DMD's War for the Crown PbP

Game Master dickie

"Rats? I hate rats." Camila says in disgust. "You have any more of them bombs left?" Camila asked looking Mal.

Malora watches at the rats continue to draw blood from an invisible target, then watches as several rats surreally cling for a few moments in the air as their victim runs away from the mass. She watches in horror as some of the rats move toward her!

Map is current, we are calling this Round One!

Everyone is up. Mal takes 4 bite damage.

As the rats roll over Mal, disgust washes over Evelyn. "MAL!" she screams and takes a step back, partly due to fear, partly due to survival.

Mal’s eyes go wide when she realizes the rats are upon her. Gunting at the pain of the bites she retreats back into the room and throws a bomb into the vermin swarm.

”Get away from me!”

bomb attack touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Splash damage 5

Camila is up!

Camila takes up position next to Eve, and readies an attack.

Readied Longsword: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The trio feel a rush of air and hear the sounds of someone moving around them and down the hall. Evelyn's Shadow hears the noise as well. The carpet of rats loses a lot of it's membership, but it remains an intact swarm following Malora's bomb and chases the invisible foe. As they start to tear into the group, Evelyn and Camila lash out with claws and sword. Together the two disperse the mischief before they can harm them.

Round Two!

That swarm is down for the count, however let's stay in combat for round purposes (it might matter...). Everyone is up!

"Did you feel that? I think the halfling doubled-back on us."

Evelyn turned her attention to the floor, looking for evidence of footprints heading back past her. She mentally reached out her Shadow to do the same.

Evelyn Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Shadow Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Turning to look at the door behind them. She quickly remembers the little jerk was invisible. Mal then spends a moment surveying the numerous bites left by the rats.

”Okay you keep an eye out for him. I’m going to have a peek in the other room. Whoever is in there might not be friendly but at least we know they are co-belligerent against the Halfling. Besides, people tend to like me.”

Pulling the catalyst from her pouch she readies another bomb and holds it up

”Just in case they won’t play nice.”

She moves to the door as quietly as she can and peeks inside.

stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Mal can see the other horde of rats currently swarming near the door, but remaining in the room.

Evelyn spots the fresh tracks in the dust from where the halfling recently rushed by. They lead toward the south. Her Shadow confirms that the tracks run up to the north side of the cave-in in the corridor.

Cam is up! No visible threats as the rats are holding steady, but that pesky halfling is somewhere behind everyone.

Camila still weary of where the Hafling might be, walks closer to the western door and readies an action just in case the halfling shows himself.

"You think we should ask that kobold, maybe he saw something?" Camila asks while looking to Eve.

CLWP: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Evelyn's Shadow and Camila both notice the halfling fade into view while quaffing the contents of a potion bottle. "Oh, bugger." His eyes dart from the eidolon to Cam and back again. "Wait! Wait! Let's talk about the crazy rat blocking our escape!" he says to Camila.

Round Three or end combat to parlay!

Map is current, your call if you trust the halfling enough to chat with him or want to continue the combat.

Not knowing the others have discovered the Halfling. Mal takes a few hesitant steps forward down the hall. Keeping her eyes on the writhing squeaking mass of rats. A bomb at the ready should they move toward her.

”Hello there! We don’t want conflict with you. Your Majesty. Your rats attacked us. But I’m sure they were just after the Halfling. We don’t like him either. If you would pull your little friends back, I’d like to come speak with you.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

Camila and Evelyn? Mal is around the corner and does not know the sneaky git is visible. Engage or chat?

The Shadow's head tilts just slightly to the side as it listens to the half-man. It then strides directly towards him, closing the distance quickly with a clawed hand raised to strike.

Camila closes the door next to her and stands guard, blocking anyone from leaving thru said door.

"There is no escape for you now, give up and surrender immediatly!"
Camila commands the halfling.

Evelyn heads after Malora, her curiosity getting the better of her now that one invisible foe had been revealed. Who could the halfling have fled from?

Evelyn's Shadow strides up as Cam closes the door behind it and demands Iggy's surrender. It throws a lightning-fast jab at the halfling, bloodying his nose. "Ow! Fine ow, that hurt! Fine, I give, I give! Okay! Just get rid of those rats! We need to work together to out of here!" shouts the halfling as he focuses on defending himself from getting slugged by the Shadow again.

Mal steps around the corner and watches the carpet of rodents as they hold their position. "Ah! It comes full-circle, doesn't it? Circles within circles within circles. Like...like...like a spiral! Yes, have I tried the spiral? I have, no it's circles! Circles. Circle. The Circle! Yes!" squeaks the unknown occupant within, unseen. "Go away! I have important research to resume!"

Iggy will go total defense if the Shadow continues it's assault. If not, we can drop out of combat mode for now.

Mal moves back down the hall, keeping an eye on the rats at all time. She notices Eve rounding the corner.

"So we got the little dude finally." Glancing back at the rats."Yeah. Who or whatever is in there is...A complete loon. I'm not sure we will be able to negotiate with them.Holding up one of her bombs. "It might require a couple of these. But I believe there are still a couple of doors back down the hall we have yet to check. We probably should have a look. Just to be sure that past the rats is the way out."

"For what it's worth, yes, I believe we do. However, I'm not sure he will prove to be of any value. He's already demonstrated his ulterior motives and it may require some time to pry more specific information out of him. It would probably be best just to dispatch him and be on our way, although he does seem to know where he's going. Perhaps he knows the way out. It would be beneficial to wait a little while for the next room's occupant's magic to wear off though, so maybe we do have time to speak with him."

As the trio plus their captive plan their next move, their patron seems to be working on moves of her own. A telepathic message buzzes on all three's minds: ++"Stavian's forces retreating, military divided. Maxillary Pythareus seen moving with impunity through Stavian's assassins."++

Iggy sighs. "Whatever it was, the magic wasn't the only thing concealing it. It's small enough to hide in corners, and it seemed like it's voice was above me. You know, if you'd untie me and give me my weapon, I'd be able to help you put whatever it is down."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

"Let's start smaller than arming the assassin. Do you know the way out of here?"

"No. I am pretty sure it's not the cramped hole the kobold made, and that circular room with the rats had a pretty impressive lock on both doors, so I figure that's the entrance into these safe rooms. That's the best I got." he says shrugging.

Note that you'd need to necessarily, but remember you can reply to Lotheed when those messages arrive if you want.

Closing her eyes and concentrating on the badge.

++Copy that, We hope out soon. Figures Prick Pythareus with them.++

Looking at the Halfling, then back to the others.

”Okay his theory about the locks is valid. So what is our plan? All I got is, throw a bomb repeat as needed She pauses glancing down at the Halfling with a little grin.”Well I suppose we could throw you in and see what happens.”

"I am pretty sure you already saw what happens," the captive replies matching Mal's grin.

"And what are you doing here? What was your assignment? And who are you working with?"

"Kill anyone important who was opposed to Stavian. Or not important but working against Stavian," the halfling answers frankly. "Working with? Well, I have friends, but they didn't get whisked away to the safe room. I don't know where they are now. His side spent a lot on outside contractors, I'm sure you saw the big thugs upstairs."

"I don't much trust Mr. Iggy here. I say we leave him here tied up while we investigate that room and then come back for him."

"I promise not to bother trying to escape until after I'm completely sure whatever is in that room has killed you," the halfling says cheerfully.

"I didn't bring any rope..."

Evelyn looks at the halfling. "What equipment do you have on you? You're an assassin, any poisons, or other potions? And do not lie to me."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Malora, who had been watching the hallway to the rat lair. Turns her attention to the Halfling when Eve asks her question.

”Now that’s a good Idea.”

Moving over to the restrained prisoner.

”Okay, what you got hidden on you?’

Perception check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 to search him.

”And don’t lie. We hate that.”

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 Against his answer.

Aside from simple padded armor, Malora finds several vials. "Oh, just healing potions. Feel free to use them if you need them to get us all out of here." Mal does not believe a single word of that response.

On his right arm she finds a spring-loaded wrist sheath with a simple, but sharp knife. Beneath his armor the halfling wears a silver chain with a pendant hanging from it. The pendant is a circle token with a black dagger emblazoned on it.

I'm assuming a detect magic spell will end up being used. Only one potion bottle glows. He has three non-magical vials (1 of one type, 2 of another) and a few other items: padded armor, dagger, mwk rapier, mwk thieves’ tools, poison pill ring, silver unholy symbol, wrist sheath, silk handkerchief (worth 5 gp), 7 gp.

Evelyn narrows her focus to search for magical auras emanating from the halfling's equipment. As he volunteered information about the healing potions, Evelyn replied "why don't you drink them then? You appear to still be wounded from where my sister assaulted you."

"I get the feeling that you won't be letting me carry arms against the magician hiding in that room. So if you three are going to get through there, and I'm pretty sure that squeaky bastard is crazy enough to spend his remaining years at Briarstone Asylum, so I don't see you negotiating your way passed safely. But, if we do get by unscathed, yeah, I might need one. I bet that kobold has more. We could go back, kill him, and get whatever we need. Iggy replies with an cool, casual tone and a half shrug

"The kobold might, I just wonder how many we could get for a halfling?" Camila jokes dismissively. "We got a plan or are we just gonna go in there swords a swinging?"

Evelyn looked at the halfling. "Tell us what happened when you entered the room with this crazy magician. What did you see? What spells did it use? What did you hear?"

"Uh, well, I took my time on that first door. Guess he heard me working on it. Tough little locking mechanism. Anyway, it was a tough nut to crack, so I put a shimmering in to keep it open in case of trouble. By the time I turned around, some freak was talking about circles and threatening me. You three showed up just after that. I'm pretty sure he was up high, in the things the chandeliers would hang from, maybe?"

After doing a quick inventory.

I’m down to three Bombs, and two Extracts. Oh and about a dozen sharp implements. Not too bad. Let’s check the last rooms back down the hall. Then we can tackle the Rat King. ”

"That might be a good idea, maybe we can find something to use."

What items did the kobold have to sell again?

Hey y'all, dot in here and let me see the characters when ready.

.

Toying with Idea of making two profiles one for noble one for hero.

will does

Checking in.

Evelyn is ready to go...I think.

..

Yeesh, never post when you're half asleep, I made a mess of Evelyn's stuff.

Senate Rules

Just realized I could have taken 10 or even 20 on the slight of hand rolls, there was plenty of time.

I let this get stale, and that's my fault. Next time there is a "social dungeon" we will have a better handle on how to execture it in PbP format, but for now we are going to shift gears!

Which is why after you get caught up on the gameplay thread, you're going to want to [u]LEVEL UP![/u]

Map update is coming soon, it's a big area and I'm probably not going to line it up perfectly but i'll try.

How are we doing hit points?

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Oh, sorry, my standard on PbP with downtime available is if you roll less than half+1, take half+1. So you'd have a 5.

HP: 1d10 ⇒ 1

HP: 1d10 ⇒ 4

We have no armor, only gowns correct?

It's low HP rolls all around

Wow, I didn't think about that fact. I thought someone mentioned something about concealing armor, I'll have to go back and check, but no, no armor. That makes the rest of this book SUPER interesting and dangerous.

Looks like everyone got half+1. Yeesh.

Breastplates, ceremonial armor, and light armor may be worn inside the senate building, but no other armor is permitted for anyone except guards.

Did we need to conceal armor?

Maybe Lady Lotheed has this spell and had our armor stashed nearby, Just in case
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/swift-girding/

Of course a couple potions of Mage armor would work as well.

Just a thought.

That blurb about Senate rules is probably what I was thinking about. Player's choice. If you think you had armor on that met the rules, you do. If not, you'll find some soon...muhahaha!

I jumped the gun with Mal's post. My bad.

Did AUTO hear anything from the room down the hall? He rolled pretty well.