Episode 2: Welcome to the Jungle!

Jabes.plays.RPG says:

OOC:

All: Are you trying to be stealthy heading down to the well room? Or just marching down there like bosses?
...

Jabes.plays.RPG says:

OOC:

Reminder that Ybus and Erden have the option of using the crawlspace rather than heading to the lower level via the conventional route. Based on what he saw, Erden surmises the branches will let him out on the dais or either of the mezzanine levels north and south of the main hall.

[ +- ] Map

OOC:

Reflecting on the above...
Do y'all want to attempt some sort of two-front flank and surprise maneuver?
Big beefcakes like Barracus and Urban stroll down the main route - being as quiet as possible but assuming that it will be tough to make it the whole way on stealth. In the end start the confrontation against the rat guys. In truth, somewhat of a diversion for...

...meanwhile little sneakers like Ybus, Erden take the high road unseen in those alternate tunnels. Set up overwatch at a good vantage point and hold there. Wait until the Muscle Goon Brothers start the fight.

Bang. Ambush. Rats caught in crossfire, no route to flee.

Last edited Mar 19, 2019 6:16 pm

Naatkinson

Mar 19, 2019 6:21 pm

OOC:

Sure, crawlspace it is. Pincer formation!

Mar 19, 2019 6:28 pm

DMJ Inactive for 2 months

OOC:

Okay! Ybus would leave the kits behind and follow Erden into the crawlspace.

Urban

Mar 19, 2019 6:29 pm

Erden goes over the flanking plan.

"Got it." Urban says, setting his shield tightly in the strap and reclaiming the light in his free hand.

"Let's go, Barracus, Rydler." he says, nodding to his fellows on his way to exit by the stairs. "We'll close those rats into a pinch for sure."

Proceed down the two flights of stairs, around the corner, back to the well room.
Shield forward. Lantern in other hand.

Rydler Cogma

HypCo Inactive forever!

Mar 19, 2019 6:52 pm

Rydler nods at the plan and begins to depart from the littles but his ears hint him at something. He stops and races back to the crawl space, grabbing Erden by the foot as he crawls through "You forgot to cinch your belt; your baubles are making quite the racket."

OOC:

Guidance on Erden.

Mar 19, 2019 8:54 pm

Baracus does not participate in the tactical discussion, only listens. He finds himself contemplating the worth tactics. The use of trickery and deceit had allowed the weaker, civilized Qinglai to punch above their weight in the wars against his people. But his father had shown them that tricks were no match for peerless individual skill in combat. The stories told of many ways the Qinglai had trapped or tricked his father, but through sheer power and brutality he had won out every single time, at least until his objective was complete.

He patiently lets the others decide on their course of action. The PHULES operated with tactics and he respected them like brothers, so he played his part without complaint. But, when their tricks ran out he would be there to make sure the PHULES did not fail.

He moved with the others like a big jungle cat stalking the undergrowth.

Last edited Mar 19, 2019 8:56 pm

Rolls

Stealth if needed - (1d20+3)

(18) + 3 = 21

Mar 19, 2019 9:13 pm

The PHULES execute the plan flawlessly. The two rat-men try to scurry away when Baracus, Urban, and Rydler suddenly appear, but they are cut off all from their escape routes by Erden, Ybus, and Timear.

All except the well, that is. Wormtongue tries to climb in, while Wormtail just cowers.

Do you try to stop Wormtongue?

Mar 19, 2019 9:28 pm

Baracus is tempted to let him dive in - a deserving fate for an idiot. But he knows there is more at stake here. He springs into action to grab him from the edge.

Rolls

D20 required? - (1d20)

(15) = 15

Mar 20, 2019 11:38 am

DMJ Inactive for 2 months

Baracus grabs the man by his greasy black hair, pulls him back from the lip of the well, and sets him down, hissing and spitting curses, next to his buddy.

"Aplu blight your bones!
Sebek-Ra devour your heart!
Kuntur torment you!
Kaliya-te take your soul!"

Urban has heard these names before, but can't quite place them. Minor deities, like Aplu? Forgotten gods of old, powerful beings, or revered spirits? He knows "Ra" often suffixes god names in Hiptos. Kuntur! The name Kuntur was being chanted by the Camaxacali priest in his vision!

OOC:

In case you've forgotten, Camaxacal is a land (analog of Meso-America) across the strait to the west. Hiptos (analog of Ancient Egypt) is in the Far West.

Urban

Mar 20, 2019 12:13 pm

"Let's move a distance away from that well," Urban says. He picks a corner that blocks off at least some escape routes or enemy attack routes and sets the prisoners up there.

He acts cold and imposing at first, and also makes sure that the towering menace of Barracus is there nearby. Urban knows that the threat of Barracus will likely help his efforts, but he also knows that his friend is insightful as well.

After a lingering pause, Urban shifts tone to attempt a matter-of-fact interchange. "I do not wish to hurt you, but I will if I must. I would rather ask questions and get honest answers from you."

Urban makes eye contact with Wormtongue and speaks calmly. "I recall the names you curse my friend with. I have seen Kuntur's work at his bitter altar of sacrifice. The crocodile of Hiptos wields a sharp whip and a strong chain. What business do you have with these faraway gods."

With an air of calm and imposing certainty, Urban tries to slowly but steadily move through a line of interrogation to gain what information as he can, working a line of persuasion and exchange as best he can.

Channel Divinity, Emissary of Peace (gives +5 to CHA Persuasion checks for 10 minutes)

OOC:

Trying something different here.

OOC:

Dang it! Mediocre. I wish that had been more of a home run. Urban might have to go back to shield-bashing these mofos.

OOC:

DM Jabes, hoping to take this conversation wherever it will based on what these rat goofs say and of course within the range of what is possible given that performance roll.

Some general concerns:
What is the nature of the portal?
Are there others like it elsewhere?
Confirm who the individual minor deities are. What are their goals? Sponsorships? Are they linked to specific sites?
What or who is the presence that pervades the portal? I believe that there is one being greater than all of the minor manifestations - Who is it? What does he want?
Are there any more of their allies here in the tunnel? Any other monsters?
Who is there superior? Where is he now?
Do they work only in Pradesh or in other cities? Where?
What were they going to do next?

Last edited Mar 20, 2019 12:24 pm

Rolls

CHA Persuasion (with Emissary of Peace booster) - (1d20+11)

(4) + 11 = 15

CHA Persuasion, possible Advantage - (1d20+11)

(9) + 11 = 20

Guidance - (1d4)

(3) = 3

Mar 20, 2019 4:37 pm

Baracus falls into the role of tough cop, roughly handling the rat cultists and assuming an imposing posture with a grim scowl.

OOC:

Trying to aid Urban's good cop play! Hopefully granting advantage.

Rydler Cogma

HypCo Inactive forever!

Mar 20, 2019 4:53 pm

Rydler leans on Urban and looks down on the two wererats "Quite the predicament you've found yourselves in, ayy Wormsies?"

OOC:

Casting Guidance on Urban.

Mar 20, 2019 5:14 pm

From the crawlspace comes a soft whisper. "Psst. Erden!" hisses Ybus. "I think I'm stuck."

Erden Crashboom

Naatkinson

Mar 20, 2019 6:15 pm

Sighing (a common occurence when dealing with Ybus), Erden moves over to the crawl space and grabs hold of Ybus' arm and begins to tug, "Then get unstuck!"

Mar 20, 2019 6:19 pm

"Wait wait wait," says Ybus as he is tugged along. "I think I got it. Here, pull my finger."

Erden Crashboom

Naatkinson

Mar 20, 2019 6:23 pm

Erden stops and stares at Ybus, then raises a hand sparking with electricity, "I swear to any gods that are listening that if you fart, your dangly bits are going to get a jumpstart..." he says, the edge of his lips quivering with the effort of holding back a laugh.

Mar 20, 2019 6:54 pm

Ybus looks hurt and surprised by the accusation. "No, seriously, I think it will shrink my belly enough to get through!" he claims, then pauses.

"Eh, nevermind, I got it," he sighs in relief. He then wiggles forward out of the crawlspace. "Whoo, I would not go back in there just yet."

Prior to his exit, Ybus mentally commands his Unseen Servant to put the Blue Sky vials back into his pocket. Good thing those servants don't have noses.

Mar 20, 2019 9:52 pm

Wormtongue is defiant, but Wormtail spills his guts. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that these two aren't high enough on the food chain to be privy to the specifics of the nefarious plot being carried out here.

Wormtail reveals, with constant interruptions by Wormtongue, that the rat cult's high priest, Shudraka, was in league with the demon, Sardo Numspa. They lured Lord Aplu to the temple to power the portal here, and abducted the Golden Child to power a portal under the city. A network of portals, situated in key locations around the world, was established by Sardo Numspa to allow his master to come and begin his dark reign here. Now, with Sardo Numspa dead, and the two Pradeshi portals destroyed, the future is uncertain.

The other deities (that they are aware of) are:
Sebek-Ra, crocodilian god of fear in Hiptos.
Kuntur, condor god of pain in Camaxacal.
Kaliya-te, goat-headed death god in Bimar.

It seems the superior that Wormtail was fretting about was the high priest Shudraka (current location unknown). Wormtail and Wormtongue have never dealt with anyone higher in the pecking order.

That is all they know. What do you do?

Mar 21, 2019 4:10 am

"The danger to Skandrana-Varhu is over then," Baracus croaks. He turns to Wormtail and Wormtongue.

"Do you want to join your god now?"

Mar 21, 2019 6:08 pm