Ha! :D

Pindara pulls a face and brushes aside the hanky, "I'm fine." she says curtly.

"Let's find this freak and get out of here."

"Unfortunately not. Let's ask around."

Bedu proceeds to spend some time discussing the price of fish and whatever else it takes to try and get some sort of a lead on our man.

Diplomacy check (was gather info) (1d20+6=7)

He gives up when the locals start laughing at his refined manners.

Nat 1, I really do want us to stick with the plot, honest!

After an hour of talking up fishmongers, Bedu comes up with the exact date of the start of flatcrab season, but no knowledge of Samir Kharsus.

Diplomacy retries are allowed, and by other people, if anyone else wants to give it a shot. Or you can wander around, hoping to catch sight of someone matching his description.

Diplomacy (1d20+5=8)

Pindara can't bring herself to really talk to any of these scummy folk beyond the normal pleasantries, obviously.

Skittle splits off from the well dressed and finely groomed among the group and tries to see what he can learn.

1d20=12+1=13

Jaku, seeing that about half the group is going to make finding anything harder, slips away for a bit. He asks around, chats about fish, grumbles about taxes, and hopefully comes back with something useful.

Diplomacy (1d20 4=18)

Pindara finds Jaku later on, "Hey," she says in a neutral tone, "You said something earlier about getting into the catacombs. How big are they? Where d'you think our burnt man would make his 'sanctuary'? No use going there if we're going to run around like headless fowl."

After another hour of asking around, it's beginning to seem like you'll never find him. Either no one knows Samir Kharsus, or they're not telling.

But before all hope is lost, Jaku returns with some information. A local stevedore knows Kharsus, and saw him not an hour ago working on an old boat just a few blocks away. If you hurry, you might still be able to catch him there.

Pindara heads off without appearing to rush.

SargonX, I don't have the answers to Pindara's questions, but Jauk probably does.

Once back with the group, Jaku gives what information he has, and heads out with the rest.

After another hour of asking around, it's beginning to seem like you'll never find him. Either no one knows Samir Kharsus, or they're not telling.

But before all hope is lost, Jaku returns with some information. A local stevedore knows Kharsus, and saw him not an hour ago working on an old boat just a few blocks away. If you hurry, you might still be able to catch him there.

Indo picks and chooses his way through the crowd, trying to move among thin crowds and tall booths so his size in motion does not attract attention.

He also looks for a darkened alley or similarly uninhabited place to dart into.

Bedu keeps near the back of the group and watches to the rear for any followers.

The group follows the directions given to Jaku, and end up at a dock at the end of a street. The buildings on either side go down to the water's edge, but you can see further docks connected to other streets to the south. A selection of boats, rafts, and barges are tied up in a jumble here, stretching among the piers to the south. You scan the area, looking for sign of your quarry.

Everyone/Anyone can make sight-based Perception checks.

Indo, because of the nature of the street and buildings, there really isn't a good place to hide close to the docks. The best you can do is stay behind one of the buildings' corners.

Pindara finds Jaku later on, "Hey," she says in a neutral tone, "You said something earlier about getting into the catacombs. How big are they? Where d'you think our burnt man would make his 'sanctuary'? No use going there if we're going to run around like headless fowl."

Which means that the burnt man could have his sanctum almost anywhere, and you probably would "run around like headless fowl" for days looking for it without some kind of clue - directions, map, tracking, etc.

Perception (1d20+2=17)

Bedu's gaze moves backwards and forwards.

Perception (sight) (1d20+6=15)

perception (1d20 6=15)

Jaku keeps an eye out for any sign of danger or any sign of their quarry.

Indo regrets not having a secret place to cast a quick spell.

Perception check at Barge End (1d20+5=9)

1d20=7+4=11

Indo regrets not having a secret place to cast a quick spell.

Perception check at Barge End (1d20+5=9)

Perception DC 10:

A shrill whistle pierces the air. In a small boat tied up to the closest dock, a small halfling takes her fingers out of her mouth as the sound of her whistle fades away. Farther to the south, the man looks up and sees the group of you coming down the dock. He immediately drops what he is doing and flees to the south. The chase is on!

To speed things up, the first person to post should roll a straight 1d20 for initiative. Everyone's initiative bonus will be added to that roll.

Each round, please state your action (as well as the grid location you are moving to), make two straight 1d20 rolls and post them. I will use these for any skill or other checks needed during the round, and will post a summary of what has happened in each round, as well as an updated battlemap.

This is not a standard combat, so I'm running it this way to hopefully speed up the chase and make it kinda fun too. We'll see how it works in a pbp. :)

A map of the area can be found here.

Pindara is at C2, Jaku at C3, Liet at B2, Skittle at B3, Indo at B4, and Bedun in the rear at A3. The halfling is in the boat at F5 (sorry, no token) and Samir Kharsus is at L12.

So first person roll initiative, and everyone else, state your actions!

Base Initiative (1d20=9)

Bedu runs down the pier to A25.

Base Initiative (1d20=9)

Bedu runs down the pier to A25.

Everyone, don't forget to make two straight 1d20 rolls every round and post them with your actions. Thanks!

run to F5 and jump to F8 jump roll (1d20 4=19)
1d20=10, 1d20=9<= two raw rolls
Jaku, seeing their quarry is starting to bolt, moves to intercept.
"Somebody grab that halfling," he growls as he starts off.

Indo ducks between shacks on the way to cast true strike. He laments that mage armor sometimes gets noticed and doesn't want to attract attention. Perhaps there will be no need for violence or magic in either event.

When he sees the chase is on, Indo runs straight down the pier (J 3) in order to run directly to his quarry, jumping from boat to boat if he has to.

BBCode chase scene at barge end (1d20=12, 1d20=20)

Pindara sticks to the shore and runs along the side of the docks, avoiding any encounters with boats. Well, this is a damn stupid idea...

1d20=7, 1d20=11

Liet moves and jumps onto the boat at G4.

Pindara sticks to the shore and runs along the side of the docks, avoiding any encounters with boats. Well, this is a damn stupid idea...

1d20=7, 1d20=11

Indo ducks between shacks on the way to cast true strike. He laments that mage armor sometimes gets noticed and doesn't want to attract attention. Perhaps there will be no need for violence or magic in either event.

When he sees the chase is on, Indo runs straight down the pier (J 3) in order to run directly to his quarry, jumping from boat to boat if he has to.

BBCode chase scene at barge end (1d20=12, 1d20=20)

Liet moves and jumps onto the boat at G4.

Bedu bounces off the house and instead using his brains moves to L6.

Dice rolls (1d20=8, 1d20=10)

Bedu leaves the action to the rest.

Still waiting for posts and actions for a few people, then I'll post the round summary.

Skittle: Please post your action for round 1 and two straight 1d20 rolls.

Pindara: Post a new action (see post above about problems with your stated action) and two straight 1d20 rolls.

Liet: Please post two straight 1d20 rolls.

Thanks!

Using the same rolls

Pindara sees that there's no way for it but to either dash round the buildings or daash across the boats. She decides for the buildings.

1d20=7, 1d20=11

No...I shouldn't be able to cast a spell that I didn't memorize. And that's my goof, I had just posted my memorized spells and read the wrong list when I made my decision.

Also, I note that while I thought mage armor could be seen (like a wall of force), it is actually invisible. Since pre-action, I would prefer a bit of AC, may I go with that (memorized) spell instead?

Skittle draws his kukri and jumps into the boat with Liet (moves to E5) to speak w/ the halfling, leaving the chase for those with longer legs.

1d20=11, 1d20=6

No...I shouldn't be able to cast a spell that I didn't memorize. And that's my goof, I had just posted my memorized spells and read the wrong list when I made my decision.

Also, I note that while I thought mage armor could be seen (like a wall of force), it is actually invisible. Since pre-action, I would prefer a bit of AC, may I go with that (memorized) spell instead?

MGK?

The clue is that they are initials for something to do with the encounter.

Cheers

Skittle draws his kukri and hops onto the boat tied up next to the pier. The floor of the boat is covered in slippery fish parts, but he easily keeps his balance (Acrobatics roll 11+7=18) and moves next to the halfling.

Liet follows Skittle down the pier and hops into the boat. His feet go out from under him as he lands in the slick fish scum, but he grabs the boat’s mast in time to keep his balance (Acrobatics (1d20=14)).
You didn’t post your rolls, so I hope you have no problem with me rolling for you.

As Skittle and Liet move onto her boat, the halfling tries to dive over the side into the water.

Skittle and Liet, you can make attacks of opportunity if you wish.

Liet: Please post two straight 1d20 rolls.

Thanks!

As requested.

EDIT: Ooops, I see you already posted for me. Can I use the 19 I rolled for my attack roll? It's total is 18 (-1).

1d20=19, 1d20=14

EDIT: Ooops, I see you already posted for me. Can I use the 19 I rolled for my attack roll? It's total is 18 (-1).

Liet tries an overhead smash with his mace.

Attack Roll 18

Damage (1d6-1=2)

Skittle swears as he drops his kukri in the boat and tries to grab the halfling before she goes over the side.

I'm not familiar with the new grapple rules and won't have a chance to read them until later, so I'll just post a few d20s for now.

1d20=14, 1d20=15

Indo waits his turn.

Round 1 Summary
Initiative order (base initiative 9):

Samir Kharsus 19
Skittle 16
Liet 15
Halfling 14
Jaku 13
Bedu 13
Pindara 11
Indo 10

“Somebody grab that halfling,” Jaku growls.

Samir Kharsus jumps to the next boat, running away from you at top speed. He jumps from boat to barge to raft, ending the round at [K19].

Skittle draws his kukri and hops onto the boat tied up next to the pier, followed closely by Liet. The floor of the boat is covered in slippery fish parts, but Skittle easily keeps his balance (Acrobatics roll 11+7=18) and moves next to the halfling at [E5]. Liet’s feet go out from under him as he lands in the slick fish scum, but he grabs the boat’s mast in time to keep his balance (Acrobatics roll 1d20=14), stopping at [G4].

As the halfling moves to dive over the side of the boat, Skittle swears, drops his kukri in the boat, and tries to hold her before she goes over (Grapple roll 14+1=15). Liet raises his mace and brings it down on the halfling’s head (2 points of damage). As slippery as the fish in the boat, the halfling wriggles out of Skittle’s hold and dives into the water at [F6], blood pouring from her head.

Jaku runs into the fish-strewn boat. Barely keeping his balance among the slippery fish parts (Acrobatics roll 10+4=14), he leaps across the water to the next barge, which contains a pile of junk and rubbish, ending at [F8]. The ragpickers on the barge yell and curse at him, but make no move to stop him.
Next round, if you move across this boat at greater than half-speed, you’ll need to make an Acrobatics (balance) roll.

Bedu runs down the pier and onto the barge tied up at the end, which is blocked by a 10-foot tall wall of large wooden crates. Unable to climb them (Climb roll 8+1=9) or burst through them (Strength check 10+2=12) he is stymied at [J6].

Pindara decides not to venture out on the boats, and dashes back up the street the way you came, passing Indo heading towards the water. Pindara is off the map.
Do you want to go to the first pier to the south [C12-13] or the second pier [B24-25]?

Indo hangs back, ducking between two shacks to cast an unseen spell before passing Pindara running the other way and arriving at the docks at the end of the round at [C3].
Indo, you can move to J3 next round since you are a round behind everyone else, or post a new action for next round.

Thus endeth the first round.

Here is an updated map for the second round.

Everyone, please post your actions for round 2 and post two straight d20 rolls.
Keep in mind that you can take double moves, if you wish.

Rats. Didn't use my rolls from last round, which were pretty cool.

Barge End round 2 (1d20=19, 1d20=16)

Indo runs down to the end of the pier (I3), then during his second move, climbs over the crate at K4, and runs to L6. If I am only running this turn, and I make a jump check next turn, will this count as a running start? If not, Indo ducks behind the crate after climbing and uses his sword to cast True Strike

1d20=7, 1d20=7

"You need not risk drowning with that wound... Surrender!"

Diplomacy (1d20+8=26)

Bedu attempts to climb onto the middle crate. If he succeeds then he will run forwards and leap down into the rowing boat. climb then jump to L9

Climb then jump or climb (1d20=5, 1d20=15)

1d20=17, 1d20=9

"Look around miss," Skittle yells as he leans over the edge of the boat and offers his hand. "There's nowhere to go. We just want to talk. Come back up here & I'll make sure longshanks here doesn't hurt you again," he says with a nod toward Liet. "I'll even get a cleric to heal your wound."