PbP Gameday 2: 4-14 My Enemy's Enemy Tier 3-7 (Inactive)

Game Master Kobash

"That sounds like the best option we have right now. We can come back and look in on the good owner of the shop, if that doesn't pan out."

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"Let's pay them a visit, yes." Once Rowanna is back outside, she whistles sharply and Morrey flies back down to attend to her once again.

Ordellia is the easternmost of Magnimar’s districts and stands apart from the rest of the city thanks to the deep waters of the mighty Yondabakari River. It is in Ordellia that many with “foreign blood” dwell, including many ethnic Varisians. The district simultaneously extols the virtues of diversity Magnimar was founded on and supplies those who distrust outlanders with constant reminders of why a safe city has walls.

The Twincandles are but one faction of Sczarni based out of Ordellia, but their choice of bases—the ancient abandoned crypt known as Two-Lights—indicates that the gang is relatively low in the overall power structure of the city’s crime families.

As you approach the fringes of the Twincandles’ territory, you notice that local businesses display placards bearing the symbol of the Sczarni gang, indicating they’re purchased the security of alliances.

A deep rumbling sound followed by a sharp cry echoes from a nearby alleyway: “Watch! Watch!”

Around the corner, in the narrow alley, a 10-foot-diameter section of street has collapsed into the earth, creating a churning cauldron of mud, loose cobblestones, and sewage. Laying prone beside the sinkhole is a young woman, her muscular arms plunged into the quagmire, straining under an unknown weight. She pleads with anyone who can hear her for aid. “Quick! My mate got pulled under!"

Suddenly, behind your group, a screeching alerts you to a swarm of rats starting to pour out from a grate in the street.

=Temporary Map=

Initiative? Pretty sure my Qadarian is gonna reach for the alchemist fire on this one

Rowanna pulls out an alchemist fire from her backpack, "I hope I'm not the only one who has come prepared. Roary and Gerard, you both look strong, go help the woman."

You all have a free round of actions before the swarm is fully formed. Attacks on it until then will be at -4 for cover.

Badr reaches into his belt pouch for a clay jar and hurls it into the rats.

Attack inc. Point Blank Shot 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9
Damage inc. Point Blank Shot 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Would you believe I KNEW I'd roll a 1 before I hit enter? Scatter 1d8 ⇒ 8

Roary rushes over to help the woman..

Str Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Tess readies an action to cast Burning Hands if the swarm approaches within her spell range.

Burning Hands damage 4d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 2) = 12

DC 15 Reflex for half damage.

［ooc]That was my alchem fire[/ooc]

Gerard glances at Rowanna, and nods once. "Be careful," he whispers, and runs to aid the woman by the sinkhole. (Move action)

If it looks like I can get hold of whoever she's grabbing, I'll do that and pull them out (Str check, standard action). If it looks like we're going to need rope to get them out, I will retrieve the rope first (move action).

Str check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Rowanna also casts Levitate on herself.

As per the Flight Hex

”RATS!”, the Hawk leaps for the awning like a timid housewife.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

I will be in a world of crap at work for the next 24 hours. Posting will be sporadic for the next day or so. If one of the other players can bot me as needed I'd be grateful

Roary and Gerard run to the woman at the sinkhole and reach in to grab the arms of a young man in danger of being sucked in. With their help, he is pulled most of the way free. You will need another strength check to get him all the way out.

Badr grabs an alchemist fire and moves to throw it, but the pot slips from his fingers and lands right in front of him, singing both the rats plus himself and Tessara with the splash.

1 point damage to Gerard and Tessara

Rowanna grabs an alchemist fire of her own and lifts off the ground.

Haris scrambles up a wall and reaches safety on a low roof.

Tessara waits until the right moment, then lets loose a fan of fire into the vermin. Most scramble away from the heat and it doesn't quite do the job of dispersing them.

Reflex Save vs Burning Hands: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

The rats scramble towards the source, swarming over Tessara and Badr with gnashing teeth and scratching claws.

Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Fort Save vs DC 12 or become Diseased!
Fort Save vs DC 12 or Suffer Distraction!

INITIATIVE
Rat Swarm
Rowanna <=UP
Badr <=UP
Haris <=UP
Gerard <=UP
Roary <=UP
Tessara <=UP

Haris dashes over and above Tes and Badr, throws down a rope, "Take hold!".

Disease 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Distraction 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Badr is nauseated and distracted by the rat horde and begins wailing as he stamps and thrashes. He moves down the alley away from the rats as fast as he can Move 30'

Roary will give a pull again.. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Disease 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Distracted 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Tess follows Badr's lead and takes off getting away from the swarm as best she can. Move 60' if possible to get clear.

Current HP 23/26

(Standard action)Gerard helps to pull the man free, and then turns to check on his companions.Str check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Seeing the rat swarm, he thinks back through his training, and pulls a flask of alchemist's fire from his belt. (move action)

Know Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
"Zee rats can climb as well - be careful, mes amis!"

Rowanna levitates above her companions and the rats, then weakly tosses alchemist fire at the swarm.

Alchemist Fire: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Miss Square: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Roary and Gerard pull the young man free from the sinkhole.

Haris tries to help his companions on the ground, but they run off instead.

Rowanna tries to drop an alchemist fire among the rats, but they avoid worst of the flames. Attack was a miss, but splash burns a few.

The rats give chase on Badr and Tessara, catching up to the nauseous gunslinger.

Swarm Damage to Badr: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Fort Save vs DC 12 or become Diseased!
Fort Save vs DC 12 or Suffer Distraction!

The map is not big enough to detail this combat. Tessara is currently 30' west from the swarm and Badr. Rowanna is 30' east (and a little above). Haris is on the roof next to Rowanna. Roary and Gerard are at the sinkhole.

INITIATIVE - Round 2 - ALL PCs are UP!
Rat Swarm
Rowanna <=UP
Badr <=UP
Haris <=UP
Gerard <=UP
Roary <=UP
Tessara <=UP

Disease 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Distraction 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Kill them! Kill them!, he wails.

Still floating above the ground, Rowanna considers her limited options.

Delaying action.

Tess pulls her flask of acid, moving backwards 5', waiting for the swarm to come closer to improve her chance of hitting effectively.

Gerard moves to a point where he can get a clear shot at the rat swarm, and then hurls his alchemist's fire at them, trying to avoid damaging his companions too much.
Alchemist's fire: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Modifiers: +1 if within 30'; Precise Shot
Fire damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Modifiers: +50% damage to swarms

Throw it!, urges the rat covered gunslinger.

Haris chases after Badr and Tessara with the rope still dangling, "Get off the ground!

Given I still have a move action left...Badr leaps for the rope. Acrobatics + 51d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Fickle are the dice gods. I just rolled a confirmed crit with a fist against a peasant in another game... and did so much damage I probably killed him outright

Roary will thrown a fire bomb as well..

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
1d6 ⇒ 5

As Badr is pulled up to the rooftop, Gerard and Roary hurl more alchemist fire and burn away enough of the rodents to cause the rest to disperse, fleeing down the alley, into cracks in the walls, and back through the grate.

The woman at the sinkhole sits on the stone street, breathing heavily from exertion. "Thank you!" She gasps when she catches her breath. "My name is Ylandria. This is Eun." She indicates her companion, a handsome Tian man with a tattoo of exotic flowers blooming across the top of his shoulders.

"That was most unfortunate." Eun says with a slight accent, trying to wipe mud and dirt away.

As your group gathers you all notice he wears a satek identical to the one found in the Dryad’s Trousseau, and Ylandria’s neck is dressed in a mudsoaked bandage.

Rowanna floats downward until she lightly touches down and walks over to the pair from the sinkhole, "Since my colleagues rescued you from the sinkhole, I don't suppose you wouldn't mind helping us out, hmm?"

"Interesting satek. Second one like that I've seen today. I haven't normally seen many around here before," Tess throws out the thought, waiting to see what sort of response the duo might give her.

"What help do you need?" Ylandria asks.

At Tessara's statement, Eun looks at her curiously. "In this district they are not uncommon." He says.

"Just one moment, my companions may be able to explain more succinctly." Rowanna waits for the others to join the discussion or at least are standing nearby in case things get dangerous.

"WE are looking for the Twin Candles. We have some questions for them about a crime that as committed today."

Diplomacy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Gerard winces inwardly at the blatant mention of the criminal gang, being as these folks may actually be members. He saunters over and casually rests his hand on the throwing axe at his belt.

Haris hangs back and lets the girls do the talking. He walks over to Gerard and leans on his short sword.

"What happened to your neck?" Rowanna asks the woman, "We have skilled healers that could help you with that if you could provide us with this information."

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Looks like I might have to cast a spell to get them to talk.

Ylandria looks at your group hesitantly. After a moment she seems to relax a little and begins to talk. "I confess we were there, but we aren't responsible for what happened. Look, I promise to tell you everything, but I'll need you to come with me to Two-Lights and talk to my boss. Don't worry, you'll be safe there with us vouching for you."

Tess looks around at the others. "Well sweetie, doesn't look like we have any choice but to follow you. Don't get any funny ideas, though. We are prepared to defend ourselves if it comes to it."

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"Why don't you give us the gist of what happened first before we meet your boss, just so we know what to expect?"

"Im not worried about being safe.. Yall bring the noise you'll be sorry and thats that.." Roary follows the group..

"Fine, this is a little complicated, but I will explain as quickly as I can." Ylandria says, looking eager to move on. "First, you should know a new group of distant Sczarni cousins recently moved into Twincandles territory. Some of them went with Eun and me into the Dockway in order to acquire a package from Elias Chert, who is a Twincandles ally. However, while we haggled with Chert over the price, our cousins decided to rob him instead, beating the man and cutting him with a poisoned dagger. They then ransacked the place looking for where the package was kept."

"I was going to help Chert, but they put this compass in my hands and told to leave it by his body. But then that weird plant came to life and attacked us.” Ylandria gestures to the blood-soaked bandages across her neck. “We got out of there with some of what we were lookin’ for, but I couldn't leave Chert in there with that thing. I didn't know if it would hurt him, so I dragged him outside and threw the compass down on the street. The whole job was a mess. It wasn't supposed to go down that way and I don’t know why our cousins did what they did. There was no reason.”

"I see, let's work it out with your boss then. Does this area of the city suffer from a lot of sinkholes?"

Badr listens carefully.

"The flooding in Ordellia has been especially bad of late, causing more sinkholes than normal."

"Alas, even 'family' can bring betrayal," Gerard observes. "Zeez new 'cousins', zey are not from around 'ere, I suppose... do you know anything about zem?'