founded = During La Dernière Guerre* leader = Lord Kor du Wynarn

The King's Citadel is the highest law enforcement and paramilitary organization in Brelande. In Sharn, they are called upon when a case is too big for the Watch to handle, especially if the case concerns espionage or national security. The Citadel directly serves Boranel du Wynarn through Boranel's younger brother Kor, who commands five captains for each of the five branches. The Citadel is explicitly a separate chain of command from the army, giving Boranel a much greater degree of control and discretion.

The ECS and ECG say that the King's Citadel was founded during La Dernière Guerre, but Keith has said “that the King’s Citadel isn’t just the intelligence service of Breland. Back in the day, the Citadel was the intelligence service of  GALIFAR ,” and that it represents Breland's role as the “Rogue” of the Cinq Nations. The Citadel is a national strength of Breland, similar to the Congrès Ésotérique for Aundair, Rekkenmark Academy for Karrnath, and Fort-de-la-Flamme for Thrane.

Les Épées du Roi are a paramilitary group that executes on public missions within and outside of Breland. They are led by Captain Ellanar (LG female Demi-Elfe paladin).

As a paramilitary organization, the Swords can be best described in terms of the United States' Navy Seals and FBI. Inside Brelandethey are a national-level law enforcement agency like the FBI, but outside they are closer to the Navy Seals or other special forces.

Les Boucliers du Roi are charged with ensuring the personal security of members of the government. They are led by Captain Sortan (LG male Humain paladin)

Les Baguettes Magiques du Roi provide magical support for the other branches of the Citadel. They are led by Captain Nebik (NG male gnome wizard).

The Lanternes serve the crown of Breland as the intelligence branch. They are led by Captain Vron (LN male changelin rogue). As the secret servants of the crown, members of the organization are granted the authority to conduct intelligence operations on foreign soil, execute covert missions across the globe, and prevent national secrets from falling into the hands of rival intelligence agencies. The Lanternes Sourdes also have the unwritten authority to eliminate any creature that threatens their nation, its sovereign, or its citizens. Once inducted into the Lanternes Sourdes, an agent is expected to serve until their death - While an agent may retire, the crown can recall them at any time.

The King's Lanternes is the intelligence division of the King's Citadel, an organization sworn to defend Brelandefrom its enemies and dispense justice in the name of Roi Boranel. As the secret servants of the crown, members of the organization are granted the authority to conduct intelligence operations on foreign soil, execute covert missions aqoss the globe, and prevent national secrets from falling into the hands of rival intelligence agencies. The Lanternes Sourdes also have an unwritten license to eliminate any creature that threatens their nation, its sovereign, or its citizens. Headquarters. The King's Citadel is based in Breland's capital city of Wroat, under the command of the king's brother, Lord Kor du Wynarn. A changelin named Captain Vron serves as the leader of the Dark Lanterns, with four subordinate knights marshal leading branch offices across Breland, in Sharn, Starilaskur, and Xandrar. A much smaller branch office keeps an eye on Brelon interests in the city of Cap-Tempête, in Xen'drik. Small, temporary field offices are sometimes established to coordinate missions outside Breland; these offices double as safe houses for agents in trouble, and they are designed to be wiped clean at a moment's notice if discovered by local authorities. The Sharn office of the King's Citadel is in Andith Tower in the Tours des Ambassadeurs district. Though a knight marshal commands the office, most of the King's Citadel members in Sharn are Lanternes Sourdes, and thus under the authority of a scheming and ruthless gnome named Talleon Haliar Tonan. Agents. The King's Lanternes Sourdes includes more than 500 agents operating within Breland's borders and roughly one-fifth that number stationed abroad. They often work in teams, and also work closely with the other divisions of the Citadel. Sometimes they recruit local talent, often under false pretenses, to help them accomplish their missions in foreign lands. Allies. By their nature, espionage agencies must be cautious in choosing their allies, and ' the King's Dark Lanterns is no exception. Its most trustworthy allies include the following facets of the Brelon government: Roi Boranel. The King's Lanternes Sourdes, as one would expect, serve the king of Breland, and he is their greatest advocate and ally. The king views loyalty as mutual: as long as an agent's loyalty is irreproachable, Boranel is willing to exercise his considerable power on that agent's behalf. The King's Citadel. The Citadel has three branches besides the Lanternes Sourdes. The King's Swords are elite special combat forces. Les Boucliers du Roi protect the king and his closest family members and associates. The King's Wands provide magical support to the other branches of the Citadel as well as other Brelon forces. CHAPTER 1 I C HARACTER CREATION Some Lanternes Sourdes might think themselves superior to members of the other branches, but even so they recognize other Citadel agents as players on the same team. When your group needs a little extra help, the other branches of the Citadel are there for you. Enemies. Rare is the espionage agency that is loved. Even within Breland, the populace views the Lanternes Sourdes with suspicion, and powerful people outside the royal family harbor resentment at the influence of the Citadel. Many people and institutions outside Breland view the Lanternes Sourdes as a hostile force. As a result, the following groups account for just a few enemies of the Lanternes Sourdes: Brelon Populists. As much as Roi Boranel is loved in his country, many Brelon voices argue that the era of monarchy is at an end, and the throne of Breland should be replaced by a government democratically elected by the citizenry. When these forces grow restless enough to plot and riot, the Citadel-and often the Lanternes Sourdes-work to bring them to heel. As a result, those who question the authority of the king are the most likely Brelon citizens to mistrust the Dark Lanterns or view them with open hostility. According to rumor some of those people even hold high positions in the Brelon government. Foreign Nations. Every nation knows the King's Dark Lanterns serves as an espionage force and do their best to track the movements of Dark Lantern agents within their borders. Foreign governments treat Dark Lantern agents with care to avoid sparking an international incident, but they are quick to arrest Dark Lantern agents suspected of wrongdoing. Nouvelle Cyre. One of the world's largest concentrations of Cyran refugees settled in eastern Brelandeunder the leadership of Oargev du Wynarn, the last prince of Cyre. Many voices among the Cyrans, possibly including Oargev himself, call for the establishment of an independent nation in what is now Brelon territory, but Boranel is determined to hold on to every acre of his land. The Lanternes Sourdes actively infiltrate the Cyran refugee community, rooting out those who would act against the king.

The ECS simply states that King's Citadel is the intelligence branch of the King's Citadel. Cinq Nations, the first book to detail the Citadel, calls them “one of two secret divisions operating under the auspices of the Citadel”, but then later says that “the Commun citizens of Brelanderespect and fear the King's Lanternes Sourdes” and that “Brelon youth searching for adventure… dream of becoming Lanternes Sourdes when they grow up”. The ECG labels knowing about the citadel a DC 20 Streetwise check, and later states that “few outside the Citadel know they exist”. Keith, in comments has said that “he sees the Lanternes Sourdes as a known agency: the details of their operations aren't made public, their identities of covert agents are preserved, but it's a known branch of the Citadel.”

The King's Ombres are an extra secretive division of the King's Citadel, only used for missions that must be kept as far from the government as possible. They are led by Captain Terra (CG female Humain Ranger). Only the most seasoned, trusted, and elite agents are given the chance to join L'Ombres.

The King's Ombres were not mentioned in the description of the King's Citadel when the ECS lists out the branches. Keith has suggested that “One option is to make it a subdivision of the Lanternes Sourdes – the most elite agents. however, I'd probably be inclined to focus on the idea that they are truly disavowable, more along the lines of Mission: Impossible than CIA…While I could see L'Ombres as being urban legend, used for jobs they can't afford to have traced back. I'd say that Maison Tarkanan began under the auspices of the King's Ombres.”

THE KING'S CITADEL The members of the King's Citadel are the direct agents of the Brelish Crown. As such, the King's Citadel stands above the Sharn Watch. Its members have the authority to take control of any investigation and to command the service of any guard or sentinel. Typically the Citadel leaves the daily chores of law enforcement (including the conflicts between the criminal organizations of the lower towers) in the hands of the Sharn Watch. The Citadel is concerned with forces that threaten the entire city, or even the kingdom. Foreign spies, mad necroman­ cers, and ancient fiends-these are the foes of the King's Citadel, rather than pickpockets and burglars. Of course, many of these greater threats might be be­ yond the capabilities of the typical Citadel agents. Much as the Blackened Book does, the Citadel keeps a close eye on unusual and talented individuals, and a party of adventurers might be called upon to assist the Citadel in a dangerous mission. Unlike the Sharn Watch, the Citadel doesn't ask for help: it demands it. The knights of the Citadel are the representatives of the King of Breland, and any Brelish citizen who refuses to help them is committing an act of treason. The Citadel isn't required to provide compen­ sation for the services it demands, but an adventurer who wins the respect of the Citadel can certainly benefit from the relationship. The Citadel is made up of these four divisions: The King's Dark Lanterns gather intelligence and en­ gage in covert operations. The King's Shields protect the royal family and its clos­ est associates. The King's Swords are elite soldiers used in the most dangerous military operations. The King's Wands are wizards and sorcerers, serving the crown in all arcane matters. The headquarters of the Citadel is in the Ambassador Towers district of Middle Central, in Andith Tower. That structure also serves as the city jail.

The Six Kings of Muraille-Grise

The King’s Lanternes Sourdes were vital to Breland’s defense during the La Dernière Guerre. However, conspiracies abound in the aftermath of war as nations struggle to rebuild and reclaim what was Perdu. The Accords de Fort-du-trone have done nothing to end the secret confl icts being waged across the Cinq Nations—confl icts steeped in espionage and subterfuge. With the threat of another war looming on the horizon, Brelandeneeds its Lanternes Sourdes now more than ever.

BECOMING A DARK LANTERN

Most members of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes do not have levels in the Dark Lantern prestige class. Only the most talented agents—the ones trusted with the truly dangerous assignments—have the ability and wherewithal to rise up from the ranks and become a true Dark Lantern. These dangerous few represent the best of Roi Boranel’s spies, confounding and opposing foreign powers for the greater glory of Brelande. Lanternes Sourdes must be equally good at espionage, combat, and diplomacy, for their missions often require some combination of stealth, swordplay, and seduction. A Dark Lantern must be a Brelon native with a family lineage that’s traceable. In addition, each member of the organization must swear a series of oaths and hold true to them for life (see Oaths of the Lanternes Sourdes, below). Most Lanternes Sourdes begin as fighters or rangers, some of them Brelon soldiers who fought in the La Dernière Guerre. However, they may need to take a level or two of rogue to pick up some fundamental skills. These Lanternes Sourdes make ruthless agents and are usually assigned to special strike teams or “shadow work.” Bards also make excellent Lanternes Sourdes, despite their nonlawful alignment; as agents, they tend to be debonair and sophisticated, and they serve well as diplomats and spies. The organization welcomes members of all races, although changelins have a particular gift for the

The Lanternes Sourdes serve the crown of Brelandeas spies and assassins. Collectively they form the intelligence division of the King’s Citadel, a much larger organization sworn to defend Brelandefrom its enemies and dispense justice in the name of Roi Boranel. More than any other division within the Citadel, the Lanternes Sourdes tend toward intelligence-gathering missions that extend beyond Breland’s borders. As the secret servants of the crown, members of the organization are granted the authority to conduct intelligence operations on foreign soil, execute covert missions across the globe, and prevent national secrets from falling into the hands of rival intelligence agencies. The Lanternes Sourdes also have an unwritten license to eliminate any creature that threatens their nation, its sovereign, or its citizens.

A Dark Lantern’s loyalty to the crown of Brelandemust be absolute and unswerving. Most of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes—and not just members with levels in this prestige class—are culled from the ranks of the Brelon military, but the leaders of the organization to fi ll its ranks with trustworthy bards, rogues, and assassins of proven ability. Any agent of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes whose loyalty comes into question faces a lengthy (and depending on Le Capitaine in charge, brutal) interrogation, during which détectives attempt to ascertain the agent’s true allegiance. Agents who prove uncooperative, evasive, or treacherous are quickly eliminated. By taking levels in the Dark Lantern prestige class, you are proclaiming or reinforcing your loyalty to both the organization and the King of Brelande. You have proven yourself to your superiors at least one occasion, and by pursuing this career path, you are pledging your life and future service to the Brelon crown and throne. The missions you’re assigned usually play to your King’s Dark Lantern strengths. If you are charismatic, your orders might be to seduce an Aundairian noble and discover some secret he or she is protecting, or to uncover the individual’s suspected role in a rumored assassination plot. If stealth is your game, you might be assigned to locate and eliminate a defector hiding in Korth or rescue a captured Citadel agent in Fort-de-la-Flamme. Regardless of objective, missions generally entail protecting or seizing information that, in the wrong hands, could jeopardize the future of Brelandeand its current ruler. The leaders of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes tolerate agents who indulge various pastimes, including adventuring. They understand the importance of such diversions, and if nothing else, agents can use their adventuring careers as cover to hide their true modus operandi. Indeed, most of the organization’s best agents are adventurers of one sort or another, trained to handle peril and intrigue with disarming aplomb. A Dark Lantern captured or detained by a rival intelligence agency would do well to hide his affi liation. Rival agencies share a dim view of Brelon spies and are as likely to kill a Dark Lantern as to use him for bait or blackmail.

Like a rogue or assassin, you prefer guile and subterfuge to a straight-up fight. You prefer to take out your enemies using stealth and sneak attacks. The Dark Lantern mantra is “Kill quickly or be killed,” and a lengthy combat isn’t to your advantage. You are also trained to adjust your fighting style to more handily dispatch enemies of a particular class or prestige class—a nice advantage if you’re trading secrets at a wizards’ emporium in Aundair, infi ltrating a thieves’ guild in Nouveau-trône, or raiding an Griffe Émeraude stronghold in Karrnath. You favor feats that make you a superlative diplomat, infi ltrator, or martial combat expert.

Advancement

You must be a member of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes to take levels in the Dark Lantern prestige class. Moreover, you must fi rst prove your worth by completing at least one important mission for the organization and the crown. Once you take your fi rst level in the prestige class, you are welcomed into the “inner circle.” Instead of taking orders from intermediaries, you receive your orders from the highest echelons of the organization (see Organization, below). As you advance in the prestige class, you gain the right to decline a mission for personal or professional reasons without ruffl ing too many feathers. However, the King’s Lanternes Sourdes need agents who are useful and productive; refuse too many missions, and you might fi nd your loyalty to the crown called into question.

There’s a saying in the Citadel: “Once a Dark Lantern, always a Dark Lantern.” Agents are expected to serve the Brelon crown unto death “and beyond into the next life.” Although an agent might “retire” from active service, he can be recalled at any time to perform some mission for His Majesty, as the organization sees fit. The very best of the best might obtain an audience with Roi Boranel himself, but no member of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes has ever earned the crown’s complete trust. Given the organization’s predilection for deception, this should come as no surprise. An agent of good standing who performs his duty without question can expect the full protection and support of the King’s Citadel in times of need. However, if you are captured abroad, you may need to rely on your own resources for a time if the Lanternes Sourdes are unable to reach you for whatever reason. If you are captured and considered too valuable to give up, a company of the King’s Swords might be assigned to rescue you (see Organization, below) once your location is determined. Although the Lanternes Sourdes can provide you with financial or legal aid, such assistance usually comes at a price. The organization may require you to repay the expense or perform some service beyond the normal call of duty, and any agent in debt is usually seen as a liability and denied the “choice” assignments until the debt is repaid. Although many of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes have military ranks, the organization is not considered part of the Brelon military, and the organization does not generally promote its members to higher ranks.

Resources

You are given necessary forged identification papers and travel documents to complete your assignments abroad, as well as money to cover bare expenses such as food and shelter. You can take refuge in any Brelon embassy or Citadel safe house. (Brelon embassies exist in every recognized capital city in Khorvaire. Citadel safe houses can be found in every large city, metropolis, or capital city, although they are well hidden and require a DC 25 Gather Information check to locate.) You can also tap into a network of Dark Lantern agents, hidden Brelon nationals, and foreign sympathizers and use them as informants or couriers, although finding one in a given settlement requires a successful Gather Information check with a DC equal to 10 + the settlement’s modifier: thorp or hamlet +0, village or castle/fort +2, small town +4, large town +6, small city +8, large city +10, metropolis or capital +12. Lanternes Sourdes use a variety of Objets Magiques to complete their missions. Members of the organization can purchase any of the single-use or charged items on the table below from any Dark Lantern headquarters or safe house at a 20% discount. Lanternes Sourdes who operate within the borders of Brelandeopenly wear a Citadel signet ring or cloak pin (depicted on page 138 of Sharn: Cité des Tours), which allows them access to Citadel headquarters. However, Dark Lantern agents operating beyond the borders of Brelandecarry false identification papers and no identifying apparel or symbols of any kind.

Oaths of the Lanternes Sourdes

A member of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes must adhere to a set of oaths, summarized below: I hereby swear fealty to the Brelon crown and pledge my loyalty to the king above all. I hereby vow to protect and serve Brelande, its ruling monarch, and its citizenry and dedicate my life to thwarting those who conspire against them. I hereby vow to perform my duty to king and country to the best of my ability, and not allow other duties, obligations, or loyalties to interfere with this duty. I hereby swear to guard any and all secrets of the Brelon crown, the King’s Citadel, and the King’s Lanternes Sourdes until death takes me, and beyond into the next life. I understand that by breaking any of these oaths, I sever my allegiance to the Brelon crown, whereupon I may be branded a traitor and rightfully incarcerated or executed for treason, by order of the king.

Lanternes Sourdes IN THE WORLD

“His majesty’s secret servants are known for their sharp eyes and ears, but one must also beware their sharp swords. Our beloved king sleeps very well at night knowing they’re out there.” —Alexei ir’Tain, a noble in Sharn The King’s Lanternes Sourdes serve as Breland’s eyes and ears across Khorvaire and beyond. Through a vast network of contacts that includes local constabularies, the Lanternes Sourdes watch for known criminals entering Brelande. They spy on radicals, politicians, foreign dignitaries, and resident exiles that represent a possible security risk to the people of Brelande. The organization has upward of 500 agents operating within Breland’s borders and roughly one-fifth that number stationed abroad. Lanternes Sourdes often work in teams. They also work closely with other divisions of the King’s Citadel, including the King’s Wands and the King’s Swords. In addition, some Lanternes Sourdes join forces with adventurers whose goals happen to coincide with theirs; in such cases, they might choose to keep their allegiance to the crown of Brelandea secret. A Dark Lantern operating within Breland’s borders can expect cooperation from any Brelon citizen in the pursuit of his mission. That said, a Dark Lantern represents the crown. One who takes advantage of a citizen’s cooperation or endangers the lives of innocent Brelon does not serve the crown and may have to answer for his misconduct.

Daily Life

A Dark Lantern doesn’t make a lot of money and is expected to live a modest life, so as not to attract undue attention. The work he is called upon to perform can be as simple and straightforward as spying on a foreign diplomat for a few days or as dangerous and complex as buying information from a dubious source in a remote city while dodging rival agents and assassins. When not performing a service for the crown, a Dark Lantern can participate in private ventures, provided they don’t conflict with his allegiance to the Brelon crown.

Notables

Every Dark Lantern has a story to tell. Kryx (LG Guerrier de Fer scout [see Monster Manual III] fi ghter 2/rogue 5/ Dark Lantern 1) joined the organization in 996 AR after three years of distinguished service in the Brelon army. He joined Captain Vron’s personal retinue and, in no time, Démontrated a knack for keeping secrets. When Vron needed a Guerrier de Fer agent to gather intelligence on the Seigneur des Lames in the Les Terres des Lamentations, he could think of no one better than Kryx for the job. Kryx’s orders were simple: Locate and infi ltrate the Seigneur des Lames’ camp, ascertain the size of his army, and learn the warlord’s plans. More than a year has passed, and Kryx has not yet returned. The popular theory is that the Seigneur des Lames learned of Kryx’s mission and destroyed him, but Vron hopes than Kryx is still in the Les Terres des Lamentations, attempting to subvert the Seigneur des Lames’ efforts. A few detractors think Kryx may have fallen under the warlord’s sway and given up his allegiance to Brelande. In time, Vron hopes to send a team of well-equipped agents into the Les Terres des Lamentations to ascertain the truth. Another notable Dark Lantern is Raskalorn (NG half-orc rogue 2/ranger 4/Dark Lantern 2), who spies on the criminal element in the lower levels of Sharn. However, Dark Lantern agents recently obtained information from a reliable source suggesting that Raskalorn might be selling secrets to the Royal Eyesof Aundair to supplement his income. Characters hunting a criminal in the pits of Sharn might uncover Raskalorn’s divided loyalties.

The organization can serve as a powerful ally or enemy depending on whether the adventuring heroes are perceived as a boon or threat to Breland’s security.

Organization

Adaptation

NPC Reactions

The Commun citizens of Brelanderespect and fear the King’s Lanternes Sourdes. They understand the purpose of the organization but sometimes call into question its methods, particularly when it turns its sharp eyes inward and begins spying on Brelandenationals and resident foreigners. Although the La Dernière Guerre is over, most educated Brelon suspect that the Lanternes Sourdes still engage in acts of espionage and violence across Khorvaire, and they fear that one misstep could destroy the delicate peace set forth by the Treaty of Fort-du-trône. Meanwhile, Brelon youth searching for adventure, intrigue, and the chance to explore exotic places dream of becoming Lanternes Sourdes when they grow up.

Lanternes Sourdes IN THE GAME

Eberron is a world of intrigue. As the nations of Khorvaire vie for political, economic, military, and magical superiority in the wake of the La Dernière Guerre, intelligence agencies work behind the scenes to ensure the survival and prosperity of their leaders while undermining the efforts of their foreign rivals. The King’s Lanternes Sourdes represent one of several agencies attempting to shape the future of Khorvaire through espionage.

As the DM, you should feel free to create organizations like the King’s Lanternes Sourdes for other nations and adapt the Dark Lantern prestige class accordingly. Groups functionally similar to the Lanternes Sourdes might exist in places such as Droaam, the Bastions de la Nation, Zilargo, Aérénal, Valénar, and Riedra, for example.

BRELAND

The King’s Lanternes Sourdes represent one branch of a greater organization called the King’s Citadel, which is based in Wroat. Roi Boranel’s brother, Lord Kor ir’Wynarn (see page 58), commands the Citadel, assisted by five Citadel captains, each of whom heads up a division of the agency. Captain Vron appoints various other captains to oversee the four branch offices of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes. The ruthless Captain Talleon Haliar Tonan (LE male gnome rogue 5/master détective 3) tyrannically leads the King’s Lanternes Sourdes in Sharn and spends much of his time building useful relationships with the city’s criminal elements. The leader of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes in Starilaskur is Captain Meryl d’Ravalas (LN male Humain aristocrat 4/fighter 2/Dark Lantern 2), a handsome man with a disarming smile, a keen strategic mind, and a fondness for changelins. In Xandrar, leadership falls to Amber Korranor (NG female Nain bard 6/rogue 2), the widow of a well-known Nain adventurer (Shekkal Korranor) who died in the La Dernière Guerre. Amber has no military record, but she’s a proven Brelon patriot of sharp wit and mind. The fifth leader, Jev (LN male changelin rogue 5/assassin 3 disguised as a male half-elf) leads a small team of agents in Cap-Tempête on the continent of Xen’drik. All King’s Lanternes Sourdes are based out of Wroat, Sharn, Starilaskur, Xandrar, or Cap-Tempête and report to one of the five aforementioned division leaders.

Encounters

The individual described below makes an excellent nemesis for characters serving the Brelon crown and for characters serving rival nations or agencies. EL 10: Within the ranks of the King’s Lanternes Sourdes, Aron Fainn is known as Sharpsword. Abandoned as an infant and raised in Orphelinats until the age of fourteen, he took to living on the streets of Sharn as an adolescent. He slept in alleys and scrounged for crowns (copper coins) to buy food. He became a skilled cutpurse despite feeling sick at the thought of stealing other people’s money. Blessed with a strong sense of justice, he rescued a merchant from a changelin mugger and received a reward that kept him off the streets for a while. At age sixteen, he joined the army and marched east to fight in the La Dernière Guerre. His skill with the blade and his fierce devotion to Brelandecaught the eye of a captain working for the King’s Citadel, and before long Aron was indoctrinated and assigned to the Lanternes Sourdes. Aron showed little interest in surveillance work, but he excelled at hunting down criminals, traitors, conspirators, and rogue agents. Although the world is painted in shades of gray, Aron tends to see things in black and white. Enemies still plot against the Brelon crown, and Aron has vowed to stop them. He rarely leaves the country and prefers to work alone. Although he has many likable qualities, Aron is ruthless and uncompromising in the pursuit of his mission. Aron prefers to fi ght one-on-one and retreats if accosted by multiple foes, using his potion of expeditious retreat and boots of striding and springing to aid his escape.