Savage Adventures in the Dread Sea Dominions (Inactive)

Game Master Patrik Ström

The decision made for him, Thresh moves to the closest undamaged target and attacks with Bane in a frenzy.

Fighting1: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 1 = 7

Fighting: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 2 + 1 = 4

Wild: 1d6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 1 = 0

Damage1: 1d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (3) + (9) = 12

Damage2: 1d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8

When you venture out on the street you find them deserted. Only the wind and calls of the vultures circling the city break the silence. You soon see what has lured the carrion birds. A few yards out you see the first pool of blood. You encounter blood smears around broken doors, drag marks, smashed furniture and debris, but no bodies. The pattern repeats as you continue to wander the streets. Signs of struggle and death, but no bodies. Shortly after turning corner you can hear strange sounds up ahead. Sounds of movement. Dragging footsteps and several strange hissing noises.

Initiatives
Bella => two of diamonds
Tenzin => four of spades
Thresh => eight of spades
Evil doers => eight of clubs

I wonder why it always works out that Thresh goes first, then the monsters/bad people and then the rest :) Anyway, Thresh is up. Bella and Tenzin can post their actions as well as I probably won’t be able to post tomorrow.

You’re faced with six decrepid and rotting snakemen. What do you do?

When you venture out on the street you find them deserted. Only the wind and calls of the vultures circling the city break the silence. You soon see what has lured the carrion birds. A few yards out you see the first pool of blood. You encounter blood smears around broken doors, drag marks, smashed furniture and debris, but no bodies. The pattern repeats as you continue to wander the streets. Signs of struggle and death, but no bodies. Shortly after turning corner you can hear strange sounds up ahead. Sounds of movement. Dragging footsteps and several strange hissing noises.

Initiatives
Bella => two of diamonds
Tenzin => four of spades
Thresh => eight of spades
Evil doers => eight of clubs

I wonder why it always works out that Thresh goes first, then the monsters/bad people and then the rest :) Anyway, Thresh is up. Bella and Tenzin can post their actions as well as I probably won’t be able to post tomorrow.

You’re faced with six decrepid and rotting snakemen. What do you do?

If it's okay Thresh will just stick with what he rolled in the previous post. Just say if you want new rolls though

Rather have new rolls as you used the previous ones to ... crap, did I copy+past the wrong thing? Damn, I wrote up a post describing that Bella killed one snake man with her bow (9 is a hit with a raise on a ranged attack, I rolled 4 for the extra d6) and Thresh rushed forward and killed another (7 was a miss). The snakes then hissed a unsettling battlecry and turned to face Thresh.

Rather have new rolls as you used the previous ones to ... crap, did I copy+past the wrong thing? Damn, I wrote up a post describing that Bella killed one snake man with her bow (9 is a hit with a raise on a ranged attack, I rolled 4 for the extra d6) and Thresh rushed forward and killed another (7 was a miss). The snakes then hissed a unsettling battlecry and turned to face Thresh.

I hate it when that happens ;)

Thresh wades eagerly into the mass of snake men striking to his left with Bane against one and then to the right against another.

Attack1: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) - 2 + 1 = 11
Ace: 1d12 ⇒ 6

Attack2: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 1 = 0

Wild: 1d6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 2 + 1 = 4

Damage1: 1d10 + 1d10 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + (2) + (4) = 13

Damage2: 1d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (8) + (8) = 16

Thresh fells another of the hideous snakemen with a powerful blow, but in his zeal he fails to covers his flanks and is soon surrounded by claws, hisses and fangs.

Snakeman #1: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (+4 gang up) => miss
Snakeman #2: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 (+4 gang up) => hit
Snakeman #3: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (+4 gang up) => miss
Snakeman #4: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 (+4 gang up) => miss
Snakeman #5: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (+4 gang up) => miss

Snakeman #2 damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 => no effect

Luckily the barbarian's battle prowness pays dividend yet again and he is able to repell all attacks made against him.

Bella and Tenzin are up

Bella moves to try and stay out of the reach of their claws, but still get a clear shot.

1d10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Bow Total of 8
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 WD

3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 4) = 10 Arrow w/Raise Total of 10 Damage

"Get your back against the wall barbarian". "They can't surround you then".

Bella's arrow pierces the chest of one of the remaining snake men, leaving only four combatants standing.

Tenzin is up

Tenzin frowns at the obviously diseased snakemen but leaps to the fray. He jabs at one of the Snakemen attacking Thresh hoping to blindside it.

Activate Smite no multi action penalty

1d10 ⇒ 7 Damage1d6 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + (1) + 2 = 9

Wild1d6 ⇒ 4 Ace1d6 ⇒ 1

Tenzin spurs into action and with a powerful blow he breaks the neck of one of the snakes harrowing Theresh. One more dead snakeman, three remaining.

The others release another guttural hissing noice. This time it is answered from at least three other directions.

Initiatives
Bella => queen of hearts
Tenzin => king of diamonds
Thresh => eight of diamonds
Evil doers => ace of clubs

The snakemen continue their mindless attack. One turns and attempts to grab Tenzin but the agile monk easily evades. While Thresh is keeping one snakeman at bay the other manages to slip up behind the barbarian and bury its fangs in the northlanders shoulder. Luckily the bite does not penetrate his armor.

Snakeman #1 vs Thresh: 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) + 1 = 16 (+2d6 ace, +1 gang up) => hit with a raise
Snakeman #1 damage vs Thresh: 2d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + (1) = 5 (+1d6 raise) => no wounds
Snakeman #2 vs Thresh: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 (+1 gang up) => hit with a raise
Snakeman #3 vs Tenzin: 1d6 ⇒ 3 => miss

You're up. Three decrepit snakemen still up. From the sounds of it there are more approaching.

1d10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Bow Attack
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 WD

Bella draws back her bow to release another arrow at the horrid creatures, but the arrow keeps drawing back without resistance, and she realizes she has broken her bow strint.

"Ahhh"! "Let's just get the heck out of this cursed place". She starts to look for an avenue of escape.

"Find us a way out of here Amazon...I'll delay these snakes."

Attack1: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) - 2 + 1 = 9

Attack2: 1d12 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 2 + 1 = 1

Wild: 1d6 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 2 + 1 = 4

Damage1: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 8) = 14

Damage2: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 9) = 14

Thresh savages another of the already decrepit looking snakemen, leaving only two to fight back.

1d10+1 Bow Attack

1d6+1 WD

Bella draws back her bow to release another arrow at the horrid creatures, but the arrow keeps drawing back without resistance, and she realizes she has broken her bow strint.

"Ahhh"! "Let's just get the heck out of this cursed place". She starts to look for an avenue of escape.

Ouch! That grants you a bennie though

Tenzin is up.

Tenzin attack roll: 2d10 ⇒ (10, 1) = 11 (+1d10 ace) => hit with a raise
Wild die: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Damage: 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) + 2 = 9 (+2 smite) => shake and a wound => dead snakeman

Tenzin and Thresh finish the two remaining snakemen while Bella looks for a route to retreat. The hissing call of other snakemen come closer foretelling the arrival of new waves of the abominations. By the sound of things Bella assesses that the only retreat is going back the street you came from and then try to move around the incoming force of reptiles. As you turn there is a shriek from further down the street as the vanguard of a group of snakemen comes around the corner and spots you. Luckily the decrepit snakes are slow and you should be able to keep your distance, unless you are surprised by a group.

You run back to maneuver around the reptiles when you hear a voice from a rooftop above you. "Wait!" Looking up you see a bare chested muscular man of olive skin and with a bald head looking down on you. In his hand is a bow and a scimitar hangs from a belt at his him. He jumps down into the street with acrobatic grace. "The snakemen are everywhere. You need to get off the street. I know a safe place, follow me", he says.

Bella looks around, and listens to all the snaky activity. "OK". "But if you lead us into an ambush, I can promise you you'll be the first to fall".

1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Intimidate
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 WD

Thresh backs up Bella's words by growling at the newcomer as Bella makes her threat.

Trying to aid her intimidation

Intimidate: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Wild: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Tenzin sighs softly but follows.

The man looks baffled. "I would never do such a thing. I follow the will of my queen, and her will is to gather all survivors at the tower", he replies sounding genuinely hurt by your threats. He turns and leads you through the streets towards a tower that rises near the city wall. "Be quiet, the streets are filled with the snake men."

This is a Dramatic task based on stealth. Normally they work with one character being the focus, but all are sneaking there is no obvious choice. Getting to the tower will require 10 successes/raises over the course of 5 rounds. You can each make a stealth roll -2. The -2 represents the vast number of snakemen skulking the streets.

First round action card: seven of diamonds => no complication

Round 1

1d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 Stealth
1d6 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4 WD
1d6 ⇒ 2 XD

Well that's one success anyway. This is not looking good.

Stealth: 1d4 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2
Wild: 1d6 - 4 ⇒ (2) - 4 = -2

Stealth 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 = -1

Wild 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

and use a bennie to reroll that

Stealth 1d8 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3

Wild 1d6 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0

Today the gods of Fortune are not with us

Round 2
1d6 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1 Stealth
1d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 WD

"It is so hard to hide". "They are everywhere". "Are you sure you are not leading us to them"?

Not going to spend any bennies on this unless I get close, which is astronomically improbable.

Hmm, I might have screwed up with the 10 success limit... The regular Dramatic task mechanic calls for 5 successes/raises within 5 rounds from one character. As I didn't want to single out anyone I figured that everyone could participate and then just raise the number of required successes. That's not going to work. We'll use the normal amout, i.e. 5 successes. Right now you have one.

"Of course not. My queen has tasked me to gather any survivors and bring them to the tower. Tread softly and we will make it", your guide replies. Dispite his confidence it is hard to ignore Bella's comment. The snakemen are numerous, and as you sneak through the city you also catch glimpses of a few that does not look as rotted and diseased as the ones you fought earlier.

Round 2 action card => jack of diamonds => no complication

Stealth: 1d4 - 4 ⇒ (3) - 4 = -1
Wild: 1d6 - 4 ⇒ (1) - 4 = -3

Thresh continues his ungraceful movement.

I really think the (-2) was the killer here.

"There everywhere"! Bella whispers urgently. As she kicks a bottle noisily.

1d6 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1 Stealth
1d6 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3 WD

The -2 is the standard for dramatic tasks but I think this situation was a poor situation to try the mechanic. Pushing forward.

Your guide seems to know the city like the back of his hand. He uses back allies, roofs and goes through abandoned houses to avoid the snakemen that have gathered in the streets. Through the journey you see a variation of snakes, ranging from decrepit and diseased to strong and agile. In the distance you think you also see some winged serpents circling the city, but that might be a illusion brought on by the heat.

You are able to reach the tower without being detected. It stands close to the city wall and raises about 85ft ending in a slanting roof. You count seven levels of windows, with the lower three have been boarded shut. He quickly raps at the reinforced door saying "It's Unoch. Quickly open the door!" Seconds later you can hear a beam being lifted and the door slides open allowing you to enter. Once inside the door quickly shuts behind you.

You find yourself in a circular room with rich tapestries covering the walls. A staircase hugs the left side of the wall making it possible to access the second floor. Around you stand a mix of tough-looking eunuch guards, a handful of harem girls and a splattering of the common folk. They look at you with mix of desperation, fear and admiration.

A woman comes walking down the stairs. You all recognise Zamira, the new queen of Quollaba. You can see the same desperation and fear as from the other survivors, but the queen wears it under a solid robe of courage and determination. ”Thank the heavens Unoch found you! The tyrant, he is still alive and .. he has transformed. His vendetta threatens us all. He will not stop until he has the life of every conspirator in his assassination. He has already claimed Sulak and Nekerios. Only you and I are still alive.”

[ood]Yeah. I've struggled with that for action sequences as well. Worked well for a ritual spell, and some research, but not so well for disarming a ticking bomb under pressure. I understand the -2 for number of snake men, but maybe the guidance of Unoch would have given a +2 cancelling that out??? [/ooc]

Bella, breathless eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and fear collapses on a nearby stool, and tries to regain her composure.

"payment or not, I'm all for vacating this city". "The dead spend no coin".

Tenzin sighs and looks at the Queen..

"Did it not occur to you to..find out what might happen if the Tyrant was killed during a ritual..And now I suppose you want us to drag you out of a mire of your own making..Your Majesty"

He glances at Bella..

"I agree..we cannot stand against an army and distance may aid us..the only question is how we get out off the city "

"For nine years I endured his rule!" Zamira snaps at Tenzin. "He came from the desert brandishing his magic. He slayed the king, took my mother hostage and made me his 'queen'. I loathed every minute of it but I could do nothing. Anytime I dared to defy him he would threaten me with hurting my mother, whom he cept captive in this tower. Six months ago I found out that she'd died three years after take over. With nothing left to loose I started plotting for his demise. Just when I thought that I've had my revenge my luck turned. A horrible beast emerged from the temple and a large part of the citizens turned as well into those hideous snake creatures you've seen stalk the streets. Those who didn't change became prey for those who did. We were forced to flee from the palace and we took shelter in here. I've been sending Unoch in hopes to find more survivors."

"My mother wasn’t allowed many luxuries, but reading was one of them. She had an impressive collection of books. I don’t know how she got
them, but I’ve been reading some of them. And I have found out the terrible truth: Ulasha’s curse, the Tyrant's demon diety. By killing his Chosen One, we did him a favor. We evoked his curse and allowed him to manifest himself in this world. Now he is looking for all the people who committed the crime: we, the ones behind it, and you, the perpetrators.
When all of us are dead, he’ll gain tremendous power, so great to let him remain in the world of man forever.”"

Thresh listens in some confusion to the fancy words used by the Queen. However, he understands enough to announce "Thresh and Bane will kill this Ulasha and send him back to the hellhole he crawled out of."

"Something tells me it won't be as easy as last time". "Still I suppose we must". "So tell me your highness". "If we were to just leave, would this thing track us down, or be content with killing those responsible still in the city"?

"So kill the Demon and the curse ends...The devil is in the details off course..but we need to think about whre to do it and how."

Thresh begins to chuckle and then laugh then roar with laughter. He pats Tenzin on the back, "Good joke my friend...the 'devil' is in the details because we fight this devil..."

Thresh listens in some confusion to the fancy words used by the Queen. However, he understands enough to announce "Thresh and Bane will kill this Ulasha and send him back to the hellhole he crawled out of."

I lol:ed :)

Zamira looks at Bella with sad eyes. ”If I understand the writings correctly, the curse would cause you to lose your way, wandering the desert until you finally find your way back here”, she says. ”I have not been able to gather more, but there are plenty of books I haven’t had the time to go through, and some are in languages that I don’t understand. The beast has made a nest of the temple where his subject was slain. He emerged last night to wreck havoc on the city, then he returned to his lair.”

Bella sighs, and her shoulders slump a bit. "Well I guess there is no other choice then".[b]"I don't suppose you know of a more secretive way to enter this temple...though it might not matter if we go at night, since the guards will all be busy dispatching serpent men." "Or perhaps we should try to disguise ourselves as cultist and enter in plain sight".

The queen looks around the room at the gathering of citizens, harem girls and eunuch guards. "Perhaps it is better if we finish this upstairs", she says and motions you towards the stairs. Zamira leads you upwards through the tower (unless you object) all the way to the top. The room at the top occupies the whole level, just like the others you passed, and is equipped with a bed, a plain looking wooden table and some chairs. The walls are covered with book cases that hold row upon row of all kinds of books. Various books also litter the floor.

Zamira slumps into one of the wooden chairs. With no of her subordinates nearby she drops the mask of confidence and resolve. "There are no guards left. As far as I know all of them has either turned into snake men or been killed by those who did. There is no one left. I've sent out Unoch to look for survivors but other than you he has found none. I don't know of any secretive ways to enter the temple. Perhaps the windows you used when you snuck in the first time?" She sighs and leans back into her chairs. "I don't know what to do. I don't even know if this thing can be killed. All I know is that to do nothing would doom us all. "

"I like climbing walls...let's do that again...it worked before."

"oh yes that worked really well..." Tenzin gives a minor wince as he remembers the temple.

Any sarcasm flies right past Thresh without notice.

Zamira sighs. "I am not a warrior, so I cannot offer you any tactical advice. What I can do is offer you some manpower. The eunuchs of my guard are formidable fighters. They will be able to lend a hand."

What do you want to do? Any investigations or preparations?