IC: Slums, Sewers and Dark, Dank Dungeons [D&D 3.5] [Eberron]

[Metastachydium]

Gomb is there a chance that you could carry the rest of us over?

Gomb ponders the request briefly and then shudders. No chance. Fergus weighs, like, a ton and I bet that even you are twice as heavy as I am. He ruffles his feathers before adding But. If you can find something I can tie a rope to on your side, I can fly back and we can set up a rope bridge… thing? At any rate, you three won't have to swim in that. And Fergus won't drown. And you and Cass won't puke more. Probably.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm pretty sure the birdy can't fly while heavily encumbered (or worse).

[Alhallor]

Something sturdy... Natrax gaze hangs a short moment on Fergus, before he frantically searches they're side to bind the rope to something… They should hurry before the crawling monster awakens again or he would need to wade through that filth.

Spoiler: OOC

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Spot test to see something fitting?: (1d20-2)[1] I try to not forget the -2 to skills. If they're really is no other way Natrax would wade through all that sewage.

[Ripptor]

Aetgexe looks across the chasm at the other 3 bargaining hopelessly with the little bird for passage over the sewer waters, and back at the Crawler's body laying across the entirety of the stairs out of the sewage. "You three better hurry before it wakes up, it's going to be difficult to squeeze past once it's up!" At Cass' excitement at the captured Crawler and his curiosity on the armored rats, Gexe steps back and gives the dead rodents another look. One at a time, she lifts each corpse and carries it out of reach from the Crawler, giving them a quick pat down on the way. Something about these guys is off, but minimally they can serve as training treats for their new disposal-pet. A taste of what's to come may calm it down somewhat... over time.

Spoiler: OoC

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Gexe will move the three Rat corpses out of reach, then do a quick investigation of each for clues... The bone clothing is of interest, there may be more there!
Search Rat1 - (1d20+10)[28]
Search Rat2 - (1d20+10)[12]
Search Rat3 - (1d20+10)[29]

One the Carrion Crawler wakes, she'll feed it one corpse to keep it happy, and start the long training process... The other two can wait out-of-reach until they return

Assuming Gomb managed to find something to tie his end onto:

Silk Rope - Escape DC 27, Burst DC 24

[Starbuck_II]

Cass decides might as well try to jump across...worse case he gets dirty again, ugh...

"I'll try my luck! Here I go, come on Lady Luck!" Cass shouts.

Spoiler

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Running jump
Jump - (1d20+0)[5]
It would be +2, but that sewer save gave -2 penalty earlier.

If Cass fails, he will just slowly walk across.

[Alhallor]

Well if Cass could jump over the gap Natrax sure could too!

Spoiler: Running Jump

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(1d20-4)[15]

Also walking through the sewage probably. I hope that will work and we don't drown.

[Metastachydium]

Gomb takes off from the stairs and lands on the high platform with the rope in his beak just as Cass takes „flight”, invoking Lady Luck. By the time the bird frees up his beak and before he could stop the young mage, the madness continues and Natrax dares the jump as well. Gomb stares at them in disbelief. But… Why? He quickly looks around to see if he can affix the rope to something as fast as possible before Fergus could do something stupid too and to make sure he'll be available if the casters need help.

Spoiler: Checks.

Show

Spot (1d20+6)[25]
Search (1d20+5)[12]

[SunsetWaraxe]

The team hops over the filthy pool, hog ties the monster and battens the ropes to the brazier and some metal hooks that are fastened to the edge of the stairs. Confident that their new pet is locked down, the party ventures off down the tunnel to continue their journey.

After (1d2)[1] hour of exploration through the twisting, muck filled corridors of the sewer, the party spots a door, cobbled together from mildewed boards and rusty nails. It rests against the slimy sewer wall. Splintered pockmarks stud the door’s surface, and a light flickers around its edges. In the darkness above the door, something rustles...

[Metastachydium]

Once everyone's safely through, Gomb returns to the side with the crawler as well. That went surprisingly well, you know. he tells the two mages. I was just sure ione of you will splosh into the sewage. With that, he pulls out his bow again, and readying an arrow he maneuvers into the tunnel. Now, shall we?

♣

That's something at least, I guess. the bird mutters half-audibly and with little conviction when the ominous door gets within sight. He cautiously takes a few steps forward honing his ear for any sound (of speech or movement) coming from beyond a door and keeping an eye on the shadows above to see if he can identify the source of the rustling sound.

Spoiler: Checks!

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Listen: (1d20+6)[10]
Spot: (1d20+6)[16]

[SunsetWaraxe]

A large swarm of brown and black pigeons bursts forth from the darkness and swarm around poor little Gomb. They chirp and squawk, taking an intense interest in the new bird. From a hundred different angles, the pigeons nip and tug at the diminutive adventurer.

Spoiler

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Gomb takes (1d4)[1] damage from the swarm.

[Ripptor]

Aetgexe finds nothing on the rats of interest, feeding them to the Carrion Crawler as they leave. Back to scouting the sewers, Gexe carries a lit torch in front and her rapier at the ready, for the next encounter... And trying to ignore the smell of half of the party. A prestidigitation clean will be well-warranted for everyone, tonight. Coming up on the door with the others, she waits quietly as Gomb scouts ahead, watching ... as he gets ambushed by the squeaking cloud! There goes the element of surprise... Gexe thinks to herself, just in case they may still be in the clear. Gexe runs forward with the torch she lit for the last "swarm", trying to bat them away from the birdie!

Spoiler: OoC

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Well, we got ourselves a swarm after all! The torch was not wasted

Move + Attack, swinging that torch for all of (1d3)[1] Fire damage! BAT those things away!

If Gomb is within 20', she'll move at half-speed to try to be quiet, because why not?
Move Silently: (1d20+6)[9]

[Starbuck_II]

Cass is at a loss with all the birds!
Maybe discretion is better than valor? We run and find some more torches after taking our cute friend to our place? Cass said before realizing it was too late for that.

"Gomb, close your eyes! Lit My Calarv Flaw!" Cass says as he waves his hands and unleashes his skittle magic, making the swarm taste a rainbow.

Spoiler

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Assuming, Cass can get there, he unleashes a Color Spray, DC 16 Will save. Not sure HD of creature, but may buys a few rounds.

Cass can't make it, I just move closer for the round.

[Alhallor]

Well the surprises are never ending, do they? The pigeons seem to take a heavy interest in Gomb, something should be done before they get his eye or something. When Cass's spell works, Natrax try's to get towards the door if not he casts a spell of his own.

Horrible fear and pain!
Through skin an marrow it'll reign!

Spoiler: Spell attack

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(1d20+5)[17] I think I have this Right. If I exceed it's frightend for (1d4)[2] if not the swarm should still be shaken for 1 round.

[Goaty14]

Fergus let loose a sigh as Gomb had themselves within a swarm of feathers "Damn ye Gomb, get out of there! I cannae do anythin', without hitting ye too!"

Fergus takes a small step back from the swarm, and readies a Javelin, keeping an eye out for anything else unusual...

Spoiler: OOC

Show

No idea what to do, so we shall see!

Fergus stays in his space, and move-draw and standard-ready to throw a javelin (+3 / 1d6+3) at any other threats that appear

[Metastachydium]

When the swarm descends on him, Gomb frozes for a few moments but quickly gets himself together and starts chirping loudly while flapping his wings in an attempt to convey a simple message (Danger! Flee!) to the pigeons. In the meantime he does his best to follow the instructions of the others, closing his eyes and starting to back away slowly.

Spoiler: I hope we won't need this, but anyway: a check!

Show

Untrained Handle Animal (1d20-1)[6]

[Ripptor]

Aetgexe's torch fails to scatter the panicking pigeons, but the fire does singe a few feathers. Cass' rainbow magic washes over the faerie and the burned birds to no notable effect, just barely missing Gomb as he escapes further down the tunnel at Furgus' urging.

Natrax's spell finally breaks the bird's spirit, sending them squawking past Gomb to regather in the darkness near the ramshackle doors. The armored dwarf holds his javelin at the ready, watching the door behind the swarm, but thankfully nothing emerges.

A moment passes as the birds chirp to no answer, giving the team a moment to recoup. Fergus' vigilance on the door notes that the door is not merely old, but battle-damaged. The pockmarks in the door appear to be from arrows or crossbow bolts.

Spoiler: OOC

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Everyone has one round to do as they will as the birds panic by the door, unless they trigger something reactive. I'll let you know if that happens!

Anyone targeting the bird swarm's saving throws this round gain +2 due to their being shaken.

Map:

[Metastachydium]

Stealth ceased to be an option around when he carelessly forgot about it, so Gomb sees little reason not to make more noise. Accordingly he continues flapping his wings and chirping at the swarm, determined to save his dumb and properly misguided cousins.
That being said, he is painfully aware that if there's someone ominous past that door, that someone knows they are here and might act on that knowledge sooner or later, so he continues to keep an eye (and earhole) on the door as well.

Spoiler: Checks!

Show

I'm not going to have the birdy move this round. he couldn't get really far anyway and right where he now is, he is in a perfect position for a skirmishing retreat.
Instead, he will continue trying to convince the pigeons that they should flee for their lives because the night is dark and full of horrors.
Untrained Handle Animal: (1d20-1)[16]
Spot: (1d20+6)[16]
Listen: (1d20+6)[8]

[Alhallor]

Natrax had hoped that the bird swarm would retreat and not block the door, but well he couldn't really control them. In that case he strides forwards positioning himself just before Gomb and raises one hand menacingly towards the swarm in hope that it does scatter them or force them in the other direction.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move before I stand before Gomb and Ready an Action to touch the swarm, should it come close again.
Touch attack: (1d20+1)[16]
Negative Energy Damage: (1d8)[8]

[Starbuck_II]

"Come on gets, we should get out of here!" Cass says as he tries to go through door.

[Ripptor]

The frightened cloud of pigeons heed their feathered fellow Gomb's frantic attempts to calm them back down, settling back into the darkness above the doorway. In the sudden silence, the party moves forward cautiously, Natrax's necromantic hands glowing with energy and Fergus' javelin at the ready.

The ramshackle door squeaks only slightly as Cass opens it, drowned out by the sound of the sword that slices through the opening into Cass' arm. Inside the torchlit space is a dirty-blonde-haired wererat in light leathers, wielding a short sword in a defensive stance. She is flanked by two black-furred dire rats, one wearing the same bone clothing as seen before, the other simply furred.

"Attack!" The wererat shouts, swinging her sword in the gap between her and the others. The Dire Rats shrill squealing signals their assent. Fergus responds in kind by throwing his Javelin at the mousey woman, slamming into the already well-pocked door on the right side.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cass takes 5 Damage.

The suddenness of the attack (Readied Action) reveals little about the room so far, other than it is torchlit and somehow even filthier than the sewer walkway thus far.

Readied actions make Team Initiative interesting. The Wererat's readied action would usually interrupt Cass' turn, so he'd wait to go again after the Wererat, and her Init would be in the middle of the parties', and then Fergus would spend this round using up his readied action from last round.

For this, let's just keep everyone's turns where they are:

Round 1 Remaining: Fergus + Aetgexe
Round 1 Enemies: All (Wererat, Dire Rats, etc?)
Round 2 Party: All (You know who you are)

New Map

[Ripptor]

Aetgexe startles at the sudden fountain of blood from Cass' arm, locking onto the Wererat to try and get her away from him. Stepping forward, Gexe shouts, "Cheap Shot!" before dropping her torch to throw a firebolt at her. Hopefully drawing her attention away, Gexe has just enough time to slip into her vest for a bag of marbles, spilling them by the door where the rat would need to get to her. Why is it always rats?

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Gotta protect Cass, after that hit!

5' Step forward to O10
Standard Casting Firebolt at the Wererat for (1d6)[4] Fire, Ref Half (1d20+4)[22]
Move Draw + drop Marbles into O9 (Balance DC 15)

New Map:


Just waiting on Fergus' turn (Or the group vote on it!), then it's Enemy Initiative

[Ripptor]

Fergus grunts at his Javelin stuck in the door, even more displeased than usual. "More Laranak lackeys fer the pile!"

The dwarf clangs up past Natrax along the walk, snapping the Waraxe off of his back as he gains momentum, timing his incoming gait to collide his Axe with the Rat, should she dare step in his range.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Moving 15' forward to N11
Readying an attack on the Wererat

Attack: (1d20+5)[15]
Damage: (1d10+3)[6]

[Ripptor]

Spoiler: OOC Fergus

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Walking up the Walkway, Fergus notices unusual stonework along the other side of the walkway leading away from the door. The edge of the walk's lip is not merely well-polished, but made out of what he recognizes as Slickstone, an incredibly smooth stone that almost certainly makes up the rest of the stone waste channel below, to allow for low-friction liquid travel.

Unfortunately, it's low-friction will apply equally well to any boots and paws that try to perch on the edge of the walkway, and may cause additional unwanted deposits into the channel of filth below.

Heeding the Wererat's commands, the rats leap into action!

The bone-clad rat darts through the legs of Cass and Aetgexe, jangling along as it aims for the smallest target, Fergus. Teeth scratch across his metal greaves, finding no purchase in the armor.

Spoiler: Rat 1

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Rat moves through Aetgexe's legs to O11

Aetgexe Misses (6) her AoO
Fergus Misses (13) his AoO

Rat Misses Fergus

The furred rat remains by her side behind the closed half-door, remaining unseen from anyone other than Cass as it sinks it's fangs into the smith's leg.

Spoiler: Rat 2

Show

Rat goes nowhere

Rat hits Cass, Cass takes 4 Damage.
Fort saves rolled privately in Discord (!)

The Wererat glances sideways at the Pigeons roosting above the door and emits a shrill, angry squeal. The swarm of birds take squalling flight once more, rushing past the Dwarf and Faerie towards Natrax and Gomb.

While several fall at Natrax's hand of death, the rest continue to bite and tear at the pair.

Spoiler: Pigeons

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Swarm moves to cover Natrax + Gomb
Swarm takes 8 Negative Damage from Natrax

Natrax takes 3 Damage (5 before DR), no Nausea
Gomb takes 6 Damage, no Nausea
Natrax and Gomb are now Bleeding, losing 1 HP per round until Healed (DC 15 or Magic)

Swarm requires Concentration DC20+Level for Spellcasting

With all of her pets back in play, the Wererat looks past Cass' struggle with the rat on his leg with an audible click of her tongue. "Who sent you? Why can't you meddling humans leave us alone?" Stepping forward through the marbles with ease, the Blonde ducks below Fergus' Axe and lunges toward Aetgexe. She lifts her own rapier to defend herself from the woman's sword, but fails to block the creature's fangs as they pierce the fae skin on her forearm. The blonde appears surprised at the resistance, spitting her arm out with frustration and eying up the party for ... their answers? Their next move?

Spoiler: OoC

Show

She appears to be balancing just fine, but she is still balancing (No Dex AC / Flat-footed)

Move: Handle Animal on Pigeons
5' Step forward to O10

Fergus readied Attack - Misses

Standard Bite Aetgexe for 4 Damage (7 before DR)
Fort saves rolled privately in Discord (!)

New Map:



Party Initiative!

[Metastachydium]

No! Don't listen to that stupid rat! Gomb urges the pigeons that just flew into ugly, necrotic harm's way with desperation in his voice, while he tries to ignore the pain. Things escalated quicker than the bird expected, and by look of it, they will only get uglier unless something is done about this mess. He quickly veers to the left, leaving the storm of feathers, draws his bow as he lands on the sidewalk, far enough from the bonerat's jaw and out of the wererat's sight and taking aim, he looses an arrow.

Spoiler: ATTACK!

Show

Gomb flies over to Q11 and ATTACKS!
Attack: (1d20+6)[25] for (1d6+1)[3] and (1d6)[4] skirmish

[Starbuck_II]

Discretion is better than valor, I think. Cass says feeling very weak from blood loss.

Cass tries to 5 ft beside/behind Fergus, drawing with his free hand a wand of CLW, and trying to get a charge off.

Spoiler

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UMD - (1d20+6)[23] VS DC 20. I might fail, but better than dying lol

But hey now I get AoO if they follow me to attack.

[Ripptor]

"Aye, get behind me, boy!" Fergus steps around Cass, getting the wounded man behind his shield and almost out of the wererat's reach.

"Och, do ah look human to ya, lass?!" The dwarf rams himself into the woman's midsection, slamming her off the stone wall behind her with an audible crack. The Mysanthrope manages to shoulder into his shield, shoving him back and off of her and appearing more angry than injured.

Unbeknownst to Fergus, the rat behind the door introduces itself by snapping at his leg when he is pushed back from the Wererat. This time fangs find a joint in the thigh, causing Fergus to grunt in pained surprise.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

5' Step forward to N9, trading places with Cass
Standard Bull Rush (24) vs Wererat (16) into wall,
=> Wererat gets no AoO
=> Dire Rat AoO (19) for 3 Damage
=> Fort saves rolled in private
=> Wererat takes 15 Damage, DR reduced to 5 Damage

Natrax + Aetgexe remaining

[Alhallor]

Natrax takes a step to emerge out of the swarm, his tough, bordering on undead flesh having reduced some of the damage. He touches his amulet briefly to give up some of his necromantic powers to infuse everyone with some more protection against the ongoing attacks. His feeling of victory he achieved with a succesful attack against the swarm is immediately replaced with a pang of guilt after hearing Gomb's words. Perhaps it would be better to get the weird leading humanoid rat into submission, that could calm the swarm down too.

What are you talking about? You kidnapped these humans and have done worse. And you'll gonna feel like them! With his last words he threw another fear spell against the mysanthrope, accepting a possible attack from the clothed rat.

Spoiler: Actions

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5 foot step out of the swarm, immediate Action to give every ally in a 30 foot spread (that should be everyone!) a +2 sacred Bonus to AC (sacrificing a rebuke undead attempt as per Protection Devotion). Standard Action to cast a Fear spell against the mysanthrope.
Spell attack: (1d20+5)[25]
If succesfull frightened for (1d4)[3] rounds. If not, shaken for 1 round.
Natrax accepts the rat attack, but try's to hold his spell if he should get hit.
Concentration check: (1d20+2)[7]

[Ripptor]

Aetgexe watches as the Blonde continues to shrug off most of what they're throwing at her. Relieved to see Cass pop a cure wand out of his bracer and heal himself, Gexe tries to shock the woman off of her apparent target. Stepping back over the pin-cushioned rat, Gexe throws an arc of lightning at the Mysanthrope as it's focused on the wall of iron that is Fergus. Her bolt is punctuated by her demand, "Where is Weston!?"

Spoiler: OoC

Show

5' Step backwards to O11
Standard Casting Electric Jolt at the Wererat, (1d20+4)[17] for (1d3)[1] + (1d6)[2] Electric

Try to tag her one more time, see if we can't wrap this combat up!

Enemy Initiative coming up!

[Ripptor]

The bone-rat takes an arrow to the side in an almost comical fashion, jerking sideways into a heap as blood stains it's makeshift clothing.

Spoiler: Bone-Rat

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Unconscious and Dying, stability check in Discord.

Seeing her clothed rat bleeding out, the Wererat cries out in fury, "Banjo!! You Bastards!" Having been slammed against the wall, burned and electrocuted, the Blonde Mysanthrope's rage continued to grow palpably on her curled snout ... until Natrax's spell. Still snarling, the threat landed well enough to watch her irises pinpoint in fear. "Fine! Just take what you want, but leave us alone!" Running past Fergus through her cobbled-together door, the woman ducks another Axe swing and darts back into her torchlit "home" and disappears through a filth-stained curtain along the far wall.

Spoiler: Wererat

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Wererat is frightened, 3 Rounds, and runs away!

Fergus AoO: (1d20+5)[8]
Fergus Dmg: (1d10+3)[4]

Left in the doorway, the dire rat continues to defend the entryway, snapping at Fergus' leg once again in an attempt to dissuade the Dwarf from following it's master.

Spoiler: Dire Rat

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Rat stands strong and still.

Rat attacks Fergus, (1d20+5)[14] for (1d6+1)[5]
Fort saves rolled privately in Discord (!)

The pigeons continue to squawk and spiral in the center of the sewer juncture, swirling around the center of the group as the converge together. Beaks snap and blood flies as the animals continue to swarm in a deadly panic.

Spoiler: Pigeons

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Swarm moves to cover Natrax, Cass, and Aetgexe
Natrax takes (1d6-2)[2] [/B]Damage[/B] (After DR), Nausea (1d20+4)[24]
Gexe takes (1d6-3)[0] [/B]Damage[/B] (After DR), Nausea (1d20+4)[10]
Cass takes (1d6)[6] [/B]Damage[/B], Nausea (1d20+4)[24]

Cass is now Bleeding, losing 1 HP per round until Healed (DC 15 or Magic)
Cass and Natrax are both Nauseated, unable to cast/concentrate and have only a Move action this next round.

Swarm requires Concentration DC20+Level for Spellcasting (For those who can still cast)

New Map:



Party Initiative!

[Metastachydium]

Gomb is puzzled. Why would anyone name a rat Banjo of all things? The sight of the swarm descending on Natrax (again) and Gexe and Cass, who for all he knows is likely still half dead quickly fills him with a dread that eclipses his puzzlement. He was going to drink a potion (he's not much use if he goes down, after all), but now that will have to wait. He must try to save everyone involved, the poor birds included if he can. He starts frantically chirping and flapping his wings again, hoping he'll have luck.

Spoiler: Check.

Show

Untrained Handle Animal: (1d20-1)[13]

[Ripptor]

Seeing the Mysanthrope's anger at the fallen rat, Aetgexe starts to wonder what exactly they are doing here... Does this have anything to do with the missing Ratcatcher? Or is this just a woman living in the sewer with her pets? As the birds swirl around her, nipping at her fruitlessly, Gexe watches Gomb try to calm them down and follows suit. Stepping back, Aetgexe waves her hands away from the doors and the two others, shouting a list of common commands. "Shoo! Down! Away! Stop! Go! Fly! Stop! Shoo!" They are trained afterall, so hopefully they know (and will listen) to at least one of these.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

No damage, no bleeding!

5' Step out of the Swarm, back towards Fergus and her Marbles.
Aid Another, Handle Animal (1d20+2)[15] for a +2 check