs were found. Many heard our message spoken as seeds sown in good soil but to others less lowly of heart, our words fell upon deaf ears. We were taken and are now deemed worthy for other service."

He looks over his shoulder to the axe sharpening executioner and back. These three captive evangelists look to have indentured themselves to some missionary endeavour, knowing martyrdom a very likely outcome. One which indeed draws closer for as you speak in hushed tones, two guards come to the rear gate of the cage, prodding their spears through the bars to dissuade any rushing charge, unlocking the security padlock and roughly grabbing the nearest Boash'i acolyte and dragging him out. The gate gets relocked, the key pocketed. Barefoot and forlorn, the man shuffles to the prepared altar stone and kneels in place. Resistance seems futile and he accepts his fate, a prayer of committal upon his lips just as the Orc priest intones his own petition and the Gnoll executioner stands ready, axe raised high above his head, waiting for the final "Amen" signal to lop off the captive's head. The labourers down tools, standing to attention on the scaffold or in the foundation trench, doffing helmets and cloth caps in deference as the first sacrificial ritual is underway. The guards ring the stone or shoo away intrigued citizens who look too closely from the sidelines.

While this activity unfolds, the captive priest looks again at Mortar. "Can a man deliver mercy as swiftly?" he asks, wanting to know if you will attempt to rescue him from being beheaded.

Actions for Mortar Whizzbang.

Mortar curses his dumb luck under his breath as the man speaks. He was only attempting a quick scouting mission and wasn't at all prepared for a solo rescue. He tries to get a little more information, in case his idea goes horribly awry.

Handing a single caltrop to the man with the multi-colored hair and eyes, he whispers one more question. "I will do what I can, but you will need to do your part as well. First I will ask what you might know about a ruined temple located near the back wall of Highport. It may be the headquarters of a slaving organization."

As he listens for a response, hoping to at least learn something important if his idea fails miserably, Mortar sets his plan into action, pulling the required components of his next spell from his invisible pouch. Once the man has finished speaking, he lets him in on what he is about to try.

"Once the first head rolls, I will need you both to scream and yell as loudly as you can, banging on the bars with your chains should help too. I need a distraction so that my spell won't be overheard by these nearby orcs, so act as crazy as possible." (assuming this is allowed)

Trying some magic that shouldn't compromise his invisibility, Mortar brings forth an Improved Phantasm that he hopes will fool these mentally susceptible orcs and company. (I believe most of them were orcs.)

In the 12 seconds following the first man's head being removed from his shoulders and rolling into the gutter, Mortar steps away from the wagon a little and disguises his spell within the banging and screaming from the pair of caged prisoners. (hopefully)

I know I am taking a few liberties, so I will ask here before continuing in case you don't agree with any of this set-up so far.

I know I am taking a few liberties, so I will ask here before continuing in case you don't agree with any of this set-up so far.

No, all good so far, I am intrigued.

Mortar:
"First I will ask what you might know about a ruined temple located near the back wall of Highport. It may be the headquarters of a slaving organization"

Jacopo:
"We could not serve among those labouring there. A place dedicated to Gruumsh, a orcish god of war and destruction. His priests have but one-eye in dedication to him. They have erected a foul idol and altar in the old chapel ruins. The exterior walls still hold a few saint statues in alcoves and we laid wreaths at their feet and prayed for those inside. That was all the veneration we could give.

Of the slaves, caravans of chained souls go in, but few come out. The weak and sickly traded, but the strong are sent elsewhere. The place is a guarded ruin and even they, those Orcs, have learnt to tread carefully there."

Grasping the caltrop and offered hope, the Boash'i' priest and his captive companion begin to rattle the bars, calling for help and intervention from the manifested danger within.

describe the phantasm

Mortar-Mer WhizBang

Not ready to give himself away just yet, Mortar decides to leave.

But first, a little trickery........

As the decapitated prisoners head rolls away from the block while the 2 remaining sacrifices shout and bang on the bars of the cage, the invisible Illusionist puts his mind to work.

The severed head begins to rise from the ground again slowly, floating in the direction of the demonic faced cornerstone that had recently been added to the walls construction. (I am hoping that is situated in the exact opposite direction of the wagon.)

Mortar then shakes his head at "the man" in the cage to get them to be quiet again as he walks over to the pony pulling the cage wagon, offering it a carrot from his fresh rations, all the while concentrating on the movement of the severed head.

Hoping by this point he has the attention of the entire workforce and any nearby guards as well, those watching intently see that the head no longer appears human. It now appears to be orcish in nature, with a single large eye in the center of its forehead and the most exaggerated unibrow you've ever seen. It floats directly above the area where the work is being done, hopefully out of reach from any of the workers, where it starts to moan and jibber loudly, as if it were trying to tell the orc priests and hooded gnoll something important.

Looking around to make sure all attention is focused on the murmuring floating head, the Gnome tugs on the reigns to urge to animal away from the action, heading down any street that looks wide enough where the wagon won't be hindered when it takes off at full speed once the ruse is discovered.

Man, I hope this works, or it will be the shortest adventure ever!

Derelict Watchtower

Building to a crescendo, the Orc priest invokes Gruumsh's name and blessing upon this watchtower's foundations and rebuild, offering the heads of three infidels in bloody sacrifice. After a muted "Amen" from the nominal believing labourers, the axe falls clean and sharp, the Gnollish executioner an expert at his craft. The first of the Boash'i' acolytes head gets chopped and it rolls at his feet.

Inside the cage, the two still captive cannot restrain their fear, shouting and rattling the cage promoting the nearest orc guards to threaten a pacifying poke with a spear.

Then comes an awesome inspiring sight.

Watchtower ritual priest: save vs spells 14+ [1d20]=8

The priest kneels as his God answers, spellbound by the sight of the severed head rising from the ground, floating above the deceased's body, dripping blood from severed jugulars, eyes rolling, lips pursed. The head wafts softly towards the cornerstone block with its own grim carved visage, where the acolyte head kisses the demon face cheeks in worshipful feasance. The Boash'i's head turns to face the crowd, now no longer a human face but an image of Gruumsh, that bobs and weaves above them, gibbering in unknown tongues.

The scaffold labourers cheer, inspired by the wondrous sight; the Orc guards rattle swords and thud spears in the ground, the priest in religious ecstasy.

Gnoll executioner save: [1d20]=8

Ignorant of the actual skull by his heel, the Gnoll and guards drag the headless body to toss into a dug trench by the tower. All eyes enthralled by the illusory show.

Meanwhile, wagon wheels turn softly upon the mud splattered ground, inching away from the proceedings as the pony is enticed by fresh carrots and a calming hand upon its side. Little by little, the wagon distances itself from the throng. Passing the range limit to concentrate his control of the phantasm, the Gruumsh head nevertheless is maintained for a few vital rounds extra. As the viewing congregation kneel, Mortar can rise, clambering aboard the driver's seat and with a jerk of the reins, whip the pony into a trot before the guards come running hurriedly to grab the next sacrifices.

Distance in yards before escaping wagon is noticed missing x10 [2d6]=7

The chase is on as guards begin to run after the wagon and a hue and cry is raised.



Actions for Mortar, I guess you want to flee the scene as quickly as possible.

Sneaking in Highport

Yard
Fawkes steps into the yard, threatening the Hobgoblin who leaps the latrine gutter to take him on. Blows are traded and the pair grapple before a sword cleaves clean through the Hobgoblins chest from a surprise backstab, severing spine, heart and any last resistance. -12hp. Goran wipes his blade clean the Hobgoblin's garb.

Hovel

Fighting for his life, Dicey swings his scimitar but it bounces off the shield and armour of Galadria. But he faces two armoured foes and he is outmatched and overwhelmed.

Dicey hobgoblin: scimitar: [1d20]=14 [1d8]=2

Brick doubles up with another neck severing swing and Dicey's head rolls across the floor along with the knucklebones he releases.

Knucklebone piggies: [1d6]=4 [1d6]=2 bizarrely the dice roll to end up displaying two piggies, one lying down on its left side, the other on its right facing each other as if asleep...or dead. 'Game over' position, which reflects in Dicey's blank stare and wide open mouthed yawn.



Vennar & Olleg press upon Scarface, who rolls over the upturned table, fending them off, inflicting a minor wound upon the dwarf, -2hp.

Seeing two comrades beheaded before them, Scarface & Babe lose morale. Dagger to the throat of the slave maiden, Babe using her as a human shield, drags her towards the rear room and yard exit. When she nears the door she violently pushes the slave towards the group, Scarface follows, kicking the table to obstruct his opponents. Both look to bolt, fleeing in fear and panic through the yard and away.

Scarface hobgoblin: dagger attack: [1d20]=19 [1d4]=2Hobgoblins morale check: Resistance or Surrender vs 51% [1d100+20]=67+20=87Hobgoblins morale failure: [1d100]=32

Cobblestone Alley

Highport: random encounter vs 1 [1d6]=3

Edel & Durrant remain watchful in the alley. The goings on in the hovel are swiftly silenced after the noise of a table crash, a clash of steel, a cry of pain. Only the merest peek of a face from behind a shuttered curtain is provoked to show interest. The mages can advance up the alley, getting to the end of the cobblestoned path which opens up to a wider street that runs almost north-south from the dockyard warehouses by the harbour towards the higher citadel area of palaces and villas, sectioned off from the lower city neighbourhoods by their own high curtained wall, gatehouse and numerous watchtowers. Across from the cobblestone alley is a park area ringed by a screen of ancient trees. A militia patrol walks away from you into the park area where a large barracks type watchtower stands. You watch as a dray wagon, heavily laden with crates clatters noisily down the middle of the street, a crossbow armed guard sitting on the front bench alongside the driver, another swinging her legs while seated on the rear. Further up the street, Rat-catchers ply their trade with giant weasels clearing out a broken sewer, herding a swarm of long tailed rats into set snares. Nearby the alley entrance, three barrow boys still sleep under their carts; sacks of potatoes, turnips and beetroots readied for this day's trade or used as a pillow. The few figures in the area give no care or interest in the mages, appearing as just another couple of revellers or traders keeping to their own devices. The morning is still fairly dark and overcast, the rain increasing slightly, causing most of those awake and active to huddle themselves under hooded shawls and keep to the sheltered overhangs.

The Ruined Temple destination is someway to the south-east; all being well, just a couple more turns. Edel & Durrant return to the others to share that the next leg of sneaking seems relatively clear, either going down the main boulevard or around the park edge and down the next alleyways.

next actions for everyone.

Fawkes

Pushes the Hobgoblin's body away from him, thankfully for the Goran's intervention. I see more Hobgoblin's running into the yard from the hovel but since I have no way of knowing they want to run away, I guess my first instinct is to strike at one as they run by. Just in case.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=20+1=21 [2d4+1]=6+1=7