[Game Thread] Crossroads

[JustDave]

You say your goodbyes to the Otts and turn north east upon leaving the Green Dragon. The street is a smooth cobblestone with grass and other bushes lining the road. The way is light by means of magical stones resting on ornate poles. To see Crossroads in it's glory days would have been a sight. Nobody is out as you take the short journey (about 100 yards or so) and all is quiet.

You find the outer gate open and pass through a full lawn to the front door. The Duke's bodyguard greets you at the door. He is tall, muscular and wearing chain armor under a purple woolen tunic with the House Johnson sigil. He leads you into a foyer where the Duke is standing. He is not so tall and rather plain looking. He is wearing a green silk shirt and expensive leather pants with a rapier fashionably hanging off his hip.

From the areas you can see, the Duke's estate is expensively adorned, but old and worn in places. There are no other servants other than his guard that you notice.

The Duke addresses you, Good to see you again. Let us retire to my study where we can be comfortable while we discuss business. He and his guard lead you west down a long hallway (approx 60 feet long) with smaller rooms opening to either side.

[JustDave]

You turn the corner at the end of the hall turning left. You see the Duke and his guard react to something and glance at each other then at you suspiciously. As you turn the corner you see it too. The room is a large dining hall with a table and expensive rug. At the far end of the room is an open door with stairs leading down behind it.

But what really catches your eye is the trail of blood from that door leading to an alcove in the north-eastern corner. A man in plate armor with a blue rose on it lies mortally wounded. You instantly recognize him as one of the mercenaries from the earlier group. He is unable to speak but is pointing at the Duke and you can clearly see him mouth "Noooo".

While everybody is clearly shocked, only Jaya is not surprised.

OOC--Jaya get's a surprise round. Initiative coming in the next post (I will roll all initiatives).

[JustDave]

 

Initiative:
Jaya

Dice Roll:

1d20+4

(10)+4

Total = 14

Bareris

Dice Roll:

1d20+2

(6)+2

Total = 8

Carroway

Dice Roll:

1d20+4

(10)+4

Total = 14

Moradin

Dice Roll:

1d20+1

(9)+1

Total = 10

Azura

Dice Roll:

1d20+2

(7)+2

Total = 9

Duke and bodyguard

Dice Roll:

1d20+1

(3)+1

Total = 4

In summary, order goes:
Jaya surprise round
Next Round
Jaya
Carroway
Moradin
Azura
Bareris
Duke
Bodyguard

[epelj1]

Almost the same time as her bag starts squirming, she smells the scent on the air. Blood. As they round the corner, she sees what she had known would be there. Connecting the dots between the mercenary and the Duke, Jaya instinctively moves towards the only unknown thing in the room. Drawing her dagger, she tries to

Dice Acrobatics - Up:

1d20+4

(5)+4

Total = 9

Dice Acrobatics - Down:

1d20+4

(8)+4

Total = 12

jump across the table. She slips on the unfamiliar surface and lands flat on the table, with a thud and a yelp.

[JustDave]

Jaya leaps into action jumping on the table to get to the Duke. Unfortunately, her toe snagged on the edge of the table sending her sprawling across the table spilling flatware and stoneware all over the place.

 

OOC: Jaya is prone on the table and ends her surprise round.

[epelj1]

Making the best of her position, Jaya grabs her crossbow, aims and

Dice Attack:

1d20+4

(8)+4

Total = 12

Dice Damage:

1d10

8

fires the point blank shot at the Duke.

[JustDave]

The arrow is slightly off target. It barely nicks the Duke near his shoulder but is harmlessly deflected up and over his shoulder. The Duke sneers back with angry eyes and begins to yell loudly. It sounds like goblin gibberish to most of you. You hear stirrings and more goblin gibberish emanating from down the stairs.

[Alexader]

"Goblins, how could you align yourself with them" Moradin protested stepping forward slamming his warhammer against his activating sanctified shield ability +1 profound bonus to AC, swift actionshield before launching a

Dice attack 1:

1d20+3

(14)+3

Total = 17

Dice damage 1:

1d8+2

(2)+2

Total = 4

mighty sweep at the dukes guard.

"We be having visitors soon guys."

[JustDave]

The hammer hits home, but the guard managed to turn at the last second lessening the blow. He grimaces in some pain, but otherwise seems unphased.

[Battlechaser]

His nose cringing at the smell Bareris said "Blood and ...Goblins." Bareris spat the last word out. Quickly overseeing the situation he yelled "I'll cover the cellar entrance. You deal with these two."
Invoking the Justice judgmentpower of his goddess to help him slay his enemies faster, the half-orc Acrobatics

Dice Roll:

1d20-4

(6)-4

Total = 2

ran forward, only to be hampered by a bloody bench. An idea formed in his mind and after picking up the bench he ran forward to the door, kicking it closed and blocking it with the bench and all his might.

[JustDave]

Bareris peered into the darkness before closing the door but the lack of light was no impediment to him. He could clearly see the blood trail going down the stairs that went down about 10 feet before turning to the right. There were no immediate signs of movement on his last glimpse before closing and crudely barring the door.

[Moridain]

"Huh?!" Cries the Paladin, clearly confused about what is going on. Suddenly he notices the dark look on the Dukes face, and looks at the dying mercinary again with dawning realisation. The Word Goblin is enough to put it together, and his face becomes sad "Oh Duke... Why? What could Goblins possibly give you to turn against your own kind?"

Stepping further in, putting himself in front of the Sorceress in case the guard attempts to face her, but far enough away so that the guard cannot strike him, he draws the bow from his shoulder. Nocking an arrow he fires it in a single action into the Guard "Try not to kill the Duke, he has questions to answer! He will face justice for his crimes."

ooc Five foot step and fire an arrow at the guard. I have Precise shot, so no penalty, and Point Blank shot for increased damage and to hit. Dice attack: 1d20+6 (14)+6 Total = 20 1d8+1 (1)+1 Total = 2

[JustDave]

The arrow lands squarely into the guard, but misses any vital areas. He curses, but the words and the sounds are unrecognizable.

[Valeur]

Azura gasps in surprise at the whole scene - blood, goblins, what the hells!? - and moves swiftly into the corner of the room, feeling more comfortable with her capable allies between her and the Baron and his bodyguard. With a flick of her wrist and a whisper of arcane power, she sends a

Dice Magic Missile:

1d4+1

(1)+1

Total = 2

magic missile made of pure blue light from her fingertip and into the bodyguard.

[JustDave]

The body guard took another blow, and while not staggering, he is clearly injured. He looks right to the now barred door and then left. Sensing his chance to escape, he draws his sword and begins moving back to the hallway with the Duke right on his heels. They continue moving back down the hallway you came in.

The poor mercenary has fallen unconscious again but is still alive as you hear his labored breathing. The noises from behind the barred door sound like numerous individual goblins or other high pitched creatures but as of yet is not getting closer.



OOC--Moradin can make 1 AOO against either fleeing foe. Duke's AC is 16/12/14 (normal, touch, flat footed). Guard is 15/11/13