GM Tarondor's The Two-Headed Serpent Campaign - Pulp Cthulhu (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

Elliot isn't one to look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth, but... "Where the hell did it go?" He whispers with a frantic tone in his voice. He keeps a sharp eye out, but is more intent on finding whether the snake is hidden somewhere rather than looking for trinkets. Still, if something catches his eye...

Spot Hidden (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 19

In any case, he moves out after the others, the strange weapon still in hand - ready to burn the snake or anything else they might encounter with fire.

Hmm... go ahead and burn 3 luck to make that an Extreme success. I don't like this one bit...

Antonio struggles to get up the pillar, but eventually lifts himself and the woman out. Looking around for signs of the snake, he simply nods at Abraham. "Let's get out of here quickly. Back to the camp, like you said. But keep away from the soldiers and the Captain. Let's go now, then we can find something to cover here with."

Once we're far enough from the temple, Antonio will stop to find a blanket or something to cover the woman.

"I am positive that Carter took much better care of Tutankhamun than we are, but Carter didn't have soldiers and snakes to deal with!"

Minerva skirts behind the priest in the group. "I'll keep an eye out in the back of the group. Father be careful. Those creatures may want the woman badly." She has her pistol out and keeps an eye behind for the snake.

The long ramp up to the top of the temple is tiring, but seems like pure relaxation compared to the tortuous ascent from the pit under the "pillow". At least there are no stairs. You emerge into the sweltering humid jungle air, which hums and buzzes with the sounds of insect life.

Carefully you make your way down the weird incline plane of the temple's "screw", when you hear a voice from the jungle. In Spanish-accented English, it says "That is far enough. You see, Caduceus, there is nowhere you can go that the Inner Night is not already there. Put down the sorcerer and put your hands in the air."

From the shadows emerge a half-dozen Bolivian soldiers led by Captain Lafuente, or whatever it is that walks in his skin. Next to him is a strange beast, looking like a cross between a rottweiler dog and a komodo dragon.

To your back is the stone structure of the temple. At your feet is disturbed earth. All around you lies the jungle, with many trees and thickets. The soldiers are some ten yards away, armed with rifles, pistols and machetes.

DEX ORDER
Elliot
“Capt. Lafuente”
Abraham
Enoli
Serpent Hound
Minerva
“Sgt. Angulo”
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio

Elliot, go!

Does that Dex Order account for the +50s everyone carrying weapons would get?

What's a good skill check for determining if I know anything about "Inner Night?"

As the group makes their way out of the temple, Elliot suddenly kneels down and inspects a smudge on the floor. He glances up at the entrance that lies just ahead and speaks in a grim voice. "Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that the snake is gone, it's left a bit of a bloody trail here indicating we're well behind it. Bad news is, it's out there somewhere. In the jungle."

Shaking his head, and more than a little terrified that the enormous reptile will plow into them quite suddenly in a deadly ambush from the concealing forest, Elliot is almost relieved when the ambush turns out to be the soldiers - or whatever they are, given what the others had described to him earlier. And the really, really hideous... reptile/dog?... is also proof that there is something really quite strange going on here. He doubts seriously that they are going to be allowed to leave peacefully, even if they did hand over the mummy. Or sorcerer? Whatever it is.

Elliot starts to raise his hands as though in compliance, but then focuses on the flaming weapon and feels part of himself push into it somehow... that's the best way to describe it anyway... as fire bursts forth toward the soldiers - centering on the commander and that creature next to him! Then he moves to try and get some cover from one of the nearby trees.

OK, looking back through the posts, I think Elliot just uses 10 Magic Points to make the flamethrower work and it causes 2d6 + burn? I'm hoping I can spray the fire at several individuals - and if so I'll center it on Capt LaFuente and the Serpent Hound, trying to get as many additional soldiers nearby as I can. If I can target only a single individual, then aim at Capt LaFuente. I'll roll the damage below. After the attack, will move to try and get some cover behind a neaby tree, if possible.

Flamethrower Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 + Burn

Flame on!!!

Does that Dex Order account for the +50s everyone carrying weapons would get?

Nope. Forgot. But everyone is armed except the serpent hound and maybe Father Antonio. We'll move the Serpent Hound to the end of the round.

What's a good skill check for determining if I know anything about "Inner Night?"

That'd be an extreme Occult roll.

Hmmm... According to CoC and Pulp Cthulhu, a flamethrower is either Demolitions or Firearms (Other). I'm going to go another way with it. FOR THIS SCENE ONLY it simply works when you expend 10 MP. AND that was its last charge!

Elliot raises the nozzle of the strange silvery flamethrower and Captain Lafuente's eyes go wide. A moment later, he and his strange hound are engulfed in flames!

The Captain screams, drops and rolls, beating at the flames with his hands. The hound leaps off into the jungle, baying in pain!

STATUS
Elliot - Behind a tree
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham
Enoli
Minerva
“Sgt. Angulo”
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio
Serpent Hound

Abraham, Enoli, go! Anyone, give me orders for Minerva!

Let’s give that Occult roll a try…

Occult (60/30/12): 1d100 ⇒ 51

Minerva dives for cover, raises her pistol and shoots at the Captain.

.45 Pistol 40/20/8: 1d100 ⇒ 39
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Do the Captain and the Sergeant look fully human? Obviously there is something weird about them that the others are aware, but this is my first time seeing them.

As the flamethrower roars to life, Abraham maneuvers to the side and takes cover along upturned earth from where the temple had pierced up from the ground. Raising his rifle, he takes aim at a nearby soldier.

I'm going to just roll a d7. Sgt. Angulo will be a 7

Random Target: 1d7 ⇒ 6
Rifles 65%: 1d100 ⇒ 62Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 = 11

Let’s give that Occult roll a try…

Yeah, no. Chakos has never heard of the Inner Night.

Do the Captain and the Sergeant look fully human? Obviously there is something weird about them that the others are aware, but this is my first time seeing them.

At this moment, you can't tell they're any different.

"Cuidado, Patron!" cries one of the soldiers, leaping in the way of Minerva's well-aimed shot. The bullet strikes him in the chest and he crumples to the jungle floor, barely moving.

Abraham's Target's Dodge (30%): 1d100 ⇒ 64

Abraham's rifle barks and a soldier pitches over, hit. He limps a few feet and falls to the ground.

Sergeant Angulo runs forward, yelling and firing his .303 Rifle 1d5 ⇒ 1 at Abraham.

.303 Rifle v. Abraham (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 222d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Abraham's Dodge (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 19

The bullet whines past Abraham's shoulder. Angulo is now only three yards away.

Spot Hidden, Abraham (90%): 1d100 ⇒ 57

Chakos, go!

Chakos assesses the situation, and decides that lead heading downrange is the best option, and most likely against the onrushing Sergeant.

Chakos levels his pistol at the Sergeant and fires off three rounds at him...

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 881d8 ⇒ 2

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 951d8 ⇒ 1

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 401d8 ⇒ 8

Well, one hit, but at least it's for 8 hp.

I do believe that enemies aren't supposed to get Dodge, only PC's get to dodge attacks.

In my other Pulp Cthulhu game, the bad guys dodge and/or fight back just like the investigators! Could be a 'pulp' thing though, and not in the 'normal' Cthulhu rules. I've not played straight up Call of Cthulhu since that one time at Gen Con a few years back.

Sorry work was crazy and suddenly everything is going on!

Enoli sees that the soldiers are trying to protect the Captain, so in the theme of 'cut the head off' he whips his rifle around the sling into his arms and takes a knee to steady himself, barely taking the time to aim, hoping he shoots true.

Firearm (Rifles)(60/30): 1d100 ⇒ 58
M1 Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15

I think anyone can Dodge. I do expect the Captain just burned all of his luck on a “Lookout Master,” or as we saw it “Cuidado patron!” Cool rule.

Sanity 48%: 1d100 ⇒ 13 How I continue to survive these rolls, I do not know.

Abraham ducks down, just barely dodging the bullet aiming for his chest, and instinctively lifts himself back up into aiming position. His eyes focus on the charging target when he notices the scales around his eyes and face. The man's flesh moves wrong and the illusion is revealed; he was a snake person just like the priest said!

"Easy there Private." The voice whispers in his head. "Just breathe. Aim down the sights, release your breath, and pull the trigger. Don't think. Just do." The charging sergeant would see that momentary look of fear on Abraham's face give way to a cold expression of determination. He would put this beast down, one way or another.

I do believe that enemies aren't supposed to get Dodge, only PC's get to dodge attacks.

I'm open to learning. But I notice all these bad guys have the Dodge skill, so...

”Captain Lafuente’s” Dodge (42%): 1d100 ⇒ 20
”Sergeant Angulo’s” Dodge (32%): 1d100 ⇒ 23

The Captain manages to run slightly forward of Enoli's aim, but Chakos's heavy round slams into the Sergeant's shoulder tearing his shirt and causing a splay of blood. The Sergeant recoils in pain, but stays on his feet.

STATUS
Elliot - Behind a tree
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham
Enoli
Minerva
“Sgt. Angulo” - 7 damage
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio
Serpent Hound

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 4 Enoli
Bolivian Soldier Rifle (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 682d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4) + 4 = 13 Failure.
Enoli's Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 55 Failure.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Antonio
Bolivian Soldier Shotgun (20 yards) (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 182d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8 Failure.
Antonio's Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 53 Hard Success.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Antonio
Bolivian Soldier Shotgun (20 yards) (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 812d6 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4 Failure.
Antonio's Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 12 Hard Success.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Minerva
Bolivian Soldier Machete (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 31d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + (4) = 11 Extreme Success.
Minerva's Dodge (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 41 Ordinary Success.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 6 Minerva
Bolivian Soldier Machete (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 151d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (8) + (2) = 10 Hard Success.
Bonus die (Minerva is outnumbered): 1d10 ⇒ 8
Minerva's Dodge (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 87 Failure.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Antonio
Bolivian Soldier Brawl (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 681d3 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (1) = 2 Failure]
Bonus die (Antonio is outnumbered): 1d10 ⇒ 2 Success.
Antonio's Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 26 Success.

Must be mostly atheists and misogynists - they're mostly going for Antonio and Minerva!

As it stands, Minerva takes two serious machete wounds and is unconscious with a Major Wound. Minerva, you may spend Luck to raise your Dodge roll enough to avoid either or both of those. You'd have to spend 31 points to avoid the first hit (the Major Wound) or 62 points to avoid the second one. You don't have enough Luck to avoid both.

What would you like to do?

Sanity (86) be my friend: 1d100 ⇒ 16

Enoli sees the serpentine scales beneath the torn flesh and there are flashes of memory; the cold stone slab, tight ropes burning his wrists, Grandfather standing above him chanting, the blackest of nights with brilliant stars, their light seeming to reach the hill on the plain, and highlighting dark figures slowly coming up the hill, coming towards him. He shouts for Grandfather, tears swirling the light of the stars.

Enoli snaps out of this sudden fugue, wiping his eyes with his forearm.

Sanity Check (79): 1d100 ⇒ 86

Elliot sees the skin of the man split open to reveal the scales beneath, and though it's horrifying he clamps down on his terror as best he can...

Ugh! Well, depending on my Sanity loss, will use my Resilient talent to burn Luck for Sanity on a one-for-one basis. My Luck is getting low, so will burn just enough to keep from going crazy or anything.

Acting on instinct more than anything else, but also knowing he's very hurt still, Father Peña, sprints away from the confrontation, trying to find some cover in the jungle as well as get the snakewoman away from Capt. Lafuente.

Elliot Sanity Loss: 1d6 ⇒ 4. Enoli, you lose 1.

Waiting for Minerva.

I won't spend any Luck then, as I don't think losing 4 Sanity has any effect. Also, I believe Minerva already went, didn't she? Her post indicates she hit the Captain for 8 damage. I think we're on Antonio's turn, then the Serpent Hound, and then top of the round with Elliot's action? I'm waiting to see what that reptile/dog thing does...

That is correct. I chose a bad day to stop sniffing glue, apparently.

Except that Antonio has already gone, also. Serpent Hound up!

1d6 ⇒ 3 Enoli.

The serpent hound races forward, its wide, splayed gait looking more like a komodo dragon than a dog.

It leaps up, trying knock down Enoli and pin him a fighting maneuver.

First of all, everyone please give me a SAN check for seeing this horrific animal. Second, Enoli, please decide whether to Dodge or Fight Back.

Sanity (68): 1d100 ⇒ 87

Fail!

Sounds like Enoli wants to be botted, so figuring he'll Dodge?

Sanity Check (75): 1d100 ⇒ 95

The sight of this creature attacking Enoli gives Elliot a terrible fright, as it moves like nothing he's ever seen and its viciousness is downright terrifying!

Deciding to try and take the monster down so he's not eaten alive himself, Elliot draws his shotgun and fires both barrels at the serpent hound!

12-gauge Shotgun (60/30/12): 1d100 ⇒ 91 (1st barrel)
12-gauge Shotgun (60/30/12): 1d100 ⇒ 79
Shotgun Damage): 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6, 5) = 16

12-gauge Shotgun (60/30/12): 1d100 ⇒ 78 (2nd barrel)
12-gauge Shotgun (60/30/12): 1d100 ⇒ 80
Shotgun Damage): 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 2) = 15

Those are some sad, sad rolls. After reading the firefight rules, the shotgun doesn't get the bonus die, and firing into a melee takes a penalty die... so that means roll twice and take the worst? I'm still a little hazy on that...

I think dodge as I'm already pretty hurt

San (85): 1d100 ⇒ 9

Sanity 48%: 1d100 ⇒ 67

Sanity 75: 1d100 ⇒ 48

Minerva SAN check (38%): 1d100 ⇒ 34

Abraham, Chakos, Elliot each lose: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Sanity as their minds fail to reconcile the presence of the unnatural animal. Please note it in your character headers.

Pin Down (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 73
Enoli Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 7

The horrific serpent hound leaps up and tries to knock Enoli off his feet, but the agile Indian dives behind a tree and the serpent hound only brushes past him.

Serpent Hound Dodge #1 (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 33
Serpent Hound Dodge #2 (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 19

Elliot gives the serpent hound both barrels of his Remington. The blasts are deafening and blow the bark off Enoli's tree, but do no other harm.

1d5 ⇒ 2

Captain LaFuente draws out from his pocket a strange silvery spike and hurls it at Chakos. The explorer ducks and the serpentine point of the blade sinks into a tree, oozing a gray oily substance.

Flying Fang (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 85
Chakos Dodge (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 34

STATUS
Elliot -
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham
Enoli
Minerva
“Sgt. Angulo” - 7 damage
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio - Fled
Serpent Hound

Abraham, Enoli, Minerva, go!

The sergeant before him, the monster wearing the skin of man, charges closer and closer. Abraham lifts the barrel of his rifle, aiming for the lizard creature's core body with the rifle in his hands.

Rifle %65: 1d100 ⇒ 88Bonus Die: 1d10 ⇒ 10

The shot goes wide though as the serpent dog thing dives at Enoli, distracting him from the fight at hand.

In his best New York access, he yells at Elliot, "Hey, I'm hiding over here!"

After the dust starts to settle from the exploding bark on the tree he is hiding behind, he whirls around the tree with his rifle looking for a target, he sees the Captain, his arm still outstretched from releasing his dagger. Enoli raises the rifle and aims for his chest, below the arm.

Rifle (60/30): 1d100 ⇒ 49
Damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

So based on my thoughts of how the bonus die works... Abraham, isn't that an '08' you rolled? For an EXTREME success? Since the '10' for a d10 (in the 'tens' spot) is actually a '0'? I think if you'd rolled an '80' on the d100 and then the '0' on the d10, THAT would have been a '100', and probably a malfunction or something would have occurred.

That...is entirely accurate. I shouldn't post when I'm still waking up. I'm doing impale damage with that shot then so let me get the damage rolled. Thank you for that!

The shot pings off of a nearby rock turned up from the ground, ricocheting back towards the obelisk that pierced through the ground. The strange shape reflects the bullet once more, aiming for a critical part of the sergeant!

Impale Damage: 16 + 2d6 + 4 ⇒ 16 + (1, 1) + 4 = 22
Minimum impale damage but 22 damage is 22 damage

Backing up a bit. I forgot I was waiting for an answer from Minerva about spending Luck. I also forgot she was already badly injured by the snake. She's "dead", but spends all her remaining Luck to survive to the next scene. She's out of this one, though.

Sgt. Angulo Dodge (32%): 1d100 ⇒ 21 Normal Success.
Cpt. LaFuente Dodge (42%): 1d100 ⇒ 34
Normal Success.

Two Bolivian soldiers hack at Minerva in a horrifying assault with their machetes! She screams and is still.

Abraham's snap shot takes "Sergeant Angulo" through the right eye, blasting his brains out of his skull. He falls back, dead.

The serpent-man wearing Captain LaFuente's skin spots Enoli in time to duck behind a tree, which shields him from the ranger's shot.

STATUS
Elliot - 12/22 hp
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham - 28/30 hp
Enoli - 18/26 hp
Minerva - 0/32 hp - Out of this scene
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio - 1/30 hp; Fled
Serpent Hound

Soldiers next.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Elliot
Bolivian Soldier Shotgun (20 yards) (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 472d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3 Success.
Elliot's Dodge (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 89 Failure.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Enoli.
Bolivian Soldier Shotgun (20 yards) (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 282d6 ⇒ (6, 5) = 11 Success.
Enoli's Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 98 Failure.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d4 ⇒ 2 Chakos
Bolivian Soldier Machete (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 521d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + (4) = 9 Failure.
Chakos's Dodge (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 10 Extreme Success.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Elliot
Bolivian Soldier Machete (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 51d8 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + (4) = 8 Extreme Success.
Elliot's Dodge (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 52 Failure.

Bolivian Soldier Target: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Elliot
Bolivian Soldier Brawl (50/25/10): 1d100 ⇒ 441d3 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + (1) = 3 Success.
Bonus Die (Elliot is outnumbered): 1d10 ⇒ 3 Success.
EEEs Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 25 Success.

TL:DR - Elliot takes 11 hp, leaving him with 1. It would take a spend of 29 Luck to avoid 3 hp. But then, you'd have less than 30 left... Enoli takes 11 hp, leaving him with 7. He can't spend enough Luck to get out of that one.

Let's hear from Elliot about Luck, then it's the Serpent Hound's turn.

STATUS
Elliot - 12/22 hp (less either 11 or 8)
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham - 28/30 hp
Enoli - 7/26 hp
Minerva - 0/32 hp - Out of this scene
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio - 1/30 hp; Fled
Serpent Hound

With the Sergeant out of the fight, Chakos goes before the soldiers.

With the Sergeant down, and the enemies approaching, the imperturbable Chakos turns his pistol on the Captain and fires three shots at him…

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 881d8 ⇒ 3

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 751d8 ⇒ 6

Firearms (Handguns) (80/40/16): 1d100 ⇒ 591d8 ⇒ 3

That’s two successes. If the first takes him out, he’ll shoot at the dog.

Ouch! I'll hold onto my luck in case I need to use it to save my life. Tree didn't offer much in the way of cover, eh? Was hoping for a bonus die to my Dodge rolls...

With the Sergeant out of the fight, Chakos goes before the soldiers.

Chakos: Yep, you're right!

CAPT LaFuente's Dodge #1 (42%): 1d100 ⇒ 26 Success.
CAPT LaFuente's Dodge #2 (42%): 1d100 ⇒ 39 Success.
CAPT LaFuente's Dodge #3 (42%): 1d100 ⇒ 17 Hard Success.

Chakos has trouble getting a bead on the monster LaFuente.

_______________________________________________________________

Ouch! I'll hold onto my luck in case I need to use it to save my life. Tree didn't offer much in the way of cover, eh? Was hoping for a bonus die to my Dodge rolls...

You are 100% correct. Thanks for reminding me. You and Enoli both should.

Elliot Bonus die #1: 1d10 ⇒ 8
Elliot Bonus die #1: 1d10 ⇒ 1
Enoli Bonus die #1: 1d10 ⇒ 3

Elliot, that first die doesn't help you but that second one sure does. That hit misses! Same for you, Enoli!

STATUS
Elliot - 9/22 hp
“Capt. Lafuente” - 6 damage.
Abraham - 28/30 hp
Enoli - 18/26 hp
Minerva - 0/32 hp - Out of this scene
Chakos
Bolivian Soldiers
Antonio - 1/30 hp; Fled
Serpent Hound

Situation corrected.

The Serpent Hound leaps up and knocks Enoli down, pinning him to the ground with its bulk. The slavering jaws are just inches above Enoli's face!

Pin Down (50%): 1d100 ⇒ 15 Hard Success.
Bonus die (Enoli is outnumbered): 1d10 ⇒ 1 Same.
Enoli Dodge (40%): 1d100 ⇒ 21 Regular Success.

Elliot, go!

Crouching to make himself a smaller target, Elliot reloads two shells into the shotgun...

Ugh... I think that's all I can do this round.

1d4 ⇒ 3 Elliot

Spotting Elliot, the serpent-man wearing Captain LaFuente snarls "Die, you stupid sub-serpent beast!" and hurls another of his tiny serpent-shaped blades. At the last second, Elliot instinctively raises his shotgun and the oozing blade thunks into the shotgun's wooden stock, inches from his face!

Flying Fang v. Elliot (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 331d3 ⇒ 1 Success.
Elliot's Dodge (60%): 1d100 ⇒ 14 Hard Success.

Abraham, Enoli, Chakos, go!