GM Ancalima's Murder's Mark (Inactive)

Game Master ElenionAncalima

Sorry, that last one was only half a post. I had to run off and shut my laptop, but then it somehow posted it. I was going to write something ic as well. Derp!

damage last round: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 + 2 = 8

Jenni was still seeing red, and didn't slow down for a second. Heedless of the blood at her feet, she stepped forward into it to take down the last man. And when he was killed, she would take care of the skinwalker at the top of the stairs too.

greatsword: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 = 14
damage: 2d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 + 2 = 13

Gonna go ahead and say the guy Jenni just hit is very dead. People hoping to get up the stairs this turn are no longer blocked.

As Jenni struck down the final guard, Vard raced up the stairs and to the door the shapeshifter had went through.

Double move (8 squares) will get me to any of the three closest rooms - if the door is still open I'll go through

If Jenni didn't knock the guard out, I'll attack instead
Warhammer Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Warhammer Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Now that the flesh obstacles had been removed, Alenka ran up the stairs. Her augmented strength would only last for so long and there was an impostor upstairs who needed his arms ripped off.

Luk Luk and Fain need some first aid, and priority goes to Fain since Luk Luk can at least stay away from the fight and harm's way and still be effective, while Fain seems to want to go to melee. One CLW, coming right up. 5' step to get close enough to deliver it, then use the move to follow the others upstairs.

Thrym saw the man he had hit collapse in a boneless heap and took the opportunity to put in his boot as the saying goes as he stepped past the unconscious man to reach the bloodied halfling. Fain was obviously hurt, and the battel was still far from over. Thus, the need to have him ready for another round was pressing, much more so than asking or waiting for his approval.

The shaman put his hand on the Fain's shoulder, invoking the harsh healing the spirits provided to knit broken flesh and mend wounds.

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

Fain's face was pale and he teetered a little before he made like he was going to make a run for it. Then a rough hand grabbed his shoulder and he looked up to see Thrym holding him. He heard Thryms words and felt like someone just threw him into a storey teller's fire while pour hot whiskey into his gullet. Fain's eyes widened and colour came back to his face, "What did you just put inta me? I mean, thank you." a few heartbeats passed "Go upstairs if yeh like ... but maybe your face shouldn't be the first the children see.", he tried to add gently. "Is it ok to leave this one unattended?"
I assume Fain must stay put to be healed but as soon as he can he will run (double move) to the second floor and check the double doors just north of the top of the staircase. He is hoping to cut off any back door escape

Thrym gave the halfling he had just healed a sour look, growling a curse in Skald. Again, these people persisted in speaking some nonsensical gibberish. What was wrong with Common?

Good point about not leaving the prisoner alone... for all we know, there are more people in the downstairs rooms who come out when we are all upstairs to finish off the wounded so they can't be questioned. Too bad I didn't think of it, and good luck explaining it to Thrym now his Curse is triggered. Perhaps Luk Luk can hang back a bit, particularly if she's still being autopiloted.

Jenni cut down the remaining thug, as the other pushed on up the stairs. Vard reached the bedroom door where he had seen the imposter disappear. No sooner did he reach the doorway, did a longsword thrust outwards, nearly cutting Vard down. "Get back you monsters! These children are innocent! I will not allow you to harm them!" he shouted, a perfect picture of outrage.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Vard eyed the man warily. Move action: Detect Evil

"We're here to protect the children from you, you fiend! Children, stay where you are! This is not your real father!" he barked.

Swift action: Smite Evil on this guy (even if he doesn't detect as such): +3 to attack, +1 to damage, +3 to AC, bypass any DR (if he's evil)
AC: 19 Touch: 15 FF: 18

Warhammer smite attack: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 3 = 22
Warhammer smite damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

With a look of steely determination, Vard swung his hammer at the man.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Is it an adult or child under the bed? What face is the outraged individual wearing? Do they still look like Thrym?

@Vard: You don't detect any evil aura within 60ft. Though, you don't know if no one is evil or if no one is strong enough to register.
@Alenka: It's hard to tell, but they seem small. The guy dropped his Thrym disguise before going back in the room, that's how Fain was able to recognize him.

Sorry, thought the acid blob was my action this round.

The blood soaked elf moves cautiously up the stairs past the unconscious man. She'd stick to the back until she got a better look. Or had a chance to cast something useful.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

She glared at the shapeshifting murder from through the door, "Your minions are going to talk fool."

Is the fellow now confrontin Vard wearing the same face as the man had when he dropped Thrym's guise? Or is this yet another person (or another disguise)?

@Ancalima: yeah, wasn't really expecting anything, just would have been good if later there's two Thryms and I have to decide which one to shoot. Although if one of them is saying "shoot him, not me!" and the other one is talking nonsense, I think I can work it out :)

Oh wait, the ponytail guy isn't the guy we came to see, is he? Huh, all human names sound the same. Perchance my "this is not your father" statement was really accurate. At least we're not going to traumatise the kids by appearing to kill their father in front of them. Although maybe somebody already did. :(

Fain rushed to the top of the steps. He doesn't go into what he assumes is the children's room. He thinks quickly and tries to open the double doors at the top of the steps. Well, I'm not going to be able to get past Vard AND the man with the longsword. Tha imposter ... who may be a fellow named Borvious Monchello?? ... must have thought: we'd be dead; he could get away; or, has already called for the guardi to come. If he's still here, wha'ever disguise he's wearing may not last. If he's scampered off then we'd better find out what we're to be blamed for."
Can Fain see the man at the door? Does it appear to be Messr Braeton? Also, are the double doors locked? I'm looking for 'the real' Mr and Ms Breaton

Oh well, since Thrym ended up last on the downstairs might as well stay and guard the prisoner, at least for a moment. It’s not like he can make any sense of the heated dialogue upstairs, after all ;^)

Finding himself among the last to climb up the stairs, Thrym started to follow the others but hesitated at the sight of the enemy he had knocked out. Who knew if there were other foes behind the doors yet closed, foes who might rescue their fallen comrade… or silence him before he could be questioned.

”Sluta din leka och börja förstå!” the shaman hollered after his allies, once he yet again heard sounds of nonsensical conversation. ”Jag ska vakta vår fånge!”

The shaman quickly dragged the body a few steps closer so he could stand over it, axe and shield readied, and have his back to the stairs and his allies above, eyes open and watchful.

Seems like there is some confusion. There is one guy here, Borvius Monchello (ponytail guy). He was pretending to be Thrym, now he has dropped that disguise and is pretending that he is protecting the children from you. You have not seen 'Messr Braeton' yet, but you can explore the other rooms if you like.

Jenni moved up the stairs with the others, looking for somebody to fight. The door with the bad-guy was blocked by her friends, so she started opening the other doors, hoping to ambush the ambushers.

We'll start with the one straight ahead (north) . I dropped Jenni onto the black square, but it swallowed her up.

Vard struck Borvius with his warhammer, but the man showed no signs of backing down. He swung his sword back at Vard, but the halfing was able to dodge underneath the swing. "Stop with the mind game! You will no enter this room!" He shouted dramatically, though he was clearly struggling to hold a straight face, as he gave Vard a nasty smirk.

Fain and Jenni pushed open the double doors to the north revealing a master bedroom with an oversized bed in the center. Insight was a gruesome sight. A man, who Fain recognized as Arhaneem Braeton, reclined in an armchair, his body bloodied and his eyes closed as if he was only resting. On the floor, a woman lay face down in a puddle of blood. Rapiers, wet with sticky blood, hung from loose grasps, as if they had been fighting before finally succumbing to their wounds.

Warhammer attack + smite: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 3 = 14
Warhammer damage + smite: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

"Surrender and tell us who you're working for!"

Vard swung again with righteous determination, then, noticing the man's defensive position, took a step back to allow someone else to attack.

5ft step out of the way (unless he fell over).

Alenka moved up next to Vard and growled, "Tired of your lies. Tired of your warped play."

She lashed out with her cleaver in an attempt to wipe the smirk of its face.

meat cleaver: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Not bothering with anything fancy, Luk Luk tries throwing out another glob of acid at the doppleganger wannabe. "We shall get answer out of you some way," she rhymed along to Alenka's banter.

Acid Splash Attack: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Acid Splash Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Please move Thrym towards the stairs on the map like indicated in my last post. Stairs he might be able to defend. The centre of the room, not so much.

Moved the piece. You are allowed to do it yourself though :p

Righto. In that case, I'll just inch Thrym one more square north... ;^)

Growling again in anger, Jenni moved across the hall from the fight, and flung open another door, hoping for somebody to fight.

Going directly across from the kids room

Fain waited in front of the master bedroom staring at the grizzly scene. perception to find 'any' helpful clues: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 I should go help them subdue Borvius ... but if he believes he can hold us all off then the guardi, maybe the sheriff herself, must have already been notified. He wouldn't have taken part of the actual killing himself. No shoe print will give him away and we, all of us have blood on us now. If only there was a way to tell one person's blood from another. Think, think, think. How did Borvius change his face?
Fain ducked just inside of the master bedroom then yelled, "Oh! Yondallas Kinder! This one's still alive! Don't let Borvius out of that room - we need a healer, fast!" He winced his eyes shut trying to concentrate on his voice alone.
bluff+behind the veil+adaptive luck: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 15 anyone see past me enough for an assisted bluff? He's using his adaptive luck after the roll so it's only a +1
The children are probably in earshot so Fain was very careful not to use their father's or mother's name. If we are the supposed bad guys they may assume I mean one of the thugs
Fain is hoping he can surprise Borvius Moncello into: giving himself away in front of the children or try to coax Borvius to try to force his way out of the room or, at the very least, wipe that smug look on his face

Borvius blocked Vard's hammer and Luk Luk's acid ray hit the door frame. However, he was not expecting Alenka to jump into the fray. He let out a groan of pain as the cleaver cut deep into his side.

He hesitated briefly when Fain shouted that someone was still alive. However his eyes narrowed and ultimately he looked unconvinced. Quickly he resumed character. "Back she-devil!" He shouted as he slashed into Alenka's thigh. 3 Damage

Jenni swung open another door, behind it she saw a well-appointed, but seemingly unused bedroom. The room was undisturbed and no hidden assailants could be spotted.

Alenka didn't back down, "You lie, you kill. I punish." She slashed at him again with her cleaver.

meat cleaver: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"I've a healing potion that should be enough," Luk Luk offered to go along with Fain's act. The elf took a brief step closer while drawing a vial from one of her pockets and offered it to Fain. That it was just a useless reagent didn't matter, it was a bottle of liquid just out of the murder's sight.

Bluff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

"Devil?" Jenni shouted in alarm. She hated devils. Or at least, she was pretty sure that she did. She ran back to the fight, hoping to get a swing in at the devil. But the hallway was too blocked with people, and she had to start pushing her way forward.

I think I can try to attack around the corner, but he gets cover

Warhammer smite: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 3 = 18 he has +4AC from cover, I believe, so that'd be a miss
Warhammer smite damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Vard stepped forward, and ducking beneath Alenka's arms, he tried to attack again, but his warhammer struck the doorway before it could strike the man.

Can I tell if my Smite Evil is working?

Thrym’s can’t take part in the dialogue, and there’s just no room for him in the melee, even if he thought it’d be a good idea to show his face to whomever he thinks might be in that room. I guess he’ll keep dragging the prisoner up to be closer to the others and still guard the rear.

I don't think I'll get a chance to post later tonight, so skipping Fain for now.

"Damn!" The man cried out as he took another hard blow from Alenka and Vard began attempting to team up on him. His wounds were severe and it was clear in his eyes that he was considering his next move. He looked behind him briefly, "I'm sorry! I cannot hold them back! I must inform the sheriff as once!" He turned and ran, seemingly jumping out the window. However, a clinking noise drew attention to grappling hook that had been waiting for him in the window.

”Sluta din leka och börja förstå!” the shaman hollered after his allies, once he yet again heard sounds of nonsensical conversation. ”Jag ska vakta vår fånge!”

Fain left the master bedroom and closed the doors. He took a step over to the top of the staircase and sat down. After looking at his shoes for a bit, he looked over at Jenni to see how she was doing Jenni was a whirlwind - I hope we never have an argument. Then he looked to Thrym, "Are you back with us? ... what was that thing you said? Zlut. a. din. leka. ock. bore. ya. four. sta? ... and then something ... um, fan gee ... Jus' curious."

"Not so fast, villain!" Vard shouted. Dropping his hammer, he ran to the window and pulled out a javelin. Taking aim, he flung it at the fleeing man.

Javelin smite attack : 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 3 = 9
Javelin smite damage : 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

nuts!
But on the upside, hey, free grappling hook!
Also I will try again or climb after him next round.

Now that the immediate threat was gone, Alenka decided to help Jenni regain her senses. It wouldn't do any good for the children to see both herself mutated and Jenni raging.

Blocking Jenni's path, Goggles said, "Need hairdresser to fix braids. You hairdresser, not fighter."

Jenni stopped in her tracks, her hand automatically going up to Goggle's hair. She saw the long claws touching the hair, and realized she could hurt somebody with those. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, and felt the rage inside her abate. The claws retracted, and the world came back into wider focus.

Shaking her head a bit to clear it, she stared at the window. "We still gotta catch him!" She ran for the window, nearly knocking Vard aside, grabbed the rope, and began skinning down it.

"Are you back with us? ... what was that thing you said? Zlut. a. din. leka. ock. bore. ya. four. sta? ... and then something ... um, fan gee ... Jus' curious."

"Aye, the spirits have fallen silent again," Thrym grunted. "That was me telling you to stop talking nonsense no-one could understand and get going while I made sure our prisoner remained alive long enough to be questioned. Wouldn't have been surprised to find a few more enemies downstairs, waiting to hit us from behind once we all rushed up the stairs."

Fain sat there quiet for some time, "Well that answered a few questions anyway - Wait. Who's looking after the children? They should probably stay in their room - He's one of the two or three in charge of the Skulks. One Skulk said that there was maybe a woman, well I'll bet that would be Robella, his wife. Perfect really. As head of Illsurian Shipping n' Hauling, he can bring in whatever ingredients he needs. Robella, on the other hand, owns the 'curiosity' shop. Bet she's good with all manner of brewing ... ya'know she even had a booth at the carnival ... Wellll, some of ya' may run if you like. I'm not leaving the children alone with all of this. Perhaps we aught to get that one outof here and interrogate him when he wakes?" He gestures at the still living thug.

"And call the sheriff here before that bloody skinwalker can get to her first with his version of the truth... not that I expect the lawkeeper to be so easily persuaded," the shaman growled. "So you think the merchants here were part of the group? And all this, an internal conflict to settle some score or a disagreement over the splitting of the spoils?" Thrym asked.

I assume the enemy is gone for good, so no reason for us all to give chase, particularly with the prisoner here... I suggest we do go through the house quickly, to make sure there aren't any more victims or felons hiding in the other room. And then, get prisoner talking... Thrym's in a right mood for a questioning right about now... I'm thinking of hammers and anvils and something soft between them...

@Thrym: Not necessarily. He only double moved and Jenni is hot on his heels. Speaking of which. @Jenni, please make a climb check. If you succeed you would end your turn pretty close behind him.

Vard ran to the window and hurled a javelin at Borvius, but he swung on the rope to avoid it. He slid down the rope with ease, jumping the last ten feet. As soon as he hit the ground he began running towards town, clutching his side from his wounds.

Back in the bedroom a small whimper could be heard from beneath one of the beds.

Alenka is still mutated and not good with people anyways so she'll leave the children to someone else :)

Not wanting Jenni to go alone, Alenka sprints for the window as well and is soon shimmying down after her. "Behind you."

climb: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 2 - 1 = 14

Javelin smite attack : 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 3 = 8
Javelin smite damage : 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Vard pulled a second javelin and attacked again, but the shot was wide again.

"I need to learn the magic missile," Luk Luk doesn't even try to keep up as she is barely standing. "I'm about to keel over, so I'm prooooobably the least scary of us right now. I shall check on the children." She looks at Thrym, "You may wish to stay out of their sight." With that Luk Luk moves into the room with whimpering. She makes sure to be unarmed and simply sits on the floor between the beds.

"Hello? The doppleganger and his minions are gone. Are you alright? I'm here to help you children. I mean and can't do you harm," She leans forward, wincing at the pain it causes her injury and straightens up, "Ow ow ow, moving like that hurts."

Calm them with Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

"And call the sheriff here before that bloody skinwalker can get to her first with his version of the truth... not that I expect the lawkeeper to be so easily persuaded," the shaman growled. "So you think the merchants here were part of the group? And all this, an internal conflict to settle some score or a disagreement over the splitting of the spoils?" Thrym asked.

Fain sat at the top of the staircase watching all of this jumping out of windows and looked at the length of his legs - there was no way he was beating anyone to town. He thought Luk Luk's attempt to calm the children was admirable but doubted anything but time and space was going to make this tolerable for them.

She looks at Thrym, "You may wish to stay out of their sight." With that Luk Luk moves into the room with whimpering.

"My thoughts," the shaman agreed, then gave the slight witch a considering look. "You are wounded. I offer you healing if you will have it, but beware - the spirits are impatient with mortal fools who allow themselves to be injured. Their touch carries the price of pain."

"Now, does anyone have rope or chains for this one?" he inquired, kicking the unconscious prisoner in the ribs. "If not, it is of no matter - I'll just break a few of his toes and fingers so we won't fight or run. I want to have a long talk with him, and talk he shall - once he's done with the screaming."

Vard through his second javelin, but by the time it was flying in the air Borvius was practically out of his sight. Jenni slid down rope with ease and came close to catching up with him, but still he kept on running. Alenka's delay had lost her some ground on both her friend and her enemy, but she was able to keep both in sight.

@Jenni and Alenka: Let me know if you do any actions other than run. As of right you are barely keeping up with him, or if your movement is less than 30ft you are losing ground.

Fain opened up the double doors to find a kitchen and the back door to the house. The stoves were all cold and the room was empty of servants.

Back in the bedroom, Luk Luk's attempt to soothe the children proved ineffective. From her position on the floor she can see a boy and a girl. Neither could be much older than 10 or 11. However, their realization that their hiding spots had been found only seemed to cause the younger looking boy to start sobbing. The girl took advantage of Luk Luk seating position to run out from the bed and kick the injured sorcerer in the ribs. 1 Non-Lethal Damage. Shame damage from being staggered by a 10 year old girl. Infinite :p. "Get away bad woman! Run Martim!" she cried out as her brother also began scrambling out from under the bed.

Shame damage...love it!

Goggles kept her friend and quarry in sight as she continued to run after them. Knowing that he was able to change his face, she made sure that she memorized what he was wearing and did whatever she could to not lose sight of him.

She has a 30ft movement

This was quite humiliating. Luk Luk doesn't even try to hold in the string of Goblin cusses as the girl kicks her right in the sword wound.

"I should have taken that healing!" Luk Luk scuttles back from the girl, "Easy there child, I am no threat and friends with Fain which I really hope helps. Also please, please, please stop kicking."

I'll wait to see what Jenni does before moving forward the situation with Borvius. Put for everyone I'll advance the kids reaction.

The two kids ran from the bedroom into the hall and away from Luk Luk. They reached the top of the stairs before they noticed Thrym had it blocked off. They let out a scream of terror and ran across the hall towards the empty room that Jenni had left open.