Session #2
Messalina attempts to stealthily open the door leading into Room #2 - Stealth: 16 - Easily beats the goblins' passive perception. She sees three goblin guardsmen armed with swords arguing with a goblin bowman. In between the group is a small pile of treasure that they have accrued.
---
“We have to ration some of this money in order to send it out with the merchants to buy us more stuff,” The bowman said, “Even if we went out and foraged, food from the market tastes even better. Plus we need to get beer.”
“I want something to show for all the raiding we’ve done rather than just hand it over to those three,” Another goblin snapped, “I want my share of loot!”
“You get your share in the form of food and drink,” The first goblin snapped.
“Actually, I have news for all of you,” Messalina said, “We’re here to clear you out.”
One of the swordsmen spat to the side when he saw Messalina, “Who the hell are you?”
She tapped her knuckles on the door, at which point Topace opened the door and the goblins got a look at the rest of the party.
---
Messalina attempts a Persuade check, offering that each goblin take a share of the silver in exchange for vacating the property. Persuade: 24 - Success.
Each goblin takes 100 sp and 100 cp from the main pile (-400 SP for a total of 500 sp; -400 CP for a total of 500 cp remaining). After which the group leaves the keep, but are strictly told by Longinus that this was the only act of mercy they would be receiving.
---
Longinus noted, “If you try to bring others, or think you’ll ambush out there, just know we won’t accept quarter in the future. This is your only chance to walk away.”
The leader of the guards inclines his head, “I would say see you soon, but that may be interpreted as a threat.” The four goblins leave the room and seemingly set out from the castle.
---
Q: Do the goblins notice the party’s camp?
A: No, no modifier - the goblins are lucky they did not get in a fight that could get them killed, in addition, they were allowed to keep some of the pay they’ve previously taken.
---
The party moves north and finds themselves facing three doors across from them and a hallway that splits in either direction.
(Random Encounter (2-in-6): 5 - No Encounter)
The party approaches the door on the left with Messalina giving it the once over before she listens at the door. Her Perception check: 6 - While is generally viewed as a failure, in game, Messalina would have been told she had not heard anything substantial.
She shrugs and opens the door to Room #3. There is actually a ‘trader’ that is working as part of an independent group that is squatting in the castle. As she walks in, she finds that the trader has his back to the party, using a chamber pot. ---
Montague yells out as hears the whine of metal grinding against metal as the door opens, “Hey! People are supposed to knock.” Montague quickly rose, fumbling for his breeches before he turned and found him facing Messalina and the rest of the party. “Hey, this room is taken. I think there are some bedrooms on the north side, or maybe one of the tower rooms.”
Messalina looked to the others before Topace asked, “Who the hell are you?”
“My name’s Montague, and this is the room I staked out.”
“You know that someone else owns this castle, right?” Messalina asked, raising her brow.
Montague blew air from between his lips, “Yeah? Some cowardly nobleman or merchant came walking in here. He took a look at my boss and a few of the goblins and ran back out. What makes it your business?”
“That’s OUR boss you’re talking about,” Topace said.
Seeing such a large party, five members, Montague points to his merchant’s chest, “I’ll just grab a few things and be on my way.”
---
(Montague Stealth check vs. Messalina and Topace, the immediate parties watching him. Stealth: 9 vs. 14 (Messalina & Topace scores))
Montague had drawn his shortsword, only to realize that the two were staring right at him. He bangs the hilt against the wall, “Escalus! Release the wolves!”
Topace snaps, “Why you!”
---
Round #1 (Trying Card Initiative)
GM: 10 Clubs
Longinus: Jack of Diamonds
Topace: 3 of Clubs
Messalina: King of Hearts
Branwell: Queen of Diamonds
Fengir: Jack of Clubs
Messalina takes aim and throws one of her knives at Montague (Trader #1) - Attack: Natural 20 - Crit. Damage: 4+4 = 8 + 4+3 = 7. Final Damage: 15. Montague HP: 0/11 - Slain
Brawnell holds action, readying himself for trouble.
Fengir heard banging on the walls and made an Investigation (+3) = Natural 20 - He deduces that Montague was banging on the wall leading to the Merchant’s room. He holds and waits to move with either Topace or Longinus. Seeing Longinus drew the Jack of Diamonds, the Catfolk alerts the Paladin to what Montague was doing and follows Montague.
---
Oracle Interlude - Q: Does Escalus the Merchant get the door open before Longinus opens the door?
A: Yes, no modifier - Escalus responds to the warning by already grabbing the door and whistling for the wolves. They will approach on round #2.
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Longinus opens the door and spots the man in the center room, Escalus the Merchant, already having the door open and whistling. He closes and attacks the merchant with his spatha (longsword). Attack: 14 - Hit. Damage: 9. Escalus HP: 18/27
Fengir casts Frostbite. Escalus Saves: Natural 20 - Success
Escalus attacks Longinus with a +1 scimitar. Attack: 20 - Hit. Damage: 4. Longinus HP: 8/12. Escalus (the Merchant) uses Tactical Withdrawal (0/1 Use) to gain a free Disengage at half-movement. He moves into the courtyard and out of the way of the oncoming wolves who smell Longinus’ open wound.
Capulet (Trader #2) - Opens the door from his room and fires a Light Crossbow at Fengir. Attack: 12 - Miss
Topace sees that Montague (Trader #1) is dead. He charges and attacks Capulet with his Warhammer. Attack: 12 - Hit. Damage: 9. Capulet (Trader #2) HP: 2/11
---
Initiative - Round #2
GM: 2 of Diamonds
Longinus: 8 of Diamonds
Topace: 9 of Hearts
Messalina: 10 of Hearts
Branwell: 7 of Diamonds
Fengir: 8 of Hearts
Messalina moves and retrieves her dagger from the quite dead Montague
---
GM Interlude - Does Capulet try to surrender?
A: Yes, no modifier
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Topace sees Capulet (Trader #2) throw down his crossbow and raise his hand. Not being a wanton slayer, Topace orders the Trader to sit on his hands and kicks the crossbow away. He takes Capulet prisoner and under guard, unaware of the wolves.
Longinus sees two large wolves appear, having been attracted to Escalus’ initial noise and the scent of blood. He does not venture far, instead brings his shield up and prepares a Dodge action to avoid attacks.
Fengir moves up and positions himself behind Longinus and notes the two wolves. He fires a Firebolt. Attack: 7 - Miss
Branwell hears there is fighting in the distance and that Topace will be needed. He moves to relieve Topace of guard duty over a compliant Capulet.
Each wolf is checked to see if they go after Longinus or if they split and attack Escalus. This will be a random targeting roll (d6): 1-4 = Longinus / 5-6 = Escalus. Results: 6 & 6 - Both wolves seem to sense that while Longinus is injured, he seems the tougher opponent and instead turn on the lightly armored Escalus.
Wolf #1 Attack w/ Pack Tactics: 19 - Hit. Damage: 6. Escalus HP: 12/27 / Escalus Save vs. Knockdown: 16 vs. 11 - Success.
Wolf #2 Attack w/ Pack Tactics: 12 - Miss.
Escalus begs for Longinus to come save him! At the same time, he attacks Wolf #1 w/ Scimitar. Attack: 14 - Hit. Damage: 8. Wolf #1 HP: 3/11 - “Please! I’ll give up, just come help me with these beasts!”
---
Round #3
GM: JOKER! - 50/50 (Low Joker goes to Escalus): 42% / Wolves (New Draw): JOKER! - 50/50 to see who acts first: 53%
Longinus: Ace of Spades
Topace: 6 of Clubs
Messalina: 5 of Diamonds
Branwell: 3 of Spades
Fengir: Ace of Hearts
Wolf #1 attacks Escalus with Bite. Attack: 20 - Hit. Damage: 7. Escalus HP: 5/27 - Escalus Save: 6 vs. 11 - Failure
Wolf #2 attacks Escalus w/ Bite. Attack: 22 - Hit. Damage: 7. Escalus HP: 0/27 - Slain!
Longinus moves forward with spatha and shield attacks Wolf #1. Attack: 14 - Hit. Damage: 7. Wolf #1 HP: 0/11 - Slain
Fengir moves up to back up Longinus and attacks with Forstbite. Wolf Save: Natural 20 - Success
Topace is mobile and starts moving towards the courtyard.
Messalina moves into the hallway and sees the fighting has spilled from Escalus room (Room #4) and into the inner courtyard. She is a step behind Topace
Branwell continues to guard Capulet.
---
Round #4
GM: 6 of Spades
Longinus: 3 of Clubs
Topace: King of Hearts
Messalina: 5 of Hearts
Branwell: Jack of Hearts
Fengir: Jack of Spades
Topace moves up next to Longinus and attacks Wolf #2. Attack: 7 - Miss
Fengir casts Firebolt on Wolf #2. Attack: 20 - Hit. Damage: 5. Wolf #2 HP: 6/11
Branwell orders Capulet to stand and attempts to march the Trader into the center room to be near the party. // Q: Does Capulet comply? Yes, but it is a ruse for Capulet to Disengage and start running on his turn.
Wolf #2 attacks Topace. It is in a bloodlust. Attack: 20 - Hit. Damage: 9. Topace HP: 3/12
Capulet uses Disengage and runs from Branwell after initially standing at Branwell’s order. He is trying to escape the castle.
Messalina had been moving when she saw Capulet book it. She wants to have a good range, which means she moves, sacrificing her Aim action to gain Sneak Attack. Standard throw: 11 - Miss
Longius uses Lay on Hands (0/5 Remaining) and heals Topace 5. Topace HP: 8/12
Round #5
GM: 2 of Clubs
Longinus: 9 of Hearts
Topace: 4 of Diamonds
Messalina: 3 of Diamonds
Branwell: 2 of Hearts
Fengir: 3 of Hearts
Longinus attacks Wolf #2. Attack: Natural 1 - Miss + Event Dice (- / Blank / +) = + - Automiss, not other events
Topace attacks Wolf #2. Attack: 18 - Hit. Damage: 10. Wolf #2 HP: 0/11 - Slain
Messalina Aims with her second dagger and makes a Sneak Attack on Capulet. Attack: 18 - Hit. Damage: 6+2 = 8. Capulet HP: 0/11 - Slain
---
Branwell blinked in surprise how Messalina buried the dagger into Capulet. As she walked over to retrieve her knife, he even voiced his surprise. “I can’t imagine he was coming back.”
“He was willing to shoot at us over a slight provocation,” Messalina said, “He almost injured one of you out of here. At least the goblins were willing to talk it out.”
“I guess so,” Branwell said.
---
The party retreats to the abandoned dining room for a Short Rest, which will allow Longinus to spend one of his Hit Die in order to heal himself, binding any minor wounds, allowing his fatigue to subside. Hit Die (½ Remaining) - Heal: 3+2 = 5. Longinus HP: 12/12.
Random Encounter Chance (1-in-6): 4 - No Encounter
---
Fengir sat with his legs crossed, a pipe tucked between his feline lips as his gold eyes stared at a small crystal pyramid that he had brought with him from Glantri. Topace watched Fengir Aramel for a moment as he cleansed the head of his warhammer with a dirty rag.
“Interested?” Fengir asked, indicating his meditation pyramid.
“I heard you talking back in Threshold that you are some kind of special magic-user. You know minor spells, but not as many as true wizards from your land,” Topace said.
“That’s correct,” Fengir said, “Since the Glantri Interregnum, few beastfolk wished to truly learn the magic of our oppressors. We picked up some things here and there. Some of it drawn from magical objects, such as this pyramid.” Fengir gestured to the beveled crystal piece which contained a prismatic pattern in the center, “This object my grandfather had taken from one of the magisters and absorbed the ability to produce cantrips, and from him, my father learned from it, and now I carry on the legacy.”
“How come you're out here in Karameikos, if I may ask,” Topace opened his pack and reached for dried jerky and nuts to go along with his water. He offered some of his rations to Fengir, who shook his head and declined.
“Even though we had the interregnum and forced the arcanists to concede land, Glantri has never been a true haven. After my grandparents' ashes were scattered we decided to seek a better life away from the Principality. While the Grand Duchy dislikes beastmen and gnolls, we have proven we can follow the law. We also are willing to remain north near the mountains rather than settle in Specularum.”
“Let’s get ready to move soon,” Longinus declared after finishing his bandaging. The others nodded, and Topace gave a second, appreciative nod to Fengir as he stood to go.
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