Argent Wings Take Flight (Hell's Rebels AP)

Game Master Sensen

How much of a penalty is it to shoot from above as opposed to going down the ladder and shooting from there?

Crap, I should've checked this earlier. Sorry, I'd give the black-lined rat cover, and the other two total cover.

Hmm. Celi can't get a very good shot from here. Wait. Did I cast mage armor yet? Oh crumbs, she didn't! This whole combat thing is definitely going to take some getting used to. Sheepishly, the gnome casts her protective spell.

Cast mage armor. At least Celi has an IC reason to forget this stuff. :P

Surprise Round Midpoint

Celi conjures her magical protections, and a suit of armor of force flickers around her before fading out of sight.

The rat black-lined closest to Rose leaps out of its nest, its fangs snapping at her calves, but the half-elf's armor saves her from a nasty injury.
Black-lined Bite vs. Rose, flat-footed: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Another rat, lined in white explodes out of its own nest, shrieking and hissing as it attempts to leap up to gnaw on her arm.
White-lined Bite vs. Rose, flat-footed, charge: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 1 + 2 = 15
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Rose is at 2 hp.
Rose Fortitude: 1d20 ⇒ 7 Oh dear.

The final rat, lined in red rushes towards her, but can't get to her in a single leap before she is ready to fight back.

Adolina is up. Remember it's a surprise round, so one action only.

Adolina slithers down the ladder in a rush!

Move action. Done.

Suprise Round Wrap-Up

Adolina moves swiftly down the ladder, the foul stench striking her square in the face as she does so, nearly nauseating her. Nevertheless, she is present and ready.
Adolina Acrobatics vs. Red-lined CMD, Meticulous: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 = 16

As she does so, however, she nearly allows the nearby rat to strike at her, but she evades any attempt it might make to do so. I've moved you out from beneath the ladder to allow anyone else the chance to move there.

Round 1

Rose & Celi are up.

"Is it beneath a hero to engage in vermin control?" Rose questions as her blade flashes out and stabs one of the rats. "I think not."

Rapier Attack vs Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Rapier Damage - P: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Round 1 Midpoint

Rose, taking inspiration from a long history of adventurers swiftly strikes at one of the rats flocking around her, piercing its side and prompting a hiss of pain.

Celi, meanwhile, takes careful aim through the trapdoor at the injured rat before pulling the trigger on her crossbow, but unfortunately, the bolt goes wide as she has to avoid hitting the two women already below.
Light Crossbow vs. Red-Lined Rat, into combat: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (11) - 4 = 7

The injured rat leaps at Rose again, chomping at her upper calf, but the vigilante is able to kick it aside before it can sink its filthy fangs into her.
Red-lined Bite vs. Rose: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Another of the rats lined in white takes the chance to circle around her, acting in concert with its "pack," then jump at her again, harrying her towards the other black-lined rat. This one manages to climb halfway up her leg to tear a chunk out of her thigh. The wound burns with the rat's foul fangs.
White-lined Bite vs. Rose, flanking: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Rose is at 1 hp.

The final rat, lined in black sensing weakness, leaps at the half-elf's back, trying to get to her neck. The heavy impact of the creature knocks her forwards, but she's able to throw it off with an effort, sending it skittering back to the fetid floor.
Black-lined Bite vs. Rose, flanking: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Ghorza and Adolina are up. I also forgot to have Rexus go, so I'm going to just say he delayed.

Move down, attack

Acrobatics if needed to avoid AOO for moving down? I think one is needed when coming down: 1d20 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 3 = 6

Hit Black: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Rushing down as there was the sound of battle, Ghorza moved with all possible haste. Her pick was swung in a blur, as she (apparently) put all thoughts of personal safety aside to launch her offensive.

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 2 = 221d6 ⇒ 2

Adolina grits her teeth and strikes at the rat between her and Rose. The dashing young woman is looking badly the worse for wear and she steels herself to attempt healing magic.

Round 1 Wrap-Up

Ghorza descends swiftly down the ladder, but the black-lined rat closest to her takes the chance to whirl and chomp at her as she passes, which catches her in the back of her leg. Fortunately, she's able to tear away from it before it gets to a critical artery, but she's left with a painful jolt on every footstep she takes.
Black-lined AoO vs. Ghorza: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Confirm?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Nope.
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Ghorza Fort, Touch of Destiny: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6

Still, the dwarf whirls on the rat, bringing her pick down on it with all her might. The weapon pierces through its back, nearly pinning it to the floor. It lets out a hapless squeak as the air rushes from its lungs, leaving it slowly bleeding out on the floor.

Adolina, seeing the rat fall, moves to attack the last uninjured creature, on which she lands an elegant stab. It yelps, hissing at her, and turns its attention back to her.

Above, Rexus hesitates, then touches Celi's shoulder. She feels a sense of growing fatedness, endowing her with some sort of inevitable victory. "I can't help but feel a little helpless." He confesses to her quietly.
Touch of Destiny again. She gains a +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws.

Round 2

Rose and Celi are up.

Rose stabs again at one of the rats before stepping closer to Adolina. The noblewoman can feel the leather-clad woman stumble slightly against her. She's barely still on her feet.

Rapier Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 vs Red
Rapier Damage - P: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"Sorry about that," she mutters through clinched teeth. "I'm clearly not the best dance partner at the moment. And it's not really the most conducive atmosphere for such activities."

"Yeah, same here. I definitely need to practice my aim more." That's not enough reason to give up, though! Who knows, maybe Celi will get in a lucky shot. She takes aim at the same rat she shot at before and fires.

Shooting at the red-lined rat. Since nobody's currently adjacent to it, I'm assuming the rat is not currently in melee.

Light Crossbow Attack + Touch of Destiny: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11

Round 2 Midpoint

Rose pierces her target the red rat with her rapier, tossing its bleeding body aside, and takes a hasty step towards her noble companion, almost falling into her. Celi prepares another shot at the sole remaining rat, but you can save the bolt if you want, since you'd be shooting into melee at the white-lined rat.

The final rat shrieks and, sensing her weakness, leaps at Rose again, but the half-elf is prepared, and dodges out of the way as best she's able to with her heavy injuries.
Bite vs. Rose: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Adolina and Ghorza are up.