Hell's Rebels AP - Down with Thrune!

Game Master GM Red

When Pádraig Henry observes Geoffrey shimmy and shake, he recalls his own mind-meld with the zebub.

"Hey, guys, remember when we fought that accuser devil outside the Salt Works? When it looked at me with its infernal eye, I had some strange visions. Let me tell you what I saw... "

Pádraig's sight goes black for a few seconds. Then, a bright flash of white gives way to hazy, grey clouds. From the center of the image before him, a blurred, black and white set of figures sharpens until it's as if he's present in the vision, yet the complete silence of it all is derealizing. As he looks on, a group of Asmodean clerics garbed in flowing black robes walk single file through a library. They meet with that strange woman from back at the riot - Nox? - .. and the scene goes to black.

And white. And then he's in a different library. An ancient archive of some sort. He watches as a floating, small cube explodes into a planar portal through which a devastating assault of animated chains is unleashed. The image fades once again.

A second later, he's in the Wasp's Nest. Rexus is sleeping soundly in a blanket while Jay carts an armful of bagels downstairs. In the storeroom, a small, winged creature with red flesh meticulously carves around a stone wall using a hammer and chisel, then as the wall begins to crumble, the creature vanishes, ... and you snap back to outside Sallix Salt Works, listening to the infernal giggle of the zebub, a shiver running down your spine.

" ... so what do you guys think?"

"I mentioned it to Rexus and Laria, and here's what they said... " (GM, could you share whatever they might have said about the visions?)

Earlier
Rexus and Laria couldn't quite explain the first two vignettes, though Rexus, having knowledge of the arcane and completed studies of the outer planes, surmised that the exploding cube sounded similar in nature to a cubic gate.

When told about the red devil sabotaging the wall, Rexus formally declared his new sleeping quarters to be as far from said wall as possible. The rest of the recruits, Vendalfek, and the tengu agreed to keep a closer eye out for anything untoward within the Wasp's Nest.

Now
Geoffrey steels his body against the demonic visions and drives the chills from his body. He feels perfectly fine.

You make your way across the Bleakbridge once more and towards the Devil's Nursery, near the boarded-up Cloven Hoof Society that Victor had visited last week. The tiefling denizens look at you anxiously as you pass into the slums, most having no interest in speaking to you at all. Old, rickety homes line this section of the streets, most constructed of wood and in disrepair. Rats scurry back and forth while some tieflings beg for copper as you pass by. A younger, female tiefling leans against a lamp post, her eyes following you as you walk through the slums.

"Hey Geoff, you alright? You need a massage- never mind, you're just faking illness." Issil doesn't skip a beat.

Issil is all too delighted to offer some copper pieces to some who ask. She'll give away 10. "There you go. Get some food, alright? Trust me, it will get better..." she watches the beggars run off before she finishes her speech. It's okay, she never listened to anyone who helped her either.

Issil tries to smile and carefully approach the tiefling in a non threatening manner. "Hi there. I'm Issil. What can I do for you this evening?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28

Pádraig Henry offers the tiefling woman a friendly smile and a bit of song.

♫Didn't get to sleep that night
Till the morning came around
I set out running but I'll take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I just might get some sleep tonight♫
Grateful Dead, Friend of the Devil

"Good day to you, my lady. Pádraig Henry is my name. We hear someone's preying upon the people of this neighborhood. Perhaps we can help."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Victor watches at the others smooth the rough edges in town These two sure are some smooth talkers. Maybe I should have brought them last time I was here!

"Six of us have been killed over the past two weeks, and it all took place here in the Devil's Nursery. The guards don't seem to care at all, and the more unruly my kin become, the more reason Thrune has to raze the slums and further his control."

She starts walking further into the slums, and leads you to an alley near the southern wall of the city. "Two nights ago, I found the last victim here," she points to an impression on the ground. There's a lot of dried blood, but no body. "We cremate victims immediately, for fear of them rising to become vengeful undead. Go on and examine the area if you wish."

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Victor starts to look around, but doesn't seem to have much luck. His eyes lock in with an unworldly precision on the numerous rats and doves they kick during the investigation. Pew Pew little bastards!

"You guys have a problem with vengeful dead here? How'd they die?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Geoffrey looks around the area closely but is not sure what to look for, "It is unfortunate the body is not accessible. It would help to know the cause of death whether by weapon or another method. Do you know anything about the victim?"

"Thank you for letting us help." Issil is very respectful. "I'm sorry if it looks like outsiders are sweeping in to the rescue, but we heard about the rumors and we hoped to stop it."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Issil can't make heads or tails of the scene. "Thrune will look for any reason, any excuse to control. I've been on the streets, I know how it feels when the world doesn't care."

Issil will cast Guidance on anyone who wants the +1 bonus before we start searching.

"Do we have a problem with vengeful undead?" She asks with irritation in her voice. "Let me teach you a thing or two about our kind. Our death rituals originated in the Land of Linmorn Kings. Dead tieflings are stripped and placed on a pyre in a public place. Even the most mutilated victims have as much of their remnants still in existence placed on the pyre. We then set it ablaze and mourn in silence. Tears are not to be shed in public. Our kind is determined to show a unified, hardened face to others. I'm sure you can understand why."

"This last victim was just as poor and unfortunate as the rest of the people you have seen here. I have not seen the other bodies myself, but I do know this victim had numerous tiny and slightly inflamed humanoid bite marks on his hands and neck, along with several little gouges of missing flesh."

Morv and Padraig can still attempt that Perception check, of course. Pavanna too.

Perception DC20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Scouring the area, Pádraig Henry finds a single tooth near the wall. The tooth is still whole. "Friends, take a look at this. Might be, the attacker left something behind. Recognize it?"

Knowledge (local or nature)?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Heal (untrained)?: 1d20 ⇒ 15

"Please, we mean no offense. We seek clues that might help us catch this killer."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Morvena peers curiously over Padraig's shoulder as he holds up the strange little tooth. "Hmm...and you said that this last victim was covered in bite marks? Curious..."

She tries to recall if she's seen any sort of diagrams or the like in her books that might shed some light on what sort of creature the tooth would belong to...

Kn. Arcana *or* Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Issil frowns as Victor makes another social blunder. At least Pádraig is able to point out a clue. "Bitten... might be something tiny."

Highly unlikely K Nobility applies, but!

K Nobility: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

The tiefling looks at the whole tooth for a moment. "That's a tiefling tooth. Come to think of it, the victim I found... He was missing all of his teeth," the tiefling adds.

Kn Nature was the check, and Padraig passed the DC.

Padraig is certain he's heard of fey creatures that murder their victims by removing all of their teeth with pliers: tooth fairies.

Victor nearly gags as he puts the two together "Something plucked out all its teeth? That's creepy as all Hell! Are Tiefling teeth valuable for some reason? A weird spell component?" He leans up against the alley wall and holds his stomach as it thinks about making an appearance.

I wonder if our pseudo dragon friend would know something about this?

"Ew!" Morvena exclaims, recoiling in horror from the tooth.

That was just in someone's mouth not long ago!

"I am in agreement with Victor," she agrees, looking rather pale. "For some reason, the thought of a murderer that removes teeth in addition to his or her other crimes...ugh, it sends shivers down my spine!"

I really wish he would stop mentioning hell... Issil sighs. "So what are these Tooth Fairies, do, again? And how do we spot one? Is there a place they frequent, or...?

"I know that tooth fairies are diminutive chaotic evil fey, not typically of this plane of existence. I'm trying to recall something about their gruesome methods."
Special Attacks, please. Glad that bonus skill rank in Knowledge (nature) is paying off!

Pádraig Henry clears his throat. "Might we know your name, friend? We have trusted you with ours."

He hopes the tiefling will fill the polite pause with an answer.

"Issil's question is good. Is there a place in this district where such fey might make their lair?" The halfling recalls the fey creatures they encountered beneath the livery.

"Hmm...do you think someone or someones might have set this creature upon the civilians here?" Morvena ponders. "Seems like it would be quite the clever little plan to me."

Geoffrey, who had been silent while digesting the news, speaks up in a worried tone. "Morv may be onto something. The fairy, or fairies as the case may be, may be working with the Thrune infernal forces? Aslo let's not completely rule out the existence of another killer, like the Slasher. They may be working together."

For all we know, the Slasher may actually BE the Tooth Fairy!

Pádraig knows that tooth fairies have the following Special Attacks:

The tiefling ignores the question about tiefling teeth being valuable or used for magical means. Victor doesn't seem to be winning over any half-fiends today. Pádraig is a little less blunt in his questions.

"My name is Zea. And I have not heard of these evil fey before, nor have I seen them." She spreads her arms to indicate the slums. "We've started to stay indoors at night for fear of being attacked by whoever, or whatever, had been doing this. I know the locations of the all six of the murders, if that may help our investigation. I can point them out on a map."

"To what end are you assisting us, by the way?" Zea asks, a tinge of distrust in her voice.

I have added the rough locations of the murders to the map.

Pádraig Henry strokes his chin. "Let me tell you all that I know about tooth fairies:"

"Each tooth fairy owns a pair of *pliers* it uses to torment its victims. As a weapon, they're as deadly as a large dagger. Destroying its pliers briefly stuns a tooth fairy. If the tooth fairy is killed, the pliers rust away into worthless splinters."

"A tooth fairy is a *tricky thief*. Its dirty tricks include using its pliers to pinch an opponent’s fingers and to steal its victim’s tooth. A finger pinch deals 1 point of Dexterity damage. Stealing a tooth deals 1 point of Charisma damage and 1 point of bleed damage. If the stolen tooth is reattached within 10 minutes and receives magical healing, the tooth reattaches and the bleeding ends and the Charisma damage is cured."

"When killed, a tooth fairy in its *death throes* explodes into a cloud of poisonous, sparkling white fairy dust that clings to anyone within 5 feet. This glittery substance has a stench so foul that it sickens any creature coated by it for 1d4 rounds (Fortitude DC 10 negates)."

He responds to the tiefling's understandable suspicion. "Zea, you've probably noticed Kintargo's suffered a change in management. The new 'lord-mayor' is not helping you. We will. Let us help you, let us earn your trust."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"So, friends, shall we visit the scenes of the recent murders? We should probably start with the first, while we might still find some useful clues."

"Zea, thank you for your name." Issil stands up. "We don't like Thrune. At all. We hope to end his rule someday. We hope... to give everyone a chance to succeed. We all deserve better, no matter who we are or where we came from." Issil rubs her ring.

Diplomacy(Aid): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

"Lead the way, Pádraig."

Victor can't seem to get his foot out of his mouth. As the others start explaining the situation in great detail he simply nods in the affirmative and produces a thumbs up. Diplo Aid: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The less I say from now on here I think the better...

"Yes, Thrune does not care if the entire tiefling population gets wiped out...but we do. While we do know we need to earn your trust here, just the thought of a mass murderer running in OUR streets is repugnant to us." Geoffrey's tone is uncharacteristically curt, though spoken with conviction.

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Zea nods firmly. "We share some of your feelings about Thrune. You may visit the other locales if you wish. I have not seen a Tooth Fairy before, though I assume all of the victims hadn't either until they were murdered by one of the cruel creatures," the tiefling sighs.

You follow Zea's directions, and head to the each of the murder scenes, one by one. Some common trends you note are that all of the murders took place in narrow alleyways between buildings, none of the bodies remain, and all have signs of a struggle, some with fragments of bone.

You've got a few options now. You can attempt to return at night, perhaps use one of yourselves as bait, or if you made that Survival DC, there's that third option.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"See this trail of splintered teeth? It is heading to the Cloven Hoof Society, and further along the road the southern gate. I wonder if whoever is murdering these tieflings sneaks through the gate to escape?"

Perception, DC15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Survival, DC15: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Victor wanders through the other crime scenes but doesn't pick up anything out of the ordinary other than the large numbers of rodents. "Seems like a very good place to catch rats... What's that about a trail of teeth?"

He picks one up and flicks it with his thumb like he's playing marbles "Ya guess we'll need to stop in to the Society and ask around. Do these fairy's fly Padraig?" Victor looks up and around the rooftops with a squinted eye.

"Thank you. We'll try to solve this as soon as we can." Issil bows as respectfully as she can.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Survival: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

"The Cloven Hoof Society." Issil looks at the boarded up building. "Look at the trail of bones. All of them are nearby the place, and the trail heads towards Kintargo's southern gate." Issil is surprisingly attentive.

"I say we take a look inside the Society. Either we'll catch them unaware or we can lay low until the morning."

"It could be another situation similar to the livery," Morvena agrees. "Perhaps other things have taken up residence inside this Cloven Hoof Society. I agree with Issil that we should take a look."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 8
"The Cloven Hoof Society, hmm. Know anything about the place?" Pádraig Henry wonders aloud.
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
"Yeah, checking out the place, seems like the next step."

You approach the Cloven Hoof Society, located just slightly west of the Devil's Nursery. Indeed, the entrance is boarded up, save for one completely inconspicuous circular crack in between two wood panels. A rat scurries out as you approach. Peering inside, all seems silent. And dark.

Victor heads up to the boarded up doorway and has a peak "Pretty dark in there, we'll need some lights." He says as he mouths something at the rat. I'll get you later you little copper piece you!

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 His eyes quickly settle on the circular crack "Looks like something's going on here, hrm."

Issil casts light upon the tip of her dagger. "Can you squeeze inbetween there?"

Victor's eyes are as sharp as Issil's dagger. Assisted by her light, and daylight, he sees that the inside of the Cloven Hoof Society has become something of a tooth fairy lair. Though still covered in tattered newspapers, excrement, and vermin, perhaps the newest decorations in the Society are rows of Tiefling teeth hanging from string along the walls. Mounds of blankets form what must be beds for the current residents, one of whom Victor finds, sleeping, with a pair of pliers next to it.

It's difficult to say exactly how many creatures are inside, but from your position at the entrance, you can see four fey that Padraig is able to identify as tooth fairies. They sleep soundly.

"At least four of them, sound asleep. Can we take advantage of the element of surprise?" Pádraig Henry whispers.

Issil readies her shield, grins and takes a deep breath...

Are they in range of burning hands?

Geoffrey nods in reply, readying his own weapon. "Don't burn the place down Issil. We don't need any Thrune lackeys arriving to check out the fire."

EDIT: Thanks Issil. Removed the Active Condition.

Geoffrey, your active conditions still has Devil Chills. You took care of that a while ago.

Issil almost chokes as Geoffrey tells her to hold back. She lets out a puff of smoke and frowns. "Fine. Victor, do you want me to follow you in, or...?"

Pádraig Henry keeps his voice low, so as not to wake the slumbering tooth fairies. "Kicking things off with some spells, sounds brilliant! I'll wait for you and Morvena, then start singing and help out Geoffrey and Victor."

Victor peeks inside nervously, his hand subconsciously going up to his teeth. This seems... risky... He draws out his sap as he prepares to sneak in.

Take 10 stealth, if possible will go with a CDG nonlethal on the closest one once people are ready. This is assuming its not hard to get inside and he isn't the only one inside!

"If you can direct my aim a bit, I could try to grease the floor they sleep on," Morvena whispers. "Or call for Helios or another creature to distract them while the rest of us follow behind. Which do you think would be the most sound strategy?"

I was about to resolve Victor's action, but I realize we have a mix of ideas here and I'd like to go with the rule of 2. Here is a map of what the scene looks like, though there are no other entrances into the Cloven Hoof Society other than the boarded up door immediately in front of Geoffrey. Will Victor go in and CDG the first tooth fairy he sees, or will Morvena cast Grease? Or will Issil try to sneak in and use burning hands? This place is dimly lit.

Here is my plan- a 2 pronged attack!
Issil casts Burning hands on Red and Blue (since they are in a 15 foot cone)
Victor CDG's the green guy

Morvena and Geoffrey delay until the ambush is over or we're caught.

Morv casts grease on the survivor
Geoffrey SMASH puny faires

"Sounds good, Issil. I'll be ready to sing after your spell and before Victor strikes. Morvena might want to ready her grease, in case Victor loses the element of surprise. Then, I'll follow Geoffrey into the Lair of the Tooth Fairies."

Readied Action
Inspire Courage - Allies receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws vs charm & fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack & weapon damage rolls.

♫I come off the gas but I'm still seeing spies
Aching to get me
I can see them all through a glassy pair of eyes
Aching to get me
De Sade's gonna live in my mouth tonight
La, da, da, da, da
And the rotten tooth fairy is satisfied
La, da, da, da, da
Aching to get me, get me oh♫
Alice Cooper, Unfinished Sweet

"Very well," Morvena agrees. "Let us hope that we do not end up burning this place to the ground in the process," she remarks as she readies to cast her spell...

Issil carefully pries off two of the wooden panels loosely nailed to the door. Creek. Tear. Rip.

She places one foot over the bottom of the door, and steps into the lair. Water slowly drips from a faucet further in. A soft rhythmic snore escapes from the mouths of the fey.

Just as she takes another step to close the distance and unleash her spell, Issil steps on a decorative ornament made of red glass and lined with fragments of tooth. It shatters underneath her foot. One of the tooth fairies awakens suddenly, a look of shock washing over its face.

"তাই না? এটা কে? আমাদের জন্য একটি উপহার? ভাইয়েরা, ঘুরে বেড়াও, আমরা রুট খাল পেয়েছি!"

Looking to her immediate right, Issil notices four more of the diminutive fey creatures stirring from their slumber...

The awakened tooth fairy Green flies 30 feet vertically into the air, its pliers in hand.

Surprise Round
The whole party is up

Issil shrugs, points to her right with 4 fingers outstretched.

She doesn't say anything because she is taking a deep breath. She exhales flame all over the red and blue fairies!

Burning Hands: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2 I really wish I stuck with my original roll...

Her dagger and shield are at the ready. "Heh, I guess we did go along with my plan after all!"

Pádraig Henry starts singing.
Readied Action - Inspire Courage: Allies receive a +1 morale bonus on saving throws vs charm & fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack & weapon damage rolls.

You can keep the original roll, Issil.