Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Something Wicked

For a moment, Mouse's entire world rests in the space between her and the dagger-wielder...but finally, after an infinite instant, she hears Yazi's words behind her. It takes a second for the older woman's meaning to dawn on her, but soon it clicks. Tha's...tha's up t' him.

Finally, she musters up the nerve to look up and meet his eyes square on. So wha's it gonna be? Desperately she searches the pools of blue for anything - even a hint - of the boy she'd fallen in love with so long ago.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Effects:
Yazi has readied a daze spell if Teron threatens her comrades

Conditions: dim light

“Business, aye.” Teron retorts, nodding his head slowly and pouting his lips. ”Dat’s usually the way’f it, innit? Dat’s how mos’ folks make it dis far. ‘Business.’” He says the word slowly and menacingly, still keeping the daggers to his side. ”Course, you know dat, don’tcha? Mouse.”

He stands perfectly still, barely reacting to the alligator as it begins to stalk slowly toward the walkway.

”Used to fink you was special. Like you was gonna rise up da ranks--be one’f da big fish, like Yargin. You coulda.” He nods ”Yeh, you coulda been sumpin’.” He raises a hand, clutching the hilt of the dagger but pointing his index finger at Mouse, anger beginning to register on his face and in his voice--the voice of a boy, barely turned a man. ”But you...you wasted a good opportuni’y! Let your feelin’s get in da way of work. As if!” He laughs softly “As if ‘dem wretches deserve any bettah!” He pounds his fist to his chest. ”Like we deserve any bettah?? Look around yeh. Dis be our castle. Dis work is our kingdom. Dese streets are our home. You’re a fool, Mouse. A fool for comin’ back, finkin’ you could change anyfing. Now, guess I’m da one what’ll show yeh the truf.”

A soft wheezing emanates from the roof, above the crocodile’s pool. The wheeze transforms into a slow cackle, then breaks off into a series of loud coughs. ”Well now, ain’t dis li’l reunion endearing?” Gaedren Lamm, the Orphan King, the Child Thief, sits perched upon the ceiling 15 feet overhead, some unseen force securing his back to the aged planks. He holds an expensive-looking crossbow, aimed directly at Mouse. His face is twisted in hatred.

”I should’ve called yoo ‘Rat,’ yoo ungra’ful li’l waif.” he spits in her direction. ”What do yoo fink yoor doing, walzin’ in ‘ere as if yoo’ve go’ somefing to offah. Da only fing yoo’re good for is lyin’ and backstabbin’, an’ after I gave you so much! Seargent Teron ‘ere is right,” he gives the title a haughty pronouncement, clearly intended influence the boy. ”You are a fool.” He raises the crossbow to fire.

Then Garvid strides into the room. Gaedren hesitates as he tries to identify the large man, then begings to laugh and wheeze again. ”And look who’ve you brought wif yoo, Officer Brutality ‘imself. I ‘spose yoo’re here to murder someone else, hm? Who’ll it be this time? The boy?”

Teron gulps, but puffs his chest and raises his knives.

At the harsh words, Mouse is taken back through a host of moments - an entire childhood spent being shouted at by Gaedren, denigrated, pushed around, belittled. But he was wrong, she realized. Something had changed. She'd changed, in the time since he'd stopped spewing poison into her ear. And with the hint of desperation in her former lover's eyes...maybe he was ready for a change, too.

You ain't gave me nothin', Lamm. What I got now, I got on my own, an' got it honest. All y' ever did was took - but y' ain't gonna take nothin' no more, from no one. She stares long and hard at Teron's hand as she speaks, trying desperately to show in those few moments that she'd seen - that she understood what drove him to stand there with knives drawn. Lamm's influence was great and terrible to those in his charge - but it wasn't unbeatable.

Y' c'n change, she mutters under her breath to Teron, standing before her; after all, he'd not used his blades yet, despite what he'd been through. I did.

Then she shouts to those behind her. Lamm's up in the ceiling! Don't worry about Teron - get Lamm! She studies the walkway before her for just a moment - before rushing forward, tackling Teron in a bear hug and trying to shove him along the damp planks and allow her allies space to move forward.

How does triggering initiative work? Because I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it. :) If I can, move action to Martial Flexibility into Improved Bull Rush, standard action to bull rush Teron as far back as I can along the walkway. Does not provoke thanks to Improved Bull Rush.

Bull rush attempt with Improved Bull Rush: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13

Initiative will generally be triggered by either side taking an action that would spur the opponent to engage in combat or even attempt to flee. Bull rushing does the trick :). Because of how I handle combat this usually means that, when PCs win initiative, I will resolve a PC action that triggers initiative in the first combat post, as below. PCs have won initiative and are up first! There is no surprise round, as everyone is aware of everyone else. I’ll go ahead and write up Mouse’s action, then the rest of you are free to act normally (full round). Remember that the enemies are flat-footed until they take their first turn!

Round 1

Effects:

Conditions: dim light

Mouse rushes forward, her boots pounding on the old wooden planks, trying to catch Teron off guard. The boy’s eyes have been locked on the imposing figure of Garvid. His reflexes are quick, however, and he reacts quickly, crouching lower, planting a boot behind himself, and leaning forward to absorb Mouse’s charge. He brings his daggers, gripped in the reverse style, to the fore, defending himself with his forearms locked together. She slams into him, causing them both to quake. He cries out in surprise and anger, but he holds his position. Failed Bull Rush v. CMD This leaves him with both blades now aimed directly at her face, head, and neck.

Everyone (except Mouse) is up!
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 13/15,
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 13/13
Mouse: 12/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm:
Teron:
Gobblegut:

Mouse and the youth seemed well-matched and there was cursed little she could do to help the girl. Yaziyah taps Li on the arm, indicating the struggling pair. "Help her." Then she starts chanting as she removes something from one of her belt pouches; grains of sand start swirling above her open palm, patterns dissolving into one another and pulsing with the gentle rising and falling rhythm of the verses.

"Thula thul', thula baba, thula sana,
Thul' ubab' uzofika, ekuseni.
Kukhon' inkanyezi, eholel' ubaba,
Ekhanyisela indlel' eziy' ekhaya,
Sobe sikhona xa bonke beshoyo,
Bethi buyela ubuye le 'khaya"

Casting Sleep, full-round, DC 15 Will save. Radius as indicated on Roll 20 with the blue circle. The chant is a lullaby.

The bard broke out in verse as soon as the scrum began. He was reminded of an ancient play, and the words came forth from him effortlessly.

"Be absolute for death; either death or life
Shall thereby be the sweeter. Reason thus with life:
If I do lose thee, I do lose a thing
That none but fools would keep: a breath thou art,"

Inspire Courage, +1 Competence bonus to Attack and Damage, +1 Morale bonus to saves versus fear.

Not sure where Li's token is on the Roll20 map but she intends to be in the building.

Li hears Lamm's voice and he becomes her complete focus. When Mouse yells out that he was above, it doesn't take Li long to aim her readied crossbow and release the bolt.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 14 (Calcedon's inspire courage and Point Blank Shot)
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + (2) = 10 (Added sneak attack damage since you said they were flat-footed)

Jamros readied Glenda with a flourish and began tapping into his remaining magical strength. The brand on his arm flared to life suddenly, seeming to consume the flesh anew, as he casually walked forward and addressed the boy.

“Do be so kind as to step aside. I have my own business with Lamm and I'd hate to have to strip the flesh from your bones.” he said ominously, his eyes flaring momentarily with the flames of Hell.

Same deal as last time. DC 14 will save from Teron.

Btw, you can always speak, so if Mouse (or anyone else) wants to say something in between turns, she can.

I know I can - the last couple of days have just been ridiculous for me.

Locked in her struggle with Teron, she manages to hiss out a soft reply to him, barely audible over the hubbub. Not if we kill 'im first. I c'n take a hit, 'member? She briefly yanks the collar of her rough linen tunic to the side, exposing a long, ugly scar directly over her heart.

Round 1

Effects:
Mouse: -2 AC / +2 attack from charge

Conditions: dim light

As Mouse and Teron remain locked in a deathgrip, Yazi’s chanting floats through the air and mingles with Calcedon’s inspired verse. Li, bolstered by her allies’ bravery, jets into the room, releasing a bolt that catches Lamm off guard and sinks deeply into his thigh. Hit, with sneak attack! He howls in pain, clutching his leg and searching for the source of the bolt. ”Yoo!” he hisses, recognizing the girl. ”I should ‘ave killed yoo when I ‘ad the chance!” He raises his crossbow to return the favor. His aim is true, and one of his bolts bursts through Li’s armor. 6 damage to Li. He snorts with glee, reloading in an instant, his hands moving faster than you might have believed possible.

Teron’s cold gaze briefly turns to Jamros as the gnome speaks, and that’s all it takes. The fire in Jamros’s gaze reflects in the boy’s pupils, and he is falling, forever, into a pool of oblivion. He relaxes as the daze spell takes effect, and Mouse almost pushes both of them over before realizing that he has stopped resisting.

Meanwhile the crocodile opens its maw to snap at Garvid, even attempting to climb up out of the river and onto the walkway, but its claws merely slip and fall off the algae-coated wood. The crocodile slips back into the water, unmoving. A noticeable emptiness fills the air, and you realize that Yaziyah has stopped chanting. A soft chuckle escapes her lips. Successful sleep spell v alligator (see below).

Everyone is up! Note that regarding sleep: It only affects 4HD of creatures. “Among creatures with equal HD, those who are closest to the spell’s point of origin are affected first.” This is why the alligator was affected and not Lamm.
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 13/15,
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 7/13
Mouse: 12/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm: ?
Teron: dazed
Gobblegut: asleep

Li winces at the pain but is too consumed by hate to let it slow her. She glares up at Lamm, wishing she could spit that far. As she reloads her crossbow she says, "Ya did kill me...slowly, ev'ry day fer years. But ya shouldn't have sent Kesh an' Teron ta finish yer dirty work. Yer seargent failed ya twice and now it's goin' ta bite ya 'cause I ain't leavin' 'til yer body be cold." As soon as her bolt is in place, she releases it at Lamm.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 8 (Point blank shot)
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (point blank shot)

Well, that attack was useless...

Two questions:

One: How does the possibility of climbing in here look, in order to get up to Lamm? I know it'll leave me more open to attack - that's fine.

Two: If climbing looks like a no-go, could I take one of Teron's daggers and pitch it at Lamm, or would that take a disarm maneuver even though he's dazed?

Climbing looks to be unlikely. He's using magical or alchemical means to be where he is. You can easily take Teron's dagger without a check (move action).

Perfect!

We c'n git 'im - Suddenly, Mouse feels Teron go limp, no longer struggling against her. And after seeing the gnome's abilities earlier and hearing him call out behind her, she suspects Jamros is the cause. She'd have to trust the others would heed her advice and leave him alone for now - besides, they had bigger fish to fry (and not the ones whose rancid smell was still wafting down from above).

Teron's sudden stillness gives Mouse a chance - quickly, she darts her free hand out from behind her shield and wrests the dagger from his grasp, sizing up the distance and giving the knife a flick toward where Lamm sits nestled among the rafters. She'd never had the skill that Teron had had with knives, but they'd played at throwing them before, and she could manage it; besides, at least it was one less dagger that had a chance of being turned back on her.

Thrown dagger attack, damage, cover?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 151d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 61d100 ⇒ 96

Really sorry guys, it's been a hell of a busy week, and so is this one! I'll just draw a weapon for the last round.

"That's Sergeant Constable Brutality to you, empty!", squeezes Garvid through his teeth as he slams his halberd's sharp spike into the rotting, old wood to his side, drawing a complaining creak. He reaches in his coat pocket, drawing a handful of small metal pebbles and a small strap, starting to swing the sling over his head.

-----

Just as he's getting ready, he instinctively steps back from the scaled beast swinging for him. He shouts, just in time to see the Shoanti woman sending the beast down for the count. Smiling at her, he turns towards Lamm. "Hey, f&#*wit! Over here!", he shouts. Wait for the bolt, duck to the left.

Activating Controlled Rage, +4 Dex.

Attack, Sling.: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

I'll re-roll that with the harrow point use. Not going to be much use otherwise.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 Score one for the harrow.

As Garvid spins the sling around, an image pops to his mind. The whimsical bear from the Varisian woman's card, complete with its silly hat, but instead of the sceptre, with a sling in it's hand, standing on a wooden bridge. He chuckles imagining himself as the bear again, letting go of the sling, as the small lead bullet ricochets off of the wooden plank, straight into Lamm's side.

Uh....I was actually casting Doom. I don't know Daze sadly. Sorry, I'll be more specific in the future.

“My dear, remember that vial I gave you? Well I suggest you hand that to our friendly guard here.” Jamros said to Li as he weaved his way through the crowded entrance. His journey ended just above the sleeping alligator, and he stared down Gaedren with the hint of a smile on his face. “I would tell you not to resist, but to be honest its far more fun this way.”

Still smiling in satisfaction at having put the ol' leathersack to sleep, Yaziyah flattens herself against the wall as she makes her way gingerly behind her companions, stopping halfway on the right-hand walkway. Satisfied that she now has a clear shot, she raises her crossbow and takes aim at Lamm.

Against partial concealment, high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 56

The bones stitched on her cloak flare briefly as she calls upon her ancestors for luck. "The reckoning has come, you worm, trading in the misery of others. Enough you have preyed on the weak. They are fighting back; I am their claws."

Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 1 + 8 = 19 Using a hero point.
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

The room was packed, and Cal could barely see in, noting that he really didn't have much choice but to remain in the doorway. Seeing Lamm for the very first time, he saw the poison that just oozed from the man, the chaos and evil that infected everything he touched, and began with a proper ancient anthem decrying the evils of the current system. The bard's instrument was in his hand, and he began the grating and intense melody.

Obligatory Battle Anthem!

Maintain performance, so +1 Attack and Damage, +1 to will saves. I'm going to keep that going until the fight is over, so keep adding it to your attacks. Also, Ghost Sound to fill in the accompaniment.

“My dear, remember that vial I gave you? Well I suggest you hand that to our friendly guard here.” Jamros said to Li as he weaved his way through the crowded entrance. His journey ended just above the sleeping alligator, and he stared down Gaedren with the hint of a smile on his face. “I would tell you not to resist, but to be honest its far more fun this way.”

Li nods and hands the spider climb potion to Garvid once she releases her bolt, not that it did anything useful. "Take tha fight ta him. I'll provide ya cover."

Round 2

Effects:
PCs Inspire Courage +1/+1

Conditions: dim light

Note: I’m including Inspire Courage in your attacks. Aren’t bards cool?

Mouse thinks quick, deftly lifting one of Teron’s daggers from his hand. She twists and launches it up at the ceiling toward Lamm, though it ricochets off of a dangling rope and flies awry. Missed range attack. Garvid, though… The rock from his sling practically sings as it flies, slamming into Lamm’s gut with a solid thwap. The old man yelps in pain, momentarily fumbling his crossbow but catching it before it can fall into the water. ”Why I’ll…” Jamros’s taunting interrupts Lamm’s threat, but the old man merely breaks into a dry, wheezing cackle. Successful will save v. doom. ”What’s ‘is? You’ve brought me anofah half-man? Hookshanks’ll be delighted to ‘ave a girlfriend!” He might have laughed again, but Yazi’s bolt flying at him ends his good mood. As quick as the viper he is, he throws himself flat against the ceiling, crossbow in one hand, and her shot merely pegs the wood floorboard an inch from his skull. Gunslinger’s Dodge to gain +4 AC v. ranged attack--miss!

”You stoopid ingrates!” he screams. ”Teron, boy, stop wastin’ time! Kill the girl!” It looks as though he withdraws a vial from his belt, though you can’t be sure.

Teron snaps to attention, Gaedren’s rasping voice bringin him back to reality. ”You’re wrong!” he hisses, breaking away from Mouse to give himself room to maneuver. A burning pain begins to spread over the top of her hand as an angry red line appears and blood begins to pour. 5 damage to Mouse.. Without missing a beat, his hand darts into his jacket and emerges wielding another knife. He twirls them impressively, resuming his defensive posture. ”Don’t you get it?” he whispers, ”He can’t die! Others’ve tried! Even Pharasma don’t want ‘im. He’ll just come back from the dead, and he’ll remember!” A look of intense fear has overcome Teron’s face; a fear coupled with sadness as he regards Mouse’s wound. ”Like a ghost. One that never forgets a betrayal.”

Everyone is up!
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 13/15,
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 7/13
Mouse: 7/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm: ?
Teron: ?
Gobblegut: asleep

Li allows Calcedon's music to flood her senses and it infuses her with renewed confidence after her last shot went wide. Loading her crossbow as quickly as her fingers will allow, Li once again aims at Lamm who remains out of reach and sends another bolt flying.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 26 (point blank shot and Calcedon's song)
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
confirm critical: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 25
damage,crit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Huzzah!

Jamros did smile then, bringing his crossbow to bear as he giggled madly. “Oh didn't you hear? Lady Death is the only woman in Hookshank’s life now, I'm afraid.” he said as he pulled the trigger.
crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Cursing softly as her shot barely misses the villain, Yaziyah ponders for a couple of seconds as she reloads her crossbow. It was odd how Lamm was perching on the ceiling - held up by magic? As fast as he seemed to be and with who knows what manner of magic protecting him, she thought her chances of actually hitting him were slim at best, but perhaps maintaining a constant barrage of bolts would allow others to make a better move.

At Teron's remark she snorts. "I can see why The Lady of Graves would not want such scum to tarnish Her realm. But fear not, there are other deities of death who are far less picky. And I know how to put a ghost to rest." She smiles grimly as she aims another shot at Lamm.

1d100 ⇒ 18
Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 1 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

She'd hoped that she could change his mind, make him see that it was possible, that Lamm wasn't the god they'd worshipped all their childhoods. But as his knife flashes along her hand, memories flood back, of a day on one of the wooden platforms of the Shingles where the same knife had cut into her flesh, aimed at her heart...yet that heart beat still. She wouldn't give in to his hopelessness. May be just some nothin' empty, but I made it so far.

Bringing her shield to bear between her and Teron, she swung her knee from beneath the skull's broad nose, aiming to incapacitate him as quickly as possible the best way she knew how - with a solid shot to the stomach, painful but not likely to kill. But at the last moment, a strange pang of regret twisted in her own gut, and her kick went hopelessly wide; she knew he would aim to kill, as he had before...but she just couldn't do it. Not after seeing the missing fingers.

Unarmed strike attack, non-lethal damage with Inspire Courage: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 71d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11

Mother *bleep*er, and it could've been a one-shot knockout, too...do you use critical fumbles, Wicked?

Mother *bleep*er, and it could've been a one-shot knockout, too...do you use critical fumbles, Wicked?

Nooooooo.. But do you waaaaant me to??? ;)

Being that there isn't much room to do anything for me here, and I foolishly don't have a ranged weapon, I'm just going to continue playing the violin and hit Gaedren with a Daze. It's the best I can do. I am 25' from him, so I'll just do that. Just keep that music pumpin'!

Garvid grins at Li as he grabs the potion and drinks it up. "God that's disgusting.", he mutters, as he picks up his halberd and feels the heft against his palm, the familiar weight leaving him with a grin on his face as he takes a step towards the column, turning upwards towards Lamm. "That's just perfect then, maggot. I'll bring you at her doorstep, then you'll make the step yourself.", he says as his unnaturally heavy palm grips the column.

Standard to drink, Move to draw, dropping the sling and a 5ft. step towards the column.

Rage: 3/6

Round 3

Effects:
PCs Inspire Courage +1/+1

Conditions: dim light

Calcedon’s stirring anthem weaves through the air, its undeniable majesty contrasting sharply with the indigent scenery. Now more determined than ever, Li takes a moment to steady her aim, zeroing in on Gaedren’s aged body amid the shadows. At the last moment, she adjusts just to the right, then lets her bolt fly. Her calculations are correct, as Gaedren jerks in that direction, and the bolt impales him with a sickening, wet sound. He gasps in agony, his blood now dripping freely into the waters below. The alligator stirs but does not awaken.

Jamros, intending to finish this madness, fires his own bolt, though Gaedren’s prone position on the ceiling has made him even more difficult to target. The shot slams into wood and sends splinters flying. Missed ranged.

Yazi, too, struggles in the dark conditions, and her bolt also ineffectually bores into the floorboards. Missed ranged.

Gaedren twists around, his eyes locked on Li, his bloodied lips twisted in an insane grin. ”I’m done playin’ cat ‘n mouse. Time to meet yoor maker, girl.” Li can see the hatred in his eyes and knows he will not miss. Yet, he does not fire. He doesn’t do anything. He simply stares. Li realizes that he is not looking at her, but just beyond her, to the bard at her back, whose eyes now glow with a strange light. Failed Will save v. Daze.

Garvid gives his ominous pronouncement, then begins his climb up the piling. It is old but sturdy and bears his weight with ease. It will take you 1 round to reach Lamm at his current position.

Teron glances nervously up at Lamm, as the old man has clearly reached a disadvantage. Mouse takes advantage of this opportunity and lashes out with her knee. Teron narrowly avoids the blow, almost losing his balance in the process. His eyes dart wildly as he weighs his options.

”Dis ain’t right!” he whispers wildly. ”If you do kill ‘im, what...what’s to come of us? We’re just empties!” He grips his knives, ready to strike at her, then bites his lip and loosens them. His eyes turn to the others, now crowded into the room. ”Looks like you ‘ave new friends now. Those that won’t stab you in the back. Maybe they’ll protect you. Maybe they won’t. We’ll see who lives the longest.” With that, he dives into the filthy water, disappearing below its surface to join the alligator, sharks, and gods know what else. Withdraw action, no AoO.

Everyone is up!
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 13/15
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 7/13
Mouse: 7/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm: dazed
Teron: ?
Gobblegut: asleep

Calcedon keeps playing the violin furiously, shouting encouragement to his new friends. "Now is the chance! Press our advantage!"

Out of tricks, but can still keep up the performance.

As Teron withdraws into the water, Mouse feels a strange mix of sadness...and relief. At least she doesn't have to knock him cold again this time. And no longer needing to shield everyone else from Teron, she's free to go for the real reason they're here - the miserable old sinner secreted in the room's rafters. Pulling her sling free from where it's tied around her belt, she digs a metal pellet from a pouch on her hip and settles it into the sling's saddle. This one's comin' for ya, Lamm! she cries out, starting to whirl the sling around.

Move action to draw sling, move action to load sling, free action to taunt ineffectually.

As Li reloads her crossbow yet again, she voices her thanks to Calcedon. "Ya saved me from hurt. Thanks fer watchin' me back." Having Lamm dazed, Li shoots another bolt at him and hopes they can end this before the gator wakes up.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 7 (point blank shot and Calcedon's song
damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6 (point blank shot and Calcedon's song

I just realised that it'd probably been a better idea for Garvid to keep shooting and for Marial to climb up the pillars, for both one-handed combat skill and action efficiency. Now that I pointed that out and sated the many-fanged rollplaying beast deep inside, here comes the post.

Garvid grunts as his palm grows hairs. I just hope it goes back to normal after... He grips on the planks as nimbly as a monkey, finally managing to climb as high as he can get.

He pulls himself up from the ledge, staring Lamm in the eye. "I'm giving you one last chance to drop your weapons and come willingly, Lamm.", he shouts, brushing aside a cobweb from his face. "Don't really know why.", he adds, mostly to himself, as he balances next to the pathetic excuse of a man, breathing in the rancid smell of his breath. I've waited months to get this close to you...and I'll savour it.

Rage: 4/6

Jamros promptly loaded another bolt, unfazed by his missed shot. The end will only be sweeter. he thought as he loosed another shot.
crossbow;damage: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 81d6 ⇒ 6

I just realised that it'd probably been a better idea for Garvid to keep shooting and for Marial to climb up the pillars, for both one-handed combat skill and action efficiency. Now that I pointed that out and sated the many-fanged rollplaying beast deep inside, here comes the post.

Eh, possibly, but I was busy meatshielding to keep another combatant as far out of the fight as possible. ;)

Round 4

Effects:
PCs Inspire Courage +1/+1

Conditions: dim light

Calcedon’s inspired performance continues to play as first Li, then Yaziyah Jamros continue to rain bolts upon Lamm’s concealed position on the ceiling. Botting Yazi to fire crossbow--miss. Mouse’s threats bounce off of him, unnoticed, as he stares vacantly into space.

As Garvid crawls along the ceiling, though, Lamm’s wits return to him. His greasy, tangled hair obscures much of his face, but he is unmistakeable. He is unwashed, reeking of fish and piss. He begins to visibly tremble as Garvid draws near. ”Now wait, let’s work sumfin’ out! Dis don’t ‘ave ta end in violence. I’m just a businessman, ya see. ‘Tweren’t nuffin personal! A man of the law such as yoorself wouldn’t strike an unarmed civilian!” To prove his point, he releases his crossbow, which splashes into the water below.

”There are witnesses!” He exclaims as Garvid draws closer, yet makes no movement to flee. Perhaps he is simply aware that escape has become an impossibility. ”You wouldn’t!”

Yet as Garvid comes close, the old man’s filthy hand unsheathes a blade and slashes at the guardsman. While he aims for the eyes, Garvid reflexively raises his arm, and the shortsword cuts his cheek. 1 damage to Garvid. ”You aren’t man enough to kill me!” Lamm shrieks at the top of his lungs.

The alligator, still under effects of Yaziyah’s sleep spell, floats silently below.

Everyone is up!
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 12/15
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 7/13
Mouse: 7/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm: dazed
Teron: ?
Gobblegut: asleep

"Throw him down here, guard man! We all want a piece of his filthy hide!" shouts Yaziyah as she sets aside her crossbow. Her now free hands gesture, sketching in the air a tale of beatings and torture, probably very much akin to what Lamm has inflicted on his victims over the years. "This is the final season of your life; and you are reaping nothing but death."

Cast Daze, DC 14 Will.

Grimly, Mouse lets the sling bullet fly, reloading the saddle with a practiced motion as she watches the metal pellet zip through the rafters. She'd practiced with it plenty, shooting at rats...and after all, it was the biggest rat of all she was shooting at now, wasn't it? It don't take no man no more - even a little empty girl c'n do it!

Sling attack, damage, cover percentage with inspire courage: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 181d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 71d100 ⇒ 95

Wouldn't Lamm provoke by drawing? Use the same roll if he doesn't.
Attack of Opportunity, gauntlet, bardic bardiness: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 42
Damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Garvid swings his armoured fist as Lamm reaches for the sword, but slips on the plank, narrowly managing to maintain his balance and soften the blow. "I never said I was, Lamm.", he grins, swinging the halberd around and thrusting the blunt handle towards Lamm with a vicious motion.

Attack, power attack, non-lethal, courage: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 - 1 + 1 = 21
Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 59
Damage: 1d10 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 1 = 16

The hilt impacts Lamm's chest with the horrifying crunch of broken ribs, as the smell of piss intensifies in the damp rafters. Garvid swings the halberd around with finesse,

If we take him in alive, what are we going to do? Give him to the guard, and he risks getting away. But letting the other lynch him doesn't sit right with me either., Garvid thinks as he glances over Yazi, Li and Mouse.

Rage: 5/6

No, drawing a weapon generally doesn't provoke.

Lamm's plea for mercy fuels Li's anger and she practically yells at Lamm. "Ya never stopped tha violence 'gainst us. Ya liked causin' us pain. This witness wants ta see ya dead."

Li wills all her anger into the bolt she loads and sends it straight at Lamm's heart.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23 (Point blank shot and inspire courage)
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (Point blank shot and inspire courage)

Assuming Lamms dead.
Nothing….Jamros felt nothing at all as he witnessed the body go limp. He thought that he would at least feel jubilation at the rat's death, but in its place was that profound sense of emptiness, his frequent companion. He leaned wearily on Glenda and quietly inspected his shoes. Well, at least I didn't get much blood on my shoes today. he thought, and that notion improved his mood slightly.

Round 5

Effects:

Conditions: dim light

”...enough to kill m…” Lamm’s blood-spattered lips freeze in a perpetual “m” as Yazi’s final incantation takes effect. Time slows to a crawl as Mouse’s bullet, Li’s bolt, and Garvid’s halberd all fly through the air, propelled by a common purpose, a shared goal. The blows strike practically in unison, and the dark, hateful light in Lamm’s gaze fades to a dull, lifeless stare. Whatever magic adhered him to ceiling fades, and his limp body spills from the rafters and crashes onto the muddy bank of the river below.

Combat is over!
___________________________

PC Status
Calcedon: 11/11
Garvid: 12/15
Jamros: 13/13
Li: 7/13
Mouse: 7/12
Yazi: 10/10

NPC Status
Lamm: dead
Gobblegut: asleep

"If you don't want to tangle with that beast in the water, I suggest we all get out of here soon. Or you can slit its throat and get some new boots for the young ones." Yaziyah shrugs, her eyes fixed on Lamm's body sprawling in the muck. "My work here is done. He'll threaten my people no longer. I'll be heading back to Zellara to bring her the news." The woman makes for the exit, moving with the same deliberate care as before. Her shoulders are slumping and exhaustion has etched deep lines in her face. I expected to feel more satisfaction, but I just feel tired.

Yazi starts moving out, but doesn't leave her companions too far behind.

She'd expected it to feel good to take out the old tyrant...but as he crashes from the ceiling to land in the water below, strangely, a sense of...guilt washes over Mouse, with confusion riding on the wave. She'd hated the man - she knew his cruelty better than any, and the boy that had darted into the water several moments ago was living proof, his missing fingers still a grotesque reminder in Mouse's mind. But...for all his cruelty, he was the closest thing to a parent Mouse had ever had. He'd been everything to her, for years...and now he was gone, just like that. It didn't even seem possible.

At Yazi's reminder about Lamm's cruel pet, she stares into the water to see the sleeping reptile; for a moment she considers going down to end the thing herself, but one look at the murky water sends a shudder through her. Anyone got a arrow t'put between its eyes? Or's someone gonna have t' go down there t' finish it off quick-like? Because, as it turns out, you can coup de grace with a bow or crossbow, but not a sling or thrown weapon.

Once croc's taken care of...

With that, Mouse's eyes travel up from the murky water to the room Gaedren had set up as his lair and the junk piled on the tables - her only inheritance from her cruel "father". Wait, Miss Yazi...we oughta see if there's nothin' worth grabbin' in here...otherwise it'll jus' sit in 'ere forever, where it ain't doin' anyone no good... She moves to the heaps on the tables and begins to carefully pick through, looking for anything that looks to still have some value.

Seeing the blighted person fall to the riverbank, Calcedon breathed a sigh of relief. As Yazi stated her piece, he gave her an incredulous look. The problem was that he had gone through this before, and he knew that the work was only beginning. "Garvid, If you would be so kind as to end the crocodile. It's a danger to people in this city, and I doubt we know anyone with enough expertise to be able to retrain it not to eat people. We have just a few second until it wakes up and becomes a problem."

Looking again to Yazi, he began again but broadening his stance to include the whole bunch of them. "You're welcome to leave, of course before we split the spoils of our war. But you should all know that this isn't my first revenge mission. We still have business to attend to. Lamm might have been evil, but he had connections. We don't know what those are, and it would behoove us to figure it out. If we will not, someone else could easily take over where he left off."

He gestured up with his bow hand, stirring it a little as he spoke. "As for me, I'm going to collect as many of those children I can and take them to my house. If they scatter, they'll end up picking pockets for someone else just as bad. I recommend the rest of you help me or take a look around and see if we can figure out if he knew any rotten public official that covered for him, or possibly if he had much gold around here. Feeding children is fairly expensive if you do it right." He waved his violin over his shoulder as he walked cautiously down the boardwalk that took him back around to the street level.

Since I'm kinda busy, I'll post what Cal will do after we hash it out in conversation in case I can't get to it properly when it's time.

Calcedon took his time getting across the slick paths, but as he went, he did something that was more natural to him than breathing. His violin sang out a song, slow and strong, calling to the children to get their attention. Should they hear it, should they listen, perhaps they would stay long enough for him to reach them with his words. He stepped in front of the building hoping they would at least gather out of sight.

Perform String: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

As he finished his melody of hope, he called out to the children that were anywhere near. "Lamm is now dead, but you are not alone. You are all welcome to come to my house and learn a trade. Art requires nimble fingers and quick minds. The pay is better if you are skilled, and it is far less dangerous. If art isn't appealing to you and you're more of a strong arm type, I have a couple docks that could use workers as well.

"I can understand if you're skeptical, but I know what it is like to be mistreated too." The violinist pulled off his gloves, showing his missing fingers. "I'm willing to swap stories and show you how much I've suffered from someone who has used my talents to enrich himself. But he's now gone. Both of them are gone, and if we band together we can make something better. Come with me and build a life where you know where your next meal is coming from and make a place of your own where you can be comfortable. Step into the light and have a better tomorrow."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Feeding children is fairly expensive if you do it right.

At the comment, the ghost of a sad smile plays around Mouse's lips. What makes y'think he done it right? she muses aloud, remembering nights where the half-rotten fish heads meant for the slurry pit were also their only meals. They weren't so bad cooked over a small fire - the woodsmoke flavor covered up the rancid taste.

"I don't." The bard said with an encouraging smile. "That's why I think he probably has gold around here. I'll need some of it to feed them properly though. I might come from a noble house, but I'm not made of money."

Yaziyah makes an unconcerned gesture at Mouse's mention of loot, but stops in her tracks at Calcedon's words, a hand over her face. "You shame me. I was so intent on ending his threat... The children. Of course. I will come with you, see if any of them are ones I know and whose families miss them. And even if they don't have families, my people can take some of them in. I'll make sure of it."

Out in the street, she sits on her haunches next to the bard as he plays his violin, the weasel sniffing the air. If children are slow to come forward or don't come at all. "You know many stories, young man? You know the tale of the seven klars?" And without waiting for a response she starts spinning the story about the aftermath of a great battle, the seven warchiefs working in concert and recognizing each other's strengths. It is a tale about trust and working together, which she punctuates with gestures of her hands. Her voice rings clear in the quiet of the night, so that anyone nearby with ears might hear and profit from this wisdom of her people.

Perform oratory: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14