Paridon: The Dark Metropolis (Ravenloft)

[InVinoVeritas]

Torhan leaps across the room, sticks his head out of the window and looks up.

Hanging on the outside wall, above the window, clings another gnome. His mask is stark white, frozen in the visage of a snarling vampire. Unruly red hair extends outward behind his mask, and he wears a brown leather outfit that fully covers his frame, including his hands. The gnome clings upside down on the wall, facing Torhan. He looks at Torhan for a split second before scurrying back up the wall and onto the roof, in reverse. A quick check of the wall shows that it is timber and stucco--not particularly well-suited for climbing.

* * *​

Fr. Berman quickly looks around. The road is very narrow, designed for gnomes, and can barely fit the carriage. There would be enough space to hug the wall and avoid the horses and conveyance, but probably not the driver's whip. The driver would have to turn the carriage to continue chasing after Ada and Pigglemorth, because a continued straight run would send the carriage into the plaza and the festivities.

The priest fights back a panicking instinct of standing still just as the horses, nostrils aflare, spit streaming from their mouths, careen toward him and Ru...

* * *​

"My name? Um, it's ... uh ... Templeton..."

There is hesitation.

SNAP!

Combledorn. A successful gnome crime family with a subtle profile.

"Agh! Combledorn!"

Darian stops a moment. When did that thought about the family name cross his mind? Before or after the gnome said it?

The jester, Templeton, looks more rattled than hurt at the moment, as he begins to sob.

 

[Rhun]

OOC: Did Torhan spot any easy access to the roof? Ladder, trapdoor, etc?

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Torhan looks around inside, but there is no easy access to the roof. It was slanted slate shingles, he remembers, very common in the neighborhood, and not designed for use by ladder or trap door. There does not appear to be any ladder around, either. There was one downstairs, for use in the apothecary, but it was so small that Torhan would not need it to reach the top shelves.

 

[Rhun]

Torhan swears as he realizes he is unable to follow the figure up onto the roof. Perhaps if he wasn't wearing armor, or if Ru were here...but no. Shaking his head, the paladin takes a quick moment to commit what he saw to memory. Then, he retrieves the journal off of the desk, tucks it into his pack, and returns to the shop downstairs. "Come, we should return to the others. I've had enough surprises for one day."

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

Fr. Berman quickly looks around. The road is very narrow, designed for gnomes, and can barely fit the carriage. There would be enough space to hug the wall and avoid the horses and conveyance, but probably not the driver's whip. The driver would have to turn the carriage to continue chasing after Ada and Pigglemorth, because a continued straight run would send the carriage into the plaza and the festivities.

The priest fights back a panicking instinct of standing still just as the horses, nostrils aflare, spit streaming from their mouths, careen toward him and Ru...

Ru swears under his breath. He tumbles aside, keeping his eyes on the driver and his whip, hoping he might still be able to take a shot.

[sblock=OOC]Declaring the driver Ru's Dodge opponent. +1 to AC (total 17). Not sure if he can take a shot on top of the move he'll make or not, but if he can, he will: Attack +5, damage 1d8[/sblock]

 

[kinem]

As Father Berman fights his fear of being crushed he decides not to try to freeze the driver with a prayer just yet. It could lead to trampled gnomes down the road, yet little chance of capturing the driver, as the spell often wears off quickly.

He quickly steps out of the way, drawing his dragon pistol. He aims for the driver, trying to track the moving target. He doesn't expect the shot to kill the driver, but a wounded driver could be easier to intimidate or track. Lady, may my hands follow your lead.

BANG! He hopes that the horses will be as afraid of the loud report of the pistol as they are of the driver's whip.

[sblock]With PBS (driver is within 30') and Precise shot
Attack +7 ranged, damage 1d12+1, crit 20/x3
If attack roll is 7 or less, use Luck power to reroll.[/sblock]

 

[InVinoVeritas]

As Torhan descends the staircase, Sasha stands at the base of the stairs, anxiety clear in her eyes. The mother stands in the middle of the room, her bright, rosy-cheeked mask conflicting with her tense posture and wringing hands.

The gnome in white speaks for all of them: "We heard a noise--what happened? What surprise? Will you be able to find Edditomas?"

He adds, "Also, if you are done here... I believe Sasha would like a word with you? In private?" Sasha puts her hands together in a pleading gesture.

* * *​

Ru and Fr. Berman throw their backs against the walls as the carriage goes barreling past. With a quick move Ru fires at the driver, wounding him squarely in the shoulder. Fr. Berman shakily pulls his pistol and takes aim... but his hands cannot hold still to connect with the target... BANG! His shot goes wild, but ricochets off a merchant's sign to graze the driver after all. "Bless the lady," he thinks.

The driver wraps his whip around Ru's arm and pulls. No stranger to a contest, Ru braces himself and pulls back--hard. The driver almost topples from his seat, but manages to loose the whip from around Ru's arm and release him.

The carriage careens past Ru and the priest, but does not manage to run over either person. Fr. Berman notes at least one more figure in the carriage--a squat man with a white mask with an extremely long nose watches as he passes the two policemen.

 

[Rhun]

Torhan looks over his gnome companions. "The noise was nothing worth noting," he says. Turning to look at Sasha, he nods. "Yes, I am done here for now. Let us speak."

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, barbaric human monk

The carriage careens past Ru and the priest, but does not manage to run over either person. Fr. Berman notes at least one more figure in the carriage--a squat man with a white mask with an extremely long nose watches as he passes the two policemen.

"It's sweet how he thinks he's getting away," Ru boasts with a smile to the priest. His eyes seem to focus inward, and the officer bolts after the carriage at a speed to rival the horses drawing it.

[sblock=OOC]Ru's base move is 50' and he's carrying a light load. I'm not sure if the horses are or not, but he should at least be able to keep pace by running for a round or two. For now, he's still carrying his bow.[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

"Tell me, Combledorn, what do you know about what happened here last night?"