The Scorched Lands (Inactive)

Game Master wicked_raygun

A Shot from Mal and a slice from Ben are the final nails in the coffin for the Hobgoblin.

Hands, hurt again. I'll post tomorrow.

As the Hobgoblin drops to the ground, Mal cracks a twisted grin at Ben. "Have a quicker time saving the girl, you keep talking to them goblins. Just bore 'em all to death."

Ben wiped his blade clean and re-sheathed it, then set about reloading his pistol. "Go on gigglin', Lewis. I ain't the one missed by a mile with my target not three feet away. You'da been split down the middle if I hadn't stepped in to back you up." He sighed and shook his head mournfully. "Only the gods know why I did it."

Did we come from the doorway in the previous room? I seem to recall a tunnel to the north somewhere...? If the stairs are the only way out of here, Ben will sneak up/down them outside the edge of the light, though I'm not sure how much use sneaking is after the amount of noise we made attacking the hobgoblins. Or we can take the doorway, I won't fuss. *g*
Still waiting on the gnome's reply when your hands are better, Ray.

No worries chief. Hope you feel better soon.

There are very loud machines churning in the background, so sneaking is still possible. And, yes, you guys came from the right, or the West of the Map.

And now time for another episode of Retcon Theater...

"If any of you-all is feelin' vengeful in the slightest, we could sure use some information on what's waitin' farther in. What's the layout of these here tunnels? Where can we find the girl and the priestess? Are there more of Brogo's kin workin' down here? Where might they be?"

Glancing at Mal's departing back, he said with exasperation, "And make it quick. Some of us are in a damn hurry to meet up with the undertaker.

"The girl and the Priestess are below. You should hurry. There's no telling what foul plan she has install for the girl. There are more machines below, but nowhere near as loud as these. Be careful. And, yes, there are more Hobgoblins. But they are mercenaries. They stick to the top floor. Below the Priestess has followers. Humans. Beware of them. They are fanatics."

And thanks, guys. My hands aren't so bad during the day. But at night I can only really describe the feeling as agony. Unfortunately that's when I do my GMing for this game since nothing is copy/pasted for this adventure. That's why this one has suffered more than the others.

That sounds awful, hope you feel better soon!

Mallory's face goes serious. She had to admit that she was getting older, her reactions slower. There was a lot she got away with just from habit, but it would only ever be a stall. Weren't often you met an old gunslinger. Swallowing, she nods to Ben, "I reckon you're right. Thanks."

Seeing the next set of stairs and recalling what the gnome said, Mallory shakes her head. "This place is huge. Must run under the entire city. Any figurin' on what these machines are?"

Mallory's mind wanders as she walks towards the stairs, thinking on the kind of people they might encounter, those who would choose to live down here, who would follow their leader to the bitter end. It would likely be necessary, she decides, to put them all down.

"I know little of machines, but like a human body, would it not be possible to perhaps make them malfunction? And like the body, if one part isn't working right perhaps the other parts will not work well either?"

"I know little of machines, but like a human body, would it not be possible to perhaps make them malfunction? And like the body, if one part isn't working right perhaps the other parts will not work well either?"

Was this Retcon Theater or are you asking the party?

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You completely have my sympathies, Ray. Are you sure you should even be writing with your hands like this? Maybe we should take a hiatus until you feel better...? It would be bad if posting is aggravating the problem.

Completely nonplussed by not receiving sass in exchange for his barb, Ben paused to stare at Mal as she moved toward the stairs. Shaking his head sharply, he holstered his gun and moved ahead of the light (but, thanks to his eyes, not so far ahead that he couldn't see.)

At Bukaru's question, though, he turned back, letting the light edge over him again. "What do you reckon, Buckaroo? Draw the fanatics out by hurtin' their machines, maybe sneak past 'em while they're busy? We'd probably have to shoot our way back out. Maybe pick 'em off when they come to investigate? That might take longer than the girl has."

"We'll probably have to shoot our way out anyway once we got the girl, so I like your first idea best. So... how do you reckon to hurt a machine?"

Ray, I was asking the party...

"I do not know, perhaps it would be better to sneak in, then try to damage the machines to provide distraction in order to get out?

As to how to damage a machine, I would imagine Leland might know that better than I..." Casting a glance his way.

As to how to damage a machine, I would imagine Leland might know that better than I..."[/b] Casting a glance his way.

"Smash it? My knowledge of all things mechanical, begins and ends with the brakeman. This is really more of the Doctor's speciality. Shame he isn't around, he has knack for blowing up machines. But seriously, maybe someone should head topside and grab the local law. This is turning out to be quite the rescue mission."

Leland is magically tapped out and Gizmo is pretty beat up. I don't know how many more encounters we can handle.

"This may be a prudent suggestion. I can contribute nothing more at this point than healing the wounded a few more times..."

Well that's two votes for heading out. If no one disagrees we'll be doing that.

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Mal's shoulder still aches and she longs to be out of the sprawling caves and in a warm bed. Still, she knew it would have to wait. Job weren't done, yet. "We can't all leave," Mal points out. "Won't take much to notice someone was here. Likely they'll kill the girl and disappear 'fore we get back."

"I'm with Lewis. That girl can't wait for us to go hollerin' for help." She may be a lyin', scratchin' polecat, but she's no fool.

Ben gestured down the stairs, getting mad all over again at the thought of the girl held prisoner down here. "If your contraption breaks, we'll just take down them hobgoblins the old-fashioned way. You got a knife, right? So long as Buckaroo here can patch us up, I say we go on."

I was thinking more of a splitting the party, have one person run up and the others wait to ambush anyone who came up. *Shrug* We may be fine, but call me paranoid.

Bukaru says to Leland, "I don't suppose your machine can follow complicated orders on its own, like 'find the Sheriff and bring him back'? Can it talk?"

Leland, I haven't been watching Gizmo's HP, but that last Channel Energy that Bukaru did when Mal was hurt probably would have included Gizmo, as long as it was within range. Bukaru may not use a CE *just* for Gizmo, but wouldn't have thought to have excluded it, either.

Loveless

Loveless arrives in Dry City proper and marches off down the road. He arrives at the Hotel just in time to see a man burst out of a second story glass window. He falls to the ground and breaks his neck on impact.

And he is covered in thousands of Spiders.

Miss Wen appears at the window staring at the carnage below. She looks terrified, disheveled and she's bleeding from a cut above her right eye.

The spiders suddenly magically disappear. Her familiar, Confucius, sits on her shoulder hissing at the downed man.

***

Under Dry City

I'm going to tweak the map for the second level of the dungeon. In the meanwhile, enjoy the comedy stylings of the Doctor.

Under Dry City

It's a bit tricky descending the rickety stairs with Gizmo in tow, but you make do.

You find a room covered wall to wall in old, rusty empty oil drums. There's a small gas light hanging from the wall giving the room some light. There's a set of double doors leading out.

Doc lurches forward and, throwing his arms around Applejack's neck, holds on for dear life as the little roan rears up in surprise. "Whoa Appie, easy girl, it's alright!"

"Bluefeather! Get up here!" he commands... the moment he's sure he won't be thrown. "Are you seeing this?" he asks as he yanks the glove off his right hand... and then pauses as the spider swarm simply fades into nothingness.

Then he looks up, concerned. "Miss Wenn, are you alright?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Just lookin' 'round

Perceptin': 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

"Blood." She murmurs, crouching down to get a better look. Rubbing her hand against the stain, she mutters. "Old." Narrowing her eyes, she looks towards the double-doors. "Best we end this soon."

Loveless

Miss Wen seems timid and confused as she notices Loveless.

"Doctor? Is -- Is he dead? I never meant to -- he -- he attacked me and I just -- I've never hurt anyone like that before, and I didn't mean to -- oh, gods!"

Miss Wen steps away from the window and you can hear her violently retching her guts out.

Gulch observes the dead man and smiles. He had been transfixed by the spider conjuration. "Extraordinary."

Deputy Bluefeather is examining the body when she gasps softly. "Sweet Dancer, it's Cal. He's one of the deputies."

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Doc's eyes widen. He looks from Jade to the body and back to the half-elf. "You did this??"

He whispers towards Applejack's ear and pats her on the neck to soothe her, then scrambles off his steed and quickly hitches her before joining the Deputy in examining the body.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Heal (for info only): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

But the thought of Miss Wen being capable of this has him too shaken to discern anything of value.

Is it possible to at least confirm he is in fact dead?

He looks at Bluefeather. "The Sheriff replaced by a doppleganger and murdered by men in cahoots with the foul creature. Now one of the Deputies dead under what I would most certainly deem 'unusual circumstances.' Something dastardly is afoot, Miss Bluefeather, and I suggest you mind your back."

He gazes at the body thoughtfully. "How many more lawmen are there in this town? They all need to be warned. Arrange a meeting so we can pool our knowledge, and be quick about it."

Doc rises to his feet and strides towards the building entrance. "Wipe that sick grin off your face, serpent," he growls, pointing at Gulch just before disappearing inside.

The intent is to go upstairs and check on Jade, as well as get an idea as to what the heck happened.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 Yep, that's some dried blood, all right. Probably left here by a man about 5'8, with a limp, and black shoes. Likes to sing in th' Opery. Done in by his butler, the hobgoblin.

With no more than a glance at the blood, Ben moved on up to the doors and eased one open a crack, peering in, then slipping through. "Send that contraption of yours what can see in the dark on up ahead," he whispered back to Leland. "I'll stick outside the edge of our light, where I can still see. Between us, we should be able to find a place to put a wrench in the machinery and hide, find the girl while the guards're checkin' it out, like Buckaroo said. Then Mal'n'me'll blast our way out while you two get the girl to come with us. Sound good?"

Another Perception, if necessary: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Ayup. Figures.
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

This is assuming Leland didn't split to go get the Sheriff. Well, what's posing as him. :P

Loveless

With that roll? Yeah, sure. Dead enough, anyway. ;-)

Loveless comes up quickly with the Deputy not but a handful of steps behind her. Miss Wen is sitting in a corner, next to a small pile of vomit. And she is mechanically cleaning her mouth with a handkerchief.

"Ma'am," you hear the Deputy say, "I want you to tell me everything that went on in here. I want you to be very specific. And I want you to understand that if you move for any weapon, or wave your fingers in any kind of arcane way -- I'll plug you with this here crossbow, without so much as thinking twice about it."

But Miss Wen isn't combative or in any offended.

"I - I understand," she says. She took a deep breath and started speaking. "The - the Sheriff wanted to speak with me a moment. But then he left suddenly. He said something about the Doctor's little girl and then he left. The Deputy stayed behind. He - he was friendly, a first. Wanted to know about my - my education. But after a while he was making me feel uncomfortable, so I excused myself and came here to my room. He broke the door down a minute later. And then --"[/b]

Miss Wen looks horrified. "It -- it happened so quickly. I was just defending myself. I've never used that spell like that before."

***

Under Dry City

Ben doesn't see anyone in the halls, but he can at least verify that unlike the upper floor, they are lit with lamps. He can also hear machines, but it's at a much quieter hum than before.

Wanting to comfort Jade but concerned over Bluefeather leaving the body unguarded -- despite his repeatedly pointing out the folly of that decision -- Doc stands by the window where he can keep an eye on the street below.

"Gulch," he says contemplatively as he stares down at the broken body. "These dopplegangers, I've only heard of them in the vaguest terms. If one is killed while mimicking, does it remain that way, do you know? Or does it revert to its true form?"

"Because either that Deputy was replaced as well, or he was another ally to the doppleganger, or he was being controlled somehow."

He looks over at Gulch and Jade. "That's discounting the sheer irrationality tallfolk are prone to in general, of course."

His gaze returns to the street. "Miss Wen, did he say anything before he burst in? What was it about him that was making you uncomfortable?"

A thought suddenly strikes him, and he turns to look at the compy. "And... how was Confucius acting throughout?"

"That's as good a plan as any."

Leland sends Gizmo ahead to scout.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

To Ben in specific but everyone in general : "I know nothing of strategy except from playing some board games in my childhood, but I just want to clarify I meant to damage the machines on our way out, not our way in. But do whatever you think will have the best chance of our getting out of this alive."

"Well, ain't no reason we can't do both." Ben slunk down the hallway as Gizmo passed him, taking a quick glance around the nearest corner while keeping an ear out for anyone coming his way.

more Perception fun: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Perceptin': 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Mallory moves quietly down the hallway, curiously looking at the lamps, and wondering at what stage of Ben's plan he was likely to turn on her and steal the credit, glory, and reward for himself.

Loveless

Miss Wen shook her hand. "He was just too insistent that I talk to him. At first, I just thought he was excited about technology. But his questions were badgering. He wanted more information on my background with machines. He wanted to know if I could fix them."

"And, no, Confucius didn't like him. But he's always overprotective, so I didn't think much of it."

The Deputy nodded. "Very well, Miss Wen, I'm going to corroborate your story. Don't run off."

Once the Deputy wad gone Mr. Gulch spoke up.

"Doppelgangers turn into their true form after death. Or at least so I've heard. "

Under Dry City section coming tonight.

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"Miss Wen, I've told you before: Animals are more attuned to malevolence," he says, glancing briefly at Gulch, "than we are. Learn to trust his instincts. Listen to him."

"Wait," he interjects as Bluefeather announces her intentions. "How do you plan to 'corroborate' anything? The Deputy's dead, and you can't ask that thing passing for the Sheriff!"

Under Dry City

Ben notices three men having a loud conversation.

"That little turd bit my finger! I'm going to enjoy watching her bleed."

"Shut up, you whining idjit. It was your fault for being such a dumbass."

They clearly did not hear you, Ben. But taking a shot with your gun would definitely be a no-go because of the Way of the Gun. So what do you wanna do?

Ben's expression changed to one of murderous glee. This must be the right way. Sounds like the kid's got spirit. She'll need it on the way out.

Time seemed to swerve around him, and he was back amid the sounds of screams and the thick smell of smoke. This time is different, he thought, pushing away the feeling of moving through a dream with blood sucking at his boots with every step. This time, I'll get the kids out. Kid, he corrected himself, scowling as he returned to the now.

Slipping his sword free as quietly as a cat on silk, he motioned for Mal to join him, then pointed the way he'd spotted the men with a significant lift of his eyebrows. Can't get to the machinery for a diversion. It's all on us, now.

Lifting three fingers, he counted down.

When the count completed, he slipped around the corner and did his level best to ram his sword through the spine of the closest man.

curve blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
confirm vs flatfooted: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 1
possible extra dmg?: 1d10 ⇒ 6

Sadly, no confirm.

Ben's sword finds purchase in the bastard's arm, but it doesn't penetrate deep as he was turning at just that moment.

He screams in pain while one of his companions yells, "We're under attack!"

Initiative coming tonight.

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I'm present, just keeping up with the group and waiting for opportunities to heal...

I'm guessing you'll have that opportunity real soon... *wince* Where's a 10 on the 1d10 when you need it?!

Under Dry City

Mallory Lewis Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Acolytes Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Benjamin Dalton Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Leland Hopkins Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Bukaru Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Whoa, Mallory manages to just barely win out initiative. She's up.

Are they armed such that I can actually shoot at them? Way of the Gun does not mess around.

Maybe you can intimidate them into shutting up. :P

Not armed yet. They are technically reaching for their weapons though and are aware of Ben, so he could fire and be okay. In the meanwhile, you can get around the letter of the law, when it comes to the Way. Do you have a secondary weapon, like say a dagger you can throw?

Loveless Saga

"Miss Wen, I've told you before: Animals are more attuned to malevolence," he says, glancing briefly at Gulch, "than we are. Learn to trust his instincts. Listen to him."

"Wait," he interjects as Bluefeather announces her intentions. "How do you plan to 'corroborate' anything? The Deputy's dead, and you can't ask that thing passing for the Sheriff!"

The Deputy rolled her eyes. "I figured I'd ask the other witnesses. This is a tavern, after all. You just stay put."

"The Sheriff left already," Miss Wen reiterated after the deputy left. "He said something about going to check in on 'the little girl.' He said that the 'crazy wench went too far with her games'. I don't know who he was talking about."

The Deputy filled you in on what happened with the Doctor. And that his 'little girl' was being held captive. You also know that your fellow heroes from the train went there to investigate. That was over an hour ago, now.

You know, if one were so inclined, one could certainly leap from this here porch onto their strawberry-colored pony and ride off heroically... :-)

"Porch?" Unless I missed a scene change, we're still in Jade's room on the second floor of the hotel. And while Doc could leap out of the window and land on AJ, it wouldn't be good for her back. Plus there's a difference between "heroic" and "idiotic." :op

"Very little gets done by staying put," Doc pronounces at Bluefeather's back, the volume rising as she walks away.

He frowns at the half-elf. "The Sheriff is dead, Miss Wen. Has been for a good while, by my estimate. There's something big going on here. Something big and evil."

He looks back at the door.

"And it needs to be stopped."

Jade gets a stern look. "Stay here and stay safe, Miss Wen. I don't know anything about dopplegangers, but if this thing can freely change shape, it could come back here as..." He gives Gulch a steely look. "... anyone. You." He stares at Gulch for a good long while, then reaches a decision he clearly finds distasteful.

"You're the last person I would choose to trust with this. But you're also the last person available, and I'm reasonably confident that you're you. Unfortunately."

Doc points at Jade as his eyes bore into the sorcerer. "Watch over her. You apparently have some understanding of these creatures. Keep her safe."

He steps towards him, stopping almost toe to toe, glaring up at him and speaking in a low growl. "I swear before The Great Engineer and The Master, if you hurt her or allow her to come to harm, I will see you dead by my hands. And you will die slowly and agonizingly. Do I make myself clear?"

Not waiting for an answer, he strides out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I'm not sure what all has been discussed in front of him; does Doc know where the doc lives?

I guess I could stab one but let's have some fun.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Whipping around the wall immediately after Ben, Mal puts a hand on the end of her pistol and narrows her eyes down the hallway at the furthest cultist. 'Unarmed.' Mal groans to herself, before a twisted grin takes it place. Just because she couldn't shoot him, that didn't mean he knew she couldn't shoot him. "I reckon you boys ain't tangled with 'slingers, before. Any y'all make a move, I'ma have to put you down. My..." She paused, unsure of what word to use to describe her relationship with Ben. She decided to adopt a word she had heard Loveless use. "associate and I can have you riddled with holes 'fore ya get 5 feet. But if you tell us where the girl is, we ain't like to harm ya."

Under Dry City

Well, they're definitely demoralized. I would have given them a chance to roll religion to see if you're telling the truth, but they're not trained in it. So let's try a sense motive.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Nope.

The varmints cowered in fear for a moment, but drew their morningstars. "She'll kill us all! Take 'em down!" one of them says while trembling.

All three of them move in to attack Ben, but their swings miss wildly.

morningstar: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Morningstar: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Morningstar: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (4) - 2 = 2
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

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The varmints cowered in fear for a moment, but drew their morningstars. "She'll kill us all! Take 'em down!" one of them says while trembling.

When I read that I couldn't help but think of the scene in the Leverage episode "The Boiler Room Job" wherein a guy hauls off and punches Eliot.

Thanks, man. That's awesome. I haven't hit anybody in over two weeks.

Hilarity Carnage ensues.

"Lady gave you a way out," Ben said with sad scorn. "Pity you weren't smart enough to take it. Now we're gonna have to put you down like the dumbest dogs that ever bit a horse."

Not wanting the sound of shooting to alert everyone in this blasted hole, Ben whipped his sword around to slash at one of the men.

curve blade: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
dmg: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Ben swung his blade with perfect precision and an evil man fell to his knees. His head hit the ground a second later.

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Apologies for the OOC glitch, folks. That was supposed to go in Discussion, and I didn't notice the mis-post until after the editing window had closed. My bad. :o/

Leland and Gizmo hustle towards the fight. double moves each