Act 1, Part 3: Into the Fire

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 2/3

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Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Verne takes the apple gratefully, chomping into it with gusto.  He looks confusedly at Valerie.  Did she get hit in the head?  Well, rest will solve that. 

He watches as his companions manipulate the gnome, wondering what their goal is.  He also wonders why they would tolerate him, but after all, he is being no less tolerant.  His boredom has been building, so at Tartuccio's suggestion, he steps forward and opens the door the gnome indicates, as Shardik follows, and ends up standing next to the gnome, sniffing curiously at his strangely-colored hair. 

 

 

 

 

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: OOO | Focus Points: O

Thomas goading Tartuccio into joining them wasn't exactly the tactic that Zakon would have chosen but he had already resigned himself to the possibility of this burden. If nothing else, it gave them the opportunity to make a new ally who may - despite all odds - survive long enough to be of use to them down the road. When Tartuccio declared himself leader of the group and started making demands, Zakon felt he needed to say something and cleared his throat, "I see that you are passionate about this mission, and I admire your dedication to its success. But a leader is defined not by their own assertions of authority," Zakon is interrupted as Verne opens the door, as commanded. Ugg. That wasn't going to help temper Tartuccio's inflated sense of self-worth but it was what it was. 'South' seemed as reasonable a direction to go as 'north'. Zakon scowled as he finished his sentence, which carried a different tone now, "... rather, by the voluntary commitments of those who follow them." He inclined his head in Verne's direction, but did not elaborate.

The judge was unconcerned about Tartuccio's long-term tenure among them. Lady Jamandi had already shared her plans for Tartuccio with him, earlier in the evening. Instead, he prepares for whatever is on the other side of that door. The conversation, if necessary, could be resumed at a more appropriate time.

[Kavonde]

Verne finds that the door swings open without any resistance; it seems that someone left it slightly ajar behind them. Beyond the door, he sees a slightly smoky room containing wooden racks holding various weapons and wooden stands designed to hold suits of armor. Many of the weapon racks and armor stands are empty, and several weapons and discarded armor pieces lie about the floor.
 

OOC

To save time: scattered about here in plain sight are the following:

• 11 daggers
• 5 longswords
• 10 spears
• 2 glaives
• 1 halberd
• 2 battle axes
• 6 crossbows
• 106 crossbow bolts in a barrel
• 3 suits of half plate armor
• 10 suits of chain mail armor
• 3 chain shirts
• 5 steel shields

If you'd like to search more extensively, let me know!

Another door, further west along the northern wall of this room, leads further into the manor.

Tartuccio puts his hands on his hips and laughs. "You see? The Great and Powerful Tartuccio has led you to Lady Aldori's armory! Surely she will not object to you better equipping yourselves for the battles ahead! This is only the first of many brilliant strategic decisions that I shall make as your commander!"

[Spektor]

Antonia Rullianus

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AC: 18 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +5 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5 | Hero: 2/3 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven

Antonia exhaled an explosive breath of annoyance through her nose as she watched the others listen to the Gnome and move towards the southern door. She had been prepared to breach the northern door with Lerris, as they had done at least once before. But these 'adventurers' appeared a to be a bit more malleable than she had originally thought. Were they really taking advice from him?

The Fencer looked at the back of the squat Gnome's balding head with a sneer of derision – something she would not allow him to actually witness. It was the sort of expression saved for the target's back, where they could not defend themselves or even realize they had been attacked with a dagger-sharp glare. She relented, though, as one does when outnumbered and in need of allies to survive. "Really? You're all listening to him?" She muttered at a volume that the Gnome would most likely not hear, though she didn't really care if he did. "Fine." She lowered her Rapier, which had been pointed at the northern door and readied for their breach, and slogged over towards the southern door after the others. In response to the Judge, she nodded to his words. "Well said, Judge. But society has often proven that they have no idea what sort of person is a fitting leader and are willing to follow anyone with a loud enough voice. Case and point." She gestured towards her party, inevitably ending the gesture with herself. She sealed it all with a shrug and finally walked inside. Once she saw what was within, her lips curled downwards and puckered outwards, as if to say 'not bad'. "I suppose this could be helpful."

With gleaming eyes, she surveyed the room and strode towards the small collection of chain shirts. "Yes, I do believe I will be helping myself, if only to stay alive." With a gloved hand, she plucked one of the shirts from the trio and began unbuttoning her leather vest with her other hand. "It doesn't really match the style, I'm afraid, but it should ward off a blade's edge with ease." It was unclear whom she was talking to, if anyone. It wasn't long before she was wearing the ill-fitting chains and scowling at the way it clashed with her outfit. Antonia resorted to buttoning the thick leather jacket to hide the shirt's oppressive clashing, after which she gathered a few handfuls of crossbow bolts. They would also come in handy at some point, she supposed. "Help yourself, boys. It isn't going to get any easier moving forward. Might as well take every advantage we can get. Oh, looky! There's another door here, to the north."

 

Mechanics

Gathering and donning one Chain Shirt and 20 Crossbow Bolts.

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by Spektor (see edit history)

[AnemoneEnemy]

Thomas of Nowhere | AC: 16 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +6 | Hero: 1/1 | FP: 1/1

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Æthelflæd | AC: 18 |  Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +7 | Will: +4

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Thomas gives the others a meaningful look. The meaning is plain: there's got to be a way to put the Great Reduccio between us and danger and keep him there.

"Mayhaps. Where be th'rings enchanted, th'cloaks o'wardin'?" Thomas wanders around the armory, almost absently. "In panoply o'ancient kings; in chainéd rings he armored him... but neither swordsman nor shieldbearer am I."

What exactly it is he is remains not quite clear, though his electric wyrd has not been unhelpful so far.

OOC/mechanics

Seek!

 

[Rider Z]

Lerris Ninthborne

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HP: 19/20 | AC: 18 |  Per: + 4 | Fort: +7 | Ref: +3 | Will: +7 | Hero: 0 | Languages: Common (Taldane), Hallit, Skald

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"Unless the Lady sees it fit to give us this implements in exchange for our help, anything that leaves this room comes back before the nights end. So long as we can agree on that I don't see an issue with better arming ourselves." Lerris said as he undid the straps of his own armor, letting it fall to the ground before replacing it with one of the sets of Half-Plate. He had long since wrestled with the morals of taking from the Lady Aldori to save her, and now wasn't the time to reignite such inward debate.

A few moments later Lerris was clad in the steel plate of his new armor. Not his, he reminded himself quickly before flexing the gauntlet to get a feel for the weight. Then, once again, he pulled the sword from his side and shield into the other hand and made his way up to the door of the room. "Get what you need then get ready to move." 

[Kavonde]

Once everyone has had a chance to equip themselves with any new gear they fancy from the armory, the party forms up (under Tartuccio's wise guidance, of course) at the northern door.

"Okay," the gnome tells Lerris. "Now, when I count to three, you will open the door, raise your shield, and charge forward to engage any enemies foolish enough to stand in our way! 'Three' is the number that comes after two, by the way."

However, upon opening the door, the group finds no enemies. Instead, this large room has a floor of polished white tiles. Hanging from the walls are various trophy heads: a stag with an impressive set of antlers, a large tusked boar, a cranky-looking oversized owl, a snarling wolf, and two different reptilian monsters.

(Thomas and Zakon notice something odd sitting in one of the reptile creatures' mouths: what appears to be a severed bird's beak.)

There is a door on the north wall, and a large set of double doors to the west. There are very obvious sounds of fighting to the west, including bellowing shouts in that ferocious tongue that the frost giant Jurgrindor spoke.

"I think Lady Aldori must be fighting those giants!" Linzi exclaims.

Tartuccio shoots her an annoyed look. "You make too many assumptions, you silly little girl. The room to the north clearly parallels the armory we just came from. We should investigate it before we proceed toward the sounds of battle. There may be more valuable equipment to be had, and we wouldn't want any enemies lurking there to sneak up behind us while we rush into combat."

"But Lady Aldori--"

"Is the most decorated Aldori swordmaster in Brevoy," the gnome interrupts her haughtily. "While obviously no match for a powerful spellcaster like myself, I am sure she can hold off whatever she is fighting while we take a more intelligent and methodical approach. Minions, prepare to breach the northern door." He makes a languid gesture in its direction.

Edited March 23, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 2/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy1020: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery92225: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags, 2x PoL Healing Effects:

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Millanius doesn't understand why, but clearly the others wanted this obnoxious gnome not only to come with them, but to lead them. With a long-suffering sigh says, "As you command, Tartuccio." He moves to the north door and swings it open. 

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OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1:  Action 2:  Action 3:  Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy* -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Light Mace* -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -2x Tanglefoot bags* -2x Lesser PoH*   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -39gp (38gp 6sp 3cp)*

Edited March 23, 2023 by Kistler (see edit history)

[Rider Z]

Lerris Ninthborne

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HP: 19/20 | AC: 18 |  Per: + 4 | Fort: +7 | Ref: +3 | Will: +7 | Hero: 0 | Languages: Common (Taldane), Hallit, Skald

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Lerris was getting damn near close to stabbing that gnome behind him. It was one thing to be arrogant over a dinner table, a whole other to be so while standing behind someone in a burning building. But he kept his swordhand still. He got the feeling something above him would frown upon such a reckless stabbing.

But what about a punch? Just one. Surely a good old fist to the face would be fine. Lerris reckoned everyone should be punched in the face at least anyhow, and it seemed Tartuccio hadn't gotten his yet just based off all that arrogance. But as he was daydreaming, Millanius stepped past him to do the gnome's bidding.

"Wait a moment I'm the one who's supposed to-" Lerris tried to stop Millanius as the wizard brushed past him, but the man stepped forward and threw open the door nonetheless. He gave out a soft curse and readied his sword and shield. 

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 2/3

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Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Verne is uninterested in the armory, watching as the others arm and armor themselves.  He looks around apologetically as the group moves on, with Tartuccio assuming command.  But when the gnome orders the next door opened, Verne find himself standing behind him, and flicks his ear, playfully.

"Tartuccio, I opened one door, that you suggested.  That doesn't mean you're in charge.  You need to stop, before the people that are actually competent get sick of your theatrics."

 

 

 

 

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: OOO | Focus Points: O

"Oh, it is already too late for that," Zakon commented, in reply to Verne, as he prepared for whatever might be in the next room. If it led to another armory, he wasn't interested. He didn't need anything from the last armory but he did take notes on what was being seized for the purpose of defending the manor. If the others were still in need of equipment and wanted to look north, fine, but he was inclined to take a more direct route to their actual objective.

Edited March 24, 2023 by BlackHat (see edit history)

[Kavonde]

Milannius throws the northern door open, perhaps expecting to find another armory, as Tartuccio predicted, or at least another room filled with lifeless corpses and ruined furniture.

Instead, he finds a parlor.

This large room contains several padded chairs, a comfortable-looking pair of couches, several side tables, and a finely-crafted billiards table. Lying on one of the couches, bound and gagged with her knees to her chest and hands behind her back, is Jaethal, the pale elven woman from the feast who seemed almost as arrogant as your glorious new leader, the Great and Powerful Tartuccio. Her head rises as the door swings open, and her eyes meet Milannius' in shock.

So do several other sets of eyes. Most of them wild and bulging out of their sockets, their owners vibrating with intensity. Their ratty black leathers and matted hair--and, of course, their distinctive teardrop tattoos--mark them as three more of the Black Tears.

At the back of the room stands another Black Tear, this one clearly better armed--and less drug-addled--than his companions. He's an older man, likely in his sixties, with long white hair and a patchwork of black teardrop tattoos running down his left cheek. He has a pair of long, curved, wicked-looking daggers in his hands and at least half a dozen more strapped to various parts of his body, including a bandolier of them, like a pirate's brace of pistols, across his chest.

The man stares at Milannius in shock, as do his underlings. By the time he points a knife at the wizard's chest and snarls "Kill him!" Milannius and the others have assessed the situation and are ready to act.
 

OOC

Combat time again! The PCs won the initiative pretty handily, so you all have a chance to act before Nishkiv here. Linzi and the Great and Powerful (and Strategically Brilliant) Tartuccio will take their actions last.

 

[Spektor]

Antonia Rullianus

💥Panache!💥

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AC: 18 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +5 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5 | Hero: 2/3 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven

At the sound of battle to the west, Antonia's brow knitted inward, like someone attempting to decipher what they were hearing. Her blade pointed towards the exit westward accusingly when Linzi revealed what must lay beyond. "Ah, finally. We are close. If what Linzi says is true, the Lady is still alive -- which means this hasn't all been for nothing. Let's --" She was cut off by Tartarchio's response to Linzi, whom he also proceeded to interrupt further. The Fencer scowled, narrowing her eyes into a glare at the wretched little spellcaster. "To dally further would put the Lady's life at risk. Without her, our whole mission into the Stolen Lands will be canceled -- Which means the prospect of a new kingdom in the untamed lands is uprooted before it even sprouts. I, for one, would --" Antonia stopped again as Millanius followed the Gnome's instruction and opened the northern doors. "You cannot be serious..." She muttered. Her eyes rolled as she hastily made her way northward to be ready what waited for them beyond the door.

 

It seems the arrogant gnome had inadvertently made a good decision. Had they engaged in combat to the west, it was very likely they could have been flanked by drug-induced bandits. Antonia's eyes settled on the less intoxicated and heavily armed man -- the assumed leader. "Let's try and keep this one alive. He will have information." She said in a low voice to her allies as she sprinted past them and into the room. "I'll loosen him up a bit, though." With swift movements, she used the advantage of the enemies' surprise to leap up onto the central table, giving her a slight high ground over the bandits while also making herself a central target. She trusted her ability to dodge and her allies' ability to handle the minions, but this man, her target, he would know the truth behind this terrorist attack. "Let's play." She said with grin. Her blade's point swiped forward, as if she was going for a diagonal strike, but once more she feinted. instead of following through with the swipe, she angled the point and thrust, looking to stab the man in the shoulder.

 

Mechanics

Action 1 - Moving 20 feet to jump on top of the table.

Action 2 - Feinting the Leader with a fake attack. - 23 Total - Success! (Gained Panache)

Action 3 - Strike the Leader guy - 18 Total - HIT - 7 Piercing

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by Spektor (see edit history)

[Rider Z]

Lerris Ninthborne

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HP: 19/20 | AC: 20 (+2 w/ Raise Shield) |  Per: + 4 | Fort: +7 | Ref: +3 | Will: +7 | Hero: 0 | Languages: Common (Taldane), Hallit, Skald

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Head down and eyes up, Lerris rushed into the room. He situated himself to the back of Antonia, making sure none of the old man's goons could catch her in the back with one of their knives. Then he lashed out with his sword to the one just west of him, drawing blood as he caught the assassin the side with his blade. 

"If you've got him I'll work on these ones." Lerris said as he held up his shield to the other two assassins on the other side of the room, almost beckoning them to come forward. 

Actions

ACTION 1 - Move 10 Ft NE

ACTION 2 - Attack the Assassin to the West - 23 total HIT! for 7 slashing damage

ACTION 3 - Raise shield, adding +2 to AC and giving the Shield Block reaction

 

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 2/3

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Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Verne says a couple of words in a guttural language and Shardik rushes forward, the bear cub planting himself protectively in front of Millanius and lashing out with ivory teeth at the foe before him.  Then the druid speaks a different word, snapping his fingers, and lightning arcs between two of the drug-addled men.

 

Show Actions

 

Verne Actions:

Command

Electric Arc (the one in front of the door and the one to his left, if either is down already then the guy in the back)

 

Shardik Actions:

Move

Bite (the one in front of the door, or if he is down the one to his left)

 

Edited March 27, 2023 by PlotDevice (see edit history)