Even Angels Weep

Game Master DragonBlood472

Jess and her friends (that she never properly introduces) lead you over a few streets to a rundown apartment building. She leads you up three flights of stairs and stops in front of a door. Her changeling friend steps forward and kneels down in front of the door for a moment, using fine tools to pick the lock. When he stands back up and nods at Jess, she turns to look at all of you. "I don't intend to show this man mercy tonight, are you sure you wish to be here for this?"

If he is a murderer, then punishment is both expected, and required.

Silian gives a half shrug. "If the holy man deems this man to be punished, then who am I to disagree?" Seeing Jessamin his mood sobers a little, "You have shown us undue kindnesses while we have stayed within your halls. As your guests and friends, we are with you and will do what is needed. My father once said 'Never wear white in Sharn' and I certainly see why."

"After what was done to Pax, anyone responsible deserves no mercy." Akasha says grimly, remembering the woman dying in her arms bringing a blaze of anger to her eyes.

Then, let us be about this, and not tarry any longer than we have to.

Jess cracks open the door and slides into the dark apartment. You can see her silhouetted against the light of the moon. Those whose eyes are better evolved for seeing in the dark can tell that it is a sparsely furnished place. There is nothing particularly special about the apartment, and it is not well kept. Not only is the structural integrity of the building questionable, but the man who lives here is not interested in keeping his home clean.

It's basically a very small, one bedroom slum. Where are you positioning yourselves? And do make your best efforts to move quietly else you wake him and he flees.

Do we have a map?

Last in, Garotte stays by the door, blocking any escape.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

The darkness proves tricky for Akasha, bumping into scattered debris in the chaos.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Didn't think a map was going to really be necessary, I was looking for area of apartment, i.e. near the door, outside in the hall, in the kitchen, in the living room. Do you need me to make a map?

I will wait by the door.

Not really

Silian stays towards the center of the room, looking about.

Perception Low-light vision: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 - 3 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 3 - 3 + 5 = 17

Jonah just waits inside the door along with Garotte, as he realizes that he is about as quiet while moving as a bovine in a porcelin shop.

Jess and the changeling make their way towards the bedroom while the half-orc moves into position near a window in the living room and the elf takes up a stance in the exterior hallway, there to distract anyone who might get curious about what is going on.

Quite suddenly you hear a loud clatter followed by a hiss and then see a white ball of fur launch itself down off of a tall shelf in the kitchen area. It lands on the changeling, digging it's claws into delicate flesh as it uses him to push off of to land on the back of a chair. The changeling, startled by the sudden noise, movement, and pain curses aloud. Thrown off by the excitement, the half-orc bangs her shin on a table making a loud thunk.

From the room you hear, "Who's there?!" followed by the sounds of a scuffle.

Surprise Round
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Those in italics don't get surprise round actions. They botched stealth rolls, so I'll make up a quick map.

EDIT: Map

Tava can't seem to tear her attention away from the fluffy cat that caused such a commotion. She's not sure why no one is trying to catch it, because surly it would be good for food.

No surprise round action taken, will continue with proper actions for Tava if player remains unable to post when the round starts.

Silian draws his scimitar and waits, eyes darting about the room, the whisper of a spell readied on his lips.

Feeling that the area is a bit too crowded for too many big swords to be swung around, Vannevar instead readies his crossbow.

The half-orc and the elf hold their positions.

Surprise Round
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

"Garrottte, block any other possible exit!" Akasha whispers.

On my initiative
Jonah draws his sword, and continues to wait by the entrance.

he then waits with a spell ready to cast.

As soon as I see movement that is not us, I will cast light into the room.

Garotte blocks the doorway, placing a grip around the doorknob to hinder exit or entrance.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Strength Check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

As soon as I see movement that is not us, I will cast light into the room.

Oh sure, let everyone from nearby apartments see our faces. Good call :P

Isn't that what the masques are for. :) Besides, I am thinking in the bottom corner of C5, and not up high so that we can see. Besides, it will only increases the light level by 2 steps 20' from that location

Lousy humans and their needing light to do things.

Yea, Yea. . I know, non demihuman problems. :)

Not everyone is wearing a mask, most people changed out of thier costumes and into their normal, armored gear. You are higher up but so are other apartments near by with windows. Some of which look directly into the windows of this apartment. The windows are covered with thin pieces of cloth, so little more than shadows are likely to be seen.

Tava, still not completely sure what everyone is hunting in this strange, dark, skybuilding, but readies her spear because everyone else is getting out weapons. She watches quietly, waiting for the others to ferret out the prey.

R1
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

While waiting for a target, Silian attempts to calm down the freaked out feline. He whispers as he tries to calm the cat, "Shh, there there. We are just here to kill your master."

Wild Empathy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Vannevar maintains his position, crossbow ready, a bored look on his face.

The cat sits calmly watching Silian for awhile, her tail slowly flicking back and forth.

The half-orc and elf hold their positions.

R1
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Garotte holds position, watching and waiting.

You hear the sounds of swearing and things being knocked around in the bedroom as Jess and the changeling wrestle with Jacob.

R1
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Jonah continues to wait by the door, while the chaos sorts itself out

Silian whispers, "Someone needs to get in there and help. I'm going in."

Limited by her human vision, Akasha traces her finger along the blade off her sword, whispering an arcane word as she does, a rose glow spreading across the weapon, shedding light across the small room.

Tava continues to wait since it seems like it is what everyone else is doing.

The cat hops down and begins rubbing itself against Silian's legs, looking up at him to meow.

R2
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Can we see what's happening now?

Silian whispers, "Good kitty." then makes his way into the bedroom, and if he has an opening, slashes at the man they have come to end.

Perception, Low-light vision: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Move into bedroom and assessing the situation. Not that Silian will change his course if the man looks like an innocent, he just wants to get a feel for what is going on before he kills someone.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Akasha, you cannot because there's are walls separating you from the events happening in the bedroom. So, either go to the doorway, or learn to see through walls :D

When Silian arrives in the bedroom he sees Jess struggling with the upper half of a man who is laying prone on his bed. The changeling is fighting with his feet, trying to secure them. It is clear that the young man is strong and is fighting for his life. At the moment there is no exchange of conversation, merely cursing and grunts as they struggle.

Careful not to cut your allies, you maneuver past them to cut the easy target on his upper thigh. The searing pain only encourages the man to double his fighting efforts.

Vannevar follows after Silian, stopping in the doorway of the crowded bedroom. He watches passively as the others try to subdue the man. When he sees the cat trying to follow Silian into the room, he picks it up with one hand and whispers to it before handing it to Tava. "Keep it out of the way, for it's own safety, please."

The elf paces back towards the door and asks Garotte, "What is happening? I hear movement down below. I don't think anyone is coming up here though, yet."

The half-orc gently lifts the corner of a curtain and glances outside momentarily.

R2
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Garotte listens to the door and secures the stance to block it from opening.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Jess delivers a solid punch to the man's nose, blood begins to ooze from it and he stops squirming long enough for the changeling to get his feet bound. As the changeling does so, he nods towards another piece of rope on the floor near his feet and says to Silian, "Get his hands."

R2
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Is Garotte not going to respond to the elf's request for information?

Akasha strides into the cramped bedroom, eyes locking on the murdering bastard.

Update map, please!

Sorry, forgot.

Jonah quickly looks out the door.

perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Jonah sees Garotte's form blocking most of the door, the elf, and an otherwise empty hallway.

Tava takes the cat that has been handed to her, attempting to hold it in the same manner that she saw Vannevar hold it and stares at it uncertainly for a minute before. "Fooodd?" She manages to get out as a question to Vannevar.

R2
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Lousy humans and their needing light to do things.

Tava not need light, ever..darkness good friend. Elf need some light, yes? Not see in total dark like me.

Not everyone is wearing a mask, most people changed out of thier costumes and into their normal, armored gear. You are higher up but so are other apartments near by with windows. Some of which look directly into the windows of this apartment. The windows are covered with thin pieces of cloth, so little more than shadows are likely to be seen.

Tava, still not completely sure what everyone is hunting in this strange, dark, skybuilding, but readies her spear because everyone else is getting out weapons. She watches quietly, waiting for the others to ferret out the prey.

R1
Tava, Silian, Vannevar, Half-Orc, Elf, Garotte, Jessamin, Changeling, Jacob, Jonah, Akasha

Me still in pretty dress and mask, me like pretty dress!