DM-Camris' SECOND DARKNESS Part 1 and 2: Children of the Void (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

"My Pardon, sir. I am with the Gold Goblin. We are trying to track the whereabouts of one of our employees, Larur. Did you see by chance where he went after he left here?"

Maelorn is going to listen carefully to his answer for any indication he is lying (i.e. Sense Motive)

Almost on instinct, Zane takes a few steps back from the door, a spell rising in his minnd, preparing for the worst.

Nakoda simply looked unimpressed, fully expecting to be overlooked in all of this, since for some reason, the men around this city seemed to disregard females. As Maelorn spoke, she looked to the eyes and back at him, seeming only mildly curious about the reaction. It was entirely possible that Larur could have concluded business here only to have gotten waylaid elsewhere.

Bluff:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

You see the piggish eyes narrow.

"Gold gob...? Wait! You're one of Sauls new muscle boys!"
Abruptly you are staring down the wrong end of a heavy crossbow...

Maelorn's voice and demeanor stay mild and unruffled, "Sir, we are not here to threaten or accuse you of anything. We are simply trying to determine what may have happened to the courier from yesterday."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Lymas snarls; "Save yer breath bully boy! We both know thats a pretty story to get inside so ye can kill me; savin' Saul a lot of money he don't have to repay! Now GIT!"

Zane steps out of the line of sigh and mutters an arcane phrase, A field of shimmering force covered in sigils coveering his body.

Not liking the tone of the conversation, Nakoda frowns, wondering what has been said about them since they've begun working there. "Perhaps it is time we go", she suggested, turning to head back the way they came. She did not like the accusation of being a "thug", much less the implication that whoever they were sent to see would be killed by them.

Later tonight, she would be asking around, to see if this was the general thoughts of anyone who knew about them, and maybe track down one of the sources of these rumors.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Sighing, Melorn tries one last time, "Don't open the door, then. Obviously I cannot convince you that I mean you no harm, so stay safe behind your locks and talk to me."

"All we are seeking to determine is what happened to the man who brought Saul's last payment to you. Does this seem so unreasonable to you?"

"I warned ye boy!" he shouts as he fires his heavy crossbow at Maelorn.
Hvy Crossbow attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24 Hit! for 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 piercing damage.
...Confirm crit? 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15 No.

"Let 'em loose Otsk! At 'em lads!" You all hear a door crashing open on the western side of the building and the sound of yelping dogs, then you see a pack of six round the corner, frothing at the mouth and eager for the kill. Three go at Maelorn, the rest charge towards Zane and Nakoda.

Dog 1 attack to Maelorn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Miss!.
Dog 2 attack to Maelorn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Miss!.
Dog 3 attack to Maelorn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Miss!.

CLICK for the Tactical Map.

Initiatives Round 2
____________________________

Maelorn: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Lymas: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Zane: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Nakoda: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Dogs: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Taking a step back (East) so that he is no longer a target from behind the door, Maelorn take a moment to cure his wounds, trusting his armor to protect him from the dogs

Casting Cure Light Wounds, provoking AoA from one of the dogs. Presuming success, healing 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 HP

Zane greets the dogs with outstretched fingers thumbs touching as he utters an arcane phrase. A swirling sheet of flame erupts before him.

Burning hands
2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Nakoda does the same, the magic that she weaves calling an eagle into being, directing it to assist Maelorn against the trio of dogs that are harrying him. (Summon Monster I)

Inwardly, she was upset that someone would set dogs on them for trying to ask about a fellow employee. If they were to retaliate, then they would be in the process of making themselves the thugs that it would seem that rumor is making them out to be, while if they did not, it would lessen their status, and perhaps give others an incentive to harass other staff of the gold goblin.

The spell completed, Nakoda squints at the flame that Zane calls forth. "They are making a self-fulfilling prophecy of us", she groused.

"It's not our fault that most of the people in this city are psycopathic criminals who shoot first and ask questions later", Zane replies as the roar of flame dies down.

Round 2--

Maelorn
________________________________________
Taking a step back (East) so that he is no longer a target from behind the door, Maelorn take a moment to cure his wounds, dodging one of the mutts all the while. A healing radiance flows over Maelorn, easing his injuries.

Lymas
_____________________________________

Zane Argentus
________________________________________
Zane greets the dogs with outstretched fingers thumbs touching as he utters an arcane phrase. A swirling sheet of flame erupts before him; as the dogs charge through, they utter pained yelps as they fail to avoid the fire.

Nakoda
________________________________________
Nakoda does the same, the magic that she weaves calling an eagle into being, directing it to assist Maelorn against the trio of dogs that are harrying him.
A shadow flits over Maelorn as a medium golden eagle dives on one of those dogs, spearing it directly in its spine [critical hit!]. The dog gives a sharp yelp and collapses. The eagle rapidly flaps its wings and lifts it and its prey up to the top of the building next door.

"They are making a self-fulfilling prophecy of us", she groused.
"It's not our fault that most of the people in this city are psycopathic criminals who shoot first and ask questions later", Zane replies as the roar of flame dies down.

Dogs
_________________________________________________________
Dog 1- Trip attack vs Maelorn CMD13: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15 Trip! Maelorn falls prone.
Dog 2- Bite attack vs Maelorn AC19: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Hit! the dog savages Maelorn for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 cutting.
Dog 4- Charge Bite attack vs Zane AC19: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Hit! the dog savages Zane for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 cutting.
Dog 5- Charge Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Miss!
Dog 6- Charge Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Miss!

Round 3

CLICK to see the tactical map.

____________________________
Maelorn
Lymas
Zane
Nakoda
Dogs

While prone, Maelorn calls for Torag for protection (Casting Shield of Faith - provoking AoO) and then stands (and prays the dogs don't have Combat Reflexes :) )

Gone this weekend; Back Sunday night.

The eagle killing one of the dogs was unavoidable, but Nakoda was not entirely willing to kill the others if at all possible. One hand lifted the whip from her hip as she began chanting the battle-verse, the words sounding intimidating as this one was one of the more growling verses, rather fitting, since the dogs were doing much the same.

Inspire Courage begun, +1 atk/dmg/charm/fear

Round 3
____________________________
Maelorn____________
Maelorn rolls to his feet…
…Viscious Dog2 AoO to Maelorn: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5. Miss!
Then mutters a brief prayer to Torag, calling for his protection. [Shield of Faith.

Lymas ____________

Zane_______________
As the viscious dogs run up to them, Zane times it carefully as he brings both hands together, crosses his thumbs and unleashes a fan of burning fire in an arc in front of him. [Burning Hands]
Damage is 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 fire damage
Dog 4 Ref Save vs DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Save! Dog takes 1 damage.
Dog 5 Ref Save vs DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Save! Dog takes 1 damage.
Dog 6 Ref Save vs DC15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Fail! Dog takes 3 fire damage.

Nakoda________________________
One hand lifted the whip from her hip as she began chanting the battle-verse, the words sounding intimidating as this one was one of the more growling verses, rather fitting, since the dogs were doing much the same. [Inspire Courage +1]
Her unusually large Celestial Eagle again gives a keening cry, stoops down from the rooftop and again drives it talons into another dog, killing it instantly and lifting it to the rooftop again to feast.
Another double 20 critical hit!
The last dog attacking Maelorn whimpers in abject fear and runs away; it’s morale broken.

Dogs________________________
Dog 4- Bite attack vs Zane AC19: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6 Miss!
Dog 5- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9 Miss!
Dog 6- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17 Hit! for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 cutting damage.

Round 4

CLICK to see the tactical map.

____________________________
Maelorn
Lymas
Zane
Nakoda
Dogs

Zane grasps his cane bringing the heavy metal head down on the remaining dog.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Again healing himself (Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8, plus another +1 because I goofed last time), Maelorn stays out of sight from the door hole, "Are you ready to talk to us now? We have offered you no harm, and are quite literally the injured party here."

Apologies, forgot this description.

When Zane cast his Flaming Hands spell, what he got was a purplish electrical discharge instead. Just as if he had electrically substituted it. [Like Emperor Palpatine]

When Maelorn cast his spells, a purplish radiance flowed from his hands over his body in a protective force field.

LYMAS SMEED

"Too late for talkin' y' mug! Dogs gonna eat ye alive now!"

~Inspire Courage~(+1/+1)
The growling chant had not stopped as Nakoda took a bit of effort to get the dog out of her personal space, managing to step back for the moment, leaving a step's worth of space between the dog that bit her and the one that was attacking her. Despite the circumstances, killing the dog was not something she wanted to do, but putting a fist into the face of that cão behind the door was something that she liked the thought of.

Whip Attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
5ft step back, attack the dog in front of her.

Round 4
___________________________

Maelorn__________________
Again healing himself, Maelorn tries to talk sense into Lymas Smeed; but his efforts fall on deaf ears.

Lymas
"What's going on? I can't see!"

Zane_____________________
Zane grasps his cane bringing the heavy metal head down on the remaining dog with a crunch. The dog staggers, but is still up and fighting.

Nakoda __________________
~Inspire Courage~(+1/+1)
Nakoda steps back and swings her whip at the dog in front of her, but misses.
Her eagle screams and starts to stoop again, but dissolves into a cloud of purple butterflies and scatters to the four winds.

Dogs______________________
Dog 4- Bite attack vs Zane AC19: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (18) + 0 = 18 Miss! as Zane parries with his stick.
Dog 5- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (9) + 0 = 9 Miss!
Dog 6- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC16: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1 Miss! the dog yelps as it bites its own tongue.

Maelorn hears a rattle and thump overhead. One of the armored shutters on the second floor about six feet over his head slowly opens up. The blunt snout of a heavy crossbow eases out, followed by Sneed's ugly mug trying to look around.
"Where are ye ye lazy dogs? Bring me back that little girl while yer at it!"

~Inspire Courage~ (+1, +1)

[i]'Purple butterflies? That has not happened before', Nakoda thought to herself as she took a step to the side(South) to provide space between her and one of the two dogs attacking her. Practiced motions began coiling the whip up at her side as she went on the defensive for a few seconds while she made ready to draw her shortsword. Killing these dogs was not something she wanted to do, but it would save them future hurts.

M: 5ft step south, S: Fighting Defensively (AC 18)

Taking a step backward Zane glances up at Sneed preparing to fire and pulls out a scroll and begins to cast his hand waving toward the weapon extending out of the window.

Step back from dog abd cast Burning Disarm. Sneed can drop crossbow with DC 16 reflex or take 2d4 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5damage as the metal parts of the crossbow heat up.

SMEED Ref save vs DC16: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
"Yaaaa!" Smeed shrieks as the metal parts of the crossbow flash heat start to scald him, but he flinches back; letting go of the heavy crossbow at the same time. It slides out the window and plunges down towards where Maelorn is looking up.

Maelorn, make a Reflex save DC10 or be clobbered by a falling heavy crossbow for 1d4 ⇒ 2 bludgeoning.

Reflex Save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Maelorn, closes his eyes for a brief moment, then regretfully draws one of his hammers and strikes at the nearest dog.

Hammer strike: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 = 16 - Damage: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

Round 5
____________________________
Maelorn ____________________
Waits and looks for a way in

Lymas ________________
Pokes his head out.

Zane __________________
Disarms Sneed, crossbow falls on Maelorn.

Nakoda __________________
~Inspire Courage~ (+1, +1)
M: 5ft step south, S: Fighting Defensively (AC 18)

Dogs____________________
Dog 4- Bite attack vs Zane AC19: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14 Miss!
Dog 5- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC18: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (11) + 0 = 11 Miss!
Dog 6- Bite attack vs Nakoda AC18: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3 Miss!

Round 6
____________________________
Maelorn
Runs up behind Zane's dog and kills it.

Lymas
Stumbles back and slams the shutter, howling for another crossbow.

CLICK for the Map.

Zane

Nakoda

Dogs

Seeing Nakoda besieged Zane spins, bringing his cane to bear on another of the slavering dogs.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

CONFIRM
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

~Inspire Courage~ (+1, +1)

Not having stopped her chanting yet, Nakoda draws her shortsword and attacks the dog that Zane had not hit yet, a number of vengeful things going through her mind for the one who had set the dogs on them. If there were any other surprises, she would have a rather pointed line of inquiry to put to him.

Attack:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23- Confirm:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21; Damage:2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6

In rapid succession Zane and then Nakoda kill the last of the dogs; the rest having fled and don't appear to be returning anytime soon.

With the immediate fight ended, Nakoda ends the chant and coughs slightly, shaking her head. The sword she wiped on the dog, laying a gentle hand on its shoulder before sighing. "An explanation is due." She did not look like she liked the attention that they had received-- but who would?-- and was very much wanting some answers.

Standing, she glanced over Zane and Maelorn for any obvious injuries.

"I'm fine, but I believe they've given us just cause to storm in there."

"If for nothing else, he needs to answer for the maltreatment of his animals...but I must say that I have grown weary of fighting Saul's battles for him. On paper we may be junior partners in his establishment, but I am beginning to feel like a low-rent mercenary."

"Agreed we can broach the subject with him when we aren't being shot at."

"Meantime", Nakoda began, an unamused tone in her voice. "Meantime, Mister Crossbow has questions to answer."

The sword was sheathed back at her left hip and the whip was resettled around the hilt of the short sword. She stood and stretched upwards, then looked at the poor animals with a small sigh. "Knock again?", she offered with an amused smile, knowing that it was unlikely to happen.

"I think we'd look foolish smashing in the door of the local moneylender, and this door is likely too strong to fall Torag's gift...perhaps we should see if the side door is less well made?"

Cutting through back alleyways to get to the back door, the locals all give you a wide berth; no one seems inclined to help or hinder you.

At the back door you all can see its as thick as the front door, and has a nice lock too. The good thing is there is no peephole, and by the sound of the shouting, Smeed is still at the front window.

"I do notbeleve I can break this, but I should be able to weaken it significantly, so that one or two good blows will destroy it"

Maelorn reaches out and places his palm on the lock.

Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 bypassing Hardness 2 - 1st round, 3 damage

She did not say anything, but her attention was elsewhere as Maelorn examined the lock. Her body language was curious as she looked about with a slight frown on her face, scenting the air audibly, trying to determine something.

Following her nose, she heads over to one of the many barrels that was stacked to the right of the entryway. She was barely taller than them, something that gave her a bit of difficulty as she neared them. "Blood", she said by way of explanation, carefully peering into the barrels.

As the lock on the backdoor visibly rusts and corrodes under Maelorns hands, Nakoda sniffs the air and goes over to one of the trash barrels.
Peering in, she reaches out and pulls a soiled cloak--a green cloak trimmed in sable.

You all instantly recognize it as Larur Feldin's.

When held up, Nakoda shows the rents in it, as well as the blood; a lot of blood.

"This changes everything. Larur was killed recently, well after he went missing. I expect he was murdered within this very building. This cannot stand."

Maelorn grimly continues to work the lock. (I'm going to pre-roll the balance of the Artificer's touch damage.)

Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6, bypassing Hardness 2 - 2nd round, 3 damage
Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2, bypassing Hardness 2 - 3rd round, No damage
Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, bypassing Hardness 2 - 4th round, 2 damage
Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3, bypassing Hardness 2 - 5th round, No damage
Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3, bypassing Hardness 2 - 6th round, No damage
Artificer's Touch: - Dmg:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2, bypassing Hardness 2 - 7th round, No damage

Total of 8 damage done...12 left

Maelorn sighs, "Less effective than I'd hoped."

At this point, the new recruits come into view down the street [from stage right].
They see the street littered with the bodies of dogs and the whole neighborhood eerily quiet.

Except for the ranting coming from the brownstone with the fancy sign; "RAT STREET LOANS--By appointment only."

CLICK for the Map.