AvB - Zaran

[planswalker]

if you aren't the player or the dm, don't read. the needle mines are a terrible place to work for the rest of your life.

inside you see a pair of dwarves hunched over a barrel that has been sawed in half and converted to a card table.

[Debatra]

Alright... So it wasn't entirely metaphor.

He goes to the first door on the right and knocks.

[planswalker]

after a few mom,ents, a halfling woman dressed in soft leather armor opens it and asks, "What's the game?"

[Debatra]

"Aces low, Jacks high."

[planswalker]

She smiles. "Well, you definitely aren't a member, else you would have just taken the trapdoor. You must want to join and were smart enough to figure out the password. Why should we let you join?"

[Debatra]

"I believe I can be a valuable asset, and I'm ready to prove it."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

Also, separate Diplomacy check to Influence Attitiude: [roll1]

[planswalker]

"Well, an asset, you say? What skills could you bring to the table then?"

[Debatra]

"I'm quite versatile. Perhaps a trial job of some sort would prove my worth?"

Diplomacy Check: [roll0]

[planswalker]

"Well, you'll have to talk to the dayman before you can get an assignment. And I won't take you to him until I'm sure you aren't a waste of time."

[Debatra]

"Well then, what would I need to do to convince you of that?"

Do I need another check for that question?

[planswalker]

nah.

"Well, for starters, what can you do, exactly? The Jacks have many talented individuals in their ranks, and many specialists on call when needed. What can you do for us that would be useful?"

[Debatra]

"Infiltration, aquisition, assassination, living captures. What's your pleasure?"

[Diplomacy: [roll0]

[planswalker]

"Sounds like you are quite the skilled expert. Follow me."

she leads you down a trapdoor and into what looks to be a refurbished cellar. Inside are several seedy characters. She whispers something to a tall human who then says to you, "So, you wanna join us, do you? How'd you hear about us?"

[Rizban]

A terrible explosion suddenly rocks the entire city, and the ground shakes as if an earthquake were tearing the city apart. The sky lights up from a blast many times the brightness of the sun, and you are certain that certain death has at last come to claim you. As the brightness fades, you look toward the Mages' Quarter and see the last remnants of the horror burning directly towards the sky in a seemingly endless stream of raw, burning mana which threatens to tear reality asunder. What seems like an eternity passes as you stare, though it is likely only a few seconds, and at last the blast fades away. In the distance, you hear a building collapse, and you are certain that something horrible has been unleashed upon the city.

[Debatra]

"...What the hell was that?"

I ready an action to take a defensive stance if something/someone bursts in. I have the ombat Expertise Feat, and I'm taking the maximum AC bonus.(AC 22 total)

"Unless that has to postpone this, I'd like to proceed. In answer to your question, I have varied underground intelligence, and I knew you ran through the beggars. One of them told me to come here."

Adeak gestured toward the Halfling that brought him in. "I made an offer to the lady to do a trial job to prove my worth. Now, I make the same offer to you."

[planswalker]

the Nightman motions for some of his followers to investigate that.

"Well, you do seem connected. tell ya what, if you are not completely inept at the first task, you're in. The skulks were in the sewers. Find out if they've been killed in that blast. If not, kill the ones you can find and then come back so I can plan the next move."

[Debatra]

Knowledge (Local) (anything on the Skulks): [roll0]

Knowledge (Local) (where are the sewers): [roll1]

Did I even have to roll for the sewer thing?

[planswalker]

the sewers run under the entire length of the city.

the skulks are a group of humanoids who hate humans with a passion.

[Debatra]

"Consider it done." He heads outside and towards the entrance to the sewers. When he gets there, he draws his Rapier and heads in, keeping to the shadows.

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]
Search: [roll2]

[planswalker]

The source is unsurprisingly simple to find. As you approach it, the damage to surrounding buildings increases. Eventually, you find the source, a smoking crater in the ground some 300 feet across and 100 feet deep. Nearer to the surface, you can see sewer tunnels sliced open by the blast, a slow trickle of sewage is just beginning to flow from one of the tunnels into the crater.

A crowd of the curious has begun to gather. The City Guard, to their credit, has already formed a perimeter and begun to try to send people away from the site of destruction. It is quite easy to mingle with the crowd unnoticed.

[Debatra]

I understand that's scripted, but wouldn't it make more sense for that to depend on where I am? Am I in the sewers, or did you just teleport me into a crowd? If I'm in the crowd, will I have to reroll when I enter the sewer?

[planswalker]

sorry, I misread your post and just copy/pasted the generalized description.

i'll also warn you now that the sewers are not structually sound anymore. I would recommend rethinking your approach

[Debatra]

Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering)(is anything about to come down around me)(untrained): [roll0]

If I can't tell, I'll go up to the crowd.

[planswalker]

you just can't tell the difference between those damaged by the blast and those that will collapse on you.

one particularly obnoxious player is finding the sewers to now be a deathtrap. I would rather not have you have to face it.

you enter the crowd

[Debatra]

you just can't tell the difference between those damaged by the blast and those that will collapse on you.

one particularly obnoxious player is finding the sewers to now be a deathtrap. I would rather not have you have to face it.

you enter the crowd

Two questions(first one potentially stupid):

1. Can we interact with each other?(I'm not going to yet)
2. Do crowds give circumstance bonuses to Hide and/or Move Silently checks?

[Rizban]

Yes to both questions.

[Debatra]

Moving through the crowd, Adeak tries to find a safe way into the sewers, or the people the Nightman sent before him.

What's the bonus?
Hide: [roll0](plus circ bonus)
Search: [roll1]

If I find the men, but not a safe entrance, I ask them about a safe way into the sewer.

EDIT: Also, I'm gone for the night. I'll be back early in the morning.

[planswalker]

you do not see any dark-skinned humanoids in dirty loinclothes in the crowd. a spot check to try to notice someone else who is trying to blend in witht he crowd could help. the crowd is a +2 circumstance bonus.

[Debatra]

Spot: [roll0]
Also, regardless of my spot check, I take 20 to Search for a safe way into the sewer.(20+14=34)

[planswalker]

well, there is a sewer entrancenearby, but it seems that the structural integrity is not to be trusted. probably the safest way in would be through the massive hole. all you need to do now is convince the guard to let you through or find a way past them. you do not spot any skulks, but you do find person who is completely concealed in a cloak. he is very careful not to reveal a single bit of skin.

[planswalker]

you also spot a large warforged who is walking through the crowd striding toward the Mage's Quarter with purpose.

[Debatra]

I was looking for the people that were sent out before me from the Jacks, but that works too.

Adeak looks around briefly, trying to find a way around the guards.

Search(take 10): 24

If a way is found:
Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]

He moves over to the hole, attaches his rope and grapple to the edge where it won't be noticed and climbs down.

Sleight of Hand(hide grapple): [roll2]
Climb: [roll3]

If no way is found, I'll work on later. For now, I'm out of time.

[planswalker]

you manage to secure your grapple without being seen. you notice that someone else about a quarter of the length away just jumped down. several guards are rappelling down after him.

[Debatra]

Adeak moves on, not really caring about the man. A distraction for the guards was all the better for him. When he gets to the bottom, he draws his Rapier and moves on, keeping to the shadows.

Spot: [roll0]
Search: [rolv]1d20+14[/rollv]

Any other checks I should make? Do I need to roll Hide/MS again?

[Debatra]

Screwed up the Serach roll.

Search: [roll0]

[Debatra]

Listen: [roll0]

[planswalker]

sorry about the delay. family stuff came up unexpectedly. if you're still interested, i'm now available again.

as you cross over the lip of the crater, several floating magical eyes from various divinations spells take notice of you and you are being followed by two of them. Do you choose to continue?

[Debatra]

Yes, and I ready an action to take a defensive stance at the first sign of anything else being alive down here. I don't care if I can "clearly see" that it's just a rat; I take the stance.

[planswalker]

as you reach the bottom, the City Guard notices you from nearby and they cry out "Halt! you are trespassing on a crime scene! Stop where you are and be taken in for questioning!" you see another nosy interloper who is currently being bodily hauled up the side of the crater. They have manacled her hands behind her back and are hauling her back up by her shoulders with a rope.

[Debatra]

"Quiet or you'll blow my cover!" Adeak whispers, pointing his blade at the men. "I'm undercover; infiltrating the Skulks. Word is they were seen here today." He takes a few steps closer, and speaks softer. "I'm going to run in case we're being watched. You'll have to at least pretend to chase. Make sure you make it look good."

Bluff: [roll0]

He stands there for a moment, waiting for some kind of reaction.

[planswalker]

any lower, and you would have failed. they believe you.

They give you a vocal chase as you descend. when you reach the bottom, where do you go? the blast has left the bottom of the crater smooth and gently sloped upward at the edges. the sewer entrance is about 5 feet above the floor of the crater at the near entrance. A thin stream of sewage is trickling out and forming a small puddle in the crater. The guard are close enough behind to be believable, but not so close but what you have a chance to analyze things quick and make a decision before running off.

[Debatra]

I put the Rapier away and go for the sewar entrance.

Phew. To think I started with those ranks for the synergy bonuses :smallbiggrin: Just out of curiosity(if you're even allowed to say), how much of a bonus did that stunt give their Sense Motive?

Also, would that five feet be a jump or climb check?

Jump: [roll0]
Climb: [roll1]

[planswalker]

none, actually. The lie just had a dc 25 to make convincing. either jump or climb could work here. both of them passed.

you make it to the entrance and give a slight leap as you reach it. you easily catch the edge and scramble over quickly. In their medium armor, your pursuers fail to catch up to you, although they weren't actually hustling to get over the edge real fast. You manage to make it around the corner before they get there. When they cannot see you, they call off the "search".

[Debatra]

Doesn't seem like a very creative move(especially after that bluff check), but what else is there to do at this point?

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]
Spot: [roll2]
Listen: [roll3]
Search: [roll4]

[planswalker]

you are hiding just beyond the bend in the sewers. You notice quite a bit of filth and some footprints headed over in the direction of the crater. IT is rather quiet for the moment.

[Debatra]

I'm untrained in Survival and I don't have Track, but these prints are pretty much all I have.

Survival(taking 10): 12(+2 Synergy Bonus to following tracks, as if it mattered)

In the (quite likely) scenario that those tracks prove too difficult, I move down the sewar.

[planswalker]

it is difficult to backtrack them to where the person cam in, but you do recognize that they are insectoid.

[Debatra]

I move down the sewar. Any other checks that need rolled?

[planswalker]

btw, what are you wanting to do here?

you walk down the sewer main, observing what you see. This one had apparently been used as a thoroughfare for some sort of humanoid.

[Debatra]

What the Jacks sent me here to do. I'm not sure what else there is for me to do.

[planswalker]

i think we're having a communication breakdown, but i'll do what i think it is you're wanting, and you can let me know if i got it

You do not in fact find any traces of a footprint or any other sign that there were humanoids down here. You find more insectoid tracks and an even greater number of tracks that seem to be coming from bipedal rodents the size of a gnome.

[Debatra]

the Nightman motions for some of his followers to investigate that.

"Well, you do seem connected. tell ya what, if you are not completely inept at the first task, you're in. The skulks were in the sewers. Find out if they've been killed in that blast. If not, kill the ones you can find and then come back so I can plan the next move."

This is what I mean.

And unless any tracks have a Survival DC of ten or less to follow them, they're not much use to me. Again, I don't have the Track feat.

Could you do me a favor and try the roller link again? If the same thing happens, forget about it.

[planswalker]

k, that's what I thought. I meant what specific actions are you going to take to go about that goal.

as to the malware thing, still happends. the message says that malware was blocked at
object: http://sgeo.diagonalfish.net/crack_pairings.html>(gzip)
infection: HTML:Script.inf
action: connection aborted
process: C:/Program Files/Mozilla Firefox/firefox.exe

[Debatra]

Ah. I'm not sure if anyone from Crack Pairings uses Firefox. I'm on Explorer myself. As for action, I guess I just keep going, making the occasional Spot/Listen checks until I get somewhere.

Use as needed:

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Hide: [roll2]
Move Silently: [roll3]

Spot: [roll4]
Listen: [roll5]
Hide: [roll6]
Move Silently: [roll7]

Spot: [roll8]
Listen: [roll9]
Hide: [roll10]
Move Silently: [roll11]

[planswalker]

you wander aimlessly on, until you get to a split where one sewer main merges with another. at the split, you hear a skritching sound of clawed feet to your right. The left tunnel is ominously silent. there isn't even a trickle of sewerage.

[Debatra]

I take the silent path.

[planswalker]

about 50 feet beyond, the tunnel has collapsed, causing a blockage of the pipe. you can see the corpse of a gnome-sized humanoid rat among the rubble.

[Debatra]

Search(traps mostly)(taking 10): 24

If I don't find anything; I go over, search him and check his feet for the tracks.

Search(body): [roll0]

[planswalker]

you find no traps. he wore little clothing, all without pockets. he did have on rudimentary rags, though. you pull his feet out from under the rubble. The giant rat tracks were made by his species.

[Debatra]

I go back and take the path the noise came from.

[planswalker]

the sewerage is trickling down this tunnel. make a spot check.

[Debatra]

[roll0]
...........

[planswalker]

you notice the ratling before it gets the drop on you. It gives an inarticulate scream as it jumps from the shadows.

initiative time

[Debatra]

[roll0]
...........

[planswalker]

you lost initiative

the ratling leaps your way, and strikes you with a filthy claw. It slashes across your upper left arm.

you take [roll0] damage

[Debatra]

Feint, then attack.

Feint: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
Sneak Attack(if Feint was successful): [roll3]

[planswalker]

it was. he is now disabled. he says, "I s'render" and drops his weapon.

[Debatra]

So what is this guy?

[planswalker]

he appears to be a rat the size of a gnome that stands on its hind legs and has opposable thumbs.

[Debatra]

Knowledge(Local)(Humanoids): [roll0]

[planswalker]

he seems almost too monstrous to be humanoid

[Debatra]

Knowledge(Nature)(Untrained): [roll0]

[planswalker]

this appears to be a sentient rat of some sort. the ratling is quietly waiting while you are pondering its possible origins.

[Debatra]

Do I know what languages his kind generally speak?

[planswalker]

no, but this one knows at least enough common to say that it surrenders.

[Debatra]

Adeak puts his blade to the creature's throat.

"What do you know about the Skulks?"

[Sense Motive: [roll0]

[planswalker]

it doesn't seem to understand all you say, but it does pick up on the word "skulks"

"no 'kulks here. we et 'em."

[Debatra]

Seeing that Common wouldn't get them far, Adeak tries his other tongues.

Basically, he asks "Do you understand <naame of language being spoken>?" in Goblin, Orc, Sylvan, Draconic then Elven; stopping when they find a common language.

Also, can I Coup de Grace someone with a nonlethal weapon to knock him out?

[planswalker]

he understands none of them.

you cannot.

[Debatra]

"Where did you find them?"

After he gets an answer, Adeak attacks with his sap and moves on.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Sneak Attack: [roll2]

[planswalker]

" 'em wuz here. We 'et 'em. They gone now. Now iz turds." he is giggling pathetically to himself at his joke as you knock him out.

[Debatra]

I move on in the same direction.

Hide: [roll0]
Move Silently: [roll1]

[planswalker]

nothing sees you. After an hour of traipsing about, you find nothing more interesting than a few cockroaches. you are near a manhole that will lead to the surface. It appears to be well-used, even though the main in this part doesn't seem to have been worked on in a long time.

[Debatra]

nothing sees you.

As in "there are things around to see you"?

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[planswalker]

nothing sees you.


As in "there are things around to see you"?

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

now that you take a moment to look around and really pay attention to your surroundings, you notice that there is neither sight nor sound of anything to see you.

[Debatra]

I go up the manhole and look around.

[planswalker]

the manhole open out into a small street lined with warehouses. One of them nearby seems to have a door left ajar. The others are all tightly locked and shuttered.

[Debatra]

Hmm. I probably shouldn't...

Definitely not. I'll go back and report first.

He moves above ground, looking for the nearest sewar entrance to the Jacks' hideout. With any luck, he would be able to get the rat there without anyone noticing. Either way, he would have to retrieve his rope.

If I find a hole suitably close enough to get him through unnoticed, I go back and do that. If not, I go back in and report. Either way, I go back to the blast site and get my rope and grapple before reporting.