An Unlikely Companionship

Living in the wake of a natural disaster is hard, even for the little magic folk of Candleton, a small gnome settlement that exists (or once existed) on the swampy borders of the Knee Deep. The name Candleton comes from the big folk, who only see little lights dancing around near the edge of the swamp that no one dares enter. Outside of that, nobody knows what it's called except for the people that live there. Most who live there never leave, but in this case, they didn't have much choice unless theydidn't value their lives.

The thunder storm of tonight reminds you of that ungodly evening, hell raining down from the sky in the form of electrical mayhem. The ground shook beneath your feet as you gathered your belongings to save your skin, hovels burning as you ran with the rain whipping your face and eyes. Thankfully you didn't have to run for too long, considering the folk outside that gave your town that funny human name, were about a half a days trip from your once cozy little community. You have been living in Rockdrift for a few months now, settling in quite nicely indeed. Apró, your tongue sours on this night, knowing that many of the gnomes you once lived with share your sadness tonight, though none you personally know seem to have turned up in this large strange town. To you, it's also a little confusing why they call it Rockdrift, considering it seems a little woodsy rather than rocky. The screams of an unhappy child bring you back to the present, remembering that you forgot to lull little Edward Ramsal to sleep, just like Isabella had asked you. The coin is good, the bedding is warm and the food keeps you fat, happy and your mind off the paw, so you prbably doon't mind much. However, tonight, you just want to be left alone.

The rest of you may describe what you are up to on this lonesome and dreary night. Jade, i'm not sure what your character's name is (Hi would be funny though) so introduce her and tell me why you've come to Rockdrift/what you are doing.

You all spend the rest of your night doing as you see fit before catching rest in whatever hovels or homes you have been residing in for the past couple months following the disaster. By morning, there is little evidence of the storm from the night before, merely little pools of water that haven't escaped the cracks between the cobblestones. The soil has been thirsty, for the summer has been been oddly dry for Rockdrift. As the sun creeps up past the roof tops of the little town, the folk that reside within begin to awaken and start their daily routine. What part do the gnomes of Candleton play in the daily hustle and bustle?

Now able to take a better look at her you see she's a half-elf. Her sandy brown hair reaches down towards her waist and is perfectly straight, catches the light rather nicely to reveal shades of red and even gold too. Her face turns from thankful to rather annoyed at seeing the dirt on your hands, she quickly takes the plates you laid down to the sink. As you see her face calculating her response, sadness creeps into her expression.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but Candleton is no more. The story of exactly what happened is a mystery to me, to be honest. Some say it was brought to the ground by the wrath of a storm giant, some say orcs sacked it, others say the Diabolist herself came and brought hell fire down upon all those poor gnomes. It's tragic, no matter what the actual occurrence. All these little folk now have no place to go, and to be true, I don't think that Rockdrift is wealthy enough to support such a large increase in population in such a short time. The people here will grow impatient and cruel in swifter time than I would like, humans are too vain for compassion toward any but their own. The past two months have worn the townsfolk down and they grow bitter. If you don't mind me asking, where are you coming from? If you've been gone for so long, then it must have been on business that holds at least minor importance."

Her expression is smooth as stone as she washes the plates, asking you shamelessly of your tidings. You hear the rabble increase from the common room.

Tanser

The hooded figure is wordless as you sit and order your meal and drink. You sit in a bit of an awkward silence for what seems like an eternity until the hooded figure pulls out a rolled piece of parchment held with a black piece of ribbon and a red wax seal. As the parchment slides out of the long sleeve of his cloak, you see the hand is red and has something akin to claws. Seeing this strikes you with a bit of fear, but you've learned very well to not show it.

Binleeargo

The gnomes you see are ragged, you're guessing they've been on the road for a while. Then you see it, they bear the mark, they're one of you. It's apparent that they lost their way after the disaster or simply didn't travel to Rockdrift often enough to find it. You feel something akin to pity for them, remembering what it was like when you first came to the town. Geron's boisterous laughter brings you back into the mood of the tavern. The other guards at the table laughing with him, you see that he had smeared some butter in the beard of the guard sitting across the table from him, looking rather displeased. The scene makes you chuckle but something in your stomach makes it a little less pleasing than it would have been when the unhappy guard stands and walks out the door. If you would like to scan the room and pick out Tanser and the shady character in the corner, please roll a perception check (Wis+lvl).

Bog

The half-elf bar maid winces when you mention the passing of Elana, even for a half-elf it had a large impact among the elves as a race. Except those damned drow, you would wear they had a spider in their chests instead of a heart. The maid's thoughts visibly come back to the present as she looks around the kitchen. She says, "No, that won't be necessary," again looking at your dirty hands, "I should get back to serving and I can't have you in the kitchen, please proceed." She motions towards the door with an elf-like grace. Pushing through the door, you see that a guard is laughing hysterically, thus being the more boisterous behavior. It's not immediately apparent why but you do feel some slight tension in the room. The half-elf scans the room quickly and says, "Ah! another gnome from Candleton is here, perhaps you would like to meet him?" She motions towards a table where a little gnome is sitting looking around patiently with a white cat sitting under his chair. She starts walking over before you respond, do you follow? You can also looks for Tanser if you'd like.

Apró

The town is alive as you make your way to the usual place, The Savoring Stone Giant. Easily the best place in town, the bread is perfect, the ale is thick and the severs are more than personable. As you reach for the door, it bursts open and knocks into you as Willam walks out, looking rather angry. No big surprise there though, he's always angry because of Geron's little jests. He's always telling Willam to "lighten up", though you're not entirely sure if that'll ever happen. You take your seat and await to be served. It's oddly long before Lyanna, the half-elf bar maid comes to take care of you. The same roll goes for you in regards to Tanser.

The gnomes look a little scared at your approach. Your swagger puts them a little on guard. "We simply seek lodging for the night and a meal until we carry on our journey. We head for Axis and we recommend you do the same. More is at hand than what it seems, and the Emperor must know. I give you my thanks for the coin, friend." The last sentence sounds a touch less than genuine. You have the intuition that they're simply wary due to some horrible experience they had on the road and don't take it to heart. Your focus shifts when you see behind the gnome you are speaking to. You see anther gnome huddled in the table corner with a less than ideal looking character. Outstretched is his arm toward the gnome with a roll of parchment, you see all the details previously mentioned all too well, your stomach turns at the sight. Something is not right here.

Tanser thinks to himself 'Hmmm I don't remember her hands that way'. He slowly removes the statue from his satchel and puts it on the table still wrapped in the cloth he's hid it in. Reaching for the parchment he says...

"So... umm ... are you ok? It seems your hands look different from the first time we met....uh, also, is my gold in that parchment as well?" I look at the wax seal to see if there are any impressions.

Tanser

The wax seal has a symbol that you are not familiar with. You hear heavy footsteps in your direction, you look instinctively and see a gnome with an oddly fantastic beard walking toward you. When you look back to your "customer," it is gone. The roll of parchment is on the table in front of you next to the statue.

Binleeargo
You start advancing, though it's not easy. Just when you think you're in earshot, someone walks in front of you bumping you back a step or so and when they pass, the figure is gone and just the gnome is left at his table.

even without the background, it was deftly done. Binleeargo, it looks as if he was sitting there alone the whole time, though you're sure your eyes saw otherwise.

Tanser, are you opening the parchment? if so, would you like me to inbox you or just put it in here?

Bog, roll a charisma check to dictate how the rest of the room reacts (CHA+level).

OOC: as the Favored consort to the Elf Queen's late niece, Bog interacted quite a bit with court orators and the like before and after they met with the nobles. They taught him a thing or two about giving a rousing speech.

Result should be 10. (6)+0+1+3 = 10

Besides the gnomes who have clearly posed interest in your crusade, the other gnomes seem frightened at the thought of returning to Candleton. The humans are lost in left field.

Apró, as you turn in the room where your belongings are, Edward Senior, Isabella's husband, is standing in the door.

"I knew you were goong to try to leave someday. I can't allow this, you have become a much important asset to my family."

He shows no signs of moving out of your path

What would you have your familiar looking for?

"You forget your place, little gnome. You are property of the Dragon Empire now, and soon we depart for Axis. The Emperor will make good use of you in the war, would you turb away from honor and duty?" Edwar Senior has a look of agitation on his face while saying this.

How does your familiar communicate with you? Can it actually speak? Is it telepathic? Or do you basically just feel/understand what it's trying to tell you?

Silence hangs in the air after you make your statement for what feels like an eternity. Edward Senior steps aside and says, "Your decision will wreak havoc among your people. That's a promise. A sleight such as this against the Empire is not to be taken lightly."

Awesome. When you enter, Macksa was curled up on the cot in the corner. I'm assuming the rest of you are at the meeting spot?

Bog is waiting at the meeting spot.

And so the little clan headed off into the wilderness. The morning was crisp and cool, typical of the early spring in this region, trees swaying in the song of the breeze. Some of you may feel dread at returning to your wrecked town, others may be feeling excited and heroic.

Mechanical travel: Here w'ell enter what we call a montage, where we go in a cyclical sort of motion where one player describes a problem but not the solution. The next in the order explains the how the solution was obtained. This is a creative way of passing in-game time and shouldn't be limited to skills/stats. However, if a player chooses to be a little loose with creation, I may require a skill check to make this interesting. The order will be Bog, Apró, Binleeargo then Tanser

Apró you better come up with a good plan because these things are massive. This is in relation to a Tarrasque... and yes, that is only its foot.

Gentlemen, roll for initiative.

Binleeargo, your senses are as sharp as you have trusted them to be and get to take the first turn. Just before you act, a second pair of red eyes blink open from the darkness of the surrounding forest. The enemies are considered nearby but are shrouded in darkness, therefore you're going to take a -2 attack penalty until they come close enough to the campfire.

The order is as follows:
Binleeargo
Enemies
Bog
Apró


Note: Bog, I noticed you added strength instead of dexterity to your initiative, so you're only one point lower.

Binleeargo dives onto his bedroll and grabbing his hammers, rolls into a combat crouch. If he can, he readies an action to attack the creatures should they be so inclined as to attempt to make his acquaintance in a less than friendly manner (i.e., get near him uncautiously).

---

OOC: I couldn't find rules for drawing a weapon so I included them in his move action, but if they are an additional move action, then disregard my rolls, of course.

Oops. I misread my character sheet and added my level twice. Thanks for catching that.

Would you like us to post our attacks in order of initiative? Or just post them whenever?

Also, do any of the creatures have a 'Fear ability?'

They do not. I'm guessing that you have the ability that negates fear? For the sake of organization, going in order would be best.

Yes, Bog is immune to Fear, and also gets a +2 attack bonus to creatures with the Fear ability who are unengaged. Thanks for the prompt answer! :)

OOC: Sorry all, had some RL stuff de-rail me here. If it's ok I'll just sneak in at the end of Initiative because I missed the call for it.

The creatures step forth from the darkness, at this point it becomes apparent that they're dire rats. Binleeargo, since you retreated a little, you are the furthest away from them but still nearby, you are next to the now more alerylt Tanser. Bog and Apró, you are closest to them, and thus they move up to engage you.

Bog, your attakcer's teeth scratch and clatter against your armor, but you suffer no damage.
Apró, your attacker is fortunate because you have less armor. You take 12 damage and 2 ongoing

Bog, it is now your turn and you are engaged with a Dire Rat.

You are correct, my friend.

Binleeargo, your first swing is a little wide and hits the ground with a thump (unless you do miss damage, then it grazes the Dire Rat) but your second attack hits the enemyas it screeches in pain.
Bog, your attack is fruitful as you shave off some skin and hair skillfuly with your scimitar for full damage.
Apró, scorching ray is a ranged spell so you suffer a -2 penalty unless you would like to disengage first (move action, roll normal save 11+), just let me know your decision.
Tanser, your shadow step is successful. You disappear in a puff of smoke to reappear on your next turn.

---

The escalation die is at 1 (+1 to attack rolls but not damage) and we're back at the top of initiative.

[note="SClark617""]rat 1 engaged with Binleeargo and Apro at 34 hp. rat 2 engaged with Bog at 29 hp after regen.[/note]

Binleeargo, you swing wildly but land no hits. Bog, though you have made your best effort, your blade swings wide. Apro, you're up!

The bodies of the rats twist and contort int strange ways that don't seem anatomically possible until before your eyes, they become bipedal and stand taller than all of you!


technically the enemies were supposed to go before bog but that's ok.

Bog, your armor again saves you from taking damage.
Binleeargo, your attacks have drawn the attention of the wererat, and he bites into your arm for 2 damage and 2 ongoing! [note="SClark617""]crit range against Bin increased by 1[/note]

Apró, you're up man, Bin, if you could just hold off til the round comes back around (due to the escalation die, it's supposed to help you!) that'd be great. Just trying to stay organized

OOC: Who's up?

OOC:

If the order is:
Binleeargo
Enemies
Bog
Apró
Tanser

Then I think Binleeargo is up as it's a new round (escalation die increases too)

I think my roll(s) on July 10 were for Binleeargo's next action, but I hadn't added the extra escalation +1. Even with that my second attack would only hit AC 12.

I think it's the enemies (GM's) turn then?

OOC: I think the rats killed SClark617 and are now running amok on us!

The escalation die is 2!




Apro, you smell burning hair has your burning hands spell connected with the wererat causing it to scream in pain. Tanser, you reappear behind the wererat that Apro and Binleeargo are dealing with and take a good swipe at it with your dagger but it misses.

The wererat, now cornered by Apro, Binleeargo and Tanser, lashes out in a panic. Tanser appearing out of nowhere startles it more than anything and it bites at you and hits for 14 points of damage and 2 ongoing, save ends.

The wererat on Bog continues its attempt to bypass his armor without much success. Both of the wererats make a high pitched shriek that makes you grab your ears. Bog and Apro, you are the closest ones to your rats at the moment so you guys are effected the worst, you both take 4 damage from the attack. Bog, you're up!

---

Sorry for the lateness of the post guys, it's been a busy month.

Bog, fantastic use of Bastion, I love it! So this means that Apro, you take 2 damage instead of 4 and Bog takes 6 damage instead of 4. Textbook play right there.

As for your attack, you successfully land a hit with your scimitar!
This leaves Apro's turn to make a death save or attack, depending on where the Bastion leaves him.

You reach out to touch the wererat with your magically heated hands, but sadly it deftly moves out of the way. You still have a move action and can disengage if you'd like, it's just a normal save (11+). If you roll and fail, you can still move away but suffer an opportunity attack. If you succeed, you can move away. However, this is entirely up to you.

Tanser, you're up!

Just so we know, you take your ongoing damage at the END of your turn, right before you try to save against it. That's what's so nice about this system, you get to go down in a flaming blaze of heroic glory!!

OOC: Who's turn is it?

OOC: I believe Binleeargo is up.

Binleeargo, your swing is a little wide. The rat retaliates with a shriek of fury but you deftly dodge out of the way.
Bog, you and your challenger circle for a second before the wererat lashes out at you but it only scratches at your armor in a futile sort of way that gives you a primal satisfaction.

Sorry for the delay guys, life and stuff. also, if things still go south in this fight, I may have been a little tough for your first encounter. Don't be afraid to try some unconventional means of resolving this.

OOC: Is the escalation die at +3?

my bad, yes.

Bog, you draw blood while swiping at the wererat. Apró is up!

Yes, when you recover from death, you expend one of your recoveries. Now we're up on Tanser!

...that really just happened! Holy crap, I have never seen a recovery actually HURT someone before hahaha!



Escalation die is at 4 and Binleeargo is up.

[quote="SClark617"] ...that really just happened! Holy crap, I have never seen a recovery actually HURT someone before hahaha!






I suppose I deserve it with a neg 1 mod in Con. :)

Binleeargo, both of your hammers find their wits and crash into the target one after another, each bringing forth a screech of pain. The wererats snarl as they come forth again for another strike.

The wererat on Binleeargo, you get bitten by the rat as a response to your hits. 2 damage, 2 ongoing. Regular save ends.
Bog, the rat has watched your movements and has found a gap in your armor, critically hitting you in a weak spot! 4 damage, 4 ongoing for the first round, it gets reduced to 2 after the first time you take it. Regular save ends.

Bog, you're up. What is your blades response to this insult?!

The wererats perk up at Bog's cry of terror. They look around frantically, noses twitching. Letting out a screech of fear, they shoft back into rat form and go scampering off into the brush. Is anyone going to persue them to keep fighting?


Good jov on that one, Bog. I was starting to get worried you guys were going to lose the fight! Perhaps my scale was a little off for the combat.

if nobody is going to persue, the party manages to find an uneasy rest with what is left of the night. When you awake, the air is crisp and cool, the sun warm on your cheeks for another day of travel and to your pleasure, you now feel like you are surrounded by friends.

This is going to count for a quick rest, so you can spend recoveries and gain any once per battle powers back. I would say, because technically you have slept, daily abilities can replenish as well, however, recovery count will not.

Nope! You guys are out of combat and I don't want to torture you too bad lol. There isn't much story reason to make the ongoing stick around it is forgiven.