Rebellion in the Silver City - Hell's Rebels for PF2 by DM Doctor Evil

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

It looks like the trapdoor that was in the southwest corner of the upper room leads to the northeast corner of the lower room, but I'm not sure if those icons are for the door or for light sources. Please let me know if I have it wrong.

Myron moves to where he can see down the trap door. Spying the two rats that have Impasha cornered, he immediately sees how he can help. He casts caustic blast at the space between and slightly behind the two rats, trying to get them both in the 5-foot area of the spell.

Acid damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

DC 17 Reflex or they also take 1 persistent damage

Actions: 1 stride, 2 to cast

Celas pushed back hios grwoing distress over the day's events, trying to concentrate on what's in front of him. He decides he'll move to support Impasha after all but then Myron, fire a spell flooding the area in front of her with a pool of acid. Seeing no way to advance, he readies a throwing knife, looking for a opportunity to strike.

If he looks down a bit I'm assuming he can see the results of Myron's spell if not I'll revise his actions. If there is a unobstructed path for his knife on either rat, he'll attack, otherwise he stand ready. If you need a roll from me let me know.

Elarion will use his focus point to use his reaction- Protector's Sacrifice upon seeing Impasha get hurt, redirecting that 3 damage to Elarion

Looking down but preferring to not descend, Elarion will strike one of the rats with divine magic before then backing up to make space for someone else.

Divine Lance vs Red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Celas pushed back hios grwoing distress over the day's events, trying to concentrate on what's in front of him. He decides he'll move to support Impasha after all but then Myron, fire a spell flooding the area in front of her with a pool of acid. Seeing no way to advance, he readies a throwing knife, looking for a opportunity to strike.

If he looks down a bit I'm assuming he can see the results of Myron's spell if not I'll revise his actions. If there is a unobstructed path for his knife on either rat, he'll attack, otherwise he stand ready. If you need a roll from me let me know.

Mechanically, it's rare for the spell do persistent damage. I take that to mean that the acid is conjured and then disappears a few seconds afterward. A spell that hangs around doing damage for longer than my turn would surely be higher than a cantrip!

Mechanically, it's rare for the spell do persistent damage. I take that to mean that the acid is conjured and then disappears a few seconds afterward. A spell that hangs around doing damage for longer than my turn would surely be higher than a cantrip!

You make a good point, but you also say the spell takes seconds to disappear. My first thought as to what Celas would do is go down the stairs pass through Impasha and tumble through a rat to flank. But that would mean passing through the area of the acid. Remember we are not each taking a few seconds in a round one after the other it's simultaneous. On the other hand, DMs often adjudicate such things as sequential in practice. I just tried to play it as the character would perceive it, but it could go either way.

Rat's Nest - Round 1 - continued

24 Impasha (18/20hp remain)
21 Orange Rat (6hp dmg)
19 Elarion (11/14p remain)
19 Bellara
17 Myron
14 Celas
13 Purple Rat
10 Green Rat
10 Yellow Rat
8 Buttercup

Impasha's heroic constitution fights off any semblance of infection from the nasty rat mouths.

From above, Elarion reacts quickly, transferring the damage from the last rat bite from Impasha to himself. Then he follows with casting an attack spell at Red, that hits the vermin, killing it off.

Bellara rushes down the stone steps and into the cellar, attacking Orange with her rapier when she arrives. The stab is true, and the rat squeals loudly with pain and anger.

Myron blasts down into the cellar from above, spraying caustic acid on the Orange Rat. The flesh-burning liquid finishes off the rat that Bellara already struck.

Celas will be able to take his own actions now that the others have settled theirs. Running down the stone steps is 15' of movement.

Bellara rapier vs Orange: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Piercing dmg vs Orange: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Rat's Nest - Round 1 - continued

Celas revised actions

Celas will move down the convenient stairs and stand next to Impasha against the wall, he draws his throwing knife ready for action. "Not too bad, we should be able to end this quickly."

Given Celas' starting position I think it takes two strides to get next to Impasha passing through her square. So, Stride, Stride, Interact (Draw Throwing Knife).

Impasha is all business.

"Right, stay behind me, the others are about to spring. And remember, there might be someone else down here - those phantom sounds earlier weren't from rats or dogs!"

"Gah, this place smells worse than an outhouse!"

Buttercup, who has cleaned her share of outhouses in her day, nods affirmatively. Always a halfling she questions aloud from her safe perch high above,

"You think the soup kitchen would be interested in the meat if'n we brought it all back? I mean, these are pretty big rats and then there are the dogs upstairs. And the eatin' folks ain't picky."

The question comes as much from her growlin' stomach, having missed a meal.

"You think the soup kitchen would be interested in the meat if'n we brought it all back? I mean, these are pretty big rats and then there are the dogs upstairs. And the eatin' folks ain't picky."

"Let's... table that one for now." answers Impasha gently.

Not wanting to distract the melee folks down below, Myron lowers his voice so that only Buttercup and the others still at the top of the stairway can hear him.

"Some may balk at the idea, but there was a chef hired at Spirit of the Solstice," Myron says, expecting that the others recognize the name of the trendy eatery, "that became quite the sensation. That is, until the rumor got out that he topped his most popular dish with a rat tartare! His reputation couldn't withstand the controversy, but if the rumor was true...

"Anyway, I heard he became the court chef for some city-state baron in the River Kingdoms."

Knowing the River Kingdoms reputation for being backwater bumpkins, Buttercup nods agreeingly. "Raw rat, huh? They probably put ketchup on it too."

Rat's Nest - Round 1 - continued

24 Impasha (17/20hp remain)
21 Orange Rat (6hp dmg)
19 Elarion (11/14p remain)
19 Bellara
17 Myron
14 Celas (11/16hp remain)
13 Purple Rat
10 Green Rat
10 Yellow Rat
8 Buttercup

Celas ends up in the odoriferous cellar with Impasha, and just as the champion predicted, the rest of the rats launch themselves at the pair down below.

Celas Impasha and Bellara all end up with bites though they are just minor hurts. Impasha is able to use her shield to block most of the damage though she and it take a little bit.

Celas takes 5hp, Bellara takes 3, and Impasha takes 1 after shield block. They all need Fort saves vs disease. Buttercup is up now to end the round. Impasha may also act in Round 2.

Yellow Rat Bite vs Celas: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 hit
Yellow Rate Bite vs Celas, MAP: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 5 = 5
Purple Rat Bite vs Impasha: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 hit
Purple Rate Bite vs Impasha, MAP: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 5 = 6
Green Rat Bite vs Bellara: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 hit
Green Rate Bite vs Bellara, MAP: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 5 = 4
Piercing dmg vs Celas: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Piercing dmg vs Impasha: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 shield block reduces to 1hp
Piercing dmg Vs Bellara: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Buttercup will sustain the stairs and unload a 2 action blast at a rat.

to hit earth blast: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
bludgeoning damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 two actions

After the blast knocks a table over she defensively proclaims, "Oh dear. At least I didn' destroy anythin' this time. Well, anythin' important."

Impasha will use her Retributive Strike reaction to protect Celas. Reduce damage by 3. Unfortunately not in range for a melee strike.

Impasha waves her sword defensively in front of Celas, attempting to ward off the creature's attack on the young man.

She then goes to work attacking the rats around her.

Longsword vs Purple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Longsword #2 vs Purple (or Yellow): 1d20 + 6 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 5 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If first attack kills Purple, she'll take a step into Purple's square and then attack Yellow. (Strike, Stride, Strike)

If it takes both attacks to kill Purple, she uses her remaining action to step forward into Purple's square. (Strike, Strike, Stride)

Buttercup watches in awe as Impasha deals massive blow after massive blow, particularly considered in contrast to her wayward shots.

"Wow!"

Impasha will use her Retributive Strike reaction to protect Celas. Reduce damage by 3. Unfortunately not in range for a melee strike.

Not sure if you meant to, but I assumed you would use Shield Block reaction to reduce your own damage by 5hp. If you want to do Retributive Strike instead, ok but you can't do both in the same round.

Rat's Nest - Round 1 - concluded

24 Impasha (17/20hp remain)
21 Orange Rat (6hp dmg)
19 Elarion (11/14p remain)
19 Bellara
17 Myron
14 Celas (11/16hp remain)
13 Purple Rat
10 Green Rat
10 Yellow Rat
8 Buttercup

Buttercup keeps her stone steps in place and then unleashes a blast at one of the rats down below, but doing both things is just beyond her ability right now, and the blast misses.

End of Round 1

Rat's Nest - Round 2

24 Impasha (17/20hp remain)
19 Elarion (11/14p remain)
19 Bellara
17 Myron
14 Celas (11/16hp remain)
10 Green Rat
10 Yellow Rat (6hp dmg)
8 Buttercup

Impasha starts butchering the rats, ready to be done with the disease-laden vermin. Her first strike kills Purple outright, then she steps forward and delivers a grievous wound to Yellow.

Celas, Impasha, and Bellara all need Fort saves still vs disease. Bellara, Elarion, Myron, and Celas are all up now. I expect this will be a short-lived combat

Not sure if you meant to, but I assumed you would use Shield Block reaction to reduce your own damage by 5hp. If you want to do Retributive Strike instead, ok but you can't do both in the same round.

Oops. Correct, I prefer the Shield Block where possible. Sorry.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Elarion strides back over to the hole in the floor, can he see any of the rats from the hole in the floor that'd be able to target?

From up above, Myron contributes to the rat tartare dish by casting frostbite on the closest rat he can see.

DC 17 Fort to avoid gaining weakness 1 to bludgeoning

Cold damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Celas is prematurely relieved as Impasha swiftly destroys a rat and slices another, almost pushing it out of the way, but it manages to bite Celas' arm that blocks its attack. His other arm had drawn back in prep for a throw, but his quick reflexes change it to a series of strikes against it.

Celas lets out a pained wheeze, "Argh, damn rats, better not get sick from this. Die now!"

Saving Throw Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 Disease

Melee Throwing Knife: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 (Agile, Finesse)
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 P

Melee Throwing Knife: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 7 - 5 = 8 (Agile, Finesse)
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 P

Melee Throwing Knife: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (20) + 7 - 10 = 17 (Agile, Finesse)
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 P

Strike X3
I should have added the precision damage, but I do not think it will matter

Rat's Nest - Round 2 - concluded

24 Impasha (17/20hp remain)
19 Elarion (11/14p remain)
19 Bellara
17 Myron
14 Celas (11/16hp remain)
10 Green Rat
10 Yellow Rat (6hp dmg)
8 Buttercup

From above Myron sends a bone-chilling spell down partially hitting Green Rat.

The cold must slow the vermin, as Bellara dances around it, skewering it clear though and killing it quickly, before raising her buckler again at the end.

Changing from a throw to a stab, Celas adds a kill to his own total but striking the remaining Yellow Rat twice and easily dispatching it.

End of Combat

All the rats are dead, but Bellara does fail against Filth Fever, though no effects at present.

Bellara DC14 Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 fail
Stage 1 duration: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Green Rat DC17 Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 success for half
Bellara rapier vs Green: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 critical
Critical dmg vs Green: 1d6 + 2 + 1d8 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (8) = 16 24 total!!!

After the rats stop swarming, Impasha warily makes her way, sword in hand, to the rotting crates and furniture to make sure no other, slightly less hungry, vermin are still lurking.

”It looks clear.” she calls up to the people above. She spares a look at her ankle. The bite wasn’t bad, but her aging boots didn’t need another hole. Especially when it seemed likely they’d be sloshing through sewage soon, from the smell of this place.

She makes a cursory search of the room for anything of interest.

”Whoever our poltergeist was, they must not be anyone that rats would find tasty. These creatures were starving. They’d have attacked anyone coming down here, Silver Raven, devil or otherwise. Perhaps our ghost is a sewer druid.”

Buttercup doesn't know what to make of it all. She doesn't consider herself superstitious, but, then again, who does? Could be a ghost, right? Could be a bunch of charlatans!

"Well, only one way to find out," as she sustains and descends the makeshift stairs. "I'll help you look aroun'."

She travels through the room much more systemically, than Impasha, with a particular eye more towards wealth than information, humming softly.

Impasha turns to speak to Buttercup as they search. ”Have you always been able to manipulate earth and rock that way?” she asks quietly, as if it might be a delicate subject.

"Well, no, it just happened when... Well, when..."

Buttercup chokes up and her sentence trails off into nothing. She turns away to hide some tears and visibly stiffens herself and turns back.

With a heavy sigh she says "I'd rather not talk about it." With the tone of someone repeating a mantra she adds, "The past is the past."

"Well, no, it just happened when... Well, when..."

Buttercup chokes up and her sentence trails off into nothing. She turns away to hide some tears and visibly stiffens herself and turns back.

With a heavy sigh she says "I'd rather not talk about it." With the tone of someone repeating a mantra she adds, "The past is the past."

Impasha immediately regrets raising the subject and turns her full attention to the halfling. She drops to one knee and lays a sympathetic hand on Buttercup’s shoulder from behind. ”I’m sorry. It’s none of my business, I was only curious.” she says gently in voice laden with compassion.

”We all have our darkness. All we can do is strengthen ourselves to withstand it so it doesn’t overwhelm us.” She seems to be half speaking to herself, or perhaps recalling something once said to her. She gives Buttercup a fortifying squeeze.

"Darkness, schmarkness! I happen to like darkness. Makes lightenin' a purse so much easier!" She says with false nonchalance. "Don' worry 'bout me." Sounds like another mantra.

With a light spring to her steps she continues her search.

Elarion slowly descends, bring an additional light source with him to explore the basement.

He inspects the small wounds some received, "If we need to I could probably patch these up, though they seem shallow enough"

"Darkness, schmarkness! I happen to like darkness. Makes lightenin' a purse so much easier!" She says with false nonchalance. "Don' worry 'bout me." Sounds like another mantra.

With a light spring to her steps she continues her search.

Impasha nods and stands again, with a last friendly clap on Buttercup's shoulder. She glances around at the others, hoping this interlude hasn't drawn too much attention. It was understandable that the halfling wouldn't wish to broadcast any vulnerabilities, especially to strangers, and the paladin realizes she probably should have left things alone. She makes her way over to Celas.

"That's a nasty bite. Would you like me to treat it before we go on?" She pats her first aid kit.

Bellara is also down 3 hp

Searching the rat warren reveals only ruined crates of what might have once been leather tack or harness, but seems to be just a chewed up mess now. Nothing is left of value or interest in this room. There is a solitary door in the west wall which appears to be the only means of egress from this smelly chamber, besides the ladder into the ceiling.

Celas wearily follows the others as the look around. When Impasha asks if he wants treatment he nods, saying, "Yes, that would be good, I'm just getting tired of this day; it seems everyone and everything is trying to take a piece out of us. Just a bad day. Thanks for the constant patching." It seems more than just visible wounds on weighing on him, though.

Looking at the door, Celas says, "One way forward so let's check it out." Celas will check for traps and see if it's locked, if either, he'll remark on it.

Buttercup looks at her shoulder with a little surprise. "Oh, my, I hadn't noticed. Usually can't do nothin' 'bout these scratches anyway. Yea, go ahead and put a patch on it."

When Impasha asks if he wants treatment he nods, saying, "Yes, that would be good, I'm just getting tired of this day; it seems everyone and everything is trying to take a piece out of us. Just a bad day. Thanks for the constant patching." It seems more than just visible wounds on weighing on him, though.

Impasha smiles. "It's certainly been eventful, hasn't it? I could have done without having my skull smashed and being bitten by rats myself." she agrees lightly. "But it feels good to finally be helping fight this evil regime, even in a small way. We're taking a piece of them too. Remember that."

Judging that the group shouldn't sit about for several minutes for first aid services while a 'poltergeist' is probably actively watching them, Impasha again calls upon her deity's power.

"Inheritor, heal these wounds and gird the spirit of this servant of your will, that he may continue the fight in the name of justice."

Second Lay on Hands, +6 hp to Celas

Buttercup grins sheepishly when she realizes the Impasha was talking to Celas and she misunderstood, being flustered.

Nodding at Impasha's use of magic, "If we come under attack and things look dire, I will utilize Jaidz magic to restore us. Hopefully we can find a chance to breath, though now is not it,"

Elarion joins Celas and Buttercup in looking around the room.

The room still does not reveal anything of interest, and the door does not appear to be trapped or locked.

Impasha moves to the door on the west side of the room and opens it, sword in hand.

As Impasha moves to open the door, Celas moves a little forward to get a look at the room but still holds back a bit, not wanting a repeat of earlier attacks. He readies a throwing blade in hand.

As Impasha moves to the door and tries to open it, the handle suddenly grows ice cold and the door slams shut out of her grip as a voice booms out "LAST CHANCE to leave now!"

The door is not locked, just pulled from her grip suddenly.

Impasha’s hand jerks away from the door handle as it grows suddenly cold. She studies her hand briefly to see if it’s wounded, then begins rubbing it with her other hand after grounding the point of her sword in the dirt.

”Who are you? Why are you trying to drive us away?” she calls back.

"We're not going to leave!" Myron calls out. "We have a very important reason for being here. And not to sound threatening, but we probably have you outnumbered, and we have the means to heal any wounds you may inflict! Again, I'm not threatening; just stating the facts as I see them!

"However! I think we could all agree to talk, instead! We would all prefer that. So, you can answer my companion's questions," Myron indicates Impasha, "or we could even tell you why we're here, first!

"If you don't like our answers, then we can come to blows, I suppose. But there's been enough of that in the city today, and I'd like to think that we and you both would hate to fight when we could potentially be allies!"

Diplomacy/Make an Impression +7. GM, I think you prefer to roll this, right?

Buttercup is about to announce that they are here to find the Silver Ravens, but holds back, assuming that might cause more problems, not less.

Besides, it is always a good idea to get the other guy talking first before you spill your guts. She is a big proponent of keeping her guts right where they belong.

Only deep booming laughter answers Myron's requests and Impasha's queries. The champion's hand is not injured, it was more for a startling effect than any real damage.

"Swords drawn, pets slain doesn't seem to social to me," says the voice in a mocking tone. And then a loud boom like thunder fills the room, shaking some dust loose from the barn floor above.

"Enough of these parlor tricks!" growls the champion. She again grasps the door handle and goes to breach the doorway.

Shaking his head, "this is quite the theatrics, though I do not believe we are intimidated. Your dogs and your rats attacked us first. Their deaths are lamentable and avoidable, as will yours be should you not end this charade and engage in civilized diplomacy."

Speak for yourself. I am most certainly intimidated.

About to say something inane like "Yea, let's be friends!", she instead holds her tongue. Just in case, she backs away up the stairs a little, which she has carefully been maintaining.

Softly, she slips in a "I'll just make sure we are not attacked from behind."