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

Game Master Nethru

Tomas looks it over carefully. "Sorry guys, it's way beyond me. All I can tell is it's meant to be plugged into something?"

Even taking 20 I still only get 25, so sorry gang. I can't identify it.

'That is technology of the ancients, the ancients destroyed the world. We should destroy it just on that premise, alone. Let alone for what ever the Wastelords would use it for.' Pressing his hand to the recent wound, Navarre eyes the piece of equipment suspiciously. 'What happened to the man who carried it.' Shaking his head, he investigates the camp, inspecting the bones to see if they are recent kills, and then looking for tracks leading away from the camp.

I didn't know if inspecting the bones would be a heal or survival roll. Just trying to figure out if the scav is dead or walked off.
survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Xok Takes 20 on Treat Injury post battle to stop everyone's bleeding - the Wastelordsa are far enough away for me to take that kind of time. Navarre 1d4 ⇒ 4 - Rose 1d4 ⇒ 2

---

"We got what we came for. I made my bones cracking and repairing skulls, not sure what this does either.

Question is, where to bring it. That I'll let you all decide and I'll follow along. We make a pretty good team, better if my sword didn't keep missin' those damned cats!"

The bones appear to have been here a long time Navarre. Most likely not the Scavs as those would be a lot fresher...

Make spot checks.

hide: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

What does your team want to do? Return to Ebb as requested by the Elders to retrieve your reward and possibly save the town? Something else?

spot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

'We should take this machine back to Ebb and return to our mission. May as well not let this food go to waste.' looking around one last time, Navarre draws his cleaver, and chops a leg off of one of the giant birds, resting it on his shoulder, he turns and points to Ebb, and begins to walk that way.

Spot: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Rose glances around the place once before cleaning his sword and then sheathing it. He nods and follows Navarre.

Spot: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Tomas looks around, but is more interested in the device.

"Ebb it is I suppose".

Spot - 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10. Ugh.

You group makes haste back to Ebb!

Quickening your pace as you near the familiar vicinity of Ebb, you are each taken totally by surprise as you come over the final crest. There, laid out in the slight depression between dunes, is what can only be described as the ruins of that little village. Wisps of smoke still rise from the wreckage of the walls and the burned remnants of tents, and even from this distance you can discern individual corpses scattered throughout the compound.

You have arrived to late. Ebb is gone!

"Hnnhh. Well, let's at least explore the ruins no?"

"The fools got what they deserved. Yes we should search the ruins."

Rose cautiously moves toward the ruins looking out for raiders or scavengers.

'Yes no reason not to scavenge what we can, perchance we can roast this bird leg.' Nodding his head in agreement with his companions, he drops his bag and then lays the bird leg on top, pulling out his chalk he quickly writes on the board.

One
Minute

He then launches into the air, flying up a hundred foot, looking at the terrain around the dead town, making sure the rustlords were truly gone.

search/spot: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Navarre takes a looksie and see's no enemies in sight.

Your group makes it's way down to the destroyed village of Ebb. The ruins prove to be utterly destroyed and ransacked. Most of the people here were butchered, but signs indicate that a few hardy individuals were marched off as a group, no doubt to become slaves of the Wastelords. Evidence also seems to suggest that what the Wastelord scouts couldn't take with them on their vehicles, they put to the torch. The destruction is so complete that nothing appears salvageable.

As you wander around the wreckage of Ebb after about an hour or so you notice puffs of sand kicked up by the treads of a fraxx steed, a rider heads straight for the smoking ruin of the town. As he nears, the man's white armor marks him as a scout from Bazaar.

The man finally comes to a stop, his face etched with a look of horror at the carnage of the scene. He has a bolt-action rifle in hand.

Do you wish to hide from his view or just stay out in the open?

Hide: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Rose attempts to hide as he keeps his bow in hand just in case the scout decides to shoot first and ask questions later.

'We are hiding from our ally?' Watching the swordsman hide, Navarre, looks to the others, then tries to do likewise; ducking behind the burned out shell of what he had been told as a child was a 'VW Bug.'

Hide: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Tomas notes his team mates vanishing, but lacks any skill at doing the same. So he walks out where to rider can see him and waits with his hands empty, but where the others can cover him.

Seeing Tomas and recognizing him as an agent of the council, the man sheaths his bolt-action rifle and approaches.

"What happened here..." he says slowly when he gets closer.

"Bastard Wastelords!" Tomas spits on the ground. "Showed up looking for an artifact of the ancients that wasn't here. We went looking for it, an when we got back this was all that was left."

He leaves a lot out of his tale, especially the fact that the party found this mysterious 'Artifact'.

'Now we shall see what Ebb's intentions are, I hope Tomas survives. I like him.' Keeping his head low, Navarre waits to hear what the scout from Ebb has to say.

When the scout hears what Tomas has to say he looks shocked, devastated, and for a moment seems not what to do. However he regains his composure, he turns to the group.

"There must be some lethal power to this device, if the Wastelords seek it as you say. We cannot let it fall into their hands! My people, Bazaar, suspect war is imminent. Our allies at Dry Fort prepare their defenses even as we speak. But I suspect nothing we have will stand up to whatever power the Wastelords are seeking. You must find the device and deliver it to Spilunk to them. With their great thinkers, they may know what the item does and why the Wastelords want it so badly. Go now! Long live the alliance!"

The rider wraps the scarf of his turban about his face to shield from sand kicked up by his mount, and then rides off over the dunes toward Bazaar...

"We must go north and west." Rose spoke as he emerged from his hiding spot. "There is nothing else to be done but be blown by the winds of these greater forces at work."

duh, just realized I put Ebb instead of Bazaar.

'It's not really and alliance if only one ally is alive. But the swordsman is right, we need to head north west.' Climbing out of the burned out vehicle, Navarre nods in agreement with Rose. The large bird leg still resting on his shoulder, he begins walking that way.

Is Spilunk and Dry Fort the same place? Does Navarre or one of the others know how to get there?

Area Map for reference.

Xok remains silent through the exchange and nods as the rider returns from whence he came.

"We have what everyone seems to want, if only we knew what the blasted things was and what it did. Well, I'm game to go wherever you three think we should go next. Hell, you're the longest travel companions I've ever had!"

Tomas grumbles after the rider is out of earshot. "Go here. Go there. Do this. Do that! Give us some damn transport if it's that vital you farts!"

"Transport may draw attention. We would do best to stay unseen from the wastelords and let them search far a wide." Rose heads northwest per the map.

"Stop making so much sense." Tomas grumbles without any seriousness. Really he only wanted a vehicle of some sort to play with.

'Now that was funny.' turning and looking at his companions, Navarre lets out a slight clicking sound, "klack, clack. klack, clack." stopping for a moment he writes on his board and holds it up showing Tomas.

Funny

Then continues on his way northwest headed to Spilunk, keeping a keen eye out.

can we 'take 10' on search and spot?

gm: 1d20 ⇒ 18

The travel to Spilunk is not uneventful. Navarre spots 2 giant mutated creatures fighting each other up ahead on the path to your destination a few hours into the trip. A giant mutated scorpion and spider are thrashing at each other.

Make hide checks to get around them unseen.

spot: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Hide: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Rose stands there staring at the battle fascinated.

Xok loosens his weapon, "Care to test our skills against them Cutter?"

Have we rested to regain any HP? I've lost track? If not we're gonna get ourselves somewhat perished in this altercation...

hide: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

'hmmm, two mutant arachnids fighting, how very interesting. Pity I'm carrying this bird leg, arachnids are good eating.' Seeing the mutant creatures, Navarre ducks a little; but stands back up taller as the big one loosens up his weapon.

Hide: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Tomas does his pitiful best to become one with the scenery.

Yeah i'd say you guys would of had to rest by now so you would gain the rest HP's and you could also take 20 on healing check on everyone that has lost wounds for the day.

[ooc]Ok everyone gets 2 natural HP's from rest back.

And Xoknus take 20 on treat injury on everyone that's hurt.

Xoknus Treat Injury: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Rose Treat Injury: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Navare Treat Injury: 1d4 ⇒ 1

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Just as the mutated monstrous scorpion finishes off the spider, wounded itself, it turns and spots your group in the distance. It's pincer swings back and forth as it begins to charge toward your group!

init: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
On his init Tomas will use his crossbow.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 4

"You're already tired and wounded dumbass! Piss off and get some rest." He suggests peevishly.

init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

'Blast, it will eat us if we don't kill it.' Seeing the scorpion charging, Navarre levels the crossbow at the beast, firing his shot, then taking to the air. 30 ft

attack: Crossbow, move action 30 ft up. how big is the scorpion?
attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 for damage: 1d10 ⇒ 6

Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Rose crouches gauging the distance between them and the speed which the scorpion is moving as he knows if there is time to shoot or not. Assuming there is no time before it closes into melee...

Katana attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Katana damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4) + 5 = 13

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The big mutant steps forward at the charge and attacks.

Great Sword Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Great Sword Damage 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) + 8 = 21

Man the dice roller is killing this character...

Round 1

Navare - 19
Thomas - 14
Rose - 13
Xoknus - 11
Scorpion - 9 (Def 14) (I messed up it's init roll)

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Thomas and Rose blows strike true damaging the mutated scorpion but it's still kicking as it attacks back at Rose and Xoknus who is up close and personal with it!

Claw Attack Rose: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 (hit)
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Claw Attack Rose: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 (miss)
dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Stinger Attack Xoknus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 (miss)
dmg: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Your all up again!

Katana attack w/flank: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Katana attack crit threat: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Katana Crit damage: 4d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 4) + 10 = 29

Rose went around the scorpion drawing its snapping claws as as Xok went he opposite way drawing a sting from it's tail. His blood soaked the earth once more as a sharp chitin claw sliced his upper arm sending pain radiating through him. But it was worth it for the scorpion could only turn so fast and Rose leapt upon its broad flat back with a battlecry driving his sword deep between the chitin plate that deflected the brunt of slashing blows. He grunted and drove the sword deeper and as if suddenly breaking through a barrier it sunk to almost the hilt atop the creature's head.

'He is very effective with that ancient blade.' Seeing the swordsman's devastating blow, Navarre, comes to a hover, holding his crossbow in one hand, he draws his pistol with the other. Cocking the hammer waiting to see if the arachnid moves. 'If that didn't kill it, I don't think a bullet will.'

Officially that's two move actions. Hoping we don't have to waste any more ammo, Oh, and if that didn't kill it... Run

Likewise Tomas held his shot, waiting to see if it was needed after Rose's deadly strike. "Glad he's on my side." He muttered.

With a devastating blow Rose drops the monstrous creature! The rest of the travel to Spilunk is uneventful.

The map given you by the council at Bazaar said nothing about the dramatic beauty of this dangerous cliff country, and as you round the final bend leading to the cliff-town of Spilunk, you each take a moment to observe the unique character of the place.

Carved by hand from pinnacles of towering rock that stretch into the sky, the entire town looks more like a collection of lopsided clay pillars, riddled with cave openings and holes, connected at its various levels by treacherous wood and rope bridges like a delicate web suspended in space.

Almost as soon as you see the town in its full glory, the low rumble of a horn signals that you, too, have been spotted by the town’s own lookouts. A number of figures emerge, ready to welcome you to this curious mountain settlement.

earlier
Navarre lands, looking from the dead scorpion, to Rose and his sword then to Tomas, nodding his head in agreement.

Now
'What a very interesting way of building. If they had grown wings they wouldn't have needed all those unsightly rope bridges. Well a welcoming party, that's better than being shot at. No need to scare them.' Seeing the people come out o the settlement to greet them, Navarre shoulders his crossbow. Then pulls his poncho tight around himself, attempting to make sure his wings were as discreet as possible. He Settles his slate board on his chest, writing on it, then lifting both hands in a peaceful manner.

I'm
Navarre

Rose cleaned his blade as the ichor of the scorpion spilled out like a cracked egg. He looked at the stinger wondering if it was worth getting the poison from it but decided he would manage without it for now until he had some better tools and storage. He re-sheathed his blade and turned to his comrades. "All things have a weak spot if one but knows where to strike."

Later at Spilunk

Rose slowed their approach as the welcoming party came to welcome them. Perhaps they could get some supplies here they much needed.

Earlier

"Aye if you can hit the damned things..."

Later at Spilunk

Xok knows he's intimidating, ugly and gruff so he let's his slightly less gruff companions take the lead on this. Thogh he does mention to his allies as the welcome committe approaches, "We're gonna need to rest to heal our wounds in addition to re-supplying".

Tomas knows his mouth gets him into trouble, so keeps quiet and tries to look respectable while the more diplomatic members of the party handle the welcome.

Spilunk Map

A - PICTOGRAPHS
B - BRIDGES
C - MARKET
D - ALCOVES
E - ELDER COUNCIL

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The group is approached by a few men in dust covered robes. They do not appear to be holding any weapons. One of them approaches the group.

"What brings you to Spilunk travelers?"

"Our feet."

After a somewhat awkward pause Rose continued if no one seemed amused.

"The alliance of the Bazaar sent us here to investigate what the Wastelords are seeking. Apparently your thinkers are the best and may know more about a device they seek. Ebb was wiped out to the last man and we come from there with whatever haste we can to stop the Wastelords."