GMF's Savage Tide

Game Master Fanguar

Ukufa eyes the verbose halfling with a stoic stare, before she introducing herself in her usual flat tone;

"Ukufa. Huntress of frigid bedded goddess of death."

Bhru nods to the new arrival as introductions are made,

'Well we best get to makin your story then. Off to the 'dermy shop?'

Ready to roll!

With reinforcements in hand and preparations made, the party decides to follow up on their last lede on Vanthus, the Taxidermist's Hall.

How do you folks want to approach this? What time of day are you going, trying to be sneaky, etc.

Spinnaker Jon proposes that we go to the taxidermist shop after midnight, trick the lock open and search about looking for clues.
Foolproof in its simplicity!

I'd say we have a few options, Kellan favours the latter: Walk up in broad daylight and try and either 'bard/oracle' bluff our way in leaning on the Charisma or smash face leaning on the dwarf/ranger/halfling, or sneak up in middle of the night. Despite his high Charisma I'm fancying Kellan as a more of a midnight skulker...

Kellan adds his voice to Jon's plan but emphasizes the clandestine nature required. He offers some half-hearted counterpoints awkwardly.

“It is my utmost pleasure and privilege to acquire acquaintance with each of you!”
Phineas is very intrigued by Jon’s proposition:
“I confess, I’m drawn to all things clandestine like a crow to silver. Let us sneak about in the black of night and find what we are after!”

I’m liking the idea of some midnight, roguish sneakin’!

Ukufa listens, face impassive.

"Righteous work for Lady Lavinia. Fine."

Her voice, low and flat pauses;

"Break into Taxidermists’ Guild? What of the law?"

"The Law?" Asked Jon. "Even the Law says Vanthus Vanderboren is our lawful prey. An' the trail leads there.
"Remember what Penkus wrote? 'Vanthus lies in the lap o' the Lotus, beneath the Taxidermists' Hall.'
"We ain't goin' there to steal, we're just looking for the secret entranceway." He said. "We just ain't goin' to bother 'em durin' the workin' day."

"Our quarry does not bother with the law nor do these Lotus Dragons Ukufa. Whatever dealings we have with them will undoubtedly be lawless, apparently even the watch does not trouble themselves to apply justice to them. In this case we'll bring the law and therefore balance where the watch dares not!" The grim smile Kellan profers does not touch his eyes, even through his customary wink.

Bhru bangs on his armor as the crew discusses *ting ting*.

'Won' be any sneakin' from me. Find a way to send a signal if ye need me bustin through the front door. Otherwise, I be standing outside keepin a watch.'

The dwarf signals to his eyes and gives a wink.

I am okay with a night move. Should probably scout out the place a bit to see if there is any routine activity that we can avoid? I'll leave the sneaking up to the sneakier folks.

Any and all options are on the table, but we do need a united plan of attack/investigation. Also, remember that through your inquiries you have become known to the guild and that you are being watched.

With GM permission I swapped some stuff around... More of a controller build eventually but I did pick up Obscuring Mist and an additional spell slot Bhru and Phineas. Depending on the setup of the Hall maybe we could still go for stealth? Did I learn of any narrow approaches to side or back entrances GMF? I'm also down for light of day talk/smash our way in. Bit more of a Luke into Jabba's palace option but I'm down to clown given we probably don't have surprise on our side anyways.

"I'm loathe to leave behind the muscle but I believe I've a spell for the occasion that'll cause even the sharpest eyed guard to mist," Winks, "even you Bhru. It'll help if said guard was also deaf as a post on a bridge, but we'll 'afta cross that span later... Given we may be made the second we're out of doors, I'd be willing to try a more bold approach although it runs against my grain."

"Say Kellan lad, if'n we were to take an extra day ta plan, could you scribble out another couple of scrolls of the Obscuring Mist? Mebbe we could use one to leave and one to cover us when we go in.
"Meanwhile some of us can go take an innocent stroll by the place, so we can make a map and decide how ta make the approach.
"What do ya all think?" Jon conferred with his companions.

I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea how the scroll writing mechanic worked, I could do, looks like Ukufa would be the only other divine caster able to use it, is that right?

"There's a thought Jon... I could do certainly. I've spent most of my earnings but I've enough for two scrolls, though that'd put me near skint." No winks this time but Kellan's eyes tighten as he ponders his belt doing the same.

@Kellan: Ukufa cannot cast spells until 4th level and Obscuring Mist is not on her Spell List.

The Jasdian Hunter mulls the arguments but offers no further concerns on their chosen course.

"Scouting would be shrewd."

@Kellan: You need the scribe scroll feat to makes scrolls. They're pretty useful thing to do, so you can have situation spells at the ready without having to use spell slots.

@All: Kellan didn't see any side-doors are back-doors when he tracked the place down. Despite its rather grand name, the Taxidermist's hall is just a shop. It's open to all, and you can just walk in, if you want to, during regular business hours.

"Right then! We all go to the taxidermist's guildhall and snoop while we occupy the proprietors." Said Jon. "We're lookin' fer a stairway down, a trap door, secret door, somethin' like that."

"Right! Onwards and errr, downwards! Let's do a stroll around the block too just in case we need to make a more surreptitious entrance tonight."

Plan in hand, the party heads in the direction of the Taxidermist's hall. All they pass through a busy thoroughfare. Kellan feels a slight tug at his waist. Looking down, he sees that his coin pouch has just been cut free.

The culprit, a scruffy looking young, gives Kellan an apologetic grin, before taking off at a sprint.

The villain flees, action over to the party.

"You laddie!" Shouted Spinnaker Jon, "Drop the pouch!" He said, than darted after him (assuming he doesn't) to grapple.

The look the youth gives him does nothing to cool Kellans keen sense of loss and he takes off after him as well.

"Oi, ya little shhhh... get back here!"

Bhru turns his head as the youngster takes off and the two from his crew make chase. He shrugs his shoulders to the others and carries onward.

'Easily distracted I'm guessin?'

The dwarf continues onward toward the taxidermy hall.

Bhru has no intention of giving chase and will carry on toward the hall.

Phineas looks over at Bhru, walking with him:
“Never in my years have I seen distraction take hold with such veracity, great master Bhru.
Let your coin pass freely to the hands of the meek, I say.”
Phineas is taken aback by the sights and sounds of the thoroughfare; he pauses in place to take stock of all the raw stimuli competing for his attention.

Phineas sees Bhru up ahead, and hustles to catch up:
“I suppose they leave the glory for us then. Something tells me you’ve a penchant for it, great master Bhru.”

Phineas is sticking with Bhru on this one.
@Fang – Wondering where I should be assuming the ol’ steed (Lloyd) is at presently? Figured he’s maybe at a stable or something and I can pick him up once we are dungeon-bound?

@Phineas: You can have your mount in the streets, so you could have it with you right now. It's up to you.

The cutpurse continues to flee, darting down an alley way. Kellan and Jon are in hot pursuit, keeping pace with the thief and never losing sight of their quarry. Safe to assume that the chase continues?

Jon still chases, trying to grapple the kid.

Kellan, a step behind Jon sees the kid dart into the alley, he doesn't break stride but glances at his surroundings as he runs.

Jon and Kellan race after the pickpocket. There is a crash behind you as a tumble of trash and crates tumble down from the rooftops, choking the alleyway behind you.

Bolt vs Jon Flat footed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Bolt vs Kellan Flat footed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Bolt vs Kellan Flat footed 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 sneak attack: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (6) = 10

From above comes a shower of crossbow bolts. Most miss, but one slams into Kellan.

Combat
19 Jon
13 Baddies
5 Kellan

I don't have a map at the moment, but you are in a long, 5' wide alley. The way behind you is full of rubble, (counts as difficult terrain and needs a skill check to navigate), the rogue are on the roof tops and have cover against you. The walls of the buildings are two stories high, so like 20 feet. Jon is up.

"Keep moving! I'll cover you!" Spinnaker Jon called out to Kellan.
He moves forward 30 feet, then took a shot at a sniper with his hand crossbow.
mwk hand crossbow shot: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11 for a possible 1d4 ⇒ 1 piercing damage.

Ukufa stands watching the accused pickpocket take flight and Jon and Kellan in chase.

At Bhru's assessment of the scenario she nods and offers her curt agreement;

"Indeed."

The Jasdian then falls in line with the roughhouse dwur and Halvalier.

Just assuming we are taking care of the alley way encounter before front of shop stuff?

Sorry for the delay folks.

@All: The crash of debris into the alleyway was probably loud enough for the rest of the party to hear, but maybe not enough to make you all go rush to check it out. The streets are full of people, so the crowd would have responded, if nothing else. If the others want to continue on to the shop, I'm fine with splitting the party.

Jon's bolt skips off of the stonework and flies wide.

One of the ambushers keeps pace with Jon, while the other two focus on Kellan

Pew vs Jon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3, and a bolt strikes true.

Pew vs Kellan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Pew vs Kellan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Fortunately for the surprised adventurer, the bolts clatter to the cobbles instead of finding his flesh.

Party, such as it is, is up.

Spinnaker Jon did not reduce speed when he was hit; he continued running (total defense AC22) swearing right along as he reloaded on the run.

@GMF how far into the alley are we and which skill check would you like if we head out the way we came?

Kellan immediately staggers stunned that only one bolt hit him. Practically without thought he casts Obscuring Mists. As the Mists coalesce he bellows "BBHRRUUUUUU TO MEEEEE" as loud as he can before moving 20ft towards Jon.

Damn Jon with the quickness!

Hear Kellan?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

As the more focused members of the group carry on...

'...and that's how the whole kingdom collapsed beneath the weight of the Skybound Mountains, burying Angrad in a tomb yet to be discovered.'

The old dwarf sticks his finger in his ear, attempting to remove some dirt.

not sure if we would hear the shout over the crowd?

Phineas hears the distant sound of the crash but remains unconcerned.
Also attempting to hear Kellan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
“What of Angrad now, then? Surely someone must’ve thought to put in place measures of precaution? And surely there must be a great number of treasures in that tomb? I dare say we must seek them, surely.”

If Phineas hears the shout he’ll run in the direction of it

@Bhru and Phineas: You can't hear Kellan specifically, but you can hear the shouting and if you look in that direction, you can see the mist billowing out of the alleyway.

Jon keeps running for his life and makes it through the alley. On the other side he pops out into an small open square with several other alleys radiating out of it. The square is empty save for the fleeing thief, who hustles towards an open well that stands in the middle of the square. As soon as he reaches it, he leaps in without any hesitation, disappearing from sight.

On the rooftop, the rogue pursuing Jon launches another bolt in his direction:

Attack vs Jon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12, but misses.

Further back, Kellan's mist fills the alleyway, blocking sight and preventing his assailants from getting a bead on him. He makes his way to the edge of the mist and from above can hear curses of frustration.

The party is up.

Ukufa stands watching and listening. Then as mist drift from a distant alleyway accompanied by continued shouts, her lip twitches and she draws a blade as she begins moving toward the fray;

Spellcraft to Identify Mist?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"We should assist."

Double Move (30+30) and draw MW Dagger

Kellan, seemingly safe for the moment Heals himself. He accidentally stumbles out of his mist cover and sees Jon well out of reach with bolts clattering to the cobbles. He jumps back deciding perhaps he'd best stay in cover for now. He's so far! The cavalry best be coming... "UKUUUUUFAAAAAAA!"

Minor Heals: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Kellan, seemingly safe for the moment Heals himself. He accidentally stumbles out of his mist cover and sees Jon well out of reach with bolts clattering to the cobbles. He jumps back deciding perhaps he'd best stay in cover for now. He's so far! The cavalry best be coming... "UKUUUUUFAAAAAAA!"

Heals: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Sry for the double up. It didn't show up on refresh even a few minutes later, I thought it was lost to the feywilds.

Spinnaker Jon changed tactics suddenly.
He stopped, whispered a quiet tune, then vanished from View.
Cast Vanish, invisible for 2 rounds.
He then started climbing the building the assassins were on.
Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Bhru moans as he sees Ukufa head in the direction of the disturbance, nevertheless he follows.

Double move to try and keep up, 20+20.

Despite his best efforts to keep pace, Ukufa is just too quick. Dwarves aren't sprinters after all.

@Ukufa: You recognize the spell effect.

@Kellan: Yup no worries. Just go with the first post.

With Jon's disappearance and Kellan's cover, the bolts from the rooftops cease. There's some cursing and then the soft patter of footfalls, as your assailants scatter.

Making his slow climb up to the rooftops, Jon sees no immediate sign of the ambushers, while below, the rest of the party catches up with the wounded Kellan.

Tracking and chasing the rogues over the rooftops is possible, if you want, but they have a head start. So combat is effectively over.

Before he could chase after the rooftop villains, Jon's Vanish wore off and he decided he didn't want to be ambushed a second time.
Disgusted, he slid down a pipestand back down to the alleyway.
He walked over to Kellan.
"Kellan laddie, ye all right?" He asked, having see him get shot a couple of times.

Kellan looks embarrassed and wincingly acknowledges the party's return. He replies to Jon, "Aye Jon, I'll be fine but spent a fair portion of my energy hiding and patching myself up. I didn't catch where the damn cut purse fled to... Did you see him?"

"Aye. That well there; he dove down there like a weasel." Answered Jon.
He edged up to the lip of the well and glanced over quickly, wary of being shot at again.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3

Ukufa arrives, her stern expression cast toward the rooftop, then toward the party;

"An ambush. They owe us blood."

"Agreed Hunter, such treachery deserves balancing. Do we press forward now or try again when they are not so obviously prepared for us?" Kellan turns to their newest member,
"What say you Halfling?"

"Bah, they've gone now. I say we continue on as planned to the Taxidermist's hall. Whatta ya say lads and lassies?" He asked to his crew.

After making his way over the clutter Bhru pats himself down and peers down the well.

'In there or down to the shop, no matter. They are waitin' now.'

Bhru gives a moments thought,

'The kids hopped in hmm? Ye chased him through a rain of arrows n give up so quickly now? Finish the job. Tha's what my commander would say'

The old dwarf gives a half-hearted salute and vaults into the well. The echo of his potential last words fading away as he falls.

'Remember meeeeeeeeeee'