Home again, home again [PC] Firebug

[Game Master]

The group backtracked to the forge room, continued on to the large storage room and turned down the coridor leading in the direction of the castle and most likely the secret entrance in the woods. It wasn't long before the tunnel ended in a closed, large steel door. It was lockable from this side by a heavy looking iron bar that was currently propped up against the left wall of the tunnel in a small iron holding rack that looked built just for this purpose.

[Game Master]

The Mystic lay his hands upon the doors iron bar. He figured more people would come in contact with the locking bar then the door itself. Clearing his mind he focused on those who came in contact with it.

[Green. Orcs, goblins, Ogres, dwarfs]

Firebug's eyes snapped open. He had recognized no one.


ooc: needed a 48% rolled a 51%

"Anything?" Kursaville asked, now quite familiar with Firebug's methods.

[sfliegel]

Firebug turned slowly back to the group, still processing the images. He nodded slowly then turned to met the gaze of Reeks, "is this where you and Gaul watched the wagons being loaded?"

[Game Master]

Reeks thought about it. "We're close but no, not quite. Straight past that door would still lead South to the castle. Our cave entrance was further west, but still further south as well. If my directional sense is correct then just past that door would put us just underneath that statue at the base of the Castle mount. You know the one I'm referring too?"

[sfliegel]

"This is crazy, are you saying that these smugglers have a secret tunnel into the heart of the town? I'd almost say that these tunnels are move for a military invasion then weapon smuggeling." Firebug scratched his head in thought speaking more to himself then the group. He then took a seat, leaning against the wall, "I'm going to take a peek outside. It seems strange that they would leave such a hidden door as this unsecured. Please give me a moment to survey the other side of this door as this would be an excellent place for an ambush as we try to lif this door." Firebug closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and focused.

[Game Master]

Minutes pass as the Mystic meditates and clears his mind. Suddenly his essence slips out of its mortal shell and Firebug is floating above his own body sitting in a lotus position. The silver cord connecting him to his form seems secure and Firebug floats off through the door to see what awaits. As he materializes on the other side he is startled by what he encounters. The squarish room is 30 feet by 30 feet. A tunnel leads further south at a slight incline toward the Castle. To the right and west of Firebug is another iron door identical to the one he just passed through with the crossbar firmly in place in the locked position. In the center of the room is an iron spiral staircase leading up to the surface. A dominating, green, humanoid, lizard-hybrid looking creature standing 7 feet tall, with massive leathery bat like wings looks down upon a shrouded man.




The man is cloaked all in black and wearing a full faced mask that vaguely resembles the dragonesque creature before him. Firebug has arrived just in time to see the man hand the monstrous creature an ivory scroll case and speak the words, "It is done." With that the man turns in a flourish and ascends the stairs into darkness. The room is also occupied by two orcs. One brandishes a wicked looking bi-pennis axe and the other is Gaul. Gaul looks like a rat in a trap. His eyes dart this way and that as if desperately looking for a way out of this room. He appears nervous and keeps shifting from one foot to the other. He is unarmed. The Monster lets out a bird like screem and the axe wielding orc advances on the mystic's friend.

[sfliegel]

Firebug zips back through the door and to his body. He awakes with a start, leaping to his feet. "Gaul is in there and he's in trouble. Another orc is about to kill him. But there is also a dominating, green, humanoid, lizard-hybrid looking creature standing 7 feet tall, with massive leathery bat like wings (OOC - copy and paste, hope you don't mind) is in there. Get that door open NOW!"

Kursaville, Reeks and Firebug rush to the door and working together throw it open.

[Game Master]

The quartet of heroes burst into the room ready for battle. The Lady Priestess Siff screams "By the Lord of Light, begone demonic beast!" While this had no apparent magical effects it did gain the lizard creatures attention as well as halt the orc's attempt to slay Gaul.

Wasting no time Reeks, completely unfazed by the ominous presence of the creature before him charges the orc instead in order to rescue his green skinned friend. Siff readies her spear and her new shield to do battle against the winged monstrosity while poor Lord Kursaville unravels before Firebug's very eyes. The knight falls to his knees in horror while a blood curdling cry escapes his lips. He is transfixed by the huge creature approaching him with talons extended. The knights mind has come unhinged.

[Game Master]

Firebug casts armor of ithan on himself.
Siff attacks throws spear critical missing with a 1 hitting Gaul in the shoulder for 15 damage
The monster rakes Kursavilles armor with its claws for 11 sdc
Orc hits Reeks shield for 16 sdc
Reeks counters by bashing in the skull of the orc, critical 20, 32 hit points of damage with his hammer.
Gaul pulls spear out of his shoulder.
Kursaville does nothing.

Firebug blasts the unsuspecting monster with a bolt of fire 11 to hit, no dodge for 18 damage
Lady Siff now armed with her last spear stabs at the creature CRITICAL MISS again! 1, but the creature grabs the shaft and flings the priestess accross the room, 6 damage loss of an attack.
The creature now enraged kicks at Kursaville with taloned foot but is swatted away by the knights sword. 12 to hit, 15 to parry
Reeks hands Gaul a dagger.
Gaul charges Creature from behind but fails to penatrate the tough scaily skin, 4 to hit Natural ar of 12
Lord Kursaville gibbers incoharently.

Reeks (attack #3) thumps the creatures muscular leg with his hammer unnatural 20 to hit, 15 parry, 20 damage. leg is broken.
Creature takes flight

Creature lashes out at Reeks with his good foot talons 14 to hit, 14 parry, but is knocked away.

[Game Master]

-The demonic looking lizard lashes out at Reeks this time raking the dwarfs arm. 19 to hit, 10 parry, 14 damage.
-Gaul stabs at the useless leg but misses. 3 to hit
-Siff pulls herself off the ground and staggers back into the fray.
-The Mystic casts another bolt of fire at the creature singing a wing. 12 damage
-Reeks swings his weapon with all his might but his wounded arm betrays him. 7 to hit. AR 12
-Kursaville begins sobbing uncontrollably but begins to show signs of anger.
-emboldened by his success against the dwarf the creature lashes out at Reeks again but only scratches his shield. 14 to hit Natural 20 parry.
-Gaul frustrated with the beast ducks and stabs the lizard in the groin. Natural 20 CRITICAL to hit, 19 to parry. x2 damage= 18.

This blow proves to much for the winged lizard and it crashes to the ground and bleeds out. It dies with a shutter.


Gaul licks his blade clean of gore and then tries to lick his own bleeding shoulder with his pointy tongue. Reeks hooks his weapon on his belt and holds his wounded arm. Siff squats to the ground and slips into a sitting position with a soft groan. Kursaville begins to calm but can still be heard whimpering. Only Firebug seems unscathed. The ivory scroll case is still clutched in the dead creatures taloned hand and a small chest that the Mystic didn't notice before can be seen peaking out from behind the spiral stairs leading to what Reeks believes is the statues on the hill.

[sfliegel]

Firebug walks over to examine the creature. He holds his staff out in front of him to poke the carcass, making sure it is dead. He takes the scroll case and slips it into his belt. He then turns back to the group. Utilizing his newly found knowledge he atemtps to aid the group by dressing wounds. Especially for Siff who can not heal her own wounds.

[Game Master]

Siff smiles at Firebug as he fumbles with the dressing. "Thanks my friend. Most of my injuries are just bruises I'm afraid. I just need rest. I'll see to the others. My magic doesn't drain me as yours does. It is provided by the Lord of Light himself. Are we finished, do you think? Did we break the ring and save the town?" Siff asked this in a hesitant voice as if she could not dare believe it was over. She had changed a lot from the wide eyed, optimistic woman from the North that he remembered meeting just over a week ago.

Reeks busied himself by hacking the monsters head of with his dagger. The grizzly work took a while but when he was done he set it next to his employer. "Better take that to the Alchemist when you see him. I've not seen the likes of this creature before."

Gaul to was busy. It seemed that the mystic wasn't the only one to have discovered the small chest. The orc dragged it out with his good arm and began playing with the lock with the tip of his dagger. There was a puff of smoke and a small dart shot out from the front of the chest, missing Gaul's face by a hair and embedding itself in the far wall. Gaul justed snorted in laughter and continued to fiddle.

Lord Kursaville had collected himself and stood over the fallen beasts decapitated body, never taking his eyes off of it. In a husky voice he whispered. "I'll report to Constable Ritage of our findings. When your up to it you better do your thing with the scroll case. Maybe you can gleam some information about the masked man. It's to late to head to the mine to check in with Master halfhelm. We'll wait for him to come to us. Get some sleep and come see me in the morning at the Office before you go to the Nexus Point.

With that he began climbing the staircase.

Reeks looks down at Firebug. "I'm guessing that door there leads out to the woods. I'll confirm it with Gaul. The merc points to the tunnel that continues on. I can tell you right now that that tunnel is incomplete. I can see the ending up ahead. Looks like they were going to dig straight to the castle. You may be right about an invasion.

[sfliegel]

Firebug slips the scroll case out from his belt and holds it in his hands as he closes his eyes and focuses. The world around him began to melt away his mind opened to the universe.

[Game Master]

Firebugs thoughts were of the most recent owner of the scroll case. Unfortunately that turned out to be the winged creature and not the masked man as he was hoping. Flashes of a volcano and snow covered mountain tops flashed before his eyes as did other winged creatures similar to the one the party had just dispatched. No other useful information was gleaned.


WRAPPING UP!

In side the scroll was a letter written in elven;

Master Slayer,

The last weapon shipment went out as scheduled. Once again the King will learn of an attack on the caravan. If all goes well only one more should be needed for your horde. That will officially end my part of the agreement. Not a moment to soon I fear as our operation here had been discovered. Luckily the man was a town drunkard and has been eliminated by Wolgar and Hins. I expect you to uphold your end till your master is ready to make his move. May the Prince hide you in darkness always.

Till our Masters return, BoG

All that you uncovered was handed over to Constable Ritage. Halfhelm caught most of the smugglers in the mine with the exception of the Troll that is now on the loose somewhere. Six dwarfen smiths and miners including Wolgar and Hins along with the remaining orcs and goblins were arrested for weapon smuggling, mineral theft, murder of a townsman and high treason. All are scheduled to be hanged in two days. Lord Kursaville informs Firebug and the others that he is excepting a post as a full fledged Constable in Garroten. The groups part in the investigation is over it seems but not before getting a nice 200 crowns each as payment. Gaul revealed that the chest contained a small vial filled with a blue bubbling liquid, fifty gold crowns and a ruby gem. Siff is sent to the jewelers to get the gem evaluated just as Reeks informs the group that the smuggler tunnels will be converted into a sewer system contracted out to Halfhelms now growing business. Firebug after divvying up the loot heads over to the Nexus point for his appointment to see what the mysterious magic paper is and to see if he can have the head of the lizard creature identified.


end of thread (xp time)