LegitGM's The Swiftblades Cavern (Inactive)

Game Master LegitName

You all gather in the town square. To one side is a large wooden building, several floors tall. To the other side is a wooden inn. Next to the inn is a brick building. Smoke is billowing out from a tall chimney. Several people - elves, humans, dwarves, mostly- are hustling up and down the road.

Having completed her morning absolutions Daphne has come into the town square. She checks her crossbow and bolts to insure that all is prepared for the day ahead.

Drazh joins Daphne in the town square, a pensive look on his face. He had see the ravages of the horde first hand. His clan had closed their gates to the threat, hoping that Pinehollow would take the attention of the orcs. He had left his people to combat the threat, though he worried that the town wouldn't be able to hold out. But he wasn't about to run, nor would he hide. He just hoped that there was some sort of plan that could turn the tide in their favor.

Umberto exits the blacksmith's shop after retrieving the masonry tools that he had commissioned the half-orc, Davor Sodok, to repair and sharpen. He considears returning home straight away to resume work on a retaining wall, but decides to stay in town little longer to hear the news. Also, he had not eaten yet this morning and he fancies some tavern fare.

Ebonfeather nervously approaches the small group of warriors gathered in the town square. Mushroom begins reacting to his nervousness and begins snorting and pawing at the ground.

The mayor runs out of the town square looking quite agitated. Upon seeing you, he breathes a loud sigh of relief. He comes up to you and says "Good! You all made it. We know the vault is somewhere beneath the city, but we aren't sure where. Currently, there is only one known access point to the underground - through the storage room underneath the blacksmith's shop - although many more likely exist. You guys are the heroes. What do you say?"

Umberto's face reddens as he realizes that the unopened letter on his mantle is a summons for adventurers rather than the invitation to another frivolous dance as he had assumed. No matter. He is here now.

"Oh, I see how it is. Got a hole in the dwarf and ye make the dwarf go first. I jest, o' course. The rest o' ye 'heroes' ready to get yeselves killed before the orcs even get here?" The dwarf smiles as he says this.

Smiling at the group, clearly happy for the chance of adventure.

“Drazh, don’t worry I will be right beside you don’t have to be afraid of the dark.” chuckling to herself and then realizing it will be dark Do we have light sources? Carrying a torch makes it very hard for me to kill much with my crossbow.

I just want to kill some orcs. If going underground will help that end, Mushroom and I are ready. Time seems to be essential, so we should go through the know access point rather than looking for an alternate entry.

Greetings, group, I am called Ebonfeather.

Agreeing with Daphne's concerns, he adds, I have a few torches, but I also won't be much use if I am carrying them. It looks like all of us are more efficient while using both hands in combat.

If someone has a lantern or a few sunrods that can be set down once we get into combat, we would be better off.

"I have always wanted to see the vault." says the farmer. "Count me in. Greetings, Ebonfeather. I am Umberto. I have a lantern. I can set it on the ground when I need both hands."

Excellent. Then we should make haste to the blacksmith. The longer we wait the greater the risk to the town.

Thinking for a second.

I doubt we will find any creature that is not malevolent down their so be prepared.

Umberto remembers Daphne. He has seen her often about the town, though they were never close friends. He lights the lantern, then removes a pair of spiked gauntlets from his backpack and slips them over his hands. He is already wearing scale mail and his "walking stick" is topped with a spiked hammer. "My father taught me to be prepared. Point me towards danger, Daphne. I am ready."

I can see well in darkness, though not as well as the dwarf, naturally. I also have the advantage of coloration the will help me not to be seen.

Once we get down there, I am willing to scout ahead a little.

As you approach the blacksmith's shop, Lini Wust (Tavern Owner) walks out the door. Ah, here be the adventurers working to save our village! Well, we all wish you good luck at the tavern. You taking Sodok's basement? I wouldn't go down there. It smells like rotten eggs!

From inside the shop, Sodok calls out That's because I need rusty metal for all my IRRITATING customers! Then he (a tall, muscly, half-orc) appears in the doorway. Now I finished the handles, but give me another day for the hinges.

Lini giggles and skips towards the inn.

He sighs. At this rate, her tavern-inn will soon be larger than the town hall. Anyways, I take it you guys are here to go into the basement? Be warned, down beneath this city is a maze full of people less than nice. Some will attack you on site. Others will wait for the opportune moment. They have left me alone for years. I guess the last encounter we had didn't leave a positive memory on those little rascals.

"Sounds like there be an entry to Nar-Voth here. Tell me, greenskin, be he talkin' about mongrelmen or troglodyte beasties who be down in the hole under yer shop?"

All I know of is the thieves guild, somewhere near here. Beyond there is a mystery to all but its inhabitants. Rumors of evil wizards and sorcerers clashing - competing for control of the Deep - seem to surface a lot.

(He is a very refined blacksmith half-orc :D)

Sounds like a good chance for some target practive, who will lead the way.

Clearly ready to charge in headlong though not anxious to take point.

We probably should have cleaned them out some time ago. Sobok show us to the enterance please.

Thieves' Guild? I hope they don't mind us going through their turf.

I would think they would want the town to be safe.

"Thieves are cowards, through and through. Fook 'em. They probably be fleein' the town as we speak to avoid the orcs. An' if not, they'll be fleein' from us if they get in our way. We go and I'll take the lead. Hope ye manling shave a light source. A crossbow won't do ye no good if ye can't see what yer shootin' at. And Nar-Voth's denizens can see in the dark, 'cause they have to. Hey, Tengu. Ye be one of them beast wrangling nature folk, aye? If ye can make magical light, I have an' idea. Use it to light up any enemy to kill. It'll let the manlings know what to hit down there."

Sense Motive on the half-Orc to see if he is telling us everything: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

If an 18 is enough and he is withholding information, Drazh will say "I don't think that's the whole story. What else do ye know?"

Umberto listens attentively as the other adventurers discuss thieves and monsters. He has little direct experience with either, though he has heard the usual tales as a child at his parents' knees and in the tavern as an adult.

"We can talk to the thieves when the time comes, if they dare show themselves. People are people. I'm sure they will listen to reason. If not, the rest will back down after the first few are skewered." He brandishes his Lucerne hammer for emphasis.

We have a lantern but magic light would be better. I will at least grab a couple of torches in case of emergencies I guess.

GM I am sure buying a couple of torches should not be a big deal, is it?

As far as the thieves go. There are different sorts. Some can be honerable and even help with the orcs, but if they live underground that seems unlikely.

Sodok leads you past several tables with fancy door handles. He stops just short of the door to the basement. Perception, guys?

Umberto looks around as the half-orc leads them to the entrance to the town's underworld.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

Always alert and ready for trouble or adventure.

Percpetion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

I can create some magical light, at that, though it only lasts for an hour at a time. Like this...

Ebonfeather casts Light on Umberto's Lucern Hammer.

I can certainly do so during a battle to give us an edge. That is a fine idea. I also know a more potent light based spell that would help us if we encounter any sneaky types, though I can't cast that without limiting my ability to heal wounds.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Sorry, I should have thought about the Light spell. I rarely play a spell caster, so tips like that will be greatly appreciated :)

I just realized the DC for this is 0. So I might as well just put it out. Through the door there is a gruff voice saying Hurry up and load that into the cart. We need to get it out of here and out of town before you-know-when. That's right, cadets! Hurry! I've seen one legged turtles move faster than that! Where do you think we are? The Young Elf Daycare? Move It!

With a shrug, Drazh walks forward. With the shaft of his hammer, he hits the door hard three times to get the attention of whomever is behind it.

"Let's see if they're willing to talk before we start kicking in the doors. Literally, this time."

A warning to someone clearly wanting to escape notice.

You in there hold where you are, we are on the Mayors business. We want to smiles innocently at Drazh talk.

intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"What kind of adventurers are you? Let's kick open the door before we start talking."

Umberto tries opening the door. If it does not open the easy way, he tries kicking it open.

Strength: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Drazh smiled at Daphene, and then with a bow and a flourish he stepped aside to allow Umberto room to break the door down. He idly wondered whether the people inside would scatter like rats, or would fight like cornered ones.

The door swings open (when you try to open it). Inside is a room full of assorted piles of all sorts of metal stuff - swords, armor, and a few piles of just rusting metal. On the far wall is a tunnel. Next to the tunnel is a wagon full of swords. Two young boys, each unarmed and clad in a black robe, are ready to pull the wagon down the tunnel. Two more boys are each holding a small knife. And a big burly man carrying a longsword is standing in the middle of the room, looking very, very suprised.

How do you guys want to do this, entirely verbal or with some sort of visual. And if we use a visual, what kind of visual?

Ebonfeather sees this as a human problem and will allow the humans to resolve it.

However, he knocks an arrow and prepares to back up his companions.

Mushroom's bristles stand up and she starts to toss her head.

Glancing at Sodok, he asks Are we not the first ones you have allowed down here? What type of operation are you running here?

Sodok's face shows surprise, then anger, and then fury. He points at the two boys holding the cart and hollers They're are stealing all my weapons! GET THEM!

Hefting his hammer, Drazh says "This 'ain't worth dyin' for."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Umberto is confused what to think until the blacksmith whom he has known and done business with for years gives the order to secure his goods. The farmer shouts and charges at the big burly man and strikes at the stranger with all his might. Almost too late, he realizes that the dwarf was trying to resolve the situation peacefully. "I'm sorry, Drazh. You were saying?"

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Lucerne hammer: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d12 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 (reach weapon)

Charge action: -2 to AC until next round, for a total of 14

Ebonfeather will place his attention on the boys with the cart. If they make any attempt to take the cart down the tunnel, he will let loose an arrow and send Mushroom to Attack them.

Does Sobok sound honest. I have known him a long time but still.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Draws bead on the the boys with the card.

“ Boys, we have you dead to rights hold it there!”

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

I am blanking on action economy on this. If I can ready and action taking a shot at one of the boys if they run I will do that.

Drahz - The kids bolt the room (leaving the cart abandoned). Daphne you sense that Sodok is genuinely surprised. Umberto the man looks badly hurt. Ebon, I'm sorry, you said if they took the cart you would shoot, but they didn't take the cart. Daphne you didn't specify, and you're drunk. Maybe you take it maybe you don't.

The man yells Hey! Those were my cadets you just scared off! And that HURT, you dirty little human!

He swings his longsword in a wide arc towards Umberto. His sword comes true and he deals 8 damage. But he is also very hurt.

Sodok runs to the cart and pulls it back towards the doorway that Daphne and Ebonfeather are standing in.

"Oof!" Umberto takes a step back and tries to fell his foe.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 191d12 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Assuming that killed the man, Drazh will do the following. For future combats we should all roll initiative and more-or-less follow the order. The other way it could work is via PM. Reach round send a PM to the GM. He then makes a post saying what happened in the round. Don't need to worry about when to post that way. Anyways...

Drazh walks over to Umberto and mutters a prayer to Kols. As he does so, a sense of duty and obligation fills the man, as his wounds knit close. "And that, lad, is why we *talk* first. Because getting stabbed hurts, ye ken?"

I had no interest in killing the kids, you interpreted my action correctly

Ebonfeather will step up to a point where there is no cover and attempt to sink an arrow into the man.

Longbow (Pt.Blank,In Melee): 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 - 4 = 5 Dam: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Ebonfeather will also send Mushroom to Attack
Gore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Dam: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The adrenaline from his first battle clouds his mind and it takes Umberto a moment to comprehend the dwarf's meaning. He takes a few seconds to slow his breathing and begins to think clearly again. "It may not have been the most prudent course of action, but it seemed important that we stop the theft... Thank you for the healing. It is most appreciated."

Is no one going to run after the children? We did not necessarily want to kill the brute. If he had merely been knocked unconscious, he could still have been revived and interrogated...

Drazh slapped Umberto on the back. "Well, let's get these weapons an' armor topside. There's men an' women who can use it to kill orcs. Better than gatherin' dust."

Dwarves and pursuit don't mix. Didn't even cross his mind

The arrow misses by a long shot, however he falls unconscious as Mushroom attacks him.

From now on, let's do initiative. And I like the idea that everyone PMs me with their actions and then I say what happens that round.

Sodok looks thoughtful. I can only think of one reason why they would do something so rash. Someone must have stolen their weapons.

Ok I am confused. You described the guy with a sword as a big burly man. Then he refers to one of us as a "dirty human". Is he human?

“I will head down the hall for a bit and see if I can see where the boys have headed. They are already scared maybe I can stop them.” If it gets to where I cannot see I will stop.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Mushroom, Down! Good girl, now go clean those tusks.

Ebonfeather will cut up the some of the man's clothing for bandages and attempt to stabilize him.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Speaking to Sodok: Who is "they"? Are these members of the Thieves' Guild?

Ebonfeather will also start searching through the man's pockets.

I am assuming it is only combat actions that you want PMed to you?

OK by dirty human he meant Umberto, who dealt 15 damage in one hit.

Yes, combat actions PMed

Sodok looks very grim. That is Saren. He handles training for the thieves guild. His job is to train all the young kids, get them ready to be thieves. Through that tunnel is their headquarters. Hope your crossbow friend knows what she's doing...

Daphne the tunnel is really long. You turn back?

Umberto says, "Sodok, is this one of your longswords that Saren was wielding, or was it his own?"

He searches the unconscious trainer for papers, coins, and any other interesting or useful items.

Daphne had only ranged down the tunnel 30 or 40ft before turning back.

"The tunnel goes on for a while and splitting up would be a bad idea down here. I could not see where they were headed."

Would any of us recognize the unconscious fellow?

"Sodok, have you had weapons go missing before? I would have assumed the entrance to the tunnels would have been locked form your side. I mean no disrespect but why would it be open?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Is Sodok being honest in his answer. I am wondering if the Guild has a deal with him, which wouldn’t be uncommon I would think, so they can have easy access to the underground.