Mordechai |
"That there was Mizuki. Word is, don't mess with her. I saw her castin and looking at folks, and apprently when she looked at our Ember she didn't like what she saw, and skidaddled. She went up on the roof of the buildin we tracked 'er to. I figured she musta seen or heard us and went up. Didn't wanna pick a fight with a cat in a corner, especially when it throws spells about. Word is she also is part of an outlaw gang. If it's Slate's, then mayhap they know we're comin'..."
A Fistful of Koban |
Thel, you find the same things Mord found, and are able to feel the smell as well.
Back at the Saloon, the atmosphere is heating up. Regulars are much more drunk than before, the band is can barely keep playing without being assaulted by falling drunkards, and a fisticuffs between two costumers is imminent (they both had FIVE aces in their last round of poker). Mizuki, needless to say, isn't here. Suddenly, a stool goes flying in the air, hits the chandelier, and falls over a dwarf's head, who can do nothing better than charge and headbutt the groin a muscular halforc monk nearby. As the tavern fight ensues, the band keeps courageously playing regardless of the mugs of beer and various glasses thrown at their general direction.
SOUNDTRACK
Thelnyss |
Smelt like horse excrement also. he sneers Ofcourse, I can't really tell if it was her or the alley...
When they get back to the saloon, they meet up with all of the group that is outside and quickly explains what happened. So... what do you think? he peers over their shoulders into the bar Don't think there is much to be gained in there any more.
Embrianna |
Guess I like that last soundtrack 'cause they're from my state.
Already heading towards the door before things got too rowdy, Embrianna continues towards it, tugging on Grym's arm as she goes saying; "Let's just go ahead an step on out. As much as I'd like to have some fun, I wouldn't fancy spending time in a cell when we should be out ahunting Slate. Hopefully the rest of our posse has as much sense."
After hearing Theyl's story, Ember wonders what that woman could have cast upon her. "I don't feel any different or anything. Any of you more mystical types have any clue what she may have been up to?"
Sanzu |
Sanzu thanks the elves of the Awakened Moon, then goes to the bar along side his companions and shares the information he obtained. Slate has been attacking caravans, he does this using some kind of compulsionary magic. My money is on the jade device allowing him to do so. A charm or protection from such effects would be useful if we are going to meet up with him.
Grymblade |
Finding the others outside was somewhat of a surprise but Grym held his questions while Sanzo shared the insight that he had gathered from his elven cousins.
A charm like that will cost coin that I, for one dont have. If we hit them from the shadows they wont have time for frivolous magics.
The knife wielder was wary and a bit distrusting of spells and such that he couldnt see or stick with a blade. Turning to Thels and Mord.
What'd you two run off after?
Boss Talured - "The Savage Six" |
"Sssshhhhhrrrrriiiiittttttt!!!!"
With a quick scraping noise and the quick pungent odor of phosphorous, Talured lights his cigar as he leans against one of the hitchin' post outside the saloon. Taking a long drag that emits a corona of orange light, revealing the upper half of his torso, he blows twin gouts of smoke from his nostrils...
"Could be we shadow one o' dem merchent caravans, and when they hit it, track em back to their hideout. Could give us the opportunity to see where them dogs is kenneled. From there we could lay an ambush, set a trap or hit em' when they are weakest?" Just a suggestion..."
A Fistful of Koban |
Let's advance...
The group gets a good night sleep and wakes up early in the morning. The sun is still rising, and gives the town and the desert nearby a reddish tint. Everything is settled, you have your horses saddled and enough rations and water to survive in the harsh flats for a few days. There is barely anyone in the streets now, the town's still asleep. As you go past the massive Jade Palace, you notice another group of riders going inside.
High Road ends and the salty dust hits you in the face and the eyes. You find yourself out of Hangman's Noose, headed West towards the Whispering Canyon, to meet Slate and who knows what else.
There is no merchant's caravan heading your way, but Rickman's shops is just near here, so if you want to buy a cart to use as a bait as someone suggested, now's the time. You also have enough time to get rations and water if you didn't do that before.
Please state some sort of riding order, and give me a Perception check while you are at it. Whoever has Survival please take a check too.
Boss Talured - "The Savage Six" |
Staring into the wind, eyes like slits, Talured sighed...For many the Salt Desert was a forbidding place, rife with danger. For Talured however, he was returning home. Having spent his adolescents surviving in the barren environment, it did not have the same effect on him as it did most others. His people had tamed it long ago. Taking the wet stump of the cigar from his mouth, Talured reached in his breast pocket and removed a folded square of cloth and a smooth stone. He tossed the stone in his mouth and tied the cloth over the lower half of his face, covering his nose and mouth, providing only a thin area for his eyes, tying the cloth behind his head.
"I'll take the lead!"
Perception Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Survival Roll: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Embrianna |
Dressed in her usual outfit and chainmail, Ember meets back up with the others in the morning. Ready to head on out and track down some outlaws.
Knowing that there are much better trackers than her in the group, Ember will play rearguard, cradling her rifle in her arms as she watches for any sign of them being followed.
Perception 1d20 ⇒ 15
Grymblade |
Grym had woken early as he want to do. He spit in his hands and slicked his long hair back. He stapped on his armor, tucked his knives away and mseared a mixture of dark ash and whiskey around his eyes to ward against the Great Eyes anger. He had his horse saddled and was waiting for the others outside. He let the old elf take point and stayed wary as the made their way out into the dusty chaparral that surrounded the Noose.
Perception - 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
We need to find a wagon of sorts if we plan on baiting them. Any ideas?
Embrianna |
"Well, I suppose we can head over to Rickman's shop and see what he's got ready for sale. A wagon or cart could also be useful for hauling back to town some outlaws and their ill-gotten loot."
Diplomacy for bargaining I guess? 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Do we find anything suitable?
Embrianna |
"I can probably cover the cost of the wagon and attempt to drive it. Maybe we can check with some of the shops nearby for some empty crates and load up some extra water barrels in it as well to make sure we have enough. I'd really hate to run out in the middle of the Flats."
Sanzu |
Do not burden yourselfs too heavy on water friends, the spirits grant me water as it is needed. I shall ride along side the one called boss and assist with seeking out magical disruptions ahead.
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Survival
Will cast sift, detect magic orisions as we travel to assist with recon
Thelnyss |
I could also help paying for the cart, since I have no horse of my own ... he shrugs Usually I have more use for endurance over speed, but it would be unwise of me to slow you down or the other way around...
Perception1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Survival1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
+2 on Sur and Per rolls in the desert, for ALL the party if they stay close (hunters bond). I'm in the middle of a 24 hour business race, so my postings might be sporadic and I reserve myself from stupid mistakes I will make due to the lack of sleep : ) Just assume Thel pays his fair share of whatever we buy (I have about 60gp)and that he torments people with anecdotal stories (especially Ember if she is trapped on the cart with him).
Edit: the bonus was not included in my roll, but I don't think it mattered that much. I also have +2 on tracking :P
A Fistful of Koban |
Rickman gives you a light covered wagon complete with seats for two and harnesses for two horses. It cost you 48 golds, so 8 gp each. I'm assuming Embrianna and Thelnyss are on the cart, which still needs another horse to be carried or else it will be much slower. Thel, if you spend the rest of your money (52 gp) Rickman can give you an old nag that might help pull the cart.
The wagon makes the group go a little slower, but all of you proceed on steady pace. Thelnyss and Talured help steer the group towards the right direction, to the Whispering Canyons. Thel also finds a set of tracks along the way: 4 or 5 riders, prooceding West.
At about midday, the group reaches one of the few lankmarks in the whole Flats: a zone of rocky mounds and hills with sporadic shrubs and small trees. The zone is famous for two things: there are a few ponds of muds here that survive despite the insanely hot weather, and many bandits choose to hide the bodies of their victims in the aforementioned ponds, so the zone is called Choke Hills.
The group is proceeding uphill, when suddenly you all hear the distinct crack of a firearm fired nearby. To your left, a group of 5 riders emerged from the brow of a hill, and it's galopping towards you a full speed.
Grymblade |
Ambush!
Grym angled his horse away from the others a bit so any concentrated fire would have less chance of hitting him, hefted his spear that had been braced in his stirrup and waited until they were in range to throw it.
Ready an attack if any come within 40'
A Fistful of Koban |
Ambush!
Grym angled his horse away from the others a bit so any concentrated fire would have less chance of hitting him, hefted his spear that had been braced in his stirrup and waited until they were in range to throw it.
Ready an attack if any come within 40'
If you are ready to attack then roll Initiative and attack beforehand.
Embrianna |
Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
"Nice of those bandits to not make us wait too long to try an ambush. Guess I'll just have listen to the rest of your stories later Thelnyss."
Perception, do I recognize any of them yet? 1d20 ⇒ 3
Atack with rifle (range 80ft) target any I recognize first otherwise at random 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage 1d10 ⇒ 10
Boss Talured - "The Savage Six" |
Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Drawing my six...
"Everyone try to find some cover, damn it! Use your horses if necessary, you can always get another horse! There's no way they are stupid enough to bring the whole posse, more than likely they got a sharpshooter drawin' a bead on you right now Em', sittin' pretty up on that wagon!
Talured slid off his saddle on the opposite side of the approaching group for temporary cover. In an effort to get their attention, Talured will edge out front and to the side forcing them to split their attention left & right.
Everybody's gonna just start blastin'...guess I will too...
At 40' Touch AC against the lead man...
Attack Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Damage Roll: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Mordechai |
Calmly draws his weapon as me moves his horse to take cover behind the wagon. He picks a target, and fires, twice.
He'll spend a Ki point to extend his range for his guns by 50', so touch ac out to 70'
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Flurry of Bullets
Shot 1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 oh snap!
Shot 2 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Confirm shot 1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage Shot 1 4d8 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 8) + 1 = 16
Damage Shot 2 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
6/7 ki left.
gain a grit 2/5 grit left.
Thelnyss |
Don't shoot 'till they do! Thel yells out as he slips down to take cower behind the cart, pulling out his bow in the process. They didn't shoot at us, but ... It looks like a robbery.
Initiative 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Move action to move behind the cart, draw a weapon (longbow) as part of it.
Delay until they shoot, then return fire /w Ranger's Focus up. If they don't Thel will attempt to call them out.
Bow 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Remember that everybody (of us) gets +2 Initiative :P
A Fistful of Koban |
As Mordecai and Talured reach for cover, Thelnyss, from behind the wagon, manages to be heard from anyone before guns go ablaze. You all notice that the riders are not firing either, but coming straight at you. Their weapons are drawn, but not pointed at you, though they are trying to get close in a way that both gives them a way of circlying you and a way to get away fast if necessary. They come at about 30 ft from you, then stop their horses. Two of them are near Talured, while the others stands near the wagon and the rest of the group.
We are not in combat yet, so I'll save your initiative and attack results for the first round of actual combat, assuming there will be one. Whoever has spent ki or grit to improve their reach can keep the points, as all the riders are well within your first range increment now.
All the riders are clearly visible now. In the middle there is a tall man with a cowboy hat, deep blue eyes and a blonde short beard. He wields a rifle, with a barrel pointing the air, but the finger ready on the trigger, and looks definitely like the boss of this group.
To his right there is the woman that was at the Saloon the night before, still wearing dark robes and with some sort of chain-like weapon in both hands.
No check needed, she's Mizuki, the bandit from yesterday, infamous for her burglar abilities and her mischieviousness.
To his left there is a rider dressed in what appears to be pure dirt. His skin, hair and clothes are covered in dried mud, leaving only the dark eyes and a slit for the mouth clean. Under all the dirt you can recognize the feature and the dress of a typical desert elf.
Closer to Talured, there are two riders. One is on a unsaddled pony, and he's a shirtless dwarf with the skin reddened from the constant exposure to the sun, and a dirty brown beard. He wield a very big stone hammer, and grins at you: from the grin you can see that hasn't even the slighest hint of a tooth inside his mouth.
The last rider dresses in dark leather and a large hat, with a red bandanna covering his face, but everybody can see that he's definitely not human: he has a prolonged face, scaly grey skin and yellow eyes similar to the ones of a snake. But the thing you notice the most is the umbearable stench he makes, a very putrid odour that almost makes you puke the morning breakfast. Everybody do a Fortitude Save, DC 13, or be sickened for 10 rounds. A large and rusty flintlock pistol is strapped to his belt.
All lock their gaze on the group, their hands on their weapon and on their horse's harnesses. Only the blond man in the middle gets down from his horse, and walks closer with a smug look on his face. Howdy, pardners! How's the day treating ya? What are you doing this far from the old town, may I ask you gentlemen? Don't you know the desert's a dangerous place?
Embrianna |
Fortitude save 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Trying her best to appear as if she isn't about to loose her breakfast, Ember keeps her hands on her rifle as she answers. "The day was treating us just fine, thank you for asking. And we might just ask the same question of you? I don't suppose you lot spend your days scouring the desert for people in need of help?" Darn it all, these aren't the bandits we're looking for. Wonder if we can get out of this without a fight, I'd rather not waste our resources on these loosers.
Diplomacy 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18
Grymblade |
Knowledge Local - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Fortitude - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Grym had heard of most of these fellows and a sour lot they were. THeir corpses would pay a good bit of coin as well. He didnt know the snakeman but the odor eminating from the foul creature had him ready to toss up the jerky he had eaten earlier. And that just left him in a foul mood....
The desert isnt near as dangerous as as we are pilgrim. You lot should ride for the horizon.
Intimidate - 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
He tried to spit the disgusting taste from his mouth to no avail.
A Fistful of Koban |
Trying to reason with him or scaring him had no effect so far.
The man laughs before replying to Ember and Grym: Oh why yes, actually, we do. An' before our lot "rides for the horizon", boyo, we will help you indeed, getting rid of everything of value you carry. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING, so don't try to play tricks on us. Ye'll get more that you can bite.
While he says so, the dwarf gets down from the horse too, and grabs his hammer with both hands, his void smile still up. Mizuki starts swinging his chain instead, in a very menacing manner.
Meanwhile, the reptile bandit answers Mordechai's request with a puzzled look. Wats'a downwind?
SOUNDTRACK
Everyone stands still, with his or her weapons ready to go at the sligthest provocation. Everything is silent, apart from the cry of a distant vulture in the skies and the whip of Mizuki's chain spinning in the air. Who's going to make the first move?
I'll give you few posts more to let you try to get away from this situation without resorting to violence or even challenge them to a duel, if you want, then it's full regular combat. Sanzu, are you still there?
Boss Talured - "The Savage Six" |
Talured slowly reaches up to his face and pulls down his bandana. Reaching into his breast pocket he pulls out a fresh cigar and places in the corner of his mouth. Reaching down to his bandoleer he pulls free a wooden match, strikes it on lapel and lights his cigar.
"Awful dangerous in this Desert! So many ways to find death...if one were inclined. Least of those should be from a bunch a ragged hustlers like your lot....You know what the worst part of dying in the desert is?"
Embrianna |
My bad, I meant to imply they weren't the specific ones that Ember was looking for. She tends to have a one-track when she is set on her targets.
Though that does remind me to ask, we were given a good description of Slate himself, correct?
And Profession bounty hunter roll just to see if any of them are worth anything 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
"Tell ya what, how about I show you what our cargo is and then you decide if it's anything that you actually want to fight over." Assuming no one moves to shoot at her, she will slowly open up one of the larger crates which is quite empty. Well, I guess this might either discourage them or distract them, we'll just have to see which.
Since no one mentioned putting anything into the crates, I'm under the assumption that they are empty.
A Fistful of Koban |
Sorry, I thought you were referring to Slate and his band, not your husband's killers. My bad. About their value, see the spoilers above. As for Slate, you were given a portrait of him, so you can't miss him.
Fine, lady, let's cut to the chase. I couldn't give a damn about what you are carryin', though your weapons might be worth a few coins. I want those papers. That's right, the ones that let you go after Slate. We know you got them, so hand them over, and ye can walk home safe and sound. Deal?
Grymblade |
His guts were roiling from the stench of ole' scaly kind there but Grym still found a way to be amused by the thugs.
Hahaha...you are a funny man. We are not afraid and we dont take kindly to threats. Especially idle ones. I know who you are Tomas Waxton andI know that your corpse will fill our pouch with enough coin to drink for months. Best y'all bugger off now.
Mordechai |
I'm kinda puzzled by this scenario...why would we let them close to melee range when we know this area is used by bandits. In a dog eat dog world like this, it doesn't make sense, at all, to let them close and give them the benefit of the doubt...
Mord will simply look at them.
"I dunno who you're used to trifflin' with out here, but you can guarantee one thing: Not all of you will be gettin' a cut of what you git from us, if anything. You may get us, but some o' you ain't goin home. I damn sure ain't gonna let you take my pistols without blood, so draw, or git.
Only two choices we got left here."
Boss Talured - "The Savage Six" |
You tell me...
"...You never see it coming!"
Boss skins his iron with a blur of movement and shoots the scaly stinker center mass...
Sorry dudes & cowgirls, Boss ain't no talker. With a high WIS and and average INT, he's a man of intuition and action. His intuition tells him...no matter how you cut it...this here situation don't end well.
I'll be taking my attack action now Mr. DM, Sir.
Thelnyss |
The tension and promise of bloodshed has already quickened Thels heart. The dwarfs toothless smile torments him, it beacomes a bulls eye in his mind - its ugly imperfection almost physically calling his arrow. When he hears Talureds gun fire, he swiftly lets loose his own deadly weapon with a shrill laught. Ahhhahhhhhyeahahaha! his eyes alight with the fire of the hunt Run little prey, RUN!
I think we all have been kind of itching for a chance to kick some scumbag ass, so no worries here. Lets just hope its their graves and not ours
A Fistful of Koban |
Sonova...
Alright, then it's combat time...
Talured
Mizuki
Thelnyss
Mudsnake
Mordecai
Grymblade
Thorin
Waxton
Embrianna
Pissbucket
[ooc]Still waiting for Sanzu to roll
Talured is the first to act, catching Pissbucket by surprise and hitting the reptile humanoid straight in the chest.
Mizuki jumps from his horse, her chain spinning in the air closing up with the wagon and trying to reach Thelnyss and Embrianna behind their cover.
The elven guide strikes true at the dwarf with his arrow, while Mudsnake, still up his horse, chants a curse with a gravely voice. Embrianna, do a Will Save DC 16.
Mordechai fires with his guns and catches Mizuki in the air with his first bullet, and puts her down with the other: the woman drops to the ground as she was about to strike at Thelnyss with her chain.
Grymblade's spear gets Tomas Waxton right in the leg. Embrianna gets the dwarf instead, but her rifle does not bring him down.
The bandits eventually react. Waxton shoots with his rifle right back at Grymblade, VS touch AC 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10, scoring a clear shot. Grym, your horse is startled by the shot, do a Ride check DC 15 to keep standing on it or to leap down without falling in the dust.
Toothless Thorin just seems to ignore the bullet and the arrow completely, and charges with his hammer at Talured, screaming and foaming from his mouth. 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 232d6 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 = 16 He hits him hard on his gun arm.
Pissbucket, startled by the bullet he just received and still trying to grasp what "downwind" means, is the last to act. He draws his pistol and fires: a burst of flame and pellets emerges from the barrel,1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 151d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 182d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5 hitting both Mordechai and Gryblade that happened to be close. You both get 5 points of fire damage, Reflexes DC 15 halves.
Vultures begin to gather in the air...
Alright, let's all state your actions and I will resolve them. The sickened condition kicks in from now: remember to consider it in your dice rolls.
Mordechai |
Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Takes a step, drawing his other gun, taking two more shots with his other pistol, this time at Thorin, as he charges forward.
Burns a ki point to gain 4 AC for the round...
Shot 1 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Shot 2 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Damage Shot 1 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Damage Shot 2 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Grit now 3/5
Ki now 6/7
HP 25/27
Thelnyss |
Thel will try to get a clean shot on the dwarf again, otherwise he will fire upon mudsnake (aka if Thorin still is in close combat (aka cover) I will fire upon mudsnake). Thel will use his move action to try and retain the cover of the cart and get a clean shot, but will prioritize the cover.
Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25 -2 if I fire on Mudsnake instead.
Damage 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 -2 if I fire on Mudsnake.
Still grinning like a devil, Thelnyss takes his next shot in a new attempt to draw blood. Tough bugger - challenging prey is the best afterall... Crows-blood!
Embrianna |
Doh, I see that now. My reading comprehension is poor right after waking up. :)
Ember drops the now empty rifle to the floor of the wagon and draws her revolver and fires at whoever is still up when her turn comes around again. (Preferably Mudsnake)
attack 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 2 = 16
damage 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5