Extreme Dungeon Crawl League (Inactive)

Game Master The Indescribable

You six have been gathered by the Baroness in an attempt to help her friend Ranveer succeed in his new career after she successfully lobbied for him to be allowed to participate as something other than a monster.

She has paid for your lodgings but has made it clear that in the future it will be left up to you to provide your own lodgings. She briefly introduces you to each other before taking her leave.

Glade smiles at the woman. Thanks you, I hope my training goes well, as well for the rest of us, and the dungeon. It is an honor to meet you. Name's Glade diplomacy: 0 + 1d20 ⇒ 0 + (7) = 7 to charm the woman, he is trying to sound happy to see her and trying to send signals with his voice to let her know he thinks she is attractive.

Edit: But it looks like he is warming up his flirt.

Virgil Geryon is a green-skinned, six foot tall, one-hundred ninety pound half-orc. His jet black long hair, tied into a ponytail, hides underneath a black and grey swirling-motif bandanna. Dressed in muted greys and black leathers, a well-crafted long sword--black and white mask on the pommel--hangs loosely at his side, Virgil has the knowing look of his own self-importance pridefully displayed on his handsome face as if in a dare.

Sitting lazily in a chair, a bored look etched upon his handsome face, the 1/2 orc smirks.

I' m just here for the fame. Fame allows control, which, in turn, leads to disruption, turning into change.

Virgil chuckles.

Virgil Geryon.

A lanky, constantly smiling man in the corner comes over to join the conversation. He smiles and thanks the Baroness for her generosity.

My name is Arthur. I've always dreamed of doing Xcrawl. Thanks for helping that dream come true.

He looks sideways at Virgil, unsure what to make of the half-orc's comment but the cheerful man shrugs and turns back to the baroness.

She nods at Arthur before closing the door in Glade's face as though she didn't even hear him. You're alone now.

The tall, thin human grins broadly and looks around at his new companions.

This is great! Serious Xcrawl. What are we going to call ourselves? What's our strategy? What are all our specialties? I'm a spellcaster with a fair amount of healing, thanks to Vesta. I can slow down enemies while keeping you guys healthy.

Arthur's excitement at chasing his Xcrawl fantasy keeps him from speaking in a particularly coherent fashion.

My specialty is hitting the enemy as hard as I can. And cussing out the audience that boos us.

A lithely muscular man with obvious hints of feline feature - ears, a beard that covers the majority of his face and is almost fur, something about the mouth, and definitely the teeth - grins at his new comrades.

Taking a quick swig from a hip flask, one of four strapped into twin bandoliers crossing his broad chest, that reeks of strong alcohol his warm eyes move from person to person, as the corners of his mouth twitch. He bears a rapier at his side, and a buckler of darkly lustrous wood on his left hand.

My specialty is hitting the enemy as hard as I can. And cussing out the audience that boos us.

"That and making wolf eyes at old Ladies, the Baroness is the closest thing I have to a Mother you know, and more than of an age for it; though I will admit she is still a handsome woman!" He says, voice a rumbling mirth filled purr.

"In any case a pleasure to meet you all! May we share many victories, and many more drinks! I am Ranveer Ortenza - if you do not roll the R for at least two seconds you are mispronouncing it - fortunes fool, and most fortunate to be able to participate as a Crawler rather than a monster. I am a brawler, a doer of deeds of daring do, a shameless drunk, and, I would like to believe, a true and honest friend to those who would be mine!"

Moving over to Arthur he slaps him companionably on the back, "And above all of that, I am a great fan of XCrawl! Thrilled to be able to do it properly, a boffo rapier is a sad thing, especially for a male as prone to over indulging in liqor as I..."

"As for the audience, well I will shamelessly pander to them at every turn, a potential monster cannot afford pride in such matters. You cannot eat pride, nor more importantly drink it."

Arthur beams at Ranveer's descriptions of Xcrawl glory.

This is great! It's so exciting to have a real team together. Ranveer, you probably have a lot of experience with Xcrawl dungeons? What kinds of things should we expect? How should we arrange ourselves? I don't really belong in the front lines but I should be nearby in case anyone needs to be patched up. So I guess I'll be somewhere in the middle of our marching order? Oh! And what's our name going to be? If I might make a suggestion, it would be "Boulder than Ever."

The avid spelunker and hiker grins from ear to ear at his dad joke.

Arthur tries to roll both Rs in "Ranveer" for two seconds each but mostly just sputters as his tongue doesn't know how it's supposed to pull that off.

Chuckling Ranveer's feline eyes gleam, "Well I watch a lot of XCrawl and have participated in a half dozen boffo Crawls. What to expect? I would say it depends on the DJ. Is the DJ out to entertain, or to eviscerate, or both? Rescue the Princesses, defeat the foes, and most importantly make the crowd yours! But this is to be REAL XCrawl and I yet to live that, foam weapons are not the same as putting your life on the line!"

He pauses to take another swig from a hip flask, which he then proffers to Arthur, "As for the name I think we need something that will grab the audience by the balls! Something that will make us stand out and put us on the tip of every tongue. I was thinking The Unstoppable Force; at once a statement of intent and a red flag to the haters, but catnip to any announcer. They would not be able to resist speaking of our humongous brass cajones! Sure it could become a curse if we were to loose, but I do not intend to loose!"

"But of course we are a team and we should vote on such matters."

The dark green skinned 1/2 orc smiles as the tiefling speaks of the games. He yawns before speaking.

Excuse me, but I am of a mind to agree with our feline friend. The name is important. The crowd is the true prize, afterall. Perception is reality.

Virgil then rubs his hands together.

Let's think: Guardians of...no...Stormtroopers...no...Fellowship....definitely not...Ravagers...seems taken...it needs to really pop!

Ranveer nods, and muses, "We do not seek to guard, nor, ravage, but to rescue the Princesses and eliminate the foes placed before us... It is hard to derive a name from our natures since they are disparate and we do not know each other well as yet... The Baroness goes by DJ Inda Kisser when she runs a Crawl, maybe we could take something from that?"

"The Killer Kissers? It pays to advertise... Or Death Kiss? Melodramatic I know, but that is not a bad thing maybe, and if we ever start a band..."

Oh yeah. This is awesome guys! Let's come up with some kick-ass name! Hmm... let me right down what we come up with then we can vote.

Arthur happens to glance down at his boots and sees the brand name. Cavern Crawlers.

Hey! That's got a good ring to it too! I'm going to add "the Cavern Crawlers" list. Ok so far we have: Boulder than Ever*grins*The Unstoppable Force, and The Cavern Crawlers. What else can we come up with?

Arthur glances down at his boots and laughs at himself.

Bahahaha! It's not Cavern Crawlers!! These are Craven's Crawlers! Oh boy, the way I misread it is a much more intimidating name.

"The Baroness is my Agent to and she would turn me into a rug if I gave away a sponsorship deal for nothing. Our livelihoods come from our sponsorships. I did not eat catfood because I liked it - I got paid, and admittedly I was very drunk... And if you were another company would you want to associate yourself with a team literally named after a competitor?"

The seemingly ordinary-looking Asian man in the corner remains silent and calm, neither looking at anyone nor staring into space. He appears most of all present, and aware of his immediate surroundings. He wears a simple, somewhat traditional-looking kung fu outfit: pair of loose-fitting black pants and a buttoned-up white shirt. As the talk of the team name continues, he calmly rises, standing a mere five-foot-seven.

"Whataaa!!!" Out of nowhere, he lets out a high-pitched battlecry and breaks out into a series of lightning fast punches, kicks, and jumps, clearly intended to show off his skills. Then, he returns to a standing position and bows. "I am Juice Lee, master of the greatest weapon ever known--the human body." His display awkwardly disrupts the conversation about team names. "We are not here to win fame with a name. We shall win fame by winning. And to do that we must fight. Each of you, show me how you fight!"

Juice waits expectantly for the others to display their martial prowess.

A rather smallish ginger haired woman rushes in. If it wasn't for the revealing chain mail shirt and knives on either hip, you'd think she was the hired help.

"Flipping hells, I'm late, sorry guys"

Looking at Juice's fighting stance
Oh! she exclaims Are we already scrapping with each other or showing all our tricks? She strikes her own a kungfu pose (crappily since she's only seen them in movies) I'm Lora Lawson, and I throw rocks! suddenly a fist sized rock forms from the dust and crud in the air around her hands and WHAM! she chucks it against the wall behind the marital artist with a crushing thud.

She gives a beaming smile as she gives an "after awesome move" pose to them all.
grandstanding: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Then relaxes a bit I really am sorry for being late, I um... she didn't want to bring up the drinking binge and waking up Bacchus knows where ... just screwed up a little. Won't happen again, kind of promise.

Juice shows off his moves only for Lora to come in and catch it at the last second before launching a rock into the wall. DAM: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5) + 5 = 11

It seems she's already getting into the spirit of being a rockstar with the sizable hole she leaves in the wood veneer of the hotel suite that Ranveer's friend and benefactor has paid for, and is liable for.

Arthur looks at Juice and Lora with surprise. He grins.

Let's not go breaking things just yet. Walls don't grow on trees, you know. I'm not really good at hurting people with weapons. I'm more of a team player.

Arthur holds up his holy symbol of Vesta and channels positive energy, causing a flood of warmth and wholeness to permeate his allies.

Whoops she cringes after noticing the sizable hole.

Vesta! she gives Arthur a sly look, at the symbol of the virgin goddess. And then a kind of shake at the flood of warmth. My hometown was kind of all Vulcan. And I'm more into Bacchus myself, but I welcome her all the same, and you, Arthur was it? I'm Lora. she'll hold out her hand for a former handshake.

Juice dives out of the way as the ball of rock blasts behind him, leaving a few minor scratches. Then he feels those scratches immediately close as Arthur channels the power of Vesta. He hops back to attention, a small smile creeping beneath his placid exterior. "I see." He looks to each of the assembled characters. The proud half-orc. The grinning father. The young fighter. The hurler of rocks. And the drunken fiend. It was an unusual collection. But. . .

"It would seem our team has great potential. I have a proposed name: The Untouchables. It could suggest the lowliest commoners--those who are outcasts and should not even be approached. Or it can suggest the greatest of warriors, whose enemies cannot hope to even touch them." Juice looks around at the others. "I see in this group both of these extremes--the outcast and the gifted--brought together in harmony."

Lora frowns at the name While I'm fine with the second meaning and all, the first one... I mean I know we have to bow and scrape to the nobles, but I rather not scream it in our name. She shrugs But greatest warriors never being hit, I'm okay with

And sorry about the rocks.

Cavern Crawlers? How about bone crushers? I prefer a name that makes us fearsome. and Juice Lee, when it comes to fighting the enemy and saving your life, there is only one way to fight, never fair.

Arthur happily shakes Lora's hand.

Well I certainly have appreciate the joys of Bacchus myself, especially back in my acolyte training days.

He listens eagerly to the variety of suggestions, struggling to contain his excitement.

These are great ideas! So we have The Unstoppable Force, Boulder than Ever, the Cavern Crawlers, The Untouchables, and the Bone Crushers. Did I miss one? These are all great. I like the double meaning of The Untouchables. And it certainly does make us sound unstoppable. Should we list some more ideas or vote? Maybe we each rank our choices in order and use that to score the winning name?

Lora frowns at the name While I'm fine with the second meaning and all, the first one... I mean I know we have to bow and scrape to the nobles, but I rather not scream it in our name. She shrugs But greatest warriors never being hit, I'm okay with

And sorry about the rocks.

"The wall accepts your apology," Juice brushes off the wood dust on his clothing and turns to the wall, admiring the damage.

"As for the double meaning, we need not speak of such things. To the world, we shall be invincible. The other meaning may be hidden in plain sight, so that we do not forget ourselves once we are famous!"

Arthur happily shakes Lora's hand.

Well I certainly have appreciate the joys of Bacchus myself, especially back in my acolyte training days.

He listens eagerly to the variety of suggestions, struggling to contain his excitement.

These are great ideas! So we have The Unstoppable Force, Boulder than Ever, the Cavern Crawlers, The Untouchables, and the Bone Crushers. Did I miss one? These are all great. I like the double meaning of The Untouchables. And it certainly does make us sound unstoppable. Should we list some more ideas or vote? Maybe we each rank our choices in order and use that to score the winning name?

"Vote? That does not seem like a very American idea. Perhaps we should have a test of strength to see who will assume leadership of this group."

Voting or some sort of consensus pick is fine, I'm just messing around with the setting.

"Ah, can we please veto the Untouchables? I have Indian roots and Untouchable is a term loaded with unpleasant baggage - it is the lowest rung of the class system - it would be like calling ourselves "The Slaves". Ranveer says apologetically, tail swishing behind him.

"Voting sounds like the way to go, I have no desire to be a leader or be lead. But let us say we can not vote for our own suggestions. I vote The Cavern Crawlers, we even have a small anecdote as to how we came up with the name that presenters will lap up."

"Very well, forget my first suggestion," agrees Juice. "Let me offer another name with Eastern origins--Karmic Retribution. A force for cosmic vengeance--or cosmic justice, if you prefer." Juice shrugs, unsure of whether this was a good name or not.

"Your suggestion that we choose a name but not our own is wise. I say we go with the Unstoppable Force. Perhaps we will be fortunate enough to encounter the Immovable Object!"

Arthur shrugs cheerfully.

Cavern Crawlers sounds good to me but I any name we pick will be great. My second choice would be Unstoppable Force.

Sitting lazily in a chair, the 1/2 orc suddenly stands as Ranveer voices his compunctions.

I would still vote for The Untouchables; and for all the reasons voiced here. Using a derogatory term will show your enemies that their truth is as dung. I find it is best to confront adversity eyes forward.

The 1/2 orc bows grandly before returning to his seat.

I am just a lowly non-citizen myself., he chuckles.

Ranveer chuckles, "I don't really want any enemies though! Even the foes we will fight, and kill could have been you or I for the want of patronage, or luck. I have a hairs breadth from serving as a monster, and I understand half orcs only made the cut due to an NPC in the Emperor's children's roleplaying game. Ha, I am going off on a bit of a tangent... I am just an alcoholic cat man and have no plans to seek out injustices to tackle, but I don't want one rubbed in my face everyday either - it would get in the way of my shameless pandering to the audience"

Virgil grins.

There shall be plenty of opportunities for making enemies. Bets on top of bets will be wagered for--and against us, regardless of our name.

Mirror Image has a fine truism to it as a name...

Arthur places a gentle hand on Ranveer's shoulder.

Are you sure you're ok with that name, Rrranveerrr? I also do like it but didn't want to vote for something that would be a problem for you. I'd say it's my second choice.

"I do not like it, but I would lump it. But if it is a popular choice would The Unstoppables, or Unbreakables be a palatable alternative? It has the benefit of being a more attainable goal and is not a terrible thing being suffered by millions of people..."

Unbreakables does have plenty of panache!

Arthur's face lights up as he smiles at the hole in the wall.

How about THE UNBREAKABLE BREAKERS!!

A light shines brightly above his head as Arthur says this. Whether or not anyone else likes this name, Arthur is clearly having the time of his life.

Virgil grins at the enthusiastic cleric.

Less is more, good Arthur. Besides, we don't want to alienate possible sponsers by not leaving room for their names.

"Ha, that is the kind of thinking I approve of! Ah, but you know The Breakers is not bad either, ah, so many choices! Does anybody else need a drink?"

Ranveer raises his hip flask over his head tilting his chin up to swallow the last drops of vodka before producing another flask and proffering it to his new companions.

Virgil laughs.

I shall put forth The Breakers! for voting.

Arthur takes a swig from Ranveer's flask.

To the Breakers!!

Lora has been listening back and forth, staying quiet, until the offer of spirits Me! she'll exclaims, before adding a more polite Please... she'll accept the flask and down a sizable gulp, before handing it back. It's nice, but I put my vote in for Unbreakables. Same meaning as Juices, but without offending our nice bartender here. But if we got three votes for Breakers, I still happy.

I'm good with either, and most of the other options as well. Lora's just trying to be diplomativ

"It has a certain ring to it right?! And I like that it is us doing something to "them" as opposed to us resisting. The best defence is a good offence right?" slapping Arthur on the back again he adds,

"The cheapest vodka I could find! Mixed with just a touch of paint thinner to give it a kick!"

Glade puts a fist up and cheers, but says it too fast he almost forgets the un. The breakables it is! I mean um, unbreakables.

I believe it is presented The Breakers!, as our fine Ranveer has pointed out it's flare for offensive stratagem is purrrfect!

The Mesmerist winks at the tiefling.

"I'd say Lora is already a Breaker, don't you think?" Juice tilts his head toward the hole in the wall for emphasis. He then reaches over for the flask and takes a large gulp. "The Breakers it is!"

Handing it to whoever wants it next, he adds: "Remind me to have you try some homemade Sake sometime."

Sake? That sounds great. Let's toast the Breakers' first successful crawl with some of Juice's Sake! What next? Should we talk strategy? How are our different strengths going to work together to break things?

Arthur flips to a new sheet of his notebook, the old one having various scribbles of team names all over it.

I'll be in the middle. I like to help my teammates hit things, summon monsters, and create pits to trap or slow our enemies. Of course, I also do plenty of healing. I can also help a little bit with spotting traps between fights.

He grins and holds up his holy symbol.

Now should Glade be up front? He looks ready to go toe-to-toe with monsters. Juice and Ranveer probably want to help him out up there while staying on the move. I bet Lora will be breaking things from the back.

He smiles at her and jerks his head towards the hole in the wall.

But Virgil. Where would you be? I've watched Xcrawl for a long time but I haven't seen many competitors like you. And if I got anyone else, wrong, set me straight.

He grins a big, welcoming grin, stoked to be talking strategy with his professional (or semi-professional) Xcrawl team.

Lora gives a smile back and nods.

Glade smiles and says loudly while not quite shouting Good, then it is settled. The Breakers

Grinning Ranveer wiggles his ears at Virgil as he makes a salute with his tail.

"Ha! Excellent! To the Breakers indeed! Let us live up to the name!" Ranveer roars happily, throwing back another great glug of vodka.

"The Breakers too has a double meaning. It can mean one who is good at breaking things. Or one who is good at taking a break to celebrate. I suspect we shall live up to both names!"

"So, what will our first dungeon crawl be? And how many days do we have to train? Perhaps these are questions for the Baroness."

Virgil stands and bows to Arthur.

I appreciate the compliment. I have a wide array of useful skills. Among the front liners is fine.

You are all aware that you'll be in the official start of the Xcrawl season, this years Memphis Crawl. Hence why you're currently put up in a hotel in Memphis. Your time to train is short, you enter the dungeon in a mere two days, at this time strategizing and perhaps some information gathering would serve you better than tiring yourself out.