DMDM's Hells Rebels

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

"Be careful Irisa..." Zeldana warned, her voice heavy with worry.

Poor creature... hopefully we can help in some way...

The varisian woman shift slightly as she keeps her eyes upon Irisa, worried there may be trouble.

Thinking for a moment of the nature of Tengu and where they are from, she translates the words of her group into Tien.

Just realises I could do that.

Great idea!

"Usiu, do you think you could help her out?" Usiu tweets encouragingly.

Usiu cast Guidance on Irisa giving her a +1 to her roll.

Sadly multiple casts of guidance doesn't stack. I already factored in my own guidance in the roll. Sorry for not writing that.

The Wasp Nest

As Irisa edges closer see can see the glowing red eyes of the creature in the darkness, it hisses back at the group as they approach.

Though its words may be unclear its intent is not, it is hostile though it does not attack.

Actions?

Sholti stops singing. She doesn't know what Chough said, but her general message is clear. If the singing hasn't helped at this point, it's not likely to. Besides, she feels a bit silly singing lullabies to an agitated corby.

It's all up to you now Irisa.

Irisa stops approaching from the hostile actions of the creature. She thought maybe her actions would have placated it some, but apparently not.

"I can't understand what it's saying. Can any of you understand it? We might need the Tengu to translate."

"I'm sorry but no, that is not a language I am familiar with..." Zeldana answered with a shake of her head. "And I know quiet a few languages." She commented as she kept her distance from the corby before them.

We didn't actually get the name of the Tengu, did we?

Irisa slowly backs out of the hole then looks towards the Tengu. "She's speaking some language we don't understand. We are going to need your help translating if we are to be of any help."

The Wasp Nest

You are correct Irisa, the Tengu has yet to offer her name.

The corbee continues to growl as the group backs away from her hiding place.

Irisa finds the Tengu still rooted in place where she was left. She shakes her head and responds to Irisa's request, "I fear that Chough will only answer with violence, she cannot be reasoned with no matter what I say... Perhaps the fact that she did not attack you means there is hope for her but I don't think we will find that hope with her trapped in this place".

The others can try too right?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Well, we won't get anywhere if we can't communicate with her, can you at least translate for us, please?" Irisa says with a smile.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"Sometimes you have to put things down that you love. With you ticket to ride dead, how do you think you are going to get out of this city?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

The Wasp Nest

The Tengu turns to Hiranno, "If you feel you must put her down, then do so. I do not wish to bear witness to or be a part of it..."

Sure, the others can make the check if they backed out to interact with her, you were the only one I knew for sure that was going to do so.

"It's a choice you must make sometimes. I don't hold such against you for you to not see it. Be it however, we will try the diplomatic means."

"So you won't even attempt to translate for her?" Irisa is disappointed by the tengu's words. "If you will, please come with us."

Sholti waits back at the entrance, keeping an eye on the dire corby while the others talk.

I hadn't actually thought about whether Sholti would be going back or staying put. For the sake of smooth continuity with prior posts, she'll stay put inside the hole so the group doesn't lose sight of the corby.

Zeldana stayed close to Sholti. There was nothing she could do when it came to the tengu, but she could guard her new friend's backs while they spoke.

The Wasp Nest

The Tengu practically squawks with frustration, "Can you not see nothing I say will make it any better! Chough will kill again unless you can slay her or somehow subdue her and set er free in the wild. Either way I do not wish to witness it".

The Tengu woman begins to sob with sadness having had to admit out loud this deep set fear...

Tiel, still in the room with the Corbie, puts her glaive against the wall and digs out a bit of food. Offering it to the corbie, she asks "do you understand me. We don't want to hurt you, but you have to stop hurting people."

Usiu chirps in agreement.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12

Sorry for the delay. Had lots going and it just slipped my mind to check back in.

The Wasp Nest

A gutteral growl emanates form the Corby as Tiel offers her food. That seems to have pushed the volatile creature over the edge.

Outside of the small room, Irisa and Hiranno hear the growl and teh scrape of claws on the stone ground as well as Tiel's curse as the creature charges right at her.

You can both charge back into the room and receive an attack action Round 1 if you so desire.

Round 1 Initiative.
Group First
Corby Last

"We need to both back in here!!" Zeldana called as she snapped her fingers and lights flashed before the Corby's eyes.

Daze! DC 15

Hiranno charges back in the room to engage with the Corby, missing with a preparatory slash that misses.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Irisa rushes back to join the others, armor clinking. "Bless us in our struggle Desna, so that we may win this fight and prevent this man-hating bird from taking another life." She prays and blesses the party.

Tiel drops the food and grabs her glaive. She strikes at the corby in self-defense.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Are we using fumble rules, or is a 1 just an automatic miss?

Sholti had kept her scimitar drawn, but low and against her leg the whole time. When Chough charges, she brings the blade up over her shoulder and steps into a slash at the corby.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Crit? 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

I just knew this was going to end up going this way.

The Wasp Nest - Corby Combat

The Corby named Chough manages to resist Zel's spell and even dodge Hiranno and Tiel's attacks. While it hisses at Irisa's positive energy burst its eyes grow wide at the strike landed by Sholti which spills a significant portion of its blood, from a gaping stomach wound, onto the floor.

The creature, to its credit and Sholti's dismay, swings two dirty and deadly looking claws at the Bard. The first claw connects with Sholti's left shoulder, the second narrowly misses her left forearm. Sholti takes 5 damage!

Round 2.
Group First
Corby Last

"Surround it! So it'll have a harder time dodging." Irissa suggests that the party should flank the creature. She continues to pray and lay a hand on Hirrano "May you have Desna's luck guide your blade to strike true!"

Guidance on Hiranno.

Round 2

Tiel twists her glaive around for another strike. Usiu chirps in support.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Usiu casts Guidance, not that it makes a difference.

Attack, Guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Hiranno's slashes out but it looks like the blade doesn't connect as the fight continues.

@Hiranno: Why not step in to flank? It'll benefit your character immensely. With flank and bless I'm pretty sure that's enough to hit.

The corby's claws send a jolt of pain through Sholti. She hisses at the sudden shock of it and rotates her left side away from Chough, slashing at her with again with the blade in her right hand.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I forgot there was a map, and it already looks like I am flanking.So that would be a 14 now.

The Wasp Nest - Corby Combat

Though Tiel's strike is off of the mark both Hiranno and Sholti strike the creature. Despite the horrific wounds it has received, the creature presses on!

Zel, your attack/action, the creature is clearly on death's door, its anger pushing it beyond death to deal whatever damage it can before its time elapses...

Hiranno also gets sneak attack from flanking. 1d6 extra.

Yes, but lets see if she can hit anything! XD

Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Zeldana took a chance and moved in, readying her staff. When she got close enough she struck at the Corby.

What would we do without Irisa Damage for Sneak Attacka: 1d6 ⇒ 5

The Wasp Nest - Corby Combat

Hiranno Sneak Attack 1d6 ⇒ 5. +3 to Zel attack hit = 15. EDIT: Ninja'd but still the same damage, it was destiny!

As Zel steps in to Flank teh Corby the creature wails and collapses its claws mere inches from shredding Sholti once more.

Combat Over!

Do you want to go back to the Tengu or explore the cave that the Corby was hiding in?

"What a ferocious creature. It kept fighting long after suffering grievous wounds." Irisa moves forward to examine the corby to see if it still lives.

heal: 1d20 ⇒ 19

As she does so she looks up at Sholti. "My, you are wounded. You need help with that? I still got a couple spells left for today."

The Wasp Nest - Corby Combat

The Corby is well and truly dead Irisa.

"It's dead... We killed it..." She says slowly and with a hint up sadness as she looks up at the others. "I guess it won't hurt anyone anymore now."

We might as well search the cave now that we are here.

"The least we can do now is ensure a proper burial." Zeldana said softly as she went back out to the Tengu.

"I am sorry..." She began, yet found herself up able to continue.

Sholti exhales in a hiss of pain. "Yes, I could really use some help with this."

My thought was that you could use one of your own spells since you at least got your weapon to fall back on, while I primarily use spells in combat. But Irisa certainly won't refuse you asking for it.

Irisa quickly gets up and over to sholti and puts grabs her arm to steady her. "Desna, please heal this noble warrior up. She does not deserve to suffer after the mistreatment of this violent creature." Warm white light spreads out form her hand.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The Wasp Nest

The Cave

After Irisa cures Sholti, the women explore the cavern. This area is relatively large considering what you expected. It houses several bunk beds clearly designed for halflings or human children. It is devoid of much but droppings from teh Corby in the latrines and skeletal remains of rats.

Just as you are about to exit you see under one of the beds the glint of something metallic. Under the bed are three copper bracelets and one silver locket. Make an Appraise check to ascertain value.

Conversing with the Tengu

The Tengu nods and sniffles. "Thank you for your assistance, it was the only option that was left to us... Tell me human woman, can you aid us in the way that Nan was going to? Can you sneak us out of the city?"

"My family does have a caravan. Thought the laws have made it more difficult to come a go with ease... Allow me to tell our friends, Nan's friends, so that you will be fed and sheltered here until the next caravan. Do you agree to that?" Zeldana asked.

"everyone is stuck here until proper governance prevails over Thrune."

My thought was that you could use one of your own spells since you at least got your weapon to fall back on, while I primarily use spells in combat. But Irisa certainly won't refuse you asking for it.

Irisa quickly gets up and over to sholti and puts grabs her arm to steady her. "Desna, please heal this noble warrior up. She does not deserve to suffer after the mistreatment of this violent creature." Warm white light spreads out form her hand.

[dice=Cure Light Wounds]1d8+1

Sure, I could have. But you asked if I wanted healing so I said yes...

"That's true. Travel out of the city is closely watched. I'm not sure if we can do it. At least not soon."

The Wasp Nest

The Tengru nods, "You have my thanks for your aid and understanding. Yes please ask Nan's friend if we may stay here. Perhaps while we are still here we can find some way to aid you. My name is Korva".

Congratulations! You have solved the disappearance of Nan and brought the Tengu over as allies!

Everyone advance to second level. I will set up a post to advance the next scene which will take place the next day. Feel free to RP interacting with Laria regarding events down in the Wasp's Nest if you wish to.