The Darkest Corners

Game Master Nidoran Duran

The Temper rises in Laznist. Logically Jack is the... bedamned! Attacking him and his friend, these scum...

A gout of white hot fire plays from his hands

"You picked on the wrong guys"

5ft move back. Burning Hands (my last spell). Using mysterious lineage damage. Reflex DC 17 to halve: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) + 3 = 12

"You want some MORE???"
please don't want some more

Falchion's save: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Rapier's save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Dagger's save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

[ooc]Good job Laznist you just killed all three of them in one go.[/dice]

The three bandits scream as the fire washes over them. They fall weakly to the ground, their weapons clattering onto the ground.

[ooc]I'll cast Command (drop) at the archer. DC 16 If I'm threatened, I'll five foot step away from the enemy first.[/b]

I really think you lot should Drop your weapons and surrender before you make him angry.

Turning her head at the last minute, Dara saw the arrow coming at the last second and managed to dodge it, mostly. The projectile grazed her shoulder and stuck in the door jam. "Oh hells no! You did not just shoot that at me, pointy ears!" Grabbing her loaded crossbow off of the ground, she aimed and fired back at the archer.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Possible Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Anastasia glared at the man who had just cut her. She looked at him with a certain fury and asked, "What did you say?!" Anastasia gave him no time to answer. She whipped out her two shortswords and said, "Two is better than one, hah." Anastasia then attacked.

Attack with first shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Damage of first shortsword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Anastasia smiled, "Bet that hurt."

Attack with second shortsword: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Damage of second shortsword: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Don't know if second one hit.

Shang is still MIA, and hasn't had a post on his main profile since last week, so we'll just skip over him again. If he really is out of the picture by the time this case is wrapping up, I'll go back to the recruitment thread and see if one of the other characters I liked is available still.

Longbow's Will Save vs. Command: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The half-elf stares in confusion at Walther for a moment, but shakes it off only to find an arrow striking a bolt digging into his legas he returns to his sense. He screams out an Elven slur and shoots Dara again.

Longbow's Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Longbow's Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Anastasia's first blade hits the warrior, but the next one fails to pierce his armor. He decides to stumble back away from Anastasia clumsily, not at all trying to defend himself as he turns tail and tries to escape.

Shortbow's Acrobatics DC 17: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

You may make an Attack of Opportunity if you wish.

Longbow: 7/12 HP
Shortsword: 5/11 HP

Seeing as Laznist was kind enough to clear the way for her, Opehlia steps over the smouldering bodies and charges the archer. Sadly she manages to trip on the uneven flooring of the shingles and her slash goes far of target.

1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8

Full round to charge, free to maintain performance (3rd round today). Team still has +1 to hit, +1 AC

Ilquen cor síno gwest síra!

I'll take a shot at anyone I can get a clear shot at; moving first if need be.

repeating crossbow: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
damage: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Laznist starts to pursue, but his vision starts to go dark.
Woah - fells like I'm 'bout to go down.
Propping himself up with the Longspear, Laznist conjures all the energy he has left into a slightly acidic spit.
attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 1 = 19 damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Shooting a target within range and not in melee. I think this will be shortbow. If everyone is in melee, then the closest.

Not understanding a word the Half-Elf was saying, Dara responded, "Yeah, well, same to your mother!" She reloaded her crossbow and took aim again. As Ophelia charged the archer, the Dwarf yelled, "Springs don't...!" But she was already in the way. Muttering something the Rogue took careful aim and fired again at the Half-Elf.

I keep forgetting the +1 to attack. Alright, let's see if this works.

Ranged Attack vs Half-Elf: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 - 4 = 5

Despite her best efforts, her bolt went wide.

Does "Shortbow" mean "Shortsword" or "Longbow", Laznist?

The guy who made the acrobatics roll to run away from Anastasia. He might be going for reinforcements. If not, this should keep him running!

Alright, I was just confused by the splicing of both names. That would be Shortsword whose ass you just melted.

Longbow HP: 7/12
Shortsword HP: 1/11

Sorry Dara - normally I wouldn't interfere but I couldn't let the archer stay unengaged. This way if he wants to take a potshot at Laznist he would have to deal with cover (and perhaps an AoO)

Anastasia saw shortsword trying to bolt. She quickly reacted and tried to hit him.

Attack of opportunity with shortsword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

And Shortsword is dead.

Longbow realizes how badly he's outnumbered, and decides to high-tail it instead of trying to shoot down six people with his bow alone. He turns away from Ophelia and begins running.

Longbow's Acrobatics DC 16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Ophelia lowers her blade, hesitating.

"Do we chase him? What he did was wrong, but we got the Jack to worry about"

"Ah let him go. He ain't worth it." It was then Dara noticed the slightly deeper graze on her other shoulder. Grumbling in Dwarven under her breath, she continued working on the lock.

"Affirmative."

She turns away from the fleeing archer and sheaths her sword in one smooth movement. The enhancement protecting and bolstering the party also fades away into nothing again. Her gaze quickly falls on Laznist and his new attachment to the longspear. It doesn't take any medical talent to see that he isn't in top shape.

"I have a scroll that might help you" she pauses "Unless you are planing on drowning the Jack in your blood?"

Sweet chiming laugher rings out as she goes trough her backpack. Seconds later the tone instead switches to a triumphant expression as she finds the rolled up piece of paper she was looking for. Her hand is cool as she places it over Laznists wounds - but the healing magic makes up for any discomfort that might cause.

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"Thanks Ophelia!" Laznist straightens immediately, and the pain in his kidney area vanishes.

"I think you've got a soft heart - he could well be going for reinforcements. I'm seeing who these guys were. Maybe they're in league with Jack."

Damn, I did it again. Soft Heart - and after she just spent a fortune healing me. What is wrong with me?

Laznist will go through the corpses looking for identifying marks - gang symbols, unusual accoutrements, keys etc. If they've got money or valuables then he'll take it, but keep it separate from his own stuff;

Soft Heart? He is doing that thing again were he looks regretful right after speaking to me. Or ... guilty?

"I truly have a heart of gold - It ... well, it isn't really a heart per say, but it is there!" She tilts her head to the side, observing as Laznist goes trough the thugs belongings. "I could show it someday later if you want"

I'm thinking of switching out one of my first level spells for Cure as soon as I level, to take some load of Walter ...

A search of the corpses doesn't find much in the way of peculiar marks or identifiers. They appear to just be an average group of bandits trying to make themselves some money robbing the unfortunate souls wandering the Shingles at night, with the fact that Jack chose their hideout to burst into and hide in completely coincidental.

Among their bodies, you finde the following:

Dara closed her eyes and let out a long exhale. Without looking, she worked the lock meticulously.

Taking 20. Total check is 31

"Hey, look! Keys!"
Laznist throws a key to Dara
"Oh - and vials, and tangle-foots... I don't know which deity is looking after one of you, but tell them Ii said thanks!"
Everyone is welcome to look at the loot; Laznist isn't hiding anything... and frankly some extra carrying capacity would not go astray.

Dara shoots a look to Laznist and says, "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to disturb a professional while she's working?" She then looked at the key. The Dwarf hated using keys, but given the time sensitivity of the situation, she scooped it up and unlocked the door.

We should definitely take what we can from those men. I can't be of much help in that regard however; I left my staff at home as carrying it and my crossbow is too taxing.

I'm interested in the sap and the javelins. Could also make decent use of some of the alchemical items - have vanish if I need to run and got a pair of alchemical fires also but one of the tangle foot bags would not go amiss, any objections?

Not to heavily loaded right now so I could probably carry some of the excess loot.

Humming Ophelia follows Laznists example and looks through the loot. She picks up the sap and the javelins - the later would come in handy if the Jack tried to make a run for it again. Likewise with the tangle foot bags they had. Lifting one of them up pinched between two fingers she turns to Shang.

"Yours were much more beautiful - but I think this would do a similar trick..."

Ophelia puts her cold copper arm around Walthers thin shoulders and makes a sweeping gesture over the fallen thugs. With a faint smile on her stiff lips she asks

"If you need anything I could carry it for you - I don't tire easily"

Shang looks the smokestick over and gives it a heady sniff, visibly reveling in its aroma. "These items will definitely come in handy as we track that thing down," he replies.

He nods to Ophelia, and adds, "Oh, the eggs are Lu's work, some of the best when it comes to adhesives. But yes, you are correct, these bags will function perfectly adequately."

"I'm out of power - all I have left set up are trivial effects. Guess I can carry stuff, at least."
knowledge:local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 what should we do with bodies like these in the Shackles? Just leave them inside their hideout?

There isn't much in the way of patrol going around, but leaving bodies out in the open is a quick way to make enemies, since it'll guarantee there are guards coming around to investigate eventually, which nobody wants. The building in front of you has "abandoned" written all over it, and you just killed the only people who were using it. In The Shingles, it would be a ripe candidate for body disposal.

Anastasia was fine loot wise, "I'm as prepared as I can be. We should take their belongings before thieves take everything. We'll make better use of it than them."

Dara unlocked the door, "Time to kill some Jack, I guess."

"Yeah." Laznist seems a little unenthusiastic "Let's drag these bodies in as well. The Shingles hate litterers."

Though he tries to put a joking face on it, Laznist seems a little uncomfortable with the ethical choices they seem to be making. Not saying no, but not callous enough to shrug past it

"I'll take the acid if you don't mind"

Shang: Smokestick
Ophelia: Saps, javelins, tanglefoot bags
Laznist: Acid, coins, healing potion

"The townwatch should probably be notified when we make our report. They can bury them, but we got more pressing matters to attend to."

Whenever you guys feel like stepping into that house.

Opening the door, Dara then dragged one of the bodies inside. Turning to the rest of the group, she said, "Well lets get going."

Following Daras example Ophelia grabbed a body of her own and followed the rogue. Well inside she tossed the corpse aside and looked around in the room - looking for any stairs leading upward.

"Of all the houses in the Shingle - why do you think the Jack picked this one? Desperation? Fate?"

I'd guess he chose it at random. We probably would have just been attacked by a different gang of thugs if he'd chosen any other tall house.

"Reasonable assumption." She glances at Walther then walks outside to pick up and dispose of another body.

Laznist looks around nervously, clutching at his longspear in a much less manly way than the last time they fought Jack.
On the threshold he pauses "long shot" he whsipers, then casts something
Cast Detect Magic
finally he tails Ophelia into the house distractedly.
Checking for the presence of Auras within the house that don't match up with party members - will probably be a few rounds, and is only going to help if Jack has magic auras.

Anastasia like the others picks up a body and drags it inside. "Well we should get to it. Are you all ready?"

The inside of the house looks even more run-down than the outside. Furniture that likely predates its late occupants is laid across the room in a functional way, but everything is beaten and defaced several times over. Chairs have been patched together and repaired with unevenly coloured pieces of wood. The couches have been reupholstered many times but eventually given up on, evidence by all the holes and tears all over them.

To the sides are entrances to a kitchen and a bedroom. On the far end of the room is a staircase leading upward.

"Staircase." she stated the obvious and pointed. She readied herself by drawing her longsword in one hand and a javelin in the other then waited for the others to make their preparations. As soon as they were ready she will head upstairs - keeping an eye out for hiding ambushing jacks or other unpleasant surprises.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26

Let's quickly clear the side rooms and move upstairs.

Walther says this while moving to the kitchen entrance, crossbow raised. Once inside the (presumably unoccupied) room, he quickly looks toward each corner of the room to quickly determine if anyone is hiding there.

perception: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 = 31

In the other rooms are more signs of bare living in the hideout. A few bedrolls are laid down in one room, smelling rather heavily of sweat that has likely spent a long time building up, since there looks to have been little cleaning done. The kitchen is a grimy mess of food, the plates dirty but seeming recently washed and used again. There's no food scraps left; they apparently don't leave leftovers.

Amidst the mess, there are a few items of interest. Several knives lie embedded in the cutting board, along with a handaxe to cut thicker things. A good lock hangs open off a cupboard that contains four bottles of brandy.

Shang looks the knives over and gathers them. "Jack may have his own, but no sense in tempting him."

Laznist continues to follow distractedly, occasionally squinting at his fellow investigators.
Still concentrating on Detect Magic

Anastasia waits near Ophelia at the edge of the staircase. If this was a home of thieves it probably didn't have great things, "Anything interesting?" None of the items mentioned intrigued her, so she kept her position near Ophelia.

This floor seems to be clear. Let's move on to the second floor.

How many floors is the building, and is there only the single staircase inside?

Detect Magic still coming up dry. Full effect turns up nothing.

The building is two floors, with the single staircase leading up. A peek to the top reveals that it splits off into a hallway from there. If Jack hasn't left the room he burst into, he'll be in the room just off the stairway.

"Seems like a staircase is a great ambush point for this jumping Jack"
Given a wooden internal structure Laznist will drop detect magic"

"We go up this thing together, Jack can burn us all." I've used that trick myself "we go up separately and he can hit and run"