23: Nobody crosses the Lotus Dragons... and lives!

[Ebiris]

[15:22] <@Ebiris> A pleasant little house on the Northern fringes of the Cudgel District is where Glenn lays down to rest this night, small and only having the one floor, but boasting a cheery little garden filled with various herbs and mosses of use in alchemical reagants. It's here that Glenn can feel safe to lay down his burdens and sleep the blissful sleep of the innocent... but said sleep is disrupted as consciousness slowly imparts itself upon him. He feels too warm, sweat beading on his brow, the blankets suffocating him. A pained cough tears his throat... no, it's not the blankets that suffocate him, but something in the air?
[15:26] * @Glenn groans as he tries to push off the blankets, rubbing his eyes as he tries to pierce through the fog of sleep.
[15:26] <@Glenn> Blearily, through half-shut eyes, Glenn looks around, trying to figure out what's ruining his sleep so bad.
[15:28] <@Ebiris> As he pushes himself up, Glenn finds his eyes begin to sting and water. Looking around, he can see flickering orange and yellow light through the gaps in the door to his small alchemy lab, a hazy blue smoke already filling the air in his bedroom from where it's seeped in through the cracks and under the door.
[15:31] <@Glenn> Glenn's eyes widen as he coughs, tripping over his blankets as he gets off the bed, clad in nothing but some long pants, but wearing no feetwear or shirt. Pushing away all of the blankets away once he's up, he moves towards the door, cautiously touching the doorknob to check for heat. "Please don't be a fire..." he mutters.
[15:33] <@Ebiris> It's noticably hot even just approaching the door, a haze barely visible in the flickering light. His head starts to swim from the fumes already seeping in, and upon touching the knob he has to jerk his hand back instantly from the intense heat!
[15:36] * Joins: Kozzz (WinNT@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net)
[15:38] * Quits: @Kotono (WinNT@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) (Ping timeout)
[15:38] <@Glenn> "Dammit! I -just- paid rent last week," he curses as he goes for his drawer, pulling out a pair of shirt, one which he rapidly puts on, and another that he wraps around his hand as he moves towards one of the room's windows to break it. Hopefully it's not a raging inferno outside too or he's screwed...
[15:38] <@Glenn> ooc: shirts*
[15:39] <@Ebiris> OOC: make a fort save?
[15:39] <@Glenn> roll d20+6
[15:39] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 and gets 26." [d20=20]
[15:43] <@Ebiris> Glenn's head swims from the fumes, hearing the door splintering and cracking behind him as he quickly pulls on some clothing and tries to smash the window open!
[15:43] <@Ebiris> OOC: make a dex check to see if you avoid any glass shards
[15:45] * Wayland is now known as Miranda_Altair
[15:46] <@Glenn> roll d20+4 dex
[15:46] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+4 dex and gets 21." [d20=17]
[15:50] <@Ebiris> With a quick and rapid blow, Glenn shatters his window and draws back to avoid any lacerations! The smoke filling his room seems drawn to the cool night air, flowing out that way and washing over him even more thickly for a moment!
[15:50] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort save
[15:51] <@Glenn> roll d20+6
[15:51] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 and gets 26." [d20=20]
[15:52] <@Ebiris> But Glenn is well used to the effects of his own chemicals, and holds his breath for the worst to pass, avoiding any ill effects!
[15:56] <@Glenn> With the chemicals floating out the open window, Glenn moves to jump but hesitates for a second, looking back towards his lab before cursing as he jumps out to the hopefully safer street below.
[15:57] <@Ebiris> Vaulting out the window, Glenn lands in the composted soil below where his hydrangeas would have bloomed in a few months time. He doesn't have much time to get his bearings before he hears a whistle from somewhere over the fence...
[15:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[15:57] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 14." [1d20=12]
[15:57] <@Ebiris> roll 1d4 assuming that hits flat-footed unarmoured AC
[15:57] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d4 assuming that hits flat-footed unarmoured AC and gets 1." [1d4=1]
[15:57] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort save?
[15:57] <@Glenn> roll d20+6
[15:57] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 and gets 7." [d20=1]
[16:00] <@Ebiris> A hot stabbing pain is felt in Glenn's shoulder as a crossbow bolt embeds itself there, searing pain coursing through his veins and making him dizzy and nauseous!
[16:00] <@Ebiris> OOC: roll init, you're nauseated which means move actions only
[16:00] <@Ebiris> roll 2#1d20+4
[16:00] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2#1d20+4 and gets 22." [2#1d20+4 = 5, 17]
[16:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[16:00] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[16:00] <@Glenn> roll d20+4
[16:00] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+4 and gets 7." [d20=3]
[16:03] * Ebiris sets mode: +i
[16:03] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Assassin 2 > Assassin 3 > Assassin 1 > Glenn'
[16:03] * Ebiris sets mode: -i
[16:06] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[16:06] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 4." [1d20=2]
[16:06] <@Ebiris> Through his sickness, Glenn hears a thunk of something sharp impacting his windowframe, but thankfully not him!
[16:06] <@Ebiris> OOC: fort save
[16:06] <@Glenn> roll d20+6
[16:06] * Hatbot --> "Glenn rolls d20+6 and gets 16." [d20=10]
[16:08] <@Ebiris> Gritting his teeth and steadying himself a moment, Glenn throws off the effects of the poison, knowing that this is no time for theatrics!
[16:08] <@Ebiris> OOC: you can act normally
[16:13] * Quits: @Henrietta (~corwin@2.54.72.240) (Quit: )
[16:21] <@Glenn> Well, discretion is the better part of valor, and with no weapons or alchemy with which to defend himself right now, Glenn decides the safest thing to do is to try to flee towards the closest watch station. If nothing else, maybe get some help to drown out the fire and save -something- from his home! Glenn starts to run as fast as his legs can carry him, wincing as he runs on bare feet.
[16:21] <@Ebiris> OOC: running around the house and out the gate, jumping the nearest fence or what?
[16:22] * Cecile is now known as Henrietta
[16:22] <@Glenn> ooc: gate
[16:25] <@Ebiris> Running around and hopefully getting some cover against whomever's out there in the shadows taking pot shots at him, Glenn dashes for his gate and happens to spot a dark clad figure coming in the opposite direction towards him! Said figure raises a crossbow and lets it fly at the alchemist without even stopping to introduce himself!
[16:25] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[16:25] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 5." [1d20=3]
[16:25] <@Ebiris> But it whizzes harmlessly overhead, perhaps adding more fuel for his burning house?
[16:25] <@Ebiris> OOC: you're up
[16:26] * @Glenn doesn't wait for introductions in either case, prodded onward by the knowledge someone is indeed trying to personally see him die, as he opens the gate and continues running.
[16:32] <@Ebiris> The crossbow is unable to stop him as he simply bolts right past his foe, seeing people starting to come out of their homes to see all the fuss, a cry of alarm at the fire beginning to be raised. He doesn't seem to be under pursuit, but that might have something to do with the clanking figures of Cudgel guards running down the road towards him!
[16:34] <@Glenn> "Guards! My home! It's burning!" he calls out to them, focusing on the most important thing. They'd probably let the place burn down if they were concerning themselves with things like assassins!
[16:37] <@Ebiris> The assassins seem to have melted away in all the hubbub, but the citizens of Cudgel District rapidly arrange a bucket brigade while a few magely citizens get right to work on conjuring water to douse the alchemical flames raging through Glenn's home! The speedy response likely ensures the safety of most of Glenn's stuff except for alchemical tools, but a few people are already looking at him suspiciously, assuming it was an irresponsible experiment that caused this drama to start with.
[16:40] <@Glenn> Giving a sigh of relief as the fire gets put out, Glenn goes towards one of the guards, randomly selecting one. "Excuse me, guard? There was someone trying to shoot me as I fled from my home, I don't know why. Is there a place I could stay the rest of the night?" he asks. "I think I have a place I can stay later, but...for now, I would like some place safe."
[16:41] <@Ebiris> "You saying someone attacked you after you set fire to your house?" the guard asks Glenn, his monobrow furrowing suspiciously at the young alchemist.
[16:43] <@Glenn> "I didn't set fire to the place!" the alchemist exclaims with wide eyes, pulling back in surprise. "At least, I would think I didn't if someone's trying to SHOOT me! If it wasn't for that, -maybe- I would have assumed it was my fault, but when someone's trying to kill you, it hardly feels like an accident!"
[16:45] <@Ebiris> "So you think it's related? Who'd want to kill a young fellow like you, anyway?" the guard looms over Glenn. "Been getting involved in something you shouldn't have, eh?"
[16:47] <@Glenn> Glenn just stares at the guard. "My house, my livelyhood...it's just gone up in flames for the most part. Someone has just tried to kill me. It's late. And you don't even have the -decency- to wait until morning to ask such questions?" he asks softly. "You're a disgusting human being."

----

[15:22] <@Ebiris> Wall Street may be a nice place by day, but unfortunately being a large thoroughfare up Azure District's length, numerous drunks happen to stagger along it late at night, their carousing and singing something that Henrietta is forced to tune out or else sleep with a pillow over her head. Nonetheless things do quiet down close to midnight, allowing her a restful sleep. She has no clue what the time is when her dreams are interrupted, a terrifying canine howl heard reverbating through her skull!
[15:25] * Joins: Kallen (~Carthrat@c122-107-250-100.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au)
[15:26] <@Henrietta> It is yet another part of living the life of an adventurer, she tiredly tells herself. That, and it would not be ladylike to swear. Much as she would like to sleep all the way until morning, Henrietta resolves herself to get up, put on a robe and see just what would frighten a poor dog so
[15:26] <@Ebiris> OOC: perception check?
[15:26] * Joins: Glenn (~k@c-98-197-243-233.hsd1.tx.comcast.net)
[15:27] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2
[15:27] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 and gets 5." [1d20=3]
[15:29] <@Ebiris> Covering herself up to ensure modesty for everything except her scandalously bare head which is hatless within the privacy of her own home, Henrietta opens up the door... and finds herself face to face with a shadowy figure at the top of the stairs who was just in the process of reaching for said door! Said figure is motionless for perhaps half a second, perhaps in surprise, before lunging at Henrietta!
[15:30] <@Ebiris> OOC: initiative
[15:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[15:30] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 21." [1d20=17]
[15:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[15:30] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 and gets 10." [1d20=5]
[15:30] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+2
[15:30] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+2 and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[15:31] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Assassin 1 > Henrietta > Assassin 2'
[15:31] * Joins: Lucie (~Melanchth@pool-71-163-225-230.washdc.east.verizon.net)
[15:32] <@Ebiris> "Shit, she's awake?" Henrietta can hear a hissed female voice from halfway down the stairs, but she's soon put on the defensive by her assailant lunging forward with something dark and pointy at her!
[15:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+1
[15:32] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+1 and gets 5." [1d20=4]
[15:32] <@Ebiris> But in the darkness the attacker only manages to stab into the door-frame with a wooden thunk!
[15:32] <@Ebiris> OOC: H-chan
[15:33] * @Henrietta squaks in surprise, slamming the door in her assailant's face and leaping back! At that point, she can only think of casting Mage Armor to better defend herself, flimsy night clothing or not.
[15:35] <@Ebiris> The door is shoved open scant seconds later, a shadowy mass sillouetted in the darkness of her night-vision before it resolves into two figures, one holding a long and thin blade that leads the way, before the second yanks its dagger out of the doorframe and barrels forward at Henrietta's figure!
[15:35] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+3 charging
[15:35] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+3 charging and gets 7." [1d20=4]
[15:36] <@Ebiris> A night-fighter this person isn't, however, stumbling over Henrietta's discarded shoes and staggering to the side without actually threatening her!
[15:36] <@Ebiris> OOC: you're up
[15:36] * Joins: Kozzz (WinNT@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net)
[15:38] * Quits: @Kotono (WinNT@ip68-99-109-25.hr.hr.cox.net) (Ping timeout)
[15:38] * @Henrietta stumbles back rather gracelessly, jerking her arms in the direction of this assassin. "Get out!" she calls in a mix of shock and indignation, as two roses unerringly bury their stems into the would-be murderer!
[15:38] <@Henrietta> roll 2d4+2
[15:38] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 2d4+2 and gets 7." [2d4=2, 3]
[15:40] <@Ebiris> "Augh!" a masculine grunt of pain is heard as the figure rocks back, the brief flash of light caused by her spell throwing the figures into relief for an instant, allowing Henrietta to see the contemptuous scowl on the face of the female as she raises a small crossbow. "Should've left you as lookout," she growls before a twang is heard!
[15:41] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[15:41] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 6." [1d20=2]
[15:41] <@Ebiris> But the darkness continues to shield Henrietta well, the bolt not coming anywhere near her!
[15:42] <@Ebiris> "Who's up at this time of night, anyway?" the male groans, raising his own ranged weapon and firing upon Henrietta froma cross the room!
[15:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[15:42] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 22." [1d20=20]
[15:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2 crit check
[15:42] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 crit check and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[15:42] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100 20% concealment due to darkness
[15:42] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 20% concealment due to darkness and gets 48." [1d100=48]
[15:42] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4 and make a fort save
[15:42] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d4 and make a fort save and gets 3." [2d4=2, 1]
[15:43] <@Henrietta> roll 1d20+4
[15:43] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 1d20+4 and gets 22." [1d20=18]
[15:44] <@Ebiris> This one finds its mark, stabbing into Henrietta's breast with a red-hot sting! She feels a surge of dizziness course through her from it, but grits her teeth and refuses to let it distract her in this life and death battle!
[15:44] <@Ebiris> OOC: your go
[15:46] <@Henrietta> "Villains!" Henrietta cries, a hand going to the crossbow shaft within her. "How dare you so cowardly assault the noble house of Ul-Copt?! You shall not escape this trechery!" Two more roses appear in her hand, these ones dripping with her blood, and she dispatches them at the man that wounded her!
[15:46] <@Henrietta> rol 2d4+2
[15:46] <@Henrietta> roll 2d4+2
[15:46] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 2d4+2 and gets 7." [2d4=1, 4]
[15:47] <@Ebiris> The man gets out a cry and crumples to the floor! "Shit, you're a live one!" the female curses, discarding her crossbow and charging across at Henrietta with her own weapon!
[15:47] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6 charge
[15:48] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 charge and gets 16." [1d20=10]
[15:48] <@Ebiris> OOC: AC?
[15:48] <@Henrietta> OOC: 16
[15:48] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+2
[15:48] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+2 and gets 5." [1d6=3]
[15:48] <@Ebiris> roll 1d100 concealment actually
[15:48] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d100 concealment actually and gets 78." [1d100=78]
[15:49] <@Ebiris> Henrietta feels cool flexible metal slice through her nightgown and sink into the flesh of her thigh before ripping itself out, hot wet blood beginning to flow down her leg!
[15:49] * Retrieving #evildunes modes...
[15:49] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Henrietta > Assassin 2'
[15:49] <@Ebiris> OOC: back to you
[15:50] * @Henrietta gasps, stumbling back. She runs through the options available to her, but Father never did train her to fight in the dark. Should she risk it? For now, she sticks to her trusted magics.
[15:50] <@Henrietta> roll 2d4+2
[15:51] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 2d4+2 and gets 7." [2d4=3, 2]
[15:52] <@Ebiris> "Owww, shit! Those really hurt!" the woman gasps as she's assailed by magic roses, her face showing a grimace in the instant it's lit up before she advances with another stab in retaliation!
[15:52] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[15:52] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 15." [1d20=11]
[15:53] <@Ebiris> But this time Henrietta's magic does its job, her blade bending and glancing off of an invisible field of force with a screech and flash of sparks!
[15:53] <@Henrietta> "Good!" Henrietta snaps back. "They're supposed to, you-- you motherless cretin!" She continues her slow retreat, but it is not without purpose as two more roses bloom, soon sent to join the pair already embedded in the assassin.
[15:54] <@Henrietta> roll 2d4+2
[15:54] * Hatbot --> "Henrietta rolls 2d4+2 and gets 7." [2d4=3, 2]
[15:55] <@Ebiris> "Hey, my mother was a-" any further words are silenced as the magic roses embed their thorns in her face, the would be assassin being knocked flat on her back from the verdant assault of Henrietta's magic!
[15:57] * @Henrietta alternates between looking proud at her achievements and gulping in huge breaths of air, her nightgown getting soaked with her blood. There will be time for taking care of things later, but first she should get her flail and her adventurer's pack. Then, she can contemplate her next move.
[15:58] <@Ebiris> Fumbling around in the dark, Henrietta quickly gathers the tools of her trade, no further interruptions coming her way...
[16:00] * @Henrietta uses her spare rope to bind the limbs of the assassins, and tie them to one another for good measure, before rushing towards the harbor gate and the guards stationed there.
[16:02] <@Ebiris> They're certainly in no shape to resist. As she rushes out, however, she all but trips over a figure laying bunched up in the shadows just below her front porch! He looks attired much as the other two in dark clothes that she can see from this vantage, but quite unmoving.
[16:03] * @Henrietta blinks, before deciding to add him to the tied up pile and let the guards sort them all out.
[16:04] <@Ebiris> This one is definitely dead, Henrietta discovers while dragging him upstairs. Cold and stiff, with wrinkled and near dessicated skin, eyeballs sunken up.
[16:04] <@Ebiris> roll #1d100
[16:04] <@Ebiris> roll 2#1d100
[16:04] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2#1d100 and gets 103." [2#1d100 = 59, 44]
[16:04] <@Ebiris> The other two remain motionless, seeming somewhat cold as Henrietta ties up the third with them.
[16:05] <@Henrietta> She will mourn the necessity of what she was forced to do later. For now, Henrietta rushes back down and towards the guards!
[16:05] <@Ebiris> OOC: still in nightclothes?
[16:06] <@Henrietta> OOC: Bloody ones, yes
[16:07] <@Ebiris> Henrietta finds a couple of bored guards roaming around the harbour gates when she rushes over, though they perk up instantly upon seeing her - whether out of professionalism or simple happiness to see her, who can say? "Ma'am, what happened, were you attacked?" one asks after sending another inside to get some bandages.
[16:09] <@Henrietta> "Oh, it was terrible!" Henrietta exclaims, bringing her free hand to her chest. "Assassins attacked me in my sleep!" She gestures towards her home. "Just a hundred yards from you, I can scarcely believe it!"
[16:10] <@Ebiris> "How did you get away? Are they still there?" the guardsman asks, offering a hand to steady Henrietta's shoulder while his counterpart goes for his weapon. The third returns, a female one thankfully who moves to begin binding Henreitta's wounds with perfect professionalism.
[16:12] <@Henrietta> "I defeated them with my magic and tied them up," Henrietta reports, shaking her head. "But it was a close thing. A great dizziness almost overcame me as I was struck. If only I had been a bit slower...."
[16:13] * Quits: @Henrietta (~corwin@2.54.72.240) (Quit: )
[16:15] <@Ebiris> "Poison, I bet. Matilda, Carver - go and check it out, if the lady will give us her address. Then if you'll come with me inside out of the cold I'll take all the details. You're safe, now," the guardsman reassures, giving Henrietta a surely winning smile that's lost beneath his thick dark beard.
[16:22] * Cecile is now known as Henrietta
[16:27] <@Henrietta> "Assassins," Henrietta repeats, sniffling. "Horrible people. Ah, of course, my house... yes, indeed. It is a very nice two-storey building. I have been living there for a month or so. The address-- yes, Wall Street 4. That should be right. Yes." She shakes her head again, and then raises her eyes to look at the guard with the comforting smile. "I knew we got too close. It was probably the
[16:27] <@Henrietta> same people who went after Lord Islaran...."
[16:35] <@Ebiris> "And who are they? You know something?" the guardsman asks, ushering Henrietta into the gatehouse while his comrades rush off to her home.
[16:42] <@Henrietta> "We only suspected until now," Henrietta admits, before giving him a pleading look. "But an attempt on my life after we have learned what we had--! It surely means corroboration!" As she starts, Henrietta feels compelled to continue. "The Lotus Dragons, they are a gang that dwells below some of Baron Kellani's holdings in Sunset -- entirely coincidental, I'm sure. They have a network of
[16:42] <@Henrietta> tunnels, the city's sewers, really, but dried out for repairs. We investigated them, and met with their leader. She claimed that she would soon control all the import and export into the city." Henrietta balls her fists, lamenting, "I should have known, then and there, just what she meant. This gang of assassins is involved in smuggling, you see... well, the picture gets clearer, does it
[16:42] <@Henrietta> not?"
[16:45] <@Ebiris> "The Lotus Dragons..." the guard scowls, "They've been getting more and more brazen lately. At first we didn't care - gangs like that always fight amongst themselves, but lately they've been consolidating too much. You're right, they are our suspects for Lord Arabani's murder. I want you to tell me everything you know about this hideout of theirs..."
[16:47] * Kallen is now known as Rudy
[16:47] <@Henrietta> "Certainly," Henrietta agrees. "We intended to come forward with what we knew within a few days, you understand. We were trying to make a map of their caves, so that none would escape when action was taken. Already, we know of three hidden entrances and of one trap within, and who knows how many more there might be?" She is rambling, she knows, but knowing that is not enough to stop her.
[16:47] <@Henrietta> "Rudy, he's one of my colleagues, he has the map we managed to compile so far. Oh, where is he staying again...?"

----

[15:47] <@Ebiris> Having trudged her way to a secluded and somewhat dry alley in the Azure District, Miranda huddles herself up around her meager worldly possessions and drifts off to fitful sleep, only the watchful eye of Como present to ensure she sleeps free of molestation from fellow vagrants. It's dark when she's awoken, the sound of furious avian cawing splitting the air, mixed with rough masculine cursing close by!
[15:48] * Miranda_Altair jerks awake, looking around rapidly and palming her silver knife. "Como!"
[15:51] <@Ebiris> Looking up you can see a figure above you, flailing his hands at your raven which expertly darts around and pecks at him, another figure seen rapidly approaching down the alley! "Kill that fucking bird so we can kill the other one!" he hisses.
[15:57] * Miranda_Altair mutters a few quick words, focusing on the figure above her and gesturing as the feeling of fear becomes palpable in the air! OOC: Cause Fear, DC 16 Will, save for partial
[16:00] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20
[16:00] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20 and gets 16." [1d20=16]
[16:01] <@Ebiris> OOC: what effect if save is made?
[16:01] <Miranda_Altair> OOC: Success is shaken for one round, failure is frightened for 1d4 rounds
[16:02] <@Ebiris> OOC: Okay, roll init
[16:02] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+2
[16:02] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+2 and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[16:02] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[16:02] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 18." [1d20=14]
[16:02] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+5
[16:02] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+5 and gets 9." [1d20=4]
[16:02] <Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+2
[16:02] * Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+2 and gets 21." [1d20=19]
[16:04] <Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+2 como
[16:04] * Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+2 como and gets 20." [1d20=18]
[16:05] * Ebiris changes topic to 'Miranda > Como > Assassin 1 > Assassin 2 > Assassin 3'
[16:05] <@Ebiris> The figure messing with Como suddenly shivers and steps back in fright! "Shit, she's awake!"
[16:07] <@Ebiris> OOC: you're up
[16:09] * Miranda_Altair quickly casts a second spell, a field of force forming around her! OOC: Mage armor
[16:11] <@Ebiris> OOC: Okay, Como's up
[16:12] <Miranda_Altair> Como continues to harry the man, screeching all the while!
[16:12] <Miranda_Altair> roll 1d20+4 bite
[16:12] * Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d20+4 bite and gets 13." [1d20=9]
[16:12] <@Ebiris> He bats at the raven in vexation, avoiding its beak and retaliating with his dagger, clearly more concerned about it than Miranda for the moment!
[16:13] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20-1
[16:13] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20-1 and gets 19." [1d20=20]
[16:13] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20-1 crit check
[16:13] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20-1 crit check and gets 19." [1d20=20]
[16:13] <@Ebiris> OOC: Como's AC?
[16:13] <Miranda_Altair> OOC: 14, 3 hp...poor Como :(
[16:15] <@Ebiris> roll 2d4
[16:15] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 2d4 and gets 7." [2d4=4, 3]
[16:17] <@Ebiris> With a squawk, the raven is impaled and drops limply to the ground! Miranda can tell he's not dead yet, but he's surely out of this fight! Meanwhile the other figure she saw quickly rushes into the fray, lunging forward to stab down at her prone form with a long blade!
[16:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+10 charge
[16:17] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+10 charge and gets 23." [1d20=13]
[16:17] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+2
[16:17] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+2 and gets 7." [1d6=5]
[16:18] <@Ebiris> The blade sinks deeply into Miranda's stomach through both magic armour and scanty black clothing! She can feel a warm wetness there, burning hotly as the cold steel withdraws, her lifeblood flowing freely!
[16:18] <@Ebiris> OOC: Miranda
[16:24] * Joins: Kallen (~Carthrat@c122-107-250-100.eburwd9.vic.optusnet.com.au)
[16:25] * Miranda_Altair gasps as the blade is pulled from her stomach, pushing herself to her feet and quickly muttering some arcane words as a cold light envelops her! OOC: False Life
[16:25] <Miranda_Altair> roll 1d10+3 temporary hp
[16:25] * Hatbot --> "Miranda_Altair rolls 1d10+3 temporary hp and gets 7." [1d10=4]
[16:25] <@Ebiris> OOC: standing up provokes an AoO. Still going ahead with it?
[16:26] <Miranda_Altair> OOC: Gonna die faster if I don't, I'd reckon
[16:27] <@Ebiris> As Miranda struggles upright, the blade flashes out at her again! "Nobody crosses the Lotus Dragons," the figure all but screeches in a reedy and nasal voice, "And lives!"
[16:27] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+4
[16:27] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+4 and gets 19." [1d20=15]
[16:27] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+2
[16:27] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+2 and gets 5." [1d6=3]
[16:28] <@Ebiris> Miranda takes another wound in the shoulder, but manages to get up and incant her spell, magic scabbing it over with a dark and temporary seal that likewise covers her stomach, buying her a little more time! Time she desperately needs as Como's assailant turns on her with his dagger!
[16:29] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+1
[16:29] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+1 and gets 10." [1d20=9]
[16:29] <@Ebiris> This only glances off her magic protections with a shower of sparks, however, causing him to step back in fright!
[16:30] <@Ebiris> The rapier-wielding thug positions around as if to flank the budding young witch, "Your sorcery ain't gonna save ya now, girly!" he sneers in that same nasal voice, blade flicking out to find her vitals!
[16:30] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+6
[16:30] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d20+6 and gets 18." [1d20=12]
[16:30] <@Ebiris> OOC: AC?
[16:30] <Miranda_Altair> OOC: 16
[16:32] <@Ebiris> roll 1d6+2+1d6
[16:32] * Hatbot --> "Ebiris rolls 1d6+2+1d6 and gets 14." [1d6=6][1d6=6]
[16:33] <@Ebiris> The blade sinks into Miranda's back close to the spine with an agonised tear of her flesh, and she feels her body going limp as her eyes roll up, falling bonelessly to the floor of the dingy alley she laid down to sleep in...

----

[16:49] <@Ebiris> The following day, Lucie and some of her colleagues... perhaps soon to be ex-colleagues? Regardless, the Cobra Fangs are about in the rum distillery as they usually frequent, waiting on both Mort's return and Lucie's new colleagues to show up so they can figure out their next steps in the campaign against the Lotus Dragons...
[16:49] <@Ebiris> OOC: go ahead and intro yourselves as you turn up
[16:50] <Rudy> "Top of the mornin' to yas!" greets Rudy, showing up and grabbing a chair, propping his feet up on the table.
[16:52] * Lucie is there first when Rudy comes in, of course, not having any traumatic events transpire the previous night, sitting at a table having the first drink of the day. "Too early for such cheer." She pushes the pitcher across the table to him. "Here, this'll fix that."
[16:52] <@Ebiris> Herman grumbles something and nods to Rudy from where his solid figure is leaning back on a chair against the wall. "Mort ain't come back yet," he adds more lucidly.
[16:53] * @Henrietta shows up for the meeting solemnly, her skin a paler shade, as if she had stayed away from the sun for longer than is healthier.
[16:53] * @Glenn scowls as he stomps up to the table, smelling of soot and something more, though he's apparently better dressed now. "My house was burned down and I just spent the remainder of the evening in a cell," he bites out as he slams down on a seat, before they can ask anything about his appearance.
[16:54] <Rudy> Rudy eyes the jug with some skepticism, but pours one out soon enough. "Yeah? That ain't good," he notes. "Henri! You look like you need this more than me..." He frowns. "Or maybe we all need a round."
[16:55] <@Ebiris> Trucy strolls in after Glenn just in time to hear that explanation, her eyes widening.
[16:55] <@Henrietta> "I killed people!" Henrietta blurts out, dropping into a chair and then her head follows suit, finding refuge in her hands.
[16:55] <Lucie> "It's not the strongest stuff we've got, but it'll wake you up. And it's not the worst-tasting brew around, either. I think there might even be apples in it. Sounds like you all could use some."
[16:56] <Rudy> "What? You did? Who? Why?" Rudy begins pouring a few additional mugs, dropping any pretense of his jovial facade.
[16:56] * Lucie leans back in her chair, not obviously disturbed by any of these announcements. "And you didn't think that was going to happen at some point when you started working against assassins?" she says to Henri.
[16:57] <@Henrietta> "Three assassins," Henriette mumbles, sniffing. "They attacked while I was sleeping."
[16:57] <@Glenn> "I didn't think they'd set my place on fire!" Glenn says with a glare. "I mean, trying to drown me, sure, okay. But they burned down my LAB!"
[16:57] <Rudy> "Oh, fuck me! You're okay, right?"
[16:57] <@Ebiris> "Shit!" Trucy looks at Henrietta with wide eyed. "Three assassins came after you in your sleep, and they're the ones that're dead? Damn!" she whistles.
[16:58] <@Glenn> "Oh, and someone tried to shoot me too, though he fled when the guard showed up," he adds as an afterthought. "Oh, my lab...why did they burn that down?"
[16:58] <Lucie> "Hey, yeah, that's not bad. three on one and only you came out alive? you're tougher than I thought. Should be proud of yourself."
[16:58] <@Henrietta> "It was that rude woman and two more," Henrietta says sadly. "I was scared, and angry, and the poison hurt a lot! I could not stop myself!"
[16:59] <Lucie> "Rude woman? Lot of those in this city. Narrow it down for us. And--" Lucie shrugs at Glenn, "--everybody came out alive, right? So they got worse than we did."
[17:00] <@Glenn> "Was it just Henrietta and I that had a run-in with trouble? You guys look alright enough," Glenn pauses his self-pity to look at Rudy and the others.
[17:00] <@Ebiris> "Say... where's the dark girl?" Maya asks from where she lays in the coils of her snake, her upside down gaze regarding the party.
[17:00] <Rudy> "'salright, Henri. A fight's a fight, right? They started it, they gotta take the risks." Rudy shrugs. "Well, sure. Nothing happened at my place."
[17:00] <Rudy> Rudy pauses. "I dunno. She should be here."
[17:01] <@Ebiris> "Still ain't heard from Mort," Chekick adds, crossing his arms. "Even if he stuck around to have some fun, still expect him back by now."
[17:01] <@Glenn> "Miranda? I don't know. Maybe she's running late..." Glenn says, though he frowns with a bit of worry, trying not to think of the worst.
[17:02] <Lucie> "Huh. Figure he saw something pretty there, lost his cool and got caught trying to snatch it?"
[17:02] <Rudy> "Did she run late before?" asks Rudy, frowning. "She ever tell you guys where she was staying?"
[17:02] * @Glenn shakes his head. "No, she never spoke of it."
[17:03] <@Henrietta> "I... where are any of you staying? I don't really know."
[17:04] <Rudy> "Merchant District. I got a decent place at the corner of the farmer's market," replies Rudy.
[17:04] <Lucie> "Me? I'm just down the street. Won't bother showing you around, you all wouldn't fit in the place at once."
[17:04] <@Ebiris> "I know where Henrietta lives," Trucy shrugs. "Does Miranda even have a house? She's mentioned sleeping in alleys but I dunno if she was joking, considering what she gets paid..."
[17:04] <@Glenn> "I -was- staying over in Cudgel District. It's the burned down place. Can't miss it," Glenn replies before sighing. "Ugh...this job is no longer feeling like a dream."
[17:05] <Rudy> "Yeah, well... urgh. Let's give her and Mort like fifteen to show or so. Meantime, we can think about what to do."
[17:07] <Lucie> "Alleys? Really? On the money you guys get?" Lucie shakes her head. "I'm for better digs as soon as I can afford them, don't know why any of you wouldn't take the chance for it too."
[17:08] <@Henrietta> "We... we cannot let the Lotus Dragons do this!" Henrietta insists. "Innocent people may get involved! We should strike back at them today."
[17:09] <Lucie> "Fine by me. Don't have much choice if they're worried enough about you to try and kill you in the night. Got a plan for it, now?"
[17:09] <@Ebiris> "Well... there *is* three less of them, so that makes it easier," Trucy offers.
[17:10] <@Glenn> "Not that much easier though."
[17:10] <Rudy> "Well, yeah, innocent people already did get involved," replies Rudy. "Can't let 'em keep coming after us. Way I see it, these guys are sneaky gits who attack people in their sleep. I figure they ain't much next to proper fighters, like Henri and Myra!"
[17:11] * @Henrietta looks blearily at Trucy, before wiping her eyes with a handkerchief she produces. "We should... we should stop by Melinda and get a potion or two, and then we will stop the Dragons once and for all!"
[17:12] <@Glenn> "I'd like to stop by some acquaintances, see if I can borrow their lab for a few hours. As I am right now, I'm going to be pretty useless to you guys otherwise," Glenn says.
[17:13] <Rudy> "Dunno if I want potions from that crowd. Anyway, once we're all set, how 'bout we go into those tunnels from two places at once? That'll mess 'em up. Should try and aim to get to the Lotus Lady's Lair, see if we can catch her."
[17:13] <Lucie> "Alright, but like I said, you better have a plan for it. We're marching into their own home, they won't go down easy. So what's our way in here? And..." Lucie looks round to the other Cobras. "I guess you're all in on this too? Clear enough this lot means business for anyone they think's gonna be in their way. If we don't fight 'em now, they'll just come for us later."
[17:14] <@Ebiris> Herman looks at Lucie for a long moment before nodding. "If that's what you think Lucie, I'll buy it," he rumbles. "That's the only reason we'd get involved. Rest a' Salerno don't give a shit about us, we gots to look out for our own."
[17:14] <@Henrietta> "Ah... yes. Actually." Henrietta stows her handkerchief away. "What my father would do is descend into the trap chamber and make his way towards the Lady of the Lotus. Perhaps he would create a diversion, since there are two ways out of that chamber, but that is certainly what he would do!"
[17:16] <Lucie> "Right. So what'll it be, this afternoon? We wait 'til night and they might just cause more trouble. Hit 'em before they're ready, I'd say. Take a few hours to sort things out, find your other friend."
[17:16] <Rudy> "We got the way in through the taxidermists' place, and we got that fucking well." Rudy shakes his head. "There might be some way in through the mansion of those deviant slavers... but not nothing to count on."
[17:17] <@Ebiris> "That place was pretty far away, anyway," Trucy points out, "I doubt their hideout's that big."
[17:17] * @Henrietta flushes lightly. "Or it might be unrelated. That island seems like a breeding ground for deviancy...."
[17:18] <@Glenn> "I don't know that I feel good about rushing in through the one entrance they -know- we know, but it's not like we could go in through the well either, I imagine. Afternoon should give me enough time to get stocked up though," Glenn says.
[17:18] <Rudy> "We can use both," argues Rudy. "We wanna hit them from two places at once, right? Before they know what's going on."
[17:19] <Lucie> "Taxidermist's first? Cause a ruckus at the entrance they expect maybe, then other folks slip down the well?"
[17:19] <Rudy> "We can go get a rope ladder or something, like the ones they use on boats. That'll get us up and down." Rudy nods. "That sounds pretty good to me."
[17:19] <@Ebiris> "Cobras go one way, you guys go the other?" Chekick suggests. "That way everyone knows who they're working with."
[17:19] <@Henrietta> "Is it actually possible to keep an eye out on the Taxidermist's Hall?" Henrietta asks, glancing at Maya briefly. "If we manage to overwhelm them, then the Dragons might escape from there. It would be better to hit them out in the open, rather than in the caverns they know and have traps in."
[17:20] <@Ebiris> Maya returns Henrietta's glance with her own studiously vacant expression. "Midori likes caverns, but I don't mind."
[17:21] <Lucie> "Best I go with this lot, I think," Lucie suggests, gesturing to Henri/Rudy/Glenn. "Evens the numbers up more? Especially if their other friend never shows."
[17:21] * @Henrietta blinks. "Actually... Midori?" She mentally shakes her head. "Can you summon Midori inside their caverns if you are close?"
[17:22] <@Ebiris> "Make sure they don't sell us out, then," Herman nods to Lucie.
[17:22] <@Ebiris> Maya meanwhile shakes her head and hugs her snake, which hisses and curls around her protectively. "Midori is always with me and I'm always with Midori," she asserts.
[17:23] <@Henrietta> "So Midori is not like Myra?" Henrietta asks Rudy.
[17:23] <Rudy> "Myra really wanted to be with me. The feeling is not entirely reciprocated."
[17:24] <Rudy> Rudy shakes his head. "Anyway, I can't make her just appear anywhere. When she doesn't just show up on her own, she pops up right next to me. That's just how it is."
[17:25] * @Henrietta nods hesitantly, trying her best not to look disturbed. "I... see. Umm, well, then... how about it if Midori stakes out the Taxidermist's Hall with Maya and the rest of us descend into that cavern through the well and then go our separate ways? There are two ways out of it, after all. Is it feasible?"
[17:26] <Rudy> "Wouldn't she be better in the tunnels?" points out Rudy. "We could get the guard in on this, maybe have someone with a bow scoping out the hall from one of the buildings nearby. I mean, not that I'm saying we should get a kid to fight or anything, but you know..."
[17:26] <@Ebiris> "Don't like leaving the kid alone, even with the cobra," Herman retorts. "Either way, she's staying with us."
[17:29] * @Henrietta frowns. "This is true... I just do not wish for the Lady to escape through an exit we have not discovered if she believes we are enough to overwhelm her guards. Yes, perhaps the watch could be trusted to keep an eye on the Taxidermist's Hall...."
[17:30] <Lucie> "More help we can get the better, right? If you think the guard will listen, well, it's true we want to block off any exits. Don't want any of these stupid gits getting out to start over again. Of course, if it's just us down there, we can take whatever we find in the lair after."
[17:30] <@Glenn> "The guards from Cudgel are useless," Glenn says flatly.
[17:30] <Rudy> "The guards in Merchant are probably ace."
[17:31] <@Henrietta> "There is time still," Henrietta muses. "The guards in Azure promised to help. If I learn from them who in Sunset could be trusted to provide this help, we might be able to arrange something. Please allow me this chance to try. We have a few hours left before we make our move, do we not?"
[17:33] <Rudy> "Certainly do. Gotta drop a letter to milady and hunt around for Miranda a bit as it is."
[17:33] <Lucie> "Yes. So...you speak to the guards, Glenn cooks up something to replace the chemicals he lost in the fire, rest of us look for Miranda?"
[17:34] <@Ebiris> "Yeah, it's... I wonder where she is," Trucy nods in agreement with Rudy, glancing at the door.
[17:34] * @Glenn nods. "That sounds fine to me."
[17:34] <Rudy> "So you're with me, Lucie? Sounds exciting. Should stick together where we can here, I'm thinking."
[17:35] <Lucie> "Don't think any of us should be wandering alone at this point, if it can be helped. Never know what they might try now, right? And two can better watch out for anyone tailing them."