HELL'S REBELS ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Turn 398 – Stone Shensen

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Action 1
"Given Shensen still has her clothes, I don't think she's another hatstand. I'd say imprisoned - or dead."

"So. If we act fast we might be able to make someone Mayor. We certainly promised we'd try to that noble guy. In retrospect, we should probably have had an actual candidate in mind." Caleb looked around "Anyone want to sit in the big seat?"

Action 2
Caleb looked on, stunned, as Noravia read out the list of items. "Wow! We really hit the jackpot this time. Strange he wasn't wearing them - wouldn't that stone thing have..." Caleb trails off. "So, there's an old saying in the shadow community; 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is." The thin man clicked his fingers "Wait - didn't the Fantasmagororium have a bunch of cursed items that got nicked?" He points at Tillia "You read a bunch of stuff off the shelves. Something about Abadar? Mostly I just remember they were cursed."

"You read a bunch of stuff off the shelves. Something about Abadar? Mostly I just remember they were cursed."

"I remember that tidbit well enough," Eirik murmured, giving the amulet a wary glance, wondering if a lay worshiper would be enough to satisfy the conditions of whatever curse the amulet carried. He wasn't eager to test it out. "I would think the Archivists had reasons to label the items cursed, and if these are indeed those one we should treat them with care."

Action 1

"Anyone want to sit in the big seat?"

Vandomir smiled, "In my youth we played a game for conditions of this sort. It consisted mostly of declaring yourself to not be 'it.' Accordingly, I so declare that I am 'not it.'"

Action 2

Vandomir offers, "one man's bane, is another man's boon. Just because an adherent to Abadar, the bloodly follower of all laws foul and benign, finds something objectionable, those of us trying to overthrow the so called 'lawful' government of Kintargo might reasonably view the things completely differently."

Action 1:

This may be a long night yet.”

Noravia raised her eyebrow at Octavio's comment. "May be a long night? I would argue that it's already one of the longest and it's still not over. We definitely need to finish searching the Opera House while we can and an extra pair of hands and eyes is most appreciated. Who knows what else would disappear if we don't."

"Anyone want to sit in the big seat?"

The inquisitor asked, "Are we sure the previous Mayor is actually dead? If they're still alive, we could reinstate them to power. They were reasonable as a leader, weren't they?"

Action 2:

Noravia listened intently to the others as they discussed the items. "Rowan had mentioned the Fantasmagorium but only inasmuch to say that she almost died there at the hands of an Asmodean. If these items are indeed cursed then you don't want to mess with them. There was probably a reason they were locked away. What concerns me is what Thrune had planned to do with them."

Vandomir suggested, "perhaps they are blessed of Milani, or freedom lovers in general?"

Turn 399 – Not It

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Action 1
Tillia listened to the discussion about an interim Mayor and nodded her agreement as she said, "I agree, Vandomir would be the best choice I think, we can always call it a temporary position while we search for Mayor Jillia. There might be some magic we can use to try and find her, especially since we have some items that we know belonged to her."

Action 2

While investigating the shelves, Tillia recognized that the shelves had numerous warning

sigils carved into them to warn of the presence of cursed items. However, the shelves

were empty.

One shelf held a stand built to display an amulet or necklace, along with a discarded

note that reads (in Celestial), “Markings seem intended to lure worshipers of Abadar into

peril.”

Another shelf displayed a stand used to hold bracers, or perhaps a pair of gloves. A third

shelf held an empty bookstand, the wood of which was stained black and smelled foul.

And a final shelf held a red velvet cushion on which a fist-shaped stone or other object

may have once rested.

While Tillia investigated the shelves she noticed things that were quite...dangerous. She didn't touch the shelves as she read and said to the others, "Don't touch the Abbadarian Amulet, the bracers, gloves, the book or the fist shaped stone. They may well be cursed and touching them would be unwise until we know for sure.

Action 3
As they found the subbasement and it's contained coffin Tillia was brought up short. She gestured the others to stay back and cast a spell to see magical auras and then focused on the coffin. She didn't want to touch the thing if it was dangerous and she didn't trust it's presence.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

Action 1:

Noravia grinned as Vandomir is quickly elected to acting Mayor. "Vandomir, you have to admit that you are the most logical choice. Saying, 'not it' may have worked when you were seven but not so much now when Kintargo's fate is at stake."

Always happy to throw someone else under the bus :)

Action 2:

When the trapdoor was revealed, Noravia held up her hand to temporarily stop it from being opened. "I'm concerned about some of the wounds you guys still have. Before we go any further, I need to do something about that. Who knows what we'll find so we all need to be in top form." Taking out the healing wand, Noravia used it first on Eirik then on Caleb and finally Tillia.

Will try to get us all to healthy

Action 3:

Noravia looked at the coffin with suspicion. She asked their resident thespian, "This is not normal for an Opera House, right Caleb?"

Touching the carved stone wall, she asked Vandomir, "Can you tell how long ago this cavern was carved? Was it recent?"

OOC:
Tillia: the coffin detects as non-magical. Since I don't like radar-type detect spells that is all you are able to 'scan' unless you get close and identify something else inside the coffin.

Action 1
"Yeah - the fact you don't want it is a point in your favour, Milord." Caleb smiled as he said it, but it hurt. Distrust of nobles had been bred into his bones. 'Vandy's not like them, though. He freed Slips, and he's risked himself along with us. He's cold enough to make it work, and just might be honorable enough not to get corrupted.'
"Look, whoever it is, it needs to be presented as a done deal."

Action 2
"Everyone stand back and I'll open it." Caleb announced. "Anything goes wrong, I'll run."
if the lid is light enough, False Life and Mage Hand.
Otherwise False Life, deep breath and be ready to DD away if grappled.
Caleb concentrated for a second, took a deep breath, stepped forward and flipped the lid... optional With his mind!

"Yeah - the fact you don't want it is a point in your favour, Milord."

Eirik nodded his head, agreeing to the proposal. Vandomir was indeed of noble birth, so he was a member of the class the common people had grown to known to be in power. "It'd make for an easier transition, and like the good Lictor said the position need not be permanent; indeed, better if the position is held only until a fair election can be had - the citizen have surely got their fill of tyrants. They might even be wary that we have simply overthrown the Paracount to take his place. It might be a good idea to try and involve the citizens in the ruling process from the start; set up some kind of parliament with representatives of major guilds having their say in the way things get done.” Even the illusion of power might be enough, and Eirik rather doubted anyone of them had true imperialistic urges. ”But we will have to see how much of an opposition the remnants of the government can put up tomorrow, if they will try to maintain hold of the reins of power or if the people will accept the situation. Either offer their services or flee the city before the wrath of the oppressed can catch up with them.”

Action 1

"But, but...," Vandomir stammered, "I quite clearly said 'not it?' Look being a good craftsman hardly seems a reasonable qualification to be mayor. If it is good enough, than how about any of the Craftmasters down town? Seriously, I appreciate the nomination, especially as it might be a death sentence should Abrogail send her armies here to teach us a lesson, but surely there are better candidates?" He shuffles his feet a little, but finally faces his companions, "I will stand as Mayor, if it is truly what the city needs, but I am hard pressed to believe that the city is in such dire straits that I am truly the best candidate for the task."

Action 2

Give me one of the +1 glaves. It's better than my dagger right now.

Action 3

"A coffin? Are you kidding? Is it maybe just stage dressing?" Vandomir fired off his questions in rapid succession. "It doesn't take a genius to realize that coffins mean vampires in situations like this! Did anyone bring a stake for its heart? Is Thrune's body still upstairs? Has he reformed here?" Vandomir hefted his glaive, and prepared to swing should a creature jump from the coffin.

OOC:

Tillia: the coffin detects as non-magical. Since I don't like radar-type detect spells that is all you are able to 'scan' unless you get close and identify something else inside the coffin.

I know you don't, why do you think I specified what I was looking at.

Action 1
Tillia gave Vandomir a look and rolled her eyes as she said, "But Vandomir, you're the only one of us who can." She approached him with a look that brooked no arguments as she reached out to palce a hand on his chest, "Help us Vandomir, you're our only hope." She smiled wickedly then as she leaned forward and said, "And of course with a position of power comes certain," she placed one hand against her chest and said suggestively, "benefits."

Action 3
"It isn't magical, whether something inside is or not is another matter entirely." She looked nervous as she asked, "Are we sure we want to open that thing?"

So... I'm letting Caleb open up the coffin unless I hear otherwise...

I figure while PLAYERS go coffin=vampire, for low level characters it is more likely they've never met - or given Caleb's lore, heard of - vampires.
He figures this is they Mayor. How long ago did the mayor disappear? I note we have a scroll of raise dead.

I figure while PLAYERS go coffin=vampire, for low level characters it is more likely they've never met - or given Caleb's lore, heard of - vampires.

He figures this is they Mayor. How long ago did the mayor disappear? I note we have a scroll of raise dead.

I'm all for PC driven decisions so no worries on my end.

Let's... the campaign started on Day 1, Month of Rova (September), Year 4715 and it currently is Day 18, Month of Kuthona (December), Year 4715 so the Lod Mayor has been gone for approximately over 100 days...

Questions?

Game on!

Action 1:

"I will stand as Mayor, if it is truly what the city needs, but I am hard pressed to believe that the city is in such dire straits that I am truly the best candidate for the task."

Noravia added, "It's not like you stand alone. You'll have all of us working behind the scenes as well as the Silver Council. The main concern is keeping those power-hungry, sneaky Asmodeans from seizing power and installing a puppet. Then Kintargo isn't free, it just has a different oppressor."

Action 3:

Is Thrune's body still upstairs? Has he reformed here?"

The inquisitor had heard of vampires and studied a little of them but had never encountered one. Vandomir seemed quite certain that this was what was inside. To his questions she answered, "Caleb decapitated Thrune. It's hard to reform without a head regardless of whether you're undead or not."

Believing that it was better to know what was inside rather than guess, Noravia drew her weapon and nodded at Caleb. "Open it. We're as ready as we're going to be."

for insertion
Caleb nodded, then paused for a thought "Did someone say something about a corpse defiling wand?". He shrugged, and continued.

I figure while PLAYERS go coffin=vampire, for low level characters it is more likely they've never met - or given Caleb's lore, heard of - vampires.

He figures this is they Mayor. How long ago did the mayor disappear? I note we have a scroll of raise dead.

Well, Vandomir has a +6 on K(religion) and +4 more if human related.

Turn 400 – Vandomir for Mayor

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 +4 vs humans, +2 vs Evil outsiders, +3 to locate traps, +2 in Kintargo

Probably a 22 then!

Action 2

Unless stopped, Vandomir is taking a swing! He expected a Vampire, and he was cocked and ready!?

As the coffin lid opened, and the creature sat up, Vandomir recognized that he had been right. A Vampire! He'd heard all of the stories as a child, their aversion to running water, their obsessions with counting things, and, of course,their bloodlust. The Noble was taking no chances. He brought his glaive down and...

+1 Glaive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 9 = 23

... struck the vile creature a mighty blow.

perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 Can she get an Aid Another to push her over the DC? Unless someone else makes it of course, then nevermind.

sense motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19 I think you can sense motive on undead - does she seem more despairing and want help OR dangerous and she's going to try to kill us?

I'll wait for a few others before I finalize her post. That and my brain is tired. I just wanted to get the rolls in.

How many were aware that many Vampire legends give them the weakness of having a compulsion to count things? So, the Sesame Street Count fits right in!

Action 1
"Don't get me wrong. I'd love to pull a Galt, and have a full on revolution with blood in the streets. But if some poncy noble has to sit on the big chair, Vandomir, I reckon you're the one for it. With THRUNE breathing down our neck, we need to be ready to move tomorrow - or this morning, I guess."

"Cheer up. Maybe we'll find the old mayor locked in a cupboard!"

Action 2
Assuming he has Vespula again. I don't think we can cooperate enough to do Aid.
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

"Yeah... that's not right. That's not right at all." Caleb said, shuddered, and ran for cover.
Standard: Withdraw - to behind Noravia ;)

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

I wonder if Vandomir could perhaps wait a sec before trying to brain the Major? She might be reasoned with, and since Fabian didn't ask for combat actions the metagamer in me suspects battle is not the only option ;^)

"Lord Major!" Eirik blurted out as the crypt’s occupant set up in her stony bed, recognizing the woman despite the circumstances and her haggard appearance. The circumstances of her hiding place and her pallid skin certainly roused some suspicions, particularly since she was still among the living although the coffin looked to Eirik like it hadn’t been recently disturbed. Still, that didn’t need to mean there was only one logical solution to the problem.

He saw Vandomir’s loaned glaive swing down and instinctively tried to deflect the strike with his arms. ”Whoa! Peace!” he shouted. ”She might be what she looks like but that doesn’t mean we can’t resolve this without bloodshed.”

How would one go about trying to prevent Vandomir attacking without striking back? Disarm, perhaps? Or cooperative defense on behalf of the vampire?

Disarm: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

I wonder if Vandomir could perhaps wait a sec before trying to brain the Major? She might be reasoned with, and since Fabian didn't ask for combat actions the metagamer in me suspects battle is not the only option ;^)

How would one go about trying to prevent Vandomir attacking without striking back? Disarm, perhaps? Or cooperative defense on behalf of the vampire?

First option is for Vandomir to agree to go 'second' and not strike.

If Vandomir sticks to his action then I'll roll for initiative to see what actually happened first.

Either way is fine; I guess the ball is in Vandomir's court. Besides, it seems he has to get used to making decisions. :)

Game on!

So, the GM used the words "Surprise Round." Those words tell me we're already in combat. If Eirik calls for peace, then Vandomir will stay his hand. I did open my turn with a willingness to be stopped. I'm happy to be stopped. I'm a fan of reasoning with monsters when possible. Vandomir is more a man of action. Shall we then consider that V was starting a swing and Eirik held out a hand to stop me? I'm not a frothing Barbarian after all.

Could well be we end up bashin' at each other, but unless the major can manage a TPK right now, we can start that next turn ;^)

Could well be we end up bashin' at each other, but unless the major can manage a TPK right now, we can start that next turn ;^)

As a meta again, I hate giving up a full round of actions from us, while the thing is flatfooted. If that thing is a full on, honest to Milani, Vampire, then we should expect several of us to end up thumped with multiple negative levels out of this encounter.

Tillia? Noravia?

Anything before I recap and move things along?

Nothing says 'I love you' like using your significant other as a human shield :)

Noravia's eyes widen as the woman...no, female vampire, sat up in the coffin. There was something familiar about her but she can't quite recall until Eirik's voice rings out naming her as Mayor Jillia. But Jillia hadn't been a vampire. As the inquisitor tries to piece things together, Caleb ducks behind her. Even though her weapon is at the ready, she can't quite bring herself to attack the vampire. They couldn't help Jillia if she was dead. But Noravia also wasn't sure if the former mayor had kept her memories when she was turned. Wanting to be prepared if she attacked, Noravia pulled out a scroll that was particularly potent against undead.

Readying Searing Light scroll

Does Noravia's Sense Motive tell her anything about the vampires intentions?

You're a powerful and independent woman... and a much better fighter ;P

Turn 401 – Mayor Jillia the Vampire

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Noravia will always gladly protect Caleb :)

Noravia recognized Jilia's inner turmoil. "She's resisting the urge to feed. She's not lost, not yet. Maybe her stuff will help her remember who she is - who has the high-pointed cap?"

The inquisitor addressed the vampire since she seemed to react favorably to her name. "You are lord-mayor Jilia Bainilus and you do not want to harm any of Kintargo's citizens. No one has fought harder than you to maintain Kintargo's independence for her citizens. Let us help you because we want the same thing."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 Or aid another if Tillia's roll is better

Not bothering with a diplo check since Eirik hasn't got any chances of making a decent roll. Just adding some words to weight on the scales.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

"Did Brazail Thrune do this to you? If so, be relieved to know he has paid for his crimes this night," Eirik added, eyes narrowing at the woman's words and her body language. Had her confinement and whatever else had been done to her driven her past reason? If so, it just might turn out that Vandomir's instincts had been correct.

Octavio was pleased, “I’m sure your aunt will be proud. Just think of the prestige you’ll

bring your family. And the business…”
“Don't get me wrong. I'd love to pull a Galt, and have a full-on revolution with blood in the
streets. But if some fancy noble has to sit on the big chair, Vandomir, I reckon you're the one for
it. With THRUNE breathing down our neck, we need to be ready to move tomorrow - or this
morning, I guess.”
Caleb added, “Cheer up. Maybe we'll find the old mayor locked in a cupboard!”

When Vandomir made no comment or reaction to her innuendo Tillia gave him a sudden glare and then spun away from him, her arms crossed and stormed away. How dare he ignore me, she thought. She decided her could be mayor without her then, she'd just have to make him wish he hadn't ignored her, which should be easy enough.

With the Vampire
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Tillia saw the former Mayor rise and her first thought was that Vandomir wouldn't be mayor now. Her second thought was that they were in deep trouble, she knew that coffin couldn't be a good thing. She seemed oblivious to the fact that the vampire was hungry, she'd never had a chance to speak with a vampire before and her curiosity was winning out. She stepped a bit closer and said, "Mayor Jillia, I don't know if you remember me but we've met once before. I was Maldak's apprentice when you last visited his tower. You were nice to me then, you wouldn't hurt me now would you?"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

Action 1

Vandomir watched Tillia retreat. "How strange," he thought, "she has acted very strangely ever since her extended stay in Vyre. Something seems to have changed in her, and between us."

Action 2

Vandomir couldn't believe that people wanted to chat with the vampire. He could, but he couldn't. The Silver Ravens were good people, with kind hearts, but few of them seemed as resigned to making the hard choices and handling the consequences afterwards as he was. He lowered his weapon and stepped away from the tableau that was unfolding before him. Shaking his head, Vandomir silently wished the more talkative members of the group the best as they tried dealing with the vampire.

i wanted to get Caleb's input but will skip him if he doesn't post in a few hours...

Turn 402 – You are Lord Mayor Jillia

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

Action 2

Vandomir continued walking away from the coversation with the vampire-mayor. "What could their plan be? To make the thing go against its nature? Repent and become a useful member of society? Just release it to prey on the commoners? Better to destroy it," brooded the man.

There are several very fresh hellhound corpses not far away. Wonder if suggesting she go chew them for a bit would take the edge from her hunger... or just make it worse?

There are several very fresh hellhound corpses not far away. Wonder if suggesting she go chew them for a bit would take the edge from her hunger... or just make it worse?

There are also some very fresh humanoid corpses as well, 42 by last count if I remember correctly. :)

Action 2:

Noravia figured that their window of speaking with Jilia was quickly closing unless they could take the edge off her hunger. But she was also wary about allowing the vampire out of the subbasement in case she got away. The inquisitor wasn't even sure that they'd be able to reverse what had happened to the mayor.

knowledge,religion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 Can they help reverse what happened to Jilia?

Noravia listened to the few words uttered by vampire Jilia, "Her?" Her first thought was that Jilia meant Nox but since Nox wasn't a vampire, that probably wasn't right. "Does your Master have a name?"

Then the inquisitor asked, "Do you want to return to your previous life if we can help you?"

If Eirik doesn't voice his idea in character then Noravia will put it out there. If he does, then OMIT the following. It was Eirik's idea so I'll let him run with it if he wants. Noravia thinks it would be in bad taste to let Jilia feed off of the dead guests. If that happened, thankfully there aren't any smartphones around to record it...I can only imagine what the headlines would be...

Maybe if we can satiate her hunger, we can have a proper conversation. Could she feed off of one of the dead hell hounds upstairs?"

Not sure if everyone has read the spoilers but Noravia is going to try to talk Jilia into letting us destroy her and then using the raise dead scroll to bring her back - at least that's what I assume Fabian was suggesting because otherwise I don't know how we'd restore her body. I think the DC for her diplomacy roll will require an aid another roll from someone else and probably Noravia's action point as well. I just wanted to let you know what she's planning so that someone can help her talk Jilia into it. The other scroll that Noravia is planning on using is the Searing Light scroll which does extra damage against undead so I'm hoping that if Jilia is willing, that the scroll will do maximum damage and destroy her quickly so she can't change her mind and fight us. Noravia will also suggest that Jilia allow us to restrain her if she's in agreement. If not, we'll be fighting her.