Book 1, Part 3: Threat of the Red Jills

ripleycat · March 30

Getting around the CCG cordon is trivial while the cordon is being dismembered by the living dead, but that proves to be only one episode in the night's bloody trouble. The closer the Ravens get to the Cloven Hoof Society's building, the louder and more tense and violent the situation becomes, and what the deeply unfortunate perimeter guards were trying to keep people away from becomes clear.

The CCG have mounted a full-on raid on the Nursery, and the Cloven Hoof have, for the first time in many years, turned out in force, not just to keep their own peace, but to meet their oppressors in battle. The tiefling militia may be no match for the Hellknights who kidnapped Strea Vestori, but the Citizens don't inspire the same terror. The fighting is largely over by the time the Ravens return to the Nursery. Injured and dead are strewn about the streets. A majority are in Thrunish red-and-black.

Barricades block off the narrow lanes. Those without proper weapons are offering what support they can, tending to the wounded. Bands of street kids and teens peer down from the tall rooftops. Several of the CCG have been felled by a rain of rocks and roof tiles. The Cloven Hoof's gardens have a particularly rich crop of arrow-studded Citizens who thought this would be an easy smash-and-grab.

The Silver Ravens pass easily through the aftermath. Most here recognize the ones who destroyed the fairy swarms. Heroes. Some of the stouter Cloven Hoof patrols are still walking the streets, and the revolutionaries are quickly approached by a dust and blood-covered man, a shopkeeper with improvised armor and a cracked spear. "Bless you all. You're a vision. They got a bloody nose for sure, but they got Zea and a few others. She was leadin' from the front, got cocky, got surrounded. We chased the rest off back north, towards Aria Park and the opera house, skulkin' with the big dogs and the proper knights."

"It's a big ask, but you've helped us before. Can... can you get her back? We're not in much condition to do much but hold our ground. But if you hurry, if you get right on their tails, might catch 'em before she vanishes into the Holding House. I don't think they mean to just stick her in a cell somewhere, anyhow. They aim to hurt her, make an example. Got some wounded ones bound up around the corner. Talkin' about tortures, 'excruciation'. That horrid shit they do down in Egorian to keep everyone quiet and afraid. 'Doghousing' was what we got from one of 'em, some new horror Barzillai thought up himself, by the sound of it. I dunno what it is, but I don't want Zea to be the one who finds out."

OOC

Apologies for taking so long. Fletcher, take a Rebel Point for my overriding a perfectly good post. 😛

Mister Doctor · March 31

Dead Guy - Character Sheet

KAC: 19/18 Fort: +10 Ref: +5 Will: +6
HP: 40/40 THP: 6/6 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +6

'Dismembered' was an all too literal description for what the corpse had been doing. When it fell into step with the rest of the Ravens, it was still holding a human jaw half forgotten in its grip. As the concentration of Nursery residents rose, the corpse did seem to summon the presence of mind to toss the grisly trophy aside.

While its mind only really functioned in fits and starts, it had a worryingly animalistic ability to sort out patterns in the movements of its chosen prey. It might have even been the first of the Ravens to realize something was amiss. Granted, it was not one to complain as the CCG's sloppy efforts to form a cordon for their little operation had only served to make them even easier prey. Whatever satisfaction it got from butchering Thrune's lackeys was short lived, however, as the deeper into the Nursery they went and the more spilled blood and misery they saw, the more thunderous the expression on its already dreadful face became.

"Nrrnn-hweee gooo?" The corpse asked, barely restraining itself from simply haring off after the militia in question and reaping a bloody price from their hides.

Fletcher · April 1

Kjersti Volden

The closer the Ravens get to the Cloven Hoof's base of operations, the worse things become. At first it seemed like their avatar of rage incarnate had done a great deal more than just stalking down a group of Citizens. They were among the dead, of course, but when they started to see militia members among the bodies, a knot grew in Kjersti's stomach that the deadman had gone off his rails and the little rogue's sense of calm was no longer enough to keep him in check. The Falco hammer comes out quickly and her pace picks up to either catch up with their companions, or discover what was really going on.

After the shopkeeper steps out and gives them the rundown, Kjersti swears and looks across the group. She remembered that Rexus had said Aria Park was where it had all sort of started and that the Opera House there was a real stronghold for Thrune and his lackeys. They didn't have the numbers for that sort of thing, nor did the militia... especially once they were outside the boundaries of the Nursery. Who knew what kinds of ambushes the retreating Citizens might have? She gave Temperance a knowing look. It was always going to get worse, the more folks started to rattle Thrune's cage. People were going to get hurt... and people were going to need to be hurt. Striking the Nursery might have always been in the plan, regardless of their activities, but it didn't change the fact that blood was spilled. Were they really ready to return the favor?

"Don' even need t'ask," the farmgirl assures the keeper. "Y'all keep your people here, where they know the ins and outs, have an advantage. Rein in the hotblooded as best y'can. I know they hurtcha, folks want payback, but it could get worse if they chase after it." She claps a firm hand on his shoulder for reassurance, then turns to the others. "Yeah, we go," she answers the looming Deadman. "But we gotta find the quickest way to the park, and also somewhere we can catch 'em up. Catch 'em off guard, get those folks out. Any ideas?"

To keep themselves from losing precious moments, she jerks her head in the direction the shopkeeper had indicated that Zea had been taken. They'd need to walk-and-talk to keep up.

Edited April 1 by Fletcher (see edit history)

Toraka_Stormheart · April 2

Temperance - Character Sheet

AC: 19 Fort: +6 Ref: +10 Will: +4

HP: 24/24 Rebel Points: 4/3 | Perception: +6

Ammunition: 19/20 (40 Reserve) | Alchemy PreparedAlchemical Cartridges: 20 | ConditionsNone

Temperance followed suit, her posture impassive as the terms of the new mission became clear. Only the most observant of the other Ravens would spot the slight twitch to her eye and brow, yellow eyes piercing as she looked in the general direction they were pointed.

"It's never simple" Was all the tiefling muttered as she fixed the collar of her leather longcoat, adjusting the invisible rifle strap across her shoulder. Reaching into her pocket with a free hand, she pulled out a small object, bringing it to her lips with a whisper.

With a flutter, Professor came to rest upon her shoulder, a dignified expression on its face as the gunslinger started walking with purpose.

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

ripleycat · April 2

Several of the glittering namesakes of the Silver Ravens take flight, arcing their way northward. It's not difficult for Professor (and any others who fly with him) to find the retreating CCG rabble and their unfortunate prisoners. A few are handed over to the dottari - not a pleasant experience, but those who stew in the little overnight cells along the walls with the drunks and vagrants at least tend to come back out after a day or two. Zea is not so lucky, but the silver birds are clever creations, and are able to quickly fly back and guide their owners through the streets.

The Citizens have stopped at what was, in happier days, a little stage on one of Aria Park's many ponds, for impromptu music and street theater. It's been fitted out for a much uglier form of public performance, one much more common down south.

The Thrunes, as a rule, care little for public execution. Death tends to make martyrs, not examples. Public torture, abuse, and humiliation, "excrutiation", as Barzillai calls it, is often more effective at dissuading would-be troublemakers, and the Lord-Mayor is somewhat infamous for his creative brutality.

The revolutionaries soon arrive in person, where they can see and hear Zea's struggles, vicious swearing at her captors between increasingly pitiful and painful cries.

"Doghousing" proves distressingly literal. In the middle of the little stage, hands free but legs manacled together, she's been shoved inside of a small wooden dog house, the walls of which have had dozens of nails driven through. The confines inside are incredibly cramped - Zea can hardly move or shift around without being stabbed by a nail, and it's impossible to stand or lie down.

"You must be thirsty after all that, pit-rat. Here, come have a drink!" Zea is still fresh and defiant enough to meet the taunt with a glob of bloody spit, but the sinister design is meant to break such spirit in short order.

The taunting Citizens have left a tin of pond water and scraps of food scattered around the stage - enough to survive on, enough to linger - this ordeal looks as though it's meant to last for many days. At opposite ends of the stage, two feral, ravenous dogs bark and strain at their chains, and the pitch-black joke becomes clear: if the victim isn’t quick, the dogs eat the food, but if the victim goes for the food, they get bitten. Their only shelter from the dogs is the unendurable pain and discomfort of the doghouse, where, unable to lie down, their muscles will start to stiffen and cramp after a day or two...

It's also clear that this is not some spur of the moment cruelty, but an exhibition Thrune has been working on for some time. It also explains what the seemingly good-hearted and sensible Third Proclamation is actually doing sitting in the middle of the rest of his mad new laws...

Quote

All those who capture, alive and unharmed, feral dogs of a weight exceeding 50 pounds are to be rewarded with a payment of two silver pieces upon transfer of the dogs to the dottari. Such noble guardian creatures should find homes worthy of their kind!

OOC

Roll20 updated with new map. As ever, poke me if there are token issues.

Since you are just arriving on the scene, the PCs act first.

Toraka_Stormheart · April 2

Temperance - Character Sheet

AC: 19 Fort: +6 Ref: +10 Will: +4

HP: 24/24 Rebel Points: 4/3 | Perception: +6

Ammunition: 17/20 (40 Reserve) | Alchemy PreparedAlchemical Cartridges: 20 | ConditionsNone

As the vulgar display was underway, and one of the goons decided to taunt their victim, a lone silver raven alighted next to it, perching on a branch of the surrounding shrubbery. A single, pristine caw came out of its beak as it disrupted the otherwise silent tormenting.

In the back corner, the blonde tiefling's eyes were wide open, nostrils flared as Temperance set her jaw forward, lips pursed as she took in a deep breath. Without a word, her arm went back, twirling the rifle into existence from her shoulder as she brought it up to sight.

A loud peal, and the goon nearest Professor suddenly found a hole in its chest, and the one guarding the nearest path was soon to follow. Without any retort, taunt, or outward show of emotion whatsoever, the tiefling began her advancing assault...

Show Mechanics

Free Action: Stride, granted by Into the Fray

Action 1: Quick Draw rifle, Strike against CCG goon, hits and kills

Action 2: Reload

Action 3: Strike against CCG goon, hits and kills

Affected targets marked on roll20 with red Xs

Edited April 2 by Toraka_Stormheart (see edit history)

theredshirtwholive · April 2

Kyla

Kyla's hot on Temperance's heels, heart in her throat. "Hang on, Zea," she calls. "Hang on! We're gonna get you out of there." Her anguish at seeing her friend hurt weaves itself into her words, and Zea feels a rush of energy, like a warm hug from a loving relative, as some of her wounds close. Squawk flutters over and zips between the bars of the cage to bonk his head against Zea in an attempt to provide what comfort he can.

OOC

Mister Doctor · April 2

Dead Guy - Character Sheet

KAC: 19/18 Fort: +10 Ref: +5 Will: +6
HP: 40/40 THP: 6/6 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +6

The corpse is already sprinting over the distance between the Ravens and the stage, completely unconcerned by any danger it might face as usual. For something dead and partially rotted, it could cover plenty of ground when it wanted to. Even as the first two victims of Temperance's infernal weapon crumple to the floor, the abomination is among them.

The fury and fire of the dead thing's malice seem to sabotage its efforts at first as the militiaman it had chosen as prey manages to duck under the first swing. The blade scythes into one of the stone columns and scatters bits of masonry over the Thrunist and nearby dog.

"Hhhrk-k-kill you... Kill! You!" The necrotic monster roared at the man, incongruous in its mere presence here out in the sunlight. Such things should only be found in dank catacombs or lurking around at night, not howling with mad hatred in the day.

Action 1: Stride 25ft south

Actions 2 & 3: Sudden Charge

Strike misses on a natural 1

Not raging

pi4t · April 2

Star - Character Sheet

While she was shadowing the dead man, Star tried not to look at the results of his fury. In theory, she agreed with his actions. They were clearly CCG thugs, ready to beat up and kill people like her...and worse. But their screams were all too human, all too familiar. So she tried not to look, even as she kept an eye on what Deadman was doing.

When she hears the news about Zea, however, all that stops. Star is rushing off almost before the shopkeeper has finished speaking. Several times she outpaces the rest of the Silver Ravens, then has to stop and pace back and forth impatiently while she waits for them to catch up. By the time they reach the platform, Thorn is already in her hand. As the retorts from Temperance's gun die away, a small blur of anger rushes into the fray, trampling the corpse of one of Temperance's victims with her hooves in her haste to rescue Zea. Star stabs her blade into the closest of the enemies - which happens to be one of the dogs. Her blow narrowly misses its heart, but a flow of blood gushes out as she withdraws Thorn. The dog is still up, for now, but will clearly not live long without medical attention.

Show Mechanics

Reaction: If Ripleycat allows, Catharsis vs whichever CCG goon called Zea a pit-rat. This makes him flatfooted vs my attacks, and makes me flatfooted vs him (and I have a -2 to saves vs his spells). This also gives me a free Stride.

Action 1: Stride a second time, putting me next to the dog

Action 2: Strike the dog, which is flatfooted against me due to Surprise Attack giving me sneak attack. 18+8=26 to hit, meaning a crit for 4d6+8=18 damage. The dog is on 2hp.

Action 3: Strike the dog again, but miss.

Edited April 3 by pi4t (see edit history)

Fletcher · April 2

Kjersti Volden

Moonfeather joins the unkindness in the sky, its pale silhouette harder to see than the others in the daylight. Weaving to and fro until their quarry is discovered, the large raven positively growls as it returns to Kjersti and grips tight to her shoulder. It jabs its vicious beak forward (admittedly causing her to flinch, having already been at the receiving end of the raven's censure) and she quickens her pace. She was learning more each day how invaluable the companions of their predecessors were.

There is little question what is happening when the group arrives in Aria Park, weapons drawn and quite the scene to anyone who has remained in the area for this terrible demonstration. Booming death signals the engagement as Temperance clears the way ahead. Without so much as a command, Moonfeather takes flight just as the berserker and the rogue charge out in defense of Zea. Passing the tieflings, she says, "Nice work! Keep an eye out behind, though. Surely gonna expect compn'y." She already knows that should go without saying, but... couldn't help but be said nonetheless.

Hammer at the ready, the farmgirl charges after Deadman and Star to back them up before they are outnumbered on the stage.

Actions 1-3: Stride, Stride, Stride!

ccanary · April 5

Maria Callus

Maria Callus — Human Monk (medic)

Zea rescue

Maria did her best and kept up with Kjersti, rushing forward to Zea's aid. She didn't have much else she could do, not at the moment. Just holding the line with Kjersti and Deado and waiting for the inevitable counterattack

"Zea! Hold on, we'll be right there."

Mechanics

Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Stride
Action 3: Stride

ripleycat · April 5

"I'm all right! I-I'm not dying here. Get rid of them before we have an audience!" The relief and surprise in Zea's voice are obvious, but her pragmatism wins out, as usual. And for once, it's warranted.

It's the ferocious dogs who prove the real threat. Maddened by the terrible blow she inflicted with Thorn, the wounded dog sinks its teeth into Star's arm, down to the bone. The loudmouth Citizen who'd been taunting Zea is canny enough to release the other dog's chain, and the beast barrels across the stage, latching onto Kjersti.

"You gonna kill me, ragman? With what? That lumpa pig iron?" Taking the raging dead for a vagrant, as so many others have, the Citizens close in after the dogs have spilled blood, and for once, they manage something like competence, ducking around the edges of the stage to surround and batter their attackers, though it should be an ominous warning that the corpse doesn't immediately quail under the assault like their usual pitiful victims. One Citizen, overambitious, splits off from his fellows to take an empty swing at the newly arriving Maria instead, and almost sends himself over the edge into the lilypads.

OOC

Because I forgot, and only mentioned it offhand on Discord, the pond is difficult terrain. No swim checks required.

Roll20 updated. The mook with Catharsis is tagged with a tooltip.

Deado is hit twice by the CCG, for a total of 8 bludgeoning damage.

Star is critically hit by one of the dogs for 10 piercing damage.

Kjersti is hit once by a dog, for 5 piercing damage.

Mister Doctor · April 6

Dead Guy - Character Sheet

KAC: 19/18 Fort: +10 Ref: +5 Will: +6
HP: 32/40 THP: 6/6 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +6

"Nnnr-hh-yessss," The corpse rasped after taking two strikes that would have put most of the city's unfortunates on the group. With typical directness, it arrested the swing and gripped the forte of the battered sword. Stomping a foot down, it twisted its body back in a motion not unlike dipping an oar into water and drove the point down into the unfortunate man with little regard for what was being hit. Chipped and ragged steel plunged in one side of the man's chest and out the other, taking a fair bit of blood, bone, and organ meat with it. When wielded with such uncompromising force, a sword did not need to be the pinnacle of perfect maintenance.

Not bothering to wrench the sword free just yet, the walking corpse turned to the dog savaging Star with a disappointed snarl, hand reaching out to try and grab the feral stray with little worry that the dog might turn violent attentions on the grasping hand. The corpse had had worse than a dog bite in recent memory. "Nnn-no. Hrk-bad."

Action 1: Enter Rage

Action 2: Strike mouthy CCG

Hit with a 16, dealing 14 damage

Action 3: Strike wounded dog non-lethally

Misses with an 8

Raging

Fletcher · April 6

Kjersti Volden

No sooner has Kjersti arrived to help Deadman and Star avoid being overwhelmed by the Citizens as they react to the sudden onslaught, one of them unchains one of the feral - and possibly rabid - dogs. I charges, slavering, across the stage and latches onto her knee with a snarl, teeth punching deep and forcing her to hop once to keep her balance. She shouts in pain and alarm, trying to bludgeon the creature in the nose with the butt of the hammer, only causing it to bite harder and even shake at her leg. With minimal room to swing the long-hafted hammer to the sides, she raises it up over her head and brings it down with a meaty thwack on the rump of the nasty dog.

"Geddoff!" she shouts, to accentuate the strike, which either works (or the hammer blow does) as it releases her and growls, likely preparing for another lunge.

Toraka_Stormheart · April 6

Temperance - Character Sheet

AC: 19 Fort: +6 Ref: +10 Will: +4

HP: 24/24 Rebel Points: 4/3 | Perception: +6

Ammunition: 15/20 (40 Reserve) | Alchemy PreparedAlchemical Cartridges: 20 | ConditionsNone

With the majority of her compatriots (Kyla excepted) advanced into the main point of contestation, Temperance followed suit, her boots clicking on the stone as she made it to the joining path. Her grip adjusted, right hand taking the rifle in the middle as she held it relaxed, barrel pointed away and not ready to fire.

Her left hand went to the small of her back, gripping the handle of her newest armament. Drawing it, the flash of sunlight on gunmetal signaled the appearance of the new Firearm. Smalller, handheld, a trio of barrels aligned on a plate rotating around the firing action, the trademark caplock tech present.

Pointing the pepperbox forward, the tiefling's eyes narrowed at the goon behind Deadman, squarely discharging a shot into the back of their head before pulling the hammer again, rotating the barrels to rapidly send a follow up retort to the remaining perpetrator...

Show Mechanics

Action 1: Stride per roll20

Action 2: Quick Draw strike against CCG goon, critically hits for 12 damage, kills. Marked on map.

Action 3: Strike against CCG goon, hits for 5 damage.

Text_1	Text_2	Text_3	Bold_1	Accent_1	Mood_1
Warm_1	Warm_2	Warm_3	Bold_2	Accent_2	Mood_2
Cool_1	Cool_2	Cool_3	Bold_3	Accent_3	Mood_3
Bright_1	Bright_2	Bright_3	Bold_4	Accent_4	Mood_4

Book 1, Part 3: Threat of the Red Jills

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