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Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)
Ismene dons her hood and opens the door to step inside. This room is a gruesome sight. A circle of flaming braziers illuminate the carnage. A man...or what remains of a man lies on the ground in the middle of the room. He looks like he was turned inside out. Blood is splattered all around him. To the east is a statue of a large snake behind a stone altar, the latter of which is also covered in blood. To the west are some bookshelves. To the north is a very long table, covered with open books. To the far northeast corner is a locked chest.

As soon as she steps in, though, the attack begins. Two more snakefolk stand in the back of the room, taking cover behind the braziers. One is a man with a snake-like tail, but also legs. His torso seems off-kilter, as if his spine were incredibly flexible. The other has the head of a snake but the body of a woman and is covered in hard scales instead of skin. Both wear brown robes and both fire crossbows. As Ismene is invisible, though, they fire too high and the bolts fly over her and slam into the wall behind her.

There is also a histachii waiting nearby. It begins to attack at once, flailing wildly. Ismene cries out in pain as one of his claws actually make contact with her.

"Watch out, ambush!" cries out Gregeddin, readying his zither.

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Snakefolk 02 fires a light quarrel from his light crossbow at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 10] (1d20-4): 6-4 = 2, miss.
Snakefolk 03 fires a light quarrel from her light crossbow at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 10] (1d20-4): 7-4 = 3, miss.
Histachii 09 swings its right claw at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 14-4 = 10, miss. It then swings its left claw at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 19-4 = 15, hit for (1d2): 2 damage. It then bites at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 4-4 = 0, miss. Ismene is now near death.
Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
"You're an idiot if you think she'll ignore this!" Grev retaliates. Kendra deflects another thrust then counters, slashing him across the chest. Tern uncoils his whip, but is hit in the head with an arrow and turns to stone. Grev is then hit in the chest, knocking him down. He lies there, looking up at Kendra, as his body slowly turns to stone.

"Takhisis...make sure she and everyone she loves...suffers," he hisses before turning to stone entirely.

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Initiative
Kendra (1d10+5): 7+5 = 12
Grev (1d10+3): 5+3 = 8
Tern (1d10+2): 10+2 = 18
Sadron (1d10+8): 3+8 = 11
Blonde Elf (1d10+7): 9+7 = 16
Brunette Elf (1d10+7): 4+7 = 11

Round 2!

Grev stabs at Kendra with his short sword against her studded leather (-1 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-1): 10-1 = 9, miss.
Sadron fires a sheaf arrow from his long bow at short range with elven grace (+1 hit) at Grev [TN 12] (1d20+1): 5+1 = 6, miss.
Brunette Elf fires a sheaf arrow from her short bow at short range with elven grace (+1 hit) at Grev [TN 16] (1d20+1): 12+1 = 13, miss.
Kendra swings her primary magic (+2 hit/dmg) long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Grev [TN 14] (1d20+3): 6+3 = 9, miss. She then swings her secondary masterwork (+1 hit/dmg) long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Grev [TN 14] (1d20): 18+2 = 20, hit for (1d8+4): 3+4 = 7 damage. Grev is now seriously wounded.
Blonde Elf fires a sheaf arrow from her short bow at short range with elven grace (+1 hit) at Tern [TN 16] (1d20+1): 19, hit for (1d8): 3 damage. Tern is petrified.
Tern is petrified.
Sadron fires a sheaf arrow from his long bow at short range with elven grace (+1 hit) at Grev [TN 12] (1d20+1): 12+1 = 13, hit for (1d8): 6 damage. Grev is petrified.
Brunette Elf has no target.
Blonde Elf has no target.

Tulbas Erogund (Cultist Lair, Barracks)
Tulbas studies his spellbook.

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Tulbas is studying Sleep. He will memorize it in 6 rounds.

Shima Longfoot (Merchant District)
Shima steps aside politely, and the woman continues forward unabated. She smirks as she passes by, but otherwise makes no comment. The locals nearby who had been watching the whole exchange tensely seem to let out a breath of relief that nothing came of it. After a few moments, they go back to their business.

Shima continues on to the Steel Tankard without further incident. It's a bit of a run down old two-story dive. It's in a decent neighborhood, but were this place sitting in the harbor district, instead of the far edge of the merchant district, Shima probably wouldn't feel comfortable entering without a weapon.

Ismene! Fall back through the doorway, I'll cover you! Any range attack on those snake-men would be helpful, guys! Don't forget about the trap to the north! Grubnick will try to cover Ismene's retreat, staying on the hall side of the doorway and attacking the Histachii with his mace if it moves to pursue.

Kendra lets out a sigh, and frees the elf that had been tortured. "All of you need to hurry and leave before the other one wakes up."

(OOC: Assuming that Ismene gets out of the doorway:) As soon as Ismene gets back out into the hallway, Arulia steps into the door frame to prevent her attacker from pursuit. Holding her mace and shield high, she attacks the snake-man.

(OOC: If Ismene stays where she is:) With no time to think, Arulia hangs her mace back on her baldric and grabs Ismene by the collar. Pulling her to safety, she gives her a gentle push away from the door. "You're hurt, and bad. There's no more fighting for you--stay hidden if you can."

Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)
Before anyone can react, the histachii starts attacking again. Ismene cries out once more from a light hit.

"Chaaarge!" Pen yells, running into the room to protect the illusionist. He slices into the histachii, grabbing its attention, but in doing so, turning his backside toward the cultists. He is rewarded for his heroism with a bolt in the back shoulder blade; luckily his armor stops it from puncturing too deep.

Felran and Ne-Chanz both move in next, splitting up to each take on a cultist. However, they discover that they are far tougher than the acolytes, especially the woman with the scales on her body. Their blows have little effect.

Gregeddin starts to play an inspiring song, rousing the party's spirits and giving them that extra boost of courage they need. Gobax, meanwhile, waits in case the enemy tries to escape. As he does so, his enhanced vision fades as the spell of trap finding ends.

Arulia cannot grab Ismene's collar, as she cannot see the gnome. But luckily she removes her hood once she is clear, so the others can see her again and know she is safe. She is on her last legs, ready to collapse. The half-elf then moves into the room with Pen and swings at the histachii, but it evades.

Finally, Yvette and Xyleena ready their crossbows. Yvette crouches so Xyleena can fire over her head. The two each shoot their crossbows at the male snakefolk, and Yvette's bolt manages to hit him in the shoulder.

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Initiative
Haahqae (N/A)
Arulia (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Gobax (1d10+7): 3+7 = 10
Felran (1d10+5): 2+5 = 7
Ne-Chanz (1d10+5): 3+5 = 8
Gregeddin (1d10+3): 5+3 = 8
Ismene (1d10): 10
Pen (1d10+5): 1+5 = 6
Yvette (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Xyleena (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Snakefolk 02 (1d10+7): 7+7 = 14
Snakefolk 03 (1d10+7): 1+7 = 8
Histachii 09 (1d10): 4

Round 1!

Histachii 09 swings its right claw at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 13-4 = 9, miss. It then swings its left claw at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 16-4 = 12, hit for (1d2): 1 damage. It then bites at Ismene while she is invisible (-4 hit) [TN 11] (1d20-4): 6-4 = 2, miss.
Pen moves 5 feet north and 20 feet east. He then slashes his long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Histachii 09 [TN 10] (1d20+1): 9+1 = 10, hit for (1d8+2): 2+2 = 4 damage. Histachii 09 is now moderately wounded.
Felran moves 5 feet south, 15 feet east, 5 feet south, and 20 feet east. He slashes his long sword at Snakefolk 02 with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) [TN 14] (1d20+1): 3+1 = 4, miss.
Snakefolk 03 fires a light quarrel from her light crossbow at Pen from behind (+2 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+2): 19+2 = 21, hit for (1d6): 4 damage.
Ne-Chanz moves 5 feet south, 20 feet east, 5 feet south, 5 feet east, 5 feet south, and 15 feet east. He then slashes his primary long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Snakefolk 03 [TN 18] (1d20+1): 14+1 = 15, miss. He then slashes his secondary long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while off-balance (-2 hit) at Snakefolk 03 [TN 18] (1d20-1): 13-1 = 12, miss.
Gregeddin moves 10 feet east and plays an inspiring song on his zither. All party members receive +1 to hit for 4 rounds.
Gobax readies an attack if the histachii steps outside. Find Traps wears off.
Ismene moves 15 feet west and 5 feet south. She removes her hood.
Arulia moves 5 feet south and 5 feet east. She then swings her mace at Histachii 09 while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 11] (1d20+1): 5+1 = 6, miss.
Yvette moves 5 feet east, 5 feet north and 5 feet east. She crouches and fires her light crossbow at Snakefolk 02 who is behind cover (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-1): 19-1 = 18, hit for (1d6): 3 damage. Snakefolk 02 is lightly wounded.
Xyleena moves 5 feet north and fires her light crossbow at Snakefolk 02 who is behind cover (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-1): 2-1 = 1, miss.
Snakefolk 02 fires a light quarrel from his light crossbow at Pen [TN 14] (1d20): 11, miss.
Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
Once freed, the two women help the prisoner to his feet. He has to lean upon them to walk, due to his injuries. "Go on," Sadron says. "Take him back to the main camp. I'll join up with you later."

Once they are gone, he turns back to Kendra. "This...may be the last time we see each other. I...thank you for everything you've done to help our people."

Tulbas Erogund (Cultist Lair, Barracks)
Tulbas studies his spellbook.

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Tulbas is studying Sleep. He will memorize it in 5 rounds.

Shima Longfoot (Steel Tankard Inn)
The first thing Shima notices when entering the Tankard is the odor. It smells like a mix of unwashed flesh and vomit. Like the High Hand, there are a number of off-duty draconians drinking and carousing off in the corner. They grope, whistle and harass the waitresses whenever they come by their table; the locals give them a wide berth.

Behind the bar is a portly, balding man. He gestures for Shima to come forward. "What can I get you, stranger?" he asks, wiping clean a mug with a dirty rag.

[OOC: crap, too slow.]

Grubnick moves up to attack the histaachi with his mace

Kendra glances around for a moment, then walks up to Sadron and hugs him tightly. "I wish things were different," she says softly.

"Ale," Shima replies, and looks around for anyone that fits the descriptions he was given.

It took Haahqae a while to figure out what was going on, but when he did it was clear what needed to be done.

That, was archery. The target, the vile beast that tore up Ismene.

(Action, shoot at histachii 9 twice)

Arulia continues her attack on the snake-man.

Haahqae, Arulia, Gobax, Felran and Ne-Chanz (Deserted Building)
With Ismene now safely away and the histachii unable to follow her, it then turns its fury on Pen. It claws and bites wildly at the kender, raking across his face and drawing blood. Pen and Arulia retaliate, both offering glancing blows. Gobax enters the room with them and takes a swing, but misses. Haahqae and Gregeddin both fire their bows at it. Haahqae misses, but the bard's arrow finally takes the creature down.

This little victory is short-lived, however. The snakefolk draw long swords to deal with Felran and Ne-Chanz. The male one speaks some arcane words of magic and a globe of pure darkness drops over the entrance, blinding everyone in that area.

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Initiative
Haahqae (1d0+7): 7+7 = 14
Arulia (1d10+7): 3+7 = 10
Gobax (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Felran (1d10+5): 7+5 = 12
Ne-Chanz (1d10+5): 8+5 = 12
Gregeddin (1d10+8): 8+7 = 16
Ismene (N/A)
Pen (1d10+5): 6+5 = 11
Yvette (1d10+7): 6+7 = 13
Xyleena (1d10+7): 7+7 = 14
Snakefolk 02 (1d10+7): 10+7 = 17
Snakefolk 03 (1d10+5): 1+5 = 6
Histachii 09 (1d10): 1

Round 2!

Histachii 09 swings its right claw at Pen against his chain mail (-2 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-2): 2-2 = 0, miss. It then swings its left claw at Pen against his chain mail (-2 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-2): 7-2 = 5, miss. It then bites at Pen [TN 15] (1d20): 19, hit for (1d3): 3 damage. Pen is now critically wounded.
Snakefolk 03 draws her long sword and slashes at Ne-Chanz [TN 12] (1d20): 8, miss.
Arulia swings her mace at Histachii 09 while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 11] (1d20+1): 13+1 = 14, hit for (1d6+1): 1+1 = 2 damage.
Pen slashes his long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) at Histachii 09 while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 10] (1d20+2): 13+2 = 15, hit for (1d8+2): 2+2 = 4 damage. Histachii 09 is now seriously wounded.
Felran slashes his long sword at Snakefolk 02 with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+2): 11+2 = 13, miss.
Ne-Chanz slashes his primary long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while inspired (+1 hit) at Snakefolk 03 [TN 18] (1d20+2): 3+2 = 5, miss. He then slashes his secondary long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while off-balance (-2 hit) and inspired (+1 hit) at Snakefolk 03 [TN 18] (1d20): 16, miss.
Yvette fires her light crossbow at Snakefolk 02 who is behind cover (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-1): 7-1 = 6, miss.
Gobax moves 5 feet north, 10 feet east and 5 feet north. He then swings his mace at Histachii 09 while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 10] (1d20+1): 8+1 = 9, miss.
Xyleena fires her light crossbow at Snakefolk 02 who is behind cover (-2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 15] (1d20-1): 4-1, miss.
Haahqae fires a sheaf arrow from her short bow with great aim (+2 hit) while inspired (+1 hit) at Histachii 09 [TN 11] (1d20+3): 6+3 = 9, miss.
Gregeddin moves 15 feet south and then 5 feet west. He fires a sheaf arrow from his composite long bow while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 11] (1d20+1): 12+1 = 13, hit for (1d8): 6 damage. Histachii 09 falls.
Snakefolk 02 draws his long sword. He creates a globe of darkness on the party.
Pen has no target in range.
Felran slashes his long sword at Snakefolk 02 with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while inspired (+1 hit) [TN 14] (1d20+2): 17+2 = 19, hit for (1d8+2): 5+2 = 7 damage. Snakefolk 02 is now seriously wounded.
Ne-Chanz slashes his primary long sword with great skill (+1 hit/+2 dmg) while inspired (+1 hit) at Snakefolk 03 [TN 18] (1d20+2): 13+2 = 15, miss.
Haahqae has no target in sight.
(OOC: The globe of darkness is absolute darkness; even infravision doesn't work in it. Penalties for fighting in the darkness are -4 to hit. If you attack and roll a 0 or less, you hit the wrong target. You can try to maneuver out of the darkness by moving 1/3 your movement rate--any faster than that and you'll crash into whoever or whatever is in your way.)[/color]

Kendra Greylock (Haven's Vale)
Sadron returns the embrace fully. "As do I. Maybe some day things will be," he says, although he doesn't sound very certain of it. Pulling away, he gently brushes a lock of her hair over her ear. "For what it is worth, I'll miss you. Take care of yourself and your family."

Tulbas Erogund (Cultist Lair, Barracks)
Tulbas studies his spellbook.

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Tulbas is studying Sleep. He will memorize it in 4 rounds.

Shima Longfoot (Steel Tankard Inn)
"Two coppers," the bartender says. Once Shima has handed them over, he pours him an ale and places it in front of the dwarf. It's the most watered down swill he has ever tasted. This ale is awful, even by humans' low standards.

Shima looks around the common area. Aside from the draconians, the bartender and his waitresses, there are seven men and women in the tavern--all human. None of them match the description that Raena gave him for Gregeddin, however.

He sees two women speaking with each other. One is older than the other, perhaps in her late 20s. She has short black hair and an eye patch over her right eye. The younger girl she is speaking to has red hair and looks to be in her late teens.

There's a middle aged man at the bar, not too far from Shima. He's tall and muscular and flashes a big smile whenever he makes eye contact with anyone.

Huddled by the fire is a pregnant woman, bundled up despite the fact it's somewhat warm inside.

An older man, perhaps in his 50s, sits at a table alone. He keeps looking to the front door, as if expecting someone.

A young man sits in the corner, quietly keeping an eye on everyone. Like Shima, he looks over everyone in the tavern as if trying to find someone. He even gives Shima a look over, as well.

Finally, there's a man in a heavy cloak that is speaking with one of the younger waitresses. She giggles at whatever he just said, evidently finding him charming.

Kendra kisses her once elven lover soundly, before she steps away from him. "I'll miss you too. Now go, before I do something stupid."

Grubnick moves east until he can see, the attacks S2, calling out There is light further into the room! We'll keep an area clear for you archers!