Darwin's World - Tales From the Twisted Earth (Inactive)

Game Master Nethru

'So there was a device, but it's gone. but if the man went to Sandyville and sold it then they would already have it. It must have gone someplace else.' Shaking his head, Navarre quickly erases his slate board and quickly scribbles on it again. Tugging on Xoknus' sleeve he nods toward the 'rust lords' showing his ally the slate board.

Talk
fight
or
run
?

The elders talk briefly between themselves and then turn back to your group.

"Well pay you each 250 corium if you can find the Scav and collect the device for us. You can slip out at night via a secret passage we have. Obviously the Scav never made it to Sandyville else they would not of come back here."

"We'll talk it over and get back ta ya".

Xok huddles with his allies, away from the Elders, "Thoughts 'gents? A decent offer but it sort of goes against what we've already been paid ta do no?"

'we've been hired to eliminate the 'Wastelords' if we find this device it may get us close enough to them to allow a lot of options. Hmmm. what would be the best way to communicate that?' After they returned to Rose and Tomas, Navarre looks to each of his associates. Then writing quickly on his slate the turns it so the others can read it, gesturing toward the 'Wastelords.'

Find
Device
bait
wastelords
for
ambush

Tomas has been listening and not speaking, at Navarre's suggestion he thinks it over. "Sounds like a plan. More of one then we got right now anyway."

Unspoken was his great interest in examining this device.

"Sure."

Rose continued to watch the raiders outside waiting for the inevitable to happen.

'Well that's three of us, but we will need all four to make this work. Worst case, I fly out of here alone. but that would mean I return home a failure, I hope Xoknus finds a double-cross reasonable.' Nodding his head as Tomas and Rose agree, Navarre looks to the big mutant. Lifting his hand making a fist, he gives a thumbs up to Xoknus, then flipping his fist over, showing a thumbs down. He waits for the big guys answer.

"We're in this together, we win together and we fail together. Let's do it".

Xok returns to the Elders, "Deal". He says simply.

"Excellent." one of the elder replies.

They escort your group to a and area between the tents and move some sand to reveal a covered passage that leads into an underground tunnel.

"The Wastelords won't attack until they have more numbers as their casualties will be to high right now. At night, under the cover of dark you will escape and look for the Scav and return the item to use upon which you will be paid."

Unless anyone else has anything to state/do will move this to night.

When you leave the tent, burdened with the hopes of the Ebb traders, darkness is already beginning to set. Normally this would be a bad time to travel the desert, but under these circumstances it is a blessing.

One of the traders’ trusted guards, informed of your mission, leads you towards the rear of the compound where the secret tunnel.

The trusted guard whispers to you. "With night falling you may be able to escape. This tunnel will take you fifty paces beyond those dunes. Be careful not to draw attention your way. Go now!"

The tunnel is at beast a narrow escape route, running just under the earth for about 150 feet. Luckily it is just large enough for you to crawl through, even Xoknus, dragging your equipment behind you on the end of a borrowed rope. Once you arrive at the end, you can spy over the crest of the dune.

Looking back, the shallow valley has gotten darker, but the lights of Ebb are glowing strong – torches, lanterns, etc. The raiding party of Wastelords seems focused on the small compound, unaware of your escape. Making sure no one is silhouetted against the setting sun, you scamper off in the opposite direction, deeper into the desert…

Rose seems confused by this turn of events but there was no doubt this was the proscribed course for the group. He followed along moving stealthily through the night as they left Ebb.

'I hope my bioluminescence doesn't bring undo attention to the group.' Once the climb out of the tunnel, Navarre Wraps his poncho tightly around himself hopping to avoid detection from the Wastelords.

Tomas shrugs and move along with the others. 'Hope someone knows what we're doing?' He thought to himself. 'Finding one lone Scav in the wastes ain't gonna be fun, even with the Flyboy on the job.'

'We need to head to Sandyville and see if we can pick up the Scav's trail. It will be hard to find any sign of tracks let alone at night. Once we're free of the Wastelords, we should stop until sunrise.' Giving the Wastelords a wide berth, Navarre attempts to circle around Ebb, until they are headed the general direction of Sandyville after traveling a couple of hours. Navarre rests his hand on Tomas' shoulder, the light-blue bioluminescence eerily lighting his actions. Quickly writing on the slate board, he shows it to the other, pointing to the ground.

Wait
for
Sunrise
?

trying to get around Ebb, going the direction of Sandyville. Navigate or survival? Both are + 5 for Navarre
Nav or Sur.: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Your group is far enough away from the Wastelords and their concentration on the town they do not see the glowing bug in the distance and covers up enough to hide his luminosity.

Waiting is probably not a good option as Ebb will probably be destroyed if you wait so heading at under the cover of night while not optimal is probably your best option. Looking at the map you see Two Tree's is next destination on way to Sandyville, which is probably destroyed, but you know that's the direction the Scav was headed.

Make listen checks as you travel toward Two-Trees.

Listen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Rose pulled his jacket tight as he moved toward Two-Trees keeping alert as he could.

'Dark is not optimal, but they are still moving, so I will try and help.' Realizing the others are still moving. Navarre tosses the front of his poncho over his shoulder, illuminating their way. But he keeps a keen poor ear out for anything happening in the darkness.

listen: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

With the lack of light making him nervous Tomas tries to sharpen his ears in the hopes of hearing trouble before it bites his butt.
Listen: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Humming as he walks isn't helping.

Xok tries to keep low as best he can listening for anything as he can se very little.

Listen 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

You all got some bad rolling!

move silent: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

A creature that looks like a largish black cat, with somewhat of a pronounced “hump” (like a buffalo) lunges out of the darkness without making a sound at Xoknus who looks like the tastiest biggest morsel this thing can sink it's fangs into!

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
dmg: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The creatures pounces on Xoknus and rips it's claws into his flesh!

Init please!
lurking panther: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

'What the blazes?' Instinctively, Navarre jerks back. He immediately takes flight, turning and shooting his loaded crossbow at the beast, his quarrel flying off somewhere into the darkness.

move action: take flight, attack:crossbow
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 for damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Tomas pretends the high pitched scream was made by a mysterious passing girl, aiming carefully he shoots at the thing onhis turn.
Crossbow + PBS - Melee: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 17
Damage + PBS: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Bad Kitty".

Xok Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Melee Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 - Crit? 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Melee Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 4, 3) + 8 = 20 + 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 4, 4) + 8 = 21

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Rose cursed as death struck in the night. He drew his katana and slashed at the cat as fast as he could trying to draw its attention. "Keep it off the healer!"

Katana attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Katana dmg: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10

Sorry forgot to post it's defense of 17 so you know if you hit or not!

Navarre's shot goes wide acting fastest. Tomas fires his crossbow and strikes true drawing first blood on the creature!

Xoknus turns swinging his great sword with such force the creature is cut in two!

Do you add your damage modifier for crit? I always forget. Either way you killed it.

Everyone gets 600xp! This should make you all level 2 and you can update your sheets/hps, etc... before next encounter.

After the battle all is silent again with Xoknus the only one to be hurt from this ferocious creature.

The remainder of the traveling to Two-Tree is uneventful. According to your map, the site up ahead must be “Two Trees”. Just as the map suggests, an identical pair of trees can be seen sticking out of the sand here, defying the harsh environment and the winds it sends against them. Long dead, their hardy nature and the dry air seem to have preserved them like bastions of the forgotten world before the Fall.

As you approach the scene, you notice a jumble of tracks that seem to suggest a recent visitor to Two Trees – perhaps within the last day or so. The remains of a scattered campsite can be seen, along with a collection of bones cast about here and there.

Suddenly the silence beneath the shadow of the Two Trees is broken by the heavy plod of clawed feet…the rustling of feathers…and the shrill cawing of two giant mutant birds!

Xoknus you can perform aid on yourself and drink a potion long before this of course to heal up some of those wounds.

raptor1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
raptor2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Xok hisses as he reaches for a potion to heal the deepest aspect of the cuts. He then takes out some salves and some thread and a thimble to patch it up a bit more. He grunts as he works quickly, "Not time to rest now. Let's go".

Potion 1d4 ⇒ 3

Treat Injury 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 That's a fail if I use an action point can I re-roll that one? Fow now I will assume yes. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Heal 1d4 ⇒ 1

Yes strength but not other modifiers are added to the critical damage.

Book at home, will level up tonight.

---

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Action points give you 1d6 extra to your roll not a full re-roll. You need a 20 to succeed on self so not worth using action point plus you can re-try numerous times if you have time to re-try so will say you get the 1 extra hp back without the action point spent.

'A pity to leave meat and hide in the desert, but the big one is right we should keep moving.' Landing near his associates, Navarre looks from the dead animal to Xoknus. Nodding his head in agreement, taking point, using his bioluminescence to light the way, he continues on to 'Two Trees'

'Well, someone has been here.' Smiling to himself, as they see the trees and the remains of a camp ground. Navarre hearing the ruckus, looks up.

init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

I will update Navarre this evening

Rose sheathed his sword breathing slower as the wounds from earlier seemed less painful. He looked about at his companions who had bound fates with his as they moved on. Sleep came easily to him though comfort was scarce.

At Two-Trees he started as the mutant birds came out seeking their blood. He drew his katana yet again as he prepared to fight.

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Tomas is a lot more aware of just how dangerous the wastes are, 'Came outta freaken nowhere!' is his main thought.

Rose darts forward toward the second raptor and slices at it with his katana attempting to put it down quickly.

Katana Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Action point: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Katana damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 3) + 5 = 13

Raptor defense is 19 so good call on action point. Don't forget when you leveled up all action points refreshed.

Round 1
Rose - 22
Raptor2 - 20 (hurt) (def 19)
Raptor1 - 15
Xoknus - 11
Navarre - 7
Thomas - 5

Rose's katana slices deep into the 2nd raptor but is not able to drop it in the first hit.

The Raptor's beak darts down at Rose in response!
attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
The beak pierces skin and tears away flesh as it rips away from Rose.
Special attack that does 1 dmg each round from bleeding until healed!

The other Raptor swoops up to Navarre to try to impale him!
attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Again the beak tears into Navarre's skin drawing blood and ripping flesh away causing continuous bleeding!

Round 1

"Dammit! These creatures cut us up faster than I can stitch us!"

He swings his greatsword at one of the Raptors.

Greatsword Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Greatsword Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) + 8 = 19

But the Giant misses wide.

'Blasted bird, that hurt. AS the raptors beak pierces Navarre's shoulder and he begins to bleed profusely. He reals back, blood oozing from the wound, the pain causing him to make a small clicking sound with his mandibles, "Tick, click, tick, click, tick, click."

Raising the crossbow he fires point blank at the bird of prey that is killing him, but the quarrel flies off into the darkness.

5 ft step, attack Crossbow
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

'Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t!' Is the sum of Tomas's thoughts on the situation.

He scrambles to where he can shoot at the attacking birds.
Crossbow - Melee + PBS: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 16
Action Point: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Saved!
Damage + PBS: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Thomas is able to finish off the bird that attacked Rose!

Rose your up the one that jumped up to hit Navarre is on the ground after pecking at him.

Blood splatters across the ground as Rose grits his teeth and charges the bird from behind flanking it as he slashes at its back.

-1 hp from bleed

Katana attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
Katana damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10

The raptor squalls at the hit by Rose and pecks at him furiously!

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Miss!

Everyone else can go it's the last one!

Rose slices upward again attempting to finish it quickly.

Katana Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Katana Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 5) + 5 = 15

'Ok, I didn't screw that one up!' Tomas thinks, a bit more confidently.
Crossbow - Melee + PBS: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 1

And looses that confidence just as quickly.

'Rose is death incarnate with that sword, I'm glad he's on our side.' Stumbling back from the beast that attacked him, Navarre watches as Rose strikes at the thing and then Tomas fires. Hoping he can do better he cocks is crossbow, blood dripping from his hands, then levels it at the mutant bird and fires.

Bleed, 5 ft step, move action: load crossbow, I forgot at the end of the last round :-( attack: crossbow
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Forgot flanking bonuses if they apply with Xoknus. +2?

Think you still miss. It has defense of 19. Waiting on Xoknus to post.

Round 2

The Giant swings his greatsword at the final enemy.

Greatsword Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Greatsword Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 4, 2) + 8 = 19

"Bird is quick, I'll give it that..."

The creature squalks as all the blows at it either miss or bound of fit's hard hide and attempts to peck at Rose again!

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Just a bit outside! Your all up again. FINISH HIM!

Rose dodges again under the beak as more of his blood spills out and his pain focuses him to a razor's edge. He takes a half running start at the bird and spins at the last second like he is dodging a tackle his blade passing through the back of the neck as he ends his move to the side of the bird blade outstretched fully away from his body.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 = 12

Crossbow + PBS - Melee: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 10

"You feathered bastard, you're dinner!" Tomas curses as he misses again.

Round 3

Xok attacks once more, this time a tighter swing.

Greatsword Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Greatsword Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) + 8 = 21

Missing once more he scowls, "Aww come on!"

round three
'Crap, crap, crap' Stepping back from the bird further, Navarre cocks his crossbow and fires again, watching the poorly aimed crossbow quarrel fly off into the night.

Bleed, firing into melee. 5 ft step, move action: load crossbow, attack: crossbow
attack: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 4 = 10 for damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10

Rose finalizes the creatures life with a swift swing of his blade severing his head. The swordsman is surely living up to his reputation!

Everyone gets 300xp.

Those of you who were hit by the creatures will continue to bleed 1 hp a round until Xoknus can patch you up!

##############

To keep things moving

Littered among the remains of the campsite are a number of items (conspicuously in good condition). These include two blankets, a high quality climber’s rope (50 feet long), climbing gear, a firestarter cube, and a large, shoddy sack. Inside this sack are a variety of worthless trinkets (rusted nails, broken links of chain, crusted pennies and nickels from before the Fall), a number of irregular chunks of corium (the equivalent of 54 corium pieces), two small cylinders made out of black cardboard (a pair of concussion grenades), and a remarkably heavy pouch.

This pouch proves to have a curious piece of machinery carefully bundled inside. Apparently the owner recognized some inherent value to the item, for it appears to have been wiped clean of dust and grime and only marginally toyed with. 12” long and almost as wide, a jumble of blue and white wires hang down from the boxy device. Faded stenciling on one side is barely visible (any character that speaks Ancient will recognize the letters “USAF”).

This piece of machinery must be the device the traders of Ebb spoke of!

Knowledge, Technology check at DC 35 if you have that skill to figure out what it is.

Gonna assume I survive til the search happens. Will adjust hp according to Xok timing on heals.

"USAF...this device is ancient technology and likely the device we are looking for."