Important though the task on hand is, Dagobert gets distracted by the possibility of a rat nest close by his feet.
Dannad and Samael stalk forward through the shadows of the night. The slick cobblestones of the ruined alley prove difficult to maneuver through, however, and Samael knocks an empty wine bottle off of a nearby crate after a very brief slip. Now alerted, the old man in the alley mouth turns sharply.
"What's this?! Tryin' to sneak up on Old Thom, eh?! You'll have to do better than that!"
Old Thom then leaps up onto the nearby box of crates with surprising agility for someone his age, flips himself up onto the roof, and is gone over the edge. A moment later you hear what sounds like an old boatswain's whistle, followed by the sound of shuffling tent flaps and heavy booted feet.
However, Dannad, much smaller and less conspicuous in the shadows, goes unnoticed and still manages some surprise.
UPDATED MAP <----Refresh browser after image loads for the update to appear.
Surprise Round:
Dannad
Regular Round:
?????
Human Rabble (1-6)
Old Thom
Samael
Dannad
Vandis
Kenneth
Dagobert
(Surprise round action go!)
Dannad, seeing the old beggar take to the roofs, calls out as he sprints at the barrel thats diagonal from him and parallel to the building. "Aw c'mon, Thom, we're just lookin for a quick sit down chat all friendly like!"
Using the forward momentum from a thief vault onto the barrel he slides to the barrel's second banding ring, where he brings his feet down to launch him into a somersault over the gap to the second barrel perpendicular to his path. Completely flipping in the air he comes down feet first onto the barrel, rocking it forward with his landing. Riding the momentum he leaps toward the stack of crates, diving to catch the leading corner of the topmost crate. With a kick off of the bottom crate he flips himself onto the top of the crate, twisting his body around before pushing off so that he is facing toward the ramshackle wall of the building. (Special Acrobatics check to climb crates, 31.)
With a loud exhalation he launches himself at the building, hitting the wall with a muffled thud and grabbing hold at a rough joint with a grunt. Deftly he finds hand-holds and footholds in the wall as he scales the side of the building. (Athletics check = 20.) Leveraging himself up over the edge onto the roof into a roll, he comes to his feet and dusts himself off. His breathing comes as if he'd only just lightly exerted himself.
"We only want to talk, mate. Nothin' untoward like what requires you scampering off in a way what's liable to wind up tumbling you to break your neck."
(So I guess I get to K-9 from N-11 with style and panache.)
Three sling stones whiz past Dannad's head from an unseen assailant on the rooftops and they clatter harmlessly down into the alley. 10 vs. AC; 14 vs. AC; 15 vs. AC
Old Thom wobbles a bit now that he is on the roof itself and cannot advance on the halfling with his sturdy cudgel.
"People who wanna' talk don't come sneakin' up behind ya' in an alley. Unless they plan on doin' the talkin' later when you're nice and trussed up. Well ya' aint' takin' me like that. Not with my boys around," says Old Thom with a smile.
With that he pulls a dagger out from under his dirty fur-trimmed cloak and tosses it at Dannad with surprising precision. [20 vs. AC; -9 HP to Dannad]
Two of the rabble, barely more than boys, toss sticks at Dannad as well. One manages to catch the balancing halfling off guard. [13 vs. AC and 19 vs. AC; -4 HP to Dannad]
The other four teenage thugs rush into the alley brandishing cudgels stimilar to Thom's and charge through the debris to strike at Samael. Despite the dim light, two of them manage hits. [9 vs. AC; 17 vs. AC; 18 vs. AC; -8 HP to Samael]
(Refresh to load new image)
Updated MapSamael
Dannad
Vandis
Kenneth
Daggobert
?????
Human Rabble
Old Thom
Samael recoils a bit from the sudden attack. He then turns to R6 and says, very matter-of-factly, "This is the last mistake you'll ever make" . He then savagely slashes him with his greatsword, while shiting back one space and dragging the unfortunate lad along for the ride. ()
while s*%*ing back one space
while s*%*ing back one space
Samael's sword makes quick work of the young street-tough, who crumbles to the ground at the deva's feet next to where he had been standing.
Dannad
Vandis (Already posted)
Kenneth
Daggobert
?????
Human Rabble
Old Thom
Samael
Minor - tear down tent 1d20+4=24 Erp. OK.
Move - to O14.
Standard - Charge to N11
1d20+8=9, 1d10+4=12Vandis tears down the tent with a roar, throwing it aside and pelting through. As he does so, his bellowing charge turns into more of a racing comedic tumble as he trips over a tent peg, and barrels past Samael, still bellowing, his blade flailing at one of the thugs.
Dannad looks down at the dagger protruding from his thigh.
"Oy! That bloody hurt!"
The halfling presses his left hand against the wound around the blade of the dagger. Grimacing, he grabs a hold of the grip and pulls it from his leg. Blood flows from the wound as he presses down hard to staunch the flow.
"These was my favorite pants! Now you done made me bleed all over 'em."
Glaring at Old Thom, he points the dagger at him.
"Ifin this is hows you always greet folk, no wonder so few want anything to do with you."
Looking around to find the people who slung rocks at him, he shifts to his left.
"Asides, this is a mighty friendly welcome if you wasn't expecting someone. Didn't know yous had trained birds and all."
Dannad exchanges banter with Old Thom, but the aged rogue just narrows his eyes and prepares for another attack. Also, with a quick look around, Dannad fails to spot his would-be-attacker, who must be very well hidden amongst the rooftops.
Vandis then rips the green tent in front of him nearly to pieces, sending bottles and debris flying as he charges through the remains of some poor beggar's house. His sword swings wide, however, and the teenagers only laugh at his folly.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load)
Updated Hit Points
Kenneth
Daggobert
?????
Human Rabble
Old Thom (granting combat advantage)
Samael
Dannad (+2 defenses till SONT, granting combat advantage)
Vandis
Drawing his shortsword and cursing fluently and colorfully, Kenneth moves in against the beggars and stabs at the nearest.
Stepping carefully over what's left of the tent, Dagobert shakes his head at the motley collection of teenagers.
"You're playing daft games you know. Don't mess us about, that's good lads. Off home to mother, before I slap you."
Radiant hands appear from the air beside the boys and do just that. Dagobert looks slightly astounded at his own effectiveness.
"Well now, that's interesting. Much like rats after all."
Hand of Radiance (Ref) v R1, R4, R5 (1d20+5=25, 1d20+5=23, 1d20+5=23)
Hand of Radiance damage (1d4+4=8)
Kenneth, having difficulty seeing in the dim light of the alleyway, just barely misses the teenaged thug in front of him.
Daggobert, on the other hand, can see with astounding clarity, and directs his attacks perfectly despite the lack of light. The young men with the cudgels are slapped into unconsciousness.
Back to Dannad on the rooftops. Another stone flies from somewhere unseen and pegs the balancing halfing. Just barely getting through the halfling's defenses. 1d20+8=20 vs. AC (-12 HP to Dannad)
The remaining thugs, seeing that the halfling isn't long for this world, charge into the alley to join their compatriots. They are surprised to find their comrades already downed, but charge recklessly over them. Both attempt to hit Vandis but the large man's blades keep them at bay. R2: 1d20+5=12 vs AC, R3: 1d20+5=12 vs. AC
Old Thom, regaining his balance, rushes at the staggered Dannad with his cudgel, striking a powerful blow and taking the halfling down. He then uses the impact of the blow to take a step back. 1d20+6=23 vs. AC (-12 HP to Dannad and dazed until the end of Old Thom's turn.)
Edit: Dannad's halfling luck tries to swing in his favor, but the gods do not look well upon him this day. Second Chance: 1d20+6=24 vs. AC
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser for update)
Updated Hit Point Tracker
Samael
Dannad (+2 defenses till SONT, unconscious, bloodied, dazed till Thom's turn)
Vandis
Kenneth
Daggobert
?????
Human Rabble
Old Thom (granting combat advantage)
Samael:
Samael:** spoiler omitted **...
Samael grabs his crossbow and fires a bolt to the figure he spots hiding atop the building at D11. To Hit: 21 and Damage: 6
Samael then negotiates his way through the barrels to O10 and then jump up to N9. Athletics Check - 18
"Old Thom", Samael growls, "We just wanted to talk - but now I'll get to enjoy watching you die."
Samael:** spoiler omitted **...Samael grabs his crossbow and fires a bolt to the figure he spots hiding atop the building at D11. To Hit: 21 and Damage: 6
Samael then negotiates his way through the barrels to O10 and then jump up to N9. Athletics Check - 18
"Old Thom", Samael growls, "We just wanted to talk - but now I'll get to enjoy watching you die."
Staggering from the stone to his face, the halfling is caught up side the head by Old Thom's cudgel. Falling forward with a jerk, his chin bounces off the loose tiles. Consciousness quickly fades, and he begins to slide down the roof. With debatable luck his clothing catches against a few nails and the rough edges of several tiles, arresting his slide before he tumbles off the edge.
There is a surprised yelp from up top on the roof as Samael succeeds in hitting a small protruding shoulder showing from behind the chimney across the street. His cover blown, everyone can now see what looks like the outline of a small, prostrate figure covered in roof shingles.
Dannad, lying limp at the very edge of the roof, slips closer to death.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load update)
Vandis
Kenneth
Daggobert
Halfling Slinger (granting combat advantage, prone, partial cover to attacks from alley)
Human Rabble
Old Thom (granting combat advantage, total cover to attacks from alley)
Samael
Dannad (bloodied, dying, dazed till Thom's turn, 1 failed death save)
Trusting Vandis to deal with the rabble, Kenneth ignores them and calls out to the slinger, "You! The little popinjay with the sling! Stand up and face us, you wee numskull!"
Cutting Words vs Slinger (1d20+4+2-2-2=15, 1d8+4=9)
Then, seeing Dannad's predicament, Kenneth calls to him, "Get up, small one -- you're too short to die!"
Vandis glares at the ruffians, and brings his sword to bear in a wide arc.
Vandis redeems himself when he overcomes the ruffians with a huge sweep of his sword. However, the new pile of limp and dead corpses leaves the alley more difficult to walk through.
The halfling on the roof manages a whispered, "What the hell's a popin....?" before being overcome by Kenneth's psychic attack and sliding near the edge of the roof. He quickly comes to his senses, though, and begins reaching for another stone.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load update)
Updated Hit Points
Daggobert
Halfling Slinger (bloodied, prone, granting combat advantage, partial concealment to attacks from alley)
Human Rabble
Old Thom (granting combat advantage, total concealment from attacks in alley)
Samael
Dannad (bloodied, prone, dazed till Thom's turn)
Vandis
Kenneth
Hand of Radiance (Ref) v H1 (1d20+5=15, 1d4+4=5)
Dagobert eases into the alley and squints up at the halfling. "Get yourself down here and join the party properly," he suggests, conjuring another glowing hand out of the air.
Glancing up at where Dannah lies slumped over the roof tiles, he goes on, "Got to take better care of yourself Dannad. Can you push that old idiot down do you think?"
Dagobert's hand of radiance comes deadly close to taking out the prone halfling but he manages to roll deftly out of the way. The halfling then tucks his legs up under himself and rolls off the ledge, using the tent below to break his fall.
"You're on your own Thom," the halfling says apologetically before crawling into the dim light of the alley.
Old Thom glares in the direction of his retreating comrade and then tries to make his way off the roof. He makes it over to the edge but then falters for a moment trying to get down as he places a foot on the wobbling crates below him. His second attempt, however, is much more successful and starts making a run for the other alley.
"Not fair bringin' magic to a knife fight," he mutters hurriedly to himself as he descends.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load update)
Hit Points
Samael
Dannad (bloodied, prone)
Vandis
Kenneth
Daggobert
Halfling Slinger (bloodied, prone)
Old Thom
Vandis growls with satisfaction as the two enemies fall to the floor, the laughter dying on their lips.
He runs down the alley into the street, to see Old Thom fleeing.
Groggily, Dannad pushes himself up to his knees and looks around. Noticing that Old Thom has fled the rooftop, he snatches up the dagger and stands. Shaking his head vigorously to clear it, he catches sight of Old Thom.
"Oi! I think he's making a run across the way!" Yelling over his shoulder, the halfling moves toward Old Thom across the precarious roof. Scanning the cobbled way below he notices the tent adjacent to the building on the other side from him. Padding across the rough tiles he gets to the edge of the roof nearest to the tent.
"Olidyra give me wings...." Muttering under his breath he grimaces as he leaps toward the tent. The ridge pole of the tent breaks with a crack and there's a muffled thump as the tent collapses onto the beggars occupying it. With a grunt the halfling rolls out of the billowing mass of the tent and onto the cobblestones next to the building.
As the tent settles, he glares at Old Thom.
"Now, now I'm fixing to be unfriendly-like."
With a flick of his wrist he sends Thom's dagger tumbling up in the air. As it tumbles back down end over end he grabs it by the hilt and spins it so that he's grasping the blade, ready to throw it.
"Real unfriendly like."
With a flick of his wrist he sends the knife flying at Old Thom.
The dagger goes spinning toward the old thief, the pommel of the blade cracking against the back of the old man's head.
Dannad, using the tent to break his fall, lands unharmed and on his feet. The dagger pommel strikes firmly against Thom's skull and produces a trickle of blood and a large bruise quickly begins to form on the man's bald head.
Samael moves further towards the street and takes a shot at Old Thom's legs with his two handed crossbow after swearing an oath of enmity on the man. The bolt sinks home and scores a hit across Thom's thigh, drawing a jagged line of blood. 20 vs. AC for 6 damage.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load update)
Updated Hit Points
Vandis
Kenneth
Daggobert
Halfling Slinger (bloodied, prone)
Old Thom
Samael
Dannad (bloodied)
Sheathing his sword, Kenneth moves through the clutter to the mouth of the alley. "Old Thom, you cowardly bastard, come back here and talk to us!"
Vandis sees Old Thom stagger from Kenneth's words and leaps forward. grabbing the old man with his free hand by the collar.
Kenneth's biting remarks leave a devastating, though invisible, wound on the old rogue's psyche, forcing him to stumble towards the bard.
Vandis easily catches up the wiry older man by the collar of his shirt and even lifts him a few inches in the air.
UPDATED MAP (Refresh browser to load update)
Updated Hit Points
Dagobert
Halfling Slinger (bloodied, prone)
Old Thom (bloodied, grabbed/immobilized)
Samael
Dannad (bloodied)
Kenneth
Vandis
"It's rude to leave a conversation halfway through. Don't you 'civilised' folk know that?" Vandis says menacingly.
Plodding up the alley, Dagobert sees that his comrades have Old Thom well under control and concentrates on stopping the halfing from sounding the alarm.
"Falling down is all very well, but you're staying put."
Another glowing hand appears, clouting the halfling hard and adding to his bruises.
Hand of Radiance v H1 (1d20+3=16, 1d4+4=6)
Dagobert sends his radiant hand out to attack the halfling but with the impediment of the catercorner alleyway's dim light, the attack slams into the cobblestones, scatting several of them about.
The halfling, having just seen his life flash before his eyes from the dwarf's near miss, gets quickly to his feet and dashes around the corner at a full run.
Old Thom, beaten, bruised, and now completely lacking in backup, slouches forward dejectedly in Vandis' iron grip.
"Who was it sent ya'?" he asks meekly. "Some fool mother lookin' for her precious baby? I tell ya' I done right by them kids and none of em's here didn't come to me for the job. If not for me they'd likely have all died on the streets. I look after them, ya' know. Ya' can't kill me. Think of the children!"
With the action dying down, the streets are starting to get very crowed with onlookers. The silhouettes of many people can be seen in dozens of windows all along the street. No sign of the Dragonne or any other enforcement seems to be coming.
"Ach, halt your yammering. We need some answers from you. Shall we do so in the street or over an ale?" Vandis says, keeping a firm grip on the wriggling man.
"I'm not buying him a drink. He's paying for his own." Dagobert negotiates the barrels and rejoins the group.
At the mention of answering questions, Old Thom's hand twitches towards the inside of his cloak for a moment until he looks again at the large arms holding him above the ground and thinks wiser of it.
Thom clears his throat nervously and speaks, never taking his eyes from Vandis.
"Sure, a drink, no problem. My treat. I know this great place down the lane. They put special spices in the gobwine there and then heat it on a kettle, makes it almost drinkable even," he says with a nervous chuckle.
"Sorry about your little mate's head there. You all just surprised me is all."
After dusting himself off he ties a rough bandage around his leg before walking over to retrieve the knife. Spinning it in his hand, he walks back over to the group and listens in.
"As I said, we was just looking for a friendly talk."
Dannad's eyes narrow at Thom's mention of knowing a place.
"I'm not sure I'm too keen on his knowin a place. Might be he has some friends what works it who'll arrange for some special spices in the drinks."
He spits on the cobbled road.
"I ain't trustin' this one.... Decide what you will, I'll start seein' to the recently dispatched."
"I'm not sure I'm too keen on his knowin a place. Might be he has some friends what works it who'll arrange for some special spices in the drinks."
"No kidding - I think all his negotiating leverage flew out the window the moment he decided he'd rather fight than talk. Does anyone else know a place we can get to, and quick?" Samael says, looking around at the party.
Dagobert pauses by his recent teenage victims to slap them none too gently back into wakefulness.
"Up you get and push off the lot of you. Find a better employer. None of you are dwarfs. If you want to learn rat-catching from a master, you can find me at the Swinging Gibbet. Otherwise, I don't want to see any of you again."
Half-listening to Samael and Dannad, he shrugs at the halfling. "Don't your folks own a place Dannad? What's safer than there?"
The three more fortunate toughs wake up surrounded by their three other slaughtered comrades. Remembering what happened, and seeing Thom man handled by the large Vandis, they take off down the street without more that a yell of terror.
"Fine, we can go wherever you like, I was just makin' a nice suggestion. I figured the closer the better. You're gonna' attract a lot of attention dragging me through the streets, ya know."
"Pah. Try to do right by people, and get no thanks for it," grumbles Dagobert as the toughs take off.
He turns on old Thom. "There'll be no dragging. You'll be walking nice and quietly, because Vandis is losing patience and he's not alone."
He turns on old Thom. "There'll be no dragging. You'll be walking nice and quietly, because Vandis is losing patience and he's not alone."
"Oh, Vandis is it? Well Vandis, if ya'll just put me down we can make our way to wherever ya' want. Nice and quiet like, sure," says Thom to the large fighter.