Iron Gods AP with GM Mustache (Inactive)

Game Master Mustachioed

"Intel is what we need. We don't know what the Hell the place is like beyond that scrap. Maybe that lass Joram mentioned can tell us more and even let us stay with her if you ply that silver tongue right Garfaulk."

I suggest gather info checks to find her

All good ideas, doable once you get inside. That begs the question- how are you getting inside? The options are climbing the scrapwall (extremely difficult but I can tell you the rules), or going through the guarded front gates)

I know it's a crappy place but it's more or less still a city right? I say we go through the front gates like we would anywhere else. If questioned we say our business is our own and if trouble starts because some gang wants to take advantage of the noobs then they will likely get a shock and it won't hurt our rep.

Ton gathers himself, and begins trudging down the hill toward Scrapwall.

I assume we would at least try the gate, and as Ton said I'd expect a shake down and could ladt to some rep around the place.

"I agree, let's head right for the front gate and get ourselves in there and look for Joram's friend. She might be the only help we get inside." He pauses for a moment. "I don't expect anything in here to be easy. So we go on these freks hard and anyone messes with you don't take it. We all have your back." He smiles. "No lets go make some friends.

"Anybody mind if I wake Charlie up? He'd have a better chance sneaking by."

Hey Sam/Charles, I let that one time go without word, when you cut yourself to switch. But normally, I would like you to stick with what the random selection gave you for the day (or when you get injured) If you can switch at will, I think it is too powerful.

To the front gate you go! You walk down the mountain and several hours later, arrive. The sun is starting to set. [roll20 updated!]

A ramshackle pair of buildings with walls and roofs made of strips of leather and fur, timbers, metal plates, and other junk lashed and bolted together sits in a gap in the surrounding mounds of refuse. Between the two buildings runs a metal gate, closed to block passage into the open area beyond.

A guard- of sorts- steps up the gate. He looks more brigand than any guard you have ever seen. He is not, however, a Smiler. All his lips are nicely attached.

"Hold! What is your business in Scrapwall?"

Totally fair. Adds challenge!

Garfaulk steps to the front of the group, tilting his hat back a bit to be able to look up at him. "We're tourists! We heard out of all the rust in the area, yours was the reddest and grimiest! He beamed widely, obviously intending that to be a joke to lighten the mood.

"Our business is our own! But be honest, what does anyone come to Scrapwall fer? Salvage! Trade! I hear ya have a fightin ring, wouldn't mind makin a wager or two. Not to mention I'm eager to make use of my talents, from mah lovely singin voice to the work I do with mah hands He jerks his thumb at Crescendo, the weapon slung across his back, the piece probably the finest piece of equipment he'd ever made.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 While technically true for Garfaulk, if you prefer a bluff check, my bonus is two less

"we're gearin' up and passin' through, friend. Might do some tradin' and gamblin' like the man says but other than that we'll mind our business if you do the same." Ton's tone is neutral and matter of fact.

Wulf stands at the back, knowing his way with words can get to a few people. His thoughts thrown back to the church and his more blunt way of telling that ghost to just leave.

Shaking his head he forces on the task at hand. But the fighting pit could be a very interesting place to make some money, he smiles thinking about all the cheering as he defeats anyone that comes for him. He again catches himself daydreaming, he puts on a mean face, folding his arms and looking at the guard from the back of the group.

The guards takes in your bearing and your weaponry.

"You are the best armed merchants I have ever seen-- and without horse or cart to move your goods. Which you also don't have. Know this; this isn't the place to buy and sell; you'll be lucky to find anything for sale. We don't have shops in Scrapwall... we have gangs, and war."

"Now listen, we don't care what you do in Scrapwall as long as you aren't some band of crusaders seeking to "Purge our Evil". If you want a place to call home, tryin to get away from pesky laws and the strictures of society, then our gates are open to you."

He waits a moment more...

Sense Motive [/Dice: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Garfaulk nodded, grinning sheepishly "Aye, fair enough. Not lookin fer a crusade, just a place to be fer a bit. Then, almost as if reading Wulf's mind, his grin turned to a smirk. "oh and i was seriousboutpain bets. Word to the wise-if ya see this fella in a fight,like in the arena I've heard ya got-bet on him. Ya won't be disappointed" he adds with a wink.

I was totally gonna bring up Wulf being in the arena if we were questioned about it lol. Great minds

"Lords of Rust run the arena... So us Steelhawks will probably never get a chance to see your friend fight. Tell you what, though, I sure would love to see him go one on one with Helskarg. In fact..."

The guard pauses, thinking.

"You can come in. Let me get my commander, Sevroth Slaid. I think she would want to meet you bunch."

He and his fellow guard start cranking the portcullus wheel, and the gate opens. As you proceed through, a woman with short spiked blonde hair steps out of a guard room.

She addresses you. "Adventurers. For that is what you clearly are. If you don't mind, step into my office. I am looking for people with capacity. It looks like you fit the bill." She gestures in.

Her pic is up on Roll20 journal

Ton looks at the others, but shrugs not hugely concerned. He follows inside but makes a point of sweeping back his coat and resting his hand on the butt of his pistol.

It isn't aggressive but he wants these Steelhawks to know he knows that situations like this can turn deadly with just a single wrong word.

"Ms Slaid." he says in greeting. "What do you mean by capacity?"

"She has a job. One she can't or won't have her own crew do. Fair enough."

"You are not wrong, short one. I have a job; I need independent experts who can handle themselves. You carry fancy guns and weapons and look like you've seen action. That makes you my new best friends."

Sammy nods. So, big one, what's the job? Exorcised a crazy ghost yesterday. Got a feeling this is more ...pragmatic." He elbows Ton, having learned the word from him.

"The Lords of Rust have been causing all kinds of problems in Scrapwall for months now. Used to be just a middling gang... probably beneath the Smilers in overall power, and us Steelhawks were definitely a strong number 2, maybe even number 1. That started changing. The Lords of Rust mooks started getting all these clerical powers. Hard hitters from outside Scrapwall started showing up and joining the Lords. They took control. Probably stronger than all of the gangs added up, now."

"My former gang leader, he... got into a bit of trouble at the Arena. Beheaded by the troll Helskarg. Dragged around behind his chariot. After that, I would normally have taken control of the Steelhawks. But the Meyanda, the blasted android in charge of the Lords, she put... put... a nasty Smiler in charge of our gang! And I couldn't do a lick about it! Now this nasty Birdfood is ruling the roost in our HQ! I stay here at the gates. Less chance of getting Birdfood's ire."

"This is what I need. Kill Birdfood so I can be the Steelhawk leader, as I should be. We need someone tough if we want to resist the Lords, not this... ravenous... carnivorous Smiler! Do this and I will tell you everything I know about all the gangs in the city, including the Lords. And maybe even I'll let you into the Steelhawks. Not a bad thing, having an affiliation in this place."

Zeke nods amiably. "We've met that android, haven't we, my friends? She ran afoul of us and now her circuitry's not working any more. Tried to blow us up with an overloaded reactor! She talked about some god she followed named Hellion, but He wasn't any match for Groetus, the Apocalypse God, who's been looking after us."

Wulf relaxes slightly when Sevroth starts to speak of what she wants from the group. "What my friend says here is right. We expected there would be a lot of leg work." He nods. "But we also want information on an Andriod. It goes by the name Sanvil Trett when we last met him. I would have some harsh words with him." He grits his teeth.

"Trett? No... no idea. Though it wouldn't be hard for anyone to get in here. We don't record names. We just keep out any would be paladins who would slaughter the residents."

"Meyanda was known to be crafty one, and it is through her leadership that the Lords of Rust have blossomed. But she wasn't exactly known for her fighting prowess. This Birdfood, now he is a really nasty creature. Though human himself, he really hates humans... and keeps a few special arrows in his quiver in case he ever gets a human in his sights. That's one of the reasons I never leave the front gates!"

"We already killed Meyanda and a bunch of Smilers as well. Seems we were friends before we even met."

She smiles. "Friends are needed in a city like this one. Look, I'll draw on your map where Birdfood lives. He is a tough customer. Watch yourself."

She notes it on your map, and then stands and opens the office door. You are free to go, or otherwise continue to talk to her.

"Good to know, Ms Slaid. Sounds like something we can take care of-though I'm curious. What sorta name is Birdfood fera human? He get attacked by vultures or sumthin? Sounds like an on its fella. Anything else worth knowin about him?"he asked, putting his hat back on as they were preparing to leave.

"He likes birds. I think that is all he likes." she says simply.

Garfaulk simply shrugs "Hard to argue with tha logic. Fair enough. We'll be sure to check em out fer ya"

Then, once they'd gotten out of earshot, he turned to the rest of them. "Say, fellas, it occurs to me we nat not want ter use our real names out ere. Last thing we need is another Sanvil Trett goin after another Caskgrip. Or Khonnir. Or Val." he looks to each of them as he said the names, feeling a bit guilty that he didn't have anyone for Ton. "So I'm thinkin at least nicknames, or even fake ones altogether. What do you guys think? Sam, you and Charles may want ter use the same one, fer simplicity's sake. And no mentionin where we're from"

Zeke looks around to make sure no one is close enough to eavesdrop. "That's a good idea, Mr. Gar-- uh, Mr. G," he catches himself. "I don't know what sort of names would be good, but when I was younger I would sometimes pretend I was a wandering preacher warning those who would listen about the End Times. Would it be okay with you to call me 'Reverend'? Or 'Preacher'? Just for a while," he adds with a hint of shy embarrassment.

"Yeah makes sense." Ton agrees but he doesn't offer an alternative for himself. "So what's the plan with this Birdfood? We going to give him a chance to quit town or we just going in with a message for the other gangs? I'm all for making an entrance here if we don't want people to mess with us, but just goin' in blastin' just on her say-so don't sit that easy."

Sammy pumps his fist in excitement. He's so glad he gets to pick his codename and not Charlie, who would definitely pick something boring. His voice drops to a lower register. "Call me Parker. As for the job... the mark is a smiler. We've seen what those sickos are about. Which of you guys are human? I can never remember."

"I ain't going to lose sleep over it Parker." he tries the name on for size. "I just want to know the plan and that we know who we're gettin' into bed with this Slaid lass."

Garfaulk nods at Zeke. "Sure thing Reverend. Probably best to avoid to many Ps. As for who's a human, Parker, I think it's just the big fella-what was yer name again? he asked with a mischievous grin. "or should we just call you 'The Hammer'?"

He chuckles at Ton's choice of words. "Always good to know who yer gettin in bed with fer sure, good point... Shady Shal'Tar? he takes a swig of his brandy to hide the apps look on his face, then winces a little, remembering he won't be getting free refills. "But yeah, I think we ought to be makin a new name fer ourselves, and part o tha happens to benefit... Miss Slaid. Good thinkin Shady"

Then he paused, letting a few creepy looking people pass by before continuing. "Rev, Mr G is tempting, though I'm a bit worried it might be too... close. Tha said, in Dwarvish society, disgraced families often have -slag or -slagsun, or even -slagdum in their name. Dolgrin is pretty common amongst Dwarves. Dolgrin Slagsun. Mr. Slagsun. Mr. Slag

The party proceeds forward and through the front gates area. You know from your newly drawn map that getting to Birdfood requires a northernly direction, but it isn't always easy. There is a tremendous amount of trash-- mostly rusted scrap metal- scattered here, there, everywhere.

The walls of Scrapwall are made of rusty metal, but lining the interior are narrow passageways of scrap too, opening into wider passageways of scrap, ending in deadends, or twisting this way and that. The entire place is a terrible maze.

You don't see too many inhabitants. A dirty face pokes out here and there, occassionally a street urchin, but always disappears as quick as you see it. It will be hard to get intel outside of connections with gangs, like Sevroth Slaid.

As you continue, you hear sounds of shouting and cursing.

"You think you can just wander the scrap, staring into the sky? This city belongs to the Lords of Rust! You pay tribute or you die!"

A large party of orcs has an old man tied up, and they are beating him! They see you, and get into defensive positions behind piles of scrap here and there. The old man tries to rise to his feet, but is pushed back down by three orcs who still surround him.

"Deal with the newcomers! The Lords of Rust will take their money, and equipment, too!"

ROUND 1

Sam 22
Zeke 22
Ton'iel 19
Orcs 14

Garfaulk 7
Old Man 7
Wulf 6

Go if you are bold! Roll20 is updated, you may or may not be able to see the old man from where you are, lots of scrap in the way.

The old man coughs and spits. "The sky has answers you'll never know!" When he hears noise, he calls out "Hello?! Do the heavens send me aid?" He wriggles on the ground, trying to get loose from his bonds.

"Right you are, Mr. Slag," says Zeke, before he notices the orcs coming their way. He reaches into his pack and pulls out a scroll, and he steps behind one of the piles of junk nearby to read it.

He casts mage armor from a scroll.

intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8"More like ...from hell!" Unfortunately the deep voice Sammy had adopted cracks in the middle of his attempt to intimidate the orc

Ton can yet go! Will delay and move on in a few hours if I have time.

Sorry, exceptionally busy day in work

Shot 1: 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 4 + 1 - 1 = 25 (BAB+Dex+Magic-deadly aim)
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Seeing the aggressive posture of the orcs, Ton skins his Inferno Pistol and unleashes a crack shot that slams into the lead orc.

Move action to draw pistol and standard action to blast!

"Ain't no one takin' nothing!"

Sorry the lack of posts, I thought I had better post before bed or you won't get one for a while. Move me to the nearest orc at least in front of everyone to protect them.

Wulf seems lost in thought, but snaps back as Garfaulk picks a name for him. "I guess that will do... Bit straight to the point." He holds up his hammer. "But I'll still have a think on it. I've always quite liked my name never really thought of being someone else."

---

"You've made a big mistake today my friends." He says as he bursts into a rage moving forward and swinging at the closest orc. "Come at me!"

Rage PA Hammer Swing: 1d20 + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 13 BAB+Str-PA+MW+RA
Rage Hammer Damage PA: 1d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 = 17 Str+pa

This battle involves 12 orcs- can you see their numbers in Roll20? When you attack one, give me a number too

ROUND 1

Ton pegs one orc, even though he's hiding behind a pile of trash! It doesn't fell him, though.

The orcs are holding javelins with falchions strapped to their backs.

The foremost six orcs get into position behind the piles of scrap, and throw their javelins. Some get a clear shot, but hunched behind cover, some have a difficult throw. (One is slightly out of range but throws anyway.)

Javelins bounce this way and that, mostly missing. One orc only gets a lucky shot- a javelin spears Wulf right in the shoulder, critting him for 11 damage! (before DR)

Five orcs in the second rank approach as well, getting their javelins ready, but do not throw yet. One orc is left behind to guard the harmless old man.

ROUND 1

Garfaulk
Old Man
Wulf-- Wulf hammers the same orc that hit him so hard. The orc buckles but keep his footing-- FEROCITY! [K Local if you don't know what that is]
-----------
ROUND 2
Sam
Zeke
Ton'iel
Orcs

Go if you are bold!

The old man wiggles around on the ground some more, trying to figure out what's going on and what he can do. A small shape slips out of his robes and begins working on the ropes tying his hands. Hearing the commotion, he begins to hum to himself.

Anyone friendly within or who comes within 30 ft of me gets a +1 morale bonus to attk and weapon damage rolls, like bardic inspiration.

Zeke chants an invocation to his Apocalypse god, asking for him to bless those who fight beside his vessel. Then he draws his eldritch gun etched with glowing runes and maintains his position behind the heap of scrap.

He casts bless. I realize the attack bonus doesn't stack with Jolga's Battle Spirit, but it may be a while before any of us are within 30' of him. :)

Garfaulk shakes his head, looking around at the orcs coming at them. "Heh. Fools. Come on ya goblin droppings, come and get us!" And he begins to bellow out a ground-shaking wartune, this one a classic tune for fighting orcs, so they likely would understand bits of it, even though it was in dwarvish, as some bits were in orcish-though those bits were mocking. As he did so, he pulled Slagbreather from her holster, slapping a scatter shot into his trusty weapon.

Inspire Courage & Tremor, +1 Competence Bonus, -1 to Enemy AC. Stacks with the morale bonus from whoever is providing it

Anyone having issues with Roll20? It's just a black screen for me

Based on that Paul my intention is to throw Glitterdust at a group of at least 2 orcs, more if I can get them, for a DC 17 Will save or blinded.

Ton will also shoot if he can with Spell Combat

Shot 1: 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 22 (BAB+Dex+Magic-spell combat-deadly aim+inpsire+bless)
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5

Ton continues firing but looks to debilitate a group of orcs, knowing that it can turn the tide.

did the sight issues just happen, or were they like that all along?

I haven't had issues before. I am on a long train journey as we speak so it could well be a problem with the public wifi and unknown site or setting etc etc

my live group had problems with these maps, like a bug in the dynamic lighting, so if it persists with a good connection let me know

ROUND 2

The party hangs back casting spells and buffs and songs, while Wulf steps forwards and nearly crushes one... but not quite. [ooc]

Ton casts glitterdust on the three northern orcs...One of them resists, but two are struck blind! Then Ton takes a shot... rendering the bottom one staggered!

Two more orcs rush forward to join the northern group, drawing their falchions as they come. The other three northern orcs get fed up with their javelins, and at a growl from one of them, they throw the rest on the ground and whip out their falchions too. The blades are long and vicious... and in the hand of a strong orc, extremely deadly. They wait in their cover, but you can tell that they are ready to rush you.

The southern posse of orcs, seeing that Wulf was hit badly by one the time before, continue throwing their javelins at him. None of them have a clean throw, though, and all the javelins miss. Angrily, they pull out their falchions too.

The one immediately in front of Wulf drops his javelins and pulls out his falchion (all he can do this turn)

Next round is really going to hurt, unless you can do something, fast!
ROUND 2

Garfaulk
Old Man
Wulf
-----------
ROUND 3
Sam -- go twice
Zeke
Ton'iel
Orcs

I'm happy with those Javelin misses.

Wulf grips the javelin buried deep in his chest and pulls it out pointing it at the Orc that threw it and then dropping it as he steps forward. Lifting his hammer up high and swings out in a wide arc.

Rage PA Hammer Swing: 1d20 + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 14 BAB+Str-PA+MW+RA+bless+inspire
Rage Hammer Damage PA: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 6 + 1 = 18 Str+pa+inspire

Rage PA Hammer Swing: 1d20 + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 5 - 2 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 24 BAB+Str-PA+MW+RA+bless+inspire
Rage Hammer Damage PA: 1d8 + 7 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 6 + 1 = 19 Str+pa+inspire

5 foot step and then cleave - with some lovely rolls, I want to hit 1 first and cleave to 10.

hp - 61/70

Shot 1: 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 20 (BAB+Dex+Magic-spell combat-deadly aim+bless+inspire)
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 5
Shot 2: 1d20 + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 4 + 1 - 2 - 1 + 1 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 7 and Cold damage: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 5) = 13

I'm still having trouble with the map Paul, I don't know why. My intention here is to fire first at the one I hit last time, hoping to finish him and then follow up with a more powerful shot on one that is uninjured. My preference is to hit one that isn't blind since they are already somewhat neutralised and also that is threatening Wulf.

"This isn't a fight you can win!" Ton roars over the VVWWAAPP! of the Inferno Pistol. "Run now while you have a chance!"

He aims to finish the orc that was the source of his ire only moments ago and then levels the pistol at another, this time the red-hot bolt once again encased in fizzing, steaming ice.

Full attack action to fire twice, once with the rider of Snowball