Airwalkrr's Shackled City IC

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Speak up, and speak the truth.
The large Orc breed leans over the counter to meet the gnome’s face.
I eat the likes of you to breakfast, so don’t be messing around.
The tactless Orc continues
Even the gods spoke about a weird gnome and a curtain, so speak up.

*Intimidate.

[airwalkrr]

As Floch bears down on the gnome, you note his bottom lip begins to quiver and his eyes grow wide. He lets out a squeak, followed by a wince and a whisper, "Please, don't hurt me. I'll help you, but I have this little...problem...back there. Maybe we can fix it together."

You are unsure, but it almost sounds as if he is inviting you to the back room for a little fun. Still, one thing is certain, he is quite terrified of you and willing to comply with any reasonable request.

OOC

Intimidate check was successful. The gnome will be considered friendly towards Floch for the next 10-60 minutes, as long as Floch remains nearby.

[Thanee]

“Ha!” Alexi calls out, then blushes slightly and becomes silent.

...looks like this is the right curtain after all... she continues in thought.

After a moment she speaks up again. “Is there a connection between your storage rooms and the ways beneath the city?”

She makes it sound as if she knew about those "ways" even though it's purely a stab into the dark (Bluff +7).

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Move aside little one.
The Half Orc takes matter to his hands and turn to his new friends.
Be ready.
He then cast aside the curtain to reveal what's behind the mysterious screen.

[Bohemian Ear-Spork]

With a sigh, Simon raises his hands and flexes his fingers, bluegreen light flickering briefly around them. "Ready enough, friend."

[airwalkrr]

Floch shoves the red curtains aside to reveal the back room. Black curtains partially obscure a window niche that faces the street. Ornate locks and complex locking mechanisms are neatly displayed in the niche. The room itself looks tidy, but lived in. Carpets cover the stone floor, and a broom leans against the railing of a wooden staircase leading up to a second floor balcony. Three wooden chests rest in the middle of the floor, their lids bound shut with sturdy iron padlocks. Small tables, shelves, and benches hold various knick-knacks, and a framed portrait of a silver-haired gnome hangs next to a tall wooden box at the base of the stairs. The wooden box contains an intricate array of ticking gears, counterweights, and cylindrical chimes, surmounted by a circular face that bears the numerals 1 through 12 on its circumference.

However, before you can make much headway into the room, you are surprised to hear a sudden *whoosh* and find a cloaked figure has leaped off the balcony to land nimbly on its feet adjacent to Floch. Before Floch can react, it lunges with its rapier, albiet somewhat clumsily as it flies right between Floch's arm and his torso, a near miss.

*End Surprise Round*

Initiative
Fellian 22
Cloaked Figure 22
Keth 18
Fario 16
Gnome 16
Alexi 13
Baelor 10
Simon 9
Goran 7
Floch 5

*Round 1*
With the curtains pulled back, the scuffle is immediately apparent to those in the main room. Fellian is first to react, pulling his shortbow and sending an arrow whizzing across the room and thudding ineffectually into the wall adjacent to the curtains. The cloaked figure, still seizing the initiative manages to get in another strike before Floch realizes what is happening and lunges again, this time bending his rapier on Floch's armor before being thwarted. The figure hisses at its misfortune as it prepares for a counterattack.

OOC

I won't necessarily wait for everyone to post before doing an update. If I hear from Keth's and Alexi's players before I hear from the rest, for example, I will bring the round current, up to their actions. If I don't hear from someone after about 48 hours, I will decide the most logical action consistent with that character. In general I will not have the character use consumable items or take risks that would be excessively out of character. It would assist me greatly if everyone posted a mini stat block in a spoiler indicating hp, AC (plus touch and flat-footed), saving throws, and Spot/Listen modifiers. If you do not include your attacks and damage then please roll on invisible castle, linking the roll. This isn't necessarily a major battle, but keep these things in mind for future battles.

[airwalkrr]

OOC

One other note. I am assuming Fang was left outside and told to stay since 1) it is pretty cramped inside the shop and 2) it is generally a bad idea to bring pets into a store. Even Keth, with his limited experience would have already learned this.

[Oni]

When the cloaked figure dropped into view it was a more obvious clue than he had been expecting. I guess this is it after all, he thought. As the newcomer brought his rapier to bear Keth just growled and yanked the dark wood cudgel from the rope that served as his belt. Keth slipped by Simon around the edge of the mahogany counter to bring himself to Floch's side. He waved his little club menacing, looking for an opportunity to strike. He spared one sidelong glance to the gnome shopkeeper.

Don't even think about it.

ooc

move action to draw weapon, standard action to move into position. Adjacent to gnome and floch.

HP: 10/10
AC: 15, Touch: 13, FF: 13
Fort: +5, Ref: +5, Will: +5 (additional +2 vs. fear effects)
Spot: +5
Listen: +8

[Thanee]

Alexi simply delays, keeping her eyes on the gnome. With so many hopefully capable fighters around, she doesn't see the need to use her magic on the sole opponent present at this point.

[airwalkrr]

Fario, like his companion, draws a bow and launches an arrow towards the cloaked figure. Also like his companion, his arrow misses its mark and you hear it soar into the far wall of the back room. The gnome, for his part, flees from the cloaked figure back towards Goran and Alexi. The cloaked figure jabs ineffectively as the gnome lets down his guard.

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

What the...
The surprised Orc breed wasn't expecting someone to attack him. Luckily, he is wearing his iron. With a swift motion he takes out his trusty battleaxe. The crystal that is fixed on it begins to glow (5 ft. radius) .
He then swings it with the intention to cut the robed figure.

ooc

move action to draw weapon, standard action to Attack with Battle axe +6, dmg 1d8+4.
HP: 13/13
AC: 18, Touch: 11, FF: 17
Fort: +5, Ref: +1, Will: +1
Spot: +1
Listen: +1

[Thanee]

“Is that guy the problem you spoke of?” Alexi asks the gnome as he comes closer.

[Rhun]

Baelor brandishes his axe as he tries to push through the press to reach the cloaked figure attacking the half-orc.

Don't know if there is room to move in and attack, but if Baelor can do that, he will:

Waraxe +4, damage 1d10+3/x3

Stat Block

AC: 18, HP: 09/09
Fort +4, Refl +3, Wil +1 (+2 racial bonus vrs poison and spells/spell-like effects)
Spot +4, Listen +4

[airwalkrr]

"You don't know the half of it! He's just the one they leave to keep an eye on me. Oh, they're going to kill Starbrow for this!" the gnome moans in anguish.

Baelor moves quickly to take the gnome's previous position before the strange cloaked figure can react, thus avoiding the negative consequences of letting his guard down. By the time the cloaked figure turns to him, he has already taken a defensive posture.

OOC

Last call for Goran and Simon's actions.

[Bohemian Ear-Spork]

"Oh, now this simply shan't stand!" Simon raises one hand and traces a symbol in the air, where it hangs for a moment as a sickly-grey sigil before, with a flick of his wrist, he sends it seething through the air towards the cloaked man. "Take him alive, if we can!"

OOC

Weekends are always difficult times for posting for me.... But here I am now, and thank goodness for Simon's crappy initiative roll!

HP: 8/8
AC: 16, Touch: 12, FF: 14
Fort: +2, Ref: +2, Will: +3
Spot: +1
Listen: +1

It looks as though I have LOS, if only just -- If I'm misreading that, he'll simply delay an action until/if he gets a clear shot.

Said shot is a Ray of Enfeeblement[/url]: 1d20+2=15 ranged touch to-hit, 1d6+1=7 points of strength damage.

[Thanee]

“We have a lot to talk about still... is there any exit other than this?”

Alexi asks, while she moves to block the front door.

[airwalkrr]

Simon's conjured sigil soars towards the cloaked figure but his aim is a bit off, and the sigil strikes the back wall instead. Goran pulls out his throwing axe and chucks it at the cloaked figure, but the attack falls short of its mark and the axe clatters harmlessly to the floor. However, all of the attacks directed at it seem to catch the figure off guard as Floch cleaves his battle axe into the creature's side, causing a grave wound. Meanwhile, Alexi moves to cover the front door in case the creature tries to escape. Fellian nocks a second arrow and sends it singing towards its target. Though he comes closer than before, he still misses by a hair. Finally, the creature, in the throes of death lunges at Floch for one final strike before collapsing on the ground. Fortunately for the half-orc its rapier bends harmlessly against his armor. A pool of blood slowly begins to form around the creature.

The gnome quavers in the corner, simpering in fear. Clearly he is not used to the gore. "Please don't hurt me," he pleads, "I only did it under duress. They stole my rat and swore they would kill him if I didn't cooperate."

Though he is still standoffish towards most of you, he is clearly terrified of Floch, and seems inclined to be agreeable to any reasonable request the half-orc might make.

OOC

Just a word of advice for Bohemian, in case you weren't aware. Simon suffered a -4 penalty for firing a ranged attack into melee. Compound this with the fact that the creature had a +4 cover bonus to AC from intervening creatures and the counter and Simon had an effective -8 penalty to his roll. You may wish to factor that into your tactical considerations in the future. Ray of enfeeblement is a great spell if you have an unobstructed path towards enemies who are not engaged in melee with allies. In less optimal circumstances however, the penalties often significantly reduce its chances of having any effect.

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

The Half Orc lowers his battle axe, and kicks the rapier away from the cloaked figure. He then kneels toward it, and reveals the creature’s identity.
He is gravely wounded. We should tie him and see if we tend his wounds.
He turns to the gnome with a roar.
Hurry little one, bring me rope, NOW!

[Thanee]

“Could you please stop bullying him around like that? He already agreed to tell us what's going on, and he is apparantly just a victim of this whole scheme as well. A bit more reason is what we need now, if we want to find the kidnapped people and his... pet.”

Alexi then turns to the gnome.

“That is what you want, right? Help us, so we can help you.”

[Bohemian Ear-Spork]

"Exactly," Simon chimes in. "It's in everyone's best interests, friend. We will keep you safe, one way or another."

OOC

Yeah, running 4E has done that to me -- I'd forgotten entirely about 3.5's penalty for shooting into melee. My brain has trouble running on two tracks these days, even if they are largely parallel. Plus, I'm coming up with really awful metaphors.