Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

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Mar 27, 2025 3:11 pm

Mar 27, 2025 3:11 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Your agent, Molly Ringworld, calls you up and says she has you booked for the Detroit Xcrawl, run by DJ Rosie the Riveting. Even better, you have your first reputable sponsor, Phang Blades! They offer each crawler a magical melee weapon of their choice and will cover travel and lodging expenses! You're finally moving up in the ranks!

You make your way to Detroit. Phang Blades has put you up in an extremely comfortable hotel downtown and pays for a tour bus to the event the next day. The bus taking you to the event leaves at 11:00 AM sharp. As you leave your hotel you find a group of fans waiting for you.

OOC:

Go ahead and introduce your character! Description, catch phrases, signature moves, etc. Go ahead and make a Grandstanding roll (d20+Per mod+level) DC 13. On a success you gain +1 Fame.

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Mar 27, 2025 3:47 pm

Mar 27, 2025 3:47 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Butch Bennett may not be an athlete or brawler, but that doesn't mean he can't be wide in the shoulders and stout in the frame. He's always been one for manual labour and trucking seemed to play to these strengths when he wasn't XCrawling. But above all, Butch has always been a performer. He is a man of the people and the designated hype man for his team. Looks like they could use a lead-in to work this crowd, so he surprises this little mob with a blast of his deep bass voice.

"Whooooooooah yeah..."

"It's the Hex... it's the Hex... it's the Houston HexCrawlers in town, yeah!"

In a flash, he whips out his trusty little silver harmonica out the pocket of his trucker dungarees and right in front of his mouth as he bangs into the sure-fire riff of Mannish Boy.
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"It's the Bombastic one..."
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"...introducin' the crew"
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"They're the Houston HexCrawlers, baybay..."
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"And they in town to rock you!"
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"Gonna blast through that dungeon..."
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"....slay them beasties too"
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"Oh they got them new Phang Blades...
WAH WAHWAH WAH WAH
"...gonna cut right through!"

Rolls

Grandstanding - (d20+5)

(3) + 5 = 8

Callan MackKenzie

Mar 27, 2025 10:07 pm

Mar 27, 2025 10:07 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan was getting himself hyped up. Patterns played out over and over in his mind; his fingers twitched reflexively, and his tongue moved inside his mouth, tracing out the arcane words he needed to complete each one in sequence.

He waited for his queue. He always liked Butch's harmonica solos - it gave him some time to think.

"...gonna cut right through!"

With a dramatic flourish, Callan shoots two great "swords" of blue light, crossing them to form a "X" at the crescendo of the song.

Last edited March 28, 2025 12:08 am

Rolls

Grandstanding - (d20+5)

(7) + 5 = 12

Mar 28, 2025 2:15 am

Mar 28, 2025 2:15 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

From the crowd you hear various shouts.

"Hey you did that same performance at your last appearance!"

"You didn't even bother to customize it for Detroit?"

"I expected Callan to at least make a giant 'D' with his light show instead of the 'X'..."

Mar 28, 2025 3:48 am

Mar 28, 2025 3:48 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Tymun thinks of his role in the Hexcrawlers as like the bassist in a band. Not the one who gets the most fans or who has the best showmanship (that's what Butch was for) but still an important part of the team that needs to get shit done when it he's up. So he pulls his dark tinted goggles over his eyes, bites the end off a cigar, lights it up, and chomps it between his teeth. Then he slings the new Phang Blades battle axe over his shoulder, making sure the company logo on the head was facing the right way.

When it is his turn to walk out, he strolls casually down the ramp, through the crowd. The cigar smoke clings to his dark leather armor and clothing. He raises the arm not holding the battle axe with his fore and middle fingers spread in a V in an acknowledgement of the crowd.

Rolls

Grandstanding - (1d20+2)

(16) + 2 = 18

Mar 28, 2025 4:31 am

Mar 28, 2025 4:31 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Lets set the scene!

Rolls

1d20+2+1

(10) + 3 = 13

Mar 28, 2025 7:18 am

Mar 28, 2025 7:18 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Ladies, Gentlemen, please…" Vi Vi puts her hands up in faux modesty.

"We’ve been too busy getting ourselves ready for the show! That’s what people will sing about, just you wait and see!" Violent Violet goes on. She had often had to swoop in and smooth over some sore feelings. Fan Outreach was her speciality.

"Why don’t we get you some one of a kind autographs, and call it even?" she says, whipping out a pen from somewhere within her dragon-emblazoned robe!

Last edited March 30, 2025 3:38 am

Mar 28, 2025 9:46 am

Mar 28, 2025 9:46 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Gabriel Carver is living his best life. After half a lifetime stuck on the outside looking in, he's finally exactly where he should be. Not the adoring fan, but on the team being adored.
He's not the most charismatic, no real stage presence to speak of. But nobody could claim he doesn't have a great deal of authentic enthusiasm. Possibly a little too much.

"Yeah, Detroit! Woooo!" The ground quakes a little under his bulky 6'5 frame as he jumps up and down along with Butch's music. High on adrenaline and largely oblivious to Vi Vi's stalwart attempt to moderate the crowds expectations, he tries to get a chant going in the background. "Hous-ton Hexcrawlers! Hous-ton Hexcrawlers!

Last edited March 28, 2025 9:49 am

Rolls

Grandstanding - (1d20+3)

(14) + 3 = 17

Mar 28, 2025 1:41 pm

Mar 28, 2025 1:41 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

The crowd's enthusiasm begins to amp up. A few scattered cheers and applause can be heard amongst the group.

Several crowd members return the V gesture to Tymun. A few make axe chopping gestures with their hands.

When Vi Vi mentions autographs there is a cheer and several people rush forward to get various items signed: caps, shirts, HH team photos, and even body parts.

The rest of the crowd picks up Gabriel Carver's chant, clapping and stomping to the rhythm. "Hous-ton Hexcrawlers! Hous-ton Hexcrawlers!"

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Mar 28, 2025 2:46 pm

Mar 28, 2025 2:46 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Butch joins the chant with a smirk, before some fan shoves a collectible Phang RapierReplica(TM) in front of his face for an autograph on the hilt. These Detroit fans may be too thick to appreciate a good southern' tune, but they're not too dumb to cheer for his team. And it all started with his lead. Yup, he totally made this chanting thing happen. Another day at the office, another job well done.

Callan MackKenzie

Mar 28, 2025 4:56 pm

Mar 28, 2025 4:56 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan briefly considers flashing two big blue-light middle fingers to the crowd, before retaining his composure.

How the *fuck* do you make a D with two straight lines?

He signs a few caps, and thinks better of signing a chest aggressively thrust towards him - pretty sure the body hair would mess with the Sharpie.

Bole, the Tree of Repudiation

Mar 28, 2025 11:15 pm

Mar 28, 2025 11:15 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Bole enters the arena, his armor clanking as he stomps down the ramp. "Detroit!" He waves, then brandishes the +1 Phang Blades staff. "Hous-ton! Hous-ton! Rrrrragggh!"

Last edited March 28, 2025 11:18 pm

Rolls

Grandstanding (1d20+Permod+Level) - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

Mar 29, 2025 10:15 am

Mar 29, 2025 10:15 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

After your hyper performances, signing, and flexing you pile into your tour bus (with a recently applied Phang Blades decal displayed prominently on the sides) and driven downtown to the event.

Arriving at the event, you are surprised to see that you don’t go to the main arena, the Detroit Flave-o-Ade Bowl—you are brought to the edge of a condemned block of tenement buildings. The entire block is cordoned off with police tape.

The buildings adjacent to the cordoned-off block all have stadium seating along either edges, that will allow a live audience to watch along. There is also a massive three sided AVS scoreboard hovering above the top of the tallest building, a forty-story tenement with boarded up windows and overlapping graffiti as far as a tall delinquent can reasonably reach.

After exiting the bus you are led to a double-wide trailer outside of the police cordon. You see a row of lockers, two changing benches, a table set with Detroit-style pizza, coolers full of drinks, coffee service, a makeup table with lighted mirrors, and a referee. Quiet music plays from a radio set on top of the lockers. A producer in a navy windbreaker waves you over as you enter. He is middle-aged, wearing sunglasses and ponytail, and a STAFF T-shirt under the jacket.

"Welcome to the green room, Houston Hexcrawlers! I'm Larry Funtwell, the Producer. We've got a great Xcrawl for you today, just make sure to be careful. Now the game is set to start at 2:45, which gives you about a half hour. Please enjoy the pizza and refreshments. I'll be back to escort you to the game entrance at the start time. I know you're already familiar with the rules, but just to cover my kiester, anyone who leaves this trailer before the start time is disqualified. Rock on!" He gives the devil horns and exits the trailer.

Mar 29, 2025 5:26 pm

Mar 29, 2025 5:26 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Tymun grunts at Larry as the team enters the trailer. Then he heads to the drink cooler, hoping to fish out a cold beer or some kind of energy drink. Then he stops by the pizza to grab a corner slice. "Mmm, crispy."

Between mouthfuls, he says "So y'all ready for this? Looks like it's gonna be a brawl through some urban blight."

Callan MackKenzie

Mar 29, 2025 8:45 pm

Mar 29, 2025 8:45 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan digs through the cooler to see if they have Watermelon Wraith, but only turns up some cans of Kobold Kola, Energy Vampire and Aloe Owlbear.

"Y'know, how come they never have the flavour you really want? Maybe I'll spring for a few cases with my winnings... when we get famous enough, I can add it to my rider..."

He does eagerly take the pizza - greasy as it is, it'll be good fuel for the activities ahead.

"Mmffm" he replies to Tymun, before swallowing his slice. "Yeah, a little weird, the layout, but we've partied in weirder places."

Mar 30, 2025 3:30 am

Mar 30, 2025 3:30 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Having played it lowkey back at the front of the hotel, Sassafras had traded fame for a good bit of recon. She asked a few employees if the Serpentine Forge people would be watching (and taking bets) at the XCrawl.

OOC:

Nezz, let me know if you want a roll for info.

Based on what little she knew, it seemed likely that a rival sponsor of the Phang Blades might just be very interested in a little side action. So, Sassafras missed the meet and greet in front of the hotel to spend time on a special makeup job. She adorned her temples with snakes. If this didn’t get the Serpentine Forge people to contact her, nothing would.

OOC:

Just so it’s clear what she intends, Sassafras wants to strike a side deal with the Serpentine Forge company to sneak a few subliminal promos while crawling through this arena. She also wants to make a few bets to try and make some extra cash along the way.

Last edited March 30, 2025 3:34 am

Mar 30, 2025 3:47 am

Mar 30, 2025 3:47 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Vi Vi skips out on the pre-game pizza. Given she small size, the pizza-gnome ratio would impact her performance more than some of the larger members of the team.

"It’ll give me a stitch." she claims, rubbing an imagined pain in her lower abdomen as she says so.

"I’ll just have this!" she adds, as she sprays a swirl of whipped cream on top of the coffee she was just finishing up!

Bole, the Tree of Repudiation

Mar 30, 2025 3:51 am

Mar 30, 2025 3:51 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Makes sense: they get entertainment AND a wrecking crew in one package." Bole smiles. "Say, how many buildings do you think there are on this block?"

OOC:

One thing that's not entirely clear to me: are we going to be competing with opposing teams going through the "dungeon" at the same time, or is it just us vs the dungeon?

Mar 30, 2025 5:19 am

Mar 30, 2025 5:19 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Darkstar8 says:

OOC:

Just so it’s clear what she intends, Sassafras wants to strike a side deal with the Serpentine Forge company to sneak a few subliminal promos while crawling through this arena. She also wants to make a few bets to try and make some extra cash along the way.

OOC:

Ok interesting. The problem is that Phang Blades is a team sponsor, so if you are going for a personal rival product, that jeopardizes the team's sponsorship if caught. Mechanically, every time you Grandstand, you can add +1 Wealth, but if you roll a nat 1 you are discovered and Phang Blades will blacklist you and any team you are part of in the future. What do you think? As for bets, that's not really something I want to micromanage in a possible one shot or pbp.

spaceseeker19 says:

OOC:

One thing that's not entirely clear to me: are we going to be competing with opposing teams going through the "dungeon" at the same time, or is it just us vs the dungeon?

OOC:

Just your team in this adventure.

Mar 30, 2025 6:34 am

Mar 30, 2025 6:34 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Thanks for the thorough response, nezz! I’ll have to think about another way to have fun with this character that doesn’t risk mucking it up for everyone.

Last edited March 30, 2025 6:34 am

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Mar 30, 2025 8:52 am

Mar 30, 2025 8:52 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Butch pours himself some coffee, black. "Think that meet and greet went well, don't you?" he says to no one in particular, before taking a sip. "Listen, I know I'm not the tactician of the team, but has anyone looked up this Funtwell guy or DJ Rosie Riveting? I'm curious if they have any themes or recurring tropes, anything to give us an idea what we might be up against."

Mar 30, 2025 10:14 am

Mar 30, 2025 10:14 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Gabriel absentmindedly chews on a piece of pizza crust as he walks around the trailer. Always antsy in these pre-battle moments, he finds it hard to stay in one place.

"I know Rosie's a big deal, used to watch her crawls a lot back in the day. But dunno if there's a particular theme.... She can put on one nasty Xcrawl, though, be ready for anything."

Last edited March 30, 2025 10:15 am

Mar 30, 2025 11:19 am

Mar 30, 2025 11:19 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Common knowledge on your DJ:
Anita Ross, AKA DJ Rosie the Riveting, is tough-minded, detail-orientated, unflappable, cunning, pro-active, and just a little cruel. She came up through the Collegiate Division V ranks, famously putting the entire U of M varsity squad into toxic shock with her famous resurging cinnabar room. As a DJ, she prefers few but larger set piece battles, often with many moving pieces to pay attention to.

Mar 30, 2025 3:17 pm

Mar 30, 2025 3:17 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Loving conversations like this, Sassafras perks up and brings her coffee right up to Butch.
"Strategy is my middle name. Let’s think her out. Her detail-oriented and cunning nature means she won’t throw random fights at us. Every encounter will likely be meticulously designed, with layers of strategy built in. She might include distractions or force the team to split focus between multiple objectives at once. The cruel streak suggests she won’t hesitate to exploit our weaknesses, so expect traps, misdirection, and psychological plays.

If she pulled off something as infamous as taking down an entire varsity squad, she’s not just a challenge—she’s a reputation-builder. She wants people to talk about how hard her matches are. That means she probably thrives on watching teams struggle rather than just wiping them out outright."
And then she turns a shoulder toward the rest of the HexCrawlers and raises her voice.
"We have to engage with our minds first, our bodies second."

Callan MackKenzie

Mar 30, 2025 4:07 pm

Mar 30, 2025 4:07 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan chews another slice of pizza, spell patterns still playing out in the back of his mind.

"Mmr, I'll leave the tactical thinking to you, Sass - some of us have our minds a bit full as it is."

He slugs back another drink, and lights a cigarillo.

Mar 31, 2025 7:19 am

Mar 31, 2025 7:19 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

At 2:45 PM the producer tells you it’s time to begin. A
referee escorts you from the trailer to a riser at the edge of the security cordon while a crowd of several thousand fans cheer.

The announcer addresses the crowd as you are lead to the riser.

"Alright, it’s time for our contest to begin. Lords and Ladies, citizens of the Empire, it is my great honor to introduce the most dangerous woman in Detroit. She is the monster-bringer, the originator of pain. She has come to paint the city and all she brought is red. Ladies and Gentlemen put your hands together for . . . Rosie the Riveting!"

The crowd parts as the roar of a powerful engine echoes through the canyon of buildings. A moment later a red 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 screams around the corner, accelerates thrillingly towards the podium, then skids to a precision stop right in front of the stairs.

DJ Rosie the Riveting steps out of the car. She is 6’2 and muscular, wearing designer overalls, a black silk tank top that shows off her impressive biceps, and a silver hard hat with the crawl logo. She flexes for the crowd a bit, then motions for them to settle down as she approaches the podium. The DJ picks up a bullhorn and addresses the crowd.

https://i.imgur.com/3l4MsMN.jpeg

"Thank you, thank you! Thank you so much! Welcome to Detroit, where the weak are killed and the slow are eaten!"

Huge cheers.

"Heheheh thank you! Let me just say what an honor it is to be your DJ for today’s event. We have put together entertainment that is going to blow . . . your . . . minds! So, without further ado, lets meet our first team. Ladies and gentlemen let’s give a warm Detroit welcome to a band of heroes who are going to risk their lives to demonstrate the quality of the American Empire. Houston Hexcrawlers, I salute you!"

The cameras all turn to you and you get a warm round of applause from the live audience.

Rosie the Riveting continues, "Now, before we begin, how are you feeling now? And are there any special someones back home you'd like to give a message to? After all, you never know when you might get another chance."

Mar 31, 2025 7:41 am

Mar 31, 2025 7:41 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"So cool…" Vi Vi mutters as Rosie makes her entrance!

Then the spotlight is on them, and Vi Vi pulls a shape! She was never off when a camera was on her! She tries to look menacing, cool, calculating, suave and a million other things at once! That was the actress in her…

"I just want to extend a huge thank you to our fans! We’re doing this for you, guys!" she says, playing to the crowd!

Callan MackKenzie

Mar 31, 2025 2:29 pm

Mar 31, 2025 2:29 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"I'd like to thank our sponsor, Phang Blades, for these sweet new weapons!"

Callan strikes a few classic poses with his shortsword; ideally, he wouldn't need it during the crawl, so best to get the promo shots out of the way now.

"Excellent craftsmanship, quality enchantments, and all at affordable prices! With new payment plans for up-and-coming Crawlers!"

Mar 31, 2025 5:14 pm

Mar 31, 2025 5:14 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Still chomping on the last of his cigar, Tymon says "I feel good. I know you've got a reputation for tricky traps, Rosie, but the Hexcrawlers ain't scared one bit! Bring it!"

Then he spits out the cigar and lifts up his goggles to look in the cameras. "And I wanna say something to my lovely Rebreccia - thanks for sticking with me through all the ups and downs, babe. Once we get paid, I'll make sure you can buy that beard conditioner you like for yourself. Love you, doll! Alright, that's it."

Mar 31, 2025 8:54 pm

Mar 31, 2025 8:54 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Always suppressing the snark when the vamping for the cameras begins, Sassafras hangs back but is certain to catch background spots on as many cameras as possible. She purposefully looks aloof but darts little cunning looks as though she were sending coded signals to her underground fanbase. She knows that her appeal is less conventional than the meatheads who are primped and pumped for this.

When Rosie the Rovering looks her way, she almost imperceptibly winks, hoping to send her a signal too. One that may buzz around in her head for a few days. One that may lead to a date after this thing is finished.

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Mar 31, 2025 9:35 pm

Mar 31, 2025 9:35 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Butch does his best to not look like he's amazed by Rosie's entrance. Yeah, that drift stop is cool and all, but man those overalls, he'd love a set of his own.

When the question comes, he just tips down his trucker hat to let the camera catch a glimpse of the Phang Blades logo on the forehead (getting a layer of velcro on that was a GENIUS move, now he could slap any sponsor logo on and off as needed) before speaking. "I ain't got no special someone, dahling, I'm a single man. Ladies, catch me at the hotel after the show, know what I mean. It's all in the song, bebbeh, we came here to fuck shit up and have a good time, woooo!"

Apr 1, 2025 10:26 am

Apr 1, 2025 10:26 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Gabe had a good response ready, he really did. He had a lot of time back home on the couch thinking up catchphrases and clever one-liners.
But it's one thing to know your DJ is Rosie the Motherf**king Riveting, and a whole other thing to see it in reality

"Yeah, uh, it's an honor... eh, for my kids back home, and all of our fans of course, all out there..." his voice trails off as he searches for something pithy to finish off with. It doesn't go well, and so he just bellows "Houston Hexcrawlers!" and pumps his fist in the air.

Apr 1, 2025 12:57 pm

Apr 1, 2025 12:57 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Nice roleplaying! Sassafrass make a Per check DC 15 to see if Rosie would be interested in you. Bole you can still make your speech in your next post as well as what he does after.

Rosie tips her hardhat at you after your speeches are concluded. Interaction over, Rosie points her bullhorn at the crowd.

"Lord and Ladies, citizens and friends of the Empire, it’s time to lay the hammer down. In the name of Emperor Ronald, first of his name and first in our hearts, I declare this contest began! Crawlers, from this moment on your lives are forfeit in the service of the Empire. In the name of Mighty Apollo and Great Vulcan, may your courage be as armor against the terrors that are to come. May your great deeds this day bring honor to the Empire, and your deaths never be forgotten. Begin!"

The crowd cheers and fireworks explode overhead. A referee approaches you all with instructions, pointing to a few tape marks on the ground.

"Those tape marks show the gap in the force wall you need to pass through. Once inside you are in play, so guard yourself appropriately. You can’t cast spells until you are inside the barrier." He points at the 40-story building. "Your first major challenge is on the roof of that building, but the entire area is in play and there are other dangers throughout the building. Good luck and may Vulcan fortify you all."

There is a short stairwell that leads through unlocked doors to the building lobby.

https://i.imgur.com/WNu8q6m.png

Apr 1, 2025 2:32 pm

Apr 1, 2025 2:32 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Probably being paranoid, but I wouldn't put it past Rosie to put a pitfall trap on the walk up or do something equally tricky to try and catch us being careless before we even get inside the building, so watch your steps."

Once past the force wall, Tymun pulls the telescoping pole from his pack and extends it to its full 10 ft length. Then he sweeps it in front of them, tapping the ground as they make their way to the front steps.

Apr 1, 2025 2:56 pm

Apr 1, 2025 2:56 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

The way to the front door is clear. You hear the announcer blaring through speakers and AVS screens, "Whoa-ho! These are indeed Division II champs! They take nothing for granted and expect traps and tricks right from the get-go!"

Apr 1, 2025 4:05 pm

Apr 1, 2025 4:05 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

As the fireworks light up the sky and dazzle the widened eyes of the crowd, Sassafras checks her makeup to verify that it is perfect. Then she begins stretching. Knowing that mystique and physique are her main assets in the beginning of these games, she certainly shows these assets off for those who are willing to look past the flash. Once she has locked in a few viewers and cameras, she does a standing backflip to put an exclamation point on her performance.

OOC:

Perhaps she should have laid off those energy drinks. It’s affecting her COOL

Last edited April 1, 2025 4:06 pm

Rolls

Personality - (1d20+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Apr 1, 2025 5:37 pm

Apr 1, 2025 5:37 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Love the idea of having an announcer do live play by play commentary

Callan MackKenzie

Apr 1, 2025 10:09 pm

Apr 1, 2025 10:09 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan checks his lantern is at his side, flexes his fingers and walks cautiously behind Tymun, keeping an eye out over the dwarf's shoulders. He begins tapping a rhythmic pattern on the lantern with his hand, keeping time on all the patterns floating through his head.

Apr 2, 2025 2:42 am

Apr 2, 2025 2:42 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Almost there..." Tymun continues toward the building, tapping the stairs up to the door and then pushing on the doors with the extended pole. If nothing happens, he will collapse the pole and use the shortened length to engage the latch and open the doors so the rest of the team can enter.

Apr 2, 2025 3:23 am

Apr 2, 2025 3:23 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

The door opens to a run-down lobby. The ceiling sags from water damage, the walls are covered in graffiti, and rats squeal in the darkness. There is an elevator directly ahead of you, the old-fashioned kind with a pointer indicating numbers on an arched display. The elevator car currently resides on the 13th floor. You see a sign on the left indicating a stairwell in that direction. One doorway each on your right and left reveal hallways leading to first-floor apartments beyond.

Apr 2, 2025 7:49 am

Apr 2, 2025 7:49 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Vi Vi remains far enough behind the rest so as to be able to walk towards the place with confidence, and not the geriatric cane-tapping of the others.

"Don’t take the elevator. It’ll be trapped…" Vi Vi starts with a warning to the others.

"… is exactly what she’ll want us to think. To make us take the stairs, which is what will really be trapped." she says, having an ah-ha moment.

"Unless she suspected we’d figure that out, and then take the elevator, which will be trapped!"

Bole, the Tree of Repudiation

Apr 2, 2025 3:06 pm

Apr 2, 2025 3:06 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Earlier, during the Rosie interview:

Bole strikes a pose and smiles broadly. "I've got nothing but love for my best lady, Diana. She's ever in my heart!" He flips his bow around and stretches the string with his thumb, keeping tension as he plucks it with his fingers to make a little melody. "With Diana guiding me and Phang Blades gear in my hands, I feel unstoppable!"

OOC:

Now, in the lobby:

"Good points, Vi Vi. Why don't we call the elevator and see what happens?" He looks meaningfully at Tymun and his telescoping pole.

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Apr 2, 2025 3:55 pm

Apr 2, 2025 3:55 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Pretty solid tension building technique on Rosie's part, I'll give her that. We can't be too careful, but we can't be boring either. Let's hit that elevator button with some flair!"

Apr 2, 2025 4:27 pm

Apr 2, 2025 4:27 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Making sure the a camera follows, Sassafras scurries like the rats over to the stairwell to check for traps.

Rolls

Find trap (Int) - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

Apr 2, 2025 5:12 pm

Apr 2, 2025 5:12 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"I'd bet she trapped both the stairs AND the elevator. But my vote is to take the stairs. I never liked elevators. Too much like coffins. Plus stairs wont drop you 20 stories straight down if the brakes fail," Tymun says.

"But it is worth knowing our options," he adds, catching Bole's look. He begins examining the elevator doors for trip wires or anything suspicious before doing the same to the call button.

Rolls

Find Trap - Int(+0) and Skill(+7) - (1d20+0+7)

(4) + 7 = 11

Apr 2, 2025 11:56 pm

Apr 2, 2025 11:56 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

There appear to be no traps around the elevator. Once the button is pressed, the announcer, hanging out in the back of the group with a small camera crew, says, "It appears they are taking the elevator! Sassafrass has split off to check out the stairwell as well. I don't think I've ever seen a party split so early before! Let's hope it doesn't weaken the team when the trap they say they expect is sprung!"

The needle on the elevator starts swinging left, counting down.

12

9

5

3

1

Ding!

The doors rattle open revealing six purge zombies, in light sports armor and freakish iconic American rubber masks (Abe Lincoln, Nixon, Washington, and three others are are pretty sure you know but would never say outloud for fear of being wrong), all wielding butcher’s knives. When they see the you, they all howl and their weapons catch up with strange orange fire.

OOC:

Please everyone make sure your initiative is on your sheet and is a rollable button, it will make my life much easier lol. Strict Initiative isn't important, only whether you are before or after enemies. Butch and Bole are up before enemies. The zombies haven't left the elevator yet so if you have any aoe abilities best to use them now!

Rolls

Zombie Init - (1d20+1)

(16) + 1 = 17

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett: Initiative - (1d20+1)

(19) + 1 = 20

Sassafras: Initiative - (1d20+1)

(7) + 1 = 8

Vi Vi Initiative - (1d20)

(15) = 15

Callan Initiative - (1d20)

(10) = 10

Tymun: Initiative - (Initiative:1d20+1)

(3) + 1 = 4

Bole, the Tree of Repudiation: Initiative - (Initiative:1d20+1)

(17) + 1 = 18

Gabriel Carver: Initiative - (Initiative:1d20+0)

(10) = 10

Apr 3, 2025 12:18 am

Apr 3, 2025 12:18 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Sassafrass checking the stairs finds that the stairway is covered in graffiti. One prominent bit is on the first floor landing: "Jenny Jenny was from Detroit, 313-867-5309." The 313 is underlined with different color spray paint. You find no traps here.

Bole, the Tree of Repudiation

Apr 3, 2025 4:33 am

Apr 3, 2025 4:33 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Bole nocks an arrow and looses it at the zombies while they're still in the elevator.

OOC:

Here's how I calculated that:
- action die is 1d20
- +1 chosen weapon
- +1 from AGYmod

The crit range is 19-20 vs undead, so this was not a crit, since I rolled a 17.
It is hitting undead, so I added the 1d5 scourge damage to the base 1d6 bow damage.

Sound correct?

Last edited April 3, 2025 4:35 am

Rolls

+1 Bow shot vs. undead, bow damage+scourge - (1d20+2, 1d6+1d5)

1d20+2 : (17) + 2 = 19

1d6+1d5 : (4) + (1) = 5

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Apr 3, 2025 8:15 am

Apr 3, 2025 8:15 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"I'll keep 'em in the box, you blast 'em" Butch barks his best impression of tactical orders, before drawing his flashy Phang Blades rapier. He makes sure to hold it up as he's saying that, both to strike a more commanding pose but also ensure the camera crew in the back catch a glimpse of the sponsor's weapon.

OOC:

Gonna try some grandstanding as a free action

He then waves his blade in front of the elevator's entrance, more concerned with covering a wide area to keep the zombies in check and defend himself than actually hurting any of them but hey, any lucky slash, he'll totally pretend it was on purpose.

Rolls

Grandstanding - (d20+5)

(16) + 5 = 21

Phang Blades Rapier (Attack, Damage) - (d20+4, d5+2)

d20+4 : (7) + 4 = 11

d5+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Apr 3, 2025 8:19 am

Apr 3, 2025 8:19 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

What is the +1 for chosen weapon? Also don't forget you have +3 attack bonus as a level 3 messenger. Since the enemies are grouped up, turn unholy would be a much better option since you can affect multiple enemies. Also messengers earn mojo for using their turn unholy ability.

Callan MackKenzie

Apr 3, 2025 9:00 pm

Apr 3, 2025 9:00 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

If initiative isn't so strict, I'll jump a place!

Callan's eyes narrow as Butch bumrushes the purge zombies; always first into the fight.

Fuck Richard Nixon he thinks to himself, before he plucks a pattern from his mind. The first spell of a Crawl is always a good place to really pull out the stops, and get the crowd going.

He adopts a particularly dramatic pose, arms outstretched to gather magical power as his eyes roll back in his head. He begins intoning a spell, before his jaw drops open.

A stream of mosquitoes, gnats and all manner of tiny, stingy creatures pour from Callan's mouth, before turning around to collide with his face.

OOC:

Aww, lost my first spell of the crawl, but the crowd love it!

Last edited April 3, 2025 9:04 pm

Rolls

Grandstanding - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Bug Storm - (1d20+1d5+2)

(5) + (1) + 2 = 8

Apr 4, 2025 1:58 am

Apr 4, 2025 1:58 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Quote:

Please everyone make sure your initiative is on your sheet and is a rollable button

OOC:

Uh oh…

Apr 4, 2025 2:16 am

Apr 4, 2025 2:16 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Tracker

[ +- ] Trackers

Apr 4, 2025 3:24 am

Apr 4, 2025 3:24 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Bole's arrow hits a zombie in the chest and it staggers a moment but is still standing. Butch aims a swing but its deflected by the zombie's sports armor. The zombies growl and rush out of the elevator, each targeting a player.

OOC:

Vi Vi, Callan, Gabriel, and Tymun all take hits. 4 damage to everyone except Callan who takes 6. Make a Ref DC 12 save or take 1d3 fire damage as well. All other PCs are up!

Rolls

1 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

2 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(3) + 4 = 7

3 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(15) + 4 = 19

4 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(18) + 4 = 22

5 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(16) + 4 = 20

6 - Attack - (1d20+4)

(10) + 4 = 14

3 - Damage - (1d4+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

4 - Damage - (1d4+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

5 - Damage - (1d4+3)

(3) + 3 = 6

6 - Damage - (1d4+3)

(1) + 3 = 4

Apr 4, 2025 4:25 am

Apr 4, 2025 4:25 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Lining up my shot next!

Rolls

Reflex - (1d20+2)

(16) + 2 = 18

Possible Damage - (1d3)

(3) = 3

Apr 4, 2025 4:27 am

Apr 4, 2025 4:27 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

"Aghh!" Vi Vi’s confident demeanor evaporates when the zombies get close to her! She can just get her sword out in time to have a fighting chance!

She whips it up with skill, but against a zombie, it barely registers!

Last edited April 4, 2025 4:27 am

Rolls

Attack! - (1d20+2)

(18) + 2 = 20

Damage - (1d6-1)

(2) - 1 = 1

Apr 4, 2025 6:05 am

Apr 4, 2025 6:05 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Not wanting to rush into melee and incur an attack from these flaming freaks, Sassafras lines up a shot from her trusty crossbow.

Rolls

Crossbow - Roll - (1d20+3)

(11) + 3 = 14

Crossbow - Damage - (1d6)

(6) = 6

"Bombastic" Butch Bennett

Apr 4, 2025 6:56 am

Apr 4, 2025 6:56 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

OOC:

Duck and dive.

Looks like Butch and Callan rolled high enough anyway on their Grandstanding to earn +1 Fame each, but we don't know the DC of this crowd, so a GM confirmation would be nice, please :)

Last edited April 4, 2025 7:01 am

Rolls

Reflex save vs DC 12, Potential damage - (d20+2, d3)

d20+2 : (19) + 2 = 21

d3 : (1) = 1

Apr 4, 2025 9:03 am

Apr 4, 2025 9:03 am

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

As they entered the structure, Gabriel kept to the center of the group, near the gnome and blaster. In early crawls he had eagerly tried to take the lead as one of the stronger melee fighters, but about five traps and some acid burns later he had decided to let someone more perceptive shoulder that particular responsibility.

"Grnnr!" The grunt slips out as the walking corpse tears into him. He hefts his massive battleaxe (hastily added Phang Blade-sticker glinting in the firelight of the zombies blade) and makes a swing towards its weapon hand, trying to disarm it. He follows it up with a quick punch towards the mask, hoping to crack it and blind it momentarily.

OOC:

Attempting a Mighty Deed of Arms on the regular attack and the unarmed free attack (for being a brawler), disarming and blinding respectively. If I've misunderstood how it works, just let me know and I'll change it.

Also, ouch. 7 damage total, reduced to 5 for being a badass brawler

Last edited April 4, 2025 9:07 am

Rolls

Reflex Save DC 12 - (d20+1)

(9) + 1 = 10

Battleaxe Swing, Disarming - (d20+3+d5)

(17) + (3) + 3 = 23

Unarmed Attack, Blinding - (d20+3+d5)

(3) + (1) + 3 = 7

Fire Damage - (d3)

(3) = 3

Battleaxe Damage - (d10+6)

(5) + 6 = 11

Unarmed Damage - (d5+4)

(3) + 4 = 7

Apr 4, 2025 3:25 pm

Apr 4, 2025 3:25 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

As the zombies spill out of the elevator, one wearing a mask with a respectable beard (for a human) and high cheekbones rushes Tymun and slashes him with a flaming knife!

The dwarf's arm catches fire and he starts slapping at the flame. "Gah!" He manages to put it out but not before getting a nasty burn.

He unslings the Phang Blade battle axe and takes a swing back at the zombie. "Let's see what kinda bite this lil beauty's got!" he says as the blade slices the zombie.

Last edited April 4, 2025 9:11 pm

Rolls

Reflex vs DC12 - (1d20+5)

(6) + 5 = 11

Possible Fire Damage - (1d3)

(3) = 3

Battle Axe to hit - (1d20+3)

(17) + 3 = 20

Battle axe + 1 - Damage - (1d8+1)

(6) + 1 = 7

Callan MackKenzie

Apr 4, 2025 9:08 pm

Apr 4, 2025 9:08 pm

Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

Callan pats at the flames on his shirt, taking care not to slap his freshly-acquired wound; it's a vintage Juno Priest shirt from the Olympian Epitaph tour! Can't have that going up in flames... Although the slash across the shoulder just adds a little of that X-Crawl Factor that makes for a perfect look!

Last edited April 4, 2025 9:25 pm

Rolls

Reflex DC 12 - (1d20)

(16) = 16

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