Swanky follows Daus around the room, trying not to be nosy about what his brother is doing, but also unable to contain his enthusiasm for anything valuable.
As they pass by the interrogation, he catches the captive's eye and makes a gesture indicating that Skarr is watching him, and then draws his finger across his throat, lets his tongue hang out of his mouth and makes a gurgling noise. Just a little reminder of his covert conversation with the dragonborn earlier.
Also: Farangu, were the contents of our captive's pockets also included in the 'nothing' I found on the various bodies strewn about?
"There's no need for that. Now," Korin says, looking at the other Dragonborn, "I want you to understand something. NONE of this had to happen. We were just here for a book, not a fight. Your men didn't have to die. You didn't have to end up here at our mercy. So, make sure to tell us everything, why you're here, what you were doing, and any men you have left, and you might not die for nothing like the rest."
It's a combination of my race, my class, and having Charisma as my highest stat, Skarr.
Kinahto on
0
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
edited July 2010
The dragonborn simply glances over the shoulder at the slowly-getting-angrier Skarr. "You can make all the promises you want. Something tells me he's not going to honor them. Besides, the kobolds lured me here to get eaten. And you killed them. So I should be thanking you.
Well, almost all of them. There's a few more through the portal that was there a second ago."
He chuckles for a moment.
"We found that portal open. I don't know how to open it, and I'd wager they wouldn't either. Nice."
Vista catches Skarr's eye and nods for him to come over, and then turns back to the rest of the group and silently makes a subtle 'chop-chop' motion with her sword over the Dragonborn, inquiring wordlessly on whether the Q&A portion of this dungeon should be brought to an 'End'.
susan on
2010 PAX DM Challenge Grand Champion 2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Korin sees Skarr preparing to strike down the captive Dragonborn, and just glares at him.
Yeah, I don't really want to kill someone who's completely helpless, especially since he's answered most of our questions, even if he's been a bit rude about it. I say we let him go.
Kinahto on
0
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
Just a thought...anyone trained in the Insight? If he is lying then theres is killing or further gleaning of info to be done. If he is not lying Swanky will whole-heartedly be not paying enough attention to have an opinion on the killing. I would roll Swanky's massive +1 insight check myself, but since he hasn't really been paying attention, it wouldn't make much since. Swanky will however have a look at those runes on the ground/desk area, and try to give an assist to Daus in figuring out the portal.
If you need a swing-vote on the beheading, Swanky's background in petty thievery has taught him that loose lips sink ships (and tell Corran), so he would vote for not leaving anyone alive who might go telling on him.
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
edited July 2010
Swanky:
Well, you notice that they're...magical. You can hazard a guess that crossing them would be bad, but you think you might be able to deface them enough to impede whatever the effect of crossing them would be.
Daus and Korin, at least, have Insight trained. Frankly I'm wondering why Korin's not used it yet. Daus just hasn't been paying attention; he's sure he can detective this out on his own.
Speaking of, any word on those arcana checks, Farangu?
If Korin gets the feeling he's lying, he'll step aside and let Skarr finish the guy.
Kinahto on
0
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
edited July 2010
Wow, I must have missed those, sorry Aegof.
Daus:
You can tell that anyone crossing the runes by the desk will be attacked by a sonic pulse that will temporarily disable them. Fortunately, the design and languages used in these runes is familiar enough to you that you can decipher the command word for the runes, which will disable them for 24 hours.
As for the alchemist's bench, nothing overtly magical leaps out at you. Both would probably warrant a search, however.
Korin stares off into nothing for a moment, thinking deeply. He snaps out of it, then says, "Untie him. If you still insist on killing him, I'm not going to let you do it while he's helpless."
Skarr brings the axe up over his head, and down just as swiftly. Slicing open the back of the Swiftblade's skull, most of his spine and making sure his cut severs the bonds holding his wrists together. While it was quick, it was not exactly clean.
Korin should thank the gods that some part of Skarr recognized that they were brothers. Because not a second after the words left Korin's mouth, they were replaced by a thick and meaty right cross. Followed by two more thundering blows to the face. Skarr's axe lay nearby on the floor, where he dropped it.
I don't have to roll any subdual attacks or anything do I? I don't want to take this brotherly spat too far...
"Keep it up brother, and Skarr will beat you like we were 10 years old." Skarr says, between punches. "This is not the warmth and comfort of the Reach. Where a warm glass of milk, a comfy bed and Corran's stories make everything better."
The fourth and fifth hits, impacting against Korin's upraised arms and shoulders, are noticably weaker that the first three. They still hurt, sending Korin reeling this way and that, but there was no real malice. These further punches were more for emphasis than out of anger.
"Out here, you kill or you die. There is no other way!"
Vista bodily interjects herself between the two combatants before things can proceed any further. In her calm mechanical voice, she states, "It is my directive to protect the children of Corran, even from eachother. I posed a hypothetical query once to Corran, and he confirmed that it is within my parameters to render you both unconscious should I deem that would be the most direct route to ensuring your further health. This, however, would be an instance of violence that I would take no pleasure in, and I would ask that you do not make it a necessary course."
susan on
2010 PAX DM Challenge Grand Champion 2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Releasing his brother, Skarr moves away to collect his axe and begins to clean the blood off of it. "Fine. Lets get whatever we came here to get, and leave. Skarr is not having fun anymore."
Steelhawk on
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FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?!" Korin shouts, "Do you think I've forgotten that everywhere we've gone, we've been attacked by monsters or bandits? Do you think I've forgotten that our brother was taken by that... thing? Everyone out here expects to kill or be killed... but he was tied up. Helpless."
Korin's voice gets lower, more sad than angry, "He was telling the truth about everything. I'm sure of it. What you did wasn't right. That wasn't for survival, that was cold-blooded MURDER. So, fine," Korin stands up straight, drops his glaive, and raises his fists, "If you want to fight, let's do it. I'll fight for what I believe in."
We don't have to actually run through the fight if it comes to that. It's fairly safe to assume Skarr will win.
Swanky has suddenly lost interest in Daus' academic project. He is sitting in the middle of the room, looking back and forth between Skarr and Korin with bated breath. He agrees audibly with everything each of them is saying, trying to encourage the fight.
Skarr smiles at his brothers bravado, tusks showing broadly. "Good." he nods, truely impressed that Korin is not wailing for Corran like when they were young. "Good. You fight for what you beleive in. I'll fight those who will stab you in back for those same beliefs."
Skarr pauses, looking at the audience. Then smiles even wider.
"Hey now, hey now. Let's not bring the adorable halfling into this. Besides, we all know that I have never once stabbed anyone in the back for their beliefs...unless by beliefs you mean valuables, in which case you are absolutely correct. AND Korin knows I would never stab him at all, at least not intentionally. Well ok, maybe intentionally, but it would be a flesh wound if anything. Well..." Sensing that he was talking himself further into a hole, he decided the change the subject.
"So, the guy who tried to kill us is dead. Same ending, different authors, so its whatever. Anyhoo, I know we already have the book...but its KILLING me (ha! ba-zing) not knowing where that portal goes. Any chance we can put our effort into figuring that out instead of forcing me to stop a fight?"
Perception on the alchemist bench: 1d20+217 Perception on the desk papers: 1d20+25
Daus spends a moment studying the alchemist's bench before muttering the command word and crossing the runes. He only has time to give the papers strewn about on the desk the briefest glance before the worst of his brothers.
"I can't believe Swanky's the most reasonable of all of you," he said, bitterly. "But we have our prize. If we don't care about the portal or anything else going on here, we can leave."
Aegof on
I'm providing ambience.
0
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
edited July 2010
Daus:
The papers on the desk are yellowed with age, but you can make out some text on them:
"It is fitting that the lantern’s elemental flame grants access to my library; only the knowledge in these books has granted me the power to tame the elements. My mastery over earth and stone continues to grow. I excavated the Tomb in record time and the portal*illegible* I wish I did not need a tomb, but I’ve chased off too many grave robbers over the past few months. I moved entire blocks of earth at once, but they are now safe deep underground—the dead shall lie in peace."
Next to the papers, you find a piece of Red chalk.
In the alchemist's bench, you find that most of the components are dried up and useless. You do, however, manage to scrounge two vials of Alchemist's Acid (Adventure vault pg. 24) and 50 gp of chemical reagents.
"Well," Korin says as he brushes himself off and picks up the glaive, doing his best to act as if nothing ever happened, "I don't like the idea of these Kobolds running around as they please, with or without a master, but we also don't know where this portal leads, or if there's any way back after we've gone through."
"Then again," He says with a grin while looking to Swanky, "What's life without a little adventure?"
I vote portal, and hopefully high adventure with it.
Vista raises her hand at the mention of the portal, "If it comes to it, I make an exceptional mechanical guinea pig. I don't need to breathe or eat, so if I fall into a vacuum, water, time portal, or bottomless pit, I stand a better chance at survival than you would."
susan on
2010 PAX DM Challenge Grand Champion 2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
"This is," Daus said, shaking his head, "a bit beyond me, I think. The notes mention elemental flame as a method of accessing a 'tomb,' which I suspect is where we're standing, but I can't produce that. Or bring it here from the Elemental Chaos, I guess. Swanky, take a look around for a lantern."
Arcana on how one might secure "elemental flame": 1d20+1014
"It might be for the best if we leave for now, anyway. The paper's writer was apparently a powerful magician. Possibly dead."
Aegof on
I'm providing ambience.
0
FaranguI am a beardy manWith a beardy planRegistered Userregular
edited July 2010
Daus:
Suddenly, you notice that the chalk has a small spark of arcana in it. It appears to be similar to Korin's Eternal Chalk. Except Red.
"You know what else might work? A little flint and/or steel. I think I have both in the ol' backpack. Also, it would be amazing if anyone here was...i dont know...kin to dragons and could possibly breathe fire. That'd be neat."
Posts
As they pass by the interrogation, he catches the captive's eye and makes a gesture indicating that Skarr is watching him, and then draws his finger across his throat, lets his tongue hang out of his mouth and makes a gurgling noise. Just a little reminder of his covert conversation with the dragonborn earlier.
Also: Farangu, were the contents of our captive's pockets also included in the 'nothing' I found on the various bodies strewn about?
_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686
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Watch me struggle to learn streaming! Point and laugh!
INTIMIDATE=28
It's a combination of my race, my class, and having Charisma as my highest stat, Skarr.
Well, almost all of them. There's a few more through the portal that was there a second ago."
He chuckles for a moment.
"We found that portal open. I don't know how to open it, and I'd wager they wouldn't either. Nice."
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2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Unless there are any objections from the other players, Skarr is going to kill the swiftblade. Anyone? Anyone?
Yeah, I don't really want to kill someone who's completely helpless, especially since he's answered most of our questions, even if he's been a bit rude about it. I say we let him go.
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1d20+6= 21
If you need a swing-vote on the beheading, Swanky's background in petty thievery has taught him that loose lips sink ships (and tell Corran), so he would vote for not leaving anyone alive who might go telling on him.
_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686
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Speaking of, any word on those arcana checks, Farangu?
INSIGHT- 1d20+6 = 20
If Korin gets the feeling he's lying, he'll step aside and let Skarr finish the guy.
Daus:
As for the alchemist's bench, nothing overtly magical leaps out at you. Both would probably warrant a search, however.
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Skarr looks at Korin's disapproving face. "What? He's free. I'm efficient, thats all."
"Skarr, you're a coward. A WEAK coward."
*grabs popcorn*
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I don't have to roll any subdual attacks or anything do I? I don't want to take this brotherly spat too far...
"Keep it up brother, and Skarr will beat you like we were 10 years old." Skarr says, between punches. "This is not the warmth and comfort of the Reach. Where a warm glass of milk, a comfy bed and Corran's stories make everything better."
The fourth and fifth hits, impacting against Korin's upraised arms and shoulders, are noticably weaker that the first three. They still hurt, sending Korin reeling this way and that, but there was no real malice. These further punches were more for emphasis than out of anger.
"Out here, you kill or you die. There is no other way!"
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
I'd make you do it if I was feeling particularly nasty, but I'm in the mood to reward good RP.
Although mental note: I need to stop taking it easy on you guys...these fights are supposed to go longer
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Korin's voice gets lower, more sad than angry, "He was telling the truth about everything. I'm sure of it. What you did wasn't right. That wasn't for survival, that was cold-blooded MURDER. So, fine," Korin stands up straight, drops his glaive, and raises his fists, "If you want to fight, let's do it. I'll fight for what I believe in."
We don't have to actually run through the fight if it comes to that. It's fairly safe to assume Skarr will win.
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Chicago Megagame group
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_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686
Skarr pauses, looking at the audience. Then smiles even wider.
"Like Swanky."
"So, the guy who tried to kill us is dead. Same ending, different authors, so its whatever. Anyhoo, I know we already have the book...but its KILLING me (ha! ba-zing) not knowing where that portal goes. Any chance we can put our effort into figuring that out instead of forcing me to stop a fight?"
_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686
Perception on the desk papers: 1d20+2 5
Daus spends a moment studying the alchemist's bench before muttering the command word and crossing the runes. He only has time to give the papers strewn about on the desk the briefest glance before the worst of his brothers.
"I can't believe Swanky's the most reasonable of all of you," he said, bitterly. "But we have our prize. If we don't care about the portal or anything else going on here, we can leave."
"It is fitting that the lantern’s elemental flame grants access to my library; only the knowledge in these books has granted me the power to tame the elements. My mastery over earth and stone continues to grow. I excavated the Tomb in record time and the portal*illegible* I wish I did not need a tomb, but I’ve chased off too many grave robbers over the past few months. I moved entire blocks of earth at once, but they are now safe deep underground—the dead shall lie in peace."
Next to the papers, you find a piece of Red chalk.
In the alchemist's bench, you find that most of the components are dried up and useless. You do, however, manage to scrounge two vials of Alchemist's Acid (Adventure vault pg. 24) and 50 gp of chemical reagents.
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"Then again," He says with a grin while looking to Swanky, "What's life without a little adventure?"
I vote portal, and hopefully high adventure with it.
_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686
2011 PAX Warmachine/Hordes Champion
Arcana to see if I can figure out the portal: 1d20+10 13
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Arcana on how one might secure "elemental flame": 1d20+10 14
"It might be for the best if we leave for now, anyway. The paper's writer was apparently a powerful magician. Possibly dead."
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1d20+6=22
"You know what else might work? A little flint and/or steel. I think I have both in the ol' backpack. Also, it would be amazing if anyone here was...i dont know...kin to dragons and could possibly breathe fire. That'd be neat."
_____________________________________________
HoTS: Schmutz#1686