XP Earned: 382 XP/person
Expected XP Total: 6450/7500
Surges Spent This Encounter: (before short rest)
Torinn 3
Sureiya 2
Michael 0
Bernkastel 0
Sariel 0
Myn 0

Sariel finds little of value amongst the possessions of the cultists, other than a small reagant sack on the manipulator containing about 160gp worth of mystic salves, and 200gp worth of alchemical reagents (ritual components for heal and arcana, respectively).

Michael plants his battle standard, and the group gathers around. It would probably be best to decide what to do with the unconscious foes, and soon.

There is a large spiral staircase leading up, a door to the west leads to a short hall that apparently ends abruptly, and the door to the east leads to parts unknown.

Sariel swoops the reagents into her bag, then eyes the Warlord.

"You don't look so well," she comments lightly.

Torinn walks around and prods the fallen enemies with his sword.

"Wake up, you miscreants. We have some questions for you."

>>4597
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Sariel, but I should be alright... As they say, what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger? I'm more worried about Sureiya and Torinn. I don't think they'll be able to fight much longer without some rest."


Once all allies are within range of the Banner, spend a healing surge and short rest.

Sariel casts a curious glance to the Shaman and Warlock.

"Sureiya and Torinn...?" She eyes the Warlord curiously.

Still on the ground, the orc mutters
"I am Sureiya, the half-dead orc on the ground.
A pleasure to meet you again."

Smiling, Myn walks over to Sureiya and offers a hand to help him up.

"With both the tower's defenses and other interlopers to worry about, it's not surprising that we'd take a few more hits than usual."

"Arcanist or not, that guy did well on the encounter."

Sureiya accept his help and stand up.
"Anyways, I did not kill that bastard, what now?"

With a sigh, Sariel looks at Sureiya.

"Ah, so the su-- half-orc is called Sureiya." Then, who's Torinn?

She shifts her gaze to Myn. "Torinn, right?"

>>4614
The dragonborn looks slightly put off that his name was forgotten so quickly.

"That would be me."

>>4614
Michael shakes his head and says,"No, not him.. The Dragonborn who kept that dragon busy for the most part over there." He says as he gestures to Torinn.

A shrug is the response the both of them get.

"I cannot be bothered to remember the names of all you fleeting people," she mumbles. "Ah, Torinn would be Dragon Boy. I see he, like all others of his kind, is hurried to reach the end of his life."

Myn laughs reservedly.

"I suppose even the superior memory of the eldarin has limits...~"

Torinn sighs, shaking his head as his attempts to revive their tormentors is as of yet unsuccessful.

Despite Sureiya's attempts to dull his last shot on the manipulator, it appears to be bleeding out quickly. You may need to administer first aid to it, or it will expire very soon.

The rabble snaps awake quickly, but it gives very little response to Torinn's provocations--only an icy glare.

Waking the dragon doesn't seem like a good idea at this point in time.

>>4617
>>4620
Michael shrugs and says,"Who knows, maybe remembering a name of a fleeting person could save you one day... But I digress..." As for Torinn's comment, Michael suggests to him,"I say we should worry about everyones well being before we worry about interrogating them. As to not cause any unforseen circumstances..."

Sariel shrugs again, this time in response to the Warlock.

"I preserve my memory for things that matter." With a smile, she adds, "And it's not as though you people took the time to introduce yourselves to me properly."

With a gesture, Sariel conjures the image of the Arcanum. "Besides, surrounded by that much knowledge, the passing and going of people you've just barely met tends to elude the mind.

"In any case, the lot of you will die before I do; if not because of your tendency to rush to your demise, then due to your ridiculously short lifespans. Don't blame me if I didn't take care to remember all your names in the off-chance we'd end up joining forces again."

>>4622
Take a short rest, and spend one healing surge.

>>4621
Torinn settles down near the rest of the group, nodding along. "You're right. We should make sure everyone has recovered before we do anything as risky as waking them."

>>4625
Spend a healing surge as well.

"Speaking of fleeting creatures..." Sariel casts a far-off glance at the dying manipulator. "... I believe he may soon be departed from this world."

>>4629
"I'm not that good at First aid, and while I COULD try, I believe our friendly Shaman here knows more about it than I."

The Eladrin shakes her head. "It matters little to me. Those that stand before us in challenge deserve the cold grasp of the grave.

"I imagine though that there must have been some cause to preserve their lives." Though she racks her memory, in the din of battle all is forgot, and Sariel cannot remember why they'd wanted to preserve and spare their foes.

Least of all the dragon.

"I don't like it any more than you do, but they might have companions here that we don't know about."

The dragonborn scratches his head, "And how they got past the previous room without incident."

Torinn looks at the dying manipulator with some degree of concern, "'Bernkastel', could you please tend to that one's wounds?"

As her spirits look on, the psionic shaman manages to prevent the manipulator from bleeding out prematurely with a quick patching of the wounds.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3166019/

>>4621
Torinn addresses the cultist sternly. "You there. Please save us the trouble and tell us what we want to know. If you do, you will be released, whether it's through that door," He brandishes his sword, "Or the sweet release of death."

Critical diplomacy : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3166114/ (34)

The cultist scoffs a bit as a response. "How the hell am I supposed to do that? I don't even know what you wanna know. Chances are I don't even know it."

>>4635
"What I want to know is who you people are. Why you're here. And how you got past the room we came in from. Surely even you know that much."

"I don't know what you're talking about, gettin' through," the cultist replies. "But I'd think your broad over there already knows who we are, the Cult of the Dragon. All I know about the why is that the boss wanted to do something to the dragon that lives in this tower. Bind it or somethin', I'd guess."

>>4638
Torinn's face twitches imperceptibly before he continues, "What I mean is, how did you enter the tower?"

Cult of the Dragon? A dragon in this tower? Binding it to their whims? So there's more of them here after all.

Sariel frowns at the mention of a dragon.

"Wait, this tower has a dragon, too?" What's with dragons inhabiting towers randomly?!

>>4638
"A dragon? Great.. As if we haven't run into enough of THOSE lately. Hopefully this one is more friendly than the ones thusfar.." Michael thinks to himself. Realizing that there could be more, Michael asks in a slightly demanding tone,"Are there more of you in this tower? If so, how many are there."

"Listen, I don't know much about that. I just know the magicky-types used some kinda teleport thing to get us in. They seemed pretty interested in those big statue-looking things that were in the entry hall, but for the rest of us, we've mostly been standing around and sleeping while they trash the place, looking for books and relics. I heard the master had the dragon captured, and was tryin' to break its will," the rabble explains in a bit of an annoyed tone.

>>4657
Cursing to himself, Michael starts to think while resting again, before only coming up with,"Then we have no choice other than to tie these two up, put them outside the door or somewhere where we know they can't escape or at least move for a while, and finish off this dragon. Preferably its head. Who is this "Master" anyway. Speak quickly if you value you anything at all."


Take short rest and spend another surge.

Breaking the dragon's will?

"Right then, party's over," Sariel decides, gesturing to the subdued dragon. "You wanted his head, Torinn? Lob it off and let's go."

She turns to the rabble, and with a glare adds, "And I should hope we needn't regret not killing you."

Sariel turns again, now to Sureiya and Michael. "We're letting this guy go, right? What about the Dragonborn caster? We going to do anything with him?

"Since they're trying to break the local dragon's mind, let's get a move on before we have to subdue another of those scaley beasts."

>>4660
"If we tie them up in that room we entered and close the doors, it should take them a while to get out, and if they do try to escape via the disk, all they will find is the guards and others from earlier waiting for them."If they haven't left, that is. Which I hope they haven't... "Regardless, you are right. We must hurry. Let's tie these two up quickly."

>>4660
"I couldn't agree more. May you find peace somewhere far, far away from here and such," Torinn growls, walking toward the dragon with his sword unsheathed, "But I'm sending this monstrosity to the depths of the Nine Hells!"

With a heavy swing, Torinn cuts into the dragon's neck, intent on severing it in one blow.

The rabble shakes his head quickly, then says, "The master is one of the dragon... skeleton... things. They call 'em Sacred Ones. One of the Wearers of Purple is with her... he's the one that gives most of the orders. As for me, I've about had it with this cultist gig. Just gonna end up getting me killed!"

>>4663
"I suggest in the future, don't get involved in cults involving evil dragons. I also suggest you turn yourself in whenever possible. If you're lucky, those still outside will take you as prisoner and you'll be able to turn over a new leaf."

"So what do with manipulator?" Sariel glares.

"... ask him about this place, and just leave him get out. He's more lucky than us."

Since everyone was derping, Sureiya decide to use his own rope and restrain the evil controller.

"In any case, you might not want to be in the same room as this guy when he wakes up," Torinn says, prodding the dragonborn with his boot. "No telling what he'll do if he thinks you're deserting the cause."

Torinn gives the rabble some time to do... Whatever he'd do, before he harshly smacks the unconscious and restrained cultist with the back of his hand, holding the severed head of the dragon in his other hand. He snarls, "Wake up, you traitorous bottom feeder!" as he shoves the head into the cultist's face, "Your 'mighty one' is no more, and if you don't wish to join him at the depths of the Nine Hells, you'll start talking!"

Intimidate roll : http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3168312/ (28)

Upon being roused and taking account of his situation, and the severed dragon head, the manipulator sighs and looks at the ground. "Very well then, kill me. I have done my duty to the fullest. There would be no greater reward for me than to die in the service of a Sacred One."

>>4676
Torinn nods solemnly, drawing his sword and leveling it at the manipulator's throat. The dragonborn glances to the group, seeking any objections to granting the cultist the death he seeks.

Sureiya seem to be opposed to it, but he won't say a thing.
"... Maybe if that's what he wants? ..."

>>4677
Sariel glares again.

"And grant him his highest honour? Lob off his arms and we'll go kill his leader."

>>4681
Torinn shakes his head and scowls, "There are other ways to strip away dignity other than being barbaric."

That said, Torinn kicks the cultist onto its back with his boot onto the nearby rug. His blade is sheathed while he rolls up the carpet with the manipulator inside. Then he rolls the carpet north and wraps the bundle up with the other carpet, ignoring the protests of the dragonborn inside.

The paladin shoves the bundle under the burning brazier in the northwest corner, one end against the wall and the other weighed down with another couple rolled up carpets courtesy of Rutger. The manipulator is thus in the dishonorable situation of being tied up, wrapped up, wedged under something on fire, and having something piled on him.

He quirks an eyebrow at the rest of the group, motioning to the stairs and the other door, "Can we go now"

Sariel nods with satisfaction.

"Surprising move there, Paladin. But let's go." AND SARIEL TAKES THE LEAD.

Right into the room the manipulator emerged from. There is a glowing disc on the map there and we'll see to it that we know its function!

>>4690