Tavern Tales - An Introduction

Game Master Koolaid

A Tavern Tales Play By Post.


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M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

"Then again maybe you won't. At least not yet," Lupus says seeing the authorities.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Figuring the whereabouts of the girl is still unkown, Ben leaps into action.

Don't worry lady, I'll find her

He charges forward, avoiding corpses and hurdling furniture.

Onward and upward. To search the place.

I don't know if there's another encounter in here, or if we're free to search for the girl. Here's a roll in any case.
searching with spirit = 10: 3d20 ⇒ (11, 8, 7) = 26


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

"What the hell happened here?" demands Trencius.

"There are bodies all over the place!"


"Yeah... bastards lured us into a trap. I lost some good men here. What took you all so long to meet us here?" The Captain is shaken and out of breath. He huffs and puffs, but he still seems on edge. His bloody longsword sits tightly gripped in both hands.

As Ben parkours across the bodies and pillows, he doesn't find anything hinting to the missing girl's whereabouts in the Temple... but he does find that some of the bodies of the watch have been stuck with their own, polished, steel crossbow bolts! The way up currently seems to only be the stairs. The dumb-waiter is in use on another floor. It's hand crank operated.

Honestly, this is one of those points where it's sort of Free For All. The Temple is so big as a concept that I can't really cover all of its bases myself. So feel free to spice it up yourselves!


Male Human Ex-Soldier (Warfare, Artifice, Bardic Lore)
QuickCrunch™:
Life: 31/40 | Block: 6 | Brawn: +3 | Finesse: +2 | Mind: +1 | Spirit: -1

Dragging the sopping ninja through the doors, Quintis shoves the stumbling man towards the captain. "That is what took us so long to get to you. Have him bound and gagged, I believe he is a magic user of some kind, he animated a statue outside."

Quintis looks around the room and tries to discern what to do next. Are there any legends I should be aware of that might be applicable to a storyteller such as myself?

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Past the bodies, Ben picks up his speed and bolts up staircase after staircase.

"She's gotta still be here. Please don't be dead."

Once on the top floor, he begins his search in earnest. Listening for muffled cries, looking for blood stains, pressing on wall panels.

"Please don't be dead."

There. A worn carpet leading right up to the edge of a a scrollcase. How cliche.

Ben starts pulling scrolls and tossing entire shelves on the floor. No concern for the ancient texts.

Still the thing won't open.

"Up here! Help!"


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

Trencius turns as he hears Ben's voice from up the stairs. He begins to run up the stairs, deciding that it'd be better not to use his wings in front of this unknown Guard Captain.

Halfway up the stairs he spots a body with a brightly colored metal keyring attached to his beltloop. This might come in handy, he thinks as he stoops to pluck the keys from the dead Syndicate.

He enters the room and sees Ben.

"What did you find?"


Male Human, Merchant Guild Mercenary
Crunch:
Brawn +2 | Finesse +3 | Mind -1 | Spirit +1
Traits:
Double Strike| Sheer Determination|Call For Aid

Thoril speaks quickly to the captain

"Have you got a medic on hand? It look like you need some fixing up and according to our information there might be someone else who needs attention."

Hearing the shouts he bolts up the stairs, a few guards in tow behind.


The Captain attempts to explain the situation to Thoril, Quintis, and Sonia, but is cut short by Ben's yell for help upstairs. Boots pound the carpeted steps, echoing up the stairwell. Soon enough, the remaining watchmen have joined everyone on the top floor.

It's dark. The Captain mumbles something to the ninja. He reaches for something, grabs it, and tosses it at the Captain, who then lights it. A torch. The room is illuminated. The walls are lined with shelves upon shelves of foreign texts and scrolls. It rivals Trencius' library. But the scrollcase Ben is tugging and hollering at is the only one with a carpet leading up to it. The ancient texts' musty smell fills the air. But there is another... copper? Iron?

Blood?

The ka-thunk of machinery. A lever is pulled behind their backs. The scrollcase slides into the wall, devoured by a new emptiness. The torch's fire can't penetrate this darkness. Its light is swallowed like a pebble into an oceanic trench. Two Syndicate members emerge from the slender abyss. Bonehead and Kira the orc, weapons drawn. The watch's weapons are drawn, too. Then there is a low growl. Deep and primal, the sound permeates the space between. Its hunger matches that of the darkness it comes from, pulling flesh toward it in gluttonous desire. There is a rattle of chains, a cacophony of iron clinking and scraping. Bonehead and Kira have two ends of these chains in their free hands. They're speechless, only gazing toward the party. And there is the girl.

She's still dressed in the formal wear she must have been kidnapped in. It's tattered, frayed, dirtied, bloody. Her skin is pale as the moonlight. It looks like she hasn't slept much. Baggy eyes, slack jaw, frizzed hair. And it's her hands the chains are attached to. So many chains, it's surprising she can move her arms. But something's not right. In one hand, she holds an item... the torch flickers light towards it. A painted mask of eastern design. And where her other hand should not be is a furry, clawed paw of an animal, like a large dog. Or a jackal. She grins, eyelids peeled back in a maniacal stare. She growls.

If Quintis knows any eastern stories, he can say whatever they are. Perhaps the four-armed statue deflected four falling stars with four swords with blades made from meteorites.

Trencius, this would be a good time to use your Just As Planned Trait. I'm curious what you'll come up with.


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

Lupus has followed the others up the stairs and watched as they opened the scrollcase. The girl emerges from the darkness becoming visible. Lupus's eyes widen as he spots her hand, or what should have been a hand. Recognizing the paw for what it is, Lupus's mind reels and he recoils, stepping back as she growls.

"L-Lady Sonia. Is this, is this your daughter?"

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

"Charlemagne!"

Caught between sides, Ben feels more than a little exposed.

He drops low and rolls left, out of immediate danger. Then he raises himself up while drawing a pair of throwing knives. Ready for anything.


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

A grin creeps onto Trencius' sharp face. He snaps his fingers before him and the Guard Captain's second hand man pulls a sword up to the Captain's throat.

"Nothing personal, sir, but this is an opportunity I can't refuse."

The throngs of guardsmen is split as they pick sides within this conflict. Those loyal to the Captain are pitted against the ones who hope to gain the favor of this bold new upstart.

Trencius draws his staff.

He's a triple agent!


"Shit, seriously?!" Bonehead is beside himself, his ugly mug practically split in two with anger. "You were supposed to take care of all of the goodie-two-shoes Baron-ass-kissers down on the first level!" He spits before he continues. "Guh... f@~+ it, Jacknall will eat all of you imbeciles!"

The guardsmen fight. The torch falls to the ground. It lights the carpet ablaze. Soon, the dusty old tomes and scrolls will catch fire, too. Swords drink blood. Men scream as they're cut and bruised and burned. Someone else screams "Charlemagne".

The party is surrounded by fire and death. And then Kira and Bonehead let go of the chains. They clink and thunk as they hit the ground, but it's barely heard over the turmoil. Patricia's grin is steady as ever as she lifts the mask slowly to her face. It's a curious item - blue and mottled, with ivory horns. The mouth is pulled down in a grave frown, as if the corners were holding ship's anchors. It's pretty creepy.

Sonia takes a few steps forward, recovering from her silent shock at the state of her daughter. Tears in her eyes, she tries to hug Patricia.

The mask rests lightly upon her face. Patricia lets out a wail like a banshee.

The whole room is deafened.

She slaps Sonia across the face with her clawed paw, and the Lady is lucky to land away from the fire. The chain, still manacled to her wrist, flies through the air.

Bonehead and Kira join the fight. The orc takes a swing at Trencius, while the other takes a whack at Lupus.

There's no sign of the ninja...

Damage to Sonia: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 = 11

Trencius, you've pretty much sealed the deal for an overhaul on the Watch as a faction, which is something I wanted to do for the next Chapter anyway. That was definitely unexpected - I thought you'd blast the room with demonic energy or call on your patron devil.

Yay more combat! The guards are not a problem anymore thanks to Trencius. I'll start this combat off by having Bonehead and Kira attack some folks, but then it's back to player-directed, player-only rolling. Some things to remember - Bonehead's katana has Rending, and Kira's broadsword has Shattering and Staggering and does +1 damage die. Kira is bit more of a powerhouse, but Bonehead has a lot of hidden traits.

Patricia-Jacknall obviously does 2d8+3 damage and ignores 3 armor. There's also a follow up 1d8 attack with the chains. There's also a lot of stuff up her sleeves. And, of course, the room is on fire.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

This is all gone to shit

Ben takes a few steps back toward the nearest window and hucks one of his knives at Bonehead.
More of a distraction than a threat. Trying to buy advantage for Lupus.

bolster at +3 = 16 (good): 3d20 ⇒ (20, 13, 12) = 45


Male Human Ex-Soldier (Warfare, Artifice, Bardic Lore)
QuickCrunch™:
Life: 31/40 | Block: 6 | Brawn: +3 | Finesse: +2 | Mind: +1 | Spirit: -1

Quintis is in his element. This is the closest he's had to a pitched battle in a long while. He zeroes in on kira and snaps his arm forward, his fingers yanking the amentum taught, rifling the pilum as it is slung forward at remarkable speed.

I think Quintis gets one advantage just for starting combat, but we'll save that for later.

attack: 3d20 ⇒ (1, 2, 14) = 17
2 + 2 (finesse) = 4 "Very Bad - Take damage, roll +1 damage die"

Or at least it would have been slung at remarkable speed. Unfortunately Quintis was struck by a thrown torch, and his fingers snagged in the leather thong, causing the javalin he was throwing to clatter away along the floor uselessly. The torch begins to light his clothing aflame as he drops to the ground and attempts to put it out, but by the time he succeeds, Kira is already upon him, raining blows against Quintis' runed armor and shield.

damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 7) = 14
14 - 6 = 8

Now at 31 life. That was REALLY bad rolling and I don't really feel in very much danger. I suppose I did make a pretty tank-y character, but still!


Male Human, Merchant Guild Mercenary
Crunch:
Brawn +2 | Finesse +3 | Mind -1 | Spirit +1
Traits:
Double Strike| Sheer Determination|Call For Aid

I will be using my opening advantage on this
Finesse Atk: 3d20 ⇒ (2, 17, 14) = 33+3 = 20 Very good

Thoril shakes off the shriek and takes the room in for an instant embracing the warmth of the inferno.
His eyes land on Kira, a wall of green flesh, a grin is firmly planted on his face he as draws his blades and charges.

Thoril's strikes are a blur as he moves to defend Quintis from the onslaught.
One blade finds the hilt of the broadsword and sends it clattering to the temple floor, the other blade looks for blood.

Damage(increased): 3d8 ⇒ (8, 2, 3) = 13
Reroll 2/3: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 5) + 8 = 19
19 Damage+ Damage over time

The blade sees little resistance as it tears through the green skinned muscle of the orc, leaving a gushing open wound in its wake.


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

The Raven Mage swings his staff through the air and hurls a bolt of twisting shadows at the Orc.

Staff Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 81d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Bad: Take Damage

Iron Chain: 1d8 ⇒ 2

The dark missile misses its target as Kira deftly avoids the attack with a well timed step to the side. Trencius curses under his breath, but before he can really react, he is thrown to the ground by a heavy iron chain as it flies through the air.

I think the rules wanted me to take damage from Kira but that didn't really make sense with a failed ranged attack. Next time would anyone object to my failed spell attacks bolstering the enemy?


"CLEFT FOR THEE - HIDE IN ME"

Patricia's voice sounds nothing like a young lady's. She's clearly possessed or something. Sonia tries to plead to her daughter to come home. To stop the madness. She promises a cure, love, food, water, shelter, warmth. Her noble words fall on deaf ears, and are drowned by the roar of the growing inferno. In a moment of stark clarity, Sonia aims a thrust at her daughter's masked face.

3d20 ⇒ (9, 2, 15) = 26 + 3 = 12

The spear nicks the mask, tearing off a horn. Nothing seems to happen, except for another slap from a wildly flying chain.

1d8 ⇒ 7 = 7 damage

And Sonia is bleeding pretty well from her chiseled jaw.

"CANDLELIT FINGERTIPS - IVORY KEY"

In the meantime, the flurry of Kira the orc upon Quintis knocks the runed veteran into the recoil of the same flying chain that nicked Lady Sonia. This time, it wraps around its victim - Quintis is Grappled!

Afterwards, as the orc's weapon is knocked away, Kira shoots a resolved glare at Thoril. Under different circumstances, this would be a good time for a duel. However, the building is ablaze and a crazy woman is slapping people with chains. The orc takes a step back and enters some sort of martial art stance, fists at the ready as he dodges Trencius' attack!

Quintis, Kira already had an increased damage die. I decided to Grapple you to see how we can use this mechanic. You have to win an opposed roll to escape normally, but I think I want you to roll a 16 or better to escape, plus your relevant modifier of course. If you don't, we'll say you're Two Pulls away from Patricia's Paw, which does 2d8+3 and ignores 3 armor.

Without his broadsword, Kira's damage drops to 1d8+2, but he's got a couple of cool Martial Arts moves.

Trencius, that's fine. As long as what you're doing makes sense given the situation. Can't expect Kira to be able to make Ranged Attacks with a Melee weapon! But, honestly, we can't disregard Tactics from the game. If Patricia did not have a ranged attack, and Bonehead didn't have throwing knives (hint hint), and you missed your Ranged attack... you could argue just not doing damage as a result.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

The chain on Quintis is exactly the opportunity Ben needed. He launches himself into the air, springs off the chain like a vaulting board, somersaults over Patricia/Jacknail, then attempts to stick his blade into her flesh right at the intersection of human and jackal.

I'm using Swashbuckler to get a great increase for using a feature of the scene (chain) in a dramatic fashion. Then I'm attempting a called shot, which, I assume, would normally require a decrease. So I'm rolling with a single increase to stick the dagger into her arm. Feel free to modify the result if I interpreted this wrong. Note, I don't have the "called shot" trait from Tracking. I'm just assuming anyone can target a body location with a decrease. I might be wrong about that.

Leap off the chain and somersault over Jacknail's head (13) (Increase from Another Way In) +3: 3d20 ⇒ (10, 10, 8) = 28

Stab her wrist (21) (Great Increase from Swashbuckler, decrease from targeting specific location) +3: 3d20 ⇒ (19, 17, 5) = 41

Damage to wrist (14): 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 4) + 3 = 14

Now to find a way Out!

Lupus, you still have advantage from my previous bolster


I'll allow that. I'll post early to update, since that changes the situation pretty heavily. Wasn't expecting that! But good, I didn't want you all to burn to death fighting these guys.

Patricia howls like a feral animal as her "hand" drops to the floor. The stump drips with thick, dark blood. The mask falls from her face and she stands there, dumbfounded, as if some spell has been broken. Then the roof starts collapsing. A burning beam falls from above and crashes into the girl's thin frame, taking her with it as it plummets to the floor below. It barely misses Ben.

Quintis, who obviously is still wrapped up in the chain, follows suit from across the room. The warrior bowls under Kira, leaving the orc sprawled on the cracking floorboards, hurtling toward the hole caused by the falling beam. He's a lot bigger than Patricia, and the beam, so he's stuck over the opening. A sickening squelch can be heard from below as the arm chained to Quintis separates from Patricia's body.

It's getting really hot in here. Hard to tell how far the flames go, now. Definitely moving toward other areas of the Temple.


Male Human Ex-Soldier (Warfare, Artifice, Bardic Lore)
QuickCrunch™:
Life: 31/40 | Block: 6 | Brawn: +3 | Finesse: +2 | Mind: +1 | Spirit: -1

retroactive goodies:

opposed grapple to escape the chains (presumably after Ben kicks ass and takes names)
3d30 ⇒ (9, 1, 16) = 26 = 9+3=12
Quintis fails to escape the chain wrapped around him.

Damage from Kira (if I'm understanding rightly?)
+1d8+2 (Ignoring armor because this was part of the previous strike)
1d8 ⇒ 4 = 6 + 2 = 8

Quintis struggles mightily against the chain around him, wishing he'd traced the runes that would have protected him from the fire.

escape!: 3d20 ⇒ (15, 10, 13) = 38 = 13 + 3 = 16

Quintis shrugs off the chain that was binding him and is disoriented by the heat and battle. actually I'm just confused! so what just happened? Can we get a quick exposition (maybe under a spoiler so as not to ruin the urgency?)


Koolaid wrote:

Spoiler:
Quintis got Grappled by chains. Ben severs Patricia's paw. This was a hidden weakness that basically defeats her. I decided that a fiery beam falling down from above and knocking her to the floor below would be cool. Maybe not. Anyway, this happened before Quintis got a chance to escape the grapple. So you follow the chains still attached to her arms as they slide toward the opening in the ground the fallen beam creates. Along the way you knock Kira down. You don't take any damage from that. I just thought it was funny. Your body is big enough that you don't fall through immediately. I wanted to see if anyone might try to help you up and out, but it looks like you've handled that. Now you just have to escape the burning pagoda.

I should really get better at this. I blame lack of time to put forth to write. My bad, everyone.


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

Trencius runs to the fissure, and brushes past Quintis before he jumps in, unfolding his wings as he falls and landing hard and fast next to Patricia.

The wind from his wings suppresses some of the wind near his landing place, but he realizes that any use of his wings could just as easily fan the flames.

Please don't be dead, please don't be dead, please don't be dead, please don't be dead...

He turns over her body, assessing her grievous wounds, before picking her up and looking for an exit out of the crumbling inferno of the temple.


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

We need to get out of here," Lupus says as he looks around, still wary of the enemies.

Looks like we're not going to be able to loot this place. Is the girl alive? he says calling out to Trencius.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Wait! Finn is still in here somewhere!

I don't have call familiar. My pet rat is just flavour. Maybe I'll make him a familiar when I level up.

The flames provide excellent light, but damn that smoke hurts the eyes and lungs! Ben puts his head in the crook of his arm and starts dropping down floors. One by one, following the crashing timbers.

At the first sign of animal cages, I'll stop and mount a dramatic rescue.

The smoke is getting the better of him.. Hard to breathe.

brawn (-1) to endure the smoke: 3d20 ⇒ (8, 9, 17) = 34 = 8. Not good enough.

The blackness takes him. Passed out on level 2, right in the midst of a dozen or so small animal cages.


Male Human, Merchant Guild Mercenary
Crunch:
Brawn +2 | Finesse +3 | Mind -1 | Spirit +1
Traits:
Double Strike| Sheer Determination|Call For Aid

Thoril breaks from his reverie as the burning beam crashes through the floor.

He mutters curses to himself when he sees the orc sprawled on the cracked floor, he holds hope that the bastard will survive for round two but there are more important matters...

He's following behind Ben as best he can, maneuvering down the inferno.

"Who the hell is Finn again?"

More curses, he's lost sight of Ben, damn it all!

He nearly trips over Ben, unconscious among a multitude of animal cages, and it is then that he remembers Finn.

"You son of a! If I die saving a rat!"

He hurls Ben over one shoulder and grabs the few cages that contain rats.

Brawn, endure smoke, carry comrades to safety increased by sheer determination: 3d20 ⇒ (12, 16, 19) = 47 +2 = 21

Heavy footfalls are muffled by the raging fire, every step down the burning stairs nearly cracks the plank in half as he runs for the courtyard exit.

Thoril bursts in the courtyard, his momentum carrying him a few steps into the open air and he wastes no time filling his lungs with fresh air.


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

The smoke crawls over Trencius' scowling face and into his eyes, mouth and narrow nose. He chokes on the blackness and sweats from the fires.

Brawn -1: 3d20 ⇒ (17, 17, 20) = 54 - 1 = 16! Good!

I am really tired right now but this roll just made me happy.

Trencius kneels and heaves Patricia over his shoulder, taking his staff in his other hand. He hurls a black bolt at the door to the temple's inner balcony on the other end of the room, breaking it into splinters. He climbs over charred timber, gagging on the ashes in the air, before climbing through the door frame, catching his breath and leaping over the side of the balcony, Patricia in tow, using his black, oily wings to soften their fall.


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

Lupus takes off for the stairs. When he hits them he pauses and looks back to make sure Lady Sonia is evacuating as well.

"Come on!" he yells before a fit of coughing. He hikes up his shirt over his mouth and holds it with one hand as he takes the stairs as quickly as possible.

Brawn: 3d20 + 1 ⇒ (13, 8, 1) + 1 = 23

He's making it down the stairs when he slips and slides a few steps. He reaches out with his hands to steady himself, his shirt dropping from his mouth. He takes a deep breath that's mainly smoke and starts coughing, each cough causing him to breathe in a little more smoke. Lupus starts to crawl, knowing he's close to making it out.

couldn't really think of a good mixed result

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Finn!

No, wait. He had a dark spot on his ear.

Rumaging through cages: Ah yes. Here he is. I missed you Finn!

To Thoril: Thanks!

Say, it looks like I'm out of a job for a while... Got any work? Cash is a bit thin, you know?

Remembering what just happened: Oh yeah, everyone ok?


Decreased Brawn: 3d20 ⇒ (11, 17, 17) = 45 +3

Despite seeing her daughter have a (new) hand severed and fall through the fall at least one story below right in front of her, Lady Sonia stands up just as strong as she ever has. The thick smoke doesn't slow her down much as she heads for the stairs, following Lupus.

Okay - everyone's almost out. Quintis, give us a good roll!


Okay, I'm rolling for Quintis.

Brawn: 3d20 ⇒ (11, 19, 13) = 43 + 3 = 16

With little effort despite his disorientation, Quintis also joins the escape from the Temple via the stairs. Luckily for everyone, the stairs do not collapse.

What a breath of fresh air! The storm is still going, but do the cool droplets of rain and brisk gusts of wind ever feel great! No more scorching fire upon the skin. Or people trying to kill you. The Temple stands as a towering inferno at this point. It's one of the brighter lights in the City. Undoubtedly, it will be a center of attention in half an hour. Best to leave soon after seeing to Patricia's wound. She's lost her arm, now, and the beam has likely broken a few bones. Sonia fawns over her poor daughter with emotion not seen before.

The courtyard is lit up, orange and yellow and with smoky shadows. A familiar silhouette stands nearby. It approaches with the agility of an alley cat.


Female Thieves' Guild Bandit
Abilities:
Brawn -1 | Finesse +3 | Mind +1 | Spirit + 2 | Duck | Deft Fingers | |Extra Storage| Lone Wolf | Sneaky

"I thought you were going to rescue someone, not torch the place! This was on my list of bedlams, too. Glad to see none of you got, you know, killed, or anything."

She goggles the limp frame of Patricia.

"Is that the blueblood? She needs some medical attention. ASAP. I'd volunteer the Guild's services, but... we don't have a doctor anymore. Do you know where you're going to take her?"


Male Human Ex-Soldier (Warfare, Artifice, Bardic Lore)
QuickCrunch™:
Life: 31/40 | Block: 6 | Brawn: +3 | Finesse: +2 | Mind: +1 | Spirit: -1

Quintis looks around, hoping to see some loyal members of the Watch around, either in need of rescue or ready to do some rescuing. Hopefully they've got some sort of outpost nearby that could at least patch Patricia up until she could see a proper physician.

I've got no plan. Do you have any suggestions?


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

"I could try to find a spell in my library but I don't think we have time... Sonia, can you think of a way to find her a healer?"

Trencius asks this question without much hope. He knows exactly what he will have to do if he wants the woman to survive.

Reluctantly, he searches his mind for the words of the incantation he used once before. Dark words cloud his judgement, but he's already made up his mind. He's done some terrible things, but this woman is innocent. He will gladly accept his penance for calling upon the vile creature if it means that he can save her.

Hey Koolaid, if it wasn't clear I want to summon the power of the same evil demon/devil that Trencius used last time. I want to use the Ritual signature trait to do this if that's cool, just let me know what I have to do to call on the thing and figure out some cruel and unusual way for Trencius to pay for the service of the demon. Thanks!


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

Lupus finishes coughing and straightens up, spitting.

"After all this," he breaks off shaking his head.

"Jacknall will pay."


Male Human, Merchant Guild Mercenary
Crunch:
Brawn +2 | Finesse +3 | Mind -1 | Spirit +1
Traits:
Double Strike| Sheer Determination|Call For Aid

"There is a guy at the merc racks, sewn me up a few times... I don't know if he's equipped to handle... this."

Thoril weakly gestures towards Patricia.

"But it's better than nothing, whatever we're going to do, we'd better do it quickly."

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Ben starts deliberately opening cage doors, hoping Nicolette might notice how they saved all the little furry animals. "Find a new home everyone. Go."

Once they're all free, he scratches his head. Can't say I know any doctors. I did hear a legend of an ancient temple in the Suckmarsh. Something about a font or a fountain. Dunno if it'd be useful. It's guarded by lizardmen though. This is me using jack of all trades to adopt the trait "From Myth". So presto, there's a temple in the suckmarsh that is probably useful!

"I'm all for getting her patched up", he says while tearing a strip off his shirt. He then applies it carefully to the girl's bloody arm. "Hold that there. Friend of mine, old Jack, taught me to put pressure on wounds." Ben finally pulls a lace from his boot and ties the makeshift bandage off around her elbow.

Dabney just added a new action for everyone: Recuperate. Describe how you tend to the wound of yourself or a creature you are touching → The target heals life equal to its toughness. Resisting. Rolling badly could complicate matters (you don’t heal at all, you deal damage by mistake, you render one of the target’s appendages temporarily unusable, etc).

Sorry about the hand, Patricia. That's was sorta my fault.

13 to staunch the blood loss (spirit +2). Good enough to stabilize her and give her toughness in health: 3d20 ⇒ (4, 12, 11) = 27

Let's get her to the merc racks. They'll do a better job.

With that, Ben helps the girl to her feet and they start to follow Thoril. All the while, casting glances at Nicolette to see if she's even a little impressed.


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

"Good work Ben," Lupus says as he moves with the group. He hangs back a bit looking around in case of ambush. He doesn't expect one though, not after all they've been through, and his attempts at security are just token gestures. He's tired and hurting.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Despite everything they've done, Ben is acutely aware of how silly he looks with his torn shirt and one floppy boot.


"Thank you all for your continued help. I suppose you have my family's gratitude... what little is left of it. I assume My husband and Lord Triton were in the Temple somewhere. Likely the Watch Captain had his way with them before we entered. When we get to the doctor, I trust you will leave me alone with her."

The walk to Thoril's acquaintance is uneventful. Quiet. The storm dissipates. The barracks are abuzz with movement. Looks like a cadre of Merchant's Guild mercenaries have been hired to deal with the situation in Hartscourt and the Cloister. Nicolette offers an opinion that the Guild is in a good position to take more power away from the Baron. Not necessarily a bad thing. Speculation aside, everyone's awake. Including the doctor.

The combined status of Thoril and Lady Sonia get everyone in with a simple hand wave. A merc tries to chat Thoril up on their way to the doctor.

His office is small but well kept, with shiny scalpels and blood-draining buckets. The odd-looking masks on the counter in the rear of the building reveal he must be working with alchemists' fumigation. The doctor himself is quite a large man, height, width, and girth, and has his own share of scars and stitches. Greetings and salutations out of the way, he explains with the vocabulary and grammar of a drunken boxer that he can stabilize Patricia. Give him a day to get a good analysis of, you know, what the hell happened. You can't blame him if it takes him a few seconds to wrap his head around the fact that the girl had her hand replaced by some sort of animal paw.

"I can use whatever funds my house has to help you." Sonia seems distant. Dreaming. "I'm not sure what you plan to do. This fountain in the marsh is an option, I suppose. I've heard talk about artificers replacing limbs. Maybe that's possible. But I'm more worried about her... head." Patricia hasn't woken up yet, but she certainly wasn't herself when she tried to kill everyone at the top of a burning temple.


Male Human Raven Mage
Abilities:
Body-1 | Finesse: +1 | Mind +3 | Spirit +2 |
Traits:
Signature Trait: Ritual | Traits: Evoker | Flight | Just As Planned, Marshal Forces |

"I have to go." says Trencius, much to the confusion of the room.

"I'm sorry. I'll be back, there's just something I have to do."

He turns on a heel and exits the Guild Hall passing warriors on all sides. He hurriedly steps into the street. His steps form a beat as his boots fall into puddles and splash on the cobblestones. He turns his head to make sure there is no one around, and the dark streets are empty. He rushes into a dark alleyway between two tall buildings. He works his way deep into this maze before pulling a spellbook and a piece of dark red chalk from his inside coat pocket.

I am going to regret this.

With a well-practiced hand he draws a circle with a four foot diameter on the dirty ground. Smaller circles and complex geometric shapes fill the bulk of the space. Jagged, esoteric runes of a dark tongue are scattered across the borders of each structure.

Trencius places the chalk at his side, opens his plain spellbook and begins the chant. The words seem to fill his mouth with ashes and smoke, choking him. They burn his tongue as they escape some strange blackness within him. He has to fight to hold back each cough so as not to disrupt the chant.

Wind begins the scatter the debris and the trash littered throughout the alley. With the final words of the incantation, a deafening sound and a sudden wave of black swirling smoke, the creature had arrived.

"Take your payment and hear my request." Trencius spits, voice hoarse and pained from the smoke and the chanting.

A vile creature kneeling in the darkness stood. The Thing towered over the Mage. It is slender, but strong. It has hooves like a stag, but instead of hair its body is covered in oily, black, matted feathers. Its torso is similar to a man's, with feathers on the chest and the arms. Its head goat-like, but with a pair of large curving horns.

The creature steps from the dark fog and waves a hand before it. A sickening series of snaps, cracks, are drowned out by Trencius' screams of agony. He falls to his knees in pain as blood drips from his maimed wing beneath his coat.

"How have you been, Bringer? It has been so long..." Its voice is sardonically soothing, filled with a mock kindness.

"Skip the jokes, Shahriyar. You know why I called you here." Trencius snarls through gritted teeth.

"You wound me! We were once so close. Or have you forgotten? Don't you remember all the things we did? Didn't it mean anything to you?" it goads.

"Shut up! I just need a favor."

"I don't deal in favors, boy. I make pacts."

"You know what I meant!"

"Very well. What sort of vengeance do you seek and on whom?" It speaks with a cool, professional tone.

"I need you to heal a wounded noble girl. Her name is Patricica and she's in the Mercenary's Guild barracks. You are not to kill anyone during this task."

Beat.

The thing throws its head back in a bout of hysterical laughter. After some time it regains its composure.

"HA! I'd forgotten how much of a laugh you are, Bringer! It really is such a shame you couldn't stomach all the blood we shed."

"It's not a joke." Trencius face is deeply grave.

The creature stares at Trencius for a moment, wide eyed.

"Ha. You have nerve..." It says, calm but bewildered.

"To drag me back through a flaming hole just to tell me to heal a little girl!! HOW DARE YOU! Don't you remember anything we did!? It was beautiful! We were a greater force of vengeance than I've seen in decades! And after everything I've done for you!? After all that we've been through!? You ask me to HEAL?!" The thing finally breaks character, unable to restrain its true passion.

Trencius doesn't meet its eyes. He almost looks ashamed.

"But you still have to do it."

"You think I don't know that? Consider it done, Master." the Thing says the last part with a sarcastic leer.

"I won't stay in chains forever, you know." The thing says, deadly serious but with a note of downtrodden despair.

Before Trencius can reply, It's gone.

Sorry for the massive post! I got a little carried away. I feel like I'm stealing screen time with this one, so I'm gonna try to dial it back in the future.


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

Lupus watches Trencius leave, noting his hurried manner. He raises his hand to his mouth covering it as he yawns.

"Wonder where he's off to. I could use some rest myself," he says. He takes a moment to watch Sonia and Patricia together, pondering that this group of strangers had risked their lives for this girl, this familial moment. He turns and walks out of the room looking for someplace to sleep. Moving through the Guild Hall he looks to see if they have open beds, dreading the long walk to his lair.

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

Ok, yeah. This seems like as good a place as any to crash. I could definitely use the rest.

Unless I hear otherwise, I'll add my toughness back to my Life


This would be a great time to heal. Sorry I'm taking so long.


In fact, let's assume everyone sleeps.

Shahriyar visits the girl while everyone sleeps. Sonia attempted to keep watch all through the rest of the night, but lost the game. Time stops as he manifests his form: if one could watch, smoke and shadows would be seen engulfing the room. Shahriyar identifies Patricia and sees her mother sleeping nearby.

"He said not to kill anyone." Tendrils of darkness coil from his feathered hand and steal her arm and lick wounds upon her.

"Sorry. Equivalent exchange, my dear. I can't believe anyone cares about this pathetic runt. Besides you, of course." The demon spits blackness from its mouth. Dark magics weave to restore Patricia's body whole again. Her arm is back, true to form. Her wounds disappear.

"Feh. What a waste of my talents. Hmm... her head?" As Shahriyar touches Patricia's mind to heal it as well, he is met with an unfamiliar persona.

"THIS ONE IS MINE."

Trencius' patron cannot work his magic anymore.

"At least things are interesting now. I adjure you, spirit."

"I AM JACKNALL. THE CITY WILL BE MINE. HEARTS and MINDS and HANDS."

"I have a deal to honor. Back off, before things get ugly."

Silence from the spirit for a moment.

"I KNOW YOUR WINGED ASSOCIATE. HE IS A PROBLEM."

"Indeed... go on."

"LEAVE ME HERE. I WILL TELL YOU HOW TO BREAK YOUR CHAINS. REVENGE ON THE WINGED ONE."

"Another deal! What are the terms?"

"TAKE THE NOBLES TO A PLACE OF POWER."

Silence from the demon, this time.

"Is this a joke? Screw you. I'll leave you alone, but only because I know better. If we cross paths again and you're in my way things will get ugly."

With that, the demon exits the scene. Morning comes, heralded by a bugle and a commotion of watchmen outside the gates to the barracks.


Female Thieves' Guild Bandit
Abilities:
Brawn -1 | Finesse +3 | Mind +1 | Spirit + 2 | Duck | Deft Fingers | |Extra Storage| Lone Wolf | Sneaky

"Rise and shine you two." Nicolette addresses both Ben and Finn as they're waking. "Trouble's coming and the Guild needs your help. Apparently the Watch is looking for you and your friends. It'll take 'em some time before the golds let the bronzes search their turf, but you should still exit stage right pretty soon."

There's definitely some commotion going on near the gates.

"I still have one safehouse no one knows about. If you're.interested, meet me at the sewer grate near the back of this place. Actually, meet me there anyway and I can get you back to the old clock tower if you wanna do something else."

Shadow Lodge

Human, Male, Urchin ----== Finesse 3 | Spirit 2 | Mind 1 | Brawn -1 | Tough 10 | Life 29/40 ===----
Traits:
Jack of All Trades (Another Way In) | Swashbuckler | Leap Of Faith | Honor Among Thieves | Call Familiar | Weapons: Dual knives: melee, ranged
Abilities:
dramatic entrance=GR++ attack/bolster | wall Jump, jump as far/high as you could normally move | ++jump, ++climb, ++balance, safe fall +5 | ++socialize with scoundrels | pet rat

"Huh, wha'? ... I wasn't even sleeping," as he rubs his eyes and wipes his cheek.

"Ok. Let me get the gang.

Hey! Lupus. Quintis. Thoril. Where the hell is Trencius?

We gotta go. Watch is looking for us. No idea why. Best not to find out at swordpoint. Are you guys still in good with the Watch? Little bird tells me things have changed.

I suggest we don't waste time. Let's get gone. Out the back!"


M Human Thief
Abilities:
Toughness 10 , Life 40 Brawn +1 | Finesse +2 | Mind +3 | Spirit -1 | Signature: Sneaky | Combat: Sneak Attack | Exploration: Case the Joint | Interaction: Lone Wolf

Lupus slides off of the bed onto his feet, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and ready to follow.

"I'd rather not find out what they want with us by asking them. Better to hear the rumors later. This safehouse of your's sounds like a good idea."


Female Thieves' Guild Bandit
Abilities:
Brawn -1 | Finesse +3 | Mind +1 | Spirit + 2 | Duck | Deft Fingers | |Extra Storage| Lone Wolf | Sneaky

"Pretty sure they're looking for whoever might be responsible for that burnt down place of worship over in the relevent district. Maybe they think you're Syndicate. Maybe they're disguised Syns. There's a whole lotta 'bad' right now."

Usually Nicolette is gone by now. She remains in the doorway for now, but she looks ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

"Whether you help my Guild out or not, I wanna get to the bottom of this. The Watch's never been known to deal dirty like this. And a lot of my friends have been hurt or worse. I want payback."

She looks to the ground. None of you have ever seen the girl so crestfallen. Her body relaxes, she looks tired. Anyone would after having friends die.

"You guys aren't Watch or Syn. I can trust you. I have supplies at the safehouse. If you're not comfy working with thieves..." She looks in Quintis' direction... "The Merchants might have a more legal course of action. And no shortage of gold."

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