Lazeram

Gerbimble sighs in relief as they manage to win the skirmish without a scratch. "They must have had some business being back here. Perhaps there are other secret exits from this room?"

Seeing as Daurant jumps into the fray, including his summoned rats, Gerbimble dismisses the magic and the swarm disappears as quickly as they emerged. The gnome instead channels eldritch energy and lanuches it at the standing orc. Mechanics Move=5 ft Swarm ceases to exist as long as he doesn't concentrate on maintaining it. Standard action=Eldritch blast (+1 from point blank shot, +1 from knowledge devotion)(No penalty from shooting into melee) Stat block [URL=/sheets/?id=2733635][B][SIZE=+1]Gerbimble Rampulart[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, [B]Level[/B] 3, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 ft. [B]AC[/B] 21, [B]Touch[/B] 14, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 16, [B]Fort[/B] 2, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) [/B] +5 (1d6, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) [B] Mithral chain shirt[/B], [B] Battle cloak, gnome[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, Level 3, Init 3, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft. AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 16, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 5, Base Attack Bonus 1 Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) +5 (1d6, x2) Dagger -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) Mithral chain shirt, Battle cloak, gnome (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) Abilities Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None

I don’t think so… The rats were done gnawing for the round when Daurant rushed in. They can provoke AoOs, but not make them.

I guess so. :) On Gerbimble's turn, that is. They act on his turn, and Gerbimble had a higher init than Daruant.

Right after Sugrin has unleashed his magical might, Gerbimble quickly goes through his available options in his head, landing on a strategy he hopes will distract the orcs enough to reduce their offenses. Once again, he channels his inner divinity and produces an invisible field around himself, protecting his allies. Taking a few strides ahead and around the corner, he focuses on the orcs and a swarm of rats materialize out of thin air and starts biting at the orc trio. Mechanics Move=30 ft around the corner Immediate action=use Protection devotion feat for a +2 sacred bonus to AC to himself and all allies within 30 ft Standard action=SLA Summon Swarm, as the spell except the casting time is standard, and it only lasts as long as Gerbimble concentrates (and not +2 rounds) DC 12 Fortitude save or be Nauseated for 1 round. Stat block [URL=/sheets/?id=2733635][B][SIZE=+1]Gerbimble Rampulart[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, [B]Level[/B] 3, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 ft. [B]AC[/B] 21, [B]Touch[/B] 14, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 16, [B]Fort[/B] 2, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) [/B] +5 (1d6, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) [B] Mithral chain shirt[/B], [B] Battle cloak, gnome[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, Level 3, Init 3, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft. AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 16, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 5, Base Attack Bonus 1 Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) +5 (1d6, x2) Dagger -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) Mithral chain shirt, Battle cloak, gnome (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) Abilities Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None

Yikes! Gerbimble was prepared something dangerous could lurk behind the secret door, but he didn't think it would be orcs.

Gerbimble follows Vanlef and stays at a sensible distance from Daurant as the dwarf readies to open the door. The faintest glow surrounds his right hand. It is safe to assume he could lauch a bolt of eldritch energy at a moment's notice.

"It looks like the orc occupants knew of this place then," Gerbimble remarks as he sees the runes on the walls. "There has to be some reason they kept this passage hidden. Do any of you speak the orc tongue? If not, I have prepared a spell that lets me understand other languages."

Gerbimble nods approvingly as Urd hauls the box out of its hiding place. Moving on, the gnome too keeps his eyes and ears open for more secret compartments, signs of activity and especially traps.

Great, thank you for your quick reply! 🙂

The subject says perhaps it all, but I couldn't find an answer to this there (OG) or here (Baldr). Will private text remain hidden for most, only accessible to the designated users, or will the site change characteristics, like when a game is archived? (and all private threads turn public?)

Thanks for the heads up, Chaz! 🙂

Gerbimble stands back and lets Urd do her thing. He hadn't spotted the loose stone himself, but springing a trap is also a way to find it, he muses to himself as he waits.

Gerbimble lets the new dwarf lead the way.

Abrecan makes an effort to sample the various foods the feast has to offer, though as graciously as a dwarf raised in the wild can manage. His keen nose stops him from eating what probably requires an aquired taste built up through an elf's entire lifespan. And most of the wine, which he finds rather bland, with too subtle character. He has all but forgotten why they are there as he lays his eyes on a jar of honey mead. Surely, this necromancer won't be here already.

Gerbimble smiles to the halflings. "May your way home be free of danger, and your journey pleasant. We'll do our best to ensure the orcs in this region will not trouble you or your village again." The pair had made their choice, and the group had work to do. Best conclude this business as quickly as possible. Gerbimble ajusts his backpack after putting his share of the loot in it, and looks expectantly at the others.

Gerbimble shakes his head. He did not like the way the discussion was going. "If we leave now, the rest of the lair will no doubt be alerted, and we might have trouble getting back in." The gnome adresses the halflings. "This was never a rescue mission, but I am more than happy to escort you back home afterwards. Also, after being captive, some time to recover, with decent food and water, could be just the thing you need before a long trek home."

The gnome retorts with a puzzled look. "And now they are free. Free to go home, free to stay and free to join us, should they so want. We have cleared the path back, unless the orcs have repopulated the halls. In which case, they will be alert and angry. How far do you want to escort them, Urd?" Gerbimble says with a shrug. "Do you want to take them safely home to their village a day from here or leave them at the gates and wish then luck, hoping they won't be met by a patrol in the wild, like we were?"

Gerbimble grins wide at the sight of the treasure. Not the one they came here for, but still, this trip could really be worth it. He turns to the dwarf and the halflings. "We are not done exploring this place yet, but you are more than welcome to join us when we leave. You could either wait here or tag along as we go."

The posh elves will likely not appreciate it, but Abrecan has actually made an effort and attends the festivities with a set of clean clothes. He has visited a bath house and used soap, as well as throughly grooming his hair and beard. Despite initial loud protests, he did finally let the helpful staff cut his nails. As a result, Abrecan now looks less of a wildling from the woods. At first, he regretted washing, as the unfamiliar body odor hindered his heightened sense of smell, but now that his nose has adapted to it, he is prepared to smell the guests. So to speak. Actually, he feels rather confident and charming as he enters the grounds, and interprets the looks he gets from the elves as them being rather impressed. As he starts walking around, he takes care to follow whatever ettiquete this celebration demands. After all, he is but a guest.

Sorry for being less than helpful here, guys. I agree with the plan. Even with a hat of disguise, Abrecan would stand out, as his soscial skills are rubbish. The alternative would be Abe and Black trying to get into Vestrenna's place while she's at the feast, but that means locating it first... And there is a slight chance of them being arrested for it. On second thought, perhaps that is a bad idea. 😄

Gerbimble sighs in relief as the ogre goes down. And without any casualties at that. He regards the dwarf who seems to be friendly enough. "I am Gerbimble Rampulart," he offers, "servant of The Gnome-Father. And blaster of ogres," he adds with a smirk. "We're in an old dwarf stronghold near Blasingdell, now overrun with orcs and worse. How did you come to be a captive here?"

Gerbimble decides his current tactic will eventually serve to bring the big hairy for down, and throws another blast of arcane energy at the Ogre. Mechanics Attack with Eldritch blast, +1 from bardic music, +1 from point blank shot, +1 from knowledge devotion. Ranged touch attack. (Precise shot feat negates penalty from shooting into melee with allies. +2 sacred bonus to AC from Protection devotion +4 to AC vs giants for a total of AC 25. Stat block [URL=/sheets/?id=2733635][B][SIZE=+1]Gerbimble Rampulart[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, [B]Level[/B] 3, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 ft. [B]AC[/B] 21, [B]Touch[/B] 14, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 16, [B]Fort[/B] 2, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) [/B] +5 (1d6, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) [B] Mithral chain shirt[/B], [B] Battle cloak, gnome[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, Level 3, Init 3, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft. AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 16, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 5, Base Attack Bonus 1 Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) +5 (1d6, x2) Dagger -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) Mithral chain shirt, Battle cloak, gnome (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) Abilities Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None

Blame the dice all you want, Gerbimble now thinks your guy is rubbish. 😄

This dwarven warrior isn't all that capable, Gerbimble thinks to himself, but at least he is keeping the hairy giant occupied. He moves slightly to get a better line of sight and then launches another blast of arcane energy at their foe. Mechanics 5 ft step forward (updated on map) Attack with Eldritch blast, +1 from bardic music, +1 from point blank shot, +1 from knowledge devotion +2 sacred bonus to AC from Protection devotion +4 to AC vs giants for a total of AC 25. Stat block [URL=/sheets/?id=2733635][B][SIZE=+1]Gerbimble Rampulart[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, [B]Level[/B] 3, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 ft. [B]AC[/B] 21, [B]Touch[/B] 14, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 16, [B]Fort[/B] 2, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 5, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) [/B] +5 (1d6, x2) [B] Dagger [/B] -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) [B] Mithral chain shirt[/B], [B] Battle cloak, gnome[/B] (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None Male CN Whisper Gnome Cloistered cleric2/Warlock1, Level 3, Init 3, HP 18/18, Speed 30 ft. AC 21, Touch 14, Flat-footed 16, Fort 2, Ref 5, Will 5, Base Attack Bonus 1 Eldritch Blast (ranged touch) +5 (1d6, x2) Dagger -2 (1d3, 19-20/x2) Mithral chain shirt, Battle cloak, gnome (+4 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex, +1 Size) Abilities Str 6, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None