DM Blayde MacRonan's Giantslayer... The Strange Adventures of Team Ruby (Private Campaign) (Inactive)

Game Master Blayde MacRonan

Liesel-Marie's single-mindedly trying to get to where the child is with all haste. She knows that will likely leave her friends trying to catch up, but she's hoping to forestall something terrible happening to Ruby long enough for more reinforcements to arrive. Do I have enough information to make a post at this time? I trust your judgement if you want to bot her hauling butt toward Ruby's last known location.

Liesel-Marie's single-mindedly trying to get to where the child is with all haste. She knows that will likely leave her friends trying to catch up, but she's hoping to forestall something terrible happening to Ruby long enough for more reinforcements to arrive. Do I have enough information to make a post at this time? I trust your judgement if you want to bot her hauling butt toward Ruby's last known location.

Those who have made it through the smoke corridor are currently only really hampered with regard to movement by distance and knowledge of where the destination is located when it comes to determining your actions. Of the three characters that have made it thus far, only Kytynna and Liesel-Marie know where the Longhouse is located (Nogusta, being a rather sudden recent addition to Trunau, would need someone to show him the way). From your current location, the Inner Gates are a good 160 feet away. Once through, the Longhouse is then about another 400 feet, for a grand total of about 560 feet (maybe a little more than that). Taking into account movement speeds (with the assumption that the characters are hauling their keisters), it would take both Kyt and our Erutaki Warrior Princess about 3 rounds to arrive at the Longhouse, with the elf arriving first as she is the faster of the two, and Nogusta would bring up the rear by arriving 7 rounds after that. I say 7 because I assume that the cleric would get directions from the guards and priests stationed at the barricade just before the Inner Gates on where to go. That gets reduced by 1 round if a member of Team Ruby acts as his guide, since you'd be moving at his slower speed. And just in case the rest of Team Ruby needs to know how many rounds it would take them to arrive at the Longhouse after they make it through the smoke corridor, the answer is 4.

If you're needing a landmark or two to draw upon for your post, then know that The Flame of the Fallen (which the Team lit earlier) is near the Longhouse and the open-air amphitheater that is The Commons (where the tug-of-war took place) will be visible on your right between buildings as you make your way there.

Hope that helps!

No change to the plan. Liesel-Marie will go all-out to reach the Longhouse as quickly as possible. She leaves thinking and planning to thinkers and planners. She goes by the most direct route known to her.

Liesel-Marie's single-mindedly trying to get to where the child is with all haste. She knows that will likely leave her friends trying to catch up, but she's hoping to forestall something terrible happening to Ruby long enough for more reinforcements to arrive. Do I have enough information to make a post at this time? I trust your judgement if you want to bot her hauling butt toward Ruby's last known location.

I'm focusing on the highlighted portion of Liesel-Marie's post with this response, because I feel like we've been miscommunicating with one another on this matter. I've been giving out information that I felt Liesel-Marie would need in order to post, but I'm not sure that she's seen it, so I've put it all together below to be drawn upon for when the player makes their post.

Liesel-Marie would recognize this area as where she and the other members of Team Ruby rescued barkeep Rabus from being trapped within the bar known as The Killin' Ground as well as assisting the dwarf, Councilor Agrit Staginsdar, in keeping fellow councilor and wife Sara Morninghawk from burning to death within the Staginsdar household. It is also the area where the pitched battle with the orcs took place before the energy eruption of the woman in black sent them... elsewhere. Even now, her skin experiences a slight prickling sensation (as will the other members of Team Ruby except Nogusta that make it back to this point) that causes the hair on her arms to stand on end. The Longhouse is beyond this area, past the Inner Quarter beacon and southern barricade, through the gates separating the Inner Quarter from the Upper Quarter. The Flame of the Fallen, another beacon, is near it.

Those who have made it through the smoke corridor are currently only really hampered with regard to movement by distance and knowledge of where the destination is located when it comes to determining your actions. Of the three characters that have made it thus far, only Kytynna and Liesel-Marie know where the Longhouse is located (Nogusta, being a rather sudden recent addition to Trunau, would need someone to show him the way). From your current location, the Inner Gates are a good 160 feet away. Once through, the Longhouse is then about another 400 feet, for a grand total of about 560 feet (maybe a little more than that). Taking into account movement speeds (with the assumption that the characters are hauling their keisters), it would take both Kyt and our Erutaki Warrior Princess about 3 rounds to arrive at the Longhouse, with the elf arriving first as she is the faster of the two, and Nogusta would bring up the rear by arriving 7 rounds after that. I say 7 because I assume that the cleric would get directions from the guards and priests stationed at the barricade just before the Inner Gates on where to go. That gets reduced by 1 round if a member of Team Ruby acts as his guide, since you'd be moving at his slower speed. And just in case the rest of Team Ruby needs to know how many rounds it would take them to arrive at the Longhouse after they make it through the smoke corridor, the answer is 4.

If you're needing a landmark or two to draw upon for your post, then know that The Flame of the Fallen (which the Team lit earlier) is near the Longhouse and the open-air amphitheater that is The Commons (where the tug-of-war took place) will be visible on your right between buildings as you make your way there.

With all due respect, repeating information that is apparently insufficient to your audience does little to improve communication. I think I’ve already stated what Liesel-Marie will do as clearly as I can. I am not providing coordinates because I don’t know what they are. I’m not being stealthy. I’m not being subtle. I’m not trying to be tactical. I am hauling my warrior princess backside with all haste in the most direct route from wherever I am in Trunau through whatever barriers, living, undead, or inanimate, to the Longhouse where I think Ruby is in danger. If there is anything or anyone in my way, I’m not hearing it in your description. I realize I won’t be there this round or next.

With all due respect, repeating information that is apparently insufficient to your audience does little to improve communication. I think I’ve already stated what Liesel-Marie will do as clearly as I can. I am not providing coordinates because I don’t know what they are. I’m not being stealthy. I’m not being subtle. I’m not trying to be tactical. I am hauling my warrior princess backside with all haste in the most direct route from wherever I am in Trunau through whatever barriers, living, undead, or inanimate, to the Longhouse where I think Ruby is in danger. If there is anything or anyone in my way, I’m not hearing it in your description. I realize I won’t be there this round or next.

And there is... the priest and soldiers stationed at the barricade. The same ones that Nogusta would have to deal with. Liesel-Marie will have to deal with them too. Not to mention she has go through the Inner Gate to get where she wants to go. Because she's not going to be able to just run through them, as they're closed off. It's not a question of providing coordinates. That's not what I've been asking for. I've been asking for an in-character post from you, not an ooc post. Because you're going to have deal with the soldiers in character in order to go through and you can do this in one round thanks to being able to cover the 160-foot distance in that amount of time. If I haven't been making that clear, then that's on me and I apologise for that.

Other than an oblique reference that Nogusta would be able to ask for directions, I have not registered that any of us would be needing to interact with anyone else.

Clear of the devil-smoke, Liesel-Marie take huge gulps of fresh air to power her on a sprint through town. As she comes in sight of the barricade, she sees familiar faces, steeled for battle and showing concern for defenders on the front line.

Don’t slow me now! She shouts, ”Ruby! They’ve sent their hired killers after her!” Posting on my phone from the road. I’ve lost the name of Ruby’s mother, but Liesel-Marie’s next line would be: ”They seek to attack ________ through her daughter! We must stop them!” As she runs, she reaches up to fish the hopeknife on its chain from the collar of her shirt.

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

I often forget that as DM, because I have to remember everything, that my players forget things, especially when a significant amount of time has passed. Such was the case earlier. And for that I apologise. Yet another thing I'll work on as we continue forward. And speaking of continuing forward, let's get this back on track.

Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Gorewillow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Vegazi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Silvermane: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ogash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Kelseph: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Boo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ooruk: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Characters with strikethroughs will not be taking actions this round.

Liesel-Marie

Clear of the devil-smoke, Liesel-Marie takes huge gulps of fresh air to power her on a sprint through town. As she comes in sight of the barricade, she sees familiar faces, steeled for battle and showing concern for defenders on the front line.

Insert Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature

Don’t slow me now! She shouts, ”Ruby! They’ve sent their hired killers after her!” As she drew closer, the Erutaki continues. ”They seek to attack Halgra through her daughter! We must stop them!” As she runs, she reaches up to fish the hopeknife on its chain from the collar of her shirt.

One of the guards posted at the barricade, a tall, burly fellow, turned to face the gates and cups his hands around his mouth before yelling, Let her through!

As Liesel-Marie nears the gates, she can see the militia members scrambling to raise the portcullis that would allow her entry into the Commons portion of upper Trunau. But it was plain to her that, despite the frantic pace the men set for themselves, given how fast she is moving, they wouldn't get the obstruction up enough for her to clear it without stopping.

I'm going to roll an Acrobatics check for Liesel-Marie. The ground is slightly obstructed due to gravel (+2), slightly wet from the rain (+2), and slightly sloped (+2). Adding all of those modifiers to the base DC of 5, Liesel-Marie needs to roll at least an 11 to pull off this move. Note that while her armor check penalty would also come into play, I'm invoking the "rule of cool" and disregarding it this go round. Let's see what she gets:

Liesel-Marie Acrobatics check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Undaunted, the Erutaki calls upon her inner flame and throws herself forward in an attempt to roll beneath the rising portcullis. Time to seems to slow in that moment. Liesel-Marie could feel the bottom of the gate lightly scrape along the length of her javelin quiver before she put her shoulder to the ground and, with natural athleticism, rolls to her feet without losing any of her momentum or speed.

She has cleared the gate and is on her way to the Longhouse.

Ogash

Her ears still ringing from being hit in the head by the stone, Ogash tried to gather herself to deal with the threat of the Devil-Sword Vegazi. The lizard, which had up to this point been her ally, lay dead before her. The creature's pain-filled screeching before it went down had had all the indicators that it would have been as much a threat to her as it had been to Vegazi if didn't get taken down.

Her worry became justified when the light of life returned to the lizard's eyes moments before it rose back up to snap at the Steel Maiden.

Monitor Lizard bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23; -3 due to Critical threshold.
bite damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Grab attempt: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15; -3 due to Critical threshold.

Both blinded and maddened by pain, the reptile sprang at Ogash, latching its maw on her shoulder. Despite the protective scales of her armor, the Steel Maiden could feel the pressure exerted on the joint. But the arm the maddened beast had attack had been the one carrying her shield, not her good weapon arm.

Ogash's handaxe attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17; -2 due to Wounded threshold.
handaxe damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Fighting through the intense pain, Ogash rained blow after blow on the head of the lizard. She did not stop until the reptile's thrashing came to an end. With a grimace, Ogash pried the dead lizard's jaws from her shoulder. Her wolf mount stood back up now that it was free of the excess weight. Ogash turned just in time to see the Devil-Sword springing at her, swords leading.

To be resolved on Vegazi's turn...

Next up is Rohan, followed by Nyym.

As the Erutaki rolls through the narrow gap and regains her feet, she yells, "Others are coming, too! They should be close behind me!"

Having spoken to the dm and gotten his permistion, i will go ahead and post.

Nyym watch as Kyt surged forward with remarkable speed and disappear into the smoke. Knowing the he too needed to gdt a move on. He focused on his basic aerokinesis to summon whatever aid he could get.

Nocusta, i hope you are clear. If not, them I'm sorry.

With that thought, Nyym inhaled and covered his face with a cloth of his own and then he too bolted into the mass of unnatural smoke. Moving as fast as posible to get through and get to Ruby.

fortitude: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 2 = 13

Nyym to will move at the 4 times his normal speed as he is wearing light armor.

Due to the imminent threat of Hurricane Florence, a few of us (including myself) may be unavailable for a while. Of course, this will largely depend on how severe the storm will be once it makes landfall and how it will affect power lines and such.

However, I have gone ahead and updated the Inner Quarter map to take into account movement done and actions taken. It's something I've been meaning to do, but haven't really had time for between work and prepping for the storm. This will include Nyym's most recent post and will be updated in the event that Rohan takes his action.

In the mean time, those of us who are not caught in the track of Florence will hopefully keep those of us who are in your thoughts, and, where applicable, in your prayers. I hope that the time away will not be overly long, but there's really no telling as of this moment.

I'm pleased to say that those of us who were in the path of Florence came through it relatively fine. We're trying to get ourselves situated, but hopefully that won't take very long. In the mean time, let's see about getting this back on track. My next post, provided that he hasn't done so himself, will be me botting Rohan (though since the player was one of the ones caught in the hurricane's path, he may be focused more on his situation than the game). We'll see.

"Not a hundred percent on where Rohan is exactly but I will assume he is on the way behind liesel trying to get through the gate to Ruby"

Rohan new that help was needed up a head and it was a long stretch to get there but his legs carried him forward with the only momentum that he had left in his arsonal. The long legs dashed forward and followed Liesel under the gate as he slid right behind her as quick as he could, his coat dragging across the ground like a rushing wind.

acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

His grace was with him at this time barely coming into contact with the gate as he arrived. He quickly came to a stance as he arrived on the other side, following Liesel to Team Ruby. There wasn't more that he could do but follow in her footsteps. She was making better ground then he could but he tried everything he could to keep up with her.

"I think liesel is right and repeating what we have said is really daunting text to read. I feel like I am reading everything twice. It would be nice if you focused more on what we see and what attacking us and let us do our own actions."

"Other then that great game so far. Sorry for long disappearance I have been preoccupied with many other things. But I should be back for regular post."

Glad you're back. If you look on the updated map, you'll see that Rohan is nowhere near Liesel-Marie, Nogusta, and Kytynna. He hasn't gone through the smoke corridor yet.

Hazard: The noxious fumes of the alchemical smoke make travel through this area dangerous, if not outright lethal. The smoke obscures vision within the area marked on the map, granting concealment to creatures inside the cloud. The smoke is also laden with alchemical irritants, and all creatures within the cloud take a –5 penalty on sight-based Perception checks.

While going through the corridor, a DC 10 Fortitude check needs to be made. Failing once leaves the character nauseated (unable to attack, cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do anything else requiring attention, with the only action that can be taken is a single move action per turn) for 1 round. Next round you'll be given another opportunity at Fortitude checks, though the DC will be a 11 rather than a 10. Failing the check a second time (and each failure thereafter) will result in being nauseated for 1 round and taking 1d6 points of nonlethal damage. Holding his breath will gain Rohan a +2 circumstance bonus on his Fortitude check; covering his mouth with wet cloth or a similar material grants a +1 equipment bonus on the check. And yes, both actions can be taken to gain each bonus to the roll.

A successful check means Rohan can take a double move action to get through the smoke corridor. If he's not able to clear the corridor with the double move, then he'll have to make another Fortitude check on the following round.

It's important to note that the squares on the Inner Quarter map are 10 feet, not the usual 5 feet that players are accustomed to, so take that into account when making your move.

This applies to Aodhán and Mesa as well, as they have yet to attempt the check.

Ok I see

Rohan then tries to make a dash through the smoke infested corridor. He holds his breath and also covers his mouth with his cape to avoid exposure.

Fort: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 3 = 32 Equipment bonus of +3

Avoid previous post then

I think that makes the saving throw :)

Welcome back. And nice roll!

I actually don’t have a problem with the summaries. I treat them as a reset of sorts, expecting them to bring together everything that has transpired since the last one. I just hadn’t caught on that there was some more needed than going from point A to point B.

Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Gorewillow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Vegazi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Silvermane: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ogash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Kelseph: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Boo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ooruk: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Insert Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature

Rohan
Upon seeing the sinister obstacle ahead, Rohan attempted to dash through the smoke infested corridor. He held his breath and also covered his mouth with his cape to avoid exposure.

As he made his way through, the big man's eyes began to water from unusual nature of the smoke. But that served only to cause him to pick up the pace of movement.

Rohan passed his Fortitude check and is able to move through the smoke. Assuming that he's hauling keister, that would put him past where Kyt and Nogusta are and put him about 20 feet from the well on the Inner Quarter map.

Nyym
Nyym watched as Kyt surged forward with remarkable speed and disappeared into the smoke. Knowing that he to needed to get a move on, the half-drow focused on his aerokinetic abilities to summon whatever aid he could get.

Nogusta, I hope you are clear. If not, them I'm sorry.

With that thought, Nyym inhaled and covered his face with a cloth of his own and then he too bolted into the mass of unnatural smoke, moving as fast as possible to get through and get to Ruby.

I already accounted for Nyym's successful Fortitude check and subsequent movement in my map update before the storm, so nothing more need be said here.

Boo
As the plucky cockerel readied itself to continue moving to find his friend, Boo noticed that another of the big folk (this one bigger than big) had gone into the area it had come just came from.

A moment later, Boo saw two others. One was a big folk that the cockerel was not familiar with. The last was the one he'd been searching for, but in its eyes, she seemed different somehow.

Insert Music: Peter Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet, Love Theme

The golden-headed cockerel ran toward Mesa, the effort seeming to take far longer due than it should due to the overwhelming happiness in it's heart.

Aodhán
Only barely noting the presence of the large rooster, the Chelish bouncer focused on the task of following Rohan through the roiling mass of poisonous smoke. With a gulp of inhaled air, Aodhán began his run toward the dark mass.

Aodhán's Fortitude check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24; +2 circumstance bonus due to holding his breath.

Like Rohan, Aodhán successfully passed his Fortitude check and is able to move through the smoke. Since he's definitely hauling keister, that would also put him past where Kyt and Nogusta are and next to Rohan (either above or below, to be determined on the next update).

Insert Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature

Ooruk
So caught up in his own pouting was Ooruk that the cave giant failed to notice the arrival of two individuals. The first was sleek, lithe, and clad in a cowled longcoat. There was an unnatural grace to his movements. And with each step taken, a mass of white-furred bushy tails seemed to flick the air behind him.

It would seem the half-orc anticipated someone coming after him, said the newcomer. How quaintly clever! He then turned to his companion.

Be a dear and deal with this while I attend to matters inside.

The other arrival, who towered over the first, merely grunted. He had a wide yet compact physique that gave him a burly appearance and was dressed in a deep brown silk tunic that ran to the knees with a single long sleeve and reddish-brown pants.

The smaller one smiled, revealing teeth flecked with blood. Remember, we can't fully reveal our presence here. So don't go beyond the first stage unless its absolutely necessary.

Seemingly irritated, the larger one glanced down at his companion, but only for a moment. It's just a cave giant. Won't take more than that.

Then I shall let you get to it then. And with that, the smaller one ran around the edge of the pool at the bottom of the Hopespring’s waterfall toward the hole that had been gouged into the side of Bloodmarch Hill.

The larger one knelt down and scooped up a handful of dirt that he began to knead like dough until it had been formed into a ball. After taking careful aim, the man threw it at Ooruk, hitting it right in the giant's tusked face.

The act had the desired reaction. Ooruk whirled around looking to see what had happened. When his eyes came to rest on the man, Ooruk clapped gleefully, creating an awful din between his splashing in the pool and the rattling of the chains bound to his wrists. He moved as fast as his thick legs would carry him through the water until the cave giant stood before his newly arrived play-person.

The burly man looked up from Ooruk's navel to stare into the cave giant's face, a bit put off by the larger one's playful demeanor.

Eager to get some fun-time in with its newly arrived play-person, Ooruk lashed out with the chains on its arms.

Chain Swing 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Chain Swing 1 critical confirmation roll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15; confirmation roll did not hit, no critical.
Chain damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 = 13
Chain Swing 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Chain damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

The offensive odor of the giant, along with the quickness with which it moved, caught the burly man somewhat by surprise as the first length of chain hit him squarely on the side of his face, drawing a line of blood from the contact. However, the smaller man was more than prepared for the second length, allowing it to wrap around his right forearm with an eerie metallic clank while leaving the hand of that arm free.

With a snarl etched upon his bleeding face, the burly man launched a series of shots with his left hand at Ooruk's body

Mysterious Burly Man's Fist flurry 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Fist damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 65d12 ⇒ (11, 12, 9, 1, 10) = 43
Mysterious Burly Man's Fist flurry 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
Fist damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 95d12 ⇒ (10, 3, 4, 5, 1) = 23
Mysterious Burly Man's Fist flurry 3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Fist damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 115d12 ⇒ (3, 1, 2, 10, 5) = 21
Mysterious Burly Man's Fist flurry 4: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Fist damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 65d12 ⇒ (3, 7, 8, 4, 7) = 29

The smaller man repeated slammed Ooruk right where he envisioned its kidneys would be. The first hit caused the cave giant's eyes to widen as it felt several internal organs rupture from the powerful blow. The second shot caused Ooruk to nearly lose consciousness.

With an arrogant smirk, the burly man allowed the length of chain that had been wrapped around his right arm to slide off and hit the ground before assuming a more offensive stance before the smelly, angry, and confused cave giant.

Next up is Kyt, who will bring this round to a close.

Kyt, still running as fast as she can, pulls out her hopeknife with sight of the guards. Holding it up with pride and respect, hoping to pass with no delay.

I’m with her! Much appreciation in advance for letting us through!

She shouts as she continues, her tunnel vision towards the objective.

If you happen to have any beating hearts to spare we could use the help to save Ruby!

She calls back at them without missing a step.

Sorry for not waiting up my friend. Even if it isn’t much I’ll try to buy as much time as I can till you guys get there! Her life is worth far more than mine!

She states to Liesel-Marie. She may not beat her by much, but every second counted right now. She didn’t know what to expect once she arrived. But even should she become a living sword quelcher for the enemies hot and angry blades... well... she’d go down swinging knowing that they would get there soon after.

Not my plan to die! But that child is worth every drop I might shed today! And every drop of theirs that I will cause to fall in her honor.

For Ruby! For Trunau!

Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Gorewillow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Vegazi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Silvermane: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ogash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Kelseph: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Boo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ooruk: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Kytynna

Kyt, still running as fast as she can, pulls out her hopeknife with sight of the guards. Holding it up with pride and respect, hoping to pass with no delay.

I’m with her! Much appreciation in advance for letting us through! She shouts as she continues, her tunnel vision towards the objective.

If you happen to have any beating hearts to spare we could use the help to save Ruby! She calls back at them without missing a step.

Sorry for not waiting up, my friend. Even if it isn’t much I’ll try to buy as much time as I can till you guys get there! Her life is worth far more than mine! She states to Liesel-Marie. She may not beat her by much, but every second counted right now. She didn’t know what to expect once she arrived. But even should she become a living sword quelcher for the enemies hot and angry blades... well... she’d go down swinging knowing that they would get there soon after.

Not my plan to die! But that child is worth every drop I might shed today! And every drop of theirs that I will cause to fall in her honor.

For Ruby! For Trunau!

And with that post, another round concludes. The Trunau Inner Quarter Map has been updated to take all movement made thus far into account. Right now the only player that has not attempted to brave the corridor is Mesa, who is about to be "reunited" with Boo.

With the start of this new round, I shall endeavor to make make things go somewhat easier. For those who have made it through the smoke, a simple post stating that you're continuing to head to The Longhouse will be enough, though if you feel the need to expand on that through role-playing the moment, then by all means do so. Certain NPCs listed in the initiative order will being playing far less of a role in this upcoming round, so hopefully this means that we can actually get this done much more quickly than before.

Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Gorewillow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Vegazi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Silvermane: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Ogash: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Boo: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ooruk: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Characters with strikethroughs will not be taking actions this round.

Gorewillow
Gorewillow: Girei - Pain's Theme (Axhel Remix)

A yelp behind him from within the improvised cave caught Gorewillow's attention. The half-orc turned away and began to make his way deeper inside the hill. Gossamer cobwebs hung from the ceiling of the rough tunnel, and the misty spray from the Hopespring’s waterfall outside glimmered faintly on strands of spider silk. Chunks of rubble lay scattered on the floor amid piles of dirt.

After sixty feet, the tunnel opened into a cavern. The air here was humid but cool, and a thin sheen of condensation coated its rocky walls. A narrow passage exited the cavern to the west. To the south, the floor dropped away into darkness, while a bridge of stone led to another cavern to the east. The sound of trickling water echoed all throughout the complex.

Gorewillow took in the sight before him with a look of amazement. That, however, changed as a wall of citrine mist rose up around him, tumbling through cavern complex like some jaundiced flash flood. From the silent swell of fog, emanated the soft murmur of indistinct voices and the sound of footsteps – slow, yet somehow keeping pace with the careening, hungry wave.

The half-orc had a hard time making out what was being said. Indeed, he was utterly convinced that the noise was nothing more than an incoherent babble.

He put it out of his mind and began looking for his pets. Something had happened to them in this place, so that meant he had to move cautiously to find what he was looking for.

And all around him, the voices continued to sing their song:

And then – if we all won't cry, fer shore –
The Raggedy Man he'll come and "splore
The Castle-halls," and steal the "gold"—
And steal us, too, and grab and hold
And pack us off to his old "Cave"!—And
Haymow's the "cave" of The Raggedy Man!—
Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

I know that voice, thought Gorewillow. And in that moment a name came unbidden to his mind, and with it the image of a body partially buried amidst the loose rocks and dirt of an aborted tunnel.

Akrish.

When Gorewillow and his half-orc infiltrators first came to Trunau, they had taken up residence in the Plague House’s mostly forgotten basement, as Akrish, the group’s cleric, believed they might be able to tunnel from there into the tomb of Uskroth. Having found no sign of an entrance to the tomb after nearly a week of frustrated digging, Gorewillow killed the cleric and ordered the team to move into Trunau proper—first to the Ramblehouse, then into an old house in upper Trunau that Gorewillow purchased from an unscrupulous seller at the Barterstones.

The image of the cleric's red gold medallion searing his mind's eye, the Twisted Heart shaman produced a flask from within the billowing sleeve of his kimono-like garb and tossed it into the roiling jaundiced fog.

Gorewillow's bomb toss: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Bomb damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 = 12

An explosion of flame erupted from within the mist and then was no more, only for the voices within to called out to the half-orc:

Here comes the raggedy man! Raggedy man! Raggedy man! Hey, raggedy man! Raggedy! Raggedy! Raggedy Man!

The mist parted. A mask of gray rags emerged, strips of something fleshier than fabric worming and constricting across a body that was almost humanlike — but too lean, and far too flexible. Gauzy gray ribbons reached out like tendrils, each grasping for less doubtful flesh to claim.

Vegazi
Vegazi: Eluveitie - D'vêritû Agâge D'bitu (Re-recorded)

Fighting through the intense pain, Ogash rained blow after blow on the head of the lizard. She did not stop until the reptile's thrashing came to an end. With a grimace, Ogash pried the dead lizard's jaws from her shoulder. Her wolf mount stood back up now that it was free of the excess weight. Ogash turned just in time to see the Devil-Sword springing at her, swords leading.

short sword strike 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17, +2 due to death vow
short sword damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6, +2 due to death vow
short sword strike 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18, +2 due to death vow
short sword damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6, +2 due to death vow

Ogash instinctively put up her shield arm in an attempt to ward off her younger sister's blades, only to realize too late that she had abandoned that protection earlier on at the gate. Vegazi brought the points of both her swords to bear against either side of the Steel Maiden's neck, then moved her hands down and toward her so that the Devil-Sword's forearms formed an X.

The two locked gazes for what seemed an eternity. Farewell, Ogash. The death I have given you is a far better one than you deserve.

And with those words, Vegazi pulled free her blades, causing the Steel Maiden's head to fall away from her shoulders.

Ogash, the Steel Maiden, the eldest of Kelseph's daughters after Vegazi, was dead.

Sensing the demise of its master, the wolf turned up its head to unleash a mournful howl before running away with the corpse of its rider.

Vegazi has emerged triumphant! And on that note, we switch back to Mesa, who is next up.

fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Mesa rushed through the clouds of smoke barely noticing the nonsense aside from a cough or two.

Her double however gasp suddenly clutched it's neck and died as the time expired on the mirror image and there was no point in wasting a spell on something not flashy and or dramatic.

Pushing through the cloud Mesa caught sight of a familiar white figure rushing towards her with an exaggeratedly fast pace that seemed slow.

Also the kotadama was calling in some sort uplifting and oddly heartfelt score.

Before she could consider what it was however Mesa was tackled by a chicken.

Mesa
Insert Music: Peter Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet, Love Theme

Mesa rushed through the clouds of smoke barely noticing the nonsense aside from a cough or two.

Her double however gasp suddenly clutched it's neck and died as the time expired on the spell that created it and there was no point in wasting a spell on something not flashy and or dramatic.

Pushing through the cloud Mesa caught sight of a familiar white figure rushing towards her with an exaggeratedly fast pace that seemed slow.

Also the kotadama was calling in some sort uplifting and oddly heartfelt score.

Before she could consider what it was however Mesa was tackled by a chicken.

And so, with Mesa succeeding on her Fortitude check, everyone has made it through the corridor. To reiterate from earlier and taking into account movement speeds (with the assumption that the characters are flat-out hauling keister), it would take both Kyt and our Erutaki Warrior Princess about 2 rounds to arrive at the Longhouse, with the elven monk potentially arriving first as she is the faster of the two. The rest of Team Ruby would arrive in 3, with Nogusta bringing up the rear by arriving 3 rounds after that. To keep things moving and to keep the focus firmly on Team Ruby, we're advancing time to the point where both Liesel-Marie and Kyt arrive at The Longhouse...

Insert Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature

After racing through both the barricade and the second of Trunau's inner gates, the elf and Erutaki, the first members of Team Ruby, arrived within moments of each other at the stairs leading up into their destination.

The largest of the town's buildings, the Longhouse contained a huge common room for meetings, barracks for the town’s unmarried militia members, storerooms, and the siegestone, a huge cauldronlike altar that in times of trouble can produce gallon upon gallon of tasteless porridge, keeping the residents from starving completely. In addition, it was also the place Patrol Leader Jagrin Grath and his son Kurst called home. Rodrick Grath, up until recently, had also resided here, but due to disagreeing with his father's stance with regard to his relationship with Brinya, elected to move into the Ramblehouse instead.

As the two reached the summit of the stairs, both noticed that the doors of the building were open and the all too familiar stench of blood coming from within.

And so we'll pick it up here with Liesel-Marie and Kytynna figuring what they're going to do next.

As if there was any doubt...

Liesel-Marie slows to a more manageable pace for moving in a building, but just barely. Weapon in hand, she’s looking and listening for signs of ongoing struggle or, more importantly, Ruby herself.

Double move or until she’s found something. Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Rohan charged forth like the storm was upon him and the rain was only a footsteps away and he was trying to keep from getting wet, while there was no rain of course. His intentions were only to keep up with a hasted speed that could barely reach the fastest in the group. Though he was lighter on his feet, it surely didn't show in his steps. His cape flailing behind him as the wind rushed passed with each step. His feet sinking into the ground to give him every ounce of power for each stride he made. He knew that he was close and he only had a few more steps as he made his way to the longhouse.

Kyt was thankful that she and Liesel-Marie had arrived within seconds of each other. Weapon at the ready, she follows beside the female warrior. Keeping her in her side vision as to watch out for any cues should they need to make a strategic move while she looked around with her companion.
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Call me captain oblivious!

Kyt was thankful that she and Liesel-Marie had arrived within seconds of each other. Temple sword at the ready, she followed beside the female warrior. Keeping her in her side vision as to watch out for any cues should they need to make a strategic move while she looked around with her companion.

Liesel-Marie slowed to a more manageable pace for moving in a building, but just barely. Weapon in hand, she was looking and listening for signs of ongoing struggle or, more importantly, Ruby herself.

As each of the the members of Team Ruby began to intently survey their surroundings, each of them took note completely different things.

Liesel-Marie noted the still forms, bodies, that lay upon the floor of the Longhouse's common room amidst pools of not quite congealed dark blood. She also saw four others within the huge chamber, all of whom she recognized.

Brinya Kelvar, the half-orc widow of Rodrick Grath stood protectively in front of the dusky-skinned, black haired Ruby, while standing beside her was Cham Larringfass, pointing a darkwood crossbow down at the final individual, trim and athletic, dressed in slinky black leathers that was on both knees before the halfling, hands upon her head.

Character/Insert Theme: Hollywood Undead - Undead (Instrumental)

As the Ertuaki took note of final person, Ruby caught sight of her friend and tugged on Brinya's sleeve, pointing Liesel-Marie's way. Brinya looked where the young indicated and gave a relieved smile, an action that also caused Cham to look that way as well.

It was only a momentary distraction, but it was one that Bax immediately sought to exploit as the ceramic skull-like mask that covered her face and most of her head began to shimmer. Catching it out of the corner of her eye, Cham's gaze drifted back toward the captive...

Cham's Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5; +2 vs. fear

And was startled by what she saw as the image reflected on the mask's surface began to twist and shift until it resembled her own, though one etched with a look of horror as tears of blood streamed from its eyes.

The sight was enough to make Cham turn her eyes away, allowing Bax to leverage herself from a kneeling position as she suddenly rose. As she did, a small clay sphere hit the floor and shattered, releasing a cloud of foul yellow smoke that rapidly enveloped her.

And as this was transpiring inside, outside Kyt was oblivious due to the fact that she suddenly found herself surrounded by an all-too familiar citrine mist from which emanated the soft murmur of indistinct voices and the sound of footsteps...

Meanwhile, Rohan charged forth like the storm was upon him, the rain was only a footstep away, and he was trying to keep from getting wet. His intention was only to maintain a quickened pace, one that could barely reach the fastest in the group. Though he was lighter on his feet, it surely didn't show in his movement. His cape flailed behind him as the wind rushed passed with each step, his feet sinking into the ground to give him every ounce of power for each stride he made. He knew that he was close and he only had a short distance to go as he made his way toward the Longhouse.

When the rest of Team Ruby begin to arrive next round, they won't see what it is that Kyt sees. When the elven monk failed her Perception check, it allowed me to take advantage of her sensitivity to psychic impressions to both account for that as well as hint at something... else.

As always, great scene development.

She looked all around her, the sounds and sights too real.
Who is there? I have no time for you right now. I have to get to where Ruby is. How did I lose where I am to be?
With her hands on the sides of her head, the mist looking all too familiar.
Go away, go away, go away. I am not really back in that hell... I cannot be back there again...
She spoke between clenched teeth as she closed her eyes in denial of what was transpiring around her.
I cannot go through that once more. I cannot watch him die again.
She stood still and tried to calm her breathing, but her heart was racing too hard. The memory of Nyym being snatched and killed only to have been resurrected to fight the group, and Aodhan’s death playing in her mind like it was happening all over again.
Never again... if you must come you slimy slithering evil snake, come at me. Not him!

sorry guys, I was not only in a wedding, but I had to make this huge cake too. Been stupid crazy.

Can't think of a better distraction. I hope the nuptials went great for the happy couple. You didn't save me a piece of cake, did you? I love me some other people's wedding cake.

Sorry that you have been crazy busy but all is good, glad to have you back.

Waiting on round two to arrive so rohan can act!

Liesel-Marie noted the still forms, bodies, that lay upon the floor of the Longhouse's common room amidst pools of not quite congealed dark blood. She also saw four others within the huge chamber, all of whom she recognized.

Brinya Kelvar, the half-orc widow of Rodrick Grath stood protectively in front of the dusky-skinned, black haired Ruby, while standing beside her was Cham Larringfass, pointing a darkwood crossbow down at the final individual, trim and athletic, dressed in slinky black leathers that was on both knees before the halfling, hands upon her head.

As the Ertuaki took note of final person, Ruby caught sight of her friend and tugged on Brinya's sleeve, pointing Liesel-Marie's way. Brinya looked where the young woman indicated and gave a relieved smile, an action that also caused Cham to look that way as well.

It was only a momentary distraction, but it was one that Bax immediately sought to exploit as the ceramic skull-like mask that covered her face and most of her head began to shimmer. Catching it out of the corner of her eye, Cham's gaze drifted back toward the captive...

And was startled by what she saw as the image reflected on the mask's surface began to twist and shift until it resembled her own, though one etched with a look of horror as tears of blood streamed from its eyes.

The sight was enough to make Cham turn her eyes away, allowing Bax to leverage herself from a kneeling position as she suddenly rose. As she did, a small clay sphere hit the floor and shattered, releasing a cloud of foul yellow smoke that rapidly enveloped her.

And as this was transpiring inside, outside Kyt was oblivious due to the fact that she suddenly found herself surrounded by an all-too familiar citrine mist from which emanated the soft murmur of indistinct voices and the sound of footsteps...

The elf looked all around her, the sounds and sights too real. Who is there? I have no time for you right now. I have to get to where Ruby is. How did I lose where I am to be? With her hands on the sides of her head, the mist looking all too familiar.

Nyym focused his will and performed series of hand movements, tapping into a store of power within. The alley became awash in a brilliant light as he gathered electricity to surround his hand; the high concentration of crackling energy produced a sound reminiscent of many birds chirping.

The half-drow cautiously approached the mist and, with a movement born both of precision and practice, thrust his lightning-enveloped hand within. The vapor swirled around his wrist, unaffected by the action.

However, before he could pull back his arm, Nyym felt something grab hold of him. To the horror of everyone else present, he was jerked violently into the mist, as though he were a rag-doll. There was an eerie moment of silence, then the voices grew louder, only this time they were accompanied by the grisly sounds of rent flesh. Blood sprayed from the confines of the mist, splattering against the walls of the alley.

...stumbling out of the fog came Nyym, looking the worse for wear. The half-drow's eyes seemed to smoulder with a dull violet radiance as it locked gazes with Kytynna.

Go away, go away, go away. I am not really back in that hell... I cannot be back there again... She spoke between clenched teeth as she closed her eyes in denial of what was transpiring around her. I cannot go through that once more. I cannot watch him die again.

She stood still and tried to calm her breathing, but her heart was racing too hard.

Kyt reached out, her hand grasping for something, anything it could find to keep herself from going down. Aodhán moved, desperate to catch her, to help her.

But the Raggedy Man would not be denied. With utter malice, it put its clawed hand through the bouncer's stomach, the force causing him to crumple.

Kyt could feel herself scream, but the sound seemed so far away. With a desperation born of anxiety, the elf reached out one last time.

And caught the pendant that had been torn loose from Aodhán's neck just before they crashed to the ground together.

No!

The memory of Nyym being snatched and killed only to have been resurrected to fight the group, and Aodhán's death playing in her mind like it was happening all over again.

Never again... if you must come you slimy slithering evil snake, come at me. Not him!

Alright! Time to move this scene along and the best way to do that would be to roll initiative. This is more to see how the next few rounds play out over the course of the scene.

Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 (Still 1 round out)
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 (Still 2 rounds out)
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 (Still 1 round out)
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 (Still 1 round out)
Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 (Still 1 round out)
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Team Ruby Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature
For the duration of this scene, everyone affiliated with Team Ruby gains a +1 bonus on all d20 rolls.

Based on this initiative order, Bax, Liesel-Marie, and Kyt have 1 round's worth of actions that they can take before Rohan, Nyym, Aodhán, and Mesa arrive at the Longhouse on the next round. Nogusta is still trailing behind the rest of the group and won't arrive until next round after that (Round 3).

The smokescreen didn't last for very long, but it was enough time so that when things became less hazy and more clear, the masked woman in black leathers was nowhere to be seen.

Bax has taken her actions for the round. Liesel-Marie is next up, followed by Kyt (who once again ends the round). After that, the next round will begin with Rohan arriving outside of the Longhouse.

It's no excuse, but I read the post on my phone and didn't want to try to reply on that device. Then I forgot I was up when I got to my laptop.

Liesel-Marie rushes forward, greataxe in hand, intent on getting to Ruby as quickly as possible because she knows that Bax has many tricks up her sleeves.

"Where did she go? The woman on her knees?"

Once she is adjacent to the three of them (and has ascertained that there are still three of them), she puts a hand on Ruby's shoulder as she looks about the room for Bax or perhaps a bootprint.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Even with the +1 bonus to her roll, Liesel-Marie sees no sign of Bax whatsoever.

Move action to get into position and an action to unsuccessfully study the room. I believe she’s done for this round. Kyt, you’re up!

Edit: Stupid autocorrect

Kyt took a deep breath. It didn’t matter that she was afraid. Not being afraid would be the more foolish action. How could the Raggedy Man not scare her? The important part was to act through the fear. She raised both of her fists up and took a fighters stance.

Come on you piece of filth! You started this game, let’s play!

With the tears clearing out of her eyes she grew a stern look in her face.

Come on Raggedy Man! Where are you? I may be afraid of you, but not as afraid as you will be of me!

As the determined elf assumed a fighting stance and boldly proclaimed her desire to confront to face her foe, there was a strange thrumming sound as an object seemingly materialized near her from out of the yellow mist in the form of a mostly cylindrical pillar. Mostly, as the side facing toward the Hopespring had been ground down into a flat surface carved with enigmatic symbols.

With the appearance of this structure, Kyt noticed the presence of a sleek, lithe masculine person clad in a cowled yellow longcoat chanting and gesturing at the pillar. And with each move taken, a mass of white-furred bushy tails seemed to flick the air behind him, accentuating an eerie sense of grace. The figure also wore something on his face, a familiar looking mask, similar to the one that had been hanging on the wall of Aodhán's room.

Words came at her so fast as to seem jumbled, spoken by many and none all at once. The cacophonous sound persisted, Kyt's mind trying to make sense of it all. With considerable effort, she focused on filtering out the excess noise until she was left with the understanding of what was being spoken:

I beseech the entities of the Black. Gaze down upon us with your maleficence.

The figure then grasped at his chest, producing a pendant in the form of a three-armed triskelion that he then touched to edifice before him while speaking once more.

Before me Carcosa. Behind me Alar. About me the King's breath. And in the stela his Sign. I beseech the entities of the Black.

Seemingly done with his ritual, the masked figure turned toward Kyt, sniffing the air while fixing upon her eyes that were twin pools of blazing liquid gold.

Little elf, little elf, why are you here? Gripped as you are in unwavering fear. Little elf, little elf, away you must fly. Stay here much longer, you will surely die.

Again I must reiterate this: when the rest of Team Ruby begin to arrive next round, they won't see what it is that Kyt sees.

And speaking of Kyt, she can feel not only the eyes of this being standing before her, but the untoward gaze of others that were beyond any ability she might possess to properly comprehend. I need a DC 16 Will saving throw from the elven monk as she feels the scrutiny of such twisted, otherworldly entities. Failure means Kyt will take 4 points of damage, while success means she only takes 2.

And to those arriving in the following rounds, regardless as to whether or not she makes the save, you will notice tears of blood flowing down her cheeks.

After the Will save, Rohan is next up!

That voice!

Kyt recognized the voice that spoke to her and Nyym the night and a half ago during the shared nightmare

I know you. The poetic one. So he sends a lackey to do his dirty work?

Will: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 = 13 mod + song

Rohan rushes into the room as his cloak flaps behind him as if the wind was tugging on his coat tails. His eyes nearly be-felled tears as he saw kyt eyes bleeds as some statues have once done in legends. The mere shock of one of his alleys taking such a hit to cause ones eyes bleed took Rohan by surprise and almost stunned him for a second. Once gaining his footing after nearly stumbling into the room from pure shock he looked around to see what was happening, what was causing someones eyes to bleed. Though he did so with caution covering his eyes from any gaze that might catch his eyes.

Rohan did not prepare to attack anyone because the reasoning for kyt eyes to bleed was not clear at the moment and it could be from nearly anything. Though he looked on should he find something his reactions would change drastically.

I think its my turn, there's not much I can do, anyway, so this can fit in anywere

Nogusta whispered prayer after prayer as he doggedly pushed forward, his large size and heavy armor being a hindrance in this situation. He only hoped he would not arrive too late to do some good.

Be with me, my Lady. Help me to be your instrument, your tool, or your weapon. Whatever your will be.

When the Mwangi approaches the guards, he holds up his holy symbol of Sarenrae. "Please, I am a servant of the Everlight. A child is in danger and may need us. Please come with me to render aid, if you can spare a few moments. Your swordbrothers wage a battle against overwhelming odds behind us, and you might do better service protecting innocent lives that remain rather than throwing away your own."

Influence: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Nyym slowed his pace as he reached the longhouse. Seeing Kyt standing outside a d hearing her words, she was obviously in conflict. He could neither see or hear an opponent facing Kyt. This concerned him greatly as he did not hear any combat within either. Rohan looked as confused as he was..

What's going on? Bax should be here.. Who is Kyt..... Blood from her eyes? What's going on here?

Having arrived mid conflict to whatever was going on with Kyt, Nyym knew he had to get into the Longhouse. But he could not leave a friend in peril either. Liesel-Marie could hold her own till he could get inside. But Rohan was not so good in a close fight as Nyym had seen him fight predominantly at range. Faultering to close in attacks, he would be more a target should someone try and take a shot at Kyt in her current state.
Wispering to Rohan..

Head into the long house and back up LM. I will be in as soon as Nogusta arrives to render aid to Kyt. We can't help her with whatever she is dealing with. But maybe he can. Make sure not to touch her. She may lash out and mistaken you for whoever she is prepared for.

Nyym immediately scans the surroundings not only looking for those who would bring harm to kyt in her vulnerable state. But also for any sounds that were out of place or shadows that did not look right. There may be another way out of the longhouse that Bax could use to escape. Nyym had no knowledge of the current situation within. Part of him feared what he would find inside. But his resolve set. Once Nogusta had arrived to aid Kyt, Nyym would find and kill Bax. For now though he would remain with Kyt to protect her. Keeping out of reach of any attacks she may throw. That she could see someone he had no doubt, was it the Raggedy man again, or someone else. She was in combat stance so in her mind her opponent was as real as him. By staying out of reach, Nyym made sure that he didn't touch her as she may confuse himself with her mental hidden enemy.

Hang on Kyt, hopefully Nogusta can help pull you back to us.

perception: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 (Still 1 round out)
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Team Ruby Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature
For the duration of this scene, everyone affiliated with Team Ruby gains a +1 bonus on all d20 rolls.

Rohan
Rohan rushed up the steps of the Longhouse, his cloak flapping behind him as if the wind were tugging on his coat tails. His eyes nearly filled with tears as he saw Kyt's eyes bleeding as some statues had done in legends. The mere shock of one of his allies in this state took Rohan by surprise and almost stunned him for a moment. He regained his footing after nearly stumbling on the landing from pure shock and looked around to see what was happening, what was causing someone's eyes to bleed, doing so with caution as he covered his eyes from any gaze that might catch his own.

Rohan did not prepare to attack anyone because the reasoning for Kyt's predicament was not clear at the moment and the cause could be nearly anything. Though he looked on should he find something his reactions would change drastically.

After attempting to clarify his original post, I'm concluding that Rohan is both making a Perception check and readying a standard action to be able to attack the source of Kytynna's pain after using his move action to climb the steps of the Longhouse. The DC for such a Perception check is 40, which is more than he can make at this time. However there is another option that he can take instead: making a Spellcraft check to identify a spell effect. The 23 DC for that is actually more manageable than the one for Pereception. And why would I suggest Spellcraft over Perception, you may be asking? Because Rohan has already suggested the possibility that the cause could be almost anything, so I'm giving him the opportunity to eliminate the esoteric before moving on to the mundane.

Nogusta
Nogusta whispered prayer after prayer as he doggedly pushed forward, his large size and heavy armor being a hindrance in this situation. He only hoped he would not arrive too late to do some good.

Be with me, my Lady. Help me to be your instrument, your tool, or your weapon. Whatever your will be.

When the Mwangi approached the guards, he held up his holy symbol of Sarenrae. Please, I am a servant of the Everlight. A child is in danger and may need us. Please come with me to render aid, if you can spare a few moments. Your swordbrothers wage a battle against overwhelming odds behind us, and you might do better service protecting innocent lives that remain rather than throwing away your own.

Nogusta rolled a 20 for his Influence check to make a request of the guards, who have attitudes of Friendly. Because the request being made is aid that could either be lengthy and/or complicated, this modifies the base 10 DC by 5 for a total of 15. Even without the +1 bonus from the group theme song, Nogusta beat the DC by 5, making them Helpful for 3 hours.

Nyym
Nyym slowed his pace as he reached the longhouse. Seeing Kyt standing outside a d hearing her words, she was obviously in conflict. He could neither see or hear an opponent facing Kyt. This concerned him greatly as he did not hear any combat within either. Rohan looked as confused as he was..

What's going on? Bax should be here.. Who is Kyt..... Blood from her eyes? What's going on here?

Having arrived mid conflict to whatever was going on with Kyt, Nyym knew he had to get into the Longhouse. But he could not leave a friend in peril either. Liesel-Marie could hold her own till he could get inside. But Rohan was not so good in a close fight as Nyym had seen him fight predominantly at range. Faultering to close in attacks, he would be more a target should someone try and take a shot at Kyt in her current state.
Whispering to Rohan..

Head into the long house and back up LM. I will be in as soon as Nogusta arrives to render aid to Kyt. We can't help her with whatever she is dealing with. But maybe he can. Make sure not to touch her. She may lash out and mistaken you for whoever she is prepared for.

Nyym immediately scans the surroundings not only looking for those who would bring harm to kyt in her vulnerable state. But also for any sounds that were out of place or shadows that did not look right. There may be another way out of the longhouse that Bax could use to escape. Nyym had no knowledge of the current situation within. Part of him feared what he would find inside. But his resolve set. Once Nogusta had arrived to aid Kyt, Nyym would find and kill Bax. For now though he would remain with Kyt to protect her. Keeping out of reach of any attacks she may throw. That she could see someone he had no doubt, was it the Raggedy man again, or someone else. She was in combat stance so in her mind her opponent was as real as him. By staying out of reach, Nyym made sure that he didn't touch her as she may confuse himself with her mental hidden enemy.

Hang on Kyt, hopefully Nogusta can help pull you back to us.

Nyym is making both a Perception check and readying a standard action to be able to defend Kytynna's vulnerable position after using his move action to climb the steps of the Longhouse. After determining the fully mundane aspect of his actions, the DC for such a Perception check in his case is 20. And so, with that in mind, Nyym does not perceive anything at this time that could be a danger to his companion.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
It appears that rohan did not see anything or rule out anything of notion

And with Rohan's Spellcraft roll, we move on to Aodhán and Bax.

Aodhán
As the Chelaxian bouncer neared the Longhouse, he took note of the three people gathered together at the top of the steps. Nyym and Rohan seemed to be flanking Kytynna, who, in turn, looked to have taken an offensive posture.

This caused Aodhán to slow his approach as he began to cast his gaze about, trying to note anything unnatural taking place in the immediate area.

Like Rohan, Aodhán is attempting a Perception check to note the source of the Kyt's dilemma. Unlike Rohan, however, Aodhán does not have Spellcraft to fall back on as an option, and will have to brave the 40 DC Perception check.

Aodhán's Perception check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21; +1 due to group theme song.

Try as he might, the bouncer was no closer to finding a clue that could help him figure out what exactly was transpiring. Was it poison? If it was, he reasoned, then wouldn't both Nyym and Rohan be affected? Perhaps a spell of some kind had been triggered, but Aodhán's knowledge in that regard was woefully inadequate to begin any possibility of effective speculation.

Come on, man! Aodhán mentally berated himself. There's got to be something here to seize upon, something that you can use to figure this out!

Bax
As Aodhán pondered on in frustration, a certain masked woman in black leathers was slinking surreptitiously out of the Longhouse, only to be confronted by the presence of Kyt, Nyym, and Rohan.

The tall one's presence faded as Bax focused her gaze on Nyym and the attention he was giving to the female elf. His concern for her, a very real thing that she could see in his eyes and mannerisms, filled Bax with a fury that in her mind could not be explained.

How dare that elven princess toy with him like that? And in such an obvious manner as well, feigning weakness to garner his sympathy.

He's mine. Not yours. Mine!

With a scream of rage, Bax broke from concealment to charge at Kyt, drawing a pair of daggers as she moved.

Because Nyym is actively ready to defend the elven monk from Bax, he can make a single attack against her. Regardless of the outcome, the attack continues as follows.

Bax's Charge: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17; +2 to hit already included, -2 to AC due to charge.
dagger & sneak stab damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 73d8 ⇒ (7, 1, 6) = 14

Once Nyym makes the result of his attack known, I'll incorporate it into a post that describes the action taking place. And when that is done, it will be Mesa's turn, followed by Liesel-Marie and Kyt. In the meantime, Kyt has taken 21 points of damage, reducing her hit point total to 15. This places her in the Wounded threshold and, as a consequence, she takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks, as well as to AC and caster level.

Nyym wasted no time in debating on his weapon choice as he pivoted in to defend Kyt against Bax. Hating that he would not be able to stop her from getting to Kyt. He was damned sure gonna make her pay for it as well as her targeting Ruby in the 1st place.

BAX!!!

NY shouted her name as a warning to the others as his Kinetic katana flashed to life in a reverse swing that was aided by the arc of his pivot aimed to cross her at her chest..

kinetic Katana with thunder infustion: 1d20 + 4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 3 + 1 = 18

target needs to make DC15 saving throw to keep from being deafened for remainder of combat. Nyym burns a point of ki to use this enfusion.

damage: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 = 10

will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Although he felt the pull of her mask, he did not acknowledge it. Having felt with her before and do to his resolve against her. He nearly shrugged it off as if some pesky buzz as he spun into her. He only hoped that the others were as quick to act in the next few moments. There was no emotion on his face as before. No smile, no taunt. Nyym was all business with a burning resolve and fire in his eyes to end her here and now.

With a scream of rage, Bax broke from concealment to charge at Kyt, drawing a pair of daggers as she moved.

Nyym wasted no time debating on his weapon choice as he pivoted to defend Kyt against Bax. Hating that he would not be able to stop her from getting to Kyt, he was damned sure going make her pay for it, as well as her targeting of Ruby in the first place.

BAX!!!

Nyym shouted her name as a warning to the others as his kinetic katana flashed into existence, aimed to cross Bax at her chest, the arc of the swing aided by his movement.

Bax's Fortitude save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Gritting her teeth in anticipation of taking the blow from the half-drow's attack, Bax felt the familiar sensation of Nyym's lightning blade, as though hundreds of tiny insects were crawling across the surface of skin.

And then everything seemed to go quiet as Bax stabbed Kyt between her shoulder blades. She reveled at the sight of the elf, longing to hear the gasp of pain that always followed.

To Bax's utter dismay, however, the sound never came. She could see the elf react physically to her strike, but exquisite sound of that pain-filled wheeze was denied her.

In fact, Bax it finally dawned on her that she could hear no sound whatsoever.

As a result of failing her Fortitude save against Nyym's thundering infusion, Bax's place in the initiative order goes down by 4, putting her at 11, due to her now being deafened.

And with this exchange now resolved, next up is Mesa.

Player jumping up and down and clapping with glee. Eagerly anticipating what comes...

Liesel-Marie spins on her heel at Nyym's shout, the sound of the name of the one she was hunting. And her reaction will wait for Mesa's action, of course.

What is the geography of the entrance to the Longhouse? There are stairs? How many? Is there a landing before the door? Do the lead directly from the door (perpendicular to the structure's wall) or do they turn and run parallel to the wall? Trying to envision what I'm getting into if Liesel-Marie attempts to apply an inordinate amount of force directly to a certain leather-clad mask owner without regard to whether there is a safe place to land from such a display of force. I am totally picturing Liesel-Marie running full-force out the door of the Longhouse and attempting a flying tackle on Bax, even without knowing Bax won't hear her coming, just letting the bloodrage take control.

I'm working on blowing up the section of the Trunau map where the Longhouse is so that it can be used as a battlemap for the scene. But in the meantime, if you take a look at the link for the Trunau map at the top of the page and scroll down to the bottom (you can actually expand the map to get a little more detail), you can see the building in the lower left hand corner (marked with the number 21). Using the distance key, the landing at the top of the stairs is 150 feet long and the width varying in places between 10.25 feet (narrowest), 20.50 feet, and 30.75 feet (widest) respectively. The stairs measure 25 feet in length and are 50 feet wide, (though I can't get an exact angle, I'm assuming its 32 degrees) and are directly in front of the doors. Looking forward to the flying tackle (which may end up being interpreted as either a straight up grapple attempt, a bull's rush, or even an overrun depending on how you word it).

Rohan: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Nogusta: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19 (Still 1 round out)
Nyym: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Aodhán: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Bax: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Mesa: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Liesel-Marie: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Kyt: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Team Ruby Theme: Jamie Christopherson - Rules of Nature
For the duration of this scene, everyone affiliated with Team Ruby gains a +1 bonus on all d20 rolls.

I apologize about the Trunau map being so ridiculously small. It wasn't when I grab the url for it, so I will find another that won't cause my players eyestrain when they attempt to read it.

Due to computer issues, Mesa's player may be unable to post for a while. Therefore, I'm going to do my best and 'bot the character for the time being. So, with that said...

Mesa
Reunited once again with the cockrel Boo, the Minkai minstrel raced down the lane that lead her after the others of this stupidly impetuous band of adventurers. Her main reason (which she thought was a good idea at the time) for doing so was to chronicle their rescue of Ruby, the youngest of Chief Defender Halgra's children and the one responsible for them coming together in the first place. And though she hoped for a happy ending, Mesa knew all too well that the outcome could be anything but.

As she ran, Mesa reached into one of several pouches and produced a small brightly colored narrow domed rubbery substance that held a small length of black hair suspended within it. She broke it apart and fed one half to Boo, after which she popped the remaining piece into her own mouth. Incredible how you can see right through me.

As soon as the incantation was done, the duo disappeared from view.

As if it wasn't obvious, Mesa cast the spell invisibility on both herself and Boo. Technically, she shouldn't be able to do this yet, but, given what we've discussed with regard to the golden headed cockrel, allowing the two to share the spell seems a bit appropriate and a good hint of things to come.

And now with that out of the way, Liesel-Marie, you're next up!

Seeing the reason for the concern over Ruby standing there, Liesel-Marie darts forward, unsure what she's going to do. Two steps later, she's no longer thinking and her plan is no plan at all. Sprinting for all she's worth, the Erutaki lowers her shoulder and yells.

"BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!"

As she bursts clear of the door, the hateful name ends and the warrior attempts to deal a massive blow to the elusive masked woman.

Charging unarmed strike: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 2 + 2 = 27 Penalty from power attack, bonus from charge
Nonlethal damage: 1d3 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12 Bonus from power attack

Seeing the reason for the concern over Ruby standing there, Liesel-Marie darts forward, unsure what she's going to do. Two steps later, she's no longer thinking and her plan is no plan at all. Sprinting for all she's worth, the Erutaki lowers her shoulder and yells.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!

As she bursts clear of the door, the hateful name ends and the warrior attempts to deal a massive blow to the elusive masked woman.

So, figuring out how to interpret Liesel-Marie's action in game terms took some time. I had to determine whether it was just a straight forward attack, or if it was, in fact some sort of combat maneuver. I decided on combat maneuver, as the description reminds me more of a Hawke Tackle (a type of shoulder tackle used regularly in rugby and American football). Bearing that in mind, I decided to go with trip as the maneuver, making the action more of a takedown than one that could send the target flying backwards (and possibly take Kyt as well) like bull rush and overrun could. That means using her CMB rather than her normal attack roll, but that really wouldn't change the outcome very much.

CMB for shoulder tackle: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 2 + 2 = 26 Penalty from power attack, bonus from charge
Nonlethal damage: 1d3 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 = 12 Bonus from power attack

Regardless, there is still one thing left to be resolved: Bax gets an attack of opportunity on the bloodrager. It would have happened had I let the unarmed attack stand (Liesel-Marie doesn't have Improved Unarmed Strike, so she provokes when dealing with an armed opponent) or gone with a combat maneuver (Liesel-Marie doesn't have Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, nor Improved Trip, so she provokes). However, Bax has something else going for her: rather than make that attack, she will instead spend 1 point of panache and make an attempt to parry this melee attack instead. If she succeeds, then she can make an attack against Liesel-Marie as an immediate action. Due to Liesel-Marie's charge, she, like Bax, suffers from a -2 penalty to her Armor Class on top of the penalty she receives from being in bloodrage. This lowers her enraged AC to 14. Let's see how this all plays out:

Bax's opportune parry: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17; -2 from charge
Bax's riposte: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17; -2 from charge
dagger damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Though Bax was bereft of her ability to hear, her other senses remained intact. The masked woman could feel the presence of heat bearing down on her from behind. Her mind quickly flashed back to the Plague House, where she had received a blow to the back from another of Nyym's companions. The strike had nearly done Bax in that time and she had no wish to experience something like that again.

The leather-clad woman lifted both legs from the stone landing and, while floating gracefully in the air, swung her torso around, seeming to roll down and along the back of the Erutaki when she came charging in. Liesel-Marie could only grunt as she felt both the weight of her target's body and a dagger slip in between the lacquered leather plates of her armor. When she landed from her aerial, Bax assumed a low crouch, her daggers held at the ready and stained scarlet with the blood of her foes.

Now that that has been dealt with, Kyt is next up! The stab from Bax that she received is sufficient to snap the elf out of the effect that she's under.

That voice!

Kyt recognized the voice that spoke to her and Nyym the night and a half ago during the shared nightmare

I know you. The poetic one. So he sends a lackey to do his dirty work?

The bushy tails of the yellow clad figure moved enthusiastically at Kyt's words.

Ah, little elf. Answers don't come that easily. Especially from me. Seek me out to hear my say. I trust that you know the way.

Then all at once, before Kyt could respond, an explosion of pain manifested in her back between her shoulders. The sensation nearly caused the elf to collapse, but sheer force of will allowed her to remain on her feet.

Kyt blinked away the tears in her eyes and both the creature and the strange stone pillar were nowhere to be seen.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!

She knew that name. It belonged to the one that was putting Ruby in jeopardy.

I think that's sufficient for Kyt's player build off of for her post. Let's see what she does with it.