Part 5: Retake Urah

Part 5: Retake Urah, Again

It is still closer to night. The moon hangs overhead, as the group moves from the mines towards the castle that looms over Urah city. Once, this was the seat of power for the Von Stein royalty. Now, it is ruled over by the Duivia Dukedom - headed by Reinhard von Dunkelwald. As they get closer, they group up with more Adventurers. The leader of the Rebellion is traveling with them. Gran'it Von Stein, the youthful would-be-prince is keeping his body low as they approach the water-side castle, leading them to a hidden tunnel. "We've scouted this position a few times. Their patrols don't really cover the area down below." As he ties off a rope to a nearby branch, and lowers it into an overgrowth-covered pit of sorts. "We get in there, we use the downstairs to get as quickly as we can to the seat of power, and we take out Reinhard - who has been leading the forced labor at the mines. We do not give the soldiers time to react. And with their lord defeated, some of the magic seals on the castle will fall - and our allies can get in." Gran'it explains, as he helps lower people down into the depths. As an owl coos in the moonlight night, it all seems to be going incredibly smoothly. The Princeling of course knows his former home inside-and-out. And with all of the patrols already charted out, there shouldn't be anything they can't deal with. Taking over the former Von Stein location will give the Rebellion a base of operations, as well as garnering a powerbase within the holdings of Duivia Dukedom once more. Making its intentions clear, to remove the Duke from power, and to ensure that they cannot assassinate the Prince without anyone being the wiser. After the entire group rapels down, Gran'it moves forward and steps confidently up to the bars of the rusty looking gate in front of them. They rest following him. He makes for a pull and a confident push - like someone who knows exactly how an old door should be opened after decades of aging. In the meantime, he re-iterates that they are specifically doing this as a small attack squad, because the wards on this place prevent scrying and the like. Cling. "Huh... strange." Gran'it looks down at the gate. "The scouts didn't say anything about a lock." There's naught but darkness and quiet ahead though. "Must have added it to make sure the Duivia troops didn't bother with this gate." He remarks and runs his hand behind his head. "Any of you good with locks? It doesn't look too sturdy, we can probably just bash or pry it open."

GAME: Fidget casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19

Bryn clambers on down, pretty confident that the princeling knows the place like the back of his hand. Way better than she. She moves quietly... at least for an oruchess in metal chain. Maybe? "Huh.." she breaths as she looks around. "Holes in the ground all look alot alike..." Then there's the gate, and the lock. "Um..." now her eye pans back to the others, then back to von Stein. "Can always smack it... but that'll be noisy."

"Understood," Warrick grunts as he rappels down into the depths, a plethora of weapons dangling off his back and sides. He lands with a thud, sliding on a open faced helmet that doesn't match his blackened breastplate. Large crossbow in hand that was enchanted by the very gobber with them, he loads a bolt. There's a stare at the gate, before Warrick blinks and shakes his head. "I can shoot it off, but yes, it'll be loud." He idly inspects his armored left arm, squinting briefly before rubbing his eyes and saddling up against the wall like he usually does when holding an angle.

Always willing to help out a good rebellion, Fidget had heard through word of mouth about this operation, and did a little research before replying. It sure seemed like the Duke was a bad guy who needed exploding. And she was the gobbo to help with that. "Is the palace warded against scrying? Could be worth having a peek in there, if it wouldn't set off an alarm or something?" she asks, being a bit more cautious than her usual - at least for now. "And someone else will have to handle the lock if you want it done... subtly." she adds, miming an explosion with her hands with a widening grin. "Ah, you too, Bryn, Warrick? We can be the obvious rogues together. Did anyone remember to bring a sneaky type?"

"Don't look at me, I'm not picking any locks, one of the crimes I haven't managed to commit." Zofija shrugs, looking at the lock. Could always smash it off, but that'll be real obvious, and if there's a lock there, that means they know about it, right?" "So, what's the plan? I don't know if we've got any other choice getting in here."

Carver places a kiss on Deathless's nose, the red horse giving a shake of her head as they seperate. The hole was too small sadly. She is the last to come down, dark eyes in the dark darting around nervously as the others mull over how to get past the first obstacle.

Gran'it nods and agrees; "It'll be loud, but it's a lot better than storming this place. Let's just be prepared to rush in there." He calls out to the crew. "Warrick, take down the lock. Everyone else, let's be prepared to head in. We'll be moving straight west - straight from this door - and going up the stairs when we find them. Alright? Keep your eyes peeled."

Bryn nods to Gran'it, gets her blade out and grips it firm, then gives Warrick a tusky grin. "I'm ready." Aside from bashing the lock off, she doesn't have any sneaky suggestions. She isn't the most subtle.

Warrick gives one last once over before he eyes the group. "Got it. Fidget- can you conjure acid? That would be quieter," he suggests, ducking slightly to get ready to run.

"Okay, hold on, hold on - I can't be quiet, but I can be quieter than *that*." the purple gobbo says, pointing at Warrick's massive long-range-argument-winner. With a couple of arcane gestures and a few words of power, she conjures a greenish, sizzling blob of acid, and flicks it at the lock with a finger, the goop eating into the metal. It takes her two castings before the lock snaps open and thuds into the dirt. The door, too, looks a little worse for wear.

GAME: Fidget casts Acid Splash. Caster Level: 9 DC: 18

There's a splash against the lock, and it soon begins to sizzle away, taking some of the door with it. Gran'it takes a moment to let the acid melt through and grow inert, before he pushes the door open with a bit of a shoulder-check - revealing an empty hall. "Good, just as the scouts said. There should be no patrols here right now. Let's head straight west everyone!"

"Well, that works at least. Guess the door'll get fixed later. Or filled in entirely." Zofija shrugs, squeezing into the basement area. "Careful, might still be people here even if they're not actively patrolling. Good spot to sneak off for a nap, probably."

<OOC> Warrick lets out a ioun torch to get more light

== GM Harkashan has dropped a TIMESTOP! ==
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Warrick, roll me a reflexive Stealth and Perception check as you move into that spot."
GAME: Warrick rolls stealth: (13)+2: 15
GAME: Warrick rolls perception: (6)+7: 13

Warrick chuckles as his large crossbow is pointed out, him waiting for the door to get opened before he slips in with everyone. He fans out north, leveling his crossbow in the darkness before thumbing a button on a pouch, letting a glowing dull sphere roll out upwards and defy gravity near his head, spilling light out around him. "Understood, Skyguard," the arbalest grunts, advancing and picking a corner to post up against.- He squints in the dark. A weapon glints off the light in the distance. "... aw shit. Uh. Phalanx formation squad ahead in the hallway? With a royal behind them?" he whispers to the party. "I think they see us..." He takes a half step into the corner wall, gripping his weapon tighter.

It is now Reinhard von Dunkelwald's turn! Selfish Footsoldier is next!

Straight to the west, a group of soldiers stand at the ready, taking up an entire hallway. Some kneeled down, bearing spears and hiding behind shields. A proper formation that looks all too well prepared. Potions hanging from some of their belts. Behind them, a man that none of them have ever seen. Except, Bryn has a bit of feeling of Deja Vu about the man. Warrick, being the first to be spotted though, may also spot something unusual. There's surprise on the kingly man's expression. Like, he was expecting people, but he wasn't expecting /WARRICK/. There's a mouthed 'what in the name of...' as the man takes a solid moment to recover, before pointing forward. "The assassins have arrived, just as Foretold!" He calls out to his soldiers. "By Divine Right, I bear protection over this place. No lowly rebels will take this. Gran'it von Stein! Your little Rebellion ceases right here! You will pay for your transgressions, as will that lowly Goblin and the rest of the mangy mutts you brought with you!" He then sweeps his hand outwards, as glowing pale light envelops the troops before him, as well as somewhere around a corner. "Take them down!"

<OOC> Harkashan says, "The man casts some kind of spell."
GAME: Harkashan advances the initiative order.

It is now Selfish Footsoldier's turn! Soldier Troops is next!
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3+2+2: (7)+3+2+2: 14

From the North, a Soldier suddenly bum-rushes Bryn, bringing his massive great-sword to bear upon the Orc, trying to take her out in one fell swoop. At the same time, from the West, the troops they were warned about rush in towards Warrick and Gran'it. "Charge!" They call out, forming up on their position and bring their weapons to bear as they surround the two of them from all sides!

It is now Carver's turn! Anxious Footsoldier is next!
<OOC> Carver says, "step, full attack rapid shot at the big troopers."
GAME: Carver rolls weapon7-1: (11)+15+-1: 25
GAME: Carver rolls weapon-1: (14)+0+-1: 13
GAME: Carver rolls weapon7-1: (7)+15+-1: 21
GAME: Carver rolls weapon7-5: (7)+15+-5: 17

It is now Anxious Footsoldier's turn! Fidget is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Anxious Footsoldier attacks Warrick."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3+2: (19)+3+2: 24
GAME: Harkashan rolls 2d6+3: (12)+3: 15

It is now Fidget's turn! Puzzled Footsoldier is next!
GAME: Fidget casts Fireball. Caster Level: 9 DC: 21
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Troops:"
GAME: Harkashan rolls 9: (17)+9: 26
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Foot Soldier:"
GAME: Harkashan rolls 1: (17)+1: 18
GAME: Fidget rolls 9d6: (43): 43

"So much for empty tunnels" Fidget complains aloud as the guards rush them, "And what was that about 'foretold'? Were they scrying on us on our trip here?" Seeing a mass of people rush around the corner, she abandons subtlety and calls out loudly the magic words that draw fire forth, creating a whirling gout of flame between her outstretched hands, "Warrick, duck right a bit!" she yells to him, and lobs the fire forth into the empty space behind the formation, the explosion consuming those closest entirely.

It is now Puzzled Footsoldier's turn! Bryn is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Puzzled Footsoldier runs around and attacks Warrick as well."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3: (6)+3: 9

It is now Bryn's turn! Zofija is next!
<OOC> Bryn will smack Selfish back selfishly. "Swift for Arcane Strike, standard to to attack."
GAME: Bryn rolls weapon1+1: (12)+6+1: 19
GAME: Bryn rolls damage1+1: aliased to 2d4+4+1: (8)+4+1: 13
<OOC> Harkashan says, "They fall before your might"

"So much for sneakin..." Bryn is ready for a fight, though. Unfortunately, she's ready for a fight with the folks to the west that Warrick mentioned; not so much with the one running at her from the north. Her bum is rushed and the rest of her takes a heavy gash from the sword. -That- gets her attention. "Ey!" There's no rousing call, except maybe for herself, as she turns her focus and ire upon that one. It's swiftly followed by a heavy swing in kind; she'll worry about bleeding later. The greedy soldier winds up the one more worse for the effort, starts bleeding immediately, and collapses. "Don' give whatcha can' take!"

It is now Zofija's turn! Warrick is next!
<OOC> Zofija says, "moves and rolls power attack on puzzled before Hark returns"
GAME: Zofija rolls 1d20+9+1+1-2: (15)+9+1+1+-2: 24
GAME: Zofija rolls 2d6+6+6: (7)+6+6: 19

"Ah, it's okay, the information was sound after all. look, not a patrol in sight." The arvek-nar snorts. "Appreciate you coming down to meet me! Saves me the trouble of chasing you around this castle to cave your skull in!" They roar in challenge, stepping closer to one of the guards who is unceremoniously crushed against the ground.

It is now Warrick's turn! Gran'it is next!
   It is now Warrick's turn! Gran'it is next!
<OOC> Warrick says, "attempt to acrobatics out of the threatened area"
GAME: Warrick rolls acrobatics+1: (8)+7+1: 16
<OOC> Harkashan says, "CMD is 20."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 2d6: (10): 10
<OOC> Warrick keeps moving to get into the cover of the rocks there from the main guy and shoots the troop
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1: (11)+12+1: 24
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowdamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (8)+4+1: 13
<OOC> Harkashan says, "You manage to disperse the last remains of the troop along with Carver and Fidget."

It is now Reinhard von Dunkelwald's turn! Selfish Footsoldier is next!

"He should not even be aware of my existence. How could he have been scrying on me?" Gran'it falters as the troop near him begins to burn, and his allies take down various soldiers. "No, my plans. The scouting. This should have been a perfect plan." He mumbles, not having the kind of experience that Adventurers have. He stumble back a bit, deflecting a blow meant for him by one of the soldiers trying to get the surround on him. He's led all these Adventurers into a far too dangerous situation! But his mind is racing. How is this possible? He grits his teeth and grips his blade even harder. This isn't a time to worry about this plan somehow having failed. Now is time for action alongside these Adventurers! Avoiding one of Warrick's crossbow bolts, and then charging forward towards the King-looking man. "Reinhard! This is my parents' home, and my birthright! You will stain it no further!"

<OOC> Harkashan says, "Reinhard runs back at full speed as well."

Warrick meets eyes with the kingly man, his brow furrowing at that interaction before- "Aw shit, here they come!" he shouts, pulling his weapon in close to his neck and pressing against the wall as the troop charges in. There's only a brief sting of pain being struck before heat engulfs the space. Wiping away most of the forces that surrounded them. He heeds the warning to duck without a thought, skipping forth out of the cover to get some space. "Something's really off about all this!" he yells back to Fidget, the look back earning a spear in the side, only barely held back from the undermail. Gasping, he scrabbles to the side to get behind some rocks, leveling the crossbow at a soldier and firing a shot off, one that piercing them, and another behind them clanging into a skull. That seemed to be enough to discourage any more, as they scatter.

Reinhard watches as his troops get outright slaughtered in such a small moment of time. "Damnit!" He calls out in irritation, and turns away, running down the hallway with incredibly speed. Yet, he halts near the end of the hall, and brandishes what looks like a dagger. "Then let's do this, Gran'it. You and I. King and Princeling! You may have bested me before, but not this time!"

It is now Carver's turn! Fidget is next!
<OOC> Carver says, "Move, perception check to see if others are hiding to get their flanks."
GAME: Carver rolls perception: (19)+13: 32

Yeah, go kick his ass!" Carver screeches as Gran'it rushes ahead. She doesn't match his pace, instead sliding to a stop near the pillar and sweeping a look across the room they're still in for any more nasties.

It is now Fidget's turn! Bryn is next!
<OOC> Fidget says: Call Gran'it back, and hold casting Haste for him, casting on everyone if possible.
GAME: Fidget casts Haste. Caster Level: 9 DC: 21

"Gran'it, don't be foolish, he didn't want to fight you one on one before he was outnumbered. Fuck him up. But first, come back here and get some of the magical assistance he certainly also has." Fidget implores the eager rebel, casting the first parts of a hastening spell. "And I would worry Warrick. I always expect plans to go like this. If carefully laid plans worked most of the time, it wouldn't be half as fun."

It is now Bryn's turn! Zofija is next!
<OOC> Bryn will move up next to Warrick and start up Inpire Courage.

It is now Zofija's turn! Warrick is next!
<OOC> Zofija says, "move and give the group paired opportunists as a standard for 5 rounds"
"Hang on, hang on! Oh, for fucks sake, I know you want him dead, but knock some sense into that skull of yours!" The arvek-nar curses loudly above most of the group. "tunnel's wide for three folks, we can't easily cut him off. so get close to him and keep him in place for your allies!"

It is now Warrick's turn! Gran'it is next!
<OOC> Warrick says, "move forward, take a pot shot at the kingly guy, is he in darkness or dim light?"
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Dim thanks to Gran'it having a torch on him."
<OOC> Warrick says, "21-1 is a miss"
GAME: Warrick rolls 1d100: (33): 33
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16+1: (20)+12+1: 33 (THREAT)

Warrick groans. "There is no honor in a duel like this, Gran'it, it is a trap!" he yells to the young lordling rushing forth. He glances back at Fidget. "Yeah, I know, I am worried." Jetting forth, he skids to a halt and drops to a hard knee, the heavy crossbow leveling down the way. There's a deep breath and a slow exhale. This was more his style. "Serriel guide this shot..." he whispers, pulling the trigger. The bolt whistles down the hallway, managing to land on Reinhard, but not managing to stick in anything vital.

It is now Gran'it's turn! Reinhard von Dunkelwald is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Gran'it moves back to get that Haste @ Fidget"
<OOC> Fidget says, "Looks like that's everyone getting Haste."

Gran'it hesitates for a moment as Fidget calls back at him. Warrick is echoing his own thoughts. "What do you mean... transgressions?" It feels like something has happened without something having happened. "What is going on?" He pushes his feet back and gets back into range of Fidget's magic for just long enough that it can take effect, and then uses the magic given to him to rush forward even faster! "I know! I will wait for you guys!" He calls back to Zofija, rushing Reinhard, as he calls out even louder; "REEEIIINHAAAAAARD!"

It is now Reinhard von Dunkelwald's turn! Carver is next!

As Gran'it keeps going closer, Reinhard grins at him. Even as Warrick's bolt hits him in the shoulder, he's already casting. And even as the blood drips down his arm, he expands his arms outwards. "Soon, I will have my vengeance! Ha ha ha ha ha!" As a fog suddenly billows out from the halls and obscures him from view!

It is now Carver's turn! Fidget is next!

"I like 'em," Carver's laughter huckhaws between her crooked teeth, as her booties sparkle with magic. Like many of the others, she moves with unnatural expedience for their bloody political discourse. She is beginning to whisper a prayer. Or magic. Likely prayer.

It is now Fidget's turn! Bryn is next!
<OOC> Fidget says, "Dispel Magic on the Fog Cloud?"
GAME: Fidget rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20
<OOC> Harkashan says, "DC 18"
<OOC> Harkashan says, "It looks like he got through a gate and locked it"

Chasing after the 'waiting' rebel ally, Fidget spots the billowing cloud of fog from where that arrogant sounding voice had come, and assuming he was hiding in there somewhere, she mutters and weaves lines of magic with her hands, seeming to unwind a complex sigil made of glowing blue, as parts of the fog cloud start to wink away rather than dispersing, and in a few moments the line of sight is cleared again.

It is now Bryn's turn! Zofija is next!
<OOC> Bryn will take her Zoomies and move up. Also maintaining Bardic.

"Kick 'is arse! Smash 'is skull!" Bryn now belts out encouragement to all in earshot. It may not be the most tactically sound for Gran'it to rush on in, but she respects his dedication. Though the magic makes things muddled... for a moment before Fidget un-muddles things. "'S dangerous ta go alone!" So she joins in on the rushing on into the hallway ahead.

It is now Zofija's turn! Warrick is next!
<OOC> Zofija says, "I may be in trouble when the surprise ambush trickles out of the other doors, but I'll take a run to get up near the door"

"Nice job on that, easy to see that his sorry ass is taking off from here. Course, you know, ah, whatever. Sooner he's on the ground, the better." The Arvek-nar calls out, sprinting down the hall. "Ah, crap, that's what I was worried about. Careful! There's another two squads down here!"

It is now Warrick's turn! Perplexed Foot Soldier is next!
<OOC> Warrick says, "(five foot step forward to get it back into one range increment, shoot 3 times)"
GAME: Warrick rolls 1d100: (58): 58
GAME: Warrick rolls 1d100: (37): 37
GAME: Warrick rolls 1d100: (4): 4 MISS
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1: (18)+12+-2+1+1: 30
GAME: Warrick rolls weapon16-2+1+1: (11)+12+-2+1+1: 23 MISS
GAME: Warrick rolls xbowDamage+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (6)+4+1: 11

Warrick sighs as Gran'it rushes deeper. "Maintain cohesion!" he shouts, stepping forward- and then the fog that blocked his view is yanked out of existence from Fidget's unweaving. He suddenly drops to a knee, planting the weapon on debris to stabilize it. "Suppressing!" he barks, as heavy bolts weave through the party and sail to the end of the hall. One is lost to the dark. One clanks against metal bars. But one manages to weave through everything and cut a nasty gash along the kingly man's arm.

It is now Perplexed Foot Soldier's turn! Gran'it is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Perplexed Foot Soldier goes after Zofija. Notably, not as fast as the previous ones."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3: (20)+3: 23 CRIT
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3: (18)+3: 21 CONFIRMED
GAME: Harkashan rolls 2d6+3+2d6+3: (8)+3+(6)+3: 20

It is now Gran'it's turn! Relieved Foot Soldier is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Gran'it moves to block the door, to make sure at least one of Zofija's flanks it protected."
<OOC> Harkashan says, "He then attacks the guard."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 14: (20)+14: 34 CRIT
GAME: Harkashan rolls 14: (6)+14: 20 CONFIRMED
GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d8+5+1d8+5: (3)+5+(5)+5: 18

It is now Relieved Foot Soldier's turn! Soldier Troops 2 is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Relieved Footsoldier goes after Zofija. Gran'it gets an AoO."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 14: (14)+14: 28 HIT
GAME: Harkashan rolls 1d8+5: (1)+5: 6
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3: (10)+3: 13 MISS
<OOC> Harkashan says, "The guard misses Zofija."

It is now Reinhard von Dunkelwald's turn! Jealous Foot Soldier is next!

<OOC> Harkashan says, "Dunkelwald casts <a spell> on his troops and steps back a bit."
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Spellcraft rolls for those who want to recognize the spell."
GAME: Fidget rolls spellcraft+4: (13)+22+4: 39
GAME: Bryn rolls spellcraft: (8)+7: 15
<OOC> Harkashan says, "It's Bless."

It is now Jealous Foot Soldier's turn! Remorseful Foot Soldier is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Jealous Footsoldier attacks Gran'it."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3+2: (2)+3+2: 7 MISS

It is now Remorseful Foot Soldier's turn! Carver is next!
<OOC> Harkashan says, "Remorseful does the same."
GAME: Harkashan rolls 3+2: (9)+3+2: 14 MISS

It is now Carver's turn! Fidget is next!