CH 6: Solace

[HorizonsDream]

Tika looks up to see how things are going, and notices that Laurana is now hostage. She stays near Gilthanas' side for the moment.

[JadedDM]

While Goldmoon contemplates what she read on the disks out of nothing else to do while paralyzed, Sturm backs away, stepping out of the acid (or so I assume). Riverwind stays low and heads for the fireplace, while Tas does a quick count of all of the exits, coming to a total of...one, the same one that Riverwind just locked.

Someone tries to open the door, but finds it is now locked. A heavy force begins thudding upon the door, until it finally breaks off its hinges and drops to the ground. A crowd of draconians burst in, taking in the chaotic scene before them.

Leading the band is a swaggering ugly hobgoblin, the stench of his unwashed body preceding him by several feet. He sneers s he advances, flanked by four solid draconians to either side. Beyond, dozens more of the creatures stand in the sinister light of their own torches outside.

Tanis, Tasslehoff and Flint recognize the hobgoblin as the same one that attacked them outside of Solace a couple of weeks back, when they first arrived. "Toede," Tanis whispers with a frown.

The overweight hobgoblin's wispy white hair tops a very ugly face. His speckled grey skin, double chins, and pot belly all resemble those of a vicious little toad. "What in the Abyss is going on here?" he demands. "Some old men said there was fighting in here."

One of the surviving kapaks approaches, stepping out of the silence bubble. He speaks to Toede softly, gesturing back to the party as he does.

"Uh-huh...I see. Well, in that case," Toede announces. "You are all under arrest for the murder of two fine soldiers. Lay down your weapons and surrender!"

========

End combat. (Unless someone starts it up again, that is).

[Jerrard]

Sturm looks to Tanis, then to Laurana, fighting would only lead to death, yet surrendering his fathers blade? The sword is lowered, but not dropped.

[Jenara]

Laurana tries to scream, she tries to say something, yet she cannot move.

[Nuke]

OOC does Riverwind escape detection?????

[JadedDM]

(OOC: As far as he knows. I rolled the hide in shadows roll in secret.)

[JadedDM]

"We don't want any further trouble," Tanis says cautiously, hoping the hobgoblin doesn't recognize them...or that he hasn't heard about what happened in Xak Tsaroth yet. Stepping forward, he sets his sword, bow and quiver, and his pack down on the ground, before Toede. Caramon follows his lead, adding his weapons and pack to the pile. Sunstar and Raven-eye follow suit, and Flint does so only reluctantly.

A draconian relieves Laurana of her weapons and pack, and another one does likewise with Goldmoon, completely oblivious to the fact that the Disks of Mishakal are hidden within her pack. A third draconian checks on Gilthanas, reporting to Toede that he is still alive, and then relieves the elf prince of his gear, as well.

"Come on, now," Toede says. "All of you. Or the elf girl gets it."

[Jenara]

"You no hurt Pretty Lady?" Magpie asks, cautiously appearing near Laurana (assuming she has been moved from the Acid). "Magpie go with you. If you no hurt her."

[Jerrard]

"Tanis." Sturm shrugs in disbelief, looking at Rastlin of all people, what would the mage do?

[JadedDM]

The half-elf shakes his head at the knight. What would Sturm have him do? Sacrifice Laurana's life? And for what? They would still have to fight their way out of here somehow, against overwhelming odds. He watches Sturm, wondering if he would choose to place his own honor and pride over the life of the elf maid, as well as everyone else in the group.

The kapaks standing over Laurana hiss at the gully dwarf. "Throw your weapons and pack into the pile, vermin, or the 'pretty lady' dies here and now, get it?" one says, the disgust evident upon his scaled face.

Toede notices a silhouette upon the eastern wall, cast by the flickering light of the fire in the fireplace. Turning to find the source, he spots Riverwind crouching by the fire. "You, too, plainsman!" he says, pointing. It occurs to Riverwind that perhaps the kitchen would have been a better hiding spot than right in front of the fireplace.

Raistlin, meanwhile, seems to be standing by, waiting to see what the others do first. The Red Robe does not seem worried at all about Laurana's life hanging in the balance.

=============

DM's secret roll revealed:
Riverwind makes a hiding in shadows check (1d100): 48, fail.

[Jerrard]

Sturm Reluctantly places his blade into the pile in the middle of the room. The Code said he should protect the innocent, Right now, Laurana was an innocent.

[HorizonsDream]

Tika sighs and places her skillet in the pile with the other weapons. After all, she did use it to kill one of the dragon men.

[Breila]

Goldmoon hopes the hobgoblin realises that she doesn't comply simply because she is unable to move.

[Kafen]

Tas tosses his hoopak down casually as if nothing is wrong.

[Nuke]

Riverwind approaches the group, and while looking at Goldmoon, lays his weapons down as well.