Post by TheUdjat on Jul 27, 2009 12:56:58 GMT -5
[Red Team seems to keep shrinking. 
Ryngo, Fangor, you guys still with us?]
SEA GREEN
Stunned by the man’s capacity to resist such extreme intimidation and threats—for indeed, Gro-bug is no slouch when it comes to frightening men to their very bones—the companions try to undermine the man’s greater fear: that of the Deathspeakers.
Natsumi, too, adds her own words on the matter, trying to appeal to what honor might remain in this Yexuhl.
But the scout merely laughs at these words in a nervous, manic manner. “You don’t understand,” he says quickly. “You talk of honor and killing and fear of fear itself—you don’t understand!” He laughs again, high-pitched, maddened. “They want you to kill them! They have mastered unlife, and each one you kill gives birth to another immortal servant—not those pitiful zombies or skeletons you hear about, but thinking, powerful beings.” He shakes his head quickly. “We fought them, at first, but it is useless. The High King saw that, and now…” His eyes widen fearfully. “But I’ve already said too much! They’re always watching, from every shadow, and if they think I’ve said something—”
He looks directly at Natsumi. “The power fear has over me, the torture it causes, is nothing to what they can do to your soul, woman!”
Here the scout clams up, his words making little sense and taking a rambling tone when he does manage to speak at all, revealing no further insights into the Yexuhl or the Deathspeakers that hold such powerful sway over them—and certainly not to this matter of Scaland. If continually pressed, the man begins to pitifully beg for death, over and over again, until silenced in some manner.
Despite the unsettling scene, Ella keeps an eye on their surroundings, aware that one ambush might lead to another. But as far as she can tell, the area is calm and quiet, except for the usual sounds of the native fauna. Checking the shadows the man alludes to, even, reveals nothing out of the ordinary to Ella.
(Character Status)
Ella – 67/77 HP; DR 3/- (4 blocked), Lifedrinking 12 (Lance)
Sean – 47/47 HP; Hide from Undead
Gro-bug – 79/100 HP, DR 1/-
Henrick – 73/78 HP
Natsumi – 51/52 HP, Freedom of Movement
Antyca – No damage [Absent]
Squeeks – No damage
Archer – 14 damage, 41 nonlethal damage / or ~4 damage, 31 nonlethal
DARK RED
Lenny-
(Repost)
The Halfling heads off for the University, remember that the dwarf they met there proved most information and helpful. An expert of dwarven history, perhaps he could provide some clues. As before, Lenny is forced to relinquish his weapons—unless he manages to hide some—and slips away from the gate just as he hears the guards talk about ‘new restrictions’ and ‘people to look for.’
The gnome works fast.
It takes a little bit of questioning to track down Hallen again, but soon enough a friend of the dwarf’s points Lenny to the library, where he is apparently hard at study. There Lenny finds him, sure enough, with a few books spread around him and spectacles on his face. He doesn’t even notice Lenny walking over to him until he announces is presence
Assuming he does— “Ah, Lenny, isn’t it?” He seems surprised. “I surely didn’t expect you to come back so soon. Is there something I can help you with?” He looks past the Halfling. “Where are your fellows?”
Gildas-
Gildas defends his actions, though Wanderer remains quietly uncertain of what might have been a better way to approach things—but perhaps the barbarian has accepted that the deed is done, and no amount of talking can change it now.
Turning their minds to the next approach, Gildas pinpoints the dean of Modrock University as the next man to approach. As the head figure out the University and a person of more influence than the curator, this only makes sense.
Lockheart considers the matter. “Most of the University staff lives on the University. It levitates at night, making it off limits, and staff are required to have access at all hours. Hence, on-site quarters.” He rubs his moustache, considering. “Aside from business in his office, didn’t we hear that the dean is most often at the council chambers? It would make sense, as an important figure in the city, to be often about business with the city council.” He shrugs. “Might be we could catch him there, or coming and going between the two.”
[Just tell me what you’d like to do. You’re effectively making the decision alone at this point.
Wanderer and Lockheart are NPCs, and I’m not making decisions for you.]
Tyrano, Norven-
Norven begins to move in on the black-clad men, sensing that the time to strike is now. He related his plan to Tyrano:
Barring actual input, Tyrano-in-the-DM’s-hands readily agrees to the plan, and resolves to skulk nearby with bow at the ready while Norven makes the snatch-and-grab attempt. [We’ll start with some Hide/Move Silently rolls vs. Spot/Listen to sneak up.]
Norven moves like the very shadows themselves, each step quiet as a ghostly footfall, even his breath drawn in absolute silence. Finally, he draws near the last scholar in the train, hoping to seize him quickly and quietly. In a flash, he reaches out, clapping one hand snugly over the man’s mouth and using the other to jerk him away from the others—his feet don’t even so much as scuff the ground. Tyrano and Norven watch, tense, but the other two men just continue on, speaking low amongst themselves, oblivious to their companion being grabbed.
Wanting to get out of the open with his struggling quarry, Norven forces him off of the main road, to a shadowy alcove where he can pin him down unseen. The man thrashes and fights and much as he is able, but he’s no warrior, and no acrobat. Norven holds him fast, and wrestles him to the ground while, up ahead, the other two just continue on, unaware that their fellow is no longer with them.
But how long will they continue on without so much as a backward glance? Certainly not forever. Whatever Norven has planned to do with this one, he’d best do it now, while the others might be out of earshot and yet unaware.
All the while, Tyrano keeps his bow trained on the other two, to hail a barrage on them and tie them up while Norven deals with his foe. But as of yet, this has not been necessary.
(Combat Actions)
Initiative- Norven (18), Tyrano (6), Scholars (5). [Restated for my benefit]
(Character Status)
Gildas – 69/69 HP
Lenny – 61/61 HP
Wystfalrun – 62/62 HP
Norven – 71/71 HP
Lockheart – No damage
Wanderer – 90/90 HP
Black-clad Scholar 1 – Pinned, silenced
Black-clad Scholar 2 – No damage
Black-clad Scholar 3 – No damage
Ryngo, Fangor, you guys still with us?]SEA GREEN
Stunned by the man’s capacity to resist such extreme intimidation and threats—for indeed, Gro-bug is no slouch when it comes to frightening men to their very bones—the companions try to undermine the man’s greater fear: that of the Deathspeakers.
"I have killed many deathspeakers.....my friend there wears one of their breastplates as a memento of one of our many victories. They die easily enough....what is to fear?"
Natsumi, too, adds her own words on the matter, trying to appeal to what honor might remain in this Yexuhl.
"Yes, what is to fear, or rather, what exists for you now aside from fear? If this is what these Deathspeakers have convinced you to hold true then you are already being punished. Nothing you can deny or say to us will change that. They will continue to torment your life and death, and those of your kind, and more still. Whoever would be foolish enough to believe that there is no other alternative than to fear the Deathspeakers. You will all be plagued and terrorized regardless of whether or not you should betray their secrets."
"If you would be a man of honor, turn your back on those who have forcefully laid claim to your body and soul and those of your Yexuhl brethren, or submit to the Deathspeakers. Allow their grasp to tighten as you die the silent death of a coward."
"If you would be a man of honor, turn your back on those who have forcefully laid claim to your body and soul and those of your Yexuhl brethren, or submit to the Deathspeakers. Allow their grasp to tighten as you die the silent death of a coward."
But the scout merely laughs at these words in a nervous, manic manner. “You don’t understand,” he says quickly. “You talk of honor and killing and fear of fear itself—you don’t understand!” He laughs again, high-pitched, maddened. “They want you to kill them! They have mastered unlife, and each one you kill gives birth to another immortal servant—not those pitiful zombies or skeletons you hear about, but thinking, powerful beings.” He shakes his head quickly. “We fought them, at first, but it is useless. The High King saw that, and now…” His eyes widen fearfully. “But I’ve already said too much! They’re always watching, from every shadow, and if they think I’ve said something—”
He looks directly at Natsumi. “The power fear has over me, the torture it causes, is nothing to what they can do to your soul, woman!”
Here the scout clams up, his words making little sense and taking a rambling tone when he does manage to speak at all, revealing no further insights into the Yexuhl or the Deathspeakers that hold such powerful sway over them—and certainly not to this matter of Scaland. If continually pressed, the man begins to pitifully beg for death, over and over again, until silenced in some manner.
Despite the unsettling scene, Ella keeps an eye on their surroundings, aware that one ambush might lead to another. But as far as she can tell, the area is calm and quiet, except for the usual sounds of the native fauna. Checking the shadows the man alludes to, even, reveals nothing out of the ordinary to Ella.
(Character Status)
Ella – 67/77 HP; DR 3/- (4 blocked), Lifedrinking 12 (Lance)
Sean – 47/47 HP; Hide from Undead
Gro-bug – 79/100 HP, DR 1/-
Henrick – 73/78 HP
Natsumi – 51/52 HP, Freedom of Movement
Antyca – No damage [Absent]
Squeeks – No damage
Archer – 14 damage, 41 nonlethal damage / or ~4 damage, 31 nonlethal
DARK RED
Lenny-
(Repost)
The Halfling heads off for the University, remember that the dwarf they met there proved most information and helpful. An expert of dwarven history, perhaps he could provide some clues. As before, Lenny is forced to relinquish his weapons—unless he manages to hide some—and slips away from the gate just as he hears the guards talk about ‘new restrictions’ and ‘people to look for.’
The gnome works fast.
It takes a little bit of questioning to track down Hallen again, but soon enough a friend of the dwarf’s points Lenny to the library, where he is apparently hard at study. There Lenny finds him, sure enough, with a few books spread around him and spectacles on his face. He doesn’t even notice Lenny walking over to him until he announces is presence
Assuming he does— “Ah, Lenny, isn’t it?” He seems surprised. “I surely didn’t expect you to come back so soon. Is there something I can help you with?” He looks past the Halfling. “Where are your fellows?”
Gildas-
Gildas defends his actions, though Wanderer remains quietly uncertain of what might have been a better way to approach things—but perhaps the barbarian has accepted that the deed is done, and no amount of talking can change it now.
Turning their minds to the next approach, Gildas pinpoints the dean of Modrock University as the next man to approach. As the head figure out the University and a person of more influence than the curator, this only makes sense.
Lockheart considers the matter. “Most of the University staff lives on the University. It levitates at night, making it off limits, and staff are required to have access at all hours. Hence, on-site quarters.” He rubs his moustache, considering. “Aside from business in his office, didn’t we hear that the dean is most often at the council chambers? It would make sense, as an important figure in the city, to be often about business with the city council.” He shrugs. “Might be we could catch him there, or coming and going between the two.”
[Just tell me what you’d like to do. You’re effectively making the decision alone at this point.
Wanderer and Lockheart are NPCs, and I’m not making decisions for you.]Tyrano, Norven-
Norven begins to move in on the black-clad men, sensing that the time to strike is now. He related his plan to Tyrano:
"I will move in and take down the last one in line and try to keep him quiet (grapple/cover his mouth) so the others will keep on going. and if that doesn't work, while they are focused on me you can at least get a jump on them from behind."
Barring actual input, Tyrano-in-the-DM’s-hands readily agrees to the plan, and resolves to skulk nearby with bow at the ready while Norven makes the snatch-and-grab attempt. [We’ll start with some Hide/Move Silently rolls vs. Spot/Listen to sneak up.]
Norven moves like the very shadows themselves, each step quiet as a ghostly footfall, even his breath drawn in absolute silence. Finally, he draws near the last scholar in the train, hoping to seize him quickly and quietly. In a flash, he reaches out, clapping one hand snugly over the man’s mouth and using the other to jerk him away from the others—his feet don’t even so much as scuff the ground. Tyrano and Norven watch, tense, but the other two men just continue on, speaking low amongst themselves, oblivious to their companion being grabbed.
Wanting to get out of the open with his struggling quarry, Norven forces him off of the main road, to a shadowy alcove where he can pin him down unseen. The man thrashes and fights and much as he is able, but he’s no warrior, and no acrobat. Norven holds him fast, and wrestles him to the ground while, up ahead, the other two just continue on, unaware that their fellow is no longer with them.
But how long will they continue on without so much as a backward glance? Certainly not forever. Whatever Norven has planned to do with this one, he’d best do it now, while the others might be out of earshot and yet unaware.
All the while, Tyrano keeps his bow trained on the other two, to hail a barrage on them and tie them up while Norven deals with his foe. But as of yet, this has not been necessary.
(Combat Actions)
- Surprise Round: Tyrano readies, and Norven tries to silently grapple his opponent. The rules are fuzzy on this, but I will rule that if he foregoes dealing damage, Norven’s grapple can go unnoticed (provided it is successful, of course). If the opponent breaks free, or Norven chooses to do damage instead, he will then be noticed, unless he moves the grapple back into hiding or Pins his opponent.
No attack of opportunity, as the target is both unaware and flatfooted. Touch attack @ +8: 12, success. Opposed grapple checks. Norven @ +12: 29; vs Scholar: 7. Grapple succeeds by a landslide. - Initiative: Norven (18), Tyrano (6), Scholars (5). Norven gets to go again.
- Adjusting your action a little. Norven will try to move the scholar into the shadows and hold him there until the others have moved on. Opposed Grapple. Norven @ +12: 14; vs Scholar: 7. Norven still win, silently drags the scholar at 1/4 his movement. For a full round action, I’ll let him move a full 15’, easily enough to get into a handy shadowy alley.
- Tyrano continues to hold his action, readying.
- There is a chance the others, of their own accord, glance back and notice their comrade’s absence. D100 roll: [results hidden] But they don’t. The grappled scholar attempts to free himself. Opposed Grapples. Scholar: 14; vs. Norven @ +12: 17. He fails. Unaware of their fellow, the other two move 30’ onward in the direction they were going.
- Norven can now Pin the scholar and wait there as his fellows continue to march off. Opposed grapples. Norven: 31 vs Scholar: 19.
- Tyrano skips again, so it’s back to the other scholars. D100 roll: They still don’t notice. Another 30’ away. The other scholar tries to break out of the pin. More opposed checks. Scholar: 15 vs Norven 31 again. He remains pinned, immobile, and unable to speak.
- Initiative goes to Norven. The scholar’s buddies are now 60’ away.
Initiative- Norven (18), Tyrano (6), Scholars (5). [Restated for my benefit]
(Character Status)
Gildas – 69/69 HP
Lenny – 61/61 HP
Wystfalrun – 62/62 HP
Norven – 71/71 HP
Lockheart – No damage
Wanderer – 90/90 HP
Black-clad Scholar 1 – Pinned, silenced
Black-clad Scholar 2 – No damage
Black-clad Scholar 3 – No damage
]
